bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth and Physiological Response of Creeping Bentgrass To Elevated Night Temperature
Authors: Fu Jinmin , Huang Bingru
Published: February 2019

Growth of cool-season grasses declines with increasing temperatures. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of elevated night temperature on turf quality, root mortality, and carbohydrate metabolism in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stoloniferous L. var. palustris (Huds.) Farw (syn. A. palustris Huds.). Plants of `Penncross' were exposed to two night temperature regimes: 24 °C (higher night temperature); and 19 °C (lower temperature control) under the same day temperature (24 °C) in growth chambers for 45 days. Prolonged exposure of plants to higher night temperature reduced turf quality, canopy photosynthetic rate, whole-plant and root respiration rates during the day, translocation of newly fixed 14C assimilate to roots, and total nonstructural carbohydrate content in shoots and roots (including dead and live roots). Elevated night temperature increased root mortality and whole-plant and root respiration rates at night. Our results indicated that a decline in turf quality and increase in root dieback with high night temperature was mainly associated with increased night respiration rates of whole plant and roots and reduced carbohydrate availability.
A Comparison of Yield Between High- and Low-intensity Management for Three Watermelon Cultivars
Authors: Lu Wenhua , Edelson J.V. , Duthie Jim A. , Roberts B. Warren
Published: February 2019

Factors of crop management such as irrigation, cultivation, cultivar selection, and control of insect pests and plant diseases play important roles in watermelon production. To gain a better understanding of how intensity of crop management affects yield, we conducted a comparative study contrasting high and low intensity management in 1997, 1999, and 2000. High-intensity management (HM) included the use of trickle irrigation, black plastic mulch, insecticides, and fungicides, not used under low-intensity management (LM). We examined the effects of management intensity on watermelon productivity, the variation in such effects among watermelon cultivars, and the mediating effect of survival of watermelon plants, abundance of insect pests, and incidence of anthracnose (% leaves with anthracnose lesions). The results indicated that HM produced 100% greater marketable fruit yield per area and marketable fraction of total fruit than LM in 2 out of 3 years. The effect of management intensity on plant survival was related to this effect on yield in 1 out of 2 years, and contributed to the latter by increasing weight and number of marketable fruit per plant under HM. We detected no significant effect of abundance of insect pests and incidence of anthracnose on yield. There was variation in the effect of management intensity on yield among watermelon cultivars in 1 out of 3 years. The triploid `Gem Dandy' showed great differences in yield between HM and LM in 2 years, producing on average 28.9 Mg·ha-1 of marketable fruit yield under HM compared to 14.0 Mg·ha-1 under LM. `Gem Dandy' also produced 100% higher yield of marketable fruit per area, per plant, and marketable fraction of total fruit than the open-pollinated diploid `Allsweet' or the diploid hybrid `Sangria.' Each year during the 3-year study, all three cultivars had a similar density of insect pests, incidence of anthracnose, and plant survival after transplant and at harvest. This study provided information on the collective impact of multiple aspects of watermelon management on yield.
Primocane Growth in 'Chester Thornless' Blackberry Trained to the Rotatable Cross-arm Trellis
Authors: Takeda Fumiomi , Hummell Ann K. , Peterson Donald L.
Published: February 2019

A study was conducted to characterize vegetative growth of mature 'Chester Thornless' blackberry plants trained to the rotatable cross-arm (RCA) trellis in which up to six primocanes were retained. Cane emergence occurred from mid-April to late-May. The first (oldest) primocane attained a sufficient height to be trained in early May in 40% of plants, but younger primocanes could not be trained until late July. However, only 94%, 73%, 60%, and 42% of plants developed three, four, five, and six primocanes, respectively. In primocanes that were trained from 14 May to 3 June, eight or nine medium (0.7-1.3 m) to long (>1.3 m) lateral branches developed. Primocanes tied from 4 June to 16 July averaged less than six lateral branches that were mostly of medium and short (<0.7 m) categories. Primocanes trained after 16 July produced only two short lateral branches. The results indicated that training primocanes from mid-May to mid-June for 'Chester Thornless' blackberry on the RCA trellis would be advantageous to minimize labor costs.
Influence of Diurnal Temperature on Nutrient Release Patterns of Three Polymer-coated Fertilizers
Authors: Husby Chad E. , Niemiera Alexander X. , Harris J. Roger , Wright Robert D.
Published: February 2019

This study was conducted to determine the effects of temperature on nutrient release patterns of three polymer-coated fertilizers (PCFs), each using a different coating technology: Osmocote Plus 15N-3.93P-9.96K, Polyon 18N-2.62P-9.96K, and Nutricote 18N-2.62P-6.64K. Each fertilizer was placed in a sand-filled column and leached with distilled water at ≈100 mL·h-1, while being subjected to a simulated diurnal container temperature change from 20 to 40 °C and back to 20 °C over a period of 20 hours. Column leachate was collected hourly and measured for soluble salts and NO3-N and NH4-N content. For all fertilizers, nutrient release increased and decreased with the respective increase and decrease in temperature. Nutrient release patterns of the three fertilizers differed, with Osmocote Plus showing the greatest overall change in nutrient release between 20 and 40 °C, and Nutricote the least.
Growth and Yield of Tomato on Plastic Film Mulches as Affected byTomato Spotted Wilt Virus
Authors: Díaz-Pérez Juan C. , Batal K. Dean , Granberry Darbie , Bertrand Denne , Giddings David , Pappu Hanu
Published: February 2019

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a serious constraint to tomato production worldwide. Losses are significant because the disease is difficult to control and most of the commercially available tomato cultivars are susceptible to TSWV. This study was intended to provide information that could be used to design more appropriate disease management strategies. The objective was to determine the relationship of tomato plant growth and fruit yield with the time of TSWV symptom appearance. Experiments were carried out during Spring 1999 and 2000, using drip irrigation and plastic film mulched beds with black plastic mulch alone (1999) or different colored mulches (2000). The mulches used were black, black-on-silver, gray-on-black, red, silver-on-black, silver (painted) and white-on-black, and bare soil. The 1999 experiment included a single TSWV-susceptible cultivar (Florida-47), while the 2000-experiment included two TSWV-susceptible (Florida-91 and Sun Chaser) and one TSWV-resistant cultivars (BHN-444). Colored mulches and tomato cultivars affected the time between transplanting and appearance of first symptoms of TSWV. For all tomato cultivars, vegetative top fresh weight (FW), fruit number and total fruit yield increased linearly with the time the plants remained free from TSWV symptoms. Marketable fruit yield also increased as the time from transplanting to the first appearance of symptoms increased. When data for cultivars were pooled, vegetative top FW and total fruit yield were reduced by 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively, for each day prior to harvesting that plants showed TSWV symptoms.
Relative Susceptibility of Selected Apple Cultivars to Botryosphaeria dothidea
Authors: Biggs Alan R. , Miller Stephen S.
Published: February 2019

Twenty-three apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) cultivars were tested in the field and laboratory for their relative susceptibility to the white rot pathogen, Botryosphaeria dothidea. Wounded fruit were inoculated in the field at 2 to 3 weeks preharvest with mycelium from 14- to 21-day-old cultures. In the laboratory, detached fruit were similarly inoculated. Fruit were rated for relative susceptibility to the fungus with two criteria: disease severity of attached fruit in the field based on lesion growth (mm/degree-day) and disease severity of detached fruit in laboratory inoculations of wounded fruit (mean lesion diameter after 5 days). Based on the laboratory and field data from 2 years of study, cultivars were classified into three relative susceptibility groups: most susceptible: `Fortune' and `Pristine'; moderately susceptible: `Golden Supreme', `Creston', `Ginger Gold', `Sansa', `Golden Delicious', `Senshu', `Orin', `Sunrise', `GoldRush', `Arlet', `Braeburn', `Cameo', `Enterprise', `Fuji', `Shizuka', `Gala Supreme', and NY 75414; and least susceptible: `Honeycrisp', `Yataka', `Suncrisp', and `PioneerMac'. Compared to previous cultivar rankings, the results of the present study indicate that some new apple cultivars from the first NE-183 planting show greater resistance to Botryosphaeria dothidea than current standard cultivars.
The Influence of 1-MCP on Shelf-Life Quality of Highbush Blueberry
Authors: DeLong John M. , Prange Robert K. , Bishop Conny , Harrison Peter A. , Ryan Daniel A.J.
Published: February 2019

To determine if postharvest treatments of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) retard the senescence of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) removed from storage, `Burlington' (early) and `Coville' (late) fruit were harvested from four experimental sites and treated for 24 hours at 20 °C with 0 (control), 25 (low), 100 (medium), or 400 (high) nL·L-1 of 1-MCP. All fruit were then stored in a controlled atmosphere of 10-15 kPa O2 and 10 kPa CO2 at -1 to 1 °C for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, followed by a 20 °C shelf-life of up to 20 days. During the shelf-life period immediately after harvest and those following each storage removal, percent marketable fruit (PMF) were calculated daily as: [fruit in good condition]/[total berry number] × 100. Changes in PMF were not affected by 1-MCP treatment; hence, we conclude that 1-MCP at rates up to 400 nL·L-1 does not alter the shelf-life quality of the highbush blueberry cultivars tested.
Postharvest Quality of Noble and Nordmann Fir Christmas Trees
Authors: Chastagner Gary A. , Riley Kathleen L.
Published: February 2019

Moisture and needle loss characteristics were similar for noble (Abies procera Red.) and Nordmann fir [Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach.] Christmas trees that were displayed in water. After 42 days, trees still had xylem pressure potentials above -2 MPa. In addition, trees that were displayed in water had very little needle loss. When trees were displayed dry, noble and Nordmann fir had similar rates of moisture loss, drying to about -6 MPa in about 3 weeks. Although there was very little needle loss from any of the noble fir trees that were displayed dry, some Nordmann fir trees began to shed large numbers of green needles within 3 to 5 days, which significantly reduced postharvest quality. Unless sources of Nordmann fir are identified that have good needle retention characteristics, the needle loss problem observed when trees dry to about -3 MPa has the potential to limit the use of this species as a Christmas tree in the United States.
In Vitro Factors During Ovule Culture Affect Development and Conversion of Immature Peach and Nectarine Embryos
Authors: Ramming David W. , Emershad Richard L. , Foster Carol
Published: February 2019

Various in vitro conditions for culture of ovules prior to extraction and culture of immature embryos of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica Schneid.] were investigated. Culture vessels consisting of test tubes, petri dishes, and polycarbonate jars were tested along with various types of support and nutrient media. Agar support was superior to liquid media with filter paper supports. Agar produced the largest embryos with 90% to 93% being converted into plants compared to liquid with only 1% to 12% embryo conversion. The best ovule orientation and support was with the micropyle down and pushed halfway into an agar-gelled medium. In experiments two and three, test tubes with vertical ovule orientation (micropyle end of ovule pushed into agar) produced larger embryos, the largest plants and the greatest percentage of embryos that converted into plants (60% and 91%). Petri dish treatments were less successful in embryo conversion than test tubes and polycarbonate jars. The addition of activated charcoal (AC) to an agar-gelled medium produced significantly larger embryos with a similar conversion rate. The addition of an agar-gelled medium to culture vessels reduces preparation time compared to filter paper supports, and placing each ovule within a test tube eliminates cross contamination, making immature embryo culture more successful.
Genetic Response for Reaction to Verticillium Wilt in Strawberry with Two-stage Family and Genotypic Selection
Authors: Shaw Douglas V. , Gordon Thomas R.
Published: February 2019

Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) genotypes retained for resistance to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) after two cycles of a two-stage (TS) selection procedure consisting of full-sib family selection followed by within-family selection of individuals, and genotypes retained for resistance using genotypic mass (GM) selection were crossed to a common set of moderately susceptible genotypes. The relative resistance of the seedlings from these progenies was compared using a resistance score and the percentage of stunted plants. Although the two sets of resistant parents had performed similarly in genotypic comparisons, those genotypes selected using the TS procedure yielded test cross offspring with significantly higher resistance scores (X̄ = 3.84 ± 0.09 vs. X̄ = 3.46 ± 0.09, t = 3.11**) and significantly lower rates of plant stunting (X̄ = 38.1% ± 3.1 vs. X̄ = 50.2% ± 2.9, t = 2.87**) than the parents chosen using GM selection. Further resolution using analysis of variance and general combining ability (GCA) estimates showed that these between-set differences resulted from higher resistance breeding values for parents selected using the TS procedure. The five genotypes with largest GCA for resistance score and four of the five genotypes with minimum GCA for percentage stunting were obtained by TS selection.
Susceptibility of Juglans Species and Interspecific Hybrids to Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: McKenna James R. , Epstein Lynn
Published: February 2019

Crown gall, caused by the common soil-borne bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, can be an economic problem in walnut nurseries and production orchards in California. The principal rootstocks used for commercial walnut production in California are the native Northern California black walnut, Juglans hindsii, and “Paradox,” which are interspecific hybrids between a black walnut, primarily J. hindsii, as the maternal parent, and J. regia, the English walnut, as the paternal parent. Recent evidence has shown that some commercial black walnut trees producing Paradox hybrid seedlings are actually hybrids between J. hindsii and two other North American black walnut species, J. major and J. nigra. Here, we document that there was a higher incidence of crown gall on Paradox (J. hindsii ×J. regia) than on J. hindsii in three sites with natural soil inoculum. Paradox seedlings (with a female parent that was primarily J. hindsii with some J. nigra) inoculated with A. tumefaciens on the roots during transplanting had a higher incidence of crown gall than either J. hindsii or J. regia. When stems were inoculated with A. tumefaciens, J. hindsii ×J. regia populations had significantly larger galls than either J. hindsii or J. regia. Similarly, in stem inoculations on four out of six Paradox genotypes with a hybrid black walnut maternal parent, the progeny produced significantly larger galls than either J. hindsii or J. regia. However, two Paradox populations from black walnut hybrids that contained J. major, J. nigra, and J. hindsii produced galls that were no different in size than in the black walnut species and J. regia. Results suggest that J. regia and black walnut species are less susceptible to crown gall than most Paradox populations.
Seaweed Extract, Humic Acid, and Propiconazole Improve Tall Fescue Sod Heat Tolerance and Posttransplant Quality
Authors: Zhang Xunzhong , Ervin E.H. , Schmidt R.E.
Published: February 2019

Decline of sod quality during the transportation, storage, and transplant stages of sale is a primary economic concern of sod producers. However, the mechanisms of extending sod quality during storage, transportation, and transplantation remain unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the influences of selected plant metabolic enhancers (PMEs) seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum Jol.) extract (SWE), humic acid [93% a.i. (HA)], and propiconazole (PPC), on sod tolerance to stress during storage and posttransplant root growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) sod. The SWE + HA, and PPC were applied alone, or in a combination, to tall fescue 2 weeks before harvest. Photochemical efficiency (PE) of photosystem II was measured immediately before harvest. The harvested sod was subjected to high temperature stress (40 °C) for 72 or 96 hours. The heated sod was replanted in the field and posttransplant injury and root strength were determined. On average over 1999 and 2000, application of SWE (50 mg·m-2) + HA (150 mg·m-2), PPC (0.30 mL·m-2), and a combination of SWE + HA with PPC (0.15 mL·m-2), enhanced PE of preharvest sod by 8.5%, 9.1%, and 11.2%, respectively, and increased posttransplant rooting by 20.6%, 34.6%, and 20.2%, respectively. All PME treatments reduced visual injury except SWE + HA and SWE + HA + PPC in 1999. Extension of heat duration from 72 to 96 hours caused significantly more injury to the sod and reduced posttransplant rooting by 22.9% averaged over 2 years. The data suggest that foliar application of SWE + HA, PPC alone, or in a combination with SWE + HA, may reduce shipment heat injury and improve posttransplant rooting and quality of tall fescue sod. Chemical name used: 1-(2-(2,4-dichloropheny)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2yl)methyl-1-H-1,2,4-triazole [propiconazole (PPC)].
Relative Fitness of Glyphosate-resistant Creeping Bentgrass Lines in Kentucky Bluegrass
Authors: Gardner D.S. , Danneberger T.K. , Nelson E. , Meyer W. , Plumley K.
Published: February 2019

Genetically transformed cultivars of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. syn. Agrostis palustris Huds.) that are resistant to glyphosate have been developed by a collaboration of the Scotts and Monsanto companies. Prior to commercial release, we desired to determine if the transformed plants behave similarly to traditional creeping bentgrass except for the effects expected from the inserted gene, i.e., resistance to glyphosate. Therefore, studies were initiated on 23 June 2000 in Marysville, Ohio; 14 July 2000 in Middleton, N.J.; and 20 June 2000 in Gervais, Ore., to examine the relative lateral spread and competitive ability of several transformed lines of creeping bentgrass, non-transformed controls, and reference cultivars. Vegetative plugs of creeping bentgrass were transplanted into a mature stand of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) or a uniform mixture of Kentucky bluegrass with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The plots were watered as needed to prevent moisture stress. Competitive ability of the transformed plants and reference cultivars were determined monthly by measuring the average diameter of the creeping bentgrass patch. On all observation dates, the transgenic lines, as a group, were smaller in average diameter (5.1-7.6 cm) compared to the reference cultivars (5.4-14.2 cm) and non-transformed control lines (5.9-10.2 cm). At the end of the observation period (Aug. 2001), no differences (P = 0.05) in lateral spread were observed between individual lines of transgenic bentgrass. Three lines of interest, ASR365, ASR368, and ASR333, had lateral spread rates that are similar to, or less than, that of their non-transformed parent and the conventional creeping bentgrass cultivars tested. Chemical names used: N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine (glyphosate).
Repositioning Selected Herbaceous Perennials as Indoor Flowering Potted Plants Using Perceptual Mapping
Authors: Behe Bridget K. , Moore Elizabeth H. , Cameron Arthur , Carter Forrest S.
Published: February 2019

The U.S. wholesale market for flowering potted plants, valued at $701 million in 2000, is growing much slower than the $2.1 billion bedding plant market, indicating the product life-cycle of the former may have matured. A mature product yields little profit. Customers who purchase flowering potted plants for indoor enjoyment may have expectations about them, including that plant life is finite and there is no opportunity for outdoor use. Because scientists have discovered how to force selected perennials to flower, marketers may reposition them as indoor flowering potted plants, creating a new product and potentially stimulating sales of this lagging floral category. One method for relating customer perceptions of new products to familiar ones is perceptual mapping, which shows how consumers implicitly categorize products. Defining how consumers perceive the relationships between the selected flowering plants enables marketers to select the best opportunities for product positioning, merchandising, and pricing. We surveyed 200 self-selected visitors at a Michigan flower show in Apr. 2000 to determine their uses for, preferences for, and perceptions of three traditional indoor flowering potted plants and six traditional outdoor perennials. Perceptions were recorded on a seven-point scale. Squared Euclidean distances were calculated to derive the map in which two major dimensions emerged: use (indoor/outdoor) and flower color. Campanula carpatica Jacq. `Blue Clips' and Oxalis crassipes Urb. were mapped centrally, indicating participants had no strong perceptions for how these plants should be used. This suggests that Campanula and Oxalis have the greatest potential to be positioned for dual indoor and outdoor enjoyment, which may also yield some enhanced profitability.
Phosphorus Rate in Combination with Cultural Practices Reduces Excessive Growth of Tomato Seedlings in the Float System
Authors: Rideout James W. , Overstreet Laura F.
Published: February 2019

Conventional tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedling production can be labor intensive. The float system of production may be a less labor-intensive alternative. Float system technology is used extensively to produce tobacco seedlings, but is currently used very little for horticultural crop seedlings. Potential advantages of the float system include lowered production cost, more efficient use of water and nutrients, elimination of wetting of plant foliage thus reducing disease, and elimination of nutrient leaching to groundwater below the greenhouse. When grown in float culture using a tobacco nutritional regimen, tomato seedlings produced undesirably long stems. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to identify production practices that may limit this excessive growth. Practices evaluated included two fertilizers with either 2.2% or 0.87% P combined with brushing, clipping once, ethephon application, delay of fertilization for 10 days after seeding, brushing combined with delayed fertilization, and two levels of air movement. Greatest height control was obtained with a combination of practices. Most height control practices, except delayed fertilization (with nor without brushing), were more effective if combined with low P fertilizer. The combination of brushing with delayed fertilization using either fertilizer provided the best height control and the highest quality seedlings. Ethephon and brushing in combination with low P fertilizer were also effective. These experiments show that with use of height-limiting management techniques good quality tomato seedlings can be produced in the float system. The experiment did not address the field performance of the seedlings.
Resistance to Botryosphaeria dothidea in Pistachio
Authors: Parfitt D.E. , Arjmand N. , Michailides T.J.
Published: February 2019

Procedures were developed to permit screening pistachio for resistance to infection by Botryosphaeria dothidia panicle and shoot blight. A method of growing B. dothidea in liquid culture was developed and two inoculation procedures, direct injection of inoculum into shoots at the base of leaf petioles and a leaf scratch assay, were used to test selected pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) clones for resistance to B. dothidea. Both the direct injection and the scratch test procedures provided easily scored symptoms. Both solid and liquid cultures produced visible infections. Sources of resistance were identified in an F1 interspecific P. vera cv. Sfax × P. integerrima hybrid cross and P. integerrima genotypes. P. integerrima may be a valuable source of resistance for cultivar improvement, but resistant P. vera genotypes were not found. No correlation between Alternaria alternata resistance and B. dothidea resistance was found in P. vera.
Rapid Determination of Nitrogen Status in Pansy
Authors: Altland James E. , Gilliam Charles H. , Keever Gary J. , Edwards James H. , Sibley Jeff L. , Fare Donna C.
Published: February 2019

Two experiments were conducted with pansy (Viola ×wittrockiana Gams `Bingo Yello') to determine the relationship between foliar nitrogen (% of dry weight) (FN) and either sap nitrate concentration (SN) in petioles or SPAD readings of foliage. FN was highly correlated to SN throughout both experiments (r = 0.80 to 0.91). FN was poorly correlated to SPAD readings early in both experiments (r = 0.54 to 0.65), but more highly correlated later when visual symptoms of N deficiency were apparent (r = 0.84 to 0.90). SN determined with the Cardy sap nitrate meter was a reliable predictor of FN in pansy, while SPAD readings were only reliable after symptoms of N deficiency were visually evident. FN can be predicted with SN using the following equation: log(SN) = 0.47*FN + 1.6 [r2 = 0.80, n = 132]. Growers and landscape professionals can use SN readings to predict FN levels in pansy, and thus rapidly and accurately diagnose the N status of their crop.
Boron Maintenance Sprays for Apple: Early-season Applications and Tank-mixing with Calcium Chloride
Authors: Peryea Frank J. , Neilsen Denise , Neilsen Gerry
Published: February 2019

The recommendations for boron (B) sprays in deciduous tree fruit orchards have changed little over the past 50 years. We conducted two 3-year field studies evaluating the effect of two modifications to the existing recommendation for B maintenance sprays on apple (Malus ×domestica) tree nutritional status. A widely recommended Na polyborate-based commercial B spray product was used as the B source. Postbloom sprays of B applied at the recommended annual B maintenance rate of 0.56 kg·ha-1 to `Scarlet Gala' apple trees consistently increased fruit B concentration but had a weaker effect on leaf B concentration in early August, the recommended timing for sampling leaves for mineral element analysis. Applying half or all of the annual B maintenance rate in a spray at the pink flowering stage increased flower cluster and early-season leaf B concentrations as well as having positive effects on fruit and leaf B concentrations. The pink sprays increased flower cluster Na concentration but had no effect on leaf and fruit Na concentrations. In the second study, one-quarter of the annual B fertilizer requirement was tank-mixed with each of four biweekly CaCl2 sprays applied starting in early June for bitter pit control. This treatment consistently increased `Scarlet Gala' fruit B concentration but had a lesser effect on August leaf B concentration. It did not interfere with fruit Ca status, and increased both fruit and leaf Na concentrations. Leaf Na concentration in all treatments was substantially lower than levels associated with specific Na toxicity of deciduous fruit trees. The results of these experiments indicate that applying B sprays at the pink flowering stage timing and tank-mixing B with CaCl2 sprays applied for bitter pit control are useful practices to enhance B spray efficacy and convenience of application.
Pumpkin Yield and Disease Response to Amending Soil with Silicon
Authors: Heckman Joseph R. , Johnston Steve , Cowgill Win
Published: February 2019

Field experiments were conducted with Cucurbita pepo L. `Howden' pumpkin in 2000 to 2001 to study the effects of silicon (Si) amendment of soil with and without the use of fungicides on yield and powdery mildew suppression. A Quakertown silt loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludult) with an initial soil pH of 5.7 was amended with either CaCO3 or CaSiO3 at the rate of 7840 kg·ha-1 of calcium carbonate equivalent. Fungicides were applied on a 7-10 day schedule to half of the plots as a 2 × 2 factorial, beginning when the first powdery mildew lesions were detected in the field. Silicon amendment increased pumpkin yield by 60% in 2000 but Si did not influence yield in 2001. Infection with bacterial leaf spot reduced yield on all plots in 2001. Fungicide applications increased yield only in 2001. In 2000, Si amendment had the effect of delaying foliage senescence but it was not clear if this was the result of an effect of Si on disease activity or crop physiology. In Aug. 2001, Si amendment generally reduced powdery mildew severity, but only at the 10% level of significance. In Sept. 2001, the combination of Si amendment plus fungicide application was more effective in reducing powdery mildew severity than either Si or fungicide alone. Silicon amendment resulted in a 5-fold increase in plant Si concentration. Soil pH measured after harvest in 2001 indicated no significant difference in pH between plots amended with CaCO3 (pH = 6.8) and CaSiO3 (pH = 6.9). In New Jersey, the cost of these liming materials is similar. Thus, the selection of CaSiO3 as a liming material as needed for soil pH correction has the potential benefits of suppressing powdery mildew and increasing pumpkin yield without increasing the cost of production.
Resistance of Rosa Species and Cultivars to Pratylenchus penetrans
Authors: Peng Yunliang , Chen Wanrong , Moens Maurice
Published: February 2019

Methods to screen for resistance to root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans in Rosa were modified to screen-rooted materials. Sixty days after rooting, plants were transplanted into 50-mL pots filled with river sand and each inoculated with 500 P. penetrans in 400 μL water 10 days later. The inoculated plants were fertilized weekly and incubated in a growth chamber or a greenhouse for 5 months when nematodes were extracted from the sand and root system and enumerated. When used for screening of the 131 Rosa accessions, this approach allowed the observation of a large variation in host suitability. While a majority of the accessions supported the multiplication of P. penetrans, previously reported resistance of R. multiflora `K1' and R. virginiana to P. penetrans was confirmed. Rosa laevigata anemoides allowed a significantly lower nematode multiplication than the currently prevalent rootstock R. corymbifera `Laxa'.
Stepwise Disinfestation Reduces Contamination of Huperzia lucidula Shoot-tips and Gemmae
Authors: Waegel Alice Spurlin
Published: February 2019

Shining club moss, Huperzia lucidula (Michaux) Trevisan, can be propagated in tissue culture, but it is difficult to obtain sterile explants. When standard disinfestation methods were used, 100% of H. lucidula apical shoot-tips disinfested for 10, 20, or 30 minutes with 1% sodium hypochlorite/0.15% Tween 20 became contaminated or browned within 3 weeks. Since this club moss is highly contaminated, a stepwise disinfestation procedure was developed to eradicate spore forming microbes. Based on the principle that vegetative microbial cells are more easily destroyed than spores, stepwise disinfestation induced spore germination before explant treatment with sodium hypochlorite. A 48-hour disinfestation treatment resulted in 50% explant survival without visible contamination. Fewer explants (22%) were successfully disinfested when a 24-hour stepwise disinfestation was used. Applying the stepwise disinfestation method to contaminated cultures after a standard disinfestation protocol produced an additional 15.6% contamination-free club moss shoot-tips. After successful surface disinfestation, H. lucidula shoot-tips and gemmae established in vitro grew normally.
Improvement of Peach Embryo Culture Through Manipulation of Carbohydrate Source and pH
Authors: Sinclair Jonathan W. , Byrne David H.
Published: February 2019

Carbohydrate source of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] embryo culture media affects embryo growth and survival. The first objective of this study was to determine the effect of five carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, maltose, sorbitol, and sucrose) in Woody Plant Medium (WPM) on the germination and survival of peach embryos in vitro. Fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose in WPM resulted in better embryo germination and survival than sorbitol. Fructose (2% and 3%) produced greater survival than all other carbohydrates tested in smaller embryos (<10% ovule dry weight). However, sucrose was better than all other carbohydrates tested in the larger embryos (≥10% ovule dry weight). In addition, large embryos (>10% ovule dry weight) on fructose at 1% combined with glucose, maltose, sorbitol, or sucrose at 1% had equivalent or higher survival than did those on either 1% or 2% sucrose in conjunction with the same carbohydrates. Embryo survival on different carbohydrates varied with genotype. The second objective of this study was to determine the effect of three levels of MES buffer (0.0 mm, 4.5 mm, and 9.0 mm) on medium pH stability and embryo survival. MES buffer at 0.0 mm and 4.5 mm concentration produced significantly better embryo survival than 9.0 mm. The pH stability was better at MES 9.0 mm, however survival decreased significantly. Chemical name used: [2-(N-morpholino)-ethane sulphonic acid] (MES)
Genes for Resistance to Powdery Mildew Races 1 and 2U.S. in Melon PI 313970
Authors: McCreight James D.
Published: February 2019

Powdery mildew is a major problem in melon (Cucumis melo L.) production worldwide. Three genes for resistance to Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht. ex Fr.) Poll. race 1 and race 2U.S. were identified in growth chamber and greenhouse tests in the cross of PI 313970 × `Top Mark'. A recessive gene conditioned resistance of true leaves to race 1. A recessive gene appeared to condition resistance of cotyledons to race 2U.S., although a second recessive gene may be involved. A semi-dominant gene conditioned resistance of true leaves to race 2U.S. Limited data suggested linkage of the recessive gene for resistance to race 1 and the semi-dominant gene for resistance to race 2U.S. The resistance reaction of PI 313970 to infection of true leaves by race 2U.S. included water-soaked spots and resistant blisters, but segregation data for the resistant blister reaction were inconclusive. Allelic relationships of these genes with previously reported melon powdery mildew resistance genes remain to be determined.
Growth Regulators Do Not Increase Onion Bulb Size or Weight Under Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: Russo Vincent M.
Published: February 2019

Exogenously applied plant growth regulators may affect development of onion, but little is know about how concentration or timing of application can affect bulb grade and quality. Two concentrations of the growth regulators abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, indole-acetic acid, jasmonic acid, kinetin, and maleic acid hydrazide, and water controls, were applied at the 7- and 20-leaf stages to the middle of the leaf whorl in greenhouse grown onion plants. Leaf and bulb weights were lighter, and bulb diameters were smaller, from plants treated with growth regulators applied at the 7-leaf stage than those from plants treated at the 20-leaf stage. Bulbs produced on plants treated with water were the same size, or larger, than those produced on plants treated with individual growth regulators.
Effect of Sterol-demethylation Inhibiting Fungicides on Apple Fruit Set, Fruit Size, Total Yield, and Gross Returns
Authors: Rosenberger D.A. , Robinson T.L. , Schupp J.R. , Engle-Ahlers C.A. , Meyer F.W.
Published: February 2019

Effects of three sterol-demethylation inhibiting (DMI) fungicides and a contact fungicide were compared over two years at each of two locations to determine if fungicide treatments had differential effects on productivity, fruit size and shape, or gross returns for `Empire' apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.). Treatments were applied four to five times per year during the primary apple scab season. Effects of treatments were assessed by comparing fruit set efficiencies, number of fruit per tree, total harvested fruit weight, and fruit length: diameter ratios at harvest. No significant differences were noted among individual treatments in any of the four trials. However, when treatments were contrasted by grouping individual treatments, significantly larger fruit size was noted for triflumizole treatments vs. combined fenarimol and myclobutanil treatments in one of the four trials and for captan or mancozeb compared to fenarimol and myclobutanil treatments in two trials. None of the DMI fungicides compared in these trials had any consistent adverse affect on fruit size, total yield, or estimated gross return per hectare. We conclude that the plant growth regulator effects of DMI fungicides are inconsistent and are unlikely to have significant economic impact on commercial apple production.
Bermudagrass Growth in Soil Supplemented with Inorganic Amendments
Authors: Wehtje Glenn R. , Shaw Joey N. , Walker Robert H. , Williams Walker
Published: February 2019

Various inorganic soil amendments have been promoted as a means of improving the chemical and physical properties of certain soils. To test this hypothesis, a marginally productive soil was supplemented with 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% (v/v) of either selected inorganic amendments or sand. Amendments consisted of commercially available diatomaceous earth, calcined clay, zeolite, and crystalline SiO2. The soil material was extracted from the argillic horizon of a Cecil sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults). Ability of these soil-amendment mixtures to promote `Tifway' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy] growth was evaluated under greenhouse conditions, and contrasted to that obtained in nonamended soil. Selected chemical and physical properties that are pertinent to plant growth were also evaluated. The experiment, which was conducted 3×, began with a §60-day period in which both water and nutrients were optimum. This was followed by a 30-day drought. During optimum water and nutrients, no soil-amendment treatment(s) consistently resulted in superior bermudagrass growth compared to soil alone. However, <2% of the bermudagrass tissue that was produced during the drought became green and succulent with the resumption of irrigation in nonamended soil. This percentage was exceeded by all treatments that contained either ≥60% diatomaceous earth (Axis), or ≥40% calcined clay (Profile); and by 100% zeolite (Clinolite) and 100% silica (Green's Choice). Drought-sustaining ability of soil-amendment mixtures was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with water-holding ability, soil strength, bulk density, and oxygen diffusion rate, but not correlated with either pH or cation exchange capacity (CEC). While certain inorganic amendments did improve the drought-sustaining ability of soil, the amount required was generally ≥40%.
Sweetpotato `Beauregard' Mericlones Vary in Yield, Vine Characteristics, and Storage Root Size and Shape Attributes
Authors: Villordon A.Q. , Cannon J.M. , Carroll H.L. , Franklin J.W. , Clark C.A. , LaBonte D.R.
Published: February 2019

Yield tests and evaluation of selected storage root and vine characters were conducted among 12 `Beauregard' sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] mericlones. Maximum yield differences were 43%, 48%, 79%, and 40% for U.S. #1, canners, jumbos, and total marketable yield, respectively. Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) biplot analysis was useful in graphically presenting the yield differences and stability patterns of mericlones. Differences were also detected in vine length, internode diameter, and internode length. Digital image analysis of U.S. #1 storage roots also revealed differences in storage root minor axis length, roundness, and elongation attributes. The results provide valuable information for enhancing current methods of evaluation and selection of mericlones for inclusion in sweetpotato foundation seed programs.
Harvest Management of Marshall `McIntosh' Apples: Effects of AVG, NAA, Ethephon, and Summer Pruning on Preharvest Drop and Fruit Quality
Authors: Stover Ed , Fargione Michael J. , Watkins Christopher B. , Iungerman Kevin A.
Published: February 2019

`McIntosh' apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) display a rapid increase in ethylene production as they ripen, resulting in more preharvest drop and accelerated softening compared with other major cultivars. Economic considerations often dictate a choice between delaying harvest to achieve color development or harvesting earlier to avoid excessive fruit softening and drop. We have evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and summer pruning on this balance. Treatments were applied to trees in the Mid-Hudson region in New York state in 1995 and 1996, and a subset of treatments was applied in the Champlain Valley region in 1996. NAA, applied at 10 mg·L-1 in 1995 and 20 mg·L-1 in 1996, reduced drop on only one sample date in only one of the three trials. Ethephon at 150 mg·L-1 plus 10 mg·L-1 NAA, accelerated ripening and permitted harvest before substantial drop occurred. However, earlier harvest resulted in smaller fruit size, and if ethephon-treated fruit were not picked within a narrow window, rapid drop ensued, and fruit developed a high senescent breakdown incidence during storage. ReTain, containing AVG, at 124 g·ha-1 a.i. delayed drop in all three trials, but its use resulted in firmer fruit after storage in only two of seven comparisons. Use of ethephon on AVG-treated trees enhanced red color but accelerated drop, although it was reduced less than when ethephon was used alone. Severe late summer pruning accelerated red color development, drop and ripening in both years of the study. AVG was more effective for management of `McIntosh' harvest in the cooler Champlain Valley region than in the Mid-Hudson Valley region. Chemical names used: naphthalene acetic acid (NAA); 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon); aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG).
Prediction of Development of Asiatic Lilies Based on Air Temperature and Thermal Units
Authors: Steininger J. , Pasian C.C.
Published: February 2019

`Butter Pixie' and `Horizon' Asiatic lilies (Lilium spp.), were grown at several temperatures. The phenological events of visible shoot (VS), visible flower bud (VB), and open flower (OF) were recorded daily. Based on these events, phenophases from VS to VB (VS:VB), from VB to OF (VB:OF), and from VS to OF (VS:OF) were defined. Daily rates of development to complete a phenophase increased with temperature. Nonlinearity was obvious for all phenophases around 25 °C for `Horizon' and 27 °C for `Butter Pixie'. A piece-wise linear regression change point model was fitted to each dataset. The base temperature (Tb), the temperature at which the nonlinearity occurred (Ti), and the temperature for fastest development (To) could then be determined. Tb for the phenophase VS: OF was -0.4 °C for `Butter Pixie' and 3.0 °C for `Horizon'. Ti for `Butter Pixie' was 25.7 °C for VB:OF and 26.1 °C for the phenophase VS:OF. However, Ti for `Horizon' was found only for the phenophase VS:OF. To complete the phenophase VS:OF, 1102.2 degree days (°Cd) were predicted necessary for `Butter Pixie' and 833.2 °Cd for `Horizon'. Predicted time of events was compared with observed values. Subdividing VS:OF into VS:VB and VB:OF and using their respective Tb and TU reduced the average prediction error from 2.13 to 1.87 d for `Butter Pixie' and from 2.39 to 1.86 days for `Horizon'.
Ferric Chelate Reductase Activity in Roots of Two Annona Species as Affected by Iron Nutrition
Authors: Ojeda Maritza , Schaffer Bruce , Davies Frederick S.
Published: February 2019

Root ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity in Annona glabra L. (pond apple), native to subtropical wetland habitats and Annona muricata L. (soursop), native to non-wetland tropical habitats, was determined under Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient conditions. Four-month-old seedlings of each species were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution containing 90 μm Fe or no Fe. The degree of tolerance of Fe deficiency was evaluated by measuring root FCR activity, chlorophyll and Fe concentration in recently matured leaves and plant growth. Root FCR activity was higher in soursop than in pond apple in the nutrient solution with Fe. However, there were no differences in root FCR activity between species under Fe-deficient conditions. Root FCR activity in pond apple and soursop was not induced in the absence of Fe. Leaf chlorophyll index and Fe concentration, and dry weights of pond apple were lower when plants were grown without Fe compared to plants grown with Fe. Leaves of pond apple grown without Fe became chlorotic within 3 weeks. Lack of Fe decreased the chlorophyll index and Fe concentration in young leaves less in soursop than in pond apple. In contrast, the Fe level in the nutrient solution had no effect on dry weights of soursop. The rapid development of leaf chlorosis and low FCR activity of pond apple may be due to its native origin in wetland areas where there is sufficient soluble Fe for plant growth and development.
Rapid PCR-based Detection of Phytoplasmas from Infected Plants
Authors: Guo Yonghong , Cheng Zong-Ming , Walla James A.
Published: February 2019

Five simplified DNA preparation procedures for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification were tested for detection of phytoplasmas from infected herbaceous and woody plants. Thin freehand cross-sections made from infected plant tissues and stored in acetone were used as sources for DNA preparation. The tissue sections were treated by: 1) grinding in sodium hydroxide; 2) sonicating in water; 3) microwaving in water; 4) boiling in sodium hydroxide; or 5) placing directly in PCR tube. PCR amplification was performed with a universal phytoplasma-specific primer pair in a reaction buffer containing 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100, 1.5 mm magnesium chloride, and 10 mm Tris-HCl. All five procedures provided phytoplasmal template DNA for successful PCR amplification from infected herbaceous plants {periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (periwinkle)], carrot (Daucus carota L.), maize (Zea mays L.)}, while the grinding, microwaving, and boiling procedures also allowed positive amplification from a woody plant [green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.)]. The quality of the resulting DNA was adequate for subsequent identification of the aster yellows and ash yellows phytoplasmas through nested-PCR using phytoplasma group-specific primer pairs. These methods provide remarkable savings in labor and materials, making disease testing and indexing of plant materials much more attractive.