A field study was conducted to determine the effect of Trinexapac-Ethyl (TE) on four wheat varieties (Rafi C97, Altar C84, Nacori C97 and Rayon F86) at three growth stages (first node, second node and flag leaf). TE application (150 g a.i. ha^-1) reduced plant height and decreased grain yield at any growth stage. Yield decrease was associated to a significant reduction in the number of grains per spike and in grain weight. TE delayed flowering time and grain maturity, while stem diameter and spikes m^-2 were not affected. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of TE on wheat under desert conditions of Mexico

Currently in Mexico there are few studies on agronomic management in olive production. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate eleven olive cultivars for table and oil production (Arbequina, Koroneiki, Arbosana, Kalamata, Barnea, Pendolino, Empeltre, Manzanilla of Sevilla, Carboncella, Frantoio and Cassaliva) under hot and arid environment of Mexico. The experiment was carried out during two consecutive years in 2015 and 2016 at National Research Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP) in the Experimental Station of Caborca, Sonora, Mexico. The plantation was done on March, 2012 using a density of 100 trees ha-1 (10 x 10 m) under drip irrigation system. The parameters evaluated were vegetative parameters, yield, fruit quality and oil content. The experiment was analyzed using a randomized complete block design and five replications. The results showed statistical differences for all parameters evaluated. Arbequina obtained the highest olive yield with 34.5 and 70.3 kg per tree for the first and second year production, respectively and Barnea recorded the highest oil content with 19.2%. Finally, Manzanilla of Sevilla and Barnea varieties represent a good option as double-purpose varieties.

World almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) production is mostly located in areas where flowering is injured by low temperatures, and using ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) to delay bloom is suggested as a measure to avoid frost damage. However, it is unknown if that practice could be beneficial in Mexico's warm climates. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ethephon on almond bloom delay and yield. We evaluated foliar applications of ethephon at doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg L -1 at 10% leaf drop stage and at 150 mg L -1 during dormancy over 2 yr. In 2004, ethephon applied at 10% leaf drop stage delayed bloom by 7, 8, and 9 d at 75, 150, and 300 mg L -1 , respectively (p < 0.01), and in 2005, bloom delay was 3 d at 300 mg L -1 . Ethephon applied during dormancy delayed bloom 2 d in the first year, but showed no effect in the second year. Yield and fruit set were affected by ethephon applied at 10% leaf drop stage only in 2004. Neither yield nor fruit set were affected by ethephon applied during dormancy in both years. Pistil length, nut quality, harvest date, and gum exudation were not affected by ethephon. In accordance with the results, ethephon should not be recommended to delay bloom in almond orchards growing in Mexico's warm climates.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of different regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies on productivity, oil quality and water-use efficiency on olive grown in the Sonoran Desert. The experiments were carried out in 2009 and 2010, and in a ten years old traditional (10 × 5 m) "Manzanilla" olive orchard. The control treatment was irrigated at 100% ETc during the whole season while RDI treatments were applied at 75% ETc or 50% ETc. The two RDI were applied during two phenological stages: at postharvest to evaluate the effect on table olive or from pit hardening to harvest to evaluate the effect on oil olive. Our results indicated that RDI applying 50% ETc during postharvest period reduced significantly fruit set and table olive yield, while applied during pit hardening to harvest period, it decreased oil yield but increased oil content. The RDI applying an ETc of 75% during the postharvest period gave similar table olive yield to the control, and applied form of pit hardening to harvest also gave similar oil yield to the control. The RDI using an ETc of 75% resulted in the highest water-use efficiency for oil or table olive production.

No abstract