Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Mar 2024

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in quality of minimally processed litchi fruit during storage at low temperatures (5-7°C).

The study attempts to report the efficacies of seven different anti-browning compounds at various concentrations namely methionine (0.1%), cysteine (0.1%), EDTA (0.1%), oxaloacetic acid (1%), ascorbic acid (1%), citric acid (1%), and potassium metabisulfite (0.5%) on quality and shelf-life extension of minimally processed litchi aril. Treated litchi aril kept in trays wrapped with plastic film and stored under refrigerated conditions. Changes in total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, sensory attributes, colour, weight loss, microbial and activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase enzymes were evaluated.

Treatments reduce the weight loss and sensory attributes with higher contents of TSS, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and suppressed the increase in activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Therefore, a postharvest dip of peeled litchi into solutions of chemical preservatives could be suggested to maintain the postharvest quality under refrigeration storage. Treated litchi arils were acceptable (sensory score >7) up to 8 days as compared to 3 days for the control samples during refrigerated storage.

Research limitations: 

No limitations were found.

Originality/Value:

 Further, 1% ascorbic acid and 1% citric acid were recorded to be the best to preserve the quality of minimally processed ‘Mujaffarpur’ litchi during refrigeration storage.

The application of natural organic compounds without harmful environmental effects in the production of horticultural and agricultural products is considered as a new method to reduce waste before and after harvesting, increase the storage life and maintain antioxidant activity in developed agriculture. As regards, this study investigated the impact of foliar applications of brown macroalga extract on antioxidant enzyme activity and mineral uptake in 'Hayward' kiwifruits.

Four treatment levels of brown macroalga extract (0, 1, 2, and 3 g/L) were applied at three distinct phases, occurring 110, 125, and 140 days after full bloom. Fruit samples were stored at 1±0.5°C with 95% relative humidity for 90 days, with measurements taken every 30 days.

Results revealed that the 3 g/L extract treatment significantly increased the uptake of calcium (47.82 %), nitrogen (20.52 %), potassium (12.06 %), phosphorus (19.81 %), and iron (25.77 %) compared to the control. The extract demonstrated a substantial effect on all recorded traits. Among the applied treatments, 3 g/L of brown macroalga extract concentration had the best effect in reducing electrolyte leakage (25.10%), malondialdehyde accumulation (96.73%), hydrogen peroxide content (54.54%) and increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (50.42%), catalase (84.90%), ascorbate peroxidase (79.02%), and peroxidase (49.40%) compared to the control in 90 days of storage.

Research limitations: 

No limitations were found.

Originality/Value: 

The results suggest that the 3 g/L brown macroalga extract concentration holds promise for enhancing the quality of 'Hayward' kiwifruits.

Seed germination and seedling growth are recognized as the most sensitive stages of salinity for the majority of plant species. This experiment aimed to characterize the impact of various salinity levels on selected ornamental plants from the Asteraceae family including Gazannia splendens, Rudbeckia hirta, Ageratum houstonianum, Gaillardia aristata, and Coreopsis grandiflora during the seed germination stage.

Five independent experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD), comprising seven treatments with different concentrations of sodium chloride (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mM) in four replications using Petrie plates.

The salinity of 120 mM significantly reduced the seed germination percentage in G. splendens, G. aristata, and C. grandiflora, compared to the other species. A. houstanianum exhibited a stimulating effect on seed germination percentage with salinity levels ranging from 20 mM to 80 mM. Salinity stress at a concentration of 120 mM had negatively affected vegetative traits in A. houstonianum, R. hirta, G. aristata, and C. grandiflora, inhibiting the growth of plumule in A. houstonianum and C. grandiflora. However, traits like plumule length and seedling length in G. splendens remained unaffected by salinity.

Research limitations:

 No limitations were identified.

Originality/Value:

 Results demonstrate varied responses of ornamental plants to different salinity levels. R. hirta exhibited superior performance in seed germination and early seedling stages compared to other plants.

The effectiveness of the evaporative clay pot coolers was studied to preserve the postharvest quality of leafy vegetables, including kankun (Ipomoea aquatica), gotukola (Centella asiatica), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and thampala (Amaranthus spp.).

The bundles of leafy vegetables weighed about 200 g and were stored for seven days under room temperature storage, refrigerated storage, and clay pot cooler storage.

The average temperatures were 27.7 °C, 7.1 °C, and 25.6 °C, and relative humidity values were 76.1%, 58.2%, and 93.6% in room temperature storage, refrigerated storage, and clay pot cooler, respectively. The average cooling efficiency of clay pot coolers was 66.7%. The physiological weight losses of leafy vegetables were significantly reduced during clay pot cooler storage. The chlorophyll content, soluble solids content, color changes, and visual quality of leafy vegetables were significantly maintained in clay pot cooler storage compared to room temperature storage.

Research limitations: 

The main limitation of this study was the seepage of water into the inner pot of the clay pot cooler which enhanced the decay of leafy vegetables. This was successfully controlled by avoiding overwatering the sand that was used as the lining material of the clay pot cooler.

Originality/Value: 

The clay pot cooler is one of the alternative low-cost storage methods to preserve the quality of leafy vegetables during storage.

The main objectives of this study were to find farmers’ handling practices on postharvest losses of potatoes, to estimate the post-harvest losses from farm gate to storage level and to know how the post-harvest losses were affected by the socio-demographic factors.

The study was conducted in Dolakha, Nepal with 100 respondents selected by simple random sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data and MS Excel and SPSS were used for data analysis.

Out of the total potatoes produced, 89.73% were utilized in various forms while the remaining 10.26% were lost due to poor post-harvest handling practices and lack of adequate cold storage facility. The farmers in the study area relied on practices, such as using spades for harvesting, week-long curing, traditional home storage, sorting and grading to remove the damaged ones, use of jute sacks, and overfilling and dragging of heavy bags. The post-harvest loss was significantly affected by age, gender, land size, and farming experience of farmers whereas the literacy level, ethnicity, and religion had no impact on it.

Limitations:

 Transportation was a limitation because motorable roads were unavailable due to which farmers of distant areas couldn’t be included in the sampling frame.

Originality/value: 

The study reported that only 3% of farmers had access to cold storage facilities and 10.26% of harvested potatoes were lost due to traditional post-harvest practices.

This study reported for the first time, the postharvest management practices and estimated lost by roadside orange sellers in Oyo state, Nigeria.

Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected for specific objectives were analyzed and presented in frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation while the multiple regression analysis was performed to assess hypothesis of the study.

Results showed that the roadside orange sellers had low level of education as 25.0% had no formal education while 47.5% had primary education. Under tent/umbrella (60.8%) are the main tent used to display oranges long the roadside. High profitability (81.7%) was the leading factors motiving marketing of oranges along the road side. The marketers (95.8%) moderately used postharvest management practices (PHMPs). The orange sellers incurred high loss of oranges up to 14.2% stored. Unfavourable weather condition (x̄=2.12) was the lead constraints to use PHMPs. Multiple linear regression showed that years of experience, average number of orange stocked and age showed significant relationship with the use of PHMPs.

Limitations: 

There was no limitation.

Originality/Value:

 Roadside orange sellers in Oyo state, Nigeria were moderate users (95.8%) of postharvest management practices and incurred 14.2% lost.

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. belongs to the Lamiaceae family, is one of the important and endangered endemic species in Iran. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of micronutrient elements application on the content and composition of essential oil of D. kotschyi Boiss. shoots in southwestern Iran (Shahrekord) in 2022 and 2023.

Four foliar fertilizers including Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn were applied in 0, 20, 40 and 60 mg.l-1 in RCBD design by factorial layout and 3 replications.

Results obtained from gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed 14 essential oil components. According to obtained results, applied micronutrients significantly influenced the essential oil content/ composition of D.kotschyi. In both years, the highest content of essential oil (0.98-0.99 %) was obtained in plants treated with 40 mg.l-1of micronutrients (Fe2Cu2Zn2Mn2) and the lowest content (0.59-0.66%) made by control plants (0 mg.l-1), however the plants treated by 60 mg.l-1of micronutrients in most characters were in a same group with the control plants. The most important chemical compounds that determine the quality of D. kotschyi essential oil including Neral (9.02-16.31%), Limonene (25.4-35.6%), Geranial (8.6-16.5%), Eucalyptol (3.89-8.01%) and Myrtenol (22.5-32.1%) were identified alcoholic monoterpenes. Limonene belonging to monoterpene hydrocarbons was the predominant constituent of the D. kotschyi.

Limitations: 

There were no limitations to the report.

Originality/Value:

 The foliar application of micronutrients at 40 mg.l-1 (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) can be a good strategy to improve the essential oil quantity and quality of D.kotschyi in cold and semi-arid climates.