Improving postharvest storage of fresh artichoke bottoms by an edible coating of Cordia myxa gum

This study aimed to prolong the shelf life of fresh-cut artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bottoms under refrigerated conditions (2 °C and 95 % RH) for a period of 9 d. Fresh artichoke bottoms were subjected to an edible coating of Cordia myxa gum (Cg) supplemented with or without calcium dichloride (CaCl2) 1 %, or ascorbic acid (AsA) 1 %. The key postharvest quality parameters which were investigated were weight loss, browning, polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO), firmness, vitamin C, and total phenolic compounds (TPC). Moreover, the microbial load of artichoke bottoms during the storage was also measured which comprised of total aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, fungi, and E. coli. Results indicated that edible coating with Cg, when supplemented with CaCl2 or AsA, had a significant positive effect on weight loss, vitamin C, and TPC. Browning and PPO activities were significantly inhibited by Cg supplemented with AsA. The mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacterial count was significantly reduced in the presence of CaCl2 with or without Cg. For moulds and E. coli control, again Cg in combination with CaCl2 seems to be the most effective treatment. Hence, based on these findings, it can be recommended that postharvest coating Cg supplemented with CaCl2 could be a new application for delaying browning and extending the shelf-life of artichoke bottoms during refrigerated storage. Further research and development are required in commercial settings to test and scale the application of Cg in fresh-cut artichoke bottom industry

Effect of Whey Protein Edible Coating Incorporated with Mango Peel Extract on Postharvest Quality, Bioactive Compounds and Shelf Life of Broccoli

The present study evaluated the impact of edible coatings based on whey protein concentrate (WPC) and mango peel extract (MPE) on the shelf life, physicochemical, and microbial properties of minimally processed broccoli preserved at 5 ± 1 °C for 28 days. The variations in the physicochemical and microbial properties of the broccoli fresh-cuts were evaluated by determining the following parameter changes: weight loss, color, respiration rate, ascorbic acid content (AsA), sulforaphane content (SF), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), total bacteria, fungi counts, and sensory evaluation. Broccoli fresh-cuts were treated with WPC alone or in combination with MPE (WPC/MPE) at 1% or 3%, and uncoated broccoli fresh-cuts were a control. The obtained results revealed that all the coated broccoli fresh-cuts showed lower weight loss than the uncoated broccoli fresh-cuts. The coating with WPC/MPE at 3% recorded the lowest weight loss among all treatments; however, it wasn’t significantly lower compared to WPC/MPE at 1%. The addition of MPE to WPC in coating solution at 1% and 3% resulted in a higher value of the (-a*), indicating better green color retention and decreased floret yellowing. All applied coatings significantly conserved the bioactive compounds (AsA, SF, and TPC) and AOA of broccoli fresh-cuts compared to uncoated ones. At the end of the storage period, the maximum values of the aforementioned bioactive compounds were recorded in the broccoli fresh-cuts coated with WPC/MPE at 3% followed by WPC/MPE at 1%, and WPC alone compared to uncoated broccoli fresh-cuts. The broccoli fresh-cuts coated with WPC/MPE at 3% recorded a higher score on sensory evaluation than those coated with WPC/MPE at 1%, followed by broccoli fresh-cuts coated with WPC alone. The WPC-based edible coating combined with MPE (WPC/MPE) at 3% showed the highest reduction in the total fungi and bacterial counts compared to all the other treatments

Effect of Whey Protein Edible Coating Incorporated with Mango Peel Extract on Postharvest Quality, Bioactive Compounds and Shelf Life of Broccoli

The present study evaluated the impact of edible coatings based on whey protein concentrate (WPC) and mango peel extract (MPE) on the shelf life, physicochemical, and microbial properties of minimally processed broccoli preserved at 5 ± 1 °C for 28 days. The variations in the physicochemical and microbial properties of the broccoli fresh-cuts were evaluated by determining the following parameter changes: weight loss, color, respiration rate, ascorbic acid content (AsA), sulforaphane content (SF), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), total bacteria, fungi counts, and sensory evaluation. Broccoli fresh-cuts were treated with WPC alone or in combination with MPE (WPC/MPE) at 1% or 3%, and uncoated broccoli fresh-cuts were a control. The obtained results revealed that all the coated broccoli fresh-cuts showed lower weight loss than the uncoated broccoli fresh-cuts. The coating with WPC/MPE at 3% recorded the lowest weight loss among all treatments; however, it wasn’t significantly lower compared to WPC/MPE at 1%. The addition of MPE to WPC in coating solution at 1% and 3% resulted in a higher value of the (-a*), indicating better green color retention and decreased floret yellowing. All applied coatings significantly conserved the bioactive compounds (AsA, SF, and TPC) and AOA of broccoli fresh-cuts compared to uncoated ones. At the end of the storage period, the maximum values of the aforementioned bioactive compounds were recorded in the broccoli fresh-cuts coated with WPC/MPE at 3% followed by WPC/MPE at 1%, and WPC alone compared to uncoated broccoli fresh-cuts. The broccoli fresh-cuts coated with WPC/MPE at 3% recorded a higher score on sensory evaluation than those coated with WPC/MPE at 1%, followed by broccoli fresh-cuts coated with WPC alone. The WPC-based edible coating combined with MPE (WPC/MPE) at 3% showed the highest reduction in the total fungi and bacterial counts compared to all the other treatments

Unravelling the Role of Piriformospora indica in Combating Water Deficiency by Modulating Physiological Performance and Chlorophyll Metabolism-Related Genes in Cucumis sativus

Water stress is the most critical aspect restricting the development of agriculture in regions with scarce water resources, which requires enhancing irrigation water-saving strategies. The current work discusses the potential application of the plant-strengthening root endophyte Piriformospora indica against moderate (25% less irrigation water) and severe (50% less irrigation water) water stress in comparison to the optimum irrigation conditions of greenhouse cucumbers. P. indica improved growth, nutrient content, and photosynthesis apparatus under normal or water-stress conditions. On the other hand, moderate and severe water stress reduced yield up to 47% and 83%, respectively, in non-colonized cucumber plants, while up to 28 and 78%, respectively, in P. indica-colonized plants. In terms of water-use efficiency (WUE), P. indica improved the WUE of colonized cucumber plants grown under moderate (26 L/kg) or severe stress (73 L/kg) by supporting colonized plants in producing higher yield per unit volume of water consumed by the crop in comparison to non-colonized plants under the same level of moderate (43 L/kg) or severe (81 L/kg) water stress. Furthermore, P. indica increased the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content, activity levels of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) with an apparent clear reduction in the abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline contents and stomatal closure compared to non-stressed plants under both water-stress levels. In addition, chlorophyll a, b, a + b contents were increased in the leaves of the colonized plants under water-stress conditions. This improvement in chlorophyll content could be correlated with a significant increment in the transcripts of chlorophyll biosynthesis genes (protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase [POR], chlorophyll a oxygenase [CAO]) and a reduction in the chlorophyll degradation genes (PPH, pheophorbide a oxygenase [PAO], and red chlorophyll catabolite reductase [RCCR]). In conclusion, P. indica has the potential to enhance the cucumber yield grown under moderate water stress rather than severe water stress by improving WUE and altering the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes and chlorophyll metabolism-related genes

Responding of Long Green Pepper Plants to Different Sources of Foliar Potassium Fertiliser

The aim of this study was to explore the efficiency of foliar potassium fertiliser relative to morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of hybrid long pepper (Capsicum annuum). Pepper plants were grown in a greenhouse and supplied with three sources of foliar potassium fertilisers, i.e., potassium-humate (1 g/L = 1,250 g/ha), potassium sulfate (1 g/L = 1,250 g/ha), and potassium chloride (1 g/L = 1,250 g/ha). Water served as control. The impacts of these treatments on the phytosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, leaf carotenoids) and chlorophyll a and b, metabolic compounds and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were measured. The phytosynthetic parameters significantly improved by different foliar potassium application and the highest level of photosynthetic activity was noted in plants supplied with potassium sulfate, followed by potassium-humate and potassium chloride. Plant biomass accumulation, cholorophyll (a and b), and total yield showed larger increases in plants fertilised with potassium sulfate than those fertilised with potassium-humate; smallest increases occurred with potassium chloride. Concentrations of total sugars, carotenoids, chlorophyll (a and b), and endogenous level of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in plants and fruits were possitively influenced by varying sources of potassium. The fruit color parameters and total soluble solid were also significantly increased with all foliar potassium treatments compared with control. Foliar application of potassium sulfate recorded the highest values and significantly increase all anatomical characters for leaf, stem and fruit of pepper plant

Effect of Some Citrus Essential Oils on Post-Harvest Shelf Life and Physicochemical Quality of Strawberries during Cold Storage

Utilization of essential oils alone or incorporation with edible films is an appropriate technique to conserve the quality attributes and reduce post-harvest deterioration in fresh vegetables and fruits. Strawberries, being perishable fruits have a short shelf life, and using essential oils is considered one of the most suitable methods to prolong their shelf life during storage. The current study assessed the impact of different essential oils, including lemon oil (L), orange oil (O) and mandarin oil (M) on the physicochemical and microbial load of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Festival) stored at 2 ± 1 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 18 days. The differences in the physicochemical and microbial properties of strawberries were assessed by determining the following parameter changes: weight loss, decay percentage, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, color, anthocyanins, vitamin C, total phenol, total antioxidant, catalase activity, polyphenol oxidase activity, sensory evaluation, microbial content, total coliforms, molds, and yeasts. The results of this study indicated that the fruits treated with all essential oils treatments (L, O and M) had higher total antioxidant content and physicochemical properties than untreated fruits, due to protection against the microbial growth of molds, and yeasts. At the end of the storage period, the treated fruits showed a greater acceptance and sensory attributes than the untreated fruits. Furthermore, the correlation study showed a significant and negative relationship between the total antioxidant of treated fruits and following quality attributes including, weight loss, decay percentage, respiration rate soluble solids content, polyphenol oxidase activity, molds, and yeasts. It is noteworthy that all the essential oil treatments extended the shelf-life of strawberries and delayed their deterioration up to 18 days

Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing to Estimate Biophysical Variables of Green-Onion Crop (<i>Allium cepa</i> L.) under Different Sources of Magnesium in Ismailia, Egypt

Foliar feeding has been confirmed to be the fastest way of dealing with nutrient deficiencies and increasing the yield and quality of crop products. The synthesis of chlorophyll and photosynthesis are directly related to magnesium (Mg), which operates in the improvement of plant tissues and enhances the appearance of plants. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between two biophysical variables, including the leaf area index (LAI), the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), and seven spectral vegetation indices. The spectral indices under investigation were Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Disease–Water Stress Index (DSWI), Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (MCARI), the Red-Edge Inflection Point Index (REIP), and Pigment-Specific Simple Ratio (PSSRa). These indices were derived from Sentinel-2 data to investigate the impact of applying foliar applications of Mg from various sources in the production of green-onion crops. The biophysical variables were derived using field measurements and Sentinel-2 data under the effects of different sources of Mg foliar sprays. The correlation coefficient between field-measured LAI and remotely sensed, calculated LAI was 0.72 in two seasons. Concerning FAPAR, it was found that the correlation between remotely sensed calculated FAPAR and field-measured FAPAR was 0.66 in the first season and 0.89 in the second season. The magnesium oxide nanoparticle (nMgO) treatments resulted in significantly higher yields than the different treatments of foliar applications. The LAI and FAPAR variables showed a positive correlation with yield in the first season (October) and in the second season (March). Yield in treatment by nMgO varied significantly from that in the other treatments, ranging from 69-ton ha−1 in the first season to 74.9-ton ha−1 in the second season. Linear regression between LAI and PSSRa showed the highest correlation coefficient (0.90) compared with other vegetation indices in the first season. In the same season, the highest correlation coefficient (0.94) was found between FAPAR and PSSRa. In the second season, the highest accuracy to the estimate LAI was found in the correlation between MCARI and PSSRa, with correlation coefficients of 0.9 and 0.91, respectively. In the second season, the highest accuracy to the estimate FAPAR was found with the correlation between PSSRa, ARVI, and NDVI, with correlation coefficients 0.97 and 0.96, respectively. The highest correlation coefficients between vegetation indices and yield were found with ARVI and NDVI in the first season, and only with NDVI in the second season

Extending Shelf Life and Maintaining Quality of Tomato Fruit by Calcium Chloride, Hydrogen Peroxide, Chitosan, and Ozonated Water

Tomatoes are perishable fruit that makes them deteriorate rapidly during the post-harvest chain. Therefore, the effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2), chitosan, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ozonated water on the storage ability and quality of tomato fruit (Solanumlycopersicum L. cv. 448) stored at 10 °C for 28 d was studied. Weight loss, firmness, fruit color, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, total carotenoids, and ascorbic acid content (AsA) of treated tomato fruit were recorded. Our results revealed that all tested treatments significantly extended the shelf-life and maintained quality of tomato fruit compared to the control. Chitosan and CaCl2 were the most effective treatments in maintaining quality attributes. Furthermore, a correlation study suggested that AsA and total carotenoids played a vital role in conserving tomato fruit quality during storage. PC1 had strong positive loading for pH, appearance, firmness, AsA, TSS, carotene, fruit color (L* &amp; b*) and a strong negative loading for lycopene content, color (a), weight loss, and color index. PC2 had high positive loading for total acidity and total sugar content

The Effects of Root Aeration and Different Soil Conditioners on the Nutritional Values, Yield, and Water Productivity of Potato in Clay Loam Soil

A field study was conducted in 2016&ndash;2017 and 2017&ndash;2018 to evaluate the effects of air injection into an irrigation stream during the subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) process on the nutritional values and productivity of potato grown in clay loam soil. Two irrigation treatments (non-aerated and aerated) and six fertilizer applications (chicken, cow, rabbit, compost, mineral, and chicken + biochar) were compared. In the first growing season, the maximum yield occurred under aerated treatment with cow fertilizer (36.25 ton ha&minus;1), while the minimum yield occurred under non-aerated treatment with chicken fertilizer (24.00 ton ha&minus;1). On the other hand, the maximum and minimum yields in the second growing season were 35.00 and 24.74 ton ha&minus;1 under aerated and non-aerated treatments with cow fertilizer, respectively. Maximum water productivity was achieved under aerated treatment with cow fertilizer (10.04 and 9.13 kg m&minus;3 for the first and second growing seasons, respectively), while minimum water productivity was achieved under the non-aerated treatment with chicken + biochar fertilizer (5.91 and 5.26 kg m&minus;3 for the first and second growing seasons, respectively). Fertilization using aerated treatment yielded the best results and the highest coupling after air injection, compared with the traditional methods of adding soil fertilizer without aeration. The plant growth parameters significantly increased following aeration relative to non-aerated treatments for all fertilizer applications in both growing seasons. Air injection into the soil for potatoes, unsurprisingly, not only benefitted the crop by increasing the soil&ndash;air exchange rate but also promoted water infiltration rates and nutrient absorption and reduced drainage water, thus increasing water productivity and reducing the overall irrigation requirements

Effect of New Pre-Emergence Herbicides on Quality and Yield of Potato and Its Associated Weeds

Potato is an economically important vegetable crop in Egypt. Weed infestation, especially broad-leafed, during the vegetative growth stage substantially affects both crop yield and tuber quality. In the current study, the impact of new ready-mix pre-emergent herbicides on broadleaf weeds, tuber yield, and quality was evaluated. The two-year field experiment comprised the following treatments: (1) Un-weeded control, (2) Hand hoeing, (3) Sencor, (4) Ecopart, (5) Zeus, (6) Kroki, and (7) Flomex. The results showed that weed control treatments significantly reduced the weed density compared to un-weeded control and the herbicides efficacy reached over 90%. The herbicidal treatments also significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes peroxidases (POX) and catalase (CAT) and improved the non-enzymatic antioxidant (carotenoids) compared to un-weeded control. Conversely, the higher content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in potato leaves was obtained for un-weeded control. Moreover, weed control treatments caused significant enhancement in plant growth parameters, yield, and its components in addition to tuber quality of potato. Compared to the un-weeded control, maximum tuber yield was observed in Flomex followed by Ecopart, Kroki, Zeus, and Sencor, respectively. The higher number of tubers and total yield were recorded in plants treated with Flomex plus compared to all the other treatments. Higher content of total soluble sugar, total soluble protein, and total starch content was observed in weed control treatments compared with un-weeded control. Based on Pearson’s correlation and heatmap analysis, the changes in agro-physiological parameters data are linked to the herbicidal treatments. The results indicate that the applied herbicides could be alternative products for Sencor and an option for controlling broadleaved weeds. However, further studies are needed to ensure their efficacy and safety under other conditions