Evaluating the Physicochemical Properties of Some Kosovo’s and Imported Honey Samples

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties (moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), proteins, insoluble solids, and ash) of 45 Kosovo’s and imported honey samples, using methods provided by national and international standards. The moisture values of all honey samples analyzed were below 20%. The free acidity was above 50.0 meq kg−1 in 14 out of 33 samples (42%) collected in Kosovo, while 2 out of 12 imported honey samples (16.7%) showed higher values than 50 meq kg−1. In this study, 7 out of 33 honey samples (21%) from Kosovo and one out of 12 honey samples from imports had soluble solids content below 80 °Brix. In terms of HMF, 5 out of 33 Kosovo honey samples (15%) and 4 out of 12 imported honey samples (33%) exceeded 40 mg/kg, which is the maximum content of HMF set in standards. The values of some physicochemical parameters (free acidity, HMF, and soluble solids) of local and imported honey samples are not within the quality limits set in legislation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the properties of fresh honey produced in Kosovo and the stability of honey during prolonged storage.

Application methods of biostimulants affect the production and postharvest conservation of yellow melon

Worldwide, Brazil holds the fifth position in melon fruits exportation, further expanding its products to provide for the growing demand. This expansion is the result of the development and application of new technologies, including the management of the use of biostimulants. However, for melon crops, the information in the literature on the use of biostimulants remains limited to the effects of different doses on fruit quality at the time of harvest. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of different methods of pre-harvest application of two biostimulants on the production and postharvest conservation of fruits of yellow melon cv. Iracema. The treatments consisted of a combination of three factors: two plant biostimulants (Crop Set® and Spray Dunger®), two application methods of the products (fertigation and spraying), and five times of postharvest storage (0, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days). An additional control treatment corresponded to plants without biostimulant application. The fruits were evaluated for production and physicochemical attributes: average mass, yield, flesh firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, SSC/TA ratio, pH, total soluble sugars, and weight loss. Fertigation is the recommended application method of biostimulants for yellow melon due to its effect on the increase of average mass, yield, flesh firmness, soluble solids content, and total soluble sugars of the fruits in relation to the spraying method.

A detergent for mango fruit sap-induced injury

This study determined the optimum concentration of, and duration of immersion in a local detergent (“awabla”) that protected fruit skin of Kent and Keitt mango varieties from mango fruit sap-induced injury (sap-burn) at harvest.The resultant skin/peel colour, pulp colour, and total soluble solids content was also evaluated for fruit quality. Randomized Complete Block Design and Completely Randomized Design with four replications in each case were used for field and laboratory experiments respectively. For each of the two varieties, ten mango trees were sampled at random in each of the four replications of a mango plantation.On each sample tree, twenty panicles all initiating fruit-set were identified and tagged. The number of days from fruit-set to physiological maturity were monitored and harvested for the experiments. Concentrations of 0.25,0.50, and 0.75% of “awabla” solution for 25,30,and35 minutes immersion period in all combinations were established as appropriate and recommended for management of Kent and Keitt mango fruit sap-induced injury. The detergent (“awabla”) had a proven efficacy in the range of 87-94 % for Kent and 90-93 % for Keitt. The resultant peel colour, pulp colour, and total soluble solids content of Kent and Keitt mango fruit samples were not significantly influenced by the treatments at p>0.05.

ASSESSMENT OF APPLE FRUITS UNDER COLD STORAGE

The cold storage of fruits for a long period of time without quantitative and qualitative depreciations is absolutely necessary to supply the market with fresh fruits. This study aimed to investigate the changes in apple fruits during cold storage in order to determine their optimal storage capacity and to know the optimal moment of market sale. Five apple cvs. (‘Rumina’, ‘Rebra’, ‘Rustic’, ‘Generos’ and ‘Florina’) grown in the Genetics and Breeding Department of Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, Romania were kept in the cold storage at 2-4ºC and 90-95% humidity for 4 months. Before and after storage in cold conditions, the following physical and chemical parameters of fruits were evaluated: weight, color, firmness, soluble solids content and acids content. After 4 months, the fruits weight decreased with 2.45 g. The lowest weight loss was recorded on ‘Rumina’ cv. (1.48 g) and the highest for ‘Rebra’ cv. (3.20 g). At the end of storage period (January) the fruits firmness decreases with 7.74 Bareiss HPE-II FFF units, the best results being recorded on Rumina cv. (loss of firmness by only 5.23 units). Also, after cold storage the taste of the fruits was improved (the soluble solids content increased with 0.29 % Brix and the acid content decreased with 0.22 g/100 g fresh weight). The fruits color has changed gradually during the storage, the fruits being more colorful and attractive.

Impact of Potassium Pre-Harvest Applications on Fruit Quality and Condition of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Cultivated under Plastic Covers in Southern Chile Orchards

In rainy locations, sweet cherry is cultivated under plastic covers, which are useful to prevent fruit cracking but decrease cherry quality such as firmness and acidity. Here we evaluate the impact of pre-harvest K foliar applications on harvest and post-harvest fruit quality and condition of sweet cherry cultivated under plastic covers in southern Chile orchards. The study was performed on two commercial orchards (cv. Regina), located in different regions, during two consecutive seasons. In all cases, a conventional K regime (four sprays) was compared to an intensive K regimen (seven sprays). Results showed that cherries from the most southern region revealed lower acidity but higher soluble solids content weight and size. The intensive K regime improved the firmness and acidity of fruits of covered trees at harvest and post-harvest. Moreover, we found that condition defects were higher in fruits from un-covered trees and that trees grown under intensive K regime showed lower levels of cracking at harvest and pitting at post-harvest compared to trees treated with the conventional K regime. Otherwise, pedicel browning was inconsistently affected by K sprays. Our results revealed that an intensive K regime could improve the quality and condition of fruits at harvest and post-harvest in covered orchards of sweet cherry cv. Regina; however, the impacts can significantly vary depending on season and locality.

Selection of S3 progenies of super sweet corn based on agronomic performance of topcrosses

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to select S3 progenies of super sweet corn based on agronomic performance, evaluated in topcrosses with the narrow genetic base tester Honey Sweeter (Seminis®). The experiment was carried out in Guarapuava-PR. We evaluated 22 topcross hybrids and three checks, in two sowing times, in randomized blocks design with three replications. Six traits were evaluated: total yield of husked ears, commercial yield of husked ears, grain yield, grain length, ear diameter and total soluble solids content. Considering the set of evaluated traits, the topcrosses with progenies D2-07, D3-28, D4-53 and D5-24 were superior to the others; therefore, these progenies should continue in the inbreeding process and be evaluated in crosses with elite inbred lines with potential to generate competitive super sweet corn single hybrids.

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON PRODUCTION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF FRUITS OF CONVENTIONALLY AND ORGANICALLY GROWN FIG1

ABSTRACT Fig (Ficus carica L.) is widely accepted due to its organoleptic and pharmacological properties. Search for innovations to improve the crop management has increased to reduce environmental impacts and improve the organoleptic quality and food safety of the fruits. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of fertilization methods and plant training systems on the production and physicochemical traits of fig. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme, with three blocks and three plants per plot. The factors corresponded to five fertilizers (chemical, cattle manure, sheep manure, poultry litter, and organic compost) and four training systems (two branches, three branches, four branches, and espalier). Results showed that, when using chemical fertilizer and poultry litter, plants showed similar productivity and number of fruits, which had similar firmness, length, and peel color (L and °h). The highest production and number of immature fruits were obtained using cattle manure. Soluble solids content and soluble solids content/ titratable acidity ratio were higher in fruits from plants fertilized with cattle manure, sheep manure, and organic compost. On the other hand, plants trained with three and four branches or in espalier produced fruits with the highest soluble solids content and weight. Also, heavier fruits were obtained using chemical fertilization and conducting plants with two, three, and four branches.