Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cripps Pink'

The Flesh Browning (FB) disorder of ‘Cripps Pink’ apples presents a significant threat to the established market identity of the ‘Cripps Pink’ apple in Australian and export markets. Climatic conditions during fruit growth and development predispose ‘Cripps Pink’ apples to developing the FB disorder during storage. The FB disorder can be classified into two distinct disorders based on their physiological and structural differences and by seasonal climatic conditions. The diffuse type of FB (DFB) is a chilling injury, occurring in districts or seasons accumulating less than 1100 growing degree days (GDD) above 10oC between full bloom and harvest. In these climatic conditions, ‘Cripps Pink’ apples have delayed postharvest ethylene production. Diffuse FB effects fruit cortex tissue and is characterised as cellular collapse. Storing fruit at 3oC can reduce the incidence of DFB. The radial type of FB (RFB) is primarily a senescent disorder, occurring in districts or seasons accumulating greater than 1400 GDD above 10oC between full bloom and harvest. In these climatic conditions, postharvest ethylene production is not delayed. Radial FB affects the cells adjacent to the vascular tissue of the fruit and is characterised by damaged cell walls. Storing fruit at 1oC can reduce the incidence of RFB. Harvest maturity and the level of CO2 in the storage atmosphere are additive influences on the development of RFB. Seasons or districts accumulating more than 1700 GDD have a very low risk for developing RFB. Seasonal climatic conditions can provide a guide for predicting the risk of developing RFB and DFB during storage.

Thesis (MscAgric (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Experiments were conducted to increase the percentage class one ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples. ‘Granny Smith’ is the most widely grown apple cultivar in South Africa, but its profitability is compromised by the high incidence of sunburn, red blush and poor green colour development. ‘Cripps’ Pink’ is a very lucrative cultivar and producers are striving to maximise the production of fruit that qualify for export. Fruit technologists and growers are debating whether it is best to maximise class one fruit in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ by increasing total yield or by increasing fruit quality. The relationship between ‘Granny Smith’ canopy position and external fruit quality was investigated. Light exposure, peel temperature, green colour development, sunburn and red blush development was followed for individual fruit from the outer, intermediate and inner canopy. Dark green fruit were exposed to moderate to high light levels (25-50% full sun) during the first half of fruit development, similar to fruit that eventually developed sunburn and red blush. The difference came in during the latter half of fruit development when dark green fruit became shaded (3% full sun). Pale green fruit contained less chlorophyll due to consistent low light levels (2% full sun). Fruit at partially shaded canopy positions had a lower occurrence of sunburn and red blush than outside fruit and better green colour development than fruit from the heavily shaded inner canopy. Based on these data, pruning strategies and mulching were evaluated to alter canopy vigour and the light environment in such a way that green colour development is promoted and the occurrence of sunburn and red blush is reduced. In an older, vigorous orchard with a dense canopy, pruning was done to increase light distribution for green colour development and to induce more growth on the side of the trees that are prone to sunburn and red blush. Pruning improved green colour development without affecting sunburn or red blush. In a younger, non-vigorous orchard, pruning and mulching were used to invigorate the canopy to increase shading of fruit and thereby decrease sunburn and red blush. However, these treatments were not effective. Further research should focus on the use of shade nets, accompanied by rigorous pruning, to reduce sunburn and red blush while not decreasing green colour. Five different crop loads were established in an exceptionally high yielding (averaging over 100 ton·ha1) ‘Cripps’ Pink’ orchard by first the thinning of clusters, then the removal of small fruit and, finally, the selective removal of fruit from the shaded inner canopy. Treatments had no effect on iv fruit quality in the first season. The most severe thinning treatment increased the percentage class one fruit in the second season by increasing the number of fruit with adequate red blush. However, seen cumulatively, the higher crop loads yielded more class one fruit per hectare than the lower crop loads, without affecting reproductive and vegetative development or fruit storability. Producers should strive for the highest crop loads allowed by the fruit size limitations in cultivars that are not prone to alternate bearing
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Eksperimente is uitgevoer om die persentasie uitvoerkwaliteit ‘Granny Smith’ en ‘Cripps Pink’ appels te verhoog. ‘Granny Smith’ maak die grootste deel uit van appel aanplantings in Suid Afrika, maar die winsgewendheid daarvan word beperk deur `n hoë voorkoms van sonbrand, rooi blos en swak groen kleurontwikkeling. ‘Cripps’ Pink’ is `n baie winsgewende kultivar en produsente streef daarna om die persentasie uitvoerkwaliteit vrugte te maksimaliseer. Vrugte tegnoloë en produsente debatteer oor die wenslikheid daarvan om uitvoerkwaliteit vrugte te maksimeer deur totale produksie te verhoog of deur vrugkwaliteit te verbeter. Die verband tussen ‘Granny Smith’ draposisie in die blaredak en eksterne vrugkwaliteit is ondersoek. Ligvlakke, skiltemperatuur, groen kleurontwikkeling, sonbrand en rooi blos ontwikkeling is deur die loop van die seisoen gevolg vir individuele vrugte aan die buitekant, binnekant en intermediêre posisies binne die blaredak. Daar is gevind dat die donkerste groen vrugte, nes vrugte wat uiteindelik sonbrand en rooi blos ontwikkel het, blootgestel was aan matige tot hoë ligvlakke (25-50% vol son) gedurende die eerste helfte van vrugontwikkeling. Donker groen vrugte is egter oorskadu (3% vol son) tydens die tweede helfte van vrugontwikkeling. Vanweë konstante lae beligting (2% vol son) het binne vrugte min chlorofiel geakkumuleer en daarom is hierdie vrugte lig van kleur. Vrugte in gedeeltelike skadu ontwikkel min sonbrand en rooi blos in vergelyking met buite vrugte en toon beter groen kleurontwikkeling as vrugte in diep skadu binne die boom. Gegrond op bogenoemde resultate is die gebruik van snoei strategieë en deklae om die groeikrag en die ligomgewing van die boom te modifiseer, ten einde groen kleur ontwikkeling te bevorder en sonbrand en rooi blos te verminder, geëvalueer. In ‘n ouer, groeikragtige boord met ‘n digte blaredak is snoei gebruik om ligverspreiding te verbeter vir groen ontwikkeling en om meer groei te stimuleer aan die buitekant van die boom wat meer geneig is tot sonbrand en rooiblos. Groen kleur is wel verbeter, maar sonbrand en rooi blos is nie geaffekteer nie. In `n jonger, minder groeikragtige boord is ‘n deklaag aangebring en eenjarige lote getop, sodoende groei te stimuleer om sonbrand en rooi blos te verminder deur oorskaduwing van vrugte. Hierdie behandelings was egter nie effektief nie. Toekomstige navorsing moet fokus op die gebruik van skadunette tesame met ‘n nougesette snoei strategie om sonbrand en rooi blos te verminder sonder om groen kleur te verswak. Vyf verskillende vrugladings is geskep in `n uitermatig produktiewe (gemiddeld meer as 100 ton·ha-1) ‘Cripps’ Pink’ boord deur eers vrugtrosse uit te dun, gevolg deur die verwydering van klein vrugte en, laastens, die selektiewe verwydering van vrugte in die diep skaduwee van die binneste blaredak. Vrugkwaliteit is nie in die eerste seisoen nie deur oeslading geaffekteer nie. Die strafste uitdunbehandeling het wel die persentasie uitvoerbare vrugte in die tweede seisoen verhoog deur die aantal vrugte met voldoende rooi blos te vermeerder. Kumulatief gesien, het die hoër oesladings egter meer klas een vrugte per hektaar opgelewer sonder om die reproduktiewe en vegetatiewe ontwikkeling of die stoorvermoë van vrugte te affekteer. Produsente moet strewe na die hoogste oesladings wat toegelaat word deur vruggrootte beperkings in kultivars wat nie geneig is tot alternerende drag nie

The goal of this research was to investigate changes in the physiological properties including firmness, stiffness, weight, background colour, ethylene production and respiration of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple stored under different temperature and atmosphere conditions,. This research also seeks to establish mathematical models for the prediction of changes in firmness and stiffness of the apple during normal atmosphere (NA) storage. Experiments were conducted to determine the quality changes in ‘Cripps Pink’ apple under three sets of storage conditions. The first set of storage conditions consisted of NA storage at 0oC, 2.5oC, 5oC, 10oC, 20oC and 30oC. In the second set of conditions the apples were placed in NA cold storage at 0oC for 61 days, followed by NA storage at the aforementioned six temperatures. The third set of conditions consisted of controlled atmosphere (CA) (2 kPa O2 : 1 kPa CO2) at 0oC storage for 102 days followed by NA storage at the six temperatures mentioned previously. The firmness, stiffness, weight loss, skin colour, ethylene and carbon dioxide production of the apples were monitored at specific time intervals during storage. Firmness was measured using a HortPlus Quick Measure Penetrometer (HortPlus Ltd, Hawke Bat, New Zealand); stiffness was measured using a commercial acoustic firmness sensor-AFS (AWETA, Nootdorp, The Netherlands). Experimental data analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism 4.03, 2005 software package. The Least-Squares method and iterative non-linear regression were used to model and simulate changes in firmness and stiffness in GraphPad Prism 4.03, 2005 and DataFit 8.1, 2005 softwares. The experimental results indicated that the firmness and stiffness of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple stored in NA decreased with increases in temperature and time. Under NA, the softening pattern was tri-phasic for apples stored at 0oC, 2.5oC and 5oC for firmness, and at 0oC and 2.5oC for stiffness. However, there were only two softening phases for apples stored at higher temperatures. NA at 0oC, 2.5oC and 5oC improved skin background colour and extended the storage ability of apples compared to higher temperatures. CA during the first stage of storage better maintained the firmness and stiffness of the apples. However, it reduced subsequent ethylene and carbon dioxide (CO2) production after removal from storage. Steep increases in ethylene and CO2 production coincided with rapid softening in the fruit flesh and yellowing of the skin background colour, under NA conditions. The exponential decay model was the best model for predicting changes in the firmness, stiffness and keeping quality of the apples. The exponential decay model satisfied the biochemical theory of softening in the apple, and had the highest fitness to the experimental data collected over the wide range of temperatures. The softening rate increased exponentially with storage temperature complying with the Arrhenius equation. Therefore a combination of the exponential decay model with the Arrhenius equation was found to best characterise the softening process and to predict changes in the firmness and stiffness of apples stored at different temperatures in NA conditions.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The goal of this research was to investigate changes in the physiological properties including firmness, stiffness, weight, background colour, ethylene production and respiration of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple stored under different temperature and atmosphere conditions,. This research also seeks to establish mathematical models for the prediction of changes in firmness and stiffness of the apple during normal atmosphere (NA) storage. Experiments were conducted to determine the quality changes in ‘Cripps Pink’ apple under three sets of storage conditions. The first set of storage conditions consisted of NA storage at 0oC, 2.5oC, 5oC, 10oC, 20oC and 30oC. In the second set of conditions the apples were placed in NA cold storage at 0oC for 61 days, followed by NA storage at the aforementioned six temperatures. The third set of conditions consisted of controlled atmosphere (CA) (2 kPa O2 : 1 kPa CO2) at 0oC storage for 102 days followed by NA storage at the six temperatures mentioned previously. The firmness, stiffness, weight loss, skin colour, ethylene and carbon dioxide production of the apples were monitored at specific time intervals during storage. Firmness was measured using a HortPlus Quick Measure Penetrometer (HortPlus Ltd, Hawke Bat, New Zealand); stiffness was measured using a commercial acoustic firmness sensor-AFS (AWETA, Nootdorp, The Netherlands). Experimental data analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism 4.03, 2005 software package. The Least-Squares method and iterative non-linear regression were used to model and simulate changes in firmness and stiffness in GraphPad Prism 4.03, 2005 and DataFit 8.1, 2005 softwares. The experimental results indicated that the firmness and stiffness of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple stored in NA decreased with increases in temperature and time. Under NA, the softening pattern was tri-phasic for apples stored at 0oC, 2.5oC and 5oC for firmness, and at 0oC and 2.5oC for stiffness. However, there were only two softening phases for apples stored at higher temperatures. NA at 0oC, 2.5oC and 5oC improved skin background colour and extended the storage ability of apples compared to higher temperatures. CA during the first stage of storage better maintained the firmness and stiffness of the apples. However, it reduced subsequent ethylene and carbon dioxide (CO2) production after removal from storage. Steep increases in ethylene and CO2 production coincided with rapid softening in the fruit flesh and yellowing of the skin background colour, under NA conditions. The exponential decay model was the best model for predicting changes in the firmness, stiffness and keeping quality of the apples. The exponential decay model satisfied the biochemical theory of softening in the apple, and had the highest fitness to the experimental data collected over the wide range of temperatures. The softening rate increased exponentially with storage temperature complying with the Arrhenius equation. Therefore a combination of the exponential decay model with the Arrhenius equation was found to best characterise the softening process and to predict changes in the firmness and stiffness of apples stored at different temperatures in NA conditions.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Three field trials were conducted to investigate the effects of mulching on the chemical and biological aspects of the soil as it is reflected by tree performance and fruit quality in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ orchards. In the two trials at Lourensford Estate, where only the soil type differed between sandy silt loam (sandy) and heavy silt loam (heavy), mulches where used as an additive to the soil surface together with a standard, commercial, inorganic fertilization program. Four different mulch types: compost, wood chips, vermi-compost and a geotextile fabric, were compared to a bare surface control in a randomized complete block design. At the heavy silt loam site (site 1), the wood chips treatment was the most effective in regulating diurnal soil temperatures in the top 10 cm of soil (2009/10), whereas all mulches regulated average diurnal soil temperature similarly and more effectively than the control at the sandy silt loam site (site 2). After two seasons of treatment at site 1, the vermi-compost treatment significantly increased soil phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), manganese (Mn), zink (Zn) and boron (B) significantly compared to the control. The wood chips treatment increased Na, K and Ca and compost only increased soil K significantly compared to the control. For site 2, only wood chips (Na and K) and vermi-compost (Na, K and Mg) showed significant increases in soil nutrient elements compared to the control. Yield efficiency was significantly increased by the wood chips (both seasons) and vermicompost (only 2009/10) treatments compared to the control in site 1. In site 2, none of the treatments differed significantly in yield efficiency compared to the control treatment. The number of roots and fine feeder roots were increased (not sign) by the wood chips and geotextile treatments compared to the control. In site 1, all treatments improved the number of roots compared to the control treatment, in contrast with site 2, where the number of roots of the control, compost and vermi-compost treatments was more similar. Fruit quality showed significant differences between the wood chips and vermi-compost treatments compared to the geotextile and control treatments for malic acid, at site 1, at harvest in 2009. This did not differ significantly from the compost treatment. Leaf mineral analysis only showed significant differences at site 2, in 2010, with significantly increased for the following minerals and treatments: Mn (compost and geotextile treatments versus other treatments), Fe (control treatment compared to all treatments except compost), Zn (compost compared to all other treatments) and B (control and compost versus vermicompost, wood chips and geotextile). Fruit mineral analyses showed no differences between treatments at harvest 2009 for either site and 2010, for site 1. At site 2, the Ca percentage of fruit from the wood chips treatment was significantly higher than that of all treatments, except the geotextile treatment. Only in the 2010 analysis at site 2, the mycorrhizal colonization was significantly influenced, where all the mulching treatments showed an increase compared to the control. However, the same trend was observed at site 1. At site 1and 2, the compost, wood chips and vermi-compost treatments in general showed a decreasing trend in percentage plant parasitic and increasing trend in percentage free living nematodes from 2009 to 2010. In general, the geotextile and control treatments showed an increasing trend in the percentage plant parasitic and decrease in percentage free living nematodes. However, this was not the case at 0 – 15 cm soil depth for site 1. In the third trial, at Elgin Experimental Farm (Elgin), bare surface chemical control was compared to mulching in the tree row (mulch) and mulching together with regular application of compost tea (mulch + compost tea). All treatments were combined with different inter row management practices to compose a total of eight different treatments. In the tree row, the control treatment received standard rates of inorganic fertilizer, which was compared to the mulched only treatment. Both the percentage of soil carbon and cation exchange capacity was significantly increased by all the mulch treatments compared to the control. Furthermore, all the mulches increased various soil minerals significantly, however of which only P was significantly increased in both the leaves and fruit. The rate of soil microbial activity and mycorrhizal root colonization was significantly increased by mulching treatments, but resulted in a significantly lower yield efficiency compared to the inorganic control treatment. This can be ascribed partly to the microbial activity of the compost mulch during spring, although it was not quantified per se and to the increase in tree vigour at the end of the trial. The slow rate of N mineralization was reflected indirectly by the significantly lower fruit N for the mulched treatments and the lower rate of microbial activity during spring at this site. With regards to the addition of the compost tea, no significant contributions were evident in terms of tree performance, soil minerals or microbial activity over a period of seven years, compared to the application of mulch only. Compared to the trial at Lourensford Estate, with no significant differences in fruit mineral composition between treatments after two years, fruit mineral analyses of the Elgin trial showed significant differences between treatments after six (2009) and seven (2010) seasons for P for some treatments. Only in 2010 more treatments showed significant differences for N, Mn, Fe and Zn as well. Regarding fruit quality, in agreement with the results at Lourensford Estate, differences were not persistent across all seasons for treatments.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Veldproewe is geloods om die effek van verskillende deklae op grond chemiese en – biologiese aspekte en die effek daarvan op boom prestasie en vrugkwaliteit in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appelboorde te ondersoek. In die eerste twee proewe te Lourensford Landgoed, waar slegs die grondtipe verskil het tussen die sanderige slik leem (ligter) en swaarder slik leem (swaar) gronde, is deklae toegedien saam met ‘n standard bemestingsprogram en mikro-besproeiingstelsel. Vier deklaagtipes: kompos, houtspaanders, vermi-kompos en geotekstiel material, is vergelyk met die onbedekte, skoon bewerkte, kontrole in ‘n total ewekansige blokontwerp. By die swaar grondtipe (perseel 1), was die houtspaanderbehandling die effektiefste om die daaglikse skommelings in grondtemperatuur te reguleer in die boonste 10 cm, teenoor die sanderige perseel (2), waar al die deklae die daaglikse grondtemperatuur meer effektief as die kontrole behandeling gereguleer het. By perseel 1, het die vermi-behandeling ‘n betekenisvolle toename getoon teenoor die kontrole behandeling in grond fosfaat (P), kalium (K), kalsium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), natriuim (Na), mangaan (Mn), sink (Zn) en boor (B). Alhoewel dit nog nie tans gekwantifiseer kan word nie, is ‘n gedeelte van die toename heel moontlik te wyte aan die samestelling van die deklaag. Die houtspaander- en komposbehandelings het ‘n betekenisvolle verskil in toename tot gevolg gehad in grond K en Na in vergelyking met die kontrole. In die geval kan die toename van die komposbehandeling aan die invloed van die sampestelling van die deklaag toegeskryf word, maar nie in die geval van die houtspaanderbehandeling nie. Die geotekstielbehandeling het, soos verwag, nie betekenisvolle verskille ten opsigte van die kontrole getoon nie, aangesien die samestelling van die geotekstielmateriaal nie voedingstowwe tot die grond kan toevoeg nie. By perseel 2, het beide die houtspaander- en geotekstielbehandelings betekenisvolle toenames in grond elemente (K, Mg) getoon teenoor die kontrole behandeling. Die ander elemente het nie noemenswaardige verskille teenoor die kontrole getoon nie. Weer eens kan die toename in die vermi-kompos toegeskryf word aan die samestelling van die deklaag, maar nie in geval van die houtspaanders nie, wat ‘n moontlike rol van ander faktore soos temperatuur en grondvog in die opname en beskikbaarheid van voedingselemente toon. Op 30 cm diepte in perseel 1, het die vermi-kompos behandeling betekenisvolle hoër Na, K, Mg en P getoon as die kontrole. Die houtspaanderbehandeling het betekenisvolle hoër Na, K en Ca getoon as die kontrole. Geen een van die ander behandelings het enige betekenisvolle veranderinge ten opsigte van voedingselemente getoon nie. Vir perseel 2 by die gronddiepte, het die houtspaanderbehandeling betekenisvolle toenames in grond Na en K getoon teenoor die kontrole. Geen van die ander behandelings het enige betekenisvolle veranderinge ten opsigte van voedingselemente getoon nie. By hierdie dieper gronddieptes is ‘n soortgelyke verandering in elemente waargeneem as by die vlakker gronddieptes vir perseel 1, in geval van P en K. Mg en Na het volgehoue verandering vir die vermi-komposbehandeling in die dieper gronddieptes getoon vir die makro-elemente, maar nog nie in geval van mikroelemente nie. In perseel 2 – het toenames in K en Mg in die vermi-komposbehandeling ook voortgeduur en die veranderinge vir beide persele mag toegeskryf word aan die samestelling van die deklae per se. Dit blyk dat die veranderinge in die komposbehandeling nie so konstant voorgekom het in die materiaal wat in die proewe toegedien is nie. Nietemin kan die kompos- en vermi-komposbehandelings ook ander grond faktore beïnvloed en die bydra van die minerale elemente afkomstig uit die samestelling van die deklaag moet eers bereken word alvorens afleidings gemaak word. By beide persele het die komposbehandeling die opbrengseffektiwiteit verminder in vergelyking met die kontrole behandeling. Die opbrengseffektiwiteit is betekenisvol verhoog in die houtspaanderbehandeling (beide seisoene) en vermi-komposbehandeling (net 2009/10) in vergelyking met die kontrole in perseel 1. In perseel 2 het teen behandeling betekenisvol in opbrengseffektiwiteit verskil ten opsigte van die kontrole nie. Die aantal wortels en fyn, voedingswortels het ‘n dramatiese (nie-betekenisvolle) toename getoon by die houtspaander- en geotekstielbehandelings. In perseel 1 het alle behandelings die aantal wortels verhoog ten opsigte van die kontrole in kontras met perseel 2, waar die aantal wortels in die kontrole, kompos- en vermi-komposbehandelings ongeveer dieselfde was. Stamwaterpotensiaal het onveranderd gebly ongeag van die behandeling, wat moontlik beïnvloed is deur die hoë besproeiingskedulering siklus. Geen verskille tussen behandelings of persele is gevind nie. Alhoewel dit net in die tweede seisoen (2010) gemeet is, was daar geen betekenisvolle verskille in gemiddelde loot groei van eenjaarlote tussen die behandelings of persele nie. Vrugkwaliteit het betekenisvolle verskille getoon in appelsuur (malic acid) in die houtspaander- en vermi-komposbehandelings teenooor die geotekstie- en kontrole behandelings in perseel 1, by oes 2009. Laasgenoemde het nie betekenisvol van die kontrol behandeling verskil nie. Hierdie verskille het nie na opberging voortgeduur nie. Geen betekenisvolle verskille in vrugkwaliteit het voorgekom by perseel 2, tydens oes, of na opberging nie. Gedurende oes 2010, asook na opberging, is geen verskille in vrugkwaliteite van enige persele opgemerk nie. Behandelingsverskille in blaar-analises is waargeneem tussen vermi-kompos- en die ander behandelings, met uitsondering van die geotekstielbehandeling in Februarie 2009, perseel 1. Geen ander betekenisvolle verskille vir enige element het voorgekom tussen behandelings in perseel 2 nie. Gedurende 2010 is geen betekenisvolle verskille tussen behandelings ten opsigte van blaar-analises gevind vir perseel 1 nie. Betekenisvolle verskille in blaar- en vrugmineraal-analises was in perseel 2 teenwoordig as volg: Mn (kompos- en geotekstielbehandelings teenoor al die ander behandelings), Fe (kontrolebehandeling teenoor alle ander behandelings behalwe die komposbehandeling), Zn (komposbehandeling teenoor al die ander behandelings) en B (kontrole en komposbehandelings teenoor vermi-, houtspaander- en geotekstielbehandelings (gedurende 2010. Die vrugmineraal-analises het geen verskille getoon tussen behandelings by oes 2009 vir enige perseel, of 2010 vir perseel, 1 nie. By perseel 2 was die Ca persentasie in die vrug in die houtspaanderbehandeling betekenisvol hoër as die van die ander behandelings, uitgesonder die geotekstielbehandeling. By perseel 1, het al die behandelings die persentasie mycorrhiza-kolonisasie verhoog in vergelyking met die kontrole, alhoewel dit nie betekenisvol was nie. By perseel 2 was daar wel ‘n betekenisvolle toename in die persentasie mycorrhiza-kolonisasie by al die deklaagbehandelings in vergelyking met skoonbewerking van die kontrole behandeling. Die persentasie plant-parasitiese nematodes was baie variëerend met gronddiepte by beide persele. Die houtspaander- en vermi-komposbehandelings in perseel 1 het ‘n afwaartse tendens getoon in die persentasie plant-parasitiese en toename in persentasie vry-lewende nematode vanaf 2009 na 2010, in die 0-15 cm diepte. In teenstelling, het die geotekstiel- en komposbehandeling ‘n toenemende tendens getoon in die persentasie plant-parasitiese en klein afname in persentasie vrylewende nematodes vanaf 2009 tot 2010. Geen betekenisvolle verskille in nematode getalle is waargeneem in gronddiepte 15 -30 cm grond in die perseel nie. In perseel 2 is geen betekenisvolle verskille in aantal nematodes gevind gedurende die twee seisoene tussen behandelings of binne persele op 0-15 cm gronddiepte nie. Nietemin het die houtspaander-, kompos- en vermi-komposbehandelings die persentasie plant-parasitiese verlaag en die van die vry-lewende nematode verhoog vanaf 2009 tot 2010, in vergelyking met die kontrole in die 15-30 cm gronddiepte. Slegs die houtspaanderbehandeling het betekenisvolle verskille getoon teenoor die kontrole. Die geotekstiel- het dieselfde tendens as die kontrole behandeling getoon, met ‘n toename in persentasie parasities- en afname in persentasie vry-lewende nematode. Die kontrole en geotekstielbehandelings het nie betekenisvol van mekaar verskil nie. Die aantal erdwurms en meso-fauna was baie laag tydens die eerste twee jaar by beide die persele en data is daarom nie statisties verwerk nie. By die derde proef, is ‘n skoonbewerkte oppervlak, wat chemiese beheer (kontrole) behels het, vergelyk met deklaagbehandelings in die boomry (deklaag) en behandelings waar kompostee saam met die deklaag toegedien was in die boomry (deklaag + kompostee). Al die behandelings is gekombineer met verkillende tussenry behandelings wat ‘n totaal van agt verskillende behandelings behels het. Hierdie verslag konsentreer slegs op die behandelings in die boomry, waar die kontrole behandelings wat ‘n standaard bememestings program ontvang het, vergelyk word met die deklaag behandelings, wat geen alternatiewe bemesting ontvang het nie en as organise alternatiewe beskou word in ‘n ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appelboord. Klem in die verslag is gelê op die hoof effekte van die behandelings op vrugkwaliteit. Beide die persentasie grondkoolstof en die katioonuitruilkapasiteit het ‘n betekenisvolle toename getoon by al die deklaagbehandelings in vergelyking met die kontrole behandeling. Terselfdetyd, het al die deklaagbehandelings ook verskeie grondminerale betekenisvol verhoog, waarvan slegs P betekenisvol in beide die blare en vrugte verhoog is. Die tempo van grondmikrobe aktiwiteit en micorrhiza-kolonisasie van die wortels is betekenisvol verhoog deur die deklaagbehandelings, maar het gerealiseer in ‘n betekenisvolle laer opbrengseffektiwiteit in vergelyking met die anorganiese, kontrole behandeling. Dit kan onder andere toegeskryf word aan die mikrobe aktiwiteit van die komposdeklaag gedurende die lente – alhoewel dit nie per se in die studie gekwantifiseer is nie, sook die toename in vegetatiewe groeikrag aan die einde van die proeftydperk. Dit is wel indirek gereflekteer deur die betekenisvolle, laer vrug N van die deklaagbehandelings en die laer tempo van mikrobe aktiwiteit gedurende die lente by die deklaagbehandelings op die perseel. Wat die toedienning van kompostee betref, het dit geen betekenisvolle bydra gelewer in terme van gewasprestasie, grondminerale of microbe-aktiwiteit oor ‘n tydperk van sewe jaar in vergelyking met die behandelings waar die deklaag geen kompostee ontvang het nie. In vergelyking met die proef by Lourensford Landgoed, met geen betekenisvolle verskille in vrug mineral-analises tussen die behandelings oor ‘n tydperk van twee jaar nie, het die proef te Elgin wel betekenisvolle verskille tussen behandelings na 6 (2009) en 7 (2010) jaar getoon in geval van P, vir sekere behandelings (4,7,8 versus 1,2,6). Slegs in 2010 het meer behandelings betekenisvolle verskille getoon vir N, Mn, Fe en Zn. Rakende vrugkwaliteit - in ooreenstemming met resultate van 2009 vir perseel 1 te Lourensford Landgoed - het beide seisoene betekenisvolle verskille ten opsigte van appelsuur getoon in Elgin. Die verskille het egter nie konstant in al die behandelings voorgekom nie. Stysel afbraak, totaal oplosbare stowwe en fermheid het ook betekenisvolle verskille tussen behandelings getoon in Elgin – maar dit was nie konsekwent oor behandelings of seisoene nie en het ook nie voorgekom in die Lourensford Landgoed persele nie.

Memoria para optar al título profesional de Ingeniera Agrónoma Mención: Agroindustria
Con el objetivo de prolongar la vida útil de manzana mínimamente procesada en fresco (MPF), se realizaron dos estudios en los cuales se aplicaron soluciones antipardeantes y cloruro de calcio en cascos de manzana variedad “Cripps Pink” y se almacenaron bajo atmósfera modificada durante 10 días a 8 ± 1 ºC. En ambos casos, los tratamientos, concentraciones de los compuestos aplicados y tiempos de inmersión fueron los mismos, diferenciándose en la permeabilidad de la bolsa plástica que se utilizó para el envasado. Se utilizó ácido ascórbico (AA; 0,5 %), ácido cítrico (AC; 0,5 %), cisteína (Cys; 0,3 %) y cloruro de calcio (CaCl 2 ; 0,5 %). Se evaluaron variables físicas y químicas y se realizaron análisis microbiológicos y sensoriales. En el caso del Ensayo I, donde se utilizó la bolsa PD 961, al analizar el color, no se observaron diferencias significativas entre las muestras tratadas y el testigo, por lo que la condición de atmósfera alcanzada no fue efectiva en retardar el pardeamiento. En el caso del Ensayo II, donde se utilizó la bolsa PD 900, al realizar los distintos análisis, se observaron diferencias significativas entre las muestras tratadas y el testigo, excepto en los sólidos solubles totales y la acidez titulable. Además, se observó que la condición de atmósfera alcanzada sólo fue efectiva en evitar el desarrollo de bacterias aerobias mesófilas, puesto que los recuentos de bacterias psicrófilas, enterobacterias, hongos y levaduras no registraron diferencias significativas. Tomando en cuenta todas las variables analizadas, se observó que la aplicación de 0,5 % AA + 0,5 % AC + 0,5 % CaCl 2 fue efectiva en prolongar la vida útil de cascos de manzana variedad “Cripps Pink”.
In order to extend the shelf life of fresh cut “Cripps Pink” apple, two assays were carried out in which antibrowning and calcium chloride solutions were applied in apple wedges stored under modified atmosphere for 10 days at 8 ± 1 °C. In both, the chemical treatments were combined with different type of plastic bags. Ascorbic acid (AA; 0,5 %), citric acid (AC; 0,5 %), cysteine (Cys; 0,3 %) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ; 0,5 %) were used. Physical and chemical variables and microbiological and sensory analyzes were performed. In the first experiment, PD 961 bags were used and changes in color were not found probably due to the low oxygen levels reached by the bags. In the second one, differences among treatments were found, except in total soluble solids and titratable acidity when PD 900 bags were used. The reached atmosphere condition in the bags delayed the aerobic mesophilic growth but psychrophilic, enterobacteria, mold and yeasts counts do not show significant differences. According to the results, 0,5 % AA + 0,5 % AC + 0,5 % CaCl 2 was effective in prolonging the shelf life of fresh cut “Cripps Pink” apple.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniera Agrónoma Mención: Agroindustria
Con el objetivo de prolongar la vida útil de manzana mínimamente procesada en fresco (MPF), se realizaron dos estudios en los cuales se aplicaron soluciones antipardeantes y cloruro de calcio en cascos de manzana variedad “Cripps Pink” y se almacenaron bajo atmósfera modificada durante 10 días a 8 ± 1 ºC. En ambos casos, los tratamientos, concentraciones de los compuestos aplicados y tiempos de inmersión fueron los mismos, diferenciándose en la permeabilidad de la bolsa plástica que se utilizó para el envasado. Se utilizó ácido ascórbico (AA; 0,5 %), ácido cítrico (AC; 0,5 %), cisteína (Cys; 0,3 %) y cloruro de calcio (CaCl2; 0,5 %). Se evaluaron variables físicas y químicas y se realizaron análisis microbiológicos y sensoriales. En el caso del Ensayo I, donde se utilizó la bolsa PD 961, al analizar el color, no se observaron diferencias significativas entre las muestras tratadas y el testigo, por lo que la condición de atmósfera alcanzada no fue efectiva en retardar el pardeamiento. En el caso del Ensayo II, donde se utilizó la bolsa PD 900, al realizar los distintos análisis, se observaron diferencias significativas entre las muestras tratadas y el testigo, excepto en los sólidos solubles totales y la acidez titulable. Además, se observó que la condición de atmósfera alcanzada sólo fue efectiva en evitar el desarrollo de bacterias aerobias mesófilas, puesto que los recuentos de bacterias psicrófilas, enterobacterias, hongos y levaduras no registraron diferencias significativas. Tomando en cuenta todas las variables analizadas, se observó que la aplicación de 0,5 % AA + 0,5 % AC + 0,5 % CaCl2 fue efectiva en prolongar la vida útil de cascos de manzana variedad “Cripps Pink”.
In order to extend the shelf life of fresh cut “Cripps Pink” apple, two assays were carried out in which antibrowning and calcium chloride solutions were applied in apple wedges stored under modified atmosphere for 10 days at 8 ± 1 °C. In both, the chemical treatments were combined with different type of plastic bags. Ascorbic acid (AA; 0,5 %), citric acid (AC; 0,5 %), cysteine (Cys; 0,3 %) and calcium chloride (CaCl2; 0,5 %) were used. Physical and chemical variables and microbiological and sensory analyzes were performed. In the first experiment, PD 961 bags were used and changes in color were not found probably due to the low oxygen levels reached by the bags. In the second one, differences among treatments were found, except in total soluble solids and titratable acidity when PD 900 bags were used. The reached atmosphere condition in the bags delayed the aerobic mesophilic growth but psychrophilic, enterobacteria, mold and yeasts counts do not show significant differences. According to the results, 0,5 % AA + 0,5 % AC + 0,5 % CaCl2 was effective in prolonging the shelf life of fresh cut “Cripps Pink” apple.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Limited research is available on the effect of mulches on established orchards. Most of the information available stems from research conducted in newly planted orchards or on annual crops such as green peppers and strawberries under greenhouse conditions. To increase the current knowledge on the effect of mulches in established orchards, two field trials were conducted on 14 year old „Cripps‟ Pink‟ orchards. The one trial concentrated on the influence of mulches on the root environment and the other trial on the effect of mulches on growth, yield and fruit quality. Both trials were conducted at Lourensford Estate near Somerset West, but the sites differed in soil texture between lighter soil (Tukulu) and heavier soil (Clovelly). Four different mulches were used viz. compost, wood chips, vermi-castings (topped with thin layer of woodchips) and a woven geotextile fabric. These four treatments were compared to an un-mulched control, managed according to industry norms. After reducing irrigation volume in the 2010/2011 season, with a further reduction in the 2011/2012 season, more significant differences were obtained in nutrient levels of fruit and leaves compared to the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons of the trial. Leaf and fruit nutrients showed significant differences in both sites, but the differences were more pronounced on the lighter soil. At the heavier soil site, the vermi-castings, woodchips and compost treatments increased fruit phosphorus (P) during 2010/2011 and the control treatment increased fruit boron (B) during 2011/2012. Only leaf magnesium (Mg) was increased by woodchips and vermi-castings in 2011/2012 at this site. In the lighter soil site, the control treatment had the highest fruit B levels in 2010/2011 while the vermi-castings and the woodchips treatments had the highest fruit P levels in 2011/2012. For the same site, vermi-casting and compost treatments improved leaf potassium (K) uptake in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, whereas woodchips and geotextile significantly improved leaf copper (Cu) uptake in 2010/2011 compared to the control. To determine if applied nutrients were trapped in the organic mulches over time, leading to a deficiency in the soil and eventually the tree, a mineral analysis was conducted on the organic mulches at the end of each season. Results of the two seasons indicated that vermi-castings contained higher total nutrient levels than the other two organic mulches, but the difference in nutrient levels were shown not to be directly related to the fertilisers applied during each season. In the case of vermi-castings, nutrient quantities in the original material applied at the beginning of each season were higher than those of the other organic mulches. The higher nutrient levels in organic in comparison to inorganic mulches were however not reflected in the fruit and leaf mineral analysis of these treatments. The overall treatment effect in terms of changes in nutrient levels in the tree became less significant when trees were over irrigated. This became evident as the differences between mulching treatments increased as the irrigation was reduced during the season, indicating the masking effect of irrigation on mulching. Evaluating the effect of mulches on growth, yield and fruit quality showed significant differences only at the heavier soil site. The vermi-casting treatment had significantly higher yield efficiencies than the control for the 2010/2011 season. Compost had the lowest yield efficiency at both sites, also during the previous two seasons that formed part of an earlier study (Kotze 2012). In 2011/2012, the compost treatment also showed significantly higher shoot growth than the control. Compost therefore could increase vegetative growth in established orchards on a heavier soil after application for four seasons. Taking the cost of mulching into account, wood chips are the only treatment that can be recommended without compromising fruit quality. Wood chips will sustain or even improve yield efficiency in an established orchard on especially heavier soil. Future research should study the effect of different amounts of irrigation on the various mulches, as the effect of irrigation was not evaluated in this study.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Beperkte navorsing is beskikbaar oor die effek van deklae op bestaande boorde. Die meeste bestaande inligting is gegrond op proewe wat uitgevoer is op nuut aangeplante boorde of op eenjarige gewasse, soos groenrissies en aarbeie, onder kweekhuis toestande. Om bestaande kennis aan te vul rakende die effek van deklae op vrugproduksie en -kwaliteit in bestaande boorde, is twee veldproewe geloots in 14-jaar-oue „Cripps‟ Pink‟ appelboorde. Die een proef het gekonsentreer op die invloed van deklae op die wortel omgewing en die ander proef, op die effek van deklae op groei, opbrengs en vrugkwaliteit. Beide proewe is uitgevoer op Lourensford Landgoed naby Somerset-Wes en twee verskillende grondtipes is hiervoor gebruik: „n ligte grond (Tukulu) en swaarder grond (Clovelly). Vier verskillende deklaagtipes is gebruik naamlik: kompos, houtspaanders, „vermi-castings‟ (bedek met „n dun lagie houtspaanders) en geweefde geotekstiel materiaal. Hierdie vier behandelings is vergelyk met „n onbedekte kontrole wat volgens industrie norm bestuur is. Nadat die besproeiingsvolume verminder is in 2010/2011 en daarna weer in 2011/2012, het meer betekenisvolle verskille tussen behandelings voorgekom in nutriënt-vlakke van vrugte en blare in vergelyking met die eerste twee jaar van die proef (2008/2009 en 2009/2010). Blaar en vrug nutrient-vlakke het betekenisvolle verskille in beide persele getoon, maar die verskille was meer duidelik in die ligte grondtip. In die swaarder grond perseel het die „vermi-castings‟, houtspaanders- en kompos behandelings die vrug fosfaatvlakke (P) betekenisvol verhoog in 2010/2011. In die kontrole behandeling was vrug boorvlakke (B) betekenisvol hoër as die ander behandelings in 2011/2012. In hierdie perseel is net magnesium-vlakke (Mg) in die blare betekenisvol verhoog deur die houtspaanders- en „vermi-castings‟ behandelings in 2011/2012. In die ligte grond perseel het die kontrole behandeling die hoogste vrug B-vlakke in 2010/2011 gehad en die „vermi-castings‟ en houtspaander-behandelings gesamentlik, die hoogste vrug P-vlakke in 2011/2012. Die „vermi-casting‟ en kompos behandelings het kalium-vlakke (K) opname in die blare in 2010/2011 en 2011/2012 verbeter, terwyl die houtspaanders- en geotekstiel behandelings die koper-vlakke (Cu) in die blare in 2010/2011 verbeter het. Om te bepaal of die toediening van voedingstowwe oor tyd kan lei tot die „vashou‟ daarvan in „n organiese deklaag en dan tekorte van sekere nutriënte in die grond en uiteindelik die boom kan veroorsaak, is „n mineral analise van die organiese deklae uitgevoer aan die einde van beide seisoene. Resultate van die twee seisoene het getoon dat „vermi-castings‟ hoër totale nutrient-vlakke gehad het as die ander organiese deklae, maar die nutrient-vlakke was nie direk verwant aan die toegediende voedingstowwe nie. In die geval van „vermi-castings‟, was nutrient-vlakke van die moedermateriaal, wat toegedien is aan die begin van die seisoen, hoër as die van die ander organiese deklae. Hierdie hoër nutrient-vlakke van die organiese teenoor anorganiese behandelings, is nie gereflekteer in hoër nutrient-vlakke in die vrug- en blaar mineraal analises van die bome nie. Behandelings effekte rakende veranderinge in nutrient-vlakke in die boom, nadat die besproeiing verminder is, het verander in vergelyking met die van die vorige twee seisoene en is „n aanduiding van die verbloemende invloed van besproeiing op die prestasie van deklae. Evaluasie van die effek van deklae op groei, opbrengs en vrugkwaliteit het net betekenisvolle verskille in die swaarder grond perseel getoon. Die „vermi-casting‟-behandeling het „n betekenisvolle hoër opbrengseffektiwiteit as die kontrole getoon in 2010/2011. Kompos het die laagste opbrengseffektiwiteit in beide persele gehad en het resultate van die vorige twee seisoene van Kotze (2012) bevestig. Die betekenisvolle hoër lootgroei van kompos as die ander behandelings het net in 2011/2012 voorgekom. Kompos kan dus groei verhoog in „n gevestigde boord, in „n swaarder grond, indien besproeiing optimaal is. In terme van kostes, word die gebruik van houtspaanders as deklaag voorgestel vir „n gevestigde boord met „n swaar slik leem grond, aangesien daar geen nadelige effek op vrugkwaliteit was met die behandeling nie en die opbrengseffektiwiteit van die bome gehandhaaf en selfs verbeter is. Toekomstige navorsing kan die effek van besproeiing op verskillende deklaag tipes bestudeer, aangesien die bestaande proef dit nie kon aanspreek nie.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An investigation into the effects of different mulches on the root environment, encompassing physical, chemical and biological factors of the soil, on two different soil types was done in the form of a field trial on ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples. Three organic mulches were tested: compost, vermi-castings and woodchips, as well as an inorganic mulch, geotextile fabric, and were compared against clean cultivation. The organic treatments resulted in improved physical conditions (lower bulk densities) in the heavier soil, as well as, a reduction in temperature fluctuations and a general increase in soil temperatures during the seasons, in both sites. The geotextile fabric treatment resulted in increased soil moisture levels in the top 40 cm, predominantly in the heavier soil. The compost treatment resulted in high soil moisture levels in the top 40 cm only in the lighter soil. The vermi-castings treatment achieved superior results in terms of changing the nutrient status of the heavier soil. It resulted in significantly higher pH, P (phosphorus), N (nitrogen), K (potassium), Mg (magnesium), Zn (zinc), Mn (Manganese), B (boron), as well as the cation exchange capacity and some exchangeable cations, such as, Na+ (sodium ions), K+ (potassium ions) and Mg+ (magnesium ions). The compost treatment resulted in significantly higher Ca (calcium) and Ca+ (calcium ions) in the heavier soil compared to the other treatments. The organic mulches, including the woodchips treatment, consistently resulted in higher mineral levels and therefore performed the best in this regard and did so in the heavier soil. In contrast to the heavier soil, none of the treatments were successful in ameliorating the nutrient status of the lighter soil, with the exception however of the increased percentage C as a result of the compost and vermi-castings treatments. The compost treatment realised consistently higher mychorrizael colonization in both sites, however, not always significantly higher than the other treatments. The vermi-castings treatment realised consistently lower plant parasitic nematodes numbers. Higher free-living nematodes were also frequently realised during both seasons and in both sites. The organic mulches therefore proved promising with regard to soil biota. The organic treatments, with the exception of the vermi-castings treatment, resulted in improved root number and distribution in the heavier soil. The vermi-castings treatment resulted in a superior root environment and did not need to enhance its root system in order to achieve good fruit yield and quality. In contrast, the geotextile fabric treatment performed better in this regard in the lighter soil. The geotextile fabric treatment also achieved the lowest weed counts, quantified as winter weeds, in both sites. Yield efficiency, in the heavier soil, and the incidence of sunburn in both sites, were influenced by mulching. In the heavier soil, the woodchips treatment resulted in the highest yield efficiency and the compost treatment consistently resulted in the highest incidence of sunburn. In the lighter soil the control treatment resulted in the highest incidence of sunburn. The vermi-castings treatment consistently resulted in lower incidences of sunburn. Due to the limited quantification of irrigation in this trial, the consequence of irrigation on different mulches was not evaluated and should be considered for future research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Ondersoek na die effek van verskillende deklae op die wortelomgewing, insluitende fisiese, chemiese en biologiese grond faktore, is uitgevoer as ‘n veldproef of twee verskillende grondtipes, op ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appels. Drie organiese deklae is ge-evalueer naamlik: kompos, ‘vermi-castings’ en houtspaanders, asook ‘n anorganiese geotekstiel materiaal deklaag, en vergelyk met ‘n kontrole van skoon bewerking. Die organiese behandelings het verbeterde fisiese kondisies (laer bulkdigtheid) in die swaarder grond, asook ‘n verlaging in temperatuur fluktuasies en algemene verhoging in grondtemperature gedurende die seisoene in beide persele tot gevolg gehad. Die geotekstiel behandeling het verhoogde grondvog-vlakke in die boonste 40 cm in beide persele tot gevolg gehad, alhoewel dit meer prominent in die swaarder grond was. In sanderige grondperseel, het die kompos behandeling hoër grondvog-vlakke in die boonste 40 cm getoon as die ander behandelings. Die ‘vermi-castings’ behandeling het die beste resultate in terme van verbetering van nutrient- vlakke in die swaarder grond behaal. Dit het ‘n betekenisvol hoër pH, P (fosfaat), N (stikstof), K (kalium), Mg (magnesium), Zn (sink), Mn (mangaan), B (boron), katioon uitruilings kapasiteit en sommige uitruilbare katione soos , Na+ (natrium ione), K+ (kalium ione) en Mg+ (magnesium ione) as die ander behandelings in die swaarder gehad. Die kompos behandeling het betekenisvol hoër Ca (kalsium) en Ca+ (kalsium ione) in die swaarder grond getoon. Die organiese behandelings, insluitend die houtspaander behandeling, het dus in die geval, konstant die beste resultate te opsigte van hoër nutriënt vlakke in die swaarder grond getoon. Inteenstelling met die swaarder grond, het geen behandling daarin geslaag om die grondvoedingstatus van die sanderige grond te verbeter nie, met uitsondering die verhoogde persentasie C as ‘n resultaat van die kompos en ‘vermi-castings’ behandelings. Die kompos behandeling het konstant hoër mychorriza-kolonisasie teweeg gebring in beide persele, alhoewel nie altyd betekenisvol hoër as die ander behandelings was nie. Die ‘vermicastings’ behandeling het konstant ‘n laer persentasie plant-parasitiese nematodes getoon. Meer vry-lewende nematodes het ook gereeld oor die totale vier jaar wat die volledige proef gestrek het, op beide persele, voorgekom. Die organiese deklae toon dus belowende resultate in terme van biota. Die organiese behandelings, met uitsondering van die ‘vermi-castings’ behandeling, het verhoogte wortel ontwikkeling en -verspreiding in die swaarder grond tot gevolg gehad, Die ‘vermi-castings’ behandeling het ‘n besondere goeie wortelomgewing geskep en ‘n verbetering in die wortelstelsel om ‘n goeie opbrengs en kwaliteit te behaal, was nie nodig nie. Daarinteen het die geotekstiel behandeling beter resultate in die meer sanderige grond behaal. Die geotekstiel behandeling het ook die laagste onkruidstand in beide persele gehad. Opbrengs, in die swaarder grond, en die voorkoms van sonbrand in beide persele, is beïnvloed deur die dekgewasse. In die swaarder grondperseel het die houtspaanders behandeling die hoogste opbrengs getoon en die kompos behandeling, konstant die hoogste voorkoms van sonbrand. In die ligter, sanderige grondperseel, is die hoogste sonbrand voorkoms gemeet in die kontrole behandeling. Die ‘vermi-castings’ behandeling het die laagste sonbrand voorkoms getoon. Weens die beperkte kwantifisering van die besproeiing in die proef, is die gevolge van besproeiing op verskillende deklae nie ondersoek nie en behoort dit oorweeg te word in toekomstige navorsing.

Poor and erratic fruit colour development in ‘Cripps Pink’ apple causes serious economic losses to the growers and/or exporters of Western Australia and other parts of the world. Many internal and external factors such as genetic, light, temperature, irrigation, application of chemicals and also soil and tree factors affect the biosynthesis of anthocyanins consequently fruit colour. Some of the past approaches followed to improve fruit skin colour resulted in limited outcomes. The aim of my research was to evaluate the effects of water saving strategies and newly developed plant bioregulators in improving fruit colour development without adversely affecting fruit size and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple at harvest, following cold and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. I also investigated the individual polyphenolics profiles, their identification and confirmation in the skin of this apple cultivar. Nine polyphenolic compounds (cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, chlorogenic acid, phloridzin, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-xyloside, quercetin 3-O-arabinoside and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside) in the fruit skin of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple were identified, quantified and re-confirmed using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). Increased concentration of cyanidin 3-O-galactoside in ‘Cripps Pink’ apple skin coincided with the increase in total anthocyanins concentrations.Water saving strategies, regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and withholding irrigation (WHI), have been carried out for two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07, and 2006-07 and 2007-08, respectively) in a commercial apple orchard. The treatment (75% RDI applied for 72 days, commencing on 135 days after full bloom (DAFB) and WHI for 20 to 30 days, commencing on 135 and 145 DAFB) increased red skin colour, concentration of total anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds such as cyanidin 3-O-galactoside and quercetin glycosides. These treatments also improved fruit firmness and soluble solids concentration (SSC) of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple at harvest without adversely affecting postharvest quality in cold and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, and also saved the irrigation water. To the best of my knowledge, this may be the first report on the effects of water-deficit on accumulation of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds in red-skinned apple particularly ‘Cripps Pink’ cultivar and also its impact on postharvest storage performance in CA storage. Soil-plant water relations such as volumetric soil water content, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and stem water potential was pronounced with the application of these water saving strategies applied in the middle of stage II of fruit development of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple. The sparse leaf abscission due to water-deficit has improved light penetration, consequently improved red skin colouration through increased accumulation of anthocyanins particularly cyanidin 3-O-galactoside. This highlighted the importance of water stress and light in regulating colour and biosynthesis of anthocyanins.Newly developed plant growth regulator, Prohexadione-calcium (ProCa) improved fruit colour development of this apple cultivar by manipulating the light interception into the tree canopy and onto the fruit through reduction of vegetative growth. The reduction of shoot length was pronounced with three spray applications of ProCa (500 mg∙L[superscript]-1) on 3, 33 and 63 DAFB or two sprays of ProCa (500 mg∙L[superscript]-1) on 2 and 32 DAFB in combination with summer pruning (SP). The above mentioned treatments increased concentration of anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, and all individual quercetin glycosides (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-xyloside, quercetin 3-O-arabinoside and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside) and also maintained other fruit quality attributes such as fruit firmness and SSC of this apple cultivar.Lysophophatidylethanolamine (LPE) spray, 125 mg∙L[superscript]-1 (at two and four weeks prior to anticipated commercial harvest) or 250 mg∙L[superscript]-1 (at four weeks before harvest) appeared to be promising in improving fruit colour development, accumulation of anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds (cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin glycosides and also individual quercetin glycosides such as quercetin 3-O-xyloside, quercetin 3-O-arabinoside and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside), and other fruit quality attributes of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple. However, the mode of action of LPE in improving red colour in apple skin is possibly associated with enhanced ethylene production.In conclusion, fruit colour development of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple can be improved by applications of water saving techniques in the middle of stage II of fruit development such as 75% RDI for 72 days commencing on 135 DAFB or WHI for 20 (135-155 DAFB) to 30 (145-175 DAFB) days, and also newly developed plant bioregulators such as ProCa (three spray applications of ProCa (500 mg∙L[superscript]-1) on 3, 33 and 63 DAFB or two sprays of ProCa (500 mg∙L[superscript]-1) on 2 and 32 DAFB in combination with SP) or LPE (two spray applications (125 mg∙L[superscript]-1) at two and four weeks prior to anticipated commercial harvest or single spray (250 mg∙L[superscript]-1) at four weeks before harvest) without adversely affecting other fruit quality attributes.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Agrónomo
El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo evaluar el efecto del tipo de troceado (cascos en mitades, mitades y enteras sin piel), y la temperatura de conservación (5 y 8 °C) sobre la tasa respiratoria y vida útil de manzanas (Malus domestica Borkh) mínimamente procesadas en fresco (MPF) de las variedades: Red Delicious (RD) (proveniente de Colchagua) y Cripps Pink (CP) (proveniente de Cachapoal). La fruta entera se almacenó previamente a 0 °C y 90% de HR en aire, durante 4 y 6 meses, respectivamente. La línea de flujo del mínimo proceso de la fruta consistió en una selección visual, pesaje, lavado por inmersión en agua a 5 ºC y escurrimiento por 5 y 3 min, respectivamente. Seguidamente, los frutos se pelaron, cortaron y descorazonaron manualmente para obtener los diferentes tipos de trozos. Luego, se realizó una segunda inmersión en agua a 5 ºC y un escurrimiento por 5 y 3 min, respectivamente. A continuación la fruta MPF se envasó y se almacenó en aire a 5 y 8 °C y 90% de HR, de acuerdo con los tratamientos correspondientes. Para manzana RD MPF, el período de almacenamiento tuvo una duración de 7 días debido al deterioro de su calidad sensorial, mientras que la manzana CP MPF fue de 9 días sin presentar un marcado deterioro de su calidad general. Durante el almacenamiento se realizaron evaluaciones de tasa respiratoria, firmeza, color, pH, acidez titulable, sólidos solubles totales, apariencia, pardeamiento y textura. En general, para cada variedad de manzana MPF el tipo de troceado y la temperatura de conservación a lo largo del almacenamiento tuvieron un efecto significativo sobre la tasa respiratoria, observándose una respiración significativamente mayor en rebanadas en mitades a 8 °C con respecto de los otros tratamientos. Las determinaciones de firmeza, parámetros de color L y Hab, apariencia y textura, en general, presentaron una disminución constante en sus valores. Además, en general, para los distintos tratamientos los valores de pH, AT y SST variaron dentro de rangos estrechos a lo largo del período de evaluación. Al final del almacenamiento, de acuerdo con los resultados de los jueces evaluadores en los análisis sensoriales, manzana RD MPF tuvo una apariencia, pardeamiento y textura con puntajes promedios de 5,9; 9,1 y 5,5, respectivamente, todos bajo el límite de comercialización. Por su parte, manzanas CP MPF al término del ensayo, tuvo una apariencia con un puntaje promedio de 6,7 y una intensidad de pardeamiento con puntaje de 8,2, ambos bajo el límite de comercialización, excepto la textura que obtuvo una calificación de 8,4.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cutting format (half slices, halves and peeled wholes) and storage temperatures (5 and 8 °C) on the respiration rate and shelf-life of minimally processed (MP) apple (Malus domestica Borkh): Red Delicious (RD) (from Colchagua) and Cripps Pink (CP) (from Cachapoal) varieties were used. The whole fruits were stored at 0 °C and 90% RH during 4 and 6 months, respectively. The minimal processing consisted on a visual selection, weighing, washing by immersion in water at 5 ºC and draining for 5 and 3 min, respectively. Subsequently, the fruits were manually peeled, cut and cored to obtain the different cutting formats. After cutting, an immersion in water at 5 ºC for 5 min and draining for 3 min were carried out. Then, the MP apples were packaged and stored in air at 5 and 8 °C and 90% RH, according to the treatments. MP Red Delicious apples had a 7-day storage period due to the deterioration in sensory quality. Whereas MP Cripps Pink apples had an 9-day storage period without a noticeable deterioration in overall quality. Respiratory rate, firmness, color, pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids, appearance, browning and texture were performed throughout the shelf-life of fruit. For each apple variety, both cutting format and storage temperature had a significantly statistical effect on the respiration rate. A significantly greatest respiratory rate from half slices apples at 8 °C in comparison to the other treatments was observed. Firmness, L and Hab color parameters, appearance and texture generally showed a steady decline in their values. Moreover, in generally, for the different treatments, pH, TA and TSS values varied within narrow ranges throughout storage period. At the end of storage, according to the results of sensory judges, MP Red Delicious apples had an appearance, browning and texture with average scores of 5.9; 9.1 and 5.5, respectively, all under the marketing limit. Meanwhile, MP Cripps Pink apples at the end of the experiment had an appearance with an average score of 6.7 and a browning intensity with a score of 8.2, both under the marketing limit, except the texture that received a score of 8.4.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Agrónomo mención Fruticultura
Se investigó el efecto del corte (cascos, cubos y rodajas) y de la temperatura de almacenamiento (5 y 8 ºC) sobre la actividad metabólica en manzanas mínimamente procesadas en fresco (MPF). Para llevar esto a cabo, se realizaron dos ensayos con dos variedades de manzanas (‘Red Delicious’ y ‘Cripps Pink’). Los trozos de manzanas fueron envasados en tarrinas de polietileno con tapa (200 g) y almacenados en cámaras de refrigeración durante 8 días. Se evaluó la tasa respiratoria, luminosidad (L), croma (C*), tono (Hab), firmeza, concentración de sólidos solubles totales (SST), pH, acidez titulable y parámetros sensoriales. En el Ensayo I (Red Delicious), el cortado provocó un aumento significativo en la tasa respiratoria de todos los tratamientos estudiados, este incremento fue más notorio a 8 ºC mostrando tasas superiores a 30 mgCO2kg-1h-1 al día 8; a 5 ºC las tasas respiratorias alcanzaron valores entorno a los 20 mgCO2kg-1h-1, destacando la importancia de la temperatura de conservación sobre la actividad metabólica de los productos MPF. No se observaron diferencias significativas en el avance del pardeamiento de la fruta almacenada, sin embargo el tratamiento cascos a 8 ºC presentó la mayor disminución en los parámetros L (17%) y Hab (14%) respectivamente. La pérdida de firmeza se incrementó con el periodo de almacenamiento, siendo mayor en cascos a 5 y 8 ºC. El mayor grado de corte y la temperatura de almacenamiento a 8 °C provocaron un aumento significativo de la tasa respiratoria. La conservación a bajas temperaturas, en esta experiencia, no fue efectiva en el control de los diferentes problemas causados por el procesamiento. Por lo que se aconseja la utilización de métodos alternativos para complementar la refrigeración, como antipardeantes, sales de calcio, EAM, etc. En el Ensayo II (Cripps Pink), los cubos conservados a 8 ºC obtuvieron tasas respiratorias más altas, registrando 46 mgCO2kg-1h-1 al día 8; y mayor grado de pardeamiento con disminución de los parámetros L (6%) y Hab (4%). La firmeza disminuyó a través del tiempo, sin presentar diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. Cripps Pink mantiene la calidad del producto durante casi todo el ensayo, siendo una opción para el desarrollo de manzanas MPF. No obstante se recomienda el uso de métodos alternativos para complementar la refrigeración, con el fin de extender la vida útil y periodo de comercialización a un tiempo mayor a 8 días.

Introduction: Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of epilepsy in adults. The experimental model of epilepsy induced by pilocarpine (PILO) induces behavioral and pathophysiological changes in rodents very similar to those seen in humans with TLE. However, this model is associated with a high mortality of the animals. Although few studies have shown that intrahippocampal injection of PILO rat is a reliable model of TLE, no study has been conducted so far in mice. The phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (Akt) / mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been associated with several pathologies in the Central Nervous System (CNS). However, the specific role of PI3K in the pathophysiology of epilepsy is poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the involvement of PI3K enzyme on seizures and on the production of neurotrophic factors and inflammatory mediators as well as the expression of microglia and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice subjected to microinjection of intrahippocampal PILO. Methods: Experiments were performed in adult male mice C57Bl/6 (WT) and PI3k-/- (10-12 weeks of age). Guide cannulas were implanted in the left and right hippocampus, using stereotactic surgery and then was awaited 5 days for recovery animals. The status epilepticus (SE) was induced by bilateral intrahippocampal microinjection of PILO (20g per site/200nL) or saline as control animals and WT PI3k-/-. Seizures were analyzed for 90 minutes and classified according to the scale set of Racine (1972). There was also observed changes in memory of WT and PI3k-/- animals, 72h post-SE. 24 hours after induction of SE, hippocampus were removed and prefrontal cortex to determine the neurotrophic factors, BDNF and NGF, as well as of inflammatory mediators, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF- , IFN- and IL-17A. To evaluate the expression of microglial cells (Iba-1) and neurogenesis (doublecortin - DCX), the brains were removed after intracardiac perfusion, 72 h after SE induction. Analyses Statistics were performed using GraphPad Prism 5 and expressed as mean ± SEM (P <0.05). Results: We observed behavioral changes post-SE. Levels of BDNF were significantly increased in the hippocampus of WT and PI3K-/- mice after microinjection of PILO. In the prefrontal cortex, only animals PI3K-/- showed significant increase in BDNF levels. Moreover, levels of NGF in the hippocampus of WT and PI3K-/- animals not were altered by administration of PILO. In the levels of inflammatory mediators, there was an increase in IL-6 levels in the hippocampus of PI3K-/- animals and, in the prefrontal cortex, in both groups; IL- 10 WT in the hippocampus of animals, TNF- in the hippocampus of WT animals, and IFN- in the hippocampus of both groups. Moreover, there were increase in the expression of microglial cells in WT animals, as well as a decrease in the hippocampal neurogenesis in PI3K-/- animals, after the induction of SE. Conclusions: The intrahippocampal microinjection of PILO induced seizures, as well as biochemical changes observed in the model intraperitonaeal injection of PILO, with the advantage of low rates of mortality. Moreover, we observed several changes related to the PI3K pathway.
Introdução: A Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal (ELT) é a forma mais frequente de epilepsia em adultos. O modelo experimental de epilepsia induzida por pilocarpina (PILO) induz mudanças patofisiológicas e comportamentais em roedores muito semelhantes às observadas em seres humanos com ELT. No entanto, este modelo está associado a uma elevada taxa de mortalidade dos animais. Embora poucos estudos demonstraram que a injeção intra-hipocampal de PILO em ratos é um modelo confiável de TLE, nenhum estudo foi realizado até o momento em camundongos. A via fosfatidilinositol-3-quinase (PI3K)/ proteína quinase B (Akt)/ alvo da rapamicina em mamíferos (mTOR) tem sido associada a várias patologias sistema nervoso central. No entanto, o papel específico da PI3K na fisiopatologia da epilepsia é pouco conhecido. Portanto, no presente estudo, foi investigada a participação da enzima PI3K sobre crises convulsivas e sobre a produção de fatores neurotróficos e mediadores inflamatórios, bem como na expressão de células microgliais e de neurogênese hipocampal em camundongos submetidos à microinjecção intra-hipocampal de PILO. Metodologia: Os experimentos foram realizados em camundongos adultos machos C57Bl/6 (WT) e PI3k-/- (10-12 semanas de idade). Cânulas-guia foram implantadas no hipocampo esquerdo e direito, através de cirurgia estereotáxica e, em seguida, foi aguardado 5 dias para a recuperação dos animais. O status epilepticus (SE) foi induzido pela microinjeção intra-hipocampal bilateral de PILO (20 g por sítio/200nL) ou salina como controle nos animais WT e PI3k-/-. As crises convulsivas foram analisadas por 90 minutos e classificadas de acordo com a escala estabelecida de Racine (1972). Além disso, foi verificada alterações na memória dos animais WT e PI3k-/-, 72hs pós-SE. Vinte quatro horas pós-SE, foram removidos hipocampo e córtex pré-frontal para determinação dos fatores neurotróficos, BDNF e NGF, bem como dos mediadores inflamatórios, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-, IFN- e IL-17A. Para a avaliação da expressão de células microgliais (Iba-1) e de neurogênese (doblecortina - DCX), os encéfalos foram removidos pós-perfusão intracardíaca, 72 h pós-SE. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando o programa GraphPad Prism 5 e expressos em média ± EPM (P <0,05). Resultados: Foram observadas alterações comportamentais nos animais pós-SE. Níveis de BDNF foram significativamente aumentados no hipocampo dos animais WT e PI3K-/-. Já em relação ao córtex pré-frontal, somente os animais PI3K-/-apresentaram aumento significativo dos níveis de BDNF. Por outro lado, os níveis de NGF no hipocampo de animais WT e PI3K-/- não foram alterados pela administração de PILO. Com relação aos níveis de mediadores inflamatórios, destaca-se o aumento dos níveis de IL-6 no hipocampo dos animais PI3K-/- e, em ambos os grupos, no córtex pré-frontal; de IL-10 no hipocampo dos animais WT; de TNF- no hipocampo dos animais WT; e de IFN-, no hipocampo de ambos os grupos. Além disso, houve aumento na expressão de células microgliais no hipocampo de animais WT, bem como uma diminuição da neurogênese hipocampal nos animais PI3K-/-, após a indução do SE. Conclusões: A microinjeção intra-hipocampal de PILO induziu crises convulsivas, bem como alterações de parâmetros bioquímicos observados no modelo de injeção intraperitonaeal de PILO, com a vantagem de apresentar baixíssimos índices de mortalidade. Além disso, foi possível observar diversas alterações relacionadas à via da PI3K.

Mosaic, activating mutations in PIK3CA, the gene encoding the catalytic p110α subunit of class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), are the cause of rare, developmental growth disorders collectively known as PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum (PROS). Given the pressing need for targeted therapy and evidence for tissue- and cell lineage-specific distribution of PIK3CA mutations in PROS, developmental models of this disease will be a key asset for preclinical drug testing and for a better understanding of PIK3CA activation in development. This PhD project addressed the lack of human, developmental PROS models by establishing isogenic series of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with endogenously expressed, activating PIK3CA mutations. This involved the optimisation of a CRISPR/Cas9 protocol for efficient knockin of different PIK3CA variants into human iPSCs. An isogenic iPSC series was established with cells expressing either wild-type PIK3CA or PIK3CA-H1047R, knocked into either one or both endogenous alleles. In parallel, mosaic patient- derived fibroblast cultures were reprogrammed to obtain isogenic wild-type and heterozygous iPSCs expressing PIK3CA-E418K. The models were used in comprehensive signalling studies, providing new insights into PI3K signalling in human iPSCs and how it is perturbed by genetic p110α activation. PIK3CA-E418K, a rare variant in both PROS and cancer, caused minimal pathway activation, in contrast to the highly recurrent variant PIK3CA-H1047R which induced strong PI3K signalling in both heterozygous and homozygous iPSCs according to a graded pattern. Studies of clinically relevant PI3K pathway inhibitors provided proof-of-concept that stem cell-based PROS models can be used for preclinical drug testing, and demonstrated that p110α is likely to be the main catalytic isoform mediating canonical PI3K signalling in human iPSCs. Differentiation assays revealed allele dose-dependent effects of PIK3CA-H1047R on stemness, with homozygous iPSCs exhibiting widespread transcriptome remodelling affect- ing genes implicated in cancer and development. Accordingly, these cells showed increased expression of pluripotency genes such as NANOG and NODAL, resulting in self-sustained "stemness" in embryoid body and teratoma assays. In comparison, heterozygous mutants behaved similar to wild-type controls under all differentiation paradigms. Furthermore, evidence was obtained that strong activation of PI3K signalling is fully compatible with definitive endoderm formation, arguing against cell-autonomous differentiation defects as the cause of endoderm sparing in PROS. In summary, these studies demonstrate the utility of human stem cell-based models of PROS for preclinical drug testing and for improved understanding of class IA PI3K signalling in human development. They are also likely to be useful in efforts to obtain a better understanding of PIK3CA-H1047R in human cancer.

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This is a study about how the legal evidence was organized within the criminal sphere, the reason behind it and how this forensic accounting report was added into the Court Case number 470 (AP 470/2007), the "Mensal??o". Structured on both qualitative research and the analysis of the case files (about 63.000 pages until the rulling) through a protocol based on Dempster's Evidence Theory. The data was structured, categorized and classified to allow not only for better identification of the main phases of the "Mensal??o" and of it's documentation, but also to identify characteristics on both technical evidence and forensic accounting report. Throughout the process, 215 pieces of technical evidence were found, of which 30 were mentioned at the rulling by Ministers of the Supreme Court, rapporteur and proofreader. Among these 30 where the 8 main reports made by the Brazillian Federal Police's accounting expert, reggarded as the most solid and complete documents on the AP 470/2007 case. The whole process estabilished the forensic accounting within the criminal sphere, seeing how it transformed financial transgression into something tangible. It estabilished the role of the accounting expert as an asset to solve both criminal and legal questions, as well reinforcing the importance of the forensic accounting as a powerfull tool in the battle against corruption.
Esta pesquisa investigou como foi organizado o conjunto probat??rio no ??mbito criminal, o prop??sito e a forma das provas periciais cont??beis juntadas ?? A????o Penal 470, o Caso Mensal??o. ?? uma pesquisa qualitativa e documental. Foi analisada a ??ntegra dos autos da A????o Penal 470 (cerca de 63.000 p??ginas, at?? a emiss??o do Ac??rd??o), com o uso de um protocolo de an??lise, apoiado na Teoria das Provas. O material foi sistematizado por meio de classifica????o e categoriza????o dos dados, o que permitiu identificar as principais fases do processo e pe??as processuais, as caracter??sticas das mat??rias t??cnico-cient??ficas e dos laudos periciais cont??beis. Foram localizadas 215 provas de natureza t??cnica. Dessas, 30 foram mencionadas no Ac??rd??o pelos Ministros do STF, Relator e Revisor, sendo 8 os Laudos periciais cont??beis estudados, produzidos por peritos cont??beis da Pol??cia Federal, por terem sido as provas cont??beis mais robustas da AP 470/2007. Foi constatada a utilidade da per??cia cont??bil no ??mbito criminal, na medida em que trouxe materialidade a crimes de natureza patrimonial financeira. Constatou-se como atuam os peritos oficiais para colaborar na resolu????o de quest??es legais, em atendimento ??s demandas do conjunto de operadores legais do Mensal??o. Busca-se contribuir para consolidar o entendimento sobre a import??ncia da per??cia cont??bil no combate ?? corrup????o.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Flesh Browning (FB) disorder of ‘Cripps Pink’ apples presents a significant threat to the established market identity of the ‘Cripps Pink’ apple in Australian and export markets. Climatic conditions during fruit growth and development predispose ‘Cripps Pink’ apples to developing the FB disorder during storage. The FB disorder can be classified into two distinct disorders based on their physiological and structural differences and by seasonal climatic conditions. The diffuse type of FB (DFB) is a chilling injury, occurring in districts or seasons accumulating less than 1100 growing degree days (GDD) above 10oC between full bloom and harvest. In these climatic conditions, ‘Cripps Pink’ apples have delayed postharvest ethylene production. Diffuse FB effects fruit cortex tissue and is characterised as cellular collapse. Storing fruit at 3oC can reduce the incidence of DFB. The radial type of FB (RFB) is primarily a senescent disorder, occurring in districts or seasons accumulating greater than 1400 GDD above 10oC between full bloom and harvest. In these climatic conditions, postharvest ethylene production is not delayed. Radial FB affects the cells adjacent to the vascular tissue of the fruit and is characterised by damaged cell walls. Storing fruit at 1oC can reduce the incidence of RFB. Harvest maturity and the level of CO2 in the storage atmosphere are additive influences on the development of RFB. Seasons or districts accumulating more than 1700 GDD have a very low risk for developing RFB. Seasonal climatic conditions can provide a guide for predicting the risk of developing RFB and DFB during storage.

Apples stored onshore in Australia and New Zealand, are maintained at optimal storage conditions with the aid of low temperatures; controlled atmospheres (CA) and new technologies that retard the production or effect of ethylene (AVG and 1-MCP respectively). These technologies allow distribution of the highest quality apples to local and export markets on a year round basis. However, during distribution, maintenance of optimal storage conditions may be lost due to refrigeration system breakdown, operational constraints or management decisions. This thesis quantifies the influence of commercially realistic breaks in optimal storage conditions (temperature and CA) on fruit physiology and quality, both at the time of the break and in subsequent optimal storage conditions. The ‘Cripps Pink’ (‘Pink Lady™’) apple cultivar was chosen for consideration in this thesis because it is a high value cultivar that is of considerable importance to the Australian apple industry. The knowledge of the behaviour of ‘Cripps Pink’ apples in coolstorage conditions (in air and CA) was confirmed through comparison of physiological and quality change behaviour of fruit from three harvests collected in this research and those reported recently by other authors. The investigation of the influence of breaks in temperature control during storage in air at 0°C, revealed that preclimacteric apples exposed to a break in temperature control, were advanced towards the establishment of the climacteric. Postclimacteric apple, responded by doubling ethylene production a short time after return to coolstorage. Harvest maturity, timing of break during coolstorage, length of break of temperature control and multiple breaks in temperature control, had little influence on the increase ethylene production response. Quality factors (firmness, background hue angle, and titratable acidity) were all reduced as a result of exposure to warmer temperatures, but on return to coolstorage temperatures rates of loss in these quality factors were not influenced by the increased ethylene production. Short-term (3-day) breaks in CA while fruit remained at refrigerated temperatures were shown to have no substantial effect on fruit physiology or quality, either during the period of the break in CA or in subsequent CA storage. Breaks in temperature control in combination with breaks in CA were observed to cause a doubling of ethylene production on CA stored apples regardless of being returned to 0°C in air or CA. Those apples that were exposed to a break in temperature control and returned to air storage at refrigerated temperature lost quality (firmness and background hue angle) more rapidly than apples not exposed to breaks in temperature control and transferred to air storage. This result strengthened the knowledge of the influence of ethylene on changes in apple quality, as found for many other apple cultivars. The influence of the decision to transport fruit in CA or air atmosphere shipping containers was initially investigated with a laboratory simulation. Physiology (respiration rate and ethylene production) of air shipped fruit was found not only to be more rapid, but more variable between fruit, than for apples shipped in CA. This more rapid and larger variation of possible fruit physiologies, suggests that in addition to losing quality at a faster rate, the variation in the quality of fruit shipped in air will also enlarge during shipment. This hypothesis was confirmed with data pooled from treatments subjected to 0°C and 3°C, simulating the likely temperature variability within a shipping container. Validation of the influence of shipping atmosphere on delivered fruit quality, was conducted in the commercial environment. This trial found that the length of time to ship fruit from Australia and New Zealand to European markets was not sufficient to induce commercially significant differences between ‘Cripps Pink’ apples shipped in the two atmospheres. Finally, as ethylene production was influenced by fluctuations in temperature control and subsequently affected quality of apples previously stored in CA, an investigative attempt to model ethylene production in temperature variable scenarios was conducted. Published models of ethylene production in apples were adapted to the variable temperature storage scenario and a new model was proposed. Unfortunately, none of the models investigated were able to predict all of the consistent behaviours of ethylene production observed during the experimental work, indicating that more knowledge of the ethylene production pathway is required, before modelling of ethylene production and subsequently apple quality can be conducted successfully.

碩士
南華大學
非營利事業管理研究所
91
Because of increasing of many private banks, farmers’ association encountered a big competition. The internal corruptive and managing problems in farmers’ association appeared, and these problems impeded the operation of farmers’ association. The research tries to explore the crisis about the management of farmers’ association, and the way of the organization transformation. Documents, study case and observations are uses as tools to analyze information. 　 　　The conclusion is as follows: 1 Where the most serious problems took place is in south Taiwan. 2 The system of farmers’ association need to be improved from internal management to external supervision. 3 The credit department of farmers’ association still has serious problems, not be improved at all. 4 The government has much effect on farmers’ association. 5 The Agricultural Financial Protocol has different versions. 6 The revolutionary problems of farmers’ association are not only agricultural and financial, but also political ones. 　 　　Based on the above conclusion, the researcher offers some suggestions: 　 1 The law of farmers’ association should be revised for a professional aim to correct the weakness and avoid political interference. 2 Merge farmers’ associations together which have no good operation. 3 Enforce strategic alliance among farmers’ association. 4 Enhance professional training and service. 5 Make use of resource, and estimate the risk. 6 Reconstruct the position of farmer’s association. 7 Make sure a revolution in transformation.

碩士
東吳大學
政治學系
98
Starting with the controvery over the quarantine policy in Ho-Ping Hospital in Taipei at the height of the SARS crisis, this thesis draws on the theoretical categories developed in Giorgio Agamben's Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life(1998) that is, “exception”,“bare life”and“camp” as well as his Remnants of Auschwitz: the witness and the archiv (1999) and State of Exception(2005). Agamben begins his reflections on politics with the investigation on the relationship between law and life which, he argues, is the interplay of the logic of exclusive inclusion. Agamben relates this idea of exclusive inclusion to his earlier exploration in linguistic philosophy and proceeds with the issues of ethics, speaking subject, and the (im)possibility of witness. Discontent with the fragmentary nature of the existing accounts of the quarantine policy in Ho-Ping Hospital during the SARS crisis in 2003, this thesis is an attempt to employ the above-mentioned theoretical tools to re-engage with the event. It focuses on the sovereign logic of decision, the process of isolation and quarantine, the witness and the investigation after the event. In so doing, it not provides a comprehensive account of the event but exposes the profound logic behind it.

I compared understorey communities under Alnus viridis ssp. crispa (Ait.) Pursh (green alder) and Corylus cornuta Marsh. (beaked hazel) in two boreal jack pine forests. There was no difference in inorganic soil nitrogen, but alder plots had lower species richness at Star Lake and higher evenness in the Sandilands. I incubated chopsticks and litterbags containing natural litter assemblages underneath A. crispa and C. cornuta in the field, and litterbags containing artificial litter mixes in a dark growth chamber. There was no significant difference between treatments for litterbags or chopsticks in the field, nor between mixes with or without alder in the growth chamber.

碩士
國立中山大學
藝術管理研究所
95
People are usually unaware of crises. Good preparation and prevention routinely can reduce the impact and influence of a crisis when it occurs. People are frightened of the hazards from a crisis, but it can also be a turning point for the situation. A good crisis management can effectively avoid crises. Even when a crisis happens, the crisis management can minimize the damage and help an organization to resume its functions which may turn a crisis into an opportunity. Therefore, having a good knowledge of crisis management becomes more and more important in the modern society. This study uses three-stages crisis management theory, pre-crisis stage, in-crisis stage, and post-crisis stage, combining with the characteristics of performing arts in Taiwan to analyze and evaluate the shutdown incident of Ping-Fong Acting Troupe’s “Incredible Country” in 2001. There are three main purposes of this research: (1).To review the theories and practical knowledge about crisis management; (2).To examine the procedures of handling the cancellation of Ping-Fong Acting Troupe’s “Incredible Country” and to evaluate if their crisis management can be used by others. (3).To make some suggestions for the performing arts groups to understand the importance of crisis management. The study also recommends that a performing arts company should not only adapt the crisis management from business world, but also recognize the characters of performing arts. A good crisis management of a performing arts organization is to balance between its financial structure and artistic concern simultaneously.

碩士
美和技術學院
經營管理研究所
98
“The product of insurance investment” is popular and become an important financial product since it began launch in Taiwan. But the subprime mortgage crisis of America in 2007 leads to the catastrophes for investing banks and insurance enterprises. Does it has any different way for people when making financial planning or risk adverse degree and even the investment attitude after this serious financial crisis? On the basis of these research motivations, this study tries to investigate the effects for people with different backgrounds to investment planning, tools and attitude. Then make further investigation to examine whether investors are willing to repurchase investment-linked insurance after global financial crisis. Finally, the conclusions and suggestions can be taken as a reference for relative proprietors. This study adopts the questionnaire to investigate the investors with different variables then use factor analysis to verify the research hypothesis. The results are as follows: 1. About the question: “Choice consideration to investment target on personal financial planning”, the empirical results reveal significant differences for variables and risking planning, it inferred the investors did not take care on this dimension but take a consideration on how to manage and choose investment target after global financial crisis. 2. On the dimension of investment attitude, the question: “keep optimistic for the future stock market” is significant difference but another question: “keep optimistic for mutual fund market” is not significant difference. It inferred that mutual fund is belonged to the long-term investment so that the investors need more time to see the Return on Investment (ROI). Generally, the risk of stock market is higher than mutual fund, but investors are optimistic for the future stock market, it is inferred that investors are keep the optimistic attitude for the future economy. 3. According to the result, the interviewees with high education even with graduate school is optimistic when their consideration choose the investment target, they will choose to invest stock when in a low-interest rate times, they will know the investment combination and satisfied with the ROI, they still have the repurchase willing for investment-linked insurance. Moreover, they feel more important on investment than other education background. It inferred that they are already had some experiences and understand the economy trend on investment market, they think it is great importance on financial planning. 4. According to the result of the repurchase willing for the investment-linked insuranceinvestment insurance, the unmarried interviewees trend to choose and repurchase it. The age above 50 years old will choose it but the investors between 41 to 50 years old have not confidence with investment-linked insuranceinvestment insurance and won’t purchase it. The interviewees that average income are above 60,000 still show have the confidence with investment-linked insurance and will repurchase it after global financial crisis.