bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological and Molecular Characterization of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus Causing Chlorotic Leaf Spot on Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Zhong-Bin , Ku Hsin-Mei , Chen Yuh-Kun , Chang Chung-Jan , Jan Fuh-Jyh
Published: February 2019

Pear plants (Pyrus pyrifolia var. Hengshen) showing symptoms of chlorotic spots on leaves were observed in orchards in central Taiwan in 2004. The sap of diseased leaves reacted positively to Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) antiserum. A purified virus isolate (LTS1) from pear was characterized by host range, electron microscopy, phylogenetic analyses, serological property, and back-inoculation experiments to pear. Fifteen of 28 species of tested plants were susceptible to this virus after mechanical inoculation. Pathogenicity of ACLSV isolate LTS1 was verified by back-inoculating to pear seedlings. Filamentous virions of ≈12 × 750 nm were observed in the preparations of purified virus. Virus particles accumulated in the cytoplasm were observed in the ultrathin sections of LTS1-infected pear leaf tissue. Sequence analyses of the coat protein (CP) gene of LTS1 and the CP gene of LTS2, which originated from a distinct symptomatic pear sample, shared 81.4% to 92.6% nucleotide and 87.6% to 98.4% amino acid identities with those of the CP of 35 ACLSV isolates available in GenBank. ACLSV isolates were grouped into four clusters, i.e., Asia I, II, III, and Europe, and isolates LTS1 and LTS2 were classified as members of cluster Asia II and Asia I, respectively, based on phylogenetic data. Moreover, the variability of amino acid sequences of the CP gene of 37 ACLSV isolates showed geographically associated clustering in the phylogenetic tree. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the characterization of ACLSV causing the leaf chlorotic spot disease of pear in Taiwan. This study also provides the phylogenetic relationships among ACLSV populations based on amino acid sequences of CPs, which are correlated with their geographic origins.
Quantifying the Acidity of an Ammonium-based Fertilizer in Containerized Plant Production
Authors: Johnson Connie N. , Fisher Paul R. , Huang Jinsheng , Vetanovetz Richard P. , Argo William R.
Published: February 2019

In current horticultural practice, potential acidity or basicity of fertilizers is estimated using Pierre's method (PM) expressed in calcium carbonate equivalents (CCE) per unit weight of fertilizer. PM was developed using mineral field soil systems and may be inaccurate for quantifying fertilizer acidity in containerized plant production given the widespread use of soilless substrates and fertigation. The PM-predicted acidity of an ammonium-based fertilizer was compared against experimental data obtained when ‘Ringo’ geraniums [Pelargonium ×hortorum (Bailey. L.H.)] and ‘Super Elfin’ impatiens [Impatiens wallerana (Hook. F.)] were grown in 70% peat:30% perlite (v:v) limed with either hydrated limestone only (HL) or a combination of carbonate and hydrated limestone (CHL). Plants in 10-cm-diameter (0.35 L) containers were top-irrigated with a total of 2.0 L over 6 weeks using a 15.2N–1.9P–12.6K fertilizer [100% of nitrogen (N) as NH4-N] applied with each irrigation at 100 mg N/L without leaching. According to PM, 61.8 meq of fertilizer acidity was applied per liter of substrate. During the experiment, the pH of the substrate decreased from 7.05 to 4.41 for the HL substrate and from 7.14 to 5.13 for the CHL substrate. A corresponding drop in substrate-pH was observed when 37.1 (HL) or 43.3 (CHL) meq of CCE from 0.5 N HCl was applied per liter of substrate in a laboratory titration of the same substrates without plants. Gasometric analysis of residual carbonate at Day 0 and at the end of the experiment quantified change in CHL substrate alkalinity with time, resulting in an estimated 30.7 meq of neutralized alkalinity. Using an electroneutrality approach that assumed anion uptake (NO3–, P2O5–) was basic, and cations (NH4+, K+) were potentially acidic, nutrient analysis of the substrate at the beginning and end of the experiment estimated that an average 48.5 meq of acidity was contributed by the fertilizer. Experimentally measured acidity values were 13.1 to 31.1 meq·L−1 of substrate lower for HL and CHL than those expected from PM, suggesting PM overestimated the amount of fertilizer acidity applied to the substrate. These results support the need for an alternative method to predict fertilizer acidity for plant production in soilless substrates.
S6-RNase Is a Marker for Self-compatibility in Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)
Authors: Niska Reut , Goldway Martin , Schneider Doron
Published: February 2019

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), a member of the Rosaceae, carries the RNase-dependent gametophytic self-incompatibility fertilization system. Analysis of S-RNase-allele content in the commercial loquat cultivars Avri, Yehuda, and Akko 1 revealed that each of them contains one different S-RNase allele—S2, S3, and S4, respectively, and one that they all share, S6. Although all four S-alleles were isolated in this work, only S6 was found to be novel. Amino acid similarity between the partial sequence of S6-RNase and other known loquat RNases (S1 to S4) ranged between 62% and 65% with highest similarity (83%) to the S110-allele of European pear (Pyrus communis). Determination of S-RNase-allele content in progeny of ‘Avri’, ‘Yehuda’, and ‘Akko 1’, obtained in an open-pollinated, mixed-cultivar orchard, revealed that all of the progeny derived from self-fertilization contained the S6 haplotype, indicating that a mutation in the S6 locus is responsible for the self-fertilization. However, sequencing of most of the S6-RNase gene (from C1 to C5) did not reveal any mutation and the alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence showed that it has the expected S-RNase primary and tertiary structural organization. Nonetheless, because it is apparent that the S6-RNase allele is linked to the self-compatibility trait, it could serve as a marker for early selection of self-compatible loquat cultivars.
Production of New Allotetraploid and Autotetraploid Citrus Breeding Parents: Focus on Zipperskin Mandarins
Authors: Grosser Jude W. , An Hyun Joo , Calovic Milica , Lee Dong H. , Chen Chunxian , Vasconcellos Monica , Gmitter Frederick G.
Published: February 2019

Somatic hybridization through protoplast fusion has proven to be a valuable technique in citrus for producing unique allotetraploid breeding parents that combine elite diploid selections. Many citrus somatic hybrids are now flowering and being used in interploid crosses to generate triploid hybrids that produce seedless fruit, a primary objective of citrus breeding programs. Most of the early somatic hybrids produced for mandarin improvement combined sweet oranges with mandarins, because the performance of sweet oranges in tissue/protoplast culture generally exceeds that of most mandarin selections. However, a high percentage of triploid progeny from interploid crosses using sweet orange + mandarin somatic hybrids as the tetraploid parent produce fruit that are difficult to peel. We report nine new allotetraploid somatic hybrids and five new autotetraploids from somatic fusion experiments involving easy-peel mandarin parents. These tetraploids can be used in interploid crosses to increase the percentage of seedless triploid progeny producing easy-to-peel fruit. Ploidy level of the new tetraploids was determined by flow cytometry and their genetic origin by expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat marker analysis.
A Study of Environmental Factors that Affect Survival of Pumpkin Isolates of Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Rampersad Sephra N.
Published: February 2019

V. dahliae is a destructive soilborne pathogen to many economically important crops worldwide. Knowledge of environmental influences, including temperature, source, and availability of nutrients and pH, on disease development is central to devising control strategies. The effects of root decoction media, pH, and temperature on radial growth and microsclerotia production in 32 Verticillium dahliae (Kleb.) isolates from Trinidad were investigated. There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in colony diameters and growth rates for isolates grown on different media. The highest growth occurred on 5% nutsedge root extract agar (NREA) and the least amount of growth was obtained on 1% pumpkin root extract agar (PREA). Production of microsclerotia was significantly higher on 5% PREA, 5% NREA, and potato dextrose agar (PDA). Growth tests on PDA formulated to different pH levels revealed that the most growth occurred at pH 5.2, but this was not significantly different from colony diameters obtained at pH 4.2, 6.2, and 7.2. pH, however, had a pronounced effect on production of microsclerotia. The optimum temperature for radial growth and formation of microsclerotia in V. dahliae in vitro was found to be 25 ± 1 °C. The effects of isolates and temperature on incidence and symptom severity in susceptible pumpkin plants were also tested under controlled conditions. There was no significant difference in symptom severity when inoculated plants were grown at 25 ± 1 °C and at 30 ± 1 °C. The pathogen was recovered from infected plants grown at 35 ± 1 °C, although growth is completely inhibited at this temperature in vitro. There was no significant difference among isolates in their pathogenic response at the four different temperatures tested.
Fertigation Frequency Affects Growth and Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiencies of Swingle Citrumelo Citrus Rootstock Seedlings
Authors: Melgar Juan Carlos , Schumann Arnold W. , Syvertsen James P.
Published: February 2019

We determined if frequency of application of irrigation water plus fertilizer in solution (fertigation) could modify root and shoot growth along with growth per unit nitrogen (N) and water uptake of seedlings of the citrus rootstock Swingle citrumelo growing in a greenhouse. In the first experiment, all plants received the same amount of water with sufficient fertilizer N but in three irrigation frequencies applied in 10 1.5-mL pulses per day, one 15-mL application per day, or 45 mL applied every 3 days. Plants irrigated at the highest frequency grew the least total dry weight and had the highest specific root length. Plants with lowest irrigation frequency grew the most and used the least water so had the highest water use efficiency. There were no irrigation frequency effects on relative growth allocation between shoot and roots, net gas exchange of leaves, or on leaf N. A second experiment used identical biweekly irrigation volumes and fertilizer rates, but water and fertilizer were applied using four frequency combinations: 1) daily fertigation; 2) daily irrigation with fertilizer solution applied every 15 days; 3) fertigation every 3 days; or 4) irrigation every 3 days and fertilizer solution applied every 14 days. Total plant growth was unaffected by treatments, but the highest frequency using the lowest fertilizer concentration grew the greatest root dry weight in the uppermost soil depths. Roots grew less and leaf N was highest when N was applied every 15 days, implying that root N uptake efficiency was increased when fertigated with the highest fertilizer concentration. All plants had similar water use efficiencies. A third experiment was conducted with irrigation every 3 days and with four different N application frequencies: every 3, 6, 12, or 24 days using four fertilizer concentrations but resulting in similar total N amounts every 24 days. There were no differences in growth, gas exchange, or water use efficiency. Given the fact that all treatments received adequate and equal amounts of water and fertilizer, fertigation frequency had only small effects on plant growth, although very high frequency fertigation decreased N uptake efficiency.
Extensive Green Roof Species Evaluations Using Digital Image Analysis
Authors: Bousselot Jennifer M. , Klett James E. , Koski Ronda D.
Published: February 2019

This research examined plant area covered (plant cover) for six plant species on an existing modular extensive green roof in a semiarid climate. Species evaluated were Antennaria parvifolia Nutt., Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag., Delosperma cooperi (Hook. f.) L. Bol., Eriogonum umbellatum Torr. aureum ‘Psdowns’, Opuntia fragilis Nutt., and Sedum lanceolatum Torr. Many methods for measuring plant cover are subjective and based on semiquantitative measurements. This study compared digital image analysis data (DIA) with manually collected converted two-dimensional data (C2D) for plants grown on an extensive green roof. For each plant in the study, digital images and manual two-dimensional measurements were taken on four dates (at 6-week intervals) in 2008 and on four dates (at 6-week intervals) in 2009. Additionally, comparisons between DIA data and final biomass, and C2D and final biomass, were performed. Plant cover increased for all six species during the 2008 growing season. However, E. umbellatum aureum ‘Psdowns’ had a low overwintering rate (12.5%) and was removed from analysis in 2009. In the spring of 2009, four of the five remaining species exhibited decreased plant cover as a result of winter dieback; the one exception was O. fragilis. In terms of plant cover, both quantification methods (C2D and DIA) revealed that B. gracilis and D. cooperi had more plant cover than A. parvifolia, O. fragilis, and S. lanceolatum by the end of the study. Thus, five of the six species evaluated in this study are appropriate for use in extensive green roof applications in semiarid regions. High levels of correlation were found between the DIA and C2D data sets (r = 0.77) averaged over the five species on all eight data collection dates. The groundcover species (A. parvifolia, D. cooperi, and S. lanceolatum) had a higher correlation on average (r = 0.83) than the upright (B. gracilis, r = 0.70) and decumbent (O. fragilis, r = 0.65) species. Additionally, DIA and final biomass correlations showed parallel trends with groundcovers averaging r = 0.83, upright r = 0.64, and decumbent r = 0.41. Therefore, using DIA to evaluate plant cover and biomass accumulation is especially appropriate for groundcover species.
Standardizing Postharvest Quality and Biochemical Phenotyping for Precise Population Comparison
Authors: Rudell David
Published: February 2019

Selection of plant material with desired traits from different populations can be difficult, if not impossible, when evaluation methods are not standardized. Discerning comparable fruit postharvest traits among populations is particularly problematic because techniques and reporting protocols are often unique or non-existent for those crucial to quality and storability. Moreover, difficulties evaluating postharvest traits may be exacerbated by the dynamic nature of fruit ripening, introducing error even into intrapopulation comparisons. With the advent of biochemical phenotyping of fruit quality, opportunities to standardize evaluation of these and other important fruit postharvest traits are materializing. Standardized trait evaluation among breeding programs and, most importantly, germplasm collections is expected to allow more precise comparison between populations, expediting integration of economically important fruit quality traits into new populations as well as facilitating marker discovery.
Advantages for the Use of Standardized Phenotyping in Databases
Authors: Volk Gayle M.
Published: February 2019

Genomic sequence data are becoming prevalent in databases; however, associated phenotypic data are much more expensive and difficult to obtain. Standardized ontologies for trait classification provide a mechanism by which searches can be efficiently performed. Through standardization efforts, results can be compared across years, researchers, and locations. Examples of databases that have developed standardized ontologies within medical, animal, and plant research programs demonstrate that standardization is both possible and desirable. With standardization, genotypic and phenotypic data can be analyzed to materials for improved yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
Timing and Duration of Supplemental Lighting during the Seedling Stage Influence Quality and Flowering in Petunia and Pansy
Authors: Oh Wook , Runkle Erik S. , Warner Ryan M.
Published: February 2019

Increasing the photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) during the seedling stage promotes seedling growth and flowering in many bedding plants. Our objective was to determine the impact of increased DLI for different periods during the seedling stage on young plant quality and subsequent growth and development. Seeds of petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Vilm.-Andr. ‘Madness Red’) and pansy (Viola ×wittrockiana Gams. ‘Delta Premium Yellow’) were sown into 288-cell plug trays and placed under a 16-h photoperiod provided by sunlight plus 90 μmol·m−2·s−1 [supplemental lighting (SL)] or 3 μmol·m−2·s−1 [photoperiodic lighting (PL)] from high-pressure sodium lamps when the ambient greenhouse photosynthetic photon flux was less than 400 μmol·m−2·s−1 from 0600 to 2200 hr. Plants were grown at 20 °C under PL or SL for the entire seedling stage or were exposed to SL for one-third or two-thirds of the seedling stage. Seedlings were then transplanted into 10-cm pots and grown until flowering with SL at 20 °C. Shoot dry mass of transplants increased linearly with increasing DLI provided to seedlings in petunia (y = −4.75 + 1.86x, R2 = 0.76) and pansy (y = −3.94 + 3.47x, R2 = 0.78) in which y = dry mass (g) and x = DLI (mol·m−2·d−1). SL during the last two-thirds or the entire plug stage increased shoot dry mass and the number of leaves in both species compared with SL during the earlier stage or PL. SL during the last two-thirds or the entire plug stage accelerated flowering, but plants had a lower shoot dry mass and flower bud number at first flowering compared with that in SL during the first third or two-thirds or that in PL. Therefore, SL generally had greater effects on transplant quality and subsequent flowering when provided later in the plug stage than if provided earlier in production.
Colchicine-induced Somatic Polyploids from In Vitro-germinated Seeds of South African Watsonia Species
Authors: Thompson Dave I. , Anderson Neil O. , Van Staden Johannes
Published: February 2019

Polyploidy represents a useful tool for increasing marketability of floriculture crops. The efficacy of 250 μM colchicine [0.01% (w/v)] as a means of inducing polyploidy in six South African Watsonia species (W. borbonica subsp. ardernei, W. humilis, W. laccata, W. lepida, W. pulchra, and W. vanderspuyiae), as determined through high-resolution flow cytometry, is reported. Exposure to colchicine during imbibition and as 24-, 48-, or 72-h pulse treatments for in vitro-germinated seeds resulted in seedlings with increased ploidy, reaching a maximum of 60% induction after the 72-h pulse treatment. The greatest proportions of induced individuals from both the pre- and post-germination exposure treatments were of mixed ploidy. These mixoploids were induced in five species. Non-chimeric tetra- and octaploids were produced in low frequencies only for W. vanderspuyiae during radicle-pulse exposure of 24 and 48 h. Increasing colchicine exposure at radicle emergence manifested as aberrant phenotypic expression and was typified by a reduction in leaf length and rooting capacity in vitro coupled with overall slowed growth. In vitro regeneration and multiplication is easily achievable for the genus and should allow for the capture and refinement of desirable polyploid tissues.
Stolon Growth Characteristics and Establishment Rates of Zoysiagrass Progeny
Authors: Okeyo David O. , Fry Jack D. , Bremer Dale J. , Chandra Ambika , Genovesi Dennis , Engelke Milton C.
Published: February 2019

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) is recognized for its low requirements for pesticide and fertilizer input, but Meyer (Z. japonica Steud.), the cultivar commonly used in the transition zone of the United States, is slow to establish. We evaluated new zoysiagrass progeny for stolon growth characteristics and rate of establishment and determined the relationship between stolon growth characteristics and coverage. ‘Meyer’, DALZ 0102 (a Z. japonica), and 18 progeny from crosses of ‘Emerald’ (Z. japonica × Z. tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiele) or a Z. matrella (L.) Merr. × Z. japonica were planted as 6-cm diameter plugs on 30.5 × 30.5-cm centers in 1.5 × 1.5-m plots in 2007 and as single 10-cm diameter plugs in 1.2 × 1.2-m plots in 2008 in Manhattan, KS. Data were collected weekly on number of stolons initiated per plug, stolon elongation, and number of stolon branches. Two researchers rated coverage visually near the end of each growing season. Rate of stolon initiation ranged from 2.2/week to 8.6/week. Elongation rate ranged from 18.8 to 65.1 mm/week. At 11 weeks after planting in 2007, four of 18 progeny had superior coverage to ‘Meyer’; at 11 weeks after planting in 2008, 13 of 18 progeny had superior coverage to ‘Meyer’. Rate of stolon initiation was positively correlated (P < 0.01) with zoysiagrass coverage (r = 0.66, in 2007; r = 0.94 in 2008); likewise, stolon elongation was positively correlated with coverage in 2007 (r = 0.52, P < 0.01) and 2008 (r = 0.53, P < 0.05). Stolon initiation or elongation could be used in short-term evaluations to predict rate of zoysiagrass coverage from plugs. Greater stolon initiation or elongation of experimental some zoysiagrass progeny makes them promising for alternatives to ‘Meyer’ for overcoming slow establishment rates.
Association between Herbivore Resistance and Fruit Quality in Apple
Authors: Stoeckli Sibylle , Mody Karsten , Dorn Silvia , Kellerhals Markus
Published: February 2019

Enhanced fruit quality, plant health, and productivity are major objectives in apple breeding. The undesirable fruit quality traits frequently associated with pest- and disease-resistant cultivars may be related to resource allocation tradeoffs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between insect resistance and fruit quality in apple. The studied ‘Fiesta’ × ‘Discovery’ apple progeny was characterized by reasonable fruit firmness and optimal sugar content and acidity but small fruit size. There was a positive correlation between codling moth (Cydia pomonella) fruit infestation and fruit firmness. Additionally, a positive correlation was detected between shoot infestation by green apple aphid (Aphis pomi), fruit number as well as sugar content. Infestation by the apple leaf miner moth (Lyonetia clerkella), the rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea), the leaf-curling aphid (Dysaphis cf. devecta), and the apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali) was not significantly related to fruit quality traits. The positive relationship of increased infestation by some pest insects and quality-determining fruit characteristics such as firmness or sugar content points to a possibly increased necessity for plant protection measures in apple cultivars producing high-quality fruits. One possible explanation of higher pest infestation in cultivars producing fruits with high quality is a tradeoff between resource allocation to defensive secondary metabolites or to fruit quality. By identifying a relationship between pest infestation and fruit quality, the present study highlights the need to consider pest resistance when breeding for high-quality apple cultivars. The use of genetic markers for fruit quality and pest resistance in marker-assisted breeding may facilitate the combined consideration of fruit quality and pest resistance in apple breeding programs.
Root Distribution and Tiller Densities of Creeping Bentgrass Cultivars and Greens-type Annual Bluegrass Cultivars in a Putting Green
Authors: Lyons Eric M. , Landschoot Peter J. , Huff David R.
Published: February 2019

Little knowledge exists regarding root distribution of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in root zones of golf course putting greens. To compare root distribution between these species, three experimental cultivars of greens-type annual bluegrass and two commercial cultivars of creeping bentgrass (‘Penncross’ and ‘Penn A-4’) were established on an experimental golf green and managed under two nitrogen (N) fertility levels (195 and 65 kg N/ha/year) over a 2-year period. Creeping bentgrass had two and three times the total root mass compared with annual bluegrass during the first and second years of the experiment, respectively. At soil depths of 3–12 cm and below 12 cm, creeping bentgrass had three to four times the root mass compared with annual bluegrass at various times during the experiment. During the first year of the experiment, both species exhibited greater than 50% decrease in total root mass from June to August. During the second year, creeping bentgrass total root mass decreased 10% to 15% and annual bluegrass total root mass decreased 25% to 30% over the same period. Of the two bentgrasses, ‘Penn A-4’ creeping bentgrass exhibited greater total root mass only in the second year; however, ‘Penn A-4’ exhibited greater root mass than ‘Penncross’ below 12 cm in both years. Creeping bentgrass cultivars showed greater root mass below 12 cm at 65 kg N/ha/year compared with 195 kg N/ha/year on some sampling dates in both years. Annual bluegrass cultivars showed no change in any root mass parameters in response to N rates (data not shown), but specific root length (SRL) of annual bluegrass increased under the 65 kg N/ha/year rate compared with the 195 kg N/ha/year rate, whereas SRL of creeping bentgrass was similar at both N rates. Tiller densities of both species increased under the 195 kg N/ha/year rate. ‘Penn A-4’ exhibited higher tiller densities than ‘Penncross’ throughout the experiment and at times was equivalent to the tiller densities of the annual bluegrass cultivars. These results suggest that although creeping bentgrass increases root mass deeper in a putting green root zone mix at lower N rates (65 kg N/ha/year), annual bluegrass exhibits plasticity in specific root length in response to different N rates.
Horticultural Value of Wild Genetic Resources—Introduction to the Workshop
Authors: Volk Gayle M. , Richards Christopher M.
Published: February 2019

Wild plant genetic resources are increasingly becoming valuable for breeding, genomics, and ornamental horticulture programs. Wild relatives of horticultural species may offer desirable traits that are not available in cultivated varieties, but “wilds” often also have traits that are highly undesirable. Advances in comparative genomics and marker-assisted breeding facilitate the inclusion of the valued traits from wild materials in plant breeding programs. As technologies advance, wild plant genetic resources will become even more valuable for future research developments. This serves as an introduction to a series of proceedings articles from the American Society of Horticultural Science meetings in 2010 workshop entitled “Horticultural Value of Wild Genetic Resources.”
Collecting in Central Asia and the Caucasus: U.S. National Plant Germplasm System Plant Explorations
Authors: Hellier Barbara C.
Published: February 2019

The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System is charged with the preservation of economically important crop plants and their wild relatives. Curators in the System strive to develop collections capturing the genetic diversity of each species. One mechanism for filling gaps in collections is through plant exploration. The USDA-ARS National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Plant Exchange Office administers funding and coordinates plant explorations for the System. In the past decade, there have been 38 collecting missions in Central Asia and the Caucasus. This area is rich in plant biodiversity and is a center of diversity for many crop species and their wild relatives. The author has had the opportunity to participate in four explorations in the area focusing on wild crop relatives. This included a trip to Kazakhstan targeting Russian dandelion, Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin, a source of natural rubber. In this mission, a total of 22 accessions of T. kok-saghyz and six accessions of other Taraxacum species were collected.
Use of Native Potatoes for Research and Breeding
Authors: Bamberg John , Rio Alfonso del
Published: February 2019

Potato is an important world crop with an abundant diversity of wild relatives for research and breeding. Over 100 tuber-bearing Solanum relatives of the cultivated potato occur naturally from southern Chile to the southwest United States. Only five of these have been reported in the United States, and only two exist with certainty (S. stoloniferum/fendleri and S. jamesii). The authors and colleagues have conducted expeditions in the southwest United States each season since 1992, collecting over 200 new germplasm samples. This work has greatly improved the representation of these species in the genebank with respect to geography and genetic diversity available to germplasm users worldwide. Corrected or refined collection site information now makes it possible to easily find these typically small populations for continued in situ study and sampling. Collecting experiences, often in contrast with conventional wisdom, have been documented for the benefit of future collectors. A broader sampling of the region has allowed studies of the association of eco-geo parameters with patterns of genetic diversity in an attempt to predict “hot spots” of diversity for future expeditions. Evaluation of these materials has resulted in the discovery of new useful traits—novel mutants, disease and pest resistances, and human nutritional compounds.
Differences in Winter Browning among Japanese-cedar Cultivars Are Not Due to Variation in Ploidy Levels
Authors: Contreras Ryan N. , Determann Ron , Friddle Mara
Published: February 2019

There is a great deal of variation among japanese-cedar cultivars with regard to growth form, foliar characteristics, and winter browning. Differences in winter browning have been observed and documented by a number of authors. Previous research has established that there are differences in winter foliage color between cultivars included in the current study; however, no quantitative analysis under standardized conditions was conducted. Because of a previous report that tetraploid forms of japanese-cedar remain green during winter as a result of increased antioxidant enzyme activity, we hypothesized that cultivars that exhibit reduced winter browning were polyploids. We screened 56 accessions of japanese-cedar using flow cytometry analysis of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained nuclei and performed chromosome counts on three cultivars. All accessions were diploid (2n = 2x = 22), although there were significant differences in genome sizes among the cultivars. Holoploid genome sizes ranged from 18.9 pg for var. sinensis JCRA to 22.3 pg for ‘Viridis’ with a mean of 20.1 pg. Chromosome counts for cultivars Ogon, Oye Keme, and Viridis supported the flow cytometry results. Although the underlying cause of the variability in morphology and winter browning among cultivars is unclear, our results show that differences in ploidy level are not responsible, because all tested genotypes were diploid. Chemical name: 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI).
Late-season Strawberry Production Using Day-neutral Cultivars in High-elevation High Tunnels
Authors: Rowley Daniel , Black Brent L. , Drost Dan , Feuz Dillon
Published: February 2019

Small-scale fruit and vegetable growers increasingly use high tunnels to expand production windows and exploit demand for local produce. Day-neutral cultivars, high tunnels, low tunnels, and targeted heating were investigated in North Logan, UT (lat. 41.766° N, 1405 m elevation, 119 freeze-free days) to extend the availability of local strawberries. Day-neutral cultivars Albion, Evie 2, Seascape, and Tribute were spring-planted in an annual hill system both inside and outside of high tunnels. Within the high tunnels, low tunnels and targeted root zone heating were tested in replicated plots. During the summer months, plastic was removed from the high tunnels and replaced with shadecloth. Treatments were evaluated for yields, fruit size, and production season. Fruit production in the tunnels began in late May and continued sporadically until December. Combinations of high and low tunnels provided more hours of optimal growing conditions than high tunnels alone, but managing the combination to maintain optimum temperatures proved difficult with temperatures often exceeding the optimum for strawberry. Targeted root zone heating efficiently increased root and canopy temperatures, preventing flower bud damage during extreme cold events, but did not significantly improve total season yields. Of the cultivars tested, ‘Evie 2’ and ‘Seascape’ had the most consistent yields and acceptable fruit size. Economic analysis indicated that growing spring-planted day-neutral strawberries in high tunnels was marginally profitable, whereas field production at this location would be a money-losing enterprise.
Common Smut Reduces Sweet Corn Yield and Ear Processing Quality
Authors: Clough George H. , Blatchford Sarah , Hamm Philip B.
Published: February 2019

The impact of natural infection of Ustilago maydis (causal agent of common smut) on processing characteristics of three F1 hybrid sweet corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars was evaluated in a 2-year study with early and late spring planting dates. At harvest maturity, size and location of galls were recorded and quality characteristics measured. Galls on the lower stalk, upper stalk, and tassel reduced fresh weight and diameter of husked ears, whereas galls on the base of the stalk reduced fresh weight only. Ear length was reduced by galls on the upper stalk. As gall size increased from 0 to greater than 10.2 cm in diameter, ear fresh weight and diameter decreased. The presence of galls greater than 10.2 cm in diameter reduced ear length. Kernel depth was unaffected by size or location of gall. Additional ears of the same three cultivars were sampled from commercial fields planted in midseason near Walla Walla and Patterson, WA. Galls located on the upper and lower stalk reduced fresh weight, length, and diameter, whereas galls on the base of the stalk reduced fresh weight only. As gall size increased, fresh weight, length, diameter, and kernel depth decreased.
Investigating Factors Affecting the U.S. National Nursery Trade: The Implications of a Gravity Model
Authors: Guo Xiaofang , Yue Chengyan , Hall Charles R.
Published: February 2019

Literature on the domestic trade of nursery crops is sparse. Based on national survey data collected in years 1999, 2004, and 2009, we used augmented gravity models to investigate the primary factors affecting the value of trade for both large and small nurseries. We found that the impact of distance on trade value was different between large nurseries and small nurseries; the impact of distance on national nursery trade has been decreasing over time; and the level of impact of distance on nursery trade differs across regions. Additionally, the value of nursery trade was affected by plant types the nurseries produced and other business characteristics.
Effects of Irrigation Frequency and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate on Water Stress, Nitrogen Uptake, and Plant Growth of Container-grown Rhododendron
Authors: Scagel Carolyn F. , Bi Guihong , Fuchigami Leslie H. , Regan Richard P.
Published: February 2019

The influence of irrigation frequency (same amount of water per day given at different times) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate on water stress [stomatal conductance (gS)], N uptake, and growth (biomass) of container-grown evergreen Rhododendron ‘P.J.M. Compact’ and ‘English Roseum’ and deciduous Rhododendron ‘Gibraltar’ was evaluated. Both N deficiency and high N rate increased water stress. Water stress was greatest in plants fertilized with the highest N rate and gS of plants grown with the higher N rates changed more in response to water deficits resulting from irrigation treatments and seasonal climatic changes. Watering plants more frequently decreased water stress of plants fertilized with higher N rates and altering irrigation frequency had little impact on alleviating water stress of N-deficient plants. Increasing irrigation frequency decreased N uptake efficiency (N uptake per gram N applied), increased N use efficiency (growth per gram N uptake) and altered biomass allocation with little influence on total plant biomass. Response of biomass allocation to N rates was similar among cultivars and response of biomass allocation to irrigation frequency varied among cultivars. Altering irrigation frequency changed either the availability of N in the growing substrate or the ability of roots to absorb N. Our results indicate that transitory increases in plant water stress can alter N uptake, N use, and plant form without detectable changes in total plant biomass.
Seedling Geranium Response to Nitrogen Deprivation and Subsequent Recovery in Hydroponic Culture
Authors: Locke James C. , Altland James E. , Bobak Deanna M.
Published: February 2019

Nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations to achieve optimum growth are well established for many floriculture crops. Although it has been shown that plant functions can recover from N deficiency in other crops, little research has investigated the threshold beyond which a bedding plant crop is recoverable. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of N deficiency on geranium chlorophyll content and growth and then to document the degree of recovery and recovery time from N deprivation. This was determined in two experiments by monitoring chlorophyll content and growth of seedlings grown in hydroponic culture in which the N source was removed and then restored after differing lengths of time. Summarizing across both experiments, chlorophyll and foliar N levels were shown to rebound quickly after N deprivation; however, growth was reduced after just 4 days compared with plants fed constantly. Geraniums grown without N for 4 to 12 days resulted in smaller, more compact plants with lower shoot–to-root ratios. Although foliar chlorophyll and N concentration recovered from longer periods in N growth solution, geranium growth was reduced and failed to completely recover for any plant receiving more than 2 days of N-free solution.
Acetic Acid Fumigation of Fruit Storage Bins to Control Diapausing Codling Moth Larvae
Authors: Randall Paul , Sholberg Peter , Judd Gary , Cossentine Joan
Published: February 2019

Fumigation with glacial acetic acid (AA) vapor successfully kills post-harvest pathogens on tree fruits and berries and reduces their spoilage in storage. In this study, we investigated whether a similar approach could be implemented to eradicate diapausing larvae of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), from fruit harvest bins they commonly infest. In 24-h tests conducted in 0.023-m3 fumigation chambers using two concentrations of vaporized AA [117,360 and 174,823 cumulative parts per million-hours (ppm-h)], mortality of diapausing larvae was 81% and 100%, respectively. A similar 24-h exposure to a 61,940 cumulative ppm-h treatment of AA caused no mortality. A 24-h fumigation of diapausing codling moth larvae placed in scaled-down plastic fruit bins treated with 55 mL of AA evaporated into a 1-m3 chamber caused 100% mortality. The same fumigation treatment of artificially infested, scaled-down wooden fruit bins caused no significant mortality of test larvae. Atmospheric concentrations of AA vapor in 1-m3 fumigation chambers containing wooden bins could not be maintained at levels necessary to cause insect death, even after multiple injections of AA. We hypothesize that either the wood or the moisture contained therein absorbs or in some other way interacts with the AA vapor. The use of AA as a fumigant targeting codling moth larvae in wooden bins is not practical or economical at this time. Fumigation of plastic fruit bins with AA would provide an economical and environmentally friendly method of killing diapausing codling moth larvae. The successful disinfestations of plastic fruit bins of codling moth would prevent these bins from being an external source of infestation, thereby decreasing overall codling moth infestation in orchards, which in turn benefits current density-dependent management practices used for the area-wide control of codling moth. chemical name: Glacial Acetic Acid (AA).
A Large-volume Rhizotron for Evaluating Root Growth Under Natural-like Soil Moisture Conditions
Authors: Silva Dilma Daniela , Beeson Richard C.
Published: February 2019

An experimental system that allows imposition of precise irrigation treatments with easy and quick observations of unrestricted root growth of woody plants was developed. The system mimics natural deep soil percolation and facilitates rapid assessment of large root populations. It was designed to be relatively inexpensive to build so that treatments could be efficiently replicated. Designs for this star-shaped rhizotron were developed and evaluated with the goals of: 1) optimizing volume and shape for minimal physical restriction and use with mature woody plants; 2) developing a drainage system comparable to natural deep soils; and 3) facilitating ease, accuracy, and duration of data acquisition. The final design allows efficient root observation, uses a wick-type drainage system to provide a near-uniform profile of soil moisture, and is easily manageable for precise long-term data acquisition. This rhizotron has eight independent viewing/sampling windows and holds 0.16 m3 of soil. An associated lightweight and compact camera positioning frame was developed that facilitates acquisition of digital photographs of soil profiles for time-series assessment of morphological and architectural parameters.
A Plant-based Approach to Deficit Irrigation in Trees and Vines
Authors: Shackel Ken
Published: February 2019

Field experiments have been performed on grapevine as well as a number of woody tree species (almond, prune, pear, cherry) to determine the relation of plant water potential to a number of indices of plant physiological activity (leaf conductance, vegetative growth, and fruit growth and composition). Horticultural benefits of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) have been documented in several crops (grapevine, almond, prune, cherries), but management of irrigation to achieve these benefits is difficult without a reliable plant-based measure of stress. Midday stem water potential (SWP) has proven to be a robust, reliable, and practical measure of stress and closely related to physiological responses at the leaf and whole plant level [stomatal conductance (gS), vegetative growth, and fruit growth and composition such as soluble solids and fruit color].
Identification of Resistance to Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli among Melon (Cucumis spp.) Plant Introductions
Authors: Wechter W. Patrick , Levi Amnon , Ling Kai-Shu , Kousik Chandrasekar , Block Charles C.
Published: February 2019

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) caused by the bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Aac) is a seed-borne disease that threatens most cucurbit crops. Although limited resistance has been found in a small number of Plant introductions (PIs) in watermelon (Citrullus spp.), there are no reports of high levels of resistance in germplasm lines of Cucumis spp. In this study, 332 Cucumis spp. PIs were screened for resistance to Aac using a newly developed seed vacuum–infusion assay. Significant differences in the reaction of the PI to BFB were observed. The majority of lines were found to be extremely susceptible to the disease. However, several PIs with lower levels of resistance were also identified. Variability in the reaction of plants within each PI was also observed. Of the 332 PI tested, 16 were selected for additional evaluation using a standard spray inoculation tests. PI 353814, PI 381171, PI 536573, and PI 614401, all belonging to C. melo, and PI 504558 (C. ficifolius) were found to have significantly greater levels of resistance than susceptible control cultivars or other PIs in two independent spray inoculation tests. Germplasm lines developed from these PIs may be useful as sources of resistance to BFB in Cucumis breeding programs.
Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) as a Niche Crop in the Central Region of the United States
Authors: Warmund Michele R.
Published: February 2019

Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) is an exotic species that has potential as a niche crop. As a nut crop, it is relatively precocious in its bearing habit and has resistance to chestnut blight, tolerance to low winter temperatures, and relatively few pests. Current prices for fresh chestnuts are as much as $14/kg. Most U.S. chestnut growers (64%) have small orchards (less than 4 ha) and have been producing this crop for less than 10 years. Commercial chestnut production is low (≈680,000 kg) in the United States, but it is a relatively new industry in the central region. Limitations to growing this crop include a shortage of grafted trees, high tree costs, low yield efficiency, and high labor costs resulting from limited large-scale harvest equipment in the United States. However, results of ongoing research using cultivars on dwarfing rootstocks, thinning of secondary (2°) flowers, and improved tree nutrition will likely enhance profitability of production. In a 2003 Missouri survey, 67% of those interviewed had never consumed Chinese chestnuts but associated chestnut roasting with holidays. Chinese chestnuts provide health benefits. including a source of dietary fiber, a significant amount of vitamin C, no cholesterol, and are gluten-free.
Timing of Macronutrient Supply during Cutting Propagation of Petunia
Authors: Santos Kathryn M. , Fisher Paul R. , Yeager Thomas , Simonne Eric H. , Carter Hannah S. , Argo William R.
Published: February 2019

The objective was to quantify the effect of the timing of macronutrient applications on nutrient uptake, growth, and development of Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr. ‘Supertunia Royal Velvet’ during vegetative propagation. Starting with unrooted cuttings (Day 0), fertigation was applied continuously at three time intervals (Day 0 to 7, Day 8 to 14, or Day 15 to 21) using either a “complete” (C) water-soluble fertilizer containing (in mg·L−1) 75 NO3-N, 25 NH4-N, 12 phosphorus (P), 83 potassium (K), 20 calcium (Ca), 10 magnesium (Mg), 1.4 sulfur (S), 2 iron (Fe), 1 manganese (Mn), 1 zinc (Zn), 0.5 copper (Cu), 0.5 boron (B), and 0.2 molybdenum (Mo) or a micronutrient fertilizer (M) containing (in mg·L−1) 1.4 S, 2 Fe, 1 Mn, 1 Zn, 0.5 Cu, 0.5 B, and 0.2 Mo in a complete factorial arrangement. With constant fertigation using the C fertilizer, plant dry weight (DW) doubled from Day 0 (sticking of unrooted cuttings) to Day 7 (0.020 g to 0.047 g), root emergence was observed by Day 4, and by Day 7, the average length of primary roots was 2.6 cm. During any week that the M fertilizer was substituted for the C fertilizer, tissue N–P–K concentrations decreased compared with plants receiving the C fertilizer. For example, plants receiving the M fertilizer between Day 0 and 7 had 20% lower tissue-N concentration at Day 7 compared with those receiving the C fertilizer. Although both shoot DW and leaf count increased once macronutrient fertilization was resumed after Day 7, final shoot DW and leaf count were lower than plants receiving C fertilizer from Day 0 to 21. Time to first root emergence was unaffected by fertigation. Constant application of C resulted in a higher shoot-to-root ratio at Day 21 than all other treatments. Results emphasize the importance of early fertigation on petunia, a fast-rooting species, to maintain tissue nutrient levels within recommended ranges.