Plant-Based Biostimulant as Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic Growth Regulators in Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars

Sweet cherry is a high value crop and the economic success of its cultivation depends not only on yield but also on fruit visual and nutritional quality attributes that influence consumer acceptability, as well as on fruit post-harvest performance and resistance to cracking. During the last few decades, cherry growers have tried to achieve these goals through exogenous applications of synthetic plant hormones and/or nutrients, but there is growing concern about the sustainability of the extensive use of these compounds in agriculture. For this reason, there is increasing interest in the possible adoption of different classes of biostimulants as sustainable alternatives to plant growth regulators. This research aimed to study the impact of foliar application of a novel tropical-plant extract, performed between full bloom and fruit set, on the yield and fruit quality of two important commercial sweet cherry cultivars, Kordia and Regina. The experimental design included a commercial control involving the application of a cytokinin promoter. In both cultivars, the tropical-plant extract induced significant increases in fruit yield. In addition, in the cultivar Kordia, the tropical-plant extract enhanced fruit calcium concentration, soluble solids content, flesh firmness, and skin color by 26.2%, 11.8%, 6.7%, and 12.0% (of fruits with mahogany skin color), respectively. Our results suggest that the tropical-plant extract tested as a biostimulant may be a sustainable and effective alternative to the exogenous application of synthetic hormones for sweet cherry cultivation.

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Fruit Characteristics of Autochthonous Sweet Cherry Cultivars (Prunus avium L.) from the Banjaluka Region

Агрознање ◽

10.7251/agren1704285r ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 285

Author(s):

Ljubomir Radoš ◽

Tanja Krmpot ◽

Fejzo Begović

Keyword(s):

Sweet Cherry ◽

Prunus Avium ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Fruit Characteristics ◽

Rich Diversity ◽

Production And Consumption ◽

Solids Content ◽

Individual Trees ◽

Sweet Cherry Cultivars

Banjaluka region is characterized by a very rich diversity of old and autochthonous sweet cherry cultivars, which represent a very important genetic potential for future breeding programs. Autochthonous sweet cherry cultivars are spontaneously propagated and used in very few areas for production and consumption in the fresh condition. A very small percentage of autochthonous cultivars are used in local markets or in some forms of processing. The main reason for this is the small number of individual trees whose fruits are used for own household and their poor management. In order to popularize the production and sale of autochthonous sweet cherry cultivars, during this research was perform the basic pomological measurements of the five most common autochthonous sweet cherry cultivars in the Banjaluka region (Ašlamka, Banjalučka crnica, Bjelica-Biljur, Cipov and Crveni hrušt). Pomological (the weight and dimensions of the fruit, weight and dimensions of the pit, dimension of the stalk and the firmness of the fruit flesh) and chemical (total soluble solids content of the fruit) fruit characteristics were determined. Results showed differences in investigated parameters between the cultivars.

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Assessment of New Sweet Cherry Cultivars Released at RSFG Iaşi, Romania

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha47311575 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Elena IUREA ◽

Margareta CORNEANU ◽

Mădălina MILITARU ◽

Sorina SÎRBU

Keyword(s):

Sweet Cherry ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Natural Fertility ◽

Digital Object Identifier ◽

Research Station ◽

Maturation Stages ◽

Solids Content ◽

Chemical Traits ◽

Sweet Cherry Cultivars

The research concerning the improvement of the cherry assortment, the cultivars’ quality and the avoiding of market crowding with fresh cherries only on a short term are extremely important objectives for cherries’ breeding. To accomplish some of these objectives, during 1981-2017, hybridization and selection of hybrids were performed at the Research Station for Fruit Growing Iași (RSFG Iași), in the N-E part of Romania, concluding with a series of promising hybrid selections. They have been grafted, planted and studied in trial fields. Therefore, during 1994-2016, RSFG Iași released 28 sweet cherry cultivars with high quality fruits and different maturation stages. In the studies performed during 2014-2017, there were analysed three new sweet cherry cultivars (‘Elaiaşi’, ‘Muşatini’ and ‘Croma’), obtained through controlled hybridization. The comparison of these new cultivars was performed against ‘Van’, used as control, this being a well-known cultivar in the orchards from the study area. Observations and measurements concerning the main phenological stages, natural fertility, physical features, organoleptic, quality and chemical traits of fruit were registered. The cultivars with the biggest dimensions of the fruits were ‘Elaiaşi’ and ‘Croma’ (with a weight between 8.9 and 9.4 g and a fruits’ diameter between 25.2 and 26.6 mm), having significantly larger dimensions in comparison with ‘Van’. In the new investigated cherry cultivars, the values of soluble solids content were comprised between 17.0 and 20.2 °Brix, titratable acidity was between 0.46 - 0.57 mg of malic acid 100 mL-1 juice and the total polyphenols content was recorded between 382.87 - 780.25 mg GAE 100 mL-1 of fresh juice. ********* In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue. *********

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Impact of Potassium Pre-Harvest Applications on Fruit Quality and Condition of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Cultivated under Plastic Covers in Southern Chile Orchards

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10122778 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2778

Author(s):

Marco Bustamante ◽

Ariel Muñoz ◽

Iverly Romero ◽

Pamela Osorio ◽

Sergio Mánquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Sweet Cherry ◽

Prunus Avium ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Soluble Solids Content ◽

Southern Chile ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Fruit Cracking ◽

Solids Content ◽

The Impact

In rainy locations, sweet cherry is cultivated under plastic covers, which are useful to prevent fruit cracking but decrease cherry quality such as firmness and acidity. Here we evaluate the impact of pre-harvest K foliar applications on harvest and post-harvest fruit quality and condition of sweet cherry cultivated under plastic covers in southern Chile orchards. The study was performed on two commercial orchards (cv. Regina), located in different regions, during two consecutive seasons. In all cases, a conventional K regime (four sprays) was compared to an intensive K regimen (seven sprays). Results showed that cherries from the most southern region revealed lower acidity but higher soluble solids content weight and size. The intensive K regime improved the firmness and acidity of fruits of covered trees at harvest and post-harvest. Moreover, we found that condition defects were higher in fruits from un-covered trees and that trees grown under intensive K regime showed lower levels of cracking at harvest and pitting at post-harvest compared to trees treated with the conventional K regime. Otherwise, pedicel browning was inconsistently affected by K sprays. Our results revealed that an intensive K regime could improve the quality and condition of fruits at harvest and post-harvest in covered orchards of sweet cherry cv. Regina; however, the impacts can significantly vary depending on season and locality.

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Active Control of Greenhouse Climate Enhances Papaya Growth and Yield at an Affordable Cost

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11020378 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 378

Author(s):

Irene Salinas ◽

Juan José Hueso ◽

Julián Cuevas

Keyword(s):

Active Control ◽

Skin Color ◽

Natural Ventilation ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Climate Control ◽

Tropical Fruit ◽

Greenhouse Climate ◽

Solids Content

Papaya is a tropical fruit crop that in subtropical regions depends on protected cultivation to fulfill its climate requirements and remain productive. The aim of this work was to compare the profitability of different climate control strategies in greenhouses located in subtropical areas of southeast Spain. To do so, we compared papayas growing in a greenhouse equipped with active climate control (ACC), achieved by cooling and heating systems, versus plants growing in another greenhouse equipped with passive climate control (PCC), consisting of only natural ventilation through zenithal and lateral windows. The results showed that ACC favored papaya plant growth; flowering; fruit set; and, consequently, yields, producing more and heavier fruits at an affordable cost. Climate control strategies did not significantly improve fruit quality, specifically fruit skin color, acidity, and total soluble solids content. In conclusion, in the current context of prices, an active control of temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse could be a more profitable strategy in subtropical regions where open-air cultivation is not feasible.

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The Effect of Foliar Application of K2SO4 or KH2PO4 on Skin Color of the ‘Kyoho’ Grape

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11112361 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2361

Author(s):

Linnan Wu ◽

Pengcheng Li ◽

Haifeng Jia ◽

Fesobi Olumide Phillip ◽

Xingcheng Bao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Color ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Flavonoid Biosynthesis ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Anthocyanin Accumulation ◽

Potassium Fertilizer ◽

Grape Skin ◽

Total Anthocyanin ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

Two Stages

Anthocyanins in red grape skin have a positive effect on fruit color and human health. The effect of foliar potassium application on anthocyanin accumulation in grape skin is not well understood. The study aimed to better understand the mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in grape skin in response to foliar sprays of K2SO4 and KH2PO4. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar application of KH2PO4 (T2), K2SO4 (T1) and distilled water (CK) on the skin color of ‘Kyoho’ grapes at mid-ripe and mature stages. At 90 and 110 days after full bloom (DAFB), T2 had the greatest total soluble solids (TSS), flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents, followed by T1 and CK. At two stages, the titratable acid content decreased and the juice pH increased under T2 treatment relative to CK. T1 and T2 had lower lightness (L*) than CK, and the color index of red grapes (CIRG) under T1 and T2 increased at two stages compared to CK. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis revealed that flavonoid biosynthesis was the most significantly enriched pathway in CK vs. T2 at 90 and 110 DAFB. At 90 DAFB, T2 had higher expressions of phenylalanine ammonia-lyas (PAL), cytochrome P450 CYP73A100 (CYP73A), 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL), chalcone synthase (CHS), flavanone 3-dioxygenase-like (F3H) and UDP glucose: flavonoid 3-o-glucosyl transferase (UFGT) than CK and T1. Foliar application of potassium fertilizer may accelerate anthocyanin accumulation by altering the transcript levels of PAL, CYP73A, 4CL, CHS, F3H, and UFGT of the flavonoid biosynthesis.

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Productive and qualitative performance of tomato plants as a function of the application of plant growth regulators and mineral nutrients

Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Hortícolas ◽

10.17584/rcch.2018v12i2.7575 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 416-424

Author(s):

Marília Caixeta Sousa ◽

Luan Fernando Ormond Sobreira Rodrigues ◽

Mônica Bartira da Silva ◽

Janaina Oliveira Cruz ◽

Marla Silvia Diamante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Growth Regulators ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Soluble Sugars ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Antioxidant Compounds ◽

Macro And Micronutrients

The tomato fruit is rich in antioxidant compounds and has great nutritional and economic importance, annually promoting research on the nutritional and productive characteristics. The present study aimed to evaluate whether foliar application of commercial products based on growth regulators [auxin, cytokinin and gibberellin (Ax+CK+GA)], micronutrients [cobalt and molybdenum (Mi)] and mixtures of macro and micronutrients [nitrogen, boron, copper, molybdenum and zinc (Ma+Mi)], isolated and in combination, increase productivity and improve the post-harvest quality of tomato fruits (Predador F1). The experiment design used randomized blocks, with seven treatments and four repetitions, which were (T1) control; (T2) Ax+CK+GA; (T3) Ma+Mi; (T4) Mi; (T5) Ax+CK+GA + (Ma+Mi); (T6) Ax+CK+GA + Mi; and (T7) Ax+CK+GA + Mi + (Ma+Mi). The variables production, precocity, soluble solids content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ratio (SS/TA), pH, total soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and weight loss were evaluated. The Ax+CK+GA application, isolated or in combination with Ma+Mi, promoted the precocity, and the use of isolated Ax+CK+GA and Mi improved the tomato plant productivity. The growth regulators, macro and micronutrients, isolated or in combination, increased the ascorbic acid content in the fruits.

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Impact of Exogenous Plant Growth Regulators on Physiological Traits, Tendril and Flowering in Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam) under Kharif Season

Legume Research - An International Journal ◽

10.18805/lr-4771 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

R. Sivakumar

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Plant Growth Regulators ◽

Growth Regulators ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Leaf Temperature ◽

Physiological Traits ◽

Mepiquat Chloride ◽

Kharif Season ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Background: Horsegram is an important pulse crop grown as Rabi crop in Tamil Nadu. Kharif sown crop could not flowers may be because of more number of tendrils produced as compare to Rabi sown crop. Hence, an attempt was made to reduce the number of tendrils and induce flowering in horsegram during Kharif season by plant growth regulators. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of plant growth regulators viz., salicylic acid (100 ppm), chlormequat chloride (CCC - 250 ppm), mepiquat chloride (250 ppm), tri iodo benzoic acid (TIBA - 200 ppm) and nitrobenzene (0.2%) on physiological traits and tendril growth associated with flowering in horsegram during Kharif. Different treatments were applied through foliar application at 25 Days after sowing. Result: Among the PGRs, foliar application of TIBA registered the lowest number of tendrils (2.3) followed by CCC (3.0) compared to other treatments. Higher root length of 16.8 cm and RWC of 82.3% was found in CCC treatment. CCC also registered the highest photosynthetic rate (27.15 µmol m-2 s-1), transpiration rate (18.06 mmol m-2 s-1) and lowest leaf temperature (26°C) compared to other treatments. The highest soluble protein content of 13.1 mg g-1 was also estimated in CCC treatment followed by mepiquat chloride (12.51 mg g-1). Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity did not show any significant difference between the treatments. Number of flowers buds formed per plant was zero and hence the flowering did not take place in any treatments. Among the plant growth regulators used, TIBA and CCC registered its positive action on reduced the number of tendrils and leaf temperature, but not enough to induce flowering under Kharif season.

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Appraisal of Biodegradable Mulching Films and Vegetal-Derived Biostimulant Application as Eco-Sustainable Practices for Enhancing Lettuce Crop Performance and Nutritive Value

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10030427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 427 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eugenio Cozzolino ◽

Maria Giordano ◽

Nunzio Fiorentino ◽

Christophe El-Nakhel ◽

Antonio Pannico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Plant Extract ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Tropical Plant ◽

Biodegradable Mulch ◽

Mulching Films

Scientists, extensions specialists, and growers are seeking sustainable agricultural practices that are able to cope with these objectives in order to ensure global food security and minimize environmental damage. The use of mulching films and plant biostimulants in agriculture seems to be a valid solution for tackling these rising concerns. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to elucidate the morpho-physiological and nutritive characteristics of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in response to foliar application of a tropical plant extract (PE) biostimulant and the use of plastic mulches. Two biodegradable mulch treatments (Mater-Bi® 1 and Mater-Bi® 2) were compared to black polyethylene (LDPE) and bare soil. Biodegradable mulch film Mater-Bi® 1 produced a comparable marketable fresh yield to the commercial standard polyethylene (LDPE), whereas Mater-Bi® 2 exhibited the highest crop productivity. When averaged over biostimulant application, lettuce plants grown with biodegradable film Mater-Bi® 2 exhibited superior quality traits in terms of K, Ca, total ascorbic acid, and carotenoids content. The combination of film mulching (LDPE, Mater-Bi® 1 or Mater-Bi® 2) with the tropical plant extract biostimulant exhibited a positive and significant synergistic effect (+30%) on yield. The PE-biostimulant induced higher values of SPAD index and total chlorophyll content when compared to untreated greenhouse lettuce. The mineral content of leaf tissues was greater by 10% and 17% (for P and Ca, respectively) when compared to the untreated lettuce (no PE application). Nitrate content was significantly reduced by 23% in greenhouse lettuce plants receiving PE as compared to the untreated control. The positive effect of Mater-Bi® 2 film on the ascorbic acid content has also been highlighted when combined with the biostimulant application, where a major amplification of total ascorbic acid (+168%) was recorded in comparison to the untreated lettuce. Overall, our work can assist leafy vegetables growers in adopting good agricultural practices, such as biodegradable plastic mulches and vegetal-derived biostimulants, to improve the sustainability of greenhouse production.

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Cultivar effect on the sweet cherry antioxidant and some chemical attributes

Folia Horticulturae ◽

10.1515/fhort-2016-0011 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 95-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jan Skrzyński ◽

Małgorzata Leja ◽

Aleksander Gonkiewicz ◽

Przemysław Banach

Keyword(s):

Organic Acids ◽

Sweet Cherry ◽

Radical Scavenging Activity ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Free Radical Scavenging ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Phenolic Contents ◽

Chemical Attributes ◽

Sweet Cherry Cultivars

Abstract This research was carried out to evaluate the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacities, sugars and organic acids content of sweet cherry cultivars (Bianca, Burlat, Johanna 1, Johanna 2, Kordia, Kunzes Kirsche, Merton Premier, Napoleon, Orleans, Regina, Rivan, Schneiders Spate Knorpelkirsche, Summit, Trebnitzer Lotkirsche) grown in Poland. Significant differences were observed between tested cultivars for all studied parameters. The sum of total soluble solids ranged from 14.3 (‘Burlat’) to 20.9 g 100 g−1 FW (‘Bianca’) and that of organic acids from 0.43 (‘Burlat’) to 0.76 g 100 g−1 FW (‘Napoleon’). Fruit of Bianca cultivar showed the highest levels of anthocyanin (108.5 mg 100 g−1 FW) while ‘Napoleon’ and ‘Kunzes Kirsche’ contained the lowest levels (1.5 and 1.8 mg 100 g−1 FW, respectively). Total phenolic contents ranged from 101 (‘Napoleon’) to 558 (‘Bianca’) mg 100 g−1 FW, tartaric esters from 26.2 (‘Summit’) to 66.5 (‘Bianca’) mg 100 g−1 FW and flavonoids from 7.9 (‘Summit’) to 49.1 (‘Bianca’) mg 100 g−1 FW. Bianca cultivar has also the highest free radical scavenging activity assayed by ABTS and DPPH methods 88 and 90% respectively.

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‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) sweet cherry

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps-2014-156 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (8) ◽

pp. 1555-1558

Author(s):

Cheryl Hampson ◽

Richard MacDonald ◽

Darrell-Lee McKenzie ◽

Linda Herbert ◽

Christopher Pagliocchini

Keyword(s):

Sweet Cherry ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Commercial Production ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Fruit Firmness ◽

Soluble Solids Content ◽

Early Season ◽

Harvest Timing ◽

Cherry Blossom ◽

Solids Content

Hampson, C., MacDonald, R., McKenzie, D.-L., Herbert, L. and Pagliocchini, C. 2014. ‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) sweet cherry. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1555–1558. ‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) is a new early-season sweet cherry being released for commercial production by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada sweet cherry breeding program at Summerland, BC, Canada. Harvest timing in Summerland (Jul. 09) is similar to that of ‘Bing’ or ‘Van’ but fruit size is much larger (over 12 g). Fruit firmness, soluble solids content and susceptibility to rain splitting resemble those of other cultivars of similar harvest timing, but stem detachment force is higher. The trees are not self-fertile and bloom late in the cherry blossom season.

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