Showing papers in "Horttechnology in 2000"
TL;DR: Even though school gardening improved students’ attitudes towards vegetables, fruit and vegetables consumption of students did not significantly improve due to gardening, and the average daily fruit and vegetable consumption of the students participating in the Nutrition in the Garden study was 2.0 servings per day.
Abstract: Nutrition in the Garden is a garden program designed to help teachers integrate nutrition education into their classroom using a hands-on tool, the garden. The objectives of this research project were to 1) develop a garden activity guide to help teachers integrate nutrition education, specifically as it relates to fruit and vegetables, into their curricula, 2) evaluate whether students developed more positive attitudes towards fruit and vegetables by participating in the garden program, and 3) evaluate whether students developed better nutritional behavior by eating more fruit and vegetables after participating in the garden program. Students’ nutritional attitudes regarding fruit and vegetables were measured with a fruit and vegetable preference questionnaire divided into three sections targeting vegetables, fruit, and fruit and vegetable snacks. Students’ nutritional behaviors regarding fruit and vegetables were evaluated through 24-hour recall journals. After gardening, students’ attitudes towards vegetables became significantly more positive. In contrast, no differences were detected in attitudes towards fruit. Students also had more positive attitudes towards fruit and vegetable snacks after gardening, with female students and younger students having the greatest improvement in snack attitude scores. Even though school gardening improved students’ attitudes towards vegetables, fruit and vegetable consumption of students did not significantly improve due to gardening. Overall, the average daily fruit and vegetable consumption of the students participating in the Nutrition in the Garden study was 2.0 servings per day. This falls short of the estimated national average for daily fruit and vegetable consumption for this age group (3.4 servings) and extremely short of the nationally recommended 5.0 servings per day.
179 citations
TL;DR: Physiological processes influenced by low O 2 and limit storability are discussed and the interdependence of O 2 concentration, O 2 uptake by the product, and temperature are discussed relative to requirements for packaging films.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. respiration, ripening, fermentation, glycolysis, ethanol, fruit, veg- etables, safe working atmosphere SUMMARY. The application of low oxygen through modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technique used successfully to preserve the visual quality of lettuce and some other commodi- ties. The expansion of use of low O 2 via MAP to preserve quality of most commodities is limited by technical difficulties achieving target O 2 concentrations, adverse physiological responses to low O 2 , and lack of beneficial responses to low O 2 . Low O 2 often is not used simply because the physiological responses governed by the gas are not limiting quality maintenance. For instance, shelf life may be governed by decay susceptibility, which is largely unaffected by low O 2 and may actually be exacerbated by the conditions encountered in hermetically sealed packages. Physiological processes influenced by low O 2 and limit storability are discussed. The interdependence of O 2 concentration, O 2 uptake by the product, and temperature are discussed relative to requirements for packaging films.
161 citations
TL;DR: The experiment reported here was designed to further examine the role of plants in pain perception and found that more subjects were willing to keep a hand submerged in ice water for 5 min if they were in a room with plants present, but the presence of plants was perceived as making the air in the room fresher.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. benefits of plants, emotional responses, foliage plants, human-horticulture relationships, human issues in horticulture, human well- being, pain, people-plant interactions, response to nature, room assessment SUMMARY. A well-known research report showed that being in a hospital room with a view of trees rather than a view of a building was linked to the use of fewer pain-reducing medications by patients recovering from surgery. The experiment reported here was designed to further examine the role of plants in pain perception. We found that more subjects were willing to keep a hand submerged in ice water for 5 min if they were in a room with plants present than if they were in a room without plants. This was found to be true even when the room without plants had other colorful objects that might help the subject focus on something other than the discomfort. Results from a room assessment survey confirmed that the room with colorful, nonplant objects was as interesting and colorful as the room with plants present, but the presence of plants was perceived as making the air in the room fresher.
145 citations
TL;DR: The perceived value that gardens have to the well-being of people is discussed, both individually through the enjoyment of their own gardens and collectively through the contribution of city gardens to environmental enhancement.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. gardening, greenspace, horticultural therapy, restorative environment, urban food production, urban sustainability SUMMARY. Private gardens occupy a significant proportion of the total surface area of a British city. For many people, the garden represents their only contact with nature and their chance to express themselves creatively. Yet relatively little research has been carried out on the role and value of such gardens to human well-being. We report in this paper on a major survey on the role of private, urban gardens in human well-being, conducted with a wide cross-section of randomly selected garden owners from the city of Sheffield, England, over the summer of 1995. In particular, we discuss the perceived value that gardens have to the well-being of people, both individually through the enjoyment of their own gardens and collectively through the contribution of city gardens to environmental enhancement. We relate these values to age, gender and social demographics.
140 citations
TL;DR: The tolerances of horticultural commodities to CO 2 are outlined, as are also the associated biochemical and physiological aspects of differences in tolerance between and within commodity types.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. postharvest, storage, modified atmosphere packaging, minimal processing SUMMARY. The tolerances of horticultural commodities to CO 2 are outlined, as are also the associated biochemical and physiological aspects of differences in tolerance between and within commodity types. These tolerances are related to responses to the use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) during storage. Commodities vary widely in their responses to elevated CO 2 , and low tolerance to the gas limits its use to maintain quality in some cases. Standard recom- mendations are generally those established to extend the storage period of any given commod- ity as long as possible, and safe atmospheres may differ substantially for shorter term expo- sures used in MAP. Use of MAP for storage of minimally processed products represents an important example of this, as storage periods and quality attributes required for commercial marketing of cut products can be very different from those of the whole product. Factors such as cultivar and postharvest treatment before imposing high CO 2 can influence responses of commodities to CO 2 , but are rarely considered in cultivar selection or in commercial applica- tion. A better understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of commodity responses to CO 2 is required for increased use of MAP.
134 citations
TL;DR: The workshop on Modified Atmosphere Packaging— Toward 2000 and Beyond is introduced by reviewing the current status of MAP technology for fresh and minimally processed products, highlighting research needs and future advances, and providing a list of selected references on MAP published since 1989.
Abstract: Rapid expansion of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for horticultural produce has occurred during the last 10 years, especially for fresh cut (minimally processed) products, but limitations to further expansion reside in both responses of products and available technology. We introduce the workshop on Modified Atmosphere Packaging— Toward 2000 and Beyond by reviewing the current status of MAP technology for fresh and minimally processed products, highlighting research needs and future advances, and providing a list of selected references on MAP published since 1989.
124 citations
TL;DR: Health and discomfort symptoms were found to be 21% to 25% lower during the period when subjects had plants or plants and full-spectrum lighting present compared to a period without plants.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. benefits of plants, foliage plants, fluorescent lighting, full-spectrum lighting, human-horticulture relationships, human issues in horticulture, human well-being, mucus membrane symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms, people-plant interactions SUMMARY. Plants are widely used in building environments; however, studies reporting the health and discomfort symptoms of people in response to indoor foliage plants are few. The objective of the presented studies was to assess the effect of foliage plants or a combination of foliage plants and full-spectrum fluorescent lamps on self-reported health and discomfort complaints in three different work environments: an office building, an X-ray department in a Norwegian hospital, and a junior high school. Health and discomfort symptoms were found to be 21% to 25% lower during the period when subjects had plants or plants and full-spectrum lighting present compared to a period without plants. Neuropsychological symptoms, such as fatigue and headache, and mucous membrane symptoms, such as dry and hoarse throat, seemed to be more affected by the treatments than skin symptoms, such as itching skin.
110 citations
TL;DR: An exploration survey identified 262 different cultivars, which have been introduced in the Olive Germplasm Bank in Cordoba, Spain, and Evaluation of this germplasm, field trials and a breeding program are in progress.
Abstract: The diversity and antiquity of the cultivars, their restricted distribution and the limited use of rootstocks characterize cultivated olive (Olea europaea L.) plant material in Spain. An exploration survey identified 262 different cultivars, which have been introduced in the Olive Germplasm Bank in Cordoba, Spain. Evaluation of this germplasm, field trials and a breeding program are in progress.
84 citations
TL;DR: The authors wish to acknowledge the Rutgers Experiment Station SARE funding for their participation in bringing together the resources to construct the comprehensive set of production budget information for this project.
Abstract: The authors wish to acknowledge the Rutgers Experiment Station SARE funding for their participation in bringing together the resources to construct the comprehensive set of production budget information for this project. The cost of publishing this paper was defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. Under postal regulation, this paper therefore must be here by marked advertisement solely to indicate this fact.
71 citations
TL;DR: Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technology that is currently used for most packaged salads and fresh-cut vegetables, and to a lesser extent,fresh-cut fruit such as cantaloupe, pineapple, and apple.
Abstract: Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technology that is currently used for most packaged salads and fresh-cut vegetables, and to a lesser extent, fresh-cut fruit such as cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.), pineapple [Ananas comosus L. (Merr.)], and apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.). In addition, about 750 million lb (340,200 Mg) of strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.), raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) and sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are distributed in MAP annually. The fresh produce packaging industry has developed new films to respond to increased produce consumption and changes in the use of film packaging within different produce marketing segments. The produce film industry sold 60 million lb (27,200 Mg) of film in 1994, and in 2000 it is forecasted to sell 110 million lb (49,900 Mg), an increase of 83%. The distribution of film usage has also changed since 1994 when film consumption patterns were as follows: 20% [12 million lb (5,400 Mg)] retail, 15% [9 million lb (4,100 Mg)] warehouse clubstores, and 65% [39 million lb (17,700 Mg)] food service. In 2000 it is projected that consumption patterns will be as follows: 25% [27.5 million lb (12,500 Mg)] retail, 20% [22 million lb (10,000 Mg)] warehouse clubstores, and 55% [60.5 million lb (27,400 Mg)] food service. These changes represent a 10% shift in film market segment usage patterns away from food service applications to an increase of 5% for each of the retail and warehouse clubstore segments.
70 citations
TL;DR: It was shown that a floral display had positive effects on human emotions, such as composition and confidence, however, some evidence of a significant increase in annoyance was also found for this treatment.
Abstract: Changes in human emotions were investigated during exposure to three different indoor conditions: floral display present, foliage display present, and no display present. There were 20 subjects (10 males and 10 females) in each condition. The subjects were shown a video that introduced the University of Reading and included scenes of landscapes. It was shown that a floral display had positive effects on human emotions, such as composition and confidence, however, some evidence of a significant increase in annoyance was also found for this treatment. The foliage display had a somewhat negative effect by slightly increasing bad temper, and the foliage display tended to have a positive effect on clearheadedness. Investigations of psychological responses to nature are complex, and many opportunities for more work exist.
TL;DR: An overview of new size-controlling cherry rootstocks similar to those used in high-density apple orchards are now a reality, providing some answers and some areas for future scientific investigation and industry discussion.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Prunus avium, Prunus hybrids, high density, virus sensitivity, orchard management SUMMARY. Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) can be one of the most profitable tree fruits cultivated in temperate climates. While cherry trees grow naturally to relatively tall heights (≈35 ft (≥10 m)), new size-controlling cherry rootstocks similar to those used in high-density apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards are now a reality. The Gisela (GI.) and Weiroot (W.) series from Germany, the Gran Manier (GM.) series from Belgium, the P-HL series from Czech Republic, 'Tabel Edabriz' from France, and others of international origin are at various stages of scientific and field testing in North America, with some now being used for commer- cial fruit production. These stocks confer several advantageous traits besides vigor control, including precocious fruiting and high productivity. While these beneficial traits are exciting, serious problems also have been documented on occasion, such as small fruit size and tree decline. As many of these rootstocks are interspecific Prunus L. hybrids, might there be significant limitations for fruit quality and orchard longevity? What is known about their tolerance to various soil types and/or climatological stresses? What is known about their susceptibilities to pathogens and pests? Further, with the U.S. and worldwide orchard area planted to fresh-market sweet cherries already expanding to record levels throughout the 1990s and a time-honored agricultural tendency toward overproduction until grower profits are minimized (e.g., recent international apple markets), what might be the future impact of such precocious, productive rootstocks on sweet cherry profitability and sustainable produc- tion? This overview addresses these topics, providing some answers and some areas for future scientific investigation and industry discussion.
TL;DR: It is indicated that teachers used school gardens infrequently, with the majority using the garden as an instructional tool no more than 10% of the time, and many teachers did indicate that school gardens were used for environmental education and experiential learning.
Abstract: While gardening is the number one hobby in the United States, elementary schools are just beginning to explore the use of school gardens as a means to enhance classroom learning. School gardens can reinforce classroom instruction by offering opportunities for experiential learning. The benefits of experiential learning allow for a better understanding of concepts as the hands-on approach provides meaningful and tangible experiences. While many teachers have anecdotally attested to the benefits of school gardens, there is little empirical evidence documenting their impact. In Fall 1997, the University of Florida hosted a competition for the best elementary school garden in Florida. Results from a research questionnaire completed by participating teachers indicated that teachers used school gardens infrequently, with the majority using the garden as an instructional tool no more than 10% of the time. Many teachers did, however, indicate that school gardens were used for environmental education (97.1%) and experiential learning (72.9%), and 84.3 % of teachers said that related activities enhanced student learning. Findings also indicate that the teachers surveyed had relatively new gardens and teachers lacked, or were unaware of educational resources to assist with garden learning. This paper describes and interprets the results of the teacher questionnaire.
TL;DR: Storage using MAP, similar to the use of CA storage, impacts most aspects of produce quality although the extent to which each quality attribute responds to CA or modified atmosphere (MA) conditions varies among commodities.
Abstract: The commercial use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology provides a means to slow the processes of ripening and senescence during storage, transport, and marketing of many fresh fruit and vegetables. The benefits of MAP and controlled atmosphere (CA) technologies for extending postharvest life of many fruit and vegetables have been recognized for many years. Although both technologies have been and continue to be extensively researched, more examples of the impacts of CA on produce quality are available in the literature and many of these reports were used in development of this review. Storage using MAP, similar to the use of CA storage, impacts most aspects of produce quality although the extent to which each quality attribute responds to CA or modified atmosphere (MA) conditions varies among commodities. Impacts of MAP and CA on flavor and aroma are dependent on the composition of the storage atmosphere, avoidance of anaerobic conditions, storage duration, and the use of fresh-cut technologies before storage.
TL;DR: The biological effect of corona discharge on onions (Allium cepa L.) in a commercial storage was investigated and no significant changes in internal decay, firmness, sprouting, or rooting, in treated onions were found.
Abstract: The biological effect of corona discharge on onions (Allium cepa L.) in a commercial storage was investigated. Surface discoloration and mold were modestly but significantly reduced by the corona discharge when onions were stored for 2 or 4 weeks with or without an additional 2 weeks of shelf life under high humidity. Corona discharge treatment also reduced airborne mold spores in the storage room. No significant changes in internal decay, firmness, sprouting, or rooting, in treated onions were found.
TL;DR: Calla is a tropical plant native to Africa extending from Cape Province to Eastern Orange Free State, Natal, Lesotho, Swaziland, Transvaal, Rhodesia, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, and into northern Nigeria.
Abstract: Calla is a tropical plant native to Africa extending from Cape Province to Eastern Orange Free State, Natal, Lesotho, Swaziland, Transvaal, Rhodesia, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, and into northern Nigeria (Letty, 1973; Tjia, 1985). The genus Zantedeschia was assigned to calla by Sprengel in 1826 in honor of Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschia (Letty, 1973). There are many common names and several species. Common names include calla lily, pig lily, arum lily, aroid lily, zantedeschia, richardia, cape arum, cape lily, black-eyed arum, yellow arum, cuckoo-pint, jack-in-thepulpit, lily of the Nile (Funnell, 1993; Hoogasian, 1992; Tjia, 1985). Other common names of calla include kleinvarkblom, varkblomme, varkore, aronskelke, persvarkoor, varkoorlelie, varkore (Funnell, 1993). The genus Zantedeschia is a part of the Araceae family. There are seven recognized species and two subspecies of Zantedeschia: Z. aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Z. rehmannii Engl., Z. jucunda Letty, Z. elliottiana (Watson) Engl., Z. pentlandii (Watson) Wittm., Z. odorata P.L. Perry, Z. albomaculata (Hook.) Baill. subsp. albomaculata, Z. albomaculata (Hook.) Baill. subsp. macrocarpa (Engl.) Letty, and Z. albomaculata (Hook.) Baill. subsp. valida Letty. (Letty, 1973; Perry, 1989). Closely related genera are Aglaonema Schott., Anthurium Schott., Caladium Venten., Dieffenbachia Schott., Epipremnum Schott., Monstera Adans., Nephthytis Schott., Philodendron Schott., Spathiphyllum Schott., and Syngonium Schott. (Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorum, 1976). Calla have two different types of storage organs (Funnell, 1992). Zantedeschia aethiopica have stemless rhizomes and are an evergreen species. The remaining species have compact stems or tubers and are deciduous. The leaves are entire and born on a long petiole. The inflorescence is composed of a fleshy spadix bearing the true flowers, subtended by a single showy spathe (Corr, 1993; Corr and Widmer, 1987; Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium, 1976; Tjia, 1985). Calla may be grown as outdoor garden plants, commercial cut flowers and more recently as flowering potted plants. Although this plant has not been widely grown commercially, there is an abundance of information on all aspects of calla and it continues to increase in popularity. Zantedeschia elliotiana, Z. aethiopica, and Z. rehmannii have been grown for cut flower production or outdoor garden plants for many years (Post, 1959). Since the 1980s, research has been conducted to determine the feasibility of using Zantedeschia species as flowering potted plants. In addition, many calla hybrids have been bred for forcing as flowering potted plants (van Scheepen, 1991). Funnell (1993) provides a list of 61 species and cultivars commercially available internationally. About 50% of flowering size calla tubers are produced in the United States, The Netherlands and New Zealand produce 45% and India, Sri Lanka, and Central America produce 5% (T. Lukens, personal communications). In the United States, more than 95% of calla are grown as flowering potted plants whereas in Europe about 80% to 85% are used as cut flowers.
TL;DR: How organic farmers can use living mulches to reduce erosion, runoff, and leaching and also demonstrate the potential of living mulch systems as comprehensive integrated pest management plans that allow for an overall reduction in pesticide applications are discussed.
Abstract: health in terms of fertility and pest management. Organic production systems are ecologically and economically sustainable when practices designed to build soil organic matter, fertility, and structure also mitigate soil erosion and nutrient runoff. We found no research conducted under traditional organic farming conditions, comparing bareground monoculture systems to systems incorporating the use of living mulches. We will be focusing on living mulch studies conducted under conventional methodology that can be extrapolated to beneficial uses in an organic system. This article discusses how organic farmers can use living mulches to reduce erosion, runoff, and leaching and also demonstrate the potential of living mulch systems as comprehensive integrated pest management plans that allow for an overall reduction in pesticide applications. The pesticide reducing potential of the living mulch system is examined to gain insight on application within organic agriculture.
TL;DR: Conceptual models of citrus, mango, and lychee flowering are described which propose physiological mechanisms for both flowering and vegetative flushing in trees grown in subtropical and tropical environments.
Abstract: The reproductive phenologies of temperate fruit tree species are briefly introduced and compared to the reproductive phenologies of three tropical and subtropical fruit tree species. The impact of leaf and fruit development and the phytohormones they may produce on the reproductive or vegetative fate of bourse buds in apple spurs serves as the model to discuss temperate fruit flowering. In contrast, conceptual models of citrus (Citrus L.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), and lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) flowering are described which propose physiological mechanisms for both flowering and vegetative flushing in trees grown in subtropical and tropical environments. Possible roles for auxin and cytokinins in shoot initiation and for gibberellins and a putative florigenic promoter in induction are discussed as they relate to the physiology of flowering and vegetative flushing of tropical species. Successful application of these conceptual flowering models through the use of growth regulators and other horticultural management techniques to control flowering of citrus, mango, and lychee is described.
TL;DR: In this article, the current status of organic vegetable production practices in California is summarized, and a survey of the current state of organic vegetables in California can be found in Table 1.
Abstract: This article summarizes the current status of organic vegetable production practices in California. The production of vegetables organically is growing rapidly in California, led in large part by growth in the market demand for organically grown produce. Key aspects of organic vegetable production operations such as certification and farm production planning, soil management, weed management, insect management, and plant disease management involve special practices. Many practices have not been thoroughly researched and the scientific base for some practices is still being developed.
TL;DR: Trees that received an annual ground application of 0.15 lb (68 g) actual N as urea over four growing seasons had greater trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), higher yield, better fruit color, lower leaf N and less fire blight than those which received higher amounts of N.
Abstract: The influence of four rootstocks and four levels of nitrogen supply on tree growth, precocity, fruit quality (size and color), leaf mineral concentrations, and fire blight [Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winstow et al.] severity in ‘Scarlet Gala’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees was studied between 3 to 4 years. Trees that received an annual ground application of 0.15 lb (68 g) actual N as urea over four growing seasons had greater trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), higher yield, better fruit color, lower leaf N and less fire blight than those which received higher amounts of N. Trees on Malling (M.9) were more precocious and had higher yields in early years while trees on Malling-Merton 106 (MM.106 EMLA) and Malling-Merton 111 (MM.111 EMLA) had higher production 4 years after planting. Trees on Malling 26 (M.26 EMLA) had higher leaf Mg than those on other rootstocks. Trees on M.9 and M.26 EMLA had more fire blight damage than those on other rootstocks.
TL;DR: Direct evidence in the form of willingness-to-pay studies and retail pricing experiments indicate that the majority of consumers will not pay such high price premiums for organic fruit and vegetables, and small market shares at retail tend to corroborate consumers’ unwillingness to pay suchHigh price premiums.
Abstract: Sales of organic foods at retail have grown at rates from 20 to 35% in many countries throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas during the 1990s. Yet market shares of organic foods remain quite small, less than 3% of retail value in all countries throughout the world. As mainstream retail outlets have begun to carry and promote organic foods, lack of availability of organic foods has become less of an impediment to consumer demand. The major impediment to continued growth in organic food demand is high price premiums for organic foods over conventional food counterparts. Some of the highest price premiums at retail are displayed by fresh and frozen vegetables and fruit: premiums as high as 250% for frozen green peas (Pisum sativum L.) in the United States have been recorded. Indirect evidence in the form of willingness-to-pay studies and retail pricing experiments indicate that the majority of consumers will not pay such high price premiums for organic fruit and vegetables. Small market shares at retail tend to corroborate consumers’ unwillingness to pay such high prices. How much prices of organic fruit and vegetables would have to be reduced relative to conventional produce in order to increase market shares of organic produce is not clear.
TL;DR: Results showed that in a semitropical environment, white-on-black plastic mulch provided the greatest yield enhancement from increased weight and bulb size, suggesting that plastic mulCh has an excellent chance to increase a grower's overall net return.
Abstract: ●ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Allium cepa, sweet onion, production economics SUMMARY. In 4 years of research comparing production of short-day onions (Allium cepa L.) on plastic mulch versus bare ground in southern Florida, greater marketable yields were obtained when onions were grown on plastic mulch. Results showed that in a semitropical environment, white-on-black plastic mulch provided the greatest yield enhancement from increased weight and bulb size. Yield loss due to splitting, while apparent, was not sufficient to reduce the impact of mulch on the increase in individual bulb weight. Adopting plastic mulch for sweet onion production will add between $400 and $500/acre ($988 and $1,235/ha) of additional operating expenses. While this may increase cash-flow burdens and heighten overall financial risks, the added value from increased yields by weight and greater percentages of jumbo sized bulbs suggest that plastic mulch has an excellent chance to increase a grower’s overall net return. Using conservative yield and market price assumptions, an economic analysis showed an increase in grower’s net return of more than $120/acre ($296/ha).
TL;DR: GAs applied during May through July, have reduced flowering in the following season in many stone fruit cultivars without affecting percentage of flowers producing fruit, and the need for hand thinning is reduced and in some cases eliminated, and better quality fruit are produced.
Abstract: ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. chemical thinning, fruit thinning, apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, prune, pluots, flowering, fruit set, GA, gibberellic acid, gibberellate SUMMARY. Many commercially grown stone fruit including apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.), peaches and nectarines (P. persica (L.) Batsch), plums (P. salicina Lindl., P. domestica L.), prunes (P. domestica L.), and pluots (P. salicina x P. armeniaca) have a tendency to produce high numbers of flowers. These flowers often set and produce more fruit than trees can adequately size to meet market standards. When excessive fruit set occurs, removal of fruit by hand thinning is necessary in most Prunus L. species to ensure that remaining fruit attain marketable size and reduce biennial bearing. Over the years there have been numerous at- tempts to find chemical or physical techniques that would help to reduce the costs associated with and improve efficiencies of hand thinning, however, alternate strategies to hand thinning have not been widely adopted for stone fruit production. In the past 10 years, several chemical treatments have shown promise for reducing hand thinning needs in stone fruit. Management of flowering by chemically reducing the number of flowers has been particularly promising on stone fruit in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys of California. Gibberellins (GAs) applied during May through July, have reduced flowering in the following season in many stone fruit cultivars without affecting percentage of flowers producing fruit. As a result, fruit numbers are reduced, the need for hand thinning is reduced and in some cases eliminated, and better quality fruit are produced. There are risks associated with reducing flower number before climatic conditions during bloom or final fruit set are known. However, given the changes in labor costs and market demands, the benefits may outweigh the risks. This paper reviews relevant literature on thinning of stone fruit by gibberellins, and summarizes research reports of fruit thinning with GAs conducted between 1987 and the present in California. The term thin or chemically thin with regard to the action of GA on floral buds is used in this paper, consistent with the literature, although the authors recognize that the action of GA is primarily to inhibit the initiation of floral apices, rather than reduce the number of preformed flowers. At relatively high concentrations, GA may also kill floral buds. Chemical names used: gibberellic acid, potassium gibberellate.
TL;DR: A survey targeting adults working with youth in garden situations, was designed for delivery on the KinderGarden World Wide Web site as mentioned in this paper, which investigated adults who are actively involved in gardening with children in school, community or home gardens on their perceptions of the benefits of children participating in gardening.
Abstract: A survey, targeting adults working with youth in garden situations, was designed for delivery on the KinderGARDEN World Wide Web site. The goal of this survey was to investigate adults who are actively involved in gardening with children in school, community or home gardens on their perceptions of the benefits of children participating in gardening. Three hundred-twenty completed surveys were returned via e-mail during a period of 9 months. Fourteen questions were included on the survey requesting information concerning what types of gardening situations in which children were participants and the demographics of the children involved in gardening. Results of the study cover 128,836 children (youth under 18 years old) involved in gardening, primarily with teachers in school gardens. The children involved were generally 12 years of age or under and were growing food crops. Adults gardening with children reported benefits to children’s self-esteem and reduction in stress levels. Adults were also interested in learning more about the psychological, nutritional and physical benefits of gardening. Comparisons between those adults involved in gardening found that parents’ and teachers’ ideas differed concerning the most important aspects of the gardening experience. Parents viewed food production as most important while teachers thought socializing and learning about plants were most important.
TL;DR: Plant growth retardant foliar sprays of daminozide at 4,000 or 8,000 mg·L–1 (ppm) and paclobutrazol drenches of 2 or 4 mg a.i. per pot were applied to pot sunflowers to compare their chemical height control, indicating similar responses of all five cultivars to each PGR rate.
Abstract: Plant growth retardant (PGR) foliar sprays of daminozide at 4,000 or 8,000 mg·L–1 (ppm) and paclobutrazol drenches of 2 or 4 mg a.i. per pot were applied to ‘Big Smile’, ‘Pacino’, ‘Sundance Kid’, ‘Sunspot’, and ‘Teddy Bear’ pot sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) to compare their chemical height control. Plant height varied among the cultivars due to genetic variation. The percentage reduction in plant height from the untreated control only was significant at the PGR level, indicating similar responses of all five cultivars to each PGR rate. Paclobutrazol drenches at 2 mg and daminozide foliar sprays at 4,000 or 8,000 mg·L–1 reduced plant height by about 24% when compared to the control. Paclobutrazol drenches at 4 mg produced plants that were 33% shorter than the control. Plant diameter of ‘Big Smile’, ‘Pacino’, or ‘Sundance Kid’ was unaffected by daminozide, whereas ‘Sunspot’ plants were smaller than the controls. Paclobutrazol drenches at 2 or 4 mg decreased plant diameter for all cultivars except ‘Teddy Bear’, with the reduction being greater as paclobutrazol drench rates increased. The number of inflorescence buds increased by ≥18% with the use of daminozide sprays, while paclobutrazol drenches at 2 or 4 mg had no effect when compared to the untreated control. Paclobutrazol drenches of 2 or 4 mg offer the economic advantage to growers of increased plant density on greenhouse benches, while plants treated with daminozide had an increased bud count but would require a greater amount of bench space.
TL;DR: In all treatments fewer live thrips and more natural enemies were found on plants outside the greenhouse than inside the greenhouse, suggesting that placing plants outdoors allows the natural enemies of thrips to colonize plants and provide supplemental control.
Abstract: Greenhouse studies were conducted from 1996 to 1998 to determine the efficacy of spinosad, and acephate, against western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) on transvaal daisy (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex. Hook f). In addition, the number of natural enemies inside and outside the greenhouse was determined. Studies were arranged in a randomized complete-block design with four blocks and four treatments per block. Three rates of spinosad, 50, 100, and 200 mg.L–1 (ppm), and one rate of acephate, 600 mg.L–1 were used in all three studies. Plants were artificially inoculated at bloom with 10 adult western flower thrips. The number of live and dead thrips was counted from each plant. In all three studies, both spinosad and acephate controlled thrips. However, there was more variation in the average number of live thrips for acephate than spinosad across years. In all treatments fewer live thrips and more natural enemies were found on plants outside the greenhouse than inside the greenhouse. This suggests that placing plants outdoors allows the natural enemies of thrips to colonize plants and provide supplemental control.
TL;DR: The efficacy and cost efficiency of using various plastic soil mulches in the production of pepper, corn and muskmelon were examined and clear mulch without added herbicide usually represented the most costeffective production option for all three crops.
Abstract: The efficacy and cost efficiency of using various plastic soil mulches in the production of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), corn (Zea mays L.) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were examined over four growing seasons in Saskatchewan, Canada. Clear mulch with or without preemergent herbicides was compared with black or wavelength selective mulches. In all three crops, mulches enhanced yields relative to bare ground in most site–year combinations. Clear mulch usually produced the highest yields. Herbicides applied under the clear plastic provided effective weed control with no observable changes in product efficacy or toxicity to the crop. The weed control provided by the herbicides had no effect on yields in the clear mulch treatments. Consequently, clear mulch without added herbicide usually represented the most costeffective production option for all three crops.
TL;DR: Evidence suggests that superior, disease resistant trees can be propagated and if isolated from areas where the disease is prevalent, may remain disease-free.
Abstract: Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.) has many fine qualities as a nut species, however, it has never been commercially important. Although the nut is very edible, only a few cultivars have been selected that have desirable nut size and cracking qualities. In the last 20 years there has been a dramatic decline in the number of butternut in native stands caused to a large extent by the lack of natural reproduction and a damaging canker disease. Evidence suggests that superior, disease resistant trees can be propagated and if isolated from areas where the disease is prevalent, may remain disease-free. It is important that the remaining genetic diversity within the species is maintained. Various butternut conservation practices and research projects to restore butternut populations are underway in the United States and Canada.