Influence of Floricane Number on Primocane Growth, Cold Hardiness, and Yield Components in `Marion' (Rubus sp.) Blackberry

In Spring 1993 and 1994, treatments of 0, 4, 8, and 12 floricanes per plant were established in a mature `Marion' planting. Primocanes were measured weekly for the number and length of primocanes and primocane branches. Maximum hardiness of primocanes was determined in Jan. 1994 and 1995 by controlled freezing. Yield components were measured in both the current and following season. Additional plants were harvested in summer and winter for dry-weight partitioning. Plants with no floricanes had an increased number and length of primocanes and branches than plants with floricanes in 1993, with similar trends in 1994. Primocane growth on plants without floricanes showed a 65% increase in primocane dry weight in 1993. However, in 1994, there were no significant differences among treatments. Primocane branch dry weight generally increased with decreasing floricane number. The relationship between primocane growth and the following season's yield components will be presented.

Gas Exchange, Water Relations, and Dry Weight Partitioning during Root Initiation and Development of Poinsettia Cuttings

Gas exchange, water relations, and dry weight partitioning of shoot tip cuttings of `Eckespoint Lilo Red' (`Lilo') and `Gutbier V-10 Amy Red' (`Amy') poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Wind. ex Klotzsch) were studied during the initiation and development of adventitious roots. Net photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (g) of cuttings were initially low and remained low until root primordia formation. Foliar relative water content (RWC) and osmotic potential (ψπ) increased upon formation of root primordia. Following formation of root primordia (2 days before visible root emergence) and concurrent with increasing RWC and ψπ, g increased. As roots initially emerged, A and g increased rapidly and continued to increase with further root primordia development and subsequent emergence of adventitious roots. Cutting stem and leaf dry mass and leaf area increased during the first few days after sticking cuttings. During primordium development and initial root emergence, the highest percent increase in dry weight was accounted for by basal stem sections. AU cuttings of both cultivars rooted and had similar root numbers after 23 days, but `Lilo' cuttings had 15% better rooting and 44% more roots than `Amy' after 15 days. This research supports the hypothesis that formation and elongation of root primordia coincides with increased gas exchange in poinsettia cuttings, and that gas exchange can be used as a nondestructive indicator of adventitious root development.