Pomegranate Cultivars Research Articles

CONTROLLING OF FRUIT SPLITTING IN POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) BY FOLIAR APPLICATION OF GROWTH REGULATOR AND NUTRIENTS

Various growth regulators have been used to improve the quality of different fruit crops. Foliar spray of macro and micronutrients play an important role in vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality. In the present study, the influence of foliar application of growth regulators and nutrients on fruit splitting and fruit quality was evaluated. For that purpose, Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and Boric acid (H3BO3) at the rate of 40 ppm, 1% and 0.3% were used respectively. Spray of chemicals were applied in 2nd and 8th week from full bloom to yield in pomegranate cultivar ‘Golden pearl’. The experiment was designed under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprised with seven treatments and replicated thrice. Fruit splitting was reduced (48.68%) significantly with application of KNO3 + Boric acid, while maximum fruit size (60.26 cm2), fruit weight (84gm), fruit grain weight (136.38gm), total soluble solid (TSS) 12.52% and yield (21.9kg/plant) were observed in KNO3 + Boric acid. Moreover, peel weight was increased in control (60.66 gm) and minimum was observed in 48.62 gm in KNO3 + Boric acid. Finally, it is concluded KNO3 %+ Boric acid reveled best results against fruit splitting % and other fruit quality parameters. These findings show that application of KNO3+ Boric acid significantly influences fruit quality of pomegranate when fruit are in the beginning stages of growth and development.

Assessing the concentration of conjugated fatty acids within pomegranate seed oil using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR).

Pomegranate seed is rich in oil, and seed oil of pomegranate consists of conjugated fatty acids with different percentages. The current contribution covers how to determine percentages of different isomeric conjugated fatty acids. The percentages of these isomers are analysed by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) using benzoic acid as an internal reference chemical with a well-defined amount. Linear mathematical equations are developed for the quantitative analysis of fatty acids found in pomegranate seed oil. The developed approach is utilised for the pomegranate seed oils prepared in the laboratory and tested for commercial samples. Among the oils derived at the laboratory, the Yeni Hicaz pomegranate cultivar seeds yielded the highest fraction of punicic acid. Among the acids, punicic acid was the one with the highest fraction, while linolenic acid was the one with the lowest percentage. These results are important in identifying pomegranate seed oils. Among the commercial samples tested with the current approach, only one of them showed similar content analysis as in the laboratory-derived oils.

Evaluation of drought tolerance in three commercial pomegranate cultivars using photosynthetic pigments, yield parameters and biochemical traits as biomarkers

Drought stress during the ripening phenological period has adverse effects on pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit productivity, characteristics and composition, depending on the drought severity and specific cultivar. This fact underlines the importance of understanding the physiological and biochemical responses of pomegranate under drought stress to improve the quality of fruits. The responses of three commercial Iranian cultivars (‘Malase Saveh’, ‘Mikhosh’ and ‘Rabab-Neyriz’) to slight, moderate or intense drought stress were evaluated, considering yield-related (fruit yield, number of fruits per tree, fruit weight and fruit cracking), metabolite [glucose, fructose, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, total phenolics (TPC), ellagic acid, total anthocyanins (TAC), abscisic acid (ABA), indole acetic acid (IAA), proline, ascorbic (Asc) and carboxylic acids], and physiological parameters (oxidative stress indexes and activities of key antioxidant enzymes in leaves). Significant decreases in fruit yield (58–68%), number of fruits per tree (39–44%), fruit weight (30–41%), and leaf photosynthetic pigments (23–39%) were observed among cultivars in response to intense drought. On the other hand, significant increases in the levels of ABA, IAA, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as well as the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) antioxidant enzymes were observed in the leaves of all cultivars under intense drought stress. With respect to fruit juice quality, intense drought caused a considerable decrease in the contents of sugars, TAC, TPC, ellagic acid, Asc, TSS, and TA relative to control conditions, while carboxylic acids increased. Slight drought caused small increases in the concentrations of sugars, TPC and ellagic acid in juice. The ‘Malase Saveh’ cultivar showed a better adaptive response to drought stress than the ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ and ‘Mikhosh’ ones, suggesting that this pomegranate cultivar could be used in breeding programs to develop new ones with beneficial water stress-adaptive traits and better fruit quality.

Physicochemical Characterization of Selected Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cultivars

The physical and chemical characteristics of five pomegranate cultivars (Mridula, Ganesh, White muscut, G-137 and Jalor seedless) were examined in the present investigation. Physical properties of different cultivars were determined such as major diameter (85.05 to 91.62 mm), intermediate diameter (76.85 to 87.83 mm), minor diameter (79.86 to 90.01 mm), sphericity (0.903 to 0.937), fruit weight (294.4 to 404.14 g), fruit volume (289 to 387 mL), number of arils per fruit, weight of 100 arils were evaluated and analysed for the varietal difference. In addition, properties such as peel moisture content (68.72 to 74.15% w.b.), aril moisture content (78.25 to 81.82% w.b.), peel ash content (0.81 to 1.51%), aril ash content (0.29 to 0.53%), juice pH (3.47 to 3.96), total soluble solids (11.60 to 13.00 °Brix), titratable acidity (0.42 to 0.58%), total phenolic content, juice yield per fruit (104 to 186 mL) juice turbidity (142.20 to 364.50 NTU) and textural properties, like fruit compressive strength/firmness of arils (23.09 to 34.54 N), cutting strength of peel (84.33 to 111.35 N) and aril skin puncture force (0.28 to 0.38 N) were also investigated. Overall results suggested that the measured physico-chemical properties were quite different by the cultivar differences.

SOME TREES AND FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPORTANT STANDARD AND LOCAL POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum L.) CULTIVARS GROWN IN KOCAKOY (DIYARBAKIR) DISTRICT

In this study, it was aimed to determine certain tree and Fruit characteristics of important Standard and local pomegranate cultivars grown in Kocaköy (Diyarbakir) province. In this context, 2 pomegranate species (Hicaz and Zivzik), 5 local pomegranate species (Hınara Tırş, Hınara Zer, Hınara Meğoş, Hınar Şirin and Hınara Sor) and 2 local pomegranate genotypes (Hınar-1 and Hınar2) were studied. In the study, Fruit weights ranged from 129.90 -314.59 g; Fruit heights ranged from 54.78-74.28 mm; Fruit diameters ranged from 62.92-86.43 mm; Fruit Volume strange from 129.20-293.50 ml; Fruit juice amounts ranged from 34.90-90.90 ml; Fruit densities ranged from 1.0-1.23 gr/ml; 100 seed weights ranged from 24.46-37.690 g; calix heights ranged from 9.65-21.00 mm and calix diameters ranged from 16.40-27.60 mm. In addition, Soluble solid contents (SSC) ranged from 14.60-17.29% brix; total acidity ranged from 4.02-24.51%; pH ranged from 2.55-4.15 and shape indices ranged from 0.69-0.94. Moreover, sub skin color, upper skin color, seed hardness, fruit taste, seed color, upper fruit compartment, sub fruit compartment, compartment number, compartment appearance, easiness in separating arils and Fruit pulp weights of the genotypes and cultivars were also determined.

Analysis of the Phytochemical Composition of Pomegranate Fruit Juices, Peels and Kernels: A Comparative Study on Four Cultivars Grown in Southern Italy.

The increasing popularity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), driven by the awareness of its nutraceutical properties and excellent environmental adaptability, is promoting a global expansion of its production area. This investigation reports the variability in the weight, moisture, pH, total soluble solids, carbohydrates, organic acids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, antioxidant activities, and element composition of different fruit parts (juices, peels, and kernels) from four (Ako, Emek, Kamel, and Wonderful One) of the most widely cultivated Israeli pomegranate varieties in Salento (South Italy). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic characterization of different fruit parts from pomegranate cultivars grown simultaneously in the same orchard and subjected to identical agronomic and environmental conditions. Significant genotype-dependent variability was observed for many of the investigated parameters, though without any correlation among fruit parts. The levels of phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids of all samples were higher than the literature-reported data, as was the antioxidant activity. This is likely due to positive interactions among genotypes, the environment, and good agricultural practices. This study also confirms that pomegranate kernels and peels are, respectively, rich sources of punicic acid and phenols together, with several other bioactive molecules. However, the variability in their levels emphasizes the need for further research to better exploit their agro-industrial potential and thereby increase juice-production chain sustainability. This study will help to assist breeders and growers to respond to consumer and industrial preferences and encourage the development of biorefinery strategies for the utilization of pomegranate by-products as nutraceuticals or value-added ingredients for custom-tailored supplemented foods.

Flavonoid profiles in peels and arils of pomegranate cultivars

Flavonoid profiles in peels and arils of pomegranate cultivars

A bioinformatic insight into the genetic diversity within pomegranate cultivars: from nuclear to chloroplast genes

A bioinformatic insight into the genetic diversity within pomegranate cultivars: from nuclear to chloroplast genes

Physicochemical Properties and Phenolic Contents of Fresh and Concentrated Juice of Four Pomegranate Cultivars in Iraq

In this study, four pomegranate cultivars were selected in Halabja City. Their physical properties such as peel, arils, juice, seed, and juice concentrate percentage, chemical properties, and some phenolic and sugars compounds of the juices and juices concentrate was compared among all cultivars. Of all four cultivars (Wonderful, Swra hanar, Salakhani, and Kaua hanar), Wonderful and Salakhani presented the highest pH values in juice and juice concentrate and they obtained a signififcant percentage of juice concentrate, total sugars, total anthocyanin, total phenols, and ascorbic acid. Other cultivars presented also individual properties such as high phenolic compounds were studied and interesting juice concentrate percentage content (Swra hanar cultivar) and the highest arils percentage and high amounts of fructose, sucrose, glucose, and ascorbic the acid in juice and juice concentrate content (Kaua hanar cultivar) and highest juice percentage (Wonderful cultivar). Thus, this work will help pomegranate producers in selecting the extreme appropriate cultivar depending on its final utilize, especially being convenient for fresh consumption or juice concentrate.

Understanding Phenological Stages of Pomegranates vis-à-vis Flowering and Fruiting Regulation

Abstract A thorough understanding of plant behavior at different growth stages is of paramount importance for fruit quality improvement, the regulation of production periods, and reduced fruit production costs. There are as many as three waves of flowering in evergreen pomegranate cultivars – i.e., during the spring, rainy, and autumn seasons. However, for securing enhanced production of superior quality fruits as well as profit to the growers, crop regulation is required. This can be achieved by forcing the tree to rest at a particular stage and by producing abundant blossoming and quality fruits during any one of the three flushes. Observations on phenological phases would help in understanding the dates of specific stages of crop development, which in turn enable the growers to plan, organize, and carry out timely schedules of agronomic practices such as irrigation, fertilization, and crop protection. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the response of pomegranate under different environmental conditions to identify a suitable flowering season to produce a better quality of fruits with consistent yield, and to enable standardization of management practices for optimum production based on phenological stages.

DOES THE QUALITY OF POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum L., cv. 116) DISPARITY IN RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT COATINGS DURING PROLONGED STORAGE?

The current study was applied in two successive seasons (2019 and 2020) with a view of keeping fruit quality, water content and reducing the chilling injury symptoms and browning of ripe pomegranate cv. 116 (which is considered one of the promising exportation pomegranate cultivars in Egypt in the last years) during cold storage at 5°C and 90% RH for 56 days followed by simulated shelf life at 20°C for 14 days. All conducted coating treatments including; beeswax at 5 and 10%, 1 and 2% of chitosan, 10 and 20% of paraffin, and Arabic gum at 5 and 10% were effective in maintaining fruit quality compared with control (uncoated fruits). Chitosan at 2% significantly maintained fruit quality, firmness, visual appearance, husk color (L value and a* value), ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin, also it reduced the browning incidence and decay percentage. Paraffin at 20% and beeswax at 10% were effective in maintaining fruit water content, in addition to significant preservation of husk distention was observed by using paraffin at 20%, whilst chitosan at 1 and 2% regulated activity of peroxides enzyme. Furthermore, using Arabic gum at 5% was the most effective significantly in the stability of fruit respiration rate and total soluble solids content compared with control.

Physicochemical criteria, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and sensory attributes of ten Moroccan pomegranate cultivars

Physicochemical criteria, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and sensory attributes of ten Moroccan pomegranate cultivars

Comparative analysis of Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant activity of two Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars

Abstract Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a widely used fruit, which contains several interesting bioactive compounds and possess health-promoting properties. Seeing the importance of this fruit, it is crucial to study its quality characteristics. Hence, in the current study, we assessed phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of different plant parts (leaves, rind and arils) of two pomegranate cultivars (Kesar and Ganesh). The analysis of phytochemical constituents in the cultivars revealed that, the content of phenolics ranged from 49.3 to 602 mg TAE/g plant material and the content of flavonoids ranged from 0.27 to 18.8 mg RE/g plant material. The maximum amount of phenolics and flavonoids was observed in the rind extracts as compared to the leaves and arils in both the cultivars. On the other hand, the antioxidant activity determined by different antioxidant models exhibited various degrees of antioxidant activity in different plant parts of the cultivars and was found to be highest in rind and aril extracts than that of leaves. Among the solvents methanol and ethanol gave highest extraction yields as compared to water and acetone. Total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly different with methanol and ethanol being the most efficient solvent and acetone being the least efficient one. Correlation between the antioxidant activity and phenolics and flavonoid content was found to be significant. Thus the results strongly indicated that there were significant differences between pomegranate cultivars. Generally the cultivar Ganesh has higher antioxidant activity as well as total phenolics and flavonoid content in comparison to Kesar.

Antiproliferative effects of Turkish pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extracts on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines with focus on antioxidant potential and bioactive compounds analyzed by LC-MS/MS.

In this study, eight different pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars from Turkey were evaluated for their antioxidant and cytotoxic effects on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and MCF-10A breast fibrocystic epithelial cell lines with a focus on their chemical compositions by LC-MS/MS. Cell lines were treated with pomegranate juice extracts in different doses at selected time intervals (24th, 48th, and 72nd hour). Afterwards, WST-1 cell proliferation assay was performed to investigate the cytotoxicity of the extracts. Accordingly, all extracts decreased the cell viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and had no cytotoxic effect on the cell viability of MCF-10A cell lines. Among eight extracts, P7 (Izmir 1513), which was rich in anthocyanins such as cyanidin chloride (69.76±8.02μg/g extract), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (903.66±101.89μg/g extract), and punicalagin (992.09±174.53μg/g extract), was found to demonstrate the strongest cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines by decreasing the cell viability in half at 24th hour with an IC50 value of 49.08µg/ml. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Eight commercially valuable pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivars from Turkey were examined. Pelargonidin, cyanidin, cyanidin-3-O-gl, callistephin, and delphinidin-3-O-gl were quantified. Two cultivars (P1 and P3) showed comparatively higher antioxidant effects. A cultivar (P7) showed strongest cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The cultivars have potential to be used as natural antioxidant and anticancer agents.

Calculating Heat Requirements and Flowering Generation of some Pomegranate Cultivars Grown in Egypt

The present investigation was carried out in a private farm located at Alexandria Desert Road (km 64), Giza Governorate, Egypt to calculating heat requirements and generation flowering of some pomegranate cultivars (H 116, Wonderful and Manfalouty) grown in Giza Governorate during 2018 and 2019 seasons.Results showed that under Giza Governorate conditions, average of effective heat summation requirement from red tip to harvest stage for H 116, Wonderful and Manfalouty are (1789, 2403), (2982, 3569) and (3036, 3602) growing degree days (GDD) during the two season of the study, respectively. Also, found that the first generation of flowering gave the highest value of fruit length and diameter (cm), fruit weight (g) and acidity (%).While, the second generation of flowering gave the highest value of fruit weight (g), number of fruit/tree, yield (kg/tree) and total soluble solids (%).Generally, it can be concluded that the effective heat summation requirement of Giza Governorate is suitable for commercial growing for (H 116, Wonderful and Manfalouty) cultivars. The first generation of flowering is good for production big fruit, while the second generation of flowering is suitable for production quantity and quality of fruits pomegranate.

Effects of Enzymatic Pretreatment of Seeds on the Physicochemical Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate Seed Oil.

Enzymatic pretreatment of seeds is a novel approach that enhances the health benefits of the extracted oil. The study investigated the influence of the enzymatic pretreatment of seeds on the quality of oil from different pomegranate cultivars. The quality of the ultrasound-assisted (and ethanol-extracted) oil was studied, with respect to the refractive index (RI), yellowness index (YI), conjugated dienes (K232), peroxide value (PV) ρ-anisidine value (AV), total oxidation value (TOTOX), total carotenoid content (TCC), total phenolic compounds (TPC), fatty acid composition, phytosterol composition, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2.2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. The seeds of three different pomegranate cultivars (‘Wonderful’, ‘Herskawitz’, and ‘Acco’) were digested with an equal mixture of Pectinex Ultra SPL, Flavourzyme 100 L, and cellulase crude enzymes, at a concentration, pH, temperature, and time of 1.7%, 4.5, 40 °C, and 5 h, respectively. Enzymatic pretreatment of PS increased oil yield, PV, TPC, TCC, and DPPH radical scavenging capacity, but decreased the YI. The levels of K232, AV and TOTOX, fatty acids, phytosterols, RI, and FRAP, were not significantly affected by enzymatic pretreatment of PS. Principal component analysis (PCA) established that oil extracted from the ‘Acco’ seed after enzymatic pretreatment had higher yield, TPC, TCC, and DPPH radical scavenging capacity. Therefore, enzyme-pretreated ‘Acco’ pomegranate fruit seed is a source of quality seed oil with excellent antioxidant properties.

CaCl2 Solution Sprayed on Leaves Changes the Nutrition and Qualitative Properties of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Hicaznar)

The purpose of this experiment was to define the influence of different doses of calcium chloride (CaCl2) applications on fruit yield, some quality properties, and nutrition of plant in Hicaznar pomegranate cultivar during 2016 and 2017 in Aydın (Turkey) ecological condition. In the study, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0% solutions of calcium chloride (CaCl2) were applied by spraying except the control dose to the trees. The solution doses were twice applied during the fruit growing season in June and August. According to the results, fruit yield, peel thickness, fruit length, diameter, and weights were increased compared to control dose with CaCl2 applications. Foliar CaCl2 applications increased foliar Ca content by 60%. Concentrations of other plant nutrients other than N and Ca were decreased in parallel with increasing CaCl2 doses. Foliar P content was not affected in this case. As a result, the amount of CaCl2 solution to be applied to leaves in Hicaznar pomegranate was determined as 0.6%.

Can the transcriptional regulation of NHX1, SOS1 and HKT1 genes handle the response of two pomegranate cultivars to moderate salt stress?: Salt-tolerance of two pomegranate cultivars

Molecular mechanisms underlying plant functioning under salt conditions have not been completely elucidated, especially in a recalcitrant and less studied fruit trees such as pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Here, we identified and characterized the expression of NHX1, HKT1 and SOS1 to understand their role in mediating Na+ and K+ transport, translocation and intracellular compartmentation in two pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful and Parfianka) during the first hours of a moderate salt stress (100 mM). In Wonderful, salt treatment significantly increased the Na+ content only in mature leaves (ML) at 3 h after the beginning of the irrigation (2-fold higher than controls), however a concomitant decrease of K+ content was observed (-33%). A significant decrease of NHX1 and SOS1 levels was observed in ML of Wonderful starting from 10 h. Salt irrigation significantly increased expression levels of these genes at all time points in young leaves of Wonderful (YL; with the exception of NHX1 at 24 h) and led to a 7-fold induction of HKT1 in roots. In Parfianka, salt treatment did not affect the Na+ content, irrespective of leaf age. A significant increase of K+ content was observed only in ML at 3 h (+46%). However, NHX1 gene expression was downregulated at the same time in ML of Parfianka, while it was upregulated in YL. An opposite trend was observed in relation to SOS1 expression. Our finding reinforces the idea that difference between cultivars in ion homeostasis and salt tolerance is associated with transcriptional regulation of NHX1, HKT1 and SOS1 genes, these being members of three major Na+ transporters gene families.

Pomegranate plasticity to water stress: attempt to understand interactions between cultivar, year and stress level

This work investigated the effects of sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) on yield components and fruit physico-biochemical proprieties of two pomegranate cultivars, ‘Sefri’ and ‘Wonderful’ 21 trees each, in Sais plain (northern Morocco) over two consecutive seasons (2018–2019). Irrigation treatments consisted of a control, irrigation applied to fully satisfy crop evapotranspiration (100% ETC), and two SDI treatments: 70% ETC (SDI70) and 50% ETC (SDI50). The effects of the SDI treatments differed between cultivars and years. During the first year, yield and fruit weight were significantly reduced in ‘Sefri’ under SDI50. The same effect was also observed in the second year under SDI70. In ‘Wonderful’, a significant decrease in yield occurred in the second year under both SDI regimes. Fruit juice content was reduced in both cultivars, particularly under SDI50, with no significant effect on fruit aril content and aril weight. As for juice chemical properties, it was observed a decrease in total soluble solids, especially under SDI50. Furthermore, a significant decrease in juice soluble sugars content was observed in the first year for both cultivars. Total polyphenols content has significantly diminished in the second year in both cultivars. Likewise, total anthocyanins level displayed the same pattern, particularly in ‘Wonderful’. The findings suggest that SDI decreases yield and fruit quality even under moderate regime of 70% ETC. These negative effects may be dramatic depending on pomegranate genotypes, as observed in ‘Sefri’, compared to Wonderful variety. The great impact on species behavior toward water stress was particularly driven by the irrigation treatment, of which the interaction with the cultivar factor had the higher impact on the model. As many areas of how sustained deficit irrigation impacts pomegranate tree resilience are still needed to be investigated further, this study is a first attempt to explore water management in pomegranate in the Mediterranean semiarid lands.

Hyperspectral Detection and Monitoring of Salt Stress in Pomegranate Cultivars

Advancements in the ability to detect plant responses to salinity are mandatory to improve crop yield, quality, and management practices. The present study shows the capability of hyperspectral reflectance (400–2400 nm) to rapidly and non-destructively detect and monitor the responses of two pomegranate cultivars (Parfianka, P, and Wonderful, W) under salt treatment (i.e., 200 mL of 100 mM NaCl solution every day) for 35 days. Analyzing spectral signatures from asymptomatic leaves, the two cultivars, as well as salinity conditions were discriminated. Furthermore, using a partial least squares regression approach, we constructed predictive models to concomitantly estimate (goodness-of-fit model, R2: 0.61–0.79; percentage of the root mean square error over the data range, %RMSE: 9–14) from spectra of various physiological leaf parameters commonly investigated in plant/salinity studies. The analyses of spectral signatures enabled the early detection of salt stress (i.e., from 14 days from the beginning of treatment, FBT), even in the absence of visible symptoms, but they did not allow the identification of the different degrees of salt tolerance between cultivars; this cultivar-specific tolerance to salt was instead reported by analyzing variations of leaf parameters estimated from spectra (W was less tolerant than P), which, in turn, allowed the detection of salt stress only at later times of analysis (i.e., slightly from 21 day FBT and, evidently, at the end of treatment). The proposed approach could be used in precision agriculture, high-throughput plant phenotyping, and smart nursery management to enhance crop quality and yield.