Influence of acid soil on nodule numbers in relation to polyamine and tannin concentrations in roots of Phaseolus vulgaris

The relationship between soil acidity and polyamine (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) concentrations in roots was evaluated and compared to (1) nodule numbers in common beans and (2) tannin concentrations in roots. Six Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars were grown in pots in a greenhouse in soil at pH 4.5 or 5.5 and inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strains. At pH 4.5 nodule numbers were strongly reduced but polyamine concentrations were 50% higher than at pH 5.5. At both pH levels putrescine and spermidine were the dominant polyamines, while the concentration of spermine was less than half of the other two. There was also a cultivar effect on the polyamine concentration, but this was much less pronounced than the pH effect. By 22 days after planting the uninoculated control plants had about 13% lower levels of polyamines than the inoculated plants. The concentrations of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine were negatively correlated with nodule numbers, but positively correlated with the root tannin content. There were no significant correlations with either root or plant dry weight.     

EFFECT OF SALINITY AND EXOGENOUSLY APPLIED POLYAMINES ON GROWTH AND ION RELATIONS IN SPINACH

ABSTRACT

It has been suggested that polyamines are involved in many growth and development processes in plants and may serve as growth regulators. These nitrogenous compounds have been shown to be involved in cell division, nucleic acid and proteins synthesis, and normal senescence. It is thought by some that polyamines may be involved in the plant's mechanistic response to stress. More importantly, some reports indicate that exogenously applied polyamines can overcome the growth reduction brought about by salinity stress. In this report, growth studies were performed on to examine the effect of exogenously applied putrescine, spermidine, and spermine on the alleviation of salinity stress. Spinacia oleracea, L. cv. Space was chosen since much of our understanding of the sugar metabolism needed for growth has been derived from this plant. Polyamines were applied in a manner used in earlier reports, i.e., foliar spray. The effect of salinity and polyamines on leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry weight was observed. Our analysis showed that putrescine and spermine had no significant effect on plant growth throughout the range of salinities studied (2 to 11.7?dS?m^?1). Spermidine slightly decreased growth. Further studies on ion uptake indicated that none of the polyamines tested had a significant effect on plant ion content. While we failed to document any growth response to putrescine or spermine treatment, we did find a significant reduction of growth as salinity increased in the irrigation water. Further analysis of the ion data indicated that K⁺:Na⁺ selectivity significantly increased with increasing salinity. This preferential increased influx of K⁺ ions may be an important mechanism by which spinach maintains low Na⁺ tissue levels relative to external concentrations. Additionally, Ca²⁺:Na⁺ selectivity as measured by the Gapon constant, K _g , greatly increased. Conversely, Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺ selectivity decreased resulting in an increase in Mg²⁺ tissue concentrations. Our results are discussed in terms of possible salt tolerance mechanisms in spinach as they relate to the preferential uptake of specific nutrient ions from saline irrigation waters.     

Methyl salicylate-induced arginine catabolism is associated with up-regulation of polyamine and nitric oxide levels and improves chilling tolerance in cherry tomato fruit

The effects of methyl salicylate (MeSA) on chilling injury (CI) and gene expression levels, enzyme activities, and metabolites related to arginine catabolism in cherry tomato fruit were investigated. Freshly harvested fruits were treated with 0.05 mM MeSA vapor at 20 °C for 12 h and then stored at 2 °C for up to 28 days. MeSA reduced CI and enhanced the accumulation of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, which was associated with increased gene expression levels and activities of arginase, arginine decarboxylase, and ornithine decarboxylase at most sampling times. MeSA also increased nitric oxide synthase activity, which at least partly contributed to the increased nitric oxide content. The results indicate that MeSA activates the different pathways of arginine catabolism in cold-stored fruit and that the reduction in CI by MeSA may be due to the coordinated metabolism of arginine and the increase in polyamines and nitric oxide levels.     

Carbohydrate content and metabolism as related to maturity and chilling sensitivity of cv. Fortune mandarins.

Fruits of cv. Fortune mandarin were periodically harvested throughout the ripening period to evaluate changes in carbohydrate content and metabolism in flavedo tissue and to determine the potential role of carbohydrates in the tolerance of citrus fruit to chilling injury (CI). Sucrose showed little change in the flavedo during the season, but fructose and glucose increased, in nearly equal amounts, throughout the fall and winter, reaching a maximum in January. Starch levels were less abundant than soluble carbohydrates and rose continuously until March. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 4.1.14) activity decreased from December throughout ripening. Changes in sucrose synthase (SS; EC 2.4.1.13) and acid and alkaline invertase (Inv; EC 3.2.1.26) activities correlated with changes in the reducing sugars, but acid invertase was less active than the other sucrose-metabolizing enzymes. Carbohydrate changes in the flavedo of Fortune mandarins with fruit maturity appear not to be related to the chilling tolerance of fruits during cold storage.     

Postharvest polyamine application alleviates chilling injury and affects apricot storage ability

Fruit of two apricot cultivars 'Bagheri' and 'Asgarabadi' were treated with putrescine (Put) or spermidine (Spd) at 1 mM and then were stored at 1 °C for 21 days. Fruit were sampled weekly and stored 2 days at 20 °C for shelf-life study. The treatments reduced ethylene production and maintained the firmness and color of the fruit. Peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities and total phenol (TP) concentrations were measured during storage. Both cultivars showed chilling injury (CI) incidence, and the severity in control fruit was higher than either Put or Spd treatments. CI incidence in Spd-treated fruit was lower than that of Put-treated fruit. Polyamine (PA) treatment generally increased antioxidant enzyme activity of fruit during storage. PA treatments may help maintain the quality of apricot fruit during storage by inhibiting ripening and decreasing CI incidence.     

以生物胺变化评价冷藏罗非鱼片腐败进程

为了探讨生物胺指标评价鱼肉腐败进程的可能性及其安全范围,应用反相高效液相色谱法测定冷藏罗非鱼片贮藏过程的生物胺变化,用以判断鱼片的腐败进程。结果表明:新鲜鱼片初始单胺和多胺总量较高,二胺总量很低。贮藏过程中单胺和多胺波动变化并呈下降趋势,尸胺、腐胺含量快速增加成为主要生物胺。含有尸胺+腐胺的二胺、生物胺指数、总生物胺等指标与其两者增长趋势相似。相关分析表明尸胺、腐胺、二胺、生物胺指数、总生物胺与贮藏时间、微生物数量和氨基态氮具有高度相关性。经回归分析表明假单胞菌、肠杆菌的增长与尸胺、腐胺具有重要的对应关系。尸胺、腐胺和二胺可简便有效评价鱼片腐败进程;但综合考虑组胺和酪胺的毒性,则生物胺指数(BAI)更适用,冷藏罗非鱼片生物胺指数的初步判别范围为:<20mg/kg,新鲜;20～40mg/kg,可接受;>40mg/kg,腐败。该研究为冷藏罗非鱼片生物胺的限量标准提供数据参考。     

Effect of different treatments on the evolution of polyamines during refrigerated storage of eggplants

The applicability of a thermal treatment was compared with modified-atmosphere (MA) storage in relation to chilling injury (CI) and polyamines evolution in eggplants. Fruits underwent physiological disorders at 3 degrees C, evidenced by the appearance of surface injuries at the third day of storage, and, after moving the fruits to 20 degrees C, by increased respiratory activity and more intense ethylene production. Storage of fruits in sealed low-density polyethylene bags and a previous treatment with heated air (1 h at 35 degrees C) were both effective in retarding chilling injury, though the former was better. Two free polyamines were found in cv. Black Nite: putrescine, in greater proportion, and spermidine. Putrescine increased in control (untreated) fruits stored at 3 degrees C in parallel with the external appearance of chilling injury, whereas this increase was either not exhibited or retarded in treated or MA stored fruits. Spermidine did not change in control fruits at 3 degrees C, remaining almost constant over the whole storage period, whereas in heat- and MAP-treated fruits spermidine levels exhibited a decrease.     

Changes in sugars,acids, and volatiles during ripening of koubo [Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller] fruits

The columnar cactus Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller, Cactaceae (koubo), is grown commercially in Israel. The unripe fruits are green, and the color changes to violet and then to red when the fruit is fully ripe. The content of soluble sugars was found to increase 5-fold during ripening. Glucose and fructose were the main sugars accumulated in the fruit pulp, and each increased from 0.5 to 5.5 g/100 g fresh weight during ripening. The polysaccharides content decreased during ripening from 1.4 to 0.4 g/100 g fresh weight. The titratable acidity decreased and the pH increased during ripening. The major organic acid found in the fruit was malic acid, which decreased from 0.75 g/100 g fresh weight at the mature green stage to 0.355 g/100 g fresh weight in ripe fruits. Citric, succinic, and oxalic acids were found in concentrations lower than 0.07 g/100 g fresh weight. Prominent accumulation of aroma volatiles occurred toward the end of the ripening process. The main volatile found in the ripe fruit was linalool, reaching concentrations of 1.5-3.5 microg/g fresh weight.     

Temporal sequence of cell wall disassembly events in developing fruits. 2. Analysis of blueberry (Vaccinium species)

Softening and pathogen susceptibility are the major factors limiting the marketing of blueberries as fresh fruits, and these traits are associated with fruit cell wall structure. However, few studies that characterize wall modifications occurring during development and ripening have been reported for this fruit. In this study the ripening-associated modifications of blueberry fruit cell walls (composition, pectin and hemicellulose solubilization, and depolymerization) at five stages of ripeness have been analyzed. Xylose was found to be the most abundant noncellulosic neutral sugar associated with fruit walls, and the observed high Xyl/Glc ratio suggested that xylans, which are usually a minor hemicellulosic fruit wall component, are abundant in blueberry. The pectic matrix showed increased solubilization at early and intermediate stages of ripening, but no changes were detected in late ripening. Furthermore, little reduction in pectin polymer size occurred during blueberry ripening. In contrast, hemicellulose levels decreased as ripening progressed, and a clear depolymerization of these components was observed. A model for cell wall degradation in this fruit is discussed.     

陇南不同种植区油橄榄果实生长期的经济性状比较

为研究陇南市不同种植地对不同品种油橄榄果实生长的影响,对陇南市武都区种植的莱星、鄂植8号、奇迹、皮削利等4个油橄榄品种,分别在其果实生长的受精和坐果期、种子生长期、果核变硬期、中果皮形成期和果实成熟期比较判断果实表型性状,分析果实生长期间含水率和含油率的变化,以探明不同油橄榄品种的适宜栽培区,为优化陇南地区油橄榄种植资源配置提供支持。结果表明,在陇南市武都区锦屏村和稻畦村种植的不同品种油橄榄果实外观均呈长圆形,且锦屏村种植的莱星油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量和含油率均高于稻畦村,中果皮形成期百粒鲜质量和含油率分别高于稻畦村34.82%和72.53%。稻畦村种植的鄂植8号油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量在果实生长前期低于锦屏村,生长后期则高于锦屏村,中果皮形成期稻畦村油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量高于锦屏村26.00%。锦屏村种植的鄂植8号油橄榄果实含油率均高于稻畦村,果实成熟期含油率高于稻畦村84.48%。锦屏村种植的奇迹油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量和含油率均高于稻畦村,果核变硬期百粒鲜质量高于稻畦村36.00%,果实成熟期的含油率高于稻畦村53.71%。锦屏村种植的皮削利油橄榄果实含油率高于稻畦村,中果皮形成期的含油率高于稻畦村76.13%。由此可知,锦屏村种植的油橄榄莱星、奇迹均优于稻畦村,且果实用途偏向于油用,油橄榄鄂植8号和皮削利作为油果兼用型果实,在锦屏村和稻畦村均可种植。且生长良好。     

模拟酸雨对龙眼幼果多胺含量的影响研究

以8年生乌龙岭龙眼为试验材料,研究不同pH的模拟酸雨对龙眼幼果多胺含量的影响。结果表明,酸雨胁迫下龙眼幼果多胺(PAs)、腐胺(Put)、亚精胺 精胺(Spd Spm)含量上升,并随果实的发育而逐渐下降。易脱落幼果的PAs、Put、Spd Spm含量均显著高于正常幼果。     

Metabolism of phenolic compounds during loquat fruit development.

Phenolic compounds in loquat fruit were identified as 5-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid), neochlorogenic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, 5-p-feruloylquinic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, epicatechin, o-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid. Neochlorogenic acid was found to be dominant in the early stages of loquat fruit development. Both the concentrations and types of phenolic compounds were high in young fruit but then decreased steadily during growth. However, the concentration of chlorogenic acid increased during ripening and became predominant in ripe fruit. The large rise in chlorogenic acid concentration appears to be a characteristic of loquat fruit ripening. In all of the cultivars tested, the types of phenolic compounds were similar but the total phenolic content varied from 81.8 to 173.8 mg/100 g of fresh pulp. In the biosynthetic pathway of chlorogenic acid, the enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (CL), and hydroxycinnamoyl CoA:quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (CQT) were high at the early stage of growth, diminished to low levels approximately 3 weeks prior to harvest, but then rose to a peak at 1 week before harvest. The changes of these enzyme activities seemed to be associated with variations in chlorogenic acid concentration during development, maturation, and ripening of loquat fruit.     

Benzylglucosinolate, benzylisothiocyanate, and myrosinase activity in papaya fruit during development and ripening

Papaya is a climacteric fruit that has high amounts of benzylglucosinolates (BG) and benzylisothiocyanates (BITC), but information regarding levels of BG or BITC during fruit development and ripening is limited. Because BG and BITC are compounds of importance from both a nutritional and a crop yield standpoint, the aim of this work was to access data on the distribution and changes of BG and BITC levels during fruit development and ripening. BG and BITC levels were quantified in peel, pulp, and seeds of papaya fruit. Volatile BITC was also verified in the internal cavity of the fruit during ripening. The influence of the ethylene in BG and BITC levels and mirosinase activity was tested by exposing mature green fruits to ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The highest BG levels were detected in seeds, followed by the peel and pulp being decreased in all tissues during fruit development. Similarly, the levels of BITC were much higher in the seeds than the peel and pulp. The levels of BG for control and ethylene-treated fruit were very similar, increasing in the pulp and peel during late ripening but not changing significantly in seeds. On the other hand, fruit exposed to 1-MCP showed a decrease in BG amount in the pulp and accumulation in seed. The treatments did not result in clear differences regarding the amount of BITC in the pulp and peel of the fruit. According to the results, ethylene does not have a clear effect on BITC accumulation in ripening papaya fruit. The fact that BG levels in the pulp did not decrease during ripening, regardless of the treatment employed, and that papaya is consumed mainly as fresh fruit, speaks in favor of this fruit as a good dietary source for glucosinolate and isothiocyanates.     

“风味2号”甜瓜果实成熟过程中的品质变化

以60Coγ射线育出甜瓜新品种"风味2号"为材料,研究其果实发育和品质形成的动态变化。结果表明,从授粉后第5天开始果实快速膨大,第30天时鲜重达最大。从授粉后第29天开始,果肉可溶性糖含量迅速增加,其后保持稳定,至第34天显著降低。可滴定酸含量随果实的发育逐渐增加,糖酸比的高峰出现在授粉后第30-34天。气相色谱表明,"风味2号"果实中主要可溶性糖为果糖、葡萄糖和蔗糖,有机酸为苹果酸和柠檬酸,其中柠檬酸是主要有机酸。气相色谱-质谱联用分析显示:果实有35种挥发性物质,其中酯类占35.24%,酸类占19.21%,醇类为14.28%,醛类为11.71%。     

Seasonal dynamics of mineral nutrients by walnut tree fruits

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) tree fruit showed after the endocarp lignification a fast growing stage during which fresh and dry weights increased abruptly. From the beginning of fruit ripening and during the fast sperm growing stage, fresh weight started to decrease while dry weight continued to increase with a reduced growth rate. Dry weights increased in sperm and decreased in exocarp‐mesocarp tissues during the fast sperm growing stage. The material exit from pericarp tissues was completed in the ripe fruit. By contrast, fresh weight continued to decrease in the tissue. Patterns of nutrient accumulation per fruit increased continuously during the fruit growth period. The observed reductions of nutrient accumulations for total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the fruit individuals during the very late fruit stage after fruit ripening, and in conjunction with the pericarp tissues senescence, are supposed to represent mineral nutrient returns from the ripe fruit. Patterns of total N, P, Mg, Fe, and Zn accumulations increased in the exocarp‐mesocarp tissue during the slow sperm growing stage and decreased during the fast sperm growing stage. Potassium accumulation in the tissue increased continuously up to the fruit ripening time. Calcium, Mn, and Cu increased continuously. Patterns of all nutrients in endocarp tissue increased during the slow sperm growing stage and decreased at the fast sperm growing stage. In the sperm tissues, total N, P, Mg, and Ca accumulations increased during the sperm development and slightly decreased in a late stage. The increasing trend of Ca accumulation was temporarily interrupted during the fast sperm growing stage. Iron, Mn, Cu, and Zn accumulations showed no reductions at all. Potassium accumulation was drastically restricted in the tissue with the approach of fruit ripening. Sperm tissues are extraordinary rich in mineral nutrients. Sperm total N, P, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe accumulations represented the 98.1%, 88.2%, 59.2%, 81.5%, 72.3%, 65.6%, and 52.5% of the total nutrients accumulation in the fruit, respectively. Sperm K and Ca accumulations represented only the 13% and 11.6%, respectively. Exocarp‐mesocarp K, Ca, and Mg accumulations represented the 76%, 72% and 37.1% of the total nutrients accumulation in the fruit individual, respectively. Total N and P accumulation in the tissue were detected in very low levels 1.3% and 7%, respectively. Iron, Cu, Zn, and Mn accumulations were detected in the same tissue in ratio values of 27.5%, 22%, 5.4%, and 11%, respectively. Macro‐ and micro‐nutrient accumulations of the endocarp tissues were detected in the lower levels as compared to the other fruit tissues. The estimated values of mineral nutrient returns from the mature fruit individuals were 2.8% for total N, 13% for P, 16.5% for K, 23% for Ca, 12% for Mg, 28.5% for Fe, and 21% for Zn. Manganese and Cu showed no returns at all. The estimated nutrient returns from the sperm tissues were 60% for total N, 67% for P, 22% for K, and 50% for Mg of the total returned nutrient from the fruit individual. The estimated nutrient returns from exocarp‐mesocarp were 100% for Zn, Fe, and Ca, 50% for Mg, 78% for K, 33% for P, and 40% for total N. Calcium, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in the sperm and Mn and Cu accumulations in pericarp tissues showed no returns at all. A restricted nutrient diffusion from exocarp‐mesocarp and sperm tissues to the endocarp tissues is supposed to be possible. These results suggested a pericarp tissue behaviour similar to the old senescing leaves.     

轻度遮光对温室油桃结果枝光合碳同化物积累和分配的影响

以4年生日光温室栽培“瑞光5号”油桃(Prunus persica L. var. nectarina Ait)为试材,在果实第二次迅速膨大期,采用加盖塑料旧膜的方法模拟温室薄膜灰尘积累,研究了遮光10%～12%左右对温室油桃结果枝光合碳同化物积累和分配的影响。结果表明：轻度遮光后,油桃结果枝顶端新梢叶片净光合速率明显下降,淀粉含量减少,可溶性总糖变化不明显;采用 ¹⁴C标记结果枝顶端新梢发现,轻度遮光后,饲喂新梢的光合产物主要集中供应其附近的果实,向远处的果实输送减少,而且果实的外中果皮同化物分配比例下降; 轻度遮光后,采收期果实鲜重和横径变小,着色变差。因此,要提高果实品质,应尽可能地改善温室油桃在果实第二次迅速膨大期的光照环境。     

气象条件对酿酒葡萄若干品质因子的影响

根据2004-2005年北方6省酿酒葡萄主要产区葡萄取样和宁夏芦花台园艺场田间试验资料，分析了影响酿酒葡萄主要品质因子总糖、总酸、pH值和单宁积累的气象因子和影响时段，并建立了关系模式，提出了影响酿酒葡萄品质的定量气象指标。研究结果表明：酿酒葡萄品质与气象条件密切相关，主要影响因子是降水量、积温和气温日较差等。影响酿酒葡萄品质形成的关键时期是7-8月（幼果膨大-果实着色期），其次是果实着色期-成熟期。7—8月降水量和水热系数对酿酒葡萄总糖含量的影响最大，7-8〉130mm，K7-8〉1．62时，总糖含量不能达到170g／L（酿优质酒所需最低糖度）。酿酒葡萄总酸含量与果实采收前一个月水热系数呈幂指数关系，随水热系数增加，含酸量缓慢增加。因此，要使酿酒葡萄果实中酸含量达到5～6g／L，则果实采收前一个月的水热系数应在0．12～0．63。酿酒葡萄中单宁含量与开花-成熟期积温、8月平均气温、9月l日到果实采收期日较差和采收前一个月平均最低气温呈指数关系，与8月日照时数呈二次曲线关系。酿酒葡萄果实的pH值随开花-成熟期平均最高气温和果实膨大期蒸发量的增加而增加。     

Technique for rapid, small-scale analysis of vitamin C levels in fruit and application to a tomato mutant collection

We present a technique for easy, rapid analysis of both total and reduced forms of vitamin C in fruits using microplates and a plate reader. This technique has been compared with a spectrofluorometric technique classically used for assaying vitamin C in fresh tomato. We have applied these methods to a population of 118 tomato mutant lines and controls in search of variability for this trait. Six lines, identified as having high vitamin C levels, and four lines having low vitamin C levels have been chosen for further study. The vitamin C levels have been compared with sugar concentration, dry matter content, fruit weight, titratable acidity, and firmness. The correlations that often exist in tomato varieties between sugar and vitamin C content (positive correlation) or fruit weight and vitamin C content (negative correlation) can be uncoupled in the lines selected for further analysis.     

The application of polyamines by pressure or immersion as a tool to maintain functional properties in stored pomegranate arils

Pomegranate fruits were treated with putrescine (Put) or spermidine (Spd) at 1 mM either by pressure infiltration or by immersion and then were stored at 2 degrees C for 60 days. Samples were taken biweekly and were further stored 3 days at 20 degrees C for shelf life study. The treatments were effective on maintaining the concentration of ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds, and total anthocyanins in arils at higher levels than in control samples. In addition, the two ways of polyamine application increased the levels of total antioxidant activity (TAA) during storage, especially when polyamines were applied by pressure infiltration. Moreover, Spd showed the best results on increasing TAA through maintenance of total phenolic compounds.     

‘Schattenmorelle’ Tart Cherry Response to Boron Fertilization

ABSTRACT

The objective of the experiment was to examine the effects of soil and foliar applications of boron (B) on tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) tree vigor, yield, and fruit quality. The study was conducted during 2003–2004 on mature ‘Schattenmorelle’ tart cherry trees grown at a commercial orchard in central Poland on coarse-textured soil with low B content. Trees were supplied with B as foliar sprays or via soil application. Foliar B sprays were performed: (1) in the spring, at the white bud stage, when 5%–10% of flowers were at full bloom, and 5 d after petal fall, at a rate of 0.2 kg B ha^?1 per each spray treatment; and (2) in the fall, approximately six weeks before the natural leaf fall, at a rate of 0.8 kg B ha^?1. Soil B application was made at the bud-break stage at a rate of 2 kg ha^?1. Trees untreated with B served as a control. Spring and fall B sprays increased flower B concentrations, but had no effect on summer leaf B status. Leaf B concentrations of trees with B supplied to the soil were higher than those of the control trees. However, soil B application had no influence on flower B level. Vigor and yield of tart cherry trees were not influenced by B fertilization. Also, mean fruit weight and titratable acidity of fruit did not differ among treatments. Fruit of trees with B supplied to the soil had higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) than those of the control plants. In conclusion, high yield of tart cherry can be obtained on soils with water-soluble B concentrations as low as 0.32 mg kg^?1. It is also postulated that at low soil-B availability, under conditions of low-light intensity during fruit ripening, soil-B application increases SSC in tart cherry fruit.