Physiochemical Traits Research Articles

Antifungal potential of zinc against leaf spot disease in chili pepper caused by Alternaria alternata.

The fungal pathogen, Alternaria alternata is responsible for causing leaf spot disease in many plants, including chili pepper. Zinc (Zn) an essential micronutrient for plant growth, also increases resistance in plants against diseases, and also acts as an antifungal agent. Here, in vitro effects of ZnSO4 on the propagation of A. alternata were investigated, and also in vivo, the effect of foliar application of ZnSO4 was investigated in chili pepper plants under disease stress. In vitro, ZnSO4 inhibited fungal growth in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition being observed at the concentration of 8.50mM. Hyphae and conidial damage were observed along with abnormal activity of antioxidant enzymes, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the major changes in the protein structure of the fungal biomass after Zn accumulation. In vivo, pathogen infection caused the highest leaf spot disease incidence, and cumulative disease index, which resulted in a significant reduction in the plant's growth (length and biomass), and physiochemical traits (photosynthetic pigment, activity of catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase). The heat map and principal component analysis based on disease, growth and, physico-chemical variables generated useful information regarding the best treatment useful for disease management. Foliar Zn (0.036mM) acted as a resistance inducer in chili pepper plants that improved activities of antioxidants (CAT and POX), and defense compounds (PPO and PAL), while managing 77% of disease. The study indicated foliar ZnSO4 as an effective and sustainable agriculture practice to manage Alternaria leaf spot disease in chili pepper plants.

4-Hydroxymelatonin alleviates nickel stress, improves physiochemical traits of Solanum melongena: Regulation of polyamine metabolism and antioxidative enzyme

The core objective of current research was to reveal the potential of 4-hydroxymelatonin (4-OHMT) in alleviation of nickel (Ni) toxicity in Solanum melongena L. Nickel toxicity reduced growth, leaf relative water content (LRWC), chlorophyll (Chl) content, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, stomatal conductivity and transpiration rate in S. melongena seedlings. However, exogenous application of 4-OHMT enhanced growth, net photosynthesis rate and gas exchange characteristics in treated seedlings. Moreover, 4-OHMT amplified the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. Additionally, 4-OHMT applied plants exhibited higher level of glutathione (GSH). The stress alleviation capability of 4-OHMT in S. melongena seedlings is attributed to the reduced level of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage. 4-Hydroxymelatonin reduced Ni content in root and shoot of S. melongena seedlings. Further research with reference to potential of 4-OHMT for stress mitigation in other crops will assist in increasing the crop productivity.

Adjusting Nitrogen Application in Accordance with Soil Water Availability Enhances Yield and Water Use by Regulating Physiological Traits of Maize under Drip Fertigation

Knowledge of the interactive effects of water and nitrogen (N) on physio-chemical traits of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) helps to optimize water and N management and improve productivity. A split-plot experiment was conducted with three soil water conditions (severe drought, moderate drought, and fully water supply referring to 45%–55%, 65%–75%, and 85%–95% field capacity, respectively) and four N application rates (N₀, N₁₅₀, N₂₄₀, and N₃₃₀ referring to 0, 150, 240, 330 kg N ha^–1 respectively) under drip fertigation in 2014 and 2015 in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China. The results indicated that drought stress inhibited physiological activity of plants (leaf relative water content, root bleeding sap, and net photosynthetic rate), resulting in low dry matter accumulation after silking, yield, and N uptake, whereas increased WUE and NUE. N application rates over than 150 kg ha^–1 aggravated the inhibition of physiological activity under severe drought condition, while it was offset under moderate drought condition. High N application rates (N₃₃₀) still revealed negative effects under moderate drought condition, as it did not consistently enhance plant physiological activity and significantly reduced N uptake as compared to the N₂₄₀ treatment. With fully water supply, increasing N application rates synergistically enhanced physiological activity, promoted dry matter accumulation after silking, and increased yield, WUE, and N uptake. Although the N₂₄₀ treatment reduced yield by 5.4% in average, it saved 27.3% N under full water supply condition as compared with N₃₃₀ treatment. The results indicated that N regulated growth of maize in aspects of physiological traits, dry matter accumulation, and yield as well as water and N use was depended on soil water status. The appropriate N application rates for maize production was 150 kg ha^–1 under moderate drought or 240 kg ha^–1 under fully water supply under drip fertigation, and high N supply (>150 kg ha^–1) should be avoided under severe drought condition.

Effects of Organic Soil Amendments on Photosynthetic Traits of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in an Alluvial Soil

Black pepper in Sarawak, Malaysia, is mainly cultivated using the conventional method involving heavy usage of chemical compound fertilizers. Organic soil amendments can reduce the required amounts of chemical fertilizers. So, the objectives of this study were to compare selected properties of soils as well as the physiological performances of mature vines following the application of fermented juices, biochar, and compost. There were five treatments; each replicated five times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were as follows: (i) FNPK–NPK 15 : 15 : 15 compound fertilizer; (ii) FPJ (fermented plant juice); (iii) FPJBC (FPJ, biochar, and compost); (iv) FFJ (fermented fruit juice); and (v) FFJBC (FFJ, biochar, and compost). The results revealed that combined fermented juices, biochar, and compost positively improved soil bulk density, soil porosity, TOC, C/N ratio, available P, exchangeable K, and exchangeable Ca. The fermented juices incorporated with biochar and compost had favourable effects on the leaf chlorophyll concentration, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and gas exchange rates such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration. Pepper leaf chlorophyll, NDVI, and photosynthesis rate were negatively correlated with soil total N. These results suggested that introducing organic soil amendments such as fermented juices, biochar, and compost improved soil physiochemical properties and black pepper physiological traits.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria alleviates drought stress in potato in response to suppressive oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities

Maintenance of plant physiological functions under drought stress is normally considered a positive feature as it indicates sustained plant health and growth. This study was conducted to investigate whether plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacillus subtilis HAS31 has potential to maintain potato growth and yield under drought stress. We analyzed trends of chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis process, relative water content, osmolytes, antioxidants enzymes and oxidative stress, relative growth rate, tuber and aboveground biomass production in two potato varieties, Santae (drought-tolerant) and PRI-Red (drought-sensitive). Plants of both genotypes were treated with 100 g of HAS31 inoculant at 10 days after germination and exposed to different soil relative water contents (SRWC), including 80 ± 5% (well watered), 60 ± 5% (moderate stress) and 40 ± 5% SRWC (severe stress) for 7 days at tuber initiation stage (30 days after germination). The drought stress reduced plant relative growth rate, biomass production, leaf area, number of leaves and tubers, tuber weight, and final yield. The drought-stressed plants showed decline in chlorophyll contents, membrane stability, leaf relative water contents and photosynthetic rate. Under drought stress, enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), contents of total soluble sugars, soluble proteins and proline increased. The application of PGPR reduced the impact of drought and maintained higher growth and physio-chemical traits of the plants. The plants with PGPR application showed higher relative growth rate, dry matter production, leaf area, number of tubers, tuber weight and yield as compared to plants without PGPR. The PGPR-HAS31 treated plants maintained higher photosynthetic process, contents of chlorophyll, soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, and enzymatic activities of CAT, POD and SOD as compared to plants without PGPR. The results of the study suggest that plant growth regulators have ability to sustain growth and yield of potato under drought stress by maintaining physiological functions of the plants.

Bioformulated Hesperidin-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Counteract the Mitochondrial-Mediated Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway in Cancer Cells

In this study, a biological approach has carried out to develop the polymer-based nanoparticles using a bioflavonoid of hesperidin. This formulation has been attempted and established for its biomedical application in cancer treatment. Hesperidin loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Hes-PLGA-NPs) were processed by oil in water single emulsion solvent evaporation technique and the physiochemical traits were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD and NMR analysis. DLS and TEM analysis revealed that the preparation yielded a spherical shaped nanoparticle with an average measure of 38.4 nm. The XRD spectrum showed a crystalline type of nanoparticles. The FTIR and NMR investigation exposed that the PLGA also serves up as capping or switching material for pH-dependent drug release. Furthermore, the cationic natures of Hes-PLGA-NPs easily penetrate cancerous cells and efficiently repressed the growth in acidic conditions. Taking into account, the findings of in vitro studies in HEp-2 cell suggested that bioformulated Hes-PLGA-NPs are more competent than native hesperidin and might be used as a potent anti-cancer candidate. Further studies are warranted to expose the toxicity and molecular level mechanisms involved in the anti-cancer activity of the synthesized Hes-PLGA-NPs as nanomedicine.

Selection and screening of drought tolerant high yielding chickpea genotypes based on physio-biochemical indices and multi-environmental yield trials

BackgroundChickpea is one of the major legume crops being cultivated in the arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan. It is mainly grown on the marginal areas where, terminal drought stress is one of the serious threats to its productivity. For defining the appropriate selection criteria for screening drought tolerant chickpea genotypes, present study was conducted. Distinct chickpea germplasm was collected from different pulses breeding institutes of Pakistan and evaluated for drought tolerance at germination and early seedling stages, furthermore, at late vegetative growth stages physiochemical traits and multi-environment yield performance were also tested.ResultsChickpea genotypes under different environments, were significantly varied for different seedling traits, physio-chemical attributes and seed yield. Genotypes showing drought tolerance by performing better at an early seedling stages were not correspondingly high yielding. Screening for drought tolerance on seed yield basis is the most appropriate trait to develop the drought tolerant as well as high yielding chickpea genotypes. Results confirmed that traits of early growth stages were not reflecting the drought tolerance at terminal growth stages and also did not confer high yielding. NIAB-rain fed environment proved ideal in nature to screen the chickpea genotypes whereas, NIAB-lysimeter and Kalur Kot was least effective for selecting genotypes with high seed yield. Genotypes D0091–10, K010–10, D0085–10, K005–10, D0078–10, 08AG016, 08AG004, D0080–10, 09AG002, K002–10 and D0099–10 were high yielding and drought tolerant based on their performance across multiple hotspot environments.ConclusionsThe selected genotypes are intended for further evaluation for varietal approval to recommend for general cultivation on farmer fields in drought hit areas of Pakistan. Among physio-biochemical traits, higher proline, glycine betain, RWC and CMS were reflecting the higher capability to tolerate the drought stress in chickpea. Drought sensitive genotypes (K0037–10, 2204, K0052–10, 09AG015, K0042–10, CM709/06, K0068–10, K004–10, K0026–10 and K0063–10) were also identified in present study which were resourceful asset for using as contrasting parents in hybridization programs. To our knowledge, this is first report using an integrated approach involving, physio-biochemical indices, and multi-environmental yield trials, for comparison, screening and selection of chickpea genotypes for drought tolerance.

Fatty acid profile, physiochemical properties and oxidative stability of ewe’s sausage as affected by distillated myrtle (Myrtus communis) leaves’ intake

SummaryThe effects of distilled myrtle leaves (DML) intake on physiochemical traits, fatty acid profile and lipid oxidation of ewe’s sausage (Merguez) were investigated. Twenty‐seven ewes were divided into three homogenous groups. Ewes were fed hay and concentrate for control group (C). They received concentrate and M‐Hay pellets, containing 87% DML, as substitute to hay in MH group; for MC group, ewes received hay, concentrate and M‐Conc pellets having 30% DML in partial substitution to concentrate. They were slaughtered at the end of trial (90 days) with an average body weight of 42 kg. DML did not affect the physicochemical and sensory properties (P &gt; 0.05) of Merguez; whereas, it increased lipid oxidative stability (P &lt; 0.05). MH group showed the highest values of α‐tocopherol content, C18:2‐n6 fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids. DML could be used in animal feeding to obtain higher meat product quality with better fatty acids content and antioxidant potential.

Hycole Doe Milk Properties and Kit Growth.

Simple SummaryThe rabbits used on the commercial rabbit farms for the production of rabbit fryers are crosses of synthetic lines, such as Hycole. The maternal rabbit lines are selected not only for high number of kits but also for high production of milk. The goal of the presented study is related to the lack of complex data on the quality of rabbit milk, though this milk determines the nutritional status of kits in the suckling period as well as body weight gains and survival of rabbit kits. There are data on the milk yield of rabbit does and the milk proximal chemical composition, but the hygienic quality of this milk (somatic cell count) and its relationship with milk yield, kits survival, and weight gains is an unanswered question. The presented findings show the significant relationship between litter size, which has a clear effect on the milk production, as well as litter weight. Also shown is that the day of lactation affected the physiochemical traits of rabbit milk.The level of production and the physiochemical traits of rabbit milk affect the growth and the mortality of bunnies during lactation. The goal of the study was to analyze the effect of litter size and day of lactation on the quality traits of rabbit milk, milk production, and associative traits. The study was conducted on 32 Hycole does and their litters. The rabbit milk pH ranged from 6.61 to 7.46. The colostrum was characterized by the highest content of total solids (31.54 and 31.80 g kg−1) and fat content (15.73 and 15.9 g kg−1). The milk from the beginning of the lactation was characterized by the highest level of somatic cell count (SCC) (523.67 and 536.57 103 mL−1), which gradually decreased to reach the lowest level on days 17 and 21 of lactation. The daily milk production was greater for does nursing 10 kits per litter compared to those nursing eight kits per litter (p < 0.001). The peak of milk production occurred on day 17 postpartum. To conclude, the litter size has a clear effect on milk production as well as litter weight and litter weight gains. It is also important to note that the day of lactation affected the physiochemical traits of rabbit milk.

Interactive effect of salinity stress and foliar application of salicylic acid on some physiochemical traits of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) genotypes

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an important medicinal, food and feed plant. Salinity can affect its growth and quality to some extent. However, adverse effects of salinity may be alleviated upon selecting salt tolerant genotypes and application of salicylic acid. Therefore, a 2-year pot experiment was conducted with three salinity levels (control, 65 mM and 130 mM NaCl), three levels of foliar application of salicylic acid (0, 0.5 mM and 1 mM SA) and seven chicory genotypes (Ardestan, Hamedan, Shiraz, Mazandaran, Sanandaj, Kashan and Yazd). Treatment characterized with 65 and 130 mM salinity levels led to significant decrease in relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll a(Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b) and carotenoid (Car) contents and shoot dry weight (SDW) while significant increase in leaf proline (LPC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Moreover, the highest changes in measured traits were observed at salinity level of 130 mM. Salicylic acid application at levels of 0.5 and 1 mM SA significantly ameliorated all measured traits and the greatest values were attributed to 1 mM SA. Among genotypes, Sanandaj accounted for the highest measured traits but the lowest content of MDA while Ardestan characterized with the lowest measured traits and the highest content of MDA. Salinity decreased MSI, Car and SDW while it increased LPC and MDA in all genotypes with different magnitude. Application of SA reduced MDA in all genotypes and also led to increase in RWC, MSI, Chl a, Chl b, Car, LPC and SDW and diminution in MDA under control and specially under salt stress conditions. Sanandaj with the application of 1 mM SA under control and saline conditions was the best genotype among all genotypes. The results suggested that SA may improve performance of chicory genotypes under control and saline conditions by announcing physiochemical traits.

Physiological response and productivity of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) genotypes under water deficit

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) is an industrial plant in which the selection of drought tolerant genotypes based on yield, oil content, and physio-chemical traits is desirable. The experiment was conducted at Research Farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of khuzestan located in the northeast of Ahwaz, Iran during 2015–16 and 2016-17. The experiment was designed as a three-replicate, split-plot, randomized complete block, in which the main plots consisted of the three irrigation regimes [after 35% (I1), 60% (I2), as well as 85% (I3), exhaustion of available water in the soil] and the subplots consisted of the nine pot marigold genotypes (‘Ahwaz’, ‘Tehran’, ‘Isfahan-m1’, ‘Isfahan1’, ‘Candy-man’, ‘Gitana’, ‘Zen-gold’, ‘Isfahan-m2’, and ‘Isfahan2’). Drought increased catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), leaf and root proline, extract contents, and water use efficiency, but reduced seed oil content, dry petal yield, and extract yield, seed yield and seed oil yield. Ahwaz genotype had the highest seed yield, and seed oil yield under all irrigation regimes. The Candy-man genotype produced the highest dry petal yield and extract yield. These results indicate that the effects of drought on measured traits depended on drought level, genotype, and measured trait, suggesting that selection of genotypes for drought tolerance and production of desired traits is possible. In this regard, plant breeders might be able to use APX, CAT, and POX activities as chemical markers to select drought tolerant genotypes.

Insights on the responses of Brassica napus cultivars against the cobalt-stress as revealed by carbon assimilation, anatomical changes and secondary metabolites

Cobalt (Co) is a toxin environmental pollutant, and its elevated concentrations in agricultural soils can negatively impact the crop productivity. In the current study, we evaluated the toxic effects of Co levels (0, 100, 400 μM) on the hydroponically grown seedlings of four different cultivars of Brassica napus L. cvs. ZS 758, ZY 50, Zheda 619 and Zheda 622. Results showed that lower Co dose (100 μM) executed significant but less toxic effects as compared to 400 μM Co among all studied cultivars. Excessive Co (400 μM) level had significantly declined the plant growth, biomass, chlorophyll contents, nutrients uptake, activities and transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes in leaf and root tissues of all tested cultivars.The decline in physiochemical traits was more prominent in Zheda 622, and ZS 758 performed better under Co toxicity as compared with other cultivars. Co-induced root impairment led to greater ROS and MDA accumulation and inhibit nutrients uptake. Ultimately, the lower translocation to leaves causes damages in carbon assimilation process.These results were confirmed by root staining with nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) and 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and damages in leaf mesophyll and root tip cells by electron microscopic analysis. More anatomical damages were noted in Zheda 622 and least in ZS 758. A significant induction of stress-related proteins (HSP90-1 and MT-1) and secondary metabolites (PAL, PPO, and CAD) under higher Co level (400 μM) indicated the greater plant-defense system against Co-induced oxidative stress and Co-homeostasis that helps in toleraance to Co-phytotoxicity. The comparison of sensitive (Zheda 622) and tolerant (ZS 758) genotypes showed that root tissues were the major target of Co toxicity. Overall, higher Co-accumulation in leaf and root tissues cause cellular toxicity and overall carbon assimilation process. This phytotoxicity was more pronounced in Zheda 622 and least in ZS 758 as compared with other cultivars.

Endophytic Fungal strains Specifically Modified the Biochemical Status of Grape Cells

Previously, specific interactions in morphology were observed between grape cells and endophytic fungal strains during a dual culture experiment. However, the biochemical impacts of these fungal endophytes on grape cells is also expected due to their potential application in grape quality management. After assessed multiple physiochemical traits to those grape cells which have co-cultured with different endophytic fungal strains in this study, and found the presence of fungal endophytes obviously triggered ROS stress responses in grape cells, and the biochemical status in grape cells were differentially modified by different fungal strains. In those tested endophytic fungal strains, RH37 (Epicoccum sp.), RH6 (Alternaria sp.), RH32 (Alternaria sp.) and RH34 (Trichothecium sp.) conferred greater metabolic impacts on grape cells. And soluble protein (SPr), total flavonoids (TF), total phenols (TPh) and malondialdehyde (MDA) on the other hand, were sensitive biochemical parameters which can be influenced in greater ranges than other detected parameters. Most interestedly, fungal endophytes shaped metabolites patterns in grape cells during the dual culture appeared fungal genus/species/strain-specificity. The work confirmed the significance of fungal endophytes in grape metabolic regulation and elucidated the possibility to purposely manage grape quality using tool of fungal endophytes.

Organic Matter in the Surface Microlayer: Insights From a Wind Wave Channel Experiment

The surface microlayer (SML) is the uppermost thin layer of the ocean and influencing interactions between the air and sea, such as gas exchange, atmospheric deposition and aerosol emission. Organic matter (OM) plays a key role in air-sea exchange processes, but studying how the accumulation of organic compounds in the SML relates to biological processes is impeded in the field by a changing physical environment, in particular wind speed and wave breaking. Here, we studied OM dynamics in the SML under controlled physical conditions in a large annular wind wave channel, filled with natural seawater, over a period of 26 days. Biology in both SML and bulk water was dominated by bacterioneuston, and -plankton, respectively, while autotrophic biomass in the two compartments was very low. In general, SML thickness was related to the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) but not to enrichment of DOC or of specific OM components in the SML. Pronounced changes in OM enrichment and molecular composition were observed in the course of the study and correlated significantly to bacterial abundance. Thereby, hydrolysable amino acids, in particular arginine, were more enriched in the SML than combined carbohydrates. Amino acid composition indicated that less degraded organic matter accumulated preferentially in the SML. A strong correlation was established between the amount of surfactants coverage and -aminobutric acid, suggesting that microbial cycling of amino acids can control physiochemical traits of the SML. Our study shows that accumulation and cycling of OM in the SML can occur independently of recent autotrophic production, indicating a widespread biogenic control of process across the air-sea exchange.

Efficacy of wilting degree on physiochemical traits and sugar processing parameters of sugar beet roots postharvest

Efficacy of wilting degree on physiochemical traits and sugar processing parameters of sugar beet roots postharvest

Efficacy of Wilting Degree on Physiochemical Traits and sugar Processing Parameters of Sugar Beet Roots Post-harvest

Under Egypt conditions sugar beet roots is processed in the factories during the period from the first week of February to Mid of June every year. Whenever, wilting of beet roots carried out at high temperature and low humidity for any cause, which are prevailing during the period from the end of April to Mid of June. So, this work was carried out at laboratories of Delta Sugar Company, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, as well as Food Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley Branch, Assuit University during 2016 and 2017 working seasons for eight days and replicated four times during the period from 25th April to 6th June to identify the influencing of wilting degree (the loss percentage in moisture content of beet roots) postharvest on physiochemical traits, impurities contents and processing efficiency parameters of sugar beet roots. The obtained results revealed that wilting degree of beet root had a significant effect on physical properties of sugar beet juice expressed as total soluble solids percentage (TSS%), pH value, bulk density (kg/m3) and color of raw juice (Icumsa units); impurities contents of sugar beet, i.e., A‰Â‘-N, K and Na(milliequ./100 g), and chemical composition of sugar beet roots, i.e., pol percentage, reducing sugars percentage and dextran content as well as processing efficiency parameters of sugar beet roots, i.e., juice purity percentage, sucrose recovery percentage, sugar losses percentage in waste, quality index of beet roots and weight losses percentage of beet roots. We hope that the above-mentioned results in this work would help understand the changes which take place in sugar beet roots postharvest caused by the wilting, which cause significant economic losses in sugar production and to know the practices that reduce sugar loss during processing. Here, we demonstrate that all sugar beet growers and the processors’ benefit directly when postharvest losses are minimized. The increase in wilting degree of beet roots means make them lose their refreshment and affect negatively sugar extraction during manufacturing in sugar factories.

The Role of Shade and Nitrogen on Physiological Traits and Secondary Metabolites of Piper betle L

Piper betle, better known as purple betel has received a universal attention due to its increasing medicinal value. There is enormous potential to discover various new medicinal compounds in this species and an instantaneous need for the techniques to facilitate the production of high quality. In that connection, shade and nitrogen could play a significant role in the development of a phytochemical production. Therefore, the current study utilized the different levels of shade and rates of nitrogen. After harvesting of three months Piper betle seedlings, different physio-chemical traits were observed including photosynthetic rate, stomata conductor, transpiration rates, chlorophyll content (a, b, ab) and secondary metabolites ( total phenolics contents (TPC) concentration, total flavonoids contents (TFC) concentration and antioxidant activate (DPPH and FRAP). The chlorophyll content was more under 30% and 50% shades with 100 kg/ ha of N, whereas full sunlight with 0 kg/ha of N was unsuitable for the Piper betle crop as the high light intensity caused scorching on leaves and stunted in growth, accumulation secondary metabolites and Antioxidant activates. The results of the present study revealed the establishment of shade techniques which influenced the production parameters of the piper species. These findings are an overview of the recent advances and could be further helpful in in vivo studies of Piper betel in regard to their physiological parameters.

Evaluation of Pear Varieties for Physiochemical Traits Grown under Climatic Conditions of Soon Valley, Pakistan

The study carried out aimed at characterizing the pear cultivars and to explore the specific cultivar most suitable to be commercially grown in Soon valley region. Nine pear varieties (Leconte, Bagugosha, Bartlet pear, Concord, Pear selection-1, Pear Red, Pear White, Kashmiri Nashpati and Kashmiri Nakh) were tested for their physiochemical quality attributes. The observations made during the study revealed that variety Bagugosha scored maximum (7.95, 8.10) in taste and flavor respectively. The same variety produced maximum fruit size (5081 mm2), fruit weight (205 g), soluble solid contents (15%) and total sugars (9.56%). However, fruit yield per plant was maximum (98.80 kg) in Bartlet pear variety and Bagugosha produced fruitweight of 60.20 kg. Titratable acidity was determined maximum (0.44%) in Kashmiri Nakh. Number of seeds were maximum (8.20) in Bartlet Pear as well as in Bgugosha. The exploration of this research study revealed that the Bagugosha is the prime quality cultivar to be suggested for commercial cultivation in Soon valley compared to all nine evaluated varieties.

Influence of residual lime and plant growth regulator (naa) on the morphological and physiochemical traits of aromatic rice cv. kataribhog

Abstract not availableSAARC J. Agri., 15(1): 189-197 (2017)

Pearl netting improves photosynthetic light use associated with modification of structural and physiochemical traits of sweet pepper leaves

The light-scattering Pearl shade net (ChromatiNet®) is compared here with a conventional black shade net of equivalent shading capacity for their effects on photosynthetic light use by sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves. The following leaf parameters were studied in 'Vergasa', 'Tirza' and 'Milna' cultivars: net CO2 assimilation rate (An), leaf photosynthetic light loss, the efficiency parameters photosynthetic light use efficiency (LUE), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and effective quantum yield (△F/F'm); and several structural and physiochemical traits. The results showed higher values of An, LUE, PRI, and △F/F'm under the Pearl net compared with the black net, for all three cultivars. The increased levels of An and LUE did not depend on the time of day, or time of year (measured only in 'Vergasa'). Chlorophyll a/b ratio was increased by the Pearl shading, despite of the lower chlorophyll and carotenoid content, relative to the black shading. Leaf reflectance and the partition of photosynthetic light into thermal dissipation were reduced under the Pearl, compared with the black shading. The Pearl net additionally reduced the ratio of palisade/sponge mesophyll thickness, the leaf surface wax content, and the relative epidermis thickness. These results are indicating the improving of photosynthetic light use efficiency via both biochemical/biophysical, as well as structural/morphological leaf responses to the Pearl netting. The advantage of the Pearl over conventional black shading can be related to its high light-scattering capacity in the PAR spectral region, and/or its filtering-out the UVB+A region. Taken together with our previously reported specific effects on pepper pest- and disease-control, as well as pre- and post-harvest fruit quality, the Pearl ChromatiNet® provides a multi-benefit covering for pepper cultivation.