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O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adubação potássica na composição mineral, qualidade e armazenabilidade de maçãs da cultivar Fuji. Os frutos utilizados foram provenientes de um experimento em que, durante nove anos, aplicaram-se doses crescentes de K2O no solo. As maçãs foram coletadas na safra 1999/2000 e armazenadas em atmosfera controlada (AC) nas condições de 1 kPa O2/

Desenvolveu-se um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da atmosfera modificada (AM), utilizando filmes de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD), sobre a manutenção da qualidade de morangos (Fragaria ananassa L.), cv. Oso Grande, acondicionados em câmara frigorífica, a 0ºC, e em câmara de climatização, a 20ºC, simulando transporte/armazenamento refrigerado e o transporte/armazenamento convencional, sob altas temperaturas respectivamente. Os morangos foram acondicionados em bandejas plásticas com capacidade para 300 g, envoltas por filme de polivinil cloreto (PVC) esticável de 15 µm de espessura. Os tratamentos constituíram-se do recobrimento de seis bandejas, alojadas em armações de madeira utilizadas comercialmente para morangos, com filmes de PEBD com 22 [T2] ou 45 µm [T3] de espessura. No tratamento-controle [T1], não se utilizou filme de PEBD. Antes do fechamento dos filmes de PEBD, foi retirado o ar e, injetado CO2, até atingir pressão parcial aproximada de 15 kPa. Todos os tratamentos foram expostos às temperaturas de 0 e 20ºC, e cada temperatura foi considerada um experimento independente. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e a unidade experimental composta por seis bandejas com 17 frutas cada uma. As avaliações foram realizadas após sete dias para o experimento a 20ºC e, após 14 dias (com mais três dias em temperatura de 20ºC), para o experimento a 0ºC. Conforme os resultados, as frutas armazenadas a 20ºC e com filmes de PEBD apresentaram menor incidência de podridões, menor índice de cor vermelha e menor acidez titulável, e também maior firmeza de polpa, em comparação com o tratamento-controle (sem filme de PEBD). Porém, a pressão parcial de CO2 atingiu cerca de 30 kPa no interior de algumas bandejas envoltas com o filme de 45 µm, ocasionando sabor alcoólico às frutas. No experimento a 0ºC, não foram verificadas diferenças significativas para as variáveis avaliadas, embora o uso do filme de PEBD tenha proporcionado qualidade superior.The experiment was carried out with the aim to evaluate the effect of modified atmosphere, using low-density polyethylene packaging (FPBD), on the quality of 'Oso Grande' strawberries (Fragaria ananassa L.) stored at 0ºC and 20ºC. Approximately 300g of fruits were placed into trays covered with a 15µm PVC film, and 6 trays were involved with a FPBD film with 22 [T2] or 45µm [T3] thickness and then placed into a commercial wood box. Control fruits [T1] were not involved with FPBD film. After removing air, 15kPa CO2 was injected into the FPBD bags before closing. The experimental design was a completely randomized blocs, with 3 replicates, each composed by 6 trays with 17 fruits. The evaluations were done after exposing the fruits for 7 days at 20ºC, and 14 days at 0ºC plus 3 days at 20ºC. Fruits stored at 20ºC with FPBD films had lower rot incidence, less red color, lower titratable acidity and higher pulp firmness. However, high CO2 partial pressure accumulated in the 45µm coatings (30kPa), which caused alcoholic taste. The fruits stored at 0ºC did not show any differences between the evaluated treatments, but fruits involved with FPBD generally showed better quality.

O experimento foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da variação da temperatura e umidade relativa (UR) durante o armazenamento e, do momento de instalação das condições de atmosfera controlada sobre a qualidade de maçãs cv. Fuji. Após o resfriamento lento (11 dias - de 12°C até a temperatura de armazenamento), os frutos foram armazenados em atmosfera controlada (AC) com de 1kPa O2 e 0,2kPa CO2. Os tratamentos avaliados foram combinações de temperaturas (0,5 e 2,5°C), UR (91 e 96%) nos primeiros 40 dias de armazenamento e instalação da atmosfera no 1º ou 4º dia após o fechamento das câmaras de AC. No restante do período, a temperatura de armazenamento, foi de 0,5°C e UR de 96%. Após oito meses de armazenamento não houve diferenças significativas nos parâmetros firmeza de polpa, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis totais, podridão e degenerescência entre os tratamentos. No teste de prateleira (sete dias em temperatura ambiente), teor de sólidos solúveis totais foi menor para o tratamento com instalação de atmosfera no 1º dia. A redução da UR (91%) nos primeiros 40 dias de armazenamento não reduziu a ocorrência de podridões. Por outro lado, a alta temperatura (2,5°C) no início do armazenamento apresentou eficiência no controle da podridão.The experiment was carried out with the objective to evaluate the effect of variation of the temperature and relative humidity (RH) during storage period and the rate of establishment of controlled atmosphere conditions on the quality of ‘Fuji’ apples. After cooling down during 11 days (12°C to storage temperature), the fruits were stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) with 1kPa O2 and 0,2kPa CO2. The evaluated treatments were combinations of initial temperatures (0.5°C and 2.5°C), initial RH (91 and 96%) during the first 40 storage days and pull down of oxygen in the CA store (first or fourth day after CA chamber closing). Afterward the fruits were maintened at 0.5°C with 96% RH. After eight months storage treatments did not influence flesh firmness, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, rot and breakdown incidence. During shelf-life, TSS were lower when CA conditions was established on the first day. Low RH during first 40 storage days did not reduce rot incidence. On the other hand, higher initial temperature (2,5°C) was efficient on rot control.

Ethylene signaling is decisive for many plant developmental processes. Among these, control of senescence, abscission and fruit ripening are of fundamental relevance for global agriculture. Consequently, detailed knowledge of the signaling network along with the molecular processes of signal perception and transfer are expected to have high impact on future food production and agriculture. Recent advances in ethylene research have demonstrated that signaling of the plant hormone critically depends on the interaction of the ethylene receptor family with the NRAMP-like membrane protein ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 2 (EIN2) at the ER membrane, phosphorylation-dependent proteolytic processing of ER-localized EIN2 and subsequent translocation of the cleaved EIN2 C-terminal polypeptide (EIN2-CEND) to the nucleus. EIN2 nuclear transport, but also interaction with the receptors sensing the ethylene signal, both, depend on a nuclear localization signal (NLS) located at the EIN2 C-terminus. Loss of the tight interaction between receptors and EIN2 affects ethylene signaling and impairs plant ethylene responses. Synthetic peptides derived from the NLS sequence interfere with the EIN2–receptor interaction and have utility in controlling plant ethylene responses such as ripening. Here, we report that a synthetic peptide (NOP-1) corresponding to the NLS motif of Arabidopsis EIN2 (aa 1262–1269) efficiently binds to tomato ethylene receptors LeETR4 and NR and delays ripening in the post-harvest phase when applied to the surface of sampled green fruits pre-harvest. In particular, degradation of chlorophylls was delayed by several days, as monitored by optical sensors and confirmed by analytical methods. Similarly, accumulation of β-carotene and lycopene in the fruit pulp after NOP-1 application was delayed, without having impact on the total pigment concentration in the completely ripe fruits. Likewise, the peptide had no negative effects on fruit quality. Our molecular and phenotypic studies reveal that peptide biologicals could contribute to the development of a novel family of ripening inhibitors and innovative ripening control in climacteric fruit.

In the last years fluorescence spectroscopy has come to be viewed as an essential approach in key research fields of applied plant sciences. However, the quantity and particularly the quality of information produced by different equipment might vary considerably. In this study we investigate the potential of three optical devices for the proximal sensing of plant-pathogen interactions in four genotypes of spring barley. For this purpose, the fluorescence lifetime, the image-resolved multispectral fluorescence and selected indices of a portable multiparametric fluorescence device were recorded at 3, 6, and 9 days after inoculation (dai) from healthy leaves as well as from leaves inoculated with powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) or leaf rust (Puccinia hordei). Genotype-specific responses to pathogen infections were revealed already at 3 dai by higher fluorescence mean lifetimes in the spectral range from 410 to 560 nm in the less susceptible varieties. Noticeable pathogen-induced modifications were also revealed by the ‘Blue-to-Far-Red Fluorescence Ratio’ and the ‘Simple Fluorescence Ratio’. Particularly in the susceptible varieties the differences became more evident in the time-course of the experiment i.e., following the pathogen development. The relevance of the blue and green fluorescence to exploit the plant-pathogen interaction was demonstrated by the multispectral fluorescence imaging system. As shown, mildewed leaves were characterized by exceptionally high blue fluorescence, contrasting the values observed in rust inoculated leaves. Further, we confirm that the intensity of green fluorescence depends on the pathogen infection and the stage of disease development; this information might allow a differentiation of both diseases. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the detection area might influence the quality of the information, although it had a minor impact only in the current study. Finally, we highlight the relevance of different excitation-emission channels to better understand and evaluate plant-physiological alterations due to pathogen infections.

The aim of our study was to identify appropriate multiparametric fluorescence ratios to evaluate the response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genotypes to salinity. In this context, we hypothesized that the fluorescence indices BFRR_UV, FLAV, NBI and SFR provided by the multiparametric fluorescence technique reveal the impact of salinity on tomato leaves. For this purpose, the tomato genotypes H-2274, Harzfeuer and Rio Grande were grown in the greenhouse under standard or saline conditions. As reference measurements, we recorded the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) via pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) and analyzed the concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), proline and chlorophyll (Chl). In general, “Harzfeuer” showed a more pronounced response to salinity, as revealed by the increase in Na and proline as well as the decrease in K concentration. Significant differences between the control and the salt treatment were also assessed with Fv/Fm. The ratios BFRR_UV, FLAV, SFR_G and NBI_G increased significantly in the salinity-exposed plants. These ratios, compared with Fv/Fm, also provide precise but more rapid information about the impact of salinity on tomato leaves. On this basis, we demonstrate that the multiparametric fluorescence indices provide a valuable, rapid and practical tool for the in situ monitoring of the physiological status of plants exposed to salinity.

Using potted sugar beet plants we aimed to investigate the suitability of four fluorescence indices to detect and differentiate the impact of nitrogen supply, water deficit and powdery mildew in two sugar beet cultivars (Beta vulgaris L.). Plants were grown inside a polytunnel under two nitrogen levels combined with water deficit or full irrigation. Changes in plant physiology were recorded at two physiological stages with a multiparametric handheld fluorescence sensor and a fluorescence imaging system. The analysis of chlorophyll content and osmotic potential served as reference. Based on our results, the fluorescence indices “Nitrogen Balance Index” and “Simple Fluorescence Ratio” responded quite sensitively to drought stress and mildew infection. Moreover, the blue-to-far-red fluorescence ratio revealed significant stress-induced alterations in the plant physiology. In all, fluorescence indices might be used as single or combined indices for successful stress sensing. However, a robust stress differentiation by using only one fluorescence ratio could not be accomplished.

Leaf diseases, such as powdery mildew and leaf rust, frequently infect barley plants and severely affect the economic value of malting barley. Early detection of barley diseases would facilitate the timely application of fungicides. In a field experiment, we investigated the performance of fluorescence and reflectance indices on (1) detecting barley disease risks when no fungicide is applied and (2) estimating leaf chlorophyll concentration (LCC). Leaf fluorescence and canopy reflectance were weekly measured by a portable fluorescence sensor and spectroradiometer, respectively. Results showed that vegetation indices recorded at canopy level performed well for the early detection of slightly-diseased plants. The combined reflectance index, MCARI/TCARI, yielded the best discrimination between healthy and diseased plants across seven barley varieties. The blue to far-red fluorescence ratio (BFRR_UV) and OSAVI were the best fluorescence and reflectance indices for estimating LCC, respectively, yielding R2 of 0.72 and 0.79. Partial least squares (PLS) and support vector machines (SVM) regression models further improved the use of fluorescence signals for the estimation of LCC, yielding R2 of 0.81 and 0.84, respectively. Our results demonstrate that non-destructive spectral measurements are able to detect mild disease symptoms before significant losses in LCC due to diseases under natural conditions.

Some 40 years ago, air pollution caused widespread forest decline in Central Europe and eastern North America. More recently, high levels of tree mortality worldwide are thought to be driven by rising temperatures and increasing atmospheric drought. A neglected factor, possibly contributing to both phenomena, is the foliar accumulation of hygroscopic aerosols. Recent experiments with experimentally added aerosols revealed that foliar aerosol accumulation can (i) create the microscopic impression of ‘wax degradation’, considered an important proxy of forest decline associated with air pollution, though the mechanism remains unexplained; and (ii) increase epidermal minimum conductance ( g _min ), a measure of cuticular permeability and completeness of stomatal closure—both could lead to reduced drought tolerance. Here, those studies with applied aerosol are extended by addressing plant responses to reduction of ambient aerosol. Scots pine, silver fir, and common oak seedlings were grown for 2 years in greenhouses ventilated with ambient air (AA) or air filtered to remove nearly all aerosol particles (FA). Removal of ambient aerosol prevented the development of amorphous structures viewed in the electron microscope that have typically been interpreted as degraded waxes. Lower g _min values suggested that FA plants had better stomatal control and therefore greater drought tolerance than AA plants. The co-occurrence of apparent wax degradation and reduced drought tolerance in AA plants suggests a common cause. This may be mediated by the deliquescence and spreading of hygroscopic aerosols across the leaf surface. The liquid film produced may penetrate the stomata and facilitate unproductive stomatal transpiration. In this way, aerosol pollution may enhance the impacts of atmospheric drought, and may damage trees and forests on large spatial scales.

Foliar fertilization, or the application of nutrient solutions to the foliage of plants, has become a very important tool as a supplement to traditional soil fertilization. So far, knowledge about the real mechanisms of foliar nutrient uptake is still limited. In this study different manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) carriers differing in their solubility and chemical characteristics (chelated or non-chelated, with or without the presence of a surfactant-penetrant) were compared with regard to their penetration characteristics through enzymatically-isolated cuticles. The experiments were explicitly conducted under high humidity conditions in order not to penalize compounds with a higher deliquescent point. The results show that Mn penetrates more rapidly through the cuticle than Zn ions for unknown reasons. The addition of a surfactant-penetrant enhances the penetration rate in the case of Mn ions. This trend is much less pronounced for zinc ions. Formulations based on insoluble carriers, such as carbonate or oxide, only poorly penetrate through the cuticle. In order to rapidly control micronutrient deficiency problems, only fully water soluble micronutrient carriers should be used.

ABSTRACT The association of adjuvants with phytosanitary products has been tested for several years but is commonly recommended without considering technical and scientific criteria. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the association of insecticides with different adjuvants on surface tension, contact angle, coverage, hydrogen ionic potential (pH), and the formation of deposits exposed to rain. The insecticides thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and lambda-cyhalothrin were tested at doses of 75 g ha−1, 150 g ha−1, and 150 g ha−1, respectively, with a spray volume of 200 L ha−1. Break-Thru 240®, Break-Thru 233®, Break-Thru Union®, Oleo FC Agraröl®, and Naturo'il® were added to each of these spray solutions. The results showed that the addition of adjuvants reduced the surface tension and contact angle, and consequently, increased droplet coverage. No deposit pattern was found in the thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and lambda-cyhalothrin insecticides associated with the adjuvants and a higher amount of residue was observed on wheat leaves than on maize leaves. The use of adjuvants can be an alternative to improve the efficiency of insecticides, allowing the product to achieve its full control potential.