Postharvest Quality and Sensory Characteristics of ‘Granny Smith’ Apple Treated with SmartFresh™ (1—MCP)

Apple fruit of cv ‘Granny Smith’ was treated with 0.625 μl/L SmartFresh™ (1-MCP) and stored in NA (90% RH, 1 °C) for 16 weeks. After storage, fruits were left for four days at room temperature to simulate market display period (SMP) before analysis. Fruit treated with 1-MCP retained firmness on values very similar to harvest, while control fruit had significantly lower values. No significant differences were observed in the amount of soluble solid concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and maturity index (SSC/TA). Fruit colour was significantly affected with SmartFresh™ (1-MCP treatment). After storage, b value and Chroma were significantly lower in SmartFresh™ (1-MCP) treated fruit. After SMP, significance of differences in b and Chroma values increased to as high as P≤0.001 and differences in L and Hue values became significant. Colour differences (ΔEab and ΔHab) between storage and SMP were not significant, but difference in L value (ΔL) was significantly higher in control fruit. Control fruit had scald index of 2.27, while SmartFresh™ (1-MCP) treated fruit had scald index of only 0.27. Female panelist scores showed the lower quality of control sample in all characteristics, except aroma, while male panelists noticed difference only in colour. The results showed that SmartFresh™ (1-MCP) treatment significantly affects fruit quality of apple cv. ‘Granny Smith’. Subtle changes in sensory characteristics caused by this treatment are more easily recognized by female panelists

The control of codling moth population using mating disruption technique isomate C/OFM and isomate C TT + OFM rosso FLEX during 2014 growing season in medjimurje region

Višegodišnji nasadi predstavljaju monokulturu, a suvremeni uzgoj jabuke u odnosu na ostale voćne vrste odlikuju velike promjene tehnologije uzgoja (gusta sadnja s mrežama protiv tuče i sustavima navodnjavanja) i prihvaćanje standarda kvalitete (npr. GlobalGAP, "No Residue" tehnologija). Jabučni savijač (Cydia pomonella) najvažniji je tehnološki štetnik, a njegov prag štetnosti u integriranom programu iznosi samo 0,5 %. U posljednjih 20-ak godina populacija leptira jabučnog savijača u Međimurju znatno se povećala, štetnik je aktivan od zametanja plodova do početka berbe kasnih sorata jabuke, pa je udvostručen broj usmjerenih mjera kemijske i biotehničke zaštite. Tijekom 2014. godine u suvremenom nasadu jabuka na lokalitetu Nedelišće kraj Čakovca proveden pokus primjene mjere konfuzije primjenom ShinEtsu dispenzora tipa Isomate C/OFM, te kombinacije Isomate CTT + Isomate OFM rosso FLEX (slika na naslovnici). Pored konfuzije mužjaka jabučnoga savijača navedeni ShinEtsu dispenzori sadrže i feromone za zbunjivanje breskvina savijača (Cydia molesta). Pokusni dio nasada za primjenu konfuzije pokriven je mrežom protiv tuče, opremljen sustavom za navodnjavanje "kap po kap", zasađena je sorta jabuke Zlatni delišes reinders na slabo bujnoj vegetativnoj podlozi M9. Na polovici površine s pokusom konfuzije dodatno su krajem razvoja prve i druge generacije jabučnoga savijača primijenjeni insekticidi klorantraniliprol i emamektin. Na susjednoj tabli provodio se standardni program zaštite i jabučni savijač suzbijan je šest puta primjenom različitih skupina insekticida (klorpirifos-etil, acetamiprid, klorantraniliprol, metoksifenzoid, tiakloprid i emamektin). Ocjenom zaraze plodova jabuke uzročnikom crvljivosti tijekom lipnja, kolovoza i rujna 2014. nisu očitane razlike na dijelovima na kojima se primjenjuje mjera konfuzije i standardna zaštita insekticidima, te se ova biotehnička mjera zaštite pokazala prihvatljivom u suvremenom nasadu jabuke u sustavu integrirane proizvodnje, na dijelu površine pokrivenom mrežom protiv tuče.The experiment on codling moth (Cydia pomonella) control using mating disruption technique was conducted in apple orchard with hail nets during 2014 growing season. The efficacy of three commercial pheromone preparations: Isomate C/OFM, and combination Isomate C TT + Isomate OFM rosso FLEX, in comparison to standard pesticides program (chlorpyriphos, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, methoxyfenzoide, thiacloprid and emamectin), was evaluated on the base of number of moths caught in pheromone traps and percentage of damaged fruits. Mating disruption method proved to be very effective if applied to parts of the orchard covered by the network against hail. Between dispenser Isomate C/OFM and combination Isomate C TT + Isomate OFM rosso FLEX there was no difference in the efficacy on codling moth (damage on apple fruits were less than 0.5 %). Compared to the standard chemical control, the parts of the experiment using Isomate mating disruption technique is spent less 4-6 applications of insecticides. This method is acceptable for an integrated and organic apple production

The control of european vine moth population using mating disruption technique Isonet L Plus and Isonet L+E during 2014 and 2015 growing season in north-west Croatian grape production region

U Međimurskom su vinogorju dobivena prva pozitivna iskustva primjenom tada nove metode suzbijanja grozdova moljaca: konfuzijom ili zbunjivanjem (Ciglar i sur., 2002; Šubić i sur., 2003). Postignuto je to i udrugim državama (Barbieri i sur. 1996; Sauer & Karg, 1998; Charmillot & Pasquier, 2000). Učinkovitost metode konfuzije ili zbunjivanja bila je vrlo uspješna, a njezinu moguću ekološku i komercijalnu vrijednost u proizvodnji međimurskih vina tih je godina prepoznalo regionalno županijsko rukovodstvo sa željom da novčanom potporom pomogne širenju novog načina suzbijanja moljaca. Dispenzori za metodu konfuzije nisu se mogli nabaviti na našem tržištu, pa takva ideja nije ostvarena. Nakon pojave dispenzora tipa Isonet L Plus i Isonet L+E na našem tržištu provjerili smo njihovu djetlotvornost u Međimurskom vinogorju. Pokusi su postavljenu u 2014. i 2015. godini, provedeni su na dvije lokacije (Orehovčak, Železna Gora). Učinkovitost konfuzije grozdova moljca sa ShinEtsu Isonet ocjenjivana je na tri načina: praćenjem brojnosti leptira feromonskim klopkama u pokusnom i u kontrolnim vinogradima, pregledom i ocjenom zaraze cvjetnih organa i grožđa nakon razvoja prve i druge generacije ličinki štetnika i zdravstvenom ocjenom grožđa u berbi na sivu plijesan (Botrytis cinerea). Metoda konfuzije primjenom dispenzora tipa ShinEtsu Isonet L Plus i Isonet L+E tijekom 2014. i 2015. pokazala se učinkovitom mjerom zaštite od pepeljasta grozdova moljca.European vine moth (Lobesia botrana) is a significant pest in north-west Croatian grape production region (Medjimurje). This pest feeds primarily on the flowers and fruits of grape (Vitis vinifera). Grape vine moth in Medjimurje vineyard region has three generations annually. The first generation if frequently the largest (though not necessarily the most economically damaging) and the third generation is often the smallest. Every generation of the moth can be found in vineyards, however the second and third generations are the most damaging. Larvae in latter generations can seriously affect the mature grape berry harvest directly through larval feeding and indirectly by predisposing the crop to grey mold (Botrytis cinerea). Damage is greater in grape cultivars with compact clusters and/or sensitive to rot (Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon). A sex pheromone has been identified that is highly attractive to males Lobesia botrana. The main pheromone component has been used to monitor the flight period of males and to disrupt mating as a method of pest control. The experiment on European vine moth control using mating disruption technique was conducted in vineyard (2,5 ha) with sensitive cv. Riesling during 2014 and 2015 growing season. The efficacy of two commercial pheromone preparations: Isonet C Plus and Isonet L+E, in comparison to standard pesticide program (indoxacarb, chlorpyriphos -methyl), was evaluated on the base of number of moth caught in pheromone traps, percentage of damaged flowers and fruits of grape (first and second generations), and a fungal infection caused by Botrytis cinerea. Isonet L Plus and Isonet L+E mating disruption method proved to be very effective against European vine moth in Medjimurje vineyards region

Is TBX agar a suitable medium for monitoring Escherichia coli in bathing water using the membrane filtration method?

The use of a suitable method for the enumeration of indicator microorganisms is of crucial importance for reliable monitoring and assessment of the quality of bathing waters. Among other characteristics, the method should be selective enough and ensure acceptable relative recovery of target microorganisms. This study presents the basic parameters, relative recovery and categorical performance characteristics of Tryptone Bile X-glucuronide (TBX) agar for Escherichia coli (E. coli) enumeration in bathing water samples using the membrane filtration method. The results of the relative recovery study, in which TBX agar was compared against temperature- modified ISO 9308- 1:2014, showed that in order to achieve a satisfactory relative recovery of E. coli with TBX agar at 44 ± 0.5 °C, the resuscitation period on a non-selective medium (Minerals Modified Glutamate Agar, MMGA) at 36 ± 2 °C is crucial. Incubation on a double-layer MMGA/TBX medium with a 6-h resuscitation period and alternating incubation on single-layer MMGA and TBX agar with a 4-h resuscitation period resulted in acceptable and very similar relative recovery. The achieved performance characteristics of the tested medium, double- layer MMGA/TBX agar, are acceptable. The selectivity was matrix-dependent and was 60.6% for inland and 69.9% for coastal waters. No significant effect of the resuscitation period on selectivity was recorded. Finally, the results showed that when the resuscitation period on a non-selective medium is included, TBX agar is a suitable medium for E. coli enumeration in bathing water samples using the membrane filtration method and that its use, theoretically, would not have negative effects on the assessment of bathing water qualit