Early Weeding of Organic Watermelons Reduces Production Costs
Organic production has grown considerably over the last two decades. Weed control is considered the most challenging aspect of organic production in the southeastern U.S. Stone et al. (p. 571) found that early weeding once per week for just 4 weeks can reduce total weed control costs by over 60%.
Rapid Sand Filtration for Poinsettia Disease Control
Pythium diseases are detrimental to poinsettia, one of top potted flowering plants in the U.S. with a wholesale value of about $140 million. Controlling pythium root rot of greenhouse poinsettia is very challenging. Jeon et al. (p. 578) investigated rapid sand filtration of recycled irrigation water as an alternative to fungicide treatment. They found significant improvements in height, weight, root rot severity, and horticultural quality of poinsettia plants in sand filter treatment, compared with Pythium-inoculated control plants without filters. Activated carbon filters removed essential nutrients from irrigation water, resulting in plant nutrient deficiency and reduced plant quality.
Turfgrass Variety Performance Database User Preferences
Yue et al. (p. 599) surveyed the members of 21 professional turfgrass organizations to investigate user preferences for accessing publicly available turfgrass variety performance data in the U.S. Identification of varieties best adapted and tolerant to environmental stresses, and information on turfgrass mixtures and blends were important for most users. Turfgrass consumers need the new database to help identify resource-efficient and endophyte-resistant turfgrass options. Turfgrass breeders, researchers, and extension specialists utilize turfgrass databases to compare different turfgrasses varieties and perform further analysis.
Salinity Thresholds for Ninebark and Japanese Spirea
Chen et al. (p. 611) irrigated rose of sharon, ninebark, and japanese spirea using a near-continuous gradient dosing system with eight electrical conductivity (EC) levels ranging from 0.9 to 6.5 dS·m-1. The salinity threshold values, calculated as the EC level at which a plant lost 50% of shoot dry weight, were 5.4 and 4.6 dS·m-1 for ninebark and japanese spirea, respectively. They were not able to define the salinity threshold value for rose of sharon in this study. However, rose of sharon was the most salinity tolerant species among the three landscape plants.
Growers Assess Biodegradable and Polyethylene Plastic Mulches
Biodegradable plastic mulch may be a more-sustainable alternative to polyethylene film, which is used widely in strawberry production. While research is ongoing regarding the suitability of biodegradable plastic mulch for specialty crop production, Goldberger et al. (p. 619) explored U.S. strawberry growers’ perceptions and experiences with these products. California growers had more plastic mulch experience than Pacific Northwestern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. growers. California and Pacific Northwest growers were more concerned about the environmental impacts of polyethylene mulch compared with Mid-Atlantic growers. A majority of growers in all three regions were interested in learning more about biodegradable plastic mulch.
Architectural Components of Compact Rose Bushes
The architecture of a rose bush is linked to flower yield and ornamental value. To determine which architectural traits are key for the development of a compact full shape, Wu et al. (p. 629) compared rose seedlings with desirable compact growth habits with those that have undesirable growth habits selected from within the Texas A&M University diploid rose breeding program. They found that the key traits for compact growth habit were the number of primary shoots followed by the number of secondary and tertiary shoots.
Parthenocarpic Cucumber Varieties for High Tunnels
Fresh parthenocarpic cucumbers are a popular and high-value crop in local food markets, and are ideal for high tunnel production. Guan et al. (p. 634) evaluated 16 varieties among four major types of parthenocarpic cucumbers at three locations in Indiana and Illinois that used various management methods. Variety performance varied under different management. Generally, Beit alpha-type cucumbers, the American slicer variety Corinto, and the Japanese varieties Taurus and Tasty Jade were recommended for high tunnel production. This information is readily useful for high tunnel growers and valuable for seed companies in breeding new varieties adapted for high tunnel production.
Chemical Desiccation of Red-skinned Potatoes
Chemical desiccation of potato vines prior to harvest improves skin set, regulates tuber size, and facilitates harvest. Diquat herbicide, the grower standard, can result in incomplete stem desiccation. Ferebee et al. (p. 643) evaluated diquat, glufosinate, saflufenacil, and tank mixes of glufosinate plus saflufenacil and glufosinate plus carfentrazone for vine desiccation. Treatments were applied at three different timings. They report that glufosinate and saflufenacil were suitable alternatives to diquat. Although these products had slower desiccation activity, ultimately, vine and leaf desiccation and subsequent effects on skin set, potato yield and grade were similar to diquat.
Quality a Top Priority for New Fresh Market Strawberry Growers
Strawberry growers in Pacific northwestern North America are transitioning from processed to fresh market production, which requires a different array of plant traits for successful production and profitability. Zongyu et al. (p. 649) surveyed growers in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, and discovered fruit quality is the most important trait among growers followed by disease resistance/tolerance. External appearance, skin color, size, sweetness, and flavor were the most-valued fruit quality traits. Information from this survey will help to focus strawberry breeding programs on key characteristics of importance for this growing industry.
Garden Field Day Attendees Surveyed in Iowa
Garden field days commonly are used to educate consumers about best practices and plant varieties for use in the garden. Irish et al. (p. 659) found that after participation in a Home Demonstration Garden field day, 85% and 72.5% of attendees reported their intention to donate fresh produce in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Attendee demographics were collected, and closely aligned with other Iowa field day attendees and the Iowa Master Gardener program. Over 80% of the attendees indicated that they knew somewhat to a lot about food security after participating in one of the field days.
University of Arkansas Student Learning Outcome Plan
Student learning outcome assessment is an integral part of the reaccreditation process for horticulture departments across the country. McDonald and Mackay (p. 665) developed a student learning outcome plan for the University of Arkansas. The plan was based on existing models, but integrated university-mandated goals and objectives. Since the majority of horticulture majors at the University of Arkansas are made up of both internal and external transfers, the plan included assessing both incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Factors Affecting Floricultural Material Shaping Skills
Floriculture shaping skills are vital in enhancing the value of flowers. Chu et al. (p. 670) analyzed factors affecting floriculture material shaping skills using yellow palm, veitch’s screw pine, and tree fern as planar, linear, and amorphous floriculture materials, respectively. They report that people with more positively creative personality traits use more kinds of shaping skills in their work. Relatively speaking, shaping skills used by those with better spatial abilities are more refined and delicate.
