Large Nuts Research Articles

Nut and kernel characteristics of twelve hazelnut cultivars grown in Iran

Commercial hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars vary considerably in their nut and kernel characteristics. In the present investigation, nut and kernel traits and kernel composition of 12 hazelnut cultivars grown in Astara, Iran were investigated. The cultivars included four major commercial cultivars (Barcelona, Segorbe, Merville, and Daviana), four local Iranian cultivars (Pashmine, Rasmi, Shastak and Tabestane), and four recently introduced and less known cultivars (Nemsa, Proones, Christian and Prostorika). Our results showed significant differences exist among all genotypes across a number of morphological traits and compositional properties. The imported cultivars generally showed improved physical traits, such as larger nuts and kernels and a higher kernel percentage, as well as a higher kernel oil content, than the Iranian cultivars. However, the Iranian cultivars had a higher kernel protein content (from 17.09% to 24.61%) compared to the imported ones. ‘Rasmi’ showed some advantages such as high fat content (61.33%), which suggest its further investigation as a promising multi-use cultivar for Iran. Furthermore, the newly introduced cultivar Proones ranked first among all cultivars in some traits including the highest oil content (68.44%). Mean comparisons supported the observation of significant variation among the 12 hazelnut cultivars, which suggests significant genetic diversity is present in the plant material, which is of great value for breeding.

Preference of granivorous rodents for seeds of 12 temperate tree and shrub species used in direct sowing

Direct seeding is potentially a cost-effective method for creating woodland and is particularly suited to establishing mixtures of species. Seed predation can cause poor establishment, and information on granivore preference for seed of different species is essential to evaluate relative risk and the need for control measures. We investigated consistencies in the preference of small mammals for removing seeds of 12 tree and shrub species at three sites in southern England using freely available seeds presented as single or mixed species plots. Seed preferences were modelled as preference for removal of seeds of a particular species in relation to others present in a given time period. Across-site comparison of seed preference ranks showed significant agreement, especially at each extreme of the ranks. Quercus robur and Fagus sylvatica were always ranked first or second, followed by Corylus avellana and Acer pseudoplatanus, while Crataegus monogyna and Fraxinus excelsior were ranked last; the relative position of middle ranking species varied between tests. Removal of seeds of highly preferred species was usually absolute, whereas seeds of lower ranked species were more likely to be partially removed. For most species, preference coefficients were positively related to two explanatory variates: the logarithms of whole seed and coat dry mass. The exception was Fraxinus excelsior, where preference was lower than predicted, possibly because of chemical defences. Presentation of seeds as either single or mixed species plots had no overall effect on preference ranking. The results suggest that species that produce large nuts, are more vulnerable to predation-loss and might require additional measures, such as treatment with repellents, to reduce predation risk, or might, as in the case of Q. robur, be so attractive to rodents that it is unrealistic to direct sow them. The majority of the other species with smaller seed size, however, were much less susceptible to removal by predators. Any losses that do occur with these species are likely to be relatively small and tolerable, and localised.

Effect of Moisture Content, Nut Size and Hot-Oil Roasting Time on the Whole Kernel “Out-Turn” of Cashew Nuts (Anacardium occidentale) During Shelling

The effect of moisture content (MC), nut size and roasting time (RT) on the whole kernel out-turn (WKO) of cashew nuts during shelling was investigated in this study. Cashew nuts were graded into three sizes: small (18 – 22 mm), medium (23 – 25 mm) and large nuts (26 – 35 mm). About 3 kg of nuts from each grade was conditioned with water at 25°C to five moisture levels of 8.34, 11.80, 12.57, 15.40 and 16.84% (wb). The nuts were subjected to roasting in hot cashew nut shell liquid at a temperature range between 180 and 190°C for 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, and 1.50 min. The nuts were then shelled using a hand-operated shelling machine. The results showed that pre-shelling treatment of cashew nuts enhanced WKO. The single effect of MC, roasting time (RT) or nut size distribution is not enough for estimating WKO; it is rather by an interaction of these parameters. The average WKO of raw nuts was characteristically below 50% at all combinations of MC and RT. Pre-treatment by roasting was found to improve WKO considerably. The highest values were 96.96, 99.63 and 100% for large, medium and small-sized nuts at MC*RT of 16.84%*1 min, 16.84%*1 min and 15.4%*1.5 min respectively. As RT and MC increased, WKO increased within the experimental range.

A STUDY ON CLIMATE FACTORS ON 'SIRORA' PISTACHIO NUT SIZE

Pistachio nut size is an important parameter for production. Some factors influencing on nut size such as variety, pollination, irrigation and crop load are known, however, different seasons still produce different size nuts. Effects from climate factors are considered. A study on influence of temperatures and winter chilling on nut size was carried out from 1998 to 2009. The results show that key period of maximum temperatures influencing the nut size was found in spring during hull enlargement from an r-contour map. Multiple regression study shows that maximum temperatures during hull enlargement and winter chill have significant influences on nut size. When maximum temperatures increase during hull enlargement, nut size increases. Under the same maximum temperature during that period, trees with good winter chill produce large nuts than poor chill years.

Variability Study on Nut Size and Number Trade-Off Identify a Threshold Level for Optimum Yield in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Eleven yield-related plant traits in 33 accessions selected from 3 Nigerian breeding populations were studied to understand the influence of nut size-number trade-off in cashew tree yield. Three-years of data were statistically analyzed for genetic variability estimates and showed that the accessions were significantly different for all the yield-related traits with highest variability in production of hermaphrodite flowers. The pattern of variation was population-specific with sparsely fruiting Brazilian accessions characterized by large nuts and kernels, while the Indian accessions were prolific but with small–medium nuts. Flowering, fruit-set, and fruit-development differed significantly between years suggesting a strong influence of environment on cashew tree production. Consistent relationships were found between nut number and total nut yield at both inter- and intra-population levels, underscoring the importance of the number to nut yield in cashew. However, regression between nut number and nut size confirmed the existence of the size-number trade-off phenomenon in cashew, but the degree varied between populations. Cashew trees with jumbo nuts (>15 kg) were significantly affected by the trade-off, as they exhibited poor flowering and fruit set, in addition to prolonged fruit development. This category of nut size should be discouraged for commercial planting. These preliminary results showed that cashew cultivars with nut sizes between 9.0 and 12.0 g are better, as such trees produced enough nuts per tree to support profitable investments in cashew farming.

Nasopharyngeal Foreign Body in an Young Child

A number of articles on foreign body (FB) ingestion and inhalation have been reported in the literature. Of these, reports of foreign bodies lodging in nasopharynx after inhalation/ingestion are rare. A case of FB inhalation/ingestion presented with history of respiratory distress was admitted for suspected FB bronchus and kept for observation. On examination the child was not distressed and chest examination and X-ray were normal. After 2 days, however, X-ray nasopharynx was taken for rhinorrhoea, nose block and snoring since admission. A large metal nut was found in the roof of the nasopharynx. This case is reported for its rarity, unusual presentation and misleading history.

Investigation into the Effects of Impeller Vane Patterns and Pistachio Nut Size on Hulling Efficiency of Pistachio Nuts using A Centrifugal Huller

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of machine parameters on hulling performance of pistachio nuts using a centrifugal huller. Two independent variables including impeller design (material and configuration) of centrifugal huller and size of pistachio nut were selected for evaluating of the machine in a factorial design based on completely randomized block. The overall performance was expressed in terms of hulling efficiency and breakage percent. Forward-curved impeller vanes made of aluminum gave highest hulling efficiency (92.77%) than that with mild steel or rubber vanes. Large size pistachio nut (length > 16 mm) at 10.5% (d.b.) showed the higher hulling efficiency (93.37%) using forward curved aluminum vane. However, the breakage percent was found to be minimum (8.2%) with the medium pistachio size having average length between 14 and 16 mm.

Castanopsis malipoensisandC. jinpingensis(Fagaceae), Two New Species from Yunnan, China

Castanopsis malipoensis and C. jinpingensis, two new species of Fagaceae from Yunnan, China, are described and illustrated. The former grows in mixed forests on limestone hills of the Malipo County and is closely related morphologically to C. xichouensis, differing from it by having thinner leaves, shorter petioles, flat glabrous cupule spines, and larger nuts. The latter is restricted to the thick forest on Mt. Wutai in the Jinping County, most resembling C. platyacantha, but differing from it by its entire leaf-margin, slender cupule spines without pubescences, and having smaller nuts. A key to the two species and their allies is provided.

CHESTNUT PRODUCTION IN MICHIGAN

Chestnut (Castanea spp.) trees representing various species were established in North American orchards prior to and after chestnut blight eliminated the endemic, co-dominant American chestnut tree (C. dentata) from the eastern United States. Complex mixtures of chestnut species can be found in orchards where growers harvest the nuts for market. Before 1997, the nuts were produced on seedling (non-grafted) trees with germplasm mixtures of American, Chinese (C. mollissima), European (C. sativa) and Japanese chestnut (C. crenata). Beginning in the late 1990s and continuing today, grafted trees, including the Japanese/European hybrid cultivar 'Colossal' from California, and others were planted in orchards throughout Michigan. Today, Michigan is one of the few states where both European trees and Asian trees are grown in the same orchards. This mixing of different chestnut species in the same orchards provides opportunities to compare and contrast the many different types of trees and their nuts growing under similar environmental conditions. Unique attributes have been noted for the trees. The cultivar 'Colossal' in Michigan is precocious, produces very large nuts and bears the greatest yield of any cultivar in Michigan. However, 'Colossal' is not very cold tolerant, is chestnut blight susceptible, commonly produces multiple embryos, and can be quick to mold. Chinese chestnut trees in Michigan orchards are primarily represented by non-grafted seedling trees. These Chinese seedlings produce variably sized, good flavored sweet nuts, are chestnut blight resistant, and generally are easy to peel. However, they take many years to become established, can produce variable sizes and qualities of nuts, over half the trees never produce nuts and, except when greater than 15-years-old or more, do not yield well when compared to 'Colossal'. Certain Chinese cultivars have shown good promise under Michigan environmental conditions but they are slow to produce and cold weather susceptible. These and other challenges of chestnut production in Michigan will be discussed.

CHESTNUT IN BRAZIL: RESEARCHES AND PERSPECTIVES

Among fruit crops that can be seen as having potential in Brazilian farms, is the Portuguese chestnut or European chestnut. First chestnut trees were introduced in Brazil brought by Portuguese colonizers around 1530. Nevertheless, due to its climatic requirements, very few survived, if any, except those taken to higher lands or to the South of the country, places with mild temperatures. In the beginning of the 1970's, introductions were realized through the Instituto Agronomico, a government research agency, mainly from C. crenata species and its hybrids (C. crenata × C. sativa), that was less demanding for chill temperatures during winter season. Other informal introductions occurred through the action of immigrants coming from Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Japan. In Brazil, chestnut adapted well in highland altitude and in mountain regions of South and Southeast climates. Since its introduction in Brazil, chestnut plants were propagated through seeds, increasing population variability due to its highly heterozygous status. At Sao Bento do Sapucai (22°41'S, 45°41'W, 886 m), by the end of the 1960's, about a thousand chestnut plants were cultivated and half of these plants were composed of early productive trees that can be harvested from the middle of November. Present efforts with this crop include activities aiming to produce quality nursery plants and to develop technology adapted for chestnut crop under Brazilian conditions for growers from Southeast and South regions of Brazil. As a result, grafted hybrid chestnut plants of cultivars 'KM2', 'Tamatsukuri' and 'Taisho-wase' with high adaptation to tropical and subtropical conditions, and medium to large size nuts of various flavors are distributed. Depending on the hybrid, harvest can extend from November to May.

How plants manipulate the scatter-hoarding behaviour of seed-dispersing animals

Some plants that are dispersed by scatter-hoarding animals appear to have evolved the ability to manipulate the behaviour of those animals to increase the likelihood that seeds and nuts will be stored and that a portion of those items will not be recovered. Plants have achieved this in at least four ways. First, by producing large, nutritious seeds and nuts that are attractive to animals and that stimulate hoarding behaviour. Second, by imposing handling costs that cause animals to hoard rather than to eat items immediately. These handling costs can take one of two forms: physical barriers (e.g. hard seed coats) that take time to remove and secondary chemicals (e.g. tannins) that impose metabolic costs. Third, by masting, where a population of plants synchronizes reproductive effort, producing large nut crops at intervals of several years. Mast crops not only satiate seed predators, but also increase the amount of seed dispersal because scatter-hoarding animals are not easily satiated during caching (causing animals to store more food than they can consume) but are satiated during cache recovery. And fourth, by producing seeds that do not emit strong odours so that buried seeds are less likely to be discovered. These, and perhaps other, traits have increased the relative success of plant species with seeds dispersed by scatter-hoarding animals.

Theoretical approaches of methods to delimitate rural and urban areas

The delimitation of rural and urban municipalities as well as the delimitation of contiguous rural areas has not been sufficiently resolved in either academic literature or legislative practice. In relation to the scale and size of their administrative units, different countries use very different methods for delimiting rural municipalities that are based on simple counts of the population, on a municipality's position in the system of public administration or on a combination of multiple socio-economic factors. For the delimitation of rural areas, the various EU member states utilize a method based on population density in relatively large NUTS III regions. This article discusses divergent approaches to the delimitation of rural municipalities, on the one hand, and the delimitation of contiguous rural areas, on the other. Concepts concerning the delimitation of rural municipalities, along with differing characteristics leading to the delimitation of rural municipalities for the statistical processing of large amounts of data or characteristics for subjective evaluations of a small group of units, are discussed using the example of Czechia's settlement structure. The article then focuses on the critical evaluation of methods used for the delimitation of rural areas and, on the basis of various tested variations, proposes a new method for delimiting rural areas in Czechia, using modified OECD criteria. Changes arising both from the significantly smaller units of observation, where instead of considering units at the NUTS III level - regions (kraj) in Czechia, we consider 384 administrative regions of Municipalities with Extended Powers (MEP), as well as from variable changes to the critical values of population density so as to better account for the Czech settlement structure. The article emphasizes the necessity of using different approaches in studying the delimitation of rural municipalities and rural areas, at various scale levels, and the inappropriateness of using the methods of delimitation for rural areas that are currently used for all EU member states, at the national scale.

The feeding biomechanics and dietary ecology of Australopithecus africanus

The African Plio-Pleistocene hominins known as australopiths evolved a distinctive craniofacial morphology that traditionally has been viewed as a dietary adaptation for feeding on either small, hard objects or on large volumes of food. A historically influential interpretation of this morphology hypothesizes that loads applied to the premolars during feeding had a profound influence on the evolution of australopith craniofacial form. Here, we test this hypothesis using finite element analysis in conjunction with comparative, imaging, and experimental methods. We find that the facial skeleton of the Australopithecus type species, A. africanus, is well suited to withstand premolar loads. However, we suggest that the mastication of either small objects or large volumes of food is unlikely to fully explain the evolution of facial form in this species. Rather, key aspects of australopith craniofacial morphology are more likely to be related to the ingestion and initial preparation of large, mechanically protected food objects like large nuts and seeds. These foods may have broadened the diet of these hominins, possibly by being critical resources that australopiths relied on during periods when their preferred dietary items were in short supply. Our analysis reconciles apparent discrepancies between dietary reconstructions based on biomechanics, tooth morphology, and dental microwear.

Morphological variation among Persian walnut (Juglans regia) genotypes from central Iran

Fifty‐eight mature Persian walnut (Juglans regia) seedlings growing at six sites in the mountainous regions of Taft, in central Iran, were evaluated to determine their morphological variation and to identify promising individuals. The traits investigated included phenological characteristics, such as budbreak and nut maturity time, and nut characteristics, such as nut and kernel weight, kernel ratio, and shell thickness. Yield efficiency and fruit‐bearing habit were also investigated. The average fruit characteristics: nut weight, kernel weight, kernel ratio, and shell thickness were in the range of 6.0–15.2 g, 2.6–9.1 g, 38.4–79.6%, and 0.4–1.4 mm, respectively. The promising genotypes were AA33, AA35, AA115, AA116, and BA150. These trees had larger nuts (AA116), heavier nuts (15.2 g, AA33), heavier kernels (9.1 g, AA33 and AA115), higher kernel ratio (79.6%, AA35), and later budbreak (BA150). A few significant correlations were found between nut weight and nut length (0.57), nut width (0.68), nut thickness (0.67), kernel weight (0.75), and shell thickness (0.32); whereas a negative correlation was detected between shell thickness and kernel ratio (‐0.34). The data correlation matrix was subjected to principal component analysis, a technique that reduced the dimensionality of the data set and revealed the dominating variables. Cluster analysis of the selected genotypes detected three cluster groups. However, no significant relationship was found between morphological diversity and site geography. The promising selected genotypes identified in central Iran will be further exploited by walnut breeding programmes for their tree and nut characteristics.

Patience

Patience

A History of Air-Blast Sprayer Development and Future Prospects

The design and operating procedures of air-blast sprayers have been greatly improved over the past 50 years. Early tree and vine spray application equipment used hand-guns that required a large amount of water. Later, sprayers with efficient fans, producing large volumes of air at high velocities, were developed for large fruit and nut trees. Recently, apple growers have planted many dwarf and semi-dwarf trees. In general, it is easier to produce more uniform coverage with less drift when spraying small trees than when spraying large trees. Modern designs such as tower, directed jet, and tunnel sprayers should reduce airborne spray drift and produce more uniform coverage. For optimum effectiveness, sprayer air-jet velocity, volume, and droplet spectra should be matched to the tree size, shape, and density. Besides optimizing delivery parameters, future sprayers will likely be required to handle biological materials with a greater variety of physical properties than the standard chemical materials used now. In addition, these materials will require spray systems that protect the live spray products from damage from heat, mechanical stress, and other factors that may kill the beneficial organism being applied.

Performance of cashew seedlings as influenced by AM fungi inoculations and phosphate fertilizers

A greenhouse investigation was carried out to determine the influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungus and two phosphate fertilizers on the growth of cashew seedlings from different nut sizes. Twelve treatment combinations comprising two phosphate fertilizers application using SSP single superphosphate, SRP Sokoto rock phosphate together with no P application control. Two cashew nuts sizes: small nuts (4 – 6 g) and large nuts (8 – 12 g), and two levels of mycorrhizal inoculations (with or without). It was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased the height of cashew seedling at 2 and 4 months after planting (MAP) by 32 % and 23 % respectively. However, AM only increased the dry matter yield of cashew seedlings by 3.71 % at MAP. The dry matter yield and height of large nuts cashew seedlings were significantly (P Keywords : Cashew nuts, phosphate fertilizers, dry matter yield. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 10 2005: pp. 47-51

Low-grade Adnexal Carcinoma of the Skin With Multidirectional (Glandular, Trichoblastomatous, Spiradenocylindromatous) Differentiation

The conjoint occurrence of follicular, sebaceous, or apocrine differentiations in a cutaneous adnexal neoplasm is a known event, more often encountered in benign neoplasms, whereas reports of cutaneous malignant adnexal tumors with bilineage or trilineage differentiation are few. A new case of a cutaneous malignant adnexal neoplasm with multidirectional differentiation is reported here. A 57-year-old woman presented with a long-standing, slowly growing, asymptomatic solitary tumor the size of a large nut in the coccygeal area, which was surgically excised. Ten years after the surgery, there was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Microscopically, the neoplasm was located in the dermis with focal extension into the subcutis. It was asymmetric, horizontally oriented, and mostly composed of small nodules that varied in shape from round and oval aggregations to elongated strands and irregular islands; the nodules were either clustered, formed a jigsaw puzzle-like pattern or were dispersed. The nodules were composed of small basaloid cells sometimes intermixed with larger cells with ample cytoplasm forming glandular structures. Rare nodules resembled elements seen in a spiradenoma by containing scattered lymphocytes and globules of hyalinized eosinophilic basal membrane material. The stroma was paucicellular, but focally it resembled that seen in perifollicular mesenchyme. Mitotic figures, including abnormal ones, were infrequent, but mild nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear crowding, and individual cell necrosis were easily appreciable in both small basaloid cells and cells with clear cytoplasm. Perineural invasion was apparent. We classified this tumor as a well-differentiated adnexal carcinoma demonstrating combined follicular and apocrine differentiation. It differs from previously published cases of malignant adnexal tumors with multidirectional differentiation and further exemplifies the spectrum of diversity encountered in malignant proliferations with differentiation toward the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit.

Development of Organic Control Measures for Walnut Husk Fly in English Walnuts, Cultivar Susceptibility, and Impacts on Nut Quality from Infestation

Walnut husk fly (Rhagoletis completa) is a major pest of English walnuts in California. Research was initiated in 1995 to evaluate reduced-risk pesticides. The first effective control measures were found in 2001—spinosad plus bait and kaolin (Surround). Spinosad was registered for organic use in 2003 as GF-120 NF (a formulation of spinosad and bait) and Entrust (a spinosad formulation to be mixed with existing baits). GF-120 is recommended for low to moderate populations while Entrust + bait is recommended for higher populations. Entrust + bait is price competitive with the standard malathion + bait. Kaolin is also effective for walnut husk fly control; however, control is dependent upon adequate coverage. In 2004, varietal susceptibility was assessed. The cultivars `Payne', `Serr', `Pedro', and `Hartley' were found to be highly susceptible while `Chandler' and `Howard' were somewhat resistant. Infestation in `Chandler' began later in the season than in other cultivars. Quality parameters were also measured. Samples of 100 infested and uninfested `Tulare' walnuts were compared at harvest. There were significant differences in adhering hull, percentage of edible yield, and relative value between infested and uninfested nuts. The relative value of infested nuts was 28% less than uninfested nuts. There were minimal differences in percentage of mold and kernel color. Walnuts sprayed with kaolin had larger nuts, fewer external defects, and an earlier harvest timing.

Large bugs damage pistachio nuts most severely during midseason

“Large bug” damage to pistachio nuts varies by season, as well as among insect species and development stages, with larger bugs typically causing more damage than smaller bugs. We investigated pistachio damage by three large bug species (leaffooted bug, redshouldered stink bug and flat green stink bug) at different development stages and throughout the season, using field surveys and cage studies. Before fruit set occurs in June, most damaged nuts are dropped from the cluster without reducing fruit load. The midseason period (June to July) is the most critical because the damaged nuts remain in the cluster. After shell hardening, the kernel is largely protected from bug feeding.