Search

In the Republic of Croatia, hazel (Corylus avellana L.) is the fruit species with the largest recorded increase in cultivation. Due to its high content of lipids and moisture (at the time of harvest) hazelnuts are susceptible to quality deterioration (rancidity development, mycotoxins contamination etc.) and therefore proper harvest and post-harvest handling is necessary to preserve their quality. Hazelnuts are most often collected from the ground by the appropriate mechanization. After harvesting, proper drying of is a crucial measure. Hazelnuts in the shell should be dried to about 7 - 10% moisture, and the kernel moisture content should be from about 4 - 6%. The maximum drying temperature should never exceed 50 °C. Regarding the storage conditions, the relative humidity is the most important factor and should never exceed 70%, while it is optimal to range from about 55 - 65%. Low temperatures (

The present study was conducted with aim to test the effect of red photo-selective nets (Agritech S.r.l., Eboly, Italy) on 'Granny Smith' apple postharvest quality. The fruits have been harvested on optimal harvest date from orchard near city of Zadar where red photo-selective nets were used. Afterwards fruits were stored in regular air storage at 0°C for 4 months and then kept for 7 days at room temperature (shelf life). After harvest, cold storage and shelf life fruits grown under red net had significantly lower total soluble solid (SSC) content. After cold storage, superficial scald index and share of fruits with strong and very strong superficial scald severity were significantly higher in fruits grown under red net while for share of fruits with low superficial scald severity situation was opposite. After shelf life, fruits grown under red net had significantly higher titratable acidity (TA), but lower weight loss and SSC/TA ratio. It can be concluded that, due to greater susceptibility to superficial scald, prevention measures (optimal harvest time, 1-MCP and CA storage) should be applied when red photo-selective net is used on superficial scald-susceptible apple varieties.

Dog rose (Rosa canina L.) is a cosmopolitan plant species that due to its nutritional, medical and cosmetic values deserves more attention. Dog roses are cultivated in Croatia on very small scale and most of the rose hip used in the domestic processing industry is imported. In this study, three dog rose F1 progeny populations developed from selected plants collected in Korčula, Malešnica and Prigorje Brdovečko, originating from two climatic regions (P1 - Mediterranean and P2 and P3 - continental) have been studied as a part of a field experiment for two growing seasons, in order to assess the level of genetic variability for pomological and agronomic traits. In addition, genetic variation within and among examined three dog rose populations has been assessed using 6 polymorphic SSR markers. The highest variability, as well as the most desirable agronomic traits were found within the P3 population, while the lowest ones were present in the P1 population. Most desirable properties and highest values for commercially important traits were detected in the genotype RC29 (P3). Molecular data was sufficient to separate three studied populations but not all individuals within the populations. Through selection and hybridization of perspective genotypes of dog roses from Croatia, it would be possible to create clonally propagated varieties suitable for commercial cultivation.

A dog rose (Rosa canina L) is one of the most widespread wild species of the genus Rosa in our country, and fairly represented in the natural, rural and even urban areas. Although in the world a dog roses are studied, cultivated and refined, in Croatia its cultivation almost does not exists. In nature you can see major differences between plants, especially considering the size of the fruit, often in very small habitats. The study was conducted at 8 rose dog bushes at about 1 ha of abandoned experimental field 'Jazbina' in Zagreb. From each plant, 120 fruits were randomly collected at a technological maturity. The average fresh fruit weight ranged from 1.88 to 2.96 g, the average fresh flesh portion from 65.4 to 74.7 % and the average dry flesh matter content (after drying at 105 °C), in relation to the fresh fruit weight, from 22.9 to 28.6 %. The length, width, thickness, and shape of the fruits were significantly different (P≤0.05). Since plants were grown in uniform climatic and edaphic conditions, it can be concluded that a relatively large phenotypic, and probably the genotypic variability of dog rose plants exists in such a small location. With the reasonable assumption that the Croatian territory has a lot of similar dog rose habitats, the results of this study indicate a rich genetic potential of dog rose, which could be used for initial selection of plants with superior characteristics intended to be introduced in cultivation.