The effect of manual flower thinning on vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of rainfed 'EarliGrande' peach (Prunus persica L.) trees was investigated during 2023 and 2024. Thinning improved vegetative growth, the number of flowers per shoot, fruit weight and quality. Heavy thinning led to the highest shoot length, number of leaves, fruit weight, and quality with lower yields compared with the control. Light thinning resulted in the highest number of flowers per metre and the lowest decline in yield compared with the control. Net returns for light and heavy thinning were the highest, reaching 'Egyptian Pounds (EGP)' 837.2 and EGP 853.0 per tree in 2023. In 2024, light thinning achieved the highest net return of EGP 1,594.5 per tree, compared with EGP 1,344.9 and EGP 1,253.8 per tree for heavy thinning and control, respectively. We recommend light thinning for optimal results in rainfed peach.
Small-scale farmers in northeastern India, who raise pigs and cattle, depend on bananas as a crucial feed and fodder source. However, limited accessibility and slow propagation rates hinder the consistent supply of planting material. In this study, macropropagation, a cost-effective and farmer-friendly technique, was employed to produce quality banana plantlets with minimal infrastructure and investment. Twenty-five banana genotypes representing diverse genomic groups (AA, AAA, BB, AAB, ABB, ABBB, and Rhodochlamys) native to the northeastern region were evaluated across seasons. Results revealed that AAA and AAB genomes exhibited superior performance, producing the highest number of buds per corm. Within the AAA group, 'Amrit Sagar' recorded the maximum bud production (29.20), followed by 'Borjahaji' (26.20), 'Manjahaji', and 'Bharat Moni' (26.00 each). Among AAB types, 'Malbhog' (29.40) and 'Cheenichampa' (28.60) performed best. These genotypes also produced the highest number of plantlets per corm, with the rainy season outperforming the summer. The findings demonstrate that the climatic conditions of northeastern India favour macropropagation, ensuring a sustainable supply of planting material of cultivated types and biomass from wild types for livestock feed and fodder. Overall, macropropagation proved highly effective for mass multiplication, with shoot production significantly influenced by variety, genomic composition and season.
Soilless cultivation systems in controlled environment agriculture create varying rootzone oxygen conditions, which can impact biomass production. The present study investigates the effect of mild hypoxia and its effect on shoot biomass production, root anatomy and architecture of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in ebb-flood, deep-water, and aeroponic systems in a greenhouse. After 4-5 weeks, aeroponically grown plants produced greater shoot biomass than those in the ebb-flood system, although root dry weights did not differ significantly. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), we non-destructively quantified aerenchyma formation, confirming the suitability of OCT for imaging living root tissues. Aerenchyma developed 14-21 days after transplanting and were more extensive in unaerated deep-water systems than in aerated or aeroponic systems. Ethylene emission 20 days after transplanting did not differ between treatments. Thus, basil shows adaptative responses at mild hypoxia, which can lead to yield losses. This emphasises the need to define rootzone oxygen thresholds.
Grafting is the main propagation method used in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seedling production, and accurate determination of rootstock maturity is essential for its success. While stem diameter measured at 15 cm above the soil (D15) is traditionally used as the maturity indicator, this study explores indirect traits of plant height (PH) and number of leaves (NL) as potential alternatives. We evaluated 88 plants weekly over 14 weeks, recording PH, NL, and D15. A mixed-effects model was used to assess the relationship between PH and NL with D15, and a logistic regression model was applied to predict grafting readiness (defined as D15 >= 6 mm). Both variables had significant effects on D15 and on the probability of readiness, with PH showing higher statistical precision than NL. Model evaluation was performed through residual analysis for the mixed model and ROC curve assessment for the logistic regression, both confirming satisfactory model fit and supporting the reliability of the resulting inferences. These findings support the use of PH and NL as non-invasive indicators of rootstock maturity, potentially reducing costs and simplifying decision-making in nursery operations.
Orchids are regarded as some of the most attractive ornamental plants owing to their diverse floral morphology and striking colours. The regeneration of orchid plantlets via micropropagation serves as a cutting edge approach for the production of orchid plants in large scale. This study focuses on the effects of chitosan as an elicitor in promoting growth and development of a recalcitrant orchid hybrid (Dendrobium Enopi x Dendrobium Pink Lady). Exogenously applied phytohormones, including 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), displayed no apparent effect in inducing proliferation and organogenesis capacity of in vitro protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) cultures. Optimal fresh weight of PLBs, and qualitatively healthy PLBs were obtained in media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L chitosan and 1.0 mg/L NAA. Chitosan is a useful elicitor with highest PLB fresh weight (0.952 g) in media with 0.5 mg/L of chitosan. Chitosan prevailed over other PGRs with regards to organogenesis induction capacity. At a concentration of 0.25 mg/L, chitosan induced the highest shoot formation rate, with 15.69 and 25.29 shoots per explant being induced at the 60th and 100th day, respectively, and the highest rooting capacity at 83.33%, with 5.15 roots per explant, recorded after 180 days.
Salicornia europaea, a green, salty and crunchy succulent vegetable, turns red during senescence because of betacyanin accumulation. However, eating the reddish S. europaea is challenging because of its stiff texture and excessive saltiness. In this study, we aimed to create a fresh, reddish edible S. europaea strain by promoting a rapid synthesis of betacyanin with light irradiation treatments and inhibiting lignification through early harvesting. The colour changed ten days after light irradiation, and the highest a* value and betacyanin contents were observed at the photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) of 600 and 800 & micro;mol.m(-2).s(-1), without any change in Na content. However, stem firmness increased significantly, with accumulation of lignin at the PPFD of 800 & micro;mol.m(-2).s(-1). Thus, exposure to continuous light at the PPFD of 600 & micro;mol.m(-2).s(-1) for ten days in S. europaea can lead to the development of reddish Salicornia shoots, a novel aesthetically pleasant crop with nutritional benefits.
Commercial strawberry (Fragaria & times; ananassa) is valued for its quality attributes and its antioxidant content; however, its rapid softening and microbial susceptibility limit their postharvest quality. This study evaluated chlorine dioxide (ClO2) spray at 3 and 5 ppm on the postharvest physiology and biochemical properties of 'Monterrey' strawberries over 9 days. The 3 ppm treatment effectively mitigated weight loss, maintaining fruit mass between 35 and 40 g on days 3-7, whereas control fruit decreased to 25-30 g. Soluble solid content remained stable across treatments (7-10 degrees Brix). Fruit dimensions exhibited a positive response, with increases of 10-15% in width and 8-12% in height under 3 ppm ClO2. Significant biochemical changes were also observed in ClO2 treatments: total phenolics rose to approximately 600 mg GAE/100 g FW at 5 ppm, with concomitant increases in flavonoids, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity (FRAP), which improved by 20-30%. Furthermore, ClO2 treatment modulated alpha-mannosidase and beta-acetylhexosaminidase activities in a concentration- and time-dependent manner during postharvest storage. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that ClO2 spray - particularly at 3-5 ppm - enhances fruit retention, preserves antioxidant potential, and downregulates cell wall-degrading enzymes, offering a cost-effective strategy for improving postharvest quality in commercial strawberries.
Vascular occlusion caused by bacterial proliferation is the primary determinant of postharvest quality deterioration in cut flowers. This study investigated the efficacy of nanosilver pretreatment on the vase performance and stem-end bacterial colony dynamics of cut carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. 'Master'). Pretreatment with 75 mg L-1 nanosilver for 24 h significantly enhanced vase performance and extended vase life from 8.4 to 12.1 d. The pretreated flowers also demonstrated higher relative fresh weights and hydraulic conductivity than those in the deionised water control. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy both demonstrated that nanosilver pretreatment effectively suppressed bacterial propagation and biofilm formation at the stem ends. Further observations revealed that nanosilver pretreatment reduced exopolysaccharide deposition and inhibited rapid bacterial biofilm formation within 24 h in vitro. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed Enterobacter, Lactococcus, and Bacillus as the predominant genera (day 0). During subsequent vase-life stages (4 and 8 d), nanosilver pretreatment inhibited plant pathogenic bacteria, while enriching beneficial bacteria. Additionally, nanosilver pretreatment reduced bacterial abundance during the vase life of cut carnations, and altered their microbial community composition dynamics. These findings elucidate the postharvest bacterial ecology of cut flowers treated with nanosilver and contribute to the development of preservation techniques for cut flowers.
Moringa oleifera, a highly valued medicinal plant, rich in bioactive compounds, has low regeneration efficiency that limits its large-scale production. This study evaluated the potential of CNTs to enhance in-vitro micropropagation and secondary metabolites accumulation in M. oleifera. CNTs were incorporated in different concentrations: 20, 50, 80, 100, 120, and 140 mg/L in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium to assess their impact on seed germination, callus induction, and regeneration. Among all the treatments, 100 mg/L CNTs produced the most significant improvements, yielding the highest fresh (3.08 +/- 0.005 g) and dry (2.1 +/- 0.001 g) biomass of callus. Furthermore, the callus-derived regenerated plants exhibited the highest shoot number (21.0 +/- 0.41), shoot length (12.33 +/- 1 cm), number of leaves (46.66 +/- 0.57 leaves/plant), number of roots (14 +/- 0.21), and longest root length (9.8 +/- 0.61 cm) on 100 mg/L CNTs. Additionally, CNTs-derived calli extracts were examined for biochemical content and phytohormone levels. Among all the used concentrations, 100 mg/L was the best for maximum content production. These findings show that CNTs have affected the levels of important plant hormones and metabolites. This study represents the first attempt to use CNTs for the micropropagation of Moringa in vitro, and it was found that CNTs can promote the biosynthesis of essential plant metabolites, thereby enhancing plant growth.
Rhipsalis baccifera is a horticulturally important ornamental cactus commonly found in urban households worldwide. This study aims to identify optimal conditions for both conventional vegetative propagation and in vitro tissue culture techniques to support large-scale commercial production. For vegetative propagation, six potting mixtures and three shade levels were tested over five months using stem cuttings as explants. A combination of 80% shade and unsieved mature plant-based, 6-month-aged compost medium resulted in the most successful rooting (100%) of stem cuttings. Subsequently, four compost-based media and three rooting hormones were evaluated, with 'Clonex (R)' and 'Rapid Root' producing significantly higher growth and a rooting percentage above 80% across all growth media types. In parallel, direct organogenesis was assessed through tissue culture using different concentrations of plant growth regulators. Rooting was observed at 53.3% and 66.6%, respectively, in treatments with 0.9 mu M 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D): 2.21 mu M 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.9 mu M 2,4-D: 4.43 mu M BAP. The findings contribute valuable insights for both vegetative and tissue culture-based propagation of R. baccifera, facilitating its commercial-scale multiplication.
In Dianthus caryophyllus L. (carnation), floral scent emission declines more rapidly after cutting than when plants remain in the ground. Treatment using exogenous sucrose or l-phenylalanine (Phe) increases scent emission from cut flowers of some ornamental plants; however, carnations have not been studied in this context. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous sucrose and Phe on scent emission in cut carnation flowers. Sucrose, a substrate for benzenoids/phenylpropanoids (BPs), terpenoids, and fatty acid derivatives, increased emissions of all these compounds. However, Phe, a BP precursor, increased BP emissions only selectively. In addition to acting as scent biosynthetic substrates, both inhibited senescence, delaying beta-caryophyllene increase and aligning daily scent composition more closely with that of intact flowers. Thus, the physiological effects of sucrose and Phe also contribute to scent regulation. These compounds show potential as scent-preserving agents for cut carnations; however, the scent enhancement effects in more cultivars and Phe-induced leaf yellowing must be confirmed for practical use.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit is highly valued for its rich phytochemical composition. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of different foliar fertiliser applications on the physicochemical characteristics, nutrient composition, phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, and sensory attributes of the 'P & imath;narba & scedil;& imath;' pomegranate cultivar. Fruit weight varied between 239.65 and 276.40 g across treatments, while sensory evaluation scores ranged from 3.00 to 3.73. Potassium (K) concentration in the fruit showed a notable variation, ranging from 1098.71 to 2136.99 mg kg(- 1). Biochemical analyses revealed substantial differences in total phenolic content (997.28-1398.18 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (417.22-444.81 mg QE/100 g), total anthocyanin content (5.99-11.98 mg C(3)gE L-1), and antioxidant activity (28.60-51.97%). Principal component analysis identified three principal components explaining 92.7% of the total variance. Heat map analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns among treatments, highlighting the specific effects of foliar fertilisers on nutrient distribution. Correlation matrix analysis further indicated statistically significant relationships between foliar fertiliser applications and fruit physicochemical properties, with a strong positive correlation observed between fruit weight and fruit length (r = 0.93, p < 0.05). Foliar fertiliser applications significantly improved fruit quality, nutrient composition, and antioxidant properties compared with the control. These findings underscore the potential of foliar fertilisation in enhancing pomegranate production.
Acorn squash are a conveniently sized, inexpensive, nutritious vegetable, but the fruit quality of traditional cultivars is often unsatisfactory. New, sweet-tasting acorn squash were developed recently, but data on their fruit development and storability are limited. Our objective was to monitor the physical, carbohydrate, and antioxidant contents of 'Table Confection' sweet acorn squash fruits over the course of their development and after cold storage. Fruits were harvested at intervals spanning 15 to 60 days past anthesis (dpa) and assessed for various quality components. Maximum weight and dry matter content were attained at 40 dpa but 60-dpa fruits were firmer, with higher total soluble solids (TSS) (60 dpa: 18%; 40 dpa: 9%), sucrose, and antioxidant contents, and a more intense fruit-flesh colour. After long-term cold storage at either 10 degrees C-RH 70% or 15 degrees C-RH 95%, the fruits that had been harvested at 40 dpa had greatly increased TSS (17%), sucrose content, and flesh-colour intensity, but lost as much as 13% of their weight. The results indicate that if premature harvesting is forced by production or marketing considerations, sweet acorn squash can achieve high quality during cold storage, but at the expense of weight loss in accordance with the duration of storage.
This study investigates the effect of an 'in-box' product (IBP) for 1-MCP release on the postharvest properties of 'Red Delicious' apples during cold storage. The release of 1-MCP from IBP was found to be highly dependent on the relative humidity of the environment but was essentially complete within 1 day at near saturation (similar to 98.5%RH) at 0 degrees C. The respiration rate, ethylene production, colour, firmness, volatiles, soluble solids, acidity, weight loss, and sensory attributes were evaluated in apples treated with various 1-MCP dosages and held in corrugated cardboard boxes for 7 months. Dosages were designed to yield 50, 100, 1000, and 4000 nL center dot L-1 in a sealed chamber having the same dimensions as the cardboard box and ripening responses were compared to untreated control fruits. Results showed that 1-MCP released from IBP slowed respiration, ethylene, and ripening-related changes, with the highest concentration (4000 nL center dot L-1) exhibiting the most pronounced effects. These findings highlight the potential of 'in-box' 1-MCP as an effective postharvest treatment for improving the storage quality of apples, with formulation and concentration being key factors for success. Improvement of efficacy might be possible using boxes with fewer vents, differing box construction materials, altered release kinetics or further increases in the active ingredient in the product.
Pollen fertility is a highly important factor in pollination and fertilisation. Therefore, methods for evaluating pollen germination and tube elongation rates are important. Several pollen germination media have been studied for Capsicum species; however, their germination rates are often low. In this study, we investigated the optimal pollen germination media for four Capsicum species by examining the pollen germination and pollen tube elongation rates in relation to sucrose, agar, and boric acid concentrations, and the thickness of medium for only 'Kyonami'. The optimum medium contained 10% sucrose and 3% agar for 'Kyonami', 10% sucrose, 3% agar, and 0.01 mM boric acid for 'Shima-togarashi' and 'Habanero' and 5% sucrose, 4% agar, and 0.01 mM boric acid for 'Green fire'. For 'Kyonami', the pollen germination medium with 2-mm thickness was most suitable. Therefore, considering agar concentrations along with those of sucrose and boric acid is also necessary for determining the pollen germination rate before pollination and crossing in Capsicum species, depending on the species or cultivars. These findings can be used to support the development of procedures for in vitro pollen germination in other Capsicum species.
Stem-end splitting is a postharvest challenge for geophyte cut flowers like Fritillaria imperialis, undermining its visual allure and complicating packaging as stem edges curl and disrupt the flower's pristine appeal. This study introduces an optimized treatment of 0.15M sucrose with 0.2mM cobalt chloride (CoCl2) as an effective solution for entirely preventing stem-base splitting without adverse side effects. While distilled water accentuated splitting, the 0.1 M sucrose + 0.2 mM CoCl2 treatment (with 0.15 M sucrose being isotonic to the stem's osmotic potential) eliminated the problem, highlighting electrical conductivity and osmotic balance as key factors. The 0.15M sucrose treatment enhanced postharvest longevity by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing hydrogen peroxide content, enhancing MSI, elevating soluble protein content, minimizing a-amino acid content and lowering SPA. The delay in senescence was achieved by downregulating key senescence-associated genes, including LOX1, SAG12, and AAO3, while simultaneously upregulating DAD1. This regulatory interplay significantly enhanced antioxidant defenses mitigated oxidative damage, and prolonged vase life. This approach offers a straightforward, cost-effective, and robust strategy to maintain postharvest quality in F. imperialis and similar geophytes, addressing critical challenges in flower longevity. This method holds strong potential to enhance marketability and consumer satisfaction by ensuring improved durability and aesthetic appeal.
Gladiolus is a commercially important ornamental geophyte propagated through corms. Its slow multiplication rate (1-2 corms/year) and long maturation period (2-3 years) limits large-scale cultivation. This study evaluated the efficacy of 2-hours Daylength Extension (DLE) using white LEDs, initiated after 50 days of sprouting, on spike and corm production from different sized corms [(small (1.5-2.5cm), medium (2.5-3.5cm) and large (>3.5cm)]. DLE significantly advanced spike development, particularly in medium and small-sized corms. In medium-sized corms, spike length (74.32cm), weight (48.45g), diameter (9.12mm) and floret size (9.44cm) improved by 12.27%, 17.86%, 17.52% and 7.52%, respectively, compared to large-sized corms under natural daylength (NDL). DLE also increased daughter corm number (2.17), size (50.35mm) and weight (67.17g) in medium-sized corms by 24.00%, 1.68%, 27.85% and 23.30%, respectively, compared to large-sized corms under NDL. Biochemical profiling revealed increased accumulation of carbohydrates under DLE, accompanied by elevated activity of sucrose-metabolising enzymes in daughter corms of medium-sized corms. This substantiated the improvement in spike and corm quality under DLE. DLE accelerated corm maturation by inducing flowering in medium-sized corms, enabling them to match the performance of flowering-grade corms. This highlights DLE as a sustainable, cost-effective strategy to boost spike and corm yield, reducing dependence on large-sized corms.
Adopting wild edible species into a diet as leafy vegetables has gained attention because of their potential in antioxidant capacity and nutritional values. However, tough leaf texture often poses notable challenges for their consumption as fresh salad greens. We investigated leaf teeth development in spiny sow thistle (Sonchus asper (L.) Hill) under various photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) to regulate leaf morphology for consumption acceptability. Plants were cultivated using a deep-flow technique under three PPFD conditions (90, 180, and 270 mu mol m-2 s-1) in a plant factory with artificial lighting. Low light conditions effectively reduced the development of leaf teeth, thus remarkably decreasing the number of teeth and perimeter of both the inner and outer leaves, as well as the standardised tooth count and perimeter ratio in the inner leaves. To address the inhibited growth under low PPFD, nutrient absorption characteristics were analysed. The optimised solution remarkably improved growth, further reducing the number of teeth and standardised tooth count compared with the commercial solution. These findings demonstrate that optimising the nutrient solution composition under low light intensity in controlled environment can be a promising technique to regulate leaf morphology and enhance productivity of wild edible species for salad green production.
Watermelon bud necrosis disease caused by watermelon bud necrosis orthotospo virus (WBNV) has emerged as a major constraint in watermelon production. IIHR-82, an accession of citron (Citrullus amaras), a wild relative of cultivated watermelon, was reported to confer resistance to WBNV and QTLs were identified in the early study. This study was carried out to validate the genomic region responsible for WBNV resistance using the resistant parent BIL-53 (pre-bred line derived from IIHR-82) and the susceptible parent IIHR-140-152 (Citrullus lanatus). Ninety-two BC1F3 population of this cross was developed and phenotyped for WBNV resistance reaction based on a 0-5 disease scale under natural epiphytotic conditions. Based on their performance, the twelve most resistant and susceptible genotypes were selected, and corresponding DNA was bulked to form resistant and susceptible bulks for QTL-seq analysis. QTL-seq analysis identified a statistically significant major QTL on chromosome 3 and a marginally significant region/QTL on chromosome 2. Through QTL mapping, the target locus was further refined to a region spanning 2.53Mb. The flanking markers identified in this study will be useful to introgress WBNV resistance to the elite background of watermelon from this accession.
A study conducted at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala, investigated sustainable soil management strategies to enable flower crop intercropping in coconut plantations on coastal sandy soils, which typically suffer from poor moisture and nutrient retention. The research emphasised recycling coconut-based organic biomass - such as shredded coconut leaves, coconut husk, and coir pith - into the cropping system to enhance soil moisture and crop yield. Incorporation of shredded leaves and husk significantly improved flower production: 6.70 t/ha marigold and 78,026.95 gladiolus spikes/ha (kharif), and 2.50 t/ha China aster and 40.17 t/ha gomphrena (rabi). This approach offers a practical, eco-friendly solution for intensifying land use in coconut systems by shifting from monocropping to intercropping with high-value floriculture. It presents a replicable model for coastal regions, especially in sandy soils where water scarcity and low fertility limit productivity. The study's novelty lies in effectively utilising marginal coastal sandy soils through strategic organic residue application, leading to improved moisture retention and soil health. This not only boosts crop performance but also diversifies farmer income, promoting sustainable intensification in coconut-based farming systems under resource-constrained conditions.
