Exotic Plant Inventory and Invasiveness at Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Estates

The introduction of exotic ground covers, garden forbs, crops, and ornamentals at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, NY has occurred multiple times since 1764. In their inventory and assessment of more than 100 species, Bravo et al. (p. 682) report that 40% of species had not escaped cultivation, 44% had escaped, and 16% were migratory invaders. The data capture the movement of exotics over a significant period of time and underscore the value of site and species-specific assessments in addition to the use of invasive plant lists.

Aerial Photography Assists in Selection of Wild Maples

Wild plants in the intermountain western U.S. have potential for use in sustainable, low-water landscaping. Richards et al. (p. 669) found that aerial photography was an effective means of selecting wild bigtooth maple accessions with exceptional fall foliage color. These wild accessions were established in a nursery environment in northern Utah by chip budding wild scions onto coppiced seedling bigtooth maple rootstocks during July to mid-August.

Unintended Consequences of Urban Fertilizer Bans in Florida

Fertilizers have been implicated in eutrophication of urban water bodies, leading some counties and municipalities in the U.S. to employ the local ordinance to reduce fertilizer use. Hochmuth et al. (p. 600) reviewed the literature on nutrient management in urban landscapes, with emphasis on turfgrass nutrients. Nitrogen and phosphorus are required for healthy turfgrass and often are supplied from fertilizers. Nutrient losses most often are associated with mismanagement of fertilizers. Nutrient losses are minimized by the adoption of best management practices that result in healthy turfgrass.

Survey of Pineapple Production Practices in Costa Rica

Leon and Kellon (p. 644) conducted a survey among growers to characterize the predominant production practices used in farms growing ‘MD-2’ pineapple in Costa Rica. The results indicated that high planting densities were necessary to maximize yield. However, adequate fertilization also was required to ensure fruit size that met the standards for fresh fruit exports. Production practices mainly addressed the needs of the mother plant crop, but practices must be modified for the ratoon crop to avoid yield reductions. This study illustrated the value of information exchange between growers to identify adequate practices when technical information was not available.

Conservation Tillage for Processing Tomatoes in California

A few innovative processing tomato growers in California have demonstrated the application of conservation tillage practices on a large scale and have sustained the program over many years. Today, equipment for reduced tillage is available from many manufacturers or may be customized in producer shops. Mitchell et al. (p. 617) offer a chronology of innovations and provide guidance for reduced tillage opportunities for processing tomato producers. Conclusions from a 12-year field research evaluation conducted at Five Points, CA found that with a tillage program with 40% fewer passes than conventional practice, an $80/acre savings was realized without impacting yields.

High Tunnel and Open Field Production of Lettuce in Diverse Climates

Six lettuce varieties were evaluated for yield and quality when managed in open field or high tunnel systems. Wallace et al. (p. 659) report that in warm, southern climates (Knoxville, TN and Lubbock, TX), high tunnels allowed for production during periods of risk from freeze and wind/hail damage, and may also reduce premature bolting. In a maritime Pacific climate (Mount Vernon, WA), greater growing degree-day accumulation in high tunnels decreased harvest time by only 2 days; therefore, the profitability for high tunnel production of lettuce in this region is questionable.

High Tunnels Increase Blueberry Early Yield and Freeze Protection

Santos and Salame-Donoso (p. 700) compared the early yields of blueberry varieties in high tunnels and open fields in Florida. They reported that high tunnels were an effective means to avoid freezing air temperatures in ‘Snow Chaser’ and ‘Springhigh’ blueberries by giving flower protection. High tunnels reduced water use for freeze protection by only 1/10 of the standard volume inside the structures. High tunnels increased earliness by almost one month with blueberries heavily harvested in February inside the structures, whereas there were no commercial blueberries in the open fields until mid-March of each season.

Costs of Food Safety Certification on Fresh Produce Farms

Becot et al. (p. 705) measured the economic costs of USDA good agricultural practices (GAPs) audits of small and medium size farms in Vermont. The study explored all the criteria of the certification and measured the costs of GAPs from planning stages to daily recordkeeping more than one year after the certification was achieved. In-depth interviews and surveys of produce farmers revealed that the costs of GAPs certification ranged between $37 and $54 per acre and required an additional 7 hours each week during the growing season.

Lawn-watering Habits of Homeowners with and without In-ground Irrigation Systems

Bremer et al. (p. 651) surveyed 30,500 residential homeowners with and without in-ground sprinkler systems (IGS and NIGS, respectively) to compare their lawn-irrigation behaviors, perceptions, and knowledge. Homeowners with IGS watered much more frequently than NIGS homeowners. More IGS than NIGS homeowners wanted their lawn green all the time. In both groups, 65% to 83% did not know how much water they applied when they irrigated, and 7% to 9% swept or blew clippings or lawn-care products into streets or storm drains. Homeowners’ lawn irrigation knowledge and habits must be improved to help conserve water and protect water quality.

Revised Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges and Fertilizer Guidelines for Pecan

Leaf elemental concentrations are the preferred tool for assessing the nutritional status of pecan trees. Smith et al. (p. 594) revised leaf nutrient sufficiency ranges for pecan and differentiated sufficiency ranges for native trees and low-input variety orchards versus high-input variety orchards. Guidelines for fertilizer application based on the leaf elemental concentration are included.

Experiential Learning Enhances Knowledge Retention by Plant Science Students

Integration of field trips and informal learning experiences into an undergraduate curriculum can propel students toward self-driven inquiry. Bauerle and Park (p. 715) found experiential learning improved homework scores in a freshman level introductory biology course. Additionally, participating in a physical exercise (tree climbing) during the field trip provided students with a further increase in homework scores, particularly for students not enrolled in a plant science major.

Trumpetcreeper Control with Indole-3-acetic Acid Mimics and Diflufenzopyr

Trumpetcreeper is a perennial weedy vine throughout most of the eastern U.S. Beeler et al. (p. 677) evaluated aminocyclopyrachlor-methyl and aminopyralid alone and in mixtures with 2,4-D and diflufenzopyr for selective trumpetcreeper control. Aminocyclopyrachlor-methyl alone controlled trumpetcreeper 77% to 93%, while aminopyralid alone controlled trumpetcreeper 0% to 20% 12 months after treatment. The addition of diflufenzopyr or 2,4-D to aminocyclopyrachlor-methyl did not improve trumpetcreeper control; however, the addition of 2,4-D to aminopyralid significantly improved trumpetcreeper control. All aminocyclopyrachlor-methyl treatments controlled trumpetcreeper greater than or equal to dicamba and a pre-packaged mixture of triclopyr plus 2,4-D.