A hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess whether grafting with Cucurbita rootstocks could improve the salt tolerance of melon scions and to determine the physiological, biochemical, and nutritional responses induced by the rootstocks under salt stress. Two melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars (Citirex and Altinbas) were grafted onto two commercial Cucurbita rootstocks (Kardosa and Nun9075). Plants were grown in aerated nutrient solution under deep water culture (DWC) at two electrical conductivity (EC) levels (control at 1.5 dS m−1 and salt at 8.0 dS m−1). Hydroponic salt stress led to a significant reduction in shoot and root growths, leaf area, photosynthetic activity, and leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of both grafted and nongrafted melons. Susceptible plants responded to salt stress by increasing leaf proline and malondialdehyde (MDA), ion leakage, and leaf Na+ and Cl− contents. Statistically significant negative correlations existed between shoot dry biomass production and leaf proline (r = −0.89), leaf MDA (r = −0.85), leaf Na+ (r = −0.90), and leaf (r = 0.63) and root (r = −0.90) ion leakages under salt stress. Nongrafted Citirex tended to be more sensitive to salt stress than Altinbas. The Cucurbita rootstocks (Nun9075 and Kardosa) significantly improved growth and biomass production of grafted melons (scions) by inducing physiological (high leaf area and photosynthesis), biochemical (low leaf proline and MDA), and nutritional (low leaf Na+ and ion leakage and high K+ and Ca++ contents) responses under salt stress. The highest growth performance was exhibited by the Citirex/Nun9075 and Citirex/Kardosa graft combinations. Both Cucurbita cultivars have high rootstock potential for melon, and their significant contributions to salt tolerance were closely associated with inducing physiological and biochemical responses of scions. These traits could be useful for the selection and breeding of salt-tolerant rootstocks for sustainable agriculture in the future.

No abstract

Processing & Technology J o ur nal of F o o d P ro cessi n g & Te ch nolo g y

Gladiolus is an important estimated 8th in the world cut flower trade's cut flower grown throughout the world for its elegant attractive spikes of different hues and good keeping quality. The commercial cultivation of Gladiolus is based on natural multiplication of corms and cormels. However, multiplication rate of corms and cormels is slow and the conventional method of propagation is insufficient to meet the demand of planting material and eventually affect the final cost of corms. A number of improved conventional techniques including division of the corms, removal of leaf and flower spikes, use of standard corm size, and mechanical removal of sprouts can increase the multiplication rate of corms and cormels. These improved conventional methods of propagation are insufficient to meet the demand of planting materials. In vitro techniques are applicable for the propagation of corm producing species. These techniques are adopted at commercial level in order to fulfill supply gap of huge demand. A number of in vitro protocols have been developed for regeneration of Gladiolus plantlets using different media by using various explants sources of the plant. However, literature is rather scanty on in vitro cormel formation and acclimatization of in vitro propagules.

The study was carried out during the year 2015 to investigate vegetative growth and flowering behavior of Cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) in response to sowing dates.

Background: Coleus is a perennial herbaceous foliage plant belongs to the family Lamiaceae with long history of medicinal and food uses. Coleus plant have reputed medicinal uses, which includes anti-aggregate, anticancer, antidepressant, antidiuretic, antiglaucomic, antimetastatic, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, bronchospasmolytic, cardiotonic. Hypothesis: Harsh environmental conditions including irregular temperature, unexpected rains and natural calamities have made the production of ornamental plants difficult. Therefore, coleus plants were cultivated under LED intensities to make its availability possible under harsh environmental conditions. Study site and dates: The study was carried out during Feb-May (summer) 2017 at Horticulture Garden, Sindh

No abstract

Respiration rate and ethylene production during ripening process causes the banana fruit to deteriorate rapidly and shorten its shelf life. Keeping in view the significance of this issue a laboratory study was carried out during 2019 at the Department of Horticulture SAU Tandojam to determine the effect of potassium permanganate at different concentrations (0, 1%, 2% and 3%) on quality and shelf life of banana under low (7 o C±2 o C) and ambient temperature (25 o C±2 o C) using split plot experimental design with three replicates. Results showed statistically significant variations for KMnO 4 concentrations as well as for temperatures on different parameters of banana. Fruits treated with 1% KMnO 4 concentration at low temperature improved most of the quality parameters; weight of fruit after ripening (78.81g), pH (6.5), TSS (19.8 o Brix), fruit pulp (73.05 g), while, change of peel color at stage-6 took many days (15.08) and increased the shelf life (19.51 days) as compared to other KMnO 4 Concentrations. However, the lowest quality and shelf life were observed under 3% KMnO 4 concentration and control. Minimum ethylene gas was noted in banana fruits treated with 1% of KMnO 4 (0.8, 10 -1 μL. L -1 . h -1 . Kg -1 FW) at low temperature reflected by various physicochemical parameters observed.