Aug 2026· The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture· 0 citations· 44 references
Medicine
Abstract
Background
Sonchus oleraceus L. (common sowthistle) is a wild leafy vegetable with recognized culinary and pharmacological potential. In hydroponics, controlled nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) imbalances act as an agronomic eustress (positive stress) that stimulates the defensive accumulation of secondary metabolites, thereby enhancing the leaves' biological value. Aiming to exploit this modulation, we evaluated the impact of varying concentrations of N (100-200 mg L-1), P (47-105 mg L-1), and K (250-525 mg L-1) on hydroponic cultivation of Sonchus oleraceus leaves, based on previous optimized research on agronomic performance. The leaves in this study were analysed for proximate composition, free sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, tocopherols, and phenolic compounds, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities.
Results
Results indicated that the proximate composition was not substantially affected by nutrient modulation; however, significant differences were observed in individual phytochemical constituents, particularly in tocopherol and phenolic compound levels. Antioxidant assays (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and oxidative haemolysis inhibition assay (OxHLIA)) showed that nutrient supply influenced lipid peroxidation inhibition, demonstrating greater potential when compared to the Trolox standard, while in oxidative haemolysis, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Sonchus oleraceus leaves were comparable to those of the same control. Antimicrobial tests demonstrated moderate inhibitory activity against foodborne pathogens.
Abstract The soil used is sandy in texture, low in nutrients, and low in organic matter, and therefore has low cation exchange capacity. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of improving their physicochemical and biological properties by inoculating the roots with a solution of Methylobacterium and liquid compost in cauliflower cultivation, as well as integrating a treatment through an automated drip irrigation system. This biostimulant, biofertilizer, and biocontrol agent solution was used, which has applications in agriculture to improve soil health and crop productivity. The experiment was set up under a completely randomized block design with four treatments (T0, T1, T2, and T3), corresponding to doses of 0, 250, 333, and 400 mL per 200 L of water, respectively. The results indicated that treatment T3 significantly optimized the plant's physiological response to salt stress, increasing both its antioxidant capacity and chlorophyll α concentration. Likewise, physical characterization revealed significant differences in the morphological parameters of cauliflower, suggesting greater metabolic resistance and improved nutritional quality. Finally, ultrastructural analysis of the epidermis and stomata using microscopy showed that, while the control treatment (T0) had a collapsed surface, treatment T3 showed a functional and turgid ultrastructure. This demonstrates that the inoculation applied mitigates the phytotoxic impact of the substrate and optimizes the metabolic potential of the crop.
J. A. Legua Cárdenas, E. A. Macavilca Ticlayauri, M. T. Sánchez Calle et al.· Brazilian Journal of Biology· 0 citations
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) is a nutrient rich cruciferous vegetable valued for its vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Using nano di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) in vegetable production has become important due to improve nutrient use efficiency, control nutrient release and reduce nutrient losses and leads to increased crop productivity and sustainability. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024 to evaluate the effects of two nano DAP formulations (8 : 16 : 0 and 2 : 5 : 0) as foliar sprays at different concentrations in combination with 75 % of recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus (RDNP) on broccoli hybrid NS 50. The trial used randomised block design (RBD) with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The results revealed that the treatment with 75 % RDNP + nano DAP (2 : 5 : 0) at 5 mL L-1 recorded the highest root girth (23.14 cm), north-south plant spread (67.13 cm), main head weight (440.17 g), head diameter (15.23 cm), marketable yield (12681.40 kg ha-1), number of side sprouts (6.00) and ascorbic acid content (95.08 mg/100 g), achieving a 23.76 % higher yield than 100 % recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF). The above-mentioned treatment also ensured the earliest head initiation (67 days after sowing (DAS)), 50 % head initiation (68 DAS) and peak harvest (84 DAS) along with the highest soil organic carbon (SOC) (10.31 g kg-1), net income (₹936781) and benefit-cost ratio (2.60). This study suggests that 75 % RDNP + nano DAP (2 : 5 : 0) at 5 mL L-1 is highly effective for improving growth, earliness, yield, quality, economic returns and soil fertility of broccoli, while lowering the requirement of conventional fertilisers up to 25 %.
J. Pritiparna, P. Subhashree, N. Alok et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Fulvic acids are humic-derived biostimulants that can modulate nutrient uptake, carbon metabolism, and biomass allocation in horticultural crops; however, their effect on assimilate partitioning and nitrate accumulation in hydroponically grown root vegetables remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of weekly foliar application of a fulvic acid-based biostimulant (K-TIONIC®, 4 mL L–1) on yield, biomass distribution, nitrate content, and quality of radish (Raphanus sativus L. Crimson Giant) cultivated in an ebb-and-flow hydroponic system under greenhouse conditions in Chihuahua, Mexico. A completely randomized design with two treatments (control and fulvic acids) and 36 experimental units per treatment was used. Fulvic acid application increased equatorial diameter by 8.50%, fresh storage root weight by 28%, and total yield by 41.66%. In contrast, vegetative growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments were unaffected. Regarding quality attributes, nitrate concentration in edible tissues decreased by 4.96% and water content by 0.57%, pH, total soluble solids, color index were not significantly affected, and visual quality index improved by 98%. These results indicate that foliar-applied fulvic acids improve radish productivity and commercial quality in soilless systems primarily by promoting biomass distribution to the storage organ.
Ramona Pérez Leal, M. J. Rodríguez-Roque, J. Hernández-Huerta et al.· Acta Scientiarum Polonorum H...· 0 citations
Celosia argentea (L.) is an important indigenous leafy vegetable widely consumed in Nigeria and valued for its protein, fibre, vitamins and mineral nutrients. However, its nutritional composition can be influenced by soil fertility, fertiliser source and nutrient availability, while limited information exists on how different fertiliser types affect the proximate and mineral composition of the crop under the environmental conditions of Igboora, Oyo State. This study therefore evaluated the effects of NPK fertiliser, single superphosphate (SSP), biochar and compost on the proximate and mineral composition of Celosia argentea leaves. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, while laboratory analyses were carried out at the institution’s Central Laboratory. Five treatments comprising NPK (10 g), SSP (10 g), biochar (100 g), compost (200 g) and an unfertilised control were evaluated. Mature leaves were harvested and analysed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, carbohydrate and selected minerals including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, and treatment means were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Fertiliser application improved most of the measured nutritional parameters compared with the control. Compost recorded the highest crude protein (27.70%), crude fat (3.52%), moisture (84.90%), ash (14.80%), nitrogen (4.53%), phosphorus (0.68%), potassium (3.54%), calcium (2.06%), magnesium (0.83%) and zinc (6.88 mg/100 g). Biochar recorded the highest crude fibre (12.00%) and iron (26.53 mg/100 g), while carbohydrate was highest in the control (53.58%). The study concludes that fertiliser application, particularly compost and biochar, can enhance the nutritional quality of Celosia argentea leaves under the study conditions. Compost at 200 g produced the most favourable overall proximate and mineral composition and is therefore recommended as a suitable amendment for improving the nutritional quality of Celosia argentea in Igboora and similar production environments.
S. Ogunjinmi, N. O. Olla, A. Olunloyo et al.· Asian Journal of Agricultura...· 0 citations
Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) productivity and fruit quality are strongly influenced by nutrient availability and crop-management practices. Humic acid and seaweed extract are plant biostimulants that may enhance vegetative growth, yield, and quality when applied at appropriate concentrations.
Aims: This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of foliar-applied humic acid and seaweed extract on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and economic performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Arka Samrat.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, during the Rabi season of 2025–26.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with two factors: humic acid at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L) and seaweed extract at four concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL/L). The 16 treatment combinations were replicated three times, and the observed data were analysed using OPSTAT.
Results: Significant differences were observed among the treatments. Among the treatment combinations, humic acid at 4 mL/L combined with seaweed extract at 4 mL/L (M3T3) recorded the greatest plant height (312.62 cm), number of branches per plant (9.07), plant spread (65.92 cm), number of leaves per plant (69.13), number of clusters per plant (11.80), and number of flowers per cluster (9.01). It also recorded the fewest days to first flowering (27.69), 50% flowering (36.96), and first fruiting (41.95), together with the greatest number of fruits per cluster (8.24), average fruit weight (109.73 g), fruit yield per plant (6.40 kg), number of fruits per plant (58.35), total soluble solids (4.99 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (26.68 mg/100 g), and benefit–cost ratio (2.97).
Conclusion: The treatment combination of humic acid at 4 mL/L and seaweed extract at 4 mL/L (M3T3) produced the most favourable growth, yield, quality, and economic responses under the conditions of this experiment. However, these findings are indicative and require further experimentation across seasons and locations before broader recommendations can be made.
Tamanna Nehra, Dipayan Sarkar, U. Shukla et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
Microgreens are considered a good source of nutritional and functional compounds, offering humans significant health benefits. Biostimulants are recognized as a sustainable tool to elicit growth and development of vegetables. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of a plant protein hydrolysate (PH) and a seaweed extract (SWE) - supplied via seed priming or root application - on pea and arugula microgreens performance. Moreover, a partial budget analysis was conducted to assess the economic implication of biostimulants application. Hydropriming and PH-priming treatments enhanced pea microgreens yield compared to the root application treatment's counterpart by 53.2% and 33.3%, respectively. Nitrates were increased by SWE application and reduced by PH supply, in both species, compared with the not biostimulated plants, particularly when biostimulants were applied via root application [SWE, + 26.6% (pea); PH, -19.9% (pea), SWE, + 6.5% (arugula); PH, -24.3% (arugula)]. The combination of biostimulants and priming enhanced ascorbic acid compared to the control × root application (negative control) in pea microgreens by 20.9%, whereas, in arugula, either the biostimulants or priming alone significantly improved the aforesaid parameter. Biostimulants boosted total polyphenol content in pea microgreens, supplied via priming (SWE, + 21.5%; PH, 22.8%, compared to the hydropriming) or root application (SWE, + 15.7%; PH, 14.6%, compared with the negative control). Total polyphenols in arugula microgreens increased when PH and SWE were supplied via priming (+14.3%, for both biostimulants, compared to the hydropriming). Biostimulants significantly increased the antioxidant capacity (DPPH), although the method of application did not significantly affect DPPH. These findings confirmed the efficacy of biostimulants in modulating microgreens qualitative features. Furthermore, the partial budget analysis underlined that the use of both biostimulants, independently of the type of application, is economically suitable for pea, but not always convenient for arugula. The application of PH or SWE, especially via root application, was a suitable strategy to increase the nutritive and functional values of pea and arugula microgreens, contributing to their potential as valuable novel foods for human consumption.
B. Consentino, P. Bellitto, Fabiana Mancuso et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
