Intensive Horticulture Research Articles

Ecologization of cultivar adopted technologies for scab protection and nutrition program of an apple tree in orchard and nursery

Different apple cultivars require a different approach to plant protection and nutrition according to their genotypic features. Currently, due to the relatively large number of cultivars in orchards and nurseries of horticultural farms, this approach is rarely used. Our work aimed to study the effectiveness of various foliar fertilizers and protection products in tank mixtures for the scab suppression and their impact on productivity according to cv’s genotypic features of ’Lobo’ and ’Zhigulevskoye’. The efficiency of protection and nutrition programs was studied in the nursery and orchard circumstances. According to generally accepted methods, we did our research in 2013-2015 in the experimental orchard and nursery of I.V. Michurin Federal Scientific Centre. We determined the biological effectiveness of the plant protection systems used, the development of productivity components (fruitset from free pollination, average fruit weight and yield per tree), the content of primary nutrients in soil, leaves, and fruits. The ecologized system has provided a sufficiently high level of protection, which allows recommending to producers. The introduction of such ecologized protection and nutrition systems that reduce the pesticide load assumes a much higher account of the interaction of apple trees with other plant and animal species and lifeless components of the nursery and orchard ecosystem. The use of an ecologized foliar nutrition system provided a high enough level of plant protection effectiveness, especially when combined with regular soil fertilizer application, and optimizing the mineral composition of leaves and fruits. Biologization of soil nutrition is one of the most critical tasks for preserving soil fertility in intensive horticulture. The soil application of bacterial fertilizers stimulated a significant increase in the average annual growth rate and stem diameters of young apple trees in the nursery and yield in the orchard. However, the highest results were obtained when applying bacteria cultures and artificial fertilizers at a reduced application rate.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ И ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ РАЗВИТИЯ ИНТЕНСИВНОГО САДОВОДСТВА В РОССИИ

The article notes that the growing popularity of healthy lifestyles contributes to the increase in consumption of fruits and berries. At the same time, the analysis of the dynamics of the gardening industry for 2000-2018 shows that the problem of providing fresh fruits and berries to the population remains one of the most important. Based on actual data, linear and logarithmic models of time series of key industry indicators for the period 2010 – 2019 have been compiled. Calculations showed that in the Russian Federation as a whole the trend of reduction of sown areas of perennial fruit plantations will continue with growth of yield and gross fees. In this regard, the issues of distribution and introduction of gardens of intensive type are updated. An overview of the views of domestic scientists-gardeners on the concept of “intensive garden” is given. It has been established that the distribution of intensive gardens is possible only if there are favorable natural and climatic conditions and a developed scientific and production base of nursery management. The current state and problems of gardening in one of the leading regions – the Republic of Dagestan - are considered. A significant technological lag of region in the further development of intensive horticulture has been identified. Various directions of intensification process in horticulture as the main and necessary condition of growth of efficient and sustainable production are summarized.

New methods in genotype diagnostics of small-fruit crops for intensive gardening

Physiological and morphological studies of red Russian and foreign breeding red currant varieties were carried out for establishing intensive plantings and introduction. Varieties Dana, Niva, Vika, Hollandische Rote are yielding, highly resistant and promising for introduction and industrial cultivation, during dry periods they are able to regulate metabolism through changing indicators of water balance (water deficit, fractional composition of water) and photosynthetic apparatus of leaves (leaf lamina area). Using Natali, Shchedraya and Jonkheer Van Tets varieties in production is possible with application of artificial irrigation. Selyanochka variety is most affected by weather conditions and is recommended to be grown in temperate climate area. Physiological and morphological methods of research allow to diagnose the genotypes resistance of garden crops to growing period abiotic factors at the early stages of plant development, they are confirmed by field observations and are promising in diagnosis for establishing intensive gardens and berry-fields.

Результаты исследований установки для ухода за почвой в интенсивном горном садоводстве

A new structural and technological scheme has been proposed and a prototype of a plant for soil care in intensive mountain gardening has been developed, which allows mowing and chopping grass vegetation in the aisles, feeding and evenly laying mulch on the loosened section of the near-trunk strip of fruit plantations, followed by mixing it with the soil. The use of the proposed technology and installation for its implementation allows: to accelerate the process of humification mixed with the soil of finely ground mulch material and the creation of favorable microbiological processes in the soil; improve the efficiency of absorption and accumulation of precipitation; covering the soil with mulch material suppresses the germination of weeds and protects the surface of the loosened soil from excessive evaporation of moisture.

Селекція на отримання імунних сортів яблуні (Malus domestica Borkh.)

The author presents the main principles of creating apple immune cultivars by means of the directed hybridization with using oligogenic donors, the immunity being conditioned by the parasite usual incapacity of penetrating into a plant and infecting under the most favourable conditions. The immunity is determined by one or several main genes (oligo-genes). The scab harmfulness was analysed. That makes obtaining immune and high resistant apple cvs the major direc-tion of this crop breeding at the Institute of Horticulture (NAAN of Ukraine). Those varieties would decrease or exclude at all the chemical methods of the scab control. The immune cultivars are presented which were entered into the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine in 2006, namely: Edera, Garant, Amulet, Skifske Zoloto, Perlyna Kyieva and the new cvs that were entered into the above mentioned register for the latest five years or are planned to be, including the summer varieties Malusha, Palanka, Nastia, the winter ones Todes, Dmiana, Solomiia, Dozhnytsia. They are all favourable for the intensive horticulture, nearly all powdery mildew resistant, combine harmo-nius taste and aroma, have attractive fruits appearance and the winter cultivars are characterized by the long storage term. It is the winter cv Dmiana that requires especial attention. It differs significantly from existing varieties owing to unique taste qualities which may be compared with the best grape vine dessert cultivars. Besides ‘Dmiana’ is scab im-mune and not affectioned by powder mildew. The trees have not a large compact crown, are winter-hardy, early ripening. They begin fruit-bearing in the 2nd year af-ter planting with annual planting trees almost on all the vegetative rootstocks even without a crown. They increase rap-idly marketable yield but are susceptible to the fruits overloading and their diminishing in size. The fruits are middle (130-185 g), orbicular – conic, green – yellow with crimson – red erubesccence nearly on the whole surface. The pulp has aroma, very dense and juicy up to the storage end. The creation of new fruit crops cvs is complicated multi-year labour which must not be the acquisition of only breeders. To this labour other scientists must be drawn at different stages because the final task of the breeding work is a versatile study of a new variety and offering recommendations to future producers concerning the peculiarities and application.

Spring long stalk grafting as a promising resource-saving way of obtaining branched sweet cherry seedlings

The formation of costs in the cultivation of fruit crops have their own characteristics. Before establishing perennial plantings, it is necessary to grow planting material. The high cost of planting material is due to the rather sophisticated technology of growing it. Nowadays, seedlings grafted on low rootstock and have 3 or more branches are chosen to lay modern intensive gardens, thus accelerating the formation of crown in the garden and the entry of trees into the the fruiting period for 1-2 years, as well as by its growth strength and reduction of harvest costs. For cultivation of sweet cherries planting material, summer budding and winter grafting are used, but in these methods seedlings are poorly branched or well branched, but with sharp angles of lateral branches offset. Spring grafting with long stalks can become a promising and resource-saving way of obtaining branched sweet cherry seedlings. This method does not require the use of a grafting complex, provides minimal costs for grafting care, there is also no need for special methods of seedlings branchings strengthening.

Elevated dissolved heavy metal discharge following rainfall downstream of intensive horticulture

Heavy metals may be released from soils during rain events. Observations during the first flush (rain event preceded by dry period) are difficult, but may account for a large fraction of annual loads. Here, we report detailed time series measurements of dissolved heavy metals and the groundwater tracer radon (222Rn) over multiple rain events from a creek draining a catchment dominated by intensive horticulture on the subtropical east coast of Australia. The creek drains to an intermittently closed and open lake or lagoon (ICOLL), a typical estuary type along the east coast of Australia. A sandbank prevents the estuary mouth from connecting with the ocean during dry conditions. Following a 109 mm rain event, the ICOLL began to drain to the coastal ocean. Mean export of Hg, Cu, and Zn was 0.23 ± 0.05, 1.06 ± 0.25, and 15.70 ± 2.69 g m−2 day−1 for the entire time series and 0.72 ± 0.17, 1.27 ± 0.12, 24.14 ± 3.82 g m−2 day−1 averaged from high resolution sampling over 72 h of the first flush event. Trends of Hg export differed from the other heavy metals. Over 79% of the estimated Hg export occurred within 72 h of the ICOLL opening, compared to 30 and 38% of Cu and Zn. The first flush and subsequent major rain events (> 50 mm day-1) drove concentrations of Hg, Cu and Zn to exceed the Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) water quality guidelines (WQG) for both fresh and marine water. Comparisons of heavy metal export to downstream estuary sediment burial rates revealed that the estuary is likely a source of dissolved Hg and Cd to the coastal ocean when the ICOLL is open.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MOWER FOR THE MULLING OF OPTIMUM TREES OF TREES IN

The article describes the current state of soil retention near the trees of the intensive garden. The disadvantages of the main soil retention systems in perennial fruit plantations and the inappropriateness of using a wide range of systemic and contact chemicals for the cultivation of fruit and berry crops are noted. It is established that the most rational and accessible system of soil retention in gardens is sod-humus with mowing vegetation as mulch. The disadvantages of the lack of technical means in the field of horticulture are noted: decrease of labor productivity, lack of harvest by 40-50%, the main restraining factor of introduction of modern highly efficient technologies. The design and technological scheme of the rotor mower has been developed for mulching of the accessory strips of trees in intensive gardens, which will allow to increase the water, temperature, air regime of the soil, to activate microbiological activity in it, to ensure the reduction of erosion processes. The hydraulic drive of the rotary mower is offered, which will allow to mow, grind and send the plant mass into the adjacent area of the garden for mulching more qualitatively.

Irrigation and nitrogen source management for improving NUE in intensive Mediterranean horticulture

Irrigation and nitrogen source management for improving NUE in intensive Mediterranean horticulture

Species composition, abundance and diet of a squamate assemblage from the Carnaval stream headwaters (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

The present work summarizes 10 years of field observations of an exurban squamate assemblage occupying a 1200 ha patch in the suburbs of La Plata City (Los Portenos, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Crossed by two streams (Martin and Carnaval), the area is characterized by intensive horticulture and floriculture, poultry and pig farming, exhibits a low housing density (1 house/ha), and the roads are largely unpaved. This area is under stress due to continuous expansion of the neighboring city in detriment of rural areas, determining a stressing environmental scenario. Field data were complemented and contextualized with museum records of the squamates present in the area and in neighboring departments of La Plata. The field-based species list of squamates from Los Portenos comprises one amphisbaenian (Amphisbaena darwinii = 26 specimens), five snakes (Paraphimophis rustica = 24, Xenodon dorbignyi = 6, Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus = 3, Erythrolamprus semiaureus = 2, Lygophis anomalus = 1), and one lizard (Salvator merianae = 11). The number of species of squamates in Los Portenos was higher than the expected compared with the species from surrounding areas. Fossorial, nocturnal and generalist species were the most abundant in Los Portenos. These urban adapter species lack dietary constraints and their living habits minimize the encounters with humans, who commonly kill them.

Association of plant development to organic matter and fungal presence in soils of horticultural crops

Soil microbial communities are a crucial link between soil nutrient availability and plant productivity. They particularly depend on soil organic matter (SOM) content, which is considered one of the main components of soil fertility. But agricultural intensification and the increase in the use of fertilisers of mineral origin in recent decades (to the detriment of the incorporation of organic materials in agricultural soils) have resulted in a continuous loss of agricultural soil quality and fertility, which is considered one of the greatest challenges to addressing global food security. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms driving soil improvement via soil microbiota could result in a sustainable improvement in crop yields. Soils were sampled in 40 intensively managed greenhouses in southeast Spain to understand how SOM influences soil fungal community and how both these factors influence plant development. The values of three out of four growth‐related variables (plant height, aerial dry weight and leaf area, but not root dry weight) in both tomato and cucumber plants showed a positive relation with SOM content and soil fungal diversity. This study concludes that SOM is key for the maintenance of soil fertility in intensive horticulture and that it is linked to the composition and diversity of soil fungal community. Both SOM and soil fungal communities should be considered as essential factors in achieving high soil fertility, and ultimately, to ensure an optimum crop development.

Aquifer Sustainability and the Use of Desalinated Seawater for Greenhouse Irrigation in the Campo de Níjar, Southeast Spain.

In the Campo de Níjar (southeast Spain), an intensive horticulture model under plastic has been developed based on the use of groundwater. For many years, aquifers have been overexploited, almost generating an environmental collapse. The construction of a desalination plant was planned to improve this situation and to achieve sustainable aquifer management. However, the aquifer is still being overexploited, since farmers scarcely use desalinated seawater for irrigation. In this paper, farmers irrigating with desalinated seawater are characterized, since they contribute to aquifer sustainability. The study aimed to identify the variables which condition the use of this water resource, as well as the kinds of incentives that encourage this option. For this purpose, a survey was undertaken within a sample of 110 farmers. A cluster analysis and a binary logistic regression were employed. The results from the cluster analysis allowed the characterization of farmers who use desalinated seawater for irrigation. Furthermore, the regression model showed the variables that determine a more intensive use of this irrigation source, such as crop diversification, availability of different water resources and the conductivity of aquifer water available for irrigation. The incentives promoting the use of desalinated seawater for irrigation that most encourage farmers are the implementation of tax relief, price reductions and the obligation to install rainwater collection systems.

Investigation of heavy metal accumulation in soil, water and plants in areas with intensive horticulture

The content and availability of heavy metals in intensively cultivated soils are important issues because these metals are potential environmental contaminants and toxic to living beings. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of Cd, Mn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn available in the soil of five agricultural areas compared to the soil of adjacent native forests, to determine the risk of soil, water and plant contamination. A total of 180 soil samples were collected at two depths (0.00 - 0.10 and 0.10 - 0.30 m), and edible samples were extracted from plants cultivated in these soils. Water samples were taken from reservoirs commonly used to irrigate these crops and from well water used for human consumption. All the samples were subjected to heavy metal extraction methods (HNO3 + HCl + DTPA) and measurements were carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that soil with intensive agricultural inputs increased Mn, Cu and Zn levels. High levels of Ni were found even in agricultural and forest soils, indicating that this may be associated with its presence in the original soil material. Pb and Ni levels exceeded the maximum values allowed by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) for all plant samples examined. Bell pepper and chard showed the highest levels of Pb and Ni, suggesting that these species accumulate more Pb and Ni compared to other species studied. Levels of Cd, Ni and Pb surpassed the values established by CONAMA (National Council for the Environment) for human consumption and irrigation water, and the levels were influenced by seasonal rainfall. Preventive monitoring and planning of fertilizer applications, in order to avoid fertilizing the soil near the rainy season, are alternatives to establish normal heavy metal levels in human consumption and irrigation water. Moreover, bell pepper and chard should not be grown in Pb and Ni contaminated soils.

РІСТ І ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ ЯБЛУНІ В ІНТЕНСИВНОМУ САДУ

РІСТ І ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ ЯБЛУНІ В ІНТЕНСИВНОМУ САДУ

Комплексный подход к организации и эксплуатации интенсивного сада — залог успеха в восстановлении плодоводческой отрасли

Комплексный подход к организации и эксплуатации интенсивного сада — залог успеха в восстановлении плодоводческой отрасли

Nitrate loads in sub-tropical headwater streams driven by intensive horticulture

Nitrogen runoff from fertiliser intensive land uses has become an issue worldwide, contributing to algal blooms, hypoxic waters and aquatic biodiversity losses. This study assessed potential nutrient pollution from blueberry farms in subtropical Australia and examines whether nutrient loads were driven by groundwater discharge and/or surface water runoff. Streams downstream of eight blueberry farms were compared to eight nearby control sites without any blueberry activity. In the 90 day sample period, there were three rain events >90 mm day−1 that produced runoff sufficient to create flooding. Overall, the results revealed a clear link between blueberry farming and nitrogen runoff in headwater streams. While NOX (nitrate + nitrite) was the dominant nitrogen species downstream of blueberry farms, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was the dominant species in control sites. The concentrations and loads of NOx were one order of magnitude lower in the eight non-blueberry (6.3 ± 2.0 μmol L−1; 1.6 ± 1.2 kg N-NOX ha−1 yr−1) than the eight blueberry (56.9 ± 14.2 μmol L−1; 21.8 ± 8.0 kg N-NOX ha−1 yr−1) sites. NOX concentrations and loads were highest following rain events. Radon (222Rn, a natural groundwater tracer) observations and low nitrogen concentration in groundwater samples further suggest that surface runoff dominates the delivery of nitrogen to the creeks investigated. NOX concentrations and loads in creeks correlated with blueberry farm density. At >15% of blueberry land use in a catchment, there was a detectable influence in NOX concentrations and loads in the headwater streams. Assuming that our load estimates can be up-scaled to annual nitrogen creek exports, and that local farmers use the recommended amount of fertiliser (121 kg N ha−1 yr−1), between 18 and 25% of the used fertiliser was lost to the creeks. This implies that there are opportunities for decreasing the use of fertilisers in this catchment and managing any nitrogen that escapes to the creeks.

Продуктивность и долговечность привойно-подвойных комбинаций сливы домашней (Prunus domestica L.)

Results of long-term researches on cultivation plums (Prunus domestica L.) in an intensive garden are presented. For 15 years, the productivity of trees of 12 scion/stock combinations was studied at cultivation under the scheme of 5×2,5 m. Dependence of productivity and longevity of trees plums from scion/stock combinations and weather conditions was established. The most longevous and productive combinations were revealed: Pamyat Timiryazeva on OPA-15-2, Utro on OPA-15-2, Yaichnaya sinyaya on ОPА-15-2, Pamyat Timiryazeva on Novinka.

Инновационный способ посадки плодовых растений при использовании капельного орошения на лёгких почвах

With the drip irrigation of sandy soils, a wedge-shaped moistening contour is formed. It is characterized by an insignificant distribution of moisture in the horizontal direction and a predominant penetration of it into the depth, beyond the root layer of soil. Such a contour formation is insuffi cient to moisten the volume of the soil in which the main mass of the absorbing tree roots is located. Therefore, in silt-sandy, sandy and stone-sandy soils one pipeline is laid along a row of trees with the installation of 2-5 drippers per tree at a distance of not less than 50 cm from its stem. However, even in this case, the uniformity of moistening is diffi cult to provide. To solve this problem “The method of drip irrigation of an intensive garden” was created by VNIIGiM. The essence of this method is that when it is implemented, an artifi cial increase in the moisture capacity of the coarse-grained soil is 266 achieved by the addition of urea-formaldehyde fertilizer and at the same time a deep water runoff is prevented by means of a screen with adjustable water permeability. As a result of the application of the proposed method of drip irrigation of an intensive garden, conditions are created for ensuring uniform moistening of the root layer in soils with high water permeability and maintaining a favorable water and air regime in it, while at the same time eliminating deep moisture fi ltration.

Evaluation of spatial plan in controlling stream flow rate in Wakung Watershed, Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia

Evaluation study for such a regional spatial plan (RTRW) in Indonesia has not been evaluated for its effectiveness in controlling the surface run off that contributed to streamflow. This necessity can be accomplishsed by applying a modeling approach, such as Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The objectives of this research are 1) to simulate the streamflow of Wakung watershed based on actual landuse, 2) to predict streamflow of Wakung watershed based on RTRW, and 3) to evaluate the effectiveness of the RTRW of Pemalang District in controling streamflow rate at Wakung Watershed. ArcSWAT model was used to determine the erosion rate prediction. The model was then calibrated by using SWATCUP. Model performance were tested by using R2 and ENS. The calibration and validation results showed that R2 and ENS (monthly) > 0.5. The result of SWAT simulation in Wakung sub-watershed reaching 161 - 4950 m3/s/years for W-A scenario (actual landuse and weather data of 2013), for scenario W-R (RTRW and weather data of 2013), 330 - 4919 m3/s/year. The comparison between actual and spatial plan land use data for stream flow is showing that the W-A scenario is lower than the W-R scenario in 19 sub watersheds. This is because there are many plans for adding land use for urban and intensive horticulture land in areas with steep slopes (> 25%). This condition is caused by the demands of fulfilling the needs of settlement and food for people in the Wakung watershed.

MICROSATELLITES-BASED EVALUATION OF THE PEAR CULTIVARS SELECTED FROM NIKITSKY BOTANICAL GARDENS GERMPLASM BY THEIR ECONOMICALLY VALUABLE CHARACTERISTICS

Mobilization and preservation of genetic sources of diversity of the cultivated pear varieties and their wild relatives is one of the main aspects of new cultivars breeding for modern intensive horticulture. The crucial matter during a new cultivar creation goes to the selection of parental pairs, which obtain a complex of positive features. The aim of this work is to study the Gene Fund collection of pear plantings from Nikitsky Botanical Gardens in accordance with the main economically important traits and to select the most valuable genotypes for using them in breeding programs as a starting material, as well as to conduct a DNA-fingerprinting and the analyses of genetic polymorphism of promising cultivars from the collection of pear with implementing of microsatellite analyses. As a result of long-term studies the following cultivars were selected in accordance with the complex of features promising for the breeding program: Gvardeiskaya Zimnyaya, Izuminka Kryma, Izumrudnaya, Kelmenchanka, Krymskaya Aromatnaya, Krymskaya Medovaya, Lazurnaya, Maria, Mriya, Nadezhda Stepi, Nezabudka, Novosadovskaya, Oreanda Kryma, Otechestvennaya, Tauschaya, Yakimovskaya. The samples of these cultivars were forwarded for genotyping. For the genetic polymorphism analyses of the studied cultivars, seven microsatellite DNA-markers – EMPc108, EMPc117, EMPc115, CH04e03 and CH01d09, CH01f07a, CH01d08 – grouped into 2 multiplex sets were used. The SSR-markers were significantly different according to their level of polymorphism – from 3 (CH04e03 marker) to 11 (EMPc115) alleles per a gene locus were revealed, the effective number of alleles varying from 1.37 to 4.65. Based on SSR-markers polymorphism analysis data, the rate of genetic similarity of the studied pear cultivars was estimated. This evaluation research helped estimate genetic relations inside the studied sample collection of genotypes. The SSR-fingerprints of the cultivars obtained will be used as a starting material for the creation of DNA-passports database of the “NBG – NSC” Gene Fund collection of pear cultivars.