Effect and Functional Mechanism of the Action of Exogenous Gibberellin on Flowering of Peach

This study was conducted to assess the effect of gibberellin and its possible mechanism of action on peach flower formation. At flower induction, 100 mg L^-1 of gibberellic acid 3 （GA3） was sprayed on the leaves of peach [Prunus persica （L.） Batsch.] cv. Bayuecui. Using anatomy, immunohistochemistry, and semi-quantitation, the in situ distribution of GAs and the expression of the key genes involved in peach flower formation in the apical meristem were studied during flowering differentiation. The results showed that induction of flowering in the Bayuecui peach occurred prior to 10 July in Beijing, China. Flower induction and further differentiation of the peach flower organs were significantly inhibited by leaf-spraying of GA3 at a concentration of 100 mg L^-1 during the induction stage. The flowering rate was only 11.67% after treatment. The distribution of GA1 in the apical meristem varied during the process of flower bud differentiation. From 13 June to 25 July, the GA1 signal from control plants was detected mainly in the vascular bundles at the base of the flower buds. No GA1 signal was detected in the apical meristem. After treatment with GA3, the distribution was similar to that of the control from 13 June to 3 July. On 13 July, a GA1 signal was detected in the apical meristem accompanied by an increase in the GA1 signal in the vascular bundles at the base of the flower buds. The GA1 signal weakened significantly in both the vascular bundles and the apical meristem on 25 July. The expression of the genes PpLEAFY and MADS6 in flower buds could be detected only on 10 October in the GA3-treated plants. The critical period for flower induction of Bayuecui peach in Beijing was in early July, during which time, leaf-spraying with 100 mg L-1 GA3 could effectively inhibit flower induction and further differentiation of the flower buds. GA1 in the gibberellin family was the suppressor for flower induction in peach. Its action was affected by the stage of flower bud differentiation. Expression of the key genes PpLEAFY and MADS6 involved in flower formation was inhibited by GA3 treatment.

Analysis of Carbon Content in Off-season Flowering and Non-flowering Longan Trees

After flower induction, some longan trees can successfully blossom and bear fruit, while others with similar tree body status can only sprout leaf buds. In order to investigate the main reason for these differences, in this study, off-season flowering and non-flowering longan trees were used as experimental materials to analyze the changes of carbon content in mature leaves, tender leaves, mature shoots, tender shoots and terminal buds of longan trees after flower induction by potassium chlorate. The result showed that carbon content played an important role in flowering process. Off-season longan trees with carbon content in mature leaves reached 50.93 mg/g could successfully blossom, but those with carbon content in mature leaves lower than 37.40 mg/g were usually difficult to blossom. In addition, the maturity of tender leaves posed great influence on flowering. Specifically, tender leaves with a higher maturity contained higher carbon content and could easily blossom, which could be used as a new indicator to evaluate flower induction in off-season longan trees.

Paclobutrazol and Its Use in Fruit Production:A Review

There are documentary records referring to paclobutrazol(PBZ)as a growth bioregulator that inhibits the gibberellin synthesis and its application increases yields in fruit and vegetable crop productions.Its agronomic management includes it as an emerging technology to reduce vigour,promote flower induction and flower development in fruit trees with increased economic returns.Its use is banned in some countries because of concerns about residues that can cause harmful effects on the environment.Therefore,the aim of this article was to collect,analyse and summarise relevant information on the use of PBZ in fruit tree production and its possible risks to the environment.The results obtained indicated that the application of PBZ can be effective in solving some problems related to flowering if it is applied in the right amount and at the right time.However,it is necessary to elucidate the physiological processes with which it is associated and its response to be taken into account to increase yield.PBZ is currently used in fruit trees such as mango,lime,apple and guava,increasing their productivity.However,some studies have shown its residual effect on the environment.Therefore,PBZ is a viable strategy,because it presents a series of advantages in the production of fruit trees.However,it is vital to generate protocols that seek its regulation with a rational and sustainable approach.

Indicator Analysis of Off-season Longan Flower Reversal

[Objectives] This study was conducted to analyze the internal causes of flower reversal in Longan （ Dimocarpus longan Lour.） trees. [Methods] With flowering trees and flower reversal trees as experimental materials, the variations in sugar and starch in mature leaves, tender leaves, mature branches, twigs and terminal buds after flower forcing were analyzed. [Results] During flowering process, sugar content showed the greatest difference between flowering and flower reversal trees, and the difference was the greatest in mature leaves. Trees with mature leaves having a sugar content above 44.71 mg/g were found to be more prone to flowering, while those with leaf sugar content lower than 27.80 mg/g were susceptible to flower reversal. In addition, longan trees with a higher sugar content in tender leaves were not prone to flower reversal. [Conclusions] In future, whether off-season flower forcing can be performed on longan trees could be judged through the detection of tree leaves, which is of great significance to prevention of flower reversal in off-season longan production.

Key Techniques of Stereoscopic and Efficient Cultivation of Strawberry in Southern Xinjiang

Strawberry is rich in nutrition,which is the only fresh fruit in winter in southern Xinjiang,with good prospect of stereoscopic cultivation.In this paper,the key techniques such as stereoscopic cultivation pattern,the combination of different modes,the substrate of strawberry cultivation,the drip irrigation system,the formula of nutrient solution,the selection of varieties,the propagation of seed and seedling,the induction of flower buds,the planting and management of plants,and the green control of diseases and insect pests are introduced,and greenhouse space and solar energy are fully used to maximize the economic and social benefits of strawberry farming combined with tourism.The results will further promote the quality and efficiency of strawberry industry in southern Xinjiang,and provide a reference for strawberry growers.