PTNEARC T PEiSTS F7-. OP, NU~t'3ERYTI".vlk p~orticuiture Series Y~o. 18 Agricultural Experiment Station Auburn University E. V7* Smith,9 DirectorAuut17AurnAlbm August r7272 Auburn, Alabama COThTEIUTS 1. Evaluation of Several C-roxrTepulators on the Rooting of Three Azalea Cultivars, 2. Comiarison of J.ffy Grom" and Various Growth Pegulators on the Rooting of Cornus. florida and Cornus florida rubra Cuttings. 3. Effect of P1hotoperiod- on t~he Groth' of Empress Tree, PaulOT nia tomentosa Seedlings. 4. Rooting Pesponse of Cuttings of Several Ornamentals Treated with Various Gro7th Tegulators. 5. Comnarison of Various Torphctin Sprays and I1ode Position on Mean Shoot Length of Azalea, cv. Kingfisher. 5. Effect of Various Grov:Tth Pegulator Sprays on Shoot Development of 4.zalea cv. Kngfisher. 7. Germination of Thrx.ee Woody Ornamentals in TM-uniciupal Compost and Peat Medi a 8. Evaluation of Several Gr Pt etardants on Azaleas. 0', Photoperiodic Effecti.s on Shoot Development in Akzaleas. 11). Propagation of Juniper Cuttingrs in VrIious Tledia. 11. Factors Affecting Utilization and Expansi-on Potential for Ornamental 'Plants and Turf . 1. Evaluation of Several Growth Tegulators on the Rooting of Three Azalea Cultivar By i/ Terril A. Nell and Kenneth C. Sanderson Nature of Work The use of rooting inducing substances in the propagation of vegetative cuttings has become an accepted commercial practice. Research in the 1930's revealed that indole-butryic acid and napthalene acetic were the most effect- ive root inducing chemicals however the search for new materials continues. Several new chemicals have recently become available and this research's objective was to evaluate several of these chemicals as root inducing sub- stances on azaleas. Four-inch softwood cuttings of the azalea cultivars Evensong, King- fisher and Ped American Beauty were cut at an angle to the plane of the stem and the base of the cutting dippe for 5 sec. in one of the follow- ing treatments* 1) check, no treatmentz 2) 2,500 ppm B-Nine; 3) 50 ppm Bayer 102612; 4) 40 ppm 2, 4-D; 5) ppm Ancynidol; 6) 1,000 ppm Ethephon; 7) 1,000 ppm Nia 10637; 8) 1,000 ppm NAA; 9) 5,000 ppm NAA; 10) 1,000 ppm Uni-F 529. Propagation was carried out in a lol sand and vermiculite media under mist and with bottom heat. Cuttings were graded 8 weeks after sticking as follows ? 0 = no rooting, 1 - no rooting, 1 = callused, no roots, 2 = poor rooting. 3 = average rooting, 4 = good rooting, 5 = excellent rooting. Results Bayer 102612 burned the apical meristem on Evensong and fed American Beauty and curled the leaves on Kingfisher 3 weeks after treatment. NAA at 1,000 nppm produced the largest cuantity of roots on Evensong and i/ Former student and Associate Professor respectively, Department of Horticulture, Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn University. intfisher 'hile Uni. F 529 had the highest rooting score on Red Ameri- can Beauty. Bayer 102612 yielded the poorest rooting on all 3 cultivars. Nia 10637, Ancyidol and Ethephon showed promise as root inducing sub- stances and further research is warranted. Cultivars differed statistically in rooting with Kingfisher and Evensong yielding the best and poorest root- ing scores, respectively. This investigation demonstrated the value of choosing a cultivar that produces a good quick root system. The choice of a root inducing substances was dependent on the cultivar. Other researchers have shown that growth retardants such as B-Nine, Uni-F 529, Ethephon and Cycocel have root in- ducing properties, however, more research is needed on these compounds and materials such as AncymIdol and Nia 10637. Publications: Nell, T. A. 1971. The Effect of Several Growth Pegulators on the Rooting of Three Azalea Cultivars. Proc. So. Agr. Workers. 68th Ann. Conven. 189. Nell, T. A. and K. C. Sanderson. 1972. Effect of Several GrowTth Regulators on the Rooting of Three Azalea Cultivars. Florist Rev. 150: 21-22, 52-53. 2. Comparison of Jiffy Grow and Various Growth Regulators on the Rooting of Cornus florida and Cornus florida rubra Cuttings By Kermit Morris, Jr., and Kenneth C. Sanderson Nature of Work Propagation of certain forms of flowering dogwood by softwood cuttings has been tried by nurserymen for many years, yet none have ever reported success on difficult species such as C. florida rubra at a commercial level. Two experiments were conducted to 1) compare IBA and a commercial root inducing compound containing both IBA and NAA on the rooting of C. florida and C. florida rubra and 2) evaluate several growth regulators on the rooting of C. florida. Experiment 1 compared 10 second dips of Jiffy Grow and IBA and 24 hr. low concentration soaks of IBA on rooting during July-September 1970. Treatments were as shown in Tables i and 2 and were applied to the lower inch of the cutting prior to propagation under mist in a 3:1 sand and peat medium. Experiment 2 evaluated the rooting inducing properties of several growth regulators on C. florida during April-May. Treatments were as shown in Table 3 and were applied as concentrated 10 second basal dips. Full strength Jiffy Grow and 5,000 ppm IBA 10 second dips produced 100 per cent rooting of both C. florida and C. florida rubra propagated in July-September (Table 1). Significant differences in rooting r cores were noted among treatments. Full strength Jiffy Grow produced the highest root- ing scores and differed statistically from the check when species scores were combined (Table 2). Jiffy Grow full strength did not differ in rooting from the other Jiffy Grow and IBA treatments. For C. florida, 10 second dips of full strength Jiffy Grow, 2,500 ppm IBA and 5,000 ppm IBA and 24 hr. soak of 5 ppm IBA and 25 ppm IBA produced the highest scores and differed statisti- 1/ Former student and Associate Prof. respectively, Dept. of Fort., Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn Univ. 6 cally from other treatments. The best rooting scores for C. florida rubra were produced by 10 second dips of 1:5 Jiffy Grow, full strength Jiffy Grorw; 1,000 ppm IBA; 2,500 ppm IBA and 5,000 ppm IDA and 24 hour soaks of 10 ppm IBA and 50 ppm IBA. The check failed to root but was similar in rooting score to 10 second dips of 500 ppm IBA and 24 hour soaks of 5 ppm IBA. Table 1. Rooting Percentage of Cornus florida and C. florida rubra Cuttings Treated with Jiffy Grow and IBA f~~ir~r"==urr~E-+~~~= ==-;i-----= =Z=~aZii -- o~t~= Treatment Species Mean C. florida C. florida rubra Check * . . * . . , * . . . . . . 17 72 44 1:10 Jiffy Grow . . . . . . * a . 75 100 88 1:5 Jiffy Grow . ........ 100 92 96 Full strength Jiffy Grow . , . . . 100 100 100 500 ppm IBA 10-sec. dip . . . . . 75 10018 1,000 ppm IBA 10-sec. dip . . a . 100 75 88 2,500 ppm IBA 10-see. dip . . . . 100 92 96 5,000 ppm IBA 10-sec. dip . . . 100 100 100 5 ppm IBA 24-hr. soak ... 72 100 86 10 ppm IBA 24-hr. soak. . a * . . 83 75 79 25 ppm IBA 24-hr. soak. * * . * 67 100 84 50 ppm IBA 24-hr. soak. . . . . . 83 92 87 Mean ... .... ,..... 81 91 86 Table 2. Rooting Scores of Cornus florida and C. florida rubra Cuttings Treated with Jiffy Grow and IBA Treatment Species Mean C, florida C. florida rubra Check . . . . . . . , . . .. 2.00 c 2.67 e 2.33 b 1:10 Jiffy Grow No. 2 . . . . . * 3.58 b 3.58 de 3.58 ab 1:15 Jiffy Grow No. 2 . . . . . . . 5.00 a 4.01 bcd 4.54 a Full strength Jiffy Grow No, 2 . . 5.17 a 5.17 a 5.21 a 500 ppm IBA, 10-sec. dip . . . . . 3.17 be 4.00 bcd 3.5q ab 1,000 IBA, 10-sec. dip . . . . . . 4,00 ab 3.67 cd 3.83 ab 2,500 ppm TIBA, 10-sec. dip . . . . 5.17 a 4.67 ab 4.92 a 5,0)0 ppm IBA, 10-sec. dip ,,... 5.00 a 4.58 abc 4.79 a 5 ppm IBA, 24-hr. soak . . . . . . 2.75 bc 4.67 ab 3.71 ab 10 ppm IBA, 24-hr. soak . . . . . 4.00 ab 3.25 de 3.63 ab 25 ppm IBA, 24-hr. soak . . . . . 3.42 b 4.75 ab 4.08 ab 50 ppm IBA, 24-hr. soak . , . . . 4.00 b 4.17 bcd 4.08 ab Means in columns followed by the same letter(s) are not significantly different at the 5 per cent level. Table 3. Rooting Percentage and Scores of Cornus florida Cuttings Treated with Various Growth Regulators Rooting Rooting x/ Treatment percentage scores Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2.20 1:4 Jiffy Grow No. 2 . .. . . . . 0 2.00 Full strength Jiffy Grov No. 2 . . . . . . 10 2.20 2,500ppmIBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 2.80 5,000 ppm IBA . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2.00 10,000 ppm IBA . . . . . . ........ 40 2.70 2,500 ppm NAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 1.90 5,01,)ppm NAA . a . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1.90 10,001)ppm NAA . ............ . . 50 2.60 lon ppm El-531 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2.10 1,000 ppm Ancymidol . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.11 2,000 ppm AncywJidol . , , . . , , . . . . 10 2.00 1,O00 ppm Nia 10637. ..... .. ..... . . . 30 2.30 5,000 ppm Nia 10637 . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.00 10,000 pnm Nia 10637 . . . . . . . . . . . 0 1.80 1:2 Jiffy Grow plus 500 ppm Ancymidol. . . 40 2.40 5,000 ppm IBA plus 500 ppm Ancyrnidol . . . 20 2.20 2,500 ppm IBA plus 2,500 ppm Nia 10637 . . 0 1.80 5,000 ppm Nia 10637 plus 500 ppm Ancyidol . . 40 2.40 / ooting scores: 0 no rooting, dead; 1 = no rooting, not callused; 2= callused; 3 = light rooting; 4 = medium rooting; 5= heavy rooting. Rooting of C. florida in Experiment 2 (April-May) was slower and poorer than in Experiment I (July-September) thus indicating a seasonal variation. While treatments such as 5,000 ppm Nia 10637, 1,000 ppm Ancymidol and 5,000 ppm IBA plus 500 ppm Nia 10637 callused early, roots failed to initiate promptly and the experiment's mean rooting percentage !was also much lower (21% vs. 91%) oBest root percentage treatments (50%) were 2,500 ppm IBA and 10,000 ppm Nia (Table 3). Experimental compounds Ancymidol and Nia 10637 produced lower rooting percentages with increased concentrations, however only 1,000 ppm Nia 10637 and 2,500 ppm Nia 10637 exceeded the check in rooting. A mixture of 5,000 ppm Nia 10637 plus 500 ppm Ancymidol pro- duced a greater rooting percentage than either material alone thus indicating an additive effect. None of the treatments averaged light rooting and there was no statistical differences in rooting scores. This study showTs the importance of seasonal variation in the rooting of C. florida and confirms the use of high concentration IBA dips for successful rooting of C. florida and C. florida rubra. Jiffy GroTw, a commercial formulation of IBA and NAA, produced superior rooting, in some cases and NAA yielded one ot the best rooting per- centages on C. florida, thus indicating a combination of IBA and NAA may be more successful in rooting C. florida. Further studies on the experimental growth regulators, Ancymidol and Nia 10637 should be carried out, however Nia 10637 seemed to stimulate rooting in this study. Pesults for Ancymidol at 500 to 2,000 ppm were poorer than the check, however lower concentrations should be tried since both Ancymidol and Nia 10637 usually reduced rooting with increased concentrations. A combination of 500 ppm Ancymidol and 5,000 ppm Nia 10637 produced better rooting than when the materials were used alone. 9 Publications Norris, K. P. Jr., and K. C. Sanderson. 1972. Effects of various growth regulators on the rooting of Cornus florida and C. florida rubra cuttings. Am. Nurseryman. 136(5):12-13, 83-90. 3. l10 7 ffe ct of Wi37otopneritod on., the Growrth of Empress T re%,eP auloav-Tni a t onen.t o s a 0ee C-li:ngs. Menne th (F. andcerso ~ature of F~or!. Ef fect of Photoperiod on th e groT'rth o f FPmpress tree, PAulorTrnia tomientosa was studied in a greenihouse experiment conducted during TeceT.9b-er 1971~ and April 1071. The o'jective 7was to deter-mine if photoneriodic treatmtients speed. ti e developnent of thj:e seedlings. nNwo - i-n ch- Paulox.rnia seedlings wrvas- tra-nasnlanted into l-gallon plastic con-- tainers contailning equal narts of soil, peat and perlite on IDecem'Ner 1 97n~. A r~xture consisting of equal portions of S~~Osmocote 14-14-1l4 T'agaAmip 7-40-6 and Sta-G3reenl2-r as incorporated pre- piant into the media at the rate of ? tabolespoons -pIer bu. Four Plants e a c7, Iere placed under three photoneriodic treatmnsaOtetet rents Term replicated trTice. A 9- hr. natural day lengrth betT e e n 7 -3I a.m. and 4 '30n m. "as used. P'lants T,,ere covered 7,T-th black -loth from 4 3In n.m. to 9-.00 a.Tm. and. given the follorring supplenental ligh: t treatm-ents 1) no 1lighnt 2) 15 h r. (continuous li ghpt) and .1) 4 'hr. of 110ht in the niddle of thie nigh~-t ( 9 light brealk-,).Tw!o r-- iatt incandescenrt bu]2hs, (light intensity aprox. 25-311) ft. at pot level) w,,..ere used to providle supple-mental light. Iininmr night teminerature in the greenhouse wras maintained at 6 8 F. The heighpt of the seedlings w-as recorde,._d after 14 "! eeks. nesults under the light break treatment average 2.8 cm in height. The hr. day treatment produced the shortest mean height (15.6 cm). Plants receiving supplemental light had larger and lighter green leaves than plants growTn without supplemental light. Unlighted plants had small dark green leaves. Publications Mone 12 4. Pootng 'Response of Cuttings of Several Ornarentals Treated writh Varous Grovifth Regulators By Kennet Ci C, Sanderson Nature of ork. Four ex-Aperiments on root inducing cot-pounds ere conducted during "ay to October 1070 in a lightly shaded greenhouse. Eadh exeriment involved different comtbinations of species and treatments. Propagation w-'as carrIed out under mist (.5 sec. every 100sec. 83asm. to 4C30 pom.) using a 1 sand and peat media wvith bottom heat (70 degrees F.). All licuid treatments rlere applied as 5 sec* dip except in Experiment 4 whtich used a 1) sec. dip. Volloing rooting, cuttings were scored for rooting using the follorring relative scoring system for each experi- ment and species! 0 = dead; I = alive, not callused- 2 = calluse,! 3= light rooting; 4 = medium rooting and 5 = heavy rooting. Experiment 1. Cuttings of azaleas, 7Rhododendron hybrlda cv. Even- Dawn Redwiood, Tfetasequola LpyTtostroboides and Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta received the follorring basal dip treatments (10 per treatment) rior to sticking I) none 2) Foriodin No. 2,, 3) 1,000 ppmn ,Ethephon 4) '2,5,00 ppm B-4ine, .5) 50 pprr 1Eay 102612 -and 6) 1,000 ppm IBA. Cuttings were treated and stuck. on "flay 21, 1971. Treatments w-ere replicated tw ,ice, Records w ere talken on azaleas and Shore Jun-iners after 8 Tr7eeks and on 17wn edt-yood after 16 w-eeks. Auburn UnIve rs Ityr . 13 Ethephon; 3) 2,500 ppm B-ine; 4) 1,000 ppm Uni-F 529; 5) 40 ppm 2,4,5-TP; 6) 50 ppm Bay 102612: 7) 1,000 ppm Nia 10637 8) 125 ppm Ancymidol (A-rest) 9) 1,90 ppm IBA and 10) 5,000 ppm IBA. Five cuttings were used in each treatment which was replicated twice. Root- ing scores w'rere recorded after 8 weeks on October 7, 070. Experiment 3. Various strengths of 3 comercial root inducing comoounds were compared TWith 2,4,5TP, B--ine and Ethephon in root inducing activity on cuttingsof azalea, Phododendron hybrida cv. Even- song and Camellia, Camellia japonica. Treatments applied on Nay 14, 117, w ere 1) check; 2) Hormodin No. 1 3) Hormodin No. 2; 4) Hormodin No. 3. 5) Rainbow-r Tender: 6) Painbow TH oody 7) Pootone 8) Rootone No. 10; 9) 5 ppm 2,4,5-TP; 10) 40 ppm 2,4,5-TP; 11) 1,000 ppm Ethephon; 12) 2,500 ppm B-Nine. Treatments were replicated twice using 5 cuttings per treatment. Rooting scores were recorded after approximately 8 weeks. Experiment 4. Cuttings of Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta were stuck on Nay 14, 1970 using 5 cuttings per treatment and 4 replications. Treatments rwere 1) none- 2) Hormodin No. 1; 3) Hormodin No. 2; 4) Hormodin No. 3- 5) Rootone; 6) Pootone No. 10; 7) Cutstart '; 8) Cutstart 7X; 9) Cutstart XXXX 10) Ferbam; 11) Rainbow Tender; 12) Rainbow Woody, 13) 50 ppm Bay 102612; 14) 1,000 ppm IBA 11 sec. dip; 15) 50 pnm 24 hr. soak, 16) 1,000 ppm Ethephon. Four replications of 5 cuttings each were used per treatment Cuttings were scored for rooting 8 weeks after treatments. Results Morimodin No. 2 and 1,000 tpm Ethephon treatments yielded the highest rooting scores in Experiment 1, (Table 4). Cuttings treated with Bay 102612 averaged the poorest rooting scores. Azaleas rooted best when treated with Pormodin No. 2. Ethephon treated Dawn Redwood cuttings had higher rooting scores than cuttings receiving other treat- ments. Untreated, Hormodin No. 2 and Ethephon treated cuttings yielded 14 the best rootinoz scores for Shore Juniper. Ethenhon rrs thte 7best overall root inducing substance in Experi- ment 2 (Table -5) .. tZ-alea cuttings rooted 1 -est we treated rwith 125 ppm Ancyndol, V ppm 2,4i 5-4P and l,0,I'Y p-m Ethephon. Ilighest rooting scores for lYtarf Burford T7olly cuttings Tyere obtained --!th 5.11 pm Bay 102612, 41 ppm 2,4 5-TP and 1,0 rpp. Nia 10637 treatm-ents. rthephon yrielded the T-est rooting score on T4ahonia. Sh-ore Juniper rooted best wi~th no treatment, l('00 n p r thephon and l,0 'D n Wi1a 10637. ..! treatment, Torrodi n T~o . 1,17-ormodin Tb. 3, ".ootone and 2,510,pm B#T7ine produced 1 the best overall rooting scores in Experiment 3 (Tahle 6). "Pootone and the &-%echr scored the h-Ighest rooting for azalea cutti-ngs. Ibormodin N'o. 3 wras th-,,e b-est root indcucing material for camellia cuttings. !7t-herThon, 7b'ormod-in 7o.1 and Pootone 7To. 10 Produced the best root for Shore Junioer I-nExerliment 4 (abe7). Table 4. R.ooting Scores of Aalea, Phnododendron hyby~rida cv. Evensongr, pawnPcdood ?'etasmoubia glyn-tostrooides and Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta Cuttings Treated TwTi th X-ari ous Gror-Tth Pegulators, rxperiment 1 Treatment Species Treatment m.e an Iawn ,- Sh:-ore Azale a Pedwood Juniper callused, 3 = lighat rooting, 4 = mediumr.rooting, 5= heavy rooting. 15 Table 5. Pboting Scores of A11zalea, TPhododendron hyIbrida cv. Evensong Di~7ar Burfrd ,oI l ex cornuta burfordi, Leatherleaf Mahona TIahonia bealei and Shore Junirier. JunirDerus conferta Cuttings Treated wi4tl!h Sev%.eral Grwo'.Ytlh 7.egulators , Experiment 2 Treatment Secies 1Vean Shore Azalea IIIol1ly TWhonia Juiiper Gheck, none 0...... ... 44.1 2.7 'Is 3.7 l/900PPM Ethephon , 0.0. 4.2 .09 4,o.0 3.8 4.0 2,500 ppm B4Iine . .. 305 4.0 2.2 2.4 3/) 1,11)000 ppm TTII-P 520'. . , 41)o, 4's') 3.2 2.6 3.5 40 Ppm 2.4 5-~TP * . a . 4.3 4.2 2.3 2.9- 3.4 50 prm Bay 10261?2.0 a.a. 3.5 4.3 2.7 3.1 3.4 1,000 iDPm ia 1OA37 0 .0. 3.*8 4.2 2.04 3/*3 3.6 125 ppDm Ancymn*dol . .. 4*4 3.7 .2 2.5 3.5 19000 ipn IBA.............. 4e. 3.3 3.7 2.7 3.5 5,900-1-ppm IBA 0.0*0* 0 .0 .a t01 4.0 3.2 3.3 3o7 'Mean .. . .,,.,. 4. 0 4/ 3/.)0 3.1 3.5 Cuttings w-ere rated,,0 de ad,1 I alive, -not rooted or callused, 2= callused, 3 = light rooting, 4 = mediumn rooting , 5 = heavy rooting. Table 6. Rooting Scores of Azalea, Phododendron hybrida c v. Evensong and Camellia, Camje lla Iaonica. Cuttings treated with Vrious Commercial and Expmerim-ental Pnot Inducing Substances, Experiment 3 Treatment Species -!ean , zalea Cantellia Check. 0 0. . ..... 0 0 3a7 2.o4 3.1 Hormodin 7.o. 1 0.0 . , 3.3 2,6 3.0-- Hormodin No. 2................2.6 2.4 2.5 Hormodin No. 3...............2 of) 3.0 3,0 TRainbowrr Tender............3,0 2.0 2.5 PaineboiT woody .. . .. .2.8 2.2 2.5 R o o t o n e 0To.D1a)0. . . . . . . . 3 .0 2 ,2 2.6n 16 The outstanding root inducing properties of Ethephon on most species is the most important finding of this research. Ancynidol, Bay 102612, Nia 10637, 2, 4 5-TP and B-Nine had exceptional root inducing properties on some species. Bay 102612 was inhibitory in some instances. Further testing of all these materials is needed. Publi cations None 17 5. Comparison of Various rTorphactin Sprays and Node Position on ean Shoot Length of Azalea, cv. Kingfisher' By I/ Kenneth C. Sanderson and Tilliam E. Barrick Nature of tTork orphactins constitute a newi group of plant grorTth regulators -Thich influence growth patterns of plants. Concentration determines effect, how7ever morphactins have been reported to dwarf, delay and inducing branch- ing in plants. Six-inch pot size VKingfisherV azaleas were sprayed with the rorphactins listed in Table 8 on arch 23, 1970. The plants were sheared four rTeeks prior to spraying. Six lateral branches on six plants were selected for data at six node positions (node position 1 was closest to the shearing point and node 6 the furtherest). Data on shoot length Tas taken r'Iay 19, 1970. The plants were grown in a shaded fiberglass greenhouse during the experiment. Res ults orphactins at the concentrations used in this experiment caused severe distortion of the leaves on azaleas. The distortion was still evident approximately 9 months after treatmient. Leaves appeared crinkled and misshapen. New leaves were smaller in size and initially light green in color. The Bayer 102614 had the greatest shoot length (Table 8). Ortho's "aintain" had the shortest shoots. The Bay 10261L produced longer shoots at node 2 than at node 1 (counting from the shearing point) at both 50 and 100 ppm. However, in most cases, an inverse relationship between node position and shoot length existed. Shoot length decreased with increases in node position. Further research is warranted on the influence of morphactins on shoot development in azaleas. / Associate Professor and former student, respectively,Department of Horticulture, Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn University. 18 Table i8. Coms-rison of 71 T arious Torplhactin Sprprs on T-Tean Shoot Length (mm.) at Various Nodes on Azalea, cv. Kingfisher TreatmentMNo de Mean 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gheck , 0 0 .6. 34.5 30.7 15.7 296 5.6 3.0 15.4 100 p - i. -)ay 10n2 612 . a 0 7.1 6.0 1.3 0*0 0.0 191 2,6 100 -p-m Bay 102613 . 1.1 100) 0.4 O.7 1.6 1.51. 100n npm Bay 102614 o 28.3 34.7 15.5 6.6 1.P0.03 14.5 100 ppm Ortho 0., 08 0.4 0.1 000.0000 0 . 2 50 ppm Bay 102612 .*.0 00*0.2 .2?"0. 30).4 0.3 0,o4 50 ppm Bay 102613 . . 0 2.1 A.1 6.6 3.0 2.7 1.3 4.0 51 ptm Bay 102614 &.0. 36.2 44.1 14. 1*10 1.2 0.2 16.1 5n -.Tr-0r..tho a, 0 10 1.,6 0.30.1n 0 . 0 n-, o0.5 Mean .. .. . .12.3 1.P4 , 6.0 P ub licati ons0 None 19 6. Effect of Various Growth Pegulator Sprays on Shoot Development of Azalea, cv. 'Kingfisher' By 1/ Kenneth C. anderson- iFature of jWork Several growth regulator sprays were evaluated on shoot development of azaleas. Bayer 102613, a morphactin, Twhich had shown retardant and shoot stimulatory properties in tests on chrysanthemum was tested at 10 and 50 ppm. B-Nine, a standard groTrth retardant was applied at 5,000 ppm. Ethelhon, a neTT grow th regulator w.as sprayed at 2,500 ppm. Ancymidol a new growth retardant was applied to the plants at 6 and 23 ppm. Niagara 10637, tas sprayed at 6,00 ppm. Uniroyal's new growth retardant F-529 was used at 2,500 ppm. Liners of the azalea cultivar 'Kingfisher' were sprayed ,7ith a mist blowver until the leaves glistened. The spray appli- cations w ere made approximately 4 Tweeks after the plants had been sheared. Five lateral shoots were measured prior to retardant spraying and then remeasured at the end of the experiment. There were four plants per treatment and two replications. The experiment was conducted in a fiber- glass greenhouse with a light intensity of anproximately 5,000 ft-c. The retardant sprays wTere applied on July 31, 1970 and measurements were made on October 7, 1970. Pesults Bay 102612 and Niagara 10637 distorted the leaves of the azaleas. Bay 102613 at 50 ppm yielded the least increase in shoot length (Table 9). Check plants had the greatest mean increase in shoot length (2.11 cm). All retardants except Ancymidol at 6 ppm reduced shoot length. I/ Associate Professor, Horticulture Department, Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn University. 20) Tab-,le 9 . C omnp aris9on of Various Gro~lth Petardant Sprays on Shoot Develop~ment of Azalea, cv. 'Kingfisher' increase in shoot length (cm)Treatment 1-0 ppm lBayer 102613............. . . . 0 . .9.0. 1.74 50 ppm BayerlOn26l3....................0..0 .0 54 5,OnO ppm3B-!Une o.... ..... 9 .o.9.ao* l170 2 350A. pmu Ethepho1 .0.0 . 4. 0.0.0. . 1. .0.0.0. 1.33 6 PprmAncvmnidol ,. . . . ....... 2.10 23 pnnncymido1.............. 1.*84 1,nnO ppm "Tiagara 1-1637 .. . . ... 1.17 6,goonppr.., 1 llagara 10637 .. ,0 .,. 0 15 2,500) ppm Uhl.royal F 520 .. . ... 1.33 Publications0 none 21 7. Germination of Three Woody Ornamentals in Municipal Compost and Peat Media By 1/ YKenneth C. Sanderson Nature of Work Municipal compost which had been treated with and without raw sewage prior to 12-16 weeks composting wTas compared with imported german peat moss as a germination media. Compost consisted of ground paper, metal, plastic and assorted trash of the City of Mobile, Alabama. Compost which did not receive sewTage treatment will be referred to as obile Aid. Previous work revealed the compost to contain considerable boron and heavy metals, have a high pH wThich was resistant to change and high soluble salts. Seed of Catalna bignonioides, Sophora japonica and Pinus taeda were sown in the following media I) Sewage Compost, 2) Mobile Aid, 3) Sewage Compost and sand, 4) Mobile Aid and Sand, 5) Peat Moss and Sand, 6) Sewage Compost and Soil, 7) 'obile Aid and Soil, 8) Peat Moss and Soil. Media was steam pasteurized prior to seed soring. Equal volumes of materials were used in media combination. Ten seeds of each species were sown into the media treatments on April 17, 1968. Treatments were replicated 5 times. Germination was carried out in a greenhouse using mist and a night temperature of 70 F. eekly records were taken on germination until the termination of the experiment on May 15. ?esults The highest mean germination percentage occurred in sewage compost and soil (59%) and peat and sand (58%), (Table 10). Seeds sown in peat and soil (28%) yielded the poorest germination Catalpa bignontoides germi- nated best in sewage compost (62%) and poorest in Mobile Aid (48%). Sophora 1/ Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn University. japonica yielded the lowest germination in sewage compost (36%) and the 22 highest germination in Tobile Aid and soil (60%) and peat and soil (60%). Pinus taeda germinated best in peat and sand (70%). Poor germination occurred with pine seed so.,n in obile Aid (24%) and peat and soil (28%). Table 10. Influence of ?Municipal Compost and Peat-Amended Media on the Germination of Three Woody Ornamental Species Germination percentage Catalpa Sophora Pinus bignonioides japonica taeda Mean Sewvage compost . . . . . 62 36 48 49 Mobile Aid ....... 48 44 24 39 Sewage compost and sand .... 54 50 36 47 Mobile Aid and sand . . 46 44 36 42 Peat and sand . . . . 56 48 70 58 Sewage compost and soil .... 60 56 60 59 Mobile Aid and soil . . 56 60 48 53 Peat and soil. . . . . 56 60 28 28 Publications: None 23 8. Evaluation of Several Growth Petardants on Azaleas By Kenneth C. Sanderson Nature of Work Two experiments were conducted on growth retardants and azaleas during 1970-71. Experiment I was established on November 11, 1970 and Experiment 2 was established on August 16, 1971. In Experiment 1, 4 inch potted liners of the azalea cultivar Evensong were treated on a bright sunny, November 11, 1970 as follows: I) check, no treatment, 2) 2,500 ppm B-Nine spray, 3) 1,000 ppm Uni-F 529 spray, 4) 3,000 ppm Cycocel spray, 5) 1,259 ppm B-Nine plus 1,500 ppm Cycocel spray, 6) 100 ppm Ancymidol spray, 7) 100 ppm Ancymidoi drench, 8) 3,000 ppm Cycocel drench, 9) 1 teaspoon per 6 qt. 10% Phosfon L. drench, 10) 1,000 ppm Ethephon drench. Spray treatments were applied until runoff. Drenches were applied by filling the pot to rim with the retardant solution, Two shoots on each plant were measured prior to treatment and tagged for later measurement. Kingfisher azaleas, 6 inch potted plants, received the following spray treatments in Experiment 2: 1) check, none, 2) 100 ppm Ancymidol, 3) 200 ppm Ancymidol, 4) 3,000 ppm Cycocel, 5) 1,500 ppm B-Nine, 6) 1,500 ppm Uni-F 529, 7) 750 ppm B-Nine plus 750 ppm Uni-F 529, 8) 200 ppm Nia (Niagra) 10637, 9) 200 ppm Nia 10656, 10) 1,500 ppm Cycocel plus 750 ppm B-Nine, 11) 2.5g/flter Dupont DPX and 12) 1.25g/liter DPX. Both experiments were conducted in lightly shaded greenhouses. Normal greenhouse culture was used in both experiments. Results The Evensong azaleas in Experiment i outgrewt the treatments before growvth could be measured. This cultivar also exhibited a witchesbroom-type / Associate Professor:, Dept. of Hort., Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn Univ, 24 growth wThich might be related to nutrition (experiments are being con- ducted on this problem). The distorted growth made it difficult to assess the treatments. Sprays of Cycocel,A-rest Uni-F 529 and B-Nine plus Cycocel and drenches of Ancymidol were observed to reduce growth more initially than sprays of B-Nine and drenches of Cycocel, Ethephon or Phosfon L. In Experiment 2, phytotoxicity was observed with Cycocel and DPX. Cycocel caused a severe chlorosis of the leaves when applied alone or in combination with B-Nine. Dupont's DPX caused the new leaves to be rolled upward, off color and severely dwarfed. DPX treated plants had a wilted appearance 4 weeks after treatment. At the rate of 2.5g/liter DPX reduced leaf size an estimated 75 per cent on shoots developing after treatment. DPX treated plants produced shoots approximately half the length of the untreated check plants (Table 12). Differences among most of the retardants were not great. NIA 10637 produced considerable reduction without injury and deserves further study. Table 11. Mean "hoot Length of Kingfisher Azaleas after Treatment with Various Growth Petardants Treatments- x / Mean shoot length (cm) / Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.5 100 ppm Ancymidol . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 200 ppm Ancymidol n .... o......... 7.9 3,000 ppm Cycocel . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.0 1,500 ppm B-Nine. . . . . .. . .. ... 9.0 1,500 ppm Uni-F 529 . . . . . . . . . . . 8.3 750 ppm B-Nine plus 750 ppm Uni-F 529 . . . 7.4 200 ppmpNia 10637 . ........... 6.4 200 ppm Nia 10656 ............. 7.0 1,500 ppm Cycocel plus 750 ppm B-Nine . . . 6.3 2.5g/L DPX . . . . . . . . .......... 4.0 1 .25g/L DPX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 x/ Plants sprayed until run-off. y/ Wean of 25 shoots from 5 plants selected at random from 3 replications. Publications: None 25 9. Photoperiodic Effects on Shoot Development in Azaleas By 1/ Kenneth C. Sanderson- 1Nature of Work Four-inch liners of the azalea cultivar Kingfisher were placed under the following treatments on November 23, 1970: 1) controlled day, 9 hr. of natural light, 2) controlled day plus 15 hr. incandescent light, continuous illumination, 3) controlled day plus 15 hr. of darkness with a light break of 4 hr. in the middle of the dark period, and 4) natural day occurring during November-January in Auburn, Alabama. Ttio shoots on each plant were sheared to six nodes prior to treatment. There were 4 replications with 4 plants per replication. The plants were grown in peat moss amended with 28 g of limestone and 28 g of gypsum. Fertilization consisted of applications of 25-10-10 at the rate of 908 g per 100 gal. every 2 wk. Results Shoot growth was similar to prev4ous research conducted at Auburn by Barrick. Shoot development occurred sooner on the 9 hr. controlled day than on the other photoperiods. Increases in photoperiod increased the length of the shoot. Overwatering and disease terminated this experi- ment before shoot length could be measured. Shoot number was less on long photoperiods than short photoperiods. Publications: None I/ Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Hort., Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn University. 26 10. Propagation of Juniper Cuttings in Various Media By Kenneth C. Sanderson Nature of Work Cuttings (9 cm long) of Junipers chinensis pfiteriana were pro- pagated in the following steam pasteurized media: 1) imported German peat moss, 2) sand and peat moss, 3) Mobile Aid ( a slow composted municipal refuse product of the City of mobile, Ala.), 4) Alive (a rapidly composted municipal refuse product of the city of Houston, Texas), 5) '1;1 soil, peat moss and perlite, 6) vermiculite, 7) calcined clay (turface) and peat moss, 8) sand. Propagation was carried out in a lightly shaded green- house under mist. Five cuttings were used per treatment and treatments were replicated 5 times. Cuttings were treated and stuck on June 23, 1970 and root scores obtained 8 weeks later as follows: 0 = dead, I = alive, not callused or rooted, 2 = callused, 3 = light rooting, 4 = medium rooting, 5 = heavy rooting. Results Cuttings rooted in vermiculite averaged the highest rooting score (3.8), however, Mobile Aid yielded a comparable result (3.7). Poorest rooting occurred in imported German peat moss (2.1). Mean rooting scores for the remaining media were: sand and peat (3.5), Alive compost (3.2), 1:1:1 soil, peat and perlite (3.4), calcined clay and peat (2.8) and sand (2.6). Water relations nutrition, pH or other factors probably were responsible for the results obtained. Publications: None. FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION AND EXPANSION 1POTENTIAL FOR OPRNAENTAL PLANTS AND TURF Fred B. Perry, Jr., and Henry P. Orrl Department of Horticulture Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station Auburn, Alabama Nature of Work: This work was designed to characterize major final consumers of ornamental plants and turf and to analyze the regulations of the various levels of government controlling plant use. Attempts will be made to project future changes in production, marketing and merchandising procedures. Information was collected from 104 single unit owner occupied homes and 26 multi-unit apartment complexes in Alabama. The sample was drawn from the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA) of Montgomery, Birmingham, Gadsden, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, and the Alabama part of Columbus, Georgia market area, as based on the 1970 census. Information on kinds and amounts of plants purchases, family income, education and interest in the use of plants was tabulated and will be combined with that from eight other states of the Southern Region. Results: The total ornamental purchases (plants for outdoor use) in the Alabama SMSA's in 1971 was $4 million by single unit home owners alone. Approximately 68% of purchases were from nurseries and garden centers, 26% from chain stores, 2% from mail order, 1% from florists, and 3% from all other sources. The amount of plant purchases according to education, income and home value are shown in Table 1. Heads of families with less than a high school education generally fell into the lower income group and lived in homes of less than $25,000. I/ Associate Professor and Professor: Respectively, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama. People with at least a high school education earning over $10,000 per year and living in middle average homes of $25,000 value or more, account for the greatest portion of the plant purchasing public. Table 1. Amount of purchases in relation to education, income and home value Education Income Value of home Average amt. of purchase 12 yr. & under $10,000 & less under $25,000 $40.00 over 12 yr. over $10,000 $25,000 & over $228.00 Very little advantage is being taken of the opportunity to reach the plant buying public through radio and TV. hen asked to evaluate the importance of source of information for the best selection of plants and their proper use and culture in the landscape it was found that the homeowner9s own experience was primary. In the order of decreasing importance as plant information sources were: nurseryman, garden magazines, neighbors, garden books, newspapers, and lastly county agricultural agents. Very few products were constantly in view to the public as are ornamental plants. There is probably no period in time when there has been a greater awareness of our ecological surroundings. This emphasis on our environment offers an unequalled opportunity to the plant industry to further educate the public and to inform them on the materials and methods available to them for improvement of their outdoor environment.