scholarly journals Relating Plant Architecture to Eggplant Fruit Quality

2013 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 428-432
Author(s):  
Brian A. Kahn

A 2-year study was conducted at Bixby, OK, to examine shoot characteristics of several eggplant (Solanum melongena) cultivars, including the vertical distribution patterns of fruit production, and to examine possible relationships of these traits to aspects of fruit quality. Plants of 11 cultivars of purple-fruited eggplant were field-grown following local production practices. Fourteen harvests of fruit that had reached horticultural maturity were made from 99 plants in each year over a period of ≈45 days per year. On each harvest date, every fruit that was harvested from an individual plant was charted. Before a fruit was severed from the plant, heights were measured from the soil surface to the pedicel attachment and to the blossom end. Each fruit was then weighed and categorized for marketability. On the day after the final harvest, each data plant was measured for height and diameter of the main stem and then severed at soil level for subsequent measurement of shoot dry weight. ‘Classic’, ‘Dusky’, ‘Megal’, and ‘Santana’ were the only cultivars that produced more than 50% marketable fruit in both years. There were no consistent relationships between plant height, stem diameter, or shoot dry weight and fruit quality. For a given cultivar, the fruiting plane was defined as the vertical space in which fruit were found over the course of the harvest period. This was delimited at the top by the mean height above the soil of the point of pedicel attachment and at the bottom by the mean height above the soil of the blossom end. The cultivars differed in fruiting planes, but height of fruit set was relatively unimportant as a determinant of overall fruit quality. Cull fruit usually had blossom ends that were higher off the ground than marketable fruit. The primary reason for cull fruit production was determined for two cultivars: ‘Black Beauty’ had poor fruit color and ‘Black Bell’ was relatively susceptible to fruit rot (primarily caused by Phomopsis vexans). Fruit scarring was found to be a major contributor to cull fruit production. Cultivars differed in fruit scarring in 1 of 2 years, and there was evidence that scarred fruit occurred higher in the crop canopy than marketable fruit.

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 515C-515
Author(s):  
Brian A. Kahn ◽  
Mark E. Payton

Eggplants (Solanum melongena L.) were grown from transplants in a field study at Bixby, Okla., in 2005. Plants were harvested twice a week for 7 weeks. Data were taken from 3 individual plants per plot × 11 cultivars × 3 replications. The open-pollinated `Black Beauty' was inferior to the hybrids for yield and fruit quality. Patterns of cumulative percent marketable fruit number did not differ for 3 of the 4 cultivars producing the numerically highest (not always statistically highest) marketable fruit weights per plant (`Classic', `Nadia', and `Santana'). `Dusky' was the exception; fruit number peaked relatively early, but it still totaled among the highest for marketable fruit weight per plant. This might be considered an efficient fruiting pattern. Apart from `Dusky', a relatively high cumulative percent marketable fruit number throughout the season tended to be associated with an intermediate to low marketable fruit weight per plant. Two factors usually were responsible for this pattern: relatively low average marketable fruit weight, or high cull production. Despite significant differences in individual marketable fruiting patterns and average fruit weights, one relatively simple curvilinear model gave an excellent estimation of total and marketable eggplant fruit production (respectively) over time. The model was pct = 1/(1+exp(-(a+b*day))), where pct = estimated cumulative percent based on number of fruit, a = intercept, and b = slope.


Weed Science ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank L. Young ◽  
David R. Gealy ◽  
Larry A. Morrow

In the greenhouse, glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] at 0.6 kg ae/ha applied directly to seeds alone or seeds on the soil surface reduced germination and shoot dry weight of common rye (Secale cerealeL. ♯3SECCE). Paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) applied similarly at 0.6 kg ai/ha reduced germination and shoot dry weight of downy brome (Bromus tectorumL. ♯ BROTE) and wheat (Triticum aestivumL. ‘Daws' ♯ TRZAX). Metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-as-triazin-5 (4H)-one] at 0.6 kg ai/ha applied to seeds, soil, or seeds and soil had very little effect on germination, but significantly reduced shoot dry weight of common rye, downy brome, wheat, and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindricaHost. ♯ AEGCY). Pronamide [3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] at 0.6 kg ai/ha, and propham (isopropyl carbanilate) at 3.4 kg ai/ha plus extender (p-chlorophenyl-N-methylcarbamate) at 0.4 kg ai/ha substantially reduced shoot height and dry weight of all species, regardless of application method, with pronamide completely inhibiting shoot elongation and dry-weight production in three of the four species.


2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1673-1681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebahattin Çürük ◽  
H. Yıldız Dasgan ◽  
Sedat Mansuroğlu ◽  
Şener Kurt ◽  
Meltem Mazmanoğlu ◽  
...  

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of grafting (onto Solanum torvum Sw.) on plant growth, yield and fruit quality of the Pala and Faselis eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars, grown in a soil infested with Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and Meloidogyne incognita, or in noninfested soil. Soil infestation decreased yield, plant height, final above-ground biomass, and also reduced fruit mean weight and shoot dry weight depending on cultivar or grafting. Grafting decreased fruit oxalic acid and the soluble solid contents, and increased mean fruit weight, depending on cultivar and soil infestation. Grafting also reduced the negative effects of the pathogens on disease index, plant height and shoot dry weight. Cultivar Pala was more vigorous than Faselis, and S. torvum was a vigorous rootstock. The combination of a vigorous rootstock with a weak cultivar (Faselis) is more profitable than that of a vigorous rootstock and a vigorous cultivar (Pala). Using S. torvum as a rootstock for cultivar Faselis, grown in soil infested with the pathogens, is most likely to be useful in conventional and low-input sustainable horticulture, since grafting increases protection against the pathogens, and reduces the losses in quality and yield.


Weed Science ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 775-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasanta C. Bhowmik ◽  
Krishna N. Reddy

Field studies were conducted to determine the effects of various barnyardgrass populations on growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of transplanted “Jetstar’ tomato. Barnyardgrass densities at 16, 32, and 64 plants/m tomato row were tested in 1982 and 1983. Barnyardgrass shoot fresh weights/unit area increased as density increased. Fresh weight of barnyardgrass shoots ranged from 17 100 kg/ha at 16 plants/m of row to 35 500 kg/ha at 64 plants/m of row. At the vegetative stage, tomato shoot dry weight was unaffected by barnyardgrass. As crop growth progressed, tomato shoot dry weight decreased at all barnyardgrass densities. Season-long interference of barnyardgrass reduced marketable tomato fruit number and fruit weight at all densities compared to weed-free plots. Reductions in marketable fruit weight ranged from 26% to 16 plants/m row to 84% at 64 plants/m row. In 1982, concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in tomato shoots were unaffected by season-long interference of barnyardgrass at all densities. However, in 1983, concentrations of N and K decreased and concentration of P increased in tomato leaves as the density of barnyardgrass increased. Concentrations of Ca and Mg in tomato leaves were unaltered by barnyardgrass density.


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 297-304
Author(s):  
C. P. M. WRIGHT ◽  
J. L. EGGENS ◽  
K. CAREY ◽  
R. J. HINES

The objective of this study was to determine if total plant leaf numbers in a large data set could be predicted from individual plant shoot dry weight measurements using regression equations derived from a subset of the data. The species used were annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds. ’Penncross’). There was significant correlation between leaf number and shoot dry weight measurements in data subsets. Leaf numbers for the total data set were estimated by the regression equation derived from a subset consisting of pooled data from one, two or three replicates. This procedure was assessed by comparing predictions from regression equations with actual values, using a number of different sets of replicates to generate the regression equation. On the basis of the results we suggest that, for annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass in greenhouse pot culture, this procedure can be used to accurately estimate leaf number data for remaining replicates within an experimental design, once regression coefficients are established from pooled data from two replicates.Key words: Leaf number estimation, shoot dry weight, annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass


1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Garcia de Cortázar ◽  
Park S. Nobel

Productivity of irrigated prickly pear cactus [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller] was studied over 3 years in central Chile using two planting densities. A low-density planting (0.25 plants/m2), traditionally favored for fruit production, had maximal fruit productivity in the 2nd year (6 Mg dry weight/ha per year). A high-density planting (24 plants/m2), which assured almost full interception of incident solar radiation, led to an extremely high shoot dry-weight productivity (50 Mg·ha-1·year-1) in the 2nd year and maximal fruit productivity (6 Mg·ha-1·year-1) in the 3rd year. Cladode dry weight tended to increase with cladode surface area. However, fruit production did not occur until the dry weight per cladode exceeded the minimum dry weight for a particular cladode surface area by at least 33 g. The year-to-year variation in fruit production apparently reflected variations in such excess dry weight and, hence, in the storage reserves of individual cladodes.


1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Arrendell ◽  
J. C. Wynne ◽  
G. H. Elkan ◽  
T. J. Schneeweis

Abstract Improvement of the host contribution to nitrogen fixation has been proposed as a method of increasing nitrogen fixation. Significant variability and generally high broad-sense heritability estimates (.60 ± .27 to .82 ± .26 for nitrogenase activity and .53 ± .29 to .85 ± .26 for shoot dry weight) have been reported for F2-derived families from a cross between the Virginia (Arachis hypogaea L. ssp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar NC 6 and the Spanish (ssp. fastigiata Waldron vulgaris Harz.) breeding line 922, indicating selection for increased nigtogen fixation should be effective in this population. Lines from this population were chosen randomly from F2-derived families selected for high and low nitrogenase activity and high and low shoot dry weight after evaluation at three dates and two locations in each of 2 years (F5 and F6 generations). This study's objectives were to evaluate the N2-fixing ability of the selected lines and to evaluate the association between plant growth habit and N2 fixation. Twenty-four lines in each of the four selection groups and the parents, NC 6 and 922, were evaluated at two sampling dates and two locations. Mean nitrogenase activity of lines selected for increased nitrogenase activity was significantly greater than the mean of the lines selected for low nitrogenase activity. Improved nitrogenase activity was associated with increased fruit weight. The fruit weight mean of the group selected for increased fruit weight. The fruit weight mean of the group selected for increased nitrogenase activity was 39% greater than the mean of the group selected for low nitrogenase activity. Mean shoot dry weight of lines selected for increased shoot dry weight was significantly greater than the mean of the lines selected for low shoot dry weight; however, the fruit weight means of these two groups did not differ. It was hypothesized that selection for increased N2 fixation in a population derived from a cross between Virginia and Spanish types would eliminate genotypes with Spanish growth habit. Groups selected for high nitrogenase activity and for high shoot dry weight had longer and wider leaflets, longer cotyledonary laterals and greater main stem height than did their respective low selection groups. However, these traits chosen to characterize plant growth habit were inadequate in discriminating parental growth habits. Consequently, the data neither substantiated nor refuted the hypothesis.


1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Törmälä

The numbers and biomasses of soil invertebrates were investigated in a reserved field in central Finland. Samples were taken monthly from June to September. Five methods were employed to extract the animals from the soil samples. The animals were counted, measured and their dry biomasses were estimated by body length/weight regressions and dry weight/wet weight ratios derived from the literature. In July the total biomass of the soil invertebrate community (excluding Protozoa, Tardigrada and Rotatoria) was about 9.6 g dry weight m-2. The most dominant groups were Lumricidae (73.1 %), Enchytraeidae (5,7 %), Oribatei (5.0 %), and Nematoda (4.4 %). In September the biomass of Diptera larvae was high (1.0 g dw m-2). In numbers nematodes were superior (maximum 12 million m-2) to other groups. Oribatei, Mesostigmata and Collembola were more concentrated to the soil surface than other Acari, Enchytraeidae and Nematoda. The mean individual size decreased with depth in all of the studied groups.


HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimin Liu ◽  
Joyce G. Latimer

The growth of `Mirage' and `StarBrite' watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] transplants were evaluated in TODD 125, 100A, 150, 175, and 200 flats with root cell volumes of 18, 26, 36, 46, and 80 cm3, respectively. The effects of rooting volume restriction (RVR) on the number of leaves developed, leaf expansion, and shoot and root dry weight gain increased with time measured at 5, 10, 15, or 20 days after seedling emergence (DAE) for `Mirage' or 4, 8, 12, or 16 DAE for `StarBrite'. Generally, the greatest effect of RVR occurred between 10 and 15 DAE for `Mirage' and 8 and 12 DAE for `StarBrite' for most measurements. Root: shoot dry weight ratios generally were similar among the cell volumes. In a 1993 field test with `StarBrite' grown in the previously described flats, transplants from the TODD 125s produced the least growth and the poorest yield in terms of fruit per plant, total number of marketable fruit, and total yield. Transplants from TODD 200s produced a higher total yield than plants from other cell volumes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0902
Author(s):  
Andrzej Kalisz ◽  
Piotr Siwek ◽  
Konrad Sulak

In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in innovative plastic materials for use in horticulture. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of (bio)degradable floating covers (polylactide nonwoven ‒ PLA, and oxo-degradable polypropylene nonwoven with 0.1% iron stearate ‒ PP photo, both 20 g/m2) compared to the conventional PP nonwoven (control, 20 g/m2) on microclimate modification and yield of field-grown cucumber. The greatest PAR transmittance was recorded for the control nonwoven (83%), while the degradable materials transmitted 8% less radiation. Maximum soil surface temperatures were the highest under the PLA nonwoven, but minimum temperatures ‒ under the oxo-degradable fleece. The mean temperature under the oxo-degradable material was comparable to the control, while PLA increased the soil temperature by 1.8 °C, on average. The yield from cucumber plants covered with degradable materials was similar to that from the plants cultivated under the conventional oil-based nonwoven fleece. There were no significant changes in dry weight and soluble sugar content in cucumber fruits in 2013; however, the degradable nonwovens decreased these parameters in 2012. The lifespan of the oxo-degradable nonwoven was limited only to one growing season, thus the durability of the polymer must be increased. Polylactide nonwoven can be a sustainable ecological alternative to conventional non-degradable PP covers.


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