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.

The chemical treatments combined with antagonistic yeast control anthracnose and maintain the quality of postharvest mango fruit

During the storage and transportation of the mango fruit, the major source of disease is anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The objective of this study is to find an appropriate method that not only reduces mango decay but also maintains its postharvest quality. The effects of chemicals, the use of the yeast species Metschnikowia pulcherrima and their combination on storage quality, focusing on the enzyme activity related to disease of Tainong mangos was studied. By immersing the mangoes in M. pulcherrima suspension(1.0×10~8 cfu mL^(–1)), salicylic acid(SA) solution(50 mg L^(–1)) or calcium chloride(CaCl_2) solution(1.0 g L^(–1)), the lesion expansion and decay of the mango fruit caused by C. gloeosporioides could be significantly delayed. These treatments also delayed the changes in quality traits(a~* value, firmness, contents of total soluble solids(TSS) and vitamin C(Vc), while the activities of anti-disease enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase(PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase(PAL), chitinase(CHT) and β-1,3-glucanase(GUN) were enhanced as compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the combination of SA solution, CaCl_2 solution and M. pulcherrima suspension presented an additive effect, increasing the efficacy in controlling the disease and maintaining the storage quality of mango fruits. Taken together, our data suggest that the integration of chemical treatments combined with M. pulcherrima could be an alternative to the use of fungicides in postharvest treatment of the mango fruit, specifically for improving storage quality as well as the control of the anthracnose.

Effect of Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) and Ethychlozate on Fruit Development and Quality of Mango Cultivar 'Tainong 1'

The fruit swelling effect of forchlorfenurun （CPPU） and fruit thinning effect of ethychlozate on Tainong 1 mango （Mangifera indica L. cv. ） were studied. Spraying 32 mg/L CPPU at 7 and 21 d post flowering for just once significantly improved the fruit size of mango, but had no significant impact on fruit quality and flavor. Spraying 200 mg/L ethychlozate at 7 d post flowering for just once significantly increased fruit drop rate and single fruit weight of mango; fruit grade was improved and total soluble solid increased to the maximum value, so ethychlozate had good fruit thinning effect.

Effects of planting dates and shading on carbohydrate content,yield,and fiber quality in cotton with respect to fruiting positions

Two cotton（Gossypium hirsutum L.） cultivars, Kemian 1（cool temperature-tolerant） and Sumian 15（cool temperaturesensitive） were used to study the effects of cool temperature on carbohydrates, yield, and fiber quality in cotton bolls located at different fruiting positions（FP）. Cool temperatures were created using late planting and low light. The experiment was conducted in 2010 and 2011 using two planting dates（OPD, the optimized planting date, 25 April; LPD, the late planting date, 10 June） and two shading levels of crop relative light rate（CRLR, 100 and 60%）. Compared with fruiting position 1（FP1）, cotton yield and yield components（fiber quality, leaf sucrose and starch content, and fiber cellulose） were all decreased on FP3 under all treatments. Compared with OPD-CRLR 100%, other treatments（OPD-CRLR 60%, LPD-CRLR 100%, and LPD-CRLR 60%） had significantly decreased lint yield at both FPs of both cultivars, but especially at FP3 and in Sumian 15; this decrease was mainly caused by a large decline in boll number. All fiber quality indices decreased under late planting and shading except fiber length at FP1 with OPD-CRLR 60%, and a greater reduction was observed at FP3 and in Sumian 15. Sucrose content of the subtending leaf and fiber increased under LPD compared to OPD, whereas it decreased under CRLR 60% compared to CRLR 100%, which led to decreased fiber cellulose content. Therefore, shading primarily decreased the ＂source＂ sucrose content in the subtending leaf whereas late planting diminished translocation of sucrose towards cotton fiber. Notably, as planting date was delayed and light was decreased, more carbohydrates were distributed to leaf and bolls at FP1 than those at FP3, resulting in higher yield and better fiber quality at FP1, and a higher proportion of bolls and carbohydrates allocated at FP3 of Kemian 1 compared to that of Sumian 15. In conclusion, cotton yield and fiber quality were reduced less at FP1 compared to those at FP3 under low temperature and low light conditions. Thus, reduced cotton yield and fiber quality loss can be minimized by selecting low temperature tolerant cultivars under both low temperature and light conditions.

Effects of Fungicide Treatments and Storage Temperatures on Fruit Quality of Two Mango （Mangifera indica） Cultivars

Harvested fruits of mango （Mangifera indica） suffer from both physiological and pathological deterioration in quality during storage which consequently affects their market value. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of fungicide treatments and storage temperatures on fruit quality of two mango cultivars, Keirt and Palmer. Mango fruits were treated with 0.04% or 0.08% v/v Triadimefon at either 53 ℃ （hot） or at room temperature and then either stored under ambient conditions （27-29 ℃） or in a refrigerator at a temperature of 11-12 ℃. Fruits stored under ambient conditions developed external colour faster than those stored at a lower temperature. Brix values for fruits treated with Triadimefon decreased with time. Fruits stored at lower temperatures gave least Brix values as compared with those stored under ambient conditions. Percentage titratable acid （%TA） of fruits stored at low temperatures increased over time. Fruits stored at lower temperatures recorded lower pH compared with fruits stored under ambient conditions. Palmer fruits recorded higher %Brix to %TA ratio, indicating a higher sweetness level. The firmness of Palmer fruits kept at lower temperatures increased with time when compared with Keitt fruit. Fruits treated with hot water at 53 ℃ and/or stored at low temperatures （11-12 ℃） had lower levels of anthracnose infection than other treatments. Keitt fruits were more susceptible to anthracnose infection than Palmer fruits. Mango fruits should therefore be treated with hot water at 53 ℃ and then stored at low temperatures （11-12 ℃） in order to slow down the rate of ripening and to reduce anthracnose infection.

Effect of Shoot-Fruit Ratio on Grape Yield,Quality and Storage Nutrient

With the grape variety ＂Summer Black＂ as the test material, the effects of different shoot-fruit ratios on grape yield, fruit quality and grapevine storage nutrient were investigated for 2 consecutive years, so as to determine the optimized load for Summer Black grapes in Shandong. The results showed that the grapes with shoot-fruit ratio of 1∶ 1 had the highest soluble solid content, vitamin C content and grapevine storage nutrient. Based on the comprehensive analysis, the shoot-fruit ratio of 1∶ 1 was the optimized load for Summer Black grapes in Tai an of Shandong Province, and the yield was 1 179.37-1 288.63 kg per 667 m^2.

Effects of Short-cut Flowering Branches on Harvest Time,Yield and Quality of Guire No.82 Mango

[Objectives]To further study the technology of short-cut flowering branches for Guire No.82 Mango,adjust its harvest time,increase yield and improve fruit quality,and increase the economic benefits of mango production.[Methods]The experiment of short-cut flowering branches was carried out for Guire No.82 Mango.[Results]At the initial flowering stage and full flowering stage of the primary inflorescence,with short-cut flowering branches and corresponding cultivation techniques,Guire No.82 Mango was easy to extract regenerated inflorescences.Compared with the control group,the flowering period of the regenerated inflorescences was delayed by 30-35 d and 40-50 d,respectively;the harvest time was delayed by 30 and 40 d,respectively;the yield significantly increased by 1.63 times and 2.25 times,respectively;compared with the control group,the number of fruits with embryo increased significantly,which were 1.39 and 2.25 times of the control,respectively;there was no significant difference in the fruit quality at the harvest time.[Conclusions]Short-cut flowering branches at the initial flowering stage and full flowering stage of the primary inflorescence is an effective measure to delay the marketing time of Guire No.82 Mango.

Effects of Different Irrigation Methods on Growth,Fruit Quality and Yield of Apple Trees

Water-saving irrigation is an important way to realize the sustainable development of the apple industry.In order to screen the best irrigation pattern for apple,taking 9-year-old‘Yanfu 10'Fuji/Malus robusta apple as the material,the effects of different irrigation methods(drip irrigation,sprinkling irrigation,and flood irrigation) on the growth,fruit quality,and yield of apple trees were studied.The results showed that compared with the flood irrigation,drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation significantly increased the spring shoot length by 14.8%and 9.1%,respectively,and decreased the autumn shoot length by 11.7% and 8.8%,respectively.Drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation significantly increased the leaf area,chlorophyll content,and leaf weight,the leaf area increased by 3.0% and 1.9%,respectively,the chlorophyll content increased by 13.9% and 11.5%,respectively,and the leaf weight increased by 5.8% and 5.1%,respectively.Drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation could slightly increase the single fruit weight and fruit shape index,significantly increase the coloring index and smoothness index.The single fruit weight increased by 3.2% and 1.9%,the coloring index increased by 6.1% and 4.1%,the smoothness index increased by 4.7% and 2.8%,and the proportion of red fruit increased by 4.2% and 2.2%,respectively.The content of soluble solids in drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation was significantly higher than that in flood irrigation,which was 13.0% and 2.6% higher than CK,respectively.The fruit hardness in drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation was 7.9% and 2.2% higher than CK,respectively,and that in drip irrigation increased significantly.The yield in drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation was 12.1% and 8.2% higher than CK,respectively.In conclusion,drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation could promote the growth of apple trees,improve the fruit quality,and increase the yield of apple trees,and the effect of drip irrigation is better than sprinkling irrigation.

Response of yield,quality,water and nitrogen use efficiency of tomato to different levels of water and nitrogen under drip irrigation in Northwestern China

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of applying different amounts of water and nitrogen on yield, fruit quality, water use efficiency （WUE）, irrigation water use efficiency （IWUE） and nitrogen use efficiency （NUE） of drip-irrigated greenhouse tomatoes in northwestern China. The plants were irrigated every seven days at various proportions of 20-cm pan evaporation （Ep）. The experiment consisted of three irrigation levels （11, 50% Ep; 12, 75% Ep; and 13, 100% Ep） and three N application levels （N1, 150 kg N ha^-1; N2, 250 kg N ha^-1;and N3, 350 kg N ha^-1）. Tomato yield increased with the amount of applied irrigation water in 12 and then decreased in 13. WUE and IWUE were the highest in Ii. WUE was 16.5% lower in 12 than that in I1, but yield was 26.6% higher in 12 than that in I1. Tomato yield, WUE, and IWUE were significantly higher in N2 than that in N1 and N3. NUIE decreased with increasing N levels but NUE increased with increase the amount of water applied. Increasing both water and N levels increased the foliar net photosynthetic rate. I1 and 12 treatments significantly increased the contents of total soluble solids （TSS）, vitamin C （VC）, lycopene, soluble sugars （SS）, and organic acids （OA） and the sugar：acid ratio in the fruit and decreased the nitrate content. TSS, VC, lycopene, and SS contents were the highest in N2. The harvest index （HI） was the highest in 12N2. 12N2 provided the optimal combination of tomato yield, fruit quality, and WUE. The irrigation and fertilisation regime of 75% Ep and 250 kg N ha^-1 was the best strategy of water and N management for the production of drip-irrigated greenhouse tomato.

Tomato Yield and Quality and Emitter Clogging as Affected by Chlorination Schemes of Drip Irrigation Systems Applying Sewage Effluent

Chlorination has been recognized as an efficient and economically favorable method for treating clogging in drip emitters caused by biological growth during sewage application. Further important criteria for determining an optimal chlorination scheme are the different responses of crops to the chloride added into the soil through chlorination. During two seasons in 2008 and 2009, field experiments were conducted in a solar-heated greenhouse with drip irrigation systems applying secondary sewage effluent to tomato plants to investigate the influences of chlorine injection intervals and levels on plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and emitter clogging. Injection intervals ranging from 2 to 8 wk and injection concentrations ranging 2-50 mg L-1 of free chlorine residual at the end of the laterals were used. For the 2008 experiments, the yield from the treatments of sewage application with chlorination was 7.5% lower than the yield from the treatment of sewage application without chlorination, while the yields for the treatments with and without chlorination were similar for the 2009 experiments. The statistical tests indicated that neither the chlorine injection intervals and concentrations nor the interactions between the two significantly influenced plant height, leaf area, or tomato yield for both years. The qualities of the fruit in response to chlorination were parameter-dependent. Chlorination did not significantly influence the quality of ascorbic acid, soluble sugar, or soluble acids, but the interaction between the chlorine injection interval and the chlorine concentration significantly influenced the levels of soluble solids. It was also confirmed that chlorination was an effective method for reducing biological clogging. These results suggested that chlorination is safe for a crop that has a moderate sensitivity to chlorine, like tomato, and can maintain a high level of performance in drip irrigation systems applying sewage effluent.

Replanting Affects the Tree Growth and Fruit Quality of Gala Apple

Apple replant disease（ARD） causes the inhibition of root system development, stunts tree growth and so on. To further investigate the effects of ARD on apple fruits, a 25-year-old apple orchard was remediated to establish a replant orchard between November 2008 and March 2009. A rotational cropping orchard was established on an adjacent wheat field. The cultivar and rootstock-scion combination used in the newly established orchards was Royal Gala/M26/Malus hupehensis Rehd. Ripe fruits were collected in mid-August 2011 and mid-August 2012, meanwhile, the following indices were measured： yield per plant; fruit weight; the fruit shape index; the contents of anthocyanin, carotenoid and chlorophyll; the soluble sugar content in the flesh; titratable acid; the sugar-acid ratio; firmness; and aroma components; apple plant ground diameter, plant height increment and the total length of the current-year shoots. The results showed that compared to rotational cropping, continuous cropping yielded statistically significant reductions in fruit weight and yield per plant of 39.8 and 76.5%, respectively. However, there were no changes in the fruit shape index. The anthocyanin and carotenoid contents decreased by 81.7 and 37.7%, respectively, while the chlorophyll content increased by 251.0%. All of these differences in content were statistically significant. The soluble sugar levels and sugar-acid ratio decreased by 25.4 and 60.9%, respectively, but the titratable acid levels and fruit firmness increased by 90.9 and 42.8%, respectively. Ten of the most important esters contributing to the apple aroma were analyzed, and the following changes were observed： hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexyl butyrate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate, amyl acetate, butyl butyrate, 2-methyl-butyl butyrate, hexyl propionate and hexyl hexanoate decreased by 25.5, 78.4, 89.1, 55.5, 79.5, 77.2, 86.8, 69.9, 61.2, and 68.1%, respectively. The contents of three other aroma components,（E）-2-hexenal, hexanal and 1-hexanol, significantly increased. Eight characteristic aroma components were found in the rotational cropping fruits： hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate, amyl acetate, 2-methyl- butyl butyrate, hexyl acetate and hexyl propionate. There were four characteristic ester components（hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate） and two characteristic aldehyde aroma components（（E）-2-hexenal and hexanal） in the continuous cropping fruits. Compared with the rotational cropping fruits, four characteristic ester components were declined and two characteristic aldehyde aroma components were increased. Compared with the control, replanted apple plant ground diameter, plant height increment and the total length of the current-year shoots were reduced by 27.6, 40.6 and 72.2%, respectively.

Peach yield and fruit quality is maintained under mild deficit irrigation in semi-arid China

We conducted a two-year study of deficit irrigation impact on peach yield and quality in semi-arid northwest China. Over two years, four-year-old peach trees were irrigated at 100, 75, 50 and 25% of peach evapotranspiration （ETc）, here, ETc= Coefficient （Kc）×Local reference evapotranspiration （ET0）. During the April-July fruit production season we measured root zone soil water depletion, sap flow velocity, net photosynthetic rate （Pn）, transpiration rate （Tr）, stomatal conductance （Gs）, water use efficiency （WUE=Pn/Tr）, fruit quality, and yield under a mobile rain-out shelter. Increased soil water depletion reasonably mirrored decreasing irrigation rates both years, causing progressively greater water stress. Progressive water stress lowered Gs, which in turn translated into lower T as measured by sap flow. However, mild deficit irrigation （75% ETc） constricted T more than Pn. Pn was not different between 100 and 75% ETc treatments in both years, and it decreased only 5-8% in June with higher temperature than that in May with cooler temperature. Concurrently under 75% ETc treatment, was reduced, and WUE was up to 13% higher than that under 100% ETc treatment. While total fruit yield was not different under the two treatments, because 75% ETc treatment had fewer but larger fruit than 100% ETc trees, suggesting mild water stress thinned fruit load. By contrast, sharply decreased T and Pn of the driest treatments （50 and 25% ETo） increased WUE, but less carbon uptake impacted total fruit yield, resulting 13 and 33% lower yield compared to that of 100% ETc treatment. Irrigation rates affected fruit quality, particularly between the 100 and 75% ETc trees. Fewer but larger fruit in the mildly water stressed trees （75% ETc） resulted in more soluble solids and vitamin C, firmer fruit, and improved sugar：acid ratio and fruit color compared to the 100% ETo treatment. Overall, trees deficit irrigated at 75% ETc maintained yield while improving fruit quality and using less water.

Fruit production and quality improvement in aonla （Emblica Officinalis Gaertn.） through canopy management

In order to maintain the health and vigour and to sustain the productivity, a pruning experiment was conducted on four year old ＂Balwant＂ cultivar of aonla grown in laterite soil, planted at a spacing of 5m×5m. To find out the best pruning method, six levels of pruning was performed i.e., （1） Light judicious pruning, （2） Detopping of primary branches at 8 feet from ground level ＋ removal of all secondary branches, （3） Detopping of primary branches at 8 feet from the ground level ＋ removal of all secondary branches at 2 feet from the base of primary branches, （4） Detopping of primary branches at 8 feet from the ground level ＋ removal of all secondary branches at 1 feet from the base of primary branches, （5） Light judicious pruning ＋ Detopping of plant canopy of at 8 feet from the ground level, （6） No pruning （control）. Results of three consecutive years of investigation revealed that light judicious pruning of thin, overlapping, criss-crossed, dead, unproductive and looping branches gave highest fruit yield in all the three years and resulted 64.4 percent yield increment over control when average of three years was considered. Severe pruning of primary and secondary branches caused drastic reduction of yield for two consecutive years after pruning. Judicious pruning helped to produce better sizeable and quality fruits.

Water and nutrient management effects on water use and yield of drip irrigated citrus in vertisol under a sub-humid region

Scarcity of water and nutrients in orchards are the major causes of low productivity and decline of citrus in tropics. With a hypothesis that the optimal amount of water and nutrients application through drip irrigation （DI） could save substantial irrigation and fertilizers comparative to that under traditional basin irrigation （BI） with band placement of fertilizer （BPF）, this study was conducted in citrus in vertisol of central India. Three DI regimes： I1, I2 and I3 scheduled at 50% class-A pan evaporation rate （Ep）, 75% Ep, and 100% Ep atong with three fertilizer doses： F1, F2 and F3 at 50% recommended dose of fertilizer （RDF, N：P2Os：K20=600 g：200 g：100 g）, 75% of RDF and 100% of RDF were applied to mandai＇in plants respectively. BI with band placement of fertilizer （BPF） at 100% RDF was taken for comparison. All the drip-fertigation treatments （except I1F1） produced higher plant growth and fruit yield, with better quality fruits compared with BI＋BPF. The highest fruit yield （16.39t ha^-1）, water use efficiency （3.9 kg m^-3） and fertilizer use efficiency （87.3 kg kg^-1） were observed in I2F2. The concentrations of N, K and Fe in leaves were significantly higher in I2F2 compared to other treatments. The leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance （G） and transpiration were the highest in I3F3. However, leaf water use efficiency （LWUE, photosynthesis/transpiration） was the highest in I2F2. The overall results of this study demonstrated that the application of optimum quantity of water and fertilizers （I2F2） through DI could be a productive and water efficient option in citrus production in vertisol.

Pre-Breeding Genetic Diversity Assessment of Tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.)Cultivars Based on Molecular,Morphological and Physicochemical Parameters

Appropriate knowledge of the parental cultivars is a pre-requisite for a successful breeding program.This study characterized fruit yield,quality attributes,and molecular variations of ten tomato cultivars during three consecutive generations under greenhouse conditions.Peto 86,Castle Rock,and Red Star cultivars showed the highest fruit yield(kg/plant),total phenolic compounds(TPC),and sap acidity.Principal component analysis categorized the evaluated fruit yield into three groups based on their quality attributes.A robust positive correlation appeared among traits inside each group.A positive correlation was likewise noticed between the first and the second groups.However,a negative correlation was detected between the first,the second and the third group.Molecular profiling,using seven inter-simple sequence repeat(ISSR)primers,produced 60 loci,including 49 polymorphic loci.The molecular analysis also pinpointed the highest genetic similarity(0.92)between P73 and Moneymaker,while the lowest genetic similarity(0.46)was observed between Castle Rock and Moneymaker.The cultivars P73 and Moneymaker showed the lowest genetic distance(2.24),while the highest genetic distance(5.92)was observed between Super Marmand and Peto86,on the one hand,and between Castle Rock and Moneymaker,on the other hand.The chemical analysis of fruit sap indicated the highest levels of TPC,total flavonoids,anthocyanin,ascorbic acid and total soluble solids in Peto 86 and Castle Rock cultivars.Phylogeny analysis of tomato cultivars based on morphological and molecular attributes indicated four distinct clades.Peto 86,Castle Rock,and Red star cultivars can be recommended for the tomato hybridization breeding programs in the future,with other tomato cultivars as potentially high-yielding parents.

Response of Peach, Plum and Almond to Water Restrictions Applied during Slowdown Periods of Fruit Growth

Water restrictions management for fruit rosaceous during slowdown periods of fruit growth can increase water use efficiency and improve fruit quality without reducing significantly their yield. In this context, two water restriction levels were tested during four consecutive seasons (2007-2011) in peach, plum and almond trees during slowdown periods of fruit growth corresponding to stage II for peach and plum and to stages II and III for almond. Water was applied by drip irrigation to produce different water-application treatments of 50% ETc (T50) and 75% ETc (T75) of non-stressed trees irrigated at 100% ETc (T100). The response of trees is presented only for the last season of the experiment (2010-2011) where the effect of the applied water stress is more pronounced. Results show that the effect of water restrictions varied depending on the species. Yield and fruit size were reduced significantly for peach only under treatment T50. Fruit quality was improved for this species with an increase of brix refractometric index and a decrease of acidity. These parameters were evolved in the same manner for plum but the observed differences were not significant. For almond, kernel quality remained unaffected by water restriction at T75. However, the epidermal wrinkles of kernels were more embossed, in response to treatment T50, which affected their appearance. Except leaf area, the evolution of shoots growth, chlorophyll content and leaf temperature showed that the physiology of all species was affected by water stress created by the application of the two irrigation treatments but without profound influence, particularly in plum. In conclusion, irrigation-water may be economized during slowdown periods of fruit growth without major negative effect up to 25% ETc for peach and almond and up to 50% ETc for plum.

Evaluation of Soil Water Management Difference in Mango Orchards between Thailand and Japan

The objective of this study is to evaluate the difference of the soil water management in mango orchards between the varieties of “Irwin” in Japanand “Nam Dok Mai” inThailand. Field observations were conducted in mango orchards in Okinawa, Japan and Phrao, Thailand to clarify the water management practices. Measurement of the hourly soil water content in Phrao indicated that the irrigation was scarce and the volumetric water content in the soil was maintained almost constant. in the flowering season. This can be the farmers’ practice for flower induction. After the flowering season, irrigation was frequent in order to produce the large fruit. In the harvest season, the soil water content was relatively high because of frequent irrigation and rainfall. In Okinawa, the volumetric water content was maintained at the same level in a relatively deep layer. The result at the5 cmdepth indicated that the farmer carefully controlled the soil water content. In the flowering season, the soil water content was relatively low. While the orchard was managed empirically, the volumetric water content near the soil surface was maintained over 25% during the harvest season. This result indicates that the farmer performed the good soil water management to enhance mango fruit quality even without technical measurement. A numerical model describing the soil water and heat transfers was introduced to predict the farmer’s empirical soil water management in Okinawa. Using the meteorological data in March 2010, the irrigation regime was predicted using the simulated soil water content. In the flowering season, the farmer irrigated when the soil surface water content reached 14%. Based on this criterion for the empirical soil water management, the simulation result indicated that the farmer irrigated four times in this period. The numerical model presented here can be useful for evaluating the differences in water management practices of local farmers.

Effects of Special Plant Nutritional Elements on Honey Pomelo Fruits

[Objective] The effects of special plant nutritional elements on honey pomelo fruits were investigated. [Method] After the honey pomelo flowers faded, the special plant nutritional elements （SPNE） were sprayed on the honey pomelo plants. After an interval of 20 d or more, the SPNE were sprayed again. A total of 4 times of spraying were carried out before the harvesting. Then difference in yield, quality, fruit weight, fruit appearance, ball weight and internal characteristics were compared between the SPNE treatment group and the control group. [Result] Compared to that of the control group, the fruit number per plant of the SPNE treatment group was more, and the average fruit weight was higher, resulting in the higher yield in the SPNE treatment group. At the same time, the vitamin C and soluble solids con- tent in honey pomelo fruits of the treatment group was higher than that of the con- trol group. The quality of honey pomelo fruits was higher in the SPNE treatment group. The honey pomelo fruits treated with SPNE were bigger, more shining and cleaner. The fruits in the treatment group had no scar, but had more beautiful shape. The exocarp of the treatment group was thinner than that of the control group. The ball weight of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group. Moreover, the ball appearance of the treatment group was cleaner. In the treatment group, the pulp segments were bigger and more consistent in size. In ad- dition, there were no internal cracks in the pulp segments. The fruits of the treat- ment group were more sparkling and more transparent. They tasted better. [Con- clusion] We hoped to provide a theoretical basis for the high-quality and high-yield- ing production of honey pomelo.

Reducing nitrogen fertilization of intensive kiwifruit orchards decreases nitrate accumulation in soil without compromising crop production

Excessive nitrogen （N） fertilization of high value horticultural crops is a common problem that not only increases the cost to farmers, but also negatively affects crop growth and the environment. A three-year field experiment was conducted in an intensive kiwifruit orchard in Shaanxi Province, China to compare the effects of reduced N fertilization applied as urea （U）, and controlled release urea （CRU） on the N nutrition of kiwi vines, fruit yield and quality, and nitrate-N accumulation in the soil profile. The three treatments included a conventional N application rate （CF-U, 900 kg N ha-1 yr-1 as urea）, two reduced N fertilization treatments where the amount of N fertilizer applied as U and CRU was reduced by 25％ in 2013 and 2014, and by 45％ in 2015. The 25 and 45％ reduced N treatments had no adverse effects on the N concentrations in leaves and pruning branches and the fruit yield and quality of kiwi vines. However, they significantly enhanced the partial factor productivity of applied N （PFPN） and the economic benefits, and reduced nitrate accumulation in the 0-200 cm soil profile. The same benefits of reduced N fertilization were observed for both the U and CRU treatments, but the CRU treatment had the added benefit of decreasing the loss of nitrate through leaching. We concluded that the current level of N fertilization in kiwi orchards is very excessive, and reducing the N fertilizer rate by 25-45％ could not only guarantee fruit yield, but also reduce N accumulation and loss.

Alternate Furrow Irrigation: A Practical Way to Improve Grape Quality and Water Use Efficiency in Arid Northwest China

Field experiments were conducted for two years to investigate the benefits of alternate furrow irrigation on fruit yield, quality and water use efficiency of grape （Vitis vinifera L. cv. Rizamat） in the arid region of Northwest China. Two irrigation treatments were included, i.e., conventional furrow irrigation （CFI, two root-zones were simultaneously irrigated during the consecutive irrigation） and alternate partial root-zone furrow irrigation （AFI, two root-zones were alternatively irrigated during the consecutive irrigation）. Results indicate that AFI maintained similar photosynthetic rate （Pn） but with a reduced transpiration rate when compared to CFI. As a consequence, AFI improved water use efficiency based on evapotranspiration （WUEEr, fruit yield over water consumed） and irrigation （WUE~, fruit yield over water irrigated） by 30.0 and 34.5%, respectively in 2005, and by 12.7 and 17.7%, respectively in 2006. AFI also increased the edible percentage of berry by 2.91-4.79% significantly in both years. Vitamin C （Vc） content content of berry was increased by 25.6-37.5%, and tritrated acidity （TA） was reduced by 9.5-18.1% in AFI. This resulted in an increased total soluble solid content （TSS） to TA ratio （TSS/TA） by 11.5-16.7% when compared to CFI in both years. Our results indicate that alternate furrow irrigation is a practical way to improve grape fruit quality and water use efficiency for irrigated crops in arid areas.