Potential Use of Digital Photographic Technique to Examine Wild Blueberry Ripening in Relation to Time of Harvest

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-308
Author(s):  
Salamat Ali ◽  
Qamar Uz Zaman ◽  
Aitazaz Ahsan Farooque ◽  
Arnold Walter Schumann ◽  
Chibuike C Udenigwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Harvesting Time ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Wild Blueberries ◽  
Four Blocks ◽  
Wild Blueberry ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Time Of Harvest

Abstract. Northeastern North America is the world’s leading producer of wild blueberry. Ripening of wild blueberry is the leading factor for fruit quality. Currently, there are no protocols available for the farming community related to wild blueberry fruit ripening and maturity. A nondestructive, rapid, and reliable digital photography technique could be used to examine the ripening of wild blueberries for appropriate harvesting time. Two wild blueberry fields were selected to examine the berry ripening levels using digital photographic techniques at different time of harvest (early, middle, and late seasons). The fields were divided into four blocks and each block was further divided into three classes of times of harvest. Fruit images from each block were acquired and processed to count blue pixels from each image. A significant correlation was found between percentage of blue pixels and actual fruit yield in Field A (R2 = 0.96; P < 0.001) and Field B (R2 = 0.97; P < 0.001). The results also indicated that the effect of time of harvest on fruit yield was significant and fruit yield increased gradually during early harvesting, reached maximum during mid-season, and then started to decrease in late harvesting. Results indicated that 90% of green-berries had turned blue at the end of middle season compared to early season (58%). Based on the results of this study, optical analysis could help to keep fruit quality by optimizing appropriate harvesting time of wild blueberries. It is also suggested that the optimum time to harvest wild blueberries is middle season to ensure high fruit yield and quality. Keywords: Blue pixels, Fruit yield, Harvesting season, Wild blueberry.

scholarly journals Morphological, Leaf Nutrient, and Fruit Quality Characteristics of Diverse Tomato Cultivars under Organic Low-Input Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12326
Author(s):  
Leangsrun Chea ◽  
Cut Erika ◽  
Marcel Naumann ◽  
Inga Smit ◽  
Bernd Horneburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Mineral Concentration ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Tomato Cultivars

Increasing fruit yield and quality of tomatoes under organic low-input conditions remains a challenge for producers and breeders. Therefore, it is necessary to identify superior tomato cultivars that are suitable for production and use as parents in breeding programmes. In the present study, the variations in plant morphology and fruit quality characteristics of tomato cultivars were assessed to reveal the traits associated with improved yield and fruit quality. Sixty diverse tomato cultivars were screened in 2015, and in 2016, a subset of 20 cultivars was selected for further evaluation under organic low-input conditions. The results showed high variability among cultivars in all 28 traits that were observed. Salad cultivars had lower plant growth and fruit quality (minerals, dry matter, total soluble solids, and total phenolics) by 10–70%, but they displayed 10–60% higher fruit yield and leaf minerals than cocktail cultivars. Salad tomato cultivars with superior yield and harvest index were mainly derived from breeding for intensive indoor production. Cocktail cultivars with superior yield were mainly derived from organic and outdoor breeding programs. There was a trade-off between fruit yield and quality, indicating a challenge for simultaneous improvement of yield and quality. The importance of Mg was highlighted because of its contribution to the fruit mineral concentration and fruit quality. Cultivars superior in one trait or trait combination under organic low-input conditions were identified to be used by producers and breeders as superior cultivars to meet their production targets and breeding objectives. The importance of Mg provides a novel path for further research on improving soil-available Mg in organic tomato production to enhance fruit mineral concentration and fruit quality in general.

scholarly journals Fruit production and quality of mini-watermelon with different number of stems, in troughs cultivation system and substrate reuse

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 471-486
Author(s):  
Josiéle Garcia Dutra ◽  
◽  
Roberta Marins Nogueira Peil ◽  
Tatiana da Silva Duarte ◽  
Cesar Valmor Rombaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
Cultivation System ◽  
Fruit Number ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
The One

Substrate-filled pots are growing systems commonly used for vegetable farming. However, few are the studies available relating them to mini-watermelon cultivation. Our study presents a growing system using substrate-filled troughs and leachate recirculation as a low-cost and less environmentally harmful soilless cultivation system for mini-watermelons. For a growing system to be viable and provide high fruit yield and quality, several aspects must be studied, including substrate physical properties and reuse potential in successive crops, besides plant management-related aspects. Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the effects of a trough system and substrate reuse on changes in the properties of raw rice husk and on fruit yield and quality for mini-watermelons at different stem training. To this purpose, two trials were conducted using nutrient solution recirculation systems. In the first, we evaluated the effects of pot and trough systems. In the second, first- and second-use substrates were compared in the trough system. In both trials, one and two-stem training systems were analyzed. The results of the first trial show that the trough system had a greater positive impact on substrate water holding capacity (WHC), which increased from 7.9 to 15.6%, while the pots increased substrate WHC only to 11.2%. However, both systems neither affected fruit yield (8 kg/m² on average) nor fruit quality. The two-stem training promoted higher fruit yields (4.2 kg/plant) and contents of total soluble solids - TSS (11.4 °Brix) but did not affect average fruit weight. Moreover, the one-stem training provided higher fruit number (7.3 fruits/m²) and fruit yield (9.7 kg/m²). In the second trial, the reused substrate showed a higher WHC (12.4%) than the one used for the first time (9.9%). The reused substrate also provided better results in terms of fruit yield and quality (5.9 fruits/m², 5.3 kg/m², and 10.5o Brix). In the second trial, two-stem training also increased average fruit weight, and hence yields per plant. Nevertheless, the stem number did not affect fruit number per plant, fruit yield per square meter, and fruit quality.

scholarly journals Field Evaluation of Chemotherapy on HLB-Affected Citrus Trees With Emphasis on Fruit Yield and Quality

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muqing Zhang ◽  
Palaniyandi Karuppaiya ◽  
Desen Zheng ◽  
Xiuxiu Sun ◽  
Jinhe Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Citrus Trees

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus, which is associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) in the United States. To date, no effective antimicrobial compound is commercially available to control the disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of different antimicrobial chemicals with suitable surfactants on HLB-affected matured citrus trees with emphasis on the fruit yield and quality. Each treatment was applied three times in a 2-week interval during the spring flush period, one time in summer and three times during the autumn flushing period. We extensively examined different parameters such as pathogenic index, disease index, tree canopy, fruit yield, quality, and nutritional status. The results showed that among the treatments, penicillin (PEN) with surfactant was most effective in suppressing Las titer in infected citrus trees, followed by Fosetyl-Al (ALI), Carvacrol (CARV), and Validamycin (VA). Fruit quality analysis revealed that PEN treatment increased the soluble solids content (SSC), whereas Oxytetracycline (OXY) treatment significantly reduced titratable acidity (TA) level and increased the SSC/TA ratio compared to the control. Nutrient analysis showed increased N and Zn levels in ALI and PEN treatments, and OXY treatment increased leaf P, K, S, and Mg levels compared to untreated control. Furthermore, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, and Mn in leaves were reduced in all chemical treatments than that of the untreated control. These findings revealed that some of the chemical treatments were able to suppress Las pathogen, enhance nutritional status in leaves, and improve tree growth and fruit quality of HLB-affected trees.

scholarly journals The Effects of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation on Weed and Nematode Control, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Florida Fresh-market Tomato

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽  
Jason Hong ◽  
Nancy Kokalis-Burelle ◽  
Joseph Albano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Yield And Quality

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is considered a promising sustainable alternative to chemical soil fumigation (CSF), and has been shown to be effective against soilborne diseases, plant-parasitic nematodes, and weeds in several crop production systems. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the effects of ASD on crop yield and quality. Therefore, a field study was conducted on fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in two different locations in Florida (Immokalee and Citra), to evaluate and compare the ASD and CSF performances on weed and nematodes control, and on fruit yield and quality. In Immokalee, Pic-Clor 60 (1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin) was used as the CSF, whereas in Citra, the CSF was Paldin™ [dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) + chloropicrin]. Anaerobic soil disinfestation treatments were applied using a mix of composted poultry litter (CPL) at the rate of 22 Mg·ha−1, and two rates of molasses [13.9 (ASD1) and 27.7 m3·ha−1 (ASD2)] as a carbon (C) source. In both locations, soil subjected to ASD reached highly anaerobic conditions, and cumulative soil anaerobiosis was 167% and 116% higher in ASD2 plots than in ASD1 plots, in Immokalee and Citra, respectively. In Immokalee, the CSF provided the most significant weed control, but ASD treatments also suppressed weeds enough to prevent an impact on yield. In Citra, all treatments, including the CSF, provided poor weed control relative to the Immokalee site. In both locations, the application of ASD provided a level of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) control equivalent to, or more effective than the CSF. In Immokalee, ASD2 and ASD1 plots provided 26.7% and 19.7% higher total marketable yield as compared with CSF plots, respectively. However, in Citra, total marketable yield was unaffected by soil treatments. Tomato fruit quality parameters were not influenced by soil treatments, except for fruit firmness in Immokalee, which was significantly higher in fruits from ASD treatments than in those from CSF soil. Fruit mineral content was similar or higher in ASD plots as compared with CSF. In fresh-market tomato, ASD applied using a mixture of CPL and molasses may be a sustainable alternative to CSF for maintaining or even improving marketable yield and fruit quality.

scholarly journals Soilless Media and Containers for Greenhouse Production of `Galia' Type Muskmelon

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1200-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Rodriguez ◽  
D.J. Cantliffe ◽  
N.L. Shaw ◽  
Z. Karchi
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Feasible Option ◽  
Polyethylene Bags ◽  
Reducing Costs ◽  
Solids Content

In the spring of 2001 and 2002, different combinations of media (coarse perlite, medium perlite, and pine bark) and containers (polyethylene bags and plastic pots) were used for hydroponic production of `Galia' muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) to determine their effect on fruit yield and quality, and their influence on costs of production. Marketable yields obtained for `Gal-152' in the spring 2001 and 2002 were 25.5 kg·m–2 and 39.0 kg·m–2 respectively. When data were combined for 2001 and 2002, fruit yield and fruit quality were unaffected by any combination of media and container. Average soluble solids content was generally greater than 10° Brix. It was determined that the use of pine bark media and plastic pots instead of perlite and bags would save $18,200 per year (two crops)—a feasible option for reducing costs of producing `Galia' muskmelons in greenhouses using soilless culture without loss of yield and fruit quality.

scholarly journals Nutrition, yield and quality of ‘Niagara Rosada’ vine fruits using cattle slurry and plastic cover

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Tullio ◽  
Heverly Morais ◽  
Renato Yagi
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Cattle Slurry ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Organic Fertilization ◽  
Potassium Nutrition ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Niagara Rosada

Abstract Plastic cover and organic fertilization for grapevine can bring synergistic benefits in yields and fruit quality. The objective was to characterize and measure the effects of fertilization with cattle slurry in systems without and with plastic cover on plant nutrition, yield and quality of ‘Niagara Rosada’ fruits. Two experiments were carried out and evaluated in contiguous areas, without and with plastic cover, each one using a randomized complete block design with 4 treatments represented by cattle slurry rates of 0, 20, 40 and 60 m3 ha-1, with four replicates. The nutritional status of grapevines was not affected by cattle slurry application without plastic cover in plants growing on fertile sandy soil. Plastic cover provides better nutrition ofprimary macronutrients and higher yield and fruit quality, even without the use of manure. Without plastic cover, cattle slurry rates above 20 m3 ha-1 and below 60 m3 ha-1 were able to balance phosphate and potassium nutrition in these systems, increasing fruit yield by 31% up to 32 m3 ha-1, respectively. However, this increment represented 64% of the average yield of fruits obtained with plastic cover without organic fertilization. Thus, the use of plastic cover on grapevine represents a conservationist soil fertility management, adding sustainability and increasing fruit yield and quality.

scholarly journals Deficit Irrigation to Enhance Fruit Quality of the ‘African Rose’ Plum under the Egyptian Semi-Arid Conditions

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1405
Author(s):  
Islam F. Hassan ◽  
Maybelle S. Gaballah ◽  
Hanan M. El-Hoseiny ◽  
Mohamed E. El-Sharnouby ◽  
Shamel M. Alam-Eldein
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Deficit Irrigation ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Arid Conditions ◽  
Semi Arid

Evolved in South Africa and released to market in 2009, the ‘African Rose’ plum has been introduced and grown under the Egyptian semi-arid conditions since 2010. Within that time, this cultivar has faced significant fruit quality issues, mainly poor color and low total soluble solids (TSS). Several trials using foliarly applied growth regulators have been conducted, but with little conspicuous results on fruit yield and quality. There is very limited information about the relationship between irrigation regime and fruit quality for this cultivar. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of deficit irrigation on the quality of the ‘African Rose’ plum during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Five-year-old hedge growing trees were subjected to three deficit irrigation regimes: 100% (control), 80%, and 60% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) after the pit hardening stage until the end of the harvest season (May to June period) were evaluated. Results indicated that deficit irrigation positively enhanced the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), total phenols, and anthocyanins with improved fruit TSS and maturity index, although fruit yield, acidity, size, and firmness were decreased. Deficit irrigation could be suggested as a sustainable novel solution to improve the fruit quality of the ‘African Rose’ plum grown under the semi-arid conditions of Egypt. Although the total yield and some quality characteristics were not improved, the early harvested fruit with enhanced color and taste could be a good start for additional research to solve other quality-related issues under such conditions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Tropical Tomato for Growth, Yield, Nutrient, and Water Use Efficiency in Recirculating Hydroponic System

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Alex Williams Ayarna ◽  
Satoru Tsukagoshi ◽  
George Oduro Nkansah ◽  
Na Lu ◽  
Kazuya Maeda
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
The Tropics

The issue of low tomato production in the tropics like Ghana has been a long-standing challenge. The advent of greenhouse technology has not significantly improved the yield of tomato compared to Japan and the Netherlands. Immediate technological interventions are needed. Through hydroponics, the low-node order pinching at a high-density planting system has been recommended in some studies. This system was intended to be established in Ghana, and it would be expected to improve the yield and fruit quality of tomato. In effect, a study was carried out in the greenhouse, at Chiba University using this system. A tropical tomato cultivar (Jaguar) was evaluated with Momotaro York at 3.8 m s2 and pinched at the fourth truss. Data collected were water and nutrient use efficiencies, plant growth rate, dry matter partitioning, and fruit yield and quality, as well as some physiological characteristics. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that Jaguar cultivar was two times more efficient in water and nutrient use than Momotaro York at first harvest. Root tissue density recorded in Jaguar was significantly lower compared to Momotaro York. The net assimilation rate (NAR) recorded was markedly higher in Jaguar than Momotaro York at last harvest. All the physiological attributes recorded in both cultivars were not significantly different. Plant dry mass (DM) recorded was similar in the two cultivars; however, the DM partitioned to fruits was 55% in Jaguar compared to 46.5% DM for Momotaro York. Fruit yield per area did not differ in the two cultivars. Fruit yields of 28.8 and 30 kg m−2 per year were recorded in Jaguar and Momotaro York, respectively. In comparison, this yield result is 1.2–1.25 times less and 14.4–15 times higher than current tomato yields recorded in Japan (greenhouse) and Ghana, respectively. Fruit quality, in terms of total soluble solids recorded in Jaguar cultivar being 5.4 %Brix, was within the 3.5–5.6 %Brix recorded in Ghana. This system could effectively enhance the yield and quality of tomato in the tropics as well as economising on the use of resources.

scholarly journals Chemical thinning of 'BRS Kampai' peach trees

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roseli de Mello Farias ◽  
Caroline Farias Barreto ◽  
Renan Ricardo Zandoná ◽  
Carlos Roberto Martins ◽  
Paulo Mello-Farias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Fruit Abscission ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Peach Trees

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of thinning with metamitron on the fruit yield and quality of 'BRS Kampai' peach (Prunus persica) trees. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Eldorado do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the 2016 and 2017 crop years. Treatments consisted of the application of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L-1 metamitron and of hand thinning 40 days after full bloom, besides control plants. Fruit abscission, effective fructification, number of fruits, and fruit yield per plant were evaluated. Regarding fruit quality, fresh fruit biomass, epidermis color, pulp firmness, soluble solids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were assessed; fruits were also classified into diameter classes. For fruit abscission, the effect of the application of 100 mg L-1 metamitron is similar to that of hand thinning. Fruit yield and mean mass in all treatments with metamitron are similar to those obtained by hand thinning. The application of metamitron does not affect the fruit quality of peach trees. Chemical thinning with metamitron may be an alternative to hand thinning in peach trees used for the production of fruits for fresh consumption.

scholarly journals Impact of irrigation during flowering and fruit growth on fruit yield and quality of the cactus Opuntia spp.

2021 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mohamed ARBA ◽  
André FALISSE ◽  
Redouane CHOUKR-ALLAH ◽  
Marianne SINDIC
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Cactus Pear ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Irrigation Treatments ◽  
Positive Effect

<p>Most plantations of cactus pear are not irrigated in Morocco and fruits are tiny. The impacts of irrigation during flowering (FLO) and fruit growth (FRG) on fruit yield and quality were monitored along two years on three varieties of cactus pear. In 2011, irrigation treatments were: T1 (0 mm), T2 (30 mm during FLO and 30 mm during FRG) and T3 (30 mm during FRG only). In 2012, irrigation treatments increased to 60 mm during FLO and FRG. The irrigation treatments were applied in 8 (T3) or 16 (T2) watering, once every three days. Interactions between varieties and treatments were significant for fruit yields and for yield components. In 2011, T2 and T3 irrigations had a negative effect on ‘Aissa’ and ‘Moussa’ (-2.8 kg/plant) and T2 had a positive effect on ‘Achefri’ (+2.7 kg/plant). Fruit quality was not affected by irrigation. In 2012, all the varieties responded positively to irrigation: ‘Achefri’ and ‘Aissa’ yielded very significantly more with T3 (plus 63 % and 30 % resp.) and ‘Moussa’ with T2 (+30 %). All irrigations increased fruit number and size. Irrigation had no significant effect on the fruit quality or slightly decreased the content of total sugars and titratable acidity</p>

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