Pistachio Production Management in Iran by Rest-breaking Treatment and Comparison of Dynamic vs Chill Hour Model for Chill Accumulation

Shortage of winter chill has reduced pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) fruit yield and quality from 2015 to 2018 in Iran. In this study accumulated chilling was determined by the chill hour (CH) and the dynamic (DM) model in five regions near Shahrebabak County, Kerman Province, Iran, for dormant season 2017–2018. The CH model has been routinely used in Iran for reporting chilling accumulation for pistachios. This study suggested that the DM better differentiated regional chill accumulations, the impact of chilling on phenological indices of growth and production between cultivars ‘Owhadi’ and ‘Akbari’, with and without rest-breaking (RB) treatments of Volk dormant oil. Volk oil treatment significantly improved vegetative and reproductive development, offset lack of chilling effects on pollination and nut filling, and may have advanced budbreak in some instances.

     

Endogenous cytokinin distribution patterns at budburst in Granny Smith and Braeburn apple shoots in relation to bud growth

The possible relationship of branching habit to cytokinin content of apple shoots (Malus×domestica Borkh.) was investigated. One-year old apple shoots are acrotonic (distal branching), more strongly so in Granny Smith than in Braeburn. In the first trial, long, 1-year old Granny Smith and Braeburn apple shoots were sprayed on 29 August 1995 to break rest with dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) oil (5%). The cytokinin contents of the xylem sap, the combined bark and buds, and the wood were determined in distal and proximal shoot halves over the next 6 weeks. Budburst (terminal and lateral buds) was first visible (green tip) in both cultivars on 20 September 1995. A greater increase in cytokinin content of distal xylem sap, coupled with elevated cytokinin in the distal wood, reflect the overall acrotony of both cultivars. The strong acrotony of Granny Smith is reflected in the higher cytokinin concentration in distal portion 1 week before the proximal portion of the shoot. The differential distribution of cytokinin reflects the pattern of budburst and may be correlated with growth habit. In a subsequent trial, Granny Smith shoots chilled and forced in the absence of roots showed an increase in cytokinin content of the bark and buds, and the wood as growth resumed. This was roughly comparable in magnitude to the increase observed under field conditions. The cytokinin increase in rootless shoots and differential distribution of cytokinin prior to sprouting, support the hypothesis that shoot-derived, rather than root-derived, cytokinins act to trigger spring budburst.     

Growth,yield and essential oil content of three cultivars of basil grown under different levels of nitrogen in the field

A field experiment was conducted in Southern Italy to investigate the effect of different nitrogen (N) rates (0, 100 or 300 kg ha⁻¹) on the number of branchings and leaves per plant, plant height, yield of above-ground fresh biomass, total leaf area, dry weight, leaf-to-stem ratio, leaf essential oil content and the essential oil quality at commercial harvest (full bloom) of the three cultivars of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): (i) “Mostruoso mammouth” (MM); (ii) “Genovese profumatissimo” (GP); (iii) “Napoletano a foglia di lattuga” (NFL). Nitrogen fertilization up to 300 kg ha⁻¹ increased yield of above-ground and leaf fresh biomass, leaf essential oil yield, but it did not affect leaf-to-stem ratio, plant height and the number of branchings per plant. The increase in essential oil yield induced by N fertilization depended on an increase in both leaf essential oil concentration and leaf biomass. The increase in LAI with increasing N fertilization was due to an increase in leaf number per plant rather than in individual leaf expansion. The cultivar GP was different in morphology from MM and NFL, since it had greater leaf number and plant height, but lower leaf-to-stem ratio and LAI. The physiological efficiency of N use (PE) in producing above-ground biomass was not related to N application whereas PE in producing essential oil (PE-oil) tended to increase with increasing levels of N applied. With regard to the effect of the cultivar, GP was less efficient in N use for oil production than MM and NFL since PE-oil of GP was lower while leaf N and PE-biomass were higher than the other cultivars. NFL was the richest in methyl chavicol but the lowest in linalool, whereas MM and GP contained linalool and eugenol.     

Nutritional quality of greenhouse lettuce at harvest and after storage in relation to N application and cultivation season

The effect of five levels of nitrogen fertilization on the growth and nutritional quality of Cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Parris Island) at harvest and after storage was studied during autumn and winter in South-West Greece. Plants were cultivated hydroponically in a greenhouse and the nitrate, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) concentrations within the plant tissues were measured at harvest and following storage at 5 or 10 °C for 10 days. Nitrate accumulated in the leaves with increasing amounts of N within the nutrient solution and was higher in the winter than in the autumn. At the lowest N level (20 mg L⁻¹), the inner leaves accumulated more nitrate than the outer leaves, whereas at higher N levels (140, 200 or 260 mg L⁻¹) nitrate accumulation was higher in the outer leaves. Overall, the highest nitrate concentrations were detected in the petiole and the proximal end of the leaf, but at the lowest N application rate (20 mg L⁻¹) nitrate accumulated in the distal region of the leaf too. Although the nitrate concentrations within the leaves did not change significantly during 10 days storage at 5 or 10 °C, the chlorophyll and vitamin C concentrations decreased. Chlorophyll loss was higher in lettuce that was grown under low N levels and was higher at 10 °C than at 5 °C, but was reduced by enclosure of the lettuce in polyethylene film. It is concluded that the optimum N application rate for Cos lettuce grown hydroponically under cover during autumn and winter in South-West Greece, and in other areas with a similar climate, is 200 mg N L⁻¹ because at this N rate yield is satisfactory and leaf nitrate concentrations are below the maximum acceptable level for human consumption. Nutritional value (vitamin C concentration) and market quality (chlorophyll content) are highest at harvest and decrease during storage, but quality in terms of nitrate concentration does not change.     

Vegetative growth, flowering and leaf nutrient concentration of boronia as affected by nitrogen level and form

Boronia (Boronia megastigma Nees, family Rutaceae) is an Australian woody shrub, producing strongly scented flowers at nodes. Increasing N levels from 0 to 25 mM in the nutrient solution increased the production of nodes, lateral shoots from these nodes and further nodes on these lateral shoots. With the same level of N, the order of number of node and lateral shoot production by N form was: combined NH₄⁺plus NO₃⁻ > NH₄⁺alone > NO₃⁻ alone. This increase in the number of nodes subsequently translated into increased number of axils initiating flower buds and then into fully developed flowers. However, increasing N levels decreased the percentage of flower buds developing to anthesis and individual flower weight. These decreases were attributed to continued vegetative growth during flower development. Increasing N levels increased the leaf N concentration with the concentration in the order NH₄⁺ + NO₃⁻ > NH₄⁺ > NO₃⁻. Nitrogen form did not affect the leaf tissue concentration of P, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. At lower N levels, the concentrations of these nutrients in the leaf tissue were higher and may have reached toxic levels, causing toxicity symptoms on leaves. At higher N levels, the concentrations of these nutrients were diluted due to increased growth and no toxicity symptoms were produced.     

Wood age and leaf area influence fruit size and mineral composition of apple fruit

Summary

The influence of wood age, fruiting position and leaf area within the tree canopy on fruit mineral content and quality for several apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars was investigated. Size and Ca, Mg and K content of individual fruit on one-year (lateral and terminal positions), two-year and older than three-year wood were compared for cvs Royal Gala, Braeburn, Granny Smith and Fuji. Fruit on two-year spurs and one-year terminals was generally larger at commercial harvest than that on one-year laterals and spurs older than three years. Flower receptacles at full bloom were larger and fruit growth rates were greater from 60 to 100 d after full bloom on two-year spurs than on one-year laterals. Fruit Ca and Mg concentrations and contents at commercial harvest were highest for terminal fruit, but there was no consistent difference between fruit from other positions. One-year terminals had the greatest primary and bourse leaf areas, two-year spurs were intermediate and one-year laterals had the lowest areas of both leaf types. Removal of 50% of primary leaves and/or removal of bourse shoots from clusters at bloom reduced fruit Ca content at commercial harvest for two-year spurs, one-year laterals and one-year terminals. Bourse shoot removal also reduced Mg content for all positions. However there was no effect of leaf removal on fruit size or K content. Ca content of individual fruit increased curvilinearly with increasing total spur leaf area for fruit on two-year spurs and one-year terminals but not for fruit on one-year lateral clusters. Terminal fruit with total spur leaf areas and fruit size similar to those on two-year spur fruit had higher Ca content.     

The Effect of Soil pH and Manganese Toxicity Upon the Growth and Mineral Composition of the Hop Plant

Summary

The productivity of ornamental foliage plants is related to their capacity to increase their leaf number and leaf size. In Monstera deliciosa, a change in leaf shape is also a pre-requisite for successful marketing. The aim of this work was to describe the effects of different concentrations of exogenous 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 5, 50, 100, or 200 mg l^–1) on the control of both leaf size and leaf shape in M. deliciosa, and the impact of these changes on commercial plant productivity. We found an increase of between 15.4 – 23.1% in the rate of leaf appearance (RLA), which reflected a shortening of the phyllochron, and an increase of between 17.5 – 34.9% in the relative rate of leaf area expansion (RLAE) at most of the BAP concentrations tested. This resulted in higher biomass accumulation in both roots and shoots through an increase of between 5.4 – 7.9% in the relative growth rate (RGR), mainly associated with higher net assimilation rates (NAR; increases from 9.0-fold to 11.0-fold) and increased photoassimilate partitioning to the shoots. The most important result of this work was the early appearance of perforated leaf laminae in M. deliciosa plants sprayed with 50 – 200 mg l^–1 BAP, which made them ready for sale.     

Long-term impact of road salt (NaCl) on soil and urban trees in Edmonton,Canada

The application of de-icing salts for winter road maintenance is recognized as a major contributor to the decline of urban trees. We conducted a long-term monitoring program across several locations in the City of Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) to evaluate the impact of roadway salt application on tree species widely planted in boulevards and right-of-ways: Ulmus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Pinus contorta, and Picea glauca. Soil and leaf samples were collected from a total of 16 sites over six years. There were four sites selected for each tree species: three mid- to high- traffic roadside sites that received regular winter maintenance and one non-serviced site (control). Sampling was performed three times per year from late spring to late summer. Airborne salinity was assessed in four locations at different distances from the road. In 50% of the roadside sites, soil electrical conductivity (EC) values exceeded 2 dS m⁻¹. Soil pH in all of the roadside sites was also significantly higher than in the control sites, with values ranging from 7.6 to 8.5. In all four species, trees growing in sites with high soil EC had increased leaf Na concentrations and reduced leaf chlorophyll concentrations. Among the airborne monitoring sites, Na deposition in high traffic locations was over four-fold higher than those measured in the control location. Furthermore, Na levels remained relatively high at 20–50 m from the main road. Our data suggest that while soil salinity is among the main stressors affecting roadside trees in Edmonton, salt spray deposition may also have a significant impact on trees located close to high vehicle traffic areas and dense road networks. Our study highlights the importance of collecting data over several years and from multiple locations to account for the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the urban environments in order to better evaluate the impact of road salt application on urban trees.     

柑桔越冬后叶片的光合动态

试验用便携式 CO_2红外分析仪对杭州地区温州蜜柑越冬后叶片光合动态进行了测定.结果表明越冬后叶片的净光合速率总趋势是上升,即有越冬后叶片的光合恢复现象.净光合以秋叶最大,夏叶次之,春叶最低.净光合和气温的变化动态有着明显的关系.在越冬后叶片的光合恢复过程中,叶片叶绿素含量提高,表观量子产量上升,而羧化效率几乎不变,表明越冬后叶片光合潜力的恢复主要取决于叶片对光能利用的改善.     

Carbohydrate changes in kiwifruit buds during the onset and release from dormancy

Carbohydrates were measured in axillary bud meristems from kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa (A.Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson cultivar Hayward) to determine whether concentrations changed during winter dormancy. Buds were collected from kiwifruit vines growing in four sites, which spanned the climatic range that kiwifruit are grown in New Zealand, and from vines where the time of budbreak had been manipulated using hydrogen cyanamide. During winter, sugars comprised 78% of measured carbohydrates in meristems, with sucrose accounting for more than 86% of sugars detected (up to 200 mg g DW⁻¹). Starch concentrations in bud meristems showed little change during winter. Meristem sucrose and hexose concentrations increased rapidly from autumn until mid-winter, and this was correlated with leaf abscission. Sugar accumulation ceased in mid-winter and concentrations remained stable until spring, suggesting that bud meristem activity was low. Four weeks before visible bud movement, a marked decline in sucrose and increase in hexose concentrations, indicated activity in the meristems had increased prior to budbreak. The patterns of seasonal change and peak sucrose concentrations in meristems were similar at all sites. The only difference was in the timing of events, with changes in meristem sugars occurring earliest in vines growing at the coolest site, coinciding with their earlier cessation of and resumption of vine growth. Advancing budbreak, by applying hydrogen cyanamide to vines in late winter, also advanced changes in sugar concentrations within meristems. This work suggests that the concentration of sucrose in kiwifruit bud meristems has utility as an indicator of whether they are being induced into, maintained or released from winter dormancy.     

Eradicant action of fungicides applied to dormant peach trees for control of brown rot (Monilinia fructicola)

There is evidence to suggest that the eradication of Monilinia fructicola in infected peach peduncles in winter may reduce brown rot during the subsequent season. In a series of experiments, in which treatments were applied in the field and the results assessed in the laboratory, benomyl and arsenic or mercury compounds were more effective in suppressing sporulation from overwintering infections than any of the other materials tested. Benomyl effectively suppressed sporulation from infected peach peduncles and mummified peach fruits and was not phytotoxic. Sodium arsenite was an effective eradicant of M. fructicola in peach peduncles and mummified peach fruit at 0·1% and 0·3%, but it was phytotoxic to both peach and apricot trees at rates as low as 0·01% whether applied in mid-winter or at early bud-swell. Phenylmercury chloride (PMC), mercury acetimide at 0·06% Hg and phenylmercury dimethyldithiocarbamate at 0·015% Hg were effective eradicants. At lower rates the mercurials were unsatisfactory. No phytotoxicity was observed following dormant applications of the mercury compounds.

Lime-sulphur plus oil was the best of the remaining materials. DNOC performed about as well as lime-sulphur on peduncles but failed to suppress sporulation on mummified fruits and was occasionally phytotoxic.

Sodium pentachlorophenate was superior to pentachlorophenyl acetate at the same rate, and, in contrast with some overseas experience with peaches and apricots, was not phytotoxic in these tests.

Bordeaux mixture, fentin acetate, N.C.I584, captan, captafol and dichlone, although not phytotoxic, did not show significant eradicant or antisporulant action.

There was some evidence that PMC acted both as an eradicant and an antisporulant.     

The effect of intracanopy lighting on cucumber fruit yield—Model analysis

Intracanopy lighting is a recently developed supplementary lighting technique for high-wire grown vegetable production in greenhouses where a part of the lamps is mounted within instead of above the canopy. A potentially higher yield using intracanopy lighting compared with top-lighting, is based on three assumptions: (1) increased light-absorption by the crop; (2) a higher photosynthetic light use efficiency due to a more homogeneous vertical light distribution; (3) a preserved photosynthetic capacity of leaves deeper in the canopy. We used an explanatory crop model to quantify the relative importance of these assumptions for a cucumber crop during an experiment in winter in the Netherlands (Trouwborst et al., 2010). Photosynthesis and yield data of this intracanopy lighting experiment with light-emitting diodes (34% of supplemental PAR) in combination with top-lighting (66% of supplemental PAR) were used to parameterise our model. In that study intracanopy lighting did not result in an increased yield compared with 100% top-lighting due to extreme leaf curling and a lower dry matter partitioning to the fruits. Our model predicted an 8% increase in fruit yield for the intracanopy lighting treatment if there were to be no leaf curling and no lower dry matter partitioning. This increase can be largely explained by the change in light distribution and light absorption. The model further revealed unexpectedly large consequences of the lower dry matter partitioning to the fruits whereas the negative effect of leaf curling was small. The direct effect of a greater A_max at deeper canopy layers was slightly positive. The last however might have indirectly caused the greater partitioning to the leaves as the greater A_max was associated with a preserved leaf mass per area. Solutions for this problem are discussed. Our explanatory model allowed us to disentangle the interacting effects of intracanopy lighting on fruit yield. Overall, intracanopy lighting has been shown here to potentially increase the assimilation light use efficiency.     

Thinning ‘McIntosh’ apple in British Columbia

Trials were conducted on 11-year-old trees of ‘McIntosh’ apple (Malus domestica, Borkh.) in Creston, British Columbia, to analyse the thinning effects of the blossom spray sodium 4,6-dinitro-ortho-cresylate (DNOC), and single and combination treatments of the post-bloom sprays naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), naphthaleneacetamide (NAD), and 1-naphthyl-(N-)methyl carbamate (carbaryl). DNOC was ineffective as a thinning agent when used alone. NAA did not significantly affect numbers of remaining fruit when used alone or with NAD or carbaryl. NAD showed significant thinning effects when applied alone or with carbaryl. Carbaryl was an effective thinning agent when used alone. The effects of carbaryl alone and carbaryl with NAD were found to persist after spacing the fruit on the branches by hand.     

冬春季节遮阴处理对香蕉假植苗生长的影响

冬季 (12～ 1月 )、春季 (3～ 4月 ) ,将从培养瓶中移出的香蕉组培苗置于大棚内 ,在 4种遮阴水平下进行假植炼苗 ,光照条件分别为 10 0 % (S10 0 ) ,33% (S33) ,10 % (S10 ) ,3 % (S3)。结果表明 ,不同光照强度下 ,香蕉苗的苗高、基径、叶长、叶宽、叶片数、叶面积、总根数和长根数都存在显著差异 ,但不同的性状对光照强度的反应不同。冬季有利于根系的生长 ,春季则更有利于地上部性状的生长。冬季和春季都以S33光照处理为最优 ,即适度遮阴有利于香蕉假植苗的生长发育。但春季各性状对遮阴水平适应的范围比冬季更宽 ,并且各性状在不同的季节对同一遮阴水平的反应也不相同 ,这表明光照强度与季节之间存在互作效应     

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.     

不同浓度海藻肥对叶用莴苣抗逆性的影响

摘要：为研究不同浓度海藻肥对叶用莴苣抗逆性的影响,以“绿珊”品种为研究对象,设置7个海藻 肥浓度梯度（0.00、1.00、1.25、1.50、2.00、2.50、3.00 g/L）,其中以不施海藻肥为对照,比较不同处理 叶用莴苣定植后10、20、30 d的生物量及收获后抗氧化系统（SOD活性、维生素C含量）、渗透调节物质 （脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量）、丙二醛（MDA）和叶绿素含量的变化。结果表明：不同浓度海藻肥可以显 著提高叶用莴苣的生物量、植株抗氧化系统活性,增加渗透调节物质和叶绿素含量,降低MDA含量。当 海藻肥浓度为1.50 g/L时,地上部干质量在定植10、20、30 d后分别比CK增加29.18%、22.02%、22.02%, 差异均达显著水平;当海藻肥浓度为2.0 g/L时,在定植10、20、30 d后SOD含量分别较CK增加18.49%、 36.96%、52.69%,维生素C含量分别较CK增加28.27%、46.55%、40.22%,脯氨酸含量分别较CK增加 48.58%、56.25%、47.62%,可溶性糖含量分别较CK增加32.06%、50.64%、34.30%,MDA含量分别较CK 降低18.18%、43.32%、74.6%,差异均达极显著水平。     

不同施肥深度对酿酒葡萄叶片养分和产量及品质的影响

以贺兰山东麓典型区御马酿酒葡萄基地6年生赤霞珠为供试材料,研究了酿酒葡萄叶片、产量及品质对3种施肥深度(20、40、60cm)下N、P、K配方施肥方式的响应。结果表明,酿酒葡萄叶片中氮含量远高于叶柄,叶片中氮素含量随着生育期的延长逐渐降低,而叶柄中氮含量随施肥深度增加和生育期延长而产生的变化很小,40cm的施肥深度能显著增加叶片中氮素含量;叶柄磷素平均含量高于叶片,全生育期叶片磷含量变化很小,而施肥60cm深度显著促进了叶片和叶柄中磷含量的提高;叶柄中钾含量远高于叶片,施肥深度对叶柄和叶片中钾含量未产生明显影响,但生育后期追施钾肥显著提高叶片钾含量;施肥深度达到40cm时酿酒葡萄的产量最高,而60cm的施肥深度产量显著下降。化肥适度深施到40cm有改善酿酒葡萄糖分的积累且增加糖酸比的趋势;而60cm的施肥深度总糖和糖酸比显著下降。由此说明,适度深施化肥到40cm左右的深度有利于提高肥料的利用率,从而促进葡萄的营养生长,提高产量且改善品质。     

不同砧木对先锋橙矿质营养元素含量的影响

在田间试验条件下,观察了12种砧木的先锋橙矿质营养元素含量。在观察的11种营养元素中,不同砧木间除 N、Zn、Mo元素含量无显著差异外,其它元素均达显著或极显著差异。其中微量元素的变幅大于大量元素。植株营养状况以宜昌橙类(除 K)、枳类(除 Fe)和桔类砧木植株的养分含量较高,果实含酸量高的砧木植株养分含量偏低。耐碱砧木主要表现在Fe、Mn及 K、Cu元素含量的差异。     

Salinity effects on strawberry plants grown in rockwool. I. Growth and leaf water relations

Comparison of four everbearing or day-neutral cultivars of strawberry (Rapella, Ostara, Fern and Selva) grown under glasshouse conditions in rockwool showed Rapella to accumulate the greatest shoot dry weight and leaf number together with the production of few stolons but many relatively large fruits per inflorescence. Subsequent studies with cv. Rapella found that increasing the salinity of the irrigation supply from 2.5 to 5.7 and to 8.5 mS cm"1, by the addition of NaCl, progressively reduced leaf number emerged and final leaf area by up to 36% and 48% respectively, after 100 d of treatment. Shoot dry weight, excluding fruits, was reduced by up to 47%. The number of crowns (lateral branches) was reduced from 11 in the lowest salinity to 8 and 7 at the higher salinity levels. Leaf water potential, \)/w, was reduced by up to 0.23 MPa in young leaves and 0.36 MPa in older leaves. Leaf osmotic potential, xj/^, was decreased by up to 0.14 MPa in younger leaves following salinity treatment at 8.0 mS cm-1. Consequently leaf turgor was reduced more in older than in younger leaves. Inflorescence number was reduced from 27 to 20 and 17. Within the remaining inflorescences however, flower numbers, fruit numbers and duration of fruit ripening were not affected. A marked decrease in the fresh weight of the fruit was detected in both higher salinity treatments but fruit dry weight was only slightly reduced.