Life Sciences Commons^™

Phosphorous And Potassium Fertility Management For Maximizing Tart Cherry Fruit Quality And Productivity On Alkaline Soils, Sean D. Rowley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Suitable orchard land in regions of the Intermountain West is becoming more limited due to urban sprawl. With the loss of suitable farmland, increasing production costs, and the lack of sound fertility information for these regions, fruit growers face challenges to produce high quality fruit for market demand. Current standard management practices are not sufficient to optimize yield and fruit quality in the marginal farm land that is currently be used for fruit production. Fertility management of orchard trees is vital to tree health, yield, and fruit quality.

Three different approaches were used to investigate the effects of Phosphorus (P) …

Enhancing Out-Of-Season Production Of Tomatoes And Lettuce Using High Tunnels, Britney L. Hunter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The growing season for vegetable crops is limited by freezing temperatures in arid high elevation climates such as northern Utah. Logan, Utah (41.73 N, 111.83 W, 1382 m elevation) has a short, variable growing season with an average frost-free period of 135 days. Extending the growing season provides growers with an opportunity to extend revenue into a normally unproductive period and benefit from out-of-season price premiums. High tunnels have been used to effectively extend the growing season for numerous crops by providing cold temperature protection. However, limited high tunnel research has been performed in arid high elevation regions that experience …

Selecting And Propagating Clones Of Bigtooth Maple (Acer Grandidentatum Nutt.), Melody Reed Richards

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Numerous wild bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum Nutt.) specimens in northern Utah have potential for use in landscapes, but improvements in selection and propagation need to be developed before these specimens can be introduced to the green industry. Criteria-based evaluations centered on aesthetics, function, and fall color were performed to objectively select superior bigtooth maple specimens. Out of 56 trees initially selected for red fall color, six were selected for propagation based on all three criteria. Five of the six selected trees yielded viable bud take via chip budding. Optimum time for chip budding propagation was determined by four experiments. …

Season Extension Of Strawberry And Raspberry Production Using High Tunnels, Daniel R. Rowley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

High tunnels have been used successfully in many areas of the world to extend the growing season for numerous crops. However, very little research has been conducted to evaluate the season extension benefits offered by high tunnels to small fruit crops in high elevation growing areas such as the Intermountain West region of the United States. The use of high tunnels was investigated in North Logan, Utah (41.766 N latitude, 1405 m elevation, 119 freeze free days) to extend the growing season for both strawberries and raspberries. June-bearing 'Chandler' strawberries in a fall-planted annual hill system were evaluated for early …

Soil Moisture Responses In Traditional And Drought Adapted Landscapes In The Intermountain West, James Gregory

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water conservation in the Intermountain West will be an important issue in the future as population and demand for limited water resources increases. In Utah, outdoor water use accounts for up to 60% of total per capita water use with 67% of that outdoor water being used to irrigate non native plant species to maintain a uniform green appearance. The objective of this study was to measure intra landscape changes in soil water potential during a 21.5 day dry down from DOY 215 to 236.5 in the summer of 2005 and 2006. Four, 2 x 2 replicated traditional and drought …

Evaluation Of Competition Between Turfgrass And Trees In The Landscape, Christopher A. Hendrickson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Population growth in regions of the Intermountain West has resulted in rapid growth of residential neighborhoods. In Utah, the landscapes associated with these expanding neighborhoods consume vast quantities of treated water. This is a concern in all states of the Intermountain West, as water becomes increasingly scarce. Traditionally used turfgrasses, trees and other plants in Intermountain West landscapes require significant amounts of supplemental water considering the intense sunlight, dry winds and sparse rainfall typical of the region. Characterizing the interactions between turfgrass and tree species in these landscapes can aid in the identification of candidate species that consume less nutritional …

The Basis Of Browsing Tolerance In Shrubs Of The Intermountain West: Growth Rates And Meristematic Potential, Jackson L. Wandera

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Relative growth rates (RGRs) and meristematic potential of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata, in some experiments ssp. tridentata Nutt. and in other experiments ssp. vaseyana [Rydb] Beetls), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata [Pursh] DC), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.), birchleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus Raf.), curlleaf mountain mahogany (C. ledifolius Nutt.) and big tooth maple (Acer grandidentatum Nutt.) were quantified under both glasshouse and field conditions. The relationships between the RGRs, meristematic potential and regrowth capacity of the shrub species were then determined. Sagebrush exhibited a significantly higher RGR than the other species at both high and low …

A Histopathological Study Of Rhizoctonia Solani Kuhn Infection Of Resistant And Susceptible Lines Of Lima Bean (Phaseolus Limensis Macf.), Chulevan Bunnag

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of Rhizoctonia solani on the hypocotyls of resistant and susceptible lines of lima bean were studied. The fungus attacks lima bean at one or more stages during host development and causes pre-and -postemergence damping-off, root rot, and foliage blight. The isolate of the fungus used in this study was obtained from infected radishes grown in Salt Lake County, Utah.

The formation of infection cushions and modes of penetration by this fungus was no different on the resistant and susceptible lima bean hypocotyls. The infection process was studied under laboratory conditions. Differential staining showed that the fungal hyphae were …

The Anatomical And Morphological Effects Of Dcpa On Seedlings Of Selected Species Of Plants, Bijan Shaybany

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Seeds of oat, green foxtail, squash and tomato were germinated in soil treated with different levels of DCPA (dimethyl 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorote-rephthalate). The concentrations used varied according to the sensitivity of the plants to the chemical.

The response of oat and foxtail to DCPA was similar. The growth of booth root and shoot was reduced. This reduction was directly related to the concentration of DCPA. Anatomical studies showed that cells in the shoot and root meristems of treated plants were completely disarranged and that some of the cells of these regions were hypertrophied. Some clumping of nuclei was observed …

The Effects Of Pre-Emergence Applications Of Simazine And Post-Emergence Applications Of Dalapon On Physio-Chemical Changes In Apple, Sour Cherry, Sweet Cherry, And Prunus Mahaleb, Jawad Thanoon Agha

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Simazine and dalapon have been used to control weeds in many crops during the last few years, but in 1963, when this study was begun, their uses in fruit orchards were limited. To study the effects of simazine and dalapon both on the control of weeds and on various metabolic changes in apple (Malis pumila), Montmorency sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), sweet cherry (Prunus avium), and Prunus mahaleb root stock, experiments were conducted from 1964 through 1966 in both the field and in the greenhouse.

The application of a low dosage of simazine (4 lb/A) to soil around twelve-year-old Montmorency sour …

A Study Of The Influence Of Petroleum Mulches On Several Herbicides With Selected Vegetable Crops, C. Linnis Mills

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of petroleum mulches on plant response to herbicides were studied at the Farmington Field Station. The herbicides were applied to the soil preemergent and by incorporation at one-half, normal and double the recommended rates with asphalt overlay. The herbicides and crops used were: Atrazine and Ramrod on sweet corn, PEBC and Diphenamid on tomatoes and EPTC and Trifluralin on snap beans.

Germination, overall crop rating, grass and broad leafed weed control and yields were measured. Data recorded from these trials showed that herbicides are as effective under the asphalt when compared to plots with herbicide but no asphalt. …

The Influence Of Petroleum Mulch On The Germination And Yield Of Tomatoes, Clarence Frank Williams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of petroleum mulches on the emergence and yield of tomatoes were studied at the Farmington Field Station, Greenville Field Station, North Logan, and the greenhouse. The mulches were applied as surface overlays above the seed or incorporating before planting.

Seedling emergence and yields were measured. Data recorded from trials conducted under cool weather conditions indicated that petroleum mulch overlays can be effective in increasing seedling emergence.

The increased seedling emergence with petroleum mulch is due to increased soil temperature, less moisture loss from the surface, and a minimum of soil crust formation.

The Effect Of Protective Materials On The Overwintering Of Hardy Annuals, Candytuft And Stocks, Melvin S. Burningham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many hardy annual flowers will live through the winter if there is sufficient snow protection. Since snow cover is not consistent from year to year it has been suggested that hardy annuals planted in late summer and provided with some kind of protection before severe freezing begins will live through the winter successfully. Not only would this enable plants to bloom four to six weeks earlier, but would also enable gardeners to utilize flowers not commonly grown in northern Utah.

Some studies conducted at the Utah Experiment Station in Farmington have indicated that plants such as candytuft and snapdragons can …

A Review Of Plant Propagation Methods, Somsong Aritajat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to consider how the rooting of cuttings may be affected by such methods and factors as: type of cutting, time of year when cuttings are best taken, differences between individual species, use of chemicals for the treatment of cuttings, rooting media, and the care of cuttings in the propagation beds.

In the past 35 years scientists have done considerable experimenting with the application of organic chemicals on the roots, stems and leaves of various plants. These organic chemicals have come to be known as "plant hormones" or "plant regulators." They have proved to be …

Physio-Chemical Changes In Relation To The Rest Period Of Peach And Apricot Trees, Hussein Ibrahim El-Mansy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many plants require exposure to low temperature for a certain period during each year. This was determined more than a century ago. Understanding this phenomenon, known as the rest period, is part of a larger problem of understanding the factors which determine the ability of an organism to grow. The property of rest is ultimately a property of the actively growing cells, rather than that of the cells involved with protection and support.

Effects Of Chilling, Chemicals And Pruning On The Rest Period Of Peach Trees, Ataollah Yazdaniha

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many deciduous trees enter a stage each year when their visible growth ceases. This is not always associated with cold weather or lack of water, and may occur with many species in mid-to-late summer. Trees entering this phase are said to be in rest. Rest is caused when internal factors are unfavorable for growth, while dormancy is defined as external factors being adverse for growth.

Rest in woody plants was first thought, about 1910, to be caused by cold temperatures. However, Coville (1920) states that deciduous trees enter rest regardless of cold temperature, with a certain period of effective chilling …

A Nutritional Survey Of Sweet Cherry Orchards In Utah, M. Dale Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The sweet cherry crop has always been the number one fruit crop in Utah until the last three or four years when it shifted to second place due to severe spring frosts. However, the outlook for its continued success is still very good. Even though there are drawbacks such as virus infestations, spring frosts, nutritional disorders, cracking, doubling, and bird injury, new plantings are being made each year in each of the important fruit producing counties. Utah is also important in the national production of sweet cherries and is presently sixth in the nation.

A nutritional survey of sweet cheries …

Post-Harvest Storage Studies With Selected Fruits, Amrik Singh Dhaliwal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It has been estimated that one-fourth of the fresh fruits harvested are never consumed because of spoilage. This spoilage amounts to many thousands of tons of fruits which are valued annually at several million dollars. Several factors are responsible for the post-harvest spoilage of fruits, namely, pathological, physiological, and mechanical.

Men in the past have used various methods to control pathological spoilage of foods. The recent development of nuclear radiation, antibiotics, fungicides, and packaging films provides new methods for prolonging the shelf-life of many fruits. These may prove important in countries like India where refrigeration facilities are not readily available …

The Study Of The Effect Of Various Methods Of Harvesting And Curing On The Color And Viability Of Lima Bean Seed, S. G. Date

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many seedsmen have observed that lima bean seed of a variety like Early Thorogreen, which has green cotyledons, often fades in color during harvesting. This fading of color is known as bleaching. A variety which has green cotyledon and hence green seed, should retain this green color during harvest. Bleached seeds are likely to emerge slowly when planted. Also the final field stand from a planting of bleached seed is likely to be poor.

Effect Of Sweeteners On The Acceptability Of Selected Processed Fruits, Richard Lee Mclaughlin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In 1959 Abbott Laboratories estimated (3) that every year 60 million persons go on controlled diets. Of these about 34 million have serious obesity problems, 3 million are diabetics and the rest have disorders that demand strict dietary measures.

Use Of Gamma Radiation, Chemicals, And Packaging Films To Control Post Harvest Diseases And To Extend Refrigerated Life Of Strawberries And Cherries, Gerald M. Cooper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent years there has been a considerable amount of work done on developing chemicals that would inhibit mold growth when applied to fresh fruit, and at the same time, be acceptable to man when taken orally. This would save many thousands of tons of fresh produce that are lost each year by spoilage before it ever reaches the consumer. Along with the development of new chemicals to inhibit mold growth there is a substantial amount of research being done on developing a packaging film that will prevent recontamination of the produce, at the same time allowing the passage of …

Studies On The Relationship Of Moisture Content To Threshability And Viability Of Pea Seeds, Filixberto Roquia Y Dulalas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

When in commercial practice seed peas (Pisum sativum) are harvested, the vines are cut and windrowed or bunched and allowed to cure for a week or longer, depending upon the moisture content of the crop and weather conditions. The sooner the crop can be threshed, the less is the chance of loss caused by rain and the often-necessary attendant operation of turning the windrow or bunch to facilitate drying. In general, growers wait until the vines, pods, and seeds are quite dry. To what extent this is necessary is not known.

Chemical Thinning Studies On Peaches In Utah, Ramzi Mustafa Khalidy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Investigations on chemical thinning of peaches by use of blossom and post blossom sprays have been in progress since the last decade mainly in the United States, Canada, and some European countries. Horticulturists are attempting to find new means to minimize the expense of hand thinning. The high cost of the hand thinning operation has caused many growers to underestimate the importance of this practice, and as a result their orchards have fallen into the biennial bearing habit. In addition, the fruit from un-thinned orchards was not acceptable on the market since it was small in size, lacked color, and …