Songklanakarin Journal of Plant Science

Postharvest Management by Drying Method and Storage Period for Controlling the Contamination of Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin B1 in Peanuts

2023-08-24T17:19:41+07:00

Peanuts are often found as contaminants Aspergillus fungi and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which cause liver cancer. Thus, this study aimed to determine the appropriate method for drying peanut to minimize the contamination of A. flavus and AFB1 in peanut. Three treatments were tested viz. 1) Pods (immediately striped from the peg) were sorted for quality before being dried on clean pallet for 7 days, 2) Bundles of peanut stem was turned up (pods on top) and dried at field for 1 day. Then, pods were removed from the peg and dried on cement ground for 6 days, and 3) Pods were dried on cement ground for 7 days. The moisture contents were below 9%, whilst contamination of A. flavus and AFB1 from all three methods were not significantly different. AFB1 were less than maximum level of aflatoxin (20 µg/kg). After that, dry peanuts were stored at ambient temperature for 6 months and determined for the contents of AFB1, protein and fat 2 months interval. There was no significantly different in amount of AFB1 as well as protein and fat between peanut from three drying methods. All testing treatments found that the AFB1 contamination did not exceed the requirements for peanut kernels. In addition, after storage for 6 months the peanuts from drying method no.2 were detected AFB1 with the least level 3.2 µg/kg, followed by method no.1 and no.3 with the levels 4.8 and 5.3 µg/kg, respectively. Moreover, the protein were found at the levels of 25.4% and fat contents 41.5%, which were decreased.

Morphology of Grammatophyllum specinocum BL. after Paclobutrazol Treatment in Sterile Conditions

2024-01-09T14:18:08+07:00

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a plant hormone in the group of plant growth retardants that has been applied to plants in sterile conditions. The purpose is to encourage plants to have different morphological characteristics. Therefore, in this study, PBZ was applied to the protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of the Tiger orchid. PBZ solution at concentrations of 0, 20, 40 and 60 mg/l were added to MS medium with 1 mg/l BA, 3% sucrose and 0.75% agar and the explants were cultured for 4 weeks. It was found that higher PBZ concentrations resulted in survival and shoot formation decreased statistically significant difference (P≤0.01). The PBZ concentration of 49.22 mg/l caused the death of 50% of PLBs. The morphology of orchids grown in a PBZ-free medium showed normal growth. Elongated shoots are green with an average height of 10.30 cm. The seedlings in the PBZ medium had shorter stems than the control. At the concentration of 60 mg/l PBZ, the shortest orchid stem was 3.78 cm, and the lowest root formation of 57.14%. However, there was no difference in several roots in each experiment. The seedlings had a 100% survival rate after acclimatization. After hardening, plants derived from PBZ-free medium had elongated, slender leaves, while seedlings grown on PBZ medium had short, thick stems, large leaves, and dark green color. The orchid plants can continue to grow normally after transplanting into the soil.

Effects of Disinfectant, Cytokinin, and Chlorine Dioxide on Multiple Shoot Induction of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. in Sterile Condition

2023-10-14T17:04:14+07:00

Wild turmeric (Curcuma aromatica Salisb.) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. This plant is used in cosmetic formulations and traditional medicinal applications. Naturally, there aren't many seeds in C. aromatica Salisb, which makes it challenging to grow new cultivars or enhance existing types. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to study the appropriate type and concentration of disinfectant against contamination of the explant, and to study the effect of cytokinin on multiple shoot induction. The result showed that 0.1% Mercuric chloride for 10 minutes gave the lowest contamination at 26.67±5.77% and the highest germination at 53.33±5.77%. For sterile explants, the effects of various types and concentrations of cytokinin on multiple shoot induction were investigated. The highest number of shoots, at 3.11±0.69 shoots/explant, was obtained from shoots cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-Benzyladenine and 0.25 mg/L Thidiazuron For explants contaminated with bacteria, they were cultured on medium supplemented with chlorine dioxide to reduce contamination. The culture medium supplemented with 19.2 mg/L of chlorine dioxide (9.6 mg/L, two times) produced the greatest results in 100% reducing contamination.

Evaluation of Compatibility between Indigenous Durian Rootstocks in Southern Thailand and Commercial Varieties

2023-06-12T01:12:05+07:00

The major obstacle in vegetative propagation by grafting in fruit crops is incompatibility between rootstock and scion. Graft incompatibility may occur sometimes and possibly reduced growth and yield of the scion. This research aims to study the development of graft union, phenolic and lignin content at above, below the graft union and graft union as well. Growth of Monthong and Chanee grafted on to different indigenous durian rootstocks were measured to ensure grafting success. Monthong and Chanee monografts were included as controls. Results showed that at 28 days after grafting, the graft union was completed across the entire length of the union and the better well form graft union was obtained when Chanee was used as scion than Monthong. The highest successful grafting was recorded in Chanee grafted on Nok and Chanee monografted (96.67%). Phenolic compound content at graft union was higher than those above and below the graft union. The highest level of phenolic content was recorded at 21 days and gradually decrease at 45 days after grafting. In contrast, lignin was getting higher over the time after grafting and the highest content of lignin was measured above the graft union. Growth of scions after grafting, it was found that Monthong and Chanee grafted on Nok showed the highest growth represented by shoot growth, stem diameter, graft union diameter and leaf number.

Growth and Yield of Brassica chinensis and Brassica albaglabra Treated with Different Organic Fertilizers

2023-10-11T19:15:45+07:00

Organic fertilizers are essential for improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, which makes it more conducive to plant growth. They also help to conserve soil and water and reduce production costs for farmers. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Pak Choi (Brassica chinensis var. chinensis) and Kale mushrooms (Brassica alboglabra L.) in a farmer's plot in Koh Taew Subdistrict, Mueang District, Songkhla Province. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was conducted with four replications and three experimental materials: cow manure, FMP granular organic fertilizer (Farmers formula), and AGP granular organic fertilizer (factory formula). Each fertilizer formulation was applied at a rate of 2 tons per rai. The two vegetables used in the study were Pak choi and Kale mushrooms. It was found that the use of cow manure significantly promoted the growth and increased yield of Pak choi, with a number of leaves/plant of 13.25, leaf greenness (SPAD units) of 46.85, height of 22.02 cm, canopy width of 19.40 cm, and yield of 1,735.30 kg/rai (P<0.05). The use of organic fertilizers in all formulas did not significantly affect the number of leaves (5.40-5.90 leaves/plant), leaf greenness (SPAD units) (57.34-59.71), height (12.28-13.25 cm), canopy width (10.95-11.20 cm), stem diameter (12.29-14.25 mm), and yield (765.70-959.20 kg/rai) of Kale mushrooms. Therefore, it is simple to manufacture organic fertilizer from community waste materials, which can promote the growth and yield of Pak choi and Kale mushrooms.

Potential of Spathoglottis Hybrids on Commercial in Southern of Thailand

2023-11-10T14:26:26+07:00

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Spathoglottis hybrids for commercial potted plant production in southern Thailand. The experiment was conducted at the Trang Horticulture Research Center between October 2022 and September 2023. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates and ten treatments was employed. The treatments included five Spathoglottis hybrids (Spa-Hy-03-50, Spa-Hy-06-24, Spa-Hy-13-09, Spa-Hy-17-12, and Spa-Hy-18-24), four commercially available Thai varieties (Spa-Hy-01, Spa-Hy-02, Spa-Hy-3, and Spa-Hy-04), and one commercially available southern Thai variety (Spa-Hy-05) used as a control. The results indicated that varieties Spa-Hy-17-12 and Spa-Hy-04 were selected by farmers for commercial potted plant production due to their large flowers, unique and distinctive petal colors, and long-lasting inflorescences. These findings suggest that these two Spathoglottis hybrids have promising potential for commercial development as potted plants in southern Thailand.