Total Soluble Solids Percentage Research Articles

The effect of treatment pomegranate peel extract and calcium on the storage ability of broad beans (Vicia faba L.)

After harvesting the crop of broad beans grown in one of the orchards in Al-Hartha region, Basrah, Iraq for the agricultural season 2023-2024, the pods were separated to obtain the seeds by removing the pod, then the seeds were divided into three parts. A part of the seeds was treated by dipping in pomegranate peel extract at a concentration of 3 ml l‾¹ for 5 minutes,. The second part of seeds was dipped in calcium at a concentration of 2 ml l‾¹ for 5 minutes. The last part was dipped in distilled water only for 5 minutes. After the seeds dried, they were packed in perforated polyethylene bags (8 holes of 5 mm diameter ) with an amount of 1 kg per bag and stored at a temperature of 4 °C for two weeks. The experiment was carried out as factorial experiment consisting of two factors, using Complete Rondomize Design (CRD) with 3 replicates. The results showed that 2 ml l‾¹ calcium treatment was the best in reducing the weight loss of seeds and recording the highest percentage of total soluble solids and protein, while the treatment of pomegranate peel extract was superior to the rest treatments in recorded the highest vitamin C. The results also showed that the two mentioned treatments did not record any significant decay after two weeks of storage compared to the control treatment. The weight loss of seeds, the percentage of decay, and the total soluble solids increased with increasing storage period, while the protein percentage and vitamin C concentration decrease with increasing storage period.

Influence of Irrigation Water Acidity, Chemical Fertilizer and Propagation Method on the Contents of Nutrient Elements of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv. Festival

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of the reproduction method and acidity of irrigation water and chemical fertilization plus their interactions on the strawberry fruit of the cv. Festival indicators. The percentage of total soluble solids, total acidity, total sugars, ascorbic acid content, and nitrate content were estimated. Results showed the superiority of the method of propagation using the plant tissue culture technique. The ascorbic acid content was 32.73 mg.100 g-1 fresh mass for the method of propagation by runners. Also, the water treatment with pH 5.5 was superior for the total sugars content in fruits 6.72% and the content of ascorbic acid 32.71 to 73 mg.100 g-1 fresh mass compared to the control treatment. As for the triple interaction, the method of propagation with runners and pH water 5.5 and the fertilizer recommendation of macro-elements outperformed in the percentage of T.S.S and carbohydrate content in the strawberry fruits reached 11.70% and 10.41%, respectively, but the total acidity decreased to 2.37 mg.g-1 for the same combination. In contrast, the highest content of ascorbic acid in fruits 44.81 mg.100 g -1 of fresh mass was recorded by using the propagation method of tissue culture technique. Moreover, the lowest nitrate content was 11.19 mg. 100 g -1 dry mass when using the propagation method of runners and pH of irrigation water at 6.5 plus the fertilizer recommendation of macro-elements.

استجابة ثلاثة أصناف من الشوندر للتسميد العضوي والرش الورقي

A field experiment was conducted for autumn season 2021-2022 in the fields of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Al-Jadriya Campus, Station A- To study the effect of cultivars (Red, Dark Red, and Cylindra), organic fertilizer, vermicompost, and cow manure, as well as control treatment (soil only), and spraying with silicon and calcium elements and distilled water (control) on the growth, yield, and quality of beetroot plant Within a completely randomized block design as a split plot experiment, where the cultivars were counted as the main factor, organic fertilizer, and foliar spray as the secondary factor, with three replicates, the number of treatments was 27, and the averages were compared according to the least significant difference L.S.D at the level of probability 5% for each cultivar, and the results were as follows: There is a significant effect of the triple interaction between cultivars, culture medium and foliar spraying on the percentages of the elements N, P, K, and Ca as well as the concentration of Si in the leaves of the beetroot plant, as it was noted that the treatments V2×F1×S2, V2×F2×S2, and V3×F1×S2 gave them the highest percentage of nitrogen in leaves amounted to 3.50%,The triple interaction treatment V2×F1×S2 was significantly excelled in the percentage of phosphorus and potassium in the leaves by giving it (0.43%, 4.69%) respectively, while the treatment V2×F2×S2 was significantly excelled by giving it the highest percentage of calcium in the leaves, amounting to 2.17%.The results also indicated that the two treatments V2×F1×S2 and V3×F1×S2 were excelled in the concentration of silicon in the leaves by giving them 0.00739 ppm. the triple interaction treatment the cultivar Cylindra and Vermicompost medium with silicone spray V3×F1×S2 Significantly excelled gave it the highest leaf yield of 67.50 tons ha-1, While the treatment V2×F1×S2 excelled in (root yield, percentage of total soluble solids, percentage of sugars and percentage of phenols) given (74.49 ton ha-1, 11.66%, 948.7% and 0.18%), respectively.

Study of Changes in the Chemical Composition of Date Palm Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Derived from Tissue Culture Under the Influence of Different Pollen Treatments

The current study was conducted on growing date palm trees in Al-Siba area - Basra Governorate in order to identify the chemical composition of the fruits under the influence of different pollen treatments. The study was conducted using three main factors. pollen) and the second factor is the pollen variety (Al-ghanami red and Al-ghanami + normal Al-Khukri and Al-ghanami + Alkanari) and the third factor is the age of the male pollination (early, medium and late). The fruit content of amino acids and total soluble protein in the interstitial stage and the percentage of total soluble solids in the wet stage were studied. And the percentage of knots, falling, and chips, in the khalal stage, and the results showed that there are differences in the chemical composition of the fruits under the influence of these treatments. Sequentially, the lowest value for total soluble protein and total soluble solids and the lowest percentage of precipitation and shea was 341.4 mg. L-1, 47.08, 37.1, and 11.3%, respectively. As for the effect of the cultivar, the two cultivars Al-ghanami red + Alkanari and Al-ghanami red + Al Khukri normal were significantly superior in the fruit content of amino acids and total soluble protein, as it recorded (39.5, 33.6) mg.L-1 and (387.7, 397.5) mg.L-1 for both. the two categories sequentially. While the cultivar did not significantly affect the fruit content in the percentage of total dissolved solids and the percentage of precipitation, while Al-ghanami red cultivar recorded the highest percentage of knots and the lowest percentage of hook, which amounted to 55.4 and 4.5%, respectively. Significant differences were recorded between the ages of the male pollens in the fruit content of amino acids, total soluble protein and the percentage of total soluble solids. The medium-mature male pollen gave the highest concentration of free amino acids at an average of (38.7) mg.L-1 and the lowest concentration of total soluble protein and total soluble solids. At a rate of (347.6) mg.L-1 and (45.63)%, respectively. As for the bilateral and triple interactions, it showed a significant superiority in some of the study interventions.

Evaluation Study of some Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Red and White Mulberry Fruits, a Local Variety Morus sp.

The results of the search for the physical characteristics of the red and white mulberry cultivars showed that there were no significant differences in the characteristic of the fruit length, as it reached 2.50 and 2.40 cm for the red and white cultivars, respectively. While the white mulberry variety excelled in the characteristics (fresh and dry weight of the fruit and the diameter of the fruit), reaching 3.09 g, 1.66 g, and 1.10 cm, respectively. The results of the study of chemical traits showed that there were significant differences in all the studied traits, where the red mulberry variety excelled in (content). moisture, percentage of juice, and percentage of acidity), which reached 14.73, 54.78, and 2.64%, respectively, while the white mulberry variety excelled in (the percentage of total sugars, the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS), the ratio of solids to acidity, and the ash content of the fruits) as it reached 8.14%, 9.60%, 9.60%, and 0.86g, respectively.

Effect of adding vermicompost, ammonium sulfate and fertilizer batches on the absorbed amounts of some nutrients and the yield and quality of summer squash

A field experiment was conducted at one of the research stations of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad in the Al-Jadiriyah region for the autumn season of 2021, located within latitude 33.27 north and longitude 44.39 east in Silty Loam soil with a split -split plot design with three replicates. To study the effect of adding vermicompost and ammonium sulfate fertilizers and batches on the yield and quality of summer squash, nitrogen fertilizer was added at three levels (100%, 0, 50%) from the fertilizer recommendation (0, 80, 160) kg N ha-1 (N0, N1, N2). ), using ammonium sulfate fertilizer containing (21% N) and organic fertilizer (vermicompost) were added at three levels (0, 5, 10) Mg ha-1 (V0, V1, V2) respectively, fertilizers were added in two batches after (10, 20) days of planting and three batches after (10,20 and 40) days of planting. The first batch was added after 10 days of planting. The concentration (N and P) in the fruits were measured, the amount of the total yield, the percentage of protein, the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS) and fruit hardness. The results showed the significant effect of adding vermicompost and ammonium sulfate fertilizers, the number of batches on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous absorbed in the fruits, the total yield, the percentage of protein in the fruits, the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS) and the hardness of the fruits. The treatment P2V2N1 excelled and gave the highest amount of nitrogen absorbed in the fruits, which was 1995 kg N ha-1. Phosphorous absorbed in the fruits amounted to 172.10 kg P ha-1 and the highest total yield reached 21.53 Mg ha-1 . The percentage of protein in the fruits amounted to 36.63%, the percentage of total soluble solids TSS amounted to 4.90%, and the hardness of the fruits amounted to 10.27 B. From this, we conclude that by adding nitrogen fertilizer at the first level (N1) (80 kg N ha-1 ) and organic fertilizer (V2) (10 Mg ha-1 ) and in two batches (P2) we got the highest yield and the highest qualitative traits of hardness, protein percentage and TSS. Thus, we conclude that the organic fertilizer improved the qualitative traits, gave the highest yield and compensated for a part of the mineral fertilizer. The organic fertilizer has a role in raising the absorption efficiency of (N and P). Keywords: vermicompost fertilizer, ammonium sulfate fertilizer, summer squash.

Conventional vs. nano-micronutrients as foliar fertilization for enhancing the quality and nutritional status of pomegranate fruits

Currently, nanotechnology is widely used in agriculture and horticulture. Nanofertilizers are essential for encouraging vegetative growth and flowering, as well as enhancing productivity and fruit quality. These nanoparticles are viewed as growth promoters as well. The current study was therefore carried out during the two successive seasons of 2021 and 2022 on 14-year-old trees grown in clay soil in a field experiment at the Pomology Department Research orchard, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt. The effects of conventional vs. nano-micronutrients as foliar fertilizers on the fruit yield, quality, and mineral nutrition status of pomegranate trees were studied. The foliar application of all treatments on pomegranate trees remarkably increased yield and physical properties of fruits as well as improved the levels of total soluble solids percentage, anthocyanin pigment, flavonol, total phenols, antioxidant activity and nutrients status compared with the controls during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The lowest fruit cracking percentages were obtained by the spraying of nano-micronutrients (4.33–5.70 %) compared with the other treatments and the control, which gave the highest percentages (10.45–11.43 %). The highest increments in yield, physical properties of fruits and levels of total soluble solids percentage, anthocyanin pigment, flavonol, total phenols, and antioxidant activity were noticed by the spraying of nano-micronutrients especially at 1000 and/or 1500 µg mL−1. It could be concluded that the use of nanofoliar fertilization in pomegranate cultivation may improve the yield, quality, and nutritional status of pomegranate fruits.

The effect of spraying zinc, calcium, and sorbitol on qualitative yield traits of potato Solanum tuberosum L.

The experiment was carried out in Diyala Governorate, Khalis District, for the agricultural season 2021–2022 to study the effect of spraying with zinc, calcium, and sorbitol alcohol on qualitative yield traits of the potato cultivar of Arizona. The treatments of spraying zinc, calcium, and sorbitol individually on potato plants significantly increased all studied traits, such as the percentage of protein, dry matter, starch, total sugars, and total soluble solids (TSS%). The treatments of sorbitol (10 g. L-1 ) + Zn (200 mg. L-1 ) + Ca (1 g. L-1 ) gave the highest percentage of protein in the tubers, reaching 11.56% compared to the control treatment of 8.106%, the treatments of sorbitol (10 g. L-1 ) + Zn (0 mg. L-1 ) + Ca (0.5 g. L-1 ) gave the highest percentage of dry matter in the tubers, reaching 18.69% compared to the control treatment of 11.88%, the treatments of sorbitol (10 g. L-1 ) + Zn (0 mg. L-1 ) + Ca (0.5 g. L-1 ) gave the highest percentage of starch in the tubers, reaching 12.66% compared to the control treatment of 6.61%, the treatments of the sorbitol (10 g. L-1 ) + Zn (100 mg. L-1 ) + Ca (0 g. L-1 ) gave the highest percentage of total soluble solids, reaching 6.203%. In contrast, the control treatment gave the lowest value, reaching 3.4130%; the treatments of sorbitol (10 g. L-1 ) + Zn (0 mg. L-1 ) + Ca (1 g. L-1 ) gave the highest percentage of total sugars, reaching 3.547%, compared to the control treatment of 2.231%. Keywords. Potato, zinc, calcium, sorbitol alcohol

Response of fruits of two pomegranate cultivars to dipping with Chitosan during cold storage

The study was carried out in one of the cold stores in Diyala Governorate; the fruits of two cultivars of pomegranate, Salimi and Shami, were collected from the orchards of Diyala Governorate, Khirnabat village, from trees aged 5-6 years. The storage treatments were as follows: two cultivars of pomegranate, Salimi sour and Shami, the fruits were dipped in Chitosan at a concentration of 2% for 5 minutes, in addition to the control treatment (dipping in distilled water only). The fruits were stored at a temperature of 8 ± 1 ° and relative humidity of 85-90% for three months, and measurements were taken at intervals (beginning of storage after 45 days of storage, and after 90 days of storage). The results were analyzed with a factorial experiment with CRD design, and the averages were compared with the LSD test with a probability level of 0.05. The cultivar was significantly superior in the percentage of total soluble solids) 14.10(, anthocyanin pigment)3.005( and total soluble solids / total acidity (TSS/TA)( 19.59) compared with Shami cultivar, while Shami cultivar was significantly superior in total acidity(1.232 ) and vitamin C )26.80(content over Salimi cultivar, the treated fruits with Chitosan at a concentration of 2% gave a clear superiority in the amount of total acidity,( 1.232) the amount of vitamin C(26.80) and the amount of anthocyanin pigment in the fruits compared with the control treatment. At the same time, there was no significant effect of Chitosan on total soluble solids (TSS)( 13.77 ) and TSS/TA(19.26 ). The results also showed that the amount of TSS, the total acidity and the juice content of vitamin C was significantly decreased with the continuation of storage compared with the beginning of storage at the time when the accumulation of anthocyanin(2.209 ) pigment and TSS/TA(19.53) was increased, there was an apparent effect of the interaction between treatments on the storage characteristics of pomegranate fruits. Keywords: Pomegranate, Chitosan, Fruit and Storage

Response of Growth Characteristics and Yield of Broccoli Hybrids to Foliar Spraying with Copper Nanoparticles

The field experiment was conducted during the agricultural season 2021-2022 at the research station of the Department of Horticulture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, University of Diyala to study the effect of foliar feeding with nano and chelated copper for five broccoli hybrids. The study included two factors; The first factor is five broccoli hybrids: Jassmine (V1), 2004 (V2), Zen (V3), Matsuri (V4) and Danar (V5). The second factor has four application treatments of spraying copper: these are, zero concentration, which is spraying with distilled water only (F0), the second is chelated copper 40 mg L-1 (F2), the third is nano-copper 10 mg L-1 (F3) and the fourth is nano-copper 20 mg L-1. The experiment was performed at a split plot system and according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data were collected and analysed statistically using the statistical program (SAS) and the averages were compared with Duncan’s polynomial test at the 0.05 probability level. The number of leaves, the percentage of dry matter in the leaves, the plant yield per square meter, the early appearance of the curd, the percentage of total soluble solids in the curd, and the concentration of vitamin C in the broccoli were examined. The results of the experiment showed the superiority of the Danar hybrid in the number of leaves, while the Zen hybrid was superior in the diameter of the stem and the 2004 hybrid was distinguished in the percentage of dry matter in the leaves, the early appearance of the curd, the highest yield per square meter, the best total soluble solids ratio, and the highest concentration of vitamin C in the curd. The results also showed that foliar spraying with nano-copper had a positive effect on most vegetative growth characteristics and yield, as the spraying with a concentration of 20 mg L-1 of nano-copper outperformed the percentage of dry matter in the leaves as for the number of leaves and stem diameter, the highest values were recorded in the plant yield per square meter, in the percentage of total soluble solids, and the concentration of vitamin C in the crop.

Genotype by Environment Interaction Effects on the Crop of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Using Multivariate Analysis

Evaluation of genotypes under Egyptian desert conditions comes in the first order for the Plant Breeding and Conservation Program of the Desert Research Center (DRC). The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the genotype by environment interaction of sugar beet across various locations using multivariate models. Data for studied traits of sugar beet were obtained from experiments at three regions: Saint Catherine, South Sinai Governorate (E1); Baloza station, North Sinai Governorate (E2); and East El- Qantra station, El-Ismailia Governorate (E3) in Egypt. All examined traits were significantly impacted (p <0.05 or 0.01) by environment (E), genotypes (G), and their interaction (GEI) using the AMMI model, with the exception of root length/plant by the environments as well as leaves weight/plant and total soluble solids percentage % traits by the genotypes. GEI was partitioned into two principal components (PCs), which were significant for all studied traits (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). The highest variability from the total variance was recorded by environmental influences for leaves weight/plant and total soluble solids percentage % traits, as well as by genotype effects for the other studied traits. The environmental index showed that some environments were favorable and some environments were unfavorable for the two traits. The highest root weight/plant and most studied traits were noticed in the E2 environment. Based on the GGE model for root weight/plant, the test environments E1 and E2 are more representative and have the greatest ability to discriminate genotypes, thus favoring the selection of superior genotypes. The genotypes G2, G5, and G6 perform best in the E1 and E2 environments as well as are the most productive and stable compared with the other genotypes. According to PCA and cluster analysis, the genotypes G5 and G6 showed the best performance in response to environments and positive association with root weight/plant and most studied traits. Based on the results of statistical methods used in this study, G5 and G6 genotypes should be used in future sugar beet breeding in an effort to improve productivity and sustainable production of sugar beet in Egypt.

Postharvest physiology and biochemistry of Valencia orange after coatings with chitosan nanoparticles as edible for green mold protection under room storage conditions.

Because of their unique features, nanomaterials have been proposed and have gained acceptance in postharvest applications in fruit. Increasing the storage life and improving the quality of Valencia oranges was investigated using nano-chitosan. A chitosan nanoparticle was prepared by using high-energy ball milling. Chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by Dynamic light scattering, FTIR spectroscopy and Surface morphology by transmission electron microscopy. Fully mature Valencia oranges were harvested and then coated with one of these concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% nano-chitosan) and control. The fruits were stored under room storage conditions for 75 days. The quality parameters (fruit weight losses, fruit decay percentage, fruit firmness, total acidity, total soluble solids percentage and T.S.S./acid ratio, ascorbic acid content) were taken in biweekly intervals after 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days. Beside the in vitro testing of antifungal activity of chitosan nanoparticles. According to the findings of the two succeeding seasons, the nano-chitosan 0.8% treatment showed the best effects and had the lowest rate of fruit weight loss, fruit deterioration, and T.S.S./acid ratio in comparison to the other treatments in both seasons. Furthermore, the 0.8% nano-chitosan reveled the highest levels of fruit hardness and fruit pulp firmness. Fruit weight loss, fruit deterioration, TSS, and TSS/acid ratio, as well as other metrics, were steadily elevated prior to the storage time. The best results were obtained when Valencia oranges fruits were treated with 0.8% nano-chitosan for 75 days at room temperature.

THE ROLE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZER (TICAMIN MAX) AND POTASSIUM SULFATE IN THE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE YIELD OF POTATO ( SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.)

The experiment was carried out in College of Agriculture and Forestry / Mosul University during spring season 2021, to investigate the effect of spraying organic acid (Ticamin Max) at a concentrations (1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 ml L-1 ) and potassium sulfate at a concentrations (1.5, 3 , 4.5 and 6 gm l-1) in addition to the control treatment in potato plants ,Arizona cultivar, grade E. The experiment was designed according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed : Spraying Ticamin Max at 6 ml l-1 concentration gave the highest significant values in the number of total and marketable tubers per plant, tubers hardness and the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS) in tubers, with a value of 12.88, 11.10, and 12.45 kg cm2 and 6.03%, respectively. The treatment of potassium sulfate at 3 gm l-1 concentration gave the highest significance values in the average marketable tubers weight, marketable plant yield, marketing yield of tubers, percentage of dry matter and starch in tubers, and the specific weight of the tubers, with a value of 93.12 g and 960.89 gm 51.247 tons ha-1 and 19.67%, 13.13% and 1.1920, respectively.

Biocontrol effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens combined with un-irradiated and irradiated beet root as a preservative coating for pomegranate arils

Pomegranate arils have medicial benefits and nutritional value, in order to preserve them and reduce spoilage during storage period. Biological control was applied by preserving coating composed from water and ethanolic extract of un-irradiated and irradiated beet root combined with isolated bacterial strain from pomegranate fruits (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO) under cold storage conditions. The obtained results of in vitro studies show that (irradiated beet root ethanolic extract/Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO) preservative coating was the most effective treatment for the inhibition of undesirable microbial biomass but in vivo study (irradiated beet root water extract/Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO) preservative coating gave better results than other treatments for postharvest trial. Irradiated beet root ethanolic extract/Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO preservative coating gave the lowest weight loss percentage and higher total soluble solids percentage than other treatments. Pomegranate arils treated with (irradiated beet root water extract/Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO) preservative coating scored higher titratable acidity percentage, total soluble phenols concentration, total soluble solids percentage and anthocyanin percentage than other treatments. Regarding total sugars percentage, D.D.P.H percentage and ascorbic acid concentration, data show that (irradiated beet root water extract/Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO) and (irradiated beet root ethanolic extract/Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAMO) preservative coatings maintain higher percentage and concentration of previous chemical constituents than other treatments.

Characterization of Filmogenic/Edible Covering Based on Pectin Extracted from Cajá (Spondias mombin) Applied to Coating Green Acerolas (Malpighia emarginata)

Filmogenic coatings can be used as a post-harvest strategy to extend shelf life and ensure improvements in fruit quality and safety given their perishable nature. Due to their edibility, the composition of the coverings is a determining factor for their application, and for this reason, it is interesting and desirable that the constituents come from natural sources. The objective of the present study was to develop and characterize a pectin-based film extracted from cajá peel (Spondias mombin) and verify its efficiency as an edible coating in postharvest acerolas (Malpighia emarginata). The film was characterized in terms of mechanical properties by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM); as well as in terms of chemical properties using the analysis of structural bonds by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). In addition, the antimicrobial activity against two bacteria was evaluated. The analyzed film was presented as a dense membrane, with the presence of pores, fissures, and a very rough surface. The degree of esterification of pectin extract from cajá peel was 44%, and for this reason it was classified as low methocxyl (LM) pectin. The filmogenic solution presented antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The applicability of the edible coating was tested on green acerolas, monitoring their maturation stage through analyzes such as weight loss, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. At the end of the 7 days of storage, acerolas with the application of the coating showed 8.97% weight loss while acerolas without coating showed 9.89%; the percentage of total soluble solids was 7.68% higher for acerolas with the coating, as well as ascorbic acid content was higher for the protected fruits, indicating that the coverage favored the delay in the maturation of acerolas.

The Effect of the Growing Media and Planting Distances on the Growth and Yield of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) Grown in Plastic Tubes

This study is conducted in the unheated greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape - College of Agriculture - Tikrit University during the two seasons 2020-2021. It aims to know the effect of growth medium and planting distances on growth and yield of three varieties of strawberry with a diameter of 6 inches. The study includes three factors, the first factor is media at three levels which are the loamy soil only, the loamy soil + peat moss and peat moss only, The second factor is planting distances which include three distances, 15, 20 and 25 cm between one plant and another, The third factor is the varieties which include three varieties, namely Camarosa, Sweet Charlie and Ruby gem. The experiment is implemented by designing randomized complete sectors according to the split-split plot design with three replicates, each replicate containing three tubes with a diameter of 6 inches, length of each tube 6 meters and each tube containing three experimental units. Thus, each replicate contains 9 experimental units with a length of 2 meters, the growth medium was set in the main plots and the planting distances in the sub-plots, while the cultivars took the sub-sub-plots The most important results can be summarized as follows: Peat moss is significantly superior in the characteristics of average number of leaves, leaf area, average number of flowers, total soluble solids, and total acidity, amounting to 21.95 leaf plant-1, 753.6 cm2, 20.22 flower plant-1, 9.119 and 1.335%, respectively. Ruby gem variety significantly outperformed in the characteristics of average number of leaves, leaf area, average number of flowers, and total soluble solids percentage, amounting to 19.65 leaf plant-1, 594.6 cm2, 20.22 flower plant-1 and 8.537%, respectively; while the verities have not differed significantly among themselves in the total acidity ratio. The distance D3 is significantly superior in the average number of leaves and leaf area, amounting to 18.73 leaf plant-1, 577.2 cm2. On the other hand, the distance D2 is superior in the two characteristics, namely the average number of flowers and the percentage of total soluble solids amounting to 19.70 flower plant-1 and 8.156%, while no significant differences are observed in the characteristic of the total acidity percentage.

Growth parameters and organoleptic characteristics of plantain (Musa AAB Simmonds cv. Farta Velhaco) at different planting densities

In view of the role of density and spacing in the growth parameters and organoleptic characteristics of plantains, this study sought to identify the best planting density for the cultivar Farta Velhaco (Terra group) cultivated in Mato Grosso (Brazil), evaluating three spacings. For this, we carried out an experiment in a randomized block design according to the following spaces (between plants x between rows): 2.0 m x 3.0 m (density of 1,600 plants ha-1); 2.5 m x 3.0 m (density of 1,320 plants ha-1) and 3.0 m x 3.0 m (density of 1,110 plants ha-1), with 25 replicates per treatment. The following attributes were evaluated: plant height (cm); diameter of the pseudostem (cm); number of leaves; number of hands per bunch; number of fruits per hand; fresh fruit weight (g); fruit height (cm); external and internal fruit lengths (cm); fruit diameter (cm); bunch weight (kg), and productivity (t ha-1), in addition to the percentage of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and flavor of the fruits. The density of 2.0 m x 3.0 m in the cultivation of the plantain group Terra cv. Farta Velhaco improves fruit classification attributes as well as the fruit organoleptic characteristics such as the percentage of total soluble solids and flavor.

Antifungal effect of some plant extracts and their combination with Moncut fungicide on sugar beet root rot

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. Chenopodiaceae) has become the first Egyptian crop for sugar production because it contributed with 59.5% of total sugar production. Sclerotium rolfsii is a soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi incident of southern sclerotium rot in sugar beet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of some plant extracts in different solvents as inhibitory control agents against the growth plant pathogen S. rolfsii. Five plant extracts; Roselle, pomegranate, rosemary, black pepper and chamomile were evaluated as inhibitors for Sclerotium rolfsii of sugar beet root rot under laboratory and greenhouse conditions during 2016/2017 growing season at Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, (ARC). The results indicated that all tested plant extracts caused remarkable growth inhibition of S. rolfsii compared with control. However, black pepper extract was the most effective against S. rolfsii (recorded 93.33% inhibition). On the other hand, Pomegranate extract in methanol solvent showed also high inhibition percentage (93.30%). All plant extracts mixed with Moncut fungicides demonstrated an antagonistic effect. The pomegranate and black pepper treatments showed the lowest disease severity compared with control. Furthermore, the pomegranate and black paper treatments recorded the highest root weight, root yield/plot, total soluble solids percentage and sucrose content. Also, pomegranate and black pepper treatments reflected the highest amount of total phenols, free phenols, and conjugated phenols. Additionally, the interaction of pomegranate and black pepper treatments with S. rolfsii pathogen, showed the highest activity of oxidative enzymes peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. This study recommends the application of pomegranate and black pepper as natural alternative fungicides against Sclerotium rolfsii plant infection.

The response of okra plants Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moenth. Cultivated in greenhouses for foliar spraying with nano fertilizer NPK

The study was carried out during the winter season 2018-2019 under the conditions of unheated greenhouses of the Agricultural Research Station of the College of Agriculture-University of Muthanna, to study the effect of foliar application with nano NPK fertigation and the number of sprays on the chemical properties of the leaves and fruits of okra plants Hasinawi variety. The study included four concentrations of nano NPK fertilizer (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5) ml L−1 with number of sprays (once and twice) and interaction between them. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replicates per treatment. The means of treatment were compared by Least Significant Difference (L. S. D) at 0.05 probability. The aforementioned treatments and their interactions in the chemical properties of leaves and fruits were studied, which included leaf content of chlorophyll, carbohydrates, the percentage of total soluble solids (TSS) of fruits, the percentage of fibres, phenols, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the percentage of total protein, Results indicated that spray treatment with a concentration of 1.5 ml L−1 was superior in increasing the chlorophyll content, TSS and the percentage of fibers. Spraying twice treatment with nano NPK fertilizer outperformed all the chemical properties of the leaves and fruits under study. In the case of overlap between both factors, as the treatment of spraying with a concentration of 1.5 ml L−1 times was superior, with significant differences in most of the characteristics studied.

Evaluation The Effect of Intercropping Garlic with Grapevines on Productivity, Phytoremediation, Competitive Indices and Plant Parasitic Nematode Community تقييم تأثير تحميل الثوم مع العنب على الإنتاجية والمعالجة النباتية والعلاقات التنافسية ومجتمع النيماتودا المتطفلة على النبات

The present investigation was carried out during winter of the consecutive seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) on 9 year old Flame Seedless grapevines grown in a private vineyard at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Garlic (Balady cv) was intercropped with grapevines (Flame Seedless cv) on dripper irrigation lines, as a try to reduce numbers of phytonematodes in grapevine soil. For grapevines, the obtained results referred that intercropping insignificantly (P≤0.05) increased number of berries/bunch, weight of 100 berries and berry firmness, separation force, total soluble solids percentage, anthocyanin content and yield/ vine as well as bunch weight and width, berry length, berry diameter and berry shape index compared to sole grapevines. For garlic (Balady cv), the achieved results pointed out that plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf fresh weight/ plant, nick diameter as well as bulb diameter, height and weight/ plant insignificantly decreased when garlic intercropped with grapevines compared to control. Competition indices; i.e., land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER) and land utilization efficiency (LUE) showed that, intercropping garlic with grapevines was more efficient than sole cropping system. Aggressively estimation demonstrated that grapevines were dominant advantages while garlic was dominated. Moreover, intercropping garlic (Balady cv) with grapevines was obviously decreased population density of phytonematodes infesting grapevine orchard. Generally, garlic together with other biocontrol agents in grapevine orchards has the potential to be an efficient and environmentally agricultural management method to reduce numbers of plant parasitic nematodes.