Table of Contents

Contributors vii

Dedication: Dr. Christopher B. Watkins xi
Ian Warrington

1. Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr.): Horticulture, Genetics, Breeding, and Conservation 1
Andrew Sherwood, Matthew D. Clark, and Stan C. Hokanson

I. Introduction 2

II. History and Taxonomy of Hydrangea 3

III. Natural Distributions of Hydrangea Species 5

IV. History and Distribution of Oakleaf Hydrangea 7

V. Morphology of Oakleaf Hydrangea 9

VI. Biotic and Abiotic Considerations 11

VII. Genetics and Breeding 14

VIII. Conservation 25

IX. Propagation 26

X. Future Prospects 27

Literature Cited 28

2. Biostimulants in Agricultural and Horticultural Production 35
Jessica C. Bell, Sally A. Bound, and Michele Buntain

I. Introduction 36

II. Microbial Inoculants 39

III. Humic Substances: Humic and Fulvic Acids 56

IV. Seaweed Extracts 64

V. Future Direction: Synergism of Biostimulants in Combination 73

VI. Future Direction: Biostimulants in Soilless Production Systems 74

VII. Conclusions 76

Literature Cited 77

3. Postharvest Physiological Disorders of Banana Fruit: Finger Drop, Senescent Spotting, and Chilling Injury 97
Saichol Ketsa and Apinya Wisutiamonkul

I. Introduction 99

II. Fruit Structure and Morphology 100

III. Postharvest Physiological Disorders 103

IV. Finger Drop 104

V. Senescent Spotting 114

VI. Chilling Injury 125

VII. Conclusions 150

Acknowledgments 151

Literature Cited 151

4. Mechanical Harvesting of Selected Temperate and Tropical Fruit and Nut Trees 171
Leili Afsah-Hejri, Taymaz Homayouni, Arash Toudeshki, Reza Ehsani, Louise Ferguson, and Sergio Castro-García

I. Introduction 173

II. Mechanical Harvesting Methods 174

III. Commercial Harvesters for Nut and Fruit Trees 179

IV. Smart Harvesting 220

V. Factors Affecting Mechanical Harvesting 224

VI. Challenges, Future Outlook, and Recommendations 229

Literature Cited 230

5. Apple Fruitlet Abscission Mechanisms 243
James E. Larson, Thomas M. Kon, and Anish Malladi

I. Introduction 244

II. Correlatively Driven Abscission 247

III. Carbohydrate Stress 250

IV. Contrasts Between CDA and CS 254

V. Morphological and Exogenous Factors Affecting Fruitlet Abscission 255

VI. Conclusions and Future Directions 267

Literature Cited 269

Subject Index 275

Cumulative Subject Index 277

Cumulative Contributor Index 311

About the Author

Professor Ian James Warrington CNZM is a Palmerston North horticultural scientist and science administrator. He was former chief executive of HortResearch (now Plant & Food Research). He was a senior administrator at Massey University until his position was axed in a cost-saving move. He received the T. K. Sidey Medal in 1984, an award set up by the Royal Society of New Zealand for outstanding scientific research. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the 2011 New Year Honours.