The yield gap of mango in Phrao,Thailand, as investigated through comparative performance evaluation

Farmers in Phrao, north Thailand, have often, on a “trial-and-error” basis, planted mango (Mangifera indica L.) in orchards composed of mango, lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) and longan (Dimocarpus longan Loureiro). This met with varying success. In 1993, a comparative performance analysis (CPA) of 45 orchards containing mango was done to identify land and management aspects that condition the level of the mango productivity. The orchards were often situated on podzolic soils on hills, footslopes, and terraces that dry out deeply during the dry season. Yields were expressed in farm-gate prices since middlemen purchased the produce from farmers “on the tree”. With many orchards having “low” yields and 18 having “0” yield, the yield data had a loglinear distribution. Using data from all sites, a final model that estimates Ln(yield+1) was derived; it quantifies contributions to the total yield gap for each identified specific yield constraint. It suggests that yields increased if: (i) it was not an “off” year (caused by the biennial bearing behaviour of mango; use of growth regulators may remedy this); (ii) the orchard was situated on a hill or on soils with a relatively high pH or poor water holding capacity (mostly shallow soils with SCL topsoil; water stress causes crop dormancy and induces flower initiation); (iii) the possibility existed to apply supplemental irrigation water (orchards having a growth flush or in a fruit bearing stage require adequate water management possibly including supplemental irrigation); (iv) in established orchards weeding by tractor was practised (this causes root pruning that affects the trees physiological cycle); (v) pruning was practised (this was normally done to remove branches damaged by stem boring caterpillars, all orchards suffered from this serious problem); (vi) spraying by motor sprayer was done that dispenses pesticides, preferably Azodrin (monocrotophos), deep into the canopy. Based on data covering one production season only, the model suggests that environmental factors (location and pH) account for some 30% of the yield gap defined by the difference of the average production situation with the anticipated best one, that management factors account for 49% and the year effect (species attribute) for 21%. Management of mango orchards requires use of up-to-date technology since responses provide exponential returns. It not only demands that farmers are knowledgeable and experienced but also that a well-informed extension service collaborates closely with researchers.     

Evaluation of existing critical limits of leaf nutrient standards in mango

The leaf nutrient status of 30 bearing mango orchards was studied in relation to sandculture-based critical limits already reported for 1–2 year old mango seedlings from India and Florida. Several orchards which could be rated as deficient by these criteria were found to be high yielding and free from deficiency symptoms. Year-to-year variation was significant for yield, P, Ca and S. Similarly, orchards differed significantly in respect to their N, P, K and S status.     

Water use and fruit yield of mango (Mangifera indica L.) grown in a subtropical Mediterranean climate

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. On the coast of Granada and Malaga (SE Spain), irrigated subtropical fruit species have been introduced and cultivated on terraces with a considerable economic importance as the only European production region. The subtropical fruit production in this zone is possible with intensive irrigation on terraces, which are economically more profitable than traditional rainfed crops (almond and olive), which have been replaced or abandoned. A 2-year monitoring period was conducted using drainage lysimeters to determine the crop coefficients (Kc) and fruit yield in mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Osteen) orchards. Also, some quality parameters such as titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and vitamin C were evaluated under these conditions. The averaged Kc values of mango trees varied within production cycle of 0.43, 0.67, and 0.63 at flowering, fruit set, and fruit growth, respectively. In this study, the fruit yield under full water requirements (100% ET_C) averaged 24.1 kg tree^?1, amounting to 21.2 kg ha^?1 mm^?1 in terms of water-use efficiency. The quality parameters of the mango fruits harvested in the study area were satisfactory. Thus, this study highlights the need to optimize the irrigation-water use according to actual mango requirements, thereby achieving more sustainable Mediterranean subtropical farming in orchard terraces.     

城郊观光型大樱桃园营建及效益估算

针对城郊观光型果园的特点,选择早熟、无公害、劳动密集化程度高的大樱桃,从品种选择、果园营建、经营模式和效益评估几方面,对城郊观光型樱桃园进行了探索,并对这种新型产业进行相对合理的评估。结果表明:城郊观光型樱桃园在6a估算期内露地栽培投入产出比为1:4,丰产期投入产出比为1:11;设施栽培投入产出比为1:2.1,丰产期投入产出比为1:15,属于高效型观光果园。     

城郊观光型葡萄园营建及效益估算

针对城郊型观光葡萄园的特点,从品种选择、果园模式、架式和效益估算几方面,对城郊观光型葡萄园进行研究分析.指出了葡萄早实、丰产、高效及其树种优势和产业特点,非常适于城郊观光园型果树种植,城郊观光型葡萄园建设也为城郊农业生产结构调整提供一个新思路.     

‘玉露香梨’僵芽发生与内源激素和碳氮营养的关系

针对部分梨园中‘玉露香梨’出现的僵芽现象,以河北魏县发生僵芽的‘玉露香梨’短枝顶芽为试验材料,以与该梨园相邻的,以及山西太谷地区的正常梨园中的‘玉露香梨’短枝顶芽为对照,采用石蜡切片法、间接酶联免疫测定法、蒽酮比色法和凯氏定氮法,分析僵芽的发生时间和短枝顶芽在花芽形态分化期间的内源激素、碳氮营养含量变化及其与僵芽发生的关系。结果表明,僵芽发生始于7月上中旬花萼分化期;僵芽内IAA含量在7月初—7月中上旬显著高于正常芽,ABA含量在6月中旬—8月上中旬显著低于正常芽,GA3含量在整个花芽形态分化期内显著高于正常芽,ZR含量在6月初显著高于正常芽,ZR/GA3、ABA/GA3、ABA/ZR显著低于正常芽;僵芽梨园(魏县)新梢年生长量极显著大于正常梨园,生长天数长于正常梨园,其芽内可溶性糖、淀粉等营养物质和碳氮比显著低于正常梨园。僵芽梨园(魏县)枝条旺长,芽内高含量的IAA和GA3,低含量的ABA和碳水化合物,阻断了花芽正常分化,导致僵芽的发生。     

苹果园植被多样性在果树害虫持续治理中的作用

在苹果园实施有益植物的人工种植或保留有益杂草,进行有益的地面植被栽培,研究其改善果园生态环境,提高果园昆虫多样性的作用。结果表明:在苹果园行间间作苜蓿、三叶草、白花草木犀、百脉根等可增加果园的植物多样性,为天敌益虫提供栖息和繁衍场所,进而提高有益昆虫多样性,为害虫的自然生态调控提供了保证,对苹果园害虫的持续治理具有重要作用。     

The influence of landscape on insect pest dynamics: a case study in southeastern France

Managing the spatial distribution of crop and non-crop habitats over landscapes could be used as a means to reduce insect pest densities. In this study, we investigated whether or not landscape characteristics affected the number of codling moths in commercial orchards. To do this, we collected overwintering larvae in 2006 and 2007 in 76 orchards over a 70 km2 area in southeastern France. We analysed variations in the number of larvae using correlation tests and linear models. As independent variables, we took both characteristics of focus orchards (pear vs. apple, organic vs. conventional orchards) and of their surrounding landscape (orchard density and hedgerow network attributes) into account in buffers with widths varying from 50 to 500 m. Although the codling moth is specialised on orchards, the number of codling moths was lower in orchards within a high orchard density area. There was some indication that this effect was mostly due to the density of conventional orchards and thus to the intensity of insecticide treatments. Conversely, we found no particular effect of abandoned or organic orchards. In 2006, the number of codling moths was also significantly lower in a focus orchard when the hedgerow network acted as a protection against the prevailing wind. Finally, major effects of landscape variables on the number of codling moths were observed for distances of less than 150 m from the focus orchards, suggesting that codling moth management should be organised over areas of about 16 ha. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effect of wool-lined plastic caps impregnated with Bacillus licheniformis or copper oxychloride and sun-protector to prevent sunburn and control diseases in mango fruit

Summary

An innovative new strategy to apply copper fungicides, or the bacterial antagonist Bacillus licheniformis, to plastic caps with an added inner wool lining to protect mango fruit against both sunburn and disease was evaluated. Sun-protector sprayed onto trees alone, or as a carrier for the bacterial antagonist was also evaluated. Both capping and spraying treatments were evaluated over two growing seasons on two farms representative of different production regions in South Africa. Attachment and survival of the antagonist on the wool-lined caps were evaluated over 3 months using scanning electron microscopy. The use of wool-lined caps on mango fruit in the orchard led to a significant reduction in sunburn damage and provided an effective niche for B. licheniformis to attach and survive. However, wool-lined caps impregnated with copper fungicide or the bacterial antagonist had little added effect in controlling disease under field conditions when the disease pressure was low. Sun-protector, although intended to shield fruit from sunlight, proved ineffective against sunburn and did not further improve disease control when used as a carrier for biocontrol products. However, wool-lined caps alone have the potential to protect fruit against sunburn and infection over extended periods when farmers cannot gain access to their orchards.     

果园土壤有机质含量影响因素及提升管理策略

土壤有机质含量是衡量果园肥力水平的指标之一。由于我国果园建园选址多为贫瘠的荒山地及丘陵地,加之一些不当的传统耕作模式,致使果园土壤有机质含量低下,平均不足1%,这是制约果园生产发展的重要因素。综述了果园土壤有机质含量的影响因素及几种常见的维持或提高果园土壤有机质的管理策略,以期为提升果园土壤有机质含量,实现果园提质增效,确保果园优质丰产提供理论依据。     

Production variability in apple crops. II. The long-term behaviour of the English crop

The long-term variation in yield of English apple orchards and of 2 main cultivars are examined. Three factors determining yield are specified: the weather, the alternate-year bearing character of apple trees, and the technology (the introduction of semi-dwarfing rootstocks, higher-density plantings and new management techniques) as represented by time. Time was the most significant factor in increasing yields in the long term. Weather, particularly during the pre-flowering period was shown markedly to affect the crop from season to season. The model developed can be used to predict current production up to 5 months before harvest.When yield varies widely from year to year, a decrease in the area cropped has little effect on production and hence policies aimed at marginally reducing orchard area would have little short-term effect on overall production.     

苹果、梨园悬挂黄色粘板诱虫的生态效应

为了探索苹果、梨园悬挂黄色粘板诱集昆虫的生态效应,对开花前悬挂的黄板,到6月底麦收后收集样本,调查诱集昆虫种类和数量,发现不同生态条件下果园诱到的昆虫种类和数量差异很大,在果园周围种植有麦田的江苏丰县地区苹果、梨园,黄板诱集到大量的蚜茧蜂,苹果园诱集到昆虫的益害比为1∶0.16,在梨园诱集到昆虫的益害比为1∶2.05;在浅山岭区的河南陕县、灵宝市地区苹果园,黄板诱集昆虫的益害比分别为1∶2.92和1∶1.46;而在河南郑州市郊区梨园黄板诱集的昆虫益害比为1∶0.24。由此看出,在果园悬挂黄板治虫,要根据环境条件,及时悬挂与摘除。     

Utilizing GIS Technologies in Selection of Suitable Vineyard Sites

Abstract

Geographic information system (GIS) technologies and a weighted linear indexing model were used for suitability analysis of potential vineyard sites in Illinois. The model included a macroscale climate variables layer (40 points), a mesoscale climate variables layer (40 points), a soil properties layer (10 points) and a current land use variables layer (10 points) for a possible 100 points. Macroscale climate variables, growing degree day summation for a 33-year period (1969-2002) and occurrence of -26°C were interpolated using thin plate smoothing splines over the Illinois terrain using 100 m2 resolution digital elevation models (DEM). Using the same DEMs, absolute elevation, slope, and aspect were reclassified using surface analysis of the terrain to model the effects of mesoscale climate variables in Jackson and Union Counties in Illinois (study area). Locations in the study area above 259 m in absolute elevation (above sea level), with gently rolling slopes (5 to 10%), and facing North, East, or Northeast received the most points within the mesoscale climate layer. Soils that drained well or moderately well with moderate organic matter content (2 to 3%) received the most points in the soil properties layer. Lands that promoted ease of conversion to vineyards were assigned the most points in the current land use layer. The resulting four layers were arithmetically summed and suitability maps with 760 m2 resolution were developed. In the study area, over 18,155 hectares of land highly suitable or suitable for viticulture were identified. A portion of the existing orchard and vineyard acreage (223 ha) in the study area were surveyed with a global positioning system. Of the surveyed vineyard acreage, over 81% lies within the suitable or better ranking according to the model. Of the surveyed orchard acreage, over 50% lies within the suitable or better ranking.     

观光果园植物景观设计初探

随着"回归自然"呼声的日益高涨,观光果园之旅受到了广大市民的推崇,如何完善果园的环境、迎合人们的心理需要是现今观光果园设计的首要任务.作为农业环境的构成主体,植物配置的恰当与否直接影响着园区的景观、环境、生产性能.现在观光果园发展概述的基础上,对果园景观植物类型进行了分析,并提出了植物造景的依据、原则及植物配置形式和栽培方式,以求实现观光果园的植物景观设计的科学合理、美观协调.     

攀西杧果园土壤pH值与有效养分的相关性研究

采集攀西杧果主产区果园土壤样本42份,探讨土壤pH值、有效养分状况及两者的相关性。结果表明,攀西杧果园土壤pH值范围为4.8~8.4,中性、酸性土壤占76.2%。果园土壤有机质、碱解氮、交换性钙和有效锌表现为严重缺乏状态,有效铜和硼整体处于低水平,有效钾含量为中下水平,而有效磷、交换性镁、有效硫、有效铁和有效锰5种元素的含量较为丰富。土壤pH值与有机质、碱解氮、有效钾、有效铜、有效锌、有效铁、有效锰呈极显著负相关,与交换性钙、有效硫呈极显著正相关,与有效性磷、有效硼、有效钼的相关性不显著。土壤pH值与有机质符合幂函数,与碱解氮、有效锌、有效硫呈线性相关,与有效钾、交换性钙、有效铜、有效铁、有效锰则符合指数函数,与交换性镁则符合二次函数,各相关系数均达极显著水平。     

黄河故道地区果园土壤和叶片营养特点研究

系统分析了河南省黄河故道地区砂土、淤土、两合土苹果园土壤和叶片营养状况。结果表明：①故道地区苹果丰产园土壤有机质含量为1．01％;一般园只有0．5％～0．7％,其中砂土园最低,淤土园居中,两合土园稍高。②土壤矿质营养是富钾缺磷,全氮低,速效氮高,微量元素有效性差。一般果园速效P、有效Fe、有效Zn和有效B含量显著低于丰产园,分别为丰产园的69．9％、50．5％、87．0％和55．2％,是该类果园提高产量和品质的限制因素。③丰产园叶片主要矿质养分含量N2．2150％、P0．1968％、K1．3190％、Fe198．1mg·1-1、Zn21．5mg·1-1、B45．1mg·1－1;N∶P∶K=11．2∶1∶6．6。一般果园突出问题是：叶片P、Fe、Zn、B含量均不足丰产园的70％;N∶P∶K=15．9∶1∶8．6,N／P比和K／P比偏高。④故道地区苹果园土壤管理制度应改清耕休闲制为生草、覆草制,大量供应有机肥,改善土壤理化性质;施肥应控氮增磷适量供钾,有针对性的供微量元素。     

Urban fruit orchards: Biodiversity and management restoration effects in the context of land use

Urban areas have increased greatly in recent decades, which has resulted in habitat loss. However, the promotion of urban green spaces could have a profound effect on biodiversity. Traditional fruit orchards are an important land-use type with the potential to host myriad organisms. Our goal was to determine the most important factors that influence orchard biodiversity in the million city of Prague (the capital of the Czech Republic). We used a multitaxon approach to evaluate the effect of orchard restoration in a landscape context. Restoration had a positive impact on species diversity, specifically, the diversity of orthopterans and butterflies. Moreover, landscape context determined the biodiversity of orthopterans, butterflies, and birds but not that of lichens. Our study underlines the importance of both the internal and external structures of traditional fruit orchards for species richness and composition. The results of our study support the restoration of traditional fruit orchards as a suitable management practice for promoting city biodiversity. Furthermore, orchard restoration can improve the attractiveness of suburban areas. Such areas often lack sufficient urban greening. Thus, restoration in these areas can also increase future recreational value.     

改善树体结构对提高龙眼产量和品质的影响试验

通过培育不同树形,并对郁闭的龙眼果园进行疏枝、间伐试验。结果表明,建立高光效树体结构,减少郁闲果园株数,能有效改善果园通风透光条件、提高产量和果实品质;林华果场试验因疏枝改造后树高降低,冠径扩大,单株产量比对照增加121kg,果实品质显著提高;密龙果场试验园间伐后,虽然总产量略有降低,但是667m2产值比对照增加687．8元。通过调查不同果园的龙眼产量和树体结构,得到龙眼产量与树体结构相关性回归方程为Y=-60．98＋0．28X1＋3．90x2＋2．29X3。     

The Use of Multi Criteria Models for Decision Support System in Fruit Production

The success or failure of an investment project in fruit production also depends on the selection of the fruit species and variety. When selecting the variety for the creation of a new orchard it is necessary to perform the synthesis of different data and to look at all aspects of the investment. This paper presents the application of DEX multi-criteria decision making. The model was applied on 7 varieties of plum from the western Balkans region that were assessed by experts from “The association of agricultural economists of Western Balkans” using the Delphi method.By applying this model it has been shown that the ’Stanley’ is the most suitable for starting a new orchard while the varieties ’?a?anska ljepotica’ and ’?a?anska rodna’ are also very suitable for starting new fruit orchards and they have also received the value attribute “very acceptable”.Using this model all strong and weak sides of the observed plum variety were shown. For the final selection it is necessary to conduct research at a specific micro location where all characteristics of that area would also be taken into consideration.     

生草果园土壤水分的变化

果园生草是现代苹果生产中普遍提倡的技术措施之一,也是目前最有争议的技术。为了掌握生草果园土壤水分的变化规律,我们通过不同时间对生草果园土壤不同土层水分含量进行测试,发现生草果园地表湿润是以消耗深层土壤水分为代价的。苹果树为深根性作物,深层土壤水分的减少势必影响树体正常生长结果。在降水量少、没有浇水条件的果园不适宜进行生草栽培,应以清耕栽培为主,以集中水分供给,保证树体健壮生长,促进产量提高,提升苹果生产效益。