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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Effects of foliar sprays containing calcium, magnesium and titanium on plum (Prunus domestica L.) fruit quality.

An experiment was performed in which Ti(4+)-ascorbate was sprayed onto plum trees in several combinations with other commercial compounds containing Ca2+ and Mg2+ to study the effects on the commercial quality of fruits, with special focus on improving their resistance against postharvest handling damage. All the treatments containing titanium increased the tree performance (branch elongation, flowering and fruit setting intensities) and fruit size. At harvest fruits from the Ti-treated trees showed improved resistance to compression and penetration, as well as a decrease in weight-loss during postharvest storage. A similar response was obtained for the external colour, though all the treatments seemed to delay somewhat the apparent ripening status. Nevertheless, the fruits from Ti-treated trees showed a better behaviour in the evolution of the colour parameters during storage than did the control fruits. Titanium application significantly increased the calcium, iron, copper and zinc concentrations in peel and flesh. This improvement in the calcium absorption is explained as a consequence of the beneficial effect of titanium on the absorption, translocation and assimilation processes.

Calcium↗
PubMed2005

Stigma development and receptivity in almond (Prunus dulcis).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fertilization is essential in almond production, and pollination can be limiting in production areas. This study investigated stigma receptivity under defined developmental stages to clarify the relationship between stigma morphology, pollen germination, tube growth and fruit set. METHODS: Light and scanning electron microscopy were employed to examine stigma development at seven stages of flower development ranging from buds that were swollen to flowers in which petals were abscising. Flowers at different stages were hand pollinated and pollen germination and tube growth assessed. Artificial pollinations in the field were conducted to determine the effect of flower age on fruit set. KEY RESULTS: Later stages of flower development exhibited greater stigma receptivity, i.e. higher percentages of pollen germination and more extensive tube growth occurred in older (those opened to the flat petal stage or exhibiting petal fall) than younger flowers. Enhanced stigma receptivity was associated with elongation of stigmatic papillae and increased amounts of stigmatic exudate that inundated papillae at later developmental stages. Field pollinations indicated that the stigma was still receptive and nut set was maintained in older flowers. CONCLUSIONS: Stigma receptivity in almond does not become optimal until flowers are past the fully open stage. The stigma is still receptive and fruit set is maintained in flowers even at the stage when petals are abscising. Strategies to enhance pollination and crop yield, including the timing and placement of honey bees, should consider the effectiveness of developmentally advanced flowers.

Flowers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic mapping of the evergrowing gene in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch].

In temperate locations, terminal apices on evergrowing (also called evergreen) peach trees keep growing in winter until killed by low temperatures, while the lateral buds go into dormancy. A recessive allele of a single gene (evergrowing or evg) controls this trait in peach. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique and bulked segregant analysis were applied to construct a local genetic linkage map for the evg gene from the cross Empress op op dwarf x Evergrowing (P.I. 442380). This map, comprising nine AFLP markers and the evg locus, covers a total genetic distance of 79.3 cM. Four dominant AFLP markers (EAT/MCAC, ETT/MCCA2, EAT/MCTA, and ETT/MACC) were linked to the evg locus at distances of 1, 5.3, 6.7, and 11.7 cM, respectively. EAT/MCAC and EAT/MCTA were converted into polymorphic sequence-tagged sites. Microsatellite markers in the evg region were developed from peach bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones that hybridized to the AFLP marker fragments. Using three microsatellite anchor markers (pchgms12, pchgms17, and pchgms19), the local genetic linkage map was integrated into one minor linkage group of a previously constructed peach rootstock genetic linkage map. Three AFLP markers from the rootstock genetic linkage map were found linked to the evg locus.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Contribution of vegetative storage proteins to seasonal nitrogen variations in the young shoots of peach trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch).

Qualitative and quantitative variations in the level of two low molecular weight vegetative storage proteins (VSP 19 kDa and 16.5 kDa) in peach shoots were compared with annual variations in total nitrogen and total soluble proteins. Protein patterns were obtained by SDS-PAGE and silver staining on each of the 12 kinetic samples collected between October 1995 and November 1996. VSP 16.5 kDa and 19 kDa exhibited typical annual VSP variations in both parenchyma and phloem. In wood, VSP 16.5 kDa was only present in November. All N compounds tested were stored in the autumn and their levels fell in the spring. Parenchyma was the principal stem storage tissue for all N compounds tested, even if proteins were more often highly concentrated in phloem and even if wood was the major shoot constituent. In winter, the two VSP accounted for 13% of bark proteins and 11% of wood proteins. Their storage yield, given by the winter/summer (W/S) ratio was higher (18.5) than that of total proteins (4). Between August to March, i.e. during the storage phase, N fractions obtained from VSP (N3) and total soluble proteins minus VSP (N2) accounted, respectively, for only 3% and 21% of total N accumulation in the bark, the remainder being due to the fraction not extracted (N1). A marked drop in all N compound levels characterized the mobilization phase (March to April), particularly for N3 (-84% between March and April) which were mobilized slightly before other N compounds. Although N3 exhibited the best mobilization yield, it represented only 5% of the total N mobilized. So, in spite of a similarity between VSP and N annual variation patterns, there was no tight correlation between their contents in bark. N2 supplied a high proportion of the N used for spring regrowth (40%), but the larger share (55%) came from N1 which was probably made up of free amino acids. Very tight positive correlations have been observed between these two N fractions and the N status. The lower bark total N content measured in August (6.4 mg N g(-1 )DW) during the assimilation phase (April to August) was equal to the unavailable N fraction, and the bark N mobilization potential (between March and August) was estimated at 6.35 mg N g(-1) DW. VSP did not quantitatively represent the main stored N pool. But, because of their high W/S ratio and their early remobilization, they seemed to play an important role in spring regrowth initiation.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed2004

The gene geranylgeranyl reductase of peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) is regulated during leaf development and responds differentially to distinct stress factors.

Plant geranylgeranyl hydrogenase (CHL P) reduces free geranylgeranyl diphosphate to phytil diphosphate, which provides the side chain to chlorophylls, tocopherols, and plastoquinones. In peach, the single copy gene (PpCHL P) encodes a deduced product of 51.68 kDa, which harbours a transit peptide for cytoplasm-to-chloroplast transport and a nicotinamide binding domain. The PpCHL P message was abundant in chlorophyll-containing tissues and flower organs, but barely detected in the roots and mesocarp of ripening fruits, suggesting that transcription was related to plastid types and maturation. The message was not revealed in shoot apical meristems, but spread thoroughly in leaf cells during the early stages and was located mainly in the palisade of mature leaves, which exhibited higher transcript levels than young ones. Hence, the transcription of PpCHL P was likely to be regulated during leaf development. Gene expression was monitored in leaves responding to natural dark, cold, wounding, stress by imposed darkening, and during the curl disease. Transcription was stimulated by light, but repressed by dark and cold stress. In darkened leaves, the PpCHL P message was augmented concomitantly with that of CATALASE. In wounded leaves, the message decreased, but recovered rapidly, whereas in curled leaves, a reduction in gene expression was related to leaf damage intensity. However, transcript signals increased locally both in cells mechanically wounded by a needle and in those naturally injured by the pathogenic fungus Taphrina deformans. These data suggest that PpCHL P expression was regulated by photosynthetic activity and was possibly involved in the defence response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

The effect of root pressurization on water relations, shoot growth, and leaf gas exchange of peach (Prunus persica) trees on rootstocks with differing growth potential and hydraulic conductance.

It is well known that rootstocks can have an effect on the vegetative growth and development of the tree; however, there has been no clear explanation about the physiological mechanism involved in this phenomenon. Evidence indicates that the rootstock effects on tree vegetative growth may be related to hydraulic limitations of the rootstock. The objective of these experiments was to investigate the shoot growth, water potential, and gas exchange of peach trees on different rootstocks in response to manipulations of water relations of trees on rootstocks that differ in root hydraulic conductance. Tree water relations were manipulated by applying different amounts of pneumatic pressure on the root system and then relative shoot extension growth rate, tree transpiration rate, leaf water potential, leaf conductance, leaf transpiration, and net CO(2) exchange rate responses were measured. Root pressurization increased leaf water potential, relative shoot extension growth rate, leaf conductance, leaf transpiration, and net CO(2) exchange rates of trees on both vigorous and dwarfing rootstocks. There was a significant positive linear correlation between applied pneumatic pressure and tree transpiration rate and leaf water potential. Leaf conductance, transpiration rate, and net CO(2) exchange rate as well as relative shoot extension growth rates were also positively correlated with the applied pneumatic pressure on the root system. These relationships were consistent across both vigorous and size-controlling rootstocks, indicating that rootstock hydraulic limitation may be directly involved in the vegetative growth control of peach trees.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed2006

Relationship of water status to vegetative growth and leaf gas exchange of peach (Prunus persica) trees on different rootstocks.

We investigated relationships between tree water status, vegetative growth and leaf gas exchange of peach trees growing on different rootstocks under field conditions. Tree water status was manipulated by partially covering (0, approximately 30 and approximately 60%) the tree canopies on individual days and then evaluating the effects of tree water status on vegetative growth and leaf gas exchange. Early morning stem water potentials were approximately -0.4 MPa for trees in all treatments, but mean midday values ranged from -1.1 to -1.7 MPa depending on rootstock and canopy coverage treatment. Relative shoot extension growth rate, leaf conductance, transpiration rate and net CO2 exchange rate differed significantly among trees in the different rootstocks and canopy coverage treatments. Shoot extension growth rate, leaf conductance, leaf transpiration rate and leaf net CO2 exchange rate were linearly correlated with midday stem water potential. These relationships were independent of the rootstock and canopy coverage treatments, indicating that tree water relations are probably directly involved in the mechanism that imparts vegetative growth control by selected peach rootstocks.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed2006

Hydraulic conductance characteristics of peach (Prunus persica) trees on different rootstocks are related to biomass production and distribution.

We investigated hydraulic conductance characteristics and associated dry matter production and distribution of peach trees grafted on different rootstocks growing in the field. A single scion genotype was grown on a low ('K146-43'), an intermediate ('Hiawatha') and a high ('Nemaguard') vigor rootstock. 'K146-43' and 'Hiawatha' rootstocks had 27 and 52% lower mean leaf-specific hydraulic conductances, respectively, than the more vigorous 'Nemaguard' rootstock. Tree growth rates and patterns of biomass distribution varied significantly among rootstocks. Mean dry mass relative growth rates of trees on 'K146-43' and 'Nemaguard' were 66 and 75%, respectively, of the rates of trees on 'Nemaguard', and the scion to rootstock dry mass ratios of trees on 'K146-43' and 'Hiawatha' were 63 and 82%, respectively, of the ratio of trees on 'Nemaguard'. Thus, differences in dry matter distribution between the scion and rootstock, which may be a compensatory response to the differences in leaf specific hydraulic conductance among rootstocks, appeared to be related to differences in growth rates. Correspondingly, there was a positive linear relationship between the scion to rootstock dry mass ratio and the rootstock to scion hydraulic conductance ratio when conductance was normalized for dry mass. This study confirms that rootstock effects on tree water relations and vegetative growth potential result, at least in part, from differences in tree hydraulic conductance associated with specific peach rootstocks.

Biomass↗
PubMed2002

Identification and characterisation of the IgE-binding proteins 2S albumin and conglutin gamma in almond (Prunus dulcis) seeds.

BACKGROUND: Almond proteins can cause severe anaphylactic reactions in susceptible individuals. The aim of this study was the identification of IgE-binding proteins in almonds and the characterisation of these proteins by N-terminal sequencing. METHODS: Five sera were selected from individuals with a positive reaction to food challenge. Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting were performed on almond seed proteins. Purified IgE-binding proteins were tested for immunoblot inhibition with sera pre-incubated with extracts of hazelnut and walnut. RESULTS: N-terminal sequences of the 12-, 30- and 45-kD proteins were obtained. The 45- and 30-kD proteins shared the same N terminus, with 60% homology to the conglutin gamma heavy chain from lupine seed (Lupinus albus) and to basic 7S globulin from soybean (Glycine max). The sequences of the N-terminal 12-kD protein and of an internal peptide obtained by endoproteinase digestion showed good homology to 2S albumin from English walnut (Jug r 1). Immunoblot inhibition experiments were performed and IgE binding to almond 2S albumin and conglutin gamma was detected in the presence of cross-reacting walnut or hazelnut antigens. CONCLUSIONS: Two IgE-binding almond proteins were N-terminally sequenced and identified as almond 2S albumin and conglutin gamma. Localisation and conservation of IgE binding in a 6-kD peptide obtained by endoproteinase digestion of 2S albumin was shown.

Albumins↗
PubMed2006

Detecting local establishment strategies of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.).

BACKGROUND: P. avium, a pioneer tree species that colonizes early forest successional stages, is assumed to require an effective strategy allowing stably repeatable rounds of local establishment, dispersal and local extinction. Consequently, the early replacement of cherry by climax tree species makes the establishment of several local generations very unlikely, especially in central European continuous cover forests. This has to be seen in connection with the mixed reproduction system involving asexual reproduction as a complementary adaptational strategy. Tests of the local establishment of wild cherry must therefore consider the possibility of first generation establishment via seedling recruitment potentially followed by an asexual generation (root suckering). Successful establishment can therefore be determined only among adult individuals with the option of detecting vegetative reproduction at these stages. To test the implied suggestion about local establishment strategies of wild cherry, nuclear microsatellites were used to analyse patterns of asexual propagation among adult stages that have been subjected to one of two major types of forest management. These management types, the historical "coppice with standards system" (CWS) and the "high forest system" (HFS), can be reasonably assumed to have affected the reproduction system of P. avium. RESULTS: Clear differences were found in the reproduction pattern between two stands representing the two forest management types: 1) Clonal propagation is observed in both management systems, but with a distinctly higher frequency in the CWS. Hence, sexual recruitment as a first local generation is followed by a second asexual generation in both, whereas in the CWS there is evidence for an additional clonal generation. 2) The estimation of amounts of clonal reproduction critically depends on the assumptions about multilocus gene associations. This is revealed by the application of newly developed methods of quantifying gene associations. 3) Haplotype diversities are higher in the CWS and found to be associated with a large degree of heterozygosity for the second largest clonal group. 4) Seed set was sparse over the last eight years of observation in the CWS stand. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful guidelines for more comprehensive investigations, particularly on the interrelationships between degrees of cloning and capacity of sexual reproduction, amounts of multilocus gene associations, effects of heterozygosity on cloning success, and sustainability of different forest management types.

Biodiversity↗
PubMed2004

A new bipyrrole and some phenolic constituents in prunes (Prunus domestica L.) and their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).

Isolation and structural elucidation of prune constituents were performed and total 10 compounds were determined by NMR and MS analyses. A novel compound was identified to be 2-(5-hydroxymethyl-2',5'-dioxo-2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-1'H-1,3'-bipyrrole)carbaldehyde, and 7 phenolic compounds were isolated from prunes for the first time. In addition, antioxidant activity of them was evaluated on the basis of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2002

The genetic diversity of Apulian apricot genotypes (Prunus armeniaca L.) assessed using AFLP markers.

Apricot is an important crop in Italy and, especially in Southern regions, in the last five years numerous plantings using new cultivars and appropriate cultural management have been established. The cultivars available were created in different environments (USA, France, New Zealand, etc), they then often show low adaptability to Italian conditions. However, in the South of Italy, it is still possible to safeguard and to exploit a considerable amount of the apricot genetic variation available in ecotypes often characterised both by useful bio-agronomic traits and by good environmental adaptation. These genetic materials could be used in breeding programs aimed at broadening the harvest period and obtaining high fruit quality and resistance to the main biotic and abiotic stresses.

Crops, Agricultural↗