Effects of Different Irrigation Regimes and Nitrogen Fertilization on the Physicochemical and Bioactive Characteristics of onion (<i>Allium cepa</i> L.)
Susana Marlene Barrales-Heredia,
Onécimo Grimaldo-Juárez,
Ángel Manuel Suárez-Hernández,
Ricardo Iván González-Vega,
Jairo Díaz-Ramírez,
Alejandro Manelik García-López,
Roberto Soto-Ortiz,
Daniel González-Mendoza,
Rey David Iturralde-García,
Ramón Francisco Dórame-Miranda,
Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez
Affiliations
Susana Marlene Barrales-Heredia
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera a Delta/Oaxaca s/n, Ejido Nuevo León, Valle de Mexicali, Mexicali 21100, Baja California, Mexico
Onécimo Grimaldo-Juárez
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera a Delta/Oaxaca s/n, Ejido Nuevo León, Valle de Mexicali, Mexicali 21100, Baja California, Mexico
Ángel Manuel Suárez-Hernández
Faculty of Engineering and Business San Quintin, Autonomous University of Baja California, San Quintín 22930, Baja California, Mexico
Ricardo Iván González-Vega
Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Cienega University Center (CUCIÉNEGA), University of Guadalajara, Av. Universidad 1115, Lindavista, Ocotlán 47820, Jalisco, Mexico
Jairo Díaz-Ramírez
Desert Research and Extension Center, University of California, 1004 E Holton Rd., Holtville, CA 92250, USA
Alejandro Manelik García-López
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera a Delta/Oaxaca s/n, Ejido Nuevo León, Valle de Mexicali, Mexicali 21100, Baja California, Mexico
Roberto Soto-Ortiz
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera a Delta/Oaxaca s/n, Ejido Nuevo León, Valle de Mexicali, Mexicali 21100, Baja California, Mexico
Daniel González-Mendoza
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera a Delta/Oaxaca s/n, Ejido Nuevo León, Valle de Mexicali, Mexicali 21100, Baja California, Mexico
Rey David Iturralde-García
Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Ramón Francisco Dórame-Miranda
Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez
Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
The availability of water and nitrogen in the soil affect the metabolism of onion bulbs. The synthesis of metabolites and bioactive compounds are the most affected, along with the quality of the onion bulbs However, it is necessary to know the effects of different water levels and nitrogen fertilization to optimize the quality of the onion. The objective of this research was to study the effects of the different conditions of hydric stress and nitrogen fertilization during the development of onion (Allium cepa L.) crop, regarding its physicochemical and bioactive properties. Onions were grown using four available irrigation regimes (25, 50, 75 and 100%) and four doses of nitrogen fertilization (100, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha−1). Onion without any treatment was considered as a control. The treatments low in irrigation and nitrogen fertilization increased the pH level (5.7 to 5.9) and bulb coloration in bright white/yellowish tones. An increase was observed compared to control in titratable acidity (0.13%) just in the nitrogen content, ascorbic acid (46%) and antioxidant capacity with DPPH (12.3%) and ABTS (93.7%). A decrease was shown in soluble solids (14.6%), firmness (3.5 kg cm−2), dry matter (6.6%), total phenols (50%) and FRAP (33.2%) values. Pyruvic acid remained constant (1.5 µmol g−1 FW). The onion bulb extracts showed an erythroprotective effect with a hemolysis inhibition percentage higher than 95%. Finally, the onions had low pungency, and were soft and extra sweet. The treatments with 25% usable humidity and nitrogen fertilization of 150 and 250 kg ha−1, favored the physical, chemical and bioactive quality of the onion bulb.
