scholarly journals Correlations of Crop Load and Return Bloom with Root and Shoot Concentrations of Potassium, Nitrogen, and Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Pecan

2007 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Smith ◽  
Charles T. Rohla ◽  
Niels O. Maness
Keyword(s):  
Growth Regulator ◽  
Current Theory ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Crop Load ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Return Bloom

The current theory of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] alternate bearing is the “growth regulator–carbohydrate theory” in which flowering is first controlled by growth regulators produced by fruit and leaves, and then by the size of the carbohydrate pool near budbreak. Lack of nitrogen (N) reserves has also been proposed to be limiting after large crops, thus reducing return bloom. Annual production was determined for 12 individual trees for 3 years. Return bloom was monitored on four previous-season shoot types: 1) vegetative shoots, 2) bearing terminal shoots without a second growth flush, 3) bearing lateral shoots without a second growth flush, and 4) bearing shoots that were primarily in the terminal position with a second growth flush. Nonstructural carbohydrates, organically bound N, and potassium (K) concentrations were determined in roots and shoots. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of yield on subsequent nonstructural carbohydrates, N, and K in the roots and shoots, and their postyield concentrations on subsequent flowering. Alternate bearing was evident because there were reductions of 18%, 16%, and 18% in the percentage of current season shoots flowering for every 10 kg/tree production increase in the previous season's yield in 2002, 2003, and 2004 respectively. Flower production in 2002 decreased by 2.6 flowers/1-year-old branch and 1.6 flowers/1-year-old branch in 2003 for each 10 kg/tree increase in production. The third year of the study, neither previous season shoot type nor yield affected subsequent flower production. The previous year's shoot type did not affect the percentage of current season shoots flowering; however, the previous year's shoots that had a second growth flush produced more flowers the following year than the other shoot types. Results suggested that crop load was not related to nonstructural carbohydrates, N, or K in the roots and shoots during January in these well-managed trees. Stored nonstructural carbohydrates, N, and K were also not related to return bloom. These data suggest that the current “growth regulator–carbohydrate theory” may not be valid in these well-managed trees. Nonstructural carbohydrates, K, and organically bound N do not appear to be critical factors regulating flowering.

scholarly journals Influence of Cluster Thinning on Return Bloom, Nut Quality, and Concentrations of Potassium, Nitrogen, and Non-structural Carbohydrates

2007 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Rohla ◽  
Michael W. Smith ◽  
Niels O. Maness
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Position ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Terminal Position ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Return Bloom ◽  
One Year

Alternate bearing pecan trees [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] were hand-thinned annually to 1, ≤2, or ≤3 fruit/cluster or not thinned when the ovule was about one-half expanded. Return bloom was monitored on (1) vegetative shoots, (2) bearing shoots without a second growth flush in the terminal position on 1-year-old branches, (3) bearing shoots without a second growth flush in the lateral position on 1-year-old branches, and (4) bearing shoots with a second growth flush that were primarily in the terminal position. Yield and nut quality were determined in addition to nonstructural carbohydrate, organically bound nitrogen (N), and potassium (K) concentrations in the roots and shoots during January. Fruit thinning improved return bloom but had little effect on weight/nut, kernel percent, or kernel grade. Fruit thinning had either a modest or no effect on nonstructural carbohydrates, organically bound N, and K concentrations. Vegetative shoots and bearing terminal shoots produced a similar number of flowers/1-year-old branch and percentage of flowering current-season shoots. Bearing lateral shoots produced fewer flowers than vegetative shoots most years and fewer flowering current-season shoots during one year. Shoots with a second growth flush produced more flowers/1-year-old branch and a larger percentage of flowering current-season shoots than did vegetative shoots 2 of 3 years. These data indicate fruit thinning of overloaded trees improved return bloom, but the lack of interactions between thinning treatment and shoot type suggests that the number of fruit/cluster was less important than total crop load in determining nut quality and return bloom. Thus removal of entire fruit clusters appears as effective as thinning fruit within a cluster to maintain adequate nut quality and promote return bloom. Nonstructural carbohydrates, organically bound N, and K were not limiting factors in bearing consistency because they were not depressed in unthinned trees. Nonstructural carbohydrates, organically bound N, and K concentrations were not closely linked to alternate bearing because return bloom was enhanced by thinning, but thinning did not affect their concentrations.

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 Individual Shoot Defoliation Minimally Affects Pecan Return Bloom

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-317
Author(s):  
Michael W. Smith ◽  
Becky S. Cheary
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Carya Illinoinensis ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Return Bloom

Alternate bearing of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] remains the leading problem of the industry. Several cultural practices have been developed or improved to mitigate alternate bearing. Premature defoliation was one problem identified that substantially decreased return bloom. The objective of this study was to determine the response of individual shoots exposed to various defoliation treatments. In one study, individual vegetative or bearing shoots were hand-defoliated in mid-September. Defoliation was the basal one-half, distal one-half, entire shoot, or not defoliated. Another study applied the same defoliation treatments to bearing shoots in July, August, or September. Defoliation had minimal effects on return bloom and rarely affected the percentage of current-season shoots fruiting the next year. Defoliation date also had little effect on return bloom. These data indicate that individual shoot response to defoliation was not autonomous and has implications for determining crop overload and needed mechanical fruit thinning.

scholarly journals Exogenous Plant Growth Regulators Show Promise for Management of Alternate Bearing in Pecan

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1204-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Y. Thompson ◽  
Jennifer Randall ◽  
Richard J. Heerema ◽  
Dawn VanLeeuwen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Growth Regulators ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Pistillate Flower ◽  
Commercial Application ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Return Bloom ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Production Mechanisms

Successful commercial pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] production relies on mitigation of alternate bearing, which is a function of pistillate flower production. Mechanisms of floral initiation in pecan are not well understood. Our objective was to assess the impact of select plant growth regulators (PGRs) on return bloom for commercial application in pecan trees grown in the Southwestern United States. A 2-year study evaluated effects of ethephon, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), and gibberellin GA3 (GA3) on subsequent season return bloom in fruiting and nonfruiting pecan shoots. Cultivars used were mature Western and immature Western and Pawnee. Effects of PGRs on return bloom of nonfruiting shoots were different from fruiting shoots. As compared with untreated control, a GA3 treatment on fruiting shoots of mature ‘Western’ trees increased the number of flowers per new shoot by 125%. For nonfruiting shoots on the mature ‘Western’ trees, the number of flowers per new shoot decreased significantly by all PGR treatments and as much as 93% for AVG. In previously nonfruiting shoots on the immature ‘Western’ trees, a GA3 treatment reduced the number of flowers per new shoot in the next season by 88.2%. Results from immature ‘Pawnee’ shoots did not show statistically significant differences. The effects of these PGRs on subsequent season flowering in pecan are complex. This study suggests that PGRs can be used to increase or decrease cropload through effects on return bloom and therefore have potential uses for mitigating alternate bearing.

scholarly journals The Effect of Crop Load on Budbreak Influences Return Bloom in Alternate Bearing ‘Pixie’ Mandarin

2009 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes S. Verreynne ◽  
Carol J. Lovatt
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Spring Bloom ◽  
Citrus Reticulata ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Shoot Number ◽  
Return Spring ◽  
Return Bloom ◽  
Whole Tree

Alternate bearing trees produce a heavy (on) crop followed by a light (off) crop. Whereas it is well documented for citrus that fruit number in the current crop inversely affects flower number in the return bloom, when in the phenology of the tree and how fruit exert an effect on floral intensity the following spring remained unresolved. ‘Pixie’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata) was used as the model system to investigate when and how fruit perpetuate cyclic differences in floral intensity. Parent shoots (current spring flush shoots) were tagged on on-crop trees and fruit were removed from individual shoots or whole trees. The number of summer and fall (summer/fall) vegetative shoots that developed on parent shoots with and without fruit and the contribution of spring shoots (floral and vegetative) made by parent shoots alone (now 1 year old) and by their summer/fall shoots to return spring bloom was quantified. Removal of fruit from individual shoots on on-crop trees in June or July had no effect on the number of flowers contributed by parent (current spring) shoots to return bloom, but increased total flower number 4-fold because summer/fall shoot number increased more than 8-fold. Removal of fruit from individual shoots of on-crop trees after July had no effect on flower number. In the whole tree experiment, parent + summer/fall shoots of off-crop trees produced more flowers the following spring than on-crop trees due to greater flower production by both parent shoots and their greater number of summer/fall shoots. Removal of all fruit in July from on-crop trees resulted in 2-fold more flowers in spring compared with off-crop trees due to the increased number of flowers contributed by both parent shoots (75% of the total) and the increased number of summer/fall shoots. The importance of summer/fall shoots to return bloom was confirmed by removing all summer/fall shoots from off-crop trees. This reduced floral intensity to that of on-crop trees. Removing all fruit from on-crop trees in December increased the percentage of budbreak in spring and flower number on parent shoots to that of off-crop trees, whereas the number of summer/fall shoots and the number of flowers the parent shoots contributed to bloom were both less than that of off-crop trees. For the branch and whole tree experiments, flower number was significantly correlated with the percentage of spring budbreak on parent + summer/fall shoots (r 2 = 0.88, P ≤ 0.0001 and r 2 = 0.71, P ≤ 0.0001; respectively). Taken together, the results of this research provide evidence that fruit of the ‘Pixie’ mandarin reduce floral intensity of the return bloom by inhibiting budbreak, which reduces summer/fall shoot growth and thus the number of nodes that can bear inflorescences and development of spring shoots, which are predominantly floral.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Return Bloom and Nonstructural Carbohydrates, Nitrogen, and Potassium Concentrations in Moderate and Severe Alternate-bearing Pecan Cultivars

2007 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Rohla ◽  
Michael W. Smith ◽  
Niels O. Maness ◽  
William Reid
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Position ◽  
Carya Illinoinensis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Unique Characteristic ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrates ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Terminal Position ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrate ◽  
Return Bloom

The most significant horticultural problem facing pecan producers is alternate bearing. Four pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] cultivars were chosen, two with low to moderate and two with severe alternate-bearing tendencies, to compare selected characteristics related to irregular bearing. The cultivars were Colby and Peruque (low to medium alternate-bearing tendency) and Osage and Giles (high alternate-bearing tendency). Vegetative shoots and fruit-bearing shoots in the terminal and lateral position on 1-year-old branches were tagged in October, and flowering was determined the next spring. Shoot and root samples were collected while dormant and then analyzed for organically bound nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations. As expected, ‘Colby’ and ‘Peruque’ had a lower alternate-bearing tendency than ‘Giles’ and ‘Osage’. Cultivars with a low alternate-bearing tendency had a larger return bloom on the bearing shoots in the terminal position than the other shoot types. Cultivars with a high alternate-bearing tendency had a lower return bloom on bearing terminal shoots than vegetative shoots. Bearing shoots in the lateral position usually had a lower return bloom than the other shoot types regardless of cultivar. Neither root nor shoot N, K, or nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations appeared to be closely related to the alternate-bearing characteristics of the four cultivars. The unique characteristic identified for low alternate-bearing cultivars was their ability to produce as many or more flowers and flowering shoots the next year on previously bearing terminal shoots compared with previously vegetative shoots. In high alternate-bearing cultivars, return bloom of bearing terminal shoots was suppressed relative to their vegetative shoots.

scholarly journals Crop Load Effects on Subsequent Peach Floral Development, Pistil Size at Anthesis and Fruit Size at Maturity

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 851C-851
Author(s):  
Holly A. Johnson* ◽  
Steven A. Weinbaum ◽  
Theodore M. DeJong
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Previous Literature ◽  
Size At Maturity ◽  
Crop Load ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Fruit Maturity ◽  
Floral Differentiation ◽  
Load Effects

The effects of low and high crop loads in 2002 on floral development (Summer 2002), pistil size at anthesis (Spring 2003), and subsequent season fruit size at maturity (Summer 2003) were studied. Trees were all thinned to the same crop load in 2003. Three peach cultivars (Elegant Lady, O'Henry and Fairtime) with different ripening times (mid-July, mid-August, and early-September, respectively) were used to assess the effects of current season crop on floral development for the subsequent season. Based on previous literature, we reasoned that the maximum competition for carbohydrates between maturing fruit and developing buds is likely to occur at fruit maturity, especially under heavy crop loads. In 2003, individual fruit were harvested and weighed at maturity. In all three cultivars, a heavy crop load reduced the percentage of floral buds initiated and delayed floral differentiation. A heavy crop load also reduced pistil size at anthesis and fruit size at maturity in the subsequent season. These data support the practice of vigorous pruning to annually renew fruiting wood in peach to minimize the influence of crop in the previous season on the subsequent season's fruit and maintain large fruit sizes.

Improving vaccine uptake: a new uptake reporting tool

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697205
Author(s):  
Elise Tessier ◽  
Richard Pebody ◽  
Nicki Boddington ◽  
Michael Edelstein ◽  
Joanne White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reporting System ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
Reporting Tool ◽  
Uptake Data ◽  
Near Future

BackgroundVaccine uptake data is automatically extracted from all GP practices in England via the web-based reporting system, ImmForm, on behalf of Public Health England. In 2016/17, an Uptake Summary Tool was introduced on ImmForm for practice managers, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and screening and immunisation teams (SCRIMMS) to help facilitate local and regional management of the influenza programme. The tool allows practices to view and evaluate influenza uptake rates by target cohorts, comparing them against the previous season and CCG average/overall national uptake each week.AimTo assess how many practices use the Uptake Summary Tool and whether there is a difference in vaccine uptake among practices that use the tool compared with those that don’t during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 influenza seasons.MethodPractice level use of the Uptake Summary Tool was examined for the 2016/17 influenza season and vaccine uptake compared between practices that used the tool and those that did not.ResultsAn average of 1272 practices used the tool each week during the 2016/17. Vaccine uptake was on average 2.9% greater for targeted cohorts in practices that used the tool than practices that did not during the 2016/17 season.ConclusionWhen used on a regular basis the Uptake Summary Tool can help GP practices, CCGs and SCRIMMS monitor vaccine and may be associated with increased vaccine uptake. Uptake for the 2017/18 season will be monitored and assessed throughout the current season. We aim to expand the tool to other vaccine collections in the near future.

Interaction Between CPPU and NAA on Fruit Thinning and Fruit Development in Selected Apple Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 513c-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J. Bukovac ◽  
Jerome Hull ◽  
John C. Neilsen ◽  
Michael Schroeder ◽  
Georg Noga
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Crop Load ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Carpel Development ◽  
Return Bloom

NAA is used extensively for fruit thinning of apples to increase fruit size and to promote return bloom. In some cultivars, even if thinning is achieved, fruit size at harvest may be less than expected based on crop load. CPPU, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N.-phenylurea, has been shown to increase fruit growth in apples, grapes, and kiwi. We evaluated combinations of NAA and CPPU on thinning, fruit growth and return bloom in Redchief `Delicious', `Elstar', and `Gloster'. CPPU was applied at 5 mgμL–1 (based on 0 to 10 mgμL–1 response curve) in combination with 15 mgμL–1 NAA as high-volume sprays at 7 to 10 mm KFD. Yield and fruit size distribution (on total yield) were used as index of response. In `Delicious', CPPU (3-year study) increased % large (70 mm+) fruit, but in the presence of NAA % large fruit was reduced 2 of the 3 years. CPPU did not induce significant thinning. There were no significant effects on color or soluble solids; firmness was increased slightly and seed number reduced. The L/D ratio was increased and uneven lobe and carpel development was common. CPPU had no significant effect on return bloom in presence or absence of NAA, but NAA increased bloom in both the presence and absence of CPPU. With `Elstar' (2-year study) there was no significant thinning with either chemical, but CPPU increased mean fruit size and % large (70–80 mm) fruit over nonthinned, but not significantly greater than NAA alone. There were no significant differences in firmness, color, soluble solids or seed number. NAA + CPPU did not inhibit fruit growth or cause excessive uneven carpel development. Frost damage reduced crop load in `Gloster' where results were similar to `Elstar' except seed number was reduced by the NAA + CPPU combination.

scholarly journals The Significance of Macronutrients in Alternate Bearing ‘Nadorcott’ Mandarin Trees

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1600-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ockert P.J. Stander ◽  
Graham H. Barry ◽  
Paul J.R. Cronjé
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Effects ◽  
Foliar Spray ◽  
Shoot Development ◽  
Citrus Reticulata ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Vegetative Shoot ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Standard Practice ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
Fruit Load

The significance of macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in leaves was studied in relation with their possible roles in alternate bearing of ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata) trees over a period of three seasons. Fruit load (“on,” a heavy fruit load, vs. “off,” a light fruit load) affected the leaf macronutrient concentrations, and the amount of macronutrients removed through the harvest of fruit, i.e., the crop removal factor (g·kg−1), was consistent in both seasons. The crop removal factors were higher for each macronutrient in “off” trees—harvest of 1 kg fruit removed ≈2.3 g·kg−1 N, 0.3 g·kg−1 P, 3.1 g·kg−1 K, 1.0 g·kg−1 Ca, and 0.4 g·kg−1 Mg, compared with 1.3 g·kg−1 N, 0.2 g·kg−1 P, 1.7 g·kg−1 K, 0.6 g·kg−1 Ca, and 0.2 g·kg−1 Mg in “on” trees. Fruit load per tree (kg/tree) of 84, 110, and 52 kg/tree in “on” trees, however, removed ≈217 g/tree N, 28 g/tree P, 296 g/tree K, 100 g/tree Ca, and 35 g/tree Mg, which was 1.5–6 times more than that of fruit loads of 14, 71, and 16 kg/tree in “off” trees. In “off” trees, N, P, and K, and in “on” trees, Ca accumulated in leaves to between 20% and 30% higher concentrations in season 1, but the higher macronutrient status did not manifest in or consistently correlate with intensity of summer vegetative shoot development in the current season, or intensity of flowering in the next season, the two main determinants of fruit load in ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin. Apart from some anomalies, the concentrations of macronutrients in leaves were unaffected by de-fruiting and foliar spray applications of N and K to “on” trees, and showed no consistent relationship with treatment effects on parameters of vegetative shoot development and flowering. Leaf macronutrients in alternate bearing ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin trees, fertilized according to grower standard practice, are not related to differences in flowering and vegetative shoot development, and appear to be a consequence of fruit load and not a determinant thereof.

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