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High tunnels are economical season extension tools for strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) growers in nonmajor strawberry producing states in the United States (US), where grower competitiveness can be increased by off-season crop production. Six June-bearing (“Camarosa”, “Camino Real”, “Chandler”, “Fronteras”, “Sensation”, and “Strawberry Festival”) and two day-neutral (“Albion” and “San Andreas”) strawberry cultivars were transplanted on 18 November 2017 and evaluated for their growth, yield, quality, and time of fruit harvest in a high-tunnel production system in Mississippi (US Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone 8a) during one growing season from fall 2017 to spring 2018. Effects of black and red plastic mulches were compared in producing strawberries. The high tunnel raised daily air temperatures, provided frost protection, and resulted in advanced fruit harvest by 4–6 weeks compared to local field production with the first ripe fruit produced in early March. “Camino Real”, “Chandler”, and “Strawberry Festival” produced similar highest total marketable yields of 483 g to 559 g per plant, with “Sensation” producing the lowest marketable yield of 215 g per plant. Red mulch decreased marketable yield in March but increased it in May compared with black mulch. Mulch type did not affect plant vegetative growth or strawberry fruit quality variables including berry size, soluble solid content, total phenolic content, or total anthocyanin content.
Geoffrey Lalk; Guihong Bi; Qianwen Zhang; Richard Harkess; Tongyin Li. High-Tunnel Production of Strawberries Using Black and Red Plastic Mulches. Horticulturae 2020, 6, 73 .
AMA StyleGeoffrey Lalk, Guihong Bi, Qianwen Zhang, Richard Harkess, Tongyin Li. High-Tunnel Production of Strawberries Using Black and Red Plastic Mulches. Horticulturae. 2020; 6 (4):73.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeoffrey Lalk; Guihong Bi; Qianwen Zhang; Richard Harkess; Tongyin Li. 2020. "High-Tunnel Production of Strawberries Using Black and Red Plastic Mulches." Horticulturae 6, no. 4: 73.
Mineral nutrient uptake of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ affected by nitrogen (N) fertilization rate, container type, and irrigation frequency was investigated. Rooted liners of hydrangea plants were fertilized twice weekly with a N-free fertilizer plus five N rates including 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mM N from ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), irrigated once or twice daily with the same total irrigation volume, and grown in two types of one-gallon containers: a black plastic container and a biodegradable container (biocontainer), made from recycled paper. Concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) averaged in the entire plant, and iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in roots had increasing trends with increasing N rate. By comparison, increasing N rate had a dilution effect on root phosphorus (P), stem and root potassium (K), stem Ca and Mg, and leaf boron (B) concentrations. In general, nutrient content of each tested element increased with increasing N rate in each structure, or total in the plant. When there was a significant container type effect, plastic containers consistently had increased nutrient concentrations and content compared to biocontainers. One irrigation per day was beneficial in increasing nutrient concentrations of P, Ca, and zinc (Zn) in different plant structures.
Tongyin Li; Guihong Bi; Xiaojie Zhao; Richard L. Harkess; Carolyn Scagel. Nitrogen Fertilization, Container Type, and Irrigation Frequency Affect Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Hydrangea. Water 2020, 12, 1987 .
AMA StyleTongyin Li, Guihong Bi, Xiaojie Zhao, Richard L. Harkess, Carolyn Scagel. Nitrogen Fertilization, Container Type, and Irrigation Frequency Affect Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Hydrangea. Water. 2020; 12 (7):1987.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTongyin Li; Guihong Bi; Xiaojie Zhao; Richard L. Harkess; Carolyn Scagel. 2020. "Nitrogen Fertilization, Container Type, and Irrigation Frequency Affect Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Hydrangea." Water 12, no. 7: 1987.
Red firespike (Odontonema strictum) is a tropical flowering plant that was selected as a potential flowering potted plant for its attractive red floral spikes. The objective of this study was to evaluate how light intensity, photoperiod, and temperature affect the growth and flowering of firespike. In Experiment 1, plants were grown under 0%, 45%, or 65% shade and two photoperiod conditions; long-day (LD = ≥14 h) and short-day (SD = 9 h), for 16 weeks. Plants grown under 45% shade + LD were tallest at 35.9 cm, while plants grown under 65% shade + SD were shortest at 22.8 cm. During the finishing stage, the number of inflorescences increased when plants were grown under 45% shade + SD, 45% shade + LD, and no shade, with 6, 7, and 9 inflorescences, respectively. In addition, the first open flower was observed in the 0% shade group (control) 92 days after starting the experiment. The time to first open flower increased when the plants were grown under 65% shade, either under SD or LD. In Experiment 2, plants were grown in controlled environment growth chambers with average daily temperatures of 15, 25, or 35 °C and an irradiance of 200 µmol·m−2·s−1 for 9 h per day. Plants grown at 25 °C were the tallest and had the largest leaf area. Plants grown at 15 and 35 °C had 28% and 22% less leaf area, respectively. The average number of inflorescences in plants grown at 25 °C was 1.6, while no inflorescence development was observed in plants grown at 15 or 35 °C by the termination of the experiment. There were no differences between plant growth index or branch number in response to temperature. Under the experimental conditions tested, the most rapid and uniform flowering of firespike occurred when plants were grown under no shade or at 25 °C.
Amir Rezazadeh; Richard L. Harkess; Telmah Telmadarrehei. The Effect of Light Intensity and Temperature on Flowering and Morphology of Potted Red Firespike. Horticulturae 2018, 4, 36 .
AMA StyleAmir Rezazadeh, Richard L. Harkess, Telmah Telmadarrehei. The Effect of Light Intensity and Temperature on Flowering and Morphology of Potted Red Firespike. Horticulturae. 2018; 4 (4):36.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmir Rezazadeh; Richard L. Harkess; Telmah Telmadarrehei. 2018. "The Effect of Light Intensity and Temperature on Flowering and Morphology of Potted Red Firespike." Horticulturae 4, no. 4: 36.
Red firespike (Odontonema strictum) is an ornamental shrub with potential for use as a flowering potted plant due to its dark green foliage and attractive red flower spikes. To stimulate branching and improve quality of red firespike, foliar spray applications of dikegulac sodium (DS) and benzyladenine (BA) and hand pinching were evaluated across two seasons (Spring and Summer 2014). There were three pinching treatments: one, two, or three pinches. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) were applied at 400, 800, 1600, or 2400 ppm DS or 600, 1000, 1250, or 1750 ppm BA. Both studies included an untreated control. Red firespike treated with all concentrations of BA and 1600 and 2400 ppm DS had increased branching compared with the control, except 1000 ppm BA in Expt. 1. Pinching did not affect the number of branches. Dikegulac sodium at 1600 and 2400 ppm and all concentrations of BA resulted in shorter plants than the control. Phytotoxicity was observed in plants treated with 1600 or 2400 ppm DS. In both experiments, DS at 1600 and 2400 ppm had the least plant dry weight compared with the control. Treatment with BA at 1750 ppm resulted in greatest leaf area compared with control. Dikegulac sodium at 800 ppm increased the number of flowers compared with control. Pinching and BA did not affect number of inflorescences. All concentrations of BA and DS delayed flowering, except 1000 ppm BA. Plants treated with 800, 1600, and 2400 ppm DS had shorter inflorescences compared with control plants. Benzyladenine decreased the length of the inflorescence at high concentrations, 1250 and 1750 ppm. Pinching treatments did not affect inflorescence length.
Amir Rezazadeh; Richard L. Harkess; Guihong Bi. Stimulation of Lateral Branching of Red Firespike Using Dikegulac Sodium, Benzyladenine, and Pinching. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 358 -362.
AMA StyleAmir Rezazadeh, Richard L. Harkess, Guihong Bi. Stimulation of Lateral Branching of Red Firespike Using Dikegulac Sodium, Benzyladenine, and Pinching. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (3):358-362.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmir Rezazadeh; Richard L. Harkess; Guihong Bi. 2015. "Stimulation of Lateral Branching of Red Firespike Using Dikegulac Sodium, Benzyladenine, and Pinching." HortTechnology 25, no. 3: 358-362.
Purple firespike (Odontonema callistachyum), native to Central America, has potential for use as a new flowering potted plant. The effects of number of pinches (zero, one, or two) and number of cuttings (one, two, or three) per 6-inch pot were evaluated on the control of plant height. Plant height was suppressed as the pinch number increased. The greatest reduction was recorded with one cutting per pot and two pinches. The maximum number of branches per pot was recorded with two pinches and three cuttings per pot. In a second experiment, plant growth regulators (PGR) were also tested for efficacy of height control; 2 weeks after pinching, foliar sprays of paclobutrazol, flurprimidol, daminozide, chlormequat, and a tank-mix of daminozide + chlormequat or media drenches of paclobutrazol, uniconazole, or flurprimidol were applied. Plant height, leaf area, and leaf dry weight were recorded at 3, 6, and 9 weeks after PGR application. Maximum height control was obtained with uniconazole drench at 8 ppm, resulting in plants 22 cm tall, 61% shorter than the untreated control (56 cm); however, it resulted in severe leaf distortion. Plant height was 56% and 46% shorter than the control using drenches of paclobutrazol at 30 ppm and flurprimidol at 15 ppm, respectively. Daminozide spray at 2000 ppm and tank-mix of daminozide + chlormequat at 4500/1500 ppm suppressed stem elongation by 20.3% and 19%, respectively. Plants treated with paclobutrazol drench at 30 ppm reduced leaf area and leaf dry weight compared with other PGRs. Chlormequat spray at tested concentrations was ineffective for controlling firespike plant growth. The most attractive potted plants were produced using a drench application of paclobutrazol at 10 or 15 ppm.
Amir Rezazadeh; Richard L. Harkess. Effects of Pinching, Number of Cuttings per Pot, and Plant Growth Regulators on Height Control of Purple Firespike. HortTechnology 2015, 25, 71 -75.
AMA StyleAmir Rezazadeh, Richard L. Harkess. Effects of Pinching, Number of Cuttings per Pot, and Plant Growth Regulators on Height Control of Purple Firespike. HortTechnology. 2015; 25 (1):71-75.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmir Rezazadeh; Richard L. Harkess. 2015. "Effects of Pinching, Number of Cuttings per Pot, and Plant Growth Regulators on Height Control of Purple Firespike." HortTechnology 25, no. 1: 71-75.
‘High tunnels’ are unheated greenhouse structures used to extend the growing season and protect high-value horticultural crops. High tunnels have been used for many years worldwide and their popularity has increased in Mississippi recently. A planting date study of ‘Roma’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), ‘Legend’ tomato, ‘Ichiban’ eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), ‘Sweet Banana’ pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), ‘Benary's Giant’ zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.), and ‘Potomac Red’ snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) was conducted in 2010 in three high tunnels in Starkville, Mississippi. Each vegetable and cut flower cultivar was treated as an independent study. There were two planting dates for all the cultivars: 12 March 2010 and 2 April 2010. Only for zinnias, yield (272 stem/plot) of first planting date was higher than planting date two (106 stem/plot). A significant block effect was observed with ‘Legend’ tomato and ‘Ichiban’ eggplant where one high tunnel had significantly higher yield than the other two high tunnels. Harvesting of tomato, eggplant, and pepper from high tunnels was a month earlier than the field-grown crops. High tunnels can extend the growing season to provide produce to the market at earlier harvest dates in Starkville, Mississippi.
Yan Zhao; Mengmeng Gu; Guihong Bi; Bill Evans; Richard Harkess. Planting Date Effect on Yield of Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper, Zinnia, and Snapdragon in High Tunnel in Mississippi. Journal of Crop Improvement 2014, 28, 27 -37.
AMA StyleYan Zhao, Mengmeng Gu, Guihong Bi, Bill Evans, Richard Harkess. Planting Date Effect on Yield of Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper, Zinnia, and Snapdragon in High Tunnel in Mississippi. Journal of Crop Improvement. 2014; 28 (1):27-37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYan Zhao; Mengmeng Gu; Guihong Bi; Bill Evans; Richard Harkess. 2014. "Planting Date Effect on Yield of Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper, Zinnia, and Snapdragon in High Tunnel in Mississippi." Journal of Crop Improvement 28, no. 1: 27-37.
Michael R. Evans; Richard Harkess; Jeff Kuehny; Janet Cole. ACCEPtS: An Alliance for Cooperative Course Sharing in the Plant Sciences. HortTechnology 2011, 21, 696 -697.
AMA StyleMichael R. Evans, Richard Harkess, Jeff Kuehny, Janet Cole. ACCEPtS: An Alliance for Cooperative Course Sharing in the Plant Sciences. HortTechnology. 2011; 21 (6):696-697.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael R. Evans; Richard Harkess; Jeff Kuehny; Janet Cole. 2011. "ACCEPtS: An Alliance for Cooperative Course Sharing in the Plant Sciences." HortTechnology 21, no. 6: 696-697.
Plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Merritt's Supreme’ were fertigated with 0, 70, 140, 210, or 280 mg·L−1 nitrogen (N) from July to Sept. 2005 and sprayed with 0% or 3% urea in late October to evaluate whether plant N status during vegetative growth influences plant performance during forcing. In late November, plants were manually defoliated, moved into a dark cooler (4.4 to 5.5 °C) for 8 weeks, and then placed into a greenhouse for forcing. After budbreak, plants were supplied with either 0 N or 140 mg·L−1 N for 9 weeks. Plant growth and N content were evaluated in Nov. 2005 before cold storage and plant growth, flowering, and leaf quality parameters were measured in late Apr. 2006. Increasing N fertigation rate in 2005 significantly increased plant biomass by ≈14 g (26%) and plant N content by ≈615 mg (67%). Spray applications of urea (urea sprays) in the fall had no influence on plant biomass but significantly increased plant N content by ≈520 mg (54%). In general, plants grown with 210 and 280 mg·L−1 N during 2005 had the greatest growth (total plant biomass, height), flowering (number of flowers, flower size), and leaf quality (leaf area, chlorophyll content) during forcing in 2006. Urea sprays before defoliation increased plant growth, flowering, and leaf quality characteristics during forcing in 2006. Providing plants with N during the forcing period also increased plant growth, flowering, and leaf quality characteristics. Urea sprays in the fall were as effective as N fertilizer in the spring on improving growth and flowering. We conclude that both vegetative growth and flowering during forcing of ‘Merritt's Supreme’ hydrangea are influenced by both the N status before forcing and N supply from fertilizer during forcing. A combination of optimum rates of N fertigation during the vegetative stage of production with urea sprays before defoliation could be a useful management strategy to control excessive vegetative growth, increase N storage, reduce the total N input, and optimize growth and flowering of container-grown florists’ hydrangeas.
Guihong Bi; Carolyn Scagel; Richard Harkess. Rate of Nitrogen Fertigation During Vegetative Growth and Spray Applications of Urea in the Fall Alters Growth and Flowering of Florists' Hydrangeas. HortScience 2008, 43, 472 -477.
AMA StyleGuihong Bi, Carolyn Scagel, Richard Harkess. Rate of Nitrogen Fertigation During Vegetative Growth and Spray Applications of Urea in the Fall Alters Growth and Flowering of Florists' Hydrangeas. HortScience. 2008; 43 (2):472-477.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuihong Bi; Carolyn Scagel; Richard Harkess. 2008. "Rate of Nitrogen Fertigation During Vegetative Growth and Spray Applications of Urea in the Fall Alters Growth and Flowering of Florists' Hydrangeas." HortScience 43, no. 2: 472-477.