bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Gravity Penetrometer for Measuring Flesh Firmness in Citrus Fruits
Authors: Soost R. K. , Hotchkiss C. W. , Burnett R. H.
Published: September 2022

Investigations on a widely distributed variant Navel orange led to the need for reproducible, quantitative measurements of flesh firmness of orange fruits. Previous work using pressure devices on the surface of transversely-cut citrus fruits had resulted in erratic results. Whole fruit compression tests failed to show significant differences between samples of the variant and normal fruits (Table 1). In preliminary trials, dropping a pointed rod a given distance through a guide tube onto the transversely-cut fruit gave reproducible results. On the basis of the preliminary results, the present instrument, Fig. 1, was constructed and used in subsequent tests comparing variant Navel oranges with normal Navel oranges. In all plantings tested, the variant trees could be identified by means of the differences in the penetrometer measurement. The absolute values varied from planting to planting and on different sampling dates, but the differences between the two fruit types were always detectable. Results from the first plantings sampled are given in Table 1.
Arboretums - A Note of Caution on Their Use in Agriculture
Authors: Westwood M. N.
Published: September 2022

Of the 90 plant collections listed by Wyman (The arboretums and botanical gardens of North America, Chronica Botanica X: 395-497, 1947) 54 indicated their chief function as either education, research, or both. These terms have different meanings to different people but either function could best be carried out if the collected species were authentic and correctly labelled.
The Influence of Shade Treatment on Winter Injury of Rhododendrons
Authors: Pokorny F. A.
Published: September 2022

Injury to woody ornamental plants, caused by unseasonably cold weather in early fall or late spring, is a major problem not only to producers and retailers of woody plants but also to consumers who purchase plants for use in the home landscape.
Improving ‘Manzanillo’ Olive Seed Germination
Authors: Crisosto Carlos , Sutter Ellen G.
Published: September 2022

‘Manzanillo’ olive (Olea europaea L.) seeds were subjected to chemical scarification with NaOH and H2SO4 for various periods of time to determine the most appropriate treatment for improving the germination of the seeds. A critical balance of concentration and time was necessary to achieve high germination percentages without loss of viability of the seeds. H2SO4 was more effective than NaOH in increasing germination percentages. Germination percentages as high as 98% were obtained on stratified seed using H2SO4, compared to 0% without chemical scarification.
Nitrogen Effects on Monostands and Polystands of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass
Authors: Eggens J. L. , Wright C. P. M.
Published: September 2022

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) and ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) were grown in monostand and polystand in silica sand and supplied with solutions in which 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of the N was NH4+ and the remainder was NO3.– In polystand, annual bluegrass was more competitive than ‘Penncross’, producing more shoot and root dry weight and more tillers. Competitive ability of annual bluegrass was decreased as the percentage of NH4+ increased in nutrient solution. The decrease in competitive ability was reflected by a decline in tiller number and root and shoot dry weight. ‘Penncross’ was less affected by N form than was annual bluegrass.
Water Relations and Photosynthetic Rate of an Epiphytic Fern during a Cycle of Drying/rewatering
Authors: Savé Robert , Oriol Marfà J. , Rabella Ramon
Published: September 2022

Plants of Asplenium nidus-avis Hort. were submitted to a cycle of drying/rewatering under controlled conditions. Xylem water potential of the fronds (ψpxylem), their stomatal conductance (g), and their net photosynthetic rate (Pn) along the matric potential of the substrate (ψm) were measured during this cycle. The relationship be tween ψpxylem and g was an exponential curve. This relationship consisted of 2 phases with a threshold of ψPxylem near –0.77 MPa (1 bar = 0.1 MPa). Above this value, there were small changes in g, but below –1.01 MPa, g decreased rapidly. Pn declined below ψpxylem –1.01 MPa. Pn and g tended to correlate at low values of g. Initial values of ψpxylem, g, and Pn were reattained 48 hr after watering.
Duplicating Foliage Shade for Research on Plant Development
Authors: Lee David W.
Published: September 2022

A shade film is described which duplicates the spectral quality of light underneath foliage. The film should become an important tool for studying plant development, and it may have commercial applications.
Reducing Corolla Abscission of Streptocarpus × hybridus under Simulated Shipping Conditions with Silver Thiosulfate
Authors: Agnew Nancy Howard , Albrecht Mary Lewnes , Kent Kimmins R.
Published: September 2022

Silver thiosulfate (STS) foliar sprays applied 1 and 4 weeks prior to simulated shipping reduced corolla abscission of Streptocarpus × hybridus Voss. Spray concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm were all effective in reducing corolla abscission when appropriately timed. Sprays applied 24 hr prior to shipping caused necrotic lesions on the flowers and foliage and proved harmful in the warm, humid environment used in simulated shipping. A combination treatment with STS (2 mm) sprayed 4 weeks and again 24 hr prior to shipping showed the 4-week spray treatment to precondition the plants thereby preventing injurious effects by the 24 hr treatment and decreasing corolla abscission 46.6%. STS folair sprays applied one week prior to shipping at 0.5 him and 1.0 mm prevented corolla abscission with 0% corolla abscission after simulated shipping.
Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin, and Thiamine Content of Sweet Peppers during Marketing
Authors: Hudson Donald E. , Butterfield James E. , Lachance Paul A.
Published: September 2022

Sweet peppers from wholesale and retail markets and simulated consumer storage were analyzed for total ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and thiamine. Peppers from these tests contained an overall average of 117 mg ascorbic acid/100 g freshweight (gfw), 49 μg riboflavin/100 gfw and 65 μg thiamine per 100 gfw. Among sampling dates ascorbic acid (AA) levels differed significantly, but levels of riboflavin and thiamine did not. The range of variation of the mean concentration of total AA, riboflavin, and thiamine for all marketing levels were 3.4%, 36%, and 11%, respectively. None of these variations among marketing levels, however, was statistically significant. This study supports the hypothesis that average concentrations of vitamins do not change significantly from wholesale marketing to consumption, but significant variations do occur among individual market samples.
A Rapid Method for Screening Reducing Sugar in Carrot Roots
Authors: Simon P. W. , Freeman R. E.
Published: September 2022

Eighteen methods were evaluated to quantify reducing sugars in carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots using drops of juice spotted onto chromatography paper. Reducing sugar detection with dinitrosalicylic acid was rapid (12 to 30 samples per hr) and correlated very well with values obtained by use of high performance liquid chromatography (r = 0.88 overall, ranging from 0.76 to 0.98 in a genetically diverse range of populations). High reducing sugar, low sucrose (Rs/—) roots could be distinguished from low reducing sugar, high sucrose (rs/rs) roots with little error. This method readily complements soluble solids measurement.
In Vitro Propagation of Periwinkle
Authors: Stapfer R. E. , Heuser C. W.
Published: September 2022

Single node explants from in vitro derived shoots of Vinca minor L. ‘Bowlesii’ were cultured on modified woody plant medium (WPM). A more effective promoter of axillary shoot proliferation was 6-benzylamino purine (BA) than 6-furfurylamino purine (kinetin) or 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP). Maximum production of shoots 5 mm and longer occurred in a medium containing 64 μm BA and 0.1 μm α naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), whereas 64 μm BA and 1.0 μm NAA produced the most shoots 10 mm and longer. Proliferated shoots were rooted and established in a soilless medium under high humidity.
‘Vanessa’ Grape
Authors: Fisher K. H. , Bradt O. A.
Published: September 2022

Grape breeding was initiated at the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario in 1913 (3). The objectives of the breeding program were to provide wine and table grapes adapted to Ontario growing conditions. ‘Vanessa’ (Fig. 1) was released by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario to fill the need for seedless table grapes hardy enough to withstand winter conditions in southern Ontario. This is the seventh cultivar released from this program.
Tropical Fruit in Florida
Authors: Campbell Carl W.
Published: September 2022

Significant changes are occurring in tropical fruit production in Florida. The greatest production occurs in the Dade County southwest of Miami, but there are plantings in warm areas of several other counties in the southern half of the Florida peninsula.
A More Sensitive Insect Bioassay for Naturally Occurring Plant Products
Authors: Schwartz Robert F. , Snyder John C.
Published: September 2022

Concentrations from 0.00 to 7.00 mg/ml of 2-tridecanone were applied directly to the bottom of petri dishes or to filter paper in dishes and assayed with tobacco hornworm larvae (Manduca sexta L.). The rate and extent of hornworm mortality were greater in the assay without filter paper. The LC50 for the assay with filter paper was 10.6 µg/cm2 and 4.1 µg/cm2 without filter paper. These results indicate that the test without filter paper is a more sensitive bioassay for antibiotic effects on tobacco hornworm larvae.
Phony Disease of Peach Influenced Fruit Weight and Firmness at Harvest
Authors: Evert Dean R.
Published: September 2022

Weight and flesh firmness of peach fruit [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch ‘Junegold’] were measured at harvest from phony-infected and noninfected trees. Regression equations showed that fruit from phony-infected trees had an average increase in weight of 0.95 g to 1.03 g per newton decrease in flesh firmness at harvest, significantly less than the 1.69 g to 2.90 g increase per newton decrease for normal trees (P = 0.05). Internal moisture stress caused by xylem blockage in phony-infected trees may explain the changed flrmness/weight relationship during final swell.
Wholesale, Retail, and Consumer Level Losses of Nectarines in Metropolitan New York
Authors: Ceponis M. J. , Cappellini R. A.
Published: September 2022

Quantitative and qualitative losses incurred in the marketing of nectarines (Prunus persica L. ‘Nectarina’ Ait) in metropolitan New York were studied at wholesale, retail, and consumer levels from 1981 to 1983. Examination of nectarines at the wholesale level indicated that losses to pathological, physiological, and physical deterioration were 3.3%. Losses of 6.6% were observed at retail store and consumer levels. Decay, mainly due to brown rot, was the leading cause of loss in wholesale and consumer level sampling, whereas mechanical damage caused most of the loss in retail.
Chilling Injury and Decay of Lemons as Affected by Ethylene, Low Temperature, and Optimal Storage
Authors: McDonald R. E. , Hatton T. T. , Cubbedge R. H.
Published: September 2022

‘Bearss’ lemons (Citrus limon Burm f.) stored 21 days at 1°C and held 14 days at 21° sustained 15% chilling injury (Cl) compared to 1% after 10° storage and 21° holding period. Decay, predominantly caused by Penicillium digitatum Sacc., was negligible during storage at either 1° or 10°, but developed during the holding period at 21°. After storage at 1° or 10° plus 2 weeks at 21°, decay averaged 7.4% and 0.7%, respectively. Fruit size, method of curing, and presence of oleocellosis were not related to Cl or decay development.
Horticulture, Plant Breeding, and Genetic Engineering
Authors: Frazier W. A.
Published: September 2022

I wish to comment and reflect a bit about the interaction of horticulture, plant breeding, and genetic engineering.
Lawnscape Horticulture
Authors: Roberts Eliot C.
Published: September 2022

Lawnscape horticulture involves a research and education effort that runs a close parallel with landscape horticulture and fits well the research specialties identified by ASHS. Lawns separate from flowers, shrubs, and trees have limited appeal, reserved mostly for sports stadiums. The true value of the lawnscape is measured in terms of how well it fits the landscape. Turf grass science has come of age. It is well recognized through its employment of fundamental research disciplines and areas of specialization. The result is the lawnscape of the 1980s, one fit for the best of residential living wherever settlements exist.
Calcium Concentration of ‘Golden Delicious’ Apples as Influenced by Foliar Sprays and Trunk Injection
Authors: Neilsen G. H. , Meheriuk M. , Moyls A. L.
Published: September 2022

From 1981-83, 4 weekly sprays of 0.75% and 1% CaCl2 w/v, immediately prior to harvest, significantly increased fruit flesh Ca concentration of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) without the leaf phytotoxicity associated with CaCl2 sprays above 1%. In contrast, chelated Ca sprays at concentrations 2 – to 16 × label recommendations, and direct trunk injection of 1.5 liters of 1% CaCl2, did not increase fruit Ca concentration.
A Partial Economic Analysis of Three Pruning Treatments on Mature Peach Trees
Authors: Marini Richard P. , Rossi Daniel
Published: September 2022

Mature ‘Sunqueen’ peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees were dormant pruned in March, summer pruned in late July, or summer topped in late July for 3 consecutive years. Pruning and fruit thinning costs were lower for summer topped trees than for dormant or summer pruned trees. Yield, fruit size, and crop value were reduced by summer topping, compared to dormant pruning and summer pruning. When results were combined for 1982 and 1983, the crop value, minus pruning and thinning costs, was $16,749, $16,389, and $14,854/ha for dormant pruned, summer pruned, and summer topped trees, respectively.
Propagation of Desert Milkweed by Shoot Tip Culture
Authors: Lee Chi Won , Thomas John C.
Published: September 2022

Shoot tips and stem nodes of Asclepias erosa Torr., cultured on a modified (0.5 × major salts) Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.54 µm (0.1 mg/liter) NAA and 44.4 µm (10 mg/liter) BA, produced multiple shoots in 5 weeks. Subcultures of the individual shoots on the same medium produced 5-12 new shoots 4 weeks later. Rooting of the resultant shoots was best accomplished by preculturing them for 48 hr on MS medium containing 246 or 492 µm (50 or 100 mg/liter) IB A prior to subculturing for 4 weeks on MS medium devoid of growth regulators. The rooted cultures were established successfully in soil. Chemical names used. NAA: 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. BA:N-(phenylmethyl)-lH-purin-6-amine. IBA: lH-indole-3-butanoic acid.
Effect of a Grass on Growth and Mycorrhization of Potted Apple Trees
Authors: Reich Lee
Published: September 2022

To determine possible interactions between effects of mycorrhiza and groundcover, micropropagated plants of Mailing 26 (M26) apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) rootstock were subjected to a factorial arrangement of the following 3 treatments: mycorrhizal inoculation, presence or absence of a grass, and low or high fertilizer regime. There were no interactions of grass with inoculation apparent for any measure of apple growth, except for the number of apple root laterals, which was decreased by the grass. A 3-way interaction for apple plant concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn was due primarily to decreased concentrations of these elements under conditions of high fertility with mycorrhiza in the absence of the grass. The B concentration of inoculated apple plants also was decreased in the absence of the grass.
Breaking Bud Dormancy in Corms, Tubers, and Trees with Sulfurcontaining Compounds
Authors: Hosoki T. , Hiura H. , Hamada M.
Published: September 2022

Sulfur-containing compounds, H2S, SO2, allyl sulfide, and allyl isothiocyanate broke dormancy in gladiolus (Gladiolus x Tubergenii Hort., Gladiolus spp.), Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC., or tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.). A 1% H2S treatment for 1-8 hr was most effective with the least phytotoxicity. Garlic paste/vapor, which included allyl sulfide, also was effective. H2S, allyl sulfide and garlic vapor increased the respiration rate of tubers in Platycodon grandiflorum within 15 hr after treatment.
Carbohydrates, Water Potential, and Subsequent Rooting of Stored Rhododendron Cuttings
Authors: Davis Tim D. , Potter John R.
Published: September 2022

Storage of Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. ‘Roseum Elegans’ cuttings in moist burlap bags at 21° or 2°C for 21 days did not consistently reduce the percentage of rooting or rootball size. During storage, leaf water potential (ψw) of the cuttings increased from −0.47 MPa initially to −0.27 MPa after 14 days, regardless of storage temperature. Carbohydrate concentrations in the bases of the cuttings changed with time and storage temperature, but apparently neither these changes nor changes in ψw were large enough to influence subsequent rooting.
Long-day Flower Initiation by Chrysanthemum
Authors: Cockshull Kenneth E. , Kofranek Anton M.
Published: September 2022

Thirty-eight cultivars of Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. commonly grown in year-round flower production programs were grown continuously in long days. After 19 weeks of growth, 2 apparently were still vegetative, whereas 36 had formed flower buds; these failed to develop to anthesis and formed “crown buds”. The average number of leaves produced before the terminal flower bud (“long-day leaf number,” LDLN) ranged from 18.8 for ‘Bright Golden Anne’ to 78.2 for ‘Dignity.’ LDLN indicates whether a cultivar will form flower buds relatively early while growing in long days, and it identifies cultivars that need special attention during cutting production. It also could be used to control flowering in “timed-pinch” programs, and to characterize cultivars for breeding programs.
‘Au-Roadside’ Plum
Authors: Norton Joseph D. , Snell J. M. , Smith D. A. , Rymal K. S.
Published: September 2022

‘AU-Roadside’ is a new plum cultivar developed by the Dept. of Horticulture, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn Univ., for growing in areas where chilling of 700 hr of temperature below 7°C occurs. ‘AU-Roadside’ has produced high yields of excellent quality fruit where certain fruit problems and diseases occur.
“International Alumni Evaluate a Horticulture Departments Graduate Program”
Authors: Bittenbender H. C.
Published: September 2022

In the feature article “International Alumni Evaluate a Horticulture Departments Graduate Program” [HortScience 19(6):792–795, 1984] by H.C. Bittenbender, the first sentence in paragraph 2 on page 792 should read, “Administrators of 43 horticultural departments enrolling a total of 1500 graduate students, of which 290 where LDC students, indicated...”
In Vitro Propagation of Statice as an Aid to Breeding
Authors: Harazy Ada , Leshem B. , Cohen A. , Rabinowitch H. D.
Published: September 2022

Shoot proliferation in vitro of statice (Limonium sinuatum L.) was achieved using axillary buds grown on Linsmaier-Skoog (LS) medium containing 2.7 mM (0.6 mg/liter) BA. Shoots were rooted on a medium consisting of half strength LS supplemented with 2.7 mM (0.5 mg/liter) NAA. A 5-fold increase was evident for each subculture. Successive subcultures did not seem to impair proliferation or rooting. No deterioration in either proliferation or rooting was evident following 2 months of low-temperature storage (2° to 4°C) in the dark. In vitro propagated plants could be transferred to the greenhouse with survival rates of more than 95%. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (BA); 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).
Abscisic Acid Effects on Photosynthesis and Transpiration in Geranium Cuttings
Authors: Arteca Richard N. , Tsai De-Sheng , Schlagnhaufer Carl
Published: September 2022

The effect of root applications of abscisic acid (ABA) on photosynthesis and transpiration in geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum ‘Glacier Crimson’ Syn. Bruni) cuttings was evaluated using an open infrared CO2 gas exchange system. At concentrations above 3.8 μM ABA there was a reduction in relative growth rate (RGR), transpiration, and photosynthesis 2 days following treatment. Three hours following treatment with 76 μM ABA there was a maximum decrease in both photosynthetic and transpiration rates. Plants which were treated with 76 μM ABA for 6 or 9 hr showed an inhibition in photosynthesis and transpiration 4 days followiing treatment; however, after 6 days there was no difference between treated and control plants. The reduction in transpiration and photosynthesis reported in this paper may have practical value in the shipment and storage of geranium cuttings.
An Economic Evaluation of Hexazinone Use for Weed Control in Lowbush Blueberry Production
Authors: Hanchar John J. , Skinner Steven P. , Yarborough David E. , Ismail Amr A.
Published: September 2022

The economic feasibility of using hexazinone for weed control in lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) was determined by using the partial budgeting technique. Four rates of hexazinone were evaluated to determine the effect on net income in a blueberry enterprise. Response function analysis also was utilized to ascertain the hexazinone level that would maximize blueberry yield and profitability. Partial budget analysis indicated that hexazinone use at 1.1, 2.2, and 4.5 kg/ha was expected to increase net income, indicating its use was economically feasible. Hexazinone use at 9 kg/ha was judged to be economically infeasible, since it decreased net income. Response function analysis revealed that 2.3 kg/ha of hexazinone maximized profits. Chemical names used: 3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-tria-zine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (hexazione).
The Relationship of Sod Proximity to the Growth and Nutrient Composition of Newly Planted Peach Trees
Authors: Welker W. V. , Glenn D. M.
Published: September 2022

Vegetation-free squares, ranging in size from 0.6 m to 3.6 m/side, were established around young peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees planted in a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) sod. Tree growth increased as the size of the vegetation-free area increased. Tree growth was found to be closely related to leaf Ν levels. Low levels of leaf nutrients developed from both increased proximity of sod, reducing tree growth in the smallest squares (leaf Cu < 7 ppm), and rapid tree growth, exceeding the soil’s capacity to supply Mg (leaf Mg < 0.40%) when proximity was reduced in the largest squares.
In Ovulo Embryo Culture of Early-maturing Prunus
Authors: Ramming David W.
Published: September 2022

Embryos of plum, peach, and nectarine (less than 1 mm long) enlarged during in ovulo embryo culture. Optimum culture conditions for Prunus embryo enlargement consisted of Stewart and Hsu support system and medium with 6% sucrose at 27°C. ‘Blackamber’ plum embryos subsequently cultured on a Smith et al. medium and stratified at 1° for 1 month produced plants. This provides an easy method to culture small embryos from very early-maturing Prunus genotypes, and allows their use in breeding programs for the improvement of early-maturing genotypes.
Relationship of Leaf Elemental Concentrations and Yield to Cold Damage of ‘Western’ Pecan
Authors: Smith Michael W. , Cotten Brenda C.
Published: September 2022

During the winter of 1983-84, 2 periods of below normal temperatures caused severe damage to ‘Western’ pecan trees [Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch]. Leaf elemental concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Zn, and yield/tree, measured during 1983, were evaluated to determine their relationship to damage. The only factors significantly related to the amount of cold damage were N, P, and yield/tree. Leaf N2 and leaf P2 were inversely related, whereas yield was positively related to cold damage.
A Nondestructive Method for Continuously Monitoring Plant Growth
Authors: Schwartzkopf Steven H.
Published: September 2022

In the past, plant growth generally has been measured using destructive methods. This paper describes a nondestructive technique for continuously monitoring plant growth. The technique provides a means of directly and accurately measuring plant growth over both short and long time intervals. Application of this technique to the direct measurement of plant growth rates is illustrated using corn (Zea mays L.) as an example.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Alcohol Soluble Carbohydrate Content in Sweet Potato Roots
Authors: Kim J. Y. , Acock M. C. , Garner J. O. , Singletary C. C. , Salin M. L.
Published: September 2022

The roots of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), treated with 27, 94, and 161 kg/ha Ν were assayed for Ν and alcohol soluble carbohydrate (ASC) content. The hypothesis that Ν fertilization in the sweet potato affects storage root initiation by lowering soluble carbohydrate levels in the root was supported by the findings that (a) Ν content correlated negatively with ASC content, and (b) Ν treatments which lowered ASC content also delayed storage root initiation and reduced the number formed.
In Vitro Culture of Mugo Pine Needle Fascicles
Authors: Stiff Carol M. , Boe Arthur A. , Roberts Lorin W. , Stiff Charles T.
Published: September 2022

Many angiosperms have been micropro-pagated with shoot tip and meristem-tip culture techniques (11). In Pinus, both shoot tips and needle fascicles contain meristematic tissues (10, 13). Plantlets differentiated from apical meristems should exhibit the same phenotypic characteristics as the source plant.
Analysis of Percentage and Rating Scale Data
Authors: Little Thomas M.
Published: September 2022

To many people, the subject of percentages is fraught with mystery, confusion, and paradox. A bank advertises that its interest rate on savings accounts is 10% higher than other banks in town which pay only 5%. Some investors are disappointed to learn that this new rate is not 15% but 5.5%. A farmer had a bad season and his potato yield decreased by 50% less than the year before. He figured that if he could increase his yield the next year by 50% he’d be back where he started. Was he right?
Ammonium and Nitrate Retention by a Hydrophilic Gel
Authors: Henderson Janet C. , Hensley David L.
Published: September 2022

Studies were conducted to determine if ammonium or nitrate were retained by a starch-polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel. Silicia sand was amended with 0, 2, 3, and 4 kg/m3 hydrophilic gel. Ammonium nitrate solution was applied to dry and distilled water-saturated amended sand in pots. The amended medium was washed with distilled water, leachate was collected, and ammonium and nitrate contents were determined. More ammonium was retained by all concentrations of hydrophilic gel-amended sand than in sand alone, especially in media not saturated prior to application. Nitrate was not retained in large amounts by any medium.
Establishment of Native Vaccinium Species on a Mineral Soil
Authors: Gupton C. L.
Published: September 2022

Application of an absorbent starch-acrylate polymer (ASAP) to bare-rooted plants of 4 Vaccinium genotypes did not affect plant height, vigor, or chlorosis, but it increased plant mortality significantly. About 25% of all plants treated with ASAP either alone or in combination with peat died during the first year after transplanting. Surviving plants grew at about the same rate as those from other treatments during the 2nd year. A V. ashei (Reade) collection from Mississippi showed least response to soil amendments. Untreated plants of this collection grew well during the 2nd growing season and compared favorably in size with ‘Tifblue’ grown in plots with peat added.
Freeze-preservation of Apices Isolated from Small Heads of Brussels Sprouts
Authors: Harada T. , Inaba A. , Yakuwa T. , Tamura T.
Published: September 2022

Apices (1- to 2-mm in length) isolated from small heads of Brassica oleracea L. Group Gemmifera Zenk were frozen for preservation. At −30°C, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 1.5 m was the most effective cryoprotectant, and the higher concentration (1.5 m) was more effective than the lower concentration (0.5 m) for each cryoprotectant (dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, glycerol). Prefreezing to −30° or −40° at 0.5°/min made it possible for apices to survive freezing to −196°.
Seismic Stress Effects on Reproductive Structures of Tomato, Potato, and Marigold
Authors: Akers Stuart W. , Mitchell Cary A.
Published: September 2022

Periodic seismic (shaking) stress influenced the growth of sexual and asexual reproductive structures of three cultivated species. It delayed anthesis of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Patio’ but not of Tagetes erecta L. ‘Jubilee’ or Solanum tuberosum L. ‘Kennebec’. Shaken ‘Jubliee’ marigold plants produced the same number of flowers as undisturbed plants, but flowers of shaken plants were smaller. In contrast, seismicstressed ‘Patio’ tomato produced fewer buds and flowers, but fruit set was enhanced relative to that of controls. Seismic stress also reduced tuber weight of ‘Kennebec’ potato, whereas tuber number was unaffected. The overall effect of seismic stress was to reduce the growth of reproductive structures and, in some cases, the number of reproductive structures that developed.
Water Uptake and Root Distribution by Corn and Tomato at Different Depths
Authors: Tan C. S. , Fulton J. M.
Published: September 2022

Root systems were studied to determine if differences in utilization of soil moisture were associated with the extent and number of roots produced by corn and tomato. Growth room studies for both crops indicated that the reduction in transpiration when the upper portion of the root zone was dry was greater than when the lower portion was dry. Total root length of corn was about twice that of tomato roots. However, no direct relationship between the total amount of root length and transpiration was found. Roots of corn and tomato in the field extended beyond the maximum depth measured (100 cm) between 42 – 46 days after establishment. The spatial density of corn roots was much greater than that of tomato roots, especially as depths increased. This difference possibly explains the use of stored soil moisture by corn. On the other hand, the capacity of tomatoes to extract large amounts of water from the soil cannot be explained by the density and rooting depth. Perhaps this capacity is due to total root surface area differences or high absorption capacity of tomato root system.
Economic Value of Home Vegetable Gardens in an Urban Desert Environment
Authors: Cleveland David A. , Orum Thomas V. , Ferguson Nancy
Published: September 2022

Two home vegetable gardens (77.4 and 58.3 m2) in Tucson, Ariz., yielded an average of 1.24 and 2.31 kg/m2 of produce per year over 3 and 2.5 years, respectively. Average net returns were $109 and $123 per year, $0.72 and $1.11 per hour, or $8.80 and $7.75 per dollar of water used. Thus, in the southwest desert, a weekly investment of 2-to-3 hours in a home garden can provide savings.
Response of Pepper and Muskmelon to Row Solarization
Authors: Hartz T. K. , Bogle C. R. , Villalon B.
Published: September 2022

The effect of soil solarization (solar heating of soil using clear plastic during a summer fallow period) on consecutive cropping of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) was investigated. Raised beds were mulched with 40 µm clear polyethylene film in July, irrigated, and left undisturbed for one month. The plastic then was either removed or pigmented and left in place as a mulch. Solarization increased marketable yield of fall-grown bell pepper 20% when compared to conventional, nonsolarized culture. Where the solarizing plastic was pigmented and left in place as a mulch, pepper yield was 53% higher than in nonsolarized plots. There was a significant residual solarization effect on marketable yield of muskmelon grown the following spring. Increased pepper and melon yields were attributable to increased fruit number rather than fruit weight. Solarization did not influence earliness.
Nitrogen Loss and Plant Responses of Ficus benjamina to Different Fertilizer Sources Applied Preplant
Authors: Wiedenfeld R. P.
Published: September 2022

Six fertilizers providing N in different forms were incorporated preplant at rates of 400, 800, and 1200 mg N/liter of pot volume for production of Ficus benjamina (L.) plants. Inorganic N status of the media was determined biweekly, and total plant dry weight and N content were determined at the conclusion of the study. Length of time until inorganic N levels in the media dropped below a selected 0.12% level ranged from 94 days for the nitrate-N source to greater than 182 days for the resin coated-N fertilizer. Increases in the rate of N applied of 100%, from 400 to 800 mg N/liter, and of 50%, from 800 to 1200 mg N liter, resulted in increases of 47% and 25%, respectively, in the length of time media N levels remained above the critical level. All N sources produced plants of similar dry weight, whereas only the nitrate-N material gave a lower plant N content than the other fertilizers. Increasing N rate increased plant N content but decreased plant dry weight.
Dikegulac Alters Growth and Flowering of Kalanchoe
Authors: Nightingale A. E. , Cross Susan E. , Longnecker M. T.
Published: September 2022

Foliar applications of 750, 1500, and 2250 ppm dikegulac-sodium [sodium 2,3:4,6-di-0-isopropyl-idene-2-keto-L-gulonate] generally decreased plant height, increased number of inflorescences, and improved the marketable quality of Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe × spp.). There were marked cultivar differences in response.
Low-volume Sprays of BA and Promalin Increase Branching in Apple Trees
Authors: Miller Stephen S.
Published: September 2022

Low volume (concentrate) sprays to 7.5X (375 liters/ha) of BA applied at fixed rates (137 and 228 g/ha) with airblast equipment were as effective as full dilute applications (2800 liters/ha) for inducing branch development on young apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees. Sprays of BA or BA + gibberellin A4+7 (Promalin) applied in a spray solution based on tree-row-volume increased branching significantly at IX but failed to produce a response when applied as a concentrate spray at a fixed chemical rate. Cultivars responded similarly to changes in spray volume.
Self and Cross Compatibility in Tetraploid Blackberry Cultivars
Authors: Perry Julia L. , Moore J. N.
Published: September 2022

No differences in percentage fruit set resulted from self or cross pollination in 8 tetraploid cultivars of erect blackberry (Rubus subgenus Eubatus), but 2 selections with diploid ancestry showed decreased fruit set from self-pollination. In some cultivars, self-pollination resulted in reduced fruit size and generally resulted in decreased seed number per fruit. Fluorescence microscopy showed no differences in rate or extent of pollen tube growth from self or cross pollen within blackberry styles. Caging experiments indicated that blackberries are not dependent on insects for pollination, but wind dispersal of pollen is important in securing uniform fruit set.
Variation in the Respiration of Harvested Pecans due to Genotype and Kernel Moisture Level
Authors: Beaudry Randy M. , Payne Jerry A. , Kays Stanley J.
Published: September 2022

The respiratory rates of nuts of 19 pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wang) K. Koch] genotypes were determined with and without shells; at harvest moisture and at 3% kernel moisture. Shell respiration also was determined. Respiratory rates of kernels and intact nuts varied logarithmically with moisture content of the kernel. Respiratory rates of kernels at harvest ranged from 26.9 to 0.3 mg CO2kg-1hr-1; after drying to 3% moisture, values declined, ranging from 0.21 to 0.06 mg CO2kg-1hr-1. Respiration also was genotype dependent and was influenced by shell presence. The respiration rate of unshelled nuts was greater than shelled kernels when the moisture level was high, but lower when the kernel moisture level was low. Shell material was found to respire to a limited extent.
Aseptic Multiplication of Banana from Excised Floral Apices
Authors: Cronauer Sandra S. , Krikorian A. D.
Published: September 2022

Most economically important bananas and plantains are large triploid seedless herbs that must be propagated vegetatively by removing small side shoots or “suckers” from the parent plant or by planting seed pieces of larger corms. Consequently, multiplication of stock material is time consuming. Recently, the rapid production of young banana plantlets suitable for use as “seed” material has been described (1, 3). Vegetative shoot apices were isolated and multiplied using aseptic tissue culture techniques. Although these multiplication systems, once established, can produce thousands of plants in a relatively short period of time, their establishment necessitates the initial sacrifice of an individual specimen, which may not always be desirable or prudent should a limited parent stock be available. We describe here the production and multiplication of rooted banana plantlets from the isolation and culture of terminal floral apices.
‘Nesbitt’ Muscadine Grape
Authors: Goldy R. G. , Nesbitt W. B.
Published: September 2022

‘Nesbitt’ is a black-fruited muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) released by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service. ‘Nesbitt’ is named in memory of the late Dr. William B. Nesbitt, who was instrumental in muscadine grape improvement.
Row Covers: A Changing Landscape
Authors: Wells Otho S , Loy J. Brent
Published: September 2022

“The French market gardens in the environs of Paris and other large cities are very curious-looking places.” Thus was the report in McCall's magazine in July of 1909 (1) in reference to the burgeon of bell glasses (cloches) used for winter and spring production of vegetables. Perhaps the gardening scenery around Paris was the fulfillment of the words of a classic English gardener, Mrs. Loudon, who in 1869 stated, “The cloche is quite unknown to the majority of amateurs, but nothing ever introduced to their notice will prove of greater or more varied utility” (4). By 1910, McKay (5) had placed the number of bell glasses in Paris at 2,160,000. Hence, the bell glass/cloche is the forerunner of the row cover/tunnel which is so prevalent in Europe and Japan today and which is becoming more popular in the United States.
Rapid Multiplication of Veronica ‘Red Fox’ Propagated in Vitro
Authors: Stapfer R. E. , Heuser C. W. , Deneke C. F.
Published: September 2022

Shoot tips from in vitro cultures of Veronica spicata L. ‘Red Fox’ were grown on modified Woody Plant Medium containing one of 3 cytokinins or cytokinin plus NAA. Of the 3 cytokinins tested (BA, kinetin, and 2iP), BA was the most effective stimulator of axillary shoot growth. The greatest number of shoots greater than or equal to 5 mm in length was produced on medium containing 8 μM BA plus 0.01 μM NAA, whereas medium containing 2 μM BA plus 0.01 μM NAA produced the greatest number of shoots greater than or equal to 10 mm. Shoots were rooted and established at an 80% rate in a soilless medium under high humidity. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (BA); N-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (2iP); N-(2-furanylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (kinetin); 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).
Effect of Tillage on the Crop-water Production Function of Sweet Corn in Western Oregon
Authors: Petersen Kerry L. , Mack Harry J. , Cuenca Richard H.
Published: September 2022

‘Jubilee’ sweet corn (Zea mays L.) was grown under conventional tillage, strip tillage, and no-till methods in 1983 with 5 irrigation levels imposed on each tillage treatment. The crop-water production functions for evapotranspiration vs. yield were different in scale but similar in slope for the 3 tillage treatments. At each level of seasonal applied water, the conventional tillage produced significantly higher yields of husked sweet corn than did strip tillage, and strip tillage yields were significantly higher than those of no-till.
Partitioning of [14C]-photosynthate in Fruiting and Deblossomed Day-neutral Strawberry Plants
Authors: Schaffer Bruce , Barden John A. , Williams Jerry M.
Published: September 2022

Deblossomed ‘Tribute’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plants had increased [14C]-photosynthates in untreated leaves 48 hr after treatment with 14CO2. The summed quantity of radioactivity in the untreated leaves and fruit of fruiting plants approximated that in the untreated leaves of deblossomed plants. There was no effect of deblossoming on the amount of 14C in the crown or roots. Autoradiographs showed that the majority of 14C was in the expanding leaves. Therefore, increased leaf production rates, which often result from deblossoming strawberry plants, may be attributed to an increase in photosynthates partitioned to the expanding leaves.
Differences in Spring Floral Bud Development among Sour Cherry Cultivars
Authors: Iezzoni A. F. , Hamilton R. L.
Published: September 2022

Spring floral bud development of 18 sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivars and 1 numbered selection were examined to identify late blooming cultivars. ‘Cerise Magnifique de Sceaux’ and ‘Meteor’ reached 50% full bloom 2–4 days later, and ‘Fructbare von Michurin’ 6–9 days later than ‘Montmorency’ in both 1983 and 1984.
Sulfur Dioxide for Long-term Low Temperature Storage of Euvitis Hybrid Bunch Grapes
Authors: Ballinger W. E. , Maness E. P. , Nesbitt W. B.
Published: September 2022

Eight lines (2 cultivars and 6 selections) of Euvitis grapes in 1982 were stored for 4, 6, 7, and 8 weeks at 0° ± 0.5°C without sulfur dioxide (SO2) generators and for 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks with SO2 generators in 5.7-liter telescoping, corrugated cardboard shipping containers with polyethylene liners. Grapes stored without SO2 were of poorer appearance after 4 weeks than those stored with SO2 after 8 weeks. After 16 weeks of storage with SO2, 4 of the 8 lines still had appearance ratings similar to those before storage. Overall, good flavor was maintained over 7 weeks without SO2 and over 12 weeks with SO2. During 8 weeks of storage without SO2, 6 of the 8 lines developed 23% to 60% decay. In contrast, 6 of the 8 lines stored with SO2 for 16 weeks developed 3% or less decay. SO2 injury (percentage by number) ranged from 0% to 59% but was judged to be objectionable in flavor or appearance in only 2 instances. All lines stored well for 12 weeks with SO2. Of the 8 lines, ‘Suffolk Red’ was judged to be outstanding. After 20 weeks of storage with SO2, ratings of its appearance and flavor were equal to those before storage; decay was only 3.5%.
Irrigation Scheduling Effects on Container Media and Canopy Temperatures and Growth of ‘Hershey’s Red’ Azalea
Authors: Keever G. J. , Cobb G. S.
Published: September 2022

Overhead irrigation during the day reduced maximum temperatures and their duration within the plant canopy and the container growth medium, and resulted in increased top and root growth of ‘Hershey’s Red’ azalea (Rhododendron × ‘Hershey’s Red’). Intermittent irrigation for 2.5 min/hr during the day reduced canopy temperature but did not affect growth medium temperature or plant growth.
‘HiDry’ Sweet Potato
Authors: Hamilton M. G. , Dukes P. D. , Jones A. , Schalk J. M.
Published: September 2022

‘HiDry’ is a high dry matter (DM) yielding sweet potato cultivar with high DM content developed jointly by Clemson Univ. and the USDA for industrial uses. It possesses high levels of multiple disease and insect resistances.
‘Redlands Summertaste’ Tomato
Authors: Herrington M. E. , Saranah S.
Published: September 2022

Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F. Smith biovar III) causes substantial losses in susceptible tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars in coastal Queensland from late spring to autumn (3). Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb. race 1) can be a major disease from autumn to early spring. A previously released cultivar, Scorpio (3), is resistant to bacterial wilt and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, ex Fr.f.sp. lycopersici (Sacc.) Snyd. and Hans, race 1), but lacks resistance to Verticillium wilt. Fruit of this cultivar are relatively soft. ‘Redlands Summertaste’ a hybrid, was developed to provide a locally adapted tomato cultivar in which resistances to bacterial, Verticillium and Fusarium wilts are combined with good fruit quality.
Imbibitional Stress and Transverse Cracking of Bean, Pea, and Chickpea Cotyledons
Authors: Spaeth Stephen C.
Published: September 2022

Transverse cracking was examined in cotyledon tissue of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ‘Apollo’), pea (Pisum sativum L. ‘Garfield 81’), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. ‘Surutato 77’). The hypothesis that imbibitional cracks develop along lines of least resistance or along preexisting cracks was evaluated. Columns of tissue were cut from cotyledons. Time from the start of imbibition to detection of the first crack was compared between whole bean cotyledons and columns. Bean columns cracked transversely with respect to the long axes of the columns. They did not crack longitudinally, even if the long axis of a column was originally perpendicular to the long axis of the cotyledon. These results do not support the hypothesis that imbibitional cracks form along preexisting cracks or along lines of weakness. Imbibitional stresses induced new cracks to form. The mean time to first crack and SE associated with its measurement were both significantly reduced in columns relative to the corresponding values for whole cotyledons (40 ± 2.6 and 100 ± 8.0 min, respectively) at an imbibition temperature of 19.3°C. Pea and chickpea cotyledon tissues also cracked transversely when they were cut into long, narrow columns.
Sweet Potato Heritability Estimates and Their Use in Breeding
Authors: Jones Alfred
Published: September 2022

Awareness that the continuous variation of morphological traits in sweet potato can best be explained and studied with quantitative genetics has increased during the last 20 years (10, 16). This paper has 2 purposes: 1) to summarize available heritability estimates for traits of sweet potato and 2) to alert breeders to their use and application in crop improvement.
Changes in Solids, Oleoresin, and (6)-Gingerol Content of Ginger during Growth in Hawaii
Authors: Baranowski J. D.
Published: September 2022

Compositional changes of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) cultivated in Hawaii were examined during the first 34 weeks of growth. Solids content of the rhizome increased throughout the season, but there was a decline in the acetone-extractable oleoresin content of the dried ginger. Oleoresin content on a fresh-weight basis was roughly constant at 1% throughout the study. (6)-Gingerol content (the major pungent component) increased with age on a wet-weight basis, but declined on a dry weight basis after reaching a maximum at 16 weeks. The results of the study suggested that an optimum harvest date can be determined for the dried root market, where a mildly pungent product is desired, and where fresh market yield is important.
Mark, Apple Rootstock
Authors: Carlson R. F. , Perry R. L.
Published: September 2022

Mark is a new dwarfing, vegetatively propagated apple rootstock now released for commercial use. The stature of trees on Mark is similar to that on M 26, or about 50% compared to seedling stock (1, 2). It produces a strong root system, providing freestanding trees of ‘Red Prince Delicious’, now in their 15th year. With the same nonspur cultivar, Mark has demonstrated precocity similar to that of M 9. In a NC-140 rootstock trial at East Lansing, ‘Starkspur Supreme Delicious’/Mark, planted in 1980, has been superior to date in blossom production as compared to 7 other rootstocks (Table 1). Other NC-140 trials in several states and Canada have shown similar trends in blossom and fruit production (6).
‘Samba’ Weigela
Authors: Svejda Felicitas
Published: September 2022

‘Samba’ is a very hardy, medium size, free-flowering weigela with attractive grey-purple foliage. Hardy, flowering shrubs with purple foliage are rare.