scholarly journals Natural biostimulants as upscale substitutes to synthetic hormones for boosting tomato yield and fruits quality

Italus Hortus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Yousseph Rouphael ◽  
Luigi Formisano ◽  
Michele Ciriello ◽  
Maria Teresa Cardarelli ◽  
Francesca Luziatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Extract ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Synthetic Auxin ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Synthetic Hormones

Natural biostimulants are one of the most promising and eco-sustainable technologies, which can improve the qualitative and productive attributes of horticultural crops. The positive effects of their application derive from their “signaling role” as elicitors of auxin- and gibberellin-like activity, thus constituting a valid alternative to synthetic hormones. Our research aimed to assess the efficacy of a plant extract (Heptamin®) and a bacterial culture filtrate (Capxium®), both rich in natural auxins, and of a synthetic auxin (Auxyger® LG) on the quantitative and qualitative performance, as well as on the economic returns of greenhouse table tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pitagora). The application of plant extract increased the marketable yield (+25.8%), firmness (+25.7%), and fruit lycopene content (+42.5%) compared to the untreated control. In particular, natural biostimulants outperformed synthetic auxin by inducing higher fruit weight (13.1%) and marketable yield (16.2%). On the other hand, no significant differences were recorded as a result of the treatments regarding total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity of the fruit juice. Our results suggest that plant biostimulants with auxin-like activity are an excellent tool for boosting tomato production and fruit quality in an eco-sustainable approach. Finally, economic analysis revealed that the application of natural biostimulants resulted in overall higher profitability

scholarly journals Higher Temperatures Decrease Fruit Size in Strawberry Growing in the Subtropics

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Christopher Menzel
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
Solids Content

Five strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars were grown in Queensland, Australia to determine whether higher temperatures affect production. Transplants were planted on 29 April and data collected on growth, marketable yield, fruit weight and the incidence of small fruit less than 12 g until 28 October. Additional data were collected on fruit soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) from 16 September to 28 October. Minimum temperatures were 2 °C to 4 °C higher than the long-term averages from 1965 to 1990. Changes in marketable yield followed a dose-logistic pattern (p < 0.001, R2s = 0.99). There was a strong negative relationship between fruit weight (marketable) and the average daily mean temperature in the four or seven weeks before harvest from 29 July to 28 October (p < 0.001, R2s = 0.90). There were no significant relationships between SSC and TA, and temperatures in the eight days before harvest from 16 September to 28 October (p > 0.05). The plants continued to produce a marketable crop towards the end of the season, but the fruit were small and more expensive to harvest. Higher temperatures in the future are likely to affect the economics of strawberry production in subtropical locations.

Effects of Trichoderma harzianum on the yield and fruit quality of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) grown in an unheated greenhouse

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Bal ◽  
S. Altintas
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Trichoderma Harzianum ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Growing Period

Trichoderma harzianum was applied to seedling growing media (a peat and soil-based mixture or greenhouse soil) at the time of sowing, at transplanting to vials and at planting. The factorial experiment using 2 seedling growing media, 2 cultivars and 4 dosages of T. harzianum at 0 (control), 4 g/m2, 10 g/m2 and 24 g/m2 showed that the Trichoderma dosage had no significant effect on the yield or fruit quality. None of the 3 factor interactions between the criteria studied, that is, total yield, marketable yield, early yield, individual fruit weight, total soluble solids and titratable acidity, were significant except for fruit diameter. The 3 factor combination of Peat × Belleveu F1 × 10 g/m2 resulted in the highest total yield, marketable yield and early yield with 1552, 1373 and 681 g/plant, respectively. The interaction between media and cultivars was significant for all the yield characteristics studied. However, the main effect of T. harzianum on early yield was the highest at 4 g/m2, producing 527 g/plant in comparison to the control with 374 g/plant. It was, therefore, hypothesised that the positive effect of T. harzianum, observed in the early yield, may be extended to the whole growing period by further applications, that is, by periodical renewal of the T. harzianum population at the root zone.

scholarly journals Biostimulant Application Improves Yield Parameters and Accentuates Fruit Color of Annurca Apples

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 715
Author(s):  
Claudio Di-Vaio ◽  
Aurora Cirillo ◽  
Danilo Cice ◽  
Christophe El-Nakhel ◽  
Youssef Rouphael
Keyword(s):  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Protein Hydrolysates ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Yield Parameters ◽  
Different Types

The Annurca apple is a typical fruit from Southern Italy that is notable for its high firmness and characteristic flavor, and presents positive effects on human health. The aim of the present study was to improve the agronomic characteristics of Annurca trees and the quality of their fruits by the use of plant biostimulants. We performed the study with three biostimulants (protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, and microalgae) to determine their effects on trees and fruits at harvest and during fridge conservation. The measurements in the field concerned the production per plant, the number of fruits, the diameter and fruit weight, the diameter of trunk, the weight of pruning, the first harvest %, and yield efficiency (plant prod./TCSA) for both growing seasons 2018–2019. The analyzed fruit parameters at harvest and during the fridge conservation were: flesh firmness, epicarp color, total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity. The results showed positive effects of the biostimulants on the production and the color parameters, especially with microalgae enhancing fruit redness (5-fold) and color index (8.5-fold). In particular, protein hydrolysates and microalgae increased the production (10.4%), diameter of the fruits (7.0%), the first harvest percentage (37.8%), and yield efficiency (6.9%). The tested plant biostimulants showed no significant effect on the measured qualitative parameters. This study represents the first detailed research on the use of different types of biostimulants on Annurca trees and their impact on the quality of its fruits from harvest to storage, and may present a sustainable alternative for the “melaio” processes.

scholarly journals High-density linkage map construction and identification of loci regulating fruit quality traits in blueberry

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Molla F. Mengist ◽  
Hamed Bostan ◽  
Elisheba Young ◽  
Kristine L. Kay ◽  
Nicholas Gillitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linkage Map ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
High Density ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Total Soluble Solids ◽  
Fruit Quality Traits ◽  
High Density Linkage Map

AbstractFruit quality traits play a significant role in consumer preferences and consumption in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L). The objectives of this study were to construct a high-density linkage map and to identify the underlying genetic basis of fruit quality traits in blueberry. A total of 287 F1 individuals derived from a cross between two southern highbush blueberry cultivars, ‘Reveille’ and ‘Arlen’, were phenotyped over three years (2016–2018) for fruit quality-related traits, including titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, and fruit weight. A high-density linkage map was constructed using 17k single nucleotide polymorphisms markers. The linkage map spanned a total of 1397 cM with an average inter-loci distance of 0.08 cM. The quantitative trait loci interval mapping based on the hidden Markov model identified 18 loci for fruit quality traits, including seven loci for fruit weight, three loci for titratable acidity, five loci for pH, and three loci for total soluble solids. Ten of these loci were detected in more than one year. These loci explained phenotypic variance ranging from 7 to 28% for titratable acidity and total soluble solid, and 8–13% for pH. However, the loci identified for fruit weight did not explain more than 10% of the phenotypic variance. We also reported the association between fruit quality traits and metabolites detected by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis directly responsible for these fruit quality traits. Organic acids, citric acid, and quinic acid were significantly (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with titratable acidity. Sugar molecules showed a strong and positive correlation with total soluble solids. Overall, the study dissected the genetic basis of fruit quality traits and established an association between these fruit quality traits and metabolites.

scholarly journals Yield and quality of strawberry cultivars

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Eduardo C Antunes ◽  
Nara Cristina Ristow ◽  
Ana Cristina R Krolow ◽  
Sílvia Carpenedo ◽  
Carlos Reisser Júnior
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Design ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Yield And Quality

The strawberry cultivation is an important economic activity in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, however the number of offered cultivars to the growers is reduced. The yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars Camarosa, Galexia, Earlibrite, Festival, Plarionfre and Sabrosa was evaluated under the climatic conditions of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State. We determined the number, mass, total soluble solids (TSS ºBrix), total titratable acidity (TTA), antocianin level and fresh fruits produced in an experimental unit. We also determined the production of fruits per hectare and per plant. The statistical design used in the experiment was of completely randomized blocks with 6 treatments (cultivars) and 4 replicates where the experimental unit was composed of 8 plants. The harvest began in the first half of August, extending to the second half of December, totalling 20 weeks. Plarionfre, Earlibrite and Festival cultivars showed higher production from the first half of October until the end of the first half of November. Camarosa reached higher productivity, mass of plants and fruit weight. There were no differences between the evaluated cultivars in the levels of TSS, antocianin, ATT and pH during the period of evaluation.

scholarly journals Irrigation and fertigation frequencies with nitrogen in the watermelon culture

Bragantia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Newdmar Vieira Fernandes ◽  
Benito Moreira de Azevedo ◽  
Joaquim Raimundo Nascimento Neto ◽  
Thales Vinícius de Araújo Viana ◽  
Geocleber Gomes de Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Irrigation Frequency ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Equatorial Diameter ◽  
Polar Diameter

This study evaluates the influence of different irrigation frequencies and different nitrogen fertigation frequencies on the growth performance of the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) culture. Two experiments were conducted at the Paraguay farm in the Cruz municipality, Ceará, Brazil. They was randomized blocks design with six treatments and four replications. The irrigation frequency experiment consisted of the application of different irrigation frequencies. The treatments were: DM - daily irrigation in the morning with 100% daily dosage; DT - daily irrigation in the afternoon, with 100% daily dosage; DMT - twice daily irrigation, with 50% daily dosage in the morning and 50% daily dosage in the afternoon; 2D - irrigation every two days; 3D - irrigation every three days and 4D - irrigation every four days. To the experiment with different nitrogen fertigation frequencies, the treatments used were: 2F - 2 fertigations in a cycle; 4F - 4 fertigations in a cycle; 8F - 8 fertigations in a cycle; 16F - 16 fertigations in a cycle; 32F - 32 fertigations in a cycle and 64F - 64 fertigations in a cycle. We evaluated the marketable yield (PC), fruit weight (M), polar diameter (DP), equatorial diameter (DE), shell thickness (EC) and soluble solids (SS). The irrigation frequency treatments influenced all variables significantly, with twice daily irrigation (DMT, 50% in the morning and the 50% in the afternoon) promoting the highest productivity (69.79 t ha-1). The different frequencies of fertigation also significantly influenced all variables, except for the shell thickness, the highest yield (80.69 t ha-1) being obtained with treatment 64 fertigations in a cycle.

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

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.

scholarly journals Apple Orchard Productivity and Fruit Quality under Organic, Conventional, and Integrated Management

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Peck ◽  
Preston K. Andrews ◽  
John P. Reganold ◽  
John K. Fellman
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Leaf Tissue ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Crop Load ◽  
Flesh Firmness

Located on a 20-ha commercial apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchard in the Yakima Valley, Washington, a 1.7-ha study area was planted with apple trees in 1994 in a randomized complete block design with four replications of three treatments: organic (ORG), conventional (CON), and integrated (INT). Soil classification, rootstock, cultivar, plant age, and all other conditions except management were the same on all plots. In years 9 (2002) and 10 (2003) of this study, we compared the orchard productivity and fruit quality of `Galaxy Gala' apples. Measurements of crop yield, yield efficiency, crop load, average fruit weight, tree growth, color grades, and weight distributions of marketable fruit, percentages of unmarketable fruit, classifications of unmarketable fruit, as well as leaf, fruit, and soil mineral concentrations, were used to evaluate orchard productivity. Apple fruit quality was assessed at harvest and after refrigerated (0 to 1 °C) storage for three months in regular atmosphere (ambient oxygen levels) and for three and six months in controlled atmosphere (1.5% to 2% oxygen). Fruit internal ethylene concentrations and evolution, fruit respiration, flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), purgeable volatile production, sensory panels, and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were used to evaluate fruit quality. ORG crop yields were two-thirds of the CON and about half of the INT yields in 2002, but about one-third greater than either system in 2003. High ORG yields in 2003 resulted in smaller ORG fruit. Inconsistent ORG yields were probably the result of several factors, including unsatisfactory crop load management, higher pest and weed pressures, lower leaf and fruit tissue nitrogen, and deficient leaf tissue zinc concentrations. Despite production difficulties, ORG apples had 6 to 10 N higher flesh firmness than CON, and 4 to 7 N higher than INT apples, for similar-sized fruit. Consumer panels tended to rate ORG and INT apples to have equal or better overall acceptability, firmness, and texture than CON apples. Neither laboratory measurements nor sensory evaluations detected differences in SSC, TA, or the SSC to TA ratio. Consumers were unable to discern the higher concentrations of flavor volatiles found in CON apples. For a 200 g fruit, ORG apples contained 10% to 15% more TAA than CON apples and 8% to 25% more TAA than INT apples. Across most parameters measured in this study, the CON and INT farm management systems were more similar to each other than either was to the ORG system. The production challenges associated with low-input organic apple farming systems are discussed. Despite limited technologies and products for organic apple production, the ORG apples in our study showed improvements in some fruit quality attributes that could aid their marketability.

scholarly journals Physicochemical properties of seven outstanding strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) varieties cultivated in Cundinamarca (Colombia) during maturation

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Fischer ◽  
David López-Valencia ◽  
Manuel Sánchez-Gómez ◽  
John Fabio Acuña-Caita
Keyword(s):  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fragaria X Ananassa ◽  
Maturity Index ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Total Titratable Acidity ◽  
Maturation State

The strawberry market in Cundinamarca (Colombia) is mainly size driven with no consideration for its maturation state and nutritional quality, wasting therefore, its organoleptic and nutritional potential. For that reason, the physicochemical differences among seven strawberry varieties (Albión, Dulce Ana, Lucía, Monterrey, Ruby June, Sabrina and Ventana) cultivated in the municipality of Sibaté (Cundinamarca) were established. Fruits collected from a productive plot with homogeneous cultivation management conditions were analyzed in six maturity states, establishing the degree of red pigmentation according to the Colombian Standard ntc 4103. Fresh weight, size, color, firmness, total soluble solids (tss), total titratable acidity (tta), maturity and respiration indices were evaluated. Fruits in stages 4, 2 and 3 developed their largest size and weight, where the variety Dulce Ana stands out. The highest color index values were found in the maturity stage 5 in the variety Ventana. Moreover, the highest firmness values were recorded in stages 4 and 5 in the varieties Monterrey and Ventana. The varieties Sabrina, Dulce Ana and Monterrey accumulated the highest tss concentration and the last two showed the best maturity relations. Respiration rates increased with maturation, especially from stage 3. The results suggest that the optimum commercialization and consumption points are stages 3 and 4, namely because these stages exhibit the highest maturity index and fruit weight. Among the varieties studied, Monterrey stands out due to its firmness and maturity index.

scholarly journals Flower thinning of apple cultivar Braeburn using ammonium and potassium thiosulfate: Short communication

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Milić ◽  
N. Magazin ◽  
Z. Keserović ◽  
M. Dorić
Keyword(s):  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Shape ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Leaf Damage ◽  
Starch Degradation ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Flower Bud Formation ◽  
Flower Thinning

Ammonium and potassium thiosulfate are used commercially or experimentally as flower thinners because they are considered user, environment and consumer safe. The thinning trials were conducted in 2009 and 2010, on three- and four-year-old Braeburn Mariri Red* trees. The chemicals were applied at 1%, 2% and 3% rates of ammonium and 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of potassium thiosulfate. Both thinning agents reduced fruit set, but were more efficient in 2009, when applied at 20% full bloom, than in 2010, when they were applied at 80% full bloom. Flower thinning with ammonium and potassium thiosulfate increased the average fruit weight, but the highest chemical rates retarded fruit growth. Ammonium and potassium thiosulfate did not affect fruit shape and firmness, but they increased starch degradation, total soluble solids content and titratable acidity. The treatments increased the percentage of flower buds, except at the highest chemical rates, where leaf damage reduced flower bud formation. Ammonium or potassium thiosulfate application may be recommended as the first step in a chemical thinning program

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