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- Author or Editor: D. Michael Glenn x
Hand-thinning (Prunus persica L. Batsch) “Y”-trained peach trees at bloom and 51 days after full bloom (DAFB) was compared to mechanical fruit thinning 51 DAFB using a spiked-drum and an impact shaker. The spiked-drum shaker removed more fruit from horizontal branches than from vertical branches, yet did not selectively remove either large or small fruit. Bloom thinning by hand increased fruit size compared to postbloom thinning 51 DAFB, and both postbloom mechanical thinning techniques were as effective as postbloom hand thinning. The spiked-drum shaker may be a better thinning technique than the impact shaker because it transfers less shaking energy to the fruit, can be used in high-density plantings, and does not contact the trunk, lessening the potential for tree damage.
Three growth suppression treatments were compared during 1991 to 1993 on `Stayman' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees grown in the T-trellis and the MIA trellis systems. All treatments—root pruning, K-31 fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and K-31 fescue plus root pruning—suppressed tree growth compared to the nontreated control, but results were inconsistent between years and systems. Sod or sod plus root pruning reduced terminal shoot length in both systems in 2 out of 3 years. Root pruning decreased shoot length in the T-trellis in 1992. Sod decreased trunk cross-sectional area in the T-trellis in 1993. Treatments did not affect 3-year average yield efficiency but did appear to increase biennial bearing. Sod, with or without root pruning, decreased fruit cracking in the T-trellis 69% and 42%, respectively, in 1992, and sod plus root pruning decreased cracking in the MIA trellis 50%. Sod reduced fruit diameter in the T-trellis in 1992. Secondary effects of growth suppression treatments included increased light penetration and improved fruit color. Sod decreased leaf N and Mg and increased leaf P, K, and Cu. The Oct. 1993 stem water potential gradient from root to canopy was more negative in the sod plus root pruning treatment, and the osmotic potential of rootsucker leaves in the combination treatment was greater than in the control, indicating that sod plus root pruning alters the distribution of water within a fruit tree.
The split root technique was used to study water afflux in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] from wet to dry soil through root systems that bridge wet and dry soil. Peach trees conduct hydraulic lift (HL) to ameliorate water deficits in dry soil layers, under conditions of low transpirational demand. The objectives of this study were to examine the magnitude of HL in peach and to determine its effect on nutrient uptake from dry soil. In addition, the split root system was used to measure peach water uptake from soil supporting `Kentucky 31' tall fescue [Festuca arundinaceae (Schreb)] and determine the diurnal partitioning of water use from covered and bare soil treatments. A Scholander pressure bomb was used to record hourly measurements of water potentials (10 am to 4 p m), daily for a total of 14 days in 3 replicates (1 tree/rep.). Leaf stomata1 resistance was measured using a porometer, simultaneously with the water potential measurements. The CR 7 datalogger was used to record water transfer into the dry root section. 15N was applied in the 15-30 cm root zone, and the concentration in the leaves was determined using a mass spectrometer. Results obtained will be discussed in relation to objectives stated above.
Processed-kaolin particle films (PKPFs) are used commercially in large quantities on horticultural crops to repel insects, and reduce heat stress and solar injury of fruit. Our studies determined the effect of two processed-mineral particle film materials (kaolin and calcium carbonate), on whole plant carbon assimilation, water use efficiency, yield, mean fruit weight and quality in `Empire' apple [(Malus ×sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh Mansf.))] over a four-year period. The application of a PKPF reduced canopy temperature, and probably reduced environmental stress, resulting in increased mean fruit weight and red color in two of the four years of the study. Whole canopy carbon assimilation studies indicated increased carbon assimilation only under conditions of high air temperature. The PKPF sprayed leaves also had reduced water use efficiency; likely due to increased stomatal conductance associated with reduced leaf temperature. Calcium carbonate had none of the positive effects of PKPF and reflected more photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) than the PKPF.
Two unpruned narrow-leaf and two unpruned standard-leaf peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] selections were evaluated for physiological components related to water use efficiency {WUE [carbon assimilation (A) per unit of transpiration (T)]}. The purpose of the study was to assess the value of narrow-leaf phenotypes to improve WUE in peach and separate the environmental component of canopy geometry from the genetic components. The narrow-leaf characteristic itself did not confer improved WUE. The interception of light was a key determinant of WUE in these genotypes. Internal shading of the tree by excessive leaf area reduced daily WUE measured in gas exchange studies. Canopies that intercepted more than 75% of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) had reduced daily WUE. Dormant season pruning of the four genotypes lowered isotopic carbon discrimination and therefore increased seasonal WUE compared to unpruned trees. None of the genotypes had a significant correlation of seasonal WUE with leaf and fruit weight. Analysis of covariance indicated that `Bounty' and both narrow-leaf genotypes had greater leaf and fruit weight than `Redhaven' for a given level of PAR interception. `Bounty' had the least internal canopy shading of the four genotypes. Genetic differences in peach growth types can be selected for factors increasing WUE as well as increased productivity. Future work in peach breeding to improve WUE and productivity must take into consideration light interception, productivity, and WUE in an integrated manner to make real progress in the efficient use of water and light in the orchard environment.
July-plugged transplants of short-day cv. Strawberry Festival (Fragaria ×ananassa) flowered in October and November although they were grown under long photoperiods and warm temperatures (greater than 21 °C) in July and August. These unexpected results were attributed to a high plant density (320 transplants/m2) that provided continuous and heavy leaf cover, which eliminated red light (less than 700 nm) from reaching the crowns. This hypothesis was tested by illuminating crowns of transplants growing in 50-cell packs for 16 h·d−1 with red light-emitting diode lamps (maximum wavelength at 639 nm and 80% of output between 617 and 655 nm). Red light treatment caused a significant reduction in fall flowering. It is proposed that a high ratio of far-red light to visible light reaching the crown will play a role in floral bud induction, possibly as early as mid-August. Transplants of some short-day cultivars started as plug plants in early July have the capacity to flower and fruit in the fall and the next spring, enabling growers in the mid-Atlantic coast region to obtain two harvests within 1 year from a single planting.
Trials were established in Summer 2002 and 2003 to test the consequences of the application of a kaolin-based particle film (Surround WP, Engelhard Corp.) on gas exchange, nut quality, casebearer density and population of natural predators (insects and arachnids) on pecan (Carya illinoinensis, cv. `Pawnee') trees. Film application started immediately after bud break and was repeated every 7-10 days for seven (2002) or nine (2003) times during the season. On both years, treated trees frequently showed lower leaf temperature (up to 4 °C) than untreated trees. Leaf net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and stem water potential were not affected by film application. Nut size and quality did not differ between the two treatments. In 2003, shellout (percentage of nut consisting of kernel) was in fact 54.2% and 55.5% for treated and control trees, respectively. Moreover, the two treatments yielded similar percentage of kernel crop grading as fancy, choice, standard and damaged. Similar were also the percentages of kernels that showed damage caused by stink bugs. Only on one date the number of adult yellow pecan aphids (Monelliopsis pecanis) counted on film-treated leaves was lower than in control leaves. In general, the density of common natural predators (lady beetles, green lacewings, spiders) of pecan pests did not differ between the two treatments; however, the number of green lacewing eggs was frequently lower on film-treated leaves. In film-treated trees the number of nutlets damaged by pecan nut casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorella) was significantly higher than that observed on trees treated with conventional insecticide (24.2% infested nutlets vs. 9.3%, respectively) and did not differ from trees that did not receive either product (29.9%).
Trials were conducted during summer months of 2002 and 2003 to evaluate the effects of a kaolin-based particle film (Surround WP, Engelhard Corp.) on gas exchange, nut quality, casebearer density and population of natural enemies (insects and arachnids) on pecan (Carya illinoinensis `Pawnee') trees. Film application was repeated for seven (2002) or nine (2003) times during the growing season. In both years, treated trees showed lower leaf temperature (up to 4 °C) than untreated trees. During the warmest hours of the day, kaolin-treated leaves were generally 0 to 2 °C cooler than air temperatures, compared to 4 to 6 °C for control leaves. Leaf net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and stem water potential were not affected by film application. Nut size and quality did not differ between the two treatments. Shellout (percentage of nut consisting of kernel) was not affected by treatment and averaged about 55%. Crop grade distribution (fancy, choice, standard, and damaged) was also similar among treatments in both years. In both years, numbers of green lacewing eggs was less on kaolin-treated compared to control leaves. The density of common natural enemies (lady beetles, green lacewings, spiders) of pecan pests did not differ between treatments. The average number of developing nuts damaged by pecan nut casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig) was significantly higher in kaolin-sprayed trees (24.2%) compared to control trees sprayed with conventional insecticides (9.3%). The results suggest that kaolin-based particle film may not be a viable alternative to conventional methods of controlling pecan pests. Also, under adequate irrigation conditions, carbon assimilation, water relations and productivity may not benefit from kaolin particle film application.
Hydathodes of young, folded strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) leaves had unoccluded water pores With various sized apertures, as observed by low-temperature scanning electron microscopy. Hydathodes of fully expanded leaves were brownish and the water pores within the hydathodes were covered with a solid material, presumably comprised of epicuticular waxes and substances excreted through the hydathodes. The entire water pore area of the hydathode was occasionally covered with a shield-like plate. The shield-like plate over the hydathode water pores impeded water flow even with an induced positive pressure. Mechanical scraping of the hydathode area eliminated impedance to water conduction. These observations suggest that external occlusion of water pores in the hydathodes is the resistance component associated with the absence of guttation in older strawberry leaves.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of four soil management systems: herbicide strip (H), cultivated strip (C), mowed sod (MS), and killed sod strip (KS) on rainfall infiltration in two young peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] orchards. Soil water content (0- to 0.90-m depth) was measured immediately before a rainfall event and then as soon as possible after the rain. During the first growing season, MS captured more rainfall than KS, H, or C in the spring and summer months. In the fall, when soil water levels were reduced, all of the soil management systems were equally effective in reducing rainfall runoff. During the second and third growing seasons, the KS system often captured as much rainfall as MS and more than H and C, when killed sod residue covered 50% or more of the surface. When < 10% soil cover remained in the KS treatment, it was no more effective in reducing runoff than the H or C treatments. Growth and yield parameters were lowest in the MS due to sod interference. KS generally provided greater growth and yield than the C and H.