Effects of post-harvest foliar boron and calcium applications on subsequent season's pollen germination and pollen tube growth of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar boron and calcium application after harvest on the quantity and activity of pollen in the ‘Housui’ and ‘Wonwhang’ pears on a subsequent year. Pollen grains of the ‘Housui’ pear were cultured on germination medium, to which had been added boric acid (0, 25, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹) and calcium nitrate (0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹). Boric acid, which was added to the germination media, exerted a significant stimulatory effect on both pollen germination and pollen tube growth, although pollen tube growth was inhibited at higher concentrations than 300 mg L⁻¹. Calcium nitrate addition stimulated pollen germination, except at concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹. However, pollen tube growth was significantly inhibited with increasing concentrations of calcium nitrate. In the orchard experiment, boron and calcium were sprayed at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 500 or 1000 mg L⁻¹ onto leaves after harvest, respectively. Boron and calcium content in the tissues as well as pollen production and growth were determined after these treatments. The foliar application of boron mainly resulted in an increase of boron concentration in buds. It also induced an increase in the weight of the anther and pollen in the following year. On the other hand, the foliar application of calcium resulted in an increase of calcium concentration mainly in the leaves, but pollen weight was decreased at high concentration treatment in the following year. The germination rate and tube growth of collected pollen were highest in the trees which had received boron treatment at a concentration of 200 mg L⁻¹. In contrast, the germination rate and tube growth of collected pollen were decreased by calcium application at concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L⁻¹ without significant increase at lower concentrations. Consequently, the accumulation of boron in the developed buds of pear trees subjected to post-harvest foliar boron application generated positive effects on both the quantity and quality of pollen in the following year.     

Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers applied during successive crop seasons on growth and nitrate accumulation in lettuce

A romaine-type lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Corsica was cultivated during three successive crop seasons (late-spring, late-autumn and late-winter) in the same soil of an experimental greenhouse in S.W. Peloponnese, Greece. Seven long-term fertilization treatments were tested for their effect on plant growth and nitrate concentration in the external lettuce leaves. Treatments included: three different doses of organic fertilization (composted sheep manure) applied at the start of each crop season, three different doses of inorganic N fertilization applied via fertigation during each crop season, and a control treatment in which no fertilizer was applied. A drip irrigation system was used to water all plants. The highest nitrate levels were observed in the medium and maximum inorganic fertilization treatments (572–664 mg kg⁻¹) in all crop seasons. They were significantly higher compared to the respective organic fertilization treatments (253–435 mg kg⁻¹) and all other fertilization treatments (148–435 mg kg⁻¹). Crop season affected lettuce growth more than nitrate accumulation in the lettuce leaves: lettuce biomass production was the smallest and most uniform in the late-autumn season and did not respond to the fertilization treatments tested (ranging from 409 to 439 g plant⁻¹), while in the late-spring season biomass production was the highest and most variable (561–841 g plant⁻¹), it correlated with nitrate concentration in the leaves and in the medium and maximum inorganic fertilizer doses it significantly exceeded production from all other fertilization treatments (827–841 g plant⁻¹). Following the three crop seasons the residual availability of N, P and K was clearly enhanced in the soil receiving the organic compared to the inorganic fertilization. Nitrate concentration in lettuce leaves was far below the upper limits set by the European Commission in all fertilization treatments throughout the three crop seasons, a result attributed mainly to the sufficient level of light intensity and duration throughout the year in Southern Greece.     

Growth and flowering of black iris (Iris nigricans Dinsm.) following treatment with plant growth regulators

The effects of application method and concentration of gibberellic acid (GA₃), paclobutrazol and chlormequat on black iris performance were assessed. Plants (10 cm high, 4 ± 1 leaves) were sprayed with 125, 250, 375 or 500 mg L⁻¹ or drenched with 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg L⁻¹ GA₃. In a second experiment, the plants were sprayed with 100, 250, 500 or 1000 mg L⁻¹ or drenched with 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg L⁻¹ paclobutrazol. Other plants were sprayed with 250, 500, 1000 or 1500 mg L⁻¹ or drenched with 100, 250, 375 or 550 mg L⁻¹ chlormequat. In each experiment, the control treatment consisted of untreated plants. Results indicated that the tallest plants (37.3 cm) in the GA₃ experiment were those sprayed with 250 mg L⁻¹. The most rapid flowering (160 days after planting) occurred when a 375 mg L⁻¹ GA₃ spray was used, whereas flowering was delayed to 200 days using 1 mg L⁻¹ GA₃ drench. Drenching with 1 mg L⁻¹ GA₃ increased height of the flower stalk by 7 cm compared to the control. Though relatively slow to flower, plants drenched with 1 mg L⁻¹ GA₃ had long and rigid stalks, which were suitable as cut flowers. Number and characteristics of the sprouts were not affected by GA₃. All paclobutrazol sprays resulted in leaf falcation. A 500 or 1000 mg L⁻¹ paclobutrazol spray resulted in severe and undesirable control of plant height, drastic reduction in stalk height and weight, and delayed flowering. Plants drenched with 0.25 or 1 mg L⁻¹ paclobutrazol were suitable as pot plants. Chlormequat reduced plant height only at the highest drench concentration, which also reduced flowering to 70%. No leaf falcation was observed with GA₃ or chlormequat. Chemical names: ( ± )-(R*,R*)-beta-((4-chlorophenyl)methyl)-alpha-(1,1,-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4,-triazol-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol); (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat).     

Micropropagation of the bromeliad Guzmania ‘Hilda’ via organogenesis and the effect of α-naphthaleneacetic acid on plantlet elongation

This study established a highly effective micropropagation system to obtain good plantlet proliferation from floral organs via callus induction and bud differentiation in Guzmania ‘Hilda’ bromeliad. The best frequencies of organogenic callus formation (20% in petal and 35% in ovary explants) were obtained on media containing a combination of 1.0 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ NAA, respectively. Organogenic calli were cultured on medium with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ NAA and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea (TDZ) induce the differentiation and regeneration of adventitious buds into plantlets. When the plantlets were cultured in a medium with optimum NAA concentration (0.5–1.0 mg l⁻¹) significant improvement in regeneration and elongation was achieved within one month. This overcame the difficulty of delayed elongation in Guzmania plantlets. More than 99% of the regenerated and acclimatized plantlets developed to the flowering stage.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of soil-applied plant derivatives of Meliaceae species on nitrogen availability to peach trees

We assessed the effect of soil-applied derivatives of melia (Melia azedarach L.) and neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on nitrogen (N) soil availability, root uptake and peach (Prunus persica L.) growth. First we evaluated the effectiveness of experimentally prepared amendments made with fresh ground melia leaves or commercial neem cake incorporated into the soil as nitrification inhibitors, then we evaluated the effect of fresh ground melia fruits and neem cake on growth and N root uptake of potted peach trees, and on soil microbial respiration. Soil-applied fresh ground melia leaves at 10 and 20 g kg⁻¹ of soil as well as commercial neem cake (10 g kg⁻¹) were ineffective in decreasing the level of mineral N after soil application of urea-N as a source of mineral N, rather they increased soil concentration of nitric N and ammonium N. The incorporation into the soil of fresh ground melia fruits (at 20 and 40 g kg⁻¹) and neem cake (at 10 and 20 g kg⁻¹) increased N concentration in leaves of GF677 peach × almond (Prunus amygdalus) hybrid rootstock alone or grafted with one-year-old variety Rome Star peach trees. An increase in microbial respiration, leaf green color and plant biomass compared to the control trees were also observed. The Meliaceae derivatives did not affect, in the short term (7 days), N root uptake efficiency, as demonstrated by the use of stable isotope ¹⁵N, rather they promoted in the long term an increase of soil N availability, N leaf concentration and plant growth.     

Zinc influence and salt stress on photosynthesis,water relations,and carbonic anhydrase activity in pistachio

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effects of zinc (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg Zn kg⁻¹ soil) under saline (800, 1600, 2400 and 3200 mg NaCl kg⁻¹ soil) conditions on pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Badami) seedlings’ photosynthetic parameters, carbonic anhydrase activity, protein and chlorophyll contents, and water relations. Zn deficiency resulted in a reduction of net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. The quantum yield of photosystem II was reduced at zinc deficiency and salt stress. Zinc improved plant growth under salt-affected soil conditions. Increasing salinity in soil under Zn-deficient conditions, generally decreased carbonic anhydrase activity, protein, chlorophyll a and b contents. However, these adverse effects of salinity alleviated by increasing Zn levels up to 10 mg kg⁻¹ soil. Under increasing salinity, chlorophyll a/b ratio significantly increased. Zinc treatment influenced the relationship between relative water content and stomatal conductance, and between leaf water potential and stomatal conductance. It concluded that Zn may act as a scavenger of ROS for mitigating the injury on biomembranes under salt stress. Adequate Zn also prevents uptake and accumulation of Na in shoot, by increasing membrane integrity of root cells.     

Silicon mediates changes to some physiological and enzymatic parameters symptomatic for oxidative stress in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown under B toxicity

The effect of exogenous silicon (Si) on the growth, boron (B) uptake, stomatal conductance, lipid peroxidation (MDA), membrane permeability, lipoxygenase activity (LOX), proline and H₂O₂ accumulation, non-enzymatic antioxidant activity (AA) and the activities of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT and ascorbate peroxidase, APX) of spinach were investigated under greenhouse conditions. Spinach plants were grown with 0 or 30 mg kg⁻¹ B combined with 0 and 150 mg kg⁻¹ Si. The severity of leaf symptoms of B toxicity was lower when the plants were grown with 150 mg kg⁻¹ Si. Silicon supplied to the soil with high B counteracted the deleterious effects of B on root and shoot growth. Application of B significantly increased B concentration in shoot and in root tissues. However, Si decreased B concentration in the shoots but increased it in the roots. Shoot tissues of spinach contained higher B than the roots in all treatments. Applied Si increased the Si concentration of the root and shoot. Stomatal conductance of the plants was decreased by B, but was increased by Si. The concentrations of H₂O₂ and proline were increased by B toxicity but were decreased by Si applied to plants. Boron toxicity increased the membrane permeability, MDA content and LOX activity of excised leaves of spinach. Applied Si ameliorated the membrane deterioration significantly. Compared with control plants, the activities of AA, SOD, CAT and APX in B-stressed plants without Si applied increased, and application of Si decreased their activities under toxic B conditions. Based on the present work, it can be concluded that Si alleviates B toxicity by preventing oxidative membrane damage and also translocation of B from root to shoots. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effect of Si in improving B tolerance in spinach.     

Antioxidant and stomatal responses of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to boron toxicity

Although of considerable agronomic importance, our understanding of B toxicity mechanism in plants is still not completely understood, and remains an open question. Therefore, we investigated the effect of increasing levels of B (0, 10, 20 and 30 mg kg⁻¹) on the growth, boron (B) concentrations, stomatal resistance, lipid peroxidation (MDA), membrane permeability (MP), lypoxygenase activity (LOX), proline (PRO) and H₂O₂ accumulation, and the activities of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT and ascorbate peroxidase, APX) of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Kalecik Karasi) grafted on 5BB rootstock (V. berlandieri × V. riparia) was investigated. Applied toxic levels of B significantly reduced leaf and root growth and increased the B concentration of the leaf, and stem, bark and root of rootstock. In the all B levels leaf tissues of grapevine accumulated more B than that of the other plant parts. In order to restrict excessive uptake of B, stomatal resistance of the leaves increased especially at high B treatments (20 and 30 mg kg⁻¹). The concentrations of H₂O₂, MDA and membrane permeability were increased as the result of B toxicity while proline and the activity of lypoxygenase were decreased. Compared with control plants, the activities of SOD and CAT were increased by B treatments while the activity of APX was decreased. To our knowledge, this is the first report that B toxicity elevated the antioxidant enzymes to protect the membrane functions from reactive oxygen species (ROS) injury in grapevine and it was hoped that this study would provide a basis for developing strategies for reducing the risks associated with B toxicity.     

Factors affecting in vitro adventitious shoot formation on internode explants of Citrus aurantium L. cv. Brazilian

The in vitro formation of newly formed adventitious buds and shoots from internodal branch segments was studied on 12-month-old plants of Citrus aurantium L. cv. Brazilian. The effects of 6-Benzyladenine (BA) and α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) treatments were evaluated on adventitious bud and shoot regeneration. High rates of bud initiation and shoot development were obtained both with BA supplemented medium, in the range from 1 mg L⁻¹ to 3 mg L⁻¹, and with 0.1 mg L⁻¹ NAA supplemented medium. NAA concentrations above 1 mg L⁻¹ significantly reduced bud initiation and shoot elongation. The results obtained using different in vitro culture vessels such as Petri dishes, tubes and glass culture jars were compared. The highest adventitious bud induction was observed in Petri dishes for internodes cultured in 2 mg L⁻¹ BA supplemented medium, with 95% responsive explants forming 9.0 ± 2.4 adventitious buds. The adventitious buds observed in Petri dishes reached a maximum height of 1 mm, with no further development, while some of the adventitious shoots cultured in tubes and glass culture jars grew over 1 cm in height. A shoot regeneration gradient of the internodes collected along the branch axis was noticed, with basal ones exhibiting higher regeneration frequency.     

Cercis siliquastrum L., Malus trilobata Schneid and Acer syriacum Boin and Gaill water use as affected by two fertilizer rates

There has been an increased demand for landscaping plants in Lebanon as a result of numerous reconstruction projects. Sustainable landscape regulations have created a need for regionally adapted taxa, especially those with low water requirements. Therefore, water use of container-grown plants and the impact of fertilization on water use were studied in the following native species: Cercis siliquastrum L. (six mother trees), Malus trilobata Schneid (two mother trees) and Acer syriacum Boin and Gaill (one tree). Two-year-old containerized seedlings were grown at The Ohio State University (Columbus, USA) under two fertilizer rates: 25 or 100 mg N L⁻¹ of 21 N–3.1 P–5.9 K water soluble fertilizer. Water use estimates were made by saturating the containers early in the morning, allowing them to drain for 1 h, weighing them and re-weighing approximately 5 h later. Although there were differences in seedling heights, those grown at 25 mg N L⁻¹ were taller than those at 100, there were few differences in water use per seedling. In August, Cercis seedlings grown under 100 mg N L⁻¹ had higher height adjusted water use (g water cm⁻¹ height h⁻¹, a method for standardizing water use among different sized plants) than those grown under 25 mg L⁻¹. However, there were no differences in height adjusted water use in September attributed to fertilizer rates. In September, Acer seedlings had higher water use cm⁻² leaf surface area under 25 than 100 mg N L⁻¹. There were no differences in water use among the progeny from the six Cercis mother trees. However, the seedlings from one Malus tree had higher water use cm⁻² leaf surface area than those from the other tree, even though the extant trees were separated by less than 20 m.     

Ethychlozate reduces acidity of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruit

Ethychlozate (ethyl 5-chloro-1H-3-indazolylacetate, Figaron) was applied to 12-year-old ‘Jiefangzhong’ (a high-acid cultivar) loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) trees at 0 (control), 75, 150 and 250 mg L⁻¹ on March 19th, 90 days after flowering. To determine pulp titratable acidity (TA), organic acid concentration and acid-metabolizing enzyme activity, fruits were collected at 0, 13, 25, 42 and 49 days after treatments (DAT), when fruits were ripe. Malate was the major organic acid determining loquat pulp acidity. Ethychlozate was very effective in reducing pulp malate concentration, thus decreasing pulp acidity. The best result for reducing acidity (malate) was obtained when ethychlozate was applied at 250 mg L⁻¹. The ethychlozate-treated pulp showed lower phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and NAD-malate dehydrogenase (NAD-MDH) activities through the experimental period, but higher or similar NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) from 25 to 49 DAT compared to non-sprayed control. The reduction in malate concentration in the ethychlozate-treated pulp was probably caused by decreased malate biosynthesis and increased malate degradation.     

Physiological response of onion plants to foliar application of putrescine and glutamine

Two field experiments were carried out in Egypt during two successive seasons (2007/2008 and 2008/2009). This study aimed to investigate the response of growth, yield quality and some metabolic constituents of onion (Allium cepa L. cv. ‘Giza 20’) to foliar application of putrescine (Put; 25, 50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) and glutamine (Glut; 50, 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹), the former a diamine and the latter an amino acid, either alone, or in combination. Foliar application of Put and Glut, either alone or in combination, significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weight/plant, leaf area, leaf area/plant, bulb length, bulb diameter and weight, as well as yield of onion and quality of bulbs. Total soluble sugars, sulfur compounds, total soluble phenols, total free amino acids and total photosynthetic pigment content in leaves were increased by increasing Put and/or Glut concentrations up to 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Generally, foliar application of Put at 100 mg L⁻¹ and Glut at 200 mg L⁻¹ singly, or combined, effectively increased bulb yield and quality. In conclusion, the yield-contributing characters and quality of onion could be improved by application of Put and/or Glut.     

Impact of exogenous salicylic acid on the growth,antioxidant activity and physiology of carrot plants subjected to combined salinity and boron toxicity

Previous studies have shown that salicylic acid (SA) plays a role in the response of plants to salt and osmotic stresses. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of exogenous salicylic acid on the growth, physiology and antioxidant activity of carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Nantes) grown under combined stress of salinity and boron toxicity. The treatments consisted of salt (control, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄), boron (−B: 0 and +B: 25 mg B kg⁻¹) and salicylic acid (−SA: 0 and +SA: 0.5 mmol SA kg⁻¹). The diameter of the storage root was increased by NaCl salinity in the absence of B toxicity, however, it was increased by Na₂SO₄ salinity under B toxicity. For the storage root yield, NaCl salinity was more toxic than Na₂SO₄ salinity. With its role in plant growth regulation, SA application positively affected the storage root dry weight, S concentration, carotenoids and anthocyanin content and increased the total antioxidant activity (AA) of the shoot and storage root. SA application regulated proline and toxic ion (B, Cl) accumulation in the storage root and shoot. This study reports the long term effects of SA under stress conditions and reveals that SA was not as effective as in alleviating abiotic stress as reported in the literature conducted with short-term studies. That means long-term effects of SA would be significantly different from its short-term effects.     

Additional nitrogen fertilization affects salt tolerance of lemon trees on different rootstocks

Irrigation with saline water is one of the major problems in citrus crop in arid and semi-arid regions. Because rootstock and fertilization play an important role in citrus salt tolerance, we investigated the influence of the nitrogen fertilization and rootstock on salt tolerance of 2-year-old potted Fino 49 lemon trees. For that, trees grafted on Citrus macrophylla (M) or Sour orange (SO) rootstocks were watered for 12 weeks with complete nutrient solution containing either 0 mM NaCl (control, C), 50 mM NaCl (S), 50 mM NaCl with an additional 10 mM potassium nitrate (S + N), or 50 mM NaCl with a 1% KNO₃ (S + Nf) foliar spray application. Trees on M were more vigorous than trees on SO and saline treatments reduced leaf growth similarly in trees on both rootstocks. Trees on SO had a lower leaf Cl⁻ and Na⁺ concentration than those on M. Additional soil nitrogen (S + N) decreased leaf Cl⁻ concentration and increased leaf K⁺ concentration in salinized trees on both rootstocks. However, the salinity-induced reduction leaf growth was similar in S + N and S trees. This was due to osmotic effect, beside leaf Cl⁻ and Na⁺ toxicity, played an important role in the growth response of Fino 49 lemon to the salt stress. Additional foliar nitrogen in the S + Nf treatment also reduced leaf Cl⁻ concentration relative to the S treatment but trees from S + Nf treatment had the lowest leaf growth. Net assimilation of CO₂ (ACO₂$A_{\text{C}{\text{O}}_2}$), stomatal conductance (g_s) and plant transpiration were reduced similarly in all three salt treatments, regardless rootstock. Salinity reduced leaf water and osmotic potential such that leaf turgor was increased. Thus, the salinity-induced ACO₂$A_{\text{C}{\text{O}}_2}$ reductions were not due to loss of turgor but rather due to high salt ion accumulation in leaves.     

Phosphorus ameliorates crop productivity,photosynthetic efficiency,nitrogen-fixation,activities of the enzymes and content of nutraceuticals of Lablab purpureus L.

Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.) serves as a good source of vegetable proteins in human diet. Its seeds and pods contain as much as 20–28% protein. Besides, it contains tyrosinase enzyme, which has potential use in the treatment of hypertension. Phosphorus deficiency causes a serious yield and quality constraint of beans at Aligarh, Western Uttar Pradesh, India. To address the problem, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of basal phosphorus application on the agricultural performance of this medicinal legume. The plants were grown in pots containing soil supplied with five levels of phosphorus viz. 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg P kg⁻¹ soil as potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KH₂PO₄). The growth and other physiological attributes, leaf nutrient contents, nodule-nitrogen and leghemoglobin content were studied at 60, 90 and 120 days after sowing (DAS), photosynthesis and other related parameters were measured at 90 DAS and yield and quality attributes were recorded at harvest (150 DAS). Nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrate activities, leaf-N, -P, -K and -Ca contents and nodule-nitrogen and leghemoglobin contents reached the maximum extent at 60 DAS. At 90 and 120 DAS, the values decreased significantly. Chlorophyll content, carotenoids content, and photosynthesis were at maximum level at 90 DAS. At various growth stages, phosphorus application at 75 mg P kg⁻¹ soil resulted in maximum amelioration of most of the parameters studied. It increased the seed-yield by 38.3%, seed-protein content by 14.9% and seed-carbohydrate content by 5.0%, relative to the control. It was concluded that there was a hidden hunger of hyacinth bean for phosphorus owing to soil-phosphorus deficiency that was ameliorated effectively by its basal dressing at 75 mg P kg⁻¹ soil.     

Physiological and biochemical changes with special reference to mangiferin and oxidative enzymes level in malformation resistant and susceptible cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Changes in biophysical attributes, mangiferin and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase and peroxidase activities in malformation resistant mango cultivar Elaichi were studied at various stages of flower development and compared with susceptible cvs. Amrapali, Beauty Mc-lin and Dashehari. Accumulation of mangiferin was maximum (96.0 and 108.0 mg g⁻¹ FW) in Elaichi prior to flower bud differentiation (September) and at full bloom (February), while these were minimum (59.0 and 74.0 mg g⁻¹ FW) in susceptible cv. Beauty Mc-lin. Mangiferin promoted vegetative growth and exhibited inhibitory role on the occurrence of malformation. It was also found that the resistant cultivar had highest activity of PPO as compared to susceptible ones. There was no significant difference in the enzymes catalase and peroxidase activity at early stage of flower differentiation but at flower bud burst stage the catalase activity was enhanced significantly in cv. Elaichi (25.28 unit min⁻¹ g⁻¹ FW) in comparison to Amrapali (16.20 unit min⁻¹ g⁻¹ FW), Beauty Mc-lin (18.39 unit min⁻¹ g⁻¹ FW) and Dashehari (17.50 unit min⁻¹ g⁻¹ FW). The resistant cultivar had high leaf temperature (30.30 °C) and diffusion resistance (476.14 m mol m⁻² s⁻¹) during the flowering but the rate of transpiration and relative humidity (RH) were high in susceptible cultivars. Results of the present study clearly indicate that level of mangiferin could be considered as a potential biochemical indicator for screening mango genotypes to malformation.     

Rooting response of shoot cuttings from three peach growth habits

Current year shoot cuttings were collected in October and August from three growth habits of peach (Compact, Pillar, and Standard) and treated with one of four concentrations of indole butyric acid (0, 250, 1250, and 2500 mg L⁻¹ IBA). Rooting response was measured after 5 weeks in the greenhouse. Little or no rooting occurred with cuttings from any growth habit that was collected in October or in August when treated with 0 and 2500 mg L⁻¹ IBA. In August, the number of shoots that rooted was greater in cuttings from Pillar (79 and 45%) than Compact (13 and 3%) treated with 250 and 1250 mg L⁻¹ IBA, respectively. Cuttings from Standard trees had intermediate rooting of 56 and 6% at 250 and 1250 mg L⁻¹ IBA, respectively. Pillar trees consistently grew more roots with greater root length per cutting than the other growth habits. It is proposed that differences in rooting response among the growth habits may be associated with differences in endogenous auxin concentration that had been found in previous studies. Within peach and possibly other fruit trees, the capacity of shoot cuttings to develop adventitious roots can vary by cultivar and successful root induction with exogenous plant growth regulators may depend, in part, on endogenous hormone levels.     

The effect of various nitrogen fertilization and foliar nutrition regimes on the concentrations of sugars,carotenoids and phenolic compounds in carrot (Daucus carota L.)

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of various forms, diverse doses, and dates of application of nitrogen fertilizers and foliar nutrition on the concentration of sugars, carotenoids and phenolics compound in carrot. Two field experiments (Experiment I in 2003–2005 and Experiment II in 2004–2005) with carrot ‘Kazan F₁’ were conducted in Trzciana (50°06′N; 21°85′E) in Poland. Both experiments were arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. Two sub-blocks were identified in both experiments: sub-block (A) without foliar nutrition and sub-block (B) with plant foliar nutrition. In sub-block (B), plants were sprayed three-times with: 2% (w/v) urea, a 1% (v/v) solution of multi-component ‘Supervit R’ fertilizer, and again with 2% (w/v) urea. Combinations with diversified nitrogen fertilization were distinguished within both sub-blocks. The treatments in Experiment I consisted of: (1) Control, (2) 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as Ca(NO₃)₂, (3) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as Ca(NO₃)₂, (4) 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as (NH₄)₂SO₄ and (5) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as (NH₄)₂SO₄, where 70 kg N ha⁻¹ was used preplant and 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied preplant and as a top dressing, respectively. The treatments in Experiment II consisted of: (1) Control, (2) 35 + 35 kg N ha⁻¹ as ENTEC-26, (3) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as ENTEC-26, (4) 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ as ENTEC-26, (5) 35 + 35 kg N ha⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃, (6) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃, (7) 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃, where 35 + 35, 70 + 70, 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied preplant and as top dressing, respectively. Solid nitrogen fertilizer was added to the soil, as produced: Ca(NO₃)₂—Yara International ASA (Hydro), (NH₄)₂SO₄—Zak?ady Azotowe w Tarnowie, Poland, NH₄NO₃—Zak?ady Azotowe w Pu?awach, Poland and ENTEC-26–COMPO GmbH & Co., KG, Germany. In Experiment I, the highest sugar concentrations were found in carrot fertilized with (NH₄)₂SO₄ 70, while in Experiment II in the control and after fertilization with ENTEC-26 35 + 35 kg N ha⁻¹. In both experiments N-fertilization affected an increase in phenolic compound concentrations in comparison with the control. Experiment I revealed no significant effect of N-fertilization on carotenoid concentrations in carrot, however in Experiment II the highest concentration of these compounds was characteristic for the control plants and carrot fertilized with ENTEC-26 35 + 35. The foliar nutrition applied in Experiment I caused a decline in sugar concentration and an elevated carotenoid concentration, however it had no influence on the phenolic compound concentrations in carrot. Yet the foliar nutrition in Experiment II led to a decrease in phenolic and carotenoid compound concentrations, but it did not affect sugar concentration in carrot.     

The combined effects of salinity and excess boron on mineral ion relations in broccoli

Two plant stress factors, salinity and high levels of boron, often co-occur in natural and agricultural environments. Many investigations have been conducted to document the influence of the combined stresses on crop growth and yield. Only limited information, however, is available concerning the combined effects of the two stresses on mineral ion uptake and partitioning to shoot organs and tissues. Data for this study were obtained from an experiment conducted in greenhouse sand cultures with two water types: (1) a chloride-dominated system, and (2) sulfate-dominated waters characteristic of those present in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Each saline composition treatment was tested at three salinity levels (2, 12, 18 dS m⁻¹) and three B concentrations (0.046, 1.11, 2.22 mM; 0.5, 12, 24 mg L⁻¹). The gradient in B distribution in individual leaves sampled midseason was steep, with less boron accumulating in petioles than in the blades. The highest B concentrations (>100 mmol B kg⁻¹ dry weight) were found in leaf margins of plants grown in the low salinity-high boron treatments. These leaves were cupped upward, an unusual visual symptom characteristic of B toxicity. At final harvest, concentrations of B, Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Cl were highest in the oldest leaves on the broccoli shoots, decreasing acropetally to the heads. Total-P, however, was highest in broccoli heads, decreasing in the older tissues. Leaf-B accumulation was more closely related to salinity rather than to the concentration of Cl in the irrigation waters. Analysis of variance indicated that substrate B had little effect on Cl accumulation in salt-stressed broccoli leaves regardless of water type. No clear cut relationships were evident that would explain the reciprocal effects of B and Cl on crop yields.     

Nitrate reduces the detrimental effect of potassium chlorate on longan (Dimocarpus Longan Lour.) trees

A recent finding that potassium chlorate induces longan (Dimocarpus Longan Lour.) flowering at any seasons has led to wide use of this chemical in longan industry for off-season harvest, despite the risk of injury to the tree. In this paper, we examined the influences of pretreatment of nitrate by foliar spray with 3% potassium nitrate on the responses of potted longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) cv. Shixia (a subtropical ecotype) trees to soil applications of potassium chlorate at 10 and 20 g plant⁻¹. Chlorate treatments caused severe leaf drop and chlorophyll breakdown and suppressed budbreak, flowering and shoot growth. Pretreatment of potassium nitrate reduced the severity of leaf drop and chlorophyll breakdown caused by chlorate but the extend was less significant in high dosage chlorate (20 g plant⁻¹) treatment than low dosage (10 g plant⁻¹) chlorate treatment. Potassium nitrate did not alleviate the suppression effect of chlorate on budbreak, flowering and shoot growth, although it promoted these processes per se. Chlorate treatment resulted in only a transient accumulation of chlorate in the leaves, which peaked around 14 days after chlorate treatment (DACT), while chloride accumulated constantly within 28 DACT. Pretreatment of potassium nitrate tended to promote chlorate accumulation but did not cause a significant change in chloride accumulation. Severity of leaf drop was not significantly correlated to chlorate accumulation but significantly to chloride accumulation, suggesting that toxicity of chlorate to longan tree was realized during the chloride-producing process of chlorate reduction. Nitrate influenced the correlations between severity of leaf drop and chloride accumulation by reducing the slopes of the regressed lines of leaf drop versus chloride, indicating that nitrate reduced the sensitivity of longan trees to the toxic intermediates produced during chlorate reduction. The results indicate that the application rates were excessive for potted trees. The potential benefit of potassium nitrate in a longan production system based on application of chlorate needs to be evaluated in field trees.