bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of Ornamental Traits in Container versus Field Plants in a Vitex L. Breeding Program
Authors: Hershberger Amanda J. , Knauft David A. , Robacker Carol D.
Published: February 2019

New ornamental cultivars must display horticultural superiority when grown in containers or in the field. The objectives of this study were to determine whether container or field is most appropriate for initial selection of ornamental traits in a Vitex breeding program by determining whether quantitative traits of breeding interest were expressed similarly in the two environments and by determining trait correlations in each environment. Segregating populations of Vitex and their parents were cloned and grown in containers and in the field. Ornamentally significant traits evaluated included first flower date, last flower date, flowering period, total weeks of flowering, inflorescence number, inflorescence length, flower rating, plant height, plant width, and Cercospora leaf spot resistance. Overall, field-grown plants were taller and wider than plants grown in containers. Field-grown plants also had a later first flowering date, longer flowering period, greater total weeks flowering, longer inflorescence length, larger inflorescence number, and more flowers on the inflorescence. Significant genotype × environment interactions were found for height and width measurements taken 19 and 33 weeks after planting, first flower date, total weeks in flower, inflorescence number, flower rating, and Cercospora rating. Most trait correlations were either non-significant or so low so that selection of these traits would be independent of other traits. High correlations were present in both environments between height measurements taken at 19 weeks and 33 weeks after planting. High correlation in the field and moderate correlation in containers were found between width measurements taken 19 and 33 weeks after planting. Correlation was high between flowering period and first flower date in both the field and container. Correlation between last flower date and flowering period was high in containers and moderate in the field. High correlation was present in both environments between flowering period and total weeks of flowering. Containers were determined to be best for initial selection for most traits having significant genotype × environment effects.
Response of Greenhouse Tomato to Varied Low Pre-night Temperatures at the Same Daily Integrated Temperature
Authors: Zhang Lu , Hao Xiuming , Li Yonggeng , Jiang Gaoming
Published: February 2019

Early production and high energy efficiency are important in greenhouse vegetable production in cold regions. A dynamic temperature integration strategy with low pre-night temperature (PNT) has been developed to reduce energy consumption and to improve early fruit yield and energy use efficiency. However, the application of this temperature control strategy is feasible only if there is no crop yield and quality loss. To determine the low PNT tolerance threshold and explore the mechanism of this temperature control strategy on plant growth and development, the effects of four PNT temperature integration treatments (PNT9, PNT11, PNT13, and PNT15, with an actual PNT of 9.4, 11.3, 13.3, and 15.1 °C, respectively) on greenhouse tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) were investigated. The PNT was applied at the beginning of the night for 3 h, whereas temperatures in other periods during a day (24 h) were adjusted accordingly to ensure the same 24-h average temperature (19.4 °C) for all PNT treatments. Four cultivars (Bigdena, Clarance, Quest, and Conchita), representing all three types (beefsteak, cluster, and cherry) of greenhouse tomatoes, were used in the study. The optimum PNT for fruit yield was 13.8 and 14.9 °C for ‘Bigdena’ and ‘Conchita’, respectively. Low PNT down to 11 °C did not compromise fruit yield and plant development in ‘Clarance’, and thus a PNT lower than 13 °C can be used for ‘Clarance’ if it does not have a negative effect on fruit quality. In ‘Bigdena’ and ‘Conchita’, the above-ground biomass increased with increasing PNT at the low range of PNT, peaked at ≈13 °C PNT (13.7 and 13 °C for ‘Bigdena’ and ‘Conchita’, respectively), then declined at high PNT. Leaf photosynthesis rates were increased by the highest PNT (PNT15), whereas respiration rates were reduced by the lowest PNT (PNT9). Therefore, PNT at ≈13 °C might have allowed for the proper balance between the high photosynthesis for photoassimilate generation and the low respiration for photoassimilate conservation and thus accumulated the highest photoassimilate and the highest fruit yield in ‘Bigdena’. Flower development rate in ‘Conchita’ decreased linearly with low PNT, which might have limited the response of its fruit yield to low PNT and raised the optimum PNT for fruit yield to 14.9 °C. Temperature integration with proper low PNT can be an effective climate control strategy for increasing early fruit yield and energy use efficiency in greenhouse tomato production.
Correlations between Some Horticultural Traits in Walnut
Authors: Amiri Reza , Vahdati Kourosh , Mohsenipoor Somayeh , Mozaffari Mohammad Reza , Leslie Charles
Published: February 2019

Correlation and causal relationships among 21 horticultural traits were determined using 71 walnut genotypes selected from seven valleys in Kerman Province, Iran. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated. Kernel percentage and blight susceptibility were used as dependent variables in a stepwise regression model to determine predictor variables. Direct and indirect effects of each independent variable were calculated using path analysis. A highly significant correlation was observed between lateral bearing habit and yield. Lateral-bearing trees were also more susceptible to blight and winter cold than terminal bearers. Kernel and nut weights, shell thickness, and difficulty of extracting kernel halves were the most important traits accounting for kernel variation. Kernel weight and difficulty extracting kernel halves had the strongest positive direct effects and nut weight the most negative. Flowering habit, nut shape, and leafing date had positive direct effects on blight susceptibility, but the large residual effects suggest there are other important determinant traits for blight susceptibility, which were not considered in this study.
Temperature and Carbon Dioxide Interactions on Quality of Controlled Atmosphere-stored ‘Empire’ Apples
Authors: Watkins C.B. , Liu F.W.
Published: February 2019

The storage potential of ‘Empire’ apples [Malus ×sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] in controlled atmosphere storage has been studied. Fruit were treated with a range of partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2) from 0 to 5 kPa at storage temperatures of 0, 0.5, and 3 °C. The predominant storage disorders that developed were external CO2 injury, flesh browning (chilling injury), senescent breakdown (soft flesh browning), and core browning. All disorders except external CO2 injury increased with longer storage periods. The incidence of external CO2 injury was usually greater with higher storage temperature, whereas flesh browning was worst at lower storage temperatures and senescent breakdown was higher at warmer storage temperatures. The effect of storage temperature on core browning was not consistent. External CO2 injury, flesh browning, and core browning incidences were higher with increasing pCO2, especially above 2 kPa. Flesh firmness was lowest at warmer storage temperatures and in the absence of CO2. Orchard to orchard variation for all factors was high. Relationships of disorders with mineral concentrations were specific to disorder and storage conditions. The results suggest that ‘Empire’ should be stored at 1 to 2 °C, reflecting a compromise between risk of flesh browning at 0 °C and risk of senescent breakdown and unacceptably soft fruit at 3 °C and that pCO2 should be maintained below 2 kPa and closer to 1 kPa.
Responses of Creeping Bentgrass to Salt Stress during In Vitro Germination
Authors: Wang Sheng , Zhang Qi
Published: February 2019

Many golf courses and turfgrass managers use recycled water, which contains high salts, as part or a sole irrigation source to lower costs and comply with governmental restrictions on water use. High salinity negatively affects turfgrass performance. Using salt-tolerant species or cultivars is one the most effective methods to address salinity problems. Twenty-six commercially available creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) cultivars were evaluated for salt tolerance during in vitro germination on 1% agar media supplemented with NaCl at 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g·L−1 at 25/15 °C (day/night) under fluorescent light (36 μmol·s−1·m−2) with an 8- to16-h photoperiod. Significant variations in salinity tolerance were observed among the cultivars. Final germination rate (FGR, %) and daily germination rate (DGR, %/d) decreased linearly or quadratically as salinity levels increased. ‘Declaration’, ‘Seaside II’, ‘T-1’, and ‘Bengal’ were the most salt-tolerant, requiring salt levels at or greater than 16.0 and 10.0 g·L−1, respectively, to reduce FGR and DGR by 50%. In contrast, ‘Tyee’, ‘Kingpin’, and ‘SR1150’ required average salinity levels of 11.6 and 6.5 g·L−1 to cause 50% reduction in FGR and DGR, respectively, showing that they were the least salt-tolerant cultivars. The largest difference between FGR (1.9%) and DGR (26.2%) reduction under saline conditions was observed at 5 g·L−1, indicating that DGR was more sensitive to salinity changes than FGR. Therefore, DGR might be a more reliable method to be used for salt selection.
Weed Control Efficacy and Economics of 1,3-Dichloropropene and Chloropicrin Applied at Reduced Rates under Impermeable Film in Strawberry Beds
Authors: Samtani Jayesh B. , Ajwa Husein A. , Goodhue Rachael E. , Daugovish Oleg , Kabir Zahanghir , Fennimore Steven A.
Published: February 2019

Fumigants are used to control soilborne pests before planting high-value crops such as strawberry. The use of specialized tarps during fumigation can reduce fumigant emissions and mitigate the need for large buffer zone requirements mandated by regulators. Increased fumigant retention by use of barrier films during fumigant application may increase fumigant retention and allow use of lower fumigant rates to control soil pests than would be needed with permeable film. The objective of this study was to determine the minimum effective rates of the alternative fumigants, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) + chloropicrin (Pic), and Pic required under virtually impermeable film (VIF) and a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tarp to provide weed control equivalent to methyl bromide:chloropicrin (67/33% v/v MBPic) standard soil fumigation at 392 kg·ha−1 under HDPE. A second objective was to determine fumigant rates under VIF and HDPE tarps needed to provide weed control and the economic costs of using VIF and reduced rates of the alternative fumigants. In 2002–2003 and 2003–2004 growing seasons, the fumigants 1,3-D + Pic and Pic were tested at 0, 56, 112, 224, 336, and 448 kg·ha−1 under HDPE and VIF tarps at Oxnard and Watsonville, CA. An untreated control and a MBPic standard at 392 kg·ha−1 were also included in the study. Weed control was assessed using weed propagule viability bioassays for four common weeds, time required for hand weeding, and weed fresh biomass. The fumigant rate that would be needed for a 90% reduction in viability (GR90) for all weeds was 21% to 84% less for 1,3-D + Pic under VIF compared with the HDPE tarp. For Pic, the GR90 values were 5% to 64% less under VIF compared with the HDPE tarp. Hand weeding times and weed biomass decreased with increasing fumigant rates. With the exception of Pic in 2002–2003 at Oxnard, VIF reduced the rate required for weed control compared with the HDPE tarp for both fumigants and at both locations. Economic benefits of VIF relative to the HDPE tarp were not consistent and additional work is needed to quantify these relationships and the production conditions under which VIF will be beneficial.
Indicator Crop Bioassays to Define Citrus Productivity in Sandy Soils
Authors: Mann Kirandeep K. , Schumann Arnold W. , Obreza Thomas A. , Sartain Jerry B.
Published: February 2019

Citrus production in Florida is commonly affected by a high degree of spatial variability of soils. Therefore, this study developed rapid indicator crop bioassays to evaluate the relationships between indicator crops and citrus production at various soil depths. A citrus grove was divided into five productivity zones based on existing tree canopy volume using GIS software (“very poor,” “poor,” “medium,” “good,” and “very good”). Visual ratings of percentage cover were collected from each zone using a 1-m2 quadrant. Six random soil samples were collected between the tree rows from each productivity zone at four depths (0 to 15, 15 to 30, 30 to 45, and 45 to 60 cm). Greenhouse bioassay experiments used sorghum and radish crops grown in soil sampled from four depths. Overhead photographs of potted radish plants were captured periodically with a SLR digital camera to calculate leaf area by image processing. Shoot weights, shoot length, root weights, and leaf nutrient concentrations were measured at harvest (56 and 21 days after germination for sorghum and radish, respectively). Germination, shoot length, and shoot weight of sorghum and radish were significantly affected by the productivity zone. Sorghum (0 to 30 cm), radish (0 to 45 and 0 to 60 cm) and weed cover were strongly correlated (r ≈0.50 to 0.60***) with citrus yield and canopy volume at the lower two depths. The strong relationships (r > 0.50***) of sorghum and radish shoot weights and weed cover with soil properties at greater depths demonstrated the important role of cumulative root zone depth of 60 cm in differentiating citrus productivity. These results revealed that citrus production in poor areas of the grove was limited by the shallow depth of productive soil, and citrus productivity could be successfully mapped using indicator crop bioassays with soil samples taken at multiple depths.
Silicon Effects on Poa pratensis Responses to Salinity
Authors: Chai Qi , Shao Xinqing , Zhang Jianquan
Published: February 2019

Understanding turfgrass response to silicon (Si) application under salinity conditions is important to find a way to improve turfgrass salt tolerance for turf management. The objective of the study was to investigate effects of increasing amendment concentrations of Na2SiO3 on turf growth and distribution of Na+ and K+ in seedlings of kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis L.) under salinity stress. This growth chamber experiment was consisted of a control (no salinity and no Si) and five Si amendment treatments (0, 0.24, 0.48, 0.72, and 0.96 g Si/kg saline soil) under 10 g·kg−1 salinity conditions. Seed germination rate was significantly increased after 12 d under 0.48 g·kg−1 Si treatment. Plant height and canopy coverage were increased under 0.72 g·kg−1 Si treatment after 40 and 44 d of treatment, respectively, and tiller number was increased under 0.96 g·kg−1 Si treatment compared with 0 Si under saline conditions. With the supplement of Si at 0.48 to 0.96 g·kg−1, the ratio of Na+/K+ in shoots was decreased and individual leaf area was increased compared with 0 Si under saline conditions. The increase in individual leaf area was mainly the result of the increase in the leaf blade length. The concentration of K+ in shoots was significantly increased, whereas the concentrations of Na+ in roots were significantly decreased under all Si amendment treatments. The content of K+ was higher in shoots than in roots, but the ratio of Na+/K+ in roots was higher than in shoots in all Si amendment treatments. The results indicate that under saline conditions, Si induced the transfer of K+ from roots to shoots but inhibited the absorption and transfer of Na+, which may contribute to better turf quality and growth with Si treatment under saline conditions.
Characterization of Ugandan Sweetpotato Germplasm Using Fluorescent Labeled Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
Authors: Yada Benard , Tukamuhabwa Phinehas , Wanjala Bramwell , Kim Dong-Jin , Skilton Robert A. , Alajo Agnes , Mwanga Robert O.M.
Published: February 2019

The genetic relationships among 192 superior, high–yielding, and disease-resistant sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] accessions from the Ugandan germplasm collection were analyzed using 10 fluorescent labeled simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Relatedness among the genotypes was estimated using the Nei and Li genetic distance coefficient, cluster analysis and principle component analysis methods of NTSYS-pc software. The polymorphic information content of the SSR markers used in this study ranged from 0.23 to 0.76 for loci IB-S07 and IB-R12, respectively, with a mean value of 0.62. The number of polymorphic alleles detected per locus ranged from two to six with a mean of four, a confirmation of the effectiveness of microsatellite detection on an automated ABI 3730 sequencer. The mean pairwise genetic distance among the 192 genotypes was 0.57, an indication of moderately high genetic diversity. Cluster analysis divided the accessions into four major groups with no relationship to the district of origin. Two sets of duplicates were identified through SSR genotyping in this study. Up to 190 distinct accessions for use as potential parental genotypes in hybridization schemes for cultivar development in the region were identified.
Preharvest Foliar Sprays of Prohexadione–calcium, a Gibberellin-biosynthesis Inhibitor, Induce Chlorophyll Degradation and Carotenoid Synthesis in Citrus Rinds
Authors: Barry Graham H. , le Roux Smit
Published: February 2019

Rind color is an important cosmetic preference of consumers when purchasing citrus fruit. As citrus fruit mature, a decrease in chlorophyll concentration unmasks the presence of carotenoid pigments followed by further synthesis of carotenoids, resulting in the first appearance of the characteristic orange color of mandarins and sweet oranges. Factors contributing to invigorating growing conditions are antagonistic to optimal rind color development and tree vegetative vigor as well as high gibberellin and cytokinin levels are also thought to adversely affect rind color. Thus, a method to increase preharvest rind color by moderating vegetative vigor using a growth retardant was investigated. Prohexadione–calcium (ProCa; Regalis®), a gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor with growth retardant activity, was applied to ‘Nules Clementine’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), ‘Navelina Navel’ orange [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck], and ‘Eureka’ lemon [C. limon (L.) Burm. f.] during the 2005 and 2006 seasons at 200 and 400 mg·L−1 a.i. Rind color rating, colorimeter measurements, and pigment analyses were conducted directly after harvest, after ethylene degreening, and 3 weeks after cold storage. In the 2005 season, ProCa significantly increased rind color of ‘Nules Clementine’ mandarin and ‘Navelina Navel’ orange directly after harvest and after ethylene degreening by decreasing chlorophyll and increasing carotenoid concentrations in the flavedo of fruit but did not affect the pigment concentration of ‘Eureka’ lemon despite an improvement in rind color rating. After cold storage, however, rind color was not significantly different among treatments. In the 2006 season, rind color was significantly increased directly after harvest, and chlorophyll degradation together with carotenoid synthesis of all Citrus spp. tested were stimulated by the late 400 mg·L−1 ProCa application. Therefore, foliar spray application of ProCa at a concentration of 400 mg·L−1 applied 6 plus 3 weeks before anticipated harvest has the potential to increase preharvest rind color of early-maturing citrus cultivars as a result of increased carotenoid-to-chlorophyll ratio. This treatment provides a novel approach to manipulate chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid synthesis in citrus fruit, and these results support the hypothesis that there may be an inverse relationship between vegetative vigor and rind color development of citrus fruit. Therefore, by moderating vegetative vigor through the use of growth retardants, rind color of citrus fruit can be enhanced.
Winter Drought Stress Can Delay Flowering and Avoid Immature Fruit Loss during Late-season Mechanical Harvesting of ‘Valencia’ Oranges
Authors: Melgar Juan Carlos , Dunlop Jill M. , Albrigo L. Gene , Syvertsen James P.
Published: February 2019

We determined if winter drought stress could delay flowering and fruit development of immature ‘Valencia’ sweet oranges to avoid young fruit loss during late-season mechanical harvesting. Beginning in December over three consecutive seasons (2007–2009), Tyvek® water-resistive barrier material was used as a rain shield groundcover under 13- to 15-year-old trees. There were three treatments: 1) drought = no irrigation and covered soil; 2) rain only = no irrigation, no cover; and 3) normal irrigation with rain and no cover. Covers were removed in February or March and normal irrigation and fertilization were resumed. The drought stress did not affect fruit yield, size, percentage juice, or juice quality of the current crop harvested in May and June relative to continuously irrigated trees. Drought stress delayed flowering by 2 to 4 weeks so that the immature fruit for next season's crop were smaller than on continuously irrigated trees during June but fruit growth caught up by September. During mechanical harvesting, previously drought-stressed trees lost fewer young fruit than continuously irrigated trees. Thus, winter drought stress effectively delayed flowering and avoided young fruit loss during late-season mechanical harvesting without negative impacts on yield or fruit quality of ‘Valencia’ orange trees.
Oryzalin-induced Tetraploidy in Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae)
Authors: Contreras Ryan N. , Ruter John M. , Schwartz Brian M.
Published: February 2019

Japanese-cedar [Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don] represents an alternative to leyland cypress [×Cuprocyparis leylandii (A.B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Farjon] as an evergreen screen or specimen plant for landscapes. It performs well under a range of soil and environmental conditions but has been underused attributable, in part, to unsightly winter browning caused by photoinhibition. In previous studies, chance seedlings that did not exhibit winter browning were identified as tetraploids. The current study was conducted to induce polyploidy in japanese-cedar. Approximately 600 seedlings were sprayed with 150 μM oryzalin + 0.1% SilEnergy™ for 30 consecutive days under laboratory conditions. Two hundred thirty-seven seedlings with thickened and twisted leaves were selected, transplanted, and grown in a glasshouse for 120 days. Seedling ploidy levels were analyzed using flow cytometry 180 days after treatment (DAT), identifying 197 (83.1%) tetraploids, 22 (9.3%) cytochimeras, and 18 (7.6%) diploids. Morphology of induced tetraploids was similar to that previously described and provided a phenotypic marker during selection that was over 92% accurate. A random subset of 20 tetraploid individuals was analyzed 270 DAT and were found to contain only tetraploid cells in the leaves analyzed, confirming stability over this period. This study demonstrated the use of oryzalin for inducing tetraploids in japanese-cedar, which we predict will be effective in other gymnosperms.
Traditional or Specialty Cut Flowers? Estimating U.S. Consumers' Choice of Cut Flowers at Noncalendar Occasions
Authors: Yue Chengyan , Hall Charles
Published: February 2019

Little research has been conducted that comprehensively studies consumers' choices of cut flowers at different occasions and for different gift recipients and how they associate different meanings with various types of cut flowers. Therefore, this article attempts to fill this gap in the literature. Using data collected by the Ipsos-National Panel Diary Group for the American Floral Endowment, we determine how the purchases of both traditional and specialty cut flowers have been changing over time and how characteristics of gift purchasers and gift recipients affect consumers' choice of different types of cut flowers. The data include consumers in 48 states and Washington, DC, whose floral purchases were tracked monthly for 14 years. Findings of this analysis confirm that floral purchases have been changing over time. In addition, the underlying drivers of floral purchases are dependent on the floral-buying occasion and the motivations underlying gift giving. These factors also influence the choice of which flowers to purchase along with the sentiment and/or symbolic meaning associated with each flower type.
Micropropagation of Strawberry cv. Camarosa: Prolific Shoot Regeneration from In Vitro Shoot Tips Using Thidiazuron with N6-benzylamino-purine
Authors: Haddadi Fatemeh , Aziz Maheran Abd , Saleh Ghizan , Rashid Azmi Abd , Kamaladini Hossein
Published: February 2019

An efficient micropropagation system for strawberry cv. Camarosa was developed. Sterilized runner tips were cultured on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3% sucrose, 1 mL·L−1 Plant Preservative Mixture, and solidified using 0.25% phytagel to produce in vitro stock plants. Shoot tips derived from the in vitro stock plants were cultured on MS media containing 0, 2, 4, and 8 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0, 4, 9, 18, and 27 μM N6-benzylamino-purine (BAP) for shoot induction. Shoots produced on the best shoot induction medium were rooted on MS media containing 1, 2, 3, and 5 μM of either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Results showed that MS medium with 2 μM TDZ and 4 μM BAP was optimum for shoot multiplication from the shoot tips. The most suitable medium for inducing the highest number of roots per explant, the highest percentage of explant with roots, and the highest mean root length were 1 μM NAA, 1 μM IBA, and hormone-free MS medium, respectively. Plantlets were transplanted into substrate consisting of perlite + vermiculite + cocopeat (2:1:2 v/v/v) resulting in 90% survival. After 1 month, plants were irrigated using Hoagland's solution and runners were produced after 3 months.
DcHsp17.7, a Small Heat Shock Protein from Carrot, Is Upregulated under Cold Stress and Enhances Cold Tolerance by Functioning as a Molecular Chaperone
Authors: Song Na-Hyun , Ahn Yeh-Jin
Published: February 2019

The expression profile and functional properties of DcHsp17.7, a small heat shock protein from carrot (Daucus carota L.), were examined under cold stress. Immunoblot analysis showed that low temperature (2 °C) induced DcHsp17.7 in vegetative tissues. Differential accumulation of the transcript and protein under the cold suggests that expression of DcHsp17.7 might be controlled at the transcriptional and/or translational levels. To examine the functional properties of DcHsp17.7, the gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. When exposed to 2 °C for 10 days, transformed cells expressing DcHsp17.7 showed 115% cell viability, whereas control cells recorded 24%, suggesting that DcHsp17.7 can confer cold tolerance. The amount of soluble protein under the cold was 83% in transformed cells expressing DcHsp17.7, whereas the control cells showed only 52%, suggesting that DcHsp17.7 functions as a molecular chaperone preventing cold-induced protein degradation. Native-polyacrylamide analysis revealed that DcHsp17.7 was found in two oligomeric complexes (≈160 and 240 kDa) and possibly multiple complexes (from 300 to 450 kDa) in cold-stressed carrot and transformed E. coli, respectively. During prolonged cold stress, these complexes disappeared and then reappeared, suggesting that the dissociation and reassociation of DcHsp17.7 complexes might be important for the function of the protein.
Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Melon by Grafting
Authors: Colla Giuseppe , Cardona Suárez Carolina María , Cardarelli Mariateresa , Rouphael Youssef
Published: February 2019

Identification of rootstocks capable of improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the scion could reduce N fertilization and nitrate leaching; however, screening different graft combinations under field conditions can be costly and time-consuming. This study evaluated a rapid and economical methodology for screening of melon rootstocks for NUE. Two experiments were designed. In the first, melon plants (Cucumis melo L. cv. Proteo) either ungrafted or grafted onto four commercial rootstocks: ‘Dinero’ and ‘Jador’ (Cucumis melo L.), ‘P360’, and ‘PS1313’ (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) grown in hydroponics were compared in terms of shoot dry biomass, leaf area, root-to-shoot ratio, SPAD index, shoot N uptake, and nitrate reductase (NR) activity at the early developmental stage in response to nitrate availability (0.5, 2.5, 5, 10, or 15 mm of NO3–). The second experiment was aimed to confirm whether the use of a selected rootstock with high NUE (‘P360’) could improve crop performance and NUE of grafted melon plants under field conditions. In the first experiment, carried out under greenhouse conditions, melon plants grafted onto ‘Dinero’, ‘Jador’, and ‘P360’ rootstocks needed 5.7, 5.2, and 6.1 mm of NO3–, respectively, to reach half-maximum shoot dry weight, whereas plants grafted onto ‘PS1313’ rootstock and the control treatment (ungrafted plants) needed 9.1 and 13.1 mm of NO3–, respectively. Total leaf area, SPAD index, and shoot N uptake increased linearly and quadratically in response to an increase of the N concentration in the nutrient solution. At 2.5 mm of NO3–, melon plants grafted onto both C. melo and Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata rootstocks had the highest NR activity, whereas no significant difference was observed at 10 mm of NO3–. In the second experiment, carried out under open field conditions, increasing the N fertilization rates from 0 to 120 kg·ha−1 increased the total and marketable yields of melon plants, whereas the NUE decreased. When averaged over N levels, the marketable yield, NUE, and N uptake efficiency were higher by 9%, 11.8%, and 16.3%, respectively, in ‘Proteo’ grafted onto ‘P360’ than in ungrafted ‘Proteo’ plants.
Integrating Rowcovers and Soil Amendments for Organic Cucumber Production: Implications on Crop Growth, Yield, and Microclimate
Authors: Nair Ajay , Ngouajio Mathieu
Published: February 2019

The area of organic production has registered a steady increase over past recent years. Transitioning to organic production is not straightforward and often includes a steep learning curve. Organic growers have to develop strategies to best manage nutrients, pests, and crop growth and yield. Additionally, in regions with temperate climate like the Great Lakes region, weather (especially temperature and solar radiation) plays an important role in crop productivity. Growers routinely use compost for nutrient provisioning and rowcovers for insect exclusion and growth enhancement. The objective of this work was to study the combined effect of rowcovers (with different light transmission) and compost organic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth and microclimate. Plots were assigned to three rowcover treatments (60% light transmission, 85% light transmission, and uncovered) and two amendment treatments (compost and no compost) in a split-plot factorial design. Data were collected for ambient air and soil temperature, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), relative humidity, plant growth characteristics, and yield. Rowcovers modified crop microclimate by increasing air and soil temperature and decreasing PAR. There was a marked increase in the growing degree-day accumulations under rowcovers when compared with uncovered treatment. The impact of rowcovers on plant growth was significant. Use of rowcovers increased vine length, flower count, leaf area, leaf count, plant biomass, and total marketable yield. Use of compost in conjunction with rowcovers enhanced the rowcover effect. With the use of compost, there were not many significant differences in plant growth characteristics between rowcover materials; however, as expected, rowcover with 60% transmission was able to trap more heat and reduce light transmission when compared with rowcover with 85% transmission. This study clearly shows the importance of organic amendments, especially compost, in organic vegetable production. Applications of compost enhanced crop growth and also led to higher marketable yields. Results of this study suggest additive effects of rowcover and compost application on organic cucumber production.
Influence of Orchard Floor Management and Compost Application Timing on Nitrogen Partitioning in Apple Trees
Authors: TerAvest Dan , Smith Jeffrey L. , Carpenter-Boggs Lynne , Hoagland Lori , Granatstein David , Reganold John P.
Published: February 2019

Synchronizing the supply of plant-available nitrogen (N) from organic materials with the N needs of apple trees is essential to cost-effective organic apple production. Tree growth and organic matter mineralization are affected by orchard floor management. This study examines the effects of three orchard floor management systems, cultivation, wood chip mulch, and a legume cover crop, on the accumulation and partitioning of compost-derived N in young apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees at different compost application dates across two growing seasons. Compost enriched with 15N was applied to apple trees in April, May, and June of 2006 and 2007, and trees were excavated in Sept. 2007 to determine the fate of labeled compost N. Trees with wood chip mulch had significantly greater dry weight and N accumulation in vegetative tree components than trees with cultivation or legume cover. Fruit yields were similar between cultivation and wood chip treatments despite less vegetative growth under cultivation, as these trees partitioned more dry weight into fruit (44%) than wood chip mulch trees (31%). Nitrogen-use efficiency by trees was lower with a living legume cover crop than in other treatments due to competition for resources. In the cover crop aboveground biomass, 20% to 100% of the N was derived from compost. In comparison, only 5% to 40% of N in the decomposing wood chip mulch originated from compost. Tree reserves were an important source of N for spring fruit and leaf growth in all treatments, but significantly more so for trees in the cultivation treatment. Fruit and leaves were strong sinks for compost N early in the season, with trees allocating 72% of spring N uptake into leaves and fruit. In the summer, N uptake increased improving compost N-use efficiency. Summer N was preferentially allocated to perennial tissues (71%), bolstering N reserves. Trees with wood chip mulch performed well and had greater capacity to build N reserves, making wood chips ideal for establishing young organic apple orchards. However, as the orchard matures, it may be beneficial to switch to a groundcover that reduces tree vegetative growth.
Physical Properties of Ground Parboiled Fresh Rice Hulls Used as a Horticultural Root Substrate
Authors: Buck Johann S. , Evans Michael R.
Published: February 2019

Fresh parboiled rice hulls ground in a hammer mill and screened through a 1.18-mm screen and collected on a 0.18-mm screen (RH3) and particles with a specific diameter of 0.5 to 1.0 mm had total pore space (TPS), air-filled pore space (AFP), and water-holding capacity (WHC) similar to that of Canadian sphagnum peat (peat). However, RH3 had more available water, a higher bulk density (BD), and a higher particle density (PD) than peat. When blended with 20% to 40% perlite or 1 cm aged pine bark, RH3-based substrates had lower TPS, similar AFP, and lower WHC than equivalent peat-based substrates. The RH3-containing substrates had higher BD and average PD than equivalent peat-based substrates. When blended with parboiled rice hulls (PBH), RH3-based substrates had lower TPS than equivalent peat-based substrates. When blended with 20% to 40% PBH, RH3-based substrates had lower AFP than equivalent peat-based substrates. RH3-based substrates containing up to 20% PBH had lower WHC than equivalent peat-based substrates. RH3-based substrates containing 40% PBH had a higher WHC than equivalent peat-based substrates. When blended with PBH, all RH3-based substrates had higher BD and average PD than equivalent peat-based substrates. The addition of 40% RH3 to a peat-based substrate containing 20% perlite decreased substrate TPS, whereas the addition of 10% to 40% decreased AFP. The addition of 10% to 30% RH3 increased WHC. The addition of 30% RH3 to a peat-based substrate containing 20% 1 cm aged pine bark decreased substrate TPS and the addition of 20% to 40% RH3 decreased AFP. The addition of 10% RH3 increased WHC, but the addition of 20% or more RH3 did not affect WHC. The addition of 30% RH3 increased the BD, but the addition of RH3 had no effect on average PD. The addition of 20% or more and 30% or more RH3 to a peat-based substrate containing 20% PBH decreased substrate TPS and AFP, respectively. The addition 20% RH3 decreased WHC. The addition of 10% to 40% RH3 increased BD. Overall, RH3 was the ground rice hull product that had physical properties most similar to peat. Peat-based substrates in which up to 40% of the peat was replaced with RH3 had physical properties that, although different from peat controls, were within commonly recommended ranges for substrates used to grow greenhouse crops.
Moss Control on Creeping Bentgrass Greens with Standard and Alternative Approaches
Authors: Kennelly Megan M. , Todd Timothy C. , Settle Derek M. , Fry Jack D.
Published: February 2019

Moss is common on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting greens, and more control options are needed. Spot treatment of sodium bicarbonate (44.2 g·L−1) was compared with broadcast sprays of carfentrazone-ethyl (50.5 or 101 g a.i./ha), chlorothalonil (8.2 or 12.8 kg a.i./ha) and a tank mixture of chlorothalonil, mancozeb, and thiram (8.2, 9.8, and 11.5 kg a.i./ha) in 2006 in Lemont, IL. Sodium bicarbonate suppressed moss growth equally as the conventional products. These results led to further experiments in 2008 in which moss suppression was evaluated within standard and alternative putting green management regimes in Manhattan, KS, and Lemont, IL. The standard approach included spring and fall applications of carfentrazone-ethyl (101 g a.i./ha) for moss control, biweekly applications of urea (46N–0P–0K) at 15 kg N/ha, and applications of chlorothalonil (8.2 kg a.i./ha) on a 14-day interval. Conversely, the alternative approach included spring and fall spot treatments of sodium bicarbonate (44.2 g·L−1) for moss control, biweekly applications of a natural organic fertilizer (8N–1P–3K) to provide nitrogen at 15 kg N/ha, and applications of chlorothalonil (8.2 kg a.i./ha) only when dollar spot reached a predetermined threshold level. Standard and alternative regimes were compared at both 3.2- and 4.0-mm mowing heights; synthetic and organic fertilizers applied alone without pest control approaches were included as controls. In Kansas and Illinois, moss coverage using the alternative management regime was not significantly different from that on greens managed using the standard regime. In Kansas, moss severity at a 3.2 mm was 1.6-fold higher than at the 4.0-mm height. In Illinois, sodium bicarbonate suppressed moss equivalently to the carfentrazone-ethyl treatment, and in the fertilizer-only controls, mowing at 3.2 versus 4.0 mm led to more moss coverage. These studies demonstrate that moss can be effectively suppressed on greens using spot applications of sodium bicarbonate and reduced moss encroachment is possible with higher mowing heights.
Recovery of Salmonella enterica Newport Introduced through Irrigation Water from Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) Fruit, Roots, Stems, and Leaves
Authors: Hintz Leslie D. , Boyer Renee R. , Ponder Monica A. , Williams Robert C. , Rideout Steven L.
Published: February 2019

Tomatoes have been associated with numerous outbreaks of salmonellosis in recent years. Trace-backs suggest tomato fruits may become contaminated during preharvest. The objective of this study was to determine the potential for Salmonella enterica serotype Newport to be internalized into the roots, stems, leaves, and fruit of red round tomato plants through contaminated irrigation water at various stages of plant development. Tomato plants were irrigated with 250 or 350 mL (depending on growth stage) of 7 log CFU·mL−1 S. Newport-contaminated irrigation water every 7 days. Roots, stems, leaves, and two tomato fruit from plants irrigated with S. Newport or water (negative control) were sampled for contamination at five stages of growth. Twenty-five of the 92 total samples taken from plants irrigated with S. Newport were confirmed positive (serovar specificity was not evaluated). Sixty-five percent of confirmed samples were roots, 40% were stems, 10% were leaves, and 6% were fruit. There was a significant difference in the presence of S. enterica according to tissue sampled (roots > stems > leaves, and fruit) (P < 0.05) and no association between growth stage and contamination (P > 0.05). Contamination of tomato fruit with S. Newport introduced through irrigation water is low because a high level of persistent contamination of a plant in the agricultural setting is unlikely.
Effect of Fungicides and Miticides with Mitochondria Electron Transport Inhibiting Activity on the Twospotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Cloyd Raymond A. , Galle Cindy L. , Keith Stephen R. , Kemp Kenneth E.
Published: February 2019

The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a major arthropod pest of many greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. Greenhouse producers use a variety of miticides to suppress twospotted spider mite populations. A group of miticides known as mitochondria electron transport inhibitors or METIs include acequinocyl, fenpyroximate, and pyridaben. In addition, there are strobilurin-based fungicides such as azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, and trifloxystrobin that are also known as METIs. We conducted a study to determine if these METI fungicides had any miticidal properties against the nymph and adult stages of the twospotted spider mite. The designated treatments were applied to marigold (Tagetes erecta) plants naturally infested with twospotted spider mites. Assessments of live and dead twospotted spider mite nymphs and adults were conducted 3, 7, and 14 days after applying the treatments. None of the METI fungicides had any activity against the nymph and adult life stages of the twospotted spider mite, with percentage mortality values <18%. The METI miticides appeared to be more effective against twospotted spider mite nymphs than the adults based on percentage mortality values across the three evaluation periods (35.2% to 100% for nymphs and 11.4% to 87.9% for adults). This study demonstrated that the strobilurin-based fungicides have negligible negative effects on twospotted spider mites.
Barriers to Adopting Sustainable Floriculture Certification
Authors: Hall Tanya J. , Lopez Roberto G. , Marshall Maria I. , Dennis Jennifer H.
Published: February 2019

In recent years, the commercial greenhouse industry has begun to implement sustainable production practices. However, floriculture certification programs for sustainable production practices are a relatively new phenomenon in the United States. Between July and Oct. 2008, a commercial floriculture grower survey was conducted to determine potential barriers to sustainable floriculture certification. Using a logistic regression model, seven potential areas were evaluated: risk, profitability, economic viability, prior experience, education, operation size, and customer types. Although respondents had positive attitudes toward sustainability and had adopted sustainable practices, respondents had little knowledge and interest in U.S. certification.
Field and Growth Chamber Evaluation of Powdery Mildew Disease on Deciduous Azaleas
Authors: Long Michael C. , Krebs Stephen L. , Hokanson Stan C.
Published: February 2019

Forty-one deciduous azalea (Rhododendron subgen. Pentanthera G. Don) cultivars were assessed for powdery mildew (PM) resistance in a two-location, 3-year field trial. Disease severity (percent leaf area affected) on abaxial leaf surfaces was used to rate the level of field resistance. This measure was proportional to (r = 0.83) but higher than estimates from corresponding adaxial surfaces. Eleven of these cultivars (27%) appeared to be highly resistant under field conditions, i.e., evidence of PM on the leaves was zero or near zero. Twenty-three of the cultivars evaluated in the field experiment were also evaluated in a growth chamber experiment. In contrast to the field study, PM was more severe on the adaxial leaf surface in the growth chamber but still highly correlated with the abaxial response (r = 0.93). Based on adaxial disease scores, no cultivars in the growth chamber experiments were completely resistant. Growth chamber disease ratings based on either leaf surface were predictive of field performance (r2 = 0.62), suggesting use of the chambers could serve as a low-cost, off-season, early selection component of a deciduous azalea PM resistance breeding program.
Physiological and Growth Responses to Irrigation of a Newly Established Hedgerow Olive Orchard
Authors: Gomez-del-Campo Maria
Published: February 2019

Olive production in the first few years after planting depends on how the canopy covers the hedgerow and develops flowers. Therefore, optimum irrigation management should look for the minimum amount of water required for maximum growth and bud initiation. The response of a young hedgerow olive orchard to different irrigation strategies was recorded for 3 years after planting in 2003. Observations included stem water potential (Ψstem), leaf conductance (gl), shoot and trunk growth, canopy development, and flowering. During the first year, olives received 74 mm of irrigation. During the second and third years, three irrigation treatments (T2, T3, and T4) were scaled back from a control (T1) that was irrigated to maintain soil close to water-holding capacity. T1 received 56 and 106 mm of irrigation in the second and third years, respectively. Treatments T2, T3, and T4 received 82%, 64%, and 46% of the water applied to T1 in the second year and 76%, 72%, and 29% in the third year of growth, respectively. Trees in T1 displayed different physiological and growth behaviors between years. Ψstem, gl, and shoot growth were 131%, 31%, and 56% lower in the third than in the second year, respectively. Irrigation treatment had no significant effect on evaluated parameters in the second year, except on Ψstem in T4 that fell below that of the other treatments in late September. In the third year, shoot growth, trunk diameter, and leaf area density in T4 decreased 52%, 13%, and 31% compared with T1, respectively. Nevertheless, external surface area and canopy volume were not significantly affected by irrigation treatment. The start of flowering, recorded in the third and fourth years, was not significantly affected by the irrigation received in previous years. Because water stress did not advance flowering, maximum growth should be the main objective in irrigation management of young olive orchards. No differences were observed between T3 and T1 in any of the vegetative, canopy development, or inflorescence parameters recorded, although Ψstem and gl were significantly lower in T3. During the second and third years, T3 can be considered the most efficient irrigation treatment with 36 and 76 mm of irrigation for each year, respectively.