MassARRAY and SABER Analyses of SNPs in Embryo DNA Reveal the Abscission of Self-Fertilised Progeny during Fruit Development of Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche).

Yield in many crops is affected by abscission during the early stages of fruitlet development. The reasons for fruitlet abscission are often unclear but they may include genetic factors because, in some crops, self-pollinated fruitlets are more likely to abscise than cross-pollinated fruitlets. Pollen parentage can also affect final fruit size and fruit quality. Here, we aimed to understand the effects of pollen parentage on fruitlet retention and nut quality in orchards of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche). We identified the pollen parent of macadamia 'cultivar '816' embryos by analysing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in their DNA using customised MassARRAY and Single Allele Base Extension Reaction (SABER) methods. This allowed us to determine the proportions of self-fertilised and cross-fertilised progeny during premature fruit drop at 6 weeks and 10 weeks after peak anthesis, as well as at nut maturity. We determined how pollen parentage affected nut-in-shell (NIS) mass, kernel mass, kernel recovery, and oil concentration. Macadamia trees retained cross-fertilised fruitlets rather than self-fertilised fruitlets. The percentage of progeny that were cross-fertilised increased from 6% at 6 weeks after peak anthesis to 97% at nut maturity, with each tree producing on average 22 self-fertilised nuts and 881 cross-fertilised nuts. Three of the four cross-pollen parents provided fruit with significantly higher NIS mass, kernel mass, or kernel recovery than the few remaining self-fertilised fruit. Fruit that were cross-fertilised by '842', 'A4', or 'A203' had 16-29% higher NIS mass and 24-44% higher kernel mass than self-fertilised fruit. Nuts that were cross-fertilised by 'A4' or 'A203' also had 5% or 6% higher kernel recovery, worth approximately $US460-540 more per ton for growers than self-fertilised nuts. The highly selective abscission of self-fertilised fruitlets and the lower nut quality of self-fertilised fruit highlight the critical importance of cross-pollination for macadamia productivity.

Acquisition of the physiological quality of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds during maturation under the influence of the maternal environment.

The scarcity of information on the maturation physiology of the peanut seed (Arachis hypogaea L.; Virgínia group) makes harvesting high quality seeds a challenge for the seed industry. During two consecutive crop seasons, we studied the acquisition of physiological quality of peanut seeds during maturation in tropical conditions. We bring new insights about the period of late maturation of seeds and the influence of the maternal environment on physiological quality. We monitored water content, dry weight, ability of germination, desiccation tolerance, vigor and longevity. In addition, we monitored temperature and precipitation throughout plant growth. We demonstrate that the physiological quality of peanut seeds is acquired during development, with a maximum between 57 and 76 days after flowering in the late stage of maturation. This final period represents about 25% of the development, considered the best time to harvest peanut seeds with the highest quality. Our findings also support the idea that the adequate proportion of rainfall and thermal sum in the maternal environment are factors that favor the acquisition of peanut seed longevity.

Correlation between water stress and phenolic compounds of hydroSOStainable almonds.

BACKGROUND: Water scarcity is currently affecting many areas of the world, reaching worrying levels in drought areas such as southern Spain. To cope with this issue, researchers in the agricultural sector have implemented deficit irrigation strategies intended to reduce water consumption by increasing fruit quality. Almond is among the most popular tree nuts worldwide and also the most nut cultivated in Spain. Almond consumption, together with other nuts, has been widely associated with improvements in cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome and diabetes owing to their bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. Water deficit strategies generate hydroSOStainable almonds, raised under water stress conditions, with high content of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between water stress, color and polyphenols in hydroSOStainable almonds. For this, instrumental color, total phenolic content and phenolic compounds were measured and correlated using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: The results showed a strong relationship between water stress, color and polyphenols of almonds, showing that increasing water stress in plants up to ~100 MPa × day values of stress integral increase the polyphenols in almonds, leading to a reddish color. CONCLUSION: Finally, this research demonstrated that implementing water-saving strategies help to improve the phenolic content and color of hydroSOStainable almonds and also that isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside could be important markers of hydroSOStainable almonds (cv. Vairo). Besides, hydroSOStainable almonds could be an important source of phenols, providing 25% of the estimated total polyphenolic daily intake. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Kaolin, Ascophyllum nodosum and salicylic acid mitigate effects of summer stress improving hazelnut quality.

BACKGROUND: Various strategies are needed to mitigate the negative impact on or to increase fruit quality. The effect of spraying kaolin (K), Ascophyllum nodosum (An) and salicylic acid (SA), in trees with and without irrigation, on quality and sensorial attributes of hazelnut (Grada de Viseu cultivar) was investigated during two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) in a commercial orchard located in Moimenta da Beira, Portugal. RESULTS: The treatments affected positively the biometric parameters nut and kernel weight, length, width, thickness and volume as well as the vitamin E level, antioxidant activity and content of some individual phenolics, such as protocatechuic acid, gallocatechin, catechin and epicatechin. The levels of amino acids in hazelnut kernels decreased in all the assayed treatments, while the kernel colour and sensorial attributes were not affected by the treatments. Hazelnut physical properties (nut and kernels), chemical and phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities were positively related. CONCLUSIONS: The application of K, An and SA improved the hazelnut tree response to climate change, without compromising the hazelnut chemical and sensorial quality. Furthermore, due to the similar observations for the same treatments with and without irrigation, it can be stated that K, An and SA can be efficient and cost-effective tools to mitigate summer stress in rain-fed orchards. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical and sensorial characterization of spray dried hydroSOStainable almond milk.

BACKGROUND: Water scarcity is a worldwide problem that leads to environmental and economic issues. Agriculture is one of the main consumers of water for irrigation and fertilization and almond is the major tree nut crop in the Mediterranean area. Furthermore, there is a continuous growing demand for healthy, vegan and sustainable products. Consequently, the present study aimed to chemically characterize almond milk powder enriched with probiotics manufactured from hydroSOStainable almonds (i.e. generated under water stress conditions). Almond milk powder enriched with probiotic bacteria was produced with almonds grown under optimal irrigation conditions (100% of the crop evapotranspiration) and was chemically compared to the samples made from hydroSOStainable almonds. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), minerals, organic acids and sugars, fatty acids, and descriptive sensory analysis were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that almond milk powder produced from hydroSOStainable almonds had a higher content of TPC, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), PUFAs/saturated fatty acids (SFAs) ratio and PUFAs/monounsaturated fatty acids ratio, as well as almond and nutty flavors. Moderate and sustained deficit irrigation leads to powders with a higher content of PUFAs and PUFAs/SFAs ratio, which are parameters of utmost importance for health. CONCLUSION: Using these strategies, between 66% and 76% of the irrigation water can be saved, producing hydroSOStainable almond milk powder higher in TPC and PUFAs, as well as positive sensory attributes, compared to that from fully irrigated almonds. These findings may have a positive impact in both agriculture and food industry, allowing water savings and high quality and sustainable food products to be obtained. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification and analysis of the FAD gene family in walnuts (Juglans regia L.) based on transcriptome data.

BACKGROUND: Walnut kernels contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which are essential fatty acids for humans and have important effects on growth and health. The main function of fatty acid desaturase (FAD), which is widely distributed in organisms, is to remove hydrogen from carbon chains in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids to generate C=C bonds. RESULTS: By performing a series of bioinformatics analysis, 24 members of the JrFAD gene family were identified from the genome database of walnut, and then compared with the homologous genes from Arabidopsis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that JrFADs were classified into four subfamilies: the SAD desaturase subfamily, Δ7/Δ9 desaturase subfamily, Δ12/ω-3 desaturase subfamily and "front-end" desaturase subfamily. Meanwhile, the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes in walnut kernels at different developmental stages was analysed by transcriptome sequencing, with expression of JrFAD3-1, which encodes an enzyme involved in linolenic acid synthesis, being particularly prominent. The relative expression level of JrFAD3-1 changed dramatically with the kernel development stages and exhibited a Bell-Shaped Curve. A significant positive correlation was observed between the expression of JrFAD3-1 during 70-100 DAF (Days after flowering) and the content of alpha-linolenic acid during 100-130 DAF, with a correlation coefficient of 0.991. Additionally, JrFAD3-1 was proved closely related to homologous genes in Betula pendula and Corylus heterophylla, indicating that the conserved structure of FADs is consistent with classical plant taxonomy. CONCLUSION: Twenty-four members JrFADs in walnut were identified and classified into four subfamilies. JrFAD3-1 may play significant roles in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in walnut.

Climate warming disrupts mast seeding and its fitness benefits in European beech.

Many plants benefit from synchronous year-to-year variation in seed production, called masting. Masting benefits plants because it increases the efficiency of pollination and satiates predators, which reduces seed loss. Here, using a 39-year-long dataset, we show that climate warming over recent decades has increased seed production of European beech but decreased the year-to-year variability of seed production and the reproductive synchrony among individuals. Consequently, the benefit that the plants gained from masting has declined. While climate warming was associated with increased reproductive effort, we demonstrate that less effective pollination and greater losses of seeds to predators offset any benefits to the plants. This shows that an apparently simple benefit of climate warming unravels because of complex ecological interactions. Our results indicate that in masting systems, the main beneficiaries of climate-driven increases in seed production are seed predators, not plants.

Enhancing Nut Quality Parameters and Sensory Profiles in Three Almond Cultivars by Different Irrigation Regimes.

The climate change is already affecting many agricultural systems and human environments, and the implementation of adaptation strategies, especially those related to irrigated agriculture in semiarid regions, is urgent. In this regard, deep knowledge about the effects that irrigation has on the food quality parameters will allow us to estimate the potential benefits of deficit irrigation (DI) strategies. This work presents the effects on the quality parameters of three almond cultivars (Marta, Guara, and Lauranne) subjected to three irrigation doses: (i) full-irrigated treatment (FI) at 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETC), (ii) an overirrigated treatment at 150% ETC (150% ETC), and (iii) regulated deficit irrigation (RDI65) treatment, in which irrigation was done as in FI, expect during the kernel-filling period when this treatment received 65% ETC. According to experimental findings, the cultivar most sensitive to water stress was Marta, having the most significant improvements for RDI65. In general, the effects of the irrigation dose on the morphological and physicochemical parameters were not huge but some improvements were observed in key parameters such as the color and contents of specific sugars, organic acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. Thus, it can be concluded that the irrigation dose did not drastically affect the fruit almond quality, although it is possible to improve several key parameters when a moderate RDI strategy is applied.

The walnut genetic resources of INRA: chronological phenotypic data and ontology.

OBJECTIVES: Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.), the walnut species cultivated for nut production, is grown worldwide in temperate areas. In this work, chronological phenotypic data have been collected regarding a part of the walnut genetic resources of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) of Bordeaux. Using a well described ontology, these data have been collected in order to assess the phenotypic variations among the accessions, and to better manage the germplasm collection. These data can also be helpful for any breeding program as they provide a clear phenotypic characterization of the main cultivars. DATA DESCRIPTION: This paper introduces a dataset collected for 150 J. regia accessions for a period from 1965 to 2016, and for 3 observation sites, released as comma separated value spreadsheet. It includes observations about phenological traits (e.g. flowering dates), traits related to in-shell walnut (e.g. weight and size), and traits related to kernel (e.g. color). It can be used by other researchers particularly for multi-site phenological studies in the context of climate change since climate data files are also available. In addition, a complete walnut ontology was deposited in this repository and can assist to standardize the management of any walnut germplasm collection.

Cumulative risk assessment of pesticide residues in different Iranian pistachio cultivars: Applying the source specific HQS and adversity specific HIA approaches in Real Life Risk Simulations (RLRS).

Iran is a major supplier of the world pistachio market. In this study, we collected five pistachio cultivars from four main pistachio-producing zones in August and September 2016, and determined the residues of 18 organophosphorus, carbamate, pyrethroid and nicotinoid pesticide in these samples using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, as an efficient method for determination of pesticides' residues. Next, single-chemical and chronic cumulative risk assessment was done based on the new approaches of the food specific Hazard Quotient and adversity specific Hazard Index. Fifteen from eighteen food-specific Hazard Quotients were above 1 even in cases when the respective contamination was bellow MRLs. The adversity specific Hazard Indexes values were above 1 for five from six adversities indicating various risks in the resulted levels of pistachios' contamination from the pesticides' mixture. However, no risk for carcinogenicity was found. Our results indicate the necessity of taking appropriate measures to control/standardize pesticides practice in pistachio cultivation in Iran and the need to re-establish the MRLs based on cumulative exposure.

New sights into lipid metabolism regulation by low temperature in harvested Torreya grandis nuts.

BACKGROUND: Torreya grandis, a large evergreen coniferous tree with oil-rich nuts, undergoes a crucial ripening stage after harvest that results in oil accumulation, finally giving rise to the nut that is edible in roasted form. To understand lipid metabolism in T. grandis nuts during the post-harvest ripening period, the effects of low temperature on lipid content, fatty acid composition, lipid biosynthesis and degradation were investigated. RESULTS: The lipid content increased during ripening at room temperature and a low temperature slowed down this increase. Linoleic acid content increased at low temperature, which was accompanied by an increase in the microsomal oleate desaturase (FAD2) activity and FAD2 expression. Furthermore, a low temperature attenuated lipid peroxidation as indicated by lower contents of malondialdehyde, hydroperoxide and total free fatty acid in T. grandis nuts during the ripening stage, as well as the down-regulation of gene expression of lipid degradation-related enzymes such as phospholipase D and lipoxygenases. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicate that a low temperature increased polyunsaturated fatty acid contents by increasing FAD2 biosynthesis and decreasing lipid peroxidation, thereby improving the oil yield in T. grandis nuts during the post-harvest ripening period. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

RNA-Seq Reveals Flavonoid Biosynthesis-Related Genes in Pecan ( Carya illinoinensis) Kernels.

Pecan ( Carya illinoinensis) is an important tree nut throughout the world. The high concentration of flavonoid in its kernels makes it an excellent food with health benefits. However, the molecular basis of flavonoid biosynthesis in pecan remains unclear, which hinders quality breeding in this plant. Therefore, in order to find the crucial genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, the changes in flavonoid profiles and the transcriptomes of pecan kernels at four developmental stages (late water, gel, dough, and mature stages) were analyzed. As a result, the highest levels of total phenolic, condensed tannin, and flavan-3-ols were observed at the "late water stage". Catechin was the most abundant flavan-3-ol at different development stages. In total, 64 773 unigenes were obtained, and 46 924 (72.44%) unigenes were annotated. After differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, 12 750 unique DEGs were identified. Flavonoid-related DEGs of 36 structural genes and eight MYBs were obtained. The structural gene set contained three PALs, three CHSs, two CHIs, one F3H, two F3'Hs, two F3'5'Hs, one DFR, one ANS, two LARs, and two ANRs. The expression patterns of most of the structural genes were consistent with the changes in flavonoid profiles during kernel development. We believe that this RNA-Seq data set will provide valuable resources for unraveling the molecular mechanism of flavonoid metabolism in pecan and will significantly promote genetic studies and quality breeding in this plant.

Evaluation of the chemical and nutritional characteristics of almonds (Prunus dulcis (Mill). D.A. Webb) as influenced by harvest time and cultivar.

BACKGROUND: Several workers have studied the effect of harvest time on chemical and nutritional composition of almonds, but the results are partly conflicting, probably due to differences in the cultivars considered and to different agronomic and climatic conditions in the growing areas. In this paper, the influence of harvest time and cultivar on the chemical and nutritional composition of almonds (Prunus dulcis (Mill). D.A. Webb) were evaluated. Ten cultivars were considered, grown in the same orchard and subjected to the same agronomical regime. Almonds were collected at two different harvest times: (i) when the fruits were unripe, but already edible, and showed green and moist hull; and (ii) when the fruits were ripe, with dry brown hull. The analyses of proximate composition, fatty acid profile, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were carried out. RESULTS: Lipid content increased (P < 0.001) during ripening, while both protein and carbohydrate content decreased (P < 0.01). Fatty acid composition showed a not univocal behavior during ripening and was highly influenced by cultivar. Total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity varied among cultivars but increased during ripening with the exception of cv Marcona. The 'Genco' and 'Francolì' cultivars were found to be phenolic rich. CONCLUSION: Harvest time and cultivar significantly influenced the chemical and nutritional composition of almonds. Genotype strongly influenced fatty acid composition and total phenolic compounds. The changes of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity suggest that the synthesis of antioxidants also occurs in the last stage of ripening. Unripe almonds, a valuable niche product, showed interesting nutritional value. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Red Walnut: Characterization of the Phenolic Profiles, Activities and Gene Expression of Selected Enzymes Related to the Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Pellicle during Walnut Development.

A rare walnut variant with a red seed coat (pellicle) was examined for alterations in its phenolic profile during development. The red-walnut (RW) pellicle was compared with two commonly colored walnut varieties: 'Lara' (brown) and 'Fernor' (light brown). Furthermore, the activities of selected enzymes of the phenylpropanoid- and flavonoid-related pathways and the relative expressions of the structural genes phenylalanine ammonia lyase ( PAL) and anthocyanidin synthase ( ANS) were examined in the pellicles of the three varieties. In the pellicles of the RWs, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and related PAL expression was most pronounced in August, about one month before commercial maturity, suggesting a high synthesis rate of phenolic compounds at this development stage. The most pronounced differences between the red and light- and dark-brown varieties were the increased PAL activity, PAL expression, and ANS expression in RWs in August. The vibrant color of the RW pellicle is based on the presence of four derivatives of cyanidin- and delphinidin-hexosides.

Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxins in dried figs and nuts in Algeria.

The presence of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxin (AF) contamination was investigated in 112 samples of peanuts, almonds and dried figs collected in Algeria. The occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) in different commodities has been determined with a sensitive method based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection with post-column photochemical derivatisation. Analytical results indicated that 28 samples of peanuts, 16 samples of almonds and 26 samples of dried figs contained detectable levels of AFs. A total of 69 samples (61.6%) were contaminated with AFB1 ranging from the limit of quantification to 174 µg kg-1. AFB2 was found in 12 samples (10.7%) and varied from 0.18 to 193 µg kg-1. Seven samples revealed AF concentrations lower than the limit of quantification. Eleven peanut and fourteen dried fig samples exceeded the European maximum limits for AFB1.

Changes in phenolic profiles of red-colored pellicle walnut and hazelnut kernel during ripening.

In studies of secondary metabolites in nuts, many constituents in the kernel remain unidentified due to a high content of phenolic compounds in the pellicle. In the present study, we focused on the investigation of the phenolic and dicarboxylic acid profiles of walnut and hazelnut pellicle-less kernels. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-DAD-MSn) was used to carry out the determination of individual phenolics and dicarboxylic acids in brown and red-pellicle walnut and hazelnut. Results show that hexahydroxydiphenic acid (HHDP) di-galloyl hexose isomer, vanillic acid hexoside, quinic acid derivative and catechin are the main constituents of the phenolic profile of walnut, while galloylquinic derivative, caffeoyl hexoside and catechin are the main constituents of the hazelnut kernel. Even though both walnut and hazelnut kernels have a considerably lower content of phenolic compounds and dicarboxylic acids in comparison to the pellicles, when calculated as a percentage of the total mass, the kernel makes a significant contribution to the total phenolic content of the whole nut.

Examination of a Managed Pollinator Strategy for Almond Production Using Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae).

Pollination services provided by managed bees are essential for California almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.; Rosales: Rosaceae) production. Currently, pollination needs are met by rented or owned Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae; honey bee) colonies. Excessive demand on a challenged A. mellifera industry to provide strong colonies in early spring has caused sharp increases in rental prices over the past decade, inviting the consideration of alternative pollinators in addition to, or in place of, A. mellifera. Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae; the blue orchard bee) is an excellent pollinator of fruit and nut trees, but its pollination impacts when used in tandem with A. mellifera have yet to be evaluated in commercial almond orchards. A 2-yr study was conducted in California orchards to compare almond pollination and production using A. mellifera as sole pollinator to an alternative practice of adding O. lignaria as a co-pollinator with A. mellifera. Almond orchard managerial decisions, such as for pesticide use and irrigation intensity, vary between almond growing regions because of local climates. Therefore, both north-central and southern sites of California's San Joaquin Valley are represented. We compared bee visitation, nut set, and nut yield between orchards and between tree rows within orchards. Also, O. lignaria reproductive success was recorded to assure that these bees remained in the orchards as pollinators and to assess the ability to sustain these bees under regional orchard conditions. We demonstrated that augmenting large commercial almond orchards with O. lignaria can significantly increase nut set and sometimes nut yield in both regions evaluated.

Predicting Nut Damage at Harvest Using Different in-Season Density Estimates of Amyelois Transitella: Analysis of Data from Commercial Almond Production.

Despite decades of research on management tactics for the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), on almonds, we still do not have an established means of using in-season pest-density estimates to predict damage to nuts at harvest. As a result, hull-split pesticide applications, although timed carefully to coincide with navel orangeworm oviposition and with crop vulnerability, are not tied to pest densities-thus falling short of our goals under modern pest management. Here we use an ecoinformatics approach, analyzing a pre-existing data set collected in commercial almond production in California, to ask: 1) are navel orangeworm density estimates obtained using different sampling methods in strong agreement with one another? and 2) can we use either single density estimates or combinations of density estimates to explain variation in nutmeat damage at harvest? We find that correlations between density estimates of navel orangeworm made over a single growing season are often weak, and suggest that density estimates taken closer to the time of harvest (catches of adult females between hull split and harvest; infestation of early-split nuts) may be most useful for predicting damage at harvest. Single-density estimates explained ≤39.1% of variation in harvest damage, whereas a combination of predictors explained 51.5% of the total variance in nutmeat damage at harvest. Our results suggest that density estimates taken just prior to harvest may, with refinement, be usable within a predictive framework to guide late-season control decisions.

Ecoinformatics Can Infer Causal Effects of Crop Variety on Insect Attack by Capitalizing on 'Pseudoexperiments' Created When Different Crop Varieties Are Interspersed: A Case Study in Almonds.

Capturing the complementary strengths of observational and experimental research methods usually requires the researcher to gather separate experimental and observational data sets. In some cases, however, commercial agricultural practices produce the spatial and temporal mixing of 'treatments' independently of other possibly covarying factors that is normally achieved only with formal experimentation. The resulting 'pseudoexperiments' can provide strong evidence for causal relationships. Here, we analyze a large observational data set that creates a series of such pseudoexperiments to assess the effect of different commercial varieties of almond, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) on the impact of two key lepidopteran pests, the navel orangeworm Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and the peach twig borer Anarsia lineatella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Almonds are universally planted as polycultures of different varieties to obtain efficient cross-pollination. We find substantial differences across almond varieties in the rates of infestation of almond hulls and nutmeats by the two pests. We find no support for the hypothesis that earlier-maturing varieties sustain higher attack; for A. transitella, later-maturing varieties instead had more frequent infestation. On many almond varieties, A. lineatella reaches high infestation levels by feeding almost exclusively on the hulls, rather than nutmeats. Given the importance of these pests in directly destroying almond nuts and in promoting aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus sp. fungal infections of almonds, further work exploring the impact of these pests is warranted. Because many crops requiring cross-pollination are planted as mixtures of different varieties, commercial agricultural production data hold great potential for studying within-crop variation in susceptibility to insect attack.

Effects of Selenium Application on Plant Growth and Some Quality Parameters in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Selenium (Se) is an essential plant micronutrient and has been repetedly shown to enhance crop growth and crop tolerance to abiotic stresses when applied in trace amounts. However, physiological responses of different plants vary significantly to the Se fertilizer application. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Se application on yield and quality parameters of peanut under field conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pot experiment was conducted where Se fertilizer was applied (i) To soil at 5 different doses, (ii) As folier fertilizer or (iii) Via seed soaking at 4 different doses. Two years field experiments were conducted under East Mediterranean conditions of Turkey. RESULTS: The yields were significantly increased by all types of Se applications. The highest yield (6130 kg ha-1) was obtained from foliar applications made 40 days after flowering. Increasing doses of Se increased 100 grain weight but oil, protein and nitrogen content of grains were not affected. CONCLUSION: Two years experiment clearly showed that external Se supply to peanut (all methods tested) increased yield formation in East Mediterranean conditions of Turkey. Here, particularly foliar application (3% sodium selenite) of Se 40 after flowering seems to be most effective way for its application.