Nader Yaghubi Akram; Ali Imani; Davood Sadeghzadeh-Ahari
Abstract
Introduction: Apple tree is one of the widely grown fruit crops in Iran. Apple is not only consumed as fresh fruit in Iran but also it is one of the most important export products in country. Iran has a good ranking among the first world ten apple producing countries and it annual production is about ...
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Introduction: Apple tree is one of the widely grown fruit crops in Iran. Apple is not only consumed as fresh fruit in Iran but also it is one of the most important export products in country. Iran has a good ranking among the first world ten apple producing countries and it annual production is about three million tons. Although Iran has acceptable ranking in the case of apple production in the world, but its mean yield is about 13 tons per hectare. Unsuited nourishing and unbalancing of the nutrients in the soils is one of the reasons for reducing of apple yields in most parts of Iran.
Calcium (Ca) is one of the plant nutrients that most closely related to improvement of fruit quality and increasing of fruits shelf life. Calcium mobilization from leaf to fruit is controlling by transpiration of plant. With growing of fruits, calcium deficiency will be increase especially in high temperature and drought condition because of dilution effect.
Calcium ions bind tightly to the pectins in the cell walls and produce cationic bridges between pectic acids, or between pectic acids and other acidic polysaccharides. These bridges make the cell walls less accessible to the action of pectolytic enzymes.
It is suggested that addition of calcium to fruit can either enhance resistance of fruit to postharvest pathogens or reduce susceptibility to postharvest diseases and disorders.
Calcium chloride (Ca Cl2) and calcium nitrate [Ca (NO3)2] are commonly used for foliar sprays. Application of calcium chloride has been reported to control fruit disorders and improve fruit quality of apples and pears. Calcium chloride solution by immersion did not significantly differ from the untreated control in pH, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TA).
Boron is an essential micronutrient required for optimal yield and quality of apple fruit. Its availability to plants decreases with increasing of soil pH and under drought condition. Boron deficiencies may reduce Ca movement in a tree. Boron plays a significant role in pollination success and it plays a role in the trees ability to translocation of Ca from the roots to other parts of the tree. Foliar application of boron is preferred over soil application because of the very narrow range from deficient to toxic levels. Efficiency of calcium and boron increases plant height by increasing mitotic activity in the terminal meristems.
Dwarfing rootstocks have been used in most parts of the world. They have more differences in adaptability with different soils and agro-climatologically conditions. Recently using from East Maling 9 (M9) and Maling Merton 106 (MM106) has been extended in Iranian apple gardens.
Regarding to the difficulties of apple growing gardens in Iran that due to appearing serious difficulties in nutrients absorption by plants and importance of improvement of qualitative and quantitative apple production on the other hand, this study carried out.
Materials and Methods: The research study was conducted at the Khorramdarreh region located in 36○.13' eastern longitude and 49○.12' northern altitude and 1560 meter above the free seas levels, during spring and summer 2014 to determine the influence of foliar calcium chloride + calcium nitrate and boron mixture application on growth and yield performance of Star King apple cultivar grafted on M 9 and MM 106 rootstocks. Trees were nine years old. The experiment was laid out in factorial based on randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications. Factor A was rootstock in two level(M 9 and MM 106) and factor B was foliar spraying of calcium chloride + calcium nitrate and boron mixture with three levels(0, 3000 and 5000 ppm).
Mixture of calcium chloride, calcium nitrate and borax (3000 and 5000 ppm), were applied as foliar spray in four times with 22 days interval started from 28 of June (after June drop). A back-held spray pump was used for foliar application of the chemicals. After spraying two branches were selected at two eastern and western directions with 80-100 centimeter length and 1-1.5 centimeter diameter for noting the growing related traits such as length and diameter of new branches also the tress height and diameter were noted. After ripening of the fruits, ten randomly selected fruit were picked around the tree canopy from each treatment and in laboratory some qualitative characteristics such as pH, titrable acid and total soluble solids of them were tested.
The data were analyzed using MSTAT-C software and treatment means were separated by the Duncans Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 0.05% level of significance.
Results and Discussion: Results showed that effect of rootstock factor was significant on length of new branches, tree diameter, annual increasing of tree diameter and fruit pH. The highest length of new branches (30.56 cm) belonged to MM 106 rootstock that 47% increased comparing with M9 new branches length. The lowest tree diameter was 11.50 cm and belonged to M 9 rootstock that decreased about 51% comparing with MM 106 rootstock. The highest annual increasing of tree diameter (6.8 mm) belonged to MM 106. The maximum fruit pH (4.7) belonged to M9 rootstock that had significantly differences with fruit pH in MM 106(4.5).Concentration factor had significantly effect on individual tree fruit yield, yields per hectare, length and diameter of new branches, trees height and diameter, annual increasing of tree diameter, fruit total soluble solid, fruit juice and fruits texture hardiness. Interaction effect of rootstock × concentration was significant only on length of new branches. With increasing of solution mixture (calcium chloride + calcium nitrate and boron) concentration, growing of new branches (in length and diameter), trees height and diameter were increased.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from these results that three time foliar application of calcium chloride + calcium nitrate and boron mixture on Star King apple cultivar grafted on M 9 and MM 106, results in a significant increase in tree and fruit qualitative and quantitative production. According to the results of study spraying of Star King apple cultivar with 5000 ppm concentration of calcium chloride + calcium nitrate and boron mixture, recommended in Khorramdarreh region.
Mohammad Reza Asghari; Zahra Azarsharif; Hossein Tajik; Alireza Farrokhzad
Abstract
Introduction: Galbanum, an aromatic oleo-resin gum, is produced from umbelliferous Persian plant species in the genus Ferula with the common Persian name “Barije”, chiefly endemic flora of the mountain ranges of northern Iran. Cuminum cyminum is an edible medicinal plant, which is widely distributed ...
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Introduction: Galbanum, an aromatic oleo-resin gum, is produced from umbelliferous Persian plant species in the genus Ferula with the common Persian name “Barije”, chiefly endemic flora of the mountain ranges of northern Iran. Cuminum cyminum is an edible medicinal plant, which is widely distributed in Iran, Turkey, India, Egypt and Central America countries. Calcium (Ca2+) is a secondary messenger that plays pivotal roles (such as cell wall structure, signaling in fruit ripening and ethylene biosynthesis) in regulating physiological functions in fruits, vegetables and flowers during postharvest life. Sweet cherry is one of the most popular fruits among consumers because of its good taste and abundant nutrients and bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. This fruit is a highly perishable product due to its high respiration rate and rapid softening process at room temperature, which ultimately cause the color changes, weight loss, browning and changes of nutrients and restrict its shelf life. Several studies have demonstrated that the postharvest life of sweet cherries can be extended by different preservation techniques, such as refrigeration, synthetic chemical fungicides, modified atmosphere packaging, osmotic treatments, hypobaric treatments, heat treatments and edible coating. In the last several years, edible coatings have been widely studied for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. Edible coating with semipermeable films might extend the postharvest life of sweet cherry through a reduction of moisture migration, gas exchange, respiration and oxidative reaction rates. Materials and Methods: Healthy fruits, uniform in size, shape, color, and degree of maturity were selected from sweet cherries collected from orchard in Kahriz located in Urmia. Effects of galbanum gum (0, 1, 2 and 3% W/V), cumin essential oil (0, 100 and 200 µl/l) and calcium chloride (0 and 1% W/V) coating on the physiological and quality responses of sweet cherry (Prunus avium Cv. Siah Mashhad) fruit were investigated. The fruits were coated, and stored at 2±1 ºC and 90-95% relative humidity for 30 day and then transferred to 20 ºC for an additional 1 day. The quality of sweet cherries was analyzed at the initial day, 15-day after storage in 2±1 ºC and 30-day after storage in 2±1 ºC+ an additional 1 day in 20 ºC. Different qualitative and physicochemical attributes including pH, total soluble solid, titrable acidity, fruit water content and moisture percentage, proline, malondialdehyde, phenyl alanine amonialyase (PAL) enzyme activity and nutraceutical (total phenol and flavonoid) evaluations were performed. Statistical analysis of data was done by SAS (version 9.4) and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan's multiple range test. Result and Discussion: Significant differences were observed in fruit coated galbanum gum 1% W/V, cumin essential oil 200 µl/l and calcium chloride 1% W/V as compared to the control. The coating applications including gum, cumin essence and calcium chloride resulted in slower rise of pH and TSS, and were effective in maintaining higher titrable acidity, fruit water content, moisture percentage, PAL enzyme activity, total phenol and flavonoid. Coating with 1% W/V galbanum gum combined with 1% W/V calcium chloride resulted in highest increase of PAL enzyme activity and total phenol 15-day after storage, which effectively prevented rapid decline enzyme activity and phenolic compound to the end of storage. The combined coating of galbanum gum 2% W/V with CaCl2 1% W/V or 200 µl/l cumin essential oil significantly maintained total flavonoid 30-day after storage in 2±1 ºC + an additional 1 day in 20ºC; These treatment are not significantly different with galbanum gum 1% W/V with CaCl2 1% W/V or 200 µl/l cumin essential oil. Concomitantly proline content (0.002748 mgr/gr F.W.) was at higher levels and malondialdehyde (0.0320 mmol/gr F.W.) at lower levels in tissues of treated fruit with 1% W/V CaCl2 compared with those of control fruit at the end of storage. Conclusion: Fruit and vegetables are highly perishable, and the causes of postharvest losses can generally be ascribed to physiological deterioration associated with consumption of the internal water and reserve substances. In addition, increasing public concern towards healthy foods has contributed to the promotion of interest in the development of alternative (Safe) methods for controlling postharvest decay and deterioration. These results suggest that galbanum gum, cumin essence and CaCl2 treatments delayed the development of senescence process ‘Siah mashhad’ sweet cherry by delaying the loss of quality parameters, polyphenol substances and maintaining the structural integrity of cell membrane. Application of 1% W/V galbanum gum coating combined with 1% W/V CaCl2 might be enhanced low temperature tolerance by maintaining quality parameters, antioxidant compound and shelf life of sweet cherry fruits.
Mohammad Safa; Jafar Hajilou; Rahim Nagshiband Hasani; Mohammad Ganbari Najar
Abstract
Introduction: Fruits and vegetables have special importance as a very important part of the human food supply. And from the beginnings of life, man has used these products to supply a part of his food. Nowadays, horticultural products are widely used in the diet. Cherry is one of the deciduous trees ...
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Introduction: Fruits and vegetables have special importance as a very important part of the human food supply. And from the beginnings of life, man has used these products to supply a part of his food. Nowadays, horticultural products are widely used in the diet. Cherry is one of the deciduous trees in the temperate regions, which is potassium rich. Use of Oxalic acid significantly reduces frost injury in pomegranate fruits during storage at a temperature of 2° C. In fruit trees, the importance of calcium is due to a delay in fruit ripening process and this way products have better portability.
Materials and Methods: Firmness test was measured using the FT011 model of penetrometer. For determination of titratable acidity, the 0.1 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) titration method was used. Total Soluble solids content (SSC) of fruit was measured by a digital refractometer (PAL-1). For determination of vitamin C in fruit juices, titration method with the indicator, 2,6-di-chlorophenolindophenol was used. Fruit juice pH was measured using pH meter model HI 9811.In order to investigate the effect of postharvest soaking treatment with Oxalic acid on the qualitative specifications and storage life of single grain sweet cherry fruit a research was conducted. This experience was conducted in a completely randomized design with 3 replications separately for the two materials. In this experiment Oxalic acid, in four levels (0,4,6 and 8 mM) and Calcium chloride in four levels (0, 40, 55 and 70 mM) were applied on the single grain sweet cherry fruit in the form of soaking and sampleswith7-day intervals for a period of 28 days from the fridge out and quanti tate and qualitative traits such as stiffness, weight loss, Titratable acidity, total soluble solids, vitamin C and pH were measured.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that compared with control ones all of the concentrations of Oxalic acid and Calcium chloride caused significant differences in the amount of weight loss, firmness, Acidity, TSS, vitamin C and pH , so that weight loss rate on the fourth week for control samples was 39/79%, for samples treated with 8mM oxalic acid, 22/77%, and for 70 mM Calcium chloride, 21/19%; total soluble solids weight on the fourth week for control samples was 24/53%; for samples treated with 8mM Oxalic acid 21/43% and for 70 mM Calcium chloride 21/13%; and vitamin C weight on the fourth week for control samples was 2/65; for samples treated with 8Mm Oxalic acid 3/06 and for 70 mM Calcium chloride 3/16; also firmness and acidity were more than that of control.
Conclusion:In fruits treated with different concentrations of calcium chloride, the amounts of firmness, acidity and vitamin C were significantly higher than that of control. Also in treated fruits, the amounts of weight loss, total soluble solids and pH during storage were significantly lower than that of control. In fruits treated with different concentrations of Oxalic acid in fruits, the amounts of firmness, acidity and vitamin C were significantly higher than that of control. And in fruits treated with different concentrations of Oxalic acid, the amounts of weight loss, total soluble solids and pH were significantly lower than that of control. According to the results of this test calcium chloride treatment was better when compared with Oxalic acid.
Vahid Rouhi; Behrooz Shiran; Abdolrahman Mohamadkhani
Abstract
The Zinnia (Zinnia elegans J.) flower has many applications in landscape design, whereas lack of adequate conditions and nutritions in some cases can reduce the quality and number of flowers. Therefore, control of growth conditions is very important related to nutrition and application of growth regulators ...
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The Zinnia (Zinnia elegans J.) flower has many applications in landscape design, whereas lack of adequate conditions and nutritions in some cases can reduce the quality and number of flowers. Therefore, control of growth conditions is very important related to nutrition and application of growth regulators to improve the quality and quantity of flowers. Flower's morphology and longevity are two main factors that are used to evaluate the quality of flowers. Application methods that could increase the vase life, is important. A research conducted to investigate the effects of calcium chloride, gibberellin and Benzyladenin on zinnia quantitative and qualitative characteristics in 2010. Experiment carried out in a factorial in randomized complete block design with four replications at the Sharekord University's research farm. Treatments consisted calcium chloride (0, 0.5 and 1 gram per liter), Gibberellin (0, 75 and 150 mg per liter) and benzyladenine (0, 75 and 150 mg per liter) to be sprayed on plant two times in 10 days interval. The result showed that calcium chloride increased stem diameter, number of lateral shoots and flowers and storage vase life. Gibberellin reduced flower and stem diameter, number of axillary shoots and flower. Gibberellins also reduced the beginning of flowering time from transplanting and increased the vase life of the flower on plant and storage. Furthermore, benzyladenine significantly increased the quality and quantity of plant except the flowering period.
Mehdi Mackvandi; Saadat Shahpory; Ali Akbar Ramin
Abstract
The effects of postharvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and calcium chloride dip or their combination on storage quality of mature-green olives (Olea Europaea cv. mission) were examined. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications, in a factorial ...
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The effects of postharvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and calcium chloride dip or their combination on storage quality of mature-green olives (Olea Europaea cv. mission) were examined. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications, in a factorial array. The effects of treatments were evaluated by recording: chlorophyll (SPAD), quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), skin color and flesh firmness. Results showed that, non-treated fruits (control) softened within 14 days (2 weeks) after harvest, While, postharvest treatment with 1-MCP significantly reduced the fruit softening and color changes. Furthermore, 1-MCP had only minor effect on quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm). The CaCl2 treatments showed a significant reduction in fruit softening, but had no effects on chlorophyll (SPAD), quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and fruit color. It was concluded that the combination of 1-MCP and CaCl2 had synergistic effect on preventing of fruit softening. Hence, olives remained firmness for 35 days at 20oC with minimum softening.
Seyyed Rasul Finidokht; Mohammad Reza Asghari; HABIB Shirzad
Abstract
The use of natural compounds to control plant pathogens lead to reduction in using fungicides. Chitosan with duble effects, control pathogenic microorganisms and activate inducing defence responses, has been shown to be a reliable nontoxic material in the plant-pathogen interaction. The aim of this research ...
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The use of natural compounds to control plant pathogens lead to reduction in using fungicides. Chitosan with duble effects, control pathogenic microorganisms and activate inducing defence responses, has been shown to be a reliable nontoxic material in the plant-pathogen interaction. The aim of this research was to consider the effects of chitosan and calcium chloride on decay and quality attributes of sweet cherry cv. Siah mashhad. This experiment was conducted factorially in the figure of completely randomized design with five replications. Treatments were included of chitosan (0, %0.5 and %1) and Calcium Chloride (0, %1 and %2) and time (20 and 40 days). Measuring factors was included total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA), partability index (PI), pH, weight loss, fruit decay. The results showed that application of chitosan %0.5 alone lead to stabilize soluble solids, organic acid, pH and fruit weight, also partability index and fruit rot was decreased. In short time storage (20 days) CaCl2 stabilize organic acids and fruit weight and caused partability index, pH, fruit decay to be decreased but fruit soluble solids increased. In total simple treatment of calcium chloride and chitosn showed better results compared to combination treatments on measured parameters.
