scholarly journals Relationships Between Yield, Crop Density Coefficient and Average Fruit Weight in `Lobo' Apple Trees Under Various Planting Systems and Irrigation Treatments

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waldemar Treder ◽  
Augustyn Mika
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Soil Water Potential ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Crop Density ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Planting Method ◽  
Density Coefficient

`Lobo' apple (Malus {XtimesX} domestica) trees grafted on Malling 26 (M.26) were planted on flat ground or on raised beds covered with black polyethylene. In both planting systems trees were drip irrigated to maintain soil water potential within the range of 0 to -0.02 MPa (0 to -0.3 lb/inch2) or were left without irrigation. Planting methods and irrigation influenced tree growth. Standard planted trees and irrigated trees grew stronger, whereas planted on beds less vigorously, irrespective to irrigation. The yield of all trees increased with time until the fourth year of production. Fruit size decreased as yield increased. Also lack of irrigation considerably reduced average fruit weight. Yield and trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) measurements were used to calculate crop density coefficient (CD). CD values varied considerably between the treatments showing their dependence on planting method, irrigation and tree age. In most cases, the correlation coefficient between CD and average fruit weight were negative, indicatingthat the weight of individual fruit decreased with increasing numbers of fruit per unit of TCA. We question whether CD coefficient may be universally used under wide range of environmental conditions and cultural practices.

Tree Growth, Fruit Size, and Yield Response of Mature Peach to Weed-Free Intervals

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. MacRae ◽  
Wayne E. Mitchem ◽  
David W. Monks ◽  
Michael L. Parker ◽  
Roger K. Galloway
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Peach Tree ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Lambsquarters ◽  
Smooth Pigweed ◽  
Large Crabgrass

An experiment was conducted at one location in 1999 and two locations in 2000 to determine the critical weed-free period for peach in North Carolina. The cultivars for the three locations were ‘Contender’, ‘Norman’, and ‘Summerprince’. Weed-free intervals of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wk after peach tree bloom were established. Paraquat at 1.1 kg ai/ha plus nonionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v was applied every 10 d, after treatments were initiated at peach bloom, to maintain weed-free plots. Large crabgrass, hairy vetch, and smooth crabgrass were the primary weeds in Contender. Horseweed, smooth crabgrass, and large crabgrass were the primary weeds in Norman. Bermudagrass, smooth pigweed, and common lambsquarters were the primary weeds in Summerprince. No differences in trunk cross-sectional area were observed between the weed-free periods. Maintaining the orchard floor weed-free for 12 wk after peach tree bloom resulted in the greatest fruit size (individual fruit weight and diameter), total yield, and fruit number.

scholarly journals Flower Thinning of the Pear Cultivar `Abbé Fetel' with Lime Sulphur

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 792C-792
Author(s):  
Patricia I. Garriz* ◽  
Hugo L. Alvarez ◽  
Graciela M. Colavita ◽  
María S. Gajdos
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Logistic Models ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Commercial Harvest ◽  
Lime Sulphur ◽  
Flower Thinning

Flower thinning of pears has advantages over fruit thinning in that the earlier it is performed the greater the potential effect on fruit size. At the Comahue National Univ. in Argentina (lat. 38°56' 67°59'W), lime sulphur was evaluated as flower thinner on 10-year-old `AbbAbbé Fetel' (Pyrus communis L.) pear trees trained to palmette leader. Cultural practices were similar to those of commercial orchards in the High Valley. Treatments were 1) control, and 2) 7% lime sulphur, applied on 16 Sept. 2002 (30% bloom) using an orchard sprayer. Fruit diameter (FD) was recorded two weekly (n = 20 per date and treatment). At 144 days after full bloom (DAFB), or initial commercial harvest, crop load, fruit weight and the maturity indices were determined. Fruits were then graded into size categories. Growth equations were developed with SYSTAT procedure and mean separations were computed with Student's t-test. Mean FD was significantly increased by the lime sulphur sprays, starting from 115 DAFB. Logistic models best fitted the fruit growth vs. time curves. The equation was: FD = 77.87/1+e2.26-0.03DAFB (R2 = 0.97), for the non-thinned trees. Treatment 2 increased the percentage of fruits ≥70mm by 42.16%. At 144 DAFB, thinned trees showed firmer fruits than the controls (64.4 vs. 61.7 N) and there were no statistical differences among treatments in soluble solids concentration and starch index; the values were 11.5 °Brix and 3.55, respectively, for the control fruits. Consequently, our data indicate that lime sulphur applied at 30% bloom was an effective practice to thin `Abbé Fetel' pears and to enhance fruit quality at ripening.

scholarly journals Peach Latent Mosaic Viroid Reduces Tree Growth and Affects Fruit Quality in Peach

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 850C-850
Author(s):  
Gregory Reighard* ◽  
David Ouellette ◽  
Kathy Brock ◽  
Duy Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Dot Blot ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Fruit ◽  
Fruit Maturity

`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.

scholarly journals Native Variation in Bloom and Crop Density in Spur-type `Delicious' and Effect of Ethephon Applied in High Crop Years

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1096D-1097
Author(s):  
Martin J. Bukovac ◽  
Jerry Hull ◽  
Paolo Sabbatini
Keyword(s):  
Apple Tree ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Crop Load ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Crop Density ◽  
Return Bloom

For studies on blossom/fruit thinning in apple, tree selection is often based on uniformity of bloom/crop load, assuming that such trees exhibit greater uniformity to treatment. However, the literature is replete with data showing marked variation for a given treatment. We followed variation in bloom/crop density of spur-type `Delicious'/MM.106 and effect of ethephon applied in high crop years on return bloom/yield. Uniform trees (n = 95), under identical cultural practices, were selected for varying crop load. Return bloom, yield and fruit size were monitored over six years. General mean (X) for yield was 94 ± 25 kg/tree and bloom density, rated 1 to 10 (highest), was 5.4 ± 1.7. Annual yield deviated from X by +56 to –40% and bloom density by +49 to –42%. All trees were ranked (decreasing yield) and assigned to five percentile (PCTL) groups (1st, 81-100; 2nd, 61-80; 3rd, 41-60; 4th, 21-40; 5th, 0-20 kg/tree). Trees in each group were reassigned annually to the five PCPL groups for the next five years. Of trees in 1st PCTL (n = 19, X = 187 ± 10 kg/tree) in year one, 5, 5, 24, 0 and 63% placed in PCPL 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, in year two. Of trees in 1st PCTL (5%) in year two, all placed in PCTL 2 in year three. Effect of ethephon [200 mg·L-1 at 3, 3 + 6, 3 + 6 + 9 weeks after full bloom (WAFB)] applied in on years to `Redchief', with strong alternate bearing, were evaluated for six years. Ethephon at 3 WAFB had no effect. Yield from multiple applications differed from control (NTC) in off years, but not from each other. Total yield (3 on + 3 off years) for the NTC and ethephon at 3 + 6 WAFB was similar (479 vs. 471 kg/tree). However, 64% of the total yield was produced in the on years and 36% in the off years in NTC vs. 56 and 44% in 3 + 6 WAFB, respectively.

scholarly journals Response of Long- and Short-vine Tropical Pumpkins to Varying Cultural Practices

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 884A-884
Author(s):  
J. Irizarry-Morales ◽  
L. Wessel-Beaver ◽  
D. Maynard ◽  
G. Elmstrom
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Cucurbita Moschata ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Planting Method ◽  
Planting Distance

Three field experiments were carried out in Lajas, Puerto Rico, to compare the effects of planting method (direct and transplant), plastic mulch (with and without), and planting density (1.8 x 1.8 m, 3.6 x 0.9 m, 1.8 x 0.9 m between and within rows) on production of short-and long-vined tropical pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata). The long-vine genotype produced greater yields and larger but fewer fruit than the short-vine genotype. However, most of the planting densities tested were probably not optimum for short-vine cultivars. Direct seeding of pumpkin was more efficient than transplanting and resulted in the same early and total yield as transplanting. Yields with plastic-covered banks were similar to yields without the use of plastic. However, use of plastic mulch increased the number of fruit and decreased the average fruit weight in the plots. The best planting distance depended on the type of genotype used. The long-vine genotype had the highest yields at 1.8 x 1.8 m, while the short-vine cultivar performed best with half that amount of space per plant (1.8 x 0.9 m). Production of short-vine cultivars might be improved by using even narrower planting distances.

scholarly journals Cropping Efficiency of Young `Fuji' Apple Trees

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 886A-886
Author(s):  
Preston K. Andrews ◽  
Margaret L. Collier
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Crop Load ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Crop Density ◽  
Fuji Apple

Effects of crop load and time of thinning on productivity of young `Fuji'/M.9 apple trees were tested by hand blossom (B) or fruit (F) thinning to two crop densities (fruit number/trunk cross-sectional area). Heavy (H) crop densities resulted in higher yields in both 2nd and 3rd leaf than light (L) crop densities. Time of thinning had no effect on yields in either year. In the 2nd leaf, fruit size was largest from trees B thinned to L crop densities, and smallest from trees F thinned to either crop density from mid-June through harvest. Both 1° and 2° vegetative growth were greatest in noncropped trees, intermediate in trees with L crops, and least in trees with H crops. Noncropped 2nd-1eaf trees had the highest flowering indices (flower clusters/100 total buds) the following spring and H cropped trees had the lowest. The flowering index was higher when trees were B thinned in the 2nd leaf than when F thinned. In the 3rd leaf, fruit size was largest when borne on weak upright shoots, intermediate on spurs, and smallest on 1-year-old terminal wood. Fruit on spurs had the highest incidence of sunscald (17%) and fruit on weak upright shoots the lowest (8%). Previous-season crop densities affected current-season's vegetative and fruit growth.

scholarly journals Growth, fruit size, yield performance and micronutrient status of plum trees (Prunus domestica L.)

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 559-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Milošević ◽  
N. Milošević
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Optimum Concentration ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Prunus Domestica ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Performance ◽  
Nutritional Values ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
Micronutrient Concentration

This study was carried out to determine the growth, fruit size, yield performance and leaf micronutrient status of four Serbian cultivars originated from Fruit Research Institute in Cacak [Čačanska rana (ČRA), Čačanska lepotica (ČLE), Čačanska najbolja (ČNA), Čačanska rodna (ČRO)] and six introduced cultivars [Ruth Gerstetter (RGE), Stanley (STA), Agen (AGE), Opal (OPA), Bluefree (BLU), Violeta (VIO)] grafted on suckers of local plum cultivar Belošljiva with high density under limited soil conditions of Cacak (Western Serbia). The highest trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) was recorded in ČNA and the lowest in ČLE. The higher fruit weight (FW) was registered in ČRA and lower in AGE. The most productive cultivars per tree and hectare were STA and ČRO, respectively. All cultivars showed significant differences regarding leaf micronutrient concentration and deviation to the optimum concentration (DOP). ČRO and AGE showed a wider and best balance in leaf nutritional values, respectively.  

scholarly journals A Statistical Model to Estimate Potential Yields in Peach before Bloom

2003 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Miranda Jiménez ◽  
J. Bernardo Royo Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Crop Density

Spring frosts are usual in many of Spain's fruit-growing areas, so it is common to insure crops against frost damage. After a frost, crop loss must be evaluated, by comparing what crop is left with the amount that would have been obtained under normal conditions. Potential crop must be evaluated quickly through the use of measurements obtainable at the beginning of the tree's growth cycle. During the years 1997 through 1999 and in 86 commercial plots of peach and nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], the following measurements were obtained: trunk cross-sectional area (TCA, cm2), trunk cross sectional area per hectare (TCA/ha), estimated total shoot length per trunk cross-sectional area (SLT, shoot m/cm2 TCA), crop density (CD, amount of fruit/cm2 TCA), fruit weight (FW, g), yield efficiency (YE, kg of fruit/cm2 TCA), yield per tree (Y, kg fruit/tree) and days between full bloom and harvest (BHP, days). CD and average FW were related to the rest of the variables through the use of multiple regression models. The models which provided the best fit were CD = SLT - TCA/ha and FW = SLT + BHP - CD. These models were significant, consistent, and appropriate for all three years. The models' predictive ability was evaluated for 32 different plots in 2001 and 2002. Statistical analysis showed the models to be valid for the forecast of orchards' potential yield efficiency, so that they represent a useful tool for early crop prediction and evaluation of losses due to late frosts.

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 174 Effect of Planting Method, Mulch, and Rowcover Combinations on Earliness, Yield, and Fruit Size of `Arriba' Watermelon

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 472B-472
Author(s):  
Michael E. Bartolo ◽  
Frank C. Schweissing
Keyword(s):  
Field Trial ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Premium Price ◽  
Direct Seeded ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Traditional Marketing ◽  
Planting Method

Colorado-grown watermelons command a premium price on the market based on their sweetness and overall flavor. Unfortunately, melon production is limited to mid-August through early September. This study was conducted to determine whether intensive production methods could enhance the traditional marketing period. The effects of different combinations of establishment methods, mulches, and rowcovers on `Arriba' (Hollar Seeds) watermelon growth and productivity were investigated in a field trial at the Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford, Colo. In 1997, the combinations of transplanting, clear plastic mulch, and perforated or slitted rowcovers produced the earliest harvest and highest yield and fruit weight. The first harvest of the earliest treatments occurred on 4 July. Direct-seeding through clear plastic mulch, both with and without rowcovers, also enhanced earliness relative to the traditional marketing period. However, compared to transplanting, yield and fruit weight were less if the crop was direct-seeded. Intensive plasticulture techniques could substantially increase the earliness of Colorado-grown watermelons. The increased cost of production would be easily off-set by higher productivity and early season prices

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document