Effect of Seaweed Aqueous Extracts and Compost on Vegetative Growth, Yield, and Nutraceutical Quality of Cucumber (<i>Cucumis sativus</i> L.) Fruit

• Main Authors: Radames Trejo Valencia, Ludy Sánchez Acosta, Manuel Fortis Hernández, Pablo Preciado Rangel, Miguel Ángel Gallegos Robles, Rocío del Carmen Antonio Cruz, Cirilo Vázquez Vázquez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Agronomy
• Subjects: cucumis sativus; nutraceutical; antioxidant; ABTS+, DPPH+
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/8/11/264

The objective of this research was to evaluate the production and phytochemical quality of cucumber (<i>Cucumis sativus</i>) fruits, in response to the foliar application of different seaweed extracts. This study was carried out under shadow mesh conditions in the autumn&#8315;winter agricultural cycle at the Instituto Tecnol&#243;gico de Torre&#243;n, Torre&#243;n, Coahuila, Mexico. The experimental design was completely random, using six treatments with six repetitions each. The treatments evaluated were: <i>Macrocystis pyrifera</i>, <i>Bryothamnion triquetrum</i>, <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i>, <i>Grammatophora</i> spp., <i>Macrocystis integrifolia</i>, and a control treatment with inorganic fertilization. The substrate used was a mixture of sand and vermicompost. The yield, commercial size, and phytochemical compounds of the fruit were evaluated. Results showed that the yield using Steiner solution (6.75 kg m^&#8722;2) was higher than that obtained with <i>Bryothamnion triquetrum</i> algae (6.07 kg m^&#8722;2). Regarding the phenolic content, the extracts surpassed the control treatment, with <i>Macrocystis pyrifera</i> and <i>Macrocystis integrifolia</i> being statistically equal, with values of 47.37 and 43.73 mg equiv. of Ac. Gallic 100 g fresh weight, respectively. The antioxidant capacity by ABTS+ and DPPH+ methods was higher using the treatment with <i>Macrocystis pyrifera</i> algae with 149.4 and 454.1 &#956;M equiv Trolox/100 g fresh base, respectively. This treatment also presented the highest value of vitamin C with 5.07 mg/100 g fresh base, being 27% greater than the control treatment. Algae extracts increased the quality of the fruits by obtaining the highest antioxidant capacity, making their use a viable option to minimize the application of conventional fertilizers, thereby attenuating the effects on the environment and improving the health of the population.