Marta Balsells-Llauradó, N. Vall-llaura, J. Usall, C. Casals, N. Teixidó, R. Torres
{"title":"Impact of fruit bagging and postharvest storage conditions on quality and decay of organic nectarines","authors":"Marta Balsells-Llauradó, N. Vall-llaura, J. Usall, C. Casals, N. Teixidó, R. Torres","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2113562","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2113562","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Abiotic factors such as light influence the physicochemical properties of fruit and may alter the response of the fruit to the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two postharvest storage conditions on the overall quality and natural fungal disease incidence (fruit decay) of organic nectarines. Experiments were conducted with four organically grown nectarine cultivars (two early-mid season and two late-season) that were unbagged or bagged during preharvest. After harvest, they were stored for 7–9 days in darkness or under a treatment with lighting. Quality parameters (weight, diameter, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and single index of absorbance difference), ethylene production, and fruit decay (% incidence of decay) were evaluated. Preharvest bagging reduced fruit decay in the late-season cultivars, for which storage under darkness reduced fungal decay (up to 100%) more than storage under lighting treatment (47% reduction). Bagging altered the initial fruit quality, but values were within official recommendations. Storage conditions reduced differences attributed to bagging, especially under storage with lighting. This work highlighted the importance of modulating the light, both in the field by fruit bagging and during postharvest, to reduce fruit decay and improve fruit quality. These results may serve as a tool for both farmers and postharvest chain managers.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"39 1","pages":"36 - 50"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48610557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Yields and heavy metal uptake of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and effects on soil properties of different tillage practices and application of burnt rice husk dust in Abakaliki, south-east Nigeria","authors":"C. Mbah, C. Njoku","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2116729","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2116729","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Indigenous crops play a critical role in the socioeconomic growth of developing nations where there have been calls for exploitation of these staple crops. This study investigated the yield and heavy metal uptake of cocoyam and changes in soil physical properties in relation to different tillage practices and the application of burnt rice husk dust (BRHD). The experiment was arranged as a split plot in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were: mound tillage (no BRHD); ridge tillage (no BRHD); mound + 10 t ha−1 BRHD; mound + 20 t ha−1 BRHD; ridge + 10 t ha−1 BRHD and ridge + 20 t ha−1 BRHD. The results showed that soil bulk density (at 45 days after planting, DAP) was lower when the tillage practices were combined with the amendment of burnt rice husk dust, while total porosity (at 45 DAP) and aggregate stability were higher. The yields of cocoyam corms were also higher for tillage practices combined with amendment with burnt rice husk dust. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) in the cocoyam corms were higher for plants grown in soil amended with BRHD, but the levels were still below the levels considered harmful in food crops. Burnt rice husk dust could be recommended for use as a soil amendment in the study area to improve soil properties and increase the production of cocoyam, without increasing the concentration of heavy metals in the corms to harmful levels.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"39 1","pages":"62 - 72"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45363642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Tomar, Pawan Kumar, A. K. Gupta, R. Kaushal, H. Mehta
{"title":"Performance of two aromatic grasses grown in association with mulberry trees on degraded land in the north-western Himalayan foothills","authors":"J. Tomar, Pawan Kumar, A. K. Gupta, R. Kaushal, H. Mehta","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2115399","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2115399","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The study investigated the potential of aromatic-grass-based agroforestry systems to rehabilitate degraded land in the north-western Himalayas. Five treatments; sole lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) (LG), sole java grass sole (Cymbopogon winterianus) (JG), lemon grass + Morus alba (LG + M), java grass + M. alba (JG + M) and sole M. alba (M) were planted in a randomised block design and the systems were evaluated in terms of plant and tree growth and yields over three years and effects on soil quality characteristics. Considering the 3-year averages, the highest survival rate of the grass (95%) was recorded in sole lemon grass, while the highest plant height (117 cm), number of tillers clump −1 (67), clump diameter (104 cm), fresh biomass (179 Mg ha−1), dry biomass (60 Mg ha−1) and oil yield (89 kg ha−1) of the grass were recorded for the lemon grass + M. alba treatment. The highest total fresh root weight (128.7 g clump−1) and number of total roots (511.7 clump−1) were recorded under sole lemon grass and for lateral root spread (78.8 cm) was recorded under sole java grass. The highest soil organic carbon and potassium concentrations were recorded in sole M. alba. The treatment with sole M. alba was recorded to have the highest values for the soil biological properties followed by the treatments with lemon grass.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"39 1","pages":"51 - 61"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45016984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Using gorse compost as a peat-free growing substrate for organic strawberry production","authors":"A. López-Fabal, N. López-López","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2091473","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2091473","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The demand for peat-free organic growing media has increased and green compost provide an attractive option within a circular economy. To take advantage of the inherent nutrient content, the nutrient dynamics need to be carefully considered when evaluating the agronomic potential of compost for organic production. In this study, the use of compost made from gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) was evaluated as a substrate for organic production of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch ‘Selva’), focusing particularly on the availability of nutrients. Two gorse composts were used, gorse composted with poultry manure (5% v/v) (PM100) and gorse composted on its own without manure (PM0). The composts were assessed in their original form and in formulations containing different proportions of each. A fertilised standard peat-based substrate was used as control. Both PM0 and PM100 exhibited acceptable physical properties and contained high concentrations of major nutrients (particularly PM100). The nutrient concentrations in the solutions from the different formulations decreased gradually during the growth of the crop, particularly N and K. Concentrations of N and chlorophyll levels were lower in plants grown in gorse compost formulations than in those grown in the control. There were, however, no substantial differences in fruit size or overall yield. The above-ground biomass in the compost-grown plants increased with increased proportions of PM100, but it was greater in the control plants. The gorse composts were recommended as effective peat substitutes for strawberry cultivation, although supplementary fertiliser should be applied at fruit production stage to ensure optimal production.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"39 1","pages":"19 - 35"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42488779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improved yields and essential oil composition of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) and soil fertility properties in intercropping systems","authors":"Monireh Zandi, S. Khalesro, Z. Sharifi","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2076611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2076611","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Legume-based intercropping systems have been proposed as sustainable and eco-friendly systems with potential to improve crop production and soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted in two growing seasons (2017 and 2018) to determine optimal intercropping patterns of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) to increase yield and quality of the ajowan and to improve soil properties. The treatments evaluated in this study were sole cropping of ajowan (A) and fenugreek (F), replacement intercropping series of A:F (1:1, 4:4, 3:1, and 1:3 ratios) and additive intercropping series of A:F (100:12.5, 100:25, 100:37.5, 100:50, 100:62.5, 100:75, and 100:87.5 ratios). The results showed that the highest biological yield (4172.7 kg ha−1), seed yield (1009.7 kg ha−1), and essential oil yield (42.0 kg ha−1) of ajowan were obtained in the additive pattern A:F 100:25. The highest concentrations of thymol and γ-terpinene, the major chemical components of ajowan essential oil, were recorded for the A:F 100:25 intercropping pattern. Total LER and ATER indices were above one in all of the intercropping patterns. The concentrations of soil total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (TON), available forms of NO3 − and NH4 +, Mg2+, K+, as well as basal respiration (BR) and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) in the A:F 100:25 intercropping pattern were greater than for the fenugreek and ajowan sole crops. Overall, the analysis showed that the A:F 100:25 additive intercropping pattern had positive and strong effects in terms of increased yield and quality of ajowan and improvement of soil fertility.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"39 1","pages":"1 - 18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47721207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The influence of cultivation system and modified atmosphere packaging on quality attributes of tomato fruit during cold storage","authors":"H. Ozer, Caner Yılmaz, B. Ozturk","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2074890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2074890","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the effects of cultivation system (organic and conventional) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments on quality characteristics and bioactive compounds of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Şencan 9) stored in cold storage conditions, at 8°C ± 0.5°C and 90% ± 5% relative humidity, for 21 days. At the end of the cold storage period, lower weight loss and respiration rates were measured in the organically produced fruit compared with the fruit produced in the conventional production system. On day 14 and 21 of storage, higher firmness was measured in the conventional- and organic-MAP treatments and in the conventional-unwrap treatment than in the organic-unwrap treatment. On day 7, L* and hue angle measured in organic-MAP were significantly higher than in the other treatments. At the end of the cold storage period, higher soluble solids content, vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were recorded for the organic tomatoes, compared with the conventionally grown fruit. The highest and lowest concentrations of total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were determined in organic-MAP and conventional-unwrap treatments, respectively. In conclusion, it was shown that the quality of the tomatoes grown in the organic production system and stored in MAP maintained higher quality characteristics during the cold storage period.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"38 1","pages":"258 - 270"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46328869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Anaerobic digestate as peat substitute and fertiliser in pot production of basil","authors":"H. Asp, K. Bergstrand, S. Caspersen, M. Hultberg","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2064232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2064232","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The common use of peat as a growing medium for plant production is questioned due to the negative effects on the environment and climate. Therefore, it is of great importance to find substitutes for peat with similar positive properties that have made peat one of the most important substrates in the horticultural sector. Production of biogas from organic residues is a valuable process, producing both energy and a residue, anaerobic digestate (AD), with a high content of plant nutrients. In this study, peat was partly substituted with AD of plant material origin up to 80% in a growing substrate for basil (Ocimum basilicum). Germination, yield and plant nutrient content were measured as well as chemical and physical properties of the growing media. The results showed that with 50% substitution of peat the growth in the AD/peat mix gave the same yield as for the fertilised peat on its own. No toxic or deficiency symptoms could be seen in the 50% mix. The important physical properties of the substrate were similar in peat and AD/peat mixes. However, the water-holding capacity was slightly decreased when part of the peat was substituted.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"38 1","pages":"247 - 257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48020802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phenological attributes, fruit set, fruit drop, yield and quality of Khasi mandarin Orange as influenced by application of organic amendments and biodynamic preparations","authors":"T. Hazarika, Malsawmkimi, Rody Ngurthankhumi","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2060758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2060758","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The present study investigated the effects of applying organic amendments and biodynamic preparations on phenological attributes, fruit set, fruit drop, yield and quality of Khasi mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata Blanco). There were eleven treatments; T1: farmyard manure (FYM); T2: vermicompost (VC); T3: pig manure (PIM); T4: poultry manure (POM); T5: neem cake (NC); T6: FYM + cow pat pit (CPP) + biodynamic preparation (BD) 500 + BD 501; T7: VC + CPP + BD 500 + BD 501; T8: PIM + CPP + BD 500 + BD 501; T9: POM + CPP + BD 500 + BD 501; T10: NC + CPP + BD 500 + BD 501 and T11: control (RDF). The results revealed that the use of combinations of organic amendments and biodynamic preparations influenced the phenology, fruit drop, fruit set, yield and quality of the mandarin. Among different treatments, POM + CPP + BD 500 + BD 501 (T9) had the lowest number of days from flowering to fruit set and from fruit set to ripening. The same treatment also had the highest % fruit retention, lowest % fruit drop and highest number of marketable fruits. T9 also resulted in the highest weight, length, diameter and volume of the fruit, the highest pulp weight, pulp thickness and pulp:peel ratio, lowest peel weight, highest juice content and second highest concentrations of reducing and total sugars. Hence, T9 was considered an effective combination in terms of influencing the phenology, fruit drop, fruit set, yield and quality of Khasi mandarin.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"38 1","pages":"235 - 246"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47303650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Ebrahimi, M. Pouyan, T. Shahi, H. Fallahi, Sareh Hoseini, Hosein Ragh Ara, F. Branca
{"title":"Effects of organic fertilisers and mother corm weight on yield, apocarotenoid concentration and accumulation of metal contaminants in saffron (Crocus sativus L.)","authors":"M. Ebrahimi, M. Pouyan, T. Shahi, H. Fallahi, Sareh Hoseini, Hosein Ragh Ara, F. Branca","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2021.1987987","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2021.1987987","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The effects of two factors that determine the quality and quantity of saffron yields, i.e. organic fertilisers, including i) humic acid (Humax®), ii) organic-mineral emulsion (Omic®), iii) cow manure, and iv) unfertilised control, and mother-corm weight (using corms of 0.1–4 g, 4.1–8 g and 8.1–12 g) were investigated by measuring yield-related traits of saffron in 2 years. In the first year, the application of organic fertilisers had no significant effect on most of the studied traits. In the second year, the highest rate of increase in the stigma-style dry weight yields, with 55.5 mg day−1, was recorded for the cow manure treatment. In both years, the style-stigma yield was significantly higher in the treatments with large mother-corms compared with small mother-corms, with large differences especially in the first year, indicating that the benefit of planting heavier mother-corm was related to the stage of the production cycle. In accordance with INSO (Iran National Standard Organisation), the concentrations of crocin and picrocrocin in all treatments were within the range of Grade I and II saffron, respectively. The concentrations of the major metal contaminants (arsenic, lead and mercury) were much lower than the permissible limits in all treatments, indicating that none of the tested organic fertilisers caused pollution of the saffron.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"38 1","pages":"73 - 93"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43839278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Skrabule, I. Dimante, A. Tsahkna, Terje Tahtjarv, Lasma Rabante-Hane
{"title":"Potato variety essential traits and their stability for organic starch production","authors":"I. Skrabule, I. Dimante, A. Tsahkna, Terje Tahtjarv, Lasma Rabante-Hane","doi":"10.1080/01448765.2022.2051206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2022.2051206","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT In organic production of potatoes for processing into starch, it is essential to obtain high and stable starch yields, as determined by the yield of tubers and the content of starch in the tubers. The stability of these traits in potato varieties is especially important in variable environments affected by soil properties and climatic conditions. Pre-sprouting of the seed tubers before planting can accelerate plant development and promote acceptable starch yields in a shorter growing period. This study evaluated traits of seven potato varieties important for organic starch production, assessed trait stability in different environments and determined the effect of seed tuber pre-sprouting on plant development and stability parameters. Significant effects of genotype, growing environment, and their interactions on tuber yield, starch yield and starch content of the tubers were observed. No significant effects were found of seed tuber pre-sprouting on the performance of the tested traits. Four trait stability evaluation methods were applied to tuber yield, starch yield and starch content, including a modified Kang’s yield-stability approach, and these showed inconsistent results. The modified Kang’s stability rating could be further used for determination of the best performing varieties, with high values for the essential traits and relatively high stability for each individual trait.","PeriodicalId":8904,"journal":{"name":"Biological Agriculture & Horticulture","volume":"38 1","pages":"217 - 234"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44586590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}