Foliar Application of Hempseed Press Cake-Derived Protein Hydrolysate Enhances Yield, Fruit Quality, and Antioxidant Properties of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Grown Under Smart Greenhouse Conditions

Foliar Application of a Sargassum spp.-Based Biostimulant Improves Fruit Quality and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Melon

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.

Plant Growth Regulators for Improved Fruit Quality and Profitability of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) under Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse

The present investigation was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2024 and 2025 under a naturally ventilated polyhouse at the Vegetable Research Farm, CSKHPKV, Palampur, to evaluate the influence of plant growth regulators on capsicum productivity and economics. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with three replications, comprising 13 treatments involving foliar application of GA₃ and NAA at 50 and 75 ppm during different crop growth stages. The results revealed that NAA @ 75 ppm applied as four sprays at vegetative stage, flower initiation, and 30 and 60 days after flower initiation significantly improved pericarp thickness (5.94 mm), total soluble solids (6.9˚B), ascorbic acid content (126.17 mg/100g) and titratable acidity (0.206%) whereas, GA₃ applied @ 75 ppm with four sprays at the same stages recorded highest yield (22.81 q/250m2) and its attributes, making it the most economically rewarding treatment for commercial cultivation of capsicum variety ‘Indra’ under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions of mid hills of Himachal Pradesh.

Effect of Combined Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Azolla microphylla Compost on Growth and Yield of Bird’s Eye Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) under Tropical Land Conditions in Indonesia

Global demand for horticultural commodities, particularly Bird’s Eye Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.), continues to increase due to their function as a household food ingredient and a source of bioactive compounds with health benefits. In Indonesia, Capsicum frutescens are a strategic commodity that influences inflation, making increasing productivity a crucial part of national food security. However, low soil fertility and high dependence on inorganic chemical fertilizers hamper productivity while increasing production costs and environmental pressures. Sustainable fertilization using local organic resources is an important strategy to improve soil health and plant performance. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and Azolla microphylla compost on Capsicum frutescens growth and yield, by simultaneously assessing five parameters: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of branches, and fruit production. The experiment was conducted in Langgomea Village, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, with chili seedlings planted in 25 cm polybags containing a mixture of local garden soil and rice husk charcoal (2:1 v/v). A factorial Randomized Complete Block Design was applied with LOF (0, 10, 20, 40 ml/L) and compost (0, 10, 20, 40 g/plant), resulting in 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times (a total of 144 plants). Growth and yield data were recorded weekly for 12 weeks; harvesting was carried out from the first to the last harvest. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and LSD at a significance level of 5% with R 4.3 and SPSS 28, provides a scientific basis for sustainable organic fertilization strategies and optimization of local resources. The results showed that the combination of LOF and Azolla microphylla compost significantly affected all growth and production parameters of Capsicum frutescens. The highest plant height was achieved in the P3K3 treatment (83.67 cm), followed by an increase in stem diameter to 136 mm, number of leaves to 104, and number of branches to 31.33. This increase in vegetative growth is in line with the high nitrogen and phosphorus content of Azolla, which supports cell formation, chlorophyll, protein, and nucleic acid synthesis. It was also found that Capsicum frutescens L. fruit production increased significantly with the combination of LOF and compost, reaching the highest average of 108.67 kg per plant in the P2K3 treatment. This confirms that the application of Azolla-based organic fertilizer provides sufficient nutrients, increases photosynthesis, biomass, and fruit yield accumulation. The interaction of liquid fertilizer and compost provides optimal synergistic effects for vegetative growth and plant productivity in the field. These findings bridge the research gap regarding the simultaneous use of liquid fertilizer and Azolla compost on Capsicum frutescens L., in humid tropical agroecosystems, while also providing practical implications for sustainable organic fertilization strategies. Application of these findings can improve resource efficiency, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, and support environmentally friendly tropical horticultural management. Keywords: Bird’s Eye Chili, liquid organic fertilizer, Azolla microphylla compost, fruit yield, humid tropical agroecosystem, sustainable fertilization.

Performance, fruit quality, and shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) grown using charred and uncharred eggshells

Despite its widespread cultivation, challenges persist in producing tomato fruits with high quality and extended shelf life. This study focuses on the potential of eggshells as a sustainable soil amendment. The experiment was carried out to determine the growth, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, yield, shelf life, and fruit quality of tomato grown using charred eggshells (CEG) and uncharred eggshells (UCEG) (amendment) on two different soil types. The research was conducted over two cropping seasons (2022 and 2023) at Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria. Two soil types (Site A: sandy loam; Site B: sandy) were used to test the efficacy of the amendments. Ground eggshells, in both CEG and UCEG forms, were applied individually at the following concentrations: 25, 50, 75, and 100%, and in combination with each other. Standard rate (2.5 t ha −1 ) of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) was applied as a check. Data on the vegetative, yield, and fruit shelf life quality were collected and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the GENSTAT Discovery Software, Edition 4. CEG 100% had significantly ( p  ≤ 0.05) higher chlorophyll content (70.39 mg m 2 ), number of fruits (138.56), and yield (9,595.84 kg ha −1 ), while UCEG 100% had the least chlorophyll content (15.24 mg m 2 ), number of fruits (71.59), and yield (5,286.52 kg ha −1 ). Combined application of CEG 75% + UCEG 25% significantly increased the shelf life (21 days) compared to the control, which had the least number of days (9.0 days). Application of CEG 75% + UCEG 25% increased the lycopene content (1.96 mg g −1 ), vitamin A (2.24 mg g −1 ), and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg of the fruits. Tomato plants in Site A performed better than those in Site B for all the parameters tested in both years. Results of this study indicated that using CEG 75% and CEG 75% + UCEG 25% significantly improved tomato yield and shelf life. Eggshells are a low-cost, easily accessible agricultural waste product; therefore, the application of CEG 75% alone and the combined application of CEG 75% + UCEG 25% may be considered economical and environmentally friendly for tomato production.

Improving growth and productivity of cherry radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under sustainable treatments in a hydroponic system

Recycling fruit-processing residues as foliar bio stimulants may improve resource efficiency in hydroponic vegetable production. This study tested whether aqueous apple- and pear-peel extracts enhance the growth and productivity of cherry radish. The experiment was conducted at Research Station B, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, during the 2025–2026 autumn season. Five foliar treatments apple or pear-peel extract at 2.5 or 5 g/L and a distilled-water control were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and applied three times to plants grown in a modified nutrient film technique system. Pear-peel extract at 2.5 g/L produced the highest leaf chlorophyll content (58.91 SPAD), leaf area (2.97 dm²/plant), leaf dry weight (0.40 g/plant), root yield (16.93 g/plant), and total yield (8.46 t/ha). Apple-peel extract at 2.5 g/L produced the greatest plant height (15.20 cm) and root length (6.40 cm), while the distilled-water control recorded the lowest values for most traits. Foliar application of dried pear- or apple-peel extract at 2.5 g/L can therefore improve cherry-radish growth and root yield while supporting the recycling of fruit residues in hydroponic production.

Response of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients On Growth, Flowering and Yield of Strawberry (Fragaria×Ananassa Duch) Cv. ‘Winter Dawn’