( Kuhar et al., 2018 ). Vine desiccation before potato harvest is a common practice in the United States, giving producers the ability to regulate tuber growth and skin set, prevent spread of diseases, and facilitate more efficient harvest due to reduced
July of Year 3. Blossoms are generally selectively harvested in these fields for use as cut flowers in early spring of Years 2 and 3. Paraquat herbicide is commonly used in mid-summer of Year 2 to desiccate weeds and hasten the drying of narcissus
Desiccation tolerance is a seed trait of significant horticultural importance. For example, the ability to tolerate considerable levels of postharvest desiccation is one of the key factors for maintaining seed viability and extending shelf life
high water contents (greater than 30%), a feature that is often associated with recalcitrant behavior ( Berjak et al., 1992 ). However, the tolerance of Ilex seeds to desiccation and low temperature storage has not been properly investigated. Moreover
Abstract
Seed weight, germination, seedling emergence, and yields were examined following desiccation of southernpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp cv. Mississippi Purple] plants with glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine]. Dry seed weight was not reduced by the desiccation process; however, seed quality of those treated at immature stages was reduced. Germination, seedling emergence, and yield from seed desiccated at immature stages were significantly less than from seeds desiccated at more mature stages of development. No differences were apparent between desiccation at mature stages and the control.
), which are collected after the fruit split on the trees. We suspect that light-brown and dark-brown seeds may possess different maturity and thus might show different physiological responses to desiccation and subzero temperatures. In practice, most of
Experiments determined the effectiveness of the bipyridinium herbicides paraquat and diquat and of the diphenyl ether herbicide lactofen to desiccate onion (Allium cepa L.) shoots without affecting bulb quality and storage life. Paraquat, applied once, desiccated 80% of onion shoots within 3 days. Diquat desiccated ≈ 60% of onion shoots within 10 days of treatment. Lactofen caused slight necrosis but did not adequately desiccate onion shoots. Diquat and paraquat reduced sprouting of `Red Wethersfield' more than of `White Portugal'. Chemical names used: 6,7-dihydrodipyrido[l,2 2',1'-c] pyrazinediium ion (diquat); (±)2-ethoxy-l-methyl-2-oxoethy1 5-[2chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxyl] -2-nitrobenzoate (lactofen); 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium ion (paraquat).
Abstract
Several compounds were used to desiccate tops of onion (Allium cepa L.) prior to harvest. Most chemicals at various rates and timings caused an increase in postharvest disease and sprouting. Endothall at 1.1 kg active ingredient/ha had storage losses comparable to the control. Paraquat substantially elevated storage decay at all rates, but there was less increase from Ethephon and Stoddard Solvent. Disease in storage was not correlated with neck moisture as affected by spray treatments. Phenolic concentration in neck tissue studied for several treatments was weakly and negatively correlated with subsequent disease in storage.
Abstract
Leatherleaf fern [Rumohra adiantiformis (Forst.) Ching] was grown in controlled environment chambers set for day/night temperatures of 35/24C (high temperature regime, HTR) or 24/13C (low temperature regime, LTR). Fronds were harvested for vase life studies at 1100 and 1800 HR and held in holding rooms in deionized water. Plants were then moved to a greenhouse environment (16–25C) and, after 1 week, an additional set of fronds were harvested. Water uptake of harvested fronds declined exponentially and was generally lower for HTR fronds. HTR fronds had, for the most part, reduced vase life compared to LTR fronds. Most (81%) of the HTR fronds exhibited desiccation symptoms, whereas none of the LTR fronds did. These differences did not appear to be related to preharvest diffusive resistance or water potential differences.
-week-old pepper seedlings were treated using a spray method with film-forming and chemical antitranspirants, and were then exposed to desiccation by withholding water. The film-forming (physical) antitranspirants used were AntiStress (AS; Enviroshield Products