A new strategy to enrich calcium nutrition of fruit: Synergistic effects of postharvest foliar calcium and boron sprays

The objective of the study is to investigate the role of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) synergy in higher maintenance of Ca in fruit buds during senescence. To study the hypothesis, an experiment was conducted for two years in two 'Starking Delicious' apple (Malus domastica Borkh.) orchards established on seedling rootstocks in Banaz, Usak, Turkey. Treatments composed of postharvest foliar sprays of Ca at rate of 15.13 kg h-1, B at rate of 2.47 kg h-1 and their combination (Ca+B) compared with control trees sprayed with water. Fruiting spurs, flower ovaries, young and mature fruits were sampled and analyzed for their Ca, B, potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) contents. Fruit were stored for six months and quality attributes were studied. Results put forth that Ca+B treatments significantly increase fruit Ca and B concentrations and firmness. The results displayed that postharvest B spray improves Ca nutrition of fruits through synergism of Ca+B on Ca translocation. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.TOGTAG 2573/7This study was funded by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) under grant TOGTAG 2573/7 and Ege University Science and Technology Center (2005 BİL 022). The authors wish to extend their thanks to Dilek ANAC and Ernest KIRKBY for their valuable comments. -

Soilless culture of cucumber in glasshouses. ii. a comparison of open and closed systems on water and nutrient consumption

The research was carried out during the spring seasons of 1996 and 1997 in order to compare effect of open and closed systems with three different cucumber cultivars (Afrodit, Efes and Rawa) grown in vertical and horizontal bags on applied and drained water and nutrient quantities. The study was planned according to a split-split plot design with three replicates. Perlite was used as growing medium. Each vertical and horizontal bag contained one and two plants, respectively with a 8 liters rooting volume per plant. A complete nutrient solution was given daily via drip irrigation system. The quantity of applied and drained nutrient solution was recorded daily, while the NO3-N, NH4-N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Cl contents of the solutions were determined weekly. Results obtained indicated that closed system decreased water and nutrient consumption by about 22 % and 35 %, respectively

Post-harvest calcium and boron Treatments on retranslocation of Ca from senescent apple leaves

The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of foliar Ca and B application in autumn on re-translocation level of Ca from senescent apple leaves. In this context, it was hypothesized that foliar B application together with Ca would enhance the translocation of Ca via synergistic relation between Ca and B. To study the hypothesis, an experiment was conducted for two years in two 'Starking Delicious' apple (Malus domastica Borkh.) orchards established on seedling rootstocks in Banaz-Usak/Turkey. Treatments were composed of postharvest foliar sprays of Ca (CaCl2, 1 %), B (H3BO3, 0.5 %), and their combination (Ca+B) compared with control trees sprayed with water. Falling leaves (in November) and summer leaves (in July) were sampled and analyzed for their Ca, B, K and Mg contents. Post-harvest Ca+B treatments resulted in lower Ca concentration in the fallen leaves compared to single Ca treatments. Treatments decreased K content and did not affect Mg content of fallen leaves. Results revealed that Ca and B application increased re-translocation of Ca and B. © by PSP Volume 23 - No 9a. 20l4

Azotlu gübrelemenin patateste verim, kalite ve makro besin elementi kapsamına etkisi

Bu çalışma, azotlu gübrelemenin patates bitkisinde verim, verim komponentleri, kimi kalite özellikleri ile yaprak ve meyvenin makro besin elementi kapsamına etkilerini incelemek amacı ile yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre 4 tekerrürlü olarak yürütülen denemede Asonia çeşidi patatese 0-7.5-15.0-22.5-30.0 kg/da N uygulanmıştır. Azotlu gübrenin 1/2'si ekimden önce amonyum sülfat, 1/2'si ise kalsiyum amonyum nitrat (CAN) formunda birinci sulamada uygulanmıştır. Azotlu gübre miktarının artışı ile kontrole göre verimde linear önemli artışlar meydana gelmiştir. Azotlu gübreleme ile verim komponentleri, bitki boyu, meyve ve yaprağın N kapsamında da kontrole göre önemli artışlar meydana gelmiştir. Azotlu gübrelemenin meyvenin kuru madde, nişasta, P, K, Ca ve Mg kapsamına istatistiki açıdan önemli bir etkisinin bulunmadığı belirlenmiştir.Effect of different N rates on Asonia variety potatoe yield, yield components quality aspects and leaf and tuber mineral composition were examined. Treatments were 0 - 7.5 -15.0 - 22.5 - 30.0 kg/da N with randomized block design. Half of N was incorporated into soil as ammonium sulphate and the other half as calcium ammonium nitrate with the first irrigation. Significant linear yield increases were determined compared to that of the control plot. Some yield components, plant height N content of both the leaf and tubers increased with respect to N rates. No significant effect of N were determined on dry matter, starch, P, K, Ca and Mg content of tubers

Effects of nutrition and irrigation on sweet pepper production in volcanic tuff [Efectos de la nutrición y el riego en la producción de pimiento en toba volcánica]

In this study aimed at increasing sustainability in soilless cultivation, volcanic tuff was used as substrate and the tested plant material was blocky type pepper (cv. 4-Ever F1). Three experimental factors were evaluated: cultivation system (open or closed), nutrient composition (N1, N2, N3, N4) and irrigation frequency (I1, I2, I3, I4). Macro nutrient concentrations of N2, N3 and N4 were 2-, 3- and 4-fold of N1. Concentrations of micronutrients were the same for all treatments. Irrigation was started when indoor solar radiation reached 6, 4, 2 and 1 MJ m-2 in the treatments I1, I2, I3 and I4, respectively. As a sustainable soilless technique, closed system was found to be recommendable by incorporating the treatment N4 + I2 to provide high yield and quality for blocky type pepper production. In the case of an open system, N2 + I4 proved to be the most efficient strategy