Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ganesan Karunakaran Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Gopavaram Pavithra Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Fruit Science, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Andhra Pradesh, India Author-Name: Vangala Sivaramakrishna Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Fruit Science, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Andhra Pradesh, India Author-Name: Thandavarajan Sakthivel Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Manivannan Arivalagan Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Basic Sciences, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Duraisamy Kalaivanan Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Anbazhagan Thirugnanavel Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR, Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India Author-Name: Thimmarayappa Ruchitha Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Fruit Science, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India Author-Name: Kumarswamy Abhilash Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Fruit Science, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India Title: Determination of LD50 and GR50 for gamma irradiation in dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.): Comparative study of red and white cultivars Abstract: Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), an exotic vine cactus valued for its vitamin C and antioxidant content, shows limited genetic improvement through conventional breeding, making mutation breeding a promising alternative. The present study assessed the radiosensitivity of two cultivars ('Red' and 'White') using cobalt-60 gamma irradiation at 100-1 000 Gy. Seeds were pre-soaked, irradiated, and evaluated for germination, survival, and growth parameters. Linear regression analysis revealed lethal dose (LD50) values of 674.28 Gy ('Red') and 731.06 Gy ('White'), while growth reduction (GR50) values for seedling height, shoot length, and root length ranged from 653.76-738.22 Gy in 'Red' and 616.08-855.08 Gy in 'White' cultivars. Increasing radiation doses had a significant negative effect on seedling growth and survival. This is the first report on dragon fruit radiosensitivity in India, providing a baseline for mutation breeding. The findings have broad implications for developing cultivars with novel traits, improved resilience, enhanced nutrition, and greater market potential. Keywords: genetic improvement, radiation sensitivity, mutation, lethal dose, growth reduction Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 249-258 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/108/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/108/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:108-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wagdi Saber Soliman Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt Author-Name: Khaled Saad-Eldeen Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt Author-Name: Ahmed M. Abbas Author-Workplace-Name: Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Mohammed O. lshaharni Author-Workplace-Name: Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Abd-Allah Gahory Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt Title: Comparative evaluation of IBA and NAA effects on rhizogenesis and shoot morphogenesis in rose stem cuttings Abstract: This study was conducted at the Floriculture Nursery, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt, during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 growing seasons. The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of two plant growth regulators (PGRs), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), on the root and shoot development of rose, a species known for its poor rooting ability. A split-plot arrangement within a randomised complete block design was used, with PGR type assigned to the main plots and concentrations (control, 500, 1 000, 1 500, and 2 000 ppm) allocated to the sub-plots. Both IBA and NAA significantly improved plant height, root length, and potassium content. The application of 500 ppm IBA and 1 000 ppm of NAA produced the greatest increases in rooting percentage, number of leaves and branches, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, and phosphorus content. Higher concentrations (1 500 and 2 000 ppm) reduced the time required for leaf sprouting and increased stem diameter as well as nitrogen content. Overall, concentrations between 500 and 1 500 ppm enhanced both shoot and root growth. However, soaking stem cuttings in a 2 000 ppm IBA solution for 30 minutes was the most effective for promoting root formation and improving overall plant growth. Keywords: indole-3-butyric acid, naphthalene acetic acid, vegetative propagation, growth characters, rooting, shooting Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 204-212 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/192/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/192/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:192-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lukáš Maryška Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding, Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Author-Name: Lubor Zelený Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding, Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Title: Plums: Their potential in cultivation, breeding, and use Abstract: Plums are one of the most important and most overlooked fruits. Their nutritional value, composition, antioxidant potential, and vitamin content place them at the forefront of the food industry. Their potential is so great that plums are one of the fruits being considered for space travel. Prunes are not just a hot topic for astronauts. The possibility of growing plums in a cultivation box at reduced or zero gravity has also been studied. The sharka virus (Plum pox virus) is responsible for the major economic losses worldwide. Efforts are being made to develop the most effective way to control the spread of the virus between trees, as there is still no reliable treatment against this disease. The main vectors of transmission in the orchards are aphids and grafting of infected material. Consistent control and testing of the health of propagating material can reduce the percentage of infection by plant material. Therefore, major efforts have been made to develop effective aphid control strategies to in both conventional and organic production systems. Hand in hand with the development of chemical treatments goes the breeding of new plum varieties that combine natural resistance or tolerance to sharka and the required high value of the fruit for the consumer. The trees themselves have not been able to develop a natural immunity to the disease, but a variety with the sharka coat protein encoded has been developed through genetic modification. This variety has shown a high level of resistance. At present, the use, development, and cultivation of GMO plants is under very strict control, and large-scale production is not possible, but in the future, these mutants are likely to be very interesting breeding material. Keywords: genetic resources, Prunus domestica L., Plum pox virus, SSR markers Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 169-181 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/213/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/213/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:213-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zehaira Bouziane Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Jijel, Jijel, Algeria Author-Name: Hind Sebti Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Jijel, Jijel, Algeria Title: Identification of essential oils of Mentha rotundifolia from north-east Jijel region and their antifungal potential against Botrytis cinerea Abstract: The objective of the present research is to determine the main essential oils of Mentha rotundifolia and to clarify the antifungal effect of these oils against Botrytis cinerea isolated from strawberries. The essential oils were obtained from hydrodistillation of fresh leaves, and the composition was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results show that the essential oils yield is in the order of 1.37%, and the main components were identified as pulegone 39.21%, ß-cubebene 11.72%, caryophyllene 9.18%, D-limonene 4.7%, ß-ocimene 2.39%, myrcene 2.21%, myrtenol 2.1%, ß-farnesene 2.03%, respectively. The essential oils of M. rotundifolia have been shown to be effective against B. cinerea in terms of antifungal activity, recording significant statistical results (P < 0.0001). M. rotundifolia essential oils have an inhibitory effect on mycelian growth, as evidenced by the reduction or inhibition of mycelian growth with increased oil concentrations of (60%) and (100%), with inhibition rates ranging from 60.83% to 48.07%, respectively. The activities of the essential oils indicated that B. cinerea was a sensitive strain tested to the oils of M. rotundifolia. According to the findings, the plant under consideration is promising as a source of natural fungicides and lends itself well to research in the field of fungi control using biological alternatives. Keywords: pulegone, hydrodistilation, chromatography, aromatogram, fungi Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 213-226 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/33/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/33/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:33-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shengrong Xu Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research for Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Lili Pei Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Honghong Zhou Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Yijin Hu Author-Workplace-Name: School of Pharmacy, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Li Tong Author-Workplace-Name: Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research for Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Name: Ruili Ma Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research for Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, P.R. China Title: Effects of nitrogen on the hydraulic characteristics and biomass allocation in Notopterygium franchetii in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Abstract: Nitrogen fertiliser changes the soil environment, regulates the water balance of plants, and directly affects nitrogen and water use efficiency. In order to identify the adaptation mechanism and water regulation strategy of Notopterygium franchetii to the soil nitrogen environment, this study was conducted. Two-year-old Notopterygium franchetii plants grown in farmland were used as the test material. The hydraulic characteristics, natural dehydration, water capacitance and biomass allocation were investigated at three nitrogen application levels (0, 40, 80 kg/ha) and four growth periods (seedling, jointing, flowering and harvesting period). Nitrogen content in roots, stems and leaves increased with different levels of nitrogen treatments at each growth stage, and the change of nitrogen content in stems was the most significant. The overall water capacitance of all tissues was root > stem > leaf. After medium nitrogen treatment and high nitrogen treatments, the average water capacitance of leaves was 122.00% and 129.26% of low nitrogen treatment, and the average water capacitance of stems was 125.78% and 134.59% of low nitrogen treatment, the average water capacitance of leaves was 112.28% and 116.37% of low nitrogen treatment. Nitrogen treatment can improve the water use efficiency of plant roots, stems and leaves, and the relative content of stable carbon isotope (δ13C) in the whole growing season increased by 0.77%, 1.96% and 5.27% of the control group after medium nitrogen treatment, and 1.60%, 2.18% and 1.61% of the control group after high nitrogen treatment. The ratio of root to canopy decreased significantly in each growth stage after nitrogen treatment, and the change was most significant at seedling period (from 1.25 to 0.66), and the change was the most least at jointing period (from 0.77 to 0.63). Our study thus indicates that nitrogen addition could regulate water balance in plants, which is beneficial to water storage and utilisation, but excessive nitrogen fertiliser supply will also affect the distribution of plant biomass. Keywords: water capacitance, natural dehydration, stable carbon isotope, biomass distribution Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 193-203 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/53/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/53/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:53-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chun Liu Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Anhui Province Watermelon and Melon Biological Breeding Engineering Research Center,Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pollutant Sensitive Materials and Environmental Remediation, Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: State Key Laboratory of High-Effciency Production of Wheat-maize Double Cropping,Zhengzhou, HeNan, P.R. China Author-Name: Lingyue Wang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Author-Name: Jinjin Li Author-Workplace-Name: Library, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Author-Name: Yupeng Fang Author-Workplace-Name: School of Life Science, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Anhui Province Watermelon and Melon Biological Breeding Engineering Research Center,Huaibei, Anhui, P.R. China Title: The effect of exogenous salicylic acid on the germination and seedling growth of sweet melon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds under NaCl stress Abstract: The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) on seed germination and seedling growth physiology of sweet melon under NaCl stress. Under salt stress, low concentrations of 0.25-0.5 mmol/L SA treatment can effectively alleviate plant salt damage and promote the germination rate of sweet melon seeds. Simultaneously, high concentrations of SA had a significant inhibitory effect on the root length, root fresh weight, and root : shoot ratio of sweet melon, but using medium concentrations (1.0 mmol/L) of SA can increase the root length and root : shoot ratio of seedlings. In addition, low concentration SA treatment can reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of plants and increase the activity of peroxidase (POD). High concentrations will reduce POD activity and increase MDA content. Adding exogenous salicylic acid at different concentrations without NaCl stress can, to some extent, inhibit seedling growth, reduce plant root length, root fresh weight and other growth indicators, but can reduce MDA content, increase POD activity, and enhance plant defence ability against the outside world. Under NaCl stress, treatment with 0.25 mmol/L SA can reduce MDA content, increase POD activity, enhance plant salt resistance, and improve seed germination rate. Treatment with 1.0 mmol/L SA promoted seedling root elongation and increased root : shoot ratio. In the absence of NaCl stress, treated plants with different concentrations of SA can inhibit seedling growth to some extent. Keywords: melon, SA, seed treatment, salt stress, seed germination, seedling development, growth and physiology Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 235-248 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/78/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/78/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:78-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Murugan Loganathan Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Raman Thangavelu Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Kalimuthu Muthubharathi Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Subramanian Bagavathi Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Karur Nallappagounder Shiva Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Govindasamy Prabhu Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Banerjee Kaushik Author-Workplace-Name: National Referral Laboratory, ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, P.O. Manjari Farm, Pune, India Author-Name: Hingmire Sandip Author-Workplace-Name: National Referral Laboratory, ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, P.O. Manjari Farm, Pune, India Author-Name: Arumugam Mohanasundram Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Author-Name: Ramasamy Selvarajan Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, India Title: Effect of pre-harvest chemical treatments on post-harvest disease control and quality enhancement in banana fruits Abstract: Bananas, as climacteric fruits, are highly prone to rapid deterioration caused by fungal pathogens, resulting in considerable post-harvest losses. These pathogens typically infect the fruit during field growth, resulting in latent infections that develop into disease after harvest. Generally, several rounds of fungicides such as Carbendazim, Mancozeb + Carbendazim, Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole, and Propiconazole are applied to manage fungal diseases like Fusarium wilt and leaf spot in the field. This study assessed the effectiveness of these chemicals on post-harvest diseases, fruit quality and residual toxicity. All four fungicides recorded 80-100% control against major pathogens responsible for anthracnose (Colletotrichum musae) and crown rot (Lasiodiplodia theobromae and C. musae), at concentrations of 0.05-0.2%. Field application of the chemicals completely controlled anthracnose and significantly reduced crown rot severity. The treatments also improved fruit size (32.10-35.62 mm), yield (18.83-20.06 kg/plant), firmness (13.66-15.67 N), and shelf life (up to 8.25 days at room temperature and 21-23 days at 13.5 ± 0.2 °C) than 28.24 mm,13.5 kg/plant, 11.37 N and (4.5 days and 14 days) in control, respectively. No pesticide residues were detected in the fruit or core stem, ensuring consumer safety. Keywords: bananas, anthracnose, crown rot, fungicides, insecticides, residue, shelf life Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 182-192 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/100/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/100/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:100-2025-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ilknur Korkutal Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Department, Agricultural Faculty, University of Tekirdağ Namik Kemal, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Author-Name: Elman Bahar Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Department, Agricultural Faculty, University of Tekirdağ Namik Kemal, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Author-Name: Gamze Uysal Seckin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Food Technologies, Tekirdağ Viticulture Research Institute, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Tekirdağ, Türkiye Author-Name: Derya Akinci Author-Workplace-Name: Bozcaada District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Çanakkale Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Çanakkale, Türkiye Title: Impact of thinning level and timing on yield, maturity, and quality of Merlot grapevines under the Big T trellis system Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of cluster thinning on yield and quality of 12-year-old Merlot/41B grapevines over the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 growing seasons. Six phenological stages-before flowering, setting, bunch closure, veraison, half maturity, and before maturity-and three thinning levels (0%, 25%, and 50%) were assessed. Key parameters included total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), pH, sugar accumulation, maturity indices (TSS/TA, pH2 × °Brix), secondary metabolites (total anthocyanins, total tannins, total phenolic content, total polyphenol index), and yield. Cluster thinning significantly enhanced most quality traits, with veraison emerging as the optimal stage for improving phytochemical composition. The highest TSS was observed at setting, while maximum total anthocyanins, tannins, total polyphenol index (TPI), and maturity indices occurred at veraison under 50% thinning. Sugar accumulation was optimised at 25% thinning. Yield decreased proportionally with thinning intensity, with Control vines producing the highest yield and 50% thinning the lowest. Overall, 25% cluster thinning at veraison achieved a balance between improved grape quality and commercial yield, providing a practical management strategy for Merlot production. Keywords: Merlot, cluster thinning, phenological stages, grape quality, yield, secondary metabolites Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 227-234 Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/109/2025-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/109/2025-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202603-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:53:y:2026:i:3:id:109-2025-HORTSCI