Effect Of Pre-harvest Application Research Articles

EFFECT OF PRE-HARVEST APPLICATION OF GA3 AND POTASSIUM NITRATE ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF PEACH FRUIT

The research study entitled “effect of pre harvest application of GA3 and potassium nitrate on yield and quality of peach fruit” was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2019. The plots were arranged using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two factors. Three replications were used in the experiment. The experiment was conducted on already established peach orchard of almost 14 years old trees of Early Grande cultivar. The uniform size trees were selected and tagged for the experiment. The plants were managed under uniform cultural practices. The selected plants of peach cv. Early Grande were sprayed with various concentrations of Gibberellic acid (GA3) (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm) at berry stage. Peach plants were sprayed with GA3 and KNO3 and compared with control. The analysis of data showed that the foliar application of GA3 and KNO3 significantly influenced the yield and quality attributes of peach. Maximum fruit weight (111.98 g), chlorophyll content (51.00 SPAD), TSS (14.60 oBrix), fruit juice content (85.80 %), Fruit firmness (2.16 kg.cm-2), yield plant-1 (54.56 kg) and yield ha-1 (15.548 tons) were recorded in plants treated with 80 ppm of GA3. In case of KNO3 Maximum fruit weight (101.20 g), chlorophyll content (49.46 SPAD), TSS (13.38 oBrix), fruit juice content (84.86 %), Fruit firmness (2.12 kg.cm-2), yield plant-1 (51.56 kg) and yield ha-1 (14.829 tons) were recorded in plants treated with 3000 ppm of KNO3. Minimum days to maturity (72.52) and minimum number of fruits kg-1 (9.65) were found in plants sprayed with 80 ppm of GA3 while in case of KNO3 minimum days to maturity (76.92) and minimum number of fruits kg-1 (10.62) were found in plants sprayed with 3000 ppm of KNO3. Interactive effect of levels of GA3 and KNO3 was also found significant for some of the parameters. It is therefore concluded that when peach Early Grande cultivar sprayed with 80 ppm of GA3 and 3000 ppm of KNO3 the quality as well as yield of the crop were improved.

Effects of Pre-Harvest Application with Natural and Synthetic Sprout Inhibitors on Yield and Storage Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Bu çalışma, hasat öncesi uygulanan doğal ve sentetik sürgün gelişimi engelleyicilerinin Alegria ve Desiree patates çeşitlerinde yumru verimi ile tohumluk yumruların depoda dormansi süresi üzerine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla, 2018-2019 yıllarında yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada farklı dozlarda dereotu (Anethum graveolens L.), kimyon (Carum carvi L.), karanfil (Syzygium aromaticum L.) ve nane (Mentha spicata L.) uçucu yağları ile chlorpropham (CIPC) ve maleik hidrazit (MH) hasattan 30 gün önce bitki yapraklarına uygulanmıştır. Hasat edilen tohumluk yumrular kontrollü şartlarda 5 ay süre ile depolanmış ve 30 gün aralıklarla yumrularda; dormansi süresi, sürgün uzunluğu, ağırlık kaybı ve yumru sertlik derecesi parametreleri incelenmiştir. Doğal ve sentetik sürgün gelişimi engelleyicileri; patateste vejetasyon süresi ve toplam yumru verimini önemli derecede etkilemiş ve çeşitlerin uygulamalara tepkisi farklı olmuştur. Çalışmada uygulamalara bağlı olarak patates çeşitlerinin vejetasyon süreleri 108-157 gün, toplam yumru verimleri ise 1980-4249 kg da-1 arasında değişmiştir. Uygulamalar yumruların dormansi süresini önemli derecede etkilemiş, her iki çeşitte de en uzun dormansi süreleri MH ile 1000 ppm karanfil ve 2500 ppm dereotu uçucu yağı uygulamalarında belirlenmiştir. Depolama devresi sonunda uygulamalara bağlı olarak yumru ağırlık kayıpları %5.32-6.53 arasında değişmiş, CIPC ve karanfil 2500 ppm uygulamaları hariç diğer tüm uygulamalarda ağırlık kayıpları kontrole göre daha düşük olmuştur. Genellikle dormansi süresini uzatan uygulamalarda sürgün uzunluğu daha kısa olurken, yumru sertlik dereceleri daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Çalışmada, dormansi süresini uzatan ve ağırlık kayıplarını azaltıcı etki gösteren dereotu ve karanfil uçucu yağlarının hasat öncesi uygulamalarının tohumluk patates yumrularının depo kayıplarının azaltılması ve fizyolojik yaşlanmanın geciktirilmesinde kullanılabileceği, bununla birlikte bu uygulamaların farklı dönem ve dozlarda tekrar denenmeleri gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

Effect of Preharvest Application of CPPU and Perforated Packaging on the Postharvest Quality of Red-Fleshed Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus sp.) Fruit

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the preharvest application of forchlorfenuron (CPPU) and perforated polyethylene bag packaging (PPE) on maintaining the postharvest quality of red-fleshed cv. ‘Da-Hong’ pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus sp.) fruit. On the flowering day, 100 mg·L−1 CPPU was sprayed on the bracts and water was used as the control. After harvest, all fruits were divided into three package treatments, which were packed without bags, packed with and without PPE bags, and stored at 5 ± 0.5 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity for 21 days, followed by 7 days at 20 °C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity without bags for quality evaluation. Significantly higher bract thickness (2.26 vs. 1.44 mm), longer fruit length (120.5 vs. 109.04 mm), and greater firmness (1.56 vs. 1.04 kg·cm−2) were recorded for the CPPU treated fruit at harvest. Preharvest application of CPPU with perforated packaging resulted in significantly greener bracts, a lower yellow index, fewer chilling incidences, and a lower decay ratio, but there was a slight decrease in respiration rate during cold storage at 5 °C for 21 days. However, all criteria reached the threshold when fruits were transferred to 20 °C for 7 days. In conclusion, preharvest CPPU application plus perforated packaging is the best combination for the long-term storage of red-fleshed pitaya fruit at 5 °C.

Effect of pre-harvest application of ethephon on colouration and expression of ripening related genes in citrus fruit

ABSTRACT In citrus, post-harvest treatment with ethylene or ethephon in an airtight container frequently resulted in fruit calyx drying, browning and abscission, with a consequent reduction in commercial value. To avoid these problems, pre-harvest degreening with ethepnon was performed on ‘CARA CARA’ navel orange fruits. An earlier and deeper orange colour development was obtained after treatment, reflecting at higher lightness (L*) and a*/b* ratio. The total carotenoid content in flavedo significantly increased, paralleling with a remarkable decrease in chlorophyll content, while in flesh TSS, TA and Vc were all not affected. A transcriptome analysis revealed that 171 genes in flavedo were involved in ethylene-degreening. These ethylene-responsive genes were involved in photosynthesis, chloroplast biogenesis, sugar metabolism, secondary metabolism, and activation of regulatory processes, including transcription regulation and protein posttranslational modification. In the chlorophyll metabolism, a chlorophyllase gene was strikingly increased, indicating the role of ethylene in promoting chlorophyll degradation. While, the genes related to carotenoid metabolism did not show any significant expression change after ethephon treatments. In conclusion, our data showed that pre-harvest degreening was an effective method to accelerate colour improvement, and meanwhile created a solid foundation for future investigations on the molecular mechanism underlying degreening of orange fruits.

Effect of preharvest application of methyl salicylate, oxalic acid and methyl jasmonate on yield and quality of ‘Sweet Heart’ cherries

Effect of preharvest application of methyl salicylate, oxalic acid and methyl jasmonate on yield and quality of ‘Sweet Heart’ cherries

Effect of pre-harvest application with some organic acids and plant oils on antioxidant properties and resistance to Botrytis cinerea in pepper fruits

Pepper is planting widely in plastic houses and the fields; Botrytis cinerea infection starts in the field, but is strongly appear during storage. Results revealed that spraying pepper plants under plastic houses condition with salicylic, citric acids and clove or olive oils at different concentration (Salicylic acid at 8 mM and citric acid at 30 Mm, meanwhile clove and olive oils at rate 5 m/l) reduced development of grey mold on fruits during cold storage. The mycelial growth of B. cinerea was the most sensitive to salicylic acid, where it completely inhibited the growth of tested fungus at concentrations 4 and 8 Mm. Clove and olive oils at their tested concentrations (2.5 and 5 m/l) reduced the growth of Botrytis cinerea to 100%. All tested plant oils and citric acid increased the epidermis and cuticle thickness and decreasing simultaneously the disease infection incited by Botrytis cinerea on pepper fruits. Spraying pepper plants with all tested treatments increased peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities at 2 and 5 days from storage in naturally infected pepper fruits and at 5 days from storage in infected fruits with B. cinerea. The total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl DPPH) were determined. Natural infection treated by clove 2.5 m/l had the highest content of TPC. The high antioxidant activities of clove treated pepper fruits were attributed to its high contents of total phenolic compounds.

EFFECT OF PRE HARVEST APPLICATION OF BIOFORMULATIONS ON THE ANTHRACNOSE DISEASE INCIDENCE AND BIOMETRICS OF MANGO

ABSTRACT The effect of pre harvest application of bioformulations on the disease incidence of leaves, inflorescence, fruits and biometrics of mango was tested in this study. Foliar spraying of Pseudomonas fluorescens (BIB2) + Bacillus subtilis (BIL8) + chitin on 20 days before flowering, flowering stage, 20 and 60 days after flowering plus Carbendazim (0.1%) at 40 days after flowering recorded the minimum incidence of leaf anthracnose at pre flowering, flowering, fruit set and fruit maturity stages viz., 8.67, 12.33, 13.00 and 13.00 per cent, respectively. Similarly nil infection on inflorescence and fruit was recorded in above treatment. The same treatment recorded maximum number of panicle/tree (142.00), fruits/tree (748.67), fruit weight (221.76g/fruit) and fruit yield/tree (166.02 kg). P. fluorescens (BIB2) + B. subtilis (BIL8) + chitin recorded highest number of bacterial population (16.67 ×104 cfu g-1 of leaf) at 16 days after spray.

Pre-harvest application of salicylic acid influence physicochemical and quality characteristics of ‘Chimarrita’ peaches during cold storage

Peach is a climacteric highly-perishable fruit whose post-harvest preservation relies largely on cold storage. The combination of the last with other technologies allows to extend the shelf life of this product. One alternative is the utilization of salicylic acid, a natural compound involved in many physiological phenomena such as resistance against diseases and ripening. Considering these facts, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest application of salicylic acid solutions on the quality of ‘Chimarrita’ peaches during post-harvest cold storage. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Pelotas/RS, in the campus of Capão do Leão/RS - Brazil. The application of salicylic acid solutions was performed by direct pulverization on the fruits, 30 days prior to harvest. The concentrations were: 0,0 (control); 1,0; 1,5; and 2,0 mM. After harvest, the fruits were stored in a cold chamber at 1,0 ± 0,5°C and 85-90% RH, for 30 days. The analyses were performed at the following cold storage periods (plus 2 days at room temperature of 20°C to all treatments, in order to simulate commercialization conditions): 10 (+2) days; 20 (+2) days; e 30 (+2) days. The variables evaluated were: mass loss (%); flesh firmness (N); DA index; color (L, a*, b* and hue angle); wooliness incidence (%); rot incidence (%); total soluble solids (°Brix); pH; titrable acidity (% of organic acids); and ratio. The salicylic acid doses and/or the cold storage periods had significant effects on all the evaluated parameters. For most of the parameters analyzed, the intermediate dosis of 1mM (and also 1,5mM) of salicilic acid showed the most promising results. Therefore, the application of salicylic acid solutions 30 days prior to harvest is a technique which can be combined to cold storage in order to shift the quality and the shelf-life of ‘Chimarrita’ peaches.

English

English

Effects of pre-harvest applications of different source of calcium on the cell wall fractions and stem bending disorder of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) cultivar flowers

Gerbera flower belongs to the composite family and is one of the top five cut flowers in the world in terms of production and consumption, which has a great economic value in the international flowering industry. This study was designed to evaluate whether calcium pre-harvest application, provided through 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium nitrate (CaNO3), could extend the day of stem bending of gerbera cut flower. In the present study, we used two gerbera cultivars ‘Intense’ and ‘Rosaline’ as resistant and sensitive to stem bending, respectively. For evaluation of associated traits with stem bending, the produced flowers were kept in a vase solution containing 200 mg/L hydroxyquinoline with temperature conditions of 20°C. The results showed that day of stem bending of flowers extended 9.62 and 10.37 days by application of 1% CaCl2 for ‘Rosaline’ and ‘Intense’ respectively. All treatments were effective in the increasing relative water content of flower due to increase water uptake. The results also revealed that the calcium pretreatment delayed flowers senescence and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Application of calcium resulted in an increase in membrane stability index in the cut flowers of both cultivars, providing evidence for delay of senescence in calcium-treated cut flowers. Also, results showed that calcium application significantly increased lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose content of both cultivars. The maximum and the minimum lignin and cellulose content were observed in resistant and sensitive cultivars, respectively. In general, pre-harvest application of calcium (especially 1% CaCl2) with increasing of antioxidant enzyme activity and stem lignification led to decreasing of stem bending disorder in both cultivars.

Effects of preharvest application of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on harvest maturity and storage life of ‘Unique’ feijoa

ABSTRACTIn a previous study, feijoa harvested earlier than ‘touch-picked’ maturity appeared visually acceptable after 6 weeks of storage but had low soluble solids content (SSC) and high titratable acidity (TA). Given that feijoa display climacteric-like behaviour, manipulation of ethylene physiology prior to harvest may have the potential to alter this outcome. Subsequently, the aim of this work was to investigate the impact of preharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) application on feijoa quality at harvest and during subsequent storage. The experiment comprised of three preharvest AVG treatments and two harvest occasions. AVG treatment dramatically reduced preharvest fruit drop. AVG treatment at 4 weeks before current commercial harvest timing was effective in delaying maturity. AVG treatment suppressed ethylene production rates during storage. However, AVG treatment did not alter quality (firmness, SSC, TA and flesh colour) after storage. This result adds to the evidence that postharvest ripening in feijoa may be regulated independent of ethylene despite the typical climacteric increase in ethylene observed. The results also confirmed that fruit harvested early were storable for 6 weeks without exhibiting internal browning, but having a high TA and low SSC that may affect their taste acceptability.

Effect of pre harvest application of boron and zinc on post harvest quality and vaselife of carnation

The study was conducted to determine the effect of pre harvest spray of micronutrients like boron, zinc and its combination on post harvest quality and vase life of carnation. Post harvest quality of flowers like flower stalk length (65.61 cm) was maximum in the plant treated with zinc (0.3 per cent), and calyx splitting (3.12 per cent) was minimum in the plants treated with boron (0.1 per cent). Flower diameter (6.64 cm) was highest with boron (0.1 per cent) + zinc (0.3 per cent) treatment. Plants without micronutrient treatment produced poor quality flowers. Regarding vase life studies maximum water uptake and minimum transpiration loss from first day to sixteenth day was resulted in the flowers which are obtained from the plant treated with boron (0.1 per cent). The maximum fresh weight of the flower was noticed in combination of boron (0.1 per cent) + zinc (0.3 per cent) from first to sixteenth day. The foliar spray of boron (0.1 per cent) recorded maximum vase life (11.05 days). So the good quality of flowers can be improved by the foliar spray of zinc, calyx splitting can be controlled by boron foliar spray and vase life of the flower can be maintained by foliar spray of boron. It is confirmed that the foliar application of micronutrient is very much helpful for the improvement of post harvest quality and vase life of carnation.

Effect of pre-harvest application of gibberellic acid on the contents of pigments in cut leaves of Asarum europaeum L.

The experiment determined the effect of gibberellic acid applied prior to harvest on the contents of plant pigments in cut leaves of wild ginger (<em>Asarum europaeum </em>L.), cultivated in an unheated plastic tunnel and in the field. Foliar application of GA<sub>3</sub> at a concentration of 100, 200, 400, 600 mg x dm<sup>-3</sup> was repeated four times every two weeks. It has been proven that pre-harvest spraying of plants with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 100 mg x dm<sup>-3</sup> has a positive effect on the content of photosynthetically active pigments in the leaves of <em>A. europaeum </em>cultivated in an unheated plastic tunnel. Application of GA<sub>3</sub> at a concentration of 600 mg x dm<sup>-3</sup> led to the accumulation of the greatest amount of anthocyanins in the leaves of <em>Asarum europaeum </em>cultivated both in the unheated plastic tunnel and in the field. The response of plants to GA<sub>3</sub> application, expressed in the amount of flavonoids, depended on conditions related to the cultivation site. Pre-harvest treatment of <em>A. europaeum </em>plants with gibberellic acid at concentrations of 100-600 mg x dm<sup>-3</sup> reduced the production of flavonoids in tunnel-grown wild ginger, but enhanced their accumulation in plants cultivated in the field. Pre-harvest application of gibberellic acid did not affect the fresh weight or dry mass content in plant material.

Controle da maturação de caqui 'Fuyu' com aplicação de aminoetoxivinilglicina e 1-metilciclopropeno

O armazenamento de caquis é uma ferramenta importante na manutenção da qualidade e no prolongamento da oferta do fruto após a colheita. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de AVG em pré-colheita, e do 1-MCP, em pré e pós-armazenamento, sobre a manutenção da qualidade pós-colheita e seu efeito na incidência de distúrbios em caquis 'Fuyu' armazenados em atmosfera controlada a -0,5 ºC e transferidos a condição de ambiente (20 ºC) por 6 dias. Os tratamentos foram: [1] controle; [2] aplicação de AVG (123 g ha-1); [3] aplicação de 1-MCP (1,0 µL L-1) em pré-armazenamento; [4] aplicação de AVG e 1-MCP em pré-armazenamento; [5] aplicação de 1-MCP em pós-armazenamento; [6] aplicação de AVG e 1-MCP em pós-armazenamento. Os frutos foram avaliados quanto à qualidade na ocasião da colheita, visando à caracterização do lote e, após quatro meses de armazenamento a -0,5 ºC e mais seis dias a 20 ºC, quanto à firmeza da polpa, pH, coloração da casca, índices de amaciamento e de escurecimento, teores de sólidos solúveis e de acidez titulável, respiração, produção de etileno, além da atividade da enzima ACC oxidase. Os resultados indicaram que a aplicação de 1-MCP em pré ou em pós-armazenamento foi eficiente em conter o amaciamento da polpa de caquis 'Fuyu' previamente armazenados em atmosfera controlada a -0,5 ºC e mantidos a 20 ºC por seis dias. Todavia, o uso deste fitorregulador em pré-armazenamento ocasionou maior escurecimento da epiderme. O uso de AVG em pré-colheita não retardou a maturação de caquis 'Fuyu' armazenados na mesma condição.

Effect of preharvest application of calcium chloride (CaCl2), Gibberlic acid (GA3) and Napthelenic acetic acid (NAA) on storage of Plum (Prunus salicina L.) cv. Santa Rosa under ambient storage conditions

The present investigation was carried out in the experimental field of Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar during the year 2010 to 2011 with a view to study the various physical changes that occur during storage and to prolong the shelf life of plum under ambient storage conditions by preharvest application of various chemicals. Fruit size, weight and firmness recorded continuous decrease with the advancement of storage period. However, 0.5% calcium chloride (CaCl2) proved to be more efficacious in minimizing these losses. Maximum increase in fruit size and weight at the time of harvest was recorded with the preharvest application of 60 ppm NAA. Physiological loss in weight (PLW) and spoilage followed continuously increasing trend with the advancement of storage period. Among the various preharvest treatments, 0.5% CaCl2 applied 20 and 10 days before the expected date of harvest proved to be the most effective treatment in retaining the fruit quality during the entire storage period. Such fruits exhibited minimum loss in weight, maximum retention in firmness and minimum spoilage on each sampling date. In general, overall acceptability of fruits decreased with the passage of storage time. However, fruits treated with CaCl2 were rated as most acceptable and it was followed by Gibberlic acid (GA3) treatment at the end of storage period under ambient conditions. Key words: Plum, quality, preharvest, calcium chloride (CaCl2), Gibberlic acid (GA3), napthelenic acetic acid (NAA), storage.

EFFECTS OF RETAIN PREHARVEST APPLICATION ON RIPENING PARAMETERS, PHENOLICS AND TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF GREEN TABLE OLIVES EXPOSED AT 20°C FOR UP TO 7 DAYS

The effects of preharvest application with Re Tain concentrations up to 200 mg L -1 on color development, firmness, total phenolic concentration, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and concentrations of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol were investigated in 'Konservolia' olives harvested 15 days after the application was carried out before the green maturity state. All treated fruit were measured for color development, while only green fruit were further exposed at 20°C and 90% RH and used for the rest of the measurements after 1 and 7 d exposure. ReTain prevented the red coloration, and at 200 mg L -1 resulted in a higher frequency of dark-green olives and lower of red than controls, as observed at harvest. Ethylene production rates were low in all samples during exposure. ReTain at 200 mg L -1 was the most effective on firmness loss prevention during the whole assessment time. Total phenolic concentration, TAC and oleuropein concentration were lower in ReTain treated fruit than in controls on day 1, and although they increased in all samples during exposure, on day 7 the levels of oleuropein and TAC in fruit treated with 200 mg L -1 ReTain were still lower than those in controls. However, decreased oleuropein levels are desirable in green olives before the processing stage. Olives treated with 200 mg L -1 ReTain showed the highest concentrations of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol on day 1, but after the non consistent changes in both phenolic compounds during exposure, the concentrations of each compound were at similar levels in all treated fruit on day 7. Results showed that 200 mg L -1 ReTain delayed the green maturation and could be used to extend the harvest season for green table olives.

PREHARVEST APPLICATION OF HARPIN ON THE COOL STORAGE LIFE OF PEPPER

Effect of preharvest application of Harpin (a plant activator) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the fruit quality and storage life of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. 'Demre') was investigated. Peppers grown in greenhouse were treated three times with Harpin, the first treatment starting when the plants were 15 days old and subsequent treatments at 14 day-intervals. The fruits were stored in the plastic film materials with various O 2 and CO 2 permeabilities. The fruits were stored in the cold room at 7°C and 90±5% relative humidity. Gas composition (O 2 , CO 2 and C 2 H 4 ) within two film package types (PP and PVC) and quality changes of the peppers were evaluated during the storage period. At the end of the study, Harpin treatment and 35 μm polypropylene (PP) packaging material together gave the best result for a 30 day-storage period.

Annual Meeting, Québec, Quebec, 2006, The Canadian Phytopathological Society / Réunion annuelle, Québec, Québec, 2006, La Société canadienne de phytopathologie

Annual Meeting, Québec, Quebec, 2006, The Canadian Phytopathological Society / Réunion annuelle, Québec, Québec, 2006, La Société canadienne de phytopathologie

Preharvest glyphosate in alfalfa for seed production: Effect on alfalfa seed yield and quality

Preharvest applications of glyphosate have been shown to be effective in controlling Canada thistle in annual crops, but may reduce alfalfa seed yield depending on time and rate of application. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of preharvest applications of glyphosate on subsequent alfalfa seed yield and quality. The effects of timing, 1, 26, 51 and 76% alfalfa seed pod maturity, and rate, 0, 440, 880, 1320, and 1760 g a.i. ha-1, of a preharvest application of glyphosate on alfalfa seed yield and quality in the year of application, and regrowth and seed yield in the following year were determined. The rate of glyphosate applied did not affect seed yield in the application year; however, in the following year, growth and seed yield were reduced as rates increased. Delaying the application of glyphosate increased seed yields in the application year, but decreased alfalfa regrowth and flowering the following year. Germination and seedling emergence were not affected by the rate or timing of the glyphosate. A preharvest application of glyphosate at 1760 g a.i. ha-1 at 76% pod maturity is a viable option in the last year of seed production. Key words: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), glyphosate, abnormal seeds, seed quality, and seedling vigour

Effect of preharvest application of calcium nitrate, Topsin-M and Bayleton on postharvest life of aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) fruit.

Effect of preharvest application of calcium nitrate, Topsin-M and Bayleton on postharvest life of aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) fruit.