Molecular regulatory events of flower and fruit abscission in horticultural plants

Flower and fruit abscission is a highly programmed physiological process,which is closely related to the yield of horticultural plants.The coordination of many regulatory factors associated with metabolic and signaling pathways plays a key role in the flower and fruit shedding.Hormones,peptides,carbohydrates,polyamines or cell wall modifying proteins regulate flower and fruit shedding.This article reviewed the recent studies of flower and fruit abscission,including the molecular regulation mechanism of abscission zone formation,typical structure and location of abscission zones,and other factors affecting flower and fruit abscission,such as stresses,hormones,peptides,carbohydrates,polyamines and cell wall modifying proteins.Overall,the review summarizes the developmental mechanism and the diversity of abscission zones,and the key factors affecting flower and fruit abscission of horticultural plants,aiming to provide guidance for studying the molecular regulatory mechanism of flower and fruit abscission.

Effect of Shoot Control on Flower Bud Differentiation,Flowering,and Fruit Setting in Zanthoxylum armatum DC.

In this study,newly sprouted shoots of Zanthoxylum armatum(Z.armatum),which were collected after the harvesting period,were used as the primary experimental specimens.A randomized block design and paraffin sectioning method were used to investigate the flower bud differentiation process and the quantity and vitality of buds.Furthermore,the study examined the response of flowering and fruiting to cultivation methods for shoot growth,including layering and plant growth regulator application.The results showed that(a)layering and application of plant growth regulators for Z.armatum accelerated the process of flower bud differentiation by approximately 20 days compared to the control group.Additionally,both shoot control methods generated more and larger bud primordia and perianth primordia during the same differentiation phase.(b)The application of plant growth regulators resulted in well-developed buds,exhibiting higher levels of flower bud differentiation than the layering method.The quality of flower bud formation for both shoot control methods was superior to that of the control group.(c)The flowering phenological period was relatively consistent between the two cultivation methods,but the fruit maturity phase for shoot-controlled trees occurred 20 days earlier than the control group.(d)Both layering and the application of plant growth regulators significantly decreased the rates of unfertilized flower shedding and fruit shedding.However,no significant difference was noted in fruit setting per inflorescence and per flower between the two methods and the control.The effect of altitude for both methods on the fruit setting was not significant.Under both shoot control methods,the Z.armatum exhibited earlier morphological differentiation of flower buds,faster differentiation process,improved flower bud quality,and significantly decreased rates of flower and fruit shedding.Thus,these cultivation methods demonstrated the potential to promote flowering,improve fruit setting,and reduce fruit shedding in Z.armatum.

Flower Characteristics and Resource Evaluation of Fruit Mulberry

[Objectives]In order to study the flower characteristics of mulberry and evaluate the resources of fruit mulberry.[Methods]Firstly,the resources of fruit mulberry were collected,and four varieties of fruit mulberry(‘Dashi’mulberry,‘Changguo’milk mulberry,‘agate’mulberry and‘Xiangjin’milk mulberry)were collected.Then,the flower characteristics,fruit quality,and adaptability of fruit mulberry were studied.[Results]Mulberry is a dioecious plant,and the inflorescences are lurocatkin.The male flowers will fall off automatically,while the female flowers will develop into fruit.The four varieties of fruit mulberry have good adaptability in Shanghai,and their fruits have their own characteristics.At the same time,in order to use the resources of fruit mulberry,mulberry fruit picking activities were carried out for many times.[Conclusions]This study provides a reference for the cultivation,collection,utilization and evaluation of mulberry.

Effects of Microbial Fertilizer and Compound Feritlizer Mixed Application on Yield and Fruit Quality and Flowering and Fruit Setting of Following Year of Apple

In order to study the application effect of microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed application on microirrigation apple, three types of fertilizers were applied in spring which were urea（CK, 15 kg/plant）, microbial fertilizer（5.0 kg/plant）,microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed（each 2.5 kg/plant） to study the effect of different fertilizer treatments on yield, fruit quality, flowering and fruit setting of Xinshijie apple. The results showed that application of microbial fertilizer could increase the yield, fruit weight and fruit shape index, significantly increase the flowering rates and inflorescence fruit setting rate of following year, while reduce the fruit hardness and soluble solids content, and the effect of microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed application on increasing fruit weight and yield was higher than that of microbial fertilizer separate application, the effect of the two was not obvious in other aspects. Therefore, microbial fertilizer could be used instead of some chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer in apple production to reach the aim of increasing yield and efficiency, and the effect of microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed application was best.

Prevention and Cure of Acute Alcohol Intoxication in Mice by Administration of Compound of Japanese Raisintree Fruit, Lobed Kudzuvine Flower Bud and Lightyellow Sophora Root

[Objective] We aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutical effect of compound of traditional Chinese drugs （Japanese raisintree fruit, lobed kudzuvine flower bud and lightyel ow sophora root） on acute alcohol intoxication in mice. [Method] Acute alcohol intoxication was induced by administering alcohol to mice. Three different doses （low, middle and high） of compound of traditional Chinese drugs were administered to mice before and after administering alcohol respectively to investigate the preventive and therapeutical effect of drugs on acute alcohol intox-ication through doing statistical analysis about drunk mice and their sleeping time. The concentration of malondialdehyde （MDA）, reduced glutathione （GSH） and triglyc-erides （TG） in liver was also determined to investigate the protective effect of drugs on liver. [Result] The efficacy of compound of traditional Chinese drugs on acute al-cohol intoxication was dose-dependent. High-dose administration decreased the number of drunk mice significantly compared with control group; middle- and high-dose administration reduced the sleeping time of drunk mice and the concentration of MDA and TG in liver tissue; three doses al increased the concentration of GSH. [Conclusion] The compound of Japanese raisintree fruit, lobed kudzuvine flower bud and lightyel ow sophora root had preventive and therapeutical effect on hangover, and it also had certain preventive and therapeutical effect on liver damage caused by alcohol.

A Method to Improve Photographing Function of Common Digital Camera to Small Flowers and Fruits

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to solve the problem of photographing small flowers and fruits with a common digital camera in field. [Method] Firstly, the photographic mode of a common digital camera was set as ＂macro＂ （or ＂soft snap＂ ） and ＂flash off＂. Secondly, the small flower or fruit was magnified with a magnifying glass, and then the magnified flower or fruit was automatically focused with the digital camera lens. After automatic focusing, the shutter button was pressed and the photograph finished. [Result] With this method, the clear inflo- rescence or floral photographs of Eragrostis pilosa （ Gramineae ） , Bidens biternata （Compositae） and Tribulus terrester （Zygophllaceae） were obtained in field. [ Conclusion] The optical system of a digital camera has been changed by the magnifying glass, which improves the photographic function of a common digital camera to small flowers and fruits, and also easily gets their clear photographs.

Study on the Flowering,Fruiting and Seed Setting Characteristic of Wild Watermelon

[Objective] The flowering,fruiting and seed setting characteristic of wild watermelon were discussed in our paper.[Method] The flowering and fruiting habit of wild watermelon were observed,and the effect of different pollination methods（mixed pollination,single flower pollination and natural pollination）on fruit set percentage,weight per fruit,seeds per fruit and thousand-seed weight of wild watermelon were studied in our paper.[Result] Wild watermelon had few female flowers and low fruit set percentage;artificial pollination could not increase the fruit set percentage of wild watermelon obviously,but it could improve weight per fruit,seed yield and quality significantly,and mixed pollination was the best.[Conclusion] Our study could provide reference for the improvement of hybrid seed yield and quality of wild watermelon.

Flowering Biology and Fruit Development Characteristics of Apricot Cultivar ‘Kezilang' in Xinjiang

The flowering biology and fruit development characteristics of a Xinjiang apricot （Armeniaca vulgaris Lam） cultivar Kezilang were studied by measuring its flowering phenology, floral organ development, stigma receptivity, pollen quantity, pollen viability, fruit diameter, fruit fresh weight, fruit dry weight and fruit contents, with an attempt to provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation and promotion of Kezilang. The results showed that Kezilang can be popularized as an early-maturing apricot cultivar, as it had high fruit setting rate, large fruit weight, excellent taste, high sugar content and lower titratable acid content in fruit. The dynamic curves of Kezilang fruit diameters in three directions, fruit fresh weight and fruit dry weight were all S-shaped, and the rapid growth stage of dry weight was later than that of other terms. Fruit swelling was due to higher water content of flesh tissue in early stage of the rapid growth periods of fruit. Most sugar in flesh was accumulated at the second rapid growth period of fruit.

Analysis of Meteorological Disasters in the Flowering and Fruiting Period of Sugar Orange in Guilin

The yield of sugar orange is closely related to meteorological conditions in the flowering and fruiting period, and meteorological disasters at the flowering and early fruiting stage seriously affect its yield. To study influences of meteorological disasters in the flowering and early fruiting stage on sugar orange industry in Guilin, meteorological disasters in the flowering and early fruiting stage and its defense measures were analyzed and studied. The flowering and early fruiting stage of sug- ar orange in Guilin is from March to June, and sudden change of temperature, thunderstorm, hale, hail, rainstorm and other natural disasters can cause the falling of large numbers of flowers and young fruit, damage of tree body, reduction of fruit in quantity, and decrease of its yield. Timely understanding information of disastrous weather and implementing management of water and fertilizer can effectively reduce the loss caused by meteorological disasters and ensue high quality and high yield of sugar orange.

Studies on In Vitro Flowering and Fruiting of Perilla frutescens

Influences of PGR, sucrose, and ammonium nitrate on in vitro flowering and fruiting from cotyledon explants of P. frutescens were studied. The regenerated shoots at 2-4. cm from cotyledon explants on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L^-1 BA and 1.0 mg L^-1IAA were excised and transferred to MS medium containing 30 g L^-1 sucrose, 8.25 g L^-1 ammonium nitrate, and 1.0 mg L^-1 BA. Following 40 d of culture, 86.2% of them flowered and set seeds. These seeds were germinable and developed into flowering plants in the fields. This study provides a simple system for rapid breeding of P. frutescens and studying the physiological mechanism of flowering of plants.

Effect of Boron Fertilizer on Flower and Fruit Drop ofPrunes

Effect of boron on falling of prunes (Prunus mume, Sieb, et Zucc) was studied by applying 50 g borateper tree into soil on December 15, 1993 (soil-B) and spraying leaves leves evenly twice with 1.5 g kg^-1 boratesolution on March 1 and 8, 1994 (spray-B) on the soil with 0.28 mg kg--1’ rapidly available B. Comparedwith no borate treatment (CK), B concentrations of leaves, short branches and flowers were higher and thepercentage of flower and fruit drop was lower in the treatments of soil-B and spray-B. B fertilizer increased Bconcentrations in flowers, leaves and short branches, promoted pollen germination, reduced the percentage offall of flowers and fruits of prunes, increased the percentage of fertile fruits, and thus increased yields of prunesby 46% and 34.3% in the treatments of soil-B and spray-B, respectively. It could be inferred preliminarilythat if B concentration of leaves was lower than 35 mg kg--1, the prunes should be fertilized with B. Themeasured leaves should be picked from branches (3-10 cm in length) germinating from the central sectionof a tree crown during the last ten days of May to the early days of June.

Potentials of <i>Melastoma malabathricum</i>Linn. Flower and Fruit Extracts as Antimicrobial Infusions

Melastoma malabathricum Linn. is a shrub that belongs to the family Melastomataceae and a common herbal plant used in folk medicines to treat inflamed wounds. This study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the inhibitory activities of different concentrations of the M. malabathricum Linn. flower and fruit crude extracts against a variety of microorganisms. The inhibitory effects of both extracts were tested against the microorganisms using the disc diffusion method. The lowest concentrations of the extracts producing inhibition zones against the test microorganisms were used to determine their Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Microbicidal Concentrations (MMCs). Both crude extracts showed strong inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria. The range of MIC values for the crude flower and fruit extracts on all the bacteria tested were 12.5 to 100.0 mg/ml. Overall, Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to the crude extracts compared to Gram-negative species, potentiating a possible use of the extracts to inhibit or kill potential pathogens.

Induced Polyploidy via Colchicine Treatment Increases Flower Size and Fruit Weight in Cape Gooseberry(Physalis peruviana L.)

An induced polyploid plant through colchicine treatment offers probably the best scope for improvement in flower size and fruit weight.Thus,in the present study,an attempt was made to induce polyploidy in Cape gooseberry using colchicine with the objective of creating more genetic variability.The colchicine concentrations were used as 0.10%(C1),0.20%(C2)and 0.40%(C3)for the duration 12(H1),24(H2)and 36(H3)hours for each concentration with seedling apex dip method(M1),cotton plug method(M2)and lanolin paste method(M3).The plants treated with 0.10%of colchicine by cotton plug method for 12 h showed the better performance during the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in respect of more delay in the flower bud emergence(54 d and 53 d from the date of transplanting),anthesis(19 d and 20 d from the first appearance of bud to full anthesis of flower)and fruit setting(8.00 d and 9.00 d from the date of anthesis),bigger flower size(2.93 cm2 and 3.00 cm2)than the untreated plants.The lower percentage of pollen viability(40.33%and 40.67%)was noticed in the same treatment in comparison to control(70.33%and 72.33%).The fruit maturity was also extended(59 d and 60 d from the date of fruit set)with bigger sized fruits(length:2.53 cm and 2.57 cm,breadth:2.27 cm and 2.33 cm)as well as more fruit weight(8.70 g and 8.33 g)by the application of colchicine at 0.10%with cotton plug method for 12 h.On the basis of results obtained,the application of colchicine at 0.10%for 12 h duration with cotton plug method was found to be the best and effective treatment for induction of polyploidy as well as more flower size and fruit weight in Cape gooseberry.

GC-MS Analysis of Liposoluble Constituents from Buds,Flowers and Fruits of Millettia speciosa Champ.

[Objectives] To study the material foundation of liposoluble constituents from buds,flowers and fruits of Millettia speciosa Champ.and provide a reference for the development of flowers and fruits of Millettia speciosa Champ.[Methods]The liposoluble constituents were extracted from buds,flowers and fruits of Millettia speciosa by Soxhlet extraction and solvent extraction method,and analyzed by GC-MS.[Results]24 compounds were identified from the liposoluble constituents of buds,accounting for 88. 31 % of the total liposoluble constituents,mainly comprising alkanes and olefins compounds( 52. 00%) and alcohols compounds( 17. 46%); 29 compounds were identified from the liposoluble constituents of flowers,accounting for 91. 38 % of the total liposoluble constituents,mainly comprising alkanes and olefins compounds( 60. 64%) and alcohols compounds( 17. 17%); 32 compounds were identified from the liposoluble constituents of fruits,accounting for 80. 01 % of the total liposoluble constituents,mainly comprising alkanes and olefins compounds( 32. 56%),phenyl and its derivatives compounds( 22. 46%) and fatty acids compounds( 12. 54%). 6 compounds were common in buds,flowers and fruits. [Conclusions] Although there were some differences in liposoluble constituents from flowers,fruits,leaves and roots of Millettia speciosa Champ.,the different parts of Millettia speciosa Champ. had development value.

Practical Cultivation Techniques of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis for Flowers-Fruits in Hunan Province

In order to protect and develop the local resources of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis with Hunan characteristics,this paper uses the existing technology,analyzes the existing achievements in the cultivation of G.jasminoides Ellis,investigates and analyzes the actual situation of the seedling base and cooperatives in Hunan,and collects the relevant index data related to the cultivation of G.jasminoides Ellis.This paper summarizes the practical techniques related to land selection,soil preparation,seedling breeding,afforestation technology,tending management,pest control and so on,in order to provide reference basis for planting and cultivateon and industrial development of G.jasminoides Ellis in Hunan.

不同密度单粒精播对花生开花动态及结实特性的影响

为探讨不同密度单粒精播对花生开花动态及结实特性的影响,以普通大花生品种花育25为材料,在行距相同的条件下设置4个处理,包括单粒播分别为株距9 cm、12 cm和15 cm,折合播种密度分别为27.8万株·hm^(-2)(S9)、20.8万株·hm^(-2)(S12)和16.7万株hm-2(S15)3个处理,和双粒播27.8万株·hm^(-2)(D18,穴距18 cm)1个处理,研究不同密度单粒精播对花生开花习性、果针形成、荚果发育动态、结实范围及产量的影响。结果表明,与双粒播相比,不同密度单粒播均可不同程度地促进花生早开花、多开花,增加有效果针数,促进荚果发育,低密度条件下,效果最为显著;从群体指标看,20.8万株·hm^(-2)的单粒精播模式下,花生开花数、有效果针数、结果数最多,荚果体积最大,荚果饱满度高,产量水平最高。不同密度单粒精播改变了花生的结实范围和荚果空间分布,密度降低,结实范围增加,但不同处理荚果干重(95%以上)仍主要分布在半径6.0 cm以内的空间范围内,密度20.8万株·hm^(-2)(株距12.0 cm)的单粒精播条件下,结实范围与半株距接近,更有利于群体间荚果的均匀分布。

两种催花剂处理对“台农4号”菠萝催花效果的影响

针对生产上“台农4号”菠萝诱导催花通常采用电石处理2~3次,操作复杂,且不利于绿色安全生产,采用植物生长调节剂乙烯利进行“台农4号”菠萝诱导催花处理,测定比较不同浓度乙烯利和电石处理的结果性状和果实内外品质。结果表明,“台农4号”菠萝对乙烯利催花较敏感,较低浓度(30 mg/kg)乙烯利处理的抽蕾率可以达到99%以上,而高浓度(960 mg/kg和480 mg/kg)乙烯利和电石处理的平均单果质量无显著性差异,均在1.08 kg以上,低浓度(240、30 mg/kg)乙烯利处理的单果质量较低。在果实外观方面,480、960 mg/kg乙烯利催花处理的圆筒果率显著高于其他处理,均超过94%,较1.25%电石灌心2次处理高32%,说明高浓度乙烯利处理可以显著提高圆筒果率。在果实内在品质方面,乙烯利催花处理的维生素C含量、总糖含量、糖酸比、可溶性固形物含量显著高于电石催花处理。相关性分析表明,乙烯利催花处理浓度与果实维生素C含量、总糖含量、糖酸比和可溶性固形物呈极显著正相关,而与柠檬酸含量呈极显著负相关。综合来看,“台农4号”菠萝采用960 mg/kg乙烯利(40%乙烯利水剂500倍液)+0.2%尿素灌心催花处理效果较佳,抽蕾率99.69%,圆筒果率99.38%,平均单果质量1.22 kg,维生素C 40.45 mg/100 g,可溶性固形物17.93%,总糖17.84%,柠檬酸0.61%,糖酸比29.51,建议生产上可替代电石催花。

单季稻开花结实期高温热害特征及防控对策

近年,长江流域稻区单季稻开花结实期高温频发重发。本文分析了高温年水稻开花结实期高温热害特征及高温对结实率的影响。高温年日最高温度高,持续时间延长;高温年7月上旬至8月上旬日最高温度较常温年高4.3℃~4.8℃;水稻开花结实期遇到高温热害结实率下降28.2~43.4个百分点;品种间耐高温热害特性差异较大。根据开花结实期高温热害特征及高温引起结实率下降的特点,提出高温预警及播期调整、耐热品种选择、高温期间田间灌水、喷施生长调节物质等开花结实期高温热害防控对策。

不同节位修剪对‘夏黑’葡萄二次花芽分化及果实品质的影响

为研究‘促早+避雨’栽培模式下,不同节位修剪对葡萄二次成花及二次果果实品质的影响,以7 a生‘夏黑’葡萄为材料,分析留5芽、留7芽和留9芽(简称5芽、7芽、9芽)修剪对葡萄萌芽率、成花率、单果质量、穗重、可溶性固形物含量等指标的影响。结果表明:3种不同修剪方式对葡萄二次萌芽率和成花率均产生了一定影响。其中,5芽修剪萌芽率和成花率最高,9芽修剪则较低。在单果质量和穗重方面,5芽修剪二次果穗重最大,但不同节位修剪并未对单果质量和果形指数产生显著影响。5芽和7芽修剪二次果可溶性固形物含量显著高于9芽修剪,5芽修剪二次果可滴定酸含量则显著低于9芽修剪,5芽修剪二次果葡萄糖和果糖含量均显著高于9芽修剪,但不同节位修剪均未对蔗糖和花色苷含量产生较大影响。综上所述,3种修剪方法中留5芽修剪最适宜于‘夏黑’葡萄一年两熟栽培,其次为留7芽修剪,留9芽修剪则不太适宜。

持续高温条件对4个百香果品种开花坐果习性及光合作用的影响

【目的】评价田间持续高温条件下钦蜜9号、小黄金、台农1号和满天星4个百香果品种的耐热性,为未来耐高温育种材料快速筛选和广西百香果夏季种植布局提供理论参考。【方法】选择日最高温连续5 d超过32℃(即持续高温)的时段,到南宁和贵港的百香果种植基地进行4个百香果品种开花坐果及光合作用调查。采用田间调查方法记录百香果开花坐果情况,同时利用LI-6400XT便携式光合作用测量系统获得百香果的光合作用数据,结合统计学方法探讨持续高温条件下4个百香果品种的开花坐果和光合作用差异,并分析开花坐果和光合作用之间的关联性。【结果】两地持续高温条件下开花坐果和光合作用数值最高的是钦蜜9号,其次是小黄金和台农1号,最低的是满天星。在开花坐果方面,钦蜜9号的平均芽点数、平均花朵数、平均花芽数和平均挂果数显著高于其他3个品种(p<0.05),最高分别可达到71.85节·株^(-1)、20.90朵·株^(-1)、21.60个·株^(-1)和6.25个·株^(-1)。在光合作用方面,钦蜜9号的净光合速率(P_(n))、气孔导度(G_(s))、胞间CO_(2)浓度(C_(i))和蒸腾速率(T_(r))分别是满天星的3.64倍、11.62倍、5.46倍和6.60倍,差异显著(p<0.05)。【结论】钦蜜9号具有较强的耐热性,可作为夏季主栽品种在全广西推广种植或与其他品种配套种植,以改变其他品种百香果由于夏季高温产量降低导致的市场萎缩现象,增强广西百香果主产区优势,同时可以将其作为耐热育种的亲本材料。