To increase the storage shelf life of "Red Delicious" and "Golden Delicious" apples they were treated with UV-C irradiation at doses of 0, 5 and 15 min irradiation at 1.435 x 10E-4 W/square cm and with hot water containing 4% CaCl2 at four levels (control, dipping at 25 deg C for 10 min, dipping at 38 deg C for 5 min and dipping in 54 deg C for 1 min) in a factorial design with 4 replicates. The results showed that UV-C irradiation and dipping of fruit in hot water increased the storage life and improved fruit quality factors in "Red Delicious" and "Golden Delicious" apples at the end of cold storage. Both UV-C and hot water treatments decreased pH and total soluble solids/titratable acids ratio and increased fruit titratable acids and firmness. UV-C and hot water treatment increased fruit Ca content during storage. The results showed that UV-C and hot water treatment can retard fruit ripening and maintain fruit quality in cold storage. These treatments can also increase Ca concentration of fruit flesh and thus increase the nutritional value of the apples.
Although silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element of the earth's crust and in soils, it is not listed among the essential elements for plants. However, the beneficial role of Si in stimulating the growth and development of many plant species has been recognized. This study investigated the effects of in vitro application of nanosilicon oxide on growth and proliferation of apple rootstock MM 106 in tissue culture. The experiment included five levels nanosilicon oxide (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L) added to Murashige and Skoog medium. The results showed that using nanosilicon increased in fresh and dry weights, length and number of branches, and chlorophyll in explants with the highest increase being at 100 mg/L. Growth suppression occurred at 200 mg/L. This investigation showed that 100 mg/L silicon oxide can be added to Murashige and Skoog medium for fast growth and proliferation of MM 106 apple rootstock explants.
We investigated the effects of supplementary KNO 3 and NaCl on one-year-old, potted Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) scions grafted on Iranian mandarin Bakraii [Citrus reticulata × Citrus limetta] (Valencia/Bakraii) and Carrizo citrange [C. sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata] (Valencia/Carrizo) rootstocks. After watering plants for 60 days with 50 mM NaCl, the lowest reduction in dry mass, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll (Chl) content was found in Valencia/Bakraii. Bakraii accumulated more Cland Na + in roots and transferred less to Valencia leaves compared with Carrizo rootstock. Moreover, higher net photosynthetic rate was found in Valencia/Bakraii than those on Carrizo rootstock. NaCl caused a decrease in the maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F v /F m ) and effective quantum yield (Φ PSII ) but elevated coefficient of nonphotochemical quenching. Salinity reduced Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and total N contents, and increased Na + /K + ratio in leaves and roots of both grafting combinations. Salinity increased K + and proline content in leaves and decreased K + concentrations in roots of both grafting combinations. In salinized plants, nitrate supplementation (10 mM KNO 3 ) reduced leaf abscission, Cl -, Na + , Na + /K + , and Ca 2+ concentrations in leaves and roots of both combinations. K + and N concentrations and proline increased in leaves of the nitrate-supplemented salinized plants. Supplementary nitrate increased leaf number and area, stem elongation, Chl content, F v /F m , and Φ PSII and stimulated photosynthetic activity. Thus, nitrate ameliorated the deleterious effects of NaCl stress and stimulated the plant metabolism and growth. It can be used as a vital treatment under such condition.
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