Zinc intake deficiency is a public health problem and increasing the nutrient’s content in the edible parts of plants can help mitigate it. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of the edaphic and foliar application of zinc sulphate on the nutrient content, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of cowpea beans (Vigna unguiculata L. Walpers). A sample of 100 grains was taken, and the length, width, thickness, weight, ash content, fat, humidity, fibers, carbohydrates, protein, energy, macro- and micro- nutrients, total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity were determined. The 0.250 g edaphic-12.5 mM foliar dose produced grains of a greater weight and size. All of the edaphic and foliar doses increased the grain zinc content, and the highest value was found with the 0.125 g edaphic-50.0 mM foliar dose. The total phenols increased with 12.5 g of edaphic zinc, while phenols, flavonoids, and the antioxidant capacity increased with 50.0 mM foliar zinc. The edaphic and foliar application of zinc sulphate increased the grain weight and size, zinc content, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, edaphic and foliar zinc biofortification enriches this nutrient in cowpea grains, and could reduce micronutrient malnutrition in the urban and rural communities of Mexico.

Metal nanoparticles have many positive effects in improving crop production and productivity and allow for increased germination and rapid crop establishment under field conditions. The metallic nanoparticles applied in this study were copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) biosynthesized using orange peel (Citrus X sinensis) as a reducing agent to avoid or reduce toxicity in wheat seeds and sprouts. This study determined the effect of CuONPs on germination, radicle and plumule length, as well as the production of phytochemical compounds in wheat sprouts. The seeds were treated with suspensions of CuONPs at the following concentrations: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mg mL-1. The results indicate that the use of low doses of CuONPs (0.5 mg mL-1), improved germination, vigor, plumule and radicle length, in addition to increasing the biosynthesis of phytochemical compounds in wheat shoots. A high concentration of CuONPs (6 mg mL-1) causes inhibitory effects due to Cu accumulation and phytotoxicity in plant tissue. The use of CuONPs for green synthesis is a viable alternative to obtain beneficial effects in germination and seedling development, as well as greater secondary metabolite production.

The objective of biofortification is the human consumption of high nutritional quality food, rich in micronutrients. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient in human nutrition, and its essentiality has not been evidenced in plants. However, its application in crops and subsequent consumption can mitigate the deficiency of this micronutrient in the diet of human populations. This work analyzes the capacity of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) to increase yield, biosynthesis of bioactive compounds and their accumulation in tomato fruits. For this, five treatments were applied via nutrient solution: 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L-1. At harvest, the nutraceutical quality and the accumulation of Se in fruits were quantified, as well as the productivity of tomato plant. Biofortification was positively affected by the biosynthesis of phytochemical compounds and their concentration in fruit, although tomato yield decreased. The incorporation of Se in nutritive solution is an alternative to increase both the biosynthesis of phytochemical compounds and the concentration of this element in tomato fruits with the possibility of improving public health through its consumption.

The pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most important vegetables in Mexico. The aim of this study was to collect wild peppers and characterize in situ their morphological diversity. From January to November 2015, field trips were made to 54 locations in 15 municipalities in the state of Tabasco, Mexico; 131 collections were obtained in which a total of 23 plant, flower and fruit variables were evaluated. With the mean values of the variables, principal component (PC) and cluster analyses were performed. The first three PCs explained 65.2% of total morphological variability, with the variables fruit length, fruit shape, fruit width, leaf width, leaf length, plant height and branch density providing a greater explanation for the diversity. Cluster analysis grouped the 131 collections into two groups, one formed by the morphotypes 'Amashito', 'Garbanzo' and 'Ojo de cangrejo', with characteristics of C. annuum var. Glabriusculum, and the second group with the morphotype 'Pico de paloma' with characteristics of the species C. frutescens L. It is concluded that the wild peppers of the State of Tabasco have morphological diversity, which must be preserved as a genetic resource of interest.