Plant Productions

Effect of preharvest foliar spraying of compounds containing calcium and potassiumon on the shelf life of thornless blackberry

ehsan alinezhad; Mehdi hadadinejad; Kamran Ghasemi; Morteza Soleimani Aghdam

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 28 September 2024

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2024.46550.2157

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Blackberries due to the lack of protective layer or cuticle, are sensitive to decay and weight loss wrinkle after harvest. Therefore, blackberry have a short ... Read More Background and Objectives: Blackberries due to the lack of protective layer or cuticle, are sensitive to decay and weight loss wrinkle after harvest. Therefore, blackberry have a short life and long-term storage of blackberry is difficult. For this reason, in this study, the effect of pre-harvest treatments on the shelf life of thornless blackberry was investigated. Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted in 2020 as a factorial in the form of a completely randomized design with two factors in three replications. The first factor consisted of nutritional treatments at five levels (control, calcium nitrate 5 g/L, potassium silicate 1 g/L, calcium nitrate 5 g/L + potassium silicate 1 g/L, and potassium fertilizer 51-0-0 with a concentration of 3.5 g/L) which applied in stage fruitset. The second factor was storage time in cold storage(4 ͦC) at four levels (0, 6, 12 and 18 days post harvesting). Qualitative traits (percentage of weight loss and firmness of the fruit), sensory quality (pH of the extract, soluble solids, taste index, ascorbic acid), nutritional value (total phenol and anthocyanin), and sensory evaluation (marketability, taste, and color of the fruit) were examined. Results: The results indicated during the storage period of blackberry, the weight loss of the berry showed an increasing trend. The combined treatment of calcium nitrate and potassium silicate significantly reduced berry water loss on the eighteenth day. This treatment also managed to maintain the highest berry firmness (0.21 N) during storage, whereas a decrease in firmness was observed with an increase in storage time. Berry length and width decreased with increased storage time, with the highest values obtained in the control treatment (2.107 and 1.923 centimeters, respectively). The levels of soluble solids and taste index increased from harvest to the twelfth day, with the highest amounts (9 and 4.22, respectively) obtained in the potassium silicate treatment. Also, the examination of the amount of ascorbic acid showed that during the storage period of blackberry, its amount in the control treatment increased until the sixth day and then decreased until the end of the storage period. The application of potassium silicate led to a significant preservation (P≤ 0.05) of vitamin C compared to other treatments during storage, with 9% of vitamin C observed in this treatment on the eighteenth day. The highest amount of phenols during storage, with the application of calcium nitrate and potassium silicate, was 74.75 mg/g gallic acid of fruit extract. Based on the results, fruit anthocyanin also showed the highest amount (189.8 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside per liter of juice) in the combined treatment of calcium nitrate*potassium silicate on the day of harvest.Finally, the sensory parameter evaluation showed that fruit quality decreased with increased storage time, along with a reduction in consumer preference. Among pre-harvest treatments, potassium treatments were found to be more effective. Discussion: The overall results have shown that using a combined treatment of calcium nitrate and potassium silicate increases the firmness of fruit during storage. Additionally, potassium silicate has a positive impact on the soluble solid content and fruit taste index, and it can help preserve vitamin C in the fruit. The use of calcium nitrate and potassium silicate enhances the levels of phenols and anthocyanins in the fruit. While the quality of the fruit may decrease with longer storage time, the use of nutritional treatments can assist farmers and fruit sellers in improving storage and enhancing the quality of their products.

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Evaluation the morphological and phytochemical response of broccoli seedling to the application of sucrose, Bordeaux mixture and potassium silicate under sudden cold stress

Alireza Nickkhoo; Kamran Ghasemi; Vahid Akbarpour

Volume 47, Issue 2 , August 2024, , Pages 259-273

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2024.44617.2120

Abstract

IntroductionBroccoli is a one of the vegetables that has a very high nutritional value and it is cultivated in many countries all around the world. Due to the intensification of climate ... Read More IntroductionBroccoli is a one of the vegetables that has a very high nutritional value and it is cultivated in many countries all around the world. Due to the intensification of climate change, sudden drops in temperature during the winter in northern countries pose a serious threat to some vegetable species, including broccoli. In this study, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sucrose, potassium silicate, and Bordeaux mixture on increasing the tolerance of broccoli seedlings to sudden cold stress. Materials and MethodsThe experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with eight treatments, three replications, and three samples per each replication. The treatments included: control, sucrose1%, potassium silicate 0.2%, Bordeaux mixture 0.2%, sucrose + potassium silicate, sucrose + Bordeaux mixture, potassium silicate + Bordeaux mixture, and sucrose + potassium silicate + Bordeaux mixture. Results and DiscussionThe effect of the treatments on the growth of broccoli seedlings one week after exposure to low temperature stress, including stem height, leaf number, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight, was not statistically significant. The highest concentration of chlorophyll b (1.647 mg/g fresh weight) was obtained in the Bordeaux mixture treatment which along with the combined treatment of sucrose + potassium silicate + Bordeaux mixture were the only treatments that showed a significant superiority compared to the control. The highest transpiration rate among the tested treatments was observed in the sucrose + Bordeaux mixture treatment, which did not show a significant difference compared to the three-component treatment of sucrose + potassium silicate+ Bordeaux mixture, but showed a significant superiority compared to the other treatments. The foliar application of Bordeaux mixture caused a higher stomatal conductance compared to the control after a temperature stress of -2 °C, but the other treatments did not show a significant difference compared to the control. In terms of the non-photochemical quenching (Y(NPQ)), the highest Y(NPQ), was observed in the control and potassium silicate treatments, which was significantly higher than all other treatments. Meanwhile, the lowest level of this index was observed in the potassium silicate+ Bordeaux mixture treatment, which did not show a significant difference compared to the sucrose + potassium silicate, sucrose + potassium, and silicate+ Bordeaux mixture treatments. The highest level of antioxidant activity was observed only in the sucrose treatment and the sucrose + potassium silicate and Bordeaux mixture treatments, which were superior to all other treatments without any significant difference among them. In terms of total phenolic content, only the sucrose+ Bordeaux mixture treatment showed a significant superiority compared to the control, and the other treatments did not show a significant difference from the control. In the trait of soluble sugar content, the sole potassium silicate and the three-component treatments were better than the control, and the other treatments did not show a significant difference compared to the control. The highest ion leakage was observed in the sucrose + Bordeaux mixture treatment, which was higher than the control and all other treatments. The lowest ion leakage was also observed in the sucrose + potassium silicate and potassium silicate+ Bordeaux mixture treatments, although the difference between them and the control and potassium silicate-only treatments was not significant. The highest level of proline was observed in the sucrose+potassium silicate treatment, which was significantly superior to all other treatments. ConclusionSucrose+potassium silicate treatment improved the defense system of the plant against sudden cold stress by increasing the amount of carotenoid and proline, and as a result of these activities, the antioxidant of the whole plant and higher chlorophyll also increased. Also, this treatment showed low ion leakage and low non-photochemical quenching, which can show higher sudden cold tolerance. Another favorable treatment was potassium silicate + bordeaux mixture which produced a higher assimilation rate, although this photosynthetic production did not affect the biomass, but since the ion leakage was low and caused the lowest Y(NPQ), it can be said that the plant in this treatment receive lower stress. Overall, considering all the evaluated traits, the top-performing treatment in this experiment was the potassium silicate+ Bordeaux mixture treatment, followed by the sucrose + potassium silicate treatment..

Effect of vermicompost and nitroxin on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of blackberry

Roya Mousavi; Vida Chalavi; Kamran Ghasemi; Mehdi Hadadinejad

Volume 45, Issue 4 , February 2023, , Pages 491-503

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2023.40821.2034

Abstract

IntroductionBlackberry is a plant of the genus Rubus and family Rosaceae, which due to its nutritional properties has role in human health. One way to increase nutritional properties ... Read More IntroductionBlackberry is a plant of the genus Rubus and family Rosaceae, which due to its nutritional properties has role in human health. One way to increase nutritional properties is to use bio-organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and nitroxin. These fertilizers not only reduce the negative effects of chemical fertilizers, but also improve the growth and reproductive characteristics of blackberries. Materials and MethodsTo investigate the effect of nitroxin and vermicompost on the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of blackberry, a factorial study was performed in a completely randomized design at 5 levels of vermicompost (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40) and two levels of inoculation and non-inoculation of nitroxin in pots in Noor city. For this experiment, culture media were prepared by mixing different levels of vermicompost with the base soil in the pot. Then, the rooted and uniform seedlings were prepared and selected for use in the experiment and the roots of the plants were placed in nitroxin solution (ratio of 1 to 10 with water) for 10 minutes and then planted in pots. Results and DiscussionThe results showed that the highest number of buds (42.5 per plant), the number of clusters (5.5 per plant), fruit weight (3.37 grams per plant) and the shortest ripening period were produced in 20% volume of vermicompost. The highest weight of drupelets (0.10 grams) was obtained in 30% volume of vermicompost. In addition, the largest flower diameter (3.77 cm) was seen in nitroxin treatment with 30% vermicompost by volume. The highest internode length (5.65 cm), branch length (2.55 m) produced in nitroxin treatment alone. The highest internode length (5.65 cm), branch length (2.55 m) produced in nitroxin treatment alone. The largest number of nodes (67 per plant) belonged to nitroxin in combination with 20% vermicompost by volume treatment and the largest vegetative branch diameter (2.8 cm) and leaf surface (25.83 cm2) was obtained in vermicompost treatments of 20% and 10% by volume, respectively. The use of vermicompost at the level of 20 to 30 percent by volume can show the greatest effect on fruiting branches, while nitroxin alone or in combination with vermicompost had a greater effect on vegetative branches. Vermicompost improves the growing medium conditions by stimulating beneficial soil microorganisms and the stable supply of mineral elements, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. The physical and chemical properties of humic acid in vermicompost increase plant nitrogen accumulation by increasing nutrient storage capacity and growth regulatory hormones, and plant growth factors such as height, number of nodes, internode distance and leaf area will increase with increasing nitrogen. However, increasing the level of vermicompost increases the concentration of soluble salt, toxicity due to increasing the concentration of heavy elements and the presence of toxic compounds in the plant, which leads to reduced growth and yield. Under these conditions, the use of nitroxin modulates or neutralizes the harmful effects of abiotic stresses. Bio fertilizers that contain growth-promoting bacteria, in addition to providing part of the nutrients and their balanced absorption, increase the nutritional value of the fruit by preventing the imbalance between the plant's internal components. ConclusionThe use of vermicompost at the level of 20 to 30 percent by volume can show the effect on fruiting branches, while nitroxin alone and together with vermicompost has a greater effect on vegetative branches.

Effect of copper, silicon, fungicide Iprodione-Carbendazim, and Vermi‌wash spray on the quality of pomegranate cv. Shahvar

Ramezanali Hoseinian; Hossein Sadeghi; Kamran Ghasemi

Volume 44, Issue 3 , December 2021, , Pages 319-330

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2020.31943.1876

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionUsually, pomegranate fruit in humid areas is under attack from fungal diseases. In addition to skin damage to the fruit, fungal diseases also reduce qualities and ... Read More AbstractIntroductionUsually, pomegranate fruit in humid areas is under attack from fungal diseases. In addition to skin damage to the fruit, fungal diseases also reduce qualities and visual charactristics. Fruit cracking is another physiological disorder that causes a lot of damages to the crop and causes irreparable damage to the gardeners. Control of these diseases is very difficult, and the use of recommended treatments also has yielded different outcomes. Finding the appropriate solution based on nutritional and chemical products is necessary to overcome this problem. Materials and MethodsThis research was conducted in a commercial orchard located in Sorak city, 10 km from Sari city with a longitude of 53 degrees and 17 minutes and a latitude of 36 degrees and 61 minutes, and a height of 9 meters from the sea level in summer of 2017. The research was carried out as a factorial test in randomized complete block design with the aim of investigating the effects of Copper, Silicon, Vermiwash and Rovral TS on the quality of pomegranate fruit of Shavar cultivar. Experimental factors consisted mineral nutrition (in four levels of control, Copper nano-chelate, Silicon, and Copper+Silicon) and Fungicide (in two levels of vermiwash and Rovral TS). Foliar application was performed 4 times at intervals of 15 days and fungicidal treatments were carried out at 3 times intervals of 20 days. Then morpho-physiological studies were carried out. Results and DiscussionThe results of this experiment showed that the highest amount of flower conversion to fruit and the highest amount of dry weight (49.78 g) were obtained in Vermiwash and Silicon treatments. The least amount of infected fruit was observed in the application of Rovral TS+copper, Rovral TS+Silicon and Vermiwash+Si+Cu, and. Simultaneous treatment of Silicon and Copper significantly increased fruit size. The treatments of Silicon+Copper and Silicon alone led to a decrease in the number of cracked fruits compared to the control. The highest amount of anthocyanin pigment was observed in Vermiwash alongside with Silicon+Copper treatments. The percentage of free radical scavenger in all treatments was higher than the control. Overall, the results of this experiment showed that Vermiwash, Copper and Silicon alone improved the traits studied. Silicon is naturally present as a compound of the cell wall and hardly bonds with the cell wall mass, thereby elicits resistance against cracking. Silicon also has a fungicidal effect, as has been reported in plants such as rice and cucumbers that can delay the development of pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum after treatment with Silicon. It has also been reported that the use of Vermiwash in various plants did affect control up to 93% of the diseases. ConclusionVermiwash alongside with Si+Cu caused the lowest fungal infection, highest anthocyanin and appropriate fruit set, so this treatment can be strongly recommended. Besides, the results indicated that adding Si and Cu to chemical fungicide can boost its efficiency and decrease cracking significantly.

Effect of Silicon Nutrition on Strawberry cv. Camerosa Yield and Growth in Outdoor Hydroponic System

Kamran Ghasemi; Mehdi Ghajar Sepanlou; Mehdi hadadinejad

Volume 43, Issue 1 , June 2020, , Pages 93-106

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2019.26611.1634

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives Strawberry is one of the important small fruits worldwide because of its high economical value. Mazandaran is ranked second among Iran’s ... Read More Abstract Background and Objectives Strawberry is one of the important small fruits worldwide because of its high economical value. Mazandaran is ranked second among Iran’s strawberry prodcing provinces with about 14581 tones of strawberry yearly. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of different silicon sources on the reproductive and vegetative growth of strawberry in an outdoor hydroponic system. Materials and Methods This experiment carried out in a factorial format with two factors consisting of growth media (double medium: 1 cocopeat + 1 perlite, and triple medium: 1 cocopeat + 1 perlite + 1 rice husk) and silicon spray (control, 50 mg/L Si from sodium silicate, 100 mg/L Si from sodium silicate, 50 mg/L Si from potassium silicate, 100 mg/L Si from potassium silicate). It was performed in Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University at 2016. Different characteristics including silicon concentration in the leaf, aerial fresh and dry weight, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of crown, fresh and dry weight of root, yield, weight of single fruit, number of the produced fruits in each plant were evaluated. Results Potassium silicate 100 increased silicon concentration of strawberry leaf significantly. Leaf number of the plant and aerial dry weight in triple medium were significantly higher than the double medium. High rate of potassium silicate in the triple medium caused lower crown diameter in comparison with potassium silicate 50 in the same medium. However, in the double medium, the potassium silicate 50 was the best treatment for crown diameter. Both fresh and dry weight of strawberry roots were the highest in the double medium and potassium silicate 50 treatment. Single fruit weight was maximum in the double medium and potassium silicate 100, which was not significantly different from potassium silicate 100 in triple medium. Fruit dry matter in the double medium and potassium silicate 50 treatments was more than other treatments. Fruit size was affected by medium, so that fruit size in the double medium was more than the triple medium significantly. Discussion Sodium toxicity in sodium silicate treatment, low rate of silicon in potassium silicate 50 treatment, and lack of rice husk in the double medium could all negatively affect different physiological aspects of strawberry growth; or at least, they hindered achieving positive results. In summary, it can be concluded that the double medium and potassium silicate 100 can be recommended for higher yield and big strawberry fruit, but the triple medium and potassium silicate are useful treatments for vegetative growth specially for more crown diameter and root growth.

Evaluation of storage temperature and container material effects on summer wild blackberry postharvest

M. Haddadinejad; K. Ghasemi; A.A. Mohammadi

Volume 40, Issue 2 , September 2017, , Pages 99-112

https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2017.19095.1376

Abstract

Background and objectives: Blackberry due to its short post-harvest shelf life and rapid perishability cannot be conserve for long time. Recently, using small plastic containers became ... Read More Background and objectives: Blackberry due to its short post-harvest shelf life and rapid perishability cannot be conserve for long time. Recently, using small plastic containers became popular that unfortunately is non-biodegradable and incompatible with environment so these materials are dangerous for environment. But using biodegradable packages which made up by natural materials like starch, corn, potato and wheat can be a suitable substitution. This research aimed to evaluate optimum conditions including temperature and container material for increasing summer wild blackberry shelf life.Materials and methods: With the aim of evaluation of summer wild blackberry optimum storage conditions, its fruits were compared via three levels of temperature (0, 4 and 25˚C) and two kinds of containers (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) during 14 days. Different characteristics comprising of visual quality (fruit weight, fruit weight loss and market acceptance), edible quality (TSS, pH, TA, TSS/TA, flavor and taste) and health value (total antioxidant activity, total phenol content, total flavonoid content and total anthocyanin) was evaluated. Results: The obtained results showed fruits weight lost, during postharvest maintenance in all of treatments the highest fruit weight recorded on the first day and after that decreased significantly. In addition to fruit weight, length, width, flavor, taste and market acceptance of fruit decreased during storage, significantly. Visual quality of fruits packed in polystyrene container was better than bio based one. Total soluble solids of blackberries stored in biodegradable package were significantly higher than non-biodegradable container. Inhibitory percentage of DPPH radicals in all treatments showed powerful antioxidant properties of blackberry. The highest phenol content (62.33 gGalicacid/ g fruit juice) of fruits was recorded in 3th day at 4˚C in polystyrene container. The lowest amount of total phenol in the same temperature was observed after 8 days storage in biodegradable container. In both of containers, the temperature of 0 ˚C showed less decrease of flavonoid content. During the experiment conduction, anthocyanin content decreased generally but in 8 and 14th day in polystyrene container and 0˚C, its content increased from 224,99 in first day at 0oC to 57.89 and 90.3 mg Cyanidin/Lit fruit juice in both containers types at 14th day, significantly.Discussion: Water loss due to transpiration and respiration is the main reason for weight loss during post-harvest period. Because of this, using Nano particles in containers materials around the fruits to control water exchange can reduce weight loss and influence different fruit characteristics as well. Conclusion: The positive effect of the 0 ˚C temperature on blackberry shelf life was significant. Using biodegradable package despite its environmental importance showed less efficiency for increasing blackberry postharvest life in comparison with plastic one and require additional researches.

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Author = Kamran Ghasemi

Effect of preharvest foliar spraying of compounds containing calcium and potassiumon on the shelf life of thornless blackberry

Abstract

Evaluation the morphological and phytochemical response of broccoli seedling to the application of sucrose, Bordeaux mixture and potassium silicate under sudden cold stress

Abstract

Effect of vermicompost and nitroxin on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of blackberry

Abstract

Effect of copper, silicon, fungicide Iprodione-Carbendazim, and Vermi‌wash spray on the quality of pomegranate cv. Shahvar

Abstract

Effect of Silicon Nutrition on Strawberry cv. Camerosa Yield and Growth in Outdoor Hydroponic System

Abstract

Evaluation of storage temperature and container material effects on summer wild blackberry postharvest

Abstract