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Effect of orchard site and climatic conditions on plant nematode density levels
Phytoparasitic nematodes are commonly found in the soil and their presence can lead to plant diseases, weaker growth, reduced yields and lower fruit quality. A study conducted in 2006–2009, involving the monitoring of climatic conditions, identified the influence of precipitation and temperature on the number of nematodes, in 7 sites within a cherry orchard. Soil samples to assess nematode populations were taken from 7 sites that differed in terms of cultivation and age: 5 cherry orchards established in different years. Not all nematode taxa responded in the same way to temperature increase. Members of the families Belonolaimidae, Trichodoridae and the genus Aphelenchus increased in number with rising temperatures. The negative water balance limited the number of nematodes in the soil in the layer up to 30 cm, whereas the increase in soil moisture had a positive effect on the development of Paratylenchus spp., and mebers of the family Hoplolaimidae and Heterodera. The largest total number of nematodes was found on the strip cultivated with agricultural crops after orchard liquidation. However, parasitic nematodes accounted for were at low levels (17%). The size of fruits from trees growing on sites with a large number of nematodes decreased with a simultaneous increase in total soluble solids and fruit firmness.
Influence of Mulching on Replantation Disease in Sour Cherry Orchard
Increasingly, in orchards around the world that are planted one after another, disturbances are observed, and these issues with growth and development are called replantation disease. It is manifested mainly by poor tree growth after planting and poor ripening. One way to reduce replantation disease is to improve soil fertility after many years of fruit tree cultivation. The aim of the work was to evaluate the growth and yield of cherries after replantation and to compare this with a site where fruit trees had not grown before. The trees were planted at two sites: after the replantation of the cherry orchard (OR1) and in a site where fruit trees had not been cultivated before (OR2). Two combinations were used in each orchard: boiler without mulching (C), mulch—after planting mulching with a substrate after growing mushrooms (M). The trees at the site after replantation grew and bore less fruit than in the position where fruit trees had not grown before. The disease also affected some of the quality characteristics of the fruit. This resulted in an increase in fruit weight and a darker color (L*) and a higher value of hue fruit color. Mulching, which is often recommended in orchards planted after previous cultivation, did not provide the expected improvement. It did not significantly affect tree growth and yield. Only an effect on the content of components in the soil was observed, but it affected the condition of the trees. In addition, we analyzed how experimental combinations responded to climatic conditions by calculating the correlations between the SAT (sum of active temperatures) and the stages of tree development.
Weather Conditions, Orchard Age and Nitrogen Fertilization Influences Yield and Quality of ‘Łutówka’ Sour Cherry Fruit
Nitrogen fertilization is a basic agrotechnical orchard treatment, and affects quality and size of the crops. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of sour cherry fruit of the ‘Łutówka’ cultivar. The course of climatic conditions in relation to the timing of flowering and fruiting was analyzed. The trials were carried out in three different experimental sour cherry orchards (quarters) with different planting dates (1999, 2001 and 2002) located at the experimental orchard of the Poznań University of Life Sciences in Poland. In each orchard, three levels of fertilization were used: control without fertilization, fertilization at a dose of 60 kg N ha−1 and fertilization at 120 kg N ha−1. Increasing the dose of N did not have a significant effect on sour cherry yield. However, it resulted in a reduction of fruit weight, extract content, acidity and TSS/TA ratio, whereas the brightness (L*) and redness (a*) of the fruit surface color increased. Temperature and precipitation had the greatest influence on the course of flowering, fruiting and fruit ripening. Particularly important was the course of climatic conditions at the beginning of the growing season, especially during flowering, when there is a high risk of spring frosts. The timing of flowering and fruiting was correlated with the sum of active temperatures. The greatest relationship for the flowering date was found for SAT (sum of active temperatures) when the base temperature equals 11 °C and the temperature for the harvest date equals 9 °C.
The influence of foliar fertilization of maiden pear trees and soaking the root system of the rootstocks in hydrogel with the addition of Trifender WP preparation on the growth of maiden quince trees in a nursery
The comparison of the influence of foliar fertilization with four preparations on the growth of ‘Conference’ maiden pear trees growing on MA quince rootstock was conducted in a nursery in a three-year period. The evaluation was conducted on the basis of maidens growth parameters and the state of their leaf minerals content as well as on photosynthetic activity of the maiden trees. The preparations used in the experiment affected the improvement of some growth parameters studied, especially the stem diameter and fresh mass of the maidens. Biopuls Original turned out to be the best preparation as it improved significantly three out of five studied growth parameters. A varied impact of the preparations used on the content of micro and macro-elements in leaves was detected. All tested preparations positively influenced the leaves area index of maiden trees except for Blackjak preparation. Photosynthetic intensity of maiden pear trees nourished through leaves was significantly smaller in comparison with the control. Only plants treated with Biopulus Original were characterized by a higher concentration of CO2 and its level in intercellular space. The aim of the second experiment was to check the influence of the application of Trifender WP preparation with hydrogel on the growth of ‘Champion’ maiden quince trees at the stage of planting the rootstocks into a nursery. A better branching of the rootstocks was obtained after the use of the preparation with hydrogel and the hydrogel alone. The trees in these combinations were also characterized by bigger fresh and dry mass of the leaves. The influence of Trifinder WP applied in connection with hydrogel was the best.
Wpływ Polyversum WP i 1-metylocyklopropenu na jakość i zdolność przechowalniczą jabłek odmiany 'Pinova'
Thinning Methods to Regulate Sweet Cherry Crops—A Review
In perennial fruit crops, bearing can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions, germplasm, rootstocks, and cultivation methods. Cherries, one of the most important and popular fruit species from the temperate climate zone, achieve high prices on the market. New agricultural technologies and environmental factors force a change in the approach to cherry cultivation. Old-type cherry orchards, with their high demand for water, nutrients, and manual work, are replaced by orchards of self-pollinating cherry cultivars grown on dwarf rootstocks. These changes make it necessary to search for ways to regulate fruiting, in particular to thin buds, flower, and fruit. In light of environmental regulations and consumer pressure, thinning methods are being sought that either do not involve the use of chemicals or that use eco-friendly chemical agents. This review examines recent progress in understanding the effect of thinning methods on the physiology, tree growth, and fruit quality of cherries; discusses horticultural practices aimed to ensure regular cropping and their influence on fruit quality; and provides suggestions for future research.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Tree Growth and Nutrient Content in Soil and Cherry Leaves (Prunus cerasus L.)
Nitrogen fertilization ensures the proper growth of trees. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of differentiated nitrogen fertilization on selected parameters. It was assumed that such analysis is an indirect picture of the needs of cherries grown in herbicide fallow. The content of minerals in two layers of the soil, in leaves, and its influence on tree growth, and the content of chlorophyll in leaves were assessed. The experiments were carried out in three different cherry orchards. Three levels of fertilization were applied in each orchard: 0 kg, 60 kg, and 120 kg N ha−1. As expected the fertilization resulted in an increase in the content of nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen in the soil, however, their content was also dependent on precipitation and temperature. Additionally, high nitrogen fertilization increased the content of phosphorus and potassium and decreased the magnesium in the topsoil layer. High nitrogen fertilization caused the decreased content of phosphorus and potassium in the leaves. The level of calcium and magnesium in leaves increased with fertilization of 60 kg N ha−1 but decreased with the dose to 120 kg N ha−1. The use of nitrogen fertilization increased the vegetative growth of trees measured by leaf area and trunk cross-sectional area. However, the chlorophyll content was not dependent on the amount of nitrogen fertilization. Based on the results, it can be concluded that 60 kg N ha−1 is the optimal dose, ensuring proper nutrition of cherry trees.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization in the Sour Cherry Orchard on Soil Enzymatic Activities, Microbial Population, and Fruit Quality
Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in Poland and ‘Łutówka’ is the dominant cultivar in commercial orchards. The experiment was carried out in 2007–2013 in three orchards; in each of them, three levels of fertilization were applied: 0 N kg ha−1, 60 kg N ha−1, and 120 kg N ha−1. The activity of dehydrogenase and protease in the soil was studied depending on nitrogen fertilization. The abundance of soil microorganisms was assessed: bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and nitrogenous bacteria (Azospirillum and Azotobacter) in the years during the experiments carried out with fertilization of 60 kg N ha−1 in all orchards. The enzyme activity of dehydrogenases increased after the use of 60 kg N ha−1 from 3.8 to 6.7 (cm3 H2 24 h−1 kg−1 DW soil), but a further increase in the dose to 120 kg N ha−1 caused a decrease in activity to 5.1 (cm3 H2 24 h−1 kg−1 DW soil). The activity of proteases was dependent on nitrogen fertilization, but to a large extent it was related to the course of climatic conditions. There is no relationship between the growth and the activity of proteases. The yield and selected quality parameters of the cherry fruits were associated with both dehydrogenases and proteases. The use of lower doses of nitrogen fertilizers allows for maintaining biological balance in the soil and a more efficient use of nutrients, contributing to less environmental pollution.