Abstract: Curcuma longa L. is a spice crop with enormous medicinal and cosmetic properties cultivated across the world. It was propagated vegetatively by means of rhizomes, as these were underneath soil prone to soil borne fungal diseases. Treatment of such diseases using chemical fungicides would hinder their nutritional and medicinal value. To overcome such challenges, there are a few alternatives, the major among them was the deployment of disease-free in vitro raised plantlets and the other was biopriming of these plantlets with Trichoderma viride. Besides fungicidal action, T. viride has a prominent role in alleviating several biotic/abiotic stresses and it was more often used during acclimatization. In this study, we studied the role of T. viride on successful acclimatization of in vitroC. longa plantlets by modulating plant antioxidant defense systems. We determined the stress levels (MDA and chlorophyll contents) and monitored the antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, APX and GR) in both T. viride-treated and untreated micropropagated plantlets at four different time points (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 days) of acclimatization period. Our results depicted clear enhancement in the antioxidant enzyme activities in T.viride treated than untreated plantlets, which signify the role of T. viride in activating defense mechanisms to combat against oxidative stress. Thus this study would give clear understanding of the influence of T. viride on in vitro raised plantlets in sustaining adverse acclimatization conditions.
Yanbin Hua1* and Ken Nagasaka2*
1Jiexiu Modern Agricultural Industry Development Center, Jiexiu 032000, Shanxi, P.R. China. 2CSD Laboratory, Customer Solutions Development Co., Ltd., West 6F, Kanagawa Science Park 3-2-1, Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan. Corresponding e-mails: tsiaoybhua@163.com; ke_nagasaka@csd.comway.co.jp
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.11
Key words: Intelligent, efficiency, automated fruit harvesting robot
Abstract: Robotic harvesting offers suitable solutions for optimizing scheduling, selection enabling, increasing operation efficiency and finally reduce the labor costs. These attributes allow the users of robot harvesters to maximize production efficiency and profits. This article reviews two automated fruit harvesting systems used for sweet pepper and apple as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of recent patents on intelligent automatic harvesting robots in horticulture.
Pushpa Chethan Kumar1, S. Amutha2, H.S. Oberoi1 and S. Vellaikumar3
1Division of Postharvest Technology and Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru-560089, India. 2 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Madurai - 625104, India. 3Centre of Innovation, Department. of Biotechnology, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Madurai-625104, India. Corresponding e-mail: Pushpa.Chethan@icar.gov.in
Abstract: The study aimed to develop a pomegranate beverage by substituting sucrose with an artificial sweetener sucralose and incorporating germinated flour from foxtail and little millet to enhance nutritional quality. The developed beverage was analyzed for physicochemical, bioactive, and sensory parameters. The result showed that substituting 100 % sucrose with sucralose had less total soluble solid content. Total and reducing sugar content was significantly high in control samples compared to sucralose-added treatments. However, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity were 20 and 18.50 % less in sucralose treatments, respectively, compared to the control. Incorporating germinated millet flour did not significantly increase the bioactive compounds of the pomegranate beverage. Further, substituting sucrose with sucralose was not accepted organoleptically, however, there was no change in the taste due to the incorporation of germinated millet flours. Hence, the substitution of sucrose with sucralose depends on the fruit type in the preparation of RTS (Ready-to-serve) beverage and the incorporation of germinated millet flours depends on the concentration to enhance the bioactive compounds of the beverage.
Zanist Hama-Aziz1, Rebwar A. Mustafa2 and Hemin A. Neima3
1Department of Oil, Gas and Energy Management, Charmo University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. 2Bakrajo Technical Institute, Polytechnic University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. 3 College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.Corresponding e-mail: hemin.neima@univsul.edu.iq
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.13
Key words: Farm-scale, agricultural water, mulch, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, adaptation approach
Abstract: Water productivity refers to the yield produced per cubic meter of fresh water for a given crop. It is not recorded for most crops in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where water shortages have recently forced farmers to switch from conventional farming methods like surface irrigation on bare soil to modern farming methods like drip irrigation and mulching. This study is the first effort in Iraq and KRI to determine and report the water productivity for melons (Cucumis melo L>) grown on farms using drip irrigation and plastic mulch. Data on the production, the number of irrigations, the length of each irrigation, as well as the cost and benefit of production were collected from 24 farmers who produced melons in 2022 on an area of 56 ha. Then, the yield, the amount of water applied, and the water productivity were determined. The mean value was 37.4 tons ha-1 for yield, 5,486 m3 ha-1 for water applied, and 7.1 kg m-3 for water productivity. Hence, 140 litres of water were applied to produce 1 kilogram of melon. A cost-benefit analysis showed that water applied accounted for 18% of the overall production benefits, production expenses for 37%, and net benefits for 45%. Therefore, melon production is a profitable rising business in the region. In light of the present water shortage in the area, it is concluded that the recent switch from bare soil surface irrigation to drip irrigation and mulching is a successful adaptation approach.
T.T. Nguyen1, B. Karmakar2, K.H. Rathod3 and S. Mitra2
1Southern Horticultural Research Institute, Tien Giang, Vietnam, 2Department of Postharvest Management, BCKV, West Bengal, India. 3Department of Fruit Science, BCKV, West Bengal, India. Corresponding e-mail: kbiswajitbckv@gmail.com
Abstract: Mango fruit (Mangifera indica cv.Cat Chu) is generally susceptible to chilling injury (CI), and postharvest deterioration induces limits in its commercial potential. This study aimed to find the effects of edible coating and perforated packaging on the quality and storability of mango fruit stored at a suboptimal temperature of 8 oC for 35 days and ripening for five days at 20 oC of each seven days of storage. The edible coatings (chitosan (0.5 %) combined with lemongrass essential oil (0.025 %) (chitosan) and carnauba wax (0.5 %) (carnauba)), perforated packaging (Low-density polyethylene (25 µM) needle-perforated ten holes (0.5 mm diameter) (LDPE); LDPE perforated eight holes (0.4 cm diameter) (control)), and combination between the coating and perforated packaging (Chitosan and LDPE (needle-perforated) (Chi-LDPE); carnauba wax and LDPE (needle-perforated) (Car-LDPE)) investigated in this study. The results showed mangocv.Cat Chu in needle-perforated packaging and combination with coating had the lowest weight loss, followed by control, chitosan, and carnauba wax with the highest weight loss. The CI symptom was white-corky in the pulp of ripened mango, which appeared in all treatments except chitosan coating for 35 days at 8 oC and ripening fruit at 20 oC. The chitosan coating inhibited the respiration rate and electrolyte leakage and decreased the disease index in mango fruit during storage. The quality of ripening mango fruit was highly maintained during the extended duration of cold storage. This result revealed that the chitosan coating improved chilling tolerance and prolonged the shelf life of mango at the suboptimal temperature of 8 oC for 35 days. This application might be a green means of fruit preservation, but further enhancement of disease control is needed.
Malikongwa Thatayaone, Gomez Saji, Joseph Meagle, Netravati and Kuruvila Bintu
Department of Post Harvest Technology, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur 680656, Kerala, India. Corresponding e-mail: malikongwathati@gmail.com
Abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of different osmotic agents on the physical attributes of Intermediate Moisture (IM) fruit, using six cultivars of banana (Musa spp.) belonging to different genomic groups viz. Nendran (AAB), Pisang Lilin (AA), Karpooravalli (ABB), Njalipoovan (AB), Grand Naine (ABB) and Yangambi km5 (AAA). Banana fruits were cut into longitudinal slices of 8mm thickness to evaluate the physical quality using seven osmotic agents (sucrose, glucose, sucrose + sorbitol, glucose + sorbitol, palm sugar, honey, sucrose + NaCl). The fruits were steam blanched for 2 minutes before being immersed in osmotic solutions for an 8-hour duration at a fruit: osmotic solution ratio of 1:2 and subsequently dried for two hours using a tray drier at 60oC. A significant difference (p=0.05) in water loss was only for the variety Grand Naine (62.12%) in fruits treated with honey and the lowest (29.77%) in the variety Karpooravalli in fruit slices immersed in sucrose. Higher (23.55%) solid gain was recorded in the variety Grand Naine in fruit slices immersed in glucose syrup and lowest (5.83%) in the variety Karpooravalli in fruit slices treated with honey. IM banana of variety Pisang Lilin had the highest (45.40%) weight loss in fruit slices immersed in honey and the lowest (19.13%) in variety Pisang Lilin in fruit slices immersed in glucose+sorbitol. IM banana from variety Njalipoovan had the highest (27.46%) moisture content in fruit slices immersed in palm sugar (T5) solution and the lowest (13.53%) in variety Nendran in fruit slices immersed in sucrose+NaCl. A higher value for water activity was in IM banana variety ‘Pisang Lilin’ treated with sucrose (0.86) and the lowest (0.79) was recorded in varieties Nendran and Grand Naine. IM banana developed from all six varieties treated with honey and combinations of sucrose, glucose, and sorbitol had the lowest water activity. It can be concluded that the more the ‘A’ genome in banana varieties, the higher its permeability for mass transfer. IM banana treated with honey, a combination of sucrose and glucose, and sorbitol had higher values for water loss, solid gain and weight loss and lower values for moisture content and water activity.
Mohammed Faisal Peeran1, Chakkiyanickal Narayanan Biju2, Gowri Rajan1, Shettahalli Koppallu Javaraiah Ankegowda1, AravindSharon2 and Hosahalli Jagannath Gowda Akshitha1
1ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Regional Station, Appangala, Madikeri, Karnataka, India– 571 201. 2ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala, India – 673012. Corresponding e-mail: faisal.tnau@gmail.com
Abstract: Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in Black pepper is a severe disease that causes even up to 100 percent crop losses under epidemic conditions. Most of the cultivated varieties of black pepper are highly susceptible to the disease, especially Panniyur 1, the most predominant variety grown in the country. Our study tested 11 black pepper genotypes for their biochemical defense reaction to anthracnose disease. Field observations were initially recorded for two consecutive years in alternate germplasm sites, and the disease incidence ranged between 4.00 and 21.33. The disease incidence under glasshouse conditions upon challenge inoculation was minimal for the variety IISR Girimunda. Upon inoculation with C. gloeosporioides, resistant cultivars exhibited significantly higher activity levels of antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and superoxide dismutase compared to local check and uninoculated control plants. This suggests that the variety IISR Girimunda’s resistance to anthracnose may be attributed to its possession of robust biochemical defense molecules.
U. Alasali1, A.S. Azmi1, I. Karaman2, M.Z. Alam1 and N.I.M. Puad1
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, P.O. Box 10, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Marmara Research Center, Tubitak Gebze Campus, P.O. Box 21, 41470 Kocaeli, Turkey. Corresponding e-mail: azlinsu76@iium.edu.my
Abstract: The demand for lactic acid (LA) in various fields has increased significantly due to its functional properties. Rhizopus sp. IIUM-G05 has been used before to produce lactic acid using various substrates, but the low production yield remains an issue. This is due to the difficulty in finding a suitable low-cost substrate and controlling the fungal morphology during fermentation to maintain high oxygen concentration. Therefore, this study aimed to address these issues by selecting the best substrate for higher LA yield and using loofah immobilized Rhizopus sp. to increase the yield through semi-continuous simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) in an air pulsed airlift reactor (ALR). The study compared banana peel (BaP) and beet pulp (BeP) as substrates and found that BaP produced a 3-fold higher yield than BeP. The study also tested different air pulsation frequencies in loofah immobilized ALR with BaP to increase LA yield. The results showed that the 0.0384 s-1 frequency was the best to increase LA yield to 0.091 g/g after three days of fermentation, which was 2.1-fold higher than the free-cell non-pulsed shake flask culture in the first part of the study. SEM images showed that the 0.1667 s-1 frequency resulted in oxygen transfer limitation in the ALR due to irregular formation and trapped BaP particles between mycelium. This study demonstrates that BaP can be used for LA production by Rhizopus sp. The air pulsation system with suitable pulsing frequency may help improve production yield by controlling fungal growth inside submerged cultures.
1ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, India. 2ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Corresponding e-mail: debasispattanayak@yahoo.co.in
Abstract: Diurnal regulation of gene expression encoding the dominant isoform of UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase, StUGPase2, was studied in potato leaves at different developmental stages (pre-tuberization, tuber initiation, and tuber bulking). Across the developmental stages, the StUGPase2 steady-state mRNA level increased gradually from morning (6 AM) to noon (12 PM), followed by a transient drop at 2 PM. The mRNA level increased thereafter, and the highest transcript abundance was recorded at 8:00 PM. A sharp decline in StUGPase2 transcript abundance at 2 PM in all the stages studied is believed to be associated with the previous reports of diurnal behaviour of sucrose concentration and light responsiveness of sucrose synthase enzyme. Moreover, in all three stages, a steady state increase of StUGPase2 transcript despite a consistent decrease in irradiance after 12 PM, suggests the presence of more complex transcriptional regulation. Comparatively higher StUGPase2 transcript abundance at the tuberization initiation stage as compared to the pre and post-tuberization stages indicates the prominent role of the gene during tuber development. Bioinformatics analysis of the StUGPase2 promoter region predicted the presence of various light-responsive cis-regulatory nucleotide sequences, which are considered to be associated with the light-mediated diurnal change in StUGPase2 gene expression. This research will aid in understanding the pattern of UGPase gene regulation, which is ultimately connected to potato tuber yield and bulking attributes.
1National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Sector-81 (Knowledge City), S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali-140306, Punjab, India. 2Dr. S. S. Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (SSBUICET), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India. 3Department of Molecular Science, BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7015, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Corresponding e-mail: koushik@nabi.res.in, kmazumder78@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i03.48
Key words: Apple, postharvest storage, controlled atmosphere storage, shelf life.
Abstract: The effects of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage on postharvest qualities of apple (Royal Delicious) were investigated. Compared to the postharvest quality of fresh apple (0 day) a significant change in the fruit qualities such as respiration rate, firmness, ripening, color, low molecular weight sugar, enzyme activity and concentrations of volatile compounds were observed during CA storage. After 90 days CA storage, apples showed a significant increase in respiration rate (58.7%), ripening index (13.9%) and reduction in firmness (35.8%) compared to fresh apples. During 90 days CA storage, the apple aroma volatile compounds showed a significant increase in their total concentrations from 151.2 µg/kg to 280.7 µg/kg compared to initial storage, followed by a remarkable decrease to 141.8µg/kg during 180 days of storage. Therefore, the study enables us to conclude that the prolonged CA storage of apples significantly reduced fruit quality.
Satoshi Mizushima*
Department of Agriculture, Fukui Prefectural Wakasa-Higashi High School, Obama, Fukui 917-0293, Japan. Corresponding e-mail: uwabamisou.mizu@gmail.com
Abstract: The suppression effect of white light-emitting diode (LED) on spindly growth observed under monochromatic light of the red LED in watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) was investigated for production in plant factory. Watercress was cultured in a growth chamber under total photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 100 ?mol?m?2?s?1 using three differential treatments; the ratio of red LED to white LED based on PPFD was 100:0 (R100W0), 90:10 (R90W10), and 75:25 (R75W25). Watercress was harvested 33 days after sowing. The longest internode length was observed with R100W0. Watercress in R100W0 was observed lowest value for node number, maximum leaf length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, dry matter rate, and SPAD. R90W10 recorded higher values for maximum leaf length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, dry matter rate, and SPAD than R100W0. Therefore, in watercress cultivation, replacing the red LED with a white LED by 10% was effective for morphological changes and dry matter production.
Anuradha1, R.K. Goyal1, Sudha Bishnoi2* and S.S. Sindhu3
1Department of Horticulture, 2Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 3Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, 125004, India. Corresponding e-mail: sudha.bishnoi@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i03.49
Key words: Bacillus, strawberry, total soluble solids, yield
Abstract: The quality of agricultural production and their modulation by biofertilizer application has gradually received attention. However, the importance of Bacillus strains has not been studied extensively especially in strawberry. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of Bacillus strains on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Chandler during the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The study indicates that various Bacillus strains significantly influenced growth, yield and quality of fruits. Among different Bacillus strains, HCA61 strain recorded the significantly higher fruit yield per plant (233.69 g). It also recorded the highest value concerning different growth parameters, viz., plant height (12.56 cm), spread (22.78 cm), number of leaves per plant (11.31), crown diameter (12.46 mm), fresh weight (43.86 g) and dry weight (12.36 g) of plant with minimum number of days (79.50 days) to flower in strawberry plants. Among different yield attributing characters like number of fruits per plant (22.13), fresh weight of fruit (10.56 g), fruit length (40.31 mm), fruit breadth (28.83) and moisture content in fruit (92.83%), HCA61 strain showed superiority than other Bacillus strains. Regarding various physicochemical characters, viz. TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content of fruits, Bacillus RCA3 strain, exhibited significantly highrt values. The Bacillus strain HCA61 caused improved growth and yield. However, concerning the physicochemical characteristics of fruits Bacillus RCA3 strain was found best. The results indicated that inoculation with Bacillus strains could be an eco-friendly and cost-effective technology for improving strawberry growth, yield and quality.
Sayed F. El-Sayed, Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, Haitham H. El-Taweel
Department of Vegetable Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, P.O.Box 123613, Giza, Egypt, Corresponding e-mail: haitham.mohamed@agr.cu.edu.eg
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out in two successive seasons of 2019 and 2020 on the late planting of carrot cv. Shantiny in El-Badrasheen, Giza, Egypt to study the effect of sowing dates and foliar spray applications by using some growth natural and chemical stimulants to increase the plants' ability to withstand heat stress. The experiment was established in a split-plot design with two sowing dates during 15 February and 15 March as the main factors and six treatments of exogenous foliar spray applications as submain factors as follows: untreated plants (control); potassium silicate K-Si at 2g/L; salicylic acid at 2mM; glycine betaine at 100 mM; moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 3.3% and date palm pollen grain extract (DPPGE) at 2g/L. Results revealed that sowing carrots in February significantly increased vegetative growth characteristics, i.e., plant height in both seasons and fresh and dry weight in the second season. Also, the fresh weight of roots in the second season and total marketable yield in both seasons were significantly increased with February sowing. All chemical parameters, either quality or heat indicators, were enhanced considerably with March sowing as a reaction to heat stress. Moreover, all foliar spray treatments gained the higher significant values of vegetative growth, yield, quality characteristics, and chemical parameters [N, P, K, Ca, Mg, proline, antioxidant activity DPPH, total carbohydrates, total carotenoids, total chlorophyll, and total phenols] as compared with untreated plants. In conclusion, foliar spray treatments with MLE and DPPGE are promising materials for heat stress-tolerant applications.
Nezar H. Samarah1 and Abdallah Aldahadha2*
1Department of Plant Production, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, 22110, Irbid, Jordan. 2National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), PO Box 639, Baqa'a 19381, Jordan. Corresponding e-mail: abdallah.aldahadha@narc.gov.jo
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i03.71
Key words: Film coating, insecticide, speed of germination
Abstract: Polymer coating of zucchini seeds is a method to enhance seed performance during germination and emergence in the field and protect the seed from infection with diseases and insects. Experiments were conducted to identify the best method for polymer coating squash seed to improve seed germination and performance. In the first experiment, seeds were subjected to concentrations and durations of coating polymer (Discoshine Veg Red L-524 polymer) in combination with Gaucho® insecticide (Imidacloprid): 50% polymer for 40 s; 25% polymer for 40 s; 12.5% polymer for 40 s; 6.2% polymer for 40 s; 25% polymer for 40 s+10% Gaucho® insecticide, untreated seed as control. In the second experiment, seeds were exposed to different concentrations and durations. A standard germination test was run in the laboratory and seedling emergence percent and speed of emergence in a nursery. The results indicated that the best treatment was coating the seeds with 20-25% polymer for 40 s in combination with 4% Gaucho® insecticide, which had germination and seedling emergence above 90% and did not differ significantly from the control. In conclusion, thin-film coating treatments effectively delivered the insecticide safely without hurting seed germination and seedling emergence at the nursery.
1Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr YSP, UHF, Solan-173230, HP, India; 2ICAR-IARI, Regional Station, Katrain Kullu, HP, India; 3Department of Fruit Sciences, Dr YSP, UHF, Solan-173230, HP, India. Corresponding e-mail: sngta2017@gmail.com
Abstract: Genotypes grown in multi-environmental trials may respond differently to a range of climatic factors, soil characteristics and cultural management practices. As such, the proportion of the variation in the phenotypic traits due to the main effects of genotype, environment and their interaction is routinely assessed when selecting best-performing lines. Keeping this in mind, the present study was carried out to find the stable Lilium genotypes evaluated over two locations for two years in a Randomized Block Design along with three replications. Eighteen diverse genotypes of Lilium were assessed for twenty different vegetative, flowering and bulb parameters. Genotype “Eyeliner” indicated stability for the majority of parameters, including days to bulb sprout emergence, bud length, number of flowers/stem, weight of bulblets, and vase life, while genotype “Yelloween” exhibited stability for a variety of parameters, including leaf length, bud length, size of flower, and days to first flower, and is suitable for a variety of environments.
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