Effect of pre-harvest organic cytokinin application on the post-harvest physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum l.)

Peppers are cultivated in almost all provinces in Turkey, making up approximately 7% of the world’s production. In this study, the effects of pre-harvest cytokinin application on the postharvest physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits (cv. Akra and Melek F1) grown in ecological conditions in Turkey (Van, eastern Turkey) were investigated. During the growing period, organic cytokinin(nytrozine) at two concentrations (50 and 100 ppm doses) was applied by spraying. Peppers were harvested in green maturity and then stored at 12 °C for 28 days. Changes in color, respiration rate, exogenous ethylene amount, antioxidative enzyme analysis (SOD, CAT and APX), lipid peroxidation, total phenolic content (TP) and antioxidant activity (AA) were determined just after the harvest and then at the 7th, 14th, 24th and 28th days. L* values for both varieties and the control sample had fluctuations during storage, and they slightly decreased after 28 days, except for the end value of cv. Melek F1 with a 50 ppm addition. In terms of respiration rate values, the difference between applications was found to be statistically significant, except for the 14th and 24th days of storage, for cv. Akra F1; and the 0th and 28th days for cv. Melek F1, respectively. It was observed that cytokinin can delay aging in peppers of both cultivars stored for 28 days. As a result, as the used cytokinin has an organic origin, is not synthetic and does not have a negative effect on human health, it can be used safely and without a significant loss of quality characteristics for peppers. These applications have positive effects on in-package gas composition, antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2021/008]IGA/FT/2021/00

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Turkish Landraces of <i>Cucumis melo</i> L.</span>

Cucumis melo L. from Eastern and South-eastern Anatolian regions of Turkey were characterized by using 43 morphological traits and 207 markers obtained from 31 ISSR and 16 SSR primers. The genetic relatedness was studied by examining the Euclidian/UPGMA dendrogram obtained from the combined phenotypic-molecular data. In the combined morphological-molecular dendrogram, there were two main clusters. Sweet and non-sweet melon groups were separated and the flexuosus group accessions were discriminated from the sweet ones, but the momordica group accession was clustered with the sweet ones. Unclear South-eastern Anatolian accessions were sub-clustered separately among the sweet ones. Principle component analysis (PCA) of morphological characters was used in detail to discriminate melon accessions. The cumulative proportion of variation reached 44% by first three PCA axes. The first component was mainly based on sex expression, ovary index, ovary shape, flesh thickness, seed cavity length, seed cavity width, soluble solids content, fruit shape, aroma, netting, and taste. The PCA plot based on all measured traits allowed distinction between flexuosus group, subsp.agrestis and reticulatus group. A high variation among groups was observed for the fruits characters. Netting, aroma and abscission of peduncle represent reticulatus group; a small fruit size, strong typical aroma and secondary colour distribution characterize dudaim group. Monoecy, very long fruit shape and mature fruit rind colour discriminate flexuous group; Ovary index, fruit size and flesh width distinguish subsp. agrestis group. These findings indicated wide range of variations for investigated characteristics in Turkish gene pool that provides a good source of diversity to use in melon improvement program for better yield and other traits of interest

Biochemical and morphological characteristics of some macrofungi grown naturally

Recently, the production of macro-fungi (mushrooms) has steadily increased, and so has their economic value, in global terms. The use of functional foods, dietary supplements, and traditional medicines derived from macro-fungi is increasing as they have numerous health benefits as well as abundant nutrients. This study aimed to determine some biochemical contents (pH, soluble solid contents (SSC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenolic contents (TPC)) of eight edible macro-fungi species growing naturally (in the wild) in Turkey. The samples were collected in the Van Yuzuncu Yil University (VAN YYU) campus area in the months of April–May 2018, in different locations, and brought to the laboratory, and the necessary mycological techniques were applied for their identification. Location, habitats, collection dates and some morphological measurements were determined for all identified species. Biochemical parameters of the macro-fungi species were analyzed separately both in cap and stem. The color values (L, a, b, Chroma and hue) were separately evaluated on cap surface, cap basement and stem. Results showed that there were significant differences for most of the biochemical parameters in different organs between and within species. The pH, SSC, TAC and TPC values varied from 6.62 to 8.75, 2.25 to 5.80° brix, 15.72 to 57.67 TE mg(−1) and 13.85 to 60.16 gallic acid equivalent (GAE) fresh weight basis. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the parameters such as total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and soluble content in Morchella esculenta, Helvella leucopus, Agaricus bitorquis and Suillus collinitus were higher than for the other species and clearly implied that they may be further exploited as functional ingredients in the composition of innovative food products

Inheritance of tolerance to leaf iron deficiency chlorosis in tomato

By using two tomato genotypes, "227/1" (Fe chlorosis susceptible) and "Roza" (Fe chlorosis tolerant), and their reciprocal F-1, F-2 and BC1 generations, the inheritance of tolerance to leaf Fe deficiency chlorosis of Roza was studied. Plants were grown in a nutrient solution and subjected to 2.0 x 10(-6) M Fe EDDHA and 10 mM NaHCO3 to induce Fe deficiency stress by stabilization of pH to 7.8-8.2. A rating scale of 1-3 for chlorophyll was used and both monogenic and polygenic inheritance hypotheses were tested. Better responses to Fe deficiency, as measured by SPAD meter values, were obtained from the cross "Roza x 227/1" than from the reciprocal cross. Data from F-2 and BC1 suggest Fe chlorosis tolerance of Roza is to be controlled by polygenic loci with a relatively high additive effect