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The apricot storability is one of the largest challenges, which the apricot industry has to face all over the world, therefore, finding options for prolonging fruit quality during cold storage (CS) and shelf-life (SL) will help to decrease postharvest losses of apricot. The aim of this apricot fruit work was to study the temporal changes and correlations of 10 quality parameters (quality losses, antioxidant properties and enzyme activities) in the postharvest treatments of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) under 1 &deg, C CS (7, 14 and 21 days) and 25 &deg, C SL (4 and 8 days after the 21-day CS) treatments. MeJA and SA significantly decreased the quality loss of chilling injury (CI) and fruit decay (FD) at all dates for both storage conditions. MeJA- and SA-treated fruits increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total soluble phenolic compounds (TSPC) and carotenoids contents (TCC) at all dates of both storage treatments. In contrast, the ascorbic acid content (AAC) increased only until days 14 and 4 in the CS and SL treatments, respectively. Among enzyme activity parameters, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased in the MeJA and SA treatments in all dates of both storage treatments. Catalase (CAT) activity increased in the SA and control treatments, while it decreased in the MeJA treatment in both storage conditions. In both the MeJA and the SA treatments, six pair-variables (FD vs. CI, PAL vs. CAT, PAL vs. SOD, TAC vs. SOD, TAC vs. FD, and AAC vs. CI) were significant in Pearson correlation and regression analyses among the 45 parameters pairs. Principal component analyses explained 89.3% of the total variance and PC1 accounted for 55.6% of the variance and correlated with the CI, FD, TAC, TSPC, TCC, PAL and SOD, indicating strong connections among most parameters. In conclusion, MeJA and SA are practically useful and inexpensive techniques to maintain quality attributes of CI, FD, TAC, TSPC, TCC, PAL, POD and SOD in apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions.

Background: Quantitative sensory testing methods are now standard in the evaluation of sensory function in man, while few normal equine values have been reported. Objectives: The aim of this experimental study was (a) to define the tactile sensory, mechanical nociceptive and thermal nociceptive thresholds of the equine face; (b) to assess the effect of age, sex, stimulation site and shaving; (c) to evaluate the reliability of the methods and (d) to provide reference facial quantitative sensory testing values. Study design: Method description. Methods: Thirty-four healthy Warmblood horses were used in the study. Six (tactile sensory threshold) and five (mechanical nociceptive and thermal nociceptive thresholds) areas of the left side of the face with clear anatomical landmarks were evaluated. Ten horses had two (mechanical nociceptive threshold) or three (tactile sensory and thermal nociceptive thresholds) of these areas shaved for another study. A linear Mixed model was used for data analysis. Results: All thresholds increased with age (tactile sensory threshold: by 0.90 g/y (CI = [0.12 g; 0.36 g]) P = .001; mechanical nociceptive threshold: by 0.25 N/y (CI = [0.13-0.36 N]) P = .000; thermal nociceptive threshold: by 0.2°C/y (CI = [0.055-0.361]) P = .008). Sex had no effect on thresholds (tactile sensory threshold: P = .1; mechanical nociceptive threshold: P = .09; thermal nociceptive threshold: P = .2). Stimulation site affected tactile sensory and mechanical nociceptive thresholds (P = .001 and P = .008), but not thermal nociceptive threshold (P = .9). Shaving had no significant effect on any of the thresholds (tactile sensory threshold: P = .06; mechanical nociceptive threshold: P = .08; thermal nociceptive threshold: P = .09). Main limitations: Only the left side was investigated and measurements were obtained on a single occasion. Conclusions: Handheld quantitative sensory testing does not require shaving or clipping to provide reliable measurements. Stimulation over the nostril (tactile sensory threshold), temporomandibular joint (mechanical nociceptive threshold) and supraorbital foramen (thermal nociceptive threshold) resulted in the most consistent thresholds.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on 12 quality parameters of apricot fruit in treatments of cold storage (1°C for 7, 14 and 21 days) and shelf-life (4 and 8 days at 25°C after a 21-day cold storage treatment). Fruit quality parameters included 6 physico-chemical characteristics (weight loss, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, acidity, total soluble solids/acidity ratio and juice pH) and 6 sensory properties (skin and flesh colour, texture, taste, visual appearance and overall acceptability). Among physico-chemical characteristics, applications of 0.2 mmol/L methyl jasmonate and 2 mmol/L salicylic acid significantly reduced fruit weight loss, fruit softening and juice pH and maintained soluble solid content and acidity over the whole storage period. Among sensory properties, all parameters were generally increased by methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid treatments compared to water-treated control and the water-treated fruits showed the lowest scores below the acceptability limit except for skin colour. In conclusion, our results suggest using methyl jasmonate and/or salicylic acid to enhance and prolong the storability of apricot fruits during both cold storage and shelf-life period.

To identify the role of weather parameters on the start date and length of bloom, we examined how meteorological conditions (dry, wet, cool, hot, sunny, cloudy) of a particular year influence bloom. The meteorological parameters were: maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average temperature, precipitation, length of sunlight, difference of day and night temperatures, potential evapotranspiration (PET), Huglin-index, Winkler-index, and climatic water balance which can be calculated as a difference of precipitation and potential evaporation. We wanted to determine whether an early start of bloom results in a longer bloom period or if there is a generally faster bloom period when bloom begins later. Early initial bloom resulted in an extended bloom period for three sour cherry varieties at the examined production sites. The start of bloom showed the closest relationship with the difference of average day and night temperatures during the 30-day period prior to bloom. Significant relationships also were detected with the thermic indices as well as with maximum temperatures, climatic water balance and the degree of potential evaporation. We examined how weather 30 days prior to and during bloom influenced the length of bloom phases. Precipitation prior to and during bloom was significantly related with the length of bloom. Also significant, as the difference between day and night temperature increased, the length of the bloom period decreased. Bloom was shorter when maximum temperatures averaged between 13.5-14.5°C 30 days prior to bloom. If the average maximum temperature was below 13°C or exceeded 15°C during this period, the bloom period would be longer than ten days. Low precipitation and high temperature accelerated led to an accelerated, shorter bloom period.

County Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg produces more than the half of the total sour cherry crop in Hungary. Successful production, i.e., yield, depends largely on weather conditions. Most attention should be paid to the weather during bloom, which affects both fruit quality as well as quantity. To predict yields, characterisation of the most important weather parameters is necessary. For that purpose, the database of the Institute of Research and Extension Service for Fruit Growing at Ujfeherto Ltd. has been utilised. Records of weather conditions were collected throughout the period 1984-2005, i.e., daily minimum, maximum and mean temperatures (°C), precipitation (mm), and phenological records for the sour cherry varieties ‘Ujfehertoi furtos’, ‘Kantorjanosi’ and ‘Debreceni bőtermő’. Data of 7 indicators have been analyzed: 1) number of frosty days, 2) the absolute minimum temperatures, 3) means of minimum temperatures, 4) number of days when daily means were above 10°C, 5) means of maximum temperatures, 6) number of days without precipitation, and 7) number of days when precipitation was more than 5 mm. Not only were the changes from 1984 to 2005 documented, but estimates were attempted for changes expected during future decades as well. A predictive model to estimate temperature and precipitation values for 2020-2051 suggests that spring frost events will be increasingly rare, but rain events will increase during bloom. The indicators associated with certain risky events may facilitate prediction of future recommendations to prevent crop damage.

The objective of our research was to compare the nutritional aspects of organic and integrated production systems in apples (Malus domestica Borkh., Rewena, Retina, and Reanda) in the region of Hajdusag (eastern Hungary). Adjacent pairs of production systems were studied. In our 2-year study, the macronutrient statuses of soil and leaves as well as fruit inner parameters were compared in integrated and organic apple management systems to determine the differences in nutrient uptake and utilization with the aim to improve and harmonize nutrient supply in environmentally benign apple orchards. The effects of year, cultivar, and production system were studied on leaf mineral concentrations and acid and sugar contents of apples. There were no differences in soil nutrient contents between examined production systems. Regarding leaf mineral composition, the year effect was significant for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) and less significant for potassium (K) and calcium (Ca). Production system ...

A field trial has been conducted on 5-year-old Sweet Lady and Royal Glory peach cultivars on a sandy loam soil at Siofok, West Hungary, since 2009. Four in-row ground management systems (pine bark mulch, cow manure, black fabric cover, and no cover with herbicide applications) were evaluated in a plot design with three replicates to study their effects on the soil temperature and nutrient contents of leaves. The fluctuation of soil temperature was more moderate with mulch and manure as groundcover. Leaf nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) concentrations increased but leaf magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) decreased because of the treatments. Leaf manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) content were slightly affected by the treatments and the changing was not significant at some treatments. Overall, our results suggest that leaf nutrient concentrations respond differentially to different mulches.

Aim of this research/project to determine the external and internal preferences of pear using descriptive sensory analysis, consumer preference. The research was performed on local consumers. Destructive measurements included fi rmness by puncture tests, soluble solids content (SSC), titrated acidity (TA). While there is a general positive trend for increasing preference with fi rmness, some consumers will prefer softer apples, and some will dislike the fi rmest pear. Sensorial judgement is able to classify the attractiveness, preference of properties specifi c for pear. Tests were performed by 13 persons on 4 pear varieties (Bosc kobak, Conference, Packham’s Triumph, Dessertnaia) checking 11 sensorial properties on a scale of 1 to 100 points. Relations of measurements and judgements were processed by correlation analysis. For analysis, the objects were furnished in 2011 from different growing sites (Csenger, Mérk and Nagykanizsa), taking from the store (in January) immediately. Among those the best notes were given to Bosc kobak and Conference coming from Mérk and to Packham’s Triumph grown at Nagykanizsa. It was stated that the success of sensorial judgement depends on the state of maturity, which is diffi cult to guarantee to be synchronous among samples of different varieties. Mature fruits are more praised as a sample of Bosc kobak taken from a chain of department store proved to be of balanced composition regarding its sugar/acid ratio (0.12) and the optimal fi rmness (5.75 N/cm2). Results of the correlation analysis suggest that the thickness of the skin is a decisive component of preference (r= 0.857), the typical pear flavour (r= 0.948), the taste as sweetness and acidity (r= 0.930 and r= 0.813). At the same time, no valuable relation could be detected between the data raised in the laboratory and the preference expressed by the sensorial tests, which should signalise that the opinion of consumers does not depend on any individual parameter obtained in the laboratory (sugar- or acid content, fi rmness) but rather on the complexity of several decisive components together (sweetness, acidity, fl avour, skin, etc.). The consumers’ preference cannot be measured objectively without the aid of adequate expertise and a prosperous surrounding, samples of optimal maturity and a thoughtfully edited judging form.

Most of the risk in Hungarian fruit growing is the damage caused by late spring frosts. The frequency of late frosts seems to increase nowadays. The aim of the study was to check this contention: what is the real probability of the damages. Based on earlier experiences, the physiological LT50 function has been elaborated for new fruit varieties, which are eligible to moderate the danger when being threatened by frost. By means of this technique, the probability of freezing is distinguished between frost susceptible, frost resistant and medium frost resistant fruit species and varieties around their blooming time. The degree of frost damage depends on the duration and severity of the low temperature and not at least on the frost tolerance of the plant. For that purpose, the frequencies of frost damages were studied at two Transdanubian and two Trans-Tisza fruit growing sites by means of a meteorological database for the 60-year-long period 1951–2010. Being aware of the LT50 values changing during the phonological phases of the fruit trees from budding, bloom, fruit set and fruit growth, the number and date of critical (frosty) days could be settled. An important role is attributed to the orographic relief and the height above the sea level of the site, as 20–30 m differences and expositions may become decisive within the same plantation. The spatial distribution of damages is also dependent on the air circulations within the Carpathian basin. At the southern and northern borders of the country, especially valley bottoms represent additional risks of frost. Most spring frost damages are experienced in April 20–22, and cause heavy damages by temperature minima between – 3°C and – 6°C. The severity of damage depends largely on the temperature of the preceding few days. The earlier bloom the heavier damage is expected. The study is emphasising the importance of the varieties. Frost tolerance of some varieties may lower the risk of spring frosts by 40–50%, as experienced on the plantations. The quantifi cation of the risks based on data raised during the last years will be suitable to defi ne the security of yields of each growing site successfully.

Field sensitivity of 271 European pear genotypes were evaluated in a large variety collection of pear in Hungary during a nine years survey. Substantial differences were detected in the rate of pear scab infection of leaves and fruits. Some 18 per cent of the inspected genotypes remained completely free of infection even in the years with weather favouring to the disease. On the other hand, 78 % of the inspected genotypes were infected in some or more extent. The rate of infection was generally higher on leaves than on fruits. 18.6 % of the genotypes inspected were tolerant to leaf infection and their majority (81.1 %) were tolerant to fruit infection. Some one fi fth of the genotypes (19.7 %) were highly susceptible to leaf infection but only minor rate of them (2.2 %) were highly susceptible to fruit infection. There were 44 genotypes that could be regarded as tolerant to pear scab leaf and fruit infection under fi eld conditions. Some of these genotypes may be suitable to commercial pear growing with highly reduced chemical control against pear but their yield capacity and fruit quality should be evaluated.

In this study the transpiration properties and response to heat stress of Granny Smith and Jonagold apple species were measured. The examinations were set at an orchard near to Debrecen. The chosen trees were two years old, without fruits, in 20l container, placed in the mixture of mulch matrix, wood chips and sawdust and grown at the same climatic conditions. One of the most important goals was to determine the leaf area of the trees which is a basic data for transpiration modeling. Leaf area was larger (signifi cance level p

The keeping quality of fruits is a very important factor in storage point of view, since it could be elongated the consumption time of fruits. In many cases the storage may be necessary, e.g. in short time it is not able to market due to the rich harvest, or all fruits could sell in markets throughout the year. The keeping quality of various fruit species is greatly different; moreover it could be observed some differences between the varieties as well. In our research, we have investigated the spectral properties of the external surface and fl esh of two ripe apple varieties – Jonagored and Granny Smith – before and after storage (about 3°C and about three weeks). The hyperspectral investigation was carried out with AvaSpec-2048 Fiber Optic Spectrometer. The experimental results represented the differences between healthy and chilling injured apple fruits. Furthermore, some indices were created to given countenance to the spectral differences.

The aim of the study was to fi nd out which of the methods used to avoid damages of late frosts would be the most effective for the fruit growing practice. Three technologies have been tested in the regions of Siófok and Debrecen-Pallag. The antifrost irrigation proved to be the most advantageous. For that purpose microjet sprayers are used, which are thrifty and do not need for that purpose large containers. With the aim to secure an even distribution of water, the sprayers are distributed on three levels: above and inside of the crown as well as on the level of trunks. On a large scale, a single microjet above the crown level would be suffi cient. By means of a detailed analysis served to set the optimum intervals between spraying phases: with each 15, 10, 5 and 3 minutes during half a minute. The synchronous presence of water and ice below the freezing point, the released freezing heat plus the water used much above the freezing point (9–10 °C) altogether maintains the temperature above around 0°C near the fl owers or growing fruitlets, meanwhile, the surrounding air cools down to –8 °C. The effectiveness of the generally used anti-frost would be increased substantially by the former application of cooling irrigation, which delays the blooming date. The Frostbuster represents a new technology developed for the same purpose of frost defence. It uses butane burning and produces high (80-90°C) temperature with a strong blast of air. On the protected area sensors have been distributed for measuring temperature and relative humidity. The means of the measurements proved a rise of temperature, which was suffi cient to save the fruit trees until the difference is less than –3–3.5 °C. Our analyses stated that paraffi n candles avert the frost until –4 °C. Its success depends largely on the intensity of air movements. A small wind would be enough to frustrate the effect. The results show clearly the utility of Frostbuster and paraffi n candle combined is approved.

The aim of the study was to find out which of the methods used to avoid damages of late frosts would be the most effective for the fruit growing practice. We tested the antifrost irrigation method in Debrecen-Pallag. For that purpose microjet sprayers are used, which are thrifty and does not need for that purpose large containers. With the aim to secure an even distribution of water, the sprayers are distributed on three levels: above and inside of the crown as well as on the level of trunks. On a large scale, a single microjet above the crown level would be sufficient. By means of a detailed analysis served to set the optimum intervals between spraying phases: with each 15, 10, 5 and 3 minutes during half a minute. The synchronous presence of water and ice below the freezing point, the released freezing heat plus the water used much above the freezing point(9–10 °C) altogether maintains the temperature above around 0 °C near the flowers or growing fruitlets, meanwhile, the surrounding air cools down to -8 °C. The effectiveness of the generally used antifrost would be increased substantially by the former application of cooling irrigation, which delays the blooming date.

We planted containers plum rootstocks and cultivar combinations for irrigation and rootstocks experiment. We planted Cacanska lepo tica, Katinka, Jojo, Topfive, Toptaste, Topper plum cultivar on Mirobalan, St Julien A, St Julien GF 655/2, Wavit, Wangenheim, and Fereley rootstocks. Before budding we measured the trunk diameter on trees, than I count the trunk cross area, we measured the high of trees, the high of crown, and the wide of crown, and counted the volume of crown from these data. We conclude the vigorous from the trunk cross area and the volume of crown. In the started growing less vigorous combinations look like Topfive/Wavit, Jojo/Mirobalan and Katinka/Mirobalan grafted on the basis trunk cross area and the volume of crown. In the vegetative period we measured the shoot growing on model branch every started of months. So we could determine the growing tendency. The smallest growing was Cacanska lepotika/Mirobalan. In the flowering the grafted flowered in rich, excepted the Topfive cultivar on St Julien A, St Julien GF 655/2, and Fereley rootstocks, these didn’t flowered. The Topfive/Wavit combinations there were a richest flower. In the harvest term we could pick up plum fruits from Topfive/Wavit combinations, and Cacanska lepotica, Jojo, Toptaste cultivar. And in addition the Topper cultivar was the highest yield on their all of rootstocks.

As consumers’ demand for organic fruits continues to increase, organic horticulture has increased worldwide. Proper nutrition management is a key factor in organic farms to produce healthy, well-developed and attractive fruits which meet consumers’ demands. To achieve this goal organic farmers need to develop and improve their nutrition management. In this paper an organic and integrated apple plantation were compared to study their fruit quality parameters and to establish the similarities and differences between production systems. Sugars, organic acids, vitamin C and number of healthy fruit were studied in the same apple cultivars from an organic and an integrated orchard. Besides chemical analysis, an organoleptic survey was conducted to estimate consumer response. The results showed that fructose and sucrose were the major sugars and malic acid the predominant acid. From our data it was clear that fruit components such as acids and sugars were affected by cultivars more than production system. In addition, the organoleptic survey did not identify any differences between organic and integrated products. The majority of tasters preferred integrated fruit over organic fruit. In summary, organic farmers make more efforts to increase fruit productivity, quality and design but such increased efforts may not ensure consistent profit for Hungarian fruit growers due to market conditions.

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in environmental friendly fruit growing systems. Regarding this, the most frequented environmentally-benign fruit management systems are the integrated and organic systems. Although there are several differences between these growing systems only few information is available about their nutritional aspects, mostly in eastern Europe. Our experimental site (eastern Hungary) gave excellent possibility to carry out a comparative study to investigate differences between these growing systems because the plantations are situated side by side. The aim of our two-year study was to compare the nutrient status of the soil-leaf-fruit system in integrated and organic apple management systems, and take an effort to improve nutrient supply in environmentally friendly apple orchards. For leaf and fruit analysis four cultivars were selected. A traditional Hungarian cultivar: ‘Idared’, and three resistant cultivars ‘Rewena’, ‘Reanda’ and ‘Retina’. It was found that the seasonal patterns of examined nutrients were similar in both growing systems but the availability of these nutrients was more stable in the integrated orchard than in the organic one due to the fertilization management. Results suggested that applying chemical fertilizers in integrated orchards provided higher nutrient uptake, yield and resulted better fruit quality than in organic orchards where only natural nutrient sources are allowed. Detailed soil, leaf and fruit results are discussed in the paper.

Irrigation in some countries is a horticultural practice mainly used only to supply water. At the same time the use of micro-sprinklers have a powerful influence on the changes of temperature in orchards. When the air temperature is high (~20°C or higher) evaporative cooling from irrigation significantly decreases the plant surface temperature and air temperature. The cooling effect is stronger when the air is dryer. By using cooling irrigation regularly, canopy temperature can be decreased so that the beginning of bloom can be delayed. Also if the bloom is early and frost probability is high, serious damages can happen in orchards. The beneficial effect of cooling irrigation is the temperature reduction and frost protection. In March 2010, one month before expected bloom, an irrigation system was established to produce anti-frost treatment and regulate the micro-climate of a ‘Bosc’ pear orchard which belongs to the University of Debrecen (Hungary). The objective of sprinklers was to cool the air by increasing water evaporation and relative humidity. The position of the micro-sprinklers was planned in three levels (around the tree trunks, a few cm near to the soil surface, in the crown region and above the crown, 0.5 m higher). The results showed that the water sprayed in the orchard by micro-jets influenced the temperature decisively. At higher temperatures (~20°C), temperature reduction may attain 5-7°C. Low relative humidity of the air may increase the relative effect. When water was applied at intervals of 15 min ten times per day from 8:00 to 18:00, the air, flower and bud surface temperatures could be kept low. When the temperature was higher than 10°C, irrigation was used at night in similar 15-min intervals, from 18:00 to 6:00. The beginning of bloom could be delayed for more than ten days. ‘Bosc’ pear blooming dynamics were characterized by a logistic curve in the treated as well as in the control plot. In the treated plot, the curve was steeper than in the control in spite of the equal temperatures measured in the plots. Under Hungarian climatic conditions, the method was successfully used to delay bloom dates. The main result was the diminution of the frost damage in the spring that assured pear yields.

Weather conditions have an important role in fruit production. In the last few decades, this role is increased and basically determines thefruit quality and quantity. Despite of this statement, there is but very few information about impacts caused by weather anomalies inHungarian orchards. Regarding this, the relation between the external, and internal values of the Idared and Golden Reinders apple varieties,the changing of the temperature and precipitation in a dry year (2009) as well as in a rainy year (2010) were investigated. The examinedapple varieties are grown at the same training system (rootstock, spacing, training, pruning system). The average weight, average diameter,acid content and soluble solids were higher in 2009 than in 2010, although the precipitation was higher in 2010. Due to the many rainy daysthe intensity of sunshine and the number of sunny days were less. To produce better quality it is very important the amount of the sunshineand heat, the optimal temperature and the precipitation rate.

The influence of a three-year-long foliar fertilization programme on mineral composition of leaf, content of sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose and sucrose) (Prunus avium L.) and organic acids (citric, malic and fumaric acid) of sweet cherry fruits was studied. The experiment was conducted during 2005-2007 in West Hungary on mature 'Germersdorfi 3' grafted on Prunus mahaleb rootstock, planted in 1999 and grown in a calcareous chernozem soil. Trees were foliar-fertilized with potassium (K) as KNO 3 , calcium (Ca) as Ca(NO 3 ) 2 and boron (B) as disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na 2 B 8 O 13 4H 2 0). Boron spraying was conducted at blooming time and 35 days later. Potassium spraying was carried out 21 and 35 days after full bloom while calcium was applied 21, 35 and 42 days after full bloom. Besides fruit analysis, complete soil and leaf analyses were carried out to study the rate of nutrient uptake and its effects on fruit quality. The applied treatments (except K 1 ) increased leaf K significantly as compared to the control till ripening. Treatments had no consequent effect on leaf Ca till ripening. After ripening, B was present in significantly higher amounts in treated leaf samples. From all applied treatments only boron had a significant effect in increasing sugar contents as compared to the control. Furthermore, repeated Ca spraying had significant effect on the contents of organic acids while B applications led to significantly lower acid contents in the fruit.

The aim of our study was to establish the effect of a three-year-long boron and calcium treatment on some phytochemical compounds of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves and fruits. In our trial we used eight-year-old cultivar 'Germersdorfi 3' grafted on Prunus mahaleb rootstock. The boron treatment was applied by spraying disodium-octaborat-tetrahydrat, while calcium was supplied as a calcium nitrate spray. Photosynthetic pigments and total phenol content of sweet cherry leaves and total anthocyanin, flavonoid and phenol contents of sweet cherry fruits were measured, respectively. Boron sprays at blooming time had a positive effect on photosynthetic pigment contents of sweet cherry leaves, on contrary to two times spraying, which reduced their content. Total carotenoids responded similarly to boron spraying: single treatment increased their mass, two-times spraying had a negative effect on the total carotenoid content of the leaves, respectively. Every calcium treatment increased the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content. The mass of carotenoids were also in close connection with calcium sprays. It is to be noted that time and frequency of application influenced the mass of both photosynthetic pigments. Effect of boron and calcium sprays on total phenol content was significant. After the double boron treatment, quantity of total phenol content was just ninth of the control leaves. Boron and calcium sprays decreased the total phenol, anthocyanin and flavonoids content in sweet cherry fruits, respectively. However, boron treatment was more effective than calcium sprayings. Conclusion of boron and calcium spraying was significant in most cases of our trial.

Summary Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivars native to Hungary and some of them grown worldwide, display great phenotypic variability. Eleven sour cherry cultivars were analysed for their main quality attributes including fruit weight, soluble solid content, acidity, pH, specific sugars (glucose and fructose), antioxidant capacity as well as total polyphenolic (TPC), total anthocyanin (TMAC) and vitamin C contents. Results showed wide variation in both fruit quality and antioxidant parameters of Hungarian sour cherries. The anthocyanin contents varied from 11.3 to 93.5 mg/100 g. An amarelle-type cultivar, ‘Pipacs 1’ showed the highest antioxidant capacity (21.85 mmol AA L−1), TPC (49.04 mg GA L−1) and vitamin C (8.98 mg/100 g) content. Key enzymes in anthocyanin biosynthesis were expressed in both yellow-coloured flesh and red skin of ‘Pipacs 1’ fruits at all ripening stages. The detected diversity presents a choice that can satisfy different consumer preferences, and meet specific nutritional requirements.

FINEMET-type (Fe75Si15NbBCu) ribbons were heat treated, and their magnetic properties were analyzed. Permeability, thermal, and mechanical sensitivities were measured by commonly used industrial methods, and these properties were correlated with measured magnetic Barkhausen noise parameters. Distributions of peak area, A, and peak noise energy, E, were evaluated. Distribution functions of noise parameters, P(x), were in good agreement with the theory of self-organized criticality (SOC), satisfying power laws in the form P(x)∼x−α. It is found that the noise did not considerably depend on the temperature sensitivity parameter and on the permeability of ribbons. However, a useful correlation between the noise parameters and mechanical sensitivity has been observed. Minimal noise was detected for samples with negligible mechanical sensitivity in an amorphous-nanocrystalline composite state obtained by a heat treatment at 853 K.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sunburn injury on fruit quality parameters (colour-coverage, depth of affected tissue, fruit flesh firmness, soluble solids content) of apple.The symptoms of sunburn injury appeared in concentric ring shape, differed from each other and surface colour-coverage. This can be due to the ratio of the injury. The authors observed the following colours on the fruit surface (from the epicentre of the blotch on the transversal diameter of the fruit) dark brown (strongly affected), light brown (moderately affected), pale red transition (poorly affected), red surface colour-coverage (not affected).Sunburn of apple fruits is a surface injury caused by solar radiation, heat and low air relative humidity that in the initial phase results in a light corky layer, golden or bronze discolouration, and injuries to the epidermal tissue, in the surface exposed to radiation. Thus it detracts from its appearance, but in most cases, it would not cause serious damage to the epidermal tissue. The depth of affected tissue is not considerable, its values are between 1.5-2.0 mm generally. It is commonly known that the tissue structure of apple fruit is not homogeneous. Accordingly, the degree of injury shows some differences under the different parts of the fruit surface.On the basis of flesh firmness research, the authors established that the measure of flesh firmness of the affected part of apple fruit increases with the effect of sunburn. The consequence of this is the suffered plant cells will die, the water content of this tissue decreases and the fruit gets harder. This water-loss caused the increase of soluble solids content.

Sb diffusion in an amorphous Si thin film and Sb segregation kinetics onto the Si film were studied by Auger electron spectroscopy in the temperature range of 600-723 K. Segregation factors and antimony diffusivities were estimated from the experimental kinetics curves, on the basis of the Lea and Seah model, the Sb bulk concentration in Si films being studied by TEM. Sb diffusivities in amorphous Si proved to be 10-12 orders of magnitude higher than that of measured in crystalline Si, the pre-exponential factors being of the same order of magnitude.

No abstract

In this study, possibilities of environmental-friendly plant protection against domestical brwon rot species were summarized for oecological pome and stone fruit orchards. Symtomps of the two most important brown rot species (Monilinia fructigena (Aderh. & Ruhl.) Honey and Monilinia laxa (Aderh. & Ruhl.) Honey) were described and then cultivar susceptibility to brown rot was discussed. Furthermore, mechanical, agrotecnical, biological, and other control possibilities (stone powders, plant extracts and restricted chemical materials) were shown.

The majority of stone fruit species are self-incompatible, a feature that is determined by a specific recognition mechanism between the S-ribonuclease enzymes residing in the pistils and the F-box proteins expressed in the pollen tubes. Failure in the function of any component of this bipartite system resulted in self-compatibility (SC) in many cultivars of Prunus species. Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.) is the only species in the Prunoideae subfamily that is traditionally known to be self-compatible, but its molecular background is completely unknown. Isoelectric focusing and S-gene specific PCR revealed that SC is not due to functional inability of pistil ribonucleases. We hypothesize that SC may be a consequence of a kind of pollen-part mutation or the action of one or more currently unknown modifier gene(s). Only two S-alleles were identified in a set of peach genotypes of various origin and phenotypes in contrast to the 17–30 alleles described in self-incompatible fruit trees. Most important commercial cultivars carry the same S-allele and are in a homozygote state. This indicates the common origin of these cultivars and also the consequence of self-fertilization. According to the available information, this is the first report to elucidate the role of S-locus in the fertilization process of peach.