Impact of secondary-lateral branch removal during watermelon production

Choi, Eun-Young; Cho, Il-Hwan; Moon, Ji-Hye; Woo, Young-Hoe

doi:10.1007/s13580-012-0121-4

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Active leaves on the secondary-lateral branch seemed to be a competing sink with fruit, which led to a slower fruit growth during fruit development, as shown in both the present study ( Fig. 2A) and our previous study (Choi et al, 2012). However, the slower fruit growth caught up around 3 weeks after pollination and there was no difference in final fruit weight between two treatments at 5 weeks after pollination (Fig.…”

Section: C 2c-1supporting

confidence: 84%

“…However, Hubbard et al (1990) reported that when 50% of plant leaves were removed 28 days before harvest, a significant reduction in the soluble solid content of fruit was observed. Our previous study examined secondary-lateral branch removal to determine the comparative differences in labor input as well as its impact on plant and fruit growth and fruit sugar accumulation (Choi et al, 2012). The results showed that during the fruit ripening period, younger and developing leaves on secondary-lateral branches had a higher growth rate and higher photosynthetic activity than leaves on lateral branches did.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Role of Secondary-lateral Branch Leaves as a Source of Assimilates for Watermelon Fruit During Fruit Ripening Period

Choi,

Cho,

et al. 2017

HST

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This study examined the contribution of leaves on the secondary-lateral branches to sucrose concentration in the fruit of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 'Sambok-kkul'. Plants were trained to two primary-lateral branches after topping the main stem, and treated with either removal of the entire secondary-lateral branch (treatment 2C), or removal of the secondary-lateral branch below the fruit set node (treatment 2C-1). On average, 2C-1 plants had 30% smaller leaves at the 5th node above fruit set on the primary-lateral branches (EL) at 3 weeks after pollination compared to the 2C plants. Total leaf area of 2C-1 plants was 26% higher, on average, however, due to the leaves on the remaining portion of the secondary-lateral branch. At 2 weeks after pollination, both the leaves on the primary-lateral branches of the EL of the 2C treatment plants and leaves on the secondary lateral branches (SL) of the 2C-1 treatment showed significantly higher photosynthetic activity than other leaves. However, at 4 weeks after pollination, the highest photosynthesis activity and lowest water potential were observed in the leaves on the secondary lateral branch SL of the 2C-1 treatment plants. The leaf sucrose content of the 2C-1 treatment plants started increasing much more steeply from 4 weeks after pollination, while there was no significant increase in the sucrose content under the 2C treatment at the same period. In particular, the sucrose content in the SL of the 2C-1 leaves became greater than that of the EL of the 2C leaves starting 3 weeks after pollination. There was a 3.9-fold increase in sucrose content of the 2C-1 fruit for 4 to 5 weeks after pollination, while there was only a 1.4fold increase in the 2C fruit. Micrographs of harvested fruit flesh showed higher cellulose in the 2C fruit flesh than in 2C-1. These results suggest that a transition from sink to source of carbon in younger and older leaves may influence the availability of carbohydrates for fruit development and quality.

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Section: C 2c-1supporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Secondary-lateral Branch Leaves as a Source of Assimilates for Watermelon Fruit During Fruit Ripening Period

Choi,

Cho,

et al. 2017

HST

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“…In Cucurbitaceae crops, cultivators may remove secondary-lateral branches to prevent the production of too many female flowers [54]. This may be particularly relevant to watermelon management, where this practice may ensure bigger fruit, especially considering that people usually keep only one fruit per plant [55,56]. An increased production of female flowers may later require more resources for increased fruit and seed production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All fruits were harvested when they reached a length of 18 cm or one month after the end of the pollination treatments, whichever indicated maturity, beyond this length, or after one month when fruits began to turn yellow and decay [55]. All the fruits were recorded after the pollination experiment.…”

Section: Fruit Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are matching patterns of male and female flowers in response to nutrient supply and pollen concentration optimal for fruit and seed growth?

Gao

Zhai

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Background: Changes in the proportions of male and female flowers in monoecious plants in response to external environmental conditions are directly related to the reproductive fitness of plants. The monoecious cucumber plant was used in this study to assess the responses of sex differentiation and the breeding process to nutrient supply and the degree of artificial pollination using pollen solutions of different concentrations. Results: We found that the nutrient supply significantly increased the number of female flowers, although the number of female flowers did not increase with the strength of the pollination. The number of male flowers did not decrease even under the low nutrient concentration; consequently, the matching pattern of male and female flowers reflects the response of plants to nutrients and nutrient resources during flowering stage. Pollination treatment affected the fruit growth, seed set, and fruit yield. However, the number of fruit, fruit set percentage, and total seeds per plant did not increase with the pollination level, although individual fruit weight and seed number in one fruit did increase. Conclusions: It is concluded that the response of cucumber flowering to external factors is direct and instantaneous, and this matching pattern of male and female flowers may not be optimal for fruit development and seed formation. Keywords: Cucumber, Plant fitness, Sex differentiation, Monoecious, Pollen resource

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“…In Cucurbitaceae crops, cultivators may remove secondary-lateral branches to prevent the production of too many female flowers [47]. This may be particularly relevant to watermelon management, where this practice may ensure bigger fruit, especially considering that people usually keep only one fruit per plant [48,49]. An increased production of female flowers may later require more resources for increased fruit and seed production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are patterns of flower differentiation in response to nutrient supply and pollen concentration optimal for fruit and seed growth?

Gao

Zhai

et al. 2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Changes in the proportions of male and female flowers in monoecious plants in response to external environmental conditions are directly related to the reproductive fitness of plants. The monoecious cucumber plant was used in this study to assess the responses of sex differentiation and the breeding process to nutrient supply and the degree of artificial pollination using pollen solutions of different concentrations. Results We found that the nutrient supply significantly increased the number of female flowers after pollination, although the number of female flowers did not increase with the concentration of the pollination solution. The number of male flowers did not decrease even under the low nutrient concentration; consequently, the optimal benefits under different nutrient and pollen resources in the environment were maximized when the number of female flowers decreased due to low nutrient levels after pollination. Pollination treatment affected the fruit growth, seed set, and fruit yield. However, the number of fruit, fruit set percentage, and total seeds per plant did not increase with the pollination level, although the fruit weight and seed number in one fruit did increase. The trade-offs for cucumbers associated with flower differentiation with respect to nutrient supply and pollination may not be optimal for fruit growth or seed set. Conclusions It is concluded that the response of plant flowering to external factors is direct and instantaneous, and there may not be an overall and long-term resource allocation for fruit development and seed formation.

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Impact of secondary-lateral branch removal during watermelon production

Cited by 9 publications

References 12 publications

The Role of Secondary-lateral Branch Leaves as a Source of Assimilates for Watermelon Fruit During Fruit Ripening Period

The Role of Secondary-lateral Branch Leaves as a Source of Assimilates for Watermelon Fruit During Fruit Ripening Period

Are matching patterns of male and female flowers in response to nutrient supply and pollen concentration optimal for fruit and seed growth?

Are patterns of flower differentiation in response to nutrient supply and pollen concentration optimal for fruit and seed growth?

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