Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Vangdal Author-Workplace-Name: Bioforsk Vest Ullensvang, Lofthus, Norway Author-Name: S. Flatland Author-Workplace-Name: Bioforsk Vest Ullensvang, Lofthus, Norway Author-Name: R. NORDBØ Author-Workplace-Name: Bioforsk Vest Ullensvang, Lofthus, Norway Title: Fruit quality changes during marketing of new plum cultivars (Prunus domestica L.) Abstract: Registrations of crop, fruit size and fruit flavour in the plum cultivar testing programmes in Norway indicated that Souffriau, Avalon, Reeves, Excalibur and Jubileum could be valuable cultivars in commercial plum production in Norway. Norwegian plums are aimed at the fresh fruit market; hence, shelf life of new cultivars is very important. In short-term storage experiments the cultivars were compared to the standard cultivar Victoria. No significant changes in the content of soluble solids during storage were found in the cultivars tested; however, titratable acidity decreased, and as a consequence, the soluble solids:titratable acidity ratio increased. Nevertheless, these changes did not make the fruit unacceptable to consumers. The most important quality factor limiting shelf life of the plum cultivars tested was softening. Based on postharvest changes in several quality factors and susceptibility to fungal decay, Reeves had longest shelf life, Avalon, Jubileum and Victoria medium, while Excalibur and Souffriau had rather short shelf life. Keywords: postharvest, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, firmness, fungal decay Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 91-95 Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/1892-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1892-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-200703-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:34:y:2007:i:3:id:1892-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Blažek Author-Workplace-Name: Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Hlušičková Author-Workplace-Name: Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Title: Orchard performance and fruit quality of 50 apple cultivars grown or tested in commercial orchards of the Czech Republic Abstract: Tree vigour, occurrence of mildew and scab, yields, yield efficiency, fruit weight, flesh firmness and soluble solids content of apple trees on M 9 rootstock were monitored between 1998-2005 in 42 commercial orchards situated in all the major growing regions of the Czech Republic. Altogether 50 cultivars were included into the evaluation. The characteristics of newly bred or newly introduced cultivars were compared to the cultivars of standard assortment such as Gloster, Golden Delicious, Idared, Jonagold, Melrose, Rubín and Šampion. The group of late ripening cultivars imported from France (Baujade, Early Smith, Granny Smith and Red Winter) proved to be unsuitable for climatic conditions of the Czech Republic. Cultivars of the Rubín group (Bohemia, Gold Bohemia) showed a better quality of fruits than the cultivars of the Jonagold group, but were significantly inferior regarding yields and yield efficiency. The cultivars Rucla, Pinova and Rubinstep seemed to be potential competitors of Jonagold or Rubín; their fruit quality is similar to Rubín, and their yield efficiency is comparable to that of Jonagold. Topaz, which is resistant to scab and has recently spread in the Czech Republic, is specific for its early yield and a very good productivity observed in a majority of the orchards. In addition, characteristics of other evaluated cultivars and their potential prospects for growing in the Czech Republic are briefly discussed. Keywords: apple trees, cultivars, M 9 rootstock, tree vigour, mildew, scab, yield, yield efficiency, fruit size, flesh firmness, soluble solids Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 96-106 Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/1888-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1888-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-200703-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:34:y:2007:i:3:id:1888-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Blažek Author-Workplace-Name: Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Opatová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Goliáš Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno, Lednice, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Homutová Author-Workplace-Name: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Ideotype of apples with resistance to storage diseases Abstract: Upon the completion of a three-year evaluation of natural occurrence of storage diseases within a range of cultivars or advanced selections and a simultaneous assessment of their other characteristics, an apple ideotype has been proposed that could be used in breeding of new cultivars resistant to these diseases. The ideotype combines the potential of apples for long-term storage with higher skin thickness and toughness, a lower production of ethylene, a higher natural content of calcium, a higher content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, a higher flesh firmness, and a higher acidity of juice expressed in pH values. For some of these characteristics, threshold values have been suggested in the paper. The genotypes preselected according to these criteria should be chosen on the basis of the final screening with Pezicula alba inoculum test. The result of the inoculation test should be equal to or better than the standard cultivar Gala. Future research is required to determine the feasibility of the ideotype in routine breeding programs. Keywords: apples, storage diseases, ideotype, cultivars, advanced selections, bitter rot, grey mould, blue mould, resistance Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 107-113 Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/1890-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1890-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-200703-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:34:y:2007:i:3:id:1890-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Ahmad Author-Workplace-Name: Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India Author-Name: S. Sharma Author-Workplace-Name: Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India Author-Name: P. S. Srivastava Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India Title: In vitro selection of NaHCO3 tolerant cultivars of Morus alba (Local and Sujanpuri) in response to morphological and biochemical parameters Abstract: In vitro experiments were conducted to study the effect of NaHCO3 (alkalinity) stress on saplings of Morus alba (cv. Local and Sujanpuri) cultured from nodal explants. For shoot multiplication 2.5 mg/l of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) with 0.3 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA3) were used and root formation was induced with 1.0 mg/l of indolebutyric acid (IBA). NaHCO3 salt was added to the culture medium in three concentrations, i.e. 3.57, 20.0 and 59.0mM that increased pH to 6.2, 7.2 and 8.2, respectively. The increased salt concentration affected survival and growth parameters, subsequent cultures promoted them. The cultured biomass was analyzed for proline, protein, sugars and chlorophyll content. The results indicate an increase of proline, protein and sugars; however, they declined at higher concentrations of NaHCO3. A decrease of chlorophyll was observed at all stress regimes. Keywords: NaHCO3, biochemical parameters, in vitro selection, Morus alba Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 114-122 Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/1889-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1889-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-200703-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:34:y:2007:i:3:id:1889-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Pokluda Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno, Lednice, Czech Republic Title: Morphological and nutritional parameters of Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea) in hydroponic culture Abstract: Chinese mustard is a perspective vegetable species due to its high nutritional value. The aim of this work was an evaluation of Chinese mustard assortment for hydroponic cultivation, comparison of morphological parameters and nutritional value of fresh leaves. The highest mean weight of one plant was shown in cv. Red Giant (179 g). The biggest leaves with the length of 459 mm were formed by cv. Ta Tou Tsai. The highest cultivar was Cai Cai Tai (1,063 mm), with an abundant number of leaves (57 leaves). Cv. Osaka Purple Leaf showed the highest content of vitamin C (738 mg/kg); the highest carotenoids content (899 mg/kg) was found in cv. Swollen Stem. The mean content of chlorophyll a was 2,804 mg/kg; for chlorophyll b it was 1,103 mg/kg. In addition, the results of the content of dry matter, K, Ca, Mg, Na and nitrates are presented in this work. The evaluations showed a significant effect of cultivar on morphological and most of nutritional parameters. Chinese mustard is also suitable for soilless cultivation. Keywords: Chinese mustard, Brassica juncea, cultivars, nutritional value Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 123-128 Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/1891-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1891-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-200703-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:34:y:2007:i:3:id:1891-HORTSCI