¹Assistant Professor, S.R. University, Warangal, Telangana, India 506371. ²Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Green Fields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhrrrrrra Pradaesh, India 522502. Corresponding e-mail: rameshdamarla2009@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i01.19

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Abstract: Apples attract humans with their dominant appeal and eating quality. The most dominant properties are color and texture. This review paper discusses the scientifically published results of apple texture through understanding internal properties like structural, physiological, physical, mechanical, water and cell wall contributions and post-harvest handling and storage methods. A critical appraisal is made of factors responsible for inner texture and sustenance during post-harvest and storage periods. The status of research data available is discussed from a firmness point of view of Indian apple varieties vis-à-vis those grown in other countries. Most of the research work on Indian apples reported physico-chemical parameters like weight, diameter, firmness, bio-chemical and nutrient components. The latest literature did not find data for the long term behaviour in CAS (6 to 10 months). The research data on factors responsible for texture loss is also very limited for Indian-origin apples. There are still large gaps in research on firmness loss in apple. Hence, suggestions are made on the scope for future research on apples grown in India for the benefit of farmers, traders, and consumers.

¹Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. ² CEMB, University of the Punjab New campus, Lahore, Pakistan. Corresponding e-mail: shafiq.iags@pu.edu.pk

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.42

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Abstract: Nonexpresser of pathogenesis-related proteins 1 (NPR1), and its paralogue are important salicylic acid (SA) receptors that play important roles in plant defense. NPR gene family analysis has not yet been conducted in C. reticulata. The CrNPR1-like and AtNPR1-like protein sequences were retrieved from online genome databases and were subjected to various bioinformatics tools. This study presents the first genome-wide identification of NPR1 gene in C. reticulata, resulting in 7 family members. Phylogenetic analysis of 7 CrNPR1-like proteins, along with NPR1-related proteins from 15 species revealed that the proteins were grouped into three major clades. The CrNPR1-like genes in the same Arabidopsis subfamilies had similar protein domain compositions, number of exons and conserved motifs. All 7 CrNPR genes were segmented duplicated, and no tandem duplicate was observed. Transcriptome data revealed note-worthy expression in leaf, fruit and rind patterns of CrNPR1-like genes. Nearly six out of seven CrNPR, expressed in leaf infected with Xylella fastidiosa, indicates that these tissues and organs contribute to improved defense response against pathogens. These results pave the way for more functional characterization of NPR1s in C. reticulate and related species.

Laboratory of Biotechnology and Natural Resources Valorization, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, 8106, Morocco. Corresponding e-mail: lachheb.mohamed91@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.43

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Abstract: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an autumnal herbaceous triploid plant; it is the source of saffron spice, recognized as the most expensive spice in the world. In this study, genetic diversity among 14 saffron accessions collected from different ancestral geographic areas in Morocco, Greece and France, has been assessed using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers system. Ten ISSR primers were amplified, a total of 143 fragments of which 44.05 % are polymorphic with an average of 6.3 polymorphic fragments per each primer and average of polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.236. ISSR markers proved to be a powerful tool for assessment of genetic diversity among saffron accessions. Cluster analysis using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient and supported by the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), divided the studied accessions into three major groups, and showed that genetic distance is independent of geographical distance. In this paper, we report for the first time the level of genetic diversity among Moroccan saffron; this information allows an unequivocal development of a suitable approach for the conservation of C. sativus germplasm and reduce its genetic erosion.

¹Faculty of Agriculture, Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Dr. Soeparno, Purwokerto 51123, Central Java, Indonesia; ²Independent, Ikenobe 3011-2, Kagawa-ken, 761-0799, Japan. Corresponding e-mail: sakhidin@unsoed.ac.id

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.44

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Abstract: Pruning and fertilization are factors that can determine the production and quality of citrus. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pruning intensity and fertilizer doses of N (nitrogen), P (phosporus), and K (potassium) on citrus production and quality. The study was carried out in a citrus orchard in Central Java, Indonesia, over the course of two seasons, 2016-17 and 2017-18.The experiment was conducted as a two-factorial, completely randomized block design where the first factor was pruning intensity, namely 0, 5, 10, and 15 % of the total number of branches per tree while the second factor was doses of N, P, and K fertilizers, namely 0, 2, and 4 % of the weight of harvested citrus fruit in the previous season. The result showed that increasing doses of N, P, K fertilizers from 0 to 4 % increased fruit set, harvested fruits, fruit size, content of vitamin C, sugar, and soluble solid. The highest fruit set, weight of harvested fruits, and content of vitamin C were achieved by pruning intensity of 10 %.

¹Current address: Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. ²Frontier Agriculture, SOYL Precision Crop Production Division, Newbury, England. Corresponding e-mail: mmunir@kfu.edu.sa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.45

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Abstract: Date palm is a dioecious fruit tree that permits cross pollination for fruit setting. The germination of viable pollens to fertilize ovule is influenced by environmental cues such as temperature. The germination and viability of pollen grains collected for pollination purpose also varied with the male pollinizer source and the male spathe opening time. An in vitro study performed to determine the percentage of pollen germination at different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C) and germination times (4, 8, 12, and 24 h) taken from different male sources and toidentify any variations in the germination and viability of pollen grains collected from spathes opened at different dates (20^th February, 1^st and 10^th March). Pollens from different male sources showed a significant difference regarding germination percentage when incubated at different temperatures and for different germination times. Pollens incubated at 30 (81.07%) and 25°C (78.17%) had the highest germination percentage which decreased to 51.04, 16.23, and 5.90% when incubation temperature dropped to 20, 15, and 10 °C, respectively. Similarly, 71.11% pollens were germinated after 4 h of incubation at 30°C, which was decreased to 63.26 and 25.40% when incubation temperature decreased to 25 and 20°C, respectively after same time interval. Pollen germination and viability were significantly differed when they were collected from spathes opened at three different dates. Early opened spathes had lowest germination (57.58%) and viability percentages (81.19%) than the middle (81.11 and 91.53%) or late (80.71% and 93.05%) opening spathes. It is therefore, concluded that the optimum temperature for date palm pollen grains germination is 25-30°C and at these temperatures maximum pollens germinated within 4 h. Moreover, pollen grains from early opened spathes were less superior compared to the middle or late opening ones.

Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan. Corresponding e-mail: panawat.sik@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.46

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Abstract: Although ‘KU-PP2’, a low-chill peach cultivar, was released for high-quality peach production under forcing culture, the performance of ‘KU-PP2’ trees under forcing conditions has yet to be determined. In this study, we investigated the spring phenology, fruit development, and fruit quality of ‘KU-PP2’ in a heated plastic house compared with the same traits in an unheated plastic house and open field conditions. We found that the forcing conditions accelerated the spring phenology and harvest period of ‘KU-PP2’. Heated conditions shortened the number of days from dormancy release to blooming and the length of the fruit development period, resulting in the blooming of flowers in late February, with fruit begin harvested as early as mid-May, which was notably earlier than blooming and fruit harvest under natural conditions by 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. Similarly, the unheated conditions accelerated the time to blooming and harvest by up to 3 and 4 weeks, respectively compared with the open field conditions. However, although the fruit produced by trees raised in the heated plastic house could be harvested at an earlier date, the amount of fuel used for the heating system was 50 L per tree, which could be prohibitively expensive for commercial production. Although the fruit growth pattern did not differ significantly between the forcing and natural conditions, the rate of fruit growth at stages S1 and S2 was higher in the heated plastic house than that under the other assessed conditions. Furthermore, the size and quality of fruit obtained under forcing conditions were slightly larger and superior, respectively, than those of fruit produced under natural conditions. Moreover, we found no evidence of split-pits under the forcing conditions. The findings of this study accordingly indicate that cultivation of the low-chill peach ‘KU-PP2’ under forcing conditions is conducive to a notably earlier harvest of fresh peaches. These observations advance our current understanding of the flowering, fruit development, and fruit production of low-chill peaches under forcing conditions.

¹Graduate in Genetics and Breeding; ²Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology; ³Department of Biology, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina PI Brasil; ⁴Department of Agronomy, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, 87020-900 Maringá PR Brazil. Corresponding e-mail: mfpsmachado@uem.br Corresponding e-mail: mfpsmachado@uem.br

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.47

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Abstract: Assessment of genetic diversity and identification of redundant accessions in seed banks are important to minimize the risk of gene loss in collections and to decrease costs in the management of germplasm banks. Current study used markers at DNA level to evaluate genetic diversity and identify whether there are duplicate accessions of Capsicum spp. in the collections of an active germplasm bank. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers using touchdown-polymerase chain reaction method evaluated genetic diversity and identified duplicates in ten accessions of Capsicum spp. Higher genetic diversity has been detected in C. annuum rather than in the species C. chinense and C. baccatum. DNA amplified segments revealed high genetic divergence showing that accessions of C. annuum, C. chinense and C. baccatum were separately grouped after data analysis with three software programs. Accessions of C. baccatum var. pendulum and C. annuum var. glabriusculum were the least similar. Since rates were less than 60% between accessions of C. chinense and C. annuum, they revealed low identity of amplified DNA segments among the three Capsicum species. Redundance in four accessions of C. chinense and in five accessions of C. annuum was not detected. On the other hand, duplicates within accessions C. chinense (50%), C. annuum var. glabrisculum (5%) and C. baccatum var. pendulum (75%) were reported in the Capsicum active germplasm bank.

Department of Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur - 208 024, UP, India. Corresponding e-mail: mfpsmachado@uem.br

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.48

¹Potato and Vegetatively Propagated Vegetables Department, Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), Agricultural Research Centre (ARC), Giza, Egypt. ²Natural Products Research Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: yasser.osman77@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.49

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Abstract: This experiment was carried out to study the impact of plant density 5, 6, 7 and 8 lines/ ridge (22, 27, 31, 36 plants/m²) and foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum and Ecklonia maxima extracts at rate of (0, 0.5 and 1 mL/L) and their interaction on plant growth, yield and chemical constituents of green garlic bulbs under new reclaimed soil. The obtained results showed that plant density 5 and 7 lines/ ridge recorded highest values of plant length, bulb diameter, plant fresh weight, nitrogen and crude protein percentage in dry matter of green garlic bulbs. The plant density of 5 lines/ ridge scored the highest values of leaf area, plant dry weight, bulb weight at harvest time and total carbohydrates concentration. In addition, plants cultivated at rate of 8 lines/ ridge gave the highest values of total yield of green garlic and bulbing ratio. The plant densities at rate of 5 and 6 lines/ ridge scored the highest values of bulb diameter and bulb dry matter at harvest time. Foliar application of 1 mL/L A. nodosum extract led to the highest total yield of green garlic, bulb weight at harvest time, bulb diameter, dry matter percentage, nitrogen and crude protein percentage in dry matter of bulbs. On the other hand, plants sprayed with 0.5 mL/L of A. nodosum and E. maxima extracts gave higher total carbohydrates concentration in bulbs than other treatments. Additionally, plants sprayed with 0.5 and 1 mL/L of A. nodosum extract gave higher potassium percentage in bulbs than other foliar application treatments.

¹Department of Horticulture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea. ²Department of Plant Science, Gangnueng-Wonju National University, Gangnueng 25457, Republic of Korea.Corresponding e-mail: jyheo@gwnu.ac.kr

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.50

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Abstract: In Korea, the seeds of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis are sown in the winter and spring months. Cold stress can result in irregular seed germination and poor seedling establishment in some cases. Priming seeds with salicylic acid (SA) can reduce the likelihood of poor seedling establishment when exposed to cold stress conditions, which is beneficial for many plant species. The present study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of seed priming with SA on seed germination and seedling establishment in B. rapa ssp. pekinensis under cold stress conditions. Seeds were soaked in different SA concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 mM) for 12 and 24 hours, respectively, and then both primed and unprimed seeds germinated at 5 ^oC. Using SA treatment, seed germination was improved, as was root and shoot length, which were both longer in SA primed seeds than in unprimed seeds. Based on the findings, it is possible to use SA priming as one of the most effective ways to maintain productivity in B. rapa ssp. pekinensis while it is exposed to low temperatures.

¹Department of Farm Machinery & Power Engineering, AEC & RI, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore -641 003, Tamil Nadu, India. ²Department of Agronomy, AC & RI, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Killikulam -641 003, Tamil Nadu, India. Corresponding e-mail: drrthiyagarajan@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.51

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Abstract: Grape farming is a labour-intensive operation, with pruning as one of the tasks performed with hand tools. Most of the tropical countries use locally made and commercially available hand pruning tools for grape pruning. Different pruning tools were selected for ergonomic evaluation and refinement was completed based on the physiological responses of the subjects. The comparison between the commercially available Economy tool (M₂), Maharashtra tool (L₁) and Karnataka tool (L₂) model pruner shows that the model Economy tool (M₂) gives better performance. Economy tool (M₂) model is highly preferred by the grape farmers due to its high performance and more comfort than Maharashtra tool (L₁) and Karnataka tool (L₂) pruner. This is due to standard material, shape of the pruner slightly bent for easy handling. In Maharashtra (L₁) and Karnataka pruning tool (L₂) due to direct pressure or “contact stress” refers to on-going contact between a part of the body and a hard edge or surface which in cause the discomfort and pain. Similarly, pressure points of any type can interfere with production. The physiological responses were measured and compared between the ergo refined pruning tool (EM₃) and other selected pruning tools. The results for the Ergo refined pruning tool (EM₃) registered are 95.2 beats min^-1 (Heart rate), 0.566 l min^-1 (Oxygen consumption), 11.81 KJ min^-1 (Energy expenditure), 30.31 and 20.8 percent of AWL and LCP which is lower values when compared to other selected pruning tools. It was also observed that cutting frequency and area coverage for selected pruning tool varies from 11 to 24 cuts/ min and 750 to 1350 m²/ h. Ergo refined pruning tool (EM₃) registered 24 cuts/ min and 1350 m²/ h when compared with other pruning tools. A full hand loop was fitted below the lower handle to improve grip and uniformly apply force throughout the pruning operation, resulting in increased area coverage and frequency of cut.

ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi-221305, India. Corresponding e-mail: vanitha.gkvk@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.52

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Abstract: Vegetables are higher in productivity, short duration, and provide a valuable source of income leading to improved livelihood. This study analyzes the growth trends over the years in vegetable area, production and productivity across different states and forecast the future values with the existing growth pattern of vegetables in India.Vegetable area, production and productivity have grown at the rate of 2.17, 4.29 and 2.07 %, respectively from 1961-62 to 2017-18. Further, vegetable production in future is going to increase by 1.75 folds from 197.17Mt by 2020, 242.99Mt by 2030, 284.7 Mt by 2040 and 322.64 Mt by 2050. There would be a surplus production of vegetables ranging from 75 to 133 million tons during 2030-2050 if the same scenario of growth prevails. Highest significant growth rate in vegetable production was seen in the states like Nagaland followed by MPand Tripura. Crops like bottle gourd, brinjal, capsicum, carrot, green chilli, onion, peas, potato, sweet potato, tapioca, musk melon and water melon have more than 50% of their production coming from their 3 highest producing states. These states have to be recognized as hub for the respective crops and encouraged for direct export of surplus after meeting the demand from other consuming states. Processing and market infrastructure should be encouraged in these states for effective utilization and to minimize the wastage of surplus production.

¹Departement of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Denpasar-Bali, Indonesia. ²Departement of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University, Denpasar-Bali, Indonesia. Corresponding e-mail: rainyoman@unud.ac.id

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.53

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Abstract: Snake fruit blooms every three months, but only one to two of the flowering seasons result in fruit production. Failure of fruit set causes the fruit harvest seasonally. Therefore, the aim of this research was to increase off-season production by preventing the failure of fruit set with various exogenous auxin spray. The research was conducted in the snake fruit orchard at Bebandem Sub-District, Karangasem Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia, from February to November 2019. The experiment was designed as a nested factorial with a randomized block design. The treatment consisted of three types of auxin with a specific concentration for each, IAA at 0, 25, 50 and 75 ppm, IBA at 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm, and NAA at 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm. The IAA, IBA, and NAA were sprayed on the flowers and leaves 3 times in March, April, and May. The results showed the highest percentage of fruit set, fruit weight per tree, and weight per fruit obtained with IAA treatment were 59.80 %, 2,612.91 g, and 91.06 g, respectively. These results were not statistically different to those of the IBA and NAA. Furthermore, the IAA concentration of 25, 50, and 75 ppm produced a significantly higher percentage of fruit set compared with the control. The increased fruit set in the IAA, IBA and NAA treatments resulted in better yield than the control. The novelty of this result is that spraying snake fruit with IAA, IBA and NAA can prevent the failure of the fruit set. Therefore, IAA, IBA, and NAA are recommended to be applied to increase off-season fruit production of snake fruit.

Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi,46300, Pakistan. Corresponding e-mail: drazam1980@uaar.edu.pk

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.54

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Abstract: The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) root extract in controlling root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita species and to determine its effectiveness as an intercropped plant on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) morphological and quality traits as well as on soil attributes. The results of the in vivo study revealed that the highest mortality rate (82.33%) of nematodes was observed in T3 treatment (3:1 marigold root extract in distilled water) after 72 hours while minimum egg hatching (9.33) by nematodes was obtained after 12 hours with a similar concentration. Whereas, the pot experiment of intercropping with tomato showed that after 45 days of transplanting, the maximum plant height (79.14 cm), number of leaves (28.22) and leaf area (24.46 cm²) in tomato were obtained in the T3 treatment (Tomato 1 + Marigold 2 + Root knot nematodes (RKN) 1). Similarly, maximum fruit TSS (4.90 °brix) and shelf life (8.67 days) were observed with the same treatment. Concerning root-knot nematode infestation, the maximum number of galls (39.33) and eggs (38.66) on the tomato root system were measured in T4 (Tomato 2 + Marigold 1 + RKN 2). However, the soil analysis of intercropped crops showed that there was no significant impact of marigold and tomato intercropping on soil pH and electrical conductivity, while this intercropping scheme slightly decreased soil nutrient levels.

Potato and Vegetatively Propagated Vegetable Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: mazamahmoud@yahoo.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i03.55

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Abstract: The current investigation was conducted to test the response of five potato varieties; i.e. , Arizona, Diamant, Markies, Spunta and Valor, to different irrigation levels during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 under Egyptian conditions. The irrigation levels were 100, 75 and 50% of evapotranspiration (ET). Different traits of vegetative growth, some chemical characters and yield were increased with increasing irrigation levels from 50 to 100% of ET for all tested varieties. While there were increased bound water and proline content in leaves as well as dry matter and starch content percentages in tubers under drought conditions. Concerning potato varieties, Diamant in both growing seasons gave the highest values for most growth measurements, tuber yield and its components as well as, some parameters of growth analysis, physical and chemical characters and water use efficiency (WUE), followed by the Arizona variety. In terms of the interaction between potato varieties and irrigation levels, Diamant and Arizona cv. were the most drought-tolerant cultivars, with 75 and 50 % ET, respectively, whereas Spunta cv. was the most sensitive. Furthermore, bound water and proline content in leaves, as well as the dry matter and starch content percentage in tubers, increased with decreasing irrigation levels.