Search Results
Abstract
Ca infiltration into the flesh of mature ‘Jonathan’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) from a postharvest dip was enhanced by increasing the CaCl2 concentration, decreasing the temperature and surface tension of the cooling solution, increasing the initial fruit temperature, and increasing the submersion duration. Increases of fruit Ca to levels normally adequate to control storage disorders were achieved by cooling fruit at 21°C for 10 minutes in 4% CaCl2 plus 0.1 % surfactant L-77 at -1°. The results suggest that hydrocooling apples with a refrigerated CaCl2 solution would offer a practical means of postharvest Ca enrichment.
Abstract
Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Brilliant Anne was grown in 13 different media under frequent irrigation such that all media were nominally at container capacity. Media were selected to represent a range in airfilled porosity (0–20%) at container capacity with a depth of 12 cm. Substantial addition of organic amendment (40–90% v/v) improved aeration in a poorly aggregated loam and in two sands. Peat plus vermiculite had the best aeration of all media. Thirty day top yields were related to aeration properties of the media measured at container capacity. A value of 10–15% air-filled porosity was generally related to best growth. Oxygen diffusion rate (ODR) for the medium profile provided a better correlation with plant growth than air-filled porosity. A profile ODR of 45g O2 × 10‒8 cm-2 min-1 and above gave best growth.
We grew three diploid (2X) Citrus rootstock seedlings and their autotetraploids (4X) at elevated CO2 to obtain insights into limitations on growth and net gas exchange that have been associated with tetraploidy. Well-nourished Volkamer lemon (Volk), Troyer citrange (Troy), and Cleopatra mandarin (Cleo) were grown in greenhouses at ambient or twice ambient CO2 for 3 months. We measured plant growth, water relations, mineral nutrition, and net gas exchange characteristics of leaves. Overall, tetraploid roots were thicker as 4X had lower root length: dry weight ratio or specific root length (SRL) than 2X roots. Tetraploid plants were smaller and had higher root/shoot ratios, shorter fibrous roots, and lower whole plant transpiration than 2X. Tetraploids also had lower leaf N and P concentrations on a dry weight basis. Since 4X leaves had thicker leaves (more dry weight per area) than 2X leaves, these nutrient differences disappeared when expressed on an leaf area basis. Elevated CO2 increased plant growth but decreased leaf N, P, and K apparently by a growth dilution effect. Elevated CO2 also increased fibrous root thickness, leaf thickness, and net assimilation of CO2 (ACO2) but decreased stomatal conductance and transpiration such that leaf water use efficiency increased. There was no effect of ploidy level on ACO2 but 4X Volk and Troy had lower rates of ACO2 than their diploids at elevated CO2. Hydraulic conductivity of intact root systems (measured in a pressure pot) was correlated to total plant growth but variability obscured effects of CO2 or ploidy on root conductivity. The low SRL of tetraploids were correlated with lower rates of water use and lower leaf nutrient concentrations, which may be operative in determining the growth characteristics associated with tetraploidy.
Diploid (2x) and autotetraploid (4x) Citrus L. rootstock cultivars were grown at elevated CO2 to obtain insights into limitations on growth and net gas exchange that have been associated with tetraploidy. Well-nourished 2x and 4x seedlings of `Volkamer' lemon (Volk, C. volkameriana Ten & Pasq.), `Troyer' citrange [Troy, C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] and `Cleopatra' mandarin (Cleo, C. reticulata Blanco.), were grown in greenhouses at either ambient or twice ambient CO2 for 4 months. Plant growth, water relations, mineral nutrition, and net gas exchange characteristics of leaves were measured. Most 4x plants were smaller and had lower rates of whole plant transpiration but shorter fibrous roots than 2x plants. Fibrous roots of 4x were thicker than 2x roots as indicated by a lower specific root length (SRL) in 4x than in 2x roots. Root hydraulic conductivity was correlated to total plant growth but there were no effects of CO2 or ploidy on root conductivity. Tetraploid leaves had lower N concentrations than 2x leaves when expressed on a dry weight basis but these differences disappeared when N concentration was expressed on an leaf area basis because 4x leaves had more leaf dry weight per area (LDW/a) than 2x leaves. Plant growth was greater and SRL was lower at elevated CO2 than at ambient CO2. LDW concentrations of N, P, and K were lower at elevated CO2 than at ambient apparently due to a growth dilution effect. LDW/a, net CO2 assimilation (ACO2), and leaf water use efficiency were greater at elevated CO2 than at ambient. Overall, there was no effect of ploidy on ACO2 but 4x Volk and Troy had lower rates of ACO2 than their 2x at elevated CO2. Net gas exchange of tetraploid leaves was less responsive to elevated CO2 than 2x leaves. The low SRL of tetraploids was correlated with low whole plant transpiration rates and low leaf area-based N concentrations, which may be operative in determining the growth characteristics associated with tetraploidy.
Abstract
A calcined shale potting medium is useful to obtain intact root systems free of substrate. Root system structure and shape is retained with minimal damage upon removal from this medium.
Abstract
Rooting of stem cuttings of Bougainvillea cv. San Diego Red, Ceratonia siliqua L., Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. cvs. Golden Anne and Mandalay, Euonymus japonica L. cv. Yellow Edge, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. cv. Eckspoint C-1 Red, Hedera helix L., Trachelospermum jasminoides [Lindl.] Lem., Juglans hindsii (Jeps.) Jeps., Pistacia chinensis Bunge, and Salix laevigata Bebb. is greatly promoted by basal dipping in H2SO4 prior to applying indolebutryic acid. Pre-treatment with NaOH results in considerable increase of rooting of cuttings of Rhododendron (Pericat) cv. Sweetheart Supreme, Bougainvillea, Liquidambar styraciflua L., Osmanthus heterophyllus G. Don cv. Ilicifolius, and Pinus radiata D. Don.
Abstract
The fruit size of randomly mixed plantings of 10 tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes, both inbred and hybrid, were compared with pure plantings in a standard spacing. Some intergenotypic competition was encountered as shown by reduced fruit size within the mixed stand, but it was not at a level that would affect selection. Comparing mixtures of hybrids and inbreds separately with respective pure stands showed the levels of intergenotypic competition to be quite similar.
Pollen source is known to affect the fruit size and quality of 'Imperial' mandarin, but no study has determined the appropriate orchard design to maximize the beneficial effects of pollen source. We determined the parentage of seeds of 'Imperial' mandarin using the isozyme shikimate dehydrogenase to characterize pollen flow and the effect on fruit size in an orchard setting. Two blocks were examined: 1) a block near an 'Ellendale' pollinizer block; and 2) an isolated pure block planting. Fruit size and seed number were maximum at one and three rows from the pollinizer (P ≤ 0.05). Isozyme results were consistent with all seeds being the result of fertilization by the 'Ellendale' pollinizer. In the pure block planting, fruits in rows 5-11 inside the block were very small with no seeds. This indicates poor pollen flow resulting in a reduction in fruit quality for the pure block. These results emphasize the importance of pollinizers in orchard design, and bees in orchard management. They suggest that each row should be planted no more than three rows from the pollinizer to maximize the benefits of the pollen parent in self-incompatible cultivars such as 'Imperial'.
Abstract
Root regeneration from root cuttings of both difficult-to-transplant Pistacia chinensis and moderately easy-to-transplant Liquidambar styraciflua was studied in a sphagnum peat medium varying from 0-100% Ca saturation and from 0-50% air filled porosity. Maximum root regeneration of Pistacia root cuttings was obtained at 75% Ca saturation and 30% and 40% air filled porosity, whereas Liquidambar root cuttings regenerated roots best at 25% Ca saturation and at 20% to 40% air filled porosity. Indolebutyric acid applied to the root cuttings greatly increased root-regenerating potential of Pistacia root cuttings but did not affect the optimum Ca and aeration requirement(s). Similarly, indolebutyric acid treatment greatly promoted the root-regeneration potential of Liquidambar root cuttings. Satisfactory root-regenerating conditions of both Ca saturation and air filled porosity for Liquidambar root cuttings were a little broadened by indolebutyric acid (IBA) application.
Pistacia bare root seedlings also required high levels of Ca saturation and aeration for optimum root regeneration. Considerably greater numbers of roots were regenerated in peat having 75% Ca saturation and 20% air filled porosity than in peat having 0% Ca saturation and 5% air filled porosity. Root regeneration was not improved by increasing only the air filled porosity when Ca was low.
Abstract
Leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) from N fertilized and unfertilized plots were harvested at different stages of maturity, and analyzed for nitrate and nitrite at harvest and after storage at 10°C for 5, 10 or 15 days. Leaf nitrate-N increased with time in plants sidedressed with 340 kg N/ha, but decreased in unfertilized spinach. Leaves harvested at market maturity accumulated 5-fold more nitrite-N when held at 10°C for 15 days than immature leaves. N fertilization increased nitrate accumulation at harvest, and nitrite accumulation after 15 days at 10°C.