Namik Kemal University, Horticulture Department, Agricultural Faculty, Tekirdag/Turkey.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.28

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Abstract: Muskule grape variety which has table and late maturing attributes, was used for this study. Storage of table grapes requires stringent control of gray mold, which is caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers. In spite of the fact that the use of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in controlling gray mould is common practice, it has some advantages and disadvantages. Thus, physical, natural organic elicitors and biological methods have been used for delaying decays. In this study, UV-C (0.25kJ m^-2), salicylic acid (1, 2, 3mM) and Na₂S₂O₅ (0.4g powdered sodium metabisulfate pads) treatments were used to reduce quality losses during the cold storage of Muskule grape. Treated clusters were placed into polyethylene container and packaged with polyethylene bags having 10.5 a thicknesses and stored at 0?1 ^oC and 90?5% relative humidity throughout 100 day. At the end of 100 day, weight loss (%), soluble solids content (%), titratable acidity (g 100 mL^-1), pH of fruit juice, sensory evaluation, view of cluster skeleton and decay rate (%) were determined at 20 days interval. SA (3mM) + UV-C combined treatment and SA (3mM) treatment were found to be effective depending on examined criterion.

Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey-33740;Department of Horticulture, University of Cukurova, Adana, Turkey-0'330.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.29

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Abstract: Molecular markers are the most widely used tools in cultivar and species identification. The objective of this study was to characterize some Turkish and European cultivars and new apricot cultivars derived by hybridization between Turkish and European apricot cultivars using RAPD markers. Five new, two local cultivars, and four promising hybrids from Turkey, and 13 cultivars from Europe, North America, South Africa were characterized. Sixty RAPD primers produced 57 polymorphic and 79 monomorphic markers, totaling 136. All the 136 markers were used to construct a dendogram based on UPGMA. All cultivars were distinguished from each other with the similarity value ranging from 0.90 to 0.96. Known hybrids were grouped between or close to either one of parental genotypes. This study may imply narrow genetic diversity among the most widely grown apricot cultivars in the world.

Department of crop Production, College of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Cooperative Exten?sion Centre, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.30

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Abstract: Gender roles in telfairia leaf production were investigated in Makurdi using a survey based questionnaire administered to 50 farmers to identify gender-disaggregated roles in telfairia production. The survey showed that women have major role as producers and marketers of telfairia leaves. Women and girls provided 80.0% of labour requirements for hole digging, sowing, irrigation, weeding, harvesting and marketing. The men cleared land and dug holes while girls and boys in primary and secondary schools assisted in weeding and hole digging. The results also revealed that a typical telfairia farm using N10,650.00 (US$84.5 at N126/dollar) worth of seeds produced 16.5 t/ha of leaves valued at N212,400.00 (US$1,685.7) with 85.0% profit. Seed accounted for 60.7% of total cost of production, while irrigation cost was 20.3%. A minimum take-off fund of N210,572 (US$1671.2) was needed to give revenue of N386,000 (US$2920.6) and a gain of 83% per hectare. Total fruit equivalent of fruits/shoots produced 2,056 fruits and the price of fruit equivalent of fruits/ shoots produced N514,000 (US$4079.4) with a gain of 144%. Two major constraints to leaf production were high cost of quality seeds (36.1% of respondents) and water pumps (13.9% of respondents). Women participation in telfairia vegetable production, marketing and utilization in Makurdi can provide a means of livelihood and appreciable income for women in rural and urban areas, which is capable of sustaining the running of the home and enhancing the living standards of women.

Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.31

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Abstract: Two contrasting varieties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) fruits i.e. 'Pusa Gaurav' (slow ripening type) and 'Pusa Ruby' (fast ripening type) were examined for Ca, P, K, Zn, Cu and Mn contents in the fruit's pericarp portion. Fruits were examined either at different ripening stages during their maturation on the plant itself or at different intervals during storage when harvested at green mature stage. Ca was found to be higher in 'Pusa Ruby'. 'Pusa Gaurav', on the other hand, showed higher content of P, Zn, Cu, Mn but low K in comparison to 'Pusa Ruby'. The roles of these minerals were explained towards their stabilizing effect on plasma membrane and cell wall along with their involvement in the antioxidative system and thereby determining the rate of ripening.

Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, College of Horticulture, Pune -411 005,Depart-ment of Plant Pathology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri -413 722. India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.32

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Abstract: Okra germplasm, consisting of 85 accessions, which included cultivars, related species and their inter specific hybrids was screened for two seasons, while their amphidiploids, backcrosses and F₃ generations were screened for one season for powdery mildew resistance (Erysiphe cichoracearum DC) under severe field epiphytotic conditions. Only the wild species A. caillei-2 and A. moschatus-1 were found immune while two biotypes of A. tetraphyllus, A. manihot spp. manihot, A. manihot spp. tetraphyllus, A. manihot (L.) Medikus and A. angulosus were found highly resistant to powdery mildew in both seasons. A. tuberculatus-1, A. caillei-1, A. ficulneus and cultivars of A. esculentus were susceptible. Reaction of inter specific hybrids, backcrosses and amphidiploids revealed that the resistance in A. caillei-2, A. angulosus and A. manihot spp. tetraphyllus were partially dominant. Further, it was observed that in F₃ generations, only the lines of A. caillei -2 inter specific hybrid derivatives (lines derived from hybrids having A. caillei-2 as one parent) were found highly resistant to powdery mildew.

Iran's Pistachio Research Institute, Qazvin Station, No.''8, Beheshti Blvd. Agri. & Natural Resources Research Center, Qazvin, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.33

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Abstract: Chilling threshold and growth degree day (GDD) of two main pistachio pistillate cultivars were determined. Layout was factorial based on a complete randomized design with three factors, two cultivars (Qazvini and Ouhedi), 5 thermal levels (+2, 0, -2, -4 and -6 ^oC) and three developmental stages including dormant bud, swelling bud and fully bloomed flowers for chilling studies. Critical temperature for reversible tissue colour change was determined as -4^oC at bud stage, -2^oC at blooming bud and +2^oC at flower. Decreasing temperature down to two more degrees (e.g. -6 ^oC at bud) could shift the damage into the irreversible browning injury. For GDD measurements, three factors, including cultivar, thermal accumulation (calculation based on +4.5^oC) and phenological stages were considered. Kernel filling period varied in two cultivars; Ouhedi's bigger kernel required more time to grow fully and more growth degrees day. Qazvini needed 2561.044 GDD and 138.5 days for total bearing period (flowering to harvest), and 623.363 GDD and 30 days for kernel filling period. Ouhedi needed 2917.823 GDD and 160 days for total period, and 730.61 GDD and 33.5 days for kernel filling.

Plant Biotechnology Centre, Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner-334006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.34

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Abstract: Capparis deciduas is an important constituent of desert ecosystem, however, due to population pressure on the land their stands are reducing at an alarming rate. Establishment through root suckers and seeds being very slow and cumbersome, remains the major bottleneck for their reestablishment in the area. Thus, realizing the constraint, a rapid and efficient micropropagation protocol for multiple shoot regeneration employing shoot tip explant was developed. The protocol is more efficient and reproducible than reported earlier. Maximum number of explants (100%) responded on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) 7 mg L^-1 and naphthaline acetic acid (NAA) 0.1 mg L^-1 while number of shoots per explant were maximum (8.5) on alone BAP 7 mg L^-1. Regenerated shoots could be rooted best on MS medium supplemented with indole butyric acid (IBA) 1 mg L^-1. Rooted shoots could be hardened and transplanted in to the field.

'CECEA - Centre for Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, University of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Apt. '0'3, 500'-80' Vila Real, Portugal, Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Engineering; CETAV - Centre for Technological, Environmental and Li

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.35

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Abstract: Chemical composition (crude protein, crude fat, starch, neutral detergent fibre - NDF and free a-amino acids) of six hazelnut cultivars (Butler, Ennis, Fertile de Coutard, Grossal, Merveille de Bollwiller and Segorbe) was investigated. Genotype significantly affected fruit nutritive value. Crude protein ranged from 12-17 g 100 g^-1 dry weight (dw) in cultivar Ennis and Merveille de Bollwiller, respectively; crude fat was 50-62 g 100 g^-1 dw in cvs. Fertile de Coutard and Butler; starch varied from 1.0 to 2.4 g 100 g^-1 dw in cvs. Segorbe and Butler; and NDF was 8-14 g 100 g^-1 dw in cvs. Merveille de Bollwiller and Ennis. Total free a-amino acids content ranged from 144 mg 100 g^-1 dw (cv. Segorbe) to 413 mg 100 g^-1 dw (cv. Butler). The essential amino acids content varied between 23 mg 100 g^-1 dw (cv. Butler) to 55 mg 100 g^-1 dw (cv. Merveille de Bollwiller). Alanine was the main amino acid found (62% of total amino acids) and methionine was the lowest (0.3%). Based on the available data on the phytochemical content of hazelnuts, including the data presented in this study, there is a high likelihood that this fruit will provide positive health benefits.

Departmentof Horticulture, InstitutAgronomique et VeterinaireHassanII, ComplexeHorticole d'Agadir, BP 728, Agadir 80 000, Morocco, Faculte des sciences Mohamed V, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta B.P. 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco; Department of Horticulture, Institut Agr

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.36

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Abstract: For a citrus grower to choose the right clementine cultivar for a given region or market, it is very important to know the characteristics of that cultivar particularly in terms of the development of its internal as well as external quality attributes. In particular, it is very important to know when the maturity index is attained along with the rate of color change, sugar accumulation, acid dissipation, firmness loss, etc. This paper describes the results obtained for several quality attributes (rind color, firmness, juice content, juice titratable acidity and soluble solids content) of seven clementine cultivars sampled at different stages of maturity. All of the cultivars reached minimum maturity index (sugar / acid ratio greater than 7.0) by early November. The rate of rind color change is significantly influenced by picking period and is the main attribute that differs among most of the clementine cultivars. In addition, 'Guerdane', the new clementine cultivar, is the only cultivar that matures much later (January-February) and has the characteristics of a late-maturing cultivar both internally (juice quality) and externally (rind color).

Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. International Institute of tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.37

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Abstract: The multiplication ratio for seed yam production is very low compared to other tuberous crops. Seven clones of Dioscorea rotundata Poir (white yam) were evaluated for production of mini tubers from their vine cuttings. Three to four nodes leafy vine cuttings were prepared from the middle portion of the lateral branches collected from mother plants 127, 134 and 141 days after planting (DAP). The lower portion of these nodes were wounded with a clean razor blade and then dusted with 1.0% Indole-3 butyric acid (IBA) powder in order to promote rooting. The mini tubers were harvested 115 DAP. The developed mini tubers varied in sizes among the tested cultivars from 1.9 to 4.2g. The weights were found to be genotype dependent. The survival rate of the planted vine cuttings ranged from 31.1 to 77.1% while the average total number of roots per vine ranged from 5.1 to 5.8. The average number of tubers per vine was 1.8 ?0.8. If these number and weights of mini tubers can be obtained from propagation of vine cuttings, there will be tremendous increase in propagating material thereby making yam cultivation less expensive and also allowing the ware yam only for consumption and other uses.

'Embrapa Cattle Southeast, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, C.P. 339, 13560-970, Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo State, Brazil; Embrapa Western Amazon, C.P. 3'9, 69011-970, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil; Embrapa Soybean, C.P. 23', 8600'-970

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.20

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Abstract: Banana cultivation is ranked as one of the agricultural activities of greatest economic importance and social significance in Brazil. The area under banana cultivation in Brazil (516,000 ha) is larger than India and Ecuador, leading countires in production, but with rather lower productivity due to lack of adequate crop management, particularly fertilizer application. The objective of this work was to investigate the rate of nutrient retranslocation and the effect of fertilization on the yield and uniformity of banana bunches cultivated in central Amazon region. Two field experiments were conducted in a xanthic Ferralsol (dystrophic Yellow Latosol) - predominant soil of the region, examining: a) the nutrient translocation rate in twelve plants; and b) the efficiency of zinc use, in a completely randomized blocks in split plot design with four rates of ZnSO₄ (0, 30, 60 and 120 g plant¹ cycle¹) and two application times (in the hole together with the seedling or applied in the fifth month after planting), with four replicates. Under the local edaphoclimatic conditions, the results show that N, P, K, Mg and Cu have a high retranslocation rate. The plant yield was influenced by the rates of ZnSO₄, with the most efficient application method being in the planting hole. Results indicated that at high concentrations, zinc had mobility in the phloem from the leaves to the fruits. The proposed critical leaf zinc concentration at the start of inflorescence was 12.9 mg kg^-1 for the third leaf.

Consejeria de Agricultura y Agua de la Region de Murcia. Plaza Juan XXIII. 30008 Murcia, Spain. Instituto Murciano de Investigacion y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario. C/Mayor s/n. 30150 La Alberca. Murcia. Spain.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i02.21

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Abstract: Field studies were conducted to compare the yield and fruit quality of processing tomatoes in surface and subsurface drip irrigation, with 100 and 50% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The results showed that when irrigation was reduced by 50% ETc the subsurface treatment showed higher water content at root depth compared with the on-surface treatment. At 50% ETc subsurface irrigation yield increased by 66.5% compared with the surface treatment. However at 100% ETc no significant difference in total fruit yield was observed between irrigation methods. The superficial and water-stressed treatment increased the pH and the acidity of the fruits but the subsurface treatment did not show differences with respect to the full-irrigation treatments. Our results show that the subsurface drip irrigation method could be reasonably applied for processing tomato when water resources are limited.

School of Agronomy and Horticulture Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld.4343, Australia. Present address: Brisbane South Lifestyle Support Services, 48 Duke Street Kangaroo Point, Q 4169

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i01.03

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Abstract: The influence of light quality and carbon dioxide concentration on the development of photosynthetic functional structures of strawberry leaves in vitro was examined. We assessed the photochemical quenching parameter of chlorophyll a photochemical efficiency of photo system II (PSII) of strawberry leaves in vitro in a factorial set up. The main effects of light quality; averaged over CO₂ enriched, air flow and closed systems, increased the initial chlorophyll fluorescence value from 485 for yellow light developed PS II system of leaves to 1142 for white light (control) developed ones. The photochemical efficiency of PSII significantly increased from 0.64 under white light to 0.80 for yellow light developed leaves. The leaves developed under blue light were similar to that of control white light for many chlorophyll fluorescence parameters except the initial chlorophyll fluorescence level. The increase in photochemical efficiency of PSII of strawberry leaves can be attributed to lower initial fluorescence values. Under blue light the total dry weight and total chlorophyll content were increased. The possible role of high mercury peak of white light and photoinhibition during development in vitro is discussed.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747 USA.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i01.04

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Abstract: Cranberry callus was successfully induced from cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait, Ericaceae) leaves by using Gamborg's B5 medium containing phytohormones at 25^oC in the dark. Anthocyanin-producing cranberry callus was obtained only under conditions of continuous light exposure. Red light and UV light exposure of the callus enhanced anthocyanin content by 41.3 and 29.3%, respectively. The light-dependent anthocyanin production in the callus was regulated by temperature. Anthocyanin content in the callus decreased 81.1% at 42^oC, 58.9% at 37^oC, 47.0% at 30^oC, and increased 10.4% at 4^oC, compared to the callus maintained at 25^oC after 48 hours of incubation at the given temperature. A temperature decrease of 10^oC from 25 to 15^oC resulted in a critical increase of the anthocyanin production in the callus, irrespective of differences in pH of culture medium. The growth of the callus cultured in medium at pH 7.0 was 6.2-fold higher than in the same medium at standard pH of 5.8.

Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki, Kagawa, Japan 761-0795; University Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Sanuki, Kagawa, Japan 769-2304

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2007.v09i01.05

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Abstract: Response of low-chill peach cultivar 'Premier' to early forcing culture was studied. Three-year-old trees were forced in a glasshouse from 15 November, 1 and 15 December and 1 and 15 January. Symptoms of insufficient chilling were detected when forcing was started from 15 November and 1 December. Bud break was delayed and sporadic. The flower and leaf buds forced from 15 December and 1 and 15 January rapidly burst within 15 days after the onset of the treatments. The final burst rate exceeded 70%. Generally, flowering started 10-15 days after flower bud burst. The size of the flowers from the trees forced from 15 November and 15 January was smaller than that recorded at other forcing times. Earliest harvest started under forcing from 15 December and 1 January. These results suggested that by using this low-chill cultivar, forcing could be initiated from mid-December, more than one month earlier than for high-chill cultivars, with complete dormancy release, in this region.