Effect Of Harvest Time Research Articles

Cover crop and cereal straw management influence the residual nitrogen effect

Cover crops (CC) may play an essential role in the recycling of nutrients in organic farming systems with cereals. Harvest time of cereals and management of straw in the field can affect the growth of CC and subsequent nitrogen (N) fertiliser replacement value (NFRV) in the following crop. This study investigates 1) the effect of harvest time, 2) cutting height of straw and 3) straw removal from the main crop on CC growth, composition, uptake and NFRV in the following crop and 4) the effect of CC harvest in autumn on the NFRV in the succeeding crop. A CC mixture of mainly red clover, with chicory and ryegrass was sown under a spring barley crop in 2017, and replicated in 2018. Four strategies of barley harvest were conducted: 1) early harvest as whole crop or 2) early harvest of the upper parts only, 3) at maturity with straw removed or 4) at maturity with straw left on the field surface. Subsequently, CC and high stubbles of left straw were harvested and removed in autumn in half of the field replicates. The residual effect was measured in spring barley in the succeeding year. The CC aboveground biomass dominated by the clover had an N uptake for both years of 40−77 kg N ha−1. Variability was significant between years but not caused by the harvest time or by straw management. In the succeeding year, residues from barley and CC could replace 61−85 kg N ha−1 of mineral N fertiliser, which were mostly derived from CC roots and stubble. High straw stubble left (40 cm length) significantly reduced the NFRV of CC shoots by 20%. Root residues (including barley and CC roots) contributed a substantial N supply to the following crop irrespective of aboveground CC biomass. The availability of N derived from CC shoot mineralisation differed significantly in the two years and was also influenced by straw left from the previous crop.

Effects of harvest time (7:00 am and 12:00 pm) on postharvest quality of Arkansas fresh-market blackberries

Effects of harvest time (7:00 am and 12:00 pm) on postharvest quality of Arkansas fresh-market blackberries

Providing High Quality Forages with Hydroponic Fodder System

Hydroponic fodder is an alternative technology to provide the sustainability of high-quality forage for ruminant. Hydroponic sprout contains grass juice which is essential to increase the ruminant performance because the grass juice from hydroponic can contribute to the enhancement of microbial activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of harvesting time toward fodder production and nutrient content of hydroponic maize fodder. This study used maize seed and hypochlorite solution for a disinfectant agent. The method used in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments. The treatments used was the difference of harvesting time, P1 = 8 days, P2 = 12 days, P3 = 16 days, P4 = 20 days, P5 = 24 days. Variables measured were % germination, growth (plant height), forage production, and nutrient content (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and crude fiber). The results showed that the harvesting time is a highly significant effect (P <0.01) on plant height, forage production, and nutrient content. Based on research, hydroponic maize fodder has an advantage as a source of quality forage for livestock because it has a high protein. The crude protein contains on P1 with 12,36 %, P2 = 14,91%, P3 = 17,11%, P4 18,43% and P5 = 17,58 %. The conclusion is the 20th day of harvesting time has good quality and production as an alternative animal forage.

Harvest Time and Cultivar Effects on Growth, Physiological Traits, Yield and Quality of Alfalfa in Saline Condition

One of the most important forage crops in Iran is Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Cultivar selection is important for alfalfa hay production. This research was carried out in 2017 and 2018 to assess the effects of harvest time and cultivar on growth, physiological traits and yield of alfalfa in saline condition. These field experiments were carried out at the Research Farm of East-Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Tabriz, Iran (Firuz Salar village located 4 km from Azarshahr city). Results showed that the synthetic cultivars (C2 and C3) and especially C4 (Azar cultivar) has the highest forage yield and it attributed to high chlorophyll content, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, proline content, leaf area index (LAI), stem diameter, plant height and leaf to shoot ratio in these cultivars. However, the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) content related to C1 cultivar (Gara-Yonjeh as a local cultivar). Maximum of fresh and dry forage yields were achieved in second and third harvest times and it have related to high chlorophyll content, enzyme activities (CAT, POD and SOD), LAI, stem diameter, plant height, leaf to shoot ratio, proline and MDA contents in these harvest times. The highest acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), protein content and digestibility were obtained from C4 followed by C3, C2 and C1 cultivars. Value of ADF, NDF, protein content and digestibility were more during early harvests (H1 and H2) than during last harvests (H3 and H4). These findings have shown that suitable harvesting time of forage alfalfa is second stage for high yield and first stage for high quality. Synthetic cultivars and especially Azar cultivar was a superior cultivar. Thus, harvest time and cultivar selections can influence the yield and quality of alfalfa.

Harvesting time and biomass composition affect the economics of microalgae production

Cost simulations provide a strong tool to render the production of microalgae economically viable. This study evaluated the unexplored effect of harvesting time and the corresponding microalgal biomass composition on the overall production cost, under both continuous light and light/dark regime using techno-economic analysis (TEA). At the same time, the TEA gives evidence that a novel product “proteinaceous salt” from Dunaliella microalgae production is a promising high-value product for commercialization with profitability. The optimum production scenario is to employ natural light/dark regime and harvest microalgal biomass around late exponential phase, obtaining the minimum production cost of 11 €/kg and a profitable minimum selling price (MSP) of 14.4 €/kg for the “proteinaceous salt”. For further optimization of the production, increasing microalgal biomass concentration is the most effective way to reduce the total production cost and increase the profits of microalgae products.

The nutritional value and vitamin C content of different raspberry cultivars from organic and conventional production

Raspberry fruit is a source of vitamin C. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and can neutralize the negative effects of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the content of vitamin C, sugars and organic acids in organic vs. conventional raspberries and to determine the effects of harvest time and cultivar on the contents of these compounds. The experiment was carried out in 2013–2014. Fruits from four raspberry cultivars ('Laszka', 'Glen Ample', 'Glen Fine' and 'Tulameen') were collected in the summer, and fruits of the 'Polka' cv. were collected in the autumn. The experiment was carried out on three organic farms and three conventional farms. The vitamin C, sugars and organic acids contents were determined using the HPLC method. The conventional raspberries grown in 2013 contained a significantly greater vitamin C (40.5 mg/100 g FW) and dehydroascorbic acid (35.8 g/100 g FW) content compared to organic raspberries (33.7 mg/100 g FW and 29.2 mg/100 g FW, respectively). We observed an effect of the cultivar on the total organic acids and citric acid content in raspberry fruit in 2013 and 2014. ‘Laszka’ cv. (1720 mg/100 g FW and 1650 mg/100 g FW) and ‘Glen Fine’ cv. (1740 mg/100 g FW and 1710 mg/100 g FW) fruits contained significantly more total organic acids and citric acid (1680 mg/100 g FW and 1610 mg/100 g FW) as well (1680 mg/100 g FW and 1670 mg/100 g FW) compared to the other experimental cultivars. However, the 2014 ‘Tulameen’ cv. was characterized by the highest levels of total sugars (14.9 g/100 g FW) and sucrose (5.0 g/100 g FW) content. The conventional raspberry fruits (55.4 mg/100 g FW) harvested in the autumn of 2014 contained a significantly greater malic acid content compared to organic fruits (46.2 mg/100 g FW).

Yield of Potato Minitubers under Aeroponics, Optimized for Nozzle Type and Spray Direction

Potato seed production by conventional methods represents a sizeable investment that, when passed on to farmers, can decrease their profit margins. Potato minitubers produced by aeroponic systems are space- and cost-efficient, and they also provide healthy propagules to be used by farmers. We evaluated the effects of different misting nozzle types, with and without an antidrip feature, and spray direction on potato minituber yield using the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) Aeroponic System. Potato plants (cv. Agata) propagated from sprouts were grown in a covered, high-density 100-L polyethylene bucket. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with four replicates and eight treatments combining misting nozzle types (Fogger, MA-30, and CoolNet) with and without antidrip and comparing upward with downward spray directions. Plants were evaluated weekly from 33 to 68 days after transplant (DAT). The parameters used to evaluate treatments were number and mass of minitubers as a function of harvest times, dry mass of roots, stems, leaves, and total biomass. The number and fresh weight of minitubers, as well as root dry weight, stems, leaves, and total biomass were affected by misting nozzle types and spray direction. Treatments also affected biomass partitioning of roots, stem biomass, and the shoot:root ratio. There was also an effect of harvest time on the number and fresh weight of minitubers for various combinations of misting nozzle type and spray direction, except for minituber number with the CoolNet misting nozzle without antidrip and downward spray direction. On the basis of the assessed parameters, the best minituber production system was achieved with the Fogger spray combined with no antidrip, a rate of 12 L·h−1, and with the downward spray direction. The UFV Aeroponic System produced an average of 491 minitubers per plant. This system is simple to implement and may lead to a more affordable upscaling of potato seed minituber production.

THE YIELD AND QUALITY PROPERTIES OF CHICKPEA SEEDS (CICER ARIETINUM L.) AFFECTED BY HARVEST TIMES

Harvesting of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds at right time of maturity is one of the important issues because pod dropping and shattering is a major problem during harvest. Also, the physical properties of chickpea seeds can be affected by harvest time. For this purpose, a field experiment was carried out to examine the effects of harvest times after physiological maturity on the seed yield per plant and the seed quality properties in chickpea production. The treatments used in the experiment consisted of five harvest times, which chickpea pods were harvested at physiological maturity (H1) and 5, 10, 15, and 20 days after physiological maturity (H2, H3, H4 and H5, respectively). The physiological maturity time (R7) was considered as the stage that leaves start to yellow and 50% of pods are yellow. Moisture content, dimension properties, hundred seed weight, true density, bulk density and porosity and seed yield per plant was determined in the study. The results showed that all measured variables were affected by harvest time. The true density and porosity increased with delayed harvest time. But, the other measured variables decreased when harvest was delayed.

Variation in health promoting compounds of blueberry fruit associated with different nutrient management practices in a soilless growing system

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the content of total anthocyanins (TACY), total phenolics (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of the fruit of ?Bluecrop? highbush blueberry grown under different nutrient management practices in a soilless production system. A field study was carried out in a highbush blueberry plantation situated near Belgrade (Serbia), during the period of 2016-2017. The orchard was planted in the spring of 2016 in 50 l polypropylene pots with 5-year-old nursery plants. Each pot was filled with the mix of pine sawdust (60%), white peat (30%) and perlite (10%), and placed at a distance of 0.8 m within the row and 3.0 m between the rows (4,170 bushes ha?1). The following fertilizer treatments were evaluated: 1. organic fertilizers (Org); 2. mineral fertilizers (Min) and 3. a combination of organic and mineral fertilizers (Org-Min). Soluble NPK fertilizers were applied with irrigation water, whereas granulated mineral and pelleted organic fertilizers were mixed with the substrate. Fruit samples were collected in triplicate at the beginning of ripening, full maturity and the end of the harvest season. No significant effect of harvest time on each of the tested parameters was observed, whereas the content of TACY did not even differ under various fertilizer treatments. TPC in the fruit significantly increased in Org and Org-Min treatments (139.8 and 139.3 mg eq GA 100 g-1 FW, respectively) compared to Min treatment (122.7 mg eq GA 100 g-1 FW), while a considerably high TAA level was found only in berries under Org-Min treatment (0.53 mg asc g-1 FW).

Enhancing the Quality and Yield of European Borage (Borago officinalis) by Simultaneous Application of Granulated Compost, Vermicompost and Mycorrhiza

The application of organic fertilizers alone or in combination with bio-fertilizers is important for sustainable agriculture, healthy agricultural production and restoring soil quality. Compost, vermicompost and mycorrhiza amendments could improve soil quality and plant yield. However, little is known about their impact on yield and quality of European borage (Borago officinalis L.). To evaluate the effects of vermicompost, granulated compost, and mycorrhiza on qualitative and quantitative traits of B. officinalis an experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design arranged in a factorial experiment with three replications. Organic fertilizers in five levels (0, 5 and 10 t/ha vermicompost and 3 and 6 t/ha granulated compost) and mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae) in two levels (with and without) were considered. It was shown that the effects of organic fertilizer and mycorrhiza application on nitrogen content were significant in such a way that the maximum nitrogen content was obtained by 10 t/ha vermicompost and mycorrhiza inoculation treatment. The main effects of organic fertilizer and mycorrhiza on phosphorus and potassium contents were also significant. The maximum values were obtained when 10 t/ha vermicompost and mycorrhiza were applied together. Total chlorophyll content, flower-bearing branches, mucilage, and phenol were measured in all three harvests. The results indicated that the interaction effect of harvesting time, organic fertilizer, and mycorrhiza was only significant on chlorophyll content. The maximum chlorophyll content (0.958 mg g-1 freshweight) was detected in the third harvest when 10 t/ha vermicompost and mycorrhiza were applied. Maximum mucilage content (4.23%), phenol content (5.07%) and flower-bearing branches (57.45 g m-2) were obtained by 10 t/ha vermicompost treatment. The results suggested that chemical fertilizers could be replaced by organic fertilizer and mycorrhiza to reduce soil and water contamination in the agroecosystems.

Effect of harvest time of paddy on milled rice yield and broken kernels

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal harvest time to achieve maximum milled rice yield and quality of white rice in some newly introduced Italian rice varieties grown under agro-ecological conditions in the region of Kocani town, Republic of North Macedonia. During the 2014 and 2015, fourteen rice varieties were cultivated to estimate the milled rice yield and broken kernels from three different harvest times. From each rice variety, samples with moisture content between 20-22% (I variant), 18-20% (II variant) and 16-18% (III variant) were taken. From the third harvest variant the highest percentage of milled rice yield (65.23%) was obtained but also the highest rate of broken kernels (12.79%). From the remaining two harvests, almost identical milled rice yields were received (64.19% from the first variant and 64.33% from the second variant), but in terms of broken kernels, there were significant differences. The optimum moisture content during the harvest in order to obtain maximum yield and quality of milled rice ranged from 18% to 20%. The varieties Arsenal, Sprint and Mirko had the most favorable values for milled rice yield and broken kernels.

Фізико-хімічні показники яблук сорту хонейкрісп залежно від режиму охолодження та післязбиральної обробки інгібітором етилену

Honeycrisp is an apple cultivar of American selection with a unique texture and high turgor of flesh, which provides high consumer demand. However, due to the non- simultaneous onset of harvest maturity, the fruits of this variety require multiple harvesting, sensitive to post-harvest cooling, and during storage they are affected by bitter pit, low-temperature burn and flesh browning. Consumers usually prefer to have firm, juicy, tasty and aromatic apples with flesh firmness not less than 4.5 kg / cm 2 . The firmness of the fruits cv. Honeycrisp for sale in the supermarkets should be higher than 6.2 kg/cm 2 . The effect of harvest time, cooling mode and post-harvest treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the change of flesh firmness, total soluble solids content and titratable acidity in apples cv. Honeycrisp during storage was investigated. The research was conducted in the storage season 2014/2015 at the Department of Fruit Growing and Viticulture of Uman National University of Horticulture. Honeycrisp apples were collected and stored in a branch of the Department - the farm «Yanis», Khotyn district, Chernivtsi region. The apples were harvested from the same trees at harvesting maturity (first collection) and a week later (second collection), taking into account firmness of the flesh, content of dry soluble substances and iodine-starch test. Fruits of homogeneous ripeness degree of the highest commercial grade were selected from typical trees of pomology varieties, accounting units were immediately formed and examined for damage, and placed into paper lined boxes. On the day of collection, the products were cooled to 5 °C overnight, followed by the storage at 2 ±1 ° С and relative humidity 85-90 % (conventional method) or cooled down slowly with a seven-hour exposure at 10 °С and its subsequent decrease by 1 °С per day to storage temperature 2 ±1 °С. After three days of loading the refrigerator, half of the products were treated with 1-MCP on the recommendation of the manufacturer of the drug «SmartFresh». After 24-hours exposure, the container was removed and the fruits, which were traditionally cooled, were stored in a chamber at temperature of 2 ±1 °C and relative humidity of 85-90 %, and the samples with slow-cooling were maintained in accordance with the procedure described above. Non-treated (control) and experimental products were placed side by side, since ethylene has no effect on 1-MCP processed fruit. Apple organoleptic evaluation was carried out on a ten-point scale after two months of cold storage. The impact of the studied factors was evaluated by the multivariate analysis of variance based on the program «Statistica-6». It has been found out that, after six months of cold storage, regardless of the picking date, the cooling mode and the post-harvest treatment of 1-MCP, the flesh firmness of apples cv. Honeycrisp within 7.9-8.9 kg satisfies the requirements of the trading network. Post-harvest treatment of the fruit with an ethylene inhibitor does not improve the maintenance of the indicator. After six months of storage, the total soluble solids was found to be higher in the slowly cooled fruits of mass collection, regardless of the 1-MCP treatment. With the same cooling method, the content of soluble solids was 1.1 time higher in late harvested fruits, and post-harvest treatment of 1-MCP somewhat contributes to maintaining their level only in traditionally cooled fruits of late pick. After six months of storage, the highest content of titratable acidity is ensured by the traditional cooling of the fruits of the mass collection period without 1-MCP treatment. The loss of organic acids was faster in slowly cooled apples of mass collection. Post-harvest treatment of 1-MCP only slightly helps preserve the acidity of slowly cooled apples of both harvesting periods. The effect of harvesting time and cooling mode on the change in the apple firmness increases with the increasing of storage duration. The indicator mainly depends on the harvesting time and much less on the cooling mode (the effect at the end of storage was 32.3 and 8.6 %, respectively). The change in the content of total soluble solids and titratable acidity depends mainly on the harvesting time (after six months of storage, the effect was 82.1 and 64.5 %, respectively).

Effects of harvesting time and irrigation on aroma active compounds and quality parameters of pistachio

The effects of harvesting time and irrigation on volatile and aroma active compounds with some quality parameters (fat content, total protein, total sugar, moisture content, pH and texture) of Uzun and Siirt type pistachios harvested at two different harvest times (Early harvest: Boz, mature harvest: Ben) were investigated. It was found that, moisture content of fresh pistachio increased (P < 0.05) by irrigation whereas oil content, protein content, sugar content, pH and hardness of pistachio were not affected (P > 0.05) by irrigation. The moisture content of fresh pistachio changed between 46.42 % and 54.95 % depending on type of pistachio, harvest time and irrigation. Protein content changed between 20.77 % and 23.15 %. Boz pistachios had significantly higher (P < 0.05) protein content than those of Ben pistachios. pH values of the pistachio depended on the harvesting time, which ranged between 6.08 and 6.44. Totally 39 volatile compounds were determined in the dried pistachio nut. Volatile compounds of pistachio nut were mostly composed of terpenes. In the olfactometric analyses, 35 odor active compounds were determined in pistachio nut. As a result, cultivation of pistachio in irrigated conditions had lowered the concentration of volatile compounds and intensities of odor active compounds than those of non-irrigated condition.

Assessing Quality Characteristics of Green Gage (Prunus domestica L.) Genotypes at Different Harvest Times

ABSTRACT This paper describes the effect of harvest time on some fruit quality of green gage (Prunus domestica L.) genotypes. Fruits of 10 greengage genotypes including Damiri, Gareh Zar, MP102, MP115, MP125, Gojeh Soltan, MP110, Sari Zar Zehtab, and MP118 were collected in 2015 from a 15-year-old green gage orchard located at Maragheh, Iran. Fruit were picked three times (50 days after full bloom, 80 days after full bloom and during maturation) in 2015 from each genotype. Some parameters related to fruit quality, such as fruit weight (FW), dry weight (DW), fruit volume (FV), flesh firmness (FF), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C (VC), total phenolics (T-Phs), total flavonoid (T-Flav), total antioxidant (T-Ant), flavonoids [catechin (Cat) and quercetin (Quer)] and phenolic acids [caffeic acid (Caf) and chlorogenic acid (Chl)] were analyzed. Results showed a significant effect (p < .01) of genotype, harvest time, and interaction effect of genotype×harvest time on the studied traits. Traits such as TA, TSS, VC, and T-Phs increased with fruit development. Conversely, Chl, T-Ant, and FF decreased during fruit ripening stages. According to the PCA results, at all harvest times, Ghareh Zar genotype was best-characterized due to their considerable amounts of TA.

Effect of Harvest Time and Microbial Anaerobic Fermentation at Ruminal Degradability, In Vitro Digestibility to Milk Production and Milk Quality for Whole Plant Zhang Hybrid Millet in Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryWith its drought tolerant and high productive characteristics, Zhang hybrid millet is becoming an important food source for both humans and animals. Whole plant Zhang hybrid millet has great potential in lowering feed cost while providing relatively high crude protein, vitamin, and mineral content. This study aimed to disclose whether harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation can improve ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of whole Zhang hybrid millet, and explore the effect of microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff on milk yield and milk quality. Results showed that the interaction effect of harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation had significant influence on the crude ash, Acid detergent fiber (ADF), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP) content and effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Early harvested whole Zhang hybrid millet with microbial anaerobic fermentation appeared to have a better chemical profile with lower content of crude ash, Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ADF, and higher content of WSC, and a better ruminal degradability with lower EDDM, effective degradability of neutral crude protein EDCP, and effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (EDNDF). Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff did not significantly affect milk components, but significantly reduced somatic cell count ( SCC) compared with controls. Milk yield was numerically higher in whole Zhang hybrid millet groups. Collectively, harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could further improve the nutritive value of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as an alternative feedstock for dairy diet was safe and feasible.This study assessed whether harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could affect ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of whole Zhang hybrid millet, and estimate the effect of microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff on milk yield and milk quality. Protein degradation and intestinal digestion were determined using in situ nylon bag technique and three-step in vitro method, respectively. Results showed that harvest time, microbial anaerobic fermentation, or their interaction significantly affected EDDM, EDCP, and EDNDF (p < 0.05). In vitro fermentation was significantly influenced by harvest time. Early harvested samples appeared to have higher Total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) and lower acetate: propionate ratio than late harvested ones (p < 0.01). However, significant effect of harvest time and fermentation was failed to find in the estimation of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) (p > 0.05). Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff provided similar milk compositions compared with controls, and it significantly reduced SCC (p = 0.04). Milk yield was numerically higher in whole Zhang hybrid millet groups. In conclusion, harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could further improve ruminal utilization of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Whole Zhang hybrid millet could be an alternative feedstock for dairy cows with acceptable safety profile and potential benefit in milk production.

Effects of Harvest Time on Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Panax ginseng Berry Extracts.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) has long been used as a traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Generally, the harvest time and age of ginseng have been regarded as important factors determining the efficacy of ginseng. However, most studies have mainly focused on the root of ginseng, while studies on other parts of ginseng such as its berry have been relatively limited. Thus, the aim of this study iss to determine effects of harvest time on yields, phenolics/ginsenosides contents, and the antioxidant/anti-elastase activities of ethanol extracts of three- and four-year-old ginseng berry. In both three- and fourfour-year-old ginseng berry extracts, antioxidant and anti-elastase activities tended to increase as berries ripen from the first week to the last week of July. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis has revealed that contents of ginsenosides except Rg1 tend to be the highest in fourfour-year-old ginseng berries harvested in early July. These results indicate that biological activities and ginsenoside profiles of ginseng berry extracts depend on their age and harvest time in July, suggesting the importance of harvest time in the development of functional foods and medicinal products containing ginseng berry extracts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the influence of harvest time on the biological activity and ginsenoside contents of ginseng berry extracts.

Influence of harvest time on protein content and lipids profile of wild Styrax officinalis seeds from different locations in Turkey

Interest in new sources of oil crops is increasing. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the effect of harvest time on protein content and lipids profile of wild Styrax officinalis seeds from different locations in Turkey. Eight wild styrax (Styrax officinalis L.) plants were collected from different Turkish locations at two harvest periods. Seeds were analyzed for protein content, oil content and fatty acid composition. Seeds from different locations were rich in oil (42.86–53.40%) and protein (12.89–18.19%). Styrax officinalis seed oils were rich in linoleic acid (C18:2) ranging from 66.13 to 73.87%. Oleic acid (C18:1) was the main monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), wherein its levels ranged between 16.11 and 22.75% in the oil samples. In the most of Styrax officinalis seeds, protein and oil content showed an increasing trend when harvest time prolonged. In addition, the proportions of linoleic acid increased in Styrax officinalis oils at the second harvest time as compared with those at the first harvest time. In contrast, oleic acid and palmitic acid contents were mostly higher at the first harvest time.

The effect of harvest times on bioactive properties and fatty acid compositions of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-barbarica A. Berger) fruits

In the study, the impact of harvest time on total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and phenolic compounds of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-barbarica A. Berger) fruit pulp and the oil content and fatty acids profile of the seed were investigated. The highest total phenolic content was determined as 156.77 mg/100 g in July 1 harvest, while the maximum antioxidant activity and total oil content were found as 9.81% and 6.80% at the last stage of maturation (15 August), respectively. The highest oleic (28.51%), palmitic (22.61%) and stearic acid contents (9.20%) in seed oil were observed in June 15 harvest. The highest value for linoleic acid (57.50%) was detected in August 15 harvest. Prickly pear is a vital source of bioactive constituents such as phenolic and antioxidant substances in terms of being useful for human health and the optimum harvesting time to retain high quantities of most phenolic compounds is 1st July.

Effect of Harvest Time on Phytochemical Profile of Citrus aurantifolia Leaf Essential Oil Grown in North Central, Nigeria

Citrus aurantifolia essential oils are volatile phytochemicals obtained from various part of the plant which has found wide range of domestic, medicinal and industrial applications. The research seeks to investigate the effect of time of harvest on the yield and phytochemical composition of Citrus aurantifolia leaf oil. Pulverized leaves of Citrus aurantifolia harvested in the morning (7a.m) and afternoon (2p.m) on the same day were separately subjected to hydro-distillation which yielded 0.4 and 0.5% (v/w) of the volatile oil respectively. Analyses of the oil harvested in the morning (7am) revealed the predominance of oxygenated terpenes which constituted 58.3% of the oil. The principal constituents were; isolimonene (22.2%), neral (22.2%), citral (21.5%), caryophyllene (4.3%), and α-geranyl acetate (4.1%). Furthermore, the leaf oil from the afternoon (2pm) harvest also showed predominance of oxygenated terpenes which constituted 57.7%. The principal constituents in the oil were; limonene (20.2%), neral (24.5%), citral (10.3%), caryophyllene (5.4%), and α-geranyl acetate (3.3%). This study established that there was compositional variation in the leaf essential oil obtained from the different time of harvests.

The effects of organic and conventional farm management and harvest time on the polyphenol content in different raspberry cultivars

Raspberry fruits are a perfect source of polyphenols, including flavonols, anthocyanins. Some experiments have indicated that organic fruits contain more bioactive compounds than conventional fruits. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse and compare the concentration of bioactive compounds in organic vs. conventional raspberries and to determine the effects of harvest time and cultivar. Three cultivars of raspberry (‘Laszka’, ‘Glen Ample’ and ‘Glen Fine’) that were harvested in summer and one ‘Polka’ cv. that was harvested in autumn time from organic and conventional cultivation methods were used in the experiment. The contents of dry matter and polyphenols in the fruits were determined. The organic samples contained significantly more dry matter, phenolic acid and flavonoids, including myrycetin, quercetin, luteolin and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside. Harvest time was an important factor in raspberry fruit quality.