Kinetics of Macro and Micronutrients during Germination of Habanero Pepper Seeds in Response to Imbibition
Carlos D. Hernández-Pinto,
Carlos J. Alvarado-López,
René Garruña,
Rubén H. Andueza-Noh,
Emanuel Hernández-Núñez,
Roberto Zamora-Bustillos,
Horacio S. Ballina-Gómez,
Esaú Ruiz-Sánchez,
Blancka Y. Samaniego-Gámez,
Samuel U. Samaniego-Gámez,
Luis Latournerie-Moreno
Affiliations
Carlos D. Hernández-Pinto
National Technological of Mexico/Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Carlos J. Alvarado-López
CONACYT—Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
René Garruña
CONACYT—Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Rubén H. Andueza-Noh
CONACYT—Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Emanuel Hernández-Núñez
Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Mérida, Antigua Carretera a Progreso Km 6, Cordemex, Loma Bonita Xcumpich, Mérida 97310, Yucatán, México
Roberto Zamora-Bustillos
National Technological of Mexico/Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Horacio S. Ballina-Gómez
National Technological of Mexico/Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Esaú Ruiz-Sánchez
National Technological of Mexico/Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
Blancka Y. Samaniego-Gámez
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera Blvd, Delta s/n Ejido Nuevo León, Mexicali 21705, Baja California, Mexico
Samuel U. Samaniego-Gámez
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Carretera Blvd, Delta s/n Ejido Nuevo León, Mexicali 21705, Baja California, Mexico
Luis Latournerie-Moreno
National Technological of Mexico/Technological Institute of Conkal, Av. Tecnológico s/n, Conkal 97345, Yucatan, Mexico
The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration and distribution of a number of macro- and micronutrients in response to imbibition in habanero pepper seeds extracted from fruits with different stages of maturity and postharvest storage times, as well as in their seedlings. Fruits were harvested unripe, half-ripe, and ripe, and were subjected to storage for 0 (control), 7, and 14 days postharvest prior to seed extraction. An X-ray microfluorescence analysis was carried out on seeds pre- and post-imbibition, as well as on seedlings at 10 and 14 days after sowing. K, Ca, Fe, P, Mg, and Mn were detected by elemental analysis. The results indicated that the elements had a higher concentration and distribution in seeds extracted from half-ripe fruits and ripe unstored fruits, as well as in seeds extracted from fruits stored for 7 and 14 days postharvest. K and Ca were the elements with the highest distributions and concentrations in seeds and seedlings pre- and post-imbibition compared to the other elements. At all maturity stages, postharvest storage increased the concentration and distribution of mineral nutrients in seeds and seedlings before and after imbibition. Storage translocated mineral elements to the radicle before germination, increased meristem growth in emerged seedlings, decreased electrical conductivity, and increased germination. Fourteen days of postharvest storage increased the distribution of macro- and micronutrients in immature seeds, decreasing electrical conductivity, potentiating germination, and improving mineral element distribution in seedlings.
