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In this study, we examined over 200-year-old Ginkgo biloba L. specimens under different environmental conditions. The overall aim was to explore which factors influence their vitality and general fitness in urban environments and thus their ability to tolerate stressful habitats. In order to determine this, we used a number of different methods, including histological examinations (stomatal density and size) and physiological measurements (peroxidase enzyme activity), as well as assessing the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The investigation of the genetic relationships between individuals was performed using flow cytometry and miRNA marker methods. The genetic tests revealed that all individuals are diploid, whereas the lus-miR168 and lus-miR408 markers indicated a kinship relation between them. These results show that the effect of different habitat characteristics can be detected through morphological and physiological responses, thus indicating relatively higher stress values for all studied individuals. A significant correlation can be found between the level of adaptability and the relatedness of the examined individuals. These results suggest that Ginkgo biloba L. is well adapted to an environment with increased stress factors and therefore suitable for use in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no practical and at the same time objective colour system available for describing cultivated roses (Rosa L. cultivars). For this reason, a new colour classification system was developed which is colorimetrically balanced and appropriate for algorithmic colour identification; however, it is also suitable for field-work. The system is based on the following colorimetric criteria: (A) Each colour category is characterised by a measured petal colour in the CIE L*a*b* standard as the centroid of the category. (B) The CIEDE2000 colour differences between the adjacent centroid colours are limited (5 < ΔE00 < 7). (C) The maximal colour difference between the measured colours in a category is also limited (to 12.12 ΔE00). (D) A measured petal colour can only be classified into an existing category if the colour difference from the centroid colour of the given category is less than 5.81 ΔE00, otherwise a new category is required. (E) A category is only considered non-redundant if it has at least one measured petal colour that cannot be classified elsewhere. (F) The classification of the petal colours is based on the least colour difference from the centroid colours. As a result, 133 colour categories were required for describing all the 8139 petal colours of the rose cultivars of the Budatétény Rose Garden (Hungary). Each colour category has the following parameters: standardised colour name, the colorimetric parameters of the centroid, grouping, RHS colour chart coding, and reference cultivars, which are described in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo has been identified as a promising solution to the energy crisis and climate change as a source of biomass energy. Due to its rapid growth and high‐value products, bamboo is considered as a potential source of biomass energy. Bamboo contains a significant amount of cellulose and hemicellulose, which can be converted to sugar constituents, making it an ideal raw material for energy production. This article reviews the different processes of producing bioethanol, biogas, biochar, and bio‐oil from bamboo biomass using techniques such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, fermentation, and anaerobic digestion, and discusses the opportunities and challenges of these conversion technologies. It also reviews the main types and morphological characteristics of energy bamboo species and proposes an evaluation system for energy bamboo species, which optimizes the utilization efficiency of bamboo biomass energy and maximizes benefits by adopting appropriate methods for producing bioenergy based on the characteristics of different bamboo species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on some physiological properties, yield and soluble solid content (Brix) of 'Uno Rosso' F1 processing tomato was studied under water scarcity. Inoculation was performed with mycorrhizal fungi (M) and rhizobacteria preparation (PH) at sowing (M1, PH1) and sowing + planting (M2, PH2). The treated and untreated plants were grown with regular irrigation (RI = ET100%), with deficit irrigation (DI = ET50%) and without irrigation (I0). In drought, the canopy temperature of plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M1, M2) decreased significantly, however, the decrease was small in those treated with the bacterium (PH1, PH2), while the SPAD value of the leaves of plants treated only with Phylazonit increased significantly. On two occasions, inoculations (M2, PH2) significantly increased the total yield and marketable yield, however, under water deficiency, a higher rate of green yield was detected than untreated plants. In dry year using deficit irrigation, the one-time inoculation (M1, PH1) provided a more favorable Brix value, while the double treatments reduced the Brix. In moderate water scarcity, the use of mycorrhizal inoculation (M2) is preferable, while under weak water stress, the use of rhizobacteria inoculation (PH2) is more favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding of resistant, high-yield, decorative ornamental plant varieties may be impacted by climate change in the future. The use of radiation induces mutations in plants, thereby increasing the genetic variability of plant species. Rudbeckia hirta has long been a very popular species in urban green space management. The goal is to examine whether gamma mutation breeding can be applied to the breeding stock. Specifically, differences were measured between the M1 and M2 generations, as well as the effect of different radiation doses belonging to the same generation. Morphological measurements showed that gamma radiation has an effect on the measured parameters in several cases (larger crop size, faster development, larger number of trichomes). Physiological measurements (examination of chlorophyll and carotenoid content, POD activity, and APTI) also showed a beneficial effect of radiation, especially at higher doses (30 Gy), for both tested generations. The treatment was also effective in the case of 45 Gy, but this radiation dose resulted in lower physiological data. The measurements show that gamma radiation has an effect on the Rudbeckia hirta strain and may play a role in breeding in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and other living organisms can help with the challenges of modern agriculture. PGPB offer ever-expanding possibilities for science and commerce, and the scientific results have been very advanced in recent years. In our current work, we collected the scientific results of recent years and the opinions of experts on the subject. Opinions and results on soil–plant relations, as well as the importance of PGPB and the latest related experiences, are important topics of our review work, which highlights the scientific results of the last 3–4 years. Overall, it can be concluded from all these observations that the bacteria that promote plant development are becoming more and more important in agriculture almost all over the world, thus, promoting more sustainable and environmentally conscious agricultural production and avoiding the use of artificial fertilizers and chemicals. Since many mechanisms of action, namely biochemical and operational processes, are still under investigation, a new emerging scientific direction is expected in the coming years with regard to PGPB, microbial, and other plant growth-stimulating substances, in which omics and microbial modulation also play a leading role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent studies have shown that glyphosate and its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), resist rapid degradation and, therefore, can accumulate in plants. Continuing our previous research, we aimed to investigate the effect of indirectly spraying glyphosate on leaves and soil on non-target plants in the case of Helianthus annuus L. The plants were treated with glyphosate in their 5–6 leaf stages, the effects of which were assessed two weeks later from a morphological and histological point of view, as an evaluation of the residues of glyphosate and its metabolite, AMPA. They had an effect on both treated groups. In the case of the morphological parameters (plant height, number of leaves, and fresh and dried root and green mass), the data of the treated plants were statistically lower than in the case of the control group. The epidermis and the transport tissue system were damaged, and tissue death was observed in plants exposed to glyphosate. Both compounds were detected in all plant parts (roots, stems, lower leaves, and upper leaves), well above the limit of detection (0.025 mg/kg) and limit of quantitation 0.075 mg/kg showing a statistical difference with the control plants. This proved that glyphosate is incorporated into the plant organism even when applied indirectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining a diverse diet is essential for the preservation of one's health and may contribute to the fight against significant civilization diseases such as obesity or diabetes. Sweet potato can be fitted into a diverse diet and serve as a functional food with its antioxidant content. Therefore, it is important to know how the production technology alters the content and composition of these antioxidant compounds. The objective of this study was to collect information on how the increased potassium dominant fertilizer levels and also the additional high-dose fertigation can affect the phytonutrient contents and yields in an orange- and a purple-fleshed sweet potato cultivar. Field experiments were conducted in the Hungarian county of Heves in two consecutive growing seasons in 2021–2022. Different doses of potassium-predominant fertilizer were applied to an orange flesh (Beauregard) and a purple flesh (Stokes Purple) varieties of sweet potatoes. Different application techniques were used in the form of base and top dressing at different rates. The effect on yield and polyphenol content of the different fertilizer rates was investigated. Analytical studies were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the case of the Beauregard variety, in addition to identifying the carotenoids, we also performed their quantitative determination. We found that 87% of the carotenoid content was ß-carotene. The total anthocyanin content was investigated for the purple variety—Stokes Purple, for which a new extraction method was developed. In our study, the split dosages, when the pre-planting fertilizer was supplemented with additional liquid fertilization, resulted in 36 and 30.5% higher yields in the Beauregard in Experiment I and Experiment II, respectively, compared to the untreated control plots over the two years. The additional liquid fertilizer increased the yield to a lesser extent when compared to treatments received only pre-planting fertilizer. As for Experiment III, the split dosages resulted in 34.4% higher yields in the Stokes Purple compared to the control plots. However, the additional liquid fertilizer was not effective at all when the plants received a double dose of pre-planting fertilizer in the case of Stokes Purple. Total carotenoid (Experiment I–II) was higher and anthocyanin yield per plant (Experiment III) was significantly higher in the split-dosage treatment than in the untreated control plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of plant phenology is important nowadays since global climate-changing phenomena are impacting the growing patterns and growing periods of plants. Bamboo is of great importance to the agriculture and forestry of temperate, subtropical to tropical regions, especially of Asia. Although some temperate genera can thrive under different climatic conditions, from the Korean Peninsula to South China, it is not known how bamboo will be affected by climate change, so the collection of data related to bamboo phenology could be of interest to research related to climate change. In this review, we describe available data on the phenology of 8 temperate genera, including 79 species, varieties and forms and 4 subtropical–tropical bamboo genera, including 19 species. Primarily, culm shoot physiology is discussed with some reference to leaf phenology data, where available, as well as their interaction. Since the data available in Western literature is often limited to the definition of season rather than exact dates and periods of given months, there is still a great need to explore more about the exact phenology of individual bamboo species to be able to determine the impact of periodic changes in weather patterns or climate change on bamboo phenology in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) may promote plant development under limited water supply conditions, when plant's water demand is not completely satisfied under rain-fed conditions or when irrigation water availability is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two inoculation treatments (B2: Alcaligenes sp. 3573, Bacillus sp. BAR16, and Bacillus sp. PAR11 strains and B3: Pseudomonas sp. MUS04, Rhodococcus sp. BAR03, and Variovorax sp. BAR04 strains) and compare those to a control (B0) without artificial inoculation on chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD value), canopy temperature, and the yield of the processing tomato cultivar H-1015 F1 grown under field conditions. The young seedlings of the hybrid tomato variety H-1015 F1 were immersed in 1% of B2 or B3 products (BAY-BIO, Szeged Hungary) for 5 min. Inoculated and untreated seedlings were grown under three irrigation treatments [regular irrigation (RI), deficit irrigation (DI), and no irrigation (I0)], to reveal the effect of PGPR under different levels of water stress. In the dry year (2018), higher canopy temperature and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) were measured during flowering in plants treated with bacteria than in untreated plants. In the stage of flowering and fruit setting, the B3 treatment led to a significant decrease in the Fv/Fm value, canopy temperature remained high, and the SPAD value was statistically the same in all treatments. Under limited water supply, in most cases, PGPR led to a significantly greater total yield but more unripe green berries compared to untreated plants. Under moderate water shortage (dry year + deficit irrigation), the B3 treatment resulted in 26% more ripe, marketable fruit and 49% less unripe fruit compared to the B2 treatment. On the other hand, in the wet year (2020), the bacterial treatments generally did not affect physiological properties, though the B2 treatment produced a higher marketable yield while the amount of green and diseased fruits did not differ statistically, compared to the B3 treatment under deficit irrigation. Based on our study, we recommend the application of the B3 PGPR product as it positively affected key physiological processes, leading to a higher marketable yield particularly under water shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biostimulant segment is becoming increasingly important worldwide. One of the reasons for this is that fewer plant protection products are placed on the market in the European Union, and environmental sustainability also plays an important role in their use. Biostimulants are often used in several horticultural sectors, including ornamentals, to strengthen plants, achieve commercial standards, produce quality goods, increase plant vitality, and aid harvesting. This paper presents the latest results of the use of biostimulants in horticulture, with special emphasis on ornamental plant production. The legal regulation of biostimulants and their regulatory mechanisms are described in detail in the review. The main groups of biostimulants are also discussed. The response of plants to abiotic stress, in particular physiological, anatomical, and genetic changes, with regard to the application of biostimulants is also detailed. Focus is given to the areas of ornamental crop production, such as sexual and asexual propagation, cultivation, and harvesting, where biostimulants are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many literature sources focusing on the phytoremediation of woody plants, but there are only few dealing with the phytoremediation of bamboo plants. Phytoremediation technology has the advantages of little disturbance to the environment and low remediation cost. Bamboo mainly exists in tropical and subtropical regions. As an energy plant, bamboo has a fast growth cycle, large biomass, simple cultivation, high economic efficiency, and convenient harvesting, which highlights the advantages of bamboo in phytoremediation. In addition, bamboo plants have good tolerance and uptake ability to heavy metals and have high application potential and development value in uptaking heavy metal contaminated soil. However, due to climate, temperature and other reasons, bamboo cannot be widely planted in most countries. Research status of remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil by bamboo plants is summarized. The feasibility of its application in heavy metal contaminated soil is discussed in this paper. Aiming at the shortcomings of existing research, bamboo plants have a prospect in the field of plant phytoremediation for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo plants are currently attractive to researchers because of their versatile uses. Understanding the bamboos' genetic level is needed to develop new varieties. Taxonomic identification is the basis for plant development. Bamboos were identified as their taxonomical morphological characters which are dependent on environmental factors. Molecular Marker techniques can be used to perform accurate genotype identification, which can be used for genetic diversity analyses. The RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, ISSR, iPBS, SCARS, SCoT, SRAP marker systems have been shown to be able to efficiently determine the genetic diversity of bamboo species based on genotyping. This paper summarizes research that aims to analyze the genetic diversity of bamboo species on a molecular basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus Mengzongellagen. nov. is described to accommodate a new species M. tertiasp. nov. based on two males collected in Guangxi, China, from the leaf litter of a giant bamboo thicket (Bambusa chungii syn. Lingnania chungii). The new genus belongs to the family Urodinychidae based on the shape of the gnathosomal setae h1, shape of the chelicerae and the presence of the cheliceral node. The new genus differs from the previously described ones by deep transversal dorsal furrows, the shape of the dorsal and ventral setae and the undulate inner margins of the marginal shield. Two previously described Japanese species [Urodiaspis sandankyoensis (Hiramatsu, 1979) and Urodiaspis yonakuniensis (Hiramatsu, 1979)] are transferred to the new genus as Mengzongella sandankyoensis (Hiramatsu, 1979) comb. nov. and Mengzongella yonakuniensis (Hiramatsu, 1979) comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of sweet potato is extending in Hungary, despite the fact that there is no field-specific production technology. Therefore, many growers cannot utilize potential yields and quality. The goal of this study was to determine the optimal production method of the Ásotthalmi 12, a Hungarian sweet potato cultivar which can adapt to the Hungarian climate. The effect of single and twin rows production on the yield of this cultivar was examined. The planting was carried out on June 24th, the harvesting on October 20th and the growing-season was 120 days long. Uniform nutrient supply was applied to the whole field experiment. During basic fertilization, 206 kg Knd 20 kg N, 36 kg P ha-1 were used on the soil. While forming the ridges, we used an additional 25 kg N, 45 kg P and 62.5 kg K ha-1. We adopted drip tape irrigation on the experimental field. After the planting, from the 8th week of the vegetation, another 21 kg ha-1 K, 10 kg ha-1 MgSO4, and 2 kg ha-1 Ca(NO3)2 was added in one dosage weekly, until the 13th week of vegetation. At the evaluation of the experiment, we examined the yield regarding the whole experimental plot. SPAD and fluorescence measurements were carried out on 08.16. 2019, 08.28.2019, and on 09.13.2019, during the watering break. To demonstrate the difference between the dates, we applied ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. For the measurement of phytonutrients HPLC, a liquid chromatograph was used, where the carotenoid content of the Ásotthalmi 12 cultivar was determined in connection with the different production methods. Test results showed that twin rows production leads to a nearly 30% greater yield, than single row production. We determined, that the growth of yield correlates negatively to the ß-carotene content of the Ásotthalmi 12 cultivar sweet potato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to identify the effect of net shading technology on the total capsaicinoids, vitamin C and relative chlorophyll content expressed as SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) values and total marketable fruit yield of 'Star Flame' chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) for two harvesting times cultivated under modified atmosphere. 'Star Flame' pepper was grown under three (3) different net shading colours (white, red and green). Samples without net shading were used as control. Samples were subjected to chromatographic analyses using HPLC for the determination of total capsaicinoids and vitamin C. Interaction in shading technology and harvest times (p=0.010) had significant effect on total capsaicinoids as a result of green and white shading technologies showing higher differences when compared to control samples. Vitamin C content was observed to have increased in white and red shadings (p=0.001) after the first harvest and gradually decreased after the second harvesting time (p=0.002). Relative leaf chlorophyll content was significantly higher in white shading in the first and second harvest. Samples used as control had significantly higher marketable values when compared to white and green shadings with red recording low marketability of 'Star Flame' chilli peppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paprika is an extremely popular and widespread plant species in Hungary. Chili peppers belongs to paprika and it can be consumed fresh or processed. The production of peppers began with the cultivation and control of some parameters for good results of paprika production. The aim of this article is to compare the water supply of four chili pepper hybrids ("Habanero", "Hetényi Parázs", "Unikal" and "Unijol") by means of investigation on open field and to examine how different temperatures and water stress factors influence the yield of chil i peppers. The experiment area consisted of four different hybrids in three different irrigation treatments (control, deficit- and regular irrigation). The chlorophyll content was estimated with SPAD and the leaf surface temperature with Raytek MX4 TD. Our research concluded that deficit irrigation produced the highest yields for all cultivars and the lowest yields for the highest water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured of H1015 tomato hybrid with different bacterial treatments (B0-B1-B2-B3) and three irrigation treatments: regular irrigated (RI), deficit irrigated (DI) and non-irrigated conditions (I0). The aim of the experiments was to show the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on the yield, dry matter and vitamin C content of processing tomato during different irrigation treatments, and measuring the chlorophyll fluorescence during the ripening and development stages. According to the results, none of the bacterial treatments had a statistical effect on the quantity and quality of the tomato and on the chlorophyll fluorescence, only the irrigation. Further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Phylazonit MC®) as a biofertilizer on processing tomato cultivar var. Uno Rosso F1, grown under three different regimes of water supply. Field effectiveness of rhizobacteria inoculation on total biomass production, yield and water use efficiency, were examined in 2015 and 2016. Seedlings were inoculated with 1% liquid solution of Phylazonit MC® (Pseudomonas putida, Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus circulans, B. megaterium; colony-forming unit: 109 CFU/mL) at sowing and planting out by irrigation. There were three different regimes of water supply: rain-fed control (RF); deficit water supply (WS50) and optimum water supply (WS100); the latter was supplied according to the daily evapotranspiration by drip irrigation. Total aboveground biomass (shoot and total yield) and red fruits yield were measured at harvest in August, in both years. Total biomass changed between 32.5 t/ha and 165.7 t/ha, the marketable yield from 14.7 t/ha to 119.8 t/ha and water use efficiency (WUE) between 18.5 kg/m3 to 32.0 kg/m3. The average soluble solids content of the treatment combinations ranged from 3.0 to 8.4°Brix. Seasonal effects were significant between the two years with different precipitation, which manifested in total biomass and marketable yield production. PGPR increased WUE only in WS50 in both years, while under drought stress and higher water supply, the effect was not clear. The effect of PGPR treatment on marketable yield, total biomass and WUE was positive in both years when deficit irrigation was applied and only in the drier season in the case of optimum water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first record of Trigonuropoda sanguinea Hirschmann & Hiramatsu, 1977 in Taiwan is presented. Two new species are described and illustrated from a Bam busa dolichoclada bamboo plantation. Deraiophorus taiwanica spec. nov. belongs to the Deraiophorus hexacornutus group and differs from the earlier described species in the ornamentation of dorsal, ventral and genital shield. The second species, Uroobo­ vella bambocola spec. nov., is placed in the Uroobovella minima species group and this species differs from the relatives in shape and ornamentation of female genital shield, smooth surface of dorsal and ventral shields and the shape of peritremes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total phenolic content (TP) and total antioxidant capacity (AC) were analysed in shoots of Phyllostachys aureosulcata (PA), P aureosulcata f. aureocaulis (PAA), P. aureosulcata f. spectabilis (PAS), P. bissetii (PB), P. flexuosa (PF), P. humilis (PH), P. iridescens (PI), P. nigra var. nigra (PNN), P. nigra var. henonis (PNH), P. mannii (PM), P. sulphurea var. sulphurea (PSS), P. violascens (PVI), P. viridiglaucescens (PVG), P. vivax f. aureocaulis (PVA), collected on four harvest dates. Both TP and AC were determined following three processing methods, fresh, boiled and pickled in shoots of PF. Comparative study of TP and AC in the above Phyllostachys species shoots has not been reported before. The highest TP (1,227.6 μg GA/ml) and AC (154.0 μg AA/ml) values were measured in fresh shoots and the lowest in pickled ones. The highest values of TP were measured in the case of PA (1,321.95 μg GA/ml). The other taxa followed in decreasing order: PF, PVI, PI, PAA, PB, PAS, PNN, PNH, PM, PH, PSS and PVA. The highest AC values were obtained in the case of PI (184.24 μg AA/ml). The other taxa followed in decreasing order: PA, PF, PSS, PNN, PNH, PVG, PB, PAA, PAS, PV, PVA, PM and PH. The highest TP values were measured in taxa harvested on the first collection date and the values consequently decreased in taxa collected at later harvest dates. Our findings suggest that the earlier harvest date, through the influence of lower temperatures, could enhance the phytochemical content of bamboo shoots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in total phenolic content (TP) and total antioxidant capacity (AC) during the vegetation period (April-November) were analysed in Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. aureocaulis (PAA), P. flexuosa (PF), P. humilis (PH), P. sulphurea var. sulphurea (PSS). Different extraction methods were compared: infusion or decoction with water or aqueous methanol. The highest significant value for TP was measured in the case of infusion at 90 °C for 5 min, which lead to the highest value for AC. During the vegetation period the highest values of TP were measured in April and May in the case of PAA (409.5; 314.9 and 258.7; 119.0 µg GA/ml) and PH (388.4; 411.6 and 252.9; 253.3 µg GA/ml). There was a clear trend in the changes of TP, with high values in April and November and a peak during August-September. Similar to TP, the highest values of AC were measured in April and May in PH (519.7; 566.3 and 513.5; 510.4 µg AA/ml) and PAA (534.5; 337.8 and 394.9; 275.4 |xg AA/ml). We compared the change of TP in all taxa with stress index values derived from daily maximum and minimum air temperature, cumulative precipitation plus irrigation and cumulative evapotranspiration values. A close correlation R² = 0.32 (p=0.001) was found between stress index values and the change in TP of all taxa. The correlation is even closer R² = 0.52 (p=0.001) with PF, PH and PSS. Our results with PAA can be explained by possible inter/intra-specific differences in freeze tolerance and cold-acclimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year (2010 and 2011) open field experiment was conducted to study the effect of drip irrigation and seasonal variation on the yield parameters and main bioactive components, carotenoids (mainly all trans, cis lycopene, and β-carotene), polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, naringin, etc.), and tocopherols of processing Strombolino F1 cherry tomatoes. The irrigated plants (STI) gave a higher marketable yield (61% and 101% respectively), and rain fed plants showed a yield loss. Water supply had a strong positive (R=0.98) effect on marketable yield in 2011, but weak (R=0.69) in 2010. In both years, the antioxidant concentration (all carotenoids, total polyphenols, tocopherols) showed a decrease with irrigation. Water supply affected the composition of carotenoids to a considerable extent. The optimum water supply treatment gave a lower proportion of lycopene than the rain fed control (STC) treatment. We observed significant negative correlation between rutin concentration and irrigation. The α-tocopherol concentration was significantly higher in STC treatments. Irrigation negatively influenced antioxidant concentrations of cherry tomato fruits, but higher yield could account for the concentration loss of individual fruits by higher antioxidant production per unit area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate is still the subject of much debate, as several studies report its effects on the environment. Sunflower (GK Milia CL) was set up as an experimental plant and treated with glyphosate concentrations of 500 ppm and 1000 ppm in two treatments. Glyphosate was found to be absorbed from the soil into the plant organism through the roots, which was also detectable in the leaf and root. Glyphosate was also significantly detected in the plant 5 weeks after treatment and in plants that did not receive glyphosate treatment directly, so it could be taken up through the soil. Based on the morphological results, treatment with higher concentrations (1000 ppm) of glyphosate increased the dried mass and resulted in shorter, thicker roots. Histological results also showed that basal and transporter tissue distortions were observed in the glyphosate-treated plants compared to the control group. Cells were distorted with increasing concentration, vacuoles formed, and the cell wall was weakened in both the leaf-treated and inter-row-treated groups. In the future, it will be worth exploring alternative agricultural technologies that can reduce the risk of glyphosate while increasing economic outcomes. This may make the use of glyphosate more environmentally conscious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four experiments were carried out in 2010 and 2011 to determine how cultivation period (spring or autumn), harvest season (summer or autumn), and plant water status (irrigated or rainfed) influenced content and composition of broccoli cultivar Parthenon F1 with respect to sulforaphane and phenolics under field conditions in Gödöllő, Hungary. Sulforaphane content was significantly higher in the autumn harvests, regardless of irrigation treatments. Harvest season also influenced total phenolics content, with the highest values occurring in the spring season. Harvest season also affected trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and this capacity was also the greatest in spring. Caffeic acid glucoside was a major phenolics component in both spring and autumn season harvests. The season and irrigation related changes in other phenolic component contents were also characterised in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water supply is a primary contributor to the growth and phytonutrient composition in chili peppers. Several physiological stress factors can influence phytonutrients in chili peppers, resulting in their differential synthesis. Maintaining the right and exact amount of water through a drip system can promote an effective fruit set and crop quality. Four pepper cultivars ('Hetényi Parázs'; HET, 'Unikal'; UNIK, 'Unijol'; UNIJ and 'Habanero'; HAB) were investigated under different water supply treatments: RF or rain-fed, DI or deficit irrigation, and OWS or optimum water supply. The two-year experiment was carried out in May 2018 and 2019 under open field conditions. Physiological parameters (relative chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and canopy temperature) were measured during the growth stage and phytonutrients (vitamin C, capsaicinoids and carotenoids) analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at harvest in September. The study revealed that, due to higher precipitation and rainfall interruption, increased water supply affected physiological response and phytonutrients in the cultivars. HAB under OWS had a lower response during the growth period when compared to HET, UNIK, and UNIJ. As water supply increased, measured individual carotenoid concentration increased in some cultivars. On the other hand, as water supply decreased, vitamin C and capsaicinoids concentration increased. Even though cultivars responded to the water supply treatments differently, HET exhibited a more uniform and stable composition in all treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of physiological traits can be used to monitor plant water status, for irrigation scheduling or to predict the expected yield in open-field production of vegetables. This study evaluates the changes in stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), and canopy temperature at different stages of development of processing tomato to show their relationships with the yield and quality under well-irrigated, deficit irrigated, and non-irrigated conditions. Under non-irrigated conditions, during flowering with fruit setting and early fruit development the highest canopy temperature, lowest stomatal conductance, and Fv/Fm were measured, while the SPAD value was the highest. Under this condition, the correlation between the SPAD value, fruit weight, and marketing yield was positive, but it was negative with the total soluble solid (°Brix). During flowering with fruit setting, under deficit irrigation conditions a close significant positive correlation was found between the SPAD value and the fruit weight, marketing yield, and vitamin C content of fruits. During this period, under regularly irrigated conditions, the SPAD, Fv/Fm, and canopy temperature related to stomatal conductance. Stomatal conductance had significant influence on yield and quality under non-irrigated and well-irrigated conditions while the SPAD value and canopy temperature had significant influence on under deficit irrigated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycorrhizal inoculations were investigated to reveal their effects on the growth and productivity of processing tomato grown under field conditions. Plants inoculated at sowing (M1), sowing + transplanting (M2) and non-inoculated plants (M0) were grown under regularly irrigated (RI), deficit irrigated (DI), and non-irrigated (I0) conditions. In dry years, under non-irrigated conditions (M2) treatment significantly decreased the canopy temperature, improved the photosynthetic efficiency expressed by chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and the fruit setting, significantly increased the total carotenoids and lycopene concentration of fruits but increased the ratio of green yield. Using deficit irrigation, (M2) plants produced more and larger weighed red fruits than (M1) plants but the β carotene, lutein and lycopene concentration of fruits, except for the vitamin C, decreased. Under severe drought conditions the mycorrhizal inoculations positively influenced the all carotenoids and lycopene concentration of fruits (r = 0.8150, r = 0.7837), but their impact was negative under deficit irrigation. Under water deficiency (I0, DI) the mycorrhizal symbiosis increased the marketable yield and resulted in a 33% increase in green yield and an 18 % increase in the total carotenoids content in dry years but the unmarketable yield decreased. Under water deficiency (M2) treatment produce more marketable yield resulting in 9.8% higher total carotenoids in the tomato fruits than (M1) treatment under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) biofertilizer on processing tomato, grown under three different irrigation regimes. The field effectiveness of rhizobacteria inoculation on total biomass, yield, water use efficiency (WUE), carotenoid, and ascorbic acid production was examined in 2015 and 2016. The experimental design used was randomized block and the number of replications was four for each treatment. There were three different irrigation regimes: rain-fed control (RF), deficit water supply (WS50), and optimum water supply (WS100), which was delivered by drip irrigation in accordance with daily evapotranspiration (ETc). The test was performed on the Uno Rosso F1, processing tomato hybrid. Red fruit were measured at harvest in August and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for analysis. We evaluated yield quantity and total carotenoids and their composition (lycopene and β-carotene) depending on water supplement in 2 years. The marketable yield varied between 14.7 t·ha-1 and 126.9 t·ha-1 depending on treatment. The average soluble solids content (SSC) of the treatments ranged from 3.0 to 8.4. The total carotenoid yields of the treatments ranged from 0.8 to 40.4 kg·ha-1 and the average lycopene yield of the treatments ranged from 0.6 to 34.1 kg·ha-1. The effect of PGPR treatment was clearly positive for harvested yield, but this effect only prevailed under irrigated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fields of human nutrition and the food industry, the various products of the spice red chili pepper have sparked increased attention. The purpose of this study was to determine the quantity and stability of carotenoids, carotenoid esters, tocopherols, and capsaicinoids in new spice chili hybrids under traditional drying utilizing cutting-edge analytical techniques. In both fresh and conventionally dried goods, the quantities and stability of bioactive components vary significantly between the hybrids. The highly pungent cultivar Unijol, which dispersed capsaicinoids 7–9 times more than the other cultivars, had the highest retention of carotenoids (76–138) upon drying. The levels of carotenoids discovered in naturally dried samples were larger in all cultivars than those found in raw materials, indicating continuous over-ripeness processes during long-term drying. Tocopherol stability was ranked Unijol > Hetényi > Unikal, with retention rates of 82–93, 72–79, and 63–73 percent, respectively. The genotypes differed not only in capsaicinoids content, but also in the ratio of capsanthin to dihydrocapsanthin, as well as in their stability during natural and thermal drying, with Unijol being the most stable and Hetényi being the least, with maximal retention of 71–92 percent and 58–86 percent, respectively. • Phytochemicals of new chili hybrids were characterized by recent HPLC, HPLC-MS/MS methods. • Genotype and drying conditions impact on response and stability of phytochemicals in spice chili peppers. • Correlation was observed between pungency and stability of phytochemicals during drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were carried out in 2010 to determine how cultivation period/ harvest season, plant water status/irrigated, or rainfed and foliar sulfur supplementation influences the yield, sulforaphane, phenolics content, and polyphenol composition of broccoli cultivar Parthenon. Yield was significantly higher in the fall harvests. Foliar sulfur treatment induced earliness in irrigated broccoli in the fall harvest season of main florets by 44%. Sulforaphane content was higher in the fall harvests regardless of treatments. Harvest season also influenced total polyphenol content with the highest values measured in the spring season. Sulfur treatment in combination with irrigation increased total polyphenol content by 24% in spring and this change was statistically significant. Harvest season also affected trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values with the highest values (4.3 mmol⋅kg-1) also measured in spring. In the irrigated treatment alone or irrigated treatment combined with sulfur treatment, spring season values were higher by 24% and 11%, respectively, compared with fall values and the difference between treatments was significant. Caffeic acid glucoside was one of the major phenolic components in both spring and fall season harvests, whereas ferulic acid glucoside could only be detected in spring florets. From the measured phenolic components, gallic acid content was the only one that was significantly raised by foliar sulfur supplementation in both spring and fall harvests in irrigated or rainfed treatments. Maximum gallic acid values (7.1 to 7.2 mg⋅kg-1) occurred in the irrigated combined with foliar sulfur treatment of the fall harvest in side and main florets, respectively. The season, irrigation, and foliar sulfur supplementation were related changes in other phenolic component contents and are also described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spice peppers have valuable phytonutrients that make them of special interest from nutritional and pharmaceutical points of view. This work was conducted to study the impact of γ-irradiation before over-ripening on phytonutrients of new hybrids of chili peppers. The investigated cultivars were found to significantly differ in their content of capsaicinoids (P < 0.01) and carotenoids (P < 0.05) with Unijol being the richest in pungency and the poorest in the total carotenoid content although its content of bioactive zeaxanthin and β-carotene was the highest. The 3096 μg g-1 fresh weight, which equals 22114 μg g-1 dry weight, and 331710 Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) were recorded for Unijol. The examined cultivars differed significantly in the response of phytonutrients to γ-irradiation treatments. The dose of 2.5 kGy promoted the biosynthesis and stability of capsaicinoids and carotenoids, while the highest dose of 10 kGy decreased, to some extent, the content of phytonutrients except tocopherols. The magnitude of promotion and degradation caused by irradiation was found to be cultivar- and dose-dependent. The highest losses in the total capsaicinoid, total yellow xanthophyll, total red xanthophyll, and total carotenoid content of 19, 34, 37, and 38% respectively were recorded for Unijol as a result of γ-irradiation at 10 kGy. • The Phytonutrients in new hybrids of spice red chilli were characterised and determined. • Irradiated before over-ripening is applied for the first time to enhance quality of spice chilli. • Ɣ-irradiation at 2.5 kGy increases the content and stability of phytonutrients in chillies. • Irradiation at 10 kGy degrades, to some extent, some carotenoids and capsaicinoids, but not tocopherols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]