Original Article
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Nasim Rastgoo; Somayeh Rastegar; Abbas Rohani
Abstract
Purpose: Lemon (Citrus limon) is a highly important citrus species worldwide. However, its semi-tropical nature makes it susceptible to chilling, extensive research on postharvest treatments to preserve its quality under low temperatures. Research Method: The treatments included 500 μM melatonin ...
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Purpose: Lemon (Citrus limon) is a highly important citrus species worldwide. However, its semi-tropical nature makes it susceptible to chilling, extensive research on postharvest treatments to preserve its quality under low temperatures. Research Method: The treatments included 500 μM melatonin (M), 50 μM methyl jasmonate (J), and 5 mM gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Lemons stored at 3 ± 1°C and a relative humidity of 85-95% for 100 days plus 5-day shelf life. Findings: The results revealed that most of the experimental treatments, except for the combination of GABA + J and GABA + J + M, significantly reduced fruit weight loss. Notably, the melatonin treatment showed a 22.7% lower weight loss compared to the control fruits. Furthermore, the melatonin treatment exhibited the highest fruit firmness (49 N), while the control treatment had the lowest (36.3 N). Regarding the quality parameters, individual treatments, and the GABA + M treatment resulted in significantly higher total soluble solids (TSS) and a lower TSS/TA compared to the control at the end of the storage period. Except for the M + GABA and M + J treatments, all other treatments showed higher ascorbic acid content compared to the control. Additionally, the melatonin treatment showed significant differences in various color indices compared to the control. Research limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: Overall, fruits treated with M, J, GABA, and GABA + M demonstrated higher marketability compared to the control and other treatments. Consequently, it is recommended to utilize these treatments individually rather than in combination to maintain the quality of lemon fruits.
Original Article
Pomology
Saiyed Mohammad Mahdi Mirfatah; Mousa Rasouli; Mansour Gholami; Abbas Mirzakhani
Abstract
Purpose: Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important horticultural products that are grown in different parts of Iran and has high nutritional values. In this study, the genetic diversity of cultivars and genotypes of some vineyards of Markazi province were investigated for the preliminary ...
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Purpose: Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important horticultural products that are grown in different parts of Iran and has high nutritional values. In this study, the genetic diversity of cultivars and genotypes of some vineyards of Markazi province were investigated for the preliminary selection of superior cultivars and genotypes in terms of morphological and fruit characteristics for use in grape breeding programs. Research method: For this purpose, grouping and comparing 84 grape cultivars and genotypes were carried out using 70 traits including phenological and vegetative traits, trichome and stomata, bunch and berry traits. Findings: Based on the results, the “Sahebi Hazaveh” cultivar with 1000.17 g had highest an average bunch weight to compare other cultivars and genotypes. Results showed that, some traits such as bunch weight, bunch shoulders, fresh weight, rachis weight, the ratio of bunch weight to peduncle weight, the ratio of rachis weight to bunch weight, dry weight of bunch shoulders, length of the tail of bunch, berry weight, pedicel weight, seed weight and length of seed had a high coefficient of variation. Factor analysis reduced the evaluated traits to 10 main factors showed that they justified 78.38% of the total variance. Cluster analysis divided cultivars and genotypes into 4 main groups at five Euclidean distances. Limitations: No limitations were encountered. Originality/Value: This study indicated that grapes germplasm resources in zone are of noticeable diversities and can be promising for the utilization in the breeding programs. Based on the results, cultivars and genotypes of “Khalili Khondab” region, “Yaghouti”, “Sahebi”, “Fakhri”, “Kharvand” and “Kondori” Hazaveh region and “Sahebi” Aghbolagh region in leafing time, late flowering, sugar percentage, bunch and berry characteristics, stomatal density, standing and lying trichome density in leaves were superior to other cultivars and genotypes.
Original Article
Biological Control
Elham Adl; Mehdi Jahani; Mohammad Hossein Aminifard
Abstract
Purpose: The growing attention and interest in alternatives for chemical preservatives with natural types has led to numerous studies on essential oils and plant extracts. Strawberries, due to their high respiration and metabolic activity, and high water content, are highly sensitive to microbial contamination. ...
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Purpose: The growing attention and interest in alternatives for chemical preservatives with natural types has led to numerous studies on essential oils and plant extracts. Strawberries, due to their high respiration and metabolic activity, and high water content, are highly sensitive to microbial contamination. Research Method: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the essential oils of some medicinal plants on the fungus Aspergillus sp. in strawberry fruit in in vivo and in vitro conditions as a factorial form in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor included the type of essential oil: frankincense, ginger, cinnamon, and tarragon essential oils, and the second factor included the concentration of essential oil at five levels (0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 µL.L-1). Findings: In vitro results showed that with the increase in the concentration of plant essential oils, their antifungal activity increases. As a result, the lowest fungus colony diameter was obtained from the concentration of 800 µL.L-1 of essential oil. A comparison of the average type of essential oil showed that cinnamon essential oil had more antifungal activity than other essential oils used, so that at any level (200 to 800 µL.L-1), it caused a 100% inhibition of Aspergillus sp. growth. In vivo, results showed that the best appearance of the fruit and the highest soluble solids were recorded from the concentration of 800 µL.L-1 of essential oil. Cinnamon essential oil treatment resulted in the best fruit appearance, the highest soluble solids, and the highest levels of antioxidants, anthocyanin, and sugar compared to frankincense essential oil. Research limitations: There were no limitations. Originality/Value: Among the essential oils, cinnamon essential oil showed better antifungal activity against Aspergillus sp., which causes strawberry fruit spoilage. Therefore, it can be used as a substitute for chemical fungicides, although other essential oils may also be effective.
Original Article
Plant Nutrition
Tanko Bako; Iliyasu Zubairu Ali; Junaid Aminu
Abstract
Purpose: A field experiment was designed to determine the effects of compost tea on the quality parameters of sweet corn produced without the use of mineral fertilizers. Research method: This research was conducted in the Taraba State University Teaching and Research Farm, Jalingo, Nigeria in 2023. The ...
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Purpose: A field experiment was designed to determine the effects of compost tea on the quality parameters of sweet corn produced without the use of mineral fertilizers. Research method: This research was conducted in the Taraba State University Teaching and Research Farm, Jalingo, Nigeria in 2023. The fertilizer treatments in this study were 500kg ha-1 NPK fertilizer (Control), 1 kg compost per 10 L water compost tea, 1 kg compost per 20 L water compost tea and 1 kg compost per 30 L water compost tea, arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated thrice. Findings: The results indicated that the treatments had significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on the physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of the sweet corn evaluated. The mineral (NPK) fertilizer treatment gave highest mean total soluble sugar content (33.13 mg g-1), followed by 1 kg compost per 10 L water compost tea (33.10 mg g-1), then 1 kg compost per 20 L water compost tea (31.72 mg g-1) and 1 kg compost per 30 L water compost tea gave the lowest total soluble sugar content (29.88 mg g-1). Yet, the effects of 1 kg compost per 10 L water compost tea treatment and mineral (NPK) fertilizer treatment were the same (p > 0.05). Research limitations: There were no limitations to the report. Originality/Value: This study illustrated the possibility of utilizing 1 kg compost per 10 L water compost tea concentration to produce a good yield and quality of sweet corn without mineral fertilizers.
Original Article
Plant Stress
Seyed Rasoul Ziatabar Ahmadi; Esmaeil Seifi; Feryal Varasteh; Vahid Akbarpour
Abstract
Purpose: The study aimed to explore the effects of biofertilizer inoculation on the growth and morphophysiological traits of Red Angel and Wonderful pomegranate cultivars under salinity stress. Research method: The experiment utilized a factorial design based on a completely randomized design with four ...
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Purpose: The study aimed to explore the effects of biofertilizer inoculation on the growth and morphophysiological traits of Red Angel and Wonderful pomegranate cultivars under salinity stress. Research method: The experiment utilized a factorial design based on a completely randomized design with four replications to assess the effects of salinity stress at three levels (control, 4, and 8 dS/m) and biofertilizer at four levels (control, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Glomus mosseae, and P. fluorescens + G. mosseae) on pomegranate plantlets. Findings: The results showed that the highest percentage of symbiosis was observed in P. fluorescens + G. mosseae, with 89.16% and 90.55% in the Red Angel and Wonderful cultivars, respectively. Salinity did not have any influence on the percentage of symbiosis in both cultivars. Furthermore, the application of biofertilizers increased the stem diameter, number of lateral branches, total number of leaves, leaf fresh and dry weight, root diameter, number of lateral roots, and relative water content of leaves in both cultivars. Additionally, all biofertilizers reduced cell membrane injury at all salinity levels by approximately 40%. Salinity decreased the leaf fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, and number of lateral roots, while increasing cell membrane injury in both cultivars. Research limitations: No limitations were identified. Originality/Value: The results highlight the potential of biofertilizers in mitigating the adverse effects of salinity stress on pomegranates, particularly when P. fluorescens and G. mosseae are combined.
Original Article
Pomology
Waleed Fouad Abobatta; Sobhy Mohamed Khalifa
Abstract
Purpose: Under fluctuations in climatic conditions, sustaining production with excellent fruit quality is the main objective of citrus producers in the arid regions. This experiment was conducted on twelve-year-old Valencia orange trees (Citrus sinensis L) budded on Volkamer lemon rootstock (Citrus volkameriana), ...
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Purpose: Under fluctuations in climatic conditions, sustaining production with excellent fruit quality is the main objective of citrus producers in the arid regions. This experiment was conducted on twelve-year-old Valencia orange trees (Citrus sinensis L) budded on Volkamer lemon rootstock (Citrus volkameriana), cultivated in sandy soil in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Research method: This work studies the influence of hydrogel and irrigation intervals on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of Valencia orange trees. The experiment consists of four levels of hydrogel (0, 750, 1000, and 1250 g/tree) with three irrigation intervals (daily, day-by-day, and every 2 days) during three seasons (2020-2022). Findings: All applications affected tree canopy volume, shoot length, leaf number, yield (kg/tree), and the physical and chemical fruit characteristics. While, the application of 1000 g/tree hydrogel and every two-day irrigation interval produced the highest values when compared to other treatments during the experimental seasons. With respect to yield and fruit characteristics, treatment of 1250 g/tree hydrogel with irrigation day-by-day resulted in the highest tree yield (113.58 kg/tree) and total yield (18.74 tons/feddan) and improved various physical and chemical fruit characteristics. Research limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: Hydrogel applications mitigated the impact of prolonging irrigation intervals on the vegetative growth, productivity, and fruit quality of the Valencia orange trees compared to untreated trees.
Original Article
Biotechnology and Tissue culture
Habibeh Behnam; Azim Ghasemnezhad; Mahdi Alizadeh; Alireza Sadeghi Mahonak
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of explant type and varying concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-Benzyladenine growth regulators on the San Pedro cactus callus morphological and biochemical characteristics. Research method: Four types of explants ...
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Purpose: The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of explant type and varying concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-Benzyladenine growth regulators on the San Pedro cactus callus morphological and biochemical characteristics. Research method: Four types of explants were used i.e. explants with areola, without areola, with truncated areola, and with central tissue. Additionally, five combinations of BA and 2,4-D, were tested (0 mg/L BA + 2 mg/L 2,4-D, 2 mg/L BA + 2 mg/L 2,4-D, 3 mg/L BA + 3 mg/L 2,4-D, 4 mg/L BA + 4 mg/L 2,4-D, 0 mg/L BA + 0 mg/L 2,4-D). Findings: The results indicated that callus formation induced in all treatments 6 days after inoculation. There were significant differences in growth parameters, including fresh weight, volume, moisture, tissue firmness, total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the callus (P < 0.01) and dry weight of callus (P < 0.05). Explants holding a segment of central tissue, yielded the least favorable results in most of experimental treatments, and the application of 2,4-D in the absence of BA had an inhibitory and toxic effect on the San Pedro cactus explants. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: Specifically, use of 2 mg/L BA + 2 mg/L 2,4-D and explants with areola resulted in callus with higher fresh weight, volume and total flavonoids, as well as good tissue integrity and firmness. The reported results are a valuable resource for future research related to cell tissue culture and the elicitation of secondary metabolites in Echinopsis spp.
