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Passiflora are ornamental plants that are appreciated as part of outdoor decor, composing pergolas and gardens, as well as in interior ornamentation where species tolerant to environments with less light availability are used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different levels of light and pot types on morphological and reproductive characteristics in Passiflora subrotunda and to support genetic breeding programs of ornamental passifloras. The conditions of 75% and 100% light favored vegetative morphological characteristics through the time (105 days). Floral characteristics also presented higher values along increasing light levels. All qualitative characters related to flower and plant coloration did not vary among genotypes. The species possesses diurnal anthesis and flowers throughout the year. Plants cultivated in concrete pots showed greater growth and flower production. Pollen grains (PGs) are large, with an isopolar form, a small polar area, and a long aperture, and amylaceous. Percentage of viable PG was high: above 97% using Alexander solution and reaching up to 91% with fluorescein diacetate. Stigmas were partially receptive during the flower's opening period. Percentage of self-compatibility was lower, based on the higher fertilization rate through cross-pollination. These information will be used in planning of ornamental Passiflora-breeding programs, assisting in the selection of characteristics and breeding methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past three decades, one issue that has received significant attention from the scientific community is climate change and the possible impacts on the global environment. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration along with other trace gases [i.e., methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)] are widely believed to be the driving factors behind global warming. Much of the work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon (C) sequestration has been conducted in row crop and forest systems; however, virtually no work has focused on contributions from sectors of the specialty crop industry such as ornamental horticulture. Ornamental horticulture is an industry that impacts rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. Although this industry may have some negative impacts on the global environment (e.g., CO, and trace gas efflux), it also has potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase C sequestration. The work described here outlines the causes and environmental impacts of climate change, the role of agriculture in reducing emissions and sequestering C, and potential areas in ornamental horticulture container-grown plant production in which practices could be altered to increase C sequestration and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives in this study were to identify the flowering response of Kalanchoe spp. to photoperiodic treatments and characterize flowering and vegetative characteristics of flowering plants. Twenty vegetatively propagated Kalanchoe spp. were grown under one of four photoperiodic treatments: 1) short days (SD; 8-h photoperiod) for 16 weeks; 2) night interruption lighting (N1; 2000 to 0200 nr) for 16 weeks; 3) SD for 8 weeks then transferred to NI for 8 weeks; or 4) N! for 8 weeks then transferred to SD for 8 weeks. Kalanchoe beauvardii, K. behariensis, K. fedtschenkoi, K. Iongiflora, K. marmorata, K. marnieriana, K. streptantha, K. tomentosa, and K. vigueridoi did not flower under any treatment. Kalanchoe laetivirens and K. rosei had minimal flowering when exposed to NI followed by SD, whereas K. pumila had minimal flowering when exposed to SD followed by NI. Kalanchoe glaucescens, K. laciniata, K. manginii, K. nyikae, K. rotundifolia, K. uniflora, and K. velutina flowered when exposed to SD for 8 or 16 weeks, and node number below the inflorescence and days to first open flower for these species increased when Nl preceded SD. Kalanchoe millotii flowered under a 16-week SD treatment only. No plants flowered when grown under only NI. We classified K. glaucescens, K. laciniata, K. manginii, K. millotii, K. nyikae, K. rotundifolia, K. uniflora, and K. velutina as obligate SD plants. Flower diameter, total flower number, total color index, shoot length, branch number, and leaf length and width varied among species. Based on these ornamental characteristics, we identified K. glaucescens, K. laciniata, K. manginii, K. nyikae, K. uniflora, and K. velutina as potential ornamental flowering potted plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluated the use of dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) as a soil amendment to suppress weeds in container-grown ornamentals. DDGS is a byproduct of ethanol produced from corn, and developing new uses for DDGS could increase the profitability of ethanol production. Adding DDGS to a commercial pine bark potting mix reduced emergence and growth of common chickweed (Stellaria media) at concentrations of 5% (by weight) or greater and annual bluegrass (Poa annua) at concentrations of 10% (by weight) or more. Herbicidal activity of DDGS was maintained in methanol-extracted DDGS. Rosa hybrid 'Red Sunblaze', Phlox paniculata 'Franz Schubert', and Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana' transplanted into potting soil amended with 20% by weight DDGS were severely stunted and nearly all plants died. Plants survived when transplanted into potting soil containing 10% DDGS by weight, but growth was greatly stunted and flowering of rose and coreopsis was reduced. Addition of 20% DDGS decreased the C:N ratio from 90:1 to 24:1 for the potting mix and from 23:1 to 10:1 for a soil. The decrease in C:N ratio resulted in a twofold increase in microbial respiration at 3 d and 14 d of incubation for both the potting mix and soil. As a result of the phytotoxicity observed on ornamentals transplanted into DDGS-amended potting soil, subsequent studies evaluated surface-applied DDGS to suppress weeds. DDGS applied at 400 g·m-2 or less to the soil surface at transplanting did not reduce emergence or growth of common chickweed or annual bluegrass. DDGS applied at 800 and 1600 g·m-2 to the surface of transplanted ornamentals reduced number of annual bluegrass by 40% and 57% and common chickweed by 33% and 58%, respectively, without injury to transplanted ornamentals. DDGS may be useful for reducing weed emergence and growth in container-grown ornamentals applied to the soil surface at transplanting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three intergeneric hybrids among colchicaceous ornamentals, Gloriosa superba 'Lutea' (2n = 2x = 22), Littonia modesta (2n = 2x = 22), and Sandersonia aurantiaca (2n = 2x = 24), were subjected to morphological characterization and chromosome observation. Hybrid plants produced flowers 2 to 3 years after transplantation of ovule culture-derived plantlets to the greenhouse. All the hybrid plants, L. modesta x S. aurantiaca, L. modesta x G. superba 'Lutea', and S. aurantiaca x G. superba 'Lutea', showed a climbing habit like those of L. modesta and G. superba 'Lutea'. Plants of L. modesta x S. aurantiaca and L. modesta x G. superba 'Lutea' were taller and shorter than their respective parents, whereas plant height of S. aurantiaca x G. superba 'Lutea' was nearly intermediate between the parents. Leaves of all the hybrids had a tendril at the tip like those of L. modesta and G. superba 'Lutea'. Flower morphologies of all the hybrids were nearly intermediate between the parents. Flower colors of all the hybrids were similar to the seed or pollen parent. Although hybrids of L. modesta x G. superba 'Lutea' showed low pollen fertility as assessed with acetocarmine staining, the other two kinds of hybrids had nondehiscent anthers or no fertile pollen grains. Chromosome observation in root tip cells revealed that all the hybrids had a diploid number of chromosomes: L. modesta x S. aurantiaca (2n = 2x = 23), L. modesta x G. superba 'Lutea' (2n = 2x = 22), and S. aurantiaca x G. superba 'Lutea' (2n = 2x = 23). Novel morphological characteristics of the hybrids may be valuable for future breeding of colchicaceous ornamentals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information related to Novel Double-flowered Cultivar of Gypsophila paniculata mutagenized by 60Co γ-Ray. It mentions that Gypsophila paniculata, widely known as baby's breath, is a flowering plant of the Caryophyllaceae family. It reports how the challenges associated with genetic engineering of specific ornamental traits, the proven technique of radiation mutagenesis has been proved to an ideal alternative.

Most commercial and university substrate testing laboratories' recommended floriculture nutritional values are based on the saturated media extract (SME) method. With the recent gain in popularity of pour-through nutritional monitoring, alternative recommended values are needed for nutrient analyses based on pour-through extracts. Pour-through nutritional values were compared to the SME values to develop calibration curves and recommended nutritional values. Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Freedom Red'Willd. ex Klotzch. were grown for two consecutive growing seasons in 16.5 cm plastic pots with Fafard 4 P root substrate and fertigated with 200, 300, or 400 mg⋅L-1 N from a 13N-0.88P-10.8K fertilizer. Linear relationships existed and inverse calibration curves for pour-through and SME comparisons were developed for (r²): EC (0.98), NO3- (0.98), P (0.97 to 0.99), K (0.99), Ca (0.94 to 0.97), and Mg (0.91). In addition, recommended pour-through substrate value ranges were developed for comparison with SME values. The established calibration curves and pour-through substrate value ranges will allow substrate-testing laboratories to make nutritional recommendations based on pour-through extractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents study on the ecological behavior and cultivation for Perpetua, an ornamental blueberry for home gardening and landscape ornamental trade in the U.S. The study examines the physical characteristics of the blueberry, its pollination and developed during mid-June of the year. The study also cites the availability of perpetua in the country and reveals its exclusivity for commercial propagation from Fall Creek Farm and Nursery Inc.

The article discusses the ecological and reproduction of Chloraea crispa and G. longibracte hybrid orchid flowers in Chile. A brief overview on the international cut flower and ornamental plant market industry of Chile is presented. It also highlights the popularity and economic demand for Chlorogavilea Maxima orchids for ornamental plant design and medicinal purposes.