Search Results
Abstract
Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. cv. Sunny Mandalay plants were grown in hardwood bark media amended with various levels of insoluble poly (ethylene oxide) (Viterra Hydrogel, VH). Plants grown in rates ranging from 57–454 g/0.03 m3 required less watering, had increased shelf life, and exhibited no phytotoxicity.
Abstract
Growth of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat was evaluated in ground pine bark:sand mixes; a soil:peat:perlite mix; and commercially mixed media. Flowering stem:dry weight of plants grown in barkrsand (3:1 or 2:1, by volume) were comparable to commercial mixes but 100% pine bark or soil:peat:perlite significantly reduced plant height and flowering stem dry weight.
Abstract
Ilex X meserveae S. Y. Hu cvs. Blue Angel, Blue Maid, Blue Princess (pistillate) and Blue Prince (staminate) were planted around specially designed cross-shaped structures to determine tolerance to summer and winter stresses as affected by sun, shade, and wind patterns. Most plant damage occurred in the summer on the S and SW exposures where plant canopy and soil temperatures reached 43° and 48°C, respectively. All cultivars survived −23° in winter, but ‘Blue Angel’ was damaged. ‘Blue Princess’ was the hardiest and most fruitful cultivar. Shoot growth was greatest on ‘Blue Prince’ and ‘Blue Maid’. Plants performed best on the N, NE, and NW exposures, where summer temperatures were relatively cool and foliage temperature fluctuation were reduced in winter.
Abstract
Three of 6 antitranspirants significantly reduced winter injury 1 of 5 years when applied 1 and 2 times to Ilex × attenuata Ashe ‘Foster's No. 2’. No reduction of winter injury was observed during 1979 and 1980 even though leaf water potentials recorded during winter stress periods indicated that Exhalt 4-10, Vapor Gard, Wilt Pruf, Folicote, and Foligard significantly reduced transpirational loss of water in midwinter. Two applications of Folicote and Exhalt 4-10 increased water potential more than the single fall application, but did not reduce winter injury significantly. Clear Spray did not increase leaf water potential and appeared to crack and peel within 3 weeks aftef application. Scanning electron micrographs indicated better coverage of leaf surfaces by dipping them by spraying and verified the rapid cracking of Clear Spray.
Low-vigor seeds of black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida Ait.) primed in aerated -1.3 MPa KNO3 for 7 days at 30C in darkness had double the total germination percentage at 30C and one-half the mean time of germination as nonprimed seeds. Priming the seeds in polyethylene glycol rather than KNO3 generally resulted in lower total germination percentage and longer mean time of germination. Osmotic priming increased total germination percentage and germination rate of seeds germinated at 21.9 to 32.2C, but the priming benefit on total germination percentage was greater at ≤27.6C. Total germination percentage of primed and nonprimed seeds was highest at 28.8 to 32.2C.
Germination trials of three seedlots were conducted over a temperature gradient for 14 days to determine the optimal germination temperature for the Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida Ait.). The optimal germination temperature for R. fulgida seeds was 30 ± 1C. All three seedlots began germination (radicle emergence) on the second day at 30.2C. By day four, all seedlots sur-passed 50% germination, with three seedlots germinating 53%, 52%, and 73%. Mean germination percentages were higher between 28.3 and 32.6C than at temperatures above or below this range. Significantly higher germination percentages and enhanced germination rates attained at the elevated temperatures may save time, cut production costs, and decrease exposure to detrimental pre-emergent pathogenic fungi.
Abstract
Mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) cuttings and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Marketer) seedlings were cultured in water extracts of bark from silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and cottonwood (Populus deltoides Marsh.). Extracts of fresh silver maple bark inhibited root elongation of cucumbers and the adventitious rooting of mung bean. Composting the silver maple bark for 30 days prior to preparing the water extracts reduced inhibition. Pretreatment of fresh silver maple bark extracts with insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) reduced inhibition and indicated that the inhibitory compound was phenolic in nature. Chromatography and spectral analysis of common phenolic compounds and silver maple bark extracts revealed the toxic substance was similar to tannic acid.