Search

Overuse of the chemical compounds and toxic elements leads to problems and transmission of contaminants and pollutants to humans and other living organisms. One of the agricultural industries' byproducts is production of various composts from the organic raw materials and its best type is Vermicompost. In this study, effects of raw materials on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of vermicompost are discussed. To do so, sheep manure, pomegranate peels, spent mushroom compost either singly or double-, triple-, or four-fold chopped corn, sugar beet pulp, and sawdust were used. This research project was conducted in a completely randomized design experiment with 23 treatments with 3 replications. Results revealed that various bed combinations exert different effects on vermicompost quality such that the vermicomposting process led to a significant decrease in electrical conductivity and a significant increase in pH in most of the culture (seed) beds. Also, the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in most treatments increased following completion of the vermicomposting process. As a result, this process can be introduced as an organic fertilizer with complete nutrients for improving chemical characteristics of agricultural wastes to usable fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of five pomegranate fruit (Punica granatumL.) cultivars grown in Iran. Significant differences were found among the pomegranate cultivars for many of the properties studied. Results showed that, in particular, fruit diameter ranged from 63.63 mm (Syah) to 79.29 mm (Rabab), fruit volume from 153.3 cm3(Syah) to 293.3 cm3(Rabab), and fruit density from 0.93 g cm−3(Rabab) to 1.13 g cm−3(TorshSefeed). Although Syah showed the lowest fruit weight (144.8 g), fruit yield (8.28 ton ha−1), and fruit skin thickness (1.55 mm), Rabab had the highest fruit yield (27.1 ton ha−1) and fruit skin thickness (2.32 mm). Juice volume was found to vary between 61.1 and 67.0 cm3. Percent of aril ranged from 59.64% (Rabab) to 75.3% (Syah) and weight of aril between 108.9 and 199.8 g. Also, results indicated that titratable acidity content varied from 0.39% (Syah) to 1.13% (TorshSefeed). The total soluble solids content varied from 12.67 ˆBrix (TorshSefeed) to 15.67 ˆBrix (ZardehAnar), pH values from 3.05 to 3.77, Electrical conductivity values from 2.8 to 3.14 dS m−1,and vitamin C content from 59.25 to 69.52 mg 100 g−1. The anthocyanin content was observed to vary between 80.36 (Syah) and 216.97 (ZardehAnar). The antioxidant activity of pomegranate cultivars ranged from 27.24% (Syah) to 84.04% (TorshSefeed). These results demonstrated that the cultivar was the major factor which influences the morpho-pomological and chemical (especially, antioxidant activity) properties of pomegranates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]