Ali Ikinci

The Effect of Water Stress on Some Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Characteristics and Bud Success on Apple and Quince Rootstocks

The effects of different water stress (control, medium, and severe) on some morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and bud success of M9 apple and MA quince rootstocks were determined. The results showed that water stress significantly affected most morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics as well as budding success on the both rootstocks. The increasing water stress decreased the relative shoot length, diameter, and plant total fresh and dry weights. Leaf relative water content and chlorophyll index decreased while electrolyte leakage increased with the increase of water stress in both rootstocks. An increase in water stress also resulted in reduction in budding success in Vista Bella/M9 (79.33% and 46.67%) and Santa Maria/MA (70.33% and 15.33%) combinations. However, the water stress in Santa Maria/MA was more prominent. The increase in water stress resulted in higher peroxidase activities as well as phenol contents in both rootstocks. Although catalase activity, anthocyanin, and proline contents increased with the impact of stress, this was not statistically significant. The results suggest that the impact of stress increased with the increase of water stress; therefore, growers should be careful when using M9 and MA rootstocks in both nursery and orchards where water scarcity is present.

Effects of preharvest drip-irrigation scheduling on strawberry yield, quality and growth

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars, Oso Grande and Camarosa were grown in the field from July 1999 to May 2000 in order to investigate the effectiveness of preharvest drip-irrigation management on fruit yield, quality (i.e. soluble dry matter, fruit size), leaf macro-nutrient composition and normal growth parameters. All plots were irrigated uniformly until 2 weeks before harvest. Differential treatments were then imposed ranging from a complete cut-off of irrigation to full irrigation through the harvest period. Preharvest drip-irrigation management treatments were (i) complete irrigation cut-off, dry (D), (ii) normal irrigation based on class A pan and percentage cover (C), (iii) 75% of normal irrigation, C (IR1), (iv) 50% of normal irrigation, C (IR2), and (v) 25% of normal irrigation, C (IR3). Normal irrigation (control, C) was created by irrigating plants once every 2 days at 100% A pan (Epan) evaporation. No irrigation (D) and IR3 treatments caused reductions in most parameters measured, except water-soluble dry matter concentrations (SDM) in fruit compared with other treatments. There were no significant differences between C, IR1, and IR2 treatments in normal growth parameters or leaf nutrient composition. Fruit size and SDM were both significantly affected by late-season irrigation management; individual fruit weight was significantly reduced and SDM increased even in the IR2 and IR3 treatments compared with control values. Fruit yield was not affected significantly by reduced water application except in the D treatment. These results clearly indicate that reduced preharvest irrigation was partially detrimental; a small reduction in irrigation (IR1) had little or no effect but 50% or less of normal irrigation, while not reducing overall fruit yield, resulted in smaller fruits.

Selected Mechanical Properties and Bruise Susceptibility of Nectarine Fruit

This research was conducted to evaluate some mechanical properties and bruise susceptibility of nectarine (Prunus persica variety). Compression and impact tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties and the bruise susceptibility depends on the direct mechanical damaging of nectarine fruit. Compression tests were carried out by using a compression test device at 1 mm min−1 load velocity. Deformation, bioyield point force, deformation energy, and Poissons ratio were determined using compression tests data. Absorbed energy, bruise volume, and bruise susceptibility were determined by impact tests. Impact tests of nectarine were conducted by using a pendulum with a 50-cm arm length. These tests were carried out at two directions of nectarine, namely, impact from the bottom side and its cheek side and three drop heights (30, 40, and 50 cm) to obtain different impact energy levels. In addition to these data, dimensional properties, such as length, width, and mass, were also measured.

AN EXPERIMENT TO INVESTIGATE AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM SULPHATE ON SALT AND ALKALINITY STRESSED VEGETABLE CROPS

ABSTRACT Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivar, Marilyn F1, cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivar, Seraset F1, and pepper (Capsicum annum) cultivar, Charliston 52, were grown in sand culture for five weeks to investigate the effect of supplementary potassium sulphate applied to the root zone at high NaCl (60 mM) and high pH (8.5). Treatments were (1) nutrient solution alone (C); (2) nutrient solution+3 mM K2SO4 applied to root zone (C+K); (3) nutrient solution+60 mmol NaCl (C+S); and (4) nutrient solution+60 mmol NaCl+3 mM K2SO4 applied to root zone (C+S+K). Two pH levels (5.5 or 8.5) were combined with the above treatments (C, C+K, C+S, and C+S+K). Supplementary 3 mM K2SO4 was added to nutrient solution for three weeks. The plants grown at high NaCl and high pH produced less dry matter and chlorophyll compared to control while the C+S+K treatment was intermediate in response between the control and NaCl treatment for all three species tested. Reductions in both dry matter and chlorophyll concentrations were greater for pepper than tomato and cucumber. The deleterious effect of high salinity on plant growth was more striking than that of high pH. Membrane permeability increased with addition of 60 mM NaCl and as the pH increased from 5.5 to 8.5. These increases were greatest for pepper. Supplementary K2SO4 decreased membrane permeability in all three species to levels not significantly different from the control values. Water use was decreased by salinity in cucumber and tomato but increased in pepper compared to control values. At high pH (8.5) water use increased in all treatments. Supplementary K (C+S+K) resulted in water use levels that were similar to or slightly higher than in the control. Sodium (Na) concentration in plant tissues increased for all three species in the elevated NaCl and pH treatments. Concentration of K was in the deficient range in the plants grown at high NaCl and supplementary K2SO4 application corrected this deficiency.

Influence of rootstocks on growth, yield, fruit quality and leaf mineral element contents of pear cv. 'Santa Maria' in semi-arid conditions.

BackgroundRootstocks play an essential role to determining orchard performance of fruit trees. Pyrus communis and Cydonia oblonga are widely used rootstocks for European pear cultivars. The lack of rootstocks adapted to different soil conditions and different grafted cultivars is widely acknowledged in pear culture. Cydonia rootstocks (clonal) and Pyrus rootstocks (seedling or clonal) have their advantages and disadvantages. In each case, site-specific environmental characteristics, specific cultivar response and production objectives must be considered before choosing the best rootstock. In this study, the influence of three Quince (BA 29, Quince A = MA, Quince C = MC) and a local European pear seedling rootstocks on the scion yield, some fruit quality characteristics and leaf macro (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and micro element (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and B) content of ‘Santa Maria’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) were investigated.ResultsTrees on seedling rootstock had the highest annual yield, highest cumulative yield (kg tree−1), largest trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), lowest yield efficiency and lowest cumulative yield (ton ha−1) in the 10th year after planting. The rootstocks had no significant effect on average fruit weight and fruit volume. Significantly higher fruit firmness was obtained on BA 29 and Quince A. The effect of rootstocks on the mineral element accumulation (N, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and B) was significant. Leaf analysis showed that rootstocks used had different mineral uptake efficiencies throughout the early season.ConclusionThe results showed that the rootstocks strongly affected fruit yield, fruit quality and leaf mineral element uptake of ‘Santa Maria’ pear cultivar. Pear seedling and BA 29 rootstock found to be more prominent in terms of several characteristics for ‘Santa Maria’ pear cultivar that is grown in highly calcareous soil in semi-arid climate conditions. We determined the highest N, P (although insignificant), K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Cu mineral element concentrations on the pear seedling and BA 29 rootstocks. According to the results, we recommend the seedling rootstock for normal density plantings (400 trees ha−1) and BA 29 rootstock for high-density plantings (800 trees ha−1) for ‘Santa Maria’ pear cultivar in semi-arid conditions.

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

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.

Efficacy of mating disruption technique against carob moth, Apomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in pomegranate orchards in Southeast Turkey (Şanlıurfa)

ABSTRACT Carob moth, Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a key pest in pomegranate orchards in Southeast of Turkey. The pest causes significant damage and reduces marketability of fruits, and is difficult to control with insecticides. Therefore, it is imperative to develop environmentally sound effective alternative management approaches. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mating disruption technique and determine the appropriate application dose for the management of the pest. The study was carried out in Central and Suruç districts of Şanlıurfa province (Turkey) in 2011 and 2012. SPLAT EC (Specialized Pheromone-Lure Application Technology) trade named dispenser containing 2% Z7, E9-11-dodecatrienyl formate pheromone mimic was applied at 500, 625 and 750 g/ha in three pomegranate orchards in each district. Results indicated that mating disruption technique significantly reduced the pest populations. But effectiveness of the method was less in terms of the damage rate on fruits. Pheromone applied at 500 g/ha was not effective. However, application at 625 g/ha reduced the pest populations to an acceptable level. Thus, the concentration could be considered an appropriate dose for the less abundant pest population within integrated pest management while higher population would require combining the mating disruption method with a bio-insecticide.

Morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics and bud success responses of myrobolan 29 c plum rootstock subjected to water stress

Abstract: Water stress treatments on some morphological, biomass, physiological, biochemical characteristics and budding success of apricot and plum cultivars/Myrobolan 29 C plum rootstock have been studied in a pot-experiment trial. Three different water stress levels (control-100 %, medium-75 %, and severe-50 % of the pot capacity) were applied. The results showed that measured morphological, biomass, physiological and biochemical characteristics as well as budding success of cultivars on the rootstocks were affected by water stress. Water stress, both moderate and severe, significantly decreased the relative shoot length, diameter and shoot stem cross sectional area, plant total fresh and dry weights. Increases in water stress led to increases in peroxidase activities, phenol and proline contents in plum rootstock. Increases in water stress also resulted in reduction in budding success in both Formosa (plum cv)/Myrobolan 29 C (90.00 % and 48.33 %) and San Castrese (apricot cv)/Myrobolan 29 C (87.50 % and 42.83 %).

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF DIFFERENT PISTACHIO CULTIVARS GROWN UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS

In our country there are many pistachio cultivars and types. This project is acomparison of the bearing age, yield, and quality characteristics of our standard domesticcultivars and foreign cultivars under irrigated conditions at the Ceylanpinar State Farm.Budding success, rootstock development, scion and shoot growth, flowering period andfruiting were determined. Differences in the above parameters were noted among thecultivars.