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Spunbonded polyester or polystyrene row covers were used as additional cold protection for spinach (Spinacia oleracea), kale (Brassica oleracea), pak choi (Brassica rapa) and P-types of lettuce (Lactuca savita) grown in ground beds under unheated polyethylene tunnels during the fall and winter of 1991 and 1992 in climatic zone 6. Temperatures inside poly tunnels averaged 2.4C warmer than outside. Average temperatures were 1.9C warmer than control under polystyrene and 1.5C warmer under spunbonded polyester. Average hourly temperatures showed both row covers offered significantly more cold protection than the greenhouse covering alone; but the two row covers offered similar protection from the cold. Row covers did not result in fresh weight differences in most of the species tested, except kale which had greater fresh weight in control. It may be concluded that during a similar mild winter, these cool season vegetables could be grown under unheated polyethylene tunnels with no additional protection necessary. When temperatures are lower, row covers could provide the protection required to produce these crops.
Trials were conducted in California to evaluate techniques to extend storage life of netted muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.). The use of polyethylene bags, either as individual melon wraps or as liners for 18-kg commercial cartons, minimized water loss and associated deterioration of the fruit. Individual bags and carton liners were equally effective. A 3-minute dip in 60C water effectively checked surface mold development on wrapped fruits. Lower temperature and/or shorter exposure treatments were less effective. When applied in addition to hot water treatment, imazalil fungicide did not confer significant additional benefit. The combination of polyethylene bags and hot water treatment maintained high quality, marketable fruit for at least 28 days of storage at 3C,
A series of 20 informational brochures has been produced cooperatively by representatives from five departments and the horticulture industry. These brochures focus on environmentally sound, residential landscape practices. The brochures are designed for purchase by retail garden centers, nurseries, and landscape contractors for distribution to their customers, providing educational information and freeing employee time from answering questions. An order blank has been prepared, and the material is being promoted through the Virginia Nurseryman's Association and state and regional trade shows. Topics covered are planting shrubs, planting trees, making compost, using compost, storing pesticides, choosing pesticides, pesticide labels, integrated pest management, pruning trees and shrubs, applying pesticides, healthy soil, water-wise landscaping, diagnosing plant problems, fertilizing trees/shrubs, landscaping for less in the landfill, maintaining lawns, establishing lawns, choosing turfgrass, fertilizing lawns, and selecting hand tools.
Three percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was diluted with deionized water (dH2O) to 0.75%, 0.38%, 0.19%, 0.09%, or 0.05% H2O2 plus 1.5% sucrose for use in evaluation of Antirrhinum majus L. (snapdragon) cut flowers. Other vase solutions used as controls included; 300 ppm 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) plus 1.5% sucrose; dH2O plus 1.5% sucrose; and dH2O. A completely random design with 7 replicationss was used. Flowering stems of three commercial inbreds and one F1 hybrid of snapdragon were cut when the first five basal florets opened. Each stem was placed in an individual glass bottle containing one of the eight different treatments. Flowering stems were discarded when 50% of the open florets wilted, turned brown, or dried. Postharvest life was determined as the number of days from stem cutting to discard. Addition of H2O2 to vase solutions at rates of 0.19 and 0.09% resulted in postharvest life not different from that obtained with 8-HQC plus sucrose. Hydrogen peroxide plus sucrose extended postharvest life of snapdragon cut flowers 6 to 8 days over dH2O and 5 to 7 days over dH2O plus 1.5% sucrose.
136 ORAL SESSION (Abstr. 651-657) CROSS-COMMODITY COMPUTERS/EXTENSION
17 POSTER SESSION 1 (Abstr. 400-420A) Education/Extension