Effect of different growing media on pomological and phytochemical parameters of Fragaria vesca 'Yellow Wonder' and Fragaria ×ananassa 'Camarosa': a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Strawberries are one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the world, and their popularity continues to grow due to their unique taste, high nutritional value, and numerous health benefits. The success of strawberry cultivation depends largely on the quality of the growing media used. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in soilless media as a sustainable alternative to traditional soil-based growing methods. This study aimed to compare the effect of different growing media, both soil and soilless (Hydroponic Production System) media, on the fruit quality and phytochemical contents of two cultivars of strawberry (Yellow Wonder and Camarosa) in a greenhouse. RESULTS: The values of Fruit weight, fruit firmness, and SSC were higher in soilless media than in soil media. In addition, 'Camarosa' was higher than 'Yellow Wonder' in these characteristics. The rates of glucose and fructose were higher in soil media than soilless media, and 'Yellow Wonder' was higher than 'Camarosa' in the rates of glucose and fructose. The values of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were higher in soil media, and also 'Yellow Wonder' was found to have more total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than 'Camarosa'. In terms of mineral contents, 'Yellow Wonder' had higher values than 'Camrosa' in both media. When the results of the study were examined in general, Camarosa red strawberry variety was found to be higher than 'Yellow Wonder' in pomological characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Pomological values increased in both strawberry cultivar in soilless media. In terms of phytochemical properties, the 'Yellow Wonder' had higher values than the 'Camarosa'. Also, Phytochemical contents were higher in the soil media compared to the soilless media.

Evaluation of the optimum threshold of gamma-ray for inducing mutation on Polianthes tuberosa cv. double and analysis of genetic variation with RAPD marker.

PURPOSE: This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on morpho-physiological characteristics and molecular-induced variations in Polianthes tuberosa L. METHODS: Experiments were designed according to a completely randomized design with eight different gamma-ray doses (0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 Gy) via a source of cobalt-60 with three replications. Some morpho-physiological characteristics of tuberoses were screened and evaluated at the end of the flower growth and development phases. The RAPD-PCR molecular marker technique was further used to identify the mutants of phenotypic variation flowers. RESULTS: Results indicated that the effect of different levels of γ-rays on some morphological and physiological traits was significant as the gamma-ray level was increased up to 50 Gy. The doses higher than 50 Gy were found to cause stand or no growth. The 50 Gy gamma irradiation reduced germination by 70.59%, germination rate by 66.36%, dry weight by 88.15%, fresh weight by 87.41%, flowering stem height (cm) by 69.22%, leaf area (cm2) by 57.35%, leaf number by 34.41%, chlorophyll content (mg g-1 FW) by 44.79%, number of florets by 92.57%, spike height (cm) by 27.80%, bulblet number by 32.57%, and bulblet diameter (mm) by 30.21%. On the contrary, gamma radiation at 50 Gy increased relative water content (%) and electrolyte leakage (ds m-1) by 41.27 and 237.65%, respectively. The results also showed that bulbs treated with 20 Gy gamma ray had the highest germination percentage and dry weight. The RAPD analysis indicated that among 10 primers tested, nine primers showed clear bands as the highest number of amplified fragments (90) was related to the OPM13 primer and the lowest number (40) to the OPM10 primer. However, the DNA polymorphism was dose-dependent. CONCLUSION: Overall results showed that although the plant morphology was changed with gamma-ray level, no changes occurred in tuberose color.

Modulation of physiological and biochemical traits of two genotypes of Rosa damascena Mill. by SiO2-NPs under In vitro drought stress.

BACKGROUND: Drought is a major abiotic stress that restricts plant growth and efficiency although some nutrients such as silicon improve drought tolerance by regulating the biosynthesis and accumulating some osmolytes. In this regard, a completely randomized factorial design was performed with three factors including two genotypes ('Maragheh' and 'Kashan'), three concentrations of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) (0, 50, and 100 mg L- 1), and five concentrations of PEG (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 g L- 1) with three replications. RESULTS: The findings showed that drought stress decreased protein content and it was improved by SiO2-NPs, so the genotype of 'Maragheh' treated with 100 mg L- 1 SiO2-NPs had the highest protein content. Under severe drought stress, had a higher membrane stability index (MSI) than 'Kashan', and the 'Maragheh' explants subjected to 100 mg L- 1 SiO2-NPs exhibited the uppermost MSI. The explants supplemented with 100 mg L- 1 SiO2-NPs sustained their photosynthetic parameters more in comparison with other treatments under drought stress conditions and as well as 100 mg L- 1 SiO2-NPs showed higher content of protein and proline of 'Maragheh' than 'Kashan'. Drought stress reduced Fm, Fv/Fm, and Fv, while SiO2-NPs treatment enhanced these parameters. SiO2-NPs also improved water deficit tolerance by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reducing lipid peroxidation and H2O2 concentration. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, the genotype 'Maragheh' was more tolerance to drought stress than 'Kashan' by improving water balance, antioxidant enzyme activities, and membrane stability as it was obtained from the unpublished previous evaluation in in vivo conditions and we concluded based on these results, in vitro culture can be used for drought screening in Damask rose plants. The results of the current study revealed that the induced drought stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in two Damask rose genotypes was ameliorated with SiO2-NPs and the tolerance genotypes were better than the sensitive ones in response to SiO2-NPs treatment.

Creation and Use of Highly Adaptive Productive and Technological Red Currant Genotypes to Improve the Assortment and Introduction into Different Ecological and Geographical Zones.

Global climate change with the cyclicity of natural and climatic processes in the growing season of berry plants, causes weakening at the defense system to (a)biotic stressors, which actualize the need for accelerated cultivar-improving breeding. A new hybrid red currant material was obtained and studied by the method of interspecific hybridization. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between adaptively significant and economical and biological traits. To assess intergenotypic variability, hierarchical clustering was used according to the studied features, which allowed combining three standard methods of multidimensional data analysis. Genotypes adapted to different stressors were identified. The genotypes 271-58-24, 44-5-2, 261-65-19, and 'Jonkheer van Tets' were found to have a higher ratio of bound water to free water as compared with the others. Moreover, the genotypes of 271-58-24, 261-65-19, 77-1-47, and 'Jonkheer van Tets' were found to have less cold damage during the cold periods. The two most productive genotypes were found to be the genotypes 44-5-2, 143-23-35, and 1426-21-80. A dependence of yield on the beginning of differentiation of flower buds, which led to the abundance of flower inflorescences, was revealed. Rapid restoration of leaf hydration ensured successful adaptation of genotypes to the "temperature shock" of the growing season. The genotypes 271-58-24 and 'Jonkheer van Tets' were then observed to be far from the test traits and none of these traits were observed to characterize these two genotypes. The genotypes of 261-65-19 and 77-1-47 were then observed to be characterized by their high stability to Cecidophyopsis ribis scores. Genotypes 261-65-19 and 271-58-24, obtained with the participation of 'Jonkheer van Tets' as the maternal form, showed sufficient resistance to Pseudopeziza ribis and Cecidophyopsis ribis. Overall results suggested that the hydration recovery of red currant plants is significantly important for a yield improvement. A new cultivar 'Podarok Pobediteliam (genotype 44-5-2) was obtained that meets the requirements of intensive gardening and is characterized by high adaptability, productivity, and technological effectiveness.

Improving the safety and security of fruits and vegetables during COVID-19 pandemic with postharvest handling.

The COVID-19 pandemic has damaged the world's economy during 2020-2021, reduced the purchasing power of households, partially restricted international movements and trade (including food products) and damaged horticultural production. This resulted in uncertainty in the food business and caused food supply shocks. According to some scientists, business people, and politicians, this situation is a forerunner and warning for humanity to change its lifestyle by focusing on sustainable measures to prevent natural ecosystems damage. In line with this, the present review article focused on the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on horticultural production and some prevention measures. It has been scientifically confirmed that the postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables reach around 10-15% in developed countries and about 20-40% in developing countries, higher in some specific crops. It is believed that reducing these losses can help the world fight food supply shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic and customary conditions to reduce the pressure on natural resources. Therefore, the present paper aimed to highlight some critical handling practices against food supply shocks.

The Antifungal Activity of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) Leaves Extract Against Penicillium digitatum.

This study was performed to determine the antifungal activity of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl) leaf extract (LLE) against the citrus postharvest pathogen Penicillium digitatum (P. digitatum). The LLE exhibited an antifungal activity against P. digitatum, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.625 mg/ml and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 1.25 mg/ml. Significant inhibitory effects of LLE on mycelial growth and spore germination of P. digitatum were seen in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, to investigate possible antifungal mechanisms by LLE, we analyzed their influence on morphological changes, cell membrane permeability, cell wall and cell membrane integrity, and adenosine phosphates (ATP, ADP, and AMP) levels. Alterations, such as sunken surface and malformation, occurred in the LLE-treated P. digitatum spores. Furthermore, intracellular inclusion content decreased after LLE treatment, indicating an increase in cell membrane permeability. Besides, the LLE treatment induced a significant decline in the level of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with a noticeable addition of extracellular ATP, ADP, and AMP during the entire treatment period. Overall, the results manifested that the antifungal activity of LLE against P. digitatum can be attributed to the derangement of cell membrane permeability and disordered energy metabolism. This is the first report on the mechanism of antifungal activity of LLE and could be useful in the development of targeted fungicides from natural origin.