Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Dec 2021

 Organic farming system was considered to increase fruit quality and improve food safety. Moreover, many consumers prefer organic products due to their better taste. Among the Prunus species, apricot is well grown in the world due to its good taste and multi uses. Tunisian apricot cultivars are cultivated in many areas, well adapted and characterized by varied pomological characteristics. In fact, due to the demand of the fresh market, there is growing introduction of commercial cultivars with firmness, visual appeal and flavor as principal traits demanded. Here, we aimed to assess the quality of organic apricot among local and introduced cultivars, in order to identify the cultivar(s) with better fruit quality performances.

For this purpose, morphological (attractiveness, shape, surface, ground color of skin, etc.) and physico-chemical (weight, width, TSS, titrable acidity, etc.) attributes of fruit were studied according to the international descriptors of apricot and to the other investigations on fruit quality.

Few differences of morphological attributes but high significant differences for most physico-chemical attributes of organic fruit were observed between local and introduced apricot cultivars. The organic cultivation system promotes the production of high fruit quality (high value of TSS: > 13°Brix, low value of acidity and big size) for the 3 local cultivars.

No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: Compared to the introduced apricot cultivars, the local ones are characterized by the performances of their fruit quality and also by their best adaptation under organic cultivation system.

The aim of the study was to identify the impacts of storage temperature on strawberries coated with 3% calcium chloride (CaCl2) and 0.2% nano-chitosan.

Fresh strawberry fruit were immersed in CaCl2 solution of 3% for 1 min and drained at room temperature before coating with nano chitosan solution of 0.2 %. The treated fruit was then stored at 0 oC, 2 oC, 4 oC and 25 °C. Physico-chemical analysis was performed in each three-day interval.

Of the four examined temperatures tested, storing the fruit at 0 oC was the most effective in maintaining the overall quality index of strawberries up to 21 days. The treatment also reduced weight loss, preserved ascorbic acid content, antioxidant capacity, and total anthocyanin content, prevented microbial growth and prolonged storage-life of treated strawberries up to 21 days.

 the industrial packaging that could affect the actual influences of the studied temperatures was not investigated in this work.

storing fresh strawberries coated with CaCl2 3%, nano-chitosan 0.2% at 0 oC was the most effective treatment in lengthening the shelf life of the fruit up to 21 days. The combination treatment of coating and storing at 2 oC extents strawberry storage life by 6 days when compared to uncoated fruit.

Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose plant. The growth curve would determine harvest date and maturity indices. Analysis of proximate and mineral constituents would highlight nutritional and health benefits.

Investigations were conducted on growth curve parameters, maturation indices, proximate and mineral compositions of moringa plant parts (Moringa oleifera) on four-year-old tress from 2016-2019.

The growth curve depicted a single sigmoid shape. Pods harvested 25 days after flowering were immature (M1), with a light-green skin colour, firm, tender seeds, and light greenish-cream flesh and seeds. Pods attained horticultural maturity with optimum cooking quality 32 days (M2) post-anthesis with corresponding maturity indices being firm, light greenish-cream-flesh and well–formed seed. Dried partially senesced over-matured pods (M3), harvested after 51 days, had a light-brown dermal layer enclosing dark brown firm seeds with the highest fat and crude fiber being 200.3 g/kg and 314.5 g/kg. Green-tender seeds showed the highest crude protein content of 296.0 g/kg. Immature leaves (L1) had the highest dry matter content while stage 2 leaves had the highest ash content. Matured pods showed the highest moisture content. Mineral contents of stage 3 leaves (L3) consisted of magnesium (4255.6ppm) while stage 1 leaves had the most iron (147.0 ppm) and potassium (30210.0ppm). Leaves at stage 2 had the most sodium (2547.9 ppm) and boron (23.1 ppm).

Limited cultivars.  Originality/Value: Maturity indices on the growth curve confirmed the multi-purpose nature of the moringa plant and benefits to the food and health industries.

The rejection of fruits because of insufficient purple colour in the exocarp has limited the profitability of ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill) fruit. Thus, this study investigated whether glucose infusion through the pedicel can trigger anthocyanin pigment synthesis and accumulation of early harvested ‘Hass’ avocado exocarp, thereby resulting in improved colour development during ripening.

‘Hass’ fruit were continuously infused through the pedicel with distilled water and different glucose concentrations; 0.05, 0.13, 0.28 mM and control, therefore, assessed for fruit quality; firmness loss, visual colour) chromaticity parameters (lightness-L*, chroma-C* and hue-h°) and exocarp pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanin and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) during ripening at 25°C.

Infusion of glucose and distilled water extended the ripening period by one day. Chlorophyll degradation was delayed in response to glucose infusions and distilled water compared to control. Results indicated that 0.05 and 0.13 mM glucose infusion increased anthocyanin and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside accumulation in the exocarp, correspondingly improving exocarp colour (visual colour) after 8 days at 25°C when compared with 0.28 mM, distilled water and control.

Anthocyanin-regulating enzymes and genes of the ‘Hass’ avocado fruit have not yet been identified. Originality/Value: This study provides insight into the possible role of C6 sugars in ‘Hass’ avocado fruit during postharvest ripening.By encouraging carbohydrate accumulation in the avocado fruit exocarp, postharvest poor exocarp colouration could be controlled.

The aim of this work was to determine the effects of UV-C and alginate coating, alone or in combination, on extending the storability and the quality of cherry tomato.

Tomatoes were covered with a 2% alginate coating in combination with UV-C treatment or alone and stored at 10°C with 90-95% relative humidity for 20 days. Tomatoes were evaluated for weight loss, respiration rate, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, lycopene content, total phenolic content, antioxidant content and overall appearance every 5 day.

The results indicated that UV-C +Alginate treatment was highly effective in preserving fruit quality and delaying senescence. Alginate coating preserved brightness and visual quality of fruit while preventing decay. Overall, the integration of UV-C irradiation with alginate coating was the best treatment that could strongly inhibit the increase in the weight loss and respiration and achieved the highest ascorbic acid, total phenolic and antioxidant content. Single UV-C treatment had a positive effect on biochemical compounds at the beginning, but could not maintain this effect at the end of storage. Moreover, lycopene concentration increased as the senescence progressed, but observed higher lycopene contents in control samples.

 No limitations to report.

UV-C + alginate treatment may be a promising method of improving quality and extending the postharvest life of cherry tomatoes.

This research was conducted to determine the in vitro antifungal effect of Aloe vera and cinnamon oil incorporated Aloe vera on stem-end rot pathogens isolated from Karthakolomban mango.

Effect of Aloe vera gel was determined using a liquid bioassay against the selected pathogens. Same bioassay was conducted to determine the effect of combinations of Aloe vera gel + cinnamon leaf and bark oils. A minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum lethal (MLC) concentration for each pathogen was determined.

Aloe vera at 10% v/v showed the best effect against Pestalotiopsis sp. and Phomopsis sp. whereas Lasiodiplodia theobromae was controlled at the highest percentage at 12.5% v/v concentration. The MLC of Aloe vera + cinnamon leaf oil and Aloe vera + cinnamon bark oil against Pestalotiopsis were identified as 10% + 0.50 µl/ mL and 10% + 0.60 µl/ mL respectively. The MLC against Phomopsis for Aloe vera + cinnamon leaf and Aloe vera + cinnamon bark oils were identified as 10% + 0.80 µl/ mL, and 10% + 0.50 µl/ mL, respectively. When considering L. theobromae, concentrations of 12.5% + 0.60 µl/ mL and 12.5% + 0.15 µl/ mL were identified as the MLC for Aloe vera + cinnamon leaf oil and Aloe vera + cinnamon bark oil respectively.

 Aloe vera gel without cinnamon oils was unable to inhibit fungal growth completely.

This study reveals the potential of using cinnamon oil in combination with Aloe vera as a preservative treatment against stem-end rot pathogens of mango.

Fresh leaves of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.), and culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.,) are used interchangeably based on similar odor, aroma and flavor and considered culinary substitutes. Cilantro is ethnically called “false coriander” and a mixed method approach to determine the possibility of crop mimicry was reviewed. Critical analysis was done on botanical, phylogenic traits and trees, dendogram, molecular, and phytochemical similarities of the odorants.

The study indicated that C. sativum and E. foetidum, belonged to two different subfamilies of Apiaceae, appeared morphologically divergent, but phytochemically similar in aroma and odorants indicating a classical example of convergent evolution in the plant kingdom. Five odor clusters with over 20 similar phytochemicals with the co‐elution of E‐2‐alkenals and E‐2‐alken‐1‐ols were identified. Greater levels E‐2‐dodecenal in E. foetidum (63.5%) compared to C. sativum, (26.0%) accounted for dominant odor which is found in crop mimics due to selective agricultural practices and the evolution of agricultural races of weeds. Multiple mechanisms explained how plant mimic evolved from “de‐domestication” and hybridization. Evolutionary origins and genetic diversity characterized genomics of E. foetidum as an aggressive aromatic pungent weed, and C. sativum as a fragrant herb.

There are no limitations in this review.

Organolepticpreference for the essential oils of coriander seeds and a clearer understanding of the phytochemical relationships between C. sativum and E. foetidum are required.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is one of the most popular and economically important cut flowers worldwide ranking the third after rose and chrysanthemum. The vase life of many carnation cultivars is short due to sensitivity to ethylene or other factors. This research was performed to study effect of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA 0.5, 0.75 and 1mM) on postharvest quality of tow famous carnation cultivars viz. Delphi (white) and Dob Pedro (Red).

The experiment was conducted as completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications per treatment.

The results indicated that all concentrations of GABA significantly prolonged the vase life in both cultivars. GABA decreased lipid peroxidation of petal tissue while increased the activity of some antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX). Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity was also decreased in GABA-treated cut flower. Interestingly, both cultivars responded similarly to GABA treatments.  The findings also revealed that GABA had antioxidant properties capable of increasing defense ability of the carnation cut flower. Meanwhile, the applied concentration is very critical and should be taken into account. Based on the present findings, the best treatment is GABA at 0.75 mM.

The results of this research indicated that GABA had antioxidant properties capable of increasing defense ability of the carnation cut flower. It appears that the applied GABA operates through membrane conservation, increasing the activity of antioxidants enzymes and decreasing PPO activity.

Mango is a prominent fruit crop in Sri Lanka. Improper postharvest practices along the supply chain lead to high losses and low fruit quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adapting improved postharvest technologies in mango value chain in Sri Lanka on loss reduction and fruit quality improvement.

Three mango supply chains; Maho to Colombo, Jafna to Colombo, and Malsiripura to Colombo were used for the study. Conventional mango supply chain (CSC) practices were compared with improved (ISC) practices at each supply chain actor. Total postharvest loss and physico-chemical parameters of mango were analyzed at each stage.

Total weight loss of mango was significantly (p <0.05) lower in ISC (6.2 ± 0.8%) than CSC (39.6 ± 1.9%). Fruit firmness declined and TSS increased along both supply chains with significantly higher rate in CSC. Colour changed significantly within 48 hrs. The L* and a* value had decreased while b* value increased in both chains in peel and pulp. The CSC mangos were completely yellow while ISC mangos were green, at retailer stage. The postharvest life of fresh mango fruits was four days longer in ISC than CSC. Anthracnose and stem end rot were more prominent in CSC.

No limitations to report.

 The study reveals that improved practices reduces postharvest loss and increases shelf life of mango. It facilitates retaining pulp firmness, slow colour development, and achieve comparable TSS levels. Therefore, improved postharvest handling practices should be promoted among all supply chain actors.

Most almond cultivars grown in Iran exhibit gametophytic self-incompatibility. Therefore, they need to be pollinated by cross-compatible cultivars that bloom in the same time to produce commercial crop. One of the new almond genotypes is Karaj 33, which has very late flowering, high productivity, paper shell, high percentage of kernel to fruit, no double and twin kernel, and self-incompatible.

In order to select the suitable pollinizer for ‘Karaj 33’, an experiment was conducted using fruit set under field conditions and fluorescence microscopy methods, in which Tuono, Shekofeh and H were evaluated as pollen donors.

All almond cultivars/genotypes had high (80-85%) pollen germination. Tuono and H bloomed earlier (from 24th to 29th March), whereas Shekofeh and then Karaj 33 bloomed later (from 26th March to 1st April and 30th March to 3rd April, respectively). Cross-compatibility was confirmed in all the three cultivars/genotype by both methods. Shekofeh had almost overlapping flowering time with Karaj 33. The penetration rate of Shekofeh pollen tube was faster so that 96 h after cross-pollination, it reached the base of Karaj 33 style, while the other two reached 120 h later. The highest final fruit set was observed with the cross of Karaj 33 × Shekofeh.

 No limitations were found. Originality/Value: we can consider Shekofeh as a suitable pollinizer for Karaj 33.