Effects of foliar Application with Zinc and Boron On fruitset and yield of Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. var. Bing): تأثير الرش بالزنك والبورون في نسبة العقد والإنتاج للكرز الحلو (Prunus avium L. var. Bing)

The study aims to increase the fruitset percentage of sweet cherry trees, reduce their fall rate and increase fruit retention percentage that reaches the maturity stage. It was conducted during 2019/2020 years at Cherry orchard located in Sargaya- Al- Zabadani area in Rural Damascus, in Syria. the experiment included 4 foliar spray treatments (T1: Control, T2: Zn (100 ppm), T3: B (500 ppm), T4: (100 ppm Zn + 500 ppm B) on sweet cherry trees (Prunus Avium L.) cultivar (Bing) the fruitset percentage, fruit drop percentage, fruiting factor, and yield quantity were calculated for all treatments. The results showed that all treatments (T2, T3, T4) recorded higher fruitset percentage, compared to the control (T1) with no significant differences between (74.83, 76.35, 76.25%) respectively, while the control fruitset percentage (72.76%), and (T4) has achieved the highest percentage of fruiting factor (41.40%) with no significant differences between it and treatment (T3) (37.12%), and the highest yield (19.98 kg), as well as (T2, T3) treatments was (9.39, 10.80 kg/tree) respectively, while the control yield was (5.93 kg/tree). Therefore, it can be considered that treatment (T4) has succeeded in reducing Sweet cherry fruit drop, where the fruit drop percentage didn't exceed (70.27%), and in (T2, T3) treatments was (74.94, 72.99%) respectively, while it reached in the control treatment to (80.64%).

Features of Growth Processes of Sweet Cherry Trees of Various Ripening Terms in the Conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

One of the main requirements of the new stone fruit varieties recommended for commercial cultivation is a compact crown shape that allows for greater plant density and easier crown maintenance. The aim of the research was to establish the growth processes of the above-ground parts of cherry trees in varieties of different ripening periods. The article presents the results of studies of the features of apical and lateral growth of sweet cherry trees. Biological and varietal features of tree growth strength, growth and total length of annual shoots are determined. The dependence of tree trunk growth on apical growth force is established. According to the results of research, sweet cherry varieties are grouped according to the strength of growth: the vigorous varieties are Amazonka, Dar Mliyeva, Zoryana, Mliyivska zhovta; the semi dwarf are Aboryhenka, Alyonushka, Drohana zhovta, Mirazh; the dwarfing are Biryuza, Donetskyy uholyok, Melitopolska krapchasta, Meotida. The smallest increase in trunk diameter was found for the dwarfing variety Biryuza, and the largest – for the variety Drohana zhovta. The highest yield load per unit cross-sectional area of the trunk was recorded for the variety Donetskyy uholyok, the lowest – for Drohana zhovta. The amount of growth in the trunk diameter was inversely dependent on a load of trees with the crop and the strength of apical growth of sweet cherry trees. The features of shoot-forming ability allow characterising the shape of the crown of cherry trees: round – Donetskyy uholyok, Amazonka; high-round – varieties of Aborigenka, Dar Mliyeva, Zoryana; wide-pyramidal – Alyonushka, Drohana zhovta, Melitopolska krap-chasta; pyramidal – Mliyivska zhovta, Mirazh; low – Meotida, Biryuza. Dar Mliyeva, Zoryana, Mirazh, Melitopolska krapchasta and Drohana zhovta varieties have high shootability; the Mliyivska zhovta, Aboryhenka, Meotida, Amazonka varieties have medium shootability; Alyonushka, Biryuza, Donetskyy uholyok varieties have low shootability

Drought-Adaptive Mechanisms of Young Sweet Cherry Trees in Response to Withholding and Resuming Irrigation Cycles

The present work evaluates the main adaptive mechanisms developed by young sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) to cope with drought. For this purpose, the young trees were subjected to two drought cycles with different water stress intensities followed by a recovery period. Three irrigation treatments were applied: control treatment (CTL) irrigated to ensure non-limiting soil water conditions; moderate water stress (MS) subjected to two drying cycles whose duration was dependent on the time elapsed until the trees reached values of midday stem water potential (Ψstem) of −1.3 and −1.7 MPa for the first and second cycle, respectively; and severe water stress (SS) similar to MS, but with reference values of −1.6 and −2.5 MPa. In-between drought cycles, MS and SS trees were irrigated daily as the CTL trees until reaching Ψstem values similar to those of CTL trees. The MS and SS trees showed an important stomatal regulation and lower vegetative growth. The decreasing leaf turgor potential (Ψturgor) during the drought periods accounted for 40–100% of the reduction in leaf water potential at midday (Ψmd). The minimum osmotic potential for mature leaves was about 0.35 MPa lower than in well-irrigated trees. The occasional osmotic adjustment observed in MS and SS trees was not sufficient to maintain Ψturgor values similar to the CTL trees or to increase the specific leaf weight (SLW). The leaf insertion angle increased as the water stress level increased. Severe water stress (Ψstem < −2.0 MPa) resulted in clear early defoliation as a further step in water conservation.

Investigation of stem anatomy in relation to hydraulic conductance, vegetative growth and yielding potential of ‘Summit’ cherry trees grafted on different rootstock candidates

Severe climate alterations that seriously challenge fruit production, combined with the demand for healthy, pesticide-free fruits, continuously direct rootstock/cultivar selection towards high adaptable varieties breeding. This study aimed to investigate the rootstocks’ influence on the performance of grafted ‘Summit’ cherry trees, including potentially dwarfing Prunus cerasus, Prunus fruticosa and Prunus mahaleb rootstock candidates. Anatomical properties of rootstock and scion stems were investigated to determine variation among different rootstocks and scion-rootstock combinations and to establish the link between trunk hydraulic conductivity, effective tree crown volume and yielding potential. Cross-section anatomical characteristics varied significantly both in rootstock and scion stems, indicating a clear influence of rootstock genotype on grafted sweet cherry trees. It was observed that all investigated cherry rootstock candidates belong to the low-vigorous rootstocks, based on the estimated effective crown volume of grafted trees compared to ‘Gisela 5’, with values ranging from 0.86 to 2.97 m3 in the fifth year after planting. Results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between trunk hydraulic conductivity, effective tree crown volume and yielding potential, with correlation coefficients up to 0.96. Significantly higher effective crown volume and trunk hydraulic conductance of trees grafted on P. cerasus compared to the trees on control, as well as highest yielding potential, showed better adaptation of these rootstock candidates in the trial without irrigation implemented. It was found that PC_05_04 rootstock candidate could be considered as the most appropriate choice when raising the high-density sweet cherry plantations, due to assessed parameters of vegetative and generative growth.

The Excellence of Yamazakura: Mountain Cherries and the Disappearing Tradition of Ukiyo-e Craft

Cherry blossom, sakura, is one of the visual symbols of Japan. For Japanese people it represents the beauty and fragility of life. Cherry tree belongs to the Rose family, which includes nearly 3000 different sub-species of flowering plants. Prunus serrulata, sometimes called as Oriental Cherry, is a species native to Japan, Korea and China. In Japan, cherry trees are roughly divided in yamazakura, wild mountain cherries and satozakura, cultivated cherry trees growing in residential areas. Moilanen’s research concentrates on the special properties of yamazakura, and its use in manufacturing printing blocks for traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The unique craft of ukiyo-e is gradually fading into history due to lack of successors. Difficulties in finding proper yamazakura wood material for making the printing blocks add to the problem. Moilanen gives an overview to the art of ukiyo-e and the present day situation in printing block manufacturing. Her article also includes an introduction of other wood qualities used in Japan for printmaking and a short report about a Finnish attempt for finding an alternative wood material to yamazakura. Research on heat-treated alder and birch was conducted in Aalto University in Helsinki 2008–2012. Finally, the current state of yamazakura in Japan is estimated, and the future prospects of ukiyo-e printmaking.