Companion planting to attract pollinators increases the yield and quality of strawberry fruit in gardens and allotments

1. Global pollinator declines have led to concern that crop yields might fall as a result of a pollination deficit. Companion planting is a traditional practice thought to increase yield of insect pollinated crops by planting a co-flowering species next to the crop. 2. Using a combination of conventional researcher-led experiments and observational citizen scientist data, we tested the effectiveness of bee-friendly borage (Borago officinalis) as a companion plant to strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). Insect visitors to the ‘Test’ (strawberry + borage) versus ‘Control’ (strawberry only) plants were observed, and strawberry fruit collected. Strawberries collected during the researcher-led experiment were also subject to fruit measurements and assessments of market quality. 3. Companion plants were found to significantly increase both yield and market quality of strawberries, suggesting an increase in insect pollination per plant. Test strawberries companion planted with borage produced an average of 35% more fruits, and 32% increased yield by weight. Test strawberry plants produced significantly more fruit of higher aesthetic quality when assessed by Marketing Standards for Strawberries. 4. Although there was no significant difference in the overall insect visits, when broken down by broad insect group there were significantly more flies visiting the test strawberries than controls. 5. These results could have implications for both gardeners and commercial growers. As consumers prefer a cosmetically perfect fruit, the production of fruit with increased aesthetics aids food waste reduction.     

Pectin methylesterases induce an abrupt increase of acidic pectin during strawberry fruit ripening

The decrease of strawberry (Fragariaxananassa Duch.) fruit firmness observed during ripening is partly attributed to pectolytic enzymes: polygalacturonases, pectate lyases and pectin methylesterases (PMEs). In this study, PME activity and pectin content and esterification degree were measured in cell walls from ripening fruits. Small green, large green, white, turning, red and over-ripe fruits from the Elsanta cultivar were analyzed. Using the 2F4 antibody directed against the calcium-induced egg box conformation of pectin, we show that calcium-bound acidic pectin was nearly absent from green and white fruits, but increased abruptly at the turning stage, while the total pectin content decreased only slightly as maturation proceeded. Isoelectrofocalisation performed on wall protein extracts revealed the expression of at least six different basic PME isoforms. Maximum PME activity was detected in green fruits and steadily decreased to reach a minimum in senescent fruits. The preliminary role of PMEs and subsequent pectin degradation by pectolytic enzymes is discussed.     

Impact of greenhouse whitefly management on strawberry fruit quality

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum （Westwood）, is an important pest of strawberries in California, USA. The adults and nymphs feed on phloem sap of leaves to remove the photo-assimilates. The objective of this study is to test the impact of whitefly management with insecticides on strawberry fruit quality. Applications of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen decreased the mean adult whitefly numbers by 2.80-, 2.17-, 1.69- and 1.39-fold, respectively, compared to the untreated control, Similarly, the mean numbers of first and second instar whiteflies were reduced 4.36-, 2.20-, 1.90- and 2.02-fold, respectively, while the mean numbers of third and fourth instars were reduced 5.48-, 2.28-, 2.71- and 1.43-fold, respectively, in plants treated with imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The mean soluble solids content in imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen treatments was 1.04-, 1.06-, 1.03- and 1.04-fold greater, respectively, than that in the control. The whitefly reduction enhanced the mean fruit titratable acidity by 4%-6%. Mean glucose levels in imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatments were significantly higher than in other treatments. However, the whitefly management did not affect the mean fructose levels, lmidacloprid, thiamethoxam and pyriproxyfen treatments boosted the ascorbic acid levels by up to 4%. The impact of whitefly management on strawberry fruit nutrition and antioxidant capacity is discussed.     

草莓品种灰霉病抗性田间鉴定

调查了160个草莓品种对灰霉病的田间抗、感病情况,结果表明,草莓品种对灰霉病均无免疫能力,但品种之间的抗、感病程度有差异,抗病性较强的品种为硕蜜,感病率为4.8%,感病率最高的品种为绥陵,达66.7%。筛选出硕蜜、83-11、益芳、明宝、83-21等7个品种(系)表现为高抗(HR)。高抗品种中,生长势以中偏强者、株态以半直立至半开张者较多。     

Isolation of a set of ripening-related genes from strawberry: their identification and possible relationship to fruit quality traits

The ripening of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), a non-climacteric fruit, is a complex developmental process that involves many changes in gene expression. To understand how these changes relate to the biochemistry and composition of the fruit the specific genes involved have been examined. A high-quality cDNA library prepared from ripe strawberry fruit was differentially screened for ripening-related clones using cDNA from ripe and white fruits. From 112 up-regulated clones obtained in the primary screen, 66 differentially expressed clones were isolated from the secondary screen. The partial sequences of these cDNAs were compared with database sequences and 26 families of non-redundant clones were identified. Northern analysis confirmed that all of these cDNAs were ripening-enhanced. The expression of many of their corresponding genes was negatively regulated in auxin-treated fruit. These sequences, several of which are novel to fruits, encode proteins involved in key metabolic events including anthocyanin biosynthesis, cell wall degradation, sucrose and lipid metabolism, protein synthesis and degradation, and respiration. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of these genes in determining fruit quality characteristics. Received: 19 January 1998 / Accepted: 5 February 1998     

Characterization of major enzymes and genes involved in flavonoid and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis during fruit development in strawberry (Fragaria xananassa)

The biosynthesis of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins was studied in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria xananassa) by combining biochemical and molecular approaches. Chemical analyses showed that ripe strawberries accumulate high amounts of pelargonidin-derived anthocyanins, and a larger pool of 3',4'-hydroxylated proanthocyanidins. Activities and properties of major recombinant enzymes were demonstrated by means of in vitro assays, with special emphasis on specificity for the biologically relevant 4'- and 3',4'-hydroxylated compounds. Only leucoanthocyanidin reductase showed a strict specificity for the 3',4'-hydroxylated leucocyanidin, while other enzymes accepted either hydroxylated substrate with different relative activity rates. The structure of late flavonoid pathway genes, leading to the synthesis of major compounds in ripe fruits, was elucidated. Complex developmental and spatial expression patterns were shown for phenylpropanoid and flavonoid genes in fruits throughout ripening as well as in leaves, petals and roots. Presented results elucidate key steps in the biosynthesis of strawberry flavonoid end products.     

不同供氮水平下施硅对辣椒产量与营养品质及其养分吸收利用的影响

为探究不同供氮水平下施硅对辣椒产量、果实品质及养分吸收利用的影响,以辣椒品种‘奥黛丽’为试验材料,采用基质栽培,设置正常施氮肥（1.0N：260.9 kg/667 m2）、氮肥减施40%（0.6N：149.1 kg/667 m2）、氮肥减施60%（0.4N：104.3 kg/667 m2）、不施氮肥（0N：0 kg/667 m2）4个不同供氮（基施）水平和2个硅肥（根施）水平（0 mmol/L、1.5 mmol/L）,研究不同供氮水平下硅对辣椒产量、品质及氮肥利用效率的影响效应,并筛选出最佳施肥处理,旨在为辣椒的增产提质提供理论基础和技术参考。结果表明：（1）0.6N供氮水平较1.0N、0.4N和0N供氮水平下的辣椒果实产量分别提高了7.18%、74.14%和87.99%,施硅处理后则进一步促进了果实产量,其中0.6N供氮水平下施硅较正常供氮量下的辣椒果实产量提高了15.33%;（2）0.6N供氮水平更有利于促进辣椒果实中可溶性糖、还原糖、可溶性蛋白、维生素C含量的提高和可滴定酸、NO3?含量的降低,施硅后不同供氮水平下辣椒果实品质均显著提高;（3）0.6N供氮水平更有利于辣椒果实矿质元素的积累与土壤氮肥利用率的提高,其中0.6N供氮水平较1.0N供氮水平下的氮肥利用率与氮肥农学效率分别显著提高了97.57%和69.20%,施硅处理后不同供氮水平下辣椒果实矿质元素含量与土壤氮肥利用率均显著提高;（4）通过对辣椒产量及果实品质指标的主成分分析,结果表明,0.6N+Si处理下的综合得分最高,即氮肥减施40%配施1.5 mmol/L的外源硅肥对辣椒产量、品质及氮肥的吸收利用促进效果最佳。     

Effect of preharvest spraying Cryptococcus laurentii on postharvest decay and quality of strawberry

Application of a suspension (log 8.0/ml) of Cryptococcus laurentii prior to harvest led to a reduction in Botrytis cinerea decay of strawberries stored at 4 or 20 °C, for 12 or 4 days, respectively. The frequency of spraying antagonist significantly influenced disease incidence in strawberry fruit. The best inhibition of disease was achieved when fruit sprayed C. laurentii with three applications that began 6 days prior to harvest, and the incidence of gray mold and natural decay treated with this method was 21% and 11%, compared with 88% and 62% in the control after storage at 20 °C for 4 days. A similar result occurred in the treated fruit after storage at 4 °C for 12 days. Dilation plate counts on Rose Bengal agar and scanning electron microscopy results showed that three applications with C. laurentii at 6, 3 and 0 days before harvest improved its ability to colonize the epidermis of strawberry fruit in the greenhouse and during storage compared to single application. In addition, antagonistic yeast spraying before harvest could reduce the weight loss, delay the decrease of the firmness and ascorbic acid, but had no significant effect on the contents of soluble solids, titratable acidity and fruit surface color. These results suggested that preharvest spraying with C. laurentii might be a promising alternative to fungicide application for decay control of strawberry.     

Unpaved roads disrupt the effect of herbivores and pollinators on the reproduction of a dominant shrub

Anthropogenic linear developments, such as trails and firebreaks, also called soft linear developments (SLD), can influence animal behavior, altering the ecological interactions in which animals are involved. For example, SLD can affect the behavior of pollinators and herbivores, but little is known about the combined effect of these three elements on plant reproduction.We evaluated the combined effect of SLD, insect pollinators and herbivores (ungulates) on three reproductive output variables (fruit set, seed set, and seed mass) of a Mediterranean shrub (Halimium halimifolium). We considered two different habitats (SLD verges vs. adjacent scrublands), two scenarios of herbivory (with and without ungulates), and three scenarios of pollinator activity (without pollinators, with manual pollination and with natural pollination).SLD had contrasting effects on H. halimifolium reproduction. In the absence of herbivores, overall fruit set was lower in the verges of SLD than in adjacent scrublands, probably due to lower flower pollination rates. Where herbivores were present, overall fruit set was similar between habitats, because ungulate browsing was lower in SLD verges than in adjacent scrublands. The quantity and weight of seeds per fruit was similar in both habitats, probably because all fertilized flowers received similar amounts of pollen.SLD can alter the interaction among pollinators, herbivores and plants, leading to changes in the reproductive performance of the latter. These changes can have strong negative impacts on endangered plants that rely on fruit and seed production to persist. However, SLD verges could be safe places for plants particularly sensitive to herbivory by ungulates.     

Introgression and confirmation of everbearing trait in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

The present investigation was targeted towards a highly desirable everbearing trait in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) via marker assisted selection while seeing its worldwide commercial applicability through the extended harvest season. The crosses were made between everbearing and june-bearing cultivars to raise the F₁ individuals. Morphological characters (plant, floral, and fruit) were assessed that showed significant differences among the strawberry cultivars. Molecular characterization was carried out between everbearing and non-everbearing cultivars using RAPD and SSR markers. For phenotyping, a chi-square test was performed and revealed that out of all four cross combinations, the best fitted cross found to be in Mendelian segregation ratio (1:1) was ‘Confectura’ × ‘Torrey’ with χ²-value 1.58. Further, the identified polymorphic markers were assessed across the F₁ individuals of cross ‘Confectura’ × ‘Torrey’ for its genotyping. It could be revealed that the targeted everbearing trait is governed by a dominant gene(s) in the subjected strawberry genotypes. Further, the identified polymorphic markers would be successfully employed in DNA fingerprinting of strawberry under various crop improvement programme.Supplementary informationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12298-020-00916-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Pollination ecology of a plant in its native and introduced areas

Entomophilous and obligate out-crossing non-native plants need to become well integrated in the resident plant–pollinator network to set seeds and become established. However, it is largely unknown how pollination patterns differ between native ranges and those where plants have been introduced.We compared the identity, abundance and visitation rates of pollinators, insect pollen loads, pollen deposition on stigmas, and fruit and seed sets of Hedysarum coronarium, an entomophilous short lived N-fixing perennial, in populations from native and introduced ranges in Spain (South of mainland Spain and Menorca Island, respectively).In both areas, Hedysarum was visited by a similar number of species, mainly hymenopterans; seven species were common between native and introduced areas. However, pollinator richness, abundance, and visits per flower were greater in the native than in the introduced range, as were fruit and seed sets. Hedysarum pollen loads on stigmas and on Apis mellifera, the most common pollinator, did not differ between areas. Lower abundance of pollinators might be causing lower visitation rates, and to some extent reducing Hedysarum fruit and seed sets in the introduced area.Our biogeographical approach shows that integration of a non-native plant in a resident pollinator network does not prevent pollen limitation in the introduced area. Therefore, despite being necessary, pollination mutualistic relationships might not be the key for non-native plant establishment success in the introduced area.     

Functional group diversity of bee pollinators increases crop yield

Niche complementarity is a commonly invoked mechanism underlying the positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, but little empirical evidence exists for complementarity among pollinator species. This study related differences in three functional traits of pollinating bees (flower height preference, daily time of flower visitation and within-flower behaviour) to the seed set of the obligate cross-pollinated pumpkin Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir. across a land-use intensity gradient from tropical rainforest and agroforests to grassland in Indonesia. Bee richness and abundance changed with habitat variables and we used this natural variation to test whether complementary resource use by the diverse pollinator community enhanced final yield. We found that pollinator diversity, but not abundance, was positively related to seed set of pumpkins. Bees showed species-specific spatial and temporal variation in flower visitation traits and within-flower behaviour, allowing for classification into functional guilds. Diversity of functional groups explained even more of the variance in seed set (r2=45%) than did species richness (r2=32%) highlighting the role of functional complementarity. Even though we do not provide experimental, but rather correlative evidence, we can link spatial and temporal complementarity in highly diverse pollinator communities to pollination success in the field, leading to enhanced crop yield without any managed honeybees.     

Experimental quantification of insect pollination on sunflower yield,reconciling plant and field scale estimates

Most crops grown in Europe, including sunflower (Helianthus annulus L.), benefit from insect pollination. However, valuing this benefit is not straightforward since estimates of the increase in sunflower yield vary from 18% to 100%. Most estimates have, moreover, been performed at plant scale, a scale that is not relevant for farmers who calculate at the field scale. In this four-year study, we quantified the contribution of insect pollination to sunflower yield at field and plant scales in working farm fields distributed along a gradient of pollinator diversity and abundance. Pollinators were found to increase field yield up to 40% (i.e. 0.7 t/ha) and by 31.3% at plant scale; the magnitude of effect on yield being therefore similar at both scales. The pollinators increased the yield by increasing the number of fertilized seeds per plant with no significant effect on the unit mass of the seeds although there was a trade-off between number of seeds and unit mass. Among pollinators, honeybees were the main taxon impacting sunflower yield. Sunflower plant density was a strong determinant of yield, with higher numbers attracting increased numbers of honeybees. Using pollinator and wind exclusion, we finally quantified the relative contributions of self-pollination (∼40%), insect pollination (∼35%) and wind pollination (∼20%). Our results show, to the best of our knowledge, the first evidence of the key role of pollinators in sunflower production at field scale in real farming conditions, and underscore the need to maintain suitable conditions for pollinators in agricultural landscapes.     

CPPU处理对猕猴桃果实品质的影响

以猕猴桃(Actinidia)品种‘东红’和‘金玉’为材料,在果实发育不同时期用20 mg/L的氯吡脲(CPPU)浸果处理,比较不同实验组的果重、可溶性固形物含量、糖含量、酸含量、Vc含量和花青素含量等果实品质的差异,探讨CPPU处理的最佳时期;并在‘东红’和‘金玉’的CPPU处理组和对照组中,采用实时荧光PCR技术(RT-qPCR)分析花青素相关基因的表达水平,探究CPPU调控花青素积累的分子机理。结果显示,花后14 d(14 DAF)为CPPU处理‘东红’的最佳时期,处理后单果重提高了24%,总糖含量提高了38%。相关性分析表明,果重与花青素含量成正相关。‘金玉’果实经CPPU处理后内果皮并未出现明显变化。‘东红’果实经处理后,其花青素含量显著提高,内果皮颜色更加红艳。RT-qPCR分析结果发现,CPPU处理后花青素合成相关基因AcF3GT、AcF3H、AcLDOX、AcMYB10和AcMYB110表达量上调,促进花青素的积累。研究结果表明CPPU处理能提升‘东红’和‘金玉’猕猴桃果实品质,处理‘东红’猕猴桃的最佳处理时期是花后14 d。CPPU处理导致上述5个基因表达水平提高,从...     

套袋对荔枝果实质量和农药残留的影响

用不同颜色和不同开口方式果袋对纪子笑荔枝进行套袋处理,对比研究了套袋对果实质量和农药残留的影响．结果表明,套袋对增进果实着色有明显效果,套袋果实Ⅰ、Ⅱ级果率在57．81％～81,57％之间,而对照仅为38．63％．套袋后果实的单果重量显著升高,尤其是白色袋的增重效果更为明显．虽然同种颜色的封口袋增重效果优于开口袋;但袋色对果实增重的影响作用远远大于套袋方式,开口袋不利于防虫,封口袋对防治荔枝虫害有一定效果,但防病效果不明显．套袋对果实营养成分的影响不显著,对果实品质无不利影响,但不利于农药的消解,可导致果实中甲氰菊酯和敌百虫残留量的增加,套袋果园配套农药品种的选择有待进一步筛选。     

Hormonal regulation of ripening in the strawberry,a non-climacteric fruit

Anthocyanin accumulation is one measure of ripening in the strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), a non-climacteric fruit. Neither aminoethoxyvinylglycine, an inhibitor of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase, nor inhibitors of ethylene action (silver, norbornadiene) affected anthocyanin accumulation in ripening fruit. When the achenes were removed from one half of an unripe fruit there was an accelerated accumulation of anthocyanin and induction of phenylalanine ammonia lyase on the de-achened portion of the ripening fruit. These effects of achene removal could be prevented by the application of the synthetic auxins 1-naphthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to the de-achened surface. The introduction of 1-naphthalene acetic acid into intact unripe strawberry fruit through the peduncle delayed their subsequent ripening, as measured by the accumulation of anthocyanin, loss of chlorophyll and decrease in firmness. These findings suggest that the decline in the concentration of auxin in the achenes as strawberry fruit mature modulates the rate of fruit ripening.Abbreviations ACC 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid - AVG aminoethoxyvinylglycine - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - PA1 phenylalanine ammonia-lyase - POA phenoxyacetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Hormonal regulation of fruit set, parthenogenesis induction and fruit expansion in Japanese pear

The effects of applied gibberellins (GAs), GA₁, GA₃, GA₄ and GA₇ with a cytokinin, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on fruit set, parthenogenesis induction and fruit expansion of a number of Rosaceae species were assessed. These included Japanese pear cv. ‘Akibae’ (self-compatible) and cv. ‘Iwate yamanashi’ (a seedless cultivar). Other Rosaceae species (Pyrus communis, Chaenomeles sinensis, Cydonia oblonga, and Malus pumila) were also investigated. GA₄, GA₇ and CPPU are very effective in inducing parthenocarpic fruit growth, whereas GA₁, GA₃ and IAA, have no ability to induce parthenogenesis in Japanese pear. GA₄- and GA₇-induced parthenocarpic fruit tended to be smaller in size, higher in flesh hardness, and showed advanced fruit ripening in comparison to pollinated fruit and to parthenocarpic fruit induced by CPPU. GA₄- and GA₇-induced parthenocarpic fruit also had an increased pedicel length and fruit shape index and also showed a slight protrusion of the calyx end. CPPU, GA₄ and GA₇ alone or combination with uniconazole were also active in inducing parthenogenesis in three other Rosaceae species, although final fruit set was extremely low. GA₁ was essentially inactive in promoting fruit expansion unlike the other bioactive GAs, whose effectiveness in promoting fruit cell expansion was as follow: GA₄ ≈ GA₇ > GA₃ > GA₁.     

Changes in gene expression during strawberry fruit ripening and their regulation by auxin

Changes in messenger RNA during the development of the strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), a non-climacteric fruit, were analysed by extracting total RNA and separating the in-vitro translated products by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Alterations in numerous messenger RNAs accompanied fruit development between the immature green stage and the overripe stage, with prominent changes detected at or before the onset of ripening. A number of messenger RNAs undetectable in immature green fruit increased as the fruit matured and ripened. Others showed a marked decrease in advance of the ripening phase. A further group of messenger RNAs was prominent in immature and ripe fruit but absent just prior to the turning stage. Removing the achenes from a segment of the fruit accelerated anthocyanin accumulation in the de-achened portion and produced a pattern of translated polypeptides similar to normal ripe fruit. Application of the synthetic auxin 1-naphthaleneacetic acid to the de-achened receptacle produced a translation pattern similar to that in mature green fruit. These findings indicate that ripening in strawberry is associated with the expression of specific genes.