Interstock effects on growth,photosynthesis and mineral nutrition of ‘delicious’ apple seedlings

Tree growth, photosynthesis, and the mineral nutrient content were investigated in ‘Redchief Delicious’ scions double worked on seedling rootstock with a variety of interstocks. The interstocks used were ‘Redchief Delicious’, M9, and a range of F. generation hybrids with internodes designated short, medium and long. The long internode graft union consistently produced more growth and dry weight per tree than the other interstocks. The ‘Redchief Delicious’ interstock had an unexplained negative effect on leaf, shoot and new root dry weight. There was no effect of interstock on photosynthesis initially (56 days) however photosynthesis increased with shorter nodal interstocks after 111 days. There were significant differences in scion and interstock bark elemental composition due to interstock combination. However, leaf composition varied slightly among the different interstock combinations. Manganese levels, independent of tissue type, did not vary between interstocks.     

Whole fruit mineral element content and respiration rates of harvested ‘delicious’ apples

Whole fruit mineral element analysis is used commercially in Great Britain to predict postharvest apple fruit quality and storage life. Similar commercial programs are under development in Washington State; however, mineral element concentration guidelines are not available for important Washington‐grown cultivars. The current study used fruit respiration rate as a criterion for evaluating optimal whole fruit mineral element concentration. ‘Wellspur Delicious’ apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) were treated with four biweekly sprays of D, 4.1 and 13.5 kg CaCl₂/ha. Fruit of uniform diameter (7.65 to 8.05 cm) were harvested. Four intact single‐fruit samples per treatment were placed into individual respiration chambers maintained at 20°C. Humidified CO₂‐free air was continuously pumped into the chambers. Evolved C0₂ was trapped in NaOH and analyzed by titration. Evolution of C0₂ was measured for 38 days after which the fruits were analyzed for whole fruit Ca, N, Mg, P and K concentrations. The C0₂ evolution data was analyzed by linear regression to generate average respiration rates. The preharvest CaCl₂ spray treatments did not influence whole fruit Ca concentrations or respiration rates. The respiration rates were not influenced by mineral element concentration or selected ratios of concentrations. The Ca concentrations in the fruit (> 300 mg/kg dry mass) appear to have been sufficiently high to produce uniform low respiration rates and to mask possible influences of the other elements. The results suggest that whole fruit mineral element analysis may not be a sensitive indicator of average respiration rates of ‘Delicious’ apples during ripening.     

Interstock effects on growth and 45Ca distribution in ‘delicious’ apple seedlings 1

Comparisons were made of the ⁴⁵Ca uptake of ‘Redchief Delicious’ apple seedlings (Malus domestica Borkh) grown on ‘York Imperial’ rootstocks with interstocks of ‘Redchief Delicious’, M9 and short, medium and long internode ‘Delicious’ stocks. Seedlings were grown in aerated complete nutrient solutions. Applied ⁴⁵Ca was readily translocated to rootstocks, interstocks, scions and leaves of M9 and short internode combinations.

⁴⁵Ca accumulated to a much greater extent in rootstock and the interstock than the scion. Applied ⁴⁵Ca was translocated much more readily to the bark than to the wood.     

Aluminum tolerance,mineral nutrition,and growth of ‘Helleri’ holly in solution culture

‘Helleri’ holly (Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Helleri') plants were grown in solution culture at aluminum (Al) concentrations of 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 mg.L^‐1 for 116 days. Aluminum did not affect root or crown index, stem length growth, plant dry weight, or leaf area. Aluminum treatments significantly increased Al uptake and reduced nutrient uptake of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) on some sampling dates. Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) uptake decreased on most sampling dates but increased on some with Al treatments. Potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and boron (B) uptake were significantly affected by Al, decreasing and increasing at different sampling dates. Although plants preferentially took up ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺‐N) in all treatments (including 0 Al controls), neither NH₄ ⁺‐N nor nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃ ‐N) uptake were affected by Al. Tissue concentrations of P, K, B, Zn, and Al increased with Al treatment; whereas tissue Ca, Mg, and Cu concentrations decreased with increasing Al. Iron and Mn tissue concentrations exhibited increases and decreases in different tissues. Results indicated that ‘Helleri’ holly was tolerant of high concentrations of Al.     

Influence of boron concentrations on some meta‐bolites of date palm and sorghum seedlings

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv Khedhri) and sorghum (sorghum Sudan grass hybrid cv sugar Graze 11) plants were grown in vermiculite in a controlled environment and watered with a nutrient solution containing eight different concentrations of boron (B) (0 to 500 ppm), six months for date palm and four weeks for sorghum. The chlorophyll (Chl) content of the seedlings increased significantly with low concentrations of B for both date palm and sorghum, but no further significant increases were observed at higher concentrations. Generally, there was a positive correlation between B and calcium (Ca) content in the tissues of both seedlings when B concentrations were increased in the media. A negative correlation was found between B concentration in the media and the tissue content of phenolic compounds and the activity of some enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase, IAA‐oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase in the tissue, while there was a positive correlation in the case of peroxidase. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) increased significantly in date palm with the increase of B in the medium, but for sorghum, the increase occurred at 10–100 ppm and decreased at 300 and 500 ppm B in the media.     

Boron and ectomycorrhizal influences on mineral nutrition of container‐grown Pinus ehinata mill

Boron fertilization and inoculation with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch increased foliar and total seedling nutrient content of boron, calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus in shortleaf pine seedlings (Pinus echinata Mill.). Noninoculated seedlings fertilized with boron showed no increase in nutrient content other than B. The increase in nutrient content of inoculated seedlings fertilized with boron was correlated with increased mycorrhizal infection. Boron fertilization may affect indirectly the mineral nutrition of tree seedlings by increasing mycorrhizal fungi colonization of their roots.     

Influences of water pH,alkalinity and acid additions on growth and nutrient relationships in chrysanthemum morifolium ’bright golden anne‘ 1

Growth of Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bright Golden Anne’ was assessed after application of irrigation water containing five alkalinity levels (0, 100, 250, 500, 1000 mg/liter bicarbonate) in a greenhouse study. Irrigation water having alkalinity levels exceeding 500 (week 12)or 1000 (week 6) mg/liter bicarbonate affected plant height and fresh and dry weights. High levels of irrigation water alkalinity altered nutrient availability in the growing medium and plant tissue nutrient content. This was attributed to a rise in growing medium pH. Between 6 and 12 weeks, the critical level of alkalinity in water that altered growing medium nutrient availability and plant growth decreased from 1000 to 500 mg/liter bicarbonate. Acid additions improved plant growth for the water treatment containing 500 mg/liter bicarbonate. Sulfuric acid was the most effective acid treatment.     

The influence of the herbicide paraquat ‘Gramaxon’ on growth and metabolic activity of three chlorophytes

The acute toxicity of commercial herbicide, Paraquat was determined by 96-hr static bioassay on the freshwater chlorophytes Scenedesmus dimorphus (Trup.) Kuetz., Scenedesmus quadricauda (Trup.) de Brebisson and Ankistrodesmus falcatus (Cord) Ralfs. The 96-hr EC50 values of Paraquat for reducing growth and metabolic products of the three algae were determined. The number of days required for cell division increased with increasing Paraquat concentration. The three algae and their test parameters respond differently to Paraquat. Scenedesmus dimorphus was the most susceptible alga and the chlorophyll a was the most sensitive response parameter. On the other hand, the dry weight of the test algae was the most resistant parameter. It was observed that Paraquat has inhibitory effect on the primary producers.     

Effects of lime and applied Mn on plant Mn,growth and chlorophyll concentration of ‘Tifway II’ bermudagrass

Abstract

A glasshouse study was conducted to determine effects of lime and Mn applied to three Florida soils on plant Mn, growth, and chlorophyll concentration of ‘Tifway II’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis). Four replications of three lime rates (0, 1000, and 2000 mg CaCO₃/kg as dolomite and Ca(OH)₂ for Astatula fine sand (Typic Quartzipsamment, hyperthermic, uncoated) and Pompano fine sand (Typic Psammaquent, siliceous, hyperthermic); 0, 2000, and 4000 mg CaCO₃/kg as dolomite and Ca(OH)₂ for Myakka fine sand (Aeric Haplaquod, sandy siliceous, hyperthermic) and three Mn applications (none, 10 mg Mn/kg as MnSO₄, and 5 mg Mn/kg as MnEDTA) were used in a randomized, complete block, factorial design. A wide range of plant Mn concentrations existed across treatments for each soil. Differences in plant Mn concentration did not cause significant differences in growth or chlorophyll concentration. The critical plant Mn concentration was not reached, but it appeared to be below 20 mg Mn kg for bermudagrass. Models for prediction of plant Mn concentration using soil pH and extractable soil Mn (Mehlich I, Mehlich II, DTPA‐TEA) were obtained. The applications of MnSO, and MnEDTA each resulted in increased plant Mn under acidic soil conditions. Neither Mn application resulted in increased plant Mn concentration in grass grown on Pompano fine sand with soil pH values of 7.0 or above.     

Comparison of preplant and fertigated micronutrients on the growth of the Hebe ’inspiration’

Abstract

Micronutrients may be provided to plants in containers either via pre‐plant inclusion in the growing medium or via fertigation, or both. For Hebe ’Inspiration’ plants growing in a soilless potting medium, micronutrients applied as a single pre‐plant application or via weekly liquid fertilizer applications were equally effective in producing optimum growth over a 12‐month period. Under the conditions of this experiment, the liquid fertilizer did not need to contain more than (in mg/L) 0.5 = iron (Fe), 0.1 = copper (Cu), 0.1 = zinc (Zn), 0.8 = manganese (Mn), and 0.1 = boron (B). Growth was excellent for the full 12 months, without supplementation via the liquid fertilizer, when there were micronutrient concentrations of (in mg/L extract) 29 = Fe, 0.5 = Cu, 3 = Mn, 0.6 = Zn, and 0.14 = B in a 1:1.5 volume in a 2mM DTPA extract of the medium at potting.     

Nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium effects on pre‐ and post‐transplant growth of salvia and vinca seedlings

Pre‐ and post‐transplant growth of bedding plants is affected by seedling nutrition. However, there is little information available on how seedling nutrition affects the growth of ornamental bedding plants. In this study, we quantified the effects of nitrogen (N) (8 to 32 mM) and phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentration (0.25 to 1 mM) of the seedling fertilizer on pre‐ and post‐transplant growth and nutrient element content of salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem. & Schult.) and vinca (Catharanthus roseus L.) seedlings. Shoot growth of salvia and vinca increased with increasing concentrations of N in the pre‐transplant fertilizer and these differences lasted until the end of the study at 15 days after transplanting. Pre‐transplant root dry mass of these species was not affected by the N concentration of the fertilizer, but root dry mass at 12 days after transplanting was positively correlated with the N concentration of the pre‐transplant fertilizer. Increasing N concentrations in the seedling fertilizer increased tissue N levels of salvia and decreased tissue K level of vinca at transplanting. Increasing P and K concentrations in the pre‐transplant fertilizer increased tissue P level of salvia and P and K levels of vinca, but had little effect on seedling growth. Leaf area and root dry mass at transplanting decreased slightly with increasing P and K concentration in the fertilizer. There were no lasting effects of pre‐transplant P and K concentration of the fertilizer. These results indicate that salvia and vinca seedlings can benefit from high concentrations of N (up to 32 mM) in the fertilizer, while only low concentrations of P and K (0.25 mM) are needed.     

The influence of solid urban waste compost and nitrogen‐mineral fertilizer on growth and productivity in potatoes

Abstract

The influence of solid urban waste (SUW) compost and nitrogen (N)‐mineral fertilizer on the growth and productivity in semi‐early harvest potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L, var. ‘Edzina') was studied over a period of three years. Nine treatments derived from a factorial combination of 3 levels of SUW compost (0, 18, 36 T#lbha^‐1) and 3 levels of N‐mineral fertilizer (0, 125, 250 Kg N ha^‐1) were carried out on a sandy, moderately fertile plot. The applications of SUW compost and N‐mineral fertilizer showed a stimulation in plant development with respect to the non‐treated controls. The mineral fertilizer treatment gave markedly higher results. Plant response to the combined mineral fertilizer‐compost treatments demonstrated a tendency towards saturation within each level of application. Potato productivity results indicated that this crop reacts strongly and positively to an application of N‐mineral fertilizer, but only slightly to the treatment levels of compost considered in the study. As a consequence of the application of SUW compost, the application‐response graphs reveal a reduction in the optimal levels of N‐mineral fertilizer application and an increase in the efficacy of the mineral fertilizer.     

The effect of subsurface aluminium on the growth and uptake of surface‐applied phosphorus by wheat seedlings 1

Seedlings of four cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in tolerance to aluminium (Al) were grown for 14 to 20 days using a split‐root sand/solution culture technique. Each culture tube was divided horizontally into two compartments by a root‐permeable paraffin wax barrier, so that phosphorus (P) and aluminium (Al) supply could be varied in the upper 0–80 mm (surface) and lower 80–180 mm (subsurface) compartments, respectively.

Root growth into the subsurface zone was enhanced by increased P supply to surface roots, but only in the absence of subsurface Al. Where subsurface Al was present, increased P supply to surface roots had no effect on the penetration of roots into the subsurface zone. Tolerance to Al in the cultivars used was therefore not related to the ability to translocate P to sites of Al injury.     

Effects of nitrogen forms and calcium amounts on growth and elemental concentration in Rosa hybrida cv. ‘Vendentta’

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of calcium and nitrogen on quality and quantity of Rosa hybrida in hydroponic culture, using factorial complete randomized design with different levels of ammonium-N (0, 2.5, and 5 mM) and calcium (1.6 and 4.8 mM). The results indicated that ammonium-N concentration of 2 mM increased the number of flowers, length of pedicles, and fresh weight of flower stem per plant. 5 mM of ammonium-N caused a significant decrease in most of the measured characteristics. Increase in calcium concentration enhanced nitrogen, calcium, manganese, and boron; while, potassium, zinc, and copper decreased in the leaf. Flower diameter and fresh weight of flower stems per plant increased significantly. With application of ammonium in the nutrient solution, calcium and potassium concentration in the leaf decreased, whereas phosphorus, zinc, manganese, iron, and boron significantly increased. Therefore, application of 2.5 mM ammonium-N and 4.8 mM calcium are recommended.     

Potassium and sodium fertilization affects leaf nutrient content and growth of ‘Shawnee’ blackberry

Aluminum (Al) has many detrimental effects on plant growth, and shoots and roots are normally affected differently. A study was conducted to determine differences among sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes with broad genetic backgrounds for growth traits of plants grown at 0,200,400,600, and 800 μM Al in nutrient solutions (pH 4.0). Genotypes were categorized into “Al‐sensitive”, “intermediate Al‐tolerant”, “Al‐tolerant”, and SC 283 (an Al‐tolerant standard). As Al increased, shoot and root dry matter (DM), net main axis root length (NMARL), and total root length (TRL) became lower than controls (0 Al). Aluminum toxicity and/or nutrient deficiency symptoms become more severe, and shoot to root DM ratios and specific RL (TRL/root DM) values also changed as Al in solution increased. Root DM had greater changes among genotypes than shoot DM, and NMARL at 400 μM Al, and TRL at 200 μM Al had greater differences among genotypes than root DM, ratings for toxicity and/or deficiency symptoms, and other DM and RL traits. The wide differences among genotypes for NMARL and TRL could be used more effectively to evaluate sorghum genotypes for tolerance to Al toxicity than the other growth traits.     

Influence of different calcium materials and spray timing on mineral composition,yield, fruit quality,and control of fruit disorders of ‘anjou’ pears

During a six‐year period (1980, 1985–1989), 20 different calcium (Ca) materials were sprayed at an early (3X; June to July), late (3X; July to August), and an early plus late (5X; June to August) timing on 25‐year‐old ‘Anjou’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) trees. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) sprays increased fruit Ca in the cortex by an average of 10.5% greater than in unsprayed controls and cork spot was reduced by an average of six‐fold. Yield from trees sprayed with Ca materials averaged greater than 13% more crop load than the unsprayed control trees. Leaf and fruit injury from CaCl₂ sprays in 1980 were near borderline acceptability, but injury was reduced slightly by halving the spray concentration rate to 681 g CaCl₂ per 379 liters of water in 1985 to 1989. Due to temperatures above 26°C, leaf and fruit injury from Ca sprays, particularly calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂], were more severe for the late or early plus late sprays than for the early sprays. Fruit size was slightly larger on trees sprayed only three times (early or late sprays) versus trees sprayed five times during the season (early plus late sprays). Best control of cork spot occurred with early plus late sprays. Best control of alfalfa greening and black end occurred with late or early plus late sprays. The importance of fruit Ca for controlling cork spot is illustrated when triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) was sprayed on trees which resulted in reduced fruit Ca and increased incidence of fruit disorders, alfalfa greening, black end, and cork spot. Sprays containing nitrates or sulfates were frequently associated with a higher incidence of fruit disorders. Although fruit quality was not significantly influenced by Ca treatments or spray time, it was related to Ca in fruit peel or cortex due to annual variations in Ca concentrations.     

Effect of root pruning and nitrogen fertilization on growth of young ‘fuji’ apple (Malus domestica borkh.) trees

This study examined the effect of root pruning (RP) and nitrogen fertilization (NF) alone or in combination (RP-NF) on growth properties of 3-year-old ‘Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees. The results of pot experiments showed that the trees were sensitive to RP and NF alone or in combination in terms of root architecture, leaf photosynthesis, and canopy growth. Compared with the control, NF and RP-NF increased root length density and tips, while RP and RP-NF decreased root surface area and volume. RP alone reduced coarse root length (2.0–4.0 and >4.0 mm diameter), while RP-NF simultaneously increased fine root length (≤1.0 mm diameter) and reduced coarse root length. Moreover, RP increased leaf chlorophyll content and transpiration rate, while RP-NF increased net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency. RP-NF resulted in no differences in dry matter weight, root-shoot ratio, or leaf area compared with the control. Inhibiting vegetative growth by RP-NF provided an effective way to improve water use efficiency of young apple trees.     

Effect of Nutrient Solution PH on the Vegetative and Reproductive Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rose Cv. ‘Grand Gala’ in Hydroponic System

The rose plants were cultivated in the pots containing 75% cocopeat+ 25% perlite and were nourished with ½ Hoagland nutrient solutions with pH of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8. The results revealed that plant fresh and dry weight, flower bud, and stem diameter increased with the increase in pH from 4.5 to 6.5, but then started to decrease with further increase in pH up to 8. The highest number of buds, chlorophyll content, F_v/F_m, performance index (PI), and leaf phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper concentrations were obtained at pH 6.5 and the lowest one at pH 8. The highest and lowest zinc concentration was observed at pH 6.5 and 4.5, respectively. According to the results, pH 6.5 was evaluated as optimum for hydroponic culture of rose, which resulted in the higher uptake of elements and better vegetative and reproductive growth and higher quality of rose plants.     

Effects of amending Container growing media with Dolomitic limestone on the growth of Photlnia ‘Fraseri’

Abstract

The results of three years of experimentation on the effect of the addition of dolomitic lime to pine bark‐sand media shows that Photinia ‘Fraseri’ responds positively to lime additions. This response was not due to pH changes, since for two of the three years only a small change was observed in pH and lime requirement values. It is more likely that the increased growth is due to an improved magnesium environment. Not only was the magnesium content of the foliage increased with lime addition, but the K:Mg ratio was decreased to a level where potassium‐magnesium antagonism was not important.     

Effects of irrigation and fertilizer application methods on Dianthus ‘Telstar™ White’ and ‘Telstar™ Red’

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fertilizer and irrigation application methods on plant quality of Dianthus ‘Telstar? White’ and ‘Telstar? Red’ grown in the greenhouse. Fertilizer treatments of 0, 10, and 20 g of 16 nitrogen (N)-3.9 phosphorus (P)-10 potassium (K) controlled release fertilizer were topdressed or incorporated. Pots were drip irrigated or hand watered. Irrigation interacted with treatment (P = 0.037) and irrigation interacted with cultivar (P = 0.013) for plant survival. Plant survival was greater for both irrigation treatments using 10 g of fertilizer incorporated. Fewer ‘Telstar? Red’ plants survived with hand irrigation than drip irrigation. ‘Telstar? White’ plants averaged 53% survival regardless of irrigation method. For all treatments drip irrigated plants had greater height, width, and number of flowers than hand watered plants. For fall greenhouse production of dianthus, irrigation and fertilizer application method, cultivar, as well as leaching fraction should be considered.