GF677 Rootstock Research Articles

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ АНТИБИОТИКОВ В ОЗДОРОВЛЕНИИ МИКРОКЛОНОВ ПОДВОЕВ MAXMA 14, GF 677, MYROBALAN 29C ОТ ИНФЕКЦИЙ РАЗЛИЧНОЙ ЭТИОЛОГИИ

The article presents experimental data on the effectiveness of various groups of antibiotics in the rehabilitation of the explants of some rootstocks of stone fruit crops from infections of various etiologies brought from the environment, in violation of the rules of sterility in working with an in vitro culture. The results of the study showed that the morphogenetic response of explants of clonal rootstocks to antibiotics depends on their varietal origin. Thus, a greater number of the introduced explants Myrobalan 29C necrotic (25-100%). The number of normally developed microplants for different rootstocks ranges from 0 to 75. It was found that all studied antibiotic concentrations, except ceftriaxone 10 mg/l and nystatin 100 mg/l, positively affect the viability of MaxMa 14. For rootstocks Myrobalan 29C maximum the number of viable explants (60% of healthy explants) showed the environment with the antibiotic nystatin at a concentration of 200 mg/l. For rootstocks GF 677, the maximum number of well-developed micro shoots was observed on nutrient media with antibiotics tetracycline at a concentration of 100 mg/l and ceftriaxone at a concentration of 200 mg/l (60% of healthy explants in both variants).

Crown Gall Disease Susceptibility of Some Stone Fruit Rootstocks in Turkey

Rhizobium radiobacter formerly known as Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is the most important bacterial pathogen causing crown gall disease on over 750 different plant species including ornamentals, vegetables and fruit trees. This pathogen causes crown galls on root and stems of plants and rarely on, above-soil parts of plants. Biological control is successfully used in disease management; however, such strategies are quite ineffective in disease contaminated soils or seedlings. Thus, growers and scientists are mostly focused on disease resistant cultivars or rootstocks. In this study, crown gall disease reactions of three widely used rootstocks Garnem, Myrobolan and GF-677 for stone fruit trees were evaluated. A drop of bacterial suspension of 109 cfu mL-1 were inoculated onto three individual wounds over 90 shoots per rootstock. The weights and sizes of the tumor formed were measured five months after rootstock inoculations. The size of produced galls on rootstocks Garnem, Myrobolan and GF-677 were 0.16-5.28 mm, 0.09-4.42 mm and 0.09-0.36 mm, respectively. However, the weights of the galls varied between 0.02-2.85 g in Garnem, 0.01-1.58 g in Myrobolan and 0.02-0.11 g in GF-677 rootstocks. According to statistical analyses of gall formations, rootstocks were placed in different groups, additionally, none of them were found resistant to crown gall disease. Among the three rootstock tested, the study revealed that Garnem was highly susceptible, Myrobolan was moderately susceptible and GF-677 rootstock was less susceptible to crown gall disease. When an orchard will be intended to be newly planted with stone fruit trees, hence, GF-677 type rootstock would be a good choice to be preferred for planting in new orchards.

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Fe Acquisition in Peach (Prunus Persica L) Under Calcareous Soil Conditions

The effects of Alcaligenes 637Ca, Agrobacterium A18, Staphylococcus MFDCa1, MFDCa2, Bacillus M3 and Pantoea FF1 were tested on peach cv. ‘Elegant Lady’ on GF677 and Nemaguard rootstocks. Average increases in citric, malic, oxalic, butyric and fumaric acid in the leaf were obtained from rhizobacterial root inoculations of 33.1, 17.5, 21.7, 26.5, and 44.7% in Elegant Lady/Nemaguard, respectively. FF1 showed the highest FC-R activity in the roots of Nemaguard (112.4 nmol FW gr−1 hr−2) and GF677 (162 nmol FW gr−1 hr−2). The highest FC-R activity in the leaf was with MFDCa2 in Elegant Lady/Nemaguard (57.1 nmol FW gr−1 hr−2) and 637Ca in Elegant Lady/GF677 (87.9 nmol FW gr−1 hr−2). PGPR strains used in this study expressed increased leaf organic acid content, FC-R activity in the roots and leaf, increased active Fe content in the leaf, and possessed a great potential for the improvement of iron availability to plants.

Evaluation of Salinity Tolerance of Some Selected Almond Genotypes Budded on GF677 Rootstock

ABSTRACTIn order to evaluate the tolerance of some almond genotypes to salinity, a factorial experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design (CRD), with two factors: genotypes in 11 levels (Tuono, Nonparaeil, Mamaie, Shokoufeh, Sahand, ‘Ferragnès,’ 1–16, 1–25, A200, 13–40 budded on GF677 rootstock, and GF677 (without budding)) and irrigation water salinity in five levels (0, 1.2, 2.4, 3.6, and 4.8 g/l of natural salt (equal electrical conductivity 0.5, 2.5, 4.9, 7.3, and 9.8 dS/m, respectively) and with 4 replication for each treatment in research greenhouse of Seed and Plant Institute in years 2013 and 2014. The results showed that with increasing salinity concentration, growth indicators include the branch height, branch diameter, number of total leaves, percentage of green leaves, leaf density on the main branch, leaf area and leaf area ratio, relative humidity content, chlorophyll index, chlorophylls a, b, total, scion fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight have been reduced in the all genotypes studied, but percentage of necrotic leaves, percentage of downfall leaves, root fresh and dry weight ratio to scion fresh and dry weight, relative ionic percentage, and cell membrane injury percentage of leaves were increased. The results of chlorophyll fluorescence showed that salinity stress affected on the young trees by increasing the amount of minimum fluorescence (FO) and decreasing the maximum fluorescence (Fm) and reduced variable fluorescence (Fv) in the plants and reduced variable fluorescence ratio to maximum fluorescence of 0.83 in the control plants to 0.72 in Sahand cultivar and GF677 rootstock. The result showed that type of scion was affected in obstruction of Na+ absorption by the roots and their transported to leaves, as well as was affected in increasing uptake of K+ by the roots and their transported to leaves. In this research, GF677 is well tolerated to water salinity to 4.9 dS/m but with higher range of salinity showed stress effects. The result showed that type of genotypes budded on GF677 rootstock was very effective in tolerant to salinity. Overall, ‘Ferragnès’ was recognized as the most tolerant cultivar to salinity stress. This cultivar could tolerate salinity 3.6 g/l (Ec: 7.3 dS/m). Also, Sahand was recognized as the most sensitive cultivar to salinity stress.

The effect of irrigation level in the kernel dry matter accumulation period on almond yield, kernel dry weight, fruit count, and canopy size

The effect of irrigation regime in the kernel filling stage of almond was examined in a field experiment. The experiment was conducted on 9-year-old local variety (Um-El-Fahem) grafted on GF677 rootstock in Israel. Five irrigation treatments were applied during the main kernel dry matter accumulation. Irrigation rates in June varied from ~1 to ~8 mm/day and midday stem water potentials varied from ~−2.6 to ~−1.3 MPa. Seasonal irrigation varied from 394 to 801 mm. Kernel yield increased in the high irrigation treatments in the first four seasons where it decreased in the three lower irrigation treatments. Similarly, the four-season trunk cross-sectional area accumulation increased with increasing irrigation. Kernel yield increased with both midday stem water potential and irrigation rate. Kernel dry weight decreased with increasing fruit count where higher kernel weights were found in the higher irrigation treatments at similar fruit count. Kernel relative growth rates of all treatments were similar along the dry matter accumulation stage except for around 1 June where the lowest irrigation rate had significantly lower growth rate. Spurs survival analysis showed that the number of fruits per spur, fruiting spurs, and alive spurs increased with increasing irrigation.

Study on the red-leaf hybrid no. 9-205 as a rootstock for peach and nectarine cultivars

The aim of the present study was to establish the growth characteristics of the red-leaf peach hybrid No. 9-205, grown in a nursery, targeting its submission in future for recognition as a new vegetative rootstock for peach and nectarine cultivars. The traditional seedling rootstock 'Elberta' and the vegetative one GF-677 were included in the study. Hybrid No. 9-205 was selected from a population obtained at the Fruit- Growing Institute in Plovdiv by open pollination of Rutgers Red Leaf seedling rootstock for peach, used in the past. It is characterized by high drought resistance and good resistance to diseases and pests. It is easily propagated under in vitro conditions and shows weaker growth compared to GF-677 rootstock. 18 cultivar/rootstock combinations were studied, including two cultivars of each peach type: for fresh consumption, for processing and of the nectarine type. 'Laskava' cultivar for fresh consumption, the processing cultivar 'Spasena' and the cultivar 'Gergana', which is of the nectarine type, are newly established in result of the implementation of the breeding programme at the Fruit-Growing Institute - Plovdiv. They were officially recognized in the period 2009- 2012. The percentage of survival and of grafted bud shooting is high enough and meets the requirements of the production practices in nurseries. The planting material of the vegetative rootstock No. 9-205 is uniform in plant height and stem width and it fully complies with the quality standards.

Transcriptional Responses in Root and Leaf of Prunus persica under Drought Stress Using RNA Sequencing.

Prunus persica L. Batsch, or peach, is one of the most important crops and it is widely established in irrigated arid and semi-arid regions. However, due to variations in the climate and the increased aridity, drought has become a major constraint, causing crop losses worldwide. The use of drought-tolerant rootstocks in modern fruit production appears to be a useful method of alleviating water deficit problems. However, the transcriptomic variation and the major molecular mechanisms that underlie the adaptation of drought-tolerant rootstocks to water shortage remain unclear. Hence, in this study, high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to assess the transcriptomic changes and the key genes involved in the response to drought in root tissues (GF677 rootstock) and leaf tissues (graft, var. Catherina) subjected to 16 days of drought stress. In total, 12 RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced. This generated a total of 315 M raw reads from both tissues, which allowed the assembly of 22,079 and 17,854 genes associated with the root and leaf tissues, respectively. Subsets of 500 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in roots and 236 in leaves were identified and functionally annotated with 56 gene ontology (GO) terms and 99 metabolic pathways, which were mostly associated with aminobenzoate degradation and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The GO analysis highlighted the biological functions that were exclusive to the root tissue, such as “locomotion,” “hormone metabolic process,” and “detection of stimulus,” indicating the stress-buffering role of the GF677 rootstock. Furthermore, the complex regulatory network involved in the drought response was revealed, involving proteins that are associated with signaling transduction, transcription and hormone regulation, redox homeostasis, and frontline barriers. We identified two poorly characterized genes in P. persica: growth-regulating factor 5 (GRF5), which may be involved in cellular expansion, and AtHB12, which may be involved in root elongation. The reliability of the RNA-seq experiment was validated by analyzing the expression patterns of 34 DEGs potentially involved in drought tolerance using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The transcriptomic resources generated in this study provide a broad characterization of the acclimation of P. persica to drought, shedding light on the major molecular responses to the most important environmental stressor.

Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa by naturally infected Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) to different host plants

AbstractThe recent establishment of Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca in the southern Italian region of Apulia threatens agricultural crops and the environment. Olive is an important and widespread ancient crop in Italy and, so far, the most impacted host. The meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) has been identified as a vector of X. fastidiosa in southern Italy; this species is one of the most common potential vectors in Europe. To generate disease management strategies, data on X. fastidiosa transmission by P. spumarius are necessary. Therefore, we carried out transmission experiments by using field‐collected spittlebugs in 2014 and 2015 (5 and 11 collection dates, respectively), and transferring groups of insects immediately on to recipient plants. Various host plant species were tested: olive, oleander, sweet orange, grapevine and the stone fruit rootstock GF677 (Prunus persica × Prunus amygdalus). Xylella fastidiosa was detected in all the host plants after insect plant access except for grapevine; infections to sweet orange and stone fruit were not systemic. In 2015, estimates of insect X. fastidiosa infectivity were obtained; the number of PCR‐positive P. spumarius on each plant was positively correlated with the plant infection status. The proportion of P. spumarius infected with X. fastidiosa ranged from 25% to 71% during the entire survey period. The number of X. fastidiosa cells detected in P. spumarius heads ranged from 3.5 × 10 to 4.0 × 102 (CFU equivalents), which is lower than that reported for leafhopper vectors in the Americas. These data show that field‐collected P. spumarius have high rates of X. fastidiosa infection and are competent vectors.

In vitro propagation of GF677 hybrid rootstock (Prunus persica × Prunus amygdalus) from mature cotyledons

ABSTRACTAdventitious shoot regeneration from mature cotyledons of GF677 rootstock (Prunus persica × Prunus amygdalus) was achieved in vitro. Thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N-1,2,3-thidiazol-5-yl-urea; TDZ) at 32 µM gave the highest percentage of cotyledons forming adventitious shoots (68.8%) and the highest number of shoots per cotyledon (4.8) on Quoirin and Lepoivre (QL) medium. On QL medium containing 32 µM TDZ, exposure of the proximal segments of cotyledons to darkness at the start of culture increased the percentage of cotyledons forming adventitious shoots (62.5%) when compared with those kept under light conditions (15%). A combination of 0.72 µM gibberellic acid and dark treatment resulted in at least 2.7-fold more elongated shoots than non-treated shoots. The highest rooting percentage (100%) occurred on 0.5× Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with Gamborg (B5) vitamins and 2 mg l−1 indole-3-butyric acid. Rooted plantlets were acclimatised under greenhouse conditions with a 70% survival rate.

Genetic transformation of peach rootstock and cultivar to induce resistance against PPV virus through post-transcriptional gene silencing

Prunus, in particular peach, is considered one of the most recalcitrant species for what concerns in vitro regeneration, especially when the starting plant material originates from mature tissues. Furthermore, in terms of peach genetic transformation, few examples exist in literature and most of them demonstrate the difficulty in obtaining stable transformants. The present study describes an efficient method of in vitro regeneration, via organogenesis, starting from meristematic bulk tissues, characterized by a high competence to produce adventitious shoots and useful for genetic transformation of Prunus persica cultivar 'Big Top® Zaitabo*' and rootstock GF677. This protocol constitutes one of the few examples of peach in vitro regeneration starting from adult tissue present in the literature. It has been used to genetically transform the rootstock GF677 and the cultivar 'Big Top® Zaitabo*', through the development of two different methods of transformation, one mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, applied on slices from meristematic bulk, and the other by the biolistic technique applied on slices from meristematic bulks and on vegetative apex. The transformation experiments were conducted using hairpin genetic constructs for the induction of Plum pox virus (PPV) resistance through the mechanism of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). To our knowledge, this is the first example of a successful attempt of a peach rootstock and cultivar stable genetic transformation and it represents a good promise for the future production of silenced GF677 plants to be tested for the capacity to induce PPV resistance also in the grafted scion.

Effect of rootstock on salinity tolerance of sweet almond (cv. Mazzetto)

The current work aims to assess whether the rootstock can improve the salinity tolerance of an almond cultivar. The study included a description of the physiological and biochemical adaptations of one-year old scions of Mazzetto grafted onto either GF677 or Garnem rootstocks and exposed to increasing concentrations of NaCl in the growing medium. The plants were watered with a nutrient solution containing 0mM (control), 25mM, 50mM or 75mM NaCl. There was a significant reduction in shoot extension in response to increasing NaCl concentration in the growing medium especially in the plants grafted onto GF677. The better shoot growth of Mazzetto/Garnem plants appears to be due to their ability to limit the loss of photosynthetic activity by maintaining stomatal conductance and protecting chlorophyll and cytosolic assimilatory enzymes from toxic ions. Leaves of Mazzeto/Garnem had higher gs rates, carotenoids/chlorophyll and anthocyanins/chlorophyll ratios and a better nutritional status (higher K+ and Ca2+ and lower Na+) compared to Mazzeto/GF677. Furthermore, the former maintained higher proline and soluble sugar concentrations and lower leaf water potential. Our results suggest that Garnem offers a degree of protection against salinity which can be exploited in breeding programmes.

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO NATURAL INFECTIONS OF PUTATIVE RESISTANT PEACH BREEDING SELECTIONS IN A PPV ENDEMIC SITE

Plum pox, also known as Sharka, is the most devastating viral disease in stone fruits. In peach, no source of resistance to this virus has been described to date. Breeding programmes aiming to transfer resistance to peach through hybridization have used the closely related and inter-fertile almond and Prunus davidiana as resistance donors. In the frame of a recently ended project funded by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, 38 genotypes were scored as resistant or highly tolerant to artificial infections through the Markus strain: 33 pre-breeding selections (hybrids peach A— almond or peach A— davidiana), and 5 old peach varieties. These genotypes, together with three aphid-resistant accessions were grafted onto peach A— almond rootstock GF677 and planted in 2011 in an orchard site being endemic to the PPV virus (Verona, Italy). The trial has the purpose to evaluate the resistance of this material to natural viral infections. Four-tree plots of each genotype were planted, together with 20 trees of the peach seedling rootstock GF305, known as being highly susceptible to PPV virus, randomly distributed in the trial as a control. Since the first growing season, each tree was visually scored for flower, leaf and fruit symptoms. The presence of the virus in the symptomatic cases was verified by analysing leaf samples by ELISA immunotest and qRT-PCR. In 2012, the qualitative traits of fruits were also evaluated. In the first two years of field evaluation, most of GF305 trees showed to be symptomatic and positive. Twenty-three out of the 33 putatively resistant pre-breeding selections became infected by the virus in at least one tree. At present, 10 selections, two of which featured good commercial fruit quality and one old variety are still symptomless.

THE PRUNING DEMANDS OF 'ROYAL GLORY' AND 'SYMPHONY' PEACH CULTIVARS IN TWO TRAINING SYSTEMS AND SIX DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS

The pruning intensity of two peach cultivars grafted on six different rootstocks and two tree shapes (modified spindles and vase-shaped crowns) was evaluated during years 2008-2011. The cultivars ‘Royal Glory’ and ‘Symphony’ were evaluated on the rootstocks GF 677, Lesiberian, Ishtara, Julior, Pumiselect, and MrS 2/5 (Prunus cerasifera A— P. spinosa). As the control, ‘Redhaven’ grafted on vineyard peach seedling rootstock was chosen. For the intensity of pruning treatment, five trees from each combination were evaluated for time to prune and the results were expressed cumulatively in the seconds. After a statistical evaluation, various combinations were selected with different pruning time consumption. The rootstock Pumiselect was the weakest with the most preliminary decline. The very good canopy structure for both spindle and vase-shaped crowns was achieved in the combination with the rootstock Ishtara.

Peach (Prunus persica L.).

Until now, the application of genetic transformation techniques in peach has been limited by the difficulties in developing efficient regeneration and transformation protocols. Here we describe an efficient regeneration protocol for the commercial micropropagation of GF677 rootstock (Prunus persica × Prunus amygdalus). The method is based on the production, via organogenesis, of meristematic bulk tissues characterized by a high competence for shoot regeneration. This protocol has also been used to obtain GF677 plants genetically engineered with an empty hairpin cassette (hereafter indicated as hp-pBin19), through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. After 7-8 months of selection on media containing kanamycin, we obtained two genetically modified GF677 lines. PCR and Southern blot analyses were performed to confirm the genetic status.

Chilling trends in a warm production area and their impact on flowering and fruiting of peach trees

Biological effects of contrasting chill accumulation on scion-rootstock combinations of peach were investigated using field observations during 2006–2010. Early and mid-season ripening peach cultivars (Early May Crest and Royal Glory, respectively) grafted on GF677 and Cadaman rootstocks were monitored over a five year period in the region of Mornag in northern Tunisia (36°41′N, 10°15′E). Flowering date, flowering duration and double fruits rate were observed over the entire experimental period. The phenological behavior, expressed as fruit set and flower buds abscission, was also surveyed. At harvest, yield, fruit size and number of commercial fruits were determined. Trends of chilling accumulation were characterized over twenty years using two chilling hours models (0–7.2°C model, CH and Crossa-Raynaud model, CHCR), Utah and Dynamic models. Correlations among chilling models showed that the Dynamic model is more appropriate to estimate chilling accumulation in our warm production area. Climatic conditions during the five experimental years were variable, with chill accumulation in the range 127–421 CH, 82–294 CHCR, 298–860 chill units (CU) and 19–50 chilling portions (CP). Exceptionally warm conditions were observed in winter 2006–2007 and 2009–2010 with significant drop of chill accumulation to levels less than 50% of average chill accumulation. Flowering and fruiting of both early and mid-season maturing commercial cultivars were affected by chill accumulation variability. Warmer winter delayed flowering, extended flowering duration, increased bud abscission and affected fruit set. A chill accumulation less than threshold values of 25 CP, 200 CH, 100 CHCR, and 350 CU resulted in substantial decrease of yield and fruit quality. Cultivar responses to chilling conditions in term of flowering date and yield seemed to be rootstocks dependant. Adoption of appropriate scion-rootstock combination and cultural practices based on chill accumulation could be used in peach industry as means to adapt to increasing frequency of warm winters.

NURSERY PERFORMANCE OF GN22 AND GF677 ALMOND ROOTSTOCKS

Traditional almond production is done by seed rootstocks in Turkey. In recent years, GF677 and GN22 clonal rootstocks are used in almond orchards which are set under irrigated conditions. However, nursery performance of these rootstocks remains unclear for both farmers and nursery holders. This study was conducted under unheated greenhouse conditions in Gaziantep between the years 2009 and 2011. Nine hundred cuttings of both GF677 and GN22 were used as material in this study. Three doses of IBA (indole-3-butyric acid), 250, 500 and 1000 ppm, were prepared for each rootstock. Studies on the rooting of cuttings were done in wet perlite on 15th November 2009. The best rooting occurred in 500 ppm IBA solution for GF677 with 78% rooting ratio and in 250 ppm IBA solution for GN22 with 97% rooting ratio. Grafting was done in three periods. The most success was obtained in March, followed by October and the lowest grafting success was seen in July. The best results for GF677 rooting were obtained for dipping into 500 ppm solution and grafting in March or October and for GN22, dipping into 250 ppm and grafting in the same periods were the best.

Rootstock and fruit canopy position affect peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] (cv. Rich May) plant productivity and fruit sensorial and nutritional quality

The right combination of rootstock and training system is important for increased yield and fruit sensorial and nutritional homogeneity and quality with peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. We investigated the effects of rootstock and training system on these parameters, testing the effect of vigorous GF677 and weaker Penta∗ rootstock on ‘Rich May’ peach cultivar. Fruit position effects regarding photosynthetically active radiation availability, along the canopy profile using the Y training system, were investigated. The positive relationships between total polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity according to canopy vigour and architecture were determined for the two scion/stock combinations. Changes in fruit epicarp colour and content of bioactive compounds were also determined. Lower-vigour trees from Penta∗ rootstock grafting yielded larger fruit with improved skin overcolour, and greater total polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity. GF677 rootstock produced more vigorous trees with fruit with lower sensorial and nutritional parameters. Canopy position strongly affects fruit sensorial and nutritional qualities. These data define potential for improvements to peach production efficiency and fruit quality, particularly for southern Europe peach cultivation conditions.

Influence of Rootstock on Plum Flowering Intensity in Different Growing Regions

The aim of the investigation is to evaluate the influence of different rootstocks on the flowering intensity of two plum cultivars: a hybrid `Kubanskaya Kometa` and European plum ‘Victoria’ in diverse locations. Sixteen well known European rootstocks were used, of which eight were clonal (St. Julien A, Brompton, Ackermann, Pixy, GF8/1, G5/22, GF655/2, Hamyra) and eight were seedlings (St. Julien INRA2, St. Julien d Orleans, St. Julien Noir, Brompton, Wangenheims Zwetche, St. Julien Wädenswil, Myrobalan, P. cerasifera var. divaricata). The evaluation was conducted in experimental orchards which were established in spring 2001 in Latvia, Estonia and Belarus. Trees were planted at a spacing of 5 × 3 m in four replications, three trees per plot. The obtained data from the years 2008-2012 are presented. The flowering intensity of plum trees depended on the cultivar rootstock combination. The influence of rootstock on flowering intensity differed between the years and growing region, and was closely correlates with meteorological conditions during the wintering period. Cv. ‘Kometa Kubanskaya’ had the highest blooming intensity in Pûre on rootstocks GF 655/2 and Wangenheims Zwetche; in Brest on Brompton seedlings, Julien d’ Orleans G5/22 and Ackermann; and in Polli on GF 8/1 and Brompton seedlings. ‘Victoria’ plum trees had the highest intensity of flowering on rootstocks Pixy and Wangenheims Zwetche in Pūre; on St. Julien INRA 2 and Ackermann in Brest; and on GF 655/2 and Ackermann in Polli.

Biostimulation of Soil Microbial Activity Through Organic Fertilizer and Almond tree Association

AbstractMany studies have confirmed the validity of plant cover and organic farming in ameliorating soil quality. The goal of this study was to investigate the efficiency of rehabilitation practices in a degraded soil ecosystem consisting of: (i) organic or inorganic fertilization; and (ii) presence or absence of almond trees. The experiments were carried out for 2 years in the South of Italy in three fields characterized by different slope (0%, 2%, and 6%). Each field was split up into two parts, one assigned to organic fertilization and the other assigned to mineral fertilization, and planted with almond trees using GF677 or Franco rootstocks. The results showed that the organic fertilization, particularly in the presence of the Franco rootstock, resulted more effective in increasing soil organic matter content and microbial activity especially in the 0% and 2% slopes. However, in the 6% slope, where a lower soil metabolism was observed, an improvement of chemical and biochemical soil properties was generally evident for both fertilization systems. The Franco rootstock improved soil quality and maintaining a good production, whereas the GF677 has exploited more soil resources, resulting in a higher growth and yield; therefore, the use of almond tree with Franco rootstock associated with organic matter application is a useful practice in order to preserve soil quality and to rehabilitate degraded soils. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Kök lezyon nematodları (Pratylenchus spp.)'nın sert ve yumuşak çekirdekli meyve anaçlarında konukçu reaksiyonları

Bati Akdeniz Bolgesi’nde iliman iklim meyve yetistiriciliginin yapildigi bahcelerde yaygin olarak bulunan lezyon nematodu turlerinden Pratylenchus penetrans, P. crenatus, P. thornei ve P. neglectus’un farkli elma, armut, kiraz ve seftali anaclarina karsi konukcu reaksiyonlari screen house’da arastirilmistir. Calisma tesaduf bloklari deneme desenine gore 5 tekerrurlu olarak kurulmus ve her bir tekerrure yaklasik 1000 larva+ergin lezyon nematodu inokule edilmistir. Bitkiler 7 ay sonra sokulmus ve nematodlar Gelistirilmis Baerman Huni Yontemi kullanilarak analiz edilmistir.Pratylenchus penetrans M-9, MM-106 ve MM-111 elma anaclarinda yuksek populasyon yogunluklari olusturmustur. M-9, MM-106 ve MM-111 elma anaclarinda P. penetrans’in ureme oranlari sirasiyla birinci yilda 6,2, 3,0 ve 12,9; ikinci yilda ise 5,6, 2,5 ve 10,6 oranlarinda tespit edilmistir. OHF-333 ve Quince A armut anaclari P. penetrans’a karsi orta dayanikli reaksiyon gostermistir. Ureme oranlari, birinci yil sirasiyla OHF-333 anacinda 1,0 ve Quince A anacinda 0,5 bulunmustur. Ikinci yilda da benzer sonuclar elde edilmistir. Seftali anaclarindan GF-677, P. penetrans’a karsi her iki yilda da orta duyarli reaksiyon gostermistir. Nemaguard, GN (Garnem) ve Myrabolon 29 C anaclari P. penetrans’a karsi dayanikli reaksiyon gostermistir. Denemeye alinan SL-64, Maxma 14 ve Gisela 5 kiraz anaclarinda P. penetrans populasyonunda ureme oranlari meydana gelmemistir. Pratylenchus crenatus, P. thornei ve P. neglectus denemeye alinan elma, armut, kiraz ve seftali meyve anaclarinda gelisme gostermemis ve ureme orani 1 degerinin altinda meydana gelmistir.