bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postharvest Moisture Loss from Bare-root Roses Affects Performance of Containerized Plants
Authors: Schuch Ursula K. , Pemberton H. Brent , Kelly Jack J.
Published: February 2019

Five cultivars of bare-root rose plants were exposed to increasing periods of drying and after rehydration were grown in containers until flowering in a plastic-covered greenhouse. At the start of the experiment, moisture content of well-hydrated roses was between 51% and 56%. Five or 7 h of drying resulted in moisture contents below 43% for four of the cultivars and caused up to 80% mortality, increased time to flower, and decreased the number of flowering shoots. ‘First Prize’ was most tolerant of drying conditions and all plants survived, whereas ‘Mister Lincoln’ plants were most susceptible and had poor regrowth performance. Whole-plant moisture of ‘Mister Lincoln’ was similar to that in the stem or shank, which means that aboveground components instead of the entire plant can be used for moisture determination.
Rapid In vitro Multiplication of Chirita longgangensis W.T. Wang: An Endemic and Endangered Gesneriaceae Species in China
Authors: Tang Zhenghui , Lin Honghui , Shi Lei , Chen Weilun
Published: February 2019

Experiments were conducted to establish an efficient protocol for micropropagation of Chirita longgangensis W.T. Wang. Somatic embryos formed directly at the cut edges of C. longgangensis leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BA) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). During the somatic embryo induction stage, leaf explants and basal leaf explants were used. Leaves were more appropriate explants than the basal leaf explants. The best medium was modified MS macronutrients and micronutrients supplemented with 0.5 mg·L−1 BA and 0.1 mg·L−1 NAA (the best mean number of somatic embryos per explants was 24.10 ± 1.63). The second stage was root induction and elongation. In vitro regenerated plantlets rooted best on MS medium containing 0.1 mg·L−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 30 g·L−1 sucrose. Rooted plantlets, following acclimatization in a greenhouse, were successfully transferred to field conditions, and 95% of the plants survived. Application of this protocol has the ability for mass multiplication, in a limited time, of the endangered species C. longgangensis.
Influence of Fertility and Mowing Height on Performance of Established Centipedegrass
Authors: Toler Joe E. , Higingbottom Jason K. , McCarty Lambert B.
Published: February 2019

Centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.] is widely grown throughout the southeastern United States as a low-maintenance turfgrass; however, limited peer-reviewed research is available on “best” cultural practices for established centipedegrass. This research was conducted to examine the long-term effects of mowing height and fertility regimens providing various rates and application times of soil-applied granular Fe and N on centipedegrass quality and surface coverage. Soil type was a Cecil sandy loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludult) with a pH of 5.5. A mowing height of 3.8 cm was equal to or better than the 1.9 cm mowing height throughout the study. The rate of N fertilization played an important role in achieving optimal turfgrass quality and coverage with the two highest rates (97.6 and 195.2 kg·ha−1 N), generally providing similar results when applied as split applications in May and August and mowed at 3.8 cm. These treatments provided turfgrass quality ratings of 8.3–9.0, turfgrass color ratings of 8.1–8.7, and turfgrass coverage of 94% to 98% over a 3-year period. The addition of soil-applied Fe sulfate at a rate of 24.4 kg·ha−1 Fe was not beneficial to centipedegrass performance or color. Results indicate that the addition of 97.6 kg·ha−1 N, using split-applications in May and August and a mowing height of 3.8 cm for established centipedegrass, should achieve acceptable turfgrass quality and coverage.
Olive Oil: History, Production, and Characteristics of the World's Classic Oils
Authors: Vossen Paul
Published: February 2019

The true origin of the olive is not known but is speculated to be Syria or possibly sub-Saharan Africa. For more than 6000 years, the cultivated olive has developed alongside Mediterranean civilizations and is now commercially produced on more than 23 million acres (9.4 million ha) in the Mediterranean basin. New plantings also exist in California, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and Australia. Various nonscientific selection processes created a multitude of different cultivars. Many villages in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa feature distinct varieties. However, it is also common to see the same cultivars with different names and, in some cases, different cultivars with the same name. This is currently being sorted out with DNA identification. The olive tree requires some chilling; tolerates hot, dry conditions; does not like moisture during bloom, and actually produces better with some stress. As a result, olives were traditionally relegated to lands where little else would survive. For thousands of years olives were grown primarily for lamp oil, with little regard for culinary flavor. World production of table olives is now about 1.5 million t/year. The “California Style” black table olive is virtually unknown outside the United States, and this very mild-flavored olive is largely used on pizzas. Elsewhere, table olive recipes are as varied as the villages in the Mediterranean region. Oil styles are also varied, and most olive fruit (≈16 million t/year) is processed into oil. There are about 19 classic styles of olive oil produced in the world, primarily based on specific varieties grown in different regions. In some cases oils are made with a blend of regional varieties. Defective olive oil is common worldwide. The author discusses six of the world's most influential olive oil varieties ‘Picual’, ‘Coratina’, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Arbequina’, ‘Frantoio’, and ‘Leccino’; covers some horticultural history of oil olive cultivation and processing; and describes the most current trends toward superhigh-density plantings and automated continuous oil processing.
Sources of Resistance to Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus in Lagenaria siceraria Germplasm
Authors: Ling Kai-Shu , Levi Amnon
Published: February 2019

One-hundred ninety U.S. PIs of bottlegourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] were evaluated for their resistance to the Florida strain of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV-FL). Seedlings in the first leaf stage were mechanically inoculated with freshly prepared ZYMV-FL tissue extract in a greenhouse. Four weeks postinoculation, plants were visually evaluated for symptom expression and tissue samples from upper noninoculated leaves were collected for serological analysis with enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis (ELISA). A combination of symptom expression and ELISA value was considered in determining the resistance or susceptibility for each accession. Of the 190 L. siceraria PIs screened, 36 accessions were in complete resistance (no disease symptom with negative ELISA on all tested plants), 64 PIs showed partial resistance (some of the tested plants were resistant, whereas others were susceptible), and 90 PIs were susceptible (severe symptom and positive ELISA on all tested plants). The ZYMV-FL resistance exists mostly among L. siceraria PIs collected in India. Thirty-three of the 36 L. siceraria PIs showing ZYMV-FL resistance were collected in India, one in Indonesia, one in South Africa, and one in Zimbabwe. To rule out any potential escapes in the primary screening, a repeated test using representative accessions, including 10 susceptible, three partially resistant, and three completely resistant PIs, was done to confirm the ZYMV-FL resistance. Furthermore, the resistance to ZYMV-FL was shown to be heritable in progenies generated through self-pollination of single plants in each of five resistant PIs as well as in three F1 hybrids.
Floral Bud Cold Hardiness of Vaccinium ashei, V. constablaei, and Hybrid Derivatives and the Potential for Producing Northern-adapted Rabbiteye Cultivars
Authors: Ehlenfeldt Mark K. , Rowland Lisa J. , Ogden Elizabeth L. , Vinyard Bryan T.
Published: February 2019

From 2004 to 2006, cold hardiness assays were performed to evaluate the relative winterhardiness of flower buds in selections of pure Vaccinium ashei Reade and V. constablaei Gray as well as in selections/families composed of various combinations of V. ashei and V. constablaei germplasm. Significant differences were observed among entries with LT50 values ranging from −17.2 to −28.4 °C. An analysis of LT50 versus percent V. constablaei yielded a regression of LT50 (°C) = (−0.08 × V. constablaei percentage) – 21.57. Families or selections with 50% (or greater) V. constablaei and some with 25% V. constablaei had LT50 values equivalent to or better than ‘Bluecrop’. Based on this information, a 25% V. constablaei constitution appears suitable to develop northern-adapted rabbiteye types if proper parents are selected and if sufficient selection pressure for winterhardiness is exercised.
Toward Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium Tuber Rot in Caladium: Inoculation Technique and Sources of Resistance
Authors: Goktepe Fahrettin , Seijo Teresa , Deng Zhanao , Harbaugh Brent K. , Peres Natalia A. , McGovern Robert J.
Published: February 2019

Fusarium tuber rot, incited by Fusarium solani, is the major cause of losses of tuber quality and quantity in caladium (Caladium ×hortulanum) during storage and production. To develop a reliable inoculation method for evaluating cultivar susceptibility to Fusarium tuber rot and identifying sources of resistance, the effect of temperature on the mycelial growth of F. solani in vitro and on tuber rot in vivo was examined. The optimal temperature was then used to study the aggressiveness of F. solani isolates. The effect of temperature (13, 18, 23, 28, and 33 °C) on radial mycelial growth of nine F. solani isolates in vitro was determined, and all responded similarly to temperature variables, with optimal growth predicted to be at 30.5 °C. The relationship of these temperatures to disease development was then determined for the most aggressive F. solani isolate 05-20 and it was found that disease development in inoculated tubers was greatest at low temperatures (13 and 18 °C). Cold damage to tubers was observed at 13 °C; therefore, 18 °C was chosen for all future disease screening. The aggressiveness of nine isolates was tested on two caladium cultivars. Significant differences among isolates were observed for the diameter of rotted tissue in both cultivars, indicating that choice of isolate was important for screening. Isolates 05-20 and 05-257 were highly aggressive on both cultivars. Tubers of 17 commercial caladium cultivars were inoculated with three isolates (04-03, 05-20, and 05-527) and incubated at 18 °C. The interaction between isolates and cultivars was highly significant (P < 0.0001), indicating that cultivars were not equally susceptible to different pathogenic isolates of F. solani. Lesion diameters differed significantly (P < 0.0001) among cultivars/isolates and ranged from 9.5 mm (‘Rosebud’ and ‘White Christmas’ for isolate 04-03) to 23.9 mm (‘Carolyn Whorton’ for isolate 05-20). The cultivars were ranked for susceptibility to tuber rot within each isolate and the normalized total rank for the three isolates was used to place cultivars into four categories: resistant (‘Candidum’, ‘Rosebud’, ‘White Christmas’, ‘Florida Sweetheart’, and ‘Aaron’), moderately resistant (‘White Wing’ and ‘Red Flash’), susceptible (‘Candidum Jr.’, ‘White Queen’, ‘Red Frill’, ‘Florida Cardinal’, ‘Miss Muffet’, and ‘Postman Joyner’), and highly susceptible (‘Fannie Munson’, ‘Gingerland’, ‘Frieda Hemple’, and ‘Carolyn Whorton’). The availability of these sources of host plant resistance, aggressive isolates, and resistance assessment techniques will facilitate the development of new Fusarium-resistant caladium cultivars.
Identification of an AFLP Fragment Linked to Rust Resistance in Asparagus Bean and Its Conversion to a SCAR Marker
Authors: Li Guojing , Liu Yonghua , Ehlers Jeffrey D. , Zhu Zhujun , Wu Xiaohua , Wang Baogeng , Lu Zhongfu
Published: February 2019

Rust disease, incited by the fungus Uromyces vignae, adversely affects production and quality of asparagus bean and other types of cowpea in many parts of the world. Genetic resistance to the rust pathogen has been identified in a few accessions, but it is difficult to efficiently transfer the resistance to a broad range of asparagus bean cultivars using traditional breeding approaches. We determined that rust resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene designated Rr1 in the cross of a highly resistant cultivar ZN016 and highly susceptible cultivar Zhijiang 282. Bulked segregant analysis was applied to an F2 population derived from these parents, and an AFLP marker (E-AAG/M-CTG), 150 bp in size, was detected in the resistant bulk. The AFLP fragment was then converted to a SCAR marker, named ABRSAAG/CTG98, and the genetic distance between the marker and the Rr1 gene was estimated to be 5.4 cM. This SCAR marker could be used effectively for MAS of Rr1 in breeding programs to develop rust-resistant asparagus bean cultivars and potentially more widely to breed rust-resistant cultivars of other types of cowpea.
Preharvest Applications of Sprayable 1-methylcyclopropene in the Orchard for Management of Apple Harvest and Postharvest Condition
Authors: Elfving Don C. , Drake Stephen R. , Reed A. Nathan , Visser Dwayne B.
Published: February 2019

A sprayable formulation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP; AgroFresh, Spring House, PA) was applied to ‘Scarletspur Delicious’ and ‘Cameo’ apples in the orchard 1 to 3 weeks before harvest and compared in different postharvest studies with the commercial postharvest 1-MCP fruit treatment (SmartFresh; AgroFresh) and with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG; ReTain; Valent BioSciences, Walnut Creek, CA). Treated apples were held in air storage for 50 to 60 d or in controlled-atmosphere storage for 120 to 125 or 215 to 225 d. With increased concentration, sprayable 1-MCP treatments were effective at controlling flesh firmness loss and internal ethylene concentration (IEC) up to 225 d of storage as well as during a 7-d poststorage shelf life simulation at room temperature. Application closer to harvest improved the effect of sprayable 1-MCP on control of flesh firmness loss and IEC. Concentrations of sprayable 1-MCP above 90 mg a.i./L produced similar fruit effects to 1-MCP. Treatment with 1-MCP showed little effect on soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), or skin or flesh color in ‘Delicious’ but slightly increased SSC and TA in ‘Cameo’ apples. AVG applied 4 weeks before commercial harvest controlled IEC nearly as well as either sprayable 1-MCP or 1-MCP during storage, but AVG-treated fruit allowed to ripen for 7 d at room temperature after storage lost much more flesh firmness regardless of storage regime. Sprayable 1-MCP also reduced starch hydrolysis, IEC and fruit drop at harvest. Sprayable 1-MCP may offer new opportunities for effective preharvest management of apple fruit condition, storability, and poststorage fruit quality.
Evaluation of Propargyl Bromide as a Soil Fumigant
Authors: Zasada Inga A. , Elmore Clyde L. , Yakabe Lani E. , MacDonald James D.
Published: February 2019

The cut flower and bulb industry in California is an important part of the state's agricultural economy and it has relied heavily upon the use of methyl bromide as a treatment to control soil-borne pests. With the phase out of methyl bromide, it is important to develop alternatives that will maintain crop productivity. This report describes research testing the efficacy of propargyl bromide against selected nematode, fungal, and weed species. Three sites were selected in California to represent different soil types and environments. Propargyl bromide was applied to soil in large, buried containers at rates ranging from 28 to 168 kg·ha−1 and compared with standard soil fumigants. The citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb) and an isolate of Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend:Fr were both controlled at the lowest rate of propargyl bromide tested: 28 kg·ha−1. Weed species varied greatly in their sensitivity to propargyl bromide. A 100% reduction in common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) germination occurred at 112 kg·ha−1 propargyl bromide, regardless of geographical location. Results for annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) control were more variable across locations and years, but more than 90% control was consistently achieved with 168 kg·ha−1 propargyl bromide. Cheeseweed (Malva parviflora L.) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) were never consistently controlled by propargyl bromide. When compared with the soil fumigants methyl bromide, iodomethane, and metam sodium, propargyl bromide provided comparable control of all soil-borne pests, but at much lower rates. Although higher rates of propargyl bromide, more than 112 kg·ha−1, were needed to control weeds, these rates still were almost half that required of the other standard fumigants.
Softening and Ripening of ‘Athena’ Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) Fruit at Three Harvest Maturities in Response to the Ethylene Antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene
Authors: Jeong Jiwon , Lee James , Huber Donald J.
Published: February 2019

Three experiments were performed to characterize the physiological responses of an Eastern United States shipper muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus ‘Athena’) harvested preripe (¼ slip) and during ripening (half-slip, full-slip) to 1 μL·L−1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a potent ethylene antagonist effective at significantly extending the time required for climacteric fruit to complete ripening. In the first experiment, preripe fruit were treated with 1-MCP (18 hour, 20 °C) before storage at 15 °C. Softening of preripe ‘Athena’ was significantly suppressed in response to 1-MCP, with firmness of control and 1-MCP–treated fruit declining ≈50% and ≈36% through 12 and 18 days of storage at 15 °C, respectively. By 21 days of storage, firmness of 1-MCP–treated remained near 70 N, minimally within the upper range of whole-fruit firmness values considered acceptable for consumption (50–75 N). Fruit treated with 1-MCP exhibited significantly lower ethylene production, respiratory rates, and electrolyte leakage throughout storage. In a second experiment, muskmelon were treated with 1-MCP (18 hours, 20 °C) at progressively advanced stages of ripening (half- and full-slip stages). Softening was significantly suppressed in half-slip fruit, declining ≈64% and ≈23% in control and 1-MCP–treated fruit, respectively, during 16 days of storage at 15 °C. Advanced-ripening, full-slip fruit were similarly affected, softening ≈60% and ≈25% in control and 1-MCP–treated fruit, respectively, during 10 days at 15 °C. In a third experiment designed to simulate possible commercial handling protocols, full-slip muskmelon were treated with 1-MCP (24 hours, 10 °C) and held at 10 °C for 5 days before transfer to 20 °C. Mesocarp firmness of 1-MCP and control fruit within 2 days of transfer to 20 °C had decreased ≈40% and ≈54%, respectively, compared with values at the start of the experiment. After an additional 2 days at 20 °C, the mesocarp tissue of the respective treatments had softened 42% and 70%. Fruit treated with the ethylene antagonist showed significantly delayed incidence of surface decay and sunken regions compared with control fruit.
Physiological Changes in Roma-type Tomato Induced by Mechanical Stress at Several Ripeness Stages
Authors: Lee Eunkyung , Sargent Steven A. , Huber Donald J.
Published: February 2019

Roma tomatoes (‘BHN 467’) were hand-harvested at mature-green color stage and treated with ethylene (100 μL·L−1 at 20 °C and 90% relative humidity) until reaching breaker (<10% red), pink (30%–60% red), or light-red ripeness stage (60%–90% red). Individual fruit at each ripeness stage were subjected to double impacts over the locule using a pendulum-impact device with a force equivalent to two 40-cm drops, followed by ripening at 20 °C. Fruit exhibited most noticeable increases in respiration and ethylene production within 1 hour and 1 day after impact, respectively. After 24 hours, respiration rates increased 40%–60% regardless of ripeness stage, while ethylene production in impacted breaker-stage fruit increased 3-fold (to 6.7 μL·kg−1·h−1). Fruit impacted at breaker stage softened 2 days earlier compared with non-impacted breaker fruit. Fruit impacted at all ripeness stages had higher electrolyte leakage and polygalacturonase (PG) activity during ripening than non-impacted fruit. After 6 days, electrolyte leakage in fruit impacted at light-red ripeness stage was 23% higher than non-impacted fruit; PG activity in breaker fruit increased 40% at 10 days over non-impacted fruit. No changes were observed for soluble solids content, total titratable acidity, pH, or sugar/acid ratio from impacts, independent of ripeness stage.
Container Substrate-pH Response to Differing Limestone Type and Particle Size
Authors: Huang Jinsheng , Fisher Paul R. , Argo William R.
Published: February 2019

The objective of this study was to develop reactivity indices to describe the pH response for liming materials incorporated into container substrates. Three reactivity indices [particle size efficiency (PSE), fineness factor (FF), and effective calcium carbonate equivalence (ECC)] were developed based on lime particle size distribution and lime neutralizing value (NV) in CaCO3 equivalent. Six lime particle size fractions (2000 to 850, 850 to 250, 250 to 150, 150 to 75, 75 to 45, and <45 μm) separated from each of three calcitic limes and seven dolomitic limes were used to calibrate PSE, and were based on the increase in substrate pH (ΔpH) incited by the particle size fraction relative to reagent grade CaCO3 when mixed in a sphagnum peat substrate at 5 g CaCO3 equivalents per liter of peat. PSE for calcitic carbonate limes at day 7 (short-term pH response) were 0.13, 0.40, 0.78, 0.97, 1.00, and 1.00 for 2000 to 850, 850 to 250, 250 to 150, 150 to 75, 75 to 45, and <45 μm particle fractions, respectively. Other PSE values were described for dolomitic carbonate limestones and for long-term pH response, and PSE was modeled with a function over time. FF was calculated for a liming material by summing the percentages by weight in each of the six size fractions multiplied by the appropriate PSE. ECC rating of a limestone was the product of its NV and FF. ECC multiplied by the applied lime incorporation rate could be used to predict substrate-pH response. Estimated PSE values were validated in two experiments that compared expected and observed substrate pH using 29 unscreened carbonate and hydrated lime sources blended with peat. Validation trials resulted in a close correlation and no bias between expected and observed pH values. Revised PSE values are useful to evaluate the reactivity of different limestone sources for container substrates given the fine particle size, short crop duration, and pH sensitivity of many container-grown crops.
Potato Tuberworm (Lepidoptera: Gelichiidae) Resistance in Potato Lines with the Bacillus thuringiensis cry1Ac Gene and Natural Resistance
Authors: Estrada Maria A. , Zarka Kelly , Cooper Susannah , Coombs Joseph , Douches David S. , Grafius Edward J.
Published: February 2019

The potato tuberworm [Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)] is one of the most destructive insect pests to potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in tropical and subtropical regions, and it has recently become established in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Combining natural resistance mechanisms with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cry genes could be a potential solution to improve potato resistance to tuberworm. We have expressed Bt cry1Ac in two potato lines: Spunta, a susceptible potato line, and ND5873-15, a moderately resistant line with high foliar glycoalkaloids derived from Solanum chacoense. Putative transgenic lines of Spunta and ND5873-15 were developed using a vector construct pSPUD15 with the codon-modified Bt cry1Ac driven by the 35S CaMV promoter. Integration of Bt cry1Ac in Spunta and ND5873-15 transgenic lines was determined by PCR and Southern analysis. Protein expression in the transgenic lines (0–580 ng·g−1) was determined by ELISA. Plants expressing Bt cry1Ac were effective in controlling potato tuberworm first-instar larvae in the detached-leaf bioassays (up to 97% mortality) and in tuber bioassays (up to 99% mortality). Based on the assays conducted, the Bt cry1Ac Spunta lines were similar to the Bt cry1Ac ND5873-15 lines for potato tuberworm mortality. Constitutively expressed Bt cry1Ac would be a useful gene to use for host plant resistance to potato tuberworm.
Adjustment of Mineral Elements in the Culture Medium for the Micropropagation of Three Vriesea Bromeliads from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: The Importance of Calcium
Authors: Aranda-Peres Alice Noemí , Pereira Peres Lázaro Eustáquio , Higashi Edson Namita , Martinelli Adriana Pinheiro
Published: February 2019

Many different species of Bromeliaceae are endangered and their conservation requires specific knowledge of their growth habits and propagation. In vitro culture of bromeliads is an important method for efficient clonal propagation and in vitro seed germination can be used to maintain genetic variability. The present work aims to evaluate the in vitro growth and nutrient concentration in leaves of the epiphyte bromeliads Vriesea friburguensis Mez, Vriesea hieroglyphica (Carrière) E. Morren, and Vriesea unilateralis Mez, which exhibit slow rates of growth in vivo and in vitro. Initially, we compared the endogenous mineral composition of bromeliad plantlets grown in half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and the mineral composition considered adequate in the literature. This approach suggested that calcium (Ca) is a critical nutrient and this was considered for new media formulation. Three new culture media were defined in which the main changes to half-strength MS medium were an increase in Ca, magnesium, sulfur, copper, and chloride and a decrease in iron, maintaining the nitrate:ammonium rate at ≈2:1. The main difference among the three new media formulated was Ca concentration, which varied from 1.5 mm in half-strength MS to 3.0, 6.0, and 12 mm in M2, M3, and M4 media, respectively. Consistently, all three species exhibited significantly higher fresh and dry weight on M4, the newly defined medium with the highest level of Ca (12 mm). Leaf nitrogen, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and boron concentrations increased as Ca concentration in the medium increased from 1.5 to 12 mm.
Managing Fertilization of Bedding Plants: A Comparison of Constant Fertilizer Concentrations versus Constant Leachate Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Kang Jong-Goo , van Iersel Marc W.
Published: February 2019

In the last decade, there has been an increasing focus on maintaining the electrical conductivity (EC) of leachate of bedding plants within an optimal range. However, there has been no research determining whether an optimal leachate EC results in better growth than using constant fertilizer concentrations throughout the production period. To evaluate the effects of constant fertilizer concentrations and constant leachate EC on the growth of wax begonia (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum Hort.) ‘Cocktail mix’ and petunia (Petunia × hybrida Hort. Vilm-Andr.) ‘Gnome white’, we grew plants either with one of six different fertilizer concentrations (fertilizer EC of 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, or 5.5 dS·m−1) or by maintaining a leachate EC close to 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, or 5.5 dS·m−1. The leachate EC of plants fertilized with constant fertilizer concentrations increased throughout the experiment if the fertilizer EC was 2.5 dS·m−1 or higher, was stable in the 1.5 dS·m−1 treatment, and decreased in the 0.5 dS·m−1 treatment. In treatments in which we tried to maintain the leachate EC constant, the leachate EC on average was within 0.2 dS·m−1 of the target EC. As a result of the acidic nature of the fertilizer, the pH of the growing medium decreased throughout the experiment with increasing leachate or fertilizer EC. When plants were fertilized with constant fertilizer concentrations, fertilizer solution EC of 0.52 and 1.24 dS·m−1 were estimated to be optimal for begonia and petunia, respectively. When the growing medium was maintained at a constant EC, 1.0 and 1.7 dS·m−1 were estimated to be optimal for begonia and petunia, respectively. Growth of both begonia and petunia was greatly inhibited when high fertilizer concentrations caused accumulation of soluble salts in the growing medium. Growth was reduced more by high fertilizer EC than by high leachate EC treatments. This difference probably occurred because superoptimal fertilizer concentrations resulted in very high leachate EC (up to 10.5 dS·m−1 for petunia and 12.5 dS·m−1 for begonia), which in turn inhibited growth. Periodic measurements of leachate EC can be a valuable tool in fertilizer management to prevent such excess buildup of salts in the growing medium.
Efficacy of Chlorine in Controlling Five Common Plant Pathogens
Authors: Cayanan Diane Feliciano , Zhang Ping , Liu Weizhong , Dixon Mike , Zheng Youbin
Published: February 2019

Recycled irrigation water is one of the major sources of inoculum and may spread plant pathogens throughout the nursery or greenhouse operation. Chlorination is the most economical method of disinfecting water and has been adopted by some North American commercial growers. However, chlorine has not been assessed as a disinfectant for the common plant pathogens Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora cactorum, Pythium aphanidermatum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani. These pathogens were exposed to five different initially free chlorine solution concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 14 mg·L−1 in combination with five contact times of 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, and 10 min to determine the free chlorine threshold and critical contact time required to kill each pathogen. Results indicated that the free chlorine threshold and critical contact time for control of P. infestans, P. cactorum, P. aphanidermatum, F. oxysporum, and R. solani were 1, 0.3, 2, 14, and 12 mg·L−1 for 3, 6, 3, 6, and 10 min, respectively.
‘Felinem’, ‘Garnem’, and ‘Monegro’ Almond × Peach Hybrid Rootstocks
Authors: Felipe Antonio J.
Published: February 2019

‘Felinem’, ‘Garnem’, and ‘Monegro’ are three almond × peach hybrid rootstocks released to address the problems of Prunus growing in Mediterranean conditions not solved by the presently available rootstocks. These new rootstocks are characterized by red leaves, good vigor, easy clonal propagation, resistance to root-knot nematodes, adaptation to calcareous soils and other Mediterranean agroecological conditions, and graft compatibility with the whole range of peach and almond cultivars as well as some plum and apricot cultivars.
Identification of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers Linked to Gummy Stem Blight (Didymella bryoniae) Resistance in Melon (Cucumis melo L.) PI 420145
Authors: Wolukau Joseph N. , Zhou Xiaohui , Chen JinFeng
Published: February 2019

Gummy stem blight (GSB) caused by the ascomycete fungus Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm is an important disease of melon. Molecular markers linked to resistance would be useful for melon breeding programs. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique and bulk segregant analysis were used to identify molecular markers linked to the resistance of melon to Didymella bryoniae. Segregation analysis of F2 progeny from a cross of PI 420145, a resistant line, and PI 136170, a susceptible line, showed that resistance to GSB was controlled by a dominant gene. One AFLP marker, E-TG/M-CTC200, was identified that is tightly linked to GSB resistance gene at a distance of 2.0 cM. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of AFLP markers linked to GSB resistance in melon. The identification of AFLP markers provides a step toward the use of marker-assisted selection and the characterization of the gene encoding resistance to GSB in melon.
Crossability, Cytogenetics, and Reproductive Pathways in Rudbeckia Subgenus Rudbeckia
Authors: Palmer Irene E. , Ranney Thomas G. , Lynch Nathan P. , Bir Richard E.
Published: February 2019

Rudbeckia L. are valuable nursery crops that offer broad adaptability and exceptional ornamental merit. However, there is little information on interspecific and interploid crossability and ploidy levels of specific cultivars. The objectives of this study were to determine the ploidy levels and relative DNA contents (genome sizes) of selected species and cultivars, to evaluate self-compatibility and crossability among species and ploidy levels, and to explore reproductive pathways in triploid R. hirta L. with the goal of facilitating future breeding endeavors and development of new hybrids. Reciprocal interspecific crosses were performed between R. hirta cultivars and R. fulgida Ait., R. missouriensis Engelm. ex C.L. Boynton & Beadle, and R. subtomentosa Pursh. as well as reciprocal interploid crosses among four R. hirta cultivars. A combination of relative DNA content analysis and chromosome counts was used to test for hybridity and to determine ploidy levels for selected species, cultivars, and interploid R. hirta F1 hybrids. Of the specific clones tested, R. subtomentosa and R. missouriensis were diploid, R. fuligida varieties were tetraploid, and R. hirta include both diploid and tetraploid cultivars. Mean 1Cx DNA content varied over 320% among species. The interploid R. hirta crosses produced triploids as well as pentaploids and hexaploids. Seedlings from open-pollinated triploid R. hirta appeared, based on diverse phenotypes and DNA contents, to be aneuploids resulting from sexual fertilization, not apomixis. Of the 844 seedlings from interspecific F1 crosses, only one individual, R. subtomentosa ×R. hirta, had a DNA content intermediate between its parents and was confirmed as the only interspecific hybrid. Although most taxa had low self-fertility, seedlings (with genomic sizes similar to their maternal parent) resulted after interspecific crosspollination, indicating that pseudogamy is one reproductive pathway in Rudbeckia species.
Sources of Resistance in U.S. Plant Introductions to Watermelon Vine Decline Caused by Squash Vein Yellowing Virus
Authors: Kousik Chandrasekar S. , Adkins Scott , Turechek William W. , Roberts Pamela D.
Published: February 2019

Watermelon vine decline (WVD) is a new and emerging disease caused by the whitefly-transmitted squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV). The disease has become a major limiting factor in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] production in southwest and west–central Florida and is estimated to have caused more than $60 million in losses. Symptoms of WVD typically occur at or just before harvest and are manifested as sudden decline of the vines, often with a reduction in fruit quality. In this study, we present results of greenhouse and field evaluations of U.S. plant introductions (PIs) for resistance to SqVYV. Of the 218 PIs we evaluated for resistance to SqVYV, none were completely immune, but several showed varying levels of resistance and these were further evaluated in two greenhouse and field trials. Disease progress was significantly slower on the selected PIs compared with disease progress on susceptible watermelon cultivars Mickey Lee and Crimson Sweet. Moderate resistance was observed in two C. colocynthis (PI 386015 and PI 386024), a Praecitrullus fistulosus (PI 381749), and two C. lanatus var. lanatus PIs (PI 482266 and PI 392291). Variability in the resistant reaction to SqVYV within most PIs was observed. The identification of potential sources of partial resistance to SqVYV suggests that watermelon germplasm with moderate resistance can be developed by careful screening and selection of individual resistant plants within these PIs for use in breeding programs.
Unconditional and Conditional Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Plant Height in Nonheading Chinese Cabbage
Authors: Cheng Yan , Wang Qian , Ban Qingyu , Geng Jianfeng , Zhang Xiao Wei , Yi Ying , Hou Xilin
Published: February 2019

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified so far in Brassica were mainly generated in the final stage of plant development, which did not apply to the exploitation of genetic effects that were expressed during a specific developmental stage. Thus, the objective of this study was to simultaneously identify unconditional and conditional QTL associated with plant height at various stages of nonheading Chinese cabbage. One hundred twelve doubled haploid (DH) lines developed from the cross between nonheading Chinese cabbage lines ‘SW-13’ and ‘SU-124’ were used for QTL analysis of plant height by the composite interval mapping method combined with mixed genetic model. The map we used for QTL analysis was an updated version of the first genetic map of nonheading Chinese cabbage with 48 additional markers to the same DH population. With data from 2 years, a total of 11 unconditional QTLs in six linkage groups and 23 conditional QTLs in eight linkage groups were identified for plant height. The results indicated that the number and type of QTLs and their genetic effects for plant height were different in a series of measuring stages. Each QTL can explain 7.92% to 28.25% of the total phenotypic variation. Two QTLs (ph8-4 and ph8-5) were identified to be associated with plant height using both unconditional and conditional mapping methods simultaneously in 2 years. These results demonstrated that it is highly effective for mapping QTL of developmental traits using the unconditional and conditional analysis methodology.
A Comparison of Three Cold-climate Strawberry Production Systems: Environmental Effects
Authors: Stevens Matthew D. , Black Brent L. , Lea-Cox John D. , Sadeghi Ali M. , Harman-Fetcho Jennifer , Pfeil Emy , Downey Peter , Rowland Randy , Hapeman Cathleen J.
Published: February 2019

The environmental effects of the three strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) cold-climate production systems were compared: the traditional method of conventional matted row (CMR) and the two more recently developed practices of advanced matted row (AMR) and cold-climate plasticulture (CCP). Side-by-side field plots were instrumented with automated flow meters and samplers to measure and collect runoff, which was filtered and analyzed to determine soil, pesticide, and nitrogen losses. Although annual mean runoff volumes were similar for all three production systems, the soil losses from CMR plots were two to three times greater than the CCP plots throughout the study and two to three times greater than the AMR plots only in the first year of the 3-year study. In general, decreases in erosion and runoff volumes were observed in plots that were disturbed less by machine operations and had less foot traffic as a result of decreased need for hand weeding and in the plots that used straw mulch in the furrows between the beds. Timing and intensity of precipitation events also influenced the amount of soil erosion. Pesticide residues and nitrogen losses were also greatest in the runoff from the CMR plots. The two systems that used drip fertigation, AMR and CCP, also had higher nitrogen uptake efficiencies. Overall, the CCP and AMR systems performed similarly for most criteria; however, considering the nonrenewable nature of the plastic mulch and the need to dispose of the plastic mulch in a landfill, the AMR system was more environmentally sustainable than the CCP system.
Photosynthetic Daily Light Integral Influences Flowering Time and Crop Characteristics of Cyclamen persicum
Authors: Oh Wook , Cheon In Hye , Kim Ki Sun , Runkle Erik S.
Published: February 2019

This study was carried out to examine the effect of photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) on the growth and flowering of cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill. ‘Metis Scarlet Red’). Plants with six fully unfolded leaves were grown at 24/16 °C (12 h/12 h) under an 8- or 16-h photoperiod at a photosynthetic photon flux of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 μmol·m−2·s−1, which provided seven DLIs: 1.4, 2.9, 4.3, 5.8, 8.6, 11.5, and 17.3 mol·m−2·d−1. Days to first flower decreased from 133 to 75 as DLI increased from 1.4 to 17.3 mol·m−2·d−1, although the acceleration of flowering was less pronounced when the DLI was greater than 5.8 mol·m−2·d−1. Mean leaf and flower number increased from 8.7 to 28.0 and from 0 to 14.7, respectively, as DLI increased from 1.4 to 11.5 mol·m−2·d−1, but there was no further increase under a DLI of 17.3 mol·m−2·d−1. Total dry weight and net photosynthetic rate showed a similar trend as leaf and flower number. We conclude that supplemental lighting can accelerate greenhouse production of potted cyclamen under a low ambient DLI (i.e., less than 12 mol·m−2·d−1).
Combined Analysis to Characterize Yield Pattern of Greenhouse-grown Red Sweet Peppers
Authors: Lin Wei-Chin , Frey Dietmar , Nigh Gordon D. , Ying Cheng C.
Published: February 2019

Understanding the irregular yield pattern of greenhouse-grown sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) has been a challenge to researchers and greenhouse producers. Experimental data from 4 years, each consisting of 26 production weeks, were used in a time series analysis, neural network (NN) modeling, and regression analysis. Time series analysis revealed that weekly yield was influenced by yields from the preceding 2 weeks (Yd_1 and Yd_2), cumulative light 2 and 4 weeks prior (L_2 and L_4), and average 24-h air temperature 5 weeks prior (T_5). Cumulative light (L) data were transformed into kL by dividing by 1000 for subsequent NN modeling and regression analysis. These five inputs were used to establish a NN model, which illustrated the positive influence of Yd_1, kL_4, and kL_2 and negative influence of Yd_2 and T_5. Again, these five inputs were used in a regression analysis illustrating the positive influence of Yd_1 and the negative influence of Yd_2. Each input was further modified to include its squared value before entering the regression, which resulted in significant inputs of Yd_1, Yd_1 squared, and Yd_2 squared. Among these three analyses, the most consistent parameters were Yd_1 and Yd_2, confirming that the irregular yield pattern of greenhouse-grown peppers is of a biological nature. Environmental factors kL_2, kL_4, and T_5 did not show a consistent effect on yield in all three analyses, indicating yield pattern is less influenced by growing environment.
Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism and Parentage Analysis of a Feral Barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC.) Population to Determine the Contribution of an Ornamental Landscape Genotype
Authors: Lubell Jessica D. , Brand Mark H. , Lehrer Jonathan M. , Holsinger Kent E.
Published: February 2019

We investigated the role of an ornamental, purple-leaved specimen of Japanese barberry in a local invasion using parentage analysis. We focused on a landscape plant of B. thunbergii var. atropurpurea in Willington, CT, that was first established at least 30 years ago. We genotyped every barberry plant found within a 92-m radius of this individual. In contrast to feral populations that are distant from residential or commercial plantings, 14% of the 43 feral plants in our sample had purple foliage and 30% were found growing within 16.5 m of the focal individual. Parentage analysis identified seven plants (five purple-leaved and two green-leaved) as descendants of the focal individual. Five of these descendants are likely first-generation offspring and two are likely second-generation seedlings. In addition, one plant was identified as a backcross between the focal plant and one of its offspring. Our results show that purple-leaved Japanese barberry used in residential landscapes can contribute to plant invasions, at least under some circumstances.
Volatile Organic Compounds Emanating from Indoor Ornamental Plants
Authors: Yang Dong Sik , Son Ki-Cheol , Kays Stanley J.
Published: February 2019

A broad cross-section of volatiles emanating from four species of popular indoor ornamental plants (Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel, Sansevieria trifasciata Prain, Ficus benjamina L., and Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl.) was identified and categorized based on source. Volatile organic compounds from individual plants were obtained using a dynamic headspace system and trapped on Tenax TA during the day and again at night. Using short-path thermal desorption and cryofocusing, the volatiles were transferred onto a capillary column and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. The volatiles originated from the plants, media/micro-organisms, pot, and pesticides. A total of 23, 12, 13, and 16 compounds were identified from S. wallisii, S. trifasciata, F. benjamina, and C. lutescens, respectively. The night emanation rate was substantially reduced (i.e., by 30.1%, 69.5%, 73.7%, and 63.1%, respectively) reflecting in part the regulation of biosynthesis and the greater diffusion resistance when the stomata were closed. S. wallisii had the highest emanation rate, releasing 15 terpenoid compounds [e.g., linaloloxide, linalool, (Z)-β-farnesene, farnesal, (+)-δ-cadinene, (+)-β-costol] into the surrounding air. Alpha-farnesene (90.3%) was quantitatively the dominant volatile present followed by (Z)-β-farnesene (1.4%), (+)-β-costol (1.4%), and farnesal (1.1%). Substantially fewer terpenoids (i.e., two, nine, and eight) emanated from S. trifasciata, F. benjamina, and C. lutescens, which quantitatively emitted fewer volatiles than S. wallisii. Most terpenoids from the four species were sesquiterpenes rather than monoterpenes. Methyl salicylate, a plant-signaling compound, was emitted by all four species. Certain volatiles (e.g., 2-chlorobenzonitrile, 1-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene) were released from growth media and/or micro-organisms therein; other sources included the plastic pot (e.g., 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane) and pesticide ingredients [e.g., 2-(2-methoxy- ethoxy)ethanol, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate].
Wild-Proso Millet Differentially Affects Canopy Architecture and Yield Components of 25 Sweet Corn Hybrids
Authors: So Yim F. , Williams Martin M. , Pataky Jerald K.
Published: February 2019

Knowledge of cultivar-specific information on crop tolerance, the ability of the crop to endure competitive stress from weeds, has garnered recent interest in organic crop production. Twenty-five commercial sweet corn hybrids from nine seed companies were grown in the presence and absence of wild-proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) to 1) quantify tolerance in crop growth and yield to weed interference; 2) determine associations between tolerance in crop growth and yield; and 3) identify hybrids differing in tolerance to weed interference. Despite large differences in canopy architecture among hybrids, crop height and leaf uprightness were minimally affected by weed interference. In contrast, wild-proso millet interference reduced ear number 11% to 98% and ear mass 24% to 82% depending on the hybrid. The ability of a hybrid to make small growth adjustments in the presence of wild-proso millet appeared to have no relationship to yield tolerance. The least competitive hybrids were ‘ACX1413’, ‘Optimum’, ‘Quickie’, ‘Spring Treat’, and ‘Sugar Buns’. The most competitive hybrids were ‘Code128’, ‘Coho’, ‘El Toro’, ‘EX 8716622’, and ‘Legacy’. Although some exceptions were observed, in general, the longer-maturity processing hybrids were more competitive with wild-proso millet than the earlier-maturing fresh market hybrids.