Physiological Aspects of Flowering, Fruit Setting, Fruit Development and Fruit Drop, Regulation and their Manipulation: A Review

The physiology of flowering and fruit setting involves the changes in the characters of cells proliferating in the meristematic tissues of the shoot owing to the specific gene action and change in the phyto-hormones level. Flower formation is a transition phase in the life cycle of a plant. The alteration of vegetative apex into reproductive structure results in flowering initiation. The reduction of shoot meristem starts development of sepals, petals, stamens, carpals instead of leaves. The plant must attain specific state of ‘ripeness to response’ before it flowers. Once the stage is reached, then it can induce to flower. The flowering is closely linked to the diverse environmental conditions in which each species has evolved. The effects of the large number of factors that influence the proportion of buds giving rise to flowers have generally been interpreted in terms of an inbuilt propensity to flowering and interference with attainment of this.

Advancement in Tissue Culture Techniques for Fruit Crops

Tissue culture is a highly promising approach that enables the efficient propagation of many plants from tiny fragments of the parent plant within a relatively brief timeframe and confined area. Tissue culture, a contemporary approach, is primarily employed for the efficient and extensive replication of many commercially significant plant species, such as the date palm. Utilizing the tissue culture technique presents a potential approach for generating a substantial quantity of genetically homogeneous palm plants that resemble other plants and yield typical fruit within four years from initial planting. Furthermore, this technique allows to produce date palm plants devoid of diseases, exhibiting an exceptionally high survival rate of nearly 100% when compared to the traditional vegetative propagation of shoots, owing to the robustness of their root system. The process of surface sterilization holds significant importance in the production of explants for in vitro studies, as it effectively addresses the issue of bacterial and fungal contamination originating from field sources, which might vary considerably across different fruit plant species. The efficacy of tissue culture techniques for date palm acclimatization in vitro is contingent upon the observation of leaf count prior to transplantation in the greenhouse. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the determinants that govern the tissue culture of fruit trees. India is known for being the native land of various fruit crops that are both significant and minor in terms of their importance. These crops include Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), Karonda (Carissa carandas L.), Bael (Aegle marmelos Corr.), Jamun (Syzygium cuminii L.), and jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.), etc. These fruits possess considerable nutritional, medicinal, and therapeutic value, making them highly valuable in commercial sectors such as medicine, food, and cosmetics. The limited availability of suitable planting materials imposes constraints on the commercial production process for these crops. Using plant tissue culture techniques holds promise in substantially augmenting the number of novel cultivars or genotypes inside fruit crops. The primary aim of this review study is to consolidate and synthesize the extant body of knowledge about the tissue culture techniques employed in cultivating various fruit crops.

A Comprehensive Review on Role of Bio- Regulators in the Growth and Development of Fruit and Vegetable Crops

This comprehensive review focuses on the role of bio-regulators in the growth and development of fruit and vegetable crops. Bio-regulators, also known as plant growth regulators or plant hormones, play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in plants, including cell division, elongation, differentiation, and fruit ripening. The review explores the major types of bio-regulators commonly used in fruit and vegetable cultivation, including auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene. It examines their functions and effects on plant growth, flowering, fruit set, fruit development, and post-harvest characteristics. The review also discusses the widespread application of bio-regulators in horticultural practices, including seed treatment, foliar application, and post-harvest treatments. It highlights the potential benefits of using bio-regulators, such as improving crop yield, enhancing fruit quality traits, delaying senescence, and reducing post-harvest losses. Moreover, the review delves into the mechanisms of action of bio-regulators at the molecular, physiological, and biochemical levels. It investigates their interactions with various plant growth processes, signaling pathways, and gene expression patterns. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges and limitations associated with the use of bio-regulators in fruit and vegetable production, such as dosage optimization, application timing, and potential negative impacts on the environment.

Post Harvest Handling of Fruit Crops

Fruits are classified as perishable agricultural commodities. When fruits are harvested prematurely or when they are overripe, their storage life is shortened and their quality deteriorates. Therefore, it is important to harvest fruits at the appropriate stage of maturity in order to ensure good quality and better storage. Nevertheless, the inadequate implementation of proper handling techniques for agricultural produce has led to a significant occurrence of post-harvest losses, resulting in the wastage of valuable resources such as time and financial investments. The lack of appropriate handling procedures and chemical treatment methods are leading to significant losses in commodities. Therefore, it can be deduced that producers are currently experiencing significant economic detriment as a result of inadequate handling techniques, insufficient understanding of the underlying factors contributing to postharvest loss, and a dearth of effective preservation methodologies. However, the mitigation of loss can be achieved through the implementation of appropriate management and handling procedures. This review focuses on various aspects of post-harvest handling methods for preservation of fruits for longer time for processing and value addition.