Effect of foliar application of amino acid, humic acid and fulvic acid on the oil content and quality of olive.

Olives are evergreen trees with a low growth rate that are cultivated in semi-tropical climates. The biochemical properties of three olive cultivars were explored under the foliar application of amino and organic acids in a two-factor factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in Rudbar County, Iran. The first factor was assigned to olive cultivar ('Zard', 'Arbequina', and 'Manzanilla') and the second factor to the foliar application of organic acids at 9 levels of control, arginine, glutamine, humic acid, fulvic acid, arginine + humic acid, arginine + fulvic acid, glutamine + humic acid, and glutamine + fulvic acid. The recorded traits included the Brix value, content of oil, protein, chlorophyll, carotenoid, anthocyanins, phenols, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The Results showed that cv. 'Zard' had the highest Brix value, fruit protein content, carotenoid, anthocyanins, and phenols, and cv. 'Arbequina' had the highest oil fraction. The Results of the simple effects of organic acids revealed that the trees treated with arginine + humic acid had the highest fruit protein content and total chlorophyll, and those treated with humic acid had the highest anthocyanin and phenol contents. Data on the interaction of 'cultivar × organic acids' showed that 'Arbequina × glutamine' had the highest oil content, 'Manzanilla × fulvic acid' and 'Manzanilla × glutamine + fulvic acid' had the highest fruit protein content, 'Zard × humic acid' had the highest phenol content, 'Arbequina × arginine' had the highest superoxide dismutase activity, and 'Arbequina × glutamine + fulvic acid' had the highest peroxidase activity. Finally, it can be concluded that Arbequina cultivar produced the most oil when foliar sprayed with glutamine.

Changes in postharvest physio-biochemical characteristics and antioxidant enzymes activity of cut alsteroemeria aurantiaca flower as affected by cycloheximide, coconut water and 6-benzyladenine / Alterações nas características físico-bioquímicas pós-colheita e atividades de enzimas antioxidantes da flor de alstroemeria aurantiaca cortada como afetada pela cicloheximida, água de coco e 6-benziladenina

Early leaf yellowing in cut alstroemeria (Alstroemeria aurantiaca) flowers before flower development and petal abscission is an important limiting postharvest quality and vase life factors. Early leaf senescence reduces postharvest longevity of cut flowers and promotes petal's wilting. A study was made to evaluate the response of cut alstroemeria flowers at varying concentrations of cycloheximide (CHI) (50, 100 and 200 mg l-1), coconut water (5, 10 and 20%) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) (50, 100 and 200 mg l-1). CHI, coconut water and BA extended the vase life at all concentrations compared to the control, but coconut water at 5% concentration (with 17.39 days) was the most effective treatment. Control cut flowers showed the least vase life (10.76 days). Ethylene production in cut flowers promoted flower senescence. All concentrations of CHI, coconut water and BA delayed ethylene production compared to the control. Treatment of cut flowers with coconut water at concentration of 5% maintained the highest fresh weight of flowers and increased the content of water uptake. The chlorophyll degradation was significantly reduced by the application of CHI, coconut water and BA. The maximum content of membrane's lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activity (super oxide dismutase and peroxidase) was obtained in control cut flowers. Thus, 5% fresh coconut water has the potential to be applied as vase solution (preservative medium) due to prolongs of cut alstroemeria flowers.

O amarelecimento precoce das folhas em flores de alstroemeria (Alstroemeria aurantiaca) cortadas antes do desenvolvimento floral e da abscisão de pétalas é um importante limitante da qualidade pós-colheita e dos fatores de vida do vaso. A senescência precoce da folha reduz a longevidade pós-colheita das flores cortadas e promove o murchamento da pétala. Um estudo foi realizado para avaliar a resposta de flores de alstroemeria cortadas em diferentes concentrações de cicloheximida (CHI) (50, 100 e 200 mg l-1), água de coco (5, 10 e 20%) e 6-benziladenina (BA) 50, 100 e 200 mg l-1). CHI, água de coco e BA prolongou a vida do vaso em todas as concentrações em comparação com o controle, mas a água de coco a 5% de concentração (com 17,39 dias) foi o tratamento mais eficaz. As flores cortadas de controlo mostraram a menor vida útil do vaso (10,76 dias). A produção de etileno em flores cortadas promoveu a senescência da flor. Todas as concentrações de CHI, água de coco e BA atrasaram a produção de etileno em comparação com o controle. O tratamento de flores cortadas com água de coco a uma concentração de 5% manteve o maior peso fresco de flores e aumentou o conteúdo de absorção de água. A degradação da clorofila foi significativamente reduzida pela aplicação de CHI, água de coco e BA. O teor máximo de atividade de enzimas antioxidantes e de peroxidação lipídica da membrana (super óxido dismutase e peroxidase) foi obtido em flores cortadas de controle. Assim, 5% de água de coco fresca tem potencial para ser aplicada como solução de vaso (meio de conservação) devido a prolongamentos das flores de alstroemeria cortadas.

Effect of Mentha pulegium extract and 8-hydroxy quinoline sulphate to extend the quality and vase life of rose (Rosa hybrid) cut flower.

Rose is an ornamental plant which contains one of the world's top cut flowers. Vase life of cut rose flower is short. Extracts of Mentha pulegium and 8-hydroxy quinoline sulphate (8-HQS) were used as two preservative solutions, aiming to extend the vase life of cut rose (Rosa hybrid L.) flowers. Rose flowers were treated with a vase solution containing the extract of M. pulegium, at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30%, in combination with 8-HQS at concentrations of 0, 200, 400 and 600 mg l(-1). Longevity of cut roses flowers was determined on the basis of wilting and chlorophyll retention. Cut roses flowers were kept at room temperature (20 ± 2 degrees C) under normal day light and natural ventilation. The vase life of cut flowers studied was prolonged by all 8-HQS and extract treatments. The best concentration of 8-HQS and extractwere 400 mg l(-1) and 10%, respectively. Our results indicated that the flowers treated with the extract and 8-HQS had longer vase life, higher rate of solution uptake and lower SPAD value (total chlorophyll) compared to the control. Also, cut flowers treated with the extract and 8-HQS had least bacterial colonies. The greatest longevity of vase life by 11.20 and 10.25 days was related to 400 mg I(-1) 8-HQS and 10% of extract, respectively. These treatments improved cut vase life more than the control treatment. The maximum solution uptake (1.85 ml g(-1) f.wt.) and minimum SPAD value (2.19) were calculated in 30% extract along with 200 mg l(-1) 8-HQS, and 200 mg l(-1) 8-HQS, respectively. The lowest number of bacterial colonies (55.75) was obtained in treatment of 600 mg l(-1) 8-HQS. Flower quality of specimens treated with extract and 8-HQS was better than those of the control. The experiments were repeated three times with three replicates and a completely randomized design had been used. The present study concludes that it would be possible to use preservative solutions containing extract of M. pulegium L. and 8-HQS to extend vase life of cut rose (R. hybrida L.) flowers.

Effect of chlormequat (cycocel) on the growth of ornamental cabbage and kale (Brassica oleracea) cultivars 'Kamome White' and 'Nagoya Red'.

The effect of concentration and application method of chlormequat (cycocel), a plant growth retardant, on plant height and some other traits in Brassica oleracea cultivars 'Kamome White' and 'Nagoya Red' was assessed. Plant growth retardants are commonly applied to limit stem elongation and produce a more compact plant. The experiment was done as a factorial in randomized completely blocks design (RCBD) with four replications. Plants (40 days after transplanting) were sprayed and drenched with 500, 1000 and 1500 mg l(-1) cycocel. In each experiment, control untreated plants. Data were recorded the 60 and 90 days after transplanting. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA), the effect of different treatments and their interaction on all traits was significant at 0.05 or 0.01 level of probability. Treatment of 1500 mg I(-1) cycocel resulted in about 50 and 20% shorter plants than control plants, 60 and 90 days after transplant. The growth of Brassica oleracea cultivar 'Kamome White' and 'Nagoya Red' decreased with increased cycocel concentration. Foliar sprays of cycocel controlled plant height of both cultivars. Results indicated that the shortest plants (9.94 and 11.59 cm) were those sprayed with 1500 mg l(-1) cycocel in cultivar 'Kamome White' after 60 and 90 days, respectively. The largest number of leaves (33.94) and highest leaf diameter (9.39 cm) occurred in cv. 'Nagoya Red', when drench was used. Maximum dry matter (14.31%) accumulated in cv. 'Nagoya Red', treated with spray.

Studies on quality and vase life of cut Gerbera jamesonii cv. 'Balance' flowers by silver nanoparticles and chlorophenol.

Cut gerbera flowers are sensitive to microbial contamination and have a short vase life. Silver nanoparticles are used in various applications as an antimicrobial agent. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of SNP and chlorophenol to extend the vase life and postharvest quality of gerbera (Gerberajamesonii cv. 'Balance') cut flowers. Cut gerbera flowers were kept in solutions containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1) SNP and/or 0, 5 and 10 mM chlorophenol for 24 hr; then held in vase solution containing 250 mg l(-1) 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate and 3% sucrose. The maximum vase life (16.33 days) was observed in flowers held in solution containing 10 mg l(-1) SNP. The 5 mg l(-1) SNP plus 10 mM chlorophenol and 10 mg l(-1) SNP plus 5 mM chlorophenol inhibited bacterial growth in the vase solution. The minimum fresh weight loss (6.48 gr) during the vase period was observed for flowers kept in solution containing 20 mg l(-1)1 SNP. The results revealed that SNP and chlorophenol have the potential to extend vase life and enhanc the postharvest quality of cut gerbera cv. 'Balance' flowers.

Effect of nano-silver and boric acid on extending the vase life of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.).

Silver nano-particles (2-5 nm diam.), as antimicrobial agent and boric acid, as ethylene production inhibitor are used for enhancing the quality and vase life of cut flowers. In the present study the effects of a preservative solution containing nano-silver and boric acid on some traits of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L. cv. Yellow Island) including vase life, ethylene production, dry weight percentage, chlorophyll content, flower opening index, beta-carotene of petals and the number of basal stem end bacteria were investigated. The results showed that the effect of nano-silver and boric acid as either solitary or in combination with each other were significant (p < or = 0.01) on vase life, ethylene production and beta-carotene pigment. The effect of nano-silver on the number of bacteria on the end of stem was significant (p < or = 0.01). The highest cut flower longevity (9.69 day) was obtained in pulse-treated flowers with 100 mg l(-1) boric acid. The least ethylene production (0.59 nl(-1) g(-1) h(-1)) was observed in cut rose treated with 100 mg l(-1) boric acid along with 5 mg l(-1) nano-silver. The lowest number of bacteria in the end of stem was calculated in cut flowers treated with the highest concentrations of boric acid (300 mg l(-1)) and nano-silver (20 mg l(-1)).

The role of silver nano-particles and silver thiosulfate on the longevity of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of silver nano-particles (SNP) and silver thiosulfate (STS) in extending the vase life of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. 'Tempo') flowers. Pulse treatments of SNP @ 0, 5, 10 and 15 mg l(-1) and STS @ 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mM were administered to carnation flowers for 24 hr. The longest vase life (16.1 days) was observed in flowers treated with 15 mg l(-1) of SNP + 0.2 mM STS. The least chlorophyll was destroyed in flowers treated with 15 mg I(-1) of SNP + 0.3 mM STS. Our findings showed that the 15 mg l(-1) SNP treatment inhibited bacterial growth in the preservative solution. The control flowers bloomed faster than the treated flowers. The maximum peroxidase activity and the minimum lipid peroxidation were obtained in cut flowers that were treated with 15 mg l(-1) of SNP and 0.3 mM STS. Overall, results of the study revealed that SNP and STS treatment extended the longevity of cut carnation 'Tempo' flowers by reducing oxidative stress, improving anti-oxidant system, reducing bacterial populations and delaying flowering.

The effect of phosphate bio-fertilizer (Barvar-2) on the growth of marigold.

The present study was conducted to study the individual and combined effect of bio-fertilizer (Barvar-2) and chemical phosphate fertilizer on the floral quality of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). A factorial experiment was carried out which consisted of two factors: i) inoculation of seed, root and seed + root with bio-fertilizer (Barvar-2) and control; application of chemical phosphorus at 100 mg I(-1), 200 mg l(-1), 300 mg l(-1) and 400 mg l(-1) levels. In this study, flowering time, display life, fresh and dry weight of flower, available soil phosphorus, shoot phosphorus and carotenoid content were evaluated. Results showed that the combined effect of bio- and chemical fertilizer was insignificant (p < 1 and 5%) for most of the characteristics studied except for shoot phosphorus and carotenoid content in petals. The lowest time to flowering (64.67 days) was obtained in seeds and transplant roots inoculation to bio-fertilizer x 400 mg I(-1) P. Maximum display life (25.35), fresh weight (16.20 g), carotenoid content (3.903 mg g(-1) d. wt.) and concentration of P in shoots (0.352%) were observed in transplant roots inoculation to bio-fertilizer x 400 mg I(-1) P.