Abstract. The investigation was conducted in the experimental plum orchard with cultivar ‘Stanley’ (European Plum) during the period 2019–2021 at the Institute of Agriculture – Kyustendil, Bulgaria. The aim of the study was to establish suitable bioinsecticides to control the economically important pest of the plum Cydia funebrana. Plant protection products Madex Twin and Naturalis were used to control the plum fruit moth in organic plum production. Madex Twin is a biological insecticide, based on the Cydia pomonella granulovirus virus and Naturalis is a bioinsecticide based on the living conidiospores of Beauveria bassiana strain ATCC 74040. During the study period, both bioinsecticides yielded satisfactory results. The damages were in the range of 1.67% to 6.0% for Madex Twin, 1.78% to 5.0% for Naturalis, and 3.0% to 10.0% for untreated control.

Background Entomopathogenic fungi are primary pathogens that naturally affect insect pests by suppressing their populations and considered as an ecofriendly agents. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro activity of different isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the development of larval stages of the Cucurbit fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Results Larval mortality was significantly high with B. bassiana isolate Bb337 (5.82–21.70%) and with the lowest in M. anisopliae isolate MaD (1.49–6.33%). Pupal mortality rate was comparatively higher with more than 50%. The cadavers of all host instars produced conidia (sporulation). Sporulated dead larvae were significantly higher in Bb337 (61.10%) than at the least in MaD (18.60%) at 105 conidia/ml. At 108 conidia/ml, MaD induced the highest pupal cadavers with mycosis (32.42%). Regardless of applied fungal species, host instars mortality significantly increased with increasing concentration of B. bassiana isolates, suggesting a concentration-dependent response of Z. cucurbitae. Conclusion The tested isolates demonstrated their pathogenicity through vertical transmission of mycosis from one instar to another, regardless of the concentrations used.

In this study, the effects of oven dehydration on chemical and bioactive properties, fatty acids, polyphenolic compounds and minerals of sandal strawberry tree fruit were investigated. While total carotenoid contents of the sandal strawberry tree fruit are determined between 4.20 (120 &deg:C) and 5.43 &micro:g/g (70 &deg:C), tannin amounts of the sandal strawberry tree fruit were recorded between 5.13 (control) and 6.37% (70 and 120 &deg:C). While total phenolic contents of dehydrated sandal strawberry tree fruit were found between 444.16 (120 &deg:C) and 665.13 mgGAE/100 g (control), total flavonoid amounts of dehydrated sandal strawberry tree fruit were recorded between 592.91 (control) and 788.71 mg/100 g (120 &deg:C). Antioxidant activity values of fruit ranged from 4.10 (120 &deg:C) to 7.30 mmol TE/kg (control). Both total phenolic amounts and antioxidant activity values of untreated (control) sandal strawberry tree fruit were found to be higher than dehydrated ones, and a linear relationship was determined between the total phenolic amounts of the samples and their antioxidant activities. The highest amounts of phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, resveratrol and kaempferol) were detected in strawberry tree fruit dehydrated at 70 &deg:C, followed by the control group and fruit dehydrated at 120 &deg:C in decreasing order. Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and rutin were the main constituents of the strawberry tree fruit, followed by syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid in descending order. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acid amounts of dehydrated strawberry tree fruit oils compared to the control were observed to increase with the applied temperature, while the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic) decreased. In general, the mineral content of dehydrated strawberry tree fruit increased compared to the control. Since the oil, carotenoid, total phenol and phenolic component contents of sandalwood tree fruit are higher in the sample subjected to dehydration at 70 &deg:C, this temperature can be considered as the ideal one for drying. In addition, considering the fatty acids, heat treatment at 120 &deg:C can be preferred.

Abstract The biological products use as a disease control alternative has been studied to reduce the impacts to the environment, men and animals, showing satisfactory results in postharvest. This study aimed to evaluate the biological agents effect in the control of Colletotrichum spp. and on postharvest quality of yellow passion fruit. The treatments were Trichoderma asperellum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae species at concentrations of of 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0 (g. L-1); Mancozeb fungicide (Dithane® 2 g i.a. L-1 water) and control (sterile distilled water). The fruits were immersed for 2 min in each treatment and then were drought. Five replications of three fruits were used to anthracnose severity analysis and yellow passion fruit physical-chemical quality in. The fruit inoculation was made with the deposition of Colletotrichum spp. on the surface of the fruit previously treated using holes which were made with the aid of a flamed perforator. In the research was evaluated: pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity. Biological treatments reduced the anthracnose severity in yellow passion fruit. Fruit Post-harvest quality was not influenced by the biological control application. It is a viable alternative to postharvest management of anthracnose on yellow passion fruit under the studied conditions.

ABSTRACT“Washington Navel” orange is the principal mid-season maturing cultivar grown in south-eastern Australia. The cultivar has strong export potential and earns high returns for citrus growers. However, trees bear a large number of small-sized fruit in an on-year followed by a small number of large-sized fruit the next year if crop load is not properly managed. Thinning can be used as a crop management strategy to adjust crop load. A thinning experiment was conducted, and crop loads were adjusted on a whole tree basis to 2, 4, 6 or 8 fruit/0.125 m3 canopy volume (CV), removing 46%, 30%, 20% and 8% of the crop respectively, and compared to non-thinned control trees. Fruit diameter was measured at regular intervals from February to July. Fruit yield and number were recorded for two consecutive seasons. Return bloom after thinning was also recorded. Thinning treatments 2, 4 and 6 fruit/0.125 m3 CV resulted in higher fruit growth rates of 24%, 9% and 14% compared to the control. Thinning to a crop load of 6 fruit/0.125 m3 CV produced the best results for fruit size and yield during the treatment year. The following year return bloom was increased in the 2, 4 and 6 fruit/0.125 m3 CV compared to the control. The 6 fruit/0.125 m3 CV treatment resulted in a higher cumulative yield of 169 kg/tree over two cropping seasons and 42% fruit in the size class > 75 mm diameter compared to the control. Economic analysis revealed that 6 fruit/0.125 m3 CV could generate an extra $4,240/ha of income for citrus growers. It was concluded that a fruit load of 6 fruit/0.125 m3 CV was required to produce high yields and large fruit size over two cropping seasons.

Fruit rot disease is one of the important diseases that causes a high yield loss of snake fruit during storage. The alternative of postharvest process to maintain the quality of snake fruit is hot water treatment. This study aims to obtain a combination of soaking time and temperature that can control fruit rot disease of Pondoh snake fruit. The treatment consisted of 45, 50 and 55°C for 5 and 10 minutes and control. The results showed that hot water treatment had a significant effect on the snake fruit. Temperature of 50°C for 5 minutes is more effective in preventing the appearance of disease symptoms up to 10th days of storage, compared to controls which started to show symptoms on the 2nd day. Isolation of fungal pathogen from diseased control were found 4 fungi, i.e Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Aspegillus flavus, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp., while T. paradoxa and A. flavus are still found on treated diseased samples with hot water treatment. Hot water treatment did not affect the water content and total fruit acid but impacted to the weight loss and was able to maintain the hardness value and the panelist's preference level based on organoleptic tests. | Fruit rot disease is one of the important diseases that causes a high yield loss of snake fruit during storage. The alternative of postharvest process to maintain the quality of snake fruit is hot water treatment. This study aims to obtain a combination of soaking time and temperature that can control fruit rot disease of Pondoh snake fruit. The treatment consisted of 45, 50 and 55°C for 5 and 10 minutes and control. The results showed that hot water treatment had a significant effect on the snake fruit. Temperature of 50°C for 5 minutes is more effective in preventing the appearance of disease symptoms up to 10th days of storage, compared to controls which started to show symptoms on the 2nd day. Isolation of fungal pathogen from diseased control were found 4 fungi, i.e Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Aspegillus flavus, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp., while T. paradoxa and A. flavus are still found on treated diseased samples with hot water treatment. Hot water treatment did not affect the water content and total fruit acid but impacted to the weight loss and was able to maintain the hardness value and the panelist's preference level based on organoleptic tests

This study was investigated the effect of fatty alcohol (FA) and 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) thinning treatments on the fruit set and fruit quality attributes of ‘Fuji/M.9’ apples. Trees were treated with FA (single, ×500 dilution), FA (double), 6-BA (×1,000 dilution), 6-BA (×500 dilution), FA (single) + 6-BA (×1,000 dilution), FA (double) + 6-BA (×500 dilution), and carbaryl. FA (80.5% a.i.) treatment was applied at 80% blossom of terminal flowers and 60–80% blossom of lateral flowers, and 6-BA (7.4% a.i.) and carbaryl treatments were applied at 8-mm size of central fruit. The total fruit set rate per cluster was observed 61.0% for terminal flowers and 37.3% for lateral flowers in the control but it was decreased to 35.2–50.6% for terminal flowers and 9.7–23.8% for lateral flowers in the thinning treatments, respectively. The rate of central fruit per terminal flower cluster was observed 92.6% in the control but it was 65.2–94.4% in FA and 6-BA treatments. However, the rate of non-fruit set per terminal flower cluster was observed 2.9% in the control but it was increased to 7.5–14.2% in the thinning treatments, and the rate of one fruit set per terminal flower cluster was 14.1% in the control but it was increased to 20.6–33.9% in the thinning treatments. In addition, the rate of non-fruit set per lateral flower cluster was observed 19.6% in the control but it was decreased to 32.2–69.0% in the thinning treatments. The fruit quality attributes were not different in all treatment groups at harvest, except fruit weight. Therefore, our results reveal that FA and 6-BA treatments have the significant effects in reducing the fruit rate in ‘Fuji’ apple.

Abstract The study was conducted to investigate the effect of CPPU(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl-phenylurea) and NAA (Naphthaleneacetic acid) on the pigments, total phenol, flavonoid and mineral (K+) content in wax apple fruit. CPPU concentrations were 10, 15 and 20ppm (Expt.1) and 6, 12, 18ppm NAA were applied coming after swabbing technique (Expt.2). In Expt.1, the lowest fruit weight, fruit size and chlorophyll content was observed in control treatment. However, the highest fruit weight, fruit size and chlorophyll (SPAD) content was found in 15ppm CPPU. The most effective concentration was 15ppm CPPU for the earlier fruit maturity (color development) compared to other concentrations. Moreover, flavonoid, fructose, inverted sugar, total phenol and K+ were higher in 15ppm CPPU than control, 10 and 20ppm CPPU. In addition, anthocyanin was found increasing trend while developing the fruit maturity represented by color development. In Expt.2, chlorophyll was higher in 15ppm CPPU than control, 6, 18ppm NAA. Furthermore, flavonoid, fructose, inverted sugar, total phenol and K+ content were higher in 12ppm NAA than control, 6 and 18ppm NAA. Besides, the maximum anthocyanin was found in 12ppm NAA. Finally it seemed that 15ppm CPPU and 12ppm NAA were the best concentration for fruit growth and biochemical contents development in wax apple.

Anthocyanins, total phenols, soluble sugar and fruit shape plays a significant role in determining the distinct fruit quality and customer preference. However, for the majority of fruit species, little is known about the transcriptomics and underlying regulatory networks that control the generation of overall quality during fruit growth and ripening. This study incorporated the quality-related transcriptome data from 6 ecological zones across 3 fruit development and maturity phases of Chardonnay cultivars. With the help of this dataset, we were able to build a complex regulatory network that may be used to identify important structural genes and transcription factors that control the anthocyanins, total phenols, soluble sugars and fruit shape in grapes. Overall, our findings set the groundwork to improve grape quality in addition to offering novel views on quality control during grape development and ripening.

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are a diverse group of volatile organic compounds that microorganisms may produce and release into the environment. These compounds have both positive and negative effects on plants, as they have been shown to be effective at mitigating stresses and functioning as immune stimulants. Furthermore, MVOCs modulate plant growth and systemic plant resistance, while also serving as attractants or repellents for insects and other stressors that pose threats to plants. Considering the economic value of strawberries as one of the most popular and consumed fruits worldwide, harnessing the benefits of MVOCs becomes particularly significant. MVOCs offer cost-effective and efficient solutions for disease control and pest management in horticultural production, as they can be utilized at low concentrations. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on microorganisms that contribute to the production of beneficial volatile organic compounds for enhancing disease resistance in fruit products, with a specific emphasis on broad horticultural production. The review also identifies research gaps and highlights the functions of MVOCs in horticulture, along with the different types of MVOCs that impact plant disease resistance in strawberry production. By offering a novel perspective on the application and utilization of volatile organic compounds in sustainable horticulture, this review presents an innovative approach to maximizing the efficiency of horticultural production through the use of natural products.