Relationships among mineral nutrition,ethylene and post-harvest physiology in apples on six rootstocks

The relationships among several mineral elements of August-sampled leaf October-harvested fruit, maturity and post-harvest quality factors of ‘Starkspur Golden Delicious’ apple trees grown on Seedling, Malling (M) 1, Malling Merton (MM) 106, M 7, Oregon Apple Rootstock (OAR 1) or M 26 in a high-density orchard during 1980–1982 were evaluated. Positive correlations were found between leaf N, K and P and fruit N, K and P, respectively, in most rootstocks. Leaf Ca did not correlate with fruit Ca; thus leaf analysis cannot be recommended for estimates of fruit Ca. Both leaf and fruit N positively correlated with fruit green color and negatively with fruit soluble solids in all rootstocks. Fruit Ca and fruit P were both negatively correlated with fruit soluble solids at harvest and after 6 months of 0°C storage for all rootstocks. The ratio of fruit $\text{N}\text{Ca}$ was positively correlated with internal ethylene in MM 106, M 7 and OAR 1, while fruit $\text{K}\text{Ca}$ ratio was positively correlated with titratable acidity in all rootstocks. Fruit Ca showed negative correlations with bitterpit, storage rot and field internal ethylene, but positive correlation with firmness. Yield was positively correlated with leaf and fruit N, Ca and Cu but slightly negatively correlated with B of those tissues. Higher yield was associated with lower leaf K concentrations. Fruit green color was negatively correlated with soluble solids and titratable acidity. Fruit dry matter was highly positively correlated with soluble solids and titratable acidity in MM 106, OAR 1 and M 26. Soluble solids at harvest were strongly predicted by pre-harvest dry matter.     

锥栗种仁发育期叶片与果实矿质元素含量变化

以‘长芒仔’锥栗为试材,对其种仁发育期营养枝叶片、结果枝叶片及果实（种仁、刺苞、果皮 + 种皮）中N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Mn、Fe、Zn、Cu 矿质元素含量及果实不同组织质量变化进行分析。结果表明：坚果从幼胚发生期至成熟期为种仁发育的关键时期,坚果、种仁和淀粉干质量较前期都有显著增长,分别增加了6.14 g（92.4%）、4.97 g（99.43%）及3.82 g（99.92%）。在种仁发育期,营养枝及结果枝叶片中Cu 含量呈显著下降变化,P、Zn 含量波动上升;果实刺苞中Ca、Fe、Cu 含量显著下降,Zn 含量上升后下降,其余元素变化甚微;果皮 + 种皮中N、P、K、Mg、Cu 含量前期变化甚微,后期显著下降,Ca、Zn 含量先增加后降低;种仁中N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Mn、Fe、Zn、Cu 含量均呈降低变化,种仁中各元素总量均呈显著上升趋势,在采收前1 周Ca、Mg、Mn、Fe、Cu 总量呈明显降低。种仁内淀粉总量与结果枝叶片及营养枝叶片中Cu 含量,刺苞中Cu 含量,果皮 + 种皮中K、Mn 含量呈显著负相关;与刺苞中Fe 含量,果皮 + 种皮中P、Mg、Cu 含量呈极显著负相关;而与种仁中的N、P、K、Mg、Mn、Fe、Zn、Cu 总量极显著正相关。     

核桃树体生物量构成及矿质营养元素累积特性研究

为了给核桃合理施肥提供科学依据,以5 a生温185早实核桃树为试材,采用彻底刨根、分解取样的方法,研究了生物量的构成特点、各器官矿质元素含量和累积分配特性。结果表明,核桃树总干质量为32 814 g.plant-1,其中当年新生营养器官占16.36%,果实占13.59%,老营养器官占70.05%。N含量以种仁最高,叶片次之;P含量以叶柄最高,青皮次之;K含量以青皮最高,叶片、叶柄次之。核桃树N、P、K、Ca、Mg总累积量为366.67、48.92、247.37、440.19和62.32 g.plant-1,其中,N主要分配到种仁、叶片、多年生枝和主根,P主要分配到主根、种仁、多年生枝、叶片和青皮,K主要分配到青皮和叶片。每生产1 000 kg干商品核桃需吸收N 77.05 kg、P 9.70 kg、K 62.24 kg、Ca 75.41 kg、Mg13.35 kg。核桃树对N、K、Ca的需求较多,对P、Mg的需求较少;营养器官累积N、Ca较多,累积P、K、Mg较少;生殖器官累积N、K较多,累积P、Ca、Mg较少。     

Fruit set is inversely related to flower and fruit weight in olive (Olea europaea L.)

Fruit weight is strongly correlated to ovary weight in olive as big-fruited cultivars have larger ovaries and flowers at bloom. We tested the hypothesis that larger ovaries imply stronger sinks and therefore reduce fruit set, expressed as number of fruits. Flower/fruit load per centimeter of shoot was assessed every month from flowering to harvest, on sample shoots of many different olive cultivars differing in fruit size. Data were taken for two years: 2007 and 2008. Additionally, in 2008, a fruit thinning experiment was carried out by leaving a single fruit per shoot, to assess the maximum potential fruit weight achievable by each cultivar. Results indicated that fruit size was mostly genetically determined as thinned fruits of small-fruited cultivars, although bigger than control fruits, never got as big as fruits from large-fruited cultivars, confirming that large ovaries are a prerequisite for large fruits. Among all cultivars, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the number of inflorescences, and the number of flowers per centimeter of shoot were not correlated to average flower weight while total flower mass per centimeter of shoot was positively correlated to average flower weight (i.e. large flowered/fruited cultivars had greater total flower mass). However, one month after bloom and thereafter, all parameters were negatively and exponentially correlated with fruit average weight across cultivars, except fruit mass per centimeter of shoot which was generally not correlated to fruit average weight, except in one year, at harvest, when fruit mass per centimeter of shoot was positively correlated to fruit average weight. These results suggest that fruit set is a consequence of, and inversely proportional to flower/fruit size in olive.     

苹果施用硝酸钙的效果

通过对苹果树叶面喷和土施试验证明:(1)叶面喷(包括盆栽和田间试验)0.3％Ca液2次,能促进树体生长、增加叶干重、提高树体N、K、Ca等营养元素水平,并明显提高果实产量和品质。在年生育期的前期或后期喷Ca,均能进入果实中,前期进入量高于后期。(2)土施Ca(NO_3)_2,同施用筹N量的尿素相比,叶片中N、P、K、Ca、Fe、Zn等元素含量,均有明显提高,并有增产和提高品质作用。在土施方式中,以Ca(NO_3)_2与有机肥混施为佳,但土施Ca(NO_3)_2对提高果实中Ca含量未显出明显效果。(3)总体效果,土施不如叶喷。     

榛子果实氮、磷、钾、钙元素的相关性分析

以杂种榛优良品系为试材,定期检测果实、果仁及果壳中氮、磷、钾、钙元素的含量并分析其相关性.结果表明:果实和果仁中的N、P,N、K,P、K显著或极显著正相关,果仁中P、Ca,K、Ca显著或极显著正相关.果仁和果实中的N、K、Ca显著或极显著正相关,果仁和果皮中的N极显著负相关,Ca显著正相关.果仁与果实、果仁与果皮中的P不存在相关性.     

施钾对核桃钾素营养及粗脂肪含量的影响

研究了西林2号和陕核1号核桃喷施硫酸钾对其果实钾素营养及种仁粗脂肪含量的影响.结果表明:喷施硫酸钾对青皮中钾和种仁粗脂肪最终含量影响不显著,但在油脂转化期,品种对其影响显著;在核桃果实生长期间,青皮中钾和种仁粗脂肪含量积累规律相似,且二者极显著正相关.钾肥效应主要是通过增产来提高单位面积的产油量;比较而言,西林2号更适合作为高油品种推广.     

Spur survival and return bloom in almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb] varied with spur fruit load,specific leaf weight,and leaf area

Summary

Variation in fruit load, leaf area, and light exposure among almond spurs was used to evaluate whether or not spurs were autonomous with regard to Winter survival and return bloom. Fruiting was associated with reduced spur survival over the subsequent Winter and reduced return bloom in the subsequent year.This resulted in a tendency for individual spurs to bloom and bear fruit in alternate years. Survival was high among all non-fruiting spurs, but survival of fruiting spurs was positively related both to leaf area per spur and specific leaf weight (SLW; an indicator of light exposure). SLW was a much stronger correlate for spur survival than leaf area per spur. The likelihood of flowering varied positively with spur leaf area the previous season on both fruiting and non-fruiting spurs, but was not related to spur SLW. Localisation of leaf area and shading effects within individual spurs created spur sub-populations with differing tendencies toward alternate bearing. The likelihood of flowering on spurs was enhanced when branch-wide carbohydrate demand by fruit was eliminated by early fruit removal the previous season, suggesting that almond spurs are not entirely autonomous with regard to carbohydrate supply during floral initiation and development. Nevertheless, our data are consistent with a high degree of spur autonomy regarding Winter survival and return bloom, with each spur apparently being strongly influenced by the ability of its own leaves to meet its carbohydrate demands.     

青海高原核桃果实油脂和生长动态变化分析

以地方核桃为试材,拍照记录果实外观形态变化,并对不同发育时期果实质量、果实纵横径、坚果质量、种仁质量、出仁率、油脂含量和成熟种仁中脂肪酸组分等进行测定,以期明确青海高原核桃果实油脂和生长动态变化。结果表明:随着核桃果实生长发育,果实质量、果实纵横径、坚果质量、种仁质量、出仁率、油脂含量等指标总体呈上升趋势,其中果实质量在成熟后期略有下降,并依据指标建立了核桃果实生长发育的数学模型。7月中旬油脂开始积累,并逐渐增加,至果实成熟时种仁中的油脂含量达到最大值69.4%,种仁中主要脂肪酸是棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸和亚麻酸,不饱和脂肪酸含量可达91.7%。9月中旬核桃果实充分成熟,且油脂含量最高,是最佳采收时期。可根据核桃果实形态、果实生长曲线和数学模型来判断果实发育时期,采取合理的栽培管理措施,从而提高核桃果实的产量和品质。     

Flower thinning method affects mineral composition of `Braeburn' and `Fiesta' apple fruit

Summary

Fruit mineral concentrations measured at harvest can have major effects on apple fruit quality on the tree or during storage. Orchard practices must therefore seek to optimize fruit mineral composition. The purpose of this study was to describe and elucidate the effects of hand thinning on whole trees and individual spurs on apple fruit mineral composition. Two methods of flower and fruitlet thinning were compared with no thinning on `Braeburn' and `Fiesta' apple trees. Alternate whole flower/fruitlet clusters or all but one flower/fruitlet within every cluster were removed at full bloom or 14±21 d after full bloom. Alternate-cluster thinning reduced final fruit numbers per tree and fruit Ca concentrations by up to 22%, while increasing final fruit size by up to 21%, compared with no thinning. These effects on fruit Ca concentrations were also measured across a range of fruit size classes. Within-cluster thinning at full bloom or up to 21 d after full bloom also reduced fruit numbers per tree but increased fruit size substantially, by up to 65% compared with no thinning, this effect being less for later thinning. However, fruit mineral concentrations were not influenced by this treatment. Some fruiting spurs were singled to one fruit 14 d after full bloom on alternately flower cluster thinned trees and on trees that had not been thinned at bloom, and compared with unthinned spurs on the same trees. Fruit Ca concentrations, primary spur leaf areas and primary spur leaf areas per fruit were greater for spurs bearing a single fruit (achieved by thinning manually or through natural abscission) than for multi-fruited spurs on the same trees. Spurs bearing one fruit on unthinned trees had greater fruit Ca concentrations, primary spur leaf areas and primary spur leaf areas per fruit, but lower fruit weight than the same spurs on alternate-cluster thinned trees. However, spurs on unthinned and alternate-cluster thinned trees with the same primary leaf areas per fruit had similar final Ca concentrations. Fruit size and crop loads were found not to be important in explaining fruit Ca concentration differences between thinning methods. However our results suggest that thinning method may affect Ca accumulation in apple fruit by altering the relationship between fruit numbers and leaf areas on individual spurs.     

Effects of the application of ‘cash’ on the growth,fruit yield,and nutrient status of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in reclaimed saline soil

Summary

The effects of ‘cash’ [a novel 2:5:1 (w/w/w) mixture of calcium sulphate, ground sunflower heads, and humic acid] as a soil amendment on the growth, fruit yield, and leaf nutrient status of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown on reclaimed saline soil (EC = 9.4 dS m^–1) were investigated. A glasshouse experiment was performed in a completely randomised design with six treatments (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 g ‘cash’ kg^–1 soil) each with four replicates. The results indicated that ‘cash’ increased both the shoot dry weight (DW) plant^–1 and the root DW plant^–1, the free proline contents of leaves, and leaf chlorophyll contents. The use of ‘cash’ also increased the number of fruit plant^–1, fruit yield pot^–1, and fruit vitamin C contents, although total soluble solids (TSS) contents were not affected. The contents of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca), and the Ca:Na ratios of leaf tissues increased with all application rates of ‘cash’. Leaf phosphorus (P) contents showed no response to any applied level of ‘cash’. Leaf sodium (Na) contents declined gradually with an increase in the level of ‘cash’ applied to the soil. We concluded that ‘cash’ has a pronounced positive effect on the growth and fruit yield of tomato plants grown in reclaimed saline soil. ‘Cash’ therefore has the potential to be used as a soil amendment for vegetable crops such as tomato to overcome the adverse effects of salinity in newly-reclaimed soils.     

核桃新品种‘晋黎’

核桃新品种‘晋黎’来源于山西省黎城县核桃园中发现的优良单株。平均单果质量17.2 g,壳厚1.26 mm,出仁率59.7%。嫁接第2年挂果,盛果期平均株产坚果12 ~ 15 kg。遭遇晚霜危害后副芽萌发形成新梢,仍能正常开花结实。     

Influence of genotype,year and type of fruiting branches on the productive behaviour of almond

The effect of the type of fruiting branch was studied over 2 years in nine almond selections in order to investigate its relationship with bloom density, fruit set, the level of the subsequent crop, and the physical traits of the fruits. The effect of the fruiting branch, defined by the presence of spurs, was found to be highly significant for bloom density, productivity and fruit size, but not for fruit shape, showing that nut and kernel shapes are cultivar traits. Bloom density and its components, as well as fruit set, fruit density and productivity were highly genotype and year dependent, but the interaction genotype × year was less important or even non-significant, stressing the special behaviour of each genotype as well as the effect of the year, probably linked to the climatic conditions and to the physiological status of the trees.     

Effects of defoliation on fruit growth,carbohydrate reserves and subsequent flowering of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit vines

A partial defoliation study was carried out on ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit vines with the aim of evaluating effects on fruit yield, changes in concentration of carbohydrates, and return bloom. At full bloom, ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit vines trained to the pergola system were submitted to 0% (control), 50% and 75% defoliation in the 2.0 m wide central horizontal area of the canopy. This area represents the vine ‘replacement cane zone’ (RCZ), whereas the remaining external area represents the ‘fruiting zone’ (FZ). Removing 50% of the leaves resulted in a small (−9 g in the RCZ and −3.3 g in the FZ), but significant, reduction in fruit weight compared to the control vines. More severe defoliation (75%) reduced fruit weight by 13 g in the RCZ and 7 g in the FZ. The defoliation treatment reduced the concentrations of starch and total soluble carbohydrates (glucose + fructose + sucrose) in the shoots and starch in trunk bark compared to those in control vines. The treatments caused a large reduction in return bloom, expressed as number of flowers per winter bud, by about 25% and 53% in vines with 50% and 75% defoliation, respectively.     

单株留芽量及结果母枝剪留长度对猕猴桃结果性能的影响

对栽植株行距3m×4m的美味猕猴桃秦美品种连续进行了3年试验,单株分别剪留250、300、350、400个芽处理后,平均单株新梢数、叶面积指数、落叶率与留芽数量呈正相关,叶幕下层的光强度、净光合率与留芽数量呈负相关;单株果枝数、果实数及单位面积产量均以留400芽处理最高,但平均单果重最小,88g以上的优质果产量最低。综合评价以单株剪留350个有效芽的效果最佳,优级果产量达到2102.7kg/666.7m2。结果母枝分别剪留7、12、17个有效芽处理后,平均每母枝的结果枝数、果实数、产量与留芽数量呈正相关,均以17芽处理最高,分别达到9.5个、30.4个和3.09kg,各处理间的单果重差异不显著。     

Combined effects of leaf/fruit ratios and N and K fertigation levels on growth and distribution of nutrients in pot-grown persimmon trees

Responses of pot-grown persimmon trees (Diospyros kaki cv. ‘Fuyu’) with two different leaf/fruit (L/F) ratios and three different fertigation levels were studied. On July 2, the L/F ratios of 4-year-old trees were adjusted to 20 and 10 by fruit thinning. From July 4 to August 26, each pot was fertigated with a solution containing 0–0 g (none), 10–8 g (medium), or 20–16 g (high) of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), respectively. The L/F ratio of 10 resulted in higher yields but smaller fruits containing lower soluble solids than the ratio of 20. The non-fertigated trees with the L/F ratio of 10 produced the smallest fruits, but the medium fertigation increased the size of the fruit at this ratio. The high fertigation level decreased fruit skin color at both ratios. Fruit dry weight increased the most among the tree components, accounting for 48–57% of the tree total dry weight at the L/F ratio of 20 and for 64–72% at the ratio of 10. The increase in tree total dry weight at the ratio of 10 was greater than that at the ratio of 20. The trees receiving medium fertigation had higher tree total dry weights than those receiving high fertigation, especially at the ratio of 10. As the L/F ratio changed to 10 from 20, the percentages of N and K partitioned to fruits in the non-fertigated trees increased from 38% to 51% and from 67% to 96%, respectively, of the tree total N and K increases; the percentage decreased with increasing fertigation level. Although fertigation significantly increased total N and K contents of the tree, the increase in K at the ratio of 10 was less in high fertigation rather than in the medium level. The results indicated that adjusting supplemental N and K was necessary to ensure fruit growth and N and K accumulation for trees with high fruit loads, but high levels of fertigation are not necessarily preferable.     

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.     

Pecan production increased by larger vegetation-free area surrounding the tree

Vegetation control with herbicides is a common practice in pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] orchards that benefits both non-bearing and bearing trees. However, the appropriate size for the vegetation-free area surrounding bearing trees had not been resolved. Vegetation-free circles centered on the Tree 0, 0.9, 1.8, 3.7, and 7.3 m in diameter were established at planting and tree performance evaluated. This study reports the first six years of production that began in the sixth growing season. Yield was not affected by treatment in the first two years of production while yield was low and some trees had not begun to produce. The next four years were characterized by a strong positive relationship between vegetation-free diameter with annual yield and with cumulative yield. Weight per nut and kernel percentage were rarely affected by treatment. Leaf elemental concentrations of selected essential nutrients were not affected by treatment. Trunk diameter was similar among treatments each year. This indicates that yield was improved by the vegetation-free area impacting pistillate flower induction or flower and fruit retention rather than improved tree growth increasing the bearing surface.     

河北省核桃主栽品种坚果特征分析与评价

以河北省9个主栽核桃品种为试材，通过对坚果表型特性及营养品质测定，进行相关性分析及主成分分析，明确了坚果品质的综合评价指标，并筛选出适栽品种。研究结果表明，“早硕”的单果重与侧径、“赞美”的核壳厚度、“辽宁1号”的出仁率及“西岭”的缝合线紧密度均显著高于其他品种；“清香”的蛋白质和黄酮含量、“辽宁8号”的油脂和多酚含量及“上宋6号”的可溶性糖含量显著高于其他品种。经相关性分析发现，单果重与缝合线紧密度呈显著负相关；多酚含量与可溶性糖含量呈显著正相关，与黄酮含量呈极显著正相关；坚果纵径与黄酮、多酚及可溶性糖呈显著正相关，坚果出仁率与多酚呈显著负相关。根据主成分分析法筛选出坚果的纵径、横径、单果重、缝合线紧密度、多酚、蛋白质和油脂含量作为品种评价的关键指标。采用筛选出的评价指标对9个核桃品种进行排序，“早硕”“辽宁1号”“清香”皆具有较好的坚果表现。     

Pistil abortion is related to ovary mass in olive (Olea europaea L.)

Pistil abortion is considered to be an evolutionary adaptation to save resources in andromonoecious species, balancing the number of pistils with the resources available. It follows that large-fruited species/cultivars should have greater levels of pistil abortion. Working in olive, we found that pistil abortion, expressed as percentage of staminate flowers, was positively correlated to the average ovary mass at bloom, across cultivars with different ovary/fruit mass. Since ovary mass correlated with fruit mass, pistil abortion also correlated with fruit mass. The absolute number of perfect flowers per inflorescence was negatively correlated with both ovary mass and pistil abortion, while the number of staminate flowers per inflorescence increased with both parameters. The total number of flowers (i.e. staminate + perfect) was not correlated to ovary mass or pistil abortion, suggesting that male function was not affected. The results support the hypothesis that pistil abortion is related to competition for resources among ovaries, and suggest that genetic differences in pistil abortion among olive cultivars may be explained by their different pistil mass and sink strength.