Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Ninety eight cultivars of roses have been evaluated over several years for their reaction to natural infections of Black spot; Diplocarpon rosae. These roses were grown using best management practices for rose production in south Louisiana. Disease ratings were made in July. Black spot was prevalent and often severe throughout the garden when ratings were made. Continual significant differences in disease severity have been noted among cultivars with Knock Out and Carefree Delight showing only minor Black spot infections. This rose garden was completely revamped in 2006, and this included all new plants. Seven onion cultivars were grown on black plastic with drip irrigation and fertigation. Bulb size ranged from 288 g for Southernbelle to 586 g for Candy. The corresponding soluble solids were 8.4% and 9% respectively. Soluble solids ranged from 6.4% for Supersweet to 9% for Candy. Six cultivars of four year old Satsuma trees were subjected to natural subtropical winter
weather conditions. The minimum temperatures over the last four years were −4.4, −3.3, −2.8, and −5C respectively for the winters of 2003-2004 through 2006-2007. A single micro sprinkler positioned at 1.5 meters high in the center of each tree was used in the winters of 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 when the minimum temperature was predicted to go below −3.30C to protect the scaffold limbs and trunks from freeze damage. To date no freeze damage has been observed on any trees in this orchard and this includes check trees which received no freeze damage protection from micro sprinkler irrigation. Yields per tree in 2006 ranged from 4.5kg for Brown Select to 20.9kg for Early St. Ann. Percent soluble solids of the juice ranged from 9 for Owari to 9.6 for Early St. Ann. Juice pH ranged from 3.37 for Brown Select to 3.81 for Early Armstrong. Sugar/acid ratios of the juice ranged from 15.4 for Brown Select to 19.4 for Kimbrough. Individual fruit weights, length x
width ratios, and % citric acid data were also taken for all six cultivars.
Impacts
The Burden Rose garden is an All-America Rose Selection accredited public display garden. Valuable disease resistance data for ninety eight cultivars has been accumulated over several years and published in plant pathology journals and posted to the LSU AgCenter web site. The rose garden itself is enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. The cold tolerance data from the Satsuma project will help define the northern limits for Satsuma production in the southeastern United States.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Ninety eight rose cultivars were evaluated for their reaction to natural infections of black spot. Cultivars were planted in a randomized block design with two replications of five plants each. A weekly black spot spray schedule was followed alternating Daconil 2787 and Banner Max. Disease ratings were made on July 12. Black spot was prevalent and often severe throughout the plot when ratings were made. Significant differences in disease severity were observed among cultivars as in previous years with Knock Out and Carefree Delight showing only minor black spot infections. Bewitched, Arkansas Medallion, Mirandy, Tropicana, and Friendship were 76 to 100 percent infected. The entire rose garden is being revitalized with construction of new, raised beds and new rose plants. Fifty seven garden mum cultivars were planted in order to evaluate height and width at peak bloom period and reaction to bacterial leaf spot. The plants were started out of doors in one gallon pots
with an amended pine bark mix. August and September 2005 brought hurricanes Katrina and Rita which destroyed the crop. Four onion cultivars were evaluated for adaptability to black plastic mulch production. Four spacing regimes; double and triple drills at 10 and 15 cm spacings, resulted in the largest onions produced by Yellow Granex (12.5 cm) at double or triple drill, 15 cm spacing. The 10cm spacing produced misshaped onions due to crowding. Six cultivars of satsumas continue to be evaluated for their resistance to subfreezing temperatures. Three year old satsuma trees were subjected to natural subtropical winter conditions with yield and freeze damage observations made. A single micro sprinkler was repositioned to the interior of the satsuma trees at 1.5 m high to improve survivability of trunks and scaffold limbs from severe freezes. Fruit count and weight were determined on September 2 7, 2005. Although too young to be considered for commercial use Early Armstrong produced the
greatest average number of fruit per tree followed by La Early and Early St Ann. No foliar or stem damage occurred thus far from freezing temperatures.
Impacts
The garden mum project is a seed company sponsored project that provides critical data for the company, retailers and consumers. This data makes wise variety use decisions possible. The Burden rose garden is an All-America Rose Selection (AARS) accredited public display garden. Valuable disease resistance data from this garden are provided to the AARS Association, and published in plant pathology journals, and makes wise variety use decisions possible. The garden itself is enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. This study provides insights into those parameters. Data from the onion cultivar comparisons helps to define best cultural practices for onion production in south Louisiana. The cold tolerance data from the Satsuma project will help define the northern limits for Satsuma production in Louisiana.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Ninety eight rose cultivars were evaluated for their reaction to black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) infections. Cultivars were planted in a randomized block design with two replications of five plants each. A weekly black spot spray schedule that alternated Daconil 2787 and Banner Max was followed. Disease ratings were made on July 17. Black spot was prevalent and often severe throughout the planting. Significant differences in disease severity were observed among cultivars with Knock Out and Carefree Delight showing only minor black spot infections. Medallion, Grand Masterpiece, Mirandy, Tropicana, and Friendship were 76 to 100 percent infected. Twenty seven garden mum cultivars were evaluated to determine height and width at peak bloom and reaction to bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas cichorii). Peak bloom period ranged from the last week of August to the second week of October. Individual cultivars ranged 36 to 53 cm in height and width. All cultivars responded
favorably to two applications of the plant growth regulator B-9. Sunny Maryland and Yellow Ginger were severely infected with bacterial leaf spot. Three preplant nitrogen levels were evaluated using two sunflower cultivars for fresh cut flower production. Double drills spaced 30 cm apart with plants 23 cm apart in the row provided stem diameters of 152 to 229 mm at the lower nitrogen level of 136 g of nitrogen per 9.2 sq m on soil with less than 1/2 percent organic matter. Influence of initial transplant size on yield components was investigated using two strawberry cultivars over a three year period. Marked differences were observed between Chandler and Camarosa cultivars. Chandler with large diameter crowns produced greater early and total marketable yields than transplants with smaller diameter crowns. The size of transplant did not influence early yield components of Camarosa except for fruit size. The total fruit numbers produced per plant by both cultivars was positively related
to initial crown size as was a significant relationship between the post harvest dry weight of plants and initial crown diameter of transplants.
Impacts
The garden mum project is a seed company sponsored project that provides critical data for the company, retailers and consumers. This data makes wise variety use decisions possible. The sunflower data continues to demonstrate potential for the production of Louisiana grown flowers for local fresh cut flower markets. Sunflowers offer horticultural growers an alternative crop where diversification is needed. The Burden rose garden is an All-America Rose Selection-accredited public rose garden and is planted exclusively with present and former All-America Rose Selection winners. Data from this garden are provided to the All-America Rose Selections Association, and the garden itself is enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. This study provides insights into those parameters.
Publications
- Holcomb, G. E., Raiford, T. and Withcher, A. 2004. Reaction of rose cultivars to black spot disease, 2004. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases (online). Report 19:O004.DOI: 10.1094/BC19. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Fifty-three cultivars of garden mums were evaluated for their performance under natural day length conditions in raised beds and 20cm containers. Evaluation parameters included the dates of 50% open flowers, 75% open (full bloom), and beginning of decline, height and width at full bloom, and flower and foliage diseases. Rooted cuttings were planted in 7.5cm pots containing an amended pine bark mix. After two weeks plants were pinched. Plants were treated with PGR B-9 at .25% two weeks after pinching. Daconil fungicide was applied weekly. All varieties performed according to indicated day length schedule. 'Maggie' was the only variety that lodged in the raised bed and in containers. There were no indications of disease problems with any of the varieties grown. Sunflower, 'Sunbright Supreme', was direct seeded 15cm apart in double-drilled rows that were 30 cm apart. Field plots were 600 cm long containing 0, 29, 58 and 87 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The 0 rate produced
inferior stems that were less than 1cm in diameter. The highest rate of nitrogen produced taller plants with larger diameter stems. Nitrogen at the rate of 87 kg/ha produced stem diameters greater than 2.5 cm which were unmanageable for flower arrangements, and they matured two weeks later. Nitrogen rates of 29 and 58 kg/ha produced the best stem diameters which were 1.2 and 1.8 cm respectively, and they provided cut flowers for a two week period. Ninety-three rose cultivars were evaluated for their reaction to natural infections with black spot. Cultivars were planted at the Burden Center over the past 10 years. A weekly black spot spray schedule was followed that alternated Daconil 2787 and Funginex. Irrigation was provided through drip tape as needed. Disease ratings were made in early July, and the data were statistically analyzed. Significant differences in disease severity were observed among cultivars with 'Knock Out' and 'Carefree Delight' showing only minor black spot
infections. These two cultivars have shown little disease in tests for the last 3 years. Cultivars that also showed tolerance to black spot in 2003 were 'Brass Band', 'Bonica', 'Candelabra', 'Senorita', and 'Tiffany'.
Impacts
The garden mum project is a seed company sponsored project that provides critical data for the company, retailers and consumers. This data makes wise variety use decisions possible. The sunflower data continues to demonstrate potential for the production of Louisiana grown flowers for local fresh cut flower markets. Sunflowers offer horticulural growers an alternative crop where divesification is needed. The Burden rose garden is an All-America Rose Selection-accredited public rose garden and is planted exclusively with present and former All-America Rose Selection winners. Data from this garden are provided to the All-America Rose Selections Association, and the garden itself is enjoyed by hundreds of visitors annually.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Study 1: Two cultivars, `Sunbright Improved' and `Autumn Beauty', of sunflowers, Helianthus annuus, were evaluated for fresh-cut flower production potential. Stand establishment was accomplished by direct seeding on rows spaced 122 cm apart. Seeds were planted single and double drills/row. Drills on the double drilled rows were spaced 30.5 cm apart. Single drilled plants were thinned to 22.9 cm apart, and double drilled plants were thinned to 7.6, 12.7, 22.9 and 30.5 cm in the drill. `Sungright Improved' grown at spacings of 7.6, 12.7, and 22.9 cm produced significantly different stem diameters. The 7.6 cm spaced plants produced inferior stems with diameters of 0.64 - 0.96 cm measured 91.6 cm below the flower, while the 12.7 and 22.9 cm spaced plants produced 1.3 - 1.9 cm stems, and the 30.5 cm spaced plants and check plants produced 2.5 cm stems. The 12.7 and 22.9 cm spaced plants produced stems strong enough for cut flower production purposes and were more
manageable stems than were the checks. The multi-colored 'Autumn Beauty' produced a wide range of stem diameters. `Sunbright Improved' trials will be repeated in 2003. Study 2: Seventeen cultivars of gladiolus, Gladiolus x hortulanus, were evaluated in order to develop a double cropping system for flowering in the spring and fall growing seasons. Corms of each variety were divided into two groups, one group for spring planting and the one for late summer planting. The summer-planted corms were stored at 3.3 degrees C until planted in mid August. All summer planted cultivars produced acceptable flowering stalks when compared to the check.
Impacts
The market potential for Louisiana grown fresh cut flowers is very good. Farmer's markets and other retail outlets offer good potential for target markets where growers could obtain retail prices for their products. Florist's shops import almost all the fresh cut flowers they sell. Florists are very good wholesale markets. The climate in south Louisiana is also very good for field production of sunflowers and gladioli. Fresh cut flower production as a commodity can serve as an alternative crop to help diversify a farm operation.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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