Fruit Production Quality Research Articles

Pollination efficiency of important insect visitors on pomegranate (Punica granatum) under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Insect pollinators are found to be highly significant in enhancing the quality fruit production and productivity. The experiment was conducted during April–May 2020 and 2021 at Dr Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to determine the pollination indices of significant insect pollinators visiting pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). The data on pooled basis from two years revealed that Bombus haemorrhoidalis visited most number of flowers during the day (4.96 flowers/min) followed by Apis mellifera (4.24), Apis cerana (3.95), Apis dorsata (3.76) and Episyrphus balteatus (3.09). The time spent on each flower was maximum by A. cerana (17.10 sec/flower) followed by E. balteatus (17.04 sec), A. dorsata (14.20 sec), A. mellifera (13.07 sec) and haemorrhoidalis (5.36 sec) irrespective of different day hours. A. mellifera (5.43 bees/m2/2 min) activity was maximum followed by A. cerana (5.06), E. balteatus (2.91 visitors/m2/2 min), B. haemorrhoidalis (1.72) and A. dorsata (1.37). Data on loose pollen grains for the two years revealed that A. dorsata adhered maximum number of loose pollen grains (357.00 thousand) followed by B. haemorrhoidalis (283.00 thousand), A. mellifera (98.00 thousand), cerana (41.00 thousand) and solitary bees (28.00 thousand). A. mellifera scored highest pollination index and A. dorsata scored least pollination index. A. mellifera, A. cerana and B. haemorrhoidalis are the primary pollinators that increase pomegranate pollination efficiency whereas A. dorsata, E. baltaeatus and solitary bees are supplementary insects improving pollination in various crops including pomegranate. A. mellifera, A. cerana, B. haemorrhoidalis and A. dorsata were main foragers of pomegranate flowers ensuring effective and efficient pollination.

Influence of plant growth regulators on fruit set, yield and quality of mango varieties under HDP

Plant hormones are signal molecules produced within the plant, and occur in extremely low concentrations. Phytohormones determine the formation of flowers, fruit set, stems, leaves, shedding of leaves, and development and ripening of fruits. They shape the plant, affecting seed growth, time of flowering, sex of flowers, senescence of leaves and fruits. Hormones are vital for plant growth and lacking them, plants would be mostly a mass of undifferentiated cells. Plant growth regulators include salicylic acid, CPPU, tricontanol and brassinosteroid. The production of poor quality fruits is a matter of common experience. It would be therefore worth while to improve the yield and quality of fruit crops by foliar application of plant growth regulators. The use of growth regulators has become an important component of agro-technical procedures for most of the cultivated plants and especially for fruit plants. In this review, we focus on the role of plant growth regulators on fruit production.

Pruning techniques affect flowering, fruiting, yield and fruit biochemical traits in guava under transitory sub-tropical conditions

Production of quality fruits in the dry and low humid October–May period has been a challenge in the tropics and sub-tropics having wide weather fluctuations throughout the year. Henceforth, the research aimed at investigating the seasonal variations in vegetative developments as well as flowering, fruiting, yield, and fruit quality of guava emphasizing the off-seasonality by pruning 0 cm (control), 15 cm, 30 cm, and 45 cm from shoot-tip, once a year at spring (early March), monsoon (early June) and autumn (early September) under such atmospheric implications. Yearly and quarterly documentation at wet (June–August and September–November) and dry (December–February and March–May) seasons revealed that pruning in spring and autumn exhibited statistical parity for higher yearly yield of 31.71 kg and 31.58 kg plant−1, respectively. Moreover, spring pruning had maximum yield in the wet season (23.94 kg plant−1), while autumn pruning governed the dry season production (18.11 kg plant−1) having a notable wet period yield (13.47 kg plant−1). Considering the yearly and quarterly in March–May and December–February harvests, autumn pruning exhibited statistical supremacy for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugar, vitamin C, and specific gravity. However, pruning time didn't influence the fruit physiochemical traits at the June–August and September–November quarters producing fruits of inferior quality compared to those of March–May and December–February harvests. On the other hand, pruning lengths of 30 cm and 45 cm demonstrated statistical consistency for auspicious vegetative, reproductive and fruit biochemical properties. Meanwhile, 30 cm pruning produced maximum number of flowers (224.71 plant−1) and fruits (155.89 plant−1), consequently the highest yield (38.38 kg plant−1). Treatment interactions too ascertained that off-season production of superior quality guava can be enhanced by 30 cm shoot-tip pruning in autumn without compromising the year-round harvests.

Effect of Different Bagging Materials on Fruit Quality of Mango

During the fruit development stage, mangoes experience numerous physical and chemical changes and are susceptible to insect pest infestations, various pathogens, bird attacks and mechanical damage. The affected fruits gain low prices in the market and such fruits are also rejected for processing. It causes significant yield and serious economic loss to mango growers. Pre-harvest fruit bagging has emerged as a good agricultural practice (GAP), which is simple, grower-friendly, safe and beneficial for the production of quality fruits. An experiment was conducted at the existing seven-year-old mango orchard of BARI Aam-3, which is locally called ‘Amrapali’ at the hill valley of Hill Agricultural Research Station at Raikhali in Rangamati Hill District during 2020-21. The least number of fruit drop, insect infestation, disease infection, bird attack, maximum individual fruit weight and shelf-life was found in two-layer brown bags. Marketable mango as well as grade-1 mango also maximum in a layer brown bag. On the other hand, a minimum number of marketable mangoes was found in the control treatment but minimum self-life was recorded in polythene bags.

Temperature differences between sites lead to altered phenylpropanoid metabolism in a varietal dependent manner.

Elevated temperature has already caused a significant loss of wine growing areas and resulted in inferior fruit quality, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The existence of broad genetic diversity in V. vinifera is key in adapting viticulture to climate change; however, a lack of understanding on the variability in berry metabolic response to climate change remains a major challenge to build ad-hoc strategies for quality fruit production. In the present study, we examined the impact of a consistent temperature difference between two vineyards on polyphenol metabolism in the berries of 20 red V. vinifera cultivars across three consecutive seasons (2017-2019). The results emphasize a varietal specific response in the content of several phenylpropanoid metabolites; the interaction factor between the variety and the vineyard location was also found significant. Higher seasonal temperatures were coupled with lower flavonol and anthocyanin contents, but such reductions were not related with the level of expression of phenylpropanoid related genes. Hierarchical clustering analyses of the metabolic data revealed varieties with a location specific response, exceptional among them was Tempranillo, suggesting a greater susceptibility to temperature of this cultivar. In conclusion, our results indicate that the extensive genetic capacity of V. vinifera bears a significant potential to withstand temperature increase associated with climate change.

Formulation and efficacy testing of vermi-tea based liquid organic fertilizers on green-amaranth (<em>Amaranthus viridis</em> L.) for home gardens

Sudden food shortage due to strict green agriculture policy, economic crisis, COVID pandemic situation instruct the importance of home level organic production of good quality fruits and vegetables. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of organic liquid fertilizers formulated from fish, livestock’s and plant wastes on leafy vegetable green Amaranth to promote home gardening. The liquid fertilizer was tested on Amaranth grown separately in vemicompost and garden compost. The 7 kg capacity pots were filled with two media (medium 1: vemicompost; medium 2: garden compost) and arranged in CRD with four replicates with each medium. Five plants of green-amaranth per pot were planted and treated with fish emulsion + vermi-tea (1:4=T1), cow urine + vermi-tea (1:4=T2), three leaves [Neem+ Giliricidia+ Candle bush] solution + vermi tea (3:1=T3), vermi tea (T4) and control (T5) at the rate of 50 mL/pot on 2nd, 4th and 6th week after planting. Agronomic and yield data were collected and subjected to ANOVA using SAS. Tukey's HSD multiple comparison test and PROC CORR was used to determine the best treatment combination at P <0.05. The results revealed that there was significant difference in N, P and K content of the treatments tested. The plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, root shoot ratio was significantly higher in fish emulsion + vermi-tea (1:4) [T1] and cow urine + vermi-tea [T2] at 8th weeks after planting in vermi-compost medium. There was strong and positive correlation (R2 > 0.8) among yield parameters, and root: shoot ratio with N, P K content of the liquid fertilizers tested in vermi-compost medium. Therefore, this investigation concludes that the fish emulsion + vermi-tea (1:4) and cow urine + vermi-tea (1:4) are good combination to use as liquid fertilizer at the rate of 50mL/Pot to get best yield in vermi-compost medium.

Genetic amelioration of fruit and vegetable crops to increase biotic and abiotic stress resistance through CRISPR Genome Editing.

Environmental changes and increasing population are major concerns for crop production and food security as a whole. To address this, researchers had focussed on the improvement of cereals and pulses and have made considerable progress till the beginning of this decade. However, cereals and pulses together, without vegetables and fruits, are inadequate to meet the dietary and nutritional demands of human life. Production of good quality vegetables and fruits is highly challenging owing to their perishable nature and short shelf life as well as abiotic and biotic stresses encountered during pre- and post-harvest. Genetic engineering approaches to produce good quality, to increase shelf life and stress-resistance, and to change the time of flowering and fruit ripening by introducing foreign genes to produce genetically modified crops were quite successful. However, several biosafety concerns, such as the risk of transgene-outcrossing, limited their production, marketing, and consumption. Modern genome editing techniques, like the CRISPR/Cas9 system, provide a perfect solution in this scenario, as it can produce transgene-free genetically edited plants. Hence, these genetically edited plants can easily satisfy the biosafety norms for crop production and consumption. This review highlights the potential of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for the successful generation of abiotic and biotic stress resistance and thereby improving the quality, yield, and overall productivity of vegetables and fruits.

Physiological response, phytochemicals, antioxidant, and enzymatic activity of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivated under different storage time, harvesting Stages, and temperatures

The quality of date palm is highly influenced by postharvest techniques, storage, and processing effects. Fruits stored at room temperature result in dehydration, whereas higher temperatures accelerate the enzymatic browning of fruit. This study aimed to enhance postharvest quality of date palms through improved harvesting and storage techniques. The fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Dhakki) were harvested at khalal (mature, firm), rutab (fully ripe), or tamar (dry) stages and stored at different temperatures (12, 18, or 24 °C) for 0, 15, 30, or 45 days. The analysis of the data showed that the studied attributes significantly different at various ripening stages and storage temperatures. The fruits harvested at Khalal stage proved to be the best in retaining moisture content (23.16%), total soluble solids (20.36 oBrix), fruit juice pH (4.97), ascorbic acid (24.65 mg 100 g−1), non-reducing sugars (26.84%), percent acidity (0.39%), antioxidant activity (211.0 mg 100 g−1), total phenolic (40.07 mg100g−1), flavonoids (45.8 mg 100 g−1), tannin (70.7 mg100g−1), catalase (1.82 U g−1), peroxidase (1.4 U g−1), soluble protein (38.2 mg kg−1), brightness (29.9), chroma (16.4), hue angle (34.9), color (16.8), and with minimum weight loss (8.48%) as compared to fruit harvested at Rutab and Tamar stage. Regarding the means for storage temperature, the fruits stored at 12 ± 3 °C retained the highest moisture content (23.2%), total soluble solids (13.5 oBrix), fruit juice pH (5.42), percent acidity (0.29%), ascorbic acid (24.4 mg100g−1), reducing sugars (31.1%), non-reducing sugars (26.5%), antioxidant activity (214.6 mg100g−1), total phenolic (41.6 mg100 g−1), flavonoids (44.7 mg100 g−1), tannin (71.7 mg 100 g−1), catalase (1.56 U g−1), peroxidase (1.21 U g−1), soluble protein (31.8 mg kg−1), brightness (28.8), chroma (15.3), hue angle (29.6), color (16.2),with minimum weight loss (9.91%). It was concluded that for quality fruit production of date palm cv. Dhakki could be harvested at Khalal stage and stored at a temperature of 12 ± 3 °C.

Effect of different bagging materials on guava fruit physiology and its quality attributes

Guava fruit is a very nutritious and fairly rich source of minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber thus medicinally rich to cure stomach-related problems. Thus it's a need of hour to produce quality fruits without any internal or external defects or disorders as well as fruits should be free from chemical residues. The problem to produce the desired quality of fruits can be overcome by the use of pre-harvest bagging technology. Thus an experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different bagging materials on fruit appearance and quality. The findings revealed that the maximum increase in fruit mass (36.38%), fruit length (20.64%), fruit grade (30.23%), ascorbic acid content (7.36%) and TSS (48.65%) were observed as compared to the control in perforated polythene bags bagged at 30 days after fruit set (PEBD2), newspaper bagged at 30 days after fruit set (NPBD2), perforated polythene bagged at 15 days after fruit set (PEBD1) and butter paper bagged at 15 days after fruit set (BPBD1), respectively, whereas maximum reduction in fruit scar (93.78) recorded in newspaper bagged at 15 days after fruit set (NPBD1). Findings indicated that physio-chemical attributes of bagged fruits positively altered with no scar on fruit skin and without pest infestation thus ensuring better fruit quality, optimum production and consumer acceptance. Thus, bagging is cost-effective technology, warrants physiologically improved quality fruit production with consumer satisfaction.

Evaluating effects of a new liquid vermicompost-based product on fruit quality in organic strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

ABSTRACTLack of appropriate fertilisers is a bottleneck in organic agriculture, which can lead to reduced yields and, consequently, reduced profitability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a new formulation of a vermicompost-based biopreparation (VCMo) and to investigate the effects of this product on the composition of primary and secondary metabolites of the fruit of organically cultivated strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv Senga Sengana). Sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds in strawberry fruit cultivated with three application modes of VCMo (rhizosphere inoculation (RI); combination of rhizosphere inoculation and foliar spraying (RI+FS); and foliar spraying (FS)) and a control (untreated soil and plants) were characterised and quantified by HPLC with a refractive index detector for sugars and organic acids, and HPLC-DAD-MSn for phenolic compounds. Strawberry fruit obtained from plants exposed to the combined application of rhizosphere inoculation and foliar spraying showed the highest concentrations of total sugars and total organic acids. There were no significant differences between the methods of VMCo application for concentrations of phenolic acids, but rhizosphere inoculation on its own resulted in the highest total concentration of the five groups of flavonoids identified (anthocyanins, flavanols, flavanones, flavonols and flavones). The results of the study suggested that rhizosphere inoculation with VCMo on its own or in combination with foliar spraying could be а useful tool for organic strawberry cultivation, contributing to the production of healthy and good quality fruit at the same time as providing opportunities to reduce environmental pollution.

Production of Quinoa Leafy Greens in High Tunnel for Season Extension in Missouri

There is limited information regarding the use of quinoa fresh leaves as a vegetable. Thus, the objective of this study was to promote quinoa green leaves as a vegetable, as well as to conduct a season extension feasibility study using high tunnels. The study was conducted during the spring seasons of 2020, 2021, and 2022 at the George Washington Carver farm of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, USA. Three quinoa genotypes were used in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications over three years. Agronomic data and leaf nutritional analyses for young plants approximately 30 days old were evaluated. Among the three quinoa genotypes, genotype Ames 13724 gave the highest yield of leafy greens and was consistent over the three years. Additionally, the use of high tunnels served as a season extension tool by accelerating the production of quality fruits and vegetables outside typical growing seasons. The results indicated that season extension of quinoa leafy greens production in a high tunnel is possible with a three-week earlier harvest in early spring when fewer fresh vegetables are available in the markets. Farmers can increase farm income by selling this specialty vegetable in the early season for premium prices.

Role of indigenous attractants in enhancing quantitative parameters of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Cucumber is one of the essential summer vegetable crop grown among cucurbits and highly dependent upon diverse insect pollinators for efficient pollination and production of good quality fruits. Seven treatments viz., Jaggery solution (10%), Sugar syrup (10%), Molasses (10%), Sugarcane juice (10%), fish waste, Untreated control and water as negative control were applied during the experiment. The attributes that contribute maximum in terms of yield such as number of fruits/plant (8.87 ± 0.14). fruit length (26.02 ± 0.47 cm), fruit diameter (5.77 ± 0.02 cm), fruit weight (350.27 ± 0.09 g), Number of seeds/fruit (453.07 ± 4.98), yield/ha (222.50 ± 4.78 q) and fruit set (69.74 ± 0.62 %) was recorded with Jaggery solution (10%) followed by sugar syrup (10%) with number of fruits/plant as 8.87 ± 0.14, fruit length 25.07 ± 0.18 cm, fruit diameter 5.60 ± 0.04 cm, fruit weight 0.321 ± 0.01 kg, number of seeds/fruit 423.65 ± 1.97, yield/ha 190.00 ± 0.16 q and fruit set as 62.38 ± 0.68 %, followed by molasses (10 %), sugarcane juice (10%) and fish waste respectively. Compared to the control, each treatment was found significantly superior. The plants which were kept untreated failed to produce fruits with highest yield attributing characters thus, signifying the importance of attractants in enhancing production of cucumber.

Influence of potassium on mineral content, yield and quality attributes of dragon fruit (Selenicereus monacanthus) in acidic soil of Eastern tropical region of India

Production of quality fruits has always been the priority for ensuring better nutrition and market value. Considering the role of potassium in fruit quality improvement a study was carried out in dragon fruit under open field condition during 2020 and 2021 in the eastern tropical climatic condition of India. The treatments comprised viz., K-absentia as control (T1), K 50 g hill−1 year−1 (T2), K 100 g hill−1 year−1 (T3), K 200 g hill−1 year−1 (T4), K 300 g hill−1 year−1 (T5), K 400 g hill−1 year−1 (T6) and K 500 g hill−1 year−1 (T7). Application of K @300 g hill−1 year−1 exhibited the maximal acquisition of minerals such as N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu in shoot and fruit pulp of dragon fruit. However, calcium did not exhibit a discernible trend. However, excessive dose of K (500 g hill−1year−1) resulted in declination in mineral acquisition. K 300 g hill−1 year−1 (T5) also demonstrated enhanced absolute fruit growth rate, maximal yield, marketable yield, fruit weight, color attributes, bio-chemical attributes such as TSS, carbohydrate, reducing sugar (∼20%), protein, citric acid, ascorbic acid content (∼2 times). Additionally, the same treatment also manifested an enhancement in biochemical attributes such as betacyanin (∼2.2 times), total phenol (∼55%), total flavonoid (∼2.7 times), α-amylase and sucrose synthase activities, and antioxidative property (FRAP activity). Principal component analysis (PCA) illustrated the maximal proximity of most of the variables (quality attributes and mineral nutrient contents) with T5 (K 300 g hill−1 year−1), exemplifying it as the best representative of all the studied variables.

Do the training system and spacing affect the productivity and quality of tomato plants?

The determined growth tomato plant has advantages such as reduction of labor and inputs, enabling the production of fruits for consumption " in natura" efficiently. The objective of this work was to evaluate the conduction and spacing systems between plants with determined tomatoes and their influence on the production attributes and quality of the fruit. The experiment was carried out in the open field with three conduction systems (“half stake”, open V and “mulch”) and four spacings between plants (0.2; 0.3; 0.4; and 0.5 m). It was found that the highest yield and commercial production and number of large fruits were obtained in the half stake and mulch system. The spacing at 0.5 m provided the highest fruit production (6.4 kg in 56 fruits), and at 0.2 m, the highest productivity was obtained (145.63 t ha -1). In the 0.2 m and open V 0.5 m stake system, the fruits had a high lycopene content. spacing 0.2 m in half stake, and mulch systems were favorable for the production of quality fruit.

Scion–Rootstock Relationship: Molecular Mechanism and Quality Fruit Production

Most tree fruits are commercially grown on different root systems, hence called composite plants. The section provides the root system as the rootstock, and the atop ground portion is called the scion. The combination is selected based on different traits of scion varieties, rootstock, and prevailing edaphic situations. The dated back plant propagation technique of joining two plants (grafting/budding) that directly communicates new physiological traits to the desirable scion variety from the rootstock remains unclear. In spite of this, this propagation technique continues widely applied in the multiplication of several fruit plant species. In a grafted plant, rootstocks impacted the scion variety’s growth, yield and quality attributes, physiology, nutrient accumulation as well as biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in many ways. Modern research in plant science for next-generation sequencing providing new vital information about the molecular interactions in composite plants multiplied using grafting. Now it was confirmed that genetic exchange is occurring between rootstock and scion variety through grafting joints. In this aspect, we discuss the process and the molecular mechanism of rootstock scion interactions. This review finally explains the dynamics of rootstock–scion interactions as well as their effect on physiology in terms of production, environmental stresses, and fruit quality. The morphological, physiochemical, and molecular mechanisms have been reviewed to develop an integrated understanding of this unknowable process that questions existing genetic paradigms. The present review summarizes the reported molecular mechanism between scion and rootstock and the impact of rootstocks on the production biology of scion varieties of economically important fruit crops and identifies numerous key points to consider when conducting rootstock scion interaction experiments. Rootstocks may offer a non-transgenic approach to rapidly respond to the changing environment and expand agricultural production of perennial fruit crops where grafting is possible in order to meet the global demand for fruit, food, and demands of the future.

Non-Destructive Monitoring of Ripening Process of the Underutilized Fruit Kadam Using Laser-Induced Fluorescence and Confocal Micro Raman Spectroscopy

Underutilized fruits like kadam are bio-reserves of numerous biochemical and minerals and have the potential to be used as food alternatives and supplements to fulfill the needs of malnourished populations. The production of quality fruits needs monitoring throughout the growth and ripening in order to build consumer and industry confidence. The nondestructive optical spectroscopic techniques have immense potential to monitor the growth and ripening indices of the fruits. Hence, this study explores the potential of laser-induced fluorescence and confocal micro Raman spectroscopy for the reliable and cost effective monitoring of growth and ripening of kadam fruits. The analysis of the laser-induced fluorescence measurements reveals that the ripening of the kadam fruits may be monitored by analyzing the fluorescence emission of chlorophyll and carotenoids. The decrease in the intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence accompanied by the increase in the intensity of the carotenoid bands is the characteristic fluorescence signature associated with the ripening of the kadam fruits. Hence, upon the ripening of the fruits, the concentration of chlorophyll decreases considerably with the accumulation of carotenoids. This fact is further complimented by confocal micro Raman measurements, which show that as the fruit ripens, the intensity of carotenoid bands increases dramatically. The observed spectral features may be used by the horticulture scientists and nutritionists to monitor the growth, maturity, and ripening of underutilized fruits like kadam in order to maximize the quality and minimize postharvest losses.

Effect of Foliar Application with Potassium Nitrate and Copper Sulfate on Fruit Yield and Quality of Pear (Pyrus communis L.) Trees

ABSTRACT Influence of foliar application of potassium nitrate and copper sulfate on the production and quality of Pear cv. Le Conte was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm and Postharvest Laboratory, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan, during the year 2018–19. The aim of the study was to get quality pear production with minimal disease incidence. The research was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study contained two factors, i.e., different concentrations of potassium nitrate (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) as Factor A, while different levels of copper sulfate (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%) as factor B and the treatments were applied in spring season at the fruit set stage. The application of 2% potassium nitrate to the pear plants resulted in heaviest fruit (188.30 g), maximum fruit volume (203.80 cm3), fruit yield tree−1 (60.13 kg) with minimum fruit drop (8.52%) and disease incidence (5.28%), while maximum fruit firmness (7.66 kg.cm−2), total soluble solids (12.40 ○Brix), fruit juice pH (5.38), ascorbic acid content (5.56 mg.100 g−1) while minimum Titratable acidity (0.41%) were noted in fruits of plants sprayed with 3% potassium nitrate solution. However, the maximum fruit weight (192.04 g), fruit yield tree−1 (59.06 kg), minimum fruit drop (6.75%), and disease incidences (3.54%) were recorded in pear plants applied with 0.6% foliar copper sulfate solution. However, maximum fruit firmness (7.53 kg.cm−2), total soluble solids (12.38 ○Brix), fruit juice pH (5.31), ascorbic acid content (5.22 mg.100 g−1) with minimum Titratable acidity (0.42%) were noted in the plants sprayed with 0.8% copper sulfate solution. This study will provide a basis for high yield and quality fruit production, which will affect the storability of pear and other important fruit crops. Further studies should be conducted to optimize the dose, timing, and method of application of these fungicides for other pome fruits.

Влияние садов косточковых плодовых культур на развитие пчеловодства

The studied territories of the Ganja-Dashkesan and Gazakh-Tovuz regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan differ in terms of the complexity of the relief, climatic differences in nature from the territories of the regions bordering them. Most of the territory of both regions is dominated by mountains, valleys and plains. The following formations are found in the orchards: cherry, sweet cherry, apricot, peach orchards, etc. In the production of organic quality fruits for nutrition, in accordance with the requirements of market standards, honey bees are used in these orchards for pollination, which leads to an increase in additional yield by 10.2-20.8%, sometimes by 25.0%. In addition, they are valued as a reserve source for providing bee colonies with propolis, pollen, and nectar in early spring.

Alteration of physiological and biochemical properties in leaves and fruits of pomegranate in response to gamma irradiation

Pomegranate breeding to improve the marketability requires the production of large and high quality fruits. Gamma radiation on pomegranate can be used to generate genetic diversity that allows the breeder to screen the mutants for superior quality and quantity. For this purpose, dormant buds on 1-year-old shoots of pomegranate cultivar "Malase Saveh" were subjected to 36 Gy (Gy) of gamma irradiation from a cobalt (60CO) source. Shoot cuttings were taken from the mutated shoots and generate M1V2. The number of 11 mutants were selected from M1V2 plants based on their winter survival and disease resistance. After a period of 3–4 years, leaf and fruit samples were harvested from the M1V5. Results showed that physiological and biochemical parameters of leaves were altered unevenly, some clones showed no alterations from the control, while others revealed considerable differences. Irradiation altered various aspects related to fruit, such as the number and weight of ripe and unripe fruits, number of cracked, sunburn, worm-eaten fruits, and fruit size. In general, mutant clones 5, 8, and 10 had higher fruit sizes and weight of ripe fruits and less number and weight of unripe fruits. The stability of the detected mutants will be evaluated and new commercial field trials using selected materials will be established.

First report of Colletotrichum fioriniae and C. nymphaeae as Causal Agents of anthracnose on walnut in Italy.

English walnut (Juglans regia L.) is species grown either for high quality wood or fruit production. In Italy walnut cultivation occupies an area of about 4600 ha (FAOSTAT, http://www.fao.org/faostat, 2020). In 2019-2020, walnut fruits (cv Lara) with anthracnose symptoms were collected from walnut orchards in Province of Venice (Northern Italy). Affected fruits showed necrotic and circular lesions with acervuli in the center causing the complete mummification of the fruit as described by Da Lio et al., 2018. Orange conidial masses appeared under wet conditions. The fungus was isolated from necrotic tissues and conidial masses were put on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. Plates were incubated at 25°C for 5 to 7 days. The colonies were white to pink on the upper side and pink with black spots on the reverse. Acervuli formed and produced conidial masses on PDA after 6 days. Culture and conidial morphology were in concordance with published descriptions of C. acutatum sensu lato (Damm et al., 2012). To confirm the identity, internal transcribed spacers (ITS), (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT) and beta-tubulin (TUB2) genes were amplified and sequenced using the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White at al. 1990), GDF1/GDR1 (Guerber et al., 2003), ACT512F/ACT783R and BT2Fd/BT4R primers (Da Lio et al., 2018). The isolates belonged to two different species of Colletotrichum acutatum complex: C. fioriniae (Marcelino & Gouli) and C. nymphaeae (Pass). Sequences of two representative isolates C. fioriniae CREADC-F2317 and C. nymphaeae CREADC-F2372 were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MZ153170 and MZ191794 (ITS), MZ203522 and MZ224013 (GAPDH), MZ203521 and MZ224012 (ACT), and MZ203523 and MZ224014 (TUB2). For all the genes, isolates had a 100% similarity to multiple C. fioriniae and C. nymphaeae accessions, respectively. Maximum likelihood trees based on concatenated sequences of the four genes were constructed using MEGA 6.0 (Tamura et al., 2013). The phylogenetic analysis grouped the isolates in the C. fioriniae and nymphaeae clusters respectively. The two isolates CREADC-F2317 and CREADC-F2372 were used to confirm pathogenicity on walnut fruits. Fruits of cv Lara were surface disinfected by dipping in 3% NaOCl for 1 min, rinsed in sterile distilled water, and arranged in sterile humid chambers. Fruits were wounded with a sterile needle then inoculated with 20 μl of 106 conidia/ml suspensions of each isolate (one wound per fruit). Fruit treated with sterile distilled water served as a control. Inoculations were conducted on three fruits per replicate and three replicates per treatment arranged in a complete block randomized design. After 7 days incubation at 25 ± 1°C, all the inoculated fruits showed typical anthracnose symptoms and lesions with cream to salmon pink acervuli, whereas the controls remaied healthy. The species C. nymphaeae and C. fioriniae were reisolated from the rotted fruit. Pathogenicity tests were repeated twice with the same results. The morphology of the reisolated fungi was consistent with the inoculated one, fulfilling Koch's postulates. The species C. fioriniae and C. nymphaeae have been described affecting numerous species worldwide (Damm et al., 2012). C. fioriniae and C. nymphaeae have been previously reported to cause severe anthracnose on walnut, C. fioriniae in France (Da Lio et al., 2018) and Hungary (Varjas et al., 2019) and C. nymphaeae in France (Da Lio et al., 2018) and Brazil (Savian et al., 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. fioriniae and C. nymphaeae as causal agents of walnut anthracnose in Italy.