Optimizing Cucumis sativus seedling vigor: the role of pistachio wood vinegar and date palm compost in nutrient mobilization.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this research is to enhance the quality of cucumber seedlings grown in greenhouses by experimenting with various soilless culture mediums (CMs) and the application of pistachio wood vinegar (WV). The experimental setup was designed as a factorial experiment within a randomized complete block design (RCBD), in greenhouse conditions featuring three replications to assess the effects of different culture media (CMs) and concentrations of pistachio wood vinegar (WV) on cucumber seedling growth. Cucumber seeds were planted in three CMs: coco peat-peat moss, coco peat-vermicompost, and date palm compost-vermicompost mixed in a 75:25 volume-to-volume ratio. These were then treated with pistachio WV at concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 1%, applied four times during irrigation following the emergence of the third leaf. RESULTS: The study revealed that treating seedlings with 0.5% WV in the date palm compost-vermicompost CM significantly enhanced various growth parameters. Specifically, it resulted in a 90% increase in shoot fresh mass, a 59% increase in shoot dry mass, an 11% increase in root fresh mass, a 36% increase in root dry mass, a 65% increase in shoot length, a 62% increase in leaf area, a 25% increase in stem diameter, a 41% increase in relative water content (RWC), and a 6% improvement in membrane stability index (MSI), all in comparison to untreated seedlings grown in coco peat-peat moss CM. Furthermore, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid levels were 2.3, 2.7, 2.6, and 2.7 times higher, respectively, in seedlings treated with 0.5% WV and grown in the date palm compost-vermicompost CM, compared to those treated with the same concentration of WV but grown in coco peat-peat moss CM. Additionally, the Fv/Fm ratio saw a 52% increase. When plant nutrition was enhanced with the date palm compost-vermicompost CM and 1% WV, auxin content rose by 130% compared to seedlings grown in coco peat-peat moss CM and treated with 0.5% WV. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that using 0.5% WV in conjunction with date palm compost-vermicompost CM significantly betters the quality of cucumber seedlings, outperforming other treatment combinations.

Maintenance of quality and bioactive compounds in pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum L.) by combined application of organic acids and chitosan edible coating.

Pomegranate is a subtropical fruit that affects its cold storage. To ameliorate chilling injury, fruits were treated with malic acid (50 and 100 mM MA) and oxalic acid (5 and 10 mM OA), and then, coated with 2% chitosan (CH) and stored at low temperature (2°C) for 4 months. Treatments significantly delayed the development of browning signs and reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide of arils as compared to control. CH+ 5 mM OA resulted in the highest catalase activity in arils during storage. Anthocyanin, ascorbic acid, total phenolic compound, and antioxidant activity of arils were higher in CH+ 5 mM OA and CH+ 50 mM MA-treated fruit. Also, the minimum PPO and POD activity of arils was found in CH+ 5 mM OA. Overall, CH edible coating following organic acids treatment, and especially 5 mM OA and 50 mM MA are beneficial treatments for preserving the quality of pomegranate fruit during storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pomegranate fruit waste is high due to chilling sensitivity during cold storage. Coating fruit with 2% chitosan (CH) alone and with malic acid (50 and 100 mM MA) and oxalic acid (5 and 10 mM OA) could ameliorate chilling injury. Treatments reduce the development of browning signs. Overall, CH edible coating combined with 5 mM OA and 50 mM MA were the most effective treatments for ameliorating the chilling injury of pomegranate fruit.