RESUMEN
Seed priming uses treatments to improve seed germination and thus potentially increase growth and yield. Low-cost, environmentally friendly, effective seed treatment remain to be optimized and tested for high-value specialty crop like watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in multi-locations. This remains a particularly acute problem for triploids, which produce desirable seedless watermelons, but show low germination rates. In the present study, turmeric oil nanoemulsions (TNE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from agro-industrial byproducts were used as nanopriming agents for diploid (Riverside) and triploid (Maxima) watermelon seeds. Internalization of nanomaterials was confirmed by neutron activation analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The seedling emergence rate at 14 days after sowing was significantly higher in AgNP-treated triploid seeds compared to other treatments. Soluble sugar (glucose and fructose) contents were enhanced during germination in the AgNP-treated seeds at 96 h. Seedlings grown in the greenhouse were transplanted at four locations in Texas: Edinburg, Pecos, Grapeland, and Snook in 2017. At Snook, higher yield 31.6% and 35.6% compared to control were observed in AgNP-treated Riverside and Maxima watermelons, respectively. To validate the first-year results, treated and untreated seeds of both cultivars were sown in Weslaco, Texas in 2018. While seed emegence and stand establishments were enhanced by seed priming, total phenolics radical-scavenging activities, and macro- and microelements in the watermelon fruits were not significantly different from the control. The results of the present study demonstracted that seed priming with AgNPs can enhance seed germination, growth, and yield while maintaining fruit quality through an eco-friendly and sustainable nanotechnological approach.
Asunto(s)
Citrullus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Producción de Cultivos/métodos , Curcuma/química , Germinación , Nanopartículas , Nanoestructuras , Nanotecnología/métodos , Aceites de Plantas/farmacología , Plantones/crecimiento & desarrollo , Semillas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Plata/farmacología , Citrullus/fisiología , Emulsiones , Calidad de los Alimentos , Aceites de Plantas/aislamiento & purificación , Plantones/fisiología , Semillas/fisiología , TexasRESUMEN
Muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) are well-known as excellent sources of several vitamins, minerals and non-enzymatic antioxidant phytochemicals such as vitamin C and pro-vitamin A. Less well-studied is their potential role as sources of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which have been associated with enhanced reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity in some muskmelon fruits. In this study, we investigated the variability in SOD activities among diverse advanced breeding lines and commercial muskmelon cultivars grown in two different soil types-clay or sandy loam. Specific and total SOD activities varied significantly among the genotypes (P Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes/metabolismo
, Cucumis melo/enzimología
, Frutas/enzimología
, Extractos Vegetales/metabolismo
, Superóxido Dismutasa/metabolismo
, Antioxidantes/aislamiento & purificación
, Cucumis melo/genética
, Variación Genética
, Genotipo
, Extractos Vegetales/química
, Suelo
, Superóxido Dismutasa/aislamiento & purificación