This research evaluated deficit irrigation effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth, yield, and quality in semi-arid Pakistan during 2023–2024. Four treatments were applied: 100% ETc (control), 80% ETc, 60% ETc, and 40% ETc used a randomized complete block design. The treatment with 80% ETc maintained similar yields as full irrigation. It improved water use efficiency from 1.25 kg/m3 to 1.39 kg/m3. Plant height, SPAD values, and leaf area decreased with increasing water stress. Fruit quality parameters, including total soluble solids, improved under moderate deficit conditions. Moderate deficit irrigation (80% ETc) represents an optimal strategy for sustainable tomato production in water-scarce environments.
Microbial growth in food represents a public health problem that requires immediate attention. In Ecuador, 8924 cases of foodborne illness (FBD) were reported in 2020, most of them caused by bacteria. It is estimated that Escherichia coli causes 2,801,000 acute illnesses per year and results in 3890 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, 270 cases of end-stage renal disease and 230 deaths. Under this context, in this work, alginate capsules containing bioactive compounds from Lactobacillus plantarum GP108 were developed and their antimicrobial effect against E.coli was measured. The formulation of the capsules was carried out using a completely randomized experimental design with three formulations: maximum, average and minimum. The antimicrobial activity was measured by in vitro tests based on the increase in optical density during 7 days of exposure of E. coli with the capsules. By analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was found that the percentage inhibition of the capsules depended only on the formulation (p-value < 0.05), but not on the number of exposure capsules (p-value > 0.05). Tukey’s test indicated that the average formulation is the best at inhibiting the growth of E. coli, maintaining an average of 11.66% inhibition for 7 days. These findings show that bioactive compounds produced by L. plantarum GP108 encapsulated in alginate could be of potential use for food biopreservation.
In the burgeoning floriculture sector of Indian agriculture, optimizing yields of loose flowers like Ixora is crucial. This study investigates the impact of micronutrient management on floral quality, physiological attributes, and postharvest shelf life using four Ixora varieties treated with FeSO4, ZnSO4, and boric acid. The Pink variety (V2) excelled in flower bud length (5.15 cm), bud width (0.38 cm), and corolla tube length (3.73 cm), and also demonstrated the longest shelf life (5.20 days at room temperature, 6.21 days refrigerated). Foliar spray of NPK + FeSO4 (0.5%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) + Boric acid (0.2%) on the Pink variety (V2 × T4) further maximized bud length (5.44 cm), bud width (0.44 cm), corolla tube length (3.95 cm), and shelf life (6.09 days room temperature, 7.13 days refrigerated). These improvements are linked to zinc’s role in photosynthesis, iron’s role in chlorophyll synthesis, and boron’s role in cell wall strength, enhancing flower quality and marketability.
Legumes are recognized for their high nutritional value, affordability, wide availability, and multiple health benefits. In Paraguay, nearly 200 varieties of creole beans are preserved. Despite their cultural and agronomic importance, there is little scientific information on their chemical composition in the country. This gap limits their potential use in food security policies and their development as nutraceutical ingredients for the food industry. This study aimed to generate scientific data on the nutritional profile, including macronutrients and macro- and microelements, of three creole bean varieties: Japanese cream, San Francisco, and Speckled. Macronutrient composition and macro- and microelements determinations were performed following AOAC (2000) methodology, while carbohydrate content was determined using the anthrone method of Clegg. The results revealed moisture contents between (10.1–11.4) g/100 g. Carbohydrate content was highest in San Francisco (69.9 g/100 g). This variety also showed superior protein (29.4 g/100 g) and lipid levels (1.83 g/100 g) compared to the others. Regarding minerals (macro and microelements), Speckled presented the highest iron (8.32 mg/100 g) and calcium (80.9 mg/100 g) values, whereas San Francisco contained higher levels of zinc (2.88 mg/100 g) and magnesium (219 mg/100 g). Copper (0.648–0.723 mg/100 g) and manganese (1.93–2.26 mg/100 g) values were consistent across the three varieties. The preliminary study will serve as a basis for providing initial information with a prospect of encouraging its use in new food applications, developing products with nutraceutical properties, promoting technological innovation, and developing healthy products.
Waterlogging is an increasing constraint to crop productivity under climate change, yet information on quinoa’s sensitivity to excess water remains limited. This study aimed to identify the most vulnerable phenological stage of quinoa to waterlogging stress. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using the variety Tunkahuan, applying waterlogging (12 days) at six growth stages according to the BBCH scale, plus a well-drained control. Growth, chlorophyll content, biomass, yield components, and harvest index were assessed. Waterlogging significantly reduced growth and yield at all stages (p ≤ 0.05). Early vegetative stress reduced canopy cover and chlorophyll, with partial recovery after stress removal, but caused 73% plant mortality at BBCH 25. Reproductive stress, especially at anthesis (BBCH 60–67), was most critical, reducing yield by 71–77% compared to the control due to severe declines in grain number and harvest index. Stress during grain filling caused moderate yield reductions (22–28 g plant−1). We conclude that quinoa is sensitive to waterlogging throughout its development, but anthesis is the most vulnerable stage for irreversible yield loss. These findings highlight the need for breeding programs targeting waterlogging tolerance and improved management practices to minimize flooding risk during flowering.
