scholarly journals Assessing blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) propagation and pollination services in the presence of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Utah tart cherries

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie K. Boyle ◽  
Theresa L. Pitts-Singer
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Tart Cherry ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Osmia Lignaria ◽  
Local Saturation ◽  
Blue Orchard Bee ◽  
Tart Cherries

Osmia lignaria is a commercially available, native solitary bee species recognized for its propensity to forage upon and pollinate tree fruit crops such as apple, almond and cherry. This study evaluated the implementation of O. lignaria co-pollination with honey bees in central Utah commercial tart cherry orchards during 2017 and 2018 bloom. Three paired 1.2 ha sites were selected for evaluation of cherry fruit set and yield with and without managed O. lignaria releases alongside the standard honey bee hive stocking rate of 2.5 hives/ha. Osmia lignaria supplementation did not measurably increase cherry fruit set, fruit per limb cross-sectional area or fruit weight. The lack of differences in yield is likely a consequence of local saturation of pollinator services supplied by managed honey bees throughout experimental orchards, such that no additive benefit of managed O. lignaria releases were measurable. An increase in managed O. lignaria populations was achieved in 2017 but not 2018, possibly due to unknown changes to orchard management or environmental factors. While flying O. lignaria in Utah tart cherries may support sustainable in-field bee propagation, their subsequent impacts on tart cherry yield were not detected when paired with standard stocking densities of honey bees.

scholarly journals The Effects of Four Clonal Rootstocks on Growth Indices, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Quantity of `Golden Smoothee' Apple in Iran's Climate Conditions

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 798A-798
Author(s):  
Alireza Talaie* ◽  
Ali Gharaghani ◽  
Mohammad Ali Asgari
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Fruit Abscission

In this research the effect of four clonal rootstocks (B9, M9, M26, and MM106) on growth characteristics, flowering and fruiting, and fruit quality and quantity of `Golden Smoothee' apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) were studied during 2001 and 2003. Trees were 8 years old at the beginning of study. Experiments were planned in randomized complete-block design with four treatments (four rootstocks) and four replications. Rootstocks had significant effects on all growth characteristics. The highest tree height, shoot growth, and tree cross-sectional area were found on MM106; with B9 was the least and M9 and M26 were intermediate. The effect of year, and interaction of year on rootstocks were nonsignificant. Rootstock has highly affected flowering and fruiting characteristics. The highest flowering efficiency related to M9 and B9. The highest primary and secondary fruit set and fruit set efficiency found with M9 and M26. The highest preharvest fruit abscission observed with M26. The M9 had the least preharvest fruit abscission. Yield of M9 was the highest and B9 was the least. The M9 has the most yield efficiency and MM106 had the least. Effect of year was significant in many characteristics related to flowering and fruiting. Generally, trees had better conditions in first year. Among fruit quantitative treatments, rootstock only affected fruit weight significantly. Fruit harvested from B9 had the least weight and other rootstocks had similar fruit weight. Generally rootstock had no noticeable effect on fruit quantity and quality.

scholarly journals Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) produce larger and heavier blueberries than honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Cairns Fortuin ◽  
Kamal JK Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Field Cage ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Osmia Lignaria ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Size

AbstractFruit set, berry size, and berry weight were assessed for pollination by the solitary bee Osmia lignaria (Say) in caged rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade, Ericales : Ericaceae), and compared to that of uncaged rabbiteye blueberries which were pollinated largely by honey bees (Apis mellifera L). O. linaria produced berries that were 1.6mm larger in diameter and 0.45g heavier than uncaged blueberries. Fruit set was 40% higher in uncaged blueberries. This suggests that Osmia bees can produce larger and heavier berry fruit, but O. lignaria may be less efficient at blueberry pollination as compared to A. mellifera under field cage conditions.

scholarly journals Growth and productivity characteristics of Japanese plum cultivars

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141
Author(s):  
Dragan Milatovic ◽  
Dejan Djurovic ◽  
Gordan Zec
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Tree Trunk ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Japanese Plum

Growth and productivity characteristics including: initial and final fruit set, yield per tree, trunk cross-sectional area, yield efficiency and fruit weight were studied in ten cultivars of Japanese plums in the Belgrade area for the period of three years (2013-2015). Initial fruit set ranged from 5.6 to 44.4%, and the final fruit set from 2.6 to 23.36%. The high yield per tree (over 10 kg) was obtained in cultivars ?Obilnaja? and ?Morettini 355?, whereas the low yield (under 5 kg) was obtained in cultivars ?Strival?, ?Black Amber?, ?Early Angeleno? and ?Autumn Giant?. The lowest vigor was observed in the cultivar ?Golden Plum?, and the highest in the cultivar ?Strival?. The majority of cultivars had a very large fruit (over 50 g). The yield was strongly positively correlated with initial and final fruit set (r = 0.84**; r = 0.92**, respectively). Fruit weight was moderately negatively correlated with initial and final fruit set (r = -0.67*; r = -0.63*, respectively).

scholarly journals 509 Defoliation Affects Return Bloom, Fruit Set, and Fruit Quality of Three Apple Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 482D-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Davis ◽  
John A. Barden ◽  
Ross E. Byers
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Tree Defoliation ◽  
Crop Density ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Return Bloom

In 1997 and 1998, we determined the effects of defoliation on return bloom and fruit set following a light cropping year. In one study, `Braeburn' trees were hand-thinned to a crop density (CD) of 3 fruit/cm 2 trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) in late May 1997, and then either completely defoliated or half of the tree defoliated by hand on one of five dates between June and Sept. 1997. Compared to a nondefoliated control, both whole and half-tree defoliation on all dates reduced fruit count and yield efficiency (kilograms per square centimeter of TCSA) and affected fruit weight, starch, firmness, and soluble solids in 1997. In 1998, return bloom and fruit set were reduced by most 1997 defoliation treatments. Compared to other dates, defoliation on 3 July caused the greatest reduction in return bloom in both whole and half-defoliated trees. In another study, `Braeburn' trees were hand-thinned to a CD of 5 in late May 1998; complete defoliation by hand on 1, 15, or 29 July reduced return bloom and fruit set in 1999; the 1 July treatment resulted in zero return bloom. `Golden Delicious' and `York' trees were thinned to a CD of 3 in late May 1998 and were hand-defoliated on 21 July or 12 August by removing every other leaf or removing three of every four leaves over the entire tree. In 1999, return bloom and spur and lateral fruit set were reduced by all defoliation treatments. Fruit set was most reduced by the 12 Aug. treatment. Fruit set for `York' was lower than for `Golden Delicious' in all cases.

scholarly journals Influence of Mechanical String Thinning Treatments on Vegetative and Reproductive Tissues, Fruit Set, Yield, and Fruit Quality of ‘Gala’ Apple

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Kon ◽  
James R. Schupp ◽  
H. Edwin Winzeler ◽  
Richard P. Marini
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Spindle Speed ◽  
State University ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Spindle Rotation ◽  
Return Bloom ◽  
Extension Center

The objectives of this experiment were to test the efficacy of a mechanical string thinner (Darwin PT-250; Fruit-Tec, Deggenhauserertal, Germany) on apple and to identify an optimal range of thinning severity as influenced by spindle rotation speed. Trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Pennsylvania State University Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA, on five-year-old ‘Buckeye Gala’/M.9 apple trees that were trained to tall spindle. A preliminary trail on five-year-old ‘Cripps Pink’/M.9 was conducted to determine the relationship between string number and thinning severity. As the number of strings increased, the level of thinning severity increased. A range of spindle speeds (0 to 300 rpm) was applied to the same trees for two consecutive years. As spindle speed increased, blossom density (blossom clusters per limb cross-sectional area) was reduced as was the number of blossoms per spur. In 2010, leaf area per spur was reduced 9% to 45%. In 2011, the fastest spindle speed reduced leaf area per spur 20%. Although increased spindle speed reduced cropload, injury to spur leaves may have inhibited increases in fruit size. The largest gain in fruit weight was 28 g (300 rpm) compared with the control. In both years, the most severe thinning treatments reduced yield by more than 50%. There was no relationship between spindle speed and return bloom. Severe thinning treatments (240 to 300 rpm) caused significant reductions in spur leaf area, yield, and fruit calcium and did not improve fruit size or return bloom. Spindle speeds of 180 and 210 rpm provided the best overall thinning response and minimized injury to spur leaves, but cropload reduction was insufficient in years of heavy fruit set. Therefore, mechanical blossom thinning treatments should be supplemented with other thinning methods. Mechanical string thinning may be a viable treatment in organic apple production, where use of chemical thinners is limited.

scholarly journals Ethephon as a Blossom and Fruitlet Thinner Affects Crop Load, Fruit Weight, Fruit Quality, and Return Bloom of ‘Summerred’ Apple (Malus ×domestica) Borkh.

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 432-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekjell Meland ◽  
Clive Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Biennial Bearing ◽  
Green Background ◽  
Soluble Solid ◽  
Return Bloom

‘Summerred’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) are highly susceptible to biennial bearing if not properly thinned. This results in erratic yields and also affects fruit quality adversely. Between 2003 and 2005, ‘Summered’/‘M9’ trees were treated with ethephon at concentrations of 250, 375, and 500 mg·L−1 when most king flowers opened (≈20% bloom) or at concentrations of 500, 625, and 750 mg·L−1 when the average fruitlet size was 10 mm in diameter. The experiment was conducted with 2.5-m height slender spindle trees sprayed to the point of runoff with a hand applicator only when temperatures exceeded 15 °C. Within 2 weeks after the second application, fruit set was reduced linearly with increasing concentrations of ethephon to less than one fruitlet per cluster at the highest concentrations used. Most thinning treatments reduced fruit set significantly compared with unthinned trees. Fruit numbers per tree decreased significantly with increasing ethephon concentrations, and the highest concentrations of ethephon applied during bloom or when the average fruitlet size was 10 mm in diameter resulted in overthinning. Yield results confirmed the fruit set response in which yield reductions were significant at the highest concentrations of ethephon (2.1 kg/tree) compared with hand-thinned trees (7.3 kg/tree) in 2005. All thinning treatments resulted in higher percentage of fruits larger than 60 mm diameter compared with unthinned control fruit. Thinning resulted in significantly higher soluble solid contents, and this was especially so for hand-thinned trees. Other fruit quality parameters like yellow–green background color did not show a clear response to thinning. Return bloom was, however, improved on all thinned trees. It is recommended that ethephon be applied at a rate of 375 mg·L−1 when king flowers open or at a rate of 625 mg·L−1 when the average fruitlet size is 10 mm in diameter. This thins ‘Summerred’ apples to a target of approximately five fruits/cm2 per trunk cross-sectional area or 50 to 70 fruits per 100 flower clusters without impacting on fruit quality, yield, or return bloom the next year.

scholarly journals FRUITING IN SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES: POLLEN SOURCE AND HONEY BEE POLLINATION EFFICIENCY

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 613f-614
Author(s):  
Robert G. Danka ◽  
Gregory A. Lang
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Morphology ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Bee Pollination ◽  
Bee Foraging ◽  
Highbush Blueberries ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Net Cages

`Gulfcoast' southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum × V. darrowi) plants were placed in 3 × 6 × 2.5 m net cages with one colony of honey bees per cage and one of three pollinizer treatments: “self (other `Gulfcoast' plants), “cross/highbush” (other southern highbush cultivars), or “cross/rabbiteye” (various rabbiteye blueberry cultivars). In addition to unlimited pollination, bee foraging was controlled on individual flowers by placing small bags over corollas after 0, 1, 5, or 10 visits. Fruit set, fruit weight, fruit development period, and seed number data were taken, as well as data to relate floral morphology to duration of bee foraging. All measures of fruiting increased significantly with increased bee visitation; the threshold for significant gains in production occurred between 1 and 5 visits. Ten visits generally provided a good approximation of unlimited pollination. Set, weight, and earliness of ripening was as good, or better, for fruit derived from rabbiteye pollen compared to fruit from self- or cross/highbush-pollination.

The effects of date pollinizer variety and pollination time on fruit set and yield of Medjhol date palm

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoul Amir Rahnama ◽  
Esmaeil Rahkhodaei
Keyword(s):  
Date Palm ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Male Flower ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Female Flowers

Date palm is unisexual, being either male or female. Male and female flowers grow on buds called Spathe, which opens naturally when fully mature. It is easy to identify the male and female flowers. Under the method of manual pollination, pollen from a male flower is smeared over female flowers. The pollen variety and pollination time have important effects on date palm fruit set, yield and quality. This experiment was carried out to study the effect of date pollinizer variety and pollination time on fruit set, growth and development of Medjhol date palm variety, in date palm garden of date palm and tropical fruit research institute of Iran during three years from 2009 to 2011. The trail was randomized complete block design in factorial manner with three pollen variety as Ghaname, Vardy, and Samesmave, two pollination time as 1-3 days before or after spathe opening and four replication. The results showed that the Vardy pollen had significant effects and increased the fertility percent and fruit yield, rather than two other pollen varieties. The pollen variety had no significant effects on fruit quality as total sugar, acidity, and bricx. The pollination time before spathe opening significantly increased fertility percent, decreased fruit weight and date palm yield. Finally the pollen variety and pollination time interaction effects showed that, application of Vardy pollen from 1-3 days after spathe opening with the most production date palm yield, equal 19.9 kilogram per any date palm trees, so this treatment is the best and are recommended.

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