Horticulture Seminar Series
- Horticulture 590
Spring 2008
12:20-1:10 p.m.
Room 111 Tyson
|
January 24, 2008 Dr. Jim Schupp, Associate Professor of Pomology, Department of Horticulture "Chemical and Mechanical Thinning of Peaches" Horticultural and economic evaluations of chemical blossom thinners were conducted in 16 commercial orchard trials during 2005 to 2007. The treatments were applied at 80 percent full bloom and compared to hand thinning post-bloom. Chemical efficacy was variable among years and blocks. Chemical thinners decreased follow-up hand thinning time in 33 percent of the trials and increased fruit diameter in 55 percent of the trials, resulting in net impacts of $14 to $983 per acre in 78 percent of the trials. Similar evaluations of mechanical peach thinners were conducted in four commercial orchard blocks in 2007. A mechanical blossom thinner designed by a German grower for thinning apple trees in organic orchards was tested on peach trees trained to either a perpendicular V or quad V system. Thinning was conducted at 20 or 80 percent full bloom. A USDA spiked-drum shaker, originally designed for harvesting citrus, was tested at 45 days after full bloom in two of the same blocks that were mechanically blossom thinned. Mechanical thinners reduced fruit set, decreased follow-up hand thinning time, and increased the number of fruit in the 3-inch or greater size distribution in 100 percent of the trials. Net profits ranged from $71 to $796 per acre. Bloom thinning at 20 percent full bloom was similar to thinning at 80 percent full bloom. Detailed counts of flowers on branches with different orientations indicated that pruning can be adjusted to improve thinner performance. |
January 31, 2008 Seminar Canceled |
|
February 7, 2008 Moshe Silberbush, On sabbatical year from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel "Uptake of nitrogen and potassium by roses along sequential cutting cycles: Measurements and simulation." Uptake rates of nutrients and water by roses change along flower cut cycles. The changes of nitrate and potassium uptake rates with time by rose plants were measured, and could be explained with a model of root uptake, by means of changes in their demand by the plant along sequential flower cut cycles. February 14, 2008 Katie Sanford, Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture This seminar will explain the importance of having the same course at different University locations teaching the same information and how to coordinate a course within different locations. Although based on the same information, the propagation courses (Hort 202) at the Berks campus and University Park campus have stressed different topics and laboratory exercises to different extents in the past. It is preferred for Horticulture students to receive the same education at all campus locations as other horticulture classes expect students to have a strong understanding of all aspects of propagation and those at one campus should not be exposed to specific concepts more than the students at another location. |
February 21, 2008 Mike Unhneat & Rick Grazzini, Owners, GardenGenetics This presentation will provide an overview of commercial plant breeding and the current state of ornamental plant breeding including methods, product chain, and market development. An explanation of the new start up 'GardenGenetics' will focus on contract research, the proprietary aspect of the company, and its relationship with the P.S.U. Department of Horticulture. |
February 28, 2008 Majid Foolad, Professor of Plant Genetics, Department of Horticulture "Breeding Tomatoes for Disease Resistance and High Fruit Lycopene Content Using Traditional and Molecular Breeding Approach The Penn State Tomato Genetics and Breeding Program has developed improved germplasm for producing fresh-market and processing tomato breeding lines and cultivars, mainly suitable for production in the northeast. Of particular interest has been development of short-season and mid-season tomatoes with high yield, good fruit quality (e.g. high lycopene) and disease resistance (e.g. resistance to early blight and late blight). Genes for desirable traits have been introgressed, mainly from the red-fruited tomato wild species Solanum pimpinellifolium. Both traditional breeding and molecular breeding techniques have been employed. Information will be provided on 1) new genes and QTLs identified and mapped for various traits, 2) marker-assisted selection and breeding, and 3) new tomato breeding lines and hybrids developed at Penn State. Information will also be provided as to the marketing of our inbred lines and hybrids. |
March 6, 2008 |
March 27, 2008 Sabrina Chrzanowski, Graduate Student, Penn State's Institute of Energy & The Environment "Environmental Education Technique for Demonstrating Ozone Pollution Effects on Vegetation" Ozone pollution is a major worldwide environmental issue, which effects the environment, human health, and economics. However, the literature suggests that there are very few teaching modules available to educate individuals on the subject. The research to be discussed in this seminar resulted in the development of a teaching module that can be implemented into high school level curriculums to educate students and the public on the effects of ground level ozone on vegetation. The research facility for this project was the Air Quality Learning and Demonstration Center located at the Penn State University Arboretum. |
April 3, 2008 Phanchita Vejchasarn, Graduate Students in the Department of Horticulture "The Genetic Regulation and Physiology of Manganese Toxicity and Tolerance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana)" |
April 10, 2008 Mike Mohney, Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture "Mastering Google SketchUp: A Guide for Landscape Designers" Traditionally, designers employ 2D drafting methods during all phases of landscape design. While 3D modeling software is used regularly as a presentation tool for perspective views and animated walkthroughs, designers rarely utilize the third dimension. Many find it difficult, when working on 2D plans to visualize the 3D spatial qualities of their design. With software such as Google SketchUp, traditional 2D methods of design can be easily converted to 3D forms. Having the ability to view the landscape from an infinite number of vantage points, they gain a better understanding of how objects relate to each other in terms of scale and proportion. By incorporating 3D modeling software, designers are able to study design elements more effectively resulting in landscape designs that employ digital technologies throughout all phases of the design process. |
April 17, 2008 Ben Hoover, Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture "Developing Hypoxia Tolerant Conifers" True firs (Abies spp.) are an important part of the fresh-cut Christmas tree industry in Pennsylvania. They are popular with consumers and are considered premium Christmas trees. Since the late 1980s growers in Pennsylvania have increased true fir production to meet demand. Despite the fact that true firs are so popular in the Christmas tree market, few species of true fir are grown. Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is the dominant species, while Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and Canaan fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepsis) are used sparingly. In Pennsylvania the most serious disease of true firs in Christmas tree production is Phytophthora root rot, which may be caused by several Phytophthora species. Phytophthora root rot is most prevalent in areas that have poorly drained soils or areas that are frequently flooded. Christmas tree growers with these conditions in production areas are often unable to grow true firs. Fraser fir is highly susceptible to Phytophthora root rot and hypoxic soils. This proposed study is intended to determine the presence or absence of resistance in true fir species to the species of Phytophthora root rot common in Pennsylvania. The relationship between tolerance of hypoxic soils and resistance to Phytophthora root rot will be studied as well. |
April 24, 2008 Beth Mathie, Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture "Student Perceptions Toward Incorporating Real World Activities Into Horticulture Curricula" Horticulture students will be better able to demonstrate their abilities later in their employment if they are provided with the opportunity to develop real world skills and apply their knowledge during the learning process. Activities have been incorporated into four horticulture courses at the Pennsylvania State University, which provide students with these opportunities. The assignments require students to interact with actual clients and/or horticulture professionals to apply the knowledge obtained in the classroom to real problems or situations that occur in the horticulture industry every day. This includes traveling to a job site, evaluating the situation, and designing and implementing a program of work over a designated period of time. In today’s world with ever decreasing budgets, gas price fluctuations, and increasing professor responsibilities, one would question, “Is going beyond lectures and laboratory activities worth the extra effort?” The main objective of the study is to determine student perceptions toward “Real World Applications” in horticulture curriculums. |
Tags