Branch Configuration Impacts on Production, Fruit Quality, and Leaf Minerals of ‘Aztec Fuji’ Apple Trees in an Upright Single Row High-Density Orchard System Over Five Years

Tree architectures play a critical role in the productivity of high-density orchards, but limited information is available in this subject. We studied effects of three branch configurations on tree growth, yield components, fruit quality and leaf mineral nutrients in ‘Aztec Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Bork.) in a single row upright high-density system under southwest Idaho, USA conditions over 2012-2016. This study revealed that trees trained into a Tall Spindle (TS) had larger trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) than those with an Overlapped Arm (OA) system. Trees trained into a TS had higher number of fruit and yield per tree, three years after planting in 2012, than those with a Tipping Arm (TA) or OA system. However, in 2013, trees with a TA system had higher yield than those with a TS or OA configuration due to trees’ biennial bearing habit and higher spur formation in trees with a TA system. Trees receiving a TA training had lower biennial bearing index between all consecutive years. Trees with an OA training had smaller fruit than those with either a TA or TS training in all years between 2012-2016. Training systems did not have any effect on fruit color, soluble solids concentration, or starch degradation pattern at harvest. However, fruit from trees with an OA training had higher firmness and lower water core than those from trees with a TS or TA training. Leaves from trees receiving a TA training had greater leaf area, fresh weight, and potassium (K) and magnesium (Mn) concentrations than those with other trainings. Leaves from trees receiving an OA training had higher leaf iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) than those with a TS training. In this study, we concluded that training trees into a TA configuration rather than an OA system is recommended if the management and operation of apple production mandate the use of an “upright wall” structure to facilitate mechanical harvesting.

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High-density linkage map construction and identification of loci regulating fruit quality traits in blueberry

Horticulture Research ◽

10.1038/s41438-021-00605-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Molla F. Mengist ◽

Hamed Bostan ◽

Elisheba Young ◽

Kristine L. Kay ◽

Nicholas Gillitt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linkage Map ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

High Density ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Total Soluble Solids ◽

Fruit Quality Traits ◽

High Density Linkage Map

AbstractFruit quality traits play a significant role in consumer preferences and consumption in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L). The objectives of this study were to construct a high-density linkage map and to identify the underlying genetic basis of fruit quality traits in blueberry. A total of 287 F1 individuals derived from a cross between two southern highbush blueberry cultivars, ‘Reveille’ and ‘Arlen’, were phenotyped over three years (2016–2018) for fruit quality-related traits, including titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, and fruit weight. A high-density linkage map was constructed using 17k single nucleotide polymorphisms markers. The linkage map spanned a total of 1397 cM with an average inter-loci distance of 0.08 cM. The quantitative trait loci interval mapping based on the hidden Markov model identified 18 loci for fruit quality traits, including seven loci for fruit weight, three loci for titratable acidity, five loci for pH, and three loci for total soluble solids. Ten of these loci were detected in more than one year. These loci explained phenotypic variance ranging from 7 to 28% for titratable acidity and total soluble solid, and 8–13% for pH. However, the loci identified for fruit weight did not explain more than 10% of the phenotypic variance. We also reported the association between fruit quality traits and metabolites detected by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis directly responsible for these fruit quality traits. Organic acids, citric acid, and quinic acid were significantly (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with titratable acidity. Sugar molecules showed a strong and positive correlation with total soluble solids. Overall, the study dissected the genetic basis of fruit quality traits and established an association between these fruit quality traits and metabolites.

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The Effect of Weed Competition on Apple Fruit Quality

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha45110556 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 120-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ersin ATAY ◽

Seckin GARGIN ◽

Ahmet ESITKEN ◽

N. Pinar GUZEL ◽

A. Nilgun ATAY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Apple Orchard ◽

High Density ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Weed Competition ◽

Soluble Solids Content ◽

Solids Content ◽

Potassium Magnesium

Orchard performance is influenced by weed competition. In this study, the effects of weed competition on nutrient contents, chemical and physical fruit quality properties were sought. The study was carried out in a high-density apple orchard (‘Golden Delicious’/M.9) over two consecutive growing seasons. The effect of weed competition was studied at three different levels: weak, moderate and strong. Fruit firmness, soluble solids content, macronutrients (such as nitrogen, potassium and calcium) and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio in fruit were significantly affected by weed competition. Strong weed competition negatively affected soluble solids content and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. In both trial years, soluble solids content was significantly higher in weak weed competition. In the first year of the study, soluble solids content ranged between 13.77±0.06% (strong weed competition) and 15.20±0.10% (weak weed competition). In the following year, soluble solids content values were determined as 13.13±0.23% in strong weed competition and 13.83±0.21% in weak weed competition. Weak weed competition showed superiority for fruit weight and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. As a whole, this study indicates that insufficient weed control in tree rows might be a limiting factor for fruit quality in high-density apple orchards.

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Interaction of Irrigation and Soil Management on Sweet Cherry Productivity and Fruit Quality at Different Crop Loads that Simulate Those Occurring by Environmental Extremes

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.2.215 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 215-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gerry H. Neilsen ◽

Denise Neilsen ◽

Frank Kappel ◽

T. Forge

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Sweet Cherry ◽

Prunus Avium ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Soil Management ◽

Cold Climate ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Irrigation Frequency ◽

Cross Sectional

‘Cristalina’ and ‘Skeena’ sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) on Gisela 6 (Prunus cerasus × Prunus canescens) rootstock planted in 2005 were maintained since 2006 in a randomly blocked split-split plot experimental design with six blocks of two irrigation frequency main plot treatments within which two cultivar subplots and three soil management sub-subplots were randomly applied. The focus of this study was the growth, yield, and fruit quality response of sweet cherry to water and soil management over three successive fruiting seasons, 2009–11, in a cold climate production area. The final 2 years of the study period were characterized by cool, wet springs resulting in low yield and yield efficiency across all treatments. Soil moisture content (0- to 20-cm depth) during the growing season was often higher in soils that received high-frequency irrigation (HFI) compared with low-frequency irrigation (LFI). HFI and LFI received the same amount of water, but water was applied four times daily in the HFI treatment but every other day in the LFI treatment. Consequently, larger trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and higher yield were found on HFI compared with LFI trees. Soil management strategies involving annual bloom time phosphorus (P) fertigation and wood waste mulching did not affect tree vigor and yield. Increased soluble solids concentration (SSC) occurred with LFI. Decreased SSC occurred with delayed harvest maturity in trees receiving P fertigation at bloom. The largest fruit size was correlated for both cultivars with low crop loads ranging from 100 to 200 g fruit/cm2 TCSA. Overall cool, wet spring weather strongly affected annual yield and fruit quality, often overriding cultivar and soil and water management effects.

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Influence of Pre- and Postharvest Summer Pruning on the Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Carbohydrate Content of Early Season Peach Cultivars

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/104865 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ali Ikinci

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Carbohydrate Content ◽

Shoot Length ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Carbohydrate Accumulation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Climate Conditions

Winter and summer pruning are widely applied processes in all fruit trees, including in peach orchard management. This study was conducted to determine the effects of summer prunings (SP), as compared to winter pruning (WP), on shoot length, shoot diameter, trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) increment, fruit yield, fruit quality, and carbohydrate content of two early ripening peach cultivars (“Early Red” and “Maycrest”) of six years of age, grown in semiarid climate conditions, in 2008 to 2010. The trees were grafted on GF 677 rootstocks, trained with a central leader system, and spaced 5 × 5 m apart. The SP carried out after harvesting in July and August decreased the shoot length significantly; however, it increased its diameter. Compared to 2009, this effect was more marked in year 2010. In general, control and winter pruned trees of both cultivars had the highest TCSA increment and yield efficiency. The SP increased the average fruit weight and soluble solids contents (SSC) more than both control and WP. The titratable acidity showed no consistent response to pruning time. The carbohydrate accumulation in shoot was higher in WP and in control than in SP trees. SP significantly affected carbohydrate accumulation; postharvest pruning showed higher carbohydrate content than preharvest pruning.

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MUTANTS OF GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLE INDUCED BY IONIZING RADIATION

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps71-025 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 123-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

K. O. LAPINS

Keyword(s):

Skin Color ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Flesh Color ◽

Stainable Pollen ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Biennial Bearing ◽

Golden Delicious ◽

Number Of Seeds

The study of 300 selections of Golden Delicious apple from plant material irradiated with gamma rays from a 60Co source resulted in the final selection of two clones that represent an improvement of the original cultivar in reduced russetting in fruit stem cavity; greatly reduced tendency to biennial bearing; and slightly lowered fertility, an advantage in Golden Delicious which tends to overset. In a single-tree first trial, about 50% of the examined clones showed reduced pollen stainability; the majority of the semi-fertile mutants had 51 to 55% stainable pollen. The number of seeds per fruit was very closely related to pollen fertility. A close relationship was found among indicators of fruit maturity, that is, skin color, flesh color, soluble solids, and titratable acidity of fruit at harvest. More detailed measurements of 14 promising selections in a replicated second test revealed highly significant differences among clones in number of seeds per fruit, the incidence of russetting in the stem cavity, shape of fruit, skin color of fruit, flesh color of fruit, biennial bearing index, weight of fruit, and trunk cross-sectional area of the tree. Clonal differences were nonsignificant in yield ratings for a four-year period, and the yield for 1969 in kg per cm2 of trunk cross-sectional area.

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Irrigation and Rootstock Influence on Water Use, Tree Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality at Harvest at Different Ages of Trees in ‘Pacific Gala’ Apple

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.48.5.588 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 588-593 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Esmaeil Fallahi ◽

Bahar Fallahi ◽

Bahman Shafii

Keyword(s):

Water Use ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Tree Growth ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Irrigation Scheduling ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Tree Canopy ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Starch Degradation ◽

Yield Efficiency

During various ages of tree between 2002 and 2007, the effects of four rootstocks and two irrigation systems using a crop evapotranspiration-based (ETc) water scheduling on water use, tree growth, yield, and fruit quality at harvest in ‘Pacific Gala’ apple [(Malus ×domestica) Borkh] were studied. The use of ETc when a precise crop coefficient value (Kc), modified by percentage of ground shade (GS) and tree canopy maturity (M) was used, provided a reliable tool for irrigation scheduling of ‘Pacific Gala’ apple. Young trees with a full sprinkler (FS) system received an average of 872.3 mm (5616.8 L/tree), whereas those with full drip (FD) received 448.9 mm (2921.1 L/tree). However, when trees were mature, trees with a FS system received an average of 994 mm (6461.7 L/tree), whereas trees with a FD received 614.1 mm (3996 L/tree) of irrigation water per growing season. Trees on ‘Budagovsky 9’ (‘B.9’) had smaller trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) and higher yield efficiency, whereas those on ‘Supporter4’ (‘Sup.4’) had larger TCA and lower yield efficiency than those on other rootstocks in all years of the study. Trees on ‘Nic.9’ (‘RN29’) always had higher yield per tree as compared with those on other rootstocks. Trees on ‘RN29’ often had higher but trees on ‘B.9’ had lower fruit weight than did those on other rootstocks. Trees on ‘Sup.4’, despite their lower yields, had smaller fruits than those on ‘RN29’ every year and thus were not suitable for planting. Fruit from trees on ‘B.9’ and ‘Cornell-Geneva30’ (‘G.30’) often had higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) and starch degradation pattern (SDP) than those other rootstocks. Fruits from trees on ‘G.30’ also had lower firmness and higher stem-end cracking, suggesting that this rootstock advances maturity in ‘Pacific Gala’ apple. Trees with FS irrigation had higher TCA than those with the FD system. Trees with the FD system were more precocious and had higher yield per tree, yield efficiency, and fruit weight than trees with the FS system when they were young. However, these differences were not significant when trees matured. ‘Pacific Gala’ fruit from trees with FS consistently had better color than those with the FD system every year. Fruits from young trees with the FD system often had higher SDP and lower firmness than those from FS irrigation.

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Growth and Fruiting of Apple Trees on Dwarf and Semi-dwarf Rootstocks in Different High-density Orchards

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.3.473b ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 473B-473

Author(s):

A.S. Devyatov

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

High Density ◽

Normal Density ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Average Yield ◽

Apple Trees ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Very High ◽

Dwarf Rootstocks

An orchard trial was established by planting an orchard with between-row intervals of 4 m. The French Axe was trained for trees with intervals in the row of 1 and 1.5 m. The hedgerow was used for treatments of 2–2.5 and 3 m between trees in the row. Semi-dwarf rootstock of Bud54-118 and dwarf one Bud62-396 were used. The growth of of these rootstocks was analogous to MM106 and M26, respectively. The trunk cross-sectional area of 7-year trees on 54-118 rootstock was 2.3 times more than on 62-396 for cv. Antey and 1.5 times more for cv. Tellisaare. The height of tree with French Axe crown at 7 years after planting on 54-118 rootstock reached 3.5–4 m. The height of tree was 0.5 m smaller on 62-396. The crown habit of tree on 62-396 rootstock was more comfortable for high -density orchard than trees on 54-118. The sum length of twigs that were cut out during 1993–96 to attain of normal density of crown was 2-4 times more than on 62-396 rootstock. Commercial fruiting of cv. Antey started at the 3rd leaf, but it was on 4th leaf for the more-dwarf rootstock 62-396. Average yield of fruit at 3–6 years after planting of cv. Antey for treatment of distance between trees in the row of 2 or 1.5 m was 6.8 kg/tree per year-1 for 54-118 rootstock, 3.4 and 3.5, respectively, for 62-396 rootstock. Yield at the 7th year after planting reached 24 and 32 kg on 54-118 rootstock, 16 and 15 kg on 62-396, respectively. Analogous date obtained for cv. Tellisa are. cv. Spartan on both rootstocks started to fruiting at 5-6 years after planting. The fruit quality was very high in all treatments of the trial.

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Deficit Irrigation to Enhance Fruit Quality of the ‘African Rose’ Plum under the Egyptian Semi-Arid Conditions

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11071405 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1405

Author(s):

Islam F. Hassan ◽

Maybelle S. Gaballah ◽

Hanan M. El-Hoseiny ◽

Mohamed E. El-Sharnouby ◽

Shamel M. Alam-Eldein

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Total Yield ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Limited Information ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Arid Conditions ◽

Semi Arid

Evolved in South Africa and released to market in 2009, the ‘African Rose’ plum has been introduced and grown under the Egyptian semi-arid conditions since 2010. Within that time, this cultivar has faced significant fruit quality issues, mainly poor color and low total soluble solids (TSS). Several trials using foliarly applied growth regulators have been conducted, but with little conspicuous results on fruit yield and quality. There is very limited information about the relationship between irrigation regime and fruit quality for this cultivar. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of deficit irrigation on the quality of the ‘African Rose’ plum during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Five-year-old hedge growing trees were subjected to three deficit irrigation regimes: 100% (control), 80%, and 60% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) after the pit hardening stage until the end of the harvest season (May to June period) were evaluated. Results indicated that deficit irrigation positively enhanced the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), total phenols, and anthocyanins with improved fruit TSS and maturity index, although fruit yield, acidity, size, and firmness were decreased. Deficit irrigation could be suggested as a sustainable novel solution to improve the fruit quality of the ‘African Rose’ plum grown under the semi-arid conditions of Egypt. Although the total yield and some quality characteristics were not improved, the early harvested fruit with enhanced color and taste could be a good start for additional research to solve other quality-related issues under such conditions.

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The influence of rootstocks on the growth, yield and fruit quality of the plum cultivar Cacanska rana

Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade ◽

10.2298/jas1902165m ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 165-174

Author(s):

Dragan Milatovic ◽

Mirjana Radovic ◽

Gordan Zec ◽

Djordje Boskov

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Planting Density ◽

Total Acid ◽

Danube Basin ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Yield Efficiency

The paper examines the influence of three clonal rootstocks ('Pixy', 'Fereley' and 'St. Julien A') along with seedlings of Myrobalan (control) on the growth, yield and fruit quality of the plum cultivar 'Cacanska Rana'. Research was conducted in the area of the Belgrade Danube basin for the six-year period (2013-2018). In comparison to control, all three clonal rootstocks have shown a significant effect on the decrease of vigor expressed as a trunk cross-sectional area. The lowest vigor was found in trees on the 'Pixy' rootstock, then on 'Fereley' and 'St. Julien A' rootstocks. Regarding the rootstocks 'Fereley' and 'St. Julien A', significantly higher fruit set and yields were achieved in comparison to control. Clonal rootstocks induced an increase in the yield per hectare ranging from 72% to 93% compared to Myrobalan. The highest yield efficiency was found in the trees on the 'Fereley' rootstock, followed by the yields observed in the trees on the 'Pixy' and 'St. Julien A' rootstocks. Significantly higher fruit weight compared to control was obtained in the trees on the 'Fereley' rootstock. Rootstocks did not show any significant effect on the soluble solids and total acid contents of the fruit. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that all three clonal rootstocks showed better results than Myrobalan, and can be recommended for establishing intensive plum plantations with higher planting density. The best results in terms of yield and fruit quality were obtained with the 'Fereley' rootstock.

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Long-term Performance of ‘Delicious’ Apple Trees Grafted on Geneva® Rootstocks and Trained to Four High-density Systems under New York State Climatic Conditions

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci14904-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (10) ◽

pp. 1538-1550

Author(s):

Gemma Reig ◽

Jaume Lordan ◽

Stephen Hoying ◽

Michael Fargione ◽

Daniel J. Donahue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

New York State ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Training System ◽

High Density ◽

Cumulative Yield ◽

Apple Trees ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Training Systems ◽

G 11

We conducted a large (0.8 ha) field experiment of system × rootstock, using Super Chief Delicious apple as cultivar at Yonder farm in Hudson, NY, between 2007 and 2017. In this study, we compared six Geneva® rootstocks (‘G.11’, ‘G.16’, ‘G.210’, ‘G.30’, ‘G.41’, and ‘G.935’) with one Budagovsky (‘B.118’) and three Malling rootstocks (‘M.7EMLA’, ‘M.9T337’ and ‘M.26EMLA’). Trees on each rootstock were trained to four high-density systems: Super Spindle (SS) (5382 apple trees/ha), Tall Spindle (TS) (3262 apple trees/ha), Triple Axis Spindle (TAS) (2243 apple trees/ha), and Vertical Axis (VA) (1656 apple trees/ha). Rootstock and training system interacted to influence growth, production, and fruit quality. When comparing systems, SS trees were the least vigorous but much more productive on a per hectare basis. Among the rootstocks we evaluated, ‘B.118’ had the largest trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), followed by ‘G.30’ and ‘M.7EMLA’, which were similar in size but they did not differ statistically from ‘G.935’. ‘M.9T337’ was the smallest and was significantly smaller than most of the other rootstocks but it did not differ statistically from ‘G.11’, ‘G.16’, ‘G.210’, ‘G.41’, and ‘M.26EMLA’. Although ‘B.118’ trees were the largest, they had low productivity, whereas the second largest rootstock ‘G.30’ was the most productive on a per hectare basis. ‘M.9’ was the smallest rootstock and failed to adequately fill the space in all systems except the SS, and had low cumulative yield. The highest values for cumulative yield efficiency (CYE) were with ‘G.210’ for all training systems except for VA, where ‘M.9T337’ had the highest value. The lowest values were for all training systems with ‘B.118’ and ‘M.7EMLA’. Regardless of the training system, ‘M.7EMLA’ trees had the highest number of root suckers. Some fruit quality traits were affected by training system, rootstock or system × rootstock combination.

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