Does overhead irrigation with salt affect growth, yield, and phenolic content of lentil plants?

Overhead irrigation of lentil plants with salt (100 mM NaCl) did not have any significant impact on plant growth, while chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fv/Fm were affected. Under such poor irrigation water quality, the malondialdehyde content in leaves was increased due to the lipid peroxidation of membranes. In seeds, the total phenolic content (TPC) was correlated to their total antioxidant capacity (TAC). High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) detection showed that flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, rutin, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, kaempferol, gallic acid and resveratrol) appear to be the compounds with the greatest influence on the TAC values. Catechin is the most abundant phenolic compound in lentil seeds. Overhead irrigation with salt reduced the concentration of almost all phenolic compounds analyzed from lentil seed extracts

The effect of water stress and salinity on growth and physiology of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mil.)

Carotenoids like lycopene are important pigments found in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes in plants. They are responsible for the bright colors of fruits and vegetables and perform various functions in photosynthesis. Our research has shown that the application of moderate salt stress on tomato plants can enhance lycopene and potentially other antioxidant concentrations in fruits. The increase in lycopene in response to salt stress in the tomato fruits varied from 20% to 80%. Although the specific biological mechanisms involved in increasing fruit lycopene deposition has not been clearly elucidated, evidence suggests that increasing antioxidant concentrations is a primary physiological response of the plant to salt stress. Additionally drought stress during cultivation increased the antioxidant capacity of tomato fruit while maintaining the lycopene concentration. In addition, the effects of silicium were investigated, added to the nutrient solution either at low concentration or at an increased concentration. The present study clearly indicates that an enhanced silicium supply to tomato increases markedly the lycopene contents, irrespective of the salinity status in the tomato fruit

The effect of hydrocooling on ripening related quality attributes and cell wall physicochemical properties of sweet cherry fruit (Prunus avium L.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrocooling, as a precooling treatment, on ripening related parameters of two sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L. cvs. ‘Tragana Edessis’, ‘Mpakirtzeika’) after 1-week cold storage (0 C, 95% R.H.). Results indicated that hydrocooling delayed the deterioration and senescence of cherry fruit, maintaining a higher quality, as indicated by reduced stem browning and surface shrivelling. In particular, hydrocooled ‘Tragana Edessis’ fruit showed considerably less stem browning (14.6e29.6%), while the benefits of hydrocooling were less pronounced in ‘Mpakirtzeika’ fruit. Other quality attributes, such as cracking, decay, external color and soluble solids content were not affected by hydrocooling. Furthermore cell wall properties, as indicated by uronic acid and neutral sugars content in cell wall material extracted from the cherry fruits, were slightly or not affected by the hydrocooling process. Overall, the present study showed that cherry fruit subjected to hydrocooling followed by 1 week’s storage at 0 C and 95% R.H. retained their quality for a further 3 days at room temperature, but after 5 days at room temperature many of the fruit were of unacceptable quality

The effect of hydrocooling on ripening related quality attributes and cell wall physicochemical properties of sweet cherry fruit (Prunus avium L.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrocooling, as a precooling treatment, on ripening related parameters of two sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L. cvs. \u2018Tragana Edessis\u2019, \u2018Mpakirtzeika\u2019) after 1-week cold storage (0 _C, 95% R.H.). Results indicated that hydrocooling delayed the deterioration and senescence of cherry fruit, maintaining a higher quality, as indicated by reduced stem browning and surface shrivelling. In particular, hydrocooled \u2018Tragana Edessis\u2019 fruit showed considerably less stem browning (14.6e29.6%), while the benefits of hydrocooling were less pronounced in \u2018Mpakirtzeika\u2019 fruit. Other quality attributes, such as cracking, decay, external color and soluble solids content were not affected by hydrocooling. Furthermore cell wall properties, as indicated by uronic acid and neutral sugars content in cell wall material extracted from the cherry fruits, were slightly or not affected by the hydrocooling process. Overall, the present study showed that cherry fruit subjected to hydrocooling followed by 1 week\u2019s storage at 0 _C and 95% R.H. retained their quality for a further 3 days at room temperature, but after 5 days at room temperature many of the fruit were of unacceptable qualit

Effects of inert dust on olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf physiological parameters

Background. Cement factories are major pollutants for the surrounding areas. Inert dust deposition has been found to affect photosynthesis, stomatal functioning and productivity. Very few studies have been conducted on the effects of cement kiln dust on the physiology of perennial fruit crops. Our goal was to study some cement dust effects on olive leaf physiology. Methods. Cement kiln dust has been applied periodically since April 2003 onto olive leaves. Cement dust accumulation and various leaf physiological parameters were evaluated early in July 2003. Measurements were also taken on olive trees close to the cement factory. Results. Leaf dry matter content and specific leaf weight increased with leaf age and dust content. Cement dust decreased leaf total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio. As a result, photosynthetic rate and quantum yield decreased. In addition, transpiration rate slightly decreased, stomatal conductance to H2O and CO2 movement decreased, internal CO2 concentration remained constant and leaf temperature increased. Discussion. The changes in chlorophyll are possibly due to shading and/or photosystem damage. The changes in stomatal functioning were possibly due to dust accumulation between the peltates or other effects on stomata. Conclusions. Dust (in this case from a cement kiln) seems to cause substantial changes to leaf physiology, possibly leading to reduced olive productivity. Recommendations. Avoidance of air contamination from cement factories by using available technology should be examined together with any possible methodologies to reduce plant tissue contamination from cement dust. Perspectives. Longterm effects of dust (from cement kiln or other sources) on olive leaf, plant productivity and nutritional quality of edible parts could be studied for conclusive results on dust contamination effects to perennial crops