Abstract
One of the most important limiting factors in spread of apricot in Iran is late spring frost, which damages flower bud and decrease total yield of crop. It has been found that salicylic acid (SA) plays a beneficial role during plant response to chilling and freezing stresses. To evaluate the effects of salicylic acid on alleviating of cold stress, the flower buds (FBs) of Prunus armeniaca L. cv. ‘Shahroudi’ were sprayed at pink cluster stage with SA at 4 levels (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM) and were then exposed to artificial cold stress (4 h at -4°C) or without cold stress (+ 25). Experimental attributes including electrolyte leakage of FBs and percentage of damage (PD) of pistil, anthers and petals to temperature treatments were determined. The results showed that at -4°C the lowest and highest PD and EL of FBs were observed in application of 0.5 and 0 mM SA, respectively. The highest and lowest PD of flower organ and EL were obtained in application of 0 and 2 mM SA, respectively at +25°C. Based on the results of this experiment, SA alleviates the negative effect of cold stress on electrolyte leakage and flower organ damages in apricot cv. ‘Shahroudi’, depending on the concentrations of SA used.
Highlights
The Prunus armeniaca L., belonging to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus L., the subgenus Prunophora Focke, and the section Armeniaca, is one of the most cultivated stone fruits in the world (Ercisli, 2009; Hurtado et al, 2002; Rehder, 1967; Vilanova et al, 2003)
Three trees were selected and live flower buds at pink cluster stage were randomly collected from all quadrants of the trees
The artificial cold stress treatment was performed on half of branches, which were kept in a freezing chamber and exposed at a temperature of -4 °C and 75% relative humidity in the dark achieved by a continuous chilling decrease (2°C h–1)
Summary
The Prunus armeniaca L., belonging to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus L., the subgenus Prunophora Focke, and the section Armeniaca, is one of the most cultivated stone fruits in the world (Ercisli, 2009; Hurtado et al, 2002; Rehder, 1967; Vilanova et al, 2003). For many years the apricot production of Iran has been unregulated because of late spring frost This is the result of early flowering of native genotypes and coincidence of their flowering times with a cold spring. The apricot trees, under Noghondar climatic conditions, because of early blooming in spring, are often injured by late frost, and losing the yield lost by frost at blooming period is 30 - 40 % almost every year, or sometimes there will be no production at all. This problem has not been solved effectively. ‘Shahroudi’) would response favorably to SA under artificial cold stress
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