Nutrient Concentration of African Horned Cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus L) Fruit under Different Soil Types, Environments, and Varying Irrigation Water Levels

Mdungazi K Maluleke,David M Modise,Melvin Nyathi,Shadung J Moja

doi:10.3390/horticulturae7040076

Abstract

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 β-carotene 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 β-carotene content (from 1.5 to 1.7 mg 100 g−1 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.

Highlights

In Sub-Saharan Africa, indigenous crops have been a source of food for rural resourcepoor households who experience nutritional food insecurity [1]
The results indicated that there was no significant (p > 0.05) interaction between location, different water stress levels, and soil types on total soluble sugars content of African horned cucumber fruit during both growing seasons
This study investigated the effect of different water stress levels and varying substrates on the nutrient concentration of African horned cucumber fruit grown in three different environments

Summary

Introduction

In Sub-Saharan Africa, indigenous crops have been a source of food for rural resourcepoor households who experience nutritional food insecurity [1]. Most indigenous fruits and vegetables have not yet been commercialized, in Southern Africa, because they are not produced under well-defined agronomic practices, and there is a lack of market value chain, since they do not have a high demand [2,4]. There appears to be scanty knowledge about their nutritional content, when grown under different growing conditions. This knowledge could aid in influencing policymakers in the commercialization and products innovation in many countries, since the crop is adaptable in various growing environments.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion