Non-linear systems, such as biological systems, can be simulated by artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. This research aims to use ANN to simulate the accumulated aerial dry matter (leaf, stem, and fruit) and fresh fruit yield of a tomato crop. Two feed-forward backpropagation ANNs, with three hidden layers, were trained and validated by the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm for weights and bias adjusted. The input layer consisted of the leaf area, plant height, fruit number, dry matter of leaves, stems and fruits, and the growth degree-days at 136 days after transplanting (DAT); these were obtained from a tomato crop, a hybrid, EL CID F1, with indeterminate growth habits, grown with a mixture of peat moss and perlite 1:1 (v/v) (substrate) and calcareous soil (soil). Based on the experimentation of the ANNs with one, two and three hidden layers, with MSE values less than 1.55, 0.94 and 0.49, respectively, the ANN with three hidden layers was chosen. The 7-10-7-5-2 and 7-10-8-5-2 topologies showed the best performance for the substrate (R = 0.97, MSE = 0.107, error = 12.06%) and soil (R = 0.94, MSE = 0.049, error = 13.65%), respectively. These topologies correctly simulated the aerial dry matter and the fresh fruit yield of the studied tomato crop.

The priming of seeds is shown as a viable technique to improve germination, the growth of the radicle and plumule, and the seedling vigor index, which gives rise to seedlings with higher quality and tolerance to environmental growing conditions. Sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and selenium nanoparticles (nSe) were used as priming media and postgermination biostimulation in seeds of jalapeño pepper, in concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 mg L⁻¹ for the two Se species, and control treatment. This research aimed to determine the priming response of jalapeño pepper regarding the germination percent, germination speed index, radicle length, plumule length, fresh weight, and seedling vigor index. The stimulation and phytotoxicity thresholds were also computed. The results showed a percentage of germination greater than 80% in all concentrations evaluated. Most variables of jalapeño pepper presented stimulation responses at Na₂SeO₃ doses lower than 5 mg L⁻¹ and nSe doses lower than 15 mg L⁻¹. The higher daily germination was favored by nSe on the fifth day compared to the sixth day of Na₂SeO₃; in addition, the higher cumulative germination occurred on the sixth day with nSe and on the eighth day with Na₂SeO₃. The use of low Na₂SeO₃ concentrations positively favors germination and the morphological traits of the shoots. Likewise, the use of Se in nanometric form was friendlier, that is, the degree of tolerance to Se was higher.

Trace element malnutrition causes the development of chronic degenerative diseases. The consumption of minerals and other compounds of biochemical origin through the intake of vegetables can attenuate these deficiencies to a great extent. Because the content in the plant depends on the conditions where it develops, there are still deficiencies that should be taken into consideration. For example, in Mexico, the intake of selenium does not cover the recommended daily requirement. The objective of this study was to use selenium nanoparticles (nSe) as a selenium (Se) source and to determine the effects on agronomic indices, antioxidant compounds, enzymatic activity, and accumulation of Se in fruits of a jalapeño pepper crop. Different concentrations of nSe (1, 15, 30, and 45 mg L⁻¹) were supplied via drench to jalapeño pepper plants at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after transplanting. The results indicate that applying nSe via drench with 45 mg L⁻¹ increased crop yield and antioxidant compounds. Moreover, all doses evaluated modified the activity of the enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL), as well as improved the concentration of Se in fruits. The nSe incorporation via drench is an alternative to increase the content of Se and other nutraceutical compounds in jalapeño pepper fruits, possibly positively influencing human nutrition when consumed.

The use of trace elements in agriculture as a complement to crop fertilization programs is a practice that is gaining importance and relevance worldwide. Iodine and selenium perform essential functions in human health, related to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, acting as antioxidants and antiproliferatives, and their limited intake through food consumption can cause malnutrition, reflected in the abnormal development and growth of humans. This research aimed to evaluate the nutraceutical quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in response to seed priming based on KIO₃ (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg L⁻¹) and Na₂SeO₃ (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 mg L⁻¹), performed by interaction from a 5²-factorial design and by independent factors in a 24-h imbibition time. The tomato crop was established under greenhouse conditions in 10-L polyethylene containers containing peat moss and perlite 1:1 (v/v). Regarding non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, lycopene, β-carotene and flavonoid contents in tomato fruits significantly increased with KIO₃ and Na₂SeO₃ treatments; however, vitamin C content was negatively affected. KIO₃ increased the phenol and chlorophyll-a contents of leaves. In relation to enzymatic activity, KIO₃ positively influenced GSH content and PAL activity in tomato fruits. KIO₃ also positively influenced GSH content in leaves while negatively affecting PAL and APX activities. Na₂SeO₃ favored GSH content and GPX activity in tomato fruits and leaves. Na₂SeO₃ negatively affected the antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic compounds by ABTS in fruits and leaves and favored hydrophilic compounds by DPPH in leaves. Seed imbibition based on KIO₃ and Na₂SeO₃ is a method that is implemented in the tomato crop and presents interesting aspects that favor the nutraceutical quality of tomato fruits, which may contribute to increasing the intake of these minerals in humans through tomato consumption.

The use of trace elements such as iodine and selenium in agriculture is gaining great importance due to the benefits in plants before different types of biotic or abiotic stress. This research aimed to evaluate the seedling root priming with Na2SeO3 (0, 0,5, 1, 2, 3 mg L-1) and KIO3 (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg L-1) on the antioxidant compounds of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits and leaves. The crop was established under greenhouse conditions in 10-L polyethylene containers containing peat moss and perlite 1:1 (v/v), in a randomized complete block experimental design with a 52 factorial arrangement. In the fruits, the Na2SeO3 influenced the GHS, flavonoids, lycopene and β-carotene contents, while the KIO3 influenced the GHS, vitamin C and lycopene contents. The KIO3-Na2SeO3 interactions affected the GSH, phenols, flavonoids, lycopene and β-carotene contents in fruits. In the leaves the GHS content increased with the Na2SeO3, while the GSH, flavonoids, and chlorophyll contents increased with the KIO3 factor and KIO3-Na2SeO3 interactions. The evaluated enzymes in fruits and leaves decreased with the both the KIO3 and Na2SeO3 concentrations. The Na2SeO3 influenced the hydrophilic compounds by ABTS and DPPH, while the KIO3 influenced the hydrophilic compounds by ABTS. In the leaves, the KIO3 influenced the lipophilic compounds by ABTS. The KIO3-Na2SeO3 interactions influenced the hydrophilic compounds by ABTS in both the fruits and leaves. Seedling root imbibition in KIO3 and Na2SeO3 is a method that implemented in the tomato crop presents interesting aspects in the increase of the antioxidant capacity and the non-enzymatic compounds, such as vitamin C, phenols, flavonoids and GSH contents. However, this method presented an inhibition in the antioxidant enzymes.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) represents an alternative for agriculture in warm regions due to its adaptation to high temperatures, drought tolerance, and content of bioactive compounds with nutraceutical potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and nutraceutical quality of the Carmine Splendor (red fruit) and Jambalaya (green fruit) hybrids under organic and conventional production systems in temperate to cold greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted during the 2024 fall-winter season in Buenavista, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, using a completely randomized block design. Yield variables (fruits plant⁻¹, kg plant⁻¹, and t ha⁻¹) and the content of β-carotene, phenols, and total flavonoids were evaluated. The results showed that Carmine under organic management achieved the highest yield (10.153 t ha⁻¹), demonstrating the predominant influence of genotype on productivity. Conventional Jambalaya had the highest concentration of β-carotene (0.013 mg g⁻¹ FW), while conventional Carmine had the highest content of total phenols (0.581 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW). Likewise, organic Carmine had the highest concentration of total flavonoids (0.503 mg CAT g⁻¹ DW), suggesting that the interaction between genotype and organic management favors the accumulation of antioxidant compounds.