Saber Gilani; Naser Askari; Hossein Meighani; Amanollah Soleimani; Reza Ghahremani
Abstract
Optimizing light and nutrient supply has a key role in seedling quality and yield of cucumber seedlings. The combined effects of light quality {blue (B), white [W; 41% B, 39% intermediate, and 20% red (R)], RB [red (80%) and blue (20%)], and red (R)} and EC value of the nutrient solution (1, 1.7, and ...
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Optimizing light and nutrient supply has a key role in seedling quality and yield of cucumber seedlings. The combined effects of light quality {blue (B), white [W; 41% B, 39% intermediate, and 20% red (R)], RB [red (80%) and blue (20%)], and red (R)} and EC value of the nutrient solution (1, 1.7, and 3 ds m-1) were evaluated on the growth and physio-logical responses of cucumber seedlings. The measurements were aimed at the growth rate, biomass distribution, water status, seedling quality, yield, and concentration of photosynthetic pigments, protein, proline, potassium, and phosphorous. The results showed that the effects of light quality on cucumber seedlings depended on the EC values of the nutrient solution. The RB treatment at EC 1.7 of the irrigation water had the highest value of seedling quality parameters and the maximum amount of osmolytes, elements, and pigments, showing adequate water performance. Moreover, in contrast to the conventional seedling production, yield and biomass production increased by 70% and 92%, respectively, in the transplanting phase. This probably resulted from a more efficient elemental uptake, higher biomass distribution, and low vegetative growth in the seedling production phase. These results can contribute to seedling production of vegetables as an efficient protocol for yield productivity. In sum, our findings showed that determining the ideal light spectrum for seedling growth should be considered together with the EC of the nutrient solution.
Hossein Meighani; Mahmood Ghasemnezhad; Davood Bakhshi
Abstract
The pomegranate fruit is a good source of bioactive compounds. The present study has investigated the biochemical and sensory characteristics of the arils of four Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars namely Malase Shirine Saveh (MSS), Malase Torshe Saveh (MTS), Alak Shirine Saveh (ASS) and Agha Mohammad ...
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The pomegranate fruit is a good source of bioactive compounds. The present study has investigated the biochemical and sensory characteristics of the arils of four Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars namely Malase Shirine Saveh (MSS), Malase Torshe Saveh (MTS), Alak Shirine Saveh (ASS) and Agha Mohammad Ali (AMA) for several developmental and ripening stages during 45–180 days after fruit set (DAFS). The results showed that the total soluble solids (TSS), individual and total anthocyanin concentrations, and color parameters including chroma and a* values significantly increased, in contrast, the total phenolic concentration and color parameters (L* and hue angle) gradually decreased during developmental stages. Six anthocyanin pigments were found responsible for the red color of pomegranate juice. The quantity and the quality of the anthocyanin pigments were different among the cultivars and the various developmental stages. The predominant anthocyanin pigment at all developmental stages in all cultivars was cyanidin 3,5-diglucosides. The maximum total phenolic concentration was recorded at 45 DAFS for all cultivars. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded at 45 DAFS, and gradually decreased until 135 DAFS. Similar decrease was observed in total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations. Notably, increasing of antioxidant activity at the late-developmental stage was due to induction of the flavonoids and anthocyanins accumulation.
