Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Abstract Purpose: This paper provides an in-depth critical review and analysis of recent research undertaken to optimize quality during harvesting, postharvest handling, processing and utilization of breadnut (Artocarpus camansi Blanco). Findings: This treatise provided a comprehensive review on the significance of breadnut as an ideal staple and famine food due to its abundance, processing options, high percentage of complex carbohydrates, unique flavor and culinary qualities. Market potential for this fruit across the globe and its projection to multiply is reviewed as related to increasing demand for fiber rich fruits, utilization in ethnic cuisine and in traditional medicine. The fruit is highly perishable with a shelf life of not more than 2-3 days under ambient conditions. Breadnut rapidly transforms when harvested mature green after 2-3 days to a soft texture and the outer skin of the milky white seeds change to a brown, brittle, tough netlike rind while the flesh changes from a white colour to a light yellow colour. The combined effects of rapid softening and high susceptibility to chilling injury contribute immensely to its short shelf life. Limitations: There were no significant limitations as the literature was available and access to communicate with authors were easily facilitated by the internet. Directions for future research:This istheonly review which collated the findings on postharvest physiology and utilization of breadnut. This information will be useful for tree breeding programs, in order to popularize breadnut as a commercial crop and promote food security at the household and community levels.

Abstract Purpose: Cabbage is important fresh vegetable crop in most of the countries of the world. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. Atlas-70) as influenced by organic and inorganic fertilizers, and mulching. Research methods: The experiment comprised of two different factors such as, factor-A; four different types of fertilizers viz. F₀ (control, no fertilizer), F₁ (vermicompost), F₂ (inorganic fertilizer), and F₃ (mixed of organic and inorganic fertilizer) and factor-B; types of mulches viz. M₀ (control, no mulch), M₁ (water hyacinth), M₂ (rice straw), M₃ (black polythene). This two factors experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Findings: Significant variation was found among the treatments. Result showed F₃M₃ (combination organic and inorganic fertilizer with black polythene) had the highest growth (plant height, stem length, root length, number of roots etc.) and yield (105.93 t/ha) in cabbage. The yield was 63.92% higher from the combined effect of fertilizer and mulch as black polythene (F₃M₃) compared to control (F₀M₀). So, mineral fertilizer and vermicompost with black polythene had the best performance considering the growth and yield of cabbage. Research limitations: Evaluation of different ratios of organic and inorganic fertilizers with mulching could have better outcome or findings of this work. Originality/Value: Combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers with black polythene as mulch have showed the highest growth and yield outcome of cabbage compared to other treatments combinations.This work has the opportunity to reduce the application of inorganic fertilizer to improve the soil health and environment in long run.

Abstract Purpose: International agencies have advocated that monitoring food security and world food resources are necessary to meet the needs of growing populations and to minimize postharvest losses. This paper focuses on the biochemical and physiological bases of changes that causes post-harvest losses and ways to mitigate them. By controlling these metabolic changes, some degree of preservation is possible. Findings: Postharvest losses are 30-50% in developing countries due to energy crisis and lack of proper handling procedures and refrigeration; in contrast to less than 15% in developed countries. Highly perishable commodities like fruits and vegetables are living entities which are characterized by life evolving activities like respiration, transpiration, ripening and metabolic changes. Various compositional changes, such as chlorophyll degradation, softening, and ascorbic acid losses can result in short shelf life. Total 63 species of vegetables are grown in Pakistan but onions, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, green chilies, coriander, spinach, pumpkin and okra are mostly grown and consumed. Limitations: In Pakistan due to energy crisis and economic constraints no cold food chains/transport is available as a result of which fresh produce endured post-harvest losses.  There is a need to use production technologies supplemented with postharvest techniques to mitigate postharvest losses.Directions for Future Research: Many new technologically viable preservation techniques like modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere storage should come into existence due to increased health consciousness, increased purchasing power and an increase in percentage of postharvest losses (25-80% fresh produce) which could be applied with such economic constraints.

Abstract Purpose: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, widely used for traditional and emerging therapeutic purposes. This review investigates the environmental and physiological determinants of phytochemical variation in Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), with a focus on optimizing alkaloid yield and raw material quality. As kratom gains commercial traction, particularly in Western markets, the need for standardizing cultivation practices becomes increasingly urgent. Findings: Geographic origin significantly influences mitragynine content, with native Southeast Asian samples displaying higher and more consistent levels than those cultivated elsewhere. Environmental factors such as light exposure, temperature, soil acidity, and nutrient composition play crucial roles in modulating both plant morphology and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Internally, leaf maturity, organ specificity, and vein color are linked to variable alkaloid profiles, reflecting genetic and developmental influences. Alkaloid biosynthesis is regulated not only by climate and geography but also at the molecular level through gene–environment interactions.  Studies across continents and related species further underscore the diversity and adaptability of the genus. These findings suggest that integrated, site-specific agronomic strategies are essential to support kratom’s evolution as a standardized phytopharmaceutical. Limitations: Most existing studies are regionally constrained, lack standardized methodology, and rarely incorporate multi-site or molecular validation, limiting their broader applicability. Directions for future research: Future work should prioritize field-based, multi-environment trials to validate the effects of environmental variables on alkaloid biosynthesis and biomass traits. In addition, controlled environment experiments, genetic profiling, and enzyme-specific biosynthetic studies are essential to refine cultivation protocols and support regulatory frameworks. Integrative agronomic and phytochemical modeling is also needed to guide the development of standardized and high-quality kratom production systems.

Abstract Purpose: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a valuable medicinal plant with a short flowering period. Its flowering management can be useful for the production of saffron in a farm or controlled condition. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on saffron corms sprouting. Research method: For this purpose, corms were treated with different PGRs including α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0, 100, 200, 300 ppm), chlorocholine chloride (CCC) (0, 100, 200, 300 ppm) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0, 5, 10, 20 ppm) for two hours and incubated at 20-22 °C for eight weeks. Findings: The results revealed that the effect of PGRs on corms sprouting was significant. It has been shown that treatment of corms with auxin at all concentrations reduced sprouting compared to the control. To prolong dormancy for five weeks, NAA at 200 mg L^-1 was the best choice. While for the fifth week onwards, the most effective treatment was NAA at 100 ppm. Treatment with GA₃ (20 ppm) has shown a stimulatory effect on corm sprouting. Research limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: Sprouting acceleration can keep flowering away from early autumn frosting in farm conditions, while prolongation of corms dormancy provides the possibility of harvesting saffron flowers in several times in a hydroponic system. The results of this study suggested two kinds of chemical for different purposes, inhibition and stimulation of sprouting of saffron corms that can be applicable for saffron hydroponic or farm production, respectively.

Abstract Purpose: Tunisian garlic is widely threatened by the attack of several viruses genus. For this purpose, a reliable protocol was established for rapid in vitro propagation of local garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivars for large-scale production of virus-free plants and high quality bulblets. Research method: Well disinfected shoot-tips of 1 mm were used as explants and cultivated on MS basal solid media enriched with various growth regulators: 6-Benzylaminopurine, α-Naphthaleneacetic acid, Kinetin, Indole-3-butyric acid and 2-isopentenyladenine for assessment of shoot formation, shoot proliferation and bulb formation. Findings: Among the different phytohormone concentrations and combinations, MS basal medium without any growth regulators (M₀) was found optimal for shoot-tip initiation (96% explants development) and plantlets elongation (56.26 mm). For shoot proliferation, the M₁ culture medium containing 1 mg L^-1 BAP and 0.25 mg L^-1 NAA was the best, giving a multiplication rate of 1.7 plantlets/explant. Shoots on M₀ culture medium formed bulblets earlier. Multiple bulblets per explants were obtained on medium M₂₂ containing 2 mg L^-1 Kin and 0.1 mg L^-1 NAA. Separated bulblets were transferred individually on bulbification media. Non-dividable bulblet was developed in various sizes. Research limitations: Bulblet acclimatization step needs to be well studied for high quality cloves production. Originality/value: This efficient optimized in vitro protocol will be successfully applied for large multiplication of virus-free garlic cultivars.

Abstract Purpose: Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables are major problem for countries that agriculture is one of the source economy and that losses in tomato have reported from 20 to 50%. It is one of the very perishable fruit and it changes continuously after harvesting. The aim was to evaluate the effect of guava (Psidium guajava) and physic nut (Jatropha curcas) leaf extract on fresh ripe tomato fruits. Research method: Two tomato varieties obtained (UTC and Tandilo) from Gombe Main Market and were then treated with aqueous and ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava and Jatropha curcas leaves to extend their shelf life and maintain the quality of tomato fruits during storage. The experiment was laid out using completely randomized block design, (CRBD). Number of days to deterioration was recorded on visual eating quality. The recorded data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Findings: Ethanolic extracts of P. guajava and J. curcas was highly effective on UTC variety. The postharvest decay that was the main quality factor in this experiment significantly reduced in Tandilo and UTC tomato fruits after using 2.5g/1000ml ethanolic J. curcas leaves extract by 24 and 25 days respectively; and 22 and 23 days after using 2.5g/1000ml ethanolic P. guajava leaves extract. Limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: These findings indicate that application of leaves extracts proved to be effective in extending the shelf life of test tomato fruits.

Abstract Edible coatings are an environmentally friendly technology that is applied to many products to control moisture transfer, soluble and aromatic materials, gas exchange or oxidation processes. The objective of this research was to study the effect of tragacanth gum at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 kg m-3 on storage life and edible quality of apple cvs. Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. After applying treatments, the fruits were kept in a cold storage at a temperature of 0±1 ˚C and relative humidity of 85-95 percent. The weight reduction, external quality, microbial load, and general acceptability of the samples were evaluated after 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of storage, then compared with uncoated apples. It was found that the tragacanth gum significantly reduced fruit weight loss compared to the control, so that weight reduction in uncoated apples was eight times greater than fruits treated with tragacanth gum at 10 kg m-3. This coating preserved firmness of fruit tissue in storage and prevented the softening and senescent breakdown of apples. The tragacanth gum coating desirably preserved the external quality and improved the microbial load, sensory and external properties of the fruits, preserved quality factors of the apples, and prevented fruit ripening during storage. Among the various treatments, the coating at 10 kg m-3 was more effective than the other treatments, maintained fruit juice acidity and pH at desirable levels, and prevented increases in the contents of soluble solids during the storage.