bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity in Nephelium
Authors: Aradhva K.M. , Zee F. , Manshardt R.M.
Published: March 2024

Fifty-six accessions involving five taxa of Nephelium (N. Iappaceum varieties lappaceum and pallens, N. hypoleucum, N. ramboutan-ake, and N. cuspidatum) were fingerprinted and evaluated for genetic diversity using isozyme polymorphism. All five taxa were polymorphic for most of the enzymes encoded by 10 putative loci. Number of alleles per locus ranged from three for Pgi-1 to nine for Pgi-2 with a total of 57 alleles. Thirty-eight accessions out of 56 possessed unique isozyme genotypes, indicating a high level of diversity in the collection. On average, 80% of the loci were polymorphic and the expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.374 and 0.373, respectively. The cluster analysis of the isozyme data revealed five distinct clusters representing the five taxa included in the study. Genetic differentiation within N. Iappaceum var. Iappaceum was evident from the cluster analysis. Isozyme data indicated that N. ramboutan-ake is the closest relative of N. Iappaceum var. Iappaceum, followed by N. hypoleucum, N. Iappaceum var. pallens, and N. cuspidatum. Interestingly, the varieties of N. Iappaceum exhibited genetic divergence far beyond that of the congenerics, N. hypoleucum and N. ramboutan-ake and may require a taxonomic revision.
Ccreening Onions (Allium cepa L.) and Other Allium spp. for Botrytis Leaf Blight Resistance
Authors: Walters Thomas W. , Ellerbrock Leroy A. , van der Heide Jan J. , Lorbeer James W. , LoParco David P.
Published: March 2024

Greenhouse and field methods were developed to screen Allium spp. for resistance to Botrytis leaf blight (caused by Botrytis squamosa Walker). In the green-house, plants were sprayed with laboratory-grown inoculum and incubated in a temperature-controlled enclosure containing an atomizing mist system. For field inoculations, a portable misting system with windbreaks was erected, and the plants were sprayed with laboratory-grown inoculum. Greenhouse and field incubation conditions maintained leaf wetness without washing inoculum from the leaves. Botrytis leaf blight symptoms in greenhouse and field evaluations were identical to symptoms in commercial onion fields. A total of 86 selected USDA Allium collection accessions were evaluated using these methods. All A. fistulosum accessions and A. roytei were highly resistant to immune, as were most accessions of A. altaicum, A. galanthum, A. pskemense, and A. oschaninii. Nearly all of the A. vavilovii and A. cepa accessions were susceptible. However, one A. cepa accession (PI 273212 from Poland) developed only superficial lesions, which did not expand to coalesce and blight leaves. This work confirms previous reports of Botrytis leaf blight resistance in Allium spp., and suggests that strong resistance exists with A. cepa.
Root Penetration in Heavily Compacted Soil Systems
Authors: Grabosky Jason , Bassuk Nina
Published: March 2024

In the development of a street tree planting medium for use as a sidewalk base, we have been testing a series of limestone gravel and soil media with varied amounts of clay loam suspended within the matrix voids. Tilia cordata and Quercus alba seedling roots quickly penetrated and grew in these systems when compacted to densities in excess of 2000 kg·m–3, while they were severely impeded in clay loam soil compacted to 1300 kg·m–3. Limestone mixes of the same design had variable, but consistently acceptable, California Bearing Ratios (>40) when compacted to similar densities; demonstrating their strength as a pavement base. Tilia root growth, based on the volume collected from total root excavations after two growing seasons, increased a minimum of 300% in the limestone mixes over the compacted clay loam control when the treatments were compacted to ≈80% Standard Proctor Optimum Density. Root penetration of Quercus increased >400% in the limestone mixes over compacted loam in a 6-month trial compacted to 95% Standard Proctor Optimum Density.
Response of `Chardonnay' Grapevines to Training and Crop Control
Authors: Zabadal Thomas J. , VanEe Gary R. , Dittmer Thomas W. , Ledebuhr Richard L.
Published: March 2024

Growing conditions in Michigan can threaten the yield and acceptable fruit quality of `Chardonnay' grapevines. Three grapevine training systems, mid-wire cordon (MWC), umbrella kniffin (UK), and a combination of the two (MWC-UK) were evaluated under Michigan growing conditions to determine their influence on yield, fruit quality, cluster compactness, incidence and severity of Botrytis bunch rot, and trellis fill. Vines were grown on C3309 rootstock and pruned to 44 nodes per kilogram of cane prunings. The MWC-UK treatment had an additional 30 nodes per vine retained, and the crop level on these nodes was removed after fruitset. Over a 2-year period, UK and MWC-UK trained vines had fruit soluble solids about 1 °Brix higher and yields were 48% and 63% higher than MWC trained vines, respectively. MWC-UK trained vines consistently out-performed MWC trained vines for all variables measured, while UK-trained vines provided an intermediate response.
Influence of Pollination on Peroxidase Activities and Isozymes during Southern Highbush Fruit Development
Authors: Huang Yuehe , Lang Gregory A.
Published: March 2024

Five-year-old `Sharpblue' southern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) plants were self- and cross-pollinated (`O'Neal') to study peroxidase activities and isozyme patterns during fruit development. Both soluble and bound peroxidase activities were present throughout development. Activities were very high during early fruit development, with peaks at 10 and 20 days after self- and cross-pollination, respectively. Activity was much higher for cross-pollinations. During rapid fruit development, peroxidase activities were low. During ripening, the activity of soluble peroxidases increased, then declined in both treatments. Bound peroxidase activity increased during the color transition from blue to dark blue, with the increase being much greater in self-pollinated fruits. Banding patterns of both soluble and bound isoperoxidases varied by pollination treatment as well as fruit developmental stage. Pollen sources alter peroxidase isozymes and activities in developing fruits. During fruit ripening, soluble peroxidase activity appears to be associate with the color transition from light blue to blue, while bound peroxidase activity appears to be associated with the color transition from blue to dark blue.
Growth of Red Maple Taxa in Tennessee
Authors: Witte W.T. , Sauve R.J. , Flanagan P.C.
Published: March 2024

Commercially available Acer rubrum and A. freemanii taxa were established as 10 single-plant replications in a cultivar trial at the TSU–NCRS in 1992 and Spring 1993. Plants were fertilized regularly and drip-irrigated as needed beginning Summer 1993. Growth data were recorded each fall and height and caliper increment calculated for the 1994 season. Ten cultivars were in the group with most height growth: `Armstrong', `Autumn Blaze', `Schlesingeri', `Olson', `Morgan', `Scarlet Red', `Embers', `Indian Summer', `Scarsen', and `October Glory'. These all differed significantly from a group of 11 slow-growing cultivars. With some exceptions, cultivars with the most height growth tended to have the most caliper growth, while those with the least height growth tended to have the least caliper growth. Data will also be presented on insect and disease ratings.
Seasonal and Geographical Effects on Subsequent Ripening Characteristics of Bananas
Authors: Marin D.H. , Blankenship S.M. , Sutton T.B. , Swallow W.H.
Published: March 2024

Mature-green `Grande Naine' bananas from Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, and Guatemala were harvested in June, Sept., and Dec. 1993 and Mar. 1994. Fruit were treated with ethylene and held at 17C and 80% to 90% relative humidity until they reached color 6 of the standard color scale. Guatemalan bananas had the highest respiration rate, followed by Costa Rican, Mexican, and Ecuadoran fruit. Peel color, ethylene production, and soluble solids content did not differ among the countries. Measurements made at arrival in the United States had a low correlation with days to reach color 5. Prediction equations showed significant linear relationships for most variables; however, correlations were very low. The highest coefficient of determination was observed with respiration rate (r2 = 0.289). Maximum R2 (0.342) was determined using CO2, C2H4, pH, and soluble solids in the model. pH and soluble solids were good variables to determine the physiological stage of the fruit, and they also detected ripening changes earlier than peel color or firmness.
Cell Membrane Stability and the Role of Calcium Infiltration in Postharvest Quality of Apples
Authors: Picchioni G.A. , Watada A.E. , Conway W.S. , Whitaker B.D. , Sams C.E.
Published: March 2024

Postharvest CaCl2 pressure infiltration improves firmness and storage quality of apples but is still in the experimental stages. Its effectiveness could be increased if we had a better understanding of how Ca affects the tissue at the cellular level. `Golden Delicious' fruit were harvested from a commercial orchard and were pressure-infiltrated with CaCl2 (0%, 2%, or 4% w/v), stored for 6 months at 0C, and then for 7 days at 20C. Between harvest and the end of storage at 20C, the net breakdown of galactolipids and phospholipids decreased with increasing CaCl2 in infiltration solutions. During 0C storage, CaCl2-infiltrated fruit maintained greater concentrations of conjugated sterol lipids, and these lipid classes are thought to be closely associated with the plasma membrane. As membrane lipid alterations are viewed as a central factor in the senescence of fruits, Ca (from postharvest infiltration) may serve a major role in regulating fruit quality losses through its interactions with cell membranes.
Physiological Changes during Maturation, Ripening, and Storage of Asian Pears Grown in Southeastern United States
Authors: Rajapakse Nihal , Newall William C.
Published: March 2024

Morphological and physiological changes during maturation and ripening of eight Asian pear cultivars grown in the southeastern United States were evaluated. Fruit size increased throughout maturation. Flesh firmness decreased as fruit matured and averaged ≈30 to 35 N at harvest maturity. The average TSS in mature fruit ranged from 10% to 13%, with `Shinko' having the lowest and `Shinsui' having the highest. TSS increased during 4 weeks of storage at 1C, but the increase was greater in immature fruit than in mature fruit. Respiration rate declined as fruit matured. Ethylene production was low in `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinseiki', `Chojuro', and `Shinko' fruit. Mature `Ichiban' and `Shinsui' fruit produced high amounts of ethylene. `Kosui', `Shinsui', `Chojuro', and `Ichiban' fruit showed a climacteric rise in respiration and ethylene production at 20C, while `Hosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinseiki', and `Shinko' behaved as nonclimacteric fruit. Ethylene production by 1C-stored `Kosui', `Shinsui', `Chojuro', and `Ichiban' fruit was increased on removal to 20C. Glucose and fructose were low during early maturation but sharply increased ≈80 to 85 days after full bloom (DAFB). Sucrose was low in immature fruit but accumulated rapidly late in maturation ≈100 to 107 DAFB. In mature `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinsui', `Shinko', and `Ichiban' fruit, fructose was the predominant sugar, while in `Shinseiki' and `Chojuro' fruit, sucrose was the predominant sugar.
Leaching and Persistence of Oxidiazon in Several Organic-based Substrates
Authors: Mentag Rachid , Duchesne Isabelle , Rioux Jacques-André
Published: March 2024

The objective of this study was to determine the persistence and leaching of the herbicide oxadiazon in five substrates. The substrate mixtures consisted of the following: peatmoss, compost, and sand in the following proportions: 1:1:0, 3:3:2, 1:1:2, 1:1:6, and 0:0:1 in 5-liter containers. Rates of oxadiazon used were 4 and 8 kg a.i./ha on two separate split-split plots. Each experimental design had three factors: five substrates, four harvest times (24 h; 1, 2, and 3 months) and five soil depths (0–2, 2–4, 4–6, 6–8, 8– cm). Only herbicide persistence and leaching from the various substrates were investigated in this experiment; therefore, we did not remove plant material. Substrate oxadiazon residues were determined by gas chromatography analysis, and it was shown that leaching was more evident in media with a lower percentage of organic matter. In addition, oxadiazon did not leach below 4 cm in conventional substrate (1 peatmoss: 1 compost: 1 sand, respectively). The persistence of oxadiazon was affected by soil composition and herbicide persisted more in substrates with great percentage of organic matter.
Fruit Characteristics of Hybrid Triploid Melons
Authors: Nugent Perry E. , Adelberg Jeffrey
Published: March 2024

Thirteen triploid lines of melon (Cucumis melo L.) were derived from crosses involving five tetraploid and seven diploid lines. Fruit characters were assessed. When allowed to open pollinate in field plots with adjacent diploid pollinators, eight triploid genotypes were sterile or nearly sterile (<1% viable seed). Five triploid genotypes were partially fertile, indicating viable pollen grains were present. Cytological analysis performed on progeny of a partially fertile triploid plant fertilized by open pollination indicated euploid female gametes were common. Triploid hybrids between tetraploid `Miniloup' and several other diploid parents had vegetative and fruit characteristics intermediate to the parents. Most triploid genotypes yielded round fruit in contrast to their diploid parent whose fruit were oval to oblong and the tetraploid parent that had oblate fruit. Sugar levels of some triploid hybrids were as high as diploid parents.
Effects of Carbohydrate Loading on Sugar Profile and Respiration of Asparagus Spears during Storage
Authors: Silva Silvanda , Verlinden Sven , Herner Robert , Beaudry Randolph
Published: March 2024

Asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L.) were placed in solutions of six different concentrations of sucrose (0%, 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16%) plus citric acid at 0C for 24 h following harvest. The profiles of sucrose, fructose, glucose, and respiration rate along the length of the spear were evaluated throughout storage. The effect of carbohydrate loading on the rate of respiration, sucrose loss, and the shelf life of asparagus was determined. For all treatments, sugars decreased and respiration rate increased from the butt to the tip. The 4% sucrose treatment enhanced the sugar level in the tip ≈5-fold relative to the control. For the 8% and 16% treatments, sucrose tended to accumulate in the base. Spears loaded with higher sucrose concentrations had higher respiration rates than controls up to 3 h after loading. After this time, no significant differences were observed between treatments. For all treatments, respiration rates declined rapidly following harvest, stabilizing in ≈24 h. Weight gain and growth increased as the treatment sucrose concentration decreased. Solution uptake was enhanced by loading at lower humidity levels.
Ethylene Production in Watermelon Fruit Varies with Cultivar and Fruit Tissue
Authors: Perkins-Veazie P. , Collins J. K. , Cartwright B
Published: March 2024

To determine whether ethylene production was related to locular tissue breakdown in watermelon, plugs from ripe `Jubilee', `Black Diamond', `Tiger Baby', `Mirage', and `King of Hearts' were taken from the skin (epidermis and hypoderm), rind (hypoderm and mesocarp), and placenta (locular and heart) tissues. ACC oxidase activity was <0.05 nmol·g–1·h–1 in locule and heart locations for all cultivars. Skin tissue had the highest activity, ranging from 0. 1 8 for `Jubilee' to 0.5 to 0.62 nmol·g–1·h–1 for the other four cultivars. ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) and ACC oxidase activity were measured in unripe, ripe, and overripe `Jubilee' melons. ACC oxidase activity from skin tissue was lowest in unripe (0.05 nmol·g–1·h–1) and highest in overripe (0.13 nmol·g–1·h–1) melons, and was 0.05 nmol·g–1·h–1 or less in all other tissues. Free ACC was highest in the skin tissue (1.3 nmol·g–1·h–1), but there was no difference in ACC content with stage of ripeness for any tissue. Results indicate that ethylene may be transported from the outer skin and rind tissues to locular areas and that wounding of the skin tissue could lead to deleterious ethylene production.
Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus in Colima, Mexico: Effect on Flowering and Yield of Muskmelon and Transmission by Aphids
Authors: Orozco-Santos Mario , Delgadillo-Sanchez Felipe , Arenas-Varga Miguel , Farias-Larios Javier
Published: March 2024

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection causes heavy losses in cucurbit crops grown in the Mediterranean, Central Europe, the United States, and Mexico. Recently, ZYMV was found affecting muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) in Colima, Mexico. An experiment was carried out under dry tropical conditions with the objectives: 1) to determine the effect of ZYMV on flowering and yield of muskmelon cv. Primo, and 2) to evaluate its transmission by some aphid species. Perfect and staminate flowers were significantly reduced when ZYMV was inoculated during vegetative growth, flowering, and fruit set. ZYMV affected yield when it was inoculated from vegetative growth to flowering and fruit set. In plants inoculated during vegetative growth the yield was null, while those inoculated at early flowering and fruit set the yield was reduced by 80% and 49%, respectively. The yield was not affected when ZYMV was inoculated on fruit growth. The aphid Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, A. spiraecola, and Uroleucon ambrosia-transmited ZYMV from Cucurbita pepo to Cucumis melo; but Aphis nert, did not.
The Response of Three Ficus benjamina Clones to Stress Imposed by Complete Darkness or Reduced Frequency of Watering at Two Temperatures
Authors: Al-Khalifah N.S. , Alderson P.G.
Published: March 2024

Three clones of Ficus benjamina showed different responses to stress imposed by placing them in complete darkness for 2 weeks. `Natasha' was the most affected, showing 75% leaf abscission and a reduction of 25% of the chlorophyll content of the leaves. `Cleo' was the least affected. A general response of the three clones was the reduction in the quality of plants and in their shoot length. Withholding water for periods of 5, 9, and 14 days resulted in no stress response of the three clones at 22 ± 1C, and they only dropped their leaves at 30 ± 1C with the percentage of leaves abscising in∼creasing with longer periods between watering. `Natasha' was an exception, and showed an increase in shoot quality and leaf expansion under the high temperature and dropped only 4% of its leaves while the other two clones dropped 20% to 30% with watering at intervals of 9 days. `Cleo' dropped 90% of its leaves when watered at intervals of 14 days at 30C.
Water Relations, Stomatal Conductance, and Abscisic Acid Content of Young Apple Trees in Response to Antitranspirant Treatment
Authors: Guak Sung H. , Cheng Lailiang , Fuchigami L.H.
Published: March 2024

Potted apple trees (Malus domestica L. `Gala') were drenched with either water or an antitranspirant (N-2001). After treatment, no additional water was applied to the plants. Abscisic acid (ABA) content of immature and mature leaves was determined by radioimmunoassay after 0, 1, 3, and 5 h and 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9 days after treatment. ABA content of mature and immature leaves of antitranspirant-treated plants peaked 1 and 4 days after treatment, respectively, and remained constant thereafter. In contrast, with increasing water stress, the ABA content of mature and immature leaves of control plants without antitranspirant peaked at 7 and 8 days, respectively. The overall level of ABA in mature leaves of both treatment groups was significantly greater than in immature leaves. The water saturation deficit increased, water and turgor potentials of leaves decreased, and stomatal conductance decreased in response to antitranspirant application. The changes in water relations parameters and stomatal conductance were highly correlated with changes in leaf ABA content.
Ipomoea Accession Closely Related to Sweetpotato
Authors: Bohac J.R. , Rajapakse S.
Published: March 2024

An Ipomoea accession from Indonesia, originally classified as I. trifida, was found to segregate in flower morphology. It was hypothesized to be either a very close relative of I. batatas (6x sweetpotato), or a hybrid between I. batatas (6x) and I. trifida (2x). Twelve seedlings of this accession were grown and precise measurements of sepal angle, corolla shape, and root morphology were taken. Samples were also compared on the DNA level using molecular markers. Based on morphological measurements, it was found that some individual seedlings of the unknown Ipomoea accession were not significantly different than I. batatas; others were not significantly different than I. trifida. The control I. batatas and I. trifida lines were significantly different from each other. DNA flow cytometry was used to determine that all seedlings were diploids with the same amount of DNA per cell. Overall plant morphology and molecular analysis confirmed that all of the seedlings were very closely related and the segregation in flower morphology was not due to a seed mixture. This data is consistent with the hypothesis that the accession is a hybrid between I. batatas and I. trifida.
Effect of Chemical Defoliation on the Budbreak of `Golden Delicious' Apple
Authors: Flores Aroldo Rumayor , Martinez C. Andres
Published: March 2024

During 1993–94, in an area with a subtropical climate, 1500 m elevation, and 300 mm of precipitation, an experiment with `Golden Delicious' apples/MM.111 under irrigation was conducted with 11 treatments with three replications in a completely randomized complete-block design: T1, manual defoliation (27 Sept.); T2, 1% CuSO4 (15 Oct.); T3, 2% CuSO4 + Promesol (acido 2,3,4 trihydroxipentanodioico) (22 Oct.); T4, 1% CuSO4 + 0.1% Atlox; T5, 1% CuSO4 + 0.2% Atlox; T6, 1% CuSO4 + 0.1% Frigate; T7, 1% CuSO4 + 2% urea; T8, 2% sulfur; T9, 500 ppm tiadizuron + 1% carboxil; T4–T9, defoliation 12 Nov.; T10, control (natural defoliation on 3 Dec.); T11, 2% ZnSO4 + 0.07 carboxil (8 Nov.). All treatments received Atlox surfactant at 0.1%, except T4 and T5. On 11 Mar. 1994, trees received an application of 0.5% Dormex + 4% dormant oil. The percentage of terminal budbreak on 1-year-old wood was superior for T6, T9, and T11 compared with the control (11.7% budbreak on 2-year-old wood) for all treatments (except T1 and T3); all the treatments were superior to the control (47% budbreak), especially T2 (72.6%) and T9 (70.0%). The percentage of fruit set was similar in all treatments with the control (15.0%), except in T2 and T3, which set 7% more fruit.
Minimal Pruning Influences Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of `Ruby Cabernet' Grapevines
Authors: Striegler R.K. , Berg G.T.
Published: March 2024

Grape growers in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California are increasingly concerned about production costs. Reduced demand for wine grapes from this district has resulted in low prices and a decline in grower profitability in recent years. Minimal pruning is a low-cost production system that was developed in Australia more than 20 years ago. This system offers complete mechanization of pruning and harvesting. In general, there is little information available on the use of minimal pruning in California vineyards. The propose of the experiment was to compare the effects of hand and minimal pruning on growth, yield, and fruit composition of `Ruby Cabernet' grapevines. This experiment was conducted in a commercial vineyard near Huron, Calif., during the 1993 and 1994 seasons. Minimally pruned vines had more shoots and fewer mature nodes than hand-pruned vines. Yield and components of yield were also significantly altered by pruning method. Minimal pruning produced the highest yield and number of clusters, while hand-pruning resulted in larger berry weight, cluster weight, and number of berries per cluster. Pruning method did not significantly affect fruit composition.
Computer-based System for Dynamic Control of Greenhouse Tomato Grown in NFT System
Authors: Benmoussa Mohamed , Gauthier Laurent
Published: March 2024

To achieve high yield and better quality of soilless greenhouse tomato, it is necessary to keep the nutrient concentrations in the root environment at the target levels. Dynamic control of the nutrient solution composition can be used for this purpose. We developed a computer program that dynamically adjusts nutrient solution compositions based on various climatic and agronomic characteristics. The program integrates nutrient uptake and crop transpiration models and is part of a general-purpose greenhouse management and control software system developed at Laval University (GX). The architecture of the system and some simulation results comparing the effect of various control scenarios on the evolution of the composition of nutrient solutions are presented.
Propagation of Cretan Silver Bush (Ebenus cretica L.), A Potential New Flower Crop
Authors: Vlahos J.C. , Dragassaki M.
Published: March 2024

Ebenus cretica, Leguminosae, is a characteristic endemic plant of the Mediterranean island of Crete. It is a perennial bush up to 1 m tall with composite pubescent leaves and pinky red or purple flowers on 5- to 20-cm-long racemes. The fruit is surrounded by the calyx and contains one seed. The plants grow on rocky hillsides in alkaline soils at an altitude of up to 600 m and flower from April to June. Ebenus has the potential for use as a container or landscape flowering plant, and this study was aimed at finding methods to propagate it either by seed or by shoot cuttings. Seed collected from native plants in late July/Aug. 1992 germinated well (70% to 90%) without scarification in a commercial potting mix. Fifty percent of the seed germinated in vitro between 13 and 25 days, depending on temperature and substrate used. Temperatures of 25 or 30C in light at a pH ≈6.0 favored germination. Removal of the dry calyx coating the seed enhanced germination and emergence. For rooting Ebenus cuttings, several concentrations of IAA, IBA, and NAA were used in combination with different types of cuttings (soft or hardwood, tip or basal, cultivated or wild). Best results were obtained by wounding the base and dipping shoot-tip cuttings (12 cm long) in 600 mg IBA/liter for 16 hours. Significant differences, however, were observed among germination and rooting percentages when seeds or cuttings were taken from different plants due to genetic diversity. Therefore, selection is required for optimal results.
Apical and Distal Pieces of Aged Potato Tubers Respond Differently to Paclobutrazol
Authors: Timm George H. , Mikitzel Loretta J.
Published: March 2024

The influence of paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of GA synthesis, on kindertuber formation was studied using 13.5-month-old `Russet Burbank' potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers. Suberized apical and distal tuber pieces of equal weight were sprayed daily with distilled water (control), 0.001 and 0.01 mg paclobutrazol/liter with or without 2.5 mg kinetin/liter, and 2.5 mg kinetin/liter alone. The tuber pieces were held in the dark (20C) and harvested 8, 16, and 22 days after the first treatment. Only sprouts developed from control apical piece eyes after 22 days. There was an average of 3.6 sprouts/eye, which, in total, weighed 735 mg. Sprouts (2.4/eye) from treated apical piece eyes averaged 46 mg. By 22 days, 0.001 mg paclobutrazol/liter plus kinetin applied to apical pieces resulted in the most kindertubers, 1.9/eye. The largest kindertubers (1.2 g) were produced from apical pieces treated with 0.001 mg paclobutrazol/liter. At each harvest and regardless of treatment, distal tuber pieces produced larger sprouts and more sprouts per eye than apical pieces. Kindertubers developed from distal piece eyes only with the paclobutrazol plus kinetin treatments. Distal eyes produced half as many kindertubers as apical eyes treated similarly. Apical pieces treated with kinetin alone produced fewer sprouts than control pieces, and fewer tubers than paclobutrazol-treated pieces. Sprout weight per eye of kinetin-treated apical pieces was one-third that produced by control pieces and 5.1-fold greater than that of paclobutrazol-treated pieces. A similar trend was observed with sprout weight from distal eyes. Results suggest lowered GA levels are involved in kindertuber formation on aged potato tubers, and GA content or metabolism of distal pieces is unlike that of apical pieces. Distal tuber pieces do not form kindertubers as readily as apical pieces.
Comparison of Four Pistachio Rootstocks in California
Authors: Ferguson Louise , Beede Robert
Published: March 2024

Currently, the California pistachio industry relies on four rootstocks: two species and two interspecific hybrids—P. atlantica, P. integerrima, P. integerrima × P. atlantica, and P. atlantica × P. integerrima. The first three are open-pollinated, the last is the result of a closed pollination. The objective of these long-term trials is to compare rootstock behavior in the three major pistachio-producing regions of California. Three trials of 100 replications consisting of one of each of the four rootstocks were established in the three major growing regions of California in 1988. All the rootstocks in all three locations were budded with buds from the same female and male trees. Thus, all differences in performance are the result of rootstock or local climate. Results thus far demonstrate that rootstocks with P. atlantica as the maternal parent are more cold tolerant; more efficient in boron, zinc, and copper uptake; less vigorous; less precocious; and more susceptible to V. dahliae than rootstocks with P. integerrima as the maternal parent. The results also demonstrate that pistachios in California's southern San Joaquin Valley will bear 1 year ahead of pistachios in the central San Joaquin Valley or the northern Sacramento Valley. Trees on rootstocks with P. integerrima parentage also bear earlier than trees on P. atlantica and have higher yield efficiencies. All are colonized by vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae.
Use of Poultry Byproducts in a Production System for Greenhouse-grown Crops
Authors: Klingaman Gerald , Wheeler G.L.
Published: March 2024

In 1993, the Arkansas poultry industry produced 1.048 billion broilers with a total live weight of 2.54 million metric tons. Depending on the type of processing used, from 30% to 50% of live weight can end up in the waste stream. Three primary waste-stream products are generated by the poultry industry: feather meal, poultry meal, and bone meal. Feather meal contains ≈14% N, poultry meal 11% N, and bone meal 8% N. Byproduct additions were made to tomato, marigold, and impatiens transplants at the rate of 6, 12, 24 and 48 g/10-cm pot. The two highest rates killed plants outright, while the lower rates resulted in some growth reduction when compared to the control. Studies are under way to further evaluate the use of these byproducts in an organic production system for tomatoes and bedding plants.
In Situ Chlorophyll Fluorescence Determinations on Vegetable Crops in the Tropics
Authors: Valenzuela Hector , Riede Stacy , Yamamoto Harry
Published: March 2024

Portable chlorophyll fluorometers have made it possible to evaluate the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem 11 for vegetable crops under ambient conditions. A sampling protocol was first established to eliminate variability due to positioning of the fiber optics in relation to the leaf, leaf selection, and natural environmental variability. Fluorescence parameters of the quantum yield of noncyclic electron transport (DF/Fm') and electron transport rate (ETR) were taken from several economically important vegetables under ambient conditions between 11 and 14 h. The objective of the second part of the study was to conduct in situ chlorophyll fluorescence and biomass determinations as affected by salt stress and N deficiency. DF/Fm' and ETR were studied in rhizobium inoculated, noninoculated and inorganic N-fed soybean and differences in fluorescence were related to yield. The influence that salt stress, and several N rates have on fluorescence photochemical quenching (qP) and nonphotochemical quenching (qN), NPQ ([Fm-Fm']/Fm'), DF/Fm' and ETR for hydroponically grown lettuce will also be presented.
High Efficient Procedure of Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation of Cultivated Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Authors: Le Van Quy , Overney Serge , Quoc Binh Nguyen , Yelle Serge
Published: March 2024

Tomato is one of the most important crop species where the introduction of foreign genes is expected to have a major impact on agriculture. Several transformation methods exist that rely on the cocultivation of various tissue or organ explants. However, tomato is still considered more difficult to transform than species such as Petunia hybrida and Nicotiana tabacum and can show widely varying success rates. Using cotyledonous explants, we propose a highly efficient procedure of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of an agricultural cultivated tomato (L. esculentum cv. Summerset). Results showed that up to 90% of the cotyledons generated callus within 3 weeks (1 to 5 calli/cotyledon) and 50% of them regenerated shoots in another 3 weeks. Finally, it resulted in 50 to 100 independent transgenic plants per 100 inoculated explants within 10 weeks. These results are at least 40% more efficient than those of already published protocols. Moreover, up to 95% of the regenerated plants that form vigorous de novo roots under the antibiotic selection tested positive for the GUS assay. Screening by PCR for the presence of the T-DNA genes gave the predicted DNA fragment bands. This high efficiency procedure was mainly achieved by 1) an adequate optimization of the hormone composition and concentration of the successive culture media; 2) the fresh explant wounding before the Agrobacterium infection (important for optimal cell transformations); 3) the explant position, inside down for callus induction and coculture period, and upside down for the selection and organogenesis period (important for antibiotic selection).
Long-term in Vitro Regeneration of Hamelia patens
Authors: Sankhla D. , Davis T.D. , Sankhla N. , Upadhyaya A.
Published: March 2024

This report describes an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for H. patens (firebush), a heat-tolerant ornamental shrub native to tropical and subtropical America. Shoot cultures were initially established using shoot tips placed on MS-revised medium containing 2.3 μM 2,4-D, 2.3 μM kinetin, and 0.25% polyvinylpyrrolidone. Other types of explants (nodal and internodal segments, leaf pieces, floral buds) did not regenerate shoots when placed on this medium. Two-month-old plantlets derived from the shoot tips were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM thidiazuron (TDZ), and within 3 to 4 weeks, some callus was produced at the root–shoot junction. When this callus, with a small portion of the root and shoots, was placed on MS medium with 0.05 μM TDZ and 0.01 μM ABA, prolific shoot formation occurred within 3 to 4 weeks followed by root formation. By regular subculturing every 5 to 6 weeks, hundreds of plantlets have been obtained over the past 3 years with no apparent decline in regeneration potential. Addition of activated charcoal (0.5%) to the culture medium has greatly improved growth of the plantlets.
Molecular Characterization of a cDNA that Encodes Glutamate-1-semialdehyde-2,1-aminomutase in Tomato
Authors: Polking Gary F. , Hannapel David J. , Gladon Richard J.
Published: March 2024

Our recent research has focused on the control of genes and enzymes involved with the synthesis of chlorophyll, especially as it relates to tomato fruit development and ripening. Glutamate-1-semialdehyde-2,1-aminomutase (GSAAM) is one of the first committed enzymes in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway, and it is one of three enzymes that catalyze the conversion of glutamate into 5-aminolevulinic acid. We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone of GSAAM from a tomato fruit library. The tomato primary sequence shows extensive homology to GSAAM sequences found in other plant species. The primary structure also predicts a 46.7-kDa, 437-amino acid, mature protein and a transit peptide of 44 amino acids. Southern analysis indicated that GSAAM was present as a single copy. Northern blot analysis showed that GSAAM was expressed differentially in various tomato organs and that GSAAM transcripts decreased with increased fruit age. Immunoblot analysis also indicated that GSAAM protein decreased dramatically with increased fruit age. These results show that there is developmental regulation of the expression of GSAAM in tomato fruits.
Preparation and Analysis of Grape Leaf and Petiole Samples by NIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Blatt C.R. , Sinclair P.J. , Batten G.D. , Blakeney A.B. , Welsh L.A.
Published: March 2024

NIR-based tissue analysis has proven useful in Australia for making fertilizer recommendations for rice and wheat growers. Viticulturists have for some time made fertilizer recommendations based on tissue analysis, although there is some debate in the literature as to whether younger or older leaves or petioles provide the best indicator of vine nutrient status for diagnostic purposes. The aim of our research has been to develop NIR-based nutrient analysis for grape producers. Aspects of sample collection, including leaf lamina vs. leaf petiole; leaf opposite the basal cluster vs. youngest leaf; aspects of drying (microwave vs. convection oven), have been reexamined from the viewpoint of convenience, cost, accuracy, and turnaround time with respect to NIR analysis. We have refined procedures for collecting and microwave-drying samples. The samples of leaves and petioles were collected from vines in most wine-growing regions of Australia and included all the major wine grape and some dried fruit cultivars on their own and, in some cases, on rootstocks. At this stage, we have developed preliminary NIR calibrations for the major nutrient elements in both leaf lamina and petioles.
The Effect of Various Pollen Grains on Growth and Development of P. vera Nuts
Authors: Riazi Ghodratollah , Khanizadeh Shahrokh , Rahemi Majid
Published: March 2024

The xenial and metaxenial effects of five different male sources on cross pollination of three pistachio cultivars, were studied in 1990 and 1991 in Rafsanjan/Iran. The pollen grains used were P. atlantica Desf., P. mutica F.& M., P. vera L. (Momtaz), P. vera L. (Soltani), and an open pollination. The female cultivars chosen were `Owhadi', `Kalleh-ghuchi', and `Momtaz', which occupy the largest cultivation area. Experiment was done in two successive years in a completely randomized design. Results of this study agreed with previous studies regarding the retardance of pistachio nut development by wild pollen species rather than P. vera L. The greatest change in various characteristics of nuts, e.g., kernel weight and shell splitting, occurred when P. mutica F.& M. pollen grains used followed by P. atlantica Desf. pollen grains. Thus, some manifestations of xenia and metaxenia could be inferred. In general, larger kernels and increased shell dehiscence resulted from the use of P. vera L. pollen grains. Greater kernel weight of `Kalleh-ghuchi', higher shell splitting of `Momtaz', and higher blank of `Owhadi' produced by pollination with P. vera L. in some extent could also be cultivar characteristics.
Response of Association Vesicular–Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi with Citrus macrophylla W. Rootstock
Authors: Guzmán G.S. , Cuevas O.C.E. , Farias L.J. , Orozco S.M.
Published: March 2024

Citrus macrophylla is an important citrus rootstock for Mexican lemon (Citrus aurantifolia S.). Citrus are highly dependent of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Four Glomus species were screened for their symbiotic response with C. macrophylla. Seedlings were inoculated with VAM fungi in pots containing sterilized soil. After 3 and 4 months, plants were harvested. Glomus fasciculatum (following by G. intraradices) gave the greatest improvements in growth, resulting in larger plant height and higher shoot dry weight. Glomus aggregatum, G. mosseae, and control plants showed the lowest rates of growth. Plants inoculated with the first three species showed the highest percent of root length colonized. However G. aggregatum gave the highest values of visual density of endophyte in root and soil hyphae. Root colonization and soil hyphae were lowest in plants with G. mosseae.
Growth and Nutrient Status of Containerized Shrubs Grown in Composts Containing Waxed Corrugated Cardboard and Other Organic Wastes
Authors: Raymond D.A. , Chong C. , Voroney R.P.
Published: March 2024

Four containerized deciduous ornamental shrubs, [silverleaf dogwood (Cornus alba L. `Argenteo-marginata'), red-osier dogwood (Comus sericea L.), ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius L.), and deutzia (Deutzia gracilis L.)] were grown in 12 composts containing (by volume) spent mushroom substrate (50%), waxed corrugated cardboard (WCC; 0%, 25%, or 50%), and/or pulverized wood wastes (PWW; 50%, 25%, and 0%). Supplemental N as poultry manure and/or soybean wastes was added to some composts. Growth (shoot dry weight, average of two seasons) of all species was better or similar in most composts compared with two controls (100% pine bark and 80% pine bark: 15% peat: 5% sand). Deutzia grew best in 50% WCC composts and other species in 25% WCC composts. Porosity characteristics of the composts were acceptable for container growing (50% to 60% total; 25% to 30% aeration). Total soluble salts were initially high and potentially phytotoxic, particularly in the 50% WCC composts but were quickly leached and resulted in no injury to plants. There were no symptoms of nutrient deficiencies or toxicities in any of the species tested. Foliar nutrient (N, I P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Fe) concentrations in all species were within normal ranges, except for low Mn and Fe concentrations in red-osier dogwood during the second season.
Chill-responsive Proteins in Blueberry: Are They Associated with Dormancy or Cold Acclimation?
Authors: Arora Rajeev , Rowland Lisa J.
Published: March 2024

To survive winters, woody perennials of temperate zone must enter into endodormancy. Resuming spring growth requires sufficient exposure to low temperature or chill units (CUs) in winter, referred to as chilling requirement (CR), which also plays a role in the development of freezing tolerance (cold acclimation; CA). Physiological studies on the breaking of dormancy have focused on identifying markers, such as appearance or disappearance of proteins in response to varying degrees of CU accumulation. However, whether these changes are associated with breaking dormancy or CA is not clear. We conducted a study, using greenhouse blueberry (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus) plants, to address this question Three blueberry cultivars (`Bluecrop', `Tifblue', and `Gulfcoast'), having CRs of ≈1200, 600, and 400 CUs, respectively, first were exposed to 4° for long enough to provide CUs equivalent to one-half of their respective CRs. This treatment resulted in CA. Plants were then transferred to 15C for 2 weeks (a treatment which should not negate CU accumulation but did result in deacclimation). Before and after each treatment cold hardiness (using a controlled freezing bath) and dormancy status (observe budbreak after placing shoots in water at 20C for 2 to 3 weeks) of floral buds were determined. Proteins were extracted from buds collected, simultaneously and separated by SDS-PAGE. To determine the association of dehydrin-like proteins with dormancy or CA, electroblots were probed with anti-dehydrin antibody. The relationship of protein and western blots data to cold acclimation and dormancy are presented.
Physiological Effects of Uniconazole, Gibberellin, and Calcium on Salt Injuries of Hibiscus syriacus and H. hamabo Seedlings
Authors: Huh Moo R. , Kwack Beyoung H. , Perry Leonard P.
Published: March 2024

Salt injury was induced by 5% (w/v) NaCl drenching on Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. & Zucc. and H. syriacus L. seedlings. Total chlorophyll content of H. hamabo was higher than that of H. syriacus. Uniconazole (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg·liter–1) treatment increased and 25- or 50-mg·liter–1 GA3 treatment decreased chlorophyll content of H. hamabo. Total chlorophyll content of H. syriacus was not affected by uniconazole or GA3. Total carbohydrate content of H. syriacus was more accumulated than that of H. homabo. Total carbohydrate content of H. hamabo was more decreased than that of H. syriacus by Ca (13.35 or 133.5 mM), uniconazole, or GA3 in relation to total carbohydrate contents. Protein contents of H. hamabo were higher than those of H. syriacus. Uniconazole or GA3 increased those of H. hamabo and decreased those of H. syriacus. Peroxidase activity of H. hamabo was higher than that of H. syriacus. Uniconazole decreased that of H. hamabo and increased that of H. syriacus. GA3 or Ca (13.35 mM) treatment increased that of both species. ATPase activity of H. hamabo was higher than that of H. syriacus. Uniconazole (5 mg·liter–1), GA3, or Ca decreased that of H. hamabo increased that of H. syriacus.
Student Software Usage Patterns in a Computer-based Interactive Program for Woody Landscape Plant Instruction
Authors: Lindsey Christopher , Kling Gary , Zampardo Mark
Published: March 2024

UIPLANTS is a program developed under Microsoft Windows to help students in woody plant materials courses. Its many options include an encyclopedic format that displays 256-color high-resolution images of plant identification characteristics and ornamental features coupled with text, side by side image comparisons, “book markers” to return to selected screens, and a slide show that runs a display of images in a user-defined format. The system is being used to study how students learn information presented to them through computers and which program features are most effective in improving plant knowledge. Through computer logging of all student activity within the program and surveys given to the test groups, some basic usage patterns were derived. Students using the program with no incentive tended to use the program in a more comprehensive manner, switching back and forth between the slide show and encyclopedic entries with equal time spent in each. The comparison and “bookmark” features were used but less frequently. Half of the students, given an extra credit incentive based on time, followed this same usage pattern, but the other half simply used the slide show with minimal student–computer interaction.
A Print-on-demand System for Producing Instructional and Extension Materials
Authors: McConnell James , Barber L. Robert
Published: March 2024

A Print-on-Demand (POD) System was developed to expand the availability of printed extension and educational materials. The layouts are developed on a computer using text files and digital images. Images can be edited with graphics programs before insertion into the layouts. The completed materials are stored, in final format, on disk and are printed on an as-needed basis or distributed over computer networks. The system greatly reduces the production time to a finished product and gives great flexibility in revising publications. The basic POD system consists of a computer, a mass storage device, and a printer. Photo CDs and video capture are the most common sources of digital images. Photo CDs produce higher-quality images but require more time to get the digitized images due to commercial processing. For Photo CDs, the images are photographed with a 35-mm camera and sent for processing and digitizing. With live video capture, a video camera is connected directly to a computer and images are digitized in real time. Tape recorded images also can be used, but the image quality is less than live video. Video images are digitized at 72 pixels per inch (ppi), and Photo CD images are available at >3000 ppi. Video images are best digitized at twice their desired size and reduced to final size when increasing the resolution.