Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels
The nutrient concentration of most crops depends on factors such as amount of water, growing environment, sunlight, and soil types. However, the factors influencing nutrient concentration of African horned cucumber fruit are not yet known. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of di...
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/7/4/76 |
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| author | Mdungazi K Maluleke Shadung J Moja Melvin Nyathi David M Modise |
| author_facet | Mdungazi K Maluleke Shadung J Moja Melvin Nyathi David M Modise |
| author_sort | Mdungazi K Maluleke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The nutrient concentration of most crops depends on factors such as amount of water, growing environment, sunlight, and soil types. However, the factors influencing nutrient concentration of African horned cucumber fruit are not yet known. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of different water stress levels, soil types, and growing environments on the nutrient concentration of African horned cucumber fruit. Freeze-dried fruit samples were used in the quantification of <i>β-carotene</i> and total soluble sugars. The results demonstrated that plants grown under the shade net, combined with severe water stress level and loamy soil, had increased total soluble sugars (from 8 to 16 °Brix). Under the shade-net environment, the combination of moderate water stress level and loamy soil resulted in increased crude protein content (from 6.22 to 6.34% °Brix). In addition, the severe water stress treatment combined with loamy soil, under greenhouse conditions, resulted in increased <i>β-carotene</i> content (from 1.5 to 1.7 mg 100 g<sup>−1</sup> DW). The results showed that African horned cucumber fruits are nutrient-dense when grown under moderate water stress treatment on the loamy or sandy loam substrate in the shade-net and open-field environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:27:23Z |
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| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:27:23Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-ce2b855995cb422e8ffe22efe53186322023-11-21T14:57:16ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242021-04-01747610.3390/horticulturae7040076Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water LevelsMdungazi K Maluleke0Shadung J Moja1Melvin Nyathi2David M Modise3Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Tshwane 0002, South AfricaCouncil of Geosciences, Water and Environment Business Unit: Geological Resource Division, Silverton, Tshwane 0002, South AfricaAgricultural Research Council, Tshwane 0002, South AfricaFaculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South AfricaThe nutrient concentration of most crops depends on factors such as amount of water, growing environment, sunlight, and soil types. However, the factors influencing nutrient concentration of African horned cucumber fruit are not yet known. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of different water stress levels, soil types, and growing environments on the nutrient concentration of African horned cucumber fruit. Freeze-dried fruit samples were used in the quantification of <i>β-carotene</i> and total soluble sugars. The results demonstrated that plants grown under the shade net, combined with severe water stress level and loamy soil, had increased total soluble sugars (from 8 to 16 °Brix). Under the shade-net environment, the combination of moderate water stress level and loamy soil resulted in increased crude protein content (from 6.22 to 6.34% °Brix). In addition, the severe water stress treatment combined with loamy soil, under greenhouse conditions, resulted in increased <i>β-carotene</i> content (from 1.5 to 1.7 mg 100 g<sup>−1</sup> DW). The results showed that African horned cucumber fruits are nutrient-dense when grown under moderate water stress treatment on the loamy or sandy loam substrate in the shade-net and open-field environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/7/4/76biochemical constituents<i>β-carotene</i>vitaminsmicro-nutrientsgrowing environments |
| spellingShingle | Mdungazi K Maluleke Shadung J Moja Melvin Nyathi David M Modise Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels Horticulturae biochemical constituents <i>β-carotene</i> vitamins micro-nutrients growing environments |
| title | Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels |
| title_full | Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels |
| title_fullStr | Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels |
| title_short | Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (<i>Cucumis metuliferus</i> L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels |
| title_sort | nutrient concentration of african horned cucumber i cucumis metuliferus i l fruit under different soil types environments and varying irrigation water levels |
| topic | biochemical constituents <i>β-carotene</i> vitamins micro-nutrients growing environments |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/7/4/76 |
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