Horticultural Science - In Press
Standardization of gamma radiation dose based on lethality and growth reduction in dragon fruit cultivarsOriginal Paper
Karunakaran Ganesan, Pavithra Gopavaram, Sivaramakrishna V N P, Sakthivel T, Arivalagan M, Kalaivanan D, Thirugnanavel A, Ruchitha T, Abhilash K
An exotic vine cactus commonly known as ‘pitaya’ is a weather resilient crop, rich in vitamin-C and antioxidants. The chances of crop improvement through conventional breeding is a limitation in dragon fruit, hence induced mutation can be exploited for creating genetic variability in dragon fruit. The present investigation was conducted to assess the radiation sensitivity of two dragon fruit cultivars viz., Red and White irradiated with gamma mutagen to determine the lethal dose (LD) and growth reduction dose (GR). Dragon fruit seeds were pre-soaked and exposed to different doses of gamma radiation using cobalt-60 at 100 Gy to 1000 Gy at 100 Gy interval. The mean LD and GR values for Red and White cultivars were assessed using a linear regression model. The findings revealed that the lethal doses (LD50) for gamma radiation were 674.28 Gy and 731.06 Gy for LD50 in cv. Red and White, respectively. The GR50 value for seedling height, shoot and root length was observed in 656.27 Gy, 738.22 Gy and 653.76 Gy in Red cultivars, whereas 818.51 Gy, 855.08 Gy and 616.08 Gy in White cultivars. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the raise in dose of mutagens had significant negative effect on growth attributes and survival rate of dragon fruit seedlings. The determined LD and GR doses obtained from this research can be exploited in mutation breeding programme of dragon fruit to develop a cultivar with novel traits.
Examination of the suitability of pollenizers for three sweet cherry cultivars and molecular S-genotyping of cv. ‘Liliana’Original Paper
Agnieszka G³owacka, Anna Lisek, El¿bieta Rozpara, Witold Danelski
The experiment was carried out in the Experimental Orchard of the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice. The aim of the work was to select pollenizers of three sweet cherry cultivars: ‘Liliana’ (Poland), ‘Jacinta’ and ‘Sandra’ (both from Czech Republic), which are promising for cultivation in Poland. Each of the cultivars was studied in the years 2021-2025 both under open pollination and cross-pollination. Three different cultivars with flowering times that are the same as or similar to the pollinated cultivars were evaluated as pollenizers. Assuming that more than 20% of the flowers should develop into fruit, a good pollenizers for the cultivar ‘Liliana’ were ‘Jacinta’ and ‘Burlat’. A fruit set of 10–20% provides the potential for a moderately high yield; therefore, ‘Liliana’ and ‘Burlat’ were moderately effective pollenisers for the cultivar ‘Sandra’. ‘Summit’ should not be chosen as pollenizer for this cultivar, because the low fruit set percentage does not guarantee satisfactory yields. It was difficult to choose the best pollenizer for the ‘Jacinta’ cultivar, because fruit set was low in the pollination combinations used and generally did not exceed 10%. In addition, the aim of the work was to identify the S-alleles of the cultivar ‘Liliana’ using the PCR method, applying two pairs of consensus primers for introns I and II of the S-RNase gene and, in order to confirm the result, primers specific to the alleles of the S-RNase and SFB genes. This made it possible to identify the S1S6 alleles in the tested cultivar.
Reproductive performance of three plum cultivars budded on different rootstocksOriginal Paper
Anton Ivanov Yordanov, Sava Georgiev Tabakov, Todor Donkov Donkov
IIn the autumn of 2015, an experimental orchard was established to investigate the influence of following clonal rootstocks: GF 677, GXN15 (Garnem), Ishtara, Wavit (Prudon) and Myrobalan seedling (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.), on the vegetative and reproductive traits of European plum cultivars Chachanska lepotica, Stanley and Jojo. The study was conducted over a period of seven years (2018–2024) near the city of Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria. The results of the study show that under the influence of the rootstock GF 677, the cultivars included in the study have the highest cumulative yield per tree for the period. The rootstock GF 677 demonstrated the highest productivity in terms of the crop efficiency coefficient relative to the trunk cross-sectional area in all three cultivars included in the study. The crop efficiency coefficient relative to the crown volume is highest under the influence of the rootstock Ishtara in combination with Stanley cultivar, while for the other two cultivars - Chachanska lepotica and Jojo this indicator is highest in combination with the rootstock GF 677. The weakly growing rootstocks Wavit and Ishtara allow the densest planting of trees per unit area and the highest theoretical cumulative yield per unit area can be expected. During the study period, no clear trend was identified regarding the influence of the rootstocks on the average weight of the fruits.
Comparison of Sugar and Organic Acid Content in Asian and European Pear CultivarsOriginal Paper
Joná¹ Fiala, Michal Kum¹ta, Petr ©nurkoviè, Tomá¹ Neèas
Soluble sugars and organic acids are key determinants of pear fruit quality, directly influencing sweetness, acidity and overall flavour perception. The present study evaluated the sugar and organic acid composition of selected Asian and European pear (Pyrus spp.) cultivars harvested over multiple seasons (2016–2021). Individual sugars and organic acids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cultivar differences were analysed using ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. A Flavour Index (FI), calculated as the ratio of total sugars to total organic acids, was used to characterise sweetness–acidity balance. Fructose was the dominant sugar in all cultivars, followed by glucose and sucrose, while malic acid represented the predominant organic acid. Considerable inter-cultivar variability was observed in both absolute concentrations and metabolite proportions. FI values effectively differentiated cultivars according to their flavour profile. Comparison with published literature confirmed that the measured sugar and acid concentrations fall within expected ranges for Pyrus spp., while highlighting species- and cultivar-specific differences. The results demonstrate substantial biochemical diversity among pear cultivars and confirm that combined evaluation of sugars, organic acids and FI provides a robust framework for fruit quality assessment. These findings are relevant for cultivar selection aimed at fresh consumption, breeding programmes and pear processing, including perry production.
Hydroponics and Food Safety: Key Risks and SolutionsReview
Sachin Adhikari
Hydroponics represents an innovative and sustainable approach to crop production that eliminates the need for soil by providing plants with nutrient-enriched water solutions. This review explores the relationship between hydroponic cultivation and food safety, emphasizing the importance of managing microbial contamination in controlled environments. Various hydroponic systems, such as deep-water culture, nutrient film technique, drip, ebb-and-flow, wick, and aeroponics, enable high yields and efficient resource utilization but remain vulnerable to the accumulation and spread of pathogens in recirculated water. Outbreaks associated with Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli underscore the importance of strict hygiene, continuous monitoring, and effective water treatment practices. Several disinfection methods have been developed, including chlorination, heat treatment, and advanced oxidation, but ultraviolet light (UV-C, 254 nm) irradiation has gained attention as a residue-free and energy-efficient alternative. Integrating UV-C with good agricultural practices and real-time monitoring can significantly reduce food safety risks. The review emphasizes the importance of future research on the application of UV-C in large-scale production for hydroponic systems, as well as the design of cost-effective hydroponic systems to promote safe and sustainable food production.
Combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the regulatory mechanism of branch bending on leaf bud development in Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. KochOriginal Paper
Wei Wu, Kun Hu, Ming Gong, Xiaohua Yao, Shao Yang, Qing Song, Xueying Li, Qin Yang, Yan Wang
Branch bending is an important cultivation practice that manipulates plant growth by promoting lateral bud growth. Although this practice has been applied to various plant species, no research has been conducted to identify its effect on the molecular regulatory mechanism in Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch leaf bud development. This study analyzed dynamic changes in hormone concentrations, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) by integrating transcriptome, widely targeted metabolome, and targeted hormone metabolome after branch bending in leaf buds. Key regulatory pathways were also investigated using multi-omics analysis. Transcriptome analysis identified 132 DEGs (117 up-regulated, 15 down-regulated) between treated and control groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs were mainly enriched in sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis and pentose and glucuronate interconversions pathways. Widely targeted metabolome screened 62 DAMs, which were mainly enriched in flavonoid-related biosynthetic pathways including biosynthesis of quercetin aglycones I, biosynthesis of chalcone II, and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathways. Targeted hormone metabolome showed branch bending increased auxin (IAA), cytokinins acid (CTK), and jasmonate (JA) concentrations, but reduced abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GA), and salicylic acid (SA) concentrations. Multi-omics integration identified 7 core co-enriched pathways, namely carotenoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and metabolic pathways. These main pathways work together to facilitate the influence of branch bending on enhanced leaf bud development by regulating hormone homeostasis, the production of secondary metabolites, and signal transduction. This study discusses the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in branch bending and its role in regulating the development of C. illinoinensis leaf buds. It also offers key basic data, theoretical support for optimizing its high-quality cultivation techniques, as well as significant practical guidance for the optimization of branch bending technology through the regulation of leaf bud development.
The occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the soil and roots of strawberry and apple plants after the application of mineral fertilizers and beneficial microorganismsOriginal Paper
Edyta Derkowska, Beata Sumorok, Lidia Sas-Paszt, Krzysztof Górnik, S³awek G³uszek
Based on the results of two-year field studies (2019-2020), the influence of beneficial soil fungi (Aspergillus niger, Purpureocillium lilacinum), beneficial soil bacteria (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Paenibacillus polymyxa) and their combined use with three mineral fertilizers on the colonization of roots of strawberry cultivar 'Marmolada' and apple cultivar 'Sampion' by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) occurring in the soil was determined.The effect of these treatments on the number of AMF spores in the rhizosphere soil was also assessed. It was found that the combined use of beneficial bacteria consortium and Polifoska 6 fertilizer, as well as bacteria alone, significantly increased the colonization of strawberry and apple roots by AMF and the number of their spores in rhizosphere soil. The combined use of Super fos dar 40 fertilizer with bacterial consortium and the consortium applied alone in 2020, increased the number of AMF spores in the rhizosphere soil. The results obtained may contribute to the development of environmentally friendly methods of fruit plant production through the use of new biofertilizers containing native soil microorganisms.
Pre-harvest UV-B radiation during the dark period enhances phenolic compounds in Agastache rugosa cultivated in a plant factory with artificial lightingOriginal Paper
Jaewook Shin, Sehee Kang, Meiyan Cui, Nakhyun Lee, Hyein Lee, Jeesang Myung, Changhoo Chun
Agastache rugosa Kuntze is an aromatic plant recognized for its phenolic compounds. To address the limitations of field cultivation, this study evaluated the interactive effects of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), electrical conductivity (EC), and nutrient solution types on A. rugosa growth, to explore its introduction into controlled environments. After determining conditions for a stable yield, specifically 250 μmol m–2 s–1 PPFD and 2.5 dS m–1 EC using Hoagland solution, the effects of pre-harvest ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on secondary metabolite accumulation was examined. UV-B was applied during the dark period starting one week prior to harvest, with treatments of 0.2 W m–2 for 4 or 8 h d–1 and 0.4 W m–2 for 2 or 4 h d–1, along with a control. Leaf rosmarinic acid (RA) content significantly increased in all UV-B treatments, whereas tilianin and acacetin levels decreased under higher UV-B intensity or longer duration. Growth characteristics remained largely unaffected. These findings demonstrate the potential of UV-B radiation at 0.2 W m–2 for 4 h d–1 during the dark period for enhancing RA content. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility of a pre-harvest UV-B application to enhance phenolic compounds in A. rugosa under optimized cultivation conditions.
Comparative analysis of peg-induced in-vitro drought stress responses in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivarsOriginal Paper
Çağlar Kaya
In this study, the morphological and biochemical responses of three commercial strawberry cultivars (‘Camarosa’, ‘Albion’, and ‘Sweet Charlie’) were compared under in-vitro drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The results revealed that, under severe stress conditions (10% PEG), ‘Camarosa’ exhibited the highest shoot (9.57) and root numbers (8.89), while its rooting rate was (8.39%) at moderate stress (5% PEG). ‘Albion’ had the greatest leaf number (9.26) at 0% PEG, and reached maximum leaf length (9.10 cm) and fresh biomass (9.46 g) at 5% PEG. In contrast, ‘Sweet Charlie’ showed pronounced reductions in both growth and biochemical parameters as PEG concentration increased, with shoot number decreasing to (3.13) and biomass reduced by more than 40% at 10% PEG. Biochemically, ‘Albion’ showed the highest SOD activity (9.54 U mg-1) at 5% PEG and CAT activity (9.73 U mg-1) at 10% PEG. ‘Sweet Charlie’, on the other hand, displayed the most pronounced oxidative damage under high PEG, with elevated MDA (12.7 nmol g-1 FW) and proline (9.12 μmol g-1 FW) accumulation. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 56.4% of the total variance, highlighting that ‘Albion’ stood out for its high antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GR, SOD), while ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Sweet Charlie’ were able to maintain higher SPAD and relative water content (RWC) under severe stress. However, increased MDA and proline levels in ‘Sweet Charlie’ indicated heightened stress sensitivity. The PCA biplot further demonstrated that antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GR, SOD) were closely associated with ‘Albion’, while physiological parameters such as SPAD and RWC were more related to ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Sweet Charlie’. In conclusion, the in-vitro screening method using PEG is an effective and reliable tool for rapid assessment of drought tolerance in strawberry genotypes. These findings indicate that ‘Albion’, with its superior morphological and biochemical resilience, is a promising candidate for future breeding programs.
Integrated nutrient management improves soil fertility, leading to improve the productivity and quality of Aonla (Emblica officinali L.)Original Paper
Soustav Datta, Susmita Dey, Sk Md Asif, Sarthak Bhattacharya, Suddhasuchi Das, Chinmoy Mandal, Kamal Kr. Mandal, Laila A. Al-Shuraym, Lamya Ahmed Alkeridis, Samy Sayed, Ahmed Gaber, Akbar Hossain
Aonla (Emblica officinali L.) is one of the most nutritious fruits and an excellent source of vitamin C. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides used indiscriminately have negative effects on soil fertility, yield and quality of produce. Given this background, a study was conducted from 2019 to 2021 at the Regional Research Substation, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in Sekhampur, West Bengal, India, to examine the impacts of managing organic and inorganic nutrients for achievable production of aonla and preserving soil fertility in Red and Lateritic Regions of West Bengal-India. Treatments were: T1: RDF: 600-300-600 g NPK plant-1 (Control); T2: 20 kg FYM + 400-200-500g NPK plant-1; T3: 10kg Vermicompost + 400-150-450g NPK plant-1; T4: 40g Azotobacter + 550-300-600g NPK plant-1; T5: 50g PSB + 600-250-600g NPK plant-1; T6: 40g Azotobacter + 50g PSB + 550-250-600g NPK plant-1; T7: 10 kg FYM + 40g Azotobacter + 50g PSB + 350--500g NPK plant-1; T8: 10kg Vermicompost + 40g Azotobacter + 50g PSB + 350-100-450g NPK plant-1. All treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and repeated three times. The observations revealed that greatest increases in plant growth parameters, maximum fruit physicochemical characteristics, maximum yield/tree ratio and soil nutrient status were observed with the implementation of treatment T6. Finally, aonla (cv. ‘NA-7’) orchards in Sekhampur, West Bengal, benefit from treatment T6, which improves the soil nutrient status and increases fruit quality and yield.
Optimizing oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushroom cultivation in West Africa: Soybean straw as a promising substrateOriginal Paper
Abdoul-Azize Boukary, Lucrece Naomie Yabi, Meike Piepenbring, Soulemane Nourou Yorou
Mushroom cultivation has been proposed to valorize several types of lignocellulosic substrates. Soybean straw as the main dish for mushroom cultivation has not really been tried in West Africa, yet soybean cultivation has become very important in this area. The present study evaluates the performance of soybean straw in mushroom cultivation in Benin. We tested Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation on three different substrates including rice straw, sawdust and soybean straw. Different water contents of the substrates were tested to identify the best for good biological efficiency. We evaluated the performance of a growing substrate by measuring the days required for complete colonization, the time until primordia appeared, and the number of fruiting bodies per bag. Using a negative binomial regression model, we assessed the interactive effects of substrate type, moisture content, and their additive effects. To determine significance, we conducted Kruskal's multiple comparison test to rank the means. This study showed that soybean straw was the substrate with the fastest mycelial colonization (13 days) compared to rice straw or sawdust (2-3 weeks). Similarly, the highest yields were obtained on soybean straw (452.5 g/kg), followed by rice straw (367.8 g/kg) and sawdust (275.2 g/kg). Regarding water content, it was found that 60% was the most favorable for both rapid substrate colonization and a good yield. Due to its high biological efficiency, soybean straw has proved to be an excellent substrate for mushroom cultivation.
Changes in some nutritional components and physiological indices during the cutting process of Acer griseum cuttings
Junyang Song, Yingxue Shen, Sucheng He
Acer guiseum, a distinct endangered species native to China, is celebrated for its striking autumn foliage. The profound physiological dormancy of its seeds hampers both natural regeneration and industrial applications. This research examines the changes in nutritional components and physiological indices during the cutting process of Acer guiseum, offering insights for foundational research and practical applications in propagation by cuttings for this and similar species. Utilizing one-year-old branches of Acer guiseum as experimental material, this study assessed the variations in nutritional components and physiological indices among cuttings subjected to NAA treatment and a control group. It delved into the internal changes in substances within the cuttings throughout the process, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for its propagation via cuttings. Despite all treated and control group cuttings failing to successfully induce rooting, valuable data on nutritional components and physiological indices were collected during the process. The findings reveal a persistent decrease in the levels of starch, soluble sugar, soluble protein, catalase (CAT) activity, and a-amylase (α-AL) activity in the cuttings. Peroxidase (POD) activity exhibited a “decrease-increase-decrease-increase” pattern, failing to sustain high activity throughout the process. Increases were noted in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and lipase (LPS) activity, which are indicators of lipid peroxidation in cell membranes, reduction in cellular physiological functions, and cellular aging. Traditional cutting methods proved ineffective in inducing rooting in Acer guiseum cuttings. The observed reduction in nutritional substances and changes in enzyme activity during the cutting process are likely contributing factors to the unsuccessful propagation of Acer guiseum through cuttings.
The nutrient requirement of Holcoglossum amesianum affects the formation of PLBs and the mortality of seedling based on micromorphological observationOriginal Paper
Qian Wu, Jianwei Yang, Shuxian Ren, Menglu Hu, ZongYan Li
Holcoglossum amesianum is an endangered orchid species because of its habitat destruction and overexploitation. But there is no research on the biology of H. amesianum, particularly relevant to nutrient requirement in seed germination. This study aimed to improve protocorm-like-bodies formation rate and seedling survival rate in vitro reproduction of H. amesianum by determining seeds nutritional requirements and screening optimal combinations of medium and organic additives. The results demonstrated that Hyponex medium with 30 g/L Banana Homogenate and 20 g/L Apple Homogenate as well as N6 medium with 30 g/L Banana Homogenate exerted significant effects on seed germination. However, these two mediums have had adverse effects on protocorm-like-bodies survival. The half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with 20 g/L Apple Homogenate exhibited the Banana Homogenate higher seed germination rate and the lowest mortality rate of seedling, which can be assumed that H. amesianum is a high nutrient requirement species.