scholarly journals Are Cover Crops Affecting the Quality and Sustainability of Fruit Production?

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
Giovanna Giacalone ◽  
Cristiana Peano ◽  
Deborah Isocrono ◽  
Francesco Sottile
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Soil Features ◽  
Sustainable Soil Management

The study of the interaction between fruit trees and cover crops has been addressed in numerous works over the last 50 years or more, evidencing the need to evolve from a productive orchard to an orchard that plays different ecosystem roles in terms of environmental sustainability rather than just productivity. This review, through an analysis of the scientific literature since the 1950s, highlights the development of sustainable soil management models in fruit tree orchards, mostly considering the relationship with fruit quality traits and with the ecosystem services that result from the adoption of cover crops, aiming at identifying and formulating technical recommendations in perennial orchards. Cover crop management surely improves soil features and positively influences fruit quality in perennial woody species, but also helps to develop a better habitat for beneficial insects, thus influencing pollination. A large number of scientific approaches highlight the beneficial use of a mixture of seeds in order to enhance biodiversity, aiming at improving ecosystem services for a transition towards more sustainable systems based on agroecological management.

scholarly journals Response of Apricot Fruit Quality to Protective Netting

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
Pablo Melgarejo ◽  
Pilar Legua ◽  
Rafael Martínez-Font ◽  
Juan José Martínez-Nicolás ◽  
Joaquín Sánchez Soriano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
The Other ◽  
Experimental Plot ◽  
Quality Indices

The cultivation of fruit trees in protected environments is a technique that has been developed in recent years for peaches and nectarines, but not for apricots. This study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of the fruits and their quality indices variations of the variety ‘Mikado’ as a function of its cultivation under a protective net or outdoors. As a practical agronomic assay, a homogeneous experimental plot was used in this study, where half of the apricot trees were cultivated under protective netting, and the other half without it. The data showed that for the total yield, no statistically significant differences were found with respect to ‘Mikado’ trees cultivated with or without a net. The trees cultivated under protective nets showed higher fruit weights. The results showed that the technique of using protective nets for the cultivation of extra-early apricot ‘Mikado’ is a profitable alternative for farmers, and their use does not affect fruit production or quality.

scholarly journals Yield and Fruit Quality of Strawberry Cultivars under Different Irrigation Regimes

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
María Teresa Ariza ◽  
Luis Miranda ◽  
José Antonio Gómez-Mora ◽  
Juan Jesús Medina ◽  
David Lozano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Water Treatments ◽  
Strawberry Cultivars

Strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.) production requires the input of large amounts of water provided by irrigation during the entire production cycle. However, water availability is shrinking in many important strawberry cropping areas, such as Huelva (in Europe), compromising the environmental sustainability and economic viability of strawberry production. Besides technical approaches, water-saving strategies are necessary for improving strawberry water productivity such as the use of low water-consumptive cultivars with high productivity or cultivars allowing deficit irrigation (DI) strategies. A two-year field experiment was conducted to compare the physiological and agronomical response of six commercial strawberry cultivars (‘Sabrina’, ‘Fortuna’, ‘Splendor’, ‘Primoris’, ‘Rabida’ and ‘Rociera’) to six different water treatments ranging from 65% to 140% of estimated ‘Sabrina’ evapotranspiration (ETcSab; ~224–510 mm year−1). Cultivars differed substantially in yield and water consumption linked to their biomass partitioning into reproductive/ vegetative organs, determining different yield efficiency (YE). Their water needs (IN) conditioned their response to different water supplies, involving significant yield losses in DI treatments (<20% IN) but not decreasing fruit quality. The highly-consumptive and productive ‘Rabida’ and ‘Rociera’, reduced yields by DI (<40%) but were still profitable; the low-water-consumptive but still productive ‘Fortuna’, ‘Splendor’ and ‘Primoris’ represent significant water-savings (<20%) in strawberry cultivation.

scholarly journals Seasonal occurrence of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in southern Syria

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Mansour ◽  
Fater Mohamad
Keyword(s):  
Ceratitis Capitata ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽  
Diospyros Kaki ◽  
Population Fluctuations ◽  
Sampling Studies ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Population fluctuations of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, were investigated between 1999 and 2001 at several locations representing fruit production areas in the southern part of Syria (Damascus Ghota, Zabadani, Sargaiah, Rankus, Orneh and Ain Al-Arab). Medfly adults were monitored weekly all year around using Jackson traps baited with trimedlure dispensers. Larvae were also sampled in Damascus Ghota by collecting fruits from ripe or ripening fruit trees and recording the number of larvae emerged from these fruits. In addition, suspected overwintering refuges were sampled at weekly intervals during the three coldest months of the year (December – February) and the number of collected larvae was recorded. The results of trap catches and fruit sampling studies showed a similar pattern of occurrence of medfly populations in the study areas, particularly in Damascus Ghota, during the three years of the study. In Damascus Ghota, flies were caught continuously from early June to late December with some variability between years. Two distinct periods of high fly activity were observed: the first one occurred in August and the second in November with a much higher amplitude. In general, seasonal fluctuations in the pattern of occurrence were influenced by differences in temperature and abundance of preferred host fruits. Traps on fig Ficus carica and oriental persimmon Diospyros kaki trees caught the highest numbers of flies, and fruits collected from these trees showed the highest level of infestation, reaching 100% for fig fruit late in the season. Sampling fruits (in Damascus Ghota) from trees during the three coldest months of the year showed that a small population of medfly larvae was able to survive winter conditions in prickly pear Opuntia vulgaris fruit left on the trees. In the other areas of the study (Zabadani, Sargaiah, Rankus, Orneh and Ain Al-Arab), only a few flies were caught.

scholarly journals Evaluation of crisphead lettuce cultivars in different cover types by manova and discriminant analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-444
Author(s):  
Izabela Regina C de Oliveira ◽  
Marcelo T Rezende ◽  
Carlos Tadeu dos S Dias ◽  
Daniela de S Gomes ◽  
Élberis P Botrel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Polyethylene Film ◽  
Standard Errors ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Discriminant Analyses ◽  
Plot Design

In many agricultural experiments the variables are biologically correlated and it is inappropriate to study them only under univariate analysis. Therefore, we evaluated commercial characteristics of crisphead lettuce cultivars and covers under a multivariate approach, using canonical discriminant analysis. We used a split plot design and we tested the cover crop, cultivar and interaction effects by using MANOVA (α= 5%). Means and its standard errors were obtained for average total weight, weight of the head, volume and density of plants. Canonical discriminant analyses were performed using PROC CANDISC procedure in SAS (SAS Institute, 2008) system. Canonical plots were obtained using JMP 9.0 (SAS Institute, 2010) linked to SAS database. With these plots it was possible to note the differences among factors levels. When polyethylene film was used as cover the plants had inferior commercial characteristics than plants in which cover crops were used. Thus, the cover with polyethylene film can be discouraged in the cultivation of crisphead lettuce, promoting environmental sustainability. We suggest these multivariate techniques in horticulture studies.

Institutional support for practicing sustainable agriculture

1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Korsching ◽  
James E. Malia
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Chemical Inputs ◽  
Nonchemical Weed Control ◽  
On Farm

AbstractA mail survey of Iowa farmers with membership in the Practical Farmers of Iowa, a sustainable agriculture organization, was used to examine perceptions of institutional support for information on reducing chemical inputs, needed research for farming with sustainable practices, and policy needs for encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices. We first developed a chemical input index to measure commitment to sustainable practices and to analyze information sources and research and policy needs. Results indicate that sustainable farmers rely primarily on each other and on their personal experience for information about sustainable practices; they use conventional farm practice information sources considerably less. The primary research need identified by the respondents was for better nonchemical weed control. Other important research needs identified were: nonchemical insect control, new seed varieties, cover crops, alternative tillage methods, and the economics of sustainable systems. The primary policy needs identified were more information and educational programs about sustainable agriculture and increased taxes on farm chemical use. We discuss the implications of the relationship between institutional support and the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.

scholarly journals The effect of using grafted seedlings on the yield and quality of tomatoes grown in greenhouses 

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Soare ◽  
Maria Dinu ◽  
Cristina Babeanu
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Appreciable Effect ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Production Characteristics

This study was aimed at observing the effect of the grafting of tomato plants on morphological (vegetative growth), production and nutritive characteristics (quantity and quality of production). For this purpose, the ‘Lorely F1’ cultivar was used as a scion grafted onto the ‘Beaufort’ rootstock. Plants were cultivated with a stem and two stems. The observations collected in this study were concerned with the characteristics of plant growth. The studied morphological characteristics were plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves, and the studied production characteristics were the characteristics of fructification and productivity (the average number of fruit per plant, the average weight of the fruit, production per plant). Particular attention was paid to the nutritional characteristics of the fruit, to the fruit quality (total soluble solids, total sugar, acidity, vitamin C, antioxidant activity (by the Trolox method) and the contents of lycopene and beta-carotene). The results showed that grafting positively influenced the growth and production characteristics. Grafting of tomato plants had an appreciable effect on the vegetative growth of the variant 2-grafted tomatoes with a stem. The best option in terms of productivity and production was the variant 3-grafted tomatoes with two stems, which yielded 9.2 kg per plant. Fruit quality was not improved in any of the grafted variants. 

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF MINERAL NUTRITION ON YIELDS AND FRUIT QUALITY IN GRAPEVINE, PEAR AND APPLE

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1089-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUSTAVO BRUNETTO ◽  
GEORGE WELLINGTON BASTOS DE MELO ◽  
MORENO TOSELLI ◽  
MAURIZIO QUARTIERI ◽  
MASSIMO TAGLIAVINI
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Grape Juice ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Wine Quality ◽  
Fruit Skin ◽  
Soluble Solid

ABSTRACT Fertilization of temperate fruit trees, such as grapevine ( Vitis spp.), apple ( Malus domestica), and pear ( Pyrus communis) is an important tool to achive maximum yield and fruit quality. Fertilizers are provided when soil fertility does not allow trees to express their genetic potential, and time and rate of application should be scheduled to promote fruit quality. Grapevine berries, must and wine quality are affected principally by N, that regulate the synthesis of some important compounds, such as anthocyanins, which are responsible for coloring of the must and the wine. Fermenation of the must may stop in grapes with low concentration of N because N is requested in high amount by yeasts. An N excess may increase the pulp to peel ratio, diluting the concentration of anthocyanins and promoting the migration of anthocyanins from berries to the growing plant organs; a decrease of grape juice soluble solid concentration is also expected because of an increase in vegetative growth. Potassium is also important for wine quality contributing to adequate berry maturation, concentration of sugars, synthesis of phenols and the regulation of pH and acidity. In apple and pear, Ca and K are important for fruit quality and storage. Potassium is the most important component of fruit, however, any excess should be avoided and an adequate K:Ca balance should be achieved. Adequate concentration of Ca in the fruit prevents pre- and post-harvest fruit disorders and, at the same time, increases tolerance to pathogens. Although N promotes adequate growth soil N availability should be monitored to avoid excessive N uptake that may decrease fruit skin color and storability.

scholarly journals Dieback of apricot plantations caused by 'Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum' in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county (Northern-Hungary)

2010 ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Gábor Tarcali ◽  
Emese Kiss ◽  
György J. Kövics ◽  
Sándor Süle ◽  
László Irinyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sour Cherry ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Stone Fruit ◽  
Stone Fruits ◽  
The North ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The World ◽  
Fruit Plantations

Plant diseases caused by phytoplasmas have increasing importance in all over the world for fruit growers. Lately, phytoplasma diseases occur on many fruit varieties and responsible for serious losses both in quality and quantity of fruit production. In the long-run these diseases cause destruction of fruit trees. The apricot phytoplasma disease (Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum) was first reported in Europe in 1924 from France. In 1992 the disease has also been identified in Hungary. On the base of growers' signals serious damages of "Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum" Seemüller and Schneider, 2004 (formerly: European stone fruit yellows phytoplasma) could be observed in different stone fruit plantations in the famous apricot-growing area nearby Gönc town, Northern-Hungary. Field examinations have been begun in 2009 in several stone fruit plantations in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County mainly in Gönc region which is one of the most important apricot growing regions in Hungary, named “Gönc Apricot Growing Area”. Our goals were to diagnose the occurrence of Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum on stone fruits (especially on apricot) in the North-Hungarian growing areas by visual diagnostics and confirm data by laboratory PCR-based examinations. All the 28 collected samples were tested in laboratory trials and at 13 samples from apricot, peach, sour cherry and wild plum were confirmed the presence of phytoplasma (ESFY). On the base of observations it seems evident that the notable losses caused by "Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum" is a new plant health problem to manage for fruit growers, especially apricot producers in Hungary. 

scholarly journals Alien and native woody plants in scattered vegetation in agricultural landscape

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-120
Author(s):  
Ján Supuka ◽  
Attila Tóth ◽  
Mária Bihuňová ◽  
Martina Verešová ◽  
Karol Šinka
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Robinia Pseudoacacia ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Lycium Barbarum ◽  
Dominance Index ◽  
Acer Campestre

AbstractThe woody plant species composition has been evaluated in three cadastral territories of southwestern Slovakia, together in 77 habitats of non-forest woody vegetation (NFWV). A total of 43 tree species have been identified; 8 of them were alien and 5 species were cultural fruit trees. In total 20 shrub species were identified, out of which 3 were alien. Three woody species are classified as invasive according to the law in Slovakia: Acer negundo L., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, and Lycium barbarum L. They occurred only in 2, maximum in 4 of the evaluated habitats. The most occurring alien tree species Robinia pseudoacacia L. was generally identified in 58 habitats and in 48 habitats, with an incidence over 40% and dominance index of 70.6. The second most occurring alien tree Populus × canadensis had a dominance index of 8.3. The dominant native trees in NFWV were Acer campestre L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus robur L., Salix fragilis L. with the dominance index of 1–5 only.

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