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No description available.

Sprays of 2,4,5-TP and combination sprays of 2,4,5-TP and MH-40 V were found to effectively reduce the preharvest drop of Starking, Winesap and Stayman apples. An application of 2,4,5-TA was effective . V on the Starking and Stayman, but not as effective on the Winesap. None of the hormones gave a significant reduction in drop on the Golden Delicious. / Master of Science

Within the past decade there has become a dire need for equipment to mechanically harvest and handle apples. Apple growers have had trouble finding suitable labor to economically harvest their crop. Thus far, mechanical harvesting has not been very successful. One basic problem encountered by mechanical harvesting and handling equipment has been the damage incurred by the apple during the process. In an effort to discover what physical phenomena actually are responsible for this apple injury, several investigators have employed an engineering approach to analysing the physical properties of the apple. Several of the investigations have revealed that a large percentage of the apple's resistance to rupture lies in the skin alone. The objective of this project was to establish techniques for determining and evaluating the mechanical and rheological properties of the apple skin. Skin specimen from three apple varieties (Winesap, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious) were tested. The Specimen were loaded at two constant displacement rates, yielding the skin's force deformation behavior. In addition, the skin was displaced to a constant deformation and held constant, the relaxation behavior being observed. The creep behavior was determined by subjecting the specimen to a constant force. By examining the results of these experiments it was observed that apple skin was a viscoelastic material; in certain instances, however, the akin also exhibited some apparent plastic behavior. From the experiments it was possible to determine many mechanical properties of the three varieties investigated. Some of the more important properties obtained were initial modulus of elasticity, secant modulus, tensile strength at break, and Poisson's ratio. The effect of displacement rate and specimen orientation on the strength was investigated. The apple skin was found to be anisotropic, with the maximum strength in a direction parallel to the core. It was observed that Poisson's ratio was not time dependent, and could be assumed a constant for each variety. Mechanical models were employed to simulate the behavior of the Winesap apple skin under several loading conditions. It was established that no one simple mechanical model could be used to predict the skin's behavior in all loading situations. TWo models, a three-element and a four-element, were formulated from the relaxation and creep results respectively. The behavior of the models was compared with the experimental data, and it was found that the formulated models could be used to predict the behavior of the actual skin. / Master of Science

In apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards, rootstock genotype, and soil fertility management practices impact soil fertility, plant associated soil microbial communities, and orchard productivity. Apple growers select rootstocks to confer beneficial traits, including size control, precocity, and pest and disease resistance. Rootstock genotype may also influence microbial communities, resulting in changes that affect tree health and productivity. Many apple growers apply synthetic nitrogen fertilizers to improve fruit yield and quality. In excess of tree requirements, nitrogen fertilizers may reduce crop yield and quality, as well as contribute to water pollution. The addition of carbon-based amendments, such as yardwaste, chicken litter composts, and biochar, may potentially reduce nitrogen and water loss, while improving soil structure and mineral nutrient availability. Orchard and pot-in-pot experiments were designed to study the following objectives: 1) determine the effects of integrated carbon-based fertilizer amendments on tree growth, productivity, and orchard soil fertility, 2) assess the effects of biochar on tree growth, leaf mineral nutrition, soil physiochemistry, and microbial community structure and activity, and 3) understand how rootstocks and fertilizers alter soil microbial communities. Applications of composts, integrated compost-calcium nitrate fertilizers, and biochar increased soil carbon, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and microbial respiration. In the orchard study, nitrogen fertilizer application did not increase tree growth, fruit quality, or leaf nitrogen concentration. Biochar applied at high rates with nitrogen fertigation increased tree growth and leaf nitrogen concentration similar to nitrogen fertigation. In the pot-in-pot compost study, chicken litter compost increased tree growth, and integrated compost-calcium nitrate fertilizer applications increased leaf N concentration. Analysis of the microbial community structure of bulk soil samples from the biochar and compost pot-in-pot experiments determined that the community structure was similar for all treatments during the three-year study. Metagenomic sequencing of the rhizosphere bacterial community indicated that compost applications altered community diversity and evenness, and that compost treatments were more similar to each other than to the calcium nitrate treatment. Data from my dissertation research suggests that compost can be used to increase orchard soil fertility, tree growth, and leaf nutrition, and that compost applications increase soil microbial community diversity and activity. / Ph. D. / Rootstock genotype and soil fertility management practices in apple (<i>Malus × domestica</i> Borkh.) orchards impact soil health and nutrient status, plant associated soil microbial communities, and tree growth and fruit yield. Growers select specific apple rootstocks for use in their orchards to confer beneficial traits, including size control, earlier fruit production, increased fruit yield, and pest and disease resistance. Many apple growers also apply synthetic nitrogen fertilizers to improve fruit yield and quality. However, in excess of tree requirements, nitrogen fertilizers may reduce crop yield and quality, as well as contribute to environmental pollution. The addition of carbon-based amendments, such as compost and biochar, may reduce nitrogen and water loss, improve soil structure, and make certain mineral nutrients more available to plants and microorganisms. The use of integrated fertilizers, which are carbon-based amendments applied in conjunction with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, may also enhance edaphic properties while providing plants with adequate nitrogen at times of greater demand. Orchard and pot studies were designed to: 1) determine the effects of carbon-based, and integrated carbon-based fertilizer amendments on tree growth, fruit yield and quality, and orchard soil fertility, 2) determine the effects of rootstocks and fertilizers on soil microbial community composition and activity, and 3) assess the effects of biochar on tree growth, leaf mineral nutrition, soil fertility, and microbial community structure and activity. In this study, applications of composts, integrated fertilizers, and biochar increased soil fertility measures, such as soil carbon, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and microbial respiration, in fine textured orchard soils. Applying nitrogen fertilizer did not increase tree growth, fruit quality, or leaf nitrogen concentration in the orchard study, however, in the pot study, chicken litter compost increased tree growth, and integrated compost-calcium nitrate fertilizer applications increased leaf N concentration. Biochar applied with synthetic nitrogen fertilizer increased tree growth and leaf nitrogen concentration similar to nitrogen fertilizer alone. Analysis of the microbial community structure of bulk soil samples from the biochar and compost pot experiments determined that the community structure was similar for all treatments during the three-year study. Metagenomic sequencing of the rhizosphere bacterial community indicated that compost applications altered community diversity and evenness, and that compost treatments were more similar to each other than to the synthetic nitrogen treatment. Data from my dissertation research suggests that compost can be used to increase orchard soil fertility, tree growth, and leaf nutrition, and that compost applications increase soil microbial community diversity and activity.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert & Cohn) Schrot. is the primary cause of crown, collar and root rot diseases of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees worldwide. This pathogen is most destructive in commercial apple orchards under waterlogged soil conditions and has recently been identified as causing serious disease in some South African apple orchards. Crown, collar and root diseases are difficult to control because of their unpredictability and catastrophic nature. The use of resistant cultivars and rootstocks is economical and environmentally considerate. Therefore the need to develop screening techniques that will enable the selection of desirable disease resistant traits as part of an apple-breeding program in South Africa was identified. The work undertaken in this study was aimed at optimizing different techniques to test resistance. Using two direct inoculation techniques (excised stem and intact stem) the aggressiveness of lO isolates of P. cactorum on apple rootstocks was determined. The susceptibilities of five apple rootstocks were also compared. Results have shown isolate by rootstock interaction which means isolate aggressiveness was influenced by rootstocks tested. The selectivity of isolates suggests that there may be several strains of the pathogen. Population studies of the pathogen might contribute valuable information that could lead to better interpretation of results. Rootstock susceptibility was monitored in vitro throughout the season by inoculating at monthly intervals for 26-months. It was observed that during winter, rootstock susceptibility was low compared to high susceptibility during summer. These results have revealed new information regarding changes in the relative resistance of the different rootstocks over the growing season, e.g. the susceptibility pattern of rootstock MMl06 occurred 1 to -2 months later than that of other rootstocks. This finding has important implications on the way in which resistance test results are interpreted, and emphasizes the importance of not relying on point sampling. Furthermore, useful information has been acquired regarding the epidemiology of the disease with regard to "windows of susceptibility". The phenomenon of a phase shift in susceptibility of different rootstocks needs to be tested on a broader scale to assess whether it has any practical application on resistance testing. Although different inoculation techniques are applied in breeding programs, up to now there is no consensus on which technique works best for seedling selections. Since large numbers of individuals must be tested to improve the chances of detecting resistant genotypes, mass inoculations of young seedlings is a rapid way of identifying resistant individuals. Two different screening methods were tested during this study. Using the sand-bran technique, seedlings were transplanted onto inoculated soil and the root mass was used as a measure of resistance. In a second method zoospore inoculum was applied to seedlings growing in a sand:bark mixture at different concentrations and the seedlings were subjected either to water drenching or not. In both trials the aggressiveness of isolates differed significantly from each other and only higher inoculum concentrations were effective in causing disease. The age of seedlings used in tests emerged as an important factor. Seedlings under five-months-old should not be used. Drenching inoculated seedlings enhanced disease development but the production of sufficiently high numbers of zoospores was a laborious task. Thus, it is recommended that the sand-bran inoculum technique be tested with the drenching treatment for mass selection. In conclusion this study confirms the importance of both choice of isolate and choice of inoculation intervals in determining susceptibility of rootstocks to infection. In spite of the fact that stem inoculation bioassays have limited resemblance to natural disease situations, these bioassays are useful for obtaining an indication as to whether genotypes have a degree of resistance and merit further testing. For this reason refinement of the stem inoculation bioassay is worthwhile pursuing. With regard to seedling trials, both the sand-bran and the zoospore technique appear promising but refinement of these techniques is necessary in order to present a more practical way of testing large volumes of seedlings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Evaluering van inokulasietegnieke om weerstand teen Phytophthora cactorum in appels te evalueer: Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert & Cohn) Schrot. is die primêre oorsaak van kroon-, kraag en wortelvrot van appelbome (Malus domestica Borkh.). Dit is die mees verwoestende patogeen in kommersiële appelboorde waar daar versuipte toestande grond voorkom. P. cactorum is onlangs identifiseer as die patogeen wat ernstige kroon- en kraag-verotting in Suid Afrikaanse appelboorde veroorsaak. Kroon-, kraag- en wortelvrot is moeilik om te beheer as gevolg van die onvoorspelbaarheid en rampspoedige aard van die siekte. Die gebruik van kultivars en onderstamme wat weerstandbiedend is teen siektes en plae is omgewingsvriendelik en is ekonomies van belang, dus het die behoefte ontstaan om inokulasietegnieke te ontwikkelom weerstandige saailinge te identifiseer en te selekteer as deel van 'n appelteelprogram in Suid Afrika. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om verskillende inokulasietegnieke te toets en te verfyn om weerstand in appelsaailinge te identifiseer. Deur gebruik te maak van twee inokulasietegnieke (die afgesnyde loot- en intakte loot tegniek), is die relatiewe aggressiwiteit van 10 isolate van P. cactorum en die vatbaarheid van vyf appelonderstamme ondersoek. Resultate het aangetoon dat die aggressiwiteit van die isolate gevarieer het na aanleiding van die onderstam wat getoets is. Die selektiwiteit van die isolate is 'n aanduiding dat daar moontlik verskeie rasse van die patogeen voorkom. Toekomstige studies op die populasiestruktuur van P. cactorum sal 'n belangrike bydrae maak tot die interpretasie van resultate oor weerstand en weerstandsteling. Die vatbaarheid van onderstamme was ook in in vitro proewe ondersoek deur maandelikse inokulasies toe te pas oor 'n tydperk van 26 maande. Dit is opgemerk dat die onderstamvatbaarheid gedurende die winter laag was in vergelyking met die somer. Nie al die onderstamme het dieselfe gereageer gedurende verskillende toetstye nie. Hierdie resultate toon aan dat die relatiewe weerstand van verskillende onderstamme oor die groeiseisoen verskil, byvoorbeeld die vatbare reaksie van die onderstam 'l\.1MI06' het een tot twee maande later voorgekom in vergelyking met ander onderstamme wat getoets is. Hierdie bevinding het belangrike implikasies op die interpretasie van weerstandstoetsing en beklemtoon die moontlike tekortkominge in enkelproefwaarnemings. Bruikbare inligting ten opsigte van die epidemiologie van die siekte is versamel wat beskryf kan word in terme van vensters van vatbaarheid wat verskil van onderstam tot onderstam. Verdere ondersoeke in die verband word aanbeveel. Hoewel verskeie inokulasietegnieke bestaan om jong saailinge vir weerstand te toets, is daar tot op hierdie stadium nog nie ooreenstemming oor die beste tegniek wat toegepas moet word om saailingseleksie te doen nie. Omdat groot getalle saailinge getoets moet tydens die seleksieproses sal massa-inokulasie van saailinge die aangewese metode wees. Twee verskillende inokulasie tegnieke is getoets in die studie. Deur gebruik te maak van die sandsemel tegniek, is saailinge geplant in geinfesteerde plantmedium, waartydens die wortelmassa van saailinge gebruik is om die reaksie op infeksie te kwantifiseer. Die soëspoor inokulasietegniek was toegepas op saailinge wat in 'n sand en basmengsel geplant is teen verskillende inokulurnkonsentrasies. 'n Waterverdrenkingsbehandeling is ook getoets. In albei hierdie proewe het die aggressiwiteit van die isolate van mekaar verskil. Slegs die hoër inokulumkonsentrasies was effektief in die ontwikkeling van die siekte. Die ouderdom van saailinge is ook uitgewys as 'n belangrike faktor wat 'n rol speel in weerstandstoetsing. Saailinge jonger as 5 maande word nie aanbeveel vir hierdie toetse nie. Verdrenking van saailinge het die voorkoms van die siekte verhoog, maar die produksie van groot getalle soëspore was 'n beperkende faktor in die uitvoering van die proef Dit word aanbeveel dat die sand-semel inokulasietegniek verder evalueer moet word onder verskeie toestande, onder andere deur dit met verdrenkinghte kombineer. Die belang van die keuse van isolaat en inokulasiedatum in bepaling van relatiewe weerstand van onderstamme teen P. cactorum is tydens die studie bevestig. Afgesien van die beperking van die staminokulasietegnieke in soverre dit verwyderd is van natuurlike infeksie, word die tegnieke aanbeveel om 'n indikasie te kry van die relatiewe weerstand van onderstamme. Beide die sand-semel en soëspoor tegnieke kan gebruik word om weerstandige saailinge te identifiseer, maar tegniese verfyning van hierdie tegnieke is nodig om saailinge in massa te evalueer.

Thesis (MScAgric (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The production of high quality fruit that meet international standards is of vital importance to the South African fruit industry. Detrimental climatic conditions are forcing producers to examine alternate production methods. In this study the effect of protective netting on apple tree (Malus domestica) physiology, microclimate and fruit quality was investigated to determine the potential of apple production under netting in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The influence of 20% black shade netting on the photosynthetically photon flux density, leaf and fruit surface as well as air temperature was measured on four blush apple cultivars over a two year period in the Koue Bokkeveld area, in the Western Cape, South Africa. Measurements were also taken on leaf gas exchange, including net CO2 assimilation rate under ambient and saturating CO2 conditions, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. A decrease in light conditions of 22 - 31% was measured under black netting thus reducing the amount of light available to the plant significantly. Leaves under the netting were cooler by 1.7 – 3.9°C on a milder day (11 January 2005) and by 4.3 – 6.2°C on a hot day (28 February 2005) than control leaves. Fruit surface temperature under the netting was cooler by 0.7 - 2.9°C on milder days, and by 4.0 - 5.3°C on a hot day (28 February 2005) than control fruit. Significant increases in CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance and transpiration were found under the netting. Netted treatments also showed a lower leaf vapour pressure deficit and tended to be less water stressed having higher leaf water potential than the control treatments. Differences in leaf nitrogen were not significant between treatments except for ‘Cripps’ Pink’ where non netted treatments had higher leaf nitrogen levels than the netted treatments during the 2004 season. Heat tolerance and the ability to recover after exposure to different temperatures for different lengths of time, was evaluated for the same four blush apple cultivars grown under protective netting. The results showed that fruit taken from the netted treatments had a higher incidence of injury based on chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, and did not recover well at temperatures higher than 45°C. The higher tolerance of the non-netted fruit at 45°C could be due to better acclimation to high light and heat levels than the fruit from the netted treatment. Fruit quality of ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Fuji’, Cripps’ Pink’ and ‘Braeburn’ was evaluated for netted and non-netted treatments as well as between five different crop loads as sun-treatments. It was found that cultivars reacted differently to the altered microclimate under the netting. Significant interaction between net and crop load treatments was found for fruit mass of ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Fuji’. Fruit mass declined more rapidly with increased crop load under nets than in the open. The net treatment reduced sunburn significantly in all the cultivars except ‘Cripps’ Pink’. Ground colour was found to be positively influenced by netting on ‘Braeburn’ and during 2005 on ‘Royal Gala’. Blush colour was reduced under the netting for ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Fuji’ and unaffected for ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Cripps’ Pink’. Fruit firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity, were reduced under nets for most of the cultivars. Netting thus seems to have a positive effect in reducing sunburn damage but a varying effect on other fruit quality parameters, which seem to be cultivar specific. The influence of black protective netting on vegetative growth was determined by measuring total prunings and trunk circumference. Reproductive bud development analysis was also done. An increase was found in summer prunings for ‘Fuji’ and ‘Cripps’ Pink’ which was most likely due to the topping of the trees to prevent them from growing into the netting. Seasonal trunk growth was affected significantly for ‘Braeburn’ with a higher percentage recorded under the netting. Reproductive bud development was higher for the netted treatments and on trees with lower crop loads. Photosynthetic photon flux density was reduced significantly in a ‘Granny Smith’ orchard at harvest by black, blue and grey type netting. Sunburn was significantly reduced under the black and blue netting. Fruit mass was higher under the netted treatments during the second season of measurements. Firmness and total soluble solids were lower under the netting. Blush colour was found to be significantly lower under the black netting. Seed viability, ground colour, titratable acidity, starch breakdown, stem end russet and the occurrence of Fusicladium pyrorum damage was unaffected by the netting.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Delayed foliation is commonly observed in apple and pear producing countries with warm and/or short winter climates, resulting in less synchronised budburst, of fewer buds and reduced yield. Applications of rest-breaking agents minimise the symptoms of delayed foliation. According to chilling models used in fruit producing areas of the world, the climate of South Africa is not suitable for deciduous fruit production, however fruit has been successfully produced here for a long time. This study aimed to quantify the effects of freezing temperatures, different chilling temperatures and the period of chilling, to obtain a better knowledge of bud dormancy release on apple and pear shoots. The chilling period was the most important factor influencing the progression of dormancy. While in some cases the chilling temperature and the freeze treatment effects were significant, the contribution to differences in the progression of dormancy was negligible. Our findings indicate that currently used chilling models should emphasise the time of exposure to low temperatures more than the difference in temperatures between I to ro-c. The South African apple and pear industry made good progress in moving towards high density plantings, but large variation in soil types, non-optimum growing conditions, replant situations and a lack experience with dwarfing rootstocks limited further development. However, there is sti II an urgency to obtain higher early yields of good quality fruit applying the most efficient production practices. We aimed to quantify the field performance of locally available apple and pear rootstocks, in particular from data outside of previously reported local trials, as well as early production of newly planted trials. Information obtained form the industry indicates that BPI and BP3 are the preferred pear rootstocks. From production records of 'Packham's Triumph' pears, it appeared that BP3 and OHxF97 produced the best yields compared to the other rootstocks. Production of 'Doyenne du Cornice' was the best on QA and BP3. In newly planted 'Rosemarie', 'Flamingo', and 'Forelle' trials, different rootstocks were evaluated. 'Rosemarie' showed indications 01 incompatibility with QA and QC5 I, but on BPI and QA with a 'Beurre Hardy' interstock produced good initial yields although BPI induced slightly larger trees. 'Flamingo' on QA and QC51 produced the best yields. 'Forelle' on BPI, BP3, and QA produced similar yields up to the 4th leaf. For apples M793 seems to be the preferred rootstock in the South African industry. From production records of 'Golden Delicious' and 'Granny Smith' apples, it appeared that M793 and MM 106 produced the best yields when compared to Seedling rootstock. In a 'Cripps' Pink' trial, MMI09, M793 and M25 were more vigorous than M7, MMlll and MMI06. MMI06 was cumulatively, over four years from planting, the most yield efficient, although no consistent trend regarding fruit quality was observed between the rootstocks evaluated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vertraagde bot word algemeen opgemerk in appel en peer produserende lande met n' warm enlof kort winter klimaat, wat veroorsaak dat bot van minder knoppe, meer ongelyk plaasvind en gevolglik lei tot swakker opbrengste. Toediening van rus-breek middels beperk die simptome van vertraagde bot. Volgens koue modelle wat in vrugte produserende areas in die wereld gebruik word, is Suid Afrika se klimaat nie geskik vir die verbouing van sagtevrugte nie alhoewel sagtevrugte al vir n lang tyd met groot sukses hier verbou word. Hierdie studie is daarop gemik om die effek van vries temperature, verskillende koue temperature en die periode van koue op die vrystelling van dormansie op knoppe van appel en peer lote te kwantifiseer. Die peri ode van koue was die mees belangrikste faktor wat die ontwikkeling van dormansie beinvloed het. In sommige gevalle was die effek van die koue temperature betekenisvol, maar die bydrae tot die verskille in die ontwikkeling van dormansie was weglaatbaar klein. Ons bevindinge dui aan dat die huidige koue modelle wat gebruik word, meer klem moet le op die periode van blootstelling aan koue as aan die effek van verski llende temperature tussen 1 en 10°e. Die Suid Afrikaanse appel en peer bedryf het goeie vordering in die beweging na hoe digtheid aanplantings gemaak, maar groot verskille in grond tipes, sub-optimale groei toestande, herplant probleme en n' tekort aan ondervinding met dwergende onderstamme het verdere ontwikkeling beperk. Ten spyte hiervan is daar steeds n' dringendheid om hcer produksies, van goeie kwaliteit vrugte so vroeg as moontlik te kry deur die toepassing van die mees effektiewe produksie praktyke. Ons het gepoog om die prestasie van plaaslik beskikbare appel en peer onderstamme te kwantifiseer, in besonder deur data wat nog nie van tevore oor verslag gedoen is nie en ook deur te meld van vroee produksies op nuut aangeplante proewe. lnformasie uit die bedryf het aangedui dat BP 1 en BP3 die voorkeur peer onderstamme is. Deur na die produksie geskiedenis van 'Packham's Truimph' pere te kyk kom dit voor of BP3 en OHxF97 die beste produksies in vergelyking met die ander onderstamme gelewer het. Die produksie van 'Doyenne du Com ice' was die beste op QA en BP3. In nuut geplante 'Rosemarie', 'Flamingo', en 'Forelle' pro ev e was verskillende onderstammc gecvalueer. 'Rosemarie' het tekens van onverenigbaarheid getoon met QA en Q 51, maar op BP 1 en QA met n 'Beurre Hardy' tussenstam het 'Rosemarie' goeie aanvanklike opbrengste gel ewer, al was bome op BP 1 effens grater. 'Flamingo' op QA en QCS 1 het die beste opbrengste gelewer. 'Forelle' op BP 1, BP3, en QA het ongeveer ewe veel tot die 4dc blad geproduseer. By appels is M793 die voorkeur onderstam van die Suid-Afrikaanse appel bedryf. M793 en MM 106 gee beter opbrengste as Saailing onderstam wanner die produksie geskiedenis van 'Golden Delicious' en 'Granny Smith' appels evalueer word. In n' 'Cripps' Pink' proefwas MMI09, M793 en M2S meer groeikragtig as M7, MMlil en MMI06. MM I 06 het kumulatief meer geproduseer en was ook meer produsie doeltreffend tot en met die 4de blad na plant. Daar was egter geen konstante neiging rakende vrug kwaliteit tussen die verskillende onderstamme wat getoets is nie.

In 1992, branches on ‘Triple Red Delicious’/M.7 were girdled. A factorial arrangement of girdling treatments (control, 9-mm girdle + uncovered, 9-mm girdle + electric tape, 9-mm girdle + TreeKote), and timings (0, 15, 30, 60, 90 days after full bloom (DAFB)) was used. With ‘Golden Delicious’/M.7, branch treatments were control, scored, and 6-mm, 9-mm, 12-mm electric-tape-covered girdles, each applied at 0, 15, 30, and 60 DAFB. In 1993, treatments on both cultivars were control, 9-mm uncovered girdle, and pruning saw wound. Each was applied at 0, 7, 14, and 21 DAFB. Each girdle was a complete ring of bark; pruning saw wound was removal of bark using a pruning saw; scoring was a knife cut through the bark. In 1992, the two cultivars responded similarly to girdling. Effects were greatest with treatments at 0 to 30 DAFB and included increased fruit set or retention, temporary suppression of vegetative growth (except watersprouts), and increased levels of soluble solids in the fruit. Treatments affected starch levels in the fruit and flesh firmness, but these effects were variable. In 1993, the two cultivars responded similarly to the main effects of girdling, which caused increased crop density and yield efficiency. Girdling increased mean apple diameter, weight, and soluble solids on ‘Triple Red Delicious’/M.7 branches. Fruit diameter was reduced on ‘Golden Delicious’/M.7 branches. Girdling affected flesh firmness in both cultivars, but these results were variable. / Master of Science

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) is an important horticultural crop worldwide and in the Western Cape. The income generated from apple and other deciduous fruit production amounts to approximately 25% of the gross total value of horticultural production in the Western Cape. Unfortunately diseases and pests adversely affect fruit production in this region. Woolly apple aphids (Eriosoma lanigerum L. (Hausmann» have a significant effect on the apple industry in the Western Cape. Damage caused is two-fold, occurring aerially and terrestrially. Insects colonise the plants, feeding off the phloem sap. Aphid infestation around the root system results in repeated infestation of the foliage as it serves as a reservoir of aphids. In extreme cases, the apple cores are also infested, thus affecting the sale of apples. In 1962, Northern Spy was identified as a woolly apple aphid resistant rootstock and has since then formed the basis for traditional rootstock breeding programmes. The Er1 gene in Northern Spy confers resistance. According to one report, the natural resistance of Northern Spy was overcome in South Africa in 1968, but this was not confirmed in an independent study. The main objectives of this study was to firstly identify molecular markers more closely linked to the woolly apple aphid resistance gene, Er1, than existing markers, by applying AFLP technology to selected seedlings, identified to be resistant by conventional phenotyping. If identified, these markers can be incorporated into existing breeding programmes. Secondly, previously identified RAPD and SCAR markers were tested to determine their applicability in local populations for use in breeding programmes. Ultimately the segregation of the Er1 gene in South African populations can be determined if tightly linked markers are identified. Three families were derived from crosses of each of three resistant genotypes, namely Northern Spy, Rootstock 5 and Russian Seedling and a susceptible cultivar, Braeburn. For the three successive years of the study, each resistant genotype was allowed to cross-pollinate in isolation with the susceptible parent. Two hand-pollinated families, Russian Seedling x Liberty and Russian Seedling x Northern Spy, were also included in the study. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was used in an attempt to identify markers in the resistant and susceptible seedlings. No markers were identified using this technique. Known sequence characterised amplified regions (SCAR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used due to their suitability in marker-assisted selection for woolly apple aphid resistance. Varying results were obtained with these markers and no conclusive information was acquired with regard to the segregation of the Er] gene in any of these rootstocks and crosses. This underlines the need for the development of markers that can readily be applied in local breeding programmes. The identification and integration of such markers will greatly benefit the local and world wide apple industries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Appels (Malus x domestica Borkh.) is wêreldwyd en in die Wes-Kaap 'n belangrike landbougewas. Inkomste gegenereer deur appels en ander sagtevrugte vorm bykans 25% van die bruto inkomste uit vrugte in die Wes-Kaap. Siektes en insekpeste verlaag egter die produksie van vrugte in hierdie streek. Appelbloedluise (Eriosoma lanigerum L. (Hausmann» het 'n groot invloed op appelproduksie in die Wes-Kaap. Skade word bogronds en ondergronds aangerig. Insekte koloniseer die plant en leef op floeëmsap. Besmetting van die wortels lei tot herhaalde besmetting van bogrondse dele aangesien die insekte aanteelop die wortels. In uiterste gevalle word die vrugte geaffekteer, wat vrug-verkope beïnvloed. 'Northern Spy' is in 1962 geïdentifiseer as 'n onderstam met natuurlike weerstand teen appelbloedluis en het vir lank die basis gevorm vir tradisionele telingsprogramme. Weerstand word verleen deur die Erf geen. Volgens een verslag is die natuurlike weerstand van Northern Spy egter in 1968 in Suid-Afrika oorkom, maar dit is nog nie in 'n onafhanklike studie bevestig word nie. Die hoof doelstellings van hierdie studie was om eerstens deur middel van die AFLP tegniek molekulêre merkers te identifiseer wat nouer gekoppel is aan die appelbloedluis weerstandsgeen, En, as bestaande merkers. Hierdie tegniek is toegepas op saailinge wat deur konvensionele fenotipering geselekteer is. Indien merkers suksesvol geïdentifiseer is, kan dit in bestaande telingsprogramme geïntegreer word. Tweedens is bestaande RAPD en SCAR merkers ook getoets om hul toepaslikheid te bepaal vir gebruik in plaaslike teelprogramme. Oplaas sal die segregasie van die Erf geen in Suid- Afrikaanse populasies ook deur middel van nou gekoppelde merkers bepaal kan word. Kruisings van elk van die drie weerstandbiedende genotipes, naamlik 'Northern Spy', 'Rootstock 5' en 'Russian Seedling', en die vatbare kultivar, 'Braeburn' , het drie families daargestel. Elke weerstandbiedende genotipe is toegelaat om in isolasie te kruisbestuif met die vatbare ouer. Twee hand-bestuifde families, 'Russian Seedling' x 'Liberty' en 'Russian Seedling' x 'Northern Spy', is in 'n latere stadium van die studie ingesluit. Die AFLP tegniek is gebruik vir die identifikasie van polimorfiese merkers tussen vatbare en weerstandbiedende populasies. Geen merkers is egter geïdentifiseer nie. Bestaande SCAR en RAPD merkers is vervolgens gebruik om te bepaal of hulle geskik is vir gebruik in merker-bemiddelde seleksie vir appelbloedluis weerstand. Wisselende resultate is verkry ten opsigte van amplifikasie, herhaalbaarheid van resultate was swak en geen onweerlegbare bewyse oor die segregasie van die Erfgeen is bekom nie. Dit beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid om merkers wat geredelik in plaaslike teelprogramme toegepas kan word, te ontwikkel. Die identifikasie en integrasie van sulke merkers sal die plaaslike en wêreld-wye appel industrieë aansienlik bevoordeel.