Although Azospirillum spp. are considered to be important plant growth promoting bacteria, their possible effects on germination and vigor of aged lettuce seeds has not been previously evaluated. In fact, there is a paucity of published data about inoculation effects on seed germination. The aim of this work was to evaluate seed quality of one-year aged lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Crimor INTA) seeds after Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 inoculation with or without an osmopriming pretreatment. Fresh lettuce seeds were stored in the dark in a dry chamber for one year and then subjected to inoculation with A. brasilense Sp245, to osmotic priming with 0.37 mol/L MgSO4, or to both combined treatments. Seed germination, seed vigor, and seedlings emergence percentages were determined, and the abnormal seedling fraction was characterized. Azospirillum brasilense inoculation without a previous osmopriming enhanced seed vigor and seedling emergence percentages and decreased the fraction of abnormal seedlings. There was an additional effect of osmopriming as a previous treatment on germination percentage. We concluded that the use of A. brasilense inoculation alone or after an osmopriming treatment would contribute to overcome the negative effects of ageing on lettuce cv. Crimor INTA seeds.

The aim of this study was to characterize the quality of celery petioles (Apium graveolens L. cv Golden Clause) from the external, middle, and internal zones of each plant. Harvest dates were 93 (HD1) and 124 (HD2) days after transplantation. Total weight (TW), total length (TL), total leaves number (LN), and petiole length of leaves (PL) for the 3 zones were measured. Physicochemical (color, b* and h; texture; total soluble solids, TSS; titratable acidity, TA; water content, WC), nutraceutical (ascorbic acid, AA; total quinones, TQ; browning potential, BP), and sensorial analysis (flavor, fibrosity, crunchiness) were done at harvest on petioles of each zone. No differences between harvesting dates were found in TW, TL, LN, and PL. Middle leaves had the highest PL. Harvest dates were not different in b*, h, TA, AA, and WC. Texture, TSS, BP, and TQ resulted higher in petioles of HD2 than in HD1. Similar TSS and TA were found in leaves of different plant zones. The yellow color of both external and internal zones was significantly higher than in the middle zone. The texture and BP was similar between the external and middle zones but the WC was lower in the external zone. Similarly, the AA content as well as the TQ was also lower than in the middle zone. Harvest delay improved the nutraceutical value in terms of BP and TQ, even though it also resulted in pithiness and fibrosity of the leaves. This study therefore suggests that the petioles of the middle zone when harvested at HD1 are the most suitable for consumption. Practical Application: Celery is a vegetable reduced in calories, has a high nutritional value and its fresh petioles are mainly consumed in salads. The texture and flavor are the most important attributes that define consumers' acceptability. As nutritional value, texture, and flavor may change with plant age and different zones of the plant, harvest date plays an important role on quality. Results indicate that harvest delay improved the nutraceutical value even though it also resulted in pithiness and fibrosity of the stalks. Petioles of the middle zone, when harvested at 93 d after transplanting, are the most suitable for consumers' consumption.

C elery is a highly appreciated vegetable for its fibber content and nutritional value. The plant has approximately 20 leaves attached to the crown, were the stem is. Each leaf is formed by a large and fully solid petiole and several leaflets. The petiole is the most commonly used part for consumption.High quality celery consists of stalks which are well formed, have thick petioles, are compact, have minimal petiole twisting, and have a light green and fresh appearance. Additional quality indexes are stalk and midrib length, absence of defects such as blackheart, pithy petioles, seed stalks, cracks or splits, and absence of insect damage YOMMI AK; DI GERÓNIMO NM; CARROZZI LE; QUILLEHAUQUY V; GOÑI MG; ROURA SI. 2013. Morphological, physicochemical and sensory evaluation of celery harvested from early to late maturity. ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine quality changes in petioles of self-blanching celery (Apium graveolens), cv. Golden Boy, harvested at 80, 87, 94, 101, 108, 115, 122 and 129 days aftertransplanting (DAT). Total weight (TW), total length (TL), number of leaves per plant (LN) and by plant zone (external, LNZ E ; middle, LNZ M ; internal, LNZ I ), and petiole length (PL) were evaluated at each harvest time. Petioles quality of each zone in the plant were analyzed in terms of: color (hue angle), texture (cutting force), total soluble solids content (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA). The petioles also were sensorially evaluated by descriptive analysis considering visual characteristics (flexibility, hollowness), flavor (typical flavor and odor) and texture attributes (hardness, crunchiness, juiciness and fibrousness). From 80 to 129 DAT, TW and TL increased 33 g/DAT and 0.62 cm/DAT, respectively. Leaves development was detected until the 122 DAT; LNZ I grew to a greater extent. The PL increased during plant development, mainly in middle and internal leaves; being the middle leaves the longest. Hue angle and cutting force were similar in external and middle petioles and both resulted higher than internal ones until the 122 and 115 DAT, respectively. The juiciness increased and flexibility decreased during maturation, resulting 108 DAT maturity stage less flexible and juicier than 80 DAT. No significant differences between harvesting dates were observed in the other sensory properties evaluated. Inflorescence differentiation was detected at 115 DAT, causing an increase in texture, TSS and TA. Optimum yield and quality balance were achieved at 122 DAT. Delayed harvest is associated with higher plants but also with lower petioles quality, mainly due to an undesirable change in texture.Keywords: Apium graveolens, bolting, growth, maturity, senescence, texture. RESUMOAvaliação morfológica, físico-química e sensorial de aipo colhido precocemente até a maturidade O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar variações na qualidade dos pecíolos de aipo (Apium graveolens), cv. Golden Boy, em plantas coletadas aos 80, 87, 94, 101, 108, 115, 122 e 129 dias pós-transplante (DAT). O peso total (TW), comprimen...

En 1984 se entrecruzaron 25 clones y cultivares de papa con el objetivo de desarrollar un método para el tamizado de clones por alto peso específico (PE) en generaciones tempranas. Se midió el PE en tubérculos producidos por plántulas trasplantadas en macetas y a campo. Los clones seleccionados por alto PE se entrecruzaron en 1986 para originar el segundo ciclo de selección. La variabilidad registrada entre familias de medios hermanos en los dos ciclos fue altamente significativa (p<0.01). Las heredabilidades en sentido estricto en el primer y segundo ciclo fueron 0.51 y mayor de 0.9 respectivamente. La heredabilidad en sentido amplio, estimada con familias no emparentadas, fue de 0.68, con escasa varianza aditiva. La eficiencia de selección estimada por la coincidencia entre los clones seleccionados en macetas y a campo, y la coincidencia a nivel de familias, superó el 60 por ciento entre todas las generaciones clonales. La selección por peso específico (alta o baja) afectó en forma similar a la materia seca. Se halló un coeficiente de correlación de 0.84 entre materia seca y peso específico. Aceptado para publicación: abril 2, 1994