Floral Analysis: Fresh and Dry Weight of Flowers From Different Fruit Tree Species

Abstract

Floral analysis could be considered as an alternative versus foliar analysis to diagnose the nutritional status of fruit trees. Taken into account the importance of the dry matter percentage of any plant tissue, preliminary results about fresh and dry weights of flowers from different fruit species are presented in this study. For this purpose, whole flowers (without stalk) at full bloom were sampled from different fruit species grown at the Aula Dei Campus. The fruit tree groups considered for these studies were: almond, apple, apricot, nectarine, peach, pear, plum, sour cherry and sweet cherry. For the last group, three varieties: (Sunburst, Tardif de Vignole and Van) were studied. Significant differences, among groups, for fresh weights, dry weights and dry matter percentages were found.

Chemical, Nutritional and Sensory Characteristics of Six Ornamental Edible Flowers Species

“…As can be seen from the results, the DM of these edible flowers ranged from 7.38 to 14.39%, and this amount is slightly higher than the average content in fruit and vegetables [ 103 ]. On the other hand, according to Montañés Millán et al [ 104 ], the DM percentage in blossoms from the fruit tree was higher. When comparing our DM results to previous research for the same plant genus, Begonia nelumbiifolia ranged from 5.31 to 6.15%, which is lower than Begonias results in our experiment [ 105 ].…”

Methods for Nutrient Diagnosis of Fruit Trees Early in the Growing Season by Using Simultaneous Multi-element Analysis

“…Flowers are short-lived and so are exposed for less time than leaves to metabolic changes and management practices. As a result, they have a lower risk of contamination by chemicals, pests, or diseases (Montañés Millán et al, 1997) (Table 2). As flowers in many fruit tree species appear well before any leaf material is present, this makes it possible to detect nutritional disorders very early in the season (Sanz and Montañés, 1995) and to prognose abnormal nutrition before symptoms appear (Montañés Millán et al, 1997).…”

“…As a result, they have a lower risk of contamination by chemicals, pests, or diseases (Montañés Millán et al, 1997) (Table 2). As flowers in many fruit tree species appear well before any leaf material is present, this makes it possible to detect nutritional disorders very early in the season (Sanz and Montañés, 1995) and to prognose abnormal nutrition before symptoms appear (Montañés Millán et al, 1997). Flower analysis seems to be reliable at predicting macronutrient (N and P) and micronutrient (Cu, Zn, and Mn) levels in 'Arbequina' olive, as concentrations at the petal whitening stage were significantly correlated with the contents in leaves taken later, at the stone hardening stage, which coincides with the standard date for leaf sampling (Ben Khelil et al, 2010).…”

Prognosis and correction of iron chlorosis in peach trees: Influence on fruit quality

“…Nevertheless, at the very early growth stage, the intensity of the Fe deficiency that can occur in trees during their vigorous vegetative period remains unknown (Sanz et al, 1992a). (Sanz et al, 1992b), it is now possible to move forward the period in which a nutritional diagnosis of the peach tree can be successfully done by means of a leaf analysis, or even at a very early stage by means of a floral analysis (Sanz and Montañés, 1995a;Montañés et al, 1997).…”