scholarly journals Grafting Melons Increases Yield, Extends the Harvest Season, and Prevents Sudden Wilt in New England

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Janel L. Ohletz ◽  
J. Brent Loy

Melons (Cucumis melo var. reticulatis) are potentially a high value crop for New England, but production is limited by cool spring temperatures and sudden wilt. The sudden wilt syndrome in melon, attributed to both biotic and abiotic factors, is characterized by rapid wilting of vines either just preceding or during the harvest season, reducing melon quality and shortening the harvest period. We investigated the effects of grafting melons to rootstocks of interspecific hybrid squash (Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata), which have exhibited tolerance to soilborne diseases and cooler soil temperatures. In 2015, we compared the performance of ‘Halona’ melon grafted to two rootstocks, ‘Carnivor’ and ‘NH1320’, to that of nongrafted (NG) plants at two New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Research Farms, Woodman (WRF) and Kingman (KRF). Pistillate flowering and melon harvests were 3 to 9 days earlier in NG than grafted (GR) plants. By harvest period, GR plant growth exceeded that of NG plants, and GR plants did not display wilting symptoms observed in NG plants. Total marketable yields were 57% and 90% higher for GR/‘Carnivor’ (47.8 and 45.0 Mg·ha−1) and 44% and 89% higher for GR/‘NH1320’ (43.9 and 44.9 Mg·ha−1) compared with the NG treatment (30.5 and 23.7 Mg·ha−1) at WRF and KRF, respectively. There were no differences in fruit numbers per plot between treatments, but mean fruit weight was between 33% and 71% larger in GR than NG treatments. In 2016, GR (‘NH1320’ rootstock) and NG ‘Halona’ were compared at three transplantation dates, 12 and 21 May and 1 June, and with two irrigation frequencies, drip irrigation every 2 days (2-d Irr) or every 4 days (4-d Irr). NG plants exhibited symptoms of sudden wilt in early August compared with no symptoms on GR plants. Harvests of NG melons were 3 to 8 days earlier than GR plants for all three planting dates. The increase in yields of GR plants compared with NG plants for the 12 and 21 May and 1 June planting dates were, respectively, 131%, 123%, and 149% greater with the 2-day Irr, and 93%, 100%, and 78% greater with 4-d Irr. Irrigation frequency did not significantly affect fruit size or soluble solids content (SSC), whereas grafting increased both fruit number and fruit size but did not significantly affect SSC at all three planting dates.

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Christopher Menzel

Five strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars were grown in Queensland, Australia to determine whether higher temperatures affect production. Transplants were planted on 29 April and data collected on growth, marketable yield, fruit weight and the incidence of small fruit less than 12 g until 28 October. Additional data were collected on fruit soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) from 16 September to 28 October. Minimum temperatures were 2 °C to 4 °C higher than the long-term averages from 1965 to 1990. Changes in marketable yield followed a dose-logistic pattern (p < 0.001, R2s = 0.99). There was a strong negative relationship between fruit weight (marketable) and the average daily mean temperature in the four or seven weeks before harvest from 29 July to 28 October (p < 0.001, R2s = 0.90). There were no significant relationships between SSC and TA, and temperatures in the eight days before harvest from 16 September to 28 October (p > 0.05). The plants continued to produce a marketable crop towards the end of the season, but the fruit were small and more expensive to harvest. Higher temperatures in the future are likely to affect the economics of strawberry production in subtropical locations.


Irriga ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benito Moreira de Azevedo ◽  
José Wilson Tavares Bezerra ◽  
José De Arimatéia Duarte Freitas ◽  
Thales Vinícius de Araújo Viana

EFEITO DA FREQÜÊNCIA DE IRRIGAÇÃO NA QUALIDADE DE FRUTOS DO COQUEIRO ANÃO  Benito Moreira de Azevedo; José Wilson Tavares Bezerra; José de Arimatéia Duarte Freitas; Thales Vinícius de Araújo VianaDepartamento de engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal do Ceará, [email protected]  1 RESUMO Este trabalho foi realizado em Paraipaba e consistiu em avaliar, durante dois anos, a produção do coqueiro anão, submetidos a diferentes freqüências de irrigação. O plantio da área foi realizado com mudas de coqueiro anão denominado Verde de Jiqui, espaçadas em 7,5 x7,5 m,em triângulo. Odelineamento experimental empregado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com três tratamentos, quatro repetições e oito plantas por parcela, porém, para eliminar o efeito ano, os dados foram analisados como parcelas subdivididas. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação da irrigação quando a evaporação acumulada de um tanque Classe “A” atingiu 10, 30 e50 mm, tratamentos T1, T2 e T3, respectivamente. A massa média dos frutos nos anos estudados foi de2.226 g, sendo que os tratamentos não apresentaram diferenças significativas. A média do diâmetro polar foi de55,16 cme do diâmetro equatorial foi de50,01 cm, o que demonstra ser o fruto bastante arredondado. Quanto ao volume de água, os tratamentos T1, T2 e T3 apresentaram médias semelhantes nos dois anos estudados e iguais a0,486 L. O teor médio de sólidos solúveis da água de coco, durante os dois anos de produção, foi de 5,77 ºBrix, e a média dos tratamentos não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que a freqüência de irrigação a cada cinco dias foi a mais adequada em termos de redução de custos de produção e aumento da renda. UNITERMOS: manejo da irrigação, tanque Classe “A”, irrigação localizada.                                                        AZEVEDO, B. M. de; BEZERRA, J. W. T.; FREITAS, J. de A. D.; VIANA, T. V. de A. EFFECT OF IRRIGATION FREQUENCY IN THE FRUIT QUALITY OF THE DWARF COCONUT TREE  2 ABSTRACT             This work was carried out in Paraipaba, CE,Brazil, and aimed to evaluate, during two years, the development and production of the dwarf coconut trees, when submitted to different irrigation frequencies. “Verde de Jiqui” dwarf coconut seedlings were planted in a area with 7.5 x 7.5m spacing in a triangular arrangement. The experimental design had randomized blocks, three treatments, four replications and eight plants per plot. However, in order to eliminate the effect of the year, data were analyzed in split plots. The treatments consisted of irrigation when accumulated evaporation of a Class “A” pan reached 10, 30 and50 mm, for the treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The average fruit weight in the studied years was2.226 g, and the treatments did not present significant differences. The polar diamete averager was55.16 cmand the equatorial diameter one was 50.01 cm; that demonstrates the fruits were quite round. In relation to water volume, treatments T1, T2 and T3 presented similar averages in the two studied years:0.486 L. The average soluble solids content in the coconut water during the two- year production was 5.77 ºBrix, and the treatment average did not present statistical differences. Obtained results showed that frequency irrigation with 5-day intervals was the most appropriate one for production cost reduction and income increase. KEYWORDS: irrigation management, Class “A” pan, trickle irrigation


HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1849-1852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Andres Agustin ◽  
Matha Soto ◽  
Franco Famiani ◽  
Juan Guillermo Cruz-Castillo

Fifty-six accessions of white sapote (Casimiroa edulis Llave & Lex.) grown in situ in 11 municipalities in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, were characterized using 14 morphometric variables (six of fruit and eight of seed). There was a high cv for fruit weight (0.50), the number of developed seeds (NDS) (0.48), and total seed weight (0.45). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the main differences among the C. edulis accessions were fruit weight, seed projected area, Feret diameter (FD), the length of polar and equatorial axes of the fruit, the number of undeveloped seeds (NUS), the NDS, hardness of the skin (HS), and total soluble solids content of the fruits. Three groups of accessions were determined by cluster analysis (CA). The first group was made up of 53 accessions with intermediate values of fruit size and seed size. The second group, comprising two accessions, had the lowest values of fruit size. The third group showed an outstanding individual with the highest values for fruit size/weight, seed weight, and total soluble solids. Through an in-depth examination of the genotypes of the first group, four genotypes were identified for their positive characteristics. The results indicate an extremely high variability in the fruit and seed characteristics produced by different trees/genotypes of white sapote in Mexico. Hence, an initial, preliminary individuation/selection of five genotypes could be considered for the development of new cultivars for establishing white sapote orchards in Mexico.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Boyhan ◽  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Ryan McNeill ◽  
Suzanne Stone

Organic production is a fast-growing sector of agriculture in need of variety evaluations under their unique production systems. This study evaluated 16 watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) varieties for their performance characteristics under organic production practices. Plants were grown on plastic mulch-covered beds on land that had been certified organic in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program. Six of the entries were F1 hybrids; the remaining entries were open-pollinated (OP) varieties. Of the 10 OP varieties, three were considered heirloom varieties, including Cream of Saskatchewan, Georgia Rattlesnake, and Moon & Stars. ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’ was the highest yielding variety and had the greatest average fruit weight. Along with ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’, ‘Nunhems 800’, ‘Nunhems 860’, ‘Orangeglo’, and ‘SSX 8585’ were included in the top five yielding varieties. The top five yielding varieties had fruit size that averaged more than 20 lb. Fruit size correlated with rind thickness, with lighter fruit having thinner rind (Pearson’s correlation, r = 0.779), which is not unexpected. ‘Sangria’ had the greatest average soluble solids content at 11.2%, which was greater than all entries with soluble solids less than 10%.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 533
Author(s):  
Joan Casals ◽  
Montserrat Martí ◽  
Aurora Rull ◽  
Clara Pons

The individual effects of biotic and abiotic factors on tomatoes have been widely reported. However, under commercial conditions, multiple interactions between factors occur, masking or even changing the direction of their effects in some cases. Here we report a comprehensive analysis of preharvest factors affecting yield, quality (soluble solids content, fruit color, and firmness), and shelf-life of long-shelf-life Mediterranean varieties of tomatoes. We studied five long-shelf-life genotypes under 16 growing environments, including tunnel and open-air systems and suboptimal to excessive fertigation (22–142% crop evapotranspiration). The results enabled us to classify traits into three groups according to the importance of the contributions of different types of factors: mainly genotype (ripening earliness and firmness), genotype plus environment (yield, fruit weight, water-use efficiency (WUE)), or genotype plus environment plus the interaction between genotype and environment (cracking, soluble solids content, and shelf-life). Under similar management practices, open-air conditions optimized yields, and high fertigation doses improved yield and marketability (firmness), but reduced quality (redness and soluble solids content). WUE was maximized under low-input cropping systems (comparable to traditional agrosystems), and the balance between WUE and yield was optimized when fertigation was adjusted to the requirements of the crop. Shelf-life was negatively correlated with high-yielding environments, and day–night amplitude in relative humidity was strongly correlated with the incidence of fruit cracking. The present study sheds light on the contributions of environment and management practices on tomato yield and quality, and provides a basis on which to select better management practices for the novel commercial group of European long-shelf-life tomato landraces.


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 408E-408
Author(s):  
Maria J. Sindoni V. ◽  
Frank B. Matta

Several cultivar/rootstock combinations were evaluated for overall performance in Mississippi. This study included postharvest fruit quality during storage as influenced by the various rootstocks. Parameters measured were fruit set, scion and stock trunk cross-sectional area, fire blight tolerance, fruit drop, and maturity indices such as fruit size, firmness, fresh fruit weight, soluble solids content, and juice pH. Cultivar/rootstock combinations were `Earligold'/EMLA 7, `Jonagold'/EMLA 111, `Improved Golden'/EMLA 7, `Improved Golden'/EMLA 111, `Scarlet Gala' /EMLA 7, `Jonafree'/Mark, `Macspur'/M 7A, `Royal Gala'/MM 111, and `Williams Pride'/M 7A. Cultivar and rootstock influenced fruit set. `Royal Gala', `Scarlet Gala', `Improved Golden', and `Earligold' showed maximum fruit set among the various cultivars. MM 111 and EMLA 7 rootstocks increased fruit set. Scion cultivars had the greatest trunk diameter on EMLA 111 and MM 111 and the smallest diameter on Mark. Scion cultivars on Mark and M 7A rootstocks showed less susceptibility to fire blight compared to MM 111 and EMLA 111. Cultivars on EMLA 7 showed moderate susceptibility to fire blight. Cultivars `Jonafree', `Williams Pride', `Macspur', and `Scarlet Gala' were least susceptible to fire blight compared to `Royal Gala'. The remaining cultivars were intermediate in susceptibility to fire blight. Fruit size, firmness, fresh fruit weight, soluble solids content, and juice pH were influenced by cultivar. `Jonagold' and `Williams Pride' produced the largest fruit, while `Jonafree' and `Macspur' yielded the smallest fruit. Total soluble solids were not influenced by cultivar and rootstock combinations. Sugar content of the juice increased as the apples matured and ranged from 12% to 14% among the cultivar/rootstock combinations. Firmness was influenced by cultivar but not rootstock. `Jonafree', `Macspur' had firm fruit, while fruit of `Scarlet Gala', `Williams Pride', and `Earligold' was not as firm. After harvest, the cultivars were stored at 2 °C for ≈4 months under controlled conditions and evaluated for soluble solids content, titratable acidity, pH, and firmness at monthly intervals. Overall, firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity in all cultivars decreased with time in storage. `Improved Golden'/EMLA 7, `Royal Gala'/MM 111, and `Jonagold'/EMLA 111 maintained quality during storage, compared with the remaining cultivars/rootstock combinations, and had a longer storage life.


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 556A-556
Author(s):  
Maria J. Sindoni ◽  
Frank B. Matta

Maturity indices such as fruit size, firmness, fresh fruit weight, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and juice pH of `Earligold'/EMLA 7, `Jonagold'/EMLA 111, `Improved Golden'/EMLA 7, `Improved Golden'/EMLA 111, `Scarlet Gala'/EMLA 7, `Jonafree'/Mark, `Macspur'/M 7A, `Royal Gala'/MM 111, and `Williams Pride'/M 7A were monitored. Based on maturity indices analysis, the optimal harvest time for each scion rootstock combination was determined. `Scarlet Gala'/EMLA 7, `Williams Pride'/M 7A, and `Earligold'/EMLA 7 were early cultivars, while `Jonagold'/ /EMLA 111, `Improved Golden'/EMLA 7, `Improved Golden'/EMLA 111, and `Macspur'/M 7A were late cultivars. After harvest, all cultivars were stored for 3 months under controlled conditions. Changes in fruit appearance, flavor, sweetness, tartness, and firmness were recorded. Fruit size, firmness, fresh fruit weight, soluble solids content, and juice pH were influenced by the cultivar/rootstock combination. Results of the sensory evaluation indicated that medium and late cultivars were preferred by panelists compared to the early harvested cultivars. `Improved Golden'/EMLA 7, `Royal Gala'/MM 111, and `Jonagold'/EMLA 111 combinations maintained quality during storage, compared with the remaining cultivars/rootstock combinations, and had a longer storage life.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ersin ATAY ◽  
Seckin GARGIN ◽  
Ahmet ESITKEN ◽  
N. Pinar GUZEL ◽  
A. Nilgun ATAY ◽  
...  

Orchard performance is influenced by weed competition. In this study, the effects of weed competition on nutrient contents, chemical and physical fruit quality properties were sought. The study was carried out in a high-density apple orchard (‘Golden Delicious’/M.9) over two consecutive growing seasons. The effect of weed competition was studied at three different levels: weak, moderate and strong. Fruit firmness, soluble solids content, macronutrients (such as nitrogen, potassium and calcium) and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio in fruit were significantly affected by weed competition. Strong weed competition negatively affected soluble solids content and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. In both trial years, soluble solids content was significantly higher in weak weed competition. In the first year of the study, soluble solids content ranged between 13.77±0.06% (strong weed competition) and 15.20±0.10% (weak weed competition). In the following year, soluble solids content values were determined as 13.13±0.23% in strong weed competition and 13.83±0.21% in weak weed competition. Weak weed competition showed superiority for fruit weight and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. As a whole, this study indicates that insufficient weed control in tree rows might be a limiting factor for fruit quality in high-density apple orchards.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1529-1535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weizu Wang ◽  
Huazhong Lu ◽  
Changki Mo ◽  
Zhou Yang ◽  
Cameron Jay Hohimer ◽  
...  

Abstract. This article presents a fruiting branch shaker designed for litchi ( Sonn.) harvesting and field testing results of the mechanical shaker with abscission chemical treatment. During the mature litchi season, mechanical harvesting experiments were conducted on Feizixiao litchi trees with and without applying the abscission chemical (Ethrel, 2-chloroethyl phosphoric acid). Fruit detachment force (FDF) and fruit weight (W) were measured to determine the effect of chemical treatment on the FDF/W ratio. Fruits harvested by different methods were transported to the laboratory in Guangzhou city and stored at 6°C. Testing results showed that more than 88% of litchi fruits untreated with the chemical were removed at a frequency of 26 or 32 Hz and that the harvesting rate was roughly 3.5 times greater than that of hand harvesting. Application of the abscission chemical increased the removal percentage and harvesting rate of litchi fruits by about 10% while showing a decreased damage rate. Storage tests also indicated no significantly different characteristics between untreated fruits harvested by the shaker and by hand. However, there were significant differences between treated fruits and untreated fruit in browning index and total soluble solids content. Keywords: Abscission chemical, Detachment force, Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), Mechanical harvest, Multi-finger branch shaking.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kobra ◽  
MA Hossain ◽  
MAH Talukder ◽  
MAJ Bhuyan

Twelve commercial and promising mango cultivars were evaluated at three agroecological zones of Bangladesh viz., Akbarpur (AEZ 29), Chapai Nawabgonj (AEZ 11), and Gazipur (AEZ 28) during 2006-07 to investigate their regional adaptability. Cultivars included in the experiment were Ashwina, BARI Aam-1, Bombai, Deori, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Kalia, Khirsapat, Langra, Lata Bombai, Rani Passand, and Surjapuri. The plants were transplanted in the field during July 1993. Tree volume was the maximum (79.78 m3) in Khirsapat and the minimum in Lata Bombai (21.92 m3). Langra had the highest percentage of perfect flower (27%), while the lowest was in Deori and Kalia (5%). The earliest and latest fruit was harvested from BARI Aam-1 and Ashwina, respectively, at all locations. All the cultivars were harvested 3-5 and 8-10 days earlier at Akbarpur and Gazipur, respectively, compared to that at Chapai Nawabgonj. The highest individual fruit weight was obtained from Fazli at all locations, while Gopalbhog (130 g) had the lowest fruit weight at Akbarpur and Surjapuri at Chapai Nawabgonj (172 g) and Gazipur (140 g). Total soluble solids content was reasonably high in all the cultivars at each location (around 20%) except Ashwina, Lata Bombai, and Surjapuri which contained around 16% TSS. Lata Bombai was highly susceptible to anthracnose, floral malformation, and stem-end-rot at almost all the locations. Other cultivars showed low to medium susceptibility to all these diseases. The highest and lowest fruit producing cultivars were Khirsapat (206) and Lata Bombai (106) at Gazipur, while Rani Passand (196) and Bombai, Lata Bombai (92) at Akbarpur but at Chapai Nawabgonj, these were Langra (325) and Deori (117), respectively. Cultivar Fazli (83.61 kg) was the highest yielder by weight, while Lata Bombai (18.35 kg) was the lowest. Among the locations, Chapai Nawabgonj was the most favourable for plant growth, perfect flower production, and yield, and least favourable for pests and diseases. The overall result of the experiment indicated that good quality mango could also be grown successfully under Akbarpur and Gazipur conditions adopting appropriate variety like Khirsapat. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i4.14394 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(4): 691-710, December 2012


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