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An imbalanced nutrients status in the nutrient solution, i.e. poor nutrition of the plant, is often responsible for the low quantity and quality of strawberry fruit. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different ratios of potassium to magnesium (K/Mg) (T1, 2:1, T2, 4:1, T3, 6:1 and T4, 8:1) on fruit yield and quality of strawberry cv. Albion under hydroponic conditions. Different K/Mg treatments did not have a significant effect on fruit yield and quality attributes such as ascorbic acid and total soluble solids. The highest fruit yield was obtained when plants were exposed to a 4:1 ratio (i.e. T2). Fruit quality attributes such as total anthocyanin, total antioxidant, total phenolic, total flavonoids, total chlorophyll, calcium, Mg, and K concentrations in the leaves and antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly affected by the K/Mg treatments. The highest total phenolic (925 mg/100g FW) and total flavonoids (163 mg/100g FW) were observed when plants grown in the presence of a 4:1 ratio (i.e. T2). Whereas, the highest antioxidant activity (89.2%) was detected in plants exposed to the 8:1 ratio (T4). The highest activity of guaiacol peroxidase (2.88 and 2.78 unit/g FW), ascorbate peroxidase (2.11 unit/g FW), and catalase (2.23 unit/g FW) were observed in T3 and T4, T4, and T4 treatments, respectively. It can be concluded that among the tested treatments, the 4:1 ratio of potassium:magnesium is optimal for the strawberry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgreens are young plants that have gained popularity among consumers due to their high nutritional value. In the present study, the shelf life and nutritional properties of beet microgreens subjected to silicon and nano-silica in the post-harvest period have been investigated. Silicon and nano-silica treatments were carried out at two levels (Control and 100 mg/L as foliar spraying), after which the microgreens were harvested and kept at 4°C for 12 days. The results showed that the activity of polyphenol oxidase enzyme increased with the increase of storage time and as a result the browning of the tissue also increased. Also, with increasing storage time, the percentage of weight loss, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and carotenoid increased and chlorophyll a, b and total, total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant capacity and vitamin C decreased. The use of silicon and nano-silica treatment decreased the activity of polyphenol oxidase enzyme and browning of the microgreen tissue compared to the control. Application of silicon increased total chlorophyll (33.75%), total phenol (2.49%) and total antioxidant capacity (39.7%) of microgreens in the post-harvest period. Also, the use of nano-silica increased the amount of total phenol (5.73%), antioxidant capacity (55%) and vitamin C (38.77%) compared to the control. In general, the results of this research showed that the pre-harvest application of silicon and nano-silica improves the nutritional characteristics of beet microgreens in the post-harvest period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Dutch) is a widely grown fruit crop in the world due to its high aroma, taste, and nutritional value. In this study, the effect of foliar application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on phytochemical modifications of strawberry cv. Sabrina under deficit fertigation conditions was investigated. The interaction effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (0, 6 and 12 mg L-1) and deficit fertigation (90, 110 and 130 mL) on some morphological, antioxidant and phytochemical factors of strawberry cv. Sabrina, such as fruit width, length, weight and yield, total phenol and flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, acid ascorbic content, total anthocyanin, iron and zinc content were investigated. Results showed that the interaction of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and the amount of nutrient solution on vitamin C content, antioxidant enzymes activity and iron content was significant. The highest fruit width (4.73. cm), fruit length (3.71 cm), fruit fresh weight (52.2 g), fruit yield (527 g) and vitamin C content (51.1 mg 100 mL-1) were observed in the presence of 130 mL of deficient fertigation and 12 mg L-1titanium dioxide nanoparticles treatments. In contrast, the highest catalase (1.96 u/g FW), guaiacol peroxidase (2.42 u/g FW) and ascorbate peroxidase (2.29 u/g FW fruit) were observed upon exposure to 90 mL of deficient fertigation and 12 mg L-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles treatments. In conclusion, deficit fertigation conditions along with the use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles improves morphological and phytochemical properties of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at finding a suitable treatment for maintaining the fruit quality and increase the shelf life of strawberry, effects of ascorbic acid and essential oil of Thymbra spicata were evaluated. Fruits were dipped in 10 and 15 mM of ascorbic acid and essential oil of T. spicata (400 and 600 ppm) for two minutes, and after drying at room temperature, were packed by cellophane in the polyethylene container and transferred to 4 °C. Some of the qualitative, quantitative and biochemical parameters were measured at 7 and 14 days after storage. Results of analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among the treatments in most of the evaluated parameters. Strawberry fruits treated with ascorbic acid and essential oil showed lower weight loss and lower fruit browning, while they had higher marketability than control plants. Ascorbic acid and essential oil treatments also led to decreases in polyphenol oxidase activity, total phenol content and electro leakage, while the vitamin C content and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher than control plants. Generally, ascorbic acid (15 mM) and essential oil (400 ppm) compounds reduced fruit's degradation during cold storage and these treatments have the potential to be used as practical postharvest treatments to retain the quality of strawberry fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing consumer demand for ready-to-eat products in recent years, the use of nano technology has been considered to improve the quality and increase the shelf life of fresh cuttings of fruit and vegetables. In this research, the effects of polypropylene contents of Nanoclay nanocomposites prepared by Bespar Aitec Company dishes, on quantitative and qualitative post-harvest indices of arils of pomegranate cultivars "Rabab-Neyriz" and "Milas-Neyriz" after 30 days Storage at 5 °C were investigated. For this purpose, soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), phenol, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin, flavor index, and sensory evaluation (panel test) were evaluated at a time interval of 6 days. Based on the results, the studied cultivars showed significant differences in qualitative characteristics, especially anthocyanins. In both cultivars, total phenol content, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and antioxidant capacity gradually decreased over time. Although there was no significant difference between the Nano and control samples for flavor index, other traits showed significant differences. In both cultivars, Nano- packaged arils showed higher phenol, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and antioxidant contents compared to the control samples. Nanopackaged arils of Rabab cultivar showed a better marketability. These results indicated that Nano- packaging is a promising approach in maintaining quality and increasing shelf life and marketability of pomegranate arils during 30 days storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of foliar application of zinc sulfate and seaweed on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of local Kermanshah cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L., Cantalupensis Group) cv. Kalak was investigated. After sowing seeds in the field, the plants were sprayed in three stages including the 4-6 leaf stage, flowering and after the fruit set. The experiment had a factorial design based on the randomized complete block design with 9 treatments including various concentrations of zinc sulfate (0.5 and 1 g L-1) and seaweed (0.5 and 1 g L-1) and was repeated three times. The results of analysis of variance showed that zinc sulfate at 0.5 g L-1 and seaweed at 1 g L-1 had significant effects on the weight, length and diameter of the fruit, the weight of the fresh fruit, fresh and dry weight of the plant, and fruit firmness. The highest amount of vitamin C was observed in zinc sulfate at 1 g L-1 and seaweed at 0.5 g L-1. The highest total seed weight was obtained in zinc sulfate at 0.5 g L-1 and seaweed at 1 g L-1. Foliar application of zinc sulfate and seaweed did not have a significant effect on total soluble solids (TSS). However, zinc sulfate at 0.5 g L-1 increased the amount of titratable acid (TA) in the fruit juice. The highest amount of the TSS/TA ratio of the fruits was observed in application of seaweed at 1 g L-1. Overall, the findings of the present study indicated that simultaneous application of zinc sulfate and low concentrations of seaweed extract has a significant effect on many qualitative and quantitative characteristics of “Kalak” Cantaloupe and can be recommended as a biofertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]