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Among the most important factors influencing plant nutrient uptake and water access are soil fraction and root architecture. However, little is known about how soil fraction × root architecture interaction affects woody plants. This study considered the differentiation of soil fertility parameters on layers through the root zone of two different soils and the quality and nutrient responses of three newly bred pomegranate varieties to soil fractions based on root architecture in clay and clay loam orchards. According to the findings, increasing clay content in the deeper layers has a negative impact on soil fertility, organic matter, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In clayey conditions, pomegranate varieties yielded lower in a range of 2.74% to 6.10% and significantly lower macro and micronutrient insertion. Conversely, the shallow‐rooted variety accumulated significantly more boron (B) and P and set 50% more fruits in the clayey orchards. Soil fractions × root architecture significantly altered fruit quality characteristics, nutrient ingredients, and their relationships supported by a relatively low linear relationship in the Mantel test (r = 0.42). This study suggests that pomegranate tree responses to soil fractions are determined by root architecture. A proper approach to obtaining high‐quality and nutritionally fortified pomegranates will incorporate appropriate cultivation techniques, such as suitable fertigation regime regulation, harvest date optimization, and soil organic matter enrichment, to provide uniform nutrient uptake based on the soil type and variety's root architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 2% chitosan (Ch) (w/v) was enriched with 1% Lippia javanica, Syzygium cordatum, and Ximenia caffra extract to form Ch+L, Ch+S, and Ch+X, respectively. The control film was the chitosan (Ch) film without plant extracts. The composite films were assessed for their antifungal ability using the agar diffusion method against economically relevant plant pathogens, Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium expansum. These chitosan films were further evaluated using an X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope, and their physical and mechanical properties were also assessed. The medicinal plants in the chitosan matrix had the highest inhibition zone (10 mm) against P. expansum, while the chitosan-only films had the lowest inhibition zone (3.3 mm). Notably, Ch+S and Ch+X films had the highest inhibition zone (10 mm) against B. cinerea, while chitosan-only films did not avert the spread of B. cinerea. Ch+L films had the highest film thickness (0.189 mm), density (1.62 g·cm3), swelling degree (48.6%), and water solubility (32.8%). Films with other plant extracts had moderate properties, while chitosan without plant extract had the least film thickness (0.128 mm), density (1.08 g·cm3), swelling degree (31.9%), and water solubility (18.9%). X-ray diffraction images revealed that the chitosan films fused with plant extracts altered the extent of crystallinity of the films because they ranged between 14,710.43 for chitosan-only films and 26,288.31 a.u. for Ch+S films. Enriching the chitosan-based films with the investigated medicinal plant extracts resulted in different favorable properties and could make good candidates for food preservation and packaging if optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]