Water Spray Treatment Research Articles

Overhead spray water treatment as a mitigation strategy to alleviate vine stress and safeguard grape quality during heatwaves

Changes in climate are influencing the quality of wine grapes worldwide. The impact of extreme climate events over short periods is increasingly recognised as a serious risk to grape quality and yield quantity. In this study, the mitigation effects of a pulsed water spray treatment on vine canopy during heatwave (HW) events were evaluated in relation to vine condition during the growing season and grape quality. In the UNCuyo experimental vineyard, vines of the three cultivars Malbec (ML), Bonarda (BO) and Syrah (SY) were treated with an overhead pulsed water spray. Heatwaves were defined as days with a minimum temperature of 21 °C and a maximum temperature of 35 °C. Two heat waves were identified during the growing season. Samples were collected at weekly intervals from veraison to harvest. On five sample dates, Leaf and Stem Water Potential (LWP, SWP), Stomatal Conductance (gs), Leaf Temperature (LT), Berry Temperature (BT), Chlorophyll Content (CC), Fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and Performance Index (PI) were recorded at several time points during the day to evaluate the physiological responses of the vine. Berries were collected on each sample date and at harvest. Berry weight, soluble solid content and pH were recorded. In the treated vines (Trt), LWP, SWP, Fv/Fm, PI and gs were significantly higher and LT was lower than in the control vines (Ctl) during the second heatwave, which was longer and more intense than the first one. One week after the more severe heatwave, LWP, SWP and gs remained significantly higher in Trt than in Ctl, displaying reduced physiological stress in Trt. At harvest, the anthocyanin profile, total polyphenol index (TPI), fruit yield, number of bunches and their average weight, berry weight, soluble solid content and pH were also recorded. Bunch weight was significantly higher in Trt for all cultivars. No differences were found in total anthocyanin concentration. These findings indicate that the vines subjected to targeted overhead water treatment during heatwaves underwent less physiological stress and yielded higher grape production, without increasing the risk of potential fungus diseases, in the Mendoza climate. Consequently, this practice could serve as a valuable strategy for mitigating the adverse effects of heatwaves.

Exogenous Salicylic Acid Induced Drought Stress Tolerance in Immature Tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em> L.) Plants

Salicylic acid (SA) has been known to induce drought tolerance in many plant species. In this study, we investigated the potential of exogenous application of SA to enhance drought tolerance in immature tea plants under glasshouse conditions at the Tea Research Institute in Talawakelle, Sri Lanka. One-year-old potted tea cultivars known for drought tolerance were used in the study. The plants were subjected to a drying cycle while being foliar sprayed with different concentrations of SA along with well-watered (WW), water-spray (WS) and no-spray (NS) treatments. Data were collected at 18 hours, 14 days after spraying (DAS), 21 DAS, and during the recovery after re-watering at 21 DAS. Based on the results obtained from the glasshouse study, the effective concentration of 150 mg L-1 SA was selected for further testing under field conditions in Talawakelle using three-year-old tea plants. The field experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks. When the plants reached a moderate moisture stress level, they were foliar-sprayed with 150 mg L-1 SA, WS and NS treatments were included as controls. Data were collected at 7 DAS, 14 DAS, 21 DAS, and during the recovery phase after rain. The results showed that drought stress led to a decline in gas exchange parameters, relative water content, and an increase in the accumulation of osmolytes. However, the exogenous application of 150 mg L-1 SA significantly improved physiological processes such as gas exchange, osmolyte accumulation, and antioxidant activity, thus effectively enhancing drought tolerance in immature tea plants.

Plant Growth Regulators Mediated Changes in the Growth, Photosynthesis, Nutrient Acquisition and Productivity of Mustard

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are naturally occurring signaling molecules that modulate numerous phenological traits and physicochemical features of plants throughout their life cycles. Exogenous supplementation of PGRs is an effective strategy for improving the productivity of important agricultural crops. This research was planned to evaluate the effects of six PGRs, namely indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), gibberellic acid (GA3), putrescine (put), salicylic acid (SA) and triacontanol (Tria), on morphology, photosynthesis, nutrient acquisition, and the yield and quality characteristics of three mustard cultivars, i.e., Chutki, Nath Sona, and Rohini. Two foliar sprays each of water, IAA (10−6 M), EBL (10−6 M), GA3 (10−5 M), put (10−3 M), 10−5 M SA, and Tria (10−6 M) were applied to plants at fifty and seventy days after sowing (DAS). The crops’ phenological, physicochemical and microscopic parameters were evaluated at ninety DAS, and yield characteristics were evaluated at harvest (120 DAS). The observations of this study indicated that foliar feeding with PGRs increased all studied parameters, relative to water-spray treatment. The Nath Sona cultivar displayed a stronger response than Rohini and Chutki. Among the leaf-applied PGRs, 24-EBL, followed by IAA and GA3, proved the most effective and improved all the studied parameters. Moreover, the exogenous application of PGRs, especially EBL, significantly enhanced stomatal dimensions and root cell longevity. Treatment with EBL enhanced plant dry weight by 34.7, 35.4, and 37.6%, the net photosynthetic rate by 65.3, 64.7, and 60.2%, seed yield per plant by 67.1, 65.2, and 67.3%, and oil yield per plant by 42.6, 48.2, and 41.1%, in the Chutki, Nath Sona, and Rohini cultivars, respectively, relative to the water-spray treatment. It may be concluded that of the tested PGRs, 24-EBL proved most effective at enhancing the morphological, physicochemical, and yield features of the mustard cultivars.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Revealed That Exogenous Spermidine-Modulated Flavone Enhances the Heat Tolerance of Lettuce.

Lettuce is sensitive to high temperature, and exogenous spermidine can improve heat tolerance in lettuce, but its intrinsic mechanism is still unclear. We analyzed the effects of exogenous spermidine on the leaf physiological metabolism, transcriptome and metabolome of lettuce seedlings under high-temperature stress using the heat-sensitive lettuce variety 'Beisansheng No. 3' as the material. The results showed that exogenous spermidine increased the total fresh weight, total dry weight, root length, chlorophyll content and total flavonoid content, increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in lettuce under high temperature stress. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed 818 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 393 metabolites between water spray and spermidine spray treatments under high temperature stress, and 75 genes from 13 transcription factors (TF) families were included in the DEGs. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of DEG contains pathways for plant-pathogen interactions, photosynthesis-antennal proteins, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and flavonoid biosynthesis. A total of 19 genes related to flavonoid synthesis were detected. Most of these 19 DEGs were down-regulated under high temperature stress and up-regulated after spermidine application, which may be responsible for the increase in total flavonoid content. We provide a possible source and conjecture for exploring the mechanism of exogenous spermidine-mediated heat tolerance in lettuce.

Impact of foliar fertilization of nutrients and biofertilizer on the growth and yield of hybrid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The newly released high yielding cotton cultivars are higher boll retention rate than conventional cultivars that have higher overall nutrient demand during the flowering and boll development stages. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted at during summer, 2020 at Annamalai University experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India, 608 002 to ascertain the impact of foliar application of essential nutrients and biofertilizers on growth and yield of cotton. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments of foliar application macro and micro-nutrients with and without Pink pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) and replicated thrice. Foliar application of macro, micronutrients and PPFM registered the increased values of growth characters, yield attributes and yield of hybrid cotton. Among the foliar application practice tested, foliar application of 2% urea + 1% PPFM at flowering and boll development stages significantly resulted in the enhances values of growth characters viz., plant height (157.40 cm), Dry matter production (6003 kg/ha), number of monopodial branches (3.28/plant), growth analysis like Leaf area index (4.30), Crop growth rate (7.01 g/m2/day) and Relative growth rate (0.0144 g/g/day), yield attributes viz., number of sympodial branches (21.77/plant), number of squares (83.77/plant), number of bolls (45.04/plant), boll weight (5.58 g) and seed cotton yield (3185 kg/ha). This was statistically on par with the foliar application of 2% MgSO4 + 1% PPFM at flowering and boll development stages. The lower values of growth characters, yield attributes and yield were recorded under water spray treatment. Based on the results of field investigation it can be concluded that foliar application of 2% urea + 1% PPFM at flowering and boll development stages can possibly enhance the growth and yield of hybrid cotton grown under dryland condition.

Effects of ozone water irrigation and spraying on physiological characteristics and gene expression of tomato seedlings

Tomato seedlings were used as experimental materials and treated with 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mg/L ozone water irrigation and 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L ozone water spray treatments. Indexes including the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), activities, soil and plant analysis development (SPAD) value, and nitrogen content of leaves were measured. Furthermore, the expression of antioxidant enzyme, chlorophyll synthesis and nitrogen absorption genes was analyzed after optimal ozone water treatment. The results showed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes in tomato leaves were significantly increased, and the MDA content in tomato leaves was significantly reduced by ozone water irrigation and spray treatment, which indicated that ozone water treatment can significantly improve the stress tolerance of tomato seedlings. Ozone water irrigation and spraying could also significantly increase the leaf SPAD value and nitrogen content of tomato seedlings, and the optimal concentrations of ozone water irrigation and spraying were 3.0 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L, respectively. The effect of ozone water irrigation on improving the physiological characteristics of tomato seedlings was better than that of spraying. After treatment with the optimal concentration of ozone water, the relative expression of antioxidant enzyme, chlorophyll synthesis, and nitrogen absorption genes was significantly increased, and the maximum expression level was reached at 12 h. In addition, ozone water irrigation could promote the expression of genes more than ozone water spraying, which was consistent with the improvements in the physiological characteristics of the tomato seedlings.

Efficacy of calcium chloride and arginine foliar spray in alleviating terminal heat stress in late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)

AbstractTerminal heat stress leads to sizeable yield loss in late-sown wheat in tropical environments. Several synthetic compounds are known to counteract plant stress emanating from abiotic factors. A field experiment was conducted in Sabour (eastern India) during 2013–2016 to investigate the field efficacy of two synthetic compounds, calcium chloride (CaCl2) and arginine, for improving grain yield of two contrasting wheat cultivars (DBW 14 and K 307) facing terminal heat stress. For this, foliar spray of 18.0 mM CaCl2at booting (CCB) or anthesis (CCA), 9.0 mM CaCl2at both booting and anthesis (CCB+A), 2.5 mM arginine at booting (ARGB) or anthesis (ARGA) and 1.25 mM arginine at both booting and anthesis (ARGB+A) treatments along with no-spray and water-spray treatments were evaluated in late-sown wheat. The highest grain yield was recorded in treatment CCB+A, followed by CCAand ARGB+A. However, the effect of these compounds was marginal on grain yield when applied only at the booting stage. Grains/ear and thousand-grain weight were found to be the critical determinants for yield in late-sown wheat. During the anthesis to grain filling period, flag-leaf chlorophyll degradation and increase in relative permeability in no-spray treatment were 34–36% and 29–52%, respectively, but these values were reduced considerably in CCB+Atreatment followed CCA. Thus, foliar spray of 9.0 mM CaCl2both at booting and anthesis stages may be recommended for alleviating the negative impacts of terminal heat stress in late-sown wheat and improving its productivity (>13%).

تأثير الرش بالمحلول المغذي وحامض السالسيلك في بعض الصفات الكيميائية لثمار الكاكي (Diospyros kaki L.) صنف Fuyu

نفذت الدراسة خلال موسم النمو 2017 في أحد البساتين الخاصة في محافظة ديالى/ قضاء الخالص/ قرية زنبور لمعرفة أثر عملية الرش بالمحلول المغذي وحامض السالسيلك في بعض صفات الحاصل الكيميائية لأشجار الكاكي صنف Fuyu بعمر عشرين سنة متجانسة من حيث الحجم والنمو قدر الامكان ومزروعة بأبعاد 3.5 × 3.5م. طبقت تجربة عاملية وفق تصميم القطاعات كاملة التعشية (RCBD)، وبأربعة مكررات بواقع شجرة وأحدة للوحدة التجريبية. تضمنت التجربة استخدام عاملين هما: رش المحلول المغذي TecnokelAmino Ca – B بأربعة تراكيز (0، 2، 4، 6 مل لتر- 1) وحامض السالسيلك بثلاثة تراكيز (0، 200، 400 ملغم لتر- 1)، حللت النتائج احصائيا باستعمال برنامج SAS وقورنت المتوسطات باستعمال اختبار دنكن متعدد الحدود عند مستوى احتمال 0.05، ويمكن تلخيص النتائج بالآتي: حققت معاملات رش المحلول المغذي بالتركيز 6 مل لتر- 1 زيادة معنوية في نسبة المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية ونسبة المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية إلى الحموضة الكلية ومحتوى الكاروتينات في الثماربلغت 24.89، 44.40، 0.146% على التوالي، نسبة إلى معاملة عدم الرش، في حين تميز التركيز المذكور أعلاه بإعطائه اقل نسبة للحموضة الكلية وادنى محتوى للتانينات في الثمار بلغ 0.565، 0.838% على التوالي، نسبة إلى معاملة الرش بالماء فقط، في حين أدى رش حامض السالسيلك بالتركيز الأعلى (400 ملغم لتر- 1) إلى الحصول على أعلى القيم في صفات نسبة المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية ونسبة هذه المواد إلى الحموضة الكلية ومحتوى الكاروتينات في الثماربلغت 24.19، 38.50، 0.123%، متفوقة بذلك معنويا على معاملة الرش بالماء فقط، في حين حقق التركيز نفسه ادنى نسبة للحموضة الكلية في عصير الثمار بلغت 0.665 نسبة إلى معاملة المقارنة، وتميزت معاملة الرش بالحامض بتركيز 200 ملغم لتر- 1 بأدنى محتوى للثمار من التانينات بلغ 1.12% بالمقارنة مع معاملة الرش بالماء فقط، بينما تفوقت معاملة التداخل بين رش المحلول المغذي بتركيز 6 مل لتر- 1 مع حامض السالسيلك بتركيز 400 ملغم لتر- 1 معنويا فياعطائها أعلى القيم لنسبة المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية ونسبة هذه المواد إلى الحموضة الكلية ومحتوى الكاروتينات في الثمار إذ بلغت 25.63، 50.42، 0.154% على التوالي، وحققت نفس معاملة التداخل اعلاه ادنى محتوى للحموضة الكلية في الثمار بلغ 0.509، في حين تميزت معاملة التداخل بالتركيز 6 مل لتر- 1، 200 ملغم لتر- 1 لكل من المحلول المغذي وحامض السالسيلك على التوالي بإعطائهاادنى محتوى للتانينات في الثمار بلغ 0.694% بالمقارنة مع معاملة عدم الرش.

تأثير الرش بالمحلول المغذي وحامض السالسيلك في بعض الصفات الفيزيائية لثمار الكاكي (Diospyros kaki L.) صنف Fuyu

نفذت الدراسة خلال موسم النمو 2017 في أحد البساتين الخاصة في محافظة ديالى/ قضاء الخالص/ قرية زنبور لمعرفة أثر عملية الرش بالمحلول المغذي وحامض السالسيلك في بعض صفات الحاصل الفيزيائية لأشجار الكاكي صنف Fuyu بعمر عشرين سنة متجانسة من حيث الحجم والنمو قدر الامكان ومزروعة بأبعاد 3.5 × 3.5م. طبقت تجربة عاملية وفق تصميم القطاعات كاملة التعشية (RCBD)، وبأربعة مكررات بواقع شجرة واحدة للوحدة التجريبية. تضمنت التجربة استخدام عاملين هما: رش المحلول المغذي Tecnokel Amino Ca – B بأربعة تراكيز (0، 2، 4، 6 مل لتر-1) و حامض السالسيلك بثلاثة تراكيز (0.200، 400 ملغم لتر-1)، حللت النتائج احصائيا باستعمال برنامج SAS وقورنت المتوسطات باستعمال اختبار دنكن متعدد الحدود عند مستوى احتمال 0.05، ويمكن تلخيص النتائج بالآتي: أظهرت معاملات رش المحلول المغذي تفوق التركيز 6 مل لتر-1 معنويا بإعطائه أعلى القيم لصفات الحاصل الفيزيائية المتمثلة بعدد الثمار ووزن الثمرة والحاصل الكلي للشجرة وصلابة الثمرة، بنسب زيادة بلغت 83.50% و15.40% و112.05% و17.11% للصفات اعلاه على التوالي نسبة إلى معاملة عدم الرش، فضلا عن حصول أعلى زيادة لنسبة الثمار العاقدة عند نفس التركيز المذكور اعلاه إذ بلغت 55.66 نسبة لمعاملة عدم الرش، فيما أدى الرش بحامض السالسيلك إلى احداث اختلافات معنوية، إذ تميز التركيز الأعلى منه (400 ملغم لتر-1) بإعطائه أعلى متوسط لعدد الثمار ووزن الثمرة والحاصل الكلي للشجرة وصلابة الثمرة وبنسبة زيادة بلغت 9.33% و5.15% و15.81% و3.47% للصفات على التوالي قياسا بمعاملة الرش بالماء فقط، في حين أظهر تداخل رش كل من المحلول المغذي وحامض السالسيلك تفوق معاملة التداخل بالتركيز الأعلى لكل منهما معنويا بإعطائها أعلى القيم للنسبة المئوية للثمار العاقدة ومتوسط كل من عدد الثمار ووزن الثمار والحاصل الكلي للشجرة وصلابة الثمرة (66.51، 452.75 ثمرة شجرة-1، 92.07 غم ثمرة-1، 41.66 كغم شجرة-1، 3.55 كغم سم-2)، مقارنة بمعاملة عدم الرش.

Do Fertilizers and Irrigation Disruption Change Some Physiological Traits of Safflower?

To investigate the effects of nanofertilizers and biofertilizers on the morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of safflower under full irrigation and water deficit stress, this study was carried out as a split-plot experiment based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at Urmia University in 2015. The main plot was full irrigation (control) and irrigation disruption at heading, flowering, and grain filling stages. Fertilizers, including control (without fertilizer), biofertilizer, water spray, foliar application of nanofertilizers, chemical fertilizers, and combined application of fertilizers, were assigned to the subplot. Plants under full irrigation and combined fertilizers had maximum height and chlorophyll a, whereas the lowest ones were obtained in irrigation disruption at the heading stage and control treatments. The maximum oil content (28.41%) was detected in irrigation disruption at the grain filling stage and nanofertilizer treatment, the lowest (21.96%) was obtained at irrigation disruption at the flowering stage and water spray treatment. The highest proline (397.21 µg g−1 fresh leaf) was found in irrigation disruption at the grain filling stage and water spray treatment, and the lowest (154.68 µg g−1 fresh leaf) was obtained at full irrigation and water spray treatment. Irrigation disruption at the heading stage and control treatments decreased carbohydrate content of fresh leaves by 86.54% compared to full irrigation and the combined fertilizers treatment. Irrigation disruption increases saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid) and decreases vitamin E and linoleic acid. The combined application of fertilizers significantly increased safflower oil quality. Overall, concerning the obtained highest oil percentage (28.41%), irrigation disruption during grain filling reduced water consumption and application of combined fertilizer via improving oil quality, so it is recommended to farmers.

Tomato plant growth, leaf nutrient concentrations and fruit quality under nitrogen foliar applications

Tomato is a typical plant that has distinct response to different nitrogen forms in hydroponic culture. In addition, it is a well known susceptible plant to ammonium nutrition in hydroponic culture. However, its response to foliar application of nitrogen sources and N-forms has not been well investigated. In the present study, the growth, productivity and fruit quality of tomato was investigated under foliar application of nitrogen from different sources. Ammonium sulfate, urea and calcium nitrate with constant concentration of 100 mM N were weekly sprayed during four months under hydroponic culture system. A water spray treatment was considered as control. The results showed that vegetative growth parameters were significantly affected by N sources in different patterns. The factors such as plant height, leaf area, number of lateral shoots and shoot fresh and dry weight, as well as leaf nitrate reductase activity was significantly reduced by foliar application of ammonium sulfate and to less extent by urea, while there was improvement of these traits by foliar application of calcium nitrate compared to control. However, ammonium sulfate treated plants had the highest leaf SPAD value and leaf N concentrations. Plant fruiting pattern was also influenced by treatments, as ammonium sulfate spray reduced the fruit yield, and fruit vitamin C content, while it increased fruit TSS and titratable acidity. The highest value of yield and vitamin C was recorded in calcium nitrate sprayed plants.

Proliferating effect of radiolytically depolymerized carrageenan on physiological attributes, plant water relation parameters, essential oil production and active constituents of Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud. under drought stress.

Carrageenan has been proved as potent growth promoting substance in its depolymerized form. However, relatively little is known about its role in counteracting the adverse effects of drought stress on plants. In a pot experiment, lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud.), grown under different water stress regimes [(100% field capacity (FC), 80% FC and 60% FC)], was sprayed with 40, 80 and 120 mg L-1 of gamma irradiated carrageenan (ICA). Foliar application of ICA mitigated the harmful effects of drought stress to various extents and improved the biochemical characteristics, quality attributes and active constituents (citral and geraniol) of lemongrass significantly. Among the applied treatments, ICA-80 mg L-1 proved the best in alleviating detrimental effects of drought. However, drought stress (80 and 60% FC), irrespective of the growth stages, had an adverse impact on most of the studied attributes. Generally, 60% FC proved more deleterious than 80% FC. At 80% FC, application of ICA-80 mg L-1 elevated the essential oil (EO) content by 18.9 and 25%, citral content by 7.33 and 8.19% and geraniol content by 9.2 and 8.9% at 90 and 120 days after planting (DAP), respectively, as compared to the deionized-water (DW) spray treatment (80% FC+ DW). Whereas, at 60% FC, foliar application of 80 mg L-1 ICA significantly augmented the EO content by 15.4 and 17.8% and active constituents viz. citral and geraniol, by 5.01 and 5.62% and by 6.06 and 5.61% at 90 and 120 DAP, respectively, as compared to the control (water-spray treatment).

Regulation of functional activities and essential oil production in Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash after γ-irradiated sodium alginate elicitation

Upon irradiation, marine polysaccharides undergo depolymerization, leading to formation of oligosaccharides that elicit various biological activities in plants. Taking a step further on the previously established growth-promoting activity of irradiated sodium alginate (ISA), structural rearrangements in ISA were analyzed using complementary techniques to develop an understanding of the structure-property relationship. The essential oil (EO) of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash) immensely benefits the perfumery industry, proving itself as an economically important crop. A pot experiment was designed to test the effect of water-soluble ISA fractions on the growth, physiology, and EO production of vetiver. The structural characterization of radiation-induced sodium alginate was carried out using SEM, FT-IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Of the various treatments employed, ISA-120 (ISA applied at 120 mg L-1) proved the best for most of the parameters studied, including fresh and dry weight of plants and photosynthetic attributes. As compared to the control (water-spray treatment), foliar feeding of ISA-120 resulted in an increase of 21.2% in chlorophyll content, while this treatment enhanced the chlorophyll fluorescence by 21.8% at 300 days after transplanting. Application of ISA-120 also increased the EO content by 21.1% and EO yield by 47.6%. Gas chromatography revealed an increase of 30.1% and 92.6% in the values of content and yield of khusimol, respectively, over the control.

Carcass orientation and drip time affect potential surface water carryover for broiler carcasses subjected to a post-chill water dip or spray

To estimate the potential for residual antimicrobial solution carryover, surface water accumulation and loss was measured on post-chill carcasses that were either dipped or sprayed with water. For all experiments, broilers were slaughtered, soft or hard scalded, defeathered, and eviscerated. Carcasses were immersion chilled, allowed to drip, and post-chill carcass weight (CW) recorded. For water dip treatment, carcasses were dipped for 0.5 min in water and hung by a wing (n = 33) or a leg (n = 30) and CW recorded at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 min post-dip. For water spray treatment, individual carcasses were hung by either the wings (n = 35) or legs (n = 34) from a shackle suspended from a scale. Water was sprayed at 80 psi and post-spray CW recorded. Initial water accumulation (0 min) for dipped carcasses was not significantly different (P > 0.05) for carcasses hung by the leg (101.0 g) or wing (108.8 g). Following the 5 min drip time, 31 g of water remained on the carcasses hung by the leg and only 10 g on carcasses hung by the wing (P < 0.05). When carcasses were sprayed with water, initial water accumulation (0 min) was 62 g for carcasses hung by the legs and 60 g for carcasses hung by the wings (P > 0.05). Following the 5 min drip time, 1 g or no water remained on the sprayed carcasses (P > 0.05). Carcasses that were dipped and hung by a leg for 5 min retained significantly more water (31 g) than carcasses that were dipped and hung by a wing (10 g) or sprayed carcasses hung either way (0.3 g) (P < 0.05). Post-chill water dip resulted in significantly higher initial carcass water accumulation than spraying (105 g vs. 61 g, P < 0.05). Carcass orientation during dripping only affected the amount of retained water for dipped carcasses. Dipped carcasses hung by a leg have the highest potential for residual carcass antimicrobial solution carryover and sprayed carcasses hung by either orientation have the lowest potential for residual antimicrobial solution carryover.

Effect of foliar spray of water soluble fertilizer on growth and yield of chilli hybrid (Capsicum annuum L.)

Field experiment was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal during the year 2009. Among the 16 treatments, the combination of 100 per cent RDF + 1.0 per cent water soluble fertilizer + 5 spray produced maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, individual fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, yield per plant and yield per hectare when compared to water spray and other treatments.

サツマイモ葉身中のポリフェノールオキシダーゼのアクアガス加熱処理による失活

本研究では「すいおう」葉身のアクアガス加熱処理がポリフェノールオキシダーゼ活性に及ぼす影響を検討した．「すいおう」葉身の内部温度はアクアガス加熱開始直後から急速に上昇し，10秒間で90°C，30秒間で95°Cに到達したが，PPOは1分間と3分間では失活しておらず，ほぼ完全に失活させるには5分間の加熱処理が必要であることが明らかとなった．また，アクアガス加熱処理の処理時間の増大に伴い処理後の「すいおう」葉身から調製した抽出液の褐変の程度は低下した．アクアガス加熱5分間処理後の「すいおう」葉身中のCAおよび7種のCQAsの量は，同一時間の茹で加熱に供した葉身と比較して有意に多かった．アクアガス加熱処理では試料からの成分流出が抑制されていると考えられ，機能性成分であるCQAs含量維持の観点からの一次加工品製造に利用可能と考えられた．

Exogenous application of moringa leaf extract modulates the antioxidant enzyme system to improve wheat performance under saline conditions

Amongst naturally occurring plant growth stimulants, moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) has attained enormous attention being rich in cytokinin, antioxidants and macro–micro nutrients in its leaves. In this study, potential of foliar applied moringa leaf extract (MLE; 30 times diluted), benzyl amino purine (BAP; 50 mg L−1) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 120 μM) at tillering, jointing, booting and heading growth stages was evaluated to induce salt resistance in wheat. Water spray treatment was taken as control. Wheat cv. Sehar-2006 was grown under normal (4 dS m−1), medium (8 dS m−1) and high (12 dS m−1) soil saline conditions. Application of these stimulants decreased the shoot Na+ and Cl− contents, with simultaneous increase in shoot K+ contents. Maximum shoot K+ (48.62 %) contents were recorded with MLE application under high salinity. Activities of leaf antioxidants viz. superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and contents of total soluble phenolics were increased at medium salinity level; whereas ascorbate contents were also improved by MLE application at high salinity level. However, maximum increase in leaf total soluble protein (35.9 %) was observed with BAP application at medium salinity. The shoot length, shoot and root dry weights were decreased with increase in level of salt stress. Grain weight (18.5 %) and kernel yield (18.5 %) were also improved by MLE application under saline and normal conditions than other stimulators used. In conclusion, foliar applied moringa leaf extract could ameliorate salinity-induced adverse effects by activation of antioxidant defense system and decrease in accumulation of Na+ and Cl− into shoots under moderate saline conditions.

Efeito da aplicação foliar de silício na resistência à ferrugem e na potencialização da atividade de enzimas de defesa em cafeeiro

The major method for control of coffee leaf rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix, is the use of fungicides. The supply of silicon (Si) to plants is an interesting control strategy because this element can increase the resistance of many plant species to pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application of Si on reducing rust severity as well as to determine if it can potentiate the activity of enzymes related to host resistance to pathogens. Coffee plants (cultivar Catuai Vermelho 44) were sprayed with distilled water, potassium silicate (KSi) solution (35 g/L, pH 10.5), KSi (35 g/L, pH 5.5), and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) solution (200 µg/L) 24 hours before inoculation. There was no significant difference among the treatments regarding the content of Si and potassium in the leaf tissue. Rust severity was significantly higher on plants sprayed with water as compared to the other treatments. The ASM significantly decreased rust severity by 70% in comparison to the water spray treatment. Foliar application of KSi, regardless of the pH, was efficient in decreasing rust severity. The ASM was efficient in increasing the activity of chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases. On the other hand, the application of KSi, regardless of the pH, was inefficient to potentiate the activity of these six enzymes studied, even though it had a great impact on reducing rust severity.

Novel thigmomorphogenetic responses in Carica papaya: touch decreases anthocyanin levels and stimulates petiole cork outgrowths.

Because of its rapid growth rate, relative ease of transformation, sequenced genome and low gene number relative to Arabidopsis, the tropical fruit tree, Carica papaya, can serve as a complementary genetic model for complex traits. Here, new phenotypes and touch-regulated gene homologues have been identified that can be used to advance the understanding of thigmomorphogenesis, a multigenic response involving mechanoreception and morphological change. Morphological alterations were quantified, and microscopy of tissue was conducted. Assays for hypocotyl anthocyanins, lignin and chlorophyll were performed, and predicted genes from C. papaya were compared with Arabidopsis touch-inducible (TCH) and Mechanosensitive channel of Small conductance-like genes (MscS-like or MSL). In addition, the expression of two papaya TCH1 homologues was characterized. On the abaxial side of petioles, treated plants were found to have novel, hypertrophic outgrowths associated with periderm and suberin. Touched plants also had higher lignin, dramatically less hypocotyl anthocyanins and chlorophyll, increased hypocotyl diameter, and decreased leaf width, stem length and root fresh weight. Papaya was found to have fewer MSL genes than Arabidopsis, and four touch-regulated genes in Arabidopsis had no counterparts in papaya. Water-spray treatment was found to enhance the expression of two papaya TCH1 homologues whereas induction following touch was only slightly correlated. The novel petiole outgrowths caused by non-wounding, mechanical perturbation may be the result of hardening mechanisms, including added lignin, providing resistance against petiole movement. Inhibition of anthocyanin accumulation following touch, a new phenotypic association, may be caused by diversion of p-coumaroyl CoA away from chalcone synthase for lignin synthesis. The absence of MSL and touch-gene homologues indicates that papaya may have a smaller set of touch-regulated genes. The genes and novel touch-regulated phenotypes identified here will contribute to a more comprehensive view of thigmomorphogenesis in plants.

Effectiveness of 1,3-Dibromo-5,5 Dimethylhydantoin on Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7– and Salmonella-Inoculated Fresh Meat

1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH; 25°C) and hot water (85°C) spray treatments were evaluated for efficacy in decontamination of pathogenic bacteria attached to beef carcass surfaces represented by cutaneous trunci (CT) muscle sections and beef hearts. Treatments were evaluated using two different systems, a commercial carcass wash cabinet and a model carcass washer. The effects were measured immediately after treatment and again after 48 h of storage at 4°C. Sections of CT and beef hearts were inoculated with bovine fecal solution containing approximately 6 log CFU/cm2 of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. After DBDMH or hot water spray treatments, bacterial populations were enumerated immediately and after storage for 48 h at 4°C. DBDMH treatments reduced aerobic plate counts, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli O157: H7, and Salmonella by the same or slightly lower amounts relative to hot water treatment. DBDMH reduced aerobic plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae by 2.8 to 3.6 log CFU/cm2, E. coli O157:H7 by 1.6 to 2.1 log CFU/cm2, and Salmonella by 0.7 to 2.3 log CFU/cm2 on CT sections and beef hearts. Hot water treatment reduced aerobic plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae by 3.0 to 4.1 log CFU/cm2, E. coli O157:H7 by 1.8 to 2.3 log CFU/cm2, and Salmonella by 2.5 to 2.8 log CFU/cm2. After 48 h of storage, the reductions of organisms by DBDMH and hot water treatments were not different. This study demonstrated that DBDMH spray washing could be effective as an antimicrobial intervention for beef carcasses and variety meats.