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Abstract The objective of the work was to evaluate and compare the physicochemical characteristics of an experimental cabotiá hybrid with the commercial hybrid Tetsukabuto. The genotypes were divided according to mass (kg), and were evaluated for quality. The color parameters evaluated showed no significant difference, although visually the hybrid was different from the commercial variety. It was possible to conclude that the size of the fruits does not influence the concentration of the compounds, and also, an inferiority of HC05 was observed with respect to the relevant quality characteristics in pumpkins, such as soluble solids content, carotenoids and vitamin C.

Abstract This work evaluates the physical and physical-chemical parameters of the strawberry variety “Festival”, obtained in the soil and climate conditions of Humpata, Huila Province, Angola, following the transformation into sweet of adequate quality. The analyses made were: the mass determined on an analytical balance and the transversal and longitudinal diameters with a pachymeter. Other analyses were: total titratable acidity by volumetry, pH by potentiometry, total soluble solids by refractometry, moisture and ash by gravimetry. The study showed that the pH of the pulp was 3.41; and in the candy it was 3.31. The titratable acidity in the strawberry pulp had a value of 0.186 g/100 mL and in the jam 0.096 g/100 mL; the ascorbic acid content in the pulp was 18.60 mg ∕ 100   g. The average soluble solids content in the pulp was 9.5 1 ° Brix and for the jam 68.83   ° Brix. These chemical characteristics of the pulp and jam provide information about their nutritional values.

Abstract The study focused on investigating the effects of varying levels of HA (HA 1  = 0, HA 2  = 25, HA 3  = 50, HA 4  = 75, and HA 5  = 100) on Red Dragon, Red Prince, and Red Meat varieties of red radish. This analysis aimed to unravel the relationship between different levels of HA and their impact on the growth and productivity of red radish genotypes. The findings revealed that the Red Prince genotype attained the utmost plant height of 24.00 cm, an average of 7.50 leaves per plant, a leaf area of 23.11 cm 2 , a canopy cover of 26.76%, a leaf chlorophyll content of 54.60%, a leaf fresh weight of 41.16 g, a leaf dry weight of 8.20 g, a root length measuring 9.73 cm, a root diameter of 3.19 mm, a root fresh weight of 27.60 g, a root dry weight of 6.75 g, and a remarkable total yield of 17.93 tons per hectare. The implications of this study are poised to benefit farmers within the Dera Ismail Khan Region, specifically in the plain areas of Pakistan, by promoting the cultivation of the Red Prince variety.

Abstract During the early spring in the woodlands of eastern North America, Phlox drummondii  emerges as a perennial plant adorned with a profusion of blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. Its evergreen nature adds to its charm. To manage the growth of plants or specific plant parts, plant growth regulators (PGRs) are synthesized and employed, serving as valuable tools for controlling and directing the development of various plant species. A diverse range of ornamental plants, such as Phlox drummondii , have been documented to receive exogenous applications of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Among these regulators, gibberellins (GA) play a vital role by delaying senescence in flowers and promoting the breaking of dormancy in seeds, bulbs, and corms of ornamental plants. The experiment aimed to assess the performance and determine the optimal growth medium for Phlox . Five distinct growth media were employed as treatments during the study, which took place in the Horticulture Department of Gomal University. Collected data underwent analysis through ANOVA and Tuckey HSD tests. The study’s findings revealed that the highest plant height (16 cm) was observed in the control treatment with PGR 1, closely followed by PGR 2 (11.5 cm). The treatment labeled as T5, composed of a mixture of 1/3 sand, 1/3 poultry manure, and 1/3 soil, demonstrated the most favorable results across multiple parameters such as bud initiation (BI), first flower emergence (FFE), flowers per plant (FPP), branches per plant (BPP), leaves per plant (LPP), number of roots (NR), field life of flowers (FLF), and flower diameter (FD). T4, T3, T2, and T1 treatments also exhibited similar positive outcomes, aligning with the promising performance of T5.

Abstract The effect of foliar treatment with brassinosteroid (BR) on gender distribution in flowers of walnut ( Juglans regia  L. cv. Chandler) was investigated. Grafted walnut saplings (‘Chandler’) on the wild walnut ( Juglans regia  L.) rootstock were planted into 70-liter pots with a soil: peat: perlite medium and grown in pots between 2016–2020. BRs (24-epibrassinolide; EBR and 22(S), 23(S)-homobrassinolide; HBR) were applied at a concentration of 1 mg L –1  for four consecutive years at the time of flower differentiation. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replicates. The results show that BR applications could alter the sexual distribution of the walnut’s flower. BRs application significantly increased the number of total flowers and female flowers per tree. The number of female flowers was also increased by the season. The highest number of female flowers (20.9) was observed in the trees in 2020 and the application of 1 mg L –1  of HBR. It was determined that the annual growth of the plant and the increase in the number of females and total flowers were positively related. The effect of BRs indicated that the response was BR-type specific.

Abstract The Carthamus tinctorius , commonly known as safflower, is an annual plant with numerous branches and thorns from the Asteraceae family. For this experiment, three treatments were applied to the pots: humic acid, spirulina microalgae, and a mixture of both to analyze their bioactivation effects. These treatments were applied three times per week over the course of two weeks, with irrigation taking place every other day. The wet weight of the aerial parts of the harvested plants was measured and placed in liquid nitrogen, then stored in a freezer. Chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, protein, phenol, antioxidants, and malondialdehyde were measured. The results show that several bioactivators significantly increased the growth, chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein, and proline of safflower plants when compared to the control. The three treatments reduced the antioxidant and malondialdehyde content significantly. In contrast to the control condition, the mixture of humic acid and spirulina microalgae, as well as humic acid alone, decreased the phenolic content. The findings demonstrated that humic acid and spirulina microalgae can serve as positive plant bioactivators for safflower by boosting its growth and reducing stress.

Abstract Apple farming is a new production venture across the North Shewa Zone. Its production, harvest, postharvest handling, and marketing status are not well known. This study was conducted to assess the above-lined situations across the district. Four representative locations, Asabahir, Tsigereda, Tengego, and Godnamamas were selected based on their apple production status. Then, a total of 88 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed by a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics of percentage, standard deviation, and chi-square tests. A larger percentage of farmers are male (82.9%), in their active production age (41.7%), and produce apples in their backyard (85.25%). The agronomic management of fertilization, pruning, training, and plant spacing deviate from the recommended practices of apple farming. Whereas varietal distribution, irrigation, and post-harvest treatments are better practiced. Loss of fruits by fruit drops and discrimination on the market due to small fruit size are serious problems across the locations. Regarding apple farming, the farmers think of it as a productive venture and got a better price per kg and single fruit sale. They sell mainly in local collectors (60.2%) and nearby cities. As for institutional support, the farmers got apple seedlings, training, and capacity buildings by Agriculture Offices and NGOs, even if the farmers are still in higher need of better support. Therefore, it can be concluded that if not outwaited by poor tree management, destructive product transportation, and higher loss of fruits from trees and in the market, the attitude of the farmers can be capitalized in better production of apples.

Abstract Beta macrocarpa , Guss is an interesting species showing very low germination rates. The leading objectives of this work were to investigate the dormancy mechanism and to find methods to break dormancy in order to achieve rapid, uniform and high germination. Macro and micro-morphologic analyses were performed by stereo microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed two fruit coats. The yellow external coat or persistent perianth coat (PPC) was accrescent with 5 erect segments contiguous to the operculum of the seed capsule. This coat forms spongy layers (50 to 300 µm thick) that could be eliminated manually. The narrow internal coat or pericarp or achene coat (AC) forms woody joined seed capsules, each presenting a pressed operculum that cannot be manually opened. This coat was not adherent to seeds and was composed of compressed cells (50 to 200 µm thick) which form pockets for salt cristal. Seeds were lentiform (1 to 2 mm diameter and 0.5 to 0.8 mm thick) and highly fragile. The embryo was whitish surrounded peripherally by the perisperm with two highly developed cotyledons and radical. Polyphenol concentrations in both coats showed that after 4 months of collection, total polyphenol concentrations were 4-fold higher in the pericarp than in the persistent perianth. However, after one year, this parameter decreases significantly in the pericarp, whereas, it increases to a larger extent in the perianth. Different germination tests indicated that the pericarp provides a chemical and a physical resistance to seed germination during the first 4 months of the experiment after collection. The chemical dormancy was released to higher levels of total polyphenol compounds that inhibited seed germination and seedling growth. However, the physical dormancy was associated with the hardness of this intern coat which caused a mechanical resistance to radicle emergence. After one year of storage, total polyphenol pericarp concentration decreased notably, and chemical resistance disappeared, whereas the physical one persisted. Consequently, one year of storage pericarp removal is sufficient to break this exogenous dormancy.