Heavier Bunches Research Articles

Panicle and Fruit Characteristics Influenced by Plant Age In Litchi cv. Rose Scented

An experiment was conducted during the cropping season of 2018 and 2019 to determine how plant ages affect flowering, fruit quality and incidence of sunburn and fruit cracking in litchi cv. Rose Scented. In a lot consisting of litchi plants aged between 1 and 30 years, 25-30- years-older plants initiated panicle emergence earlier with larger-sized panicles (42.35 cm length and 28.65 cm spread) and thicker peduncle (>6 mm). Fruit retention per panicle was also more in number (15.68) in 25-30- years older plants as compared to 1-5 year younger plants (4.76). An important observation involved fruits being borne closer to leaf in 25-30- years-older plants, which ultimately resulted in lesser incidence of sun burn and fruit cracking. Older plants (25-30-years) produced bigger fruit than 1-5 year-younger ones and highest fruit weight (22.58g) was recorded in 15–20-year-old plant. The time taken for fruit borne in older trees (25-30-years) to attain optimum fruit maturity was extended or delayed by 5 days as compared to younger plants (1-5-year). Total soluble solids was also higher in fruits borne on 25-30 years older litchi plants, while titratable acidity and ascorbic acid contents was more in fruits borne on 1-5 year younger plants. Total phenolics and antioxidant activity of pulp were the highest in young plants and least in older plants. we conclude that heavy bunches and proximity of fruit to leaf are important traits in litchi for consideration in breeding programmes to identify clones or variants tolerant to sun burn and fruit cracking. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 279-285, 2024 (June)

Yield performance and quality of wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) grafted onto different rootstocks under subtropical conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and physicochemical traits of wine grape cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc) grafted on two different rootstocks (IAC 766 Campinas, and 106-8 Mgt) under subtropical conditions. The productive components (number of bunches, production per vine, yield, number of berries per bunch, fresh mass, length, and width of berries) and the grape must physicochemical composition (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and maturation index) were determined after four consecutive harvest seasons. Results from analysis of variance and principal component analysis showed that Cabernet Franc and Syrah were generally more productive than the other ones. In addition to that, Cabernet Sauvignon presented the lowest production and the smallest grape berries of all. With regards to rootstocks, IAC 766 induced higher scions yield than 106-8 Mgt; besides that, IAC 766 had greater affinity with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, which was observed by the increase in the number of bunches per vine, larger and heavier bunches, as well as higher soluble solids content and pH value than the ones in 106-8 Mgt. Furthermore, IAC 766 also induced higher soluble solids content and pH value for Cabernet Sauvignon. Results showed similar effects for Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc, regardless of the rootstocks.

Physical characteristics of some banana plantain cultivars (Musa spp.) consumed in Benin

Plantains (Musa spp) are among the most important cultivated horticultural crops in West Africa. Various varieties and cultivars are produced in Benin. This study aimed at evaluating the physical characteristics and some proximate composition of some plantain cultivars consumed in Benin. Physical parameters including weight of the bunch, number of hands and fingers, weight of hands and finger, pulp percentage and flour yield were assessed using five cultivars of plantain (Aloga, Aloga 2M, Gnivlan, Kpahissi, Orishele) and one cooking banana (Pelipita). In addition, color parameters, dry matter as well as total minerals contents were assessed for the pulp of the various cultivars. It came out that Kpahissi cultivars had heavier bunches and a lot of hands than the other cultivars while Aloga 2M had the highest weight of hands and fingers. Finger number varied from 2 to 12 among the six cultivars. The pulp percentage ranged from 51.3 to 70.71%. Kpahissi pulp was brighter but less yellow and red than the other pulps cultivars. Significant differences were observed in dry matter and total minerals contents of pulps with highest values for Pelipita pulp. This study provides baseline information on plantain diversity in terms of their physical characteristics in Benin. Results can be helpful in the choice of plantain bunches during purchasing.

Vine performance benchmarking of indigenous Cypriot grape varieties Xynisteri and Maratheftiko

Aim: The aims of this study were to (1) formulate a baseline understanding of the performance of the indigenous Cypriot white grape Xynisteri and the red grape Maratheftiko (Vitis vinifera L.), and (2) compare these varieties to Shiraz and Sauvignon blanc grown in a Cypriot vineyard.Materials and results: The investigation involved multiple dry grown vineyards from the Krasochoria region of Lemesos, Cyprus, during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 vintages. Vine performance measurements, including midday stem water potential, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, stomata density, vine phenology and vegetative and reproductive measurements, were taken at flowering, veraison and pre-harvest. Xynisteri had the greatest stomatal density, more shoots, more leaves, heavier bunches, greater yield, higher leaf water potential at harvest, and a stomatal conductance equal to Maratheftiko, but greater than that of both Shiraz and Sauvignon blanc. Maratheftiko had the longest shoots, largest shoot diameter and the greatest chlorophyll content out of all four varieties.Conclusions: This study identified the ability of the indigenous Cypriot grape varieties, Xynisteri and Maratheftiko, to better tolerate hot and dry conditions when compared to more commonly cultivated varieties grown in the same environmental conditions.Significance and impact of the study: The changing climate of wine growing regions worldwide is placing great pressure on the resources for sustainable viticulture. Many vineyards in hot climate zones base their businesses on European grape varieties traditionally grown in regions with abundant water resources. It is therefore necessary for the global wine industry to investigate grape varieties that are indigenous to hot climates. The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is one such place, with more than 10 indigenous grape varieties that grow well in a hot climate without irrigation. Consumer studies have demonstrated that wines made from these Cypriot varieties are equally, if not more, acceptable than wines made from more traditional European grapes; therefore, the potential for their use in other hot wine growing regions is promising.

Contribution of synthetic tetraploids (AAAA) and diploids (AA) to black Sigatoka resistance and bunch weight to their triploid progenies

The generation of banana triploids from tetraploid–diploid crosses requires knowledge on the influence of the parents on black Sigatoka resistance and agronomic traits to the triploid progenies. The objective of this investigation was to determine the influence of tetraploid and diploid parents on black Sigatoka resistance and agronomic traits in the triploid progenies generated from tetraploid–diploid crosses. The mating scheme was designed as a 4 × 5 North Carolina II mating design. Due to problems in seed set and germination, progenies from 2 male parents with 4 female parents were evaluated at two sites in Uganda. The results showed that the male-parent triploid progeny heritability estimate for the number of leaves at harvest was greater than the female parent estimate. The diploid parents had higher correlation coefficients for the total leaves at harvest with the triploid progenies than tetraploid parents with triploid progenies. Disease development over time took more days in diploid parents than in the tetraploid parents with the triploid progenies as intermediates. These results suggested that diploids transferred black Sigatoka resistance to the triploid progenies as measured by the number of standing leaves and disease development overtime. There was a positive correlation ( P < 0.05) between tetraploid female parents and triploid progenies for plant height and bunch weight. The triploid progeny–tetraploid female parent heritability estimates for plant height (0.92) and bunch weight (0.72) were highly significant. These results indicated that the female synthetic tetraploids influenced plant height and bunch weight in the triploid progenies. Therefore, it is important to select the tetraploids with heavy bunches to effectively improve yield in triploid progenies generated by tetraploid–diploid crosses. The tetraploid–diploid progenies had a significant ( P < 0.05) family-by-site interaction for bunch weight indicating that new banana genotypes need to be tested across different environments to select stable genotypes to promote to end-users.

Avaliação de genótipos de bananeira sob irrigação

Como alternativa de genótipos de bananeira para o semi-árido irrigado do norte de Minas Gerais, foram avaliados quatro ciclos de produção da variedade Caipira (AAA) e dos híbridos SH3640 (AAAB), FHIA 1 (AAAB), FHIA 18 (AAAB) e Pioneira (AAAB), além de três ciclos da variedade Prata-Anã (AAB), no espaçamento 3 m x 2,7 m, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 25 repetições de uma planta. Foram avaliados caracteres da planta e da produção, levando à conclusão de que os genótipos 'SH3640', 'FHIA 1' e 'FHIA 18' são mais produtivos que a 'Pioneira', 'Caipira' e 'Prata-Anã'. A 'Pioneira' apresentou maior crescimento inicial, porém, na floração, a maior altura foi apresentada pela 'Caipira', sendo que todos os genótipos se igualaram no quarto ciclo. A 'Caipira' apresentou maior número de frutos e a 'SH3640' apresentou cachos mais pesados e frutos maiores.

Effect of weed management on nematode numbers and their damage in different root thickness and its relation to yield of banana ( Musa AAA cv. Grande Naine)

The effect of weed management on banana ( Musa AAA cv. Grande Naine) parasitic nematodes was evaluated under Costa Rican field conditions with special reference to their spatial distribution and the damage caused to roots of different thickness classes and their relation to yield losses. Root samples were taken at plant harvest, from soil blocks at 0–30,30–60 and 60–90 cm from the pseudostem, and at every 15 cm depth, from 0 to 120 cm. Weed management neither affected the nematode numbers nor their horizontal and vertical distribution and associated root damage. Differences in Radopholus similis ( P<0.0001), Helicotylenchus spp. ( P = 0.0115 ) and total nematode populations ( P<0.0001) were found in roots of different thickness. The average populations in thick, thin and fine roots were for R. similis 270,666 (57%), 120,401 (25%) and 11,313 (2%); for Helicotylenchus spp. 36,094 (7%), 22,508 (5%) and 8,824 (2%); and total nematodes 390,425 (65%), 145,534 (31%) and 21,177 (4%), respectively. No linear correlations were found between bunch weight and the number and density of nematodes or with their damage. Even though, no statistical difference was found in bunch weight, the manual weed control plot yielded 1.4 kg heavier bunches, which might have important implications for sustainable agriculture. The implementation of weed control by hand chopping may improve the physical, chemical and biological soil properties and reduce soil erosion, temperature fluctuations, evaporation rate, and nutrient leaching, and increase water infiltration. As a consequence of the decrease in herbicide applications, soil and air pollution might be reduced.

Rendimiento de clones introducidos de yuca en un Ultisol en Puerto Rico.

Se llevó a cabo un experimento para recopilar datos de rasgos morfológicos y determinar el potencial de rendimiento del plátano cuerno-falso "Huamoa", conocido localmente como "Panaplátano". Como testigo se utilizó el cultivar Enano Común. Ambos cultivares se distribuyeron en un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar con cuatro replicaciones. Cada replication contenía 16 plantas experimentales por tratamiento. El "Huamoa" se comportó como un plátano extremadamente precoz, completando el ciclo de siembra a la inducción del racimo en 242 días y requiriendo solamente 63 días para Henar la fruta. El Enano Común necesitó 297 días para completar el ciclo y 92 días adicionales para llenar la fruta. Sin embargo, este cultivar produjo racimos significativamente más grandes y pesados, conteniendo ocho manos, 39 frutas y 14 kg de peso. Las frutas individuales de la primera y cuarta manos del racimo de "Huamoa" alcanzaron un peso significativamente superior con 466 y 336 g, respectivamente. Irrespectivo de la posición numérica de las manos en e! racimo, las frutas del "Huamoa" siempre fueron de un grosor significativamente mayor, mientras que las del Enano Común alcanzaron un largo superior. Sin embargo, a base de los criterios locales de mercadeo establecidos, en ambos cultivares ninguna de las frutas obtenidas de ta sexta mano o manos inferiores del racimo llenaron los requisitos mínimos de peso y largo de frutas mercadeables.

The banana selection J.D. Special has longer fruit and heavier bunches than cv. Williams but bunch losses are also increased

Summary. Yield and plant characteristics of the longer fingered selection ‘J.D. Special’ were compared with cv. Williams which is the industry standard. Data from 2 sources (‘experiments’), including on-farm trials at 6 sites in Queensland, Australia, (experiment 1) and an experiment at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries South Johnstone Research Station investigating maturity bronzing (experiment 2), were utilised for this report. The fruit on hands 2 or 3 of J.D. Special were on average 10–15% longer in the crops investigated. Increased finger length occurred along the entire bunch resulting in 15 and 6% more extra large fruit for J.D. Special than for Williams in the plant crops of experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Similar differences were observed in the ratoon crops. Bunches of J.D. Special were 19–22% heavier than Williams for plant crops. A combination of greater fruit length and more hands per bunch in J.D. Special contributed to their greater bunch weight. J.D. Special took longer from planting to harvest (average of 17days) but yields/unit time were still 17–19% greater than Williams. Plants of J.D. Special were more prone to bunch losses with 2 cases of 35 and 45% loss compared with no losses for Williams, the losses being largely due to wind damage. This susceptibility of J.D. Special is presumably due to its greater plant height and heavier bunch weight. Fruit greenlife of J.D. Special was 17% less than Williams in the one crop investigated, although this was not significant (P&gt;0.10).

Fruit quality evaluation of plantains, plantain hybrids, and cooking bananas

Abstract Triploid plantains (Musa AAB) are among the most important horticultural crops of West Africa. However, all landraces are susceptible to black Sigatoka, a fungal disease caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis, Morelet. To ameliorate the spread of this epidemic, exotic triploid cooking bananas (ABB), with resistance to black Sigatoka, were introduced into West Africa and new disease resistant polyploid Musa (AAAB) germplasm developed through conventional cross-breeding of French plantains (AAB). To ensure that released materials would compete with landraces on a fruit quality basis, an evaluation methodology was developed to compare exotic and hybrid Musa genotypes with West African triploid landraces. Tests showed that plantain hybrids and cooking bananas had heavier bunches than plantain landraces. The plantain hybrids generally produced more but smaller fruit compared with False Horn plantain (AAB). The fruit ripening time of plantain hybrids and the cooking banana cultivar Pelipita was longer than that of plantain landraces, and selected plantain hybrids had fruit with a dry matter content similar to that of the female parent. The fruit of ripe plantain landraces had a firmer texture than plantain hybrids and the landraces Agbagba and Bobby Tannap had lower levels of soluble solids at specific stages of ripening compared with the other Musa germplasm. These results showed that simple physical tests can be used to select for higher quality cooking bananas and plantain hybrids and that specific plantain hybrids, within the test group, showed a higher potential for market acceptance.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations in plantain-banana euploid hybrids

The objective of this work was to determine intraclass correlations for growth and yield traits, as well as associations between them, in segregating hybrids. Diploid, triploid and tetraploid hybrids were obtained from triploid-diploid crosses between plantains and bananas. These hybrids were evaluated as plants and as ratoon crops on a humid forest site. Significant differences between ploidy within crosses were observed for most traits. The tetraploids were taller, had longer production cycles but a shorter fruit filling time, and heavier bunches than the diploids. There were significant differences between clones of the same ploidy within crosses. Hence, individual selection within ploidy will be effective for the improvement of plantain. Most of the bunch and fruit traits were positively and significantly associated, especially at the tetraploid level. Selection for large fruit at the diploid and tetraploid levels may lead to heavy fruits, thereby resulting in hybrids bearing heavy bunches. Significant and positive correlations between plant height and bunch weight at the tetraploid level suggest that selection of dwarf plantains with heavy bunches may be difficult.

Phenotypic Diversity and Patterns of Variation in West and Central African Plantains (Musa Spp., AAB group Musaceae)

Plantains (Musa spp., AAB group) are an important food crop and an integral component of the farming systems in the lowland humid forest zone of West and Central Africa. A group of 24 plantain cultivars, representing the major variability in West Africa, was evaluated for nine quantitative characters. The association between growth and yield parameters in this African plantain germplasm was examined to determine if the pattern of quantitative variation in inflorescence and vegetative traits agreed with taxonomic groupings based on inflorescence type and plant size. Phenotypic correlations between these traits were calculated. Giant cultivars were taller, their pseudostem thicker, and they flowered much later than medium-sized cultivars. Giant cultivars produced more foliage, resulting in heavier bunches with more hands and fruits. Groupings that resulted following principal component analysis (PCA) supported conventional taxonomic groupings of plantains. PC A was based mainly on time to flowering, pseudostem height, and number of fruits. The last two traits, in combination with the number of hermaphrodite flowers and the persistence of the male bud, sufficed to group plantain cultivars.

Fruit development of Carina (Shiraz × Sultana) in response to growth regulators applied at calyptra dehiscence

Growth regulators known to improve yield and quality of Zante and a mechanical treatment utilizing high velocity air and a high pressure water spray to physically dislodge the calyptras were applied at dehiscence in 1979 and 1980 to vines of Carina, a male-sterile hybrid selection of Shiraz x Sultana. The vines were grown in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The mechanical treatment was ineffective in dislodging the calyptras and there were no significant differences in yield or components of yield between treated and untreated vines in either year. The three growth regulators, CCC 100 ppm + GA 1 ppm, 4-CPA 20 ppm + GA 0.5 ppm, and GA 10 ppm, had marked effects on yield and components of yield, but the response varied between sprays and between years. In 1980 4-CPA + GA produced more berries per bunch, heavier bunches and more fresh fruit per vine than both CCC + GA and GA, while in I98 1, 4-CPA + GA and GA were superior to CCC + GA. There were no differences in concentration of soluble solids, pruning weight or dried berry weight in either year. The processed dried fruit of all treatments was of excellent quality.

Effect of Ethrel (2-Chloroethyl Phosphonic Acid) on Ripening of Bananas

The ability of ethylene to stimulate fruits to ripen has been reported in fruits and vegetables (Burg. 1962 and 1965: Hansen, 1966; Burg and Burg, 1968: Dilley, 1969 and Pratt and Goeschl, 1969). Recently, the newly developed compound Ethrel (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) which degrades itself to yield ethylene, has been found to be effective in causing ripening of fruits (Russo et al. 1968: Iwahoris et al. 1969; Robinowitch et al. 1970 and Srinivasan et al. 1971). The banana variety Robusta, a clone of Dwarf Cavendish group is characterised by the production of heavy bunches with large sized fingers. Despite these attractive features its commercial preference is greatly influenced due to poor development of peel colour, besides prolonged period of ripening. Therefore it was of interest to study the effect of Ethrel on the development of peel colour and ripening in the case of Robusta banana.