Agrobiological assessment of adaptive plum varieties in the conditions of the Orenburg Urals

The article presents data of agrobiological evaluation (2018-2021) of plum collection samples of Orenburg branch of Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. The research was aimed at identifying varieties and forms with the best characteristics of winter hardiness, drought resistance, productivity. In the Orenburg Urals, breeding development measures aimed at increasing the adaptability and productivity of plum plantations are appropriate. According to the results of a comprehensive assessment of productivity and adaptability, promising plum varieties have been identified. The best adaptability to adverse weather and climatic conditions of the winter period was characteristic of plum varieties Kuyashskaya and Vega. According to the weight of the fruit, Antonina and Kuyashskaya varieties (24,26 g and 23,19 g) stood out as promising plum varieties. The highest productivity index was found in the plum varieties Svetlana (12,46 kg) and Nadezhda (11,48 kg), the yield of these varieties was 5 and 5,4 t/ha, respectively. The Khabarovsk early and Svetlana varieties were characterized by the greatest accumulation of dry soluble substances –17,93 and 16,72 %. The highest total acidity (1,78 %) and the ascorbic acid content (9,46 mg%) were marked in the Svetlana variety. Characteristics of the water regime were the best in forms 12-7, 11-10 and varieties Antonina, Kuyashskaya. The identified adaptive plum varieties can be recommended for the expansion of the zoned assortment on the territory of the Orenburg Urals.

PLUM VARIETIES USED AS PARENTS IN ROMANIAN BREEDING PROGRAM

There are about three thousand varieties belonging to Prunus domestica available at present worldwide that can be used as genitors in plum breeding activity. An analysis of the pedigrees of plum cvs. developed in Romanian breeding programs shows that the most are descended from ‘Tuleu gras’, ‘Renclod Althan’, ‘Anna Späth’, ‘Stanley’ and ‘Early Rivers’, called 'ancestors'. That means the majority of plum cvs. have at least one of the ancestors as parent or grandparent. For those 40 plum cvs. registered in Romania in 60 years an increased number of crosses with these 'ancestors' has led to what we call 'inbreeding'. According to data presented in this paper, ‘Tuleu gras’ cv. was the most frequently used parent in the cross combinations, giving origin to 23 cvs. Among the other frequently used genitors were: ‘Renclod Althan’ (7 cvs.), ‘Anna Späth’ (3 cvs.) and ‘Stanley’ (1 cv.). Many of the cultivars – 32 altogether (80%) have originated from hybridization, whereas 4 cvs. have originated from open pollination, others 3 cvs. from mutagenesis and 1 cv. from clonal selection. The goal of this work is to measure genetic diversity presently use in Romanian plum breeding. Pedigrees of each cv. were used to study the genetic contributions of ancestor. Of the 40 cvs. analyzed, 33 had an inbreeding coefficient other than zero. The overall mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.419 for all cvs., where their parentages were known. For cvs. with unknown parentage (nonrelated with known parentage) the inbreeding coefficient is zero. The mean coefficient of coancestry of 40 plum cvs. are 0.081 with ‘Tuleu gras’ cv., 0.019 with ‘Renclod Althan’ and ‘Anna Späth’ cvs., 0.017 with ‘Early Rivers’ cv., 0.014 with ‘d’Agen’ and ‘Renclod Violet’ cvs. and 0.005 with Stanley cv. In conclusion, plum breeders have worked with populations of greatly reduced genetic diversity and this strategy becomes a problem because it leads to genetic impoverishment, and, also, the loss of the genetic resistance to different diseases.

STUDY OF GENETIC DIVERSITY AND ANALYSIS OF THE DEGREE OF SIMILARITY IN SOME APPLE AND PLUM VARIETIES USING RAPD MARKERS

Molecular evaluation of germplasm is an important step in breeding programs, and the application of molecular biological techniques has led to important results in terms of both within- and between-species variability of traits. The RAPD technique has been successfully used to reveal allelic polymorphism as well as to measure genetic similarity. In this study, the genetic diversity of 25 genotypes and cultivars for apple species and 26 genotypes and cultivars for plum species was assessed with six RAPD markers. All these cultivars belong to the ex situ collection of apple and the ex situ collection of plum at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti. The average number of amplified bands was 19.2 for apple and 17.66 for plum. Statistical analysis of intraspecific allelic polymorphism was expressed using the PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) index, which takes into account the allelic frequency. Two statistical indices were used to quantify genetic diversity: the Shannon index and the Simpson index. The degree of similarity between varieties was analyzed using the NTSYSpc version 2.1. Following RAPD analyses, the allele sizes of the analyzed varieties were within the range quoted in the literature, the genetic profiles of the studied varieties suggesting a medium to high genetic diversity, except for markers OPBC-04 and OPBB-05 for plum species, which expressed a high genetic diversity. Genetic distances calculated based on polymorphism of migrated bands in agarose gel confirmed the known genealogies of the apple and plum varieties studied. Thus, the smallest genetic distance for apple species was found between 'Jonagold' and 'Golden Delicious', 'Pionier' and 'Rustic', 'Jonathan' and 'Idared', 'Wagener Premiat' and 'Granny Smith', 'Remar' and 'Aura', 'Romus 3' and 'Rome Beauty', and the largest between Malus floribunda and the other genotypes studied. In plum, the smallest genetic distance was found between 'Dani' and 'Tita', 'Roman' and 'Tuleu gras', 'Dara' and 'Haganta', 'Romanța' and 'Stanley', 'Anna Spath' and 'Renclod Violet', and the largest between 'Lama', 'Black Diamond' and the other genotypes studied.

Economic and industrial assessment of common plum and cherry plum in the foothill zone of Adygea

The article contains materials of the research on the yield of common plum and cherry plum varieties. The most productive samples have been selected. The productivity of the selected varieties have been studied for four years, which includes the following characteristics: average productivity (kg/tree), average productivity from one cubic meter of a crown (kg/m3 ), average fruit weight (g), average productivity (% to the standard). The economic efficiency of common plum and cherry plum for a 5 years period has been studied. The following indicators have taken into account: yield (t/ha), product cost (rubles/ha), production costs (rubles/ha), sales profit (rubles/ha), product profitability (%). It has been found that the productivity of the studied varieties (kg/tree) is quite different. Common plum productivity varies from from 14,4 (Nectar) to 34,6 (Shamsi). That of cherry plum varies from 20 (Rioni) to 34,1 (Shuntukskaya 11). Mathematical processing of data on the yield of fruits of common plum and cherry plum has been carried out using the method of field experiment. Statistical processing of one-factor experiment has been carried out by the method of deviation from the average one according to the variant. 3 groups of plum and cherry plum varieties have been identified at the standard level: low-productive, medium-productive, high-productive. The varieties of cherry plum with high productivity from one cubic meter of crown, more than 2,0 kg/m3 , have been identified: early Niberdzhaevskaya (st), Most early, Shuntukskaya 9, Shuntukskaya 11, Klyukovka, large Nalchikskaya. These include the following varieties of common plum: Renklod Altana, early Kabardinskaya (st), Vascova, Arvita, Hungarian Italian, Anna Shpet (st). The studied varieties of plum and cherry plum are divided into groups according to fruit sizes: small-fruited, medium-fruited and large-fruited. It has been established that the economic efficiency of the production of common plum and cherry plum fruits mainly depends on the yield of the variety and the cost of production. The profitability of common plum varieties is from 59,7% to 130%, cherry plum – from 39,9% to 59,2%.Economic and industrial assessment of common plum and cherryplum in the foothill zone of Adygea.

Suitability of plum varieties and forms selected by the Federal Research Center n.a. I.V. Michurin for the production of prunes

The study is aimed at assessing the suitability of plum varieties cultivated in Tambov region for the production of dried fruits (prunes). Large-fruited (average weight of more than 31 g) varieties were identified. Renklod by Kharitonovoy, Etude, Vengerka by Kursakov and Nochka are characterized by intense violet and dark purple integumentary colors. A combination of high skin strength, pulp hardness and good stone separation was found in Renklod by Kharitonov, Renklod Tambov, Etude, Vengerka by Kursakov and 23-135 Elite. A high accumulation of soluble solids, sugars, a low content of organic acids, as well as a high sugar-acid index were found in Renklod by Kharitonov, Renklod Tambov and Elite 23-135. Prunes produced from Renklod by Kharitonov, Renklod Tambov and 23-135 Elite were characterized by high commercial and consumer qualities, which makes it possible to recommend these varieties for the production of dried fruits.

Оценка стимулирующего действия Реглалга в сочетании с микроэлементами у разных сортов сливы

The article presents the results of a study the influence of the bioregulator Reglalg, isolated from the alga Spirogira biomass, in combination with microelements B, Zn, Mn, Mo on the plum plants physiological characteristics. A significant stimulating effect of such treatment on the mass and surface of leaves, the net productivity of photosynthesis and oxidative enzymes activity in the leaves of late local and introduced plum varieties was revealed.

ADAPTABILITY OF THORNY PLUM VARIETIES IN THE MIDDLE URALS

The purpose of attracting thorny plums (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia (Jusl.) Schneid) into the study is to obtain promising forms as a resource for creating adaptive varieties of the genus Prunus for the Middle Urals. In total, the genetic collection included the study of 42 varieties of thorny plums bred by the Sverdlovsk Horticultural Breeding Station, other scientific institutions, and folk breeding. The article contains data on the thorny plum varieties: Tagil, Iset (breeding of the Sverdlovsk Station), Ermak, Sergo(folk breeding) for the study period 2011-2020. The biological and economic assessment of new thorny plum varieties of is given. According to phenological observations, the varieties were characterized by a late flowering period (III decade of May) (which makes it possible to avoid recurrent frosts more often) and by a late ripening of fruits (III decade of September). As a result of a long-term assessment in cold winters (2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14), it was found that the degree of freezing did not exceed two points, which characterized the varieties as winter-hardy. The yield for 10 years of fruiting averaged 95.7-139.2 c/ha. The maximum yield was obtained for the Tagil (388.3 c/ha in 2013) and Ermak (319.7 c/ha in 2011) varieties. Varieties Ermak, Sergo are classified as selffertile, varieties Tagil, Iset — as partially self-fertile. Fruit weight was 9-11 g. Fresh fruit tasting: Tagil, Ermak — 4.2 points, Iset, Sergo — 4.4 points. Evaluation of natural juice of varieties of thorny plums — 4.5 points, jam — 5 points. The varieties Tagil, Ermak, Iset, Sergo had high rates of chemical composition, including dry soluble substances — 18.90-21.34 %, anthocyanins — 211.80 — 335.03 mg/100 g, which determines their high value. The studies carried out indicate the prospects of introducing the thorny plum into the culture in the Middle Urals. Varieties Tagil, Ermak, Iset, Sergo can be recommended for production, amateur gardening, as well as sources of adaptive and economic traits for further breeding use.

Detection of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling the Content of Phenolic Compounds in an Asian Plum (Prunus salicina L.) F1 Population

Consumption of fresh fruit is known to protect against non-communicable diseases due to the fruit's content in compounds with an antioxidant capacity, among them is polyphenols. Asian plums (Prunus salicina L.) accumulate more than 40 phenolic compounds, with a remarkable diversity in their profiles, depending on the variety and environmental conditions. Although candidate genes have been indicated to control this trait, the loci controlling its phenotypic variation have not yet been defined in this species. The aim of this work was to identify the quantitative trait Loci (QTL) controlling the phenolic compounds content in the Asian plum skin and flesh. Using UHPLC-DAD-Orbitrap-MS, we determined that cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside are the main anthocyanins in Asian plums. Other anthocyanins found to a lesser extent were tentatively identified as cyanidin bound to different sugar and procyanidin moieties. Then we phenotyped fruits of 92 and 80 F1 seedlings from the cross < “98.99” × “Angeleno”> (98 Ang) for two harvest seasons. We used HPLC-DAD to quantify single anthocyanin and spectrophotometric techniques to determine the total content of phenols, flavonoids, procyanidins, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP). To determine the phenotype-genotype association of phenolic compounds content, phenotypic values (adjusted by linear mixed-effects models), genotypic data and linkage maps were analyzed with the multiple QTL model (MQM) approach. We found a total of 21 significant trait-marker associations: 13 QTLs segregating from “98.99” and 8 QTLs from “Angeleno.” From these associations, 8 corresponded to phenolic compound content in the flesh and 13 in the skin. Phenotype variance was explained by the detected loci, ranging from 12.4 to 27.1%. The identified loci are related to the content of cyanidin-3-glucoside (LG4), cyanidin-3-rutinoside (LG4), total flavonoids and procyanidins (LG5 and LG8), and minor anthocyanin compounds (LG3 and LG4). These results will help improve the efficiency of breeding programs for the generation of Asian plum varieties with high phenolic compound content.

Cultivation prospects of selected plum varieties in dense planting areas of the North Caucasus region of Russia

The intensification of Russian horticulture in modern conditions is impossible without a comprehensive assessment of fruit crop varieties, including already introduced ones, to identify the most ecologically adaptive and productive genotypes for cultivation. The purpose of this study was a comprehensive assessment of the biological potential of newly-introduced plum varieties and the peculiarities of their implementation under the conditions of the North Caucasian horticultural region, intending to select the best ones to expand the regional assortment. The research focus was the plum varieties of Italian breeds: Big Stanley (Prunus domestica L.), Blue Moon (Prunus domestica L.), August Delight (Prunus domestica L.), Dark Sunlight (Prunus domestica L.), Crimson Glo (Prunus cerasifera L.) of differentecological and geographical origin. The August Delight, Blue Moon, Crimson Glo and Dark Sunlight varieties are earlymaturing and start bearing fruits in 3 years and Big Stanley in 4 years. These varieties have a restrained spread, respond positively to alternative methods of crown formation and are technologically advanced. According to the ripening time of the fruits, the varieties can be divided into distinct groups: August Delight and Blue Moon are middle-late, while Big Stanley, Crimson Glo and Dark Sunlight are late. Under the research conditions, the August Delight, Blue Moon and Big Stanley varieties developed large fruits of 44.6-52.4 g, while very large fruits, between 75.5 and 78.9 g, were found in the Crimson Glo and Dark Sunlight varieties, respectively. Under extreme weather conditions, Crimson Glo (19.5 t/ha) and Dark Sunlight (22.3 t/ha) varieties were characterised by higher yields, while for the Big Stanley, Blue Moon, August Delight varieties, the yield was at the level of the control group (15.0-16.2 t/ha). Newly-introduced varieties have several agronomic characters, allowing them to be recommended for expanding the regional assortment and plum supply of late varieties. This strategy can provide an increase in the arrival duration of fresh fruits by 26-30 days.