Changes in the Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Saladette-Type Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Grown in Soil Supplemented with Zeolite
The rapid pace of urbanization, coupled with the variability in climatic conditions, has led to a marked increase in global food demand. Simultaneously, this phenomenon has resulted in a decline in the overall quality of food, highlighting the need to improve existing agricultural production systems. In this context, zeolite has emerged as a promising soil amendment for optimizing its physical properties and crop yields. However, there is limited information on its effects during tomato cultivation, particularly for the Saladette variety (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Hidalgo, Mexico. This includes the use of this zeolite variety, the evaluation of its antioxidant properties, and its antioxidant activity at different applied concentrations. This study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of zeolite applied to the soil on tomato growth and fruit quality. After crop establishment, the treatments were monitored monthly. The results showed that the application of zeolite significantly improved crop yield, with Treatment 3 (5 kg zeolite plant−1) showing the best performance without affecting the physical characteristics of the fruit. The tomatoes maintained adequate commercial standards, with weights ranging from 104 a 169 g, sizes from 5.16 to 6.20 cm, and firmness values between 1.19 and 2.27 N; therefore, this treatment was selected for the determination of the antioxidant activity on the fruits. Furthermore, an increase in antioxidant capacity was observed, reaching 5.50 µmol TE/100 g of dry sample in the DPPH antioxidant capacity test. This demonstrates that zeolite application positively influences the quality and antioxidant capacity of tomatoes. This suggests that zeolite could be used in various crops, potentially improving the quality of the final product and offering health benefits to consumers thanks to the antioxidant compounds generated during harvest. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal application rates and the long-term effects on soil health and crop productivity.
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. Macavilca Ticlayauri, M. S. Sánchez Calle et al.· Brazilian Journal of Biology· 0 citations
Agriculture plays a key role in global food production, whereas organic waste management remains an important environmental challenge. Organic residue-derived compost represents a sustainable strategy for nutrient recycling, soil fertility improvement, and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers in horticultural systems. This study systematically reviewed the scientific literature on the application of compost in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) cultivation to evaluate its effects on agronomic performance and production systems. A database search from 2004 to July 2025 identified 86 studies that met the predefined eligibility criteria. The analysis showed an increasing trend in research over the last two decades, with publications peaking in 2021. Most studies were conducted in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil, highlighting the relevance of the cherry tomato crop. The application of compost was associated with improved plant growth, nutrient availability, and crop productivity. The production cycles ranged from 37 to 220 days, with shorter cycles commonly observed in tropical environments. Rice husk compost is among the most frequently used organic amendments. Overall, compost represents an effective strategy to enhance agronomic performance and promote sustainable cherry tomato production worldwide.
Andrés Reyes Rodríguez, Silvia A. Quijano, S. Arango-Varela et al.· Applied Sciences· 0 citations
The investigation was conducted at the Centre for Protected Cultivation and Technology (CPCT), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi from 2022 to 23 to study the effects of different types of growing media on the biochemical composition of lettuce cultivars in protected conditions. It was laid in a factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. The findings of the investigation revealed that the choice of growing media significantly influenced the biochemical composition of lettuce cultivars. Soil media generally resulted in higher levels of total soluble solids, antioxidant activity, respiration rate, moisture content, chlorophyll content, and ascorbic acid content. On the other hand, soilless media performed better in terms of total carotenoid content. These findings highlight the need for proper nutrient management strategies to maximize crop yield and nutritional value. By understanding the influence of growing media on nutrient availability, farmers can implement targeted fertilization for their crops. Moreover, the study also considered the economic aspects of lettuce cultivation. It was found that soil despite providing higher yield and better-quality lettuce, required more resources and labor than soilless media. This suggests that farmers should carefully weigh the economic costs and benefits of their choice of growing media. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of growing media on lettuce cultivation. It prioritizes the need for careful selection of growing media to optimize lettuce yield and nutritional value. Additionally, it highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and nutrient management in enhancing crop quality and promoting environmental sustainability.
R. Y. Thushal, Awani Kumar Singh, G. S. Jat et al.· Annales Horticulturae· 0 citations
In a context of increasing water scarcity in southern Spain, improving water-use efficiency has become essential for sustainable crop production. This study evaluated the effects of two irrigation regimes (100% and 75% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) on the quality attributes and phenolic compound profile of three goji berry varieties (NQ1, Sweet Lifeberry, and Turgidus) cultivated under organic conditions in southwestern Spain. Key quality parameters including color, sugars, acidity, firmness, moisture, size, and weight were evaluated together with phenolic compounds profiling using UHPLC-MS/MS and antioxidant activity assays. The goji berry varieties studied showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in most of the variables analyzed, confirming the dominant influence of genotype. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in most quality attributes between berries cultivated under full irrigation (100% ETc) and deficit irrigation (75% ETc). However, deficit irrigation promoted the accumulation of hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, while flavonols and flavan-3-ols showed a decreasing tendency. Despite these compositional shifts, antioxidant capacity was generally higher under full irrigation. Among the varieties, NQ1 berries exhibited the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Harvesting time further influenced phenolic distribution and antioxidant behavior. These findings suggest that moderate deficit irrigation can be applied as a sustainable water-saving strategy for goji berry cultivation under Mediterranean conditions without compromising fruit quality.
M. García-Garrido, M. Sánchez-Parra, J. Moreno-Rojas et al.· Horticulturae· 0 citations
In this study, the growth of tomatoes, basil, lettuce and courgette in aeroponic versus traditional soil-based cultivation revealed key differences in mineral nutrient content, antioxidant molecules, and antioxidant activity. The aeroponic system yielded comparable or higher concentrations of P (in basil), K (in lettuce and basil), Ca and Mg (in all species), Fe (in tomatoes), Mn (in basil, courgette and tomatoes), and Cu and Zn (in courgette). Aeroponic cultivation enhanced or maintained the antioxidant content, with the highest flavonoid levels in basil (75.84 mg QE g−1 DW), followed by lettuce (65.97 mg QE g−1 DW). Consistent with these findings, total antioxidant activity assays were highest in aeroponically grown basil (91.27 ARA%). However, responses varied by crop and maturity stage: DPPH radical-scavenging activity was greater in soil-grown lettuce (92.30 ARA%), while FRAP values were highest in basil in both aeroponic and soil-grown cultures (197.02 and 195.3 mg FeSO4 g−1 DW, respectively). However, the interspecific differences indicate that aeroponic systems cannot be applied uniformly; rather, each species could maximize productivity and quality under appropriate conditions. Overall, aeroponic cultivation proved to be a resource-efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional soil farming, providing comparable or superior nutritional quality and reducing water consumption.
Lucia Giorgetti, E. Tassi, Vincenzo Longo et al.· Crops· 0 citations
Emmer wheat, as a cereal and food crop, has wide economic significance. Grain quality is determined by numerous factors, including key agronomic practices, variety genetics, regional soil and climatic conditions. This article discusses the use of various doses of mineral fertilizers in conjunction with pre-sowing seed inoculation with biological preparations Azotovit (1 l/t), Rizoagrin (1 l/t) and complex organomineral preparation Biostim Start (1 l/t). The research is consistent with modern resource-saving adaptive technologies with elements of biologization. Experiments were conducted in Sabinskiy municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan on gray forest soils with a heavy loamy texture from 2020 to 2023. pHKCl was close to neutral – 6.2 (GOST 26483-85), humus content according to Tyurin was 3.4%, mobile phosphorus and mobile potassium contents according to Kirsanov were 127 and 138 mg/kg, respectively. Regardless of the mineral nutrition background, seed inoculation with Azotovit increased protein yield by 9%, with Rizoagrin by 17% and with Biostim Start by 25%. The maximum gross harvest of protein and crude fat on average over 4 years was achieved in variant N71P36K58 (3.0 t/ha of grain) + Biostim Start – 1 l/t. The maximum protein content (17.3%) and crude fat (3.53%) in spelt grain was achieved in variant N59P30K48 (3.0 t/ha of grain) + Biostim Start – 1 l/t. The developed spelt cultivation technology ensures the formation of agrocenoses with a stable productivity of at least 2.85 t/ha of high-quality emmer wheat grain with a protein content of 16.5% and increased nutritional value.
Anna Pogodina, A. Lukmanov, Aleksandr Ivoylov· Agrobiotechnologies and digi...· 0 citations