SELECTED CONTENTS

Laboratory of Floriculture, Laboratory of Biology of Horticultural Plants, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.36

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Abstract: Effect of 0.01M salicylic acid treatment on two rose plant cultivars (?Red Berlin? and ?Red Horizon?) exposed to 0.2M NaCl or 0.35M D-Mannitol iso-osmotic stress (-1,05MPa) was studied. After five days of stress, the salicylic acid treatment strongly increased the proline content in leaves up to 28 times compared to control. It did not affect the soluble sugars content in ?Red Berlin?, but decreased it below the control levels in ?Red Horizon?. The plant response to salicylic acid application varied and was dependent upon the cultivar and the iso-osmotic agent. Thus, the salicylic acid had a beneficial effect on plants under NaCl stress and caused a slight increase in chlorophyll content and a significant increase in the quantum yield of photosystem PII in rose plants under Mannitol stress (Fv/Fm ratio about 0.72). It also increased leaf fresh/dry weight ratio of stressed plants (81% in ?Red Berlin?), while it significantly reduced electrolyte leakage of stressed leaves.

Departement of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali-Indonesia. Departement of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University, Denpasar, Bali-Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.37

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Abstract: The main problem of snake fruit production in Indonesia is high fluctuation of fruit production between different harvesting seasons, due to fruit-set failure in some parts of the year. The objective of this research was to find out the relationship between IAA and sugar content of leaves and flowers in relations to the failure of fruit-set in three flowering seasons of snake fruit (April, July, and October). The study was conducted at the production center of snake fruit in Bali (Karangasem Regency) by using Completely Randomized Design. The results showed that fruit-set in April, July and October was 54.16, 47.00 and 70.10%, respectively. Low fruit-set was found associated with low IAA content both in leaves and flowers. The lowest percentage of fruit-set found in July (47.00%) was related to the lowest IAA content in the leaves (10.06 ng g^-1) and flowers (20.60 ng g^-1). However, the highest percentage of fruit-set in October (70.10%) was correlated to the highest IAA content in the leaves (29.67 ng g^-1) and flowers (52.56 ng g^-1). Low fruit-set was also closely related to the low content of sugar in the leaves. The lowest percentage of fruit-set in July was caused by the lowest total sugar (24.54%) and reducing sugar (6.56%) content in the leaves, whereas the highest percentage of fruit-set on October related to high total sugar (30.58%) and reducing sugar (12.22%) content in the leaves. It can be concluded that failure of fruit-set in snake fruit was associated with low IAA and sugar content in leaves and flowers.

Biology Magister Program, Biology Department, Department Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia. Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.38

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Abstract: The demand for cayenne pepper is constantly increasing with the growth of the food industry, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics use, which needs to be accompanied with efforts to increase the production. One effort that can be done is to improve the quality of fruit by mutation breeding using colchicine mutagen induction. Colchicines are an alkaloid that affects microtubule synthesis, and cause doubling of the chromosomes number (polyploidy). Therefore this research aimed to detect polyploidy in cayenne pepper plants (Capsicum frustescens L.) as a results of mutation induction with colchicine. The seed of three genotypes of local cultivars of cayenne pepper were soaked in colchicine with the concentration of 0.00% (K0), 0.015% (K1) and 0.025% (K2) for 6 hours. Chromosomes were observed in root tip of eight days old seedings using squash technique and stained using acetoorcein. Ploidy analysis showed that genotype III concentration of 0.015% showed 2n lowest percentage at 13%. The concentration of 0.015% on the chili was able to induce triploids at 60%. Besides inducing triploid plants, colchicine was also able to induce polyploidy such as, tetraploid and mixoploid. Colchicine treatment did not significantly affected tetraploid whereaas chromosome mixopolid was significantly affected at the concentration of 0.015%. The results of this study indicated that the treatment of colchicine was able to induce polyploid in cayenne pepper plants. Polyploids found in this study were triploid (2n = 3x = 36), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48), and mixoploid (2n = 2x = 24, 2n = 3x = 36 and 2n = 4x = 48).

Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute, Bogor, Indonesia 16111. Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia 16680.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.39

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Abstract: Ginger production is hindered by lack of high quality seeds due to seed-borne pests and rhizome disease. Therefore, ginger true seed (GTS) is considered as one of the potential alternatives to solve the problem. However, GTS production is constrained because lack of flowering and low pollen viability. This research aimed to improve pollen viability by applying boron and zinc and study its impact on yield. This study was arranged in randomized complete block design with two factors and four replications. The first factor was dosage of boron at 0, 2, 4 kg ha^-1 and zinc at 0, 1, 2 kg ha^-1. Boron and zinc were applied once a week for three weeks started at one week after generative bud appearance. Parameters observed were plant growth (plant height, numbers of tillers, stem diameter and number of leaves) and pollen viability. The dosages of boron and zinc had no significant effect on plant growth parameters. Boron at 2 kg ha^-1 improved pollen viability up to 275% compared to control. Cross pollination using pollen from boron treated plants resulted in delaying flower fall. Existence of flowers had no effect on rhizome formation.

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.40

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Abstract: Phosphorus is one of the most important elements for plant nutrition and mycorrhiza has the capability to improve plant yield by increasing nutrient supply to plants. We studied the effect of presence and absence of mycorrhiza on growth and productivity of summer squash under different phosphorus levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha^-1) laid out in factorial randomized complete block design. Results showed that with increasing phosphorus fertilizers, fruit number per plant increased while seed number per fruit decreased. In addition, mycorrhiza inoculation with application of 50 kg ha^-1 phosphorus fertilizer had maximum values for root colonization (54.33%), oil (45%) and linoleic acid (68.25%) percentage. Mycorrhiza symbiosis had a direct relationship with summer squash yield. Mycorrhiza acted as good substitute of phosphorus fertilizers. Therefore, it seems that the low rate of phosphorus fertilizer application leads to improved interaction with mycorrhiza.

Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Palm oil Research Institute of Indonesia, Indonesia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.41

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Abstract: Since 2013, Mount Sinabung has erupted and changed soil properties including microorganisms in the soil and affected the production of potatoes in Karo highland in Indonesia. In vitro screening of bacteria from surrounding horticulture land, their ability to dissolve phosphate showed that Burkholderia cepacia was the best bacteria. The aim of this study was to examine the capability of B. cepacia and P fertilizer on Andisol in improving soil P- available and production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L). The research design used was factorial randomized block with two factors. Factor I was the volume of B. cepacia inoculum, consist of 4 treatments; without B. cepacia, 10, 20 and 30 mL B. cepacia inoculum. Factor II was the dosage of SP36, consist of 3 treatments: 50, 75 and 100% from recommended dosage (9.75 g, 6.5 g and 13 g SP36/plant, respectively). The control was potato plant without applying B. cepacia but adding 7.8 g Urea, 10 g KCl and 13 g SP36 (100% suggested P fertilizer) which was applied twice with the same dosage. The results showed that application of B. cepacia application and P fertilizer dosage increased shoot dry weight 50.07-113.73%, soil P available 5.04-35.42%, P-uptake 34.47-163.28% and tuber yield 12.57-50.66% compared with control. The best treatment in increasing potato tuber yield was 20 mL B. cepacia/plant and 9.75 g SP36/plant.

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Mart?n 4453, C1417DSE, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.42

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Abstract: Demand for fresh vegetables has led to development of postharvest teconologies mainly focused on minimizing the use of chemical additives and look alternatives for food preservation. The use of naturally derived edible coatings emerges as a promising alternative for maintaining quality and safety of horticultural products during storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of Aloe vera gel for edible coating in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to extend postharvest life. Treatments were: immersion 1:1 (50%); 1:3 (25%) with Aloe or distillated water (0:1) for 5 minutes at room temperature. Overall visual quality, weight loss, color, firmness, total soluble solids and at the end of storage period microbiological evaluation and electrolyte leakage were measured over 14 days of refrigerated storage at 5 or 10 ?C. Results were analyzed by Tukey test and non parametric method was used for visual quality. All samples stored at 5 ?C, regardless of Aloe gel dose, had higher visual quality, lowest weight loss and better color retention than those stored at 10 ?C. Electrolyte leakage was higher in non treated product. Soluble content was higher and weight loss lower in treated samples.

Botanic Garden, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (U.P.). SSJ Campus (Almora), Kumaun University, Nanital (Uttarakhand).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.43

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Abstract: The experiment was carried out during 2012-13 and 2013-14 to estimate the morphological variability of 25 Indian Bougainvillea varieties at Botanic Garden, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow for 28 morphological traits. The variegated varieties viz., Dr. P.V. Sane, Abhimanyu and Los Banos ?Variegata? showed a unique tertiary leaf blade colour. Out of the 25 varieties, seven varieties had elliptic leaf blade shape while 13 varieties had medium ovate. Nine varieties had variegated leaves and rest were non-variegated. Only three varieties viz., Los Banos ?Variegata?, Los Banos Variegata ?Silver Margin? and Pallavi had multiple bracts and flowers were absent. Bracts colour also had a wide variation from light colour (white) to dark colour (magenta). The results suggest that the characterization data of these varieties can be used as a reference for registration of other new varieties under PPV&FR Act, 2001. This investigation may also be helpful to the researchers with respect to breeding of Bougainvillea varieties for particular traits. Moreover, ornamental plant growers can also get benefited with regards to selection of suitable varieties of their interest.

Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i03.44

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Abstract: Various nutrient interventions affect onion yield and storage quality. Integrated nutrient management interventions need be evaluated for their effect on yield of rabi onion. Three farmyard manure (FYM) rates (0, 25 and 50 t ha^-1), three nitrogen (N) rates (75,100 and 125 kg N ha^-1), three P rates (30, 50 and 70 kg P2O5 ha^-1) and three K rates (30, 50 and 70 kg K2O ha^-1) were tested on Punjab Naroya cultivar by using Latin Square Design. A control plot was kept with each rate of FYM application. The treatments were replicated over three artificially created fertility strips. Fertilizer N was the most limiting element. Higher FYM rates though can be used to reduce N, P, and K fertilizer rates, but doubling FYM rate from 25 to 50 t ha^-1 did not benefit in general. Bulb yield data indicated that 25 t ha^-1 FYM, 100 kg N ha^-1, 50 kg of P and K ha^-1gave the best results. The results hold significance in view of higher FYM rate recommendation (50 t ha^-1) in certain states.

Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i02.20

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Abstract: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that soil texture would play a minor role in the determination of yield components, fruit composition, and wine sensory attributes of Chardonnay (i.e. the terroir effect), and that vine size, crop size and associated fruit environment would play the major roles. Five Chardonnay vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, Canada were chosen for study. These vineyards were located on sites with heterogeneous soil types to allow study of the impact upon yield, fruit composition and wine sensory attributes of: 1. Soil texture with mesoclimate kept constant; 2. The comparative magnitude of effects of soil texture and vine vigor. Vineyard blocks were delineated using global positioning systems (GPS), and a series of 72 to 162 data vines per site were geo-located within a sampling grid imposed on each vineyard block. Data were collected on soil texture, soil composition, tissue elemental composition, vine performance (yield components and weight of cane prunings), and fruit composition. These variables were mapped using geographical information systems (GIS) software and relationships between them were elucidated. Soil texture and composition were occasionally correlated to yield components and fruit composition but often these relationships were site-specific. Spatial relationships were common between % sand and clay, vine size, yield, berry weight, soluble solids (Brix), and titratable acidity (TA); however, relationships were both vineyard and vintage dependent. Several spatial relationships were apparent as well between vine size, yield, Brix, TA, and various soil/petiole composition variables, including organic matter, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, and soil/petiole N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and B. Spatial relationships between yield, berry weight, berry composition, vine size, and several soil physical variables suggest a likely soil basis to the so-called 'terroir effect'. Vine size, yield, and berry weight were stable temporally within individual vineyards despite differences in annual climatic conditions. Soil texture (% sand) was frequently associated with high vine size, yield, and berry weight. Vine size directly correlated with berry weight. TA was often correlated with vine size. Soil composition had little relationship to petiole composition, fruit composition or yield except in a few specific cases, e.g., between pH and soil K.

College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, P. R. China. College of Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, P. R. China. AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University System, Bea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i02.21

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Abstract: Bagging fruit on the trees in the orchard is a challenge to the fruit industry in China and many other countries due to the heavy labor requirement and low efficiency of the current fruit bagging methods. In this study, we developed a novel semi-automatic apparatus for bagging fruits to overcome these disadvantages. This apparatus adopts a mechanism similar to 'overrunning clutch' using the self-locking principle between nut and bolt to achieve the paper bags being progressively delivered by a screwed pipe and slid out individually. Such apparatus is of simplicity in design and efficiency in operation with a low cost. It does not require a battery or any of other sources of power to complete the process. This article describes the design and operation procedure of this apparatus in details. To our knowledge, this is the first apparatus to complete the fruit bagging process using the paper bags with rubber bands and plastic rings based on the new mechanism of operation.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA, 37996. Formerly of Hort Americas, LLC, Euless, TX, USA.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i02.22

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Abstract: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the most common vegetable crops produced in greenhouses in the United States. Yet, it is difficult to maintain consistent production cycles in many areas due to seasonal variation in ambient light. This presents a challenge to profitability, so, many growers utilize supplemental lighting to provide more consistent production in greenhouse leafy crop operations. Research has frequently been carried out to investigate the relationships between light, temperature, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in greenhouse lettuce crops to optimize production and profitability. Much of this work has been carried out using high intensity discharge lights (HID), specifically high pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH). Currently, growers are considering whether light emitting diode (LED) technology can augment or replace HID lighting for greenhouse-grown vegetables. To improve knowledge in this area, this study evaluated LED and MH lighting in Bibb lettuce crop in the Midwestern United States during low light seasons in 2014. Three lighting treatments were compared: 1) a naturally lighted control, 2) supplemental MH lighting, and 3) supplemental LED lighting. Three sequential runs comparing the three lighting treatments were carried out between January and April of 2014. At the conclusion of each run, fresh shoot weight for all plants was measured along with a chlorophyll content index and a subjective tipburn rating. Supplemental lighting increased biomass over naturally-lighted controls by 194%, 104%, and 39% in MH and 253%, 165%, and 55% in LED in runs one, two, and three, respectively across the two cultivars. Differences in the chlorophyll content index and tipburn rating were also observed in lettuce under both supplemental lighting treatments when compared to the naturally lighted control. This study illustrates that supplemental lighting can improve greenhouse lettuce yield during low light seasons, but suggests growers implementing supplemental lighting should carefully monitor and manage crop quality.

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, Parma Research and Extension Center, University of Idaho, 29603 University of Idaho Lane, Parma, ID 83660, USA.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i02.23

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Abstract: Chilling injury is one of the most important problems of tropical and subtropical fruits during storage that can occur if the temperature falls below 5 ^oC. Polyamines and methyl jasmonate (MJ) are believed to prevent and inhibit chilling injury (CI) during storage. In order to find a suitable treatment to reduce CI of oranges (Citrus sinensis) during cold storage, a research was conducted with two concentrations of MJ and two concentrations of spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) (1 and 1.5 mgL^-1), applied as pre-storage treatments and fruits were stored at 2 ^oC for 1.5 months. Application of MJ and PAs reduced percentages of CI, decay, pitting, physiological decay (PHD), ion leakage, potassium leakage, and weight loss (WL) and firmness in the fruit as compared to control after the storage period. Put at 1 mgL^-1 had significantly lower percentage ion leakage and pH although CI in this treatment was similar to other treatments. Fruit juice density was not affected by any of the treatments.

Department of Aridland Agriculture, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i02.24

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Abstract: Salinity represents an increasing threat to agricultural production in every region of the world. The objective of this investigation was to determine ameliorative effects of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) on salt stressed lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in terms of growth, pigments and biochemical contents. The treatments were divided into 4 sections: control, 80mM NaCl, 80mM NaCl +5mM CaCl₂ and 5mM CaCl₂ alone. NaCl and CaCl₂ stress decreased lettuce plant root and stem length, number of leaves and fresh weight versus the control. NaCl combined with CaCl₂ increased these parameters versus treatments with NaCl or CaCl₂ alone. Salt stress reduced the shoot and root fresh weight. The roots showed slightly increased growth under salinity, but after the treatment with CaCl₂ the plants were normal. The pigment chlorophyll showed a diminishing trend in NaCl stressed plants, but it increased with CaCl₂ application. The chlorophyll content increased in all plants with age. There was a slight decrease in carotenoid and anthocyanin contents with NaCl treated plants. CaCl₂ also showed decrease in carotenoid and anthocyanin contents, but it was still higher than that of NaCl treated plants. Proline and phenol contents increased in lettuce plants under treatment with NaCl and CaCl₂ when compared to the control. From these results, it can be concluded that the addition of CaCl₂ to NaCl-stressed lettuce plants have a significant role in partial alleviation of salinity stress. Our results indicated that the cultivation of vegetable plants like lettuce in saline areas would be possible with supplemental calcium application.

Department of Horticulture (Floriculture), Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El-sheikh University, 33516, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2016.v18i02.25

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Abstract: The present research was conducted on Kafer El-Sheikh University garden turfgrass during the winter season (November-May) of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 to study the possibility of improving cold tolerance of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) turfgrass during late season through either nutrition by compost alone or in combination with foliar application of potassium, silicon, iron or calcium separately. Compost was applied to all area except control on 1^st November of each season at 10m³/feddan (2.38kg/m²). Aqueous solutions containing the recommended dose of each element plus 0.1% Tween 20 as a wetting agent were sprayed on the above ground parts until runoff, twice a month. The results showed that compost and Fe combination followed by compost and K₂SO₄ recorded the best results for most growth and anatomical measurements. The least growth values were observed from the compost alone or in combination with silicon and control treatments.