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Soil samples collected from four remnant prairie plant communities in Indiana were used as innoculum for pot cultures of Sudan grass seedlings (Sorghum sudanense). The growth of seedlings was correlated with the quality of the prairie remnant; the less degraded sites provided innoculum which resulted in the most vigorous plant growth in culture. Sudan grass root segments were harvested and prepared for assay of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae. VAM was shown to be present in innoculated samples. Results indicate that soil collected from undisturbed prairie remnants may provide a better source of VAM innoculum for larger scale production of plants which associate with VA mycorrhizae.
Soil from four native prairie remnant sites was used as inoculum in pot culture to achieve vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection of Sudangrass [Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf]. The prairie sites varied in their management histories and degradation levels. Sudangrass plants that became infected with VAM grew better than those grown in standard pasteurized greenhouse mix or those grown in a pasteurized greenhouse–prairie soil mix. Soil from prairie remnants may serve as a beginning source of inoculum that can be increased via Sudangrass pot culture for inoculation of prairie plant seedlings in nursery production.
Dormant bud tissue from two or more trees representing 18 red maple (Acer rubrum L.) cultivars was subjected to isozyme analyses using starch-gel electrophoresis. Polymorphic enzymes resolved were alcohol dehydrogenase, peroxidase, phosphoglucase isomerase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, leucine aminopeptidase, acid phosphatase, and malic dehydrogenase. An enzyme pattern or combination of patterns was useful in identifying individual cultivars, these included: `Autumn Blaze', `Autumn Flame', `Bowhall', `Celebration', `Columnare', `Curtis', `Doric', `Firedance', `Gerling', Y.J. Drake', `Morgan', `Northwood', `Scarlet Sentinel', `Schlesingeri', and `Tilford'. `Armstrong', `October Glory', and `Red Sunset' could not be distinguished from each other on the basis of enzymes examined in this study.
The objectives of this study were to compare the growth of prairie forb seedlings inoculated with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi to noninoculated seedlings transplanted to a highway right-of-way and to evaluate the effect of different VAM fungal species or combinations on posttransplant seedling growth. Four species of prairie forbs: pale-purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida Nutt.), prairie blazingstar (Liatris pycnostachya Michx.), prairie phlox (Phlox pilosa L.), and gray-headed coneflower [Ratibida pinnata (Venten.) Barnh.], were grown in greenhouse mix and inoculated with Gigaspora margarita Becker and Hall, or Glomus interadicies Schenk and Smith, or with a native Indiana prairie soil inoculum, or with a mix of all three. They were transplanted to a highway site in June, 1994. Only gray-headed coneflower exhibited a positive growth response to VAM inoculation. Inoculation of gray-headed coneflower with G. margarita produced the largest growth response by the end of the experiment.
The objective of this study was to determine whether container size or incorporation of water-holding hydrogels in the container medium would affect growth of prairie perennials transplanted on a steep slope. Seedlings of pale-purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida Nutt.), rough blazingstar (Liatris aspera Michx.), gray-headed coneflower [Ratibida pinnata (Venten.) Barnh.], and little bluestem grass [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash.], were grown in 3.7-cm (1.46-inch) diameter tubes that were either 13 cm (5.1 inches) or 18 cm (7.1 inches) long containing either standard greenhouse mix or the mix amended with hydrogels Terra-sorb AG or Liqua-Gel, or a nonhydrogel experimental compound, GLK-8924. The seedlings were transplanted to the slope in May 1994, and harvested in June 1995. After two growing seasons, plants of pale-purple cone-flower and gray-headed coneflower from the longer containers were larger (dry weight) than those from the shorter containers. The blazingstar and little bluestem were unafffected by container size. Terra-sorb AG and Liqua-Gel did not significantly affect height growth of the prairie perennials. GLK-8924-amended medium resulted in smaller or similar height plants.
Damage caused by misapplication of herbicides in landscape management or drift from agricultural fields on to nearby landscape plantings is often difficult to diagnose. Symptoms may vary with herbicide, species that is damaged, and other factors. To address this need, a photo CD-ROM has been developed to help plant damage diagnosticians determine if damage has been caused by herbicides. Fourteen herbicides or herbicide combinations commonly used in turfgrass, landscape, or field crop production applications were applied to 21 taxa of landscape trees, shrubs, groundcovers, or herbaceous perennials. More than 800 photographic transparencies of damage symptoms (representing all 21 taxa and 12 herbicides) were taken, and 457 were selected for storage in the digitized photo CD format for rapid retrieval. In all cases, as damage symptoms were observed, they were photographically recorded using a Nikon FM camera with a 55-mm micro-NIKKOR lens and Fujichrome Velvia transparency film under ambient, sunlit conditions. Species and plant taxa lists are displayed and the CD-ROM is demonstrated.
Indiana Master Gardeners were surveyed to determine their perceptions of adequacy of training related to pesticide use in the home garden and landscape. Respondents were also asked to indicate their attitudes regarding “organic” gardening practices and education. Of the 1054 surveys mailed, 568 were returned with usable responses. Of these responses, 217 had received some advanced training. More than 75% of respondents felt that their MG training was at least adequate in the areas of problem diagnosis, pesticide selection & use, and pesticide safety. MG training in non-conventional pest control methods was deemed inadequate by 43%. Organic gardening information and techniques were described as at least somewhat important by 92% of the respondents. Organic gardening methods are always practiced by 10%, usually practiced by 49%. MG training in organic gardening was described as thorough by 10% of the respondents, adequate by 47%, inadequate by 30%. No training was received in this area by 12%. Responses often varied with age, gender, and educational and training background of the respondent.
Indiana Master Gardeners were surveyed to determine their attitudes and practices related to pesticide use in the home garden and landscape. The data are of interest for the purpose of preparing educational programs for Master Gardeners and the public. Of the 1054 surveys mailed, 53.8% were returned with usable responses. When questioned about protective clothing worn during spray application of pesticides, most respondents indicated that long sleeves were not worn (57%), that long pants were worn (71%), that protective shoes were worn (76%) and that breathing protection was not used (80%). A median response of 0% of pesticides were reported to be stored in a locked cabinet. However, of those pesticides that were not in a locked cabinet, 74% were stored at least 4 feet off the floor. Master Gardeners with children reported locked storage of pesticides more often than those without children. Responses concerning disposal of containers indicate an area for future education. Only 54% of Master Gardeners reported rinsing their pesticide containers prior to disposing of them, while 73% indicated that the containers were included in the regular trash collection. Responses often varied with age, gender, and other demographic characteristics of the respondents.