Effects of post-harvest foliar boron and calcium applications on subsequent season's pollen germination and pollen tube growth of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar boron and calcium application after harvest on the quantity and activity of pollen in the ‘Housui’ and ‘Wonwhang’ pears on a subsequent year. Pollen grains of the ‘Housui’ pear were cultured on germination medium, to which had been added boric acid (0, 25, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹) and calcium nitrate (0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹). Boric acid, which was added to the germination media, exerted a significant stimulatory effect on both pollen germination and pollen tube growth, although pollen tube growth was inhibited at higher concentrations than 300 mg L⁻¹. Calcium nitrate addition stimulated pollen germination, except at concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹. However, pollen tube growth was significantly inhibited with increasing concentrations of calcium nitrate. In the orchard experiment, boron and calcium were sprayed at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 500 or 1000 mg L⁻¹ onto leaves after harvest, respectively. Boron and calcium content in the tissues as well as pollen production and growth were determined after these treatments. The foliar application of boron mainly resulted in an increase of boron concentration in buds. It also induced an increase in the weight of the anther and pollen in the following year. On the other hand, the foliar application of calcium resulted in an increase of calcium concentration mainly in the leaves, but pollen weight was decreased at high concentration treatment in the following year. The germination rate and tube growth of collected pollen were highest in the trees which had received boron treatment at a concentration of 200 mg L⁻¹. In contrast, the germination rate and tube growth of collected pollen were decreased by calcium application at concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L⁻¹ without significant increase at lower concentrations. Consequently, the accumulation of boron in the developed buds of pear trees subjected to post-harvest foliar boron application generated positive effects on both the quantity and quality of pollen in the following year.     

Spray pollination as a labor-saving pollination system in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai): Development of the suspension medium

Effects of suspension media used for spray pollination on pollen grain viability were investigated in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai ‘Kosui’). The suspension media tested in this study consisted of pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) combined with either 0.1% agar or 0.04% xanthangum (XG). We also evaluated the influences of spray pollination on fruit set and fruit quality. Pollen grain viability, as measured by germination and pollen tube growth rates, was maintained in media supplemented with 0.1 mg L⁻¹ PME or 0.1 mg L⁻¹ PG. The level of fruit set after spray pollination using media containing PME or PG in combination with either 0.1% agar or 0.04% XG was almost the same as the level after artificial pollination by hand (hand pollination). The media containing XG combined with either PME or PG seemed to show better results for pollen grain viability and fruit set, although the results were variable from year to year. With regard to fruit size, shape and other parameters for fruit quality, spray pollination and hand pollination gave comparable results, irrespective of the medium composition. The time required for spray pollination was less than half of that required for hand pollination, and the amount of pollen grain required for spray pollination was one-third or less than the amount required for hand pollination. Thus, spray pollination may be a time- and labor-saving pollination system for the cultivation of Japanese pear.     

Higher than optimum temperature under CO2 enrichment influences stomata anatomical characters in rose (Rosa hybrida)

There is little available information on the effects of temperature and CO₂ enrichment on stomata anatomical characteristics of plants. Effect of these two microclimates was studied on five rose (Rosa spp.) cultivars, viz. ‘First Red’ (used as check), ‘Arjun’, ‘Raktima’, ‘Raktagandha’ and ‘Pusa Pitamber’. Budded, single-stemmed rose cultivars having five lateral buds were grown in controlled environment growth cabinets under enriched CO₂ (1000 μmol mol⁻¹) and optimum (28/18 °C, T₀) or high (35/25 °C, T₁) temperature for 50 days. All observations were made on the abaxial leaf surface. Significant increases in stomatal density (68.7%), index (29.6%) and epidermal cell density (37.3%) were recorded in plants grown at high temperature over control with CO₂ enrichment. The cultivars responded differently in terms of length and width of guard cell and stoma (pore) under high temperature, however, the values averaged over treatments showed a significant reduction in these parameters. Further, number of stomata per leaf was higher (28.3%) in plants grown at high temperature, except First Red. A reduction in mean leaf area (26.7%) and dry mass (32.0%) was recorded at high rather than optimum temperature. The specific leaf area was maximum in Arjun (87%) while in First Red, a 14% reduction was noted at high temperature.     

Effects of elevated CO2 on growth and morphological characteristics of ornamental bromeliads

Three ornamental bromeliads, i.e. Aechmea ‘Maya’ (CAM), Aechmea fasciata ‘Primera’ (CAM) and Guzmania ‘Hilda’ (C₃) were grown under greenhouse conditions at ambient (380 ppm) and elevated (750 ppm) CO₂. The effects of long-term exposure (34 weeks) to elevated CO₂ on growth and morphological traits constituting the ornamental value were assessed.     

Effects of genotype and stigma development stage on seed set following intra- and inter-specific hybridization of Dianthus spp.

The caryophyllaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the pink or carnation family. Members of this family are widely grown as ornamental plants. The species Dianthus chinensis, Dianthus barbatus, and Dianthus superbus include notable examples of such ornamental varieties. Intra- and inter-specific hybridization is important for the breeding of improved varieties and, therefore, it is desirable to optimize the efficiency of cross-pollination procedures within this family. Here, we conducted intra-specific pollination using four lines of D. chinensis, and inter-specific pollination between D. chinensis, D. barbatus and D. superbus genotypes. For each of these crosses we recorded information of pollen viability, stigma development stage at time of pollination, pollen germination on the stigma surface and pollen tube elongation within the stigma, and final seed set. Pollen viability levels were determined at the start of anther dehiscence, which occurred on day 1 of flower opening. The genotypes D. chinensis var. ‘Bz2’, D. barbatus var. ‘Xb’, and D. superbus wild species ‘Qm’ all displayed good levels of pollen viability (i.e. between 68% and 75%); D. chinensis vars. ‘H58III’, ‘H68I’ and ‘H6II’ showed lower levels of pollen viability (i.e. between 32% and 51%). In each Dianthus line, the stigma organs were observed to undergo morphological changes during the 1–7 d following flower opening. We have characterized these changes as five distinct development stages, namely, ‘column’ (day 1), ‘Y-like’ (day 2), ‘Y-shaped with slight curve’ (days 3–4), ‘Y-shaped horn-like’ (days 5–6), and ‘wilting’ (day 7). Pollen was artificially applied to stigma organs at each of these development stages and aniline blue staining was used to follow pollen tube germination on the stigma surface and pollen tube elongation down the length of the stigma. This showed that the ‘Y-shaped slightly curved’ stigma stage (3–4 d) was optimal for pollination. The ‘Y-shaped horn-like’ stage (5–6 d) was also receptive to pollination. By contrast, the earlier ‘Y-shaped’ (2 d) and ‘column’ (1 d) stages, and also the later ‘wilting’ (7 d) stage, were far less receptive. Parallel field experiments were conducted in which seed set was measured following the artificial pollination of flowers at different development stages. These data also indicated that the optimal time for pollination was during 3–4 d of flower opening. This conclusion held true for both intra- and inter-specific crosses of the various Dianthus lines. Thus, stigma receptivity in Dianthus does not become optimal until 3–4 d after flower opening. Since anther dehiscence occurs at 1 d (i.e. when stigma are at the unreceptive ‘column’ stage), this suggests that Dianthus employs a delayed self-fertilization strategy. We also found a significant effect of genotype on pollen tube growth and seed-set values. The highest numbers of seed per flower were achieved when the D. superbus wild species ‘Qm’ was the female parent in inter-specific crosses. Thus, genotype and stigma development are identified as key factors that determine the success of cross-pollination in Dianthus lines.     

Effects of low temperatures on sexual reproduction of ‘Tainong 1’ mango (Mangifera indica)

Prevailing ambient temperature during the reproductive phase is one of important factors for seed and fruit set in different plant species. In mango (Mangifera indica L.), natural low temperatures during flowering induced seedless fruits. Here the sexual reproduction process of ‘Tainong 1’ mango at low temperatures (diurnal maximum temperature < 20 °C) was studied. For comparison, we also examined this process at “normal” temperatures (diurnal maximum ranging from 25 to 30 °C, diurnal average temperature > 20 °C). Results showed: natural low temperatures significantly affected pistil and male gametophyte development, resulting in pollen grains with low viability. Meiotic chromosomal irregularities, including univalents, multivalents, laggards, bridges and micronuclei were detected at higher incidences and significantly greater proportions of nucleolus fragmentation and dissolution were detected when temperatures were low. Pollen tube growth was retarded under low temperature stress, either in vivo or in vitro. The virtual absence of sexual reproduction of ‘Tainong 1’ mango at low temperatures appears to be due largely to slow growth of pollen tube in vivo and to a low rate of successful fertilization.     

Analyses of pollen-tube growth and biological action of S-RNase in the style of self-compatible Japanese pear

The Japanese pear ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ (S₂S₄^SM) (SM = stylar-part mutant) is a self-compatible bud mutant that originated from self-incompatible ‘Nijisseiki’ (S₂S₄). The S₄-allele of the pear is deleted and it shows unilateral incompatibility to cultivar with an S₂S₄ genotype. However, when pollen-tube growth was compared between cross-compatible [‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ × ‘Okusankichi’ (S₅S₇)], unilateral-compatible [‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ × ‘Kikusui’ (S₂S₄)], self-compatible (‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ × ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’), and unilateral-incompatible pollination (‘Kikusui’ × ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’), pollen-tube growth clearly showed the following order: cross-compatible > unilateral-compatible > self-compatible > unilateral-incompatible. This indicates that the ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ style produces specific inhibitor(s) not only to S₂- and S₄-pollen but also “self-pollen”, because the phenotype of S₄^SM-pollen is the same as S₄-pollen. Stylar protein analysis demonstrated that ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ produces S₂-RNase (RNase associated with S₂-allele) together with a small amount of S₄-RNase. The purified S₄-RNase possessed almost the same inhibitory action on the growth of S₄-pollen-tubes in vitro at 1 μg μl⁻¹ as that from original ‘Nijisseiki’. These results suggest that the depressed growth of unilateral-compatible and self-pollen-tubes in ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ is due to this biologically active S₄-RNase. Growth of self-pollen-tubes may also be depressed by inhibitor(s) specific to “self-pollen” unrelated to S-alleles.     

Screening Capsicum species of different origins for high temperature tolerance by in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length

Successful fruit set depends on several reproductive processes including pollen germination and tube growth processes. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of temperature on pollen germination characteristics and to identify species/genotypic differences in Capsicum using the cumulative temperature response index (CTRI) concept. Pollen was collected from plants of seven genotypes from five Capsicum species, adapted to various parts of the world and grown outdoors in large pots. The pollen was subjected to in vitro temperatures ranging from 15 to 50 °C at 5 °C intervals. Pollen germination and tube lengths were recorded for all species after 24 h of incubation at the respective treatments. Species/genotypes differed significantly for in vitro pollen germination percentage and pollen tube length with mean values of 78% and 734 μm, respectively. The mean cardinal temperatures (T_min, T_opt, and T_max) averaged over genotypes, were 15.2, 30.7, and 41.8 °C for pollen germination and 12.2, 31.2, and 40.4 °C for pollen tube growth. The CTRI of each species/genotype calculated as the sum of eight relative individual stress response values, such as maximum pollen germination, maximum pollen tube length; T_min, T_opt, and T_max temperatures of pollen germination, and pollen tube lengths, identified species tolerance to high temperatures. Capsicum annum cv. Mex Serrano from Mexico was identified as tolerant, C. chacoense cv. 1312 and C. spp. cv. Cobanero from Argentina and Guatemala, respectively as intermediate and C. frutescens cv. Early Spring Giant from China, C. annum cv. Long Green from South Korea, C. spp. cv. NM89C130 and C. pubescens cv. 90002 from Guatemala as sensitive to high temperatures. The tolerant species/genotypes can be used in breeding programs to develop new genotypes that can withstand high temperature conditions both in the present climate and particularly in a future warmer climate.     

Growth characteristic and sink strength of fruit at different CO2 concentrations in a Japanese and a Dutch tomato cultivar

The aim of the present study was to elucidate how fruit growth was limited by the source and sink capacities in a Japanese (‘Momotaro York’) and a Dutch (‘Dundee’) tomato cultivar. The two cultivars were grown hydroponically with a high-wire system in greenhouses for 25 weeks, and the growth characteristics and sink strength of fruit were determined. Fruits were pruned to four (4F) or one (1F) per truss. The latter were used to determine potential fruit growth, an indicator of fruit sink strength. Growth was also determined under normal (LC) and enriched (HC, 700 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations to examine the effect of source enhancement on fruit production. In both cultivars under normal CO₂, the growth rate of fruit pruned to 4F per truss was lower than that in 1F, indicating that maximum potential fruit growth was not achieved. Under HC conditions, fruit growth rate of ‘Dundee’ achieved in 4F trusses was lower than that in 1F. In ‘Momotaro York’ in HC, fruit growth in 4F trusses was close to potential. This implies that fruit growth was source-limited irrespective of CO₂ concentrations in ‘Dundee’ cultivar while fruit growth in ‘Momotaro York’ under normal and enriched CO₂ conditions was limited by source and sink strengths, respectively. Adjustments of cultural practices including increasing fruit number per truss and/or genetic approaches to enhancing fruit sink strength by breeding may improve fruit yields of Japanese cultivars under high source/sink conditions.     

Identification of RAPD marker linked to fruit skin color in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai)

In Japanese pear, fruit skin color is a very important trait for growers because the russet skin protects the fruit against external stress caused by disease, insects, bad weather, and shipping. This report describes the development of a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker linked to major genes controlling the fruit skin color in Japanese pear. Two F₁ progenies from the cross of ‘Kousui’ × ‘Kinchaku’ and ‘Niitaka’ × ‘Chikusui’ segregated by fruit skin color were used for bulked segregant analysis. Four kinds of bulked DNA were constructed and used for the polymerase chain reaction in RAPD analysis. After 200 random primers were screened against four bulks, a band named OPH-19₄₂₅ was selected in cooperation with green bulks. The recombination rate between OPH-19₄₂₅ and the green skin phenotype was 7.3%. The RAPD marker (OPH-19₄₂₅) could select green fruit with probability as high as approximately 92%. The marker was apparently useful for the selection of green-skinned individuals in a breeding program. This is the first report on developing a DNA marker closely linked to the fruit phenotype in Japanese pear.     

H2O2 metabolism during sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) ‘Hamlin’ Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri interaction

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) ‘Hamlin’ is a canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri: Xac) susceptible citrus genotype grown commercially worldwide. Canker causes severe economic losses and restricts the marketability of crop for export. Little is known about the role of oxidative stress in canker development. In the present investigation, sweet orange ‘Hamlin’ leaves were artificially inoculated with Xac to determine the impact of Xac infection on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) metabolism. Characteristic symptoms following artificial inoculation were water soaking of the infiltrated zone between 2 and 8 days after inoculation (dai); raised epidermis accompanying tiny yellow colored bacterial colonies at 8 dai; and yellowing and necrosis of the infected zone by 12–16 dai. In planta Xac population increased 1000 fold by 14 dai from an initial population of 7.3 × 10⁶ cfu cm⁻² (0 dai). Peak concentrations of H₂O₂ were observed at 24 h and between 8 and 10 dai and coincided with higher activity of total superoxide dismutase (SOD). Lower levels of H₂O₂ in infected leaves were maintained by Xac induced higher activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD). It appears Xac altered H₂O₂ metabolism in C. sinensis L. Osb. ‘Hamlin’ to enhance survival and growth.     

Syrian pear (Pyrus syriaca) as a pollinator for European pear (Pyrus communis) cultivars

In Israel four European pear cultivars are grown: ‘Spadona’ is the main cultivar and ‘Coscia’, ‘Gentile’ and ‘Spadochina’ are its pollinators. However, molecular S-genotyping revealed that ‘Spadona’ is semi-compatible with its three pollinators. This explains, at least in part, the relatively low pear yield in Israel. The Syrian pear (Pyrus syriaca) grows wild in Israel and blooms intensively, overlapping the blooming of the cultivated European pears. Cross-fertilization between Syrian pear and ‘Spadona’ was shown to be efficient suggesting that Syrian pear might be a potent pollinator for ‘Spadona’. Twenty-six Syrian pear seedlings, from different sites in north-east Israel were S-genotyped identifying 11 that are fully compatible with the four European pear varieties cultivated in Israel. By this screening, 24 different S-RNases were cloned; ten of them are new, whereas the other fourteen had been identified previously. In addition, seedlings of two wild pear species were also S-genotyped. Two seedlings from Pyrus betulifolia and one from Pyrus korshinskii were found to be genetically compatible with the four European pear cultivars. From these seedlings four S-RNases were cloned, two are new, one had been cloned previously and one was identical to an S-RNase allele cloned from Syrian pear in this work.     

Assessment of tolerance to NaCl salinity of five olive cultivars,based on growth characteristics and Na and Cl exclusion mechanisms

Changes caused by NaCl-induced salinity on several growth parameters and ions accumulation have been measured in five olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars (‘Chemlali’, ‘Chetoui’, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Arbequina I18’, and ‘Arbosana I43’) growing in a greenhouse in nutrient solution pot experiment. One-year-old plants were transplanted to sand–perlite (1:1) culture, and were irrigated with half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution containing NaCl at various levels (0.5, 50, 100 and 200 mM). Salinity induced significant decrease in growth parameters, but to a different extent in each cultivar. Leaf growth and total leaf area per plant were significantly affected by all salinity treatments in all studied cultivars, being ‘Arbequina I18’ the most sensitive cultivar. Leaf drop phenomenon was observed from 60 days after salt application at high salinity treatments, mainly in Arbequina I18. Contrary to leaf area, leaf thickness increased progressively during the experiment. ‘Chemlali’ developed thicker leaves at the two highest salinity treatments when compared to the other cultivars. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were higher in roots than in shoots and leaves in most of the cultivars investigated. The effectiveness of Na⁺ exclusion mechanism in the roots differed significantly among studied cultivars, working effectively in ‘Chemlali’ (by inhibiting translocation of Na⁺ to the aerial part) and being much less efficient in ‘Arbequina I18’. Furthermore, leaf abscission can be considered as an additional tolerance mechanism of olive cultivars allowing the elimination of leaves that had accumulated Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. Tolerance to salinity stress was as follows: ‘Chemlali’ > ‘Chetoui’ > ‘Arbosana I43’ > ‘Koroneiki’ > ‘Arbequina I18’. This order of salt tolerance was indicated by lower reduction in plant growth parameters (shoot elongation, trunk diameter, total plant dry weight, internodes length, and total leaf area), the increase of leaf thickness, and by the effectiveness of the exclusion mechanism of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in the root system.     

Pollen biology of ornamental ginger (Hedychium spp. J. Koenig)

An improved in vitro pollen germination assay was developed to assess the viability of stored Hedychium pollen. The effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (10, 15, and 20%, w/v) on pollen germination and tube growth was evaluated for Hedychium longicornutum and two commercial Hedychium cultivars, ‘Orange Brush’ and ‘Filigree’. Overall, the inclusion of PEG 4000 in the medium improved both pollen germination and tube growth for the three different genotypes tested and the results varied depending on genotype. In vitro germination was used to assess the viability of Hedychium pollen stored up to two months. Pollen nucleus status was determined for four Hedychium cultivars, ‘Orange Brush’, ‘Anne Bishop’, ‘Filigree’, and ‘Daniel Weeks’. Pollens of ‘Orange Brush’, ‘Anne Bishop’, and ‘Daniel Weeks’ were found to be binucleate but ‘Filigree’ was shown to possess both binucleate and trinucleate pollens. High pollen:ovule ratio values were obtained in several Hedychium taxa. The results obtained on the nuclear pollen status and pollen:ovule ratios will further our understanding of the pollination biology and help clarify the taxonomy and phylogeny of Hedychium species.     

Identification of S-alleles in pear (Pyrus communis L.) cv. ‘Rocha’ and other European cultivars

In this work we report the cloning and identification of S-RNase alleles responsible for gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) of ‘Rocha’ pear and of 13 other European pear cultivars that might be used as its pollinators. Partial sequences of S-RNase alleles were amplified by PCR with specific primers hybridising in conserved regions of previously identified S-RNase alleles of Pyrus communis, cloned and sequenced and the S-genotype of eight pear cultivars was fully determined. Three cultivars (‘General Léclerc’ (SqSl), ‘Tosca’ (SbSl) and ‘Alexandrine Douillard’ (SbSk)) shared no S-alleles with ‘Rocha’ (SaSe) and shall be totally compatible with this cultivar. None of the cultivars analysed showed an identical amplification pattern to the one observed in ‘Rocha’, so the other cultivars shall be at least semi-compatible. One new allele was identified in P. communis cv. ‘Beurré d’Avril’ (designated as St). The determination of both S-RNase alleles of cvs ‘Rocha’, ‘Beurré Precoce Morettini’ (SeSk) and ‘Tosca’ and the identification of one S-RNase allele in cvs ‘Carapinheira’ (Sb), ‘Amêndoa’ (Se), ‘Pérola’ (Sk) and ‘Beurré d’Avril’ (St) are important contributions for the effort recently developed worldwide to establish groups of sexual compatibility among European pears.     

Effect of distance from early flowering pollinizers ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’ on ‘Fiji’ fruit set

An apple orchard consisting of a single cultivar under the condition of natural pollination must have suitable pollinizers such as Crab apples to ensure stable fruit production. We selected ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’ as pollinizers for the cultivar ‘Fuji’, and investigated the rate of fruit and seeds in ‘Fuji’ fruits produced by pollen of the pollinizers. We developed a method for tracing pollen flow based on the leaf color of progeny and S-RNase allele of ‘Maypole’, and on Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) analyses of ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’. These were powerful tools for determining the distance insects (mainly Osmia cornifrons) carry pollen from the pollinizers to ‘Fuji’. Although the fruit set of ‘Fuji’ apples was not reduced with increasing distance between ‘Fuji’ apple trees and pollinizers (probably due to pollen flow from other commercial cultivars planted outside the area), the rate of ‘Fuji’ apple fruit produced by the pollen of the pollinizers decreased with increasing distance. The rate of fruit produced by the pollinizers was 84% and 77% when ‘Fuji’ was 2.5 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively, and 71% and 64% when ‘Fuji’ was 5 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively, but was reduced to 47% and 39% when ‘Fuji’ was 10 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively. However, the spacing could cause reduced fruit size, and require extra fruit thinning for producing large fruits. It could also cause reduction of the yield for increasing the planting area of pollinizers. We recommend that pollinizers should be planted not more than 10 m from ‘Fuji’.     

GA3 increases fruit weight in ‘Yu Her Pau’ litchi

In order to increase the fruit weight of a shriveled-seed cultivar, trees of ‘Yu Her Pau’ litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) growing in Taiwan were sprayed with Gibberellic acid (GA₃) (ProGibb^®, 20% of GA₃) at 5 and 10 mg/l 14 days after full bloom (AFB) over 2 years. Both concentrations of GA₃ significantly increased fruit longitudinal and transversal diameter, and fruit, aril and pericarp weight (40–41 and 37–38 mm, and 27.3–28.4, 21.7–22.7 and 5.0–5.3 g, respectively) compared with control (35–36 and 33–34 mm, and 22.3–22.4, 17.8–17.9 and 3.9–4.0 g), but had no significant effects on seed weight, percentage of aril weight of total fruit weight or total soluble solids (0.5–0.7 g, 78.9–80.3% and 18.1–19.0 °Brix, respectively). Fruit characteristics within the two concentrations of GA₃ showed no significant difference. The results indicated that sprays of GA₃ should be evaluated in ‘Yu Her Pau’ commercial orchards, and in other elite cultivars.     

Antioxidative activity associated with chilling injury tolerance of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) rind

‘Galia’ melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) is a climacteric fruit with a short storage life. To prevent over-ripening, fruits are stored at 4–6 °C, which also results in chilling injury (CI) that appears as numerous brown spots on the surface of the fruit. It has been suggested that exposure of ‘Galia’ fruits to high growth temperatures in the field renders them sensitive to low storage temperatures. Activity profile of the antioxidative enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) was monitored in the rind of ‘Galia’ fruits during low-temperature storage, to associate each enzyme's activity with CI incidence. Experiments were performed with low-temperature-sensitive and tolerant varieties, 5080^S and 1537^T respectively, and included a pre-storage treatment of hot-water wash of 5080^S fruits.     

Aluminium-induced effects on growth,morphogenesis and oxidative stress reactions in in vitro cultures of quince

The effects of Al³⁺ [supplied as Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O] addition to culture media (pH 4.0) on growth, morphogenesis (in leaf explants), and oxidative stress reactions in in vitro cultures of ‘BA 29’ quince were investigated. Aluminium (Al 0.5 mM) strongly inhibited shoot growth in the proliferation and rooting phases (Al 2.2 mM), reduced shoot proliferation (Al 1.1 mM), and induced tissue browning. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased in shoot cultures supplemented with 2 mM Al. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content of shoots was strongly increased by Al during proliferation (starting from Al 1.7 mM) and rooting (already at Al 1.1 mM), thus serving as a good ‘marker’ for Al toxicity. Even a low concentration of Al (0.5 mM) in the shoot induction medium was found to inhibit shoot regeneration. When standard (Al 0) shoot induction medium was used, leaf explant growth was only reduced by 2.2 mM Al in the subsequent growth phases. Following a preliminary selection for their growth on Al-enriched media, 82 potentially Al-tolerant quince somaclones were selected for further trials.     

Characteristics and oleocellosis sensitivity of citrus fruits

The effects of variety, growth phase, and water loss on development of oleocellosis, and relationships between chromatism and Vis/NIR spectra were studied in ‘EarlyGold’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck), ‘Fukumoto’ navel (Citrus sinensis Osbeck), and ‘Cara Cara’ navel (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) oranges. The varieties showed significant differences in the rate (RO) and degree (DO) of oleocellosis development. The sensitivity of varieties (from most to least sensitive) was ‘EarlyGold’ > ‘Fukumoto’ > ‘Cara Cara.’ Growth phase and water loss had a significant influence on fruit sensitivity to oleocellosis. The order of sensitivity to oleocellosis was dependent on harvest time (i.e., at normal period > at delayed period > at uncolored period), and RO and DO decreased significantly with water loss. The RO and DO models for fruit water loss were established as y = 0.75 − 3.94x − 271.33x² (R² = 0.77) and y = 1.70 − 7.29x − 1025.83x² (R² = 0.583). The sensitivity of ‘EarlyGold’ to oleocellosis was significantly correlated with dL and dC of fruit chromatism. At the same time, there were significant differences at 480–575 nm, 650–720 nm, and 925–965 nm between varieties with low and high sensitivity to oleocellosis, and ‘EarlyGolds’ with a low RO and DO had a higher reflectance than those with a high RO and DO.