Progress 03/01/04 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project covered several studies of the effects of abiotic factors on physiology, growth and development of tropical fruit crops. Studies with Annona species indicated that pond apple is more flood tolerant but less tolerant to Fe deficiency than soursop. Soursop may be a good flood-tolerant rootstock only for areas subjected to short-term flooding. Soursop and sugar apple require higher soil temperatures (25 to 35 C) than pond apple (20 to 25 C) for optimum growth. The interaction of flooding and pruning on avocado trees was tested. Pruning avocado trees pruned prior to flooding increased stress compared to non-pruned trees, presumably because of a reduction of leaf area and a subsequent reduction of photosynthates translocated to the root which limited root respiration during the flooding period. Trees pruned immediately after the flooding period tended to recover faster from flooding stress than non-pruned trees as indicated by a more rapid recovery of net photosynthesis and greater dry weights than non-pruned plants. This was presumably due to reduced transpirational demand as a result of a reduction in canopy volume of pruned plants with partial root damage from flooding. The results of this study support the observation the pruning avocado trees immediately after flooding, as has been suggested, can reduce flooding stress to avocado trees. In avocado trees, changes in electrical potential measured between the base of the stem and leaf petiole observed in response to decreased soil water content were associated with a decrease in stomatal conductance, indicating that stomatal closure might be associated with an electrical signal. Studies of water requirements for carambola tree in very gravelly loam soils in southern Florida indicated that precipitation and possibly capillarity from the shallow water table can result in sufficient soil water content to obtain adequate vegetative growth and yields. Adequate soil water content also resulted in no significant phenological differences among treatments. In containers where lateral water movement and capillary rise were prevented, tree trunk diameter and total dry weight were lower for trees irrigated at 32-50 percent soil water deficit (SWD) and 51-60 percent SWD than for trees irrigated at 0-21 percent SWD or 22-31 percent SWD.. Foliar applications of specific combinations of weak organic acids combined with iron sulfate and the organosilicate surfactant (Freeway) were as effective prevented iron chlorosis in avocado, lychee and carambola trees as the standard soil application of very expensive chelated iron in calcareous soils. Studies are continuing to determine the best mixtures, applications rates and application timing of these foliar sprays for preventing iron chlorosis. Results of all projects have been disseminated to growers and extension workers through workshops, field demonstrations, presentations at state, national and international horticultural meetings and publications in non-refereed and refereed journals. PARTICIPANTS: Bruce Schaffer, Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator Jonathan Crane - Co-Prinicipal Investigator Yuncong Li - Coopeator Frederick Davies - Cooperator Jorge Pena - Cooperator Rafael Munoz-Carpena - Cooperator Chunfang Li - Senior Biologist Wanda Montas - Senior Biologist TARGET AUDIENCES: Resesarchers, growers, and extension workers who work with tropical and subtropical fruit crops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Accurate assessment of soil moisture in Krome very gravelly loam soils will aid in the implementation of irrigation monitoring and scheduling in these soils. More efficient water use and reduced potential for nutrient leaching are at the center of developing best management practices (BMPs) for agricultural systems. The potential impact of practical BMPs for papaya and avocado culture are reduced water and fertilizer use, reduce potential for leaching of fertilizers beyond the root zone, and potentially reduced costs of production. In many parts of the world, avocado trees are grown in soils that are prone to poor soil aeration due to flooding or poor drainage. Understanding how poor soil aeration impacts the physiology and growth of avocado aid in the development of cultural practices to minimize the negative impact of poor soil aeration on avocado growth and yield. Application of chelated iron to the soil has become a standard practice for growing tropical and subtropical fruit trees in calcareous soils. However, chelated iron is extremely expensive. In subtropical and tropical fruit orchards in south Florida, chelated iron can represent up to 80% of the total fertilizer cost and up to 50% of the total chemical cost for subtropical and tropical fruit production. There is obviously a need for a lower cost alternative to the application of chelated iron for preventing or alleviating iron deficiency in tropical and subtropical fruit trees grown in calcareous soils. Thus there is potential to significantly reduce production costs and thereby make the subtropical and tropical fruit industry more globally competitive. In addition to the tremendous costs associated with applications of chelated iron to orchards, chelated iron can be leached from the root zone if irrigation is excessive. Leaching of chelated iron away from the root zone not only wastes very costly iron fertilizer, but also has the potential for polluting the groundwater aquifer, which in south Florida is only a few meters below the soil surface. Therefore, in addition to potentially huge financial savings, this research has the potential to reduce environmental pollution from leaching of soluble iron from the soil into the groundwater.
Publications
- Schaffer, B., L. Urban, P. Lu and A.W. Whiley. 2008. Ecophysiology of mango. In: Mango: Botany, Production and Uses, 2nd Edition. R.E. Litz (ed.). CAB International Press, Wallingford, U.K. (in press).
- Gil, P.M., L. Gurovich, B. Schaffer. 2008. Electrical responses of fruit trees to soil water content and diurnal cycles. Plant Signaling and Behavior 3(11):(in press).
- Nickum, M., J.H. Crane, B. Schaffer, F.S. Davies. 2008. Response of mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) trees to flooding in a very gravelly loam soil in the field. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society (in press).
- Crane, J.H., B. Schaffer, Y. Li, E. Evans, W. Montas, C. Li. 2008. Effect of foliarly-applied acids and iron sulfate on leaf ferrous iron content and leaf greenness of lychee trees. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society (in press).
- Liu, G., B. Schaffer, Y. Li, R. Roberts, Y. Wan and M. Hodgepeth. 2008. Differences in tolerance of bald cypress and pond apple to salinity and flooding. Proceedings of the Joint Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America, Houston, Texas, Oct. 5-9.
- Gil, P.M., B. Schaffer, S.M. Gutierrez, C. Li. 2008. Interacting effects of waterlogging and pruning on leaf gas exchange and biomass of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees in containers. HortScience 43(4):1276 (Abstr.).
- Crane, J.H., B. Schaffer, Y.C. Li, E. Evans, W. Montas, C. Li. 2008. Effect of foliarly-appliled acids and ferrous sulfate on leaf greenness of avocado trees. HortScience 43(4):1140 (Abstr.).
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Beta and Hass avocado cultivars on Waldin seedling rootstock were either flooded continuously for 11 days or not flooded. Net CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (T) and stem water potential (SWP) were measured every two days during the flooding period and periodically after the flooding period. During the flooding period, stomatal impressions were made for plants in each treatment and stomatal closure was related to leaf gas exchange. Hass avocado showed less susceptibility to flooding than Beta, with a significant reduction in gs and T after 10 days of flooding, a reduction in A after 12 days, and no differences in SPW during the evaluation period. Also, flooding resulted in a greater reduction in biomass for Beta than Hass. There was no correlation between SWP and the percentage of closed stomata of flooded plants. We studied the existence of a fast conducting signal between roots and leaves, and the possible involvement of such a signal in the
regulation of stomatal behavior in avocado trees. Avocado trees were subjected to drying and re-watering cycles or changes in incident radiation (light or darkness). The difference in extracellular electrical potential between the leaf petiole and the base of stem was continuously recorded. Stomatal conductance (gs) was also recorded from the same leaves that were used for voltage difference measurements. A sudden change in soil water content induced by root drying and re-watering was accompanied by a slow significant change in the recorded voltage signal, which was fully developed at 52 and 32 min for root drying and re-watering, respectively. There was an inverse correlation between the change of voltage and stomatal conductance measured before and after each soil drying treatment. Plants that were girdled to disrupt the phloem and then irrigated tended to have lower voltage differences over time than non-girdled irrigated plants, suggesting that the electrical signal was
transmitted in the phloem. A study was conducted with citrus to determine if gibberellic acid (GA3) initially increases juice content of cv. Rohde Red valencia oranges and prevents or delays decreases in juice content following a freeze and to determine if there is an interaction between GA3, rootstock and juice content. Juice content in the fall was greater and rate of decrease in juice content lower for GA3-treated fruit than non-treated fruit for about 8 weeks following a freeze. Juice content was lower for fruit from cv. Rohde Red trees on Citrus volkameriana rootstock compared to those on Carrizo citrange and Swingle citrumelo and more importantly the rate of decrease in juice content following a freeze was greatest for trees on C. volkameriana rootstock. Soluble solids, acid and soluble solids-to-acid ratio in the juice and kg-solids per box generally were not affected by GA3 treatment. Therefore, GA3 application at color break in the fall generally increased juice content and
slowed the rate of decrease in juice content following a freeze compared with non-treated fruit.
PARTICIPANTS: The co-investigators are Bruce Schaffer, Jonathan Crane, Yuncong Li, Rafael Munoz-Carpena and Kati Migliaccio, University of Florida, Tropical Research and Eduction Center, Homestead, Florida and Fred Davies, University of Florida, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville, Florida. This project provides training for graduate students and hourly biologists.
TARGET AUDIENCES: This project is target to subtropical and tropical fruit growers, agricultural researchers and extension agents. The results of this project should improve knowledge of physiology, growth, production and management of tropical and subtropical fruit crops that will increase crop productivity and cost effectiveness.
Impacts
Understanding how poor soil aeration impacts the physiology and growth of avocado can aid in the development of cultural practices to minimize the negative impact of poor soil aeration on avocado growth and yield. The use of foliar applied weak acids plus ferrous iron as low-cost alternatives to expensive chelated iron for preventing iron deficiency in tropical fruit crops has the potential to reduce production costs considerably. Development and release of homozygous papaya ringspot virus (PRV) resistant papaya cultivars will greatly reduce loses in crop production from this devastating disease throughout south Florida and the Caribbean Region. Accurate assessment of soil moisture in Krome very gravelly loam soils will aid in the implementation of irrigation monitoring and scheduling in these soils. Efficient water use for papaya and avocado culture should lead to reduced water and fertilizer use, reduced potential for leaching of fertilizers beyond the root zone, and
lower production costs. Florida processing oranges are paid for based on juice content and soluble solids content. More than 90% of Florida citrus fruit are processed, thus even a small increase in juice content pre- or post-freeze could have a significant economic impact on the billion dollar Florida citrus industry.
Publications
- Schaffer, B., L. Urban, P. Lu and A.W. Whiley. 2007. Ecophysiology of mango. In: Mango: Botany, Production and Uses, 2nd Edition. R.E. Litz (ed.). CAB International Press, Wallingford, U.K. (in press).
- Gil, P.M., L. Gurovich, B. Schaffer, J. Alcayaga, S. Rey and R. Iturriaga. 2007. Root to leaf electrical signaling in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in response to light and soil water content. Journal of Plant Physiology (in press).
- Gil, P.M., B. Schaffer, M. Gutierrez, C. Li. 2007. Effect of Waterlogging on plant water status, leaf gas exchange and biomass of avocado (Persea americana Mill.). Proceedings of the VI International Avocado Congress, Vina del Mar, Chile.
- Crane, J.H., B. Schaffer, Y. Li, E. Evans, W. Montas, C. Li. 2007. Effect of foliarly-applied acids and ferrous sulfate on iron nutrition of avocado trees. Proceedings of the VI International Avocado Congress, Vina del Mar, Chile.
- Gil, P.M., L. Gurovich, B. Schaffer, J. Alcayaga and R. Iturriaga. 2007. Electrical signal measurements as a tool for monitoring responses of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees to soil water content). Proceedings of the VI International Avocado Congress, Vina del Mar, Chile.
- Crane, J.H., B. Schaffer, Y. Li., E. Evans. 2007. Effect of foliar applications of ascorbic acid plus ferrous sulfate on leaf greenness of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) trees. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society (in press).
- Schaffer, B. 2007. Effectos de la deficiencia de oxigeno del suelo en paltos (Persea americana Mill.). In: Seminario Internacional Manejo del Riego y Suelo en el Cultivo del Plato. M.G. Yanez, I.M. Honorato, and R. Ferreyara Espada (eds). Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, La Cruz, Chile.
- Stover, E.W., L.G. Albrigo, and F.S. Davies. 2007. Plant growth regulators. p. 247-258. In: Florida citrus: A comprehensive guide. Univ.of Florida, IFAS, SP-278.
- Davies, F.S. and D.P.H. Tucker. 2007. Fruit quality. p. 269-278. In: Florida citrus: A comprehensive guide. Univ. of Florida, IFAS, SP-278.
- Stover, E., F.S. Davies, S. Ciliento, and G.R. Zalman. 2007. Organosilicone surfactants sometimes reduce corrected soluble solids in processing oranges treated with EcoLyst. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. (in press)
- Davies, F.S. and G. Zalman. 2007. Fertilization and growth of field-grown citrus trees in Florida. HortTechnology (in press).
- Davies, F.S. 2007. Gibberellic acid, rootstocks, and post freeze quality of Rohde Red valencia oranges. HortScience 42:565-570.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
The effects of flooding on physiology and growth of avocado trees was tested. Avocado trees cv. Beta, on Waldin rootstock showed a decline net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance and transpiration within 11 days after roots were flooded. All trees died with 2 weeks of unflooding. In contrast, trees of cv. Hass on Waldin rootstock survived 11 days of flooding. Thus, flood tolerance of avocado may be partially related to the scion and not only the rootstock. Soil water characteristic curves were determined for Krome calcareous very gravelly loam soil in the laboratory and in-situ. Two soil moisture retention regions were identified, each corresponding to one of two soil solid fractions. A new project on correcting leaf iron content using mild acid solutions of ascorbic, citric, sulfuric, or phosphoric acid plus an organosilicone-based wetting agent with or without ferrous iron was initiated on containerized pond apple, lychee, carambola, and avocado trees. Non-toxic
rates of all solution mixtures were determined and completion of several trials on containerized and orchard trees. Plants sprayed 5 or more times at a two week interval with the ascorbic or sulfuric acid-iron solutions were effective in correcting leaf greenness of all plants. The project for the development of papaya ringspot virus (PRV) resistant papaya for Florida and the Caribbean Region is in year 6 and necessary data for 4 superior homozygous selections are in the process for release to the public. Development of superior hybrids from these new homozygous lines is in progress. Papaya and avocado water management projects were begun to develop irrigation management BMPs for papaya culture in Florida and the Caribbean Region. Various soil-moisture based treatments for papaya were begun 2 months after transplanting seedlings in April and 4 months after planting grafted avocado trees. Papaya plants from all treatments are now bearing fruit. The effect of gibberellic acid on citrus
juice content was tested. Following a freeze, fruit typically show a marked reduction in juice content. Gibberellic acid increased juice content, reduces the rate of decrease in post-freeze juice content, and may lengthen the harvest season and increase net returns for processing fruit post-freeze.
Impacts
Understanding how poor soil aeration impacts the physiology and growth of avocado can aid in the development of cultural practices to minimize the negative impact of poor soil aeration on avocado growth and yield. The use of foliar applied weak acids plus ferrous iron as low-cost alternatives to expensive chelated iron for preventing iron deficiency in tropical fruit crops has the potential to reduce production costs considerably. Development and release of homozygous papaya ringspot virus (PRV) resistant papaya cultivars will greatly reduce loses in crop production from this devastating disease throughout south Florida and the Caribbean Region. Accurate assessment of soil moisture in Krome very gravelly loam soils will aid in the implementation of irrigation monitoring and scheduling in these soils. Efficient water use for papaya and avocado culture should lead to reduced water and fertilizer use, reduced potential for leaching of fertilizers beyond the root zone,
and lower production costs. Florida processing oranges are paid for based on juice content and soluble solids content. More than 90% of Florida citrus fruit are processed, thus even a small increase in juice content pre- or post-freeze could have a significant economic impact on the billion dollar Florida citrus industry.
Publications
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Pineapple growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-9 (published 1989; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG055).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Pitaya growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-9 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS303).
- Crane, J.H. and M.A. Mossler. 2006. Pesticides registered for tropical fruit crops in Florida. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-22. (published, 2003; major revisions, 2004, 2005, 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS177.pdf).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Preparing for and recovery from hurricanes and tropical storm damage in tropical fruit groves in Florida. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-8 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS287).
- Balerdi, C.F., J.H. Crane, and I. Maguire. 2006. Sapodilla growing in the Florida home landscape, HS-1. Fla. Coop. Ext. Service, IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-10. (published 1979; rewritten 2000; revised 1994, 2001, 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG057).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Sugar apple growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-9 (published 1980; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG330).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and G. Joyner. 2006. Tea growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-6 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS308).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi and M.S. Orfanedes. 2006. Tropical and subtropical fruit crops for the home landscape: alternatives to citrus. Fla. Coop. Ext. Service, IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-8. (published 2001; revised 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG373).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. White sapote growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-7 (published 1980; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS304).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Loquat growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-8 (published 1980; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG050).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and I. Maguire. 2006. Lychee growing in Florida home landscape, HS-6. University of Florida-IFAS, Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, FL. P. 1-8 (published 1979; rewritten 1998; revised 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG051).
- Balerdi, C.F., J.H. Crane, and I. Maguire. 2006. Mamey sapote growing in the Florida home landscape, FC-30. University of Florida-IFAS, Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, FL. P. 1-12 (published 1984; rewritten 1996; revised 1998, 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG331).
- C.F. Balerdi and Crane, J.H. 2006. Mamoncillo growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-7 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS310).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and I. Maguire. 2006. Mango growing in the Florida home landscape, FC-2. University of Florida-IFAS, Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, FL. pp. 1-7 (published 1981; rewritten 1991; revised 1997, 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG216).
- Schaffer, B. 2006. Effect of oxygen deficit in the soil on the physiology and productivity of avocado. Proc. Seminario de manejo del riego y suelo en el cultivo del palto. Quillota, Chile, Sept. 27-28. http://www.inia.cl/platina/descarga/docs/seminarios/S0004/5_2006palto s_E_bschaffer.pdf.
- Davies, F.S. and G. Zalman. 2006. Gibberellic acid, fruit freezing, and post-harvest quality of Hamlin oranges. HortTechnology 16(2): 301-305.
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, S.A. Sargent, and I. Maguire. 2006. Longan growing in the Florida home landscape, FC-49. Hort. Sci. Dept., Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla. P. 1-11 (rewritten 2000; revised 1994, 2001, 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG049).
- Al-Yahyai, R., B. Schaffer, F.S. Davies and R. Munoz-Carpena. 2006. Characterization of soil-water retention of a very gravelly loam soil varied with determination method. Soil Science 17:85-93.
- Schaffer, B., F.S. Davies, and J.H. Crane. 2006. Responses of subtropical and tropical fruit trees to flooding in calcareous soil. HortScience 41:549-555.
- Migliaccio, K.W., J.H. Crane, E. Evans, B. Schaffer, Y. Li and R. Munoz-Carpena. 2006. South Florida tropical fruit plant grower perspectives: water conservation management practices. University of Florida, Florida Cooperative Extension Service Publ., ABE 368.
- Crane, J.H., R. Stubblefield, and C.W. Meister. 2006. Herbicide efficacy to control pathenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) under grove conditions in Homestead, Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119(in press).
- Balerdi, C.F., R. Rafie, and J.H. Crane. 2006. Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora, Berg.): a delicious fruit with an excellent market potential. Proc. Fla. State Soc. 119(in press).
- Pena, J.E., W.P. Gould, M.K. Hennessey, G.J. Hallman, and J.H. Crane. 2006. Laboratory and field infestation studies on immature green Tommy Atkins and Keitt mangoes to determine host status to the Caribbean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119(in press).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Abiu growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-6 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS300).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Atemoya growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-10 (published 1980; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG332).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi. and I. Maguire. 2006. Avocado growing in the Florida home landscape. Circ. 1034. Fla. Coop. Ext. Service, IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-11 (published 1988; rewritten 1991, 1998; revised 1996, 2001, 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG213).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, I. Maguire. 2006. Banana growing in Florida home landscape, HS-10. University of Florida-IFAS, Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, FL. P. 1-13 (published 1989; rewritten 1998; revised 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG040).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Black sapote growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-7 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS305).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Caimito (star apple) growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-7 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS309).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Canistel growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-7 (published 1983; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS299).
- Crane, J.H. 2006. Carambola (star fruit) growing in the Florida home landscape, FC-12. Fla. Coop. Ext. Service, IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-9 (published 1975; rewritten 1992; revised 1997, 2001, 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG057).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and G. Joyner. 2006. Cocao growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-8 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS307).
- Broschat, T.K. and J.H. Crane. 2006. The coconut palm in Florida, FS-40. University of Florida-IFAS, Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, FL. P. 1-6 (published 1980; rewritten 2000) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG043).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and G. Joyner. 2006. Coffee growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-6 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS306).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. Guava growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-9 (published 1980; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG045).
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and I. Maguire. 2006. Jackfruit growing in the Florida home landscape, HS-882. Fla. Coop. Ext. Service, IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-13 (published 2002; revised 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG370).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Monstera growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-5 (published 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS311).
- Crane, J.H. and C.F. Balerdi. 2006. Papaya growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-8 (published 1986; rewritten 2006). (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG054).
- Crane, J.H. 2006. Pejibaye (peach palm) growing in the Florida home landscape. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-7 (published 2006) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS312).
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Over a 4 year period yields and the degree of iron chlorosis of various 'Tahiti' lime rootstocks were evaluated for adaptation to highly calcareous soils. Trees on macrophylla, US-801, US-812, US-897, several somatic hybrids, the C. limonia selections, Rangpur, rough lemon, and Volkamer lemon were among those with the best ratings. The effect of position within the canopy on fruit yield and quality was determined for five, ten-year-old 'Arkin' carambola trees. In summer, the highest fruit Brix was generally observed in the south quadrant and in the middle and upper canopy layers. There was no significant difference in fruit Brix among layers in winter. Overall, fruit from the summer harvest weighed less than fruit from the winter harvest. The number of fruit was generally highest in the middle layer followed by the upper and lower layers, respectively. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to test the yield responses of trees in 8 to 12 'Mauritius' lychee orchards to
the total number of hours per year that orchards were exposed to ambient temperatures below 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, or 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) from 1999-2003 in Homestead, Florida. As the number of hours below 55F (180 h) or 60F (390 h) increased, the average crop yield increased. The effect of 3 years of maintenance pruning on yields and growth of 'Red' sugar apple trees was investigated. Non-pruned control trees produced significantly more fruit and had a greater yield efficiency than trees trained to modified central leader (MCL) in 2002 and 2003, whereas there was no significant difference in fruit production between treatments in 2004. Overall, maintenance pruning had an inconsistent effect on tree growth and decreased fruit production of seven-year old red sugar apple trees. The effect of All Purpose Colloidal Cleaner (CC) for control of various scale insects and fruit anthracnose was completed during the 2004-2005 season. Scale insects were only controlled at the time of
application and this may have been due more to spray intensity and volume than product content. Fruit from trees sprayed with CC had more anthracnose infestation than those not sprayed. Non-sprayed trees had more fruit than trees in sprayed treatments. The effect of two organic biosolid compounds (sludge) on 'Mauritius' lychee growth, leaf nutrient content, and yields with or without standard inorganic fertilization is on-going. To date no dramatic effects have been noted among treatments. The effect of two commercially available copper compounds on control of cercospora and anthracnose avocado fruit rot are in progress. All treatments have been applied, fruit harvested, and data analysis is underway. The effect of MCP and/or wax fruit coating on the postharvest quality and storage life of mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) was completed. Fruit waxed had less water loss than non-waxed fruit and MCP had little effect on prolonging storage life of mamey sapote. A papaya water management
project was begun on developing BMPs for papaya culture in Florida and the Caribbean Region. This first year will be repeated due to destruction of the planting by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.
Impacts
Information on flood-tolerance and water-use, nutritional requirements and optimal storage conditions for subtropical and tropical fruit crops will assist producers in selecting crops for flood-prone areas such as South Florida, and improving fertilizer and water management practices. This information will improve the economic status, efficiency and competitiveness of the subtropical and tropical fruit industry in Florida, thereby improving the economic and environmental well being of the region and state.
Publications
- Munoz-Carpena, R., J.H. Crane, G.D. Israel, and C. Yurgalevitch. 2004. Important issues, sources of continuous education, information and training utilized by Miami-Dade growers and golf course managers. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:189-193.
- Crane, J.H., Y.C. Li, and T.L. Davenport. 2004. Effect of foliarly applied urea and boron on nutrition and yield of 'Booth 7' and 'Lula' avocado trees. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:216-219.
- Castle, W.S., R.J. Schnell, J.H. Crane, J.W. Grosser, F.G. Gmitter, T. Ayala-Silva, and K.D. Bowman. 2004. Evaluation of new citrus rootstocks for 'Tahiti' lime production in southern Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:206-208.
- Kohout, M.P. and J.H. Crane. 2004. The influence of within tree position on 'Arkin' carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) fruit quality and number. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:220-223.
- Crane, J.H. and B. Schaffer. 2004. Increased exposure to temperatures below 55o or 60oF are correlated with increased yield of 'Mauritius' lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in Homestead, Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117: 117:206-208.
- Crane, J.H., C.F. Balerdi, and M. Kohout. 2004. Effect of four years of tree maintenance pruning on yields of 'Red' sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) trees. Proc. Interamer. Soc. Trop. Hort. (in press).
- Al-Yahyai, R., B. Schaffer, F.S. Davies, J.H. Crane. 2005. Phenological cycles of carambola trees are minimally affected by four levels of soil water depletion. 2005. HortTechnology 15:623-630.
- Al-Yahyai, R., B. Schaffer and F.S. Davies. 2005. Physiological responses of carambola trees to soil water depletion. HortScience (in press).
- Sargent, S.A., A.J. Fox, J.H. Crane, and D.J. Huber. 2005. Ripening and quality responses of mamey sapote fruit to postharvest wax and 1-methylcyclopropene treatments. Post. Biol. and Tech. 36:127-134.
- Al-Yahyai, R., B. Schaffer, F.S. Davies and R. Munoz-Carpena. 2005. Measuring soil water characteristics in a calcareous very gravelly loam soil. Soil Science (in press).
- Al-Yahyai, R., F.S. Davies, B. Schaffer, and J.H. Crane. 2005. Effect of soil water depletion on growth, yield, and fruit quality of carambola in gravelly loam soil. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society (in press).
- Crane, J.H., F. Zee, G.S. Bender, B. Faber, B. Brunner, and C.L. Chia. 2005. Commercial Sapindaceae fruit production in the U.S.A. Acta Horticulturae 665:93-103.
- Schaffer, B., F.S. Davies and J.H. Crane. 2005. Responses of subtropical and tropical fruit crops to flooding in calcareous soil. HortScience 40:935 (abstract).
- Rafie, A.R., C.F. Balerdi, and J.H. Crane. 2004. How much do south Florida consumers know about the availability of Florida grown lychee, longan and star fruit? Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:188-189.
- Ergun, M., S.A. Sargent, A.J. Fox, J.H. Crane, and D.J. Huber. 2004. Ripening and quality responses of mamey sapote fruit to postharvest wax and 1-methylcyclopropene treatments. Post. Biol. and Tech. (accepted).
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of flooding, soil temperature, and Fe deficiency on physiology and growth of two Annona species with potential as flood tolerant rootstocks, pond apple (Annona glabra L.) and soursop (A. muricata L.) in comparison with commercially grown 'Gefner' atemoya (A. squamosa L. x A. cherimola Mill) on sugar apple (A. squamosa L.) rootstock. Soil temperatures at 5 and 10C decreased net CO2 assimilation (A) and growth of all species. The highest A, leaf chlorophyll index, and growth occurred at 20 to 25C for pond apple, and 25 to 35C for soursop and 'Gefner' atemoya on sugar apple rootstock. Pond apple and soursop developed hypertrophied trunk lenticels and adventitious roots when flooded at 20, 25, and 35C. Plants of both species died at 5 and 10oC by 4 weeks after flooding. Flooding increased root electrolyte leakage and reduced leaf chlorophyll index, A, and growth of soursop. Pond apple was more flood tolerant than soursop
showing the greatest growth at 20 to 25C soil temperatures. Flooding decreased leaf concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu, and increased Fe and Mn in pond apple. Root ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity in pond apple or soursop was not induced by either the 0 or 2 uM Fe concentration in a hydroponic medium. Soursop exhibited higher leaf FCR activity than pond apple. Leaf chlorophyll index and growth were severely reduced in pond apple at 0 or 2 uM Fe. Pond apple is more flood tolerant but less tolerant to Fe deficiency than soursop. Soursop may be a good flood-tolerant rootstock only for areas subjected to short-term flooding. Multisensor capacitance probes, tensiometers, and a neutron probe were used for assessing soil water content for scheduling irrigation in a carambola orchard in Krome very gravelly loam soil in south Florida. Tensiometers and the neutron probe gave a good estimation of absolute soil water content. The use of tensiometers was limited to a maximum soil
water tension of 20 cbar due to air entry into water column and thus are not a practical method of assessing soil moisture in orchards with Krome soil. The use of a neutron probe by growers is not practical because it utilizes a radioactive source for detecting soil moisture and thus requires health and safety monitoring. Since irrigation scheduling with multisensor capacitance probes is based on the rate of soil water depletion rather than the absolute soil water content, this method may be an effective tool for scheduling irrigation in orchards with Krome very gravelly loam soil.
Impacts
Information on flood-tolerance and water-use and nutritional requirements of some subtropical and tropical fruit crops will assist producers in selecting crops for flood-prone areas such as South Florida, and improving fertilizer and water management practices. This information will improve the economic status, efficiency and competitiveness of the subtropical and tropical fruit industry in Florida, thereby improving the economic and environmental well being of the region and state.
Publications
- Ojeda, M.G., B. Schaffer and F.S. Davies. 2004. Flooding, root temperature, physiology, and growth of two Annona species. Tree Physiology 24:1019-1025.
- Ojeda, M.G., B. Schaffer and F.S. Davies. 2004. Soil temperature, physiology, and growth of containerized Annona species. Scientia Horticulturae 102:234-255.
- Ojeda, M.G., B. Schaffer and F.S. Davies. 2004. Root and leaf ferric chelate reductase activity in pond apple and soursop. Journal of Plant Nutrition 27(8):1-13.
- Al-Yahyai, R., B. Schaffer and F.S. Davies. 2004. Physiological responses of carambola trees to soil water depletion in Krome soils. HortScience 39:857.
- R. Munoz-Carpena, J.H. Crane, G.D. Israel, and C. Yurgalevitch. 2004. Golf courses' water use and conservation practices in Miami-Dade County. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-4. [http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/ AE25900.pdf].
- Crane, J.H. and M.A. Mossler. 2004. Pesticides registered for tropical fruit crops in Florida. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv., IFAS, Univ. of Fla., Gainesville, Fla. P. 1-22. [http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS17700.pdf].
- Ojeda, M.G., B. Schaffer and F.S. Davies. 2003. Ferric chelate reductase activity in roots of two Annona species as affected by iron nutrition. HortScience 38:1104-1107.
- Schaffer, B. and A. W. Whiley. 2003. Environmental regulation of photosynthesis - A mini-review. Proceedings of the Fifth World Avocado Congress, Volume 1, pp. 335-342.
- Al-Yahyai, R., B. Schaffer, F.S. Davies. 2003. Methods of monitoring soil water content for irrigation scheduling in a carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) orchard in limestone soil. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticulitural Society 116:37-41.
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