bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flowering in Primula as Affected by Day and Night Temperatures
Authors: Karlsson Meriam
Published: February 2019

The growth of Primula vulgaris Huds. `Dania Lemon Yellow' and `Blue Danova' was evaluated for plants grown at day/night temperature differences of 9, 3, 0, –3 or –9°C. The day temperature was maintained for the duration of the 16-hour photoperiod and the day and night temperatures were selected to provide an average daily temperature of 16°C. The plants were grown at the specific temperatures starting 8 weeks from seeding until flowering. Total daily irradiance was 12 mol·d–1·m–2. Time for visible flower bud, flower color and first open flower was recorded. Plant height and flower bud number were determined at the termination of the experiment. `Dania Lemon Yellow' plants grown with a positive or negative difference of 9°C were significantly (P < 0.05) later in reaching a visible bud stage. There were no differences however, in the number of days required for flower color or first open flower for `Dania Lemon Yellow'. Plants of `Blue Danova' showed a significant difference only in the number of days required for flowering. The plants grown with a positive or zero difference between day and night required on average 2 more days to reach the stage of first open flower. There were no significant differences in plant height or flower bud number in `Dania Lemon Yellow' or `Blue Danova'.
Control of Ranunculus asiaticus Flowering by Photoperiod and Temperature
Authors: Karlsson Meriam
Published: February 2019

Three-month-old plants of Ranunculus asiaticus L. `Bloomingdale Mix' were transplanted into 10-cm pots and placed in growth chambers at 12, 16, or 20°C and 8, 12, or 16 hours day length. The irradiance was 12 mol·d–1·m–2. The fastest appearance of flower buds and flowering occurred for plants grown at 16 hours day length and 16°C or 12 hours day length and 20°C. At 16°C, plants grown at 8 hours photoperiod required 7–10 more days to reach the stage of visible flower bud than those plants grown at 12 or 16 hours day length. The number of days to flower from the initiation of experimental conditions varied from 53 ± 3.7 days (168 days from seeding) for plants at 16-hour days and 16°C or 12-hour days and 20°C to 74 ± 2.7 days (189 days from seeding) for plants at 8-hour days and 16°C or 12-hour days and 12°C. Largest number of buds and flowers (15 ± 2.2 flower buds) was observed on plants grown at 12 or 16°C and 12-hour photoperiod. Conditions with 8- or 16-hour days at 16°C or 12-hour days at 20°C resulted in a smaller number of buds and flowers (9 ± 3.2 flower buds).
Photoperiod and Irradiance Affect Flowering in Four Cultivars of Pansy
Authors: Karlsson Meriam
Published: February 2019

Plants of four pansy cultivars (`Crystal Bowl Deep Blue', `Majestic Giant Blue', `Maxim Deep Blue' and `Universal True Blue') were grown for 4 weeks starting 24 days after seeding, at 8 or 16 hours photoperiod and 3, 7.5 or 12 mol·d–1·m–2. The temperature was 20 ± 1°C throughout the study. The plants were allowed to flower following the 4 weeks photoperiod treatment at 16 hours of 6 mol·d–1·m–2. The first open flower was observed significantly earlier for plants of `Majestic Giant', `Maxim' and `Universal' exposed to 16 hours at 12 mol·d–1·m–2 than any of the other day lengths and irradiance levels for 4 weeks. There was no difference in rate of flowering for plants of `Crystal Bowl' grown at 16 hours and 7.5 or 12 mol·d–1·m–2. At 3 mol·d–1·m–2, plant development was slowest and an 8 or 16 hours day length did not significantly affect rate of flowering for any of the four cultivars. Plants of `Crystal Bowl' had on average the fastest flowering (74 ± 2.2 days from seeding with 4 weeks at 16 hours of 12 mol·d–1·m–2) and plants of `Majestic Giant' the slowest flowering (83 ± 3.4 days from seeding to flower with 4 weeks at 16 hours of 12 mol·d–1·m–2) of the four cultivars.
Quality, Timing, and Market Potential Vary with Species, Plant and Pinch Number for Hanging Basket Crops
Authors: Starman Terri Woods , Faust James E.
Published: February 2019

The objective was to provide options for hanging basket production schedules by varying the number of plants per pot (one to four) and the number of manual pinches per basket (zero to two). Several species were evaluated in Spring 1995 and heat tolerance was assessed throughout the summer. Plugs (82 plugs per flat) were transplanted into 25-cm hanging baskets in a 22/18°C (venting/night temperature set points) glasshouse. Bacopa speciosa `Snowflake', Brachycome iberidifolia `Crystal Falls', Helichrysum bracteatum `Golden Beauty', Scaevola aemula `New Blue Wonder', and Streptocarpella hybrid `Concord Blue' produced quality baskets with three or more plugs per basket and no pinch. Pentas lanceolata `Starburst' and Lysimachia procumbens (Golden Globes) produced quality baskets with fewer than three plants per basket if plants received at least one pinch, however length of growing time was increased. Pentas lanceolata `Starburst', Scaevola aemula `New Blue Wonder', and Streptocarpella hybrid `Concord Blue' proved to be heat tolerant, blooming throughout the summer. Bacopa speciosa `Snowflake', Brachycome iberidifolia `Crystal Falls', and Lysimachia procumbens (Golden Globes) were not heat tolerant, i.e., ceased developing flowers in June and resumed flowering in September. Bidens ferulifolium did not produce an acceptable quality hanging basket under any experimental treatments.
Determining Vegetative Maturity by Differential Thermal Analyses
Authors: Ketchie D.O. , Kammereck R. , Fairchild E.
Published: February 2019

In the past, the laborious and time-consuming method of defoliation was used to determine vegetative maturity (VM) of various deciduous plants. Other methods such as water potential and electrotrical impedence have been explored without a positive response. A change of freezing events of water in plant tissue may be associated with VM. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was tried to determine if the freezing events of water are related to VM. `Golden Delicious', `Gala', `Red Fuji' and `Antonovka' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees were used to determine VM by defoliation. Different sets of 1-year-old trees grown in pots in the greenhouse were defoliated weekly from 1 Aug. until it was assured the trees had reached VM. Samples from the same trees were taken for DTA. The trees were observed for regrowth 2 weeks after they were defoliated, and the exothermic patterns from DTA were examined for the appearance of an exotherm at about –35 to –40°C. The comparison of regrowth from trees defoliated from a specific date were compared to the exothermic pattern of the same date. An exotherm appeared between –35 and –40°C ≈2 weeks before the apple trees ceased to show regrowth from the defoliation treatment. The exotherm appeared on 30 Aug. for Antonovka and `Golden Delicious' and regrowth of the trees ceased on 12 Sept. Regrowth ceased on 9 Oct. for `Gala' and `Fuji' preceded by the exotherm on 2 Oct. The conclusion was that the appearance of the exotherm at –35 to –40 °C could be used to determine VM.
Developmental Changes in Carbohydrate Composition of Asian Pear Cultivars Grown in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Rajapakse Nihal C. , Newall William C.
Published: February 2019

Changes in sugar composition during maturation and ripening of eight Asian pear cultivars were evaluated. Total soluble sugars (TSS) increased gradually throughout the maturation and averaged 10% to 13% in mature fruit. All cultivars, except `Shinko' and `Nijisseiki', had accumulated ≥10% TSS by 100 days after full bloom (DAFB). Starch accumulated during early stages of Asian pear fruit development but decreased as the maturity progressed coinciding with the rise in soluble sugars. Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, was predominant in immature fruit and accounted for 35% to 60% of TSS fraction depending on the cultivar. Fructose rapidly increased during early maturation. Glucose increased during early maturation, but the increase was much smaller than that of fructose. Sucrose was low (<4%) in immature fruit but accumulated rapidly late in the maturation and continued to increase until harvest. In mature `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinsui', `Shinko', and `Ichiban' fruit, fructose was the predominant sugar which accounted for 47% to 60% of the TSS fraction. Glucose and sucrose accounted for 13% to 17% and 7% to 12%, respectively, in those cultivars. In mature `Shinseiki' fruit, sucrose was the predominant sugar (44% of TSS), while fructose and glucose accounted for 33% and 8%, respectively. Sucrose and fructose were present in equal amounts (29%) in mature `Chojuro' fruit. Late accumulation of sucrose in Asian pear cultivars suggest that sufficient time should be allowed before harvesting to obtain sweeter fruit.
Seasonal Fluctuations of the Firmness and Cell Wall Polysaccharides of Citrus Fruit Rind
Authors: Muramatsu Noboru , Takahara Toshio , Ogata Tatsushi
Published: February 2019

To compare to two types of Citrus fruit rind [i.e., soft type (satsuma mandarin, Citrus unshiu Marc.) and firm type (Hassaku, C. Hassaku Hort. Tanaka)], rind firmness and contents of cell wall polysaccharides were measured from August to January. In August, firmness was measured by a puncture test and found to be ≈3000g in both species. Firmness of satsuma mandarin decreased drastically with time from August to September and decreased slightly thereafter. In contrast, Hassaku firmness increased slightly from August to September, decreased from September to November, and fluctuated. Hassaku firmness, therefore, was significantly higher than satsuma mandarin firmness after September. We measured sugar content in each fraction after fractionalizing cell wall polysaccharides. In flavedo tissue, sugar content in cellulose fraction was the highest, followed by hot-water and EDTA fraction; hemicellulose fraction was the lowest. Although both species were almost the same in sugar content in cellulose and EDTA fraction in August, satsuma mandarin was significantly higher than Hassaku in January. These data showed that changing of rind firmness in citrus was related to the sugar content of cellulose and EDTA fraction in flavedo tissue. In albedo tissue, sugar content in the cellulose fraction was the highest, followed by hemicellulose and hot-water fraction, and EDTA fraction was the lowest. However the extent of seasonal fluctuation in albedo tissue was smaller than that of flavedo tissue, not having any relation to the changing of the firmness.
Growth, Foliar Mineral Relations, and Gas Exchange of Mammea americana as Influenced by Salinity
Authors: Marler Thomas E. , Zozor Yasmina
Published: February 2019

Whole plant growth, foliage mineral content, and leaf gas exchange were measured on Mammea americana seedlings exposed to salinity ranging from 0 to 8 dS·m–1 to determine relative tolerance of this species. In one study, growth measured as leaf area, trunk cross-sectional area, and total dry mass was reduced by 23 weeks of exposure to salinity. Growth of plants exposed to 8 dS·m–1 was

≈30% below that of control plants. Leaf gas exchange was reduced by salinity to a greater degree than the growth variables. Stomatal conductance of plants exposed to 8 dS·m–1 was ≈70% below that of control plants. Plants exposed to 8 dS·m–1 exhibited a seven-fold increase in leaf chloride and 13-fold increase in leaf sodium compared to the control plants. In a second study, 8 weeks of exposure to 8 dS·m–1 reduced net CO2 assimilation and apparent quantum yield to ≈50% of the values for the control plants. Dark respiration was not influenced by salinity. The results indicate that Mammea americana is moderately sensitive to salinity stress.
Behavior of Red Roomy Grapevines to Cycocel and Some Micronutrients:III. The Effect of Physical and Chemical Properties of the Berries
Authors: Akl A.M , Faissal Ahmed F. , William S. Youssef
Published: February 2019

Physical and chemical properties of Red Roomy grapes in response to spraying cycocel and some micronutrients were investigated through two consecutive seasons. One spray 15 days before first bloom, 30 days after berry .set, or all of the three previous dates together and/or using Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe in combination at 0.0% or 0.3% in sulphate form were applied. Three sprays of cycocel at 1000 ppm in combined with the four micronutrients together at 0.3% exerted a lower percentages shot and cracked berries and total acidity and a greater total soluble and total sugars percentages. The adverse effect of cycocel can be diminished by spraying the micronutrients with it together at 0.3%. The most pronounced effect on berries quality was obtained as a result of spraying Red Roomy vines with cycocel at 1000 ppm plus the application of Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe at 0.3% three times.
Stalk Senescence, Sugars, Proteins, and Minerals in Stalks of a Supersweet Corn at Developmental Stages
Authors: Roberts K. , Williamson J. , Wright J. , Biles C. , Russo V.
Published: February 2019

Senescence and levels of minerals, sugars, and proteins were determined in stalk internodes of corn (Zea mays L.) cv. Illini Gold, a shrunken2 hybrid, from from mid-whorl (V9; internodes completely juvenile) to fresh-market maturity (FM; internodes exhibiting stages of senescence). Senescence was rated in internodes near the base of the stalk (I7), below the ear (I9), and between the ear and tassel (I11). Tissues were extracted and analyzed by carbon-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (C-nmr) and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Senescence rating increased from V9 to FM. Through silk emergence (R1) C-nmr carbohydrate spectra were similar, regardless of internode, with chemical shifts between 61 and 104 ppm, mostly of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. At FM, additional lines were found that were not associated with a saccaride. The highest concentration of sucrose was at R1, fructose at tasseling (VT), and R1, and for glucose from VT to FM. The protein profile present through R1 in I7 was not present at FM. In I9, the protein profile was similar throughout. In I11, numbers, or density, of protein bands decreased through FM. Mineral concentrations did not change, decreased, or fluctuated. Levels of N, Cl, or Na at VT, R1, and FM, respectively, were negatively correlated with senescence. In I7 and I9, senescence ratings were negatively correlated with levels of Mg, NO–3, or SO2–4. Senescence appears to be associated with concentrations of some minerals, a reduction in levels of sucrose, and with the presence or absence of some proteins; however, cause and effect remains to be established. This research was hosted by USDA/SCARL at Lane, Okla., and made use of NMR equipment provided through USAF/AFOSR Grant F49620-95-1-0316 and NIH/NIGMS Grant GM 08003.
Tomato N Metabolism with Root Zone Temperature that Is Constant, In Phase, or Out of Phase with Shoot Temperature
Authors: Ma Yong-Zhan , Gent Martin P.N.
Published: February 2019

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) seedlings were grown with air temperature of 28°C light/12°C dark (12/12 hours), and either a constant, 20°C, root-zone temperature (RZT), or in-phase with air temperature, 28°C in the light and 12°C in the dark, or out-of-phase, 12°C in the light and 28°C in the dark. These treatments were applied from 17 to 25 days after germination, with 200 m in flowing nutrient solution. The relative growth rate of leaves was the greatest with constant RZT, 0.33/d, and least with out-of-phase RZT, 0.29/d. The concentration of free amino acid and protein in leaves was least for out-of-phase RZT. The concentration in leaves was the highest in the dark, intermediate in the middle of the light period, and the lowest at the end of the light period. In roots, concentration showed a similar trend. This variation was greatest when RZT was varied out of phase, and least with constant RZT. At the end of the light period, concentration in roots was 246, 180, and 162 μmol·g–1 dry weight for constant, in phase, and out of phase RZT, respectively. In the light, leaves of seedlings grown with out-of-phase RZT had 5 mmol·g–1 , compared to 16 mmol·g–1 with in-phase RZT Availability of in the light may be the factor limiting plant growth with out-of-phase RZT. This research was supported in part by grant number 93-37100-9101 from the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program/USDA.
Kinematic Analysis using a Novel Method of Marking Roots with the Fluorescent Dye Calcofluor
Authors: Ebel Robert C. , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: February 2019

Kinematic analysis allows accurate description of physiological changes along root axes by additionally taking into account changes due to dilution as cells expand. In previous studies using kinematic analysis, roots have been marked with ink by fine-tipped pens or single hair brushes. These methods have occasionally reduced root growth and limited resolution to the width of the marks, usually 1 mm. We describe a new method of marking roots with the fluorescent dye calcofluor which does not reduce root growth. The terminal 7 mm of bean root tips were grown vertically in a glass chamber into which a constant flow of aerated nutrient solution was passed. A 0.001% calcofluor solution was pulsed through the chamber for 1 min. Excess calcofluor was removed rapidly by a high rate of nutrient flow (200 ml·h–1) for 3 min. after which flow was reduced to 20 ml/hr. Roots were magnified 11.5× under a microscope mounted horizontally and five digitized images captured every 5 min. Imaging software allowed determination of fluorescence of individual pixels along the length of the root. Fluorescence decreased in the zone of cell elongation due to dilution as cells expanded. This method may improve resolution of kinematic analysis to the length of individual pixels, which was 18 microns at 11.5× magnification.
Essential Oil of Leaves and Flowers of `Sweet Dani': A Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Authors: Yu Liangli , Morales Mario , Simon James E.
Published: February 2019

Hydro-distilled essential oils from fresh and dry leaves and fresh and dry flowers of `Sweet Dani', a new ornamental lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum) cultivar with potential as a source of natural citral, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The essential oil contents were 0.18%, 0.19%, 0.30%, 0.28% w/w on a fresh weight basis of fresh and dry leaves, and fresh and dry flowers, respectively. Oils from leaves and flowers differed significantly in content and composition. The major constituents in dry leaf oil were neral 21.8% and geranial 33.5%. The major constituents in dry flower oil included: nerol 11.5%, neral 12.9%, geraniol 7.6%, and geranial 17.7%. Nerol (1.6%), and geraniol (0.4%) were very low in dry leaf oil. As citral is a combination of neral and geranial, the relative leaf and flower citral content is 55.3% and 30.6% of the total oil, respectively. Linalool and octanol were detected in flower oils only.
Root Pruning Influences Level of Embolism during Posttransplant Growth of Corylus colurna
Authors: Knight P.R. , Harris J.R. , Fanelli J.K.
Published: February 2019

Two-year-old, bareroot, Corylus colurna seedlings were grown in 7.5-L containers from 15 Mar. to 23 June 1995. Plants were grown in a glasshouse using pine bark media. Temperatures were maintained at 30/20°C. Plants received no fertilization or Osmocote 18–6–12 top-dressed at 14 or 28 g/container. Additionally, plants were pruned to remove 0%, 25%, or 50% of the root system based on root length. Height, diameter, branch number, leaf area, and root and shoot dry weight increased linearly as rate of fertilization increased. Percent embolism was not influenced by rate of fertilization. Plant height, branch number, leaf area, and root and shoot dry weight were not influenced by rate of root pruning. Plant diameter increased linearly as rate of root pruning decreased. Percent embolism increased linearly as rate of root pruning increased.
Changes in Ultrastructure of Bark Cells and Slippage of Bark in Poplar Plants when Grown under Short-day Photoperiods
Authors: Jeknic Zoran , Chen Tony H. H.
Published: February 2019

The development of bud dormancy in poplar plants is initiated by short-day photoperiods (SD). During the development of bud dormancy, there was a gradual increase in the force required to peel off the bark from the stems. We measured the force required for bark peeling and investigated the cellular changes associated with this phenomenon. Stem samples were collected from plants which had been grown under SD for different period of time up to 10 weeks. At each sampling date, the forces required to peel off the bark were measured by a tensiometer. At the same time, samples were fixed to examine ultrastructural changes by transmission electron microscopy. We have observed that there was a significant increase in the force (in Newtons) required to peel off bark from poplar stems when the development of dormancy was initiated by SD treatment. Many ultrastructural changes were observed, including the accumulation of bark storage proteins, the break down of the central vacuole to form many small vacuoles, thickened cell walls, etc. Efforts have been made to relate ultrastructural alterations to changes in the force required for bark peeling.
Quantitative Analysis of Turfgrass Plots
Authors: Wiest Steven C.
Published: February 2019

A system for the digital analysis of photographic prints of turfgrass plots is being developed. The 3-year-old turfgrass plots included Meyer zoysiagrass, Midlawn bermudagrass, Prairie buffalograss and Mustang tall fescue. The plots were photographed by a camera with a small dual bubble level on the camera back and a 28-mm-wide angle lens. Photographs were digitized with flatbed scanners. The images can then be analyzed in a variety of ways. For example, a series of photographs were taken from mid-Sept. through late Oct 1995 and spectral analysis of the resultant digital images were made. The initial RGB (red-greenblue) format of the images was converted to HSI (hue-saturation-intensity) for analysis. The results indicate, obviously, that hue changed from 104 (i.e., green) to 75.7 degrees (i.e., brownish) between the beginning and end of Oct. 1995. Similarly, intensity changed from ≈0.12 to ≈0.16 during the same time period, indicating that the images became darker over time. These phenomena were observed in all four species examined. However, the saturation value evoked a significant species * date interaction. The three warm-season species showed a decrease in saturation, while Mustang had no significant decrease during Oct. Spectral as well as textural analysis are likely the two most useful techniques in the digital analysis of turfgrass plots. Examples of both will be presented.
Best Management Practices Enable the Coexistence of Agriculture and the Everglades Environment.
Authors: Izuno F.T. , Rice R.W. , Capone L.T.
Published: February 2019

Situated at the northern end of the historical Florida Everglades is the 280,000-ha tract of land called the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). This land was diked, canalized, and drained in the early 1900s to encourage the production of primarily sugarcane, vegetables, sod, and rice on its Histosols. The phosphorus in drainage water from the EAA is believed to be causing undesirable changes to the ecosystem in areas subject to legislated environmental protection. Phosphorus (P) load reduction “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) are being developed and implemented in the EAA to reduce agricultural production impacts on the wetland areas. The BMPs can be categorized as fertilizer, water management, or particulate control related, and can be applied effectively across the EAA. Ten farms, representative of the EAA soils, rainfall, crops, farm size, geographic location, and water management practices, were used in the study. The farms were monitored under pre-BMP conditions for 1 to 3 years. By Jan. 1995, seven of the 10 farms were operating under project-designed BMP packages that included only the fertilizer and water management options. Depending on the method used for adjusting for hydrologic variability between years, calculated P load reductions ranged from 25% to 60% between 1994 and 1995.
Are the Effects of Heat on Physiology Due to Heat Shock Proteins?
Authors: Paull Robert E. , Watkins Chris B.
Published: February 2019

Production of heat shock proteins (HSP) in response to high temperatures are a highly recognizable feature of plant and animal systems. It is thought that such proteins play a critical role in survival under supraoptimal temperature conditions. The use of heat treatments has been examined extensively, especially for disinfestation of fruit and disease control. Heat treatments can affect physiological responses, such as ethylene production, softening, and other ripening factors, as well as reducing physiological disorders, including chilling injury. HSPs have been implicated in a number of stress responses, but the extent that they are involved, especially in amelioration of chilling injury, is a subject of debate. In a number of cases, heat shock proteins do not appear to be involved, and HSPs do not explain long-term adaptation to heat; other systems for which we do not have models may be at work. Resolution of these issues may require the use of transgenic plants with modified heat shock responses.
Alternative Production and Protection Practices for Pistachios
Authors: Ferguson Louise
Published: February 2019

Pistachios are the single most-successful plant introduction to the United States in the 20th century. Part of this success is due to the alternative production practices that have made this crop more economical to grow. Controlled deficit irrigation (CDI) can produce 25% savings in irrigation water with no adverse effects. Reclaimed drainage water can be used for in-season irrigation up to 6 dS/m. Nitrogen applications can be adjusted for crop load and alternate bearing. Foliar sprays of boron, copper, and zinc can replace heavy ground applications to alleviated these micronutrient deficiencies. Some early season insect damage can be tolerated due to the tree's ability to compensate for the damage by filling a higher percentage of the remaining nuts, Maintaining a clean orchard floor can limit some insect pests. Mechanical pruning has been demonstrated to be cheaper and cause no loss in yield. Foliar fungal diseases can be partially controlled by limiting trajectory angle, frequency, and duration of irrigation or by using buried drip irrigation systems. Soil-borne fungal diseases and nematode damage are controlled by using resistant rootstocks.
Molecular Markers for the Detection of Genetic Drift: The Case of Pea and Ryegrass
Authors: Simon Charles J. , Johnson Richard C.
Published: February 2019

Maintenance of genetic resources within the National Plant Germplasm System includes preserving the genetic constituency of accessions as close to the original sample as possible. Genetic changes that can arise during seed regeneration include both an overall loss of genetic diversity within heterogenous accessions and changes in the gene frequencies within accessions. Two germplasm collections are being examined with molecular methods at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) for evidence of such genetic change. In the case of pea, gross observation of seed and plant characters indicate that vigorous plant culling during a comprehensive Pea Seedbourne Mosaic Virus eradication program a decade ago resulted in the overall loss of genetic diversity in some heterogenous accessions. Isozyme data has corroborated these observations. Molecular markers are beginning to be used, both to quantify possible genetic changes in accessions as a result of the eradication process, and to document success in reintroducing diversity by repeating the eradication process with additional seed from archival seedlots. In the case of ryegrass, the practice of bulking the seed harvested from regeneration plots may bias the seedlot toward genotypes that are more fruitful. Isozyme analysis after two regeneration cycles showed that balanced sampling (equal seed no./plant) maintained allele frequencies close to the original seed sample. A bulk harvest sample and a sample with an equal number of spikes harvested from each plant showed some significant change in allele frequency, but no significant changes were seen in the allelic richness of accessions, or in the level of an accession's overall heterozygosity. A regeneration sample with an equal number of seed/plant will therefore best preserve gene frequencies within accessions, but loss of an accessions overall diversity will not diminish as a result of less than ideal sampling methods in ryegrass.
Molecular Markers and Germplasm Enhancement: A Case Study in Tomato
Authors: Meglic V. , Chetelat R.T.
Published: February 2019

The C.M. Rick Tomato Genetic Resources Center (TGRC) is a genebank of wild relatives, monogenic mutants, and miscellaneous genetic stocks of tomato. The wild species group includes representatives of all nine Lycopersicon spp., as well as four related Solanum species. One of the roles of the TGRC has been to foster the use of the widest available gene pool for tomato researchers. The wild nightshade Solanum lycopersicoides possesses a number of potentially useful traits, but has been untapped by breeders because of sterility and incompatibility barriers. We are using molecular markers to identify alien chromosomal segments introgressed from S. lycopersicoides into tomato. This project involves development of RFLP, RAPD, and isozyme marker linkage maps and their use in selection of homozygous segmental substitutions in backcross inbred progenies. In this fashion, a large proportion of the S. lycopersicoides genome has been integrated into the cultivated tomato. This study has also provided information on the nature of sterility and novel variation in hybrid derivatives.
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Nutritional Quality and Health Functionality
Authors: Lester Gene
Published: February 2019

Within the Cucurbitaceae are two genera, Cucumis and Citrullus (muskmelons and watermelon, respectively), with sweet-tasting fruits. Per-capita consumption of these two genera rank melons (11.6 kg) second only to bananas (12.6 kg) as the most-consumed fruit in the United States. Consumption of melons, especially muskmelon and honey dew fruits, is significant from the standpoint of their nutritional benefits to humans. Orange-fleshed melons provide a person with 100% of their daily requirement of vitamins A and C. Melons also are a significant source of nutrients: sugars, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, and “phytochemicals.” Phytochemicals are compounds not presently recognized as having nutrient value. Thirty-eight known phytochemicals are in melons and have preventive properties in addition to anti-cancer attributes. Use of beta-carotene-rich melons is important in chemopreventive trials. Melon production and genetic factors may affect human health-beneficial nutrient and phytochemical quality attributes.
Misconceptions of Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Quality
Authors: Magee James B.
Published: February 2019

Many concepts of the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables generally accepted in the past, in the light of more knowledge, today are considered “misconceptions.” For example, the tomato, once considered poisonous, then shown edible, later proved to be a “good” food and a valuable source of minerals and vitamin C, today shows the potential for significant anti-cancer activity. Results of a 6-year study of the dietary habits of 47,000 men reported up to a 45% reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer of those who ate 10 or more servings per week of tomato-based products. Other misconceptions to be discussed include nightshade vegetables and arthritis, apples after meals to clean the teeth and gums, and “if a little is good for you, a lot must be better.” Today's nutritional ideas about many fruits and vegetables may become tomorrow's misconceptions as our knowledge of the composition (e.g., phytochemicals) of fruits and vegetables increases. Examples of this are include the use of muscadine pomace and the nutritive value of strawberries.
Survival in the `90s: How a Non-land-grant School Maintains Its Horticulture Program
Authors: McKenney C. B. , Auld D. L.
Published: February 2019

With the current climate of consolidation in academia, maintaining viable discipline-oriented curricula requires concerted effort. In the past 8 years, the horticulture program at Texas Tech reduced the number of degree programs and faculty while it increased the course offerings available and quadrupled the enrollment in horticulture courses. This increase in productivity and program security came about through the efforts of the College and the Department. The designation of the Introductory Horticulture course as a core curriculum lab science elective dramatically raised enrollment. The introduction of horticulture as a minor within the College and across the University resulted in many of the horticulture courses being accessed by students previously not reached. In addition, efforts to create articulation agreements with and actively recruit students from 2- year institutions are beginning to show some success. The greatest future impact appears to be in the creation of mutually beneficial distance education alliances with other 2- and 4-year institutions. Areas of continued concern include balancing faculty teaching and research loads, frequency of upper level course offerings, and identifying large classroom facilities during peek hours. Support facility space utilization, pressing time constraints and “faculty burn-out” are also current problem areas associated with increased faculty productivity levels.
Accommodating Change in a Diverse Horticulture Curriculum
Authors: Hughes Harrison G. , Klett James E.
Published: February 2019

The Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture offers majors in Horticulture with four concentrations (Floriculture, Horticultural Business Management, Horticultural Food Crops, and Horticultural Science) and Landscape Horticulture with three concentrations (Landscape Design and Construction, Nursery and Landscape Management, and Turf Management). A third major in Landscape Architecture is also offered. The department maintained the concentrations in past years of low enrollment by switching courses to alternate years, dropping nonmajor courses, and through hiring part-time staff. Currently, increasing enrollments, with limited additional funding and the need for broadened general requirements, increased career guidance, and capstone courses have increased pressures on consolidation of concentrations. Faculty have refocused senior courses to create capstone courses in several concentrations, moved the senior seminar to sophomore status for career enhancement, and are currently discussing other options.
AVG Effects on Preharvest Apple Fruit Drop and Maturity in Virginia
Authors: Byers Ross E.
Published: February 2019

AVG applied 2 to 6 weeks before the optimum harvest date for several cultivars dramatically reduced pre-harvest fruit drop. The loss of fruit firmness and starch loss after the optimum harvest date was reduced by AVG sprays. The development of watercore in `Starkrimson Delicious' and `York' and maturity cracking in `Rome' and `Golden Delicious' were delayed and/or prevented by AVG. Color development was slightly delayed for most red cultivars and `Golden Delicious'. Soluble solids concentration was generally unchanged. Airblast applications of 123 g·ha–1 AVG was no more effective than a standard rate of NAA (28 to 56 g·ha–1), but rates of 248 g·ha–1 AVG and above were more effective than NAA for most cultivars. When fruit were left on the tree for periods of 3 to 5 weeks after the optimum harvest date, NAA hastened the loss of fruit firmness and starch and NAA increased watercore of `Delicious' and maturity cracking of `Golden Delicious' and `Law Rome'. Soluble solids and red color were generally unaffected by NAA. Ethephon sprays hastened the rate of fruit drop. When NAA was tank mixed with ethephon, NAA delayed fruit drop caused by ethephon, but AVG did not. The use of superior oil or Regulaid surfactant did not affect NAA or AVG responses; however, the silicone surfactant Silwet L-77, in one experiment, promoted the effectiveness of AVG. Tank mixing NAA or AVG with pesticides (Guthion + Lannate + Captan) did not affect the responses of AVG or NAA on fruit drop.
Coating of Nursery Containers to Improve Tree Root System Quality and Transplant Establishment
Authors: Arnold Michael A.
Published: February 2019

Interest in chemical modification of root systems of container-grown trees has increased in recent years with more widespread recognition of implications of root system architecture of container-grown trees on subsequent landscape performance. Initial research on Cu-based latex materials for application to interior container surfaces to avoid circled, matted, and kinked roots at container wall: media interfaces began with small forest tree liners in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Transfer of this technology to horticultural crops followed from the mid-1980s to the present. Testing has spread to a wide range of temperate and tropical landscape trees, shrubs, herbaceous annuals and perennials, interior foliage plants, and vegetable transplants. Inhibition of root elongation after contact with treated container surfaces is via a mild Cu toxicity, frequently resulting in a stimulation of lateral root proliferation proximal to the inhibited root tip, but responses vary with species, cultivar, media composition and pH, and Cu concentration and formulation. Early reports on root architecture effects were predominantly qualitative in nature. Quantitative studies on root architecture within treated containers have been less consistent in responses among species. Improvements in root regeneration, shoot growth, and water relations during post-transplant field establishment of trees grown in Cu-treated vs. non-treated containers have been documented for several species. Ecological (Cu leaching potential), technological (new applications), and economic (profitability) questions have arisen with increased use and availability of Cu-based container treatments and will be discussed.
Flame Cultivation for Controlling Weeds
Authors: Parish Richard L.
Published: February 2019

Flame “cultivation” for weed control was developed about 50 years ago. The practice was very popular with Southern cotton farmers through the 1950s and 1960s, but lost favor when petroleum prices rose drastically in the 1970s. There is now a new interest in the practice of flame cultivation as a partial or total replacement for herbicides in vegetable crops. This interest is fueled by three factors: 1) an increasingly negative public perception of herbicides on vegetables, 2) a very limited selection of herbicides labeled for vegetables, and 3) limited efficacy of some of the herbicides that are registered. Flame cultivation, in combination with mechanical cultivation, can replace or supplement herbicides in some vegetable crops. The mode of action of flame cultivation is the bursting of cell walls in the weeds as the weeds are heated by a carefully directed LP gas flame. With most vegetable crops, the crop plants must be protected in some manner. This can be done with a water shield (flat fan water spray), height differential between weeds and crop, physical shield, etc. Much of the early work on flame cultivation of vegetables was done with sweet corn. Work is now underway on flame cultivation of lima beans and southernpeas, where multiple flame cultivations have proven effective at controlling weeds for which no herbicide is available.
Subsequent Generation “Functional Foods”—Production of Candidate Oral Vaccines in Transgenic Plants
Authors: May Gregory D. , Mason Hugh S. , Arntzen Charles J.
Published: February 2019

The concept of “Functional Foods” is becoming a commonly used term in discussions of human nutrition. Consumer awareness of natural food constituents and their role in cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention has done much to increase health consciousness with respect to plant products. The Plants and Human Health Program of the Boyce Thompson Institute uses molecular techniques to create transgenic plants with modified food composition; our goal is to devise strategies for production of pharmaceuticals or “nutraceuticals” in plants. Our initial focus has been genes encoding the antigenic proteins of human infectious agents such as hepatitis B and the causal agents of diarrheal disease. Areas of research include; 1) methods to increase production of foreign proteins in transgenic plants, and 2) utilization of engineered edible plant tissues for animal feeding studies. We have found that transgenic foods orally immunize test animals; these findings portend many new and exciting possibilities for plant medicinal chemistry.
Cancer Chemoprotective Effects of Cruciferous Vegetables
Authors: Fahey Jed W. , Talalay Paul
Published: February 2019

High fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a striking reduction in susceptibility to malignancy. In addition to other health benefits (e.g., high levels of vitamin C, carotenoids, and dietary fiber), cruciferous vegetables contribute significantly to this chemoprotective effect. Cruciferous vegetables (e.g. Brassica sp.), contain glucosinolates, water-soluble secondary metabolites that are converted to highly reactive isothiocyanates as a defense response to predation or injury. When fed to mammals, isothiocyanates induce Phase 2 enzymes such as glutathione-S-transferase and quinone reductase, that detoxify xenobiotics. Phase 2 enzyme induction potential was assessed for fruits and vegetables from a wide variety of plant families and the Brassica vegetables were particularly rich in such activity. Tremendous variability in glucosinolate content and Phase 2 enzyme induction potential was found between commercial broccoli cultivars (n = 12) and between sites (n = 7) growing transplants produced at the same time, from the same seedlot. Broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica) cvs. Green Comet and Excelsior had an almost identical spatial distribution of Phase 2 enzyme induction potential that varied by position on market-stage plants. Fertilization regime also affected Phase 2 enzyme induction by these two cultivars. Additionally, induction of detoxication enzymes and glucosinolate profiles have been evaluated in primary and axillary shoots of two greenhouse-grown broccoli cultivars (Broccolo Natalino and a proprietary hybrid), harvested over the duration of a 2-month period of side-shoot production. This approach to evaluating the germplasm, positional, temporal, and cultural effects on levels of inducers of mammalian detoxication enzymes should lead to development of cultivation strategies to enhance the chemoprotective effect of Cruciferous vegetables.
Information Technology and the Law
Authors: Collins Roy
Published: February 2019

This paper explores fundamental doctrines of law which increasingly constitute the rules of commerce in deploying the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Particular attention is given to efforts made within the U.S. government to ensure that an appropriate regime of intellectual property law is in place in promoting U.S. leadership in the information-based marketplace. The direct relationship between U.S. copyright law and the networked dissemination of software, audio, graphical and textual works is consequently explored. Also described is the effect of developments in information technology upon the frequently opposing interests of freedom of speech, right to privacy, and governmental regulation.
Composting Systems
Authors: Gouin Francis R.
Published: February 2019

During the past decade, numerous commercial composting systems have been developed. Time, as well as economics, are determining which of these systems are feasible. Systems that take time but can operate at low cost are surviving, as are more costly systems capable of producing a mature compost in the shortest possible time. Which system to use can be determined by the amount of space available and the amount of feedstock to be composted. Where space is limited and the volume of feedstock is high, more intensively managed systems are necessary. When space is not a limiting factor, more passive systems may be adequate. Of the more costly system developed, those systems with the least amount of down time and with a high degree of versatility appear to be surviving. Although it is possible to optimize the rate of composting through good engineering and management, there exists a given time period, depending on the feedstock necessary to produce quality mature compost. Minimizing production time to the point where the quality of the compost is jeopardized will result in wide-spread rejection. As horticulturists, we must stand firm in demanding compost standards with qualities based on our needs. Based on the diversity of our industry, the horticultural industries are likely to be the largest potential users of commercial compost.
Compost Utilization for Vegetable Crops: Research and Grower Use
Authors: Roe Nancy E.
Published: February 2019

Utilization of municipal waste composts on vegetable crops may be advantageous if research can determine appropriate product maturity and quality standards, application methods and rates, application timing, and supplemental nutrient requirements. Experiments using compost for seed germination and seedling growth indicate that mixtures of compost with amendments such as perlite and vermiculite result in acceptable growth rates, but often require additional N and K for optimum growth. In the field, compost generally improves soil characteristics for vegetable crop growth. Tests using compost rates from 12 to 336 t·ha–1 either increased or did not change yields of vegetable crops. Highest yields are often produced from a combination of composts with additional nutrient sources. When the composts were used as mulches, vegetable crop growth and production were generally higher than from plants in unmulched plots, but lower than those from plots with polyethylene mulches. If growers are to accept the use of composts, the compost must be a consistent product, and yield increases must be high enough to justify the costs of transporting and applying the compost.
Determining Consumer Interests and Preferences in the Consumer Horticultural Industry: Results of a Consumer Interest and Market Survey of Garden Show Attendees
Authors: Neujahr Jennifer , Gast Karen L.B.
Published: February 2019

Consumer interest and market surveys play an important role in determining what consumer wants and needs are from an industry. These surveys can also serve the role of preparing students for their future jobs in the industry. The horticulture industry is no different. Companies need to know what consumer interests and needs are so they can serve them better. Likewise, students need to know what areas of horticulture are receiving the highest demand by consumers so they can prepare themselves better. A consumer preference study was conducted at the Topeka, Kan., “Lawn, Garden, and Flower Show” by members of the Kansas State Univ. Horticulture Club. The objectives of the survey were to determine: 1) the specific gardening interests of the respondents, 2) the demand for educational materials on specific gardening areas by the respondents, 3) what the respondents' garden buying habits were, and 4) what the respondents' plant selection preferences were. Survey respondents indicated that, when selecting plant material, plant quality was the most important criterion used, while plant packaging was of least importance. Plant size and price were only given some importance in the plant selection decision. Other results of the survey will be presented.