bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc and boron nutrition management in fertigated high density apple orchards
Authors: Neilsen G. H. , Neilsen D. , Hogue E. J. , Herbert L. C.
Published: April 2011

An experimental high density apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) block (1666 trees ha-1) on M.9 rootstock was planted in 1992 and maintained until 1996 as a randomized, replicated split-plot experiment with 5 N-K fertigation treatments, each with subplots containing four apple cultivars (Gala, Fuji, Fiesta, and Spartan). Management of Zn and B nutrition varied throughout the experiment ranging from no application (1992–1993) to foliar applications (1994) to fertigation of 3.5 g Zn tree-1 and 0.34 g B tree-1 during the growing season in 1995–1996. Deficient concentrations of Zn and B were measured in leaves and "blossom-blast" B deficiency symptoms were observed within 2 yr without applications of Zn or B . Foliar application of both nutrients increased their respective leaf concentrations and ameliorated B-deficiency symptoms. Zinc-fertigation in 1995–1996 failed to improve leaf Zn concentration. In contrast, B-fertigation at the same time readily increased root zone soil solution B concentrations and increased leaf B concentrations to values within the sufficient-optimum range for apple. Generally, cultivars responded similarly to B and Zn-treatments although, relative to other cultivars, Spartan had higher concentrations of Zn and B in leaves and Fuji had high leaf B. Key words: Fertigation, leaf boron and zinc, Malus × domestica Borkh., soil solution boron
The value of apple characteristics to wholesalers in western Canada: A hedonic approach
Authors: Carew Richard , Smith Elwin G.
Published: April 2011

Sensory methods have been used to evaluate subjective apple characteristics such as juiciness, flavour, and texture. There is very little information to indicate the value wholesalers place on objective apple characteristics such as cultivar, grade, and fruit size. In this study, a hedonic price function for apples was estimated to evaluate the relationship between British Columbia (BC) apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) prices and the wholesalers’ perception of product quality characteristics. In this study, sales data and cultivar characteristics were obtained for three large wholesalers in western Canada that purchase BC fruit. Cultivar, fruit size, and grade were the most significant variables influencing apple prices. Wholesalers paid price premiums ($2.25 to $5.25 per tray) for speciality cultivars such as Gala, Fuji and Braeburn compared with traditional cultivars such as McIntosh, Red Delicious and Spartan. Large fruit size earned a price premium ($1.73 per tray) and small fruit were discounted ($2.00 per tray) compared with medium size apples. Apples graded Canada Extra Fancy (One Stripe) and BC Extra Fancy provided packing houses with price premiums ($1.50) over Canada Fancy. Apples in controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage earned price premiums ($0.96 to $1.89 per tray) in the months of January through June. Key words: Apple characteristics, wholesalers' preference, hedonic price function.
2090 low linolenic acid flax
Authors: Dribnenki J. C. P. , McEachern S. F. , Chen Y. , Green A. G. , Rashid K. Y.
Published: April 2011

2090 was developed by Agricore United. 2090 combines very high oil content with high yield. In the longer growing season Black soil zones of western Canada, the yield of 2090 is similar to 2047 and higher than 1084. In the shorter growing season Black and Grey-wooded soil zones, 2090 is similar yielding to 2047 and 1084. In the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones, the yield of 2090 is higher than 2047 and 1084. It is immune to North American races of rust, is moderately resistant to Fusarium wilt and is moderately resistant to powdery mildew. 2090, 2047 and 1084 are low linolenic acid, yellow seed coat solin cultivars. Key words: Flax, low linolenic acid, cultivar description, solin
Barley dry matter yield, crop uptake, and soil nutrients under fresh and composted manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding
Authors: Miller J. J. , Beasley B. W. , Larney F. J. , Olson B. M.
Published: April 2011

Limited information exists on the effect of fresh versus composted beef cattle manure containing straw or wood chips on barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrient status in the Great Plains region of North America. Barley was grown on an irrigated clay loam soil in southern Alberta from 1999 to 2001. The treatments were three rates (13, 39, 77 Mg dry material per hectare) of fresh manure (FM) or composted manure (CM) containing either straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding, one inorganic (IN) fertilizer treatment (100 kg N ha-1, 17 kg P ha-1), and a control treatment; applied in the fall of 1998, 1999, and 2000. Dry matter yield was not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by manure type or bedding material. Crop protein was 7% higher under FM (12.7 g kg-1) than CM (11.9 g kg-1) in 2001, and crop N uptake was 11 to 13% higher for CM-ST (171.3 kg ha-1) and FM-WD (174.9 kg ha-1) than CM-WD (154.7 kg ha-1) over the 3 yr. Soil available N was 20 to 261% higher for FM than CM at the 39 and 77 Mg ha-1 rates, and it was 62 to 199% higher for FM than CM in 2000 and 2001. Soil available N was 48 to 57% higher for ST than WD at the two higher application rates, and it was 26 to 65% higher for ST than WD in all 3 yr. Overall, manure type and bedding influenced certain crop and soil parameters, and higher available soil N under FM and ST indicated a potential for greater mineralization under these treatments. Key words: Barley yield, nutrient uptake, soil nutrients, fresh manure, compost, bedding
The transfer of leaf and stem rust resistance from wild emmer wheats to durum and common wheat
Authors: Knott D. R. , Bai Dapeng , Zale Janice
Published: April 2011

Wild emmer wheats (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides L.) are potentially valuable sources of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) and stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. & Henn.) resistance in breeding both durum (T. turgidum var. durum L.) and common wheat (T. aestivum L.). In an extension of previous work, 11 rust resistant accessions of wild emmer wheat were crossed and backcrossed from two to five times to susceptible durum or common wheats. Genes for leaf or stem rust resistance were transferred singly into several susceptible genotypes. Backcross lines homozygous for resistance to leaf rust were tested with a set of either 9 or 10 leaf rust races and those homozygous for resistance to stem rust were tested with a set of either 10 or 13 stem rust races. The emmer wheats proved to carry a number of genes for resistance to each rust. In most cases, when a cross was made to a hexaploid wheat, resistance to both rusts was suppressed in the F1 seedlings, even when resistance was dominant in the tetraploids. Nevertheless, resistance was successfully transferred from several accessions to the hexaploids, indicating that suppressors on the A or B genome chromosomes were involved and segregation occurred for them. Rust resistance tended to decrease when it was transferred to another species, particularly hexaploid wheat. A number of lines carrying genes for either leaf rust or stem rust resistance were resistant to all races with which they were tested and have potential in wheat breeding. Key words: Emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides, stem rust, leaf rust, suppressors
Companion crop establishment of short-lived perennial forage crops in Saskatchewan
Authors: Jefferson P. G. , Lyons G. , Pastl R. , Zentner R. P.
Published: April 2011

Short-lived perennial forages may provide producers with a cash hay crop as a viable option to diversify annual grain rotations. Little or no information on alternative annual crops for companion crop establishment of forages is available for Saskatchewan conditions. We evaluated field pea (Pisum sativum), canola (Brassica napus), and Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium westerwoldicum) as companion crops over 3 yr (1998–2000) at three Saskatchewan sites: Swift Current (Brown soil zone), Saskatoon (Dark Brown) and Nipawin (Dark Gray). We also compared three short-lived, vigourous grass species in mixture with two alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars or monoculture. Combinations of precipitation and temperature variables combined with companion crop plant density and biomass explained 90% of the variation in forage yield loss relative to no companion crop forage yield. We conclude that companion crops can be used with low yield reductions at Nipawin, but that all three companion crops significantly reduced forage yield at Swift Current. Forage seedling density was reduced under companion crops but the decline in forage seedling density did not explain the reduction in forage yield. We speculate that yield components rather than plant density must have been affected by companion crop competition. Intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia) produced higher forage yield than Dahurian wildrye (Elymus dahuricus) or slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). Grass-alfalfa mixtures produced higher forage yield than grass mono culture. Economic returns were superior if no companion crop was used to establish the forages at Swift Current and Saskatoon; but, at Nipawin economic returns were generally higher with companion crop establishment. The feasibility of companion crops for establishment of short-lived perennial forages in Saskatchewan thus depends on soil zone, with their use best suited to the more humid regions. Key words: Forage yield, plant density, weather, economics
Optimum age of siliques for rescue of hybrid embryos from crosses between Brassica oleracea, B. rapa and B. carinata
Authors: Rahman M. H.
Published: April 2011

Interspecific hybrids were produced from crosses involving Brassica rapa var. Yellow Sarson (AA), Canadian B. rapa (AA) cultivars, B. oleracea var. alboglabra (CC), B. oleracea var. italica (CC), rapidcycling B. oleracea (CC) and B. carinata (BBCC) to introgress the yellow seed color or self-incompatibility genes into B. napus. Embryo rescue technique was employed for this purpose. In interspecific crosses where a CC genome species was used as the female parent, a significantly lower number of ovules were fertilized compared to the crosses where the BBCC genome species was female. Embryo growth and development were slower in the crosses where the CC genome species was female than in the crosses where BBCC genome species was female. The efficiency of the embryo rescue technique from 16 to 40 d after pollination (DAP) with 4-d intervals was investigated in the crosses using CC genome species as female. The highest numbers of embryos were rescued between 20 and 28 DAP depending upon the specific cross undertaken. However, the survival rate of the embryos rescued at 20 DAP was very low compared to the embryos rescued at 24 and 28 DAP. The survival rate of the embryos rescued at 32 DAP was generally high, but the number of embryos rescued at this stage was significantly lower than at 24 and 28 DAP. No embryos were obtained at 16 DAP or at 40 DAP. Thus, using the CC genome species as female parent, the maximum efficiency of the embryo rescue technique was achieved when embryos were rescued between 24 and 28 DAP. In the case of crosses using the BBCC genome species as female, rescue of hybrid embryos was successful at 18 and 22 DAP. Key words: Brassica, interspecific cross, embryo rescue, embryo development
The efficacy of essential oil of Alpinia calcarata (Rosc.) and its major constituent, 1,8-cineole, as protectants of cowpea against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
Authors: Abeywickrama Krishanthi , Adhikari A. A. C. K. , Paranagama Priyani , Gamage Chammi S. Palehepitiya
Published: April 2011

The bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus, (F.) causes major losses during the storage of cowpea seeds [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Sri Lanka. Essential oil was extracted from Alpinia calcarata (Rosc.) and 1,8-cineole, identified as the major constituent of the essential oil, was tested for its potential insecticidal activity against C. maculatus. The adults of C. maculatus were susceptible to both fumigant toxicity and contact and fumigant toxicity of 1,8-cineole and A. calcarata oil. In the fumigant toxicity assay, the LC50 (0.685 g L-1) value of 1,8-cineole was similar to that of A. calcarata oil. However, LC50 values of 0.068 g L-1 and 0.141 g L-1 were obtained for the contact and fumigant toxicity of 1,8-cineole and A. calcarata oil, respectively. Oviposition and F1 adult emergence were significantly inhibited by 1,8-cineole and A. calcarata oil at concentrations higher than 0.80 g L-1 in the fumigant toxicity and 0.123 g L-1 in the contact plus fumigant toxicity. Repellent activity of A. calcarata oil was more potent to C. maculatus than 1,8-cineole at doses ranging from 10 to 40 mg. This study reveals that 1,8-cineole is the most toxic component present in A. calcarata oil, and that the repellent activity of A. calcarata oil could be due to 1,8-cineole as well as the other constituents present in the essential oil. Key words: Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), Alpinia calcarata (Rosc.), 1,8-cineole, essential oils, cowpea
Soil water depletion by tall and semidwarf oat and wheat cultivars
Authors: Gentile R. M. , de Rocquigny P. J. , Entz M. H.
Published: April 2011

Knowledge of soil water use in different crops and among crop cultivars is useful in crop rotation planning. Net seasonal soil water depletion patterns in the 0- to 130-cm soil profile for semidwarf and tall cultivars of oat (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were compared at 3 site-years in Manitoba. Total soil water depletion was greater for oat than wheat (29–31 mm). This trend was consistent across site-years and N regimes. Greater water use for tall versus semidwarf oat was observed at one of three sites. Key words: Cultivars, oat, semidwarf, soil water depletion, wheat
Barley response to seed placement and herbicide timing
Authors: O’Donovan John T. , Clayton George W. , Harker K. Neil , Johnston Adrian M. , Turkington T. Kelly , Kutcher H. Randy , Stevenson F. Craig
Published: April 2011

A field experiment was conducted at Lacombe and Beaverlodge, AB, and Melfort, SK, in 1999 and 2000 to evaluate the effect of seed placement and herbicide application timing on productivity of a general purpose (AC Lacombe) and hull-less (Falcon) barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars. Barley plant density was often less and dockage greater when seed was spread in a 20-cm band with 28-cm sweeps spaced 23 cm apart compared to seeding in distinct rows with hoe openers spaced 23 or 30 cm apart. Method of seed placement had little effect on barley grain yield or yield was significantly lower with the sweep compared to the distinct rows. Herbicide application timing effects were variable for barley grain yield. Grain yield was often greater and dockage less when herbicides were applied at the one- to two- or three- to four-leaf stage of barley compared to the five- to six-leaf stage. Method of seed placement did not influence barley responses to time of herbicide application with either cultivar. Barley silage yield was mainly higher with the distinct 23-cm row spacing than with the other seed placement methods. Herbicide application timing did not affect silage yield. Key words: Hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), row spacing, seed-bed utilization, silage, sweep, hoe openers
The impact of crop rotation and N fertilizer on common root rot of spring wheat in the Brown soil zone of western Canada
Authors: Fernandez M. R. , Zentner R. P.
Published: April 2011

From 2000 to 2003, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in southwest Saskatchewan 1 or 2 yr after summerfallow, and after lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), or continuously with and without fertilizer N was examined for root rot by measuring discoloration of subcrown internodes. Discolored tissue was also plated on nutrient agar for fungal identification. In general, common root rot was present at consistently highest levels in wheat grown after lentil, and at lowest levels in wheat grown continuously with low N fertility. The most common fungal species isolated from affected subcrown internodes were Cochliobolus sativus (Ito and Kurib.) Drechs. ex Dast. and Fusarium spp. Among the latter, F. avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc., F. equiseti (Corda) Sacc. and F. pseudograminearum O’Donnell & T. Aoki were most frequent. Fusarium avenaceum is one of the most common fusarium head blight pathogens in Saskatchewan. Wheat after lentil had one of the highest levels of this fungus. Continuous wheat grown with recommended N rates and wheat grown after summerfallow had in most cases similar root rot levels, but the frequency of fungi differed. Among the crop rotations examined, it appears that the most favourable for development of root rot in wheat was a wheat-lentil rotation. This cereal-pulse system may also contribute to a build-up of F. avenaceum inoculum for the development of fusarium head blight, an important emerging disease of cereals in Saskatchewan. Key words: Crop rotation, common root rot, wheat, Cochliobolus sativus, Fusarium, nitrogen
Tolerance of kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) to bentazon alone and when mixed with imazamox
Authors: Soltani Nader , Shropshire Christy , Sikkema Peter H
Published: April 2011

Tolerance of Montcalm and Redhawk kidney beans to bentazon, imazamox plus fomesafen and imazamox plus bentazon applied postemergence at the maximum label rate in soybeans and twice that rate were studied at two Ontario locations (Exeter and Ridgetown) in 2001 and 2002. There were no differences between the two cultivars in their response to the herbicides tested. At Exeter in 2001, bentazon reduced plant height by 10 and 12% and yield by 33 and 22% at the label and twice that rate, respectively. Yield was also reduced by 11% at Exeter in 2002 at twice the label rate. Imazamox plus fomesafen reduced plant height equally by 14% and yield was reduced by 22 and 30% at the label rate and twice the label rate, respectively, at Exeter in 2001. Imazamox plus bentazon in Exeter in 2001 reduced plant height equally by 8% and yield by 20 and 14% at the label rate and twice the label rate, respectively. There were no negative effects on plant height, dry weight and yield at the other site-yrs. This research suggests that bentazon, imazamox plus fomesafen and imazamox plus bentazon applied postemergence can cause severe crop injury and yield reduction in kidney bean production under certain environmental conditions. Key words: Bentazon, crop tolerance, fomesafen; imazamox, Montcalm, Phaseolus vulgaris, Redhawk.
Long-term effects of late-summer overseeding of winter rye on corn grain yield and nitrogen balance
Authors: Ball Coelho B. R , Roy R. C , Bruin A. J
Published: April 2011

Winter rye (Secale cereale) overseeded into standing corn (Zea mays L.) on sandy soil controlled NO3 leaching over the short-term (3 yr). Long-term effects were unknown, so yield and N balance were monitored for an additional 6 yr with and without a rye cover crop under conventional (CT) and no-till (NT) management at six fertilizer N rates. Corn yield was greater with rye cover cropping than without in 6 of the last 7 yr. Response exceeded 1600 kg grain ha-1 (average 100–200 kg fertilizer N ha-1) by year 8 (wet following a dry year) and was greater under NT than CT in dry years (years 7 and 9). The response is attributed to improved soil physical properties and N availability. Rye N uptake increased with fertilizer N rate particularly following dry growing seasons, with shoots containing up to 73 kg N ha-1. Post-harvest topsoil NO3 was reduced by the rye in all but the initial year, and groundwater NO3-N concentrations only exceeded 10 mg L-1 without rye. The overseeding system facilitates utilization of conserved N and reduces movement of NO3 to groundwater over the long term. Key words: Nitrogen management, Zea mays, Secale cereale, cover crop, soil nitrate, tillage
Russian wildrye nutritive quality as affected by accession and environment
Authors: Karn J. F. , Mayland H. F. , Berdahl J. D. , Asay K. H. , Jefferson P. G.
Published: April 2011

High-quality forage for spring and fall grazing is an important need of ranchers in the Northern Great Plains and Intermountain-West regions of the United States of America and in the prairie provinces of Canada. Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski] has been used to meet this grazing need, especially in Canada. However, its use has probably been limited by its reputation for seedling establishment difficulties and scattered reports of grass tetany. The purpose of this research was to characterize the variation in nutritive quality of Russian wildrye accessions used in a multi-location grass tetany project, to access the effect of environment on quality components, and to determine the relationship between forage nutritive quality components and entities associated with grass tetany. Sixty-seven Russian wildrye accessions from the US National Plant Germplasm System were established in spaced-plant nurseries at Logan, UT, Mandan, ND, and Swift Current, SK, Canada. Plants were sampled at two stages of development over 2 yr. Location, year, and stage of development effects were significant (P < 0.01) for in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). At the early stages of development used in this study the range in nutritive quality traits among entries was rather narrow. Relatively high positive correlation coefficients between K and IVDMD, and K and CP suggest that breeding for higher nutritive quality may also produce a more tetany-prone forage, because high K concentration is usually associated with grass tetany. On the other hand, Mg concentrations were also highly correlated with IVDMD and CP, and higher Mg concentrations would be beneficial in preventing grass tetany. The K/(Mg + Ca) ratio, which has been suggested as an indicator of grass tetany, was only moderately related to IVDMD, CP, and NDF. Key words: Digestibility, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, stage of plant development
The biology of Canadian weeds. 133. Cuscuta campestris Yuncker, C. gronovii Willd. ex Schult., C. umbrosa Beyr. ex Hook., C. epithymum (L.) L. and C. epilinum Weihe.
Authors: Costea Mihai , Tardif François J
Published: April 2011

Cuscuta spp. (dodders) are rootless, holoparasitic herbs with filiform stems attached to the host by numerous haustoria. In Canada, Cuscuta gronovii is the most common native species of the genus followed by Cuscuta campestris and C. umbrosa. Cuscuta epithymum and C. epilinum, both introduced species in Canada, occur occasionally. Infestation by Cuscuta spp. can result in serious yield losses and dodders are listed as noxious weeds in British Columbia, Ontario and Québec, and as restricted weeds in Alberta. These plants have evolved special adaptations to ensure their success: germination occurs late in the season when potential hosts are already established; seedlings selectively forage in plant communities and they may survive relatively long periods during the autotrophic stage. Invasion occurs via extremely elaborate mechanisms designed to match the biological processes of their host and bypass defense mechanisms. The principal means of dispersal of Cuscuta weeds world-wide (including Canada) has been through contaminated seeds of previously infested forage legumes. In other areas (e.g., Israel), C. campestris has developed resistance to ALS inhibitors (chlorsulfuron, and sulfometuron-methyl) and AABI herbicides. Complete descriptions and illustrations are provided for discussed species. Key words: Cuscuta campestris, C. gronovii, C. umbrosa, C. epithymum, C. epilinum, parasitism, growth, development, physiology, reproduction, control, diseases
Brookfield spring wheat
Authors: Nass H. G. , Caldwell C. A. , Price M. A.
Published: April 2011

Brookfield, a hard red spring milling wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.), is adapted to Ontario and the Maritimes. It has expressed high grain yield, good lodging resistance and a high level of resistance to powdery mildew. Key words: Triticum aestivum, hard red spring wheat, yield, cultivar description
Relative effectiveness of various sources, methods, times and rates of copper fertilizers in improving grain yield of wheat on a Cu-deficient soil
Authors: Malhi S. S. , Cowell L. , Kutcher H. R.
Published: April 2011

A field experiment was conducted to determine the relative effectiveness of various sources, methods, times and rates of Cu fertilizers on grain yield, protein concentration in grain, concentration of Cu in grain and uptake of Cu in grain of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and residual concentration of DTPA-extractable Cu in soil on a Cu-deficient soil near Porcupine Plain in northeastern Saskatchewan. The experiment was conducted from 1999 to 2002 on the same site, but the results for 2002 were not presented because of very low grain yield due to drought in the growing season. The 25 treatments included soil application of four granular Cu fertilizers (Cu lignosulphonate, Cu sulphate, Cu oxysulphate I and Cu oxysulphate II) as soil-incorporated (at 0.5 and 2.0 kg Cu ha-1), seedrow-placed (at 0.25 and 1.0 kg Cu ha-1) and foliar application of four solution Cu fertilizers (Cu chelate-EDTA, Cu sequestered I, Cu sulphate/chelate and Cu sequestered II at 0.25 kg Cu ha-1) at the four-leaf and flag-leaf growth stages, plus a zero-Cu check. Soil was tilled only once to incorporate all designated Cu and blanket fertilizers into the soil a few days prior to seeding. Wheat plants in the zero-Cu treatment exhibited Cu deficiency in all years. For foliar application at the flag-leaf stage, grain yield increased with all four of the Cu fertilizers in 2000 and 2001, and in all but Cu sequestered II in 1999. Foliar application at the four-leaf growth stage of three Cu fertilizers (Cu chelate-EDTA, Cu sequestered I and Cu sulphate/chelate), soil incorporation of all Cu fertilizers at 2 kg Cu ha-1 and two Cu fertilizers (Cu lignosulphonate and Cu sulphate) at 0.5 kg Cu ha-1 rate, and seedrow placement of two Cu fertilizers (Cu lignosulphonate and Cu sulphate) at 1 kg Cu ha-1 increased grain yield of wheat only in 2001. There was no effect of Cu fertilization on protein concentration in grain. The increase in concentration and uptake of Cu in grain from Cu fertilization usually showed a trend similar to grain yield. There was some increase in residual DTPA-extractable Cu in the 0–60 cm soil in Cu lignosulphonate, Cu sulphate and Cu oxysulphate II soil incorporation treatments, particularly at the 2 kg Cu ha-1 rate. In summary, the results indicate that foliar application of Cu fertilizers at the flag-leaf growth stage can be used for immediate correction of Cu deficiency in wheat. Because Cu deficiency in crops often occurs in irregular patches within fields, foliar application may be the most practical and economical way to correct Cu deficiency during the growing season, as lower Cu rates can correct Cu deficiency. Key words: Application time, Cu source, foliar application, granular Cu, growth stage, placement method, rate of Cu, seedrow-placed Cu, soil incorporation
The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 3. Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer var. rudis (Sauer) Costea & Tardif
Authors: Costea Mihai , Weaver Susan E , Tardif François J.
Published: April 2011

This annual dioecious weed was found in 2002 and 2003 infesting soybean fields in southwestern Ontario, and it was collected in 1992 from waste places in British Columbia. It is a major weed problem in field crops in the mid-western United States, where it has become increasingly difficult to control during the past 10 yr. Morphological differences between Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis and var. tuberculatus are presented. A review of the biological information published is provided. Plants exhibit high phenotypic plasticity and genetic variability. Emergence is prolonged, growth rapid, and female plants produce a large number of viable seeds that contribute to a persistent seed bank. Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis has developed multiple resistance to triazine and acetolactate synthase- and protoporphyrinogen-inhibiting herbicides. Airborne pollen can travel significant distances and A. tuberculatus var. rudis may hybridize with other noxious Amaranthus spp. transferring herbicide resistance or other traits. Key words: Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis, AMATA, Amaranthus rudis, common waterhemp, weed biology, invasive alien
Crop rotation can confer resistance to potatoes from Phytophthora erythroseptica attack
Authors: Peters R. D. , Sturz A. V. , Carter M. R. , Sanderson J. B.
Published: April 2011

The influence of 2- and 3-yr crop rotations and conservation tillage practices on the severity of pink rot of potato (causal agent: Phytophthora erythroseptica) was examined in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The 2-yr rotation crops included spring barley and potato (cv. Russet Burbank), and the 3-yr rotation was comprised of barley (undersown with red clover), red clover and potato. In the potato year only, the main plots were split to examine conventional and minimum tillage (sub-plot) treatments. Soil samples and potato tubers were extracted from field plots 6-7 yr after the initiation of the field trial. Following post-harvest inoculation of field-grown tubers with P. erythroseptica, we determined that pink rot disease development was significantly (P = 0. 05) less pronounced in potatoes from 3-yr rotational than from 2-yr rotational soils. The effect of tillage management was not significant. Potato plants grown in greenhouse trials in 3-yr rotational soils (from field plots) were significantly (P = 0.05) less diseased than those grown in 2-yr rotational soils following inoculation with P. erythroseptica. These results suggest that potato plants grown in soils managed under a 3-yr rotation are intrinsically more resistant to pathogen attack than those managed under a 2-yr rotation. We confirmed that crop rotation provides disease control benefits beyond those normally associated with pathogen population decline in the absence of the susceptible host. The possibility that beneficial soil microflora and tuber endophytes were involved in disease suppression is discussed. Key words: Phytophthora erythroseptica, pink rot, potato, Solanum tuberosum, crop rotation, minimum tillage, beneficial endophytes, biocontrol
Resolute great northern bean
Authors: Mündel H. -H. , Kiehn F. A. , Huang H. C. , Conner R. L. , Saindon G.
Published: April 2011

Resolute is an early-maturing upright great northern bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar, developed at the AAFC Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta in collaboration with the AAFC Research Station, Morden, Manitoba. Resolute is resistant to both yellow and orange strains of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Curtobacterium flaccumfasciens pv. Flaccumfasciens (Hedges) Collins & Jones. Resolute is particularly well adapted to narrow row production. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, great northern bean, cultivar description, bacterial wilt resistance, early maturity, upright
Genetic relatedness among cultivated and wild mulberry (Moraceae: Morus) as revealed by inter-simple sequence repeat analysis in China
Authors: Weiguo Zhao , Zhihua Zhou , Xuexia Miao , Sibao Wang , Lin Zhang , Yile Pan , Yongping Huang
Published: April 2011

The genetic diversity of 27 mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes mainly from China was investigated using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to assist in addressing breeding objectives and conserving existing genetic resources. Of the 22 primers screened, 15 produced highly reproducible ISSR bands. Using these 15 primers, 138 discernible DNA fragments were generated with 126 (91.3%) being polymorphic, indicating considerable genetic variation among the mulberry genotypes studied. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.6014 between Yu 2 and Yu 711 to 0.9493 between Cuizhisang and Dejiang 10. The phenetic dendrogram based on ISSR data generated by the unweighed pair group method with arithmetical averages (UPGMA) method grouped the 27 accessions into two major clusters: cluster I, cultivated mulberry species (M. multicaulis Perr., M. alba Linn., M. atropurpurea oxb., M. bombycis Kiodz., M. australis Poir., M. rotundiloba Kiodz., M. alba var. pendula Dipp., M. alba var. macrophylla Loud., and M. alba var. venose Delile.); and cluster II, wild mulberry species (M. cathayana Hemsl., M. laevigata Wall., M. wittiorum Hand-Mazz., M. nigra Linn., and M. mongolica Schneid.). Our molecular analyses agree with the existing morphological classification of Morus and clarify the genetic relationships among mulberry species. Key words: Morus L., genetic diversity, inter-simple sequence repeat, relatedness
Prohexadione-calcium modifies growth and increases photosynthesis in strawberry nursery plants
Authors: Reekie J. Y. , Hicklenton P. R. , Struik P. C.
Published: April 2011

Prohexadione-calcium (ProCa) at an active ingredient concentration of 62.5 mg L-1 was applied as a foliar spray to Camarosa and Sweet Charlie strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) plants in growth chambers to assess its effects on dry weight allocation and growth over 42 d. The height, leaf number, leaf area, and specific leaf area (SLA) of daughter plants and the total dry weights of their leaves, stems and roots were all affected by ProCa treatments. Treated plants weighed less than untreated plants for the first 28 d after treatment, but by 42 d, all plants were similar in total weight regardless of treatment. ProCa-treated plants consistently allocated more dry weight to roots, and proportionally less to shoots, and were reduced in height, leaf area and SLA. ProCa increased net photosynthesis in plants grown in growth chambers and in the field. Plants grown in the field responded to ProCa earlier, and their photosynthetic rates were higher (i.e., 23–34% higher in daught ers and 34–41% higher in mothers) than those grown in growth chambers. Key words: Fragaria × ananassa, gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, growth analysis, net photosynthesis
Effects of temperature, light and other treatments on seed germination of Leymus chinensis
Authors: Zhang W. D. , Bi J. J. , Ning T. Y. , Liu X. L. , He M. R.
Published: April 2011

Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., a perennial cool-season grass distributed widely in eastern Asia, is an ideal species for the rangeland industry and soil conservation, but the seed has a long dormant period and low germination rates. This study examined the effects of temperature, light and various treatments including stratification, H2SO4, NaOCl, gibberellic acid (GA3) and 6-benzyl adenine (BA), on the germination of Leymus chinensis seed. Seed stored over 1 yr and germinated at a temperature regime of 25/15°C with a 12/12-h photoperiod germinated best, and had a germination rate of 30.3%, with a minimum germination time of 12 d. In these germination conditions, germinated seeds were counted after 15 d to determine the effects of other treatments upon freshly harvested seed germination. The final germination rate for freshly harvested seeds stratified at 4°C for 0 to 10 wk ranged from 8.5 to 37.3%. Germination rates were 14.0 and 14.8% when seeds were treated with 70% H2SO4 for 3 and 6 min, respectively. Seed treated with 5.0% NaOCl germinated 17.5 and 16.0% when treated for 10 and 20 min, respectively. When seeds were soaked in 1000 mg L-1 GA3 solution for 24 h, 42.3% germinated, while treatment with 50 mg L-1 of BA resulted in 50.3% germination. The results indicate that various dormancy mechanisms may exist in the species. These findings will be helpful to farmers and breeders in selecting suitable treatments to improve seed germination and establishment. Key words: Seed dormancy, grassland and sand-dune reclamation, photoperiod, Northern China, Poaceae, seed priming
Oviposition site selected by the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Leconte) in southern Ontario strip plots
Authors: Knight C. C. , Pauls K. P. , Sears M. K. , Schaafsma A. W.
Published: April 2011

Western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera L., is the most serious insect pest of corn, Zea mays L., in North America. Crop rotation had successfully controlled this pest until the late 1980s when a new biotype that lays its eggs in non-corn crops was discovered in Illinois. This biotype has spread to parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and threatens Ontario. By using emergence cages, Pherocon Am® sticky traps and corn root ratings, egg-laying behaviour of WCR in Ontario was assessed in strip crop settings that represent typical cropping systems of southern Ontario. WCR adults were active in both soybean and winter wheat fields in July and August. Larval feeding and adult emergence in first-year corn fields following soybean and wheat were similar, confirming that oviposition did occur in both crops. These data do not, however, provide conclusive evidence for the presence of the rotation resistant WCR in Ontario because previous studies have demonstrated that WCR are capable of utilizing other crops for oviposition. Key words: Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, strip plots, corn, soybean, wheat (winter)
Comparison of pedigree selection and doubled haploid breeding methods for high erucic acid rapeseed cultivar development
Authors: Jacobs J. L. , McVetty P. B.E.
Published: April 2011

Sixty families from pedigree selection and 60 lines from doubled haploid development per cross, for three different Brassica napus L. high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) crosses, were created and then compared for agronomic and seed quality performance in four environments in Manitoba in 2000 and 2001. Differences in mean performance for many traits were observed within crosses; however, these differences were not consistent among crosses. Similarly, there were differences observed in ranges for many traits within crosses but with few clear trends among crosses. Similar numbers of superior pedigree selection families and doubled haploid lines within and among crosses for individual traits and for combinations of all traits were found in this study. Financial and temporal resource requirements for these two breeding methods were found to be similar. It is concluded that both pedigree selection and doubled haploid breeding methods have their particular strengths and weaknesses but that neither is clearly superior for the development of B. napus HEAR cultivars. Key words: Brassica napus L., HEAR, breeding method comparisons
Effects of regulated deficit irrigation on grain yield and water use efficiency of spring wheat in an arid environment
Authors: Zhang Bu-Chong , Li Feng-Min , Huang Gao-Bao , Gan Yantai , Liu Pu-Hai , Cheng Zi-Yong
Published: April 2011

Grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in arid environments can be improved by applying irrigation selectively to allow soil water deficits to develop at non-critical stages of crop development. Field experiments were conducted on a loam soil in Zhangye district, northwest China in 2003 and 2004 to determine the grain yield, yield components, and water use characteristics of spring wheat in response to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) schemes. Wheat grown under the RDI schemes produced 17% (in 2004) and 29% (in 2003) higher grain yield than wheat grown under water deficit-free control (5.6 t ha-1 in 2003 and 6.2 t ha-1 in 2004). Among six RDI schemes studied, wheat having a high water deficit at the jointing stage, but free from water def icit from booting to grain-filling produced highest grain yield in both 2003 (7.95 t ha-1) and 2004 (7.26 t ha-1). Compared with the control, wheat plants grown under the RDI schemes received 59 mm (or 15%) less water via irrigation, but they either extrac ted 41 mm more (or 74%) water from the soil profile (in 2003) or lowered (16%) evapotranspiration (ET) (in 2004). Grain yield increased as ET increased from 415 to 460 mm, and declined beyond 460 mm. The WUE values varied from 0.0116 to 0.0168 t ha-1 mm-1, and wheat grown under the RDI had 26% greater WUE compared with the control. Grain yield and WUE of spring wheat can be greatly improved by regulated deficit irrigation with reduced amounts of water. This practice is particularly valuable in arid regions where wheat production relies heavily on irrigation. Key words:
Management strategies to reduce losses caused by rhizoctonia seedling blight of field pea
Authors: Hwang S. F. , Gossen B. D. , Conner R. L. , Chang K. F. , Turnbull G. D. , Lopetinsky K. , Howard R. J.
Published: April 2011

Seedling blight can cause substantial reductions in stand density of field pea on the Canadian prairies. Ninety-four isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from soil samples collected from 37 pea fields in 1999 in Alberta, Canada. Sixty isolates were characterized as anastomosis group (AG)-4 and 12 isolates as AG-2-1. Some of these isolates caused severe pre-emergence damping-off and were classified as highly pathogenic; 41 of the 44 highly pathogenic isolates were AG-4 and three were AG-2-1. Two highly pathogenic AG-4 isolates were used to assess the effect of inoculum density on survival and growth of field pea seedlings, and the impact of seeding date, seeding depth, soil temperature, seed damage, seed treatments and seeding density on seedling blight and root rot injury. As inoculum density increased, so did root rot severity, while seedling establishment, shoot dry weight and root dry weight declined. Under controlled conditions, seedling establishment in the noninoculated control increased as soil temperatures increased, but establishment and growth declined in inoculated treatments. In a temperature gradient study, seedling infection was highest when mean daily temperatures were 17.5°C or higher. In field trials over 8 station years, delayed seeding often resulted in reduced seedling establishment in inoculated treatments, although this trend was not consistent across sites or years. Seed yield consistently declined with later seeding dates. Seed treatment with fungicides (carbathiin + thiram, metalaxyl) improved establishment and productivity in inoculated treatments, especially where seed was damaged prior to planting. Seeding depth had no impact on root rot severity. Emergence and seed yield increased with seeding density, but increasing density beyond 90 seeds m-2 did not result in proportionately higher yields. These results indicate that a combination of seed treatment and early seeding can reduce Rhizoctonia injury to pea seedlings under field conditions. Key words: Pisum sativum, Rhizoctonia solani (AG-4), management, seeding depth, seeding rate
Relative resistance of newly released apple rootstocks to Phytophthora cactorum
Authors: Carisse O. , Khanizadeh S.
Published: April 2011

New rootstocks from series SJM (St-Jean-Morden) and SJP84 (ST-Jean-1984) have been evaluated for agronomic qualities since 1970 and 1975, respectively. As a result of the evaluation, seven and nine rootstocks from the SJM and SJP84 series, respectively, were selected. However, these were not evaluated for crown rot resistance. Excised shoot assay was used to evaluate resistance of 22 apple rootstocks to crown rot caused by Phytophthora cactorum (Leb. and Cohn.) Schroet. The pathogenicity of four isolates of P. cactorum to apple rootstocks was confirmed using the same excised twig assay. For both tests, relative lesion length was used as a measure of susceptibility. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant effect of rootstocks, isolate and the interaction between rootstock and isolate. In general, apple rootstocks were more susceptible to isolate PC04-02 followed by isolates PC04-03 and PC04-01 and less susceptible to isolate PC04-04. The selection SJM189 was the least susceptible to P. cactorum and SJP84-5162 and SJM15 were the most susceptible suggesting that these rootstocks may not be suitable in orchards with favourable conditions to P. cactorum infection. Excised twigs of the SJP84-5180, SJP84-5189, SJP845174, O.3, SJP84-5230, O.3A, SJP84-5198, SJM167 and M.44 showed low to moderate susceptibility, whereas, rootstocks SJP845231, SJM150 and M.26 showed moderate susceptibility to P. cactorum. Rootstocks SJM188, SJP84-5217, MM.111, SJM127, SJP84-5218 and MM.106 showed high susceptibility to P. cactorum. The present results confirmed that none of the released or commercial rootstocks are completely resistant to P. cactorum and an integrated approach including resistance, chemical control and cultural practices is recommended to manage P. cactorum in apple orchards. Key words: Apple breeding, crown rot, Malus domestica Borkh., root rot
Commander durum wheat
Authors: Clarke J. M. , McCaig T. N. , DePauw R. M. , Knox R. E. , Ames N. P. , Clarke F. R. , Fernandez M. R. , Marchylo B. A. , Dexter J. E.
Published: April 2011

Commander durum wheat is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. It combines high yield, high grain pigment concentration, and very strong gluten properties. Commander is a semidwarf with strong straw, and has similar maturity and disease resistance to other registered durum cultivars. Key words: Triticum turgidum L. var durum, durum wheat, cultivar description, yield, gluten strength, disease resistance
Prediction of crude protein content in field peas using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Arganosa G. C. , Warkentin T. D. , Racz V. J. , Blade S. , Phillips C. , Hsu H.
Published: April 2011

A rapid, near-infrared spectroscopic method to predict the crude protein contents of 72 field pea lines grown in Saskatchewan, both whole seeds and ground samples, was established. Correlation coefficients between the laboratory and predicted values were 0.938 and 0.952 for whole seed and ground seed, respectively. Both methods developed are adequate to support our field pea breeding programme. Key words: Field pea, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, crude protein
Emergence, height, and yield of canola and barley grown in saline root zones
Authors: Steppuhn H. , Raney J. P.
Published: April 2011

The salinity tolerance of a crop relates to its inherent ability to yield economic product as root-zone salinity increases. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks as one of the more salt-tolerant of the annual cereal grain crops, but producers seek a salt-resistant, non-cereal grain crop as an agronomic alternative for saline fields. Could canola (Brassica napus L.) serve as this alternative? Two greenhouse tests were conducted to determine the inherent crop responses of three canola cultivars (Quantum, Hyola 401, InVigor 2573) to saline rooting media compared with that of Harrington barley. These crops were grown in sand tanks flushed four times daily with solutions dominated either by chlorides with salt concentrations measuring from 1.4 to 32 dS m-1 or by sulphates from 1.6 to 27 dS m-1 . In the Cl-test, the rate of emergence and the emergence time of the Quantum plants lagged those for Hyola and Harrington. In the SO4-test, these measures for the InVigor plants equalled those for the Hyola, but lagged those for Harrington. Relative crop height at harvest did not differ among the test crops in either test. Crop grain yields relative to the salt-free production analysed by the modified-discount equation resulted in Cl-solution tolerance indices of 11.0, 14.3, and 12.6 for Harrington, Hyola, and Quantum and SO4-solution indices of 11.4, 15.6, and 16.7 for Harrington, Hyola, and InVigor, respectively. Covariance analyses based on paired t-tests confirmed the conclusion that the salinity tolerance of the canola cultivars equalled that of Harrington barley. Key words: Salt tolerance, salt resistance, salinity, canola, barley, abiotic crop-stress