Dissertations / Theses: 'Crop load'

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Phelan, Patrick G. "INFLUENCE OF CROP LOAD ON FRUIT COMPOSITION USING PINOT NOIR GRAPES." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2009. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/206.

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ABSTRACT Influence of Crop Load on Fruit Composition Using Pinot Noir Grapes Patrick G. Phelan November 2009 The two seasons for this trial were conducted in 2002 and 2003 at Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria, California. The trial consisted of pinot noir wine grapes clone 2a, grown on 101-14 rootstock. There were eight treatments with a control consisting of 25 vines per treatment, and 50 vines for the control. The primary objective of this research experiment was to conduct different vine balance procedures and compare them to the amount of wine phenolics. The vines were altered with two procedures. First was crop yield; fruit thinning altered the treatments by providing four different crop loads and a control. The treatment levels were signified as one ton, two ton, three ton, four ton, and control. The second procedure was timing of fruit thinning. Four different crop loads were split in half giving rise to eight treatments and a control. With four of the treatments the fruit was dropped post-bloom, and the other four treatments were dropped at seventy five percent veraison. Equal amounts of early and late thinning were combined and made into wine which gave four different crop load wines and a control wine. This process was done in 2002 and repeated in 2003. Additionally, other vine growth parameters were analyzed to determine the role that crop load and timing of thinning had in their development. Seven variables were analyzed from prunings, clusters, juice, and wine samples. They consisted of berry size, cluster weight, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, phenolic profile (consisting of eleven components), and shoot weight. The results indicated that the following were statistically significant: (1) titratable acidity was significantly different between the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons, (2) total soluble solids showed a significant difference between the early fruit thinning versus the late thinning, (3) berry size in 2002 showed a statistically significant effect of drop date on the mean caliper size, (4) in 2002 the berry size also showed a statistically significant interaction between drop level and drop date, (5) berry size in 2003 showed a statistically significant effect of drop level on the mean caliper size, (6) in 2003 there is also a statistically significant effect of drop date on the mean caliper size, (7) again in 2003 there is a statistically significant interaction between drop level and drop date, (8) cluster weights in 2002 showed a statistically significant relationship between drop level and average cluster weight, (9) in 2002 cluster weights also showed an effect of the time of fruit drop on the average cluster weight, (10) cluster weights in 2003 showed a statistically significant relationship between drop level and the average cluster weight, (11) pruning weights in 2002 showed a statistically significant relationship between drop level and average shoot weight, (12) pruning weights in 2003 showed a statistically significant relationship between drop level and average shoot weight and finally, (13) of the eleven phenolic components measured, five differed significantly by year but not across the five treatments. Information derived from this experiment suggests that the site is a high vigour location according to Robinson and Smart’s yield to pruning weight ratio. With this in mind we find that TA and pH were not a significant factor, but soluble solids (brix) ascertained a higher degree of brix with the late drop treatment. We conclude this to be an effect of both the high vigour site and more uniform fruit drop. In 2002 and 2003, we find a significant interaction between drop date and berry size with a late drop producing the smallest berries on average. Cluster weights varied between 2002 and 2003 and the results were inconclusive. Shoot weights along with harvest totals concluded a high vigour site. The one ton level in 2002 had a significantly higher average shoot weight than the three ton level (p<.001), four ton level (p=.006), and no fruit drop control (p<.001). There is also a significant relationship between drop time and average shoot weight in 2002 (p<.001), and 2003 (p=.049) with the late fruit drop being followed by a lower shoot weight. This significant relationship expressed that an early drop increased the shoot weight which contributed only more vigour to an already high vigour site. The ratio of yield to pruning weight for 2002 gave us a range of .39 to 1.78, and in 2003 the range was .32 to 1.36 concluding a high vigour site. The phenolic profile expressed a statistical difference by year, but was most likely caused by a varying fermentation temperature or different climatic conditions in 2002 and 2003.

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Schmidt, Torrance Ray. "Manipulation of crop load with bioregulators to mitigate biennial bearing in apple." Online access for everyone, 2006. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Fall2006/t_schmidt_120706.pdf.

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Raines, Doug. "A crop load study on 'nittany' apple on two size controlling rootstocks." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2000. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=1539.

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Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 52 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-51).

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Davis, David Evan. "Inhibition of Flower Bud Initiation and Development in Apple by Defoliation, Gibberellic Acid and Crop Load Manipulation." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29739.

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Biennial bearing has been investigated longer and more extensively in apple than in any other fruit tree; however, it remains a serious problem in commercial apple production all over the world. Trees that have become biennial flower profusely and carry a heavy crop in the "on" year, and flower sparsely or not at all and carry little or no crop the following year, the "off" year. Fruit in the "on" year tend to be small, poorly colored, and of low quality, while the few fruit in the "off" year are usually too large, become susceptible to physiological disorders, and also are of poor quality. Without intervention, the crops in both the "on" and "off" years are undesirable and uneconomical. The most common method used by commercial apple growers to try to prevent biennial bearing is chemical fruit thinning, which is an "on" year method of removing a part of the crop before it matures on the tree. In general, growers don't do anything in the "off" year to prevent biennial bearing with the exceptions of fertilizing and pruning lightly. In this study, several experiments were conducted with the cultivars "Braeburn", "Golden Delicious", "Ramey York", and "Fuji" in the "off" year to try and suppress FBI and thus prevent a biennial bearing situation in the following year. The first set of experiments studied the effect of whole-tree and partial-tree defoliation on suppressing spur and lateral flowering and fruit set. Flowering and fruit set were suppressed with defoliation in most cases. Defoliation in early July caused the least amount of flowering the following year and in some cases it was zero. As the defoliation timing and severity was delayed, there was less suppression of flowering and fruit set. Ammonium thiosulfate and Endothal increased flowering but decreased fruit set compared to a control. Gramoxone suppressed flowering and fruit set. In another set of experiments, gibberellic acid (GA) treatments were evaluated to suppress FBI in "off" or light crop years. The GA4+7 treatments suppressed return bloom of both spur and lateral flowers more than the GA3 treatments. The effectiveness of GA declined with delayed application. Both GA treatments reduced lateral flowering the most on the basal 1/3 of the shoot. In a four year study, apple trees were thinned to one fruit per flowering cluster every year from 1997 to 2000. Other trees were thinned to zero fruit or two fruit per flowering cluster in alternate years from 1997 to 2000. Trees thinned to one fruit per flowering cluster had moderate flowering and fruit set the following year. Trees thinned to two fruit per flowering cluster had very little to no flowering the following year. Trees thinned to zero fruit per flowering cluster had a "snowball" bloom the following year. Trees that were alternately thinned to two or zero fruit per flowering cluster were in a biennial bearing situation.
Ph. D.

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Ford, Rebecca Jane. "The effect of shading and crop load on flavour and aroma compounds in Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine." Master's thesis, Lincoln University. Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, 2007. http://theses.lincoln.ac.nz/public/adt-NZLIU20080523.100013/.

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The effects of crop load and berry exposure on the composition of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine from the Brancott vineyard, Blenheim, were explored. Commercially grown, 2-cane and 4-cane Sauvignon blanc vines were used with a row orientation of north-south. Two exposure treatments were imposed in the following manner: complete leaf removal was undertaken in the fruit zone and 50% shade cloth was erected to give a uniform shading treatment to half the trial vines. Weekly thirty-berry and whole bunch samples were taken from each of the 32 plots with the exception of the veraison period when two samples per week were taken. Vine vigour was assessed using pruning and leaf area per vine data. Harvest occurred on different dates for 2-cane and 4-cane pruned vines so that fruit attained from both treatments had similar °Brix. Fruit was processed at the Lincoln University winery. Must analysis and wine analysis were undertaken. As expected, 4-cane vines had almost double the yield of 2-cane vines. Higher crop load significantly reduced leaf area per shoot and shoot thickness. Lower leaf area to fruit ratio for 4-cane berries resulted in delayed onset of veraison and slowed the rate of sugar accumulation. Crop load, which limited leaf area to fruit ratio, appeared to be the dominant factor in determining timing of grape physiological ripeness as expressed by °Brix over other factors such as fruit exposure. Malic acid, tartaric acid, IPMP (iso-propylmethoxypyrazine) and IBMP (iso-butyl-methoxypyrazine) were lower at equivalent °Brix in 4-cane compared with 2-cane berries. Significantly higher concentrations of quercetin were found in exposed compared to shaded berries. Must analysis showed a significant influence of crop load on berry titratable acidity and pH, reflecting berry ripening results. Exposure significantly increased the concentrations of nitrogenous compounds in 4-cane must yet showed no influence on 2-cane must. After wine processing lower malic acid concentrations in wines made from 100% exposed fruit became evident in lower wine titratable acidity but showed no influence on wine pH. Bentonite addition to wines had a small but statistically significant influence on wine by reducing pH, titratable acidity and alcohol. Bound sulphur concentrations were significantly higher in 4-cane versus 2-cane wines. At harvest, methoxypyrazine levels in grapes and wines were very low; IBMP concentrations where significantly lower than those normally found in Sauvignon blanc wines from Marlborough. This was attributed to the absence of basal leaves from the shoots of ripening berries. The results suggest that leaf area to fruit ratio is a powerful determinant of grape and wine quality.

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Ford, R. J. "The effect of shading and crop load on flavour and aroma compounds in Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine." Lincoln University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/498.

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The effects of crop load and berry exposure on the composition of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine from the Brancott vineyard, Blenheim, were explored. Commercially grown, 2-cane and 4-cane Sauvignon blanc vines were used with a row orientation of north-south. Two exposure treatments were imposed in the following manner: complete leaf removal was undertaken in the fruit zone and 50% shade cloth was erected to give a uniform shading treatment to half the trial vines. Weekly thirty-berry and whole bunch samples were taken from each of the 32 plots with the exception of the veraison period when two samples per week were taken. Vine vigour was assessed using pruning and leaf area per vine data. Harvest occurred on different dates for 2-cane and 4-cane pruned vines so that fruit attained from both treatments had similar °Brix. Fruit was processed at the Lincoln University winery. Must analysis and wine analysis were undertaken. As expected, 4-cane vines had almost double the yield of 2-cane vines. Higher crop load significantly reduced leaf area per shoot and shoot thickness. Lower leaf area to fruit ratio for 4-cane berries resulted in delayed onset of veraison and slowed the rate of sugar accumulation. Crop load, which limited leaf area to fruit ratio, appeared to be the dominant factor in determining timing of grape physiological ripeness as expressed by °Brix over other factors such as fruit exposure. Malic acid, tartaric acid, IPMP (iso-propylmethoxypyrazine) and IBMP (iso-butyl-methoxypyrazine) were lower at equivalent °Brix in 4-cane compared with 2-cane berries. Significantly higher concentrations of quercetin were found in exposed compared to shaded berries. Must analysis showed a significant influence of crop load on berry titratable acidity and pH, reflecting berry ripening results. Exposure significantly increased the concentrations of nitrogenous compounds in 4-cane must yet showed no influence on 2-cane must. After wine processing lower malic acid concentrations in wines made from 100% exposed fruit became evident in lower wine titratable acidity but showed no influence on wine pH. Bentonite addition to wines had a small but statistically significant influence on wine by reducing pH, titratable acidity and alcohol. Bound sulphur concentrations were significantly higher in 4-cane versus 2-cane wines. At harvest, methoxypyrazine levels in grapes and wines were very low; IBMP concentrations where significantly lower than those normally found in Sauvignon blanc wines from Marlborough. This was attributed to the absence of basal leaves from the shoots of ripening berries. The results suggest that leaf area to fruit ratio is a powerful determinant of grape and wine quality.

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Fernandes, Carla Maria Correia. "Monda em macieira Fuji. Comparação entre novas substâncias quimicas e a monda manual." Master's thesis, ISA/UTL, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/5362.

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Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Hortofruticultura e Viticultura - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
The chemical agents, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS) (1%), 6-benzyladenine (BA) (100 ppm) and metamitron (100, 175, and 350 ppm) were evaluated as thinning agents on 3 years old „Fuji‟ grafted on to M9 apples trees. The products were used alone, at single or double application or in combination. There were no differences between treatments regarding yield, mean fruit weight and number of commercial fruits (70 – 85 mm) but there were differences concerning the greater and smaller fruit size classes. The fruit set was reduced by metramitron, but when considering different crop loads its action was independent of the crop load for the 175 and 350 ppm concentrations, however, an over thinning effect was observed at 350 ppm in trees with low crop load. Probably, unfavourable weather conditions during the application period of ATS+BA has jeopardized its effectiveness. Hand thinning, leaving one fruit per cluster spaced of 15 cm, was the best option, but is often impossible because of labor costs and the limited supply of available labor

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Zibordi, Marco <1978&gt. "Crop load control in apple via shading: exploring the potential of carbon unbalances to manage fruit growth and tree performance." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2010. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/2866/.

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Kamfer, De Witt. "The effect of maturity and crop load on the browning and concentration of phenolic compounds of Thompson Seedless and Regal Seedless." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95886.

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Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thompson Seedless and Regal Seedless are two white seedless table grape cultivars widely produced in South Africa. Both cultivars are susceptible to berry browning, especially Regal Seedless. Browning leads to annual financial losses for table grape growers. Although a correlation between harvest maturity and the occurrence of browning seems to exist, it is still unclear whether maturity levels are the actual contributing factor. The aim of the study was to establish if harvest maturity and crop load could influence the occurrence of browning of both cultivars. The impact of harvest maturity and crop load on phenolic compound concentration in the berry skin of both cultivars was also investigated. Total external browning of Regal Seedless and Thompson Seedless occurred in much higher percentages than internal browning. Regal Seedless showed a tendency to decreased total external browning with harvest maturity. The main reason for this is that net-like browning, which is the greatest contributor to total external browning, decreased with harvest maturity, in all three seasons. External browning of Thompson Seedless increased with harvest maturity in both seasons. Contact browning was the greatest contributor to total external browning of Thompson Seedless. Crop load did not significantly influence berry browning of Regal Seedless or Thompson Seedless grapes. The flavan-3-ol concentration (catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2) in Regal Seedless generally increased with harvest maturity, whereas in Thompson Seedless the general tendency was a decrease in the flavan-3-ol concentration with harvest maturity. The development of phenolic compound concentration with maturity could not be correlated with the occurrence of berry browning. Crop load did not affect flavan-3-ol concentration. When the flavan-3-ol concentration of Regal Seedless and Thompson Seedless were compared at different harvest maturities the concentrations of flavan-3-ols were clearly much higher in the skin of Regal Seedless than in the skin of Thompson Seedless (for both the 2008 & 2009 seasons). Comparison of the browning incidence with harvest maturity for these two cultivars (see above) clearly reveals that external browning of Regal Seedless occurred in much higher percentages than on Thompson Seedless. Regal Seedless had much higher levels of external browning than Thompson Seedless. The concentration of flavan-3-ols in the skin of white seedless cultivars may be an indication of the cultivar’s susceptibility to external browning.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Thompson Seedless en Regal Seedless is twee wit pitlose tafeldruif kultivars wat ekstensief in Suid-Afrika verbou word. Verbruining kan ‘n probleem wees by beide kultivars, spesifiek Regal Seedless. Die faktore wat aanleiding gee tot verbruining is nog nie duidelik bepaal nie. Alhoewel dit lyk of daar ‘n korrelasie tussen rypheidsgraad van die oes en verbruining kan wees is dit steeds onduidelik of oesrypheidsvlakke die werklike oorsaak van verbruining is. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of die rypheidsgraad van die oes en oeslading verbruining van beide kultivars kan beïnvloed. Die effek van oes rypheidsgraad en oeslading op konsentrasie van fenoliese verbindings in die korrelskil van beide kultivars is ook ondersoek. Totale eksterne verbruining van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless het in baie hoër persentasies voorgekom as interne verbruining. Daar was ‘n tendens by Regal Seedless dat totale eksterne verbruining verminder het soos die oes ryper geraak het as gevolg van netagtige verbruining, wat die grootste bydrae tot totale eksterne verbruining veroorsaak het. Netagtige verbruining se voorkoms het verminder oor al drie seisoene. Eksterne verbruining van Thompson Seedless het toegeneem met oes rypheid in beide seisoene. Kontak verbruining het grootste byrdae gelewer tot totale eksterne verbruining van Thompson Seedless. Oeslading het nie ‘n betekenisvolle invloed op verbruining van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless gehad nie. Die flavan-3-ol (katesjien, epikatesjien, prosianidien B1 en prosianidien B2) konsentrasie van Regal Seedless het met oes rypheid toegeneem. By Thompson Seedless was daar ‘n afname in die flavan-3-ol konsentrasie met oes rypheid. Daar was geen korrrelasie tussen die konsentrasie van fenoliese verbinding en die voorkoms van verbruining vir beide kultivars. Oeslading het nie ‘n betekenisvolle effek op die konsentrasie van fenoliese verbindings gehad nie. Vergelyking van die flavan-3-ol konsentrasie van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless by verskillende rypheidsgrade wys dat die konsentrasie baie hoër in die korrel skil van Regal Seedless as in die van Thompson Seedless (vir beide 2008 & 2009 seisoene). Die vergelyking van die voorkoms van verbruining met oesrypheid van beide kultivars wys duidelik dat eksterne verbruining van Regal Seedless in baie hoër persentasies voorkom as in Thompson Seedless. Flavan-3-ol konsentrasie in die skil van wit pitlose kultivars kan ‘n aanduiding wees van die kultivar se moontlike risiko vir die voorkoms van eksterne verbruining.

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Chalfant, Patricia. "Responses of Grapevines to Timing and Method of Leaf Removal." The Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1337628161.

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DeLong, Candace Nicole. "Pollen Tube Growth Characteristics of Selected Crabapple Cultivars and Managing Apple (Malus x domestica) Crop Load and Early Season Diseases with Organic Bloom Thinning Chemicals." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/64852.

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Reducing apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) crop load during bloom is a reliable option for increasing fruit quality and return bloom. In this thesis, multiple approaches to improving bloom thinning practices are discussed. The first project analyzed the pollen tube growth of several crabapple cultivars. Previous research had improved the use of bloom thinning chemicals, by coordinating the application timing with the pollen tube growth between pollination and fertilization. However, pollen tube growth rates have only been measured in a few genotypes. In Chapter 2, the pollen tube growth rates of five crabapple cultivars were measured in the styles of 'Fuji', 'Golden Delicious', and 'Pink Lady' flowers, at four temperatures 12, 18, 24 and 30 C. Complex relationships were found among paternal pollen tube growth, maternal cultivar, and temperature. Chapters 3 and 4 describe projects where organically-approved chemicals, including the biofungicide, Regalia, were evaluated for their ability to simultaneously reduce crop load and decrease early season disease infection. These chemicals were applied in conventionally managed orchards (Chapter 3), and in an organically-managed 'Honeycrisp' orchard (Chapter 4). The number of chemicals approved for bloom thinning is limited, especially in the Eastern U.S. where lime sulfur and oil applications are not permitted during bloom. These studies indicate Regalia, applied during bloom, can reduce crop load and provide early season disease control. The research presented in this thesis provides new knowledge that can be incorporated into crop load management practices in both conventional and organic apple orchards.
Master of Science

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Khanizadeh, Shahrokh. "Effects of crop load on seasonal variation in protein, amino acid, and carbohydrate composition, and spring frost hardiness of apple flower buds (Malus pumila Mill. cv. McIntoshM7)." Thesis, McGill University, 1989. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=74065.

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Makeredza, Brian. "Studies towards understanding sunburn in apples." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/17908.

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Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research was carried out to increase the current knowledge on sunburn development and its control in apples. In addition to its chief causes, viz. high irradiance and high temperatures, water stress has long been thought to contribute to sunburn susceptibility. Certain fruit chemical and textural characteristics have also been suspected to increase sunburn, while it is not clear how factors such as crop load affect sunburn in relation to other fruit quality parameters. In red and blushed cultivars, sunburn could be underestimated due to masking by the red colour overlay. Half and total irrigation water were withheld for two weeks in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples while in a concomitant trial, mulching with vermicompost (plus a thin layer of woodchips), woodchips, plant compost and black geotextile were used to regulate plant water by reducing soil evaporative loss. Sunburn increased with an increase in moisture stress. Mulching had no effect on plant water status, but it generally enhanced plant photochemistry, reducing fruit surface temperature (FST) and sunburn. Chemical and textural characteristics of exposed, but non-burned ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples were compared with that of fruit with induced and naturally occurring sunburn. Flesh firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA) of induced and naturally occurring sunburnt fruit did not differ from each other, but were significantly different from the non-burnt fruit. Based on this, we concluded that sunburn induces textural and compositional changes in sunburnt fruit rather than some fruit being predisposed to develop sunburn due to their texture and chemical composition. Differences in heat stress tolerance, flesh texture and chemical composition of sun exposed and shaded fruit sides seem to relate to their light exposure history. The effect of crop load on sunburn and fruit quality were assessed on a fruit cluster level in 2008-09 and on a whole tree basis in 2009-10 in ‘Cripps’ Pink’. In 2008-09, sunburn, red colour and the proportion of first grade fruit decreased with an increase in number of fruit per cluster. Crop load did not have an effect on sunburn and fruit colour in 2009-10 although the lowest thinning severity seemed to increase sunburn severity while the proportion of first grade fruit was highest for the highest thinning severity. Fruit number per cluster had no effect on fruit size, while at the whole tree level, fruit size decreased with increasing crop load. Flesh firmness, starch breakdown, TA and TSS were neither affected by the number of fruit per cluster nor the crop load of the tree as a whole. Green ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, blushed ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Cripps’ Pink’, and full red ‘Topred’ were used to assess how red colour (anthocyanins) masks superficial sunburn browning and bleaching. The greater reduction in superficial sunburn, but not in sunburn necrosis in red and blushed compared to green cultivars with increasing red colour a month towards harvest seemed to confirm the effect of masking.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing is verrig ter uitbreiding van die huidige kennis oor die ontwikkeling en beheer van sonbrand in appels. Addisioneel tot die hoof oorsake van sonbrand, naamlik hoë irradiasie en hoë temperatuur, word waterstres gesien as bydraend tot sonbrandsensitiwiteit. Daar word ook vermoed dat sekere chemiese en teksturele eienskappe van die vrug sonbrand kan verhoog terwyl daar nie duidelikheid is oor hoe faktore soos oeslading sonbrand relatief tot ander vrugkwaliteitparameters kan affekteer nie. Die omvang van sonbrand in rooi en bloskultivars kan dalk onderskat word vanweë maskering deur die oorliggende rooi pigmentasie. Besproeiing is vir twee weke gehalveer of gestop in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appels. Sonbrand het toegeneem met ‘n toename in vogstres. ‘n Deklaag van vermikompos (plus ‘n dun laag houtstukkies), houtstukkies, plantkompos en ‘n swart geotekstiel is toegedien om die plant waterstatus te reguleer deur evaporasie vanuit die grond te beperk. Die deklae het geen effek op die plant waterstatus gehad nie, maar het wel die blaar fotochemie bevorder en terselftertyd die vrugoppervlaktemperatuur verlaag en sonbrand verminder. Die chemiese en tekturele eienskappe van sonligblootgestelde ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appels sonder sonbrand is vergelyk met vrugte met geïnduseerde sonbrand en vrugte met sonbrand wat natuurlik ontwikkel het. Vrugvleisfermheid, totale oplosbare vastestowwe (TOV) en titreerbare suur (TS) van vrugte met natuurlik en geïnduseerde sonbrand het nie onderling verskil nie, maar het wel betekesnisvol verskil van vrugte sonder sonbrand. Ons het gevolglik afgelei dat sonbrand teksturele en komposisionele veranderinge teweeg bring eerder as dat sekere vrugte gepredisponeer word om sonbrand te ontwikkel vanweë hul tekstuur en chemiese samestelling. Dit kom voor dat verskille in hittestres toleransie, tekstuur en chemiese samestelling tussen die sonligblootgestelde en skadu kante van appels verband hou met hul verskil in sonligblootstelling. Die effek van oeslading op sonbrand en vrugkwaliteit in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ is ge-evalueer op trosvlak in 2008-09 en op ‘n per boom basis in 2009-10. Sonbrand, rooi kleur en die proporsie eersteklas vrugte het afgeneem met ‘n toename in die aantal vrugte per tros. Op ‘n per boom basis is rooi kleur en sonbrand egter nie deur oeslading geaffekteer nie. Die laagste vlak van vruguitdunning het wel oënskynlik die graad van sonbrand verhoog terwyl die hoogste vlak van vruguitdunning tot ‘n toename in die proporsie eersteklas vrugte gelei het. Die aantal vrugte per tros het geen effek op vruggrootte gehad nie terwyl vruggrootte afgeneem het met oeslading op ‘n heelboombasis. Vrugvleisfermheid, styselafbraak, TOV en TS is nie deur aantal vrugte per tros of die oeslading per boom geaffekteer nie. Groen ‘Granny Smith’ en ‘Golden Delicious’, rooiblos ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Braeburn’ en ‘Cripps’ Pink’, en volrooi ‘Topred’ is gebruik om die maskering van oppervlakkige sonbrandverbruining en –verbleiking deur rooi antosianien te bestudeer. Oppervlakkige sonbrand het minder toegeneem in die maand voor oes in die rooi- en bloskultivars as in die groen kultivars terwyl vrugkleur skynbaar nie die aanwesigheid van die meer sigbare sonbrandnekrose geaffekteer het nie. Maskering speel dus ‘n rol in die aanwesigheid van sigbare sonbrand.

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Santos, Alessandro José Marques [UNESP]. "Avaliação de discos de corte de semeadora-adubadora em diferentes quantidades de cobertura vegetal." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/90442.

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A qualidade e eficiência no corte da palha realizado pelos mecanismos de corte das semeadoras-adubadoras são elementos determinantes no processo de semeadura, em função da ocorrência de “embuchamentos” e de paradas, no afastamento da palhada ou mesmo no conhecido efeito do “envelopamento” da semente que ocasiona a deposição sobre a palha enterrada pelo mecanismo. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de diferentes mecanismos de corte de palha de uma semeadora-adubadora de maneira individualizada em diferentes quantidades de cobertura vegetal adicionadas artificialmente em um solo de textura argilosa. Para a realização do trabalho foi utilizado um dinamômetro (anel ortogonal), projetado, construído e calibrado numa célula de carga padrão. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental Lageado, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas – Unesp de Botucatu. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições, sendo as parcelas principais constituídas de cinco quantidades de palhada de aveia preta, adicionadas artificialmente ao solo em área conduzida em plantio direto e as subparcelas de três mecanismos de abertura de sulco, sendo estes: disco liso (DL), disco corrugado (DC) e disco ondulado (DO). O disco ondulado proporcionou maior resistência ao rolamento, reduzindo a velocidade do conjunto (trator e equipamento). A mobilização do solo avaliada nos diferentes tratamentos principais (quantidade de palhada) e secundários (configuração de discos) apresentou diferenças de volume de solo mobilizado, as maiores quantidades de palhada proporcionaram maior taxa de cobertura do solo e consequentemente menor evaporação de água aumentando a área mobilizada. Os discos estriados e ondulados apresentam comportamento semelhante em relação às forças laterais, horizontal, momento...
The quality and efficiency in straw cutting are determinants in the sowing process, according to the occurrence of tamp and stops, the magnitude of the straw removal or even the known effects of the seed envelopment where the cutting mechanism can not cut the remaining straw. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of different mechanisms for straw cutting of a seeder individualized in different amounts of crop coverage artificially added in a clay soil. It was used a dynamometer (orthogonal ring), designed, built and calibrated in a standard load cell to carry out the work . The experiment was conducted at Unesp – Sao Paulo State University in the Experimental Farm Lageado, belonging to the College of Agricultural Sciences - Unesp, Botucatu. The experimental design was split plot with four replications, with main plots consisting of five quantities of black oat straw, artificially added to the soil in area with no-tillage system and subplots of three opening furrows mechanisms, which are: plane disk (PD), corrugated disk (CD) and wavy disk (WD). The wavy disk provided greater rolling resistance, reducing the speed of the set (tractor and equipment). The evaluation of the soil in the different main treatments (amount of straw) and secondary treatments (setting disks), showed differences in the volume. The largest quantities of straw provided higher rate of soil cover and consequently less water evaporation by increasing the mobilized area. The striated and wavy disks showed similar behavior with respect to lateral and, horizontal forces and longitudinal time and horizontal force in function of the mobilized area. In the settings of the studied disks, it was found that the plane disk needed less load to greater penetrate into the soil, due to the values found in the vertical force in the component of reaction, demonstrating higher efficiency... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

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15

Hill, Brycen Thomas. "Root restriction, under-trellis cover cropping, and rootstock modify vine size and berry composition of Cabernet Sauvignon." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/75223.

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Vineyards in the Mid-Atlantic often have large, vigorous vines that can be costly to manage and produce inadequate fruit for wine production. Dense canopies increase the incidence of fungal disease, require greater allocation of resources to manage, and inhibit fruit development. The primary objective of these studies was to determine effective vine-size modification treatments that would optimize fruit quality, while reducing labor and chemical control. Research factors included root manipulation, under-trellis ground cover, and rootstock. Treatment levels were root bag (RBG) or no root manipulation (NRM); under-trellis cover crop (CC) or herbicide strip (HERB); and one of three rootstocks: 101-14, Riparia Gloire, or 420-A. Effects of these treatments were measured in two experiments: Experiment I compared combinations of all three treatments, while Experiment II explored the individual effects of root restriction using root bags of varying volumes. Root restriction consistently demonstrated the ability to reduce vegetative growth and vine water status. In the first experiment fruit-zone photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was increased by 234% in RBG vines. Timed canopy management tasks indicated that RBG canopies required about half the labor time of NRM canopies. Anthocyanin concentration and total phenolic content were increased by 20% and 19% respectively in RBG fruit. CC increased fruit-zone PPFD by 62%, and increased soluble solids and color compounds. The 420-A rootstock reduced potassium uptake, resulting in lower must potassium concentration. Results demonstrated that these treatments significantly reduce vegetative growth in a humid climate, decrease management labor, and produce higher quality fruit.
Master of Science

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16

Santos, Alessandro José Marques 1976. "Avaliação de discos de corte de semeadora-adubadora em diferentes quantidades de cobertura vegetal /." Botucatu : [s.n.], 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/90442.

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Orientador: Carlos Antonio Gamero
Banca: Saulo Philipe Sebastião Guerra
Banca: Antonio Gabriel Filho
Resumo: A qualidade e eficiência no corte da palha realizado pelos mecanismos de corte das semeadoras-adubadoras são elementos determinantes no processo de semeadura, em função da ocorrência de "embuchamentos" e de paradas, no afastamento da palhada ou mesmo no conhecido efeito do "envelopamento" da semente que ocasiona a deposição sobre a palha enterrada pelo mecanismo. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de diferentes mecanismos de corte de palha de uma semeadora-adubadora de maneira individualizada em diferentes quantidades de cobertura vegetal adicionadas artificialmente em um solo de textura argilosa. Para a realização do trabalho foi utilizado um dinamômetro (anel ortogonal), projetado, construído e calibrado numa célula de carga padrão. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental Lageado, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas - Unesp de Botucatu. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições, sendo as parcelas principais constituídas de cinco quantidades de palhada de aveia preta, adicionadas artificialmente ao solo em área conduzida em plantio direto e as subparcelas de três mecanismos de abertura de sulco, sendo estes: disco liso (DL), disco corrugado (DC) e disco ondulado (DO). O disco ondulado proporcionou maior resistência ao rolamento, reduzindo a velocidade do conjunto (trator e equipamento). A mobilização do solo avaliada nos diferentes tratamentos principais (quantidade de palhada) e secundários (configuração de discos) apresentou diferenças de volume de solo mobilizado, as maiores quantidades de palhada proporcionaram maior taxa de cobertura do solo e consequentemente menor evaporação de água aumentando a área mobilizada. Os discos estriados e ondulados apresentam comportamento semelhante em relação às forças laterais, horizontal, momento... (resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The quality and efficiency in straw cutting are determinants in the sowing process, according to the occurrence of "tamp" and stops, the magnitude of the straw removal or even the known effects of the seed "envelopment" where the cutting mechanism can not cut the remaining straw. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of different mechanisms for straw cutting of a seeder individualized in different amounts of crop coverage artificially added in a clay soil. It was used a dynamometer (orthogonal ring), designed, built and calibrated in a standard load cell to carry out the work . The experiment was conducted at Unesp - Sao Paulo State University in the Experimental Farm Lageado, belonging to the College of Agricultural Sciences - Unesp, Botucatu. The experimental design was split plot with four replications, with main plots consisting of five quantities of black oat straw, artificially added to the soil in area with no-tillage system and subplots of three opening furrows mechanisms, which are: plane disk (PD), corrugated disk (CD) and wavy disk (WD). The wavy disk provided greater rolling resistance, reducing the speed of the set (tractor and equipment). The evaluation of the soil in the different main treatments (amount of straw) and secondary treatments (setting disks), showed differences in the volume. The largest quantities of straw provided higher rate of soil cover and consequently less water evaporation by increasing the mobilized area. The striated and wavy disks showed similar behavior with respect to lateral and, horizontal forces and longitudinal time and horizontal force in function of the mobilized area. In the settings of the studied disks, it was found that the plane disk needed less load to greater penetrate into the soil, due to the values found in the vertical force in the component of reaction, demonstrating higher efficiency... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

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17

Hickey, Cain Charles. "Vines of different capacity and water status alter the sensory perception of Cabernet Sauvignon wines." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42667.

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Reducing disease and increasing fruit quality in vigorous vineyards with dense canopies is demanding of time and resources; unfortunately, vineyards of this nature are common in humid environments. This study investigated the effectiveness with which vine capacity and water status could be regulated as well as if they related to fruit quality and wine sensory perception. The treatments regulating vine size and water status were under-trellis groundcover, root manipulation, rootstocks, and irrigation. Treatments were arranged in a strip-split-split plot design before the introduction of the irrigation treatment resulted in incomplete replication in each block. Treatment levels were under-trellis cover crop (CC) compared to under-trellis herbicide (Herb); root restriction bags (RBG) compared to no root manipulation (NRM); three compared rootstocks (101-14, 420-A, riparia Gloire); low water stress (LOW) compared to high water stress (HIGH). Vines grown with RBG and CC regulated vegetative growth more so than conventional treatments, resulting in 56% and 23% greater cluster exposure flux availability (CEFA). High water stress (HIGH) and RBG reduced stem water potential and discriminated less against 13C. Vines grown with RBG and CC consistently reduced harvest berry weight by 17 and 6% compared to conventional treatments. Estimated phenolics were consistently increased by RBG and were correlated with berry weight, vine capacity and CEFA. Sensory attributes were significantly distinguishable between wines produced from vines that differed in both vine capacity and water status, amongst other responses. Treatments have been identified that can alter the sensory perception of wines, with the potential to improve wine quality.
Master of Science

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18

Yamoah, Emmanuel. "A model system using insects to vector Fusarium tumidum for biological control of gorse (Ulex europaeus)." Phd thesis, Lincoln University. Bio-Protection and Ecology Division, 2007. http://theses.lincoln.ac.nz/public/adt-NZLIU20080131.114607/.

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The overall objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that insects can vector F. tumidum conidia to infect gorse plants with the aim of developing an alternative approach to mycoherbicide delivery to control weeds. Four potential insect species (Apion ulicis, Cydia ulicetana, Epiphyas postvittana and Sericothrips staphylinus) were assessed for their ability to vector F. tumidum conidia. To achieve this, the external microflora (bacteria and fungi) and the size and location of fungal spores on the cuticle of these insect species were determined. In addition, the ability of the insects to pick up and deposit F. tumidum conidia on agar was studied. Based on the results from these experiments, E. postvittana was selected for more detailed experiments to determine transmission of F. tumidum to infect potted gorse plants. The factors promoting pathogenicity of F. tumidum against gorse and the pathogen loading required to infect and kill the weed were also determined. The external microflora of the four insect species were recovered by washing and plating techniques and identified by morphology and polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing of internally transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16S rDNA. A culture-independent technique (direct PCR) was also used to assess fungal diversity by direct amplification of ITS sequences from the washings of the insects. All insect species carried Alternaria, Cladosporium, Nectria, Penicillium, Phoma, Pseudozyma spp. and entomopathogens. Ninety four per cent of the 178 cloned amplicons had ITS sequences similarity to Nectria mauritiicola. E. postvittana carried the largest fungal spores (mean surface area of 125.9 ìm2) and the most fungal CFU/insect. About 70% of the fungi isolated from the insects were also present on the host plant (gorse) and the understorey grass. The mean size of fungal spores recovered from the insect species correlated strongly with their body length (R² = 85%). Methylobacterium aquaticum and Pseudomonas lutea were common on all four insect species. Pseudomonas fluorescens was the most abundant bacterial species. In the pathogenicity trials, the effectiveness of F. tumidum in reducing root and shoot biomass of 16 and 8 wk old gorse plants was significantly increased with wounding of the plants. Older plants (32 wk old) which were wounded and inoculated were significantly shorter, more infected and developed more tip dieback (80%) than plants which were not wounded (32%). This indicates that damage caused by phytophagous insect species present on gorse through feeding and oviposition may enhance infection by F. tumidum. Wounding may release nutrients (e.g. Mg and Zn) essential for conidia germination and germ tube elongation and also provide easier access for germ tube penetration. Conidial germination and germ tube length were increased by 50 and 877%, respectively when incubated in 0.2% of gorse extract solution for 24 h compared with incubation in water. Inoculum suspensions amended with 0.2% of gorse extract caused more infection and significantly reduced biomass production of 24 wk old gorse plants than suspensions without gorse extract. A minimum number of about 900 viable conidia/infection site of F. tumidum were required to infect gorse leaves. However, incorporation of amendments (which can injure the leaf cuticle) or provision of nutrients (i.e. gorse extract or glucose) in the formulation might decrease the number of conidia required for lesion formation. Scanning electron micrographs showed that germ tube penetration of gorse tissue was limited to open stomata which partly explain the large number of conidia required for infection. The flowers and leaves were more susceptible to F. tumidum infection than the spines, stems and pods. An experiment to determine the number of infection sites required to cause plant mortality showed that the entire plant needs to be inoculated in order for the pathogen to kill 10 wk old plants as F. tumidum is a non systemic pathogen. The number of infection sites correlated strongly with disease severity (R² = 99.3%). At least 50% of the plant was required to be inoculated to cause a significant reduction in shoot dry weight. F. tumidum, applied as soil inoculant using inoculated wheat grains in three separate experiments, significantly suppressed gorse seedling emergence and biomass production. In experiments to determine the loading capacity of the insect species, E. postvittana, the largest insect species studied, carried significantly more (68) and deposited significantly more (29) F. tumidum conidia than the other species. Each E. postvittana, loaded with 5,000 conidia of F. tumidum, transmitted approximately 310 conidia onto gorse plants but this did not cause any infection or affect plant growth as determined by shoot fresh weight and shoot height. E. postvittana on its own did not cause any significant damage to gorse and did not enhance F. tumidum infection. It also failed to spread the pathogen from infected plants to the healthy ones. There was no evidence of synergism between the two agents and damage caused by the combination of both E. postvittana and F. tumidum was equivalent to that caused by F. tumidum alone. This study has shown that E. postvittana has the greatest capacity to vector F. tumidum since it naturally carried the largest and the most fungal spores (429 CFU/insect). Moreover, it naturally carried Fusarium spp. such as F. lateritium, F. tricinctum and Gibberella pulicaris (anamorph Fusarium sambucinum) and was capable of carrying and depositing most F. tumidum conidia on agar. Coupled with the availability of pheromone for attracting the male insects, E. postvittana may be a suitable insect vector for delivering F. tumidum conidia on gorse using this novel biocontrol strategy. Although it is a polyphagous insect, and may visit non-target plants, F. tumidum is a very specific pathogen of gorse, broom and a few closely related plant species. Hence, using this insect species to vector F. tumidum in a biological control programme, should not pose a significant threat to plants of economic importance. However, successful control of gorse using this "lure-load-infect" concept would depend, to a large extent on the virulence of the pathogen as insects, due to the large size of F. tumidum macroconidia, can carry only a small number of it.

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19

Sutherland, M. J. "The influence of vine vigour and canopy ideotype on fruit composition and aroma of Sauvignon Blanc." Diss., Lincoln University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/1270.

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The influence of soil texture on canopy growth, vine yield, and fruit composition of Sauvignon blanc were assessed on a mature vineyard from the Rapaura area in Marlborough. The subject vines were mature Sauvignon blanc in a commercial vineyard trained to four cane VSP and planted with a north south orientation. Row and vine spacings were typical of the area at 3m x 1.8m. Four areas of different soil texture were identified using trunk circumference measurements, visual assessment of the surface soil and aerial photographs to identify changes in vine growth. Soil pits were excavated at a later date to determine root numbers and record the soil texture in the different areas. Two crop treatments were imposed on half of the plots at approximately 50% veraison: unthinned crop and 50% crop. A shading treatment was also imposed at 50% veraison where three sets of tagged shoots had bunches that were exposed to sunlight, bunches that had some natural shading from leaves or bunches that had paper bags fastened over each to provide a completely shaded environment. Vine vegetative vigour for each plot was assessed during the growing season using the Point Quadrat method and at pruning using bud counts and pruning weights. Thirty berry samples were collected from the 32 plots and analysed weekly for soluble solids and berry weight. Harvest of bunches from the tagged shoots occurred on two different dates with the first harvest picked when fruit from one soil and crop treatment had reached 21 °Brix. The second picking took place just before the commercial harvest, which coincided with last soil and crop treatment reaching 21 °Brix. Bunches from each tagged shoot were weighed, frozen and later analysed for soluble solids, pH, organic acids, and methoxypyrazines. Vines on very stony textured soils had small trunk circumferences with a high root density and yield to pruning weight ratio compared to those growing on deep silt soils. Vines on deep silt soils had more vigorous canopies with large shoots and a higher leaf layer number. The target soluble solids was reached first by the vines on the very stony plots despite the higher crop load with soil texture appearing to be a dominant factor by influencing the time of flowering. Cluster shading decreased soluble solids, consistent with other studies, whilst crop thinning resulted in an earlier harvest. This was contrary to popular opinion that crop thinning at veraison would have no impact on sugar accumulation. pH and organic acids were unaffected by shading or bunch thinning. Vines growing on deep silt soils had a significantly higher level of total acidity and malic acid than those on the stony soils. At harvest, methoxypyrazine levels were very low compared to previously reported figures for Marlborough, which may have been a result of sample preparation. IBMP was significantly higher on deep silt soils, however, with no impact from the shading or crop treatment. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that IBMP synthesis may be increased by the number of leaves surrounding bunches (Roujou de Boubee, 2003). The results suggest that soil texture plays a dominant role in influencing Sauvignon blanc flavour and aroma and due consideration should be given to vineyard layout and site selection prior to new plantings taking place.

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Hasing, Rodriguez Tomas Nestor. "Genomic Reconstruction of the Domestication History of Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern, and the Development of a Novel Genotyping Approach." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/95510.

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Most staple food crops were domesticated thousands of years ago through independent processes across different regions of the world. Studies of the history of such crops have been essential to our understanding of plant domestication as a process that started with the collection of wild material and continued with subsequent propagation, cultivation, and selection under human care. Domestication often involves a complex genetic structure with contributions from multiple founder populations, interspecific hybridization, chromosomal introgressions, and polyploidization events that occurred hundreds to thousands of years earlier. Such intricate origins complicate the systematic study of the sources of phenotypic variation. The analysis of recently domesticated, non-traditional, non-model species, such as Sinningia speciosa (Gesneriaceae), can expand the knowledge that we have on phenotypic variation under domestication, and help us to comprehend modern patterns of plant domestication and to broaden our understanding of the general trends. S. speciosa is commonly known as the 'florist's gloxinia', and it has been cultivated for 200 years as an ornamental houseplant. In our genomic study of S. speciosa, we examined an extensive diversity panel consisting of 115 individuals that included different species in the genus, wild representatives, and cultivated accessions, as well as 150 individuals from an F2 segregating population. Our analyses revealed that all of the domesticated varieties are derived from a single founder population that originated in or near the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We identified two loci associated with domesticated traits (flower symmetry and color) and did not detect any major hybridization or polyploidization events that could have contributed to the rapid increase in phenotypic diversity. Our findings, in conjunction with other features such as a small, low-complexity genome, ease of cultivation, and rapid generation time, makes this species an attractive model for the study of genomic variation under domestication. Basic research on non-model organisms with low economic importance is uncommon but necessary to understand the world from a broader perspective. In such cases, reduced representation approaches like Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) are efficient low-cost alternatives to whole genome resequencing. However, most of these technologies are subject to patent protection, licensing processes, and fees that constrain genomic research for small non-profit research organizations. We have designed a protocol to construct reduced representation libraries from genomic DNA. Our approach, called Targeted Amplification of Scattered Sites (TASS), deviates from the traditional digestion-ligation-amplification process that is the subject of intellectual property that protects most current methods. Instead, TASS relies on 1) targeting and duplicating scattered regions in the genome by annealing and expanding long tail primers with short annealing sites, and 2) amplifying these regions using primers that are complementary to the added overhangs. At the moment GBS is more consistent and delivers more variants than TASS. However, we have established a foundation on which further optimization can produce an accessible, easy to implement, high-throughput genotyping approach.
Doctor of Philosophy
Most staple food crops were domesticated thousands of years ago through unrelated processes that were initiated across different regions of the world. Studies of the history of such crops have been essential to our understanding of plant domestication, a process that started with the collection of wild material and continued with subsequent propagation and cultivation under human care. Plant domestication has often involved a complex combination of ancestral lineages that encompass multiple populations, crosses with other species, and large DNA reorganizations that occurred hundreds to thousands of years earlier. Such intricate origins make the systematic study of plant domestication very challenging. The analysis of recently domesticated plants such as the 'florist's gloxinia' (Sinningia speciosa), can help us to better understand some of the changes that have occurred during domestication, as well as to comprehend modern patterns of plant domestication and to broaden our understanding of general trends. Florist's gloxinias are ornamental plants that have been cultivated during the last 200 years. In this study we examined 115 specimens, including wild and cultivated types of florist's gloxinias, as well as closely related species in Sinningia. We also constructed and evaluated an artificial population of 150 individuals from the cross of a wild and a cultivated form. Our analyses revealed that all of the domesticated varieties are descendants from a single wild population that originated in or near the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We also identified two regions of DNA that are responsible for the changes in flower shape and color, and crosses with other species did not introduce such alterations. Our findings, in conjunction with other features such as its small nuclear DNA content, the ease of cultivation indoors, and a rapid generation time, makes the florists' gloxinia an attractive crop to the study the effects of plant domestication. Research on organisms with low economic importance is uncommon but necessary to understand the world from a broader perspective. In such cases, analyzing the entire genetic information that is stored as DNA may be cost-prohibitive. Instead, approaches that sample small portions of DNA from each individual can be utilized. Most of these technologies are currently patented and subject to licensing processes and fees that limit their implementation by small non-profit research organizations. In this study we designed a protocol to sample small portions of DNA, similarly to existing techniques. However, our approach, called Targeted Amplification of Scattered Sites (TASS), employs a sampling process that deviates from the traditional patented procedure that is used in most current methods. At present, TASS is not as consistent and delivers less information than traditional approaches. However, we have established a foundation on which further optimization can produce an accessible and easy to implement technique.

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21

Simões, Paulo Jorge dos Santos Nunes Valente. "Imagética em natação-contributo para a construção de um plano de prova mental para os 100 metros crol." Master's thesis, Instituições portuguesas -- UTL-Universidade Técnica de Lisboa -- -Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, 2001. http://dited.bn.pt:80/29354.

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22

Landzela, Besule. "Effects of BT Maize (MON810) crop and its residues on selected soil biological properties and N and P release in a sandy loam soil from Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007542.

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There are apprehensions that genetic modification of maize with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may have negative effects on soil biodiversity, ecosystem processes and functions. This study aimed at determining the effect of Bt maize crop, Bt maize residues and its genetic modification on microbial biomass carbon (MBC), selected enzyme activities, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and N and P release patterns. The study was conducted under field, glasshouse and laboratory conditions. In 2010/2011 season, four maize cultivars; DKC 61-25B (Bt), DKC 61-24 (non-Bt), PAN 6Q-321B (Bt) and PAN6777 (non-Bt) were planted. Determination of MBC, enzyme activities and fungal spore count was done at 42, 70, and 105 days after planting (DAP). A loam soil amended with Bt or non-Bt maize leaf residues from a study of 2009/2010 season was incubated to investigate effects of Bt maize residues on MBC and soil enzyme activities. Leaf residues of Bt and non-Bt maize cultivars (DKC 61-25B, DKC 61-24, PAN 6Q-321B and PAN6777) were used and soil without residues was used as a control. Samples were collected at 7, 28 and 56 days of incubation (DOI). An incubation study was also carried out in the laboratory to determine the effect of Bt maize residues (i.e. leaf, stem and root) and its genetic modification on N and P release patterns. Residues of DKC 61-25B, DKC 61-24, PAN 6Q-321B and PAN6777and soil without residues as a control were incubated in the laboratory. After destructive sampling at 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 DOI, N in the form of NH4-N and NO3-N and P mineralisation were determined. Amendment of soil with residues enhanced MBC (p < 0.05) at all the sampling dates. For example MBC increased from 95 in the control to 146.3 mg/kg in the DKC 61-25B treatment at the end of the glasshouse trial. In the field DKC 61-25B had 9.1 mg/kg greater MBC than DKC 61-24, while PAN 6Q-321B had 23.9 mg/kg more MBC than PAN6777 at the end of the trial. However, no differences (p < 0.05) were observed in enzyme activities under field and glasshouse conditions except for dehydrogenase that had greater activity where DKC 61-25B and PAN 6777 were grown. There were no differences between the type of residues (Bt and non-Bt) on enzyme activities tested. However, differences were observed among the sampling dates. No effects of Bt maize crop on fungal spore count were observed. Similarly no differences were observed in leaf, stem and root tissues composition between Bt and non-Bt maize cultivars. Net N and P mineralisation from Bt maize cultivars did not differ from that of non-Bt maize cultivars. However, differences were observed among the cultivars. The results of this study suggested that Bt maize with Bt MON810 event can be grown in the central region of the Eastern Cape (EC), South Africa without affecting MBC, soil enzyme activities, VAM, and release of N and P nutrients from its residues.

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23

Klopfenstein, Andrew A. "An Empirical Model for Estimating Corn Yield Loss from Compaction Events with Tires vs. Tracks High Axle Loads." The Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461316924.

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24

Shoko, Munashe. "Exploring phosphorus, mucuna (Mucuna pruriens)and nitrogen management options for sustainable maize production in a depleted kaolinitic sandy loam soil of Zimbabwe." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1364.

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Thesis (PhD(Agric) (Agronomy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Continuous cropping without replenishing the nutrient component of soils will eventually lead to the depletion of soil nutrients. Small scale farmers in Zimbabwe often do not have the financial means to buy fertilizer and this problem is exacerbated by scarcity of commodities such as fertilizers. The use of herbaceous legumes such as mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) can assist to recapitalize soil fertility depletion and improve subsequent maize productivity in sandy loam soils in the small holder farming sector of Zimbabwe. In this study the effect of phosphorus (P) application to a mucuna crop, the effect of mucuna management options and the application of nitrogen (N) to the subsequent maize crop was investigated. The experiment was carried out during the 2007 to 2009 seasons at the Grasslands Research Station in Marondera in Zimbabwe. The soils are classified as humic ferrolsols and are predominantly of the kaolinitic order with sandy loams of low fertility and are slightly acid (pH CaCl = 5.2). A randomized complete block design was used for the effect of P on mucuna productivity and the effect of P and mucuna management options on the soil properties. The treatments were two P rates (P0 and P40 = 0 kg P ha-1 and 40 kg P ha-1 respectively) applied to a preceding mucuna crop, four mucuna management options [1) fallow (F) (no mucuna planted = control), 2) mucuna ploughed-in at flowering (MF), 3) all mucuna above ground biomass removed at maturity and only roots were ploughed-in (MAR) and 4) mucuna pods removed and the residues ploughed-in (MPR)]. A split-plot design was used to study the effect of P application to mucuna, mucuna management options and N rates on the growth and yield of the subsequent maize crop. The four N treatments [N0 = 0 kg N ha-1, N40 = 40 kg N ha-1, N80 = 80 kg N ha-1 and iv N120 = 120 kg N ha-1] were applied to a subsequent maize crop. Growth and development parameters such as biomass production, leaf area index, nutrient content of the foliage and grain yield were determined in the mucuna and maize crops. Soil parameters investigated included nutrient content, pH, bulk density and porosity. Phosphorus application in these particular soil conditions positively influenced mucuna biomass production and therefore enhanced the role of mucuna as a rotational crop by increased positive effects on the subsequent maize crop. The incorporation of above-ground biomass of mucuna had positive effects on all soil properties investigated. The MF and MPR management options increased the soil organic matter (OM) and reduced bulk density which leads to an improvement in porosity (f) of the soil. Mucuna incorporated at flowering (MF) and P40 treatment combination resulted in the highest mineral N, P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels. A significant three-way interaction (P<0.05) between mucuna management options, nitrogen rates and time was observed in terms of biomass production and all nutrients in the leaves of the subsequent maize crop. The main findings were that the MF management option had the highest biomass and foliar nutrient accumulation through-out all the treatment combinations. In general the MF management option gave the highest maize yield across all the treatment combinations. Incorporation of mucuna biomass into the soil prior to planting a maize crop therefore improve soil physical and chemical qualities resulting in improved soil conditions for a subsequent maize crop which in turn lead to higher maize yields. Including a mucuna rotational crop have a similar effect on maize yield than application of 80 kg ha-1 of fertilizer N.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aanhoudende verbouing van gewasse op dieselfde grond sonder om voedingstowwe aan te vul lei uiteindelik tot die agteruitgang van die grond se vrugbaarheid. Kleinboere in Zimbabwe het meestal nie die finansiële vermoëns om bemestingstowwe te koop nie en die probleem word vererger deur die onbekombaarheid van kommoditeite soos bemestingstowwe. Die gebruik van kruidagtige peulplant gewasse soos mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) kan bydra om grondverarming teen te werk en om die produksie van ‗n daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting in sandleemgronde in ‗n kleinboerstelsel in Zimbabwe te verhoog. In hierdie studie is die invloed van fosfor (P) toediening aan ‗n mucuna aanplanting, die invloed van bestuursopsies van die mucuna en die toediening van stikstof (N) aan die daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting ondersoek. Die eksperiment is tydens die 2007 tot 2009 reënseisoen by die Grasslands Research Station in Marondera in Zimbabwe uitgevoer. Die grond word geklassifiseer as humiese ferrolsols en is hoofsaaklik sanderige leemgrond van die kaolinitiese orde met lae vrugbaarheid en is effens suur (pH CaCl = 5.2). ‘n Volledig ewekansige blokontwerp is gebruik om die invloed van P op die produktiwiteit van mucuna te bepaal asook die invloed van P toediening en mucuna bestuursopsies op grondeienskappe. Die behandelings was twee P vlakke (P0 = 0 kg P ha-1 en P40 = 40 kg P ha-1) wat aan ‗n voorafgaande mucuna aanplanting toegedien is, vier mucuna bestuursopsies [1) braak (F) (geen mucuna geplant = kontrole), 2) mucuna ingeploeg met blomtyd (MF), 3) alle bogrondse mucuna biomassa verwyder by rypwording en slegs wortels ingewerk (MAR) en 4) mucuna peule verwyde en die res van die bogrondse material ingeploeg (MPR)] en vier N behandelings [N0 = 0 kg N ha-1, N40 = 40 kg N ha-1, N80 = 80 kg N ha-1 en N120 = 120 kg N ha-1] toegedien aan ‗n daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting. Groei en ontwikkeling parameters soos biomassa produksie, blaaroppervlakindeks, nutriëntinhoud van die blare en graanopbrengs is in die mucuna en mielie aanplantings ondersoek. Grondeienskappe soos nutriëntinhoud, pH, bulkdigtheid en porositeit is gemeet. Fosfaat toediening aan hierdie spesifieke grondtipe het mucuna produksie positief beïnvloed en dus die rol van mucuna as rotasiegewas verbeter deur positiewe reaksies in die daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting. Die inwerk van bogrondse mucuna biomassa het al die fisiese grondeienskappe wat ondersoek is positief beïnvloed. Die MF en MPR bestuursopsies het organiese materiaal inhoud van die grond verhoog en bulkdigtheid verlaag wat lei tot verbeterde grondporeusheid (f). Mucuna wat tydens blomvorming ingewerk is (MF) lei tot die hoogste minerale N, P, kalium (K), kalsium (Ca) en magnesium (Mg) vlakke. ‗n Betekenisvolle drie-rigting interaksie (P < 0.05) tussen mucuna bestuursopsies, N vlakke en tyd is waargeneem in terme van biomassa produksie en in terme van al die nutriëntvlakke in die mielieblare wat ondersoek is. Die hoofbevindinge was dat die MF bestuursopsie die hoogste biomassa produksie en blaarnutriënt akkumulasie oor alle behandelingskombinasies tot gevolg gehad het. In die algemeen het die MF bestuursopsie die hoogste mielie-opbrengs oor alle behandelingskombinasies tot gevolg gehad. Die inwerk van mucuna materiaal in die grond voordat mielies geplant word verbeter dus fisiese en chemiese toestande in die grond wat grondtoestande verbeter vir die daaropvolgende miegewas en uiteindelik lei tot hoër mielie-oeste. Die insluiting van mucuna as ‘n rotasiegewas het diesefde effek op mielie-opbrengs as die toediening van 80 kg ha-1 N bemesting.

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Darestani, Mostafa Yousefi. "Response of concrete pavements under moving vehicular loads and environmental effects." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2007. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16662/1/Mostafa_Yousefi_Darestani_Thesis.pdf.

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The need for modern transportation systems together with the high demand for sustainable pavements under applied loads have led to a great deal of research on concrete pavements worldwide. Development of finite element techniques enabled researchers to analyse the concrete pavement under a combination of axle group loadings and environmental effects. Consequently, mechanistic approaches for designing of concrete pavements were developed based on results of finite element analyses. However, unpredictable failure modes of concrete pavements associated with expensive maintenance and rehabilitation costs have led to the use of empiricalmechanistic approach in concrete pavement design. Despite progressive knowledge of concrete pavement behaviour under applied loads, concrete pavements still suffer from deterioration due to crack initiation and propagation, indicating the need for further research. Cracks can be related to fatigue of the concrete and/or erosion of materials in sub-layers. Although longitudinal, midedge and corner cracks are the most common damage modes in concrete pavements, Austroads method for concrete pavement design was developed based on traditional mid-edge bottom-up transverse cracking introduced by Packard and Tayabji (1985). Research presented in this thesis aims to address the most common fatigue related distresses in concrete pavements. It uses comprehensive finite element models and analyses to determine the structural behaviour of concrete pavements under vehicular loads and environmental effects. Results of this research are supported by laboratory tests and an experimental field test. Results of this research indicate that the induced tensile stresses within the concrete pavement are significantly affected by vehicle speed, differential temperature gradient and loss of moisture content. Subsequently, the interaction between the above mentioned factors and concrete damage modes are discussed. Typical dynamic amplifications of different axle groups are presented. A new fatigue test setup is also developed to take into consideration effects of pavement curvature on fatigue life of the concrete. Ultimately, results of the research presented in this thesis are employed to develop a new guide for designing concrete pavements with zero maintenance of fatigue damage.

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Darestani, Mostafa Yousefi. "Response of concrete pavements under moving vehicular loads and environmental effects." Queensland University of Technology, 2007. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16662/.

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Abstract:

The need for modern transportation systems together with the high demand for sustainable pavements under applied loads have led to a great deal of research on concrete pavements worldwide. Development of finite element techniques enabled researchers to analyse the concrete pavement under a combination of axle group loadings and environmental effects. Consequently, mechanistic approaches for designing of concrete pavements were developed based on results of finite element analyses. However, unpredictable failure modes of concrete pavements associated with expensive maintenance and rehabilitation costs have led to the use of empiricalmechanistic approach in concrete pavement design. Despite progressive knowledge of concrete pavement behaviour under applied loads, concrete pavements still suffer from deterioration due to crack initiation and propagation, indicating the need for further research. Cracks can be related to fatigue of the concrete and/or erosion of materials in sub-layers. Although longitudinal, midedge and corner cracks are the most common damage modes in concrete pavements, Austroads method for concrete pavement design was developed based on traditional mid-edge bottom-up transverse cracking introduced by Packard and Tayabji (1985). Research presented in this thesis aims to address the most common fatigue related distresses in concrete pavements. It uses comprehensive finite element models and analyses to determine the structural behaviour of concrete pavements under vehicular loads and environmental effects. Results of this research are supported by laboratory tests and an experimental field test. Results of this research indicate that the induced tensile stresses within the concrete pavement are significantly affected by vehicle speed, differential temperature gradient and loss of moisture content. Subsequently, the interaction between the above mentioned factors and concrete damage modes are discussed. Typical dynamic amplifications of different axle groups are presented. A new fatigue test setup is also developed to take into consideration effects of pavement curvature on fatigue life of the concrete. Ultimately, results of the research presented in this thesis are employed to develop a new guide for designing concrete pavements with zero maintenance of fatigue damage.

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27

Carignan, Sylvie. "Evaluation of the potential of the exotic larval parasitoid Peristenus digoneutis Loan as a biological control agent against the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), in lettuce and celery crops in muck soils of southwestern Quebec." Thesis, McGill University, 1995. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=23387.

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In the agricultural muck soil area of southwestern Quebec, two native parasitoids, Peristenus pallipes and P. pseudopallipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were found to parasitize nymphs of the tarnished plant bug Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae), on various flowering plants and on cultivated lettuce. Parasitism levels (ranging from 1.3% to 92.3%) varied with host plant species sampled, and with methods used for the calculation of percentage parasitism. The percentage parasitism of tarnished plant bug populations was expressed as pooled values from all samples in the season (method 1), and by the Southwood and Jepson's graphical method (method 2). Phenology of parasitism, defined as the time during which female parasitoids are active in the field, was evaluated for both native parasitoid species. The cold-hardiness of P. digoneutis, a European nymph parasitoid introduced in northern United States, was evaluated in the laboratory by measuring the supercooling point and cumulative cold damage at sub-zero temperatures. When compared to the native P. pallipes and P. pseudopallipes the exotic parasitoid showed the same capacity to withstand cold temperatures. Prior to introduction, the evaluation of the impact of P. digoneutis on indigenous species will require a rapid identification to species level. The development of immature stages of P. digoneutis was studied to find taxonomic and developmental differences between the three species. At $21 pm1 sp circ$C, the egg matures in five days, and there are three larval instars, the first two molting inside the host while the third emerges from the host, three to four weeks after egg deposition. Adult characters of the pre-imaginal stage can be used to distinguish the exotic P. digoneutis from the two native species since mouth sclerites of the final instar larvae of P. digoneutis, P. pallipes and P. pseudopallipes do not possess reliable distinguishing characters. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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Sauerteig, Kendra A. "Response of apple, peach, and sweet cherry to mechanical blossom thinning." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10214/3473.

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Crop load management of fruit trees is a challenge for producers. For this experiment apple, peach, and sweet cherry trees were thinned using mechanical blossom thinning (MBT), and hand blossom thinning (HBT) to mimic MBT. Apple bloom was reduced by MBT, but only one treatment consistently reduced fruit set. Marketable yield, fruit weight, and quality were unaffected by thinning treatments. An apple spur leaf study found that damage from MBT was negligible. Mechanical blossom thinning of peach significantly reduced fruit set and hand thinning requirements at ‘June drop’. Marketable yield, fruit firmness, and soluble solids concentration were largely unaffected by thinning treatments, but fruit weight and size increased in one year. The two highest rates of sweet cherry MBT and HBT reduced fruit set but total yield, fruit weight, and quality were unaffected. Overall, MBT may be a viable option for tree fruit producers, especially peach growers.
The University of Guelph/OMAFRA Sustainable Production Systems Research Programme, the Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association, NSERC.

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Moon, Hong Seok. "Risk assessment of genetically modified crops by direct tracking pollen movement and testing crop genetic load using directly transformed Brassica rapa with Bt cry1Ac and GFP genes." 2006. http://etd.utk.edu/2006/MoonHongSeok.pdf.

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Rose, Christy Weems. "Genetic load of crop genes and tandem mitigating genes in transgenic Brassica napus (oilseed rape) x Brassica rapa (field mustard) populations." 2009. http://etd.utk.edu/2009/May2009Theses/RoseChristyWeems.pdf.

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(9777032), Marcelo Amaral. "Benchmarking new methods for estimation of quantity and harvest timing of the mango crop." Thesis, 2022. https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Benchmarking_new_methods_for_estimation_of_quantity_and_harvest_timing_of_the_mango_crop/21708602.

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Prediction of the optimal time of harvest and the harvest fruit load is required by mango orchard managers. Four technologies were assessed: (i) field temperature sensors and heat units; (ii) non-destructive assessment of fruit flesh colour; (iii) machine vision for flowering and fruit load assessment; and (iv) fruit size estimation.

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(9811085), Anand Koirala. "Precision agriculture: Exploration of machine learning approaches for assessing mango crop quantity." Thesis, 2020. https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Precision_agriculture_Exploration_of_machine_learning_approaches_for_assessing_mango_crop_quantity/13411625.

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A machine vision based system is proposed to replace the current in-orchard manual estimates of mango fruit yield, to inform harvest resourcing and marketing. The state-of-the-art in fruit detection was reviewed, highlighting the recent move from traditional image segmentation methods to convolution neural network (CNN) based deep learning methods. An experimental comparison of several deep learning based object detection frameworks (single shot detectors versus two-staged detectors) and several standard CNN architectures was undertaken for detection of mango panicles and fruit in tree images. The machine vision system used images of individual trees captured during night time from a moving platform mounted with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver and a LED panel floodlight. YOLO, a single shot object detection framework, was re-designed and named as MangoYOLO. MangoYOLO outperformed existing state-of-the-art deep learning object detection frameworks in terms of fruit detection time and accuracy and was robust in use across different cultivars and cameras. MangoYOLO achieved F1 score of 0.968 and average precision of 0.983 and required just 70 ms per image (2048 × 2048 pixel) and 4417 MB memory. The annotated image dataset was made publicly available. Approaches were trialled to relate the fruit counts from tree images to the actual harvest count at an individual tree level. Machine vision based estimates of fruit load ranged between -11% to +14% of packhouse fruit counts. However, estimation of fruit yield (t/ha) requires estimation of fruit size as well as fruit number. A fruit sizing app for smart phones was developed as an affordable in-field solution. The solution was based on segmentation of the fruit in image using colour features and estimation of the camera to fruit perimeter distance based on use of fruit allometrics. For mango fruit, RMSEs of 5.3 and 3.7 mm were achieved on length and width measurements under controlled lighting, and RMSEs of 5.5 and 4.6 mm were obtained in-field under ambient lighting. Further, estimation of harvest timing can be informed by assessment of the spread of flowering. Deep learning object detection methods were deployed for assessment of the number and development stage of mango panicles, on tree. Methods to deal with different orientations of flower panicles in tree images were implemented. An R2 >0.8 was achieved between machine vision count of panicles on images and in-field human count per tree. Similarly, mean average precision of 69.1% was achieved for classification of panicle stages. These machine vision systems form a foundation for estimation of crop load and harvest timing, and for automated harvesting.

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Vance, Amanda J. "Impacts of crop level and vine vigor on vine balance and fruit composition in Oregon Pinot noir." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1957/30290.

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Vineyard management strategies, including vineyard floor management and crop level management, can be used to influence vine vigor and fruit composition. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of these practices on Pinot Noir in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Managing crop levels is common in cool climate vineyard production though it is a costly practice. With economic pressures, the premium winegrape industry is questioning whether they can reduce production costs and increase yields without compromising quality. A crop thinning trial was conducted in 2010 and 2011 to address these concerns and to better understand the role of vine balance on fruit composition. Crop levels were moderately (35% crop removed) or severely (65% crop removed) thinned at pre-bloom, fruit set, lag phase, or véraison and compared to full crop treatments. In both years, crop thinning reduced yields but had no effect on berry weight or cluster size. In 2010, poor fruit set reduced overall yields, and thinning treatments resulted in very few differences in vine growth, cluster architecture or fruit composition, including total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), anthocyanins, phenolics and tannins. In 2011, yields were much higher due to high fruit set and larger cluster size. No differences were found in vine growth (leaf areas or pruning weights) or fruit YAN, but thinned vines had higher TSS and pH and lower TA than full crop vines at harvest. Fruit thinned at lag phase and véraison had higher TSS and lower TA than fruit thinned pre-bloom. Intensity of thinning had a stronger influence on anthocyanin and tannin concentration than timing, while phenolics were not impacted by either factor. Ravaz index values (fruit yield/pruning weight) below 2.25 and leaf area to yield ratios of 2.25 to 3.25 m²/kg improved fruit composition in 2011 as did later season thinning, though data from the remaining years of this study will provide more insight into appropriate crop load metrics for cool climate Pinot Noir. A second study was implemented in 2011 to determine the impact of crop thinning in vines with different levels of vegetative vigor caused by three vineyard floor management techniques: permanent grass (Festuca rubra spp. rubra) cover (grass), alternating grass cover and tillage (grass & tilled), and tillage of every alleyway (tilled). Crop was thinned at the BB stage of berry development (EL stage 73) to one cluster per shoot (half crop) or not thinned (full crop); all cluster wings were removed at the time of thinning. Tillage treatments had been in place four years prior to the start of the study and competition for nitrogen in grass caused reduced early season vine growth, leaf chlorophyll and canopy size at both bloom and véraison while crop thinning increased canopy size at véraison. Yields were altered by tillage and crop thinning treatments, as grass had fewer clusters per shoot and berries per cluster, and crop thinning reduced yields to 64.7% of full crop across all tillage treatments. At harvest, grass had the lowest TA while TSS and pH were not affected by tillage. Crop thinning increased TSS but did not impact pH or TA. Anthocyanins were affected by both tillage and thinning and were found to be related to vine yield, YAN, leaf N, and leaf area index. Tannins were highest in grass but were not affected by crop thinning, and phenolics were not changed by either factor. Few interactions between tillage and crop thinning were found, but as variables such as yield per vine were impacted by both treatment factors, monitoring long term effects of crop
Graduation date: 2012

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(8071469), Benjamin D. Reinhart. "Evaluating drainage water recycling in tile-drained systems." Thesis, 2019.

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Drainage water recycling (DWR) is the practice of capturing, storing, and reusing subsurface drained agricultural water to support supplemental irrigation and has recently been proposed as a practice for improving the crop production and water quality performance in the tile-drained landscape of the U.S. Midwest. This study describes the development of a modeling framework to quantify the potential irrigation and water quality benefits of DWR systems in tile-drained landscapes and the application of the model using ten years of measured weather, tile drain flow and nutrient concentrations, water table, and soil data from two sites in the U.S. Midwest. From this modeling framework, the development and testing of an open-source online tool is also presented.

A spreadsheet model was developed to track water flows between a reservoir and drained and irrigated field area at each site. The amount of tile drain flow and associated nutrient loads that could be captured from the field and stored in the reservoir was estimated to calculate the potential water quality benefits of the system. Irrigation benefits were quantified based on the amount of applied irrigation annually. A reservoir size representing 6% to 8% of the field area with an average depth of 3.05 m was sufficient in meeting the annual irrigation requirements during the 10-year period at each site. At this reservoir size, average annual nitrate-N loads were reduced by 20% to 40% and soluble reactive phosphorus loads by 17% to 41%. Variability in precipitation within and across years, and differences in soil water characteristics, resulted in a wide range of potential benefits at the two sites.

An online tool was developed from the model, and a variance-based global sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine influential and low-sensitivity input parameters. The input parameter, depth of root zone, was the most influential input parameter suggesting that the estimation of total available water for the field water balance is a critical component of the model. Input settings describing the irrigation management and crop coefficients for the initial establishment and mid-season crop growth periods were also influential in impacting the field water balance. Reservoir seepage rate was influential in regard to the reservoir water balance, particularly at larger reservoir sizes. Sensitivity analysis results were used to develop a user-interface for the tool, Evaluating Drainage Water Recycling Decisions (EDWRD).

This study shows that DWR is capable of providing both irrigation and water quality benefits in the tile-drained landscape of the U.S. Midwest. The developed modeling framework supports future research on the development of strategies to implement and manage DWR systems, and the online tool serves as a resource for users to increase their awareness and understanding of the potential benefits of this novel practice.

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Yelistratkin, Illya Olexandrovych. "Potencial do tubo elástico cirúrgico na avaliação da força propulsiva em nadadores de rendimento médio na técnica de crol: Controlo de treino na Natação Pura." Master's thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10316/93769.

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Dissertação de Mestrado em Treino Desportivo para Crianças e Jovens apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto e Educação Física
The aim of this study consists in the evaluation of the agreement of two methods of access the maximum propulsive force in the crawl swim: 1) swimming tethered with load cell; 2) Semi-tethered swim with surgical elastic. The sample was composed of 12 young athletes (5 males, 17.46 ± 1.62 years and 7 females, 19.10 ± 2.46 years) and was characterized by decimal age, height, body mass, fat mass (%), armspan and biacromial diameter. Performing the crawl technique, in both conditions of the maximum propulsive force measurements the athletes randomly executed 3 repetitions of 15 seconds each, with a 5 minute interval between each repetition. The concordance of the results in both tests was performed through analysis of the intraclass correlation coefficients (NA-0,94, NSA- 0.99) and the Bland-Altman agreement test, as well as the correlation coefficients (NA-0,94; NSA-0,99). Statistical results between the two strength evaluation methods presented an average difference of 4.04N (p = 0.534). It is concluded that the method of evaluation with the surgical elastic tube is a valid alternative to the method of evaluation of the force through the load cell due to its low cost and easy application in a training environment.
O objeto de estudo deste trabalho é avaliar a concordância de dois métodos de avaliação da força máxima propulsiva no nado de crol: 1) nado amarrado com célula de carga; 2) nado semi-amarrado com o elástico cirúrgico. A amostra utilizada foi composta por 12 jovens atletas (5 masculinos 17,46 ± 1,62 anos e 7 femininos 19,10 ± 2,46 anos), e foi caracterizada através da idade decimal, estatura, massa corporal, % de massa gorda, envergadura e diâmetro biacromial. Os indivíduos, com ordem aleatória realizaram 3 repetições de 15 segundos em cada um dos tipos de medições de força máxima aplicada na técnica de crol, com um intervalo de 5 minutos entre cada repetição. A concordância dos resultados nos dois testes de nado foi realizada através da análise do coeficiente intraclasse (NA-0,94; NSA-0,99) do teste Bland-Altman bem como dos coeficientes de correlação (NA-0,94; NSA-0,99). Os resultados estatísticos entre os dois métodos de avaliação da força apresentaram uma diferença média de 4,04N (p=0,534). Conclui-se então que o método de avaliação com o tubo elástico cirúrgico é uma alternativa válida em relação ao método de avaliação da força através de célula de carga devido ao seu baixo custo e à fácil aplicação em ambiente de treino.

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(9867779), Brodrick L. Deno. "COVER CROPPING FOR SUSTAINABLE CO-PRODUCTION OF BIOENERGY, FOOD, FEED (BFF) AND ENHANCEMENT OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (ES)." Thesis, 2020.

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Increasing food, feed, fiber, biofuel production on decreasing amounts of arable land while simultaneously enhancing ecosystem services is challenging. Strategic inclusion of winter rye (Secale cereale) for biomass, silage, grain and Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum) living mulch into existing Midwestern cropping systems may offer alternative economic income for farmers without displacing or reducing yields of primary crops. Research was conducted at the Purdue Water Quality Field Station (WQFS) where net balances of water, carbon, nitrogen, and radiation can be measured, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are monitored. The agronomic performance of a corn-soybean rotation and continuous corn (controls) were compared to novel systems that included the use of rye cover cropping and Kura clover co-cropping. Rye was harvested for biomass/silage at heading immediately followed by corn or soybean planting. Continuous corn receiving 69 kg N ha^-1was planted into an establishment of Kura clover sod. Controls included these same systems without the rye or clover. GHG samples were taken via the static chamber method and tile-drained water sub-samples were collected, analyzed for nitrate, and load losses calculated. Biomass composition was determined and used to calculate herbage theoretical ethanol (EtOH) yields. Cereal rye did not significantly decrease corn or soybean grain yield. Averaged across years, Kura clover significantly depressed corn grain yields by nearly 70%. Kura clover significantly reduced flow-weighted tile drainage nitrate (NO₃^-) concentrations, however cereal rye did not. Reductions in flow-weighted tile drainage nitrate (NO₃^-) concentrations were found to largely occur during Quarter two (April, May, June). Cover crops did not significantly reduce annual tile drained NO₃^- load losses in most cases, however, they did significantly reduce annual N₂O emissions. Cumulative annual CH₄ emissions were not significantly altered. Annual CO₂emissions were higher after the introduction of Kura clover and not significantly altered following the introduction of cereal rye. Averaged across years, theoretical ethanol yields in the Kura clover system produced 2,752 L EtOH ha^-1, whereas EtOH production in cereal rye systems ranged from 3,245 to 4,210 L EtOH ha^-1. Theoretical ethanol yields of continuous corn and rotational controls ranged from 2,982 to 3505 L EtOH ha^-1 for these same systems without the cereal rye of Kura clover. These data suggest that a multipurpose approach to cover crop inclusion can provide both environmental and economic advantages worthy of consideration.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Crop load'

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