Effect of chilling on runner formation and flower initiation in the everbearing strawberry

Fresh and cold-stored plants of the everbearers ‘Rabunda’ and ‘Ostara’ were placed for 90 days, from the end of August, in glasshouses of the IVT phytotron at 14, 20 and 26°C and a daylength of 16 hours.In the fresh plants hardly any runners were formed at 14 and 20°C, but flowers were initiated, while at 26°C both runners were formed and flowers initiated. In the cold-stored plants, runners were formed first and thereafter flowers were initiated at all temperatures.It was concluded that (1) chilling induces runner formation, but can be replaced by high temperature, and (2) chilling delays flower initiation.     

Effect of the light intensity on forcing of the strawberry cultivar ‘Glasa’

Plants of ‘Glasa’ were forced early in growth rooms at 14°C under a 16-hour day consisting of 8 hours of mercury light, light intensities 12, 24 or 36 W m^?2, supplemented by 8 hours of incandescent light, intensity 0.8 W m^?2. Light intensity affected the flowering-date, the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers per inflorescence, stamen development and fruit set. For successful forcing, a light intensity of at least 24 W m^?2 is necessary.     

Growth of Rhododendron cultivars as affected by temperature and light

Summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation of four Rhododendron cultivars to contrasting light and temperature conditions. Two evergreen rhododendron cultivars and two deciduous azaleas were grown for 112 d under short day (14 h) and long day (20 h) photoperiods combined with temperatures of 15 and 24°C. Additionally, these cultivars were compared for daylength extension at 24°C/long day under two irradiation treatments (incandescent lamps and fluorescent tubular lamps). The number of flushes of growth increased with increasing photoperiod and temperature in both evergreen cultivars and in R. canadense; azalea #89132 made only one flush in all treatments. In the evergreen cultivars the number of leaves per shoot in the first flush did not differ significantly between treatments, indicating that this character was predetermined by conditions during bud development. The number of leaves in later flushes increased with increasing photoperiod and temperature. The elongation growth of most flushes was also enhanced by longer photoperiod and higher temperature. High irradiation during photoperiodic extension further enhanced the growth. Azalea #89132 made more flower buds under high than low irradiation. The two evergreen cultivars differed in their growth habit. ‘Pohjola’s Daughter’ tended to continue growth in long days or at very high temperatures, and is thus predicted to thrive best in a maritime or semi-maritime cool climate. ‘Helsinki University’ responded to short daylength by ceasing growth regardless of temperature, and could be expected to perform successfully also in continental climates at latitudes around 45° N. R. canadense seemed to do best in a cool climate, but azalea #89132 should in time acclimatize in all kinds of climates within the limits of this study.     

The influence of temperature on photosynthesis of different tomato genotypes

Net photosynthesis and dark respiration from whole plants of various tomato genotypes were measured in a closed system. At low irradiance (27 W m^?2) and low external CO₂ concentration (550 mg m^?3), net photosynthesis of 10 genotypes was found to vary between 0.122 and 0.209 mg CO₂ m^?2 s^?1. Correlation was observed between net photosynthesis, net uptake on a daily basis (8 h photoperiod at 20°C and 16 h nyctoperiod at 10°C), specific leaf weight and leaf area ratio. At high irradiance (243 W m^?2), high external CO₂ concentration (1480 mg m^?3) and ambient temperatures of 10, 18, 20 and 26°C, four genotypes were analysed. ‘F6 I.V.T.’ had the highest rate of photosynthesis at 10°C, while ‘Sonatine’ ranked high at 26°C. Dark respiration increased with temperature, except in the case of ‘Bonabel’ where the effect of temperature was slight.     

Effect of temperature,daylength and light intensity on growth and development of Dipladenia sanderi Hemsl. ‘Rosea’

Dipladenia sanderi Hemsl. ‘Rosea’ (syn.: Mandevilla sanderi (Hemsl.) Woodson ‘Rosea’) was grown in a glasshouse at 12, 15, 18 and 21°C, daylengths of 8 or 20 h, natural daylight, and natural daylight supplemented with cool-white fluorescent lamps (10 W m^?2).Time from propagation to unfolded flower decreased with increasing temperature, and at 12°C there were relatively few flowers in the inflorescences. The time to flower opening was not influenced by daylength, but with 20 h there were more buds in the first developed inflorescence and the petals were larger than with 8 h. In addition, the vegetative growth was favoured by 20 h. Supplementary lighting shortened the developmental time to unfolded flower, but the flowers were smaller than in natural light only.The growth and development varied according to the time of year. Dipladenia was able to bloom all year round, except in January and February. The low light intensity in November and December probably made it impossible for the buds to develop into flowers in January and February.     

Flower-bud formation in apple under various day and night temperature-regimes

Starting at full bloom, 4 temperature treatments were applied to 3-year-old ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ trees. Either 17 or 24° C were applied in 3 successive periods of 5–6 weeks each.In ‘Golden Delicious’, exposure to 24° C during the first 5 weeks after full bloom enhanced shoot growth and reduced flower-bud formation in spur buds. The difference in temperature-regime during the third period did not affect either growth or flowering. Almost all apical shoot buds became floral, irrespective of treatment.‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ trees maintained at 24° C throughout grew more vigorously than did those kept at 17° C continuously, but flowering-abundancy was the same. Lowering of the temperature in the last period before harvest did not influence shoot growth, but markedly reduced flowering of both spur buds and apical shoot buds.In a second experiment, a night temperature of either 20 or 10° C was applied in 2 successive periods to 3-year-old ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ trees kept at a day temperature of 20° C throughout. Lowering of the night temperature in the middle of the season reduced flower-bud production, but there was no difference in growth vigour compared with 20° C continuously.It is postulated that temperature affects flowering in two opposite ways, whose relative importance determines the net result.     

Quantitative long-day flowering response in the perpetual-flowering F1 strawberry cultivar Elan

Summary

Perpetual-flowering strawberry cultivars are commonly classified as photoperiodically day-neutral, even though early investigations demonstrated long-day (LD) regulation. An important reason for this inconsistency is that these freely flowering plants are difficult to establish in a true vegetative state, and experiments have therefore often been started using runner plants with pre-formed inflorescences. In order to circumvent this problem, we have used the perpetual-flowering F₁-hybrid ‘Elan’ that is propagated by seed, and is thus not pre-conditioned by its earlier life history. The results demonstrated a marked quantitative LD response across a range of temperatures from 9° – 27°C. Seedlings were responsive to the LD stimulus at an early stage, and early flowering required LD exposure almost from germination. The critical daylength for the early flowering response was about 15 h at 18°C. Because of this threshold LD response, it is concluded that regulation of flowering is truly photoperiodic in nature, and not merely an effect of additional light. Flower development was also slightly advanced by LD conditions. Stolon formation was strongly enhanced by short-day conditions in combination with high temperature. Thus, not only flowering, but also runnering, was oppositely affected by photoperiod in ‘Elan’ compared with mono-flowering cultivars. The results are discussed in relation to the photoperiodic classification of strawberries.     

Promotion of floral initiation in ‘Fuerte’ avocado by low temperature and short daylength

Potted avocado (Persea americana Mill., cv. ‘Fuerte’) plants were maintained in growth cabinets for up to 32 weeks and new growth observed for flower formation. Flowers were formed if temperatures were 20°C or below, but with 25° or 30°, even if only for 1 hour per day, flower formation was inhibited. Time to flowering was accelerated, but number of flowers reduced, if daylength was shortened from 15 h to 9 h. With low temperature and short days, full bloom was about 4 months after starting experiments. Spring flowering of cv. ‘Fuerte’ in the field could follow flower induction about 4 months previously with the onset of winter temperatures and daylengths.     

Flower-bud formation and shoot growth in apple as affected by temperature

Under controlled conditions, 3-year old ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ trees were exposed to 2 temperatures (high: 24° and low: 17° or 19° C) in various treatments in a 4-month period starting at full bloom. In general, shoot growth was reduced at the low temperature. For ‘Golden Delicious’ flowering did not respond to the various treatments; in ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ it was stimulated at the low temperature.A rise in temperature from 17° to 24° C seven weeks before harvest, given to ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ trees kept at 17° C from full bloom, reduced flower-bud formation and stimulated growth. A similar temperature increase applied to trees maintained at 24° C for 4–5 weeks after full bloom favoured flower-bud formation, but did not affect growth.The inhibitory effect of the high temperature on flowering is discussed in terms of an increase of the plastochron under the influence of gibberellins produced by the growing shoot tips.     

Storage of some local and introduced mango cultivars grown in Trinidad

The fruit characteristics and storage potential of some local and introduced mango cultivars grown in Trinidad were compared. At ambient temperature (28–32°C), fruit could be stored satisfactorily for between 3 and 8 days, after which ripening rapidly occurred. At 14°C, storage life was increased to as much as 18 days (cultivar ‘Graham’). Enclosure of fruits individually in polythene bags increased storage life at either ambient or 14°C temperature, while treatment with 3% Sta-fresh wax increased storage at ambient but not at 14°C. In the case of ‘Doodooth’, which was highly susceptible to anthracnose, treatment of fruit with hot water (52 ± 2°C) containing 500 or 1000 mg l^?4 benomyl for 5 min reduced the incidence of disease. Results are discussed in relation to the export potential of mangoes.     

Leaf production and curd initiation of winter cauliflower in response to temperature

Summary

In experiments in 1994 and 1995 a range of transplanting dates and thermal crop covering treatments were used to produce different environmental conditions for the growth of two Roscoff cauliflower selections ‘December/January’ and ‘March’. In 1994 non-covered plants of ‘March’ initiated on average 19 d later and with 19 leaves more than ‘December/January’. In the two seasons, covering the crops gave delays in curd initiation of up to 93 d, depending on planting date, and increased the number of leaves produced by up to 50 compared with non-covered crops. Leaf production was best described by an accumulated effective day-degree scale using day-degrees <17°C for ‘December/ January’ and day-degrees <16°C for ‘March’. This shows that both light and temperature are concerned with controlling leaf production. During the juvenile phase of growth, apex diameters expanded linearly with temperature up to a diameter of about 0.2 mm. After this there was a different response to temperature suggesting that a phase change had occurred at an apex diameter of 0.2 mm. When this occurred numbers of leaves ranged from 23 to 28. Vernalization appeared to occur most rapidly in ‘December/January’ between 12 and 16°C with an optimum at about 14°C while in ‘March’ the optimum appeared to be slightly lower than this. Any increase in time spent at temperatures in excess of 16°C delayed curd initiation.     

Effects of different diurnal temperature combinations on fruit set of sweet pepper

Trials were carried out on sweet pepper, Capricum annuum L. cultivar ‘Ma'or’ under controlled temperature conditions and natural light. In the first trial, we examined night temperatures of 15, 18, 21 and 24°C (± 1) in combination with a day temperature of 24°C, and in the second trial day temperatures of 22, 25 and 28°C (12 hours) and divided day temperatures of 28-32-28°C (4+4+4 hours) in combination with a night temperature of 18°C. The highest fruit-set was obtained at the lowest night temperature; the highest night temperature caused considerable blossom drop. The highest tested day temperature did not cause increased blossom drop.     

Effect of temperature on anthocyanin accumulation in apple fruit as affected by cultivar,stage of fruit ripening and bagging

Non-bagged and bagged apples of cvs Jonathan, Fuji, Jonagold and Tsugaru were harvested at different stages of ripening and irradiated with light at 15, 20 and 25°C. The changes in anthocyanin accumulation during ripening varied with temperature, cultivar and bagging or otherwise. In ‘Jonathan’, the optimum temperature for anthocyanin accumulation increased clearly from 15°C to 25°C in non-bagged and from 20°C to 25°C in bagged fruit as it ripened. In ‘Fuji’ and ‘Jonagold’, 20 and 15°C, respectively, were always the optimum for anthocyanin synthesis in non-bagged and bagged apples. In non-bagged and bagged ‘Tsugaru’, the optimum temperaturfe increased from 15°C to 20°C with ripening.     

Growth of Vitis vinifera L. and Vitis aestivalis Michx. as Affected by Temperature

Abstract

Four European (Vitis vinifera L.) winegrape cvs., ‘Semillon’, ‘Pinot Noir,’ ‘Chardonnay’, and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, and one American (Vitis aestivalis Michx.) winegrape cv. ‘Cynthiana’, were subjected to three temperature regimes in growth chambers set at 20/15°C, 30/ 25°C, or 40/35°C, for 16/8 hr day/night to determine the influence of temperatures on vine growth and development. In general, the best temperature for shoot and root growth 28 days after temperature treatments was 20/15°C for ‘Semillon’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, and ‘Cynthiana’, and 30/25°C for ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Chardonnay’. Although 40/35°C reduced number of leaves, shoots, tendrils, and internodes, total leaf area (LA), and total shoot biomass of all the cultivars, the reduction was more pronounced in ‘Cynthiana’ than in the European cultivars. The average reduction in number of leaves at 40/35°C for the European cultivars was 47%, compared with 92% for ‘Cynthiana’. The two types of grapes adapted differently to high temperature. Shoot growth in the European cultivars continued under high temperature, whereas growth ceased in ‘Cynthiana’. Roots of ‘Cynthiana’, however, were less susceptible to the adverse effect of high temperatures than were the shoots. This study shows that the European cultivars were relatively more tolerant to high temperature than the American cultivar and they have a potential for production of wine in the climate of south central Kansas.     

Effect of photoperiods before,during and after vernalization on flower initiation and development and its varietal difference in Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.)

Summary

To control the bolting of Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) photoperiodically, the effect of photoperiods before, during and after vernalization on flower initiation and development and the varietal differences were investigated using the two mid-season flowering cvs Kincho and Asagi-kujo, and a late-season flowering cv. Cho-etsu. A long-day photoperiod (LD, 16 h) given before vernalization inhibited flower initiation. Especially, the bolting rate of ‘Asagi-kujo’ decreased by about a half, compared with the short-day photoperiod (SD, 8 h). The interaction between the effect of night temperature (3°C, 7°C, 11°C or 15°C) and the effect of the photoperiod (SD and LD) during vernalization was also investigated. In ‘Kincho’, LD did not affect flower initiation at 3°C, but inhibited flower initiation at 7°C, 11°C and 15°C. In ‘Asagi-kujo’, flower initiation was significantly inhibited by LD under all temperature conditions. This inhibitory effect was stronger at 11°C and 15°C than at 3°C and 7°C. In ‘Cho- etsu’, LD significantly inhibited flower initiation at 3°C and 7°C, and flower initiation rarely occurred at 11°C and 15°C. In this study, generally, LD during vernalization inhibited flower initiation in all cultivars. Thus Japanese bunching onion required a short-day photoperiod in flower initiation, which was stronger in ‘Asagi-kujo’ and ‘Cho-etsu’ than in ‘Kincho’. From these results, we conclude that low temperature and a short-day photoperiod complementarily induce flower initiation in Japanese bunching onion. Varietal differences exist in the requirement of low temperature and a short-day photoperiod: the primary requirement in ‘Kincho’ is low temperature and that in ‘Asagi-kujo’ is a short-day. After flower initiation, the early stage of flower development is day-neutral, and after the floret formation stage, a long-day photoperiod promotes flower development and elongation of the seedstalk.     

Effects of far-red light/temperature DIF and far-red light/temperature pulse combinations on height of lily hybrids

Summary

Potted bulbs of ‘Nellie White’, ‘Sunray’ and ‘Stargazer’ representing three lily hybrids [Easter (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.), Asiatic and Oriental, respectively], were forced in a glass greenhouse under three lighting regimes namely, 8.h photoperiod (8 PP) by using blackout between 1600 hours and 0800 hours to eliminate twilight; 8 PP extended with 1.h of low intensity far-red radiation (9 PP) at the beginning of the dark period; or ambient. All three lighting regimes were in a greenhouse with either a +5°C or a -5°c DIF (= T_day ±T night ) regime, while maintaining the same 24.h temperature. In a second experiment, two cultivars of each of the three lily hybrids were also grown under the same three lighting regimes with a constant day/night temperature but with either a 15°cor 25°c pulse for 3.h from 1500–1800.hours to coincide with the far-red supplementation for 9 PP. Both experiments were done during the winter and repeated the following year. Within each DIF treatment, plants which received light containing far-red at the end and start of the day (ambient) or beginning of night (9 PP) were taller than those under short day (8 PP). Plants grown under either 8 PP or ambient were taller under +DIF than under -DIF, except when 8 PP was extended with 1.h of far-red, in which case plant height was the same for either DIF. ‘Nellie White’ reacted the strongest to far-red as well as to DIF followed by ‘Sunray’ and then ‘Stargazer’. For ‘Nellie White’, the stem dry weight was increased by far-red radiation at the beginning of the dark period compared with short day or ambient, while the opposite was found for the leaf and bulb dry weights. However, total dry weight of plant was not affected by either DIF or lighting treatment. In the second experiment, plant height was not significantly affected by an end of day temperature pulse of -5°c for either the 9 PP or ambient regimes compared with a +5°c pulse.     

Interaction of temperature and light on growth and development of hybrid tea-rose seedlings,with reference to breeding for low-energy requirements

As a basis for a breeding-programme of glasshouse roses adapted to low-energy conditions (low temperature and low light intensity), growth and development of Hybrid Tearose seedlings were studied in 9 controlled environments (16, 20 or 24°C combined with 8, 16 or 24 Wm^?2 for 8 h). The percentage of flowering seedlings increased with increasing light intensity independent of temperature, rapidity of flowering was promoted by increasing both light intensity and temperature, stem length at anthesis was promoted by increasing light intensity but shortened by increasing temperature. The possibility of selecting seedlings, and consequently cultivars, adapted to low-energy conditions was discussed.     

Temperature and daylength influences on the growth and germination of sweet basil and oregano

Oregano and sweet basil were grown in phytotron cabinets at 18/12°, 24/12° and 30/12°C (day/night) in either 10-or 16-h photoperiods. Only temperature had a positive influence on plant height in both species. The fresh yield was significantly influenced by temperature and daylength in all the three harvests examined for both species. The correlation between these results and field behaviour in different regions is discussed. The optimum temperature for the germination of oregano was a day/night regime of 24/19°C; sweet basil was less sensitive and germinated well at temperature regimes between 18/13° and 30/25°C.     

Re-initiating softening ability of 1-methylcyclopropene-treated ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears after regular air or controlled atmosphere storage

Summary

‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears treated with 300 nl l^–1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) did not soften to eating quality within 7 d, a desirable ripening period. A pre-conditioning method was evaluated as a means to re-initiate the softening ability of pears prior to marketing. Fruit were treated with 1-MCP and stored at –1°C in regular air, or in a controlled atmosphere for 2 – 9 months. After storage, fruit were pre-conditioned with nine temperature (10°, 15° or 20°C) and time (5, 10 or 20 d) combinations. Pre-conditioned fruit were then assessed for ripening ability following storage for 14 d at 20°C. The ripening ability of 1-MCP-treated ‘Bartlett’ fruit recovered in response to many pre-conditioning combinations of 10° – 20°C for 10 – 20 d, as indicated by a decrease in flesh firmness to 27 N or lower. The requirements for pre-conditioning regimes are storage atmosphere- and time-dependent. For ‘d’Anjou’ pears, no pre-conditioning combination resulted in re-initiating the ripening of fruit treated with 300 nl l^–1 1-MCP. However, when the 1-MCP dose was 50 nl l^–1, ‘d’Anjou’ pears ripened over an extended shelf-period with a substantial decrease in superficial scald. The results indicate that treatment with 1-MCP at approx. 50 nl l^–1, combined with a pre-conditioning prior to marketing, is a potential means to control scald in ‘d’Anjou’ fruit. Re-initiation of ripening occurred concomitantly with a substantial increase in ethylene production. The control of superficial scald by 1-MCP in ‘d’Anjou’ pears was due to the inhibition of the biosynthesis of -farnesene and conjugated trienes.     

Effect of temperature on flowering in Primula vulgaris

When grown in a glasshouse, flowering in Primula vulgaris ‘Aalsmeer Giant’ (yellow) and ‘Ducat’ (blue) was delayed with increasing temperature from approximately 12°C to 18°C. In addition, size of the first open flower and the number of flowering axillary shoots decreased, whereas the number of leaves and leaf area increased with the temperature increase. All temperature responses were greater in ‘Aalsmeer’ than in ‘Ducat’.When grown in growth rooms at 9°C, flowering in P. vulgaris ‘Aalsmeer Giant’ (yellow) was inhibited compared with 15°C. However, when 9 weeks of 15°C was applied to plants grown for 9 weeks at 9°C, the inhibition was overcome; longer periods of 15°C being no more effective. This indicates than an early stage of flower formation, probably the initiation, in Primula vulgaris is inhibited by 9°C, and not the further development of the buds towards open flowers.