Several viruses can cause devastating diseases in domestic apple (Malus x domestica Brokh.). Major viruses affecting apple production in New York are apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), apple stem grooving virus (ASGV). These viruses are common and generally latent; in other words, they do not cause acute symptoms on most commercial cultivars. However, when...

Since leaves are essentially energy-gaining organs, the arrangement of leaves in time (leaf phenology) and in space (canopy architecture) in both seasonal and nonseasonal environments can be viewed as a central element in plant strategies for carbon gain. Interrelationships among leaf longevity, leaf habit, and leaf-emergence pattern together with shoot architecture affect plant productivity. L...

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaf defoliation has a significant ecological and economical impact on cotton production. Thus the utilization of a natural leaf defoliation trait, which exists in wild diploid cotton species, in the development of tetraploid cultivated cotton will not only be cost effective, but will also facilitate production of very high-grade fiber. The primary goal of our res...

The impact of a native, leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetle (Phaedon sp. nr. oviformis) on bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia: Cruciferae), was evaluated in an exclusion experiment. Multivariate statistical analysis showed a significant increase in plant performance in the rotenone exclusion compared to performance in the paired control treatment. Plant response to the reduction of herbivory was a c...

An efficient protocol for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis of Cyclamen premium Mill. Was developed. In this study we investigate difference between response of two explants type leaf and petiole and two medium salt concentrations MS and 1⁄2 MS on callus percentage and somatic embryo number. Media was non-significant on callus production but leaf explants was better than petiole and in...

We conducted experiments to evaluate the effects of soluble components in senescent leaf material on the growth and development of the eastern tree hole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus (Say). Oak leaves that were either leached for three days to remove the labile nutrient fraction, or were not leached, served as basal nutrient inputs in each experiment.Mosquito performance in microcosms containing ...

1. We examined the effects of variation in the timing of spring leaf production and autumn leaf fall on the survival, mortality and abundance of Cameraria hamadryadella on Quercus alba and Q. macrocarpu. 2. We monitored and manipulated the timing of foliation on field and potted Q.alba trees and observed the abundance of C. hamadryadella on those trees. We also monitored and manipulated the tim...

Leaf yellowing or petal senescence is the main postharvest disorder for many cut flowers. Plant hormones such as cytokinins are able to inhibit leaf yellowing in some cut flowers and potted plants. In our experiments, we applied thidiazuron aiming to delay leaf yellowing and 1-methylciclopropene (1-MCP) for inhibiting flower senescence of cut stock flowers during vase life. Cut flowers were pul...

Hu and Schmidhalter (2008) conducted a study with wheat seedlings growing in saline and non-stressed (control) conditions with the aim of identifying and quantifying the cellular basis for the reduction in leaf growth. We applaud their goals as salinity is an important issue for plant ecology and food production; however, we have concerns about the methodology used and the subsequent conclusion...

Traditional management practices are usually thought to be sustainable. The Maya manage Sabal (Arecaceae) palms in homegardens, using their leaves for thatching. The sustainability of such production systems depends on the long-term persistence of palm populations, whereas resource availability also depends on the number of leaves on individual palms. We examined how leaf harvest affects Sabal ...