Effect of water deficit on Merlot grape tannins and anthocyanins across four seasons

Tannins and anthocyanins impart important sensory attributes and potential health benefits in wine. The effect of water deficits (WDs) on fruit growth, anthocyanins, and skin tannins was investigated in field grown Vitis vinifera L. ‘Merlot’ berries across four seasons (2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008) by imposing deficits from the onset of ripening until maturity. WD reduced berry weight and increased the concentration of anthocyanins all four seasons, and increased the concentration of tannins three of four seasons. Under WD, anthocyanin concentration at harvest (mg/g of berry fresh weight) was 53.0–61.6% greater than in Controls (C), and anthocyanin content (mg/berry) was 28.7–35.3% greater than in C. By contrast, WD increased tannin concentration (mg/g of berry fresh weight) at harvest by 12.6–36.9% compared to C in 2004, 2005, and 2008, and did not influence the concentration in 2007. Tannin content (mg/berry) at harvest was unaffected except in 2004 when it was 25.7% greater than in C. Thus, water deficits consistently increased anthocyanin concentration by increasing content per berry and reducing fruit growth, but increased tannin concentration less and only by reducing fruit growth, except in one year where the tannin content was increased. These results demonstrate that management of vine water deficit during ripening is a much more effective tool to increase anthocyanins than tannins in Merlot grapes.     

Cane Morphology and Anatomy Influence Freezing Tolerance in Vitis vinifera Cabernet franc

In 2014 and 2015, Ohio vineyards were exposed to multiple freeze events of –20 °C or lower, resulting in vine dieback, i.e., complete damage of above ground parts in Vitis vinifera. Grapevines that sustained dieback were rehabilitated for trunk replacement by training 1-year-old shoots with two distinct morphologies, based on internode diameter of large (L) and normal (N). This study evaluated the impact of cane morphology (L and N) in V. vinifera Cabernet franc on freezing tolerance (FT) of bud, phloem, and xylem tissues in relation to their respective anatomical structures and carbohydrate concentrations. Compared to N canes (7–9-mm diameter), L canes (10–15 mm) in Cabernet franc were considered vigorous and had the following morphological characteristics: long and heavy, with long and wide internode, and presence of numerous laterals. Furthermore, cane anatomy was also different with L canes having a significantly higher number of vascular transport units, xylem vessels, and phloem fibers than those in N canes. Freezing tolerance of buds and phloem was also different between the two cane types, with L canes being more cold sensitive than N canes, especially during fall acclimation and late-winter deacclimation. Sugar concentrations, however, were not different between L and N canes. These results suggest that cane morphology and anatomy play a significant role in affecting FT and the large and abundant anatomical structures of phloem and xylem contributed to the reduced FT of these tissues. In all practicality, this study suggests the best cultural practice for trunk replacement, and vine recovery should include the removal of the undesirable vigorous and cold sensitive canes during pruning.     

Selection of ethylene-resistant carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) by video recording system and their response to ethylene

We used conventional cross-breeding techniques to develop a carnation with low ethylene sensitivity. A time-lapse video recording system for evaluating ethylene sensitivity of flowers, developed in our earlier study, proved useful for this breeding. We selected 10 new ethylene-resistant lines, in addition to the previously selected line 64–54. Lines 902–48a, 234–43S, and 234–36S showed extremely low ethylene sensitivity. The response time to 10 μL L⁻¹ ethylene of these three lines exceeded 50 h in two independent experiments (2004 and 2005), whereas that of three sensitive control cultivars (‘White Sim’, ‘Excerea’, and ‘Scania’) was 6.2–8.0 h. The mean vase life of the ethylene-resistant lines ranged from 7.6 to 12.7 days (1.4–2.3 times that of ‘White Sim’). The application of ethylene to carnation flowers induced autocatalytic ethylene production in both petals and gynoecia of 9 of the 11 ethylene-resistant lines without petal wilting, indicating that the autocatalytic ethylene production was regulated independently of the petal wilting reaction. This result further suggests that these lines have normal ethylene receptors and produce ethylene autocatalytically, but their petal wilting reaction stops at a point beyond the receptor. Two lines (118–64S and 120–69S) showed extremely low ethylene production at flower senescence and very low autocatalytic ethylene production from petals and gynoecia.     

Berberis buxifolia fruiting: Kinetic growth behavior and evolution of chemical properties during the fruiting period and different growing seasons

This work studied the growth of Berberis buxifolia fruits and some of their chemical attributes during the fruiting period and different growing seasons (2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007) from November (14 days from full flower phase) till March (126 days from full flower phase) for plants growing in a natural environment near Ushuaia city (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). B. buxifolia fruit growth and composition presented significant changes during the fruiting period and the studied growing seasons. Fresh and dry weight of B. buxifolia fruits exhibited a typical double sigmoid curve. The first period of rapid growth was from full flower phase till 42–56 days after, while the second phase of rapid growth began around the 56–70 days from full flower and ended approximately 4 months later. On a dry weight basis the maximum fruit biomass (119.5 mg) was reached 112 days after full flower while maximum fresh weight fruit biomass (424.3 mg) occurred by day 84. Evolution of fruit growth was related with the compositional changes evaluated. By day 126 from full flower, soluble solids (24.9°Brix) and anthocyanin concentration (761.3 mg/100 g fruit fresh weight) were at their maximum values, while at this time the total titratable acidity was at a minimum value (2.56%). The results obtained not only contributes to the knowledge of the quantitative content of anthocyanin, a metabolite with nutraceutical value but, gives some tools for the definition of the optimal harvest time of B. buxifolia fruits, what it is important for fruit destination.     

Production of high yielding red raspberry long canes in a Northern climate

Techniques for the production of raspberry long canes with high yield potential were studied on a research station and in two commercial nurseries in South Norway. Potted ‘Glen Ample’ plants were grown in the open and in polyethylene greenhouses during two seasons in order to optimize cultural practices. Dates of propagation and transfer to the production sites were varied. Following cold storage from December to early June, the canes were tipped (cut) at 160 cm height and grown in open plastic tunnels in the fruiting season for the evaluation of growth and yield performance. Remarkable berry yields of 1.5–3.8 kg per plant (cane) were regularly achieved. When grown in the open, later starts than June 1 (June 15 and July 1) successively reduced yields. On the other hand, an earlier start involves risks of growth cessation due to low spring temperature. When grown in greenhouses, high yields were still possible when plants were transferred from propagation conditions as late as July 1, although optimal yields of nearly 4 kg per plant were obtained with transfer on June 15. In a year with unusually high summer temperatures, the yields of canes produced in the open and in greenhouses did not vary significantly, whereas in the second year with normal summer temperatures, canes produced in greenhouses consistently out-yielded those produced in the open by about 1 kg per cane. Regression analyses revealed that high yields were associated with fruiting cane architecture traits such as cane height, number and length of laterals, and a low proportion of dormant buds. The single most important component was lateral length which alone accounted for 82% of the yield variation. Since lateral lengths increased from the shoot tip towards the base, cane heights in excess of 2 m are required for the attainment of top yields as the uppermost nodes with short and low-yielding laterals then can be eliminated by tipping.     

Endogenous cytokinin levels of table grape vines during spring budburst as influenced by hydrogen cyanamide application and pruning

Cytokinins play an important role in budburst, flowering and fruit set in table grapes. Rest-breaking treatments with hydrogen cyanamide and pruning practices modify budburst and reproductive development in table grapes, especially in regions with low and often inadequate winter chilling. The effect of these treatments on the xylem sap and bud Zeatin riboside (ZR) content was determined during late winter and budburst in ‘Sultanina’, ‘Sunred Seedless’, and ‘Alphonse Lavalleé’ canes in a total of nine trials conducted between 1997 and 2001. Bud ZR levels of hydrogen cyanamide treated ‘Sultanina’ canes showed an earlier and increased cytokinin peak, in particular in the distal buds. Large ZR peaks before budburst and noticeable differences between distal and proximal buds were absent on non-sprayed canes. The xylary ZR content of long pruned ‘Sultanina’, ‘Sunred Seedless’, and ‘Alphonse Lavaleé’ canes showed a significantly higher and earlier cytokinin peak than in short pruned spurs. By contrast, the bud ZR content tended to be higher in spurs than canes. Pruning and rest-breaking treatments enhanced budburst and increased endogenous cytokinins in these experiments. Long pruning in ‘Sultanina’ and ‘Sunred Seedless’ (both parthenocarpic) is necessary for acceptable fruit set and yields. Possibly, in longer canes more cytokinin is available for reproductive development. ‘Alphonse Lavaleé’ (seeded) is sufficiently fruitful and produces adequate yields following spur pruning.     

Non-destructive leaf area estimation in chestnut

In this research, an equation for estimating the leaf area was derived for the chestnut tree by using 18 chestnut genotypes and by measuring the lamina width, length and leaf area without damage being caused in 2004–2005. Multiple regression analysis for the genotypes was separately performed. The proposed leaf area (LA) estimation model is: LA = 3.36 + 0.11L² − 0.26L²/W² + 1.1W², R² = 0.988, where LA is the leaf area, W is the leaf width and L is the leaf length. The model was validated by measuring leaf samples of the SE-21-2 genotype in different climate conditions in 2004–2005.     

Developmental problems in over-winter off-season longan fruit. I: Effect of temperatures

Fruit development was investigated in the field in over-winter off-season (bloomed in late November) and on-season (bloomed in mid April) longans (Dimocarpus longan Lour. cv. Chuliang) in 2004–2005 and 2007–2008 crops, and in potted trees grown in phytotrons set at cold (15/10 °C, day/night, simulating winter) or warm temperatures (28/23 °C, day/night) in 2008. Development of fruit in both on-season and off-season longans could be divided into two stages based on the pattern of fresh weight increase. Stage I was characterized by the slow fruit growth, and Stage II by rapid fruit growth with aril expansion. Off-season longan had a longer period of fruit development than on-season longan, chiefly due to a longer Stage I. The development of off-season fruit, especially in Stage I, was exposed to low and abruptly fluctuating temperatures. In contrast, the temperatures during on-season fruit growth were warmer and less fluctuating. Off-season fruit were smaller with a significantly higher fruit drop. Intensive fruit drop did not occur during cold period until temperature had risen. Fruit cracking in off-season longan was severe (27.6%) in 2004–2005 with a dry and cold winter, but negligible in 2007–2008 with a wet and cold winter. In phytotron experiment, trees exposed to the cold temperature regime during early fruit development produced significantly smaller fruit compared to those exposed to the warm temperature regime (6.2 g vs 7.3 g), while there was no significant difference in fruit drop rate and cracking incidence. The results suggested temperatures lower than 15 °C were stressful for the growth of young fruit and reduced the growth potential and thus fruit size. Severe fruit drop in over-winter off-season longan might be associated with stressful cold plus abrupt temperature fluctuations, while severe fruit cracking in over-winter off-season longan might be related to cold and dry weather in the winter.     

Non-destructive leaf area estimation model for faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

In this study, a leaf area estimation model was developed for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) using the linear measurements such as lamina length (L) and width (W) by stepwise regression analysis. Leaflets from fourteen faba bean genotypes, including three cultivars (Eresen-87, Filiz-99 and Lara), two lines (FLIP85-172FB and FLIP86-116FB) and nine local genotypes, were used to develop the model in 2003-2004. The proposed leaf area (LA) estimation model is LA = 0.919 + 0.682LW, R² = 0.977. In 2004–2005 growing season, this model was validated by measuring new leaf samples from the different level of the plant canopy (lower, middle and upper) of faba bean cvs. Eresen-87 and Filiz-99 sown in both autumn and late winter. Produced model in this study can be reliably used for estimating area of leaf samples from the different level of the plant canopy of faba bean cvs. Eresen-87 and Filiz-99 sown in both autumn and late winter.     

Yield and fruit quality of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees protected by white anti-hail net

Covering apple orchards with nets protects them from hailstorms but this changes the amount and quality of the light supplied to the trees. This study was carried out to assess the effects of shade provided by white protection net on yield and fruit quality of apple orchards in Southern Brazil, along three growing seasons (2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005). ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees (on MM111 rootstock, raised as slender spindles, with a spacing of 5.5 m × 3 m) were left uncovered (control trees) or covered with white net. The white net reduced the photosynthetically active radiation (λ = 400–700 nm) accumulated over the trees’ canopy along a day by 18.4%, leading to a higher leaf chlorophyll content in both cultivars, and a higher specific leaf area in ‘Gala’. The shade provided by the net did not affect yield and increased fruit average weight in both cultivars. At harvest, the number of seeds per fruit and severity of russet were not affected by netting in both cultivars, as well as the incidence of watercore in ‘Fuji’. The main beneficial effects of the white net were the reduced incidence of sunburn on ‘Gala’, reduced incidence of bitter pit during cold storage in both cultivars, and reduced incidence of apple scab at harvest and of decay after cold storage in ‘Fuji’. Fruit fly damage in ‘Gala’ (assessed in one season) was reduced by netting. However, netting affected negatively some fruit quality attributes. ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples from trees protected by the net had a poor skin color (pale blush and a more intense green background color) at harvest. The net reduced flesh firmness and SSC, and increased the starch index of ‘Gala’ apples at harvest, and reduced flesh firmness and SSC, assessed after cold storage and shelf life, in fruits of both cultivars.     

Partial rootzone drying maintains fruit quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples at harvest and postharvest

Partial rootzone drying (PRD) has been evaluated at harvest, but its effects on apple fruit postharvest life is little known for apples grown in semi-arid regions. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that water savings via PRD may affect fruit quality at harvest and postharvest-life of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples grown in a semi-arid region. The experiment was conducted from 2005 to 2007. The irrigation treatments were commercial irrigation as control (CI) and PRD. After 3 years of evaluation, fruit quality at harvest, measured as fruit weight, flesh firmness, and total soluble solids concentration, was similar between CI fruit and PRD fruit. Dry matter concentration (DMC) was higher in PRD fruit than in CI fruit in 2005. The fruit quality after 18 days storage at room temperature (13–18 °C and 51–56% relative humidity) was similar between CI fruit and PRD fruit. The DMC was the highest in PRD fruit in the 2005 and 2007 growing seasons, and tended to be higher in PRD fruit than in CI fruit in 2006. Total soluble solids concentration was ≈8.7% higher in PRD fruit than in CI fruit in 2007. Fruit weight loss was similar between treatments. This study suggests that water deficit via PRD did not damage fruit quality at harvest or after storage at room temperature. Additionally, PRD irrigation saved about 3240 m³ of water per hectare. Therefore, PRD can be recommended for commercial use in semi-arid regions and to those growers interested in either long-term storage or distant markets.     

Effect of different girdling dates on tree growth,fruit characteristics and reserve accumulation in a late-maturing persimmon

Trunks of 8-year-old vigorous ‘Fuyu’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) were girdled to a 1 cm width on April 20 and June 10 2004. Tree growth and fruit characteristics were monitored for two years, with special emphasis on the carry-over effect in 2005. Girdling reduced trunk and shoot growth especially of April-girdled trees over two consecutive years. However, the most significant effect of girdling was in the occurrence of water sprouts: a control tree had 29.5 in 2004 and 27.3 in 2005, whereas the April-girdled trees had only 0.3 and 5.3, respectively. Girdling increased fruit set by nearly 50% and enhanced fruit colour in 2004 only. Girdling date did not significantly affect fruit size and soluble solids for two years. Fruit flesh of girdled trees in 2004, especially in the April-girdled trees, had lower N and P concentrations. The levels of starch, soluble sugars, and inorganic elements in flower-bearing distal buds measured just before new growth in 2005 were not significantly altered by the girdling in 2004.     

Effect of irrigation rate on yield of drip-irrigated seedless watermelon in a humid region

Seedless watermelon can be a profitable crop in humid regions such as the Delmarva Peninsula in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. Production using drip irrigation under plastic mulch is increasingly common but, although this is potentially an efficient production system, it is also complex in terms of irrigation scheduling. Experiments were conducted in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Georgetown, Delaware to measure the effect of irrigation rate on yield of seedless watermelon grown with drip irrigation under plastic mulch. Relative irrigation rates were used to provide water amounts that ranged from low to high. The irrigation rates in all years included 50%, 100% and 150% of nominal crop water use, with additional rates of 0% and 250% in 2005 and 2006. Data from a nearby weather station were used to estimate reference evapotranspiration. Volumetric soil water content in the 50%, 100% and 150% treatments was measured in the center of each mulched bed using multi-sensor capacitance probes with sensors at depths of 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 50 cm and 70 cm. Yield of seedless melons per unit area of land ranged from about 55–95 tonnes/ha, depending on the year and the irrigation rate, but within each year the yield differences due to the irrigation rate were not significant (p = 0.10) despite the large range in rate. Differences in quality, as measured by sugar content and the incidence of hollow heart, was also not significant. This lack of response to irrigation may be due to the ability of the root system to use infiltrated rainwater from outside the mulched bed. Growers in the region tend to apply more water than may be required as a form of risk avoidance. This study indicates that irrigation amounts could likely be reduced without having an adverse effect on yield.     

Regeneration and characterization of Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. plants from immature seed cultures

First generation immature seeds (R₁) were collected from a field transferred micropropagated plant and seeds were induced to develop organogenic calli in Swertia chirata, a traditional revenue earning medicinal plant. Half strength MS medium with different growth regulators namely, BA, Kn (2.22–4.44 μM), NAA (2.69–5.37 μM), and 2.26 μM 2,4-D were used to induce callus and organogenesis. Isolated shoots produced roots either in the same medium or in presence of NAA (2.69–10.74 μM) or IBA (2.46–9.8 μM). Fully developed plantlets were successfully transplanted to soil and the fertile seed bearing plants developed. Occasionally plants derived from more than 56 weeks old calli showed some morphological variations. Such variations in regenerated plants is not reflected in their chromosomal constitution, with normal 2n = 26 chromosomes. Likewise, no variation was observed in DNA fingerprinting patterns among the short-term raised culture regenerants, which were morphologically similar to that of the donor plant illustrating their genetical uniformity and clonal fidelity. On the contrary, variation in DNA fingerprinting patterns was observed in long-term culture raised plants.     

Investigation of the fertilization biology of some sweet cherry cultivars grown in the Central Northern Anatolian Region of Turkey

The experiments were carried out between 2003 and 2005 in the Province of Amasya. The first objective of the study was to determine the best pollinizer for the cultivar ‘0900 Ziraat’ which is the most popular sweet cherry cultivar (Prunus avium L.) in Turkey. The ‘0900 Ziraat’ was used as a female parent and ‘Türko?lu’, ‘Köro?lu’, ‘Kargayüre?i’, ‘Hac? Ali’, ‘Starks Gold’ and ‘Geçkiraz’ were used as pollinizer cultivars. In 2003, for the hand cross pollination combinations, fruit set was between 31.25% and 42.80%. In 2004, fruit set was reduced by spring frost and was between 9.69% and 15.24%. Additionally, the blooming periods of the experimental cultivars, fruit set of open pollination and hand self pollination were examined. The fruit set ratios of all tested cultivars under open pollination conditions varied between 26.73% and 53.49% in 2003 and 4.38% and 38.35% in 2004. ‘Geçkiraz’ had the highest fruit set owing to its late flowering date. For open pollination, fruit set values of ‘0900 Ziraat’ were lower than hand cross pollination with other cultivars in 2003 when the results of both treatments are compared. On the contrary, fruit set was higher than hand cross pollination in 2004. In the present study, pollen germination values varied greatly among year, cultivar and sucrose concentration. Viability percentages were generally high, not less than 66%. According to phenological observations, partial or complete overlapping of the flowering period of ‘0900 Ziraat’ and its possible pollinizer cultivars were observed in 2003 and 2005. But in 2004, the flowering period overlapped for only ‘0900 Ziraat’ and ‘Geçkiraz’ cultivars. When blooming times are taken into consideration, ‘Geçkiraz’ was found to be the best pollinizer cultivar.     

Growth,yield and fruit quality of ‘Marisol’ clementine grown on four rootstocks in Egypt

To evaluate the most appropriate rootstocks for mandarin production in Egypt, vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘Marisol’ clementine (as newly introduced cultivar in Egypt) grafted on Sour orange (the common rootstock), Cleopatra mandarin, Carrizo citrange and ‘Swingle’ citrumelo were evaluated under the Egyptian conditions during 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 seasons. Trees were grown in a private farm at ‘Wady El-Mullak’ region, Ismailia Governorate (Latitude, 30°36′ N; longitude, 32°14′ E; Altitude, 10 m above sea level).     

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.     

Content levels of various fruit metabolites in the ‘Conference’ pear response to branch bending

The response of ‘Conference’ pear subjected to branch bending in the content levels of various metabolites in its fruit was investigated. The fruits in commercial maturity were sampled in 2004 and 2005 from branches bent in the late summer of 2003 (the summer treatment), from branches bent in the late spring of 2004 (the spring treatment) and from control branches. The content levels of carbohydrates, organic acids and phenolic compounds were compared among treatments in two successive years. The fruit revealed various responses in content levels of metabolites. In the first year after bending, no significant differences were found in the content of each carbohydrate, but in 2005 by far the highest content level of glucose and fructose and the lowest content level of sucrose were found in fruits from the control. The control fruit showed significantly higher content levels of malic acid and lower content levels of some phenolics (chlorogenic and vanillic acid) in the first year after bending, but in the next year the opposite reaction occurred—the control fruit had the lowest content level of malic acid and the highest content level of epicatechin, quercetin-3-d-galactoside and quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside. The comparison of the two bending treatments alone in 2004 showed that the summer treatment often produced a slightly higher value of each phenolic in comparison to the spring treatment. However, in 2005 the significantly highest content of chlorogenic acid was in fruit from the spring treatment. Sorbitol, as well as citric acid, catechin and sinapic acid showed no clear tendency among treatments, neither in 2004 nor in 2005. It is suggested that these variations of ‘Conference’ fruit subjected to different bending treatments could not be the result of bending alone, but that they could be indirectly affected by other physiological responses of the fruit tree. However, it seemed that variations are affected by the time of bending and by the year-to-year, and such responses can be attributed to the ‘Conference’ genotype only.     

Defruiting effect of young Fuyu persimmon (Diospyros kaki) on assimilate partitioning in-season and early growth the next season

Changes in the distribution of dry matter and nonstructural carbohydrates in various parts of young ‘Fuyu’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki) were examined with 3- and 4-year-old trees with (fruited) and without fruits (defruited). The effect of such changes was then monitored with regard to the magnitude of new growth the following year. From June 15 to November 1, fruiting significantly decreased the rate of dry weight accumulation in perennial parts of the tree. Dry matter was partitioned the most to fruits (68–72%) and the least to the roots. Of the total dry weight, root accounted for 8–27% in fruited and 58–62% in defruited trees. During this period, soluble sugars were three times more in fruited than in defruited trees, but more than 95% of sugars were in the fruits. Starch content increased in defruited trees, more than 93% of which being distributed to the perennial parts. Compared with fruited trees, defruiting in the previous year increased new shoot growth and the number of fruits the following year, with a 20–58% greater increase in dry matter. During the new growth from April 10 to June 10 the following year, root dry weight decreased by 30–32% in defruited trees, whereas it increased by 20–80% in the fruited ones. Soluble sugars in roots decreased by 8.8–19.7 g in defruited trees but increased by 9.7–12.3 g in fruited ones. Starch in roots decreased by 68–75.1 g in defruited trees but increased by 10.2–13.3 g in fruited ones. However, there were no significant differences in soluble sugars and starch in the newly grown parts. It was estimated that a 1-g difference in dry matter accumulated in the previous season resulted in a 116-mg and 256-mg difference in dry weight of newly grown parts, and a 6.5-mm and 17.5-mm new shoot in the following season for 3- and 4-year-old trees, respectively.     

利用Solanum galapagense番茄重组自交系对控制单果质量及果形的QTL定位分析

利用由野生种番茄(Solanum galapagense)‘LA0317’和普通栽培种番茄(Solanum lycopersicon)‘9706’构建包含130个株系的BC2S8群体,对控制果实质量和果实形状的QTL进行分析,共检测到18个QTL,LOD值介于2.40~5.17之间,可解释8.0%~32.4%的表型变异,其中LOD值大于3的QTL有5个,贡献率超过10%的QTL有8个。与果实质量相关的QTL有5个,加性效应值均为负值。与果形指数相关的QTL有6个,与果实纵径相关的QTL有2个,与果实横径相关的QTL有5个。在分子标记SSR135、In Del_FT-77、TMS66和In Del_FT-143处均聚集了多个控制单果质量和果形的QTL,说明这些位点可能同时对多个不同的果实表型性状起作用,属于多效位点。