Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Fungi in Kiwifruit during the Storage Period

[Objectives]The paper was to identify the pathogenic species of postharvest diseases of kiwifruit.[Methods]The pathogenic fungi were isolated from diseased kiwifruits during the storage period,and cultured to observe their culture traits and morphological characteristics.Molecular biological identification and pathogenicity test were carried out to confirm the main pathogens.[Results]There were 7 species of pathogenic fungi causing kiwifruit diseases during the storage period,including Alternaria spp.,Botryosphaeria dothidea,Phomopsis/Diaporthe spp.,Pestalotiopsis sp.,Pseudocercospora sp.,Colletotrichum sp.,and Botrytis cinerea.[Conclusions]The research will provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of postharvest diseases of kiwifruit.

Effect of Different Storage Periods on Egg Quality Traits of Ducks

The present study was conducted in each 20 eggs stored at 65 °F with 75% relative humidity, for a period of 5 weeks （T-I） 4 weeks （T-2）, 3 weeks （T-3）, 2 weeks （T-4） and 1 week （T-5） with broad end up. The external qualities of eggs like egg weight, length, width and volume were measured. After recording the external qualities the eggs were broken on a glass plate for studying the internal qualities. Storage period had no statistically significant effect on egg weight （g）, egg volume （%）, shell thickness （mm）, shell weight （g） and shell percentage. Egg weight values determined in this present study was between 61.10 and 64.91 g. The egg volume （%）, egg shell thickness （mm）, shell weight （g） and shell percentage for different storage periods were 87.46 and 98.52, 0.28 and 0.34 5.29 and 5.98; and 8.16 and 9.44 respectively. Yolk weight （g）, yolk percentage and albumen percentage was significantly affected （P 〈 0.01） by storage period and the values ranging between 32.20 and 36.40, 48.59 and 58.53 and 32.01 and 43.24 respectively. Storage period had no statistically significant effects on egg shape index and specific gravity. The storage periods on yolk index, yolk colour, albumen index and Haugh unit were statistically significant （P 〈 0.01）. Yolk index value decreased significantly when storage period was lengthened. This study concluded that yolk index, yolk colour, albumen index, albumen percentage and Haugh unit were decreased with increase in storage time.

Effects of Cashew Seeds Storage Duration on Germination and Performance of Seedlings in Tanzania

A field trial was set in 2018/2019 season to investigate the capacity of cashew seeds to germinate and its vegetative performance with respect to the storage period at Agricultural Research Institute-(TARI-Naliendele), Mtwara-Tanzania. The variable investigated was the duration of the cashew seeds storage period. Cashew seeds were harvested at polyclonal seed gardens (PSG) for three harvesting seasons 2016, 2017 and 2018 consecutively;seeds were sorted, weighed and soaked before sowing to test viability in respective to storage time. Using a randomized complete block design obeying factorial approach the experiment was laid with three replications. The observed growth parameters were height (cm), number of leaves, leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), leaf area (sq cm), leaf area index (LAI), canopy diameter (cm) and seedlings canopy ground area (sq cm). The analysis was done by using GenStat under Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) on seed germination. The findings indicated that cashew seeds harvested in 2018 were the superior in both germination and growth vigor differing significantly (p < 0.05) from other seeds harvested in the previous years. Cashew seeds harvested in 2017 were weak and those harvested in 2016 were the worse such that no seeds were able even to germinate. Thus, it is recommendable to sow cashew seeds harvested at the current season for sowing than those stored for more than a year.

Influence of the Storage Duration at Different Temperatures on the Concentrations of Extractable Inorganic Soil Nutrients

The influence of the short storage periods at different temperatures on the concentrations of extractable soil cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) and anions (Cl-, SO4- and PO4- ) has been investigated in nine soil samples from Nile river terraces at River Nile State, North of Sudan (17.82289 to 17.82389N and 33.99974 to 34.02127E). Each soil extract is divided into three treatments: i) control (immediately analyzed);ii) storage for 10 days and;iii) storage for 30 days. Each treatment is replicated three times: i) storage at 10°C;ii) storage at ambient laboratory temperature (25°C) and;iii) storage at 45°C in incubator. Statistical analysis of results reveals that significant difference are found at level (P - and PO4- (0.043, 0.002, 0.001, 0.021, 0.004 and 0.001) respectively at 25°C and 45°C and storage periods of 10 and 30 days. In contrast, significant difference is also found at level (P - concentrations are significantly decreased when the storage period exceeds 10 days and temperature more than 25°C. Depending upon our study results;we conclude that, all extractable inorganic nutrients are clearly affected by storage periods at various temperatures, exception of Na+. Most cations and anions are increased significantly with increased of storage period and temperatures. We therefore highly recommend that the extractable inorganic soil nutrients should be rapidly analyzed in order to obtain accurate results;otherwise, the time between extraction and analysis should be carefully recorded which may help considerably interpreting data from various studies.