Hamid Zargari; Alireza Talaii; Yahya Dehghani Shuraki; Vahid Abdossi
Abstract
The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different pollen sources, i.e. genotypes 7001 (control), 7005, 7013, 7030, and tissue culture-derived ‘Boyer 11’, on two maternal plant cultivars, i.e. ‘Barhi’ and ‘Piarom’ (tissue culture-derived and offshoot-derived). ...
Read More
The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different pollen sources, i.e. genotypes 7001 (control), 7005, 7013, 7030, and tissue culture-derived ‘Boyer 11’, on two maternal plant cultivars, i.e. ‘Barhi’ and ‘Piarom’ (tissue culture-derived and offshoot-derived). The quantitative properties of fruits were evaluated for a period of two years (2018-2019). A population of 30 ten-year-old trees was selected from each cultivar. Fruit physical properties were measured, including fruit length and diameter, the fruit length-to-diameter ratio, fruit volume, seed length and diameter, seed weight, and yield. The results showed that the highest percentage of natural fruit set was related to offshoot-derived trees of cv. ‘Barhiʼ, with pollen from genotypes 7030 and 7013. The lowest was found in tissue culture-derived trees of cv. ‘Piaromʼ, with pollen from the genotype 7001 (control). In general, offshoot-derived ‘Barhi’ and ‘Piarom’ cultivars were preferable to their tissue culture-derived trees, since they caused better quantitative and qualitative traits. Furthermore, genotypes 7013 and 7030 were selected as the most suitable pollinizers because of increasing the percentage of fruit set, reducing the number of parthenocarpic fruits, and improving the quantitative and qualitative properties of fruits in tissue culturederived and offshoot-derived date palm cultivars (‘Barhi’ and ‘Piarom’).
Fatemeh Nazoori; Elaheh ZamaniBahramabadi; Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan
Abstract
The efficiency of sulfur in controlling pistachio pests, especially psylla, has been documented in the available literature, but it is essential for pesticides not to affect the quality of the product. In this study, movento (0.5 L/1000 L), confidor (0.4 L/1000 L) and refinery micronized (R) and mineral ...
Read More
The efficiency of sulfur in controlling pistachio pests, especially psylla, has been documented in the available literature, but it is essential for pesticides not to affect the quality of the product. In this study, movento (0.5 L/1000 L), confidor (0.4 L/1000 L) and refinery micronized (R) and mineral (M) sulfur (30 and 60 kg/1000 L in water) were sprayed twice on pistachio trees of the cultivar ‘Ahmadaghaei’ (in mid-May and 50 days thereafter). Pistachios were harvested in late September and were stored at 4 °C for 25 and 50 days to evaluate the effects of pesticides on the quality of hulls and kernels. The taste, aroma, appearance, respiration rate, firmness of hull and kernel, a* (red-green), b* (blue-yellow) and chroma of hull and kernel declined over time, while L* (lightness) and the hue angle of the hull and kernel increased. Ethylene production remained stable over time. Chemical pesticides stimulated hull firmness. Refined micronized sulfur at both concentrations caused higher L* and hue angle, but lower a*, b* and chroma in the hull and kernel (i.e. lighter and yellower in color). All sulfur treatments reduced the firmness of the hull and kernel, while also increasing the respiration rate. R30 preserved the taste and aroma after 50 days. R30 and M30 showed higher ethylene production. The R30 treatment had some positive effects on preserving the taste and aroma of pistachios overtime. Thus, it may be recommended as a reliable treatment, although the ability of sulfur in pest control could be offset by the side effects of sulfur on product quality.Abbreviations:R30: Refined micronized sulfur (30 kg/1000 L); R60: Refinery micronized sulfur (60 kg/1000 L); M30: Mineral sulfur (30 kg/1000 L); M60: Mineral sulfur (60 kg/1000 L)
Afsaneh Yavari Kondori; Roohangiz Naderi; Mahmood Khosrowshali; Kambiz Larijani
Abstract
Cyclamen, a popular decorative plant, is commonly found in gardens and pots. Since wild Cyclamen are endangered, a study was conducted to explore the genetic potential of wild Cyclamen, focusing on their morphology and chromosomal diversity among eight accessions. A total of 23 phenotypic-biochemical ...
Read More
Cyclamen, a popular decorative plant, is commonly found in gardens and pots. Since wild Cyclamen are endangered, a study was conducted to explore the genetic potential of wild Cyclamen, focusing on their morphology and chromosomal diversity among eight accessions. A total of 23 phenotypic-biochemical traits were evaluated along with chromosome counting. The morphological measures showed a humble range of variation, particularly in the number of flowers, peduncle diameter, number of leaves, hypocotyl length, and hypocotyl weight, with the Kordkuy accession being the largest and the Deylaman accession the most seeded. Cyclamen chromosome counting indicated 15 chromosomal levels, implying a significant chromosomal diversity among the accessions, with the Pasand accession exhibiting the highest level of chromosomal diversity (14 chromosomal levels). Furthermore, only the Pasand accession had the greatest chromosomal level (2n=48) among the accessions. By describing the results based on the median, the smallest chromosomal diversity was recorded in the Kordkuy accession. Cyclamen accessions were divided into two main clusters and a single accession. The Kordkuy accession was separated from the other accessions. HCA analysis confirmed the separation of the Kordkuy accession from the other accessions, as expected from its superiority in most morphological traits. The current findings can be used for improving Cyclamen breeding programs as well as evolutionary studies. We suggest more focus on the utilization of wild genetic resources to conserve Cyclamen varieties and strengthen their genetic background.
Soheila Mohammadrezakhani; Zahra Pakkish
Abstract
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is known for its social, environmental, and economic importance by many people in tropical and subtropical regions. Dates are an essential agricultural product in Iran and sometimes a staple food because of their high sugar content, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, ...
Read More
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is known for its social, environmental, and economic importance by many people in tropical and subtropical regions. Dates are an essential agricultural product in Iran and sometimes a staple food because of their high sugar content, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. This research aimed to explore the changes that occur in chemical compounds at different stages of fruit ripening. Five palm cultivars were comparable with each other in this regard. The fruits were harvested at various ripening stages (Hobabok, Kimri, Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar) from five date varieties, i.e., ‘Khenizi,’ ‘Mazafati,’ ‘Kaloteh,’ ‘Shahani,’ and ‘Mordasang.’ We measured phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, tannin, moisture, and total soluble solids (TSS) in the fruits at their different ripening stages. Average comparisons showed that the TSS content, anthocyanin, and phenol compounds increased during ripening. In contrast, antioxidant capacity, tannins, flavonoids, and moisture content decreased. Chemical compounds in the cultivars were different from one another at ripening. Thus, harvesting should take place according to the harvest purpose in each cultivar.
Ahmad Shirinfekr; Shahin Oustan; Nosratollah Najafi; Adel Reyhanitabar
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess both soil and tea plant responses to acidification induced by aluminum (Al). In this way, the effects of four levels of soil acidification by aluminum sulfate were examined (A1=0, A2=500, A3=1000, A4=2000 mg kg-1 soil) on five promising tea genotypes (G1=100, G2=440, ...
Read More
The present study aimed to assess both soil and tea plant responses to acidification induced by aluminum (Al). In this way, the effects of four levels of soil acidification by aluminum sulfate were examined (A1=0, A2=500, A3=1000, A4=2000 mg kg-1 soil) on five promising tea genotypes (G1=100, G2=440, G3=444, G4=591 and G5=703). The genotypes were originally from Lahijan Tea Research Center and were tested on split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. A breakpoint of 250 mg kg-1 of exchangeable Al was identified as critical for the severe release of Al into the soil solution. Both soluble and exchangeable fractions of soil Al showed strong power regression relationships with soil pH measured in water as well as 1M KCl solution. The genotype with the highest yield (G3) experienced a significantly greater decline in fresh yield following treatments with Al, compared with the genotype having low yield (G4) (22% vs. 6%, on average). Acidification adversely affected all morphological parameters but no significant impacts were detected on selected biochemical parameters (i.e. caffeine, total polyphenols, and chlorophyll index). Leaf Al concentration, followed by shoot weight and leaf thickness showed significant relationships (p<0.01) with soluble and exchangeable fractions of Al in the soil. The highest and the lowest leaf Al concentrations were obtained in G4 (837 mg kg-1 DM, on average) and in G3 (623 mg kg-1 DM, on average), respectively. Based on all morphological traits, the most tolerant genotype to soil acidification was G4, which is a low-yield tea with a relatively high Al accumulation affinity.
Mandana Mahfeli; Saeid Minaei; Ali Fadavi; Shirin Dianati
Abstract
The synthetic seed method refers to encapsulated plant parts and any meristematic tissue which can develop into plantlets under in-vitro or in-vivo conditions. various parameters and evaluating’ one-variable-at-a-time’ could be time-consuming, expensive, and inefficient. Thus, the application ...
Read More
The synthetic seed method refers to encapsulated plant parts and any meristematic tissue which can develop into plantlets under in-vitro or in-vivo conditions. various parameters and evaluating’ one-variable-at-a-time’ could be time-consuming, expensive, and inefficient. Thus, the application of process modeling approaches including Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and the Radial-Basis Function (RBF) can be required and beneficial for the prediction of synthetic seed weight. In the present study, two different types of artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms, the MLP and RBF models, have been developed to predict the weight of Phalanopsis orchid synthetic seed using an encapsulation set-up especially developed for this purpose. Various topologies of ANN were configured based on different concentrations of sodium alginate (3, 4, and 5 (w/v)), calcium chloride (100,125, and 150 (mM), and droplet falling height of sodium alginate (1, 1.5, and 2 cm) as input variables and the values of synthetic seed weights as output variable. Results show that the RBF algorithm (R= 0.98 and SSE= 0. 13× 10-3) outperformed the MLP algorithm (R = 0.91and SSE= 0.14× 10-3) owing to its better ability for predicting capsule weight. The study has presented a machine learning-based approach for the classification of synthetic seeds. Algorithms for extraction of capsule features have been developed, which are in turn used to train artificial neural network (ANN) classifiers. The outputs of ANNs have been successfully applied to model the synthetic seeds production process indicating the appropriateness of the model equation in predicting orchid synthetic seed weight are mathematically combined.
Aman Mehta; Pratikshya Lamichhane; Rubi Khatiwada; Ashmita Mandal; Priyanka Kumari Chaudhary; Sabnam Aryal
Abstract
In Nepal, dragon fruit farming is promising but faces limited operation due to its high initial cost during the establishment years. However, its market demand and export potential could provide an economic opportunity for farmers. Here, dragon fruit farmers were categorized as 39 small-scale and 25 ...
Read More
In Nepal, dragon fruit farming is promising but faces limited operation due to its high initial cost during the establishment years. However, its market demand and export potential could provide an economic opportunity for farmers. Here, dragon fruit farmers were categorized as 39 small-scale and 25 large-scale farmers based on an average farm size of 20 kattha (6772.6 m2). A total of 64 dragon fruit farmers were selected randomly from different clusters through a multi-stage sampling technique. The results revealed that the average cost of dragon fruit production per kattha during the establishment year was NRs 259098.58 (1941.89 USD). The gross benefit was NRs 540972.00 (4054.98 USD) in a large-scale farm and NRs 402928.33 (3019.87 USD) in a small-scale farm. Also, an average BC ratio of 1.87 indicated a profitable farming business. Provision of extension services and cooperative engagement were significant among socioeconomic characteristics for the farm category. Land preparation, manure, labor, fertilizers, and plant protection costs were substantial parts of the total cost incurred in dragon fruit cultivation. Pillar and plant protection costs were positively significant in the production function analysis, and the cost of irrigation was negatively significant to gross returns. These findings will encourage the adoption of dragon fruit farming by providing farmers with essential information on production costs and profitability. Market stability, training, extension, and subsidies should be top priorities in authoritative management.
Fatemeh Shahsavandi; Saeid Eshghi
Abstract
Iron chlorosis is a concern in self-rooted and grafted vines cultivated in calcareous soils. Susceptibility to Fe chlorosis in grapevine usually varies, depending on genotype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morpho-physiological responses of grapevine cultivars (‘Flame Seedless’ ...
Read More
Iron chlorosis is a concern in self-rooted and grafted vines cultivated in calcareous soils. Susceptibility to Fe chlorosis in grapevine usually varies, depending on genotype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morpho-physiological responses of grapevine cultivars (‘Flame Seedless’ and ‘Thompson Seedless’) and their graft combinations (‘Flame Seedless’/‘Thompson Seedless’ (FS/TS) and ‘Thompson Seedless’/‘Flame Seedless’ (TS/FS)) to bicarbonate (30 mM) application and Fe deficiency, while also examining the effects of different Fe sources (FeEDTA and FeSO4.7H2O) in soilless culture condition. In this study, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications. Results indicated that chlorophyll a, b, and total, as well as carotenoids in the grafting combination of FS/TS were less affected and decreased by about 20% under bicarbonate treatment. The ‘Flame Seedless’ cultivar and grafting combination of TS/FS was more affected and decreased by about 50% under this condition. Results indicated that shoot and root fresh weights decreased by about 25% and 32%, respectively, in all cultivars under bicarbonate treatment in response to both iron sources. Root volume decreased in ‘Thompson Seedless’, ‘Flame Seedless’, and TS/FS by about 30%, 38%, and 50%, respectively, under the bicarbonate treatment when FeEDTA was used as an iron source. Adding bicarbonate to the nutrient solution increased some of the phenolic compounds in ‘Thompson Seedless’ and the graft combination of FS/TS roots. Generally, bicarbonate had more adverse effects on ‘Flame Seedless’ and the TS/FS graft combination, compared to ‘Thompson Seedless’ and FS/TS, confirming that the use of more iron-efficient rootstocks in the graft combination can contribute to bicarbonate tolerance in the scions of cultivars with lower tolerance to bicarbonate.
Kajvan Saed Moocheshi; Ali Izadi Darbandi; Nima Namjoo; Namjoo Saed Moocheshi
Abstract
In most procedures that involve gene cloning, after the amplification of a target gene by PCR or by Real-time PCR, the purification of the trappedgene on agarose gel is a crucial stage. There are various methods for extracting genes from agarose gel by removing other contaminants. We isolated the amplified ...
Read More
In most procedures that involve gene cloning, after the amplification of a target gene by PCR or by Real-time PCR, the purification of the trappedgene on agarose gel is a crucial stage. There are various methods for extracting genes from agarose gel by removing other contaminants. We isolated the amplified PqHMGR gene (derived from Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)) from agarose gel by a quasi-electrophoresis device (similar to electro-elution technique). Moreover, the efficiency of this new approach was compared with that of the commercial kit ‘Silica Bead DNA Gel Extraction’ (Thermo Scientific American Company). Ligation to the PTG-19 plasmid and cloning in E. coli bacteria were also done. The results showed successful isolations of targeted DNA, along with a high efficiency in producing recombinant DNA and in concluding a successful cloning procedure through this new device. The invented method provided a better purification ability than the commercial kit, but because of using the TAE 1X buffer as the purified gene storage solution, the plasmid and bacterial transformation rates were slower than the commercial kit method. It was found that using the new method for the purification of nucleotide sequences by electrophoresis and electrophoresis buffer is feasible, and that these purified fragments can be applied in cloning and sequencing. Using the TAE 1X buffer instead of distilled water did not cause problems in gene binding to PTG-19 plasmid. It also allowed a successful transformation of E. coli bacteria by the modified plasmid. Nonetheless, using TAE 1X buffer reduced the modification rate of the PTG-19 plasmid and decreased the rate of E. coli transformation by the modified plasmid.Abbreviations:5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal), Complementary DNA (cDNA), Diethyl Pyrocarbonate (DEPC), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Isopropyl ß-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), LB (Luria Broth), Optical density 260 (OD260), Optical density 280 (OD280), Panax quinquefolius HMGR (PqHMGR), Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Tris/Borate/EDTA (TBE), Tris-acetate-EDTA. 1X (TAE).
Hossein Meighani; Mohammad Sadat-Hosseini
Abstract
Indian jujubes are perishable fruits with a short storage life after harvest. In this study, Indian jujube fruits were stored at 5 °C and 90% RH for 30 days after treating the fruits with 1% chitosan (CHS), 1 mM putrescine (PUT), and a combination of 1% CHS and 1 mM PUT (CHS+ PUT). Physicochemical ...
Read More
Indian jujubes are perishable fruits with a short storage life after harvest. In this study, Indian jujube fruits were stored at 5 °C and 90% RH for 30 days after treating the fruits with 1% chitosan (CHS), 1 mM putrescine (PUT), and a combination of 1% CHS and 1 mM PUT (CHS+ PUT). Physicochemical characteristics and cell wall degrading enzymes were measured at 10-day intervals. The results indicated that the efficiency of the CHS+PUT was better than CHS or PUT as individual treatments. The CHS+PUT treatment substantially decreased weight loss, decay incidence, and malondialdehyde content in Indian jujube fruits. The CHS+PUT treatment minimized losses of bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid and phenols), total antioxidant activity, and titratable acidity. In addition, CHS+PUT treatment delayed fruit softening by suppressing polygalacturonase activity and pectin methylesterase enzymes. Soluble solids content significantly increased through storage time, but applying CHS and PUT individually or in combination inhibited this increase. These results confirmed that the 1% CHS and 1 mM PUT treatments maintained the postharvest quality of Indian jujube fruits in cold storage.
Seyed Abolfazl Hassani; Ali Salehi Sardoei; Hamideh Azad Ghouge Bigloo; Hadi Ghasemi; Amir Ghorbanzadeh
Abstract
Various markers can be used for accurate identifications of plant genotypes and cultivars. Since microsatellite markers of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are abundant and reliably reproducible, 14 pairs were used for evaluating polymorphic levels among 33 apple genotypes. All 14 pairs of primers had ...
Read More
Various markers can be used for accurate identifications of plant genotypes and cultivars. Since microsatellite markers of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are abundant and reliably reproducible, 14 pairs were used for evaluating polymorphic levels among 33 apple genotypes. All 14 pairs of primers had high degrees of polymorphism, ranging from three alleles (in the case of primers CH01h01 and CH02d12) to 12 alleles in primer CH05d04. In total, 83 polymorphic alleles appeared in these 14 SSR loci (with an average of 5.92 alleles per gene locus), and the polymorphic information content averaged 0.71. Dendrograms for molecular data were drawn based on the UPGMA method, and genotypes were divided into six main groups. The genotypes of Shahrood 20 and Shahrood 21 (95%) had the highest similarity with each other, while Shahrood 3 and Palestinian Malayer (14%) had the lowest. Principal component analysis confirmed the results of cluster analysis to determine relationships between the genotypes.
Mitra Razi; Reza Darvishzadeh; Hadi Alipour; Hamed Doulati Baneh
Abstract
Genetic resources in each country are valuable assets for sustainable development. Accurate knowledge of genetic behaviour and identification of genomic loci associated with important economic traits will help breeders to run efficiently their breeding programs. Fourteen important pomological traits ...
Read More
Genetic resources in each country are valuable assets for sustainable development. Accurate knowledge of genetic behaviour and identification of genomic loci associated with important economic traits will help breeders to run efficiently their breeding programs. Fourteen important pomological traits were measured on 45 table grape cultivars during three successive years (2016, 2017 and 2018). The molecular profile of the studied cultivars was prepared with 39 SSR primers pairs. Genetic structure analysis based on the SSR markers revealed two subpopulations in the association panel. In association analysis using the mixed linear model, seven loci were found to be significantly associated with the studied traits at the 5% probability level. Breeding values were also estimated for the pomological traits using BLUP. 'Saghal Solian', 'At Ouzum', 'Garmian', 'Rishbaba Qermez', 'Taifi', 'Shahroudi', 'Sahebi Qermez', 'Lal Qermez', 'Alhaghi', 'Sarghola', 'Chava Ga', 'Qzl Ouzum' and 'Agh Shani' table grape cultivars showed high and positive breeding values for cluster length, width and weight. Whereas 'Garmian', 'Rishbaba Qermez', 'Fakhri', 'Agh Shani', 'Lal Sefid' and 'Shirazi' had positive and high breeding value for pollen germination, fruit set in open pollination and fruit set under controlled pollination. Finally, 'Sarghola' and 'Qzl Ouzum' showed the positive and highest breeding value for berry weight, flesh weight, cluster length, cluster width, and cluster weight. The cultivar with high and positive breeding value can be used as a good parent for the breeding of the traits in hybridization programs because they can better transfer the desirable characteristics to the progeny in each case.
Maryam Ebrahimi; Rouhollah Karimi; Amir Daraei Garmakhany; Narjes Aghajani; Alireza Shayganfar
Abstract
Artificial neural networks (ANN) are a nondestructive method for estimating fruit and vegetable shelf life and quality attributes. This research used artificial neural networks to model a storage process for fruit grapes (Vitis vinifera cv. Rishbaba) coated with maltodextrin, including different levels ...
Read More
Artificial neural networks (ANN) are a nondestructive method for estimating fruit and vegetable shelf life and quality attributes. This research used artificial neural networks to model a storage process for fruit grapes (Vitis vinifera cv. Rishbaba) coated with maltodextrin, including different levels of potassium nanocarbonate (0-2%) and pyracantha extract (0-1.5%). After applying these coatings, the fruits were stored for 60 days in cold storage (-1 °C), with a relative humidity of 90%. Measurements considered weight loss percentage, titrable acidity (TA), pH, texture firmness, color index (a), and general fruit acceptance. Artificial neural networks predicted changes in fruits during the storage process. By examining different networks, the feedforward backpropagation network had 3-10-6 topologies with a coefficient of determination (R2) greater than 0.988 and a mean square error (MSE) less than 0.005. With a hyperbolic sigmoid tangent activation function, a resilient learning pattern and 1000 learning process were determined as the best neural method. On the other hand, the results of the optimized models showed that this model had the highest and lowest accuracy for predicting the weight loss percentage (R2 = 0.9975) and a (R2 = 0.5671) of the samples, respectively.
Suleiman Leiser Araujo; Fernanda Pacheco de Almeida Prado Bortolheiro; Ítala Layane Duarte; Kelly Gabriela Pereira da Silva; Murilo Battistuzi Martins; Edilson Costa; Eduardo Pradi Vendruscolo; Fernanda Cristina Silva Ribeiro
Abstract
Protected environment and substrate, as well as interaction between both, influence the formation of pepper seedlings and promote adequate plant growth. The present study evaluated different types of protected environments and substrate compositions in the initial growth of “Guaraci Cumari do Pará” ...
Read More
Protected environment and substrate, as well as interaction between both, influence the formation of pepper seedlings and promote adequate plant growth. The present study evaluated different types of protected environments and substrate compositions in the initial growth of “Guaraci Cumari do Pará” pepper (Capsicum chinense) seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme (4 protected environments x 5 substrate compositions). Agricultural screenhouses with black polyethylene screens of 18% and 30% shading and agricultural greenhouses with polyethylene screens of 35% and 42-50% shading under the plastic film were used. In the environments, substrates 100% Carolina Soil® + 0% vermiculite, 80% Carolina Soil® + 20% vermiculite, 60% Carolina Soil® + 40% vermiculite; 40% Carolina Soil® + 60% vermiculite and 20% Carolina Soil® + 80% vermiculite were tested. The environment that provided higher growth for all substrates was with 35% shading, which increased seedling quality 2.9 times. In the 30% shading environment, better performance of the substrate (80% Carolina Soil® + 20% vermiculite) was observed, while in the 35% shading environment, better performance of the commercial substrate (100% Carolina Soil®) was observed, with greater plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and dry biomass. However, the 35% shading environment increased 2.4 times the quality of seedlings with the commercial substrate, regarding 40% Carolina Soil® + 60% vermiculite. Regarding seedling quality, the best substrate was the commercial substrate, i.e., 95% superior to 40% Carolina Soil® + 60% vermiculite in the average environment.
Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan; Farhad Pirzad; Sirvan Pireh; Maryam Hashemi; Daniel Valero
Abstract
The efficiencies of menthol and thymol fumigation in combination with modified atmosphere packaging were studied to preserve apricot fruit quality. For this purpose, 0 (control), 20, and 30 μl of menthol or thymol were placed on a sterile gauze inside a package and sealed with low-density polyethylene ...
Read More
The efficiencies of menthol and thymol fumigation in combination with modified atmosphere packaging were studied to preserve apricot fruit quality. For this purpose, 0 (control), 20, and 30 μl of menthol or thymol were placed on a sterile gauze inside a package and sealed with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film. Following the treatments, all packages were stored at 1.5±1 °C and 85±5% relative humidity for 30 days. They were analyzed for quality parameters during cold storage. The application of menthol 30 µl, thymol 20 µl, and 30 µl reduced the microbial population of the packed fruits to at least 53, 57, and 69%, respectively. Other parameters related to fruit quality such as weight loss, softening, color changes, and malondialdehyde content, which were delayed in treated fruits, compared to the control. The treated fruits exhibited higher bioactive compounds in terms of b-carotene, ascorbic acid, and titratable acidity, respectively, compared to the control at the end of the storage period. The combination of MAP with the vapor phase of menthol and thymol at appropriate concentrations can maintain apricot fruit quality for consumers and growers to increase the possibility of extending apricot shelf life.
MD. FARID HOSSAIN; Md. Serazul Islam
Abstract
The application of balanced fertilizers is essential to produce highquality broccoli. A field experiment was conducted to find an appropriate fertilizer management practice for broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. ‘Italica’) that can generate higher yield and quality. The experiment comprised ...
Read More
The application of balanced fertilizers is essential to produce highquality broccoli. A field experiment was conducted to find an appropriate fertilizer management practice for broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. ‘Italica’) that can generate higher yield and quality. The experiment comprised 24 treatment combinations with six fertilizer management practices, i.e., T1: control. T2: cow dung at 10 t ha-1. T3: chicken manure at 10 t ha-1. T4: recommended NPK dose. T5: cow dung at 5 t ha-1 + 50% of the recommended NPK dose. T6: chicken manure at 5 t ha-1 + 50% of the recommended NPK dose. The highest plant height (60.00 cm) occurred in response to T6, the highest stem length (22.25 cm) in T4, and the maximum number of leaves per plant (22.00) in T4 and T6 treatments. Maximum fresh leaf weight per plant (609 g), stem diameter (3.98 cm), curd diameter (16.63 cm), and individual curd weight (494.50 g) occurred in response to the T5 treatment. The optimum yield (25.78 t ha-1) of broccoli can be obtained by application of cow dung (5 t ha-1) with a recommended dose of 50% inorganic fertilizer NPK (T5). Maximum TSS value (10.54%) occurred in response to T3, which was statistically similar to the effect of T6 (10.52%). Vitamin C content (80.77 mg 100 g-1) became significantly high in response to the T4 treatment (100% recommended dose of NPK). Minimum vitamin C content (53.84 mg 100 g-1) occurred in the control treatment (T1). Applying cow dung at 5 t ha-1 in addition to the 50% recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (T5) led to superior yield values in broccoli.
Saeed Alah Tavakoli; Abdolhossein Abootalebi Jahromi; Abdolrasoul Zakerin; Abdolkarim Ejraei; Hamed Hassanzadeh Khankahdani
Abstract
Plant growth in hydroponic systems is affected by the nutrient solution concentration. The present study evaluated the effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) on the concentration of some nutrients, chemical fruit qualities, and yield in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, cv. Hirad). The experiment was ...
Read More
Plant growth in hydroponic systems is affected by the nutrient solution concentration. The present study evaluated the effects of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) on the concentration of some nutrients, chemical fruit qualities, and yield in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, cv. Hirad). The experiment was arranged as a completely randomized design with four treatments (T1: N160 + K350 ppm at the vegetative stage and N130 + K250 ppm at the reproductive stage, T2: N170 + K360 ppm at the vegetative stage and N140 + K260 ppm at the reproductive stage, T3: N180 + K370 ppm at the vegetative stage and N150 + K270 ppm at the reproductive stage and T4: N190 + K380 ppm at the vegetative stage and N160 + K280 ppm at the reproductive stage). Results indicated that higher N and K supplies in the nutrient solutiondecreased Ca, Na, Mn, and Zn concentrations in leaf samples. In contrast, the concentration of various elements in fruits was unaffected by the increase in N and K (except for Cu). The second treatment (T2) had the most beneficial effect on the Cu concentration in tomato leaves and fruits. The increase in total soluble solids, chlorophyll, lycopene, and total acids could improve fruit quality in tomato fruits. The best treatment in the present study was N170 + K360 ppm at the vegetative stage and N140 + K260 ppm at the reproductive stage.
