Horticultural Science, 2015 (vol. 42), issue 3
Evaluation of pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivars in LatviaOriginal Paper
B. Lace, G. Lacis
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):107-113 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2014-HORTSCI 
Pears (Pyrus communis L.) are an important commercial crop in Latvia, ranked as a second most important fruit tree crop. The aim of this study was the choice of suitable new pear cultivars for growing in Latvia. The evaluation was carried out at the Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing. Eighteen cultivars were evaluated over six years. Flowering intensity, harvest date, average fruit weight, taste and chemical composition (total soluble solids, flesh firmness, titratable acidity (TA)) and resistance to diseases and pests were recorded. Flowering intensity showed significant differences among years: the highest was in 2009 and 2011,...
Molecular analysis of native cultivars of sweet cherry in Southern ItalyOriginal Paper
C. Di Vaio, C. Villano, N. Marallo
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):114-118 | DOI: 10.17221/352/2014-HORTSCI
Campania region has a long tradition of autochthonous cultivated sweet cherries, which constitute a very rich germplasm resource. This biodiversity is highly valued for flavour, aroma and pulp texture. The interested cultivars are well known and sold in regional and local markets, but rarely outside. Genetic studies and phenotypic classifications are useful tools to increase our knowledge of such cherry cultivars and to disseminate their particular characteristics outside the region. The aim of the present study was the molecular characterization of ten autochthonous cultivars of Prunus avium using 30 RAPD markers. Among all, U17 was useful...
Fruit set and quality of self-fertile sweet cherries as affected by chemical flower thinningOriginal Paper
B. Milić, Z. Keserović, M. Dorić, V. Ognjanov, N. Magazin
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):119-124 | DOI: 10.17221/288/2014-HORTSCI
Self-fertile cherry cultivars can produce an excessive crop of small fruits with low sugar content. In order to prevent overcropping and provide high quality fruits, chemical thinning of flowers is required. Ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), surfactants and plant oils are used to thin flowers, mostly in apple and peach. The purpose of this research was to compare the effectiveness of the blossom thinners ATS, surfactant Silwet and rapeseed oil (Ogriol) in reducing fruit set of the self-fertile sweet cherry cultivars Alex and Sunburst and their potential to improve fruit quality. At lower rates (1 and 2%) ATS did not consistently reduce fruit set, while at...
Combined effects of deficit irrigation and fresh-cut processing on quality and bioactive compounds of nectarinesOriginal Paper
N. Falagán, F. Artés, P.A. Gómez, F. Artés-Hernández, A. Pérez-Pastor, J.M. de la Rosa, E. Aguayo
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):125-131 | DOI: 10.17221/1/2015-HORTSCI
Water scarcity makes necessary the use of tools for increasing water productivity such as regulated deficit irrigation strategies (RDI). The effect of RDI on fresh-cut white flesh extra-early nectarine was studied. Initially, the soluble solids content of nectarines from RDI was higher than in control and over-irrigated fruits (9.72 ± 0.20 vs. 8.57 ± 0.05°Brix, respectively) but after shelf-life storage no differences were found. During storage, RDI fruits had a more stable antioxidant capacity and soluble phenolic content. This treatment showed 10% more vitamin C than the other irrigation treatments, due to an increase in dehydroascorbic...
Biostimulant usage for preserving strawberries to climate damagesOriginal Paper
I. Bogunovic, B. Duralija, J. Gadze, I. Kisic
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):132-140 | DOI: 10.17221/161/2014-HORTSCI
Climate changes affect horticultural production through the occurrence of late spring frosts. Therefore plant management is gaining more importance with the aim of improving plant condition. The research deals with the biostimulator containing amino-acids of animal origin (porcine blood) which can be obtained by chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of an organic matrix. During vegetation period different cultivars of strawberries were included in the experiment: Asia, Alba and Clery. The effects of biostimulator on resistance to frost, yields and pomological characteristics were studied at three treatments (0.5 , 1.0 and 1.5 g/plant, and control 0...
Stability of Verticillium dahliae resistance in tissue culture-derived strawberry somaclonesOriginal Paper
I. Sowik, M. Markiewicz, L. Michalczuk
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):141-148 | DOI: 10.17221/360/2014-HORTSCI
Somaclonal variation is a novel source of useful traits in strawberry breeding. In our previous work we selected K40 clone from in vitro cultures of strawberry cv. Elsanta, which was characterized by high resistance to Verticillium dahliae. The objective of this work was to evaluate the stability and transmission of this trait during in vitro shoot proliferation and traditional clonal propagation from runners. K40, Elsanta and Senga Sengana plants were propagated in vitro for 45 generations/passages or for 4 generation of clonal propagation from runners. The resistance/susceptibility of such derived plants to V....
Nut and kernel growth and shell hardening in eighteen hazelnut cultivars (Corylus avellana L.)Original Paper
N. Valentini, S.T. Moraglio, L. Rolle, L. Tavella, R. Botta
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):149-158 | DOI: 10.17221/327/2014-HORTSCI
Growth and development of nuts and kernels were measured in 18 hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars from cluster appearance until nut maturity and drop. At harvest, shell thickness and force to penetrate the shell were determined and related to the incidence of nut weevil damage. The force to penetrate the shells started to increase when nuts reached 80-90% of their final size, and continued until kernel full size. During nut growth, shell hardness and kernel size were highly correlated (R2 = 0.921). At maturity, values of force ranged from 46.7 to 185.7 N. Values of nut weevil damage ranged from 0.6 to 24.4%. At harvest,...
Methodology of compositional assessment in the beech vegetation zone and its applicationOriginal Paper
Zamrzlová I., Doleželová D., Vacek O.
Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2015, 42(3):159-166 | DOI: 10.17221/320/2014-HORTSCI
The visual impact of primary landscape is overwritten, historical references and spiritual ties to the current local population are losing. Rational planning and evaluation of the landscape must correspond to this situation. In the Czech Republic methodologies of landscape assessment (for its identification, typology) exist, but there is no finalizing material to specify procedures for creating landscape designs in accordance with a particular landscape type or vegetation zone. As a response, the new methodology of compositional preconditions assessment in the beech vegetation zone and the model etalon applying generally valid compositional principles...