Continuous application of chemical fertilizers in plant cultivation can lead to the deterioration of the soil environment, resulting in reduced crop yield and quality. Currently, organic fertilizers, such as vermicompost, can partially replace chemical fertilizers and maximize yields while maintaining soil fertility. However, the effects of chemical fertilizers combined with vermicompost on watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) yield and quality are unclear. A field experiment was carried out on the watermelon cultivar Lihua No. 6. Six treatments were applied: no fertilizer (CK, control, 0N–0P–0K), 100% chemical fertilizer [CF, 5.4N–1P–5.4K (256, 47, and 255 kg·ha−1)], 75% chemical fertilizer + 25% organic fertilizer [A1, 5.4N–1P–5.4K (192, 35, and 191 kg·ha−1) + 2250 kg·ha−1 vermicompost], 50% chemical fertilizer + 50% organic fertilizer [A2, 5.4N–1P–5.4K (128, 24, and 127 kg·ha−1) + 4500 kg·ha−1 vermicompost], 25% chemical fertilizer + 75% organic fertilizer [A3, 5.4N–1P–5.4K (64, 12, and 64 kg·ha−1) + 6750 kg·ha−1 vermicompost], and 100% organic fertilizer (A4, 9000 kg·ha−1 vermicompost). Indices related to the growth, yield, and quality of watermelons were determined. Compared with CK, chemical fertilizer alone or in combination with organic fertilizers significantly increased growth parameters (plant height and leaf area) and chlorophyll content. The five fertilizer treatments enhanced the single fruit weight, yield, and biomass. In addition, the yield of reduced chemical fertilizer plus organic fertilizer was comparable to that of watermelons treated with CF. Compared with CF, the fertilizer treatments, especially the 1:1 mixture of chemical and organic fertilizer (A2) group, had elevated fruit-soluble solids and soluble sugar content, and reduced organic acid levels. Therefore, a combination of 50% chemical fertilizer and 50% organic fertilizer can effectively enhance the yield and quality of watermelons. These findings have important implications for guiding the management of watermelon fertilization and development of sustainable agriculture.
Limited preemergence herbicides are registered for new blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) plantings. This greenhouse experiment was designed to investigate the effects of a broad selection of preemergence herbicides at multiple rates on blackberry transplants. Screening was initiated Aug 2021 and repeated Mar 2022 in Fayetteville, AR, USA, in a greenhouse at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center. ‘Ouachita’ blackberry plugs were transplanted into utility pots that contained field soil and growth media treated with preemergence herbicides. After transplanting, plant height was measured from the substrate to the highest apical meristem of 25 representative plants. Initial blackberry plant heights were 13.5 and 9.2 cm in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Twenty-five treatments were evaluated, consisting of 12 preemergence herbicides at 1× and 2× field rates, and one untreated control. Herbicide treatments included diuron, flumioxazin, halosulfuron, indaziflam, mesotrione, napropamide, oryzalin, pendimethalin, rimsulfuron, S-metolachlor, simazine, and sulfentrazone applied to substrate in containers at their respective 1× or 2× field rates. Data were collected on plant height, blackberry injury ratings, internode length, leaf chlorophyll content, and destructive harvest, including leaf count, leaf dry biomass, and aboveground dry biomass. Specific leaf areas and leaf area-to-dry matter ratios were calculated. When observed, plant injury tended to increase from 7 days after treatment (DAT) until 42 DAT. Greater injury levels were observed in response to treatment with mesotrione at the 1× (78%) and 2× rates (90%), halosulfuron at the 1× rate (58%), halosulfuron at the 2× rate (68%), and diuron at the 2× rate (73%). Injury from diuron was rate dependent, with the 1× rate causing relatively low injury (19%). At both the 1× and 2× rates, flumioxazin, indaziflam, napropamide, S-metolachlor, and pendimethalin treatments exhibited similar responses to the untreated control.
Turfgrass management includes many different components and without proper management turfgrass aesthetics will diminish. In addition, mismanagement of turfgrass systems could lead to negative environmental impacts. This situation creates the need for Extension agents to deliver turfgrass management educational and outreach programs to the various stakeholders and the general public. However, Extension agents require professional development in terms of turfgrass management. A needs assessment of [State] Extension agents was conducted at the University of Florida to determine the professional development needs relating to turfgrass management. Through this needs assessment, there were 51 individual competencies identified that were categorized into nine distinct competency domains. In general, the highest priority relative to professional development needs were related to the pest management (i.e., disease, insect, weeds, and nematodes) competency domains. Extension specialists can use the information from this needs assessment to adjust current and tailor new turfgrass management professional development programs to address the identified needs with the highest priority [i.e., greatest mean weighted discrepancy score (MWDS)]. Professional development programs could include creating new or adjusting educational materials and resources for the needs identified, in-service trainings for Extension agents to provide additional education, series of academies to provide baseline knowledge to Extension agents, and an online database to provide information and guidance. In addition, the results and needs identified from this needs assessment can be used as a basis for obtaining educational funding.
Urea cocrystal materials are a potential fertilizer source that has shown to decrease environmental nitrogen losses. Novel nitrogen (N)-containing urea cocrystal fertilizers, CaSO4·4urea (UC1) and Ca(H2PO4)2·4urea (UC2), were synthesized using the mechanochemical method to form stable urea cocrystals to be tested as a fertilizer source for turfgrass. The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate the response of ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. traansvalensis Burt Davy) to N fertilization by urea cocrystals and traditional coated urea products (MU·PCU, methylene urea, urea, polymer-coated urea; PCU, polymer-coated urea, urea) supplied at two rates at the beginning of two, 10-week study periods conducted under a greenhouse setting and 2) investigate N release behavior of urea and two cocrystal products using a rapid water release test. In the turfgrass response study conducted in the greenhouse, improved turfgrass quality above the minimum quality threshold was observed when averaging across all products. For normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), cocrystal outperformed all other products in the summer study and both cocrystal products outperformed the traditional product (MU·PCU) in the winter study. Further, both cocrystal products showed favorable growth responses compared with the commercial products provided by positive clipping production and vertical extension rates. In the nitrogen release experiment, a rapid water release test revealed the N release peak of urea was significantly higher than both UC1 and UC2. Furthermore, significantly higher N was leached from urea (15% loss) compared with both UC1 and UC2 (≈8% loss). Results from both studies provide evidence supporting suitability of urea cocrystal application on bermudagrass and potential as a slow-release fertilizer source through sustained turfgrass vigor, growth, decreased N release peak, and decreased leaching losses.
Industries have found themselves under a microscope because consumers are basing more of their purchasing decisions on a company’s sustainability practices. The floral industry is perceived as being environmentally friendly by consumers. However, based on waste production, the life cycle of fresh merchandise, and the carbon footprint of flowers shipped across the world, this purchasing assumption is not entirely true. To align with consumer perceptions and become more sustainable, the industry must adapt to include more sustainable practices. New and experienced florists alike must determine how they can make slight changes in their businesses to become more environmentally savvy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of more sustainable waste practices into a college floral design course influenced the students’ perceptions of environmental health. Two groups of students enrolled in the basic floral design course at Mississippi State University completed a survey about environmental health at the start and at the end of the semester. However, one group sorted their laboratory wastes into compostable material and landfill material. The results of this study indicated that students who separated their floral waste maintained the same level of environmental concern throughout the testing period, whereas the environmental health scores of those who did not separate their waste declined slightly. The results also indicated that the participants who did not separate their floral waste had lower mean scores at the beginning and at the end of the study. Finally, the results of this study indicated that students who separated floral waste were ranked as having high environmental concern compared to those who did not separate their floral waste in the laboratory.
Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is a leading professional organization that serves a diverse horticultural community. With influence spanning both national and global domains, ASHS makes substantial contributions to various branches of horticulture. In 1985, ASHS introduced the annual Fruit Publication Award to honor exceptional research articles related to fruit. Reflecting on these awarded articles, especially in light of ASHS’s 120-year history, not only serves as a congratulatory gesture to the recipients but also provides insight into the evolutionary progression of fruit science.
The production of Beit Alpha cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in hydroponic systems has increased in popularity since the early 2000s, along with the use of high-wire trellising systems. Some farmers claim the high-wire trellising systems, also known as drop-and-lean trellising, result in a more consistent weekly yield than umbrella or modified-umbrella systems. This study compared the high-wire and modified-umbrella trellising systems both using a 7 ft top wire and 4 plants/m2 plant density. The fruit weight and number of fruit per plant were significantly greater using the modified-umbrella trellising system, with the number of fruit being about twice as high as the high-wire trellising system. Consistency of yields was also measured for both systems and found to peak at ∼5 to 7 weeks after the start of harvest using both trellising systems. However, peak yields using the modified-umbrella trellising system followed a quadratic curve, implying that the high-wire trellising system results in more consistent yields. Differences in yield and harvest consistency were likely related to light penetration of the plant canopy. Growers using low-profile greenhouses can expect lower yields and more consistent harvests using the high-wire trellising system. Yields may be improved using a higher plant density. Alternatively, succession planting on a 5- to 7-week interval can improve harvest consistency using a modified-umbrella trellising system.
With an increase in social awareness of environmental degradation and the need to conserve resources while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, consumers have become increasingly concerned about the environmental standards of the industries from which they purchase products. This has motivated industries to restructure their business model to one that is more environmentally sustainable. Research of consumers’ floral purchasing habits based on geographic regions found that these habits varied depending on the region where they lived. The main purpose of this study was to investigate US consumers’ perceptions and willingness to pay as they relate to retail floral providers’ environmentally sustainable practices based on the geographical region where the consumer lives within the United States. The results indicated differences in the way respondents answered questions based on the geographical region where they live. However, regardless of the US region where the respondents live, from the list of sustainable attributes covered in this study, respondents indicated the use of locally sourced flowers and composting of floral waste as the two sustainable attributes with the most perceived value to consumers. The findings of this study indicate that floral providers that have incorporated any type of sustainable attribute into their businesses should be promoting this to the public. Floral providers located in the West and Northeast regions of the United States should especially consider emphasizing sustainable attributes within their business because consumers in these regions indicated that they were most willing to pay premiums for sustainable practices. Additionally, floral providers in the West should consider sourcing and promoting the use of fair-trade materials to their customers.