Apricot Research Articles

Sonbaharda Dökülen Ağaç Yapraklarının Kimyasal Kompozisyonu ve Metan Üretim Kapasiteleri

Bu çalışmanın amacı, sonbahar aylarıda dökülen ağaç yapraklarının kimyasal kompozisyonun, Metabolik Enerji (ME), Organik Madde Sindirim Dereceleri (OMSD) ve metan üretim kapasitelerinin belirlenmesidir. Çalışmada şeftali, erik, kiraz, kayısı, elma, kara erik, armut ağacı yaprakları incelenmiştir. Kuru madde (KM) içerikleri %26.79 ile 43.43 arasında değişmiştir. KM içeriği en yüksek şeftali yaprağında bulunmuştur. Ham kül (HK) içeriği en düşük %9.09 ile armut yaprağında, %20.55 ile en yüksek kayısı yaprağında tespit edilmiştir. Ağaç yapraklarının Nötral Deterjan Fiber (NDF) içerikleri %28.67 ile 44.48 arasında değişmiştir. En düşük NDF içeriği kiraz yaprağında bulunurken en yüksek şeftali yaprağında bulunmuştur. En yüksek Asit Deterjan Fiber (ADF) değeri %26.07 ile armut yaprağında görülürken en düşük %21.52 ile kayısı yaprağında görülmüştür. Ham protein (HP) içeriği en düşük %5.43 ile armut yaprağında bulunurken en yüksek %9.27 ile erik yaprağında tespit edilmiştir. Ağaç yapraklarının gaz üretim değerleri ve net metan üretim değerleri sırasıyla 84.53 ile 113.86 ml ve 10.52 ile 15.63 ml arasında değişmiştir. Ağaç yapraklarının yüzdelik metan üretim değerleri % 12.09 ile 14.56 arasında değişirken en düşük armut yaprağında görülmüştür. OMSD içerikleri %70.31-81.42 arasında bulunmuştur. En yüksek OMSD içeriği kayısı yaprağında, en düşük ise armut yaprağında bulunmuştur. ME değerleri 7.67-9.13 arasında tespit edilmiştir.

Production and characterization of gum exudate from apricot tree: modeling the rheology of the obtained extract

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the effect of shear rate, concentration (4–20 kg/m3) and temperature (20°C–60 °C) on the apparent viscosity of apricot gum solutions.Design/methodology/approachApparent viscosity has been measured using a rotational viscometer.FindingsIt has been observed that the shear stress and apparent viscosity values increase at high concentrations in the prepared apricot gum solutions. However, it is understood that the higher the temperature in the operation conditions, the lower the apparent viscosity results. Power-law is found the best-fitting model to illustrate the changes in temperature and concentration. According to the consistency coefficient and flow behavior indices, the apricot gum displayed shear-thinning behavior (pseudoplastic). The apricot gum is a polysaccharide with amino and uronic acids, according to Fouirer Transform Infrared Spektrofotometre spectra.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that power-law model can be used to estimate the viscosity of apricot gum solutions at different temperatures and concentrations for applications for which flow behavior should be taken into account.Originality/valueExudate gums have good rheological properties and, therefore, are widely used in the food industry. Apricot gum is a biodegradable and abundant polysaccharide that enhances viscosity, stabilizes suspension or emulsion and improves the flow properties of foods. Different rheological models are used to investigate rheological properties. However, those models are time-independent to fit the experimental data.

Anticancer Potential and Other Pharmacological Properties of Prunus armeniaca L.: An Updated Overview.

Prunus armeniaca L. (Rosaceae)-syn. Amygdalus armeniaca (L.) Dumort., Armeniaca armeniaca (L.) Huth, Armeniaca vulgaris Lam is commonly known as the apricot tree. The plant is thought to originate from the northern, north-western, and north-eastern provinces of China, although some data show that it may also come from Korea or Japan. The apricot fruit is used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments, including use as an antipyretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, emetic, and ophthalmic remedy. The Chinese and Korean pharmacopeias describe the apricot seed as an herbal medicinal product. Various parts of the apricot plant are used worldwide for their anticancer properties, either as a primary remedy in traditional medicine or as a complementary or alternative medicine. The purpose of this review was to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on ethnobotanical data, bioactive phytochemicals, anticancer potential, pharmacological applications, and toxicology of the genus Prunus armeniaca, thus providing new perspectives on future research directions. Included data were obtained from online databases such as PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science direct, and Wiley Online Library. Multiple anticancer mechanisms have been identified in in vitro and in vivo studies, the most important mechanisms being apoptosis, antiproliferation, and cytotoxicity. The anticancer properties are probably mediated by the contained bioactive compounds, which can activate various anticancer mechanisms and signaling pathways such as tumor suppressor proteins that reduce the proliferation of tumor cells. Other pharmacological properties resulting from the analysis of experimental studies include neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antioxidant, immunostimulatory, antihyperlipidemic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. In addition, data were provided on the toxicity of amygdalin, a compound found in apricot kernel seeds, which limits the long-term use of complementary/alternative products derived from P. armeniaca. This updated review showed that bioactive compounds derived from P. armeniaca are promising compounds for future research due to their important pharmacological properties, especially anticancer. A detailed analysis of the chemical structure of these compounds and their cytotoxicity should be carried out in future research. In addition, translational pharmacological studies are required for the correct determination of pharmacologically active doses in humans.

Using aerosols to make an integrated rapid assessment of the ecological state of territories

Introduction. Indicators of aerosol suspensions, used to make an integrated rapid assessment of the ecological state of territories, allow quickly assessing the ecological status of residential areas of settlements without installing mobile or stationary ecological posts. Aerosol particles are the subject of this study. The purpose of the study is an integrated rapid assessment of the ecological state of the residential area of the Srednyaya Akhtuba settlement (the Volgograd region) located in close proximity to operating enterprises, engaged in the production of expanded clay. The following aerosol indicators are employed to achieve this goal: acidity (pH); specific electrical conductivity (EC, µS/cm); toxicity (development of tested objects (Lr, cm)); the number of particles and their mass fraction from the perspective of convolution of normalized basic factors. The research objectives include sampling of aerosol particles; preparation of aerosol suspensions; study of indicators of aerosol suspensions; identification of the ecological status of the territory of the residential area of the Srednyaya Akhtuba settlement.
 Materials and methods. The studied material is the aerosol particles taken from the surface of the leaves of apricot trees (Prúnus armeníaca L.) in the residential area of Srednyaya Akhtuba, Sredneakhtubinskiy district, Volgograd region, October 2018. The sampling of aerosol particles and the preparation of aerosol suspensions were carried out using international methods. The study of the acidity index (pH) and specific electrical conductivity (EC, μS/cm) was carried out using the electrochemical equipment of the MULTEST series (Russia): an ion meter (IPL-101-1) and a conductometer (KSL-111), respectively. The study of the toxicity of aerosol suspensions was based on measuring the development of tested objects (Lr, cm); the study of the dispersed composition of aerosol particles, their quantity and mass fraction were carried out according to GOST R (All-Russian State Standard) 56929-2016.
 Results. The studies allowed assigning the ecological status of “an environmental crisis” to the territory of the residential area in Srednyaya Akhtuba as of the spring and summer of 2018.
 Conclusions. Sources of pollution must be identified and environmental actions must be developed to protect the residential area of the settlement from aerosol particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10).

Green City or Urban Countryside?

Urban sprawl is a global phenomena in which a city expands and suffocates its surrounding countryside. These two indivisible entities coexist in a field that juxtaposes and composes urban and rural traits according to their respective modalities. Sociologically rural and economically urban, N'Gaous orchard city par excellence, located in the heart of the Aures and characterized by its apricot trees, has experienced an astounding spatial expansion over the last 60 years, establishing a strong presence in its territory, solidifying its service, and reaffirming its attraction. Its land area expanded by more than ten times (from 33.7 to 379.7 hectares), while the population increased by more than six times (from 4,887 to 33,515 persons ). The fast growth of its urban sprawl creates a number of issues, the most serious of which are these peri-urban orchards. The goal of this article is to investigate urban growth and urbanization in N'Gaous, Algeria. The purpose is to ascertain the effects of urban expansion on peri-urban agricultural land, the primary economic activity in the area, and to chart its evolution. Accordingly, the article employs an analytical approach to assess the agronomic potential of soils in order to quantify and monitor the agricultural potential consumed by the construction. This method is supported by the use of Geographic Information Systems as a decision support tool for spatializing the city's growth. The focus of the article is not merely to avoid urban expansion, but to achieve the optimal agri-urban balance feasible. Hence, it will serve as a demonstration that the urban future is fashioned with the inherent potential to guide growth via the use of land assets.

Environmental monitoring of metallic impurities in fine dust (PM2.5) of settlements

Objective. The aim of the study is to identify metallic impurities in fine dust (PM2.5) in the residential area of Srednyaya Akhtuba (Sredneakhtubinsky rayon, Volgogradskaya oblast) exposed to the anthropogenic factor (expanded clay production) in a comparative characteristic with a relatively clean zone (garden non-profit partnership (SNT)) by indicators the number of particles (NPM2.5, %) and their mass fraction (D (dPM2.5), %).Method. The selection of particles (PM2.5) from the leaves of apricot trees and the preparation of aerosol suspensions was carried out according to international methods. The identification of the number and mass fraction of particles was carried out on the basis of the optical method according to GOST R 56929-2016.Result. The obtained values for the studied parameters were checked by the Wilcoxon T-test and were found at a significance level of p <0.05. In the residential area of Srednyaya Akhtuba, 35 times the mass fraction (D (dPM2.5), % of particles (PM2.5) exceeded the conditionally clean zone) and a slight increase in the number of particles (2 times) were found.Conclusion. Based on the results obtained metal impurities in fine dust (PM2.5) in the residential area of Srednyaya Akhtuba and environmental risks for the population living there are predicted. It is necessary to improve the system of protection of the urban economy at the enterprises for the production of expanded clay, etc., located in the industrial zone of Srednyaya Akhtuba.

Identification of Host Resistance to Bacterial Canker Disease on Apricot, Plum and Peach Grown in Punjab and KPK, Pakistan

Bacterial canker disease caused by the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. syrinagae (Pss) has been spread widely in Pakistan, in Punjab and KPK provinces specially in strone fruits like apricot, Peach and Plum. During the 2014–2015 growing period, diseased samples were obtained from peach, plum and apricot trees showing bacterial canker symptoms in Punjab and KPK provinces and 48 Pseudomonas syringae isolates were obtained. The main aim of this research study was to find out host resistance in the cultivars of Apricot, Peach and Plum against bacterial canker caused by Pss in Peach, Plum and Apricot cultivars grown in Punjab and KPK province of Pakistan. In a pathogenicity test, three Pss isolates (PS3, PS9 and PS17) were found to be highly virulent in peach, plum and apricot and were tested for cultivar resistance to Pss. Leaves and shoots of five varieties of Peach Early grand, Florida king, 4 ½, 5 ½, 6 ½, Four varieties of Plum Red beauty, Fazal-e- manani, Stanley, Producer and Two varieties of Apricot Chinese apricot and golden amber were foliar sprayed with a mixed culture of Pss having concentration of 10-8 cfu ml−1 . Sprayed cultivars were covered with plastic bags for 3 days for retaining moisture and kept in glass house and were keenly observed for appearance of symptoms. 5 ½ of peach, Fazal-e-manani of plum and Chinese apricot of apricot were found resistant while 6 ½ of peach, Stanley of plum were found susceptible and Golden amber of apricot was found moderately susceptible to Pss. This is the first report of host resistance response of apricot, peach and plum cultivars grown in Pakistan to Pss.

Susceptibility of different prunus rootstocks to natural infection of plum pox virus-Turkey (PPV-T) in Central Anatolia

Sharka is the most damaging viral disease of Prunus spp. and the causative agent is plum pox virus (PPV). PPV is widespread and poses a serious problem in stone fruit crops in Turkey. A unique strain of PPV has so far been identified in Turkey and called as PPV-Turkey (PPV-T). The aims of the present study were to describe the efficiency of PPV-T transmission via aphids and to identify the susceptibility of different Prunus rootstocks against PPV-T strain under natural inoculum in Kayseri province located Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. This experiment was established in a small residential orchard where PPV-T infected apricot and plum trees were detected. Five different Prunus rootstocks from which 200 individuals were planted in PPV-T infected orchard and experiment was designed in a randomized complete block desing with 10 replications per block. All rootstocks were regularly tested by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR during 2015–2017. The results showed that the most susceptible rootstocks in terms of PPV-T infection were Nemaguard, Myrobalan 29B and Myrobalan 29C with the infection rate of 3.61%, 2.74% and 1.04%, respectively. On the other hand, GF677 and Garnem were never found infected with PPV-T. Aphis gossypii, A. craccivora, A. spiraecola, Brachycaudus helichrysi, Hyalopterus pruni, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae were detected as most abundant aphid species in experimental plot. In 2015, the highest percentage of viruliferous aphids was found as A. gossypii (100%), followed by B. helichrysi (77.8%), A. spiraecola (55.72%), M. persicae (46.05%) and H. pruni (30.76%) whereas it was 100% for A. gossypii and M. euphorbiae followed by A. spiraecola (76.32%), M. persicae (73.1%), H. pruni (62.06%) and B. helichrysi (61.53%) in 2016 by squash real time RT-PCR. The present study showed that PPV-T was effectively transmitted by different aphid species in natural conditions in Kayseri district. It was concluded that Nemaguard and Myrobalan which were found to be the most sensitive rootstocks to PPV-T should not be preferred by growers as Prunus rootstock where PPV poses a high risk.

Determining effects of foliar boron applications on yield and fruit quality of apricot trees for reducing water stress

Aims: The research was carried out to determine the effects of different boron doses on yield, yield components and quality on 5-6 years old apricot trees of Mogador variety, which were exposed to water stress in the Amik Plain in 2019. Methods and Results: The factorial experimental design was conducted on apricot trees of Mogador variety, using four doses of foliar boron (ppm) (0-B0, 150-B150, 225-B225 and 300-B300 ppm) and four irrigation levels (100%-I100, 75%-I75, 50%-I50 and 25%-I25 of available water holding capacity) in four replications. Each replication consisted of two apricot trees. The quantity of irrigation water applied in the experiment ranged from 179 to 742 mm, while the evapotranspiration varied between 295 and 832 mm during the irrigation season. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) varied between 3.51-5.18 kg m-3 and 2.89-4.17 kg m-3, respectively. Boron doses did not cause significant differences in WUE and IWUE values. Each unit increase in crop water use caused an average yield increase of 16.8 kg ha-1. Relative to the full irrigation (I100), fruit weight decreased by 13 and 3% in I25 and I50, respectively, but increased by 2% in I75. Relative to the control group (B0), fruit weight increased by 2, 4, and 2% with B150, B225, and B300, respectively. Average fruit size varied between 47.40 (I75) and 42.99 mm (I25); total soluble solids (TSS) between 16.13 (I100) and 12.65 (I25); and pH between 3.16 (I100) and 3.30 (I50). The increased boron dose did not cause a significant difference in fruit size and width. The leaf boron content increased up to the B225 dose and tended to decrease at the B300 dose.Conclusions: Boron element provides an increase in yield in deficit irrigation conditions, the yield increase is higher in fully irrigated apricot trees. In full irrigation treatment (I100), the B225 treatment was more effective on the yield.Significance and Impact of the Study: The boron element is an important element that causes an increase in photosynthesis by light adsorption. There is not a lot of research investigating the effects of nutrient elements to relieve the negative effect of water stress in orchards. This research is important in terms of revealing the effects of the element boron in water stress conditions.

Determination of the bark beetle species (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and their population dynamics in different traps in apricot trees in Darende district of Malatya province, Turkey

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Malatya ili Darende ilçesinde kayısı bahçelerinde zararlı yazıcıböcek (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) türleri ile farklı tuzaklardaki popülasyon gelişimini ve yoğunluklarını belirlemek amacıyla 2020-2021 yılları arasında yapılmıştır.Yöntem ve Bulgular: Tür tespiti çalışmaları için Darende ilçesi kayısı bahçelerinde Nisan ve Kasım ayları arasında periyodik aralıklarla örneklemeler yapılmıştır. Popülasyon gelişimi ve yoğunluk çalışmaları ise farklı yükseltilere sahip, sulu ve susuz yetiştiricilik yapılan iki farklı bahçede gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu amaçla kırmızı kanatlı yapışkan (Rebell rosso) görsel tuzak ile SMD şerit LED eklenmiş kırmızı yapay ışık kaynaklı tuzaklar bahçelere asılarak yazıcıböcek popülasyonu Nisan-Kasım ayı arasında haftalık olarak takip edilmiştir. Darende ilçesi kayısı ağaçlarında Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham, 1802), Scolytus amygdali (Guerin-Méneville, 1847), Scolytus schevyrewi (Semenov, 1902), Scolytus scolytus (J.C. Fabricius, 1775) ve Scolytus kirschii (Skalitzky, 1876) türleri belirlenmiştir. Yazıcı böceklerin ışığa doğru hareket ederek pozitif fototaksi gösterdiği ve yapay ışık kaynağı eklenmiş tuzaklara daha fazla yakalandığı (ortalama 11.6 birey/hafta) ve bu rakamın kırmızı kanatlı yapışkan tuzaklarda ortalama 9.3 birey/hafta olduğu belirlenmiştir. Scolytid türlerin Darende ilçesinde ergin çıkışlarının Nisan ayı içerisinde gerçekleştiği, Kasım ayının ilk haftasına kadar görülebildiği ve yılda üç nesil verebildiği tespit edilmiştir. Zararlıların kışı olgun larva döneminde odun ve kabuk dokusu arasında geçirerek, ağaçların taze sürgün, ana dal ve gövdelerin kabuk dokusu altında galeriler açarak zarar oluşturduğu ve zarara uğrayan ağaçları birkaç yıl içinde tamamen kuruttukları tespit edilmiştir.Genel Yorum: Bu sonuçlara göre Malatya ili kayısı bahçelerinde yazıcıböcek türleriyle ilgili detaylı çalışmaların yeniden yapılması gerektiği düşünülmektedir. Ayrıca yazıcıböceklerin yüksek rakımlı ve susuz yetiştiricilik yapılan bahçelerdeki zayıf düşmüş ağaçlarda daha çok zarar belirtisi gösterdiği görülmüştür. Kırmızı yapay ışık kaynağı içeren yapışkan tuzakların scolytid zararlıların popülasyon takibi ve yoğunluklarının belirlenmesinde daha etkili olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.Çalışmanın Önemi ve Etkisi: Bu sonuçlar, yazıcıböceklerin kayısı ağaçlarındaki tür çeşitliliğini ortaya koyması ve farklı tuzak tiplerinin kullanılması ile popülasyon değişiminin belirlenmesi ve yapay ışık kaynağı ile desteklenmiş kırmızı kanatlı yapışkan tuzağın daha etkili olduğunun belirlenmiş olması bakımından önem taşımaktadır.

Kayısı Yaprak Özütü ile Sentezlenen Gümüş Nanopartiküllerin Antimikrobiyal Potansiyeli

Metallic nanoparticles are important substances in medicine. These particles could be prepared by various ways including green synthesis. The production of silver nanoparticles by plant extracts is widely used because of their environmentally friendly properties. In this study, silver nanoparticles have been synthesized by biological method and Apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) leaf extract was used as reducing agent. The color change and formation of the characteristic absorption peak at 400-500 nm were the first indications of AgNP formation. XRD analysis showed the crystalline particles and obtained AgNPs were generally in spherical shape with the average particle size of 24 nm. Their antimicrobial activity studies against various pathogenic microorganisms showed that they have strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans were 0.125, 0.125 and 0.250 g/mL, respectively. The results confirmed that Prunus armeniaca leaf extract could be used to produce AgNPs with efficient antimicrobial activity.

Phytophagous and Beneficial Species on Apricot Trees in Orchards

Phytophagous and Beneficial Species on Apricot Trees in Orchards

Quantification of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' in apricot trees exhibiting uneven European stone fruit yellows symptoms

This study focused on quantification of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' in apricot trees exhibiting uneven symptoms of European stone fruit yellows. For the research, 17 trees showing early leaf bud break in one part of the crown were selected in winter season, and 13 trees showing leafroll in older part of the shoots and no symptoms in younger part of the same shoots were selected in summer season. Absolute quantification of phytoplasmas was performed by real-time PCR in samples collected from asymptomatic and symptomatic parts. The results showed, that phytoplasma could not be always detected in asymptomatic parts, where 2 out of 17 samples from asymptomatic parts from winter season were negative while in summer season 6 out of 13 samples from asymptomatic parts were negative. Comparison of phytoplasma quantities between symptomatic and asymptomatic plant parts then showed significantly higher quantities in symptomatic parts from samples collected in summer season and no quantity difference in samples collected in winter season.

Chemical composition and antifungal potential of apricot, sour cherry, and cherry tree bio-products (resins) against food-borne molds

In this study, the chemical components of ethanol extracts from the resins of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) and cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees were investigated. The extracts' antifungal activity, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined on seven different food-borne mold species. Naringenin was the most abundant phenolic compound in Prunus cerasus and Prunus avium resin extracts, while chlorogenic acid had the highest concentration in Prunus armeniaca resin extracts. The highest antifungal activity and the lowest MIC and MFC values were in the sour cherry tree resin's ethanol extracts (P < 0.05). The highest antifungal activity was in the sour cherry tree resin's ethanol extract with a 19.24 mm zone diameter on Aspergillus flavus. In contrast, the lowest effect was on Cladosporium cladosporioides with an 8.00 mm zone diameter in apricot tree resin's ethanol extracts (P < 0.05). The lowest MIC and MFC values were recorded using the sour cherry tree resin's ethanol extracts on Rhizopus nigricans (16.6 μg/mL) and Aspergillus flavus (47.3 μg/mL) respectively. Therefore, apricot, sour cherry, and cherry tree resins extracts can be used as natural antifungals against molds.

Evaluation of Nutritional Content in Wild Apricot Fruits for Sustainable Apricot Production

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) trees are common from Asia to North America and have been used for delicious and nutritious fruits for centuries. Wild apricot trees show great environment plasticity and are free of pest and disease traits, both of which are important for sustainable apricot production. However, wild apricots are more common in Asia and North African countries. Wild apricot trees and fruits show great variability due to seed propagation characteristics. Seeds of wild apricots are used as rootstocks for apricot cultivars, in particular in main apricot producer countries such as Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Fruits of wild apricots are also an important food in wild apricot growing countries and add value as a sustainable nutrition source. In the present study, a total of 14 wild apricots widely grown in inner Anatolia were characterized by morphological (fruit weight, flesh/seed ratio, fruit firmness, and color index), nutritional (individual sugars and organic acids) and nutraceutical (total phenolic, total flavonoids, total carotenoid, and antioxidant activity) features. The obtained results showed that wild apricot genotypes differed from each other for most of the morphological, nutritional, and nutraceutical characteristics. The genotypes were found pest- and disease-free and had fruit weight, flesh/seed ratio, and fruit firmness of between 18.24 and 27.54 g; 8.96 and 12.44; and 4.05 and 6.03 kg/cm2, respectively. Citric acid was the dominant organic acid for fruits of all wild apricot genotypes, and ranged from 923 to 1224 mg/100 g. Sucrose was the highest soluble sugar in fruits for all wild apricots, and ranged from between 6.80 and 8.33 g/100 g. Moreover, the level of nutraceutical parameters also varied among genotypes and high amounts of total phenol and antioxidant activity were obtained in fruit extracts of IA8 genotype as 81.4 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g and 2.44 μmoL trolox equivalent per g, respectively. Different wild apricot genotypes are rich in certain nutritional and nutraceutical compounds, with significant variations in their levels being observed. The aim of the study was to evaluate fruits of wild apricot genotypes in terms of their total phenolics, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds for use in future breeding programs and sustainable food and pharma industries.

Evaluation of regulated deficit drip irrigation strategies in apricot

Water is essential for agricultural production and food security. Water scarcity is expected to intensify as a result of climate change and continuing expansion in the world’s population. Therefore, it calls for efficient water management in agriculture ensuring water use to be more efficient, productive, equitable, and environment friendly. Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is one of the recent tools used in agriculture water management. The effects of RDI on the performance of 4 years old apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. ‘New Castle’) were assessed during two critical crop growth periods (March–July 2016 and 2017) and one non-critical period (August–November 2016) in a randomized block design in the apricot block at Experimental Farm of the Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India during two consecutive growing seasons (2016 and 2017). In the non-critical period, RDI @60%ETc can be successfully employed to achieve significantly comparative fruit yield and quality with 40% water savings over conventional drip irrigation @100%ETc, while in critical period conventional drip irrigation @100%ETc must be used for higher apricot production. Therefore, the apricot crop should be irrigated through drip irrigation @100% ETc in the critical period (March-July) and @60% ETc in the non-critical period (August-November) with black polyethylene (plastic) mulching in the plant basins to achieve optimum fruit yield and quality characteristics.

Characteristics of soil erosion in different land-use patterns under natural rainfall

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;Land degradation due to soil erosion is a major problem in mountainous areas. It is crucially important to understand the law of soil erosion under different land-use patterns with rainfall variability. We studied Qingshuihe Watershed in the Chongli district of the Zhangjiakou area. Four runoff plots, including caragana, corn, apricot trees, and barren grassland, were designed on the typical slopes of Xigou and Donggou locations. The 270 natural rainfall events observed from 2014 to 2016 were used to form a rainfall gradient. The relationship between runoff and sediment yield was analyzed. Results showed that the monthly rainfall of the slope runoff plot in the Chongli mountain area presented the trend of concentrated rainfall in summer, mainly from June to September, accounting for 82.4% of the total rainfall in 2014–2016, which was far higher than that in other months. Starting from April to May every year, the rainfall increased with time, then from July to September, the rainfall decreased gradually, but it was still at the high level of the whole year. Among the four ecosystems, the caragana-field has the best effect on reducing the kinetic energy of rainfall and runoff, which can effectively reduce the runoff and sediment yield of the slope and reduce the intensity of soil erosion. In terms of the total amount of runoff and sediment, the runoff and sediment yield of the caragana-field reduced by 74%–87% and 64%–86% compared with that of the grassland. Comparing different land-use types, the caragana plantation would be conducive to conserving soil and water resources.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

К 85-ЛЕТИЮ СО ДНЯ РОЖДЕНИЯ ЗАСЛУЖЕННОГО АГРОНОМА ВЛАДИМИРА ИВАНОВИЧА СУСОВА

The article is dedicated to the memory of the honored agronomist, PhD (Ag) Vladimir Ivanovich Susov. The article describes the contribution of V.I. Susov in the development of agronomic measures for the cultivation of fruit trees traditional for the middle zone of the European part of Russia (apple, pear, cherry, plum) and less common ones (apricot, quince, peach, walnut and many other valuable trees). The article is dedicated to the 85th anniversary of V.I. Susov.

Effects of Pruning and Nitrogen Fertilization for The Rejuvenation and Physicochemical Characteristics Of Fruits of Declining Apricot Trees (Prunus Armeniaca L. CV. New Castle)

Effects of pruning and nitrogen fertilization for the rejuvenation and physicochemical quality of fruits, bearing on declining apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. New Castle) were assessed. Studies were conducted from 2011 to 2015 on the 25 years old senile and declining apricot trees. Ten treatments comprised of a factorial combination of three pruning levels/severity (heading back of main scaffolds at 20, 40 and 60%) with three levels of nitrogen doses (500, 625 and 750g N/tree). For the first time in the year 2011, the experimental trees received the treatments during its dormant period (winter). In the successive years, all the treatments were followed by corrective pruning facilitate rapid restoration of growth and production of the orchard. The factorial treatment combination of heavy pruning (60%) with the lowest doses of nitrogen level (500g/tree) increased the qualities of fruits in terms of weight, volume, firmness, total soluble solids, sugars and acidity content. Whereas, the ascorbic acid content was facilitated by heavy pruning (60%) with the highest doses of nitrogen level (750g/tree) in all the following years. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1119-1126, 2021 (December)

Prevalence Areas and Damage Rate of Contarinia Pruniflorum Coutin &amp; Rambier (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Apricot Orchards in Malatya and Elazığ provinces (Turkey)

Apricot flower midge (Contarinia pruniflorum) emerged in February-March and lay eggs on the flower buds of the apricot trees. The larvae hatching feeds through the bud wall and flower genital organs. The damaged flower does not turn into fruit. It is a pest that directly affects the yield.prevalence areas in apricot orchards in Malatya (Turkey) and the damage rate were determined. The highest infestation rate of the pest is in Kale and Battalgazi districts of Malatya and Baskil district of Elazığ with 100 %, then, Yeşilyurt 95%,Yazıhan 90%,Akçadağ 76%, Darende 75%, Kuluncak 50%, Arguvan 50% and Doğanşehir 12.5% followed by infestation rates. No pests were found in the orchards which were controlled in Hekimhan district of Malatya and Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş. Although the damage rate varies according to years, it was determined that the flower damage rate was 0.7% and the fruit set rate was 10.6 % in orchard in Kale where the pest control is done, while the damage rate was 11.8% and the fruit set rate was 2.9% in the orchard without pest control in 2017.In 2018, when compared with orchards with or without pest control, while there was damage in the number of flowers, but there was no change in the amount of fruit.