Abstract
A 50% increase in total radiation by extending the photoperiod from 16 to 24 hr doubled the weight of all cultivars of loose-leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) ‘Grand Rapids Forcing’, ‘Waldmanns Green’, ‘Salad Bowl’, and ‘RubyConn’, but not a Butterhead cultivar, ‘Salina’. When total daily radiation (moles of photons) was the same, plants under continuous radiation weighed 30% to 50% more than plants under a 16 hr photoperiod. By using continuous radiation on loose-leaf lettuce, fewer lamp fixtures were required and yield was increased.
Abstract
Cultivars of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in the greenhouse and in growth chambers to study the effects of root and air temperature on flowering and yield. A low air temperature of 19° (day)/14°C (night), during the fall crop, caused no reduction in yield when compared with the commonly used 22°/17° air temperature. A 13°/8° air temperature during the spring crop drastically reduced yield compared with the 19°/14°C air temperature. Flowering of ‘Ohio MR-13’ in growth chambers was delayed significantly at air temperatures of 24°/8° compared to 24°/17°, but the flowering of ‘Vendor’ was unaffected by air temperature treatments. Marketable yield of ‘Vendor’ was significantly higher at 24°/8° compared to the 24°/17° treatment, while the marketable yield of ‘Ohio MR-13’ was unaffected. At a constant, day air temperature of 24°, the amount of small fruit decreased as night air temperature was lowered from 17° to 8° and maturity was delayed as night air temperature was lowered from 14° to 8°. The effect of low air temperature on flowering and yield of tomatoes was large and could not be offset by increasing root temperatures. At air temperatures of 24°/17°, 24°/14°, and 24°/8°, marketable yields were affected adversely by the absence of root thermoperiodicity (day to night root temperature variation).
Abstract
Four cultivars of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in the greenhouse and two cultivars were grown in growth chambers in order to study the effects of root and air temperature on the elemental composition (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) of leaf tissue. Most of the variation observed in the nutrient composition of leaves was due to air temperature and the cultivar used; only few root temperature effects were significant. Low air temperatures (24°/14°C, 24°/8°, 19°/14°; day/night) resulted in higher N concentrations in the leaf tissue, whereas root temperature had little effect on N. Response to air temperature was similar for P or for N. However, response to high root temperature (27° and 24° in the greenhouse and the growth chamber, respectively) was greater for P than for N. Air and root temperatures had little effect on K concentration in tomato leaves. Consistently high Ca and Mg levels resulted with low air temperatures (24°/8°, 19°/14°, 13°/8°), whereas root temperature had no effect on accumulation of these two nutrients. The incidence of blossom-end-rot in the fruit of all cultivars used in the study was associated with low Ca and Mg levels in the leaf tissue.
Abstract
Several levels of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were tested for effects on growth of 4 cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under controlled-environment conditions. Growth of ‘Salad Bowl’, ‘Bibb’, and ‘Ruby’ was greater at 932 µmol s -1m-2 than at ≤ 644 µmol s-1m-2 under a 16-hour photoperiod. Thirty mM NO3 - or 5 mM NH4 + + 25 mM NO3 - increased leaf dry weight while reducing leaf chlorosis in ‘Salad Bowl’ and ‘Grand Rapids’ relative to that with 15 mM NO3 -, and reduced leaf purpling in ‘Bibb’ and ‘Ruby’ with little or no effect on yield. Continuous illumination with 455 or 918 µmol s-1 m-2 stimulated yield of ‘Salad Bowl’ and ‘Bibb’ when 30 mM N as NH4 + + NO3 - was used relative to that with 15 mM NO3 -.
Abstract
A method is described for studying the 3-dimensional distribution of roots grown in a medium consisting of small pieces of glass. After growing to a desired size, the plant is sacrificed by evaporating all water from the media with flowing air. To visualize the undisturbed root system, an immersion oil with the same refractive index as the glass is added to the glass container in which the plant was grown.
Abstract
‘Salad Bowl’ and ‘Waldmann’s Green’ leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were exposed to photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) of 444 or 889 µmol s–1m–2 for 20 hours day–1 under a diurnal temperature regime of 25°C days/15° nights or 20° days/15° nights. Leaf dry weight of both cultivars was highest under the high PPFD/warm temperature regime and lowest under the low PPFD/cool temperature regime. ‘Waldmann’s Green’ yielded more than did ‘Salad Bowl’ at 889 µmol s–1m–2 and 25° days/20° nights. Under high PPFD, both cultivars yielded better with 25° days/25° nights than with 25° days/20° nights, although relative growth rates were the same under both temperature regimes.
Abstract
Plants of everbearing strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. ‘Quinault’) were grown in solution culture with 0.01, 0.05, 0.25, and 1.25 ppm boron. Fruit developed abnormally on deficient plants, but there was no reduction in fruit weight. Where boron was insufficient, flower number per leaf, fruit set, or fruit enlargement limited yield but where boron was intermediate, leaf numbers limited yield. No single component limited yield at the highest level of boron.
Abstract
The cultivation of a wide range of ornamental plants in a closed hydrosolaric greenhouse was studied. The hydrosolaric greenhouse was composed of a solar energy harvesting system and a hydroponic system. Energy collected by the greenhouse air from the sun during the day was conserved in the growth solution, which released it during the night. This system was able to maintain the air temperature 6 C above the outdoor temperature during the night. Relative humidity ranged between 85 and 100%, thus providing a favorable environment for tropical foliage plants. Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Ficus benjamina L., F. lyrata Warb., Anthurium andreanum Lind and Brassaia actinophylla Endl. produced under this system were of excellent quality.
Abstract
Symptoms of zinc deficiency in hydroponically-grown Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl. included plant stunting, uniformly chlorotic foliage and very small leaves bearing stubby, clustered pinnae.
Abstract
Boron deficiency symptoms of hydroponically-grown Ficus elastica Roxb. ‘Decora’ included plant stunting, deformation of immature leaves and necrosis of terminal bud. Excessive boron caused the undersides of mature leaves to have brown, circular lesions with chlorotic halos, starting at leaf margins. Affected leaves abscised prematurely. Boron deficiency symptoms of hydroponically-grown Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl. included stunted growth, chlorotic mottling and streaking of leaflets and eventual death of immature leaves and terminal bud. Inflorescences bore necrotic fruits and died prematurely. Toxicity symptoms included leaflet mottle chlorosis and premature death and tip-bum of all leaves.