scholarly journals Performance of Component Species in Three Apple-Berry Polyculture Systems

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1601-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina M. Rivera ◽  
Martin F. Quigley ◽  
Joseph C. Scheerens
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Apple Tree ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Plant Spacing ◽  
Lonicera Caerulea ◽  
Tree Fruit ◽  
Edible Landscape

The commercial and ornamental potential of three apple-berry polyculture systems was ascertained by monitoring the above-ground performance of component species in plots of `GoldRush' apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) trees on M.7 rootstock cropped with either blackberry (Rubus spp. L. `Navaho'), edible honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L. `Blue Belle' and `Blue Velvet'), or jostaberry (Ribes nidigrolaria Bauer `Josta') as understory plants. Polyculture plots and corresponding monoculture controls were established in 1999, with berry plants at recommended (R) or close [(C), half-recommended] spacings. Blackberries and jostaberries planted in monoculture at recommended spacings [i.e., control (R) plots] amassed dry weights >1 kg/plant by Fall 2001; the dry weight of edible honeysuckle from comparable plots was slightly >0.3 kg/plant. In 2001, blackberry yield (3.1 kg/plant) and fruit weight (3.4 g) were typical of `Navaho' plantings of similar age, whereas jostaberry was only moderately productive (yield = 286 g/plant; fruit weight = 1.4 g). Edible honeysuckle productivity (yield = 13 g/plant, fruit weight = 0.5 g) was minimal, due to disparate flowering phenology between cultivars. `GoldRush' apple growth and productivity (yield = 25 kg/tree; fruit weight = 158 g) was consistent with values expected for trees of similar age. Blackberry plant dry weights were reduced by 20% to 33% when planted at close spacing, whereas blackberry yields were reduced 35% to 38% when grown in polyculture with apple. Both polyculture and plant spacing significantly reduced jostaberry dry weights (i.e., 12% and 24%, respectively) relative to the control, but neither significantly affected jostaberry yield. Conversely, both close-spaced planting and the presence of an apple tree improved the yield of edible honeysuckle. Apple performance was not affected by the presence of an edible honeysuckle understory, but apple growth factors were reduced in blackberry and jostaberry polycultures by as much as 65%. Apple bloom, fruit set, and yield were also significantly reduced in apple-blackberry and apple-jostaberry plots, with fruit numbers/tree averaging <5 in all except the apple-blackberry (C) treatment. None of the polyculture treatments studied were suitable for profitable fruit production. However, each of the polyculture constituents exhibited unique, beneficial attributes with respect to their use as components within an edible landscape.

scholarly journals Particle Film Application Influences Apple Leaf Physiology, Fruit Yield, and Fruit Quality

2001 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Michael Glenn ◽  
Gary J. Puterka ◽  
Stephen R. Drake ◽  
Thomas R. Unruh ◽  
Allen L. Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Carbon Assimilation ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Leaf Physiology ◽  
Malus Sylvestris ◽  
Tree Fruit

Particle film technology is a developing pest control system for tree fruit production systems. Trials were performed in Santiago, Chile, and York Springs, Pa., Wenatchee and Yakima, Wash., and Kearneysville, W. Va., to evaluate the effect of particle treatments on apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh) Manst.] leaf physiology, fruit yield, and fruit quality. Leaf carbon assimilation was increased and canopy temperatures were reduced by particle treatments in seven of the eight trials. Yield and/or fruit weight was increased by the particle treatments in seven of the eight trials. In Santiago and Kearneysville, a* values of the fruit surface were more positive in all trials although a* values were not increased in Wenatchee and Yakima. Results indicate that particle film technology is an effective tool in reducing heat stress in apple trees that may result in increased yield potential and quality.

Reproductive biology of Monttea aphylla (Scrophulariaceae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Tadey
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Distributional Range ◽  
Pollinator Assemblage ◽  
Oil Flowers ◽  
Floral Syndromes

Monttea aphylla is an aphyllus shrub abundant in the Monte Desert, Argentina. This species presents particular floral syndromes including violet, tubular flowers with trichome elaiophores that produce oil. Oil flowers are associated with specialised bees with an oil-collecting apparatus. To better understand the reproductive biology of M. aphylla, the mating system, flowering phenology, the associated pollinator assemblage and foraging behaviour was determined at the southern-most part of its distributional range. Results were compared with those of previous studies and discussed. At this southern location M. aphylla is a self-incompatible species; it relies on pollinators for fruit production and presented a low fruit set. Flowering occurred during the spring, from October to December. M. aphylla was pollinated by three species of bees (Apidae); two generalist species (Centris brethesi and Mesonychium jenseni) and one specialist to M. aphylla (Centris vardyorum). M. jenseni is a cleptoparasite of Centris species. Centris species are oil-collecting bees and showed territorial behaviour (i.e. they always visited a restricted group of plants which they protected from other visitors), they visited several flowers/plants, which enhanced geitonogamous self-pollination and reduced pollination efficiency, and which might explain the low natural fruit set observed in M. aphylla. C. vardyorum was the most important pollinator of M. aphylla in the study area. The reproductive biology of M. aphylla differs along its distributional range. Apparently, southern populations of M. aphylla are more specialised than the northern populations, the former being pollinated by a few related pollinator species whereas at the northern location a variety of visitors were observed.

scholarly journals The Study of Pollination and Fruit Set and Determination Suitable Pollinizers for Two Iranian Commercial Apple Cultivars Golab Kohanz and Shafiabadi

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 797D-797
Author(s):  
Alireza Talaie* ◽  
Ahmad Ershadi ◽  
Ali Vezvaei
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Self Pollination ◽  
Seed Content ◽  
Pollen Sources ◽  
Apple Cultivars

In order to study pollination and fruit set and determine the best pollinizers for two Iranian apple cultivars, Golab Kohanz and Shafiabadi, experiments were conducted during two years. Different pollen sources including pollen of cultivars Golab Isfahan, Golab Kohanz, Mashhad Nouri, Shafiabadi and also open pollination were used. Pollen sources had significant effects on fruit set, fruit weight, diameter, shape, dry weight, total soluble solids (TSS), sugar and seed contents in cv. Golab Kohanz. Trees pollinated by pollen of Shafiabadi had highest fruit set, fruit weight, diameter, shape, dry weight, TSS., sugar, and seed content. Pollen sources significantly affected fruit set, fruit weight, diameter, shape, and seed content in cv. Shafiabadi. The highest fruit set, fruit weight, diameter, and seed content was resulted from flowers pollinated by Golab Kohanz. Golab Kohanz and Shafiabadi had 3.3% and 0.5% fruit set from self pollination, respectively, and seemed to be completely incompatible. Fruit resulted from self pollination were generally small and of low quality. Regardless to fruits obtained from pollination, different pollen sources had small effects on fruit quality. The results indicated that cvs. Shafiabadi and Mashad Nouri are the best pollinizers for Golab Kohanz and Golab Kohanz was superior pollinizers for Shafiabadi.

scholarly journals CREATING A RESPONSE SURFACE FOR FRUIT SET AND FRUIT PRODUCTION IN TOMATOES GROWN AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 759c-759
Author(s):  
Mary M. Peet ◽  
Suguru Sato
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Dependence ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Temperature Treatment ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Night Temperature ◽  
Seed Content ◽  
Production Effects

Global temperature increases are predicted over the next several decades. Earth surface temperatures in 1995 were the highest ever recorded. At day temperatures above 30C or night temperatures above 21C, tomato fruit production decreases. However, the temperature dependence of fruit production has not been described in terms of whether day temperatures, night temperatures, or mean temperatures are the most limiting. The process or tissue most sensitive to heat and most limiting to fruit production is also not known. The objectives of this experiment are to establish the temperature dependence of fruit set in tomatoes and to determine the importance of post-pollen production effects. We imposed a total of nine temperature treatments in a series of four separate experiments. Each experiment consisted of a 30/24C treatment and two other day/night temperature combinations with differing means and/or day/night temperature differentials. As mean daily temperature increased from 25 to 29C, fruit set, fruit number, total fruit weight, and seediness index (a quantitative rate of fruit seed content) declined. Temperature treatments did not affect average fruit weight. Higher mean temperatures promoted flowering except at the highest temperature. Mean temperature was more important than day/night temperature differentials or the specific daytime or nighttime temperature treatment.

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.

Seasonal variation in air temperature drives reproductive phenology of entomophilous plants in a cool-temperate mire community

Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Y. Ida ◽  
Gaku Kudo
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Fruit Development ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Reproductive Phenology ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Cool Temperate

Phenological responses of plants to temperature dynamics are receiving attention due to the ongoing climate change. Most previous phenological studies have focused on flowering phenology rather than fruiting phenology. However, at mid-latitudes, the air temperature periodically changes during the growing period of plants. Hence, cool temperatures early and late in the growing period may affect reproductive success through pollination and fruit-development processes. To evaluate the linkages between reproductive phenology and success, we compared the phenologies, photosynthetic capacities, and fruit-set rates among 25 species within a cool-temperate community in northern Japan. The ambient temperature during the flowering periods of individual species increased with delays in flowering-onset time, whereas the ambient temperature during fruit-development periods was highest for species which bloomed in July. Fruit-set success among species was positively correlated with the ambient temperatures during the reproductive periods, and with the photosynthetic capacity. Fruit production of early-blooming species was limited by cool temperatures during the flowering period, presumably because of low pollinator activity, whereas that of late-blooming species was limited by cool temperatures during the fruit-development period because of slow fruit-development (i.e., sink limitation). Thus, limiting factors of fruit production varied depending on the flowering phenology of individual species within a community.

Individual flowering schedule, fruit set, and flower and seed predation in Vaccinium hirtum Thunb. (Ericaceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzuki Mahoro
Keyword(s):  
Seed Predation ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
Quantitative Indices ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Flowering phenology is a trait that determines, in part, the reproductive success of plants. In this study, the variation in flowering schedule among individuals in four subpopulations of Vaccinium hirtum Thunb. (Ericaceae) and the effects of pollinators, flower predators, and predispersal seed predators on fruit production of individuals for 2 years were investigated. To describe variation in the flowering schedule among individuals, new methods for calculating two quantitative indices, rank order and degree of synchrony with others, are presented. The methods are suitable for quantifying between-individual differences in the synchronous schedule of a temperate spring-bloom species. The 2-year phenological census showed that there was variation in flowering schedule within local subpopulations. In all subpopulations, the flowering rank was retained for 2 years, and in two subpopulations, the relative synchrony of individuals was also retained. Correlation analysis between flowering schedule and fruit set suggested that early-flowering individuals were at a disadvantage regarding pollinator availability. However, weevil and fly larvae attacks often counteracted the disadvantage; later-flowering individuals were predated more intensively than early-flowering ones. The response of V. hirtum subpopulations to the selection pressure against early flowering may be disturbed by temporal and spatial variations in the influence of pollinators and predators.Key words: flowering schedule, phenotypic variation, pollination, predispersal seed predation, flower predation, Vaccinium.

scholarly journals Pumpkin Growth, Flowering, and Fruiting Response to Nitrogen and Potassium Sprinkler Fertigation in Sandy Soil

1994 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Swiader ◽  
Stanley K. Sipp ◽  
Ronald E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Female Flowers

Field studies were conducted in 1987 and 1988 to determine the effect of various sprinkler-applied N-K fertigation treatments and 196N-280K (kg·ha-1) dry-blend application on pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir.) flower development, fruit set, vine growth, and marketable yield response in a Plainfield sand. The number of male and female flowers that reached anthesis by 72 days after seeding (DAS) was highest with either 112N-112K or 112N-224K fertigation. Fertigation using either 56N-112K or 168N-224K delayed the start of flowering and reduced the total number of male and female flowers produced by 72 DAS. Fruit set decreased at the low N-K fertigation rate (56N-112K), but otherwise was unaffected by N-K fertility regime. Vine dry weight and stem elongation increased as the N fertigation rate increased, with relatively little effect from fertigated K. There was no field indication of excessive vegetative growth in any of the fertigation treatments. Highest yields of early set marketable fruit (pumpkins that set before 65 DAS), and total marketable yields were obtained with fertigation of 112N, in combination with either 112 or 224 kg·ha-1 fertigated K. Usable green and cull fruit production increased with increasing N-K fertigation rate. Dry-blend application of 196N-280K decreased early and total yields significantly. The results showed that sprinkler-applied 112N-112K split into five fertigations during the growing season (supplemented with a preplant dry-blend application of 28N-56K) produced high yields without compromising early fruit maturity.

scholarly journals 404 Cowpea Cover Crop Mulch Controls Weeds in Transplanted Bell Peppers

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 462D-462
Author(s):  
Milton E. McGiffne ◽  
Chad Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Production System ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Drip Line ◽  
Pepper Plant ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Pepper Plants

A 2-year field project was conducted in Thermal, Calif., on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) mulch as an alternative weed control option in pepper (Capsicum annuum) production. Treatments included a bare ground production system with hand weeding, bare ground with no weeding, a cowpea mulch production system with hand weeding, and cowpea mulch with no weeding. Cowpea was seeded in July in 76-cm beds and irrigated with a buried drip line. In September, irrigation water was turned off to dry cowpea plants. The cowpea plants then were cut at the soil-line to form mulch. Pepper plants were transplanted into mulch and fertilized through the drip line. Every 2 weeks, the number of weeds emerged and pepper plant heights were recorded. In December, fruit production, pepper plant dry weight, and weed dry weight were recorded. Fewer weeds emerged in the cowpea mulch than the conventional bare ground system. At harvest, weed populations in nonweeded cowpea mulch were reduced 80% and 90% compared to nonweeded bare ground for 1997 and 1998, respectively. Weed dry weights in nonweeded treatments were 67% and 90% less than weed dry weights in nonweeded bare ground over the same period. Pepper plants in cowpea mulch produced 202% and 156% more dry weight than on bare ground in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Pepper plants in cowpea mulch produced more fruit weight than in bare ground with similar fruit size. Cowpea mulch provided season-long weed control without herbicides while promoting plant growth and fruit production.

scholarly journals BELL PEPPER GROWTH AND PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY END-OF-DAY SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHT-PRIMING OF TRANSPLANTS

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 857b-857
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Decoteau ◽  
Heather H. Friend
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Capsicum Annuum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Growth Effects ◽  
Residual Growth ◽  
Pepper Plants

The influence of end-of-day (EOD) supplemental light-priming on pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Keystone Resistant Giant No. 3) transplants was investigated for possible residual growth effects on subsequent plant growth and fruit production. Greenhouse grown pepper transplants were fluorescent light-primed for one hour prior to dusk for three weeks in 1988 and four weeks in 1989 and then transplanted to the field. EOD fluorescent light-priming of pepper plants reduced the height, leaf area, dry weight, fruit number, and fruit weight as compared to non-treated plants prior to first harvest. EOD fluorescent light-priming of pepper transplants had little effect on early and total fruit production. These results suggest that EOD fluorescent light-priming of transplants that affect early pepper growth in the field have little residual influence on subsequent fruit production.

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