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The purpose of this study was to improve the protocol of clonal micropropagation for effective mass production of the Zarya Alatau apple cultivar through the use of axillary buds. In Kazakhstan’s challenging climate, the Zarya Alatau apple thrives because of its unique traits, including fruit preservation until May, cold hardiness, and resistance to scab and powdery mildew. Micropropagation is essential for healthy mother tree establishment, and this research focused on key factors for successful in vitro propagation. The sterilization of explants was optimized: 1.6% solution of sodium hypochlorite effectively sterilized plant materials for 10 minutes. Nutrient media composition was evaluated for efficient shoot regeneration. The study examined axillary bud regeneration on Murashige and Skoog medium with different concentrations of hormones. A combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (0.5 mg/L) and gibberellic acid (0.5 mg/L) yielded optimal results, with shoots reaching 3.5 cm. Root induction was analyzed with varying indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations, and the best results were achieved with 1.5 mg/L IAA, resulting in an 85% rooting frequency. Adapting in vitro plants to ex vitro conditions is crucial given their sensitivity to environmental changes. Well-developed leaves and a robust root system are essential for successful acclimatization during transplantation into a soil substrate. This research provides valuable insights into the critical parameters for a successful transition of in vitro propagated plants to soil conditions, optimizing micropropagation practices.

Pollinator gardening has gained momentum with an increased consumer interest in selecting native rather than non-native plant species to reduce water dependence and maximize the biodiversity value in both public greenspaces and residential gardens. Native plant species can enhance biological control and benefit ecosystems and wildlife. Often, they are also better-adapted to local environmental conditions, including temperature and rainfall, thus increasing their survival and reducing associated maintenance costs, primarily by requiring less water. Commercially available pollinator-friendly plant mixes often include both native and non-native species. A 2-year study was conducted to determine the main effects of plant provenance (native or non-native) and irrigation (full or partial irrigation) on landscape performance and flowering of 20 plants, including 10 congeneric pairs of native and non-native taxa that were planted in two locations (north and northcentral Florida). Native and non-native taxa were paired by genus to analyze the effect of the plant native status on vegetative and floral traits while controlling for variations in leaf and floral morphologies, growth habits, and blooming periods, which was a key and novel component of our study design. Represented native species included Spanish needles (Bidens alba), false rosemary (Conradina grandiflora), tickseed coreopsis (Coreopsis leavenworthii), blanket-flower (Gaillardia pulchella), swamp rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus), inkberry (Ilex glabra), spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata), azure blue sage (Salvia azurea), Florida scrub skullcap (Scutellaria arenicola), and Walter's viburnum (Viburnum obovatum). Non-native taxa paired with native congeners included Beedance^® painted red bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) or Goldilocks Rocks^® bidens (Bidens ferulifolia ‘BID 16101’), barbeque rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus ‘Barbeque’), Jethro Tull coreopsis (Coreopsis × ‘Jethro Tull’), Arizona sun blanket-flower (Gaillardia ×grandiflora ‘Arizona Sun’), Ruffled Satin^® rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘SHIMCR1’), dwarf Burford holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Dwarf Burford’), pardon my pink beebalm (Monarda didyma ‘Pardon My Pink’), big blue salvia (Salvia longispicata × S. farinacea ‘PAS1246577’), Malaysian skullcap (Scutellaria javanica), and Sandankwa viburnum (Viburnum suspensum). Overall, the results revealed that native plants outperformed non-native plants and exhibited greater survival, more vegetative growth, and greater floral abundance regardless of the irrigation treatment. Although there was no overall effect of irrigation on plant size or flower abundance, there were some species-specific responses, especially during the establishment year, and plants under full irrigation had greater survival in the establishment year. Thus, in general, the effects of plant provenance were stronger and more consistent across years than irrigation. Additional studies are underway to determine the floral rewards of these species and their attraction to diverse pollinators.

Bulk density (D_b) and subsequent physical properties are determined by the substrate and packing method. Packing method is the way one fills and compresses a substrate within a given volume. Bulk density produced in the laboratory may not align with “expected” published ranges due to variations in packing. Additionally, it is unknown if ranges identified as “typical” using a small volume sample ring reflect D_b occurring in larger production size containers packed using commercial potting practices. Therefore, our objectives were to 1) emulate nursery practices and document the D_b associated with a potted 2.8-L (#1) container, 2) develop and test the new “shim and compression” method to determine if it consistently packs sample rings to a D_b commensurate with that of a 2.8-L nursery container, and 3) demonstrate how static physical properties are affected by the new “shim and compression” sample ring packing method compared with the traditional bench top tap method. When emulating nursery potting practices with 100% pine bark, coir, and peat, and blends of each, D_b ranged from 0.08 g⋅cm⁻³ (coconut coir) to 0.17 g⋅cm⁻³ (pine bark). We used an espresso tamp and shims to pack the aforementioned substrates in sample rings. The D_b achieved using a range in number of presses and discs was largely dependent on the substrate, but the desired D_b was consistently achieved for each substrate. There was no effect of disc number on D_b (P = 1.000) for any substrate. There was no effect of tamp number (P ≥ 0.0602) for all substrates except peat-amended, for which five tamps yielded a greater D_b than one tamp (P = 0.0324). In an experiment in which a different technician who was accustomed to the conventional benchtop tap packing method performed both methods, method influenced D_b (P < 0.0001), and the conventional method more closely attained the target D_b. To our knowledge, this is the only report of D_b observed in commercial container production facilities (i.e., “native”).

The limited availability of peat-based substrates, a nonrenewable resource, and the negative environmental impacts associated with their extraction require the conservation of this resource. We assessed the use of cattle dung compost as a stand-alone nursery substrate, replacing peat substrate for the production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings. A completely randomized design was employed, using cattle dung compost (C) and commercial peat (P, control treatment) in various combinations (100% P; 25% C/75% P; 50% C/50% P; 75% C/25% P; 100% C) to assess their effects on different growth parameters of lettuce. Twenty-eight parameters (e.g., seed germination, seedling survival, diameter, height, biomass growth) were assessed, corresponding to the time when the seedlings are transplanted. All treatments achieved 100% seed germination and seedling survival; indicating the successful establishment of lettuce seedlings across all tested substrates. However, seedling growth was found to be significantly influenced by substrate type. Seedling diameter was significantly increased by 10.8% in the 50% C/50% P substrate, while seedling height was significantly increased by 7.7, 6.8, and nearly 10%, respectively, within the 25% C/75% P, 50% C/50% P and 100% C substrates, relative to the control. Other substrate treatments were not significant. Similar or significantly higher values than the control were also observed for biomass growth under the tested substrates, indicating the beneficial effect of cattle dung on the initial growth of plants during the nursery phase. Cattle dung compost, used as a growing substrate, demonstrated similar or superior results to commercial peat, suggesting its potential as a viable alternative potting medium for sustainable horticulture.

The underlying therapeutic mechanisms of care farming activities have not been addressed using psychophysiological data. We aimed to understand frontal cortex activation in adults during care farming activities and to explore the psychophysiological effects. Using a randomized crossover study method, 20 adults (average age, 31.3 ± 9.8 years) participated in 10 care farming activities, (four gardening activities, three animal-mediated activities, and three off-farming activities) for 3 minutes each at an actual care farm. Electroencephalography (EEG) was performed during the activity, and emotional states were assessed using subjective emotional questionnaires after each activity. The EEG results revealed that alpha activity increased during gardening activities, such as organizing garden plots and planting plants. Spectral edge frequency 50, which predicts the degree of arousal, increased during interaction with dogs. The results of the subjective emotional questionnaire revealed that participants experienced positive emotions, such as vigor, comfort, naturalness, and relaxation, when participating in care farming activities compared with those while resting. Therefore, this study suggests that care farming activities can induce changes in the frontal cortex activation and positive emotional states in participants. This study elucidates the use of such activities to address mental health-related issues.

This study measured and compared the psychophysiological and psychological differences in the responses of men and women to olfactory stimuli from herbal plants. A total of 30 adult participants (mean age, 27.4 years; SD, ±8.97 years; 15 men and 15 women) were included and five different herbs were used: lavender, rosemary, sage, apple mint, and pelargonium. During olfactory activity, participants smelled each herb for 90 seconds while relying solely on their sense of smell and electroencephalography was used to measure brain wave changes. Subsequently, participants’ emotional states were assessed using the semantic differential method (SDM). The results indicated significant differences in the relative alpha, relative slow alpha, and relative low alpha frequencies in the prefrontal lobe (Fp1 and Fp2) for both genders (P < 0.05). Significant gender differences were observed in the relative beta, relative middle beta, ratio of sensorimotor rhythms-mid beta to theta frequencies in the occipital lobe (O1 and O2) (P < 0.05). The SDM results showed significant natural emotional responses in both genders after olfactory stimulation with herbal plants. Furthermore, compared with men, women exhibited more natural emotions to sage, apple mint, and pelargonium olfactory stimulation. These findings affirm the calming effects of olfactory stimulation with herbal plants for both genders, thus underscoring gender differences in preferences and psychological responses.

Over the past two decades, interest in local specialty cut flower production in eastern South Dakota has grown, with several new flower farms being established across the region. However, there is currently no local, research-based information available to support growers in this new wave of interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the production and quality of four zinnia cultivars grown in eastern South Dakota to support local specialty cut flower growers in their operations. A randomized complete block design was used to evaluate four zinnia cultivars (Zinderella Peach, Oklahoma Ivory, Queen Red Lime, and Benary’s Giant Purple) grown in 2022 and 2023. Zinnias were started by seed in the greenhouse and transplanted into the field in early summer each season. Harvest began each year when flowers reached maturity (July), with one harvest event taking place each week until the first frost. Harvested flowers were rated as marketable or nonmarketable based on categories of stem length (≥18-inch-long, 13- to 17.99-inch-long, 8- to 12.99-inch-long, and <8-inch-long stems), as well as nonmarketable due to defects (curved stems, insect damage, and other damage). ‘Benary’s Giant Purple’ produced high numbers of marketable long stems and had the largest bloom size, whereas ‘Queen Red Lime’ and ‘Oklahoma Ivory’ produced high numbers of marketable medium-length stems and had lower amounts of insect damage. ‘Zinderella Peach’ produced the shortest and most insect-damaged stems and also produced lower numbers of curved stems compared with the other three cultivars. All four cultivars produced high numbers of marketable flowers and would be suitable choices for specialty cut flower growers in eastern South Dakota.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important fertilizers in agriculture because it promotes the growth of plants and the uptake of other plant nutrients. This nutrient plays a significant role in determining the yield and nutrient composition of sweet potato root tubers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the optimum application rate of N in sweet potatoes to maximize yields and increase growth efficiency. Four levels of N (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/ha) were applied as treatments. A randomized complete block design was used, and each treatment was replicated five times. Vine length, leaf length, stem thickness, and chlorophyll content were measured weekly, and the storage root yield was determined at the end of the experiment. The results showed a significant effect of the N treatments on plant growth, chlorophyll content, vine length, leaf area index and storage root yield. The chlorophyll content and vine length increased with an increase in the N rate. However, an inverse relationship was observed between storage root yield and N rates; the highest yield was recorded for the 50 kg/ha N treatment and the lowest yield was recorded for the 200 kg/ha N applied. Therefore, a rate of 50 to 100 kg/ha N is recommended for the production of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

Microgreens are young plants used as ingredients and flavoring in various dishes. Their production time is short, and their production methods can be altered to enhance the nutritional content. To date, consumers’ preferences for microgreens that display different esthetic and nonesthetic traits have not been addressed. Additionally, consumers’ perceived risk of production methods used to enhance nutrition has not been investigated. An online survey and choice experiment involving a sample of 821 consumers in Tennessee were performed to investigate these topics. A mixed logit model was used to analyze the data. Both esthetic and nonesthetic traits influenced the consumers’ preferences. Green microgreens were preferred and valued more than light or dark purple microgreens. When fertilizer was used during production to enhance nutrients, consumers perceived the microgreens as riskier to the environment and for personal consumption relative to microgreens with light-induced nutrient enhancement. Using lighting during production to enhance nutrients generated a $0.47 to $0.79 premium relative to no nutrient enhancement. In general, if participants’ perceived risk aligned with the nutrient enhancement attribute (i.e., light, fertilizer), then their willingness to pay for the microgreens decreased. This was amplified for the fertilizer nutrient enhancement attribute more than it was for the light enhancement attribute. In-state production and microgreen height also impacted consumer preferences for microgreens.