Effect of Drip Fertigation With and Without Mulch on Soil Hydrothermal Regimes,Growth, Yield,and Quality of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh)

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of drip fertigation and conventional fertilizations with and without mulch on the productivity of apple. Soil moisture under fertigation remained greater in the upper 0–30 cm of soil, whereas under conventional surface irrigation, deeper layers registered greater values. Mulch application resulted in 2–4% greater moisture and raised the minimum but lowered the maximum soil temperatures, especially during later growth periods. Available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) contents under fertigation closely followed the moisture distribution pattern. Irrespective of treatments, available phosphorus (P) remained confined within upper 0- to 20-cm soil depth. Fertigation resulted in 35% greater growth and yield over conventional fertilization with irrigations besides saving 25% in irrigation water. Joint use of fertigation and mulch resulted in comparable growth and yield as unmulched condition and saved 20% in fertilizers and 15% in irrigation water.     

苹果SUPERMAN类蛋白家族的基因克隆与生物信息学分析

SUPERMAN 类基因是植物生长发育中的重要转录因子。为了揭示苹果 SUPERMAN 类蛋白家族的生理基因功能,本研究以富士苹果(Malus domestica Borkh.cv. Fuji)为试材,利用 RT-PCR 方法和锚定PCR 方法克隆了 MdLIFa(GenBank 登录号 HM370493)和启动子序列,利用特异引物 PCR 方法克隆了苹果基因组中其余 11 个 SUPERMAN 类基因。12 个基因命名为 MdLIFa/MdLIFb (GenBank 登录号:HQ260429)、MdSUP1a (HQ418477)/MdSUP1b (HQ418478)、MdSUP4 (HQ418475)/MdSUP12 (HQ418476)、MdSUP5a (HQ418469)/MdSUP13b (HQ418470)、MdSUP9a (HQ418473)/MdSUP9b (HQ418474) 和 MdSUP5b(HQ418471)/MdSUP13a(HQ418472),分别位于 11/3、1/1、4/12、5/13、9/ 未知和 5/13 号染色体,每对基因间的同源性均在86%以上。通过基因枪法轰击洋葱(Allium cepa)表皮细胞,基因瞬时表达证明 MdLIFa 定位于细胞核内。MdLIFa 基因启动子序列中含有多个参与花粉发育、根特异性表达、与光诱导和 Dof 单锌指基因家族作用的调控元件等。系统进化分析表明,MdLIFa/b、MdSUP9a/9b 和 MdSUP5a/13b、以及MdSUP1a/b、MdSUP5b/MdSUP13a和 MdSUP4/12 分别聚类为一组,参与植株的形态建成和花器官发育。苹果 12 个 SUPERMAN 类基因成对高度同源,具有生物学功能的多样性,为深入的基因鉴定和遗传转化提供有用信息。     

苹果离体叶片培养直接体细胞胚胎发生的形态学研究

研究了苹果离体叶片直接体细胞胚胎发生体系和外植体直接体细胞胚胎发生过程中的形态学特征。结果显示 ,苹果直接体细胞胚胎发生过程经历原胚、球形胚、心形胚、子叶形胚、成熟胚等阶段 ;子叶形胚以前的阶段没有观察到形态学多样性 ,发育至子叶形胚期的直接体细胞胚胎表现出形态学多样性 ,分别观察到一子叶胚、两子叶胚、三子叶胚、杯状胚、多子叶胚、畸形胚等 ,这些类型的胚最终都能发育成正常的成熟胚进而发育成小植株。     

Genetic fingerprinting identifies apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit cultivars in historic orchards on public lands

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 mandates that historic resources, including orchards, on federal lands be evaluated for potential significance....     

Postharvest variation in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) Flavonoids following harvest, storage, and 1-MCP treatment

The impact of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the synthesis and retention of flavonoid compounds during storage and ripening of red Delicious (Malus x domestica Borkh.) apples was investigated. Numerous anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and a hydroxycinnamic acid from three different fruit harvest maturities were monitored after a 120 day storage and 1 week shelf life period using high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector analysis. The total flavonoid concentration was 5% greater in fruit treated with 1-MCP, whereas chlorogenic acid levels were 24% lower. All compounds analyzed increased in concentration during fruit harvest; however, the anthocyanins generally declined after storage, while chlorogenic acid levels increased. 1-MCP treatment resulted in the retention of anthocyanins in the latter stages of storage but did not affect the flavonols and flavan-3-ols. Chlorogenic acid biosynthesis from early and optimal fruit harvest maturities was greatly inhibited by 1-MCP during storage and the 1 week shelf life period. However, 1-MCP did not affect chlorogenic acid concentrations in late-harvested fruit. Results suggest that 1-MCP may inhibit the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and subsequent biosynthesis of flavonoid compounds. However, because very little postharvest biosynthesis of flavonoids occurs in apples, 1-MCP treatment may be useful for maintaining some of the intrinsic flavonoid levels of red Delicious apples, if applied at the proper harvest maturity.     

The role of root exudates in specific apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) replant disease (SARD)

In an effort to improve our understanding of the specific apple replant disease (SARD), direct and indirect effects of phytohormones and related compounds (abscisic acid, 6‐benzyladenine, indole‐3‐acetic acid, 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid, and gibberellins GA₃ or GA₄) on root exudates of apple seedlings were evaluated as a potential mediating factor in the infection process. In the first type of experiments, radioactively labeled hormonal substances were applied to the stumps of decapitated apple‐seedlings and the occurrence of radioactivity in root exudates and their qualitative characterization were examined (direct influence). In another set of experiments, the effects of leaf‐applied plant growth regulators on the amount and composition of the predominant organic acids, carbohydrates, and amino acids/amides were studied. Cherry seedlings resistant to SARD and apple seedlings with dormant apical buds and, thus, not susceptible to infection were used for comparison. The results showed no differences in exudation of applied plant growth regulators between growing cherry and apple seedlings. Thus, a direct effect of plant hormones on the infection process is unlikely. However, leaf treatments with growth regulators, in particular with auxin‐type compounds and abscisic acid, increased exudation of alditols. This may indicate that plant hormones are, to some degree, indirectly involved in the infection process.     

Lower crop load for Cv. Jonagold apples (Malus x domestica Borkh.) increases polyphenol content and fruit quality

The influence of crop load on fruit quality was investigated on 7-year-old slender spindle cv. Jonagold/M.9 apple trees. In mid June five different crop loads per tree were prepared by reducing the fruit number to average 30, 59, 104, 123, and 157 fruits per crown. The fruit from low-cropping trees had more red blush, a higher percentage of soluble solids in fruit flesh, and better flesh firmness in comparison to fruit from high-cropping trees. As the crop load decreased, the concentration of all phenolic compounds in the fruit samples (cortex plus skin) increased; concentrations of the most important individual fruit phenolics were also higher. When crop load fell from 157 to 30 fruits per crown, total polyphenols increased from an average of 1300 to 1680 mg/kg of fruit fresh weight (FW) (+29%), low molecular weight polyphenols increased from 1140 to 1570 mg/kg of FW (+38%), and high molecular weight polyphenols increased from 1740 to 2070 mg/kg of FW (+19%). The average increases in single polyphenols were even greater: chlorogenic acid (+82%); 4'-p-coumaroylquinic acid (+22%); catechin (+178%); and epicatechin (+71%). Ascorbic acid was not significantly dependent on crop load.     

Developmental and varietal differences in volatile ester formation and acetyl-CoA: alcohol acetyl transferase activities in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars differ in their aroma and composition of volatile acetates in their fruit flesh and peel. Cv. Fuji flesh contains substantial levels of 2-methyl butyl acetate (fruity banana-like odor), while the flesh of cv. Granny Smith apples lacks this compound. Granny Smith apples accumulate mainly hexyl acetate (apple-pear odor) in their peel. Feeding experiments indicated that Fuji apples were able to convert hexanol and 2-methyl butanol to their respective acetate derivatives in vivo, while Granny Smith apples could only convert exogenous hexanol to hexyl acetate. Differential substrate specificities of the in vitro acetyl-CoA:alcohol acetyl transferase (AAT) activities were also detected among cultivars. In Granny Smith apples, the AAT activity was detected only in the peel, and its specificity was almost exclusively restricted to hexanol and cis-3-hexenol. In Fuji apples, the AAT activity was detected in both peel and flesh and apparently accepted a broader range of alcohols as substrates than the Granny Smith enzyme activity. Our data strongly suggest that different AAT activities are operational in apple tissues and cultivars and that these differences contribute to the variation observed in the accumulation of volatile acetates.     

Flowering phenology and the interrelations between phenological stages in apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) as influenced by the Nordic climate

In order to assess to what degree the ongoing global warming has affected flowering time of apple trees in the Nordic climate, we studied flowering phenology of trees in an orchard in Southern Norway. Correlation analysis of a 70-year (1946–2016) data series for flowering time of the cultivar ‘Gravenstein’ revealed a close relationship of the flowering phenophase with April–May heat accumulation (r?=??0.98). Over the last 50-year period, flowering was advanced by 16 days in response to the temperature rises. Similarly, on average for 12 cultivars of varying earliness, flowering was advanced by 9 days over the latest 30-year period (1986–2016). Furthermore, the interrelationship between various phenological stages and floral morphogenesis of the same cultivars in the years 2013 and 2014 was studied, and related to flower-bud formation. The different stages of floral morphogenesis were identified, presented and used as a basis for assessment of flower-bud development in serial dissections. Floral initiation in spurs of actively growing trees took place in late July, approx. 8 weeks after full bloom, whereas in extension shoots, initiation took place after growth cessation in August, approximately 2 weeks later. Decreasing temperatures in mid-August coincided with the cessation of growth and floral initiation in extension shoots, suggesting that the processes may be causally related. The results show that, in the Nordic climate, the period between blooming and initiation of new floral primordia is considerably shorter than in warmer climates, suggesting that the period is only marginally long for completion of shoot growth, and hence, timely floral initiation. This may be an important reason for the irregular flowering and frequent incidences of alternate bearing in apple trees in the cool Nordic climate. The presented information can be useful for determination of the correct timing of flower and fruit thinning to counterbalance biennial bearing.     

Heavy metals mobility,sources, and risk assessment in soils and uptake by apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves in urban apple orchards

The aim of the study was determine potential mobility, sources, and environmental impacts of heavy metals in soil of urban apple orchards using a sequential extraction procedure and multivariate analysis. The soil and apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaf samples were collected from apple orchards of urban areas in Çanakkale, Turkey. A sequential extraction procedure was employed to determine the binding forms of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soil samples. Sequential extraction procedure revealed that mobile fractions (acid soluble, reducible, and oxidizable) of Cd (60.2%) and Pb (56.8%) were higher than their immobile fractions. Such higher mobile fractions indicate the anthropogenic sources, and multivariate analysis results also supported the existence of such sources. The relationship between pH and mobile fractions of the metals (sum of acid soluble, reducible, and oxidizable) indicates that Cd and Pb become more mobile under decreasing pH conditions. Considering all metals, except for Cd, a strong relationship was observed between metal concentrations of apple leaves and mobile fractions, and plants were primarily able to uptake the metals in these fractions. Contamination factor and risk assessment code results together also revealed that Cd was highly mobile; retained less and had high risk for the environment.     

Investigations of aroma volatile biosynthesis under anoxic conditions and in different tissues of "Redchief Delicious" apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Disks from different tissues were obtained from "Redchief Delicious" apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) and analyzed for the ability to metabolize 1-pentanol as well as synthesize constitutive esters and alcohols under anoxic and aerobic conditions. The skin tissue displayed a greater capacity to synthesize pentanal, pentyl acetate, pentyl propionate, pentyl butyrate, and pentyl hexanoate than the hypanthial and carpellary tissues during incubation with 1-pentanol. With the exception of pentyl acetate and pentyl propionate biosynthesis, the hypanthial tissue synthesized these compounds at a higher rate than the carpellary tissue. Anoxia inhibited both constituent and 1-pentanol-derived ester biosynthesis. While anoxia inhibited ester biosynthesis, ethanol biosynthesis increased at a greater rate in tissue disks held under these conditions. Biosynthesis of 1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and 1-hexanol was greater in tissue disks held in air during the first part of the measurement period and dropped off more rapidly than those transpiring in tissue disks held under anoxic conditions. The biosynthetic rates of all esters, both constituent and 1-pentanol-derived, increased as a result of air exposure. While hypoxic or anoxic conditions may promote ethanol synthesis, these conditions also appear to inhibit the formation of the ethanol-derived esters partially responsible for the off-flavor in apples attributed to ultralow O(2) controlled atmosphere storage.     

Evaluation of the discriminance capacity of RAPD, isoenzymes and morphologic markers in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) and the congruence among classifications

Twenty-one apple accessions were characterised and classified taxonomically with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The results were compared with morphological and isoenzymatic classifications of the same material by calculating the congruence between similarity matrices. The results confirmed the greater discrimination capacity of RAPD compared with isoenzymes, although the taxonomic clusters obtained with both types of markers were congruent. The genetic relationships calculated using RAPD and isoenzymes showed little congruence with the morphological relationships among accessions. Isoenzymatic markers are useful in germplasm banks to evaluate the diversity of newly introduced accessions. The use of RAPD markers are especially beneficial to discriminate between material that is genetically similar, to evaluate genetic variability within a collection and to choose the components of the core collection.     

苹果属山定子柠檬酸合成酶基因(MbCS1)的克隆及表达分析

为了研究不同铁效率基因型苹果砧木铁吸收利用的分子机理,本研究以铁低效基因型山定子(Malus baccata Borkh)为试材,根据实验室从铁高效基因型小金海棠(Malus xiaojinensis)克隆到与铁运输相关的基因柠檬酸合成酶基因(MxCS1)的全长序列设计特异引物,通过RT-PCR方法从山定子cDNA中克隆到柠檬酸合成酶基因CS,基因全长为1422bp,与金冠(Malus domestica Borkh cv.Golden Delicious)、小金海棠中的CS基因具有较高的同源性,将该基因命名为MbCS1(GenBank登录号:JQ898346)。利用生物信息学软件对山定子柠檬酸合成酶基因(MbCS1)进行预测分析,结果显示该基因预测编码473个氨基酸,相对分子量为54.26kD,理论等电点为8.95。亚细胞定位显示MbCS1蛋白定位在细胞膜上。半定量RT-PCR及Real-time PCR分析均表明,正常供铁时,该基因在山定子的根、茎、新叶中都有表达;缺铁处理(EDTA-NaFe,4μmol/L)时,该基因在根、茎和新叶中的表达加强,第9天达到最高值,之后开始下降;但各检测器官中表达增强的程度不同,其中茎中受缺铁诱导表达最明显。与小金海棠中MxCS1基因的表达趋势有明显的差别。本研究为高等植物抗性机理的深入研究以及铁低效资源型砧木资源的改良提供了基础资料。     

Impact of suppression of ethylene action or biosynthesis on flavor metabolites in apple (Malus domestica Borkh) fruits

To understand the role of ethylene in regulating the overall flavor of apple fruits, ethylene production or action was reduced using transgenic apple trees suppressed for ACC-synthase or ACC-oxidase enzyme activity or by the addition of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene action inhibitor. Flavor components were differentially regulated in response to the suppression of both ethylene biosynthesis and action. Headspace analysis of aroma production, an ethylene-associated event, showed a reduction in ester and alcohol production in the ethylene-suppressed lines and in the apples treated with 1 microL L(-1) 1-MCP for 20 h at 20 degrees C. However, no major differences were observed in the concentrations of aldehyde volatiles. Other flavor metabolites that showed an ethylene-dependent pattern were organic acids and sugars. Malic acid degradation was significantly reduced under ethylene-suppressed conditions, showing a recovery after the fruit was exposed to ethylene. Sucrose and fructose concentrations were influenced by suppression or enhancement of ethylene. Total phenolics as well as individual phenolic compounds showed an ethylene-dependent regulation only in response to the suppression of ethylene biosynthesis, but not when ethylene action was inhibited.     

Nitrogen Application Rate and the Concentration of Other Macronutrients in the Fruit and Leaves of Gold Kiwifruit

ABSTRACT

Gold kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis ‘HORT16A’, marketed as ZESPRI?' ‘HORT16A’) is an important export crop for New Zealand. Nutrient management, including the application of nitrogen (N), for ‘HORT16A’ kiwifruit has mimicked strategies for the green (A. deliciosa ‘Hayward’) cultivar, however, physiological differences between Actinidia species necessitate the development of specific nutrient regimes for ‘HORT16A’ vines. In this trial, all nutrients, except N, were applied at levels comparable to commercial practice. The Control treatment received approximately 145 kg N ha/y, and was based on estimates of total N removed each year in the harvested fruit. The Zero-N treatment vines received all nutrients except N, and the High-N treatment received double the Control, approximately 295 kg N ha/y, for two consecutive seasons. The High-N treatment represents the upper limit of N application practices in commercial ‘HORT16A’ kiwifruit production. Zero-N fruit had higher calcium (Ca) and lower N concentration than High-N fruit in both seasons. Fruit potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were equivalent between these treatments in both seasons. Fruit phosphorus (P) concentration throughout the season was increased in the High-N treatment in both years. Fruit sizes were not different between treatments at final harvest in Year 1, being 130.5 ± 4.13 g, 125 ± 1.49 g, and 125 ± 3.29 g for the High, Control, and Zero-N vines, respectively. Larger fruit were harvested from the High-N vines (125 ± 4.69 g) in Year 2, than from either Control (113 ± 2.03 g) or Zero-N (118 ± 1.03 g) vines. Percent fruit dry matter (DM) content was higher in the Zero-N fruit (17.2 ± 0.06, 17.2 ± 0.06, and 16.8 ± 0.14 for Zero, Control, and High-N vines) at final harvest in Year 1. But values of fruit DM for all treatments were similar in Year 2 in spite of fruit size differences between treatments. Fruit DM for all treatments was slightly higher in Year 2 than in Year 1. Differences in fruit mineral concentration and fruit maturity at harvest may have contributed to increased incidence of low temperature breakdown (LTB) in the High-N fruit in Year 1. In Year 2, when fruit DM was higher in all treatments, yellow coloration was more developed. Total fruit N concentration was lower in Year 2 for all treatments than in Year 1, and LTB was minimal and not different between treatments.

Leaves from Zero-N vines had reduced N in both years compared with Control and High-N vines. In contrast, leaf Ca and Mg concentrations were reduced in High N-vines, compared with values recorded in Zero-N vines in both seasons. Leaf K concentrations were comparable between treatments in both seasons. Leaf sulfur (S) concentration was reduced under the High-N treatment, and leaf P levels were increased under the High-N treatment in both years.

These data demonstrate that N application influences the uptake and accumulation of other mineral elements in ‘HORT16A’ kiwifruit. In order to encourage desirable nutrient concentrations in both the fruit and leaves of ‘HORT16A’ kiwifruit, a reduction in N applied is suggested, and this would have little or no detrimental effect on vine performance over two seasons. Reduced N application will also reduce nitrate leaching which is estimated at 39 kg N ha/y under the Control treatment.     

苹果两个新S-RNase基因克隆与46个品种S基因型的PCR分析

蔷薇科苹果是一个典型的配子体型自交不亲和性果树树种,确定苹果品种的S基因型对于合理配置授粉树和杂交育种亲和性亲本选择具有重要意义.研究从苹果(Malus domestica)品种达尔文和金沙依拉姆中克隆得到了两个新S-RNase基因,分别命名为S53-RNase和S54-RNase,它们在GenBank上的登录号分别为FJ602074和FJ602075,并对46个苹果品种基因组DNA进行S等位基因特异性PCR扩增,鉴定了其S基因型.     

Apple (Malus domestica) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) fruits cell-wall hemicelluloses and xyloglucan degradation during Penicillium expansum infection

We characterized the changes in cell-wall hemicellulosic polysaccharides and the hemicellulose-degrading enzymes associated with apple and tomato fruits infected by Penicillium expansum. Our results showed a reduction in the molecular mass of hemicelluloses, with this reduction being particularly notable in the xyloglucan associated with P. expansum infection. The activation of fungal beta-glucanases was also highlighted. Fruit xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH)-specific activity decreased drastically during the infection process in both apple and tomato fruits. We suggest that XTH reduction during the infection might be related with the fungus attack mechanism. We also suggest that the decrease in activity and the consequent lower xyloglucan endotransglucosylation, together with the increase in endoglucanases, would permit fungal access to the cellulose-xyloglucan network, increase the efficiency of cellulose hydrolysis, and thus facilitate the progress of the fungal infection. The results confirm the importance of hemicellulose degradation in the breakdown of plant cell walls, causing cell-wall loosening, increasing the porosity of the wall, and allowing the colonization of plant tissue.     

Calcium and humic acid affect seed germination,growth, and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings under saline soil conditions

The effects of calcium and humic acid on seed germination, growth and macro- and micro-nutrient contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings in saline soil conditions were evaluated. Different levels of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^?1) and calcium (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^?1) were applied to growth media treated with 50 mg NaCl kg^?1 before sowing seeds. Seed germination, hypocotyl length, cotyledon width and length, root size, shoot length, leaf number, shoot and root fresh weights, and shoot and root dry weights of the plant seedlings were determined. Macro- and micro-nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) contents of shoot and root of seedlings were also measured. Humic acid applied to the plant growth medium at 1000 mg kg^?1 concentration increased seedling growth and nutrient contents of plants. Humic acid not only increased macro-nutrient contents, but also enhanced micro-nutrient contents of plant organs. However, high levels of humic acid arrested plant growth or decreased nutrient contents. Levels of 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 Ca²⁺ application significantly increased N, Ca and S contents of shoot, and N and K contents of root.