Broccoli Seedling Production in
Response to Recognised Organic Inputs
Juan Carlos
Rodríguez-Ortiz1, Fernando de Jesús
Carballo-Méndez2*, Pablo Preciado-Rangel3, María del Carmen
Hernández-Coronado1, Humberto
Rodríguez-Fuentes2 and Carlos Javier Lozano-Cavazos4
1Universidad Autónoma de San Luis
Potosí, Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria. San Luis Potosí, México
2Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo
León, Facultad de Agronomía. Nuevo León, México
3Tecnológico Nacional de
México/Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón. Coahuila, México
4Universidad Autónoma Agraria
Antonio Narro. Coahuila, México
*For correspondence: ing.fercarballo@gmail.com
Received 29 April 2021; Accepted 05 June 2021; Published
18 September 2021
This study evaluated the production of seedlings broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) with
organic inputs. The inputs were as follows; a) growth medium, consisting of Sphagnum peat (Pro Moss TBK®) mixed with
poultry manure compost (Vertia® brand) in a) 90:10
and 80:20 ratios; b) biofungicide Trichoderma harzianum
Rifai (Natucontrol®
brand) at doses of 1.5 and 3 g/L water per 338-cavity polystyrene tray; and c)
complementary nutrition applied in irrigation with poultry manure tea at doses
of 0.5 and 1 dS/m per tray every two days. Control
set was a ‘typical management’ control based on peat (100%) as a growing medium
with the application of conventional fertiliser (1 g/L of Tricel®
20 every two days) and conventional fungicide Mancozeb as a damping-off
preventative (1 g/L per tray). The seedling growth, relative chlorophyll
content, photosystem II quantum yield, and morphological indicators showed that
the eight treatments with recognised organic inputs performed significantly
better than the control (p<0.05). The use of peat substrate mixed with poultry
manure (80:20 ratio) with inoculation of T.
harzianum at a dose of 1.5–3 g/L and with
application of poultry manure tea at a dose of 1 dS/m
yielded the best results. We determined that it is possible to obtain
quality broccoli seedlings with the inputs recognised for certified organic
agriculture. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Keywords: Growing medium; Horticulture; Organic agriculture; Peat; Poultry
manure; Trichoderma harzianum
Introduction
Organic agriculture (OA) is concerned with the health of soils,
ecosystems, and people. The principles on which it is based are ecology,
biodiversity and the cycles that occur in production sites rather than the use
of harmful inputs. OA combines tradition, innovation, and science for the
benefit of the environment and a high quality of life for all involved (IFOAM 2019). In Mexico, organic crops are focused on the production
of cereals (38%), green fodder (26%), coffee (20%), olives (16%), nuts (13%),
oilseeds (12%) and others (19%) (Lernoud and Willer 2018). Certified
organic production in 2017 took place across 1,127,000 hectares of land, with a
total production of 329,656 tonnes, yielding more than 70 different products.
Broccoli is an economically important vegetable in
Mexico, representing 3.6% of national production, with an average annual
production of 403,000 tonnes from 2012 to 2017 (SIAP 2018). Globally, Mexico is among the main broccoli-exporting countries, where
70% of broccoli production is exported to the United States of America (Rocha and Cisneros-Reyes
2019). Certified organic products are
those that are produced, stored, handled, and marketed in accordance with
precise technical standards, and whose recognition as "organic"
products is carried out by a specialised agency. Once such entity verifies
compliance with the standards governing the field of organic products before
recognition is granted to the product. This label will vary according to the
certification body issuing it but can be taken as a guarantee of compliance
with the fundamental requirements of an "organic" product from farm
to market. It is important to note that the organic quality label applies to
the production process and guarantees that the product has been created and
processed in a way that does not harm the environment (FAO 2020).
The first step in the broccoli production process is
seedling production, which is carried out in a special care area with
specialised inputs such as substrate (growth medium), fertilisers (nutrient
sources), and preventive pesticides (fungicides). Conventional seedling
management uses organic substrates, such as peat moss or coconut fibre,
conventional compound fertilisers (e.g., 20-20-20, 20-30-10) and synthetic
preventive fungicides that prevent damping-off (e.g., metalaxyl,
propamocarb hydrochloride). The organic input market recognised by the Organic
Materials Review Institute (OMRI) offers a wide range of products that can be
used for seedling production. The use of these materials facilitates organic
production processes and ensures certification of the product. However, there
is a need to understand the performance of some products to assure growers of
their efficacy. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate the production of
broccoli seedlings (Brassica oleracea
var. italica) with three technological
components recognised by the OMRI: a) growing medium, Sphagnum peat (Moss TBK®) with poultry manure (Vertia®
brand); b) biofungicide Trichoderma harzianum Rifai (Natucontrol®
brand); and c) application of poultry manure tea as a supplement to nutrition.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted at the Protected Agriculture Training Center of the Universidad Autónoma
de San Luis Potosí, Mexico (22°13'54’ N, 100°51'28’ W), which is located at an
altitude of 1872 m above sea level, with a climate classified as ‘cold steppe
dry’. Nine treatments were evaluated for the production of broccoli seedling
Broccoli F1 Hybrid Avenger from the Sakata® company. The first eight treatments
were obtained by combining three input-based technology components recognised
by the OMRI. The first was the growth medium, composed of Sphagnum peat (Pro Moss TBK®) mixed with poultry manure compost (Vertia® brand) in proportions of 90:10 and 80:20 peat and poultry manure respectively. The second component
was the biofungicide T. harzianum (Natucontrol®
brand) at doses of 1.5 and 3 g/L water per 338-cavity polystyrene tray (34 × 66
cm, alveolus volume 13 mL). Each gram of biofungicide
contains 1×109 CFU, an application was made to obtain 100% emergence
of broccoli seedlings (2 cotyledonal leaves). The third component was the
application of poultry manure tea through irrigation as a form of complementary
nutrition, in doses of 0.5 and 1 dS/m per tray every
two days. Poultry manure tea was obtained by mixing poultry manure and water in
a 1:1 ratio. After 24 h at rest, it was diluted with water at 0.5 and 1 dS/m for application. The poultry manure tea solution at 1 dS/m was analysed and yielded values of 26.13 ppm of NO3-N,
6.13 ppm of P, and 71.33 ppm of K. In the control treatment, conventional
materials were applied: 100% Sphagnum
peat (Pro Moss TBK®) without OMRI registration was used as the growth medium;
Mancozeb fungicide was applied at 1 g/L; as well as Tricel
20 (20-20-20) applied as fertilizer in irrigation at a dose of 1 g/L. The
justification of the technological components that comprised the treatments was
as follows: the growing medium mixture provided the broccoli seedlings with
good oxygenation and a stock of available nutrients; the biofungicide
prevented damage associated with damping off (root-choking), whilst the tea was
used as nutritional supplement. Descriptions of the nine treatments are
presented in Table 1. The properties of the recognised organic inputs, peat and
poultry manure are presented in Table 2.
The experiment was established using a randomized
block experimental design with three replicates. The experimental units
consisted of polystyrene trays with 338 cavities. Each experimental unit
occupied one-third of the polystyrene tray; that is, 112 cavities represented
one replicate. The trays were filled with the substrate mixture according to
the treatments described. Once the seedlings had the first true leaves (not
cotyledonal), T. harzianum
was applied. Fertigation (tea and Tricel 20) was
initiated when the seedlings presented the development of their first two true
leaves. Irrigation was applied every two to three days, visually considering
the substrate humidity and water status of the plants (a total of 20
irrigations were made). The volumes of nutrient solution were an average of 1
to 1.5 L per application per tray.
Growth variables
The treatments were evaluated 55 days after
planting (dap). Seven seedlings from each experimental unit were taken randomly
when they had three true leaves and roots with a complete root ball and were
ready to be transplanted to the field. The growth variables measured were: 1)
plant height, which was determined from the base of the stem to the end of the
leaves; 2) leaf area, considering all true leaves, and the area was estimated
using the ImageJ program (Newton et al. 2013) and 3) stem
diameter, determined using a digital vernier, placing it between the base of
the plant and the cotyledons; and 4) dry weight-the substrate was carefully
removed from the root ball of each seedling to obtain only the roots. They were
then washed, dried and placed in a forced air oven at 65°C until a constant
weight was obtained. Afterwards, the total weight of each seedling was measured
using an analytical balance, with the roots then separated from the aerial
portion of the plant. The root weight was recorded and the difference between
the total weight and root weight was considered as the dry weight of the aerial
portion of each seedling.
Physiological variables
Two physiological variables were measured: 1)
relative chlorophyll content (Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) units) was
determined using a chlorophyll meter (Konica Minolta model 502); and 2)
photosynthesis ("fluorescence" photosynthesis) was determined using
the MINI-PAM II (photosynthesis yield analyser from WALZ). Physiological
variables were measured at 55 days, using the most developed leaf, placing the
sensor between the veins and the leaf edge, in the central part of the leaf.
Table 1: Treatments evaluated in
broccoli seedling production with recognized organic inputs
Treatment |
Growth
medium
(v/v) |
T.
harzianum |
Poultry
manure tea |
|
|
Peat |
Poultry
manure |
(g/L) |
(dS/m) |
1 |
90% |
10 % |
1.5 |
0.5
|
2 |
90% |
10% |
1.5 |
1.0 |
3 |
90% |
10% |
3.0 |
0.5
|
4 |
90% |
10% |
3.0 |
1.0 |
5 |
80% |
20% |
1.5 |
0.5
|
6 |
80% |
20% |
1.5 |
1.0 |
7 |
80% |
20% |
3.0 |
0.5
|
8 |
80% |
20% |
3.0 |
1.0 |
9 (Control) |
100% |
0% |
Mancozeb
(1 g/L) |
Triple 20 (1 g/L) |
Table 2: Physico-chemical
characteristics of amendments
Amendment type |
Physico-chemical characteristics |
Value/content |
Unit |
Peat Pro Moss TBK®. |
pH |
3.96 |
|
|
Electrical conductivity |
0.0 |
dS/m |
|
Organic matter |
63.57 |
% |
|
Bulk density |
0.25 |
g/cm3 |
|
Particle density |
1.78 |
g/cm3 |
|
Total porosity |
83.48 |
% |
|
Osmotic potential |
-0.10 |
kPa |
|
Dry weight |
35.47 |
% |
Poultry manure Meyfer® |
pH |
7.7 |
|
|
Electrical conductivity |
4.9 |
dS/m |
|
Organic matter |
75.5 |
% |
|
Nitrogen |
2.16 |
% |
|
Phosphorus |
5.36 |
% |
|
Potassium |
2.87 |
% |
|
Calcium |
2.87 |
% |
|
Magnesium |
1.08 |
% |
|
Sulfur |
0.65 |
% |
|
Iron |
1802 |
ppm |
|
Copper |
40 |
ppm |
|
Manganese |
514 |
ppm |
|
Zinc |
299 |
ppm |
Morphological index variables
Morphological
indices consider the combination of two or more morphological parameters, which
were designed to point out an abstract attribute of a plant, for example,
balance and vigour. The combination of morphological parameters, given below,
is relevant as it expresses the field performance of some individual parameters
more relationally:
Stem/root index (SRI),
which is the ratio of the aerial part and the root part, with an optimum range
of 1.5 to 2.5, in places without environmental limitations, varying according
to the species. This ratio allowed for the measurement of the balance between a
seedling's water absorption and transpiration area, which can guarantee greater
survival because transpiration is prevented from exceeding the absorption
capacity (Iverson
1984):
(1)
Slenderness index (SI), which is
the ratio between the height of the plant (in cm) and its diameter (in mm),
which is an indicator of crop density. It is an important parameter in
containerised plants, where plants can be tapered. High values of this index
are indicative of a more robust plant that can tolerate physical damage (Schmidt-Vogt 1990):
(2)
Leaf area ratio (LAR), the ratio
of leaf area (cm²) to total dry matter (g). Low values of this index imply
greater resistance to transplant shock (Masson et
al. 1991):
(3)
Specific leaf area (SLA), the ratio between leaf area
(cm²) and leaf dry matter (g). Low values give rise to plants that are more
resistant to transplant shock (Urrestarazu et
al. 2016):
(4)
Pre-transplant horticultural
quality index (PHQI), which attempts to compile all the information related to
the desired or sought-after parameters in pre-transplant seedlings dedicated to
intensive horticultural production was measured. The method of evaluating
whether a plant is going to resist stress better or worse is related to the dry
matter content, so it is considered that high values of this index indicate
seedlings with lower transplanting stress (Carrillo 2011):
(5)
Statistical analysis
The data obtained was subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA). In
the variables where a statistical difference was shown, a comparison of means
was performed using Tukey's test (p<0.05), using the SPSS statistical
package, IBM
Corp Released (2013), version 22.
Results
Growth variables
Table 3 shows that the organic treatments to produce broccoli seedlings
favoured greater stem diameter (20–32%), aerial part dry weight (20–114%)
and total dry weight (20–94%) (p<0.05). The conventional treatment was
statistically equal to some organic treatments in the variables of plant
height, root dry weight and leaf area (p<0.05). Overall, the organic
treatments resulted in better broccoli seedling sizes. Treatments 6 and 8
demonstrated the best overall results.
Physiological variables
Fig. 1
shows significant differences between treatments in SPAD units and photosystem
II quantum yield (p<0.05). Most of the organic treatments had higher SPAD
units than the conventional treatments (Fig. 1A). In the case of
Table 3: Effects of treatments
on growth variables in broccoli seedlings
Treatment |
Stem diameter |
Stem height |
Shoot dry weight |
Root dry weight |
Total dry weight |
Leaf area |
|
(mm) |
(cm) |
(mg) |
(mg) |
(mg) |
(cm2) |
1 |
1.6±0.35ab |
10.0±0.65bc |
134.7±5.03b |
28.0±6.01 |
159.4±7.50bcd |
5.5±0.67ab |
2 |
1.5±0.09ab |
10.6±1.20abc |
209.0±57.00a |
23.1±10.30 |
229.0±47.00a |
4.7±0.65b |
3 |
1.5±0.07ab |
9.3±0.31c |
121.0±7.00b |
26.1±4.30 |
143.0±11.00cd |
6.3±1.05ab |
4 |
1.6±0.12ab |
10.7±1.60abc |
137.3±4.16b |
33.8±2.72 |
167.3±6.43bcd |
7.9±1.60a |
5 |
1.5±0.04ab |
10.1±0.40bc |
117.5±12.55b |
27.4±1.42 |
141.3±12.70cd |
4.8±2.68 b |
6 |
1.7±0.16a |
11.3±0.84abc |
150.0±28.00b |
33.5±3.70 |
178.0±31.75abc |
5.8±1.03ab |
7 |
1.6±0.02ab |
9.4±0.30bc |
126.0±10.00b |
27.0±2.00 |
143.0±7.00cd |
5.7±1.50ab |
8 |
1.7±0.02a |
11.7±0.65ab |
133.6±14.40b |
31.3±1.70 |
203.0±21.0ab |
7.2±0.85 ab |
9 |
1.3±0.08b |
12.7±0.55a |
97.8±6.00b |
25.8±1.60 |
118.0±8.00d |
7.5±0.60ab |
Means ±
standard deviation. Values with different letters per column are significantly
different (Tukey, p<0.05).
Table 4: Effects of treatments on morphological indices in broccoli
seedlings
Treatment |
SRI |
SI |
LAR |
SLA |
PHQI |
1 |
1.7±0.39a |
0.54±0.13a |
34.2±3.15bc |
40.5±4.65bc |
0.69±0.14ab |
2 |
3.8±2.77c |
0.50±0.01ab |
24.5±17.85c |
28.1±22.44c |
0.62±0.22ab |
3 |
1.6±0.01a |
0.51±0.01ab |
43.4±4.85bc |
51.3±6.32bc |
0.54±0.06abc |
4 |
1.4±0.18ab |
0.53±0.02a |
47.2±10.99ab |
57.5±13.21ab |
0.53±0.04abc |
5 |
1.4±0.12ab |
0.53±0.06a |
33.6±1.82bc |
40.5±1.57bc |
0.81±0.16a |
6 |
1.5±0.13ab |
0.53±0.06a |
32.6±5.51bc |
38.7±7.02 bc |
0.78±0.23a |
7 |
1.6±0.17a |
0.55±0.01a |
39.7±8.49bc |
45.0±8.28bc |
0.74±0.14a |
8 |
1.4±0.08a |
0.53±0.02a |
35.4±4.52bc |
53.9±7.01ab |
0.42±0.06bc |
9 |
1.3±0.00ab |
0.38±0.02b |
63.5±9.45a |
76.6±10.90a |
0.29± 0.03c |
SRI: stem/root index, SI: slenderness index, LAR:
leaf area ratio; SLA: specific leaf area;
PHQI: pre-trasplant horticultural quality index.
Means ± standard deviation. Values with different
letters per column are significantly different (Tukey, p<0.05).
Fig. 1: A) Relative chlorophyll
content (SPAD units); B) Effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII). The
lines above the bars represent the standard error. Bars with different literals
denote significant difference (Tukey, p<0.05)
photosystem II quantum yield, all organic treatments had significantly
(p<0.05) higher values (19–30%) than the conventional treatment (Fig. 1B).
Morphological index variables
Table 4 shows that, with the exception of ITR, the conventional
treatment was outperformed by the organic treatments. The differences are
significant (p<0.05), the ranges for each variable are 32–42% in IE; 74–159%
in CAF; 35–159% in IAFE; 82–179%. Among the organic treatments, the results in
morphological index values are similar.
Discussion
The results obtained in growth, physiology and morphological indices
showed that the treatments applied with organic production management
techniques had better broccoli seedling quality than those managed with
conventional techniques. Considering the performance of each study variable,
the treatments with the best results were treatment 6: peat-based growing
medium mixed with poultry manure (80:20) with inoculation of T. harzianum
at a dose of 1.5 g/L and with application of poultry manure tea at a dose of 1 dS/m; and treatment 8: peat-based growing medium mixed with
poultry manure (80:20) with inoculation of T.
harzianum at a dose of 3 g/L and with
applications of poultry manure tea at a dose of 1 dS/m.
Both treatments comprised the same culture medium and dosed with the same
amounts of poultry manure tea. The results obtained by these treatments were
due to the individual and joint effects of the three technological components.
The poultry manure provided nutrients to the seedlings in an available and
constant manner, T. harzianum
prevented the presence of microorganisms that cause damping off, and the
tea helped supplement nutrition. Adekiya et al. (2020) reported that poultry
manure provides essential nutrients that are used by the plant, including
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, manganese,
copper, zinc, chlorine, boron, iron and molybdenum; although the percentage of
nutrients can vary depending upon factors, such as age and diet of the birds,
as well as humidity and age of the manure (Dróżdż et al. 2020).
Poultry manure has high phosphorus content, which is important for seedling
growth. This is due to the role that phosphorus plays in adenosine triphosphate
(ATP) production. Phosphorus is also responsible for the storage and transport
of energy for organic compound synthesis processes and active nutrient
absorption (Muktamar et al. 2020). Arancon et al. (2012) found that poultry manure provides nitrogen (in the
form of nitrates and ammonium), which has been related, in addition to
chlorophyll, to nitrogen levels in the leaves of various horticultural crops
(Zhu et al. 2012). Lizardo and Gómez (2015) reported that the highest growth
results for paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) seedling production were obtained in
the treatments of a mixture of litter (75%), poultry manure (25%) and T. harzianum, and the soil treatment (50%),
litter (25%), poultry manure (25%) and T.
harzianum.
It is evident that the nutrients provided by the
poultry manure improved nitrogen and chlorophyll levels in broccoli seedlings
than those that did not receive it, as verified from the results of the SPAD
units. The seedlings under organic treatment also presented less stress than
those that received the conventional treatment, possibly due to availability of
nutrients and water retention in the growth medium containing the organic
fertiliser. This was evidenced by the photosystem II quantum yield variable.
This variable measures the ability of the plant at the photosystem level to
transport electrons beyond photosystem II. This signifies the photosystem’s
level of performance in converting light energy into chemical energy. A
decrease in this value is attributed to higher environmental stress, as the
plant begins to fail to convert energy (Sasi et al.
2018).
Barbaro et al. (2013) evaluated ten treatments
of substrates formulated with different proportions (20, 50 and 80%) of three
types of poultry manure mixed with pine bark compost and a commercial substrate
for growing Impatiens walleriana
and Salvia splendens. These authors
reported that substrates with 20 and 50% of the three types of poultry manure
demonstrated the highest water retention capacity; whilst 80% mixture demonstrated
the highest air porosity. Araméndiz-Tatis et al. (2013) obtained the best results
in the production of eggplant seedlings with substrates consisting of a mixture
of 20% vermicompost or poultry manure, 40% sand and 40% alluvium. These results
were based on a greater nutritional contribution and good aeration, which
favoured root length since seedlings with longer roots take better advantage of
the physical, chemical, and nutritional conditions provided by the volume of
the substrate. They also observed a clear relationship between root length,
seedling height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of the aerial portion of
the plant, as well as the fresh and dry weight of roots. Carballo et al. (2017) reported that in the
production of zucchini and cucumber seedlings (produced with substrate mixtures
in combination with peat moss-poultry manure 84–16% and 88–12%, respectively,
seedlings showed an increase in leaf area and biomass production. Similarly,
poultry manure can contribute to diverse beneficial microorganisms that help
plant nutrition and health. Sarmiento and Velandía
(2013) found biocontrol microorganisms corresponding to the genera Trichoderma, Penicillium and Bacillus.
On the other hand, the results of the organic
treatments showed that poultry manure tea applied at a dose of 1 g/L was better
than 0.5 g/L dose. This practice is an alternative to the supply of minerals in
an easily absorbable form. Jandaghi et al. (2020) noted that the variables shoot length, stem
diameter, true leaf length and width, shoot fresh and dry weights, and
chlorophyll content, days until flowering and total fruit weight of cucumber
were increased by the application of poultry manure tea. Arancon et
al. (2012) reported that seed germination and seedling growth of tomato and
lettuce with 20% vermicompost and 20% poultry manure teas showed better growth.
Outstanding results in favour of the organic fertilization treatments can be
attributed to the presence of plant hormones in addition to the nutrients
provided. Among the hormones reported in poultry manure are indole acetic acid
(IAA), cytokinins and three types of gibberellins.
T. harzianum has beneficial effects on plants. Patkowska
et al. (2020) reported an improved the growth, development and health of this
vegetable plant. Silletti et al. (2021) mentioned that inoculation with Trichoderma improves the solubility and absorption of nutrients in
the soil, favours the plants growth and development. Guzmán-Guzmán et al. (2019) mentioned that plants
grown in soil amended and inoculated with Trichoderma
sp. had a marked increase in the number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll, as
well as in the concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+
ions.
Pascale et al. (2020) noted
that Trichoderma sp. influence the
nutritional status and the promotion of plant growth and development, increase
soil exploration beyond the nutrient and water depletion zone, solubilize
organic compounds and produce secondary metabolites, which act analogously to
phytohormones. Conversely, the establishment, adaptation, and possible
synergistic interaction between the antagonists in the rhizospheric
zone protect the plant against edaphic pathogens attributed to the antagonists,
as a direct mode of action, in the competition for space and nutrients.
Indirectly, the production of antimicrobial compounds is stimulated, which
regulate or truncate the advance of the pathogens towards the root system. In
addition, it also stimulates the defence system of plants, conferring a certain
type of tolerance to the attack of pests and aerial pathogens. Labrador et al. (2014) reported that
biopreparation based on T. harzianum was effective in the regulation of Pieris brassicae
in broccoli and resulted in an increase of the number healthy plants and the
estimated yields of the crop. Manganiello et
al. (2018) examined the effects of T.
harzianum on tomato plants infected with Rhizoctonia solani
where an increase in the expression of genes related to plant protection
was observed. Another possible benefit of using T. harzianum in seedling inoculation is
stress support, as demonstrated in this study by measuring the quantum yield of
photosystem II. The positive effects of the combined T. harzianum and compost are alternates
to increased plant nutrition and growth.
Conclusion
Broccoli seedling production
using organic inputs performed better than the conventional treatment, as
evidenced by growth, physiology and morphological indices. The most beneficial
treatment for broccoli seedling production with organic inputs was with a Sphagnum peat-based growing medium mixed
with poultry manure (80:20) with inoculation of T. harzianum at a dose of 1.5–3 g/L and
with application of poultry manure tea at a dose of 1 dS/m.
Thus, it is possible to obtain high-quality broccoli seedlings with the inputs
recognised for certified organic agriculture.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Centro de Capacitación
en Agricultura Protegida and the Biotechnology
Laboratory of the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis
Potosí.
Author Contributions
JCR and FJC designed
experiment and prepared the manuscript. MCH, PP, HR and CJL collected and
analyzing the data. All authors reviewed and approved the final draft of
manuscript.
Conflict of Interest
All authors declare no conflict of interest.
Data Availability
Data presented in this study will be available on a fair request to the
corresponding author.
Ethics Approval
Not applicable in this paper.
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