ABSTRACT The knowledge of crop response to irrigation is essential in order to manage water resources, especially in areas where water supply is limited, as in the region of Murcia. Under these conditions, better uniformity of water... more
ABSTRACT The knowledge of crop response to irrigation is essential in order to manage water resources, especially in areas where water supply is limited, as in the region of Murcia. Under these conditions, better uniformity of water application, by using improved systems such as drip irrigation, together with an irrigation scheduling coupled with the plant physiology, can help to optimise water use. Also, a good knowledge of the critical periods in which water stress can considerably reduce yield and/or fruit quality is required. For that, it is important to define precisely the phenological plant processes. This experiment was conducted in a mature apricot tree orchard (Prunus armeniaca L. 'Búlida', on Real Fino apricot rootstock), with trees spaced at 8 x 8 m and grown under drip-irrigation conditions, in a loamy-textured soil with a Mediterranean climate. Irrigation scheduling was based on crop coefficients and reference crop evapotranspiration, as determined from data of a class A evaporation pan. The predominant dates of fruit stages are described, according to the BBCH General Scale, using a scale in days from full bloom, as the number of accumulated growing degree hours (GDH). The annual pattern of vegetative and fruit growth is described. A clear distinction could be made between the main periods of shoot and fruit growth in apricot trees, which may be considered an advantageous characteristic for the application of deficit irrigation. The study will improve apricot culture by expressing the timing of most agricultural operations on a standardised scale.
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... I: water relations, leaf gas exchange and vegetative growth. Irrigation Sci. 26:415-425. Pérez-Pérez, JG, Robles, JM and Botía, P. 2009. Influence of deficit irrigation in phase III of fruit growth on fruit quality in `lane late'... more
... I: water relations, leaf gas exchange and vegetative growth. Irrigation Sci. 26:415-425. Pérez-Pérez, JG, Robles, JM and Botía, P. 2009. Influence of deficit irrigation in phase III of fruit growth on fruit quality in `lane late' sweet orange. Agri. Water Mgt. 96: 969-974. ...
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ABSTRACT A three-year experiment on early nectarine (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Flanoba) trees was carried out with the aim of increasing water use efficiency through applying a sustained irrigation treatment, in a commercial orchard in... more
ABSTRACT A three-year experiment on early nectarine (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Flanoba) trees was carried out with the aim of increasing water use efficiency through applying a sustained irrigation treatment, in a commercial orchard in southern Spain. Experiments compared irrigation scheduling using conventional micrometeorology (110% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) as a control treatment (TCTL), a treatment based on the normal practice of the farmer (TFARMER) and a regulated deficit irrigation treatment (TRDI), which involved irrigating the crop at the same level as the control (TCTL) during the critical periods of the first year (second rapid fruit growth period and 2 months after harvest) and at 60% TCTL during postharvest. In the last two years (2010 and 2011), the irrigation was scheduled to maintain the signal intensity (SI) of the maximum daily shrinkage of the trunk (MDS, SI = MDSTRDI/MDSTCTL) at different water stress levels depending on the phenological stage SI = 1.0 (non-water stress) and SI = 1.4 (moderate water stress). Most of the time that irrigation scheduling was based on MDS SI, this parameter varied only slightly around the pre-established threshold values. The information given by the stem diameter sensors and stem water potential (Ψstem) gave −1.5 MPa and MDS SI 1.5 as threshold values not to be exceeded during postharvest, since MDS and Ψstem SI values were only linear down to 1.5. The water saved amounted to 17, 15 and 37% of the amount used in the control in the three seasons, respectively. In contrast, the TFARMER treatment applied more water (about 20 and 5% more than TCTL) during the first 2 years, and 10% less than TCTL during the third season.
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ABSTRACT 18-year-old mandarin plants cv Fortune weresubjected to a drought cycle during the fast fruit growth phaseuntil reaching a stem water potential (¿stem) of -2,5 MPa atnoon. Irrigation water was characterized by a CE of 25ºC andCl-... more
ABSTRACT 18-year-old mandarin plants cv Fortune weresubjected to a drought cycle during the fast fruit growth phaseuntil reaching a stem water potential (¿stem) of -2,5 MPa atnoon. Irrigation water was characterized by a CE of 25ºC andCl- -1content ranging between 3,97-4,39 dS.m and 14-25 meq.L-1,respectively, and a pH of about 8,4. The sensibility to waterloss or gain in leaves, fruits and stems was showed throughdifferent specific rates and ¿stem was the indicator wheredifferences were first detected in favour of well-watered plants.A good correlation was found between fruit water potential(¿fruit), bark actual osmotic potential (¿ORbark) and barkpressure potential (¿Pbark). Favourable conditions of watersupply and transpiration propitiated greater Cl-+ and Nacontents in leaves, bark and juice, since vesicles wereconsidered a poor drain of inorganic solutes and scarce massflow. The major Cl- contained in leaves, bark and juice withregard to Na+ are due to the retention of the latter one in thewoody part of roots and stem. Yield and crop quality were notnegatively affected by irrigation suppression in this stage.
In table grapes, berry firmness influences consumer acceptance so it is important to avoid berry shattering and dehydration during their post-harvest life. Since studies of irrigation effects on table grape quality are comparatively rare,... more
In table grapes, berry firmness influences consumer acceptance so it is important to avoid berry shattering and dehydration during their post-harvest life. Since studies of irrigation effects on table grape quality are comparatively rare, sensory evaluation aimed to identify high-quality berries obtained under different deficit irrigation treatments. A 3-year study examined the effects of deficit irrigation strategies on some physical quality attributes at harvest, after 28 days of cold storage at 0 °C and after an additional shelf-life period of 3 days at 15 °C. Control vines were irrigated to ensure non-limiting water conditions (110% of crop evapo-transpiration), while both regulated deficit irrigation treatment (RDI) and partial root-zone drying (PRD) treatments applied 35% less water post-veraison. The null irrigation treatment (NI) only received natural precipitation (72% less water than control vines). Total yield and physical quality at harvest were not significantly affecte...
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This paper present a study focused on hot forward extrusion by upper bound method. In particular, hot forward extrusion of plates through square face dies under plane strain conditions. Slater defines the models used for large fractional... more
This paper present a study focused on hot forward extrusion by upper bound method. In particular, hot forward extrusion of plates through square face dies under plane strain conditions. Slater defines the models used for large fractional reduction. Different models have been taken in account; they are dissimilar in relation to the dead metal zone (if covers or not the entire die face, partially or totally). Triangular rigid patterns of velocity discontinuities have been validated by analytical methods and a range of use for the selected configurations has been established. This methodology has been applied to other process with good results. Thus, the mechanical parameters analysed are fractional reduction, dead metal zone, length die and friction. Finally the calculation of the energy has been achieved by upper bound method. The results allow researching an optimisation of use of upper bound method in hot forward extrusion.
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In an increasing competitive market where offer exceeds demand, developing customer value is nowadays a key driver of industrial activities. Reducing costs, increasing quality, deliver on time and the introduction of the right product... more
In an increasing competitive market where offer exceeds demand, developing customer value is nowadays a key driver of industrial activities. Reducing costs, increasing quality, deliver on time and the introduction of the right product quickly are unavoidable elements to succeed. A higher product variety for mass production and short lead-time are main features of mass customization. Flexibility arises as a productive and competitive factor to face it, of particular interest in assembly systems, which allow the postponement of final variety, integrating all former tasks of the supply chain. In this scenario, flexibility helps to face uncertainty in decision-making, while the increase of system complexity requires extra control and management efforts. Both flexibility and complexity are briefly reviewed. Next, it is introduced a joint analysis of flexibility and complexity useful for decision-making. Both are linked to the uncertainty of the possible states of the system and a quantit...
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Research Interests: Plant Biology, Plant Science, High Frequency, Drip Irrigation, Water Stress, and 12 moreIrrigation Water, Deficit Irrigation, Water Loss, Air Temperature, Soil Water Content, Time Domain Reflectometry, Osmotic Adjustment, Osmotic Potential, Drought Resistance, Gas Exchange, Leaf water potential, and Field capacity
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Potted plants of two cultivars of almond (Amygdalus communis L.), Ramillete and Garrigues, growing under field conditions were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation for 28 days. Stressed plants were reirrigated and the recovery... more
Potted plants of two cultivars of almond (Amygdalus communis L.), Ramillete and Garrigues, growing under field conditions were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation for 28 days. Stressed plants were reirrigated and the recovery was studied for 8 days. Control plants were drip irrigated daily maintaining the soil matric potential at about −30 kPa. Predawn leaf water potential declined progressively
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Abstract Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm. ill.) on sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.), growing on a low water retention capacity soil, were submitted to three dif-ferent irrigation treatments over four years: 100% ETc all year... more
Abstract Fino lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm. ill.) on sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.), growing on a low water retention capacity soil, were submitted to three dif-ferent irrigation treatments over four years: 100% ETc all year (T-0), 25% ETc all year except during the rapid fruit ...
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... G. Egea (&) Á PA Nortes Á A. Baille Á MM González-Real A´ rea de Ingenierıa Agroforestal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain e-mail:gregorio.egea@upct.es ... de Utrera, km. ...... more
... G. Egea (&) Á PA Nortes Á A. Baille Á MM González-Real A´ rea de Ingenierıa Agroforestal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain e-mail:gregorio.egea@upct.es ... de Utrera, km. ... 1996), almond (Romero et al. ...
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To determine whether partial rootzone drying (PRD) optimised leaf gas exchange and soil–plant water relations in almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) compared with regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), a 2 year trial was conducted on... more
To determine whether partial rootzone drying (PRD) optimised leaf gas exchange and soil–plant water relations in almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) compared with regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), a 2 year trial was conducted on field-grown trees in a semiarid climate. Five irrigation treatments were established: full irrigation (FI) where the trees were irrigated at 100% of the standard crop evapotranspiration (ETc); three PRD treatments (PRD70, PRD50 and PRD30) that applied 70, 50 and 30% ETc, respectively; and a commercially practiced RDI treatment that applied 50% ETc during the kernel-filling stage and 100% ETc during the remainder of the growth season. Measurements of volumetric soil moisture content in the soil profile (0–100 cm), predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), midday stem water potential (Ψms), midday leaf gas exchange and trunk diameter fluctuations (TDF) were made during two growing seasons. The diurnal patterns of leaf gas exchange and stem water potential (Ψs...
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Mature apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Búlida) trees, growing under field conditions, were submitted to two drip irrigation treatments: a control (T1), irrigated to 100 % of seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and a continuous... more
Mature apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Búlida) trees, growing under field conditions, were submitted to two drip irrigation treatments: a control (T1), irrigated to 100 % of seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and a continuous deficit (T2), irrigated to 50 % of the control throughout the year. The behaviour of leaf water potential and its components, leaf conductance and net photosynthesis
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JJ Alarcón1,4, R. Domingo2, SR Green3, E. Nicolás1 & A. Torrecillas1,2 1Dpto. Riego y Salinidad, Centro de Edafologıa y Biologıa Aplicada del Segura (CSIC), POBox 4195, E-30080 Murcia, Spain; 2Dpto. Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica... more
JJ Alarcón1,4, R. Domingo2, SR Green3, E. Nicolás1 & A. Torrecillas1,2 1Dpto. Riego y Salinidad, Centro de Edafologıa y Biologıa Aplicada del Segura (CSIC), POBox 4195, E-30080 Murcia, Spain; 2Dpto. Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierıa ...
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ABSTRACT A three-year experiment on early nectarine (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Flanoba) trees was carried out with the aim of studying the impact of environmental variables on the trunk diameter fluctuation parameters and the... more
ABSTRACT A three-year experiment on early nectarine (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Flanoba) trees was carried out with the aim of studying the impact of environmental variables on the trunk diameter fluctuation parameters and the usefulness of the reference-lines derived from the relationship between different meteorological variables and plant water status indicators for sustainable irrigation scheduling. Plants were drip-irrigated and submitted to non-limiting soil water conditions. Measurements of stem water potential at midday (Ψstem), trunk daily growth rate (TGR) and maximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) were related with meteorological variables. MDS presented the best fitting line-regressions with both the average air temperature and vapour pressure deficit during the period 11.00–15.00 h solar time, since the most important fraction of trunk shrinkage occurred during that period of time, reaching 74% of MDS (on average over the three years studied), and sometimes 90%. The cause of the poor correlation of MDS with ET0 is discussed. Despite the continuous trunk growth of the trees during the experimental period and slight difference in crop load, inter-annual differences were not observed for the three reference lines obtained in any given year (fruit growth, early and late postharvest period).
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Research Interests: Civil Engineering, Irrigation, Phenology, Agricultural Water Management, Strategy, and 15 moreGrowth, Seasonality, Negative Affect, Deficit Irrigation, Rhizosphere, Maturity, Boolean Satisfiability, Chemical Composition, Fruit Quality, Fresh Weight, Organic Acid, Crop Water Requirement, Dry Weight, Regulated Deficit Irrigation, and Kernels
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In the process of positionally cloning a candidate gene responsible for hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), we constructed a 1.1-Mb transcript map of the region of human chromosome 6p that lies 4.5 Mb telomeric to HLA-A. A combination of... more
In the process of positionally cloning a candidate gene responsible for hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), we constructed a 1.1-Mb transcript map of the region of human chromosome 6p that lies 4.5 Mb telomeric to HLA-A. A combination of three gene-finding techniques, direct cDNA selection, exon trapping, and sample sequencing, were used initially for a saturation screening of the 1.1-Mb region for expressed sequence fragments. As genetic analysis further narrowed the HH candidate locus, we sequenced completely 0.25 Mb of genomic DNA as a final measure to identify all genes. Besides the novel MHC class 1-like HH candidate gene HLA-H, we identified a family of five butyrophilin-related sequences, two genes with structural similarity to a type 1 sodium phosphate transporter, 12 novel histone genes, and a gene we named RoRet based on its strong similarity to the 52-kD Ro/SSA lupus and Sjogren's syndrome auto-antigen and the RET finger protein. Several members of the butyrophilin famil...
Research Interests: Membrane Proteins, Transcription Factors, Biological Sciences, Humans, Bacteria, and 13 moreGenome, Proteins, Hemochromatosis, Molecular cloning, Histones, Amino Acid Sequence, Ribonucleoproteins, Autoantigens, Molecular Sequence Data, binding sites, Tissue distribution, conserved sequence , and Medical and Health Sciences
Rett syndrome was described in 1966 and became known through the English medical literature in 1983. There are typical and atypical forms. The objective of this study was to record the cases diagnosed in Spain and discover their clinical... more
Rett syndrome was described in 1966 and became known through the English medical literature in 1983. There are typical and atypical forms. The objective of this study was to record the cases diagnosed in Spain and discover their clinical characteristics in order to describe its phenotype and geographical distribution. We know of 207 cases and have obtained the records of 168 of these patients. A protocol and data collection programme has been developed giving the criteria for inclusion, and data which support or exclude this. Data collection was by post and the data for identification were the date of birth and the initials of the name and two surnames. With these variables, double-registering of patients was almost impossible. A statistical study with descriptive analysis and a study of continuous and alternating variables was immediately done. The results gave the main characteristics, the differences between typical and atypical cases and a comparative study of variables. It has ...
Research Interests: Adolescent, Spain, Humans, Child, Female, and 4 moreInfant, Rett syndrome, Adult, and Child preschool
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Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH), which affects some 1 in 400 and has an estimated carrier frequency of 1 in 10 individuals of Northern European descent, results in multi-organ dysfunction caused by increased iron deposition, and is... more
Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH), which affects some 1 in 400 and has an estimated carrier frequency of 1 in 10 individuals of Northern European descent, results in multi-organ dysfunction caused by increased iron deposition, and is treatable if detected early. Using linkage-disequilibrium and full haplotype analysis, we have identified a 250-kilobase region more than 3 megabases telomeric of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that is identical-by-descent in 85% of patient chromosomes. Within this region, we have identified a gene related to the MHC class I family, termed HLA-H, containing two missense alterations. One of these is predicted to inactivate this class of proteins and was found homozygous in 83% of 178 patients. A role of this gene in haemochromatosis is supported by the frequency and nature of the major mutation and prior studies implicating MHC class I-like proteins in iron metabolism.
Research Interests: Membrane Proteins, Gene expression, Biological Sciences, Humans, Sequence alignment, and 14 moreHaplotypes, Biological evolution, Hemochromatosis, Molecular cloning, Major histocompatibility complex, Linkage Disequilibrium, Cysteine, Amino Acid Sequence, Base Sequence, Genetic Markers, MHC class I, Molecular Sequence Data, alleles, and Medical and Health Sciences
Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is an inherited neurovisceral lysosomal lipid storage disease characterized by progressive neurological deterioration. Different clinical forms have been defined based on patient age at onset: perinatal,... more
Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is an inherited neurovisceral lysosomal lipid storage disease characterized by progressive neurological deterioration. Different clinical forms have been defined based on patient age at onset: perinatal, early-infantile (EI), late-infantile (Li), juvenile and adult. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of miglustat in 16 symptomatic NP-C patients, with comparative reference to one neurologically asymptomatic, untreated patient. All patients were categorized according to age at neurological disease onset, and were assessed using a standardized clinical assessment protocol: disability and cognitive function scales, positron emission tomography (PET), and biochemical markers. PET and disability scale evaluations indicated that cerebral hypometabolism and neurological symptoms were stabilized during treatment in juvenile-onset NP-C patients. EI and Li NP-C patients, who had higher disease severity at baseline (treatment start), showed increased d...