The Effect of Foliar Spray of different Calcium Sources on Antioxidant Properties and Quality of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea cv. botrytis ‘Romanesco’)

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Reza Najafi
• Taher Barzegar

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jhs.2021.70150.1047

Abstract

Introduction
 Cauliflower is one of the world’s most important vegetable crops. The edible head of the cauliflower is called curd, which is composed of many florets formed of aborted floral meristems. Curd has various components with high nutritional value including glucosinolates, vitamin A and C, phenolic compounds, and carotenoids, which exert beneficial effects on our health. Calcium is an essential macronutrient that plays a vital role in maintains cell wall stability, integrity and determining the fruit quality. Several researches have explored the effects of calcium salts on plant growth and quality in many horticulture crops. Various studies indicate that Ca²⁺ reduced peroxidation of lipid, increased activity of antioxidant enzyme and improve osmotic adjustment of cell membranes. Plant roots absorb calcium from the soil solution in the form of Ca²⁺ ions. The mobility of calcium in plant is low, and the root uptake from fertilized soils is poorly effective in increasing the calcium content in leaves and fruits. Deficiency of Ca will appear in younger leaves and in fruits, due to its low rate of transpiration. Thence, it is necessary to have a constant supply of calcium to continue growing. The direct application of liquid source of calcium on leaves and fruits may offer an alternative solution. The efficiency of foliar application with Ca depends on the source of Ca and applied dosage. To our knowledge, however, little information is available regarding the effect of different calcium sources on cauliflower. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar spray of calcium sources on quality and antioxidant properties of cauliflower cv. Romansco.
Material and Methods
 In order to evaluate the effect of different sources of calcium on antioxidant properties and quality of cauliflower cv. Romansco, the field experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with three replication during 2018 at Research farm of faculty of Agriculture, at the University of Zanjan, Iran. Cauliflower plants (cv. Romanesco) were cultivated by applying conventional farming practice for growing in open air conditions. Different calcium sources including calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)₂, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 %), calcium chloride (CaCl₂, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 %) and calcium lactate ( C₆H₁₀CaO₆, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g L^-1) were sprayed in vegetative stage and 10 days after curd formation for 2 times onto the leaves and curd until runoff using a mechanical mist sprayer. Distilled water was used as a control. Potassium, phosphorus, total soluble content, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total phenols and flavonoids, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software package v. for Windows, and means comparison were separated by Duncan’s multiple range tests at p < 0.05.
Results and Discussion
 The results showed that foliar spray of different Ca sources significantly increased K content and decreased P content. The highest amount of K (5.6 µg mg^-1DW) was achieved in CaCl 0.9% treatment. The highest value of flavonoids (0.86 and 0.85 %) was found in plants treated with CaL 1.5 g L^-1 and CaCl 0.9%, respectively. In this study, also it was found that foliar spray of CaN 1.5% and CaCl 0.9% increased respectively 49.3 and 40.4% vitamin C content compared to control plants. Ca application with increasing phenolic compound and vitamin C contents, improved antioxidant capacity and the maximum antioxidant capacity (26.19%) was found in CaL 1.5 g L^-1 and CaN 1.5% treatments. Application of Ca sources increased TA and TSS content. The highest TSS content (12.5 and 13.3 ºB) was achievd in CaCl 0.9% and CaL 1.5 g L^-1 and the maximum TA (28.8%) was found in plant treated with CaCl 0.9%. In this regard, foliar application of high level of calcium sources was more efficient than of lower levels on cauliflower quality. Therefore, the leaf application of calcium can be effective in improving the quality of vegetables, especially cauliflower.
Conclusion
 Study results suggest that spraying different Ca source improved quality and antioxidant properties of cauliflower cv. Romanesco, so that with the application of Ca salts increase K, vitamin C, phenol and flavonoids contents. Among the calcium treatments used, higher levels of all three salts of CaCl, CaN and CaL had the most influence, so these calcium treatments are recommended to improve the quality and antioxidant properties of Romanesco cultivar.

Keywords

• Antioxidant activity
• Potassium
• Total soluble solids
• Vitamin C

20.1001.1.20084730.1401.36.3.3.4

Main Subjects

• Growing vegetables

References

• Aghdam, M.S., Dokhanieh, A.Y., Hassanpour, H., & Fard, J.R. (2013). Enhancement of antioxidant capacity of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) fruit by postharvest calcium treatment. Scientia Horticulturae161: 160-164. . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2013.07.006   
• Azizi, F., Razavi, F., Rabie, W., & Hassani, A. (2019). Effects of pre-harvest calcium compounds foliar application on quality and antioxidant properties of pear cv “Dargazi”. Horticultural Plant Nutrition 1: 129-144. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22070/hpn.2019.4640.1039.
• Babalar, M., Dowlati Baneh, A., & Sherafatian, D. (2009). Effect of CaCl₂ in postharvest on storage quality of two varieties of grape, Iran. Seed and Plant Improvement Journal7(1): 128-141.‏
• Barbagallo, R.N., Chisari, M., & Caputa, G. (2012). Effects of calcium citrate and ascorbate as inhibitors of browning and softening in minimally processed ‘Birgah’eggplants. Postharvest Biology and Technology 73: 107-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2012.06.006.
• Barzegar, T., Fateh, M., & Razavi, F. (2018). Enhancement of postharvest sensory quality and antioxidant capacity of sweet pepper fruits by foliar applying calcium lactate and ascorbic acid. Scientia Horticulturae 241: 293-303.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.07.011.
• Buczkowska, H., Michalojc, Z., & Nurzynska-Wierdak, R. (2016). Yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper depending on foliar application of calcium. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry40(2): 222-228.‏ https://doi.org/10.3906/tar-1501-56.
• Castaneda, P., & Pérez L.M. (1996). Calcium ions promote the response of citrus Limon against fungal elicitors or wounding. Phytochemistry 42(3): 595-598.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00981-7.
• Cottenie, A. (1980). Soil and plant testing as a basis of fertilizer recommendations (No. 38/2).‏
• Dehghan, G., & Khoshkam, Z. (2012). Tin (II)– quercetin complex: Synthesis, spectral characterization and antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry 131(2): 422-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.08.074.
• Dutilleul, C., Garmier, M., Noctor, G., Mathieu, C., Chétrit, P., Foyer, C.H., & de Paepe, R. (2003). Leaf mitochondria modulate whole cell redox homeostasis, set antioxidant capacity, and determine stress resistance through altered signaling and diurnal regulation. The Plant Cell15(5): 1212-1226.‏ https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.009464.
• El-Mogy, M.M., Mahmoud, A.W.M., El-Sawy, M.B.I., & Parmar, A. (2019). Pre-harvest foliar application of mineral nutrients to retard chlorophyll degradation and preserve bio-active compounds in broccoli. Agronomy 9(11): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110711.
• Fallik, E., & Ilic, Z. (2018). Preharvest modulation of postharvest fruit and vegetable quality. p. 139-168. In: Siddiqui M.W. (eds) Pre-and postharvest treatments affecting flavor quality of fruits and vegetables. AAP-CRC Press, USA.
• Fanasca, S., Colla, G., Maiani, G., Venneria, E., Rouphael, Y., Azzini, E., & Saccardo, F. (2006). Changes in antioxidant content of tomato fruits in response to cultivar and nutrient solution composition. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry54(12): 4319-4325.‏ https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0602572. 
• Farhoudi, R., Mehrnia, M.A., & Lee, D.J. (2017). Antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds of five Jalopeno pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars. Natural Product Research 6: 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1410801.
• Garcia, J.M., Herrera, S., & Morilla, A. (1996). Effects of postharvest dips in calcium chloride on strawberry. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry44(1): 30-33. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf950334l.   ‏
• Gocher, P., Soni, A.K., Mahawar, A.K., Singh, S.P., & Koodi, S. (2017). Response of NPK and sulphur on nutrient analysis and quality attributes of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis L.). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 6(7): 4364-4371. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.607.454.
• Hosseini, F., Amiri, M.E., & Razavi, F. (2019). Improvement of anthocyanin and antioxidant properties of strawberry (cv. Amaros) by calcium lactate and potassium sorbate application. Journal of Plant Production 42(4): 455-468. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2019.25261.1580.
• Jalili Marandi, R. (2004). Postharvest physiology (Handling and storage of fruits and vegetables and ornamental plants). Jahad-e-Daneshgahi of Urmia University publication. 276p.‏
• Kader, M.A., & Lindberg, S. (2010). Cytosolic calcium and pH signaling in plants under salinity stress. Plant Signaling and Behavior 5(3): 233-238.‏ https://doi.org/10.4161/psb.5.3.10740.
• Kadir, S.A. (2005). Fruit quality at harvest of “Jonathan” apple treated with foliarly-applied calcium chloride. Journal of Plant Nutrition27(11): 1991-2006.‏ https://doi.org/10.1081/PLN-200030102.
• Khani, A., Barzegar, T., Nikbakht, J., & Ghahremani, Z. (2020). Effect of foliar spray of calcium lactate on the growth, yield and biochemical attribute of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under water deficit stress. Advances in Horticultural Science 34(1): 11­24. https://doi.org/10.13128/ahsc-8252.
• Kou, L., Yang, T., Liu, X., & Lou, Y. (2015). Effects of pre- and postharvest calcium treatments on shelf life and postharvest quality of broccoli microgreens. Horticultural Science 50(12): 1801–1808. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.50.12.1801.
• Koutinas, N., Sotiropoulos, T., Petridis, A., Almaliotis, D., Deligeorgis, E., Therios, I., & Voulgarakis, N. (2010). Effects of preharvest calcium foliar sprays on several fruit quality attributes and nutritional status of the kiwifruit cultivar Tsechelidis. HortScience 45(6): 984-987.‏https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.45.6.984.
• Liu, K., Yuan, C., Chen, Y., Li, H., & Liu, J. (2014). Combined effects of ascorbic acid and chitosan on the quality maintenance and shelf life of plums. Scientia Horticulturae176: 45-53.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2014.06.027.
• Malakouti, M.J., & Tabatabaei, S.J. (1998). The effects of calcium chloride on firmness and qualitative properties of Lebanese Red Delicious apples. Journal of Soil and Water Research Institute 1: 12-63. (In Persian with English abstract)
• Malakouti, M., & Tehrani, V.M. (2000). The role of micronutrients on increasing yield and quality improvement of agricultural crops in the minor crops with the major impacts. Second Edition, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) Press, 292 pages.
• Martin-Diana, A.B., Rico, D., Barry-Ryan, C., Frias, J.M., Mulcahy, J., & Henehan, G.T. (2005). Calcium lactate washing treatments for salad-cut Iceberg lettuce: Effect of temperature and concentration on quality retention parameters. Food Research International38(7): 729-740.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2005.02.005.
• Michalojc, Z., & Dzida, K. (2012). Yielding and biological value of sweet pepper fruits depending on foliar feeding using calcium. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Hortorum Cultus 11(3): 255-264. https://doi.org/10.3906/tar-1501-56.
• Motesharezadeh, B., Zarbizadeh, M., Savaghebi, G., Delshad, M., Hosseini, S.M., & Bekhradi, F. (2018). Effects of different levels of calcium nitrate on some morpho-physiological and nutritional traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science 48(3): 535-544. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2017.33530.379.
• Mullins, G. (2009). Phosphorus, agriculture and the environment.Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 1-12.
• Niazi, H., Barzegar, B., Ghahremani, Z., & Nadirkhanlou, L. (2021). Effect of light duration and calcium on growth, yield and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa New Red Fire). Journal of Vegetables Sciences 4(2): (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22034/iuvs.2021.521006.1135.
• Ochmian, I. (2012). The impact of foliar application of calcium fertilizers on the quality of highbush blueberry fruits belonging to the ‘Duke’ cultivar. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici 40(2): 163-169. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha4028058.
• Riad, G., Ghoname, A., Ahmed, A., El-Baky, M.A., & Hegazi, A. (2009). Cabbage nutritional quality as influenced by planting density and nitrogen fertilization. Fruit, Vegetable and Cereal Science and Biotechnology3(1): 68-74.
• Rimmer, D.L. (2006). Free radicals, antioxidants, and soil organic matter recalcitrance. European Journal of Soil Science57(2): 91-94.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2005.00735.x.
• Sánchez-Madrigal, M.Á., Neder-Suárez, D., Quintero-Ramos, A., Ruiz-Gutiérrez, M.G., Meléndez-Pizarro, C.O., Piñón-Castillo, H.A., & Ramírez-Wong, B. (2015). Physicochemical properties of frozen tortillas from nixtamalized maize flours enriched with β-glucans. Food Science and Technology35(3): 552-560.‏ https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-457X.6715.
• Sayyari, M., & Alvandi, S. (2017). The effect of calcium ascorbate and heat treatment on increase the shelf life of button mushroom. Journal of Crops Improvement 18(4): 921-933 (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22059/jci.2017.56665.
• Singleton, V.L., & Rossi, J.A. (1965). Colorimetry of total phenolics with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. American journal of Enology and Viticulture 16(3). 144-158.‏
• Singh, S.A.K., & Joshi, H.K. (2005). Prolong storability of Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) under semi-arid ecosystem of Gujarat. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 75: 647-650.
• Singh, J., Singh, M., Jain, A., Bhardwaj, S., Singh, A., Singh, D.K., Bhushan, B., & Dubey, S.K. (2014). An introduction of plant nutrients and foliar fertilization. Precision Farming 258-320. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1629.3844.
• Tabatabaei, S.A.J. (2014). Mineral nutrition of plants. Tabriz University Press. Pp. 145-146. (In Persian)
• Wang, Y., & Long, L.E. (2015). Physiological and biochemical changes relating to postharvest splitting of sweet cherries affected by calcium application in hydrocooling water. Food Chemistery 181: 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.02.100.