bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(E)-2-Hexenal Can Stimulate Botrytis cinerea Growth in vitro and on Strawberries in vivo during Storage
Authors: Fallik Elazar , Archbold Douglas D. , Hamilton-Kemp Thomas R. , Clements Ann M. , Collins Randy W. , Barth Margaret M.
Published: January 2019

Some plant-derived natural volatile compounds exhibit antifungal properties and may offer an opportunity to control the causes of postharvest spoilage without affecting quality of, or leaving a residue on, fresh produce. The natural wound volatile (E)-2-hexenal has exhibited significant antifungal activity in earlier studies, but effects on spore germination and mycelial growth have not been separated, nor has the inhibitory mode of action been determined. To determine the efficacy of (E)-2-hexenal for control of Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. spore germination and mycelial growth, and to examine the mode of action, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed. Under in vitro bioassay conditions, spore germination was more sensitive to the compound than was mycelial growth. Vapor from 10.3 μmol of (E)-2-hexenal in a 120-mL petri dish completely inhibited spore germination. However, 85.6 μmol of (E)-2-hexenal was required to completely inhibit mycelial growth. Lower concentrations of the compound (5.4 and 10.3 μmol) significantly stimulated mycelial growth, especially when the volatile was added 2 days following inoculation. Mycelial growth did not occur as long as the vapor-phase concentration was 0.48 μmol·L-1 or greater. Light microscopy analysis indicated that a high concentration of volatile compound dehydrated fungal hyphae and disrupted their cell walls and membranes. Exposure of B. cinerea-inoculated and non-inoculated strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) fruit in 1.1-L low-density polyethylene film-wrapped containers to vapor of (E)-2-hexenal at 85.6 or 856 μmol (10 or 100 mL, respectively) per container for durations of 1, 4, or 7 days during 7 days of storage at 2 °C promoted the incidence of B. cinerea during subsequent shelf storage at 20 to 22 °C. Loss of fruit fresh mass and fruit firmness during storage at 22 °C was increased by (E)-2-hexenal treatment, but fruit total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and color (L, C, and H values) were not affected. Thus, maintenance of a high vapor-phasel level of (E)-hexenal, perhaps >0.48 μmol·L-1, may be necessary to inhibit mycelial growth and avoid enhancing postharvest mold problems, while significantly higher levels may be necessary to completely eliminate the pathogen.
Effect of Postharvest Calcium Chloride Treatments on Tissue Water Relations, Cell Wall Calcium Levels and Postharvest Life of `Golden Delicious' Apples
Authors: Saftner Robert A. , Conway William S. , Sams Carl E.
Published: January 2019

Changes in tissue water relations, cell wall calcium (Ca) levels and physical properties of Ca-treated and untreated `Golden Delicious' apples (Malus×domestica Borkh.) were monitored for up to 8 months after harvest. Pressure infiltration of fruit with CaCl2 solutions at concentrations up to 0.34 mol·L-1 reduced both fruit softening and air space volume of fruit in a concentration-dependent manner. Turgor potential-related stress within the fruit persisted during storage and was higher in Ca-treated than in untreated fruit. Fruit that were pressure infiltrated with CaCl2 solutions between 0.14 and 0.20 mol·L-1 and then waxed to reduce water loss during storage showed no peel injury. Calcium efflux patterns from apple tissue disks indicated two distinct Ca compartments having efflux kinetics consistent with those for cell wall Donnan-phase bound and water free space soluble Ca. At Ca concentrations up to 0.20 mol·L-1, cell wall bound Ca approached saturation whereas soluble Ca showed a linear dependence. At higher external Ca concentrations, only soluble Ca in the tissue increased. During 8 months of cold storage, cell wall Ca-binding capacity increased up to 48%. The osmotic potential of apples harvested over three seasons ranged between-1.32 and -2.33 MPa. In tissue disks, turgor potential changes caused by adjusting the osmolality of the incubation solution with CaCl2 or sorbitol were accompanied by changes in the osmotic and water potentials of the tissue. In CaCl2 solutions up to 0.34 mol·L-1, turgor potential was ≥0.6 MPa in tissue incubated in 0.14 or 0.17 mol·L-1 solutions of CaCl2 and was more than 3 times higher than in tissues incubated in low (≤0.03 mol·L-1) or high (≥0.27 mol·L-1) concentrations of CaCl2. At osmotically equivalent concentrations, turgor potential was up to 40% higher in Ca-than in sorbitol-treated tissue. The results suggest that postharvest treatment with 0.14 to 0.20 mol·L-1 solutions of CaCl2 are best for maintaining fruit water relations and storage life of `Golden Delicious' apples while minimizing the risk of salt-related injuries to the fruit. While higher concentrations of CaCl2 may better maintain firmness, these treatments adversely affect fruit water relations and increase the risk of fruit injury.
Effect of Potassium Nutrition during Bell Pepper Seed Development on Vivipary and Endogenous Levels of Abscisic Acid (ABA)
Authors: Marrush Muhammad , Yamaguchi M. , Saltveit M.E.
Published: January 2019

Seeds in fruit of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum `California Wonder') plants grown in nutrient solutions deficient in potassium (<3 mmol·L-1) showed a higher incidence of sprouting (i.e., vivipary) than seeds in fruit from plants grown at adequate potassium levels (6 mmol·L-1). Tissue analysis showed a progressive drop in the leaf content of potassium with increasing plant maturation for all levels of potassium nutrition. However, potassium in fruit and seeds increased at later stages of maturity. ABA was extracted, isolated and identified from bell pepper seeds obtained from fruit grown under the potassium treatments (0.0, 0.6, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mmol·L-1) at five fruit maturity stages (mature-green to overripe). At early fruit maturity stages, there were no significant differences in seed ABA content in the fruit from the different potassium treatments. However, differences in ABA content and vivipary among the potassium treatments became highly significant as the fruit matured. The concentration of ABA in seeds of potassium-deficient treatments was ≈14% of the control (0.4 versus 2.8 μg·g-1 dry mass). High concentrations of ABA in bell pepper seeds were associated with low incidence of vivipary and high potassium content in the leaves, fruit and nutrient solution.
Water Availability in Three Artificial Substrates during Prunus ×cistena Growth: Variable Threshold Values
Authors: Caron J. , Xu H.L. , Bernier P.Y. , Duchesne I. , Tardif P.
Published: January 2019

In nursery plant production, optimum water use is important to maintain productivity and make this production environmentally sound. Water should be supplied when it becomes difficult to extract for the plant, at a bulk soil water potential threshold value that may vary with environmental conditions, species and substrate properties. The objective of this study was to determine the threshold value at which availability of water rapidly drops for three newly developed substrates to be used in the production of Prunus ×cistena. Xylem water potential and potential at the soil-root interface were used as indices of water availability and were compared with bulk soil water potential. Water was easily available (no drop in xylem or soil-root interface water potential) from container capacity down to a bulk soil water potential of about-10 kPa when xylem water potential was used as an indicator and -8 kPa when the soil-root interface water potential was chosen as the indicator. No significant differences in the threshold values were found between substrates, consistent with the absence of differences in the substrate physical properties. The differences in water availability among substrates were consistent with an observed difference in salt content. The important variability observed in the threshold suggests that plant based measures may be preferred to soil based measures in assessing water availability in artificial mixes.
Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Almond Kernels from Different Genotypes and California Production Regions
Authors: Abdallah Ashraf , Ahumada Miguel H. , Gradziel Thomas M.
Published: January 2019

Seed of California almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb, syn. P. amygdalus Batsch, and P. communis (L.) Arcangeli, non-Huds.] genotypes contained very low saturated fatty acids, high monounsaturated fatty acids, and low polyunsaturated fatty acids. Kernel oil consisted primarily of five fatty acids: palmetic, palmetoleic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic. Linolenic acid was only present in amounts of <0.02% and only in a few samples. Small but significant differences among genotypes and sampling sites were found in the proportions of palmetic, palmetoleic, and stearic fatty acids. The major differences in fatty acid composition among genotypes was found in the proportions of oleic, a monounsaturated fatty acid, and linoleic, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. The proportion of oleic acid was highest, ranging from ≈62% to 76%, and was highly and negatively correlated with linoleic acid levels. Usable genetic variation and a significant genotype × environment interaction were identified for oil content and composition. The introgression of new germplasm from peach and related species does not appear to reduce oil quantity or quality, and may offer opportunities for further genetic improvement of kernel oil composition.
Near-infrared (NIR) Spectrometric Technique for Nondestructive Determination of Soluble Solids Content in Processing Tomatoes
Authors: Peiris K.H.S. , Dull G.G. , Leffler R.G. , Kays S.J.
Published: January 2019

A nondestructive method for measuring the soluble solids content (SSC) of individual processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was developed using NIR spectrometry. A diode array fiber optic spectrometer was used to measure NIR transmittance. Each fruit was scanned at two locations on opposite sides midway along the proximal-distal axis. After scanning, each fruit was processed and pureed, and SSC was determined using a refractometer. Multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares (PLS) regression, and neural network (NN) calibration models were developed using the second derivatives of averaged spectra from 780 to 980 nm. The validation results showed that NN calibration was better than MLR or PLS calibrations. The NN calibration could estimate the processed SSC of individual unprocessed tomatoes with a standard error of prediction of 0.52% and could classify >72% of fruit in an independent population within ±0.5% of SSC.
Inheritance of Resistance to Common Bacterial Blight in Four Tepary Bean Lines
Authors: Urrea Carlos A. , Miklas Phillip N. , Beaver James S.
Published: January 2019

High levels of resistance to common bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (Smith) Dye (Xcp) have been observed for tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray var. latifolius Freeman). However, the inheritance of resistance from this source is unknown for many lines. The inheritance of common bacterial blight resistance was studied in four tepary bean lines crossed with the susceptible tepary bean MEX-114. Progenies were inoculated with a single Xcp strain 484a. Segregation ratios in the F2 generation suggested that resistance in Neb-T-6-s and PI 321637-s was governed by one dominant gene, and Neb T-8a-s had two dominant genes with complementary effects. These hypotheses for inheritance of resistance were supported by various combinations of F1, F3, BC1Pn segregation data in all lines except PI 321637-s where an additional minor-effect gene with recessive inheritance was indicated. Generation means analyses corroborated that multiple resistance genes were present in PI 321638-s. Lack of segregation for susceptibility among testcrosses for allelism between Neb-T-6-s/PI 321637-s, Neb-T-6-s/Neb-T-8a-s, PI 321637-s/Neb-T-8a-s, and PI 321637-s/PI 321638-s, suggested that one or more loci conditioning resistance to common bacterial blight were in common across the four tepary lines.
Cool Orchard Temperatures or Growing Trees in Containers Can Inhibit Leaf Gas Exchange of Avocado and Mango
Authors: Whiley Anthony W. , Searle Christopher , Schaffer Bruce , Wolstenholme B. Nigel
Published: January 2019

Leaf gas exchange of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) and mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees in containers and in an orchard (field-grown trees) was measured over a range of photosynthetic photon fluxes (PPF) and ambient CO2 concentrations (Ca). Net CO2 assimilation (A) and intercellular partial pressure of CO2 (Ci) were determined for all trees in early autumn (noncold-stressed leaves) when minimum daily temperatures were ≥14 °C, and for field-grown trees in winter (cold-stressed leaves) when minimum daily temperatures were ≤10 °C. Cold-stressed trees of both species had lower maximum CO2 assimilation rates (Amax), light saturation points (QA), CO2 saturation points (CaSAT) and quantum yields than leaves of noncold-stressed, field-grown trees. The ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was ≈50% lower for leaves of cold-stressed, field-grown trees than for leaves of nonstressed, field-grown trees, indicating chill-induced photoinhibition of leaves had occurred in winter. The data indicate that chill-induced photoinhibition of A and/or sink limitations caused by root restriction in container-grown trees can limit carbon assimilation in avocado and mango trees.
Differential Response to Foliar Infection with Botrytis cinerea within the Genus Pelargonium
Authors: Uchneat Michael S. , Zhigilei Angelica , Craig Richard
Published: January 2019

Foliar evaluations for Botrytis resistance of greenhouse grown plants were performed on 45 cultivars and control genotypes including diploid and tetraploid zonal (P. ×hortorum L.H. Bailey) and ivy (P. peltatum (L.) L'Hér. in Ait.) pelargoniums. Additional evaluations were performed on eight species within section Ciconium and on progeny of a susceptible by susceptible cross-pollination involving the cultivars Ben Franklin and Marilyn. Differential levels of resistance were observed. Among many genotypes that exhibited resistance, two genotypes had consistently high levels of Botrytis resistance over several experiments. These two genotypes were the diploid P. peltatum accession 86-23-1 and the tetraploid P. ×hortorum cultivar Fox. The diploid P. ×hortorum cultivar Ben Franklin was a reliable susceptible control in all experiments. Plants grown outdoors generally had higher levels of resistance than comparable greenhouse grown plants. Orthogonal contrasts indicated no trends in resistance when comparing diploid and tetraploid pelargoniums, or when comparing among ivy, zonal, and floribunda types. Genotypes patented or introduced since 1990 have greater susceptibility than older genotypes. Cross-pollinations among susceptible parents resulted in susceptible progeny, while self-pollinations of a resistant parent resulted in resistant progeny.
Seven MADS-box Genes in Apple are Expressed in Different Parts of the Fruit
Authors: Yao Jia-Long , Dong Yi-Hu , Kvarnheden Anders , Morris Bret
Published: January 2019

To study the role of MADS-box genes in developing apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.), clones corresponding to seven different genes, MdMADS5 to MdMADS11, were isolated from a 2-day-old apple cDNA library. Through DNA sequence comparison, six genes were classified into the APETALA1 (AP1) group and one gene, MdMADS10, into the AGAMOUS (AG) group. Six of the genes, MdMADS5 to MdMADS10, were found to be preferentially expressed in fruit following pollination. These genes also showed differential expression patterns in core, cortex and skin of young fruit. For instance, MdMADS5, which is highly homologous to AP1, showed preferential expression in the cortex and skin tissues while MdMADS10, which is highly homologous to AGL11, showed exclusive expression in the core tissues. The gene MdMADS11 showed a similar expression level and pattern in flowers, fruit at several early developmental stages, and for different fruit tissues. The range of expression patterns suggests that the genes play different roles in apple development.
Minigrafting of Shoots, Roots, Inverted Roots, and Somatic Embryos for Rescue of in vitro Citrus Regenerants
Authors: De Pasquale Fabio , Giuffrida Salvatore , Carimi Francesco
Published: January 2019

Minigrafting was used for rescue of tissue culture regenerants of the following four species of Citrus: sour orange (C. aurantium L. `AA CNR 31'), sweet orange [C. sinensis (L.) Osb. `Valencia Late'], lemon [C. limon (L.) Burm. `Femminello Comune'] and mandarin (C. deliciosa Tenore `Tardivo di Ciaculli'). The grafting was carried out with different scion types including shoots, roots, inverted roots and somatic embryos. This material was obtained in vitro from embryogenic style-derived callus. Seedlings of open-pollinated sour orange (C. aurantium L.), Cleopatra mandarin (C. reshni Hort. ex Tan.) and `Troyer' citrange [C. sinensis Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] were used as rootstocks. Minigrafting of shoots, roots, inverted roots and embryos regenerated in vitro allowed successful rescue of these four species. Percentages of successful minigrafts ranged from 100% (shoots) to 2.5% (inverted roots). The probability of successful graft unions increased with the age of the rootstock. The final mean canopy leaf area (120 days after grafting) ranged from 5.2 cm2 (`Tardivo di Ciaculli' mandarin grafted on 6-month-old Cleopatra mandarin) to 157.9 cm2 (`Valencia Late' sweet orange grafted on 18-month-old Cleopatra mandarin). In this work we examined some of the variables which influenced minigrafting and we determined the efficacy of this method for rescue of in vitro regenerants of Citrus. This method is also suggested as a technique to produce a high percentage of viable plants from in vitro regenerants difficult to root.
Effect of Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium Deficiencies on Nitrogen Constituents and Chloroplast Components in Citrus Leaves
Authors: Lavon Ruth , Salomon Raphael , Goldschmidt Eliezer E.
Published: January 2019

The chlorotic appearance of mineral-deficient citrus leaves presumably reflects degradative changes in chloroplast components, most of which have nitrogen as a principal constituent. To examine this assumption the size of some major nitrogen pools, the SDS-PAGE pattern of soluble and chloroplast membranal proteins, and the activities of nitrate reductase and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPcase) were determined in leaves of rough-lemon (Citrus volkameriana Ten. & Pasq) plants grown hydroponically for 3 to 10 months under K, Mg, and Ca deficiencies. Plants grown under minerally deficient conditions produced less biomass. Leaves developing under K, Mg, and Ca-deficient conditions had significantly reduced concentrations of the respective elements. Chlorophyll levels of the chlorotic Mg and Ca-deficient leaves were lower than those of control leaves but chlorophyll a/b ratios were not markedly different. Calcium deficiency caused significant decreases in total nitrogen, nitrates, and the free amino acid pool. Proline which is the major component of the free amino acid pool decreased by 82.5%. Calcium-deficient leaves had significantly lower nitrate reductase and RuBPcase activities. The level of RuBPcase holoenzyme and its subunits were also reduced. Protein levels of K, Mg, and Ca-deficient leaves were not significantly altered. The SDS-PAGE patterns of soluble and chloroplast membranal proteins did not reveal major qualitative changes. In conclusion, the data do not demonstrate a general close link between chlorosis of minerally deficient citrus leaves and nitrogen metabolism. Calcium deficiency seems to specifically interfere with early stages of nitrogen assimilation and free amino acid accumulation but the metabolic integrity of the leaf is apparently maintained even under severe nutritional stress conditions.
Toward the Identification of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Leek: Evaluation of Organellar DNA Diversity among Cultivated Accessions of Allium ampeloprasum
Authors: Havey Michael J. , Leite Daniela Lopes
Published: January 2019

Hybrid leek is more uniform and higher yielding than open-pollinated cultivars and is presently produced by asexual propagation of a genic male-sterile plant. A cheaper method to produce hybrid leek seed would be a system of cytoplasmic-genic male sterility (CMS). Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the organellar genomes have correlated with CMS in many crops. We undertook gel-blot analyses of the chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs to assess cytoplasmic diversity among 62 accessions of the major cultivated forms of Allium ampeloprasum L. (leek, kurrat, and great-headed garlic). No polymorphisms were detected in the chloroplast genome of leek and kurrat. Three accessions of leek and one of kurrat possessed one or two of seven polymorphic mitochondrial probe-enzyme combinations. Great-headed garlic differed from leek and kurrat for six polymorphisms in the chloroplast genome and for many mitochondrial probe-enzyme combinations. Our analyses revealed few organellar polymorphisms among accessions of leek and kurrat, reducing the probability that selection of polymorphic cytoplasms will reveal CMS in leek.
Selenium Affects the S-alk(en)yl Cysteine Sulfoxides among Short-day Onion Cultivars
Authors: Kopsell Dean A. , Randle William M.
Published: January 2019

Four cultivars of onion (Allium cepa L. `Primavera', `Granex 33', `Pegasus', and `Sweet Success') were grown to maturity in modified nutrient solutions with or without 2.0 mg·L-1 Na2 SeO4 (1.51 mg·L-1 SeO4-2). Selenium did not affect total flavor precursor content (ACSO) in `Granex 33', `Pegasus', and `Sweet Success'. However, Se affected several individual ACSOs and precursor intermediates. Selenium decreased γ-L-glutamyl-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide and trans(+)-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide content in all four cultivars. (+)-S-Methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide content was higher while (+)-S-propyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide content was lower with the added Se for two cultivars. Selenium lowered total bulb S content in all cultivars, and increased the percentage of total S accumulated as SO4-2 in three cultivars. The effect of Se on the flavor pathway was similar to that found when onions were grown under low S-concentrations. Flavor changes can be expected when onions are grown in a high Se environment, however, specific changes may be cultivar dependent.
Dormancy, Cold Hardiness, Dehardening, and Rehardening in Selected Red Raspberry Cultivars
Authors: Palonen Pauliina , Lindén Leena
Published: January 2019

Canes and flower buds of selected red raspberry cultivars (Rubus idaeus L. `Maurin Makea', `Muskoka', and `Ottawa') were sampled from a field (latitude, 61 °20'N; longitude, 24 °13'E) at 1-month intervals during Winter 1996-97 to study the interaction of dormancy and cold hardiness, hardiness retention, and rehardening capacity. One set of canes was subjected to dehardening (3 days) and two sets to dehardening + rehardening (3 and 7 days) treatments before cold hardiness determination. Maximum midwinter hardiness occurred in January, after breaking of endodormancy. Cold hardiness of canes and buds reached -28.6 to -37.2 °C and -24.2 to -31.6 °C, respectively. Throughout the winter, raspberry canes were hardier than buds. Endodormancy had a greater influence on dehardening and rehardening in buds than in canes, and cultivars differed in their response. Dehardening of `Maurin Makea' canes and buds, and `Muskoka' buds was slightly enhanced by breaking of dormancy, whereas dehardening in `Ottawa' was not affected by dormancy. Raspberry canes and buds could reharden even after dormancy release. Rehardening capacity was affected by the state of dormancy only in `Maurin Makea' buds. Changes in dormancy status failed to explain cultivar differences regarding dehardening and the capacity to reharden suggesting other factors may be involved.
Analysis of Cell Wall Components in Juice of `Flavortop' Nectarines during Normal Ripening and Woolliness Development
Authors: Zhou Hong-Wei , Sonego Lilian , Ben-Arie Ruth , Lurie Susan
Published: January 2019

Harvested nectarine fruit [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch `Flavortop'] were held for 5 days at 20 °C, or stored at 0 °C either immediately (control), or after 2 days at 20 °C (delayed-cooling). Observations were conducted after removal from storage for 1, 3, or 5 weeks and a shelf life of 5 additional days at 20 °C. After 5 weeks storage, 87% of control fruit developed woolliness (mealiness in texture accompanied by dry tasting fruit as a result of reduced juice content), while only 7% of delayed-cooling fruit showed signs of woolliness. Firmness of fruit in the delayed-cooling treatment was less at the beginning of ripening than control fruit, but after shelf life in both treatments, fruit reached the same final softness. Expressible juice was lower in woolly fruit (46%) than in healthy fruit (65%). Along with woolliness, viscosity of the resuspended alcohol insoluble residue (cell wall material) of expressed juice increased, implying accumulation of large molecular-weight polymers. The high performance liquid chromatography profile confirmed there were more large pectin polymers (2000 to 76 Ku) in the cell wall components of juice from woolly fruit and a lower arabinose content in these polymers reflected greater side chain removal from pectins in the juice of woolly fruit. Accumulation of larger sized pectin polymers along with high viscosity correlated with lower polygalacturonase activity in woolly fruit. Degradation of soluble pectin released into the juice of woolly fruit may have been impeded by repressed polygalacturonase activity.
Sensitivity of Continuous and Discrete Plant and Soil Water Status Monitoring in Peach Trees Subjected to Deficit Irrigation
Authors: Goldhamer David A. , Fereres Elias , Mata Merce , Girona Joan , Cohen Moshe
Published: January 2019

To characterize tree responses to water deficits in shallow and deep rooted conditions, parameters developed using daily oscillations from continuously measured soil water content and trunk diameter were compared with traditional discrete monitoring of soil and plant water status in lysimeter and field-grown peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch `O'Henry']. Evaluation occurred during the imposition of deficit irrigation for 21 days followed by full irrigation for 17 days. The maximum daily available soil water content fluctuations (MXAWCF) taken at any of the four monitored root zone depths responded most rapidly to the deficit irrigation. The depth of the MXAWCF increased with time during the deficit irrigation. Differences relative to a fully irrigated control were greater in the lysimeter than the field-grown trees. Minimum daily trunk diameter (MNTD) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) responded sooner than midday stem water potential (stem Ψ), predawn or midday leaf water potential (predawn leaf Ψ and leaf Ψ), or photosynthesis (A). Parameters based on trunk diameter monitoring, including maximum daily trunk diameter (MXTD), correlated well with established physiological parameters of tree water status. Statistical analysis of the differences in the measured parameters relative to fully irrigated trees during the first 10 days of deficit irrigation ranked the sensitivity of the parameters in the lysimeter as MXAWCF > MNTD > MDS > MXTD > stem Ψ = A = predawn leaf Ψ = leaf Ψ. Equivalent analysis with the field-grown trees ranked the sensitivity of the parameters as MXAWCF > MNTD > MDS > stem Ψ = leaf Ψ = MXTD = predawn leaf Ψ > A. Following a return to full irrigation in the lysimeter, MDS and all the discrete measurements except A quickly returned to predeficit irrigation levels. Tree recovery in the field-grown trees was slower and incomplete due to inadequate filling of the root zone. Fruit size was significantly reduced in the lysimeter while being minimally affected in the field-grown trees. Parameters only available from continuous monitoring hold promise for improving the precision of irrigation decision-making over the use of discrete measurements.
Inflorescence Development of the `Hass' Avocado: Commitment to Flowering
Authors: Salazar-García Samuel , Lord Elizabeth M. , Lovatt Carol J.
Published: January 2019

The developmental stage at which the shoot primary axis meristem (PAM) of the `Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is committed to flowering was determined. Three-year-old trees were subjected to low-temperature (LT) treatments at 10/7 °C day/night with a 10-h photoperiod for 1 to 4 weeks followed by 25/20 °C day/night at the same photoperiod. Before LT treatment, apical buds of mature vegetative shoots consisted of a convex PAM with two lateral secondary axis inflorescence meristems lacking apical bracts each associated with an inflorescence bract. Apical buds did not change anatomically during LT treatment. However, the 3- and 4-week LT treatments resulted in inflorescences at 17% and 83% of apical buds, respectively. Trees receiving 2 weeks or less LT, including controls maintained at 25/20 °C, produced only vegetative shoots. Apical buds of 2-year-old trees receiving 3 weeks at 10/7 °C plus 1 week at 20/15 °C produced 100% inflorescences. GA3(100 mg·L-1) applied to buds 2 or 4 weeks after initiation of this LT treatment did not reduce the number of inflorescences that developed. `Hass' avocado apical buds were fully committed to flowering after 4 weeks of LT, but were not distinguishable anatomically from those that were not committed to flowering.
Interorgan Signaling following Pollination in Carnations
Authors: Jones Michelle L. , Woodson William R.
Published: January 2019

Following a compatible pollination in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L. `White Sim'), a signal that coordinates postpollination events is translocated from the style to the ovary and petals. In this paper the roles of ethylene and its direct precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), in this signaling were investigated. Following pollination, ethylene and ACC increased sequentially in styles, ovaries, and petals. Ethylene and ACC were highest initially in the stigmatic region of the style but by 24 hours after pollination were highest in the base. Activity of ACC synthase correlated well with ethylene production in styles and petals. In ovaries, ACC synthase activity decreased after pollination despite elevated ethylene production. Lack of ACC synthase activity in pollinated ovaries, coupled with high ACC content, suggests that ACC is translocated within the gynoecium. Further, detection of propylene from petals following application to the ovary provided evidence for movement of ethylene within the flower. Experiments that removed styles and petals at various times after pollination suggest there is a transmissible pollination signal in carnations that has reached the ovary by 12 hours and the petals by 14 to 16 hours.
Cryopreservation of Cold-tender Apple Germplasm
Authors: Seufferheld Manfredo J. , Stushnoff Cecil , Forsline Philip L. , Gonzalez Gerardo H. Terrazas
Published: January 2019

Unlike cold-hardy apple germplasm, dormant vegetative buds from cold-tender accessions require stabilization of meristematic tissue to protect against injury during desiccation and cryopreservation. Dormant buds of six apple cultivars [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf. `Cox's Orange Pippin', `Einshemer', `Golden Delicious', `Jonagold', `K-14', and `Mutsu'] collected at specific intervals in 1993, 1994, and 1995 at Geneva, N.Y., were stabilized by encapsulation in 5% alginate, treated with step-wise imbibition of 0.5 to 1.0 m sucrose and 0.2 m raffinose solution, and desiccated with forced air at 0 °C. Sugar-alginate stabilization reduced injury during desiccation, increased cold-hardiness of the six cold-tender cultivars frozen to -30 °C, and improved recovery following cryopreservation of buds collected before optimal cold acclimation was attained. Sucrose tissue levels did not increase following stabilization treatment, but levels of glucose and fructose, and of an unknown disaccharide increased. This procedure used nontoxic cryoprotectants, and has potential to expand the scope of dormant bud cryopreservation to include cold-tender apple germplasm.
Ice Nucleation and Propagation in Cranberry Uprights and Fruit Using Infrared Video Thermography
Authors: Workmaster Beth Ann A. , Palta Jiwan P. , Wisniewski Michael
Published: January 2019

Infrared video thermography was used to study formation of ice in leaves, stems, and fruit of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. `Stevens'). Ice formed on the plant surface at -1 or -2 °C by freezing of a droplet of water containing ice nucleation-active bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae van Hall). Samples were then cooled to a minimum of -8 °C. Observations on the initiation and propagation of ice were recorded. Leaves froze only when ice was present on the abaxial surface. Once initiated, ice propagated to the stem and then readily to other leaves. In both unripe and ripe fruit, ice propagation from the stem to the fruit via the pedicel was not observed. Fruit remained supercooled for up to 1 hour after ice was present in the stem. Fruit could only be nucleated when ice was present at the calyx (distal) end. Red (ripe) berries supercooled to colder temperatures and for longer durations than blush (unripe) berries before an apparent intrinsic nucleation event occurred. These observations provide evidence that leaves are nucleated by ice penetration via stomata. The ability of fruit to supercool appears to be related to the presence of barriers to extrinsic ice propagation at both the pedicel and fruit surface. Stomata at the calyx end of the fruit in the remnant nectary area may provide avenues for extrinsic ice nucleation.
Genetic Distance and Diversity in Table Beet and Sugar Beet Accessions Measured by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA
Authors: Wang Min , Goldman Irwin L.
Published: January 2019

Genetic relationships among 37 accessions of Beta vulgaris, including 21 table beet, 14 sugar beet, and two Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla) accessions, were evaluated using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Genetic distance was estimated based on the presence or absence of polymorphic RAPD bands. Multidimensional scaling plots of genetic distance values revealed that table beet inbred lines from the University of Wisconsin Table beet Breeding Program clustered in an intermediate position between sugar beet breeding lines and standard table beet germplasm, likely because of their origin from an introgression program designed to incorporate sugar beet genes.
Bc-1 and Bc-u—Two Loci Controlling Bean Common Mosaic Virus Resistance in Common Bean are Linked
Authors: Strausbaugh C.A. , Myers J.R. , Forster R.L. , McClean P.E.
Published: January 2019

Resistance to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) strain NY15 (Zaumeyer) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) strain NL-3 (Drijfhout) was assessed in 98 F5:6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars `Olathe' and `Sierra'. `Olathe' has bc-u and bc-12 whereas `Sierra' has no known resistance genes. The differentiation of resistant and susceptible lines was based on visual symptoms, virus titer, and top dry weight. Forty-seven RILs were moderately resistant to NL-3, while 51 RILs were susceptible. This segregation fits a 1 susceptible: 1 resistant ratio characteristic of a single gene. Sixty-nine RILs were susceptible to NY15, while 29 RILs were resistant, which fits a 3 susceptible: 1 resistant ratio characteristic of a two-gene model. Moderate resistance to NL-3 was conferred by bc-12 with or without bc-u present. Bulked segregant and two point linkage analysis identified randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked in coupling to the Bc-1 and Bc-u alleles. The OH141100 RAPD marker was 4.5 cM from the Bc-1 locus. The OC161000 RAPD marker was linked at a distance of 10.9 cM from the Bc-u locus. Multipoint analysis, using segregation data for bc-12, bc-u, and the two markers, estimated the distance between the Bc-1 and Bc-u loci as 22.8 cM.
1-Methylcyclopropene Inhibits Apple Ripening
Authors: Fan Xuetong , Blankenship Sylvia M. , Mattheis James P.
Published: January 2019

An ethylene action inhibitor, MCP, was applied to preclimacteric and climacteric apple [Malus sylvestris L. (Mill.) var. domestica Borkh. Mansf.] fruit. Experiments were conducted in North Carolina and Washington State utilizing the following cultivars: Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Jonagold, and Delicious. MCP inhibited loss of fruit firmness and titratable acidity when fruit were held in storage at 0 °C up to 6 months and when fruit were held at 20 to 24 °C for up to 60 days. For all cultivars except `Fuji', differences in firmness between treated and nontreated fruit exceeded 10 N after 6 months storage. These beneficial effects were seen in both preclimacteric and climacteric fruit. Ethylene production and respiration were reduced substantially by MCP treatment. MCP-treated fruit had soluble solids equal to or greater than those in nontreated fruit. Storage and shelf life were extended for all cultivars tested. Chemical name used: 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP).
Sesquiterpene α-Farnesene Synthase: Partial Purification, Characterization, and Activity in Relation to Superficial Scald Development in Apples
Authors: Rupasinghe H.P. Vasantha , Paliyath Gopinadhan , Murr Dennis P.
Published: January 2019

To decipher the relation between α-farnesene metabolism and the development of superficial scald in apples, trans,trans-α-farnesene synthase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to α-farnesene, was partially purified from skin tissue of `Delicious' apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) and characterized. Total and specific activities of the enzyme were higher in the cytosolic fraction than in membrane fractions. α-Farnesene synthase was purified 70-fold from the cytosolic fraction by ion exchange chromatography and gel permeation, and the native molecular weight was estimated to be 108,000. The enzyme had optimal activity at a pH of 5.6 and absolutely required a divalent metal ion such as Mg2+ or Mn2+ for activity. It exhibited allosteric kinetics, S(0.5) for farnesyl pyrophosphate being 84±18 μmol·L-1, and a Hill coefficient (nH) of 2.9, indicating the number of subunits to be two or three. Enzyme activity was highest between 10 and 20 °C, while 50% of the maximal activity was retained at 0 °C. In vivo α-farnesene synthase activity was minimal at harvest, then increased rapidly during 16 weeks storage in air at 0 °C, and decreased during further storage. Activity of α-farnesene synthase, α-farnesene content, and conjugated triene alcohol (the putative scald-causing oxidation product of α-farnesene) content in skin tissue were not correlated to the inherent nature of scald susceptibility or resistance in 11 apple cultivars tested.
The Role of Leaves in Photocontrol of Flower Bud Abscission in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. `Nairobi'
Authors: van Meeteren Uulke , van Gelder Annie
Published: January 2019

When compared with exposure to darkness, exposing Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. `Nairobi' plants to red light (635 to 685 nm, 2.9 μmol·m-2·s-1) delayed flower bud abscission, while exposure to far-red light (705 to 755 nm, 1.7 μmol·m-2·s-1) accelerated this process. Flower bud abscission in response to light quality appears to be controlled partly by the presence of leaves. The delay of bud abscission was positively correlated to the number of leaves being exposed to red light. Excluding the flower buds from exposure to red or far-red light, while exposing the remaining parts of the plants to these light conditions, did not influence the effects of the light exposure on bud abscission. Exposing only the buds to red light by the use of red light-emitting diodes (0.8 μmol·m-2·s-1) did not prevent dark-induced flower bud abscission. Exposing the whole plants, darkness or far-red light could only induce flower bud abscission when leaves were present; bud abscission was totally absent when all leaves were removed. To prevent flower bud abscission, leaves had to be removed before, or at the start of, the far-red light treatment. These results suggest that in darkness or far-red light, a flower bud abscission-promoting signal from the leaves may be involved.
Effects of Crop Load on Fruiting and Gas-exchange Characteristics of `Braeburn'/M.26 Apple Trees at Full Canopy
Authors: Wünsche Jens N. , Palmer John W. , Greer Dennis H.
Published: January 2019

Effect of crop load on tree growth, leaf characteristics, photosynthesis, and fruit quality of 5-year-old `Braeburn' apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] trees on Malling 26 (M.26) rootstock was examined during the 1994-95 growing season. Crop loads ranged from 0 to 57 kg/tree [0 to 1.6 kg fruit/cm2 trunk cross sectional area (TCA) or 0 to 8.7 fruit/cm2 TCA]. Fruit maturity as indicated by background color, starch/iodine score, and soluble solids was advanced significantly on low-cropping trees compared to high-cropping trees. Whole-canopy leaf area and percentage tree light interception increased linearly with a significant trend as crop load decreased. From midseason until fruit harvest, leaf photosynthesis decreased significantly on lighter cropping trees and similarly, a positive linear trend was found between whole-canopy gas exchange per unit area of leaf and crop load. Leaf starch concentration in midseason increased linearly as crop load decreased, providing some explanation for the increased down-regulation of photosynthesis on trees with lower crop loads. After fruit harvest, the previous crop loads had no effect on leaf photosynthesis and preharvest differences in whole-canopy gas exchange per unit area of leaf were less pronounced. At each measurement date, daily whole-canopy net carbon exchange and transpiration closely followed the diurnal pattern of incident photosynthetic photon flux. The photochemical yield and electron transport capacity depended on crop load. This was due mostly to reaction center closure before harvest and an increased nonphotochemical quenching after harvest.
Carbohydrate-Related Changes in Sweetpotato Storage Roots during Development
Authors: La Bonte Don R. , Picha David H. , Johnson Hester A.
Published: January 2019

The quantity and pattern of carbohydrate-related changes during storage root development differed among six sweetpotato cultivars [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Poir. `Beauregard', `Heart-o-Gold', `Jewel', `Rojo Blanco', `Travis', and `White Star']. Measurements were taken for individual sugars, total sugars, alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS, crude starch), and dry weight (DW) at 2-week intervals from 7 to 19 weeks after transplanting (WAT) in two separate years. Sucrose was the major sugar during all stages of development, representing at least 68% of total sugars across all cultivars and dates. Pairwise comparisons showed `Heart-o-Gold' had the highest sucrose content among the cultivars. Sucrose content increased by 56% for `Heart-o-Gold' over the 12 weeks of assay, ranking first among the cultivars at 17 and 19 WAT and possessing 27% more sucrose than the next highest ranking cultivar, `Jewel', at 19 WAT. Fructose content profiles varied among and within cultivars. `Beauregard' showed a consistent increase in fructose throughout development while `Whitestar' showed a consistent decrease. The other cultivars were inconsistent in their fructose content profiles. Glucose content profiles were similar to those for fructose changes during development. The relationship between monosaccharides was fructose = 0.7207 × glucose + 0.0241. Cultivars with the highest fructose and glucose content could be selected by breeders after 13 WAT. Early clonal selection for high sucrose and total sugars is less promising because substantive changes in clonal rank occurred for sucrose and total sugars after 15 WAT. Cultivars ranking the highest in total sugars had either more monosaccharides to compensate for a lower sucrose content or more sucrose to compensate for a lower monosaccharide content. The relationship between DW and AIS was similar (AIS = 0.00089 × DW), and DW and AIS increased with time for most cultivars. Cultivars with high DW and AIS can be selected early during storage root development.
A Proposed Model for Inheritance of Primocane Fruiting in Tetraploid Erect Blackberry
Authors: Lopez-Medina Jose , Moore James N. , McNew Ronald W.
Published: January 2019

Inheritance of the primocane-fruiting (PF) characteristic was studied in seedling populations of tetraploid (4x) blackberries (Rubus subgenus Rubus). Four selections (A-1836, A-593, A-830, and A-1680) and two cultivars (`Arapaho' and `Shawnee') were used as parents in a full diallel crossing scheme. Selection A-593 was used as the main source for PF due to its origin (`Brazos' × `Hillquist,' the latter an old PF cultivar). All parents except `Shawnee' have A-593 in their parentage; among the parents, only A-1836 fully expresses PF. Selfing of A-1836 resulted in 100% PF offspring, indicating that A-1836 is homozygous for this trait. Selfing of A-593, A-830, and `Arapaho' produced either a 35:1 or a 20.8:1 FF (floricane or summer-fruiting):PF segregation ratio, fitting a tetrasomic inheritance model under either random chromosome assortment (RCSA) or random chromatid assortment (RCTA), respectively, also suggesting that PF is controlled by a single recessive gene and that the parents are duplex (AAaa) for this trait. Selection A-1680 and `Shawnee' selfed did not produce PF progeny, but when crossed with the nulliplex A-1836, gave a 27:1 FF:PF ratio, indicating RCTA and that they are triplex (AAAa) for PF. According to these research, both gametic outputs (RCSA and RCTA) seem to operate in 4x blackberry. The intensity in expression of PF had a negative relationship with time to harvest, with those seedlings showing the highest PF scores producing a crop in early to mid-August. This knowledge will be helpful in implementing breeding strategies to produce PF blackberry cultivars.
Genetic Control of O3 Sensitivity in a Cross Between Two Cultivars of Snap Bean
Authors: Reinert Richard A. , Eason Gwen
Published: January 2019

Identification of genetic control of ozone (O3) sensitivity is desirable for selection of plant cultivars which are indicators of O3 stress. A cross was made between two cultivars of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), `Oregon 91' (P1) and `Wade Bush' (P2), an O3-sensitive and O3-insensitive cultivar, respectively. Ten genetic populations (generations), `Oregon 91' (P1), `Wade Bush' (P2), F1, F2, backcrosses to both parents, and all reciprocal crosses, were field planted in each of two summers and evaluated for injury to O3. Ozone responses for the reciprocal crosses were not significantly different for any generation, so injury ratings from the reciprocal crosses were combined for each generation to provide six populations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) for analysis. When components of genetic variation were estimated from the six generations, additive genetic variance was the most important component in the total genetic variance available, although dominance variance was also a significant component. There was an inconsistency in the magnitude and the direction of the factors contributing to the dominance effects and also a large environmental component making up the phenotypic variance. Estimates of broad-sense heritability and narrow-sense heritability were 60% and 44%, respectively. Results suggest that O3-sensitive and O3-insensitive selections could be screened and evaluated in an ambient O3 environment. Several generations will be necessary, however, to develop `Bush Blue Lake' type selections that vary only in sensitivity to O3.