Articles
Distance from hedges slightly influences the antioxidant status of open-field tomato genotypes
Article number
1445_44
Pages
317 – 322
Language
English
Abstract
The impact of hedgerows on microclimate is well known and their advantages are utilized in agroforestry systems, however, little is known about their influence on the nutritional content of crops.
Additionally, limited results are available about how these advantages are interrelated with the distance from hedges.
An experiment was set up in 2022 at the certified organic field of Experimental and Research Field of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Soroksár.
The area is divided by a planted hedge in Southwest- Northeast direction.
On both sides of the hedge, five blocks in increasing distances were positioned; each distance was three meters farther.
The test plants were two commercial cultivars (‘Ace55’ and ‘Roma’) and a Hungarian landrace (‘Szentlőrinckáta’) of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), both being determinate types.
The antioxidant status (FRAP and TPC) of samples collected in August 2022 were determined spectrophotometrically.
The TPC values of the samples ranged between 0.21 and 0.37 mg GAE L‑1 on the Northwestern, exposed side, and between 0.24 and 0.32 on the Southeastern, protected side.
Distance from the hedge had a slightly affected TPC values; samples collected from the closest and farthest plots showed the highest values.
The FRAP values of the samples ranged between 0.32 and 0.61 mg AAE L‑1 on the exposed side, while on the protected side it was between 0.37 and 0.78 mg AAE L‑1. Similarly, to TPC values, the distance slightly impacted the FRAP values, with the closest plots having the highest antioxidant power.
Among genotypes, ‘Szentlőrinckáta’ showed generally the highest polyphenolic and FRAP values; this excellence was more pronounced on the protected side.
Hedges modulate the microclimate of the adjacent crops by shading and reducing evaporation; the elevated antioxidant properties may indicate higher stress levels of the plants due to changed environment.
Additionally, limited results are available about how these advantages are interrelated with the distance from hedges.
An experiment was set up in 2022 at the certified organic field of Experimental and Research Field of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Soroksár.
The area is divided by a planted hedge in Southwest- Northeast direction.
On both sides of the hedge, five blocks in increasing distances were positioned; each distance was three meters farther.
The test plants were two commercial cultivars (‘Ace55’ and ‘Roma’) and a Hungarian landrace (‘Szentlőrinckáta’) of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), both being determinate types.
The antioxidant status (FRAP and TPC) of samples collected in August 2022 were determined spectrophotometrically.
The TPC values of the samples ranged between 0.21 and 0.37 mg GAE L‑1 on the Northwestern, exposed side, and between 0.24 and 0.32 on the Southeastern, protected side.
Distance from the hedge had a slightly affected TPC values; samples collected from the closest and farthest plots showed the highest values.
The FRAP values of the samples ranged between 0.32 and 0.61 mg AAE L‑1 on the exposed side, while on the protected side it was between 0.37 and 0.78 mg AAE L‑1. Similarly, to TPC values, the distance slightly impacted the FRAP values, with the closest plots having the highest antioxidant power.
Among genotypes, ‘Szentlőrinckáta’ showed generally the highest polyphenolic and FRAP values; this excellence was more pronounced on the protected side.
Hedges modulate the microclimate of the adjacent crops by shading and reducing evaporation; the elevated antioxidant properties may indicate higher stress levels of the plants due to changed environment.
Authors
M. Mustafa, Z. Szalai, M. Máté, L. Menyhárt, Z. Pék, L. Csambalik
Keywords
hedgerow, microclimate, FRAP, TPC
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