Postharvest Biology and Technology
Samane Mollaei; Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan; Mahdi Shariat; Fatemeh Nazoori
Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of cold plasma (CP) treatment using argon (Ar), nitrogen (N₂), and oxygen (O₂) gases at two voltages (5 and 8 kV) on the postharvest quality and shelf life of fresh in-hull pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) during cold storage. Research Method: Treatments were ...
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Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of cold plasma (CP) treatment using argon (Ar), nitrogen (N₂), and oxygen (O₂) gases at two voltages (5 and 8 kV) on the postharvest quality and shelf life of fresh in-hull pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) during cold storage. Research Method: Treatments were applied, and the samples were stored at 4°C for 25 and 50 days. Key parameters, including decay index (DI), water activity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage (EL), and sensory attributes, were assessed. Findings: Decay index (DI) measurements demonstrated that CP treatments significantly inhibited microbial spoilage, and argon-CP reduced decay by up to 40% compared to untreated controls. Water activity declined from 0.957 in the controls to as low as 0.952 in the argon-treated samples, indicating reduced free water available for microbial growth. Biochemical analyses revealed that total phenolic content (TPC) increased the most under nitrogen-CP (0.485 mg GAE/100 g at 50 days vs. 0.350 mg in controls). Total chlorophyll content was highest in N₂-treated pistachios (2.96 g kg⁻¹), and electrolyte leakage (EL), an indicator of membrane integrity, was lowest in argon-CP samples (74.82% vs. 88.67% in controls), reflecting reduced cellular damage. Sensory analysis confirmed that CP-treated samples, particularly those treated with Ar, improved texture, taste, color, and aroma. Research limitations: This study was limited to laboratory-scale conditions and storage durations. Originality/Value: This research provides new insights into non-thermal postharvest preservation of pistachios and highlights cold plasma, particularly Ar-treatment, as a practical, chemical-free method to enhance quality and extend shelf life.
Plant Nutrition
Hassan Bayat; Mohammad Javad Vahidi; Abdulghiyas Radan
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates the enhancing growth and flowering traits of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) through the application of biochar and vermicompost. Research Method: The experiment employed a completely randomized design with four replications in a greenhouse setting during the years of 2022-2023. ...
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Purpose: This study investigates the enhancing growth and flowering traits of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) through the application of biochar and vermicompost. Research Method: The experiment employed a completely randomized design with four replications in a greenhouse setting during the years of 2022-2023. The experimental treatments comprised the control group (without vermicompost and biochar), vermicompost at 5% by weight, jujube biochar at 2% by weight, or combination of vermicompost with biochar. Findings: Results revealed that the application of vermicompost significantly increased the dry weight of root, shoot, and total biomass by 23%, 51%, and 46%, respectively, compared to the control. Additionally, the vermicompost treatment yielded the highest number of leaves and plant height, while the biochar treatment resulted in the maximum number of flowers per plant. The durability of flowers on the plant varied, with biochar treatment exhibiting the highest durability (6.75 days) while control treatment gave the lowest durability (4.75 days). Biochar-treated plants also displayed the highest levels of total chlorophyll and relative water content in the leaves, exhibiting increases of 29% and 14%, respectively, compared to the control. Leaf nutrient content demonstrated significant changes, with the biochar + vermicompost treatment exhibiting the highest nitrogen and potassium content, demonstrating a 34% and 19% increase, respectively, compared to the control. Research limitations: No limitations were identified. Originality/Value: In summary, the findings underscore the positive influence of biochar and vermicompost fertilizers on the growth, ornamental features, and physiological characteristics of petunia. Notably, biochar demonstrated superior effectiveness in enhancing ornamental parameters compared to vermicompost. Biochar and vermicompost can be used as organic fertilizers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and increase the production and yield of petunia plant.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Sushmi Saha; Md. Zakir Hossen; Supti Mallick; Md. Shohidul Alam; Quazi Forhad Quadir
Abstract
Purpose: In Bangladesh, postharvest damage to various vegetables is common because of a lack of appropriate technologies. Country beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.), one of Bangladesh's main winter vegetables, are cultivated throughout the country, which provides numerous health advantages. A research experiment ...
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Purpose: In Bangladesh, postharvest damage to various vegetables is common because of a lack of appropriate technologies. Country beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.), one of Bangladesh's main winter vegetables, are cultivated throughout the country, which provides numerous health advantages. A research experiment was performed to measure the impact of chitosan covering on weight loss, shelf-life, and some nutritional characteristics of country beans at postharvest storage. Research Method: The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and four treatments at room temperature (≈23-25ºC), and the treatments were: T0 (control), T1 (coating with 0.10% solution), T2 (coating with 0.20% solution) and T3 (coating with 0.30% solution). Findings: The use of 0.20% chitosan prevented weight reduction by 1.59% as compared to the control and extended the shelf-life up to 23.3% in country beans at 10 and 12 days after postharvest storage (DAPS), respectively. Chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents varied from 0.75-1.59, 1.36-2.86 and 2.11-4.45 mg g-1 tissue at 5 DAPS and 0.61-1.26, 1.10-2.27 and 1.70-3.53 mg g-1 tissue at 10 DAPS, respectively. Chitosan treatment T2 significantly enhanced calcium (0.77%) and phosphorus (0.51%) contents in the country beans during postharvest storage at 5 DAPS. Additionally, treatment T3 significantly increased total phenolics (3.06 mg 100g-1 tissue) in the country beans during postharvest storage at the same DAPS. Research limitations: The study could not measure some traits (i.e., anti-radical activity, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, etc.) due to a lack of laboratory facilities. Originality/Value: This experiment revealed that country beans covered with 0.20% chitosan solutions could be utilized to enhance several nutritional properties, check weight loss, and prolong the shelf-life.
Plant Nutrition
Sally Wilkinson; Jolyon Dodgson; Anna K Weston; David J Marks
Abstract
Purpose: Excessive nitrogen use for crop production leads to environmental damage, so nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) needs to be improved. Stabilized amine nitrogen (SAN) (Lono, Levity Crop Science) has been shown to increase quality and yield of several crops. This work assesses the use of SAN for tomato ...
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Purpose: Excessive nitrogen use for crop production leads to environmental damage, so nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) needs to be improved. Stabilized amine nitrogen (SAN) (Lono, Levity Crop Science) has been shown to increase quality and yield of several crops. This work assesses the use of SAN for tomato production. Research method: SAN was applied to experimentally and commercially grown tomato plants and compared to several industry standard forms of nitrogen. Plant growth characters and yield were recorded. Findings: SAN was compared to an industry standard (IS) nitrogen fertilizer, and it significantly increased the harvested yield due to significant increases in fruit on trusses M3, M4 and lateral shoots. SAN was compared to several conventional IS fertilizers resulting in significantly increased chlorophyll levels, fruit-bearing trusses and an increased yield, but there was a shorter growth habit suggesting more energy was put towards fruit production and less to vegetative growth. Finally, SAN was applied to commercial processing tomato (variety HZ1662) production where there was a significant increase in the perfect red fruit when compared to the standard nitrogen application regime. Research limitations: Further work could be done with other commercial tomato crops. Originality/Value: Results from glasshouse experiments and commercial production show that SAN increases the yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) when compared to IS nitrogen applications.
