Fruit set is inversely related to flower and fruit weight in olive (Olea europaea L.)

Fruit weight is strongly correlated to ovary weight in olive as big-fruited cultivars have larger ovaries and flowers at bloom. We tested the hypothesis that larger ovaries imply stronger sinks and therefore reduce fruit set, expressed as number of fruits. Flower/fruit load per centimeter of shoot was assessed every month from flowering to harvest, on sample shoots of many different olive cultivars differing in fruit size. Data were taken for two years: 2007 and 2008. Additionally, in 2008, a fruit thinning experiment was carried out by leaving a single fruit per shoot, to assess the maximum potential fruit weight achievable by each cultivar. Results indicated that fruit size was mostly genetically determined as thinned fruits of small-fruited cultivars, although bigger than control fruits, never got as big as fruits from large-fruited cultivars, confirming that large ovaries are a prerequisite for large fruits. Among all cultivars, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the number of inflorescences, and the number of flowers per centimeter of shoot were not correlated to average flower weight while total flower mass per centimeter of shoot was positively correlated to average flower weight (i.e. large flowered/fruited cultivars had greater total flower mass). However, one month after bloom and thereafter, all parameters were negatively and exponentially correlated with fruit average weight across cultivars, except fruit mass per centimeter of shoot which was generally not correlated to fruit average weight, except in one year, at harvest, when fruit mass per centimeter of shoot was positively correlated to fruit average weight. These results suggest that fruit set is a consequence of, and inversely proportional to flower/fruit size in olive.     

Pistil abortion is related to ovary mass in olive (Olea europaea L.)

Pistil abortion is considered to be an evolutionary adaptation to save resources in andromonoecious species, balancing the number of pistils with the resources available. It follows that large-fruited species/cultivars should have greater levels of pistil abortion. Working in olive, we found that pistil abortion, expressed as percentage of staminate flowers, was positively correlated to the average ovary mass at bloom, across cultivars with different ovary/fruit mass. Since ovary mass correlated with fruit mass, pistil abortion also correlated with fruit mass. The absolute number of perfect flowers per inflorescence was negatively correlated with both ovary mass and pistil abortion, while the number of staminate flowers per inflorescence increased with both parameters. The total number of flowers (i.e. staminate + perfect) was not correlated to ovary mass or pistil abortion, suggesting that male function was not affected. The results support the hypothesis that pistil abortion is related to competition for resources among ovaries, and suggest that genetic differences in pistil abortion among olive cultivars may be explained by their different pistil mass and sink strength.     

Sexual compatibility within and between olive cultivars

Summary

Self- and cross-incompatibility of the olive cultivars Frantoio, Manzanillo, Kalamata, Pendolino, and Picual were investigated using a 5 × 5 diallel matrix. Pistils were collected seven days after controlled pollinations on the day of flower opening, and pollen tubes were detected by fluorescence microscopy. Diallel analysis showed significant specific combining ability, general combining ability and reciprocal effects between cultivars for pollen tube growth in the pistil. ‘Frantoio’ was cross-compatible, as either a male or female parent, with each of the other cultivars, but showed a high degree of self-incompatibility. ‘Manzanillo’, ‘Kalamata’, ‘Pendolino’, and ‘Picual’ were crossincompatible, and all except for ‘Manzanillo’, were self-incompatible. It is concluded that ‘Frantoio’ is a good general polleniser for the other cultivars investigated. Pollen tube growth decreased in discrete steps from stigma to upper style, and from upper style to lower style, with the result that only one, and rarely more, pollen tube penetrated ovules. The sex ratio of flowers, and pollen viability using fluroescein diacetate staining and in vitro germination, were examined. ‘Frantoio’, ‘Manzanillo’ and ‘Pendolino’ had more than 80% perfect flowers, while ‘Kalamata’ and ‘Picual’ had less than 30%. ‘Frantoio’ had the highest pollen viability, ‘Kalamata’ and ‘Picual’ were intermediate, and ‘Manzanillo’ and ‘Pendolino’ the lowest. Pollen staining and both in vitro and in vivo germination provided the same male fertility rankings of cultivars.     

‘四季桂’不同季节的花芽分化与发育比较

利用显微解剖和石蜡切片技术,对四季桂品种群中‘四季桂’(Osmanthus fragrans‘Sijigui’)不同季节的花芽分化及开花特性进行研究。‘四季桂’一年成花3次,分别于3月初、6月上旬和10月底开始花芽分化,4月下旬、8月底和11月底完成,分别历时约2个月、2个半月和1个月。6月开始的花芽分化和开花过程与秋桂品种群基本相似,分化后需要低温才能开花,最终形成聚伞花序,无总梗,花粉发育正常。而10月底分化的花芽在完成分化后随即开花,形成的花序有总梗,且有伸长与未伸长之分,长度分别为(0.80±0.11)cm和(3.50±0.71)cm。3月分化的花芽与新梢同时生长发育,分化完成后随即开花。春季和冬季的两次分化形成的均是圆锥状花序,具总梗,花粉均败育。结果表明‘四季桂’自身存在着不同的成花机制。     

Effects of inflorescence removal on the fruit set of the remaining inflorescences and development of the laterals on one year old apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) branches

Summary

Inflorescences are known to be important physiological sinks especially when they set fruit. The effect, over two successive years, of inflorescence removal on one year old wood was investigated on apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). The study was carried out on medium vigour (around 30 cm) branches of cv. Granny Smith. On one set of branches (control) the inflorescences were untreated, while on two other sets, one-third and two-thirds of inflorescences (spur leaves, bourse-shoot and flower cluster) were removed at full bloom. The first analysis investigated the fruit setting ability of remaining inflorescences. The results generally confirmed previous results on the positive correlation between the number of leaves and flowers of the inflorescence and fruit set, and also the higher fruit set on two year old wood as compared with one year old wood. On one year old wood, inflorescence removal treatments tended to increase the fruit set of inflorescences with a low number of leaves and flowers leading to a level of fruit set similar to that of inflorescences with a larger number of leaves and flowers. On two year old wood, in the following year, only the two-thirds treatment increased fruit set consistently compared with the control. A second analysis investigated the effect of inflorescence removal on lateral shoot development. It was shown that the treatments had a little effect on quantitative growth (length, diameter) of the laterals per se. On the other hand, the removal of two-thirds of the inflorescence significantly stimulated the development of fruitful inflorescences the following year. Results are discussed in relation to the local versus global physiological integration at the branch level.     

Interactions of photoperiod,temperature, duration of short-day treatment and plant age on flowering of Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Korona

The effects of photoperiod (10, 12, 16, 20 or 24 h), day-temperature (12, 15, 18, 24 or 30 °C), the number of short days (14, 21 or 28 days), plant age (4, 8 or 12 weeks) and their interactions on flower and inflorescence emergence were investigated in strawberry cv. Korona. No flowers emerged in plants exposed to photoperiods of 16, 20 or 24 h or to a short-day treatment for 14 days. All plants exposed to short days at daily photoperiods of 10 or 12 h for 21 days or longer, emerged flowers at temperatures between 12 and 18 °C. A further increase in temperature led to a drastic decrease in the total number of flowers per plant. A short-day treatment (10 or 12 h photoperiod) of 28 days resulted in highest numbers of inflorescences and flowers per plant, while a short-day treatment of 21 days resulted in the highest numbers of flowers per inflorescence. Complete flower induction was observed in only 4-week-old runner plants. The number of inflorescences and the number of flowers per inflorescence increased with plant age. However, the start of flowering was delayed with increasing plant age.     

梨子花发育对果实品质的影响

选择梨主栽品种‘丰水’、‘黄金’、‘新高’、‘鸭梨’、‘茌梨’和‘绿宝石’等为试材,对梨子花发育状况以及对果实品质的影响进行了调查研究。结果显示：梨不同品种子花发生率差异明显,‘丰水’、‘黄金’、‘新高’等砂梨系统品种子花发生率比‘鸭梨’、‘茌梨’和‘绿宝石’等白梨系统品种高;在结果枝类型上,短果枝的子花发生率比长果枝高;在结果母枝类型及生长势的强弱上,1年生弱枝的子花发生率比强枝高,2年生枝比3年生枝高;在同一花枝上中部子花发生率高;子花的开花期比母花晚 1 ~ 2 d,小花数在3 ~ 6朵之间,开花顺序与母花相反,为中心花先开,中心果发育最快。子花所结果实比母花果实小,商品价值低。因此,梨生产上子花的及早摘除有利于果品质量的提高。     

牡丹开花和衰老期间花瓣糖代谢的研究

 以牡丹( Paeonia suffruticosa) 品种‘洛阳红’和‘胡红’为材料, 研究了花开放和衰老过程中花瓣可溶性糖及其代谢相关酶活性的变化。结果表明: 伴随花瓣的迅速生长展开, 总可溶性糖呈现迅速增加的趋势, 特别是己糖(葡萄糖和果糖) 含量显著增加, 盛开后己糖水平达到最高, 而蔗糖含量呈现逐渐下降的变化。己糖和蔗糖降解指数(SDI) 与花枝质量呈现极显著的正相关; 花瓣酸性转化酶活性维持较高水平, 开花过程中活性逐渐升高, 开放后逐渐下降。经主成分回归分析, 可溶性糖的代谢依赖于酸性转化酶、中性转化酶、蔗糖合成酶和蔗糖磷酸合成酶的共同作用。结果提示, 牡丹花瓣中己糖的积累在花开放和衰老过程中起着重要作用。     

Influences of day and night temperatures on flowering of Fragaria x ananassa Duch., cvs. Korona and Elsanta,at different photoperiods

The effects of photoperiod (12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 h), day temperature (12, 15, 18, 24 or 27 °C) and night temperature (6, 9 or 12 °C) and their interactions on flower and inflorescence emergence were investigated by exposing 4 week old runner plants of strawberry cvs. Korona and Elsanta during a period of 3 weeks. A daily photoperiod of 12 or 13 h resulted in the highest number of plants with emerged flowers. A photoperiod of 14 h or more strongly reduced this number, while no flowers emerged at a photoperiod of 16 h. Plants exposed to photoperiods of 12 or 13 h flowered earlier and had longer flower trusses. A day temperature of 18 °C and/or a night temperature of 12 °C were optimal for plants to emerge flowers and resulted in the shortest time to flowering. A night temperature of 6 °C strongly reduced the number of plants that emerged flowers, especially when combined with lower day temperatures. Photoperiod and temperature had no effect on the number of inflorescences, all flowering plants produced on average one inflorescence. The number of flowers on the inflorescence increased with decreasing day temperature and when photoperiod was raised from 12 to 15 h. In general, ‘Korona’ was more sensitive to photoperiod and temperature as ‘Elsanta’, and had a lower optimal day temperature for flower emergence. Results of this experiment may be used to produce high quality plant material or to define optimal conditions when combining flower induction and fruit production.     

珍稀濒危植物掌叶木的开花生物学特性与繁育系统

通过野外观察、杂交指数估算、授粉特性分析及人工控制授粉试验等方法对珍稀濒危植物掌叶木（Handeliodendron bodinieri）开花生物学特性和繁育系统进行研究。结果表明：（1）掌叶木每年开花1次,花期在4月下旬到5月中下旬,开花的起止时间及花期的长短受当地气候影响较大;（2）花多为假两性花,即形态上为雌、雄蕊完整的两性花,而功能上为雌、雄蕊选择性败育形成的单性花,偶见雌、雄蕊可育的真两性花植株;单性花通常雌、雄异株,且雌株较雄株少,花序较雄株短5.6 cm,花期也较雄株短2周左右,雄株花序上偶尔见雌花单花;（3）单花经历萌动、露白、展开、盛开、凋落5个阶段,历时5 ~ 6 d;雄花从萌动到开花1 d的花粉活力高达90.5%,开花2 d后活力显著下降;雌花柱头在展开前部分具可授性,展开后1 ~ 3 d均具可授性,花粉活力与柱头可授性重叠;（4）雄花单花花粉量为51 461个,雌花单花胚珠数6,花粉胚珠比（P/O）为8 577,杂交指数为4,结合人工授粉、套袋、套网和自然授粉坐果率判断,掌叶木繁育系统为专性异交,传粉过程需要传粉者,可能存在无融合生殖。（5）掌叶木花性别分化复杂,可孕花数量较不孕花少,可育雌、雄蕊存在较大的空间隔离,加之不稳定的传粉环境,可能是其濒危的重要生殖生物学原因。     

Evaluation and improvement of post-harvest performance of cut Viburnum tinus inflorescence

Post-harvest performance of cut viburnum inflorescences was examined in the present study. Harvesting viburnum at three developmental stages resulted in significant differences on flower opening rate (FOR) and flower abscission rate (FAR), but not on vase life. Harvesting at Stage III (>50% open flowers) resulted in highest flower opening percentage, whereas harvesting at Stage I (10–30% open flowers) in significantly lower flower abscission percentage. Pulsing with 20 or 40 mg/l AgNO₃ for 24 h extended vase life by 1.6 and 1.9 days, respectively, compared to the controls. Furthermore, flower abscission was significantly reduced after 20 or 40 mg/l AgNO₃ treatments by 51 and 62%, respectively, compared to the controls. In contrast, vase solutions containing 100 mg/l DICA or 100 and 200 mg/l methanol did not extend vase life of cut viburnum inflorescences, but significantly reduced flower abscission. Vase solutions containing 1 or 2% (w/v) sucrose negatively affected vase life, flower opening and flower abscission of viburnum inflorescence. Post-harvest treatments with 1-MCP at 10 μl/l in an ethylene-free environment resulted in extension of vase life and in significant reduction of FAR and respiration rates compared to the controls. Vase life of 1-MCP treated inflorescences was increased by 4.2 days compared to the controls. FAR of 1-MCP treated inflorescences remained significantly lower from the second to the eighth day of the vase life period.     

橙色一串红新品种‘橙香公主’

 一串红‘橙香公主’是从河北省三河市农家橙色一串红实生群体中选育出的橙色新品种。株高75 ~ 85 cm，花萼及花冠橙色，花序长25 ~ 29 cm，花轮数17 ~ 19 个，花轮间距1.4 ~ 1.6 cm，每轮花6 朵，单个花序花朵最多可达114 朵，整株总花序35 枝以上。该品种较原品种花盖度高，观赏性好，抗热能力、抗疫病和花叶病能力强，适宜在北京地区种植。     

日本矮紫薇花芽形态分化的研究

日本矮紫薇花芽由中上部侧枝和主枝顶芽发育而成,花芽分化从4月末开始至5月末结束,历时30d,包括花序分化和小花分化两个过程,分为形态分化前、开始分化期、花序原基分化期、花蕾分化期、小花花萼分化期、花瓣分化期、雄蕊分化期、雌蕊分化期8个时期,花序和小花分化的顺序分别是离心和向心的.花芽分化与春梢生长有一定的相关性.     

核桃花器官变异研究

 观察胡桃花器官变异类型及其特点，制作石蜡切片对两性花变异类型的花芽分化进程进行了研究。用6个早实胡桃材料和2个晚实胡桃材料作亲本，选配10个杂交组合，得到2942个实生杂种苗。在具有早实胡桃为亲本的杂交组合和早实胡桃自然授粉的2648株实生单株中，到播种后第3a累计结实实率为20.34％，晚实胡桃294株实生后代无早结果现象。在538株早实杂种苗中，共有12个单株在2a生时发生了花器变异，变异类型包括两性花类型、穗状花类型、穗状花具分枝类型、穗状花雌雄同序类型、柱头变异类型和雌花序莲座状类型。连续5年观察表明，仅有来自于新1号×香玲杂交组合的C3单株二次花的雌雄同花变异在不同年份稳定表现。在一些早实品种（如香玲）的徒长枝上也具有两性花变异。胡桃两性花变异的形态发育进程属于向心式：花序原基－花原基－花被原基－雄蕊原基－雌蕊原基－子房原基。胡桃的花器官变异是早实胡桃二次开花过程发生的。早实胡桃花器官变异类型的存在为胡桃的早实特性和花器官发育研究提供了珍贵的材料。     

Influence of the Cytokinin, 6-Benzylamino-9-(Tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-9H-Purine,on the Growth and Development of Some Ornamental Crops

Foliar sprays of the synthetic cytokin, 6-benzylamino-9-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-9H-purine (PBA), increased branching in carnation, chrysanthemum, poinsettia, petunia and fuchsia, which showed varying levels of tolerance. In no instance did PBA reduce plant height. Applications of PBA to carnation and chrysanthemum stimulated branching in both intact and pinched plants. Treatment a few days prior to pinching produced more uniform development of new laterals. Response to the compound was most favourable under optimum growing conditions. Under relatively poor light intensity the laterals exhibited a reluctance for continued elongation and showed marked chlorosis. Application of PBA to flower buds at an early stage of development increased both the diameter and the fresh weight of carnation flowers or chrysanthemum inflorescences when fully open. Response to the compound decreased with age of the bud at the time of treatment. In carnation the effects on size were accompanied by an increase in petal area together with an increase in the number of primary petals produced. Relatively high concentrations also induced the formation of secondary growing centres from which varying numbers of additional petals were produced. Relatively large numbers of these secondary centres within a flower resulted in an increased incidence of calyx splitting. These centres were not observed in chrysanthemum. The formation of secondary growing centres could also be induced by GA₃ and IAA. However, while these growth substances increased the diameter and fresh weight of carnation flowers, unlike cytokinins they had no apparent effect on the number of primary petals formed. Finally PBA was also observed to increase the longevity of cut flowers of carnation. This was particularly apparent at relatively low temperatures.     

观赏荷花新品种‘青青子衿’

‘青青子衿’是从观赏荷花‘陶令风情’实生后代中选育出来的新品种,重瓣,中等株型。立叶高63 ~ 85 cm,叶长24 ~ 34 cm,叶宽19 ~ 28.5 cm。花色为黄绿色。花被外被22 ~ 24枚,内被64 ~ 70枚,花冠直径21 ~ 23 cm。着花密度高,20 ~ 23 朵 ? m-2。     

蝴蝶兰新品种‘红霞’

 蝴蝶兰‘红霞’由‘明和公主’自交选育而成。属中花多花型紫红线条花品种,花葶高50.9 cm,花葶平均分枝数1.7个,最多时可达4个分枝。主枝花朵数10朵;总花朵数19朵,多可达25朵以上。花朵圆整,花径8.3 cm。花瓣颜色较萼片深红。早花,花芽分化对低温要求不严格。     

‘厚瓣金桂’桂花花芽形态分化的研究

 采用石蜡切片法观察了‘厚瓣金桂’桂花(Osmanthus fragrans‘Houban Jingui’) 花芽形态分化过程。研究表明: 厚瓣金桂花芽分化从4 月中旬开始分化苞片原基至8 月底心皮原基形成历时约4 个月,其过程可分为苞片分化期、花序原基分化期、花蕾原基分化期、顶花花萼分化期、花瓣分化期、雄蕊分化期和雌蕊分化期7 个时期。其中, 苞片分化期和雄蕊分化期历时长, 分化较慢, 其它时期历时短, 分化较快。聚伞花序的中间顶花先分化, 需时长, 侧花后分化, 需时短, 因此各小花几乎同时完成花芽分化进程。     

唐菖蒲花序发育特性的研究

唐菖蒲６个切花品种花序生长发育与叶数的增加呈特定的关系，在２～３叶期花序分化开始后，首先是小花数迅速增加，至５叶期停止增加，而花茎开始迅速伸长生长，单个小花生长发育加快，同时已分化的小花从花序顶端开始发生不同程度的败育，导致切花的每穗花数降低。     

早实核桃花器官发育的解剖学研究

 通过形态解剖方法,观察早实核桃品种‘香玲’第1次开花的雌花芽和雄花芽发育特点,结果发现：在山东泰安地区,早实核桃‘香玲’雌花芽的分化从5月上旬—中旬进入形态分化临界期后,历经雌花花序分化期、花柄原基和雌花原基分化期、花被原基分化期、苞片原基分化期、花萼原基分化期、花瓣原基分化期、雌蕊原基分化期和胚珠分化期;个别雌花原基还能分化出花瓣原基和雄蕊原基,雌花花瓣原基和雄蕊原基在随后的发育过程中退化。在晚实核桃品种‘青林’雌花发育过程中没有发现花瓣原基和雄蕊原基的分化。‘香玲’核桃雄花芽的分化从4月上—中旬次第进入雄花序分化期、雄花原基分化期、花萼原基分化期、雄蕊原基分化期、花药分化期、花粉囊和花粉粒形成期。