Species In Orchards Research Articles

In-gallery social behaviors of the ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus germanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The east Asian ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus germanus (Blanford) was first detected in the United States in 1932. It now occurs across much of eastern North America and parts of the Pacific Northwest. It attacks a broad range of stressed, woody hosts including ornamental and orchard species. The foundress tunnels into the sapwood of hosts where it cultures a symbiotic fungus as food for its offspring. A few other ambrosia beetles have been shown to possess a facultatively eusocial structure among gallery members, but this has not been described for Xylosandrus spp. Using a novel artificial diet arena, we quantified the behaviors of X. germanus larvae and adults (foundress and mature offspring) over 10 wk inside their galleries. Foundresses were responsible for constructing the gallery. They also initially tended the fungal garden and brood but eventually spent most of their time blocking the gallery entrance. Larvae were mainly observed to feed, crawl, or be inactive within the gallery, regardless of the absence or presence of adult siblings. Adult female offspring were primarily inactive, likely due to dormancy. Adult male offspring actively crawled and attempted to mate with their sisters before eventually dispersing out of the gallery. Cooperative hygienic behaviors (removal of frass, cannibalism of dead nest mates, grooming siblings) were observed but a division of labor among offspring was not clear. Rather, foundress behaviors were mostly distinct from offspring behaviors, particularly as the gallery aged. Because no overlap in generations occurred, X. germanus displays a quasisocial structure.

Parasitoid and predator species of Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) species in fruit orchards of Diyarbakır and Elazığ Provinces, Türkiye

This study was carried out in order to determine the predator and parasitoid species that feed on soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) species in orchards of Diyarbakır and Elazığ Provinces in Turkiye in 2017 and 2018. Visual identification and rearing methods were used. Eight predatorory species belonging to the families Coccinellidae (4) and Cybocephalidae (1) (Coleoptera), Forficulidae (2) (Dermaptera), and Chrysopidae (1) (Neuroptera), were detected. In addition, 14 parasitoid and 2 hyperparasitoid species from the families Encyrtidae (14), Aphelenidae (1) and 2 Pteromalidae (1) (Hymenoptera) were collected. Among the parasitoid species, Metaphycus ater, M. luteolus, M. chermis and M. unicolor (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are first records for the insect fauna of Türkiye.

Can Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria Suppress Fruit Fly Pests? A Review.

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are serious pests that affect fruit production and marketing. Both third instar larvae and pupae are biological stages that persist in the soil until adult emergence. Entomopathogenic nematodes (ENs) are biological control agents that are used to control agricultural pests in greenhouse or field conditions. Several studies have been carried out under laboratory and field conditions showing how ENs can be applied within an area-wide integrated pest management approach to control fruit fly species in orchards and backyard fruit trees. In this review, we analyze how soil physical characteristics and biotic factors affect the performance of these biological control agents. Of the reviewed papers, more than half evaluated the influence of soil texture, humidity, temperature, and other factors on the performance of infective juveniles (IJs). Abiotic factors that significantly influence the performance of IJs are temperature, humidity, and texture. Among the biotic factors that affect IJs are fungi, bacteria, mites, insects, and earthworms. We conclude that ENs have the potential to be applied in the drip area of fruit trees that are infested by fruit flies and contribute to their suppression. This approach, in conjunction with an area-wide pest management approach, may contribute to pest suppression and increase the sustainability of agroecosystems.

Niche partitioning by sympatric civets in the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan.

Niche overlap between sympatric species can indicate the extent of interspecific competition. Sympatric competing species can exhibit spatial, temporal, and dietary adjustments to reduce competition. We investigated spatial, temporal, and dietary niche overlap of sympatric Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica), in and around Pir Lasura National Park, Pakistan. We used remote cameras to determine the frequency and timing of detections to estimate spatial and temporal overlap, and prey remains from scats to estimate dietary overlap. We collected scat samples of Asian palm civet (n = 108) and small Indian civet (n = 44) for dietary analysis. We found low spatial (Oij = 0.32) and temporal (Δ = 0.39) overlap, but high dietary niche overlap (0.9) between these two civet species. Both civet species were detected at only 11 camera sites and small Indian civets were detected most frequently during 2:00-5:00 h and 8:00-10:00 h, whereas Asian palm civets detections were greatest during 20:00-2:00 h. The overall niche breadth of Asian palm civet was slightly narrower (L = 9.69, Lst = 0.31) than that of the small Indian civet (L = 10, Lst = 0.52). We identified 27 dietary items (15 plant, 12 animal) from scats of Asian palm civet including Himalayan pear (Pyrus pashia; 27%), Indian gerbil (Tatera indica; 10%), Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta; 4%), and insects (5%). Scat analysis of small Indian civets revealed 17 prey items (eight plant, nine animal) including Himalayan pear (24%), domestic poultry (15%), Indian gerbil (11%), and house mouse (Mus musculus; 5%). Both civet species consumed fruits of cultivated orchard species. Spatial and temporal partitioning of landscapes containing diverse foods appears to facilitate coexistence between Asian palm civets and small Indian civets.

Large Chestnut Trees Did Not Respond to Annual Fertiliser Applications, Requiring a Long-Term Approach to Establishing Effective Fertilisation Plans

Due to the high value of the fruit, the European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), usually grown in agroforestry systems, has been planted as a single species in orchards managed with increasingly intensive cropping practices, such as the regular use of fertilisers. This justifies research into establishing fertilisation programmes oriented towards ecological intensification. In this study, the results of fruit production, plant nutritional status and soil properties are reported from a field trial in which three NPK fertilisers (20:7:10, 13:11:21 and 7:14:14) and a control treatment were used. Chestnut yields did not vary significantly between treatments, although the mean values of the control showed a clear downward trend. N supplied by the fertilisers seems to have been the most important factor in the difference between the fertilised and control treatments, since leaf N concentrations were lower in the control and often below the lower limit of the sufficiency range. Soil inorganic N levels in the autumn, and tissue N concentrations of the herbaceous vegetation developing beneath the trees, indicated risks of N loss to the environment and highlighted the importance of this vegetation remaining during the winter. The chestnuts’ poor response to fertiliser applications was attributed to the buffering effect of the large perennial structure of the trees on the distribution of nutrients to the growing plant parts. In large trees, it seems appropriate to base the annual fertilisation plan on leaf nutrient concentration. Thus, farmers probably should avoid spending money on fertilizer applications as long as leaf nutrient concentrations do not approach the lower limits of sufficiency ranges.

Distribution of Phosphorus Fractions in Orchard Soils in Relation to Soil Properties and Foliar P Contents

Phosphorus (P) fractionation is the validation of the nature, solubility and relative bioavailability of P. A sequential P extraction was used to determine the distribution of plant-available P fractions in soils. The relationships of these P fractions to soil properties and foliar P contents were also determined. Results of this study showed substantial differences in soil properties among orchards. Higher amounts of soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and major plant nutrients were found under orchard soils when compared with control soil. Most of the soil variables varied among orchard species as loquat > citrus > guava. The orchard soil exhibited a slightly higher soil pH. Overall, the P fractions were higher in all types of orchard soils and lowered in the control soils. Among tree species, P fractions in soils were achieved as loquat > citrus > guava. The extracting agents differed for P in the order residual P > HCl-P > NaOH-P > NaHCO3-P > H2O-P. Mostly higher amounts of the P fractions were achieved in the topsoil. The average amount of extractable P was found significantly higher in those soils of fruit orchards where the total amount of P was actually higher. The higher r2 values between P fractions versus SOM, clay and CEC of soils predicted a strong interrelationship among these soil variables. Leaf N contents of loquat and guava trees were consistently higher, and leaf P contents varied as loquat > citrus > guava. Potassium and Ca contents were higher in citrus than in the other two species. Micronutrients were found as Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu in the leaves. Regression models indicated a sufficient relationship between Hedley P fractions and the foliar P contents in tree species. This study indicates that the above soil properties can be used to ascertain soil P fractions, and that can influence the bioavailability of P from orchard soils.

Population Dynamics, Effective Soil Factors, and LAMP Detection Systems forPhytophthoraSpecies Associated with Kiwifruit Diseases in China

China has the largest area of kiwifruit production in the world. Pathogens associated with root diseases of kiwi trees have not been investigated extensively. In this research, three Phytophthora species, Phytophthora cactorum, Phytophthora cinnamomi, and Phytophthora lateralis, which are pathogenic to kiwi trees in the main planting areas of China, were studied. The population densities of these species in 128 soil samples from 32 kiwi orchards in 2017 and 2018 were measured using multiplex real-time quantitative PCR based on the ras-related protein gene Ypt1. P. cactorum was the most widely distributed of the three species in orchards of the Zhouzhi and Meixian prefectures. We used redundancy analysis to examine soil factors in the kiwi orchards to understand their effects on the population densities of the Phytophthora species. The redundancy analysis indicated that soil temperature and pH were significantly correlated with the abundance of P. cactorum and P. cinnamomi. In addition, two loop-mediated isothermal amplification detection systems for P. cactorum were developed based on the tigA gene. The color-change detection system proved to be accurate, sensitive, and faster than quantitative PCR. The results of this study, along with the loop-mediated isothermal amplification detection systems, will be of great use in the control of Phytophthora diseases for the production of kiwifruits in China.

Enhancement of attraction to sex pheromone of Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by structurally unrelated sex pheromone compounds of Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

• OFM and C. punctiferalis are sympatric moth species in orchards. • The two moths belong to different families and use completely different pheromone compounds. • Pheromone compounds of C. punctiferalis elicited antennal responses in OFM males. • The interspecific pheromone compounds also enhanced pheromone attraction of OFM. • Field responses suggested additional semiochemicals for pheromone-based control for OFM. Grapholita molesta (Busck) (the oriental fruit moth; OFM) and Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) are both fruit and stem borers with overlapping habitats, occurrences, and outbreak cycles. These two species are in different families and they have completely different sex pheromone components. Here, the effects of the sex pheromone components of C. punctiferalis , ( E )-10-hexadecenal ( E 10-16:Ald) and ( Z )-10-hexadecenal ( Z 10-16:Ald) and their mixture, were evaluated on the sexual communication of OFM by examining electrophysiological (EAG) and behavioral responses. We found that a considerably large amount of E 10-16:Ald or Z 10-16:Ald and a tiny amount of OFM pheromone elicited comparable EAG responses in OFM males, indicating the low antennal olfactory sensitivity of OFM males to the heterospecific pheromone compounds. In two different peach orchard parcels, captures of OFM by their pheromone lures baited in delta traps were increased by at least 1.5 times when OFM pheromone lures were combined with lures that contained 1000 μg of either E 10-16:Ald, Z 10-16:Ald or their mixture. In two other pear orchard parcels, both E 10-16:Ald and Z 10-16:Ald increased captures of OFM in Unitraps in a dose-dependent manner with more than a four-fold increase. Therefore, the enhanced attractiveness of OFM lures by the two interspecific pheromones suggests their potential application to improve mass trapping, population monitoring and mating disruption of OFM.

Diversity and Abundance of Insect Pollinators in Orchards and Agricultural Ecosystems in Paharpani Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

Insect pollinators are important keys to success of the agro-ecosystems. This research aims to study diversity and abundance of insect pollinators in orchards and agricultural land uses. Study was carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 to explore the diversity of insect pollinators. Insect flower visitors/pollinators were recorded from 07.00 to 17.00 h. A total of 460 individuals belonging to 35 insect species and 5 orders viz. Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera were collected from the study sites. The highest diversity of pollinators was (H'=2.24), Evenness (E=0.76; highest value is 1), margalef’s Richness Index (d= 4.25), and Dominance Index (D=0.94). Higher foraging activities of insect pollinators occurred in the morning and afternoon. The present study focused on identifying pollinator species in orchards and agricultural ecosystems, and is expected to provide baseline information to plan future research in the field of pollination

Effects of Temperature on Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Larvae and Pupae.

Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) is a xylophagous invasive cerambycid whose larvae feed on the lower bole and exposed roots of many tree species in orchard, urban, and forested habitats. Larval survival and development of A. chinensis from Italy and China were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C). Development was slow or did not occur at temperatures ≤10 and >35°C. The TMin for the first six instars and the pupa was <10°C, while TMin for the higher instars was closer to 12°C. The ultimate instar for both populations was insensitive to temperature. When the TMax thresholds could be estimated they were between 31 and 41°C. Temperature also influenced larval weight gain; larvae held at 25-30°C generally weighed the most from the fourth instar on. The number of degree days for 50% of the population to molt to the next instar increased with increasing instar for both populations up through the sixth instar. Anoplophora chinensis may use wood moisture content in conjunction with temperature as a cue as to when to pupate. These responses of A. chinensis to temperature can be used for developing phenological models to predict timing of stages for management or eradication efforts.

Quality of the pirenic and apirenic fruits of surinam cherry tree accesses (Eugenia uniflora)

Surinam cherry is a native fruit tree with market potential. However, the pulp yield can be impaired by the size of the fruit seed. At UTFPR there is a genotype which produces seedless fruits, that can intensify the use of this species in orchards, and it is important to analyze the quality of the produced fruit. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of fruits from pirenic and apirenic accessions of Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora). In 2012, 2013 and 2015, 40 ripe fruits were collected from 23 Surinam cherry accessions, including an apirenic genotype one. The fruits were taken to the laboratory and analyzed regarding total fruit and seed weight, equatorial fruit and seed diameter, and total soluble solids content (SST). The twenty-third access presented physical characteristics that stood out from the other accesses, but, a larger size of the seed is an undesirable factor, once with industrialization it diminishes the use and yield of the pulp. Access 19, corresponding to the apirenic cherry tree, presented a smaller diameter and seed weight, which is a desirable feature. This genotype also has the physicochemical characteristics considered appropriate for processing or fresh market.

Effects of Temperature on Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Adult Survival, Reproduction, and Egg Hatch

Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) is an invasive species that can damage many tree species in orchard, urban, and forested habitats. Adult survival, reproduction, and egg hatch of A. chinensis from Italy and China are evaluated at eight constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C) under laboratory conditions. The estimated Tmax for longevity was 42 and 33 °C for females and 42 and 39 °C for males from China and Italy, respectively. The estimated Tmax, Tmin, and optimum temperature for fecundity were 35, 9, and 29 °C, respectively. Females laid eggs at 15–30 °C and eggs hatched at 15–35 °C. Days to first oviposition increased exponentially from 13 days at 30 °C to &gt;300 days near 10 °C. The estimated Tmin for egg hatch was 13 °C, the Tmax at 38 °C, and the optimum 29 °C. Percentage hatch was estimated to be highest at 26 °C and have a Tmax of 31 °C and Tmin of 10 °C. These results indicate that summer temperatures over a wide range of latitudes should support beetle survival and reproduction, but at temperatures ≥35 °C, oviposition ceases, and adult survivorship declines. In addition, females may survive into the fall, but lay fewer eggs that may not hatch. These responses of A. chinensis to temperature can be used for developing phenological models to predict the timing of stages for management or eradication efforts.

Common Vole as a Focal Small Mammal Species in Orchards of the Northern Zone

In 2018–2020, we performed a country-wide study of small mammals in commercial orchards and berry plantations with the aim of determining whether the common vole (Microtus arvalis) is a more suitable focal species than the field vole (M. agrestis) in the risk assessment of plant protection products in Lithuania (country of the Northern Zone). Common vole was present in 75% of orchards and in 80% of control habitats, accounting for 30% of all trapped individuals. The proportion of this species was stable between years and seasons. The pattern was in agreement with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, i.e., highest in medium-aged crops, while lowest in habitats with high intensities of agricultural practices. The average relative abundance of common vole in autumn, 2.65 ± 0.52 individuals per 100 trap days, was three times higher than that in summer, with no differences recorded between crops and control habitats. Field vole was present in 30% of locations, only accounting for 2.1% of all trapped individuals. In central and eastern European countries, common vole is more widespread and abundant than field vole. In Lithuania, common vole dominates in orchards and natural habitats and is, therefore, the most relevant small mammal species for higher tier risk assessment.

SSM-iCrop2: A simple model for diverse crop species over large areas

Crop models are essential in undertaking large scale estimation of crop production of diverse crop species, especially in assessing food availability and climate change impacts. In this study, an existing model (SSM, Simple Simulation Models) was adapted to simulate a large number of plant species including orchard species and perennial forages. Simplification of some methods employed in the original model was necessary to deal with limited data availability for some of the plant species to be simulated. The model requires limited, readily available input information. The simulations account for plant phenology, leaf area development and senescence, dry matter accumulation, yield formation, and soil water balance in a daily time step. Parameterization of the model for new crops/cultivars is easy and straight-forward. The resultant model (SSM-iCrop2) was parameterized and tested for more than 30 crop species of Iran using numerous field experiments. Tests showed the model was robust in the predictions of crop yield and water use. Root mean square of error as percentage of observed mean for yield was 18% for grain field crops, 14% for non-grain crops 14% for vegetables and 28% for fruit trees.

Spatial and temporal distribution, degradation, and metabolism of three neonicotinoid insecticides on different parts, especially pests' target feeding parts of apple tree.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NIs) have been recently banned in some countries because of increased pest resistance and deleterious risks to non-target organisms. Recent studies considered all parts of crops as a whole part in plant protection. However, there are few reports focused on the distribution and metabolic trends of NIs on target feeding sites of different pests in apple orchards. The spatial and temporal distribution, absorption, degradation, and metabolism of three NIs, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam, on different parts of apple trees were studied under foliar spray and root irrigation treatments. In the spray treatment, the initial average concentration ratios (TCRs) were 31.6% for lower shoots, 23.3% for upper leaves, 23.2% for upper shoots, 21.0% for lower leaves, and 0.5% and 0.4% for upper and lower fruits, respectively. The average half-lives of the three NIs were 2.9 days for shoots, 7.4 days for leaves, and 10.8 days for fruits. The degradation rate of shoots was 2.5 times that of leaves, and 3.6 times that of fruits. Imidacloprid olefin and N-methyl acetamiprid were two of the main metabolites. In the root treatment, both roots and soils had high TCRs during the whole sampling period. Only imidacloprid was transmitted to above-ground parts of the plants, with TCRs of 0.38-50.94%. This study found significant differences in spatial and temporal distribution, degradation, metabolism, and trends of NIs on different pest target sites of apple trees. The data obtained may help promote scientific control of target pests and evaluation of safety for non-target species in orchards. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytophthora root and collar rots in fruit orchards in the Czech Republic

A recent outbreak of Phytophthora diseases in fruit orchards was identified in the Czech Republic. The diseased trees showed characteristic symptoms including yellowing, wilting and sparse foliage, decreased yields, root and collar rot, and withering and dying of trees. In some orchards up to 10–15, and rarely up to 55%, of trees died. In total, 387 symptomatic trees of nine species from 44 fruit orchards, 16 samples of irrigation water from four orchards and 35 samples of nursery stock, were surveyed in 2012–2018. Oomycetes were recovered from 50.6 % of sampled trees in orchards, from 71.4 % of shipments of ex vitro-produced nursery plants, and from 93.8 % irrigation water samples. Seventeen Phytophthora species and 13 Pythium sensu lato species were recovered. The most frequent species in orchards were Phytophthora cactorum, Phytophthora plurivora and Phytopythium vexans. The most frequent species in nursery stock were P. cactorum, Phy. vexans and Globisporangium intermedium, and Pythium helicoides, Phytophthora lacustris and Pythium litorale were the most frequently found in irrigation water. The most frequent oomycete species recovered from nursery stock were also frequently isolated from orchards and planting material. The pathogenicity of 11 Phytophthora species was assessed in vitro in two frequently used rootstocks – ´St. Julien´ (plum) and ´M26´ (apple). This revealed that the less known and relatively rarely isolated species (P. gregata, P. chlamydospora × amnicola, P. inundata, P. lacustris and P. sansomeana) were more virulent than the more frequently occurring species P. cactorum and P. plurivora, and could pose potential threats to fruit orchards in the future. The increase of Phytophthora in fruit orchards is probably related to the trading and planting of infected nursery stock, to climate change and water stress, and to dismissal of the problem of Phytophthora diseases by stakeholders and inappropriate management. Future investigation should focus on the development of effective disease management, including assessment and selection of rootstocks for resistance.

A meta-barcoding analysis of soil mycobiota of the upper Andean Colombian agro-environment

Colombia is a country for which one of the highest biodiversity rates is reported, and one of the first in the tropical areas where an effort was made to gather information on indigenous fungi. Nevertheless, mycological data are still scarce and discontinuous, above all on soil fungi. The present study wanted to contribute to unveil the large soil fungal biodiversity in the upper Andean Colombian agro-ecosystems. The studied area is located in the department of Boyacà, considered with a notable economical value, partly devoted to subsistence agriculture. More than 150 described species were revealed in this study, belonging to 5 phyla with Ascomycota representing the dominant taxon. Basidiomycota and Zygomycota are also well represented, dominated by species of the genus Sebacina and Mortierella respectively, mainly distributed in the semi-natural plots (woodland and grassland). Most of the species are reported as first records for Colombia. Some of them are particularly interesting for their conservation significance such as Geoglossum fallax, which is the dominant species in the unimproved grassland plot. The bootstrap-based clustering analysis showed a different distribution of the species in orchards and non-cultivated areas as a possible response of the fungal community to different use of soil in the agro-environment.

Food and Foraging Niches of Carnivorous Bird Species in Orchards: Implications for their Conservation

Food and Foraging Niches of Carnivorous Bird Species in Orchards: Implications for their Conservation

Effects of Different Storage Techniques on Round-Baled Orchard-Pruning Residues

Baled pruning residue could be a valid solution to reduce the storage surface area in thermal and electrical power station. This study aimed to analyze the storage performance of pruning residues baled by a round baler considering three orchard tree species (apple, peach, and kiwi) and three different techniques (uncovered, under roof, and wrapped). The storage parameters considered were: moisture content, dry mass, and wood energy content of the material. The initial moisture content of the tree orchard specie (apple, peach, and kiwi) was different: lower for peach (41%) and higher for kiwi (51%). At the end of the storage period, all bales (covered and uncovered) obtained similar values to that of the air (about 20%); wrapped bales have highlighted no moisture content variation. The tested tree species showed a similar initial high heating value (18.70 MJ·kg−1), but a different initial low heating value: lower for kiwi (7.96 MJ kg−1) and higher for peach (10.09 MJ·kg−1). No dry matter losses were observed in all test. Stored pruning residues in bales show good benefits in term of “biofuel” quality independent of the techniques adopted expect for the wrapping system that do not permit adequate drying of the biomass.

Modes of morphogenesis inheritance in vitro in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

The phenomenon of morphogenesis observed in in vitro cultures, as the ability of cultured cells and/or plant tissues to regenerate into a complete plant, is used for propagation of orchard species plants of the genus Fragaria spp. Genetic mechanisms controlling the in vitro morphogenesis process are still not fully understood. Research has been conducted to broaden knowledge about the genetic control of this process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cytoplasmic loci on the inheritance of the cell morphogenetic potential within the species Fragaria x ananassa. The study included five strawberry cultivars—‘Dukat’, ‘Jota’, ‘Temptation’, ‘Pastel’ and ‘Senga Sengana’. The third Griffing method of diallel crossing was fully useful for achieving the purpose of the research, because it allowed, by comparing the effects of reciprocal crosses for each crossing combination, determining the possible impact of cytoplasmic loci on the inheritance of morphogenetic abilities in the analyzed cultivars. Evaluation of the effects of reciprocal crosses showed different modes of inheritance of the morphogenetic potential in vitro of plant cells of these strawberry cultivars. The strawberry cultivar ‘Dukat’ transmitted genetic determinants of the morphogenetic potential cytoplasmically. Nuclear transmission of the morphogenetic potential was recorded for the cultivar ‘Senga Sengana’. ‘Jota’, ‘Temptation’ and ‘Pastel’ cultivars passed on this trait in a cytoplasmic-nuclear mode. Morphogenesis efficiency of hybrids, whose maternal forms transmitted the morphogenetic potential in a cytoplasmic-nuclear mode, depended likely on the interaction between the maternal plasmotype and the paternal nuclear genes.