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The growth, development, and morphology of plants are extremely affected by many internal and external factors. In this regard, plant nourishing solutions take the most impact. Nowadays, the magnetization of nutrient solutions has been recommended as a promising eco-friendly approach for improving the growth and development of plants. This study was designed to explore the potential of magnetic nutrient solutions in altering morphometric characteristics as well as some physiological and nutritional attributes of Rasha grapevines. Magnetic treatments included magnetized nutrient solution (MagS) and pre-magnetized water completed with nutrients (MagW + S) at magnetic field intensities (0.1 and 0.2 T). According to the results, the most considerable changes in leaf shape and size as well as fresh and dry weights were observed in the plants treated with MagS at 0.2 T. Also, MagS 0.2 had a significant effect on increasing photosynthetic pigments, content of total soluble carbohydrates and protein, and activity of antioxidant enzymes. The content of TNK, K, P, Fe, and Cu was considerably amplified by MagW + S 0.2. Overall, the magnetic solutions had favorable influences on physiological, nutritional state, and leaf morphology of grapevines possibly through alerting water and solution properties, mineral solubility, and phytohormones signalling.

Hydroponic systems are used as an instrument to solve a wide range of environmental concerns such as climate change, drought, and soil fertility. Effective growing media are vital to the hydroponically plant cultivation system. Plant reaction to the growing media treated by magnetic fields, as an innovative technology, should be investigated since the magnetic field can constitute a non-toxic and non-residual stimulus. In the current study, some physiological and biochemical responses (leaf fresh and dry weight, biomass, leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, photosynthesis pigments, carbohydrates, protein, and proline contents and peroxidase activity (POD)) and elemental uptake of hydroponically grown grapevines to the magnetic solutions (with 0.1 and 0.2 T intensities) were evaluated. The solutions were magnetized in two ways: 1) solutions magnetized after preparing (S 0.1 and S 0.2), and 2) salts were added to the pre-magnetized waters (W + S 0.1 and W + S 0.2). The results revealed that magnetic treatments had effect on increasing of leaf elements uptake including N+, P+, K+, Ca2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+. Magnetic treatments also stimulated chlorophyll content, leaf extension, leaf fresh and dry weight, and biomass accumulation. Carbohydrates content and POD were promoted in grapes treated by S 0.1 and W + S 0.1 than control. W + S 0.1 and S 0.2 increased the proline and protein content, respectively. The findings proposed that solution magnetization application could act as an elicitor agent to mimic the stress condition, but at the lesser level resulting in activation of grape physiological and biochemical processes and elemental state through stress-related responses.

Viral pathogens significantly affect pear growth and reduce annual production across the world. This study aimed to examine whether conventional virus elimination methods, including thermotherapy (0, 7, 14 and 21 d at 38 °C), meristem culture (less than 0.2 mm, between 0.2 to 0.7 mm and larger than 0.7 mm) and adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants can lead to virus-free pear seedlings when compared to chemotherapy (sodium nitroprusside (SNP); 0, 10, 17, 25, 50 and 70 μM). Five pear cultivars (“Abate Fetel”, “Beiruti”, “Dargazi”, “Coscia” and “Louise Bonne”) were investigated to check if those treatments are capable of eliminating three key viruses in pear, namely Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) and Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV). The plant’s infection to the viruses was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by applying the treatments, meristem culture and in vitro cultivation. Results surprisingly showed a direct relationship between an increase in duration of thermotherapy and virus elimination. Moreover, it was shown that small size of the cultivated meristem increased the rate of virus elimination, even though the responses were different in terms of the cultivars and viruses. Shoot regeneration had very low efficiency in leaf explants as it could only eliminate ASPV from pear explants. Interestingly, the experiment demonstrated that nitric oxide treatments were more effective in virus elimination than the other treatments. A year later, samples that were diagnosed virus-free were proliferated, rooted and transferred into pots to be used for later propagation and establishment of a mother orchard.

One of the most critical stages of produced virus free potato plants is rapid and efficient in vitro microtuberization. Plant growth regulators and their concentration is important factor on potato microtuberization. This study was conducted to develop a protocol for rapid microtuber formation for potato micropropagation by different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0, 1 and 2 mg.l-1) and five concentrations of Putrescine (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg.l-1) with 8% sucrose and 8 g.l-1 agar. Present study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications in tissue culture laboratory to investigate the effect of different BAP and Putrescine concentrations. Lateral buds of cv. Agria from in vitro shoots were cultured as explants. Cultures were kept in germinator with constant darkness and temperature of 17±2°C. Variance analysis showed that none of the traits were affected by different concentrations of the Putrescine other than weight of the shoots. Also, the interaction effect of PUT×BAP on shoot weight was significant. However, the effect of different levels of BAP was significantly associated with the most trait of microtuberization. In this experiment, the best concentration of BAP for microtuberization was 1 mg.l-1. Also, the appropriate Putrescine level for increasing of microtuberization number and percentage was 80 mg.l-1 but the effect of Putrescine on microtuberization number and percentage was non-significant.

Magnetic water and solution are produced by passing liquids through a magnetic field with specific strength and flow rate. During this process, water undergoes various changes of physicochemical and electrochemical properties. Phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites are responsible for the quality of plant, antioxidant properties and their potentially beneficial. In this study, we evaluated the effect of magnetic water and solutions on some biochemical parameters of two grapevines cultivars include ‘Rasha’ and ‘Sultana’. Results showed magnetized solutions significantly increased the carbohydrate content and proline accumulation of the grapevine leaves. Concentration of phenolic compounds such as total phenol, anthocyanin and flavonoid was increased by magnetic solution which indicated a significant effect of magnetic treatments on this parameter. DPPH radical scavenging activity was affected by magnetic solutions, and we found a positive correlation between total antioxidant activity and different phenolic compounds. Also, the PAL activity was increased in the grapevines treated with magnetic solution compared to that of control. Based on HPLC results and subsequent MS/MS measurement, trans-resveratrol production had a significant increase with the magnetic solution. Magnetic treatments seem to cause conditions similar to stress for grapevine, and as a result, it produces more secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds to withstand this condition. Magnetic water and solutions in grapes by stimulating the biosynthesis of the phenolic compound can fortify the plant with these valuable metabolites.

Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a very important nut crop with increasingly attention in the world. It was among the fruit tree species that has been propagated sexually, up to some decades ago. So, there were no or limited cultivars and the breeding works are usually new. In order to release new cultivars, a walnut improvement program started in Iran in 1980s. There was established a walnut collection, with selection of some superior genotypes from the orchards together with some introductions. As, the comprehensive characterization of germplasm is necessary in the breeding programs, in this study a collection of 104 Persian walnut accessions has been evaluated especially in order to create a core or breeding collection with reduced number of accessions and keeping maximum variability. To carry out this work, 18 walnut important traits were evaluated during 2014 and 2015 in the walnut collection of Horticultural Science Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. A wide variation was observed for several important characteristics such as leafing date (from March, 5 to April, 27), nut weight (6.60–15.33 g), kernel weight (2.67–8.21 g), and kernel percentage (35.39–71.09%). Significant correlations were observed between traits. Factor analysis showed that the six major factors affecting traits were explaining 79.9% of the total variance. The analysis, using maximization strategy through a heuristic algorithm, determined a core collection consisted of 27 accessions with similar variability respect to primary collection (mean difference percentage = 9.88% and coincidence rate of range = 95.05%). The parameters showed that this core includes 100% coverage of the primary diversity. According to result the F-test revealed no-significant differences for all traits. In this paper, for the first time, a walnut core collection was established from a primary collection. Conservation of this core collection could be more economic and better manageable for breeding purposes.

This study investigated the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based edible coating effects on some quality parameters and enzyme activities of plum fruits (Prunus domestica L. cv. Golden drop) during their shelf life. Three concentrations of CMC (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%), plasticized with glycerol (0.3% w/v), were applied to plum fruits plus a control treated with only distilled water. The results demonstrate that the CMC-based edible coating was significantly effective in maintaining firmness and titratable acidity (TA); vitamin C, anthocyanin, and flavonoid content; and the antioxidant capacity of plum fruits. Enzymatic activity was affected significantly by the coating. Peroxidase (POD) activity increased, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and polygalacturonase (PG) decreased. In general, the formulation consisting of 1% CMC showed the best results in most of the measured parameters. Taking into account the positive effects on qualitative and biochemical characteristics of CMC-based edible coatings on plums, their application can be a potentially promising method to enhance the shelf-life of this fruit.

During postharvest life, cornelian cherry fruits suffer from browning accompanying by sensory and nutritional quality deterioration. Cold storage isn’t along sufficiently effective for delaying browning accompanying by preserving the sensory and nutritional quality of cornelian cherry fruits during postharvest life. In this experiment, the mechanisms employed by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mM and NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at 0, 250, 500 and 1000 μM on delaying browning accompanying by preserving the sensory and nutritional quality of cornelian cherry fruits during storage at 4 °C for 21 days was investigated. Our result showed that the cornelian cherry fruits treated with 5 mM GABA and 500 μM SNP exhibited higher firmness which may arise from lower cell wall degrading enzymes polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin methylesterase (PME) activity. Also, lower browning in cornelian cherry fruits treated with 5 mM GABA and 500 μM SNP during storage at 4 °C for 21 days may arise from higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) enzyme activity along with lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity giving rise to higher phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins accumulation and superior DPPH scavenging capacity. Accordingly, our results suggest that the postharvest 5 mM GABA and 500 μM SNP treatments may be beneficial strategies for supplying firm cornelian cherry fruits with higher bioactive molecules accumulation which is crucial for consumer health.

Cornelian cherry fruits suffer from senescence accompanying browning during postharvest life. Cold storage is not along sufficiently effectual for postponing fruit senescence accompanying browning during postharvest life. In this experiment, the mechanism employed by NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at 0, 250, 500 and 1000 μM and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mM on postponing senescence accompanying browning of cornelian cherry fruits during storage at 4 °C for 21 days was investigated. Our result showed that the cornelian cherry fruits treated with 500 μM SNP and 5 mM GABA displayed remarkably lower fruits browning during storage at 4 °C for 21 days, which may ascribe to lower H2O2 accumulation arising from higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity coincided with lower ROS making enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) activity giving rise to higher membrane integrity displaying by lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Accordingly, our results suggest that the postharvest SNP and GABA treatments may be promising strategies for supplying cornelian cherry fruits with lower browning owing to alleviating oxidative stress which arises from employing ROS detoxifying system for diminishing ROS accumulation leading to maintaining membrane integrity.

Major antioxidants were studied in three Citrus (C. reticulata, C. sinensis, and C. paradisi) under low-temperature stress (1, −1, −3°C). Regulatory effects of exogenous proline (0, 15, 20 mM) were studied as well. The results indicated that treatment of exogenous proline reduced both hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation in three Citrus species. The high-performance liquid chromatography chromatograms at −3°C showed that exogenous proline increases chlorogenic, gallic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acid from phenolic acids as well as naringin, quercetin, and rutin from flavonoids. The amount of oxalic, citric, and ascorbic acid increased with increasing proline concentration but tartaric acid decreased. Exogenous proline increased Gamma-aminobutyric acid although its content showed no significant difference between 15 and 20 mM. Both low-temperature stress and treatment of proline induced the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase. In contrast, lipoxygenase activity reduced with temperature decrease as well as increasing exogenous proline levels. Also, treatments of low temperature and proline showed that the levels of endogenous proline, catalase and APX in C. reticulata are higher compared with two other species and their amount increases with the reduction of temperature.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorating effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on physiological and biochemical changes of induced NaCl-salinity stress on in vitro shoot and callus cultured of red-fleshed apple. Shoot and callus segments of the red-flesh apple of Local Iranian genotype were cultured on MS medium containing different levels of NaCl (0, 30, 60 and 90 mM) and ALA (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µM). Physiological and biochemical variations of treated explants with or without NaCl and ALA treatments were recorded. In both explants, salinity reduced chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, but the activities of antioxidant enzymes and accumulation of total phenol and anthocyanin increased with increasing salinity level (90mM). Exogenous ALA in 5 and particularly in 10 µM was effective in enhancing chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and accumulating of total phenol and anthocyanin. These results indicate that ALA has a powerful salinity-ameliorating potential on in vitro cultured shoot and callus of Iranian red-fleshed apple.

It is well known that salinity has badly effect on plant growth all over the world and greatly reduces crop production in the affected regions. Selenium can function as an antioxidant in plants and also in low concentration can promotes plant growth and produce tolerance against stress. This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of selenium (Se) application (0, 4, 8 and 16 mg L−1) on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, phenol leakage and total phenolic content of garlic under salt stress (0, 30, 60 and 90 mM NaCl). The highest PAL activity was recorded at 60 and 90 mM NaCl salinity with application of 8 mg Se L−1. Also, when Se was added to the salt-stress garlic, the level of phenol leakage was decreased significantly at two levels of NaCl concentration (by 52% and 40% at 30 mM NaCl with application of 4 and 16 mg Se L−1, and by 50% at 90 mM NaCl with application of 4 mg Se L−1, respectively) in comparison to the salt-stressed garlic without Se. The results showed that Se can increase the salt tolerance of garlic by protecting the cell membrane against lipid peroxidation. The highest concentration of phenols was recorded at 90 mM NaCl salinity level with application of 4 and 8 mg Se L−1, that respectively produced 59% and 51% higher phenols than control treatment without Se. So, application of optimal Se level can increase the potential of garlic in a medium with relatively high level of NaCl.

Selenium, which is an essential microelement for animals, positively affects growth and development of some plants by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzyme. The study was conducted in order to determine the effects of selenium (0, 4, 8 and 16 mg L−1) on salt stress (0, 30, 60 and 90 mM NaCl) subjected garlic plants grown in hydroponics. According to results, salinity reduced chlorophyll index and carotenoid contents. Se application 8 mg L−1 in 30 mM NaCl salinity and 4 mg L−1 in 60 mM NaCl salinity significantly improved chlorophyll index and carotenoid contents, RWC was increased by application of 16 mg L−1 Se under 90 mM NaCl, in garlic leaves. Also, with further increases in Se to the medium containing 30 mM NaCl, K concentration gradually increased in leaves. Analysis of Na content in leaves revealed that Na concentration increases with increasing salinity. Moreover, it is concluded that Se increase in K uptake and decrease in Na uptake under salt stress.

The current survey aimed to study the effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) application on salinity stress of grapevine cv. ’Sultana’. The leaves of hydroponically cultivated grapes that were under 0, 75 and 150 mM salinity conditions treated with 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM SA and after two weeks, the factors such as Na+, K+, proline and MDA contents, leaf electrolyte leakage and enzymatic activities were measured. The results showed that all SA treatments were significantly effective at tolerance enhancement by reduction in Na+/K+ ratio, leaf electrolyte leakage, MDA and H2O2 values and promotion in proline content and the enzymatic activities (POD, APX, CAT and SOD) of grapes. These results indicated that SA application at salinity condition could be applied as a promising method for increasing the salinity tolerance of ‘Sultana’ grapes.

BACKGROUND Grape berries produce significant amounts of phenolic compounds. These are an essential qualitative factor due to their nutritional value and effect on berry color and texture. Salicylic acid (SA) and its derivatives usually lead to enhancement of phenolic content in plant tissues. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of SA (0.0, 50.0, 100.0, and 200.0 mM) on the production of phenolic compounds and the derivatives (anthocyanin and flavonoid) in the grape berries, with emphasis on malvidin-3-O-β glucoside as a regular anthocyanin in red grapes. RESULT The results showed that total phenolics content were significantly enhanced in SA-treated (100.0 and 200.0 mM) berries compared to untreated ones. Salicylic acid treatment at all concentrations considerably improved the anthocyanin content in the berries and, compared with untreated berries, the accumulation of malvidin-3-O-β glucoside was higher in SA-treated fruits. In particular, the 200.0 mM concentration caused approximately two times more malvidin-3-O-β glucoside than the control. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity of the fruits treated with SA were significantly higher than those of the untreated berries. The activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in SA treated fruits significantly increased as compared with the untreated clusters. CONCLUSION A general evaluation of the current results leads us to the conclusion that SA is a suitable and recommendable treatment for improving and increasing the phenolic and antioxidant capacity of grape berries. Spraying grape berries at pre-veraison stage with SA could therefore be a convenient strategy to increase quality and nutritional value of grape berries considerably. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

BACKGROUND One of the most important saprophytic infections in fresh pistachio fruits after harvesting is Aspergillus flavus colonization, which significantly reduces fruit quality. Salicylic acid plays a crucial role in plant tissues and has a suppression effect on some fungi. RESULTS The inhibitory effect of salicylic acid on the growth of A. flavus was assessed in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, seven concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 mmol L−1) of salicylic acid were used in both experiments. Also, aflatoxin B1 contents of the samples were analysed using immunoaffinity chromatography. The results obtained from in vitro experiments showed that salicylic acid significantly reduced Aspergillus growth at all concentrations, and at 9 mmol L−1 growth was completely suppressed. In vivo evaluation showed relatively high levels of inhibition, though the intact treated fruits as compared with the injured treated fruits demonstrated higher inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION Regarding the inhibitory effects of salicylic acid on the control of A. flavus contamination, its application on pistachio fruits after harvesting could be a promising approach to control the fungus infection and reduce aflatoxin production in treated fruits. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

One of the most damaging pathogenic molds in peach fruits during warehousing period is Rhizopus stolonifer that significantly reduces storage time. Salicylic acid (SA) plays different crucial functions in plant tissues. In this study, the inhibitory effect of SA treatment on the growth of R. stolonifer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results obtained from in vitro experiments showed that SA significantly reduced Rhizopus growth at all concentrations and, at 5 mM, the growth was completely inhibited. In vivo experiments showed relatively high level of inhibition, though the postimmersion treatment as compared with the preimmersion treatment resulted in higher inhibitory effects. Regarding inhibitory effects of SA on controlling R. stolonifer, its application on peach fruits during postharvest period can be a promising strategy to control the growth and development of this fungus and enhancement of the warehousing time of the treated fruits. Practical Applications Rhizopus stolonifer with serious and significant damages to agricultural products makes it essential to develop the effective control methods of this pathogen. Today, the use of synthetic chemicals for food preservation is largely abolished, because they can be hazardous for human and animal health. Therefore, there is a huge need for natural compounds with fungicidal attributes. The results of the current study illustrated the effective performance of salicylic acid (SA), one of the known phytohormones, for controlling R. stolonifer growth in peach fruits. The application of immersion treatment inside SA solution can reduce the growth and development of the resulting diseases and also protect the fruits against the future damages of it. Furthermore, SA treatment can inhibit the growth of other pathogenic molds and reduce their injury to fruits.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of mycorrhizal symbiosis on qualitative characteristics of onion (Allium cepa L.). For this reason, five onion cultivars with different scale color and three different strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Diversispora versiformis, Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis mosseae) were used. Red cultivars, mainly 'Red Azar-shahr', showed the highest content in vitamin C, flavonols, and antioxidant enzymes. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased total phenolic, pyruvic acid, and vitamin C of onion plants. Considerable increase was observed in quercetin-4'-O-monoglucoside and isorhamnetin-4'-O-monoglucoside content in plants inoculated with Diversispora versiformis, but quercetin-3,4'-O-diglucoside was not significantly influenced. Analyses for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and antioxiodant enzyme activities such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) revealed that all except PPO were enhanced by mycorrhizal inoculation. Overall, these findings suggested that mycorrhizal inoculation influenced biosynthesis of flavonol glucosides and antioxidant enzymes by increasing nutrient uptake or by induction of the plant defense system.

Genes encoding limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase from albedo of six Citrus species with different levels of delayed bitterness are isolated and cloned in vector pTZ57R/T. Our results indicate that gene sequence of sweet lime (with intense juice delayed bitterness) have complete identity with Satsuma mandarin (without distinctive juice delayed bitterness). Also gene sequence of Marsh seedless grapefruit, local orange and Thompson navel orange (with mild juice delayed bitterness) have very similarity with Satsuma mandarin. On the other hand, this gene started to express 60, 120, and 210 days after full blooming in albedo of Satsuma mandarin, sweet oranges and sour orange, and both grapefruit and sweet lime, respectively. Expression pattern of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in leaves was quite different with albedo. Thus, we supposed the delayed bitterness in this species was related to delay in expression of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in albedo and lower limonoid glucoside accumulation in fruits.

One of the most important saprophytic infections in fresh pistachio fruits after harvesting is Aspergillus flavus colonization, which significantly reduces fruit quality. Salicylic acid plays a crucial role in plant tissues and has a suppression effect on some fungi.The inhibitory effect of salicylic acid on the growth of A. flavus was assessed in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, seven concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 mmol L(-1)) of salicylic acid were used in both experiments. Also, aflatoxin B1 contents of the samples were analysed using immunoaffinity chromatography. The results obtained from in vitro experiments showed that salicylic acid significantly reduced Aspergillus growth at all concentrations, and at 9 mmol L(-1) growth was completely suppressed. In vivo evaluation showed relatively high levels of inhibition, though the intact treated fruits as compared with the injured treated fruits demonstrated higher inhibitory effects.Regarding the inhibitory effects of salicylic acid on the control of A. flavus contamination, its application on pistachio fruits after harvesting could be a promising approach to control the fungus infection and reduce aflatoxin production in treated fruits.

Machine vision technology has been used in a variety of agricultural and food industries applications ranging from planting and postharvest operations to food processing and inspection. High quality image has an essential role in successful application of machine vision technology. To acquire the best image for a specific application, an appropriate camera along with correct light source must be chosen. In the present work, two different types of light sources, namely LEDs and Fluorescent along with two models of camera namely, Proline and Telecam were used. The completely randomized experiment was carried out and 10 standard RAL white card images were captured during each treatment. The RGB values of images were extracted by Image processing toolbox of Matlab software. Comparisons were made between these values and those of standard card values i.e. 255 using SPSS software. LEDs along with camera Telecam proved to be an appropriate combination if high quality images are desired.

In the present study, some physical properties of the Iranian date (Berhi variety) were determined at three stages of maturity namely Khalal, Rotab and Tamar. Color and textural features of samples were extracted by image processing toolbox of Matlab software. Total soluble solids (TSS), pH and weight of samples were also measured. The relationship between color and TSS, surface area and weight were obtained. The maximum correlation between TSS content and color occurred in blue for Rotab and Tamar but in red for Khalal. In the meantime, color and textural features differences between three stages of maturity were significant. There was a linear relationship between weight and surface area. The weights and areas of Rotab and Tamar were significantly different from those of Khalal.

In the present study, a machine vision based, online sorting system was developed, the aim being to sort Date fruits (Berhee CV.) based at different stages of maturity, namely Khalal, Rotab and Tamar to meet consumers’ demands. The system comprises a conveying unit, illumination and capturing unit, and sorting unit. Physical and mechanical features were extracted from the samples provided, and the detection algorithm was designed accordingly. An index based on color features was defined to detect Date samples. Date fruits were fed on a conveyor belt in a row. When they were at the center of the camera’s field of view, a snapshot was taken, the image was processed immediately and the maturity stage of the Date was determined. When the Date passed the sensor, positioned at the end of the conveyor belt, a signal was sent to the interface circuit and an appropriate actuator, driven by a step motor, was actuated, leading the Date toward an appropriate port. For validation of proposed system performance, entire samples were again sorted by experts visually. Detection rate of the system for Tamar and Khalal was satisfactory. Although the detection rate was insufficient for the Rotab stage, there was no a significant difference between system accuracy and that obtained by the experts. The speed of image processing system was 0.34 s. System capacity was 15.45 kg/h.