With the growing global population, improving the ef ficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices through modern technologies, including nanotechnology, is essential. This study evaluated the ef fects of foliar nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp; Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) on yield, fruit quality, and mineral composition of melon (Cucumis melo L., var. Cruiser) under field conditions at Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Torreón, Coahuila, México. Treatments consisted of 0 (control), 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg L⁻¹ nHAp applied as foliar sprays. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with five beds (R1–R5), and 3–6 fruits per plot were subsampled for total soluble solids and firmness, with plot means used for analysis. Foliar nHAp significantly increased total soluble solids and firmness compared to the control, with the highest values at 4000 mg L⁻¹ (13.27 vs 8.80 °Brix; 2.55 vs 1.44 N). Yield was not af fected by treatments; however, mean fruit weight and fruit diameters dif fered among treatments. Mineral composition was analyzed on freeze-dried composite samples (dry-matter basis) from three blocks (R1, R3, and R5). Potassium content dif fered among treatments, whereas Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn remained unchanged. Overall, foliar nHAp improved sweetness and firmness without af fecting yield or most mineral components, with potassium showing a treatment response at 2000 mg L⁻¹.
Femi Tope-Adefemisoye, Mario García-Carrillo, Pablo Preciado-Rangel et al.· REVISTA TERRA LATINOAMERICAN...· 0 citations
Seaweed-derived biostimulants are promising tools for improving crop performance and fruit quality in sustainable horticulture. This study evaluated the effects of foliar application of a liquid Sargassum spp. extract on the commercial quality, nutraceutical attributes, and antioxidant response of melon fruit (Cucumis melo L. cv. ‘Cruiser’). Four extract concentrations (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5%, v/v) were applied in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Compared with the control, the 1.5% treatment increased (p ≤ 0.05) fruit firmness (33.5%), total soluble solids (25.4%), flesh thickness (16.5%), and ascorbic acid content (51.2%). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents also increased by 22.9% and 22.4%, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme activities increased in a concentration-dependent manner (p ≤ 0.05), highlighted by a 207.1% increase in catalase activity at 4.5% with catalase. In contrast, the highest concentration reduced carbohydrate content by 49.3% (p ≤ 0.05), while fruit yield remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Overall, 1.5% provided the best balance between commercial and nutraceutical quality while avoiding the adverse biochemical responses observed at 4.5%. These findings suggest the potential use of Sargassum spp. extract as a biostimulant for sustainable melon production under the conditions of this study.
Melisa C. Hermosillo-Alba, Bernardo Murillo-Amador, Alain Buendía-García et al.· Crops· 0 citations
