Super Chief Research Articles

Susceptibility of apple varieties to infestation by aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Southern Bulgaria

Aphids regularly infest apple orchards and are considered as one of the most damaging species, especially in humid conditions. In 2021-2023, the collection of different species and the rate of infestation by aphids on different apple varieties were studied in the region of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Among the four aphid species identified in the apple orchard, Aphis spiraecola and Dysaphis plantaginea were predominant, followed by Aphis pomi and Dysaphis devecta. The rate of infestation varied significantly among the apple varieties. The Gala Resistant was the most infested by the aphids with a population coefficient (K) 302.5, followed by the Crimson Crisp – 124, the Pinova – 91, and the Red del Mestar – 52.5. The least infested variety was the Super Chief – 0.9, followed by the Modi – 2.2, the Fujion – 2.8, the Enterprise – 7.2 and the Rosella – 19. Keywords: apples, varietal susceptibility, aphids

Optimizing leaf nutrient status, growth, and yield parameters in high-density apple orchards (cv. Super chief) via integrated drip irrigation and fertigation techniques

Nutrients and water are important ecophysiological components for apples' development and productivity. The combination of high-density plantation, drip irrigation, and weekly fertigation not only conserves irrigation water, but also reduces cultivation costs compared to conventional methods. Leaf nutrient analysis provides insight into nutrient levels and assists in determining irrigation and fertigation schedules. We conducted the current research over two years (2021–22 and 2022–23) to evaluate different drip-fertigation effects on leaf nutrient status, vegetative growth, and yield of high-density apples. The experimental study employed a factorial randomised block design, replicating 16 different treatment combinations three times each. Each replication consisted of three plants, and the treatments included four irrigation levels (100 %, 80 %, 60 %, and control) and four fertigation levels (absolute control, 100 %, 75 %, and 50 % of the recommended NPK dosage). Analysis of the leaves indicated that IR1 (Drip irrigation at 100 % ETc) showed notably higher levels of nitrogen at (3.06 %), phosphorus at (0.48 %) and potassium at (2.07 %) compared to other treatments. Regarding fertigation levels, FN1 [100 % (AD) NPK] showed the highest nitrogen (3.12 %), phosphorus (0.50 %), and potassium (2.09 %) content. Parameters related to vegetative growth, including tree height, plant spread in both east-west (EW) and north-south (NS) directions, trunk girth, annual extension growth, and leaf area showed significant increases with higher irrigation and fertigation levels, surpassing conventional irrigation (IR4) by 6.17 percent, 7.78 percent (EW), 8.62 percent (NS), 10.49 percent, 4.53 percent and 1.96 percent, respectively. Among fertigation, FN1- 100 % AD (NPK) registered a maximum increase in growth parameters. Our analysis demonstrated that combining irrigation and fertigation improved leaf nutrient status and vegetative growth characteristics, which are critical determinants of fruit yield.

Detection of bruises on red apples using deep learning models

The detection and sorting of bruised apples after harvest play a crucial role in improving their economic value by eliminating surface defects. This also reduces the risk of contamination of infected apples during transport and storage. It can be done by using manual detection or machine vision techniques in red, green, and blue (RGB) colors to detect bruises on apples of various skin colors; however, in the early stages of bruising, it is challenging. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is determin of the effectiveness of Deep Learning models combined with the Near Infrared (NIR) imaging system for naturally bruised Super Chief red apples immediately after harvest. In total, 1000 images for the healthy class and 500 images for the bruised class were acquired from 500 apples. After the images were acquired with the RGB and NIR cameras, the data sets were divided into training (70 %), validation (15 %), and testing (15 %) sets. The Alexnet, the Inceptipon-V3, and the VGG16 network structures were trained using the training and validation data sets, and the trained network was evaluated using the test dataset. The VGG16 model achieved the highest test accuracy (86 %) when trained on the RGB data set, while the AlexNet model exhibited the lowest test accuracy (74.6 %). When the models were trained and tested with NIR datasets, 99.33 %, 100 % and 100 % accuracy rates were obtained for AlexNet, Inception V3, and VGG16, respectively. During the experiments, the VGG16 model trained with the NIR dataset achieved the lowest loss rate of 0.0002, whereas when trained and tested with the RGB dataset, the same VGG16 model also recorded the lowest loss rate of 0.353.These findings indicate that the deep learning models, particularly when trained with NIR data, demonstrate high accuracy rates in classifying apples as healthy or bruised, making them suitable for industrial classification applications. Therefore, the NIR data set is recommended for precise and reliable apple classification in industrial settings.

Storage and post-cold storage evaluation of exotic apple varieties harvested at different maturity levels using destructive and non- destructive techniques

Most of the studies have used destructive techniques to evaluate the storage parameters while various authors have explored acoustics and machine vision to determine the firmness and defects in apples respectively. However, in all the reported studies destructive and non-destructive techniques have been employed separately to study the storage behaviour of apples. In the present study both destructive and non-destructive techniques were used and were correlated to predict the storage behaviour of three exotic apple varieties; Gala Redlum, Red Velox and Super Chief grown under temperate conditions Himalayan conditions of Kashmir for the first time. Acoustic coefficient, firmness, pectin, juice yield, acidity, non-reducing sugars and overall acceptability decreased, whereas, cumulative physiological loss in weight (CPLW) and rot percentage increased from H1 to H3 irrespective of variety and storage conditions. Total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar and anthocyanin content showed slight increase followed by a progressive decline under both the storage conditions. Early harvested apples (H1) showed higher spoilage and color change as compared to mid (H2) and late (H3) harvested apples irrespective of variety and storage conditions. Overall apples harvested at H1 had a shelf life of 60 days under ambient conditions and 130 days under cold storage conditions with a post-cold storage life of 10 days. Apples harvested at H2 had a shelf life of 75 days under ambient conditions and 170 days under cold storage conditions with a post-cold storage life of 15 days, while apples harvested at H3 had a shelf life of 60 days under ambient conditions and 110 days under cold conditions with a post-cold storage life of 10 days. Correlation analysis between destructive and non-destructive parameters was also performed. Acoustic coefficient showed significant positive correlation with firmness measured using texture analyzer (r = 0.71; 0.92, p ≤ 0.01) and negative correlations with starch content (r = - 0.76, p ≤ 0.01) and CPLW (r = - 0.72, p ≤ 0.01). Inference drawn from the study was that in future acoustics can emerge as a quick and reliablenon-destructive method to predict the storage behaviour of apples.

Predicting the optimum harvesting dates for different exotic apple varieties grown under North Western Himalayan regions through acoustic and machine vision techniques.

Acoustic system and machine vision were used to evaluate the effects of different harvest dates on the quality and sensory attributes of exotic apple varieties of North Western Himalayan. Gala Redlum (V1) was harvested at 110 (H1), 120 (H2) and 130 (H3) Days from Full Bloom (DFFB); Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) were harvested at 130 (H1), 140 (H2) and 150 (H3) DFFB. Highest acoustic coefficient (21.13) and firmness (20.72 lbs) recorded at first harvest date (H1) decreased significantly (p (19.86 to 17.90 lbs) at second harvest (H2) and (17.77 to 16.80 lbs) at third harvest date. Highest starch iodine rating (3.72); anthocyanin content (24.81mg/100g); total soluble solids (12.10 %); total sugars (8.75 %) were recorded at H3 in all the varieties. For Gala Redlum (V1) 130 DFFB and for Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) 150 DFFB were predicted as suitable harvesting dates for table consumption.

Bioactive Contents and Fruit Traits of Some Apple Cultivars Grown in Kayseri

This study was carried out to determine the physical properties, biochemical and bioactive compounds of different apple cultivars grown in Yahyalı district of Kayseri province. The plant material of the research consisted of apple cvs. ‘Scarlet Spur’, ‘Starking Delicious’, ‘Starkrimson Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’, and ‘Super Chief’. In the study fruit weight, length, width, firmness, soluble solid contents (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP assays) were investigated. In the findings, significant differences were determined between the fruit characteristics of the cultivars. The highest fruit weight (289.96 g) and length (32.61 mm) were measured from ‘Scarlet Spur’, while the highest fruit width (34.86 mm) was measured from ‘Scarlet Spur’ and ‘Starkrimson Delicious’. The SSC was determined between 11.65 (‘Super Chief’)-14.30% (‘Starkrimson Delicious’), and TA between 0.47% (‘Super Chief’)-1.13% (‘Golden Delicious’). The highest vitamin C content was measured in ‘Starking Delicious’ cultivar (66 mg100 g-1) compared to the others. In terms of total phenolic content, ‘Scarlet Spur’ (38.2 g GAE L-1) and ‘Super Chief’ (36.5 g GAE L-1) cultivars had the highest values, while ‘Super Chief’ had the highest values in terms of total flavonoids (23.5 g QE L-1), and antioxidant activity (FRAP, 490.7 mmol TE L-1; DPPH, 1145.9 mmol TE L-1). As a result, it was revealed the differences between the physical, biochemical, and bioactive contents of apple cultivars grown in Yahyalı district of Kayseri province.

Abscisic acid application regulates vascular integrity and calcium allocation within apple fruits

Calcium is a very poorly translocated nutrient in the flesh of apple fruits with the advancement of growth. Within the fruit, movement is further restricted toward distal portion relative to proximal. Even numerous foliar applications of calcium do not always achieve the desired effect. Thus, the objective of this study was to enhance the calcium allocation in distal parts of apple fruit in response to whole plant application of abscisic acid (ABA). Five-year-old apple plants of Super Chief Sandidge on M9 were treated with ABA at 400 ppm, calcium chloride at 0.4% and water (Control) at four stages (30, 65, 100, and 135 days after full bloom (DAFB)), and then analyzed for xylem functionality and calcium allocation in leaf and various fruit tissues at 10 days after each treatment, i.e., S1—40, S2—75, S3—110, and S4—45 DAFB. The results obtained showed that xylem functionality started impairing just after S2; consequently, the calcium allocation was also reduced in middle and calyx portions of fruit after that stage. However, xylem functionality was significantly retained (up to 30%) in ABA-treated fruits at S4 stage, which in other treatments was found to be nil at the calyx end of the fruit. This retention of xylem tissue functionality enhanced allocation of calcium from roots in middle and calyx end of the apple fruit. Leaf calcium was reduced with ABA applications. With the enhancement of calcium in the fruits, increases in soluble solid content and titratable acidity were observed at maturity.

Physiological Activity, Nutritional Composition, and Gene Expression in Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) Influenced by Different ETc Levels of Irrigation at Distinct Development Stages

Managing irrigation efficiently is paramount given the uncertainty in the future availability of water and rising demand for this resource. Scheduled irrigation significantly influences vegetative growth through improving crop physiology and nutrient uptake and use efficiency. Influence of different irrigation treatments (100%, 75%, and 50% volume of Class A pan evapotranspiration) applied at four different phenological stages (flowering and fruit set (C1), fruit growth stage (C2), pre-harvest stage (C3), and throughout the growing season (C4)) through drip along with a control (rainfed) on leaf physiology, nutrient content, and uptake through gene expression was studied on Super Chief Sandidge variety raised on M9T337 (5 and 6 years old) grown at a spacing of 1.5 × 3 m (2222 plants/ha) under high density condition of Kashmir Himalayan range of India. A comparison of data reveals that drip irrigation at 100% Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) increased leaf area by 60% compared to rainfed conditions. Leaf area significantly increased in plants irrigated throughout the growing season (C4) and during flowering and fruit set stage (C1). Irrigation amount likely does not have any influence on leaf development after the fruit growth stage. Stomatal opening and their size greatly vary from no irrigation to optimum irrigation in these plants. High density apple trees exposed to optimum irrigation levels (100% and 75% ET) had significantly higher concentrations of nutrients (N, P, and K) in their leaf tissues. The concentration of Ca and Mg content in leaf tissues are greatly influenced by the optimum supply of water during the early growth stages of apple growth. The availability of water significantly influences nutrient transporter gene expression and thus nutrient uptake by regulating such transporter genes. It is therefore observed that proper irrigation during C1 and stage C2 stage are the critical growth stages of apple for optimum leaf physiological activity and proper nutrient uptake.

Cellular Energy Allocation of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) treated with Flubendiamide and Thiocyclam Hydrogen Oxalate on Different Tomato Cultivars

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is the most important pest for tomato production in Iran. The effect of flubendiamide and thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate insecticides was assessed on cellular energy allocation (CEA) of the third instar larvae of T. absoluta ingesting six different tomato cultivars. Plant leaves were treated with LC50 concentration of both insecticides and their energy available (Ea), energy consumption (Ec), and CEA were calculated. The results showed that total energy reserves (protein, carbohydrate, and lipid budgets) were significantly reduced after exposure to insecticides and tomato secondary metabolites. The larvae fed on Riogrande and Super Chief cultivars showed the least amount of energy available after treatment with both insecticides. The highest rate of oxygen consumption was observed in larvae fed on Calj, Super Luna, and Super strain B after treatment with flubendiamide. The amount of CEA decreased in treated larvae compared to untreated larvae. This reduction was statistically higher in treated larvae that fed on Riogrande and Super strain B cultivars. Reduction in CEA is probably due to the expenses of dealing with detoxification of insecticides and plant metabolites. CEA is a suitable and primary biomarker for the effects of cultivars and insecticides as integrate and summarizes insect energy allocation in variable situations.

Long-term Performance of ‘Delicious’ Apple Trees Grafted on Geneva® Rootstocks and Trained to Four High-density Systems under New York State Climatic Conditions

We conducted a large (0.8 ha) field experiment of system × rootstock, using Super Chief Delicious apple as cultivar at Yonder farm in Hudson, NY, between 2007 and 2017. In this study, we compared six Geneva® rootstocks (‘G.11’, ‘G.16’, ‘G.210’, ‘G.30’, ‘G.41’, and ‘G.935’) with one Budagovsky (‘B.118’) and three Malling rootstocks (‘M.7EMLA’, ‘M.9T337’ and ‘M.26EMLA’). Trees on each rootstock were trained to four high-density systems: Super Spindle (SS) (5382 apple trees/ha), Tall Spindle (TS) (3262 apple trees/ha), Triple Axis Spindle (TAS) (2243 apple trees/ha), and Vertical Axis (VA) (1656 apple trees/ha). Rootstock and training system interacted to influence growth, production, and fruit quality. When comparing systems, SS trees were the least vigorous but much more productive on a per hectare basis. Among the rootstocks we evaluated, ‘B.118’ had the largest trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), followed by ‘G.30’ and ‘M.7EMLA’, which were similar in size but they did not differ statistically from ‘G.935’. ‘M.9T337’ was the smallest and was significantly smaller than most of the other rootstocks but it did not differ statistically from ‘G.11’, ‘G.16’, ‘G.210’, ‘G.41’, and ‘M.26EMLA’. Although ‘B.118’ trees were the largest, they had low productivity, whereas the second largest rootstock ‘G.30’ was the most productive on a per hectare basis. ‘M.9’ was the smallest rootstock and failed to adequately fill the space in all systems except the SS, and had low cumulative yield. The highest values for cumulative yield efficiency (CYE) were with ‘G.210’ for all training systems except for VA, where ‘M.9T337’ had the highest value. The lowest values were for all training systems with ‘B.118’ and ‘M.7EMLA’. Regardless of the training system, ‘M.7EMLA’ trees had the highest number of root suckers. Some fruit quality traits were affected by training system, rootstock or system × rootstock combination.

Vegetative Growth and Foliage Nutrient Content of Super Chief Apple under Different Irrigation and Fertigation Schedules in NW Himalayan Region

ABSTRACT In the scheduling of nutrient supply programs, analysis of plant nutrient status has been found to be useful to prevent the deficiency or toxic effects of nutrients in any horticultural crop. So the present study was framed to assess the foliage nutrient content and vegetative growth under different irrigation and fertigation combination modules. Recently apple (Malus ×domestica) orchards in the state Himachal Pradesh of India have converted from the traditional royal delicious orchard at 6 × 6 m spacing with rainfed/basin irrigation to early spur varieties on dwarfing rootstock with drip irrigation, both with or without fertigation. An experimental field trial was started at the end of 2018 in a ‘Super Chief’/MM106 orchard at an experimental farm of the department of Soil Science & Water Management, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). A factorial experiment with 16 treatment combinations of 4 irrigation levels viz. I1 – drip irrigation at 100% ETc, I2 – drip irrigation at 80% ETc, I3 – drip irrigation at 60% ETc, I4 – conventional irrigation, and four fertigation levels viz. F0 – No fertilizer application (absolute control), F1 – 100% of AD (NPK), F2 – 75% of AD (NPK) and F3 – 50% of AD (NPK) were replicated thrice with 3 plants in each replication. Vegetative growth parameters and leaf nutrient contents were affected by both fertilization and water rate. Irrigation and nutrient levels and their interactions exhibited significant effect on leaf N (3.10%), P (0.28%), K (1.77%), and S (0.44%) contents. Significantly maximum contents were observed in the irrigation level I1 (DI at 100% ETc). Among fertigation level, F1 [100% AD (NPK)] recorded highest contents of leaf N (3.17%), P (0.29%), K (1.80%), S (0.46%). Interaction I1F1 registered maximum leaf N (3.36%), P (0.36%), K (1.92%) and S (0.63%). With an increase in the water volume and an increasing dose of NPK, vegetative growth parameters, i.e., tree height, plant spread, tree volume, trunk girth, and annual extension growth were noted to increase proportionately. Treatment DI at 100% ETc (I1), increased the tree height by 9.41, plant spread (EW by 32.0, NS by 16.3), tree volume by 61.36, trunk girth by 8.05, and annual extension growth by 14.22% over conventional irrigation (I4). Drip fertigated trees with F1 [100% AD (NPK)] reported the highest growth parameters. The results of two years apple trial suggested a positive effect of fertigation on enhanced effectiveness of fertilization and improved foliage nutrient content and vegetative growth.

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization.

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P≤0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.

Influence of drought stress and brassinosteroid on growth and Physio-biochemical characteristics of apple plants

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of drought stress and brassinosteroid on growth and physio-biochemical responses of one-year-old apple plants of ‘Super Chief’ and ‘Red Chief’ varieties. These plants were treated with foliar application of brassinosteroid 0.05 ppm and 0.10 ppm, three days prior to 15 days and 30 days of drought stress. The maximum reduction in growth parameters were registered by plants subjected to 30 days of drought stress as compared to 15 days of drought stress. The transpiration rate owed significant reduction under drought stress. Osmoregulating substances like free amino acid, total soluble sugar content and antioxidant enzyme such as catalase activity enhanced during drought stress which helped in enhancing drought tolerance. Maximum reduction of soil moisture content was registered in 30 days of drought stress over 15 days. However, brassinosteroid at both concentrations could help in maintaining vital growth and physio-biochemical processes under drought stress conditions. Foliar spray of brassinosteroid (0.05 ppm) before the imposition of stress can pave the way to minimize the deleterious effects of drought stress on apple plants.

First Report ofTruncatella angustataCausing Postharvest Fruit Rots on ‘Super Chief’ Apples in Greece

First Report of<i>Truncatella angustata</i>Causing Postharvest Fruit Rots on ‘Super Chief’ Apples in Greece

Effect of cultivar, rootstock, and growing conditions on fruit maturity and postharvest quality as part of a six-year apple trial in Chile

Fruit export is an important economic activity for Chile. Therefore, high productivity and quality fruit is a must in order to succeed in the business. A 6-year project was carried out to assess apple cultivars (‘Galaxy’, ‘Brookfield®Gala’, ‘Super Chief’, ‘Fuji Raku Raku’, ‘Braeburn’, ‘Granny Smith’, and ‘Cripps Pink’) and rootstock’s (M.M.106 and M.9 EMLA) performance across different Chilean apple-growing areas (Graneros, San Clemente, Chillan, Angol, and Temuco). Fruit maturity (firmness, soluble solids, starch degradation, internal ethylene concentration, and skin color) pre-and-postharvest was assessed weekly starting one-month prior harvest and monthly postharvest during years 4, 5, and 6 of the trial. Physiological disorders were also evaluated monthly for 6 months in RA (0-1oC, >95% RH) storage. Based on bioclimatic variables, growing sites showed a clear distribution pattern on all principal component analyses, and it was more relevant than the growing season. In general, red skin color of most cultivars increased in sites towards the south of the country (cooler), regardless of the rootstock. Overall fruit firmness increased towards the southern sites in some cultivars, although not always statistically different. The highest softening rates pre-harvest were observed in ‘Galaxy’ and ‘Brookfield®Gala’. In ‘Galaxy’, the lowest softening rate was observed in Temuco (coolest site). Brookfield®Gala’ and ‘Galaxy’ apples grown in warmer sites (San Clemente and Angol) showed a sharper increase in internal ethylene concentration (IEC) than cooler sites (Temuco and Chillan) earlier in the season. Fruit quality and condition postharvest is also discussed.

Response of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica to ozone

ABSTRACT Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica is a major causal agent of plant diseases on summer crops in fields and greenhouses. In order to reduce environmental concerns, compounds having pesticidal capacity with insignificant residue can be a good alternative to synthetic pesticides. This study was undertaken to investigate the nematicidal capability of ozone under Petri dish (in vitro) and pot (in the rhizosphere of tomato seedlings cv. Super Chief) conditions. The experiments were conducted based on Completely Randomized Design in four replicates with two antimicrobial materials, Cadusafos (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3 g kg-1 soil) and ozone (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g kg-1 soil). Results confirmed the significant in vitro controlling effect of ozone on nematode egg (85%, in 0.4 g kg-1 soil) and second stage juvenile (72%, in 0.4 g kg-1 soil) populations. Also a toxic effect of ozone was observed on the nematode pathogenicity, i.e. galling (83%, in 0.4 g kg-1 soil), on tomato root in pot assays. Plant morphological traits (i.e. root fresh weight, foliage fresh weight, and stem length) were not significantly affected by ozone. Therefore, taking into account the principles of safety in the application of ozone, this material can be suggested as an alternative nematicide, at least at limited and controlled condition.

Performance of exotic apple varieties grafted on M9T337 clonal rootstock under high density plantation

Average number of flowers/cluster was found highest in ‘Fuji Zehn Aztec’ (5.92) and average number of fruits/cluster was recorded in ‘Golden Clone B’ (3.24). Fruit to leaf ratio was found maximum in ‘Golden Clone B’ (34.65) and lowest in ‘Super Chief Sandidge’ (25.28). Fruit set (%) and Fruit retention (%) was observed maximum in variety ‘Golden Clone B’ (85.09% and 48.49% respectively). Highest yield and yield efficiency was observed highest in ‘Golden Clone B’ (4.95 kg/tree and 1.42 kg/cm2 respectively). As per the maturity ‘Gala Red Lum’ may be categorized as early, ‘Super Chief Sandidge’ as mid-season and ‘Fuji Zhen Aztec’ and ‘Golden Clone B’ found late. The overall results indicate that the introduced apple varieties are characterized with different biological and quality polymorphism. All of the studied varieties show positive characteristics and can be recommended for further evaluation and mass multiplication.

Effects of N-fertilization and rootstocks on the performance of ‘Red Delicious’ Spur apple trees

In a field trial with the Spur variety Super Chief® Sandidge, three different levels of nitrogen supply (50, 100, 150 kg ha(-1)) in combination with 3 rootstocks (M9 at 8333 trees ha(-1), M26 at 5555 trees ha(-1) and Pi80 at 4166 trees ha(-1)) were compared with respect to soil nitrogen dynamics, leaf nutrient levels, tree vigour and yield. The experimental orchard was planted in 2007 and the trial lasted until 2014. The data collected in this period revealed no significant effect of nitrogen levels above 50 kg ha(-1) year-1 on tree vigour and fruit yield, whereas clear differences emerge with respect to the different planting systems (rootstock/planting density). The observed soil nitrogen dynamics indicate that a considerable amount of mineral nitrogen may be lost by leaching from the very permeable soil at the site of the experiment, in particular in the case of high fertilizer applications and humid climatic conditions. Leaf nitrogen contents were not significantly affected by fertilizer rates.

Book Review of White, Earl Warren: A Public Life and Schwartz, Super Chief: Earl Warren and His Supreme Court – A Judicial Biography

This brief 1985 essay review discusses the nature of Supreme Court decision making as understood by two leading legal scholars, G. Edward White and Bernard Schwartz, in their respective analyses of the work of Chief Justice Earl Warren and the Warren Court in two then-recent books. The essay pays particular attention to each author’s understanding, in connection with his respective analysis, of concepts such as judicial leadership and activism, as well as the connections between the intellectual and political aspects of the Supreme Court’s work and between decision making and opinion writing. Finally, the essay questions the sufficiency of Warren’s alleged reliance on his own ethical values as a basis for constitutional decision making, given the obvious existence of competing ethical values, such as those represented by cost-benefit analysis, which may be held by other Justices.

Expression of some stress-responsive genes in tomato plants treated with ABA and sulfonamide compounds.

Drought causes an increase in some gene expression in plant tissues such as plasma membrane intrinsic proteins type 1 (PIP1), 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) SlAREB1. The effects of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and two sulfonamide compounds, namely, sulfacetamide (Sa) and sulfasalazine (SS) were studied on gene expression of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Cv. Super chief) under drought stress. We extracted these three genes from Lycopersicon esculantum Mill. Cv. Super chief leaves treated with ABA, sulfacetamide (Sa) and sulfasalazine (SS) after 24 h and 144 h of drought conditions. All treatments caused an increase in LePIP1, LeNCED1, and SlAREB1 genes expression under drought stress, leading to maintenance of the life potential of tomato plants under water deficit. It seems that these genes help the tomato plants to live under drought conditions.