Abies spp. in general have been shown to need a period of cold stratification to break dormancy and germinate, but this can be very time consuming. In this study, hydropriming by itself and in combination with biopriming was carried out on Abies hickelii and Abies religiosa seeds. For biopriming, three species of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria ( Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida and Bacillus subtilis) were tested. The purpose was to determine if germination and growth could be improved for these two endangered species. Our results demonstrated that treating A. hickelii and A. religiosa with both hydropriming and biopriming with certain strains of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) could improve germination rates up to 91% for A. hickelii and up to 68% for A. religiosa. Importantly, these treatments showed no significant negative impact on the growth of A. religiosa and actually improved growth in A. hickelii. The application of both hydropriming and biopriming offer possibly an alternative methodology to improve germination, survival and preservation of these fir tree species of Mexico that are at risk of extinction.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on the yield and phytochemical content in hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). (1) Background: The importance of Mexico’s cucumber production is based on its cultivation in recent decades as one of the major winter crops; in addition, the production of vegetables under hydroponic systems has increased significantly during the last few years, with cucumber being one of the vegetables with a high economic potential. (2) Methods: A completely randomized experimental design with 15 repetitions was used. SA at five doses (0.075, 0.1, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5 mM) and one control (distilled water) was sprinkled weekly on cucumber plants. The evaluated variables were yield (total fruit weight per plant), fruit parameters (length, size and firmness), and nutraceutical quality of cucumber. (3) Results: Low concentrations of SA improve the yield and high concentrations decrease it, but the nutraceutical quality of fruits is improved, as compared to the control treatment. (4) Conclusions: In order to obtain a higher content of bioactive compounds without affecting the yield and commercial quality of cucumber fruits, it is advisable to use the average concentration (0.15 mM) of SA.

The problems associated with the salinization of soils and water bodies and the increasing competition for scarce freshwater resources are increasing. Current attempts to adapt to these conditions through sustainable agriculture involves searching for new highly salt-tolerant crops, and wild species that have potential as saline crops are particularly suitable. The common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is an edible halophyte member of the Aizoaceae family, which switches from C3 photosynthesis to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) when exposed to salinity or water stress. The aim of this review was to examine the potential of using the ice plant in both the wild and as a crop, and to describe its ecology and morphology, environmental and agronomic requirements, and physiology. The antioxidant properties and mineral composition of the ice plant are also beneficial to human health and have been extensively examined.

The effect of NaCl salinity (0, 85 and 170 mmol/L) during emergence of 25 genotypes of cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] was studied under growth chamber conditions. Seed emergence percentage and rate, root:shoot ratio, and biomass per plant were affected by genotype, salinity and genotype salinity interaction; this interaction showed that salinity effects differed among genotypes. The criterion used to classify genotypes with respect to their salt tolerance was based on their germination percentages in both 85 and 170 mmol NaCl/L. One genotype was grouped into class ‘A’ (CB27) which had the highest salt tolerance at emergence, and was classified as salt tolerant. Another group consisting of Paceño, CB88, CB3, CB5, Tardón, Cuarenteño and CB46 was placed into class ‘B’; these genotypes showed total emergence percentages up to 75% in both 85 and 170 mmol NaCl/L. A third group of genotypes was placed into class ‘C’ which had the lowest emergence percentages in both 85 and 170 mmol NaCl/L. It was confirmed that salinity treatments affect the emergence of cowpea, delaying both emergence percentage and rate. We conclude that selection and classification for salt tolerance in cowpea genotypes can be successfully undertaken at early seedling stages, because the same genotypes were classified similarly during the germination stage in previous research.