Fruit Size, Yield, and Market Value of `GoldRush' Apple are Affected by Amount, Timing and Method of Nitrogen Fertilization

`GoldRush' is a new scab (Venturia inaequalis) resistant apple (Malus ×domestica) with excellent flavor and storage qualities that tends to produce small and russeted fruit. We investigated the effects of rate, timing, and method of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on `GoldRush' fruit size and quality during 1998-99. Fertilizer treatments were 1) no N fertilizer (control); 2) a low N rate of 45 kg·ha-1 (40.1 lb/acre) applied in April (LN-Apr); 3) a low N rate of 45 kg·ha-1 applied half in April and half in June (LN-Apr+Jun); 4) a high N rate of 90 kg·ha-1 (80.3 lb/acre) split in April and June (HN-Apr+Jun); 5) a high N rate of 90 kg·ha-1 applied in April, May, June, and July at 22.5 kg·ha-1 (20 lb/acre) each month (HN-Apr+May+Jun+Jul); and 6) canopy sprays of 1% (wt/wt) urea-N, equivalent to 7 kg·ha-1 (6.2 lb/acre) applied monthly in May, June, July, and August (foliar urea). In 1998, an additional foliar urea spray at 5% (wt/wt) concentration was applied to trees after harvest. The first year's Ntreatments did not affect relative average fruit weights or total yields, but unfertilized trees produced more fruit in smaller size categories. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in greener and softer fruit both years. In the second year, all N additions increased yields compared with controls, but average fruit weight was inversely correlated with crop load. Foliar urea sprays and HN-Apr+May+Jun+Jul treatments increased yields the most. Fruit from LN-fertilized trees were normally distributed across a range of eight box-count size categories, peaking at size 100 both years. In the unfertilized control, fruit size was skewed into smaller size categories and yield was reduced. Total yields were greatest in foliar urea and HN-Apr+May+Jun+Jul treatments, but fruit-size distribution was skewed into smaller categories, peaking at size 138 in the second year. Foliar urea and HN-Apr+May+Jun+Jul treatments produced the highest crop value, but when estimated labor and fertilizer costs were considered, foliar urea and LN-Apr+Jun were the most efficient treatments. Nitrogen fertilizer improved fruit size and market value, but average fruit size in all treatments remained relatively small in both years, indicating that N fertilization alone may not increase fruit size in `GoldRush.'

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EFFECT OF IRRIGATION TREATMENTS AND TIME OF FOLIAR-APPLIED UREA ON YIELD OF NAVEL ORANGE (CITRUS SINENSIS L. OSBECK)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.25.9.1112f ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 1112f-1112

Author(s):

Anwar G. Ali ◽

Carol J. Lovatt

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

First Year ◽

Navel Orange ◽

Commercial Practice ◽

Irrigation Treatments ◽

The University ◽

Orange Trees ◽

Foliar Urea

This study investigated the effect of irrigation treatments and time of foliar applications of low-biuret urea on yield of 30-yr-old navel orange trees grown under optimal N fertilization. The experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of California, Riverside, using split plot design with 12 replications. The two irrigation treatments were the mainplots and the urea applications were the subplots. Irrigation was withheld from one set of trees from October to March, the other set was irrigated according to commercial practice. Foliar-urea (0.17 kg/tree) was applied in November, December, January, or February.The results of the first year showed no significant differences between irrigation treatments with regard to total fruit weight or total number of fruit per tree, All trees receiving urea had significantly higher fruit weight and fruit number per tree than the control trees. The specific time of urea application had no significant effect.With respect to fruit size distribution, the irrigated treatment resulted in a significantly higher number of fruit of size 7.0-8.0 cm (box sizes 88-72). Generally, the non-irrigatd trees had more fruit of size 6.0 cm or less. No interaction between irrigation treatments and foliar urea sprays was observed.

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Opportunities of Reduced Nitrogen Supply for Productivity, Taste, Valuable Compounds and Storage Life of Cocktail Tomato

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7030048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Lilian Schmidt ◽

Jana Zinkernagel

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Storage Life ◽

High Yield ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

N Supply ◽

Valuable Compounds ◽

And Storage

Vegetable production requires high nutrient input for ensuring high quality and high yield. As this is ecologically disadvantageous, it is necessary to determine if nitrogen (N) fertilization can be reduced without negative effects on productivity. For quality reasons, the effects of reduced N supply on taste, valuable compounds and storage life must be elucidated in parallel. This study examines whether reducing the N supply of cocktail tomatoes by 50% to recommendations affects the yield and quality of tomato fruits. Three varieties with different skin colors, yellow-orange (‘Apresa’), red (‘Delioso’) and brown (‘Bombonera’), were grown in soil in a greenhouse and harvested at the red-ripen stage. Quality parameters were assessed at harvest and after eight-day storage. Total yield decreased exclusively with ‘Bombonera’ due to reduced fruit weight. Firmness of the fruit pulp, concentrations of minerals, soluble solid contents, total acidity, total phenolics and liposoluble pigments of fruits were not influenced. However, storage affected chemical compositions positively, as shown by increased antioxidants. Descriptive sensory analyses revealed no impact of reduced N supply. From the perspective of the yield, quality and shelf life of fruits, reducing the N supply by 50% offers opportunities for the three cocktail tomato varieties in soil cultivation.

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574 Nitrogen, Trunk Scoring, and AVG Treatments Influence Fruit Color and Quality of `Jonagold' Apple

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.495b ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 495B-495

Author(s):

James M. Wargo ◽

Ian Merwin ◽

Christopher Watkins

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Refrigerated Storage ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

Harvest Maturity ◽

Foliar Urea

`Jonagold' apple often has problems of inadequate red blush development at harvest, and loss of firmness and skin “greasiness” after refrigerated storage. During two growing seasons we tested factorial combinations of three preharvest treatments for managing these problems: 1) N fertilization (no applied N, 34 kg N/ha in May, or 1% (w/w) foliar urea sprays in May and June); 2) mid-summer trunk scoring (girdling); and 3) aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) applications 3 weeks prior to harvest. Fruit were harvested at four weekly intervals each year, and evaluated for size, blush, firmness, soluble solids, ethylene, and starch hydrolysis. Nitrogen delayed blush development in 1998, but not 1999, and there was no difference in fruit surface blush coverage between foliar urea and soil applied N. Nitrogen applications increased fruit size, decreased fruit firmness, and increased post-storage flesh breakdown in 1999. Trunk scoring increased blush coverage and intensity both years, and improved market-grade packouts. Blush increase after trunk scoring was not caused by advanced fruit maturity (based on ethylene and starch indices) in either year, although it did increase skin greasiness slightly. AVG treatments delayed maturity and blush development of `Jonagold' by 7 to 10 days both years, relative to untreated fruit. Flesh firmness increased and greasiness decreased in AVG treated fruit harvested on the same dates as controls. However, in AVG fruit harvested at comparable stages of maturity 7 to 10 days later, firmness and greasiness were equivalent to untreated fruit on the previous harvest date. Trunk scoring and no N fertilizer were effective for improving fruit blush coloration, and AVG for delaying harvest maturity.

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Fruit Size Affects Physiological Attributes and Storage Disorders in Cold-stored ‘Royal Gala’ Apples

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.48.12.1518 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (12) ◽

pp. 1518-1524 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jinwook Lee ◽

James P. Mattheis ◽

David R. Rudell

Keyword(s):

Cold Storage ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Storage Duration ◽

Ethylene Concentration ◽

Control Fruit ◽

Physiological Attributes ◽

Physical Changes ◽

And Storage ◽

Storage Disorders

‘Royal Gala’ apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] fruit can be susceptible to the development of postharvest disorders such as flesh breakdown and cracking (splitting) during and after cold storage. The objective of this research was to investigate fruit size and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment effects on fruit physiological attributes and incidence and severity of storage disorders in ‘Royal Gala’ apples held in cold storage. In 2011, fruit segregated at harvest into two groups based on size (120 to 175, 250 to 350 g/fruit) were stored in air at 0.5 °C for 6 months and then at 20 °C for 7 days. In 2012, fruit were sorted into four groups (less than 200, 200 to 240, 241 to 280, and greater than 280 g/fruit), treated with 0 or 1 μL·L−1 1-MCP for 12 hours, and then stored in air at 0.5 °C for 3 or 6 months. Storage disorders were only detected at 6 months, regardless of 1-MCP treatment. In both control and 1-MCP-treated fruit, flesh breakdown incidence increased with fruit size, whereas severity was less associated with size. The progression of flesh breakdown developed in overall cortex tissue of control fruit but only detected in the stem-end tissue of 1-MCP-treated fruit. Internal ethylene concentration (IEC) decreased and CO2 production increased with increased fruit weight; however, 1-MCP-treated fruit had low IEC regardless of weight. Cortex tissue lightness (L*) increased with fruit size irrespective of tissue localization (stem end, equatorial, calyx end) at harvest. During 6 months’ storage, L* decreased with increased fruit size in controls but not 1-MCP-treated fruit. Fruit fresh weight loss increased with fruit size and storage duration, more so in controls when compared with 1-MCP-treated fruit. Furthermore, fruit circumference increased during storage with fruit size only for control fruit. These physical changes are associated with susceptibility of large fruit to flesh breakdown more so than small fruit. Reduced flesh breakdown incidence, progression of symptoms from the stem end into the cortex, and symptom severity in 1-MCP-treated fruit may indicate flesh breakdown is related to fruit ripening and senescence.

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Nitrogen Fertigation Requirements of Drip-irrigated Strawberries

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.121.4.660 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 121 (4) ◽

pp. 660-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

George J. Hochmuth ◽

Earl E. Albregts ◽

Craig C. Chandler ◽

John Cornell ◽

Jay Harrison

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Leaf Blade ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Nitrate N ◽

Petiole Sap ◽

Polyethylene Mulch ◽

Leaf N

Strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) were grown in two seasons at Dover, Fla., with polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation. Nitrogen was injected weekly at 0.28 (50), 0.56 (100), 0.84 (150), 1.12 (200), and 1.40 (250) kg N/ha per day (kg·ha-1 for season) for `Oso Grande' and `Sweet Charlie' in 1991-92 season and for `Oso Grande' and `Seascape' in 1992-1993 season. Nitrogen fertilization in 1991-1992, over the range of 0.28 to 1.40 kg N/ha per day, had no significant effect on early (November to January) strawberry yields. March (the largest production month) yield and total-season yield increased with increasing N fertilization to 0.76 and 0.54 kg N/ha per day, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect yields of strawberry in 1992-93. Fruit firmness and average fruit weight were not affected by N fertilization from 0.28 to 1.40 kg N/ha per day. Nitrogen fertilization increased whole leaf N, leaf blade N, and petiole sap nitrate-N concentrations linearly for most sampling dates in both years. Early yields were greater for `Sweet Charlie' than `Oso Grande'. Yields were greater for `Oso Grande' during March, and total-season yields were similar for both cultivars in 1991-92. `Oso Grande' had greater early, March, and total yields than `Seascape' in 1992-93.

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ReTain Effects on Fruit Size, Maturity, and Storage Quality of' Jonagold' Apples

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.2.208f ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 208f-209

Author(s):

Chris B. Watkins ◽

Randolph M. Beaudry ◽

Terence L. Robinson ◽

Alan N. Lakso

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

Rapid Change ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Leaf Photosynthesis ◽

Commercial Plant ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Fruit Maturity ◽

Atmosphere Storage ◽

And Storage

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.

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Nutrient Supply Effects on the Fruit Quality of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/16/3315 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 230-235

Author(s):

József Racskó ◽

Gábor Drén ◽

Sándor Thurzó

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Fruit Size ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Nutrient Supply ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Apple Orchard ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Flesh Firmness ◽

Fruit Diameter

The aim of our two year study is to research the effect of nutrient supply on apple fruit quality, and to explore the relationships between selected fruit quality parameters.Observations were made in Kálmánháza (in the eastern part of Hungary), on a commercial apple orchard. In this experiment, we studied the nutrient supply reaction of four apple cultivars (Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Idared and Jonathan Csány) under different N and NPK doses. The following fruit quality parameters were studied: fruit diameter, fruit height, fruit weight, flesh firmness, colour-coverage and we studied the density of foliage.The research results showed that N fertilization has a great effect on fruit quality. This is shown in the cases of increase of fruit size (fruit diameter, fruit height, fruit weight). The increase is proportional with the N doses, accordingly the highest positive difference was observed by using 100 kg/ha N doses. It is important to note that moderate N doses (75 kg/ha) plus P and K additions also had positive effects. There approached the values of 100 kg/ha N, and even exceeded its values in the cultivar Golden Reinders. The increased N doses enlarged the standard deviation, on the other hand, this parameter was low in the cases of balanced NPK fertilization. The nutrient supply increased the vegetative area (density of foliage) in addition to the generative parts, in particular only N fertilizer. However the denser foliage hindered the growth of fruit weight and colour-coverage, and also decreased the fruit quality and the flesh firmness of cultivars, which have a negative effect on storageability.A linear correlation was demonstrated between the fruit weight and colour-coverage, or between fruit weight and flesh firmness. The character of their relationship was similar, but the direction differed: high fruit weight was with high colour-coverage, but with low flesh firmness.

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473 Effect of Panicle Pruning and Bioregulators on Fruit Size in `Kohala' Longan

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.475d ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 475D-475

Author(s):

R. Núñez-Elisea ◽

J.H. Crane ◽

M.L. Caldeira

Keyword(s):

Fruit Set ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Market Value ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Solid Content ◽

Soluble Solid Content ◽

Mature Fruit ◽

Equatorial Diameter ◽

Small Fruit ◽

Soluble Solid

Panicles of `Kohala' longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) trees often retain more than 250 fruit, which results in small fruit (<10 g) of reduced market value. During 1997 and 1998, we conducted experiments to increase fruit size in commercial groves. Trees flowered and fruited normally in 1997, but very scarcely and late in 1998. In 1997, treatments consisted of panicle pruning (clipping off half of the panicle) and/or removal of entire panicles (50% per tree) when young fruits were 5 or 10 mm in diameter. Control trees were left intact. The number of fruit per panicle varied greatly within trees. Panicles (pruned or intact) with <125 fruit generally developed fruit >15 g (32–33 mm equatorial diameter). Total soluble solid content of mature fruit generally decreased with increasing fruit size. Removing whole panicles did not increase average fruit size in remaining intact panicles, suggesting that panicles were fed primarily by leaves within the same branch. In 1998, treatments consisted of applications of GA3 and/or CPPU (a synthetic cytokinin) when fruits were 6 to 9 mm in diameter. Panicles were not pruned since they generally had <150 fruit. Control panicles were not sprayed. There was no consistent effect of treatments on average fruit weight, and no treatment significantly increased fruit size in relation to controls. These preliminary results indicate that other factors besides current fruit set, such as previous fruit load of a branch, branch position (exposure to sunlight and/or wind, and proximity to major limbs), and the amount/age of leaves, may influence the fruiting potential of individual branches.

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Effects of nitrogen fertilization on fruit yield and quality of processing tomatoes

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p03-099 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 865-871 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

J. Warner ◽

T. Q. Zhang ◽

X. Hao

Keyword(s):

Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

Fruit Size ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Available N ◽

Processing Tomato

Four processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars (CC337, H9230, H9492 and H9553) were field-grown in southwestern Ontario using five N fertilization rates in each of 4 yr (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1 in 1999 and 0, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha-1 in 2000, 2001 and 2002). Total fruit yield increased linearly as N rate was increased except in 2001, which was a dry year. Responses of marketable yield to fertilizer N rate were dependent on cultivar and the year. In years when sufficient soil water was available, N fertilizer rates of 200 kg ha-1 or higher were required to produce the maximum marketable yield for the four cultivars. In the dryer years, the response to fertilizer N rate was cultivar dependent, and the application of 150 to 200 kg N ha-1 was sufficient to maximize marketable yield. Fertilizer N above the rate required for maximum marketable yield increased green fruit yield at harvest. Nitrogen rate did not affect the soluble solids (SS) content, firmness, size or colour of marketable fruit. Differences in yield and fruit quality were noted among cultivars. H9553 was the highest-yielding cultivar. H9230 had the largest fruit size. CC337 generally had the best red fruit colour and the lowest percent SS. H9492 generally had the highest percent SS. To attain maximum marketable yields, it appears that N rates should be adjusted based on cultivars, anticipated rainfall levels and availability of irrigation. Key words: Lycopersicon esculentum, processing tomato, nitrogen fertilization, yield, quality

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Efficacy of an Eco-Friendly Bloom Thinning Formulation on Mango Trees and Its Olfactory Effect on an Insect Pollinator, Apis mellifera

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7040062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 62

Author(s):

Tae-Kwon Son ◽

Md Munir Mostafiz ◽

Hwal-Su Hwang ◽

Nguyen Truong Thạnh ◽

Kyeong-Yeoll Lee

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Behavioral Changes ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Environmental Concerns ◽

Olfactory Behavior ◽

Insect Pollinator

In various orchard fruit trees, thinning of blossoms and fruits is important to increase fruit size and quality and to promote a new bloom in the following season. Several chemical thinning agents are currently commercially available, but they are inconsistent and produce side effects in crop plants and insect pollinators. Because of environmental concerns, developing alternative eco-friendly bloom thinning agents is necessary. We developed an eco-friendly bloom thinning formulation (BTF) using minerals and extracts of various medicinal plants. Our BTF spray (0.1%, <i>w/v</i>) decreased the number of fruits per tree (46.5%) and fruit yield per tree (81.5%) but increased the fruit weight (196.8%) compared with the control treatment; the spray induced a small number of larger mango fruits in the treated trees. We also investigated the effect of BTF on the olfactory behavior of <i>Apis mellifera</i> L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae), a major insect pollinator. We analyzed the behavioral changes of adult workers at two different concentrations (0.1% and 1%) of nine different BTF spray components using a Y-tube olfactometer. The behavioral responses of honey bees to nine BTF components showed significant differences. However, honey bees showed no clear attraction or repellent behavior towards the tested BTF components. Our results suggest that the newly developed eco-friendly BTF is practically applicable in mango orchards without interrupting honey bee behavior.

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