bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Floriculture Academic Programs through Student Enterprising, Institutional Commitment, Industry Support, and Competitive Grants
Authors: Green* Sabine , Picchioni Geno
Published: February 2019

Floriculture, among the fastest-growing agricultural segments in New Mexico, is creating job opportunities for graduates. Limited faculty resources restrict growth in floriculture academic programs, particularly for curricular modernization, extracurricular activities, and capacity building of the student:industry relationship. Federal funding has provided a Program Coordinator to lead our floriculture academic programs, responsible for raising technical quality of floriculture courses, recruitment and retention of undergraduates, and establishment of regional alliances with industry to exploit job opportunities. During the first year of the program (2003), deliverable products included course modules, fund raising protocols, and public school workshops. Results demonstrate an affinity for students of Hispanic origin to the program (over 40% of enrollments). Industry support included over a 2-fold increase in 2003 horticultural internship placements, financial aid, and donations of expendable materials. Floriculture student participation in intra-campus governance and off-campus community service projects also defrayed program costs and resulted in institutional gain. Over 80% of the 25 students enrolled in the beginning floral design and floral crops judging class agreed or agreed strongly that they had an obligation to engage in fund raising efforts to strengthen the floriculture academic program. Our intent is to build the floriculture teaching program into a template that can be replicated into the future through sustained institutional commitment. The program can serve as a model for other academic departments seeking diversification of horticulture academic programs and recruitment of a diverse student body, but struggling with limited human resources.
Plug Tray Cell Volume Effects on Sweet Corn Transplant Root Architecture and Biomass Accumulation
Authors: Menasha* Sandra R. , Tignor Milton E.
Published: February 2019

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is difficult to transplant due to poor root regeneration. Despite reduced yields, growers are transplanting sweet corn to hasten maturity time to target profitable early markets in the Northeast. Researchers have ascribed the negative impacts on yield to restricted rooting volume. Therefore, the impacts plug cell volume had on sweet corn transplant root architecture and biomass accumulation were investigated. `Temptation' sweet corn was sown in volumes of 15, 19, 14, and 29 mL correlating to transplant plug trays with plug counts of 200, 162, 128, and 72 plugs per tray. Plug cells were exposed to three substrate environments; a dairy manure based organic compost media, a commercial soil-less germination mix, and the soil-less media supplemented 2X with 200 ppm soluble 3-3-3 organic fertilizer. A 4 × 3 factorial randomized complete-block experimental design with two blocks and five replicates per treatment was repeated twice in the greenhouse. For each experiment a total of three center cells were harvested from each replicate for analysis using the WinRhizo Pro root scanning system (Regent Instruments Inc., Montreal). Three cells per treatment were also transplanted into 8-inch pots to stimulate field transplanting. Based on mean separation tests (n = 30), increased cell volume before transplanting significantly increased root surface area, average diameter, and root volume after transplanting (n = 18). Mean root surface area for a 29-mL cell was 30% greater than a 15-mL cell before transplanting and 22% greater after transplanting. Plug cell volume also significantly impacted shoot and root biomass (P <0.0001). A 14-mL increase in cell volume resulted in a root and shoot dry weight increase of about 15%.
The Effects of Cover Crop and Fertilizer Rate on Celery (Apium Graveolens L.) Growth and Development
Authors: Charles* Kevin , Ngouajio Mathieu , Warncke Darryl
Published: February 2019

Cover crops are commonly used to improve soil fertility and enhance crop performance. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different cover crops and fertilizer rates on celery growth and development. The experiment was a two-way factorial with a split plot arrangement. The main plot factor was cover crop and included cereal rye (Secale cereale), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), oilseed radish [Raphanus sativus (L.) var. oleiferus Metzg (Stokes)], and no cover crop. The sub-plot factor was fertilizer rate with three levels: full (160, 80, 400), half (80, 40, 200), and low (80, 0, 0) kg/ha of N, P2 O5, K2 O, respectively. The cover crops were grown during Fall 2002 and incorporated prior to celery transplanting in May 2003. During celery growing season, stalk length, above and below ground biomass were assessed at 23, 43, 64, and 84 days after planting (DAP). The biomass produced by oilseed radish (719 g/m2) exceeded that of cereal rye (284 g/m2) and hairy vetch (181 g/m2). At 23 and 43 DAP, celery fresh root (4.8 and 11.4 g/root) and shoot (6.1 and 53.6 g/shoot) biomass of oilseed radish exceeded the values of all other cover crops. At 84 DAP however, celery shoot fresh weight was similar in all cover crop treatments. Celery plants were tallest in the cereal oilseed radish and rye treatments early in the season; however final plant height at harvest was not affected by type of cover crop. The amount of fertilizer applied had a significant effect on celery growth starting at 64 DAP and continued until harvest. These results suggest that the large biomass produced by oilseed radish played an important role in early season celery growth.
Influence of Honey Bees on Pumpkin Yields in Illinois
Authors: Walters* S. Alan , Taylor Bradley H.
Published: February 2019

Most small pumpkin growers in Illinois have traditionally relied upon natural insect pollinators to achieve fruit set and development. Many growers fail to understand the importance of pollination and are not aware of the potential benefits of using honey bee colonies to improve pollination and subsequent fruit set of pumpkin. Therefore, a study was conducted over the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons to measure the effectiveness of honey bee colonies on jack-o-lantern pumpkin production. Yields (kg·ha-1) of several cultivars (e.g., `Appalachian' and `Howden') almost doubled when honey bee colonies were present during flowering. Pumpkin weights with the inclusion of honey bees averaged 31,547 kg·ha-1 compared to 22,353 kg·ha-1 for those without honey bees. However, the number of pumpkins per ha was not as drastically influenced by the addition of honey bees; total pumpkin fruits per ha averaged 1,896 with honey bees as compared to 1,704 without honey bees. These results indicate that there were sufficient natural pollinators to induce pumpkin fruit set under field conditions during the study, but fruit size can be significantly increased with the addition of a strong honey bee colony during flowering. Since pumpkins are generally sold on a weight basis, growers should realize greater revenues with the inclusion of honey bee colonies in pumpkin fields.
Investigating Eggplant Germplasm
Authors: Sciarappa William J , Infante-Casella Michelle , Kline* Wesley
Published: February 2019

Eggplant cultivars comprise one of the most diverse botanical groups in world foodcrop agriculture. Their dietary origins are in China, Japan, Thailand, Africa and Europe. Over the last 60 years in the United States, eggplant has transitioned from a minor ethnic crop into a major vegetable commodity. Four years of horticultural studies in New Jersey have compared 33 worldwide cultivars. Eggplant cultivars included: Asian types—Long Purple, Millionaire, Machiaw, Orient Charm, Bride, Pingtung Long, Ichiban, Thai Round Green, Thai Long Green, and Thai Hard Skin; Indian types—Kermit, Bharta, and Pushpa; African types—Bitterballs, Kinalia, Kinalia XL, and Gangan; European types—Megal, Red Egg, Bambino, Cloud Nine, Rosa Bianca, Comprido Verde Claro; and New York; and several Russian types. These studies utilized raised beds and black plastic with drip irrigation at 30' spacing between plants and five to six feet between single row beds. Two replications were used in initial screening surveys and with four replications for in-depth studies of superior candidates. Over 4 years, the sites were planted from June 5 to 20 June. Harvests began in mid-July and ended in mid-October. The selected eggplant cultivars all exhibited typical bi-modal bearing throughout the season in growth zones 7 and 8. Individual fruit weights ranged from 2.6 to 13.4 oz per fruit. Fruit length ranged from 2.3 to 10.7 inches. Basic fruit colors were white, red, green, purple, and black with several types having variegation and striping. Yields differed significantly among varieties and ranged from 10,000 to 40,000 pounds per acre over the course of the season with multiple harvests. Marketable yields ranged from 2,750 to 8,750 boxes per acre (30 pound boxes).
Interaction of Source-Sink Relationship for Translocation and Distribution of C14 Carbohydrates in Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris S.)
Authors: Lee* Sang Gyu , Lee Chiwon W.
Published: February 2019

The pattern of C14 carbohydrate translocation and distribution from source leaf to various plant parts in watermelon grown in the greenhouse and field was investigated. Seedling-grown plants were pruned to have two branches with only one of them carrying a fruit. When leaves at four different positions (on fruit-bearing node, on fifth node above and below it, and on fifth node from the base of the non-fruit-bearing stem) were exposed to 14CO, the distribution of C142 compounds to different parts (fruit, stem, leaf, root) of the plant varied. In all treatments, the fruit was the strongest sink, followed by stem, leaf and root tissues. The highest percentage of C14 photo-assimilates was transferred out of the source when the leaf borne on the fruit-bearing node was exposed to 14CO2 in both greenhouse and field grown plants. Translocation of C14 compounds from the leaves on the fifth node above and below the first fruit-carrying node was similar. Only 29% of C14 was transferred from the source leaf borne on the fifth node of the non-fruit bearing branch in the greenhouse, as compared to more than 46% of C14 from other source leaves. Accumulation of C14 in the root tissues was highest when source leaves were borne on the non-fruit bearing branch. In general, field-grown plants had higher percentages of C14 translocated as compared to greenhouse-grown plants.
Significance of Horticultural Plants on Biodiversity Conservation
Authors: Zhang Donglin , Huang Hongwen , Hu* Dongyan
Published: February 2019

Horticultural plants include fruit, vegetable, ornamental, turf, medicinal, beverage, spice, and other economic species. Although these plants originally derive from wild populations and play a vital role in our daily life, their importance on protecting biodiversity has not been addressed. With tremendous driving force of their monetary value, farmers, gardeners, breeders, and researchers have domesticated, selected, and bred many new horticultural crops, which ultimately increase biological diversity in cultivated plant communities. Both morphological and molecular data from 90 accessions of cultivated Cephalotaxus and 48 accessions of cultivated Chamaecyparis thyoides demonstrated their wide range of morphological differences and more than 43% of genetic dissimilarity coefficients. In US alone, one new cultivar of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum was released to the nursery industry every year since the first plant was introduced from Wuhan Botanical Garden in 1983. Obviously, human activities rapidly accelerate evolutions. To preserve and reproduce new and rare taxa, regeneration of these plants is challenging. Rooting of Magnolia grandiflora stem cuttings, overcoming Cephalotaxus seed dormancy, experimenting Pinus strobus embryogenesis, and overwintering Stewartia cuttings should be applied for reproduction studies of unusual horticultural clones. For plants that could not be regenerated with today's propagation methods, their seeds, tissues, pollen, and embryos should be preserved as some USDA labs do for heirloom horticultural crops. In the future, with aid of advanced science and technology, we should be able to regenerate those plants from preserved materials and increase biological diversity.
Differential Expression of Capsicum Anthocyanin Structural Genes in Response to Temperature Stress
Authors: Stommel* John R. , Griesbach Robert J.
Published: February 2019

Anthocyanins contribute to color development in economically important vegetables, fruits and floral crops. Their expression is critical to product sensory quality attributes, potential nutritive value, and stress response. Anthocyanins are synthesized in response to numerous environmental factors including temperature and light stress and pathogen attack. We have developed several Capsicum lines, including `02C27', expressing anthocyanin pigmentation differentially in various tissues (leaf, stem, fruit and flower). HPLC analysis demonstrated that the anthocyanins within the fruit, flower and leaves of Capsicum `02C27' were identical and that the major anthocyanidin was a delphinidin glycoside. Line `02C27' exhibits anthocyanin foliar pigmentation that is accumulated differentially in response to temperature stress. Under unfavorable low temperature (20 °C day/18 °C night), mature Capsicum leaves contained 4.6 times less anthocyanin per gram fresh weight than under high (30 °C day/28 °C; day/night) temperatures. Besides containing less anthocyanin in mature leaves, young immature leaves did not develop color as quickly under the lower temperature. Utilizing cloned and sequenced gene fragments of pepper chalcone synthase (CHS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), we evaluated the role of transcription in regulation of flavonol biosynthesis. Analysis of anthocyanin composition and gene expression data indicated that the block in anthocyanin formation in less pigmented leaves occurred at anthocyanin synthase. In contrast to wild tupe plants, this mutant also exhibited reduced flowering and failed to set fruit under high temperature, long day conditions.
Utilization of Tepary Bean for Improvement of Heat Tolerance in Common Bean
Authors: Rainey* Katy M. , Griffiths Phillip D.
Published: February 2019

High temperatures (>30°C day and/or >20°C night) in tropical lowlands and production areas in temperate zones reduce yield and quality in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Tepary bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray) is a crop adapted to hot arid climates and is grown in the American Southwest and parts of Mexico under temperatures that are too high for pod formation in common bean. Interspecific hybridization may enable transfer of heat tolerance traits from tepary bean to common bean. Twenty-five tepary bean plant introductions (PI) with the ability to set seed under controlled-environment conditions were evaluated under high (35 °C day/32 °C night) and control (27 °C day/24 °C night) temperature treatments during reproductive development. Four accessions (PI 200902, PI 312637, PI 440788, and PI 440789) exhibited normal pod formation and comparatively high yield when exposed to high temperature, while common bean controls displayed zero pod and seed set. These four PIs showed a mean decrease in seed yield of 72.9% from control to high temperature treatment, as compared to 90.3% among all tepary beans. These accessions were hybridized with the dry bean cultivar `ICA Pijao', and the heat-tolerant bean cultivars `Carson' and `CELRK' and breeding line `Cornell 503'. Immature embryos were cultured to obtain interspecific hybrids. Fertility of F1 hybrids and generation of backcrosses are discussed.
Increasing Anthocyanin Content in Tomato Fruit for Improved Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Mes* Peter J. , Myers James R.
Published: February 2019

Tomato lines carrying the genes Aft, atv, Abg, hp-1, and an as yet undetermined gene from the introgression line LA2099 have been combined to produce fruit with elevated anthocyanin content. The antioxidant activity of juice made from anthocyanin-expressing tomatoes was compared to juices made from tomatoes with varied carotenoid content. The contribution of anthocyanin to the total antioxidant activity of the whole fruit in current material is small, but with potential for significant improvement. The increase in flavonoids in the elevated anthocyanin lines has increased water-soluble antioxidant activity of the fruit in vitro.
Differential Expression of Carotenoid Biosynthesis Genes among Different Colored Flesh in Watermelons [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb)]
Authors: Bang* Haejeen , Kim Sungil , Leskovar Daniel , King Stephen
Published: February 2019

Carotenoids are plant compounds that serve a variety of essential functions in the plant and have also been found to have several health-promoting activities in humans. Carotenoids found in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) flesh are responsible for the various colors such as red, yellow and orange. Previous inheritance studies of flesh color revealed that six genes were involved in color determination. The relationship and interaction of these genes suggests that some color-determining genes may be the result of mutations on the structural genes encoding enzymes in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. In this study we were able to isolate and sequence six genes encoding enzymes involved in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, and determine their expression in different colored watermelon fruit. The cDNA was synthesized from total RNA using RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends) kit (SMART RACE cDNA Amplification Kit; Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.). Degenerate primers were designed based on published homologous genes from other species and were used to isolate gene fragments and full-length cDNAs of phytoene synthase, phytoene desaturase, _-carotene desaturase, β-cyclase, β-carotene hydroxylase and zeaxanthin expoxidase. RT-PCR was carried out to examine any differential expression of cloned genes in white, yellow, orange and red-fleshed watermelon. All cloned enzyme-encoding genes were expressed regardless of flesh colors. These results indicate that carotenoid biosynthesis may be regulated at the post-transcriptional level. One interesting feature supports this hypothesis. In case of β-cyclase, a 229-bp leader intron was identified, and an unspliced mRNA with this leader intron existed dominantly in cDNA pool of all samples.
Formation of Composite Carrot (Daucus carota) Populations and Early Cycle Selection for Increased Levels of α-tocopherol, α-carotene and β-carotene
Authors: Koch* Thomas C. , Goldman Irwin L.
Published: February 2019

Carotenoids (provitamin A) and tocopherols (vitamin E) are powerful antioxidants in plants and in the human diet. Carrot (Daucus carota) has been selected for increased levels of carotenoids, contributing to its orange color and reported health benefits. Selection for increased tocopherol has shown success in seed oils, but little progress has been made in the edible portions of most vegetable crops. HPLC measurement following a simultaneous heptane extraction of both compounds has shown a significant (P ≤ 0.001) positive correlation of α-tocopherol with α-carotene (r = 0.65) and β-carotene (r = 0.52). To increase both the tocopherols and carotenoids in plants, 3 populations have been established from select open-pollinated varieties grown in 2002. These populations consist of half-sib families with these differing selection schemes: based strictly on increased α-tocopherol levels; an index to increase α-carotene, β-carotene and α-tocopherol; and a random population in which no selection is occurring. After one cycle of selection, populations were grown on muck soil during the summer of 2003. Compared with the random population, an increase of 24.68% in α-tocopherol concentration was recorded for the population selected strictly on α-tocopherol while increases of 8.47% in α-tocopherol, 9.31% in α-carotene and 7.31% in β-carotene were recorded for the population with index selection. The continuation of these carrot populations shows promise to produce carrot germplasm with improved human nutritive value.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Yield and Canopy Reflectance of Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Authors: Sambo* Paolo , Borsato Daniele , Gianquinto Giorgio
Published: February 2019

Research at Padova Univ., Italy, during Summer 2003, was carried out to determine the effect on nitrogen fertilization on yield and canopy reflectance of sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). Pepper var. Tolomeo LRP 4993 (Syngenta) was transplanted into plots (24 m2) on 20 May, maintaining 40 cm between plants and 75 cm between rows (3.3 plant per m2). The experimental design was a randomized block with four replicates. Treatments were 6 nitrogen fertilization rates ranging from 0 to 300 kg·ha-1. Nitrogen was distributed at planting and as top dressing, 44 days after planting. All other production techniques were typical of pepper production in the Veneto region. Beginning the second week after transplanting, canopy reflectance was measured weekly using a multispectral radiometer MSR 87 (Cropscan Rochester, Minn.). Fruits were harvested at breaking color stage starting from 21 July to 9 Oct. (8 harvests). At harvest, total and marketable yield, fruit averaged weight and nitrogen content were determined. Maximum yield was recorded at the 120 kg·ha-1 nitrogen treatment, while higher rates proved ineffective at increasing production. Nitrogen rates positively affected fruit weight. The nitrate content of fruits also increased with the nitrogen rates although it remained below the level dangerous for human health. Canopy reflectance was able to detect the different nitrogen treatments only during the late stages of the growth cycle making difficult its use as a tool to drive nitrogen fertilization.
Does Controlled-Release Fertilizer Technology Increase Nutrient Uptake Efficiency Per Se in Ornamental Plant Production?
Authors: Lea-Cox* John D. , Ristvey Andrew G. , Ross David S.
Published: February 2019

Many agronomic and horticultural studies on nutrient uptake and use-efficiency have indicated, in general, that agricultural crops are poor competitors for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in soil-based systems, with estimates of overall nutrient efficiency being less than 50% for N and 10% for P. Low efficiencies are due to losses from leaching, runoff, gaseous emissions and soil fixation, but uptake efficiency is also affected by rate and timing (i.e. seasonal effects) of applications. Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF's) have been promoted as a technology that can slowly release nutrients; the release rate is most often a function of prill coating and temperature. There are few data in the ornamental literature that have directly compared the total uptake efficiency of CRF's to soluble fertilizer sources. From 1999-2002, we collected three annual N and P budgetary datasets, comparing two species (Rhododendron cv. azalea and Ilex cornuta cv.`China Girl') with different growth rates and hence nutrient requirements. Plant N and P uptake efficiencies were usually less than 20% of the total applied, but all datasets included a significant soluble fertilization component. In 2003, a new study with Ilex cornuta cv.`China Girl' was initiated, where nutrients were supplied only from two CRF sources, as we want to determine whether this technology can significantly increase nutrient uptake efficiency at similar rates. A preliminary analysis of the data indicate that total N and P uptake efficiencies between different CRF sources were similar, but leaching losses between sources varied during the growing season. It appears that the primary determinant of uptake efficiency is not source material or timing, but the overall rate of nutrient application.
Effect of Sawdust Age and Nitrogen Application on the Decomposition Rates of Two Types Sawdust Used for Blueberry Production
Authors: Yang* Wei Qiang
Published: February 2019

In a 2-year study, the decomposition rates (changes in carbon to nitrogen ratio) of two kinds of sawdust used for blueberry production were determined. The effects of sawdust age and nitrogen application rates on carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio) of two sawdust types were evaluated. When nitrogen was not applied, the C:N ratio in fresh and aged sawdust decreased 30% and 10% respectively over a 1-year period, indicating fresh sawdust decomposed faster than aged sawdust when used as a surface mulch. However, the C:N ratios between soils amended with aged and fresh sawdust were similar when no nitrogen was added, suggesting the age of sawdust does not affect the decomposition rate once the sawdust is incorporated into the soil. It was found that two nitrogen application rates (150 kg·ha-1 vs. 50 kg·ha-1) had an equal affect on the C:N ratio of both sawdust types. Nitrogen application had no affect on the C:N ratio of both sawdust types when both sawdust were used as soil amendments. Clearly, the decomposition rates of the sawdust were influenced by sawdust age and nitrogen application rates.
Understanding Behavioral Consequences of Dissatisfied and Regretful Customers
Authors: Dennis* Jennifer H. , Behe Bridget K. , Page Thomas J. , Spreng Richard A.
Published: February 2019

Michigan State Univ. researchers surveyed 777 gardening consumers in an Internet survey on 24 Sept. 2003 to determine consumer perceptions of satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and regret of three horticultural products: hanging baskets, potted roses, and 1 gallon perennials. Consumer satisfaction has been studied in a horticultural context before, however, to our knowledge this is the first time emotion research, specifically regret, has been applied in a horticultural setting. Regret is an emotion experienced from a negative valenced reaction to an event such as a dead or dying plant. Consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction is a state of being derived from the expectation and performance of a particular product. Based on work from a doctoral dissertation, the objective was to investigate the behavioral consequences associated when gardening consumers experienced dissatisfaction or regret toward these three products. Questions were asked to pinpoint levels of dissatisfaction and regret and whether they switched from the product based on feelings of dissatisfaction and regret. About 27% (202) of respondents expressed some level of dissatisfaction or regret about the products specified in the survey. Results show regret drives switching behavior and those that experienced regret with their products were more likely to switch. Approximately 10% of gardening consumers switched to another activity outside of gardening because of failure of the plant purchased to perform where as 13.5% switched to another type of plant to remedy the situation. Regret has been shown to strongly influence repurchase behavior based on being an emotion. Results also indicate although dissatisfaction is unfortunate, it does not have the same effect on switching behavior.
Assessing Pennsylvania Consumer's Gardening Experiences and Interests to Develop Marketing Strategies for a State Plant Promotional Program
Authors: Wehry* Rebecca H. , Kelley Kathleen M. , Berghage Robert D. , Sellmer James C.
Published: February 2019

Gardeners can provide the best insight to their gardening experiences and interests. In order to identify potential buyers of the state plant promotional program, Pennsylvania Gardener Selects (PGS), an intercept survey with 243 participants was conducted at the Philadelphia Flower Show on 6-7 Mar. 2003. Objectives were to better understand Pennsylvania consumer's: current gardening related shopping habits; where they obtain gardening information; and their motives and limitations for pursing gardening. Responses were analyzed to identify potential consumer segments who might purchase PGS plants. Participants with an income >$50,000 (55%) are more likely to gather their gardening information from a university website than those with an income <$50,000 (39%). Respondents with a college education (59%) reported that time was the limiting factor when gardening as compared to those with only a high school diploma (44%). Survey responses were also analyzed using Cluster Analysis, which generated three distinct consumer segments: “Novice Gardener” (consumers with limited experience in gardening), “Non-Gardener” (consumers who prefer not to garden), and “Avid Gardener” (consumers who spend the majority of their leisure time gardening). “Avid Gardeners” are likely to purchase plants evaluated for Pennsylvania (average response of 6.5; scale 1 to 7) and 73% have purchased Pennsylvania products. They also are more likely to purchase their landscape plant material at local nurseries/garden centers (82%) than the other segments (68%). Based on the results it can be assumed that “Avid Gardener” could be a potential market for PGS plants. A marketing strategy for reaching this audience may consist of promotions at local nurseries/garden centers along side other Pennsylvania-grown products.
Selecting, Training and Evaluating Master Gardeners in the Non-traditional Role of Instructors in the Basic Training Classes of the Program
Authors: Kelly* Lelia S.
Published: February 2019

In a time of budgetary constraints, reorganization of many extension services and other changes in the educational system, identifying and implementing non-traditional ways to deliver programming is a critical issue if extension is to continue to deliver quality, timely educational programs to clientele. Innovative methods that can be used to efficiently and economically deliver programming would be desirable and beneficial. This presentation will address how Mississippi State Univ. Extension Service, due to the changes listed above, is addressing the lack of extension instructors to teach the basic training curriculum of the Master Gardener (MG) program. In order to continue to meet the public demand for these classes and safeguard the integrity of the instruction, a new process of identifying, training and evaluating “senior” MG volunteers as instructors in the basic training curriculum of the program has been implemented. How this process was initiated and buy-in of administrators, county extension MG coordinators, volunteers and state specialists was established will be presented. The process of selecting, training, and evaluating of these MG certified educators would also be presented. Difficulties encountered with implementing this new system of program delivery utilizing volunteers in addition to the traditional specialist or agent instructor will be presented as well.
Effect of Surround on Walnut Quality
Authors: Anderson* Kathy Kelley
Published: February 2019

The effect of Surround® on walnut quality parameters including edible yield, reflected light index, insect damage, off grade, and price per pound were evaluated over a 3-year period in either, or in some years both, `Vina' and `Chandler' walnut orchards. Results indicate that edible yield, reflected light index, and price per pound were significantly increased by applications of Surround® in some years. Improvements in these parameters were more consistent with the cultivar `Vina'. Off grade was not significantly reduced by the use of Surround®. Insect damage levels were too low to measure in all orchards in all years.
Solid Effluent from Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Poultry Litter as a Potential Fertilizer
Authors: Liedl* Barbara E. , Bombardiere John , Williams Melissa L. , Stowers Amanda , Postalwait Christopher , Chatfield J. Mark
Published: February 2019

Fertilizer costs and increased awareness of non-point source pollution run-off amplify the pressures on farm economics. Intensive farming operations provided the impetus for our study using effluent from anaerobic thermophilically digested poultry litter as a potential fertilizer. Five fertilizer treatments were used: unfertilized control, pelletized municipal sludge, commercial crop specific products, 1x digested solids and 2x digested solids. All four applications of fertilizer were equalized for nitrogen based on commercial product recommendations. Beds treated with 2x solids accumulated higher percentage of organic matter over the 5-year period. A statistically significant increase in phosphorus was found in the solids beds in 2003. Beds with 2x solids showed statistical significance for Mg, Zn and Cu. Fertilizer trials included blueberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and sweet corn. Potato fresh weight was not significantly different in 2002 or 2003, but was in 2001. Tomato fruit number was not significantly different in 2001 or 2003, but was in 2002. Tomato fresh weight for 2x solids was not significantly different from the commercial or pelletized sludge treatments in 2002 and 2003 suggesting that tomato may discriminate between treatments. Commercial and pelletized sludge fertilizers were statistically better for sweet corn fresh ear weight and number of ears in 2002 and 2003. Blueberry yields were not significantly different between treatments for any year. As this is a perennial crop, it may be several years before a significant difference is observed. While not a total solution, our research shows the effectiveness of digested poultry litter as part of a nutrient management program; making livestock residuals a nutrient resource which offers the potential for organic use.
Clerodendrum as Flowering Potted Plants
Authors: Delaune* Annina , Kuehny Jeff
Published: February 2019

The genus Clerodendrum is of interest to the floriculture industry as a woody, flowering pot plant because of its variation in type of foliage and flowers, production of many inflorescences on one plant, continuous bloom, fast growing and short production cycle. Plant height, however, needs to be successfully controlled to produce a marketable plant. Paclobutrazol (Bonzi) and ancymidol (A-Rest) have been shown to reduce plant growth and increase the number of flowers of C. thomsoniae. The remaining species are relatively new to the floriculture industry and very little information is available on use of growth retardants. Determination of the proper timing, number of applications and rates of growth retardants were studied. Paclobutrazol and ancymidol were applied either as a spray at 0, 100 or 200 ppm, or as a drench at 0, 0.5 or 1.0 a.i./pot to C. thomsoniae, C. ugandense, and C. bungii. Applications began three weeks after rooted cuttings were potted for three consecutive weeks, with randomized plants treated either in week one, two or three with all treatment rates. As in previous studies, C. thomsoniae responded to paclobutrazol and ancymidol by producing a marketable plant, while plant height of C. ugandense and C. bungii was not affected by treatments.
Comparative Analysis of Laboratory Freezing Methods to Establish Cold Tolerance of Detached Rhizomes and Intact Crowns in Garden Chrysanthemums
Authors: Kim* Dong-Chan , Anderson Neil O.
Published: February 2019

Since 1924, the Univ. of Minnesota herbaceous perennial breeding program has released n = 84 garden chrysanthemums (Dendranthema grandiflora). Recent breeding objectives have focused on development of non-destructive phenotypic markers and laboratory freezing tests for continued selection of cold-tolerant Dendranthema, Gaura, and other herbaceous perennial flowers. Such methods have become critical to flower breeding programs during periods of above-average winter temperatures and minimal snow cover. Two different laboratory freezing tests were evaluated for their effectiveness in determining cold tolerance. Acclimated crowns of n=6 hardy and non-hardy garden chrysanthemum genotypes were used in Omega Block (detached, emergent rhizomes) and chamber (intact crowns with emergent/non-emergent rhizomes) freezing test methods. Comparative winter survival in the field was monitored over locations and years. Cold tolerance was assessed at 0 °C to -12 °C with varying ramp and soak time periods. LT50 temperatures and number of living emergent rhizomes were determined. Rhizome quality at 1 cm, 3 cm, and 5 cm depths was rated on a 0 (dead) to 5 (undamaged) scale. The chamber freezing method was the most powerful to discern LT50 values. Cold tolerant genotypes included `Duluth' and 98-89-7 (LT50 = -12 °C). Three genotypes had intermediate cold tolerance (LT50 = -10 °C) and one genotype was not cold tolerant (LT50 = -6 °C). Cold-tolerant genotypes also had significantly higher regrowth ratings for rhizomes at 1cm and 3cm depths. Future research will use the chamber freezing method to assay the inheritance of winter hardiness in intact crowns of segregating populations.
CA Induced Internal Browning in `Pink Lady' Apples
Authors: De Castro Hernandez* Elena , Biasi Bill , Mitcham Elisabeth
Published: February 2019

The internal browning (IB) disorder of `Pink Lady' apples is the manifestation of some undefined physiological conditions of the fruit at harvest, which predispose them to damage during CA storage. Internal browning problems generally occur intermittently and in unpredictable patterns. This type of disorder has the potential for widespread economic impacts. The optimum storage conditions and underlying physiological factors remain understood. In Fall 2002, `Pink Lady' apples were harvested in Stockton, Calif., at two maturities, then placed into CA storage. After storage, the percentage of fruit with IB increased with greater CO2 and with lower O2 concentrations. The incidence of IB injury was greater in fruit from the second harvest, but there was not a great difference in incidence between 2 and 6 months of storage. In Fall 2003, `Pink Lady' apples were harvested on the same orchard at three maturities and placed into CA storage. In all three experiments, fruit were stored in either air, 2% O2 + 1% CO2, or 2% O2 + 3% CO2 at 0.5 °C. In the first experiment, three harvest maturities were placed into storage immediately after harvest. For the second experiment, apples from harvest 2 were treated prior to fruit storage with 1ppm 1-MCP for 24 hours, 2200 ppm DPA, or were untreated. In the third experiment fruit from harvest 3 were placed into CA storage after 0, 2, or 4 weeks in air at 0.5 °C. No IB was observed for any of the three maturities after 0.5 and 1 month storage. After 2 months IB injury was present in 4.8% of the fruit stored in 1% CO2 and 4.6% stored in 3% CO2 from harvest one. A lower percentage of IB was observed in harvest two. Harvest three presented 0% and 2.6% of IB in 1% and 3%CO2 respectively. The effect of 1-MCP,DPA and delayed CA on IB will be discussed.
Effects of Cooking and Storage on Antioxidant Activity in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Blessington* Tyann , Hale Anna L. , Scheuring Douglas C. , Miller J. Creighton
Published: February 2019

We have demonstrated that potatoes contain significant levels of antioxidants important to human health; however, since potatoes are not consumed raw, it is important to determine the effects of cooking/processing on these levels. Therefore, the changes in phenolic and carotenoid content and total antioxidant activity in potatoes were investigated using combinations of storage and cooking methods. Fresh and stored tubers (110 days at 4 °C) of 17 potato cultivars, both raw and cooked (microwaved, boiled, baked, fried), were analyzed for antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. In addition, carotenoid levels were determined for each treatment based on the absorbance of the methanol extraction (oxygenated phenolics and carotenoids) at 445 nm and the hexane extraction (non-oxygenated carotenoids) at 450 nm. Total antioxidant activity as well as carotenoid levels were significantly affected by both genotype and cooking method. Across extraction methods, the microwave and fry cooking treatments were generally highest in antioxidant activity, while boiling was the lowest. Oxygenated carotenoids were significantly affected by storage, while the non-oxygenated carotenoids were unaffected.
Effects of Storage Methods on Ripening of Uapaca kirkiana Fruitf
Authors: Kadzere* I. , Watkins C.B. , Merwin I. , Akinifessi F. , Saka J.D.
Published: February 2019

Postharvest biology of Uapaca kirkiana, a native tree fruit to the miombo woodlands of some parts of Southern Africa, is little understood. Experiments have been carried out to determine the influence of pre-ripening storage treatments on subsequent fruit ripening characteristics. Mature but unripe fruit, collected from Dedza District in Malawi, were either held under ambient conditions, incubated in clay pots for 3 d or at 4 °C for 11 d. Fruit were removed from clay pots and cold storage, held under ambient conditions, and quality assessed daily. Color changed from green-yellow and/or brown-yellow in the unripe fruit to brown in ripe fruit. Low initial fruit compression was associated with hard and unripe fruit at harvest. Compared with both ambient and cold storage, incubating the fruits in clay pots resulted in advanced fruit softening as reflected by the high compression levels even on the day of removal from the clay pots. By day six after removal, compression had increased to a mean of 81 mm in the clay pot fruits while maximum levels were 56 and 38 mm for ambient and cold storage, respectively. Storing fruit at cold temperature delayed softening and deterioration compared with ambient and clay pot storage treatments. There was a general decrease in the total soluble solids content of the fruit during ripening, and was not influenced by the pre-ripening storage treatments. Decay increased during ripening for all the three treatments. Deterioration of the pulp in fruit, indicated by the development of a brown color and/or disintegration of the pulp, was observed with increasing time from removal. These results will be discussed in relation to the potential for improving storage of U. kirkiana.
Canopy Separation and Defoliation for Dry-on-the-vine (DOV) Raisins on Traditional Trellises
Authors: Fidelibus* Matthew , Vasquez Steven , Katayama Donald
Published: February 2019

Pruning efficiency, fruitfulness, and yield and quality of raisins of `Thompson Seedless' (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines subjected to several canopy separation and defoliation treatments for DOV raisin production were evaluated. Canopy separation treatments, tested in vineyards at Easton, and at the Kearney Agricultural Center (KAC), Parlier, Calif., were as follows; horizontal canopy separation with vine sections of fruiting or renewal zones (Peacock), horizontal canopy separation with vine sections of fruiting zones of one vine adjacent to renewal shoots of the next vine (wave), or non-separated (control). Defoliation treatments included burning or blowing leaves (Easton), application of concentrated solutions of calcium ammonium nitrate or Etherel to leaves (KAC), or no defoliation (both vineyards). Canopy separation treatments did not affect berry size, soluble solids, or raisin yield. Vines subjected to Peacock training had more cluster layers than vines subjected to wave training, at Easton, and more cluster layers than vines subjected to control training at KAC. Canopy separation reduced harvest pruning time by 20% at Easton, but not at KAC. No treatments affected raisin moisture at Easton but, at KAC, raisins of vines trained in the Peacock style had 10% higher moisture contents at harvest than raisins of wave or control vines. Vines subjected to conventional training and leaf blowing had about 40% higher “B and better” raisin grades than vines with separated canopies that were not defoliated, and about 30% higher grades than vines with conventional training and leaf burning. However, raisins of vines subjected to blowing had about 60% more mold than raisins of non-defoliated vines. Defoliation treatments at KAC did not affect any variables measured.
Developing and Successfully Implementing a Strategy for Breeding Frost-hardy Carrots
Authors: Palta* Jiwan P. , Simon Gerard
Published: February 2019

Freezing stress resistance is composed of several components namely tolerance, avoidance and acclimation ability. These three components of freezing stress are heritable traits. We have demonstrated that progress in the improvement of freezing stress resistance can be made by individually selecting for various components of this resistance and then recombining them to get the desired plan. Freeze-thaw injury in carrots is manifested as damage to the foliage, cracks on the roots (especially on the crown), and crown root rot. We found that foliage damage following freeze-thaw stress was related to the tolerance of the foliage to ice formation. The formation of cracks in the crown and root tissue was related to formation of ice itself. The carrot breeding lines we tested varied considerably for the crown position in relation to soil surface. The carrot crowns and roots below the soil surface will be better in avoiding ice in the tissue, thus avoiding cracks. The freeze-thaw injury observed on the foliage in the field was highly correlated to the freeze-thaw tolerance of leaf tissue (measured as ion leakage from the leaf tissue) determined by controlled freeze-thaw test in the laboratory. Based on this work we developed a breeding strategy to improve frost hardiness in carrots by combining the characteristics that avoid ice in the crown and root tissues (e.g., crown position underground) with the characteristics that reduce foliage and root injury by ice (freezing tolerance of foliage). By using this strategy we were able to successfully obtain the desired plant. Two hardy carrot hybrids (Eskimo, Artico) were released by Vilmorin and their hardy characteristics have been confirmed under field conditions.
Toward Introgression of Ornamental Cucurbita Germplasm: Generation of C. maxima ×pepo hybrids
Authors: Radovich* T.J.K. , Pratt R.C. , Duncan L.A. , Welty N. , Kleinhenz M.D.
Published: February 2019

Cucurbita maxima and C. pepo are difficult to hybridize, and it was our objective to generate F1 hybrids between ornamental cultivars of the two species. C. maxima `Lakota' and C. pepo `Jack O'Lantern'; and `OZ'; were selected as parents. `Lakota' (L) is an heirloom, hubbard-type cultivar producing pear-shaped, red-orange fruit with dark green mottling, `Jack O'Lantern'; (J) is an open-pollinated Halloween-type pumpkin cultivar and `OZ' is a Halloween-type hybrid. Sixteen plants of each cultivar were greenhouse-grown in a CRB design during the period July-Sept. 2003. Interspecific crosses were made in both directions, with intraspecific crosses (J × O) and selfs (L) serving as controls. Fruits were harvested about 20 d after pollination. Embryos were excised under aseptic conditions and grown on either full strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with 6% sucrose (S6), full strength MS media with 6% maltose (M6), or half strength MS media with 3% sucrose (S3). Fruit set was generally greater in the intraspecific crosses (33%) and selfs (67%) than in the interspecific crosses (15 %), with the notable exception of the interspecific combination L × J (85% fruit set). Embryos of interspecific and control crosses were about 1.5mm and >1cm long, respectively. Hypocotyl and root growth 10 d after plating was better on S3 (3.2 and 1.7 cm) than on S6 (1.6 and 0.25 cm) or M6 (0.35 and 0 cm), and a greater number of functional hybrids were obtained from embryos grown on S3 (6 plants) than on S6 (2 plants) or M6 (2 plants). The interspecific plants were backcrossed to one of the parents and novel combinations of shape, color and variegation in hybrid fruit were observed.