Horticultural Science - Latest articles

Index Volume 52

Editorial Office

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4)  

Knowing your enemy before taking the field: A screening of salt and UV-B treatments to boost the biochemical defences of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., ‘Moneymaker’ cultivar) plantlets in controlled conditions

Maria Calogera Sciampagna, Alessia Mannucci, Salvatore Limpido, Annamaria Ranieri, Antonella Castagna, Marco Santin

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):353-362 | DOI: 10.17221/109/2023-HORTSCI  

Plants are commonly exposed to different abiotic stress factors that can threaten their growth and development. Abiotic treatments might be used as a tool to increase the tolerance of plants grown in controlled environments before being transplanted in open fields, but this technique needs a careful choice of the stressor dose. We screened several UV-B radiation doses (1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 8 h per day) and NaCl doses (75 mM, 150 mM, 300 mM), separately, to be employed as preconditioning treatments of tomato plantlets (Solanum lycopersicum L., ‘Moneymaker’ cultivar) cultivated in a controlled environment. Biometric parameters and...

Degree of seedbed compaction and response of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under different traffic treatments

Esra Nur Gül, Emine Polat, Engin Özgöz, Naif Geboloğlu

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):342-352 | DOI: 10.17221/143/2024-HORTSCI  

Soil compaction has negative impacts on plant productivity. Degradation of soil structure as a result of soil compaction can inhibit the development of plant roots and make it difficult for plants to take up water and nutrients. This can negatively affect plant growth and productivity. Compaction restricts plant root growth by increasing mechanical resistance, reducing oxygen uptake, and thus reducing crop yields as it inhibits plant development. In this study, the effects of soil compaction due to machinery traffic on the physical structure of soil, morphological characteristics and yield of spinach were investigated in Tokat, where vegetable...

Effects of nutrient solutions on growth, yield and quality of yardlong bean plant (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L.) grown in a hydroponic system

Thi Thuy Le, Phuong Thao Nguyen, Thi Van Pham, Thi Oanh Nguyen

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):333-341 | DOI: 10.17221/1/2025-HORTSCI  

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three nutrient solutions (Hoagland, Knop, and Hydro Umat F) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of hydroponically cultivated yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L.). Results showed that Hydro Umat F extended the plant lifespan (105.4 days) and flowering time (58.65 days), increased the number of branches per plant, and enhanced leaf SPAD values. Plants grown in Hydro Umat F also exhibited the highest yield, as indicated by the number of flowers per plant (46.12), number of pods per plant (20.81), pod length (54.15 cm), pod weight (20.06 g), and total pod weight...

Short- and long-term effects of elevated CO₂ on the growth and nitrogen content of Panax japonicus

Xiao Wang, E Liang, Deyan Li, Xiaohui Song

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):324-332 | DOI: 10.17221/110/2024-HORTSCI  

Panax japonicus (T. Nees) C.A. Mey is a rare plant that is used in Chinese herbal medicine. Two-year-old Panax japonicus seedlings were grown in open-top chambers under ambient CO₂ (aCO₂), moderately (e1CO₂: 550 ± 15 μmol/mol) or substantially (e2CO₂: 750 ± 15 μmol/mol) elevated CO₂ to study their effects on plant growth and nitrogen (N) content. After 27 days, the net photosynthetic rate (P_n) of e2CO₂-treated seedlings was significantly higher (20.09%) than that of seedlings grown under aCO₂. However, by day 51, the...

Effects of application of biostimulants and growth regulators on root traits and analysis of root architecture with machine learning in Lilium

Ömer Sari

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):313-323 | DOI: 10.17221/100/2024-HORTSCI  

Apart from the roots, the bulb is the most important organ for plant development of the lily plant. In this experiment, the effects of mycorrhizal, vermicompost and promalin applications on the root architecture of Lilium oriental hybrid ‘Adelante’, a bulbous plant, were to be investigated. It was found that the effect of the treatments on root length (128.6 cm), root surface area (8 cm³), number of tips (111.5), number of forks (354.4) and number of crossings (86.2) was lower than that of the control. In terms of root volume, the applications of vermicompost (3 cm²) and promalin (3 cm³) were the...

Effect of harvest time on total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacities of two grape varieties from Trebinje vineyard area

Mersija Delić, Milenko Blesić, Fikreta Behmen, Anstasija Anđušić, Fahrudin Topčić, Senad Murtić

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):304-312 | DOI: 10.17221/52/2025-HORTSCI  

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of harvest timing on the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, in addition to the total antioxidant capacity in the berries of ‘Žilavka’ and ‘Vranac’ varieties grown in the Trebinje vineyard area. Grape samples for both varieties were collected at three distinct points during their ripening. The chosen harvest dates were set 10 days apart, and the optimal date for grape harvesting was determined by assessing the sugar content and titratable acidity present in the grapes. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and total antioxidant activity of grape samples were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu...

A study on effects of rootstocks on vine balance of 'Cerason' cultivar

Jiří Tethal, Jiří Sochor, Radek Sotolář, Pavel Pavloušek, Mojmír Baroň, Richard Danko, Magdalena Kapłan, Kamila Klimek

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):293-303 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2025-HORTSCI  

‘Cerason’ is an interspecific cultivar of grapevine that has been bred and selected in the Czech Republic (2008). The cultivar is a result of crossing the cultivars ‘Merlan’ and ‘Fratava’ and shows very promising potential within the framework of a fungus-resistant (PIWI) cultivar, making it particularly suitable for organic wine-making. This paper presents the results of an experiment performed with seven selected rootstock cultivars (viz. ‘Kober 125AA’, ‘Amos’, ‘Börner’, ‘Crâciunel 2’, ‘Kober 5BB’, ‘K1SO4’ and ‘Teleki 5C’)...

Trans-polydatin and trans-resveratrol in grape berries grown under organic and conventional production systems

Aleksandra Šušnjar, Tomaž Polak, Andrej Živković, Sanja Lazić, Slavica Vuković, Siniša Mitrić, Darko Guljaš, Dragana Bošković, Jelena Ećimović, Dragana Šunjka

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(4):281-292 | DOI: 10.17221/231/2024-HORTSCI  

Resveratrol and polydatin are stilbenes with notable antioxidant and health benefits, making them important compounds in health promotion, grapevine production, and oenology. This study aimed to monitor the trans isomers of these compounds in twelve grape varieties (red and white), grown under organic production (OP) and conventional production (CP) systems. A novel high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated, demonstrating sensitivity and reliability for the quantification of the mentioned stilbenes. The method was applied to real samples, enabling the evaluation...

The influence of LED light on the development and antioxidant status of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) microgreens

Suzana Pavlović, Zdenka Girek, Jelena Damnjanović, Svetlana Roljević Nikolić, Dragana Stevanović, Milan Ugrinović

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):272-280 | DOI: 10.17221/44/2024-HORTSCI  

The aim of the research was to examine the influence of different light treatments on the growth, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of broccoli microgreens. Plants were grown in a growth chamber under LED (light-emitting diode) cold white, red and blue light and under fluorescent cold white light (control). The results showed that white and blue light treatments were the best for microgreen growth. Higher concentration of pigments was recorded in plants grown under LED light compared to those grown under FL (fluorescent lamp) light. The content of phenols and flavonoids had a positive and significant correlation with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)...

Comprehensive protection of tomato photosystem under cold stress by Streptomyces sp. TOR3209

Jia Ma, Jieli Peng, Nan Jia, Xu Wang, Yuxi He, Entao Wang, Dong Hu, Zhanwu Wang

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):261-271 | DOI: 10.17221/90/2024-HORTSCI  

The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Streptomyces sp. TOR3209 induces plant tolerance in a wide range of stress conditions. However, the protection of photosystem under cold stress has not been fully understood. Here we reported that the photochemistry activity of photosystem II (PSII) was increased in tomato plants receiving TOR3209 treatment, including the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), PSII operating efficiency (ΦPSII), PSII maximum efficiency (Fv’/Fm’), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Microscopic study revealed that the integrity of chloroplast structure was greatly...

Investigating the effects of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) on Persian walnut fruit quality

Reza Khosravi Zanjani, Majid Abdouss, Mohsen Mohammadi

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):250-260 | DOI: 10.17221/82/2023-HORTSCI  

The darkness of the kernel and the lack of simultaneous ripening of the mesocarp and endocarp are among the most significant challenges in Iranian walnut orchards. The mentioned problems appear more in areas with hot and humid summers. The research focused on the quality of the kernel in terms of colour and marketability, as well as the dry matter of the kernels. Additionally, the ease of mesocarp separation from endocarp was examined. Experimental trials were designed with 27 treatment combinations to address the mentioned issues using varying concentrations of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) at different harvest dates. In this study, using...

Inter-specific cucurbitaceous rootstock enhances plant growth, photosynthetic, root architecture and yield traits in grafted cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Anant Bahadur, Anish Kumar Singh, Sapana Yadav, Rajeev Kumar, Hare Krishna, Tusar Kanti Behera

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):237-249 | DOI: 10.17221/96/2024-HORTSCI  

In recent years, grafting has emerged as an efficient and alternative tool to the relatively slow conventional breeding methods, aiming to increase tolerance to abiotic stresses and soil pathogens while improving yield and quality attributes in fruit vegetables. In the present investigation, six inter-specific cucurbitaceous rootstocks, viz. sponge gourd (SG), ridge gourd (RG), ash gourd (AG), bottle gourd (BG), and Summerfit (SF), an inter-specific hybrid of snap melon × acidulus melon, were evaluated for cucumber (C) cv. ‘Kashi Nutan’. Experimental findings revealed that cucumber grafted onto inter-specific SF exhibited a 14.63%, 57.5%,...

Endophytic Streptomyces extend the vase life of Gerbera jamesonii L. by modulating antioxidant system and suppressing bacterial growth

Wen Lin, Xi Wei, Ying Li, Muhammad Imran Ghani, Xiaojing Hu, Xiaoyulong Chen

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):224-236 | DOI: 10.17221/130/2023-HORTSCI  

Gerbera flowers are the best-selling cut flowers worldwide owing to their attractive appearance. Nevertheless, one significant challenge for gerbera flowers is their relatively short vase life. Commercially, synthetic chemicals are used to prolong the vase life of flowers; however, they are not environmentally friendly, posing sustainability concerns. Therefore, we used different concentrations of the biocontrol spore suspension of Streptomyces exfoliatus FT05W and evaluated their effect on vase life, bacterial population, and different morphology and physiological indices of gerbera cut flowers, with the objective of determining the optimal concentration...

Temporal variations in flowering of ‘Honeycrisp’ apple grafted on eight different rootstocks

Oscar Cruz-Alvarez, José de Jesus Ornelas-Paz, Diana Laura Araujo-Pallares, María Nohemí Frias-Moreno, Graciela Dolores Ávila-Quezada, Damaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios, Juan Luis Jacobo-Cuellar

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):211-223 | DOI: 10.17221/32/2024-HORTSCI  

Malus domestica is one of the world’s most important deciduous fruit trees. Over a four-year period (2017–2020), temporal variations in flowering were evaluated in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple trees on eight rootstocks (G.30, G.969, G.202, G.41, G.11, M.9T337, M.26 EMLA and V.6) planted in 2014 in Chihuahua, México. Among the variables evaluated were the probability of late-spring frost, winter chill units, growing degree days, flowering period, foliar nutrient concentrations, trunk cross-sectional area, number and weight of fruit per tree, and production efficiency. Significantly different chill unit accumulations occurred over...

Effect of leaf-to-fruit ratio on kernel quality formation of walnut trees

Linhui Feng, Xian’an Yang, Shiwei Wang, Honglong Hao, Cuifang Zhang, Yicheng Gao, Yuqi Wang, Yusufu Alifu, Wenhui Zhao

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):201-210 | DOI: 10.17221/69/2024-HORTSCI  

The study focused on the relationship between leaf-to-fruit ratio (LFR) and walnut kernel quality in Juglans regia ‘Wen 185’. It was investigated how LFR influences single kernel weight, the contents and percentages of organic matter in kernels, the 13C distribution proportion (¹³C_DP) in crude fat and protein, and the number and size of oil bodies within the kernels. A gradually decreasing LFR led to reduced single kernel weight, the contents of crude fat, crude protein, and soluble sugar dramatically (P < 0.05), with no significant changes in the percentages and (¹³C_DP)...

Sweet cherry world research overview 2018–2020

Lubor Zelený, Gabriela Stryhalová, Jan Blažek

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(3):183-200 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2023-HORTSCI  

This review cites 137 reports from 25 countries. The highest citation numbers originate from the USA (14), China (14), and Italy (14). In contrast, only one reference is from Hungary, Iran, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. The references are divided into 16 topics. Results or conclusions of each study are briefly described, ranging by year of publication and alphabetical order of authors. The most important topic is physiological research, which includes 31 references. Referring to the years, the most productive was 2019 with 55 references, whereas the least prolific was the previous year 2018, providing only 33 references. One report was published...

Effect of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum in resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars

Patcharaporn Suwor, Manthana Mueangkhong, Praphat Kawicha, Thanwanit Thanyasiriwat, Suchila Techawongstien, Sanjeet Kumar, Wen-Shi Tsai, Somsak Kramchote

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):173-181 | DOI: 10.17221/126/2023-HORTSCI  

Fusarium wilt disease presents a substantial challenge to tomato production, especially in an open field environment. The peroxidase (POD) activity and total phenolic compounds (TPCs) play a crucial role in measuring the antioxidant capacity of plants. Understanding the variations in the POD and TPC levels during disease-induced stress becomes important for effectively managing Fusarium wilt and enhancing tomato production. This study investigates the impacts of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation through the root drip method on five tomato cultivars. It compares these cultivars to their non-treated counterparts when they are subjected to infection...

Granular organic hydrosorbents increase water retention and resistance of boxwood seedlings during drought

Markéta Mayerová, Martin Stehlík, Tomáš Šimon, Petr Hutla, Ilona Gerndtová

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):162-172 | DOI: 10.17221/72/2024-HORTSCI  

Sufficient available water in the soil is critical for plant growth, especially soon after planting. Water absorbed by organic hydrosorbents has the potential to reduce drought stress after planting and improve seedling survival. This research evaluates the effectiveness of granular organic hydrosorbents (GOH) in increasing soil-water retention in a pot experiment with boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) seedlings. The leaf chlorophyll content was also evaluated to determine plant growth. The following fertilisers were used: GOH 1 comprised 50% biogas products and 50% wheat straw, and GOH 2 combined post-harvest grain, legume and oilseed residues....

European rose chafer prevalence on cultivated highbush blueberries

Maxhun Shehaj, Erzen Shehaj, Elbasan Çekaj, Agrinë Naqa, Blerinë Krasniqi

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):155-161 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2024-HORTSCI  

The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence rate of European rose chafer (Cetonia aurata) on American highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). The observation was made from the beginning of flowering to the end of harvest of the blueberry cultivars ‘Duke’, ‘Legacy’, and ‘Huron’. The incidence occurs during the first harvest of the ‘Duke’ cultivar. Three rows per cultivar, with 90 plants per row, were monitored during the research. Insects were collected on 15 infested plants per row, randomly selected, and counted. This procedure was repeated every second day, 3 times a day:...

Integrated effect of inorganic and bio-organic nutrients on alstroemeria growth, flowering and soil dynamics

Shweta Sharma, Anshul Kumar, Sabhya Pathania, B.P. Sharma, Bharati Kashyap, Abeer Hashem, Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):144-154 | DOI: 10.17221/15/2024-HORTSCI  

Optimum nutrition is essential for quality cut flower production and for improving soil health. The study aims to evaluate the interaction between bio-organic and inorganic nutrient sources in enhancing alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida L.) cut flower production and soil health for sustainable cultivation practice. Randomised block methodology involving 20 treatment combinations of inorganic fertilisers (NPK) and biostimulants (Panchgavya and Jeevamrit) applied at varying concentrations. Significant outcomes emerged from the combined influence of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients. The application of the 100% recommended dose of fertiliser...

Evaluation of different rooting stimulators and substrates to produce guava clone plants through softwood cuttings

Muhammad Tahir Akram, Rashad Qadri, Mehwish Liaquat, Naveed ur Rehman, Tanveer Hussain, Irfan Ali, Sarvet Jehan, Muhammad Azam, Muhammad Mumtaz Khan, Muhammad Ahsan Khatana, Arslan Achakzai, Israr Ali

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):131-143 | DOI: 10.17221/62/2024-HORTSCI  

The clonal propagation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) is essential to avoid segregation, and its multiplication through cuttings is the easiest and cheapest way to raise a nursery, as other propagation techniques are laborious and need expertise. The current study was planned to evaluate the best rooting stimulators and rooting substrates for guava nursery propagation. In this experiment, the guava-prepared cuttings were treated with rooting stimulators, indole butyric acid (IBA) and paclobutrazol (PB) with concentrations (0, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) and were planted in independent rooting substrates (sand, silt and topsoil) under polytunnels....

Influence of phosphite and phosphate fertilizers at three different pH levels under floating system on the growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of broccoli

Amin Jahanian, Seyed Jalal Tabatabaei, Nosratollah Najafi, Martina Bučková, Farzad Rasouli, Jiří Mlček, Sezai Ercisli

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):120-130 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2024-HORTSCI  

This study was conducted to determine the effects of phosphite and phosphate fertilisers on broccoli’s yield, growth, and nutritional status (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica cv. ‘Fiorentino’). In factorial combinations, experiments were conducted at three pH levels (5.5, 7.0, and 8.5) and three phosphorus source levels [Pi (phosphate), Phi (phosphite), and Pi + Phi]. Phi had a statistically significant negative effect on yield, producing immature and button-like flower heads. Decreases in chlorophyll index, Fv/Fm [ratio of variable fluorescence (Fv) to maximum fluorescence (Fm)], and leaf area were observed using the...

Variations in bog bilberry fruit characteristics along an altitudinal gradient on Changbai Mountain, China

Jinhang Li, Qige Qi, Qichang Zhang, Meng Wang, Yichen Liu, Xinyu Sun, Yuting Mu, Chunlei Yang

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):111-119 | DOI: 10.17221/147/2023-HORTSCI  

To better understand the influence of altitude on fruit characteristics of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.), here we investigated the adaptation of its fruit morphological and chemical traits to the environment at six growing positions along an altitudinal gradient (706, 957, 1 226, 1 315, 2 000 and 2 190 m) on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China. Fruit longitudinal diameter, fruit transverse diameter and fruit weight decreased significantly with increasing altitude. Vitamin B1 content reached its highest at 2 190 m, while both vitamin B2 and vitamin C contents reached their highest and lowest at 1 226 and 706 m, respectively....

Effect of compounds used for soaking narcissus bulbs on mycelium coverage of bulbs and substrate

Adam Tadeusz Wojdyła, Jacek Stanisław Nowak, Jan Bocianowski, Monika Kałużna, Jacek Wiśniewski, Emilia Waszkiewicz

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):103-110 | DOI: 10.17221/42/2024-HORTSCI  

In the experiments, two compounds were used: hydrogen peroxide with silver (H2O2-Ag+) and captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid and methyl thiophanate + tetraconazole to soak narcissus bulbs before planting for the period of 20 minutes. The bulbs were planted in such a way that 2/3 of the bulb was above the surface of the substrate. All the pots with bulbs were subsequently placed in plastic boxes and transferred to a cooling chamber adjusted precisely for 9 °C and 94–99% air humidity. During the rooting of the bulbs in the cold room after 4, 8, 12 and 15 weeks, and then in the greenhouse after cutting the above-ground parts, the observations of...

Sequential and combined spray of herbicides to tomato field on weed reduction, fruit parameters and carryover residues

Yerra Pavani, Ponnusamy Janaki, Palanisamy Murali Arthanari, Ramasamy Jagadeeswaran, Arjunan Sankari, Alaguthevar Ramalakshmi, Chandrasekaran Bharathi

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):91-102 | DOI: 10.17221/41/2024-HORTSCI  

Tomatoes are in great demand worldwide and consumed due to their nutritional and sensory qualities. Weed infestation poses a great challenge in tomato production, prompting growers to employ two to three herbicides in combinations and sequences for comprehensive control. Consequently, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin when applied individually or in sequential combinations in tomato fields. The herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry biomass and enhanced the weed control efficiency (WCE) compared to control. A tank mix spray of pendimethalin and metribuzin following glyphosate...

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Editorial Office

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(1)  

Effect of treatment of narcissus bulbs with hydrogen peroxide with silver and fungicides on plant growth and development

Adam Tadeusz Wojdyła, Jacek Stanislaw Nowak, Jan Bocianowski, Artur Kowalski, Jacek Wiśniewski, Emilia Waszkiewicz

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(1):81-90 | DOI: 10.17221/43/2024-HORTSCI  

The aim of the research was to demonstrate the possibility of using hydrogen peroxide with silver (H₂O₂-Ag+) and selected fungicides for treating narcissus bulbs and their impact on plant growth and development. In the experiments were used compounds such as hydrogen peroxide with silver (H₂O₂-Ag+) and captan (Biszop 80 WG), pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Signum 33 WG) and methyl thiophanate + tetraconazole (Yamato 303 SE) to soak narcissus bulbs before planting for the period of 20 minutes. The research showed that stimulation of growth and development by some of the tested concentrations of H₂O₂-Ag+...

Identification and validation of stem rot disease resistance genes in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)

Yanyan Wu, Guoying Shi, Junniu Zhou, Qinglan Tian, Jieyun Liu, Weihua Huang, Xiuzhong Xia, Haifei Mou, Xinghai Yang

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(1):67-80 | DOI: 10.17221/161/2023-HORTSCI  

Stem rot disease poses a significant challenge in passion fruit production, necessitating the identification of resistant genes for the development of stem rot resistant varieties. In this study, we conducted artificial inoculation of Fusarium solani on leaves of two passion fruit varieties, ‘Huangjinguo’ and ‘Ziguo 7’. Leaf samples were collected at 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-inoculation for RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, and 3 370, 4 464, and 3 974 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at these stages. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed associations with functions such as response to reactive oxygen...

Simple and robust sex determination in papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivars using SCAR marker

K Soumiya, I Muthuvel, C Kavitha, K Chandrakumar, K A Shanmugasundaram, N Manikanda Boopathi

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(1):61-66 | DOI: 10.17221/145/2023-HORTSCI  

For viable papaya production, more hermaphrodite plants are needed than male and female (though they produce inferior fruits). To this end, the sex of the plants must be ascertained early in their growth cycle, which is not possible with conventional methods. Molecular marker has shown its utility for this purpose, and in this study, 100 seedlings of the CO 7 gynodioecious variety and 100 seedlings of the CO 8 dioecious variety that were released from this university were analysed for their sex using the RAPD-SCAR (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-sequence characterised amplified region) marker, T12. In those lines under investigation, the T12 marker’s...