scholarly journals Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youping Sun ◽  
Genhua Niu ◽  
Andrew K. Koeser ◽  
Guihong Bi ◽  
Victoria Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Wood Fiber ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
The United States ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Rice Hull ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens ◽  
Container Type

As the green industry is moving toward sustainability to meet the demands of society, the use of biocontainers as alternatives to petroleum-based plastic containers has drawn significant attention. Field trials of seven plantable biocontainers (coir, manure, peat, rice hull, soil wrap, straw, and wood fiber) were conducted in 2011 and 2012 at five locations in the United States to assess the influence of direct-plant biocontainers on plant growth and establishment and the rate of container decomposition in landscape. In 2011, container type did not affect the growth of any of the three species used in this study with an exception in one location. The three species were ‘Sunpatiens Compact Magenta’ new guinea impatiens (Impatiens ×hybrida), ‘Luscious Citrus’ lantana (Lantana camara), and ‘Senorita Rosalita’ cleome (Cleome ×hybrida). In 2012, the effect of container type on plant growth varied with location and species. Cleome, new guinea impatiens, and lantana plants grown in coir and straw containers were in general smaller than those in peat, plastic, rice hull, and wood fiber containers. After 3 to 4 months in the field, manure containers had on average the highest rate of decomposition at 88% for all five locations and two growing seasons. The levels of decomposition of other containers, straw, wood fiber, soil wrap, peat, coir, and rice hull were 47%, 46%, 42%, 38%, 25%, and 18%, respectively, in descending order. Plantable containers did not hinder plant establishment and posttransplant plant growth. The impact of container type on plant growth was smaller compared with that of location (climate). Similarly, the impact of plant species on pot decomposition was smaller compared with that of pot material.

scholarly journals Managing Nitrogen, Potassium, and Boron in New Guinea Impatiens: Is More Better?

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 777B-777
Author(s):  
Dharmalingam S. Pitchay* ◽  
Jonathan M. Frantz ◽  
Jonathan M. Locke ◽  
Charles Krause
Keyword(s):  
New Guinea ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens ◽  
Reflectance Measurements ◽  
Insight Into

Growers tend to over fertilize their plants as a way to minimize the likelihood of encountering nutrient deficiencies that would reduce the quality of their plants. Much of the nutrition literature focuses on the nutritional extremes namely of toxicity and deficiency. Once plants get to this stage, little can be done to correct the problem. Characteristics of plant performance in super-optimal conditions, yet below toxic levels, is less well known, and needs to be developed to help growers identify problems in their production practices before they impact sales. New Guinea Impatiens were grown over a wide range of N, K, and B levels, from 15% to 400% full strength Hoagland's solution for each nutrient after establishing transplanted rooted cuttings in a peat: perlite soilless media. Plants were grown for four weeks during treatment, during which time the flowers were pinched. After only 2 weeks of treatment, plants with 200% and 400% N were significantly shorter than control plants and plants with 15% N. Reflectance measurements and photographs were made twice a week. At the end of the four weeks, plant tissue was analyzed for form of N, root development and structure, and leaf area. Tissue samples were also analyzed with SEM and energy dispersive X-ray analysis to determine changes in nutrient location and tissue structure. This data provides insight into the nutrition economy of plants in general, tests the use of reflectance spectrometry as a method of detecting super-optimal fertilizer concentrations, and will help growers optimize their fertilization requirements to reduce production costs yet maintain high plant quality.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Exclusion Netting for Spotted-Wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Management in Minnesota Wine Grapes

2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 2287-2294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique N Ebbenga ◽  
Eric C Burkness ◽  
William D Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Spotted Wing Drosophila ◽  
Wine Grape ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Wine Grapes ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Untreated Check ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), an economically damaging invasive species of numerous fruit crops, was first detected in Minnesota in 2012. High fecundity, and short generation times facilitated a rapid rise in the global pest status of D. suzukii, particularly in North America and Europe. To date, the majority of crop injury research has focused on fruit crops such as blueberries, raspberries, and cherries. However, little is known regarding the impact of D. suzukii on the wine grape industry in the upper Midwest region of the United States. Field trials were conducted in Minnesota during the summers of 2017–2018 to examine season-long phenology of D. suzukii in wine grape vineyards and wineries, and to assess the efficacy of exclusion netting for control of D. suzukii. Four treatments were evaluated, 1) open plot check (control), 2) open plot treated with an insecticide, 3) exclusion netting, and 4) exclusion netting, with artificial infestations of D. suzukii adults. Exclusion netting was applied at véraison and removed at harvest. On each sample date, 20 berries (10 intact and 10 injured) were collected from each plot for dissection. The number of larvae and adults were recorded for each berry to determine infestation levels. As shown by mean larval infestations and injured berries across treatments, exclusion netting provided a significant reduction in the level of D. suzukii infested berries when compared with the untreated check. These results indicate that exclusion netting could provide an effective alternative management strategy for D. suzukii in wine grapes.

scholarly journals Biomass Accumulation and Allocation, Photosynthesis, and Carbohydrate Status of New Guinea Impatiens, Geranium, and Petunia Cuttings Are Affected by Photosynthetic Daily Light Integral during Root Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
pp. 542-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
Roberto G. Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Root Development ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Starch Accumulation ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Daily Light Integral ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens ◽  
Light Integral

During the propagation of herbaceous stem-tip cuttings, the photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) inside greenhouses can be low (≈1–4 mol·m−2·d−1) during the winter and early spring when propagation typically occurs. The mechanisms by which cuttings adapt biomass allocation patterns, gas exchange, and starch accumulation in response to the photosynthetic DLI are not clearly understood. Our objectives were to quantify the impact of DLI on growth, photosynthesis, and carbohydrate concentration during the root development phase of cutting propagation. Petunia (Petunia ×hybrida ‘Suncatcher Midnight Blue’), geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum ‘Fantasia Dark Red’), and new guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri ‘Celebration Pink’) cuttings were propagated in a glass-glazed greenhouse with 23 °C air and substrate temperature set points. After callusing (≈5 mol·m−2·d−1 for 7 days), cuttings of each species were placed under either no shade or one of the two different fixed-woven shade cloths providing ≈38% or 86% shade with 16 hours of supplemental light for 14 days, resulting in DLIs of 13.0‒14.2, 5.5‒6.0, and 2.0‒2.4 mol·m−2·d−1, respectively. Leaf, stem, and root biomass accumulation increased linearly with DLI by up to 122% (geranium), 118% (petunia), and 211% (new guinea impatiens), as DLI increased by ≈11‒12 mol·m−2·d−1, while relative biomass allocation into roots increased under increasing DLI. Compared with cuttings rooted under low DLIs (2.0‒2.4 mol·m−2·d−1), cuttings of all three species generally had greater maximum gross photosynthesis under high DLIs (13.0‒14.2 mol·m−2·d−1) starting 5 or 8 days after transfer. Starch concentration increased with DLI by up to 946% (impatiens) during propagation. Taken together, the increased growth of cuttings appears to be a result of increased carbohydrate availability from elevated photosynthesis and/or photosynthetic capacity.

scholarly journals Greenhouse Conditioning Affects Landscape Performance of Bedding Plants

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-142
Author(s):  
Joyce G. Latimer ◽  
Ronald D. Oetting
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Landscape Plant ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens

Abstract Conditioning treatments were evaluated for effects on growth of bedding plants during greenhouse production and carryover effects on plant performance in the landscape. Treatments included two fertilization regimes using a complete water soluble fertilizer applied three times/week at 500 ppm N, designated ‘high N’, or at 50 ppm N, designated the ‘low N’ treatment. Other treatments included: ebb and flow irrigation, drought stress for up to 2 h wilt/day, 5000 ppm B-Nine (daminozide), 45 ppm Bonzi (paclobutrazol; 180 ppm on columbine), and brushing (40 strokes twice daily). Unless otherwise noted all plants, including controls, were maintained well-irrigated and fertilized with 250 ppm N three times/week. Marigolds and New Guinea impatiens grown under low N during greenhouse production exhibited reduced plant height and width relative to control plants at 4 weeks after planting (WAP) in the landscape. Plant quality ratings of all species conditioned with low N were lower than those of controls 2 and 4 WAP. Plant height of New Guinea impatiens conditioned with high N was greater than that of controls 4 WAP in the landscape. Marigolds subjected to drought in the greenhouse were still shorter than controls 2 and 4 WAP. Persistent height reductions in the landscape in response to B-Nine were observed in ageratum 2 and 4 WAP and to Bonzi in New Guinea impatiens through 8 WAP. Brushing reduced the height of all species except ageratum in the greenhouse, but had no carryover effect on plant growth in the landscape. At 4 weeks after treatment, plant height of columbine treated with low or high N, drought, brushing, or B-Nine was reduced relative to controls, but all plants were similar in size in the landscape.

scholarly journals THE EFFECTS OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON FLOWERING, BRANCHING PATTERNS AND GROWTH OF NEW GUINEA IMPATIENS

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1099c-1099
Author(s):  
J. Phillip McKnight ◽  
G. L. Klingaman
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Flower Development ◽  
No Reduction ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Control Growth ◽  
Branching Patterns ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens ◽  
Number Of Branches ◽  
Growth Regulator Treatment

Eighteen New Guinea impatiens cultivars were evaluated for performance as bedding plants and for suitability as hanging basket plants. The cultivars were treated with three growth retarding chemicals (B-9, Sumagic and Cutless) to determine their effect on plant growth, branching and overall flower development. Two applications of 2500 ppm B-9 produced the most commercially acceptable plants. Height and spread were reduced by approximately 30 percent with no reduction in the number of flowers produced or the number of days to bloom. Cutless and Sumagic applications reduced growth approximately 50 percent and delayed blooming as much as 2 weeks when compared to the untreated control. Growth regulator treatment had no effect on the number of branches produced except with Sumagic which resulted in an overall reduction in branching.

scholarly journals Role of the Fungicide Seed Dressing in Controlling Seed-Borne Fusarium spp. Infection and in Enhancing the Early Development and Grain Yield of Maize

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Luca Capo ◽  
Alessandro Zappino ◽  
Amedeo Reyneri ◽  
Massimo Blandino
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Maize Seeds ◽  
Seed Dressing ◽  
The Impact

Fusarium spp. are key pathogens in maize seeds and seedlings. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the effects of applying fungicides to maize seeds to increase the survival of seedlings and to enhance the early vigor and grain yield of the plants. The protective effects of 2-way (fludioxonil, metalaxil-M) and four-way (fludioxonil, metalaxil-M, azoxystrobin, thiabendazole) fungicide seed treatments were compared with an F. verticillioides seed infected control in 11 field trials carried out in North Italy. A second study focused on the impact F. verticillioides and F. graminearum seed-borne infection on plant growth and on the possible advantages of applying the previously reported seed dressing. The seed dressing increased the plant density, vigor during the whole vegetative growth cycle for all the production situations, and grain yield. F. verticillioides led to a higher seedling mortality than F. graminearum, while both species reduced plant growth and delayed the flowering date. Seed-borne infection has an important impact on both the population and vigor of maize plants. The four-way fungicide enhanced both the defense of the seedlings and the vigor of F. verticillioides infected plants, which in turn resulted in a significant improvement in grain yield, compared to a conventional two-way fungicide.

scholarly journals Assessing plant performance in the Enviratron

Plant Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Bao ◽  
Scott Zarecor ◽  
Dylan Shah ◽  
Taylor Tuel ◽  
Darwin A. Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Hand Movement ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Robotic Arm ◽  
Plant Phenotyping ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Assessing the impact of the environment on plant performance requires growing plants under controlled environmental conditions. Plant phenotypes are a product of genotype × environment (G × E), and the Enviratron at Iowa State University is a facility for testing under controlled conditions the effects of the environment on plant growth and development. Crop plants (including maize) can be grown to maturity in the Enviratron, and the performance of plants under different environmental conditions can be monitored 24 h per day, 7 days per week throughout the growth cycle. Results The Enviratron is an array of custom-designed plant growth chambers that simulate different environmental conditions coupled with precise sensor-based phenotypic measurements carried out by a robotic rover. The rover has workflow instructions to periodically visit plants growing in the different chambers where it measures various growth and physiological parameters. The rover consists of an unmanned ground vehicle, an industrial robotic arm and an array of sensors including RGB, visible and near infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral, thermal, and time-of-flight (ToF) cameras, laser profilometer and pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. The sensors are autonomously positioned for detecting leaves in the plant canopy, collecting various physiological measurements based on computer vision algorithms and planning motion via “eye-in-hand” movement control of the robotic arm. In particular, the automated leaf probing function that allows the precise placement of sensor probes on leaf surfaces presents a unique advantage of the Enviratron system over other types of plant phenotyping systems. Conclusions The Enviratron offers a new level of control over plant growth parameters and optimizes positioning and timing of sensor-based phenotypic measurements. Plant phenotypes in the Enviratron are measured in situ—in that the rover takes sensors to the plants rather than moving plants to the sensors.

scholarly journals Fertilizing behavior of extract of organomineral-activated biochar: low-dose foliar application for promoting lettuce growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhay Kumar ◽  
Stephen Joseph ◽  
Ellen R. Graber ◽  
Sara Taherysoosavi ◽  
David R. G. Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Carbon Nanomaterials ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Deionized Water ◽  
Chemical Fertilizer ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Foliar Sprays ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Fostering plant growth and improving agricultural yields by adding “macro”-sized biochar to soil has been extensively explored. However, the impact and mechanism of action of aqueous extracts of biochar applied as foliar fertilizer on plant growth and physiology is poorly understood, and was the objective of this study. Extracts were produced from biochars derived from pine wood:clay:sand (PCS-BC; 70:15:15) and wheat straw:bird manure (WB-BC; 50:50) and tested at two dilutions each. The plant influence of the biochar extracts and dilutions were compared with chemical fertilizer made up to the same minor trace element compositions as the applied extracts and a control treatment consisting of only deionized water. Results The WB-BC extract was more alkaline than the PCS-BC extract and exhibited higher electrical conductivity values. Similar to the biochars from which they were derived, the WB-BC extract had higher concentrations of dissolved mineral elements and organic matter than the PCS-BC extract. Despite major differences in chemical composition between the PCS-BC and WB-BC extracts, there was virtually no difference in plant performance between them at any chosen dilution. Foliar application of PCS25, WB50, and WB100 led to a significant increase in the plant fresh biomass in comparison to their corresponding chemical fertilizer and to deionized water. Plant growth parameters including number of leaves and chlorophyll contents in plants treated with biochar extract foliar sprays were significantly higher than in all the other treatments. Electron microscopy and spectroscopy studies showed the deposition of macro- and nanoscale organomineral particles and agglomerates on leaf surfaces of the examined PCS25-treated plant. Detailed study suggests that carbon nanomaterials and TiO2 or Si-rich nanoscale organomineral complexes or aluminosilicate compounds from biochar extract were main contributors to increased plant growth and improved plant performance. Conclusion These results suggest that biochar extracts have the potential to be used as nanofertilizer foliar sprays for enhancing plant growth and yield.

scholarly journals Phosphorus Restriction as an Alternative to Chemical Plant Growth Retardants in Angelonia and New Guinea Impatiens

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-142
Author(s):  
Josh B. Henry ◽  
Ingram McCall ◽  
Brian E. Whipker
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Chemical Plant ◽  
Growth Retardants ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Plant Growth Retardants ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens

Chemical plant growth retardants (PGRs) are commonly used to produce compact bedding plants. Few PGRs are labeled for sensitive species because of the concern of excessive restriction of stem elongation or phytotoxicity. Growers are therefore presented with a dilemma: produce untreated plants that may be too tall or risk applying a PGR that can potentially lead to irreversible aesthetic damage to the plant. Nutrient restriction, specifically of phosphorus (P), may be used to control plant height. This study was conducted to determine if restricting P fertilization yielded comparable growth control to plants produced with PGRs. Two cultivars each of new guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) and angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) were grown using five fertilizers that varied by P concentration (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 ppm). Half of the plants from each P fertilizer concentration were treated with paclobutrazol at 4 and 5 weeks after transplant for angelonia and new guinea impatiens, respectively. On termination of the experiment, data were collected for height, diameter, and dry weight, which were used to determine a growth index (GI). Angelonia GI values were maximized with 7–9 ppm P, whereas new guinea impatiens GI was maximized with 8–11 ppm P. Concentrations of 3–5 ppm P provided similar height control to plants grown with nonlimiting P and a paclobutrazol application. Concentrations of ≤2.5 ppm P resulted in low-quality plants with visual symptoms of P deficiency. These results indicate that a narrow range of P concentrations may be used to control stem elongation and keep plants compact.

scholarly journals Impact of Applied Nitrogen Concentration on Growth of Elatior Begonia and New Guinea Impatiens and Susceptibility of Begonia to Botrytis cinerea

2007 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmalingam S. Pitchay ◽  
Jonathan M. Frantz ◽  
James C. Locke ◽  
Charles R. Krause ◽  
George C. J. Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Chlorophyll Content ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
N Supply ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
New Guinea Impatiens

Plant performance and appearance in deficient and toxic levels of nutrients are well characterized. However, less is known about the potential subtleties of plant growth, form, development, nutrient uptake, and biotic stress tolerance in the broad tolerable range. Begonia [Beg (Begonia × tuberhybrida Voss)] and new guinea impatiens [NGI (Impatiens hawkeri Bull.)] were grown over a wide range of N (from 1.78 to 57.1 mm NH4:NO3 ratio at a 1:1 ratio supplied as nutrient solution) in a peat:perlite soilless substrate in greenhouse conditions. Plant growth, development, chlorophyll content, leaf angle, nutrient uptake, tissue caloric value, and susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. disease were evaluated in two experiments. Elevated N supply resulted in decreased plant height (16% in Beg and 7% to 16% in NGI), flower count (3% to 48% in Beg and 7% to 49% in NGI), bud numbers (23% to 80% in Beg), canopy area (11% to 33% in NGI), and mass (21% to 33% in Beg and 18% to 58% in NGI). Chlorophyll content saturated at an N supply of 28.6 mm. N uptake efficiency, shoot N use efficiency, and shoot N utilization efficiency decreased with increasing N supply. Elevated levels of N supply from 7.15 to 57.1 mm also increased the susceptibility of Beg to B. cinerea disease by 10% to 80% in stems and 3% to 14% in leaves. The increase in susceptibility also corresponded with increased tissue energy content (kJ·g−1) and altered leaf orientation. This study indicates many plant changes occur between nutrient extremes that can have a significant impact on growth, development, and the ability to withstand disease.

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