Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2007
Abstract
Histological properties of the graft union between a rootstock and scion may provide a mechanistic explanation why dwarfing rootstocks are able to reduce the growth of the tree. In order to investigate the relationship between growth and the amount of functional xylem tissue of potted sweet cherry trees, an experiment was conducted during 2002-2003. One year old field budded and bench grafted (from greenhouse) sweet cherry trees of the cultivars Van, Ulster and Lapins in all combinations of the three rootstocks Prunus avium seedling, Colt and Gisela 5 were grown in pots for two growing seasons. After shoot extension had terminated when trees were in full leaf the second year, the total growth of the different parts of the trees and the functional area using safranin staining were measured. The total mass production (tree dry weight, the length of two year old wood and number of leaves) was significantly larger in the budded trees. Similarly the trunk cross sectional area was significantly larger 10 cm above and in the middle of the graft union, but not 10 cm below it. The Colt trees were the most vigorous followed by the seedling and Gisela 5. Minor differences between the different cultivars were registered. Xylem staining with aqueous safranin combined with quantitative image analysis showed that the rootstock stem had a higher proportion of stained tissue than the scion stem. Sections taken in the middle of the graft tissue and 10 cm above showed that the proportion of stained tissue declined proportionally with the distance from the roots. The total area of stained stem xylem was larger for the two vigorous rootstocks compared to Gisela 5. Small differences were observed between cultivars and propagation methods.
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Authors
Derek Stewart Gordon J. McDougall Julie Sungurtas Susan Verall Julie Graham Inger MartinussenAbstract
Plant polyphenolics continue to be the focus of attention with regard to their putative impact on human health. An increasing and ageing human population means that the focus on nutrition and nutritional enhancement or optimisation of our foodstuffs is paramount. Using the raspberry as a model, we have shown how modern metabolic profiling approaches can be used to identify the changes in the level of beneficial polyphenolics in fruit breeding segregating populations and how the level of these components is determined by genetic and/or environmental control. Interestingly, the vitamin C content appeared to be significantly influenced by environment (growth conditions) whilst the content of the polyphenols such as cyanidin, pelargonidin and quercetin glycosides appeared much more tightly regulated, suggesting a rigorous genetic control. Preliminary metabolic profiling showed that the fruit polyphenolic profiles divided into two gross groups segregating on the basis of relative levels of cyanidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, compounds implicated as conferring human health benefits.
Abstract
Floral induction and development requirements of a range of latitudinal and altitudinal Norwegian populations of the wild strawberry Fragaria vesca L. have been studied in controlled environments. Rooted runner plants were exposed to a range of photoperiods and temperatures for 5 weeks for floral induction and then transferred to long day (LD) at 20 degrees C for flower development. A pronounced interaction of temperature and photoperiod was shown in the control of flowering. At 9 degrees C, flowers were initiated in both short day (SD) and LD conditions, at 15 and 18 degrees C in SD only, whereas no initiation took place at 21 degrees C regardless of daylength conditions. The critical photoperiod for SD floral induction was about 16 h and 14 h at 15 and 18 degrees C, respectively, the induction being incomplete at 18 degrees C. The optimal condition for floral induction was SD at 15 degrees C. A minimum of 4 weeks of exposure to such optimal conditions was required. Although the populations varied significantly in their flowering performance, no clinal relationship was present between latitude of origin and critical photoperiod. Flower development of SD-induced plants was only marginally advanced by LD conditions, while inflorescence elongation and runnering were strongly enhanced by LD at this stage. The main shift in these responses took place at photoperiods between 16 and 17 h. Unlike all other populations studied, a high-latitude population from 70 degrees N ('Alta') had an obligatory vernalization requirement. Although flowering and fruiting in its native Subarctic environment and after overwintering in the field in south Norway, this population did not flower in the laboratory in the absence of vernalization, even with 10 or 15 weeks of exposure to SD at 9 degrees C. Flowering performance in the field likewise indicated a vernalization requirement of this high-latitude population.
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The performance of the plum rootstocks Marianna, Pixy and Wangenheim using St. Julien A as a standard to the cultivars `Avalon", `Edda", `Excalibur", `Jubileum", `Reeves" and `Victoria" was assessed in a field trial in western Norway at 60" North. Trees were planted in spring 1999, the plant material was one-year-old whips, spaced 2.0 x 4.5 m and formed with a central leader as free spindles. Soil management was grass in the alleyways and herbicide strips 1-m wide along the tree rows. Tree vigour, yield, fruit size and yield efficentcy were evaluated for the six subsequent years. Tree size was significantly affected by the rootstocks after six years growth. Wangenheim produced the smallest and St. Julien A and Pixy the largest trees as measured by trunk cross-sectional area in average for the different cultivars. St. Julien A and Pixy were the most productive rootstocks for the cultivars. However, Pixy produced significant larger yields per tree to the cultivar `Reeves" than St. Julien A. Trees on Pixy were the most yield efficient for all cultivars with the exception of `Victoria". The fruit sizes were in general large for all cultivars and became little affected by the different rootstocks. Fruit quality characterized by the content of soluble solids was in general high and did not differ between trees on the various rootstocks. The cultivar `Avalon" had the highest contents of soluble solids.