Pest management affects arthropod diversity and beetle density in grapes
Arthropod family diversity (Shannon index), beetle/parasitoid density (number per sample) varied among vineyards differing in grape berry moth pest management programs. Williamson and Johnson (p. 232) report that pit fall trap samples from abandoned vineyards had significantly lower arthropod family diversity and carabid beetle density per sample than did vineyards receiving multiple insecticide sprays per season. Apparently, insecticide sprays resulted in more prey on the vineyard floor for carabid beetles. With some exceptions, low- and no-spray vineyards generally showed more parasitism of grape berry moth than did high-spray vineyards.
Winter rye and standard preemergence herbicides improve weed control in spring zucchini production
Vegetable growers have been reluctant to use no-tillage practices due to the lack of sufficient weed control. There are few herbicides available to control broadleaved weeds in most vegetable crops. Walters et al. (p. 238) observed that winter rye along with the standard preemergence herbicide application of clomazone + ethalfluralin provided substantially greater control of redroot pigweed and smooth crabgrass than either winter rye or herbicides alone. The use of winter rye and clomazone + ethalfluralin provided early and total zucchini yields similar to those of the weed-free control.
Particle film inconsistently improves apple color
Increasing red color in apples improves market quality. Surround (kaolin-based particle film) is an effective insect repellent and there are reports of improved red color development with its use. In a series of multi-year studies (Glenn et al., p. 249), `Empire' had consistent improvement in red color development in West Virginia, but `Gala' and `Fuji' demonstrated inconsistent color improvement in West Virginia and Washington state with Surround usage. While Surround has value for insect control and reducing sunburn, it has limited value to enhance fruit color due to the inconsistent response in a range of climates.
Volatiles and quality of kiwifruit in controlled atmospheres
Quality of kiwifruit from controlled atmosphere (CA) storage can be variable. Lallu et al. (p. 253) investigated the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) control methods on volatiles and quality of `Hayward' kiwifruit in CA rooms. Activated carbon, nitrogen flushing, or lime absorption methods were used to control CO2 in rooms operated at 2% oxygen and 5% CO2 at 0 °C. Platinum-based catalytic oxidizers maintained ethylene at <0.03 ppm. Volatile profiles were altered differentially by the CO2 control systems, and although nitrogen flushing resulted in the lowest incidence of physiological pitting, there was no consistent effect on fruit quality during or after CA storage.
Promising herbicides for common groundsel control in strawberry
New herbicides were studied that provided effective control of common groundsel in strawberry. Figueroa et al. (p. 261) compared the activity and selectivity of two registered herbicides and several others identified as potentially useful, including sulfentrazone, flumioxazin, pendimethalin, and metholachlor. Of these, sulfentrazone was most effective and provided excellent groundsel control when used at 2.1 to 4.3 oz/acre a.i. Strawberry yield with sulfentrazone was similar to yield with terbacil, and crop stunting was less.
Mancozeb and kaolin applications can reduce russet of `Comice' pear
Russet on the surface of green pears can result in downgrading or culling during fruit packing. Two materials already used in pear pest management were found by Sugar et al. (p. 272) to reduce russet on `Comice' pears when applied in the early part of the growing season. Mancozeb (currently used for pear scab control) and kaolin (used for suppression of the pear psylla) reduced russet in both commercial and experiment-station trials. Over the 4-year study, russet incidence was highest in the year with the most spring rainfall.
Quality and nutraceutical value of muscadine varieties
Fruit and juice quality, and nutraceutical potential of 20 muscadine varieties grown in southwestern Arkansas were compared by Striegler et al. (p. 276). Varieties differed in productivity and fruit quality. Dried seeds of all varieties had the highest total nutraceutical levels followed by dried skins, fruit, and juice. The skins of black varieties had higher nutraceutical levels than those of bronze varieties. Based on yield, harvest, and juice quality, growers in southwestern Arkansas and other areas with a similar climate should consider using the varieties Black Beauty, Carlos, Fry, Granny Val, Nesbitt, Southern Home, Summit, and Supreme.
Ethanol dip and modified atmospheres control gray mold of table grapes
Grape storage requires stringent control of gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. Commercial practice is dependent on sulfur dioxide (SO2), a fumigant that is applied by various means with well-known advantages and disadvantages. Lichter et al. (p. 284) have developed an alternative to SO2 usage that combines modified atmosphere packaging with a prepackaging dip in ethanol. Ethanol is very effective against fungal pathogens, but does not prevent latent infections or reinfection. When combined with modified atmosphere storage, persistent control of gray mold was achieved with no injury to the grapes.
Garden visits help the elderly to cope with depression
Depression is a major health problem among the elderly in longterm care, decreasing the quality of life and adding to the cost of care. Rappe and Kivelä (p. 298) observed that garden visits were associated with enhanced emotional well-being among the elderly in long-term care, and that the effects were more pronounced among those who were depressed. They found that plants in the gardens of facilities were of great importance; emotional regulation was associated with seeing plants. Those who were depressed tended to experience more hindrances related to garden visits than those not depressed, which emphasized the importance of accessibility.
Micropropagation of sweetgum with sterile hydroponics and ultra-high CO2
The forestry and nursery industries plant millions of trees per year; cloning provides a means to establish uniform yields. Clonal propagation by micropropation techniques offers means to satisfy forestry production demands. Tisserat (p. 308) employed a sterile hydroponics system to rapidly multiply shoots in vitro. However, rapidly multiplying sweetgum shoot cultures often exhibit undesirable vitrification that hinders their successful establishment into soil. To overcome this problem, shoots are established in soil under ultra-high levels of CO2 (10,000 ppm).
Chemical height control of containerized seashore mallow
Seashore mallow is a promising ornamental perennial due to its long flowering period and tolerance to extreme environmental conditions. Greenhouse trials have produced excessively tall, unattractive plants. Hilgers et al. (p. 330) evaluated five plant growth regulators (PGRs) at three concentrations to control height and branching. All PGRs were applied once as a foliar spray, with the exception of paclobutrazol, which was applied twice. Chlormequat chloride (CCC), CCC + daminozide, and paclobutrazol limited height and increased branching at all concentrations. Ancymidol and dikegulac sodium did not affect height or branching. The authors recommend CCC at the lowest rate (750 ppm).
Substrate environment affects release rates of nutrient ions from controlled-release fertilizers
Nitrate-nitrogen was released slightly faster from Osmocote and Nutricote than ammonium-nitrogen, and both of these ions were released much more rapidly than potassium or phosphorus. Broschat (p. 332) also found that release rates of all four nutrient ions from both products was slowest when applied to the surface of a potting substrate and most rapid in water only. Nutrient release rates were slightly faster in pure water than in saturated sand.
Navel orange trees: To prune or not to prune?
California growers spend thousands of dollars annually pruning navel orange trees, at least in part with the objective of increasing fruit size. In a 4-year study, Kallsen (p. 335) investigated the effects of three levels of manual pruning and three mechanical topping heights on navel orange yield and fruit quality. A common positive, linear relationship was found to exist, regardless of year or pruning method, between annual yield per unit land area and the number of commercially valuable sized fruit produced per unit land area.
Developments in seeders, transplanters for vegetable crops
Parish (p. 346) reviews seeders and transplanters currently used for planting commercial vegetable crops, and new developments in seeding and transplanting. His review of horticultural and agricultural engineering literature is supplemented with information from an informal survey of members of American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) committee PM-48 (Fruit and Vegetable Production Engineering), and other engineers/horticulturists. Topics reviewed include precision seed metering, seed placement, and high-speed transplanting with automated plant handling.
Potential colored bell pepper production in Florida greenhouses
Most of the high-quality colored bell pepper fruit consumed in the U.S. are imported. These high-priced fruit can be grown only in greenhouses, where high yields of quality fruit can be obtained throughout the year. Interest in greenhouse pepper production systems is growing in regions with mild winter climate such as Florida. Jovicich et al. (p. 355) describe a greenhouse system for pepper production, review the origin of imports and historical market prices, and estimate costs and returns for greenhouse operations. They report that greenhouse-grown colored peppers may represent a viable vegetable production alternative for Florida farmers.
Flurprimodol vs. ancymidol, paclobutrazol, and uniconazole for tulip height control
`Prominence' tulip height was controlled during greenhouse production and postharvest evaluation with the use of a preplant bulb soak or substrate drench (Krug et al., p. 370). Flurprimidol, paclobutrazol, and uniconazole were effective as preplant bulb soaks at concentrations of 25, 50, and 10 ppm, respectively. Ancymidol, flurprimidol, and paclobutrazol were effective as substrate drenches at concentrations of 0.5, 0.5, and 1 mg/pot, respectively. Foliar sprays of flurprimidol >80 ppm are effective at controlling postharvest height.
Flurprimidol controls height of `Star Gazer' oriental lily
Flurprimidol preplant soaks, foliar sprays, and substrate drenches were compared to commercially recommended concentrations of uniconazole as a preplant bulb soak and foliar spray for height control of `Star Gazer' oriental lily (Krug et al., p. 373). A single flurprimidol substrate drench at 0.5 mg/pot was effective in controlling plant height. A flurprimidol preplant bulb soak at 25 ppm also was effective in controlling plant height.
Woody cut stems can be defoliated in the field
Woody cuts valued for their fruit or stem usually are sold without foliage. Currently, woody stems are cut after natural leaf fall or are defoliated by hand after harvest. Greer and Dole (p. 376) applied acetic acid, chelated copper, crop oil concentrate, ethephon, dimethipin, and pelargonic acid to defoliate curly willow, american bittersweet, and american beautyberry plants in the field. Chelated copper, dimethipin, and high concentrations of ethephon (2500 ppm) provided good to excellent defoliation. Decreasing irrigation neither improved nor delayed leaf drop. In another experiment, postharvest defoliation using heat or cold did not provide adequate leaf drop of curly willow.
California's wholesale nursery industry continues to thrive
Based on survey evaluations, Merhaut and Pittenger (p. 381) found that containerized plant production is the primary growing method in California (80%), and most of these products are sold within the state (90%). Despite increased enforcement of state and federal regulations pertaining to nutrient and pesticide runoff and regional quarantines to prevent the spread of specific insects and diseases, nursery owners feel that sales are primarily influenced by market demand, weather unpredictability, and water supply. Product price is influenced by production cost, market demand, and product uniqueness.
Photoperiodic response and vase life of sunflower varieties
Sunflower has become a popular ornamental crop. Currently there are numerous varieties available, but growers need further information about how to control their flowering. Yañez et al. (p. 386) evaluated the flowering response and vase life of 28 varieties of ornamental sunflowers grown in summer under short day (SD) and long day (LD) conditions. Most of the varieties flowered later under LD than SD. The delay under LD was variable among varieties, but it was 14 days or greater in 18 varieties. Vase life varied from 6.8 to 11.2 days, but no photoperiodic effect was found.
Onion varieties evaluated for single-centered and super colossal bulbs
Onion varieties for commercial production were evaluated yearly over 3 years for yield, market grade, and single centeredness in eastern Oregon (Shock et al., p. 399). The percentage of singlecentered bulbs showed wide variation among varieties. Seventeen varieties were in the trials all 3 years; 11 averaged more than 50% of bulbs that were functionally single centered for processing uses. There were significant year effects on bulb yield and size, but not on single centeredness. Of the 17 varieties, 11 averaged more than 20% of bulbs with diameters greater than 4 inches.
