Plant Stress
Seyyedeh Atefeh Hosseini; Mehdi Khayyat
Abstract
Purpose: The present research was done to evaluate the responses of ‘Yusef Khani’ (Y) and ‘Malas-e-Yazdi’ (M) Iranian pomegranates to salt stress under field conditions. Research method: Treatments included different salinized water (EC=1.05 as control, 4.61 and 7.46 dS m–1) ...
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Purpose: The present research was done to evaluate the responses of ‘Yusef Khani’ (Y) and ‘Malas-e-Yazdi’ (M) Iranian pomegranates to salt stress under field conditions. Research method: Treatments included different salinized water (EC=1.05 as control, 4.61 and 7.46 dS m–1) and two commercially Iranian pomegranate varieties. Main findings: Interaction of salinity × variety showed the lowest chlorophyll (chl) and potassium (K) level, and the highest chloride (Cl) and sodium (Na) in M variety, under high level of salinity. Although the lowest non-photochemical quenching, and effective quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PSII observed in this variety under 7.46 dS m–1, however, basal quantum yield of non-photochemical processes in PSII increased. Accumulation of Na and Cl in leaf tissue increased with increasing salinity in both varieties. Moreover, lower accumulation of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) observed in both varieties. More Na and Cl was obtained within leaves of M variety, compared with other one. We found that there were some differences between these varieties and ‘Yousef Khani’ was more tolerant to salinity compared with ‘Malas-e-Yazdi’. Limitations: It might be better to evaluate several varieties for salinity resistance, however, it was impossible to us. Originality/Value: Iran is the main source of genetic variability for pomegranate. There is a huge diversity within pomegranate germplasm that should be studied for salinity and drought resistance. Thus, here we conducted a research to find a salt resistant pomegranate.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Farzaneh Hamedi Sarkomi; Farid Moradinezhad; Mehdi Khayyat
Abstract
Purpose: Quality loss is high in pomegranate due to physiological disorders occurred during growth and developmental stages of fruit in main production areas in Iran. Research method: we evaluated the effects of preharvest fruit bagging time (July and August), and bag color (white and brown) on sunburn, ...
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Purpose: Quality loss is high in pomegranate due to physiological disorders occurred during growth and developmental stages of fruit in main production areas in Iran. Research method: we evaluated the effects of preharvest fruit bagging time (July and August), and bag color (white and brown) on sunburn, cracking, anthocyanin content, and quality of pomegranate fruit. This experiment was carried out on eight-year-old pomegranate trees cv. Shishe-Kab in an orchard located in Ferdows, South Khorasan province, Iran. Main findings: The results showed that the maximum (90%) and minimum (25%) sunburn percentage was observed in control (non-bagged fruits) and white-bagged fruits at August (WBA), respectively. Similarly, the highest percentage of cracking (65%) and the lowest (5%) was obtained in control and WBA, respectively. Non-bagged fruits showed the highest (23.61 mg-1) anthocyanin, and the lowest rate (13.55 mg-1) observed in brown-bagged fruit in July (BBJ). The brightness (L) of the peel color of brown-bagged fruit in August (BBA) was the highest while the lowest L value obtained in control and white-bagged fruits in July (WBJ). Bagging did not change the weight, volume, and pH of pomegranate juice. Interestingly, bagging in both white and brown bag effectively reduced fruit sunburn and cracking and decreased the total damaged fruits, particularly when fruits were bagged in August, as compared with non-bagged control. Research limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: The results suggest that proper pre-harvest bagging to improve the quality and reduce losses of pomegranate fruit cv. Shishe-Kab.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Farid Moradinezhad; Mehdi Khayyat; Fatemeh Ranjbari; Zahra Maraki
Abstract
Purpose: Pomegranate fruit is highly susceptible to water loss and chilling injuries during postharvest cold storage. Thus an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of modified atmosphere packaging on pomegranate shelf life and chilling resistance under cold storage. Research method: Treatments ...
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Purpose: Pomegranate fruit is highly susceptible to water loss and chilling injuries during postharvest cold storage. Thus an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of modified atmosphere packaging on pomegranate shelf life and chilling resistance under cold storage. Research method: Treatments were vacuum packed and unpacked fruits (control) that were stored in a cold room at 5 ± 0.5 °C and 80 ± 5% RH. At the end of each storage period (30, 40, 50, 70, 90 and 130 days), packed fruits were assessed for physicochemical and quality parameters while control fruit were assessed after 90 days of storage. Findings: Results showed that packaging improves TSS/TA, and some color attributes, and decreased anthocyanin, total acidity, weight loss, electrolyte leakage, chilling injury index and unmarketable fruits. Evaluation of traits in different durations showed that vacuum packaging significantly reduced weight loss, electrolyte leakage, chilling injury index, and interestingly decreased the number of unmarketable fruits by 30%, compared with control. Anthocyanin contents significantly decreased since day 70 of storage. The a* and chroma values of peel significantly increased in packaging treatments as storage period progressed, however, hue value significantly decreased, compared with control. Research limitations: There was no significant limitation to report. Originality/Value: The results suggest that bulk vacuum packaging can be used for up to 3 months to successfully alleviate chilling injury, reduce weight loss and the postharvest losses, and to extend the storage life of pomegranate fruit during cold storage.
