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- Author or Editor: C.J. Graham x
- HortScience x
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal (pawpaw), a deciduous tree indigenous to the eastern U.S., is being considered as a potential new fruit crop. The difficulty in establishing transplanted pawpaw seedlings has been identified as an important research need for successful cultivation of this species. We have addressed the possible benefits of soil-applied CaSO4 in establishing pawpaw seedlings on acidic, low-Ca orchard soil. Two-year-old seedling rootstocks were planted at a spacing of 1.5 m (within rows) × 5.5 m (between rows), and trickle-irrigated (with N, P, and K) for two growing seasons. Before planting, CaSO4 was applied at rates of 0, 11, and 22 t/ha and incorporated to a depth of 15 cm. Seedling trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) growth increased with increasing CaSO4 application. After the first season, increases in TCA averaged 27% and 44% greater with CaSO4 treatments (11 and 22 t/ha, respectively), as compared to the 0 t/ha treatment. This effect was accentuated by the end of the second season. Average qualitative ratings (based on seedling vigor and appearance) were also improved with CaSO4 treatment. These findings indicate that establishment of pawpaw seedling rootstocks may be improved with Ca fertilization in orchards of low-Ca status. Additional data, including seedling dry matter accumulation, will be presented.
Abstract
The changes of amino acid compositions of peach proteins from the Alcohol Insoluble Solids of peaches (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cvs. Redhaven and Redskin at 5 stages of maturation were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography. Most amino acids in the peach proteins showed gradual increases, as percent of total amino acid, throughout the maturation periods except aspartic acid in both peach cultivars and arginine in the ‘Redskin’ peaches. The amino acid profiles of the ripe fruits from both cultivars were nearly identical.
Late spring freezes often result in significant flower bud kill in deciduous fruit trees. Some products have been marketed as frost protectant compounds which purportedly protect flower stigmas and ovaries from freezing injury and death. Two of these compounds, Frost Free and Frostgard, were tested at two locations in South Carolina over three years. Varieties `Junegold', `Loring', `Redhaven', and `Jefferson' were treated with Frost Free (FF) in years 1988-1990 and with Frostgard (FG) in 1990. Significant differences in fruit yield and vegetative growth occurred during this period, but no consistent trends were evident. In 1989, FF-treated `Redhaven' and `Jefferson' trees averaged 10.5 and 21.8 kg more fruit/tree than the controls. However, no lethal cold temperatures occurred during the bloom period. In 1990, FG-treated `Redhaven' trees averaged 8.0 kg more fruit/tree than the control trees. The fruit from FF-treated trees were lower in Brix, had less red color, and vegetative shoot growth was slightly greater than that of the FG and check trees. These data suggest that Frost Free may have plant growth regulator properties.
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal is an underused tree species with demonstrated potential as a new fruit crop and landscape ornamental plant. Best management practices for A. triloba are not adequately defined, particularly for field establishment in high-Na conditions characteristic of numerous southern U.S. production areas. We evaluated the growth and net macroelement uptake of field-grown A. triloba seedlings on soil amended with a single addition of gypsum at 0, 7.5, or 15.0 t·ha-1 and later receiving a regular supply of Na-affected but nonsaline irrigation water [sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of 15.5 and electrical conductivity (EC) at 0.4 dS·m-1]. Over two growing seasons, the soil saturation extract Ca concentration increased while the soil saturation extract SAR decreased with increasing gypsum rate. Amending the soil with gypsum increased total lateral branch extension per tree by 60% to 73% and trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) per tree by 68% to 87% above a non-gypsum-amended control treatment. Total dry matter accumulation and the net uptake of N, P, and K per tree were over 100% greater following gypsum application as compared to controls. The growth and mineral uptake-enhancing effects of gypsum were likely related to functions of Ca at the root level and on soil physical properties that should be considered in establishing young A. triloba trees with irrigation water containing high sodicity but relatively low total salinity.
Abstract
Mulching ‘Puebla 152’ beans with rice hulls to a depth of 4 cm reduced afternoon soil temperature, soil temperature fluctuation, and slowed the loss of soil moisture. These effects were greatest prior to canopy closure. Fresh weight of nodules, roots, stems, leaves, and total plant increased 50%, 38%, 49%, 24%, and 38%, respectively, with mulching, but pod and final seed weight were unaffected. Mulching had little effect on the concentration of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. N2 fixation rates (C2H2 reduction) were low (≤ 0.6 µmole/plant per hr) but were as much as 3 times higher in mulched than unmulched plants.
Ethylene is essential for the senescence process in many fruit and flowers. In the last two steps in the biosynthesis of ethylene in plants ACC synthase converts S-adenosyl methionine to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid(ACC). ACC oxidase (ACO) then degrades ACC to ethylene. Inhibitors of ethylene synthesis, such as amino-oxyacetic acid, and of the response to ethylene, such as silver thiosulphate, delay or prevent senescence. By expression of an antisense version of ACO RNA, we have generated two varieties of transgenic carnation which produce flowers with an extended vase life. These were produced using the cultivars Red Sim and White Sim. Flowers from these plants produce very little ethylene and normally fail to display the inrolling phenotype typical of senescence in this species. At the time after harvest when inrolling would normally lake place (5 days), the antisense ACO flowers produce only barely detectable levels of endogenous ACO mRNA or ACS (ACC Synthase) mRNA. Exposure to exogenous ethylene(100ppm) induces inrolling and production of ACS and ACO mRNA species. Such carnations will be valuable both as a commercial product and as a tool for further exploring the role of ethylene in carnation flower senescence and leaf wound response.