Poor storage life and rapid postharvest fruit quality deterioration significantly limit the commercial potential of litchi fruits in the export market. To address this challenge, the present study examined the effect of postharvest application of γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid known for its role in enhancing and maintaining antioxidant potential, quality, and storage life of fruits, on the quality and storage behavior of litchi fruits. The efficacy of four different concentrations of GABA, i.e., 5 mM, 10 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM, was tested on litchi fruits stored at ambient conditions. The findings demonstrated that GABA treatment effectively preserved litchi fruit freshness for up to 6 days under ambient storage. The fruits treated with 20 mM GABA recorded the lowest weight loss (5.12

An experiment was conducted to improve the shelf life of litchi cv. Deshi by post-harvest spermine treatment. Freshly harvested litchi fruit were dipped in 1.0-2.0 mM spermine solution for 1 min and stored in refrigerator at 8 degrees C with 85%-90% relative humidity. Membrane permeability of fruit pericarp was recorded to 8.11% +/- 0.55% after 29 days of storage in 1.0 mM spermine dipping; although it was recorded 21.06% +/- 2.25% in control. Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in the pericarp were also reduced significantly after 29 days of storage in 1.0 mM spermine treated fruit (3.82 +/- 0.48 and 14.33 +/- 1.25 unit mg-1 protein, respectively with 27.26 +/- 2.57 and 24.31 +/- 1.78 unit mg-1 protein, respectively in control). However, catalase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity was improved by 1.84% and 24.83%, respectively, in this treatment after 29 days of storage as compared to respective control. Physiological weight loss and decay loss were also recorded minimum in this treatment after 29 days of storage (1.33% +/- 0.06% and 3.06% +/- 0.16%, respectively; while in control 6.78% +/- 0.25% and 84.97% +/- 4.20%, respectively) with maximum retention of anthocyanin on the fruit pericarp. Biochemical attributes of the fruit viz. total soluble solids, total sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenols, flavonoids content and antioxidant activity were also retained significantly after 29 days of refrigerated storage under 1.0 mM spermine treatment. Therefore, post-harvest dipping of litchi fruit in 1.0 mM spermine solution followed by refrigerated storage at 8 degrees C with 85%-90% relative humidity can be recommended for extending the shelf life of litchi fruit for 29 days which may help to get higher market price by avoiding market glut.

Mango is a highly perishable fruit, which limits its marketability and consumer acceptance. Major issues impacting its storability include rapid softening, decline in nutritional quality and susceptibility to decay during postharvest storage. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the influence of postharvest application of melatonin at (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) on the quality and shelf life of mango cv. Zardalu stored under ambient conditions (temperature: 30 ± 2ºC; RH: 80 ± 5%). A post-harvest melatonin application was found to significantly reduce weight loss and decay while preserving fruit firmness, fruit quality attributes, and shelf life. Moreover, the molecular analysis of genes related to fruit softening i.e., MiPG, MiPME, and MiExpA1, revealed a significant down-regulation of gene expression with melatonin treatment. Melatonin application, particularly at 0.5 mM, effectively delays postharvest deterioration by modulating fruit softening at both physiological and molecular levels. Our findings highlight the potential of melatonin as an eco-friendly postharvest strategy to enhance shelf life, maintain fruit quality, and improve the marketability of mango under ambient conditions.

An experiment was done to assess the effect of pre-harvest brassinolide (BL) spray on fruit yield and quality of litchi cv. Deshi. BL was applied at 0.25-1.00 mg L-1 concentration during 2022 and 2023 in three different combinations-panicle emergence and 20 days after fruit set (DAFS) (two sprays); panicle emergence and 40 DAFS (two sprays); and panicle emergence with 20 and 40 DAFS (three sprays). Fruit ripening was delayed by more than 9 days when 0.25 mg L-1 BL was applied at panicle emergence and 40 DAFS. Fruit weight and yield were also increased significantly in the same treatment combination (20.71 g and 21.95 kg plant-1, respectively). However, electrolytic leakage, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in the fruit pericarp were recorded minimum in this treatment with maximum activity of catalase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Maximum total soluble solids (22.20 degrees B), total sugar (15.56%), ascorbic acid content (40.54 mg 100 g-1 FW) and antioxidant capacity (6.15 mu mol TE g-1) in the aril were estimated in the same treatment combination. Hence, two pre-harvest application of 0.25 mg L-1 BL at panicle emergence followed by 40 DAFS can be recommended for improving yield and quality of litchi with significant delay in harvesting.

OBJECTIVE:Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), such as e-cigarettes, have surged in popularity. While long-term risks remain unclear, known dangers include nicotine addiction, E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury and potential extrapulmonary effects on the heart, immune system and neurodevelopment. Addressing ENDS addiction may require strategies akin to smoking cessation. However, evidence is lacking; there are no currently approved vaping-cessation aids. The objective of this review is to summarise the available literature addressing interventions for vaping cessation. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION:A librarian-assisted search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus, as well as preprints in Europe PMC, Open Science Framework, and the grey literature searches until January 2024. Six included studies used self-report methods to determine the abstinence rate, while one study used cotinine-level-verified self-reported abstinence. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examine 'rates of vaping cessation' outcomes. An intention-to-treat approach was used for data extraction, and random-effects meta-analyses models were applied. DATA SYNTHESIS:Seven RCTs were included, which studied pharmacological therapy, digital interventions and/or educational content. The primary meta-analyses demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the odds of achieving 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.01, number of participants=3244, moderate-certainty) and continuous abstinence (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.31 to 5.61, number of participants=164, low-certainty) following intervention. A non-significant increase in odds was noted at 30-day PPA (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.72 to 2.42, number of participants=1994, very low certainty). CONCLUSIONS:Vaping cessation interventions increase 7-day PPA rates at 1-12 months follow-up and this was consistent across prespecified subgroup analyses of the intervention type, outcome and duration of follow-up. More high-quality studies with reproducible findings are needed to enhance the certainty of the evidence and guide clinical interventions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER:CRD42022383670.

This study aimed to establish an efficient regeneration protocol for high multiplication rates in pineapple (Ananas comosus L., Hybrid ‘MD2’) through somatic organogenesis. We developed a somatic embryogenesis protocol and investigated the effects of different culture medium components on the induction and development of somatic embryos. Nodular callus was initiated from 4-week-old slip explants on a callus induction medium, achieving an 88.12

Nitric oxide has been shown to influence oxidative metabolism in plants, enhancing their resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Post-harvest oxidative stress is a key factor leading to quality deterioration in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit, with visible symptoms that significantly reduce shelf life and consumer acceptability. Therefore, the effect of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 1.0 mM and 2.0 mM) on litchi (cv. Purbi) fruit was examined during storage at 7 +/- 1 degrees C. Different biochemical changes related to post-harvest quality and pericarp browning of litchi were evaluated. The results suggested that SNP (2.0 mM) was significantly effective in reducing weight loss, the pericarp browning index and decay loss. The fruit subjected to SNP (2.0 mM) treatment retained more total anthocyanins and total phenolic content with reduced peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity. Other quality attributes, such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and ascorbic acid, were also recorded to be greater in the SNP (2.0 mM)-treated fruits. These results were consistent with the expression profiles of LcPPO, LcPOD and Laccase genes. The expression levels of these genes were highly suppressed in the nitric oxide-treated fruits compared to those in the control fruits. Therefore, SNP (2.0 mM) treatment could reduce litchi pericarp browning and prolong the post-harvest life of fruit for up to eighteen days during cold storage.

Putative mutants of mango genotype Bappakkai derived through gamma irradiation were evaluated for changes in morphological and stomatal traits along with concentration of phyto-hormones and the induced genetic variability was estimated using microsatellite markers. Higher dosage of gamma rays resulted in reduced plant height and the lowest mean plant height (18.71 cm) was recorded at 35 Gy irradiation treatment. Stimulatory effect of lower doses of gamma irradiation on stomatal density (SD) was evident in our study and maximum SD was observed at 15 Gy (14.82 number/20000 µm2) while higher doses of gamma irradiation reduced stomatal density being 11.49 number/20,000 µm2at 35 Gy. Higher mean number of alleles was recorded for the treated population indicating the effect of mutation on increasing variability. Further, the mean Shannon’s Information index (I) was found to be more in the treated population (1.26) than control (0.97) and average value of Ho was found to be less than He. The present study indicates that gamma irradiation brought about changes in morphological, stomatal parameters (width, length and density) and resulted in generation of certain genetically diverged mutants. In order to further improve and stabilize rootstock features in mango genotype Bappakkai, the genetically divergent mutant lines obtained in the current study might be exploited either in mango improvement programmes or as mutant varieties.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a non-climacteric fruit with a red pericarp that browns after harvest, reducing market value. Pericarp browning is linked to oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study explored the combined effects of ultrasound (US; 37 ± 3 kHz for 10 min) and melatonin (1 and 2 mM) on litchi pericarp browning during ambient storage. On last day of storage, US combined with 1 and 2 mM melatonin exhibited lowest pericarp browning compared to their individual application with a score of 2.54 and 3.64. The results suggest that, combined treatment of ultrasound and melatonin effectively mitigates oxidative stress with lower ROS accumulation and polyphenol oxidase activity. Additionally, higher levels of anthocyanins, polyphenols, antioxidants, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity were maintained. It also preserved fruit quality, including weight, soluble solids, and titratable acidity, while reducing decay suggesting combined treatment of ultrasound and melatonin effectively enhances the postharvest quality of litchi fruit with reduced pericarp browning.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of pre-harvest application of spermine on fruit ripening, yield and quality of litchi cv. Deshi. Spermine was applied at 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 mM concentration on the litchi plants at 20, 40 and 20 + 40 days after fruit setting. It was observed that the fruit ripening delayed by 9 days as compared to control when 0.10 mM spermine solution was applied at 40 days after fruit set. Maximum fruit weight (22.74 g) and yield per plant (24.24 kg) was recorded under pre-harvest application of 0.10 mM spermine at 40 days after fruit set. The membrane electrolytic leakage, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in the fruit pericarp were recorded minimum in this treatment with statistically at par result in its two applications (0.10 mM) at 20 and 40 days after fruit set. However, the activities of catalase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were recorded maximum in these two treatments. Further, the biochemical attributes of the harvested fruit in terms of TSS, total sugar content, ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content, total phenol and flavonoid content as well as antioxidant capacity were also enhanced significantly by the application of 0.10 mM spermine at 20 and 40 days after fruit set (23.06 °B, 17.34

Postharvest mango fruit are prone to various biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in a relatively shorter shelf life that leads to large postharvest losses (30-60%) during storage and transit. Considering health and environmental concerns, postharvest application of chemical fungicides is prohibited. In this study, carbon quantum dots (CODs) were synthesized from mango peel, and these CQDs were applied (0, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0%) to fresh mango fruit. The treated fruits were kept at room temperature and sampled every 2 days for quality assessment. The qualitative traits of fruit exposed to CQDs, such as firmness, weight loss, color development, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content, exhibited notable alterations. In general, weight loss, carotenoid accumulation, and prevalence of disease increased during storage. However, CQD application improved fruit appeal, maintained quality, and reduced anthracnose incidence in mango fruit during storage. The mango fruit treated with 3.0% CQDs had the longest shelf life of 12-d, followed by those treated with 2.5 and 2%. The untreated fruit had the highest disease incidence and the shortest shelf life. The 3% CQD treatment had the greatest effect on quality retention, with delayed anthracnose occurrence throughout storage. Therefore, the application of CQDs (3.0%) could be promising for preserving the shelf life and nutritional quality of mango cv. Malda during ambient storage for up to 12 days.

Oxidative damage leading to loss of nutritional quality and pericarp discoloration of harvested litchi fruits drastically limits consumer acceptance and marketability. In the present investigation, the impact of postharvest melatonin application at different concentrations, i.e., 0.1 mM, 0.25 mM, and 0.5 mM, on fruit quality and shelf life of litchi fruits under cold storage conditions was studied. The results revealed the positive effect of melatonin application at all concentrations on fruit quality and shelf life. However, treatment with 0.5 mM concentration of melatonin resulted in minimum weight loss, decay loss, pericarp discoloration, and also retained higher levels of TSS, acidity, total sugar, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, antioxidant, and phenolics content during cold storage. Melatonin administration also restricted the enzymatic activity of the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes in the fruit pericarp and maintained freshness of the fruits up to 30 days in cold storage. At the molecular level, a similar reduction in the expression of browning-associated genes, LcPPO, LcPOD, and Laccase, was detected in preserved litchi fruits treated with melatonin. Anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, LcUFGT and LcDFR, on the other hand showed enhanced expression in melatonin treated fruits compared to untreated fruits. Melatonin, owing to its antioxidant properties, when applied to harvested litchi fruits retained taste, nutritional quality and red color pericarp up till 30 days in cold storage.

Pericarp browning in litchi is a major postharvest problem that drastically affects cosmetic appeal and marketability of fruits. This study explores the efficacy of postharvest treatments involving ultrasound (US) combined with salicylic acid (SA) in mitigating oxidative browning and preserving quality attributes during ambient storage. Results indicate that the combined treatment of US and SA, particularly at a concentration of 2 mM, effectively reduced weight loss, decay incidence, and the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, this combination maintained higher levels of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, phenolic content, antioxidants, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity while suppressed polyphenol oxidase activity. The combined US + SA (2 mM) synergistically delayed the quality deterioration and pericarp browning in litchi during storage.

Alternate bearing is one of the major concerns in majority of the commercial mango cultivars which significantly decrease the productivity as well as profitability of the crop. In mango, biochemical and physiological mechanism for flowering in alternate year is very scanty. Therefore, an effort has been made for proper understanding of biochemical and physiological basis behind on and off season flowering in mango. Four commercial mango cultivars of alternate-bearing habit viz. Bombay, Dashehari, Langra and Zardalu were selected for the investigation. Five trees under each cultivar were taken as ‘On year’ trees while another five as ‘Off year’ trees based on their bearing behavior during the previous year. The investigation was carried out for two consecutive years. Hence, the ‘On year’ tree of first year turned as ‘Off year’ tree next year and visa-vise. Physiological, biochemical, nutritional and enzymatic activity in the leaf was estimated at bud break and panicle emergence stage. Carbohydrate, protein, phenol, flavonoids and tannin contents of on-season trees had substantially higher at bud break stage (208.95 µg g− 1, 10.00 mg 100 g− 1, 4.41 mg g− 1, 28.86 mg g− 1 and 7.12 mg g− 1, respectively). At bud break stage, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in leaf was recorded significantly higher (17.0, 2.50 and 6.60 g kg− 1, respectively) during off year although reverse trend was noticed for micronutrients content in the leaf. Further, off season trees had higher oxidative enzymes activity while on-season trees had a larger count of generative buds per branch (96.20). Increased physiological and biochemical activities in the leaf during bud break stage is highly responsible for panicle emergence in mango. Although, higher N, P, K content and increased oxidative enzymes activity leads to the formation of vegetative buds instead of generative one in mango while leaf’s elevated micronutrient content at the bud break stage is beneficial for the production of generative buds in mango.

Cape gooseberry is a nutrient loving crop. But excessive use of inorganic fertilizers may leads to health hazards, ecological vulnerabilities and diminution of soil physico-chemical characteristics. Hence, a trial was conducted for substituting inorganic fertilizers with biofertilizer in cape gooseberry to maintain the yield potential with soil fertility status too. The experimental plants were treated with azotobacter, phosphate and potash solubilizing bacteria (PSB and KSB) at 10 g plant-1 each with reduced dose of recommended fertilizer (RDF) (100- 60%) for two consecutive growing season. Total harvestable fruit plant-1 with highest yield was recorded in 90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treatment with par value in 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treatment. Quality of ripped fruit with respect to TSS (15.90 °B), total sugar (11.29%), ascorbic acid (60.03 mg 100 g-1) and carotenoid content (49.25 µg 100 g-1) was also improved significantly in 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treatment. Soil physico-chemical properties of the field was not varied significantly over initial reading. However, microbial population viz. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes count was improved significantly in all the nutrient modules. Hence, it can be concluded that integrated nutrient module comprising 60% RDF of NPK + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB at 10 g plant-1 is the best treatment module for improving the production system of cape gooseberry in sustainable manner for long run without hampering the soil health and quality. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(1): 83-90, 2024 (March)

Background: Most orchid species in the Dendrobium genus are epiphytic. Dendrobium orchid (Dendrobium nobile L.) var. Sonia is a non-woody epiphytic orchid that bears a beautiful purple-coloured flower and grows in soilless medium. Dendrobium can be propagated vegetatively through divisions or Keikis. But this propagation method is extremely slow. Micropropagation is most suitable method for multiplication of dendrobium orchids. Surface sterilization is an important step in the preparation of vigorous and viable explants in micropropagation. Most of the surface contaminants can be abolished by surface sterilization with a suitable sterilizing agent. The aim of the investigation is to present an effective disinfection method for the aseptic culture of Dendrobium var. Sonia by using nodal segments. Methods: In the present investigation, two sterilant were employed namely mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at different concentrations and durations. A total of nine combinations were tried for treating nodal explants in this investigation during 2022-2023. Explants were surface sterilized with 70% ethanol for 5 minutes followed by 3 to 4 washes with sterile distilled water. Thereafter, the explants were subjected to different surface sterilization treatments to establish contamination free cultures. Result: The study revealed that among the 9 treatments, minimum contamination (30.40%) was recorded in 0.1% HgCl2 for 10 minutes which helps in the maximum establishment of healthy culture (69.60%). Whereas, the lowest result for establishment was found in autoclaved distilled water with maximum contamination (100%). Maximum explant mortality (20.80%) due to sterilant was observed in NaOCl (2%) for 20 minutes.

The effect of salt stress was evaluated on putative mutant seedlings of three polyembryonic mango genotypes viz., Bappakkai, Nekkare, and Kurukkan. Imposition of salinity stress resulted in a decrease in chlorophyll content, relative water content, and gas exchange parameters while enhancing the levels of stress markers like Na+/K+ ratio, total phenols, and proline. In total, thirteen phenolic acid compounds were identified including eight hydroxybenzoic acids and five hydroxycinnamic acids wherein hydroxybenzoic acid (majorly gallic acid) comprised more than 99