Search Results
Abstract
Costs were estimated for vegetatively producing plants of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. (Italica group) through tissue culture with 3 culture stages and growing the plants 7 weeks in the greenhouse to field transplant size. The analysis was based on producing 11,000 finished transplants per week. Unit costs were estimated at 11.6¢ for tissue culture production of each plantlet and an additional 3.8¢ greenhouse cost for growing to transplant size.
Abstract
Succinic acid-2,2-dimethylhydrazide (daminozide, SADH) applied to mature ‘Concord’ grape vines (Vitis labrusca L.) at 500 and 1000 ppm at first and at 50% bloom, was observed to increase fruitfulness and yield by increasing cluster weight. During 7 years cluster weight increases were associated with 2 to 6% decreases in berry size and 14 to 22% increases in berry number. Daminozide did not affect the number of seeds per berry, but did reduce weight per berry. Thus, increases in crop yield of up to 20 to 25% were obtained by increasing cluster weight and not by increasing cluster number. Daminozide increased total acid concentration slightly but had no effect on pH. Soluble solids were reduced by daminozide when yield increases, due to daminozide, were above 2 kg/vine. The effect on soluble solids appeared to result from increased productivity rather than from direct effect of the chemical. Daminozide reduced vine size more at the 1000-ppm than the 500-ppm rate.
Flower bud injury resulting from freezing temperatures has been a major problem in jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) C. Schneid.] production. A 3-year field study, which began with 4-year-old plants, evaluated the effect of three irrigation treatments on growth, flower bud survival, seed yield, seed weight, and seed wax concentration of six clones. After 3 years, irrigation cut-off dates of late May (dry treatment) and early September (medium treatment) resulted in reduced plant height and width compared to irrigating through November (wet treatment). Flower bud survival and seed yields were very low in the first year for all treatments. In the second and third years, bud survival for most clones, even at -8C, was greatly improved by withholding water in the fall. In December of the second and third years, plants in the medium and dry plots had lower leaf water potential than those in the wet plot. In the second year, plants in the medium and dry plots had seed yields that were 3.5 times higher and wax yields that were were 2.3 times higher than plants in the wet plot. In the third year, the medium treatment had the highest seed and wax yields. Average seed weight and seed wax concentration were generally highest for plants in the wet plot where seed yields were low. Withholding irrigation from jojoba in the fall appears to improve flower bud survival and seed and wax yields following cold winters.
Abstract
Rooted cuttings of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum X morifolium Ramat cv. Fiesta) were transplanted to flowing nutrient solutions with sustained NO- 3 concentrations of 75, 125, and 210 µm. On days one and 8 following transplanting, plants were transferred to static, nonreplaced solutions at the same concentrations at 0900 hr and solutions were sampled at 30 minute intervals for 8 hours (drawdown series). On day 8, an additional experiment was conducted in which plants were transferred to static solutions sampled and replaced hourly (replacement series). At the end of each series, plants were harvested and roots and shoots were analyzed for total- and NO- 3-N. In the drawdown series, on both days, uptake rates initially increased but then decreased. The concentration of NO- 3 at which net NO- 3 uptake ceased (C0) was unaffected by the initial concentration of NO- 3 (Ci) but increased from day one to day 8. Maximum uptake rates decreased, but C0 increased, from day one to day 8. In the replacement series, uptake rates initially increased but did not subsequently decrease, and were significantly less when Ci was 210 µm than when Ci was 75 or 125 µm. Concentrations of total-N and NO- 3-N in roots and shoots were significantly affected by Ci treatment, and prior exposure to NO- 3. Results support the hypothesis that ambient NO- 3 supply, plant NO- 3 status, and metabolism interact in determining rates of net NO- 3 uptake. These interactions may seriously complicate the interpretation of uptake-concentration relationships derived from drawdown experiments.
Abstract
The development of a mechanical harvester for erect blackberries is traced from its inception to commercialization. The harvesting and production system tested in this study required productive, erect cultivars that are mechanically pruned to form continuous hedgerows. An acceptable processed product is obtained from the system.
Abstract
A completely mechanized system for production, harvesting and handling strawberries (Fragaria × anassa Duch.) for processing is described. Pre-harvest cultural factors, including bed preparation, plant population, harvest date and clonal evaluation and adaptability to mechanical harvesting, were studied for 4 years. ‘Cardinal’, ‘Earlibelle’, and Arkansas breeding line A-5344 were well suited for once-over mechanical harvesting under Arkansas conditions considering yield, quality, and organoleptic evaluation. Plant population densities in the matted row system used in this study generally had little effect on yield or quality, unless a clone was of low vigor and poor runner plant producer. As harvest date was delayed, quality and useable yield often decreased. However, a minimum of a 6 day harvest period for mechanical harvesting existed for the cultivars tested. The results of this study indicate that once-over mechanical harvesting of strawberries is feasible when the proper cultivar is grown on properly shaped beds with good cultural practices and adequate postharvest handling procedures.
Most bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) produced and consumed are green. However, yellow, red, orange, white, black, and purple bell peppers are also available. While bell pepper consumption in the United States has been increasing in the past 10 years, limited information is available on how their color, retail price, and vitamin C content influence consumer preferences. A conjoint analysis of 435 consumer responses showed that, for the total sample, color was about three times more important than retail price in shaping consumers' purchase decisions, while vitamin C content was nearly irrelevant. Six distinct consumer segments were identified through cluster analysis. Four segments favored green peppers, while one segment favored yellow and one favored brown. Demographic variables generally were not good predictors of segment membership, but several behavioral variables, such as past bell pepper purchases, were significantly related to segment membership. While green is generally the preferred color, market segments exist for orange, red, yellow, and even brown peppers. Applications to marketing strategies suggested that price sensitivity could explain why green peppers were priced individually, but those of other colors were priced by weight, and that promotion of increased vitamin C content would be most effective if associated specifically with yellow and orange peppers.
For most grocery stores, external quality standards require that premium mandarins be orange, unblemished, and large. Thus, for consumers to differentiate among the premium mandarins on any dimension other than price, additional positioning attributes must be evaluated. This study considered consumer preferences for price ($2.18/kg, $4.39/kg, or $15.41/kg), packaging (1.36 kg of loose fruit, 1.36-kg bag, 2.27-kg box, or 0.23-kg clamshell with peeled fruit sections), type of mandarin (clementine, satsuma, tangerine), shelf life from the day of purchase (3, 14, or 31 days), and vitamin C content (with or without a label stating high in vitamin C). A conjoint survey was conducted in four grocery stores located in Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala. In total, 289 respondents used a 7-point intention-to-buy scale to rate photographs of 16 product profiles. Six market segments were identified, based on maximal similarity of preferences within each segment and maximal differences between segments. A simulation was conducted of the effect that an introduction of peeled-and-sectioned satsumas would have on the market share and gross revenue of other mandarins. This product showed great potential, but should be offered in a product mix that includes the loose form as well. Labeling for vitamin C was preferred by all segments, but did not contribute much to the intention-to-buy rating. Awareness and recognition of satsumas needs to be addressed in promotional campaigns. The longest shelf life was the first choice of almost half the respondents.
Annual-hill strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) production with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation is gaining popularity in North Carolina. Two experiments (E1 and E2) were conducted on a Wagram loamy sand (Arenic Kandiudult) in 1992 and on a Norfolk sandy loam (Typic Kandiudult) in 1993 to investigate the effects of fall-applied N and spring-applied N and K on `Chandler' strawberry yield and fruit quality. E1 treatments included factorial combinations of banded fall-applied N (0, 34, and 67 kg·ha-1) and drip spring-applied N (0, 0.19, 0.37, 0.56, and 0.75 kg·ha-1·d-1 and 0, 0.37, 0.75, and 1.12 kg·ha-1·d-1 in 1992 and 1993, respectively). E2 treatments included combinations of drip spring-applied N (0.56, 1.12, 1.68, and 2.24 kg·ha-1·d-1) and K (0.46, 1.39, and 2.32 kg·ha-1·d-1 and 0, 0.75, 1.49, and 2.24 kg·ha-1·d-1 in 1992 and 1993, respectively). There were no significant interactions among main effects for any of the measured variables. Market yield maximized with total N at ≈120 kg·ha-1 with one-half banded in the fall and the remainder drip-applied in the spring. Fruit firmness decreased with increasing N rate. Fruit pH and concentrations of total acids and soluble solids were not affected by N treatments, but soluble solids increased as the harvest season progressed. Plant crown number was not affected by N treatment but crown yield increased with N rate similar to market yield. There was no response to drip-applied K for any variable in either year. Based on soil test, fall-applied K (broadcast-soil incorporated) met the K requirements both years.
This article reviews the results of 5 years of marketing research on Alabama satsumas and makes recommendations for future progress. Although there are only 28 ha of satsuma orchards in production in Alabama at this time, there are a number of encouraging developments that suggest considerable potential for expanding the industry such as microsprinkler freeze protection, new early-maturing and cold-tolerant varieties, contract sales through the Farm-to-School Program, and rising demand for premium mandarins. Prospects for the industry marketing effort are considered from the perspectives of analyzing marketing opportunities, identifying market segments, selecting attractive target markets, designing marketing strategies, planning marketing programs, and managing the continuing marketing effort. A number of distinct consumer segments have been identified, including one that prefers fruit that is still slightly green and another that prefers a longer shelf life. A peeled-and-sectioned product also appears to have considerable market potential. Name recognition is still a problem as is insipid flavor from fruit that is marketed beyond its optimal ripeness. Needs for the future are detailed and include the needs of the commodity (freeze protection and expanded acreage), the needs of the market (consistency and quality), the needs of the product (quality standards and consumer awareness), the need for and the needs of a brand (recognition and equity potential), the needs of an organization (cooperation and leadership), and the needs of the industry (processes for building equity, forestalling competition, reducing supply shocks, and attracting investment).