Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a fruit species that, in certain cultivation area, shows several problems related to floral biology, appearance of flower bud anomalies, inconstant and extremely low yield. In this review, environmental, biological and physiological aspects affecting flower bud development are discussed and the complex phenomena of flower bud anomalies are analyzed. Three phases of the whole flower bud development periods are considered: 1) from flower bud initiation to beginning of dormancy; 2) from deep dormancy to bud swelling; 3) from beginning of flowering to petal drop. The early appearance of flower bud anomalies is related to the first growth period, involving flower bud induction, differentiation, organogenesis and beginning of dormancy, when several environmental and agronomical factors can heavily modify these processes. The second flower bud growth period is characterized by the dormancy phase followed by the resumption phase, when bud dormancy release occurs. Several types of anomalies have been observed when the buds are still dormant and also at the end of dormancy. During the third period, the development of the female and male gametophyte is completed and all organs are functional. At this time, the appearance of anomalies determines significant problems, such as morphological abnormalities of pistil, stamen, and a reduction of male and female fertility.
Apricot flower bud development: main biological, physiological and environmental aspects related to the appearance of anomalies
VITI, RAFFAELLA;
2008-01-01
Abstract
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a fruit species that, in certain cultivation area, shows several problems related to floral biology, appearance of flower bud anomalies, inconstant and extremely low yield. In this review, environmental, biological and physiological aspects affecting flower bud development are discussed and the complex phenomena of flower bud anomalies are analyzed. Three phases of the whole flower bud development periods are considered: 1) from flower bud initiation to beginning of dormancy; 2) from deep dormancy to bud swelling; 3) from beginning of flowering to petal drop. The early appearance of flower bud anomalies is related to the first growth period, involving flower bud induction, differentiation, organogenesis and beginning of dormancy, when several environmental and agronomical factors can heavily modify these processes. The second flower bud growth period is characterized by the dormancy phase followed by the resumption phase, when bud dormancy release occurs. Several types of anomalies have been observed when the buds are still dormant and also at the end of dormancy. During the third period, the development of the female and male gametophyte is completed and all organs are functional. At this time, the appearance of anomalies determines significant problems, such as morphological abnormalities of pistil, stamen, and a reduction of male and female fertility.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
