News tagged with hortscience

Study shines light on ways to cut costs for greenhouse growers

Greenhouse bedding plant growers can save themselves time, money or possibly both by giving cuttings in propagation more light, according to a Purdue University study.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Jan 23, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Blue light irradiation promotes growth, increases antioxidants in lettuce seedlings

The quality of agricultural seedlings is important to crop growth and yield after transplantation. Good quality seedlings exhibit characteristics such as thick stems, thick leaves, dark green leaves, and large white roots. ...

Biology / Other

created Dec 12, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 2

Factors in berry-splitting in blueberries examined

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers and a university colleague have found several factors involved in blueberry splitting, a significant problem that can cause losses of $300 to $500 per acre.

Biology / Biotechnology

created May 26, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Studies give growers tools to bring new tropical plant to Indiana

Purdue University researchers have developed a set of propagation and production protocols that will help Indiana greenhouse growers bring a tropical plant into flower for spring sales.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Mar 31, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New research expands genetic base of cultivated strawberry

Today's most common cultivated strawberry, the familiar Fragaria x vananassa (F. xananassa), is believed to have resulted from a chance hybridization of two wild strawberry species in Europe more than 250 years ago. This h ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 18, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

'Green' chemistry extraction method developed for hot capsicum fruit

Plant pigments are an important source of non-toxic compounds for use as food or cosmetic coloring agents. In addition to their known nutritional value, the red pigments in Capsicum (chile pepper) are important ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Jan 18, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Integrated, organic production systems evaluated for 'liberty' apple

Commercial apple growers in the northeastern United States are faced with challenges ranging from disease and insect invasions to tree nutrition and crop load. These and other problems create barriers to effective ...

Biology / Ecology

created Jan 18, 2011 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Study finds psychological, environmental benefits of horticultural activities

Taiwanese researchers Hui-Mei Chen, Hung-Ming Tu, and Chaang-Iuan Ho published a study in HortScience that explored an array of attitudes toward horticultural activities. The results showed that people engage in gardening and re ...

Biology / Other

created Jan 18, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New findings provide cost, benefit data for Florida citrus industry

Harvesting is an expensive enterprise for Florida's important citrus industry. In fact, harvesting can account for as much as 50% of the production cost for citrus crops. To improve production and decrease ...

Biology / Other

created Jan 18, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Consumers willing to pay more for locally grown apples

A 2008 study found that organic apples represented 4.6% of total apple sales in the United States, up from 3.5% in 2007. In Vermont, apples have been the most important fruit crop for many years, playing an important role ...

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

created Sep 20, 2010 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Introducing 'Champagne', new disease-resistant fig

The ancient fig tree, first imported to the United States during the 16th century, thrives in areas of California and the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast areas of the U.S. One of the most popular trees grown in Southern backyards, ...

Biology / Ecology

created Sep 20, 2010 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Winter drought stress can delay flowering, prevent fruit loss in orange crops

Successful mechanical harvesting of perennial fruit crops requires efficient, economical harvesting systems that do not reduce trees' production life or diminish fruit quality. Most of the world's citrus is ...

Biology / Other

created Sep 20, 2010 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

First discovery of bilirubin in a flower announced

A research team led by Cary Pirone from the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University has identified bilirubin in the popular Bird of Paradise plant. The breakthrough study, published ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Sep 08, 2010 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (12) | comments 9 | with audio podcast

Low-tech cool: Shade trees for subtropical streets

Shade trees are the superstars of urban landscapes. In addition to their intrinsic aesthetic qualities, these low-tech workhorses reduce air and noise pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, increase property values, and ...

Biology / Other

created Apr 21, 2010 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

New management methods extend blackberry season

Fruit growers' profits have traditionally been limited by the seasons, particularly in colder climates where growing seasons can be short. Thanks to researchers and fruit breeders, newly developed varieties ...

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 11, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0