Flavonoids are important secondary metabolites in strawberry as they fulfill a wide variety of physiological functions. In addition, they are beneficial for human health. Previous studies have shown for selected enzymes from the flavonoid pathway that flavonoid biosynthesis shows two peaks during fruit development. We provide optimized protocols for the determination of the activities of the key flavonoid enzymes: phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase/chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, flavonol synthase, flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase, and flavonoid 7-O-glucosyltransferase. Using these protocols we were able to demonstrate two distinct activity peaks during fruit ripening at early and late developmental stages for all enzymes with the exception of flavonol synthase. The first activity peak corresponds to the formation of flavanols, while the second peak is clearly related to anthocyanin and flavonol accumulation. The results indicate that flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase activity is not essential for redirection from flavanol to anthocyanin formation in strawberry.

The present study aimed to evaluate the drying quality of three tomato cultivars (Amoroso, Berlinto and Messina) at low final-moisture content. Tomatoes were cut into slices and hot-air-dried from 92% (wet basis) to 12% final moisture content at 55 degrees C, 65 degrees C and 75 degrees C at 1.5 m/sec air flow. Color, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and ascorbic acid (AA) content were measured in both fresh and dried tomatoes. Brightness of the dried tomato slices was significantly decreased, while intensity of the red and yellow colors and brightness of the red color (a*/b*) increased. Low overall color change (DeltaE) was obtained at the lowest drying temperature (55 degrees C). Messina and Amoroso showed a higher a* value and lower DeltaE, respectively. The TSS content was increased, while the TA and AA contents were decreased through drying. This study shows that it is possible to hot-air dry tomato slices to a final moisture content of 12% maintaining quality that is comparable with studies where the final-moisture content was higher (15% or more).

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The objective of this study was to develop an open soilless culture system with high water and nutrient use efficiency, and low emission in the environs for microgardening high quality spinach. For this purpose, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) was grown in containers with soilless media supplemented with organic and inorganic nutritional sources. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design with four replications. Seven growing media were assessed: peat moss, peat moss combined with 150, 200 and 250 ppm ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3 ), and peat moss amended with compost having nitrogen equivalent to the mentioned NH 4 NO 3 concentrations. Scheduled and quantified irrigation was provided with a sprinkler system to conserve water and minimize emission into the environment. Salt accumulation and pH of media was monitored throughout growing period. Spinach leaves were analyzed for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ripening index, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, carbon to nitrogen ratio, fresh biomass, dry biomass, dry matter (mg g -1 fresh biomass), leaf moisture contents, nitrate content, colorimetric traits (lightness, chromacity and hue angle), ascorbic acid, total flavonols and anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity. Among all media, combinations of peat moss with NH 4 NO 3 resulted in less nitrate, more organic carbon and dry matter (mg g -1 fresh biomass), higher total soluble solid contents and ripening index of the plants. A higher flavonoid content and higher antioxidant capacity were also observed in plants grown in these combinations. Further, these media accumulated less salt and maintained optimum pH level for spinach growth.

The aim of the research was to investigate the impact of different cultivation environments of tomato cultivars, the electro-chemical and the qualitative traits of the tomato fruits. The quality of tomato fruit harvesting was evaluated at the Laboratory of Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna. Two hybrids of tomatoes were tested Belle-F1 and AmaF1, in two locations and two different treatments (open field and plastic tunnels). Model of experimental fields was based on random method and included three replications. Following parameters were analyzed and tested: pH, Rh, P-Value, Nitrates and the content of vitamin C. The values of pH for treatment in the open field and indoor production system were not significant (4.47 to 5.05). For P-Value derived from the two treatments the maximal values were without significant differences, while minimal values were significant. Study has shown also that the highest values of nitrate content (16.34 mg, open field) compared to average value differences were + 0.384 mg or 43.83% higher. In indoor production the nitrate content was lower in compared with plants cultivated in open fields, so these differences were +3.81 mg or 26.4 0%, and highly significant for both levels. In relation to vitamin C content, the highest value was identified in the indoor systemof 298.6mg, with variations from the overall average of 16.43% or + 42.15 mg. The coefficient of variation values for both levels was of 29.96 respectively 27.31%.

In this study, 15 early-ripening strawberry cultivars were evaluated on 11 sites in Austria regarding their susceptibility to root and leaf diseases. The main aim was to find cultivars with field resistance to Verticillium dahliae and other soilborne pathogens and to explore the interactions between cultivars and sites. ' Daroyal', 'Clery', 'Asia', 'Betty', 'Queen Elisa', and 'Alba' showed a comparably high vitality on all sites and a low number of plant losses on one site highly infested with V. dahliae. Cultivars susceptible to Verticillium wilt, were also prone to root diseases on non-infested sites. In addition, interactions between cultivars and sites played a significant role.

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3O r i g i n a l b e i t r a g Zusammenfassung bei erdbeeren nimmt der anbau auf Mulchfolien zu. in dieser arbeit wird die photoselektive Pe-Mulchfolie "agri-black" mit einer herkömmlichen Mulchfolie und mit der traditionellen anbaumethode "offener boden + Stroh zur blüte" verglichen. besonderheiten von "agri-black" sind die Verwendung von alternativen Farbpigmenten anstatt von russ und erhöhte UV-absorption, was ein verändertes Keimverhalten von Unkraut sowie eine Verfrühungswirkung erwarten lässt.Untersucht wurden die auswirkungen auf den Unkrautwuchs durch die Pflanzlöcher während der Kultur, länger-fristige herbizide effekte nach entfernen der Folien, sowie die auswirkungen auf ertrag und Fruchtgesundheit der erdbeeren.Der Unkrautdurchwuchs während der Kulturdauer wurde durch "agri-black" im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Folie tendenziell, jedoch nicht signifikant reduziert. Sechs Wochen nach entfernen der Folien war die gesamtanzahl der Unkräuter bei "Agri-Black" signifikant geringer als bei der herkömmlichen Folie, bei einzelnen arten wurden jedoch keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Folien festgestellt. auf grund lang andauernder regenfälle kurz vor Erntebeginn, in Kombination mit der flachen anbauweise, kam es bei beiden Folienvarianten zu starken Pflanzenschäden und zu weit niedrigeren Erträgen als in der Kontrollvariante "offener boden + Stroh zur blüte".Bei der Kontrollvariante wurden im Gegenzug signifikant mehr Früchte durch Schnecken angefressen als bei den Folienvarianten.Schlüsselwörter Mulchfolie · Unkraut · Keimung · licht · erdbeeren · biologischer anbau · Schnecken Abstract The use of mulch films is gaining importance in strawberry production. in this paper, the photoselective PE-mulch film "Agri-Black" is compared with a common PE-film and with the traditional method "open soil + straw mulch at blossom". "Agri-Black" is produced with a blend of alternative colour pigments instead of carbon black and with a high amount of UV-absorbers which may lead to an altered germination behaviour of weeds and to an earlier harvest due to higher soil temperature.the effects on the growth of weeds through the planting holes of the films, long-term herbicide effects after removing the films, and the effects on yield and fruit quality of the strawberries were analysed.Weed growth through the planting holes was reduced by trend by "Agri-Black" in comparison to the common PE-film, but not significantly. Six weeks after removing the films, the total amount of weeds was significantly lower in parcels with "Agri-Black" than in parcels with the common PE-film. Regarding single species, no significant differences between the films were determined. Long lasting rainfalls before harvest, in combination with flat beds, did result in heavy plant damages in both film variants and thus in much lower yield than in the control variant "open soil + straw mulch at blossom". In the control variant, there erwerbs-Obstbau (