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Chronica Horticulturae Volume 63 Number 3 (September 2023) is available for download - proceed to https://www.ishs.org/chronica-horticulturae/vol63nr3.
Topics in this number include
News & Views from the Board
Ioannis Moutsinas is an Agricultural Engineer currently working as a research scientist at the Networks Implementation Testbed Laboratory of the University of Thessaly, Greece. At the same time, he is a PhD student within the Laboratory of Pomology. His research mainly focuses on the assessment of major fruit crops’ phenological responses to climate change in the Mediterranean to determine the most suitable adaptation strategies to improve crop resilience and sustainability.
The CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system has been widely used in crop genetic improvement. To rapidly select efficient single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) in the genus watermelon, which is difficult to genetically transform, the Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root method is often used to detect efficient target sites in different Citrullus species. In this study, hairy roots were induced in different plant tissues of Citrullus lanatus, Citrullus mucosospermus and Citrullus amarus, in a non-sterile environment.
For non-rigid porous materials like many soils and growing media, the ability to shrink during drying should be considered as it modifies the total pore volume and pore size distribution, which leads to changes in water holding capacity and air properties. Many studies have shown that the physical properties of growing media depend in part on their particle size. However, no study has been focused on the relationships between shrinkage and particle size for growing media to date. A milled peat (H3 – H6) was fractionated by wet sieving into six particle size fractions.
Zhixian Lin is a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. He works under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Tao Lin. His research focuses on data-driven based modeling for crop growth in plant factories. Strawberries have high consumer demand due to their palatability and nutritional benefits. However, strawberry farming can be challenging as it is susceptible to pests, diseases, and environmental fluctuations.
Rising temperatures, reduced irrigation water and the occurrence of extreme drought events are only some of the challenges that the agricultural sector is currently facing. Deficit irrigation strategies have the potential to maximise water use efficiency without compromising crop quality or yield. This research paper, presented at the IX International Cherry Symposium, examined the effects of different irrigation levels on the physiological performance and fruit quality of sour cherry trees.
![Study on cherry resources located in China and breeding progress of Chinese cherry [Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don]](https://www.ishs.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/news-images/y_wang.jpg?itok=IY6602xG "Study on cherry resources located in China and breeding progress of Chinese cherry [Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don]")
Chinese cherry [Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don], is an economically important fruit crop in China. Native to China, it is precocious, of high ornamental value, with a delicious taste and rich in nutrients.
Suong Tuyet Thi Ha is a postdoctoral researcher at the Postharvest Physiology Lab, Department of Smart Horticultural Science, Andong National University, South Korea, under the supervision of Prof. Byung-Chun In. Her research interests are postharvest physiology, ethylene, the senescence of cut flowers, and the development of techniques to detect water stress and grey mould disease in cut rose flowers. Cut roses are susceptible to grey mould disease caused by Botrytis cinerea. The severity of the disease symptoms is influenced by the presence of ethylene during storage and transportation.
The postharvest chain for blueberry is challenging. Complications are related to the monitoring of ripeness, which manifests as coloring of the peduncular area. This leads to potential degradation during storage, a decrease in bioactive components and a reduction in quality characteristics. To mitigate these complications, the impact of increased artificial UV-B radiation on nutraceutical compounds of ‘Cargo’ blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) was evaluated.
Despite the physiological impact that variable crop loads have on the vegetative growth and reproductive processes of pistachio, very few studies have examined the effect of fruit-sink strength on pistachio nut growth and quality. In this study, considering the branch as a semi-autonomous unit, with regard to carbohydrate availability, we manipulated fruit load with the following two treatments: high crop load (3 nut clusters) and low crop load (1 nut cluster), and evaluated the impact on carbon assimilation, nut growth and quality parameters.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is an important crop in Italy, especially in Sicily (southern Italy), due to the suitability of the crop to the agro-ecological conditions. However, the phytopathological situation has been poorly investigated and little information is available. My research has focused on the investigation of fungal diseases affecting pistachio in Italy. Field surveys were conducted in different geographic regions of Sicily.
Check out the new issue of eJHS online at https://www.pubhort.org/ejhs/ (Volume 88, issue 4, August 2023) including the following articles:
The VII International Symposium on Applications of Modelling as an Innovative Technology in the Horticultural Supply Chain (Model-IT 2023) was held from June 11-14, 2023, at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam, Germany.
Check out the current issue of Fruits - The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture online at https://www.pubhort.org/fruits/ (Volume 78, issue 3, May-June 2023).
The July 2023 Newsletter of the ISHS Division Horticulture for Development is now available for download (see link below).
Hello! My name is Melinda Knuth. I am the newly elected Division of Horticulture for Development (DDEV) Chair.
My goals during my term include:
Check out the new issue of eJHS online at https://www.pubhort.org/ejhs/ (Volume 88, issue 3, June 2023) including the following articles:
ISHS Young Minds: Get inspired, search online to find a horticulture course and start your education for a sustainable career!
Our world is facing immense challenges climate change, mass migration from the countryside to mega cities, food shortages, excess consumption, food waste, pollution and freshwater shortages.
With science, advanced technologies, innovation and creativity, solutions can be found. Through sustainable cultivation of plants and an increase in plant-based diets many of these challenges can be overcome.
The convener of the III International Symposium on Moringa (https://www.ishs.org/symposium/733), met online with the Chair and Vice-Chair of ISHS Working Group Moringa, and discussed the roadmap aligned by the FAO Deputy Director-General, in a response to Professor Sharafeldin's correspondence raising the proposal for the designation of an "International Day of Moringa", to be introduced and to be held every year on 14 September.
Check out the new issue of eJHS online at https://www.pubhort.org/ejhs/ (Volume 88, issue 2) including the following articles:
Chronica Horticulturae Volume 63 Number 2 (June 2023) is available for download - proceed to https://www.ishs.org/chronica-horticulturae/vol63nr2.
Topics in this number include
News & Views from the Board
In Memoriam
Dr. Bernadine Strik (1962-2023)
Former Chair, ISHS Division Vine and Berry Fruits
Read the full article in Chronica Horticulturae 63/02 (June 2023) https://www.ishs.org/chronica-horticulturae/vol63nr2 or download the In Memoriam in .pdf format below
As part of my PhD at the University of Adelaide in South Australia, my research has largely focused on vineyard irrigation management and vine physiology. I have a special interest in optimising irrigation scheduling to improve water use efficiency (WUE) for winegrapes, particularly with the use of plant sensors. Irrigation scheduling strategies can be broadly described by four main categories: approaches based on historical applications/personal experience (typically non-data driven), evapotranspiration (i.e.
This study was conducted due to an increase in black rot reports in stored South African pears. This disease is not well documented and studied in South Africa. It has been reported that Diplodia seriata and Botryosphaeria dothidea are the main causal organisms. This study was performed to: 1) determine the distribution and presence of the disease in the Western Cape region of South Africa; 2) to confirm the main causal organism(s); and 3) to test the effectiveness of immersing fruit in currently registered and applied postharvest fungicides such as fludioxonil and pyrimethanil.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important crop in the diet of many countries. It has a characteristic alliaceous smell and taste and has a beneficial impact on human health. Wide variability is known in garlic morphological traits. The source of traits of interest for breeding is based on an evaluation of the diversity of plant genetic resources. To date, the morphology of Croatian garlic has not been understood.
ISHS Working Group Cucurbitaceae - Call for nominations Working Group Chair + Call for candidatures next symposium
Dear members of ISHS Working Group Cucurbitaceae,
This message is to announce two calls for the nomination or self-nomination of
- the new Chair of ISHS Working Group Cucurbitaceae;
- a candidature for being Convener of the next International Symposium on Cucurbits.
Second episode in a new ISHS Horticulture Debate series called "Hort Forum"
The present and future of the use of autonomous equipment and robotic harvesters in field-based fruit production
Speaker: Stavros Vougioukas, Professor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California (USA)
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture - Webinar Series: Innovating and Scaling for Social Transformation in International Food Systems
Aim of the ERA-Net SusCrop video contest
The ERA- Net SusCrop is launching a video contest to actively involve EVERYBODY from across the world to reflect, communicate and inspire on 'what sustainable crop production means to you?'.
Check out the current issue of Fruits - The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture online at https://www.pubhort.org/fruits/ (Volume 78, issue 1, January-February 2023).
Chronica Horticulturae Volume 63 Number 1 (March 2023) is available for download - proceed to https://www.ishs.org/chronica-horticulturae/vol63nr1.
Topics in this number include
News & Views from the Board
Haruka Kondo is a researcher of the Laboratory of Floriculture & Ornamentals, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. His research focuses on orchid breeding using intergeneric hybridization. Many intergeneric hybrids of Epidendrum between other Epidendroideae, such as genus Cattleya, Barkeria and Brassavola, have been artificially bred. However, intergeneric hybrids or later generations are usually partially or completely sterile, which makes further breeding programs difficult.
Dr. Jie Gao, a recent Ph. D. graduate, is an associate professor at the Environmental Horticulture Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China. The objective of her study focused on the molecular regulation mechanisms of Chinese orchid, Cymbidium sinense, leaf variegation. The Chinese orchid is a symbol of elegance and purity in China. Among Chinese orchids, the leaf color variation of C. sinense is the most abundant. The leaf color variation makes C. sinense more diversified and more valuable. However, the variegation formation process remains largely unexplored.
In Citrus, flower intensity could be partially reduced or increased by applying gibberellins (GA3) or paclobutrazol (PBZ). However, under extreme harvest conditions, very high or very low treatments of these chemicals do not have any effect. Fruit inhibits flowering by activating CcMADS-box19 gene expression in the leaf, which blocks the inductive signalling preventing the expression of the CiFT3 gene. But signals that activate this repressive mechanism are unknown. The hypothesis of hormonal signalling is based on the inhibitory effect of GA3 on flowering.
In the Laboratory for Flavours and Metabolites of the Laimburg Research Centre (Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Italy), our working group is investigating the degradation products of chlorophyll in methanolic extracts of plant leaves and peels of apple fruits. These so-called phyllobilins (PB) are studied using high resolution mass-spectrometry in an untargeted approach, after previously monitoring the content of chlorophyll and its decreasing in the samples using Ultra-Violet/Visual-spectrophotometry.
Dr. Milena Oliveira holds a PhD in Agronomy from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), an MSc in Plant Physiology from the Federal University of Viçosa, and a BSc in Agronomy Engineering from UFC, Brazil. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel, under the supervision of Prof. Noemi Tel-Zur. Milena has expertise in plant physiology, biochemistry, postharvest, and molecular biology for dryland agriculture. Since the completion of her PhD, she has studied Cactaceae species as alternative fruit crop for dryland agriculture.
Tomato is the main horticultural crop for processing industry. Tomato puree is a source of phytonutrients such as carotenoids. Puree viscosity is a major quality trait, and industrial companies need reliable indicators of tomato fruit ability to produce viscous puree. Fruit quality is primarily assessed by measuring the soluble solid content, which is insufficient to predict puree viscosity. The choice of the variety and transformation process are the levers for action used by industrial producers to manage the final puree viscosity.
Sijia Chen is a PhD candidate working on the effect of light spectrum on the fruit set of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), at the Horticulture and Product Physiology Department, Wageningen University (The Netherlands). She studies under the supervision of Dr. Ep Heuvelink, Professor Leo Marcelis, and Professor Remko Offringa. She found that the fruit set of sweet pepper can vary strongly under different light spectra. Far-red radiation strongly reduced the fruit set of sweet pepper grown within climate chambers. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown.
Wounding is a fundamental factor effecting the survival of woody cuttings for plant propagation. Adventitious rooting is directly related to mechanical damage as a result of plant detachment. In this sense, methods of manipulating wounded regions to stimulate adventitious roots have most frequently been applied to hardwood species. Our first experiments investigating the role of wounds in cutting propagation of woody species indicated that additionally injured tissue along the cutting base showed an apparent increase in rooting compared to uninjured controls.
David Wamhoff is a PhD candidate at Leibniz University Hannover, Institute for Horticultural Production Systems, Section Woody Plant and Propagation Physiology (section head: Prof. Dr. Traud Winkelmann), studying the potential genetic reasons for differences in adventitious root (AR) formation in rose. Roses are the most valuable ornamental plants spanning multiple market segments worldwide (cut roses, garden roses, and miniature roses).
Saba Taheri is a PhD candidate in the in vitro plant biotechnology and nanotechnology laboratory at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. She works under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Stefaan Werbrouck and Prof. Dr. Andre Skirtach. Her research focuses on the development of a new method for the slow release of plant growth regulators (PGR) by microcarriers. PGR are essential in the tissue culture of plants. Thus far, the mechanism of delivery of these compounds is through absorption from the growing medium.
Ovidia Agapie is a junior research scientist at the Breeding and Biodiversity Department, part of Vegetable Research and Development Station Buzau, Romania. She is a PhD student at the University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest and her thesis is entitled “Assessment of hot pepper germplasm collection from VRDS Buzau in order to obtain cultivars set by direction of use”, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Florin Stănică. Her research is focused on the breeding and maintenance of genetic resources of hot pepper to obtain new genotypes set by directions of use.
To face the future, farmers and breeders need access to a large genetic diversity. This diversity helps them to adapt to new circumstances, such as droughts by developing and planting drought tolerant varieties. This diversity has to be stored somewhere and while in situ conservation is essential, it is in general more difficult to access and if unprotected at risk of disappearing. Gene banks therefore play an important role, providing ex situ conservation approaches such as field or seed banks. However, these gene banks face their own challenges.
Asparagus officinalis L. (family: Asparagaceae) is the only cultivated member of the genus though many other congeners are widespread within global flora. Among these, A. acutifolius L. and A. albus L. are widely represented in the Mediterranean basin. Since ancient times, they have been used by local populations for food and medicinal purposes. The present focus on these wild plants originates from their rediscovered use in local cuisine, the related biodiversity protection systems, and their consequent agronomic potential as new crops.
A new series of ISHS Talks on Vertical Farming organized by Prof. Dr. Francesco Orsini, Prof. Dr. Leo F.M. Marcelis and Prof. Dr. Murat Kacira is available.
Check out the new issue of eJHS online at https://www.pubhort.org/ejhs/ (Volume 88, issue 1, February 2023) including the following articles:
First episode in a new ISHS Horticulture Debate series called "Hort Forum"
Are 2-D orchard canopy management systems a leap forward or a side-step?
Speaker: Terence Lee Robinson, Professor of Pomology, Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell AgriTech, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University (USA)
Pineapple News #28 - the newsletter of the ISHS Pineapple Working Group - is available.
Check out the Working Group home page at https://www.ishs.org/pineapple and select > Pineapple Newsletters
Chronica Horticulturae Volume 62 Number 4 (December 2022) is available for download - proceed to https://www.ishs.org/chronica-horticulturae/vol62nr4.
Topics in this number include
News & Views from the Board
Check out the current issue of Fruits - The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture online at https://www.pubhort.org/fruits/ (Volume 77, issue 6, November-December 2022).
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