Growth, yield and quality responses to gibberellic acid (GA3) of Wax apple Syzygium samarangense var. Jambu air madu fruits grown under field conditions

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the growth and development of the red jambu air madu fruits (Syzygium samarangense). Various horticultural parameters were monitored during two seasons of fruit growth between December, 2008 to December, 2009 with the application of three concentrations of GA3 at 20, 50 and 100 mg/L. It was observed that the application of GA3 at 50 mg/L increased fruit length and diameter. Furthermore, it enhanced faster fruit growth and color development in addition to increasing fruit number, weight and yield. It also decreased premature fruit dropping. However, spraying with 20 mg/L GA3 increased the number of buds and fruit setting and reduced bud dropping before anthesis. With regard to fruit quality, the application of GA3 at 50 mg/L increased total soluble solids (TSS), total sugar, total biomass and total flavonoids content in the fruits by 112, 97, 45 and 92% compared with the control treatment. In addition, anthocyanin content, total phenol and antioxidant activity was higher in GA3 treated fruits. From this study, it can be concluded that spraying with 50 mg/L GA3 once a week results in better yield and quality of jambu madu fruits under field conditions.Key words: Gibberellin, growth, quality, wax apple, yield

Effects of Fish Waste Extract on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Cucumis sativus L.

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of fish waste extract on the growth, yield and quality of cucumber which is a popular cucurbitaceae fruit vegetable. Different treatments were arranged according with CRD layouts with five replicates for each treatment.  All the six (6) treatments viz; control, NPK, 10 ml, 20 ml, 40 ml and 50 ml of fish waste extract were applied to the potting media. The results showed that the application of 20 ml of fish waste extract increased the vine length, number of leaf, chlorophyll content (SPAD), stomatal conductance and leaf TSS content of cucumber compared to other treatments and control. Treatment with 50 mL of fish waste extract produced the highest leaf area. The chlorophyll concentration, carotene content, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic yield also positively affected with fish waste extracts. It was also found that number of flower, number of fruit, and weight of individual fruit of cucumber also significantly increased by fish waste extracts.  It can be concluded that 20 ml fish waste extract was the best treatment for improving the growth, yield and quality of cucumber. Foliar application of fish waste effluent on Cucurbitaceae vegetables is merit to further study

Physiochemical and Phytochemical Properties of Wax Apple (Syzygium samarangense [Blume] Merrill & L. M. Perry var. Jambu Madu) as Affected by Growth Regulator Application

This study represents the first paper of the effects of growth regulators on the physiochemical and phytochemical properties of the wax apple fruit, a widely cultivated fruit tree in southeast Asia. Net photosynthesis, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity, peel color, fruit firmness, juice content, pH value, total soluble solids (TSSs), and the sugar acid ratio were all significantly increased in growth regulators (PGRs) treated fruits. The application of gibberellin (GA3), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) significantly reduced titratable acidity and increased total sugar and carbohydrate content compared to the control. The 50 mg/L GA3, 10 mg/L NAA, and 5 mg/L 2,4-D treatments produced the greatest increases in phenol and flavonoid content; vitamin C content was also higher for these treatments. PGR treatment significantly affected chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and carotene content and produced higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and antioxidant activity levels. There was a positive correlation between peel color and TSS and antioxidant activity and both phenol and flavonoid content and PAL activity and anthocyanin formation. A taste panel assessment was also performed, and the highest scores were given to fruits that had been treated with GA3 or auxin. The study showed that application of 50 mg/L GA3, 10 mg/L NAA, and 5 mg/L 2,4-D once a week from bud development to fruit maturation increased the physiochemical and phytochemical properties of wax apple fruits

Effects of temperature treatment on seed germination, root development and seedling growth of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon)

The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of temperature on the seed germination, root development and seedling growth of watermelon. Yellow flesh watermelon seeds were incubated with control (normal temperature 25°C, 20°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C under lab condition. This experiment was carried out with Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and each treatment consists of five replications. The morphological and physiological parameters were measured once a week for five weeks during the germination and early seedling establishment. The results showed that seed treated under 35°C treatment produced the best results for the days require to germination, germination percentage, root development, vine and root length, leaf expansion and seedling growth of watermelon. In addition, chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic yield and stomatal conductance also affected positively with the temperature treatments. Fresh and dry biomass accumulation in the seedlings of watermelon was also the highest in 35°C treatment. It can be concluded that seeds incubated with 35°C during the germination increased the germination rate, root development and seedlings growth of watermelon

Roselle anthocyanin stability profile and its potential role in post-harvest deterioration: A review

The conversion of roselle calyx into a dried extract without decreasing its consistency is a challenge, given the perishability of the calyx and instability of anthocyanin, which can quickly degrade and develop colored or unwanted brown colors because of its high reactivity. The most critical factors influencing anthocyanins' stability are pH, temperature, light and post-harvest-related enzymes. Besides, the calyx suffered wound injury when removing seed from the calyx, causing stress and eventually, microbial degradation. Nonetheless, mature anthocyanins stimulate plants by responding to stress, especially drought, high salinity, excess light and injury; it is also correlated with improved stress resistance as the genes of individual plants are triggered under these conditions modulate anthocyanin biosynthesis. This work investigates the stability and potential role of roselle anthocyanin in post harvest deterioration. Anthocyanin stability can, therefore, be achieved by maintaining low pH and temperature, acylation, glycosylation, copigmentation and encapsulation. In the quest for roselle deterioration biomarkers, the detection of critical enzymes, such as Chalcone synthase CHS and FH3 Flavanone 3 hydroxylase, would offer insight into the genetic modification of anthocyanin

Environmental Effects on Germination and Seedling Emergence of Weedy Rice

The objective of this study is to determine the germination and growth of weedy rice seedlings that were grown under four different environmental conditions simulated in either growth chamber or room conditions. Photoperiod (24 h light, 24 h dark, 12 h light-dark), drought (0, 5, 10, 20 %) and temperature (25, 30, 35, 40 °C) effects were tested in growth chamber while the flooding depth (0, 2.5, 5, 10 cm) effects was tested in room condition. Germination percentage was not significantly affected (p > 0.05) by either of the environmental factors except for flooding depth at 10 cm. Temperature treatment specifically at 30 °C showed a pronounced effect on hypocotyl length, radicle length and root-shoot ratio compared to other temperature range. Highest hypocotyl length and root-shoot ratio were recorded in 10 % drought treatment and longest radicle length obtained in control treatment. Meanwhile, a continuous dark condition in photoperiod treatment showed the highest hypocotyl length in comparison to 24 hours of light and alternate 12 hours of light and dark. Highest radicle length and root-shoot ratio were obtained in 24 hours of light and 12 hours alternate light and dark respectively. Growth of weedy rice exhibited a declining trend in increasing flooding depth. The result of this study suggests that germination was retarded by deep flooding. Temperature and flooding depth affects the vegetative growth of weedy rice the most and sustained growth was observed at higher temperature regime. The information gained from this study may be useful in assessing the growth performance of weedy rice in relation to cultivated rice, and further helps in developing effective Malaysian weedy rice control strategies

Influence of Culture Media, Temperature and pH on Colletrotrichum gleosporioides, Isolated from Carica papaya in Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia

Colletotrichum gleosporioides is known as the causal agent of anthracnose disease in Malaysia. Economic losses are reported during postharvest where the disease incidence and severity was recorded as 90-98 % and 25-38 % respectively. Colletotrichum spp. were isolated from lesions of infected Carica papaya L. that showing the typical anthracnose disease symptoms in Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia. Three types of fungal cultures were obtained that are identified as Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp. and Rhizoctonia sp. One of the fungal obtained was confirmed as Colletotrichum gleosporioides based on conidial morphology and growth characteristics on PDA media. The pathogen under study varied in its ability to grow under different environmental conditions. However, isolate preferred temperature range of 20°C to 30°C for the growth on PDA media. C. gloeosporioides isolates grew well at pH values within range of pH6 to pH 7

Ethnobotany of Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp In Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

Plants with medicinal potentials have contributed significantly in the history and evolution of modern health care system. Lack of comprehensive written document have made traditional medicinal knowledge disappearing as a result of population growth and development. This necessitates written document of comprehensive knowledge of medicinal plants. This study aims at documenting traditional knowledge of Syzygium polyanthum cultivars (Serai Kayu and Serai Kayu Hutan) in Terengganu, three hundred and eighty four respondents were interviewed with the aid of semi structured questionnaire. The study reported Serai Kayu and Serai Kayu Hutan to be used as ulam, spices and medicinal respectively. Leaves were found to be the most utilized part and Decoction the most prepared method. However, the study recommends immediate conservation of the plant and adoption of Malays traditional culture utilisation of the species; due to its medicinal potential

Needs for Terengganu Sweet Melon Growers for Quality Production using Fertigation System

The Terengganu government needs 100 more fertigation growers of Terengganu Sweet Melon (MMT), to meet the European market demand. Undocumented local growers' needs for MMT fertigation farming hinder the local government’s efforts to retain and attract new local growers. Hence, this study’s objective was to explore the needs of MMT growers using the fertigation system for quality production in Terengganu. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews complemented with Participatory Research Appraisal (PRA) tools for data collection. Through purposive sampling, 13 MMT growers volunteered as the study informants. The thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews extracted six themes on growers’ needs. Almost all growers acknowledged MMT has promising prospects for its high market price and cost-effective fertigation system for quality production. However, they expressed six needs to help retain and support MMT fertigation technology adoption for quality production. All growers received a lack of technical consultancy; thus, their top urgent need was the advisory services on the technical knowledge and skills on MMT, fertigation system, and pests and diseases controls. Lack of financial support was also their urgent need for financial assistance to initiate, operate and maintain the high-cost infrastructure of the fertigation farming system. Different roles of agricultural-related and financial institutions were crucial to support their need for professional development, resources, and fertigation farm upscaling. In conclusion, MMT fertigation growers identified six needs that must be addressed for quality production. Their major needs were the technical advisory services on MMT and fertigation system, and financial assistance. Thus, the Terengganu government may incorporate the study findings to formulate an attractive policy for relevant government and NGOs’ roles to provide the relevant extension and advisory services, professional development packages, and friendly resources aid for the advancement of existing growers and to solicit new growers' participation

Seaweed effects on plant growth and environmental remediation: a review

Seaweeds are plants found in sea that have tremendous applications in the fields of agriculture and environment. It comprises of three giant classes with a large number of different species. their ability to adopt to various conditions qualifies them more applicable to various environmental and agricultural arena. Agriculturally, both three classes Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta, have significant roles in promoting plant growth and productivity and soil protection as well as reclamation with class Phaeophyta has highest contribution due to its alginic acid content and other multifaceted components that are higher followed by Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta. Seaweed (living or dead biomass) has ability to phycoremediate environment against heavy toxic metals and lessen the excessiveness of non-metal inorganic elements via physisorption, chemisorption with the aid of binding sites provided by proteins and carbohydrates functional groups existing in their cell walls and secretion of organic acids and intracellular transformation and accumulation. Seaweed is an important factor in environmental remediation and soil restoration processes