The peach industry faces serious economic losses because of the short “green” life of the fruit at postharvest. In the present study, we investigated the effects of putrescine (PUT) application on the quality characteristics, pattern of ripening, storage behaviour and shelf life of peach fruit during low-temperature storage. The aqueous solution of PUT (0, 1, 2 and 3 mM) was applied to the peach trees at three distinctive stages of fruit growth and development. The fruits, harvested at the commercial stage of maturity, were stored at 1 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 2% relative humidity for 6 weeks. The data for fruit firmness, total soluble solids (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AsA) content, rate of ethylene production, chilling injury (CI) index and colour perception were collected at harvest and then on a weekly basis throughout the storage period. The results showed that spray application of PUT significantly reduced the incidence of CI and reduced the rates of fruit softening, loss in fruit weight, SSC, TA, AsA content and fading of skin colour during storage, regardless of the doses of PUT applied, or the time of application. However, the positive effects on the quality characteristics of peach fruit, including CI, were more pronounced with the higher doses of PUT, specifically when applied at 2 mM. In conclusion, CI in peach fruit may be substantially alleviated by the spray application of 1–3 mM PUT during fruit growth without compromising the quality of the fruit for up to 6 weeks in low-temperature storage.

The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could allow growers to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and increase the sustainability of crop production. Wheat is the main staple food crop of Pakistan, and few studies have reported on the impact of PGPR on wheat crops. To determine if PGPR can maintain wheat productivity with reduced fertilizer applications, we isolated bacteria from the rhizosphere of wheat grown in sandy loam. We selected 10 strains based on in vitro assays for traits associated with PGPR: ACC deaminase activity, siderophore productivity, P-solubilization, and productivity of indole acetic acid (IAA). Furthermore, the strains were tested in three experiments (using a growth-chamber, pots with an experimental area of 0.05 m², and a field). Strains that possessed the four traits associated with PGPR increased the shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry weight of plants in the growth chamber study. Similarly, under the pot trial, maximum crop traits were observed under the consortium + half dose, while under field conditions maximum crop parameters were detected in the case of consortium 1 and consortium 2 along with half the recommended dose of fertilizer. This confirms that this consortium could provide growers with a sustainable approach to reduce synthetic fertilizer usage in wheat production.

Color development in ‘Feutrell’s early’ fruit was used to determine the time of harvest, when color changes from dark green to fully orange take place during season of peak maturity. Ten fruits from each replication were harvested on visual observation of their skin color, and were subsequently made ready for biochemical analysis of color determination by using Chromameter. Dark green color to light green fruits were ordered in (1–5) order whereas light orange to deep orange were given (6–10) numbering orders. Triplicate determinations of all samples were used for all the laboratory analysis. Fruit-peel chlorophylls were recorded as more in fruits having color dark green which on the other hand, had gradually decreased in orange colored fruits. The carotenoids, however, have showed the opposite trend. Titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were observed as lessened in green coloration fruits, while the pH, total soluble solids (TSS), total dissolved salts (TDS), and sugar values showed an increasing tendency in orange-colored fruits. Values of reducing sugars and antioxidants were noted as decreased in orange colored fruits while anthocyanins were increased in that produce. Nonetheless, phenolic contents, flavonoids and flavonols were not significantly affected in coloration. Dark green to light green fruits possessed more titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, antioxidant as well as phenolic contents, and were more useful from nutritional point of view. Light orange to deep orange colored fruits had more sweetness, palatability, and tastiness to appeal increased consumer’s acceptance.

Citrus fruits are prominent crop of tropical and sub-tropical region which require suitable climate for quality production. Kinnow mandarin is dominant cultivated in the plain of the Punjab, Pakistan. Being a perennial crop, citrus is more vulnerable to changing environmental conditions and both physical and biochemical quality parameters are deteriorated by erratic behavior of weather around the year. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of climate change on citrus industry of Pakistan and selected three main citrus groves of the Punjab province. The selected orchards were uniform in age, vigor and planting geometry by using factorial (RCBD) while survey design was performed to assess impact of climate change on Kinnow fruit industry. Climate change has triggered pest’s infestation, disease incidence and water use and ultimately increased inputs cost. Heat and drought stress and fog was more observed in Vehari and Toba Tek Singh (TTS) and more yield reduction and low quality was recorded in these districts than Sargodha. Processing cost increased and more export risk was seen with market fluctuation in climate change scenario. Increased in input cost, water requirement of plant, reduction in net return and uncertain market were observed. Climate change has directly affected citrus industry and scientific approach requires addressing these challenges.

In vitro cultures of loquat cultivar Mardan were established using shoot apices after treating with NaOCl (5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 14% (v/v)) for 12 min and HgCl₂ (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.25% (w/v)) for 2 min. A maximum survival rate of 70% was recorded after surface sterilization with 10% NaOCl. Caulogenic response was assessed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with assorted combinations of the cytokinins, benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin, and N6-(2-isopentyl)adenine (2iP). Treatment of BAP 1.5 mg/L combined with 2iP 9.0 mg/L and kinetin 1.5 mg/L was found to be optimum for shoot morphogenesis in terms of the number and subsequent growth of shoots, while the highest shoot length was yielded by the combination of BAP 0.5 mg/L, kinetin 0.5 mg/L, and 2iP 3 mg/L. Higher levels of cytokinins induced callogenesis, vitrification and stunted growth to some extent. For rhizogenesis, uniform sized micro-shoots were excised and transferred to half-strength MS medium containing auxins. The best rooting expression was observed with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 1 mg/L combined with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) 2 mg/L and paclobutrazol (PBZ) 1 mg/L.