Foliar Application of Calcium and Growth Regulators Modulate Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Tree Performance

Abstract

Cracking of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruits is caused by rain events close to harvest. This problem has occurred in most cherry growing regions with significant economic losses. Several orchard management practices have been applied to reduce the severity of this disorder, like the foliar application of minerals or growth regulators. In the present study, we hypothesized that preharvest spray treatments improve the physiological performance of sweet cherry trees and could also mitigate environmental stressful conditions. Effects of repeated foliar spraying of calcium (Ca), gibberellic acid (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), glycine betaine (GB), and the biostimulant Ascophyllum nodosum (AN) on the physiological and biochemical performance of ‘Skeena’ sweet cherry trees during two consecutive years (without Ca in 2015 and in 2016 with addition of Ca) were studied. Results showed that in general spray treatments improved the physiological performance and water status of the trees. AN and ABA sprays were demonstrated to be the best compounds for increasing yield and reducing cherry cracking as well as improving photosynthetic performance and leaf metabolites content. In conclusion, AN and ABA might be promising tools in the fruit production system.

Recent Advances in the Molecular Effects of Biostimulants in Plants: An Overview

“…The improvements in anthocyanin accumulation observed in this study may provide a means of producing premium wines [142]. Increases in fruit quality after the application of these SWE has also been observed in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), leading to larger fruits, increased content in soluble solids, polyphenols, vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as improving fruit color, acidity, ripening timing and reduced cracking [143,144]. Interestingly, the application of A. nodosum-based biostimulants has been observed to lead to changes in the expression of cherry cell-wall and cuticular wax genes (PaEXP1, Pa -Gal and PaWS), which can be correlated to a reduction in fruit cracking [145].…”

Uncovering the Multi-level Response of Glycine Max L. To the Application of Allelopathic Biostimulant From Levisticum Officinale Koch

“…ABA stimulates stomatal closure and minimizes water loss by transpiration [44]. Therefore, exogenous ABA application can have a great interest in plant growth biostimulation [45]. The results of our research indicates that allelopathic extract from Levisticum o cinale elicit the response of soybean plants not only due to the presence of phenolic compounds and multielemental composition but also to ABA concentration.…”

Uncovering the multi-level response of Glycine max L. to the application of allelopathic biostimulant from Levisticum officinale Koch

“…ABA stimulates stomatal closure and minimizes water loss by transpiration 52 . Therefore, exogenous ABA application can have a great interest in plant growth biostimulation 53 . The results of our research indicates that allelopathic extract from Levisticum officinale elicit the response of soybean plants not only due to the presence of phenolic compounds and multielemental composition but also to ABA concentration.…”