SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: WERA58 : Production, Transition Handling, and Reestablishment of Perennial Nursery Stock
- Period Covered: 06/01/2005 to 03/01/2006
- Date of Report: 04/19/2006
- Annual Meeting Dates: 03/02/2006 to 03/04/2006
Participants
Altland, James (james.altland@oregonstate.edu) - Oregon State University (Sub for Richard Regan); Boyer, Charles (charles.boyer@oregonstate.edu) - Oregon State University (Administrator); Cameron, Art (cameron@msu.edu)- Michigan State University; Graves, Bill (graves@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University; Maynard, Brian (bmaynard@uri.edu) - University of Rhode Island (Chair, Secretary); Mickelbart, Mike (mickelbart@purdue.edu) - Purdue University; Sellmer, Jim (jcs32@psu.edu) - Pennsylvania State University; Sharma, Jyotsna (jsharma@ufl.edu)- University of Florida (Vice-Chair & Host); St. Hilaire, Rolston (rsthilai@nmsu.edu) - New Mexico State University; Starbuck, Chris (starbuckc@missouri.edu) - University of Missouri; Stewart, Ryan (rstewart@uiuc.edu) - University of Illinois (Sub for Gary Kling); Guests: Jeff Norcini, IFAS NFREC; Gary Knox, IFAS NFREC; Mary Starbuck, Missouri
[Minutes]
Accomplishments
Researchers at the New Mexico State University have determined the salinity responses of bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum) seedlings from New Mexico, Utah, and Texas. Plants from the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas were identified as being salt tolerant. The preliminary phylogenetic relationships of bigtooth maples from provenances in Utah, New Mexico, and Texas have been determined. The universality of tissue culture protocols for micropropagating bigtooth maples have been tested an successful protocols developed.
New Mexico State University researchers have determined residential homeowner preferences for managed landscapes.
Research at Oklahoma State University was initiated testing anthracnose incidence on containerized Euonymus fortunei grown on black plastic or gravel with periodic bleach applications to the test surfaces. Research testing above-ground production of red maple, sweetgum, and live oak trees in fabric vs. plastic containers was completed. Data are currently being analyzed from these studies.
The major emphasis in research at the University of Missouri in 2005 was on improving the effectiveness of the Missouri Gravel Bed as a method for facilitating the establishment of trees and shrubs. Previous work showed that incorporation of calcined (kiln-fired) clay into pea gravel improved the root and shoot growth of Gymnocladus dioicus seedlings grown in a gravel medium. The objectives of current work are to determine the optimum amount of calcined clay to incorporate and to evaluate its effects on physical properties of the rock/clay mixture.
In April 2004, bare root seedlings of Amorpha fruticosa and Corylus americana were placed with their roots in pea gravel with and without 10% sand (v/v) incorporated and with 0, 10, 20, 30 or 40% (v/v) calcined clay (TerraGreen) incorporated. In October 2004, seedlings were removed from the gravel and their height caliper and fresh weight were determined before they were field planted. For both species, plants were larger in mixtures containing more than 10% calcined clay than in un-amended gravel, regardless of whether sand was present. Amorpha and Corylus seedlings were largest in gravel containing 20% and 40% clay, respectively.
In April 2005, a greenhouse study was established in which seedlings of Gymnocladus dioicus were grown in the above mixtures. In July, seedling growth was quantified by measuring height, caliper and dry weights of roots and tops. As in the previous study, seedlings grown in mixtures containing more than 10% calcined clay were larger than those grown in un-amended mixtures. Gymnocladus seedlings grown in pea gravel containing 30% TerraGreen were more than three times as tall and 1.6 times greater in stem caliper than those grown in un-amended gravel. The positive effect of calcined clay on seedling growth may have been due to increased porosity and water and nutrient holding characteristics of the clay-amended gravel medium.
Impacts
- Bigtooth maple plants from selected provenances have the potential to tolerate saline conditions. These plants can provide an alternative plant for use in landscapes limited by water quality (i.e. high salt levels). The tissue culture protocols provide a method to rapidly propagate bigtooth maple by micropropagation.
- Key strategies useful in implementing landscape policies and designing urban landscape for water conservation programs in New Mexico have been developed and implemented. These will help reduce water use in landscapes.
- Oklahoma research has shown that fungicides are not very effective at controlling anthracnose on Euonymus fortunei, but altering cultural practices can reduce disease incidence significantly. One Oklahoma nursery estimates that they saved about $45,000 during the 2004 growing season by eliminating fungicide sprays to control anthracnose on Euonymus fortunei, and growing the crop under shade rather than in full sun. Use of black plastic under pots appears to further reduce disease incidence.
- The Missouri Gravel Bed is a technique that facilitates the planting of trees and shrubs bare root. Bare root plants are less expensive to harvest and ship and are easier to handle. Until recently, it was assumed that bare root plants must be planted while in the dormant condition, which greatly restricts the planting season. Results of this project have shown that trees and shrubs can be placed in a bed of pea gravel when dormant and planted at any time of the year with high survival rates.