HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-30DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010038
Indrė Čechovičienė, A. Šlepetienė, Milda Gumbytė, A. Paulauskienė, Ž. Tarasevičienė
{"title":"Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Pomace of Various Cultivars of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.)","authors":"Indrė Čechovičienė, A. Šlepetienė, Milda Gumbytė, A. Paulauskienė, Ž. Tarasevičienė","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010038","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study is to assess the proximate chemical composition, and the physical and techno-functional properties of blackberry pomace from different cultivars (‘Polar’, ‘Orkan’, ‘Brzezina’). Blackberry pomace primarily comprises seeds and other parts, such as pulps/skins. It serves as a rich source of bioactive compounds, particularly anthocyanins, and demonstrates notable functional properties, including water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling capacity, and various fiber fractions. Moreover, anthocyanin-rich fruits are interesting due to their health-promoting properties and intensive color. Total anthocyanin content (TAC) ranged from 113.82 mg 100 g−1 d.w. to 129.58 mg 100 g−1 d.w. in blackberry pomace. Fiber fractions, including ADF, NDF, lignin, and WSCs, exhibited significant variations among the different blackberry pomace cultivars as well as color.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":" 76","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139139524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-30DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010039
M. Livera-Muñoz, Alfonso Muratalla-Lúa, R. Flores-Almaraz, Y. D. Ortiz-Hernández, V. A. González-Hernández, Fernando Castillo-González, Carlos Hernández-Ramírez, Oscar Eduardo Varela-Delgadillo, Magnolia López-Soto, Jorge Manuel Valdez-Carrasco, J. A. Carrillo-Salazar, I. Ramírez-Ramírez
{"title":"Parthenocarpic Cactus Pears (Opuntia spp.) with Edible Sweet Peel and Long Shelf Life","authors":"M. Livera-Muñoz, Alfonso Muratalla-Lúa, R. Flores-Almaraz, Y. D. Ortiz-Hernández, V. A. González-Hernández, Fernando Castillo-González, Carlos Hernández-Ramírez, Oscar Eduardo Varela-Delgadillo, Magnolia López-Soto, Jorge Manuel Valdez-Carrasco, J. A. Carrillo-Salazar, I. Ramírez-Ramírez","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010039","url":null,"abstract":"The fruits of the nopal (Opuntia spp.), cactus pears, are considered functional foods due to their content of nutritive and bioactive substances. Its pulp is generated by numerous seeds that limit their consumption due to their size and hardness and detract from their quality. Other undesirable fruit characteristics are its inedible peel and its short shelf life. In the case of the cactus pear cactus (Opuntia spp.), no cultivar has been reported that produces quality parthenocarpic fruits, nor have they been obtained by artificially inducing parthenocarpy. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the response of 11 genotypes to the induction of parthenocarpy, to characterize the fruits of the genotypes with the best response, and to determine their postharvest life. To induce parthenocarpy, floral buds were used in the pre-anthesis stage, from which the style-stigma, stamens, and tepals were removed, generating a cavity in which a solution of growth regulators was applied (250 mg L−1 AG3 + 75 mg L −1 BA + 15 mg L−1 of AIB). A similar number of buds was used as a control, without treatment, and in free pollination. Only two genotypes, MX CP-30 Red and MX CP-40 Yellow, produced parthenocarpic fruits since their empty integuments produced pulp, remaining small, empty, and soft. Their peel was sweet (10–14 °Brix) and edible, and they had a longer shelf life than the corresponding fruits with seeds.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":" 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139140727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010037
Amparo Primo-Capella, María Dolores Molina-Nadal, Laura Catalá-Senent, Agustí de Miguel-Moreno, M. Forner-Giner, M. Martínez-Cuenca
{"title":"Response to Deficit Irrigation of ‘Orogrande’ Mandarin Grafted onto Different Citrus Rootstocks in Spain","authors":"Amparo Primo-Capella, María Dolores Molina-Nadal, Laura Catalá-Senent, Agustí de Miguel-Moreno, M. Forner-Giner, M. Martínez-Cuenca","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010037","url":null,"abstract":"Drought is increasingly becoming an abiotic stress factor that affects citrus yield in the Mediterranean Basin, and rootstocks may impact the plants’ responses to it. This study compares the influences of Forner-Alcaide 5 (FA-5), an emerging well-established rootstock in Spain, and Carrizo citrange (CC), the common commercial rootstock of the Orogrande mandarin variety, on plants’ responses to water reduction. The deficit irrigation (DI) condition was established by 50% irrigation and evapotranspiration (ETc). The canopy volume, yield, fruit size and fruit internal quality were evaluated. The yield reduction in the CC DI was mainly due to a smaller fruit size, but in FA-5, it was due to fewer fruits without an affected caliber. Regarding Ct, the fruits from the CC DI had lower juice contents and higher rind percentages, while the differences between the Ct and DI trees were smaller in the FA-5 rootstock. The most remarkable effect was the increase in total soluble sugars (TSS) for the DI treatment. To conclude, the FA-5 rootstock had the strongest influence on Orogrande mandarin under water stress. These results can be useful for addressing water stress problems in citrus.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":" 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139143390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010036
Mariana Mota, M. J. Martins, L. Sprey, Anabela Maurício, Cristina Rosa, João Faria, Miguel B. Martins, M. L. De Sousa, Ricardo Santos, Rui M. de Sousa, Henrique Ribeiro, C. Oliveira
{"title":"Analysis of Petiole Sap Nutrients Using Rapid and Standard Methods and Its Relation to Leaf Analysis of Fertilized Malus domestica cv. Gala","authors":"Mariana Mota, M. J. Martins, L. Sprey, Anabela Maurício, Cristina Rosa, João Faria, Miguel B. Martins, M. L. De Sousa, Ricardo Santos, Rui M. de Sousa, Henrique Ribeiro, C. Oliveira","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010036","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, fertilization decisions in apple orchards are based on soil and leaf analyses while the leaf material is sampled after the growing season, usually in June–July (90–110 days after full bloom). This approach is inefficient, as the information becomes available later than the growing season and is therefore only useful in supporting fertilization decisions for the next year, not the current one. To establish a method that provides useful information for fertilization decisions earlier in the growth cycle, our research focused on the assessment of the nutrient content of petiole sap using different methods, the standard method and the rapid method using a reflectometer. For this study, in 2021, four ‘Gala’ orchards were fertilized with different N–P–K levels. Macro and micronutrients were determined in leaves and petiole sap at 45 and 90–110 days after full bloom (DAFB) using standard laboratory methods and the reflectometer. When leaf analysis at 45 and 90–110 DAFB was compared with petiole sap analysis at the same time point, no significant correlations were found between the nutrient contents in leaf material and petiole sap, with the exception of calcium. However, positive results were obtained regarding the correlation between reflectometer determination and standard laboratory analyses. The regression analysis revealed high determination coefficients for N-NO3− (R2 = 0.703), K+ (R2 = 0.705), Ca2+ (R2 = 0.715), and Mg2+ (R2 = 0.780) between standard laboratory methods and the reflectometer. These results suggest that the reflectometer enables a real-time diagnostic tool for monitoring nutrient status throughout the growth cycle, particularly key nutrients related to fruit quality. The N–P–K fertilization strategies had no influence on the nutrient content of leaves or petiole sap. The nutrient content of both sample types varied depending on the orchard.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":" 37","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139142959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-28DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010028
P. Crupi, Vittorio Alba, G. Gentilesco, M. Gasparro, Giuseppe Ferrara, A. Mazzeo, A. Coletta
{"title":"Viticultural Climate Indexes and Their Role in The Prediction of Anthocyanins and Other Flavonoids Content in Seedless Table Grapes","authors":"P. Crupi, Vittorio Alba, G. Gentilesco, M. Gasparro, Giuseppe Ferrara, A. Mazzeo, A. Coletta","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010028","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Viticulture bioclimatic indexes like the Heliothermal Index (HI), Cool Night Index (CI), and Dryness Index (DI), can be used to assess the influence of climate on grapes’ quality. Methods: HI, CI, and DI + total seasonal irrigation were utilized to assess the effect of climate on the flavonoids content and composition of two Vitis vinifera seedless varieties, ‘Summer Royal’ and ‘Crimson Seedless’, both grown in Apulia (Southern Italy). Results: The flavonoids content was significantly affected by variety and climate conditions on the base of HI, CI, and DI + total seasonal irrigation. Factor analysis applied to climate indexes and flavonoids showed that anthocyanins and flavonols were negatively and positively correlated to CI in both varieties, respectively. Additionally, warmer night temperatures determined higher fla-van-3-ols. HI increase promoted anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols content in Crimson Seedless, whilst it induced an opposite trend in Summer Royal. Finally, DI + total seasonal irrigation showed to be positively linked to flavonols content and negatively linked to anthocyanins content just in the case of Crimson Seedless. Significant regression models were also determined between climate indexes and productive parameters (i.e., yield, TSS, TA, pH, bunch, and berry weight). Conclusions: Climate indexes HI, CI, and DI + total seasonal irrigation showed an effect on quality grape parameters like flavonoids and contributed to building predictive models when new climatic zones are going to be evaluated for the production of table grapes.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":"24 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139150096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-28DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010034
Pawan Saini, A. Sirari, B. Gnanesh, K. S. Mandahal, Navkiran Kaur Ludhar, Sharon Nagpal, S. A. H. Patel, Javed Akhatar, Pooja Saini, Aditya Pratap, Tejinderjit Singh Bains, I. Yadav
{"title":"Assessment of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers Derived from Whole-Genome Sequence (WGS) of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek): Cross-Species Transferability and Population Genetic Studies in Vigna Species","authors":"Pawan Saini, A. Sirari, B. Gnanesh, K. S. Mandahal, Navkiran Kaur Ludhar, Sharon Nagpal, S. A. H. Patel, Javed Akhatar, Pooja Saini, Aditya Pratap, Tejinderjit Singh Bains, I. Yadav","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010034","url":null,"abstract":"The genus Vigna is pan-tropical, having more than 200 species with many desirable economically important traits. This study aimed to validate the in silico polymorphism of whole-genome-sequence-developed mungbean-specific SSR markers and their transferability among different Vigna species. The present study utilized a set of 200 SSR markers developed from the whole-genome sequence of mungbean and validated them using a diversity panel of 25 accessions that belong to 13 Vigna species. Out of 200 SSR markers, 130 markers (65%) were polymorphic across the various Vigna species, and the number of alleles amplified varied from 7 to 24. The SSR markers showed more than 90 percent transferability across the different Vigna species accessions. Utilizing allelic data, the 25 Vigna accessions were clustered into three groups using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The two integral coalitions explained 50.79 and 15.42% of the total variance. The principal coordinate analysis (PCA) biplot graph and UPGMA-based neighbor-joining clustering diagram showed a similar pattern of Vigna accession distribution. A population structure assessment grouped the cultivated and wild species accessions into two sub-populations based upon a maximum delta K value of 144.79, which drew a sharp peak at K = 2. The estimated marker parameters, such as the polymorphic information content (0.09–0.84), marker index (0.091–3.342), and effective multiplex ratio (1.0–4.0), suggested their adequacy for several genetic studies, such as parental selection, hybrid testing, genetic mapping, and marker-aided breeding programs, for the genetic enhancement of species belonging to the Vigna genus.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":"6 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139148646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-28DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010030
Ž. Kevrešan, J. Mastilović, Dragan D. Kukolj, Dragana Ubiparip Samek, Renata Kovač, Marina Đerić, A. Bajić, G. Ostojić, S. Stankovski
{"title":"Insights from a Patent Portfolio Analysis on Sensor Technologies for Measuring Fruit Properties","authors":"Ž. Kevrešan, J. Mastilović, Dragan D. Kukolj, Dragana Ubiparip Samek, Renata Kovač, Marina Đerić, A. Bajić, G. Ostojić, S. Stankovski","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010030","url":null,"abstract":"A patent portfolio focusing on sensors for the measurement of fruit properties was generated and analyzed with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the trends in the development and application of sensors intended for measuring fruit properties and their changes. A patent portfolio of 189 patents, utility models and patent applications was formed. Three groups of patents were identified: (i) sensor-based measurement of individual parameters, (ii) multisensor solutions for the simultaneous monitoring of multiple relevant aspects and (iii) solutions integrating sensor-derived data with artificial intelligence tools and techniques. The analysis of the patent portfolio pointed out the main driving forces of technology strengthening in the field of fruit property measurement. The development of sensing technologies enables the real-time, rapid and cost-effective determination of ever-increasing and more sophisticated sets of fruit properties and environmental conditions. Solutions integrating different sensing technologies into multisensor systems for monitoring fruit quality, ripening or freshness as holistic concepts opens avenues for the introduction of a new approach to fresh produce management. Increasing numbers of solutions introducing the application of artificial intelligence tools such as computer vision, machine learning and deep learning into the fresh produce supply chain contribute to the possibilities of substituting human decision-making at points of relevance for fresh produce management with optimal evidence-based solutions.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":"2 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139148842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Estimation of Apple Leaf Nitrogen Concentration Using Hyperspectral Imaging-Based Wavelength Selection and Machine Learning","authors":"Sihyeong Jang, Jeomhwa Han, Junggun Cho, Jaehoon Jung, Seulki Lee, Dongyong Lee, Jingook Kim","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010035","url":null,"abstract":"In apple cultivation, the total nitrogen content is an important indicator of plant growth, fruit quality, and yield. Timely monitoring of growth becomes imperative, since an imbalance, either in deficiency or excess nitrogen, can result in physiological disorders, adversely impacting both the quantity and quality of fruit. Leaf nitrogen content can be determined using simple chlorophyll meters or destructive testing; however, these methods are time-consuming. However, by employing spectral imaging technology, it is possible to swiftly predict leaf nitrogen content. This study estimated the total nitrogen content in apple trees via hyperspectral imaging and machine learning-based regression analysis (partial least-squares regression (PLSR), support vector regression (SVR), and eXtreme gradient boosting regression (XGBoost). Additionally, to reduce computational costs and improve reproducibility, spectral binning was divided into three stages (4, 8, and 16 bins), and models were compared with a 2-binning estimation model. The analysis focused on green, red, red edge, and near-infrared (NIR) spectra, with 5–10 selected wavelengths, and the SVR-based prediction model showed a similar or greater performance to that of the full spectrum. At 4- and 8-binning, the selected wavelengths were similar to those at 2-binning, maintaining similar prediction model performance. However, at 16 bp, the performance of the prediction model decreased owing to spectral data loss, leading to a significant reduction in wavelengths for nitrogen content estimation. These results can support informed nitrogen fertilization decisions, enabling precise, real-time monitoring of nitrogen content for enhanced plant growth, fruit quality, and yield in apple trees. Additionally, the selected wavelengths can be considered in the development of new types of multispectral sensors.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":"26 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139152136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-28DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010032
Hongbo Mi, Xu Zhou, Jun Yang, Jingxin Chen, Bin Liu
{"title":"LED White Light Treatment Delays Postharvest Senescence of ‘Zaosu’ Pear Fruit with Inhibited Chlorophyll Degradation","authors":"Hongbo Mi, Xu Zhou, Jun Yang, Jingxin Chen, Bin Liu","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010032","url":null,"abstract":"To investigate the effects of LED white light treatment (LWT) on the storage quality of postharvest ‘Zaosu’ pears, as well as its role in maintaining fruit greenness and delaying senescence, pear fruits were treated with intermittent irradiation using LED white light for 12 h per day, with a light source distance of 30 ± 1 cm and a photon flux density of 151 μmoL/(m2·s) at 25 °C. The results showed that LWT preserved the postharvest quality of ‘Zaosu’ pear fruit by reducing weight loss and ascorbic acid degradation and promoting the ratio of sugar and organic acid. Meanwhile, LWT also substantially inhibited the respiration intensity and ethylene production during the storage process. Accordingly, the expressions of genes related to ethylene biosynthesis and signaling were reduced in LWT fruit. Notably, LWT retarded the decrease in chlorophyll content of fruit by increasing the activities of enzymes associated with chlorophyll synthase. Additionally, LWT also suppressed the chlorophyll degradation-related enzymes and their gene expressions in pear peel. These findings suggest that a moderate light irradiation can delay the de-green progress and benefit post-harvest storage of ‘Zaosu’ pear.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":"348 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139152302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
HorticulturaePub Date : 2023-12-28DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae10010033
Fritzner Pierre, K. Demchak, Matthew Cooper, Myungjin Lee, F. Di Gioia
{"title":"Soilless-Grown Green and Purple Basil Response to High Tunnel Photo-Selective Covering Films","authors":"Fritzner Pierre, K. Demchak, Matthew Cooper, Myungjin Lee, F. Di Gioia","doi":"10.3390/horticulturae10010033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010033","url":null,"abstract":"Protected cultivation systems, such as high tunnels, have gained popularity for their ability to enhance growth conditions and extend the growing season of horticultural crops. The choice of the covering film in these systems can significantly impact crop productivity and quality while influencing pest and pathogen incidence. This study aimed to evaluate the yield, physiological responses, and nutritional quality of green and purple basil grown in high tunnels using different plastic film covers. The study was conducted in Central Pennsylvania using twelve research high tunnels covered with four alternative polyethylene films with varying light diffusion and ultraviolet (UV) radiation transparency levels: TuffLite IV (TIV), KoolLite Plus (KLP), UV-transparent (UVT), and UV-opaque (UVO). Green ‘Genovese Compact Improved’ and purple ‘Amethyst Improved’ basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars were grown as test crops. The plastic covering film had a significant effect on the growth of both basil cultivars, with a significant interaction between the film and basil genotype. Green basil generally exhibited higher fresh and dry biomass compared to purple basil, and the film effect varied with the basil genotype. Leaf area, stem, leaf, and total plant biomass were influenced by the plastic cover, with UVO and UVT films resulting in higher biomass production. The plastic covering films showed varying effects on the mineral content, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity, with UVO and UVT films often resulting in improved nutritional quality compared to traditional films. Furthermore, covering films influenced the downy mildew severity on both cultivars and the UVT film consistently limited the severity of the foliar disease in both genotypes. Overall, this study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate plastic covering films with varying levels of UV transparency in high tunnel production systems.","PeriodicalId":13034,"journal":{"name":"Horticulturae","volume":"360 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139148888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}