Fruit Yield Research Articles

Microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulant affect fruit yield characteristics of organic processing tomato.

Microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulants have been recognized for supporting sustainable agriculture. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in an organic farm located in Ferrara (Italy) with the aim of evaluating plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and algae-based biostimulants (Biost) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experimental treatments were: (i) two microbial biofertilizers (PGPM_1, PGPM_2) and no inoculated plants (No_PGPM); and (ii) two algae-based biostimulant rates (0.5% (Biost_0.5%), 1.0% (Biost_1.0%)) and no application (No_Biost). PGPMs were applied at transplanting, while biostimulants at 15 and 30 days after transplanting. Treatments were replicated three times according to a split-plot experimental design. Plant characteristics were evaluated at 30 days after transplanting in No_Biost treatments. During tomato cultivation, soil plant analysis development (SPAD), nitrogen difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were monitored. Tomato yield was determined. PGPM_2 showed the highest shoot biomass (132.9 g plant-1), plant height (44.7 cm), leaf number (34.0 plant-1) and root biomass (9.22 g plant-1). Intermediate values were observed in PGPM_1, while all parameters were lower in No_PGPM. Both PGPMs achieved higher values of SPAD, NDVI, PPFD and LAI than No_PGPM. Biost_1.0% increased all measured growth parameters followed by Biost_0.5% and No_Biost, respectively. Tomato yield was the highest for PGPM_2-Biost_1.0% (67.2 t ha-1). PGPMs affected fruit size and sugar content, while biostimulants were associated with color and lycopene. The application of microbial biofertilizers and algae-based biostimulants could be part of environment-friendly practice in organic farming. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Organic Zn and nano-Zn amino acids chelates modulate quality growth attributes and antioxidants activity for biofortified apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) production

Zinc biofortification increase nutritional content of crops to combat Zn deficiency in human diets. Foliar Zn bio-organics can significantly improve Zn content of fruit crops. This method is efficient, can be tailored to specific crop needs, and is crucial for enhancing the nutritional quality of food crops, contributing to better human health outcomes. In order to evaluate the efficacy of foliar sprays in promoting plant growth and development, the study evaluated the comparative efficacy of zinc amino acid complexes with zinc sulphate in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) cv. Gala Schniga Schnico during the years 2022 and 2023. Different Zn nutrient sources namely, Zn glycinate (Zn-Gly), Zn gluconate (Zn-Glu), Zn amino acid chelate (Zn-AAC), nano Zn amino acid chelate (NZn-AAC) were applied at the rate of 200 and 400 mg/L each and conventional ZnSO4 at 1250 mg/L with three replicates. Foliar application of the Zn nutrient sources was executed at four stages i.e., 15 days before petal fall, petal fall, 15 days after petal fall, and after harvest. The results revealed that NZn-AAC at 400 mg kg-1 registered the maximum increase in vegetative growth and flowering traits. The superior treatment also exhibited highest fruit set (62.90 %) and fruit yield (5.62 kg/tree) in apple. Fruit quality parameters, in terms of TSS, total sugars, ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents were increased by 22.9, 17.8, 50.2, and 16.6 per cent, respectively through superior treatment. Fruit flesh and peel nutrient content in terms of P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn also showed improvement through NZn-AAC400 compared to control. Maximum decrease in phytic acid (1.09 %) and increase in ursolic acid (273.95 µg/mL) were also reported with NZn-AAC400. The differences between Zn nutrient sources were analysed using PCA, which explained 95.70 per cent (PC1), 97.81 per cent (PC2), 99.11 per cent (PC3), 99.42 per cent (PC4) and 99.63 per cent (PC5) of the cumulative variance based on Eigen value (>1). In accordance with the results, Zn amino acid complexes emerged as beneficial environment-friendly Zn source for improving growth, fruit yield, quality with higher Zn bio-availability compared to ZnSO4.

Effect of Poultry Manure and NPK (15: 15: 15) Fertilizer on The Growth and Yield of Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i> L.)

Agricultural practices such as the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers play a crucial role in enhancing crop productivity. The impact of poultry manure and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer on the growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) was examined in Owo, South Western Nigeria. This study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments (No manure as control, NPK (15:15:15) at 200 kg/ha, and poultry manure at 2.5 t/ha) allocated randomly across plots using balloting methods, each replicated thrice. Seedlings were spaced at 30 x 60 cm, resulting in a total of 108 stands across nine plots. Various parameters including plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of flowers, number of fruits, and fruit weight were assessed through statistical analysis. Results showed that poultry manure significantly enhanced vegetative growth parameters such as plant height, leaf number, and leaf area compared to the control. At 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT), poultry manure consistently outperformed NPK in terms of plant height and leaf area. However, NPK showed a superior number of flowers and fruit yield, highlighting its rapid nutrient release and immediate availability. Despite NPK's effectiveness, the overall yield attributes of poultry manure were comparable, suggesting its potential as a sustainable alternative due to its soil-enriching properties and long-term benefits. This study underscores the importance of integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers to optimize tomato yield and soil health, advocating for further research into the economic and long-term impacts of organic fertilization in tropical agriculture.

Эффективность биопрепаратов при выращивании томата открытого грунта

The problem of regulating the growth and development of plants with the help of physio-logically active substances that have both growth-regulating, anti-stress and immune-stimulating effects in the system of other elements of technology is one of the most pressing in modern biol-ogy, the realization of their biological resource and productive potential. Research has shown that the biostimulants used in the experiment, Isabion and Benefit, had different effects on the survival rate of seedlings of the studied tomato hybrid Semko 98, biometric indicators of plants, yield and quality of marketable fruits. Keywords: SEEDLING SURVIVAL, BIOMETRIC INDICATORS, DEGREE OF FUSARIOSIS DE-VELOPMENT, FRUIT MARKETABILITY

Boosting cherry tomato yield, quality, and mineral profile through the application of a plant-derived biostimulant

The present experiment addressed the effects of a plant-derived biostimulant (PDB, Bioup® TF) on fruit quality and composition of two greenhouse cherry tomato cultivars (Caravaggio and Creativo) grown during the autumn-winter. The biostimulant application enhanced the marketable fruit yield up to 1.148 g m−2 of ‘Creativo’ (+16 %) and increased the fruit dry matter, firmness, and chroma (C*), particularly of ‘Caravaggio’ (by 23, 12, and 11 %, respectively). ‘Caravaggio’ also showed the strongest increase in total polyphenols (+26 %) and carotenoid contents (+50 %) in response to the treatment. This trend paralleled the strongest rise of the in vitro antioxidant activity of its fruit extracts, as revealed by the DPPH and FRAP assays. Moreover, the biostimulant treatment resulted in higher concentrations of 10 among 12 minerals analyzed in fresh fruit. This effect was particularly relevant for calcium, manganese, and copper, whereas ‘Caravaggio’ proved the strongest rise for potassium, magnesium, sodium, and zinc. Interestingly, the biostimulant application did not promote or even reduced the concentration of nickel in fresh ‘Caravaggio’ and ‘Creativo’ (-38 %) fruit, respectively. This suggests that the integration of PDBs in the framework of agronomic strategies could assist in producing Ni-poor tomatoes while increasing, at the same time, their levels in health-promoting minerals.

Effect of Organic Granules on the Productivity, Quality, and Nutrient Uptake Level of Tomato and the Fertility and Microbial Population of the Soil

Organic vegetable production is needed worldwide to minimize the use of inorganic fertilizers, protect the environment, and produce healthy food. Accordingly, in the present study, the effects of organic granules on the productivity, quality, and nutrient uptake level of tomatoes and the fertility and microbial population of the soil were determined. Briefly, organic NPK granules and organic N, P and K-rich sources were compared with synthetic NPK granules and synthetic fertilizers administered at 100 and 75% of the recommended fertilizer levels. Among the various treatments applied, treatment with 100% of the recommended NPK using the synthetic NPK granules (Urea, DAP and MOP) led to higher growth, yield attributes, and yield (fruit yield, – 24.21 t/ha and stover yield, -15.01 t/ha) of tomato. This treatment also enhanced the nutrient uptake by tomato. However, quality parameters, such as total soluble solids (6.64% ), titrable acidity (0.62% ), ascorbic acid content (14.31 mg/100 g), lycopene content (3.54 mg/100 g), reducing sugars (3.11%), non-reducing sugars (1.02%), total sugar (4.13% ), and shelf life (15.76 days ) of tomato were higher with 100% of the recommended NPK from organic NPK granules than from synthetic granules. This treatment also enhanced the available nutrients and microbial population in the soil. Notably, the same trend was observed for tomatoes fertilized with 75 % of the recommended NPK. The lowest values were obtained with the absolute control. Based on the results of this experiment, the application of 100% of the recommended NPK using organic NPK granules is the best approach to improve the quality of tomato fruits and to enhance the soil fertility.

Microcystin-degrading bacteria reduce bioaccumulation in Fragaria vulgaris and enhance fruit yield and quality

In Morocco, red fruit production has thrived, primarily utilizing hydroponic methods to control crops, increase fruit yield and quality, and avoid soil-related problems. However, the irrigation of these expansive hydroponic farms relies heavily on water sourced from dams, many of which are contaminated with Microcystins (MCs). To address this contamination issue, ongoing research is focused on discovering effective and cost-efficient biological solutions for eliminating MCs. In this study, we isolate and identify bacterial strains capable of degrading MCs, evaluate the rate of degradation, and investigate how soil inoculated with these bacteria affects the accumulation of MCs in plant tissue. The partial 16S rRNA analyses of three bacterial sequences were conducted, identifying them through NCBI as follows: Ensifer sp. (B1) isolated from soil, Shinella sp. (B2) from a cyanobacterial bloom, and Stutzerimonas sp. (B3) from water. These bacteria exhibited the ability to degrade MCs, with approximately 34.75%, 73.75%, and 30.1% of the initial concentration (20 µg/L) being removed after a 6-day period for B1, B2, and B3, respectively. Moreover, strawberry plants were cultivated hydroponically in a greenhouse for a duration of 90 days. These plants were subjected to extracts of cyanobacteria containing 10 and 20 µg/L of Microcystins (MC), as well as water from an artificial lake contaminated with MC, both with and without the presence of isolated bacterial strains. Among these strains, Shinella sp. exhibited the highest efficacy in mitigating MC accumulation. Specifically, it resulted in a reduction of approximately 1.159 µg of MC per kilogram of root dry weight, leading to complete elimination in the leaves and fruits. The findings also indicated that the inoculation of perlite with the three MC-degrading bacterial strains significantly enhanced growth, photosynthetic pigments, yield, biochemical constituents, and quality attributes of strawberries (p ≤ 0.05). These promising outcomes suggest the potential of this approach for addressing the adverse impacts of crops irrigated with MC-contaminated water in future agricultural practices.

Assessment of Elite Mulberry Genotypes for Fruit Traits and Biochemical Composition

This study aimed to identify the most promising mulberry genotypes for fruit production by evaluating fruit characteristics, biochemical traits and nutritional composition. Eight elite mulberry genotypes were selected from the mulberry germplasm unit at the Department of Sericulture, GKVK, Bengaluru. The saplings were raised and transplanted into the main field 90 days after planting, following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a spacing of 5 × 3 feet, with three replications per genotype. The results revealed that among the eight genotypes, ME-0006 exhibited superior fruit characteristics, with the highest values for fruit length (3.16 cm), fruit width (2.01 cm), fruit weight (3.02 g) and fruit yield per plant (166.55 g). Biochemical analyses indicated that ME-0220 had the highest total soluble solids (TSS) (19.71°B), carbohydrate content (166.49 mg/g), anthocyanin (38.41 mg/g), and zinc content (mg/100g). Genotype ME-0006 recorded the highest calcium content (153.80 mg/100 g), while MI-0014 showed the highest levels of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Additionally, ME-0086 was notable for its higher content of micronutrients and vitamin C (34.17 mg/100 g). These findings may provide valuable insights for selecting mulberry genotypes with superior fruit yield and biochemical properties, which can be further utilized in breeding programs and commercial mulberry fruit cultivation.

Combining magnetized water with biodegradable film mulching reshapes soil water-salt distribution and affects processing tomatoes' yield in the arid drip-irrigated field of Northwest China

In arid areas, biodegradable film has recently had the potential to replace polyethylene (PE) film to address plastic pollution. However, the positive effect of biodegradable film on soil moisture and salt control is weaker than that of PE film. Magnetized irrigation water technology is expected to compensate for this limitation. This study comprised a field experiment in 20212023 to study how two types of biodegradable film (M1, black; M2, transparent) and six magnetization intensity on irrigation water (T0, 0 Gs; T1, 1000 Gs; T2, 2000 Gs; T3, 3000 Gs; T4, 4000 Gs; T5, 5000 Gs) affect the degradation rate of biodegradable film, soil watersalt distribution, growth, and quality of processing tomatoes. The traditional PE film mulching and non-magnetized irrigation were used as the control group (MPET0). The results demonstrated that magnetized water irrigation slowed down the degradation rate of biodegradable film. In addition, the magnetized irrigation water can redistributed the soil water-salt patterns under the biodegradable film, improving the soil water content and salt leaching efficiency, with better results in M1 than in M2. Moreover, magnetized water irrigation promoted the growth of tomato leaf area under the biodegradable film, enhancing photochemical efficiency and potential activity of PSII, thereby improving fruit yield, quality, and water use efficiency of tomato. Principal component analysis showed that the comprehensive score of M1T3 treatment was the highest throughout the three years. Furthermore, M1T3 treatment has the highest processing tomato economic benefits during 2021–2023 (24634986 CNY hm2 more than MPET0). Therefore, the use of 3000 Gs magnetized irrigation water combined with black biodegradable film is conducive to improving soil water and salt conditions, reducing residual film pollution, and improving the yield and quality of processing tomatoes, thus ensuring the sustainable development of oasis agriculture.

Productivity and Profitability of Moringa-Brinjal-Based Agroforestry Farming System

An investigation was carried out to assess the productivity and profitability of brinjal during the initial phase of Moringa establishment. Experimental design employed a Randomized Complete Block Design with four distinct treatments: (i) T1 (30 cm distance from the tree base), (ii) T2 (40 cm distance from the tree base), (iii) T3 (50 cm distance from the tree base), and (iv) T4 (open field, control), each treatment being replicated four times. Data were systematically collected from randomly selected plants within each plot and subjected to statistical analysis. The findings indicated that the T4 (control) treatment exhibited superior performance for various parameters, namely plant height, leaf number, branch number, fruit number, fruit weight, and yield. Treatment T4 produced the highest values for fruit weight per plant (1.9 kg), single fruit weight (72.6 g), and fruit yield (34.2 t/ha). Following closely, T3 ranked second with values of 1.6 kg, 67.4 g, and 28.3 t for fruit weight per plant, single fruit weight, and fruit yield per hectare, respectively. In contrast, T1 yielded the lowest results in fruit weight per plant (0.76 kg), single fruit weight (59.6 g), and fruit yield (13.4 t/ha). The analysis of the land equivalent ratio revealed that treatment T3 achieved the highest ratio at 1.81, indicating a positive correlation between a greater distance from the Moringa tree base and an increased brinjal yield. The study concludes that cultivating brinjal in association with one-year-old Moringa trees, while maintaining a 50 cm distance from the tree base, results in optimal yield. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 5(1): 09-20, 2023

Assessment of Hast Bahar (Flowering Season) for Yield and Quality of Pomegranate at Farmer’s Field

An on-farm trail (OFT) on assessment of flowering season of pomegranate was tested. The experiment was conducted with three treatments comprising mrig bahar flowering as a control and hast bahar flowering with and without application of micronutrients and kaolin clay during June to February for three consecutive years from 2019–2022 in the different farmer fields at the Tharad taluka of Banskantha district, Gujarat, India. The treatment T1 Mrig bahar (June-July) flowering recorded the maximum total number of flowers (293.67) hermaphrodite flowers (108.9) and fruit setting (71.85%). Further, T1 exhibited the highest average number of fruits plant-1 (79.0) and maximum fruit yield (11.78 kg plant-1) followed by T3 and T2 treatments (10.14 kg plant-1 and 9.02 kg plant-1) respectively. In terms of total fruit yield, Treatment T1 exhibited the highest fruit yield of (9813 kg ha-1). Whereas, maximum individual fruit weight 179.44 g plant-1 and Total Soluble Solids (15.75°Brix) were found in Treatment T3. Moreover, treatment T3 Hast Bahar (Sept–Oct) flowering with foliar spray of micromix 0.2% and kaolin Clay 4.0%) has the lowest average fruit cracking (6.30%) and the lowest incidence of sunburn (8.80%) across the three years. However, treatment T1 recorded highest average fruit cracking (18.90%). Further, during the Mrig bahar season, incidence of leaf spots and fruit rot was observed higher compared to the Hast bahar flowering. In case of economics, treatment T3 obtained the highest average income of 411813 ha-1 as compared to treatment T2 and T3 ` 353074 ha-1 and 333425 ha-1, respectively.

Genetic Diversity Assessment of Brinjal Germplasm for Varietal Improvement

Forty-one (41) brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) germplasm of were evaluated at the field of Plant Genetic Resources Centre, BARI, Gazipur to identify the salient features and to assess genetic divergence of germplasm in the time of rabi season 2021-22. Distinct variation was observed in qualitative characters among the germplasm except two characters i.e. fruit cross section and fruit position. For the characters length breath ratio and calyx prickles of fruit, the topmost variation was found. In case of quantitative characters, variation was noticed maximum in the length of fruit (CV-43.79%), afterwards individual weight of fruit (CV-32.91%) and yield plant-1 (CV-30.12%). The highest number of germplasm was dispersed into cluster I. Among the clusters, cluster II and cluster III were occupied by ten germplasm, respectively. Cluster mean value was noted maximum in cluster II for the characters days required for 50% flowering (67.90%), plant height (97.97 cm), individual fruit weight (107.35 g), and yield plant-1 (2.51%). Among the principal components, 27.28% of the total variation interpreted by the first PC and the second PC clarified 22.36% of the variation. In the biplot, germplasm NF-15, NF-20, NF-13, NF-7, NF-4, NF-25, NF-16, and NF-2 etc. were independently far away from the studied germplasm by keeping a distance from the centroid. These results displayed distinctiveness and divergence of germplasm as regards of the studied traits. Populations with high values for the first eigen vectors are individual fruit weight (0.642), yield plant-1 (0.564), and width of fruit (0.313), these characters were the utmost significant contributors towards the diversity of germplasm in PC1. The germplasm NF-4 (3.45 kg), NF-30 (3.38 kg), and NF-25 (3.08 kg) were higher yielders among the tested germplasm and may be used for future varietal improvement of brinjal. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 5(1): 21-29, 2023

Quality Parameters of Plum Orchard Subjected to Conventional and Ecological Management Systems in Temperate Production Area

Environmental protection, global food security, and nutritional quality are critical issues for worldwide sustainable development. Plums (Prunus domestica L.), well-known for their rich nutritional content and distinct phytochemical profile, have received increased attention due to their potential health benefits. The present study evaluates the ecological and conventional management systems of quality parameters in three plum varieties—Tuleu Gras, Record, and Centenar—and establishes suitable practices to improve fruit quality and yields. The fruit morphometric features (color, firmness, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, and total sugar) were analyzed during their raw fruit state, while different fruit-sample extracts were assessed for phytochemical compounds and heavy metal concentrations, specifically, zinc, copper, nickel, and cadmium. The results show a wide variability in the examined characteristics among management practices that differentially accumulated throughout the ripening phase and significantly influenced the nutritional value of the plum fruit. The application of an ecological management practice yielded small plum fruits (38 g) and maintained a more consistent and vigorous fruit color compared with the conventional system (83 g). Moreover, ecological plums have higher antioxidant activities, total polyphenols, and flavonoids (21.70–25.54 µM Trolox/g of dw, 3.89–7.76 mg GAE/ g of dw, and 1.45–3.65 mg CE/g of dw, respectively). Among the content of metals in the plum fruit, copper exhibited the highest concentrations (0.83–1.21 mg/kg), while cadmium was detected at the lowest levels (0.006–0.009 mg/kg). The potential health implications of heavy metals, by calculating their estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI), for both adults and children were also analyzed. The EDI values of accumulated elements in the plum fruits followed the order of Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd with no concern for human health (THQ and HI < 1). According to this study’s findings, fruit quality parameters are significantly higher in ecological plums, providing a compelling argument for adopting sustainable agricultural practices. These results highlight the importance of selecting sustainable agricultural practices, not only to safeguard the environment but also to ensure high-quality products suitable for human consumption.

Foliar spraying of boron prolongs preservation period of strawberry fruits by altering boron form and boron distribution in cell.

Boron (B), an essential micronutrient for fruit development, also plays a crucial role in maintaining the shelf life of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) by affecting cell wall structure and components. We investigated the distribution pattern of B within cells and cell walls in strawberry fruits under different B levels and revealed the relationship between the B distribution in cell walls and fruit firmness after harvesting. Foliar spraying of 0.1% H3BO3 promoted the growth of strawberry seedlings and improved fruit yield and flesh firmness by 45.7% and 25.6%. During the fruit softening and decay process, the content of bound B and cell wall-B decreased while more B was allocated to the protoplast and apoplast. The changes in B distribution in cells were attributed to cell damage during fruit decay, and B extended the freshness period of the fruits by alleviating the decrease of B distribution in cell walls. After leaving the fruits at room temperature for 10 h, the B content in different cell wall components significantly decreased, while foliar spraying of B alleviated the reduction of B content in covalently bound pectin (CBP), cellulose, and hemicellulose. Meanwhile, B spraying on fruit decreased the activity of cell wall degradation enzymes, including polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin lyase (PL), by 20.2% and 38.1%, while enhancing the demethylation of pectin by increasing pectin methylesterase (PME) activity from 21.6 U/g to 25.7 U/g. Thus, foliar spraying of 0.1% H3BO3 enhances the cross-linking of B with cell wall components and maintains cell wall structure, thereby prolonging the shelf life of strawberry fruits.

Evaluation of Flower Dynamics, Fruit Yield and Quality of Pomegranate under Different Semi-arid Location of West Bengal

Evaluation of Flower Dynamics, Fruit Yield and Quality of Pomegranate under Different Semi-arid Location of West Bengal

Water productivity in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Alvarinho using dual crop coefficient approach

Water productivity (WP) measurement determines the efficiency of water use by assessing the ratio of the crop yield to the amount of water used in production. The objective of this study was to identify the optimal irrigation treatment for Vitis vinifera L. cv. Alvarinho with ground cover in Northern Portugal, with a focus on water productivity. Two irrigation treatments (full irrigation—FI; deficit irrigation—DI) and a control (rainfed—R) were considered. The FI strategy represented the standard irrigation carried out by the vinegrower, based on the water availability and their experience. The cover crop was a variable factor, evaluated in terms of both height and density, both within the crop row and between the rows. In each of the treatments, the available soil water content (ASW) was measured in eight locations in the field throughout the growing season using a capacitive probe (Diviner 2000) previously calibrated. These measurements were used to calibrate the SIMDualKc model, which employed the dual crop coefficient approach. The successful calibration of the model, carried out with treatment R in 2018, was evidenced by the strong correlation between the ASW measured through the capacitive probe and that simulated by SIMDualKc (b=0.988 and r2=0.995). After the model’s calibration, the separation between the transpiration and evaporation components was determined. The maximum transpiration during the growing season was observed in the full irrigation treatment. In this context, the study proceeded to apply the soil water balance components and transpiration generated by the model in the calculation of the WP. The fruit yield productivity was determined by accounting for the total water use in the growing season. The total water used was calculated by combining the volumes of water applied for irrigation and precipitation and the soil water extracted during the growing season by crops and cover crops. The deficit irrigation strategy showed the best performance in both years, with WP values of 3.31 and 1.81 kg m−3 for the years 2018 and 2019, respectively. Therefore, the study concluded that deficit irrigation proved to be the most effective irrigation strategy in terms of water productivity and crop water use efficiency (WUEc).

A Sustainable Approach Based on Sheep Wool Mulch and Soil Conditioner for Prunus domestica (Stanley Variety) Trees Aimed at Increasing Fruit Quality and Productivity in Drought Conditions

In the context of extreme climate change, experts in fruit production face a significant challenge in developing new strategies aimed at increasing the productivity of fruit tree crops. In order to investigate the changes in various horticultural indices (production, tree growth, and development) as well as the quality of plum fruits, sheep’s wool mulch, a cornstarch-based soil conditioner, and a combination of the two were applied in a Stanley plum orchard. In parallel, an experimental control variation was used. The results showed that the methods used had a substantial impact on fruit yield, size, and weight, with the best results obtained when mulching with sheep’s wool and soil conditioner. Plum fruits from mulching with sheep wool + soil conditioner exhibited the greatest total phenol concentration (1.30 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g dw), followed by the reference sample at 1.16 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g dw. The antioxidant capacity assessed using the three different methods provided favorable results for the experimental variant, sheep wool + soil conditioner. The results indicate that using the three experimental versions increased the fruit yield with 27% (sheep’s wool mulch) and with, 37% (sheep wool + soil conditioner) on average compared to that of the control group, while also improving the fruit quality. The fruit weight increased with 17.26% (cornstarch-based soil conditioner) and with 48.90% (sheep wool + soil conditioner) compared to that of the control, and the fruit size increased with 5% in two experiments (sheep’s wool mulch and a cornstarch-based soil conditioner) with 19% (sheep wool + soil conditioner), compared to the control group.

Molecular mechanisms of growth promotion and selenium enrichment in tomato plants by novel selenium-doped carbon quantum dots

Selenium (Se)-doped nanoparticles as novel Se fertilizers have a promising potential in the agricultural application. Here, the effects of two novel Se-doped carbon quantum dots (Se-CQDs1 and Se-CQDs2, prepared using co-cracking and adsorption-reduction methods, respectively) on the growth and Se enrichment of tomato plants were studied, where the promoting molecular mechanisms were explored in terms of the related genes expression and soil microbial composition. The results indicated that the soil application of 2.5 mg kg−1 Se-CQDs1 more significantly increased the root growth, plant biomass, and fruit yield than that of Se-CQDs2 and Na2SeO3 treatments (control). Specifically, Se-CQDs1 treatment was more effective to up-regulate the expressions of aquaporin gene (i.e., PIP) and growth hormone synthesis gene (i.e., NIT) than Se-CQDs1 and Na2SeO3 treatments. The expressions of Se methyltransferase gene (smt) and methionine methyltransferase gene (mmt) induced by Se-CQDs1 were 1.45 and 1.18 times higher than that by Se-CQDs2 as well as 1.82 and 2.17 times higher than that by Na2SeO3. Also, Se-CQDs1 more greatly increased the diversity and relative abundance of soil bacterial communities, especially the Actinobacteria phylum, which was beneficial to increase plant growth-promoting substances. These outstanding promoting effects of Se-CQDs1 were mainly ascribed to its higher hydrophilicity and content of the stable doped-Se. The overall results demonstrated that Se-CQDs would be a promising candidate for nano-fertilizer to increase crop growth and development (e.g., tomato plants), where the synthesis modes of Se-CQDs play a critical role in regulating the utilization efficiency of Se.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves yield and quality attributes of melon fruit grown under greenhouse

ABSTRACT Melon (Cucumis melo) is the most popular fruit with indisputable socio-economic and nutritional value, as evidenced by its significant acreage (1 Mha) and production (28 Mt) worldwide. However, melon farming is facing the triple challenge of producing enough to meet growing consumer demand, improving the concentration of human wellness compounds, while minimising chemical inputs. This scientific research was carried out to assess the effectiveness of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Rhizophagus irregularis (Ri), R. fasciculatus (Rf), and their complex, in improving yield and quality attributes in melon variety ‘Ananas’ grown in greenhouse. Results showed that production and fruit quality were significantly improved in mycorrhizal plants (M-plants) compared to non-mycorrhizal (NM-plants) ones, regardless of AMF treatments. M-plants performance varied according to AMF strains. Indeed, Ri-plant exhibited the highest increases in yield (54%), fresh weight (65%), longitudinal (20%) and equatorial (33%) perimeters, Brix degree (20.6%), polyphenols (315.4%), carotenoids (353%), proteins (209.1%), flavonoids (114.38%), ascorbic acid (31.3%), reducing power (77.04%), DPPH radical inhibition (16.43%), and the highest decrease in titrable acidity (62.5%). In addition, Ri-plant fruits were highly rated by participants in the sensory evaluation test. Therefore, R. irregularis application could be recommended for the sustainable production of high-quality fruits of melon.

Characterization and fine mapping of cold-inducible parthenocarpy in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Cold stress detrimentally influences fruit development, leading to a substantial yield reduction in many fruit-bearing vegetables. Cucumber, a vegetable of subtropical origin, is especially sensitive to cold. Cold-inducible parthenocarpy (CIP) promises fruit yield under cold conditions. Previously, we identified a CIP line EC5 in cucumber, which showed strong parthenocarpy and sustained fruit growth under cold conditions (16°C day/10°C night). However, the candidate gene and genetic mechanism underlying CIP in cucumber remain unknown. In this study, both BSA-seq and conventional QTL mapping strategies were employed on F2 populations to delve into the genetic control of CIP. A single QTL, CIP5.1, was consistently mapped across two winter seasons in 2021 and 2022. Fine mapping delimited the CIP locus into a 38.3 kb region on chromosome 5, harboring 8 candidate genes. Among these candidates, CsAGL11 (CsaV3_5G040370) was identified, exhibiting multiple deletions/insertions in the promoter and 5′UTR region. The CsAGL11 gene encodes a MADS-box transcription factor protein, which is homologous to the genes previously recognized as negative regulators in ovule and fruit development of Arabidopsis and tomato. Correspondingly, cold treatment resulted in decreased expression of CsAGL11 during the early developmental stage of the fruit in EC5. A promoter activity assay confirmed promoter polymorphisms leading to weak transcriptional activation of CsAGL11 under cold conditions. This study deepens our understanding of the genetic characteristics of CIP and elucidates the potential role of the CsAGL11 gene in developing cucumber cultivars with enhanced fruiting under cold conditions.