Search Results
Abstract
Significant interactions between irrigation and N management for total yield and for incidence of brown center or hollow heart in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Russet Burbank) were found in field studies conducted in southeastern Idaho during 1987 and 1988. When soil water content was maintained at 80% to 90% available, 30 kg N/ha applied weekly for 3 weeks, beginning shortly after tuber initiation, resulted in a higher incidence of brown center or hollow heart than when the same total amount of N was applied pre-plant or in smaller increments over a longer period of time.
Abstract
Tagetes erecta L. cv. Golden Jubilee, Zinnia elegans Jacq. cv. Fire Cracker, and Petunia hybrida Hort. cv. Sugar Plum were grown in various sludge compost-based media based on fraction size. Growth determined by shoot dry weight was greatest in media containing greater portions of small compost particles. No nutrient deficiency symptoms or toxicity symptoms were observed. Shoot weight was increased by addition of a N-P-K fertilizer.
Abstract
Regression models of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Russet Burbank) leaf water potential (ψleaf) were developed for irrigated conditions using concurrent measurements of total solar irradiance (Rs), air vapor pressure deficit (VPD), air temperature (Ta) and windspeed. Estimates of potential evaporation (Ep) also were related to ψleaf. The data were collected over a 3-year period from two locations in southern Idaho. Of the variables tested, Rs had the highest simple correlation with ψleaf (r = 0.93), although a slightly higher correlation was obtained for log-transformed values of VPD (1n VPD). Potato ψleaf was best described by the equation ψleaf = -0.3672 - 0.1959 In VPD – 0.0005 Rs, where ψleaf, VPD, and Rs are expressed in units of MPa, kPa and W·m–2, respectively. The model accounted for 95% of the variation in ψleaf for well-watered ‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes. When the model was tested on an independent data set, it estimated diurnal changes in ψleaf for several different cultivars to within ±0.1 MPa of the measured values. The relationship between ψleaf and Ep was nonlinear and was described by an exponential function. Estimates for the Ep model were nearly identical to those for the VPD Rs model when ψleaf values were below -0.3 MPa.
Field studies were conducted in 1986 and 1987 to evaluate the potential of using canopy temperature measurements to evaluate the relative drought tolerance of potato genotypes. In both years, 14 potato genotypes representing a relatively wide range of Solarium tuberosum L. germplasm were grown under well-watered [irrigation ≈100% potential evapotranspiration (ET) and stressed (irrigation ≈40% to 50% potential ET) coditions. Irrigation differences were imposed with a line source irrigation system. Canopy temperatures of the 14 genotypes were measured between 0900 and 1430 hr on 7 clear days during tuber bulking. A general linear relationship between canopy minus air temperature (ΔT) and air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was determined for each year by regressing all ΔT data onto corresponding VPD values. The relative sensitivity of each genotype to changes in VPD was determined by regressing observed ΔT values onto the estimated ΔT from the general equation for that year. Genotypes with higher than average temperatures under well-watered conditions were generally less sensitive to changes in VPD than those with lower than average temperatures. Warmer genotypes under well-watered conditions were also generally less susceptible to drought than cooler genotypes. Thus, ΔT measurements from well-watered plots can be effectively used to assess the relative drought tolerance of potato genotypes.
Abstract
Reference values were derived from field data for use in evaluating the N, P, K, Ca, and Mg status of ‘Valencia’ orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) trees by the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS). DRIS diagnoses generally agreed with diagnoses made by the sufficiency range method, with the advantage that DRIS reflects nutrient balance, and identifies the order in which nutrients are likely to become limiting. DRIS diagnoses were affected by the type and age of the tissue sampled. DRIS reflected changes in nutrient concentrations due to alternate bearing or crop load effects and agreed with the sufficiency range method when concentration changes were sufficient to affect the latter method.
Abstract
Preharvest sprays of CaCl2, Ca(NO3)2, or water soluble wax increased berry size (by wt) and decreased the rate of softening during storage for 48 hr at 21°C. In a split plot experiment, with 4 cvs. and 3 dates of harvest, preharvest sprays of wax increased firmness but had no effect on total acidity, acid loss, water loss, or fungal decay. There were, however, significant interactions between cvs. and harvest dates in relation to firmness, acidity, and rot development.
Postharvest response of wild lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. and V. myrtilloides Michx.) to mechanical damage and storage temperature was studied during 2 years. Fruit weight loss and the incidence of shriveled or split berries were major components that contributed to the loss of marketable yield resulting from mechanical damage and storage temperature. Decay of berries resulted in only 1% to 2% of the total marketable fruit loss. In general, the major quality attributes (firmness, microbial growth, hue, bloom, split, and unblemished berries) deteriorated with increasing damage levels and increasing storage temperature without significant interaction. Temperature had consistent effects in both years on moisture content, soluble solids concentration, titratable acids, weight loss, shriveled and decayed berries, Hunter L values, and anthocyanin leakage, while damage level had inconsistent or no significant effect.