Spur Leaf Area Research Articles

Flowering and Non-Flowering Spur Leaf Characteristics of 'Amasya' Apple and Its Comparison with Other Cultivars

Understanding the attributes of spur leaves in apple trees is essential to gain more insight into the complex process of fruit development and quality. However, limited literature is available about the spur leaf characteristics of the 'Amasya' apple cultivar. In this work, the Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) and leaf area were investigated in flowering and non-flowering spur leaves of 'Amasya' and six common apple cultivars. Significant differences among cultivars were observed for the SPAD and spur leaf area. The median SPAD readings in 'Amasya' were 32.63 and 26.23 for the flowering and non-flowering spurs, respectively, which were the relatively low values among studied cultivars. The maximum SPAD value was measured in flowering spurs of 'Cripps Pink' (45.03). SPAD values were found to be lower in non-flowering spurs compared with flowering ones for all the studied cultivars, which confirms that decline in chlorophyll content coincided with a gradual decline in productivity. A notably significantly lower spur leaf area was found in 'Amasya', whereas the highest spur leaf area was in 'Cripps Pink'. However, no statistical difference was observed between flowering and non-flowering spur leaf areas within the same cultivars. The present results provided a general framework of SPAD and spur leaf areas in 'Amasya' and other apple cultivars when spurs had flowers or not. Knowledge of these characteristics provides a basis for building a model related to yield elaboration of apple trees.

INFLUENCE OF PARTIAL SPUR LEAVES REMOVAL ON FRUITLET SHEDDING, FRUIT QUALITY AND SHOOT GROWTH IN APPLE TREES AS A BASIS FOR MECHANICAL THINNING

Knowledge of the physiology of natural fruitlet shedding is especially important to insure thinning efficiency in apple production. The effect of partial spur leaf removal on shedding, as well as on fruit quality and bourse shoot growth, was investigated. Removing spur leaves increased shedding, while there was no effect of partial leaf removal on mature fruit quality in terms of weight, firmness and sum of sugars, detected by HPLC-RI and resulted in lower contents of citric, fumaric and shikimic acids, detected by HPLC-UV. Growth of bourse shoots was poorer in treatments with leaf removal. To summarize, a decreased number of spur leaves caused more intensive fruitlet abscission and poorer bourse shoot growth but had no negative influence on fruit size. These results show the potential use of decreasing spur leaf area to stimulate more intensive natural shedding to support fruitlet thinning, which could be used in combination with prospective mechanical thinning.

Fruit load in almond spurs define starch and total soluble carbohydrate concentration and therefore their survival and bloom probabilities in the next season

Abstract Nonpareil almonds trees have compact shoots, known as spurs. Spurs are the main bearing structure of many fruit trees. However, in almonds, spurs show alternate bearing and low winter survival if fruit load is high or if leaf area is low at the spur level. To better understand the source sink relationships that govern the effects of fruit load on spur survival and return bloom, a total of 1920 spurs with varying fruit load (non-fruiting spurs, one fruiting spurs, two fruiting spurs, and one fruiting spurs de-fruited at 40 and 70 days after full bloom) were labeled and tracked for two seasons in fully mature trees. Spur variables such as leaf area, total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), starch concentration, winter survival and return bloom were collected and analyzed with generalized linear mixed models and structural equation models. Starch concentration in non-fruiting spurs (excluding de-fruited spurs) was twice as high as starch concentration of fruiting spurs. Similarly, in the following season, the probabilities of survival and bloom in non-fruiting spurs were 55% and 61% higher than fruiting spurs, respectively. Structural equation modeling suggests that starch concentration in a spur is correlated with spur leaf area, number of fruits, fruit weight, and TSC. Thus, this work improves our understanding of return bloom and winter spur survival.

A Method for Quantifying Whole-tree Pruning Severity in Mature Tall Spindle Apple Plantings

Pruning is the cutting away of vegetation from plants for horticultural purposes. Pruning is known to reduce apple tree size, increase fruit size and quality, and decrease yield. Methods for studying the effects of varying degrees of severity of pruning on a whole-tree basis have used qualitative descriptions of treatments rather than repeatable whole-tree quantitative metrics. In this study, we introduce a pruning severity index calculated from the sum of the cross-sectional area of all branches on a tree at 2.5 cm from their union to the central leader divided by the cross-sectional area of its central leader at 30 cm from the graft union. This limb to trunk ratio (LTR) was then modified by successively removing the largest branches of ‘Buckeye Gala’ to achieve six severity levels ranging from LTR 0.5 to LTR 1.75, with lower values representing more extreme pruning with less whole-tree limb area relative to trunk area. Pruning treatments were applied for three consecutive years and tree growth and cropping responses were observed for the first 2 years. With increasing pruning severity the following characteristics increased after seasonal growth: number of renewal limbs, number of shoots, shoot length, number of shoot leaves, shoot leaf area, final fruit set, fruit size, yield of large fruit, crop value from large fruit, soluble solids, and titratable acidity. The following characteristics decreased: limb age, number of secondary limbs, number of spurs, number of spur leaves, spur leaf area, the ratio of spur leaf area to shoot leaf area, fruit count per tree, yield, yield efficiency, crop value from small fruit, overall crop value, and sugar:acid ratio. The LTR provides a measurable way to define and create different levels of pruning severity and achieve consistent outcomes. This allows a greater degree of accuracy and precision to dormant pruning of tall spindle apple trees. The use of the LTR to establish the level of pruning severity allows the orchard manager to set crop load potential through regulation of the canopy bearing surface. This metric is also a necessary step in the development of autonomous pruning systems.

Increases in leaf nitrogen concentration and leaf area did not enhance spur survival and return bloom in almonds (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] DA Webb)

Mature almond trees bear fruit mainly on short shoots called spurs, with only a small percentage of fruit produced laterally on long 1-year-old shoots. As a result, maintenance of large numbers of healthy spurs per tree is critical for fruit production. However, spurs that bear fruit have lower leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, and CO2 assimilation rate than non-fruiting spurs. This has been correlated with reduced percentages of spur survival and return bloom the following season. Thus, we hypothesized that spur leaf area, and ultimately spur health could be enhanced through application of foliar sprays and soil nitrogen treatments that would enhance leaf nitrogen content and spur leaf area. To test our hypothesis, we selected almond trees exhibiting significant yield differences as a consequence of differential soil rates of nitrogen fertilization (N rate) for three prior years (140, 224, and 392 kg/ha). In each tree, three spur types [non-fruiting spurs (F0); spurs with one fruit (F1); spurs with two fruit (F2)] were selected on the east side of the canopy and tracked for one complete season (2011–2012). Four foliar treatments (nutrient replacement, nutrient replacement with biostimulant, nitrogen, and non-spray) were directly applied to individual spurs in each N rate in the spring of 2011 and characteristic such as leaf nitrogen, and fruit quality were recorded throughout the season. In winter of 2012, spur survival and return bloom were addressed through individual visual inspection of the tagged spurs. In this experiment, soil and foliar N treatments effectively increased spur leaf area, fruit, and leaf nitrogen concentration. In the high N treatment, the leaf nitrogen values exceeded the critical nitrogen concentration established for almond trees and the critical leaf area for spur survival and blooming thresholds established by past research in this area. However, none of these positive changes in leaf N or leaf area improved spur survival and/or return boom of any spur type. Indeed, survival and hull + shell weight tended to be lower in the population of fruiting spurs with the highest leaf area and leaf nitrogen concentration and the return bloom probabilities were always lower in fruiting spurs than in non-fruiting spurs, independent of the nitrogen rate. These results and the relationship between nitrogen rate and spur survival are discussed.

Yield in almond is related more to the abundance of flowers than the relative number of flowers that set fruit

Almond tree yield is a function of the number of flowers on a tree and the percentage of flowers that set fruit. Almonds are borne on spurs (short proleptic shoots that can have both leaves and flowers). Almond tree spur dynamics research has documented that previous year spur leaf area is a predictive parameter for year-to-year spur survival, spur flowering and to a lesser extent spur fruiting, while previous year fruit bearing has a negative impact on subsequent year flowering. However, a question remained about whether yields are more dependent on flower numbers or relative fruit set of the flowers that are present. The aim of the present work was to compare the importance of flower abundance with that of relative fruit set in determining the productivity of a population of tagged spurs in almond trees over a 6-year period. Overall tree yield among years was more sensitive to total number of flowers on a tree rather than relative fruit set. These results emphasize the importance of maintaining large populations of healthy flowering spurs for sustained high production in almond orchards.

The influence of temperature and water supply on apple fruit growth and the development of orchard-grown trees

SummaryThe growth of ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ apples in an orchard was studied in relation to temperature and irrigation. Temperature around a number of trees was raised by the use of polythene tunnels from bloom in May until harvest in September. These trees within the polytunnels received irrigation, while for comparative purposes some trees outside did not. Continuous measurements of the canopy environment, particularly temperature, were made until harvest. Throughout the growing season fruit size was repeatedly measured, non-destructively, on a large number of selected fruit. Despite differences in mean temperature and accumulated day-degrees between trees inside and outside the polytunnels, there was no benefit to fruit size from raised temperatures. Supplemental irrigation did have a number of effects; spur leaf area was enhanced without significant change in total leaf area, while in the absence of irrigation, final shoot length was greater. This greater shoot production was however associated with a ...

Mechanical blossom thinning of apples and influence on yield, fruit quality and spur leaf area

McClure, K. A. and Cline, J. A. 2015. Mechanical blossom thinning of apples and influence on yield, fruit quality and spur leaf area. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 887–896. Apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) trees tend to crop heavily, which often makes crop load adjustment necessary. This can now be achieved as early as bloom by mechanical removal/thinning of blossoms. High-density Empire/M.26 and Royal Gala/M.26 apple trees were mechanically (MBT) and hand blossom thinned (HBT) in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and their effects on fruit set, subsequent hand thinning, final crop load, and spur leaf area were measured. In both years, MBT effectively thinned trees and reduced fruit set, but did not reduce the requirement for follow-up hand fruitlet thinning after June drop in 2011. In 2010, harvest yields for MBT treatments decreased, while weight and diameter increased. In 2011, most harvest and fruit quality parameters were unaffected by thinning. Trees that were mechanically thinned had significantly reduced spur leaf area, but were similar to unthinned control trees with respect to many of the yield and quality parameters measured. Mechanical blossom thinning is a new crop load management option for apple growers looking to supplement more traditional chemical and hand thinning techniques.

Spur Fruit Set Is Negatively Related with Current-year Spur Leaf Area in Almond

Almond spurs are known to be the primary bearing unit in almond tree and are subject to alternate bearing. Fruits are a strong sink in bearing spurs and can influence spur leaf growth. At the same time the percent of flowers that set fruit on a spur (spur relative fruit set) could be influenced by the competition among multiple flowers/fruits borne on the same spur as well as by limited leaf area on the same spur. The aim of the present work was to investigate the relationship between current-year spur leaf area and spur absolute and relative fruit set. Approximately 2400 spurs were tagged and followed over 6 years and data concerning spur leaf area, number of flowers per spur, and number of fruits per spur were collected. Spur leaf area was reduced in fruiting spurs in comparison with non-fruiting spurs according to the number of fruits borne by each spur. This phenomenon contributes to spur alternate bearing because spur flowering and survival in the next year are a function of the leaf area in the current year. Relative fruit set in almond appears to be negatively associated with current-year spur leaf area. Competition among fruits on the same spur did not appear to influence spur relative fruit set.

Influence of Mechanical String Thinning Treatments on Vegetative and Reproductive Tissues, Fruit Set, Yield, and Fruit Quality of ‘Gala’ Apple

The objectives of this experiment were to test the efficacy of a mechanical string thinner (Darwin PT-250; Fruit-Tec, Deggenhauserertal, Germany) on apple and to identify an optimal range of thinning severity as influenced by spindle rotation speed. Trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Pennsylvania State University Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA, on five-year-old ‘Buckeye Gala’/M.9 apple trees that were trained to tall spindle. A preliminary trail on five-year-old ‘Cripps Pink’/M.9 was conducted to determine the relationship between string number and thinning severity. As the number of strings increased, the level of thinning severity increased. A range of spindle speeds (0 to 300 rpm) was applied to the same trees for two consecutive years. As spindle speed increased, blossom density (blossom clusters per limb cross-sectional area) was reduced as was the number of blossoms per spur. In 2010, leaf area per spur was reduced 9% to 45%. In 2011, the fastest spindle speed reduced leaf area per spur 20%. Although increased spindle speed reduced cropload, injury to spur leaves may have inhibited increases in fruit size. The largest gain in fruit weight was 28 g (300 rpm) compared with the control. In both years, the most severe thinning treatments reduced yield by more than 50%. There was no relationship between spindle speed and return bloom. Severe thinning treatments (240 to 300 rpm) caused significant reductions in spur leaf area, yield, and fruit calcium and did not improve fruit size or return bloom. Spindle speeds of 180 and 210 rpm provided the best overall thinning response and minimized injury to spur leaves, but cropload reduction was insufficient in years of heavy fruit set. Therefore, mechanical blossom thinning treatments should be supplemented with other thinning methods. Mechanical string thinning may be a viable treatment in organic apple production, where use of chemical thinners is limited.

Spur behaviour in almond trees: relationships between previous year spur leaf area, fruit bearing and mortality

In mature almond (Prunus dulcis) orchards, the majority of crop is borne on spurs (short, proleptic shoots) that can live for several years and can produce from one to five fruits. Previous research has led to the hypothesis that spur longevity is related to spur light exposure, cropping and age. However, limited quantitative data are available to substantiate these hypotheses. The objective of this study was to determine spur characteristics that were most highly correlated with spur productivity and longevity in mature, bearing almond trees. Previous year spur leaf area was strongly related to spur viability and flowering; the greater the leaf area in the previous year, the higher the probability of spur survival into the next year and the higher the probability for the spur to bear one or more flowers. Previous year bearing also appeared to influence viability and return bloom, especially in spurs with low leaf area. These results suggest that spur source-sink balance is basic to the life cycle of almond spurs. Furthermore, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that spurs are semi-autonomous organs with respect to carbohydrate balance for much of the growing season. Finally, this information provides general thresholds for maintaining spur viability and productivity that will be useful for developing and evaluating tree training systems and orchard management practices.

Foliar Applications of Urea Affect Nitrogen Reserves and Cold Acclimation of Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.) on Dwarfing Rootstocks

Seasonal uptake, storage, and remobilization of nitrogen (N) are of critical importance for plant growth. The use of N reserves for new growth in the spring is especially important for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), for which new shoot and fruit growth is concomitant and fruit development occurs during a relatively short bloom-to-ripening period. Sweet cherries grafted on precocious, dwarfing rootstocks such as the interspecific (P. cerasus × P. canescens) hybrids Gisela® 5 and 6 tend to produce large crops but smaller fruit when crop load is not balanced with adequate leaf area. Study objectives were to: 1) characterize natural N remobilization during fall and winter to canopy reproductive and vegetative meristems; 2) determine the effect of fall foliar urea applications on storage N levels in flowering spurs; 3) determine whether differential storage N levels influence spur leaf formation in spring; and 4) determine whether fall foliar urea applications affect the development of cold-hardiness. During fall, total N in leaves decreased by up to 51% [dry weight (DW)] and increased in canopy organs such as flower spurs by up to 27% (DW). The N concentration in flower spurs increased further in spring by up to 150% (DW). Fall foliar applications of urea increased storage N levels in flowering spurs (up to 40%), shoot tips (up to 20%), and bark (up to 29%). Premature defoliation decreased storage N in these tissues by up to 30%. Spur leaf size in the spring was associated with storage N levels; fall foliar urea treatments increased spur leaf area by up to 24%. Foliar urea applications increased flower spur N levels most when applied in late summer to early fall. Such applications also affected the development of cold acclimation in cherry shoots positively during fall; those treated with urea were up to 4.25 °C more cold-hardy than those on untreated trees.

Effects of Nitrogen Supply on Source-sink Balance and Fruit Size of ‘Gala’ Apple Trees

The objective of this study was to determine how nitrogen (N) supply affects the source-sink balance and fruit size of ‘Gala’ apple when crop load was controlled at a moderate level. Five-year-old ‘Gala’/‘M.26’ trees grown in sand culture and trained in tall spindle received a total of 3.3, 10.0, 20.0, or 40.0 g actual N through fertigation using Hoagland's solution from bloom to 3 weeks before harvest. The crop load of these trees was adjusted to 6.5 fruit/cm2 trunk cross-sectional area by hand thinning when the diameter of the largest fruit was 10 mm. As N supply increased, total shoot leaf area in the canopy increased, whereas total spur leaf area remained unchanged. Both single leaf and whole canopy net CO2 assimilation rates increased with increasing N supply. The net dry matter gain of the whole tree from budbreak to fruit harvest increased ≈74% from the lowest N supply to the highest N supply, but the proportion of net dry matter gain partitioned to fruit (harvest index) decreased from 83% to 70%. Both leaf area to fruit ratio and average final fruit size increased with increasing N supply, and a linear relationship was found between leaf area to fruit ratio and final fruit size. The number of cells per fruit increased with increasing N supply, whereas average cell size remained unchanged. As N supply increased, fruit soluble solids concentration increased, whereas fruit firmness decreased slightly. These results indicate that 1) apple trees grown under low N supply are source-limited; and 2) within the range of N supply used, increasing N supply improves leaf N status, leaf and whole tree photosynthetic capacity, and leaf area to fruit ratio, leading to more cells per fruit, larger fruit, and higher soluble solids.

Spur survival and return bloom in almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb] varied with spur fruit load, specific leaf weight, and leaf area

SummaryVariation in fruit load, leaf area, and light exposure among almond spurs was used to evaluate whether or not spurs were autonomous with regard to Winter survival and return bloom. Fruiting was associated with reduced spur survival over the subsequent Winter and reduced return bloom in the subsequent year.This resulted in a tendency for individual spurs to bloom and bear fruit in alternate years. Survival was high among all non-fruiting spurs, but survival of fruiting spurs was positively related both to leaf area per spur and specific leaf weight (SLW; an indicator of light exposure). SLW was a much stronger correlate for spur survival than leaf area per spur. The likelihood of flowering varied positively with spur leaf area the previous season on both fruiting and non-fruiting spurs, but was not related to spur SLW. Localisation of leaf area and shading effects within individual spurs created spur sub-populations with differing tendencies toward alternate bearing. The likelihood of flowering on spurs was enhanced when branch-wide carbohydrate demand by fruit was eliminated by early fruit removal the previous season, suggesting that almond spurs are not entirely autonomous with regard to carbohydrate supply during floral initiation and development. Nevertheless, our data are consistent with a high degree of spur autonomy regarding Winter survival and return bloom, with each spur apparently being strongly influenced by the ability of its own leaves to meet its carbohydrate demands.

Almond Spur Autonomy: Leaf Growth, Floral Initiation and Spur Survival

Spurs are the primary bearing unit in mature `Nonpareil' almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) trees. Our objective was to determine whether almond spurs behave autonomously with respect to various biological activities throughout the season. If autonomous, a spur's carbohydrate demands are met primarily by its own leaves and, therefore, the sink to source ratio of the spur itself is expected to be closely linked to its growth and development. In these experiments almond spurs differing in leaf area and/or fruit number were monitored for leaf development, fruit set, floral initiation, spur survival and carbohydrate storage. Previous-season spur leaf area had no relation to the number of leaves preformed within the dormant vegetative bud or final spur leaf area in the current season, but spurs which fruited in the previous season began spring leaf expansion later and current-season spur fruiting was associated with lower spur leaf area. There was little or no relationship between final percentage fruit set at the spur level and spur leaf area in either the current or previous seasons. Current-season spur leaf area was positively related to both spur flower bud number and spur winter survival. Carbohydrate storage in dormant spurs increased with increasing previous-season spur leaf area. These data are consistent with the concept of spur autonomy especially with regards to spur activities late in the season. The relationships of some of these same spur parameters to spur light exposure are currently being investigated.

Varying Density with Constant Rectangularity: I. Effects on Apple Tree Growth and Light Interception in Three Training Systems over Ten Years

The effect of increasing planting density at constant rectangularity on the vegetative growth and light interception of apple [Malus ×sylvestris (L) var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] trees in three training systems (slender spindle, tall spindle, and Geneva Y trellis) was assessed for 10 years. Five tree densities (from 1125 to 3226 trees/ha) and two cultivars (Royal Gala and Summerland McIntosh) were tested in a fully guarded split-split plot design. Planting density was the most influential factor. As tree density increased, tree size decreased, and leaf area index and light interception increased. A planting density between 1800 and 2200 trees/ha (depending on training system) was needed to achieve at least 50% light interception under the conditions of this trial. Training system altered tree height and canopy diameter, but not total scion weight. Training system began to influence light interception in the sixth leaf, when the Y trellis system intercepted more light than either spindle form. Trees trained to the Y trellis tended to have more spurs and a lower proportion of total leaf area in shoot leaves than the other two systems. The slender and tall spindles were similar in most aspects of performance. Tall spindles did not intercept more light than slender spindles. `Royal Gala' and `Summerland McIntosh' trees intercepted about the same amount of light. `Royal Gala' had greater spur leaf area per tree than `Summerland McIntosh', but the cultivars were similar in shoot leaf area per tree and spur density.

The effects of phloem girdling on the abscission of Prunus avium L. fruits

SummaryExcessive premature abscission of developing fruitlets in UK cherry orchards often results in low fruit yields. An improvement in our understanding of the underlying causes of embryo abortion and fruitlet abscission will help rationalize effective remedies to this problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of limiting the availability of leaf-derived assimilates, during critical stages of fruitlet development, on the severity of fruitlet abscission. Experimentally, this was achieved by isolating individual “spur units” (short shoots (<10 cm) with leaves and fruit) from the tree by girdling (severing the phloem connections) branches on either side of the unit. In this way, the developing fruitlets within the associated spur would be able to derive their assimilates only from the associated spur leaves. Spur units with different total leaf areas and variable numbers of developing fruitlets were chosen to achieve a wide range of potential source and sink strengths. The spurs analysed varied in leaf number from 4–9 leaves as spur leaf area increased. The largest variability in the spur leaf area number relationship occurred in spurs with 6–7 leaves. When initially determining the total leaf area per spur in May, there was no obvious relationship with fruit number per spur. Subsequent analysis of the relationship between spur leaf area and fruit number per cluster showed that fruit had been lost from spurs with the smallest leaf areas. Spurs girdled later in the season in June also showed no obvious relationship between spur leaf area and fruit number. As with spurs girdled in May, those manipulated in June lost fruit from spurs with small leaf areas. By July, there was a positive curvilinear relationship between spur leaf area and fruit number for girdled spurs. Neither total nor average fruit fresh weight per spur, at harvest, could be related to spur leaf area. The average individual fresh weight of fruit in a spur was, however, limited by the number of fruit within that spur. When spurs were girdled, fruit loss was shown to take place preferentially where the spur leaf area per fruit was low. From this analysis, it was possible to predict which girdled spurs would lose fruit, using the calculated ratio of spur leaf area per fruit. It is concluded that fruit retention, not size, appears to be limited by the availability of leaf-derived assimilates.

Flower differentiation and spur leaf area in almond

SummaryIn mature almond trees, flowers are borne laterally and predominantly on spurs. The flower buds contain a single terminal flower and no leaves. We investigated variation in the timing of floral initiation and organogenesis among and within spurs on ‘Nonpareil’ almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D. A. Webb). Spurs were sampled twice during the late-summer period of flower initiation and differentiation. All lateral buds on individual spurs were dissected and the developmental status of the meristem was determined. Extensive variation in the progress of floral initiation and differentiation was evident among spurs. Spurs with high total leaf areas had more floral buds, and these buds underwent transition to flowering and floral organogenesis earlier than buds on spurs with lower total leaf areas. Within spurs, there was no gradient in floral development relative to bud position on the spur. The results indicate that spurs function independently with regard to floral development events, and suggest that within spurs buds may function somewhat independently as well.

Influence of flower type, position in the cluster and spur characteristics on fruit set and growth of apple cultivars

SummaryFlower and spur characteristics as well as flower position in the cluster were related to fruit set, size, shape and growth of a range of apple cultivars in New Zealand, Maine and Ohio. ‘Jonagold’ and `Royal Gala’ had more flowers per cluster than ‘Red Chief Delicious’ at all locations. Flower pedicel length and dry weight as well as flower dry weight were positively related to harvest fruit weight. King (K) and lateral (L) pedicel length and dry weight were positively correlated with fruit set in New Zealand, but not in Maine and Ohio. Spur leaf area, leaf size and bourse leaf area were related to fruit set in New Zealand and Ohio, but not in Maine. Although not significant at all locations, ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Royal Gala’ had large and ‘Red Chief Delicious’ small spur and bourse leaf areas, compared to other cultivars. Bourse leaf areas in New Zealand for all cultivars tended to be larger than Maine and Ohio. Rootstock had no influence on performance of the different positions in the flower cluster. Of the cultivars common to all sites, New Zealand had larger fruit size than Ohio and Maine, respectively ‘Jonagold’ 25% and 25%; ‘Red Chief Delicious’ 28% and 12%; and ‘Royal Gala’ 25% and 10%. Of all the cultivars tested, only ‘Royal Gala’ in New Zealand had larger K than L fruit and in New Zealand, L fruit were larger than the K in ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Jonagold’. Thus, when flower clusters are thinned to single buds at pink, K dominance was not evident.

Effects of local source-sink manipulations on fruits and leaves of young pear trees

The effects of modifying local source-sink relations on fruit and leaf characteristics of young pear trees were evaluated during the 1997 - 1998 growing season. The following treatments were applied: early spur ringing (ESR) from 27 days after full bloom (DAFB), late spur ringing (LSR) from 97 DAFB, early 15 % spur leaf area removal (ELAR) and late 15 % spur leaf area removal (LLAR). ESR and LSR significantly inhibited fruit growth, suggesting that the fruiting spurs were not fully autonomous in their carbon economy. ELAR and LLAR had little effect on fruit size; sink strength was demonstrated here, since the presence of the fruit caused an efficient transfer of photoassimilates. ESR treatment decreased specific leaf mass (SLM) by 23.84 % when measured 94 DAFB. ELAR did not significantly influence SLM. Treatments had no marked influence on fruit quality.