Orchard Sites Research Articles

(318) Influence of Orchard Site Parameters and Fruit Distribution within Canopy on Fruit Quality of `Fuji' Apple

Canopies of `Fuji' apple trees, grafted on M.9 rootstock, planted in 1998 on two orchard sites at 2.8 × 0.7 m and trained as super spindles, were subdivided in Spring 2003 into upper and lower parts. In each part, the number of fruits, yield per tree, external (fruit size classes, and fruit coloring), and internal (total sugar content, titratable acid content, and flesh firmness) fruit quality attributes were determined. The orchard site parameters affected growth, yield, and fruit quality in different ways. The less suitable orchard site had less growth, lower yield per tree, and a lower percentage of first class fruits, but most fruits had good color (86% in top and 75% in lower part of canopy). The favorable orchard site produced higher growth and yield, and a higher percentage of first class fruits, but fruits had poorer color. In the lower part of the canopy, fruits were of a good size, but had poor color. Fruits of the best quality were obtained from the top part of the tree.

(311) Armillaria Root Rot of Peach: A Multipronged Approach

Armillaria root rot (ARR) of peach caused by the soil-borne basidiomycete fungus Armillaria tabescens is causing premature decline and mortality of peach trees on most southeastern U.S. peach farms. Soil inoculum may be present both in former peach orchard sites and on sites that were once in hardwood forest. The fungus is protected under the bark of dead root pieces and may survive up to 100 years at various depths in the soil profile. No commercially available rootstocks are resistant to ARR. Since 2002, we have embarked on a multipronged strategy to develop control options to combat ARR. First, we have two replicated trials on commercial grower replant sites with a history of ARR. Trial 1 compares four preplant fumigation treatments (none, Telone II, methyl bromide, and Enzone), three rootstocks (Lovell, Halford, and Guardian) and preplant root dips with endomycorrhizal fungi. Trial 2 compares the use of raised beds, root collar excavation and preplant root dips. Both trials examine long-term productivity and tree survival. Second, we are examining the use of systemic fungicide injection into infected trees to protect trees around infection foci. Third, we are trying to develop a genetically modified ARR-resistant rootstock. We have inserted the gene encoding the gastrodia antifungal protein (GAFP—a low molecular weight lectin that binds mannose and chitin) from a Chinese orchid into tobacco (model herbaceous system) and plum (model Prunus system). GAFP has antifungal activity against several basidiomycete root rot pathogens. Pathogenicity tests with transformed tobacco plants show enhanced tolerance to several root rot pathogens when compared to nontransformed plants. Transformed plums are being multiplied for pathogenicity tests.

Thyroid Function in Nestling Tree Swallows and Eastern Bluebirds Exposed to Non-Persistent Pesticides and p, p?-DDE in Apple Orchards of Southern Ontario, Canada

This study examined the associated effects of pesticides and persistent residues of p,p'-DDE on thyroid function in 16-day-old tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and 12-day-old eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis). Apple orchards sprayed with pesticides in current use and reference sites were chosen for study in southern Ontario, Canada, during 2000-2001. We assessed thyroid hormone concentrations (plasma and muscle thyroxine [T4], and triiodothyronine [T3]) and the response to a challenge with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) as well as parameters of thyroid histology. Individual nests were exposed to as many as seven individual pesticide applications and up to five pesticide mixtures. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE in eggs from both species were highest in orchard sites, and ranged from 0.05 to 5.44 mg/kg wet weight for tree swallows, and from 0.17 to 95.4 mg/kg for eastern bluebirds. In 2000, tree swallows from sprayed orchards had elevated plasma T4 concentrations, and thyroid glands with collapsed follicles, hypertrophic epithelia, and higher follicular epithelial cells relative to chicks from reference sites. Plasma T4 concentration was positively correlated with the total number of pesticide mixtures applied during egg incubation through chick rearing. In 2001, basal plasma T3 concentration in tree swallow chicks did not differ between orchard and reference sites, though there were differences among orchards; T3 was positively correlated with total number of individual sprays applied during egg incubation through chick rearing. Tree swallows challenged with TSH showed no significant difference in thyroid hormone concentration or follicular epithelial cell height between exposure groups; however, a significantly greater proportion of chicks from reference sites were found to have thyroids with focal or diffuse hypertrophic epithelia relative to orchard chicks. In 2001, bluebirds from sprayed orchards had significantly higher T3 concentrations in response to TSH challenge; this response was positively correlated with the total number of pesticides applied during egg incubation through chick rearing.

Ground-penetrating Radar to Detect and Quantify Residual Root Fragments Following Peach Orchard Clearing

Consecutive replanting of peach (Prunus persica) trees on the same orchard site can result in various replant problems and diseases, including armillaria root disease (Armillaria spp.), which develops upon contact between the roots of newly planted trees and infested residual root pieces in the soil. There is little information regarding the quantity of roots remaining in stone fruit orchards following tree removal and land clearing. We investigated the utility of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to characterize reflector signals from peach root fragments in a controlled burial experiment and to quantify the amount of residual roots remaining after typical commercial orchard clearing. In the former experiment, roots ranging from 2.5 to 8.2 cm in diameter and buried at depths of 11 to 114 cm produced characteristic parabolic reflector signals in radar profiles. Image analysis of high-amplitude reflector area indicated significant linear relationships between signal strength (mean pixel intensity) and root diameter (r = -0.517; P = 0.0097; n = 24) or the combined effects of root diameter and burial depth, expressed though a depth × diameter term (r = -0.630; P = 0.0010; n = 24). In a peach orchard in which trees and roots had been removed following typical commercial practice (i.e., trees were pushed over, burned, and tree rows subsoiled), a GPR survey of six 4 × 8-m plots revealed that the majority of reflector signals indicative of root fragments were located in the upper 30 to 40 cm of soil. Based on ground-truth excavation of selected sites within plots, reflectors showing a strong parabolic curvature in the radar profiles corresponded to residual root fragments with 100% accuracy, whereas those displaying a high amplitude area represented roots in 86.1% of the cases. By contrast, reflectors with both poor curvature and low amplitude yielded roots for less than 10% of the excavated sites, whereas randomly selected sites lacking reflector signals were devoid of any roots or other subsurface objects. A high level of variability in the number of residual roots was inferred from the radar profiles of the six plots, indicating an aggregated distribution of root fragments throughout the field. The data further indicated that at least one residual root fragment would be present per cubic meter of soil, and that many of these fragments have diameters corresponding to good to excellent inoculum potential for armillaria root disease. Further GPR surveys involving different levels of land clearing, combined with long-term monitoring of armillaria root disease incidence in replanted trees, will be necessary to ascertain the disease threat posed by the levels of residual root biomass observed in this study.

Population Dynamics of Deer Mice, <em>Peromyscus maniculatus</em>, and Yellow-pine Chipmunks, <em>Tamias amoenus</em>, in Old Field and Orchard Habitats

There are often several rodent species included in the small mammal communities in orchard agro-ecosystems. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the population levels of Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and Yellow-pine Chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) would be enhanced in old field compared with orchard habitats. Rodent populations were intensively livetrapped in replicate old field and orchard sites over a four-year period at Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Deer Mouse populations were, on average, significantly higher (2.5 – 3.4 times) in the old field than orchard sites in summer and winter periods. Mean numbers/ha of Deer Mice ranged from 12.1 to 60.4 in old field sites and from 3.3 to 19.9 in orchard sites. Breeding seasons in orchards were significantly longer than those in old field sites, in terms of proportion of reproductive male Deer Mice. Recruitment of new animals and early juvenile survival of Deer Mice were similar in orchard and old field sites. Populations of Yellow-pine Chipmunks ranged in mean abundance/ha from 5.6 – 19.0 in old field sites and from 1.9 – 17.5 on one orchard site, with no difference in mean abundance in 2 of 4 years of the study. Recruitment and mean survival of Yellow-pine Chipmunks also followed this pattern. This study is the first detailed comparison of the population dynamics of these rodent species in old field and orchard habitats. These species should be able to maintain their population levels and help contribute to a diversity of small mammals in this agrarian landscape.

Rootstock genotype and orchard replant position rather than soil fumigation or compost amendment determine tree growth and rhizosphere bacterial community composition in an apple replant soil

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a complex soilborne disease syndrome that often causes problems when renovating old orchard sites. Soil fumigants sometimes control ARD, but biological and cultural alternatives are needed. In this study the growth of two widely used clonal apple (Malus domestica) rootstocks (M7 and M26) were compared to three new rootstocks from the Cornell-Geneva series (CG16, CG30 and CG210 (a.k.a. CG6210)) in an orchard site with a history of ARD, in Ithaca, NY. Trees were planted in two distinguishable positions – the previous tree rows versus the old inter-row grass lanes. Additionally, we compared the effects of compost amendment and fumigation with dichloropropene plus chloropicrin on tree growth on each replant rootstock. Rhizosphere bacteria and actinobacteria were assessed using PCR-DGGE for the rootstocks M7, M26, CG30 and CG210. Tree growth on the rootstocks M7, M26 and CG16 was suppressed in the old tree rows relative to grass lanes, while trees on CG30 and CG210 rootstocks grew equally well in both positions. The species composition of rhizosphere bacteria and actinobacteria differed significantly between the planting positions and between the rootstocks M7 and M26 compared to CG30 and CG210. In contrast, the preplant compost or fumigation soil treatments had no effect on tree growth and little impact on rhizosphere bacterial community composition.

Resistant Rootstocks, Preplant Compost Amendments, Soil Fumigation, and Row Repositioning for Managing Apple Replant Disease

We are testing control tactics for apple replant disease (ARD) complex, a worldwide problem for fruit growers that is attributed to various biotic and abiotic soil factors. In Nov. 2001, “Empire” apple trees on five rootstocks (M.26, M.7, G.16, CG.6210, and G.30) were planted into four preplant soil treatments—commercial compost at 492 kg/ha soil-incorporated and 492 kg·ha-1 surface-applied), soil fumigation with Telone C-17 (400 L·ha-1 of 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin injected at 30 cm depth five weeks prior to replanting), compost plus fumigant combination, and untreated controls—at an old orchard site in Ithaca, N.Y. Trees were replanted in rows perpendicular to, and either in or out of, previous orchard rows. Irrigation was applied as needed, and N-P-K fertilizer was applied in 2001 to all non-compost treatments to compensate for nutrients in the compost treatment. After two growing seasons, the rootstock factor has contributed most to tree-growth differences. CG.6210 rootstock supported greater growth in trunk diameter, central leader height, and lateral shoot growth (P < 0.05), regardless of preplant soil treatments and replant position. Trees on M.26 grew least over a two year period. Replant growth was greater in old grass lanes than in old tree rows, despite higher root-lesion nematode populations in previous grass lanes. Growth responses to preplant soil fumigation were negligible. Preplant compost did not increase tree growth during year one, but did increase lateral branch growth in year two. Results thus far suggest that replanting apple trees out of the old tree-row locations, and using ARD tolerant rootstocks such as CG.6210, may be more effective than soil fumigation for control of ARD in some old orchard sites.

Mouse-ear of Pecan: I. Symptomatology and Occurrence

Mouse-ear (ME) is a potentially severe anomalous growth disorder affecting young pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] trees in portions of the Gulf Coast Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. A survey of its incidence and severity found it to be commonly exhibited by replants on second-generation orchard sites, or where mature pecan trees previously grew. While most frequently observed as a replant problem, it also occasionally occurs at sites where pecan has not previously grown. The disorder is not graft transmissible and is only temporarily mitigated by pruning. Degree of severity within the tree canopy typically increases with canopy height. Several morphological and physiological symptoms for mouse-ear are described. Important symptoms include dwarfing of tree organs, poorly developed root system, rosetting, delayed bud-break, loss of apical dominance, reduced photoassimilation, nutrient element imbalance in foliage, and increased water stress. The overall symptomatology is consistent with a physiological deficiency of a key micronutrient at budbreak, that is influenced by biotic (e.g., nematodes) and abiotic (e.g., water and fertility management strategies) factors. A comparison of orchard soil characteristics between ME and adjacent normal orchards indicated that severely affected orchards typically possessed high amounts of soil Zn, Ca, Mg, and P, but low Cu and Ni; and were acidic and sandy in texture. The Zn: Cu ratio of soils appears to be a major factor contributing to symptoms, especially since ME severity increases as the Zn: Cu ratio increases. However, Ni may also be a factor as the Zn: Ni ratio is also larger in soils of ME sites. It is postulated that the “severe” form of mouse-ear is primarily due to the physiological deficiency of copper at budbreak, but may also be influenced by Ni and nematodes.

Preliminary evidence that copper inhibits the degradation of DDT to DDE in pip and stonefruit orchard soils in the Auckland region, New Zealand

Orchards ( n=13) were sampled as part of a larger survey investigating agrichemical residues (pesticides and trace elements) in cropping soils in the Auckland region, New Zealand. ΣDDT concentrations in orchard soils ranged from <0.03 to 24.41 mg kg −1. DDT ( o, p′- and p, p′-) comprised at least 40% of the ΣDDT residues in 67% of orchards in which DDT residues were detected. There was a highly significant negative correlation (−0.924, P<0.001) between copper concentration (21–490 mg kg −1) and the ratio of DDE:DDT (0.4–5.2) in pip and stonefruit orchard soils. In further investigations involving five pip and stone fruit orchard sites and one grazing paddock it was found that soil respiration and the ratio of soil microbial carbon to soil carbon (%C mic/Org-C) in orchard soils decreased with increasing copper concentration. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that elevated soil copper concentrations in pip and stone fruit orchard soils in the Auckland region may have reduced the ability of the indigenous soil microbial community to degrade DDT to DDE.

Citrus leprosis and its status in Florida and Texas: past and present.

According to published reports from 1906 to 1968, leprosis nearly destroyed the Florida citrus industry prior to 1925. This was supported with photographs showing typical leprosis symptoms on citrus leaves, fruit, and twigs. Support for the past occurrence of citrus leprosis in Florida includes: (1) presence of twig lesions in affected orange blocks in addition to lesions on fruits and leaves and corresponding absence of similar lesions on grapefruit; (2) yield reduction and die-back on infected trees; and (3) spread of the disease between 1906 and 1925. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination of tissue samples from leprosis-like injuries to orange and grapefruit leaves from Florida in 1997, and fruits from grapefruit and sweet orange varieties from Texas in 1999 and 2000 did not contain leprosis-like viral particles or viroplasm inclusions. In contrast, leprosis viroplasm inclusions were readily identified by TEM within green non-senescent tissues surrounding leprosis lesions in two of every three orange leaf samples and half of the fruit samples obtained from Piracicaba, Brazil. Symptoms of leprosis were not seen in any of the 24,555 orange trees examined across Florida during 2001 and 2002. The authors conclude that citrus leprosis no longer exists in Florida nor occurs in Texas citrus based on: (1) lack of leprosis symptoms on leaves, fruit, and twigs of sweet orange citrus varieties surveyed in Florida: (2) failure to find virus particles or viroplasm inclusion bodies in suspect samples from both Florida and Texas examined by TEM; (3) absence of documented reports by others on the presence of characteristic leprosis symptoms in Florida; (4) lack of its documented occurrence in dooryard trees or abandoned or minimal pesticide citrus orchard sites in Florida. In view of the serious threat to citrus in the U.S., every effort must be taken to quarantine the importation of both citrus and woody ornamental plants that serve as hosts for Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), B. californicus (Banks), and B. obovatus Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from countries where citrus leprosis occurs.

Post-symptom Sprays of Prohexadione-calcium Affect Fire Blight Infection of 'Gala' Apple on Susceptible or Resistant Rootstocks

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of post-infection sprays of prohexadione-calcium on the severity of naturally occurring fire blight infections on 3- and 4-year-old 'Gala' apple trees on blight-susceptible or blight-resistant rootstocks. Although post-infection prohexadione-calcium reduced the dry weight of fire blight strikes removed by pruning in one commercial orchard site, this treatment did not reduce mortality of young 'Gala' trees on M.9 or M.26 rootstocks, and did not reduce the incidence of scion or rootstock cankers on any of the rootstocks tested. We conclude that post-infection treatment with prohexadione-calcium is of no practical value in reducing fire blight symptoms on apple. Our results suggest that resistant apple rootstocks will be very valuable in increasing orchard survival in a fire blight epidemic.

Frequency, Virulence, and Metalaxyl Sensitivity of Pythium spp. Isolated from Apple Roots Under Conventional and Organic Production Systems.

Studies were conducted to characterize the community of Pythium spp. associated with apple in Washington state. Seventeen different species were identified among the isolates of Pythium recovered from apple roots at six orchard sites. Commonly isolated species included P. intermedium, P. irregulare, P. heterothallicum, P. sylvaticum, and Pythium MM1 (aff. macrosporum), a previously undescribed species. The population of Pythium spp. at any given site typically was dominated by a single pathogenic species. Species composition of Pythium populations in adjacent conventional and organic blocks in two orchards did not differ; however, the relative recovery of Pythium spp. from apple roots was consistently lower in the organically managed systems. In greenhouse studies, the associations formed between apple seedlings and Pythium spp. ranged from pathogenic to growth-promoting. Precolonization of apple seedling roots with any one of three nonpathogenic isolates tested-isolate 584 of Pythium MM1, isolate 1-12 of Pythium MM3 (aff. oedochilum), and isolate 1-19 of Pythium MM5 (aff. vexans)-was found to provide biological control of root rot caused by P. sylvaticum and P. ultimum. Metalaxyl sensitivity varied among species of Pythium, with several nonpathogenic species exhibiting the highest levels of insensitivity to this fungicide.

Transfer of DDT and Metabolites from Fruit Orchard Soils to American Robins ( Turdus migratorius ) Twenty Years After Agricultural Use of DDT in Canada

Wildlife contamination studies found high levels of DDT and associated metabolites in bird eggs from Canadian orchard sites during the early 1990s. The present study investigated local dietary uptake of DDT and geographic variability in tissue concentrations in the same orchards. A soil-earthworm-robin food chain was chosen for study, as early surveys showed that robins contained the highest levels of DDT of several avian species and because published research indicated that earthworms were a probable dietary exposure route. Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were measured in soil, earthworm, robin egg, and robin nestling samples collected from fruit orchards and reference sites. High average DDE (soil: 5.2 mg/kg; earthworm: 52 mg/kg; robin egg: 484 mg/kg dry weight) and DDT (soil: 9.2 mg/kg; earthworm: 21 mg/kg; robin egg: 73 mg/kg dry weight) concentrations in Okanagan (British Columbia) samples confirmed that previously recorded contamination was common in the region. Concentrations detected in Simcoe, Ontario, orchards were not as high but were still significantly elevated relative to levels in soils and robins from reference areas. Significant positive linear regressions between soil and earthworm concentrations and consistent trends in food chain accumulation suggested that robins were acquiring DDT and metabolite (DDTr) burdens locally. Low concentrations of DDT and DDTr in robin eggs collected from nests in nearby nonorchard and post-DDT orchard habitats suggested that the local sources were in orchards. Persistence of DDT in orchard food chains is likely due to a combination of retarded degradation rates for DDT in soil and its extensive use historically. DDT concentrations in some robin eggs and earthworms were at levels comparable to those observed in field studies where mortality or reproductive effects occurred.

Predicting Pinus radiata female strobilus production for seed orchard site selection in New Zealand

A ground-based estimate was made of the number of emergent female strobili carried by 74 open-grown stands (10–12 years old) of Pinus radiata growing across a range of latitudes and altitudes of the South Island and North Island of New Zealand. The intent of this study was to develop and evaluate an empirical model to describe the relationship between environmental variables and emergent female strobilus numbers. The model suggested that variability in female strobilus number was necessarily associated with climate and site factors. Temperature and to a lesser extent rainfall variables were associated with the number of seed cone-buds that achieved anthesis in the spring. The step-wise multiple regression analysis selected mean minimum February temperature, integrated soil water stress (February–March), accumulated growing degree days (weighted against spring rainfall prior to seed cone-bud initiation), in that order. The first variable was found to explain around 54% of the variance in strobilus numbers across sites, while taken together all of the variables explained 64% of among-site variability. Model evaluation was carried out across both similar eastern South Island sites and different North Island sites at which it was developed. It was found to predict strobilus counts accurately across the South Island sites, but less accurately across the warmer North Island sites. Mean minimum February temperature was still the most important predictor of strobilus production across sites, but this relationship was non-linear. Thus, a non-linear modelling approach was adopted to better fit the model across regions New Zealand-wide. Long term nation-wide data for mean minimum February temperature were then used in a climate modelling system to generate a temperature map for New Zealand, to assist with seed orchard site selection. This map illustrated that oceanic (as opposed to semi-continental) environments around the New Zealand coast are likely to be the most productive sites for seed orchard production. Contrary to a priori perceptions, the northern regions of the North Island were depicted to offer a greater number of candidate sites for seed orchard siting than the more south eastern semi-arid regions of New Zealand.

Impact of Wheat Cultivation on Microbial Communities from Replant Soils and Apple Growth in Greenhouse Trials

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted to assess the impact of short-term rotations of wheat on microbial community composition and growth of apple in soils from replant orchard sites. Soils from two orchards were cultivated with three successive 28-day growth cycles of 'Eltan', 'Penewawa', or 'Rely' wheat in the greenhouse and subsequently planted to 'Gala' apple seedlings. Cultivation of orchard replant soils with any of the three wheat cultivars enhanced growth of apple relative to that achieved in untreated soils. Improved growth was associated with a marked reduction in apple root infection by species of Rhizoctonia and Pythium. Populations of plant-parasitic nematodes were below damage threshold levels in these orchard soils; however, apple seedlings grown in wheat-cultivated soils had significantly lower root populations of Pratylenchus spp. than did seedlings grown in untreated soils. Growth of apple in 'Penewawa'-cultivated soils often was superior to that observed in soils planted with 'Eltan' or 'Rely'. In untreated orchard soils, fluorescent pseudomonad populations isolated from soil and the apple rhizosphere were dominated by Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype C and Pseudomonas syringae. Cultivation of replant soils with wheat induced a characteristic transformation of the fluorescent pseudomonad population, and Pseudomonas putida dominated the population of this bacterial group recovered from wheat-cultivated replant orchard soils. Results from this study suggest that use of short-term wheat cropping sequences during orchard renovation could be useful in management of replant disease and that this disease-control option may operate, in part, through modification of the fluorescent pseudomonad community.

Peach Rootstocks for the United States: Are Foreign Rootstocks the Answer?

New foreign rootstocks for peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] are now being introduced into the United States through commercial nurseries for future sales to stone fruit growers. Almost all of these rootstocks are complex Prunus L. hybrids that are propagated vegetatively. Past experience with foreign Prunus rootstocks has shown that extensive testing is critical to avoid potential problems in commercial situations due to nonadaptation of some rootstocks to North American climatic and edaphic conditions. In addition, putative resistance of introduced rootstocks to common soil diseases and other pathogens has not always carried over to orchard sites in the United States. To ensure widespread horticultural testing of new rootstocks, the NC-140 regional research group continues to serve as an unbiased tester in many different geographic and production areas of the United States and Canada.

Spring colonisation of orchards by Anthonomus pomorum from adjacent forest borders

AbstractThe early‐season dispersal of the overwintered apple blossom weevil, Anthonomus pomorum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a crucial stage in the colonisation of dwarf apple orchards adjacent to forests. We have conducted release‐recapture studies with 1700 to 4000 marked weevils at two orchard sites in Switzerland over 2 years to characterise the spatial and temporal pattern of the dispersal process. The dispersal and colonisation of orchards in spring by overwintered weevils is dependent upon the prevailing temperature.An orientated dispersal from the forest border to the centre of the orchard was observed consistently, irrespective of the angle of the apple tree rows with respect to the forest border or of climatic conditions. The average dispersal distance of the weevils was 19 m. Approximately one third of the weevil population remained on the first tree encountered, the remainder of the population moved over short distances mainly along the tree rows. This dispersal pattern led to a strong ’edge effect‘ with higher numbers of weevils occurring at the edges adjoining the forests as compared to the centre of orchards. The relevance of these findings to population dynamics and management of the pest is discussed.

Prebloom Foliar Boron, Zinc, and Urea Applications Enhance Cropping of Some `Empire' and `McIntosh' Apple Orchards in New York

This study was initiated to determine if prebloom sprays of B, Zn, and urea would enhance cropping of apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) after cold injury, hypothesizing that they may accelerate recovery of damaged vascular tissue. The following foliar nutrient treatments were applied prebloom to `McIntosh' and `Empire' trees at two sites in 1994 and 1995: 1) control; 2) B (22.8 mm) at half-inch-green; 3) Zn-EDTA (0.75 mm) at half-inch-green; 4) B and Zn-EDTA at half-inch-green; 5) B, Zn-EDTA, and urea (59.4 mm) at half-inch-green; 6) B and Zn-EDTA at half-inch-green, followed by B, Zn-EDTA, and urea at pink. In 1994, following a very severe winter that caused visible damage to vascular tissue, `Empire' at both sites cropped more heavily following all treatments that included both B and Zn; such treatments increased cropload by an average of 22% and 35% at the two test sites. Despite a mild winter preceding the 1995 season, prebloom nutrient treatments again increased cropping of `Empire'. In 1996, treatments included a control and a single foliar treatment (B + Zn-EDTA at half-inch-green followed by B, Zn-EDTA, and urea at pink) on `McIntosh' and `Empire' at seven orchard sites. Treatment enhanced cropping in `McIntosh' at three of the seven sites, but there was no effect on `Empire'. Factors influencing differences in response were not apparent from this study, although a complex of factors may be involved. Data for all years indicated that prebloom nutrients did not enhance spur leaf development or fruit set; such treatments probably enhance cropping by increasing retention of flower buds that would otherwise abscise before anthesis. Where cropping was increased, mean fruit weight was not reduced at P ≤ 0.05 but fruit weight was significantly less at P ≤ 0.10 in 1995. Chemical names used: boron (Solubor, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate); zinc (Zn-EDTA, zinc chelate).

Trace Metal Retention in the Incorporation Zone of Land-Applied Sludge

Recycling nutrients in wastewater sludge (biosolids) via land application is a desirable goal. However, potential movement of sludge-applied trace metals is of concern and an area of ongoing research. In this paper, the authors examine the first-order model used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for predicting losses from the zone of incorporation as part of the risk assessment that undergirded the development of Part 503 regulations. The authors found that when empirical adsorption partition coefficients from the site are used as model inputs, the US EPA model for the incorporation zone is similar to that derived from preferential flow theory and simulates well the loss of metal from the surface soil layer at an orchard site where sludge was applied 15 years earlier.

Genetic characterization of pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae strains from stone fruits in california

Strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae were isolated from healthy and diseased stone fruit tissues sampled from 43 orchard sites in California in 1995 and 1996. These strains, together with P. syringae strains from other hosts and pathovars, were tested for pathogenicity and the presence of the syrB and syrC genes and were genetically characterized by using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) primers and PCR. All 89 strains of P. syringae pv. syringae tested were moderately to highly pathogenic on Lovell peach seedlings regardless of the host of origin, while strains of other pathovars exhibited low or no pathogenicity. The 19 strains of P. syringae pv. syringae examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis contained the syrB and syrC genes, whereas no hybridization occurred with 4 strains of other P. syringae pathovars. The P. syringae pv. syringae strains from stone fruit, except for a strain from New Zealand, generated ERIC genomic fingerprints which shared four fragments of similar mobility. Of the P. syringae pv. syringae strains tested from other hosts, only strains from rose, kiwi, and pear generated genomic fingerprints that had the same four fragments as the stone fruit strains. Analysis of the ERIC fingerprints from P. syringae pv. syringae strains showed that the strains isolated from stone fruits formed a distinct cluster separate from most of the strains isolated from other hosts. These results provide evidence of host specialization within the diverse pathovar P. syringae pv. syringae.