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Abstract
‘Durbin’ nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] is an early mid-season cultivar with medium sized, attractive fruit. Under southeastern conditions. ‘Durbin’s’ size and disease resistance are superior to other nectarines.
Roots of dormant peach trees can grow when soil temperatures are >7 °C, which commonly occurs in the southeastern U.S. during the winter. In our tests, root growth on 1-year-old nursery trees was minimal at 7 °C, and increased with temperature up to at least 16 °C, but rootstocks varied greatly in their regeneration at a given temperature. Trees on seedling rootstocks of `Guardian™', `Halford' and `Lovell' regenerated roots more slowly than those on `Nemaguard' at soil temperatures >7 °C. The regeneration rates mirrored the relative susceptibility of these rootstocks to peach tree short life syndrome in the southeastern U.S., which is associated with parasitism by ring nematode.
Spring frosts often kill all or a portion of the flowers on peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees in the southeastern United States. Increased flower bud density increases the likelihood of sufficient flowers surviving to produce a crop. The effect of environment on flower bud density (buds/node) was studied using two locations over 3 years. Bud density of 25 peach and nectarine varieties grown in completely randomized designs was measured in Georgia and North Carolina. Genotypic variability was greater than location or year effects. Varieties selected for high bud density at one location can be expected to have high densities at other locations with similar chilling.
In the Southeast spring frosts often kill all or part of the flowers on peach trees. Increased flower bud density is one mechanism that increases the likelihood of enough flowers surviving to produce a crop. Mean buds per node in-North Carolina varied in 1986 from 1.6 for `Harko' to 0.4 for `Topaz'. The effect of environment on bud density was unknown. Therefore, for 3 years we compared the bud density of 25 peach and nectarine cultivars grown in completely randomized designs (4 reps per location, 10 twigs per tree) in Georgia and North Carolina. Genotypie variability was greater than that due to location or year effects. Cultivars selected for high bud density in one location can be expected to have high densities at other locations.
Abstract
Parental, F1, F2, and backcross generations of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) lines Morden MEL2668170G (MEL) and ‘Walter’ (WA) were screened as seedlings for resistance to verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) race 2. Disease reaction means, based on the number of leaves and cotyledons with symptoms 5.5 weeks after inoculation, were 2.7 for MEL and 4.6 for WA. Resistance in MEL appeared to be recessive with narrow sense heritability estimated at 0.25 or less. Disease severity was sometimes inadequate to avoid the selection of escapes in advanced generations. Analysis of F3 progenies, however, indicated 3 genes or less might be involved. Results suggest race-2 resistance can be maintained in advanced generations by the elimination of highly susceptible plants and by progeny testing to insure recovery of the most resistant individuals rather than escapes.
Abstract
Stone fruit breeding programs by the USDA have been a major source of improved peach and nectarine cultivars. A nearly complete turnover has occurred in locations, personnel, and cultivars in the 23 years since Havis reviewed these programs (15). It is appropriate to review the changes and note the progress that has been made in the last 2 decades.
Large field plantings are often difficult to label and to plant randomly. A DOS computer program was developed in SAS and BASIC to randomize lists of experimental factors and print sorted paper labels to apply to trees or plants. Tagged trees can be resorted readily by block or row to speed planting. The computer lists are useful for plot verification and subsequent data collection, especially if data are collected and inputted directly to a computer. Copies of the programs are available from W.R. Joyner if a formatted diskette and self-addressed mailer are supplied.