Effects of Aqueous Vermicompost Extracts Produced from Winery Residues on Seedling Growth and Photosynthetic Pigments of Lepidium sativum L. and Cucumis sativus L.: A Preliminary In Vitro Study
Winery residues generated by the wine industry represent an important sustainability challenge but also a valuable resource for producing vermicompost-derived products with potential agricultural applications through vermicomposting. This study evaluated the effects of aqueous vermicompost extracts produced from winery residues on the early in vitro development and physiological performance of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings. Seedlings were cultivated on peat-based pellets (Jiffy-7®) under controlled conditions and treated with two extract concentrations (10% and 20%, w/v) or distilled water (control). After 30 days, morphological traits (shoot height, leaf number and biomass) and biochemical parameters (photosynthetic pigments and total phenolics) were assessed. Both species showed high survival rates (>85%) and no phytotoxic symptoms. Compared with the control, VE20% increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents in garden cress by 40.3%, 35.9%, and 38.9%, respectively, whereas VE10% increased chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents in cucumber by 15.7%, 11.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. Total phenolic content did not differ significantly among treatments in either species (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that vermicompost extracts produced from winery residues exhibited low phytotoxic potential under the experimental conditions tested and influenced photosynthetic pigment accumulation without adversely affecting seedling growth. These responses warrant further investigation under ex vitro and field conditions to determine whether the observed physiological changes translate into relevant agronomic effects.
Hempseed press cake-derived protein hydrolysate (HPH) is a promising plant biostimulant, but its effects on strawberry fruit production under smart greenhouse conditions remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar HPH application on growth, mineral accumulation, reproductive traits, yield, fruit quality, and antioxidant properties of strawberry cv. ‘Pharachatan 80’. Plants were grown in a smart greenhouse and treated with water (control), a commercial biostimulant, and HPH at 7.5 and 10.0% (w/v) (HPH7.5 and HPH10.0, respectively). Foliar application was initiated 25 days after transplanting and repeated weekly for five applications. HPH applications showed clear concentration-specific improvements in vegetative growth, mineral accumulation, reproductive performance, fruit yield, and antioxidant quality. As the most effective treatment for overall crop performance, HPH7.5 enhanced plant growth and mineral accumulation, particularly K and Mg. Consequently, it improved both yield components (fruit set, number, weight, size, and total yield) and fruit quality attributes, such as total soluble solids, total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Conversely, HPH10.0 was more closely associated with N, P, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mn accumulation, as well as fruit firmness and total anthocyanin content, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Principal component analysis confirmed distinct response patterns between HPH concentrations. Thus, HPH7.5 serves as an effective foliar biostimulant to improve strawberry productivity and quality in smart greenhouses.
The increasing demand for sustainable tomato production has intensified the search for environmentally friendly nutrient management strategies that can improve crop productivity while maintaining soil health. This study evaluated the effects of different rates and combinations of vermicast and vermitea on the growth, yield, fruit quality, postharvest performance, and profitability of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under the agroecological conditions of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. Growth parameters, flowering characteristics, yield components, fruit quality, postharvest attributes, and economic returns were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results revealed that vermicast and vermitea significantly influenced all measured parameters (P ≤ 0.01). The combined application of 80 g vermicast + 1000 ml vermitea per 16 L water (T3) consistently produced the best overall performance, recording the highest final plant height (86.37 cm), height increment (75.43 cm), number of leaves (86.00), flowers (53.00), fruits per plant (41.00), average fruit weight (98.27 g), total fruit yield (4.02 kg plant⁻¹), marketable yield (21.43 t ha⁻¹), and market quality (97.56%). The same treatment also extended shelf life, minimized fruit cracking, and generated the highest gross income (₱642,000.00 ha⁻¹), net income (₱447,596.24 ha⁻¹), return on investment (230.24%), and benefit-cost ratio (3.30). Meanwhile, vermitea applied alone enhanced stem diameter, fruit firmness, fruit size, and accelerated flowering. Overall, integrating vermicast and vermitea proved to be an effective and economically viable organic nutrient management strategy for improving tomato growth, fruit quality, yield, and profitability. The study demonstrates the potential of vermicompost-based amendments as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers for enhancing tomato production under local farming conditions.
MARITES U. PERALTA· International Journal of Aqu...· 0 citations
Chemical fertilisers can support crop production but may create environmental and accessibility concerns, prompting interest in locally available organic inputs. This study evaluated the effects of powdered material and aqueous extracts of Chromolaena odorata on the agromorphological performance and yield of Clemson spineless and Hiré okra varieties in Taabo, southern Côte d’Ivoire. The experiment comprised three completely randomised blocks with three replicates and fourteen treatments. Powdered material was applied at 5, 15, and 25 g, while aqueous extracts were applied at 5, 15, and 25 g/L. Treatments were applied four times at two-week intervals before, at, and after sowing. Germination, survival, leaf area, plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves, number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight were assessed. Germination ranged from 83.33% to 100%, while survival ranged from 97.50% to 100%. Extract application generally improved growth and yield relative to the controls. The 25 g/L aqueous treatment produced the highest leaf area in Clemson spineless (225.94 cm²) and the highest collar diameter (0.87 cm), mean fruit number (6.29), and mean fruit weight (28.58 g) in Hiré. Across extract forms, the aqueous treatments generally produced stronger responses than the powdered material, except for the number of leaves, for which the two forms were statistically similar. Under the conditions of the study, Chromolaena odorata aqueous extract, particularly at 25 g/L, showed potential as a locally available organic input for okra production.
Kouame Kan Fulgence, Koffi Ahébé Marie Hélène, Gneba Logro Ronnie Olga et al.· Annual Research & Review...· 0 citations
This research examined how Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) responds physiologically, biochemically, and through phytoremediation to barium (Ba) stress in a controlled hydroponic environment. Various metrics were assessed, including seed germination rates, growth factors like root and shoot height, levels of photosynthetic pigments, phytohormones, markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant defenses, and metal accumulation at concentrations of 0 (control), 100, 200, and 300 ppm Ba, using a fully randomized design. The presence of barium significantly reduced the seed germination rate, germination energy, and vigor index by 28.57–60.78%, 30.00–79.00%, and 86.67–88.10%, respectively, compared to the control group. At 300 ppm Ba, both shoot and root lengths decreased by more than 60%, alongside a reduction of over 65% in fresh and dry biomass. The levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and SPAD values were markedly lower, with chlorophyll a decreasing by as much as 5.08 times at 300 ppm Ba. Additionally, the concentrations of auxin (IAA) and gibberellic acid dropped by 1.59–3.83-fold and 1.87–3.38-fold, respectively. Ba caused oxidative stress, raising malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels by up to 75.75% and 39.07%, respectively, while the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX) significantly increased, with SOD activity surging over 24 times at 300 ppm. The bioaccumulation study indicated higher Ba retention in the roots (BAF > 1) but low translocation factors (< 0.5), suggesting a potential for phytostabilization.
S. Hausa, Z. Maigana, Dannene Abubakar Tukur et al.· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
Lychnis flos-cuculi L. is a plant species valued for its rich content of phenolic compounds and traditional therapeutic applications; however, the decline of natural populations necessitates the development of alternative biomass sources. The present study investigated the effect of biotic elicitation with Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. thallus extract and usnic acid on phenolic compound accumulation in in vitro shoot cultures of L. flos-cuculi. Shoots were cultivated in liquid Murashige and Skoog medium under shake-flask conditions and treated with E. prunastri thallus extract (1 mg/mL–3 mg/mL) or (+)-usnic acid previously isolated from E. prunastri (6.25–25 µM) for 24, 72, 144, and 192 h. The concentrations of selected phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined by HPLC-DAD. The elicitation treatments did not adversely affect shoot morphology or physiological status; however, biomass growth generally decreased with increasing elicitor concentration and exposure time. Four phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and protocatechuic acids) and three flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, and vitexin) were identified in the shoot biomass. The highest phenolic acid accumulation following elicitation with E. prunastri thallus extract was confirmed after 192 h at 3 mg/mL, particularly for p-coumaric acid (14.21 mg/100 g DW). Usnic acid proved to be an effective elicitor of flavonoid biosynthesis, resulting in the highest apigenin content (17.81 mg/100 g DW) after 192 h treatment with 25 µM usnic acid. The results demonstrate that biotic elicitation with lichen-derived compounds effectively enhances the production of valuable phenolic metabolites in L. flos-cuculi in vitro cultures. Therefore, agitated shoot cultures represent a promising sustainable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. Biotic elicitation with Evernia prunastri extract and usnic acid enhanced the accumulation of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Lychnis flos-cuculi in vitro shoot cultures.
M. Kikowska, Kamil Daněk, E. Studzińska-Sroka et al.· Plant Cell Tissue and Organ...· 0 citations
The increasing need for sustainable agricultural practices has intensified interest in seaweed-based biostimulants and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilisers. This study examined the individual and combined effects of Sargassum wightii extract and PGPR strains (Azospirillum lipoferum TSA-6 and Bacillus megaterium TSB-3) on the growth and yield of tomato (PKM-1) under pot culture conditions. Seaweed extracts obtained through hot-water and solvent extraction were screened for phytochemicals and endogenous growth hormones (IAA, GA₃ and cytokinin). Among the six species analysed, S. wightii exhibited the highest levels of auxin (3.7 mg L-1) and cytokinin (4.9 mg L-1). Preliminary screening using crude extract showed that a 2.5 % concentration significantly enhanced germination, seedling vigour, root and shoot length and leaf area index. In the pot experiment, the integrated treatment comprising 75 % recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) + 2.5 % S. wightii extract + A. lipoferum + B. megaterium (T8) recorded superior growth and yield attributes, including increased dry matter production, fruit number, fruit weight and total fruit yield, comparable to 100 % RDF. The results demonstrate that the combined application of S. wightii extract and PGPR can effectively enhance tomato productivity while reducing fertiliser usage by 25 %. This integrated biostimulant strategy offers a sustainable approach to improving crop performance and reducing chemical fertiliser dependence.
K. Oviya, J. Jaipriyanka, S. Mahalakshmi et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations