Influence of Probable Precipitation Futures on Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa): Results from a Simulated Rainfall Experiment

It is well established that the interacting effects of temperature and precipitation will alter agroecological systems on a global scale. These shifts will influence the fitness of specialty crops, specifically strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa), an important crop in the Northeastern United States. In this study, four precipitation scenarios were developed that are representative of current and probable-future growing season precipitation patterns. Using a precipitation simulator, we tested these scenarios on potted day neutral strawberries. This study generated four primary results: (1) though treatments received different amounts of precipitation, little difference was observed in soil volumetric water content or temperature. However, treatments designed to simulate future conditions were more likely those designed to simulate current conditions to have higher nitrate-in-leachate (N-leachate) concentrations; (2) neither total precipitation nor seasonable distribution were associated with foliar or root disease pressure; (3) while there was a slightly higher chance that photosynthetic potential and capacity would be higher in drier conditions, little difference was observed in the effects on chlorophyll concentration, and no water stress was detected in any treatment; and (4) leaf biomass was likely more affected by total rather than seasonal distribution of precipitation, but interaction between changing rainfall distribution and seasonal totals is likely to be an important driver of root biomass development in the future.

Response of Organic Manure and Azotobacter on Quality and Leaf Nutrient Status of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Cv. Winter Dawn

The field experiment was conducted during two subsequent years, i.e., 2017-18 and 2018-19 at the Department of Horticulture, Hisar with aim to study the effect of organic manures and Azotobacter on quality and leaf nutrient status of strawberry cv. Winter Dawn under hi-tech greenhouse conditions of Haryana. In this experiment, organic manures in combination with biofertilizers comprised of nine treatments, viz., T1: Sand: FYM (3:1), T2: Sand: FYM (2:1), T3: Sand: Vermicompost (3:1), T4: Sand: Vermicompost (2:1), T5: Sand: FYM (3:1) + Azotobacter, T6: Sand: FYM (2:1) + Azotobacter, T7: Sand: Vermicompost (3:1) + Azotobacter. T8: Sand: Vermicompost (2:1) + Azotobacter and T9: Control (Sand); were tested as potting media in complete randomized block design. Maximum TSS, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin content and minimum acidity content and leaf with maximum N, P and K content were observed under sand: vermicompost (2:1) + Azotobacter in comparison to the other treatments. The results of this experiment revealed that, the combination of sand: vermicompost (2:1) with Azotobacter showed significant influence on leaf nutrient content of strawberry and produced better results with respect to quality of strawberry fruits.

Pre-breeding study for the enhancement of bioactive fruit attributes in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

The strawberry fruit market increasingly demands new cultivars producing berries with enhanced bioactive attributes. In this research the suitability of twelve strawberry cultivars for effective breeding aimed at the enhancement of bioactive fruit attributes was studied. The group of genotypes with different pedigree was examined in respect of variation, breeding parameters, correlation between the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of fruit. Pre-breeding research showed the highly significant differences between genotypes regarding all traits analysed. Relationship between the bioactive phytochemicals content and antioxidant capacity of fruit were mostly positive and significant. Only correlation between vitamin C and flavonoids was negative (−0.482). Path analysis exhibited the highest positive direct effect of total phenolic content on antioxidant capacity (0.609). Heritability of traits was very high, reaching values above 0.90. The highest genetic advance was observed for flavonoids. Results suggested that the genotype plays the main role in shaping of fruit antioxidant potential. This study indicated that the efficient strawberry breeding focused on obtaining the forms with enhanced bioactive berry properties could be highly possible.

Antibacterial potential of strawberries and basil extracts combination against Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556)

Introduction: Streptococcus sanguinis is a commensal microorganism as well as a pioneer colony in forming dental plaque. Oral biofilm formation can be prevented by a mechanical cleaning procedure followed by the use of mouthwash. The current gold standard for mouthwash is chlorhexidine. Nevertheless, it has side effects that are not recommended for long-term use. Previous studies had proven that herbal-based mouthwashes such as basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) and strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa) have been shown to have antibacterial properties. The effectivity of antibacterial activity phenomenon in combined extracts has been reported in other studies. This research aims to observe the antibacterial potential of the F. x ananassa and O. basilicum extract combinations against S. sanguinis (ATCC 10556). Methods: The sample of this study was a combination of F. x ananassa and O. basilicum extract, which initially screened for their antibacterial activities. Antibacterial activities of F. x ananassa and O. basilicum extracts against S. sanguinis were observed using Kirby Bauer method, while Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by serial microdilution method. The 2% concentration from each extract was combined in 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 volume ratio variations then tested for inhibitory zones, MIC, and MBC. Results: F. x ananassa extract had 0.125% and 0.25% for MIC and MBC respectively, while O. basilicum extract showed the value of MIC and MBC as 0.031% and 0.063% against S. sanguinis (ATCC 10556). The extract combinations in 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 volume ratio variations showed 0.016% for MIC and 0.031% for MBC. Conclusions: It was concluded that combining extracts of 2 % F. x ananassa and 2% O. basilicum in various ratios were observably to have the antibacterial potential against S. sanguinis (ATCC 10556).

DESINFESTAÇÃO E GERMINAÇÃO IN VITRO DE MORANGUEIRO (FRAGARIA X ANANASSA DUCH)

Introdução: O morango (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) destaca-se no Brasil pela ótima aceitação no mercado consumidor e pelo elevado valor comercial. Espécie oriunda das Américas pertencente à família das rosáceas, além de ser consumido in natura pode ser utilizado em processos industriais. Objetivo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a desinfestação e aspectos relacionados à germinação in vitro de morangueiro. Materiais e Métodos: Esse estudo foi dividido em duas etapas sendo a primeira voltada para desinfestação de aquênios analisando a concentração adequada de hipoclorito de sódio (NaClO – 2%, 4%, 6%) em diferentes tempos de imersão (5, 10, 15 e 30 minutos). Os morangos foram colhidos e os aquênios foram retirados. Após, os mesmos foram submetidos aos tratamentos de desinfestação e inoculados em Ágar bacteriológico, sendo mantidos em BOD para o seu desenvolvimento, com temperatura de 25 ± 2ºC e fotoperíodo de 16 horas. Para a segunda etapa, testes de viabilidade de aquênios foram avaliados através das porcentagens de germinação de aquênios armazenados com polpa e sem polpa nos períodos de 5, 15, 25 e 35 dias de armazenamento em ± 10ºC. Resultados: Os morangos foram colhidos, retirados 150 aquênios, onde 50 foram inoculados aos zero dias de armazenamento para testemunha e, o restante armazenados pelos períodos propostos juntamente com os aquênios com polpa. No decorrer dos períodos de armazenamento, foram inoculados em Ágar bacteriológico 25 aquênios do tratamento sem polpa e 25 aquênios do tratamento com polpa. Notou-se, no primeiro estudo o desenvolvimento de contaminações desde a primeira avaliação aos sete dias. Após o período de 42 dias, pode-se concluir que o tratamento com 4% de NaClO demonstrou 100% do lote sem contaminação. Conclusões: No experimento de viabilidade de aquênios, o tratamento com polpa demonstrou maior porcentagem de germinações (16% aos 35 dias de armazenamento).

Global warming impairs chemical communication between plants and pollinators

Global warming is expected to have a great impact on floral scents and consequently, on the attraction of pollinators. While there is evidence that temperature affects the biosynthesis and emission of floral scents, the effects on chemically mediated pollinator behavior have not been assessed. Here, we show by chemical analytical, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches that increased air temperatures affect the chemical communication between strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) and its bee pollinators (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Osmia bicornis). Plants cultivated at increased temperatures released smaller amounts and a different composition of floral scent than plants cultivated at physiological optimum temperatures, which translated into a reduced attractiveness to pollinators. Our study highlights for the first time that increased temperatures negatively affect the chemical communication between plants and their pollinators. This raises important ecological and agricultural questions, as impaired communication between plants and their pollinators might result in insufficient pollination with negative consequences for ecosystem functioning and crop yields.

Response Two Strawberry Cultivars (Fragaria X Ananassa Duch.) for Foliar Application of Two Organic Fertilizers

This study was undertaken during the seasons of 2019-2020. The xperiment examines the impact of Humic acid and Seaweed extract at three concentrations on growth, flowering and yield as a foliar spray and their interactions on growth, chemical composition, production and quality of strawberry at two strawberry cultivars (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) Albion and Rubygem.The results showed that the higher leaf dry weight, root dry weight, number of flowers, yield per plant, with Rubygem, higher value of Nitrogen % in leaf, phosphorus %, anthocyanin (Mg/100g F.Wt.) observed for Rubygem. As well as the higher value of root dry weight (g. plant -1), yield per plant (g. Plant-1) Nitrogen % in leaf recorded with Humic acid, treatment. Moreover, the combined treatment between organic fertilizers and two strawberry cultivars exhibited the significant effect in root dry weight (g. plant-1), Nitrogen % in leaf, phosphorus (%), number of flowers, yield per plant (g. plant-1) and anthocyanin (Mg/100g F.Wt.). As well as the combination between organic fertilizers and concentrations and organic fertilizers, two strawberry cultivars and concentrations had significantly effect in all the studied traits.