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Iron-deficiency (Fe-deficiency) stress, characterized by chlorosis of leaf tissue, is a major limiting factor in turfgrass production on calcareous soils. The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate ferrihydrite-amended growth media and the threshold amount of Fe initially added for use in a whole-plant screening procedure for selecting cultivars that are tolerant to Fe-deficiency stress conditions; 2) measure and evaluate whole-plant growth characteristics that could be an index of Fe deficiency stress; and 3) assess the potential of using a synthetically produced Fe oxide, ferrihydrite, as a slow-release Fe fertilizer source. Iron-stress sensitive `Raleigh' St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] and Fe-stress tolerant `Tifway' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Davy] cultivars were grown under glasshouse conditions in a medium consisting of quartz sand, 5% (m/m) CaCO,, and a ferrihydrite amendment providing Fe in concentrations of 0, 15, 30, 46, or 120 mg·kg-1 media, (equivalent to 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 mg DTPA-extractable Fe/kg media). There also was a nonlimiting iron control. St. Augustinegrass was first rated for iron chlorosis 83 days after planting (DAP) while bermudagrass was first rated at 294 DAP. Initial Fe levels equivalent to 5 mg DTPA-extractable Fe/kg media showed potential for screening genotypes. Visual estimates of iron chlorosis and chlorophyll contents of leaves were the best indicators of low soil Fe availability. A single ferrihydrite soil amendment at 10 mg DTPA-extractable Fe/kg media was adequate in preventing chlorosis for the duration of the study (174 and 509 days for St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass, respectively). Chemical name used: Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA).
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Botrytis group `Green Duke') seeds were cultured in vitro photoautotrophically (without sugar in the medium) or photomixotrophically (with sugar in the medium) for 3 weeks at 23 °C and 150 μmol·m-2·s-1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). Vessels were then stored at 5 °C under 1.6, 4.1, or 8.6 μmol·m-2·s-1 of white (400-800 nm), red (600-700 nm), or blue (400-500 nm) light. Concentrations of CO2 inside the vessels were monitored until equilibrium was reached. Light compensation point was reached at 3.5 μmol·m-2·s-1 for photoautotrophic seedlings and at 6.5 μmol·m-2·s-1 for photomixotrophic seedlings. Therefore, in the long-term storage experiment, seedlings were stored for 4, 8, or 12 weeks at 5 °C in darkness or under 5 μmol·m-2·s-1 (average light compensation point) of white, red, or blue light. Illumination during storage was necessary to maintain dry mass, leaf area, and regrowth potentials of in vitro seedlings. All seedlings stored in darkness were of poor quality and died when transferred to the greenhouse. Red light during storage increased seedling dry mass and chlorophyll content and improved overall appearance, whereas blue light decreased chlorophyll content and increased stem elongation. The addition of 2% sucrose to media increased dry mass and leaf area and maintained overall seedling quality during illuminated storage. However, plantlets stored for more than 4 weeks did not survive poststorage greenhouse conditions, regardless of light treatment.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Botrytis group `Green Duke') seeds were cultured photoautotrophically (without sugar) or photomixotrophically (with sugar) in vitro for 3 weeks at 23 °C and150 μmol·m-2·s-1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). In vitro seedlings were stored for 0, 4, 8, or 12 weeks at 5 °C in darkness or under 5 μmol·m-2·s-1 of white (400–800 nm), blue (400–500 nm), or red (600–700 nm) light. Photosynthetic ability and soluble sugar contents were determined after removal from storage. Photomixotrophic seedlings contained approximately five times more soluble sugars than did photoautotrophic seedlings. Dark storage reduced soluble sugars in both photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic plants, but photosynthetic ability was maintained for up to 8 weeks in the latter whereas it decreased in the former. Illumination in storage increased leaf soluble sgars in both photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic seedlings. Soluble sugars in stems decreased during storage regardless of illumination, but remained higher in illuminated seedlings. Red light was more effective in increasing or maintaining leaf and stem soluble sugars than was white or blue light. Regardless of media composition or illumination, storage for more tan 8 weeks resulted in dramatic losses in quality and recovery, as well as photosynthetic ability. Seedlings stored for 12 weeks comletely lost their photosynthetic ability regardless of media composition or illumination. The results suggest that carbohydrate, supplied in the media or through illumination, is essential for maintenance of photosynthetic ability during low-temperature storage for up to 4 or 8 weeks.
Cuttings of sage (Salviaofficinalis `Tricolor'), currant (Ribesaureum), euonymus (Euonymus fortunei var. vegetus), and weigela (Weigela florida `Nana Variegata') were rooted under greenhouse conditions (40% shade) and mist in aerated hydroponic solutions consisting of deionized water, or mixtures of deionized water and nutrients with various levels of electrical conductivity (EC, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 dS·m-1) from each of three sources: compost tea from municipal solid waste; wastewater from anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste; and Hoagland's (control) nutrient solution. Despite differences in species response, rooting tended to be similar with the three nutrient sources. Euonymus rooting percentage increased linearly with increasing EC and was similar with all three nutrient sources (common regression curve, 61% rooting at 0.5 dS·m-1), as did root length (1.4 cm at 0.5 dS·m-1), but root number was unresponsive. Currant rooting percent increased curvilinearly and similarly with nutrient sources (87% calculated maximum rooting at 0.25 dS·m-1), but root number and length were unresponsive. Sage rooting percentage and root number also increased curvilinearly and similarly with nutrient sources (common regression curve, 100% rooting at 0.34 dS·m-1, and 4.1 roots at 0.38 dS·m-1, respectively), as did also root length with the compost tea and Hoagland's (common curve for these two nutrient sources, 11.0 cm at 0.30 dS·m-1), but was unresponsive to wastewater. Weigela was unresponsive to EC or nutrient sources (mean percentage of rooting, 73; root number, 6.5; and root length, 1.9 cm).
On March 13-15, 1993 Alabama and much of the eastern United States experienced an unusually severe winter storm. This afforded the evaluation of plum cultivar production under cold stress. The highest yielding variety that bloomed before the storm was Bruce 12-4 with 28 kg/tree. Bruce 12-4 is noted for blooming over an extended period of time and producing very heavy yields. The average yield of the top five performers that bloomed after the storm was 51 kg/tree. The lowest temperature recorded at the test site, Shorter, AL was -5C.
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) accessions were tested for hypersensitivity and rated for resistance following field inoculation with tomato race 3 (T3) of the bacterial spot pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Doidge) Dye (Xcv) in 1992 and 1993. Hawaii 7981, PI 126932, PI 128216, and selections of the latter two expressed hypersensitivity. Hawaii 7981, only tested in the field in 1993, was nearly symptomless and developed significantly less disease than any other accession. PI 128216 had a level of disease similar to susceptible `Solar Set' when tested in 1993. However, a selection from it (PI 126218-S) was significantly more resistant than `Solar Set' in both years. Although PI 126932 had a level of disease similar to `Solar Set' in both years, a selection from it (PI 126932-1-2) was significantly more resistant than `Solar Set' in 1993. Other accessions without hypersensitive responses but more resistant than `Solar Set' for two seasons were PI 114490, PI 126428, PI 340905-S, and PI 155372. Hawaii 7975 was significantly more resistant than `Solar Set' in the one season it was tested.
The foliar phenolic content of 21 apple cultivars was evaluated. Ten leaves were sampled randomly from three positions on current-season terminal shoots. Shoots were divided as tip, middle, and basal positions. The phenolic content was determined by spectrophotometric method (390 nm) using diphenylboric acid 2-aminoethyl ester as the reagent and caffeic acid as standard. Cultivars varied significantly in phenolic content. `Stark Ultra Red' had the highest amount, and `Liberty' had the lowest amount. Significant variations in the phenolic content due to leaf position were observed. Phenolic content was highest in leaves from the tip position, and it decreased toward the basal portion of the shoot. Factors affecting the phenolic content of apple cultivars will be investigated to determine apple × insect interactions.
Abstract
‘Sungem’ nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] (Fig. 1) was released to provide an early ripening nectarine for commercial markets. All nectarines released by the Univ. of Florida begin with the prefix “Sun”. ‘Sun-gem’ is expected to be successful for homeowners, consumer harvest, local markets, and commercial growers with large acreage.
Abstract
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) cultivars differed in thatching tendency 3 years after establishment. Thatch accumulation was greater in turf-types than forage-types. Thatch accumulation was positively correlated to verdure (r = 0.92) and total cell wall (TCW) content per square meter (r = 0.90) of cultivars.