Effect of Plant Biostimulants on Fruit Set, Yield, and Quality Attributes of “Farbaly” Apricot Cultivar
Apulia region (southern Italy) is excellent for heavy
production of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Fruit quality is a
combination of physical, chemical and nutritional characteristics. The
present experiment was laid in the commercial orchard in Cerignola
(Foggia district, Apulia region, 41°15’49’’N; 15°53’59’’E; 126 a.s.l.)
during the 2014-2015 season. The experiment consisted of the use of
three biostimulant treatments (Hendophyt®, Ergostim® and
Radicon®) compared with untreated control on ‘Farbaly’ apricot
cultivar, in order to evaluate the vegeto-productive and fruit
qualitative attributes. Foliar spray of biostimulants was applied at
different times during the growth season (at red ball, fruit setting and
fruit development stages). Experimental data showed some specific
differences among the biostimulant treatments, which fruit set,
growth and productivity were affected. Moderate influences were
found regarding the qualitative attributes of fruits. The soluble solid
content was positively affected by Hendophyt® treatment.
Antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in Hendophyt® and
Radicon® treatments respect to the untreated control.
[1] ISTAT 2015. Istituto nazione di Statistica, Produzioni Agricole, 2015
(www.istat.it).
[2] E. Mirzaee, S. Rafiee, A. Keyhani, Z. Eman Djom–eh, 2009. Physical
properties of apricot to characterize best post harvesting options. Aust. J.
Crop Sci. 3, 95-100.
[3] A.A. Polat, O. Caliskan, 2014. Fruit set and yield of apricot cultivars
under subtropical climate condition of Hatay, Turkey, J. Agr. Sci. Tech.,
16, 863-872.
[4] A. Kramer, B.A. Twigg, 1966. Fundamentals of Quality Control for the
Food Industry, 2nd Edn (Westport: Avi Publishing), pp. 512.
[5] D. Erdogan, M. Guner, E. Dursen, J. Gezer, 2003. Mechanical
harvesting apricot. Biosyst. Eng., 85, 19-28.
[6] E.A. Baldwin, 2002. Fruit flavor: volatile metabolism and consumer
perceptions in: Fruit Quality and its Biological Basis (Knee, M., Ed.).
Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, HK. 89-106.
[7] P.T. Gardner, T.A.C. White, D.B. McPhail, G.G. Duthie, 2000. The
relative contributions of vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolics to the
antioxidant potential of fruit juices, Food Chemistry, 68, 471-474.
[8] J.A. Vinson, J. Hao, X. Su, L. Zubik, 1998. Phenol antioxidant quantity
and quality in foods: vegetables, Journal of Agriculture and Food
Chemistry, 46(9), 3630-3634.
[9] R. Infante, F. Kramer, L. Luchsinger, C. Meneses, D. Aros, 2006.
Sensorial postharvest quality evolution in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)
cvs "Palsteyn"and "Grandir". Acta Hort.,717, 321-326.
[10] Biostimulant coalition, 2013. What are biostimolants?
http://www.biostimulantcoalition.org/about/
[11] E. Tarantino, D. Disciglio, F. Frabboni, A. Libutti, G. Gatta, A.
Gagliardi, A. Tarantino, 2015. Effects of biostimulant application on
quali-quantitative characteristics of cauliflower, pepper and fennel crops
under organic and conventional fertilization. World Academy of
Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of
Agricultural, Biosystems Science and Engineering. Vol. 9 No 7, 685-
689.
[12] G. Disciglio, L. Frabboni, A. Tarantino, E. Tarantino, 2014. Applying
natural fertilizers to herbaceous crops. Journal of Life Science, Vol. 8,
No. 6, 504-510.
[13] P. Calvo, L. Nelson, J.W. Kloepper, 2014. Agricultural used of plant
biostimulants. Plant Soil, 383, 3-41.
[14] M.A. Fathy, M. Eissa-Fawzia, M.M. Yahia, 2002. Improving growth,
yield and fruit quality of 'Desert Red' peach and 'Anna' apple by using
some biostimulants. Minia J. Agric. Res. & Develop. 22 (4), 519–534.
[15] M. Eissa-Fawzia, M.A. Fathi, S.A. El Shall, 2007. Response of peach
and apricot seedlings to humic acid treatment under salinity condition. J.
Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ. 32(5), 3605–3620.
[16] M.A. Fathy, M.A. Gabr, S.A. El Shall, 2010. Effect of humic acid
treatments on “Canino” apricot growth, yield and fruit quality. New York
Science Journal, 3, 12, 1009-1015.
[17] Mancuso S., Azzarello E., Mugnai S., Briand X., 2006. Marine bioactive
substances (IPA extract) improve foliar ion uptake and water stress
tolerance in potted Vitis vinifera plants. Adv Hortic. Sci., 20, 156-161.
[18] S. Mugnai, E. Azzarello, C. Pandolfi, S. Salamagne, X. Briand, S.
Mancuso, 2008. Enhancement of ammonium and potassium root
influxes by the application of marine bioactive substances positively
affects Vitis vinifera plant growth. J. Appl. Phycol, 20, 177-182.
[19] M.Z. Alam, G. Braun, J. Norrie, D.M. Hodges, 2013. Effect of
Ascophyllum extract application on plant growth, fruit yield and soil
microbial communities of strawberry. Cam J. Plant Sci, 93, 23-36.
[20] Mc Gire R.G., 1992. Reporting of objective color measurements. Hort.
Science, vol. 27, 12, Dec.
[21] V.L Singleton, J.A. Rossi, 1965. Colorimetry of total phenolics with
phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. Am J. Enol Vitic., 16,
144-158.
[22] W. Brand-Williams, M.E. Cuvelier, C. Berset, 1995. Use of free radical
method to evaluate antioxidant activity. Lebensm Wiss Technology, 28,
25-30.
[23] D. Ruitz, J. Egea, 2008. Analysis of the variability and correlations of
floral biology factors affecting fruit set in apricot in a Mediterranean
climate. Scientia Horticulturae 115, 154–163.
[24] S. Ishag, A.H. Rathore, S. Majeed, S. Awan, Z.S. Ali Shan, 2009. The
studies on the physic-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of
apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) produced in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and
Kashmir during storage. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8, 856-869.
[25] J. Egea, J.E., Garcia, T. Berenguer, 1994. Variedades de albaricoquero.
Hortofruticultura, 6, 56-62.
[26] F. Guerrieri, J.M. Audergon, G. Albagnac, M. Reich, 2001. Soluble
sugars and carboxlic acids in ripe apricot fruit as parameters for
distinguishing different cultivars. Euphytica, 117, 183-189.
[27] E.B. Akin, I. Karabulut, A, Topcu, 2008. Some compositional properties
of main Malatya apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties. Food
Chemistry, 107, 939-948.
[28] I.J. Hormaza, H. Yamane, J. Rodrigo, 2007. Apricot. In Genome
mapping and molecular breeding in plants, Vol. 4. Fruits and Nuts. Kole
C. eds. (Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag), 171-187.
[29] H. Valdes, M. Pizarro, R. Capos-Vargas, R. Infante, B.G. Defilippi,
2009. Effect of ethylene inhibitors on quality attributes of apricot cv.
Modesto and Patterson during storage. Chileans Journal of Agricultural
research, 69, 134-144.
[30] K. Dolenc-Sturm, F. Stampar, V. Usenik, 1999. Evaluating of some
quality parameters of apricot cultivars using HPLC method. Acta
Alimentaria, 28, 297-309.
[31] A.A. Kader 1999. Fruit maturity, ripening and quality relationship. Acta
Hort., 485, 203-208.
[1] ISTAT 2015. Istituto nazione di Statistica, Produzioni Agricole, 2015
(www.istat.it).
[2] E. Mirzaee, S. Rafiee, A. Keyhani, Z. Eman Djom–eh, 2009. Physical
properties of apricot to characterize best post harvesting options. Aust. J.
Crop Sci. 3, 95-100.
[3] A.A. Polat, O. Caliskan, 2014. Fruit set and yield of apricot cultivars
under subtropical climate condition of Hatay, Turkey, J. Agr. Sci. Tech.,
16, 863-872.
[4] A. Kramer, B.A. Twigg, 1966. Fundamentals of Quality Control for the
Food Industry, 2nd Edn (Westport: Avi Publishing), pp. 512.
[5] D. Erdogan, M. Guner, E. Dursen, J. Gezer, 2003. Mechanical
harvesting apricot. Biosyst. Eng., 85, 19-28.
[6] E.A. Baldwin, 2002. Fruit flavor: volatile metabolism and consumer
perceptions in: Fruit Quality and its Biological Basis (Knee, M., Ed.).
Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, HK. 89-106.
[7] P.T. Gardner, T.A.C. White, D.B. McPhail, G.G. Duthie, 2000. The
relative contributions of vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolics to the
antioxidant potential of fruit juices, Food Chemistry, 68, 471-474.
[8] J.A. Vinson, J. Hao, X. Su, L. Zubik, 1998. Phenol antioxidant quantity
and quality in foods: vegetables, Journal of Agriculture and Food
Chemistry, 46(9), 3630-3634.
[9] R. Infante, F. Kramer, L. Luchsinger, C. Meneses, D. Aros, 2006.
Sensorial postharvest quality evolution in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)
cvs "Palsteyn"and "Grandir". Acta Hort.,717, 321-326.
[10] Biostimulant coalition, 2013. What are biostimolants?
http://www.biostimulantcoalition.org/about/
[11] E. Tarantino, D. Disciglio, F. Frabboni, A. Libutti, G. Gatta, A.
Gagliardi, A. Tarantino, 2015. Effects of biostimulant application on
quali-quantitative characteristics of cauliflower, pepper and fennel crops
under organic and conventional fertilization. World Academy of
Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of
Agricultural, Biosystems Science and Engineering. Vol. 9 No 7, 685-
689.
[12] G. Disciglio, L. Frabboni, A. Tarantino, E. Tarantino, 2014. Applying
natural fertilizers to herbaceous crops. Journal of Life Science, Vol. 8,
No. 6, 504-510.
[13] P. Calvo, L. Nelson, J.W. Kloepper, 2014. Agricultural used of plant
biostimulants. Plant Soil, 383, 3-41.
[14] M.A. Fathy, M. Eissa-Fawzia, M.M. Yahia, 2002. Improving growth,
yield and fruit quality of 'Desert Red' peach and 'Anna' apple by using
some biostimulants. Minia J. Agric. Res. & Develop. 22 (4), 519–534.
[15] M. Eissa-Fawzia, M.A. Fathi, S.A. El Shall, 2007. Response of peach
and apricot seedlings to humic acid treatment under salinity condition. J.
Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ. 32(5), 3605–3620.
[16] M.A. Fathy, M.A. Gabr, S.A. El Shall, 2010. Effect of humic acid
treatments on “Canino” apricot growth, yield and fruit quality. New York
Science Journal, 3, 12, 1009-1015.
[17] Mancuso S., Azzarello E., Mugnai S., Briand X., 2006. Marine bioactive
substances (IPA extract) improve foliar ion uptake and water stress
tolerance in potted Vitis vinifera plants. Adv Hortic. Sci., 20, 156-161.
[18] S. Mugnai, E. Azzarello, C. Pandolfi, S. Salamagne, X. Briand, S.
Mancuso, 2008. Enhancement of ammonium and potassium root
influxes by the application of marine bioactive substances positively
affects Vitis vinifera plant growth. J. Appl. Phycol, 20, 177-182.
[19] M.Z. Alam, G. Braun, J. Norrie, D.M. Hodges, 2013. Effect of
Ascophyllum extract application on plant growth, fruit yield and soil
microbial communities of strawberry. Cam J. Plant Sci, 93, 23-36.
[20] Mc Gire R.G., 1992. Reporting of objective color measurements. Hort.
Science, vol. 27, 12, Dec.
[21] V.L Singleton, J.A. Rossi, 1965. Colorimetry of total phenolics with
phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. Am J. Enol Vitic., 16,
144-158.
[22] W. Brand-Williams, M.E. Cuvelier, C. Berset, 1995. Use of free radical
method to evaluate antioxidant activity. Lebensm Wiss Technology, 28,
25-30.
[23] D. Ruitz, J. Egea, 2008. Analysis of the variability and correlations of
floral biology factors affecting fruit set in apricot in a Mediterranean
climate. Scientia Horticulturae 115, 154–163.
[24] S. Ishag, A.H. Rathore, S. Majeed, S. Awan, Z.S. Ali Shan, 2009. The
studies on the physic-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of
apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) produced in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and
Kashmir during storage. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8, 856-869.
[25] J. Egea, J.E., Garcia, T. Berenguer, 1994. Variedades de albaricoquero.
Hortofruticultura, 6, 56-62.
[26] F. Guerrieri, J.M. Audergon, G. Albagnac, M. Reich, 2001. Soluble
sugars and carboxlic acids in ripe apricot fruit as parameters for
distinguishing different cultivars. Euphytica, 117, 183-189.
[27] E.B. Akin, I. Karabulut, A, Topcu, 2008. Some compositional properties
of main Malatya apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties. Food
Chemistry, 107, 939-948.
[28] I.J. Hormaza, H. Yamane, J. Rodrigo, 2007. Apricot. In Genome
mapping and molecular breeding in plants, Vol. 4. Fruits and Nuts. Kole
C. eds. (Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag), 171-187.
[29] H. Valdes, M. Pizarro, R. Capos-Vargas, R. Infante, B.G. Defilippi,
2009. Effect of ethylene inhibitors on quality attributes of apricot cv.
Modesto and Patterson during storage. Chileans Journal of Agricultural
research, 69, 134-144.
[30] K. Dolenc-Sturm, F. Stampar, V. Usenik, 1999. Evaluating of some
quality parameters of apricot cultivars using HPLC method. Acta
Alimentaria, 28, 297-309.
[31] A.A. Kader 1999. Fruit maturity, ripening and quality relationship. Acta
Hort., 485, 203-208.
@article{"International Journal of Biological, Life and Agricultural Sciences:76881", author = "A. Tarantino and F. Lops and G. Disciglio and E. Tarantino", title = "Effect of Plant Biostimulants on Fruit Set, Yield, and Quality Attributes of “Farbaly” Apricot Cultivar", abstract = "Apulia region (southern Italy) is excellent for heavy
production of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Fruit quality is a
combination of physical, chemical and nutritional characteristics. The
present experiment was laid in the commercial orchard in Cerignola
(Foggia district, Apulia region, 41°15’49’’N; 15°53’59’’E; 126 a.s.l.)
during the 2014-2015 season. The experiment consisted of the use of
three biostimulant treatments (Hendophyt®, Ergostim® and
Radicon®) compared with untreated control on ‘Farbaly’ apricot
cultivar, in order to evaluate the vegeto-productive and fruit
qualitative attributes. Foliar spray of biostimulants was applied at
different times during the growth season (at red ball, fruit setting and
fruit development stages). Experimental data showed some specific
differences among the biostimulant treatments, which fruit set,
growth and productivity were affected. Moderate influences were
found regarding the qualitative attributes of fruits. The soluble solid
content was positively affected by Hendophyt® treatment.
Antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in Hendophyt® and
Radicon® treatments respect to the untreated control.", keywords = "Prunus Armeniaca L., biostimulants, fruit set, fruit
quality.", volume = "11", number = "8", pages = "652-5", }
