bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Degreening of `Fallglo' Tangerine
Authors: Petracek Peter D. , Montalvo Lymari
Published: January 2019

`Fallglo' (Bower citrus hybrid [Citrus reticulata Blanco × (C. reticulata Blanco × C. paradisi Macf.)] × `Temple' [C. reticulata Blanco × C. sinensis L.] is an early season tangerine that is reportedly hypersensitive to ethylene exposure during degreening. The effects of ethylene exposure time, waxing, and storage temperature on `Fallglo' color were examined to assess degreening strategies. Exposure to 5 μL·L-1 ethylene for 24 or 48 hours hastened degreening, and internal ethylene levels increased following the time periods of ethylene exposure. Fruit not exposed to ethylene, or exposed for shorter periods (2 or 6 hours), degreened slowly during storage at 15.5 °C and internal ethylene levels remained low. Low-temperature storage (4.5 °C) or waxing hindered degreening after ethylene exposure but decreased water loss. Degreening after ethylene exposure was faster for fruit stored at 15.5 than 26.5 °C.
Nutrient Uptake in Poinsettia during Different Stages of Physiological Development
Authors: Whipker Brian E. , Hammer P. Allen
Published: January 2019

`Supjibi' poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) were grown hydroponically for 15 weeks in nutrient solutions with 100-15-100, 200-30-200, or 300-46-300 (in mg·L-1 of N-P-K) to determine nutrient uptake patterns and accumulation rates. Results indicate that increasing fertilization rates from 100 to 300 mg·L-1 of N and K did not significantly influence the plant dry mass or the nutrient concentration of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn in poinsettias. NH4-N concentration in the leaves, stems, and roots were lowest with the 100-mg·L-1 N fertilization rate and increased as the N application rate increased to 200 and 300 mg·L-1. Leaf P concentration levels from 1 week after potting through anthesis were above 1.3%, which exceeds the recommended level of 0.9%. When the plant tissue dry mass for each fertilizer rate was transformed by the natural log and multiplied by the mean tissue nutrient concentration of each fertilizer rate, there were no significant differences among the three fertilization rates when the total plant nutrient content was modeled for N, P, or K. Increasing the fertilizer application rate above 100 mg·L-1 N and K and 15 mg·L-1 P decreased total plant content of Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn and increased the total plant Fe content. The results of the weekly nutrient uptake based on the total plant nutrient content in this study suggests that weekly fertilization rates should increase over time from potting until anthesis. Rates (in mg) that increase from 23 to 57 for N (with 33% of the total N supplied in the NH4-N form), 9 to 18.5 for P, 19 to 57 for K, 6 to 15 for Ca, and 3 to 8 for Mg can be applied without leaching to poinsettias and produce adequate growth in the northern United States.
Influence of Pigment Composition on Skin Color in a Wide Range of Fruit and Vegetables
Authors: Lancaster Jane E. , Lister Carolyn E. , Reay Peter F. , Triggs Christopher M.
Published: January 2019

The color of fruits and vegetables results from the presence of chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin pigments. Instrumental measurements of color are used routinely in describing processes of changing color, such as fruit ripening. The applicability of using skin color measurements to predict changes in pigment composition was investigated using a wide range of fruit and vegetables. Skin color was measured using a Hunter Colorlab and represented as the coordinates X, Y, Z, L*, a*, b*, chroma (C*), and hue angle (ho). Identical skin samples were extracted and analyzed for chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin concentration. Sets of pairwise scatter plots were generated for each set of color variables and for the chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and carotenoid pigments. There were linear relationships between ho and anthocyanin concentration and between L* and log [chlorophyll concentration]. Multiple regressions for each pigment variable and sets of color variables also were calculated. However, there was no unique linear combination of pigments that gave rise to a unique point in the color space. Conversely, a given set of coordinates in the color space can be accounted for by many combinations of pigments. Therefore, a given color measurement cannot be described in terms of a unique combination of pigments. Caution is urged in interpreting tristimulus color coordinates in terms of a simple change in pigment composition without prior knowledge of the pigment composition within the fruits and vegetables. The surface topography of fruits and vegetables may be of considerable significance in measuring color.
A Model for Predicting Pecan Production under Arid Conditions at High Elevations
Authors: Sparks Darrell
Published: January 2019

A multiple regression model (R2 = 0.945) was developed from historical data, 1971-92, to predict pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] production in an arid climate at high elevations. Dependent variables were year of production as a measure of production trend, number of degrees below 0.6°C following budbreak as a measure of late spring freeze injury, and number of degrees below 0.6°C preceding nut maturity as a measure of early fall freeze injury. Year of production was the dominant factor influencing production. Freezing temperature following budbreak had about two times more effect on production than freezing temperature preceding nut maturity. Pecan production under arid conditions at high elevations depends on fewer variables (three) than previously shown for humid conditions (eight variables).
The Effectiveness of 0.7% Oxygen to Attenuate Scald Symptoms in `Delicious' Apples is Influenced by Harvest Maturity and Cultivar Strain
Authors: Lau O.L.
Published: January 2019

In a 3-year study, the effectiveness of 0.7% and 1.5% O2 to attenuate scald was evaluated on three strains of `Delicious' apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.)—`Harrold Red', `Starking', and `Starkrimson'—harvested five times at weekly intervals from a wide range of orchards. Scald susceptibility of fruit held in air, 1.5% O2 + 1.0% CO2, and 0.7% O2 + 1.0% CO2 at 0 °C decreased sharply as the fruit matured on the tree (starch index 1.0 to 2.5 on a 0 to 9 scale). Later harvests (starch index >2.8) further reduced scald but the fruit had more watercore-induced breakdown and were 3 N softer than fruit picked at a less advanced maturity. Early picked `Starkrimson' (starch index <2.0) scalded more than `Starking' and `Harrold Red' in air, 1.5% O2, and 0.7% O2 storage at 0 °C, and 0.7% O2 was less effective than 1.5% O2 in scald control. While 0.7% O2 storage effectively reduced scald (less than 10%) for 8 months in `Starking' and `Harrold Red' picked over a wide range of maturity (starch index 0.7 to 4.3), it did not adequately control scald (up to 45%) in early picked `Starkrimson' (starch index <2.0). Storage in 0.7% also reduced watercore-induced breakdown in `Starkrimson' (starch index >3.0) and did not result in skin purpling or alcoholic taste in `Harrold Red', `Starking', and `Starkrimson'.
Using Precharged Zeolite as a Source of Potassium and Phosphate in a Soilless Container Medium during Potted Chrysanthemum Production
Authors: Williams Kimberly A. , Nelson Paul V.
Published: January 2019

Most soilless container root media have limited ability to retain nutrients. Zeolites are minerals of substantial cation exchange capacity that can be precharged with K, and possibly PO4, and used as a component of soilless media as a slow-release nutrient source. A zeolite clinoptilolite (Cp) was charged with K and PO4 at two concentrations and combined at 20% of the mix with sphagnum peat (60%) and perlite (20%) to evaluate its use as the sole source of these nutrients during production of Dendranthema ×grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura `Sunny Mandalay.' Phosphate, K, Na, and pH were determined on unaltered bulk root medium solutions collected over the course of production, and foliar analyses were determined on tissue collected at the middle and end of the crop. All leachate was collected and analyzed to allow for the creation of K and PO4 budgets. Plants that relied on precharged Cp at the low and high rates to meet their K needs and received a N/P/-K fertilizer had similar dry mass and tissue K concentrations as the control plants that received a complete fertilizer. The use of precharged Cp at the low rate reduced K losses through leaching to 23% of the amount lost from control plants receiving water-soluble fertilizer (WSF). Plants that relied on precharged Cp for their PO4 had a lower dry mass and tissue P levels than those of the complete control treatment. However, PO4 concentrations in the root medium solution were above acceptable levels during the first month of production and should be considered when developing a fertilizer application strategy using Cp precharged with PO4.
Isolating and Characterizing Genes Differentially Expressed Early in Apple Fruit Development
Authors: Dong Yi-Hu , Janssen Bart-J. , Bieleski Lara R.F. , Atkinson Ross G. , Morris Bret A.M. , Gardner Richard C.
Published: January 2019

A cDNA library was constructed from apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) harvested 1 week after anthesis (WAA). Four cDNA clones differentially hybridized to cDNAs from fruit picked 1 WAA versus cDNAs from fruit harvested 8 WAA and flower buds. The mRNAs corresponding to these cDNA clones—pAFD101 through 104—accumulated in the early stages of apple development, with highest levels at 2 to 4 WAA. The mRNA of pAFD104 was detected only in fruit tissue, while mRNAs for the other three clones were expressed at various levels in a range of tissues. Sequence analysis showed that pAFD101 had high homology to genes encoding the translation elongation factor 1α (EF-1α); pAFD102 had homology to the β-subunit of translation initiation factor 2 (eIF-2β); pAFD104 showed strong similarity to a proline-rich protein and to auxin down-regulated genes; while pAFD103 had no significant homology to any sequences in the databases. Genomic Southern hybridization showed that genes corresponding to all four cDNAs were representatives of small gene families present in the apple genome.
Nitrogen Stimulated Increases in Peach Yields Are Associated with Extended Fruit Development Period and Increased Fruit Sink Capacity
Authors: Saenz J.L. , DeJong T.M. , Weinbaum S.A.
Published: January 2019

This study was designed to characterize the mechanisms of N-stimulated peach Prunus persica (L.) Batsch productivity. The effects of N fertilization on potential assimilate availability (source capacity) and on the growth capacity of individual fruit (sink capacity) were assessed. On heavily thinned trees, fertilization did not stimulate fruit growth rates relative to those on nonfertilized trees, suggesting that fruit growth rates were not assimilate-limited throughout the period of fruit development. However, N fertilization resulted in a longer fruit development period and increased the growth potential of individual fruit by 20% (fresh mass) and 15% (dry mass) vs. controls. In unthinned trees, N fertilization increased total fruit yield by 49% (fresh mass) and 40% (dry mass) compared to the unthinned, nonfertilized controls. N fertilization increased total fruit yield per tree in unthinned peach trees by extending the fruit development period and thus increasing the amount of assimilate accumulated for fruit growth. The fruit development period was prolonged both by assimilate deprivation associated with increasingly higher crop loads and by N fertilization. Thus, the prolongation of the peach fruit development period by N-fertilization appears inconsistent with the role of N in increasing assimilate availability for fruit growth. We conclude that N fertilization stimulates peach yields by increasing the period for fruits to use assimilates (sink capacity). The effect of N on assimilate availability was not directly evaluated. The timing of fertilizer N availability did not influence fruit growth potential.
Temperature and Developmental Stage Influence Diurnal Rhythms of Stem Elongation in Snapdragon and Zinnia
Authors: Neily Will G. , Hicklenton Peter R. , Kristie David N.
Published: January 2019

Stem elongation rates (SERs) of `Giant Tetra' snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) and `Pompon' zinnia (Zinnia violacea Cav.) were determined in three temperature regimes in which differentials had been established between day and night temperature. The differentials [expressed as day temperature - night temperature (DIF)] were +5 DIF, 21 °C day/16 °C night; 0 DIF, 18.7 °C constant; and -5 DIF, 16.5 °C day/21.5 °C night; daily average 18.7 °C. In each regimes SERs were determined for three developmental stages—vegetative, visible bud, and preanthesis. SER was measured in controlled-environment chambers under 13-hour day/11-hour night photoperiods using linear voltage displacement transducers. Snapdragon and zinnia displayed rhythmic patterns of growth with strikingly different characteristics. SER for snapdragon consisted of a large peak in growth at the day/night (D/N) transition followed by a minimum in SER at the night/day (N/D) transition. The pattern did not change through development. In contrast the SER pattern changed significantly in zinnia. At the vegetative stage, diurnal SER was dominated by a large peak after the N/D transition [an early morning peak (EMP)]. At the later growth stages, the EMP remained visible, but the proportion of growth occurring at night increased. SER was rhythmic in both species for a limited period in continuous light and constant temperature. Zinnia displayed a stronger endogenous rhythm of SER than snapdragon. In both species, only day period growth was affected by DIF. The size of EMPs in both species increased under positive DIF and decreased under negative DIF, resulting in the overall DIF effect on plant height (a progressive increase in total diurnal elongation as DIF increased from -5 to +5). Internode lengths for snapdragon and zinnia were similar for plants grown to full flower at constant 17, 20, or 23 °C (0 DIF), indicating that DIF—not average daily, night, or day temperature—is a major determinant of extension growth.
Phytotoxic Effects of Gray Water Due to Surfactants
Authors: Bubenheim David , Wignarajah Kanapathipillai , Berry Wade , Wydeven Theodore
Published: January 2019

Recycling wastewater containing soaps and detergents for plant growth is highly desirable when fresh water is limited. This is especially true during times of drought and is imperative in some specialized situations such as a regenerative space habitat. To regenerate food, water, and air, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) must recycle wastewater commonly known as gray water. The anionic surfactant Igepon is the principal ingredient of many detergent formulations and soaps and is a prime candidate for use in a space habitat. To determine if gray water would have phytotoxic effects on crops grown in a CELSS, `Waldmann's Green' lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in nutrient solutions containing varying concentrations of Igepon TC-42. Igepon concentrations of 250 mg·L-1 or higher in nutrient solutions resulted in phytotoxic effects in lettuce. Thus, the toxic threshold of Igepon is <250 mg·L-1. Toxicity symptoms include browning of the roots within 4 hours of exposure to Igepon followed by suppression of root dry mass within 24 hours. Plant death never resulted from exposure to Igepon used in these experiments, although roots were killed. The phytotoxic effect of Igepon was not persistent; plants initially displaying acute toxicity show clear signs of recovery within 3 days of initial exposure. Further, when fresh plants were exposed to these same nutrient solutions 3 days or more following initial Igepon addition, no phytotoxic effect was observed. The elimination of the phytotoxicity was associated with a decrease in fatty acid components in the nutrient solution associated with Igepon. The degradation of phytotoxicity appears to be associated with microbes present on the surface of the roots and not directly due to any plant process or instability of the surfactant.
Identifying a Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Marker Linked to a Gene for Root-knot Nematode Resistance in Sweetpotato
Authors: Ukoskit K. , Thompson P.G. , Watson C.E. , Lawrence G.W.
Published: January 2019

The inheritance of resistance to root-knot nematode race 3 [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood] in sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] was studied in 71 progenies of the F1 single-cross population produced from the cross of resistant parent `Regal' and susceptible parent `Vardaman'. The distribution frequency of the progenies based on log total nematode number (egg + juvenile counts) was a bimodal distribution with a ratio of ≈4 resistant : 1 susceptible. Based on this phenotypic ratio, the proposed genetic model was duplex polysomic inheritance (RRrrrr = resistant parent and rrrrrr = susceptible parent). Bulk segregant analysis in conjunction with the RAPD technique was used to identify a RAPD marker linked to a root-knot-nematode-resistance gene. Of 760 random decamer primers screened, 9 showed polymorphic bands between the two bulk DNA samples. Primer OPI51500 produced a band in the resistant bulk but not in the susceptible bulk, suggesting a linkage in coupling phase. An estimated recombination fraction of 0.2421 ± 0.057 between the marker and the root-knot-nematode-resistance gene indicated linkage.
The Effect of NAA and BA on Carbon Dioxide Assimilation by Shoot Leaves of Spur-type `Delicious' and `Empire' Apple Trees
Authors: Stopar Matej , Black Brent L. , Bukovac Martin J.
Published: January 2019

The effects of NAA, BA, or Accel on CO2 assimilation of shoot leaves of mature bearing Redchief `Delicious' and `Empire' apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) trees were evaluated over two seasons. BA at 50 mg·L-1 did not significantly affect any of the gas-exchange parameters measured. NAA (15 mg·L-1) consistently suppressed CO2 assimilation rate (from ≈10% to 24% below that of the control). This suppression was NAA-concentration dependent, continued for >15 days after treatment, and was completely overcome in `Empire', but only partially or not at all in `Delicious' when BA was combined with NAA. These results are discussed in relation to fruit thinning and NAA-induced inhibition of fruit growth in spur-type `Delicious'. Chemical names used: 2-(1-napthyl) acetic acid (NAA); N-(phenyl)-1H-purine-6-amine (BA); BA + gibberellin A (GA)4+7 (Accel).
Effect of Intensity and Duration of Heat-shock Treatments on Wound-induced Phenolic Metabolism in Iceberg Lettuce
Authors: Loaiza-Velarde Julio G. , Tomás-Barberá Francisco A. , Saltveit Mikal E.
Published: January 2019

Wounding during minimal processing of lettuce (Lactuca sativa, L.) induces alterations in phenolic metabolism that promote browning and the loss of quality. The activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL; the first committed enzyme in phenylpropanoid metabolism) and the concentration of phenolic compounds (e.g., chlorogenic acid, dicaffeoyl tartaric acid, and isochlorogenic acid) increase in excised iceberg lettuce midrib segments after wounding. The effect of short heat-shock treatments on browning and phenolic metabolism in excised midrib segments of iceberg lettuce was studied. As the heat-shock temperature increased from 20 to 70 °C, there was a decrease in the subsequent increase in PAL activity and the accumulation of phenolic compounds in excised midrib segments. Treatments of 45 °C for 120 s, 50 °C for 60 s, or 55 °C for 30 s significantly reduced the increase in PAL activity and subsequent browning seen in control tissue after wounding. Exposure to 45 °C for 480 s, 50 °C for 60 s, or 55 °C for 45 s prevented PAL activity from rising above initial levels. Phenolic compounds remained at initial levels for 3 days in excised midribs exposed to 50 °C for 90 s or to 55 °C for 60 s. However, 55 °C damaged the tissue, as indicated by a* and L* Hunter color values. The synthesis of chlorogenic acid, dicaffeoyl tartaric acid, and isochlorogenic acid was greatly reduced by these heat-shock treatments. These treatments also decreased polyphenol oxidase activity and, to a lesser extent, peroxidase activity.
Nutrient Distribution, Dynamics, and Sampling in Coconut and Canary Island Date Palms
Authors: Broschat Timothy K.
Published: January 2019

All leaves from 10 replicate Cocos nucifera L. `Malayan Dwarf' (COC) and Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (CID) trees were sampled for leaf nutrient analysis. In addition, the leaflets of the youngest fully expanded leaves and the third oldest leaves were divided into five groups along the primary leaf axis and these leaflets were then cut into thirds to determine nutrient distribution patterns within leaves and leaflets. Nutrient remobilization rates were calculated for N, P, K, Mg, and Mn. Results showed that N, P, and K were highly mobile within and between leaves of both species of palms. Up to 31% of the N, 66% of the K, and 37% of the total P in the oldest leaves were ultimately remobilized to newer leaves within the palm. Magnesium remobilization rates averaged ≈71% for CID but only ≈10% for COC. The middle-aged leaves appeared to be the primary sink for Mg in COC, rather than the youngest leaves as in CID. Manganese was also quite mobile in both species, with up to 44% of the total Mn remobilized in CID. Samples consisting of recently matured leaves were determined to be the most appropriate for Ca, Fe, Mg (COC only), and Zn, but oldest leaves are more suitable for N, P, K, and Mn analysis.
Replacement of Postharvest Moisture Loss by Recharging and Its Effect on Subsequent Moisture Loss during Short-term Storage of Carrots
Authors: Shibairo Solomon I. , Upadhyaya Mahesh K. , Toivonen Peter M.A.
Published: January 2019

Replacing postharvest moisture loss in carrots (Daucus carota L., `Caro-choice') by single and repeated recharging (rehydration in water) treatments, interaction between the duration of recharging and temperature during recharging, and the effects of these treatments on moisture loss during subsequent short-term storage were studied. Carrot mass gain increased with increase in duration of single recharging treatments. Carrots that had lost 2.96% of their mass during storage at 13 °C and 35% relative humidity regained as much as 83% of the mass during recharging for 12 hours. Longer rechargings had little additional effect. Recharging at 13 °C and 26 °C was more effective at replacing water than at 0 °C. The rate of moisture loss (percent per day) during subsequent storage was not affected by recharging duration and temperature during recharging. With repeated recharging every 3.5 days, increase in recharging duration up to 9 hours increased carrot mass gain. Most of the mass gain occurred following 0 to 7 days of storage. These treatments, however, did not affect the rate of moisture loss during subsequent storage. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of recharging on carrot quality is due to replacement of the lost moisture and not to a decrease in moisture loss during storage following recharging. Abrading increased mass loss in non-recharged carrots and increased mass gain during recharging. Recharging should be explored as an option to improve the shelf life of carrots.
Effects of Daffodil Flowers on the Water Relations and Vase Life of Roses and Tulips
Authors: van Doorn W.G.
Published: January 2019

Placing a daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. `Carlton') flower in a vase with a rose (Rosa hybrida L. Sonia) flower reduced water uptake by the rose and resulted in precocious wilting of its leaves and flower and in pedicel bending. These symptoms were also observed when mucilage from daffodil stems was placed in the vase water. The effects of the mucilage and the daffodil stem were overcome by adding 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQC) to the vase solution. HQC inhibits ethylene production and is an antimicrobial compound. Aminoethyoxyvinylglycine (AVG) or silver thiosulfate (STS), inhibitors of ethylene synthesis and action, respectively, did not alleviate the mucilage effects, but sodium hypochlorite, an antimicrobial compound, did. Bacterial counts in the basal 5-cm segment of rose stems increased after placing mucilage or a daffodil stem in the vase water, and counts were reduced by adding HQC or sodium hypochlorite. One daffodil stem also reduced the vase life of tulips (Tulipa gesneriana L. `Frappant' and `Apeldoorn'), which showed precocious leaf yellowing. This was not alleviated by HQC and was also found when mucilage was placed on the leaf surface. Placing mucilage on the leaf produced no effect in roses. Separating the mucilage indicated that the effect in roses is mainly due to the sugar and polysaccharide fraction and the effect in tulips is due to a fraction containing several alkaloids. The results indicate that the decreased vase life of rose flowers, after one daffodil is placed in their vase water, is due to daffodil mucilage, which, in the rose cultivar tested, blocks water uptake, mainly as a result of increased bacterial growth. In the tulip cultivars tested, the negative effect on vase life is primarily due to mucilage toxicity.
Growth Enhancement of shrunken-2 (sh2) Sweet Corn by Trichoderma harzianum 1295-22: Effect of Environmental Stress
Authors: Björkman Thomas , Blanchard Lisa M. , Harman Gary E.
Published: January 2019

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) varieties carrying the sh2 gene are in high demand, but such varieties have poor stress tolerance, especially during plant establishment. Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain 1295-22 is a biocontrol fungus developed to provide season-long colonization of crop roots. It has the potential to reduce root rot and increase root growth. In the absence of detectable disease, colonization by Trichoderma increased root and shoot growth by an average of 66%. The enhancement was not uniform among the plants. Low- and intermediate-vigor plants were larger in the presence of Trichoderma, but high-vigor plants were not further enhanced by the fungus. Seeds that were subjected to oxidative stress with 0.05% NaOCI had much-reduced vigor; subsequent treatment with Trichoderma fully restored vigor. This result indicates that the damage caused by hypochlorite is specifically repaired by Trichoderma. Treatment of imbibed but unemerged seeds with cold (5/10 °C night/day) for varying periods reduced subsequent growth. Plants with Trichoderma-colonized roots were 70% larger at all durations of cold treatment. The absence of interation indicates the growth reduction due to cold and the growth enhancement due to Trichoderma are by different mechanisms. Allelopathic reduction in root growth by rye was mimicked by applying benzoxazolinone to the soil. Trichoderma-colonized roots grew faster, but the characteristic shortening of the radicle still occurred. There was no interaction between Trichoderma and allelopathy, indicating that these two treatments affect growth by independent mechanisms. The different ways that growth was enhanced by Trichoderma lead us to propose that this fungus acts, in part, by reversing injurious oxidation of lipids and membrane proteins. Root growth is markedly enhanced by colonization with Trichoderma harzianum. This enhancement can restore some stress-induced growth reduction and may directly reverse oxidative injury.
Seasonal, Light, and Temperature Influences on Organ Initiation for Unrooted Cladodes of the Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia ficus-indica
Authors: Nobel Park S. , Castañeda Miguel
Published: January 2019

Detached, unrooted cladodes (stem segments) of the widely cultivated prickly pear cactus Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (Cactaceae), which remain alive for at least 12 months, provide a model system for investigating stem responses to environmental factors. Initiation of organs varied seasonally; on average 2.14 new organs were initiated per cladode over a 16-week period in a glasshouse for cladodes detached in winter, 0.76 when detached in late spring, and only 0.07 when detached in late summer. Shading by 45% halved new organ initiation and shading by 95% decreased it by 96%. The seasonal and light responses for new organ initiation are consistent with field observations on O. ficus-indica. For detached cladodes maintained in environmental chambers for 14 weeks, the new organs were 10 times more likely to be fruit than daughter cladodes at day/night temperatures of 15/5 °C, equally likely to be either organ at 25/15 °C, and 10 times more likely to be daughter cladodes than fruit at 35/25 °C. Decreasing the shading or the temperature favored stomatal opening, as shown by increases in the dry mass/fresh mass ratio of the detached cladodes. Such increased stomatal opening was accompanied by increased photosynthetic activity, as shown by greater starch content and higher concentrations of sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Why low day/night temperatures favored reproductive structures and high temperatures favored vegetative ones is not clear, but future research using unrooted cladodes may help elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Resistance to Belly Rot in Cucumber Identified through Field and Detached-fruit Evaluations
Authors: Uchneat Michael S. , Wehner Todd C.
Published: January 2019

Belly rot, caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Kühn., is a severe disease in many regions that produce cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Annual crop loss to belly rot is commonly 5% to 10%, but losses as high as 80% can occur in individual fields. There are no resistant cultivars, so fungicides are used to provide partial control. Genetic resistance in an acceptable cultivar would be more desirable and economical. Studies were conducted in Summers 1991 and 1992 to screen promising germplasm for belly rot resistance using field and detached-fruit screening methods. In 1991, 105 cultigens (cultivars, breeding lines, and plant introduction accessions) were evaluated for belly rot resistance. The tests were repeated in 1992 with 63 cultigens, including the most resistant cultigens identified in 1991 and appropriate controls. Several cultigens were identified as potential sources of resistance genes. Pickling cucumbers showing resistance included PI 197085, PI 271328, and an F4 selection of PI 197087 × PI 280096. Slicing cucumbers with resistance included `Marketmore 76' and the F1 of Gy 14 × PI 197087. Belly rot resistance was not correlated with other horticultural traits measured, including fruit type, skin type, spine color, and firmness. The resistant cultigens identified should be useful for developing cucumber cultivars with enhanced resistance to Rhizoctonia solani.
Response to Phosphorus Availability during Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Chrysanthemum: II. Biomass and Phosphorus Dynamics
Authors: Hansen Conny W. , Lynch Jonathan
Published: January 2019

Whole-plant biomass accumulation, P dynamics, and root-shoot interactions during transition from vegetative to reproductive growth of `Coral Charm' chrysanthemum (Dendranthema ×grandiflorum Ramat.) (Zander, 1993) were investigated over a range of P concentrations considered to be deficient (1 μm), adequate (100 μm), and high (5 mm). In nondeficient plants, transition from vegetative to reproductive growth resulted in reduced relative growth rate and root and shoot biomass accumulation. Reproductive plants showed a higher commitment of the whole plant to the production of developing flowers than to leaves and roots, whereas, in vegetative plants, the highest component production rate was in leaves. This indicates changes in the source-sink relationships during transition from vegetative growth making developing flowers stronger sinks for photoassimilates than roots. Phosphorus allocated to developing flowers was predominantly lost from leaves. Phosphorus-deficient plants showed characteristic P-deficiency symptoms and favored root growth over shoot growth regardless of growth stage. Phosphorus availability in nondeficient plants affected root growth more than shoot growth. No substantial differences in shoot biomass production, relative growth rate, and CO2 assimilation rates were observed in adequate-P and high-P plants. However, the root component production rate, root to shoot ratio, root length ratio, specific root length, specific root area, root mass to leaf area ratio, and root respiration increased in adequate-P plants compared with high-P plants, which indicates that high root activity was maintained without affecting shoot biomass in buffered P conditions. Our results suggest that the high P concentrations used in many horticultural systems may have no benefit in terms of shoot growth and may actually be detrimental to root growth.
Identifying Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Markers Linked to Major Genes for Common Bacterial Blight Resistance in Tepary Bean
Authors: Park Soon O. , Coyne Dermot P. , Dursun Atilla , Jung Geunhwa
Published: January 2019

Common bacterial blight (CBB), incited by Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (Xcp), is an important seed-transmitted disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) has high resistance to Xcp. The objective of this study was to identify RAPD markers linked to genes controlling resistance to three isolates of Xcp using bulked segregant analysis in an F2 population from the tepary bean cross CIAT-G40005 (resistant to Xcp) × Nebr.#4B (susceptible to Xcp). Twelve RAPD markers were mapped in a coupling-phase linkage with three genes for resistance to Xcp. The linkage group spanned a distance of 19.2 cM. A marker L7750 was linked to the genes for resistance to Xcp strains EK-11 and LB-2 at 8.4 cM and 2.4 cM, respectively. Markers U10400 and Y14600 were detected as flanking markers for the resistance gene to Xcp strain SC-4A at 2.4 cM and 7.2 cM, respectively. The symbols Xcp-1, Xcp-2, and Xcp-3 were assigned for the genes for resistance to Xcp strains EK-11, LB-2, and SC-4A, respectively. RAPD markers linked to the genes for resistance to Xcp could be used for transferring all of the resistance genes from P. acutifolius to a susceptible P. vulgaris cultivar.
Effects of Postharvest Calcium and Fruit Coating Treatments on Postharvest Life, Quality Maintenance, and Fruit-surface Injury in `Golden Delicious' Apples
Authors: Saftner Robert A. , Conway William S. , Sams Carl E.
Published: January 2019

The effects of postharvest pressure infiltration of calcium chloride (CaCl2) solutions, fruit coatings and shrink-wrap film treatments of apples (Malus domestica Borkh. `Golden Delicious') on peel injury, quality attributes, respiration and internal atmospheres after storage at 0 °C for 2 to 6 months, and during subsequent ripening at 20 °C were investigated. CaCl2 treatments (0.14 to 0.34 mol·L-1) reduced internal and evolved ethylene and softening of fruits, but they also caused distinctive injury to the fruit surface. Following the CaCl2 treatments with a water rinse and a wax- or shellac-based coating or a shrink-wrap film reduced surface injury in fruits treated with 0.24 or 0.34 mol·L-1 solutions of CaCl2 and eliminated injury resulting from a 0.14 mol·L-1 CaCl2 treatment. The fruit coatings delayed ripening; as indicated by better retention of fresh mass, green peel color, titratable acidity and flesh firmness, and the reduced respiration and ethylene production rates that were observed upon transferring the fruits to 20 °C. Sequential treatments with CaCl2 and a shrink-wrap film also reduced fresh mass loss, respiration and ethylene production rates, but had no effect on other quality characteristics. Internal CO2 levels increased and O2 and ethylene levels decreased in surface coated fruits during storage at 0 °C. Coating fruits without the use of CaCl2 also delayed ripening though not as well as that for fruits sequentially treated with CaCl2 and a surface coating.
Relationship between Levels of Sesquiterpene Lactones in Chicory and Sensory Evaluation
Authors: Peters Angeline M. , van Amerongen Aart
Published: January 2019

In this pilot study, we investigated the relationship between levels of bitter sesquiterpene lactones and sensory evaluation of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). The levels of two bitter sesquiterpene lactones—lactucopicrin and lactucin-like sesquiterpene lactones—were measured by ELISA in raw and cooked chicory samples from several cultivars. Data were compared with the results of a sensory evaluation on the flavor attributes bitterness, typical chicory flavor, and total flavor intensity of identical chicory samples. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the levels of lactucin-like sesquiterpene lactones were significantly related to bitterness (P = 0.006) and total flavor intensity (P = 0.03) attributes in raw chicory samples. When cooked chicory samples were evaluated, the levels of lactucin-like sesquiterpene lactones were significantly related to bitterness (P = 0.002), typical chicory flavor (P < 0.001), and total flavor intensity (P = 0.009) attributes, while lactucopicrin levels were related to bitterness (P = 0.002) only. These results show that the ELISA can be useful to predict flavor attributes in chicory.
Inducing Tolerance to the Root-lesion Nematode Pratylenchus vulnus by Early Mycorrhizal Inoculation of Micropropagated Myrobalan 29 C Plum Rootstock
Authors: Pinochet J. , Camprubí A. , Calvet C. , Fernández C. , Kábana R. Rodríguez
Published: January 2019

The beneficial effects of early mycorrhizal inoculation with two arbuscular fungi, Glomus mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe and Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith, were evaluated on Myrobalan 29 C (Prunus cerasifera × Prunus munsoniana Wight and Edr.) plum rootstock in soil infested or noninfested with the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus Allen and Jensen under microplot conditions. During this two year study, mycorrhizal colonization did not affect the number of nematodes per gram of root in plants infected with P. vulnus. In contrast, P. vulnus significantly decreased the percentage of mycorrhizal root colonization. Most elements were within sufficiency levels for plum by foliar analysis, although low P and deficient Fe and Cu levels were detected in P. vulnus treatments. Early mycorrhizal inoculation with G. mosseae favored plant growth after 20 months, but in soils infested by P. vulnus, only G. intraradices increased the tolerance of Myrobalan 29 C plum rootstock to damaging nematode levels by stimulating plant nutrition and vegetative growth.
Performance of Three Selection Cycles from Four Slicing Cucumber Populations Hybridized with a Tester
Authors: Cramer Christopher S. , Wehner Todd C.
Published: January 2019

Recurrent selection has been used as a breeding method to improve traits having low heritability such as fruit yield, earliness, and fruit shape. The objective of this study was to measure the progress of recurrent selection in four slicing cucumber populations in terms of hybrid performance when crossed with a common tester. The four populations, North Carolina wide-base slicer (NCWBS), medium-base slicer (NCMBS), elite slicer 1 (NCES1), and Beit Alpha 1 (NCBA1) populations, which differed in their genetic diversity and mean performance, were developed using modified intrapopulation half-sib recurrent selection to improve fruit yield and quality. Eleven S0 families were taken randomly from each of three selection cycles (early, intermediate, and advanced) from each population. Those families were self-pollinated to form S1 families, and the S1 families were crossed to `Poinsett 76', a popular slicing cucumber cultivar. The experiment was a splitplot treatment arrangement in a randomized complete-block design with 22 replications per population, with the four populations as whole plots and the three cycles as subplots. When 10% of fruit were oversized (>60 mm in diameter), plants were sprayed with paraquat to defoliate them for once-over harvest. Plots were evaluated for total, early, and marketable yield and fruit shape. Recurrent selection for improved fruit yield and shape per se resulted in improved hybrid performance of the NCWBS and NCBA1 populations for fruit yield and shape rating when tested in the selected or nonselected environment. The NCWBS population had the largest gain (21%) in hybrid performance averaged over all traits. In addition, early yield was improved an average of 18% from early to late cycles for each population. Even though the fruit yield and shape rating of `Dasher II' was greater than the hybrid performance of each population mean for the same traits, several F1 families within each population exceeded the fruit yield of `Dasher II'.
Two-gene Interaction and Linkage for Bitterfree Foliage in Cucumber
Authors: Wehner Todd C. , Liu J.S. , Staub Jack E.
Published: January 2019

A second gene for bitterfree foliage in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was discovered. In a cross between two inbred lines having bitterfree foliage (NCG-093 and WI2757), the F1 progeny were bitter, the F2 progeny segregation frequency fit a ratio of 9 bitter : 7 bitterfree, and the BC1 segregation frequencies fit a ratio of 1 bitter : 1 bitterfree. Thus, a second factor nonallelic to the previous bitterfree gene, bi, controls the bitterfree trait. When F2 and BC1 progeny resulting from crosses of bitterfree NCG-093 with other bitter lines were studied, the second factor for bitterfree in NCG-093 fit a recessive, single-gene model. The existence of a second, recessive bitterfree gene was confirmed in additional crosses, and the gene was designated bi-2. Further analysis of two crosses indicated that bi-2 was linked with the short petiole (sp) gene (map distance = 11 cM).
Responses of Apples to Postharvest Jasmonate Treatments
Authors: Fan Xuetong , Mattheis James P. , Fellman John K.
Published: January 2019

The effect of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ) and jasmonic acid (JA) compared with the effect of ethephon on surface color and quality of `Golden Delicious' and `Fuji' apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) was studied. Treatments were applied by dipping fruit in water solutions of JA, MJ, or ethephon or by exposing fruit to MJ vapors. Response to MJ vapor treatment depended on fruit developmental stage, with the maximum effect occurring as fruit began to produce ethylene. MJ promoted color changes more effectively than JA. The promotive effect of JA increased with JA concentration. A minimum concentration of 0.1 mmol·L-1 JA was needed to promote significant color change within 15 d at 20 °C. JA at 1 or 10 mmol·L-1 promoted color change more effectively than 0.35 or 3.5 mmol·L-1 ethephon. The magnitude of JA-promoted responses decreased at lower temperatures. Treatments with 10 mmol·L-1 JA or 3.5 mmol·L-1 ethephon were phytotoxic. Treatments using JA at 1 or 10 mmol·L-1 in water promoted loss of fruit titratable acidity compared to controls. Firmness and soluble solids content were relatively unresponsive to JA treatments. Based on these results, using JA and MJ to promote degreening of apple fruit with minimal loss of other quality attributes appears feasible.
Measuring Flesh Color Variability among Processing Clingstone Peach Genotypes Differing in Carotenoid Composition
Authors: Tourjee Kenneth R. , Barrett Diane M. , Romero Marisa V. , Gradziel Thomas M.
Published: January 2019

The variability in fresh and processed fruit flesh color of six clingstone processing peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] genotypes was measured using CIELAB color variables. The genotypes were selected based on the relative fruit concentrations of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin. Significant (p < 0.0001) differences were found among the genotypes for the L*, a*, and b* color variables of fresh and processed fruit. Mean color change during processing, as measured by ΔELAB, was greatest for `Ross' and least for `Hesse'. A plot of the first two principal components (PCs) obtained from PC analysis of the L*, a*, and b* variables for fresh and processed fruit revealed three clusters of genotypes that match groupings based on the relative concentrations in fresh fruit of carotenoid pigments. Path analysis showed that variation in β-cryptoxanthin concentration was more precisely determined from color data than β-carotene concentration. Chemical names used: β-β-carotene (β-carotene), (3R)-β-β-caroten-3-ol (β-cryptoxanthin).
Phosphorus-induced Leaf Abscission in Detached Shoots of Olive and Citrus
Authors: Goren Raphael , Huberman Moshe , Martin George C.
Published: January 2019

Previous studies have demonstrated that phosphorus, which stimulates ethylene biosynthesis, induces abscission of olive leaves directly without the involvement of ethylene. In the present study this possibility was further explored by comparing the effects of an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), and an ethylene action inhibitor, 2,5-norbornadiene (NBD), in olive [Olea europaea (L.) `Manzanillo'] and citrus [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck `Shamouti']. In olive, leaf abscission was always induced in the presence of KH2PO4 with or without AVG and NBD (alone or in combination), but it was much more pronounced when KH2PO4 was applied alone. In citrus, KH2PO4 did not induce leaf abscission in the presence of NBD during the first 48 (detached shoots) or 60 hours (leaf explants) despite the high levels of ethylene production by the tissues. Our results demonstrate that phosphorus can, at least partly, act independently of ethylene action in inducing leaf abscission in olive but not in citrus.
Growth, Flowering, and Postharvest Performance of Single-stemmed Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) Plants in Response to Light Quantum Integral and Plant Population Density
Authors: Bredmose Niels B.
Published: January 2019

The cut rose, grown as a single-stemmed crop, resembles a potted plant and can be adapted to transportable bench systems. Potentially, this cultivation method could increase control of rose development, flexibility of production and produce, and automation of difficult or laborious cultural operations. Synchronous growth and flowering is considered important. The effects of increased quantum irradiation integral and plant density on shoot growth, fresh biomass production, and bloom quality were studied as single-stemmed rose plants (Rosa hybrida L.) `Kordapa' Lambada, `Tanettahn' Manhattan Blue, `Tanorelav' Red Velvet, and `Sweet Promise' Sonia grown under 20 hours photoperiods at 23 °C average air temperature. Plants were grown in rockwool cubes on ebb and flood benches irrigated with a complete nutrient solution, and were supplied with carbon dioxide at 1000 μmol·mol-1. Increased the daily quantum integral from 17.8 to 21.0 mol·m-2·d-1 increased fresh biomass efficiency, stem diameter, and specific fresh mass while number of nodes, number of five-leaflet-leaves, plastochron value, and stem length at anthesis decreased. Fresh mass at anthesis was not affected by the treatments. Increasing plant population density from 100 to 178 plants/m2 increased stem length at visible flower bud, and reduced both fresh biomass efficiency and specific fresh mass. These effects are suggested to be related to assimilate supply and translocation, and light perception of the roses. High quantum integral slightly reduced flower diameter but in general, quantum integral or plant density did not affect bloom quality or vase life. Use of preservative floral solution generally improved rose flower diameter and vase life. In Lambada increased light quantum integral prolonged vase life, but use of preservative solution did not. The cultivars Sonia and Red Velvet required 19 to 20 days from cutting/planting until onset of bud growth, 29 to 34 days until visible flower bud, and 39 to 49 days until anthesis. Red Velvet roses were ≈60 cm long at anthesis, and had larger stem diameter and growth rate, accumulated more fresh biomass, were most efficient producing fresh biomass, and had higher specific fresh mass among the cultivars. Light quantum integral is suggested to be used as a means to synchronize single-stemmed rose plant development.