Mesocarp Thickness Research Articles

Exploring the density and morphology of coconut structures at two locations: a time-based analysis using computer tomography.

The study aimed to observe the internal structure of coconuts from two locations (coastal and non-coastal) using computed tomography (CT). Seventy-six mature coconuts were collected from Wenchang and Ding'an cities in Hainan Province. These coconuts were scanned four times using CT, with a two-week interval between each scan. CT data were post-processed to reconstruct two-dimensional slices and three-dimensional models. The density and morphological parameters of coconut structures were measured, and the differences in these characteristics between the two groups and the changes over time were analyzed. Time and location had interactive effects on CT values of embryos, solid endosperms and mesocarps, morphological information such as major axis of coconut, thickness of mesocarp, volume of coconut water and height of bud (p<0.05). Planting location and observation time can affect the density and morphology of some coconut structures.

Physicochemical characterization of andean papaya in southern Peru

The Andean papaya (Carica pubescens) is an underexplored fruit with significant agro-industrial potential due to its unique characteristics and non-seasonal production. This study aimed to characterize Andean papaya produced by the “Asociación de Productores de Papaya Andina Orgánica de la Provincia de Sandia” (ASPPAO) in Peru. Random samples were analyzed one-day post-harvest to assess weight distribution, physicochemical properties, and color. Results indicated an average fruit weight of 192.26 ± 19.86 g, with a distribution of 56.62% mesocarp, 26.73% endocarp (including 5.61% seeds and 21.12% mucilage), and 16.65% peel. The endocarp, which is the most used part for processing, had a favorable proportion and high value compared to other fruits. The fruit had an average width of 93.18 ± 9.36 mm, height of 69.61 ± 9.55 mm, and volume of 220.50 ± 35.39 cm³, showing variation due to size differences between fruits. Each fruit contained an average of 150.10 ± 19.93 seeds, with a texture of 9.52 ± 2.28 kg/cm², a mesocarp thickness of 11.57 ± 1.30 mm, and a pH of 4.75 ± 0.71. The color analysis revealed that the peel was yellow, the pulp slightly yellow, the mucilage values close to white, and the seeds light brown. The fruit had a low total solids content and titratable acidity expressed in vitamin C with a maturity index of 14.37 ± 3.29. Additionally, chemical differences were observed between the pulp and mucilage, with the latter having higher values of total solids and titratable acidity and slightly more acidic pH values. Further studies are necessary to investigate the chemical content of this product and its potential health effects.

Evaluación de productos bioactivos en el cultivo del pimiento (Capsicum annuum L.) en condiciones de casa de cultivo

In a cultivation house, in Veguitas, Granma province, Cuba, an experiment was developed with the objective of evaluating the effect of three bioactive products and some of their combinations on the cultivation of pepper variety LPD-5. The design used was a randomized block with three replications and 6 treatments, which were: T1. Application of efficient microorganism (ME), T2.- Application of Pectimorf® and ME, T3.- Application of QuitoMax®, T4.- QuitoMax® and ME, T5.- Pectimorf® and T6.-Control. The number of fruits per plant, fruit length (cm), mesocarp thickness (mm), fruit mass (g), yield (kg m-2) were evaluated. A double classification analysis of variance was used and comparison of means by Tukey's parametric test at a probability of error at 5% (p≤0.05), using the statistical package “STATISTICA” for Windows, version 8.0. The best result was obtained with the application of QuitoMax® with a yield of 20.1 kg m2 (T3), followed by ME with 19.93 kg m2 (T1).

Evaluation of Agronomic Performance and Fruit Quality of Four Genotypes of Bell Pepper under Greenhouse Conditions

Aims: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate agronomic performance of four pepper genotypes under greenhouse conditions, and to determine the nutritional content of their fruits.&#x0D; Study Design: Was with the completely randomized model with four treatments (genotypes P-01, P-02, P-03 and P-04) and four repetitions each. The comparison of means was by Tukey ≤.05.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Experimental greenhouse "The Bajío” Buenavista, Plant Breeding Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro. between March 2021 to December 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: Four genotypes of bell pepper were evaluated (P-01, P-02, P-03 and P-04), through the quantification and determination of morphological variables, yield, as well as the physicochemical and nutritional quality of the pepper fruits.&#x0D; Results: Significant statistical differences were identified in the number of fruits per plant, highlighting P-03, P-04 with 13.81 and 13.53 fruits, in fruit length, the P-01 genotype exceeded the rest of the genotypes by more than 16.5 %. For physicochemical evaluations there were no significant differences, however, there was a 10 % increase in firmness and mesocarp thickness in the P-03 and P-04 genotypes. Regarding carotenoids, P-03 had 52 % more than the rest of the genotypes, the P-01 genotype stood out in antioxidant capacity with 6 and 15 % for ABTS and FRAP, while the P-02 genotype stood out in a 26 % for DDPH. The color of the fruits turned out to be yellow red, highlighting P-03 and P-02 in terms of luminosity.&#x0D; Conclusion: Due to the length of the fruits, the genetic potential of the P-03 genotype could be exploited, while due to the number of fruits harvested per plant, the genotypes with the greatest potential are P-02 and P-04. The variables with differences between treatments can lead to the selection of genotypes of better commercial quality and greater fruit set.

Prediction of the cracking susceptibility of tomato pericarp: Three-point bending simulation using an extended finite element method

Fruit cracking is one of the most common physiological disorders that causes fruit loss and reduces tomato fruit marketability and quality. In this study, a three-point bending extended finite element (XFEM) model including five parts: a loading probe, exocarp, mesocarp, pre-crack, and two rigid fixed support points was developed for investigating the cracking susceptibility of pericarp during fruit development and postharvest handling. During pericarp cracking simulation, a displacement load of the probe was applied over a cuboid pericarp sample to replace the increasing turgor pressure of mesocarp cells. The XFEM-based three-point bending model with average tissue mechanical data was found to be able to reproduce the probe loading force-pericarp deflection behavior and the crack propagation length-pericarp deflection behavior in the three-point bending test up to 6 mm tomato pericarp deflection deformation with an average relative error of about 7.8% and 5.2%, respectively. The XFEM model’s crack propagation area and volume were affected by environmental temperature, exocarp and mesocarp thickness. Three multiple linear regression mathematical models were established for quantitatively predicting the tomato pericarp cracking susceptibility. It was found that the factors affecting the cracking susceptibility of pericarp in descending order include exocarp thickness, pericarp deflection, mesocarp thickness, and temperature. This study provides a new approach to quantitatively predict the cracking susceptibility of tomato pericarp, especially in the breeding industry for reversely and quickly locating the fruit anti-cracking gene.

REUSE OF SUBSTRATE IN THE PROTECTED CULTIVATION OF MUSKMELON

ABSTRACT Melon is a vegetable of great socioeconomic importance, and its cultivation is carried out under different production systems. The protected cultivation of melon can be carried out in coconut shell fiber, which is a substrate widely used in olericulture, but little information is available regarding its continuous use in more than one cultivation cycle. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of muskmelon hybrids as a function of the reuse of coconut shell fiber with fertigation in a protected environment. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse from March to July 2008 and designed in randomized blocks in a 2×3 factorial arrangement, with four replications. The factors consisted of two hybrids (‘Bonus 2’ and ‘Fantasy’) and three types of substrate (S1: new coconut shell fiber; S2: coconut shell fiber reused once in sweet pepper cultivation; and S3: coconut shell fiber reused twice, i.e., first in sweet pepper cultivation and then in melon cultivation). Transverse and longitudinal fruit diameter, fruit shape index, transverse and longitudinal locule diameter, locule shape index, peduncle insertion diameter, mesocarp thickness, firmness, skin netting, fresh mass, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and yield were evaluated after harvest. Reusing twice the coconut shell fiber as a substrate did not affect the agronomic and physicochemical characteristics of the hybrids Bonus 2 and Fantasy.

Histology of maize seeds and young germinating embryos after liquid nitrogen exposure

Maize represents a staple food crop and is the second most important agricultural commodity globally. Considering the important role of maize for food security, the long-term conservation of valuable germplasm is critical to ensure that high levels of genetic diversity are available for breeding superior cultivars to face future challenges. Cryopreservation is regarded as the most appropriate tool for long-term germplasm preservation and has been investigated in different crops. This short communication adds to the existing knowledge on maize cryopreservation by describing histological changes observed in maize seeds and young germinating embryos after liquid nitrogen (LN) exposure. Plants were examined immediately after recovery from LN (day zero) and following 3 days of germination. At day 3, seeds exposed to LN showed lower germination rates than non-cryostored seeds, i.e., 60.7% vs. 83.3%. Histological evaluation at day 3 revealed that the thickness of the conical endosperm and the scutellum did not show any statistically significant differences between control and cryopreserved seeds. In contrast, for the other histological evaluations made, mostly regarding the thickness of mesocarp, mealy endosperm, plumule, radicle and the epidermis, significant differences were observed between control and cryostored seeds with the former consistently displaying higher average values than the latter.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SWEET ORANGE GENOTYPES AVAILABLE IN BANGLADESH

Importance of fruits as valuable food resources, attention has been paid in recent years to study their physicochemical properties. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to measure the physicochemical properties of the sweet orange genotype available in Bangladesh. A total of 8 genotypes including 3 released varieties (BAU Malta-1, BAU Malta-3, and BARI Malta-1) and 5 lines (CS Jain-001, CS Jain-002, CS Jain-003, CS Ram-001, and Variegated Malta) were included in this trial. Maximum average fruit weight (286.00 g), fruit size in terms of length (92.00 mm), and diameter (82.00 mm), mesocarp thickness (10.00 mm), and width of epicarp equatorial area (76.00 mm) was recorded from CS Jain-001 while the maximum number of segment (28.00), the diameter of fruit axis (23.66 mm), juice content (41.44%), titratable acidity (0.99%) and TSS: TA (33.73) was recorded from BAU Malta-3. TSS and juice pH was recorded maximum of 10.21% and 4.48, respectively in BAU Malta-1. Sugar content was found to be as follows, reducing sugar was the maximum in CS Jain-001 (3.50 %) while the highest total sugar (4.68%) was recorded in BAU Malta-1. Variegated Malta produced the maximum (48.45 mg/100 ml juice) ascorbic acid while CS Jain-001 contained maximum (8.35 mg/100 ml juice) ß-carotene. Therefore, considering fruit quality, BAU Malta-3, BARI Malta-1 can be used as fresh fruit. However, considering the fruit size, CS Jain-001 and CS Jain-002 could be used as breeding material to develop a new sweet orange variety with higher yield potential.

Virus Quantification, Flowering, Yield, and Fruit Quality in Tropical Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) Genotypes Susceptible or Resistant to Two Potyviruses

Infecting cucurbits around the world, Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) are members of the genus Potyvirus and family Potyviridae. Tropical pumpkin is grown globally in the lowland humid tropics. In Puerto Rico, tropical pumpkin is the second most important vegetable crop in economic value. In trials in Puerto Rico in 2016 and 2017, susceptible genotypes ‘Waltham’, Mos166, ‘Taína Dorada’ (2016 only), ‘Soler’ with moderate resistance to ZYMV, and resistant ‘Menina’ and ‘Nigerian Local’ were inoculated with PRSV and ZYMV and evaluated in the greenhouse and field. Mock-inoculated (buffer) controls were included. Puerto Rico strains of PRSV and ZYMV were originally collected from plants of Cucurbita moschata in Puerto Rico. Presence of virus was determined by Double Antibody Sandwich (DAS) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and symptom severity was evaluated on a 0 to 5 scale in both trials. Days to anthesis of first staminate and pistillate flower were recorded for each plot. Number of fruits, fruit weight per plant, average fruit weight, fruit and mesocarp diameter, mesocarp color, °Brix, and percentage dry matter were measured in 2017. ‘Waltham’, Mos166, ‘Taína Dorada’, and ‘Soler’ tested positive for PRSV when inoculated with PRSV and positive for ZYMV when inoculated with ZYMV. For both PRSV and ZYMV, symptom severity was less (severity = 0) in resistant genotypes ‘Menina’ and ‘Nigerian Local’ than in all other genotypes. ‘Soler’ inoculated with ZYMV exhibited less symptom severity than that of susceptible genotypes. The degree of symptom severity of ‘Soler’ inoculated with PRSV was similar to susceptible genotypes. Symptom severity in plants inoculated with ZYMV was generally greater than when inoculated with PRSV. Compared with controls, yield per plant was unaffected by inoculation with potyvirus in resistant cultivar ‘Menina’. Unexpectedly, yield in resistant ‘Nigerian Local’ was reduced an average of 45% over control plots. Yield loss was 100% in inoculated plots of susceptible ‘Waltham’. Yield reduction ranged from 35% to 80% for susceptible Mos166 and moderately resistant ‘Soler’. There was little evidence that days to anthesis, average fruit weight, fruit diameter, and fruit quality (mesocarp thickness, chroma, hue angle, °Brix and dry matter) of plants inoculated with virus were different from that of uninoculated control plants. The exception was moderately resistant ‘Soler’ where plants inoculated with ZYMV produced fruits with a 32% reduction in average weight, as well as reductions in diameter, mesocarp thickness, and color saturation (chroma) compared with controls. This was unexpected given that ‘Soler’ has some resistance to ZYMV. Greenhouse evaluations by ELISA or symptom severity were generally useful in predicting field resistance to PRSV and ZYMV. In summary, yield reductions of up to 100% can be expected in C. moschata genotypes susceptible to PRSV or ZYMV, but fruit quality traits are usually unaffected. Moderate resistance to ZYMV in ‘Soler’ was observed to reduced symptom severity but not negative effects on yield and other traits. ‘Soler’ was not resistant to PRSV. ‘Menina’ rather than ‘Nigerian Local’ appears to be the best source of resistance because yield of the former was not impacted by inoculation with either potyvirus.

Novel approach to the selection of Psidium guajava genotypes using latent traits to bypass multicollinearity

Multicollinearity is a very common problem in studies that employ path analysis in agronomic crops, which generates unrealistic results and erroneous interpretations. This study was aimed at assessing the path analysis in data obtained from guava tree full-sib based on modelling multiple regressions applying latent variables to neutralize the effects of multicollinearity. Seven explanatory variables were measured – fruit mass (FM), fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), mesocarp thickness (MT), peel thickness (PT), pulp mass (PM), total number of fruits (NTF) –, plus the main dependent variable, total yield per plant (YIELD). In accordance with the multicollinearity scenario, eleven values were tested with the addition of the constant K to the diagonal of the correlation matrix X’X. Path analysis was applied in two models: all the explanatory variables with direct effect on the dependent one and another model with multiple regression with more than one chain and the presence of latent variables. The path analysis in the multivariate methodology of structural equation modelling (SEM), which uses latent variable prediction, provided better results than the traditional and ridge path analyses.

Diversity assessment of mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco) genotypes under sub-tropical conditions

Genetic diversity analysis of fifteen mandarin genotypes collected from various agro-ecological regions was performed using important fruit morphological and physicochemical traits. Fruit weight varied from 245.50 g (Kara) to 90.53 g (Michal). The values of fruit diameter and length varied in the range of 82.70 to 62.37 mm and 74.20 to 52.80 mm, respectively. Kara genotype recorded significantly higher fruit diameter and length (82.70 mm, 74.20 mm), however, Michal recorded the lowest fruit diameter and length (82.70 mm, 74.20 mm) among all genotypes. Fruit rind thickness was recorded in the range of 5.88 mm (King) to 2.64 mm (Fortune). The fruit mesocarp thickness varied from 2.85 mm (King) to 1.11 mm (Mandarin 182). The total seed number per fruit varied from 31.20 (Fortune) to 3.30 (PAU Kinnow 1). Significantly higher fruit granulation was recorded in Michal (83.30%) followed by Clementine (50.00%) and Fairchild (33.33%) and Honey (15.00%). However, no granulation was observed in Kinnow, PAU Kinnow 1, King, Kara, Willow Leaf, Wilking, Sunburst, Mandarin 182 and Fortune. The TSS and acidity ratio ranged from 17.29 (Clementine) to 5.65 (Fortune). However, juice content in endocarp varied from 54.17 per cent (Fortune) to 19.63 per cent (Michal). Kara, Fairchild, PAU Kinnow 1 and King emerged as promising cultivars in terms of Citrus Colour Index values of epicarp, pulp and juice. The cluster analysis illustrating genetic relationship, classified mandarin genotypes into three clusters irrespective of their geographical origin. Higher genetic advance value for fruit weight, fruit granulation and juice content made these traits more effective during selection. The study indicated high genetic diversity in mandarin germplasm. So, superior cultivars can be utilized in citrus crop improvement programme.

Micromorphology and anatomy of fruits of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) and their intraspecific differentiation

Summary Introduction: Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) has a long history of use as a vegetable and medicinal plant. According to the European Pharmacopoeia, the angelica root (Angelica radix) of only one of the sub-species – Angelica archangelica subsp. archangelica (formerly known as Archangelica officinalis) – is used as a source of plant material with documented medicinal properties. Within this species, there are two subspecies that are difficult to classify unambiguously: subsp. archangelica and subsp. litoralis. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a micromorphological and anatomical description of fruits of A archangelica and identify new diagnostic characters useful in subspecies identification. Methods: A comparative analysis of the sculpture and internal structure of fruits of the distinguished A archangelica taxa was conducted, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Based on the taxonomic characters in the Apiaceae family, micromorphological and anatomical characteristics of A archangelica fruits were prepared. Some of the investigated characters, e.g. verrucose sculpture of the oil duct surface and the presence of hooked hairs, exhibited intraspecific differences. Among the anatomical characters, the variation was related to the number and size of the paraendocarpic oil ducts as well as to the thickness of dorsal and commissural mesocarp. Conclusion: SEM examination of fruits of A archangelica provided a detailed description of their sculptures and several micromorphological and anatomical characters of potential diagnostic value.

Identification of Genes Related to Mesocarp Development in Cucumber

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an agriculturally and economically important vegetable crop worldwide. The thickness of mesocarp is an important quality pertaining to edibility. The development of mesocarp, however, has received little attention. In this study, we selected one thick mesocarp line D8 to analyze the gene expression profiles of mesocarp at 0, 3, 6, and 9 days after pollination (DAP) by RNA sequencing. Genes mainly related to ribosomes, carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and oxidative phosphorylation were up-regulated at 3 DAP. From 3 to 6 DAP, the genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis, and phagosome were highly induced. From 6 to 9 DAP, the genes related to plant hormone signal transduction were highly induced. Differentially expressed genes linked to cyclin, hormone biosynthesis and signaling, carbon metabolism, and transcription factors MYB and WRKY were common up-regulated at 3, 6, 9 DAP in comparison with 0 DAP. The auxin-responsive and cytokinin-responsive genes were significantly up-regulated in mesocarp development. The higher expression levels of the auxin-responsive gene indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase 3.6 and the cytokinin response regulator 3/4b in the thick mesocarp cultivar D8 than in the thin mesocarp cultivar XUE1 might have explained the different growth rates of the mesocarp.

Survey of the fruits and endocarps of Icacinaceae (Lamiids, Icacinales)

Icacinaceae Miers are a well-described family. However, the family lacks a comprehensive guide to endocarp morphology, which would be an important tool for interpreting the family’s extensive fossil record of endocarp remains. In this survey, we describe fruits and endocarps of 88 species of Icacinaceae s. str., four of Icacinaceae s. lat. (now Metteniusaceae) and one of Oncothecaceae. We investigated the value of the endocarp in species recognition. In addition, we generated an Xper3 database with an associated e-key to increase the availability of raw data and the understanding of the characters used. This study documents great diversity in epicarp hairs, mesocarp thickness, endocarp ornamentation, tubercle shape (if present), endocarp structure and thickness, and the locule lining. Some morphological features appear diagnostic for individual genera. In particular, the genus Iodes Blume, which is very common in the fossil record, is the only clade with the three following characters: papillae on the inner locule lining, ridged ornamentation on the endocarp surface, and a vascular bundle embedded within the endocarp wall. Finally, we discuss issues related to the preservation of fruit material in herbarium collections.

PYL9 is involved in the regulation of ABA signaling during tomato fruit ripening.

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates fruit ripening, yet little is known about the exact roles of ABA receptors in fruit. In this study, we reveal the role of SlPYL9, a tomato pyrabactin resistance (PYR)/pyrobactin resistance-like (PYL)/regulatory component of ABA receptors (RCAR) protein, as a positive regulator of ABA signaling and fruit ripening. SlPYL9 inhibits protein phosphatase-type 2C (PP2C2/6) in an ABA dose-dependent way, and it interacts physically with SlPP2C2/3/4/5 in an ABA-dependent manner. Expression of SlPYL9 was observed in the seeds, flowers, and fruits. Overexpression and suppression of SlPYL9 induced a variety of phenotypes via altered expression of ABA signaling genes (SlPP2C1/2/9, SlSnRK2.8, SlABF2), thereby affecting expression of ripening-related genes involved in ethylene release and cell wall modification. SlPYL9-OE/RNAi plants showed a typical ABA hyper-/hypo-sensitive phenotype in terms of seed germination, primary root growth, and response to drought. Fruit ripening was significantly accelerated in SlPYL9-OE by 5–7 d as a result of increased endogenous ABA accumulation and advanced release of ethylene compared with the wild-type. In the SlPYL9-RNAi lines, fruit ripening was delayed, mesocarp thickness was enhanced, and petal abscission was delayed compared with the wild-type, resulting in conical/oblong and gourd-shaped fruits. These results suggest that SlPYL9 is involved in ABA signaling, thereby playing a role in the regulation of flower abscission and fruit ripening in tomato.

Fruit size in different plum species (genus Prunus L.) is determined by post-bloom developmental processes and not by ovary characteristics at anthesis

The mechanisms driving drupe differentiation have been investigated in several plant species. Often, bigger fruits derive from bigger ovaries; however, in other species, ovary size is similar and differences in fruit size are determined by differences in post-bloom tissue development. The aim of this work was to investigate whether, in three Prunus species (P. salicina, P. domestica and P. cerasifera), fruit size is related to ovary size or whether it depends on post-bloom developmental processes. This study used microscope image analyses to evaluate ovary wall thickness at anthesis and fruit mesocarp thickness at final fruit size. In the same tissues (i.e. ovary wall and fruit mesocarp), we also measured cell area and number of cellular layers. Ovary wall thickness did not differ among the genotypes tested (except for Mirabolano, the smallest-fruited genotype, having slightly bigger ovaries) and was not correlated to either cell size or to the numbers of cell layers. Fruit mesocarp thickness varied three fold among genotypes and was strongly and positively correlated to the number of cell layers, and weakly and negatively correlated to cell size. No correlation was found between fruit weight (or mesocarp thickness or number of cell layers) and the respective ovary characteristic: bigger fruits did not derive from bigger ovaries. Fruit weight was instead related to the fruit-to-ovary weight and cell layer number ratios, indicating that fruit size in these species is related not to ovary characteristics, but to processes that occur to a different extent after bloom, particularly to a greater cell division. In particular, P. salicina cv. TC Sun, which had the biggest fruit, had a longer post bloom cell division activity and/or a higher post bloom cell division rate. Indeed, the number of TC Sun cell layers increased four times, while in the other species the mesocarp had twice the ovary layers. TC Sun also had the lowest increase in mesocarp cell area. This study represents a starting point to understand the mechanisms of cell division and expansion in Prunus species and their implication for fruit size management.

The Influence of Light on Olive (Olea europaea L.) Fruit Development Is Cultivar Dependent.

In olive, the response to environmental conditions, such as light availability, is under genetic control and requires a combination of biochemical and physiological events. We investigated the effect of irradiance in fruit development in two Italian cultivars, Leccino and Frantoio. Morphological and cyto-histological analyses, as well as water and oil content determination, were carried out in fruits exposed to a different light regime (named as light and shade fruits). Results demonstrated that the influence of light availability on fruit development depends on the cultivar. In Leccino, the fresh and the dry weight, the percentage of dry matter, the kernel and fruit diameter, the mesocarp thickness and the mesocarp cell size were higher in the light exposed fruits than in the ones grown in the shade. In Frantoio, differences between light and shade fruits were observed only at 140 DAF (Days After Flowering) and only in the kernel and fruit diameter and in the dry and fresh weight, which were higher in the light exposed fruits. Leccino, therefore, showed a greater sensitivity to the light availability. This may be related to the observed delay in the endocarp lignification as compared to the Frantoio cultivar. In each cultivar, moreover, shade and light fruits did not show differences in the timing of cell differentiation. Finally, the investigation of oil storage carried out in cyto-histological studies demonstrated that differences in oil content between fruit subjected to different light regimes correlated with the number of oil containing cells, rather than the oil content per cell. A different behaviour was observed in the two cultivars: in Leccino, the mesocarp cell size was almost twice of Frantoio, while oil drops were only 30% larger; therefore, the percentage of cell volume occupied by the oil drops was lower in Leccino than in Frantoio. The chemical analysis confirmed this observation.

Effect of potassium and calcium upon the yield and fruit quality of Cucumis melo

The aim of this work was to study the effect of potassium and calcium in combination with nitrogen upon the yield and fruit quality of outdoor-grown melon (Cucumis melo L.). Two experiments were simultaneously performed through the use of two cultivars: ‘Honey Dew Green Flesh’ (Inodorus group) and ‘Sivan’ (Charentais group). A completely randomized experimental design was used with nine treatments resulting in a factorial arrangement of 3 x 3 due to the use of three doses of K and three doses of Ca. Doses were administered through fertigation with the injection of the fertilizers into a drip irrigation system, expressed as follows in relation to N: N:K (1.8:1.0 – 1.0:1.0 – 0.0:1.0) and Ca:N (2.0:1.0 – 1.0:1.0 – 0.0:1.0). Fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorus was the same in all treatments, through the application of an equivalent of 160 kg ha-1of N and 45 kg ha-1 of P. Yield (Mg ha-1) was measured as well as fruit quality attributes: firmness (kg); pulp or mesocarp thickness (mm) and rind thickness (mm); and total soluble solids (%). Differences were observed between the two varieties. The application of K showed the greatest effect on the quality and yield of the harvested fruit. However, this effect was not observed with Ca.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS PUMMELO (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.) ACCESSIONS FROM MAGETAN REGENCY

Magetan Regency was the production centre of pummelo that have many accessions with various morphological and chemical characteristics, but only a few of them were identificated. This study was aimed at identifying morphological and chemical characteristics of pummelo fruits in Magetan Regency. The study was conducted in the Biology Laboratory of Djuanda University, Bogor from May to July 2015. Results showed with regard to their morphological characteristic, pomelo plants in this region were found to have spheroid and spheroid-pyriform fruits and the weight of their fruit parts, fruit core width, mesocarp thickness, fruit circle before peeling, fruit circle after peeling, number of fruit segments, number of developed seeds, and edible parts of the fruit were varied. Chemical characteristics were also found to be varied with vitamin C content of 29.80−44.66 mg/100g, total soluble solids (TSS) content of 8.10−9.72°Brix, total titratable acidity (TAA) of 0.31−0.53 g/100 ml, and TSS/ TAA ratio of 17.69−28.58. Key words: production centre of pummelo, spheroid, vitamin C, TSS

Effect of Oil-Palm-Empty-Fruit-Bunch Granular Organic Fertilizer on The Yield 0f Oil Palm Fruit

Oil Palm has a strategic role in the Indonesian economy. The use of anorganic fertilizers in the cultivation of Oil Palm is to add nutrients to optimize the growth and yield of plants. The use of anorganic fertilizers significantly increase crop production, but the use of anorganic fertilizers in a relatively long time period has negative impact on soil conditions. The use of organic fertilizers can be an alternative in reducing the negative impact of the use of anorganic fertilizers. Compost of empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm has the potential to substitute most of the nutrients needed by plants. This study aimed to determine the effect of local organic fertilizers on yields of oil palm. The research was implemented from January 2016 until March 2016, in the oil palm plantation area of PT Bio Nusantara Bengkulu, Village of Pondok Kelapa, Central Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu. Dose of EFB was as treatment in this study, consisted of control, 4 kg EFB /plant, 8 kg /plant, 12 kg /plant, 16 kg /plant. The treatment was repeated three times with 10 plants per treatment unit in order to obtain 150 samples. The results showed that the dose 21.03 kg EFB can improve the greenish of leaves with the result of 78.65. Dose of EFB 15.38 kg/plant was able to increase the weight of loose/detached fruit to 12.22 grams. The 10.5 kg mesocarp thickness reached 0.96 cm when the plant was treated with EFB 10.5 kg/plant. Keywords: compost, empty fruit bunch, oil palm, organic fertilizer, yield