Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree

Soil sickness syndrome in Japanese pear (<i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Burm.f.) Nakai) affects the growth of the tree and decreases fruit yield. This study investigated the growth-inhibitory activity in Japanese pear (<i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Burm.f.) Nakai) using the rhizosphere so...

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Main Authors: Tomoaki Toya, Masayoshi Oshida, Kwame Sarpong Appiah, Jun Takita, Yoshiharu Fujii
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/9/2067
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author Tomoaki Toya
Masayoshi Oshida
Kwame Sarpong Appiah
Jun Takita
Yoshiharu Fujii
author_facet Tomoaki Toya
Masayoshi Oshida
Kwame Sarpong Appiah
Jun Takita
Yoshiharu Fujii
author_sort Tomoaki Toya
collection DOAJ
description Soil sickness syndrome in Japanese pear (<i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Burm.f.) Nakai) affects the growth of the tree and decreases fruit yield. This study investigated the growth-inhibitory activity in Japanese pear (<i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Burm.f.) Nakai) using the rhizosphere soil assay method to elucidate the characteristics of growth-inhibitory substances in Japanese pears. As a result, the root bark had the highest growth inhibitory activity during the growing season of the Japanese pear. For comparative analysis, the growth-inhibitory activities of Japanese apricots (<i>Prunus mume</i> Sieb. Et Zucc.) and figs (<i>Ficus carica</i> L.) were also investigated. Similar to the Japanese pear, the root bark of Japanese apricots and figs had a higher inhibition rate than the root pith. Like Japanese apricots and figs, it was inferred that the growth inhibitory substances accumulate in the bark of the Japanese pear. Furthermore, soil sickness syndrome in Japanese pear saplings did not occur when a fragment of Japanese pear shoots or thick roots was mixed with non-pear soil (soil with no history of Japanese pear cultivation). Based on these findings, it is considered that the condition of soil sickness in Japanese pear is caused by the accumulation of phenolic compounds such as arbutin, which is accumulated in the bark of the tree, secreted from the roots, and subsequently builds up in the soil. Additionally, the degree of occurrence of soil sickness syndrome depending on the rootstock was clarified. It was observed that the rate of growth inhibition was significantly higher in <i>Pyrus betulifolia</i> (Birchleaf pear) than in <i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Japanese pear). Even when Japanese pear trees were planted in soils with no history of Japanese pear cultivation, the initial growth of <i>P. betulifolia</i> was 1.4 times that of <i>P. pyrifolia</i>. It is suggested that <i>P. betulifolia</i> is weak against soil sickness, but is excellent at initial growth itself. Our findings are important because <i>P. pyrifolia</i> is used for cultivation, in combination with other mitigation measures, such as soil dressing in replanted fields.
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spelling doaj.art-cc7407999de04d0dbb47308496bf50f82023-11-23T14:36:48ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952022-08-01129206710.3390/agronomy12092067Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear TreeTomoaki Toya0Masayoshi Oshida1Kwame Sarpong Appiah2Jun Takita3Yoshiharu Fujii4Chiba Agricultural Office, Chiba Prefectural Office, 473-2 Ookanazawa-Cho, Midori-Ku, Chiba-City 266-0014, JapanChiba Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Research Center, Chiba Prefectural Office, 180-1 Ookanazawa-Cho, Midori-Ku, Chiba-City 266-0014, JapanDepartment of International and Innovative Agriculture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu 183-8538, Tokyo, JapanCentral Research Institute, NittoBest Corp., 4-27 Saiwai-Cho, Yamagata 991-8610, JapanDepartment of International and Innovative Agriculture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu 183-8538, Tokyo, JapanSoil sickness syndrome in Japanese pear (<i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Burm.f.) Nakai) affects the growth of the tree and decreases fruit yield. This study investigated the growth-inhibitory activity in Japanese pear (<i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Burm.f.) Nakai) using the rhizosphere soil assay method to elucidate the characteristics of growth-inhibitory substances in Japanese pears. As a result, the root bark had the highest growth inhibitory activity during the growing season of the Japanese pear. For comparative analysis, the growth-inhibitory activities of Japanese apricots (<i>Prunus mume</i> Sieb. Et Zucc.) and figs (<i>Ficus carica</i> L.) were also investigated. Similar to the Japanese pear, the root bark of Japanese apricots and figs had a higher inhibition rate than the root pith. Like Japanese apricots and figs, it was inferred that the growth inhibitory substances accumulate in the bark of the Japanese pear. Furthermore, soil sickness syndrome in Japanese pear saplings did not occur when a fragment of Japanese pear shoots or thick roots was mixed with non-pear soil (soil with no history of Japanese pear cultivation). Based on these findings, it is considered that the condition of soil sickness in Japanese pear is caused by the accumulation of phenolic compounds such as arbutin, which is accumulated in the bark of the tree, secreted from the roots, and subsequently builds up in the soil. Additionally, the degree of occurrence of soil sickness syndrome depending on the rootstock was clarified. It was observed that the rate of growth inhibition was significantly higher in <i>Pyrus betulifolia</i> (Birchleaf pear) than in <i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> (Japanese pear). Even when Japanese pear trees were planted in soils with no history of Japanese pear cultivation, the initial growth of <i>P. betulifolia</i> was 1.4 times that of <i>P. pyrifolia</i>. It is suggested that <i>P. betulifolia</i> is weak against soil sickness, but is excellent at initial growth itself. Our findings are important because <i>P. pyrifolia</i> is used for cultivation, in combination with other mitigation measures, such as soil dressing in replanted fields.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/9/2067growth inhibitory substancesinhibitory activity in the treeinhibition rate of soilrootstock
spellingShingle Tomoaki Toya
Masayoshi Oshida
Kwame Sarpong Appiah
Jun Takita
Yoshiharu Fujii
Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree
Agronomy
growth inhibitory substances
inhibitory activity in the tree
inhibition rate of soil
rootstock
title Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree
title_full Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree
title_fullStr Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree
title_full_unstemmed Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree
title_short Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity and the Response of Different Rootstocks to Soil Sickness Syndrome in Japanese Pear Tree
title_sort plant growth inhibitory activity and the response of different rootstocks to soil sickness syndrome in japanese pear tree
topic growth inhibitory substances
inhibitory activity in the tree
inhibition rate of soil
rootstock
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/9/2067
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