Using mini-rockwool blocks as growing media for limited-cluster tomato production

Rockwool is an excellent growing medium for the hydroponic production of tomato; however, the standard size rockwool blocks [4 x 4 x 2.5 inches (10 x 10 x 6.3 cm) or 3 x 3 x 2.5 inches (7.5 x 7.5 x 6.3 cm)] are expensive. The following experiments were conducted with less expensive minirock wool blocks (MRBs), on rayon polyester material (RPM) as a bench top liner, to reduce the production cost of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) grown in a limited-cluster, ebb and flood hydroponic cultivation system. Fruit yield for single-cluster plants growing in MRBs [2 x 2 x 1.6 inches (5 x 5 x 4 cm) and 1.6 x 1.6 x 1.6 inches (4 x 4 x 4 cm)] was not significantly different from plants grown in larger sized blocks (3 x 3 x 2.5 inches). When the bench top was lined with RPM, roots penetrated the RPM, and an extensive root mat developed between the RPM and the bench top. The fruit yield from plants on RPM was significantly increased compared to plants without RPM due to increases in fruit size and fruit number. RPM also significantly reduced the incidence of blossom-end rot. In a second experiment, single- and double-cluster plants were grown on RPM. Fruit yield for double-cluster plants was 40% greater than for single-cluster plants due to an increase in fruit number, although the fruit were smaller in size. As in the first experiment, fruit yield for all plants grown in MRBs was not significantly different from plants grown in the larger sized blocks. MRBs and a RPM bench liner are an effective combination in the production of limited-cluster hydroponic tomatoes.     

Fruit thinning in ‘Conference’ pear grown under deficit irrigation: Implications for fruit quality at harvest and after cold storage

Fruit thinning in pear is feasible for mitigation of water stress effects. However, it is not well known how fruit quality at harvest and after cold storage is affected by pre-harvest water stress. Even less is known about the effects of fruit thinning on quality under these circumstances. To elucidate these, we applied deficit irrigation (DI) and fruit thinning treatments to ‘Conference’ pear over the growing seasons of 2008 and 2009. At the onset of Stage II (80 and 67 days before harvest in 2008 and 2009, respectively), two irrigation treatments were applied: full irrigation (FI) and DI. FI trees received 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). DI trees received no irrigation during the first three weeks of Stage II to induce water stress, but then received 20% of ETc to ensure tree survival. From bud-break until the onset of Stage II and during post-harvest, FI and DI trees received 100% of ETc. Each irrigation treatment received two thinning levels: no thinning leaving commercial crop load (∼180 fruits tree⁻¹), and hand-thinning at the onset of Stage II leaving a light crop load (∼85 fruits tree⁻¹). Under commercial crop loads, DI trees were moderately water-stressed and this had some positive effects on fruit quality. DI increased fruit firmness (FF), soluble solids concentrations (SSC) and acidity at harvest while no changes were observed in fruit maturity (based on ethylene production). Differences in FF and acidity at harvest between FI and DI fruit were maintained during cold storage. DI also reduced fruit weight loss during storage. But fruit size was reduced under DI. Fruit thinning under DI resulted in better fruit composition with no detrimental effect on fresh-market yield compared to un-thinned fruit. Fruit size at harvest and SSC values after five months of cold storage were higher in fruit from thinned trees than fruit from un-thinned trees. Fruit thinning increased fruit ethylene production, indicating advanced maturity. This may lead to earlier harvest which is desirable in years with impending drought. Fruit thinning is therefore a useful technique to enhance pear marketability under water shortage.     

种植密度对辣椒DU01光合特性及产量的影响

以适于一次性采收的辣椒新品种DU01为试验材料,设置5个种植密度,对DU01的光合特性及产量构成因素等进行研究.结果表明,盛果期后,DU01的叶面积、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和蒸腾速率(Tr)随着密度的增加而降低,叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)、类胡萝卜(Car)和总叶绿素(Chlt)含量随...     

Physiological effects of pruning in rose plants cv. Grand Gala

The effect of pruning in rose plants (cv. Grand Gala) was studied in different types of leaves, focusing on chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, carbohydrates, ammonium content, nitrate reductase (NR) activity and biomass parameters. Results on pruned plants showed a higher maximum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) of dark-adapted leaves, a higher actual quantum yield and a higher proportion of PSII reaction centres that are open, but a lower non-photochemical quenching, indicating a lower energy dissipation as heat, compared to non-pruned plants. These results related to Chl a fluorescence, indicate that pruned plants have a higher capacity for better promoting the photosynthetic light reaction than non-pruned plants. The increased nitrate reductase activity in pruned compared with non-pruned plants, can result from a higher photosynthetic activity resulting in a lower NH₄⁺ accumulation in leaves. Pruning promoted a large number of metabolic sinks (flower removal) that may cause depletion of stored carbohydrates flowing from lower plant parts (arched shoots) to the new developing flower shoots. However, although in a lower concentration, carbohydrate contents were sufficient to promote the development of new flower shoots since the yield was similar for pruned and non-pruned plants. However, pruned plants showed higher turgor than non-pruned plants.     

Light distribution in apple orchard systems in relation to production and fruit quality

Summary

The effect of tree density (2000, 2667, and 4000 trees per ha) and the ratio of between to within-row distance (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) on light interception, fruit production, colour and individual fruit weight was evaluated in a ten-year comparative field study with apple at two sites in The Netherlands (51° 30′ and 52°0′ N) and one site in Denmark (55°30′). For each combination of tree density and rectangularity, trees were pruned at three heights (1.50, 1.88, or 2.25 m). Fruit production over nine years and seasonal incoming radiation between bloom and harvest were 20 and 15% greater in The Netherlands. Climate-based estimates of potential production as provided by a crop-growth model, predicted 18% higher fruit production in The Netherlands. Production was proportional to light interception and increased with tree density, but the amount of well-coloured fruit per ha in later years did not increase with planting density. With more than 70% light interception in later years, a large proportion of shade within the canopy was found. Fruits were smaller and less coloured at the Danish site. Fruits were more coloured in the taller and more open trees, even at the highest tree densities. Plantings with 1:1 and 2:1 between-to within-row distances intercepted more light and had a more uniform light distribution than 3:1 designs. This led to higher fruit production and better fruit colour. Fruit weight was not influenced by tree density, rectangularity, or tree height.     

不同茬口日光温室番茄干物质生产与分配

 以番茄的果穗和果穗下的三片叶及其相应的茎作为一个源库生长单位，对不同茬口日光温室番茄的干物质生产与分配规律进行了研究。结果表明：植株在前7穗果同时存在的情况下，从下到上不同源库生长单位内果实所分配到的干物质比例在42.6%～98.6%之间，即随着果穗数从下而上的不断增加，每产生一穗果实，各源库生长单位果实的干物质分配率下降约6%。不同茬口日光温室番茄受外界环境影响显著，干物质生产表现出明显的季节性差异，果实干物质分配率在越冬茬、早春茬和春夏茬分别为72%、62%和59%，春夏茬果实干物质分配率最低，这与其生长后期遭遇高温，坐果率降低有关；越冬茬生长前期100 d的干物质积累量只有后100 d的1/3，与其生长期内低温弱光有关。     

Mitigation of severe water stress by fruit thinning in ‘O’Henry’ peach: Implications for fruit quality

Fruit thinning can be used to relieve water stress in peach but it is not known how fruit quality will respond under water limited conditions. To elucidate this, we applied, over the growing seasons of 2003 and 2004, irrigation and fruit thinning treatments to ‘O’Henry’ peach at the onset of Stage III of fruit development. The treatments were full irrigation (FI) and no irrigation (NI) with each receiving three crop load levels: light, commercial and heavy. Fruit size and fruit skin colouration were lower in NI than in FI but the following were higher in NI fruit: firmness, juice titratable acidity and electrical conductivity, and concentrations of dry matter and soluble solids. All the quality parameters were significantly correlated with tree water status, expressed as midday stem water potential. NI fruit matured 5–10 days later than FI fruit. The increased dry matter concentration, juice acidity, and electrical conductivity in NI fruit were indicative of lower quality at harvest. Choosing a light crop load was not effective in improving NI fruit quality except for the size. Since fruit size is the most important fruit quality attribute, its increase might compensate for yield losses resulting from heavy fruit thinning. Nevertheless, when heavy thinning is performed for mitigation of water stress in Stage III, the overall fruit quality will suffer if severe water stress is inevitable because of shortage or lack of irrigation water.     

Einfluss von blattappliziertem Bor auf Boraufnahme und Fruchteigenschaften von Kulturheidelbeeren (Vaccinium corymbosum)

In 2003, highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivars ‘Brigitta Blue’ and ‘Nelson’ were treated with a foliar boron-containing, ascofol spray (Wuxal^®). After blossoming, the plants were sprayed three times with 0.5% ascofol solution. Control plants were sprayed with tap water. Fruit harvest of each cultivar was on July 19 and 30, respectively. Leaf samples were taken on June 4 and August 7. The boron content of fruits and leaves was analyzed along with fruit yield and single berry weight. The potential absorption rate of applied boron (boron increase in leaves and fruits) was calculated. Foliarly applied boron was readily taken up by the leaves of both cultivars and translocated to the fruits. A potential boron absorption rate of 2.4% was calculated for ‘Nelson’. Foliar application of boron did not increase fruit yield in either cultivar. However, ‘Nelson’ showed a slight increase of berry weight in the second harvest, associated with the boron treatments.     

Cropping effects on the loss of apple fruit firmness during storage: The relationship between texture retention and fruit dry matter concentration

Firmness is a primary measure of apple fruit texture, the key determinant of eating quality of apples. Despite the well developed understanding of the process of firmness loss in storage, there is very limited information concerning pre-harvest and at-harvest causes of the variation in fruit quality in the marketplace. The objective of the present study was to investigate the respective roles that the factors of time and intensity of crop thinning, fruit size and fruit dry matter concentration (DMC) each may have in determining fruit firmness of ‘Royal Gala’ apple at harvest and during storage. Loss of firmness during storage of all thinning treatments and of fruit size and DMC categories was described by a bilinear equation. Time of thinning did not influence any aspect of fruit softening during air storage at 0.5 °C. Comparing the crop loads, a lower crop load (100 fruit per tree) resulted in firmer fruit at harvest. The loss of firmness during storage associated with crop load occurred because fruit from the lowest crop load softened more rapidly during the second slow phase of softening. Fruit firmness was positively correlated with fruit size where larger fruit were slightly firmer than smaller fruit at harvest but not after storage. The softening profiles of different sized fruit were similar except for a class of extremely small fruit, which appeared to soften more rapidly during the second slow softening phase of storage. Both at-harvest and post-harvest fruit firmness were influenced by fruit DMC. Fruit firmness at harvest increased significantly as fruit DMC increased from 13% to above 16%. Despite having significantly different initial firmness, all fruit classes with DMC higher than 13% softened at a similar rate during both the initial rapid and second slow softening phases and the transition between the two phases occurred after the same time in storage. In contrast, fruit with very low DMC, less than 13%, had a greater rate of softening in the second phase. These results indicate that variation in fruit firmness at harvest and after storage is influenced by processes that affect and alter fruit DMC during fruit development. In this respect crop load control, which is used to improve fruit size, was also an important factor in altering fruit DMC, thereby affecting firmness at harvest and after storage. Furthermore, the effects of DMC on fruit firmness were independent of fruit size.     

甜椒植株摘叶处理对落花落果的影响

甜椒植株摘去 50 %叶片比不摘叶处理生物学产量大幅下降 ,落果率高。初果生长速率在相同节位和相同时期 ,摘叶和不摘叶间表现相似 ,初果坐果节位为 5和 7的生长速率最大 ,其第 10节位试验果落果率最高。无性器官与试验果的生长量之和与试验果落果率呈直线相关。     

Essential and non-essential element composition of tomato plants fertilized with poultry manure

Poultry manure (PM) must be disposed of from poultry farms, but is a potentially valuable source of macro- and micronutrients for plant growth. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of poultry manure on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. Yields of fruits and vegetative material of plants grown in soil with 0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg⁻¹ PM added were measured. Concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cl, Si, Br, Rb, Sr and Ba in leaves at flowering and at final harvest and in fruits were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Poultry manure fertilization improved tomato shoot growth and also fruit yield and increased leaf N concentrations at the harvest stage. In addition, P concentrations of the leaves and fruits were increased as the application rate of PM was increased. Fruit Ca and Mg were significantly reduced by increased rate of PM application, but not to the extent to cause the calcium deficiency disorder blossom end rot. Applied high levels of PM slightly increased the concentrations of leaf Mo and Br at the harvest stage. Poultry manure applications had a positive effect on the concentrations of leaf Zn, Cu, Cl and Rb at both sampling stages, but leaf Si concentration was reduced by PM treatments. The concentrations of Zn and Rb were increased in the fruits by PM treatments, but the concentrations of Br were decreased. Applied PM levels had no significant effects on the concentrations of K, S, Fe, Sr or Ba in tomato plants. It is concluded that the increased fruit yield, and the increased concentration of Zn (an element required in the human diet) and the lowered concentration of potentially harmful Br in the fruit make poultry manure a valuable growing medium for tomato production.     

The influence of planting date,sucker selection and density on yield and crop-timing of bananas (cultivar ‘Williams’) in the Eastern Transvaal

In the subtropical banana-growing areas of South Africa, there is a pronounced and consistent tendency for fruit to be oversupplied in the spring (September–November) and undersupplied in the autumn (March–May). Under identical soil, planting material and general management conditions, a crop-timing trial with ‘Williams’ banana was established at Burgershall Research Station, Eastern Transvaal, to compare the effects of planting date (September, December, March), time of first sucker selection (5 and 10 months after planting) and density (1666 and 1250 plants ha⁻¹) on yield and harvest season over 3 crop cycles.Cumulating the yield/ha/annum for the plant crop and first ratoon cycles, there was a small but significant decrease (4%) as planting date was delayed from September to December, and a larger significant reduction in yield (18%) with delay from December to March planting. While cumulative yield/ha/annum for plant crop plus first ratoon increased significantly (19%) at the higher density of 1666 plants ha⁻¹, no differences occurred as a result of sucker selection treatment.March-planted bananas were harvested during the undesirable spring period, and this effect was largely carried over into the first ratoon and second ratoon cycles. December planting was optimal and September planting intermediate from a crop-timing viewpoint. Cumulating all 3 crop cycles, 50% of the total bunch harvest could be timed during the autumn from December planting at a density of 1666 plants ha⁻¹. From September planting, the proportion of autumn-harvested fruit could also be increased by delaying the selection of the first ratoon sucker until at least 10 months after planting. Results demonstrated the in-field potential for overcoming the natural banana shortage in South Africa during autumn.     

厚皮甜瓜新品种春红冠的选育

春红冠是河北省廊坊市农林科学院以自交系黄30-1为母本、8002为父本组配的厚皮甜瓜中早熟杂交一代品种。全生育期74～99 d,果实发育期35～39 d。植株生长势中庸,抗逆性强,田间表现高抗细菌性果腐病,兼抗白粉病、蔓枯病。果实高圆形,金黄色;果肉白色,脆甜,香味浓,肉厚4.5～5.5 cm,中心可溶性固形物15.5%,口感风味好,品质优良。平均单果质量2.7 kg,一般667 m2产量5 600 kg。叶小直立,株型紧凑,适于密植,667 m2栽培密度2 200株。可在华北及其他适宜地区进行保护地种植。     

生物腐熟技术在温室黄瓜栽培上的应用效果

在温室黄瓜栽培中应用秸秆生物腐熟技术的研究结果表明:在冬春季节,日平均地温(20cm)可提高4~7℃,CO2浓度达到713~2275μL/L,为对照的178%~558%,基本上满足了黄瓜生育的需要。处理区黄瓜幼苗壮苗指数明显高于对照;有机质含量增加,黄瓜根系发达,植株生长健壮,发病率明显降低;始收期提前7~15d,前期产量增加40.3%,早熟效应显著;商品率明显提高,品质改善,采收期延长,黄瓜总产量提高32.6%~44.9%。     

Pruning Trials With Worcester Pearmain Apple

Three pruning treatments were compared on Worcester Pearmain on M.IV rootstock, viz.: open-centre tree, established-spur pruned; delayed open-centre tree, established-spur pruned; regulated pruned tree. In the fifteenth year secondary treatments were begun, the trees being pruned either annually or in alternate years, with and without fruit thinning by hand. The trees were grubbed after 21 years and scion weights were obtained.

There were no important differences in growth and cropping between open-centre and delayed open-centre trees. Regulated trees had an 11% smaller area of branch spread than established-spur pruned trees at 21 years. At 15 years there was no significant difference between treatments in total weight of prunings, but three times as much old wood as new had been removed from regulated trees compared with two and a half times as much new wood as old from established-spur pruned trees. During a 6-year period, the same weight of wood was removed from alternate-year pruned trees as from those pruned annually.

During the first 10 years regulated trees yielded twice as much fruit as did established-spur pruned ones, and 49% more during the second 10-year period. In many years, in the absence of fruit thinning, regulated trees bore smaller fruits than did established-spur pruned trees. Regulated trees had more red colour on the fruits than established-spur pruned trees, and alternate-year pruning, whether regulated or established-spur, gave more red colour on the fruits than did annual pruning, especially in seasons following no pruning. Alternate-year pruning had no harmful effect upon fruit size. Fruit thinning had no important effect upon red colour but it increased the percentage crop weight in the larger size grades, especially on established-spur pruned trees. The regulated method is well suited to the growth habit of Worcester provided that the fruit is thinned by hand or chemical spray in years of heavy setting.

The relative ratios between total crop : scion weight and crop 15–21 years : scion weight, were similar; scion weights were twice as heavy as weights of prunings.     

日光温室草莓立体栽培研究

在普通日光温室中,采用"A"型双层立架和柱槽组合2种栽培形式进行草莓立体栽培,对不同栽培形式的地温、光照、植株生长情况、果实品质和产量进行了研究。结果表明:立体栽培使基质温度、光照强度降低,对植株营养生长、果实品质的影响较小,虽然单株产量略有下降,但单位面积定植株数增加,使单位面积产量高于对照,其中柱槽组合增产效果明显,成本较低,适合在生产中推广利用,可做进一步研究。     

整枝方式对日光温室甜椒（彩色）光合特性及干物质分配的影响

研究了不同整枝方式下（双干整枝、三干整枝、四干整枝）,日光温室彩色甜椒不同叶位叶片光合、蒸腾作用参数的变化及 其植株不同器官干物质的分配规律。结果表明,3种整枝方式下,叶片净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、气孔限制值（Ls）、蒸 腾速率（Tr）和单叶水分利用效率（WUE）随叶位的降低而下降,其中Pn的下降是非气孔限制的结果。与双干整枝相应叶位比较,三 干整枝、四干整枝的上位叶、中位叶具有较高的Tr和较低的WUE;三干整枝、四干整枝的下位叶的Tr小于双干整枝下位叶,但WUE高于 双干整枝。3种整枝方式下全株中果实的干物质分配比例均为最高,达50.88 %~60.26 %,其次为茎和叶,向根的分配比例最低。三干 整枝和四干整枝的单株产量和单果质量显著高于双干整枝。     

The relationship between yield and assimilate supply in lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Summary

Experiments were conducted on lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in subtropical Australia (lat. 27° –29°S) to evaluate the role of assimilates on fruit retention. All the leaves of the last flush, all the leaves of the previous flush (about eight leaves per terminal shoot), or all the old leaves were removed from trees. Medium (3–5.cm diameter) or large branches (5–10.cm diameter) were girdled and defoliated after fruit set, and fruit retention compared with ungirdled and undefoliated branches. Other branches were girdled and defoliated between anthesis and fruit harvest. Finally, 20, 50 or 80% of the flowering panicles were defruited on large trees. Defoliated trees had 35 to 45% lower yields than the controls. This was despite the treatment with all the old leaves removed having a much lower leaf area index than the other defoliation treatments (1.7 vs. 2.3 and 2.8). Leaves next to the inflorescences are more important for yield than the older leaves. Fruit retention was very low on girdled branches that had been defoliated, especially when the leaves were removed in the first 20.d after anthesis. This suggests that the yields of girdled branches were determined by the availability of assimilates soon after fruit set. In contrast, the number of fruit retained on ungirdled branches was unrelated to the number of leaves, with defoliation having no effect on yield. Fruit on these branches were supported by resources from elsewhere in the tree. Thinned trees had similar yields to those of unthinned plots (65–82.kg tree^–1). Thinning apparently increased fruit retention in the remaining clusters, under a higher leaf:fruit ratio. There were large differences in the concentrations of starch in the tree, and seasonal changes, with starch declining from flowering to fruit harvest. In contrast, there were only small responses to the treatments, suggesting that the fruit were mainly dependent on current photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in the leaves behind the fruit clusters was more important than photosynthesis in the older shaded leaves.     

Responses of pepper to deficit irrigation for paprika production

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production is normally carried out under irrigation as the crop is very susceptible to water shortage. Deficit irrigation strategies in pepper for paprika could increase production and facilitate mechanical harvest and, at the same time, save water. We conducted a field experiment that imposed water deficits, either during ripening (T1) or throughout the season (T2), and compared them to a fully irrigated control (T3). Stem water potential varied from −0.6 MPa in T3, early in the season to −1.5 MPa in T2 prior to harvest. Applied irrigation water for T1, T2, and T3 was 456, 346 and 480 mm, respectively. Water deficits depress leaf area and biomass production but did not affect the proportion of flowers that set fruit. Dry fruit weight in T2 at harvest was 66% of T3, but did not differ significantly between T1 and T3. However, commercial yield (based on colour production) was significantly higher in T3 than in the other two treatments, as the late water deficits imposed in T1 delayed harvest. We concluded that water deficits, either sustained or applied at fruit ripening, required for mechanical harvest do not hasten ripening and are detrimental to commercial yields and that pepper plants should be well supplied with water until harvest for maximum paprika production.     

Effects of different crop loads and thinning times on yield,fruit quality,and return bloom in Malus × domestica Borkh. ‘Elstar’

Summary

‘Elstar’ is the latest-maturing commercial apple cultivar grown in Norway, with high fruit quality when properly managed. In May 2006, an experiment with four different crop loads [2, 4 ,6, or 8 flowers or fruitlets cm^–2 trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), respectively] was established at two different stages [first bloom (FB), or 20-mm diameter fruitlets] and compared to unthinned control trees. Fruit growth was measured on individual fruit for each treatment throughout the season at weekly intervals. Thinning at FB gave a significantly lower final percentage fruit set than thinning to the same cropping level at the 20-mm fruitlet stage. However, fruit weights and soluble solids contents (SSC) were significantly higher, and the background fruit colour improved when trees were thinned at FB. The final number of fruit at harvest was less than the amount established at FB, or at the 20-mm fruitlet stage. There were significant differences between treatments in final fruit numbers per TCSA, which reflected the different crop loads. Fruit weights and SSC values were highest with the lowest crop load, and decreased with increasing crop loads. There was also a strong crop-load effect on the extent of return bloom per tree in the subsequent year. Trees thinned at FB had significantly more flower clusters than those thinned at the 20-mm fruitlet stage of. Untreated control trees had the lowest number of flower clusters. The amount of return bloom declined with increasing crop load. Second year crop loads and fruit weights were highest when trees were thinned at FB to two or four apples cm^?2 TCSA in the previous year. Trees with the highest crop load had the lowest crop load in the following year. Fruit quality was generally high for all treatments.