Cucumber fruit is rich in fiber, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. Agrochemical-based production of cucumber has tripled yields; however, excessive synthetic fertilization has caused problems in the accumulation of salts in the soil and has increased production costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on cucumber fruit growth and quality under greenhouse conditions. The rhizobacteria Pseudomonas paralactis (KBendo6p7), Sinorhizobium meliloti (KBecto9p6), and Acinetobacter radioresistens (KBendo3p1) was adjusted to 1 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹. The results indicated that the inoculation with PGPR improved plant height, stem diameter, root length, secondary roots, biomass, fruit size, fruit diameter, and yield, as well as nutraceutical quality and antioxidant capacity, significantly increasing the response of plants inoculated with A.radioresistens and S.meliloti in comparison to the control. In sum, our findings showed the potential functions of the use of beneficial bacteria such as PGPR for crop production to reduce costs, decrease pollution, and achieve world food safety and security.

Biocontrol has emerged as an effective strategy for managing plant pathogens and pests. The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as biocontrol agents offers a sustainable alternative, enhancing plant morphology, biochemistry, physiology, and secondary metabolism. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis and systematic review of PGPR-based biocontrol research from 2019 to 2023, using the Web of Science (WoS) database. A total of 2823 publications were identified, with a significant increase in scientific output since 2019. Original research articles dominated the field, with India, China, the USA, and Pakistan leading in publication volume. Key contributors included Babalola (North-West University, South Africa), Kloepper (Auburn University, USA), and Shen (Nanjing Agricultural University, China), each with at least 25 publications. Co-authorship analysis revealed four major research networks centered in India, China, Brazil, and Canada. Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the most studied PGPR genera, recognized for their roles as bioinoculants, bioremediators, and biostimulants, mitigating the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This analysis underscores the growing global focus on PGPR-based biocontrol and its potential for sustainable agriculture. Strengthening international collaboration and accelerating applied research on PGPR formulations will be critical for optimizing their efficacy and scalability in real-world agricultural systems.

La concentración de ionica de la solución nutritiva en sistemas hidroponicos influye en el rendimiento y la calidad de los frutos cosechados. Bajo esta perspectiva el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la conductividad eléctrica (CE) de la solución nutritiva (SN) sobre el rendimiento y contenido de compuestos bioactivos en frutos de pimiento morrón. Bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar con diez repeticiones, plantas de pimiento fueron irrigadas con una SN a diferente CE (1, 2, 3.2 y 4 dS m-1), se determinó el rendimiento y en frutos se cuantificaron los compuestos biactivos. Los resultados indican que una conductividad eléctrica de tres o superior mejora la calidad nutracéutica, pero disminuye el rendimiento de pimiento morrón. El manejo agronómico de la CE en la SN es una alternativa para incrementar la calidad nutracéutica y la capacidad antioxidante de los frutos de pimiento morrón desarrollado en condiciones hidroponicas.

Cucumis sativus L. plants are subjected to stress during production, affecting their growth, development, and fruit quality due to abiotic factors. Thus, the aim of this research is to evaluate Pseudomonas paralactis, Sinorhizobium meliloti, and Acinetobacter radioresistens plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) effect on C. sativus plants under three substrate moisture levels (100, 75, and 50%). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with an A x B arrangement: (1) factor A (inoculant) with four levels; (2) PGPR and control (without bacterium); (3) factor B (substrate moisture content) with three levels. Plant height, root length, and fresh weight increased by inoculating PGPR (121%, 135%, and 134%, respectively); likewise, these variables increased with higher moisture content (177%, 204%, and 234%, respectively), while the effect of the interactions of the PGPR and the moisture content in the substrate showed statistical differences in plant height increasing of 197% and root length of 267%. On the other hand, the content of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity was statistically different (p ≤ 0.05) in inoculated plants, with PGPR increasing by 117%, 126%, and 150% respectively. In the moisture content of the substrate, statistical differences were observed, with an increase in the flavonoid content (114%) and antioxidant capacity (116%). The assimilation of nitrogen was higher by 274% and phosphorus by 124% with the PGPR inoculation, the moisture content increased the nitrogen content in the plant (257%) and the phosphorus content in plant (135%), showing significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). However, the interaction of PGPR and moisture content only presented statistical differences in nitrogen assimilation. PGPR can be considered as an alternative to obtain vigorous cucumber seedlings.

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of Chitosan-Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) in the seed of Salicornia bigelovii under field conditions in Sonora, Mexico. During two vegetative cycles (2018/2019–2019/2020), cuttings of S. bigelovii were treated with 100 and 50% Chitosan from shrimp exoskeletons and indole butyric acid at 0.937 and 1.25 g·kg⁻¹ and placed in basins under conditions of the Sonora desert, Mexico. Variables were measured: seed production, physicochemical analysis and lipid profile of the seed. The results affected significant increases (p < 0.05) in the evaluated variables, highlighting the treatment based on Chitosan 100%—IBA 0.937 g·kg⁻¹. The results based on chitosan and IBA in cuttings, are a biostimulant in the morpho-physiology, yield production, and lipid content of S. bigelovii. Large-scale studies as a production system should be considered in further studies.

La deficiencia de níquel (Ni) en los árboles de nogal (Carya illinoinensi (Wangenh.) K. Koch) afecta negativamente el crecimiento de hojas, el metabolismo del nitrógeno y de carbono durante la expansión del follaje y consecuente el rendimiento. La fertilización con micronutrientes al suelo es poco efectiva en suelos con alto contenido de carbonatos y pH alto. Evaluar el efecto de la aplicación foliar de níquel sobre el rendimiento, contenido nutrimental y área foliar en hojas de nogal. En un diseño bloques al azar se asperjaron foliarmente cuatro dosis crecientes: 100, 150, 200 y 250 mg L-1 y un testigo sin aplicación. Los resultados indican que la aspersión foliar de Ni corrige la anormalidad conocida como oreja de ratón (aumento en el área foliar) e incrementa la absorción de este elemento inhibiendo la absorción del Cu y Mn. La aspersión de 100 mg L-1 incrementó el rendimiento de nuez por árbol y el área foliar en hojas de nogal.