Creating New Germplasm by Distant Hybridization in Stone Fruits:Ⅰ.Effects of Different Treatments on Cross Compatibility of Distant Hybridization inStone Fruits

The effects of different treatments on cross compatibility in distant hybridization werestudied in 69 cross combinations among 9 cultivars of stone fruits. The results showedthat the setting percentage in balloon stage was obviously higher than that in earlyblooming stage. The differences of fruit set between positive and reverse crosses weresignificant. Female parent affected cross compatibility more remarkably than male parentin distant hybridization. The appropriate electrostatic field, He-Ne laser combinedtreatment with 60Co γ-ray and He-Ne laser could improve the pollen germination rate invitro effectively, the fruit set percentage was higher than control, while 60Co γ-raytreatment reduced the pollen germination rate in vitro, and the fruit set percentageobtained by distant hybridization was lower than control.

Branched Secondary Alcohol Ethoxylate, Ammonium Thiosulfate, Calcium Polysulfides-Thiosulfate, and Fish Oil Effects on Blossom Thinning, Fruit Set and Quality of Peaches and Nectarines

Total crop load has an inverse relationship with fruit size, while larger fruit size is often demanded by the peach and nectarine markets. Hand-thinning is extremely expensive, and thus, crop load adjustment, using blossom thinners is a crucial practice to ensure production of commercially acceptable fruit size and yield efficiency in stone fruit. In this study, the influence of branched secondary alcohol ethoxylate (Tergitol TMN-6) and/or ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), Crocker Fish Oil (FO), and a mixture of calcium polysulfides and thiosulfate (lime sulfur) on fruit set and quality attributes in peaches (Prunus persica) and nectarines (P. persica var. nectarina) were studied. All blossom thinners reduced fruit set in “Summer Lady” peach in both 2016 and 2017. Fruit sets in “Summer Lady” peach trees with a double application of Tergitol TMN-6 at the rate of 7.5 or 10 mL ·L¯1, each rate applied at 40% and 80% bloom, were lower than those receiving the same rates of this chemical only at 80% bloom, but they were similar to those receiving a single Tergitol TMN-6 spray at 15 mL·L¯1 at 80% or 100% bloom. “Summer Lady” peach trees receiving FO at 20 mL·L¯1 plus lime sulfur at 25 mL·L¯1, once at 40% bloom and again at 80% bloom had lower fruit set as compared to Untreated Control but the fruit set was higher than those with any Tergitol-TMN-6 spray. Tergitol TMN-6 at 12 m·L¯1 at 100% bloom or 10 mL·L¯1 all stages of bloom reduced fruit set in “Zee Lady” and “Snow Giant” peaches. In “Snow Giant” peach, trees receiving Tergitol TMN-6 at all concentrations and blossom stages had significantly higher fruit weight as compared to the trees of Un-treated Control. Applications of Tergitol TMN-6 at all concentrations at 80% bloom reduced fruit set in “Red Globe” and “Elberta” peaches in Utah. ATS and FO slightly reduced fruit set in peaches but they were less effective than Tergitol TMN-6 in all cases. Overall, it is concluded that efficacy of blossom thinners depends on the rate of thinners, temperature, cultivar and stage of bloom development.

Plum Pox Virus （PPV） Dispersion in Plum Trees （Prunus domestica. L） CV. D＇Agen

Sharka, it is considered one of the most serious diseases of stone fruits worldwide. It is transmitted long distances by propagating material and by aphids close to an infection focus. In San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina, it made a study of dispersion＇s degree of the disease in a plum plantation CV D＇Agen. Samples were taken in the spring of the basal part of open leaves. A DAS-ELISA test was made using a protocol in agreement with SENASA and INASE （2007） on 750 plants. Infection percentages found were 4.4%; 6.4%; 8.53% and 10.1%; between the first until last year of study. These numbers indicate a degree of dissemination of the disease similar than described by the Chileans and slower than described by the Spanish and French. Several factors can be responsible for the speed of dispersion of diseases like Sharka： vector quantities, presence of parasites and predators, closeness to inoculants sources, different degree of susceptibility of the species or cultivar to the disease or insect or others. This work can serve as a base for further studies on the incidence of diverse factors in the process of disease dispersion.