Horticulture Commons^™

Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2024, Jeremy Ross

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2024 Arkansas Soybean Research Studies includes research reports on topics pertaining to soybean across several disciplines from breeding to post-harvest processing. Research reports contained in this publication may represent preliminary or only data from a single year or limited results; therefore, these results should not be used as a basis for long-term recommendations. Several research reports in this publication will appear in other University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station publications. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between disciplines and our effort to inform Arkansas soybean producers of the research being …

Evaluation Of The Weed Control Efficacy And Potential Economic Returns Of An Autonomous Weeder In Vegetable Production Systems, Claire Plassmeyer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Vegetable production requires intensive weed management. Conventional producers rely on herbicide applications to manage weeds effectively at low costs; however, growers are under pressure to minimize chemical use due to environmental concerns and increased incidences of herbicide resistance. Non-conventional systems, including organic and sustainably focused small-scale production, rely primarily on cultural practices and physical weed control methods, which are labor-intensive and costly due to limited labor availability and rising wages. These concerns have prompted the development of autonomous weeding devices, such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) equipped with navigation sensors and implements to provide repeated, high-precision weed control. Compact devices …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2025, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Lovelady, B. Guest Jr, J. Mcalee, L. Martin, Z. Treadway, C. Henderson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The tests at Rohwer were abandoned due to undefined …

Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2025, Nathan A. Slaton

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Rapid technological changes in crop management and production require that the research efforts be presented in an expeditious manner. The contributions of soil fertility and fertilizers are major production factors in all Arkansas crops. The studies described within will allow producers to compare their practices with the university’s research efforts. Additionally, soil-test data and fertilizer sales are presented to allow comparisons among years, crops, and other areas within Arkansas.

Investigating Nutrient Management & The Impacts Of Nitrogen On Blackberries Across Arkansas And The Southeast, Amanda Michelle Lay-Walters

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) research on nutrient needs, monitoring practices, and dynamics in the United States has primarily been conducted on cultivars popularly grown in the Pacific Northwest. Thus, regional research is required to understand the needs of blackberry cultivars grown in the southeastern U.S., with southeastern U.S. production practices. In 2022 and 2023, 12 cultivars of blackberry, across seven states, were leaf tissue sampled across multiple phenological stages for nutrient analysis. In Clarksville, AR from 2022 to 2024, six rates of N were applied to established ‘Ouachita’ blackberry plants. During the trial, plant yield, post-harvest fruit quality, fruit …

Validation Of Diagnostic Markers And Linkage Mapping In Vitis × Muscadinia Hybrids, Isabella Vaughn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Vitis genus comprises two subgenera, Vitis (2n = 38) and Muscadinia (2n = 40), both cultivated for wine, juice, and fresh-market fruit. Vitis vinifera cultivars produce high-quality fruit but are highly susceptible to diseases endemic to the southeastern United States, while muscadines (Muscadinia rotundifolia) provide exceptional disease resistance, heat tolerance, and environmental adaptability. Hybridizing these subgenera offers a path to combine fruit quality with disease resistance; however, wide Vitis × Muscadinia (V × M) crosses remain difficult due to differences in chromosome number, genetic divergence, and reproductive barriers that reduce fertility and recombination. Recent breeding efforts have introgressed stenospermocarpic …

Assessing Native Tallgrass Prairie Species As Main Roadside Vegetation In Arkansas, Sarah Paschal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tallgrass prairies are among the most endangered ecosystems in North America, with Arkansas having lost over 99% of its native grasslands. This research evaluated the potential for using native tallgrass prairie species in Arkansas roadside vegetation. Two field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2024. The first assessed seven native seed mixtures at three roadside locations (Clarksville, Huntsville, and Newport). Seed mixture composition significantly influenced establishment outcomes, with early-establishing forbs such as black-eyed Susan, partridge pea, and Illinois bundleflower performing well, though establishment varied by location. A second trial compared planting date (Autumn, Winter, Spring) and planting method (broadcast, drill …

Blackeyed Susan Establishment And Injury Following Application Of Common Roadsides Herbicides, Rachel C. Woody-Pumford, Matt Bertucci, Mike D. Richardson, Dirk Phillip, Hannah E. Wright-Smith

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Limited herbicide options are available for selective weed management in roadside native plantings. Thus, this field study evaluated blackeyed Susan's (Rudbeckia hirta L.) tolerance to four postemergence (POST) herbicides-quinclorac, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, clopyralid, and metsulfuron-during prairie establishment in Fayetteville, AR, across two growing seasons in 2022 and 2023. Blackeyed Susan was assessed for plant incidence, bloom count, and visible injury. In 2022, no reduction in blackeyed Susan blooms was detected in response to POST herbicides; however, peak bloom counts occurred 1 week after treatment (WAT) and ranged from 1.1 to 1.6 blooms per ft2. In 2023, at 10 WAT, blackeyed Susan plants …

Research Progress On The Effect Of Grafting Technology On Disease Resistance And Stress Resistance Of Watermelon, Xuena Liu, Shikai La, Chang Chen, Ainong Shi, Mingjiao Wang, Yingying Zhang, Jinghuai Guo, Lingdi Dong

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Grafting is an effective horticultural technique that significantly enhances disease resistance and stress tolerance in watermelon. This review systematically summarizes the types of rootstocks used in watermelon grafting and analyzes the effects of grafting on plant responses to biotic stresses, such as viral and fungal pathogens, root-knot nematodes infections, and abiotic stresses, including drought, temperature extremes, and salinity. Furthermore, it discusses the changes in fruit quality and explores the underlying mechanisms associated with graft-induced resistance. By synthesizing recent research advances, this review aims to offer valuable insights and practical references for improving resistance and promoting sustainable production in cucurbit and …

Genome-Wide Association Study And Genomic Prediction Of Leaf Spot (Stemphylium Vesicarium) Resistance In Spinach Diversity Panel, Gehendra Bhattarai, Bo Liu, James Cor, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Stemphylium leaf spot (SLP), caused by Stemphylium vesicarium, has emerged as an increasing threat to spinach production in the United States, with widespread outbreaks reported across major spinach-growing regions over the past two decades. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate global USDA spinach germplasm collections and commercial cultivars for resistance to S. vesicarium; (2) perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genomic regions associated with resistance; and (3) conduct genomic prediction (GP) to enhance selection accuracy. A total of 311 diverse spinach genotypes, including USDA germplasm accessions and commercial cultivars, were evaluated under greenhouse conditions at the …

Genetic Control Of Sweetness And Acidity In Blackberry, Carly Godwin, T. Mason Chizk, Carmen John, Lacy Nelson, Renee Threlfall, John R. Clark, Margaret L. Worthington

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction The global blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) industry has experienced rapid growth during the past 20 years. Even so, many industry stakeholders report complaints from consumers and grocers stating that blackberries are often too tart or not sweet enough for their palate. Studies have shown that most consumers prefer sweet blackberries with relatively low acidity, but little research has been conducted to understand the genetic control of these traits in Rubus.Methods The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to sweetness and acidity in autotetraploid blackberry using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A panel consisting …

Identification Of A Qtl Region For Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Resistance In Solanum Pimpinellifolium, Namrata Jaiswal, Bazgha Zia, Bidisha Chanda, Andrea Gillard, Ainong Shi, Kai-Shu Ling

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), one of the most widely grown vegetables in the world, has been seriously impacted in the past decade by the emerging tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). ToBRFV is a seed-borne tobamovirus, with ability to overcome the commonly used Tm-22 resistance gene in tomato. The objective of this study was to conduct quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and identify single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with ToBRFV resistance in tomato. Two F2 populations were used for QTL mapping: One derived from a cross between S. pimpinellifolium USVL333 (PI 390718) x USVL332 (PI 390717) and another from 'Moneymaker' …

Greenhouse Evaluation Of Great Plains Native Grasses And Forbs Tolerance To Postemergence Herbicides Used For Roadside Weed Control, Rachel C. Woody-Pumford, Matthew B. Bertucci, Mike D. Richardson, Dirk Philipp, Hannah E. Wright-Smith

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

To combat the decline in North American grasslands and prairies, innovative strategies to establish new native grass and forb plantings must be considered. Integrated vegetation management entails the use of many practices to cultivate desirable vegetation along roadsides, including mowing, applying herbicides, burning, and replanting. Currently, only a limited selection of postemergence herbicides are available to improve native plant establishment along roadsides. A greenhouse herbicide screen that included four postemergence herbicides registered for use on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and rights-of-way was conducted to test their safety for use on four native grasses (big bluestem, buffalograss, sideoats grama, and …

Genome-Wide Characterization Of Vdac Gene Family In Soybean (Glycine Max L.) And In Silico Expression Profiling In Response To Drought And Salt Stress, Muhammad Muneeb Ullah, Muqadas Aleem, Mudassar Muhammad Iqbal, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is grown worldwide to obtain edible oil, livestock feed, and biodiesel. However, drought and salt stress are becoming serious challenges to global soybean cultivation as they retard the growth of soybean plants and cause significant yield losses. Voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) proteins are well-known for their role in drought and salt tolerance in crop plants. In this study, we identified 111 putative VDAC genes randomly distributed in genomes of 14 plant species, including cultivated soybean (Glycine max) and wild soybean (Glycine soja). The comparative phylogenetic studies classified these genes into six different clades and found the …

Arkansas Corn And Grain Sorghum Research Studies 2024, Jason Kelley, Travis Faske

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2024 edition of the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Studies Series includes research results on topics pertaining to corn and grain sorghum production, including weed, disease, nematode, and insect management; economics; irrigation; agronomics; soil fertility; drone use; and research verification program results.

Our objective is to capture and broadly distribute the results of research projects funded by the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board. The intended audience includes producers and their advisors, current investigators, and future researchers. The Series serves as a citable archive of research results.

The reports inform and guide our long-term recommendations, but should not …

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Nutrient Deprivation Reduces Nitrate Content In Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa Var. Ramosa Hort.) And Enhances Nitrogen Metabolism, Yingying Zhang, Xuena Liu, Shikai La, Mingjiao Wang, Xu Hu, Ainoug Shi, Jinghuai Guo, Lingdi Dong

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Excessive nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables poses health risks and indicates inefficient nitrogen use in conventional agriculture. While nitrogen metabolism has been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms linking nutrient deprivation to nitrate reduction in vegetables remain unclear. Methods In this study, we investigated these mechanisms in lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. ramosa Hort.) by analyzing nitrate content and gene expression in leaves and roots under nutrient deprivation. Results After five days of treatment, nitrate content decreased by 57.49% in leaves and 50.77% in roots. Transcriptome sequencing identified 323 and 3,494 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves and roots, respectively, with …

Genome Wide Association Study Of Fusarium Wilt Resistance In Spinacia Turkestanica, Sanjaya Gyawali, Gehendra Bhattarai, James C. Correll, Ainong Shi, Lindsey J. Du Troit

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fusarium wilt of spinach, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae (Fos), leads to substantial losses in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seed production in the only region of the USA suitable for growing spinach seed crops, the maritime Pacific Northwest. Accessions of wild spinach, S. turkestanica, serve as a major source of resistance to multiple spinach diseases. In this study, 84 Spinacia genotypes (all 68 S. turkestanica accessions available publicly and 16 S. oleracea) were evaluated for reactions to Fos at medium and high densities of inoculum comprising a mix of isolates of races 1 and 2, using a factorial experimental …

Quantifying Temperature Effects On Developmental Rate And Plant Quality Of Compact Container-Grown Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum), Morgan Humphrey

Horticulture Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mean daily temperature effects on plant development rates and quality were evaluated for compact container-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Compact tomato varieties ‘Siam’ and ‘Red Velvet’ were grown in greenhouses at 18 to 26 °C (Experiment 1) and 20 to 30 °C (Experiment 2) under supplemental high-pressure sodium lighting and 16-hour photoperiod. The number of days to first open flower, first ripe fruit, and from flower to ripe fruit were measured and development rates calculated by taking the reciprocal (e.g. 1/days). Temperature effects were predicted by fitting a linear (for first open flower) and a nonlinear exponential function (for …

Designing And Installing A Disability Accessible Teaching Garden, Annabelle D. Denham

Horticulture Undergraduate Honors Theses

As horticulture becomes increasingly popular as a subject, activity, and form of therapy, its inclusivity has not kept up with the pace of its growth. In order to address the need for inclusivity and accessibility, gardens must adopt universal design. Individuals with special needs continuously face discrimination. While horticulture therapy has long been studied and catered to primarily neurotypical and able-bodied individuals, there is limited research on creating gardens specifically to include those with disabilities. This project aimed to create a garden that could serve the needs of all participants, regardless of their ability and sensory needs. The garden was …

Developing Custom Fertilizer Strategies Recirculating Hydroponic Systems, Joshua Bryan Tebow

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hydroponic systems recirculate nutrient solution to reduce the amount of water used in leafy green production. However, the rootzone of the nutrient solution is complex and influenced by interacting factors such as plant uptake demand, irrigation water quality, supplied fertilizer salts and nutrient concentrations, environmental conditions, and injection of mineral acids/bases to control solution pH. A common strategy for managing nutrients in commercial production is to select a hydroponic solution formulation (i.e. recipe) to supply and maintain a target pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in the recirculating solution over time by automatic injection of mineral acids/bases and concentrated fertilizer stock …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2024, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Lovelady, B. Guest Jr., J. Mcalee, L. Martin, Z. Treadway, C. Henderson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The 2024 tests at Keiser were adversely affected …

Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2024, Nathan A. Slaton

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Rapid technological changes in crop management and production require that the research efforts be presented in an expeditious manner. The contributions of soil fertility and fertilizers are major production factors in all Arkansas crops. The studies described within will allow producers to compare their practices with the university’s research efforts. Additionally, soil-test data and fertilizer sales are presented to allow comparisons among years, crops, and other areas within Arkansas.

Arkansas Soybean Performance Tests 2024, J. F. Carlin, R. D. Bond, T. C. Swanson, J. C. Mccoy

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Soybean variety and strain performance tests are conducted each year in Arkansas by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement Program. The tests provide information to companies developing varieties and/ or marketing seed within the state and aid the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in formulating variety recommendations for soybean producers.

Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2023, Jeremy Ross

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2023 Arkansas Soybean Research Studies includes research reports on topics pertaining to soybean across several disciplines from breeding to post-harvest processing. Research reports contained in this publication may represent preliminary or only data from a single year or limited results; therefore, these results should not be used as a basis for long-term recommendations.

Several research reports in this publication will appear in other University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station publications. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between disciplines and our effort to inform Arkansas soybean producers of the research …

Arkansas Corn And Grain Sorghum Performance Tests 2024, J. F. Carlin, R. D. Bond, J. C. Mccoy, T. C. Swanson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Corn and grain sorghum performance tests are conducted each year in Arkansas by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The tests provide information to companies marketing seed within the state and aid the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in formulating recommendations for producers.

The 2024 corn performance tests contained 44 hybrids and were conducted at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center (NERREC) at Harrisburg, the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station (LMCRS) near Marianna, the Rohwer Research Station (RRS) near Rohwer, and the Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) near Stuttgart. The 2024 grain sorghum performance tests contained 16 …

Genome-Wide Association Studies In Lettuce Reveal The Interplay Of Seed Age, Color, And Germination Under High Temperatures, Sookyung Oh, Ezekiel Ahn, Ainong Shi, Beiquan Mou, Sunchung Park

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Thermoinhibition, the suppression of seed germination by high temperatures, is an adaptive trait that ensures successful seedling establishment in natural environments. While beneficial for wild plants, thermoinhibition can adversely affect crop yields due to uneven and reduced germination rates, particularly in the face of climate change. To understand the genetic basis of thermoinhibition, we conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of a diverse panel of Lactuca spp. accessions. Our findings revealed that L. serriola, a wild ancestor of cultivated lettuce, showed relaxed thermoinhibition response compared to cultivated lettuce, suggesting that this trait may have been positively selected during early domestication in …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Clbbm And Clplt2 Function Redundantly During Both Male And Female Gametophytes Development In Watermelon, Qiyan Liu, Dongfen Han, Jinfan Chen, Jie Wang, Denghu Cheng, Xiner Chen, Jiao Jiang, Shujjuan Tian, Jiafa Wang, Man Liu, Haizheng Xiong, Li Yuan

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

As a prerequisite for sexual reproduction, gametophyte development is an interesting process involving cell proliferation, differentiation and specialization. Gametogenesis has been extensively explored in model plants, but the regulatory mechanism of gametophyte development largely remains unknown in Cucurbitaceae species. In present study, we have shown that watermelon ClBBM and ClPLT2, two AP2/ERF transcription factors, participated in both male and female gametophyte development. Clbbm and Clplt2 single mutants resembled wild-type phenotypes in both vegetative and reproductive development. But Clbbm/Clplt2 double mutant showed partial pollen abortion and bore less seeds comparing to WT. Our results indicated that the abnormal pollen grains were …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.