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Does carbohydrate availability play a role in sweet cherry fruitlet abscission?
conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 11:19 authored by Joanna JonesJoanna Jones, Eric MertesEric Mertes, Dugald CloseDugald CloseFruitlet abscission is an issue impacting the profitability of the cherry industry, with particular cultivars showing enhanced susceptibility. This study examined the role of carbohydrate availability in fruitlet abscission in two sweet cherry cultivars, 'Kordia' and 'Lapins'. Starch and soluble sugar concentrations in branch, trunk and root tissue were measured regularly throughout the growing season of 2012/2013. Normal transport of carbohydrates was disrupted 5 weeks after full-bloom by applying trunk girdling and limb defoliation treatments, and the rate of flower and fruitlet abscission was monitored. In 'Lapins', trunk girdling decreased the rate of abscission, but abscission was unaffected by girdling in 'Kordia'. When fruit was assessed at commercial harvest, the fruit from the defoliated treatment was immature in both cultivars. The highest sugar concentration was found in fruit from the girdled trees in both 'Kordia' and 'Lapins'. Trunk starch concentrations ranged from 22.6 mg g-1 at the beginning of the season to 28.80 mg g-1 just after harvest in 'Lapins', and were higher in 'Kordia' with 42.02 mg g-1 at the beginning of the season to 39.13 mg g-1 just after harvest. Shoot starch concentrations were very similar to trunk in both cultivars, whereas root carbohydrate concentrations did not recover after the trunk girdling treatment in either cultivar, which is expected to have an impact on the following season's return bloom.
Funding
Horticulture Innovation Australia
History
Publication title
Acta HorticulturaeVolume
1119Editors
JN Wunsche, TJ TranbargerPagination
53-58ISSN
0567-7572Department/School
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)Publisher
International Society for Horticultural SciencePlace of publication
BelgiumEvent title
XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes: International Symposia on Abscission Processes in Horticulture and Non-Destructive Assessment of Fruit AttributesEvent Venue
Brisbane, AustraliaDate of Event (Start Date)
2014-08-17Date of Event (End Date)
2014-08-22Rights statement
Copyright 2016 The International Society for Horticultural ScienceRepository Status
- Restricted