Horticulture Commons^™

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 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 …

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.

Genomic Insights Of Leafminer Resistance In Spinach Through Gwas Approach And Genomic Prediction, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Beiquan Mou, Kenani Edward Chiwina, Waltram Ravelombola, Qun Luo, Yiting Xiao, Yang Tian, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Leafminers, representing a diverse group of insects from various genera within the Agromyzidae family, pose a significant threat to spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) production. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with leafminer resistance through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and to evaluate the prediction accuracy (PA) for selecting resistant spinach using genomic prediction (GP). Using a dataset of 84 301 SNPs obtained from whole-genome resequencing, seven GWAS models, including BLINK, FarmCPU, MLM, and MLMM in GAPIT 3, as well as MLM, GLM, and SMR in TASSEL 5, were employed to perform GWAS on …

Factors Affecting Diet Selection In Sheep Fed Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue, Jordan Thomas, Ronelson Stinfil, Kenneth P. Coffey, Christine C. Nieman, Derico Setyabrata, Shawna Weimer

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

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) infected with toxin‑producing fungi can induce fescue toxicosis in grazing ruminants, reducing performance and altering forage intake. Chemical compounds in red clover (Trifolium pratense), such as biochanin A, have been proposed to mitigate these effects by improving palatability and blood vessel relaxation. This study examined whether the inclusion of ground red clover (GRC), either alone or in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), affected voluntary diet selection in lambs offered toxic fescue. Thirty‑three lambs were housed individually and assigned randomly to one of four diets: (1) toxic …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

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

No abstract provided.

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Lauren Rogers, Danielle Reeves

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

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Jeff Edwards

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

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

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

No abstract provided.

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 27 2026, Several Authors

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

No abstract provided.

Genome-Wide Study Of Salt Tolerance In Usda Tomato Germplasm At Seedling Stage, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Hanan Mohammedsaeed Alkabkabi, Kenani Chiwina, Yuejun Qu, Renjie Du, Qun Luo, Kai-Shu Ling, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Salinity is a major constraint on tomato production, increasingly intensified by climate change. This study aimed to develop superior salt-tolerant tomato cultivars by evaluating genetic variation in salt tolerance, identifying associated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and applying genomic prediction (GP). A total of 265 tomato accessions from the USDA germplasm collection were evaluated at the seedling stage under controlled greenhouse conditions with saline stress (200 mM NaCl). Nineteen accessions were identified as salt-tolerant, exhibiting a leaf injury score (LIS) < = 3.0 (on a 1-7 scale) and less than 40% chlorophyll reduction compared to non-stressed controls. GWAS was conducted using 27,046 SNPs generated via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), utilizing five models in GAPIT3 (GLM, MLM, MLMM, FarmCPU, and BLINK), three models in TASSEL 5 (SMR, GLM, and MLM), and three models in rMVP (GLM, MLM, and FarmCPU). Eight SNPs with LOD scores > 5.73 were significantly associated with salt tolerance (RST_C), located on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, …

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 Genome Prediction Of Tallness Trait In Spinach Phenotyping, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Hanan Alkabkabi, Kenani Chiwina, Beiquan Mou, Qun Luo, Yuejun Qu, Renjie Du, Awais Riaz, Derrick J. Harrison

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plant height is a critical agronomic trait in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), influencing both mechanical harvesting efficiency and overall yield. In this study, plant height variation was evaluated in 307 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) germplasm accessions, which were phenotyped and genotyped using 15,058 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from whole-genome resequencing. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using the General Linear Model (GLM), Mixed Linear Model (MLM), Multiple Loci Mixed Model (MLMM), Fixed and Random Model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU), and Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK) models implemented in the Genomic Association and Prediction Integrated Tool …

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 …

Blackberry Long-Cane Cold Storage And Forcing Strategy Effects On Flower And Fruit Development, Leala Machesney, Ryan Dickson, Amanda Mcwhirt, Margaret L. Worthington, Stephanie E. Burnett

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Blackberry (Rubus subg. Rubus) production using soilless culture and "long-cane" techniques offers growers the potential to achieve off-season harvests and increase yields. This study investigated the feasibility of achieving early spring harvests and high yields with four blackberry cultivars (Natchez, Ouachita, Prime-ArkVR Freedom, and Prime-ArkVR Traveler) grown using long-cane techniques and six different cold storage and forcing environment strategies. Long-cane blackberry plants were container-grown outdoors during 2020 and were overwintered either at an outdoor nursery or in a cold storage facility (4 degrees C). Dormant plants were then forced the following spring at the outdoor nursery location or in a …

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 …

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 …

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' …

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 …

Genetic Control Of Prickles In Tetraploid Blackberry, Carmen Johns, Alexander Silva, Thomas Mason Chizk, Lacy Nelson, John R. Clark, Rishi Aryal, H. Ashrafi, Ellen Thompson, Michael Hardigan, Margaret Worthington

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Prickle-free blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) canes are strongly preferred by growers due to food and worker safety concerns and damage to fruit from mechanical injury by prickles. This project was conducted to identify the genetic region responsible for prickle-free canes derived from the recessive "Merton Thornless" source in autotetraploid blackberry using a genome-wide association study, develop diagnostic Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR markers for prickle-free canes, and determine the effects of allele dosage at the prickle-free locus on prickle density in 2 biparental populations. The prickle locus was located on chromosome Ra04 from 30.48 to 36.04 Mb in an extensive LD block, …

Identification Of Loci And Candidate Genes Associated With Arginine Content In Soybean, Jiahao Ma, Qing Yang, Cuihong Cu, Zhi Liu, Xiaolei Shi, Xintong Wu, Rongqing Xu, Pengshuo Shen, Yuechen Zhang, Ainong Shi, Long Yan

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soybean (Glycine max) seeds are rich in amino acids, offering key nutritional and physiological benefits. In this study, 290 soybean accessions from the USDA Germplasm Collection based in Urbana, IL Information Network (GRIN) were analyzed. Four Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) models-Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK), Mixed Linear Model (MLM), Fixed and Random Model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU), and Multi-Locus Mixed Model (MLMM)-identified two significant Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with arginine content: Gm06_19014194_ss715593808 (LOD = 9.91, 3.91% variation) at 19,014,194 bp on chromosome 6 and Gm11_2054710_ss715609614 (LOD = 9.05, 19% variation) at 2,054,710 bp on chromosome 11. Two …

Genome-Wide Association Study For Ashy Stem Blight Resistance In Usda Common Bean Germplasm, Ainong Shi, Deigo M. Viteri, Angela M. Linares-Ramirez, Haizheng Xiong, Senyu Chen

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Ashy stem blight (ASB), caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goidanich, poses a significant threat to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation worldwide. Due to the limited effectiveness of fungicides against ASB, the development of genetically resistant cultivars offers an eco-friendly and sustainable management strategy. This study aimed to accelerate genetic improvement in common bean by integrating molecular breeding tools with conventional breeding approaches to enhance ASB resistance. A total of 335 common bean germplasm accessions from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) collection were evaluated for their response to the PRI21 M. …

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 …