Total Fruit Yield Research Articles

Far-red Light in Sole-source Lighting Can Enhance the Growth and Fruit Production of Indoor Strawberries

Strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa) are being produced increasingly in indoor vertical farms, where the light quality of sole-source lighting is a primary factor that influences the outcomes of crop production. Far-red (FR) light (700–750 nm) has been shown to promote plant responses such as leaf expansion, biomass accumulation, and flowering in some long-day plant species. However, the impacts of including FR light in sole-source lighting on strawberries have not been fully understood. This study investigated the impacts of FR light on the growth and development of long-day strawberries ‘Albion’ and ‘Monterey’ in an indoor vertical farm. We hypothesized that the addition of FR light under a long photoperiod would promote leaf expansion, biomass accumulation, flowering, and fruit production in long-day strawberries. Bare-root strawberry plants were grown in a deep-water-culture hydroponic system at an air temperature of 22 °C and an 18-hour photoperiod using 90 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 of blue (peak = 455 nm) + 250 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 of red (peak = 660 nm) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with or without adding 50 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 of FR (peak = 730 nm) LEDs. After 5 weeks of lighting treatments, additional FR light increased the leaf area and shoot dry mass of strawberry ‘Monterey’ by 74% and 73%, respectively, and the number of crowns per plant of strawberry ‘Albion’ by 33%. However, FR light did not influence flowering time in either cultivar. Adding FR light increased the number of fruit harvested per plant by 36%, the total fruit yield by 48%, and the total soluble solids of fruit by 12% in strawberry ‘Albion’, but not in ‘Monterey’. In both cultivars, FR light did not affect the individual fruit mass. Our results suggest that the addition of FR light in sole-source lighting can promote leaf expansion, biomass accumulation, fruit yield, and fruit quality in at least some long-day strawberry cultivars.

Effect of automated sensor-driven irrigation and fertigation on green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growth, phenology, quality and production

This research aimed to optimize green pepper cultivation with automated sensor-based irrigation and fertigation, supplemented by roof water harvesting under protected cultivation. The findings demonstrated that employing a sensor-based irrigation regimen at 75 % available soil moisture (ASM) coupled with 125 % of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) significantly improved both the growth and yield characteristics of pepper. This combination notably improved yield attributing parameters as well as total fruit yield (60,089 kg ha−1). Also, the resource use efficiency metrics viz., water use efficiency (16.75 kg m−3), energy productivity (0.80 kg MJ−1), nutrient use efficiency (79.5 kg kg−1) and benefit-cost ratio of 2.07, indicated superiority. Correlation between yield and variables viz., individual fruit weight (r = 0.98), number of fruits per plant (r = 0.96), total dry matter accumulation (r = 0.96), and fruit volume (r = 0.94) found positive at 1 % probability, displaying the strongest associations. Growth variables such as dry matter of leaves (R2=0.927), individual fruit weight (R2=0.922), and fruit volume (R2=0.847) at P ≤ 0.0001 contributed significantly to the yield. Remarkably, during the year 2020, the system collected 774 m3 of water, satisfying 100 % of the green pepper's water requirement for two seasons.

Spacing and Tomatotone Influence on Yield of Rain Fed Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Spacing and Tomatotone Influence on Yield of Rain Fed Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Rootstock scion interaction studies on various horticultural attributes of pomato grafts under protected structures

Pomato is a horticultural wonder plant, as tomato and potato can be produced from a single plant. This experiment explored the influence of diverse graft combinations of tomato scions grafted onto potato rootstocks on various growth and yield-attributing traits. The investigation outcomes confirmed the significantly positive influence of scion grafted onto rootstock on various yielding attributes of tomato and potato harvested from pomato grafts. Scion “Rakshita” grafted onto the rootstock of Kufri Himalini had the maximum fruit length. In contrast, the fruits harvested from the graft combination of Avtar grafted onto Kufri Khyati had the maximum number of fruits per cluster and the number of fruits per plant. The highest average fruit weight, fruit yield per meter square, and total fruit yield quintal per hectare were recorded with control “Avtar. The longest harvest duration was noticed with the graft combination of Heemsohna grafted onto Kufri Himalini. Moreover, on, rootstock Kufri Himalini with scion Rakshita resulted in maximum tuber length, and average tuber weight, while Kufri Himalini with Avtar had maximum fruit width. The maximum number of tubers per plant was also noticed with Kufri Pukhraj with Palam Tomato hybrid −1. The potato harvested from the rootstock of Kufri Pukhraj with Avtar had the highest tuber yield per plant, total tuber yield quintal per hectare, and tuber equivalent yield. The highest survival percentage of grafted plants was noted in Heemsohna onto Kufri Jyoti. In context to the cumulative yield of tomato fruits and potato tubers obtained from the pomato graft was found to be incremented in grafts of Avtar grafted onto Kufri Pukhraj followed by Rakshita grafted onto Kufri Rakshita, which also resulted in the maximum benefit-cost ratio with highest net return and gross return. The graft combination of scion Avtar and Rakshita onto Rootstock Kufri Pukhraj resulted in a positive increment in yield attributing traits of the pomato plant than of control of un-grafted tomato and potato.

Growth and Yield of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) as Influenced by Different Coloured Plastic Mulches in the Tarai Region of Uttarakhand

Summer squash is a short-duration vegetable crop with off-season nature and high economic returns per unit area. However, the early crop growth season encounters a number of abiotic stresses like low temperature and frost, which adversely affect the marketable yield and quality of the fruits. This dependency on natural factors restricts the scope of its profitable cultivation, thereby making it necessary to bring more area under protected cultivation. Coloured plastic mulches are an important component of protected cultivation, which are designed to modify the microclimate at the plant and soil levels so as to increase crop production and productivity, as well as quality of the produce, to meet the demands of the consumers. Keeping these considerations in view, the present field investigation was conducted at the Vegetable Research Centre of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) during the rabi season of 2019-20 to study the effect of different coloured plastic mulches on the growth and yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). The experiment comprised nine treatments (bi-coloured plastic mulches) replicated thrice in a randomised block design. Results revealed that use of different coloured plastic films significantly influenced the growth and yield parameters of summer squash. Red coloured plastic mulch (V1) recorded the maximum values for fruit length (30.78 cm), fruit yield plant-1 (1975.8 g), fruit yield plot-1 (39.51 kg) and total marketable fruit yield (365.52 q ha-1), while biodegradable film of silver-black colour (V7) and black plastic mulch (V4) recorded the maximum plant height (cm) and plant spread (cm), respectively. The maximum diameter of the fruit (110.13 mm) was recorded under black coloured plastic mulch. Considering the prevalent climatic conditions of the tarai region of Uttarakhand, red coloured plastic mulch can be recommended for commercial cultivation of summer squash for obtaining higher fruit yields.

Estimate of Genotypic and Phenotypic Correlation and Path Coefficient in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L)

The significant positive correlation among phenotypic and genotypic performance, as well as path correlation of crops, contributes to the selection of superior cultivars. Based on the essential relevance of these estimations, it was used in our research. The current research was carried out during autumn winter season 2021-2022 with the aim of to estimate correlation coefficient among the growth and yield attribute and to elucidate the direct and indirect effects of different traits on yield through path coefficient analysis. The experimental material for the study consisted of 40 genotypes including one check (KS-224), laid in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Observations were recorded on twelve quantitative characters. The most important trait, total fruit yield per plant had exhibited highly significant and positive phenotypic correlation with average fruit weight (0.662), number of fruits per plant (0.476), fruit circumference (0.394) and fruit polar length (0.392). Average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit circumference and fruit polar length were found significantly and positively correlated among themselves. The genotypic direct and indirect effects of most of the traits were similar in nature and higher in magnitude than the phenotypic direct and indirect effect. The higher magnitude of positive direct effect on total fruit yield was exerted by average fruit weight (0.793), number of fruits per plant (0.684) and fruit circumference (0.046). While, negative direct effect on total fruit yield per plant was exerted by days to 50 per cent flowering (-0.093), calyx length (-0.052) and pedicel length (-0.022). Thus, it can be inferred from the data above that selecting for these qualities will effectively enhance the crop for increased production and contributing traits.

Effect of Bioactive Compound (Poultry Manure) on the Yield and Capsaicinoid Content of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivars

To assess the impact of poultry manure fertilization on the yield and capsaicinoid content of sweet pepper cultivars, field experiments were carried out during the 2018 rainy seasons at two locations within the Sudan savanna agro-ecological region: the Teaching and Research Farm Bayero University Kano (l1o 58 N, 8o 25 E, and altitude 458 m) and Kadawa Irrigation Scheme Bunkure (l1o 42 N, 8o 33 E, and altitude 476 m). The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates comprising four levels of poultry manure (PM) (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 tha-1) and three cultivars of sweet pepper (Tattasai Dan Damasak, Yolo wonder and Nsukka yellow). The result reveals that the growth, yield and capcisinoid content of sweet pepper cultivars were greatly influenced by the application of PM. The application of 3.0 tha-1 of PM significantly gave taller plants, more branches, larger leaves, and a higher number of fruits. Similarly, the Dan Damasak cultivar significantly produced higher growth characters above, except for the number of fruits plant-1. The Dan Damasak and Yolo wonder cultivars at BUK and Yolo wonder at BKR significantly gave a higher number of fruit plants. Fresh fruit yield, total fruit yield, and capsaicinoid content were significantly higher with 3.0 tha-1 of PM at both locations. The Dan Damasak cultivar resulted in higher yield related characters at both locations. The capsaicinoid content was, however, significantly higher with Nsukka yellow (17.43 and 18.83 mg kg-1) at BUK and BKR locations, respectively. Thus, the application of 3.0 tha-1 PM combined with the Dan Damasak cultivar for improved growth and yield, while the Nsukka Yellow cultivar and the application of 3.0 tha-1 PM for higher capsaicinoid could be suggested to the farmers in the study area to improve the productivity of the crop.

Effect of Correlation and Path Analysis in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

The present investigation was carried out in thirty two genotypes of brinjal with a view to estimate the extent of variability, analysis of variance and genetic divergence. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design with three replications at Department of Vegetable Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Narendra Nagar, (Kumarganj), Ayodhya (U.P.), during Kharif, 2020-21. Each treatment consisted of twelve plant in two rows, having spacing of 60 cm x 50 cm with net plot size of 1.2 m x 3.00 m2. The magnitudes of genotypic correlation was higher than the phenotypic correlation coefficients for all the character combinations. The most important trait, total fruit yield per plant had exhibited highly significant and positive phenotypic correlation with average fruit weight (0.747), number of fruits per plant (0.672) and fruit circumference (0.468) at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Positive direct effect on total fruit yield was exerted by total sugars (0.474), average fruit weight (0.396), fruit circumference (0.358), number of fruits per plant (0.254), plant height (0.242), fruit polar length (0.194) and day to 50 % flowering (0.168). The higher magnitude of positive direct effect on total fruit yield was exerted by total sugars (0.474), average fruit weight (0.396), fruit circumference (0.358), number of fruits per plant (0.254), plant height (0.242), fruit polar length (0.194), day to 50 % flowering (0.168).

Foliar urea applications to apple trees increase yeast assimilable nitrogen, amino acids, and flavor volatiles in fruit and hard cider

Volatile compounds are a crucial component of hard apple (Malus ✕domestica Borkh.) cider aroma, flavor, and consequent marketability. Amino acids are used by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in the production of volatiles and their precursors. This study hypothesized that foliar applications of nitrogen to apple trees would elevate the concentration of amino acids in the fruit, thus increasing the concentration of sensorially distinguishable aromatic volatiles in cider. In this experiment, urea foliar fertilizer was applied to ‘Ellis Bitter’ and ‘Harry Masters Jersey’ apple trees to create Control (0 applications), Low (3 weekly applications), and High (5 weekly applications) treatments. Total leaf nitrogen increased with the number of foliar urea applications, demonstrating plant uptake. The total fruit yield and fruit efficiency (total harvested fruit mass relative to trunk cross-sectional area) did not differ among treatments within the same cultivar. Similarly, fruit maturity, size, total phenolics, pH, and soluble solids concentration did not differ among treatments. Yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) and amino acids in the juice increased with the number of foliar urea applications, as did fermentation rates. Relative to the Control, the High treatment had 130% greater YAN in ‘Ellis Bitter’ and 145% in ‘Harry Masters Jersey’. Over 90% of the YAN in all juice samples was composed of primary amino nitrogen (PAN), and the majority of the PAN among all treatments was asparagine. Ester and fatty acid content in hard ciders increased with the number of urea applications; however, higher alcohols showed a mixed relationship with the number of applications in the cultivar ‘Ellis Bitter’. Aroma and flavor differences among treatments were discernible by triangle discrimination test panelists; however, the specific sensory differences were not easily identifiable with untrained panelists. This study demonstrated that late season foliar urea applications to apples trees can increase juice YAN and aromatic compounds in finished cider.

Effect of different nitrogen levels on yield and yield attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Farmers in Lamjung have been unable to maximize okra performance and yield due to being unaware of the ideal fertilizer dosage. A field experiment was carried out at Sundarbazar-7, Lamjung during the period from March to June 2023 to understand the optimal N level to enhance the growth and yield of okra. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to set up the experiment with the seven treatments viz. control, 40, 55, 70, 85, 100, and 115 kg N ha-1 each had three replications. A hybrid variety Arka Anamika mostly used by farmers in Lamjung was used. Recorded data on yield and yield contributing parameters were subjected to statistical analysis and results revealed a significant effect of the treatments on the yield and yield attributes of okra. Plants treated with T6(100 kg N ha-1) had the highest number of fruits per plant (13.10), fruit length (15.84cm), weight of a single pod (15.84 g), and total fruit yield of 14.74 t ha-1. The lowest number of fruits per plant (7.93), fruit length (9.29 cm), single fruit weight (9.29 g), and yield (8.12 t ha-1) were recorded from the control treatment T1 (0 kg N ha-1). Meanwhile, the impact of treatment T6 (100 kg N ha-1) was found to be effective compared to other treatments under study. Based on these findings, the experiment suggests okra farmers to use 100 kg N ha-1 to maximize okra performance and yield considering the soil health.

Genetic parametres and performance for yield and its components for some varieties of eggplant under Mosul city environment

This study was conducted in the vegetable research field, college of agriculture and forestry, horticulture and landscape design, Mosul Univ., using RCBD design with three replicates, during the spring growing season (2018) for evaluation of the performance yield and its components in nine eggplant varieties under Mosul city environment Iraq at 36°2′ longitude and 43°7′ latitude. The data was recorded for the traits: plant height (cm), number of branches in each one of the plants, fruit weight (gm), number of fruits in each one of the plants, yield in each one of the plants (kg), length and diameter of fruit (cm), and total yield of fruits (ton /ha.). The results indicated that the nine varieties were different in most traits, the Alton kubry and karamleshy c.v gave high results in plant length(116.433, 130.00) respectively, the Mosal local c.v. and White beauty c.v were superior in the length of fruit than other genotypes under the study they gave (15.033 and 15.433 cm) respectively, whereas the number of the fruits per plant has been recorded in White long and Mosely c.v. (18.367 and 19.367 ) respectably. The genotype Alton kubry gave a high value in fruit weight (287.20gm). The phenotypic and genotypic variations (σ2p and σ2g) have been higher in the height of the plant, weight of the fruit, the number of fruits in each one of the plants, yield in each plant, and total yield of fruit for each unit area, the heritability (H2b.s.) was more than 65% for most traits under the study for nine c.v of eggplant. Also, the genetic advance was higher in most traits.

Optimization of an efficient hydroponic cultivation method for high yield of strawberry plants

The widely grown octoploid strawberry (2n = 8x = 56) (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch.), cherished for its delectable flavour, rich nutritional content, and pleasing aroma has consistently held a significant position in global fruit market. Despite of rising demand, strawberry plants are not grown universally, likely due to variations in weather conditions across regions, available of infectious soil pathogen and insufficient knowledge of soilless hydroponic cultivation. The current research aims to establish an efficient nutrient medium that enhances the growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch.) Cv. Winter Dawn, using soilless hydroponic and semi-hydroponic cultivation methods. The fruit fresh weight and total fruit yield of formulation 2 treated plants (EC 2.41 mScm−1) in hydroponic condition exhibited a 1.73-fold and 2.18-fold higher respectively as compared to soil control plants. Among the five different growing medium treatments in semi-hydroponic condition, the fresh weight and total strawberry fruit yield was found to be maximum in treatment 3 and observed 2.04-fold and 3.03-fold increase respectively as compared to plants grown in soil control condition. The high yield may be due to higher uptake of macronutrients (NPK) by the plants supplemented with F2 formulation and T3 substrate medium the plants. As a result, the strawberry fruits of these plants accumulated higher amount of anthocyanin, which ultimately enhanced the fruit quality. The studies concluded that formulation 2 in hydroponic and treatment 3 in semi-hydroponic were most effective in terms of growth, nutrient uptake, physiology, fruit yield and anthocyanin content. The result of this study gives an alternative to the farmers for cultivation of strawberry plants in soilless hydroponic and semi-hydroponic conditions.

Effect of Foliar Feeding with Nutrients and Bioregulators on Yield and Quality Attributes of Litchi cv. Bombai

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is considered one of the most important sub-tropical fruits of the world. In the western part of Odisha, India, litchi growers are facing problems of unstable and lower marketable yield and inferior quality due to a higher incidence of fruit cracking, fruit drop, low sugar content, and higher fruit acidity. Keeping in mind the positive effects of nutrients and bioregulators, the current study was conducted to elucidate their impact on fruit yield and quality in the farmers’ field of Jamankira block in Sambalpur district of Odisha, which is under the care of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, India. For this study, eight-year-old litchi trees were selected. With 12 treatments, the experiment was set up in a Randomized Block Design replicated thrice, as follows: T1: spray treatment with Borax—0.5%; T2: spray treatment with Borax—0.3%; T3: spray treatment with ZnSO4—0.75%; T4: spray treatment with ZnSO4—0.5%; T5: spray treatment with CaCl2—0.5%; T6: spray treatment with CaCl2—0.1%; T7: spray treatment with humic acid—1.5%; T8: spray treatment with humic acid—1%; T9: spray treatment with seaweed extract—0.5%; T10: spray treatment with seaweed extract—0.1%; T11: foliar spray with NAA—20 ppm; and T12: control (Water Spray). The current study compared foliar feeding treatments comprising different nutrient and bioregulators, which were applied during the first week of December, just after the completed formation of new leaves and the untreated control. The highest total number of fruits per plant was recorded in plants sprayed with 0.5% ZnSO4 (T4) followed by those treated with 1% humic acid (T8). The highest total fruit yield was recorded in plants subjected to foliar feeding with 0.3% Borax (T2) which was found to be statistically similar to plants treated with 0.1% seaweed extract (T10) and 0.5% seaweed extract (T9). Among the treatments, a better response, i.e., a higher number of marketable fruits and marketable yield, was recorded in litchi plants treated with 0.3% Borax (T2) followed by 0.5% zinc sulphate (T4), 1% humic acid (T8), and 0.1% CaCl2 (T6). The application of 1% humic acid (T8) followed by 1.5% humic acid (T9) enhanced fruit setting (%) and fruit retention rates (%) and reduced the fruit drop rate (%). The enhanced fruit size (fruit length and fruit width) and higher fruit weight was obtained in litchi plants treated with 0.3% Borax. The foliar application of 0.3% Borax (T2) also resulted in a higher TSS, total sugars, reducing sugar content, lower acidity, the highest aril weight, and lower seed weight in litchi cv. Bombai. In this research, among the five principal components, only PC1 demonstrated approximately 45.14% variability within the influential axes. PC1 contributed the highest proportion (48.9%) to the overall variability, followed by PC2 with 29.1%, PC3 with 11.9%, PC4 with 0.59%, and PC5 with 0.20%. Consequently, the outcomes of the principal component analysis indicate the presence of extensive variability among treatments.

Genetic association analysis in advance tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) lines for horticultural and yield contributing traits

Twenty-two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes were examined for correlation and path analysis in the randomized block design under open field conditions. Total fruit yield showed a significant positive correlation with the number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, lycopene content, and percent seedling survival in the field at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. A strong correlation between these characters revealed that selection based on these characters would consequently improve the total fruit yield. Path analysis showed that the number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, percent seedling survival in the nursery, and number of locules per fruit exhibited high positive direct phenotypic effects on total fruit yield, whereas the number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, percent seedling survival in the field, and pollen viability had very high positive direct genotypic effects. Therefore, to increase the yield, it would be profitable to prioritize these traits in the selection program.

Trocas gasosas e produtividade do tomateiro industrial sob diferentes tipos de irrigação e tela não-tecida para cobertura da planta

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different colors and management of polypropylene non-woven fabric coverings and two different localized irrigation systems on the physiological characteristics and yield of industrial tomatoes. The experiment was installed in a randomized block design arranged in a split-plot scheme with four replications. Surface and subsurface drip were used in the plots, and five plant cover strategies with non-woven fabric in the subplots: i) without non-woven fabric; ii) coverage with white non-woven fabric; iii) coverage with white non-woven fabric, removed between 30 and 60 days after transplanting the seedlings; iv) coverage with red non-woven fabric; v) coverage with red non-woven fabric, removed between 30 and 60 days after transplanting. Photosynthesis, transpiration, electron transport rate, stomatal conductance, carbon concentration, total fruit yield, and water use efficiency were evaluated. ANOVA and the Scott-Knott test were used. Transpiration is favored by the white non-woven fabric and the stomatal conductance by the white and uninterrupted red one. However, the tomato yield is not influenced by the coverings, except for the red one, removed only between 30 and 60 days after transplanting, which is the worst condition for industrial tomato production. Surface and subsurface irrigation can be used with the same efficiency.

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Genotypes

Correlation of various characters with yield is useful and provides criteria for direct selection of component characters. The other genetic parameter commonly used is the path analysis as given by Dewey and Lu, 1959. It critically breaks up different direct and indirect effects which finally add upto the correlation coefficient. The present investigation was undertaken at the Experimental field of Urban Technological Park Habbak, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir during kharif-2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and plant spacing of 2×1 m for thirty genotypes in order to study the association among yield and yield components, their direct and indirect influence on total marketable fruit yield. Observations were recorded on various growth and yield traits and seed traits. Positive and significant correlation was noted for fruit yield ha-1 with number of male flowers plant-1, number of female flowers plant-1, vine length (m), number of fruits, average fruit weight (g), leaf area (cm2), number of seeds fruit-1, seed weight fruit-1 and fruit yield plant-1 both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis disclosed that traits such as number of fruits per plant, vine length (m), number of female flowers, average fruit weight(g) and number of seeds per fruit should be given due importance by selection for breeding of new cultivars as they exhibited the highest direct effects on the fruit yield ha-1.

Interspecific Hybrid Rootstocks Improve Productivity of Tomato Grown under High-temperature Stress

Grafting can be a useful technology to improve productivity of vegetable crops, including tomato, particularly under the serious challenges of climate change for agricultural systems. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of some local tomato interspecific hybrid rootstocks along with Maxifort on the vegetative growth, productivity, and fruit quality of tomato under field production conditions. Heat-tolerant tomato hybrid 023 F1 was used as a scion over the two late summer seasons of 2021 and 2022. Grafting 023 F1 onto Maxifort or KFS-16 rootstocks resulted in the maximum plant growth. Similarly, Maxifort and KFS-16 rootstocks significantly increased the fruit setting percentage from 22.2% to 23.5% and 17.8% to 24.6%, total fruit yield from 33.5% to 53.7% and 29.6% to 51.6%, and marketable yields from 34.1% to 56.0% and 27.3% to 56.7%, respectively, during both seasons compared with nongrafted plants. These two rootstocks enhanced nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) uptake compared with nongrafted planted. However, grafting with the interspecific hybrid rootstocks (KFS-8 and KWS-9) significantly decreased the content of catalase, peroxidase, and proline, which might be associated with lower plant vigor and yield in these rootstocks. All rootstocks had an impact on fruit chemical composition; however, generally, Maxifort and KFS-16 had greater contents of vitamin C, β-carotene, and total antioxidants than nongrafted plants. KFS-16 had also greater lycopene content than nongrafted plants. These results demonstrate the potential use of Maxifort and local rootstock KFS-16 to boost the growth and yield of tomato plants under high-temperature stress in the late summer season.

Cultivo do meloeiro amarelo submetido a diferentes lâminas de irrigação e aplicação do bioestimulante arbolina

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical characteristics during flowering, and the total and marketable fruit yield of yellow melon subjected to different irrigation depths and application of the biostimulant Arbolina®. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 2×2×5 factorial arrangement of split-split plots, with four replicates. Plots consisted of 2 forms of biostimulant application (fertigation and spraying), subplots consisted of 2 irrigation depths (40% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and sub-subplots consisted of 5 doses of the biostimulant Arbolina® (0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4; and 0.8 L ha-1). Melon seedlings were transplanted into the soil at a spacing of 2.0 × 0.3 m, with drip irrigation. Basal and topdressing fertilization was performed via fertigation. The variables evaluated were: for total yield and marketable yield, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration and leaf temperature, chlorophyll a and b contents, water use efficiency and relative water content. The biostimulant application by spraying had a better effect on the production process of yellow melon plants, promoting better metabolic efficiency in organ-forming cells, including the process of morphological formation and biochemical constitution of the fruits. It is recommended to use of the biostimulant doses of 0.446 and 0.443 L ha-1 combined with the use of 100% of ETc to achieve the highest total and marketable productivity.

Nematode population dynamics and plant steaming effects on strawberry cultivars under organic field conditions in Florida

Summary Demand for Florida organic strawberries has significantly increased in recent years, yet this industry is threatened by pests and pathogens that often come with transplants from out-of-state nurseries. Plant steaming has been explored as an alternative to reduce those threats in transplants. This study evaluated the yield performance of seven strawberry cultivars and their impact on nematode densities and plant vigour after steaming was applied to transplants imported from California during two growing seasons (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). The cultivars used were ‘Sensation® Florida127’, ‘Florida Brilliance’, ‘Florida Radiance’, ‘Winterstar™ FL 05-107’, ‘Florida Elyana’, ‘Strawberry Festival’ and ‘Florida Beauty’. Plant steaming reduced plant vigour only 4 weeks after transplanting. Nevertheless, no negative effect was observed in total fruit yield. Differences among cultivars were observed for plant vigour, total fruit yield and abundance of root-knot nematodes. The plant vigour of each cultivar depended on the time of the year, which varied significantly throughout the season. Cultivars ‘Sensation® Florida127’ and ‘Florida Radiance’ attained the highest total yield in both seasons. There was an effect of the cropping system in the nematode community, which increased the bacterivores but drastically reduced omnivores and ring nematodes over time. No effect of cultivar was observed in plant-parasitic nematode populations. The cultivar ‘Winterstar™ FL 05-107’ was an exception since Meloidogyne javanica population densities were significantly higher in ‘Winterstar™ FL 05-107’s experimental plots. Overall, transplant steaming shows the potential to be a component of an integrated pest and disease management programme for the success of sustainable and profitable yields

Nano-enhanced growth and resilience strategies for Pomegranate cv. Wonderful: Unveiling the impact of zinc and boron nanoparticles on fruit quality and abiotic stress management

The pomegranate fruit is an extremely popular fruit that is grown in various regions around the world. Pomegranate cv. Wonderful confronts severe abiotic stress disorders, like fruit cracking and sunburn, which decrease fruit quality. Nanoparticles offer potential for improving nutrient usage efficiency and lowering undesirable environmental repercussions. During three consecutive stages of development, namely the peak flowering stage, six weeks after peak flowering, and one month prior to harvest, magnificent pomegranate trees were subjected to separate applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and boron oxide nanoparticles (B2O3NPs) at concentrations of 0, 250, 500, and 1000 parts per million (ppm). These treatments were carried out in both the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Positive effects were observed at concentrations of 500 and 1000 ppm for ZnONPs and a concentration of 1000 ppm for B2O3NPs on the vegetative growth parameters such as shoot length, leaf area, leaves number per shoot, and canopy volume, besides, leaf chemical characteristics such as leaf chlorophyll concentration and leaf nutrient content such as of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and boron (B). Spraying with 500 and 1000 ppm B2O3NPs reduces the percentage of fruit sunburn, cracking and increased fruiting percentage such as initial fruit set (%), fruit retention (%), total yield of fruits (kg/tree), and increasing yield (%), while fruit drop % was decreased in comparison to other treatments. In both seasons, T4 (22.37, 22.0 %) and T7 (18.74, 19.490 %) showed an increase in initial fruit set (%). Similarly, there was an increase in fruit retention (%) with T4 (33.08, 34.550 %) and T7 (29.13, 29.430 %) compared to the control. The highest yield increasing percentages were observed with T4 (98.88, 100.270 %) and T3 (66.65, 64.980 %) compared to the control. On the other hand, T4 (8.24, 8.04 %) had the lowest fruit cracking, followed by T7 (12.73, 9.9 %) in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Similarly, the lowest percentage of sunburned fruit was observed with T4 (20.47, 20.4 %) and T4 (18.43, 16.77 %) in the two seasons compared to the control. In general, our findings indicate that the application of ZnONPs and B2O3NPs on fully bloomed wonderful pomegranate trees, six weeks after full bloom, and one month prior to harvest, resulted in enhanced growth and yield. Additionally, this treatment exhibited a reduction in abiotic stress-related issues, such as fruit cracking and sunburn.