Mean daily stomatal resistance was higher (58%; to 384%), photosynthesis values lower (11% to 49%), and crop water stress index values higher (92% to 95%) in stressed cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants than in irrigated control plants in three experiments performed in 1987 and four in 1988. Pillowy fruit disorder (PFD) was more frequent (110% to 150%) and more severe (59% to 81%) in freshly harvested fruits from stress plots when compared to controls. No after-storage differences in PFD were detectable between water stress treatments. Mean PFD ratings of processed fruit following postharvest storage at 26.5C and either 60% or 75% relative humidity were significantly higher than ratings of fruit stored at either 10.5 or 15.5C and 85% relative humidity. The progressive development of pillowy and the observed enhancement of PFD symptoms following storage at higher storage temperatures indicated that postharvest changes can occur in fruit mesocarp tissue and that the development of PFD can be altered, to some extent, during storage. Negative correlations (- 0.18 to - 0.78) between fruit quality and PFD ratings suggested that these changes can affect processed product quality. Pillowed tissue of processed fruit was significantly softer (33% to 39%) than nonpillowed tissue.

_________________________________________________________________________________ AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of ensiling whole-crop maize with bacterial inoculants, Lactococcus lactis (LL) and Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), on the fermentation and nutrient digestibility in rams. Wholecrop maize (265 DM g/kg) was ensiled for 90 days in 210 L drums with no additive, or with LL or LB. After three months, the drums were opened and the silage was sampled for fermentation characteristics. Diets were produced by mixing the whole-crop maize silage with lucerne hay (90 : 10) on an "as fed" basis, and a digestibility study was conducted using five South African Mutton Merino rams (37.2 ± 2.2 kg live weight) per treatment. Inoculating maize silage with LL and LB reduced ammonia nitrogen concentration, but did not affect silage pH. The concentration of lactic acid was increased with LL compared to the other treatments. A higher concentration of acetic acid was obtained with LB inoculation compared to the other treatments. The aerobic stability of the silage was improved with LB while it was reduced with LL inoculation, as indicated by a higher CO 2 production than the latter. The intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and fibre were improved by inoculation. Furthermore, inoculations resulted in improved nitrogen retention. It was concluded that the inoculants improved silage fermentation and diet digestibility. Inoculation with LB improved aerobic stability and LL inoculation reduced it. ________________________________________________________________________________

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