Horticulture Commons^™

Genomic Insights Into Oxalate Content In Spinach: A Genome-Wide Association Study And Genomic Prediction Approach, Haizheng Xiong, Kenani Chiwina, Waltram Second Ravelombola, Yilin Chen, Ibtisam Alatawi, Qun Luo, Theresa M. Phiri, Beiquan Mou, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Oxalate content in spinach is a key trait of interest due to its relevance to human health. Understanding the genetic basis of it can facilitate the development of spinach varieties with reduced oxalate levels. In pursuit of understanding the genetic determinants, a diverse panel comprising 288 spinach accessions underwent thorough phenotyping of oxalate content and were subjected to whole-genome resequencing, resulting in a comprehensive dataset encompassing 14 386 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Leveraging this dataset, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify noteworthy SNPs associated with oxalate content. Furthermore, we employed genomic prediction (GP) via cross-prediction, utilizing five GP …

Responsiveness Of Desert Plant Dehydrin Genes In The Alleviation Of Abiotic Stresses, Mughair Abdul Aziz

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Dehydrins (DHNs) are hydrophilic, glycine-rich proteins that accumulate in vegetative tissues of plants in response to abiotic stress and during the late stages of seed maturation. In desert plants, these proteins likely contribute to their specialized adaptation under extreme environmental conditions. To examine the genetic mechanisms underlying DHN associated abiotic stress tolerance in desert plants, this study aimed to isolate them and investigate the architectural features and functional mechanisms related to them. It involved cloning of full-length cDNA sequences of DHN encoding genes, PcDHN1, CcDHN1, PdDHN1, and PdDHN2, from three desert plants Prosopis cineraria, Citrulus colocynthis, and Phoenix datcylifera, followed …

Gardens Through The Ages: How Public Gardens Impact The Growth Of Society, Abby J. Cutsinger

ATU Scholars Symposium

Throughout history, gardens held a vital role in the development of civilizations, often serving as spaces for food, reflection, and community. The aim of this study was to explore the progression of gardens parallel to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Additionally, the study aimed to determine whether gardens help fulfill those needs and, in doing so, influence human morality. To examine these possibilities, the researcher conducted a literature review of historical and contemporary accounts of gardening and its effects on physical and psychological well-being, analyzing these findings through the lens of Maslow’s framework. Additionally, crime rate data were compared across several …

Impact Of Community Gardening On Neighborhood Crime Rates: Research Proposal, Abby J. Cutsinger

ATU Scholars Symposium

Gardening has been a part of human existence from the beginning of time, but people have become distanced from gardening as civilization has grown and urbanized. As this distance has grown, so has the disconnect between people and the basic needs which shape their views of themselves and of society. It is possible that, in the drift away from gardening as communities, humans have become less moral.

The purpose of this study is to determine if community gardening lowers violent crime rates.

This relationship will be gauged by answering the following questions:

• Which type of community gardening benefits community relationships …

Evaluation Of Thermotherapy On Potato Tubers To Control Tuber-Borne Nematodes, Meloidogyne Spp, Wawan Kurniawan, Supramana, Abdul Munif, Giyanto

Jurnal Kultivasi

Root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are significant plant-parasitic nematodes frequently transmitted through potato tubers and are a major factor contributing to the decline in both crop quality and yield. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of thermotherapy for eliminating Meloidogyne spp. from potato tubers and its impact on sprouting viability. Thermotherapy was conducted by immersing potato tubers and second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne spp. in water at temperatures of 50 °C, 52.5 °C, 55 °C, and 60 °C for durations ranging from 5 to 75 minutes, depending on the treatment. Parameters observed included the mortality rate of Meloidogyne spp. …

Evaluation Of Field Grown Grapevine Grafts For Drought Tolerance Under Water Deficit Irrigation In The Arid Regions Of Uae, Sonu Krishankumar

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Grapevines, among the most commercially significant fruit crops, are valued for their use in table grapes, raisins, and winemaking but are highly vulnerable to abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, and salinity. This study investigated the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic responses of grafted grapevines to drought stress, emphasizing rootstock-scion interactions. Grafting experiments were conducted with three rootstocks (Ramsey, RU140, and Paulsen) and table grape varieties (Thomson Seedless, Crimson Seedless, and Flame Seedless), with five combinations as Flame seedless × Ramsey (V1), Thompson seedless × Ramsey (V2), Crimson seedless × R110 (V3), Crimson seedless × Ramsey (V4) and Thompson seedless …

Native Maintenance Booklet, Plaster Creek Stewards

Print Materials

Your new garden is an ecological haven for pollinators. By replacing grass with native plants, you will be providing food and a resilient habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, and so much more. Many of our native insects rely on these native plants to survive and reproduce, and many birds rely on these insects to reproduce and feed their young. By bringing these plants back into our yards, we are giving them a huge helping hand. This booklet provides details on maintaining Michigan native landscapes, including recommended maintenance schedules, identifying native plants versus weeds, and garden advocacy suggestions.

Evaluation Of The Global Durum Panel (Triticum Turgidum Ssp. Durum) For Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Resistance, Winter Survival, And Seed Characteristics, Megan Engel

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

The majority of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum; AABB; 2n=4x=28) is predominantly grown in the northern Great Plains of the United States, and is used in the production of semolina, a coarse flour that makes pasta and couscous. Durum has been widely regarded for being more tolerant to abiotic stress, due to its ability to withstand drought and high temperatures. In this thesis, we conducted greenhouse, field, and lab studies, for the traits wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), winter survival, and single kernel characteristics of the Global Durum Panel version 2 (GDPv2 n = 976), a panel …

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 …

Genetic And Soil Influences On The Grapevine Rhizosphere Microbiome, Lauren M. Quackenbush

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

In vineyard cropping systems, the rhizosphere microbiome arises through recruitment and filtering of the bulk soil microbiome shaped over time by soil carbon and nitrogen, climate, pH and historical legacies of vineyard management. The recruitment and filtering steps occur under the genetic influences of rootstock and scion that together drive variability in rhizosphere microbiome diversity and composition.

This study compares rhizosphere microbiomes of four Pinot Noir blocks under two rootstocks (101-14 and 420A) and four scions (777, 828, Calera, Mt. Eden). Core microbiomes were consistent across all replicates. The most abundant bacterial phyla were Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteriota …

Addressing Agricultural Mulch Challenges In Specialty Crop Production, Caleb David Wehrbein

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Agricultural mulches are an essential yield-boosting tool in modern specialty crop production that provide weed suppression, temperature modulation, and moisture conservation functions. Polyethylene plastic mulches are the most widely used agricultural mulch but are not sustainable given their pollutive effect on the environment and challenges associated with recycling. In order to move towards a more sustainable industry, plastic mulch use in agriculture should become more efficient or replaced with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Biodegradable mulches may be a suitable alternative to plastic mulch, but they are often less durable and prematurely degrade in field conditions. Considering this, my dissertation research …

Preserving Trees During And After Lawn Removal, Miles Becker, Shital Poudyal

All Current Publications

Utah is one of the driest states in the United States. Outdoor irrigation accounts for approximately 65% of its municipal and industrial water use. As the state grapples with water scarcity, lawn or turf removal to reduce irrigation has become a prominent strategy to promote more water-efficient landscaping practices. The nonfunctional turf targeted for removal often surrounds trees and shrubs. Improper or careless lawn removal can damage tree roots and lead to tree decline or death. This fact sheet provides guidance on how to protect trees while removing turf.

Identifying Herbicides To Manage Weeds In A Buckwheat Cover Crop And For The Control Of Volunteers, Taylor Randell-Singleton, Hannah E. Wright-Smith, Lavesta C. Hand, Jenna C. Vance, A. Stanley Culpepper

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a fast-growing plant that quickly produces a dense groundcover. The utilization of buckwheat as a cover crop in vegetable production could be beneficial to Georgia producers, however for successful adoption, weed control in the cover crop coupled with control of buckwheat volunteers must be achievable. A preemergence (PRE) and a postemergence (POST) experiment were each conducted three times in Ty Ty, GA (2020-2021) addressing these objectives. In the PRE study, acetochlor at 0.56 lb ai acre(-1) injured buckwheat up to 16% without negatively influencing growth, suggesting potential for use in buckwheat for weed control. Flumioxazin, fomesafen, …

Genome And Gwas Analyses For Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance In Usda World-Wide Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Germplasm, Ainong Shi, Haizheng Xiong, Thomas E. Michaels, Senyu Chen

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, has become a significant threat in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production, particularly in regions like the upper Midwest USA. Host genetic resistance offers an effective and environmentally friendly approach to managing SCN. This study aimed to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction for resistance to SCN HG Types 7 (race 6), 2.5.7 (race 5), and 1.3.6.7 (race 14) using 0.7 million whole-genome resequencing-generated SNPs in 354 USDA worldwide common bean germplasm accessions. Among these, 26 lines exhibited resistance to all three HG types, with a female index (FI) of less than …

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Using Drones To Enhance Garden Projects, Douglas Weber, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

This fact sheet explores using drones to enhance garden projects at home and in schools. It covers the benefits of drones, such as monitoring garden health, planning layouts, and assessing plant conditions through advanced imaging technologies. Additionally, it outlines essential factors to consider when selecting a drone, including cost, battery life, camera quality, and local regulations. Tips for safe operation and effective usage are also provided, as well as fun facts about drones.

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Organic Pest Management, Ruby Mohr, Kathy Cabe Trundle, Rita Hagevik

All Current Publications

This fact sheet on organic pest management outlines sustainable gardening practices that promote ecological balance and biodiversity. It defines organic pest management as a proactive method, using natural insecticides like sulfur and neem oil, along with unique pest control strategies such as beer traps and cinnamon repellents. Additionally, it highlights plants like mint and marigolds that repel harmful pests while attracting beneficial insects. By implementing these approaches, gardeners can protect crops sustainably, enhance soil health, and reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides, thus supporting a healthier food system.

Nebline, March/April 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Be Groundwater Aware in Your Day-to-Day Life! Becky Schuerman

National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 9-15, 2025

National Nutrition Month: Food Connects Us, Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the Month: Wild Vegetable Salad, Alyssa Havlovic

Prepare Your Landscape’s Spring Game Plan, Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month, Mary Jane Frogge

2025 GROBigRed

Embracing the Puddle: The Joy of Rainy Day Outdoor Play, Hayley Jackson Perez

Agronomic Practices to Reduce Nitrate Losses to Groundwater, John Nelson

Ethan & Morgan Gabel Attend National 4-H Congress

4-H Horse Teams at Nationals

Teen Council 4-H’ers Team Up to Lead Overnight Lock-in

Heart of …

Evaluate A Personal-Sized Seedless Watermelon Grown In High Tunnels, Wenjing Guan

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

Growing personal-sized seedless watermelons in high tunnels is not a common practice in the U.S. However, as high tunnel adoption increases and farmers gain experience in using them for specialty crop production, there is a need to evaluate nontraditional crops to improve crop rotation within these structures. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a personal-sized seedless watermelon grown in a high tunnel system. This seedless watermelon cultivar was selected because of its thin rind, tender flesh, and high sugar content. The combination of these fruit traits may make it particularly attractive for local food markets. Additionally, we compared …

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.

Morphological Characterization, Pollen Viability, And Germinability Evaluation Of Two Plumeria Species In The University Of The Philippines Los Baños, Darel Kenth S. Antesco, Maria Charito E. Balladares, Alangelico O. San Pascual, Pablito M. Magdalita, Fernando C. Sanchez Jr

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The genus Plumeria, locally known as kalachuci, is a popular ornamental tree belonging to the Apocynaceae family. The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) maintains a collection of Plumeria trees scattered across its campus; however, the origin of these trees remains unclear due to a lack of proper documentation. This study conducted morphological characterization and pollen analysis to provide information for further research. Results revealed the presence of 2 Plumeria species in the campus. P. obtusa has a linear leaf shape with acute tips and revolute margins while P. rubra has a lanceolate leaf shape. Additionally, P. …