scholarly journals Field Applications of Fungicides Improve Quality and Size of Some Pumpkin Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 676a-676
Author(s):  
Charles A. McClurg

Commercial producers of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in the mid-Atlantic region frequently experience losses of fruit size and quality from the fungal diseases powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and black rot (Didymella bryoniae). In addition to loss of fruit size in some cultivars, the diseases can result in poor quality handles (fruit stems) and pre- and postharvest decay. Since the pumpkins are grown for ornamental use, their appearance, size, and quality are important in marketing strategies. Applications of recommended fungicides during the growing season, although costly, reduce losses in fruit size and quality in susceptible cultivars during years in which the pathogens become established prior to fruit maturity. Larger-fruited cultivars, in general, benefit more from fungicide application than smaller-fruited types in fruit weight, although both benefit in improved handle quality. Cultivars with apparent tolerance to fungal diseases are identified for producers who choose not to use fungicides.

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 468A-468
Author(s):  
Charles A. McClurg

Commercial producers of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in the Mid-Atlantic region frequently experience losses from the fungal diseases powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and black rot (Didymella bryoniae). In addition to loss of fruit size in some cultivars, the diseases can result in poor-quality handles (fruit stems) and preand postharvest decay. Since the pumpkins are grown for fresh market ornamental use, their appearance, size, and quality are important in marketing strategies. Applications of recommended fungicides during the growing season, although costly, reduce losses in fruit size and quality from fungal pathogens. Subsequent storage studies have documented reduced losses and maintenance of handle quality of pumpkins treated with fungicides during the growing season. This suggests that those who want or need to store pumpkins prior to sale can evaluate costs and benefits of the program. Producers can also choose cultivars that are better suited to storage if fungicides will not be used.


HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 603e-603
Author(s):  
K.G. Weis ◽  
S.M. Southwick ◽  
J.T. Yeager ◽  
W.W. Coates ◽  
Michael E. Rupert

The years 1995 and 1996 were low chill years in California with respect to stone fruit dormancy. Advancing reproductive budbreak and flowering was accomplished in `Bing' cherry (Prunus avium) by single-spray treatments of a surfactant {a polymeric alkoxylated fatty amine [N,N-bis 2-(omega-hydroxypolyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene) ethyl alkylamine]} and potassium nitrate in combination when applied at “tightbud,” ≈ 42 days (1 Feb. 1995) before full bloom and with surfactant and potassium nitrate in combination when 10% green calyx was apparent, 33 days before full bloom. Applying 2% surfactant (v/v) + 6% potassium nitrate (w/v) was most effective in advancing bloom, speeding progression through bloom, and advancing fruit maturity when applied at tightbud stage. Surfactant (2% or 4%) applied with 25% or 35% calcium nitrate (w/v) on 2 Feb. 1996 significantly advanced full bloom compared to nontreated controls. Fruit maturity (1995) was somewhat advanced by surfactant–nitrate treatments, but fruit set and final fruit weight were equivalent among treatments. No phytotoxicity was noted in foliage or fruit. In California, marginal and insufficient winter chilling often causes irregular, extended, or delayed bloom periods, resulting in poor bloom-overlap with pollenizers. As a result, flower and fruit development may be so variable as to have small, green and ripe fruit on the same tree, making harvest more time consuming and costly. Data indicate that this surfactant, in combination with a nitrogenous compound, has potential to advance reproductive budbreak and advance maturity in sweet cherry without reducing fruit set or fruit size. Advancing the ripening time of sweet cherry even 2 to 3 days can increase the price received per 8.2-kg box by $10 to $20.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 550-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Devika Rani ◽  
Sunita Yadav ◽  
H.D. Kaushik ◽  
G. Narendra Kumar

Effect of different modes of pollination, viz., without insect pollination, hand-pollination, open-pollination and open-pollination + hand-pollination on yield parameters of 4 summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) hybrids viz., Parikrama, Chandra, Chamatkar and Gold Queen was studied at Research Farm of the Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2014. Irrespective of different hybrids, the treatment openpollination + hand-pollination and open-pollination produced the maximum number of fruits per plant (73.50 and 71.25%, respectively) followed by hand-pollination (59.08%) and no fruits were observed (0% fruit set) under without insect pollination treatment. Average fruit weight, fruit polar diameter and equatorial diameter were maximum (135.30 g, 3.74 cm and 3.47 cm, respectively) under open-pollination + hand-pollination, while these were minimum (94.81 cm, 2.14cm and 2.48 cm, respectively) under hand-pollination treatment. These results indicate that honey bees as well as wild pollinators are utmost essential for pollination of summer squash flowers and thus increasing fruit size and yield. Therefore pollinators conservation practices should be followed in summer squash growing areas for getting higher yield and returns.


HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 850C-850
Author(s):  
Gregory Reighard* ◽  
David Ouellette ◽  
Kathy Brock ◽  
Duy Nguyen

`Coronet' peach on Lovell rootstock was planted near Clemson, S.C., in Dec. 1995 in 4 rows (= reps) 6.1 meters apart with trees 2.2 meters apart in-row. Trees were trained to a Kearney-V. In the 2nd leaf (Aug. 1997), `Ta Tao 5' buds were grafted to half (= 6-tree plot) the trees in each row. These trees received 2 `Ta Tao 5' chip buds infected with Peach Latent Mosaic Viroid (PLMVd) per scaffold at ≈0.75 to 1.15 m above ground. Dot blot hybridization confirmed that the chip buds successfully (100%) inoculated the treated trees, whereas the controls tested negative. Data collected in 2003 included bloom date, tree size, dormant and summer pruning times, fruit maturity date, fruit yield, mean fruit weight, skin color, soluble solids, flesh firmness, titratable acidity, and pH. Flowering and fruit maturity were delayed by ≈4 days in PLMVd-inoculated (PI) trees. PI trees produced larger fruit, but yield was 23% less than that of non-inoculated trees. Both fruit size and yield had been larger in PI trees in previous years. There were no differences in yield efficiency in 2003, but PI trees were 26% smaller in trunk cross-sectional area and 9% shorter. PI trees took 34% and 23% less time to dormant and summer prune, respectively and had 34% and 28% less wood removed by dormant and summer pruning, respectively than control trees. PLMVd increased fruit firmness, and PLMVd fruit lost firmness at a much slower rate. PLMVd did not significantly affect skin color, but PLMVD fruit were slightly less red. Soluble solid levels were higher in PLMVd fruit than control fruit during the first harvest, but were lower by the last harvest. Acidity was significantly higher and the soluble solids to acidity ratio significantly lower in PLMVd fruit. Control fruit had a slightly higher pH.


Author(s):  
Ankita Anu ◽  
Ravindra Kumar ◽  
Bishun Deo Prasad ◽  
G. S. Yadav

Study of morphological and yield characters of different genotypes of mango are easy and convenient methods to identify promising and desired genotype during breeding programme. So, keeping in view, the trial was conducted under the experimental area of  BAU, Sabour with objective of morphological and yields characterization of the variants of cv. Langra during the year 2012-13. The variants of cv. Langra significantly varied in respect of tree height(6.20 m to 11.40 m), trunk girth (95.00 cm to 280.00 cm), tree spread (East-West: 8.45 m to 17.40 m, North-South: 9.15 m to 17.05 m), duration of flowering (16.00 days to 20.00 days), fruit maturity (101.00 days to 123.00 days), fruit size(length: 8.58 to 13.66 cm, breadth: 6.39 to 10.87 cm), fruit weight (182.20 g to 843.90 g), fruit volume (171.40 ml to 699.40 ml), numbers of fruit per tree (32.50 to 1127.00 fruits)  and fruit yield per tree (10.95 to 358.83 kg). These results shows the significant variations in genetic level of different variants of cv. Langra, which can be used for introduction of superior variant and further, it can also be used in breeding programs.


HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 550-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven McArtney ◽  
J.D. Obermiller ◽  
A. Green

A series of four experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effects of individual and combined applications of prohexadione-Ca (P-Ca) and GA4+7 primarily on fruit russet, but also on fruit set, fruit weight, early season shoot growth, and fruit maturity of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.). A single application of P-Ca (138 to 167 mg·L−1) at petal fall (PF) reduced the severity of russet in three of the four experiments; however, multiple applications of 20 ppm GA4+7 at 10-day intervals beginning at PF generally reduced russet more effectively than P-Ca. P-Ca did not reduce the efficacy of GA4+7 sprays for russet reduction. However, GA4+7 sprays reduced the inhibitory effects of P-Ca on shoot growth measured 30 days after PF. A single application of P-Ca at PF had no effect on mean fruit weight at harvest. Fruit size was lowest for the combined P-Ca and GA4+7 treatment in every experiment, although there was a significant interaction between P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays on mean fruit weight in only one experiment. There were no consistent effects of P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays, alone or in combination, on fruit maturity parameters at harvest. These data show that a single application of P-Ca at PF reduced russet severity, and the effects of P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays on russet can be additive. The economic benefits resulting from a reduction in russet severity after combined P-Ca and GA4+7 sprays will need to be balanced against their occasional negative effect on fruit size. Chemical names used: prohexadione-calcium [3-oxido-4-propionyl-5-oxo-3 cyclohexenecarboxylate formulated as Apogee (27.5% a.i.)].


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 632-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Grey ◽  
David C. Bridges ◽  
D. Scott NeSmith

Field studies were conducted in 1993, 1994, and 1996 to determine the tolerance of several cultivars of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) to various rates and methods of application of clomazone, ethalfluralin, and pendimethalin. Applying herbicides preplant soil incorporated (PPI), preemergence (PRE), at seedling emergence (SE), or early postemergence (EPOT) resulted in plant injury that varied from 0% to 98%. Ethalfluralin and pendimethalin (PPI) at 1.12 kg·ha–1 a.i. resulted in the greatest stand and yield reductions across all cultivars. Fruit number and weight declined for all cultivars in 1993 and 1994 as the amount of pendimethalin applied PRE was increased. Zucchini (`Senator') fruit size was significantly reduced for the first three harvests in 1993 by PRE application of pendimethalin or PPI application of ethalfluralin, at all rates. Yellow squash (`Dixie') fruit size was unaffected by herbicide treatment for any harvests during 1993 or 1996. Yellow and zucchini squash yield, fruit number, and average fruit weight were equal to, or greater than, those of the untreated control for PRE clomazone using either the emulsifiable concentrate formulation (EC) during 1993, 1994, and 1996 or the microencapsulated formulation (ME) during 1996. Foliar bleaching and stunting by clomazone was evident in early-season visual observations and ratings, but the effect was transient. Foliar bleaching by clomazone PPI (1.12 kg·ha–1 a.i.) was more evident in `Senator' zucchini, and yield was significantly reduced in 1993. These effects of clomazone PPI were not evident in 1994 for either `Elite' or `Senator' zucchini squash. Chemical names used: 2-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4, 4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone (clomazone); N-ethyl-N-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzenamine (ethalfluralin); N-(1-ethylopropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine (pendimethalin).


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 208f-209
Author(s):  
Chris B. Watkins ◽  
Randolph M. Beaudry ◽  
Terence L. Robinson ◽  
Alan N. Lakso

ReTain™, a commercial plant growth regulator containing aminoethoxyvinylglycine, an inhibitor of ethylene production, was applied 4 weeks before normal harvest to `Jonagold' trees and the effects on fruit maturity and quality at harvest, and quality after air and controlled atmosphere storage was investigated. When fruit were harvested from 3 to 6 weeks after treatment, fruit ripening was inhibited as indicated by lower internal ethylene concentrations, delayed starch hydrolysis, and lower levels of skin greasiness. A number of factors indicated that other aspects of fruit metabolism were affected by the compound. Treated fruit were softer than nontreated fruit at the first harvest, and the benefits of ReTain on firmness appeared only at the later harvests. Also, at each harvest date, average fruit weight of ReTain-treated fruit was lower than nontreated fruit. We have investigated the possibility the ReTain and/or the accompanying surfactant, Silwet, inhibited leaf photosynthesis, thereby leading to altered carbon metabolism. Trees were unsprayed, or sprayed with surfactant, and ReTain plus surfactant. No treatment effects on photosynthesis were detected. However, leaf photosynthesis rates were generally low and quite variable. Measurements of fruit diameter confirmed that the increase in fruit volume following treatment was ≈2% less on the ReTain plus surfactant-treated fruit than nontreated fruit. The increase in fruit volume for the Silwet treatment was ≈1.5% less than in untreated fruit. The data indicates a rapid change in fruit volume as fruit changed in color. Inhibition of ethylene by ReTain may be an important factor influencing fruit size.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 600c-600
Author(s):  
Gregory L. Reighard ◽  
David R. Ouellette

Survival of peach flowers during spring or winter freezes and large fruit size at harvest are critical for profitable peach production in the Southeast. Delaying both bud swell in late winter and flower phenology in spring reduces the risk of flower bud death from cold temperatures. Preliminary research in Tennessee using soybean oil (SO) as a dormant oil spray in place of Superior oil showed SO delayed peach bloom, thinned flower buds, and increased fruit size. In 1997, a `Harvester' peach orchard in Monetta, S.C., and a `Redhaven' orchard near Clemson, S.C., were sprayed in early February with 0%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12% SO mixed with 1% (by volume) Latron B-1956. Number of dead flower buds and the flower bud stages for each SO treatment were recorded during the first pink to full bloom flowering period. Excess fruit were hand-thinned in late April. Fruit set, maturity date, weight, and yield/tree were taken. Bud death increased from 14% (control) to 17% to 20% at the 8%, 10%, and 12% SO rates for `Redhaven' and from 13% (control) to 21% at the 10% and 12% rates for `Harvester'. Phenology was delayed 3-4 days for `Redhaven' at 8%, 10%, and 12% SO, but no differences were noted in the `Harvester' trees. No differences in fruit maturity occurred. Fruit weight and yield/tree was higher for all `Harvester' SO treatments and the `Redhaven' 10% and 12% SO treatments. No shoot phytotoxicity was observed.


Author(s):  
A. K. Pathan ◽  
M. S. Depar ◽  
M. W. Kalroo ◽  
I. A. Rajput ◽  
R. Ahmed

Current study was carried out for adaptability and response of newly introduced jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) variety in desert area of district Umerkot, Sindh with poor quality groundwater (>3500 ppm TSS). Aim of the study was to acclimatize this variety under harsh conditions to uplift the socio-economic situation of local population. The study was carried out for five consecutive fruiting seasons viz. flowering and fruiting season 2013-2014 to 2017-2018. The results revealed that during first fruiting season 2014-15, there were only three branches plant-1, 154 to 239 fruits branch-1, 462 to 879 fruits plant-1, 25.5 to 46.7 g fruit weight, 8.4 to 9.2 mm fruit size, 4.1 to 7.7 kg fruit yield plant-1 and 442.8 to 831.6 kg fruit yield acre-1. But from the third year to onwards i.e from 2015 to 2018 a continuous increase was observed for all characters studied like number of branches plant-1 increased from 5 to 8, number of fruits branch-1 increased from 339 to 375, total fruits plant-1 increased from 1695 to 2538, weight of fruit was increased from 58.6 to 107.15 g, size of fruit increased from 9.2 to 9.8 mm, yield plant-1 was increased from 11.0 to 31.45 kg, yield acre-1 was increased from 1188 to 3396 kg and water use efficiency increased from 2.7 to 10.6 kg m3. Considering the above results, it was concluded that Ziziphus fruit yield, weight and size increases from third year to onwards significantly on brackish water and soil of arid areas of Thar. Pruning each year after fruit harvesting was found to be essential. As this plant with stands in harsh climate of Thar desert successfully, so it provides food in the form of fruits, fodder through leaves and wood for fuel and shelter for humans and animals, thus it will be helpful to the people of Thar in terms of malnutrition, food scarcity and climate change, as well.


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