Postharvest physiology
Fatemeh Ahmadi; Mohammad Mehdi Sharifani; Amir Mousavi; Negin Akhlaghi Amiri; Mostafa Khoshhal Sarmast; Khalil Zaynali Nezhad
Abstract
IntroductionExternal and internal quality of citrus such as color, shape and taste increase economic benefit. The vigour of each rootstock causes qualitative and quantitative change and the effective factor on commercial maturity, which is important for gardeners and producers. Considering the characteristics ...
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IntroductionExternal and internal quality of citrus such as color, shape and taste increase economic benefit. The vigour of each rootstock causes qualitative and quantitative change and the effective factor on commercial maturity, which is important for gardeners and producers. Considering the characteristics of the fruit in grafted trees, the present research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of trifoliate orange, Citrange and Citrumelo rootstocks on some morphological, phytochemical and molecular traits of ‘Thomson Navel’ orange fruit. Materials and MethodsThis research was carried out in 2018 at Ghaemshahr Horticultural Research Station, Mazandaran. It was conducted in the form of randomized complete block design (RCBD) of uniform and 10-year-old ‘Thomson Navel’ orange grafted on ‘trifoliate orange’, ‘Citrange’ and ‘Citrumelo’ rootstocks with four replications. The samples were collected at the end of October and were transferred to the research laboratory of Horticulture Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for further research. Measurements were made on the morphological traits, quality characteristics of the fruit, the phenolic compounds of the peel and the pulp of the fruit and relative expression of fruit pulp sucrose phosphate synthase1 gene. Data variance analysis was done using SAS software (version 9.0). Mean comparisons were done with Duncan's multiple range test. Results and DiscussionThe results of analysis of variance showed that the rootstock effect on traits of length-to-diameter ratio, weight and density of ‘Thomson Navel’orange was significant at the five percent probability level (p<0.05) and the fruit length and diameter traits were significant at the one percent probability level (p<0.01). The results of mean comparison showed that the characteristics of length, diameter, length-to-diameter ratio, weight and density of ‘Thomson Navel’ orange at commercial maturity on the trifoliate orange rootstock were more than the two other rootstocks. Due to the early harvest, the density of the fruit was recorded lower than one, so that the highest amount (0.5 g per cm3) was observed in the rootstock of trifoliate orange however it was not significantly different from Citrange rootstock. Based on the results of analysis of variance, it showed that the effect of rootstock on total soluble solids was significant at the level of five percent. Also, the rootstock had a significant effect on titratable acidity, taste index, vitamin C, acidity, EC and total sugar at the level of one percent. However, the amount of vitamin C was higher in the Citrumelo rootstock. The highest amount of acidity and EC belonged to trifoliate orange rootstock and the lowest amount belonged to Citrange rootstock. The highest amount of total sugar was observed in the dwarfing trifoliate orange rootstock, while its lowest amount was recorded in the vigorous Citrumelo rootstock. The highest amount of total soluble solids was observed at the rootstock of the trifoliate orange. The amount of titratable acid in the Citrange rootstock was higher than the other two rootstocks. The taste index was higher in the trifoliate orange rootstock than the other rootstocks. According to the results of analysis of variance, the rootstock effect on the index of total phenol of fruit peel and pulp and total flavonoid of fruit peel was significant at the five percent probability level (p<0.05) and only on the antioxidant activity of the fruit peel at the statistical level of one percent (p<0.01). Also, there was no significant difference in total flavonoid traits and antioxidant capacity of fruit pulp. The highest amount of total phenolic, total flavonoid and percentage of antioxidant activity was found in the trifoliate orange rootstock. Also, between the fruit organs, phenolic compounds were recorded more in the fruit peel compare to the fruit pulp. The peel of orange is more exposed to ultraviolet rays and changes in environmental conditions, Therefore more secondary metabolites accumulate in that part of the plant. The highest relative expression of fruit pulp sucrose phosphate synthase1 gene was obtained in the Citrange rootstock. ConclusionThe vigor of different citrus rootstocks caused the dwarf trees to have a higher accumulation rate of phytochemical indices than the vigorous trees. The trifoliate orange rootstock is suitable for fresh consumption due to the early commercial maturity of the fruit. Fruit peel rich in phenolic compounds is used for medicinal purposes. The technical knowledge from this research will be useful for citrus producers in East Mazandaran.
Hassan Farhadi; Mohammad Mehdi Sharifani
Abstract
Introduction: Iran, is the largest producer and exporter of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), among the major pistachio producing countries in the world including USA, Turkey, Italy and Greece. Due to the altered nature of the pistachio, the high yield of the pistachio is due to the fact that the ...
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Introduction: Iran, is the largest producer and exporter of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), among the major pistachio producing countries in the world including USA, Turkey, Italy and Greece. Due to the altered nature of the pistachio, the high yield of the pistachio is due to the fact that the environment is quite suitable and fertility of the female flowers is high. As the edible and consumable part of this fruit is its kernel, it is essential for brain formation, pollination and inoculated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of artificial parent pollination of Integrima species on seed properties obtained by crossing with ‘Fandoghi’ pistachio cultivar and also to compare the effects of Integerrima pollen with domestic pistachio pollen on the quantity and quality of pistachio fruits and seeds. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in one of Astan Qods Razavi pistachio gardens in Bardsaskan-Anabed city, 297 km from Mashhad during 2018-2019. Experimental treatments included two pollinator methods (spray and brush) and five flour-pollen combinations. Each replicate had one tree and five branches that were selected from each tree with at least three to four flower buds. Four of them were controlled for pollination and one branch was considered for negative control. The branches were insulated by two-layer bags. The fruits were harvested in late summer and some quantitative and qualitative traits were measured. Results and Discussion: Analysis of variance showed that the effect of flour-pollen blend on fruit formation of ‘Fandoghi’ cultivar in the first stage was significant (p≤0.01), but there was not a significant difference between the simple effect of their pollen and the interaction of their mixture and pollen (p≤0.05). The amount of fruit formation in the second stage showed a significant difference with respect to the simple effect of flour-pollen blend (p≤0.01) but there were no significant differences between the mixture and pollinator for simple and their interaction effects (p≤0.05). All of the simple and interactions effects of variations were significant (p≤0.01) on the final stage of fruits shape of ‘Fandoghi’ cultivar. Fruit loss was significantly (p≤0.01) affected by simple effect of flour-pollen blend, but there was no significant difference (p≤0.05) of simple and interaction effects of their pollen between blend and pollen variations. None of the simple and interaction effects of variations were not significant on wet weight of fruit. No significant difference was observed between the effect of pollen and pollen interactions between the mixture and their pollen, and the effect of simple mixture of flour-pollen show significant (p≤0.01). The effect of pollen and flour-pollen mixture on dehiscent was significant (p≤0.01), but the interaction of pollen in the mixture was not significant. Correlation coefficients of traits under evaluation showed that there was a significant positive and negative correlation between different traits, so that the highest positive and significant correlation (88%) was observed between the second stage and the final stage of fruit formation.
Hassan Farhadi; Mohammad Mehdi Sharifani; Mehdi Alizadeh; Hossein Hokmabadi; Sasan Aliniaeifard
Abstract
Introduction: Agriculture of Iran is known worldwide for its pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) and is one of the most important non-oil exports. Therefore, attempts to improve the yield can be one of the primary goals in the pistachio industry in Iran. Due to the drought problem in Iran, increasing the cultivation ...
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Introduction: Agriculture of Iran is known worldwide for its pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) and is one of the most important non-oil exports. Therefore, attempts to improve the yield can be one of the primary goals in the pistachio industry in Iran. Due to the drought problem in Iran, increasing the cultivation area to increase production may not be a good option. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the drought tolerance of different pistachio seedlings from open pollination and pollinated with domestic species pollen and controlled crosses using integerrima pollen in order to find the most tolerant genotypes.
Materials and Methods:
The first step: Controlled pollination and hybrid seed production In order to produce hybrid seeds, a controlled pollination using integerrima pollen grains at Razavi Pistachio Research Institute was conducted for five cultivars; Ahmad Aghaei, Akbari, Sorkheh Hosseini, Garmeh and Fandoghi. Each replication had a tree and from each tree, seven branches were selected that had at least three to four flower buds and four branches from it for controlled pollination, two branches for open pollination and a branch was considered for negative control. Before the flower clusters were fully opened, 70% alcohol was sprayed on the branches to prevent the possibility of unwanted pollen. In order to ensure controlled pollination, in the bud swelling stage, the branches were isolated by double-layered bags measuring 30 × 45 cm. Pollen was collected from the Arzooieh area of Kerman province to select the male parent of integerrima. Then, a combination of flour and integerrima pollen (1:1 ratio) was injected into the insulating bags and pollination was performed. In late summer, hybrid seeds were harvested.
The second stage: Drought resistance test of hybrids obtained from first step The experiment was conducted as factorial based on a Completely Randomized Design with four replications at the research greenhouse located in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources during 2019-2020. The treatments were consisted of ten pistachio genotypes; Ahmad Aghaei, Akbari, Sorkheh Hosseini, Garmeh, Fandoghi and (hybrids between integerrima as the pollinizer and genotypes of Ahmad Aghaie, Akbari, Sorkheh Hosseini, Garmeh and Fandoghi were applied as the maternal parent and three levels of drought including control (field capacity), mild stress (65% of field capacity) and severe stress (30% of field capacity) were applied on 3 months old seedlings for 84 days. Seeds obtained from free and controlled pollination were planted in pots with a diameter of 33 cm and a height of 35 cm on April 6, 2017. Three seeds were planted in each experimental unit, and after planting and ensuring establishment, the number of plants in the pot was reduced to the final level of one in each pot. Each replication was consisted of four experimental units or four pots, and each pot was contained a plant. At the end of the experiment, growth and physiological parameters were measured. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SAS 9.1 software.
Results and Discussion: Results of statistical analysis showed drought stress had a significant effect on leaf number, stem length, root length, leaf relative water content, electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and leaf and root proline content. With increasing drought levels, all traits except root length, electrolyte leakage and proline content were reduced in comparison with control. Sorkheh Hosseini × integerrima, Ahmad Aghaei × integerrima, Akbari × integerrima interactions and genotypes of fandoghi and fandoghi × integerrima interaction were superior in the most of traits by drought, respectively. Based on the results it seems hybrids of Sorkhe Hosseini × integerrima, Ahmad Aghaei × integerrima and Akbari× integerrima crosses will be used as genotypes with dry-tolerant genes to modify cultivars in arid regions.
Isa Karamatlou; Mohammad Mehdi Sharifani; Hossein Sabori
Abstract
Introduction: Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a large, wind-pollinated, monoecious, dichogamous, long lived, perennial tree cultivated for its high quality wood and nuts throughout the temperate regions of the world. Growth model methodology has been widely used in the modeling of plant growth. ...
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Introduction: Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a large, wind-pollinated, monoecious, dichogamous, long lived, perennial tree cultivated for its high quality wood and nuts throughout the temperate regions of the world. Growth model methodology has been widely used in the modeling of plant growth. Mathematical models are important tools to study the plant growth and agricultural systems. These models can be applied for decision-making anddesigning management procedures in horticulture. Through growth analysis, planning for planting systems, fertilization, pruning operations, harvest time as well as obtaining economical yield can be more accessible.Non-linear models are more difficult to specify and estimate than linear models. This research was aimed to studynon-linear regression models based on data obtained from fruit weight, length and width. Selecting the best models which explain that fruit inherent growth pattern of Persian walnut was a further goal of this study.
Materials and Methods: The experimental material comprising 14 Persian walnut genotypes propagated by seed collected from a walnut orchard in Golestan province, Minoudasht region, Iran, at latitude 37◦04’N; longitude 55◦32’E; altitude 1060 m, in a silt loam soil type. These genotypes were selected as a representative sampling of the many walnut genotypes available throughout the Northeastern Iran. The age range of walnut trees was 30 to 50 years. The annual mean temperature at the location is16.3◦C, with annual mean rainfall of 690 mm.The data used here is the average of walnut fresh fruit and measured withgram/millimeter/day in2011.According to the data distribution pattern, several equations have been proposed to describesigmoidal growth patterns. Here, we used double-sigmoid and logistic–monomolecular models to evaluate fruit growth based on fruit weight and4different regression models in cluding Richards, Gompertz, Logistic and Exponential growth for evaluation of fruit growth according to length and width(diameter) of fruit. Then to determine the most efficient model, different parameters of evaluation of model fitting were used. The best model was selected based on the highest value of R2and the lowest values for RMSE, AIC and BIC. The data were analyzed using SAS software (version 9.2) and Solver in Microsoft Excel.
Results and Discussion
Growth model based on fruit weight: According to the actual and estimated growth model based on fruit weight, double sigmoid function and logistic–monomolecular model showed a good prediction of fruit weight changes versus time data (days after full bloom). However, in general according to evaluation criteria, double sigmoid model was the best model to predict walnut fruit weight. Based on total fruit weight, fruit growth occurs at two stages: in the beginning of the growth phase, there is a slow growth for 30 days and then it is continued with a rapid growth until 60 days after full bloom. Thereafter, growth was again slow. At the beginning of the second phase of growth (70 to 85 days after full bloom), fruit growth increased again and then, walnut fruits started to ripe on the tree in summer, bright green husk (outer pericarp layer) changed to a yellowish color and the growth again decreased (130 days after full bloom).
Growth model based on fruit length and width measurements: Based on the actual and estimated growth pattern the Richard model describes the growth of fruit better than other models. The first phase lasted for about 15 days and the second phase of growth was very rapid and it lasted for 35 daysin most of genotypes. Then, fruit length and width did not change significantly until harvesting time. However, due to subtle changes of fruit length and width following fruit rapid growth stage, fruit weight is preferred for describing fruit growth of the Persian walnut. During the first phase of development, increasing size and weight are associated with the formation of new and larger cells and tissues. The second phase includes attainment of final nut form, and it is characterized mainly by chemical changes. These include changes in the shell as the cells become lignified and more important changes in kernel composition.
Conclusion: Based on thes tatistical testing and goodness of the fit, the best model between six nonlinear growth models, was double-sigmoid and Richard model swhich can be used to accurately predict fruit growth based on fruit weight, fruit lengt hand width, respectively.
Fatemeh Sadeghian; Esmaeil Seifi; Ali Dadar; Mehdi Alizadeh; Mohammad Mehdi Sharifani
Abstract
Introduction: Green pruning or summer pruning completes winter pruning, and it is conducted during the growing season. The purpose of green pruning is to maximize yield of high quality grapes. Green pruning in fruit trees improves light penetration and increases the quality of fruits. The objectives ...
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Introduction: Green pruning or summer pruning completes winter pruning, and it is conducted during the growing season. The purpose of green pruning is to maximize yield of high quality grapes. Green pruning in fruit trees improves light penetration and increases the quality of fruits. The objectives of this research were to determine the influence of green pruning on fruit quantitative and qualitative attributes in grapevine cultivar 'keshmeshi'.
Materials and Methods: The present research was undertaken in Shirvan, Northern Khorasan province. The vines were highly uniform, 17 years old and all had equal vegetative growth strength.The planting distances were 3 × 3 m. The present study was conducted on cultivar 'Keshmeshi' that is considered to be one of the best grapevine cultivars mostly used for raisin production as well as table fresh fruits. In order to evaluate the effect of green pruning on different quantitative and qualitative attributes of fruits in cultivar "keshmeshi", the experiment was carried out in two way randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and three replications. Vines were pruned three times including full bloom, two weeks after full bloom and veraison (eight weeks after full bloom). Pruning was carried out in three levels including tipping after two, four or six nodes above the final cluster. The characteristics studied were cluster weight, berry weight, cluster length and width, berry length and width, number of cluster and berry, vine yield, leaf area, soluble solid, total acidity, pH, berry color, berry sunscald and number of shot berry. The SAS software (SAS, version 9.1) was used for statistical analysis of the recorded data. The mean comparison was performed based on Duncan's multiple range tests at %5 and %1 levels.
Results and Discussion: The results of this study indicate that the severity of green pruning has no significant effect on the number and width of berries. This treatment also had no significant effect on the number of cluster. However, there were some significant effects on the TSS (P < 0.05) and on other attributes at P< 0.01.The time of green pruning had some significant effects on almost all attributes at P< 0.01 and on cluster weight, pH and berry color at P < 0.05; but it showed no significant effect on the number of clusters, TSS and TA. The results showed the reciprocal effect of treatments had a significant impact on the length and width of clusters and the length of berries, weight of clusters and berries, number of berries and shotberries, leaf area and pH (P < 0.01). The reciprocal effect of treatments caused a significant effect on the TSS and berry color at P< 0.05; but it showed no significant effect on yield, number of clusters, TAand the percentage of sunburn. The maximum length of clusters (31.47 cm) and berries (16.80 mm), width of cluster (12.98 cm), weight of cluster (344.33 g) and berry (1.85 g), number of berries/cluster (233.53) and leaf area (193.20 cm2) was observed following six-nodes pruning at verasion stage compared to other treatments. The treatment of two and four nodes at full bloom and two weeks after that, reduced the leaf area and also the rate of photosynthesis, and the amount of carbohydrates will be decreased. Subsequently yield component will be decreased.
Conclusion: According to the result of this study, green pruning improved fruit juice quality and increased grapevine yield. Six-nodes-pruning at verasion stage did not have any negative influence on yield compared to other treatments and increased the fruit quality compared to control. Two and four-nodes-pruning in full bloom decreased the yield components but increased soluble solid, pH and improved berry color.
