scholarly journals Reducing Flowering with Gibberellins to Increase Fruit Size in Stone Fruit Trees: Applications And Implications in Fruit Production

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 744-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Southwick ◽  
Kitren Glozer
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Floral Buds

Many commercially grown stone fruit including apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.), peaches and nectarines [P. persica (L.) Batsch], plums (P. salicina Lindl., P. domestica L.), prunes (P. domestica L.), and pluots (P. salicina × P. armeniaca) have a tendency to produce high numbers of flowers. These flowers often set and produce more fruit than trees can adequately size to meet market standards. When excessive fruit set occurs, removal of fruit by hand thinning is necessary in most Prunus L. species to ensure that remaining fruit attain marketable size and reduce biennial bearing. Over the years there have been numerous attempts to find chemical or physical techniques that would help to reduce the costs associated with and improve efficiencies of hand thinning, however, alternate strategies to hand thinning have not been widely adopted for stone fruit production. In the past 10 years, several chemical treatments have shown promise for reducing hand thinning needs in stone fruit. Management of flowering by chemically reducing the number of flowers has been particularly promising on stone fruit in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys of California. Gibberellins (GAs) applied during May through July, have reduced flowering in the following season in many stone fruit cultivars without affecting percentage of flowers producing fruit. As a result, fruit numbers are reduced, the need for hand thinning is reduced and in some cases eliminated, and better quality fruit are produced. There are risks associated with reducing flower number before climatic conditions during bloom or final fruit set are known. However, given the changes in labor costs and market demands, the benefits may outweigh the risks. This paper reviews relevant literature on thinning of stone fruit by gibberellins, and summarizes research reports of fruit thinning with GAs conducted between 1987 and the present in California. The term thin or chemically thin with regard to the action of GA on floral buds is used in this paper, consistent with the literature, although the authors recognize that the action of GA is primarily to inhibit the initiation of floral apices, rather than reduce the number of preformed flowers. At relatively high concentrations, GA may also kill floral buds. Chemical names used: gibberellic acid, potassium gibberellate.

scholarly journals 660 Reducing Floral Initiation and Return Bloom in Stone Fruit Trees: Applications and Implications in Fruit Production

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 561F-562
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Southwick
Keyword(s):  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Prunus Salicina

Commercially grown apricots (Prunus armeniaca), peaches (Prunus persica), nectarines (Prunus persica), plums (Prunus salicina and Prunus domestica), and pluots (Prunus salicina × Prunus armeniaca) have a tendency to produce high numbers of flowers. These flowers often set and produce more fruit than trees can adequately size to meet market standards. When excessive fruit set occurs, removal of fruit by hand-thinning is common to ensure that fruit size meets market standards. Over the years there have been numerous attempts to find chemical or physical techniques that would help to reduce costs associated with and improve efficiencies of hand-thinning; however, using alternate strategies to hand-thinning have not been widely adopted in stone fruit production. In the past 10 years, through the continuing efforts of scientists throughout the world in public and private institutions and business, it appears that there are chemical sprays capable of reducing the need for hand-thinning in stone fruit. Management of flowering by reducing the number of flowers on apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, and prune has shown promise under climatic conditions such as those found in the San Joaquin Valley of California. By applying gibberellins during May through July, flowers in many stone fruit cultivars can be reduced in the following season. The reduction in flower number does not generally lead to an increase in fruit set. As a result, fruit numbers are reduced, the need for hand thinning can be reduced, and in some cases eliminated. There are risks associated with reducing flower number before climatic conditions during bloom or final fruit set are known. However, given the changes in labor costs and market demands, especially in the developed world, the benefits may outweigh the risks. The application and implications of these summer gibberellin applications toward reducing flower numbers will be discussed as it relates to commercial stone fruit growing.

scholarly journals 659 Reducing Floral Initiation and Return Bloom in Fruit Trees— Applications and Implications in Fruit Production: Pome Fruit

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 561E-561
Author(s):  
Duane W. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Pome Fruit ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Bud Formation ◽  
Biennial Bearing ◽  
Flower Bud Formation

Pome fruit display a biennial bearing tendency that is characterized by heavy flowering and fruit set one year followed by a year with reduced bloom and fruit set. This tendancy results in a year with heavy cropping with small fruit, and a subsequent year with large fruit and a small crop. Both situations are undesirable. Chemical thinners in the “on” year are frequently used to modify this cropping behavior. Alternative methods to control cropping by flower bud inhibitions will be discussed. Gibberellin application in the “off” year at or soon after bloom will inhibit flower bud formation and encourage moderate flowering. This method of crop regulation has been used infrequently. Gibberellins differ in their ability to inhibit flowering. Therefore, selection of a specific gibberellin and an effective concentration range may provide greater flexibility in controlling flowering. The cytokinins CPPU and thidiazuron inhibit flower bud formation, increase fruit size, and also thin fruit. Appropriate application of these cytokinins will be discussed where beneficial effects on fruit size may be achieved while maintaining a moderate level of flower bud formation.

Protected Culture Systems for Strawberry Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 459d-459
Author(s):  
Fumiomi Takeda ◽  
Paul R. Adler ◽  
D. Michael Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Hydroponic Culture ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique ◽  
Plant Densities

Strawberry plants (cvs. Camarosa, Chandler, Sweet Charlie, Primetime, Jewel, and Tribute) were grown in soilless culture systems in a greenhouse from October to May. Fresh-dug and runner-tip Aplug® plants were transplanted into two systems: vertically stacked pots (24 plants/m2) containing perlite and horizontal nutrient film technique troughs (13 plants/m2). Plants were fertigated continuously with recirculating nutrient solution. In a 7-month production cycle, the plug plants bloomed earlier and produced more fruit during the first month of harvest (December) than the fresh-dug plants. Higher yields from plug plants were a result of more fruit numbers and not larger fruit size. Fruit production averaged 6.0 and 3.5 kg/m2 in the trough and pot systems, respectively. The vertical growing system allows greater plant densities, but light intensity reaching the plants in the lower sections of the tower can be less than 20% of levels measured at the top. Establishment costs of protected culture systems are higher, but production is earlier and labor costs are typically reduced. Greenhouse hydroponic culture systems could extend the winter strawberry production to more northern locations.

scholarly journals Dieback of apricot plantations caused by 'Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum' in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county (Northern-Hungary)

2010 ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Gábor Tarcali ◽  
Emese Kiss ◽  
György J. Kövics ◽  
Sándor Süle ◽  
László Irinyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sour Cherry ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Stone Fruits ◽  
The North ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The World ◽  
Fruit Plantations

Plant diseases caused by phytoplasmas have increasing importance in all over the world for fruit growers. Lately, phytoplasma diseases occur on many fruit varieties and responsible for serious losses both in quality and quantity of fruit production. In the long-run these diseases cause destruction of fruit trees. The apricot phytoplasma disease (Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum) was first reported in Europe in 1924 from France. In 1992 the disease has also been identified in Hungary. On the base of growers' signals serious damages of "Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum" Seemüller and Schneider, 2004 (formerly: European stone fruit yellows phytoplasma) could be observed in different stone fruit plantations in the famous apricot-growing area nearby Gönc town, Northern-Hungary. Field examinations have been begun in 2009 in several stone fruit plantations in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County mainly in Gönc region which is one of the most important apricot growing regions in Hungary, named “Gönc Apricot Growing Area”. Our goals were to diagnose the occurrence of Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum on stone fruits (especially on apricot) in the North-Hungarian growing areas by visual diagnostics and confirm data by laboratory PCR-based examinations. All the 28 collected samples were tested in laboratory trials and at 13 samples from apricot, peach, sour cherry and wild plum were confirmed the presence of phytoplasma (ESFY). On the base of observations it seems evident that the notable losses caused by "Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum" is a new plant health problem to manage for fruit growers, especially apricot producers in Hungary. 

scholarly journals Use of Flying Dragon Trifoliate Orange As Dwarfing Rootstock for Citrus Under Tropical Climatic Conditions

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Mademba-Sy ◽  
Zacharie Lemerre-Desprez ◽  
Stéphane Lebegin
Keyword(s):  
New Caledonia ◽  
Citrus Fruit ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Poncirus Trifoliata ◽  
Trifoliate Orange ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Trunk Diameter

Citrus fruit trees grown under tropical climatic conditions have a high level of vigor and, consequently, late fruit-bearing and low productivity. The use of Flying Dragon trifoliate orange [Poncirus trifoliata var. monstrosa (T.Itô) Swing.] (FD) rootstock could overcome these negative effects by inducing small trees with early production. Trials including eight commercial cultivars began in Dec. 1992 on an irrigated plot on the main island of New Caledonia (South Pacific). Growth of the trees was observed over a 13-year period through twice-yearly measurements of tree height, canopy between and in the rows, and trunk diameter. Fruit production was recorded beginning 2 years after planting. According to the climatic and pedological conditions of the experimental site, trees grafted on FD could, depending on cultivar, be planted in densities from 519 to 1111 trees/ha. Over the 13 years, yields were 0.5 to 2.8 times greater than those of the same cultivar on the standard rootstock. ‘Tahiti’ lime cumulative planting and maintenance costs were only 1.5 times higher for a density five times as great, and the level of productivity per hectare (gross margin/ha) was 3.3 times that of traditional orchards. Grafting citrus cultivars on FD, which is seldom used in the Mediterranean zone as a result of its excessive dwarfing effect in relation with the climatic conditions, could prove, on the other hand, promising in tropical areas.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE ON STONE FRUIT THINNING

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1122a-1122
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Fallahi ◽  
Michael Colt ◽  
S. Krishna Mohan ◽  
John Fellman
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Severe Toxicity ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanamide ◽  
Fruit Number ◽  
Fruit Thinning

Influence of prebloom and full bloom applications of hydrogen cyanamide on `Simka' and `Friar' plums in Southwest Idaho and `Florda Prince' peach in Southwest Arizona was studied. Prebloom application of 0.5% hydrogen cyanamide caused severe toxicity to the fruit buds in `Friar' lure, while 2% hydrogen cyanamide did not cause toxicity in `Simka' plum. `Simka' fruit was effectively thinned with 1-2% prebloom application. At full bloom, 1.5% hydrogen cyanamide caused severe flower and leaf burning in both `Friar' and `Simka' plums, while concentrations between 0.1% and 1% thinned flowers (fruits) in both of the plum cultivars. Influence of hydrogen cyanamide on final fruit set, fruit size and maturity are also studied. Prebloom or full bloom applications of 2% or 3% hydrogen cyanamide eliminated 95 to 100% of the blooms, while application of this chemical at 1% sufficiently thinned the fruit. Number of commercially packed large peaches in trees receiving 1% hydrogen cyanamide was the same as that in trees thinned by hand, suggesting hydrogen cyanamide as a potential chemical for stone fruit thinning.

The effect of summer shading on flower bud morphogenesis in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Bartolini ◽  
Raffaella Viti ◽  
Lucia Andreini
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Regular Growth ◽  
Xylem Differentiation ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Primary Xylem ◽  
Floral Differentiation ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca L ◽  
Bud Growth

AbstractThe aim of this investigation was to assess whether imposed summer shading treatments in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) can affect the main phenological phases related to the floral morphogenesis (floral differentiation, xylogenesis), flower bud growth and quality in terms of bud capacity to set fruit. Experimental trials were carried out on fully-grown trees of ‘San Castrese’ and ‘Stark Early Orange’ cultivars characterized by different biological and agronomical traits to which shadings were imposed in July and August. Histological analysis was carried out from summer onwards in order to determine the evolution of floral bud differentiation, and the acropetal progression of primary xylem differentiation along the flower bud axis. Periodical recordings to evaluate the bud drop, blooming time, flowering and fruit set rates were performed also. These shade treatments determined a temporary shutdown of floral differentiation, slowed xylem progression up to the resumption of flower bud growth and a reduced entity of flowering and fruit set. These events were particularly marked in ‘San Castrese’ cultivar, which is well known for its adaptability to different climatic conditions. These findings suggest that adequate light penetration within the canopy during the summer season could be the determining factor when defining the qualitative traits of flower buds and their regular growth, and ultimately to obtain good and constant crops.

scholarly journals Flower Position and Size Impact Ovule Number per Flower, Fruitset, and Fruit Size in Pomegranate

2013 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel Y. Wetzstein ◽  
Weiguang Yi ◽  
Justin A. Porter ◽  
Nadav Ravid
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Flower Size ◽  
Ovule Development ◽  
Flower Type ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Flower Quality

Pomegranate trees (Punica granatum) produce large numbers of both hermaphroditic (bisexual) flowers that produce fruit and functionally male flowers that characteristically abort. Excessive production of male flowers can result in decreased yields resulting from their inability to set fruit. Within hermaphroditic flowers, sex expression appears to follow a spectrum ranging from those exhibiting strong to weak pistil development. Unknown is the scope that flower quality plays in influencing fruit production. A description of floral characteristics and how they vary with flowers of different sizes and positions is lacking in pomegranate and was the focus of this study. Furthermore, the effects of flower size and position on fruit set and fruit size were evaluated. This study documents that flower size characteristics and ovule development can be quite variable and are related to flower type and position. Single and terminal flowers within a cluster were larger than lateral flowers. In addition, lateral flowers exhibited a high frequency of flowers with poor ovule development sufficient to negatively impact fruiting in that flower type. Ovule numbers per flower were significantly influenced by flower size with more ovules in larger flowers. Pollination studies verified significantly higher fruit set and fruit weight, and larger commercial size distributions were obtained with larger vs. smaller flowers. Thus, flower quality is an important issue in pomegranate. Cultural and environmental factors that influence flower size and vigor may have a direct consequence on fruit production and yield.

scholarly journals The Potential Use of Metamitron as a Chemical Fruit-thinning Agent in Mandarin

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ockert P.J. Stander ◽  
Johané Botes ◽  
Cornelius Krogscheepers
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Citrus Reticulata ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Total Carbohydrates ◽  
Leaf Carbohydrates ◽  
Potential Use

Under conditions of profuse flowering and excessive fruit set, citrus (Citrus sp.) fruit need to be thinned to increase the size of remaining fruit, reduce the intensity of alternate bearing, or both. Metamitron was recently developed as a chemical fruit-thinning agent for apple (Malus ×domestica) and pear (Pyrus communis), and it inhibits photosynthesis and is thought to transiently reduce the carbohydrate pool in fruit trees. Citrus trees are sensitive to carbohydrate stress during and immediately after flowering, but the response of citrus to foliar treatment with a photosynthesis inhibitor, such as metamitron, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate metamitron for its effects on leaf carbohydrates and its ability to chemically thin citrus fruitlets. Significant fruit-thinning effects were found in all the experiments conducted over two seasons. A 300 mg·L−1 metamitron treatment reduced leaf sugars and leaf total carbohydrates, and consistently reduced the total number of fruit per tree in both seasons in ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata), irrespective of the timing of application. In the second season, a reduction in fruit yield was reported with an increase in metamitron concentration, both in mass and number of fruit per tree. A 150 mg·L−1 metamitron treatment in November had no fruit-thinning effects, and fruit yield was not different from the control. The application of metamitron did not increase the fruit size of ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin and had no direct effect on other fruit quality attributes in either season. Metamitron can be used as a chemical fruit-thinning agent to reduce fruit numbers in ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin, but an increase in fruit size or quality should not be expected.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Prunus interspecific progenies for resistance to Plum pox virus

2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Salava ◽  
J. Polák ◽  
I. Oukropec
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Hybrids ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Plum Pox Virus ◽  
Prunus Amygdalus ◽  
Prunus Species ◽  
Sources Of Resistance ◽  
Resistance Transfer

Sharka disease caused by the infection with the Plum pox virus (PPV) in stone fruit trees is worldwide the most devastating for stone fruit production. Until now, good sources of resistance to PPV within the peach group have not been available. There are no commercial cultivars of peach that are resistant to PPV. Other Prunus species are known to show varying levels of resistance. Interspecific hybrids GF 677 (Prunus amygdalus × P. persica) and Cadaman (P. davidiana × P. persica) were revealed to be resistant to PPV. The resistance to a Dideron isolate of the descendants of Cresthaven × GF 677 and Cresthaven × Cadaman and their progenitors was evaluated after inoculation by chip-budding in a sealed screenhouse. Results demonstrate a certain level of resistance in both progenies of interspecific hybrids and indicate a potential for PPV resistance transfer to commercial peach cultivars but it will be necessary to perform backcrosses with peach cultivars of agricultural interest in order to return pomological and agronomic traits. For the definitive confirmation of resistance/susceptibility it will be necessary to wait until the adult stage of hybrids.

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