Abstract: Alpine plant species are perennial but have a shorter growing period according to prevailing habitat conditions that remain snow-covered during winter. In these areas, many of the species are important sources of valuable drugs. Phenological observations on Meconopsis aculeata were recorded at a weekly interval in Tungnath region of western Himalaya. Phenological studies in alpine plants are minimal, especially in Indian Himalayas thus, the present study was carried out to describe detailed phenological stages of M. aculeata in Tungnath region of the Indian Himalaya. The BBCH (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt, and Chemische Industrie) scale was used to characterize seven primary growth stages from seed germination to senescence, as well as secondary growth stages. These stages include stage 0 (germination phase), stage 1 (leaf development), stage 5 (Inflorescence emergence), stage 6 (flowering), stage 7 (fruit development), stage 8 (Fruit ripening) and stage 9 (Senescence). Due to the high market demand of medicinal plants in local and international markets, work on the various aspects of domestication and crop improvement is a dire need, therefore the detailed phenological growth stages of M. aculeata could be helpful and complimentary for local growers, breeders and researchers.
E. Faryabi1, M. Noori2, A. Mousavi3 and A. Jafari4
1Department of Horticulture, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349-Iran. 3Department of Plant Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran. 4Gene Bank Department, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran. Corresponding e-mail:swatikapoor@pau.edu
Abstract: Iran has different environmental conditions due to its specific geographical location. Therefore, exploring essential oil and flavonoid components among medicinal plants in different areas may result in discoveries about valuable bioactive compounds. The present investigation aimed to study flavonoids profile and essential oils composition of four Lamiaceae species i.e., Stachys lavandulifolia, Teucrium polium, Thymus daenensis and Ziziphora clinopodioides from Oshtorankoh located on Zagros Mountains, Iran. A chemical study using two dimentional paper chromatography (2-DPC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) showed that the four studied species contained flavone C and C-/O glucosides and flavonoid sulphates. The present study revealed that T. polium had high levels of many flavonoids such as apigenin, genistein, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, and vitexin compared to the other studied plants. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that S. lavandulifolia was rich in ?-pinene (21.16 %) and 1,8-cineol (16.95 %), T. polium in ?-pinene (12.21 %) and sabinene (9.55 %), T. daenensis in ?-Terpinene (36.98 %) and p-Cymene (26.87 %), and Z. clinopodioides in piperitone (16.84 %) and 1,8-cineol (16.11 %) components.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two irrigation levels [100 percent of field capacity (FC) (control)] and 30 percent FC (deficit irrigation) on vegetative growth, biochemical status, and water use efficiency of five pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful, Manfalouty, Acco, Assuity and 116) over two seasons in 2019 and 2020. The results showed that deficit irrigation reduced the dry weight of the shoots and roots, as well as the chlorophyll content of the leaves, in all the pomegranate cultivars. Meanwhile, under stress, proline content, total soluble sugars, total phenols, and peroxidase activity all increased significantly. The Manfalouty cultivar had the highest shoot and root dry weights, as well as the highest water use efficiency, proline content, and total phenols. Furthermore, when compared to other cultivars, the Wonderful cultivar had the highest chlorophyll content during both seasons. In comparison to the other cultivars studied, the Wonderful cultivar showed the limited or no significant increase in peroxidase activity. This could be due to a genotype’s variable peroxidase activity potential in pomegranate cultivars under water stress. The obtained results may indicate that Manfalouty and Wonderful cultivars are more tolerant of deficit irrigation than the other cultivars studied.
O. Marcellán, M. Briguglio, J. Irastorza, C. Godoyand M. Murcia
Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. C.C. 276, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ? Corresponding e-mail:marcellan.olga@inta.gob.ar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i01.01
Key words: Rootstock breeding, conventional interspecific crosses, Actinidia chinensis var deliciosa, Actinidia argute, male parent effects, root system analysis
Abstract: Interspecific hybridization is an effective way to create desirable rootstocks for grafting of fruit crops such as kiwifruit. Previous studies showed that interspecific hybrids in the genus Actinidia could be obtained through in vitro embryo culture. In attempts to develop vigor-controlling rootstocks, conventional intraploid crosses between two species that differ in the vigor of their root systems-A. arguta (Issai selection) and A. chinensis var deliciosa (four male genotypes)-were successfully performed without resorting to embryo rescue. A wide variation in root architecture characteristics was detected among the hybrid progenies. The identification of hybrids with less vigorous root systems than those of A. chinensis var deliciosa further highlights the potential of the intraploid hybridization between these species to develop rootstocks with size-controlling potential for kiwifruit. Statistically significant effects of male parent on seed set (xenia), and percentage of germination and normal hybrid seedlings were also detected in this investigation.
Khanal Sanjaya Raj, Kenji Beppu, Ikuo Kataoka and Mochioka Ryosuke
Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki, Kagawa, 761-0795, Japan. Corresponding e-mail: etimekpiken@yahoo.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i01.06
Key words: Fruit size, fruit thinning time, low-chill requirement, maturity, Prunus persica
Abstract: This study aimed to see how the timing of fruit thinning affected the fruit quality of the peach cultivar 'KU-PP2'. In the present study. 'KU-PP2' peach trees (12-year-old) were trained to an open center system at the Kagawa University Research Farm in Japan. Fruits were thinned at intervals of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after full bloom (DAFB) on four branches per tree, for a total of 16 branches, to determine the best fruit thinning time for high fruit quality and larger fruit size. The branches were hand-thinned at each thinning date, keeping a distance of 10 cm between the fruits. Fruit maturity was accelerated by the fruit thinning treatments. Fruit weight and size increased when the fruits were thinned at 7 and 28 DAFB. Furthermore, the highest total soluble solids were found at 7, 14 and 28 DAFB, followed by 21 DAFB, which was higher than the control. All of the thinning treatments reduced skin and fruit firmness; however, the treatments did not affect flesh firmness. In control, the fruit colour value L was highest. The fruit colour value a, on the other hand, was the highest at 7 and 28 DAFB. Furthermore, b did not differ significantly between treatments, including the control. Based on our findings, we concluded that the 7 DAFB fruit thinning treatment produced the best results compared to other treatments.
V. Pagare1, M. Din2, B.M. Nandede2, D. Yadav2, C.R. Mehta2, M. Kumar2 and K. Singh2
1Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. 2Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India. Corresponding e-mail: vahzarrinn@gmail.com
Abstract: A healthy and robust seedling is one of the benchmarks for mechanical transplantation. The investigation aimed to see how different environmental conditions affect the growth of onion seedlings. Onion seedlings (varieties Puna Fursungi and Gavraan) were grown in an open field nursery compared to a protected structure viz., low tunnel and a 50 % shade net. During the nursery’s growth period, environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and solar intensity were recorded. At 50 days after sowing, physical and mechanical properties were observed. Higher temperature was measured in a low tunnel structure, followed by shade net and open field. The shade net structure had the highest percentage of seedling survival (76.23 %), followed by the low tunnel (68.77 %) and the open field (58.37 %). Plant height was also greater in the shade net structure, followed by the low tunnel and open field conditions, respectively. This could be attributed to how plants compete for sunlight, water, aeration, and nutrition under different growing conditions. Except for plant height, all physical and mechanical properties were higher in open field conditions. Because of its adequate strength, the healthy seedling obtained from open field conditions was more suitable for mechanical transplanting.
Abd EL-Zaher, M.H. Sahar1, M. Abd Elwahab1, Abd El-Gany, Abd El-Sattar2 and Heba A. Fathy2
1Pomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt. 2Viticulture Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: elsharkawy25518@agr.bsu.edu.eg
Abstract: This study aimed to improve the micrografting technique for rapid in vitro grapevine plantlet propagation using Flame Seedless scion and Freedom as rootstock. Explants obtained in vitro were cultured in MS media containing 0.4 mg L-1 BAP. For micrografting, six methods were used: sterile wire ties, sterile metal needle, wax, aluminum foil, gel, and callus. Data was collected on morphological and biochemical parameters in micrografts produced using various procedures. With various degrees of success, all in vitro micrografting procedures successfully produced grafts. The best results of morphological parameters were recorded in micrografting in wax method with the highest survival (83.88%), number of shoots/explants (1.77), shoot length (1.66 cm), leaves/shoot (4.55), rooting (58.20 %), root length (1.27 cm). In contrast, the callus method had the least value for these parameters. Wax and aluminum foil methods were found to be a promising alternative to traditional grapevine propagation methods in the study.
Muskaan Gupta1, Swati Kapoor2, Amanpreet Kaur1, Manpreet Kaur1, Poonam Aggarwal1 and Rajesh V Wagh3
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2Punjab Horticultural Postharvest Technology Centre, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 3Department of Livestock Products Technology, GADVASU, Ludhiana. Corresponding e-mail: omarcellan@mdp.edu.ar; marcellan.olga@inta.gob.ar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i01.09
Key words: Osmo-drying, apple cubes, Malus domestica , Golden Delicious, color, texture, pre-treatments
Abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of various pre-treatments viz., potassium sorbate (T2), steam process (T3) and rose-flavored syrup (T4) compared to control (T1) on the final quality of osmo-dried apple cubes. Osmo-dried apple cubes developed from each treatment had moisture content in the range of 7.3-8.6% with 0.55-0.66 water activity. Pre-treatments proved to be effective on the product as bioactive components and antioxidant activity (%) were maximally retained in rose flavored apple cubes except ascorbic acid. Higher reducing sugars were observed in steam-treated apple cubes and lowest in rose-flavored apple cubes. In terms of colour attributes, potassium sorbate-treated apple cubes retained the most brightness, but texturally, these samples had the most hardness and the least cohesiveness. In contrast, steam-treated apple cubes had the lowest hardness and highest cohesiveness. The highest overall acceptability was noted for rose-flavored apple cubes in sensory properties. Red coloration of these apple cubes resulted in reduced L and highest a values with optimum textural properties. Overall, rose-flavored syrup as an osmotic agent produced flavoured dried apple cubes of improved quality.
S.S. Taha, A. Abdel-Wahab and S. Hosny
Department of Vegetable Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: satishanandan84@gmail.com
Abstract: The current study was conducted during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 under net house conditions at the Eastern Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University to investigate the effect of some cucurbit rootstocks on the growth, quality, yield and chemical compositions of cucumber under drought stress. The study included 12 treatments that were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. The main plot included two levels of water irrigation (50 or100%) and sub main plot included five rootstocks viz., 1-Bottle Gourd (Legenaria siceraria), 2-Luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca), 3-Squash (Cucurbita pepo), 4- Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) and 5-Shintoza (Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata), in addition, to control treatment (Cucumber, cv. Hayel, without grafting). The results indicated that drought stress treatment (50%) significantly reduced leaf area and fruit length compared with normal irrigation (100%). Also, no significant differences were noticed between the treatments of water regime (50 or 100%) on plant height, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, chlorophyll readings, fruit quality (fruit weight, fruit diameter and fruit TSS), total yield and K%. On the other hand, grafted cucumber onto luffa rootstock caused a significant decrease in plant height, fruit weight and P and K% in leaves, whereas grafting onto bottle gourd significantly increased leaf area and total yield of cucumber, as compared with control.
M. Hasanzadeh-Naemi1, V. Zarinnia2, S. Kalateh Jari3 and F. Fatehi4
1Department of Horticultural Science and Agronomy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2Department of Horticultural Science and Agronomy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 3Department of Plant Protection, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 4 Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Corresponding e-mail: m-noori@araku.ac.ir
Abstract: The present study aimed to enhance the vase life, maintain quality, and reduce the percentage of infection with gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea using fungal elicitors on cut flowers of roses. Based on a completely randomized design with three replications, a factorial experiment was performed. The eight treatments were as follows: three concentrations of fungal elicitor (600, 800 and 1000 ppm), the three concentrations along with B. cinerea fungal spores, sterile distilled water (as negative control), and B. cinerea spore suspension (positive control). Vase life, cell membrane stability index, superoxide dismutase, catalase, carbohydrate content, and disease severity on the leaves were measured during the experiment. The measurements were carried out on days 3, 7 and 10 after spraying the spores. The results showed that treating rose flowers with the elicitor (1000 ppm) improved soluble carbohydrate preservation, cell membrane stability index, relative water content, catalase enzyme, and leaf superoxide dismutase, resulting in a significant increase in vase life (15.66 days) compared to the control (8.66 days) (P?0.01). Evaluating the disease index also showed that the elicitor (1000 ppm) along with B. cinerea spores caused a significant increase in vase life (12.33 days) compared to the positive control (7.66 days) (P?0.01). Finally, the disease severity in treated samples was lower than that of the B. cinerea treatment as control.
Mohammad Reza Raji
Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khoram Abad, 44316-68151, Iran. Corresponding e-mail: raji.m@lu.ac.ir
Abstract: Chemical pesticides used against house sparrows in areas where they cause significant damage to the quantity and quality of vineyard products can pollute the environment and harm the natural ecosystem. Sunflower seeds are a favourite food of house sparrows. The goal of this project, which lasted six years (2015-2020), was to see if marginal sunflower planting could reduce the amount of damage done to the vineyard crop by house sparrows. There was no marginal planting of sunflowers around the vineyard ('Red Raisin' cultivar) in the first three years of the experiment (2015-2017), and the sparrows damaged the vineyard crop by 32, 38, and 33 percent in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The vineyard had a large population of house sparrows at first. However, in the final three years of the experiment (2018-2020), when sunflowers were marginally planted (200 m2) around the vineyard at a distance of 50 m, crop damage by sparrow beaks was 2, 4 and 2 percent in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. During these three years, the vineyard's sparrow population was low, but the marginal sunflower field's population was high. As a result, planting sunflowers in the margins of vineyards is an effective way to reduce the damage caused by house sparrows.
P.B. Lalduhawma1, Vanlalvenhima1, Elija Lalrindika1, Albana L. Chawngthu1, H. Lalhlenmawia2 and Chhungpuii Khawlhring1
1Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (HAMP), Mizoram University, Tanhril-796004, Aizawl, Mizoram, India. 2Department of Pharmacy, Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences, Zemabawk-796017, Aizawl, Mizoram, India. Corresponding e-mail: khanalsanjaya25@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i01.13
Key words: Haematocarpus validus, fruit size, red pulp, natural food colour
Abstract: Haematocarpus validus is a promising fruit plant with an intense red fruit pulp that can be used as a natural food color source. The species can grow in the wild in its natural state, and it has not yet been successfully domesticated on a large scale. Fruit samples of H. validus were collected from various locations for this study, and the morphology and biochemical properties of the fruit were investigated. Observations revealed that the morphological characteristics and biochemical content of fruits collected from different geographical locations differ substantially. Furthermore, the findings of this study will serve as a starting point for future scientific research into the fruit’s potential, which includes serving as a natural source of food colour.
M. Madhavi Reddy, C.S. Shivakumara and Satish Anandan
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar, Karnataka, India. Corresponding e-mail: ahmed.rasheedy@agr.cu.edu.eg
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2022.v24i01.14
Key words: Antiglycation, functional foods, medicinal plant and polyphenol.
Abstract: Intake of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) may be increased by consuming high-sugar meals and foods cooked at high temperatures. AGEs-induced inflammation has been linked to diabetes and degenerative diseases. Leaves from mulberry (Morus indica L) (MI) trees have been used in Chinese medicine for over 3000 years and are a functional food because of their phytochemical content. MI extract was used to substitute 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1% of wheat ?our for making MI wheat bread (MI-B). 5% of turmeric powdered bread (TM-B) was also prepared and used as a positive control. The bread’s overall acceptability was determined using a sensory evaluation on hedonic test. Further, the antioxidant capacity was assayed by using DPPH method and antiglycation effects of MI extract against the formation of ?uorescent AGEs in fortified bread samples. The overall acceptability of bread with MI extract at substitution levels of 0.5% had a good liking score. The total polyphenol content in the MI-B and TM-B were 2.01 mg GAE g-1 and 1.54 mg GAE g-1 on a dry weight basis. MI-B showed significantly higher antioxidant activities, followed by TM-B > control bread. When compared to TM-B, AGEs inhibit fluorescent formation by 31%. Overall, the findings support MI extract as a functional food ingredient in the bread system, providing consumers with a higher antioxidant intake by depleting AGEs load. However, the stability and reactivity of polyphenols during thermal processing should be considered before commercialization.
H. Hussain1, S.I.L. Kamarol1, N. Julaihi2 and R. Tommy2
1Centre for Sago Research (CoSAR), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. 2PELITA Mukah Sebakong Sago Plantation Sdn Bhd 1st Floor, Sublot 103, Lot 424, Mukah New Township, Jalan Orang Kaya Setia Raja, PO Box 79, 96400 Mukah, Sarawak. Corresponding e-mail:ahmed2hoba@agr.cu.edu.eg
Abstract: Sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) is an economically valuable crop and cultivated widely in Sarawak, Malaysia, for its storage starch. Under certain conditions, such as deep peat areas, some sago palms do not develop well and become stunted, described as non-trunking sago palms. Morphologically, this type of sago palm is abnormal, leading to wastage of various resources and affecting starch production. The research objective was to understand the molecular process that affects non-trunking and starch synthesis in sago palm. Representational Difference Analysis was performed to identify the differences between trunking and non-trunking sago palm transcriptome. This subtractive hybridisation technique detects the differences in gene expression. After three rounds of hybridisation, the differentiated RDA products were cloned and 24 DNA sequences obtained were compared with the sequences in the NCBI database. Results showed that the differentiated genes in response to the non-trunking sago palm have similarities to genes implicated in plant growth, cell metabolism, and salt or osmotic stress. Some of these genes are related to growth, development and signaling involving neutralising the imbalance in plant stress. The information obtained through this work could be used to develop a database on related genes and enzymes contributing to trunking and non-trunking sago palm.
Ratnakar M. Shet1*, T.. Shantappa2, Ashok1, Shivanand Hongal1, Raghavendra Gunnaiah3 and R.C.Jagadeesha4
1College of Horticulture Sirsi, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.-581401. 2Regional Horticultural Research & Extension Centre, Dharwad, Karnataka,India-580005. 3College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India-587104. 4 College of Horticulture, Bangalore, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India- 560065. Corresponding e-mail:ratnakar.shet@uhsbagalkot.edu.in
Abstract: Cucumis melo var. acidulus, also known as Mangalore melon, has been reported to have a shelf life of more than six months. A study was conducted to assess the variability in fruit traits with shelf life for 52 culinary melon accessions at room temperature. Fruits were suspended in the air, tied with smooth plastic fibre and pseudostem banana fibre, and hung from the roof of a laboratory, with observations made on fruit weight loss, rind colour change, and fruit decay. During storage, there was a significant variation in shelf life and rind colour change among the accessions. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive high association between shelf life and weight loss during storage (0.602), followed by fruit weight (0.544), flesh thickness (0.401), fruit length (0.359), days to harvest (0.346), peduncle length (0.332), and fruit width (0.322). Twenty six accessions had a shelf life of more than 150 days. Green rind fruits were more prone to discoloration and decay. MS30, MS28, MS79, MS74, MS78, MS39, MS74, and MS6 were identified as promising accessions for shelf life with marginal weight loss, rind colour change, and fruit traits among the accessions. Understanding the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in fruits during storage, as well as the identification of candidate genes for shelf life, will aid in the use of this trait to improve the muskmelon
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