Effects of rootstocks on storage and shelf life of grafted watermelons

Watermelon fruits from non-grafted or grafted ‘Crimson Tide’ (CT) and ‘Crisby’ (CR) onto Ferro, RS841, Argentario and Macis rootstocks were compared for their postharvest quality during storage at 7 °C for 21 days and additional 7 days at 21 °C. Non-grafted and grafted CT and CR fruits did not exhibit chilling injury (CI) symptoms, but the 1-2% of fungal decay occurred after shelf life period following storage. Watermelons grafted on Ferro and RS841 rootstocks had higher flesh firmness thicker rind, lower ripening rating, more intense (higher C*) brighter red (lower h° value) color and higher lycopene content after shelf life period following storage, compared to non-grafted fruits. All of the fruit tested by the panelists received high taste scores of >7.9 out of 8.5 at the beginning, but the scores decreased to >6.8 out of 7.7 at the end of shelf life period. Watermelons could successfully be kept for 21 days at 7 °C and additional 7 days at 21 °C. Watermelons grafted on Ferro and RS841 rootstocks had higher postharvest quality, compared to the non-grafted fruits for both cultivars

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME CARBONATE MARBLES AND BASALT STONE FROM MOROCCO

The natural rocks used today as well as in the history for a variety of purposes were a subject of different alteration, weathering and deterioration conditions. These conditions are strictly controlled by environment and nature of rock varieties (marble and stone). This study is a first approach to understand the relation between some geological features and behavior against salt (Na 2SO4) decay of Moroccan marbles and stones. For this purpose, widely used four dolomitic limestones, two crystalline limestones, one limestone and one basalt sample (total 8) were chosen from Morocco. Extra attention paid to choose locations being a representative of all Moroccan country. The carbonate samples (limestone and dolomite) consist of mainly dolomite and calcite with micritic and sparitic cement. The sole, non-carbonaceous sample is basalt of Khenifra containing mainly plagioclase and pyroxene. In general, both bulk-dry and powder density values of the studied rock samples are homogeneous. The limestone of Bir Jdid has the highest (10.81 %) effective porosity and dry weight loss value (4.61 %). The loss on ignition value of the Khenifra basalt has the lowest value with 1.26 %. The loss on ignition values are also relatively uniform. The obtained data indicate that outdoor uses (especially in coastal areas) of limestones of Bir Jdid and dolomitic limestones of Taza are more risky than the others

Effects of some applications on emergency and phenological characters at the parthenocarpic watermelon seeds

Bu çalışmada değişik tuz solüsyonları, uç kesme, ön çimlendirme ve 52 "C sıcak su uygulamalarının çekirdeksiz karpuz tohumlarında çimlenme, çıkış oranı ile süreleri ve bu uygulamaların vegetatif ve generatif karakterlere etkileri belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırmada %2'lik $KNO_3, Ca(NO_3)_2 ve NH_4NO_3$ tuz solüsyonları kullanılmıştır. Serada yapılan çalışmalarda çimlenme oranı ve süreleri araştırılmıştır. En iyi çimlenme oranı %A1.11 ile 52 °C sıcak su uygulamalarından elde edilmiştir. Çimlenme süresi bakımından en iyi sonucu sırasıyla 12.32 ve 11.77 gün ile Yaron ve Nova çeşitleri vermiştir. Gerçek yaprak oluşumu ve ilk dişi çiçek açma süresi üzerine en iyi sonucu sırası ile 26.27 ve 94.33 gün ile Tiffany çeşidi vermiştir.In this study, different physical (pre-germination, hot water treatment, hylum cutting) and osmotic salt solutions $(KNO_3,Ca(NO_3)_2$ and NH4NO3 at 2 % doses) treatments to Nova $F_1$ , Yaron $F_1$ and Tiffany $F_1$ seedless watermelon cultivars were tested to determine emergence ratio and duration; and also on some phenological parameters. According to the research's results; pre-germination, hot water and Ca(NO3)2 treatments were increased ratio of emergence and first real leaf formation; decreased period of emergence, first leaf and female flower formation. NH4NO3 treatment gave the negative results