Red Beauty Research Articles

Performance of Indian and exotic varieties of gladiolus under Eastern U.P. conditions

An experiment was conducted to study the performance of Indian and exotic varieties of gladiolus in Eastern U.P. conditions. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Corms of healthy and disease-free varieties of Indian and exotic origin were planted during month of November, 2014. Among varieties, Purple Flora was observed for early spike emergence, days to colour showing and opening of first, third and fifth florets. However, maximum spike length was recorded with variety Anjali. Variety Red Beauty resulted into maximum rachis length whereas, minimum was observed in White Prosperity. Maximum number of florets/spike was recorded with variety American Beauty. Variety Pusa Kiran recorded earliest opening of first and fifth florets.

Flower opening and vase life of gladiolus cultivars: the sensitivity to ethylene and the carbohydrate content

Vase life is one of the most important characteristics in the quality of cut flowers. The carbohydrate content of petals from each cultivar can be a decisive factor to vase life of gladiolus flowers. Despite exposure to ethylene does not affect the life of open florets of gladiolus flowers, it may reduce the flower’s commercial life due the occurrence of flower buds abortion. This study thus aimed to evaluate the flower opening and the vase life of gladiolus flowers according to ethylene sensitivity and carbohydrate content of each cultivar. The gladiolus cultivars used in Experiment I were ‘Amsterdam’, ‘Blue Frost’, ‘Gold Field’, ‘Green Star’, ‘Jester’, ‘Lavender’, ‘Red Beauty’, ‘Rose Supreme’, ‘Traderhorn’, and ‘Verônica’. Stems were stored in airtight chambers and exposed to the ethylene concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1.0, 10, 100, and 1000 μL L−1 for 24 h. Subsequently, flower stem were placed in a test tube with distilled water when were evaluated for percentage of flower opening and vase life. In Experiment II, three cultivars (‘Amsterdam’, ‘Red Beauty’, and ‘Verônica’) were chosen based on the lowest, medium, and highest vase life in Experiment I, respectively. Total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, and starch contents were evaluated in five flower developmental stages. No effect of ethylene on the flower opening or alterations in flower opening between cultivars. The vase life of gladiolus flowers differed between cultivars regardless of ethylene action. ‘Verônica’ and ‘Amsterdam’, which had the highest and lowest vase life, respectively, differed as to the total soluble sugar content. Ethylene does not influence the flower opening or vase life of the gladiolus cultivars studied. In these cultivars, the maintenance of flower opening is attributed to total soluble sugars content, which, in turn, is a major determinant of the vase life.

Mitigating Climate Change Impact on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) under Protected Cultivation

Under the climate change scenario, protected cultivation may possibly provide ample scope for ‘off'season production of high-value vegetable crops. Among the highvalue crops, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) is most important and rich sources of lycopene, β-carotene, phenols, flavonoids and many vitamins. The performances of eight tomato varieties, namely Himsona, Naveen, NS-524, Red Beauty (cherry tomato), Arka Samrat, Abhilash, Shahenshah and Arka Rakshak in terms of their yield and quality parameters under polyhouse condition were evaluated. Conducive temperature and relative humidity inside polyhouse were maintained in the range of 26–28°C and 65–90%, respectively. The total fruit weight/plant ranged from 3.50 to 10.45 kg/plant and was maximum in Himsona with minimum in Red Beauty. The fruit number per plant varied from 69 to 700, and individual fruit weight ranged from 5.0 to 88.0 g. Himsona registered higher yield along with maximum marketable shelf life (12 days) as compared with other cultivars. Red Beauty recorded higher lycopene content besides total soluble solid (TSS) and TSS/acidity ratio at red-ripe stage. Thus, Himsona and Red Beauty can be used for cultivation under protected condition in subtropical areas for higher yield and quality.

The addition of rosehip oil improves the beneficial effect of Aloe vera gel on delaying ripening and maintaining postharvest quality of several stonefruit

In this work Aloe vera gel (AV) alone or with the addition of 10 or 2% rosehip oil was used as fruit edible coatings in a wide range of Prunus species and cultivars: peaches (‘Roma’ and ‘B-424-16’ flat type), plums (‘Red Beauty’ and ‘Songria’), nectarine (‘Garofa’) and sweet cherry (‘Brooks’). Following treatments, fruit were stored at 20°C for 6 days and analysed for the effect of treatments on fruit ripening and quality parameters compared with uncoated fruit (control). The addition of the rosehip oil to AV gel reduced respiration rate in all fruit, and ethylene production in the climacteric ones (peaches, plums and nectarine). In addition, all the parameters related with fruit ripening and quality, such as weight loss, softening, colour change and ripening index, were also delayed in treated compared with control fruit, the effect being generally higher when rosehip oil was added to AV, and especially in those fruit that exhibited the highest ethylene production rates (‘Roma’ and flat type peaches). Although the highest effect was obtained with AV+rosehip oil at 10%, the sensory panel detected an excess of gloss and oiliness on the fruit surface, which was considered as a negative attribute. Thus, 2% rosehip oil added to AV could be used as an innovative postharvest tool to increase the beneficial effect of AV as an edible coating, especially in climacteric fruit showing high ethylene production rates.

Infection of Curvularia gladioli on different gladiolus genotypes

In this study the susceptibility of different genotypes of gladiolus (Gladiolus callianthus and the genotypes of G. grandiflorum T-704, Red Beauty, Tradehorn, Veronica, Amsterdam, Yester Gold, and Rose Friendship) was evaluated and correlated with the development of Curvularia gladioli infective structures. The plants were inoculated with a 3 x 104 conidial suspension of the pathogen, and the severity of infection was assessed eight days after inoculation. Leaf samples of G. callianthus and G. grandiflorum vars. Amsterdam, Red Beauty, and T-704 were collected 24 hours after inoculation. They were cleared and the rates of spore germination and appressorium formation of C. gladioli were quantified. G. grandiflorum vars. T-704 and Red Beauty were the most susceptible genotypes, followed by G. callianthus and G. grandiflorum var. Tradehorn. The remaining genotypes did not differentiate among them. No differences related to the conidial germination (93.5%) were found for the genotypes. However, the highest values for appressorium formation were observed for G. callianthus (66.5%) and G. grandiflorus var. Amsterdam (55.7%), and the lowest values were observed for T-704 (32.4%). Thus, appressorium formation of C. gladioli was higher on leaf surfaces of resistant genotypes.

Plum Pox Virus in Japanese Plum from Argentina: Serological Detection and Molecular Characterization of an Isolate from cv. Red Beauty

A Plum pox virus (PPV) isolate detected in a Japanese plum orchard in Pocito (San Juan, Argentina) was transmitted mechanically to Prunus tomentosa and Nicotiana benthamiana. DAS-ELISA and DASI-ELISA indicated the virus presence and serological relationship with D-strain isolates; IC-RT-PCR amplified a 1.2-kb fragment of the virus genome encoding the CP-3′ nc region. The analysis of the sequence showed the presence of the DAG motif at the 5′ end of the capsid protein and the Rsa I and Alu I sites at the 3′ end. The phylogenetic relationships and multiple alignment with PPV isolates from NCBI database indicated greatest (+98%) homology with the D strain and close identity with MNAT1 (AF360579) USA peach isolate. The sequence analysed showed two amino acid mutations towards the 5′ N-terminus of CP (the most variable region) with respect to a consensus of PPV D-strain isolates. This is the first molecular characterization of 3′terminal genome region of PPV isolate to confirm D strain in a Japanese plum from Argentina.

Evaluation of Different Gladiolus Cultivars under Union Council Bangoin Poonch AJ&K Conditions

The aim of the study was evaluated the performance of most suitable cultivar under the climatic conditions of Union council Bangoin Poonch Azad Kashmir. Eight cultivars of Gladiolus namely Amsterdam, Red beauty, White Prosperity, Fidelio, Nova Lux, High Style, Wind Song and Priscilla were evaluated for their adoptability and performance. Results on vegetative characteristics showed that cultivars White Prosperity, Amsterdam took less number of days for sprouting, Fidelio and Priscilla produced more plants per corm and White Prosperity obtained maximum plant height. Results on floral characteristics showed that cultivar White Prosperity and High Style were earlier for spike emergence, Priscilla and High Style took minimum days to flowering, maximum florets were produced by High Style and White Prosperity, White Prosperity obtained maximum spike length, High Style, Amsterdam, White prosperity and Red beauty remained attractive for longer time. Results on corm and cormels characteristics showed that High Style and Fidelio produced more bulbs, White Prosperity produced maximum cormels and gained maximum corm size, maximum corm weight was recorded in Fidelio. From the results we conclude that keeping in view the vegetative and reproductive characteristics White Prosperity, High Style and Fidelio are recommended for general cultivation.

Night-Interrupted Lighting Accelerates Flowering of Herbaceous Perennials Under Nursery Conditions in the Southern United States

Abstract Night-interrupted lighting (NIL) outdoors in a southern nursery setting was evaluated as a system for accelerated production of herbaceous perennials requiring long days to flower. Treatments were NIL beginning February 1, February 15, March 1, or March 15, and a natural photoperiod control. Compared to plants under the natural photoperiod and depending upon initiation of NIL treatment and year, NIL accelerated and increased flowering of ‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata L. ‘Moonbeam’) 7 to 36 days and 20 to 244%, ‘Early Sunrise’ coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet. ‘Early Sunrise’) 3 to 20 days and 26 to 64%, ‘Sunray’ coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet. ‘Sunray’) 6 to 13 days and 21 to 44%, ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop (Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’) 26 to 57 days and 200 to 300%, and ‘Blue Queen’ salvia (Salvia x superba Stapf ‘Blue Queen’) 7 to 12 days and 56 to 83%. Flowering of ‘Red Beauty’ obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth. ‘Red Beauty) was accelerated 20 to 54 days; however, inflorescence counts decreased 38 to 46% in one year and was not affected by treatments in the second year. Plants of all cultivars, except ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum and ‘Red Beauty’ obedient plant, were taller when exposed to NIL than when grown under the natural photoperiod, however plant quality rating of all cultivars was as high or higher under NIL.

Efeito do composto de lixo urbano na nutrição e produção de gladíolo

Tem havido uma preocupação crescente da sociedade com o aumento exponencial da produção de resíduos orgânicos em diversas atividades humanas. Assim, muitas pesquisas têm sido realizadas, visando ao aproveitamento desses resíduos na agricultura. Dentre as alternativas, destaca-se sua utilização como substrato para o cultivo de flores. Estudaram-se efeitos da aplicação de composto de lixo urbano em um Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico sobre a nutrição do gladíolo (Gladiolus grandiflorus). As plantas da variedade Red Beauty foram cultivadas em campo entre agosto de 1999 e janeiro de 2000. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos inteiramente causalizados com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1 - adubação química (AQ); T2 - 10,0 t ha-1 de composto de lixo urbano (CLU); T3 - 20,0 t ha-1 de CLU; T4 - AQ + 15,0 t ha-1 de CLU; T5 - AQ + 10,0 t ha-1 de CLU e T6 - AQ + 5, 0 t ha-1 de CLU, aplicados no plantio. As características avaliadas foram: altura e diâmetro médio de planta; número de flores; matéria seca da inflorescência; diâmetro de bulbos novos; matéria seca dos bulbos novos e bulbilhos; teores de nutrientes na planta e no solo. O CLU promoveu discreto incremento no pH CaCl2 e manteve teores adequados de P e K no solo. Sua aplicação, associada à adubação química com P e K, incrementou o teor de P e K no solo, e a dose de 10,0 t ha-1 de CLU proporcionou condições suficientes para adequada nutrição, desenvolvimento e produção da cultura do gladíolo.

Preemergence Weed Control in Container-grown Herbaceous Perennials

During the 2003 season, preemergence herbicide was applied to twelve container grown herbaceous perennials and woody plants and evaluated for weed control, phytotoxicity, and effect on plant growth. The herbicide and rates were: Flumioxazin (Broadstar) 113.5 g (label rate), 227 g and 454 g a.i./A. Herbicides were applied to Buxus microphylla `Winter Gem', Cytisus purgans `Spanish Gold', Festuca ovina glauca `Elijah Blue', Hakonechloa macra `Aureola', Lonicera tatarica `Arnold Red', Pachysandra terminalis `Green Sheen', Hydrangea arborescens `Annabelle', Mahonia aquifolium, Phalaris arundinacea `Picta', Carex buchananii, Cerastium tomentosum, and Achillea millefolium `Red Beauty'. Weed control was excellent at all rates and controlled at least 99% of all weeds. No phytotoxicity symptoms were apparent on Mahonia, Buxus, Cytisus, Festuca, Hakonechloa, Pachysandra or Phlaris. Phytotoxicity resulted on some of the other plants. Carex had smaller plants (dry weights) at all rates. Cerastium had severe phytotoxicty at the 227 g and 454 g rates and moderate stunting at the recommended label rate, 113.5 g. Hydrangea became chlorotic and stunted at the 113.5 g rate and some fatal toxicity ocurred at the 227 g and 454 g rates. Phytotoxicity resulted on Lonicera at all rates and ranged from mild chlorosis in leaf veins (113.5 g rate) to plant death (454 g rate). Achillea at the 113.5 g rate only resulted in stunted plant growth while the 227 g and 454 g rates resulted in severe phytotoxcity and plant death.

Carotenoids in pungent and non‐pungent peppers at various developmental stages grown in the field and glasshouse

AbstractCarotenoids in edible portions of plants can provide health benefits to humans. How growing conditions affect levels of carotenoids in pepper fruits as they mature is not well known. Five cvs of bell pepper (Bell Captain, Melody, North Star, Ranger, Red Beauty) and five cvs of pungent‐type peppers (Anaheim, Ancho, Cayenne, Pimento, Red Cherry) were grown in a glasshouse and in the field. Fruits were harvested at the green, turning (50% green) and mature red stages and analysed for levels of the carotenoids β‐cryptoxanthin, α‐carotene, β‐carotene, capsanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin and totals of these carotenoids. Levels of provitamin A: retinol equivalents (RE) were derived from levels of β‐cryptoxanthin, α‐carotene and β‐carotene. Levels of most carotenoids and RE were significantly higher in glasshouse‐grown plants, and most were higher in fruits at the red stage. Fruits of Ancho type had the most β‐cryptoxanthin, α‐carotene, β‐carotene, total carotenoids and RE, while fruits of Red Cherry type had the most capsanthin and zeaxanthin, and fruits of Bell Captain had the most lutein. Interactions of the main effects variables, ie location of production (field vs glasshouse), stage of development and cultivar, indicated differences in patterns of carotenoid levels and RE. The data indicated that growing conditions influenced carotenoid levels. The more consistent and protected conditions in the glasshouse may have caused carotenoid levels to be increased, especially at the red stage.Published in 2002 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Rate of N-P-K and Yield of Red- and Green-Fruit of Pungent and Non-Pungent Peppers

ABSTRACT Fertilizer amount affects pepper yields (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L.), and can affect fruit color. An N-P-K fertilizer was applied at the rate recommended for this location, based on soil test results, and 1.5-times that rate. Green and red fruit yields of five bell and five non-bell pepper cultivars, as affected by fertilizer rate, were determined. Yields of all cultivars were higher in 1996 than in 1998 when day and night temperatures were much above normal. In 1996, increasing fertilizer rate caused decreases in green and total yield of bell peppers, but had no effect on red fruit yield. In 1998, additional fertilizer increased total yield of ‘Melody’, and decreased that of ‘Red Beauty’. In both years, increasing fertilizer rate increased green and total, but not red, fruit yield of some, or all, non-bell peppers tested. Additional fertilizer above the standard rate did not improve red fruit yield at this location.

Performance of Cornus florida L. Selections in the Southeast

In a full-sun Auburn, Ala., field study, 23 cultivars and 1 forma of Cornus florida L. were evaluated for growth from 1994 to 1996 and bract characteristics in Spring 1996. The selections were divided into three groups for analyses: 1) white bracted with green foliage, 2) red or pink bracted with green foliage, and 3) variegated foliage. Among the white bracted cultivars with green foliage, `Weaver' and `Welch Bay Beauty' had the greatest height and stem diameter increases, `Autumn Gold' the least. `Cloud 9' had the largest bract size. `Welch's Junior Miss' had the greatest height increase, while `Stokes' Pink' had the greatest stem diameter increase for the red or pink bracted cultivars with green foliage, and f. rubra the least. `Red Beauty' had the largest bract size. There were no differences among the variegated cultivars in height increase or bract size; however, `First Lady' had the greatest stem diameter increase.

Effect of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution and fertilization regime on spike production and quality of Cymbidium

In a 3-year trial with two cultivars of Cymbidium, the effects of electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution (0.6, 1.0 and 1.4 dS m −1) at four fertilization regimes on flower production and quality were investigated. The fertilization regimes were continuous fertilization, or omitting nutrients during February and March, or during April and May, or during June and July. A high EC resulted in higher shoot production than a low EC, but at high EC cultivar Red Beauty ‘Carmen’ suffered from severe shoot rot, so that the trial with this cultivar had to be stopped. Mary Pinchess ‘Del Rey’ had no shoot rot. High EC, as compared with low EC, gave more spikes per m 2, but fewer per shoot, and the spikes were shorter. EC had no significant effect on vase life. Shoot formation was positively correlated and spike production per shoot was negatively correlated with the nitrogen content of young leaves. Autumn and winter shoots were more productive than spring and summer shoots.

Alaska red: A general purpose, productive, red-skinned potato

‘Alaska Red’ is the first red-skinned potato bred and selected in Alaska as a clone suitable for the fresh potato market. Its parents are Alaska Clone 11-57-1-59 and ‘Red Beauty’. It is a high yielding, medium specific gravity potato with uniform skin and eye basin color, shallow eyes, uniform oval-to-flattened shape and is very attractive. The flesh is snowy white and remains white after boiling. Alaska Red keeps well in storage at 38°F (3.3°C). Scab of the tubers is the only disease that has been observed. In this subarctic region, flowers abort in the early bud stage. Red-skinned potato varieties available to Alaskan growers for the past quarter century have been unsatisfactory due to one or more of the following characteristics: low dry matter content, poor yield, uneven skin pigmentation and internal or external tuber cracking. Although consumers buy far less red than white-skinned potatoes, the demand brings Florida “reds” to Alaska as well as “reds” from other regions so that there is a year round outlet. Imported “reds” never approach the high quality of Alaskan grown “reds”. During the screening of seedlings, ‘Red Beauty’ was selected as a parental line because of its excellent conformation, skin color and eye arrangement. Low yield and shatter cracking made it unsuitable for commercial production. Alaska Red is a selection from seedlings of the cross Ak. 11-57-1-59 and Red Beauty made in 1965 and is the first red-skinned potato released from Alaska’s potato breeding. It was first evaluated by potato growers in 1972 and released in 1976 by the Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Box AE, Palmer, Alaska 99645.