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Differential thermal analysis (DTA) is a technique commonly used to evaluate the cold hardiness of plant organs that supercool as a means for cold survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different pretest bud storage conditions, cooling rates, and bud excision techniques on dormant sweet cherry flower bud low temperature exotherms (LTEs) measured using DTA. Furthermore, this study compared cold hardiness estimates made using DTA and controlled freezing tests. We determined that buds stored at warmer temperatures (12.5 °C and room temperature) for 2–6 h prior to DTA or transported to the lab in a moist environment underwent biologically relevant changes in their apparent sensitivity to cold, as indicated by LTEs produced at warmer temperatures. The DTA cooling rate also significantly affected LTEs, with faster cooling resulting in the production of LTEs at warmer temperatures. Overall, LTEs were comparable among buds with varying amounts of plant material remaining attached to the bud base. It is important to note that the region directly subtending the primordia was always left intact on the buds being compared. This study demonstrated that overall, DTA and controlled freezing tests resulted in comparable measures of cold hardiness. The findings presented in this study are pertinent to researchers interested in conducting cold hardiness measurements in sweet cherry and highlight that consistency in DTA pretest conditions and bud preparation are required to achieve reliable LTE results that can be compared among studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of Florida ranks third in the United States in beer production by volume, yet does not boast a commercially viable barley crop. This presents a potential market for Florida-grown barley. Despite similarities between the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones of Florida and traditional barley-growing regions, there persists a lack of best management practices for the successful cultivation and establishment of a barley crop in Florida. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential viability of eight spring-type barley varieties grown in Florida by comparing crop yields, extract, fermentability, and volatile compounds. Barley is not a typical crop grown in Florida, however, the inclusion would provide welcome diversification options for Florida farmers to grow over winter. This study is an initial investigation into the use of Florida barley as an ingredient in beer production. The average yields of the eight varieties ranged from 31.5 ± 6.8 to 42.9 ± 11.8 bushels per acre (1,695–2,308 kg/ha) for the optimal planting dates, which are comparable to similar growing regions. Fine Grind (f.g.) extract concentrations were highest in Copeland, Esma, Pinnacle, and Opera barley varieties, ranging from 68.4 to 73.6% dry basis (d.b.). Concerning fermentability, Copeland and Esma had the lowest final attenuation among the Florida-grown barleys (1.51 and 1.92°P, respectively). There were minor differences in volatile compounds between the control and experimental barleys. The results of this study support the possible viability of Florida-grown barley for brewing applications that prioritize using local ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) might be an attractive forage species in the northeastern United States, since it is generally more heat tolerant and disease resistant than other cool‐season grasses. Black oat is currently recommended for fall and winter production in USDA Plant Hardiness ones 8b–10a, which is beyond the northeastern United States (Zones 2a–6a). The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines (referred to as "UF1" through "UF10") for forage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out in April–July 2022 in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack cv. TriCal 342) and Legend 567 oat (Avena sativa L.) were included as controls, as well as Haden oat and Gunner triticale, as regionally recommended cultivars. The forage accumulation within the black oat germplasm ranged from 364 to 864 lb dry matter (DM) acre−1, observed in UF7 and UF9, respectively, during the first harvest. During the second harvest, forage accumulation within black oat ranged from 1048 to 1408 lb DM acre−1, from UF8 and UF1, respectively. Crude protein concentrations ranged from 16% to 23% across all black oats, with no differences found within the germplasm. The IVDOM concentrations averaged 78% across all treatments during the first harvest and decreased to 66% during the second harvest. Overall, this study showed that black oat merits further evaluation as forage species in the northeastern United States, but further studies are required to address management of the species. Core Ideas: Black oat is heat tolerant and therefore might be an alternative forage species for the northeastern United States.Further evaluation is required to establish production potential and nutritive value of black oat in the northeastern United States region.Best management practices for black oat are lacking and warranted, especially for future cultivar release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides information about a new cultivar of Ilex ×attenuata called 'Jingshan Princess'. The document describes the characteristics of the plant, including its leaf color, flower, and fruit. It also provides information on how to propagate and cultivate the plant. The document concludes with information on the availability of the plant for restricted trials. [Extracted from the article]

Drought poses a significant challenge to rice cultivation in Asia's rain-fed regions, which is expected to worsen with climate change. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge on drought tolerance in rice, based on a literature review of 52 relevant articles. The articles were chosen based on their relevance to the topic of drought tolerance in rice. The selected articles were then analyzed using a qualitative approach to summarize and synthesize their findings into three main sections: impact, performance, and recent trends. The article highlights several key findings on the development of drought-tolerant rice cultivars, including the identification of genes that control responses to water availability, the use of submergence-tolerant varieties in flood-prone lowlands, and the importance of physiological, biochemical, and molecular adaptation processes in improving rice's tolerance to drought stress. The article emphasizes the importance of marker-assisted breeding and cultivation in semi-arid and rainfed environments to develop more drought-tolerant cultivars. The development of drought-tolerant rice cultivars is crucial to ensure food security and mitigate the effects of climate change in Asia's rain-fed regions. The article also discusses various types of droughts and their effects on different plant species and drought pressures. As the global population increases, the demand for rice as a dependable food crop also rises. To meet this demand, rice cultivation must be expanded to rainfed areas. However, rice's adaptation mechanisms and habitat make it one of the most challenging crops for breeders to develop drought-tolerant varieties. Overall, this article provides important insights and recommendations to improve rice productivity and address the challenges associated with drought in rice cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the development and release of new freeze-tolerant kiwi cultivars named 'Tango' and 'Hombre', which are considerably more cold hardy than existing varieties, allowing cultivation in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zone 6b and above. Topics discussed include the origin and performance of these cultivars, their cold hardiness evaluation, and their chilling and heating requirements.

Susceptibility to low-temperature injury and diseases is a major concern associated with ornamental camellia production. To comprehensively understand their growth, cold-hardiness, flowering, and disease resistance, 24 camellia (Camellia spp. and hybrids) cultivars and selections were evaluated inMcMinnville, TN, USA (USDA plant hardiness zone 7a). During Mar 2011, camellias were planted in the field plots. Plant height and canopy width weremeasured annually from 2011 to 2019, and low-temperature damage was recorded in 2014 and 2023. The flowering duration was recorded each year from 2011 to 2020. The Camellia Yellow Mottle Virus, monochaetia leaf spot (Monochaetia sp.), edema, flower blight (Ciborinia camelliae), and flower spot (Botrytis cinerea) severity (% affected) were evaluated from Oct to Nov in 2016 and 2017. The season-long area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. Cultivars Arctic Snow and Pink Icicle exhibited the greatest height, and Autumn Spirit, Elaine Lee, Arctic Snow, and Survivor had the widest canopy width, whereas Shishigashira had the lowest height and canopy width. 'April Remembered', 'April Rose', 'Arctic Snow', 'Ashton's Ballet', 'Autumn Carnival', 'Autumn Spirit', 'Elaine Lee', 'Survivor', andC. chekiangoleosa selection were least affected by winter low temperatures, whereas 'Korean Snow', 'One Alone', C. sasanqua selection, 'Pink Icicle', and 'Shishigashira' were severely damaged. 'Arctic Snow' flowered most reliably (6 of 8 years), whereas 'April Remembered', 'April Rose', 'Ashton's Ballet', 'Autumn Spirit', and 'Survivor' flowered five times. 'Korean Fire', 'Classic Pink', 'Maroon Mist', and 'Spring's Promise' displayed the highest virus severity and AUDPC. 'Arctic Snow', C. sasanqua selection, and the C. chekiangoleosa selection had no viral symptoms. C. sasanqua selection and 'Red Aurora' were significantly impacted by edema disorder, with severity ratings of ~43%and 26%, respectively. Monochaetia leaf spot severity was highest in 'Red Aurora' and 'Spring's Promise', whereas 'Anacostia', 'Arctic Snow', 'Ashton's Ballet', 'Autumn Spirit', 'Classic Pink', 'Kuro Delight', 'One Alone', 'Pink Icicle', 'Shishigashira', and'Survivor' exhibited the leastmonochaetia leaf spot severity and AUDPC. Flower blight and flower spot were observed only in 'Arctic Snow' and 'Survivor'. These findings will aid landscapers and nursery growers with selecting andmanaging camellia cultivars effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) is a cool‐season annual grass with Mediterranean origin. In contrast to other cool‐season grasses, black oat is more heat tolerant and disease resistant, making it an attractive option for the US upper Midwest, since it can be utilized during summer, when there is decreased productivity of cool‐season forages due to photorespiration. Black oat is recommended for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8b–10a, far away from the upper Midwest (zones 2a‐5b). The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines (referred to as 'UF1' through 'UF10') for herbage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out on May–July 2021 and 2022 in Stratford, WI. Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack cv. 'TriCal 342′) and 'Legend 567′ oat (Avena sativa L.) were included as controls, as well as 'Ogle' oat as a regionally recommended cultivar. Herbage accumulation differed by treatment (P = 0.002) and averaged 5900 lb acre−1 among black oat lines, with 'UF3' and 'UF10' having greater herbage accumulation than oat checks Ogle and Legend 567, and Trical 342 triticale. Crude protein concentration of UF7 and UF3 was 8.5 to 9.5%, respectively. The IVDOM concentrations were above 58% for all black oat. Results indicate certain black oat have the potential to provide forage resources during the early summer in the upper Midwest, but further studies are warranted to evaluate how to best manage this species into cropping or pasture systems in the region. Core Ideas: Black oat might be an attractive forage option for the US upper Midwest for their heat tolerance.Black oat can provide high quantities of forage in 40–60 days in central Wisconsin.Further investigation is warranted to evaluate strategies to incorporate black oat into crop systems in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of the genus Arachis originated from South America and are cultivated worldwide. The genus Arachis contains 83 species and nine intrageneric taxonomic sections. The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) belongs to the Arachis section, the forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W. C. Greg.) belongs to the Caulorrhizae section, and the perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) belongs to the Rhizomatosae section. These three peanut species have been developed for use as fodder crops. This review summarizes the forage value of Arachis species. Forage and perennial peanuts can be intercropped with forage species to feed livestock. The cultivated peanut vines and peanut by‐products, such as peanut skins and peanut meal, are also high‐quality fodder used to feed sheep, cattle, and poultry. A major limiting factor in terms of adopting forage and perennial peanuts as forage crops is their limited resistance to frosts, resulting from their low winter hardiness. Therefore, the feeding value of cultivated peanuts is higher compared to forage and perennial peanuts. This review suggests that Arachis is a suitable forage crop, focusing on their nutritional properties and breeding to increase their performance under cultivation and feeding value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'DALSA 1618' (Reg. no. CV‐291, PI 702594) is a first‐generation intraspecific St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] hybrid developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Dallas, TX, from a cross between a drought‐resistant polyploid female parent, TAES 5384 (PI 300130, GRIN National Plant Germplasm System), and a semi‐dwarf shade‐tolerant diploid pollen donor, 'Amerishade'. DALSA 1618 was formerly tested as 'TAES 5896‐09' and 'TXSA‐156'. Superior performance and quality from 2010 to 2015 in space‐plant nurseries across multiple environments led to advancing DALSA 1618 to replicated trials in 10 National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) locations across the southcentral and southeastern United States. DALSA 1618 was one of the top performers in the 2016 NTEP (2016–2020). It established faster than 'CitraBlue' and similarly to other tested commercial cultivars. DALSA 1618 exhibited high turfgrass quality in standard and ancillary trials and earlier spring greenup, which was generally better than 'Floratam'. Drought resistance of DALSA 1618 was similar to Floratam (a drought‐resistant aneuploid). Tolerance to moderately dense shade was tested in Dallas, TX, from 2017 to 2020, where DALSA 1618 exhibited improved shade tolerance relative to Floratam. This array of environmental testing indicates DALSA 1618 possesses a unique combination of drought and shade tolerance that would allow its use across the southcentral and southeastern United States. Core Ideas: DALSA 1618 is an embryo‐rescue derived intraspecific hybrid of St. Augustinegrass.DALSA 1618 is tolerant to drought stress and moderately dense shade.DALSA 1618 is suitable for use in USDA plant hardiness zones 7b/8a to 10b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'DALZ 1701' (Reg no. CV‐292, PI 702798) is a third‐generation hybrid resulting from mating interspecific hybrid 'TAES 5723‐47' with Zoysia japonica (Steud.) 'Meyer'. In the 2019 National Evaluation Turfgrass Program, which ran from 2019 to 2022 in 15 locations, DALZ 1701 was put to the test. In 9 of 13 locations, DALZ 1701 established more quickly than Meyer, similarly to Emerald and Zeon but slower than Empire. DALZ 1701's turfgrass quality was generally better than Meyer's and on par with that of Emerald, Empire, and Zeon. Compared with Meyer, DALZ 1701 displays a dark green genetic color. In Dallas, TX, DALZ 1701 maintained its quality under drought stress more effectively than Meyer and similarly to Emerald, Empire, and Zeon; however, it had more wilt avoidance than Emerald and Zeon. Like Meyer and Innovation, DALZ 1701 showed freezing tolerance but had improved fall color retention. DALZ 1701 appeared to have greater tolerance than Meyer to large patch (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn), spring yellowing [take‐all patch (Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) von Arx & D. Olivier)], hunting billbug (Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden), and zoysiagrass mite (Eriophyes zoysiae Baker, Kono, and O'Neill) damage. Additionally, DALZ 1701 has shown quality comparable to Diamond and Palisades but superior to Meyer under moderate shade in Dallas, TX. In the transition zone and southern portions of the United States, where zoysiagrass is widely grown, DALZ 1701 is adaptable to a variety of conditions. Core Ideas: Freezing tolerance of DALZ 1701 is similar to Meyer.Drought resistance of DALZ 1701 is better than Meyer and Innovation.Wilt avoidance of DALZ 1701 is better than Meyer and Zeon.DALZ 1701 exhibits superior tolerance to take‐all patch, mites, and hunting billbugs than Meyer.DALZ 1701 exhibited acceptable performance across USDA plant hardiness zones 5b to 8a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnolias (Magnolia sp.) are economically important woody ornamental plants; however, plant damage associated with frost and powdery mildew (Microsphaera alni and Phyllactinia corylea) disease is a major production challenge. To understand the tree architecture and powdery mildew resistance, 26 yellow-flowering magnolias (Magnolia sp.) were evaluated in McMinnville, TN, USA (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b). One-year-old containerized trees were planted in a field plot during Mar 2006, with 4.6-m plant-to-plant and 3.7-m row-to-row spacing. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with three single-plant replications. Plant height and canopy diameter were measured on Dec 2016 and Feb 2018, and the apical dominance ratio (i.e., indicating tree architecture) was calculated by dividing the height by the canopy diameter. Plants were evaluated for powdery mildew severity and defoliation using a scale of 0% to 100% of the total plant canopy affected or defoliated, respectively, from Aug to Oct of 2016 and 2017. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for the evaluation period of each year. The plant apical dominance ratio ranged from 1 to 3, with 'Gold Cup' and 'Sun Spire' having the highest value, and 'Lois', 'Gold Star', 'Golden Gala', 'Solar Flair', 'Stellar Acclaim', 'Sun Ray', 'Sunburst', and 'Sundance' having the lowest value (i.e., relatively round shape). Of the 26 cultivars, Sundance, Sun Spire, Sun Ray, and Gold Cup had the lowest powdery mildew severity (10% to 33% in 2016 and 40% to 60% in 2017), AUDPC, and defoliation. Cultivars Anilou, Gold Star, Golden Pond, Golden Rain, Golden Sun, Green Bee, Honey Liz, Judy Zuk, Koban Dori, Lois, Solar Flair, Stellar Acclaim, and Yellow Bird were highly susceptible to powdery mildew (>80% disease severity) and had the highest AUDPC values. Results of this research may aid breeders, nursery producers, and landscapers when selecting yellow-flowering magnolia cultivars with desirable tree architecture and resistance to powdery mildew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how plants tolerate or avoid metabolic disturbances induced by chilling temperature or by the formation of intrinsic ice has been a subject of interest for scientists since the 19th century. Warmer than average fall temperatures will reduce the maximum capacity of plants to survive exposure to subzero temperatures. It is also our hope that future cross-disciplinary insights into the mechanisms of plant cold hardiness will accelerate discussions on the impact of warming winter conditions on how plants survive at subzero temperatures. Some transcription factors and other cold-responsive genes were strongly induced during triggering, suggesting the existence of a unique mechanism for fine-tuning plant response to temperature fluctuation. [Extracted from the article]

The paper provides a comparison of minimum air temperature (TN), maximum air temperature (TX), mean air temperature (Tmean) and a few derived temperature indices for Herschel Island (Qikiqtaruk) in the Yukon Territory, Canada for the periods 1899-1905 and 2008-2014. A significant increase in the TN was noted at +4.2°C, which was a larger increase than that for both Tmean (+3.7°C) and TX (+3.5°C). Air temperature increased the most in October, November, and December. In addition, the length of the frost-free season increased by 26 days and the length of the growing season increased by 25 days from the early 20th century to the early 21st century. The increase in the TN also triggered a change in the plant hardiness zone where Herschel Island is located. However, the daily air temperature range declined over the course of the study period as well as the annual total of heating degree days and the number of exceptionally cold days. No statistically significant change in the number of freeze-thaw days was found for the studied periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10‐yr, four‐phase collaborative effort among three universities was conducted to develop new hybrid zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp. Willd.) with improved turf quality, winter hardiness, and pest resistance in comparison to commercial zoysiagrass cultivars, especially 'Meyer' (Z. japonica Steud.). In Phase 1, breeding efforts produced 2,858 new progeny that were evaluated for 2 yr across three sites. In Phase 2, only 60 (2%) of 2,858 progeny were selected for advancement to 10 replicated multiyear field trials (Phase 3). Phase 3 revealed 10 promising progeny (assigned DALZ numbers) that required further intensive field and laboratory testing in Phase 4. Phase 4 revealed differences in establishment rate, and DALZ 1701, 1702, 1707, and 1810 had moderate‐to‐good turf performance across seven sites, whereas DALZ 1808 had similar or slightly lower performance. Meyer consistently performed poorly, and 'Innovation', a recently released hybrid cultivar, had poor‐to‐moderate performance in comparison to the experimental genotypes, which illustrates the improvements achieved in zoysiagrass breeding in the last 10 yr. Freeze tolerance (LT50, lethal temperature killing 50% of the plants) ranged from −9.8 °C (Diamond) to −14.1 °C (DALZ 1812) with a mean of −12.5 °C. Evidence of large patch [Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, anastomosis Group (AG) 2‐2 LP] in the top 10 DALZ genotypes was 15 to 40% lower than Meyer on several dates. Results indicate that there are multiple genotypes for potential release in the future with improved turf color, winter hardiness, freeze tolerance, large patch resistance, and finer leaf texture suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones ranging between 5b and 8a. Core Ideas: Multidisciplinary, systematic breeding efforts effectively improve zoysiagrass.Intra‐ and interspecific hybridization introgressed superior turf traits.Multiple options exist for potential zoysiagrass release for a variety of climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial flax (Linum spp.) breeding objectives at the University of Minnesota (UMN) are to develop agronomic (oilseed, fiber) and horticultural (cut flower, garden perennial) varieties that are hardy in Minnesota (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 and 4). The objective of this research was to determine the range of cold hardiness in UMN perennial flax breeding populations compared with wild accessions of L. austriacum, L. lewisii, and L. perenne. Fifty‐three genotypes from seven populations were low temperature acclimated, followed by controlled freezing using a programmable freezer. The observed lethal temperature for 50% plant kill (LT50) ranged from >0 °C (0% survival) to <−12 °C (100% survival), for the test temperatures of 0, −4, −8, −10, and −12 °C. Cold damage was measured after 4 wk of regrowth as the proportion of alive shoots and a root damage rating. Significant negative correlations were observed between LT50 and proportion of alive shoots (r = −.918) and root damage rating (r = −.935). Both L. austriacum and L. perenne had significantly less cold damage than L. lewisii and the breeding populations. This study establishes methods of screening perennial flax cold tolerance that are more cost effective, rapid, and repeatable compared to field evaluations. Core Ideas: Controlled freezing tests were useful to identify hardy perennial flax species and genotypes.Lethal temperatures for 50% plant kill (LT50) were as low as ‐12 °C (hardy in MN USDA Z3–4).Linum austriacum and L. perenne had significantly less cold damage than L. lewisii and hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastures in Tennessee comprise mainly tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.], a cool-season perennial grass. Given that producers in Tennessee feed hay for an average of 143 d per year, there is interest in utilizing the practice of stockpiling to extend the grazing season. Although this practice has been proven to reduce hay needs (Freeman et al., 2019), it is vital to maintain up-to-date recommendations using data from across the southeastern US to inform grazing decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritive value and dry matter yield of stockpiled tall fescue across plant hardiness zones 7 and 8. Fourteen farms across Tennessee and Alabama were identified as sampling sites. In September 2021, three exclusion cages (1.3 m x 1.3 m) were constructed at each site, forage was clipped to a 5-cm height, and plots were fertilized at a rate of 67 kg N/ha. During years 20212022 and 2022-2023, samples were clipped at a 5-cm height from a 0.1-m2 quadrat monthly from October through February. Samples were collected from a different location within the plot each month to ensure there was no overlap. Samples were dried and weighed to determine dry matter yield and then ground for NIRS analysis to determine nutritive value. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX for a completely randomized design. Independent variables were stockpile period length and plant hardiness zone. Results indicate that plant hardiness zone did not have a significant effect on forage yield (P = 0.2098). Dry matter yield increased over the length of the stockpiling period (P < 0.0001) from 2,637 to 4,922 kg DM/ha. Crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) concentrations decreased (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0358, respectively) throughout the stockpiling period; however, ranges were still within those needed to support the nutritional needs of a lactating cow with CP ranging from 15 to 17% and TDN ranging from 68 to 70%. As expected, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations increased over the stockpiling period (P = 0.0029 and P = 0.0145, respectively) as plants matures. There were no significant changes in ash and fat concentrations due to stockpiling length. Results from this study conclude that stockpiled tall fescue in plant hardiness zones 7 and 8 can support the nutritional requirements of mature cows at all stages of production through the winter months. Results will be used to inform Extension recommendations to assist producers in making management decisions that increase grazing days and reduce supplemental feed input costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tremendously growing global human population and increasing level of UV radiation necessitates the need for developing a cost-effective, convenient and environment-friendly method for improving the quality and quantity of food crops. UV-B radiation has particular regulatory functions in plant growth and development, which can lead to increased plant hardiness, increased plant resistance to herbivores and diseases and improved agricultural product quality, all of which have implications for food security. UV-B priming is one of the most efficient techniques helpful in increasing yield and improving quality of the crop. The review paper scrutinizes the previous research studies on effect of UV priming on plants, mainly focusing UV-B priming. The overall significance of this technique and the mode of action through which the photomorphogenic responses are brought about in plants after UV exposure are discussed in detail. We found certain gaps in research that are needed to be addressed. Exposing plants to low doses of UV-B increases the production of antioxidants, phenolics, pigments and enzymes, overall strengthening defense system and increasing the efficiency of photosystem of the plant. Experiments on the effects of UV-B light needs precise monitoring of UV radiation. The development of tools and procedures that permit for the estimation of pragmatic UV radiation exposures of discrete plants, natural ecosystems and agricultural contexts need further attention. Ecologists are to forecast the expected effects of natural ecosystems; investigations of the combined effects of environmental variables and UV-B radiation will be required for the development of stress-tolerant crop varieties. A better understanding of the mechanism of UV-B priming mechanisms will aid in the development of seed production technologies. The role of UV-B photo receptor, UVR8, in nucleoplasmic gene transcription and the link between UVR8 activation and repression of hormone production or signaling are all questions that needs to be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial variability is a prominent feature of various geographic phenomena such as climatic zones, USDA plant hardiness zones, and terrestrial habitat types (e.g., forest, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts). However, current deep learning methods follow a spatial-one-size-fits-all (OSFA) approach to train single deep neural network models that do not account for spatial variability. Quantification of spatial variability can be challenging due to the influence of many geophysical factors. In preliminary work, we proposed a spatial variability aware neural network (SVANN-I, formerly called SVANN) approach where weights are a function of location but the neural network architecture is location independent. In this work, we explore a more flexible SVANN-E approach where neural network architecture varies across geographic locations. In addition, we provide a taxonomy of SVANN types and a physics inspired interpretation model. Experiments with aerial imagery based wetland mapping show that SVANN-I outperforms OSFA and SVANN-E performs the best of all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the introduction of a new dwarf holly cultivar named 'Ning Qing 2,' characterized by its small serrated leaves, leathery texture, and greyish olive green color. Topics discussed include the origin of the cultivar through crossbreeding, its distinct characteristics compared to parent species I. dabieshanensis and I. latifolia, and details on its propagation, cultivation, and availability.

We analyzed the port interceptions of the red dwarf honeybee, Apis (Micrapis) florea and undetermined species of Apis from regions where the A. florea is present. We also provide information on the potential distribution of this species globally and for the USA by using two climatic suitability models: Plant Hardiness Zones and Maxent. The results show several significant interceptions at US ports of entry in the last 10 years, including complete colonies associated with sea containers. In addition, the climatic models showed suitable areas in warmer regions of the world, and Southern and Western USA. Finally, we provide some additional notes for the diagnosis of the females and males of A. florea, including some novel characters from the gonangulum and the sting blades, both parts of the complex sting apparatus of the workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Dutch elm disease (DED) is the primary threat to American elm (Ulmus americana L.), we hypothesized that shoot freezing injury may also limit tree productivity and survival in the north. We assessed shoot cold tolerance and field winter injury of American elm bred for DED tolerance planted in Lemington, Vermont. We tested for differences in cold tolerance associated with date, maternal DED tolerance sources, paternal sources from plant hardiness zones 5a, 6a, and 6b (determined using data from 1996 to 2005), and the interactions of these. Cold tolerance was greatest in the winter, followed by fall and then spring. For all dates, cold tolerance never differed between maternal DED tolerance sources. However, in mid-winter, paternal sources from zone 5a (coldest zone) were significantly more cold tolerant than sources from zone 6b (warmest zone), and sources from zone 6a were intermediate. Field freezing injury confirmed that shoots were only marginally cold tolerant relative to ambient temperature lows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on a new holly cultivar named 'Ning Qing 3,' conducted by Xinran Chong, Xiaolong Wang, Bingsong Zheng, Ting Zhou, Yunlong Li, Chuanyong Wang, Fan Zhang, Yanwei Zhou, and Hong Chen from various botanical institutes in China, published in the journal "HortScience." It mentions the development and characteristics of the 'Ning Qing 3' holly cultivar,.

Although plant-white-rot fungi (WRF) remediation is considered efficient in improving polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)–contaminated soil, the prospects for using it remain poorly known. Therefore, we evaluated whether the WRF Crucibulum laeve could improve the phytoremediation of PAH-contaminated soil by Salix viminalis L. A 60-day pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of C. laeve inoculation (using two inoculation treatments and a non-inoculated control) on the phytoremediation potential, growth, and antioxidant metabolism of S. viminalis cultivated in PAH-contaminated soil. The S. viminalis-C. laeve association synergistically caused the highest PAH removal rate. Under the S. viminalis-C. laeve treatment, 80% of the biological concentration and translocation factors for all tissues of S. viminalis were > 1, whereas only 20% of these factors were > 1 when S. viminalis was used alone. C. laeve inoculation remarkably enhanced phytoremediation by promoting S. viminalis–based phytoextraction of PAHs from soils. Furthermore, although C. laeve inoculation altered the antioxidant metabolism of S. viminalis by inducing oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting plant growth, the plant's hardiness enabled it to survive and grow normally for 60 days after treatment. Therefore, phytoremediation using S. viminalis inoculated with C. laeve can be considered a feasible approach for the phytoremediation of PAH-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Cercocarpus is the largest genus of actinorhizal plants in the Rosaceae family. Topics include actinorhizal plants are nitrogen-fixing plants; Cercocarpus montanus vigorously sprouts even after fire, and its growth is stimulated by browsing; and Cercocarpus montanus is commonly propagated from seeds.

Significant land use changes in Fiji Islands caused soil degradation, pollution and biodiversity losses. The planting of trees is an option of sustainable land use with long term ecological and economic advantages. Spatial models based on ecological requirements of tree species facilitates decision making, planning and risks management before planting. A land suitability analysis with Geographic Information System (GIS) was carried out to identify areas in Vitilevu island for the planting of eleven native and exotic tree species. Altitudes, rainfall and forest cover maps were used as discrimination factors in boolean operations. The species with higher ecological potential for plantation were Syzygium decussatum (22% of the total area), Tectona grandis (19% of the total area), and Metroxylon vitiense (18% of the total area). The model is robust but can be enhanced by adding thematic layers of other environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, vectors the causal agent, Rose rosette virus (RRV), that results in rose rosette disease. Parts of the southeastern United States have remained free of the disease, except for infected plant material introductions that were eradicated. A survey of sampling points through Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi (n = 204) revealed the southeastern border of RRV. The presence of RRV in symptomatic plant tissue samples (n = 39) was confirmed by TaqMan-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Samples were also collected at every plot for detection of eriophyid mites, specifically for P. fructiphilus. Three different species of eriophyid mites were found to be generally distributed throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Most of these sites (n = 60) contained P. fructiphilus, found further south than previously thought, but in low populations (<10 mites/gram of tissue) south of the RRV line of incidence. Latitude was found to be significantly correlated with the probability of detecting RRV-positive plants, but plant hardiness zones were not. Plot factors such as plant size, wind barriers, and sun exposure were found to have no effect on P. fructiphilus or the presence of RRV. The reason for the absence of RRV and low populations of P. fructiphilus in this southeast region of the United States are unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Reforestation and restoration efforts have traditionally relied on "local" seed sources as planting stock. The term "local" has different meanings in different locales, since no single set of seed-collection zones has yet been widely adopted across the eastern United States. Given concerns about mitigating the effects of climate change, forest managers are increasingly seeking to move seed sources in a process called assisted migration, which would be facilitated if a common set of seed-collection zones were available. We developed a map of 245 seed-collection zones for 37 states by combining two ecologically important layers: plant hardiness zones and ecoregions. These new seed-collection zones should be used by seed collectors and nurseries to describe the origin of seed for plants and trees in the eastern United States. Common garden studies remain the gold standard for determining how far to move seed from any particular seed-collection zone. For species that have not been field-tested, seed movement that is limited either within a seed-collection zone or between adjacent seed-collection zones is a reasonable general guideline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We update the geographical distribution for Xylocopa appendiculata Smith, from eastern Asia, which was first reported from the United States of America (USA) in 2013. After the publication by Dahlberg et al. (2013), there have been more sightings supporting the establishment of X. appendiculata in northern California. We used plant hardiness zones and maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling to estimate the potential distribution of X. appendiculata in the USA using specimen data from multiple occurrences (confirmed data from literature, museum specimens and validated data from Discover Life.org and iNaturalist.org). We include images and a list of diagnostic features for the identification of the subgenus Alloxylocopa Hurd and Moure and the species X. appendiculata so that it can be identified and reported to corresponding state or federal authorities, if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pests, disease, and climate change pose major challenges to street tree survival, and diversity in tree species and genera is widely considered to promote the sustainability of municipal street tree populations. Conversely, the lack of sufficient diversity in street tree population was judged a contributing factor in the death and removal of thousands of street trees in Worcester, Massachusetts, that state's second most populous city, due to an infestation of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB, Anoplophora glabripennis). Therefore, reducing the dominance of prevalent street tree species and genera and increasing tree species and genera diversity are considered vital to sustainable street tree management and to the preservation of the ecosystem services and social benefits that street trees provide. This paper assesses street tree diversity in Massachusetts by analyzing a nonrandom sample of collated municipal street tree inventory data stratified by plant hardiness zones. Consistent with results previously found for Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, results in Massachusetts indicate that a relatively small number of species and genera dominate the composition of most municipal street tree populations, including in particular Acer spp. (maple), one of the ALB's favorite host genera. There is accordingly a need for greater species and genus diversity in municipal street tree populations statewide. While there may be a trend towards increased street tree diversity and reduction in the dominance of Acer spp., considerable work remains to be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review compiles the studies carried out so far on Opuntia ellisiana Griffiths. This species, of unknown origin, was first described at the beginning of the 20th century in southern Texas, USA, and introduced to Argentina in 1998. This species, like other Opuntia sps., can be cultivated in a wide range of environments and its lower transpiration per unit of carbon gained in relation to C3 and C4, has lead to in an important increase in water-use efficiency. While O. ellisiana has a lower growth and productivity than O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill. it stands out for its resistance to sub-zero temperatures. Fortunately, the intraspecies variation within O. ellisiana, shortens the time for its use after establishment. There is a wide variation in the nutrient content between the different forage species and clones of Opuntia. Due to the inherently low N availability in arid ecosystems, O. ellisiana, like the other species, has low protein content in natural unfertilized conditions. Some efforts, as the use of N-fertilizer, have been carried out to improve its protein level. About 15% protein levels have been obtained with other Opuntias. Other research has been directed to provide a favorable abiotic environment for a cactus to achieve higher biomass productivity and improved protein levels by interacting with nurse plants, such as Prosopis sps. The last alternative resulted in a significant increase in protein content and cladode quantity per plant of O. ellisiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We confirmed that DTA is a valid method to estimate of apricot flower organs cold hardiness. • Cell death point in flower organs that failed to produce two distinct exotherms was questioned for the first time by DTA. • This is a first proof of concept that freezing of the pedicel and receptacle are occurring earlier than pistil and stamen by using the method of DTA in apricot. • Differences in cold hardiness were detected during different development stages of flower organs for the apricot cultivars. Abstract The apricots growing in different environments face the risk of frost in spring months. There is limited information about how floral organ structures of apricots are protected from frost injury during late spring frosts. As a solution related this matter, the cell death points (CDPs) of some apricot flower organs (pedicel, receptacle, petal, stamen and pistil) at different development phases (first white, first bloom and full bloom) were described for the first time using differential thermal analysis under temperature-controlled, laboratory-based freeze assays. The CDPs were clearly identified for the different apricot cultivars that were evaluated during all blooming phase. In order, from the most sensitive flower organs to the least sensitive on average, were the receptacle, pedicel, petal, stamen and pistil organs. Moreover, a significant cultivar effect was found on freeze damage to most of the flower parts. Under laboratory-based freeze assays, the CDP initially occurred in the receptacle of the apricot flower and ranged from -1.9 to -11.7 °C. The pistil, the most tolerant flower organs, however, remained tolerant of low temperatures range of -6.6 to -17.0 °C, the lowest temperature tested in the research. Overall, flowering organs of 'Erzincan Tokaloglu' was the most sensitive to freezing, whereas flowering organs of 'Igdır Salak' and 'Sekerpare' were the most freezing-tolerant. The DTA assays indicated that the receptacles are much less frost resistant than other flower organs, and especially in contrast to pistils, are not cold tolerant. The CDP of floral organs in apricot is an effective mechanism that protects developing offspring from possible cold injury result of episodic late spring freezing events. In conclusion, cultivar variability effects on frost tolerance of open apricot flowers were defined, which can be exploited in breeding programs to improve the cold hardiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectomycorrhizal trees are common in the cold regions of the world, yet the role of the mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant cold tolerance is poorly known. Moreover, the standard methods for testing plant frost hardiness may not be adequate for roots and mycorrhizas. The aims of this study were to compare the frost hardiness of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings and to test the use of reverse-flow root hydraulic conductance (K r) measurement for root frost hardiness determination. Mycorrhizal (Hebeloma sp. or Suillus luteus) and non-mycorrhizal seedlings were grown in controlled-environment chambers for 13 weeks. After this, half of the plants were allotted to a non-hardening treatment (long day and high temperature, same as during the preceding growing season) and the other half to a hardening (short day and low temperature) 'autumn' treatment for 4 weeks. The intact seedlings were exposed to whole-plant freezing tests and the needle frost hardiness was measured by relative electrolyte leakage (REL) method. The seedlings were grown for three more weeks for visual damage assessment and K r measurements using a high-pressure flow meter (HPFM). Mycorrhizas did not affect the frost hardiness of seedlings in either hardening treatment. The effect of the hardening treatment on frost hardiness was shown by REL and visual assessment of the aboveground parts as well as K r of roots. Non-mycorrhizal plants were larger than mycorrhizal ones while nitrogen and phosphorus contents (per unit dry mass) were similar in all mycorrhiza treatments. In plants with no frost exposure, the non-mycorrhizal treatment had higher K r. There was no mycorrhizal effect on plant frost hardiness when nutritional effects were excluded. Further studies are needed on the role of mycorrhizas especially in the recovery of growth and nutrient uptake in cold soils in the spring. The HPFM is useful novel method for assessment of root damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The index of injury is a rapid and reliable tool to screen rose genotypes for cold hardiness. • Sucrose and oligosaccharides contribute to cold hardiness in roses. • Hexoses do not intervene in cold acclimation. Abstract Garden roses have a high ornamental and economic value. They are usually produced in one climatic zone, then sold to another climatic zone. Cold stress can severely inhibit their regrowth and ornamental quality. Knowledge of cold hardiness of specific genotypes is therefore necessary before commercialization to colder regions. 17 roses with diverse genetic backgrounds and belonging to different USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) plant hardiness zones were chosen for a three-year cold hardiness screening based on the index of injury method. Stems were sampled on 3rd February 2015, 20th January 2016 and 23rd January 2017 after a freezing period of six successive days. Cold hardiness levels were determined by controlled freezing to −20 °C. Genotypes with the highest and lowest levels of cold hardiness were confirmed during these three years. Soluble carbohydrates were analyzed. The results showed that both sucrose and oligosaccharides contributed to cold hardiness in the studied roses. When genotypes with known cold hardiness are included in screening programs, this approach can lead to rapid screening of new rose genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leafless period is often considered as inactive, although trees have to actively modulate their metabolism through the cold acclimation/deacclimation processes, to cope with frost exposure during winter and to restore growth ability in spring. Carbon metabolism is a key component of these processes through the osmotic control of extracellular ice formation and the trophic control of bud growth. The influence of temperature on the inter-conversion between starch and soluble carbohydrate has been evidenced for years, but we are currently missing an operational tool to predict starch vs. soluble carbohydrate contents during this period, which should allow to better predict frost hardiness. For this purpose, we exposed 1-year-old branches of Juglans regia to constant temperature for one to 3 weeks and measured the changes in carbohydrate composition at three periods (autumn, winter, and spring). As expected, the temperature significantly affected the changes in carbohydrate composition, but the water content and the sampling period were also relevant. Higher starch hydrolysis was observed at low temperature (<5°C) for all sampling periods. Starch hydrolysis was also observed at warm temperature, but in autumn only. These data were used to compare three modeling approaches simulating the changes in carbohydrate composition through enzymatic analogy. The most empirical and the most mechanistic approach did not succeed to simulate external observations (Root Mean Standard Error of Prediction (RMSEP) > 30 mg.g DM−1, Efficiency (Eff) <0), whereas the intermediate model was more efficient (RMSEP = 15.19 mg.g DM−1, Eff = 0.205 and 16.61 mg.g DM−1, Eff = 0.366, for GFS (Glucose + Fructose + Sucrose) and starch, respectively). The accuracy of the model was further improved when using field data for calibration (RMSEP = 5.86 mg.g DM−1, Eff = 0.962; RMSEP = 10.56 mg.g DM−1, Eff = 0.752, for GFS and starch, respectively). This study provided an operative tool to simulate carbohydrate dynamics over leafless period that could predict frost hardiness with approx. 3.4°C accuracy with temperature, water content and initial starch and soluble carbohydrate measurements. It should now be tested under various meteorological conditions and biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]