bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Fluctuations in the Extent of Colonization of Avocado Plants by the Stem Canker Pathogen Phytophthora citricola
Authors: El-Hamalawi Zeinah A. , Menge John A.
Published: January 2019

At monthly intervals, plants and stem cuttings of avocado (Persea americana Miller) `Hass' grafted on `Barr Duke' rootstock and `Topa Topa' growing in a lathhouse were wounded and inoculated with the stem canker pathogen, Phytophthora citricola Sawada. The seasonal changes (measured monthly) in the extent of colonization of the avocado plants by P. citricola followed a periodic pattern, with two peaks of colonization during an annual growth cycle. Concentration of free amino acids and total soluble carbohydrates in the plant tissues followed a periodic pattern with two peaks similar to that of canker growth. Months were significantly different for canker size, free amino acids, and total soluble carbohydrates of the bark tissues. The extent of colonization was highest during May-June, after the first vegetative flush, and during November-December, after the second vegetative flush. Total free amino acids of the hark tissue was highly correlated with canker size (r = 0.89). Although the total soluble carbohydrate of the bark tissue was also elevated during the periods of canker development, it showed lower positive correlation (r = 0.45) with canker size. Plants were relatively resistant to colonization through March-April, during the first vegetative flush, and through August-September, during the second vegetative flush. Cankers formed on stem cuttings were generally larger than those of intact plants.
The Effect of Irrigation Method, Water-soluble Fertilization, Replant Nutrient Charge, and Surface Evaporation on Early Vegetative and Root Growth of Poinsettia
Authors: Argo William R. , Biernbaum John A.
Published: January 2019

Rooted cuttings of `Gutbier V-l 4 Glory poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) were grown in 15-cm pots using two irrigation methods, two water-soluble fertilization schedules, and two preplant root-media fertilization rates. No difference in shoot growth occurred with either top watering with 33% leaching or subirrigation. The top 2.5 cm (top layer) contained nutrient concentrations up to 10 times higher than those measured in the remaining root medium (root zone) of the same pot with both irrigation methods. Constant applications of28 mol N/m3 water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) limited shoot and root growth as measured at 3 and 8 weeks compared to a weekly increase in the concentration of WSF from 0 to 28 mol N/m3 in 7 mol N/m3 increments over a S-week period. The additional incorporation of 0.27 kg·m-3 mineral N to Metro Mix 510 before planting had no effect on fresh- or dry-weight accumulation. When the root-medium surface was covered by an evaporation barrier, 46% less water and 41% less N fertilizer were applied to plants of similar size, and higher root-zone nutrient levels were maintained over the 8 weeks of the experiment. The evaporation barrier had the greatest effect on increasing root-zone nutrient concentrations and reducing the growth of subirrigated plants.
The Relation of Cambial Zone Mechanical Strength to Growth and Irrigation of Almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) Webb.] Trees
Authors: Gurusinghe Sunitha H. , Shackel Kenneth A.
Published: January 2019

Commercial harvesting of almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) Webb.] with mechanical shakers is economical, but may also cause severe damage to the cambial zone, leading to the establishment of a deadly cankerous disease, ceratocystis. Irrigation is often cut off for some period of time before harvest, anticipating a reduction in the damage as a result of an increased strength of adhesion within the cambial zone between the bark and the wood. Mechanical failure can occur in the cambial zone proper and in the differentiating cells on either side of the cambial zone. In this study the shear force per shear area in the cambial zone (cambial strength) was measured to represent mechanical failure due to shaker damage. Cambial strength of branches with intact bark tissues could be reversibly influenced by the level of tissue hydration, with high cambial strength associated with increased tissue hydration, presumably a result of an increase in the turgor of cambial zone cells. Methods of measuring cambial strength were developed for branches and trunks to avoid the effects of reversible turgor changes. Irrigation regimes imposed before harvest had a substantial and progressive influence on tree stem water potential, stomatal conductance, and growth rate of almond trees. Statistically significant levels of within seasonal differences in rate of growth, stomatal conductance and tree water deficits found under different irrigation regimes did not show any correlation with the within seasonal fluctuations in cambial strength. Cambial strength always showed a similar pattern and a similar magnitude of seasonal increase from spring to summer (as previous authors have reported), superimposed over the within seasonal fluctuations, despite significant differences in tree water stress. Therefore, this study suggests that irrigation cut off may be an ineffective practice for the purpose of increasing cambial strength.
Interaction of Root Confinement and Fruiting in Peach
Authors: Mandre Othmane , Rieger Mark , Myers Stephen C. , Seversen Ray , Regnard Jean-Luc
Published: January 2019

Fruiting and nonfruiting `Washington' peach trees were grown in 2.4 (small) or 9-liter (large) containers to determine the influence of root confinement and fruiting on vegetative growth, fruit growth and quality, CO, assimilation (A), and carbohydrate content. Shoot length, fruit diameter, A, and leaf carbohydrates were measured weekly. Thirteen weeks after transplanting, trees were divided into roots, shoots, leaves, and fruit for dry weight measurement. The dry weight of all organs except fruit was reduced by root confinement, and only the weight of stems formed the previous season was not reduced by fruiting. Fruit dry weight was 30.0 g/tree for large- and small-container treatments, causing the yield efficiency (g fruit/g total dry wt) to be 50% higher for confined trees. Fruit red color, weight, and diameter were unaffected by root confinement, but higher flesh firmness and a more green ground color of the fruit surface from root-confined trees suggested that confinement delayed maturity. Vegetative growth was not reduced by lack of nonstructural carbohydrates in confined trees. A was reduced by root confinement on only the first of 11 measurement dates, whereas fruiting increased A on 5 of 8 measurement dates before fruit harvest. Fruit removal reduced A by 23% and 31% for nonconfined and confined trees, respectively, within 48 h of harvest. Leaf starch, sucrose, sorbitol, and total carbohydrate levels were negatively correlated with A when data were pooled, but inconsistent responses of A to carbohydrate content indicated that factors other than feedback inhibition were also responsible for the reduction in A on nonfruited trees. We hypothesized that a physiological signal originating in roots of confined trees reduced vegetativegrowth without reducing fruit growth.
Juvenility and Photoperiodic Flowering Requirements of Chrysanthemum ×superbum `G. Marconi' and `Snow Lady' Grown under Short- and Long-day Conditions
Authors: Damann M. Peggy , Lyons Robert E.
Published: January 2019

Juvenility and flowering requirements of Chrysanthemum ×superbum Bergmans ex J. Ingram `G. Marconi' and `Snow Lady' were examined by growing plants under short days (SDs) and transferring them to long days (LDs) upon reaching specific true leaf stages. `G. Marconi' plants did not flower in continuous SDs and only sparse flowering occurred in plants transferred to LDs. `Snow Lady' plants transferred from SDs to LDs at the cotyledon stage flowered fastest from seeding (75 days) and had the fewest number of main stem leaves and total leaves (9 and 15, respectively) at the time of first flower. Plants moved from SDs to LDs at the 24 true leaf stage flowered 123 days after seeding and averaged 28 leaves on the main stem and 37 total leaves at the time of first flower. To examine apical floral initiation, plants were distributed between SDs and LDs following transplanting and five plants per treatment were sampled each week thereafter. Microscopic examination revealed floral initiation in plants sampled after just 1 week in LDs and, after 5 weeks, macroscopic terminal flower buds were present. Under SDs, apical floral initiation began after 5 weeks, yet, 9 weeks were required for floral initiation in all five plants sampled.
Growth Regulators Delay Foliar Chlorosis of Easter Lily Leaves
Authors: Han Susan S.
Published: January 2019

Leaf yellowing of excised Easter lily leaves was significantly delayed by application of gibberellic acids ≥250 mg·liter-1 or benzyladenine ≥50 mg·liter-1. Rapid development of foliar chlorosis following cold storage was delayed significantly by applying 500 mg·liter-1 of GA3 or BA before storage. Poststorage treatments were less effective. Development of chlorosis was associated with rapid loss of fresh weight and was not related to the aperture of the stomates (diffusive resistance). Respiration rates of leaves treated with growth regulators were significantly lower than those of the controls.'
Application of DNA Fingerprints for Identification and Genetic Analyses of Mango (Mangifera indica) Genotypes
Authors: Adato A. , Sharon D. , Lavi U. , Hillel J. , Gazit S.
Published: January 2019

DNA fingerprint information was used for identification of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars for genetic relatedness analysis of20 mango cultivars and for genetic analysis of a family structure. Genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves, digested with Hind III or Dra I, and hybridized with 10 different DNA probes. Jeffreys' minisatellite probe 33.6 was the most useful, resulting in well-resolved bands representing highly polymorphic loci. Specific patterns were obtained for each cultivar. The probability of obtaining a similar pattern for two different cultivars was 9.4 × 10-6. Based on DNA fingerprint information, genetic distances between 20 mango cultivars were evaluated and an evolutionary tree was established. Analysis of DNA fingerprint band patterns of 12 progeny resulting from a cross between `Tommy Atkins' and `Keitt' mango revealed neither linked nor allelic bands. Application of the reported results for identification, genetic analyses, and mango breeding is discussed.
Relative Performance of Strawberry Genotypes on Fumigated and Nonfumigated Soils
Authors: Larson Kirk D. , Shaw Douglas V.
Published: January 2019

Performance characteristics for 12 strawberry genotypes (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) from the Univ. of California, Davis, strawberry improvement program were evaluated in annual hill culture, with and without preplant soil fumigation using a mixture of 67 methyl bromide:33 chloropicrin (trichloronitromethane) (wt/wt, 392 kg·ha-1). Plants were established at two locations; one trial followed several cycles of strawberry plantation, whereas the other had not been cropped with strawberries for 20 years. Plant mortality was <3% and did not differ between soil treatments; thus, the main effects of fumigation treatment in these experiments were due to sublethal effects of soil organisms. Plants grown in nonfumigated soil produced 51% and 57% of the fruit yield of plants grown in fumigated soil for soils with and without a recent history of strawberry cultivation, respectively. Nonfumigated treatments also had reduced fruit weight and uniformly lower vegetative vigor during the early phases of plantation establishment. Significant genotype x fumigation interactions were not detected for any of the growth or performance traits at either location. Further, the proportion of variance attributable to interactions was at most 25% of that due to variation among genotypes, even for this highly selected population. Genotypic correlations for traits evaluated in different fumigation treatments ranged from 0.80 to 1.00; thus, selection in either soil environment is expected to affect largely the same sets of genes. These results demonstrate that strawberry productivity is substantially increased by fumigation, even in the absence of lethal pathogens or a discernible replant problem. More importantly, there appears to be little opportunity for developing cultivars specifically adapted to sublethal effects of nonfumigated soils.
Tolerance of Prunus Rootstock to Potassium Carbonate-induced Chlorosis
Authors: Shi Yan , Byrne D. H.
Published: January 2019

A standardized screening procedure for tolerance to bicarbonate-induced Fe chlorosis using a commercial fertilizer mix (Plantex) as the nutrient source, high solution pH (8.5) and 1.5 m m bicarbonate to simulate a calcareous soil situation was used with a 1 vermiculite:1 perlite (v/v) support media, small pots and topping (pinching back the tops of shoots). The tolerance level of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] rootstock could be assessed by leaf visual-chlorosis ratings and Spad-502 chlorophyll readings instead of extractable leaf-chlorophyll concentration or plant Fe concentration. Although most of the tolerant genotypes had almond [P. amygdalus (Mill.) D.A. Webb] in their parentage, a few peaches (`Swat', NJ672281007) showed high to moderate levels of tolerance.
Inheritance of Internode Length and its Relation to Head Exsertion and Head Size in Broccoli
Authors: Baggett James R. , Kean Deborah , Kasimor Kathryn
Published: January 2019

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Italica Group) lines with heads borne above the foliage (exserted) favorably for mechanical harvest were crossed with inbred lines with nonexserted heads. Length of the heads, defined as the portion of the plant above the highest major leaf, was ≈50% of the total plant height in short and tall parents and all plants of the F1, F2, and backcross generations. The principal characteristic identified with good head exsertion was long internodes. Internode length was inherited mostly in an additive manner, with some effect of hybrid vigor apparent in the F1, F2, and backcross to the tall parent. Plant height was also inherited in an additive manner. Head weight in the high-exsertion parent was much lower than in the low-exsertion parent. Within each parent and the F1, head weight was greater in plants with longer internodes and greater plant height. In the segregating generations (F2 and backcross), head weight increased with decreasing internode length, indicating that selection for high head exsertion would result in smaller heads and reduced yield.
Identifying Lychee Cultivars by Isozyme Analysis
Authors: Degani C. , Beiles A. , El-Batsri R. , Goren M. , Gazit S.
Published: January 2019

Leaf isozyme banding patterns were studied in 30 cultivars and selections of lychee (Litchi Chinensis Sonn.) by means of starch gel electrophoresis. Polymorphism in aconitase, aspartate aminotransferase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, shikimate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and triosephosphate isomerase is demonstrated for the first time and observations are extended for the previously described polymorphism in phosphoglucose isomerase. In this study we found five groups of cultivars with identical electrophoretic genotypes. The 18 different cultivars were clustered by the UPGMA method into two large clusters and three pairs of similar cultivars. Three cultivars were relatively separate from the clusters. This study shows that isozyme polymorphism is a prevalent phenomenon in lychee, and that isozymes can provide useful genetic markers for lychee cultivar identification and parental analysis.
Comparison of Four Moisture Management Systems for Cutting Propagation of Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, and Kei Apple
Authors: Mudge K.W. , Mwaja V.N. , Itulya F.M. , Ochieng J.
Published: January 2019

The effects of four propagation moisture management systems on the water relations and rooting of cuttings of three tropical woody crops were investigated at a relatively cool, but high irradiance site. Leafy semihardwood or leafless hardwood cuttings of Bougainvillea × Buttiana Holtt. & Standl. (bougainvillea), and leafy semihardwood cuttings of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (hibiscus), and Dovyalis caffra (Hook. f. et Harv.) Warb. (kei apple) were propagated in shade under contact tent polyethylene enclosures or in the open with or without intermittent mist. Xylem water potential and leaf and air temperatures and relative humidity were monitored during the rooting period. Hardwood cuttings rooted better than softwood cuttings of bougainvillea. The best rooting of softwood cuttings of all three species was consistently associated with contact polyethylene, whereas open-propagated, nonmisted cuttings rooted poorly or not at all. The poor rooting of open-propagated nonmisted cuttings was associated with the most negative midday ψ and the greatest water vapor density deficit of air surrounding the cuttings (VDDA), but ψ and VDDA were otherwise not consistently associated with success of rooting in other treatments. Midday ψ of cuttings under contact polyethylene was either less negative or not different from that of other treatments despite the fact they exhibited the greatest daytime leaf and leaf to air temperature differences. Because ambient night temperatures were suboptimal for rooting, the warm air trapped beneath the polyethylene enclosures at night may have contributed to improved rooting in these treatments.
Water Use of Two Landscape Tree Species in Tucson, Arizona
Authors: Levitt D.G. , Simpson J.R. , Tipton J.L.
Published: January 2019

Although water conservation programs in the arid southwestern United States have prompted prudent landscaping practices such as planting low water use trees, there is little data on the actual water use of most species. The purpose of this study was to determine the actual water use of two common landscape tree species in Tucson, Ariz., and water use coefficients for two tree species based on the crop coefficient concept. Water use of oak (Quercus virginiana `Heritage') and mesquite (Prosopis alba `Colorado') trees in containers was measured from July to October 1991 using a precision balance. Water-use coefficients for each tree species were calculated as the ratio of measured water use per total leaf area or per projected canopy area to reference evapotranspiration obtained from a modified FAO Penman equation. After accounting for tree growth, water-use coefficients on a total leaf area basis were 0.5 and 1.0 for oak and mesquite, respectively, and on a projected canopy area basis were 1.4 and 1.6 for oaks and mesquites, respectively. These coefficients indicate that mesquites (normally considered xeric trees) use more water than oaks (normally considered mesic trees) under nonlimiting conditions.
Effects of In Vitro-formed Roots and Acclimatization on Water Status and Gas Exchange of Tissue-cultured Apple Shoots
Authors: Díaz-Pérez Juan C. , Shackel Kenneth A. , Sutter Ellen G.
Published: January 2019

Little is known about the physiological changes that occur during acclimatization and how these changes influence plant survival and growth in the new environment. In particular, it is unclear to what extent in vitro-formed roots are functional in water uptake, particularly when the plantlet is exposed to conditions of increasing evaporative demand. Tissue-cultured shoots and plantlets (shoots with roots) were acclimatized by exposing them to a linear reduction in relative humidity (RH) from 99 % to 75%over 4 days. When conductance was measured at 95% RH (21 C), in vitro shoots and plantlets showed a very high initial conductance, followed by a gradual decline, reaching steady state in 12 hours. Acclimatized shoots and plantlets had a 50% lower initial conductance compared to nonacclimatized ones, and reached steady state in 4 hours. The reduction in conductance as a result of acclimatization most likely contributes to a reduced transpiration under conditions of increased evaporative demand. Roots formed in vitro were associated with a higher plant water status, suggesting that these roots were functional in water uptake. Relative water content of the shoot was positively correlated with leaf conductance and net photosynthesis. We suggest that tissue-cultured plantlets behave as hydraulically integrated units, in which there must be a coordination between control of water loss by the shoot and uptake of water by the root to maintain a favorable plant water balance. Our results also indicate that methods that use excised shoots or leaves to determine transpiration gravimetrically may not accurately represent the stomatal water loss characteristics of tissue-cultured plants.
Nitrogen Uptake by Citrus Leaves
Authors: Lea-Cox John D. , Syvertsen James P.
Published: January 2019

We studied whether foliar-applied N uptake from a single application of low-biuret N-urea or K NO to citrus leaves was affected by N source, leaf age, or whole-shoot N content. In a glasshouse experiment using potted 18-month-old Citrus paradisi (L.) `Redblush' grapefruit trees grown in full sun, 2- and 6-month-old leaves on single shoots were dipped into a 11.2 g N/liter (1.776% atom excess N-urea) solution with 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-77. Two entire trees were harvested 1.5,6,24, and 48 hours after N application. Uptake of N per unit leaf area was 1.6- to 6-fold greater for 2-month-old leaves than for older leaves. The largest proportion of N remained in the treated leaf, although there was some acropetal movement to shoot tips. In a second experiment, 11.2 g N/liter (3.78% atom excess) urea-15N and 3.4 g N/titer (4.92% atom excess) KNO solutions of comparable osmotic potential were applied to 8-week-old leaves on 5-year-old `Redblush' grapefruit field-grown trees of differing N status. Twenty-four percent of the applied N-urea was taken up after 1 hour and 54% after 48 hours. On average, only 3% and 8% of the K NO was taken up after 1 and 48 hours, respectively. Urea increased leaf N concentration by 2.2 mg N/g or 7.5% of total leaf N after 48 hours compared to a 0.5 mg N/g increase (1.8% of total leaf N) for KNO. Foliar uptake of N from urea, however, decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing total shoot N content after 48 hours (r = 0.57).
Water Relations, Hormonal Level, and Spectral Reflectance of Gerbera jamesonii BoluS Subjected to Chilling Stress
Authors: Savé R. , Peñuelas J. , Filella I. , Olivella C.
Published: January 2019

One-year-old gerbera plants subjected to 1 night at 5C had reduced leaf water losses and chlorophyll content and increased root hydraulic resistance, but stomatal conductance and leaf water potential did not change. After 3 nights, leaf water potential had decreased and leaf reflectance in the visible and the near-infrared had increased. Similarly, abscisic acid (ABA) in leaves had increased and cytokinins (CK) in leaves and roots had decreased, but ABA levels in roots did not change. After 4 days at 20C, root hydraulic resistance, reflectance and leaf water loss returned to their initial values, but leaf water potential and chlorophyll content remained lower. Leaf ABA levels reached values lower than the initial, while root ABA and leaf CK levels retained the initial values. These data suggest that in the gerbera plants studied, 3 nights at 5C produced a reversible strain but otherwise plants remained uninjured, so this gerbera variety could be cultured with low energetic inputs under Mediterranean conditions. The results may indicate that ABA and CK were acting as synergistic signals of the chilling stress. Spectral reflectance signals seemed to be useful as plant chilling injury indicators at ground level.
Effect of Previous Crop Load on Stigmatic Morphology of Apple Flowers
Authors: Buszard Deborah , Schwabe W.W.
Published: January 2019

`Cox's Orange Pippin' apple (Pyrus domestics Berth.) trees, which were previously heavily cropped compared to previously defruited trees, had smaller flowers, lower initial fruit set, and a shorter effective pollination period (EPP) than defruited trees. The morphology of apple flower styles and stigmas was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Virgin stigmas from previously unstressed trees had fully expanded papillae, but 7 days after pollination the papillae were collapsed and distinct pollen tubes penetrated the stigmatic surface. Virgin stigmas from flowers of previously heavily cropped trees were smaller than those from previously defruited trees. The virgin stigmas of the flowers of heavily cropped trees showed collapsed papillae, and differences were observed in the intercellular material in the subtending transmitting tissue. These differences may explain the poor fruit setting characteristics of apple flowers on trees that have borne a heavy crop in the previous year.
Effects of Light on Growth and Flowering of Rosa hybrids `Mercedes'
Authors: Maas Frank M. , Bakx Edwin J.
Published: January 2019

Growth and flowering of shoots of `Mercedes' rose was investigated as a function of the level and spectral quality of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). Experiments were performed with single-shoot plants decapitated above the two most basal leaves with five leaflets. The development of the two lateral shoots emerging from the axillary buds of these leaves was studied for 4 to 6 weeks. To discriminate between the effects of irradiance and light quality, plants were grown in growth chambers in which PPF and its spectral composition could be controlled. At a photoperiod of 12 hours, the length, weight, and flowering of the shoots strongly increased with irradiance. The growth and number of flowering shoots were always higher for the uppermost than for the second shoot. At the highest PPF (270 μmol·m-2·s-1), flowering occurred in 89% and 33% of the uppermost and second shoots, respectively. At an irradiance level of 90 μmol·m-2·s-1, these percentages were 6% and 0%. Although length and dry weight of both types of shoots were significantly increased by reducing the amount of blue light at constant PPF, flower development was not affected. In a second experiment, plants grown in white light (12 h/day) received a short treatment with low-intensity red or far-red `light at the end of each photoperiod. An end-of-day treatment with red light resulted in significantly more flowering shoots than far-red. The red far-red reversibility of this flowering response indicates the involvement of the photoreceptor phytochrome.
Stem Water Potential and Apple Size
Authors: Naor Amos , Klein Isaac , Doron Israel
Published: January 2019

The sensitivity of leaf (ψleaf) and stem (ψstem) water potential and stomatal conductance (gs) to soil moisture availability in apple (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees and their correlation with yield components were studied in a field experiment. Two drip irrigation treatments, 440 mm (H) and 210 mm (L), were applied to a `Golden Delicious' apple orchard during cell enlargement stage (55-173 days after full bloom). Data collected included ψstem, y leaf, gs, and soil water potential at 25 (ψsoil-25) and 50 cm (ψsoil-50). No differences in midday ψleaf's were found between irrigation treatments. Stem water potential was higher in the H treatment than in the L treatment in diurnal measurements, and at midday throughout the season. Stomatal conductance of the H treatment was higher than the L treatment throughout the day. Stomatal conductance between 0930 and 1530 hr were highly correlated with ψstem. The H treatment increased the percentage of fruit >65 mm, and increased the proportion of earlier harvested fruit reaching marketable size compared to the L treatment. Fruit size in the first harvest and the total yield were highly correlated with ψstem. The degree of correlation between plant water stress indicators and yield component decreased in the following order: ψstem>ψsoil-25,>ψsoil-50>ψleaf. The data suggest that midday ψstem may serve as a preferable plant water stress indicator with respect to fruit size.
Rootstock Effects on Shoot Morphology and Spur Quality of `Delicious' Apple and Relationships with Precocity and Productivity
Authors: Hirst Peter M. , Ferree David C.
Published: January 2019

Two-year-old branch sections of `Starkspur Supreme Delicious' apple (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees growing on 17 rootstock were studied over 6 years to determine the effects of rootstock on shoot morphology and spur quality and describe how these factors may be related to precocity and productivity. Shoot length was affected by rootstock and was positively related to trunk cross-sectional area within each year, but the slope of the regression line decreased as trees matured. The number of spurs on a shoot was largely a product of shoot length. Spur density was inversely related to shoot length, where rootstock with longer shoots had lower spur densities. Flower density was not related to spur density, and shoot length only accounted for a minor part of the variation in flower density. The proportion of spurs that produced flowers was closely related to flower density, indicating that rootstock influence flower density by affecting the development of individual buds rather than by the production of more buds. More vigorous rootstock generally had spurs with larger individual leaves and higher total leaf area per spur, but fewer spur leaves with lower specific leaf weights. More precocious rootstock were also more productive over a 10-year period when yields were standardized for tree size. Tree size was the best indicator of precocity and productivity, which could be predicted with a high degree of certainty as early as the 4th year.
Development of Aroma Volatiles and Color during Postharvest Ripening of `Kent' Strawberries
Authors: Miszczak Artur , Forney Charles F. , Prange Robert K.
Published: January 2019

`Kent' strawberries were harvested at red, pink, and white stages of development, and stored at 15C in the light. Fruit were sampled over a 10-day period and evaluated for volatile production and surface color. Volatile production by red and pink fruit peaked after 4 days of storage. Maximum volatile production by red fruit was 8- and 25-fold greater than maximum production by pink and white fruit, respectively. Aroma volatiles were not detected in the headspace over white berries until 4 days following harvest after which volatile production increased through the tenth day of storage. Changes in the surface color of white berries during postharvest ripening coincided with the production of volatiles. In another experiment, red, pink, and white `Kent' strawberries were stored for 3 days at 10 or 20C in the dark or light. Fruit were then evaluated for volatile production, weight loss, anthocyanin content, and surface color changes. White berries produced volatile esters after 3 days of storage at 20C in the light. Both light and temperature influenced the relative production of the volatiles produced by pink fruit. Fresh weight loss, color change, and anthocyanin content were temperature and light dependent.
Causes of Low Double-flowered Seed Production in Breeding Zinnia
Authors: Miyajima Daiichiro
Published: January 2019

The causes of low production of seeds capable of producing double-flowered plants and of high production of seeds capable of producing single-flowered plants were investigated in zinnias (Zinnia violaceu Cav.). Poor pollination was a major cause of the low seed set. A tubular floret produced abundant pollen; however, the pollen flow to ray stigmas was limited due to the infrequent visitation by pollinators. Moreover, in the double-flowered capitula, newly opened ray petals overlapped on the pistils that unfolded the previous day. These phenomena were considered to cause low seed set in double-flowered plants. Actually, capitula with more tubular florets produced more seeds than those with fewer tubular florets. Pollen germination and plants near zinnias had additional possible influences on seed production of double-flowered zinnias.
Field Performance of Transgenic Tomato with Reduced Pectin Methylesterase Activity
Authors: Tieman Denise M. , Kausch Kurt D. , Serra Delila M. , Handa Avtar K.
Published: January 2019

Transgenic `Rutgers' 37-81^ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) homozygous for a pectin methylesterase (PME) antisense gene, which lowers PME activity and increases levels of soluble solids, was compared to azygous (a segregating line of 37-81^ with 0 copies of the introduced gene) and wild-type `Rutgers' in the field during Summer 1992 and 1993 to determine the effects of the introduced PME antisense gene on tomato plant growth, fruit set, fruit yield, and fruit processing attributes. Fresh and dry weight accumulation in transgenic plants was similar to wild-type `Rutgers' and azygous 37-81^ lines during 1992 and 1993, indicating that the introduced PME antisense gene did not affect biomass accumulation. Transgenic plants showed an increase in fruit number and yield in 1992 compared to wild-type `Rutgers' and azygous 37-81^, but no differences were observed among the three genotypes in 1993. Average fruit weight did not show significant differences among the three genotypes in 1992, but was lower in azygous and transgenic plants than wild-type plants in 1993. Transgenic fruit had higher soluble and total solids and higher pH than control fruit, but shelf life was somewhat shorter in transgenic fruit. Overall, these data indicate that introduction of the PME antisense gene, which improves the processing quality of tomatoes, does not adversely affect fruit yield or vegetative growth of plants.
Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization Influences Aromatic Flavor Components in Shrunken2 Sweet Corn Kernels
Authors: Wang Adamson D. , Swiader John M. , Juvik John A.
Published: January 2019

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) has been identified as the compound responsible for the characteristic aroma of cooked sweet corn (Zea mays L.) and, along with sugar and water-soluble polysaccharides, is one of the main flavor components in the kernels. Because of the close relationship between DMS and its amino acid precursor S-methylmethionine, the premise was formulated that it might be possible to improve sweet corn aroma and overall eating quality through enhanced production of DMS from increased application of N and S to the crop in the field. Studies were conducted on a Plainfield sand and a Flanagan silt loam to evaluate the effects of N and S fertilization on kernel DMS production in several commercial sh2 hybrids; in the process, the effect of N and S fertilization on various yield and yield component parameters was also determined. Hybrid was the main factor affecting kernel DMS production, although in both soils kernel DMS levels were influenced by significant interactions between hybrid and fertilizer treatments. Kernel DMS content, in response to increasing N fertilization rates, increased by an average of 85% in three of six hybrids in the Plainfield sand and by 60% in two of three hybrids in the Flanagan silt loam. The effect of S fertilization on kernel DMS production was small, with only one hybrid on the sandy soil showing a positive response (38%) to S application, and then in combination with high N rates. Irrespective of N-S fertilization regime, kernel DMS concentrations decreased at both locations by an average of ≈8.5% per day as kernel maturity increased. The results showed that kernel DMS production may be enhanced by N nutrition, independent of N fertilization effects on ear and kernel yields.
Growth Analysis of Watermelon Plants Grown with Mulches and Rowcovers
Authors: Soltani Nader , Anderson J. LaMar , Hamson Alvin R.
Published: January 2019

`Crimson Sweet' watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] plants were grown with various mulches and rowcovers and analyzed for relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area index (LAI), and crop growth rate (CGR). Spunbonded polyester fabric (SB-PF) and perforated polyethylene film (PCP) rowcovers generally showed greater mean RGR, SLA and CGR than spunbonded polypropylene polyamide net (SB-PP), black plus clear combination plastic mulch and black plastic mulch alone. Plants on mulches and under rowcovers showed significant increases in RGR, NAR, and SLA over plants grown in bare soil. Carbon dioxide concentration inside the transplanting mulch holes was nearly twice the ambient CO, concentration. Growth analysis of sampled watermelon plants during early stages of development under various treatments was predictive of crop yield. Plants under SB-PF and PCP rowcovers produced the earliest fruit and the greatest total yield. An asymmetrical curvilinear model for watermelon growth and development based on cardinal temperatures was developed. The model uses hourly averaged temperatures to predict growth and phenological development of `Crimson Sweet' watermelon plants grown with and without rowcovers. Early vegetative growth correlated well with accumulated heat units. Results indicate a consistent heat unit requirement for the `Crimson Sweet' watermelon plants to reach first male flower, first female flower and first harvest in uncovered plants and plants under rowcovers. Greater variability was observed in predicting date of first harvest than first bloom.
Freezing Injury and Colonization of `Redwing' Red Raspberries with-Ice-nucleation-active Bacteria
Authors: Warmund Michele R. , English James T.
Published: January 2019

In 1993, ice-nucleation-active (INA) bacteria were isolated from `Redwing' red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L. var. idaeus) at five pigmentation stages. Fruit were also subjected to thermal analysis to determine the ice nucleation temperatures. INA bacteria were recovered from nearly all fruit samples, and the bacterial populations tended to decrease with greater red color development (i.e., fruit maturation). However, the ice nucleation temperature was not affected by the stage of fruit pigmentation. In 1994, INA bacterial densities were similar among fruit at the three pigmentation stages sampled. INA bacteria were recovered more often from the calyx rather than the drupe surface of these fruit. INA bacteria also were detected on pistils of some fruit. Red and pink fruit, which were nucleated with ice, had greater receptacle injury than mottled, yellow, or green fruit, but INA bacterial densities apparently were not related to injury. Thus, the injury response of fruit at different pigmentation (or development) stages indicated that nonbacterial ice nuclei may be involved in freezing injury of developing raspberries.
Low-oxygen-induced Poststorage Suppression of Bell Pepper Fruit Respiration and Mitochondrial Oxidative Activity
Authors: Rahman A.S.A. , Huber D.J. , Brecht J.K.
Published: January 2019

Bell pepper (Capsicum annum var. Jupiter) fruit were exposed to 1.5% O2 for 1 to 5 days at 20C to examine whether the low-O2-induced poststorage respiratory suppression (PRS) in whole fruit could be due to limitations in mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Mitochondrial oxidative capacity was not affected after storing bell peppers for 1 day in 1.5 % O2. Extending the storage period from 1 to 5 days in 1.5 % 0, resulted in PRS of CO2 production for about 55 hours after transfer to air, and a marked reduction in the oxidative capacity of isolated mitochondria. Mitochondrial activity was suppressed for 10 hours after transfer to air but, within 24 hours, bad recovered to values comparable to those of mitochondria from fruit stored continuously in air. Storing bell peppers in 1.5% O2 for 5 days resulted in a reduction in the respiratory control (RC), while ADP/O ratios were not affected. The reduction was temporary since the RC attained normal activity after returning bell peppers to air. Cyanide-sensitive cytochrome and CN-insensitive pathways were suppressed after storing fruit in 1.5 % O2 for 5 days. After returning fruit from a low-O2 atmosphere to air, the alternative pathway recovered at a greater rate than the cytochrome pathway.
Intermittent Warming Affects Cell Wall Composition of `Fantasia' Nectarines during Ripening and Storage
Authors: Dawson D.M. , Watkins C.B. , Melton L.D.
Published: January 2019

Cell wall changes in `Fantasia' nectarines [Prunus persica (L) Batsch var. nectarina (Ait) maxim] were determined after storage at 0C with or without intermittent warming (at 20C at 2-week intervals) and after ripening. For comparison, fruit were examined at harvest and after ripening without storage. Fruit stored continuously at 0C for 6 weeks became mealy during ripening, whereas fruit subjected to intermittent warming ripened normally. Ripening immediately after harvest was associated with solubilization and subsequent depolymerization of pectic polymers and a net loss of galactosyl residues from the cell wall. No solubilization of pectic polymers from the cell wall occurred during storage of fruit at 0C. Mealy fruit, ripened after continuous storage at 0C, showed only limited solubilization of pectins and depolymerization, high relative molecular weight (M) polymers being predominant. During ripening after storage, pectic polymer solubilization was not as extensive in intermittently warmed fruit as in fruit undergoing normal ripening but solubilized polymers were depolymerized, low M uronic acid-rich polymers becoming predominant. Intermittent warming of fruit resulted in significant softening during storage, alleviating the development of mealiness by promotion of cell wall changes associated with normal ripening.
Nondestructive Evaluation of Pickling Cucumbers Using Visible-Infrared Light Transmission
Authors: Miller A. Raymond , Kelley Thomas J. , White Brian D.
Published: January 2019

A nondestructive method was developed utilizing a modified Trebor 101 watercore tester to evaluate the internal quality of pickling cucumbers. The method involved measuring the relative amount of visible-infrared light passing through the longitudinal midsection of whole cucumber fruit. Light transmission was quantified on a unitless sigmoid scale from 1 to 10, with light transmission and scale values positively related. Immediately after hand harvest, size 3F (47 to 51 mm in diameter) cucumbers exhibited transmission values between 2 and 3, regardless of cultivar. Following a mechanical-stress treatment, which simulated bruising incurred during harvesting and handling of cucumbers, the internal quality of the fruit declined and was associated with an increase to a value of 6 in light transmission compared to non-stressed fruit. Light transmission increased as the severity of stress applied to the fruit increased, and high light transmission values were evident throughout a 48 h storage period at room temperature. Light transmission values increased as fruit diameter decreased, but values within a particular size class of undamaged, hand-harvested fruit were consistent. Machine-harvested fruit (size 3F), evaluated just before processing, exhibited light transmission values from 2 to 8, but the majority of fruit fell within the transmission range of 2 to 3. When fruit exhibiting different light transmission values were speared (cut longitudinally into sixths), processed, and then visually evaluated by panelists, spears prepared from fruit exhibiting high transmission values were judged to be of lower quality than those prepared from fruit exhibiting low transmission values. Visible-infrared light transmission may be a valuable tool for detecting poor quality cucumbers before processing, and could allow the mechanical selection of high quality fruit on a large scale basis.
Quantifying Onion Flavor Compounds Responding to Sulfur Fertility-Sulfur Increases Levels of Alk(en)yl Cysteine Sulfoxides and Biosynthetic Intermediates
Authors: Randle William M. , Lancaster Jane E. , Shaw Martin L. , Sutton Kevin H. , Hay Rob L. , Bussard Mark L.
Published: January 2019

Three onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars were grown to maturity at five S fertility levels and analyzed for S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO) flavor precursors, γ-glutamyl peptide (γ-GP) intermediates, bulb S, pyruvic acid, and soluble solids content. ACSO concentration and composition changed with S fertility, and the response was cultivar dependent. At S treatments that induced S deficiency symptoms during active bulbing, (+)S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide was the dominant flavor precursor, and the flavor pathway was a strong sink for available S. As S fertility increased to luxuriant levels, trans(+)-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide (PRENCSO) became the dominant ACSO. (+)S-propyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide was found in low concentration relative to total ACSO at all S fertility treatments. With low S fertility, S rapidly was metabolized and low γ-GP concentrations were detected. As S fertility increased, γ-GP increased, especially γ-L-glutamyl-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide, the penultimate compound leading to ACSO synthesis. Nearly 95% of the total bulb S could be accounted for in the measured S compounds at low S fertility. However, at the highest S treatment, only 40 % of the total bulb S could be attributed to the ACSO and γ-GP, indicating that other S compounds were significant S reservoirs in onions. Concentrations of enzymatically produced pyruvic acid (EPY) were most closely related to PRENCSO concentrations. Understanding the dynamics of flavor accumulation in onion and other vegetable Alliums will become increasing important as the food and phytomedicinal industries move toward greater product standardization and characterization.
Genetic Analysis of Fruit Ripening Time in Japanese Persimmon
Authors: Yamada Masahiko , Yamane Hiroyasu , Ukai Yastio
Published: January 2019

Three individuals in progeny from each of 39 crosses and their parents in Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) were evaluated for fruit ripening time. Analysis of variance for the progeny, which estimated between- and within-cross variance, and the regression of the mean value in a full-sib family on the mid-parental value (MP) revealed that the genetic differences among crosses could be explained solely by MP. Genotypic values of individuals in progeny from a cross were assumed to be normally distributed around the regression line with within-cross genetic variance. Based on the parental mean performance of 3.5 fruit on a single tree for three years, the coefficient of regression of mean values in a full-sib family on MP was 0.99 ± 0.10, and the proportion of individuals in progeny having genotypic values ripening earlier than early October was estimated as 52%, 24%, and 7% for three sets of mid-parents differing in their ripening time, i.e., early, middle, and late October, respectively. On the basis of the parental mean performance in 10 fruit on a single tree without yearly repetition, the regression coefficient was estimated as 0.91 and the proportion was estimated as 44%, 20%, and 6% for the three sets of mid-parents, respectively.
Inheritance of Twisted Pods in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Baggett J.R. , Kean D.
Published: January 2019

Inheritance of a twisted pod characteristic, in which bean pods develop with a twist that sometimes exceeds 360°, was studied in crosses between round-podded green bean cultivars. In crosses between `Oregon 91G' (normal) or `Oregon 54' (normal) and OSU 5256-1 (twisted), the F1 was normal. Segregation in F2 populations, tested over a 4-year period and including 4,995 plants, clearly fit a 3 normal: 1 twisted ratio. All plants of backcrosses of the F, to the normal parent were normal and backcrosses of the F1 to the twisted parent segregated 1 normal: 1 twisted. The ratios observed indicated that twisted pods are conditioned by a single recessive gene for which the symbol tw is proposed.