Total Berry Number Research Articles

Preliminary studies on microbial management efficiency of ozonated water on Italian ready-to-eat table grape variety

Ozonated water is an alternative means of post-harvest fruit and vegetable management that keeps gaining interest for its applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ozonated water at different concentrations (12 mg L-1 and 8 mg L-1) on ready-to-eat Italian ‘Regal seedless’ grapes, to assess the ozone effect on grey mould and berry microbiome (non-Saccharomyces yeasts, total bacteria, and total fungi). An ozone generator capable of producing ozone concentration ranging from 18 to 65 Nm3 was used to obtain the different ozone concentration levels in water where berries were immersed. After 26 days of cold storage, grey mould incidence was assessed as percentage ratio between the number of affected berries and the total number of berries. Berries dipped into ozonated water at the higher ozone concentration of 12 mg L-1 showed a 61% average reduction of the overall disease incidence compared to the control. Moreover, the microbiome of berries treated with 12 mg L-1 ozone concentration showed significant reduction of fungal and yeast populations, while not showing any significant difference for the bacterial population, compared to the control.

3DBunch: A Novel iOS-Smartphone Application to Evaluate the Number of Grape Berries per Bunch Using Image Analysis Techniques

Evaluating the number of berries per bunch is a vital step of grape yield estimation in viticulture but is a labour intensive task for traditional manual measurement. Therefore, this paper develops a novel smartphone application for counting berries automatically from a single image. The application, called 3DBunch, acquires images from the camera or the album on a smartphone, and then estimates the number of berries by a reconstructed 3D bunch model based on the proposed image analysis techniques that are embedded in the developed iOS app. It also presents features of visualising the statistics of the reconstructed bunch, which including of the distribution of detected berry size in pixels and the total number of berries. It also has the capability of presenting sampling related information, which includes the person who conducted the sampling, the location of samples, the dates of sampling, the variety, farm, vineyards etc. The application was evaluated both on a simulator on a commercial computer and an iPad mini 4. By analysing 291 bunch images from two varieties the app achieved an accuracy of 91% regarding berry counting per bunch. Additionally, the computational time consumed to process 100 images on iPad mini 4 was studied and returned an average of 7.51 seconds per image. Obtaining these results with only a smartphone and a small backing board for capturing a photo with a single bunch, 3DBunch provides an efficient way for farmers to count berries in-vivo and it is available in the iOS App Store.

Effect of plant regulators on set and berry development in certain seedless and seeded varieties of Vitis vinifera L.

Flowering clusters on ungirdled, nondefoliated shoots of 'Black Corinth', and girdled shoots defoliated to 1 /ia leaf, were dipped in 4-CPA at 15 ppm, or GA3 at 5 or 15 ppm. In nondefoliated shoots the set was decreased about 13 °/o at 15 ppm, but there were no significant differences among the other treatments. All treatments produced heavier rachises, berries, and clusters than the ungirdled, untreated controls. In defoliated shoots the set was decreased approximately 85 °/o by GA3 at 15 ppm. 4-CPA significantly increased set, but a mixture of GA3 and 4-CPA did not alter set. Similar experiments were carried on with the seeded varieties 'Pinot Chardonnay', 'Muscat of Alexandria', and 'Grenache'. Clusters on ungirdled nondefoliated shoots were dipped in GA3, 4-CPA, or a mixture of the two compounds. Like treatments were made on other clusters on shoots defoliated to 1/4 leaf. There was a varietal difference in response among the seeded varieties. The compounds injured the Muscat and reduced the set and berry size. All treatments increased the set of seedless berries on nondefoliated shoots of 'Pinot'. In both 'Chardonnay' and 'Grenache' there was a shift from seeded to seedless berries. Application of 4-CPA resulted in a significantly greater set in total number of berries on defoliated shoots of 'Chardonnay' and 'Muscat'. All solutions containing GA3 increased siz'e of seedless berries on nondefoliated shoots of 'Pinot'. GA3 applied at shatter stage increased size of seedless 'Muscat' berries. With one exception, there was no increase in size of one-, two-, or three-seeded berries. Percentage set was significantly increased in defoliated shoots of 'Muscat' by 4-CPA, and in 'Pinot' by 4-CPA or a mixture of 4-CPA and GA3. A kinin, benzyladenine, failed to increase set or berry size, but intensified the development of a purple anthocyanin pigment in 'Muscat'. The possible importance of the ratio of a leaf-produced set factor to gibberellin in berry set in 'Black Corinth' is discussed.

Association analysis of grapevine bunch traits using a comprehensive approach.

A set of SNP markers associated to bunch compactness and related traits were identified in grapevine. Bunch compactness plays an important role in the sanitary status and perceived quality of table and wine grapes, being influenced by cultural practices and by environmental and genetic factors, which are mostly unknown. In this work, we took advantage of genetic, genomic and bioinformatic advances to analyze part of its molecular basis through a combination of transcriptomic and association analyses. Results from different transcriptomic comparisons between loose and compact grapevine clones were analyzed to select a set of candidate genes likely involved in the observed variation for bunch compactness. Up to 183 genes were sequenced in a grapevine collection, and 7032 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in more than 100 varieties with a frequency of the minor allele over 5%. They were used to test their association in three consecutive seasons with bunch compactness and two of its most influencing factors: total berry number and length of the first ramification of the rachis. Only one SNP was associated with berry number in two seasons, suggesting the high sensitiveness of this trait to seasonal environmental changes. On the other hand, we found a set of SNPs associated with both the first ramification length and bunch compactness in various seasons, in several genes which had not previously related to bunch compactness or bunch compactness-related traits. They are proposed as interesting candidates for further functional analyses aimed to verify the results obtained in this work, as a previous step to their inclusion in marker-assisted selection strategies.

Water Table Control for Increasing Yield and Saving Water in Cranberry Production

Water table control has been successfully tested to improve the sustainability of water management in cranberry production. In the province of Québec (Canada), three sites were investigated to determine the optimum water table depth below soil surface (WTD) using three criteria: (1) increasing yield without decreasing fruit quality; (2) minimizing the amount of water needed by the sprinkler system; and (3) avoiding hypoxic stresses in the rhizosphere. Our results show that the final yield, the berry sugar content, the total number of berries, the number of berries per upright, and the fruit set were maximized when the WTD was 60 cm. Sprinkler water savings of 77% were obtained where the WTD was shallower than 66 cm. In order to avoid hypoxic conditions due to poor drainage, the water level in the canals surrounding the beds should be lowered to 80 cm when a rainfall or a frost protection irrigation is anticipated. All sides of a block of beds must be surrounded by canals to ensure a uniform WTD and to avoid lateral hydraulic gradients that could cause peripheral seepage losses.

Multicultivar and multivariate study of the natural variation for grapevine bunch compactness

Background and Aims Grapevine bunch compactness is an important trait with impact on fruit quality, mainly affecting the susceptibility to bunch rot. Many and different variables have been reported to have a significant influence on the variation of bunch compactness in particular cultivars, but little is known about the role of such variables in a wider framework. The aim of this work was to identify and weight the features responsible for the natural variation in bunch compactness in a large and diverse grapevine collection. Methods and Results Different statistical tests were sequentially applied to select the determining variables most influencing bunch compactness. Significant and low correlation was obtained for most of the variables studied for three consecutive seasons, confirming the multifactorial nature of this trait. Multivariate analyses indicated that there are three groups of variables with a significant influence on bunch compactness. Two groups, represented by the total number of berries per bunch and by the length of the first ramification of the bunch, are major factors responsible for the trait variation, whereas berry dimensions have a secondary role. Conclusions Bunch compactness is defined by the difference between its morphological (apparent) volume and its actual (solid) volume. The results showed that the actual volume is mainly determined by the total number of berries, whereas the morphological volume also depends on its spatial arrangement, determined by the architecture of the rachis. Significance of the Study This is the first multiyear study of bunch compactness at a multicultivar level, and it has allowed the selection and weighting of the main variables affecting the trait. These variables are suitable targets to study the underlying genetics of the trait.

Physico-chemical Properties of Serendipity Berry (<i>Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii</i>) Fruit

This study evaluates the physico-chemical properties of serendipity berry. Physico-chemical properties of the serendipity berries were analyzed. The total number of berries in a bunch of fruit ranged from 45 to 98. This depends on the size of the bunch. The results revealed the dry matter, moisture, soluble solids and vitamin C to be 19.56%, 80.44%, 11.20% and 12.80mg/100g respectively. Titratable acidity and pH were 0.21 % and 6.6 respectively. The number of berries per bunch ranged from 45-98 and the 10-fruit weight was 5.30g. Total carotenoid value was 2.01 mg/100g in the fruit. The fruits have appreciable amount of total soluble solid which could serve as a source of energy. Serendipity berry fruits compared relatively with other fruits used in the fruit industry. Keywords : Carotenoids, Fruit, Physico-chemical properties, Serendipity berry

Influência da cobertura vegetal do solo na qualidade dos frutos de videira 'Niagara Rosada'

Devido ao aumento no custo de produção com a utilização de cobertura morta com capim nas ruas da videira 'Niagara Rosada' e à dificuldade para sua aquisição, objetivou-se a possibilidade de substituí-la por plantas de cobertura intercalares. Em experimentos realizados em Indaiatuba e Jundiaí-SP, de 1999-2000 a 2003-2004, instalaram-se seis tratamentos nas entrelinhas, em blocos ao acaso e quatro repetições, constando de área no limpo; vegetação espontânea roçada; cobertura com capim seco de Brachiaria decumbens; cobertura verde de aveia preta (Avena strigosa); cobertura verde de chícharo (Lathyrus sativus); cobertura verde de tremoço (Lupinus albus), de março a outubro, seguidas de cobertura verde de mucuna anã (Mucuna deeringiana) de outubro a março. Determinaram-se massa, comprimento e largura do cacho, engaço e bagas, número total de bagas por cacho e diâmetro do pedicelo de bagas, comparando-se os valores médios pelo teste de Duncan ao nível de 5%. Na média dos anos, os resultados com a cobertura verde foram similares ou mais favoráveis que os da cobertura com braquiária seca, podendo-se substituí-la por coberturas vegetais intercalares com gramínea e leguminosas, o ano todo, sem interferência negativa na qualidade comercial dos frutos.

The Influence of 1-MCP on Shelf-Life Quality of Highbush Blueberry

To determine if postharvest treatments of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) retard the senescence of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) removed from storage, `Burlington' (early) and `Coville' (late) fruit were harvested from four experimental sites and treated for 24 hours at 20 °C with 0 (control), 25 (low), 100 (medium), or 400 (high) nL·L-1 of 1-MCP. All fruit were then stored in a controlled atmosphere of 10-15 kPa O2 and 10 kPa CO2 at -1 to 1 °C for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, followed by a 20 °C shelf-life of up to 20 days. During the shelf-life period immediately after harvest and those following each storage removal, percent marketable fruit (PMF) were calculated daily as: [fruit in good condition]/[total berry number] × 100. Changes in PMF were not affected by 1-MCP treatment; hence, we conclude that 1-MCP at rates up to 400 nL·L-1 does not alter the shelf-life quality of the highbush blueberry cultivars tested.

Strawberry, Slug Control with Deadline Bullet, 1994

Abstract A molluscicide was applied to 2 year old strawberries at a commercial field near Fennville, MI at three different rates (10, 20, and 40 lb. per acre) on 19 Jun. Chemical was applied as a band application on both sides of the treatment row. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design consisting of 4 ft. by 20 linear ft. plots, replicated 4 times. The entire experiment was conducted in one row of strawberries located 4 rows from the edge of a field bordered by woods. Evaluations were conducted on 17 Jun (precount), 22 Jun and 29 Jun. Each evaluation consisted of a slug count in the field and a berry damage assessment. Slug counts were conducted by counting the number of slugs beneath a 1 ft2 piece of 0.5-inch plywood placed flat on the ground next to the row in each plot. Fruit damage was evaluated for one pint of berries from each plot. The total number of berries and the number of berries fed upon by slugs were counted and converted to a percent injury value.

Irrigation Scheduling for Young Highbush Blueberry Plants in Arkansas

Abstract A moisture accounting method was used to schedule trickle irrigation on 3-year-old highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) ‘Bluecrop’ planted in 140-liter barrels. Crop coefficients (K) of 1.00, 0.75, and 0.50 were used to relate Class “A” Weather Bureau pan evaporation to consumptive water use during three growth stages. No significant differences were found in yield, total berry number, average berry size, berry pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids (TSS), TSS : acids ratio, and vegetative growth among the irrigation treatments. Significant differences in initiated flower buds were seen, but no trends were noted. An average water savings over the entire season of 57.0%, 67.7%, and 78.5% of the currently recommended irrigation rate of 3.8 liter·day−1 was observed when irrigation was scheduled using K values of 1.00, 0.75, and 0.50, respectively. A K value of 0.75 was considered to be the optimum crop coefficient for young highbush blueberries growing under Arkansas conditions.