bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weed and Crop Response to Colored Plastic Mulches in Strawberry Production
Authors: Johnson Mark S. , Fennimore Steven A.
Published: February 2019

The phase out of methyl bromide has forced strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duchesne) growers to consider the use of cultural methods such as colored mulches to enhance weed control. Black plastic mulch controls most weeds; however, black mulch often does not warm the soil as well as clear mulch. Soil warming with clear mulch is desirable for early season markets, but clear mulch does not control weeds. Neither black nor clear mulches combine the ideal weed control and soil warming characteristics required. Seven colored mulches, as well as clear, black and no mulch were evaluated in California organic and conventional strawberries to identify mulch factors associated with weed control and soil warming. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were also conducted to isolate the effects of light transmittance through mulch on weed germination and growth. The effect of mulch color on transmittance of photosynthetically active light (400 to 700 nm) through mulches was the key weed control factor, and was more important than the effect of mulch color effect on weed germination. Satisfactory weed control was provided by all mulches except clear, blue and red-brown laminated. Clear and black mulches provided the greatest soil warming in sunny and cloudy climatic conditions, respectively, although plants in clear mulched conventional production system plots produced the highest yield of marketable berries. Green and brown plastic mulches provided the best combinations of soil warming and weed control benefits at all trial locations.
Promotion of Immature Seed Germination in Jacaranda mimosifolia
Authors: Miyajima Ikuo , Kato Adriana , Hagiwara Juan Carlos , Mata Diego , Facciuto Gabriela , Soto Silvina , Escandón Alejandro , Mori Marcela , Kobayashi Nobuo
Published: February 2019

In vitro germination of immature seeds of Jacaranda mimosifolia treated with gibberellic acid (GA3) was studied. Immature seeds were collected monthly after crossings and sown on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium with 3.0% sucrose and 0.6% agar after soaked 24 hours with 0, 10, 100, and 500 mg·L–1 GA3 solutions. Though germination was observed in the immature seeds harvested 2 months after crossing (2 MAC), the rate was quite low. When immature seeds of 3 MAC treated with 100 or 500 mg·L–1 GA3 solution were cultured, >60% germination were obtained within 2 weeks after culturing. These results indicate that immature seeds of 3 MAC treated with adequate GA3 solutions, seedlings can be obtained precociously and the period from crossing to the seedling stage was shorter than for mature seeds.
Cabbage Yield and Glucosinolate Concentrations as Affected by Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertility
Authors: Rosen C.J. , Fritz V.A. , Gardner G.M. , Hecht S.S. , Carmella S.G. , Kenney P.M.
Published: February 2019

Glucosinolates are a class of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) containing compounds shown to have cancer-preventing properties in animal models and widely found in cruciferous plants. The overall objective of this study was to determine whether N and S fertility affects glucosinolate concentrations in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group). Field studies on a sandy soil low in available N and S were conducted over a 2-year period with both green (`Grand Slam') and red (`Vorox') cabbage cultivars. Treatments evaluated each year were the interactive effects of N (125 and 250 kg·ha–1) and S (0, and 110 kg·ha–1) fertilizer application. Yield of both cabbage cultivars increased with increasing N and S in the second year of the study, but not in the first. Tissue N concentrations in heads at harvest increased with N application and tissue S concentrations increased with S application. When S was not applied, tissue S decreased significantly as N rate increased, while N rate had no effect on tissue S concentrations when S was applied. The dominant glucosinolate detected in both cabbage cultivars was glucobrassicin, with indole forms accounting for about 80% of the total glucosinolates regardless of treatment. Tissue N was negatively correlated and tissue S and S to N ratio were positively correlated with total glucosinolate concentration, although all correlations were generally weak (r2 < 0.5). Total glucosinolates and glucobrassicin concentrations were maximized in both cultivars at the low N and high S application rates. Except for sinigrin in one of the 2 years, all glucosinolates detected were higher in Vorox than in `Grand Slam'. Based on these results, glucosinolates in cabbage can be manipulated by cultural management practices as well as genetics.
Determination of Optimum Fertilizer Concentration and Corresponding Substrate Electrical Conductivity for Ten Taxa of Herbaceous Perennials
Authors: Scoggins Holly L.
Published: February 2019

Little taxa-specific information is available regarding the nutrition needs of container-grown herbaceous perennials. The goal was to determine optimum fertilizer concentrations and corresponding substrate testing values for greenhouse production of 10 taxa. Astilbe chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. & Savat.`Purpurkerze', Campanula carpatica Jacq. `Deep Blue Clips', Coreopsis verticillata L.`Golden Gain', Gaura lindheimeri Engelm. & Gray, `Siskiyou Pink', Heucherasanguinea Engelm. `Mt St. Helens', Lamium maculatum L. `White Nancy', Penstemon ×hybridus Hort. `Sour Grapes', Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth. `Longin', Salvia nemerosa L. `Blue Hill', and Veronica × Hort. `Goodness Grows' were grown for 10 weeks with 15N–7P–14K at four rates (50, 150, 250, and 350 mg·L–1 N) of constant liquid feed. Substrate pH and soluble salts levels were measured weekly using the pour-through extraction method. In analysis of all taxa, most effects [quality, shoot dry weight, pH and electrical conductivity (EC)] varied by rate × taxa. Though higher levels of fertilizer produced the largest plants in some cases, satisfactory quality was also attained with a lower rate. Quality and pH were negatively correlated for a few genera but most showed no relationship. Results of this study indicate not all taxa tolerate increased fertilizer levels and that the herbaceous perennials studied could be grouped by nutritional needs. Furthermore, target ranges for EC can be developed based on dry mass and quality ratings.
Genetic Relationship of Ornamental Peach Determined Using AFLP Markers
Authors: Hu Dongyan , Zhang Zuoshuang , Zhang Donglin , Zhang Qixiang , Li Jianhua
Published: February 2019

Ornamental peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is a popular plant for urban landscapes and gardens. However, the genetic relationship among ornamental peach cultivars is unclear. In this report, a group of 51 ornamental peach taxa, originated from P. persica and P. davidiana (Carr.) Franch., has been studied using AFLPs. The samples were collected from China, Japan, and US. A total of 275 useful markers ranging in size from 75 to 500 base pairs were generated using six EcoRI/MseI AFLP primer pairs. Among them, 265 bands were polymorphic. Total markers for each taxon ranged from 90 to 140 with an average of 120. Two clades were apparent on the PAUP–UPGMA tree with P. davidiana forming an outgroup to P. persica, indicates that P. davidiana contributed less to the ornamental peach gene pools. Within P. persica clade, 18 out of 20 upright ornamental peach cultivars formed a clade, which indicated that cultivars with upright growth habit had close genetic relationship. Five dwarf cultivars were grouped to one clade, supported by 81% bootstrap value, indicating that they probably derived from a common gene pool. These results demonstrated that AFLP markers are powerful for determining genetic relationships in ornamental peach. The genetic relationships among ornamental cultivars established in this study could be useful in ornamental peach identification, conservation, and breeding.
Identification of Foliar Salt Tolerance of Woody Perennials Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence
Authors: Percival G.C.
Published: February 2019

Aims of this investigation were to determine whether chlorophyll fluorescence values obtained from excised leaves of woody perennials subjected to salinity stress under laboratory conditions provided a measurable indicator of whole plant salinity tolerance. Laboratory tests consisted of measurements of the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) performed on excised leaves taken from thirty woody perennials following immersion in salt solutions ranging from concentrations of 2% to 7%. Based on reductions in Fv/Fm of excised leaves following salinity treatments plants were ranked in order of tolerance. Whole plants of six of the thirty species tested were then subjected to a foliar applied salt at a concentration of 7% and placed under glass for 14 weeks. Damage to, and recovery of whole plants from salt damage as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf necrosis and chlorophyll content mirrored tolerance ranking of excised leaves under laboratory conditions. In addition, based on reductions in plant growth at the cessation of the experiment, salt tolerance followed a similar order as that obtained from Fv/Fm values of excised leaves. Results indicate that testing of excised leaf material of woody perennials under laboratory conditions using chlorophyll fluorescence offers a potentially quick, reliable and inexpensive procedure that can provide a useful means of estimating whole plant salt tolerance.
Intersimple Sequence Repeat Fingerprinting and Genetic Variation in a Collection of Clematis Cultivars and Commercial Germplasm
Authors: Gardner Nicole , Hokanson Stan C.
Published: February 2019

The genus Clematis contains many well-known large flowered cultivars, as well as lesser-known nonvining species. Intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used to fingerprint 32 vining cultivars and five nonvining species (C. fruiticosa, C. integrifolia, C. heracleifolia, C. hexapetala, and C. recta) for use in assessing genetic relationships and cultivar identification. Four ISSR primers yielded a total of 44 bands in the vining accessions, of which 36 (86%) were polymorphic. The average polymorphism levels were 83% for the cultivars and 94% for the nonvining species. All 32 vining cultivars were distinguished with the use of two ISSR primers, and the five nonvining Clematis species were differentiated with three ISSR primers. A similarity matrix of the cultivars showed low similarity levels between the samples, with an average similarity of 0.28. A UPGMA-derived dendrogram showed no strong groupings among any of the samples. Two cultivars with known parentage, Clematis viticella L. `Betty Corning' and `Sylvia Denny', grouped with one reported parent but not the other, suggesting they are more similar to one parent. `Multi-blue', a sport reportedly arising from `The President' did not segregate near `The President'.
The Relationship between Flower Age and Seed Production in Hatiora gaertneri and Schlumbergera truncata (Cactaceae)
Authors: Boyle Thomas H.
Published: February 2019

Flowers of two cacti [Hatiora gaertneri (Regel) Barthlott `Crimson Giant' and Schlumbergera truncata (Haworth) Moran `Eva'] were pollinated at different times between anthesis and senescence to determine the effect of floral age on seed production. Studies were conducted in a growth chamber (20 ± 0.5°C) to minimize temperature effects. Mean flower longevity (time from anthesis to first signs of senescence) was 4.7 days for S. truncata and 10.5 days for H. gaertneri. Stigmas of both species were receptive to pollination on the day of anthesis. The maximum number of viable seeds per pollinated flower was obtained when flowers of S. truncata and H. gaertneri were pollinated (respectively) on the second and fourth days after anthesis. For both species, the relationship between floral age and number of viable seeds per pollinated flower was described by a second-degree polynomial. The rate of pollen tube growth in the style was about 1.7 mm·h–1 for S. truncata and about 0.9 mm·h–1 for H. gaertneri. Some senesced flowers of H. gaertneri were capable of setting fruit with viable seed. Flowers of S. truncata did not set fruit when pollinated during the late phase of flower opening or after they had senesced. Senesced flowers of S. truncata failed to set fruit due to an insufficient number of pollen tubes reaching the ovary.
Sources of Resistance to Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) in Tomato
Authors: Soler-Aleixandre Salvador , López C. , Cebolla-Cornejo J. , Nuez F.
Published: February 2019

The disease incited by Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is currently a serious problem for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops in several European countries. A collection of accessions from different Solanum species was screened to find sources of resistance to PepMV. All plants of S. lycopersicum, S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, S. pennellii Correll, S. cheesmaniae (L. Riley) Fosberg, S. habrochaites S. Knapp & D.M. Spooner, S. neorickii D.M. Spooner, G.J. Anderson & R.K. Jansen, S. pimpinellifolium L., S. basendopogon Bitter, S. canense Rydb., S. caripense Humb. & Bonpl. ex Dunal, and S. muricatum Aiton accessions showed a 100% systemic infection rate, high viral accumulation, and apparent symptoms. In some accessions of the species S. chilense (Dunal) Reiche and S. peruvianum L., a variable percentage of plants without systemic infection was observed. Although all plants of ECU-335 accession of S. ochranthum Dunal showed systemic infection by PepMV, the symptoms were mild and the levels of viral accumulation were low. PepMV was not detected in plants of AN-CA-214 accession of S. pseudocapsicum L. No symptoms were observed either on inoculated leaves or on growing leaves. The use of the latter two species is limited considering that they cannot be sexually crossed with cultivated tomato. As a result, S. chilense and S. peruvianum are the most promising species in the search for sources of resistance to PepMV.
The Effect of Low Light Intensity and Temperature on Growth of Schefflera arboricola in Interior Landscapes
Authors: Kubatsch Astrid , Grüneberg Heiner , Ulrichs Christian
Published: February 2019

Schefflera arboricola was held in light- and temperature-controlled chambers for 6 months under three light intensities of 10 μmol·m–2·s–1, 20 μmol·m–2·s–1, and 80 μmol·m–2·s–1 measured as photon flux density (PFD). Plants also received three temperature regimes: 15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C. Reduced light intensity significantly decreased fresh and dry weight and increased chlorophyll content, but did not affect leaf thickness and palisade and spongy mesophyll parenchyma. High temperatures reduced fresh weight and significantly increased chlorophyll content and leaf thickness. The authors conclude that reduced photosynthetic energy flow at low light intensities (10 μmol·m–2·s–1, 20 μmol·m–2·s–1) could not be buffered by a downregulation of energy-consuming processes. Therefore the life span and quality of S. arboricola is reduced at such PFD values, especially at higher temperatures. Plants lose their marketability within 6 months.
Average Daily Temperature and Reversed Day/Night Temperature Regulate Vegetative and Reproductive Responses of a Doritis pulcherrima Lindley Hybrid
Authors: Wang Yin-Tung
Published: February 2019

It was unknown how prolonged periods of cool days and warm nights affect Phalaenopsis Blume hybrids, which perform crassulacean acid metabolism and absorb CO2 primarily at night. The ‘Lava Glow’ plants vegetatively propagated from a hybrid Doritaenopsis (Phalaenopsis Buddha's Treasure × Doritis pulcherrima Lindley*), 15 cm in leaf span, were grown at day/night (12 hours each daily) temperatures of 30/25, 25/30, 25/20, or 20/25 °C under 170 μmol·m−2·s−1
PPF. After 37 weeks, plants at the higher average daily temperature of 27.5 °C (ADT, 30/25 and 25/30 °C) produced more leaves than the lower 22.5 °C ADT. Those grown at 30/25 °C had the largest leaf span and combined length of the new leaves. Plants at 30/25, 25/30, 25/20, or 20/25 °C had 5.0, 4.7, 3.6, and 2.8 new leaves that were 72, 61, 44, and 29 cm in total length, respectively. Warmer nights than days resulted in a small leaf span, reduced leaf growth, and shorter leaves that were particularly noticeable at the 22.5 °C compared with 27.5 °C ADT. Leaves that emerged and grew at the lower ADT had a reduced length to width ratio and a more oval shape. The most striking effect of the 20/25 °C treatment was that 14 of 15 plants bloomed, whereas only five plants at 25/20 °C and none at 30/25 or 25/30 °C produced flowers. Similar results were obtained in a second experiment using 30/20, 20/30, 25/15, or 15/25 °C. After 29 weeks, all plants at 15/25 °C bloomed, whereas none in the other treatments had flowers. Long-term exposure to 15/25 °C resulted in slow leaf production and undesirable small leaves. These results suggest that day and night temperature may both affect growth and flowering of this orchid.
Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Buffalograss Determined by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Su Derong , Ma Luyi , Zhao Yan
Published: February 2019

Buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] is a warm-season grass for low-maintenance lawns. The objective of our study was to assess the genetic variation in 10 accessions of buffalograss obtained from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Fourteen of the 60 primers screened generated 72 highly repeatable polymorphic bands. A dendrogram constructed on the basis of the unweighted pair group method arithmetic average clustering algorithm revealed that nine of 10 accessions formed two distinct clusters. Genetic similarity coefficients calculated from the RAPD data ranged from 0.30 to 0.89 with the lowest value of 0.30 measured between No. 4 and No. 7 from Japan and the United States, respectively. The highest value of 0.89 was measured between No. 6 and No. 8 from the United States and Mexico, respectively. The cophenetic correlation coefficient (r) was 0.92, indicative of a very good fit between the data matrix and the resulting cluster analysis. Principal coordinate analysis (PCO) clearly grouped nine accessions on the two axes with a single accession from the United States that did not cluster with others. The PCO clustering pattern corresponded well with the dendrogram. No. 7 from the United States did not cluster with any other accessions either in the dendrogram or on the basis of the PCO.
Analysis of Ploidy Level and Its Effects on Guard Cell Length, Pollen Diameter, and Fertility in Hydrangea macrophylla
Authors: Jones Keri D. , Reed Sandra M. , Rinehart Timothy A.
Published: February 2019

Ploidy level was estimated in Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb) Ser. using flow cytometry. For H. macrophylla ssp. macrophylla, 42 diploid and 19 triploid cultivars were identified. All 14 H. macrophylla ssp. serrata (Thunb.) Makino cultivars tested were diploids. Somatic chromosome counts confirmed the ploidy of three diploid (2n = 2x = 36) and three triploid (2n = 3x = 54) cultivars. Stomatal guard cell length and pollen diameter of H. macrophylla ssp. macrophylla diploid cultivars were smaller than those of triploid cultivars. However, because the range of measurements for the diploids overlapped that of the triploids, neither guard cell nor pollen measurements are recommended for determining ploidy of H. macrophylla cultivars. Fertility was estimated using pollen staining and controlled pollinations. Stainable pollen for triploid cultivars averaged 63% and ranged from 25% in ‘Masja’ to 85% in ‘Marechal Foch’. Viable seed was obtained when four triploid cultivars were used as pistillate or staminate parents in controlled pollinations to diploid H. macrophylla ssp. macrophylla cultivars. A bimodal distribution of pollen sizes, which is suggestive of unreduced gamete production, was observed in one cultivar; however, more detailed genetic and cytologic studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism behind triploid formation in H. macrophylla taxa.
Genealogy of Contemporary North American Lettuce
Authors: Mikel Mark A.
Published: February 2019

To determine the genealogy of cultivated lettuce in the United States, a survey was conducted on the pedigree of proprietary and publicly developed lettuce cultivars registered from 1970 through 2004. This was facilitated through information furnished by the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act, U.S. patent, and journal publication of registered cultivars. In total, there were 328 registered cultivars of which 90.5% (297 cultivars) were from proprietary and 9.5% (31) from public breeding programs. The lettuce cultivars of this era are 61.6% crisphead, 19.5% loose leaf, 13.7% cos/romaine, 4.9% butterhead, and 0.3% latin lettuce types. To facilitate an understanding of current U.S. lettuce germplasm, the most recombined and putatively elite cultivars in the development of new cultivars were identified. The 10 most recombined cultivars were ‘Salinas’ (parent of 28 new cultivars), ‘Calmar’ (27), ‘Vanguard’ (22), ‘Vanguard 75’ (13), ‘Vanmax’ (13), ‘Prize Head’ (12), ‘Parris Island Cos’ (12), ‘Empire’ (11), ‘Great Lakes 659’ (11), and ‘Red Coach 74’ (10). The types of breeding populations used for new cultivar development during this era were two-parent (52% of new cultivars), within cultivar selection (31%), three-parent (7%), backcross two or greater (5%), backcross one (2%), four or more parents (2%), and interspecific cross (1%).
Morphology and Postharvest Performance of Geogenanthus undatus C. Koch & Linden ‘Inca’ after Application of Ancymidol or Flurprimidol
Authors: Burton Amy L. , Pennisi Svoboda V. , van Iersel Marc W.
Published: February 2019

Excessive internode elongation and leaf senescence are common problems with foliage plants transferred to interiorscapes. The authors’ objective was to determine whether plant growth regulators applied late in the production cycle could control growth during production and improve interiorscape performance. In addition, the authors wanted to quantify the effect of irradiance on growth and morphology during the production phase and in the interiorscape. Geogenanthus undatus C. Koch & Linden ‘Inca’ plants were grown under one of two photosynthetic photon fluxes (PPF; 50 or 130 μmol·m−2·s−1), and were treated with either α−(methylethyl)-α-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol (flurprimidol) or α-cyclopropyl-α-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol (ancymidol) during the week 12 production, at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/pot of active ingredient. The high PPF resulted in significantly higher leaf, stem, root, and total dry weight, and leaf area, but lower leaf area ratio (leaf area divided by total plant dry weight) compared with the low PPF. After production, plants were placed in a simulated interior environment for 4 months under a PPF of 15 μmol·m−2·s−1 and a photoperiod of 12 hours/day. Production PPF did not affect most growth parameters after 4 months in the interior environment, except for the root-to-shoot ratio. Under low-production PPF, root-to-shoot ratios were lower than under high-production PPF. For both growth regulators, the height and growth indexes were lower than for control plants, but flurprimidol offered greater control than ancymidol. Flurprimidol-treated plants had lower root dry weight and root-to-shoot ratios compared with ancymidol-treated and control plants. Applications of ancymidol or flurprimidol administered to G. undatus C. Koch & Linden ‘Inca’ late during the production cycle resulted in significant growth control and, therefore, superior plant performance throughout the postharvest period.
Evaluation of Flower Bud Removal Treatments on Growth of Young Blueberry Plants
Authors: Williamson Jeffrey G. , NeSmith D. Scott
Published: February 2019

The effects of flower bud removal treatments on growth of young rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and southern highbush (V. corymbosum hybrids) blueberry plants were evaluated. Treatments consisted of pruning, hand stripping, and hydrogen cyanamide applications. The growth index of rabbiteye plants after the first spring growth cycle was unaffected by any of the flower bud removal treatments. However, the effects of flower bud thinning were cultivar specific for southern highbush blueberry plants. ‘Misty’ plants showed increases in total plant dry weight and in root, leaf, and stem dry weights from hand thinning and hydrogen cyanamide sprays. Conversely, ‘Santa Fe’ showed no increased growth response from any of the flower bud removal treatments. Flower bud mortality increased as hydrogen cyanamide spray concentration increased and was greater when applications were delayed so that flower buds were more advanced. Hydrogen cyanamide may have potential as an alternative to labor-intense flower bud removal practices such as hand stripping or pruning on young blueberry plants during establishment.
Evaluation of Susceptibility of Carnation Cultivars to Fusarium Wilt and Determination of Fusarium oxysporum fsp. dianthi Races in Southwest Spain
Authors: Prados-Ligero Ana María , Basallote-Ureba María José , López-Herrera Carlos José , Melero-Vara José María
Published: February 2019

Eighteen commercial cultivars of carnation were inoculated with eight isolates of F. oxysporum fsp. dianthi (Fod) from a collection of isolates obtained from diseased plants surveyed in the main growing area of Spain. Susceptible reactions were shown in most cultivars inoculated with six isolates characterized as race 2 when tested on differentials. However, cultivars Elsy and Westcristal were fully resistant to the six isolates, whereas ‘Scarlet King’ showed a variable response, suggesting genetic diversity within race 2 of Fod. In contrast, eight cultivars inoculated with three isolates of races 1 or 8 were usually resistant except for cultivars Nelson and Solar, which were fully susceptible, and ‘Elsy’, which showed resistance to only one of the isolates. Partial polygenic inheritance of resistance to race 2 determines the complexity in the host reactions. Nine cultivars used in the previous experiment were inoculated with 13 Italian isolates of a collection of races of Fod. Cultivar reactions to isolates of different races agreed with some reports but not with others, suggesting an effect of environmental conditions or inoculation method. Reactions under field conditions sometimes differed from reactions with artificial inoculation in the greenhouse and growth chamber, usually more prone to express susceptibility.
Elimination of In vitro Contamination, Shoot Multiplication, and Ex vitro Rooting of Aglaonema
Authors: Chen W.L. , Yeh D.M.
Published: February 2019

Elimination of in vitro contamination and shoot multiplication were studied with Aglaonema Schott ‘White Tip’. Apparently, contamination was reduced, but explants browned when 200 mg·L−1 streptomycin was used as either a pretreatment or incorporated into the medium. Reduced occurrence of contamination and browning was achieved in axillary bud explants excised from the stock plants that had not been watered for 2 months. Six shoots per explant elongated normally in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 30 μm benzylaminopurine (BA). MS medium containing 20 μm thidiazuron (TDZ) also resulted in six shoots per explant, but these shoots failed to extend beyond a rosette. Only microcuttings from 30 μm BA treatment were used for the ex vitro rooting trial, and indole-3-butytric acid (IBA) at 9.8 or 19.7 mm applied to the base of the microcuttings resulted in 100% ex vitro rooting and the longest roots.
Plant Regeneration from Callus Derived from Immature Embryo Cotyledons of Prunus mume
Authors: Ning G.G. , Bao M.Z.
Published: February 2019

A regeneration protocol for Prunus mume sieb.et Zucc was developed through indirect organogenesis. Immature cotyledons were excised from the open-pollinated seeds of two cultivars and cultured on a modified MS medium supplemented with various combinations of plant growth regulators. Shoot-organogenic calli were induced on half-strength MS medium supplemented either with combinations of 2.2 μm benzyladenine (BA), 5.4 to 10.8 μm 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 0 to 5.0 μm indolebutyric acid (IBA) or with combinations of 2.2 μm BA, 4.5 to 9.0 μm dichlophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 0 to 5.0 μm IBA. High frequencies of shoot regeneration (81.5% and 91.3% in P. mume cvs. Lv'e and Xuemei, respectively) were obtained from smooth-white nodular calli cultured on a half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.2 μm BA, 2.2 μM thidiazuron, and 1.0 μm IBA. A high rate of rooting (90.2% and 88.9% in ‘Lv'e’ and ‘Xuemei’, respectively) occurred when shoots were cultured on WPM supplemented with 5.0 μm IBA. Chemical names used: benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron (TDZ), indolebutyric acid (IBA), dichlophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).
Inheritance Patterns of Parthenocarpic Fruit Development in Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)
Authors: Ehlenfeldt Mark K. , Vorsa Nicholi
Published: February 2019

Forty-one half-sib families (>3000 individuals) segregating for parthenocarpic fruit production were evaluated under field conditions. Within these families, ≈280 parthenocarpic individuals were identified. In general, three categories of segregants were observed: normal-seeded types, small/low-seeded types, and parthenocarpic types. Inheritance patterns suggested that the trait is recessive, but did not fit simple tetrasomic recessive or incomplete dominance models. Lack of fit may be attributable to environmental interactions or incomplete penetrance of this trait. Further evaluations are underway with small/low-seeded types with the expectation that offspring of these plants may express the trait at higher frequencies than in F1 × F1 crosses. The reduced vigor in many of the parthenocarpic segregants suggests that this germplasm will be most useful, initially, in improving fruit quality in the intermediate expression types, which have better fruit set and reduced seed development.
Plant Density and Genotype Effects on Wild Asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius L.) Spear Yield and Quality
Authors: Benincasa Paolo , Tei Francesco , Rosati Adolfo
Published: February 2019

Wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius L.) is becoming an interesting niche crop for marginal areas in Europe, but little information is available regarding cultivation techniques, which differ from those of cultivated asparagus (A. officinalis). We experimented with the cultivation of wild asparagus using two different ecotypes planted at two plant densities. We measured yield and number of spears per hectare and spear quality (average weight, portion of edible part, diameter, and dry matter content). There were no significant effects of either genotype or density on the spear yield and number per hectare. No differences among treatments were found on spear quality parameters. Spear yield and number per plant decreased proportionally with increasing plant density, resulting in constant spear yield and number per hectare. Harvest efficiency was ≈1.2 kg of spears per hour of labor when the prickly evergreen vegetation was not removed before harvest and ≈3 kg per hour when the vegetation was cut and removed. In the latter case, harvest would cost approximately one-third of the gross income of the crop suggesting that the crop could easily be economically viable. Further studies are needed to assess whether cutting the vegetation affects plant vigor and longevity in the following years, but also to further study suitable techniques for crop cultivation, especially weed control.
Flowering and Fruiting Patterns of Primocane-fruiting Blackberries
Authors: Thompson Ellen , Strik Bernadine C. , Clark John R. , Finn Chad E.
Published: February 2019

The flowering morphology of the erect, thorny, primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus, Watson) cultivars ‘Prime-Jan’ and ‘Prime-Jim’ were studied in 2005 and 2006 in Aurora, OR. Primocanes that were “soft-tipped” in early summer to 1 m were compared with untipped primocanes. In both years, soft-tipped primocanes developed two- to threefold more branches and almost twice the number of flowers as untipped canes. ‘Prime-Jan’ and ‘Prime-Jim’ began blooming on the branches of soft-tipped canes in mid-July, whereas untipped primocanes began to bloom in late July in 2005 and 2006. Within a primocane inflorescence, the terminal or distal flower was always the first to open followed by terminal flowers from axes located on the basal portion of the inflorescence. Flowers then opened acropetally within the inflorescence, with the exception of the most basal flower, which was typically the last to open. The blooming pattern within an inflorescence was similar for soft-tipped and untipped primocanes. Days from anthesis to black fruit for soft-tipped and untipped primocanes averaged 45 to 51 d in both years, depending on cultivar.
Gas Exchange of Apple and Blackberry Leaves Treated with a Kaolin Particle Film on Adaxial, Abaxial, or Both Leaf Surfaces
Authors: Privé Jean-Pierre , Russell Lindsay , LeBlanc Anita
Published: February 2019

Kaolin particle films are used as a means of pest control in some commercial apple orchards in the Maritime provinces; however, no studies to date have evaluated the impact of these particle films on leaf gas exchange under the region's growing conditions. Also previously unexplored is the gas exchange response of blackberry leaves to kaolin particle films and the question of whether leaf gas exchange response varies according to the leaf surface of particle film application. A study consisting of an apple field trial and a blackberry greenhouse trial was conducted during the 2005 growing season in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, Canada, with the aims of 1) characterizing the leaf temperature and gas exchange responses [net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance (g
s), intercellular CO2, and transpiration] of ‘Ginger Gold’ apple [Malus ×sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] leaves to a kaolin particle film (95% kaolin clay) applied at various leaf residue densities under the province's growing conditions, 2) characterizing the leaf temperature and gas exchange responses of ‘Triple Crown’ blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) leaves to treatment of adaxial or abaxial surfaces with the kaolin particle film at various leaf residue densities, and 3) determining whether the gas exchange response of apple and blackberry leaves to the kaolin particle film varies according to leaf temperature. Leaf gas exchange measurements were taken under conditions of ambient CO2, saturated light, moderate (apple) or high (blackberry) relative humidity levels and leaf temperatures ranging from 26 to 39 °C (apple) and 15 to 41 °C (blackberry). When the particle film was applied to both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of apple leaves at kaolin residue densities of 0.5 to 3.7 g·m−2, leaf temperature was reduced by up to 1.1 °C (P = 0.005) and g
s was increased (P = 0.029) relative to leaves with trace (<0.5 g·m−2) levels of kaolin deposits. No other effects of kaolin leaf residue density on apple leaf gas exchange were found, nor were any interactions of leaf temperature × residue level (P > 0.05). When applied to a fixed area on the adaxial or abaxial surfaces of blackberry leaves at kaolin residue densities of 0.5 to 10.8 g·m−2, the particle film did not alter leaf temperature or gas exchange (P > 0.05). No interactions of leaf temperature × residue level or leaf temperature × leaf surface × residue level were found to affect blackberry leaf gas exchange (P > 0.05).
Delaying Natural Flowering in Pineapple Through Foliar Application of Aviglycine, an Inhibitor of Ethylene Biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Ren-Huang , Hsu Yu-Mei , Bartholomew Duane P. , Maruthasalam Subbiyan , Lin Chin-Ho
Published: February 2019

In Taiwan, the major yield constraint in pineapple cultivation is natural flowering, which occurs when daylengths are shorter and nights are cooler. This natural (precocious) flowering increases the cost of cultivation and reduces the percentage of fruits of marketable size. Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of aviglycine [(S)-trans-2-amino-4-(2 aminoethoxy)-3-butenoic acid hydrochloride, AVG] on natural flowering of ‘Tainon 17’ pineapple plants during the 2003 to 2004 and 2004 to 2005 cropping seasons. In the 2003 to 2004 season, bolting in the control exceeded 80% on 2 Mar. 2004, whereas no bolting was observed in the treatments. Inhibition of bolting by aviglycine (AVG) was dependent on the concentration and frequency of application. Bolting was less than 40% when plants were treated in Nov. and Dec. 2003 with 500 mg·L−1 of AVG four times at 15-day intervals or with five applications made at 10-day intervals. For the 2004 to 2005 season, bolting of plants treated with 250 or 375 mg·L−1 AVG was delayed 4 weeks relative to the control, whereas bolting was delayed 7 weeks by four or five applications of 500 mg·L−1 of AVG applied at 10- or 15-day intervals. Both experiments showed that four to five applications of 500 mg·L−1 of AVG at 10- or 15-day intervals delayed inflorescence emergence relative to the control for the duration of the treatments. We assume control was maintained for 1 to 2 weeks after treatments stopped. Based on these results, the date AVG treatments stop can be used to estimate the duration of delay in flowering. AVG inhibits ethylene biosynthesis and has the potential to be effectively used to delay or completely control the problem of precocious flowering and associated crop losses in pineapple.
Morphologic Variation for Fruit Characteristics in the USDA/ARS Capsicum baccatum L. Germplasm Collection
Authors: Jarret Robert L.
Published: February 2019

Mature fruit of 295 accessions of Capsicum baccatum from the USDA/ARS Capsicum germplasm collection were characterized for fruit length, width, weight, and color. Mean fruit weight was determined to be 5.91 g with a range of 0.15 to 22.8 g. Mean fruit length was 6.01 cm with a range of 0.8 to 16.0 cm. Mean fruit width was 1.86 cm and a range of 0.5 to 4.75 cm. Distributions of all characteristics were positively skewed and failed the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality. The distribution of fruit weight values was the most highly skewed, possibly reflecting a more intense human selection pressure for this characteristic. Distributions of fruit width, length, weight, and length:width were leptokurtic (long-tailed). Ninety-three percent of accessions were elongate. Mature fruit colors included red (73.6%), orange (19.7%), yellow (3%), green (0.3%), and mixed (3%). These data suggest that variability for mature fruit characteristics within this germplasm collection is considerable and that variability for fruit length, width, weight, and color is sufficient to provide the basis for the improvement of the aji crop.
Estimating Consumers' Valuation of Organic and Cosmetically Damaged Apples
Authors: Yue Chengyan , Jensen Helen H. , Mueller Daren S. , Nonnecke Gail R. , Bonnet Douglas , Gleason Mark L.
Published: February 2019

The sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) disease complex causes cosmetic damage but does not affect the safety or eating quality of apples. Treatment for disease is more difficult and costly for organic producers, and consumers' willingness to pay for organic apples needs to be considered in growers' choice of production technologies. A mixed probit model was applied to survey data to evaluate consumers' willingness to buy apples. The results show consumers will pay a premium for organic production methods and for apples with low amounts of SBFS damage. Behavioral variables such as experience growing fruit significantly affect the willingness to buy apples of different damage levels. Consumers have limited tolerance of very blemished apples and trade off production technology attributes for cosmetic appearance. Better understanding of this tradeoff can improve organic producers' decisions about disease control.
Effects of New Cultivars of Ninebark on Feeding and Ovipositional Behavior of the Specialist Ninebark Beetle, Calligrapha spiraeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Tenczar Emily G. , Krischik Vera A.
Published: February 2019

Two newly developed cultivars of ninebark [Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.], a yellow-leaved cultivar called ‘Dart's Gold’ and a purple-leaved cultivar called ‘Monlo’, were compared with the native for resistance to feeding and oviposition by the specialist ninebark beetle [Calligrapha spiraeae (Say)]. When offered the choice between two types of ninebark, beetles statistically preferred native (P < 0.0001) and ‘Dart's Gold’ (P < 0.0001) over ‘Monlo’, but showed no preference between native and ‘Dart's Gold’ (P = 0.0743). Long-term performance bioassays showed significantly more eggs on ‘Dart's Gold’ than ‘Monlo’ (P = 0.0468). ‘Monlo’ contained the most anthocyanins (P < 0.0001) and chlorophyll B (P < 0.0001) and the least total nitrogen (P = 0.0283) and Kjeldahl nitrogen (P = 0.0014). Anthocyanins are known to act as feeding deterrents and bind with nitrogen, which may explain why beetles avoided feeding on ‘Monlo’ in preference tests.
Fresh-cut Produce Wash Water Reuse Affects Water Quality and Packaged Product Quality and Microbial Growth in Romaine Lettuce
Authors: Luo Yaguang
Published: February 2019

Washing is a critical step for maintaining quality and safety of fresh-cut produce during its preparation and is often the only measure taken to reduce microbial populations and remove tissue fluids. However, little is known about the effect of washing method on water quality or its consequence on microbial growth and finished product quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wash water reuse on changes in water quality and its subsequent effect on microbial growth and product quality of packaged fresh-cut Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Romaine lettuce leaves were sliced and washed in water with chemical oxygen demand levels ranging from 9.8 mg·L−1 (fresh water) to 1860.5 mg·L−1 (reused water) and product-to-water ratios of 1:20 and 1:150. The washed samples were dried and placed into packages prepared from films with an oxygen transmission rate of 8.0 pmol·s−1·m−2·Pa−1 and stored at 5 °C for 14 days. Microbial growth and product quality were monitored at days 0, 4, 8, 11, and 14 during storage. Results indicate that as the quantity of lettuce dipped in 40 L of water increased from 2.0 kg to 18.0 kg, water chemical oxygen demand increased from 124 mg·L−1 to 1721 mg·L−1 and biological oxygen demand increased from 140 mg·L−1 to 526 mg·L−1, whereas free and total chlorine levels declined from 151.5 mg·L−1 to 4.7 mg·L−1 and from 171 mg·L−1 to 31.5 mg·L−1, respectively. Thoroughly washed lettuce in clean water with a small product-to-water ratio had the least off-odor development. Samples without wash treatment and those washed with reused water had 0.8 to 1.6 log cfu·g−1 higher populations of lactic acid bacteria than those washed with clean water at the end of storage.
Fertility Influence of the U.S. Midwestern Soils on Yellow Shoulder Disorder in Processing Tomatoes
Authors: Clivati McIntyre Alba A. , Francis David M. , Hartz Timothy K. , Gunter Christopher
Published: February 2019

The economics of processing tomato production are driven by soluble solids content, viscosity, color, and color uniformity of the fruit. Ripening disorders that affect color are a major limitation to the economic success of processing whole-peel and diced products. The causes of ripening disorders are not completely understood, although it is clear that soil nutritional status, weather, plant genetics, and interactions among these variables are important factors. We sampled both soil and fruit from fields in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana and were able to correlate soil fertility properties and fruit color. The correlation between soil properties and fruit color was different for fine- and coarse-textured soils. Fine-textured soils presented more frequent, but weaker, correlations with absolute color and within-fruit color differences when compared with coarse-textured soils. For fine-textured soils, exchangeable K correlated with a measure of within-fruit variation, L* difference (L*diff; r = −0.21, P < 0.01). Other measurements of K nutrition, K·Mg−½ ratio, Kact, and K%CEC, all correlated to the same extent (r = −0.29, P < 0.01). The highest correlations were identified between soil-available P and L* (r = −0.33, P < 0.01) and L*diff (r = −0.31, P < 0.01). In coarse-textured soils, exchangeable K correlated with L* (r = −0.373, P < 0.05), b* (r = −0.49, P < 0.01) and Hue° (r = −0.37, P < 0.05). K·Mg−½ ratio and Kact yielded higher correlation coefficients with absolute color measurements when compared with fine-textured soils. Soil-available P was correlated with L* (r = −0.375, P < 0.05), a* (r = 0.49, P < 0.01), Hue° (r = −0.46, P < 0.01), and C* (r = 0.40, P < 0.01). For coarse soils, K·Mg−½ ratio, Kact, and available P were important properties when the color of tomato fruit is of value. In all cases, higher exchangeable K and P nutrient status had a positive correlation with fruit color. Our sampling could not detect interactions among weather, genetics, and soil, and further work will be necessary to clearly describe the role of interactions in determining fruit quality in tomatoes.
‘Rubygem’ Strawberry
Authors: Herrington Mark E. , Chandler Craig K. , Moisander Jennifer A. , Reid Claire E.
Published: February 2019

‘Rubygem’, a new short-day strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.), produces high yields of moderately firm, attractive well-flavored fruit from late autumn through early spring in the strawberry-growing district in Southeast Queensland. ‘Rubygem’ is recommended for trial in areas with mild winter climates, especially where rainfall is unlikely and a well-flavored berry is required.
Effect of Winter Cover Crop Residue on No-till Pumpkin Yield
Authors: Harrelson E. Ryan , Hoyt Greg D. , Havlin John L. , Monks David W.
Published: February 2019

Throughout the southeastern United States, vegetable growers have successfully cultivated pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) using conventional tillage. No-till pumpkin production has not been pursued by many growers as a result of the lack of herbicides, no-till planting equipment, and knowledge in conservation tillage methods. All of these conservation production aids are now present for successful no-till vegetable production. The primary reasons to use no-till technologies for pumpkins include reduced erosion, improved soil moisture conservation, long-term improvement in soil chemical and microbial properties, and better fruit appearance while maintaining similar yields compared with conventionally produced pumpkins. Cover crop utilization varies in no-till production, whereas residue from different cover crops can affect yields. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the influence of surface residue type on no-till pumpkin yield and fruit quality. Results from these experiments showed all cover crop residues produced acceptable no-till pumpkin yields and fruit size. Field location, weather conditions, soil type, and other factors probably affected pumpkin yields more than surface residue. Vegetable growers should expect to successfully grow no-till pumpkins using any of the winter cover crop residues tested over a wide range in residue biomass rates.