Ziziphus oenopolia (L.) Mill. is a wild nutraceutical plant, belonging to Rhamnaceae family. It is an important shrub which is mostly found in warm tropical Asia and northern Australia. Since time immemorial this plant is best known for its ayurvedic properties. Furthermore, it is recognised for its therapeutic efficiency in curing different diseases all over the globe. Ziziphus oenopolia produces cyclopeptide alkaloids called ziziphines and has major role in biomedical applications. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihepatotoxicity, antiulcer, wound healing, anti- plasmodial and anticancer activity. The objective of this study was to characterise the physico-chemical and nutritional properties of wild jujube (Z. oenopolia) fruits grown in different locations and in various storage conditions. Fruits were collected from multiple locations and analysed for physico-chemical parameters (fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), sugar content, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds) and nutritional composition at full-ripe stage under different storage treatments. Soil nutrient levels and leaf chlorophyll content were also measured to assess their influence on fruit composition. The results showed that TSS and sugar content increased with storage, while ascorbic acid decreased. Fruit weight and quality varied with location and storage conditions and soil nutrients and leaf chlorophyll affected fruit composition. In conclusion, these fruits are a rich source of minerals and antioxidants with good shelf life, making them a promising candidate for food and medicinal use also their physico-chemical properties are influenced by location and storage conditions. Further research on domestication and optimal storage is recommended for improving fruit quality and utilisation.
D. Nikitasha, M. Gopa, M. Sipra et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Sugar beet is a major sugar crop, it is a moderate drought tolerant plant however, high dehydration levels or prolonged drought exposure durations can affect its growth and physiology. Two seasons of study were conducted in a split plot design during winter-summer under Odisha conditions, to evaluate the effect of foliar supplements (nano silicon 1 mM, humic acid 300 ppm, jasmonic acid 5 µM, salicylic acid 100 ppm, boric acid 1000 ppm, kaolin 5 % and chitosan 200 ppm) in tropical sugar beet LS-6 variety, growing under 3 irrigation intervals as 3 days (Normal watering -NW), 7 days (S1) and 14 days (S2) of water withholding on its physio-biochemical changes and the root Brix. The effect of water deficit stress on physiological processes was observed with the decline of relative water content (RWC %) and the membrane stability index (MSI %) up to 25.33 % and 23.38 % respectively, after 4 cycles of severe stress (S2). In response to water scarcity, leaf chlorophyll and protein content decreased, while proline, sugars and ascorbic acid content in the leaves increased. Similarly, root Brix increased with the severity of stress. The application of various foliar treatments regulated the physiological processes by stabilising the water balance in the stressed leaves and strengthening the cell membrane. Moreover, these treatments protected the chlorophyll and protein content by inhibiting their destruction under stress condition and boosted the accumulation of proline, total soluble carbohydrate and ascorbic acid amount in the leaves. Humic acid was recorded as the most effective foliar treatment in case of chlorophyll retention. Nano silicon proved as efficient protective supplement for membrane stability and water content. Salicylic acid also induced more accumulation of ascorbic acid in the leaves with an increment of 41.79 % under S2 after 4th spray. In contrast, boron was the most effective treatment to maintain root Brix with 10.52 % increment against stress control when subjected to severe stress (S2) of 2 months.
N. Lama, J. Nandita· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
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