Beginning Of Bloom Research Articles

Herbage yield, essential oil content and composition of three oregano ( Origanum vulgare L.) populations as affected by soil moisture regimes and nitrogen supply

To compare the response of oregano ( Origanum vulgare L.) populations to soil moisture regimes and nitrogen fertilization, a greenhouse experiment with three populations of oregano cultivated in Germany ( O. vulgare var. creticum, O. vulgare ssp. hirtum, O. vulgare var. samothrake) was conducted during 2006–2007 at the research station Rauischholzhausen of Justus Liebig University in Germany. A completely randomized experimental design with three soil moisture regimes (optimal, consistent water deficiency and water deficiency from the beginning of flowering) and two nitrogen fertilization levels with six replications was realized. Dry matter production of population O. vulgare var. samothrake was stable for two experiment years, whereas those of the populations O. vulgare var. creticum and O. vulgare ssp. hirtum were higher in 2007 than in 2006. Among tested populations O. vulgare var. samothrake showed the highest essential oil content in both experiment years. Consistent water deficiency caused reduction of dry matter, but not essential oil content. Water deficiency in flowering stage reduced also dry matter production, but increased essential oil content, resulting in the highest essential oil yield in 2006 and a comparable essential oil yield as control in 2007. Higher nitrogen levels caused an increase in dry matter production of oregano for both experiment years and a decrease in essential oil content in 2007, which can be explained in terms of dilution effect. Totally, 42 compounds were identified in essential oils of three populations by means of GC–MS. Carvacrol was the dominant compound (70.0–77.4%) for all essential oil samples, followed by γ-terpinene (8.1–9.5%) and p-cymene (4.5–5.3%). The composition of essential oil of oregano populations was independent of cultivation conditions. In conclusion, the population of O. vulgare var. samothrake showed a stable dry matter yield with higher essential oil content than the populations of O. vulgare var. creticum and O. vulgare ssp. hirtum. Water deficiency after beginning of blooming (folded flowers) can induce an increase in essential oil content and thus result in higher quality of oregano herbage and higher water use efficiency of oregano plants.

Brassinolide alleviated the adverse effect of water deficits on photosynthesis and the antioxidant of soybean (Glycine max L.)

Brassinolide (BR) is a relatively new plant growth regulator. To test whether BR could be used to increase tolerance to water deficits in soybean, the effects of BR application on photosynthesis, assimilate distribution, antioxidant enzymes and seed yield were studied. BR at 0.1 mg l−1 was foliar applied at the beginning of bloom. Two levels of soil moisture (80% field capacity for well-watered control and 35% for drought-stressed treatment) were applied at pod initiation. BR treatment increased biomass accumulation and seed yield for both treatments. Drought stress inhibited translocation of assimilated 14C from the labeled leaf, but BR increased the translocation for both treatments. Drought stress depressed chlorophyll content and assimilation rate (A), while chlorophyll content and A of BR-treated plants were greater than that of drought-stressed plants. BR treatment increased maximum quantum yield of PS II, the activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, and the leaf water potential of drought-stressed plants. Treatment with BR also increased the concentration of soluble sugars and proline, and the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase of soybean leaves when drought-stressed. However, it decreased the malondialdehyde concentration and electrical conductivity of leaves under drought stress. This study show that BR can be used as a plant growth regulator to enhance drought tolerance and minimize the yield loss of soybean caused by water deficits.

Relationship between several meteorological factors and phenological features of apple cultivars

The trees observed are grown at Ofeherto, Eastern Hungary in the plantation of an assortment (gene bank) with 586 apple cultivars. Each of the cultivars were observed as for their dates of subsequent phenophases, the beginning of bloom, main bloom and the end of bloom over a period between 1984 and 2001. during this period the meteorological data-base keeps the following variables: daily means of temperature (°C), daily maximum temperature (°C), daily minimum temperature (°C), daily precipitation sums (mm), daily sums of sunny hours, daily means of the differences between the day-time and night-time temperatures (°C), average differences between temperatures of successive daily means (°C). Between the 90th and 147th day of the year over the 18 years of observation. The early blooming cultivars start blooming at 10-21April. The cultivars of intermediate bloom start at the interval 20 April to 3 May, whereas the late blooming group start at 2-10 May. Among the meteorological variables of the former autumnal and hibernal periods, the hibernal maxima were the most active factor influencing the start of bloom in the subsequent spring.

Uniconazole-induced tolerance of soybean to water deficit stress in relation to changes in photosynthesis, hormones and antioxidant system

This study investigated whether uniconazole confers drought tolerance to soybean and if such tolerance is correlated with changes in photosynthesis, hormones and antioxidant system of leaves. Soybean plants were foliar treated with uniconazole at 50 mg L-1 at the beginning of bloom and then exposed to water deficit stress at pod initiation for 7 d. Uniconazole promoted biomass accumulation and seed yield under both water conditions. Plants treated with uniconazole showed higher leaf water potential only in water-stressed condition. Water stress decreased the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate, but those of uniconazole-treated plants were higher than the stressed control. Uniconazole increased the maximum quantum yield of photosystemand ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity of water-stressed plants. Water stress decreased partitioning of assimilated 14C from labeled leaf to the other parts of the plant. In contrast, uniconazole enhanced translocation of assimilated 14C from labeled leaves to the other parts, except stems, regardless of water treatment. Uniconazole-treated plants contained less GA3, GA4 and ABA under well-watered condition than untreated plants, while the IAA and zeatin levels were increased substantially under both water conditions, and ABA concentration was also increased under water stressed condition. Under water-stressed conditions, uniconazole increased the content of proline and soluble sugars, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in soybean leaves but not the malondialdehyde content or electrical conductivity. These results suggest that uniconazole-induced tolerance to water deficit stress in soybean was related to the changes of photosynthesis, hormones and antioxidant system of leaves.

Effects of weather characteristics on blooming dates in an apple gene bank plantation between 1984 and 2001

The aims of this paper was to investigate the flowering characteristic of apples and their relationship to meteorological parameters. The trees observed are grown at Ujfehert6, Eastern Hungary in the plantation of an assortment (gene bank) with 586 apple varieties. Each of the varieties were observed as for their dates of subsequent phenophases, the beginning of bloom, main bloom and the end of bloom over a period between 1984 and 2001. During this period the meteorological data-base keeps the following variables: daily means of temperature (°C), daily maximum temperature (°C), daily minimum temperature (°C), daily precipitation sums (mm), daily sums of sunny hours, daily means of the differences between the day-time and night-time temperatures (°C), average differences between temperatures of successive daily means (°C). Between the 90th and 147th day of the year over the 18 years of observation. The early blooming varieties start blooming at 10-21 April. The varieties of intermediate bloom start at the interval 20 April to 3 May, whereas the late blooming group start at 2-10 May. Among the meteorological variables of the former autumnal and hibernal periods, the hibernal maxima were the most active factor influencing the start of bloom in the subsequent spring.

Response of ‘Bluecrop’ Highbush Blueberry to Boron Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to examine the vegetative and generative responses of highbush blueberry to boron fertilization. The study was carried out in 2002–2003 in Central Poland on mature ‘Bluecrop’ blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) planted at a spacing of 3 × 1 m on a sandy loam soil with pH value of 3.9 and low hot water soluble boron status. Blueberries were soil- or foliar-supplied with boron. Foliar boron sprays were done four times per season: at the beginning of blooming, at petal fall, and three and six weeks after the ending of flowering. In each spray treatment, boron was applied at a rate of 0.2 kg ha−1. Soil boron was applied at the stage of bud break at a rate of 2 kg ha−1. Plants untreated with boron served as control. The results showed that boron fertilization increased boron levels in flower and leaf tissues. This treatment, regardless of boron application mode, did not affect plant vigor, the number of flowers per cane, fruit set, nor yield. Also mean fruit weight and berry firmness were not influenced by boron fertilization. Fruit of boron-supplied blueberries had higher soluble solids concentrations than those of the control plants. It is concluded that boron requirements of highbush blueberry are relatively low compared to most fruit crops and that critical leaf boron concentrations of ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry are below 15 mg kg−1 DW.

Response of Primocane-Fruiting ‘Polana’ Red Raspberry to Boron Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the response of red raspberry to boron (B) fertilization. The experiment was carried out during 2002–2003 in a commercial plantation in central Poland on primocane-fruiting ‘Polana’ raspberries planted on a sandy loam soil with low status of organic matter and hot water-extractable B. Raspberries were fertilized with B via foliar or soil application. Foliar B sprays were made four times per season: two weeks before flowering, at the beginning of blooming, and three and six weeks later. In each spray treatment, B was used at a rate of 0.1 kg ha−1. Soil B was applied at the stage of bud break at a rate of 1 kg ha−1. Plants untreated with B served as a control. The results showed that B fertilization, regardless of application mode, increased flower and leaf B concentrations, fruit set, and berry yield. Fruit of B-fertilized plants were firmer, and had higher soluble solids concentrations and numbers of drupelets than those of the control plants. Boron fertilization had no effect on plant vigor, mean berry weight, and titratable acidity of fruit. The obtained results indicated that on coarse-textured soils with low B status, soil or foliar B application should be recommended in red raspberry cultivation to increase yield and improve berry quality.

Inhibition of germination and growth of Alternaria alternata and mouldy-core development in Red Delicious apple fruit by Bromuconazole and Sygnum

Alternaria alternata is the predominant fungal pathogen responsible for mouldy-core in Red Delicious strains of apple. This study reports on the effects of sygnum (a premix fungicide containing pyraclostrobin+nicobifen), and the sterol biosynthesis inhibitor bromuconazole on spore germination, mycelial growth, decay on detached fruits, and control of mouldy-core caused by A. alternata. Germination was more sensitive to sygnum than to bromuconazole. The 50% and 90% effective concentrations (EC 50, and EC 90) for in vitro inhibition of conidial germination of the fungus of sygnum were 20 and 79 μg ml −1, respectively, whereas those of bromuconazole were 57 and 735 μg ml −1, respectively. Mycelial growth in vitro of A. alternata was more sensitive to sygnum (EC 50 and EC 90 values of 2 and 4 μg ml −1, respectively) than to bromuconazole (EC 50 and EC 90 values of 47 and 95 μg ml −1, respectively). Decay formation by A. alternata on mature detached fruits was also more affected by sygnum: it was completely inhibited by sygnum and bromuconazole at concentrations of 5 and 50 μg ml −1, respectively. Three foliar applications of bromuconazole and sygnum, between the beginning of bloom and petal fall, reduced the number of infected fruits by 55–70% and 45–80%, respectively, compared with control non-treated trees. In the field, bromuconazole and sygnum were as effective as or better than difenoconazole. The inhibitory effects of bromuconazole and sygnum on one or more stages of the life cycle of A. alternata, on decay development in detached fruits, and on mouldy-core in the field indicate that a control programme based on spray applications of bromuconazole and sygnum during the bloom period can effectively reduce mouldy-core on Red Delicious.

Response of Black Currant to Boron Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the reproductive and vegetative response of black currant to soil and foliar applications of boron (B). The experiment was carried out during the 2001 and 2002 seasons in a commercial plantation in central Poland on mature ‘Ojebyn’ black currant planted on a sandy loam soil with low status of hot-water-soluble B. Black currant bushes were foliar or soil supplied with B (as boric acid). Foliar B sprays were made on the same bushes 3 times per season (2 weeks before flowering, at the beginning of blooming, and at petal fall) at a rate of 0.2 kg ha−1 in each spray treatment. Soil B was applied at a rate of 2 kg ha−1 at the bud break stage. Bushes untreated with B served as the control. The results showed that vigor of black currant bushes, weight of 100 berries, and soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of fruit were unaffected by B fertilization. Foliar B sprays increased B concentrations in flowers and leaves, and also enhanced the fruit set and as well as cropping of black currants. Soil B application enhanced leaf B status but had no effect on flower B level and plant yield. These results indicate that foliar B sprays applied at or around the time of flowering should be recommended for black currant plantations to increase productivity of plants containing an insufficient flower B level.

Effects of spacing and harvesting time on herbage yield and quality/quantity of oil in thyme, Thymus vulgaris L.

Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris L.) is member of Lamiaceae family, which distributes in different areas of Meditranea and Asia. Thyme volatile phenolic oil has been reported to be among the top 10 essential oils, showing antibacterial, antimycotic, antioxidative, natural food preservative, and mammalian age delaying properties. It has been known that agronomical factors have a great effect on both quality and quantity of essential metabolites. For this reason, it is necessary to determine optimum levels of agronomical factors affecting plant growth and production. Planting space and time of harvesting are the most important agronomical factors. This study has been conducted in Research farm of ACECR, Institute of Medicinal Plants & Natural Products Research along 1999–2000 on the base of factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications. Thyme is cultivated in rows of 50 cm apart with inter-row spacing of 15, 30 or 45 cm. Plants are harvested in three stages, i.e. the beginning of blooming, full blooming and fruit set. In order to study the effects of plants space and time of harvesting, plant height, plant diameter, yields of dry and fresh herbage, content (%) and yield of oil, thymol and carvacrol were measured. Planting space had significant effect on plant diameter ( P<0.05) and very significant effect ( P<0.01) on other measured parameters except oil content, which was not significant. Time of harvest had significant effect on yield of fresh herbage, content of oil and content of carvacrol ( P<0.05). Its effect on other parameters was very significant ( P<0.01) except dry herbage and oil yield. The maximum yield of dry and fresh herbage, yield and content of oil and thymol yield were obtained in 15 cm space and beginning of blooming stage. Maximum thymol content was observed in the beginning of blooming and 45 cm space. However, 15 cm spacing and harvesting in the beginning of blooming was the best treatment in respect of yield of dry matter, oil and thymol per unit area.

Control of Moldy-Core Decay in Apple Fruits by β-Aminobutyric Acids and Potassium Phosphites.

Alternaria alternata is the predominant fungal pathogen responsible for moldy-core decay in the 'Red Delicious' apple fruits. The failure of registered fungicides to control the disease necessitated the search for alternative methods. Here we report that DL-β-aminobutyric acids (BABA) and potassium phosphite are capable of controlling moldy-core in apple fruits in the laboratory and the field. Laboratory tests involving inoculation of wounded mature fruits revealed that decay by A. alternata was 40 to 58% inhibited by 50 μg/ml and completely inhibited by 500 μg/ml of potassium phosphite. DL-BABA, R-BABA, and S-BABA at a concentration of 500 μg/ml inhibited decay formation by 82 to 90%. Potassium phosphite, BABA, and S-BABA inhibited decay formation even when applied 6 to 48 h postinoculation. In vitro tests indicated that BABA compounds did not affect conidial germination or mycelial growth, whereas potassium phosphite partially inhibited both developmental stages of the fungus. Results suggest that BABA inhibits fruit decay development indirectly, probably by inducing resistance in the host tissue, whereas potassium phosphite may act directly against the fungus. A preliminary field trial in a commercial apple orchard showed that three foliar applications of BABA or potassium phosphite, starting from the beginning of bloom until petal fall, reduced the number of fruits infected with moldy-core by 40 and 60%, respectively, relative to fruits from nontreated control trees. Results suggest that potassium phosphite and BABA could provide adequate control of moldy-core disease in apple.

YIELD AND “JONAGOLD” APPLE FRUIT QUALITY AS INFLUENCED BY SPRING SPRAYS WITH COMMERCIAL ROSATOP MATERIAL CONTAINING CALCIUM AND BORON

The aim of the experiment was to examine the efficiency of spring sprays with Rosatop material containing calcium (Ca) and boron (B) on apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) yield and quality. The experiment was carried out in 1998–2000 in the Experimental Orchards of the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Skierniewice, Poland on mature “Jonagold” apple trees/M.26 EMLA planted at a spacing of 4.0 × 2.0 m on a sandy loam soil with medium B concentration. Trees were sprayed [1] with commercial Rosatop material (16% Ca and 0.75% B) at the stages of pink bud, bloom beginning, petal fall, and 2 weeks after full bloom at a rate of 2–3 L ha−1 per spray; [2] with Rosatop as in the previous combination and with calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] 6, 4, and 2 weeks before harvest at a rate of 8 kg ha−1 per spray; and [3] with Ca(NO3)2 from 5 weeks after full bloom to harvest at 2-week intervals (6 sprays per season) at 5–8 kg ha−1. Trees sprayed with water served as control. Studied sprays had no effect on fruit yield, mean fruit weight, color, and fruit maturity status at harvest. Sprays with Rosatop, Rosatop plus Ca(NO3)2, or only Ca(NO3)2 increased Ca concentrations in fruit after 8 weeks of their development and at harvest with exception of sprays with Ca(NO3)2 in 2000 that did not affect fruit Ca level at harvest. Status of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and B in fruit tissues was not influenced by applied sprays. In 2 out of 3 years, fruit sprayed with Rosatop plus Ca(NO3)2 or only Ca(NO3)2 were firmer and less affected by internal breakdown after storage than control ones. In all years, foliar applications of Rosatop or Rosatop plus Ca(NO3)2 decreased fruit sensitivity to bitter pit; in the case of sprays with Ca(NO3)2 this effect was observed only in 2 growing seasons. Soluble solids concentrations in fruit after storage and fruit decay were not affected by studied spray treatments. These results indicate that spring sprays with Rosatop material can be recommended in apple orchards on coarse-textured soils with low B concentrations to increase fruit resistance to physiological disorders (mainly bitter pit). To improve tree cropping, foliar Ca fertilizers richer in B than Rosatop material should be used in spring spraying.

Sensitivity of Red Delicious Apple Fruit at Various Phenologic Stages to Infection by Alternaria alternata and Moldy-core Control

The fungus Alternaria alternata, is considered to be the predominant fungus involved in moldy-core of Red Delicious strains of apple. In this paper, we report on the sensitivity of various phenologic stages to infection by A. alternata, and on the efficacy of various fungicides in controlling moldy-core disease in apple orchards. Artificial inoculations conducted in the orchard during 1999 and 2000 seasons revealed that the beginning of bloom (10–30%) and full bloom were the most susceptible developmental stages for infection. Natural infection with A. alternata in fruits was relatively high, reaching 44% and 46% of the fruits on control non-treated trees in 1999 and 2000. Four foliar applications of polyoxin B, difenoconazole and azoxystrobin, starting from the beginning of bloom until fruit set, reduced the number of infected fruits by 54–70%, 61–70% and 50–65%, respectively, compared with non-treated trees. Four or eight foliar applications of each fungicide provided similar levels of control. There were no significant differences between two, four or six foliar applications of difenoconazole, neither between two or four applications of polyoxin B. Adding CaCl2, as a tank mixture with difenoconazole at full rate, did not improve efficacy. Alternaria was recovered from the inner part of the core region of 71–88% of the fruits of the non-treated control, but was recovered less frequently from the outside part of the core region. Fruits of difenoconazole and polyoxin B treated trees were less colonized with A. alternata at both the inner and outside parts of the core region, as compared with controls. Results indicate that a control programme based on spray applications of difenoconazole or polyoxin B, during bloom period, can effectively reduce Alternaria on Red Delicious.

Seed germination, phenology, and antiedematogenic activity of Peperomia pellucida (L.) H. B. K.

BackgroundPeperomia pellucida is popularly known as coraçãozinho in the Brazilian northeast and is used in the treatment of abscesses, furuncles, and conjunctivitis. Our work aimed to determine the term of the development stages and the species cycle in the four seasons of the year (complete development, beginning of bloom, complete bloom, and seed set), verifying the plant's therapeutic profile during the four distinct development phases in order to detect differences in its potency. Pharmacological tests were performed to observe the anti-inflammatory activity.ResultsPhenological observations were accessed for a 12 month-period, from the Brazilian summer of 1999/2000 to fall 2000. On average the plantules' emergence occurred 15 days after seeding. All plantules grew in a similar manner up to 25 days after transplantation in all seasons. Starting on the 25th day, we observed faster growth during spring, with plants reaching a height of about 60 cm after 100 days of transplantation, unlike other seasons, in which plants reached heights of 40, 40, and 35 cm during winter, summer, and fall, respectively. The P. pellucida aqueous extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity during phenophases 1 and 2 of winter and spring. Depending on the plant's phenophase there was variation in the potency of edema inhibition.ConclusionP. pellucida has a phenological cycle of approximately 100 days. It is recommended that the P. pellucida aqueous extract is used as an antiedematogenic only during phenophases 1 and 2 of winter and spring.

The Phosphorus Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis Range for Potato

Leaf analysis could assist in adjusting the P fertilization of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to specific soil–plant systems to achieve high yield conditions. Our objective was to derive and validate Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) norms and ranges for a potato cultivar (Superior) and to compare CND to Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and the Critical Value Approach (CVA). Survey data were obtained from 563 field observations and validated using 100 independent samples and across four P fertilizer trials. The databases included tuber yield and analyses (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) of the upper fully expanded leaf collected at beginning of bloom. Yield cutoff between low‐ and high‐yield subpopulations, selected from cumulative variance functions across survey data, was 34.1 Mg ha−1. The sum of squared values of CND indexes was distributed like a chi‐square value. The critical chi‐square value was 4.2. The critical CND P index range was between −0.80 and 0.80. Similar critical values were obtained for the validation population and fertilizer trials. The CND P index appeared symmetrical about the zero nutrient balance and was more closely related to yield compared with DRIS and CVA. The CND provides an inferential (as chi‐square) and symmetrical (about zero balance) diagnosis at low cost, could provide nutrient index ranges adjusted to yield goal, and could thus be developed advantageously for specific soil–plant systems.

Determination of Uracil Herbicide Residues and Components in Essential Oil of Melissa officinalis L. in Its Main Development Phases

Uracil herbicide residues were studied in the medicinal plant lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L. c.v. citra) grown under standard agrochemical conditions. The residues from the uracil herbicides bromacil, lenacil, and terbacil were determined at selected phases of flower development. In addition the main components of the M. officinalis oil were determined by GC/MS at the same stages of development such as bud set, at the beginning of bloom, and at full bloom. TLC on silica gel with selective biochemical detection was used for the determination of herbicide residues in the plant material. It was found that the sample of plant material harvested in full bloom state contained 0.007 mg/kg of bromacil residue, and 0.005 mg/kg of lenacil and terbacil residues. The application of the herbicide at a rate of 2 kg/ha did not affect the quality of the treated plant.

Effect of Benomyl Fungicide and Irrigation on Soybean Seed Yield and Yield Components1

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] producers are often faced with the dilemna of using expensive inputs with little or no assurance of an economic return. In order for these inputs to be feasible, a resonable expectation of success as measured in either increased quality or quantity of seed yield is required. One such production input that has gained increased attention is the use of foliar‐applied fungicides. An experiments using ‘Centenniala’ and ‘Tracy‐M’ soybeans was planted in the field on 15 May 1981 and 9 May 1983 on Sharkey clay (Vectic Haplaquept, very‐fine, montmorillonitic,thermic) Stoneville, MS, to determine the effect of benomyl [methyl 1‐(butylcarbamoyl‐2‐benzimidazolecarbamate] fungicide on seed yield of irrigated and nonirrigated soybeans. Irrigation treatments were nonirrigated (NI), and irrigation started at beginning of bloom(R1) and continued whenever soil water potential (SWP) at the 30 cm (T30) and 60 cm depths (T60) dropped to between −50 and −100 kPa. Irrigation was continued through the full‐seed stage (R6) in both T30 and T60. Two irrigation methods, furrow and overhead, were used. The fungicide was sprayed onto the foliage in equal amounts (0.28 kg a.i. ha−1) at Stages R3 and RS. Significant yield increases of 194 kg ha−1 in 1981 (P &lt; 0.10) and 145 kg ha−1 in 1983 (P &lt; 0.05) resulted from applying the fungicide to the most frequently watered treatment (T30). Use of the fungicide did not significantly affect yield in the less‐watered treatment (T60) or the nonirrigated treatment. Type of irrigation had no significant effect on yield response to fungicide. Yield increases resulting from optimum (T30) irrigation were large (&gt; 1500k g ha−1) and significant in both years, and most of the increase was attributable to increased number of seed. The yield increase that was obtained from the benomyl‐treated T30 treatment was the result of about equal percentage increases in both seed weight and number of seed. These results indicate that benomyl foliar fungicide should be used only on those soybeans that will receive adequate water throughout reproductive development.

Response of Soybean Cultivars to Irrigation of a Clay Soil1

AbstractNumerous investigations have shown that soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] will give a significant yield response to irrigation, especially when the supplemental water is applied during reproductive development. However, the majority of these results have been obtained with soils ranging in texture from silt loam to sandy loam. Since soybeans are frequently grown on finer‐textured soils, we conducted field experiments in 1979 and 1980 on Sharkey clay (Vertic Haplaquept, very‐fine, montmorillonitic, thermic), a soil representative of that occurring in about 3 750 000 ha of the alluvial plain of the Mississippi River. Variables included initiation of furrow irrigation at the prebloom (V), beginning of bloom (BL), beginning of pod set (PS), and beginning of pod fill (PF) stages, plus a nonirrigated (NI) treatment, and three cultivars representing Maturity Groups V (‘Bedford’), VI (‘Tracy’), and VII (‘Bragg’). Data were collected for seed yield, mature plant height, lodging, xylem pressure potential, leaf area, and seasonal soil moisture status. In the ‘wet’ year of 1979, yields from irrigated Bedford and Tracy were not significantly greater than the respective NI yields of 2754 and 3368 kg ha−1. The PF treatment of Bragg produced a yield of 3630 kg ha−1, however, and this was significantly higher than the yields of all other treatments of Bragg, as well as all treatments of Bedford. In the dry year of 1980, all irrigation treatments of all cultivars increased yields above the NI treatment, although the PF treatment yields were only about one‐half of those from PB or BL treatments, which were nearly equal. Seed yield was highest from Bragg and lowest from Bedford in all cases. Lodging was not significantly affected by any irrigation treatment. Mature plant height was significantly increased only in the BL treatment of Bedford in 1980. Measurements of xylem pressure potential, leaf area, and soil water potential in 1980 indicated that the NI plots were severely stressed; thus, response to irrigation should have been expected. These results show that irrigation of soybeans growing in a clay soil should be initiated at or near bloom in a dry year, and at any period of stress during reproductive development in a “wet” year.

An approach to the pheno-climatic typology and its pattern in the mountainous areas of poland

The paper aims at a pheno-climatic typology for Poland's mountainous and upland areas on macro- and mesoscales. The mean dates of sixty-three phenological events (period 1946–1965) were correlated with geographical and climatic parameters. Connections between phenophase dates during the vegetation period were also determined. The dates for beginning of blooming, and leafing of trees and shrubs, those of earing and blooming of corn, as well as the duration of some phenological periods were used as reference criteria. The spatial pattern of pheno-climatic types is shown on a map in the working scale 1∶500,000.

生長抑制剤によるブドウの花ぶるい防止に関する研究(第4報)

Cluster dipping with the solution of SADH at 2, 500ppm 26-20 days before full bloom significantly increased the number of seeded berries per cluster and of seeds per seeded berry in Kyoho grape in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Shoot pinching leaving 8 leaves per shoot about 10 days before full bloom had no effect on the set of seeded berries but significantly promoted the set of seedless berries in both 1975 and 1976. Though this treatment promoted the set of seeded berries in the next year, it was less effective than the treatment with SADH. Flower thinning removing shoulder and tip parts of cluster about 10 days before full bloom was applied in 1975 and 1976, which exhibited the promotive effect on the set of seedless berries alone in both years alike shoot pinching.The application of SADH depressed the growth of floret, particularly of ovary wall in size before and during bloom, whereas shoot pinching enhanced and flower thinning did not affect it in the same period. Pollen germination on agar media and either pollen germination or pollen tube elongation in intact style and ovary tissues were not influenced by any of the treatments.Though no treatment had consistent effect on gibberellin activity in florets before and during bloom in 1975 and 1977, cytokinin level was raised by SADH application in both years and by shoot pinching in 1977 alone. Protein N and total N contents in florets before and during bloom were increased by SADH application but they were reduced or not so much affected by shoot pinching. Total sugar content in the same period tended to be raised by either SADH application or shoot pinching except at the beginning of bloom when it was slightly decreased by SADH application in both years.From these results, it is suggested that SADH application before anthesis in Kyoho grape promotes the set of seeded berries probably due to the improvement in fertilization ability of ovules and the effect of SADH may be causally related with the increased activity of cytokinin in developing florets. Further, it is shown that shoot pinching and flower thinning, as opposed to SADH application, promotemainly the set of seedless berries presumably resulted from the nutritional stimulation of parthenocarpic tendency.