Horticulture Commons^™

Pumpkin Variety Demonstration In West Michigan, 2025, Benjamin P. Werling, Justin Adams

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

Pumpkin variety demonstrations were conducted in 2025 at the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center in Hart, MI, to compare yield, size class, and irrigation response among 21 pumpkin varieties representing jack-o’-lantern, large carving, and decorative cultivars. Demonstration plots were established on sandy soil under standard commercial fertility, pest management, and weed control practices. To assess irrigation effects under dry conditions, approximately 60% of each plot received supplemental sprinkler irrigation.

Jack-o’-lantern varieties varied in size distribution, with some producing a mix of 60, 45, and 30–35 count fruit with few larger-sized pumpkins. Others skewed toward larger bin count classes. …

Fruit Characteristics Of F1 Nil Sletr1-2 Vary With Parental Background, Imas Mintarsih, Anne Nuraini, Farida, Erni Suminar, Rika Meliansyah, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

The Sletr1-2 allele, which reduces ethylene sensitivity in tomatoes, offers a promising approach to extending fruit shelf life by slowing ripening-related metabolism. However, the trait’s success depends on compatibility with the recipient cultivar’s genetic background. This study evaluated fruit characteristics of F1 near-isogenic line (NIL) hybrids carrying Sletr1-2 in the commercial backgrounds ‘Costoluto’, ‘Oxheart’, and ‘Sart Roloise’. The field trial was carried out between May and August 2024 at the Experimental Station of Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia, following a randomized complete block design with eight biological replicates for each treatment. The results revealed that fruit characteristics of F1 NIL Sletr1-2 …

The Effect Of Phosphate Fertilizer And Organic Matter On Phosphorus Status, Ph, And Cabbage Yield In Andisols, Mahfud Arifin, Emma Trinurani Sofyan, Anni Yuniarti, Rina Devnita, Sastrika Anindita

Jurnal Kultivasi

Andisols are characterized by high phosphorus (P) retention, which often limits P availability for crops. This study aimed to analyze the independent and interactive effects of P fertilizer and organic matter (i.e. manure and rice straw compost) on P retention, total P, available P, P uptake, soil pH, and cabbage yield. This research was conducted in pot experiments in plastic house, applying P fertilizer (0, 90, 180, 270 kg ha-1) and organic matter (20 kg ha-1 of chicken, sheep, cow manures and rice straw compost) on Andisols planted with cabbage. The experiment used a factorial randomized design. The results showed …

The Effects Of Nanobubble Fertigation And Soil Conditioners To Improve Nutrient Dynamics, Soil Microbial Activity, And Chili Productivity, Betty Natalie Fitriatin, Euis Ahah Rokayah, Elsa Naila Elmyra, Tualar Simarmata, Nicky Oktav Fauziah, Hanif Fakhrurroja

Jurnal Kultivasi

Drip fertigation is a fertilization method that integrates nutrient delivery with an irrigation system, which is capable of optimizing the direct delivery of nutrients to the root zone. This experiment aims to investigate the effect of drip fertigation with nanobubble technology, and soil conditioners on the population of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and Azotobacter spp., available phosphorus, total nitrogen, growth, and yield of red chili. The study used a Strip Plot Design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was nutrient application (solid NPK fertilizing as control; drip fertigation; and drip fertigation with nanobubble technology), and the second factor …

Comparative Analysis Of Color, Texture, And Water Content In Three Shallot Cultivars At Different Harvest Ages, Rahma Wati Lestari, Kusumiyati, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

Shallots are a major horticultural commodity with high economic value. The quality of shallots is determined not only by the quantity of the harvest but also by physical characteristics such as bulb color, texture, and water content. This study aims to evaluate the differences in these physical parameters in three popular local cultivars: Brebes, Sumenep, and Tuktuk, harvested at 56, 63, and 70 days after planting (DAP), respectively. This research uses a Randomized Block Design consisting of 9 treatment combinations and analyzed using the SmartstatXL application. Color measurements are conducted using the CIELAB method and converted to CIELCH and RGB …

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 …

Patch Mow Grazing: Investigating The Effects Of Mowing On Forage Nutritive Value, The Biomass–Nutritive Value Relationship, And Herbivore Selection, Trace R. Stauble

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbivore foraging behavior plays a critical role in shaping grassland structural heterogeneity, with selection often driven by forage biomass and nutritive value. Currently, it is thought that herbivores primarily select areas that are greater in nutritive value, and low in biomass. More specifically, disturbances like fire and grazing have been thoroughly studied showing that recently burned and grazed areas are not only higher in nutritive value but disproportionately selected by herbivores in comparison to undisturbed areas. However, most studies address only narrow ranges of defoliation, comparing intensely defoliated sites (< 10 cm) to those that are either not defoliated or have experienced a much longer time since defoliation, thereby decreasing grazing pressure as biomass increases. However, one of the most widely used methods of defoliation in grasslands, mowing, hasn’t been thoroughly studied for its effects on nutritive value, and how it impacts herbivore selection. Our study aimed to (1) evaluate how mowing treatments—i.e., short (5 cm), medium (18 cm), and tall (>30 cm, unmown)—affect nutritive value and herbivore selection, (2) assess …

Cover Crop Influence On Arthropod Biodiversity And Soil–Water Dynamics In A Semi-Arid Maize–Soybean Sequence Of The Nebraska High Plains, Carlos Eduardo De Oliveira Martins

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

With the expansion of cover crop (CC) use in semi-arid regions, producers in the Nebraska High Plains are increasingly interested in understanding how CCs influence both beneficial arthropods and soil-water within maize-soybean (Zea mays L., Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotations. Integrating CCs in these systems can enhance soil water availability and beneficial insect activity, but potential trade-offs include higher early-season water use by CCs and the risk of increasing potential pest populations. This thesis addresses these questions through two complementary studies conducted under field conditions near Brule, Nebraska. The first study evaluated the effects of a multi-species CC mixture …

Post-Fire Soil Health Assessment Of The Grasslands And Woodlands In The Semi-Arid Nebraska Sandhills, Stephanie M. Lugo

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Grasslands in the Nebraska Sandhills are shaped by natural wildfires, which help maintain the structure and function of native grasslands. In recent decades, afforestation with ponderosa pine and eastern redcedar has introduced new woodlands that altered the region’s fire dynamics and raised important questions about the effects of wildfire on different vegetation types. As wildfires become more frequent, understanding their impacts on soil health in grasslands and woodlands becomes increasingly important. This study examines the short-term effects of the 2022 Bovee Fire on physical, chemical, and biological soil properties in native grasslands and ponderosa pine and eastern redcedar afforested woodlands. …

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 …

Evaluating Metamitron Efficacy For Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Management In Sugarbeet Across The Central High Plains, Abraham Akuoko

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbicide-resistant (HR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is regarded as one of the most prominent weeds within sugarbeet fields across the Central High Plains, with limited chemical control options. Although a few herbicides are available, their use is restrictive due to crop injury concerns and can only be applied at or after the 2–4 true leaf (TL) growth stage, which will provide no control for already emerged weeds. However, Palmer amaranth often emerges between sugarbeet planting and the 2 TL sugarbeet growth stage. Consequently, as of 2023, there were no herbicide options to control Palmer amaranth in sugarbeet …

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 …

Characterizing The Germination Process And Establishing Best Practices For Seed Propagation Of Tamaulipan Thornscrub Species For Habitat Restoration, Saroj Dhakal

Theses and Dissertations

Tamaulipan thornscrub is an imperiled plant community of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Given its importance for biodiversity conservation, stakeholders have been involved in restoration programs using seedlings grown from wild seeds. However, stakeholders often report that insufficient seedling supply is a challenge. To address knowledge gaps in seed germination behavior limiting seedling production, this study was conducted on 18 Tamaulipan thornscrub species, identified by growers as difficult to germinate. Seeds of all studied species are orthodox except Amyris texana, which have recalcitrant properties. Nine species have physical dormancy that was successfully addressed with mechanical and/or chemical scarification. Other species …

Citrullus Amarus Drought Tolerance: An Above And Below Ground Analysis, Ben A. Hyland

All Theses

Ever rising environmental temperatures threaten global food security by worsening severity and increasing the occurrence of drought. Commercially cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), have reduced drought tolerance due to a narrow genetic base caused by breeding for desirable traits such as sweetness, size, and flesh/rind color. Comparatively, the crop wild relative desert watermelon variety (Citrullus amarus), while more drought tolerant than their commercially cultivated relatives (C. lanatus), still require large amounts of water to grow and produce reliable fruit yields. Watermelon root morphology plays a key role in their ability to tolerate drought, with more …

Horticultural Strategies To Improve Yield And Efficiency For Controlled-Environment Cannabis Production, Michael John Alden

All Dissertations

Controlled-environment cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) production is a novel horticultural industry due to long-standing federal prohibitions associated with production, distribution, and consumption of this species. Many cannabis production methods are based on legacy knowledge and hypotheses that often contradict standard practices used in the agriculture and floriculture sectors. During this research, several horticultural practices were evaluated, including shoot number manipulation, fertilizer restriction, harvest timing, and photoperiod manipulation. Shoot number manipulation was achieved by repeatedly pinching apical shoots, which reduced reproductive shoot length (cm/shoot) and improved inflorescence:trim ratio, both of which can reduce material cost in production and labor cost …

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 …

Evaluation Of Nine Sh2 Sweet Corn Cultivars In Southwest Michigan In 2025, Ben Phillips

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

A bicolor sh2 sweet corn cultivar trial was planted at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (42.081985, -86.354087, Benton Harbor, Michigan). Seeds were donated by Crookham (CK), and Rupp (RP) seed companies. Two synergistic varieties were donated by Chris Difonzo from the Bt resistance project and were treated as unsprayed late-season checks against caterpillar infestation. Overall trial conditions were hot and dry, with moisture stress throughout the trial on a sandy hill. Overhead irrigation provided some relief. A new seeder was used that planted at a lower population than desired. As such, yield suffered in this trial.

Evaluation Of Six Roma Tomato Cultivars In Southwest Michigan In 2025, Ben Phillips

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

A Roma tomato cultivar trial was planted at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (42.081985, -86.354087, Benton Harbor, Michigan). HM Clause (HM), Lark (LK), and Sakata (SK) seed companies donated 6 cultivars for plastic mulch-bedded hand harvest. Overall, the trial quality was good, with periods of high heat slowing ripening.

Vermicomposting, Hayley Waldbillig, Roslynn Brain, Scott Kent, Roslynn Brain Mccann

All Current Publications

Vermicomposting, or worm composting as it is more commonly known, is the process of using worms to break down discarded food and other organic wastes and convert them into compost and liquid fertilizers.

Effect Of Microbial Inoculation On Phosphate And Nitrogen Uptake From Dry Soil By Two Grasses With Different Nutrient Acquisition Strategies, Reem Hamdan Alkaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Organic matter and other sources of plant nutritional elements typically enter the soil from its surface, resulting in topsoil having the highest microbial activity, concentration of nutritional elements, and rooting densities. In agricultural systems of the UAE, high ambient temperature triggers rapid evaporation and causes the topsoil to dry. Nutrient uptake from dry soil is very challenging for plants, and topsoil dryness can have a negative impact on plant performance.

Beneficial soil microorganisms mediate plant growth by inducing tolerance against abiotic stresses. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi extend a large network of hyphae that helps the plants to acquire water and …

Turfgrass Weed Control For Professionals, 2024, Aaron J. Patton, Matthew T. Elmore

Purdue University Press Books

Turfgrass is used on everything from athletic fields, golf courses, and parks, to lawns, sod farms, and roadsides. Unfortunately, information on weed management for professionals maintaining these areas has often been inaccurate or out of date, and applicators are frequently unaware of the most effective methods for controlling weeds in turf. Written by experts in the field and featuring insights from contributors from sixteen states across the US, the 2024 edition of Turfgrass Weed Control for Professionals was developed to provide science-based information for those working in the field. It contains information about turfgrass management, weed biology and management, more …

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Water-Wise Gardening, Kathy Cabe Trundle, Lawrence Krissek

All Current Publications

Water-wise gardening, also known as xeriscaping, involves using water efficiently and effectively to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing landscape for residential and commercial properties. This fact sheet defines water-wise gardening, its benefits, and provides ideas for planning and improving a landscape to conserve a precious resource: water.

Nebline, November/December 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

Nebraska Extension celebrates 25 years of nutrition school enrichment kits

Recipe of the month: Fruit & yogurt parfait

Celebrating the season with American persimmon by Rachel Anderson

Love gardening? Become a master gardener by Mary Jane Frogge

Extension master gardener volunteer spotlight: Carol Rustad

Garden guide: Things to do this month by Mary Jane Frogge

Choosing child care: What parents should know by Jaci Foged

Commercial/noncommercial pesticide license

Little black bugs, big bite by Kait Chapman [about pirate bugs]

What you need to know about having a well drilled by Becky Schuerman

2026 nebraska custom rates survey by Glennis …

Value Of Horticulture From Western Australia 2023–24, Manju Radhakrishnan, Rohan Prince

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

In 2023–24, WA produced approximately $1.92 billion worth of fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, and amenity horticulture at the wholesale level. The real value of Western Australia’s horticulture sector, as of 2023–24, grew by 9.6% compared to 2020 levels, driving regional economic development.

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 …

Nebline, October 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

4-H super fair helps youth become beyond ready

What's popping? by Natalie Sehi

Recipes of the month, by Kayla Colgrove: Fish bait snack mix, kicked up popcorn, and cinnamon crunch snack mix

Are your trees for the next storm? by Rachel Anderson

Garden guide: Things to do this month by Mary Jane Frogge

GRO Big Red virtual learning series

Composting demonstration

Promoting language development in young children by Hayley Jackson

Tip sheet for harvest 2025 by John Nelson

Rogers Memorial Day farm field day, September 2025

Heart of 4-H volunteer award: Rachel Wells

Join 4-H to become beyond ready …

Carbon Footprint Of Carrots In Western Australia, Christophe D'Abbadie, Saloomeh Akbari, Sang Ravindran

Horticulture research reports

This report presents the findings of a comprehensive carbon accounting study conducted on carrot production in the Myalup area of Western Australia.

The study reveals that carrot emissions are approximately 81 kg CO2e per tonne of carrot sold from the April harvest and 76 kg CO2e per tonne from the October harvest, when using rejected carrots for other economic uses. These figures represent competitive emissions intensities compared to international benchmarks.

Key findings include:

• Yield improvement is the primary driver for emissions reduction: Increasing productivity, without proportional input increases, offers the most effective pathway to lower emissions’ intensity while improving economic …

Statice Cut Flower Production In Utah, Kellie Webb, Melanie Stock, Benjamin Scow, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Ali Harrison, Lorin Harrison, Amanda Pratt, Claudia Nischwitz, Nick Volesky

All Current Publications

Statice is a cut-and-come-again, full-sun annual with clustered, papery blooms. Plants have lower water needs and a moderate tolerance to salinity, making this crop a sustainable choice for cut flower production in Utah and other states with water and soil limitations. This fact sheet provides information on statice cultivars, site preparation, germination, transplanting and spacing, trellising, nutrient management, harvest, economics for producers, and pest and disease management.

Stake-And-Weave Trellising Produces Higher Tomato Yield In High Tunnels Than Does A Double- Or Multiple-Leader Vertical-String Support System, Elizabeth Maynard

Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Faculty Publications

Yield of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grown in high tunnels in Wanatah, IN, USA, was evaluated using two plant support systems: stake-and-weave or vertical-string. With stake-and-weave, plants were not pruned; stakes were placed every two plants and string was woven horizontally along either side of the plants along the row. With vertical-string, indeterminate cultivars Big Beef and Cherokee Purple were pruned to two stems and each stem was clipped to a vertical string. For the determinate cultivar Mountain Fresh, all branches below the first main stem flower cluster except one were removed and the main stem and major branches …

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Using Citizen Science, Kaitlin U. Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

Citizen science, also called community-based science or participatory science, provides a way for anyone to gather data, along with scientists, around a scientific question or phenomenon. Citizen science offers immense value to both the general public and scientists. This fact sheet provides resources to connect readers to citizen science projects.