Effect of NPK Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Field and Greenhouse Grown Pepino Melon (Solanum muricatum Aiton)

Pepino melon (Solanum muricatum Ait.) is an exotic vegetable whose consumption is on the increase in Kenya due to its health and nutritional benefits. A study was conducted at Egerton University, Kenya in 2018-2019 to investigate the effect of NPK fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200. 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on growth and yield of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was recorded on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per bush, number of branches, days to 50% flowering, fruit weight and total yield. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with the SAS statistical package. Significant means were separated using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference at p ≤ 0.05. Results indicated that NPK fertilizer rates and growing environment influenced growth and yield of pepino melon. At 100 DAP plants grown in the greenhouse and supplied with 200 kg NPK ha-1 had a stem diameter of 14.01 mm which was significantly bigger p ≤ 0.05 compared to those grown in the field and supplied with 300 kg NPK ha-1 with a stem diameter of 11.71 mm in trial two. Application of 300 kg NPK ha-1 for field grown pepino melons gave the highest yield of 1102.48 kg ha-1 and 1060.55 kg ha-1 in trial one and two respectively. In conclusion, application of 300 kg ha-1 of NPK fertilizer for field grown pepino melon is recommended.

Uji Hepatoprotektor Ekstrak Etanol Buah Pepino (Solanum muricatum) Terhadap Tikus Putih Jantan Galur Wistar Yang Diinduksi CCL4

ABSTRACTBuah pepino memiliki kandungan seyawa yaitu alkaloid, flavonoid, vitamin C yang dapat berkhasiat sebagai hepatoprotektor. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui aktivitas hepatoprotektor ekstrak etanol buah pepino (Solanum muricatum) terhadap tikus putih jantan yang diinduksikan ccl4 dengan dosis ekstrak dibagi menjadi tiga kelompok yaitu 100 mg/kgBB, 200 mg/kgBB dan 400 mg/kgBB. Penelitian ini merupakan jenis eksperimental menggunakan rancangan penelitian True Experimental design. Pengujian aktivitas hepatoprotektor dengan parameter acuan nya adalah kadar SGOT dan SGPT. Analisis hasil pengukuran SGOT dan SGPT dihitung dengan menggunakan ANOVA satu arah. Hasil pengukuran kadar SGPT dan SGOT dengan dosis 100 mg/kgBB, 200 mg/kgBB dan 400 mg/kg BB terjadi penurunan yang berbeda-beda .Pada SGOT penurunan tertinggi kadar terdapat pada ekstrak etanol buah pepino 100 mg/kgBB diikuti ekstrak etanol buah pepino 200 mg/kgBB lalu kelompok ekstrak etanol buah pepino 400 mg/kgBB kemudian kelompok positif dan terakhir kelompok negative .Dan pada SGPT penurunan kadar SGPT tertinggi pada kelompok control positif diikuti kelomok ekstrak etanol buah pepino dengan konsentrasi 100 mg/kgBB, lalu ekstrak etanol buah pepino dengan konsentrasi 200 mg/kgBB, kemudian konsentrasi 400 mg/kgBB dan terakhir kelompok control negative. Berdasarkan penelitian yang telah dilakukan, dapat disimpulkan bahwa buah pepino (Solanum muricatum) memiliki aktivitas hepatoprotektor pada konsentrasi 100 mg/kgBB pada kadar SGPT dan SGOT . Pepino fruit contains compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, vitamin C which can be efficacious as a hepatoprotector. This study aims to study the activity of the ethanol hepatoprotector extract of pepino fruit (Solanum muricatum) against male white rats induced by ccl4 with extract extract into three groups namely 100 mg / kg, 200 mg / kg and 400 mg / kg. This research is an experimental type using a true experimental design research design. Testing of hepatoprotector activity with reference parameters is SGOT and SGPT levels. Analysis of the results of the SGOT and SGPT measurements were calculated using one-way ANOVA. The results of the measurement of SGPT and SGOT levels with a dose of 100 mg / kgBW, 200 mg / kgBW and 400 mg / kgBW were different. 200 mg / kgBB then pepino fruit ethanol extract group 400 mg / kgBB then the positive group and finally the negative group. pepino with a concentration of 200 mg / kg, then a concentration of 400 mg / kg and finally the negative control group. Based on research that has been done, it can be concluded that the pepino fruit (Solanum muricatum) has hepatoprotector activity at a concentration of 100 mg / kgBW at SGPT and SGOT levels. Keywords : CCL4, Hepatoprotektor, Solanum muricatum.

Estudio químico del aroma y bioactividad de la fruta del pepino dulce (Solanum muricatum)

Los compuestos volátiles activos olfativamente en el aroma de la fruta del pepino dulce (Solanun muricatum) se extrajeron mediante la técnica de extracción de aroma asistido por disolventes (solventassisted flavor evaporation, SAFE), se analizaron por cromatografía de gases acoplada a olfatometría (CGO), y cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (CG/EM) y se compararon con estándares. Los compuestos con más influencia en el aroma de la fruta se diferenciaron mediante el análisis por dilución del extracto de aroma (aroma extract dilution analysis, AEDA). Con base en el cálculo del valor de la actividad del olor (odor activity value, OAV) se identificaron como compuestos de impacto de la fruta el E-6-nonenal (nota acuosa), el E-2-nonenal (nota verde-pepino), el hexanal (nota verde), el nonanal (nota verde-pepino) y la 1-penten-3-ona (nota etérea). También se estudiaron in vitro algunas de las propiedades biofuncionales de la fruta: la actividad antihipertensiva mediante la inhibición de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina-I (ECA-I) y la actividad antihipercolesterolémica con base en la inhibición de la 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A (HMG-CoA) reductasa. Se encontró que la fruta presenta una actividad inhibitoria de la ECA-I promisoria (IC50=3,72 ± 0,19 ppm), ya que se obtuvo un valor mucho menor que el obtenido para el control positivo (lisinopril). También se evidenció con el tiempo que el extracto de la fruta inhibió la actividad de la HMG-CoA reductasa con una cinética comparable a la del control positivo (pravastatina). Con estos resultados, la fruta de S. muricatum se convierte en una candidata potencial para el desarrollo de alimentos funcionales.

Transcriptome-wide and expression analysis of the NAC gene family in pepino (Solanum muricatum) during drought stress

Solanum muricatum (Pepino) is an increasingly popular solanaceous crop and is tolerant of drought conditions. In this study, 71 NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum were selected to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent in-depth study of their regulatory roles in the response to biological and abiotic stresses, and were subjected to whole-genome analysis. The NAC sequences obtained by transcriptome sequencing were subjected to bioinformatics prediction and analysis. Three concentration gradient drought stresses were applied to the plants, and the target gene sequences were analyzed by qPCR to determine their expression under drought stress. The results showed that the S. muricatum NAC family contains 71 genes, 47 of which have conserved domains. The protein sequence length, molecular weight, hydrophilicity, aliphatic index and isoelectric point of these transcription factors were predicted and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the S. muricatum NAC gene family is divided into seven subfamilies. Some NAC genes of S. muricatum are closely related to the NAC genes of Solanaceae crops such as tomato, pepper and potato. The seedlings of S. muricatum were grown under different gradients of drought stress conditions and qPCR was used to analyze the NAC expression in roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The results showed that 13 genes did not respond to drought stress while 58 NAC genes of S. muricatum that responded to drought stress had obvious tissue expression specificity. The overall expression levels in the root were found to be high. The number of genes at extremely significant expression levels was very large, with significant polarization. Seven NAC genes with significant responses were selected to analyze their expression trend in the different drought stress gradients. It was found that genes with the same expression trend also had the same or part of the same conserved domain. Seven SmNACs that may play an important role in drought stress were selected for NAC amino acid sequence alignment of Solanaceae crops. Four had strong similarity to other Solanaceae NAC amino acid sequences, and SmNAC has high homology with the Solanum pennellii. The NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum showed strong structural conservation. Under drought stress, the expression of NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum changed significantly, which actively responded to and participated in the regulation process of drought stress, thereby laying foundations for subsequent in-depth research of the specific functions of NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum.

Postharvest quality of pepino melon (Solanum muricatum Aiton) as influenced by NPK fertilizer rates, growing environment and storage temperature

The present study evaluated the effect of NPK fertilizer (17:17:17) rates (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on the postharvest quality of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons (Solanum muricatum Ait.) stored at room temperature (15-22°C) and at low temperature (7°C). The study was carried out in randomized complete block design with fruits from the field and greenhouse, five NPK fertilizer rates as treatments and the two storage temperatures replicated three times. Data were collected on percentage fruit weight loss (PWL), total soluble solids (TSS), firmness and shelf life. Results indicated that greenhouse and field grown fruits from the control and plants supplied with 100 kg NPK ha-1 had low PWL at both storage temperatures. Field grown fruits from the control stored at room temperature had the highest TSS and were firmer after 28 days of storage. Field grown fruits not supplied with fertilizer and stored at low temperature had a shelf life of 27 and 26 days in trial one and two respectively. Application of 100 kg NPK ha-1 and storage of pepino melon fruits at low temperature can be used to enhance quality and shelf life.