Abstract
Cultivars of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), nectarine [P. persica (L.) Batsch var. nectarina (Ait.) Maxim.] peach [P. persica (L.) Batsch], pear (Pyrus communis L.) and plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) differed in their phytotoxic responses to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation treatments designed to control the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wied.) without use of a subsequent cold treatment. Phytotoxic responses were relatively mild or negligible in most cultivars fumigated at 21°C with 48 g MB/m3 for 2 hours, 48 g/m3 for 3 hours, or 32 g/m3 for 4 hours. A few of the cultivars tested were very susceptible to MB injury. In some cultivars, both the control and fumigated lots exhibited symptoms of injury that apparently were not related to the fumigations but were caused by packinghouse handling or orchard practices. The fumigations slowed the ripening of cherries and plums. Decay of nectarines was slightly greater in fumigated than in control lots of fruit.
Dibutylurea (DBU), a breakdown product of benomyl, may be partially responsible for the previously reported phytotoxicity of the fungicide Benlate DF. We quantified the effect of DBU on the growth of two popular bedding plant species, petunia (Petunia × hybrida) and impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. f.). DBU reduced photosynthesis of both species, and its effect strongly depended on the amount of DBU applied. The effects of DBU were most apparent 2 to 4 days after treatment, at which time 1.20 g·m-2 (corresponding to 10% DBU in Benlate DF at maximum labeled drench rate) inhibited photosynthesis completely. DBU also decreased flower number and caused marginal necrosis. DBU effects were more pronounced in low relative humidity. Benlate DF containing 3.1% DBU and an equivalent amount of reagent grade DBU had similar effects on photosynthesis and petunia necrosis. Our results showed that DBU is responsible for at least part of the phytotoxic symptoms that can be caused by Benlate DF. However, other ingredients or breakdown products may also contribute to the phytotoxic symptoms of Benlate DF.
Experiments conducted in greenhouse and field environments investigated the acute and chronic phytotoxic effects of several house-hold and commercially available soaps, detergents, and oils applied to tomato (Lycoperiscum esculentum Mill.). In addition, the effect of these treatments on greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporarium (Westwood), was investigated. In the greenhouse experiments, the number of whiteflies observed was negatively correlated with phytotoxicity (i.e., higher phytotoxicity = fewer whiteflies). Ivory Clear detergent at two rates of application (0.5% or 2.0%) caused the greatest phytotoxicity to seedling tomato plants. Addition of vegetable oils to a 0.5% Ivory Clear detergent solution did not affect phytotoxicity to the plants. While commercially available insecticidal soap (M-Pede) and a neem seed extract (Margosan-O) had little phytotoxicity, they provided only a slight reduction of whitefly populations. A field experiment conducted in the absence of insect pressure showed phytotoxic effects to tomato plants as a result of continued treatment with New Ivory detergent. Significantly lower yield from this treatment resulted from reduced flower and/or fruit production. None of the other compounds in the field experiment significantly affected the yield of tomato plants.
phytotoxicity to turfgrasses when applied in high heat, at rates above label, on warm-season grasses, or on annual bluegrass ( Poa annua L.) greens; DMI fungicides also affect the gibberellic acid synthesis pathway in plants ( Bigelow et al., 1995 ; Buchenauer
Abstract
Applications of resmethrin at 0.6 g/liter and permethrin at 0.3 g/liter concentrations did not satisfactorily control green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). One application of permethrin at 0.15 g/liter controlled thrips, Echinothrips americanus Morgan, but repeated applications of resmethrin were necessary. Only Brassaia actinophylla Endl. showed significant phytotoxicity to resmethrin, but permethrin caused excessive injury to B. actinophylla, Epipremnum aureum (Linden & Andre) Bunt., Maranta leuconeura E. Morr. and Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott.
demonstrates that greenhouse operations that capture and reuse irrigation water are at risk of phytotoxicity or growth retardation on susceptible crops caused by the residual effect of paclobutrazol. We found paclobutrazol concentrations up to 1000 µg·L −1 in
Windrows of municipal yard and landscape waste at three commercial composting sites in California were sampled at ≈3-week intervals through 12 to 15 weeks of composting to observe changes in physiochemical and biological characteristics of importance to horticulture. Initial C, N, P, and K content averaged 30%, 1.3%, 0.20%, and 0.9%, respectively. Carbon concentration declined rapidly through the first 6 to 9 weeks, while N, P, and K remained relatively stable throughout the sampling period. Few viable weed seeds were found in any compost. A high level of phytotoxicity, as measured by a tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seed bioassay, was observed at only one site; overall, the degree of phytotoxicity declined with compost age. Short-term net N immobilization (in a 2-week aerobic incubation) was observed in nearly all samples, with an overall trend toward decreased immobilization with increased compost age. In a 16-week pot study in which fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) was grown in compost-amended soil, net N mineralization averaged only 2% to 3% of compost total N content. Neither composting site nor duration of composting significantly affected either N mineralization rate or fescue growth. Growth of vinca (Catharanthus roseus Don.) in a blend of 1 compost : 1 perlite increased with increasing compost age. Overall, at least 9 to 12 weeks of composting were required to minimize the undesirable characteristics of immature compost.
Filter paper types significantly affected the growth, development and differentiation of chrysanthemum and tobacco stem thin cell layers (TCLs) from in vitro plantlets. Three different filter paper types, normally with varied uses in plant biology, showed varying morphogenic-altering and antibiotic-buffering capacities. Advantec #2 and Whatman #1 significantly stimulated root, shoot and callus formation while Whatman #3 inhibited them, as compared to TCLs placed directly on agar. Filter paper buffered the phytotoxic effect of antibiotics kanamycin and cefotaxime, substances commonly used in genetic transformation experiments, up to as much as 50%, independent of species or genotype. In both `Lineker' and `Shuhou-no-chikara' chrysanthemum cultivars, Advantec #2 and Whatman #1 filter papers stimulated embryogenesis but in tobacco all three filter paper types significantly reduced embryogenesis and explant survival.
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium ×hortorum) from seed and african marigolds (Tagetes erecta), which are known to be highly susceptible to Fe toxicity problems, were grown with I, 2, 4, or 6 mm Fe from ferrous sulfate, ferric citrate, FeEDTA, FeDTPA, FeEDDHA, ferric glucoheptonate, or ferrous ammonium sulfate in the subirrigation solution. FeEDTA and FeDTPA were highly toxic to both species, even at the 1 mm rate. Ferrous sulfate and ferrous ammonium sulfate caused no visible toxicity symptoms on marigolds, but did reduce dry weights with increasing Fe concentrations. Both materials were slightly to moderately toxic on zonal geraniums. FeEDDHA was only mildly toxic at the 1 mm concentration on both species, but was moderately toxic at the 2 and 4 mm concentrations. Substrate pH was generally negatively correlated with geranium dry weight and visible phytotoxicity ratings, with the least toxic materials, ferrous sulfate and ferrous ammonium sulfate, resulting in the lowest substrate pHs and the chelates FeEDTA, FeDTPA, and FeEDDHA the highest pH. The ionic Fe sources, ferrous sulfate and ferrous ammonium sulfate, suppressed P uptake in both species, whereas the Fe chelates did not. Fe EDDHA should be considered as an effective and less toxic alternative for the widely used FeEDTA and FeDTPA in the production of these crops.
Abstract
Pecan shells, a waste product of the nut processing industry, were evaluated as a potential container medium component. Raw shells need to be hammer-milled or otherwise transformed into a physically consistent product. Shells were acidic (pH 4.8) and low in soluble salts and water-extractable nutrients. Four shell-based media (100% milled pecan shells, 3 shells: 1 sand, 1 shells: 1 sand, and 1 shells: 3 sand, v/v) were evaluated. Control medium was 1.5 Canadian sphagnum peat: 1 perlite (v/v). Growth of begonia (Begonia semperflorens Link and Otto ‘Scarlet’) and tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Rutgers’) increased linearly as percentage of sand was increased from 0% to 75%. Begonias grown in the 1 shell : 3 sand mix equaled growth and quality of control plants. None of the tomato plants in shell-based media were comparable in growth to the control, because of phytotoxic substances associated with shells and the inadequacy of easily available water of shell-based media. Ilex × ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ grown in shell-based media were equivalent in size and quality to those in peat-perlite.