Physicochemical and Nutritional Indicators for Determining Harvest Maturity in Cucumis melo Varieties: A Study of Var. momordica and Var. acidulous | Chapter 2 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 6

 

Cucumis melo is a highly polymorphic taxon belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, with several varieties based on ovary pubescence. Fruit cracking in melon is a major physiological disorder that adversely affects the production of high-quality fruits, thereby reducing their consumer appeal and commercial value. Consequently, farmers face significant challenges in harvesting fruits at optimal ripeness before cracking occurs. Analysis of the ripening process's physicochemical attributes and nutritional composition is essential to understand and establish proper harvest management for the varieties. Nevertheless, little is known about the changes in physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of C. melo varieties at various stages of fruit maturity. The aim of the current investigation is to understand the fundamentals of dynamic fruit quality patterns and determine optimal harvest maturity stages of C. melo varieties with higher quality and longer marketability before fruit cracking. The current study was conducted in the experimental field of the Department of Botany, University of Kerala, using two different melon varieties, Cucumis melo var. momordica (Roxb.) Duthie & Fuller (Snap melon) and Cucumis melo var. acidulus L. Naudin (culinary melon), from January to October 2021. (S1 to S5) where S1 represent early premature stage (5th DAP), S2 the late premature stage (10th DAP), S3 mature stage of fruits (15th DAP), S4 is post mature stage (20th DAP) and S5 is cracking stage of the fruits (25thDAP) of var. momordica whereas, for var. acidulus S5 is ripening stage and analysed for physical and biochemical characters. Physical parameters such as fruit length, fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), and fruit firmness were evaluated. Results were analysed statistically by using one-way ANOVA (P≤0.05). Among the two varieties of Cucumis melo selected for the study, fruits of Cucumis melo var. momordica are highly perishable with a shorter market and shelf life than those of Cucumis melo var. acidulus. Pomological characteristics such as fruit weight and length at different developmental stages showed a tremendous peak from S3 to S5 in both varieties. At the S3, S4, and S5 stages, the fruit weight of C. melo var. momordica increased by 42%, 67%, and 90%, respectively, while fruit weight increased by 42%, 48%, and 54% in the var. acidulus. However, the firmness of the fruits decreased from the S4 to S5 stage in varieties, reducing sugar accumulated sharply from the S2 to S3 stage. Titratable acidity content in Cucumis melo fruits continuously increased from the S1 to S5 stage, rising from 5.5 ± 0.02 to 7.4 ± 0.05. On the other hand, the total carbohydrate, cellulose, protein, and amino acid content increased from S1 to S2 but decreased sharply in S3 and S5. Ascorbic acid, total phenolics, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage levels declined with fruit ripening in Cucumis melo varieties. As a result of all the quality parameters mentioned above, Cucumis melo fruit harvested at the S4 maturity stage was the ideal harvest maturity for long-distance transportation and had higher consumer acceptability before fruit cracking. These findings showed that the physical-biochemical properties and nutritional composition of Cucumis melo varieties change dynamically during ripening. The study highlighted the significance of maturity stages for fruit quality and provided critical information for optimal harvest management of the fruits of Cucumis melo varieties. The fruit harvested before fruit cracking, the harder the fruit is, the more suitable for long-distance transportation and the longer its shelf life.

 

 

Author(s) Details

M. Lija
Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, 695 581, India.

 

S. Suhara Beevy
Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, 695 581, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v6/7034

 

Effect of Fertilizer on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Greenhouse Conditions | Chapter 10 | Research Advances and Challenges in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1

Paper money (Cucumis sativus L.) is regarded as an main vegetable crop in the tropics and it is individual of the widely consumed appendage of Cucurbitaceae family. It ranks one of four equal parts after attractive woman, cabbage and onion in Asia. Still, like any crop, paper money requires appropriate mineral and water management for correct growth and good yield, thus, the need for manure application to reach high yield is critical. Therefore, the primary objective concerning this study was to try the effect of fertilizer [CAN (CaCO3 + NH4NO3)] levels on the progress and yield potential of cucumber under hothouse conditions. Cucumber (type: Ashely) and different levels of fertilizers [CAN (CaCO3 + NH4NO3)]; nothing (T1), low (T2), medium (T3) and straight (T3) were applied. Consequently, manure levels exhibited bigger plant growth for situations (T2, T3, and T4) than the control (T1). Highest number of flowers were recorded in T4 (32.33) followed by T2 and the lowest number of flowers for T1. . Almost, while treatment T1 (control) had the slightest germination portion (86.66%), treatment (T2) cut the highest germination allotment (94.6%) followed by situation T4 (93.3%) and T3 (92.0%). Surprisingly, T2, T3, and T4 demonstrated notable increase in fruit length, product diameter and dry pressure. Comparatively, T2 had better accomplishment in term of crop growth, happening and yield, T4 was not recommended since it was not economical to use high level of manure. Additionally, the results again revealed that the lower level of manure had significant impact on differing growth stages of paper money. It was clearly famous that although soils in South Sudan are productive, there is need to ask, depending on soil strength, minimum doses of fertilizer to enhance crop performance. The result of this research revealed that lower level of [CAN (CaCO3 + NH4NO3)] fertilizer and drop irrigation exceptionally for off-season production had positive effect on tumor and yield of cucumber acquired per unit region.

Author(s) Details:

Peter B. S. Gama,
Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (SNRES), University of Juba, P.O. Box 82, Juba, South Sudan.

Annet Manua Moses,
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Hai Amarat, Ministry Road, Juba, South Sudan.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACAS-V1/article/view/12997

Influence of Growing Substrate and Rootstock on the Physicochemical Properties of Lemons | Chapter 11 | Current Perspectives in Agriculture and Food Science Vol. 3

 Lemons are saw as one of the most main species in the experience due to its extreme level of bioactive compounds.  Lemon juice is credited accompanying direct health benefits due to allure antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-angering activity. Their economic significance stems not only from their fresh consumption but more from their applications in various corporations such as healing, pharmaceutical, and food. However, the synthetic and nutritional composition of lemons is not continual and can be influenced by extrinsic factors, containing variety, weather conditions, and crop administration. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to decide the compositional variations of the fruit, that is essential to outline its potential use. The rootstock and increasing substrate were two controlled factors that were judged in relation to the physicochemical properties of the 'Verna' dud. Ninety lemon seedlings were grown on three different rootstocks and three various culture mediums.  Lemon wood cultivated accompanying a 50% sediment/peat join substrate showed a higher total result (590 lemons and 90.53 kg) than those cultivated with 75% sea sediment, that resulted in an 80% lower production. Citrus aurantium's manufacturing was greatly outperformed by Citrus macrophylla and Citrus aurantium/Citrus sinensis rootstocks.  All the fruits bestowed a predominantly yellow color appropriate for the market (0 < CI < +5), and pertaining to food and chemical limits were consistent with dossier reported for 'Verna' clones. All of the lemons obtained, two together fresh and processed, were appropriate for marketing and use. The findings showed that the intentional variables have limited influence on the quality limits of lemon fruits but take care of confirm the potential of sea sediment as a culture substrate.

Author(s) Details:

Juan José Martínez-Nicolas,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Dámaris Núñez-Gómez,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Vicente Lidón,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Rafael Martínez-Font,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Pablo Melgarejo,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Francisca Hernández,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Pilar Legua,
Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Ctra, Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CPAFS-V3/article/view/10255

Role of Salicylic Acid Application in Production and Postharvest Management of Pears (Pyrus Spp.) | Chapter 16 | Current Topics in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 8

In the Rosaceae family, pears (Pyrus spp.) constitute an important fruit crop. Pyrus communis L. and Pyrus pyrifolia L. are the two principal species, and they are both extensively farmed across temperate and sub-temperate parts of the world. Pears are the second-most significant temperate fruit crop after apples and are grown across India, from the warm, humid subtropical plains to the cold, dry temperate regions. For most fruit crops, including pears, the use of growth regulators has evolved into a crucial component of horticulture production technology. Salicylic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in a variety of plant species, is thought to act as a growth hormone due to its control on physiological processes in plants and their ability to fight off infectious microbes. In pears, exogenous salicylic acid administration has a significant role in the physiological processes of the plant, response to biotic and abiotic challenges, and improvement of plant performance, fruit output, and fruit postharvest management. Application of salicylic acid minimises postharvest disease and browning, maintains fruit firmness, and lowers postharvest quality losses during fruit storage. It also prevents chilling damage and weight loss of the fruits.

Author(s) Details:

Angrej Ali,
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

S. Parveen,
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

K. Rasool,
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

N. A. Ganai,
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

R. Anayat,
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

A. H. Wani,
Division of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore-193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CTAS-V8/article/view/7265

Determination of Metabolic Responses of Psidium guajava L. Trees Irrigated with Polluted Water| Chapter 1 |Innovations in Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol.4

 The major purpose of this research was to investigate the main effects of waste water from the El- Wafaeyya drain (polluted site) on some primary and secondary metabolites, nutritional and heavy metal levels, photosynthetic pigments, and seedy fruit quality. Irrigated Psidium guajava trees acquired much higher amounts of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Co, and Cd than those irrigated with clean water. In contrast, total photosynthetic pigments in P. guajava leaves watered with contaminated water were significantly lower than in the control. Total protein and total carbohydrates were found in higher concentrations in the leaves of the control location. Proline, free amino acids, antioxidants, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and tannins were found in abundance in tree leaves treated with contaminated water. The opposite was true in the case of total alkaloids and saponins. When it comes to fruits, the negative effects were concentrated on the economic output and number of fruits rather than their weight and size. Irrigation with dirty water, on the other hand, resulted in lower levels of water, total proteins, total carbohydrates, and vitamin A and C, but higher levels of dietary fibres. The use of both qualitative and quantitative electrophoretic pattern analysis improves the reliability of the findings in terms of the numerous genotoxic consequences that these drugs can cause. The use of P. guajava fruits harvested from polluted places for human purposes must be avoided since they are harmful, dangerous, and risky.

Author(s) Details:

M. Hemada,
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.


S. El-Darier,
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/IMB-V4/article/view/6221

Influence of the Rootstock on the Performance of ‘Valencia Late’ Sweet Orange in the Gharb Region (Northwestern Morocco) | Chapter 1 | Research and Development in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 3

 

The effect of 14 rootstocks on yield, yield efficiency, tree size and fruit quality of ‘Valencia late’ sweet
orange was studied in the Gharb region (northwestern Morocco). Over 5 years of production, total
cumulative yield was the highest on Citrumelo 4475 (11) and PT B6 Z13 (5). In terms of productivity,
Citrumelo 4475 (11), Citrus volkameriana (25), the Sunki mandarin x PT (39) hybrid, Citrus
macrophylla (24) and the Sunki mandarin x PT 16 hybrid were the most efficient rootstocks. This
study also revealed that the use of some rootstocks improved significantly juice content of Valencia
late fruits. These rootstocks included Citrus volkameriana (25), PT B6 CZ 24 (3), PT B6 CZ 13 (5),
Cleopatra mand x CC (30), Sunki mandarin x PT (16), Citrumelo 4475 (11) and Citrumelo 1452 (41).
In terms of acidity and Brix, the study has identified rootstocks that enhanced both fruit quality
parameters, namely Carrizo citrange (7), Sunki mandarin x PT (17), Citrumelo 1452 (41), Citrumelo
4475 (11), Sunki mandarin x PT (17), Sunki mandarin x PT (16) and PT B6 CZ 24 (3).

Author(s) Details

Hamid Benyahia
Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Phytogenetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Kenitra, Morocco.

Anas Fadli
Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Improvement, Citrus Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA.

Ouiam Chetto
Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Phytogenetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Kenitra, Morocco.

Abdelhak Talha
Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Phytogenetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Kenitra, Morocco.

Fatima Ezzahra Omari
Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Phytogenetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Kenitra, Morocco.

Lhou Beniken
Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Phytogenetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Kenitra, Morocco.

Najat Handaji
Research Unit of Plant Breeding and Conservation of Phytogenetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Kenitra, Morocco.

View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/266