Potential of Chitosan for the Control of Powdery Mildew (Leveillula taurica (Lév.) Arnaud) in a Jalapeño Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivar.

One of the phytopathogens that cause severe damage to jalapeño pepper is Leveillula taurica (Lév.) Arnaud, the causative agent of powdery mildew. Synthetic fungicides are currently employed for its control, contributing to adverse effects on human health and the environment. The main objective of this research was to identify the causal agent of powdery mildew and assess the efficacy of chitosan in powdery mildew control on jalapeño pepper. The following treatments were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions: T1 = 0.0125% chitosan, T2 = 0.0025% chitosan, T3 = 0.05% chitosan, T4 = 0.1% chitosan, T5 = 0.2% chitosan, T6 = tebuconazole 25% (1.8 mL/L water), and T7 = control (water). Symptomatology results indicated that L. taurica is indeed the causative agent of powdery mildew. Treatments T4 and T5 exhibited the lowest percentages of incidences and severity, hence achieving higher control efficacy in the laboratory (57.70 ± 3.85 and 65.39 ± 3.85) and greenhouse (56.67 ± 4.08 and 70 ± 8.16%) compared to T6 (control efficacy, 38.46 ± 0.00% in the laboratory and 50 ± 0.00% in the greenhouse). The chitosan derived from shrimp had a significant impact on the cell walls of L. taurica spores and mycelium. Consequently, chitosan emerges as a viable organic alternative to fungicides for controlling powdery mildew in jalapeño pepper.

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Improve Growth and Fruit Quality of Cucumber under Greenhouse Conditions.

Cucumber fruit is rich in fiber, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. Agrochemical-based production of cucumber has tripled yields; however, excessive synthetic fertilization has caused problems in the accumulation of salts in the soil and has increased production costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on cucumber fruit growth and quality under greenhouse conditions. The rhizobacteria Pseudomonas paralactis (KBendo6p7), Sinorhizobium meliloti (KBecto9p6), and Acinetobacter radioresistens (KBendo3p1) was adjusted to 1 × 108 CFU mL-1. The results indicated that the inoculation with PGPR improved plant height, stem diameter, root length, secondary roots, biomass, fruit size, fruit diameter, and yield, as well as nutraceutical quality and antioxidant capacity, significantly increasing the response of plants inoculated with A.radioresistens and S.meliloti in comparison to the control. In sum, our findings showed the potential functions of the use of beneficial bacteria such as PGPR for crop production to reduce costs, decrease pollution, and achieve world food safety and security.

CuO-NPs Improve Biosynthesis of Bioactive Compounds in Lettuce.

The application of metallic nanoparticles improves the yield and content of bioactive compounds in plants. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the foliar application of copper nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) in the yield and content of bioactive compounds in lettuce. Different concentrations of CuO-NPs (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 mg mL-1) were applied in lettuce. The yield, nutraceutical quality, and enzymatic activity were determined. Foliar spraying of CuO-NPs induced an increase in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. In addition to an increase in the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in lettuce plants, there were no negative effects on yield. Therefore, with the application of CuO-NPs, better quality lettuces are produced for the human diet due to the higher production of bioactive compounds.

Debaryomyces hansenii, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, and Ulvan as Biocontrol Agents of Fruit Rot Disease in Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.).

The indiscriminate use of synthetic fungicides has led to negative impact to human health and to the environment. Thus, we investigated the effects of postharvest biocontrol treatment with Debaryomyces hansenii, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, and a polysaccharide ulvan on fruit rot disease, storability, and antioxidant enzyme activity in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus). Each fruit was treated with (1) 1 × 106 cells mL-1 of D. hansenii, (2) 1 × 108 CFU mL-1 of S. rhizophila, (3) 5 g L-1 of ulvan, (4) 1 × 106 cells mL-1 of D. hansenii + 1 × 108 CFU mL-1 of S. rhizophila, (5) 1 × 108 CFU mL-1 of S. rhizophila + 5 g L-1 of ulvan, (6) 1 × 106 cells mL-1 of D. hansenii + 1 × 108 CFU mL-1 of S. rhizophila + 5 g L-1 of ulvan, (7) 1000 ppm of benomyl or sterile water (control). The fruits were air-dried for 2 h, and stored at 27 °C ± 1 °C and 85-90% relative humidity. The fruit rot disease was determined by estimating the disease incidence (%) and lesion diameter (mm), and the adhesion capacity of the biocontrol agents was observed via electron microscopy. Phytopathogen inoculation time before and after adding biocontrol agents were also recorded. Furthermore, the storability quality, weight loss (%), firmness (N), total soluble solids (%), and pH were quantified. The antioxidant enzymes including catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and phenylalanine ammonium lyase were determined. In conclusion, the mixed treatment containing D. hansenii, S. rhizophila, and ulvan delayed fruit rot disease, preserved fruit quality, and increased antioxidant activity. The combined treatment is a promising and effective biological control method to promote the shelf life of harvested muskmelon.

A Sustainable Alternative for Postharvest Disease Management and Phytopathogens Biocontrol in Fruit: Antagonistic Yeasts.

Postharvest diseases of fruits caused by phytopathogens cause losses up to 50% of global production. Phytopathogens control is performed with synthetic fungicides, but the application causes environmental contamination problems and human and animal health in addition to generating resistance. Yeasts are antagonist microorganisms that have been used in the last years as biocontrol agents and in sustainable postharvest disease management in fruits. Yeast application for biocontrol of phytopathogens has been an effective action worldwide. This review explores the sustainable use of yeasts in each continent, the main antagonistic mechanisms towards phytopathogens, their relationship with OMIC sciences, and patents at the world level that involve yeast-based-products for their biocontrol.

Interactive Effects of the Potassium and Nitrogen Relationship on Yield and Quality of Strawberry Grown Under Soilless Conditions.

K and N are the nutrients with the highest influence on yield and fruit quality. From this perspective, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of N as NO3-, K+ and their interactions on the yield and quality of strawberries grown under soilless conditions. A solution comprised of micronutrients based on an amended Steiner's Universal Nutrient Solution was mixed with 4 levels of K+ (5, 7, 9 and 11 mol m-3) and 3 levels of NO3- (9, 12, and 15 mol m-3) to obtain 12 treatments. The results suggest that 15 mol m-3 of NO3- in the nutrient solution produced the highest yield, but fruit with low nutraceutical quality. On the other hand, 11 mol m-3 of K+ in the nutrient solution produced the highest yield and fruit with the best nutraceutical quality. The ionic concentration of the Universal Steiner's Nutrient Solution proved to be the best nutritional option to maximize the yield and nutraceutical quality of strawberry fruit. The increase in NO3- concentration in the nutrient solution produced a higher yield of strawberries, while a higher concentration of K+ improved fruit quality, thus reaffirming the significance of nutrients within the plant functioning of this crop.

Comparison of Leaf Area Index, Surface Temperature, and Actual Evapotranspiration Estimated Using the METRIC Model and In Situ Measurements.

The verification of remotely sensed estimates of surface variables is essential for any remote sensing study. The objective of this study was to compare leaf area index (LAI), surface temperature (Ts), and actual evapotranspiration (ETa), estimated using the remote sensing-based METRIC model and in situ measurements collected at the satellite overpass time. The study was carried out at a commercial corn field in eastern South Dakota. Six clear-sky images from Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 (Path 29, Row 29) were processed and used for the assessment. LAI and Ts were measured in situ, and ETa was estimated using an atmometer and independent crop coefficients. The results revealed good agreement between the variables measured in situ and estimated by the METRIC model. LAI showed r2 = 0.76, and RMSE = 0.59 m2 m-2, the Ts comparison had an agreement of r2 = 0.87 and RMSE 1.24 °C, and ETa presented r2 = 0.89 and RMSE = 0.71 mm day-1.

Foliar Aspersion of Salicylic Acid Improves Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds, and Also the Fruit Yield in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on the yield and phytochemical content in hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). (1) Background: The importance of Mexico's cucumber production is based on its cultivation in recent decades as one of the major winter crops; in addition, the production of vegetables under hydroponic systems has increased significantly during the last few years, with cucumber being one of the vegetables with a high economic potential. (2) Methods: A completely randomized experimental design with 15 repetitions was used. SA at five doses (0.075, 0.1, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5 mM) and one control (distilled water) was sprinkled weekly on cucumber plants. The evaluated variables were yield (total fruit weight per plant), fruit parameters (length, size and firmness), and nutraceutical quality of cucumber. (3) Results: Low concentrations of SA improve the yield and high concentrations decrease it, but the nutraceutical quality of fruits is improved, as compared to the control treatment. (4) Conclusions: In order to obtain a higher content of bioactive compounds without affecting the yield and commercial quality of cucumber fruits, it is advisable to use the average concentration (0.15 mM) of SA.

Distribución espacial de la probabilidad de ocurrencia de verdolaga silvestre (Portulaca oleracea L) en la Región Lagunera de Coahuila, México / Spatial distribution of the probability of occurrence of wild purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) in the Lagunera Region of Coahuila, Mexico

El interés por introducir verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea L.) como planta cultivable se ha incrementado paulatinamente debido a sus propiedades medicinales. Sin embargo, estudios acerca de su distribución espacial y relación con el tipo de suelo son escasos. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron determinar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de verdolaga, así como la relación entre su distribución espacial y las características edáficas en la Región Lagunera. Se obtuvieron datos de presencia/ausencia de esta planta y muestras de suelo superficial de sitios en distintas clases de tierra, y se determinaron las características físicas y químicas de los suelos. Los datos obtenidos se utilizaron para estimar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de verdolaga con una regresión logística y se cartografiaron. Los resultados muestran que la arena, la conductividad eléctrica y el pH influyen en la presencia de la verdolaga y su distribución espacial es diferente, donde los suelos de tierras blancas arenosas tuvieron la mayor probabilidad de ocurrencia.

Adición de material pomáceo a sustratos de arena para incrementar la capacidad de retención de humedad / Addition of pumice residues to sand substrates in order to increase water retention capacity / Adição de resíduos de púmice para lixar substrato para aumentar capacidade de retenção de água

Material pomáceo fue mezclado en distintas proporciones a sustratos de arena, con el objetivo de medir la capacidad de retención de humedad de las mezclas y evaluar el uso de piedra pómez de desechos industriales en la elaboración de sustratos con arena. Cuatro diferentes porcentajes, en base a volumen, de piedra pómez (10, 20, 30 y 40%) se adicionaron a sustratos de arena. En la primera parte del experimento se evaluó el comportamiento de la humedad a través del tiempo; en la segunda parte se determinó la frecuencia de reposición de agua a los sustratos que tuvieron una mayor capacidad de retención de humedad. Los resultados muestran que el contenido de humedad aumenta debido al incremento de porosidad producida por las partículas de pómez. El mayor contenido de humedad (43,75%), después de agregar agua, se obtuvo en la mezcla con el 30% de pómez. La piedra pómez de desecho industrial puede ser utilizada en la elaboración de sustratos para incrementar la retención de humedad con bajo costo y fácil obtención.

Pumice material was mixed in different proportions to sand substrates with the purpose of measuring the water retention capacity of the mixtures and of evaluating the use of industrial pumice residues in the production of substrates with sand. Four different mixtures of pumice residues and sand (10, 20, 30 and 40%) were prepared in order to measure, in a first stage, moisture content through time; in a second stage, the frequency of moisture replenishing was determined for the substrate mixtures that showed a higher water retention capacity. The results show that moisture content increased with the amount of pumice added to the sand, due to the porosity increase produced by pumice particles. The greater moisture content (43.75%) after irrigation was accomplished with the mixture with 30% of pumice material. Pumice residues from industrial process can be used in substrate production to increase water retention at low cost and with an easy availability.

Material de púmice estava misturado em taxas diferentes lixar substrato com o propósito medir a capacidade de retenção de água dessas misturas e avaliar o uso de resíduos de púmice de indústria na produção de substrato com areia. Quatro porcentagem fundada mistura de resíduos de púmice e areia (10, 20, 30 e 40%) estava preparado para medir em um primeiro conteúdo de umidade de fase por tempo; e em uma segunda fase a freqüência de umidade que enche às misturas de substrato com capacidade de retenção de água mais alta. Os resultados mostrados aquele conteúdo de umidade aumentado com a quantia de púmice acrescentada à areia, devido ao incremento de porosidade produzido por partículas de púmice. O maior conteúdo de umidade (43,75%) depois que irrigação fosse realizada com a mistura com 30% de material de púmice. Podem ser usados resíduos de púmice de processo industrial em produção de substrato para aumentar retenção de água a baixo custo e disponibilidade de facilidade.