Silver Queen Research Articles

Death Valley Lore ed. by Richard E. Lingenfelter and Richard A. Dwyer

Reviews 95 Although the book would benefit from inclusion of a section telling us something about the contributors, As Far As I Can See should appeal not only to many readers of the Great Plains, but also to students, for whom it would be an excellent literary introduction to their own historical and cultural heritage. ROBERT G. STEENSMA University of Utah Death Valley Lore. Edited by Richard E. Lingenfelter and Richard A. Dwyer. (Reno and Las Vegas: University of Nevada Press, 1988. 344 pages, $22.50.) Editors Richard Lingenfelter and Richard Dwyer researched archives and libraries to locate lore which created the image of Death Valley. They selected a variety of prose and poetry for this anthology which captures the stereotype that haunts Death Valley even today. Legends, myths, and tall tales are rife in the history of this often maligned desert. In some cases when it ishard to tell fact from fiction, the editors offer brief introductory comments. The first authors are forty-niners Manly and Brier, who crossed Death Valley to get to the California gold fields. Their trek was an ordeal that those who followed often repeated and distorted: prospectors, mining promoters, adventuresome journalists, poets, and raconteurs. The collection of these early pioneer accounts captures the essence of Death Valley intrigue. The reader smells the pungent sage and greasewood, feels the prickle of salt crystallizing in evaporation, and hears both the sidewinder’s rattle and the roar of furnace heat. One account after another describes the early life-and-death situations; authors stack superlatives like rock cairns leading to the most desolate, God­ forsaken land, the reputedly hottest place on earth. Fortunately not all tales were of life-threatening incidents. In one section authors defined the wit and humor of con-artist Death Valley Scotty who enticed easterners to speculate in his mining adventures. He mined their pockets and ultimately built a mansion called Scotty’s Castle, a tourist sight for today’s visitor. The final section of the book contains four tall tales: fish with canteens attached to their tails, solar armor made of sponge, a lime-like substance that can be reduced to water, and a poisonous gas that covers the valley floor. Because of the volume of references to geographical places, a more detailed map than the one provided would have been helpful. When the authors refer to so many springs, passes, peaks, and mining sites, a map for reference points is important. Consequently, I supplemented my reading with an inadequate road atlas and many glasses of water. I felt like I was back home in Death Valley where I lived for five years, four of which were in Fur­ nace Creek. MARY ELLEN ACKERMAN Cape Cod, Massachusetts 96 Western American Literature REPRINTS OF NOTE BisonBooks. University of Nebraska Press. Adams, Ramon F. The Old-Time Cowhand. $27.95/$11.95. Aldrich, Bess Streeter. The Cutters. $8.95. Burke, John. The Legend of Baby Doe: The Life and Times of the Silver Queen of the West. $8.95. Outright, Paul Russell. Lewis and Clark, Pioneering Naturalists. $14.95. Dickson, Albert Jerome. Covered Wagon Days, From the Private Journals of Albert Jerome Dickson. Edited by Arthur Jerome Dickson, with an Intro­ duction by A. B. Guthrie, Jr. $8.95. Mattes, Merrill J. Indians, Infants and Infantry. Andrew and Elizabeth Burt on the Frontier. $8.95. Minnesota Historical SocietyPress. Duncan, Kunigunde, with an introduction by Bruce D. Forbes. Blue Star: The Story of Corabelle Fellows, Teacher at Dakota Missions, 1884—1888. $8.95. Southern Methodist University Press. Reynolds, Clay. The Vigil. $8.95. Swallow Press/Ohio University Press. Waters, Frank. Mexico Mystique. The Coming Sixth World of Consciousness. $11.95. Texas A&MUniversity Press. White, Jon Manchip. A World Elsewhere: Life in the American Southwest. $13.95. TexasWesternPress. Allen, Martha Mitten. Traveling West: Nineteenth-Century Women on the Overland Routes. $7.50. Walker, Dale L. C. L. Sonnichsen: Grassroots Historian. $12.00/$7.50 University of Illinois Press. Bristol, Rev. Sherlock. The Pioneer Preacher, $32.50/$11.95. University of Nevada Press. Lewis, Oscar. I Remember Christine, with a foreword by Lawrence Clark Powell. $8.95. University of Oklahoma Press. Mathews, John Joseph. Sundown. With an introduction...

Foliar Sprays on Late-Planted Sweet Corn, 1988:

Abstract ‘Silver Queen’ sweet corn was planted 11 Jul to a Sassafras sandy loam field. Plots were 4 rows wide on 30-inch centers and 25-ft long. Whorl sprays were applied with a self-propelled, high-clearance sprayer with one nozzle centered over each of the middle 2 rows calibrated to deliver 51 gal/acre at 40 psi operated at 2 mph. Foliar sprays at silking were applied with 4 nozzles/row, directed at the ear zone, using 88 gal/acre at 40 psi operated at 2 mph. The center 2 rows of each plot were treated and the outer 2 rows were untreated guard rows. Sprays were applied on 23 Aug and 13, 16, 18, 22, and 26 Sep. At harvest (30 Sep), 20 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were husked and evaluated for damage as “fresh-market” (clean ears, no damage evident), “processing” (evidence of tip feeding, but less than 3.6 cm tip damage) and “culls” (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side or bottom). All worms found within the husk or ear were identified, counted and recorded; all ears were then weighed and total weights recorded. On 31 Oct, 20 stalks from the center 2 rows of each plot were split from 3 nodes above the ear to 3 nodes below the ear and each 2.5 cm of ECB damage recorded as one cavity.

Effect of a longitudinally applied voltage upon the growth of Zea mays seedlings.

The electrical parameters that affect young seedling growth were investigated. Voltages ranging from 5 to 40 volts were applied longitudinally along the mesocotyl region of 4-day old Zea mays L. (cv Silver Queen) seedlings for periods of 3 or 4 hours. It was determined that: (a) making the tips of the seedlings electrically positive relative to the base strongly inhibited shoot growth at 5 volts, whereas the reverse polarity had no effect; (b) at higher voltages, making the tip of the seedlings negative caused less growth inhibition than the reverse polarity at each voltage level; (c) the higher the applied voltage the greater the degree of inhibition; and, (d) the more growth inhibition experienced by the plants the poorer, and slower, their recovery. Previous observations of a relationship between the amount of free indole-3-acetic acid in the mesocotyl cortex and the growth rate of the mesocotyl and of gravitropism-induced movement of labeled indole-3-acetic acid from the seed to the shoot lead to the prediction of a voltage-dependent gating of the movement of indole-3-acetic acid from the stele to the cortex. This provided the basis for attempting to alter the growth rate of seedlings by means of an applied voltage.

Early wrong-way response occurs in orthogravitropism of maize roots treated with lithium.

Application of lithium ions to tips of roots of Zea mays L. cv. Silver Queen shifts the direction of initial orthogravitropic curvature from downward to upward. The production of this putatively incidental perturbation of orthogravitropic bending kinetics by a pharmacological agent might provide insight into both ortho- and plagiogravitropism. Additionally, the protocol of the experiments bears on recent claims that mucilage external to the root cap plays an essential role in gravitropism. External mucilage was removed before roots were stimulated, yet they reached about 50 degrees gravitropic curvature in an hour.

Whorl Applications to Control Fall Armyworm in Corn, 1987

Abstract 'Silver Queen' sweet corn was planted 13 Jul in a Sassafras sandy loam field. Plots were 4 rows wide on 30-inch centers and 25 ft long. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Granular whorl treatments were applied with a hand shaker in a 7-inch band over the whorl on 18 and 24 Aug. No other treatments were applied. Twenty whorls were rated for fall armyworm damage on 26 Aug as follows: 0, no damage; 1, slight damage, up to 10% whorl feeding; 2, moderate damage, 10-25% whorl feeding; 3, heavy damage, 25-50% feeding damage; 4, severe damage, 50-75% whorl feeding, tassel damaged; and 5, whorl destroyed. Twenty whorls were removed from the plants, unrolled, and all live armyworm larvae were counted. On 6 Oct, 20 ears were harvested and weighed. On 16 Oct, 20 plants in each plot were measured to determine plant height from the soil surface to the tip of the tassel. On 19 Nov, 10 stalks from the center 2 rows of each plot were split from 3 nodes above the ear to 3 nodes below the ear and each 2.5 cm of ECB damage was recorded as one cavity.

Insect Control in Sweet Corn, 1987

Abstract 'Silver Queen' sweet corn was planted on 10 Jul near Georgetown, Del. Two-row plots, 20 ft long on 30-inch centers were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer using 2 nozzles/row delivering 100 gals/acre at 40 psi. Silk sprays were applied on 1, 4, 9, and 11 Sep. At harvest maturity (15 Sep), all ears from each plot were examined for economic damage and all live larvae were counted.

Response of Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ to Nighttime Chilling Temperatures

Abstract Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ exposed to 4.5°, 13°, or 21°C for 10 hr each night for 1, 3, or 6 nights exhibited visual damage that increased as temperature decreased or as length of exposure increased. Growth index was negatively correlated with length of exposure in growth chambers, but exhibited no response to temperature. Leaf areas of new leaves exhibited reduced values at the lowest temperature and longest durations, but measurements of effusate conductivities, total leaf area, and number of new leaves were not affected by treatments. Microscopic examination of visually damaged leaves showed collapsed epidermal cells, while stem sections of chilled plants had a reduced number of starch grains.

EUONYMUS SCALE, UNASPIS EUONYMI (COMSTOCK) (HOMOPTERA: DIASPIDIDAE): EFFECTS OF HOST CULTIVAR AGE, AND LOCATION ON INFESTATION LEVELS1

The euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock) infestation frequency was measured on 5 species and varieties of Euonymus. Euonymus japonica var. aureovariegata was infested more frequently than ‘Grandifolia’, var aureomarginata, cv ‘Silver King’, and cv ‘Silver Queen’. There were no differences in infestation rates among the other four cultivars. Plants located in “protected” environments had a significantly higher rate of infestation than plants located in “unprotected” environments. There were also significant differences (∞ = 0.05) in rate of infestation related to age of plants, with older plants being more heavily infested.

Sweet Corn, Univoltine and Second Brood European Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, and Corn Earworm Con-Trol, 1985

Abstract This field test was conducted on sweet corn, cultivar ‘Silver Queen', planted on 26-30 May on a Hagerstown type soil at the Trico Foods Corp. farm near Rebersburg, PA. Seven insecticide treatments and an untreated control were replicated three times in a randomized block design. Each 3.0- to 4.0-acre plot was 36 rows wide except the 1.5- to 2.0-acre control plot which was 18 rows wide. Row spacing was 30 inches. Treatments were applied on 13, 21, 28 Aug with a Bell 47 Model 6-2A helicopter equipped with a 35’ boom and D4-45 Disc-Core cone nozzles applying 4.5 gal/acre. Helicopter speed was 45 mph, and spray width was 45 ft. Confusion occurred on 28 Aug spray when the UCSF 40 treatment was applied to the UCSF 27 block and the UCSF 27 treatment was applied to the Penncap-M block. Based on our observations this had little influence on the outcome because it was a late spray.

European Corn Borer in Sweet Corn, 1986

Abstract ‘Silver Queen’ sweet corn was planted 27 May at Rock Springs Experimental Farm, Centre County, PA. Plant spacing was 9 inches with 30 inches between rows. Plots were 3 rows x 47 ft arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Insecticides were applied 14, 26 Aug with a high-clearance sprayer delivering 30 gal/acre at 14 psi. Sweet corn was in pollen shedding stage at the first application and had an 8% European corn borer (ECB) infestation. On 2 Sep, 25 ears per plot were selected and examined for signs of insect feeding externally (silks and sides) and internally (kernels and ear tips). Numbers of ECB larvae were counted. Stalk damage caused by ECB was assessed by splitting 10 stalks/plot and counting the number of cavities. Rainfall totalled 3.75 inches for Jun, 5.00 inches for Jul, and 2.18 inches for Aug. Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures (°F) were 84 and 39 for Jun, 91 and 51 for Jul, and 83 and 45 for Aug, respectively.

The Effect of Tetcyclasis on Sweet Corn Growth and Water Use

Abstract The plant growth regulator tetcyclasis applied as a seed treatment [75% wettable powder (WP)] had growth-retarding effects on sweet corn (Zea mays L. ‘Silver Queen’), and modified water use. Tetcyclasis at rates of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 g a.i./kg of seed significantly retarded top growth, while having no effect on root length for 28 days after planting. Water use on a per gram of plant tissue basis tended to be lower under cool-season conditions and equal under warm-season conditions among tetcyclasis seed treatments as compared to nontreated controls. Chemical names used: 5- (4-chlorophenyl)-3,4,5,9,10-pentaaza-tetracyclo(5,4,l,02,6,08,11) dodeca-3,9-diene (tetcyclasis).

Nitrogen Source Effects on Growth and Tissue Content of Selected Foliage Plants

Abstract Nine nitrogen fertilizer treatments composed of 25% NH4:75% NO3, 50% NH4:50% NO3, 75% NH4:25% NO3, 25% urea:75% NO3, 50% urea:50% NO3, 75% urea:25% NO3, 100% NH4, 100% urea, and 100% NO3 were applied to Aglaonema Schott, × Silver Queen, Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) G. Don ‘Camille’, Aphelandra squarrosa Nees ‘Dania’, Chamaedorea elegans Mart., Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott. ‘Florida Ruffle’, Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr., and Philodendron scandens oxycardium (Schott) Bunt. Growth and grade of Dieffenbachia and Nephrolepis were not influenced by N source, whereas Aglaonema and Philodendron were improved when they received N sources containing 25% to 100% NH4-N or 100% urea-N. Aphelandra, Chamaedorea, and Peperomia responded to N source, but differences were of no commercial significance.

Oviposition Deterrents for Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Larval Frass, Corn Leaves, and Artificial Diet 1

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), oviposition on paper towels treated with water extracts of corn leaves, FAW larvae, larval frass, and artificial diet was reduced significantly compared with towels treated only with the solvent. Carrageenan was the component in the artificial diet responsible for oviposition deterrence. Aqueous extracts from two sweet corn cultivars grown outdoors in pots deterred oviposition, but only one, ‘Pioneer X304C’, a FAW-resistant cultivar, did so when grown outdoors or in the greenhouse. Extracts of ‘Pioneer X304C’ leaves with other solvents also deterred FAW oviposition. In field-cage experiments, oviposition was reduced significantly on ‘Pioneer X304C’ corn plants sprayed with aqueous extracts of either ‘Silver Queen’ or ‘Pioneer X304C’ leaves.

Chemical Composition of Vegetables Grown on an Agricultural Soil Amended with Sewage Sludges

AbstractHeavy metals were analyzed in edible and nonconsumable parts of radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. White Icicle), carrots (Daucus carota cv. Chantenay), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. Market Topper), green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Tenderette), sweet corn (Zea mays L. rugosa cv. Silver Queen), and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. West Virginia '63) grown on a sandy loam soil to which four sewage sludges were applied in the field at 90 and 180 Mg ha−1. Cadmium, Cr, and Pb concentrations in the edible parts of the vegetables from sludge treated plots were no more than 1.0 mg kg−1 above those from the untreated control plots. However, considerably more of these elements accumulated in radish tops, bean leaves, and corn leaves grown on a soil treated with two of the sludges. Nickel concentrations in vegetables from plots receiving two of the sludges were significantly higher than in the controls for both edible and nonconsumable parts of most of the vegetables grown. More Ni was absorbed by vegetables grown on a plot treated with sludge which was relatively low in total Ni (270 mg kg−1) than with a sludge which contained more than 47 times as much total Ni. Copper and Zn levels in vegetables grown on some sludge‐treated soils were elevated; however, these were not so high to cause alarm. The results emphasize the need for more information about sewage sludge than just total elemental analyses prior to application onto land on which vegetables will be grown.

Foliar Insecticide Efficacy Trial, European Corn Borer, 1984

Abstract ‘Silver Queen’ was planted 25 May at Rock Springs Agricultural Research Center, Centre Co., PA. Each plot consisted of 2 rows 25 ft in length with 4 replicates arranged in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied on 16, 22, 30 Aug, and 6 Sep using a Hi-Boy tractor equipped with a spray boom delivering 30 gal per acre. ECB damage was evaluated by selecting 5-10 stalks per plot and counting the number of entrance holes. On 11 Sep all ears larger than 6 inch were harvested and classified “damaged” or “marketable.” Rainfall totalled 6.07” for Jun, 3.22” for Jul and 5.33” for Aug. Average maximum and minimum daily temperatures (°F) were 87.0 and 47.3 for Jun, 86.5 and 49.0 for Jul, and 85.8 and 53.8 for Aug.

Sweet Corn, Granular Insecticide Efficacy Trials, 1985

Abstract ‘Silver Queen’ was planted May 30 on 30 inch centers with 9 inches between the plants. Plots were 4 rows × 50 ft arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates per treatment. Insecticides were applied on 8 Aug with a Hi-Boy tractor. At harvest (22 Sep), 25 ears were selected from each treatment plot. The number of FAW, CEW and ECB larvae were counted. Ears were evaluated for external feeding damage to silks and sides of ears as well as for evidence of feeding damage to tip and kernels. Ears with no apparent feeding damage to tip and kernels were classed as “clean.” ECB damage was assessed by selecting 10 plants per plot, splitting the stalk and counting ECB cavities. Data for ECB, FAW and CEW larvae transformed × + 0.5 for analysis.

Sweet Corn Foliar Insecticide Efficacy Trials, 1985

Abstract ‘Silver Queen’ sweet corn was planted 30 May to a Hagerstown silt loam field. Plots were 4 rows × 50 ft arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Insecticides were applied 9, 23, 29 Aug using a Hi-Boy tractor equipped with a spray boom set to deliver 30 gal per acre. At harvest, 100 ears were selected from each treatment and evaluated for signs of insect feeding externally (silks and sides) and internally (kernels and ear tips). Numbers of FAW, CEW and ECB were counted. Stalk damage caused by ECB was assessed by cutting 10 plants per plot splitting the stalks and counting the number of cavities. Data were analyzed using a square root transformation where appropriate. Rainfall totalled 2.33 inch for Jun, 4.40 inch for Jul and 2.76 inch for Aug. Average maximum and minimum daily temperature (°F) were 80.8 and 45.6 for Jun, 85 and 51.8 for Jul, and 86.8 and 51 for Aug.

Lesser Cornstalk Borer Control in Sweet Corn, 1985.

Abstract Insecticide-treated and untreated corn seed were planted in Spaldinf Co., GA (‘Silver queen’) on 22 May (Test 1) and in Pike Co., GA (‘Truckers favorite’) on 3 Jun. Soil types were Cecil loamy clay in Test 1 ant! Appling sandy loam in Test 2. The tests were each arranged as a randomized complete block experimental design with 4 replicates. All plots were planted with a 2-row cone-type small plot planter (double-disk opener, press wheel, 32-inch row spacing). The planter was equipped with pressurized canisters for delivery of liquid insecticides (30 gal/acre at 20psi) and an electric metering unit for delivery of granular insecticides. Liquid anti granular formulations were applied at planting in a 7-inch band in front of each press wheel. Data were collected from 2-row × 30 ft plots in Tes; 1 and 2 row × 27 ft plots in Test 2. Each plot was bordered on each side by a row which received the same treatment. The numbers of healthy and LCB-damaged plants were counted in each plot 16 and 40 days after planting in Test 1, and 14 and 28 days after planting in Test 2. Each plan with LCB damage was identified by characteristic damage symptoms (dead or dying central whorl, or complete wilting) and also by the presence of LCB larvae or their silken feeding tubes which extend laterally in the soil from plant bases.

European Corn Borer Control, Spray Frequency Trials, 1984

Abstract ‘Silver Queen’ sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 50 ft in length on 25 May. Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 9 inch. Treatment plots were replicated 4 times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Insecticides were mixed in 5 gal of water and applied with a Hi-Boy tractor equipped with a spray boom delivering 30 gal per acre. ECB stalk damage was assessed by selecting 5-10 plants per plot and counting the number of ECB entrance holes. At harvest (14 Sep) a sample of 100 ears from each treatment replicate was selected for grading. A 1 to 3 scale was used: 1―no apparent insect feeding (marketable); 2―slight feeding damage to tip and leaves; 3―severe damage, evidence of boring.

Corn Earworm, European Corn Borer, and Fall Armyworm Control on Sweet Corn, 1984

Abstract “Silver Queen” and “White Satin” were planted on 22 Jun in alternating 4-row plots 15 ft long on 30-inch centers. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated 5 times. Only the center 2 rows of the “Silver Queen” plots were treated using a 2.5 gal CO2 pressurized hand sprayer with a delivery rate of 61 gal/acre at 40 psi. A twice refined non-emulsified soybean oil (2RNE) was also used with Pydrin and Lorsban in ratios of 3:1 and 2:1, oil to insecticide respectively. The sprayer was equipped with 1 hollow-cone nozzle per row which was directed at the ear zone during application. Treatments were applied on 14, 20, 24, and 31 Aug. Twenty ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were harvested on 7 Sep and graded as either fresh market or processable. To be graded fresh market, the kernels had to be free of insect feeding damage. Processing corn could have up to 1.5 inch tip damage and/or slight damage to a few kernels on the side of the ear.