Stone Fruit Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

The so called Upper Río Negro Valley in Argentina is one of the most important fruit and vegetable production regions of the country. It comprises the lower valleys of the Limay and Neuquén rivers and the upper Negro river valley. Out of the 41,671 cultivated hectares, 84.6% are cultivated with fruit trees, especially apple, pear and stone fruit trees. Late frosts occurring when trees are sensitive to low temperatures have a significant impact on the regional production. This study presents an analysis of air flow characteristics in the Upper Río Negro Valley and its relationship with ambient air flow. To such effect, observations made when synoptic-scale weather patterns were favorable for radiative frosts (light wind and clear sky) or nocturnal temperature inversion in the lower layer were used. In the Negro river valley, both wind channeling and downward horizontal momentum transport from ambient wind were observed; in nighttime, very light wind events occurred, possibly associated with drainage winds from the nearby higher levels of the barda. In the Neuquén river valley, the prevailing effect appeared to be forced channeling, consistent with the results obtained in valleys where the synoptic scale wind crossed the axis of the valley. In the Limay river valley, the flow was observed to blow parallel to the longitudinal valley axis, possibly influenced by pressure gradient and forced channeling.

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- Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Science, Atmospheric sciences, Air flow

We studied the variations in fruit and stone shapes and compared the relative mass of the different compartments of peaches between varieties with different domestication levels. Fruit shape appeared stable and round whatever the level of domestication of the varieties, whereas stone shape was oval and more varying from one variety to another. Variations in mesocarp thickness seemed to balance the oval shape of the stone. Fruit fresh mass varied greatly among the varieties. Variations in mesocarp fresh mass explained most of the variations in fruit mass, since stone fresh mass was roughly similar among varieties. No link between level of domestication and dry matter content of mesocarp was observed. Hypotheses to explain mesocarp mass differences are discussed.

- by Bénédicte Quilot-turion
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- Leaf dry matter content, Stone Fruit

In recent years the Australian stone-fruit industry has experienced low and at times negative growth in domestic and export sales due to variable fruit quality, oversupply and increased competition from global suppliers. The aim of this study was to identify Australian consumer preferences to the main interactions between sweetness, acidity and firmness for fresh stone-fruit. Two peach (Snow Fire and Summer Flame 29) and two nectarine (August Fire and Fire Sweet) cultivars (both representing low and high-acidity) were stored and ripened prior to hand sorting into two firmness categories (firm and soft). Separation of fruit into firmness categories was confirmed non-destructively with an acoustic firmness sensor (AWETA). Fruit were then sorted into two sweetness categories (high and low) using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR). Melbourne consumers (n=150) recruited from a major shopping centre tasted fruit and their hedonic responses recorded. Consumers preferred high acid peaches and low acid nectarines. Fruit firmness was the main driver of consumer liking, with acceptance and purchase intent for soft fruit rating significantly higher than firm fruit, irrespective of acid content. Consumer scores for firm peaches were not significantly affected by acid content whereas firm nectarines with low acid achieved significantly higher scores than firm nectarines with high acid within the same sweetness band. Fruit from the sweeter category were preferred over fruit from the lower sweetness category and the effect of high sweetness was more evident in firmer peaches and soft nectarines. This study demonstrates a strong interaction between consumer preferences and fruit firmness. The preference for both sweet and soft fruit presents a major challenge to the industry.

The preparation of activated carbon from agricultural waste could increase economic return and reduce pollution. Activated carbon has been processed from different types of agricultural material, such as olive stone, acorn, pecan, walnut shells, and stone fruits. The objectives of this study were to prepare and to characterize activated carbon from two abundant waste material produced in Argentina. Activated carbon was made from olive pits (OP) and walnut shells (WS) by treatment with 50 and 75% (w/w) of KOH. The two types of activated carbon obtained were evaluated by iodine adsorption. The characterization of surface carbons was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Activated carbon yields from OP was higher than WS. The highest carbon yields were obtained with 75% KOH concentration in both OP and WS. The characteristics of the starting materials, the activating agent concentration, and the carbon particle size influenced the iodine adsorption capacity. Adsorptive properties were highest in the OP powdered carbon obtained at 75% KOH concentration. The WS-activated carbon had macrocroporous structures with a pore size distribution more homogeneous than OP.

- by Damián Maestri and +1
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- Scanning Electron Microscopy, Activated Carbon, Industrial Crops, Particle Size

In 1998 we concluded a 2-year field trial demonstrating that switching rootstocks from Nemaguard to Hansen 536 (a peach x almond hybrid with no Nemaguard parentage) can also alleviate much of the rejection component. This experiment was repeated in 2001 following use of Roundup and one year of fallow then replanting on Nemaguard versus Hansen 536. Tree growth of the

- by Thomas Buzo and +1
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- Methyl Bromide, Tree growth, Field Trial, Meloidogyne Incognita
- by Michael Blanke
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- Plant Biology, Taste, Plant Growth Regulation, Fruit Set

Nine compounds and three modes of applications were tested to improve the control of two Capnodis spp., C. tenebrionis L. and C. carbonaria Klug (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), in local stone-fruit plantations. The best result was obtained by azinphos-methyl applied as a foliar spray. Suitable chemicals for dusting were methiocarb, azinphos-methyl and carbosulfan applied to the stem in late spring or prior to fruit harvest. Soil application of imidacloprid as a systemic insecticide is successful for protection of young plantations and nurseries. C. tenebrionis was less susceptible than C. carbonaria to the tested insecticides.

- by Zvi Mendel
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- Plant Biology, Control, IS success, Chemical Control

Gas chromatography and the determination of natural isotope ratios are powerful analytical methods which can be used to check the authenticity of alcoholic beverages and to detect any adulteration. To check the origin and the authenticity of commercial fruit spirits, whiskies, etc., 197 samples were analysed by gas chromatography, 2H-NMR and 13C isotope mass spectrometry. The discrimination between different varieties was demonstrated by bivariate and multivariate discriminant analysis using different concentrations of volatile compounds such as methanol, butan-1-ol, 2- and 3-methyl-butanol, benzaldehyde and hexanol as well as isotopic data like (D/H)I, (D/H)II and 13C/12C isotopomers of ethanol. The results show that by using multivariate discriminant analysis it is possible to distinguish not only between different groups of spirits, e.g. those made of stone-fruit, malaceous fruit, grain and corn, but also between individual varieties, such as cherry, plum, mirabelle and apple. If the detection of highly rectified ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and the identification of its raw materials are required, then natural isotope ratios are the only discriminant analytical parameters available.

The yellow-legged clearwing (YLC) Synanthedon vespiformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) occurs in the Mediterranean and central Europe. It is polyphagous, boring into the woody parts of broadleaf species including forest trees as well as various Rosaceae species. S. vespiformis has been reported as an economically important pest causing severe injury to stone fruit plantations. Many attractants for sesiid species were discovered by random field screening using 2,13-and 3,13-octadecadienyl alcohols, acetates and aldehydes, including one for S. vespiformis; and about 20 sex pheromones of sesiids have been identified so far. In the present study we identified the natural composition of the sex pheromone of YLC laboratory reared females as a blend of E3,Z13-and Z3,Z13-octadecadienyl acetates, at a ratio of 4:1. We developed an efficient lure for monitoring the pest. Pheromone funnel traps with rubber septa, impregnated with 1 mg pheromone blend, efficiently captured males for 10 weeks. Suspension of Shin-Etsu Ò ropes containing a 2:1 blend of E3,Z13-18:Ac and Z3,Z13-18:Ac at 13.74 mg/ha/ h, resulted in shutdown of trap catches in the treated plots and closely situated neighboring plots indicating that mating disruption is feasible.

- by Zvi Mendel
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- Biological Sciences, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Sex Pheromone, Mating Disruption

The Stethorini are unique among the Coccinellidae in specializing on mites (principally Tetranychidae) as prey. Consisting of 90 species in two genera, Stethorus and Parasthethorus, the tribe is practically cosmopolitan. The Stethorini are found in a diverse range of habitats, including many agricultural systems such as pome and stone fruits, brambles, tree nuts, citrus, avocadoes, bananas, papaya, palms, tea, cassava, maize, strawberries, vegetables, and cotton, as well as ornamental plantings, grasslands, forests, and heathlands. Tetranychid mite outbreaks became common in many agricultural systems only after World War II, when widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides increased. Stethorini were initially appreciated only for their ability to suppress severe outbreaks of tetranychid populations. However, research on their prey searching behaviors reveals that Stethorini use visual and olfactory stimuli to locate small mite colonies in patchy distributions, and can be very effective in regulating their prey at low densities. Moreover, acariphagous coccinellids colonize mite outbreaks earlier, and consume more pest mites, than many other mite predators. Key to the use of coccinellids in conservation biological control programs is the provision of overwintering habitats and refuges from pesticides in and near cropland. When these conditions are fulfilled, Stethorini often play important roles in maintaining suppression of tetranychid populations. Examples of successful biological mite control with Stethorini include apple orchards in Pennsylvania, USA, and citrus in Asia, and the unintended disruption of a tetranychid-based biological control program for the invasive woody weed, gorse, in Australia and New Zealand. The systematics and taxonomy of this group is challenging with many cryptic species, and molecular diagnostic tools are sorely needed. How best to utilize their mite-suppressive potential in diverse settings requires better knowledge of their requirements including utilization of alternative foods, refuges for dormancy and from nonselective pesticides, and host-finding mechanisms.

- by David Biddinger
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- Zoology, World War II, Biological Control, Molecular Diagnostics

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is a major pest of fruit crops due to its wide host range and distribution. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of Surround WP, a kaolin-based particle film, as an alternative to synthetic insecticides to control medfly infestations and postharvest decay in citrus and stone fruit. No-choice, choice and half-choice laboratory experiments with citrus fruit, nectarines and peaches showed a significant reduction of medfly punctures and landings on kaolintreated fruit. The total loss at harvest in satsumas sprayed with Surround WP (17%) was significantly lower than in those untreated (57%) or treated with trichlorfon (68%). In 2004, the yield loss at harvest in peaches and nectarines treated with Surround WP was not different compared to fruit sprayed with fenthion and trichlorfon, while in 2005 Surround WP was significantly more effective than insecticides in reducing the incidence of damaged fruit. Citrus and stone fruit treated with Surround WP showed a lower incidence of postharvest decay than control and insecticide-treated fruit. The present study shows for the first time the lower incidence of postharvest decay in fruit protected with Surround WP, which represents a suitable alternative to conventional insecticides in integrated and traditionally managed orchards.

- by Arturo Cocco
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- Entomology, Crop Protection, Host Range, Ceratitis Capitata

h i g h l i g h t s " The antagonistic effect of two yeasts was tested in the same experiment against M. laxa, M. fructicola and M. fructigena. " The two antagonists were identified by molecular and morphological tools as Aureobasidium pullulans. " The washed cells of antagonists completely inhibited M. laxa and fructicola rots and reduced M. fructigena infections. " Low temperature did not influence antagonist efficacy, M. laxa and M. fructicola were completely inhibited by antagonists. g r a p h i c a l a b s t r a c t

- by Michela Guidarelli
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- Zoology, Biological Control, Population Density, Sterilization
- by Raphael Pimenta
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- Zoology, Biological Control, Stone Fruit

The defence of stone-and pome-fruit orchards from Cydia molesta by the method of false-trail following, or "disorientation", has been evaluated. Such a method consists in the setting up of several prevailing pheromone trails, released by an appropriate number of dispensers loaded with low pheromone dosage, able to compete with those of the female insect and thus disorientate males in their search for partners. The soundness of the disorientation method has been demonstrated through experimental and large-scale demonstrative trials, covering more than 200 hectares of peach orchards and 32 hectares of pome-fruit orchards located in several Italian regions in 1998-99.Specific, biodegradable, pheromone dispensers, named Ecodian, numbering 2000/ha for a total amount of 20 g active ingredient per hectare, were used for each application, which had an average duration of 45-50 days. In peach orchards, in 1998 damages lower than 5% were registered on 159 of the 186 demonstration tests (81%), against 186 of the 209 tests (89%) in 1999. Damages less than 1% were registered in 74 tests in 1998 and 119 tests in 1999. In pome-fruit orchards, the dispensers for Cydia molesta were applied in mid-July on fields where, for the most part, the mating disruption was practiced with Ecopom Isagro dispensers for the defence against Cydia pomonella. Of the 22 demonstration trials in 1998, only 1 suffered damage of 2%, while in the other 21 the control was total. An excellent control of Cydia molesta was also achieved in 1999, only 1 out of the 31 tests suffered damage higher than 5% (mainly due to the border effect) while in 24 tests the attack was kept within 1%.

- by Fabio Molinari
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- Large Scale, Active Ingredient, Mating Disruption, Stone Fruit

The main objective of the study was to investigate influence of geographical location on volatile composition and perceived flavour profile of Sauvignon wines of New Zealand (Marlborough), French (Sancerre; Loire; Saint Bris), and Austrian (Styria) origin. Nineteen New Zealand wine professionals evaluated 18 Sauvignon wines, 6 from each source of origin, by sensory methods that included intensity ratings to experimenterprovided descriptors, typicality ratings, and classification tasks (non-directed and directed sorting). Results demonstrated that wines from the three sources of origin were separated by sensory analyses, with New Zealand wines dominated by perceived green characteristics, Austrian wines perceived to be fruity (stonefruit), and French wines relatively subdued in all characteristics measured other than perceived minerality. Concentrations of fermentation-derived, volatile aroma compounds (including acetate esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, and higher alcohols) and isobutylmethoxypyrazine (IBMP) were determined for each wine using the automated HS-SPME (Headspace Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction) technique and a modification of the HS-SPME technique . Analysis of thiol concentrations was undertaken by SPME-GC-MS/MS analysis. Statistical association of sensory and chemical data demonstrated that the chemical compounds clustered into three groups, each cluster associated with one source-of-origin. A 'green' cluster of compounds associated with the New Zealand wines, the fruity/boxwood compound 4-mercapto-4methylpentan-2-one (4MMP) associated with Austrian wines, and other compounds (e.g., benzaldehyde) associated with French wines. The study has demonstrated differences in perceived sensory characteristics and chemical composition of Sauvignon wines as a function of source of origin, and demonstrated associations between some specific aroma compounds and sensory terms employed by wine professionals.

- by James A Green and +1
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- Chemical Engineering, Food, New Zealand, Chemical Analysis

A peach-to-nectarine mutant 'Yuval', a white, melting-flesh, cling-stone fruit was compared over three seasons with its peach progenitor 'Oded', an early season cultivar, to study ripening and storage characteristics. Twenty-four genome-spanning single sequence repeats markers showed the identity of the peach with its nectarine mutant at the DNA level. There was no difference in cell size at harvest between the 'Oded' peach and 'Yuval' nectarine, although 'Oded' peach was 24% larger by weight than 'Yuval'. The 'Oded' peaches were also less acidic, and had less soluble solids than the 'Yuval' nectarine at harvest. Fruit were stored at two temperatures, 5 • C and 0 • C. Softening was faster in the fruit of both cultivars stored at 5 • C than 0 • C. At 3 d ripening at 20 • C after cold storage, there was more expressible juice at 5 • C than 0 • C in the fruit of both cultivars. 'Oded' peaches developed internal browning and woolliness at 3 d ripening at 20 • C after 5 and 7 weeks 5 • C storage, and had lower expressible juice than 'Yuval' nectarines. Cold storage at 0 • C plus ripening reduced flesh browning, woolly texture and flesh bleeding incidence in 'Oded' fruit compared to ripening after storage at 5 • C. Flesh browning and woolly texture incidence was lower in the 'Yuval' nectarines than 'Oded' peaches. Overall, the data suggest that 'Oded' and 'Yuval' are genetically similar and 'Yuval' conserves several fruit and ripening characteristics that usually come with peach-to-nectarine mutations. Furthermore, 'Yuval' nectarine is comparatively more resistant to chilling injury (flesh browning and woolly texture) than 'Oded' peach after prolonged storage.

- by Haya Friedman and +1
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- Seasonality, Postharvest Biology and Technology, Chilling Injury, Cold Storage

Species of Botryosphaeria are well-recognized pathogens of pome and stone fruit trees. The taxonomy of these fungi, however, has been confused in the past. Recent taxonomic changes to the Botryosphaeriaceae further influence the literature pertaining to these fungi. This study reviews the taxonomic status of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with fruit tree diseases, identifies them in South Africa and elsewhere, and develops a reliable identification technique for them. Comparisons were made using DNA sequence data from the nuclear ITS rRNA operon and anamorph morphology. These analyses distinguished six clades amongst isolates associated with fruit tree diseases, corresponding to Neofusicoccum ribis (= B. ribis), N. parvum (= B. parva), N. australe (= B. australis), B. dothidea, Diplodia mutila (= B. stevensii) and ‘Botryosphaeria’obtusa (the genus Botryosphaeria is no longer available for the fungus known as B. obtusa, but a new name has not been proposed yet). Isolates from fruit trees in South Africa were grouped in the N. australe and ‘Botryosphaeria’ obtusa clades. This is the first report of N. australe from fruit trees. PCR-RFLP analysis using the restriction endonucleases CfoI and HaeIII distinguished the major clades. However, two groups of closely related species, N. ribis and N. parvum, and N. australe and N. luteum (= B. lutea), had identical RFLP profiles. Using RFLP, it was shown that ‘Botryosphaeria’obtusa is the dominant species on fruit trees in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. These results and methods will be useful in future epidemiological studies and disease management of Botryosphaeriaceae from fruit trees.

- by Bernard Slippers
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- Microbiology, Plant Biology, South Africa, Plant

In clayey and calcareous soils without a stable irrigation and fertilization system, the type of rootstock can particularly affect both the vegetative and productive properties of 'Suncrest' peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) plants, and the qualitative and nutritional attributes of their fruit. The GF677 rootstock (P. persica Â Prunus amygdalus) promoted the highest vegetative development, followed by Julior (Prunus insistitia). The 'Suncrest' on Ishtara [(Prunus cerasifera Â P. persica) Â (P. cerasifera Â Prunus salicina)] and Barrier1 (P. persica Â Prunus davidiana) had lower, but similar, plant vigour, but the latter rootstock differed in its higher production of pruned wood. The lowest adaptability to these cultivation conditions was observed for 'Suncrest' grafted onto Citation (P. persica Â P. salicina), which showed the lowest plant development and production. For the plant yield, the 'Suncrest' grafted onto GF677, Julior, Ishtara, and Barrier1 were all similar. The fruit yield and both the canopy volume and pruned wood of 'Suncrest' grafted onto Ishtara showed a particular relationship, giving the best indices of yield efficiency and plant physiological equilibrium. Moreover, the same rootstock promoted the largest fruit size, while the smallest fruit were found on GF677 rootstock. The fruit from the Citation 'Suncrest' ripened 3 days early, while those from Barrier1 had a late fruit ripening. Firmness, soluble solids and the soluble solids to total acidity ratio were only affected slightly by the different rootstocks, while the total acidity of the fruit varied significantly according to rootstock; the fruit from 'Suncrest' grafted onto Barrier1, Julior, and Citation had the highest total acidities. The rootstock effects on the nutritional attributes of the fruit were relevant. The 'Suncrest' on Julior and GF677, followed by Ishtara, produced fruit with the greatest antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents. The 'Suncrest' on Citation and, especially, Barrier1 had reduced nutritional values of the fruit. The variations in antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents showed a positive correlation. #

- by B. Mezzetti and +1
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- Antioxidant Activity, Nutritional Value, Plant Development, Fruit Ripening

Bu çalışma, 2016-2017 yılları arasında, iki vejetasyon dönemi boyunca, Ordu ilinin, Altınordu, Akkuş, Ünye, Fatsa, Ulubey, Kumru, Perşembe, Gülyalı, Kabadüz, Çaybaşı ve İkizce ilçelerinde yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada bu bölgede yetiştirilen sert çekirdekli meyve ağaçlarında bulunan akar türleri araştırılmıştır. Örneklemeler, erik (Prunus domestica L.), kiraz (Prunus avium L.), vişne (Prunus cerasus L.), şeftali (Prunus persica L. Batsch) (Rosaceae) ve kızılcık (Cornus mas L. (Cornaceae)) olmak üzere 5 farklı meyve türünde yürütülmüştür. Çalışma süresince, toplam 176 mahallede, 474 adet örnekleme yapılmıştır. Örneklemeler her yılın mayıs, kasım ayları arasında, aylık periyotlarla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmalar süresince, 3 takıma bağlı 11 familyadan toplam 36 tür tespit edilmiştir. Bunlar içerisinde en yoğun bulunan familyalar Tetranychidae ve Phytoseiidae olmuştur. Bölgede, sert çekirdekli meyvelerde tetranychid akarlardan en çok Tetranychus urticae (Koch) ve Amphytetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) türleri tespit edilmişken, en baskın phytoseiid türler olarak Transeius wainsteini (Gomelauri) ve Phytoseiulus finitimus (Ribaga) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) belirlenmiştir. Mite species on stone fruit trees in Ordu province Anahtar Sözcükler: Akar Fauna Ordu Sert çekirdekli meyve ABSTRACT This study was conducted in Altınordu, Akkuş, Ünye, Fatsa, Ulubey, Kumru, Perşembe, Gülyalı, Kabadüz, Çaybaşı and İkizce districts of Ordu province during two vegetation periods between 2016-2017. In the research, mite species on stone fruit trees were invesitigated. The samplings were carried out on 5 different fruit species; plum (Prunus domestica L.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.), peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) (Rosaceae) and cranberry [Cornus mas L. (Cornaceae)]. During the study, a total of 474 samples were collected from 176 villages. Surveys were carried out monthly between May and November months of each year. During the study, 36 species belonging to11 families from 3 orders were identified. Among them, Tetranychidae and Phytoseiidae were the most common families. While Tetranychus urticae (Koch) and Amphytetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) were the most detected tetranychid mite species, Transeius wainsteini (Gomelauri) and Phytoseiulus finitimus (Ribaga) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) were the most dominant phytoseiid mite species on stone fruit trees in the region.

- by Yunus Altunç
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- Acaralogia:Ticks and mites, Mites, Stone Fruit, Tetranychidae

During spring and summer of 2007, 76 fungal isolates were recovered from different Prunus species in West Azerbaijan and Tehran provinces of Iran. Based on morphological characteristics, all isolates were identified as Wilsonomyces carpophilus. The occurrence of shot hole disease symptoms on almond, plum, peach and nectarine fruits, apricot twigs in orchards was observed. The first pathogenicity tests with W. carpophilus in Iran, using seven Prunus species, are reported.

- by Y. Ghosta
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- Plant Biology, Stone Fruit

Background: Prunus fruit development, growth, ripening, and senescence includes major biochemical and sensory changes in texture, color, and flavor. The genetic dissection of these complex processes has important applications in crop improvement, to facilitate maximizing and maintaining stone fruit quality from production and processing through to marketing and consumption. Here we present an integrated fruit quality gene map of Prunus containing 133 genes putatively involved in the determination of fruit texture, pigmentation, flavor, and chilling injury resistance.

- by Carlos Crisosto
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- Genetics, Biological Sciences, Gene Mapping, Expressed Sequence Tags
- by Wojciech Janisiewicz
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- Zoology, Biological Control, Stone Fruit
- by Semra Demir
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- New Zealand, Prunus Persica, Stone Fruit, Fusarium Spp

... Monika Kałużna & Joanna Puławska & Piotr Sobiczewski ... Recently, the PCR melting profile (PCR MP) method appeared to be very useful in genetic diversity studies of several bacterial genera, mainly Enterobacteriaceae (Masny... more

- by Piotr Sobiczewski and +1
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- Microbiology, Plant Biology, Genetic Diversity, Pseudomonas Syringae

This paper establishes a system to support the dose evaluation part of the pesticide registration process so that growers can make more efficient use of different spraying products across a broad range of European orchards and vineyards. The system comprises: a dose adjustment model and a small database of standard target structures (i.e., regional exemplars where efficient and efficacious use of pesticide is obtained at the label dose rate). The model includes a generalised scaling group relationship between the parameters that describe: sprayer output, target row structure and spray volume deposit. The upper limit for dose adjustment is based on the environmental fate of pesticide and this is represented in the model by the ratio of maximum ground area dose rate to minimum efficacious deposit which is normalised for alignment with target structure measurements. The model is used to examine the leaf-wall-area dose rate recently proposed by the European agrochemical manufacturing industry for harmonising pesticide registration. Good agreement is demonstrated between published measurements and model predictions of ground area and leaf-wall-area dose rate variation at constant deposit for a wide range of target structures (i.e., English pome-and stone-fruit orchards and Italian vineyards). The results are used to establish standard target structures for spraying products with different uses. These standards are needed by regulators to: translate between the different methods of expressing dose rate and improve the accuracy of label dose recommendations. The standards are also needed by growers to enable: more accurate calibration of spraying equipment and prediction of the optimum adjustment of label dose rate for different orchards and vineyards.

- by G. Pergher
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- Engineering, Dose rate, Manufacturing Industry, Support System

The peach x almond hybrid GF 677 is a vigorous rootstock widely used for peach across Italy. However, despite its high production and adaptation to various soil and environmental conditions, this rootstock may induce excessive vigor and decrease fruit quality. Today, modern peach industry demands rootstocks which combine: (a) reduced vigor, suitable for high density systems, facilitating canopy management (e.g. mechanization of pruning, thinning and harvest); and (b) high yield and fruit quality.
In this study, the productive evaluation of peach trees grafted on six rootstocks of different vigor from three different locations, Castelvetrano (Sicily), Forlì (Emilia-Romagna) and Cesena (Emilia-Romagna) is reported. In Castelvetrano and Cesena, rootstocks GF677 (Prunus persica x P. dulcis) and Garnem (P. dulcis x P. persica), Adesoto (P. insititia), Rootpac-20 (P. besseyi x P. cerasifera), Rootpac-40 [(P. persica x P. persica) x (P. dulcis x P. persica)], and Rootpac-90 [(P. persica x P. davidiana) x (P. dulcis x P. persica)] were grafted with the nectarine cultivar Big Top. In Forlì, the same rootstocks were grafted with the peach cultivar Rome Star. Yield, number of fruits, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), average fruit weight, flesh firmness, soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) were determined at the third leaf (2015).
In all experimental sites, in both ‘Big Top’ and ‘Rome Star’, GF 677, Garnem and RP90 induced the highest vigor, while RP40 and RP20 the least. In Emilia-Romagna, yield efficiency was highest in the most vigorous trees, with the only exception of RP40, which combined a size-controlling effect with high yield efficiency and large fruit size. RP40 induced biggest fruit size in all experimental sites and also led to the highest yield and yield efficiency in Sicily. In addition, Adesoto advanced fruit maturation in Sicily.
Productive and qualitative data will be collected and analyzed in the following years in order to validate the results of 2015

- by Alessio Scalisi and +2
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- Horticulture, Fruit Science, Prunus, Rootstock-scion interactions

Postharvest treatment of stone fruit with thymol vapours controls brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola. While the mechanism of the fungicidal action is not known, the gross effect of the thymol vapours appeared to be on the fungal spores and surface mycelia. Harvested plums were inoculated with conidia of M. fructicola and incubated for 4-6 days at 21 • C to allow for sporulation. Sporulating fruit was treated with thymol vapours from 0 to 8 g mL −1 . The viability of the conidia obtained from thymol treated and untreated brown rot lesions was tested with four vital stains. M. fructicola conidia were immediately affected with a 50% reduction in viability after treatment with 2 g mL −1 thymol as detected by the vital stains fluorescein diacetate, propidium iodide, fluorescent dye DiOC 6 (3) and the commercial product FungoLight TM . Conidia treated with 8 g mL −1 thymol exhibited 17-23% survival. One millimeter square sections of the infected fruit skin with the associated surface mycelial mass were prepared for transmission electron microscopy. The electron micrographs display the intra and intercellular ultrastructure of the fungal conidia. Thymol crystallized on the outer surface of the fungal cell wall. The cytoplasm of the thick walled spores did not appear changed from the untreated spores. In contrast, all other fungal fine structures on the surface of the lesion were severely affected by thymol vapours. Sections of germ tubes, appressoria and surface hyphae exposed to thymol vapours were characterised by disrupted and disorganised cytoplasmic organelles. The fine structures of the fungal intra-and intercellular hyphae inside the plum tissue were unaffected by thymol treatments.

We used a newly developed bioassay method to demonstrate for the Wrst time the potential of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to be used for the control of neonate larvae of Capnodis tenebrionis, a major threat to stone-fruit orchards in several countries. Four B. bassiana and four M. anisopliae isolates were all pathogenic for neonate larvae of C. tenebrionis; mortality rates 10 days after inoculation by dipping in a suspension with 10 8 conidia/ml varied from 23.5% to 100%. Three of the four M. anisopliae isolates caused 100% mortality. In most cases, postmortem hyphal growth and sporulation of M. anisopliae or B. bassiana was observed covering the larvae in their galleries. The eight isolates were also evaluated for pathogenicity to C. tenebrionis eggs at the same dosage. Only two B. bassiana isolates caused signiWcant egg hatching reduction of 84.5% and 94.5%. Our results indicate that M. anisopliae and B. bassiana may be considered as promising for a new approach to prevent larval infestations by C. tenebrionis.

- by Cándido Santiago Alvarez
- •
- Zoology, Biological Control, Virulence, Longevity

and SECNA (FAO). Photo's 011the back cover were provided by Patrick Robert (tsetse f1y), Ignacio Baez (cactus 1110tll),Scott Bauer (USDA Agricultural Research Serviee, www.forestryimages.org-Mediterranean fruit fly, melon f1y), Jack Dykinga (USDA Agricultural Research Service, www.forestryimages.org-Mexican fruit f1y), Susan Ellis (www.forestryimages.org-Asian tiger mosquito), Alton N. Sparks (University ofGeorgia, www.forestryimages.org-boll weevil), Hcndrik Hofmeyr (false codling moth), and the Locust Group (FAO) (desert locust).

Expression condition for maximum recovery of recombinant Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) coat protein was standardized. The in vitro expressed fusion protein with 6xHis tag (~43 Kd) was purified from inclusion bodies and used as an antigen for raising polyclonal antiserum in rabbit. This antiserum consistently detected ACLSV in pome and stone fruits as well as herbaceous host plants by direct double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) and direct tissue blot immunoassay (DTBIA). The conditions for immuno-capture RT-PCR (IC-RT-PCR) were also standardized.

- by Thomas Gradziel and +1
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- Genetics, Biological Sciences, Gene Mapping, Expressed Sequence Tags

Agricultural practices are the main stay of the people of Uttranchal. Out of the total population, more than 75% people are engaged either with the main occupation of agriculture or its allied practices, dominated by traditional subsistence cereal farming. Among them, the main crops are rice, wheat, millet, barley, all types of pulses, all types of oilseeds and almost all types of fruits. The crops, vegetables and fruits of all varieties are grown in the different climatic zones such as tropical, temperate, and cold because, the region is characterized by the different altitudinal zones elevated from 200 m to more than 8000m. As a result, different climates are found from hot tropical to sub temperate and chilly cold. Pulses varieties are grown extensively. Among vegetables, potato, onion, carrot, all types of green leaf vegetables, brinzal, pumpkin, ladyfinger, pea, gram, radish, ginger, garlic, etc, are grown widely. All fruit varieties are grown in the different altitudinal zones. The main fruits are orange, malta (a big size of orange), elephant citrus, lemon and all other types of citrus, apple, stone fruits including peach and pears, many kinds of nuts, and the fruits which are grown in the low lying areas. In spite of feasible climatic conditions, agricultural dominant society, and availability of all types of crops, the production and productivity of these crops are very low, even they are unable to meet the grain-need of the people in Uttaranchal. Agricultural crops are grown almost in all the altitudinal zones — from the low-lying areas, which are called ‘Gangarh’, to the highly elevated region, where the legendary term is given as ‘Danda’. The growing seasons vary according to the heights. The present paper aims to discuss the agricultural practices including cropping season, cropping pattern, land use, production of crops and ecological aspect of agricultural system in this Himalayan state and suggest some measures for developing farming system, which could lead the sustainability, in terms of meeting the food grain needs of the people on the one hand and restoring the ecological balance on the other.

- by Vishwambhar Sati
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- Potato, Seasonality, Elephants, Cropping Pattern

Twelve different apricot selections and six peach varieties naturally infected with Plum pox virus (PPV) groups D and M, respectively, were used to investigate the role of seeds in the epidemiology of the virus. All plants were PPV-positive in IC-RT-PCR and the isolates were characterized by restriction analysis of amplicons with RsaI restriction and analysis of coat protein migration in 15% SDS-polyacrylamide gel, followed by Western blotting. The presence of PPV was checked on fully ripe seeds, germinating seeds and seedlings. One half of the apricot seed stock was analyzed by ELISA and IC-RT-PCR, separating cotyledons, also containing the embryo, from seed coats. The virus, in both species, was mainly localized in seed coats, but cotyledons were also infected. Seeds of the other half of the stock were germinated and maintained in an insect-proof screenhouse for over 3-years (apricot seedlings) or over 6 months (peach seedlings). Seedlings never showed symptoms and were found PPV-negative by molecular assays. The conclusion was that seeds have no role in PPV-M and PPV-D epidemiology.

- by Graziella Pasquini
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- Seed germination, Seed Coat, Western blot, Plant Pathology

Isolation of Monilinia spp. from stone and pome fruit surfaces is difficult due to the presence of several fast-growing fungal species such as Rhizopus, Alternaria, and Penicillium spp. Therefore, a new selective medium (acidified potato dextrose agar [pH 3.6] amended with fosetyl-aluminum [fosetyl-AL] at 500 microg/ml) (APDA-F500) was developed for the recovery of Monilinia propagules. The antifungal agents fosetyl-Al, dichloran, ammonium molybdate, and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-dD-glucose) were tested in potato dextrose agar (PDA) for their selective activity against Monilinia fructicola and seven common fungal contaminants of peach, including Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum acutatum, Gilbertella persicaria, Penicillium expansum, Phomopsis amygdali, and Rhizopus stolonifer. Dichloran, ammonium molybdate, and 2-dD-glucose inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of all test fungi, including M. fructicola, at comparable levels. Fosetyl-Al added to PDA (PDA-...

- by Guido Schnabel
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- Microbiology, Phytopathology, Plant Biology, Fruit

The pathogenicity of 99 Belgian Pseudomonas syringae strains representative of the genetic diversity encountered in Belgian fruit orchards was evaluated by using 17 pathogenicity tests conducted on pear, cherry, plum, lilac, sugar beet and wheat. The P. syringae pv. morsprunorum strains were pathogenic to stone fruit species but the race 1 strains possessing the cfl gene involved in coronatine production were pathogenic in more tests than those lacking the gene. Also, sweet cherry twigs were a better material to detect pathogenic strains of race 1 and sour cherry twigs of race 2, which accorded with race 2 presence in sour cherry orchards in Belgium. Three groups were defined in the pv. syringae based on pathogenicity. One group pathogenic in 71.1% of the tests and to lilac included toxic lipodesipeptide-producing (TLP+) strains. The second group pathogenic in 26.8% of the tests and non-pathogenic to lilac included TLP+ strains. The thirth group pathogenic in 9.1% of the tests and almost specifically pathogenic to pear included TLP− strains. The three groups were genetically heterogeneous. Although strain-host relationships were noted within the pv. syringae, aptata and atrofaciens when considering the strain origins, such relationships were not found in the pathogenicity tests, suggesting that pathogenicity tests could probably not reproduce all the aspects of the host-pathogen interactions. None of the pathogenicity tests was able to provide all the information provided by the complete study. A test on pear buds indicated that strains different from the pv. syringae were pathogenic to pear.

- by Alain Bultreys and +1
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- Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Biology, Genetic Diversity

Fruit firmness measurement is a good way to monitor fruit softening and to predict bruising damage during harvest and postharvest handling. Ripening protocols traditionally utilize a destructive penetrometer-type fruit firmness measure to monitor ripening. Until recently, methods of assessing fruit texture properties nondestructively were not commercially available. The nondestructive Sinclair iQ TM firmness tester was investigated to monitor ripening and predict bruising susceptibility in stone fruit. This work was carried out on four peach, three plum, and five nectarine cultivars over two seasons. The correlations between destructive and nondestructive firmness measurements were significant (p-value = 0.0001), although too low for commercial applications as they varied from r 2 = 0.60-0.71 according to fruit type. Using a different approach, the relationship between destructive and nondestructive firmness measures was characterized in terms of segregating these fruit according to their stages of ripening. This was done by using discriminant analysis (66-90% agreement in ripeness stage classification was observed in validation tests). Discriminant analysis consistently segregated nondestructive firmness measured fruit into commercially important classes ("ready to eat", "ready to buy", "mature and immature"). These represented key ripening stages with different bruising potentials and consumer acceptance. This work points out the importance to relate nondestructive measurements directly to important commercial physiological stages rather than to correlate them with the current standard penetrometer values. Thus, destructive and nondestructive firmness measurements can be directly used to identify the stage of ripeness and potential susceptibility to bruising during postharvest changes. Further work is recommended to evaluate the performance of this nondestructive sensor in segregating fruit according to their stage of ripeness under packinghouse or processing plant conditions.

The Sharka disease caused by the potyvirus Plum pox virus (PPV) is one of the most serious viral diseases affecting stone fruit trees. The study of PPV/Prunus interaction under greenhouse controlled conditions is space, time, labor consuming. While the PPV/Prunus interactions are now quite well known at the whole plant level, few data however are available on the interactions between the virus and the Prunus host plants at the cellular level. Using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged M type PPV strain, combined to an in vitro inoculation procedure, we developed a novel tool to track PPV invasion in Prunus persica (peach) cv. GF305 and Prunus armeniaca (apricot) cv. Screara susceptible hosts. Different graft combinations were performed using in vitro-maintained healthy or GFP-tagged PPV infected 'GF305' and 'Screara'. Contact for 30 days in grafts between the inoculum and the genotype to be tested were found sufficient to allow the systemic spread of the recombinant virus: fluorescence from GFP-tagged PPV could easily be detected in the entire plant under a binocular microscope allowing quick and reliable sorting of infected plants. Using a fluorescence stereomicroscopy or confocal microscopy, GFP could also be observed in stem cross-sections especially in epidermis and pith cells. In vitro grafting inoculation with GFP-tagged PPV provides a new and powerful tool to facilitate mid-term virus maintenance. Moreover, this tool will be of special importance in the study of PPV infection dynamics in Prunus, allowing as well precise observations of cellular events related to PPV/Prunus interactions.

- by Véronique Decroocq
- •
- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Fluorescence Microscopy, Virology

Although a large number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers covering the entire genome are needed to enable molecular breeding efforts such as genome wide association studies, fine mapping, genomic selection and markerassisted selection in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and related Prunus species, only a limited number of genetic markers, including simple sequence repeats (SSRs), have been available to date. To address this need, an international consortium (The International Peach SNP Consortium; IPSC) has pursued a coordinated effort to perform genome-scale SNP discovery in peach using next generation sequencing platforms to develop and characterize a high-throughput Illumina InfiniumH SNP genotyping array platform. We performed whole genome re-sequencing of 56 peach breeding accessions using the Illumina and Roche/454 sequencing technologies. Polymorphism detection algorithms identified a total of 1,022,354 SNPs. Validation with the Illumina GoldenGateH assay was performed on a subset of the predicted SNPs, verifying ,75% of genic (exonic and intronic) SNPs, whereas only about a third of intergenic SNPs were verified. Conservative filtering was applied to arrive at a set of 8,144 SNPs that were included on the IPSC peach SNP array v1, distributed over all eight peach chromosomes with an average spacing of 26.7 kb between SNPs. Use of this platform to screen a total of 709 accessions of peach in two separate evaluation panels identified a total of 6,869 (84.3%) polymorphic SNPs. The almost 7,000 SNPs verified as polymorphic through extensive empirical evaluation represent an excellent source of markers for future studies in genetic relatedness, genetic mapping, and dissecting the genetic architecture of complex agricultural traits. The IPSC peach SNP array v1 is commercially available and we expect that it will be used worldwide for genetic studies in peach and related stone fruit and nut species. Citation: Verde I, Bassil N, Scalabrin S, Gilmore B, Lawley CT, et al. (2012) Development and Evaluation of a 9K SNP Array for Peach by Internationally Coordinated SNP Detection and Validation in Breeding Germplasm. PLoS ONE 7(4): e35668.

- by Simone Scalabrin and +2
- •
- Genetics, Polymorphism, Breeding, International Cooperation

Additives, such as sucrose, D-sorbitol, glycerol, sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, silica gel, gelatine, non-fat skimmed milk and a commercial adhesive were added to conidia of Penicillium frequentans at two different points in the production process of the formulation of this fungus to improve conidial adhesion. Conidial adhesion was estimated as the number of P. frequentans conidia (no. conidia cm − 2 ) and colonyforming units of P. frequentans per unit area (cfu cm − 2 ) that adhered to glass slides or to peach surfaces. The P. frequentans conidial concentration had a significant effect on conidial adhesion, while the shelf life of conidia did not have any effect. The highest adhesion of P. frequentans conidia to glass slides was observed when conidial concentrations were greater than 10 6 conidia ml − 1 . P. frequentans conidial adhesion was improved when 1.5% sodium alginate or 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose were added to the conidial mass obtained after production and before drying by the fluid bed drying process. Conidial adhesion was also enhanced when 1.5% sodium alginate, 1.5% carboxymethyl, or 1.5% gelatine were added to conidia after fluid bed drying. P. frequentans formulations with 1.5% sodium alginate or 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose were more effective in reducing brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa than dried P. frequentans conidia alone. Our results show that additives can improve adhesion of P. frequentans conidia to fruit surfaces, resulting in more effective control of brown rot in peaches.

- by Paloma Melgarejo
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- Microbiology, Industrial Biotechnology, Biological Control, Food Microbiology

Challenges concerning fruit trees and grapevines as long lived woody perennial crops require adapted biotechnological approaches, if solutions are to be found within a reasonable time frame. These challenges are represented by the need for correct identification of genetic resources, with the foreseen use either in conservation or in breeding programmes. Molecular markers provide most accurate information and will be the major solution for questions about plant breeders rights. Providing healthy planting material and rapid detection of newly introduced pathogens by reliable methods involving serological and molecular biological tools will be a future challenge of increases importance, given the fact that plant material travels freely in the entire European Union. But also new breeding goals and transgenic solutions are part of the biotechnological benefits, e.g. resistance against biotic and abiotic stress factors, modified growth habits, modified nutritional properties and altered ...

- by Mathieu Lavallée-adam
- •
- Biotechnology, Biology, European Union, Risk assessment

Although stone fruit quality cannot be improved, only maintained, after harvest, little research has been conducted on the influence of preharvest factors on stone fruit postharvest quality and potential postharvest life. We believe that the maximum fruit quality for each cultivar can be achieved only by understanding the roles of preharvest factors in fruit quality. This article reviews the influences of orchard factors, such as mineral nutrition, irrigation, crop load, and fruit canopy position on fruit quality, market life potential, and internal breakdown (IB). The literature indicates that quality, market life, and

- by Theodore Dejong
- •
- Physiology, Horticulture, Nutrition, Arboriculture

The influence of continuous exposure to exogenous ethylene on fruit quality and on the development of postharvest brown rot of stone fruits and gray mold of table grapes during long-term cold storage was investigated using selected cultivars of table grapes (nonclimacteric) and climacteric (peach, plum, nectarine, and apricot) and nonclimacteric (sweet cherry) stone fruits. Depending on the experiment, climacteric stone fruits were exposed to concentrations of ethylene of 0, 0.1, 1, 3, 10, or 100 ml l (1 during storage at 0, 5, or 10 8C for up to 28 days; sweet cherries were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.1, or 1 ml l (1 ethylene during storage at 0 or 5 8C for 21 days; and table grapes were exposed to 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 ml l (1 ethylene during storage at 0 or 5 8C for up to 60 days. Neither incidence nor severity of brown rot were affected by constant ethylene exposure on stone fruits wound-inoculated with Monilinia fructicola . Similarly, ethylene did not affect gray mold nesting ability on table grapes artificially inoculated with Botrytis cinerea . Furthermore, ethylene exposure neither influenced external quality attributes (skin color on peaches and cherries, skin pitting and stem browning on cherries, and rachis browning on table grapes) nor internal quality attributes (flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration, and titratable acidity on all fruit, and flesh color and internal breakdown on climacteric stone fruits). The only exceptions were flesh softening of apricots, which in every test was significantly enhanced by exogenous ethylene, and flesh mealiness in experiments with 'Elegant Lady' peaches, the appearance of which was delayed by ethylene exposure in one case. In conclusion, no general commercial benefit could be expected from actively removing ethylene from cold storage rooms or transport containers containing peaches, plums, nectarines, sweet cherries, or table grapes. #

Stem cuttings were obtained from 12 peach and nectarine cultivars during leaf fall, placed in plastic bags at 3.0 AE 0.1 8C to simulate 0-800 h of chilling and forced to budbreak at 20.0 AE 1.0 8C for a period of 6 weeks. Some cultivars showed high blooming and leafing without exposure to chilling; chilling enhances leafing and blooming but the percentage increment was higher in leaf buds. In general, maximum budbreak was reached with less chilling accumulation (<100-200 h) in flower buds compared with leaf buds; excessive chilling caused a reduction of the percentage budbreak in flower but not in leaf buds. Additionally, chilling modified the proportion of blooming that occurred before leafing. In non-chilled shoots, blooming occurred earlier than leafing, except in cv. 'San Pedro 16-33' but the proportion of blooming before leafing decreased significantly with chilling in most cases. By studying the mean time to budbreak, we conclude that the flower bud generally has a lower intensity of rest; the intensity of rest declines at a slower rate in flower than in leaf buds with chilling; flower buds had greater heat requirements than leaf buds when the chilling requirement had been covered, so that each peach cultivar had a point of critical chilling accumulation below which blooming tended to occur earlier, and above which leafing tends to occur first. Flower and leaf buds had different depths of endodormancy but similar chilling requirements in the majority of peach and nectarine cultivars studied. Finally, different varieties with similar chilling requirements showed different responses to chilling. Therefore, the cutting test measuring the response of vegetative and floral buds provides considerable information on the characterisation of the variety, compared with the sole and traditional data of chilling requirements. #

- by Marisa Mendow and +1
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- Dormancy, Scientia, Stone Fruit, Horticultural production
- by Lukasz Stelinski
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- Zoology, Australia, Pheromones, Lepidoptera
- by Lukasz Stelinski
- •
- Zoology, Australia, Pheromones, Lepidoptera

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a fruit of increasing economic importance though it is less significant than other stone fruit species such as peach. Cherry has received little attention concerning nitrogen (N) uptake and dynamics in mature trees. The aim of this work was to determine N uptake and partitioning as influenced by the timing of fertilizer application in 7-year-old sweet cherry trees cultivated in a cold region (Los Antiguos, Santa Cruz, Argentina; 71 • 38 W, 46 • 32 S). Nitrogen (95 kg ha −1 ) was applied as ammonium nitrate to a soil with 'Bing' sweet cherry trees grafted onto Prunus mahaleb rootstocks. Fertilization was split into two equal applications per treatment, involving either the commercial fertilizer ammonium nitrate or the same fertilizer labelled with 15 N isotope (10% atom.). Treatments consisted of one early spring (full bloom, October 2005) or one summer (late January 2006, 15 days after harvest) application of 15 N ammonium nitrate to three replicate trees. Fruit were harvested in early January and leaves were collected at both full canopy and leaf fall. All trees were excavated in winter (August, 2006). Trees were partitioned into their components: trunk, branches (current-season shoots, 1-year-old and over-1-year-old branches), buds of the same age, small roots (less than 1 mm thick), large roots, leaves (sampled in February and April), and fruit (collected at harvest). Those components were dried and analysed for total N and 15 N content. Total N per tree and N content derived from the fertilizer did not differ between treatments. Summer postharvest 15 N application partitioned not only to structural components (trunk and roots) but also to buds and leaves. Uptake efficiency was significantly (p = 0.0113) higher in the spring than in the summer application (65.7% vs. 37.44%). Nevertheless, 52.5% of N applied in spring was lost due to harvest and summer pruning. This emphasizes the importance of the postharvest N fertilization which increases N accumulation in both reserve organs and buds though, according to our data, it is less efficiently used. The extent of nitrogen uptake, efficiency of use and partitioning in the following growing seasons are still open questions that deserve further research.

- by Liliana San Martino
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- Horticulture, Seasonality, Isotopes, Nitrogen

Summary Preconditioning is a thermal treatment that consists in maintaining stone fruits immediately after harvest and prior to cold storage at 20 � C for 24-48 h in special chambers aimed to extend fruit market life reducing chilling injury symptoms. This work investigates whether preconditioned 'September Sun' peaches had better eating quality than control fruit. Commercially harvested peaches were preconditioned

- by Carlos Crisosto
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- Perception, Food Science and Technology, Food Preservation, Taste

Plum pox virus (PPV) is the most damaging viral pathogen of stone fruits. The detection and identification of its strains are therefore of critical importance to plant quarantine and certification programs. Existing methods to screen strains of PPV suffer from significant limitations such as the simultaneous detection and genotyping of several strains of PPV in samples infected with different isolates of the virus.

- by Laura Tomassoli
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- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Virology, Tobacco

- by James Green
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- Chemical Engineering, Food, New Zealand, Chemical Analysis