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Whitefly-transmitted viruses have emerged as a major threat to cucurbit production in the United States during the past several decades. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), and Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) are the main arthropod-borne plant viruses in cucurbit crops, including yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo). Symptoms of these viruses include interveinal chlorosis, chlorotic spots, yellowing, and curling of the leaves. The evaluation of specific viruses affecting a plant is challenging because of the prevalence of mixed infections in naturally infected fields. To devise an efficient breeding-based management approach, two PI lines (PI 171625 and PI 171627) were screened in a greenhouse to assess their resistance to individual infections of CCYV and CuLCrV. These lines were compared against a susceptible cultivar Gentry in two separate trials. PI 171627 displayed delayed symptoms, a reduced virus load, and a smaller area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared with PI 171625 and susceptible cultivar Gentry when the plants were infected with CCYV. However, the AUDPC for CuLCrV was the same for both genotypes and the commercial line. Accession PI 171627, which displayed delayed and milder symptoms, could potentially provide a source for resistance against CCYV for breeding program. Future research is needed to comprehend the underlaying mechanism to understand this response.
We analyzed the floral morphology and nectar production of several cultivars and species of Monarda representing five cultivars and four species grown in Georgia Piedmont and Montane regions. Over the course of two seasons, we detected significant differences among the samples in terms of inflorescence size, petal lobe and corolla widths and lengths, and total sugar content. M. didyma had larger glomerules, longer corollas and petal lobes, and higher nectar volume and total sugar content per flower. M. fistulosa and M. punctata had smaller glomerules, corolla and petal lobe lengths, and total sugar content per flower. Petal lobe and corolla length strongly correlated with sucrose and nectar production. Combined with data on horticultural performance, these results could be valuable in informing breeding goals for conservation-oriented landscape plants.
Vitis amurensis grape cultivars and hybrids are mainly used to make wines in Northeast Asia with a cold winter. Anthocyanidin glucosylation at 5-O position catalyzed by 5-O-glucosyltransferase (5GT) in grape skins is crucial for color stability of red wines. To study 5GT functions in anthocyanidin diglucosides synthesis of V. amurensis, 20 5GTs were preliminarily identified from a genome-wide characterization of the UDP-glycosyltransferase family according to the reported 5GTs, which were also performed phylogenetic and bioinformatics analysis. Two important 5GTs, Vitvi0900582.t01 and Vitvi05g01269.t01, were screened through analyses of anthocyanidin diglucosides accumulation and gene expression in berry skins of three representative grape cultivars with significant differences in anthocyanin glycosylation. Fourteen alleles of each of the 5GTs were cloned from 14 V. amurensis cultivars and hybrids as well as from V. vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, and sequence analysis and functional prediction were performed. From three perspectives of phenotype, transcriptional level, and genotype, it has been found that the functional allele at the Vitvi0900582.t01 locus of Chr 9 played a decisive role in the synthesis of abundant anthocyanidin diglucosides in V. amurensis. In addition, the trace anthocyanidin diglucosides detected in V. vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ were led by the functional allele at the Vitvi05g01269.t01 locus of Chr 5. This study provides preliminary data for further research on the regulatory mechanism of anthocyanidin diglucosides in the grapes with the V. amurensis pedigree to improve their wine quality in future breeding efforts.
Rapid leaching of soluble nitrogen (N) sources in soil poses a significant challenge in agricultural practices. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of crop responses to slow-release N application rates has become crucial to contributing valuable insights to optimize N management strategies in agriculture. A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of preplant calcium cyanamide fertilizer on the growth, yield, quality, and shelf life of short-day onion. Six levels of calcium cyanamide (CaCN2, 19.8% N), 0, 90, 120, 200, 400, and 600 kg⋅ha−1 CaCN2, which are equivalent to 0, 17.82, 23.76, 39.6, 79.2, and 118.8 kg⋅ha−1 N, respectively, replicated four times were broadcasted and incorporated into the top 5 to 10 cm of soil. Using 400 kg⋅ha−1 of CaCN2 yielded noteworthy improvements in various parameters of onion growth, such as plant height, leaf count, bulb weight per plant, bulb diameter, bulb length, and overall plant weight, as indicated by the study results. The application of different levels of CaCN2 as an N source exerted a significant influence on these growth factors. Moreover, the study revealed a direct correlation between CaCN2 application levels and the storage life of onions. Specifically, the findings demonstrated that the application of 400 kg⋅ha−1 CaCN2 resulted in enhanced yield and overall onion plant growth. However, the application of 600 kg⋅ha−1 CaCN2 increased the incidences of bulb weight loss, rots, and sprouting during the 8-week storage period at room temperature. These findings provide valuable insights for onion investors and farmers in the region and offer practical recommendations for optimizing fertilizer use and storage practices to improve onion production and minimize postharvest losses.
Two cool-season putting green turfgrass species, annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass, are differential in ice encasement tolerance. Physiological mechanisms associated with creeping bentgrass ice encasement tolerance and annual bluegrass susceptibility are not understood. The objectives were to evaluate oxygen, ethylene, and CO2 content within the upper soil space of the plants while frozen and immediately after ice melt after 0, 5, 10, 20, and 28 days of ice encasement (2.54 cm of ice) in growth chamber conditions. Following ice melt, plant samples were separated into leaf, crown, and root tissues and used to evaluate carbohydrate and amino acid content. Annual bluegrass exhibited higher damage (slower recovery rates) on most sampling days compared with creeping bentgrass. The organs that were most damaged and exhibited a differential principal component analysis snapshot, were the leaf and crown tissues. Creeping bentgrass may preserve leaf and crown tissues for postwinter recovery whereas significant metabolic changes occur in annual bluegrass leaves and crowns. Creeping bentgrass retained total amino acids in leaves following ice encasement whereas total leaf amino acid levels declined in annual bluegrass. Specific carbohydrates and amino acids such as the ability to maintain high levels of fructose, asparagine, and proline may be important indicators of the tolerance to ice encasement stress. On the basis of more prominent carbohydrate and amino acid loss in leaves and crowns and higher levels of CO2 evolution, annual bluegrass may exhibit a higher metabolism and/or tissue damage during ice encasement compared with creeping bentgrass, which could reduce spring recuperative potential.
Both natural turfgrass and synthetic turf fields have distinct advantages and disadvantages and present unique challenges. The challenges evolve over time because of climate change, players’ ever-changing needs, and the development of technologies. It is imperative to identify these challenges and devise effective solutions to overcome them. We conducted a survey of 97 administrators and managers from various organizations in the United States who were responsible for managing community sports fields. Our findings identified budget constraints as the biggest challenge for natural turfgrass field management, followed by issues related to use/scheduling and weather/climate. For synthetic turf field management, the top three challenges included budget constraints, use/scheduling, and other challenges (mainly safety issues). Additionally, administrators and managers consistently indicated increased funding as a solution for addressing challenges of both natural turfgrass and synthetic turf field management. We discuss the implications of these findings and provide potential ways to address these challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased online shopping, including for potted plants; however, research on plant-purchasing behaviors outside of physical stores is limited. This study examined key factors that influence online plant purchases. Initially, 47 factors related to online plant purchases were identified. Personal factors encompassed gender, age, educational level, monthly income, gardening education, online purchase frequency, and living environment. Age quota sampling was used and 400 valid questionnaires were collected. Six common factors and 21 items were identified: consumer assurance, plant care and safety, well-being, service quality, pricing and promotions, and size and habits. Well-being was the most influential for online plant purchases. Service quality, data security, after-sales service, and pricing strategies were also important, with plant care and safety as secondary factors. Compared with men, women emphasized well-being and plant care more. Environmental factors such as naturalness and building density affected purchasing decisions. This study highlights the need for tailored marketing strategies focusing on service quality and emotional benefits to meet diverse consumer needs and preferences.
This study aimed to analyze the N storage capacity of litterfall and its impact on C mineralization in beech forests. The research was conducted at 15 sample plots under European beech stands located in different ecological conditions on the territory of Serbia. More than half (53%) of the sample plots are characterized by low and very low litterfall N content (<8 g·kg−1; 9–12 g·kg−1), and a wide C/N ratio, which indicates a slow decomposition of the organic soil layer. These results could be useful indicators of the capacity and dynamics of litterfall N storage and its impact on C mineralization in the context of preserving biodiversity, stability, and longevity of beech forests in Serbia.