Ferhan K. Sabir

Effects of Different Storage Conditions on Rooting and Shooting Performance of Grapevine (Vitis Vinifera L.) Cuttings in Hydroponic Culture System

The shortfall in grapevine planting materials urged the researchers to enhance rapid propagation techniques with successfully storing the propagation materials such as rootstock and scion canes. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of different storage conditions (cold storage room at 1 °C plus 80-90% relative humidity and sand medium in open area) on rooting and shooting performance of cuttings of seven grapevine cultivars. For assessments, a hydroponic culture system was established in which the cuttings were rooted. Investigations on the cuttings prepared from the canes sampled at 6th, 7th and 8th months of the storage times showed that cold storage room significantly maintained the quality of canes with better callusing, rooting and shooting features. Storage at cold room can be recommended for long term storage, while dipping the canes in damp sand medium can be considered for a short time around a few months keeping of grapevine canes. Grapevine cultivars exhibited slight variation in response to both storage duration and storage conditions.

Postharvest Quality Extension of Minimally Processed Table Grapes by Chitosan Coating

ABSTRACT Demand for fresh grapes is increasing globally due to their rich composition in phenolic compounds, which have a strong antioxidant capacity. However, fresh table grapes deteriorate rapidly due to berry water loss and pathogen growth, which make it difficult to preserve without treatment. Chitosan coating, as a healthy, simple and innovative technology against to common SO2 fumigation, was tested at various concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) for the effectiveness on postharvest quality extension of detached grapes of ‘Alphonse Lavallée’ cultivar. Chitosan coating at all doses significantly retarded the loss in berry weight, extended the skin rupture force and total phenol content. Visual quality was higher due to coating the berries with chitosan. Chitosan at all concentrations was effective on delaying maturity index (used to express postharvest senescence) and changes in berry colour values such as L*, C and Hue angle. Among the applied doses, 1% chitosan solution can be recommended to apply since higher doses were more effective with similar results on overall quality features of berries. Overall findings demonstrated that chitosan as an edible coating with their unique barrier can be utilized as a natural preservative of detached grapes to extend the postharvest quality up to 28 days.