Horti culture fruit(Apple, Grape, Pomegranate etc)

In developing countries, food losses occur mainly during the production, harvest, postharvest and processing phases. Because of the lack of awareness in the apple postharvest practices in Lebanon, this study was carried out to check the effect of good harvesting and handling practices, pre-storage sorting, and dipping in calcium and fungicide, on the percent losses of Golden Delicious apples during six months of cold storage. A highly significant reduction in the percent of total damages was observed during storage when good harvesting and handling practices and pre-storage sorting were applied. The magnitude of losses reduction depended on the type of damage registered and the practices performed. The presence of injuries was reduced by all types of good practices, applied alone or in combination. Where good harvesting and handling practices were performed, the incidence of bruising was reduced from 93.3% in the non-treated control to 37.7% and symptoms of rot were not detected. This study emphasized the importance of good harvest and postharvest practices in improving and maintaining the quality of Lebanese apples.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of pre-harvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, 250 mgL −1) and zinc (0.3% ZnSO 4) treatments on pre-harvest fruit drops, internal ethylene concentration (IEC), fruit weight, color characteristics, fruit firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity-like quality attributes and antioxidant activity, total phenolics, micro and macro elements of Jersey Mac apples (Malus x domestica). Compared to control treatment, except for 22 July, pre-harvest drops were significantly reduced with all treatments in all measurement times. Zn + AVG treatment was found to be more effective in reducing pre-harvest fruit drops. IEC decreased with AVG, Zn and Zn + AVG treatments. Single AVG treatment was more effective on IEC decreases. While flesh softening was retarded with AVG treatments, Zn treatments stimulated flesh softening. Fruit weights increased with Zn treatments, but decreased with AVG and Zn + AVG treatments. Red color development was retarded with both AVG and Zn + AVG treatments, but stimulated with Zn treatment. SSC significantly decreased in the last measurement date (12 August) with AVG treatment. Compared to control fruits, AVG and Zn + AVG-treated fruits had higher titratable acidity, total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity, but Zn-treated fruits had lower values. All micro element and nitrogen and phosphorus-like macro element contents of single Zn and AVG or Zn + AVG-treated fruits were higher than the control fruits. It was concluded that beside AVG, Zn could also play an active role in retarding pre-harvest fruit drops.

(1) The correspondences between Ionic σίδη or σίβδη, Aeolic ξίμβᾱ, Doric (Cyrenaean) σίβδᾱ f. ‘pomegranate, Punica granatum L.’, Boeotian σίδᾱ f. ‘pomegranate (tree and fruit)’, also ‘a water plant, probably water-lilly, Nymphaea alba L.’, Attic σίδη f. ‘water-lily’, are carefully discussed in the paper. It is concluded that the words demonstrate certain Pre-Greek features, which cannot be treated as native.

(2) The comparison of Greek words for ‘pomegranate, Punica granatum L.’ (Gk. σίδᾱ, σίδη, σίβδᾱ, σίβδη, ξίμβᾱ f.) with Hittite GIŠšaddu(wa)- ‘a kind of fruit-tree’ indicates a possible borrowing of the Greek forms from an Anatolian source.

In this report a simple and eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver
nanoparticles using Pomegranate peel extract as the reducing agent
from 1 mM AgNO3 had been investigated. The formation of silver
nanoparticles was characterized by UV-Vis spectrum, Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron
Microscopic (SEM) analysis. The UV-Vis spectra results show a
strong resonance centered on the surface of silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) at 371 nm. The Fourier Transformation Infrared
Spectroscopy spectral study demonstrates pomegranate peel extract
acted as the reducing agent. The scanning electron microscopic
(SEM) analysis shows nanoparticles with the average particles size
ranges about 5-50 nm. Further the antibacterial activity of AgNPs
was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Escherichia coli pathogens. This route is rapid,
simple, without any hazardous chemicals as reducing or stabilizing
agents and economical to synthesize AgNPs.

Summary

This experiment presents the results of two-year study of productiveness of interspecies hybrid Panonia. The aim of research was to access its productivity in the conditions of Northern Bosnia - Kozara wine growing region. The average yield of 1.2 kg/vine was determined. The average cluster mass was 133.59 g with relatively high sugar content in must (22.96%). Basic elements of productiveness have shown that the cultivar Panonia is suitable for the production of quality wines and is recommended for growing in similar conditions to those of Kozara wine growing region.

Key words: interspecies hybrids, yield, grape quality

The objectives of the Quebec apple breeding programme are to develop hardy and disease resistant varieties for the production of juice and cider and/or varieties with an excellent fruit quality and a long shelf life. Almost 90% of the research on apple breeding is funded by a Partnership Program in which the partners cover about 50% of the research costs. The short term objectives of the programme are to evaluate the existing genotypes in Frelighsburg and to name worthy selections, remove unworthy material, and transfer potentially interesting genotypes to other AAFC research stations for further evaluation. A number of interesting selections are described below. Three selections, 77-13-11, FAR006A013 and O-5410, are very hardy, scab (Venturia inaequalis) resistant, and have good yields of pleasantly flavoured fruit which can be stored for a long time while retaining a good quality. Selections A14R3A108 and A36R7A87 are not scab resistant but they are hardy and the fruit of these selections have an excellent flavour, store very well for over 5 months and have a flesh which does not darken after cutting. The above selections are being evaluated for use by commercial growers. Selections FER5A038 and 13279 and four crabapple genotypes are of potential interest to home gardeners and are described below.

The Ottawa apple breeding program initiated in the 1940's was transferred to St-Jean, Quebec in 1971. The objectives of the program were to develop suitable cultivars for juice and cider production, to breed improved scab resistant cultivars for fresh markets, and to find size controlling rootstocks which would be adapted to Quebec conditions. ‘Blair’, 'Rouville', and ‘Richelieu’ are hardy scab resistant cultivars which were released from this breeding program in 1973, 1983 and 1990, respectively. Recently, two hardy scab resistant cultivars ('Belmac' and 'Primevère') were released in cooperation with the Purdue-Rutgers-Illinois cooperative apple breeding program. All of the scab resistant introductions have proven to be immune to North America's five known races of Venturia inaequalis. Presently there are sixteen advanced selections with good agronomic characteristics under evaluation at three sites. Apple rootstock breeding, selection and evaluation are also part of the St-Jean program. There are 14 advanced hardy rootstocks presently being evaluated at three different sites. They range in vigor from extreme dwarf to semi-vigorous. Improved Ottawa 3 (IO3) is a new strain of the Ottawa3 rootstock which is more productive, precocious and easier to propagate. Present apple cultivar and rootstock breeding aims have emphasized cold hardiness, disease tolerance and dessert quality. The mandate is to establish a private- and public-sector partnership for cultivar and rootstock development.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of AVG treatments on some physico-mechanical properties and color characteristics of apple. Three levels of AVG as AVG-0 (0 mg L-1, non-treatment), AVG-1 (100 mg L-1) and AVG-2 (300 mg L-1) were used. The geometric mean diameter, fruit mass,  bulk density increased from 69.03 mm to 70.40 mm, from 186.8 g to 191.0 g, and from 352.5 to 374.3 kg m-3, whereas, the sphericity of apple decreased from 1.087 to 1.078 as AVG doses increased, respectively. The surface area, projected area and volume increased with AVG doses. L* value increased from 43.75 to 45.88, whereas, chroma decreased from 40.07 to 39.68 as AVG doses increased from 0 to 300 mg L-1, respectively. The static coefficients of friction on rubber and galvanized metal linearly increased from 0.272 to 0.337 and from 0.268 to 0.290 with an increase in AVG doses. The fruit-removal-force and skin firmness of apple linearly increased from 13.85 to 24.07 N and from 106.14 to 109.22 N in magnitude with an increase in AVG doses.

Twenty grape genotypes were evaluated with four winter protection methods (M1=vine without protection; M2=pinning half of the canes to the ground allowing for natural snow cover protection and the remaining canes left attached to the trellis wires without protection; M3=vine removed from the trellis, laid down and covered with geotextile fabric and M4= buried with 0.34 m of soil ‘traditional method’) at three locations in Quebec (Canada) differing in soil and microclimatic conditions. Higher yields were recorded at Frelighsburg for ‘Vandal Cliche’ and ‘St. Croix’ followed by ‘ES-4-7-25’ and ‘St. Pepin’ with M1 and M2 winter protection. Geotextile covering (M3) seems more effective for tender and semi-hardy genotypes. Burial method (M4) of ‘Seyval blanc’ seems ineffective; it decreases yield and vigour and increases mortality. Higher survival levels were observed at Frelighsburg compared to other locations due its southerly slope, sandy well drained soil and excellent winter protection by snow cover. In both commercial vineyards, more than 50% mortality was observed for the semi-hardy genotypes ‘ES-6-12-28’, ‘GR-7’ and ‘Lucie Kuhlmann’ followed once again by ‘Siegerrebe’, ‘Vidal’ and ‘SV-18-307’ tender genotypes. It seems that site location is the most important limiting factor followed by the choice of cultivar. The use of Geotextile seems to be an excellent alternative to soil burial, which causes soil-borne diseases and increases the production costs.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of pre-harvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments on peel color formation, total anthocyanin, total phenolics, total antioxidant capacity and other selected fruit quality parameters of ‘Fuji’ apples. Results revealed significant decreases in color parameters (L*, chroma and hue values) with MeJA treatments. Total anthocyanin, total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity of MeJA-treated fruits were significantly higher than control fruits. MeJA concentrations increase linearly with increase in total anthocyanin, total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity with high correlations. Ethylene synthesis-promoting impact of MeJA increased with increasing implementation doses. MeJA treatments also increased fruit flesh firmness. While 1120 and 2240 mg/L MeJA treatments did not cause any significant changes in the starch degradation, 4480 mg/L MeJA treatment delayed  the starch degradation. All MeJA treatments did not cause any or much significant changes in fruit mass, geometric mean diameter and soluble solids content (SSC) of the fruits but yielded significant increase in titratable acidity values.

Pencil-thick canes from 20 grape cultivars (Vitis sp.) were harvested in October and November, 2000. These cultivars had previously been classified as hardy (A), semi-hardy (B) or tender (C). Single-bud cane sections were placed in a refrigeration unit and subjected to sequential freezing temperatures (-7, -15, -22 and -30ºC) and held for 24 h at each temperature before being removed for evaluation. October samples had almost 100% bud kill from all cultivars at -22º and colder. There was a marked separation among the three cultivar groups at -15ºC, being 46, 68, and 94% mortality for A, B, and C, respectively. By the November sampling, most of the hardy cultivars (A) were relatively little affected at -22ºC, whereas, groups B and C suffered 25 and 83% mortality, respectively. In spite of this, considerable hardiness had been gained with the extra month exposed to the natural eleme

A group of genotypes sent to Quebec by Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) for testing was evaluated by the Quebec apple breeding program (QABP) at a sub-station located in Frelighsburg. Two of these selections were retained and named ‘Reine des Reinettes’ and ‘Galarina’ by INRA and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC). Both cultivars exhibit good winter hardiness and resistance to scab and mildew under Eastern Central Canada climatic conditions.

‘SJM44’ (St-Jean Morden 44) is a new
dwarfing rootstock resulting from a cross
made in 1960 between Malus baccata
‘Nertchinsk’ and ‘M.9’ (‘Malling 9’, clonal
selection of Paradis jaune de Metz). It was
developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada Horticulture Research and Development
Center, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
It produces trees smaller than ‘Malling 26’
(‘M.26’) but larger than ‘Malling 9’ (‘M.9’)
(Table 1). It was released because of its
infrequent burr knots and freedom from root
suckers compared with ‘M.9’ (Table 1), superior
hardiness (Khanizadeh et al., 2000),
ease of propagation, and better yield efficiency
(Table 2).
‘SJM44’ was among 56 hybrid seedlings
of ‘Nertchinsk’ · ‘M.9’ to which ‘McIntosh
VC309’ was budded in 1971 and planted in
1974 at Frelighsburg, Quebec, where it was
evaluated until 1984 for hardiness, tree size,
and efficiency (Granger et al., 1991) along
with other selected SJP84 and SJM series
(Khanizadeh et al., 2005). ‘SJM44’ was
planted in 1997 in replicated trials in several
plots at the Frelighsburg, Quebec, and
L’Acadie, Quebec, substations and also at
a grower site at Mont-St-Gre´goire, Quebec
(Khanizadeh et al., 2005).

This paper examines the reflection of UV and visible light in the range of 300 nm to 800 nm by the peel of mature apple fruit of cvs Gala, Braeburn and Golden Delicious. In-situ measurements were non-invasive and contactless using a new portable spectrometer with fibre-optics and without moving parts type UNISPEC (PPSystems, Amesbury, MA, USA) and gave the following results:
1) Green-yellow cv. Golden Delicious fruit reflected more light and those of the striped cv. Braeburn or the red cv. Gala.
2) Light reflection decreased with increasing red colour (anthocyanin) formation, providing for stronger warming of red versus green fruit.
3) Light reflection increased with wavelengths from 390 nm to peak at respectively 585-615 nm and 735-750 nm and remained large in the NIR range above 800 nm.
4) Light reflection of cv Braeburn and cv. Golden Delicious showed a trough at 667 -670 nm due to light absorption of chlorophyll a.
The results are discussed with the present climate scenarios that fruits may be increasingly exposed to more visible (PAR) and UV light causing overheating and sunburn and possible countermeasures.

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant ripening and responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, the protective effect of SA on cold stress-caused oxidative damage in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) bunches was investigated during cold storage. Grape bunches treated with 2 mM SA and stored at 0°C with 85-90% RH for 30 days. Samples were selected from each treatment for physical and chemical analysis before storage, midpoint of storage, end of storage and end of shelf life. The results showed that the cold storage induced lipid peroxidation, decay incidence and loss of fresh weight, while SA pretreatment mitigated these effects in " Bidaneh Sefid " and " Qzl uzum " cultivars. In these cultivars, SA-induced protection against cold damage was accompanied by decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and caused an increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Additionally, SA-induced protection against cold injury was mediated through promoting total phenolics concentration and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. The present findings suggest that although variability in the protective effect of SA against cold damage was observed between grape cultivars, SA could alleviate the cold-induced oxidative stress in grape bunches during cold storage.

The cultivation of organic products, as well as their consumption, is attracting the interest of the food industry, which also occurs with the wineries. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify and analyze the costs and profitability of an organic product, from cultivation to its industrialization, and compare them with a product of the same segment, produced in a traditional way, in a winery located in Serra Gaucha, in southern Brazil. The methodology used was the case study, descriptive and qualitative. The data analyzed were the costs of organic and traditional grape crops in a given year. The results show that organic farming has a higher cost than traditional, but generates more profit, because the organic grape is sold for a higher value than conventional. Since the products manufactured by the winery, it was found that the organic product has a cost higher than the traditional product. However, the sales price of the organic is higher, causing the profitability it is higher compared to the product in its traditional format.