The effects of foliar applications of the photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor metamitron on chlorophyll fluorescence and fruit set were compared in peach and apple trees. Metamitron increased dark-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence, measured as a reduction in Fv/Fm values, in both peaches and apples. Maximum suppression of the normalized ratio of variable fluorescence to maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in peaches occurred 1 to 2 days after application and Fv/Fm values recovered by 7 days after treatment. The effects of metamitron on chlorophyll fluorescence were more persistent in apples compared with peaches. Fv/Fm values in apple declined within 2 days of treatment and did not start recovering until 5 days after treatment or longer. Concentrations of metamitron greater than 200 mg·L−1 were phytotoxic to peach leaves, reducing the leaf chlorophyll concentration as determined by SPAD measurements. At 300 mg·L−1, metamitron reduced fruit set in apple but not in peach. Inclusion of a non-ionic surfactant (Silwett L-77) with metamitron greatly increased its negative effect on Fv/Fm, quantum photosynthetic yield of PSII (ΦPSII), and relative electron transport rate (ETR). These results suggest that metamitron may be a useful thinner in apple but not in peach. Additional information is needed to understand how combining metamitron with existing thinning chemicals might enhance their activity. In particular, caution may be necessary if metamitron is applied as a tank mixture with commercial thinning products that have been formulated with a wetting agent.

Genotype x environmental interaction (GxE) can lead to differences in performance of genotypes over environments. GxE analysis can be used to analyze the stability of genotypes and the value of test locations. We developed an Rlanguage program (RGxE) that computes univariate stability statistics, descriptive statistics, pooled ANOVA, genotype F ratio across location and environment, cluster analysis for location, and location correlation with average location performance. Univariate stability statistics calculated are regression slope (b i ), deviation from regression (S 2 d ), Shukla's variance (σ i 2 ), S square Wricke's ecovalence (W i ), and Kang's yield stability (YS i ). RGxE is free and intended for use by scientists studying performance of polygenic or quantitative traits over multiple environments. In the present paper we provide the RGxE program and its components along with an example input data and outputs. Additionally, the RGxE program along with associated files is also available on GitHub at https://github.com/mahendra1/RGxE,

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ResumenEl presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de 19 cepas de Rhizobium en la germinación y en el crecimiento de plantas de Lycopersicon esculentum. El efecto de los rizobios sobre la germinación de las semillas se determinó inoculando las semillas con suspensiones densas de rizobio y dejándolas germinar en arena esterilizada. El efecto sobre el crecimiento del cultivo se estudió en condiciones de cámara de crecimiento, utilizando suelo franco arenoso, con pH 7.3. El diseño utilizado fue completamente al azar con 21 tratamientos (19 cepas, un control sin inocular y un control con fertilización química) y cuatro repeticiones. Las cepas PEVF02, PEVF03, PEVF05, PEVF08, PEVF09, PEVF10, PEPSM12, PEPSM15 y PEPSM17 estimularon la germinación de las semillas de tomate, mientras que las cepas PEVF01, PEVF02, PEVF03, PEVF04, PEVF05, PEVF08 y PEPSM14 promovieron el crecimiento de plantas de tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum). Las cepas PEVF02 y PEVF08 tuvieron un efecto significativo positivo en la germinación y en el crecimiento de las plantas de tomate, por lo cual podrían recomendarse como potenciales PGPR en este cultivo, como alternativa para reducir el uso de fertilizantes químicos. Palabras claves: Rhizobium, rizobacterias promotoras del crecimiento de plantas (PGPR), Lycopersicon esculentum. AbstracThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 19 Rhizobium strains on seed germination and growth of Lycopersicon esculentum plants. The effect of Rhizobium on germination was determined by inoculating the seeds with dense suspensions of Rhizobium and germinating them in sterilized sand. The effect of Rhizobium on tomato plants was studied in growth chamber conditions using a sandy loam soil, with pH 7.3. A completely random design was used with 21 treatments (19 strains, a control without inoculating nor chemical fertilization and a control with only chemical fertilization) and four repetitions. Strains PEVF02, PEVF03, PEVF05, PEVF08, PEVF09, PEVF10, PEPSM12, PEPSM15 and PEPSM17 stimulated the germination of tomato seeds, whereas strains PEVF01, PEVF02, PEVF03, PEVF04, PEVF08 and PEPSM14 promoted the growth of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum). Strains PEVF02 and PEVF08 had a significant positive effect on germination and growth of tomato plants; thus these strains could be recommended as potential PGPR for this crop, as an alternative for reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.

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