Horticultural production Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

2025

Solid oral dosage forms are most convenient from patient as well as from manufacturing chemist's perspective. Dispersible tablets are required to di sintegrate within 3 mins in water at 15-25°C. Also the dispersion produced from a dispersible tablet shoul d pass through a sieve screen with a nominal mesh aperture of 710 microns. The objective of present s tudy is to design and develop a stable solid oral d osage form of Deferasirox dispersible tablets by using Cr oscarmellose Sodium and MCC PH101 to deliver with optimum concentration of drug at desired site at sp ecific time comparable to the innovator product wit h better stability, high production feasibility, and excellent patient compatibility.

2025, Scientia Horticulturae

Quantitative real time PCR has become the most popular method to study the gene expression due to its accuracy. However the expression level of the target gene may be misunderstood due to the unstable expression of the reference genes under different experimental conditions. Therefore, it is a prerequisite to identify and validate the reference genes in each species for gene expression analysis. Polianthes tuberosa, a very popular commercial flowering crop globally, lacks information on any such reference genes. In this study, we describe the first systematic evaluation of four conventional candidate reference genes; 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), Glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), Actin and four novel genes; Coatomer subunit delta (CSD), Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPI), Serine/threonine-protein phosphatase, (STPP) and ATP synthase E-subunit (ATP SE) in tuberose. The transcript abundance of these genes was analyzed in eleven different tissues like young leaf, leaf sheath, root, immature flower bud, mature flower bud, open flower, stamen, ovary, stigma, petals and flower tube. Three RT-qPCR statistical analysis methods, BestKeeper, NormFinder and geNorm were used to evaluate the stability of gene expression that indicated expression of PPI and CSD to be most stable across all the tested tissues. The stability of these two genes was also confirmed across four popular commercial varieties and under biotic and abiotic stresses. Utility of PPI in tuberose as a reference gene is a pioneer report in plants whereas, usefulness of CSD as a stable reference gene has been demonstrated for the first time in a crop besides the model plant, Arabidiopsis.

2025, Postharvest Biology and Technology

Highbush blueberries (Vaccinum spp.) are a major export fruit crop of Chile which is stored at 0 • C and transported to markets in Asia, Europe, and the USA, using more than 15 d of maritime transportation. Under these conditions, gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea can produce important economic losses. The effectiveness of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) concentration × time treatments on gray mold control was determined in the laboratory and validated prior to refrigerating the fruit, using pallet scale SO 2 fumigation treatment on the following blueberry cultivars: 'Brigitta', 'Legacy', 'Liberty' and 'O'Neal'. In inoculated 'Brigitta' and 'Liberty' blueberries, gray mold prevalence varied from 97.2% to 97.5% in nontreated fruit, and this value was reduced from 7.9% to 6.1% in blueberries that were exposed to a SO 2 concentration × time (Ct) product of 400 (L L -1 ) h. The relationship between SO 2 Ct products and gray mold prevalence under laboratory conditions was best explained by exponential models, which had a determination coefficient (R 2 ) that ranged from 0.88 to 0.96. The estimated EC 90 values varied between 245 and 400 (L L -1 ) h, and the SO 2 Ct between 250 and 350 (L L -1 ) h was validated using a pallet scale application treatment to obtain the best control and minimal variation. No visual phytotoxicity symptoms of SO 2 were observed with the Ct that was tested in this study. Therefore, SO 2 fumigation was demonstrated to be an effective and practical technology for reducing the risk of blueberry gray mold decay during storage, and further effort should be given to register the use of this product for blueberries in the main Chilean export markets.

2025, Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science

Postharvest heat treatments were applied to three apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars: `Anna', `Golden Delicious', and `Jonathan'. The temperatures ranged from 38 to 50 °C and from 5 to 96 hours. The temperatures of 50 °C for 5 or 10 hours and 46 °C for 10 hours controlled all developmental stages of San Jose scale on `Golden Delicious' and `Jonathan' fruit. Blue mold germination was prevented by 46, 42, and 38 °C after 28, 34, and 42 hours, respectively. The time needed to control the fungus was longer than that required to kill the insect. Apples were damaged by a 50 °C treatment but could withstand at least 12 hours at 46 °C and at least 24 hours at 42 °C. At 38 °C no damage was found on preclimacteric apples even after 96 hours, but if postclimacteric fruit were heated at 38 °C heat damage occurred. The treatments that did not cause damage maintained the fruit firmness during post storage ripening. The results are discussed in the context of developing i...

2025, X International Symposium on Postharvest Quality of Ornamental Plants

The amount of water to be supplied to greenhouse plants by irrigation has significant economic and environmental importance. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water deficit through different soil water tensions as monitoring of irrigation on the quality and postharvest 'Carolla' rose flower stems. The experiment was conducted with 'Carolla' rose graftings in a greenhouse located at Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), with 6 soil water tensions (15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 kPa) and 5 replications. Each plot was irrigated by drip irrigation line driven by electric valves according to each treatment, irrigating up to soil moisture at field capacity. Tensiometers and granular matrix sensors were installed for monitoring water tension. The harvests for quality assessment were performed for one year (May 31, 2011 to May 30, 2012) in 'Carolla' rosebush. After this period, the flower stems were harvested and evaluated for postharvest longevity at room temperature. In the quality evaluation, only the bud diameter was affected by water deficit treatments, which showed decreasing linear with increasing tensions. The best and worst results were observed for tensions of 15 and 120 kPa with diameters of 36.44 and 34.96 mm, respectively. No significant differences were observed between treatments on postharvest longevity of 'Carolla' flower stems, which showed average vase life of 11 days. Average fresh weight loss and water absorption from the beginning to the end of the experimental period (11 days) were of 5 g and 74 ml, respectively. To obtain better quality of 'Carolla' flower stems, irrigations with soil water tensions of 15 and 30 kPa are recommended.

2025, Hortscience

To determine when a paper is to be presented, check the session number in the Program Schedule or the Conference at a Glance charts. The Author presenting the paper is indicated by an asterisk. COLLOQUIUM 1 (Abstr. 001-005) Genome Mapping... more

2025, Acta horticulturae

By combining efforts in molecular biology, breeding, field trials, and pathology, we have investigated durable disease resistance to chronic bacterial leaf spot disease caused by Xanthomonas species. Previously we demonstrated that transfer of Bs2, a pepper gene and member of the common NLR resistance gene family, conferred effective resistance to bacterial leaf spot in tomatoes in Florida field trials. In these trials, we tested the impact of the gene as initially introduced into a California tomato cultivar, 'VF36', and the results demonstrated both significant reduction in disease severity and increases in yield compared to nontransformed lines. We have further investigated the impact of Bs2 by introducing the gene into a number of parent lines and hybrids in Florida breeding programs and testing them under Florida field conditions. A two-fold yield enhancement was typically observed in Bs2-containing Florida parent lines and hybrids over the nearisogenic non-transgenic versions. Some parent lines carried additional conventional resistances to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Fusarium crown rot, or Fusarium wilt, thus conferring protection against multiple pathogens afflicting fresh market tomato production in Florida. In one trial, strains occurred that were able to cause bacterial spot symptoms on Bs2-containing lines. However, the strains did not impact yield increases produced by the gene and were limited in space and time, not recurring in subsequent trials. Bacterial spot resistance conferred by Bs2 was achieved in the absence of any copper-based pesticides, providing an opportunity to eliminate the widespread use of ineffective copper compounds.

2025

Además declaramos que los conceptos desarrollados, análisis realizados y las conclusiones del presente trabajo, son de exclusiva responsabilidad de Juan Abad y Diana Cabezas. Quito, enero del 2014.

2025, IX International Symposium on Plum and Prune Genetics, Breeding and Pomology

In Romania, the plum has been and will continue be the most grown fruit species. This is explained by its high environmental adaptation, ease of breeding, rusticity of local cultivars, favourable weather conditions and various ways of marketing that are available. From the cultivar point of view, the local cultivars, those intended particularly for distillation purposes represent the majority, but there have always been cultivars fit both for the fresh market and for processing (e.g., 'Tuleu gras', 'Grase romanesti', 'Vinete romanesti'). With this regard in view, since the middle of the 19 th century the plum assortment in Romania has been modernized, developing new autochtononous cultivars and also introducing foreign cultivars regarded as better ones and suitable for adaptation under Romanian ecological conditions. The Romanian plum breeding was started 50 years ago and has had the following objectives: improvement of the old autochthonous cultivars ('Tuleu gras', 'Grase romanesti' and 'Vinete romanesti'); development of various cultivars with different ripening times and with high quality fruit, designated both for the fresh market and for processing; obtaining late blooming cultivars resistant to the late spring frosts, with virus disease resistance or tolerance (particularly to the Plum pox virus) as well as with low vigour and spur fruiting. The breeding has been carried out in the following plum centers: Pitesti, Valcea, Voinesti, Strejesti and Bistrita -areas with favourable climatic conditions for plum culture. As a result of this breeding program, 37 plum cultivar varieties were registered:

2025, Hortscience

Three inoculation methods, including cutting of a leaf, drenching, and point inoculation, were compared in an effort to screen the susceptibility of Chinese cabbage to soft rot disease caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. Threeto 4-week-old seedlings from 10 lines of cabbage with 16-h-old bacterial culture were routinely used. Inoculated seedlings were kept at 25.0 ± 10.0 °C for 48 h with saturated water vapor using a plastic tunnel in a greenhouse. Sixty-day-old mature plants were produced and inoculated in a greenhouse. Severity of symptoms, which were observed from percentage of plant infected was scored as from 1 to 9, representing resistant to susceptible, respectively. The correlation between seedlings and mature plants from ten lines was evaluated among the three different inoculation methods. Point inoculation gave the most significant corre-

2025, HortScience

The performance of spur-type apple cultivars was evaluated on MM.111, MM.106, M.7A, M.26, and Mark rootstocks. Shoot growth, leaf area, and total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) were affected by scion cultivar and rootstock. Empire on Mark stock had less shoot growth. Ultra Mac on M.7A produced smaller leaf area. `Braeburn' on Mark stock exhibited higher TNC content. Scion cultivar and stock influenced fruit weight and yield, L: D ratio, SSC, pH, and the content of N, P, K in leaves and fruit. `Braeburn' on M.7A, M.26, and MM.111 produced greater yield per tree. L: D ratio was higher in `Ultra Gold' on MM.106. `Ultra Gold' and `Jon-A-Red' had higher SSC on Mark. `Empire' and `Ultra Gold' on M.7A resulted in higher juice pH. `Empire' on MM.106 produced heavier fruit and higher N content in leaves and fruit. `Ultra Mac' on M.7A showed higher P and K content in the fruit.

2025, HortScience

This study was established to determine the influence of scion/stock combination on leaf area, yield efficiency, and fruit quality attributes in effort to identify the most suitable scion/stock combination for Mississippi. Twenty-nine scion/stock combinations were grown at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Research and Extension Center, North Mississippi. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with six single tree replications. `Jon-A-Red' on Mark produced the smallest leaf area, while the largest leaf area was produced by the combination of `Royal Gala' on MM106 and `Blushing Golden' on M7A. Scion/stock combinations significantly affected yield efficiency, fruit yellow pigment dvelopment, firmness and fruit mineral composition. Scion cultivars on Mark resulted in the highest yield efficiency, except `Empire'. `Ultra Gold' and `Braeburn' on Mark and `Blushing Golden' on MM111 led to yellow pigmentation in the highest category. Mea...

2025, Indian Horticulture Journal

An experiment was conducted during 2014 various plant growth regulators at different concentrations namely, NAA (40, 50, 60 ppm) and GA (40, 50, 60 ppm) on fruit set and yield of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa. The results indicated that NAA 40 ppm was found effective in increasing number of fruits per tree (62.44), fruit length (8.66 cm), fruit diameter (8.71 cm), fruit weight (262.23 g), fruit (15.58 %), reducing sugars (13.83 %), non

2025, Acta Horticulturae

This research was conducted with the following objectives: 1) to study plant growth regulators (PGRs) for control of flowering in rambutan, and 2) to increase fruit size of rambutan by fruit thinning. Two experiments were conducted, from October 2009 to September 2013. Three PGRs, mepiquat chloride 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%, ethephon 2500 and 5000 ppm, and paclobutrazol 500 and 1000 ppm, were used to control flowering of rambutan in Chanthaburi, Srisaket and Chieng Rai provinces. The PGRs were applied to the main branches of rambutan trees 2 months before flowering. The results showed that all PGRs induced flowering of rambutan 4-8 days earlier than controls, and had no effect on flowering percentage, yield or quality. The maximum rates of the three PGRs were more effective than the lower rates. For fruit thinning, fruits were thinned 2 months after fruit set. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates and five treatments included thinning to leave 8, 12 or 15 fruits panicle -1 and trimming of 1/3 of the panicle, and a control. The results showed that thinning to leave 8 fruits panicle -1 gave the heaviest and largest fruit, followed by thinning to leave 12 and 15 fruits panicle -1 and trimming 1/3 of the panicle All were significantly superior to control trees. In terms of numbers of fruit per kg, thinning to leave 8 fruits panicle -1 gave 25 fruits kg -1 , which was classified as size code number 1; three treatments, thinning to 12 or 15 fruits panicle -1 and trimming 1/3 of the panicle, gave 27 fruits kg -1 , in size code 2, but the control gave 30 fruits kg -1 , in size code 3. With regard to costs and returns, the thinning costs were 0.05-0.067 USD kg -1 and the fruit with size codes 1 and 2 were sold at 1.33-1.67 USD kg -1 , while the price of unthinned fruit (size code 3) was 0.26-0.77 USD kg -1 . Thinning can increase incomes of growers by approximately 2-to 5-fold. Integrated technologies should be applied to control flowering of rambutan for harvesting in early season, and fruit thinning is important for exporting to increase fruit size and quality. This can help farmers to get higher prices and higher incomes.

2025, International journal of scientific research

2025, Plant Signaling & Behavior

Phospholipids are the crucial components of biological membranes and signal transduction. Among different tissues, flower phospholipids are one of the least characterized features of plant lipidome. Here, we report that floral reproductive organs of Arabidopsis thaliana contain high levels of phosphatidic acid (PA), a known lipid second messenger. By using floral homeotic mutants enriched with specific floral organs, lipidomics study showed increased levels of PA species in ap3-3 mutant with enriched pistils. Accompanied gene expression study for 7 diacylglycerol kinases and 11 PA phosphatases revealed distinct floral organ specificity, suggesting an active phosphorylation/ dephosphorylation between PA and diacylglycerol in flowers. Our results suggest that PA is a major phospholipid class in floral reproductive organs of A. thaliana.

2025, Plant Signaling & Behavior

2025, Acta Horticulturae

The Ellis-Roberts seed viability equation is accepted as an accurate predictor of seed longevity over a range of storage temperatures and moisture contents (MC). One application of this model is to identify different combinations of seed MC and temperature that can result in similar seed storage lifetimes. The present study was conducted to determine whether the reduction in storage life of primed seeds is consistent with the predictions of the Ellis-Roberts equation across a range of seed MC and temperatures. Seeds of two lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties (a romaine and a crisp-head type) were primed with polyethylene glycol and along with untreated seeds were adjusted to two different MCs (6% and 9%) and then aged in two different temperature environments (48°C and 38°C, respectively). Control seeds in both storage environments conformed to the Ellis-Roberts equation. Primed seeds aged faster than non-primed seeds but also exhibited different rates of viability loss between the storage environments. Primed seeds stored at 6% MC and 48°C aged slower than those stored at 9% MC and 38°C. These data suggest that priming causes lettuce seed to have a heightened sensitivity to the adverse effects of moisture during storage. To further investigate this observation, the moisture absorption properties of primed and non-primed seeds from both varieties were examined by equilibration over saturated NaCl solutions in sealed containers at 20°C. Primed seeds tended to have higher MC than non-primed seeds, although differences were seldom significant. Thus, an alteration of the RH/MC relationship for primed seeds could not be confirmed as a cause for the differential aging rates between equivalent environments. In conclusion, the predictable effects of MC and temperature on nonprimed lettuce seeds as described by the Ellis-Roberts equation may not hold true for primed seeds.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

Agricultural supply-chain in developing countries has been recognized to have critical complications, e.g., seasonal supply-demand complexity, high emission factor, economic inequality, social conflicts, etc. Thus, it requires a significant transformation to solve its latent problems. This study suggests the transformation by conducting a postharvest engineering by the application of appropriate technology. As an ex-farm strategy, postharvest engineering offers less interventions to any existing process taken by least developing societal groups. In parallel, appropriate technology puts an emphasis on the sustainability of a technological solution by using indigenous knowledge as its basis. Their combination will then transform the whole supply-chain in terms of four different perspectives. Technically, supply-chain complexity requires an interconnected calculation of supply-demand network. Besides, economic value added needs to be redistributed throughout the chain. Next, applying an appropriate technology in conducting postharvest processing will change the life-cycle assessment of a commodity being treated. Then, involved parties in the chain require a renewed partnership to intermediate different interests. In short, this study proposes a notion on a set of comprehensive solutions from different views to solve problematic issues within any agricultural supply-chain in many developing countries.

2025, Physiologia Plantarum

To investigate selenium tolerance mechanisms in Arabidopsis thaliana, genetic and physiologic studies were performed in the three Arabidopsis accessions Landsberg erecta (Ler), Columbia (Col) and Wassilewskija (Ws). Accession Ler was significantly less tolerant to selenate than Ws and Col, whereas Ws was less tolerant to selenite than the others. Analysis of selenium tolerance in F1 and F2 plants obtained from crosses between these accessions suggest that multiple genes are involved in selenate tolerance and a single major gene controls selenite tolerance in these populations. Bulked segregant analysis in two F2 populations indicated that molecular marker ciw7 on chromosome 4 is linked to selenite tolerance, and three molecular markers on chromosomes 1, 3 and 5 (nga111, ciw4 and ciw8, respectively) are linked to selenate tolerance. The ecotypic variation in selenite tolerance appeared to be correlated with root levels of non‐protein thiols. Also, the shoot tissue levels of selenocys...

2025, Physiologia Plantarum

Among the Arabidopsis thaliana accessions Columbia (Col), Landsberg erecta (Ler), and Wassilewskija (Ws), Ler and Ws showed higher copper (Cu) tolerance than Col, while accumulating more Cu. Thus, Cu tolerance did not appear to be related to metal exclusion. Rather, the higher Cu tolerance of Ler and Ws may reflect less Cu‐induced nutrient deficiency as they maintained higher sulfur, iron (Fe), and manganese levels than Col under Cu stress. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was used to compare the leaf transcript levels of nine genes involved in Cu metabolism, oxidative stress resistance or sulfate transport (Sultr 4;1). Excess Cu led to an overall decrease of the transcript levels of plastocyanin and two plastidic Cu transporters, PAA1 and PAA2. The Fe superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene FSD1 was also downregulated in the three accessions, while the cytosolic Cu/Zinc SOD (CSD1) was upregulated compared with the control conditions. These results may be related to differenc...

2025, HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)

Inhibition of the biosynthesis of gibberellins by prohexadione, 3,5-dioxo-4-propionylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid, was studied with cell-free systems derived from immature seeds of Cucurbita maxima, Phaseolus vulgaris and Pisum sativum. Prohexadione, at a concentration of 10" 4 M, inhibited C-7 oxidation of GA 12 -aldehyde, C-20 oxidation of GA, 5 , conversion of C 20 -gibberellins to C, 9 -gibberellins, 3/?-hydroxylation, 2,3-dehydrogenation of GA20, 2,3-epoxidation of GA 5 and 2/?-hydroxylation of GA9 and GA 20 . The 3/?-hydroxylase activity appeared to be more sensitive to prohexadione than were the C-20 oxygenase and the 2/ff-hydroxylase activities. The conversion of mevalonic acid to GA 12 -aldehyde and the 13-hydroxylation of GA 12 were not affected by prohexadione at a concentration of 3 x 10~4 M. All of the steps inhibited by prohexadione are oxidation steps catalyzed by soluble enzymes that require 2-oxoglutarate, Fe 2+ and oxygen, and all of them occur distal to the synthesis of GA 12 -aldehyde in the biosynthesis of gibberellins.

2025, Postharvest Biology and Technology

2025, Scientia Horticulturae

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an important viral disease affecting pepper production worldwide. A single dominant resistance gene, Tsw, originating from Capsicum chinense has been identified and utilized during the last several decades. However, there have been reports that Tsw resistance can be overcome by new field isolates of TSWV. This has necessitated the identification of a new source of resistance. Here, a set of pepper germplasm collections comprising 487 accessions from six Capsicum species and 30 commercial F 1 hybrids was evaluated for resistance to TSWV Pap . A new resistance source, C. chinense 'AC09-207', was identified and characterized. Genetic analysis showed that the resistance in C. chinense 'AC09-207' was conferred by a single dominant gene. The resistance responses of 'AC09-207' were compared with other known resistance sources. The timing and number of necrotic response were similar to C. chinense 'PI152225', whereas the premature abscission of inoculated cotyledons and leaves were significantly different from other resistance sources, 'PI152225' and 'PI159236'. To compare genome locations between the new resistance gene and Tsw, an allelism test was conducted. No recombinants were found in all F 1 , F 2 and reciprocal backcross populations derived from the new resistance source and three known resistance sources ('PI152225', 'PI159236', and 'PI159234') demonstrating that the new resistance gene may be a unique allele at the Tsw locus or be controlled by a different gene tightly linked to Tsw.

2025, Acta horticulturae

Phalaenopsis is one of the major orchid species grown in Indonesia. The flower characteristics and colors of this orchid are very diverse and beautiful. Their flower colors depend on the existence of pigments, such as carotenoid and anthocyanin. A number of key enzymes are known to play important roles in carotene and anthocyanin pigment formation, such as: PSY, CHS, DFR, F3'H, and F3'-5'H. Activity of those enzymes in flower organs may in turn determine the color of Phalaenopsis flowers. Coding genes for those enzymes have also been isolated and their sequences determined either in orchids or other ornamental crops. Our research objectives are to isolate and characterize PSY, CHS, DFR, F3'-H, F3-H, and F3'-5'-H genes from Phalaenopsis species, evaluate nucleotide sequence variability among DNA sequences of those genes, and develop gene specific molecular markers to support breeding for unique Phalaenopsis flower color. We have isolated fragments of PSY, CHS, DFR, F3'H, and F3'-5'H genes from various Phalaenopsis species having different flower colors. DNA sequence variability among the isolated genes has also been evaluated and the existence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified. We have designed single nucleotide amplified polymorphism (SNAP) primer pairs based on the existing SNP and used the designed SNP specific primers to generate gene specific SNAP markers. Moreover, we have used the gene specific SNAP markers for genetic diversity analysis of diverse Phalaenopsis sp. with different flower colors to evaluate effectiveness of the markers to predict flower color. Progress of those investigations will be discussed in the paper.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

2025, Heliyon

Synthetic seed technology is an excellent method for large-scale production of unique hybrids, valuable and unstable genotypes, and genetically modified plants that unable to produce plants that require symbiosis of mycorrhiza fungi for seed germination. This technology is now considered as an efficient way to propagate and store several important commercial orchids. The evaluation of physical properties of synthetic seeds has been recognized as one of the critical
aspects for seed quality enhancement, which resulted in higher germination and viability at storage duration. The main aim of this study was to optimize the encapsulation conditions to reach the physical properties of Phalaenopsis orchid synthetic seeds using the response surface methodology. A device was designed to control the dripping of alginate for a given temperature in order to wrap the protocorm. The central composite design has been used to investigate the effect of encapsulation variables on the physical properties of orchid synthetic seed such as volume, sphericity Index (SI) and Concentricity Index (CI). Four independent variables were considered to optimize the physical properties of orchid synthetic seed including two sodium alginate solution temperature (4 and 25 ◦C), three calcium chloride solution temperature (25, 30, and 35 ◦C), three alginate droplet height (10, 13, and 16 mm), and three stirring rate of calcium chloride solution (zero (no stirring), 1, and 2 rpm). To determine the synthetic seeds, digital images were taken, and response variables were extracted using the image J processing platform. The ANOVA results showed significant effects of linear and interaction terms of models on all studied factors (P <0.001). The results indicate that stirring rate has most significant effect on the synthetic seed sphericity Index (p < 0.0001). The results showed that the optimum values of volume, sphericity Index and concentricity Index CI were 1285.27 mm3, 0.927 %, and of 2.436 mm, respectively, with a desirability of 0.756. Optimum conditions for orchid protocorm encapsulation were obtained with stirring rate of 0.83 rpm, droplet height of 10 mm, high calcium chloride solution temperature of 35 ◦C, and sodium alginate solution temperature of 25 ◦C. In general, results showed that the use of image J and the response surface methodology is a useful tool to obtain the optimal physical properties of synthetic seeds. The modeling and optimizing of physical characteristics of synthetic seed can be developed for encapsulation of any explants of plant species.

2025, Plant Signaling & Behavior

2025, Potato Research

Current safety assessment of genetically modified crops requires detailed information about the insertion of the transgene and the effect of its expression on the biochemistry and physiology of the host plant. Whilst the intended effect of the transformation can be verified through phenotypic screening, molecular approaches are required to observe unintended effects. We investigated the molecular details of the integration of a polygalacturonase inhibiting protein 1 gene from Malus domestica (Mdpgip1), overexpressed in Solanum tuberosum (cv BP1) for enhanced resistance against Verticillium wilt. Genome walking studies of the selected AppA6 transformant revealed that the T-DNA containing the Mdpgip1 transgene under control of the CaMV 35S promoter was inserted into the genome without any non-T-DNA sequences from the pCAMBIA2300 vector. Sequence data indicate that the insertion of the Mdpgip1 transgene was in a gene-rich region of chromosome 1, adjacent to the photosystem Q B gene but without disruption of structural genes. Transcriptome-based cDNA-representational difference analysis revealed the distinctive expression of Mdpgip1 in the transgenic AppA6 line, verifying the intended effect. Protein extracts from the transgenic plants inhibited the activities of Verticillium dahliae polygalacturonases in in vitro studies, showing that the transgene Potato Research

2025, Acta Horticulturae

South Africa is classified as a water-stressed country. All technologies, including biotechnological tools, should therefore be utilized to assist in the protection of crops against adverse environmental conditions. A project was initiated in 2012 to create a more drought tolerant local potato cultivar using a transgenic approach. The StMYB1R-1 transcription factor (TF) gene was isolated from potato cultivar 'BP1' and subcloned into a plant transformation vector under constitutive (CaMV 35S) or inducible (rd29A) promoter control. Transgenic lines of potato 'BP1' with the different constructs were generated. The transgenic StMYB1R-1 gene was stably inserted into the potato genome. The highest expressing transgenic lines were selected with RT-qPCR, which also verified the inducible promoter behaviour under drought stress conditions. It is proposed that the transgenic TF gene will activate delayed response drought-protective genes and in turn render the potato plant more drought tolerant, since less water will be lost by the plant under water-stressed conditions. Relative water content (RWC%) results, visual appearance after 11 days of stress, and survival rates after the 15 d water-stress period of the first greenhouse trial, indicated that two transgenic potato lines, C3 and D6, performed better under drought conditions at 10 days without water (dwow) compared to 'BP1'. The RWC% results could not be confirmed in the second trial. None of the transgenic lines had statistically significantly higher biomass yields than 'BP1' under drought stressed greenhouse conditions. It can therefore not be concluded that the insertion of the StMYB1R-1 transgene improved the drought tolerance of any of these transgenic potato lines, compared to the non-transformed plants.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

The Egadi archipelago consists of three islands (Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo) located west of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Of the three islands, Marettimo with a surface area of 12 km 2 , is the furthest from Sicily (38 km) and the most mountainous island and richest in endemic species. Soils are mostly thin and low in fertility and organic matter. Maquis and garigue represent the natural vegetation. Since ancient times, islanders developed a productive agricultural system based on a series of finely constructed terraces which supplied food for the populations' needs. However, unemployment and poverty, after World War II, forced many growers, to abandon entire fields. Since then, human activity and soil erosion have largely depleted the original vegetation in some parts of the island. The aim of this study was the vegetation recovery of two degraded areas of Marettimo, where naturally growing plant species have largely disappeared. After a detailed analysis of the remaining original ground cover vegetation, several species adapted to survive in the hot arid summers of the South Mediterranean were identified. Seeds and/or cuttings were collected from Coronilla valentina L., Erica multiflora L., Euphorbia dendroides L., Helichyrisum rupestre (Raf) DC. var. messerii, Inula crithmoides L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Senecio bicolor (Willd.) Tod. and used to propagate new plants. Propagated plants were reintroduced to their native habitat.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

The use of saline water has depressive effects on many crops and therefore it can be a major problem in those area of the Mediterranean region were vegetables are extensively grown and shortage of good quality water is very common. Plug type transplants of the Sicilian winter melon landrace 'Cartucciaro' were set in polyethylene tunnels at Trapani in the Western coast of Sicily. Three volumes of irrigation water (20, 30, 40 litres of water per plant) at four salinity levels (control, 2, 4, 6 ‰ NaCl) were compared. Water was provided by a single application 50 days after transplanting. The vegetative parameters at 60 and 70 days after transplanting were slightly influenced by the treatments tested. At 80 days after transplanting plant length was positively affected by increasing the amount of irrigation water, but was significantly reduced as salinity increased. Plants irrigated with 40 litres of saline water gave higher early and total yields, and fruits of better quality than those irrigated with lower volumes of good quality water.

2025, Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants

Integrated nutrient management (INM) can be defined as the combined use of available technologies and tools to design and apply the "best" possible plant nutrition programs, such as, use of diagnostic and follow-up tools, proper estimation of nutrient rates, use of high efficiency fertilizers, application of organic matter and inoculants, and precision agriculture (site-specific management). Under INM, the plant nutrition is as a result of adequate equilibrium among chemical nutrients, organic matter, microbial activity looking to improve soil quality and rhizospheric activity. To evaluate the effect of the addition of different types of organic matter and soil inoculant, as a complement of conventional fertilization, on soil quality and agronomic variables in table grape at establishment, a controlled experiment using large pots (100 L) was performed, using a complete randomized block design. Organic materials used were grape pomace compost and humic extract from the same material. The inoculant corresponded to a microbial consortium of plant-growthpromoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Chemical fertilization included a complete NPK formula. The variety of table grape used was 'Crimson Seedless'. The soil used corresponded to an alluvial soil of medium fertility, representative of the central area of Chile. Significant effects of applied treatments were observed with regards to some selected soil properties after one season of evaluation. On the whole, treatments including chemical fertilization and C showed larger plant growth, both in terms of shoot and root emission.

2025, Journal of Agriculture and Technology

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most popular fruits worldwide due to its high nutritional value and significant economic contribution. Among the various cultivars, the Keo Romeat mango is particularly favored for its unique taste and strong export potential. However, as a climacteric fruit, mango is highly perishable after harvest, undergoing rapid physiological changes such as alterations in color, texture, flavor, and aroma due to respiration. Blanching has emerged as a promising postharvest technique to enhance ripening while preserving fruit quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different blanching temperatures and durations on the chemical properties of Keo Romeat mangoes during refrigerated storage. The experiment was conducted over an 18-day period using a completely randomized design with two factors and six treatments: T1 (46 °C for 45 minutes), T2 (46 °C for 65 minutes), T3 (46 °C for 75 minutes), T4 (53 °C for 45 minutes), T5 (53 °C for 65 minutes), and T6 (53 °C for 75 minutes). Results showed a significant interaction (p < 0.01) between blanching temperature and duration for all measured parameters, including weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, and sugar content. Among all treatments, mangoes blanched at 46 °C for 65 minutes (T2) showed the most favorable outcomes, with weight loss of 5.87 ± 0.01%, titratable acidity of 0.44 ± 0.00%, pH of 3.35 ± 0.00, and sugar content of 8.39 ± 0.02%. In conclusion, blanching at 46 °C for 65 minutes was the most effective treatment for maintaining the chemical quality of Keo Romeat mangoes during storage. These findings suggest that optimizing blanching temperature and duration can help preserve the nutritional and physicochemical quality of mangoes postharvest.

2025

Grass seed contamination of sheep carcasses and skins results in significant losses across the Australian lamb and mutton value chains. Seven grass species found across Victoria (VIC) and New South Wales (NSW) are known to significantly impact carcass quality, with barley grass and brome grass as key perpetrators. To evaluate current trends associated with carcass weed seed contamination, extensive abattoir datasets (2009–2014) provided by Animal Health Australia (AHA) were analysed by state and biogeographic region. Significant differences in regional infestation were noted, with reduced contamination observed in Tasmania (TAS) and VIC in contrast to other states. No significant differences were observed in contamination between NSW and Queensland (QLD). Highest contamination occurred throughout the mixed cropping and pastoral zones, with notable events also in the high rainfall zone. Sex and age of animal were identified to have impacted seed contamination. These findings have imp...

2025, Acta Horticulturae

The ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) delayed ripening and improved postharvest fruit quality of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.). 1-MCP was used on the white flesh sub-acid loquat cultivars 'Claudia' and 'BRT20' to evaluate the possible effect on fruit ripening and to prevent negative effects of cold storage, like internal browning and flesh leatheriness. 1-MCP was applied at 2°C for 20 h and concentrations of 1 and 5 µl L -1 . After 1-MCP treatment fruit were held at 2°C for 7, 14, and 21 days and then moved to 18°C for 5 days. Fruit flesh firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble content (TSS), weight loss, internal browning and flesh leatheriness were evaluated at harvest and 2 and 5 days after moving samples from 2 to 18°C including. 1-MCP slowed fruit ripening and deterioration depending on the concentration and cultivar: 1 µl L -1 was the optimum concentration for inhibition of softening in both cultivars. Moreover, 1-MCP treatments effectively reduced internal browning and flesh leatheriness. These results indicated that 1-MCP can extend shelf life of the highly perishable loquat fruit.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

Preliminary field trials with foliar applications of phenylalanine, methionine, oxylipins and sugars have shown improvements of external color, sugar content and uniformity of maturation in grapes, pome fruits, tomatoes and melons. In this study, we hypothesized that similar improvements could be obtained both in fruit of 'Trabia' and 'Sanfilippara' loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) with applications of a commercial formulate called Sunred (Biolchim, Bologna, Italy) and containing various concentrations of the above metabolic promoters. The study was conducted on 12 'Sanfilippara' and 12 'Trabia' adult loquat trees grown in an orchard near Palermo, Italy. Half of the trees for each cultivar were sprayed twice (20 and 10 days before harvest) with 3 L of Sunred solution at a concentration of 4 ml/L, containing a mix of phenylalanine, methionine, oxylipins and sugars. On 21 May 2013, all fruits present in each tree in trial were harvested in one pick, bulk-weighed in the field, and a random sample of about 30 fruits per tree was collected and brought to the laboratory for determination of major quality parameters. Sunred applications increased fruit size and yield per tree by 23.3 and 9.1%, respectively. On the other hand, Sunred applications did not affect average peel color, titratable acidity (TA), or soluble solids (SS)/TA, whereas they reduced soluble solids and increased pH. Fruit peel color index exhibited less variability in Sunred-sprayed then in control trees. This suggests that Sunred applications induced a more uniform degree of fruit maturation among loquat trees. Possible explanations and implications of the results obtained are discussed.

2025, Acta horticulturae

In Mediterranean areas, loquat trees (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) typically bloom in fall and fruits develop during the winter period, reaching their ripening in spring. So far, little interest has been driven towards models capable of estimating heat requirements for the accomplishment of fruit development in the winter period. In this work, we verified whether in Mediterranean areas the heat accumulation (GDH) needed for loquat fruit growth, may be precisely described using a Beta model, a flexible mathematical function which, in the past, has been successfully used in peach. BBCH phenological stages of 'Algerie' trees were recorded in two experimental sites: Palermo, Italy (38°04'N, 13°22'E, 150 m a.s.l.), and Callosa d'En Sarrià, Alicante, Spain (38°39'N, 00°07'W, 150 m a.s.l.). The original data pool included maximum and minimum daily temperatures from a total of sixteen years, nine from Palermo and seven from Callosa. Firstly, the model was tested taking into account phenological data from all the years. However, due to anomalous data, some years were excluded. Temperatures and phenological data -Julian days (JD) from anthesis to ripening date -were used as input to run a Visual Basic computer program for the computation of growing degree hours (GDH). The program was used to randomly change the triplet of cardinal temperatures (i.e., base (Tb), optimal (To) and critical (Tc)) used to construct the Beta model. More than a thousand random sets of cardinal temperatures were generated to optimize the model. The target was to minimize the coefficients of variation (CV) of harvest dates (JD) among years and locations. The best resulting model, having Tb=4.8°C, To=9.0°C and Tc=42.2°C, yielded an average accumulation of 67542 GDH, and CV=2.36%. On average, the model generated an error of 5 days (SE ) between real harvest time and forecasts. Tb and To were selected within very narrow intervals, implying a high level of estimation accuracy. Thus, in future studies further curvilinear models have to be studied in order to estimate loquat heat requirements with minimal errors. In conclusion, although further attempts must be carried out in order to refine a loquat fruit growth phenoclimatic model, the approach used in this work may represent a further step to predict loquat harvest date.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

Inconsistent cropping is a major issue in apple fruit production. Consequently, crop load management is critical for growers. Unbalanced crop loads can lead to the establishment of biennial bearing with subsequent high economic losses. An international collaborative project between Australia and Germany was set up to investigate the various aspects of crop load management utilising standard (physiological and molecular) and innovative (image analysis and thinning predictors through modelling) methods. The modelling aspect of the project will investigate a simplified MaluSim model to determine tree carbon status with the aim of providing advice for application of chemical thinners. The focus of the modelling effort will be on early season fruit development as chemical thinners are typically applied up to 80 days after green tip. The first step in evaluating a simplified model is the conversion of key parts of MaluSim into a more flexible format using the software program R. Another aspect of the project is to efficiently measure the physiology of the apple tree through state-of-the-art stereo image reconstruction and improve the accuracy in the carbon balance status. Stereo image reconstruction involves multi-view geometry to detect a number of different variables automatically (including spurs, shoots, flowers, fruit and leaf area) and will considerably reduce manual measurements. This paper will discuss the innovative methods being used and some of the results generated so far.

2025, Soil System

Water stress and nutrient stress are major limiting factors affecting crop productivity. Biochar-based organic fertilizers improve soil nutrient availability, water use efficiency (WUE), and crop yields under these adverse conditions. This study investigated the mechanistic effects of biochar-bokashi mixtures under a controlled glasshouse pot experiment on soil fertility, available nutrients, soil moisture, plant water use efficiency (PWUE), and wheat yield parameters under three moisture levels. Four treatments were included, (1) a control, (2) bokashi only, (3) 1% biochar + bokashi, and (4) 2% biochar + bokashi, under 30% (IR 30), 50% (IR 50), and 60% (IR 60) field capacity, totaling twelve treatments in a completely randomized design with three replications. The combined bokashi-biochar application significantly (p < 0.05) improved growth parameters and yields, including plant height, number of fertile tillers (NFT), number of spikes (NS), spike length (SL), 1000-grain weight, biological yield (BY), root biomass, and grain yield (GY), compared to the control and bokashi-only treatments. Bokashi with 1% biochar exhibited superior agronomic performance over the other treatments, including 2% biochar. Biochar addition enhanced soil moisture and PWUE across irrigation levels. Bokashi-biochar treatments under IR 30 outperformed the control and bokashi-only treatments under IR 60 , highlighting biochar's effectiveness in alleviating water stress and increasing yields. Moreover, co-application significantly increased soil pH while enhancing the organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium nutrient levels, which positively correlated with yield. Bokashi-biochar mixtures have been proven to be an effective strategy to enhance soil fertility, increase soil moisture to alleviate water stress and support sustainable wheat production under water-and nutrient-limited conditions.

2025, OENO One

Aims: The aim of this paper was to use recent transcriptomic tools available for grape in order to understand berry softening.Methods and results: A microarray bearing specific 50 mer oligonucleotide for 3,200 genes was used to study gene expression along 8 stages of berry development in Chardonnay and Shiraz berries. Transcripts corresponding to aquaporin genes and to genes involved in cell wall metabolism were studied in detail and ranked according to their pattern of expression.Conclusion: Several structural and regulatory genes whose expression pattern correlated with the late phases of ripening were identified. Significance and impact of study: This study provides a preliminary molecular basis to identify molecular markers of berry ripening.

2025, Acta Horticulturae

In vitro propagation methods are frequently used for the conservation of rare cacti and also for the production of plants for commercial purposes. Here we report on the micropropagation by axillary shoot proliferation at the cactus species Melocactus salvadorensis, Lobivia tegeleriana and Cereus jamacaru being important as ornamentals and also as a forage and fruit crop in the case of the latter one. Depending on species, explants were derived from surface-sterilized shoots or seedlings germinated in vitro. Transverse or longitudinal slices of donor shoots were incubated on MS media supplemented with 1, 2 or 4 mg L -1 BAP. Addition of NAA (0.1 mg L -1 ) had positive effect on shoot induction. A 50% reduction of basal salt, vitamin and sugar concentration of hormone-free MS medium helped vitrified or abnormal shoots of C. jamacaru to recover and significantly improved rooting rate. Hyperhydricity was frequently observed among adventitious shoots induced on secondary explants of L. tegeleriana, while it did not occur in M. salvadorensis. Besides micropropagation, somatic callus cultures of L. tegeleriana have also been generated to develop a plant -cell -plant system. Somatic cell cultures make possible manipulations at the cellular level and production of somaclonal variants of interest to cactus enthusiasts. Using MS-based induction media supplemented with 2,4-D (2 or 4 mg L -1 ) calli of granular structure were produced after the passage on MS medium containing 1-1 mg L -1 2,4-D and kinetin, respectively. Vigorously growing plantlets of normal morphology have been regenerated on this medium, while plantlets regenerated from calli transferred to hormone-free MS medium grew slower and exhibited abnormal characteristics.

2025, HortScience

In vitro shoot proliferation of borage (Borago officinalis L.) was achieved in a basal medium based on Murashige and Skoog salts supplemented with 17.6 μm BA (4 mg·liter−1) plus 10% (v/v) coconut water. Rooting of in vitro-produced shoots occurred in basal media and increased in response to the addition of IBA. Rooted shoots were transferred successfully to soil. Immature zygotic embryos cultured in 4.5 μm 2,4-D (1 mg·liter−1) plus coconut water (CW) produce asexual embryos directly from the cotyledonary surface and indirectly from callus. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (BA); (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D); 1H-indole-3-butanoic acid (IBA).