Evaluating Ecologically Acceptable Sprout Suppressants for Enhancing Dormancy and Potato Storability: A Review

Postharvest losses are a key stumbling block to long-term postharvest storage of potato tubers. Due to the high costs and lack of infrastructure associated with cold storage, this storage method is often not the most viable option. Hence, sprout suppressants are an appealing option. In most developing countries, potato tubers in postharvest storage are accompanied by a rapid decline in the potato tuber quality due to the physiological process of sprouting. It results in weight changes, increased respiration, and decreased nutritional quality. Therefore, proper management of sprouting is critical in potato storage. To avoid tuber sprouting, increased storage and transportation of potatoes demands either the retention of their dormant state or the application of sprout growth suppressants. This review evaluates the current understanding of the efficacy of different sprout suppressants on potato storability and the extension of potato shelf-life. We also consider the implications of varied study parameters, i.e., cultivar, temperature, and method of application, on the outcomes of sprout suppressant efficacies and how these limit the integration of efficient sprout suppression protocols.

The study of growth of blue honeysuckle sprouts (Lonicera caeruleae L.) in the conditions of North-East of the European Russia

The aim of the research is to study characteristics of sprout growth of 13 blue honeysuckle variety samples for evaluation of their viability in the conditions of Kirov region. Recordings and observations were carried out since 2018 to 2020 on the collection area (2017 year of planting). The length of a one-year growth was measured on three even-aged plants of each variety sample ten days after the moment of sprout growing till the end of growth. The length of 20 sprouts of the first-order renewal located according to four corners of the earth, was recorded on one plant. The sprout growth began from the 2nd to the 11th of May. Over the studied time an average duration of a growing period was 49.0 days. The variety Masha was distinguished for maximum duration in 2018 (55 days), the varieties Omega, Lenarola, Goluboy Desert (Blue Dessert), Laura and Dark-Blue № form had the minimal one in 2019 (42 days). Maximum length of the one-year growth was observed for the variety Renata (20.6±4.1 cm), Goluboy Desert (Blue Dessert) (20.8±5.2 cm) and Malvina (25.6±5.7 cm). The analysis of the dynamic of sprout growth showed that in the conditions of the studied period the maximum growth was observed in the first (33.8 %) and in the second (35.3 %) decades of growth – approximately, from the middle of May till the first decade of June. The decrease in intensity of sprout growth was noticed in the third decade – an average growth was 21.2 % (from 14.2 % in 2018 to 28.8 % in 2020). The fourth and fifth decades were characterised by fading of growth processes – intensity of growth was 5.9 % and 3.9 %, respectively. The contribution of the secondary growth to an annual growth did not exceed 26 % for Lenarola variety and 20 % for Goluboy Desert (Blue Dessert). The varieties, which had Turchaninov honeysuckle (Lonicera turczaninowii Pojark.) in their breeding record, did not differ in intensity and duration of sprout growth from the descendants of Kamchatka honeysuckle (Lonicera kamtscatica (Sevast.) Pojark.). An obconical shape of the bush prevailed among the studied variety samples (6 varieties or 46.2 %). All the studied variety samples of honeysuckle showed high viability in the conditions of the Kirov region.

Combining conventional QTL analysis and whole-exome capture-based bulk-segregant analysis provides new genetic insights into tuber sprout elongation and dormancy release in a diploid potato population

Tuber dormancy and sprouting are commercially important potato traits as long-term tuber storage is necessary to ensure year-round availability. Premature dormancy release and sprout growth in tubers during storage can result in a significant deterioration in product quality. In addition, the main chemical sprout suppressant chlorpropham has been withdrawn in Europe, necessitating alternative approaches for controlling sprouting. Breeding potato cultivars with longer dormancy and slower sprout growth is a desirable goal, although this must be tempered by the needs of the seed potato industry, where dormancy break and sprout vigour are required for rapid emergence. We have performed a detailed genetic analysis of tuber sprout growth using a diploid potato population derived from two highly heterozygous parents. A dual approach employing conventional QTL analysis allied to a combined bulk-segregant analysis (BSA) using a novel potato whole-exome capture (WEC) platform was evaluated. Tubers were assessed for sprout growth in storage at six time-points over two consecutive growing seasons. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of main QTL on five chromosomes, several of which were consistent across two growing seasons. In addition, phenotypic bulks displaying extreme sprout growth phenotypes were subjected to WEC sequencing for performing BSA. The combined BSA and WEC approach corroborated QTL locations and served to narrow the associated genomic regions, while also identifying new QTL for further investigation. Overall, our findings reveal a very complex genetic architecture for tuber sprouting and sprout growth, which has implications both for potato and other root, bulb and tuber crops where long-term storage is essential.

Changes in Microstructure, Germination, Sprout Growth, Phytochemical and Microbial Quality of Ultrasonication Treated Adzuki Bean Seeds

Sprout is a nutritious ready-to-eat vegetable. In this study, we examined the effects of ultrasonication treatments (treated with 28, 40 or 80 kHz frequency for 10 min at 25 °C) on the changes in microstructure, seed hydration and germination, sprout growth, sprout quality, and microbial load of two adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) varieties (Kaohsiung 8 and Kaohsiung 10). The results indicated that the ultrasonication at 40 kHz or 80 kHz improved seed hydration and enhanced germination; this is linked to the ultrasound-induced microstructure changes in the hilum and seed coat surface of treated seeds. The ultrasonication-increased sprout growth and yield were possibly attributable to the increased α-amylase activity during germination. Ultrasonication also improved total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and total saponins contents and further enhanced the anti-oxidative activities (FRAP and DPPH) of produce sprouts. The results further indicated that the 40 kHz or 80 kHz treatment decreased microbial loads of treated sprouts to an acceptable level; therefore, these two treatments can be used for germination improvement and an effective microbial control treatment for adzuki bean sprout production.

Breeding of Buckwheat for Usage of Sprout and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance

Buckwheat is recognized as an important traditional crop and supports local economies in several regions around the world. Buckwheat is used, for example, as a cereal grain, noodle and bread. In addition, buckwheat is also used as a sprout or a young seedling. For these foods, sprouting is an important characteristic that affects food quality. For foods made from buckwheat flour, pre-harvest sprouting may decrease yield, which also leads to the deterioration of noodle quality. Breeding buckwheat that is resistant to pre-harvest sprouting is therefore required. Germination and subsequent growth are also important characteristics of the quality of sprouts. Although buckwheat sprouts are the focus because they contain many functional compounds, such as rutin, several problems have been noted, such as thin hypocotyls and husks remaining on sprouts. To date, several new varieties have been developed to resolve these quality issues. In this review, we summarize and introduce research on the breeding of buckwheat related to quality, sprouting and subsequent sprout growth.

APPLICATION OF ELECTROCHEMICAL ACTIVATED SOLUTION ON BROCCOLI SEEDS

Electrochemical activated solution possesses a wide variety of antimicrobial activities. Electrochemical activated solution (EAS) has been known as a super disinfectant solution with the promote ability in killing most of bacteria and fungi and safe for human use. Therefore, it has been studied and used in many different areas of life such as medication, food processing industry, etc., However, there are few reported the effect of EAS in agriculture. This study was conducted to determine the effects of using EAS to treat broccoli seeds on seed germination rate and growth of sprouts. The EAS was generated from KCl solution, the EAS was diluted with distilled water at 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 strengths of the source EAS. The results showed that treating seeds with EAS could reduce the quantity of microorganism on the surface of broccoli seeds, without affecting seed germination rate and sprout growth. The 0.3 strength EAS (pH 6,7; oxidants concentration of 8,6 ppm; ORP 560 mV) was the most suitable solution for microorganism killing on broccoli seeds.

Effect of Photoperiod on Chinese Kale (Brassica alboglabra) Sprouts Under White or Combined Red and Blue Light

To determine the response of Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra) sprouts to photoperiods under different light sources, we used four photoperiods (0-h light/24-h dark, 8-h light/16-h dark, 12-h light/12-h dark, and 16-h light/8-h dark) to investigate their sprout growth and secondary metabolite glucosinolates (GSs) accumulation under white or combined red-and-blue (RB) light sources. We found that the 16-h light condition under RB light produced plants with the greatest dry matter. Sprouts grown under 16-h RB light condition achieved greater length than those under white light. To investigate the role of RB light in plant growth and GS accumulation, we applied RB light sources with different RB ratios (0:10, 2:8, 5:5, 8:2, and 10:0) to cultivate sprouts. The results showed that significant differential accumulation of GSs existed between sprouts grown under blue (RB, 0:10) and red (RB, 10:0) light; there was greater GS content under blue light. The underlying mechanism of differential GS content in sprouts under red or blue light condition was studied using RNA sequencing technique. Interestingly, abundant GS biosynthetic gene transcripts were observed in sprouts grown under red light compared with under blue light. The expression of β-glucosidase family homolog genes related to GS degradation differed under red and blue light conditions, among those TGG4 homolog was detected with higher expression under red light than with blue light. Taking into consideration, the lower GS accumulation in sprouts under red rather than blue light, we conclude that the degradation of GSs may play a key role in sprouts GS homeostasis.