Effects Of Seeding Density And Watering Duration On Sprouting Atmosphere, Quality Characteristics And Antioxidants Of Black Gram (Vigna Mungo L.) Sprouts

A modified atmosphere containing low oxygen and high carbon dioxide in the sprouting environment could be used to regulate sprouts growth. By manipulating the seeding density and watering duration, the gases atmosphere can be changed. A study on sprouting atmosphere, morphological and chemical characteristics, and phytochemical contents of Vigna mungo sprouts grown in a hermatically sealed chamber was conducted using three seeding densities (75, 100 and 125 g seeds L-1) and three watering durations (10, 15 and 20 min with 3 h interval). The experiment was conducted in a RCBD in split-plot arrangement with watering duration as main plot and seeding density as sub-plot in three replications. Seeds were presoaked in 150 mg Ca L-1 for 12 h and put into a pot and the pot was placed into the hermatically sealed chamber to sprout for 96 h. Sprouting atmosphere in the chamber was measured every 12 h throughout the sprouting period to determine the production of carbon dioxide and ethylene gas. Hypocotyl and root length, hypocotyl diameter, sprout and cotyledon fresh weights, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity and pH were measured to determine morphological and chemical characteristics of sprouts. Ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were analyzed to determine phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities of sprouts produced. There were significant (P<0.05) interaction effects of seeding density and watering duration on sprouting atmosphere, morphological and chemical characteristics, and phytochemical contents of sprouts produced. For sprouts that were produced at 75, 100 and 125 g seeds L-1, carbon dioxide production rate showed linear decreases as sprouting progressed. There was a gradual increase of ethylene production rate from 12 to 60 h after imbibition followed by a decrease until the day of harvest. The sprouting atmosphere modified by different seeding density and watering duration created a modified atmosphere that can be used to regulate sprouts growth. At higher seeding densities, hypocotyl and root length decreased as watering duration increased. Hypocotyl diameter of sprouts produced at 100 g seeds L-1 increased as watering duration increased. However, for sprouts that were produced at 75 and 125 g seeds L-1, maximum hypocotyl diameter was produced at 15 min/3 h watering duration and decreased at 20 min/3 h watering duration. Increased in seeding density and watering duration increased the soluble solids concentration, ascorbic acid content and total phenolic compounds of sprouts produced. Optimum water volume that was suitable for best sprouts growth was at 15 min/3 h watering duration. Too much watering reduced the soluble solids concentration, ascorbic acid content and total phenolic compounds at higher seeding density used. Sprouts produced at 100 g seeds L-1 and 15 min/3 h watering duration had the highest percentage of soluble solids concentration, ascorbic acid content and total phenolic compounds. Thus, by regulating seeding density and watering during sprouting, healthy sprouts with acceptable appearance could be produced without the use of chemicals

Developmental changes in cellular structure and cell wall metabolism of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith) inflorescence

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith) is a perennial clumping plant that flourishes in tropical and subtropical climates. Over the years, this crop has been gaining recognition as an ornamental and landscaping plant. However, no study was done on the characteristics of inflorescence during the flowering stage. Therefore, the present study was aimed to elucidate cell wall metabolism in bracts in relation to inflorescence opening and peduncle strength throughout the inflorescence development. The inflorescences at four developmental stages i.e. tight bud, six reflexing tip, all involucral bracts unfolded and full bloom were used in this study. Results indicate that cellulose and pectin content in involucral bracts were hydrolyzed by cellulase and pectin methylesterase during the inflorescence development from tight bud to full bloom stage. The hydrolyzed bract cell walls reduce water potential in cells and enable water inflow for cell expansion. Subsequently, the inflorescence bracts unfolded. The analysis of cell wall composition and anatomical studies on peduncle parts reveals that at tight bud stage, the peduncle strength depends on the turgidity of the cells as evidenced by the presence of higher mucilage content. As the inflorescence developmental stage progressed, the mucilage content decreased gradually. The peduncle was strengthened by cell wall thickening via cellulose deposition and vascular bundles lignification for mechanical support. Besides, the lignified vascular bundle is the key factor in increasing the transportation efficiency of stored carbohydrates and water from the mother plant for inflorescence development

Growth stages of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) plant

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is a herbaceous clumping plant. It is a multifunctional crop that has been used for culinary, medicinal, antibacterial agent, ornamental and floral arrangement purpose. However, from the literature, no work has been carried out to study its growth and development morphological characteristics. It is important to understand the developmental morphology of the torch ginger plant for research purpose, commercial usage and apply proper production practices by growers for higher yields and profits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the time course of morphological changes during the growth and development of torch ginger. Results showed that it took 155 days from leafy shoot emerging from rhizome until senescence of inflorescence. The growth and development of torch ginger plant were divided into vegetative and reproductive phases. The vegetative phase mainly involved the growth activities of leafy shoot. The transition of vegetative to reproductive phase happened when the inflorescence shoot emerged from the rhizome. In the reproductive phase, the growth and development of the inflorescence were categorized into four phenological stages which were peduncle elongation, inflorescence emergence, flowering and senescence. The growth pattern of the leafy shoot and inflorescence demonstrated a monocarpic plant growth habit with the remobilization of photoassimilates from senescing plant parts to developing true flowers that caused whole-plant senescence. Further research is needed to study the mechanisms that regulate flowering and senescence in torch ginger plant

Cellular structure of cut Etlingera elatior inflorescence

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is a native plant in Malaysia that is commonly used in culinary. The use of torch ginger inflorescence as cut flower is new in Malaysia and studies only emphasized as medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to examine the cellular structure of torch ginger inflorescence in relation to its potential to be used as cut flower. Cross section of the upper part of peduncle which held the inflorescence and basal parts which is near to soil surface was examined using light microscope. The outermost layer of inflorescence bract was observed under scanning electron microscope. The upper and basal parts of peduncle were made up of two spirals sheaths and core part. The vascular bundles at the basal part of peduncle were heavily lignified with thickened cell walls. In contrast, a minimal lignification of vascular bundles was found in upper part of peduncle. Besides, starch granules can be found abundantly at the outer zone of core of peduncle and its density decreased as cells moved towards inner core of peduncle. A high density of opened-stomata were scattered on the surface of torch ginger bracts which implied severe water loss via transpiration has occurred in bracts. The findings of this study have provided a clear picture of the inflorescence morphology which further could be used to develop this plant as cut flower

Effects of storage temperature on postharvest quality of Malaysian grown fig (Ficus carica L.) cv. Ipoh Blue Giant

Fresh fig (Ficus carica L.) is delicate and perishable with short postharvest life. Generally, refrigeration is often used to prolong fruits’ shelf life. However, fruits from the tropical region are temperature-sensitive with an adverse impact on quality if stored below their critical temperature. Thus, this study was carried out to determine optimal storage temperature for Malaysian grown figs cv. Ipoh Blue Giant. Varying temperatures (5, 10 and 15 °C) were used to observe the responses of the fruit quality during zero, three, six, nine, 12 and 15 storage days. Results showed that respiration and ethylene production rates, weight loss, pH, titratable acidity and antioxidant activities (as assayed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl and 2,2’-azino-bis[3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid]) of fresh figs were affected significantly by the interaction between storage temperatures and days. Fresh figs stored at 5 °C showed the lowest respiration rate among three storage temperatures during nine and 12 days of storage. Fresh figs kept at 5 °C experienced the least firmness and water loss compared with the ones stored at 10 and 15 °C indicating that 5 °C was beneficial in retaining the eating quality and prolonging the postharvest life of the fruit

Physiological changes of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) inflorescence during development

The present study was undertaken to reveal the developmentally regulated changes in physical and physiological characteristics of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) inflorescence in relation to its usage as a cut flower. The inflorescences at four developmental stages, i.e., tight bud (TB), six reflexing tip (SRT), all involucral bracts unfolded (IBU), and full bloom (FB) were studied. The results revealed that the fresh and dry weights of inflorescences increased significantly from TB to FB stage. Water was the main component of inflorescence with 90.8% to 91.9% of the total mass. Thus, cell expansion resulting from water influx is crucial for inflorescence head development and bract opening. No ethylene was detected in the inflorescences at the four developmental stages. However, a significant higher respiration rate was recorded at FB stage with actively developing and opening true flowers in the inflorescence. The high respiration rate eventually leads to depletion of soluble sugars and starch grains in involucral bracts and inflorescence peduncle, respectively. Thereafter, involucral bracts showed browning and senescing. This result implies that the inflorescence head is a major sink for photoassimilates during flowering stage. Thus, soluble sugars exhaustion is expected to be a main factor of inflorescence senescence

Postharvest characteristics of two flowering stages of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) inflorescences

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior), a flourish in tropical and subtropical climates crop, with extravagant and showy inflorescence may be used as cut flower at each developmental stage. Limited studies have been undertaken to reveal the postharvest performance of this leafless inflorescence, especially at advanced developmental stages. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the postharvest performance of the torch ginger inflorescence treated with different vase solutions. Inflorescences at two flowering stages i.e., tight bud stage and torch shows stage at about 35 and 58 days, respectively, after emergence from rhizome, were used in this study. Sucrose (20 g L-1), 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS, 0.1 g L-1) and distilled water were used as vase solution treatment. Postharvest characteristics, including vase life, relative fresh weight (RFW), dry weight, solution uptake rate, respiration and ethylene production rate were evaluated. Results showed that vase life of tight bud stage inflorescence was significantly higher than torch shows stage irrespective of treatments used. In contrast, significantly higher solution uptake rate was shown in the torch shows stage inflorescence. There was no significant difference in dry weight and respiration rate measured. No ethylene was detected in all treated inflorescences throughout the study. Prolongation of vase life was associated with the increase in RFW. Increase of RFW was found in tight bud stage inflorescence but reduction of RFW was shown in torch stage inflorescence at the end of vase life. The decrease of RFW could be due to the breakdown of stored carbohydrates in peduncle for the development of true flowers for pollination purpose. Supplementation of sucrose promoted the opening of true flowers. The use of 8-HQS and distilled water enabled the development of true flowers, but they failed to open. Sucrose treated inflorescences both in tight bud and torch stage showed better postharvest quality compared to 8-HQS and distilled water

Extending post-harvest quality of fresh fig (Ficus carica L.) fruit through manipulation of pre- and post-harvest practices: a review

Fresh fig fruit has a very unique taste. However, it is well-known as very perishable climacteric fruit. The various factors that involve during the pre-harvest and post-harvest handling processes have caused great challenges to farmer in maintaining the keeping quality of fresh fruits. The key factors involve are disease, water supply, fertilizer management, fruit maturity at harvest as well as post-harvest handling. Thus, good pre- and post-harvest practices are very important in improving the storage quality of fresh fig fruit. In this article, the studies on improving the storage life of fig fruit including the practices used during pre- and post-harvest handling of fig fruit were reviewed. For pre-harvest practices, deficit irrigation, application of plant growth regulator (1-methylcyclopropene) and pollination were applied to improve the quality of fresh fig fruit. For post-harvest treatments, coating, modified atmosphere packaging and optimizing the storage temperature and relative humidity were used in keeping the post-harvest quality of fresh fig fruit

Phenological growth stages of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) inflorescence

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) inflorescence with its showy appearance can be used as a cut flower. However, the development of inflorescence has not been studied. The aim of this study is to determine the phenological stages of torch ginger inflorescence from the emergence of rhizome until full bloom stage using the extended BBCH scale. The growth stages of the inflorescence are categorised into peduncle elongation, inflorescence emergence, flowering and senescence. It takes about 60 days for the inflorescence to emerge from rhizome and develop to reach full-bloom stage with true flower opening. This study provides important information in understanding this crop

Morphological and chemical characteristics of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) sprouts produced in a modified atmosphere chamber at four seeding densities

A modified atmosphere with low oxygen and high carbon dioxide sprouting environments can be used to regulate sprout growth. By monitoring seeding density used for sprouting, stress ethylene is produced due to the compactness within sprouting pot. A study on the morphological and chemical characteristics and the total phenolic compounds of black gram sprouts (Vigna mungo), grown in a hermetically sealed chamber, was conducted using four seeding densities (50, 75, 100, and 125 g seeds L-1). For this purpose, the selected presoaked seeds were put into a pot and placed in the chamber. The seeds were allowed to sprout for four days and watering was done every three hours for 20 minutes. Sprouts produced with lower seeding density (50 and 75 g seeds L-1) were long and etiolated with long roots and higher sprout weight. In higher seeding density (100 and 125 g seeds L-1), on the contrary, sprout length was shorter with short roots and lower sprout weight, and the ratio between hypocotyl and root length was 1:1. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in hypocotyl diameter of sprouts produced. Sprouts produced at a lower seeding density had 2.7% lower soluble solids concentration, but they had 18% higher contents of ascorbic acid as compared to the ones produced in higher seeding density. Similarly, there were significant differences in the total phenolic compounds of sprouts and the contents decreased by 43% as the seeding densities increased. Over-crowding and lack of watering produced poor quality sprouts. Thus, seeding density and watering duration during sprouting in a hermetically sealed chamber need to be determined for sustainable sprout production, as well as to produce safe sprouts as demanded by consumers