Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Abstract Purpose: Cucumber is a very sensitive plant even under standard conditions, and its fruit, reaches the harvest stage rapidly. In addition to, in Yemen a lot of fertilizer and fungicide chemical have used during the production. For this purpose, effect of exogenously applied of bio-stimulators (humic acid and yeast) was examined. Research method: Cucumber HATEM F1 Cultivar was used as plant material. Plants were grown during the clean horticulture practices under polyethylene greenhouse condition. The experiment designed as completely randomized blocks design (RCBD). Humic acid at 0, 100 and 300 mg L^-1, as well as yeast at 0, 2000 and 4000 mg L^-1, sprayed once alone or in combination. Findings: As compared to control, humic at 100 mg L^-1 alone increased the yield about 14.88%. Yeast at 4000 mg L^-1 alone offered the significantly (P≤0.05) highest of the plant (88.2%) and higher yield (91.00%). Yeast at 2000 mg L^-1 significantly increased leaves DM% (26.6%). Yeast significantly increases chlorophyll SPAD. The interaction of 100 humic × 4000 mg L^-1 of yeast increased the yield by 168.26% than the control. Research limitations: Further studies were needed to clarify the interaction effect of both substances by using the higher modern technique. Originality/Value: The finding obtained from this study could probably use to manage and successfully applied to the production of organic cucumber. Moreover, it could be suggested that the combination between yeast at 4000 mg L^-1 and humic at 100 mg L^-1 is the best for the productivity of cucumber.

Abstract Purpose: Vegetables are important sources of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Bell peppers, the fruit of Capsicum annuum L. is one of the most important commercial crops in the world. This study was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) doses on growth and yield of sweet pepper under field conditions. Research Method: Treatments consisted of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1. Plant height, Leaf chlorophyll index, flower number, yield, fruit seed number, 1000 seed weight and vitamin C were assessed at immature and mature. Findings: Nitrogen rate increasing affected significantly plant vegetative growth (plant height, lateral stem number, and leaf chlorophyll). The highest length and number of lateral stem and leaf number were obtained in plants treated with100 kg N ha-1.The results indicated that reproductive factors (weight and volume of fruit, plant yield, and 1000 seed weight) were influenced by nitrogen fertilizer. It was observed that fertilization with 150 kg N ha-1 resulted to the highest fruit weight and fruit yield. Although there were no significant differences in vitamin C content among treated plants with different nitrogen levels at a mature stage, it was shown significant differences between treated plants and control. Research limitations: If we could use several sources of nitrogen fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate, then it was compared themو it seemed that we got better results about sweet pepper. Originality/value: Results showed that nitrogen fertilization has a strong impact on the vegetative, flowering and reproductive growth of pepper plants.

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fertilizer type and irrigation scheduling on biomass partitioning in saffron. Research Method: The experimental factors were saffron fertilization (no-fertilizer, cow manure and NPK chemical fertilizer) and irrigation regimes (FI=7200 and DI=3600 m³ ha^-1) which were tested during 2015-16 growing season, using a factorial layout. Findings: The weights of roots and leaves had an increasing trend up to 72 and 114 days after first autumnal irrigation (DAFAI), respectively, and then were decreased. Corm production started from 51 DAFAI and its maximum was obtained at DI and chemical or organic fertilizer application. In all combined treatments corm production (maximum rate between 114 and 157 DAFAI) was prior to corm filling (started from 135 DAFAI) and both mentioned indices were higher in DI. The weight of replacement corms per clone in plants that were treated by cow manure and received 7200 m³ ha^-1 water, was higher (~10%) than all other treatments. Corm growth rate increased from 50 DAFAI and the maximum value (0.32 and 0.34 g day^-1 plant^-1 in 56 and 78 DAFAI, respectively) obtained at combined treatment of FI × cow manure. Research limitations: Access to similar scientific references on the topic of research was a limitation. Originality/value: This study was the first research which specifically deals with the allocation of photo-assimilates in saffron and based on its findings, application of 3600 m³ ha^-1 water plus cow manure is an appropriate strategy in saffron cultivation during first growing season.

Abstract The effects of thiamin (Thi) applied as foliar spray on some morphological and physiological traits were investigated in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Four levels of Thi including 0 (distilled water), 250, 500 and 750 µM were tested in a randomized complete design with three replications at research greenhouse of University of Guilan, Iran. Thi exerted a significant effect on the most studied indices. The highest amounts of leaf, stem and root dry weights and number of lateral branches were obtained in plant which were treated by 500 µM Thi. Thousand grain weight increased by increase in Thi levels, as, its value in 700 µM Thi, was 26% more than control. Thi spraying especially in concentration of 750 µM improved the leaf nutrients content (N, P and Ca). Chlorophyll b content in leaves affected positively by Thi, and its highest value obtained in 750 µM treatment (0.75 mg g-1 FW). The highest and the lowest phenolic compounds were gained in 0 and 750 µM levels of Thi (47.2 vs. 40.3 mg 100g-1 FW). Similar trend was observed about total antioxidants, where their content in 750 µM was 13% more than control treatment. Generally, it seems that Thi can be considered as an appropriate growth regulator in basil medicinal plant cultivation.