An FTIR study of the induction and release of kiwifruit buds from dormancy.
BACKGROUND
Many deciduous, perennial fruit crops require winter chilling for adequate budbreak and flowering. Recent research has shown that changes in sugar and amino acid profiles are associated with the release of buds from dormancy. This paper uses FTIR spectrometry to provide an alternative mechanism for tracking metabolic changes in the meristems of kiwifruit buds during winter dormancy. The results suggest that the application of multivariate analysis to FTIR spectra has the potential to be a reliable and fast method for detecting structural and compositional changes in fruit crops.


RESULTS
Ten wave numbers of the FTIR spectra are used to calculate a bud development function. This function has been validated using data from two seasons and four orchards, and by monitoring the effects of hydrogen cyanamide application, sugar concentrations and soil temperatures on this function. These wave numbers appear to be associated with carbohydrate, pectin and cellulose levels in the meristems.


CONCLUSIONS
It is expected that this FTIR signature can be used to advance our understanding of the influence of the various environmental and physiological factors on the breaking of bud dormancy and shoot outgrowth, including the optimum timing and concentrations of applications of budbreak regulators, such as hydrogen cyanamide.
Judd
Murray J
MJ
Plant & Food Research Te Puke, 412 No 1 Road, RD 2, Te Puke 3182, New Zealand.
Meyer
Denny H
DH
Meekings
John S
JS
Richardson
Annette C
AC
Walton
Eric F
EF
D029042:Actinidia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D035264:Flowers / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016014:Linear Models; D018519:Meristem / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010368:Pectins / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D012987:Soil; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide; D013395:Sucrose; D010368:Pectins; D002482:Cellulose