Changes in the Reproductive Traits of Low-chill Peach Tree in Response to Reproductive Shoot Pruning after Harvesting

ABSTRACT: At the central-east area of the Santa Fe province (Argentina), early maturing peach varieties characterised by a long remaining growing season after harvest are used. The aim of this works was to study the effects of fruit-bearing shoots renovation, performed just after harvest, on different vegetative and reproductive parameters of peach tree, in comparison with the traditional winter pruning. After harvest, a group of plants remained unpruned as control trees (T0), whereas another group was pruned (T1). Pruning consisted of heading back or thinning out the recently harvested bearing shoots. Green pruning significantly increased the relative radiation measured in the canopy for more than 80 days after pruning, modifying the architecture of the aerial part of the tree. The relative proportion of the different bearing shoots was not affected by pruning treatment but green pruning increased the proportion of mixed shoots that arose from the main tree scaffold (+15%) and those that were inserted in the intermediate strata of plant height. Trees pruned after harvest were able to compensate the leaf area removed by the emission of new branches (+108%) in the remained shoots, but were unable to compensate TCA annual evolution (-37.4%) and plant size (?7 to -26%). Green pruning extended the vegetative growth period during autumn, delaying leaf senescence (+10 days) and dormancy induction. Tree yield and fruit size were not affected by pruning treatments.Fil: Weber, M.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Damian Cesar. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Norma. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Bouzo, Carlos Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Buyatti, Marcela Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Gariglio, N.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Response of some citrus species to frost damage at the central area of Santa Fe, Argentina

En la región central de Santa Fe, durante los días 7 y 8 de junio del año 2012 se produjeron heladas advectivas de gran intensidad y duración. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar los daños por heladas y el comportamiento vegetativo y reproductivo de diferentes variedades de cítricos, durante la siguiente estación de crecimiento. En las plantaciones se reportaron pérdidas de fruta, defoliaciones y hasta muerte de plantas. La brotación del siguiente ciclo (y) estuvo inversamente relacionada con la defoliación (x) producida (y=146,32-0,92x). Se observó una reducida intensidad de floración con predominio de brotes vegetativos y generativos con hojas. El cuajado de los frutos aumentó entre un 69 a 92% en relación con los valores medios de la zona, a excepción de las mandarinas. El rendimiento alcanzado por cada variedad luego de los daños por fuertes heladas se relacionó con su intensidad de floración media en la zona. Las variedades que normalmente desarrollan intensidades de floración superiores a 250 flores cada 100 nudos en años sin fuertes heladas presentaron un rendimiento superior a su valor promedio. En cambio, aquellas que normalmente presentan menores intensidades de floración tuvieron disminuciones de rendimiento entre un 26,3 y 84,5% respecto de su valor medio.The aim of this work was to quantify frost damage and the reproductive and vegetative behaviour of some Citrus species after intense frost events registered between June 7th and 8th 2012. After the frost events, trees showed severe fruit drop, partial or total defoliation and eventually, tree death. Growth response during the following growing season showed that percentage of sprouting (y) was inversely related to defoliation (x) caused by frost (y=146. 32-0.92x). Flowering intensity was reduced in the majority of the citrus varieties tested, with a relative increase of vegetative and leafy shoots. Fruit set was increased (69-92%) in relation with years without frost occurrence with the exception of tangerines. Fruit yield of each variety was related with its mean flowering intensity at the central area of Santa Fe. Those cultivars which normally reach high flowering intensities (>250 flowers per 100 nodes) showed higher fruit yield, up to 67% compared to non-frost years. In the other hand, cultivars which normally reach lower flowering intensities showed low fruit yields (<26.3- 84.5%) in comparison with non-frost years.Fil: Micheloud, Norma Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional del LitoralFil: Castro, Damián César. Universidad Nacional del LitoralFil: Favaro, María Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del LitoralFil: Buyatti, Marcela Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del LitoralFil: Pilatti, Rubén Andrés. Universidad Nacional del LitoralFil: Gariglio, Norberto Francisco. Universidad Nacional del Litora

V-EMF therapy: A new painless and completely non-invasive treatment for striae gravidarum

Background: The appearance of striae gravidarum (SG) during pregnancy is a common problem. The most common SG are abdominal striae, which can cause the greatest sequelae after pregnancy, and in the long term. There are several solutions to prevent and treat these striae, but not all are completely effective, and not without side effects. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment that applies an electromagnetic field under vacuum (V-EMF therapy) on the abdominal SG. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 26 women affected by abdominal SG and treated with V-EMF therapy. The results were evaluated using two different 5-point Likert Scales: one administered to the treated subjects to evaluate their satisfaction, and one to the doctors who performed the treatment, to evaluate the improvement of the striae. The presence of side effects, and the effects of sun exposure after treatment were also considered. Results: Only two treated subjects rated their level of satisfaction with a Score III on the Liker Scale. Everyone else expressed higher levels of satisfaction. Only one doctor rated the improvement of the striae with a Liker scale score of III. All the others reported greater improvements. No discomfort or side effects were noted either during the individual treatment sessions, or at the end of the treatment. The striae showed a newfound ability to tan. Conclusions: V-EMF therapy proves to be a valid, safe, and effective treatment modality for SG

Evaluation of the germinative behaviour of three native species with ornamental potencial in the centre-north of Santa Fe

La flora nativa posee un enorme potencial paisajístico que ha sido poco explorado. En el presente trabajo se han estudiado aspectos relacionados con las semillas y comportamiento germinativo de tres especies vegetales nativas del centro - norte santafesino con potencial ornamental priorizadas para su introducción a la producción en viveros en el marco de las acciones del Programa de Documentación, Conservación y Valoración de la Flora Nativa (PRODOCOVA). Las especies en estudio corresponden a “Sangre drago” Croton urucurana Baill., “Horquetero” Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. y “Ojo de muñeca” Paullinia elegans Cambess. Para C. urucurana se halló una temperatura óptima a temperaturas alternantes de 20-30 °C, mientras que para P. elegans y T. catharinensis, temperatura constante a 25 °C determinó el mayor porcentaje de germinación. Se identificaron para todas las especies el momento para el recuento inicial y final del porcentaje de germinación. Adicionalmente se observó que semillas de P. elegans son recalcitrantes. Estos resultados son de gran utilidad para la introducción a cultivo de las especies en estudio.The native flora has an enormous landscaping potential not fully explored yet. In the present work, aspects related to seeds and germination behavior of three native plant species from central-northern Santa Fe with ornamental potential, prioritized for their introduction to nursery production in the framework of the actions of the Program for Documentation, Conservation and Valuation of Native Flora (PRODOCOVA), have been studied. The studied species were “Sangre drago” Croton urucurana Baill, “Horquetero” Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC., and “Ojo de muñeca” Paullinia elegans Cambess. For C. urucurana alternating temperatures of 20-30 °C were found as optimal temperature, while for P. elegans and T. catharinensis, constant temperature at 25 °C determined the highest percentage of germination. Additionally, the initial and fi nal count of the germination percentage were determined for each species. Finally, it was also noted that seeds of P. elegans are recalcitrant. These results provide the basis for the introduction to cultivation of the studied species.Fil: Ghío, N.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Marinoni, Lorena del Rosario. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Damian Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Zabala, Juan Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Norma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Buyatti, Marcela Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Respuesta de diferentes variedades de cítricos a los daños causados por fuertes heladas en la región central de Santa Fe

The aim of this work was to quantify frost damage and the reproductive and vegetative behaviour of some Citrus species after intense frost events registered between June 7th and 8th 2012. After the frost events, trees showed severe fruit drop, partial or total defoliation and eventually, tree death. Growth response during the following growing season showed that percentage of sprouting (y) was inversely related to defoliation (x) caused by frost (y=146. 32-0.92x). Flowering intensity was reduced in the majority of the citrus varieties tested, with a relative increase of vegetative and leafy shoots. Fruit set was increased (69-92%) in relation with years without frost occurrence with the exception of tangerines. Fruit yield of each variety was related with its mean flowering intensity at the central area of Santa Fe. Those cultivars which normally reach high flowering intensities (>250 flowers per 100 nodes) showed higher fruit yield, up to 67% compared to non-frost years. In the other hand, cultivars which normally reach lower flowering intensities showed low fruit yields (<26.3- 84.5%) in comparison with non-frost years.En la región central de Santa Fe, durante los días 7 y 8 de junio del año 2012 se produjeron heladas advectivas de gran intensidad y duración. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar los daños por heladas y el comportamiento vegetativo y reproductivo de diferentes variedades de cítricos, durante la siguiente estación de crecimiento. En las plantaciones se reportaron pérdidas de fruta, defoliaciones y hasta muerte de plantas. La brotación del siguiente ciclo (y) estuvo inversamente relacionada con la defoliación (x) producida (y=146,32-0,92x). Se observó una reducida intensidad de floración con predominio de brotes vegetativos y generativos con hojas. El cuajado de los frutos aumentó entre un 69 a 92% en relación con los valores medios de la zona, a excepción de las mandarinas. El rendimiento alcanzado por cada variedad luego de los daños por fuertes heladas se relacionó con su intensidad de floración media en la zona. Las variedades que normalmente desarrollan intensidades de floración superiores a 250 flores cada 100 nudos en años sin fuertes heladas presentaron un rendimiento superior a su valor promedio. En cambio, aquellas que normalmente presentan menores intensidades de floración tuvieron disminuciones de rendimiento entre un 26,3 y 84,5% respecto de su valor medio

Crop loading studies on ‘Caricia’ and ‘Eva’ apples grown in a mild winter area

The crop load level of an apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) tree impacts fruit yield and quality parameters, tree vigor and biennial bearing. The optimal crop load is that which allows for consistent annual cropping and fruit quality acceptable to the market. We evaluated the effect of crop load on yield and fruit quality of two low-chill apples cv. ‘Caricia’ and ‘Eva’, growing in a mild winter area. During 2010 and 2011 crop load was manually adjusted from 2 or 3 to 17 fruits cm−2 of trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA). Fruit yield was positively related to crop load in both cultivars but mean fruit weight diminished as the crop load increased. For both cultivars, the production of non-commercial and small-sized fruit increased, whereas production of middle-sized fruit diminished as the fruit load increased. Shoot length was not affected by crop load in ‘Eva’ whereas it was reduced in ‘Caricia’. Red skin color (RSC %) had a quadratic response to crop load in ‘Caricia’. On the other hand, the RSC % of ‘Eva’ fruit was adjusted to a negative logarithmic model as an effect of crop load increment. No biennial bearing was observed in either cultivar. This research study suggests that the maximum limit of crop load for both cultivars is 7 fruits cm−2 of TCSA, and the lower limit of crop load was 3 fruits cm−2 of TCSA for ‘Eva’ and 5 fruits cm−2 of TCSA for ‘Caricia’

Phenological and reproductive behavior of citrus varieties in the dowtown area in the province of Santa Fe

Fil: Micheloud, Norma Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.To the central region of the province of Santa Fe is interesting to generate alternative diversification across different fruit crops, including citrus. For the grower makes the decision to incorporate this new crops should have information on the adaptation of varieties to growth (in fruit production and quality) to the agroecological conditions of the area and its response to cultural practices. The objective of this tesis was to evaluate, in three years, the reproductive phenological development of twelve cultivars of citrus, to understand the relationship between environmental factors with yield components. Furthermore, was evaluated in one cultivar during a production cycle, the effect of time of pruning, girdling, foliar application of gibberellins, sucrose and urea on reproductive behavior. The cultivars showed not differences in phenology but in the reproduction. Those that resulted in a better adaptation to the region, production and fruit quality were Valencia late, Satsuma, Salustiana and Clemenules. There was a significant effect of year on the phenology, the intensity of flowering, fruit set and yield. Cultural practices did not result in differences from the control in the percentage of fruit set, fruit size, number of fruits per plant and yield due to environmental conditions for the year evaluated.En la región central de la provincia de Santa Fe resulta interesante generar alternativas de diversificación productiva a través de diferentes cultivos frutales, entre ellos los cítricos. Para que el productor tome la decisión de incorporar esta nueva actividad debe contar con información sobre la adaptación de las variedades a implantar (en producción y calidad de frutas) a las condiciones agroecológicas del lugar y su respuesta a las prácticas culturales. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar, durante tres ciclos productivos, el desarrollo fenológico y reproductivo de doce variedades de cítricos, comprender la relación de los factores ambientales con los componentes del rendimiento. Además, en una variedad seleccionada y durante un ciclo productivo, se evaluó el efecto del momento de poda, el rayado de ramas, la aplicación foliar de giberelinas, sacarosa y urea, sobre el comportamiento reproductivo. Las variedades no manifestaron diferencias en el comportamiento fenológico pero sí en el reproductivo. Las variedades que resultaron en una mejor adaptación a la región, por su producción y calidad de frutas, fueron Valencia late, Satsuma, Clemenules y Salustiana. Se observó un significativo efecto del año sobre el comportamiento fenológico, la intensidad de floración, el establecimiento de frutos y el rendimiento. Las prácticas culturales no resultaron en diferencias con respecto al control en el porcentaje de cuajado de frutos, el tamaño de los frutos, número de frutos por planta y rendimiento, debido a las condiciones ambientales correspondientes al año evaluado.Universidad Nacional del Litora

Physiological and metabolic changes in response to agronomic practices applied for improvement fruit set of ‘Navelate’ orange

Fil: Micheloud, Norma Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.El objetivo del trabajo fue investigar los cambios en los mecanismos fisiológicos y metabólicos del cv. Navelate, en respuesta a prácticas culturales que favorecen el cuajado de frutos. La experiencia se realizó en una finca ubicada en Salto (Uruguay). Los tratamientos conformaron un arreglo factorial: a) fertilización inicial con urea, dosis: 800g y 1300g, b) ácido giberélico (AG3) a la caída de pétalos: 0 y 50 ppm, c) rayado de ramas a los 15 días posteriores a la aplicación de ‘AG3’: con rayado y sin rayado. Durante el periodo primaveral se evaluaron los efectos de los tratamientos sobre el metabolismo fotosintético, la dinámica de carbohidratos y del nitrógeno, la expresión de metabolitos relacionados al estrés celular, el cuajado de frutos de los diferentes tipos de brotes florales, y los niveles productivos. La mayor dosis de nitrógeno y la aplicación de rayado resultaron en un cuajado de frutos superior y un rendimiento más elevado. La aplicación de AG3, si bien provocó un retraso en la abscisión de frutos, no logró mejorar los niveles productivos, salvo bajo condiciones de mayor disponibilidad de nitrógeno o bien combinada con rayado. La fertilización inicial con alta dosis nitrogenada y la aplicación del rayado de ramas posterior a la caída de pétalos, produjeron cambios favorables en los mecanismos metabólicos y fisiológicos en el momento crítico del cultivo, lo cual resultó en una menor abscisión de frutos y un aumento de la producción del cv. Navelate, en las condiciones agroclimáticas de la citricultura del Río Uruguay.The aim of this work was to investigate physiological and metabolic changes of cv. Navelate, in response to agronomical practices to improve fruit set, and to better understand the fruit set process. The experiment was conducted on orchard located on the Salto (Uruguay). The treatments formed a factorial arrangement: a) initial fertilization with urea: 800g and 1300g.plant-1, b) gibberellic acid (GA3) spray application during petal drop: 0 and 50 ppm, c) branch girdling at 15 days after GA3 spray application: with girdling and without girdling. During the Spring period the effect of the applied treatments on the photosynthetic metabolism, carbohydrate and nitrogen levels, on the expression of metabolites of cellular stress, on the fruit set of different types of flowers, and yield were recorded. The highest dose of N and the girdling resulted in a higher fruit set and higher fruit yield. The spray application of GA3, although it caused a delay in the abscission of reproductive structures, it did not improve the number of fruit per plant and fruit yield, except under greater nitrogen or combined with girdling. The initial nitrogen fertilization and branch girdling after petal fall produced favorable changes in the metabolic and physiological mechanisms during the first half of October which resulted in less fruit abscission and higher fruit production of the cv. ‘Navelate’ under the agro-ecologycal conditions of the Uruguay River region.Universidad Nacional del LitoralInstituto Nacional de Investigación AgropecuariaConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica