Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jifeng Wan Author-Workplace-Name: College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: South Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Hainan Province for Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Tropical Horticultural Products, Zhanjiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Minghong Zou Author-Workplace-Name: South Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Hainan Province for Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Tropical Horticultural Products, Zhanjiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Ximei Song Author-Workplace-Name: South Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Hainan Province for Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Tropical Horticultural Products, Zhanjiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Qian Yang Author-Workplace-Name: South Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Hainan Province for Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Tropical Horticultural Products, Zhanjiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Hui Zeng Author-Workplace-Name: South Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Hainan Province for Postharvest Physiology and Technology of Tropical Horticultural Products, Zhanjiang, P.R. China Author-Name: Yang Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P.R. China Title: A comparison of seven macadamia cultivars for suitability to the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet in China Abstract: The suitability of macadamia trees for different climates has been shown to affect tree growth and fruit quality. In this study, the differences in tree survival rate after frost injury, tree growth, nut mass, kernel quality and yield of seven macadamia cultivars were evaluated for field production in the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet, and the suitability of macadamia cultivars was determined. The cultivars evaluated were 'Beaumont' ('HAES695'), 'HVA16' ('A16'), 'Hinde' ('H2'), 'Own Choice' ('O.C.'), 'SSCRI-1', 'SSCRI-2' and 'SSCRI-3'. Of these, 'Beaumont', 'A16', 'H2' and 'O.C.' were Australian cultivars and 'SSCRI-1', 'SSCRI-2' and 'SSCRI-3' were Chinese cultivars. The results showed that all seven cultivars grew well under the high altitude and high latitude climate conditions of southern Tibet without continuous frost. 'A16' and 'Beaumont' in addition to their reasonable yield, nut mass and kernel quality, had the higher tree survival rate after frost injury. 'A16' and 'Beaumont' were well adapted to the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet, followed by 'O.C.', 'SSCRI-1' and 'SSCRI-2', but 'SSCRI-3' and 'H2' were unsuitable. These results indicated that it is possible to produce macadamia in the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet by planting excellent frost-resistant cultivars, with promising yields and a commercial standard of nut quality. Keywords: Macadamia sp., kernel quality, nut mass, tree growth, tree survival rate, yield Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 93-99 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/166/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/166/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:166-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Adrián José Enríquez-Valencia Author-Workplace-Name: Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, México Author-Name: Martín Mata-Rosas Author-Workplace-Name: 2Red de Manejo Biotecnológico de Recursos, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, México Author-Name: Claudia-Anahí Pérez-Torres Author-Workplace-Name: 3Investigador por México-Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (SECIHTI), Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, México Author-Name: Enrique Ibarra-Laclette Author-Workplace-Name: Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados (REMAv), Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz, México Title: Somatic embryogenesis and in vitro plant regeneration of Manzano (AAB) and Pelipita (ABB) banana cultivars Abstract: There is significant interest in the propagation of bananas due to their substantial global economic importance, which is why this study aimed to develop an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation through somatic embryogenesis (SE) of the 'Manzano' and 'Pelipita' cultivars. Immature male flower bud explants were used for embryogenic callus induction. The 'Manzano' cultivar showed a higher percentage of embryogenic callus induction than 'Pelipita'. Stereomicroscopic observations revealed that the embryogenic callus was asynchronous, as various stages of somatic embryos were noted. White translucent pro-embryogenic callus was efficiently utilized to establish embryogenic cell suspension. The development of different stages in the regeneration process of embryogenic cell suspension was also recorded. Embryos in the late coleoptilar stage, characterized by an opaque white morphology, were selected and transferred to an appropriate medium to evaluate the germination percentage. We found that the germination rate was highly efficient for both cultivars, exceeding 90% when using these embryos in the selected stage. Additionally, we observed that embryos that were 90 days old showed a 10-12% increase in germination compared to those that were 60 days old, confirming the importance of embryo maturation duration and the selection of embryogenic aggregates through the sieving of suspended cells to optimize regeneration efficiency. Keywords: asexual propagation, bananas and plantains, cell suspension cultures, plant micropropagation Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 100-109 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/35/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/35/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:35-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sila Barut Gök Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Food Technology, Çorlu Vocational School, Tekirdağ Namik Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Author-Name: Funda Özdüven Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant and Animal Production, Vocational College of Technical Sciences, Tekirdağ Namik Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Author-Name: Funda Eryilmaz Açikgöz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant and Animal Production, Vocational College of Technical Sciences, Tekirdağ Namik Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Author-Name: Çetin Yağcilar Author-Workplace-Name: Departmant of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Tekirdağ Namik Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Title: Effect of the application of phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis) as fertiliser on bioactive compounds in microgreens Abstract: Bio-fertilisation has gained popularity due to its sustainability in agricultural practice. One of the cyanobacterial-based bio-fertilisers is Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis), which contains phycocyanin, a blue protein pigment that is abundant in Spirulina sp., that boosts the growth yield and bioactive content of plants. The aim of the current study is to determine the alteration in antioxidant and phenolic content in red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) by treating different organs of the plant with phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis. The phycocyanin application did not significantly affect the phenolic content of the cotyledon leaves. However, soaking with phycocyanin solution significantly affected the phenolic content of seeds. Regarding the antioxidant capacity of the microgreens, no significant effect was detected on the antioxidant activity of the seeds among the phycocyanin concentrations. The phycocyanin application significantly increased antioxidant activity compared to control soaked in deionised water. The results clearly demonstrate that phycocyanin application to seed and cotyledon leaves affected the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of the microgreens. Although there are several studies about the effects of phycocyanin on growth parameters, this study has different perspectives in terms of the method of phycocyanin application and evaluation of the bioactive compounds in microgreens. Keywords: microalgae, bio-fertiliser, microgreen, phenolic content, antioxidant activity Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 119-128 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/113/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/113/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:113-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Aidil Azhar Author-Workplace-Name: Vocational College, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia Author-Name: Lili Dahliani Author-Workplace-Name: Vocational College, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia Author-Name: Iis Purnamawati Author-Workplace-Name: Vocational College, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia Author-Name: Wanda Russianzi Author-Workplace-Name: Vocational College, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia Author-Name: Merry Gloria Meliala Author-Workplace-Name: Vocational College, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia Author-Name: Fatimah Nur Istiqomah Author-Workplace-Name: PT Anugerah Sarana Hayati, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Workplace-Name: PT Intidaya Agrolestari (INAGRO), West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Andi Nur Cahyo Author-Workplace-Name: Indonesian Rubber Research Institute, South Sumatera, Indonesia Author-Name: Hiroshi Ehara Author-Workplace-Name: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan Author-Workplace-Name: International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan Title: Investigation on morphological, photosynthetic traits, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) roots infection in sago palm (Metroxylon sagu rottb.) under saline condition Abstract: This study investigated the response of sago palms to saline conditions, focusing on their morphological and photosynthetic performance. The photosynthetic traits were evaluated using OJIP chlorophyll fluorescence transient. The plants were exposed to a saline condition of 224 mM NaCl, and their ability to form associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was also assessed. We tested both commercial AMF products, containing spores from multiple genera, and isolated AMF spores from Glomus etunicatum and Glomus grape, to determine their ability to infect sago palm roots under high salt conditions. The results showed that sago palms can maintain efficient photosynthesis even at high salt levels. This is likely due to their ability to prevent excessive salt uptake in shoots and water loss from roots by forming lignin deposits in cell tissues. Furthermore, the study found that sago palm roots can form associations with AMF under saline conditions. These findings indicate that sago palms exhibit tolerance to saline environments, making them a promising crop option for areas with low soil quality where other carbohydrate-producing crops cannot tolerate the conditions. Keywords: chlorophyll a fluorescence, lignin, saline condition Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 110-118 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/26/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/26/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:26-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Soran Aziz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq Author-Name: Fuad Othman Abdullah Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq Author-Name: Ayman Al-Qaanehd Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq Author-Name: Matteo Micuccie Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Allied Health Sciences, Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU), Al-Salt, Jordan Title: Biomass production of lettuce: Nitrogen fertiliser and harvesting period effects on phytochemical composition in growth chamber-grown Abstract: Concern over the potential health benefits of the phytochemical compounds in lettuce has grown as intake of leafy vegetables, especially lettuce, has increased. This study was to investigate the effect of periods harvesting and the different dose of nitrogen fertilisation, including low, normal and high (100, 200 and 300 mg/L) respectively, on level of phytochemical compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids and chlorophylls in lettuce. The experiment was conducted in the growth chamber at Newcastle University. The plants were randomly designed for 3 treatments with 15 replications. Plants were harvested in three different periods. The first harvest took place after 6 weeks from planting, and the second and third harvests were done after 7 and 8 weeks from planting, respectively. After each harvest, the chlorophyll content and total carotenoids and other phytochemicals were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before and after drying the plants. The plant biomass was higher at normal nitrogen application (200 mg/L) in all periods of harvesting. As well as, significantly increased plant phytochemicals including carotenoids and chlorophylls, while, the composition of phenolic acids and flavonols were not affected such as, higher level of nitrogen fertiliser to the soil has resulted in a higher concentration of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in the lettuce by 154.2~420.3%, 72.1~287.9% respectively. As well as, that lutein was increased from 209 µg/g dry weight at the first period of harvest to 287 µg/g dry weight at the second period of harvest. Furthermore, the total phenolic increased by 25%. The findings of the current study showed that plant maturity has a positive correlation with plant phytochemicals. Keywords: Nitrogen, Lactuca sativa L., carotenoids, chlorophyll, phenolic acids Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 129-137 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/173/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/173/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:173-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Edgar Javier Morales Morales Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Research and Advanced Studies in Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, México Author-Name: Edgar Jesus Morales Rosales Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Research and Advanced Studies in Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, México Author-Name: Jose Antonio Lopez Sandoval Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Research and Advanced Studies in Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, México Author-Name: Gabriela Berenice Vilchis Granados Author-Workplace-Name: 2Institute of Agricultural and Rural Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, México Title: Eco-physiological attributes of Physalis philadelphica, Physalis angulata and Physalis pubescens in the Valley of Mexico Abstract: The processes and mechanisms that determine the growth and yield of crops in different environments are necessary to increase agricultural production, since they guide us in the choice of the most appropriate management practices. The aim of the study was to evaluate, during the years 2018, 2019, 2020, the performance of Physalis philadelphica, Physalis angulata and Physalis pubescens as a function of leaf area index, light extinction coefficient and radiation use efficiency. Research was carried out at the Center of Research and Advanced Studies of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico. Results revealed that the environmental conditions of 2018 positively influenced the expression of leaf area index and radiation use efficiency, increasing the average production of Physalis sp. (10.65 t/ha) compared to 2019 (9.67 t/ha) and 2020 (8.13 t/ha). P. philadelphica produced the greatest amount of fruit (16.69 t/ha), followed by P. angulata (10.46 t/ha) and P. pubescens (1.33 t/ha). Genotype × environment interaction in 2018 stimulated the expression of the eco-physiological attributes of P. philadelphica, achieving a yield of 18.83 t/ha. Keywords: husk tomato, leaf area index, light extinction coefficient, intercepted radiation Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 138-147 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/209/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/209/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:209-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bikash Chandra Sarker Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh Author-Name: Shams Shaila Islam Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh Author-Name: Kanij Farhana Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh Author-Name: M.A. Hakim Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh Author-Name: Thanet Khomphet Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural Technology and Food Industry, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand Title: Investigating the role of 6-BAP and 2,4-DPA in enhancing biochemical nutrients and reducing fruit drop and cracking of litchi cv. Bombai Abstract: Litchi fruit dropping is a major issue that leads to low yields while degrading biochemical nutrient qualities by fruit cracking and reduced income for litchi growers in Bangladesh. To address this, an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of biochemical nutrients and the ability to reduce fruit cracking and dropping in the litchi cv. 'Bombai' under various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-DPA). The study followed a two-factor factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design, using four levels for each growth regulator: control, 20, 30, and 40 ppm 2,4-DPA, and similarly for 6-BAP. Various parameters were measured, including the number of flowers, fruit retention, fruit cracking, moisture content, ash content, acidity, fruit growth, and fruit quality, as well as yield per tree. The results demonstrated that both plant growth regulators, 2,4-DPA and 6-BAP, significantly reduced fruit dropping and cracking while improving the overall quality and nutrient content of the fruits. The retention of fruits was higher with 6-BAP compared to 2,4-DPA. The highest fruit weight, length, diameter, pulp-to-seed ratio, and pulp-to-peel ratio were achieved with the 20 ppm treatments of both 2,4-DPA and 6-BAP. Additionally, biochemical fruit quality indicators, including vitamin C, vitamin A, total phenol content, and key mineral nutrients, were significantly enhanced by both growth regulators. Based on the findings, it is recommended that either 20 ppm of 2,4-DPA or 20 ppm of 6-BAP be applied three times at the pea-size, marble-size, and pre-harvest stages after fruit set to enhance fruit quality by reducing fruit crack and reducing fruit drop resulted in higher yield in litchi. Keywords: food nutrients, fruit cracking, fruit retention, litchi, yield enhancement Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 148-159 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/47/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/47/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:47-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Qingqing Liu Author-Workplace-Name: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Nanchang, P.R. China Author-Name: Zhijun Huang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Nanchang, P.R. China Author-Name: Xiaolong Tian Author-Workplace-Name: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Nanchang, P.R. China Author-Name: Zhangwei Tan Author-Workplace-Name: School of Soil and Water Conservation, Jiangxi University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Nanchang, P.R. China Title: Seasonal changes in Elaeocarpus sylvestris leaf colour and physiology Abstract: Leaves of Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. were sampled on five dates between autumn and winter and analysed to identify the factors causing progressive changes in leaf colour and physiological characteristics. Colour parameters L*, a*, C*, and s* increased significantly, particularly s*, which changed from 8 518.79 to 13 044.77 (53.13%) over the sampling period. Changes in leaf colour parameters indicated that E. sylvestris leaves became reddish, and colour brightness and purity increased. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased significantly, with mean values on December 30 being only 15.2% and 56%, respectively, of those recorded on October 30. Conversely, anthocyanin content increased 3.15-fold, and changes in pigment content ratio were the major factors explaining leaf reddening over the experimental period. Pigment content interacted with fluorescence and photosynthetic characteristics during leaf reddening. The decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents weakened leaf fluorescence while decreasing light energy use efficiency and net photosynthetic rate. The allocation of light energy to regulatory processes (e.g., photochemical reactions) and heat dissipation pathways decreased, resulting in excess excitation energy that led to photodamage in photosystem II. These findings provide a scientific basis for gardening applications of E. sylvestris and novel theoretical insights into the mechanisms of leaf colouration in colourful ornamental plants. Keywords: plant leaf colouration, colour parameters, photosynthetic physiology, leaf pigments, photochemical reactions, photodamage Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 160-168 Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/18/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/18/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202602-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:2:id:18-2025-HORTSCI