Differential effect of cultivar and harvest date on nectarine colour,quality and consumer acceptance

The influence of nectarine cultivar and the harvest date on fruit colour, fruit size, fruit quality parameters, and consumer acceptance were assessed. The analyses were carried on cultivars with different fruit taste (acidity and sweetness), from 5-years-old trees at the IRTA-Experimental Station of Lleida (Spain). The six cultivars were grouped in three pairs in which each had a similar commercial harvest date. Each pair comprised by a non-acid cultivar and an acid cultivar, except the pair of ‘Big Top^®’ and ‘Mesembrine^®’, which included two non-acid cultivars. The nectarines were harvested at 8 days intervals on five harvest dates, three of which were before the commercial harvest date, one at commercial harvest and another 1 week after commercial harvest.     

板栗早熟新品种‘京暑红’

 ：‘京暑红’是实生选育的板栗早熟新品种,在北京地区4 月中旬萌芽,6 月中旬盛花,8 月 22 日左右成熟,果实发育期约75 d。总苞呈椭圆形,每苞平均含坚果2.1 个,苞皮较薄,刺密,出实率 为41.2%。坚果红褐色,果面光滑美观,平均单粒质量8.2g,果肉含水量57.2%,灰分2.0%,脂肪4.5%, 蛋白质5.6%,总糖20.4%,淀粉38.2%,氨基酸1.5%。内果皮易剥离,果肉黄色,质地细糯,风味香甜。 嫁接后第3 年株产可达2.5 kg,在北京板栗产区为极早熟类型。适宜密植栽培,株距2 ~ 3 m,行距3 ~ 4 m。 授粉树配置以‘燕山红栗’、‘燕山早丰’为宜。     

Effect of exogenous application of free polyamines on physiological disorders and yield of ‘Kaleh-Ghoochi’ pistachio shoots (Pistacia vera L.)

Pistachio trees exhibit some physiological disorders such as abscission of inflorescence buds, fruit abscission, the production of blank, non-split, early-split and deformed nuts. Since the occurrence of these disorders is closely related to the yield, the effect of free polyamine treatments on these disorders and the yield was investigated in two consecutive years (“on” and “off” years). Free polyamine treatments were applied one week before and also two weeks after full bloom. Results showed that Spermine (Spm), unlike Putrescine (Put), decreased the physiological disorders of pistachio and also increased the yield. Free polyamine treatments did not affect the percentage of early-split nuts. Spermidine (Spd) decreased the percentage of both fruit abscission and deformed nuts but did not affect the yield. In both the “on” and “off” years the effect of Spm and Spd was greatly dependent on both the time of application and the concentrations used. Results of free polyamine analysis showed that exogenous application of these compounds, especially two weeks after full bloom, increased the free polyamine contents of shoots in both “on” and “off” years confirming the absorption of free polyamines via spray application in pistachio crop. Exogenous application of Spm two weeks after full bloom decreased the abscission of inflorescence buds in “on” year supporting the idea that free polyamines could trigger the abscission process of inflorescence buds. Since Spm decreased the percentage of blank, non-split and deformed nuts, it seems that Spm dominantly plays a key role in the growth and development of pistachio nuts.     

Regulated deficit irrigation effects on yield,nut quality and water-use efficiency of mature pistachio trees

Summary

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) was evaluated on deep rooted, mature pistachio trees grown under high evaporative demand in the low rainfall southern San Joaquin Valley of California. The focus of this work was to assess the impact of deficit irrigation during various parts of the season with the goal of determining which period was most stress tolerant in terms of nut production. Pistachio nuts have a unique fruit growth pattern in which rapid kernel growth does not begin until about six weeks after full shell size has been attained. Our hypothesis was that irrigation could be reduced during this period with limited negative effects on production. The season was divided into three preharvest periods: leafout to full shell expansion (Stage 1), full shell expansion to the onset of rapid kernel growth (Stage 2), and rapid kernel growth to harvest (Stage 3). Water deprivation during Stage 1 applied 7.2% less water than the near-fully irrigated Control without any yield loss, based on mean values for the last “on” and “off” alternate bearing years of this study. Shell splitting (endocarp dehiscence) at harvest (a positive impact) was significantly higher (10.4% relative to the Control) but this was offset by a nut weight reduced by 9.4%. Stage 3 water deprivation (53% less applied water than the Control) significantly reduced nut size, shell splitting, mechanical nut removal by tree shaking, and yield, while increasing kernel blanking and abortion. Postharvest water deprivation (5.0% less applied water than the Control) had no significant negative effects on yield components. Six irrigation regimes that applied water at various rates were used to investigate Stage 2 behaviour. While there were no significant differences in yield components among these regimes, the best production occurred with deficit irrigation during Stage 2 at 50% of near-potential ETc during Stage 2 and 25% of near-potential ETc after harvest. This RDI regime saved about 180 mm of water (23.2% of the Control) and water use efficiency was significantly higher (4.69 versus 3.61 kg marketable fruit per mm water, for this RDI regime and the Control, respectively). We believe RDI during Stage 2 and postharvest is a viable irrigation strategy to save water while maintaining top yields of high quality pistachio nuts. Further work is needed to determine if the improved shell splitting harvest that occurred with Stage 1 stress can be exploited to improve grower profits.     

Yield and fruit quality of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees protected by white anti-hail net

Covering apple orchards with nets protects them from hailstorms but this changes the amount and quality of the light supplied to the trees. This study was carried out to assess the effects of shade provided by white protection net on yield and fruit quality of apple orchards in Southern Brazil, along three growing seasons (2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005). ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees (on MM111 rootstock, raised as slender spindles, with a spacing of 5.5 m × 3 m) were left uncovered (control trees) or covered with white net. The white net reduced the photosynthetically active radiation (λ = 400–700 nm) accumulated over the trees’ canopy along a day by 18.4%, leading to a higher leaf chlorophyll content in both cultivars, and a higher specific leaf area in ‘Gala’. The shade provided by the net did not affect yield and increased fruit average weight in both cultivars. At harvest, the number of seeds per fruit and severity of russet were not affected by netting in both cultivars, as well as the incidence of watercore in ‘Fuji’. The main beneficial effects of the white net were the reduced incidence of sunburn on ‘Gala’, reduced incidence of bitter pit during cold storage in both cultivars, and reduced incidence of apple scab at harvest and of decay after cold storage in ‘Fuji’. Fruit fly damage in ‘Gala’ (assessed in one season) was reduced by netting. However, netting affected negatively some fruit quality attributes. ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples from trees protected by the net had a poor skin color (pale blush and a more intense green background color) at harvest. The net reduced flesh firmness and SSC, and increased the starch index of ‘Gala’ apples at harvest, and reduced flesh firmness and SSC, assessed after cold storage and shelf life, in fruits of both cultivars.     

Influence of time of harvest and maturity index on olive oil yield and quality

Harvesting plays a major role in the virgin olive oil production line, being the most expensive single component, but also due to its significant effect on the whole year's produce. Previous studies have focused on the effects of harvest timing on either oil yield or quality. Here we determined the separate and combined effects of harvesting date, fruit maturation, cultivar and fruit load on olive oil quality and quantity. Cultivars typical to the Middle East region were selected: the traditional cv. Souri and the newer cv. Barnea, grown under intensive conditions. The results demonstrate fundamental differences between the two cultivars with respect to harvest strategy. In high-yielding ‘Barnea’, oil accumulation continued throughout the ripening season resulting in increasing yield of oil with time while maintaining high quality. Hence, exploiting the production potential in ‘Barnea’ requires late harvest and advanced fruit maturity. However, in heavily loaded ‘Souri’, oil accumulation was accompanied by early massive shedding of fruits. Furthermore, late harvest and advanced maturation in ‘Souri’ were associated with a sharp increase in free fatty acids combined with a rapid decline in polyphenol content, and in MUFA to PUFA and saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratios, all resulting in loss of oil quality. Rapid decline in oil yield coupled with deterioration of oil quality call for early harvesting at low maturity index in ‘Souri’. In medium-yielding trees of both cultivars, maturation progressed more rapidly, resulting in earlier harvest to utilize optimal oil potential.     

Potential of ethephon,NAA, NAD and urea for thinning pistachio fruitlets

Alternate bearing, the occurrence of high yield ‘on’ year followed by low yield ‘off’ year, is striking in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.). Floral buds of pistachio are formed a year before bloom, but abscise during the years with heavy crop (‘on’ year). Abscission of floral buds is due to competition between growing seeds on 1-year-old shoots and developing buds on current season growth. We studied the effects of chemical fruit thinning on alternate bearing and nut characteristics in a commercial orchard of ‘Owhadi’ pistachio cultivar during 2003–2004 in Rafsanjan, Iran. In both years, ethephon (100 and 200 mg l⁻¹), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (125 and 250 mg l⁻¹) and urea (2.5 and 5%) were applied to the branch units of each individual ‘on’-year trees. The results showed that ethephon at both concentrations significantly increased fruit thinning and floral bud retention for the subsequent year. Other treatments also increased fruit thinning and floral bud retention but were inferior to ethephon.     

Effect of organic treatments with calcium carbonate and bio-activator on quality of ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars

‘Reinette du Canada’ (RC) and ‘Reinette Grise du Canada’ (RG) apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) cultivars declared throughout the Community as Protected Designation of Origin ‘Manzana Reineta del Bierzo’ are severely affected by bitter-pit during storage. Pre-harvest treatments with calcium carbonate, authorized in organic production, and bio-activator Harpin protein were used to assess the effect on quality at harvest and during cold storage in both apple cultivars during 2007 and 2008. Bitter-pit at the end of storage was higher in ‘RC’ than in ‘RG’, due to the fact that K/Ca ratio in fruit was higher in ‘RC’. Harpin protein did not improve the quality of ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars. Calcium carbonate pre-harvest treatments were useful to decrease external and internal bitter-pit incidence of ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars after 90 days of storage, but differences at the end of storage were not significant. Therefore, calcium carbonate would be a useful product in organic production in order to decrease bitter-pit incidence in ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars during medium term storage.     

Yield performance,quality characteristics and fruit storability of winter squash cultivars in sub-humid areas

This research investigated the quality traits of eight winter squash cultivars (Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata, C. pepo and interspecific hybrids of C. moschata × C. pepo) during three years, but only ‘Tetsukabuto’ and ‘Violina’ were tested each year. In 2005 these two varieties were compared to ‘Butternut’; in 2006 to ‘Red Kury’, ‘Tan Cheese’ and ‘Kabosha’; in 2007 to ‘Red Kury’, ‘Mooregold’, and ‘Winter Luxury’. The characteristics recorded were: fruit yield, storage ability, chemical composition and sensory quality. Following harvest and sorting of marketable winter squash, 50 fruits for each cultivar were stored at 12 °C for 12 weeks the 1st year, and for over 20 weeks in 2nd and 3rd years, during which rotten fruits were counted. Compositional analyses regarding sugar concentration, starch, carotenoids and dry matter content at harvest and after storage were carried out; a panel test was organised to assess sensory traits. The most interesting cultivars were ‘Tetsukabuto’ for yield, ‘Tetsukabuto’ and ‘Mooregold’ for storability, ‘Red Kury’ and the same ‘Tetsukabuto’ particularly for soluble sugars and carotenoids and sensory appreciation.     

Collection time,cutting age,IBA and putrescine effects on root formation in Corylus avellana L. cuttings

The effects of collection time, cutting age, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and putrescine application on the rooting of cuttings of Italian hazelnut cultivars ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’, ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ and ‘Nocchione’ were investigated. Samples collected during late June, late July and early September from newly formed and 1-year old part of twigs to be utilized to produce leafy cuttings, after being treated with 1000 and 2000 ppm IBA, respectively. In addition, the September cuttings were also treated, respectively, with 1000 and 2000 ppm IBA and 1600 ppm putrescine. Rooting ability was evaluated 2 months after planting for each treatment and collection time. Satisfactory rooting of hazelnut leafy cuttings was observed when collection time occurred in June and September, whereas leafy cuttings collected in July showed a limited capacity of rooting in all cultivars tested. On average, the rooting of the newly formed leafy cuttings was more than the 1-year old cuttings. Rooting was also promoted by IBA treatments, mainly in ‘Nocchione’ and ‘Tonda di Giffoni’. In contrast, young cuttings collected from ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’ in early September rooted poorly when treated with IBA alone, but showed the best rooting (∼80%) after the application of a combination of 1000 ppm IBA and 1600 ppm putrescine. The current findings confirm that putrescine can be a useful substance for increasing rooting percentage and root quality in cuttings of some hazelnut cultivars as obtained from ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’ cultivar.     

Temperature responses,flowering and fruit yield of the June-bearing strawberry cultivars Florence,Frida and Korona

The effect of night temperature on short day (SD) floral induction has been studied in three June-bearing strawberry cultivars of different geographic origin and compared with yield performance in the cool Nordic environment. At the optimum day temperature of 18 °C, the SD flowering response of the cultivars ‘Florence’ and ‘Korona’ increased significantly with increasing night temperature from 9 to 18 °C, while an optimum was reached at 15 °C in the cultivar ‘Frida’ that is selected under cool-environment conditions in Norway. Also, while saturated flowering response was obtained with 3 weeks of SD treatment at all temperatures in ‘Frida’, several plants of ‘Florence’ and ‘Korona’ failed to initiate flowers at 9 °C night temperature even with 5 weeks of SD. The effect of extended SD period was particularly pronounced in ‘Florence’. The slow SD floral induction response of ‘Florence’ was associated with a 2 week delay of anthesis in subsequent long day (LD) conditions at 21 °C. Yield performance of the same cultivars during 2 years under field conditions at Nes Hedmark and in North Norway also demonstrated that the yield potential of ‘Florence’ was not realized under the climatic conditions prevailing at these locations. In both years the yields varied significantly among the cultivars, ‘Frida’ having the highest yields followed by ‘Korona’, with ‘Florence’ far below. It is concluded that, in the Nordic environment, autumn (September) night temperatures are obviously sub-optimal for yield performance of some June-bearing strawberry cultivars, and that this effect is mediated by autumn temperature effects on flower initiation responses.     

Differences in fruit colour development,anthocyanin content,fruit quality and consumer acceptability of eight ‘Gala’ apple strains

The effect of strain on fruit colour development, chromaticity values and anthocyanin content, fruit quality and consumer acceptance was evaluated on eight ‘Gala’ apple strains (Malus domestica Borkh.) at the IRTA (Spain), during a period from 4 weeks before to 1 week after commercial harvest. Based on fruit colour, measured with a Minolta CR-200 portable tristimulus colorimeter, and anthocyanin content, the most coloured strains were ‘Royal Beaut’, ‘Buckeye Gala’ (both semistriped) and ‘Ruby Gala’ (blushed). ‘Brookfield’ and ‘Schniga’ (both striped) provided an intermediate level of colour, while ‘Galaxy’ and ‘Mondial Gala’ (both striped) were the least coloured ones. The most important increase in colour development was recorded from 2 weeks before the commercial harvest and continued also increasing after harvest. Highly coloured strains developed a red colour on both fruit sides with greater average of fruit surface coloured, while the less coloured strains exhibited different colouration between sides, more bicolour fruits and lower average of fruit coloured.     

Effects of Artificial Pollination Using Pollen Suspension Spray on Nut and Kernel Quality of Pistachio Cultivar Owhadi

Yield and nut quality in pistachio are highly dependent on cultural practices especially pollination. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pollen suspension spray containing 0.01% and 0.02% boric acid combined with 1% (w/v) pollen on nut and kernel quality of pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Owhadi). The experiment was carried out as RCBD with three replications over 2011–12 period. The results showed that application of medium containing agar (A) and 0.01% boric acid (B1) combined with 1% (w/v) pollen decreased fruit set in both years compared to control whereas nut splitting was increased during 2012. Pollen suspension sprays unaffected nut and kernel dimensions in both years but increased kernel proteins and decreased oil during 2011. According to this study, it could be postulated that artificial pollination in pistachio using pollen suspension spray is possible.     

Plant growth,yield, and fruit quality of ‘Fallglo’ and ‘Sunburst’ mandarins on four rootstocks

Vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of ‘Fallglo’ and ‘Sunburst’ mandarins on ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo, ‘Orlando’ tangelo, and ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin were evaluated under subtropical climate of Northern São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2000 through 2006 harvest seasons. ‘Fallglo’ mandarin trees had the highest cumulative yield on ‘Rangpur’ lime, and the smallest on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo and ‘Orlando’ tangelo. Plants of this cultivar had the highest yield efficiency on ‘Rangpur’ lime, and the lowest on ‘Orlando’ tangelo. ‘Sunburst’ mandarin trees began to bear fruits later than ‘Fallglo’ mandarin trees, with no differences in yield induced by the rootstocks. ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin induced the most vigorous growth in ‘Fallglo’ mandarin as compared to plants on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo. On the other hand, the largest trees of ‘Sunburst’ mandarin were registered on ‘Orlando’ tangelo, and the smallest on ‘Rangpur’ lime. ‘Sunburst’ mandarin had higher alternate bearing than ‘Fallglo’ regardless the rootstock. Fruit weight and juice content were not affected by the rootstock. These two mandarin scion cultivars may be considered adequate alternatives to produce good fruit quality for the fresh fruit market. ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin and ‘Rangpur lime are suitable rootstocks for ‘Fallglo’ mandarin, whereas all rootstocks evaluated are adequate for ‘Sunburst’ mandarin.     

Effect of synthetic auxins on fruit size of five cultivars of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

Most of the Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) cultivars grown in Israel produce relatively small fruit. Application of 2 l solution tree⁻¹ of 25 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4-DP) as butoxyethyl ester (Power™), 15 mg l⁻¹ 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyloxyacetic acid (3,5,6-TPA) as free acid (Maxim^®), or 25 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) + 30 mg l⁻¹ naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.3% Amigo™) at the beginning of pit-hardening, when fruitlet diameter was ca. 22 mm, caused an appreciable and significant increase in fruit size. The yield of large fruit per cv.: ‘Kesselmen’ (100% increase), ‘Songold’ (100%), ‘Black Diamond’ (800%), ‘Royal Diamond’ (160%) and ‘Royal Zee’ (100%). As a result, the total yield of all five cultivars was also increased dramatically. Anatomical studies with ‘Songold’ revealed that the main effect of these synthetic auxins was via direct stimulation of fruit cell enlargement. The above auxins had no negative effect either on fruit quality at harvest (and after 1 week in shelf-life), or on return yield in the following year.     

Improvement of flower color by means of leaf treatments in lily

Flower color, an important feature biologically and commercially, is based on four natural pigments – flavonoids, carotenoids, betalains and chlorophylls. Temperature, light, nutrition – as well as additions of sugar, salt, or metals to the conservation water – have an effect on pigmentation. We investigated the effects of K-sulphate and/or sucrose on flower color in leaf treatments applied 30–10 days before harvest to four Asiatic lily (Lilium × elegans Thunb.) cultivars during the winter and summer. Colors of tepals were evaluated by a portable spectrocolorimeter that calculates the standard CIE L*a*b* coordinates and the color differences (E). After leaf treatments during both seasons, cultivars with flowers with high red components (e.g. the purple ‘Fangio’ and the pink ‘Brindisi’) showed significant improvements in color quality. The orange-flowered ‘Tresor’ showed improvement only if K-sulphate and Mix (K-sulphate and sucrose) solution treatments were applied during the summer. The yellow-flowered ‘Menorca’ was not affected by treatments during either summer or winter forcing season. Especially in the winter, a significant reduction in flower abortion was observed for cut flowers of all cultivars. In summer only ‘Fangio’ and ‘Tresor’ showed a reduction in flower abortion. Also, flower size and longevity were improved by the leaf treatment. The results, obtained from a commercial nursery operation, demonstrate that lily growers can adopt a very simple and inexpensive treatment to improve important qualitative traits of their product.     

切花小菊41 个品种花粉量的测定与散粉特性分析

 研究了41 个切花小菊品种的散粉特性及影响散粉量的关键指标,旨在为培育散粉少或不散 粉切花小菊奠定基础。结果发现：（1）供试的切花小菊品种每花序管状花数的变化范围为85.6 ~ 320.2 个, 绝大多数品种单花花药数为5 枚,花药含粉量变幅为0 ~ 1 017 粒,花序含粉量变幅为0 ~ 807 840 粒;（2） 9 个品种未散粉（其中8 个品种的花药内有花粉,但花药不开裂,仅‘Kingfisher’一个品种花药内没有 花粉）,11 个品种散粉量较少,9 个品种散粉量中等,12 个品种散粉量较多。应用聚类分析分别对各品种 花药含粉量和花序含粉量进行了评价,将花粉量聚类为多、中等、少、无4 类,其中,中等和少的品种 占80%。试验结果表明,切花小菊散粉量不仅与花序中管状花数和花药含粉量成正比,而且与花药开裂 速度和开裂程度成正比。     

Brassinolides have a small effect on vegetative growth,and increase reproductive growth of pistachio trees Cv. Owhadi

The effects of different applications of 24-epi-brassinolideon the physiology and yield of ‘Owhadi’ pistachio trees was investigated in Iran over an off and on year. Plants were treated by 24-epi-brassinolide at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1mgl^?1at green tip and tight cluster of bud stage. Brassinolide decreased the incidence nut physiological disorders and increased yield. The sprays decreased the incidence of inflorescence bud abscission, fruit abscission, misshapen nuts, blank, early splitting and indehisced shell compared with the controls. In both on and off years, the effect of brassinolide was dependent on the time of application and concentration used. Application of this compound, especially at tight cluster stage of buds, increased indehisced shell and yield in both on and off years. Brassinolides appear to play a key role in the growth and development of pistachio.     

板栗新品种‘燕丽’

‘燕丽’是从实生燕山板栗中选育出的大粒新品种,早实、优质、丰产,抗性强。坚果整齐度高,单果质量9.0 g,红褐色,绒毛稀疏,底座小;果肉乳黄色,炒熟后口感细腻,糯性强,风味香甜,涩皮易剥离。单株产量达3.9 kg,折合单产3 907.8 kg·hm~(-2)。9月中旬成熟。适宜在燕山板栗主栽区的山地、丘陵栽培。授粉树配置以‘燕山早丰’、‘燕龙’、‘燕奎’为宜。     

Influence of cultivar and site of cultivation on levels of lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants in virgin olive oils (Olea Europea L.) and correlations with oxidative stability

Oxidation stability is an important property of olive oil quality and is affected by different antioxidant compounds whose levels may be influenced by cultivar, year and place of production. Polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, chlorophylls and fatty acids levels were correlated to oxidative stability in olive oils from three experiments: cultivar influence (18 cultivars assessed for 4 years in the same place); environmental influence by mesoclimatic (4 cultivars from 17 sites in a single region for 4 years) and macroclimate conditions (3 cultivars from 3 different regions for 3 years). Total polyphenols and saturated on polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio were shown to be the major factors in oil antioxidant stability, according to multivariate regression models. Among the surveyed cultivars, oils from ‘Leccino’ and from three ‘local’, minor cultivars (‘Miniol’, ‘Regina’ and ‘Rossanello’) resulted in higher oxidative stability and oils from cultivars grown in Tuscany (central Italy) showed the highest oxidative stability by comparison with northern and southern regions.