Globally, one in every four individuals faces a deficiency in essential micronutrients. Harvested early from various vegetables, grains, and herbs, microgreens have rich nutritional profiles that can mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Here, we analyzed six microgreens' nutritional profiles for broccoli, black radish, red beet, pea, sunflower, and bean. Ascorbic acid content varied widely, from 32.72 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) in red beet to 80.45 mg/100 g FW in beans. All microgreens exhibited high macro elements (mg/100 g FW), with potassium ranging from 187.07 to 416.05, magnesium from 45.96 to 86.83, calcium from 67.18 to 148.63, and phosphorus from 2.57 to 4.88. They also contained significant microelements (µg/100 g FW), including iron from 524 to 2610, manganese from 176.32 to 350.56, zinc from 31.92 to 129.78, and copper from 458.84 to 956.34. Glucose content surpassed sucrose and fructose, ranging from 0.114 to 0.580 mg/100 g FW. Among organic acids, citric acid was highest in red beet, succinic acid in beans, and fumaric acid in sunflower. Broccoli microgreens had the highest total phenolic content (825.53 mg GA/100 g FW), while beans had the highest total flavonoid content (758.0 mg RU/100 g FW). Black radish microgreens demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity. Additionally, volatile aromatic compounds were analyzed across the six microgreen species. These findings highlight the nutritional potential of microgreens, advocating for their inclusion in diets to enhance human health. Red beet microgreens were the richest in organic acids, particularly citric acid, and flavonoids, supporting antioxidant activity, while black radish microgreens exhibited the highest DPPH antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. Bean microgreens stood out for their high ascorbic acid content. Sunflower microgreens had the highest levels of calcium and fumaric acid. Broccoli microgreens were abundant in phenolic compounds and contained high concentrations of iron and manganese. Finally, pea microgreens excelled in phosphorus and copper content.
Intensive use of mineral fertilizers in soilless growing systems can have adverse effects on the environment and human health and could be economically expensive. Aim of this study was whether it can be reduced mineral nutrients in soilless grown melon by using mycorrhizae inoculation. The experiment has been carried out in the early spring growing period in a greenhouse in the Mediterranean climate. The eight treatments have been applied: (1) 100% Full nutrition (control), (2) 100% Full nutrition+mycorrhiza, (3) 80% nutrition, (4) 80% nutrition+mycorrhiza (5) 60% nutrition (6) 60% nutrition+mycorrhiza (7) 40% nutrition, (8) 40% nutrition+mycorrhiza. Effects of mycorrhiza on melon plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and leaf nutrient concentrations were investigated. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization is accompanied by plant growth increases in reduced nutrient levels. The mycorrhiza inoculation had a significant enhancing effect on total yield in soilless grown melon plants. The highest increasing effect on melon yield was observed in the “80% nutrient+mycorrhiza”, and AM- inoculated plants produced 49.5% higher melon yield (12.4 kg m-2) than that of control plants without mycorrhizae (8.3 k gm-2). AM-inoculation was also able to establish an improvement in Brix and EC of melon fruit. In the nutrient contents of leaves, there were slight increases in AM-inoculated plants, except P. The P content was significantly increased in AM-inoculated 80% nutrient plants as comparison to that of its control.
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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Soilless cultivation is extensively used in the greenhouse industry. Recently, hydroponic cultivation of capia pepper has become popular among growers. Capia pepper is harvested at the red maturity stage, and intensive mineral fertilizers are usually used for soilless cultivation. This study was performed in a greenhouse during spring under Mediterranean climatic conditions. The effects of bacteria and mycorrhiza on capia pepper plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrition were investigated. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of these two bio-fertilizers were investigated. Our objective was to replace 20% of mineral fertilizers with bio-fertilizers in a soilless culture system. The use of 80% mineral fertilizers, in combination with mycorrhiza and bacteria, provided a 32.4% higher yield than the control (100% mineral fertilizer without bio-fertilizers). Moreover, the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in the leaves of pepper plants fed with the reduced mineral fertilizers combined with bio-fertilizers were higher than that of the control. In addition, fruit parameters, such as fruit weight, diameter, volume, the electric conductivity of the fruit juice, and total soluble solids, were significantly higher in this treatment compared to the control. Using 80% mineral fertilizer with only bacteria provided a 24.2% higher yield than the control. In conclusion, mineral fertilizers were successfully reduced by 20% using bacteria and mycorrhiza. These results provide an eco-friendly approach to a sustainable environment.
The objectives of this work were (1) to screen large collection of bean genotypes for salinity responses and (2) to identify the best traits for screening the bean germplasm in tolerance to salt stress. Sixty-four bean genotypes were subjected to 125 mM NaCl. Plants were grown in hydroponic growing medium in greenhouse. The screening was carried out at early growing stage (25 days old plant). Ion regulation mechanisms were studied to identify the selection traits which would facilitate fast, effective and reliable screening for salinity tolerance. The genotypes tested showed a wide range of variability in tolerance to NaCl treatment. They were classified as 5 genotypes being tolerant, 43 mild tolerant and 16 being sensitive. Among the traits which were tested shoot Na concentration and shoot Na/K and Na/Ca ratios can be reliable indicators for rapid selection of bean genotypes at young stage of plant growth. However, shoot Cl concentration was not associated with salt tolerance of bean plant. Shoot and root dry weights in tolerance to NaCl stress could be significant but in a lesser extent than Na concentration and Na related ratios with K and Ca.
Sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves are plant-based functional foods that have recently gained popularity for use in human diets as novel foods due to their high nutraceutical value. Microgreens, harvested shortly after germination with one true leaf, include vitamins and minerals with potential health benefits. Achieving high yields, robust growth, and maximum nutrient accumulation requires optimal cultivation, especially when selecting the appropriate growing medium. This study assessed the effectiveness of six different growing media for the cultivation of microgreens, specifically black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), and red beet (Beta vulgaris L.). The growing media tested included vermiculite, perlite, a peat-based medium, filter paper, cotton textile, and agril. The results revealed that vermiculite and the peat-based medium led to the highest yields. The phenolic content ranged from 110.77 mg GA·100 g−1 FW in red beet to 169.96 mg GA·100 g−1 FW in broccoli. The flavonoid content varied between 17.99 mg RU·100 g−1 FW in black radish and 120.36 mg RU·100 g−1 FW in red beet. Agril and filter paper media yielded the highest SPAD–chlorophyll values (47.34 and 44.36, respectively). The protein content peaked at 3.03 g·100 g−1 FW in black radish grown on filter paper, while the vitamin C content reached a maximum of 29.75 mg·100 g−1 FW in black radish grown in agril. The findings suggest that while the optimal conditions vary by species, the choice of growing medium plays a crucial role in determining microgreens’ quality and nutrient content.
