Green Varieties Research Articles

Characteristic of Fe in tektite observed from XANES and UV-Vis spectroscopy

Tektite is a geological sample formed as a result of a collision of the meteorite on the surface. An energy from the collision results in an excavation of the melted material into the Earth’s atmosphere and landed back on the surface further away from the impact site having glassy or crystalline textures. Tektite was deposited in Thailand and was identified as part of the Australasian strewn field. Chemical compositions of tektites have previously been studied. However, there is no study has established a relationship between composition and color of tektites. Thus, this study aims to relate the characteristic of color-center element, Fe, to the color of tektites using X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Nine tektite samples were collected from Korat plateau and purchased from Thailand and Vietnam gem markets. XANES spectra of all (nine) samples show similar Fe K-edge pattern with pre-edge and E0 at 7080-7089 and 7118 eV, respectively. The spectrum is 100 percent matched with XANES structure of FeO standard suggesting Fe component of Fe2+ oxidation state in the sample. Seven, out of nine, samples establish similar UV-Vis broad absorption peak at 492-539 nm, which corresponds to absorption peak of Fe2+. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum cannot be obtained from two samples possibly due to high Fe-content in the samples. The calculated energy band gaps (E g ) of the samples are in between 1.35 eV to 1.76 eV with maximum absorption in between 1.88 eV to 1.95 eV. The result is in consistent with a black color of the tektite. It indicates that cause of color in tektites is related to Fe-content and can be explained by the energy band. This study can be furthered compare with moldavite (green variety of tektite) in order to identify cause of color in impact-related materials like tektites, as well as to provide information for identification of synthetic and genuine moldavites and also for characterization of tektites sources using the component of various Fe oxidation states.

Fingerprint of PGI Mantova Cucumis melo by ICP-MS and Chemometric Analysis

Background and Objectives: In this work, yellow and green varieties of Cucumis melo fruits belonging to different cultivars were studied. In detail, three Sicilian cultivars of winter melons tutelated by TAP (Traditional agro-alimentary products) labels were considered, whereas asun protected the Calabrian winter melon was studied too. With the aim to compare the selective uptakes of inorganic elements among winter and summer fruits, the “PGI Melone Mantovano” was investigated. The purpose of this work was to apply the obtained results i) to guarantee the quality and healthiness of fruits, ii) to producers defend, iii) to help the customers in safe food purchase. Method: All samples were analyzed by ICP-MS and the obtained results, subsequently, were subjected to Cluster analysis (CA), Principal component analysis (PCA) and Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). Results: CA results were generally in agreement with samples origin, whereas the PCA elaboration has confirmed the presence of a strong relation between fruit origins and trace element contents. In particular, two principal components justified the 57.32% of the total variance (PC1= 40.95%, PC2= 16.37%). Finally, the CDA approach has provided several functions with high discrimination power, confirmed by the correct classification of all samples (100%). Conclusions: CA, PCA and CDA could represent an integrated to label to discriminate the origin of agri-food products and, thus, protect and guarantee their healthiness.

Performance of Mulching to the Stimulation on the Growth of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Production

A field experiment was conducted at Noakhali ,Chittagong during the season in 2019, to determine the effect of mulching on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) production where Alavy Green variety was used. The study was laid out in RCBD (Randomized complete block design) method having three replications. The treatment used in this study consists of T1=Black plastic mulching, T2=Water hyacinth mulching, T3=Rice straw mulching, Control= no mulching. The plant showed significant differences after application of various treatments. The maximum average length of vine (113 cm), number of branch per plant (8.33), number of leaves per plant (28.44), number of tendrils per plant (11.52), number of flowers per plant (16.33), number of fruits per plant (9), length of fruit (18 cm), weight of individual fruit (239.67 g) were obtained from T1 treatment (Black plastic mulching) .On the other hand, minimum average length of vine (103.91 cm), number of branch per plant (4.33), number of leaves per plant (22.67), number of tendrils per plant (7.33), number of flowers per plant (12.33), number of fruits per plant (4.33), length of fruit (9 cm), weight of individual fruit (173.67 g) were obtained from T0 control (No mulching). Among organic (Water hyacinth and Rice straw) and inorganic mulches (Black plastic), inorganic mulches gave better performance over organic mulches.

Hyperspectral reflectance imaging to classify lettuce varieties by optimum selected wavelengths and linear discriminant analysis

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) has a wide variation of pigment classes and content in its leaves, with a variety of colors, textures, and sizes, which impose difficulties for their classification. Currently, the search for varieties with higher levels of antioxidant compounds has led the consumer to seek those with a purple color. However, there are no classification systems on the part of the distributor sector that allow the product delivered to the market to be directed. Thus, the use of remote sensing has become essential for better classification, providing nondestructive, fast, and precise measurement. Based on this, the aim of this study was to examine the potential of hyperspectral imaging for classifying different lettuce varieties through multivariate statistical techniques. Hyperspectral images in 825 visible infrared wavelengths (from 350 to 1000 nm) were acquired for eleven varieties with different foliar pigments (chlorophyll and anthocyanin). Analysis of pigments, analysis of tissues by optical microscopy, principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), based on STEPWISE wavelengths selection were made. The results showed that there are differences in the leaf thickness and the anthocyanin overlap under chlorophyll in purple varieties, resulting in different spectral responses. The PCA explained 83% of variability in the data in the first two components, separate clusters were formed between the purple and green varieties. The STEPWISE procedure selected 31 wavelengths: 12 in the red, 9 in the green, 1 in the blue, and the remainder in the near infrared spectrum. The LDA models achieved a classification success rate of 81.04%. The results show that the use of hyperspectral imaging has great potential to distinguish among lettuce varieties. In the future, these results can support the development of a quickly analysis with semi-automated procedures in a repeatable, fast, and objective manner that can be integrated in farms and distribution centers.

Selection criteria for yield potential in a large collection of Vigna radiata (L.) accessions

Green gram [Vigna radiata (L.)] is an important pulse crop in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the globe. We evaluated green gram germplasm comprising a large collection of 533 accessions for qualitative and quantitative traits. On the basis of average linkage, germplasm was grouped in five main clusters, where cluster I and cluster V grouped the accessions with contrasting traits, similar to clusters II and IV which also differ strikingly.Majority of the positive qualitative traits, particularly of breeder’s interest, were concentrated in clusters I-III, including tolerance against yellow mosaic virus and leaf curl virus. In principal component analysis (PCA), quantitative traits contributed positively to first two PCs. The results of PCA, phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations and genetic advance suggested that selection for higher pods/plant, branches/plant, seeds/pod and 100 seed weight can significantly improve yield potential and hence, can be used as effective selection indicators. Overall negative association between days to maturity (DM), days to flowering (DF) and major yield traits suggested that selection for short duration plant will compromise yield potential. Appropriate harvest index (HI) range was determined on the basis of selection score (SC). The highest HI range was from 25.1–30.0% (12.07 SC) followed by 30.1–35.0% (10.34 SC), provided strong basis for future mungbean selection. Mungbean germplasm used in the current study displayed significant diversity for DF, DM and major yield traits and hence, can help to break negative linkage drag between DM and major yield contribution traits to develop high yielding short duration green gram varieties for hybridization-based breeding programs.

Pengamatan hasil olahan daun beluntas (Pluchea indica L.) terhadap sifat fisika dan kimianya

This study was carried out to determine some bioactive phytochemicals in beluntas commonly consumed in Java, Indonesia. It is also to know the effect of fruit processing forward its phytochemicals content. This research comprised two steps including qualitative and quantitative test. The result of qualitative test showed that Pluchea indica L containing of alkaloid and polyphenols. Based on its polyphenols content, Pluchea indica L boiled was the best treatment. The light green variety has total polyphenol value 83,113 mg/g with the brightness (L*) and the greeness (a) value are 46,400 and 2,967. Furthermore, the fresh pluchea indica leaf has total polyphenol value 39,135mg/g with the brightness (L*) and the greeness (a) value are 46,067 and 2, respectively. Fruit processing intervariety of Pluchea indica L did not give significant effect on water content. Besides, variety and fruit processing did not give significant effect on colour (b). The solute n-hexane to analize with thin layer chromatography indicated that this bolied pluchea iindica leaf content terpenoid compound. Bioactive phytochemicals are widely distributed in these foods, although their concentrations are variable among the different types of fruits. These results indicate that this fruits may provide a potential source of dietary antioxidant as a functional food.

Selection of Superior Quality Annona Species by Means of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity

Present study evaluated different parts of (leaves, seeds, bark, roots, ripen fruits, unripen fruits) 6 species of Annona (Annona cherimola, Annona muricata L., Annona reticulata L., Annona squamosa L (green and red varieties) and Annona glabra L. by means of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in order to select superior quality species of Annona for commercial cultivation. TAC, TPC and TFC were determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, Folin-Ciocalteu method and colorimetric method, respectively. It was observed that all tested parts of all tested species contained appreciable amount of TAC, TPC and TFC. Significantly higher TPC were recorded in roots of custard apple (82.08±0.74a mg GAE/g DW) followed by roots of soursop (73.10±0.72b mg GAE/g DW), leaves of soursop (55.18±0.18a mg GAE/g DW) respectively. It was interesting to see that the highest TAC was observed in root extracts of soursop (194.98 mg TE/g DW followed by bark extracts of pond apple (134.37 mg TE/g DW) and leaf extracts of soursop (122.67 mg TE/g DW respectively. Total flavonoid content of leaf extracts of six different species were varied as soursops>sugar apple R>pond apple>sugar apple G> custard apple >cherimoya respectively. Strong positive correlations were observed between TAC values and TPCs of leaves, seeds, barks and roots (R² = 0.78; p<0.001). Based on the results of bioactive molecules present in different species and their parts, it could be concluded that soursop and custard apple could be recommended as superior quality Annona species for commercial cultivation.

Biochemical Characterization of Traditional Varieties of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) of the Campania Region, Southern Italy.

Bioactive compounds of different Campania native sweet pepper varieties were evaluated. Polyphenols ranged between 1.37 mmol g−1 and 3.42 mmol g−1, β-carotene was abundant in the red variety “Cazzone” (7.05 μg g−1). Yellow and red varieties showed a content of ascorbic acid not inferior to 0.82 mg g−1, while in some green varieties the presence of ascorbic acid was almost inconsistent. Interrelationships between the parameters analyzed and the varieties showed that ascorbic acid could represent the factor mostly influencing the antioxidant activity. Polyphenol profile was different among the varieties, with a general prevalence of acidic phenols in yellow varieties and of flavonoids in red varieties. Principal Component Analysis, applied to ascorbic acid, total polyphenols and β-carotene, revealed that two of the green varieties (“Friariello napoletano” and “Friariello Sigaretta”) were well clustered and that the yellow variety “Corno di capra” showed similarity with the green varieties, in particular with “Friariello Nocerese”. This was confirmed by the interrelationships applied to polyphenol composition, which let us to light on a clustering of several red and yellow varieties, and that mainly the yellow ”Corno di capra” was closer to the green varieties of “Friariello”.

Bok choy (Brassica rapa) grown in copper oxide nanoparticles-amended soils exhibits toxicity in a phenotype-dependent manner: Translocation, biodistribution and nutritional disturbance

The comparative toxicity of nano/bulk cupric oxide (CuO) and ionic copper (Cu) in Rosie and Green bok choy (Brassica rapa) varieties, with higher and lower anthocyanin contents, respectively, was investigated. Both phenotypes were cultivated for 70 days in natural soil amended with nano CuO (nCuO), bulk CuO (bCuO), and Cu chloride (CuCl2) at 75, 150, 300, and 600 mg Cu/kg soil. Essential elements in tissues, agronomical parameters, chlorophyll content, and Cu distribution in leaf were determined. In both varieties, nCuO treatments significantly increased Cu uptake in roots, compared with bCuO and CuCl2 (p ≤ 0.05). At all treatment concentrations, Rosie variety had more Cu than Green. More physiological impairments such as chlorophyll and leaf biomass reduction were observed in treated-Rosie varieties, compared to Green plants. The adverse effects were higher in nCuO-treated plants than their bCuO- or ionic Cu-exposed counterparts. Different distribution patterns of the translocated Cu in leaf midrib and parenchyma depended on particle size and plant phenotype, as demonstrated by two-photon microscopy. The different effects of CuO-based compounds in Rosie and Green varieties may be related to the anthocyanin content. These findings help to understand the factors involved in nanoparticles uptake and translocation to plant edible parts.

Consumption and Acceptability Pattern of 21 Evaluated Maize Hybrids for Fresh Maize Production in South-Eastern Nigeria

Purpose: Green (fresh) maize (Zea mays L.) provides food security and income to farmers especially when other crops are still in the field. However, research on green maize variety is scarcely reported in literature or information on the consumption or acceptability pattern of the developed maize hybrids. Unattractive colour, bad taste, kernel size and hard kernels are among factors that affect the level of fresh maize acceptability and subsequent consumption of genotypes in the South eastern part of Nigeria, therefore, the purpose of this work is to study the variation in sensory characteristics of hybrids generated from crosses between seven maize genotypes of two local varieties (Oka Mbaise and Oka Bende-white) and five improved varieties (DTMA-4, DMR-ESRY (POOL 18-SR), PVA SYM 8 F2 (PRO VIT A), POOL 66/ACR-91 SUWAN – 1- SR (QPM), DTMA – W, from IITA) was evaluated at the Centre for Agricultural Research, Federal University of technology Owerri and the sensory evaluation was done at different hostels in Umuchima, Ihiagwa and Centre for Agricultural Research, FUTO.Methodology: The methodology used in the field to develop these hybrids was the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Questionnaires were used to achieve the following palatability qualities measured; colour, kernel hardness, appeal, size and taste. The numerical scoring from the questionnaires was analysed using Genstat discovery 10th Edition.Results: The result of this work revealed that there were significant differences among the hybrids for kernel size and appeal. The cross between DTMA-4 and all other genotypes had the highest grain size (2.17) and was the most preferred by the respondents. The crosses between POOL 66/ACR-91 SUWAN – 1- SR (QPM) and Oka Mbaise; POOL 66/ACR-91 SUWAN – 1- SR (QPM) and Oka Bende-white; DTMA – W and Oka Mbaise; DTMA – W and Oka Bende-white; Oka Mbaise and Oka Bende-white had the hardest grain (3.00) and were least preferred by the respondents. Correlation matrix of the sensory evaluation revealed that grain size, colour and appeal were positively correlated while hardness was negatively correlated with appeal.Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: In contribution to practice, the study recommends the cross OKA MBAISE X OKA BENDE-WHITE as it was highly preferred by the respondents.

Influence of Seed Inoculation Treatments on Yield and Quality of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

To study the effect of seed inoculation treatments with biological agents on seed germination, field emergence and its effect on seed during summer season. Seeds of green gram variety Pratap (SG-1) were treated with microbial formulations of seven treatments which consisted of-Rhizobium (T1), Trichoderma harzianum (T2), Trichoderma viride (T3), Bacillus megaterium (T4), Trichoderma harzianum + Trichoderma viride + Bacillus megaterium (T5), Rhizobium + Trichoderma harzianum + Trichoderma viride + Bacillus megaterium (T6) and Control (T7). Shoot length, root length and seedling dry weight were recorded after 20 days of sowing, observations on nodulation, yield and yield contributing characters were recorded at maturity and germination characteristics of the seeds were studied in the laboratory. It was observed that seeds treated with combined inoculation of Rhizobium @ 4 g + Bacillus megaterium @ 5ml/1000 ml of water + Trichoderma harzianum @ 5ml/1000 ml of water + Trichoderma viride @ 5ml/1000 ml of water (T6) recorded significantly higher field emergence (91.25%), speed of emergence (42.14), seedling dry weight (1.67mg), shoot length (25.48 cm), seed yield (992 kg ha-1), Stover yield (1870 kg ha-1), number of pods plant-1 (37), number of seeds pod-1 (13.25), 100 seed weight (3.63g) root length (9.22 cm) and nodulation (15).

Nutritional Profile of Grains and Dhals of Certain Promising Varieties of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Grains of promising varieties of chickpea and green gram were analyzed to depict the relative nutritional status of their whole grains and dhal as affected by processing treatment. No single variety in both the groups was found to possess superior levels of all the nutritional characteristics, however, variety KGD 1168 of chickpea and T44 of green gram were found noticeable in certain characteristics having direct bearing on their nutritional status. Significant varietal differences were observed in oil, protein, methionine and tryptophan content in both chickpea and green gram. Compared to whole grains, dhal samples of both chickpea and green gram varieties possessed superior nutritional status in having considerably higher levels of oil, protein, methionine and tryptophan with significantly lower levels of polyphenols. With the exception of oil content, green gram varieties were found significantly superior to chickpea in all the nutritional characteristics.

The effect of sowing terms on the fertility of seeds of green peas varieties in field conditions

The effect of sowing terms on the fertility of seeds of green peas varieties in field conditions

Assessment of green gram varieties for better yield in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu

Assessment of green gram varieties for better yield in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu

Enhancement and bioavailability of phenolic content in Kappaphycus alvarezii through solid substrate fermentation

Known as carrageenan, Kappaphycus alvarezii is a popular species of red edible seaweed which is mainly cultivated for its hydrocolloids. K. alvarezii is a good source of phenolics which are considered to be natural antioxidants that promote myriads of health benefits. Extraction of phenolic compounds using conventional solvent extraction may result in hazards and toxicological effect and low yield of bound phenolics. Therefore, this study was conducted to increase the release of bound phenolics through solid substrate fermentation. In the present study, three different varieties of K. alvarezii were fermented with Aspergillus oryzae through solid substrate fermentation (SSF) at 30 ℃ for 2 to 6 days. The changes of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity due to the effects of SSF were investigated. Results obtained revealed that the highest total phenolic content for green (10.022 mg GAE/g) and purple (4.037 mg GAE/g) varieties of K.alvarezii were on the fourth day of fermentation while for yellow (4.479 mg GAE/g) variety was on the sixth day of fermentation. A remarkable enhancement of antioxidant activity was discovered through DPPH radical scavenging activity on the fourth day of fermentation for all varieties of K. alvarezii tested. Total phenolic content also showed a significant correlation with antioxidant activity of fermented seaweed. Cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase enzymes produced by A.oryzae during SSF were also investigated to see the relationship with the release of phenolic compounds after fermentation. The highest cellulase activity was observed on the fourth day of fermentation. The similar observation was also found for xylanase enzyme in yellow and purple varieties of K. alvarezii , except for green variety where the highest xylanase activity was on the sixth day of fermentation. The maximum β-glucosidase activity in yellow and green varieties was observed on the fourth day of fermentation while purple variety exhibited the maximum β-glucosidase activity on the sixth day. There are positive correlation between the enzymes studied and the polyphenols content in all varieties of K. alvarezii . This study demonstrated that fermented K. alvarezii contained more phenolic content compared to non-fermented seaweed.

Antioxidant properties of different apple cultivars

Dietary antioxidants can be an important part of the healthy diet. Polyphenols from the commonly consumed apple can be possible sources of intake of these phytochemicals.&#x0D; In our study, the antioxidant properties of six apple cultivars (Golden Delicious, Granny Smiths, Idared, Jonagold, Jonagored and Mutsu) harvested at commercial maturity were examined. Flesh and skin were separated and total phenolics by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and radical scavenging activities using DPPH method were determined for each. For all apples, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of the skin were significantly higher than that of the flesh showing that apple peel is a valuable part of the fruit. There was a good linear correlation between the polyphenol content and FRAP showing that mainly polyphenols are responsible for this type of antioxidant reaction. Regarding the cultivars, there was an obvious difference between the antioxidant activities of the examined apples. The green variety Granny Smith showed the best results followed by the red-skin apples while yellow-skin apples had the lowest activity.

Quantitative Effects of Pigmentation on the Re‐absorption of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence and Energy Partitioning in Leaves

This study comparatively examined spectroscopic features, photosynthetic parameters and energy partitioning in plants of Fittonia albivenis cv. Agyroneura and Fittonia albivenis cv. Verschaffeltii with different pigmentation. Fittonia albivenis cv. Verschaffeltii, rich in anthocyanins, presented lower values than the green variety (cv. Agyroneura) for several parameters: the ratio chlorophyll a/b, the carotenoid content, the heat dissipation by nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and the energy-dependent component of the quantum yield of NPQ. Additionally, the red plant displayed higher resistance to water shortage. The spectral distribution of the chlorophyll a fluorescence, free from distortions due to light reabsorption processes, was obtained for both varieties by application of a physical model previously developed in our group. From this modeling, a higher ratio photosystem II/photosystem I was inferred for the red variety, in agreement with the screening effect of anthocyanins. From a thorough analysis of the fluorescence, the different operating strategies adopted by these plants with dissimilar pigmentation could be elucidated. These strategies were related to the photosystem stoichiometry, the distribution of the absorbed energy and the dissipationofheatunder increasing light intensities.

The cap rocks sealing the reservoir in the Węglówka oil field, sub-Silesian unit, Polish outer Carpathians: Petrographical approach

The Weglowka oil field is located in the outer Carpathians. The outer Carpathians are a region where hydrocarbons were discovered and exploited at the end of the nineteenth century in several dozen oil fields, which are relatively small. The Weglowka oil field is one of the largest in this region. In the 150 yr or so of hydrocarbon exploration in the area, more than 1 million t (>1,237,000 tons [>8,841,000 bbl]) of oil have been produced. Hydrocarbons are concentrated in Lower Cretaceous sandstones (Grodziszcze and Lgota sandstones) that form an anticline sealed by Upper Cretaceous marls called the Weglowka marls. These cap rocks are up to 600 m (2000 ft) thick. Because of the thrust-related exhumation, they were exposed at the surface and represent the youngest deposits in the region. The present work is focused on a detailed petrographic characterization of the Weglowka marls. This study allows petroleum geologists to better understand the evolution of porosity in these cap rocks and can serve as a foundation for the prediction of their sealing properties. The marls appear as a succession of interbedded red and green varieties, which occur in up to 2-m (6-ft)-thick beds. These beds are nonarenaceous, soft, and bioturbated. Grain size corresponds to approximately 80% clay and less than 20% silt fractions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that the marls contain, on average, 54% clay, 28% calcite, 16% quartz, up to 3% feldspars and, in red marls, 3% hematite. The XRD patterns of clay are typical of mixed-layer illite–smectite ([I–S]; 40% illite in I–S). The clay structures are dioctahedral with similar octahedral Mg and relatively high Fe3+ contents both in the red and green intervals. As revealed by standard petrography combined with high-resolution petrography performed through the use of a field emission scanning electron microscope, the marls have mudstone textures according to Dunham’s (1962) classification and are mostly composed of coccoliths and clay with rare nanoquartz. This rock may be considered an impure chalk. Sealing properties of the Weglowka marls are indicated by the specific surface area, porosity, pore size, and permeability, calculated using N2 gas adsorption, helium, and mercury porosimetry. The sealing potential is postulated to result from a combination of the following: (1) origin of components (i.e., deposition of minute calcareous bioclasts and volcanic material as a source for clay); (2) oxygenated sedimentary environment (as a result of the presence of oxygen in the sediments, burrowing caused the rocks to be homogenized); and (3) tectonic-induced clogging of pore space because of reorganization of clay flakes (the rocks were strongly tectonically deformed, which resulted in reduction of porosity in clay aggregates).

Fruit drop in two kiwifruit varieties and the use of two &lt;i&gt;Bacillus&lt;/i&gt;-based biofungicides

Recently, fruit drop in two green varieties of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa; VarA and VarB) has increased towards the harvest date. The efficacy of two biofungicides, applied post-flowering, to ameliorate the effects of early fruit drop in VarA and VarB during the 2017–18 growing season was tested. Treatments were applied to a single bay, with buffer bays and rows adjacent. Treatments were two different Bacillus-based biofungicide products; Serenade® Max (a.i. B. subtilis QST713 strain) and Triple-X® (a.i. B. amyloliquefaciens BS 1b). There was an untreated control. All fruits in the canopy, within the treated bay, were counted and recorded at 4-weekly intervals, over 5 months until harvest. At the VarA site, there was no statistical difference (P&gt;0.1) in the percentage of fruit drop between the control (7%), Triple-X® (5%) and Serenade® Max (10%) treated vines. At the VarB site, fruit drop differed statistically (P&lt;0.1) between Triple-X® treated vines (5%) and the control (10.5%), with Serenade® Max treated vines (6.5%) having intermediate fruit drop. The use of Triple-X® may be an option to assist with reducing fruit drop in kiwifruit.

Integrative analysis of metabolome and transcriptome reveals anthocyanins biosynthesis regulation in grass species Pennisetum purpureum

Genes or metabolites involved in the same biological process will have same or similar change rules, so association analysis of transcriptome and metabolome is an effective way to find key metabolic pathways, key genes and explain the molecular mechanisms. Anthocyanin-rich forage is rare but a powerful antioxidant, which is good for both humans and animals. Pennisetum purpureum cv. Purple is abundant in anthocyanins and has higher biomass than most forage grasses. To study the mechanisms underlying the purple color of P. purpureum, transcriptomic and metabolomics analyses were performed with the purple-leaved cultivar ‘Purple’ and the green-leaved cultivar ‘Mott’. Metabolites, including luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, malvidin, apigenin, pelargonidin and cyanidin were present at different levels between the cultivars. High levels of malvidin correlated with purple color, suggesting that this compound probably plays a dominant role in making the purple leaves in P. purpureum considering its high content and strong correlation with the color expression. A total of 16 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were discovered between the purple and green varieties, and these were selected as candidate genes possibly involved in purple color formation and accumulation. Moreover, 47 differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs) were identified, including 15 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated TFs between ‘Purple’ and ‘Mott’. Furthermore, 55 SNPs in 11 DEGs and 231 SNPs in 41 differentially expressed TFs were found between ‘Purple’ and ‘Mott’, suggesting that SNPs may play an important role in regulating gene expression. This study provides crucial information on leaf color development and anthocyanins production of P. purpureum, and will facilitate the development of breeding forage varieties with high-anthocyanins contents.