bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(150) Photo, Physical, and Mechanical Pretreatments Reduce Incidence of Blight Diseases in Carrots
Authors: Pickle Kathryn , Lada Rajasekaran , Caldwell Claude , Hoyle Jeffrey , Norrie Jeffrey
Published: February 2019

Consumer demand for chemically free produce has increased; however, producers have become increasingly dependent on unreliable chemical defenses for control of diseases and pests. These dilemmas, along with the desire to maintain healthy farmland, have led to the research and development of environmentally sound practices. It is hypothesized that predisposing plants to photo, physical, and mechanical (PPM) mechanisms can allow plants to better withstand stress. Plants exposed to one form of PPM mechanism could confer resistance to a range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Such cross-resistance is commonly seen, but not well-understood. In this study, various PPM factors, including UV-C radiation, leaf brushing, and canopy trimming, were applied to field-grown carrots (Daucus carotae L.). The degree of blight and white mold infection was measured. Preliminary analyses showed that UV-C radiation at 4 weeks post-emergence or brushing at 4 or 8 weeks significantly reduced carrot blight and/or white mold. This implies that certain PPM mechanisms may induce plant defenses, allowing the crop to better defend itself against future biotic stress.
(307) Mississippi Master Gardener Training Curriculum Compact Disc: A Multi-Discipline, Two-year Project
Authors: Kelly Lelia S. , Sexton Julie
Published: February 2019

The Master Gardener program continues to be one of the most popular and effective programs of Extension. Budget cutbacks and an everdecreasing pool of Extension personnel have warranted a reappraisal of how Extension trains these volunteers. The purpose of this project was to develop an up-to-date, complete, and user-friendly training program that could be used by agents or selected Master Gardeners with a minimum of training and advance preparation. Eleven subject matter specialists, 35 Extension agents, hundreds of Master Gardeners, and three curriculum specialists were all involved in this 2-year project. In addition to obvious updating of material, a sampling of objectives that were addressed in the process follows: 1) format the curriculum into a lesson plan with complete step-by-step instructions; 2) remove all questionable copyrighted pictures, graphs, drawings, etc.; 3) align the student manual to the material presented in the PowerPoint lessons; 4) incorporate a resource list of hands-on activities to support each lesson; 5) provide a reference list for each lesson; 6) provide a standardized test with answer key for complete curriculum; and 7) place the entire training curriculum on a compact disc. This project was completed in Summer 2005. Publication and copyrighting of a compact disc that represented the training resources for the Master Gardener program was a first for Mississippi State University Extension Service.
(308) The Mesa County Colorado Irrigation Audit Program
Authors: Swift Curtis E , Blessinger Ardith
Published: February 2019

Seven and one-half square miles, or 4864 acres, of the Grand Valley in Western Colorado consists of high water-using landscapes. Overirrigation of Grand Valley soils flushes 580,000 tons of salt into the Colorado River each year. These salts negatively impact plant and animal health throughout the Colorado River basin. Proper watering of lawns can significantly reduce this problem. Correcting problems with a sprinkler irrigation system can reduce water use by an average of 40%. If water use on all 4864 acres was reduced by 40%, a savings of 11,187 acre feet, or over 3.6 billion gallons, of water would result. The annual historical evapotranspiration (ET) rate for the Grand Valley of Western is ≈61 inches; the ET rate during the irrigation season (April through October) is ≈49 inches. Since a typical sprinkler system is ≈70% efficient, in order to apply 49 inches of water to the soil, ≈70 inches of water is required. Irrigation system problems such as improperly spaced heads, sunken heads and heads not adjusted are typically responsible for 40% more water being applied than necessary. In Western Colorado, this equates to an over-application of 28 inches (2.3 acre feet) of water being applied each year. The 2005 Western Colorado irrigation audit problem covering 18.7 acres of turf. Assuming the problems noted were all corrected, a water savings of 43 acre feet, or 14,013,797 gallons, of water resulted. The 2006 audit program will continue this educational and water-saving effort. A grant from the Department of the Interior-Bureau of Reclamation will help fund the 2006 Irrigation Audit project.
(124) The Impact of Nitrogen Application on Nonstructural Carbohydrate Production in Cranberry Leaves
Authors: Vanden Heuvel Justine E. , Davenport Joan R.
Published: February 2019

Five fertilizer treatments were applied to a `Stevens' cranberry bed in a 3-way split application (roughneck, 75% bloom, and 3 weeks after bloom) in Spring 2004 at State Bog in E. Wareham, Mass. Nitrogen rates were 0, 22, 45, 67, and 90 kg/ha; P was applied at 22 kg/ha, and K at 44 kg/ha. At mid-fruit development and again at preharvest, 20 vegetative and 20 fruiting uprights were collected from each plot in mid-morning. The N concentration per upright increased linearly with increased N application. Increased upright N concentration had no effect on soluble carbohydrate (sucrose + glucose + fructose) concentration, but decreased starch concentration, more so in vegetative uprights than in fruiting uprights on both sampling dates. Total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration (TNSC) was negatively impacted by increased N in vegetative and fruiting uprights at mid-fruit development, but N did not impact TNSC in either type of upright by harvest. Vegetative uprights contained greater concentrations of N, soluble carbohydrates, starch, and TNSC at both sampling dates, but contained lower concentrations of chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B.
(130) Effects of Nitrogen Fertigation on First-year Pecan Seedling Growth
Authors: Conner Patrick
Published: February 2019

Pecan seedling rootstocks require several years of growth in the nursery before they are large enough to graft. In this experiment, first-year pecan seedlings were fertigated with varying amounts of calcium nitrate to stimulate growth rates. Pecan seedlings were fertigated every 2 weeks from May through October for a total of 10 applications. Total amounts of nitrogen (N) applied by fertigation were 0, 4, 10, 20, and 40 g of N per seedling. Leaf samples were taken after the fourth and 10th fertigation, and leaf elemental concentration was affected by fertigation rates. Seedling height and caliper were measured monthly. Seedling caliper continued to increase throughout the experiment, while height increase stopped in September. Seedling height and caliper were not affected by N fertigation except for the N rate of 40 g, which suppressed seedling growth. These results suggest that the nitrogen needs of the seedlings were met by a preplant application of 56 kg·ha-1 N applied as 10N–10P–10K.
(13) Pod Cactus (Nopalitos) as a Fresh Vegetable in Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Zamora Everardo , Ayala Santiago , Guerrero Cosme , Martínez Damian , Rivas Francisco
Published: February 2019

The pod cactus (Opuntia sp.), a tender stem, has been consumed by Mexican people for centuries either as a fresh or boiled vegetable. Traditionally, Southern Mexico people consume this tender pod cactus in several traditional Mexican dishes. During recent years, an increase in nopalitos consumption by Sonoran people has been observed. People interested in a disciplined diet or people troubled with high cholesterol desire this peculiar vegetable. In Hermosillo, Mexico, people buy nopalitos in small plastic bags packages a pound of small cutting of tender pods from local supermarkets and mobile sellers. Usually, a nopalitos bag pound price is a range of $1.00 to $1.2 U.S. dollars in Hermosillo. Nopalitos production in Sonora, Mexico, is a seasonal. Nopalitos harvesting starts in early April and runs through late October. Because low temperatures start in late October, and continue during the winter season, there is no nopalitos production in Sonora. Hense, Sonoran producers are considerig building high tunnels, to provide more temperature control and to produce nopalitos during the winter. Most growers are low-income people that produce nopalitos in home gardens. This activity allows low-income growers to have nopalitos during most of the year, except during the winter. The current growing area production of 240 acres (170 ha) of tender pod cactus was recorded during 2005 in Sonora, of which a half is cultivated in home gardens. A potential yield production of nopalitos in Sonora is about of 40 tons per acre of tender pod cactus. In comparison to other crops, nopalitos production is a good alternative for small growers.
(15) The Cactus Pear Vegetable (Nopalitos) as an Alternative Crop for Northwest Mexico
Authors: Robles-Contreras Fabián , Macias-Duarte Rubén , Grijalva-Contreras Raul Leonel , Valenzuela-Ruiz Manuel de Jesus
Published: February 2019

The agricultural zones in the Sonoran Desert have great problems of water availability. An alternative that the grower must consider to diminish the negative effects caused by the water shortage is the establishment of crops with low water requirements. One such crop is the cactus pear vegetable (nopalitos). This crop supports and produces in conditions of low water availability and is a product of high demand. The objective was evaluate the potential of production of nopalitos under this condition. We evaluated two cultivars (Opuntia inermis and O. Ficus-indica) in a system of furrows with 1 m of separation between lines and 50 cm between plants, with a pruninig system of two producing caldodes per plant. The plot was drip-irrigated every 10–15 days. The evaluation was made during Spring 2004, harvesting the nopalitos to commercial size (17–21 cm) every 3–4 days. The measured variables were the yield and the weight of the nopalitos. The budbreak and harvest of nopalitos appeared in form of productive cycles, and we evaluated only the first two cycles of harvest (24 Mar. to 20 May). The obtained yields were 45.8 and 42 t·ha-1 in cv. Opuntia inermis and O. ficus-indica, respectively. The weight of nopalitos was 112 g and 106 g, respectively. We observed an insect attack (Dactylopiidae), and it was necessary to make two applications of a biological soap for pest control. The presence of this pest was almost exclusively in cv. Opuntia inermis, producing yellowish color in some cladodes.
(17) Bulb-to-Bulb Transmission of Botrytis allii in Dry Bulb Onion Production
Authors: Geary Brad , Beck Deron , Thornton Mike
Published: February 2019

Botrytis neck rot, caused by Botrytis allii, is a major storage problem in dry bulb onions. This disease has been responsible for losses exceeding 50%, resulting in financial devastation to growers. Botrytis infections likely occur around the last month onions are in the field prior to harvest and before moving into storage. Earlier studies indicated that the spread of this fungus did not occur in storage. More recent studies suggest that bulb-to-bulb transmission in storage is possible, especially when bulbs are handled roughly during harvest. `Vaquero' dry bulb onions were planted in 2003 and 2004, and in 2005 the cultivar Renegade was used. All bulbs were produced using standard commercial practices. Bulbs were hand-lifted at harvest to reduce the amount of mechanical injury, then cured for 2 weeks. To simulate impact bruising, a 1/4-lb weight was dropped through a 2-ft PVC pipe, striking a healthy bulb on the outer scale. Shatter bruising occurred by dropping healthy bulbs down a 7-ft column containing seven offset immobile metal bars. To evaluate the interaction of inoculum load with bruise injury on disease spread, healthy bulbs were surface inoculated with botrytis and incubated until visible sporulation. Twelve infected bulbs were added to onion samples immediately after bruising. The treatments were then stored under ambient conditions. In 2004 and 2005, shatter bruising caused significant increases in botrytis infections to the inside and outside of the bulb over impact bruising, and impact bruising caused significantly more infections than the nonbruised check treatments. Adding botrytis infected bulbs increased infections, but only when injury of either type was present. Shatter bruising had the most significant effect on total botrytis infection.
(74) Winter Greenhouse Performance and Photoperiod Responses of 51 Cultivars of Seed-grown Trailing Petunias
Authors: Pemberton H. Brent , Roberson William R.
Published: February 2019

Long days are known to hasten flowering of Petunia hybrida. However, breeding of modern standard-type petunia cultivars has reduced this response. With the introduction of new genetics involved in the creation of trailing-type petunias, many cultivars have been observed to have a strong photoperiodic response to the point that it is an issue for late winter or early spring flowering cropping cycles. In order to characterize this photoperiodic response in modern seed-grown trailing-type petunia cultivars, seed of 51 cultivars of trailing petunias (Petunia hybrida) were sown in November in 288 plug trays. When established about 4 weeks later, uniform plants were selected and transplanted individually to 15-cm pots. Plants were exposed to either natural days or a 4-hour night interruption using incandescent light from 2200 to 0200 HR each day until flowering. A minimum night temperature of 17 °C was maintained. Days to first flower from sowing ranged from 72 to 117 days. Generally, the night interruption treatment hastened flowering. However, the degree of hastening ranged from 4 and 5 days for `Ramblin' Burgundy Chrome' and `Ramblin' Lilac Glo', respectively, to 27 and 32 days for `Tidal Wave Cherry' and `Tidal Wave Hot Pink', respectively. Effects of night interruption treatment on plant architecture will also be presented.
(78) Sheltering Cut Flower Plants to Increase Stem Length
Authors: Wien H. Chris
Published: February 2019

The stems of many flower species used as cut flowers are too short to be commercially useful. Non-chemical techniques are needed to increase the length of the harvested stems without weakening stem strength. Field experiments were conducted that explored the use of black or red shade fabric, used either as a canopy, or as a side curtain, with three species of cut flowers. Trachelium caerulum, Eustoma grandiflorum (Echo Champagne), and Rudbeckia hirta (Prairie Sun) were grown in split-plot experiments in which shade and shelter treatments were applied as main plots, and the flower species formed the subplots. In 2004, shade canopies of 70% light transmission were compared in black and red (“ChromatiNet”) netting, and 50% red netting. Stem length increased from 51 cm for unshaded controls to 54, 56, and 59 cm for 70% black, red, and 50% red, respectively. Productivity of the plants was decreased an average of 21% by shading. In 2005, shade canopies of 50% black or red were compared to side curtains of the same materials, and an unsheltered control, growing the same species of flowers. Stem length was increased by 25% when plants were grown under a shade canopy, and by 14% in the side curtain plots. Shading treatments reduced stem yield by 31%, whereas side curtains had no significant effect on number of stems per plant. Color of the netting did not affect stem length or stem yield in 2005. In both years, the thickness of harvested stems were increased significantly in the shelter treatments. The three species reacted similarly to the treatments imposed in both years. Shelter treatments can be a practical way of increasing cut flower stem length.
(84) Producing Cut Flowers in High Tunnels and Open Fields
Authors: Wien H. Chris
Published: February 2019

Flowering plants grown and marketed locally as cut flowers have become economically important in recent years, concentrating on species that are too delicate to ship long distances. Although the bulk of this production is done outdoors, extending the season at both ends by using high tunnels (unheated greenhouse structures covered with a single layer of polyethylene), has become popular. To determine the advantages and drawbacks of using high tunnels as season extension structures for cut flowers, variety trials of seven and four flower species were conducted in 2004 and 2005, respectively, both in a high tunnel and in an adjacent field. In the cool, rainy 2004 season, plants in the tunnel were ready for harvest 20 days sooner than the same varieties outside. Outside plants had 25% more stems than tunnel-grown plants, but there was no difference in average stem length. In the dry, warm season of 2005, tunnel-grown plants were 8 days earlier, and had 58% more stems, which were increased in length by 16% over field-grown plants. Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) and snapdragons (Antirrhinum) were grown in both seasons, and gave similar results both times. Tunnel-grown lisianthus showed a 34% increase in stems per plant, and an 8% increase in stem length, and the stems could be harvested 8 days earlier. Snapdragons were 9 days earlier in the tunnel both years, but tunnel-grown plants produced 22% fewer stems. Disease and insect pressures occurred in both locations, but pest species causing problems differed. With careful choice of species to be grown in tunnels, cut flower production in this environment can be optimized.
(205) Germination of Echinacea Species Is Enhanced by ACC
Authors: Wood Laura A. , Kester Sharon , Geneve Robert L.
Published: February 2019

Echinacea are North American members of the Asteraceae, and all can show some degree of endogenous physiological seed dormancy that is alleviated by chilling stratification. In some species, ethephon has been shown to substitute for chilling stratification to relieve dormancy. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of ACC on dormancy and germination in five Echinacea species. Germination for each species was 90%, 59%, 99%, 81%, and 21%, respectively. Germination on 5 mM ACC improved germination in E. tennesseensis, E. paradoxa, and E. simulata to 82%, 99%, and 82%, respectively, but there was no change for E. purpurea and E. angustifolia. Germination rate was dramatically accelerated in all species in the presence of ACC. On average, there were 57% more seeds germinated on ACC after 3 days compared to untreated seeds. Exposing E. purpurea and E. tennesseensis seeds to 1 or 2 days of 5 mM ACC before drying and subsequently re-hydrating the seeds did not have the same effect as continual exposure to ACC. Similarly, there was no clear enhancement of adding ACC during stratification over the improvement gained by chilling stratification alone. Seeds produced more ethylene upon germination following both stratification and ACC treatment. However, significantly more ethylene is produced during germination in ACC-treated seeds. It was clear that ACC-treated seeds showed improvement for enhanced germination speed and in some cases germination percentage. Unfortunately, this enhanced germination was not retained in seeds treated with ACC and dried prior to germination. Additional work is required to develop a commercially viable method of loading ACC into seeds for germination enhancement.
(210) X-ray-assisted Flower Seed Lot Improvement
Authors: Stieve Susan M. , Tay David
Published: February 2019

Storage of quality herbaceous ornamental seeds is a primary concern of the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center, a USDA National Plant Germplasm System genebank. In Autumn 2005, 30 accessions, including 10 genera of herbaceous ornamentals, were evaluated for initial seed weight and viability using four replications of 50 seeds except for Begonia, which consisted of two replications of 500 seeds due to extremely small seed size. Seed lots were then recleaned using an Oregon Seed Blower; Begonia were cleaned using the rolling paper method where good, round seeds roll off vibrating paper held at an angle and shrunken seed do not. Heavy and light fractions of all seeds were saved, 50-seed weight calculated, and viability tested. Seed cleaning was assisted by Faxitron X-ray technology to identify the quantity of seeds with embryos in each treatment. Seed cleaning statistically increased the weight for 19 accessions including Actea, Antirrhinum, Oenothera, Penstemon, Ranunculus, Rudbeckia, and Talinum, where the heaviest seed were in the heavy fraction of recleaned seed. Seed weight for some Begonia and Tagetes accessions was statistically increased, while weight of no Petunia accessions was increased. Viability was calculated as the percentage of normal and dormant seeds. Seed cleaning statistically increased the viability of 10 accessions including Actea, Oenothera, Petunia, Ranunculus, and Talinum; seed lot viability was statistically increased for some accessions of Antirrhinum, Penstemon, Rudbeckia; no accessions of Begonia or Tagetes had improved viability. Results suggest that recleaning seed lots to improve seed weight and viability may be effective, but differences between genera as well as species within genera exist.
(211) Moisture Sorption Characteristics of Seeds of Five Ornamental Species
Authors: Rabara Roel , McDonald Miller , Tay David , Vodovotz Yael
Published: February 2019

The moisture sorption characteristics of French marigold `Boy Golden' (Tagetes patula), upland aster (Aster ptarmicoides), Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texenensis), impatiens `Infinity' (Impatiens wallerana), and scarlet sage `Scarlet Pimpernel' (Salvia splendens) was determined by allowing the seeds to equilibrate at different temperatures and relative humidities. The moisture sorption isotherm of the five ornamental species was determined at four different temperatures; i.e., 5, 15, 25, and 35 °C using seven different salt solutions (sodium hydroxide, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium carbonate, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, and potassium nitrate) having relative humidity ranging from 7% to 96%. The moisture content of the seeds after equilibrium was measured using the gravimetric method. Equilibrium moisture content at 5 °C ranged between 6.2% to 31.5%, 6.2% to 32%, 5.7% to 29.7%, and 6.8% to 16.1% for marigold, upland aster, scarlet sage, and Texas bluebonnet, respectively. At the highest temperature; i.e., 35 °C, the equilibrium moisture content observed ranged between 6.1% to 18.1%, 6% to 21.1%, 6.2% to 20.3%, and 9.1% to 15.6% for marigold, upland aster, scarlet sage and Texas bluebonnet, respectively. The rate of desorption was also determined in the imbibed seeds by drying the seeds in dry cabinet, with water loss recorded by a portable computer inside the cabinet. Total lipid content was also measured to correlate with the water content of the seed.
(254) Genetic Improvement of the Fordhook Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus) for Vegetable Processing by Single-seed Decent
Authors: Wilson Mathew , Wong Jeffrey C.
Published: February 2019

The Fordhook lima bean is a large-seeded lima bean grown in California for use by vegetable processors as an ingredient in frozen mixed vegetable packs. California represents one of the largest production regions for this bean because of the temperate climate. Unfortunately, as the population of California grows, the land available for producing this relatively low-valued crop continues to diminish. To overcome the loss of productive lands, we have initiated two projects, both focused on an increase in productivity. The first project is the improvement of current lines used by one processor. Due to the method of production of the seed bean, as well as the age of current lines in use, plant vigor and uniformity within the fordhook lima bean population has decreased over time. By using a modified single-seed descent method within the population, a certain level of improvement of production lines should be realized. Our second objective is in the development of a more heat-tolerant line, which could be grown in the inner valleys of California, where more land is available. Because of the limited availability of heat-tolerant Fordhook lima beans, we are currently investigating the possibility of using chemical mutagenesis to produce a more heat-tolerant variety.
(258) GreenPack-DG, a Pinkeye-type Southernpea with an Enhanced Persistent Green Seed Phenotype
Authors: Fery Richard L.
Published: February 2019

The USDA–ARS has released a new pinkeye-type southernpea cultivar named GreenPack-DG. GreenPack-DG is the first pinkeye-type southernpea to be released that has a persistent green seed phenotype conditioned by both the green cotyledon gene (gc) and the green testa (gt) gene. The new cultivar was developed from a cross between Charleston Greenpack (green cotyledon phenotype) and the breeding line USVL 97-296 (green testa phenotype). Except for longer pods, GreenPack-DG is similar in appearance and maturity to Charleston Greenpack. Dry GreenPack-DG seeds have a richer and more-uniform green seed color than dry seeds of Charleston Greenpack. GreenPack-DG seeds are much less susceptible to color loss due to blanching when harvest is delayed than are seeds of green-cotyledon cultivars such as Charleston Greenpack. Color loss is a critical problem in production systems where preharvest desiccants are used to facilitate mechanical harvesting operations. The 7-day delay between application of the desiccant and initiation of harvesting operations can result in serious color degradation. Results of 3 years of replicated field tests at Charleston, S.C., indicate that GreenPack-DG yields are comparable to Charleston Greenpack yields. The new cultivar has excellent field resistance to blackeye cowpea mosaic virus and does not produce hard seeds. GreenPack-DG is recommended for trial by the frozen food industry as a replacement for Charleston Greenpack. Protection for GreenPack-DG is being sought under the Plant Variety Protection Act.
(259) TigerPaw-NR, a Root-knot Nematode Resistant, Habanero-type Pepper
Authors: Fery Richard L. , Thies Judy A.
Published: February 2019

The USDA–ARS has released a new Habanero-type pepper cultivar named TigerPaw-NR. The new cultivar is the product of a conventional recurrent backcross breeding procedure to transfer a dominant root-knot nematode resistance gene from the Scotch Bonnet accession PA-426 into the Habanero-type accession PA-350. TigerPaw-NR was derived from a single F3BC4 plant grown in 2002. TigerPaw-NR is homozygous for a dominant gene conditioning a high level of resistance to the southern root-knot nematode, the peanut root-knot nematode, and the tropical root-knot nematode. TigerPaw-NR has a compact plant habit and produces attractive lantern-shaped, orange-colored fruit. The results of three replicated field studies conducted at Charleston, S.C., indicate that the fruit and yield characteristics of TigerPaw-NR are comparable to those of currently available Habanero-type cultivars. A typical fruit weighs 7.8 g, is 2.7 cm wide × 4.4 cm long, and is extremely pungent (348,634 Scoville heat units). Root-knot nematodes are major pests of peppers in the United States, and all Habanero-type cultivars currently available to commercial growers and home gardeners are susceptible. The root-knot nematode resistant TigerPaw-NR is recommended for use by both commercial growers and home gardeners. Protection for TigerPaw-NR is being sought under the Plant Variety Protection Act.
(24) Non-Pungent Jalapeño Pepper Yields and Preplant-incorporated Herbicides
Authors: Webber Charles L. , Russo Vincent M. , Shrefler James W.
Published: February 2019

Non-pungent jalapeño peppers are used for making commercial picante sauces (salsas) and have a potential for outstanding yields in Oklahoma. There is incomplete information on the crop safety of certain herbicides that may not specifically address their use with non-pungent jalapeño peppers. The objective of this research was to determine the weed control efficacy and safety of a combination of preplant incorporated herbicides on transplanted non-pungent jalapeño pepper production. A field study was conducted during the Summer 2005 on 91-cm-wide raised beds at Lane, Okla. The herbicides in the study included napropramide (2.2 kg a.i./ha), clomazone (1.1 kg a.i./ha), bensulide (6.7 kg a.i./ha), and trifluralin (1.1 kg a.i./ha) used separately and in combination with one of the other herbicides. All herbicides were applied preplant-incorporated just prior to transplanting `Pace 105' non-pungent jalapeño peppers on 6 May 2005. Fruit were harvested on 21 July 2005, 76 days after transplanting. Plants treated with clomazone used by itself produced the greatest yields (16.4 t/ha) compared to plants treated with the other herbicides used individually, although it was not significantly greater than napropramide, 9.2 t/ha. Four of the five top-yielding herbicide treatments included the use of clomazone. The tank mixture of napropramide and bensulide produced the second greatest yield (16.2 t/ha). The weed-free treatment produced 17.5 t/ha compared to 86% yield reduction for the weedy check. These results demonstrated that clomazone, used individually or in combination with certain other herbicides, can maintain non-pungent jalapeño yields equivalent to weed-free levels.
(32) Changes in Functional Phytochemicals in Response to Altered Light Environments
Authors: Rajapakse Nihal
Published: February 2019

Numerous recent epidemiological studies have reconfirmed the old wisdom that consumption of fruits and vegetables play an important role in maintaining a healthy life. As a result, the role of fruits and vegetables in preventing the onset of chronic diseases is being established in the wake of epidemic-level health problems. The majority of evidence links various antioxidant phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables to the reduction in chronic diseases. Various methods are being investigated to enhance functional phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables, but, our knowledge on how these methods affect functionally important phytochemicals is relatively limited at this point. Environmental factors have been shown to affect certain phytochemicals and we are investigating if changing the spectral irradiance and composition in the growing environment can improve functional phytochemicals in food crops. In the present work, we investigated the role of irradiance on functionally important phytochemicals in selected lettuce (green and red) and tomato cultivars. Preliminary results show that in lettuce, high irradiance (500 vs. 250 μmol·m-2·s-1) increased total phenolic content, anthocyanin content, red coloration, and over all antioxidant capacity. Irradiance levels used in this study did not affect functional phytochemical levels in tomato fruit. High irradiance decreased the ß-carotene content in lettuce cultivars, but lycopene levels in tomato were not affected by irradiance.
(291) Plant Regeneration through Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Homalomena `Emerald Gem'
Authors: Zhang Qian , Chen Jianjun , Henny Richard J.
Published: February 2019

Homalomena `Emerald Gem' is an important ornamental foliage plant and widely used for interior plantscaping. Current propagation of this cultivar has been primarily carried out through in vitro culture by organogenesis; regeneration through somatic embryogenesis has not been documented. This report describes successful plant regeneration via direct somatic embryogenesis from explants of different organs. Somatic embryos formed at and around the cut surface of petiole, spathe, and peduncle explants. Embryos also appeared at the base between expanded ovaries of the spadix segment, and around midrib of leaf explants. The optimal treatments for somatic embryo occurrence from petiole, spathe, and peduncle explants were MS medium containing 0.2 mg/L NAA or 0.5 mg/L 2, 4-D with 2.0 mg/L CPPU, and for spadix explants were MS medium with 0.5 mg/L PAA and 2.5 mg/L TDZ. Somatic embryos appeared 6 to 8 weeks after culture and formed large embryo clumps in 3 to 4 months. Somatic embryos produced more secondary embryos and geminated on induction medium. Multiple shoot development and plant regeneration occurred from somatic embryo clusters on MS medium without hormone or with 2 mg/L BA and 0.2 mg/L NAA. The regenerated plants grew vigorously after transplanting to a soilless container substrate in a shaded greenhouse.
(293) The PAL Gene Activity in Five Rosemary Genotypes and Its Effect on the Production of Rosmarinic Acid
Authors: El-Naggar Hany M. , Read Paul E. , Al-Abdallat Ayed
Published: February 2019

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme is the most extensively studied enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Studies on the biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid (RA) showed that the PAL enzyme catalyzes the initial step of the phenylpropanoid pathway. The increase in RA content in plant tissues in vitro coincided with the increase in PAL activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of the gene responsible for the production of the PAL enzyme in the five rosemary genotypes; this will give more understanding about the accumulation of rosmarinic acid in the five rosemary genotypes. The genotypes were Majorca, Rosmarinus officinalis, Pine Scented, Madeline Hill and APR. Northern blot hybridization between the PAL gene primer and the five genotypes' cDNA showed bands at 300 bp in all the five genotypes for the PAL gene. The expression of the PAL gene was high in genotypes Majorca, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Madeline Hill, while the expression was low in genotypes Pine Scented and APR. It was expected that the genotypes having the highest PAL gene expression will produce the highest amount of RA, but the highest genotype in PAL gene expression Madeline Hill had the lowest RA production in their leaves. This could occur due to the tissue specific regulation inside plant tissues. Inside the callus tissues, where the specific tissue regulation no longer exists, the RA was produced in repetitively large amounts in genotypes with high PAL gene expression.
(294) The Effect of Heavy Metal Cadmium on Transgenic and Nontransgenic Petunia Plants
Authors: Patil Pranitha , Park Sung
Published: February 2019

Heavy metal contamination in the ground and its effects on human health has been a major concern. The objective of this experiment is to determine how cadmium affects transgenic and nontransgenic (control) petunia plants. Initially, the petunia seed germination medium (SGM) was prepared, and petunia seeds were sterilized and cultured on the SGM medium. During the actual experiment, using 8-day-old germinated petunia, the SGM-Cd media containing four different concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 μM) of CdCl2 were prepared. Plant growth and survival rates in four concentrations of SGM-Cd media were recorded. Over 20 days of observations, the plants showed two distinct differences: color and growth. For the first few days, all of the plants grew very slowly, but the plants showed marked differences in growth and color at later days. On the final day, 22 Jan., the control plants on 0 μM of CdCl2 grew 4.2 cm, while the transgenic plant grew 2.4 cm and showed a dark shade of green color. The control plants on 50 μM grew 1.38 cm, while the transgenic plants grew 2.2 cm. The control plants on 100 μM grew 1.14 cm, while the transgenic plants grew a total of 1.7 cm. Both control and transgenic plants on 200 μM had similar growth of 0.94 cm and showed very light shade of green color. The hypothesis in this experiment was confirmed because CdCl2 impacted the growth of the control and transgenic plants by stunting the growth of the plant and changing its color. It is also demonstrated here that transgenic plants containing the heavy metal transport (HMT) gene can grow better than control because of the specific HMT gene that allowed the plant to uptake more CdCl2 into the central vacuole.
(295) Relationship Between Macromolecule and Metal Ion Accumulation in Two Salt-stressed Cultivars of Sweetpotato under In Vitro Conditions
Authors: Potluri Devi Prasad V.
Published: February 2019

Two cultivars of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.], Commensal and Salyboro, were subjected to salt stress using axillary bud cultures. The salt levels ranged from 0–150 mM. After 10 weeks of growth, plantlet shoot height, dry weight, number of nodes, levels of proline, soluble carbohydrate, and protein; and metal ions sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, were measured. In both cultivars, proline accumulation was higher in the shoot. There was a positive correlation between the increase in soluble carbohydrates and proteins in `Commnesal', but not in `Salyboro'. More sodium accumulated in the shoots of `Salyboro' compared to `Commensal'. The accumulation of sodium reduced the calcium and potassium, but not magnesium levels. Increase in sodium levels correlated with the increase in soluble carbohydrate levels is `Salyboro', but not in `Commensal'. A similar trend was evident with praline and sodium accumulation. Based on these and previous results, the cultivar `Salyboro' appears to be more susceptible to salt stress.
(151) Effect of Glucose Application on Tomato Plant Growth in a Saline Soil
Authors: Zamora-Solís Alejandra Guadalupe , Bazan-Tene Marcelino , Farias-Larios Javier , López-Aguirre Jose Gerardo , Molina-Ochoa Jaime
Published: February 2019

Distribution of salinity and sodicity through the world is around 80 thousand million km2. To this quantity, we must add 10 million ha of irrigated lands that are abandoned each year due to such adverse effects on irrigation as salinity and/or alkalinity. Easily available substrates, such as glucose, increase the microbial activity to imprpove soils; for example, pH decreases because of a high production of some metabolites, such as carboxylic acids and hydro phenolics group. We carried out a study to evaluate the effect of glucose application on tomato plant (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) growth in saline soil. The experiment was done under greenhouse conditions. Soil samples were taken from 0–20-cm depth at the “El Chococo” ranch (lat. 18°47'N; long. 103°55'W). Treatments imposed were: 2% (T1), 4% (T2), and 6% (T3) glucose and a control without glucose (T0). Soil with treatments was incubated at ambient temperature for 40 days. Tomato seeds were germinated for 30 days and later transplanted to plastic bags that contained treatments. After transplant, tomato plants were grown for 40 days and then evaluated for plant height, dry and fresh weight, aerial and radicular biomass, and foliar area. Treatments were distributed under randomized design, and Tukey's (0.05) separation means were done. When the glucose percentage was increased, the soil pH decreased 8.50, 8.0, 7.70, and 7.60 in T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively, but electrical conductivity increased. The highest values of parameters evaluated in plants were measured in treatment T3, and all the plants died in treatment (0).
(152) Application of Lemon Industrial Waste and the Effect on Tomato Plant Growth in a Saline Soil
Authors: Torres-Meza Orlando Javier , Bazan-Tene Marcelino , Farias-Larios Javier , Lopez-Aguirre Jose Gerardo , Molina-Ochoa Jaime
Published: February 2019

Low organic matter in soil is a large problem in crop production around the world because it affects physical, chemical, microbiological, and morphological properties. On the other hand, regions with agro-industry generally generate waste that can cause some level of contamination. Therefore, it is necessary to find some use for this kind of waste. This study was done to evaluate the effect of lemon industrial waste on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.), growth in a saline soil. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions. Soil samples were taken from 0- to 20-cm depths at the El Chococo ranch, located at 18°47'N and 103°55'W. Four treatments were imposed: 0 (0), 600 (1), 1200 (2), and 1800 (3) m3/ha. Soil in treatments was incubated at ambient temperature for 40 days. Tomato seeds were germinated for 30 days and later transplanted to plastic bags containing treatments. After transplant, tomato plants were grown during 40 days, after which was measured: high plant, dry and fresh weight, aerial, and radicular biomass and foliar area. Treatments were distributed under randomized design, and Tukey's (0.05) separation means was performed. Organic matter, pH, and CE in soil before treatment application was 1.01%, 8.5, and 7.6 dS/m respectively (in 1:5 soil: water ratio). After application, OM increased until 3.7% in treatment 3. pH and CE decreased to 5.5 in treatment 2, and 1.57 dS/m in treatment 0. All data measured in plants had the highest values in treatment 1, and all plants died in treatment 0. We believe that is necessary to do this experiment in the field to obtain additional data.
(177) Open Column Chromatographic Separation of Health-promoting Bioactive Citrus Limonoids
Authors: Wilson Clark , Jayaprakasha G.K. , Patil Bhimanagouda
Published: February 2019

Open column chromatography is an effective and common technique for the separation and purification of chemical constituents. Limonoids are found in significant quantities in citrus fruits. Citrus limonoids have documented anti-cancer activity in several types of cancer, such as breast, colon, skin, and neuroblastoma in animal models and in vitro cell culture studies. Furthermore, limonoids have shown anti-inflammatory properties and inhibitory effects on bone resorption. In addition to many potential health benefits, limonoids have also shown antifungal and insect anti-feedant properties. To meet the large demand of limonoids for bioactivity studies, defatted grapefruit seeds were extracted using acetone and concentrated under vacuum. The dried extract was loaded onto a silica gel column and eluted with mixtures of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate with increasing polarity to obtain three compounds. The purity of the compounds (1–3) have been analyzed by HPLC and the structures have been identified by using NMR spectra and mass spectra as nomilin, limonin, and deacetylnomilin, in respective order of elution. The results will be presented in greater detail on the poster. This project is based upon work supported by the USDA-CSREES under Agreement USDA IFAFS #2001 52102 02294 and USDA #2005-34402-14401 “Designing Foods for Health” through the Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center.
(215) Effects of Groundcover and Drip Irrigation on Mineral Nutrition and Productivity of Sweet Cherry
Authors: Yin Xinhua , Seavert Clark , Bai Jinhe
Published: February 2019

The effects of in-row groundcover and drip irrigation on mineral nutrition and productivity of sweet cherry are largely unknown in the Pacific Northwest. A field experiment was initialized on the Mel Omeg orchard at The Dalles, Ore., in 2005. This orchard had been managed under microsprinkler irrigation and in-row herbicide application since its establishment in 1998. Two irrigation systems (drip irrigation, microsprinkler irrigation) and four in-row ground management systems (straw mulch, white fabric cover, black fabric cover, and no cover with herbicide applications) were evaluated in a split-plot design with four replicates. Drip irrigation reduced irrigation water consumption by 74% relative to microsprinkler during the entire season from May to September. Compared with no cover, black fabric lowered water use by 8%, and straw mulch and white fabric had a 1% to 3% reduction in water use. Fruit yield was similar for drip irrigation and microsprinkler. There was a trend of yield increase with groundcovers relative to no cover. Fruit firmness, size, and sugar content did not differ regardless of irrigation or groundcover systems. Drip irrigation increased marketable fruits by 5% (absolute value) via reducing fruit surface pitting compared with microsprinkler. Differences in soil-available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, Cu, pH, and organic matter were negligible between the two irrigation systems and among the four groundcover treatments. However, drip irrigation resulted in slightly lower concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, B, and Mn in leaf than microsprinkler. Overall, our results suggest that in-row straw mulch and fabric covers and drip irrigation could be feasible management alternatives for sweet cherry production in the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to Landscape Design as Continuing Education for Master Gardeners
Authors: Badertscher Kerrie B.
Published: February 2019

Colorado currently has no licensure program for landscaping and many people applying to the Colorado Master Gardener program have indicated a desire to seek entry-level training in order to determine if a second career in horticulture is feasible. Alternatively, some each year who complete this basic training go on into the Green Industry either in basic design and/or maintenance. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension came together with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado and the Colorado Nursery Association (now CNGA) to create the Rocky Mountain Landscape Design Guide. The purpose of this publication was to inform the general consumer about the landscape design process. A review will be given using this publication with concurrent laboratory activities to Master Gardeners as a continuing education piece.
Innovative Teaching of Botany to Master Gardener Trainees
Authors: McMahan Linda
Published: February 2019

The science of botany is often daunting to people who are training to become Master Gardener volunteers. However, the range of natural diversity of plants as well as practical information about plant anatomy are essential foundations for other parts of Master Gardener training. I will present a botany module that I have developed over the past 5 years. The module focuses on relevance to the trainee and builds on basic information to examine more complex aspects of botany, all in the space of the 3–6 hours often allotted for basic botany training. It begins with a “tour” of the plant kingdom and plant relatives like algae and fungi, mosses, liverworts, and ferns. I follow this with basic morphology of stems, roots, and leaves; this basic morphology is used to answer the question of how water and minerals move from the soil into and throughout plants, even reaching the height of the tallest tree. A short segment on mycorhizzae reinforces water and mineral transport, while providing a link to the plant kingdom tour. The mycorhizzal section also reinforces or complements training on soils, which is often presented in another portion of the training schedule. Finally, a segment on flowers introduces basic terminology and winds up a discussion of how to recognize monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Several optional hands-on activities help active learners assimilate the information and provide needed reflective time for more traditional learners. The module has been adopted as the official OSU Extension Master Gardener™ Program botany module in Oregon.