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This study investigated the diversity among five introduced fig (Ficus carica L.) germplasm in Bangladesh, focusing on their morphological and physicochemical characteristics. The primary goal was to assess morphological variations, including their genetic potential for future improvement, and to examine their biochemical properties. The findings demonstrated significant variations in plant growth attributes, leaf characteristics, fruit traits, sensory attributes, and biochemical properties among the genotypes under study. Notably, two genotypes, Khurtamoni (KH) and Brown Turkey (BT), emerged as exceptional performers based on their combined pomological and nutritional characteristics compared to Golden Riverside (GRS), Egyptian‐2 (E‐2), and Saudi Yellow Arabia (SYA). However, KH displayed outstanding growth characteristics, excellent fruit attributes, including a remarkable fruit yield of 65.67 fruits per plant, and exceptional nutriomedicinal properties with a total phenolic content (TPC) of 8.03 mg GAE/100 g FW, a total flavonoid content (TFC) of 31.084 mg QE/100 g FW, and an IC50 value of 85.39 μg/ml. Besides, BT excelled in terms of taste, texture, juiciness, and various nutritional parameters with an ascorbic acid content of 4.4 mg/100 g, a TFC of 28.348 mg QE/100 g FW, and an IC50 value of 83.685 μg/ml. The genotype ranking, taking into account both morphological and biochemical characteristics, reveals the following order: KH > BT > GRS > SYA > E‐2 as per the principle component analysis. Consequently, the study identifies KH and BT as promising candidates for fig cultivation and breeding in Bangladesh due to their exceptional attributes. Furthermore, the genotype ranking offers valuable guidance for selecting germplasm for breeding programs and promoting sustainable fig cultivation in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] In order to provide a scientific basis for improving yield and quality of pear through nutrient optimization management in China, the current situation of farmers' conventional fertilization management and yield in pear producing area was clarified, and the effects of different nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K₂O) fertilization measures on the yield and quality were studied. [Methods] The data of 112 journal articles published from 1992 to 2022 on the effect of optimal fertilization on pear yield and quality were integrated and analyzed to study the relationship between pear yield and N, P₂O, and K₂O application rates under conventional and optimal fertilization, and targeted fertilization suggestions were put forward for the main pear producing areas based on the yield effects. [Results] From a national perspective, the average yield of pear was 31 thm and the average amounts of N, P2O5 and K₂O application rates were 453,235 and 320 kg.hm² under conventional fertilization, while the nutrient inputs were relatively high and there were large differences between the main production areas. Compared with conventional fertilization, optimizing N, P2O5 and K₂O fertilization increased fruit soluble sugar content by 5.5%-7.3%, fruit shape index by 1.5%- 1.6%, and vitamin C content by 3.0%-3.4%, and decreased total acid by 3.6%-7.3% and peel firmness by 1.4%-2.2%. Meanwhile, reducing N, P2O5 and K₂O to a certain extent was helpful to increase the yield and quality of pears. Based on this, the appropriate application intervals of N, P2O5 and K₂O could be proposed for each main production area: the optimal input in the western producing area were 292.9-390.5 kg-hm-2, 113.1-169.6 kg.hm² and 71.0-106.4 kg.hm¯², respectively; the optimal inputs in the Yangtze River Basin producing area were 289.0-385.3 kg.hm², 221.7-277.1 kg.hm² and 158.7-238.0 kg.hm², respectively; the best inputs in the Circum-Bohai Sea producing area were 228.1-342.2 kg.hm², 113.9-170.8 kg.hm² and 261.6- 348.8 kg.hm², respectively; the best inputs of the old Yellow River producing area were 258.7-388.1 kg.hm²,164.1-218.8 -2 kg.hm², and 330.1-440.1 kg.hm², respectively. [Conclusions] Optimized fertilization could synergistically improve the yield and fruit quality of pear, and the targeted fertilization recommendations based on this will also help to achieve efficient, green and sustainable development of the main pear producing areas in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-stimulants are gaining importance for elevating the stagnated yield level resulting from continuous use of chemical fertilizers (CF) in many crops, however, their use in pomegranate have not been fully explored. Two years of field experiments were conducted on a 5-years old pomegranate cv. Bhagwa orchard to investigate the effects of different combinations of commercial bio-stimulant products namely, microbial-based product A containing consortium of Rhizophagus spp. (5 kg ha−1), seaweed extract-based granular formulation D (30 kg ha−1) and liquid formulation B (625 and 1250 ml ha−1) through soil application as well as wettable granular formulation, C (1 and 2 g l−1) and liquid formulation, E (1 ml l−1) through foliar sprays along with chemical fertilizers on soil fertility, trees' nutrition, fruit yield and quality of pomegranate. Results showed that integrated use of CF and bio-stimulants significantly increased the number of bisexual flowers. However, the combination of microbial-based product A (5 kg ha−1), seaweed extract based liquid formulation B (625 ml ha−1) in soil and foliar spary of seaweed extract based wettable granular formulation C (1–2 g l−1) with CF resulted in production of the highest fruit yield (increased by 41.97–51.61%) with 23.08–33.38% increase in the exportable grade fruit and improved quality attributes viz. ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, non-reducing sugar, protein, and mineral content of fruits through enhancement in soil fertility and trees' micronutrient status compared to only CF. These doses combinations of bio-stimulants along with CF gave rise to the highest benefit–cost ratio of 2.10–2.34:1 and hence can be recommended for sustainable pomegranate cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of wild kiwifruit (Actinidia callosa var. strigillosa) fruit samples from North Sikkim district of Sikkim state of Northeast India resulted in the identification of six promising female accessions, viz. SKNLA-11, SKNBC-01, SKNBC-02, SKNLC-02, SKNLC-07, and SKNZM-02. These selections exhibited significant variation in performance across desirable horticultural traits. Morphological parameters, including fruit weight (3.69–6.33 g), length (18.76- 26.71 mm), diameter (16.26- 19.76 mm), size (length × diameter) (342.56- 495.20 mm2), length-to-diameter ratio (1.03–1.57), stalk length (13.31–18.56 mm), and fruit yield (2.50- 8.50 Kg/vine), were assessed. Biochemical characteristics such as total soluble solids (17.20 −17.76 °B), titratable acidity (0.84–1.19%), total sugars (9.52–10.60%), reducing sugars (7.14–8.30%), non-reducing sugars (1.87–2.68%), sugar-acid ratio (8.26–11.33), ascorbic acid (31.20–41.60 mg/100g), and total phenols (33.31–94.88 mg GAE/100g) were examined. Sensory evaluation was carried out by a panel of judges, rating flavour (6.00–8.00), texture (5.40–8.20), aroma (5.80–8.50), taste (6.00–8.00) and overall acceptability (5.90–7.88) on a scale of 1 to 9. Notably, SKNBC-01, SKNLC-02, and SKNBC-02 excelled in overall acceptability. These selected accessions displayed significant variation in bloom date, anticipated harvest date, and harvesting period (in days). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to determine the genetic variability parameters and character associations in thirty-two chilli genotypes. Based on mean performance, 11 genotypes were observed to be superior for marketable green fruit yield than the standard check varieties 'Him Palam Mirch-2' and DPCH-40-2. High to moderate estimates of PCV and GCV with high heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for marketable green fruits/plant, marketable green fruit yield/plant, total green fruits/plant and average green fruit weight. Marketable green fruit yield/ plant had positive and significant association with average green fruit weight, marketable green fruits/plant, total green fruits/plant, percent marketable green fruits/plant, ascorbic acid and capsaicin content. In view of direct and indirect contribution of component traits, selection on the basis of total fruits/plant and average green fruit weight would be a paying preposition for evolving high yielding genotypes for marketable green fruit yield. The present findings could be useful in selecting superior genotypes to achieve genetic gain and yield advantage in chilli breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a large portion of the tropics, there is a demand for the development of hybrid chilies (Capsicum annuum L.) with high pungency, antioxidant vitamins, and tolerance to chili leaf curl virus, and anthracnose. Six genetically diverse parents were crossed in half-diallel fashion to develop 15 F1 hybrids to assess the level of heterosis, combining ability and gene action for 17 quantitative traits. The inheritance of most traits was apparently controlled by non-additive gene action. "Bidhan Chili 4" recorded the maximum, significant, GCA effects in a desired direction for PDIs of leaf curl virus and anthracnose along with commercially important traits. The maximum extent of heterobeltiosis was for oleoresin content followed by ascorbic acid and capsaicin contents, PDIs of chili leaf curl virus and anthracnose, and fruit yield per plant. The hybrids "Bidhan Chili 4 × Chili 38-Ragi" and "Pant C 1 × Bidhan Chili 4" could be isolated on the basis of their average performance, heterosis manifested in them, and SCA effects. Such hybrids could make a difference by meeting the horticultural requirements, high yield, disease tolerance and pungency, of commercial chili growing zones in the tropics. Hybrid vigor is available for commercial production of chili hybrids. A different approach from hybrid vigor is to isolate pure lines from segregating generations of potential heterotic F1s to increase fruit yield, quality attributes, and resistance to the chili leaf curl virus and anthracnose disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the yield and some quality characteristics of 20 beef tomato lines at the F6 stage. As a result, the total yield, average fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit width of the lines varied between 6.60-14.93 t/da, 200.80-384.00 g, 53.68-75.05 mm, and 71.95-98.29 mm respectively. Furthermore, it was found that the fruit flesh firmness values of the tomato lines used in the study varied between 0.41-1.32 kg/cm²; brix values between 6.10-9.60%; vitamin C values between 20.03-25.57 mg/100 g; total phenolic contents between 13.28-30.72 mg/100 g; lycopene contents between 4.69-9.68 mg/100 g and beta-carotene contents between 0.83-2.17 mg/100 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The guava fruit plants produce heavy fruit yield during summer season but these plants then produce very little fruit yield during winter season due to low carbohydrates. To increase guava fruit production during winter season, this experiment 'effect of nitrogen doses (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1) and timing (September, October and November) on fruit quality of guava in winter' was conducted at farmer field of village, Gher Khan, District, Haripur during 2017-2018 with the objectives to optimize the appropriate dose of nitrogen and timing of application for growth and fruit quality of guava crop in winter. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with split plot arrangement and three replications. The experimental results revealed that highest ascorbic acid (207.59 mg 100g-1) was recorded in guava fruit tree treated with nitrogen in September. Trees treated with nitrogen in November produced fruits with maximum fruit firmness (1.90 kg cm-2) and titratable acidity (0.35%). Regarding nitrogen doses, maximum TSS-acid ratio (39.72%) and ascorbic acid (212.42 mg 100g-1) were observed in trees treated with 225 kg N ha-1. Maximum ascorbic acid (217.76 mg 100g-1) and reducing sugar (5.85%) were recorded in trees fertilized with 150 kg N ha-1 while maximum non-reducing sugar (4.80%) and TSS (10.55 oBrix) were observed in trees treated with 75 kg N ha-1. Interaction between nitrogen doses and its time of application significantly affected fruit firmness of guava fruit while TSS, ascorbic acid, TSS-acid ratio, reducing and non-reducing sugar was found non-significant. It is therefore concluded from results that optimum dose of urea as a source of nitrogen should be applied during the month of September at the rate of 150 kg ha-1 to guava fruit trees for better quality fruit production of winter season guava under the climatic condition of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunhwa, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Triacontanol mitigating the adverse effects of salinity stress. • Triacontanol mitigating oxidative stress. • Triacontanol promotes essential elements uptake and limits harmful ions accumulation. • Triacontanol application improves leaf water relations. Salt stress is a significant factor that leads to various detrimental effects on pomegranate trees. This study was undertaken with the primary objective of developing a treatment strategy aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of salinity in fields, and its negative reflections on the post-harvest quality of pomegranate fruit. At the commencement of the study, we utilized response surface methodology (RSM) to assess a range of triacontanol (TRA) concentrations along with different spray frequencies. Our investigation revealed that applying 10 and 20 µM TRA three times proved to be the most effective treatments. Accordingly, the effect of these concentrations was studied in depth. The treatment with TRA at concentrations of 10 and 20 µM demonstrated significant positive effects. TRA effectively mitigated the harmful impacts of salinity, preserved the plant's nutrient and antioxidant content, and led to an increase in productivity. Moreover, TRA treatments had a notable effect on enhancing post-harvest storability of fruits during storage at 5 ̊C and 90 % RH for 12 weeks. TRA treatments resulted in higher concentrations of mineral nutrients (N, P, K, and Ca), porphyrin concentration, relative water contents, activities of CAT, POD, and SOD, glycine betaine, proline, amino acids, total phenolics, and total carbohydrates, additionally, TRA treatments led to increased fruit weight and fruit yield compared to the control group. Moreover, TRA treatments attained lower hydrogen peroxide, membrane permeability, malondialdehyde, Na, and Cl compared with control. Indeed, the positive effects of TRA treatments extended to fruit storability. TRA treatments resulted in a notable decrease in the percentage of decay, weight loss, and softness. Furthermore, TRA treatments demonstrated efficacy in preserving TSS, husk color, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin content in the arils. These combined benefits highlight the potential of using TRA as a practical and effective method to alleviate salt stress and enhance pomegranate fruit storability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]