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Thesis (Ph. D.) (Horticulture)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Yitle from opening screen (viewed March 14, 2005). Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references.

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Submitted by Deyse Queiroz (deysequeirozz@hotmail.com) on 2018-05-17T17:57:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AUDERLAN DE MACENA PEREIRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGHT 2015..pdf: 1586819 bytes, checksum: 084746639c19ffdff497fc898a95667a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-17T17:57:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AUDERLAN DE MACENA PEREIRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGHT 2015..pdf: 1586819 bytes, checksum: 084746639c19ffdff497fc898a95667a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / O meloeiro tem se destacado no Nordeste em razão das condições de solo e clima que favorecerem o cultivo dessa olerícola. É uma planta da família das cucurbitáceas que permite várias formas de manipulação da relação entre a fonte e o dreno por meio de seu manejo cultural. Uma possibilidade de alterar a relação fonte:dreno no meloeiro seria a utilização do agrotêxtil (tecido não tecido) em diferentes épocas, associada com a fixação de diferente número de frutos por planta. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a partição de assimilados, a produtividade e a qualidade de frutos do meloeiro quando submetidos à retirada do agrotêxtil em diferentes épocas e fixação de fruto na planta. O experimento foi realizado no Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia Agroalimentar (CCTA/UFCG) durante o período de agosto a dezembro de 2014, com plantas do híbrido de melão Cantaloupe Hopey King, no espaçamento de 2,0 x 0,8 m em Pombal - PB. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com os tratamentos alocados em um arranjo em parcelas subdivididas (5x3), onde na parcela constaram de diferentes épocas de retirada do agrotêxtil (20, 24, 28, 32, e 36 dias após o transplante), e na sub parcela de diferentes fixações de frutos na planta (1 fruto, 2 frutos e fixação livre) em oito repetições, sendo quatro utilizadas para as avaliações de crescimento e quatro para a produção e qualidade dos frutos. Avaliou-se neste trabalho a quantificação da expressão do sexo, o crescimento e a partição de assimilados, a produção e a qualidade dos frutos. A retirada do agrotêxtil em diferentes épocas e o número de frutos por plantas afetaram significativamente a relação fonte:dreno. As épocas de retirada do agrotêxtil e a fixação fruto promoveram alterações no crescimento, produção e qualidade dos frutos do meloeiro. O atraso na retirada do agrotêxtil de 20,0 para 36,0 DAT proporcionaram maiores número de flores hermafroditas, massa seca da folha e da parte aérea, área foliar e redução nos sólidos solúveis totais. A frutificação livre na planta reduziu o número de flores hermafroditas e elevou a massa seca do fruto e índice de colheita. A massa do fruto e a produtividade da cultura atingiu o máximo valor com a retirada do agrotêxtil aos 26,6 e 25,1 DAT, respectivamente. Plantas com um e dois frutos apresentaram maior massa, porém com menor produtividade, se comparado a plantas com fixação livre de frutos. A utilização do agrotêxtil a partir dos 25 DAT dificultou as práticas culturais como capinas e penteamneto das plantas devido ao entrelaçamento de ramas dentro do túnel ocasionando maior queda de flores e reduzindo a produtividade da cultura. / The melon has excelled in the Northeast because of soil and climate conditions that favor the cultivation of this vegetable crop. It is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family which allows various forms of manipulation of the relationship between the source and the drain by means of their cultural practices. A possibility to change the font ratio: drain the melon would be the use of the agrotextile (nonwoven fabric) at different times associated with fixing different number of fruits per plant. The study aimed to assess the assimilated partition, productivity and the quality of the melon fruit when subjected to removal of the nonwoven at different times and setting fruit in the plant. The experiment was conducted in the Science Center and Agrifood Technology (CCTA / UFCG) during the period from August to December 2014, with melon hybrid plants Cantaloupe Hopey King in the spacing of 2.0 x 0.8 m in Pombal - PB. The experimental design was a randomized block with treatments assigned to a split plot arrangement (5x3), which consisted in part of different periods of withdrawal of the row cover (20, 24, 28, 32, and 36 days after transplantation) and sub plot of different fruits fixings in the plant (1 fruit, 2 fruit and free) in eight repetitions, four used for the growth of reviews and four for the production and fruit quality. It was evaluated in this study to quantify the expression of sex, growth and assimilated partition, production and fruit quality. The withdrawal of agrotextile at different times and the number of fruits per plant significantly affected the supply relationship: drain. The withdrawal times of the nonwoven and fruit fixation promoted alterations in the growth, production and fruit quality of melon. The delay in the withdrawal of agrotextile 20.0 to 36.0 DAT provided higher number of hermaphrodite flowers, dry weight of leaf and shoot, leaf area and reduction in soluble solids. Free fruiting in the plant reduced the number of hermaphrodite flowers and raised the dry matter of the fruit and harvest index. The fruit mass and crop yield peaked with the removal of agrotextile to 26.6 and 25.1 DAT, respectively. Plants with one and two fruits presented greater mass but with lower productivity compared to plants with fruits of free determination. The use of nonwoven from 25 DAT difficult cultural practices as weeding and combing plants due to the intertwining branches into the tunnel leading to higher drop flowers and reducing crop yield

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Producing fruit of the appropriate size and high quality is of the upmost importance to realize a profit in the fruit industry. This can be achieved through bloom or fruitlet thinning to reduce the number of fruit left on the tree. The cost of production is rising and labour cost forms a large part of the total production cost. Thinning of stone fruit is labour intensive and expensive, so an alternative to hand thinning needs to be found. Two alternatives are chemical and mechanical thinning. Chemical thinners are not routinely used in stone fruit as it is in pome fruit production and gibberellins were evaluated in this study. The Darwin 300TM was evaluated as a mechanical alternative to hand thinning. It thins flowers during bloom, before fruitlet thinning by hand is performed. In our trials on nectarines and Japanese plums the objective of reducing the time required for hand thinning was achieved, with the Darwin 300TM reducing the time required by up to 50%. When the time required to thin was reduced too much it also reduced the yield, but this could be overcome by lowering the rotor speed or using different strategies during supplementary hand thinning at the fruitlet stage. The bloom thinning and reduction in yield led to an increase in the fruit size. Care should be taken when using the Darwin 300TM as the earlier thinning could increase pit splitting and/or fruit cracking, especially in cultivars that are sensitive to these defects. The optimal rate of thinning needs to be determined for each cultivar individually. The application of gibberellic acid (GA3) and gibberellin A4+7 (GA4+7) at the pit hardening stage in the previous season could decrease the number of flowers for the following growing season. There was no effect on the yield at harvest or fruit size in the season of GA3 and GA4+7 applications, but the fruit firmness was increased. This effect was more pronounced for the GA4+7 applications. Our objective of reducing the time required for thinning was achieved in some but not all cultivars. The yield was not significantly reduced, with the fruit maturity only delayed in ‘African Rose’ plum. Again no increase in fruit size was found, but the fruit firmness was again increased. The GA-applications therefore were not satisfactory in their reduction of the time required for hand thinning. A positive effect is the increase in fruit firmness, which could possibly increase the storage potential of the fruit without having negative effects on the other aspects of fruit quality but this needs further evaluation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Produksie van vrugte met die verlangde vruggrootte en hoë vrug kwaliteit is baie belangrik vir die realisering van ‘n wins in die vrugte-industrie. Met hierdie mikpunt in gedagte, is blom- en vruguitdunning baie belangrik om die aantal vrugte per boom te verminder. Die kostes geassosieer met vrugte produksie is besig om te styg en arbeidskoste vorm ‘n groot deel van die totale produksiekostes. Uitdunning van steenvrugte is arbeidsintensief en baie duur, dus moet ‘n alternatief vir handuitdunning gevind word. Daar is twee alternatiewe naamlik chemiese en meganiese uitdunning. Chemiese uitdunmiddels word algemeen in kernvrugproduksie gebruik, maar daar is tans geen chemiese middels vir steenvrugte nie. In hierdie studie was gibberelliene ge-evalueer as potensiële uitdunmiddel. Die Darwin 300TM is ge-evalueer gedurende blomtyd as ‘n meganiese alternatief vir handuitdunning. Die masjien verwyder blomme en verminder so die vruguitdunning benodig. In ons eksperimente op nektarien- en Japanese pruimkultivars het ons gevind dat die tyd benodig vir handuitdunning met tot 50% verminder is deur die Darwin 300TM. Dit het ook daartoe gelei dat die totale oes per boom verlaag is. Hierdie effek kan vermy word deur die rotor spoed te verminder of die strategie vir aanvullende handuitdunning aan te pas. Die feit dat die grootste deel van die uitdunproses in blomtyd uitgevoer is en ook die feit dat die totale oes per boom verlaag is, het daartoe gelei dat die vrugte groter was. Die vroeër uitdunning met die Darwin 300TM kan egter lei tot ‘n verhoging in vrugkrake en gesplete pitte. Dit moet veral in gedagte gehou word by kultivars wat geneig is tot hierdie afwykings/defekte. Die optimum tempo van uitdunning moet vir elke kultivar individueel bepaal word. Wanneer gibberelliensuur (GA3) of gibberelien A4+7 (GA4+7) by pitverharding toegedien word in die vorige groeiseisoen, kan dit lei tot die vermindering van die hoeveelheid vrugte in die volgende seisoen. Daar was geen effek op die totale oes per boom en die vruggrootte tydens oes in die seisoen van aanwending nie, maar die vrugfermheid is verhoog. Die effek was hoër na die GA4+7 as na die GA3 aanwending. Die mikpunt om die tyd benodig vir handuitdunning te verminder, is in sommige kultivars bereik. Die oes per boom in die opvolgseisoen is weer eens nie verlaag nie, maar die vrug rypheid van ‘African Rose’ pruime is vertraag. Geen effek is op die vruggrootte opgemerk nie, maar die vrugfermheid was weer eens verhoog. Die GA-toedienings het dus nie bevredigend die tyd benodig vir handuitdunning verminder nie. ‘n Positiewe effek is die verhoging van die vrugfermheid, wat moontlik kan lei tot die verhoging van die opbergingspotensiaal van die vrugte sonder enige ander negatiewe effekte, maar hierdie aspek benodig verdere navorsing.

Revised; Originally Published: 2000 / 7 pp. / The mid elevations (3,500 to 6,000 feet) in Arizona can be ideal for growing tree fruit. Site selection can make a pronounced effect on how well fruit will grow and produce. The warmer the site the greater the chance of success. Areas where cold air settles are a poor choice for tree fruit production. Variety selection is very important for good fruit production.February and March are the best months to plant bare root trees, although they can be planted anytime during the dormant season. Try to plant 30 days before bud break. Containerized plants are best planted in late September through early October. The open center pruning system allows for more sunlight to reach all the branches of the tree. Whereas the central leader is used with those trees that are less vigorous. Training trees when young is an important step in ensuring a strong scaffold system when bearing. Fruit thinning helps to control fruit size and consistent bearing. Proper fertilization, irrigation, and pest control will promote healthy productive trees.

Although Brazil is the fourth watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) producing country in ranking position, its greatest challenge is the low yield average obtained (22.5 t ha-1). Such yield, places Brazil in the 38th position in the world rank, reflecting the amount of effort still needed to increase Brazilian yield efficiency. Thus, greater knowledge about the agronomic traits of new cultivars is relevant to obtain more yield efficiency. The constant search for yield increase demands for the optimization of crop practices associated to plant density, as a function of new cultivars, planting regions and market characteristics. Spacing variation can change plant development and its response to production factors. Presently, both for watermelon fruit thinning management and plant density, the recommendations are based on old varieties in greenhouses or in agreement with empirical observations of growers and technicians. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of plant density and fruit thinning, in different plant positions, on watermelon yield and fruit quality, under dripping irrigation, in two experimental watermelon hybrids. The experiments were done at Bayer Vegetable Seeds Experimental Farm, in Uberlândia-MG, in two seasons, from April to July (Autumn-Winter) and from August to November (Winter-Spring), consisting of two watermelon experimental hybrids (X and Y); two fruit thinning management systems (A basal, or B distal), and four plant densities (3000, 4000, 5000 e 6000 plants ha-1). Fruit average weight, fruit density, brix, flesh firmness, flesh color, hollow heart and yield were evaluated. Average fruit weight was inversely proportional to the plant density up 5000 plants ha-1. Fruit size increases again, between 5000 and 6000 plants ha-1, probably due to better use of fertilizers. Therefore, greater yield was obtained with plant density of 6000 plants ha-1, with a commercial fruit size better accepted in the market (above 10 kg). Better performance was observed in all characteristics within management A (basal), season 2 (August-November), while some characteristics showed better performance in the season 1 (April-July) under the management B (distal). Thus, basal fruit thinning becomes relevant only if there is no adequate water supply and temperature for watermelon crop. Greater yield potential was observed in hybrid X, as well as greater qualitative traits potential, especially when weather conditions were more adequate for its development. Under less favorable weather conditions (season 1) hybrid X was more responsive to basal fruit thinning (management A) considering the trait average of fruit weight, with an increase of 2.5 kg per fruit and, consequently, more responsive to yield with an increase of 11.4 t ha-1. / Apesar de o Brasil ocupar a quarta posição mundial no ranking dos países que mais produzem melancia (Citrullus lanatus), o maior desafio reside na baixa produtividade média alcançada (22,5 t ha-1). Com esta produtividade, o Brasil ocupa a 38o colocação no ranking mundial, o que reflete o quanto de esforços ainda precisa ser feito para aumentar a eficiência produtiva. Desta forma, o conhecimento aprofundado das características agronômicas das novas cultivares é muito relevante. A busca incessante pelo aumento de produtividade faz com que, em razão de novas variedades, novas regiões de plantio e de características de mercado, haja uma otimização de práticas culturais associada à adequação da densidade populacional. Variações no espaçamento podem alterar o desenvolvimento da planta e a resposta aos fatores de produção. Atualmente, tanto para o manejo do desbaste de frutos, quanto para a densidade populacional da melancieira, as recomendações são baseadas em variedades antigas sob cultivo protegido ou de acordo com observações empíricas de produtores e técnicos. Em razão do exposto, objetiva-se avaliar os efeitos da densidade de plantas e dos desbastes de frutos, em diferentes posições na planta, sobre a produtividade e qualidade da melancia, no sistema de gotejo, em dois híbridos experimentais de melancia. Os experimentos foram realizados na fazenda experimental da empresa Bayer Vegetable Seeds, no município de Uberlândia-MG. Estes foram conduzidos em duas épocas, entre Abril e Julho (Outono-Inverno) e entre Agosto e Novembro (Inverno-Primavera). O experimento constituiu-se de dois híbridos experimentais de melancia (X e Y); dois manejos de posição de frutos (manejos A-basal e B-distal) e de quatro densidades de plantas (3000, 4000, 5000 e 6000 plantas.ha-1). Peso médio de frutos, densidade de fruto, brix, firmeza de polpa, cor de polpa, presença de cavidade interna e produtividade foram avaliadas. O peso médio de fruto foi inversamente proporcional à densidade de plantas até 5000 plantas.ha-1. Entre 5000 e 6000 plantas.ha-1, o tamanho de fruto volta a aumentar, provavelmente, devido ao maior aproveitamento de fertilizantes. Portanto, maior produtividade foi obtida na densidade de 6000 plantas/ha com tamanho comercial de fruto mais aceitável no mercado (acima de 10 kg). Dentro do manejo A (basal), na época 2 (Agosto-Novembro) observou-se valores superiores para todas as características. Já no manejo B(distal), algumas características responderam melhor na época 1 (Abril-Julho). Portanto, o desbaste de frutos dos nós basais só é relevante se não houver água e temperatura adequadas para a cultura da melancia. Maior potencial produtivo foi observado no híbrido X, como também, maior potencial qualitativo, especialmente quando as condições de clima foram mais adequadas ao seu desenvolvimento. Em condições de clima não muito favoráveis (época 1), o híbrido X foi mais responsivo ao desbaste dos primeiros frutos (manejo A-basal) para a característica peso médio de fruto com um incremento de 2,5 kg por fruto e, consequentemente, mais responsivo à produtividade com um incremento de 11,4 t.ha-1. / Mestre em Agronomia

Although mango (Mangifera indica L.) has been studied for many years, numerous problems still elude researchers. The objectives of the current trials were to study the effects of some cultural practices (fruit thinning, panicle/ bud/ renewal/ post-harvest pruning) and chemicals (Corasil.E, potassium nitrate/urea, paclobutrazol) on various vegetative, floral, yield and quality parameters. The study meant to address problems of both South African and Ethiopian mango growers. The thinning (on ‘Sensation’) and pruning (on ‘Tommy Atkins’ and ‘Keitt’) experiments were conducted for two seasons (2001-2003) at Bavaria Fruit Estate in South Africa. Effects of Paclobutrazol and Potassium nitrate were studied on ‘Tommy Atkins’ during 2002-2003 season at Upper Awash Agro-industry Enterprise in Ethiopia. Complementary effects of paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate on floral induction were studied in growth chamber experiments at the experimental farm of University of Pretoria on ‘Tommy Atkins’ and ‘Keitt’ mango. Where fruit on ‘Sensation’ were thinned to one and two fruit per panicle, a significant increase was obtained for most of the fruit quantitative parameters. The treatments where one fruit and two fruit per panicle were retained and 50% panicles removed, produced a significant increase in size of the fruit, fruit qualitative parameters and fruit retention percentage. Corasil.E produced very small sized fruit with a considerable percentage of “mules” (fruit without seed). Trees subjected to severe thinning intensities showed earlier revival of starch reserves and better vegetative growth. Applications of paclobutrazol (1- (4-chlorophenyl) –4,4-dimethyl-2- (1,2,4- triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol) at rates of 5.50 and 8.25 g a.i. per tree, both as a soil drench and spray applications, on ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango were effective in suppressing vegetative growth as compared to the control. Consequently, the trees from these treatments had higher total non-structural carbohydrate in their shoots before flowering which led to higher results of percentages of shoots flowering, number of panicles produced, percentages of hermaphrodite flowers, yield and quality of the fruit. Trees that received panicle pruning (during full bloom) treatment at the point of apical bud attachment, were observed to be induced for synchronized re-flowering and also attained more fruit per panicle. On the other hand, trees on which renewal pruning (early in the season) and post-harvest pruning (especially for early cultivars) treatments were applied, have been observed for the development of an adequate number of productive inflorescences. Post-harvest pruning treatments also resulted in greater vegetative growth on both cultivars. The responses to pruning treatments were greater especially in ‘Tommy Atkins’ than ‘Keitt’. The trend for the interaction of duration and chemicals in Tommy Atkins and Keitt mango cultivars revealed the possible floral induction complementary effect of PBZ after the trees were induced only for 15 days at 10/15 oC temperature. Higher potassium nitrate concentrations especially in combination with urea (5 litre solution of 4% KNO3+0.5 g urea tree-1 and 5 litres of 4% KNO3+1 g urea tree-1 ) produced higher results for most of the flowering and yield parameters in ‘Tommy Atkins’. / Thesis (DPhil (Horticulture))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Total soluble solids (TSS) is a reliable indicator of melon eating quality, with a minimum standard of 10% recommended. The state of Australian melon production with respect to this quality criterion was considered within seasons, between growing districts and over seasons. It was concluded that improvement in agronomic practice and varietal selection is required to produce sweeter melons. The scientific literature addressing melon physiology and agronomy was summarised, as a background to the work that is required to improve melon production practices in Australia. The effect of source sink manipulation was assessed for commercially grown and glasshouse grown melon plants. The timing of fruit thinning, pollination scheduling, the application of a growth inhibitor and source biomass removal were assessed in relation to fruit growth and sugar accumulation. Results are interpreted against a model in which fruit rapidly increase in weight until about two weeks before harvest, with sugar accumulation continuing as fruit growth ceases. Thus treatment response is very dependant on timing of application. For example, fruit thinning at 25 days before harvest resulted in further fruit set and increased fruit weight but did not impact on fruit TSS (at 9.8%, control 9.3%), while thinning at 5 days before harvest resulted in a significant (Pless than 0.05) increase in fruit TSS (to 10.8%, control 9.3%) and no increase in fruit weight or number. A cost/ benefit analysis is presented, allowing an estimation of the increase in sale price required to sustain the implementation of fruit thinning. The effect of irrigation scheduling was also considered with respect to increasing melon yield and quality. To date, recommended practice has been to cause an irrigation deficit close to fruit harvest, with the intent of 'drying out' or 'stressing' the plant, to 'bring on' maturity and increase sugar accumulation. Irrigation trials showed that keeping plants stress-free close to harvest and during harvest, facilitated the production of sweeter fruit. The maintenance of a TSS grade standard using either batch based (destructive) sampling or (non-invasive) grading of individual fruit is discussed. On-line grading of individual fruit is possible using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), but the applicability of the technique to melons has received little published attention. Tissue sampling strategy was optimised, in relation to the optical geometry used (in commercial operation in Australia), both in terms of the diameter and depth of sampled tissue. NIR calibration model performance was superior when based on the TSS of outer, rather than inner mesocarp tissue. However the linear relationship between outer and middle tissue TSS was strong (r2 = 0.8) in immature fruit, though less related in maturing fruit (r2 = 0.5). The effect of fruit storage (maturation/senescence) on calibration model performance was assessed. There was a negligible effect of fruit cold storage on calibration performance. Currently, the agronomist lacks a cost-effective tool to rapidly assess fruit TSS in the field. Design parameters for such a tool were established, and several optical front ends compared for rapid, though invasive, analysis. Further, for visualisation of the spatial distribution of tissue TSS within a melon fruit, a two-dimensional, or hyper-spectral NIR imaging system based on a low cost 8-bit charge coupled device (CCD) camera and filter arrangement, was designed and characterised.