Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.)

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars 'Emperor Francis', 'Huldra', 'Sam', 'Stella', 'Kristin', and 'Van' were stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) during one, two or three seasons. The cherries were held at a temperature of 0°C, or 2°C for up to three weeks. The fruit quality was evaluated on juice optical density (OD), titratable acidity (TA), pH, soluble solids content (SSC), ethanol, firmness and flavour. In general, CA had little effect on SSC in the three seasons and did not show any effects in reducing pitting. Controlled atmosphere has shown some beneficial effects on flavour, reducing decay, reducing toughening, and maintaining TA in sweet cherries. Generally, flavour score was higher for fruit kept in CA than for fruit stored in air, and the higher the CO₂ the better the taste. 'Van' and 'Sam' showed excellent taste scores after three weeks both from CA and air storage. There was very little ethanol accumulation in the fruits under CA, and it was well below the detrimental level. It is recommended that O₂ levels for sweet cherry storage can be further reduced below 10% and/or CO₂ can be increased above 15%.     

Antioxidant properties of sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L.): role of colorless phytochemicals from the methanolic extract of ripe fruits

Many edible plant metabolites are known to be useful as cellular antioxidants. In the search for antioxidative chemicals from native fruits of the Campania region of Italy, Prunus cerasus L., an acidic cherry widely used for culinary purposes, has been studied. Fruit crude extracts (MeOH, EtOAc, and hexane) were submitted to an antioxidative screening using specific assay media characterized from the presence of highly reactive radical species (DPPH*, ABTS*+, O2*-, NO) or lipoperoxidation markers. The reducing power of the samples was also determined. It was observed that the most polar extracts in MeOH and EtOAc were able to exercise a massive and dose-increasing antioxidative capacity. The peculiar efficacy of the same extracts was revealed by investigating their protein and deoxyribose oxidation capacity. A preliminary analysis of total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents together with biological screening data put the basis on P. cerasus fruit phytochemical investigation of methanolic extract. Twenty secondary metabolites were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic (especially 1D and 2D NMR) and spectrometric techniques. 1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-ethanediol-1,2-bis-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methanol-1-O-beta-D-gentiobioside (4), epicatechin-3-malate (14), and epicatechin-3-(1'-methyl)malate (15) were isolated for the first time. All of the compounds were evaluated for their radical scavenging activity on DPPH*, O2*-, and NO. Flavonoids and quinic acid derivatives were found to be the more antioxidative substances.     

柰园留草对柰园温湿度和柰果质量的影响

1999～2001年在古田县农科所红壤油柰母本园进行了果园留草对柰园温湿度和柰果质量影响的观测试验。结果表明：采用果园留草方式可调节和改善柰园的温湿度，有效地改善柰园生态环境，减轻久旱暴雨后的裂果率，有利于提高柰果的商品质量和经济效益。     

Molecular Characterization of Local Spanish Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] Germplasm

A collection of 85 local Spanish peach cultivars has been studied with SSR markers. To carry out this work 42 SSRs previously developed in peach were screened to select the microsatellite loci that presented high polymorphism and that were easier to score in high resolution agarose gels. Ten SSRs were selected to identify the peach cultivars and to estimate the genetic similarity among them. The selected microsatellites resulted in the amplification of 35 fragments in the 85 genotypes studied, differentiating 46 genotypic profiles, from which 31 correspond to unique cultivars. The rest of the profiles correspond to groups of two to five cultivars and one group of 17 undistinguishable cultivars. The genetic similarity estimated from the molecular data clearly separated the flat and most of the white-fleshed peaches from the rest of genotypes that are mostly yellow non-melting local peaches. The results obtained in this work will help to improve the conservation and management of local Spanish peach germplasm allowing the establishment of core collections that represent most of the diversity conserved.     

Growth,Ion Uptake,and Yield Responses of Three Indigenous Small-Sized Greek Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Cultivars and Four Hybrids of Cherry Tomato under NaCl Salinity Stress

The effect of three sodium chloride treatments (0, 75, and 150 mM) on the growth, yield, and ion uptake of three small-sized Greek tomato cultivars (Santorini Authentic, Santorini Kaisia, and Chios) and four cherry tomato hybrids (Cherelino, Scintilla, Delicassi, and Zucchero) was studied by using a completely randomized block design with seven replicates. The results indicated that Santorini Authentic under 75 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) had reduced its total biomass production (total plant + fruits fresh weight) by only 22% while the relevant percentage decreases of some hybrids were found to be duplicated. Regarding yield characteristics, Zucchero under 75 mM NaCl, followed by Santorini Kaisia and Chios, showed the lowest reduction of the marketable total fruit fresh weight compared to Cherelino and Delicassi. The greater tolerance of Santorini Authentic might be due to the greater sodium and chlorine retention by the roots in combination with the nonsignificant decrease of the leaf potassium.     

The effects of pressure trunk injections of potassium on the mineral content,growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avlum L.) and mineral content of prune (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

Fall trunk injections of 200 g K in K₂SO₄ solution or up to 300 g K in K₂HPO₄ solution had no effect on sweet cherry mid‐shoot leaf K in August. Phosphorus content was significantly increased in buds in March and midshoot leaves in August one year by fall injection of K₂HPO₄ (79.2 g P).

Spring trunk injections of 12.5 g K (K₂S04 or K₂HPO₄) in prune increased leaf K within four days and K levels remained higher than controls for at least 22 days with K₂SO₄ Leaf P was increased within four days by K₂HPO₄ and was higher than controls in August.

Fruit set in sweet cherry was significantly lower on trees injected with 200 g K (K₂S0₄) and 300 g K (K₂HPO₄). Yield was significantly lower for all injection treatments and was probably caused at least in part by reduced fruit set. Fruit quality was not affected by K injections.     

The effect of potassium soil amendments,trenching and foliar sprays on the mineral content,growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and prune (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

Potassium sulfate was applied to established, non‐irrigated, K deficient trees on fine textured soil by banding, placing in augered holes and injecting into the soil. Additional trees received a heavy compost mulch in early fall. Trenches were dug in the fall beside trees to break roots and then were backfilled with K₂SO₄, dolomite lime or a combination of the two. One percent K solutions of KNO₃ or K₂SO₄ were sprayed on trees four times during the growth season.

Sweet cherry trees only responded to compost mulch applications within two years. August midshoot leaf K, leaf N and fruit size were increased within one year however tree growth and yield were not affected. Fruit size and shoot growth were partially dependent on August leaf K level.

August midshoot leaf K of prune trees was increased within one growing season by all treatments except trench plus lime. Trees receiving compost also had increased levels of leaf N, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and B. Yield and shoot growth were increased only by compost mulch applications. Fruit size was partially dependent on August leaf K levels.     

不同施肥处理对油菜产量及品质的影响

通过在姜堰地区的大田试验,研究了不同施肥处理条件下油菜产量及籽粒品质的变化.试验设10个肥料处理:对照(不施肥,CK),缺氮(PKB)、缺磷(NKB)、缺钾(NPB)处理,大量营养元素平衡施肥处理(NPK)、增施微量营养元素处理(NPKB、NPKBZn),不同氮肥施用量处理(1/2N+PKB、3/2N+PKB、2N+PKB).结果表明:①缺失氮、磷、钾中任何一种养分时均能降低油菜产量,且当氮肥施用量为N 18 kg/667m2时,产量最高,而硼和锌肥对油菜增产没有显著效果.②在氮、磷、钾缺素处理中,油菜硫甙含量大小顺序为NKB＞ PKB＞ NPB,芥酸含量大小顺序为PKB＞NKB＞NPB,油菜含油量没有显著变化,油酸含量为NPB＞NKB＞PKB,蛋白质含量在PKB处理下最低.③在NPK处理平衡施肥条件下,施加硼肥能显著降低硫甙和芥酸含量,显著增加油菜含油量、油酸、蛋白质含量;继续增施锌肥对油菜含油量没有显著影响,但能进一步显著降低硫甙和芥酸含量,并显著提高油菜油酸和蛋白质含量;④油菜硫甙对氮肥施用量具有拐点效应.油菜芥酸含量随着氮肥施用量的增加而显著降低.氮肥施用过高(2N+PKB)显著降低含油量.氮肥施用量对蛋白质的影响趋势和油酸一致,即先随施氮量(＜ 12 kg/667m2)的增加而显著增加,而进一步增施氮肥则没显著变化.     

The influence of chemical soil factors on the development of VA mycorrhizas of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and sycamore(Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in pot experiments

The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate effects of soil acidity on the formation of mycorrhizas in ash and sycamore, and (2) to elucidate if mycorrhization can improve the acquisition of Ca, Mg, and P by these tree species. Soil substrates with different Ca, Mg, and Al saturation were used in pot experiments with mycorrhizal ash and sycamore seedlings and various Ca and Mg fertilization treatments. The development of vesicular‐arbuscular‐mycorrhizas (VAM) in both species was considerably affected by the chemical soil properties and by the nutritional status of the plants. Mycorrhizal fungi developed well only in plants growing on basalt‐derived, Ca and Mg rich loam and in substrates fertilized with Ca and Mg carbonate. In these substrates, the pH value, Ca and Mg supply and growth of the plants were optimal. The mycorrhizas degenerated in an acid loam derived from phyllite, in tertiary sand and in all treatments receiving Ca and Mg sulfate. Ash and sycamore suffered from Ca and Mg (P) deficiency, and partly from Al antagonism against Ca and Mg uptake (sycamore) or Al toxicity (ash). The symbiosis between fungi and the plants was disrupted since the tree species and the VAM fungi (from fertile nursery soils) did not adapt to the acidic experimental soil substrates with high Al activity. Consequently, the fungi lost their function of supporting the plants by improved nutrient uptake and the plants likely did not produce enough organic substances for the fungi. In addition, N fertilization possibly suppressed the development of VA mycorrhizas and inhibited new colonization in acid substrates.     

Molecular evaluation of genetic diversity and S-allele composition of local Spanish sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars

A group of 28 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) local cultivars from the Jerte Valley in Western Spain were fingerprinted using microsatellites and their self-incompatibility alleles determined using S-RNase conserved primers. A total of 12 microsatellite primer pairs revealed 42 informative alleles that allowed the unequivocal identification of 26 genotypes. UPGMA cluster analysis of the similarity data produced a clear separation between the old traditional cultivars and the most recent introductions. The S-allele analysis showed a low number of different alleles in the older cultivars studied and revealed the presence of three new S-alleles not described previously. The combined information obtained from SSR fingerprinting and S-allele identification will be useful to optimize the conservation of the cherry genetic resources present in the area. Moreover, this approach can be applied to optimize the conservation of local genetic resources of other fruit tree species.     

Effect of leonardite application on leaf nutrient content and fruit chemical parameters of cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Abstract

Organic fertilizers have an important role in plant nutrition practices by protecting the environment, human health, ecological balance and supporting sustainable productivity. Hence, the use of leonardite which has high humic acid content is becoming increasingly common. Objectives of the study were to examine the effects of leonardite application on leaf nutrient contents and some fruit chemical parameters (pH, total soluble solids, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity) of cherry (Prunus avium L.). Cherry Ziraat 900 was used as a test plant and grafted on a Gisela 6 rootstock. The research was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and 12 parcels. The 10-year-old orchard was chosen as the research area with having planting space of 5.0?m × 2.5?m. Each parcel consists of 25 trees. Four different doses (0-2-4-8?kg tree^?1) were applied to drip lines of trees at a depth of 20?cm. Chemical fertilizers (N-P-K) were also added. The effect of the applications in the research has a statistically significant effect on all parameters analyzed in leaves and fruits except for Mg in leaves. In addition, as the dose of leonardite is increased, its effect was also increased and the results appeared in different groups due to the increase of ionization, mobility and adsorption of chemical fertilizers applied in the research. Nutrient absorption was increased because of the increased permeability of stem cell membrane by leonardite applications. Consequently, nutrient levels in the leaves were sufficient and/or excessive and fruit contents were found optimum.     

铜胺氧化酶基因PpCuAO4在桃成熟中的功能鉴定

为明确铜胺氧化酶(CuAO)在桃果实成熟过程中的作用,分别采用1.0、5.0和10.0 mmol·L^-1的CuAO抑制剂氨基胍(AG)对黄水蜜桃果实进行喷施处理,并于桃果实成熟后测定果实硬度。结果表明,5 mmol·L^-1 AG处理组桃果实的硬度保持效果最好。进一步采用5.0 mmol·L^-1 AG处理黄水蜜桃果实,并测定果实成熟相关生理指标。结果表明,AG处理下桃果实在采后7 d内果实硬度均显著高于对照水平,乙烯释放量和呼吸强度均显著低于对照水平,表明抑制CuAO介导的多胺分解可显著延缓桃果实成熟。AG处理显著抑制乙烯合成、生长素转运和细胞壁降解相关基因PpACO1、PpACS、PpPIN1、PpGH3.3、PpPG和PpPME1的表达水平。为进一步明确CuAO在桃成熟中的功能,利用病毒诱导的基因沉默(VIGS)技术沉默腐胺(Put)分解关键基因PpCuAO4。结果显示,转基因桃果实PpCuAO4表达水平仅为对照的18%,Put含量和果实硬度显著高于对照水平,而乙烯释放量和呼吸强度均显著低于对照水平。上述结果表明,PpCuAO4介导的Put分解可以促进桃果实成熟。本研究为进一步深入解析多胺(polyamine)调控桃果实成熟的机制提供了重要的理论依据。     

Level and Transmission of Genetic Heterozygosity in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Explored Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

In this study, 17 peach simple sequence repeat (SSR) sequences were used in the exploration of the genetic heterozygosity level of several apricot cultivars from Spain, France, Greece, and the USA, and 23 descendants. The genotypes can be classified in three groups as a function of their genetic heterozygosity (1) local cultivars from Murcia (Spain) (‘Gitanos’ and ‘Pepito del Rubio’) and several descendants from crosses among these cultivars, with very low genetic heterozygosities (less than 0.30); (2) cultivars from France and Spain (‘Moniquí’, ‘Currot’ and ‘Bergeron’) and several descendants, with intermediate levels of genetic heterozygosity (around 0.45); and (3) cultivars ‘Orange Red’ and ‘Goldrich’ from North America and ‘Lito’ from Greece, with the remaining descendants, having genetic heterozygosities higher than 0.50. The results showed the high increase of genetic heterozygosity in the case of descendants from complementary crosses. The use of cultivars from North America could increase greatly the genetic heterozygosity in the Spanish apricot breeding programs, enlarging the genetic variability of the local cultivars. On the other hand, in the case of transgressive crosses among local Spanish cultivars, the increase of genetic heterozygosity was much lower.     

Sour Orange (Citrus Aurantium L.) Growth is Strongly Mycorrhizal Dependent in Terms of Phosphorus (P) Nutrition Rather than Zinc (Zn)

The partial sterilization of soil eliminates useful microorganisms, resulting in the reduced growth of mycorrhizae-dependent citrus plants, which are often unresponsive to the application of fertilizer. Research was conducted to test the hypothesis that indigenous mycorrhizae (IM) inoculation is as efficient as selected mycorrhizal inoculation under sterile and non-sterile soil conditions. Rhizophagus clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza spores, isolated from citrus orchards, were used as arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi under greenhouse conditions with sterile and non-sterile Çanakçi series (Typic xerofluvent) soils with low phosphorus (P) fertility. Different P (0 and 100 mg kg^?1) and zinc (Zn) (0, 5 and 10 mg kg^?1) concentrations were used at the start of the experiments. The shoot, root dry weight (RDW), root colonization, and P, Zn, iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) concentrations of the shoot were determined; mycorrhizae dependency (MD) was also calculated.

The results indicate that R. clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza in sterile and non-sterile soil conditions considerably increased the growth of citrus plants. Owing to existing beneficial indigenous rhizosphere microorganisms, citrus plant growth without inoculation was better in non-sterile soils than in the sterile soils. In non-sterilized soil, the plant growth parameters of R. clarus-inoculated soils were higher than those of indigenous mycorrhiza-inoculated soils. Mycorrhizae infection increased certain citrus plant growth parameters, such as root infection, biomass and nutrient uptake (P, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). In sterile soil, the addition of up to 5 mg kg^?1 soil Zn and the inoculation of R. clarus significantly increased plant growth; inoculation with indigenous mycorrhiza produced more dry weight upon the addition of up to 100 mg kg^?1 phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅). Under sterile soil conditions, without considering fertilizer addition, MD was found to be higher than that of non-sterile soils. In general, the contribution of the indigenous soil spores is significant. However, indigenous soil mycorrhizae may need to be managed for better efficiency in increasing plant growth and nutrient uptake. The major finding was that the inoculation of citrus seedlings with mycorrhiza is necessary under both sterilized and non-sterilized soil conditions.     

Silicon Effect on Nutrient Acquisition of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Under Aluminum Stress

Aluminum (Al) toxicity represents one of the main yield-limiting factors for crops in acid soils. Silicon (Si) is known to increase tolerance in higher plants. This study was conducted to determine whether treatment with Si could improve nutrient uptake by peanut under Al stress. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv Zhonghua 4) was raised with or without Si (1.5 mM) in the growth chamber under 0 and toxic Al (0.3 mM) levels. Aluminum stress significantly decreased the root- and total-dry weight by 52.4% and 32.0%, respectively. The content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) was significantly decreased, but that of Al increased markedly in shoots and roots after Al exposure at seedling, flower-needle, and pod-setting stage. Silicon alleviates Al toxicity in peanut plants in relation to Al distribution and allocation of tissue P, K, Ca, and Mg by favoring the partitioning of dry mass to roots.     

Identification of sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) and analysis of their genetic relationships by chloroplast sequence-characterised amplified regions (cpSCAR)

Ten cpSCAR markers that show polymorphism in Prunus avium were used to fingerprint sweet cherry cultivars. The purpose of the study was also to contribute to identification and to help determine their genetic interrelationships. Samples of ‘0900 Ziraat’, a superior Turkish variety, which were collected in several locations all over Turkey, had identical cpSCAR patterns, and they resembled a common European haplotype, A. ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Summit’ and ‘Canada Giant’ and their haplotype are intermediate between the previously described haplotypes A and B, which were originally found in Central and Eastern European sweet and wild cherries, and those from Northern Turkey, respectively. The data therefore suggests a local maternal descent (within Europe and Asia Minor) of the cultivars analysed. Our results show that chloroplast DNA analysis is a straightforward way to classify cherry cultivars. We compare our results to others previously reported for sweet cherry cultivars, and conclude that cpSCAR diversity data could be considered for phylogenetic studies in this group.     

热水结合维生素C处理对甜樱桃果实褐变的控制研究

在预试验基础上,甜樱桃果实采用42℃热水及42℃热水添加0.1%维生素C各处理10 min,在0±0.5℃,相对湿度为85%~90%的条件下贮藏18 d后,再置于24±1℃,相对湿度为65%~70%条件下存放2 d,对果实的褐变参数及相关酶活性进行检测。结果表明,热水处理明显抑制甜樱桃果实L^*和H⁰值的下降及苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的上升。热水添加维生素C处理强化了这一抑制效果。贮藏后,热水和热水添加维生素C处理的果实感官综合评分分别为6.9和7.5,而对照仅为5.7。相关分析表明,感官综合评分与L^*、b^*和H⁰呈显著正相关,与a^*、PPO和POD活性呈显著负相关(P<0.05)。     

紫云英翻压对水田土壤可溶性有机氮及生化性质的影响

以亚热带红泥砂田为研究对象,在15℃和25℃条件下,利用淹水培养法模拟水田土壤紫云英翻压还田,研究其对土壤可溶性有机氮(SON)、酶活性及微生物量碳、氮的影响。结果表明:15℃和25℃条件下翻压紫云英后土壤SON含量总体呈先上升后下降并趋于平稳的变化规律,分别于培养15 d和10 d达到峰值,比未翻压紫云英处理提高138.11%和84.20%。两种温度条件下翻压紫云英均显著提高土壤SON含量、脲酶、蛋白酶和谷氨酰胺酶活性以及微生物量碳和氮。土壤SON含量与脲酶、蛋白酶、谷氨酰胺酶、微生物量碳和氮呈显著或极显著正相关。翻压紫云英后水田土壤SON的迁移及其环境风险应引起充分关注。     

收获时气象因子对苏格兰型留兰香精油产量和品质的影响

通过对2001—2005年连续5a在西安市长安区种植苏格兰型留兰香小区试验及收获期气象资料分析，研究了收获时的降雨和温度对其精油产量和品质的影响。结果表明：收获时的降雨量和温度对苏格兰型留兰香精油产量有明显的影响。降雨量越大，出油率越低，精油产量越低，大雨之后可下降50％左右，一般雨后有连续3～5d晴天，出油率和精油产量可基本恢复到雨前水平；收获时温度越高，出油率越高，精油产量越高，日均温20℃以上，出油率和精油产量高。因此，苏格兰型留兰香应在连续3d以上晴天、日均温20℃以上收获为宜。