EFFECTS  OF  SILICON  AND  CALCIUM  APPLICATION  ON  GROWTH, YIELD  AND  FRUIT  QUALITY  PARAMETERS  OF  CUCUMBER   ESTABLISHED  IN  A  SODIC  SOIL

Soil salinity is a growing problem that affects crop quality. Cucumber is a vegetable eaten fresh, with great worldwide demand, making its chemical and physical characteristics important. In the present work, the effects of foliar application of silicon (Si: 0 and 2 mM), calcium (Ca: 0 and 2 mM), and the combination of both (Si + Ca: 0 + 0 mM, 2 + 0 mM, 0 + 2 mM and 2 + 2 mM) on dry matter of leaves and stems, yield and fruit quality of cucumbers grown in a sodic soil were studied. Treatments did not affect dry biomass, yield and product size. The obtained results show that applying foliar Ca increases total soluble solids in comparison to the control. Foliar Si application significantly increased fruit firmness in the end towards the peduncle. Moreover, foliar Ca application increased the fruit hue angle (intense green), while foliar Si application increased chroma (dark green), both significantly regarding the control. The individual applications of Si and Ca were proven to differentially improve the fruit quality parameters of cucumber in sodic soil conditions.

Download Full-text

Effect of Foliar Application of Nutrients on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cv. Bhagwa

Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology ◽

10.9734/cjast/2020/v39i2030807 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 50-57

Author(s):

Gitesh Kumar ◽

D. D. Sharma ◽

M. A. Kuchay ◽

Rakesh Kumar ◽

Gopal Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Block Design ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Punica Granatum ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Fruit Cracking ◽

Punica Granatum L

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar application of nutrients on growth, yield and fruit quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa in the experimental farm of the Horticultural Research and Training Station and Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kandaghat, Solan, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh (India), during the year 2016 - 2017. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four foliar applications of potassium nitrate, KNO3 (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%); calcium chloride, CaCl2 (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%); boric acid, H3BO3 (0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%) and their combinations. The first spray was applied one month after fruit set, and the remaining three ones were applied at one month interval. Among the various treatments, significant increase in plant height, plant spread, plant volume, fruit size, fruit weight, fruit yield, total soluble solids, total sugars, reduction in fruit drop and fruit cracking were recorded with the application of KNO3 (1%) + CaCl2 (1%) + H3BO3 (0.4%). Leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg were also significantly affected by the foliar application of KNO3 (1%) + CaCl2 (1%) + H3BO3 (0.4%). Therefore, the combined foliar application of KNO3 (1%), CaCl2 (1%) and H3BO3 (0.4%) was found the best treatment for the improvement of growth, yield and fruit quality of pomegranate.

Download Full-text

Tree Growth and Productivity and Postharvest Fruit Quality in Various Strains of `Delicious' Apple

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.119.3.389 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 119 (3) ◽

pp. 389-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Esmaeil Fallahi ◽

Brenda R. Simons ◽

John K. Fellman ◽

Mark A. Longstroth ◽

W. Michael Colt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Skin Color ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

High Yield ◽

Cumulative Yield ◽

Cross Sectional

Twenty-six strains of `Delicious' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) were evaluated over several years for growth, yield, and fruit quality at harvest and after 6 months of storage. `August Red', `Rose Red', and `Sharp Red' had larger trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) 3 and 18 years after planting compared to most other strains. `August Red' and `Starking' had larger TCSA and cumulative yield. `Apex,' `Improved Ryan Spur', `Silverspur', `Starkrimson', and `Wellspur' were also among strains with high cumulative yields and yield efficiencies. `Hardi-Brite Spur' and `Red King Oregon Spur' had moderately high yields and small TCSAs, thus, high yield efficiencies. `Atwood', `Hardispur', `Imperial', `Improved Ryanred', `Starkspur Supreme', and `Topred' had low cumulative yields. `Ace' and `Improved Ryanred' had low yield efficiencies. `Ace', `Imperial', `Red King Oregon Spur', `Rose Red', `Starking', and `Wellspur' had heavier fruit, while fruit weight in `August Red', `Hardispur', and `Starkrimson' was lighter than that in most other strains. `Redspur' and `Starkspur Supreme' had the largest length to diameter (L/D) ratios. `Early Red One' had a similar red skin color rating as `Rose Red.' The red skin color rating of `Early Red One' was significantly higher than that of all other strains. `Hi-Early', `Improved Ryanred', `Redspur', and `Starking' had the poorest skin color ratings. `Hardispur', `Nured Royal', `Silverspur', and `Starkrimson' had high soluble solids concentrations (SSCs) at harvest and after storage. `Early Red One', `Imperial', `Improved Ryan Spur', and `Red King Oregon Spur' had lower SSCs at harvest and after storage. Fruit of `Apex' and `Redspur' had relatively high firmness at harvest, while `Hardispur', `Silverspur', `Starkrimson', and `Starkspur Supreme' had firm fruit at harvest and after storage. `Hardi-Brite Spur' had the softest fruit after storage, and fruit from `Rose Red' had a lower firmness than most other strains at harvest and after storage. Considering cumulative yield, yield efficiency, or some quality parameters, `Apex', `Classic Red', `Improved Ryan Spur', `Red King Oregon Spur', `Silverspur', and `Wellspur' had satisfactory overall performance. Strains are also suggested for planting depending on the market situation and the demand for a particular quality factor. `Hardispur' and `Sturdeespur' (Miller) are not recommended for planting under climatic conditions similar to those of this experiment.

Download Full-text

Calcium-Enriched Animal Manure Alleviates the Adverse Effects of Salt Stress on Growth, Physiology and Nutrients Homeostasis of Zea mays L.

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants8110480 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 480 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bushra Niamat ◽

Muhammad Naveed ◽

Zulfiqar Ahmad ◽

Muhammad Yaseen ◽

Allah Ditta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Alkaline Soil ◽

Sodic Soil ◽

Growth Physiology

Soil salinity and sodicity are among the main problems for optimum crop production in areas where rainfall is not enough for leaching of salts out of the rooting zone. Application of organic and Ca-based amendments have the potential to increase crop yield and productivity under saline–alkaline soil environments. Based on this hypothesis, the present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of compost, Ca-based fertilizer industry waste (Ca-FW), and Ca-fortified compost (Ca-FC) to increase growth and yield of maize under saline–sodic soil conditions. Saline–sodic soil conditions with electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 15, were developed by spiking soil with a solution containing NaCl, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and CaCl2. Results showed that soil salinity and sodicity significantly reduced plant growth, yield, physiological, and nutrient uptake parameters. However, the application of Ca-FC caused a remarkable increase in the studied parameters of maize at EC levels of 1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1 as compared to the control. In addition, Ca-FC caused the maximum decrease in Na+/K+ ratio in shoot up to 85.1%, 71.79%, and 70.37% at EC levels of 1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1, respectively as compared to the control treatment. Moreover, nutrient uptake (NPK) was also significantly increased with the application of Ca-FC under normal as well as saline–sodic soil conditions. It is thus inferred that the application of Ca-FC could be an effective amendment to enhance growth, yield, physiology, and nutrient uptake in maize under saline–sodic soil conditions constituting the novelty of this work.

Download Full-text

FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF ZINC, IRON AND MANGANESE INFLUENCE THE PLANT GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY OF PAPAYA CV. RED LADY

Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.18006/2020.8(5).551.557 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 551-557

Author(s):

Gurjot Singh Pelia ◽

◽

A K Baswal ◽

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Carotenoids ◽

Heavy Soil

Prevalence of heavy soil is a major problem for fruit cultivation under Punjab conditions consequently leading to deficiency of several micro-nutrients including zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) which adversely affects the growth and productivity. In this view, a study was planned to investigate the effect of foliar applications of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), iron sulphate (FeSO4), and manganese sulphate (MnSO4) on vegetative growth, reproductive growth and fruit quality of papaya cv. Red lady. Plants sprayed with ZnSO4 (0.4 %) exhibited significantly highest plant height, plant girth, number of leaves, petiole length; initiated an earliest flowering and fruiting; and improved fruit quality viz., fruit weight, fruit length, titratable acidity, soluble solids concentrations, ascorbic acid content, total phenols content, and total carotenoids content as compared with the control and all other treatments. In conclusion, foliar application ZnSO4 (0.4 %) significantly improved plant growth and fruit quality in papaya cv. Red lady.

Download Full-text

Effect of foliar application of sida compound fertilizer on growth, yield, and fruit chemical composition of ‘early superior’ grapevine

Journal of Horticultural Research ◽

10.2478/johr-2013-0021 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 53-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Abdel-Rahman M.A. Mohamed ◽

Faruk H. Abdel-Aziz ◽

Moawd A. Mohamed ◽

Ali Gobara

Keyword(s):

Foliar Application ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Table Grape ◽

Total Sugar ◽

Shoot Length ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growth Promoters ◽

Compound Fertilizer ◽

Berry Quality

ABSTRACT This experiment aimed at studying the effect of Sida Compound fertilizer containing seaweed extract, natural fertilizers, growth promoters and micronutrients in chelated form on growth, yield and berry quality of table grape ‘Early Superior’. Foliar application of Sida Compound at concentration 0.05 to 0.20%, three times in a season increased shoot length, leaf area and content of N, P and K in the leaves as well as total soluble solids and total sugar contents in fruits. Yield of fruits increased by 29 and 14%, depending on the season.

Download Full-text

Effect of Shading on Red Colour and Fruit Quality in Blush Pears “ANP-0118” and “ANP-0131”

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9020206 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 206 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Madeleine Peavey ◽

Ian Goodwin ◽

Lexie McClymont ◽

Subhash Chandra

Keyword(s):

Visual Assessment ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

A Value ◽

Solids Concentration ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Colour Parameters ◽

Hue Angle ◽

Colour Development

Some cultivars of Pyrus communis develop mature fruit with a distinctive red blush. Investigating the patterns of pear colour development in response to sunlight has implications for orchard management of these pears. The objectives of these experiments are to study the seasonal patterns of colour development and investigate the influence of shade and sunlight exposure on the red colour and harvest quality of blush pears “ANP-0118” and “ANP-0131”. Several long, medium and short shading treatments were applied at different stages of fruit development from 28 (“ANP-0131”) and 29 (“ANP-0118”) days after full bloom (DAFB) until harvests at 119 DAFB (“ANP-0118”) and 175 DAFB (“ANP-0131”). Fruits were measured every three weeks for colour parameters (a*, hue angle, chroma) and at harvest for quality parameters (fresh weight, visual assessments of percentage blush coverage and blush intensity, flesh firmness and soluble solids concentration). In the unshaded control, red colour increased during the growing season (increase in a* value and decrease in hue angle), as well as increasing in chroma value. Periods of shading during the season negatively affected red colour in both cultivars, as evidenced by significant decreases in a* value and increases in hue angle. Shaded fruits that were subsequently re-exposed to sunlight reacted with a dynamic increase in a* value and decrease in hue angle. Fruit shaded for the length of the experiment or prior to harvest had significantly lower a* values than the control at harvest. Visual assessment at harvest of percentage blush coverage and blush intensity were significantly affected by shading in both cultivars. Shading treatments applied early in the experiment had a negative effect on the fresh fruit weight of “ANP-0118”.

Download Full-text

Interaction of Irrigation and Soil Management on Sweet Cherry Productivity and Fruit Quality at Different Crop Loads that Simulate Those Occurring by Environmental Extremes

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.2.215 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 215-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gerry H. Neilsen ◽

Denise Neilsen ◽

Frank Kappel ◽

T. Forge

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Sweet Cherry ◽

Prunus Avium ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Soil Management ◽

Cold Climate ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Irrigation Frequency ◽

Cross Sectional

‘Cristalina’ and ‘Skeena’ sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) on Gisela 6 (Prunus cerasus × Prunus canescens) rootstock planted in 2005 were maintained since 2006 in a randomly blocked split-split plot experimental design with six blocks of two irrigation frequency main plot treatments within which two cultivar subplots and three soil management sub-subplots were randomly applied. The focus of this study was the growth, yield, and fruit quality response of sweet cherry to water and soil management over three successive fruiting seasons, 2009–11, in a cold climate production area. The final 2 years of the study period were characterized by cool, wet springs resulting in low yield and yield efficiency across all treatments. Soil moisture content (0- to 20-cm depth) during the growing season was often higher in soils that received high-frequency irrigation (HFI) compared with low-frequency irrigation (LFI). HFI and LFI received the same amount of water, but water was applied four times daily in the HFI treatment but every other day in the LFI treatment. Consequently, larger trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and higher yield were found on HFI compared with LFI trees. Soil management strategies involving annual bloom time phosphorus (P) fertigation and wood waste mulching did not affect tree vigor and yield. Increased soluble solids concentration (SSC) occurred with LFI. Decreased SSC occurred with delayed harvest maturity in trees receiving P fertigation at bloom. The largest fruit size was correlated for both cultivars with low crop loads ranging from 100 to 200 g fruit/cm2 TCSA. Overall cool, wet spring weather strongly affected annual yield and fruit quality, often overriding cultivar and soil and water management effects.

Download Full-text

Influence of Pre- and Postharvest Summer Pruning on the Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Carbohydrate Content of Early Season Peach Cultivars

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/104865 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ali Ikinci

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Carbohydrate Content ◽

Shoot Length ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Carbohydrate Accumulation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Climate Conditions

Winter and summer pruning are widely applied processes in all fruit trees, including in peach orchard management. This study was conducted to determine the effects of summer prunings (SP), as compared to winter pruning (WP), on shoot length, shoot diameter, trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) increment, fruit yield, fruit quality, and carbohydrate content of two early ripening peach cultivars (“Early Red” and “Maycrest”) of six years of age, grown in semiarid climate conditions, in 2008 to 2010. The trees were grafted on GF 677 rootstocks, trained with a central leader system, and spaced 5 × 5 m apart. The SP carried out after harvesting in July and August decreased the shoot length significantly; however, it increased its diameter. Compared to 2009, this effect was more marked in year 2010. In general, control and winter pruned trees of both cultivars had the highest TCSA increment and yield efficiency. The SP increased the average fruit weight and soluble solids contents (SSC) more than both control and WP. The titratable acidity showed no consistent response to pruning time. The carbohydrate accumulation in shoot was higher in WP and in control than in SP trees. SP significantly affected carbohydrate accumulation; postharvest pruning showed higher carbohydrate content than preharvest pruning.

Download Full-text

The Effects of Preharvest 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) Treatment on the Fruit Quality Parameters of Cold-Stored ‘Szampion’ Cultivar Apples

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10030080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 80 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kazimierz Tomala ◽

Marek Grzęda ◽

Dominika Guzek ◽

Dominika Głąbska ◽

Krystyna Gutkowska

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Oxygen ◽

Climacteric Fruit ◽

Ethylene Content ◽

Postharvest Treatment ◽

And Control

Postharvest treatment by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for ‘Szampion’ cultivar apples inhibits ripening of climacteric fruit by blocking ethylene receptors, preventing ethylene from binding and eliciting its action. It is also possible to apply 1-MCP preharvest, which so far has not been studied for the ‘Szampion’ cultivar. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of preharvest 1-MCP treatment on the fruit quality parameters of cold-stored ‘Szampion’ cultivar apples in a Polish experiment. Two identical groups of apple trees (6 years, experimental orchard in Warsaw) were included, to obtain studied apples (preharvest 1-MCP treatment with HarvistaTM, 150 g/ha, 7 days before the optimum harvesting window, OHW) and control apples (1-MCP not applied). Apples for the studied group were harvested twice—on 28 September (OHW) and 24 October (delayed harvesting)—and for control group once—on 28 September, as before 24 October the majority of apples fell from trees. Afterwards, apples were stored in an Ultra Low Oxygen chamber (1.2% CO2, 1.2% O2). Apples were assessed in the preharvest period (weekly, six measurements for the studied group, and five measurements for the control group) and postharvest period (monthly, three measurements separately for each harvest time for the studied group and control group). The following parameters were assessed: internal ethylene content (IEC), firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) content, starch index, Streif index, titratable acidity (TA), and color for blush. For the preharvest period, statistically significant differences between the studied group and the control group were observed for IEC, the a* coordinate of color (p < 0.05; for apples treated with 1-MCP lower results), firmness, Streif index, TA (p < 0.05; higher results), and starch index (p < 0.05; no defined trend). For the postharvest period, statistically significant differences between the studied group and the control group were observed for apples harvested in the OHW for firmness (p < 0.05; for apples treated with 1-MCP higher results) and IEC (p < 0.05; no defined trend), while for delayed harvesting the differences were only minor. It may be concluded, that preharvest 1-MCP application makes it possible not only to obtain better results for ‘Szampion’ cultivar apples’ quality parameters, but also allows delayed harvesting without deterioration in quality.

Download Full-text

Yield and fruit quality response of sweet pepper to organic and mineral fertilization

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170507001792 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 233-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

F.M. del Amor

Keyword(s):

Organic Farming ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Nitrate Concentration ◽

Sweet Pepper ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Mineral Fertilization ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Crop Cycle

AbstractSweet pepper plants were grown in a greenhouse under three different cultivation methods (organic, integrated and conventional farming). During the crop cycle, plant growth and especially yield and fruit quality parameters were monitored to determine the effects of the different fertilization strategies. Plant fresh weight and total leaf fresh weight were progressively reduced, relative to the other treatments, in the organic treatment compared with the conventional, and at the end of the crop cycle these parameters were reduced by 32.6 and 35% respectively. This reduction in growth was directly correlated with plant nitrate concentration and, at the end of the study, nitrate concentration was reduced almost completely in the organic treatment. Despite the important effect on growth, no significant differences in total marketable yield were observed between conventional and organic farming, although integrated farming showed the highest yield in the extra and first class fruit categories. Organic farming increased antioxidant activity but reduced both chlorophylls and β-carotene. Fruit firmness, pericarp thickness, pH and total soluble solids content showed higher values with the organic method, but these differences were not significant with respect to the conventional method. Our results show the advantages of the organic fertilization, from both environmental and economic perspectives, if proper dosage is added to the crop and the demonstrated buffer capacity of these plants, with respect to maintaining yield under nutrient depletion at later stages of development, is taken into account.

Download Full-text