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The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is popular for its high medicinal value. It is a common table fruit and whole fruit contains important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Four pomegranate varieties (Pearl, Golden, Sultan, and Qandhari) were analyzed in the Biochemistry laboratory of Post Harvest Research Centre, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad Pakistan during the year 2021-2022. The results showed that juice carried a remarkably higher value of TSS (total soluble solids) ranging from 12.4% (Pearl) to 17.2 % (Sultan), total invert sugars were minimum (11.8%) in Golden and maximum (14.3%) in Sultan. The value of vitamin-C varies from 10.6 mg/100 mL (Qandhari) to 11.5 mg/100 mL (Pearl) and acidity ranges from 0.8% (Sultan) to 1.9% (Pearl). Sultan showed a higher value for total phenols and antioxidants (1111µg GAE L-1 and 43.5% DPPH inhibition respectively) and lowest in Pearl (1022µg GAE L-1 and 27.7% respectively). Peel powder of different varieties carry a different percentage of crude fat and crude fiber but Sultan is statistically at par with Qandhari but significantly higher than pearl. Ash/mineral matter was significantly different in different varieties. Sultan was better than other varieties having ash contents of 3.67%. The lowest value was observed in Golden (2.7%). Keeping in view the current results Sultan was better than Pearl and Golden and comparable to Qandhari. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to assess the quality of carrot variety T-29 as affected by the application of potassium fertilizer. Potassium was applied @ 0, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg/ha and carrot was sown during the month of November of every year. The experiment was continued for consecutive three years i.e. 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 at research area of Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Pakistan. Yield data were collected and quality parameters pulp, juice, TSS, vitamin C, dry matter, total sugars and reducing sugars were determined. Results revealed that the application of K enhanced the yield and quality parameters. Root yield in various treatments ranged from 20.6 to 30.8 in 2017, 18.0 to 25.8 in 2018 and 17.5 to 27.8 t/ha in 2019, minimum in control and maximum at treatment where K was applied @ 120 kg/ha. Quality parameters like pulp, juice, mineral matter and vitamin-C did not affect significantly by the application of K while the total sugars were increased from 4.0 to 5.6, 4.7 to 5.5 and 5.5 to 6.8% (Minimum in control and maximum with 120 kg/ha K application) during the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Maximum antioxidant potential i.e. 75.2, 80.13 and 78.6 was found with potassium application of 120 kg/ha during all years. Pro vitamin A contents (3782 and 3706 μg/100g) were analyzed during 2018 and 2019, respectively where 100 kg/ha potassium was applied. In short, potassium application could be effective for carrot optimum yield and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of root exudates has long been under estimated, presumably of being concealed in nature. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and compost inhabiting bacteria (CIB) interact with plant to regulate root exudation. Present study was conducted at Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2018 to check antifungal effect of PGPR and CIB tested against fungal pathogen, (Fusarium oxysporum) with maize crop. Root exudates were collected and analyzed by high performance laquid chromatography (HPLC) to get an insight of their chemical composition. Our results indicated that conidial germination of pathogen was significantly decreased while bacterial population enhanced by exudates of those plant roots which were treated with bacterial consortium. Analysis of root exudates revealed that composition of root exudates of co-inoculated plants, differ not only from the exudates of pathogen free plants but also from the un-inoculated controls referring to only pathogen inoculated plants. Salicylic acid (upto 83%), chlorogenic acid (upto 46%) and caffeic acid (upto 61%), along with higher quantities of malliec acid (upto 24%) were found in exudation of bacterial treated plants. The increase in concentration of specific secondary metabolites might have a role in inducing systemic resistance in the maize against seedling blight (Fusarium oxysporum). In conclusion, this study illustrates the disease resistance mechanism on the basis of plant-microbe communication and helps to devise suitable strategies against fusarium-mediated blight of maize plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]