ASHS 2024 Conference

Advanced 3D Imaging for High Throughput Phenotyping of Horticultural Crops - Yu Jiang
Integrating UAV Imagery and AI to Forecast Vidalia Onion Yield and Quality - Marcelo Barbosa
Deep Learning Application for Field Phenotyping of Shoot Structure in Grapevine - Soichiro Nishiyama
Investigation of Using Hyperspectral Vegetation Indices to Assess Brassica Downy Mildew - Bo Liu
Effect of Innovative Laser Labeling Technology on Fresh Produce Quality and Safety - Manreet Bhullar
Cover Crop Decision Support Tools: Exploring the new suite of online cover crop tools - Esleyther Henriquez Inoa
CFD-based aerodynamic analysis under high wind velocity environment for multiple greenhouses - Anthony Kintu

Understanding plant growth and development is crucial for insights into plant structure and function, and recent advancements in AI-driven 3D imaging technologies have revolutionized the acquisition and analysis of high-fidelity plant models. These technologies enable accurate and rapid measurement of phenotypic traits, aiding breeders in developing new varieties and helping horticulturists optimize production management. The overarching goal of this study was to establish an AI-based 3D imaging and analysis pipeline specifically designed for detailed examination of horticultural crops at the organ level within controlled environments. We developed a robotic platform equipped with a rotating base and a high-resolution camera mounted on a robotic arm, allowing comprehensive imaging from any angle around the plant. Utilizing this robot, we generated 3D models of 30 hemp plants from two growth-rate categories in controlled environments, on a weekly basis. An AI model was developed to segment these 3D models into stems, branches, and leaves. Morphological traits were extracted from each category of the segmented organs, including stem length (i.e., plant height), stem diameter, branch length, branch diameter, leaf number, leaf area, and leaf aspect ratio. These measurements contributed to a classification model capable of distinguishing between fast and regular growth rates. Experimental results showed that the 3D imaging-derived measurements were highly correlated with human-derived measurements. In addition, the extracted traits were used as quantitative descriptors to classify hemp cultivars with different growth rates in CEA. Therefore, the developed pipeline can be used as an effective and efficient tool for breeding programs and CEA production management in the future.

Forecasting yield and quality of Vidalia onions allows the stakeholders to make decisions on the best time and place to harvest. While yield defines an important quantitative parameter, conversely, sweetness emerges as timely factor of quality. Traditionally, measuring these parameters requires a field team and routine laboratory for the assessments, making it a subjective, time-consuming, labor-intensive, costly, and not-scalable approach. However, image technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods could improve decision-making strategies. In this study, we collected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral images of two Vidalia onions fields from crop establishment until the harvest date, totaling six sets of images for each field. Each flight was performed with approximately 15 days apart. At the harvest date, 50 samples were collected in each field to determine yield, while 10 samples were used for sweetness. To ensure the robustness of the dataset, both fields were combined into a single dataset. Consequently, we used machine learning (ML) algorithms to perform predictive models, namely multiple linear regression (MLR), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM). The dataset was split into 70% and 30% for training and testing, respectively, and the predictions were performed using the test dataset. Regarding the assessment of the models, we used the metrics namely coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE). The models with higher R2 and lower MAE and RMSE were the bests. Notably, the considerable correlation between yield and spectral data made the MLR model perform well as more complex models such as RF. Conversely, when there was a weak correlation between the sweetness and spectral data, RF model could perform much better. In short, both models (MLR, RF, and SVM) could perform well into a predictive model, which highlights the strength of spectral data for representing Vidalia onions either quantitative or qualitative parameters. Therefore, our study not only represents an innovation in the field of specialty crop production, but also brings ready-to-use solutions to improve the production process and introduce Vidalia onions into the concept of field technology.

In the cultivation of fruit trees and vines, plant architecture is a critical determinant of productivity. While there are considerable diversities in plant architecture, which can be modified through pruning in fruit production, a method for high-throughput measurement and recording of architecture has not yet been established, posing a limitation to research and development in this area. Here we evaluated Transformer-based architecture for detecting above-ground shoot network of grapevine in an outdoor vineyard condition. The problem here was defined as the detection of nodes (buds or branching points) and their physical relationships (internodes or edges) within plant images. We also developed an evaluation metric inspired by the inherent structure of plant shoots to efficiently smooth detected structures to more closely resemble realistic systems in plants. The proposed framework has been successfully applied to the detection task in outdoor condition with complex background. Through the application of this method, we have demonstrated that our proposed framework is capable of extracting topological parameters of dormant shoot architecture of grapevine that effectively models the shoot biomass in a large-scale vineyard.

Downy mildew, caused by Hyaloperonospora parasitica, poses a significant threat to Brassica oleracea crops, leading to substantial reductions in yield and marketability. This study seeks to assess various vegetation indices for detecting different levels of downy mildew infection in a Brassica variety, Mildis, using hyperspectral data. Through artificial inoculation with H. parasitica sporangia suspension, distinct levels of downy mildew disease were induced. Spectral measurements, ranging from 350 nm to 1050 nm, were performed on the leaves under controlled environmental conditions, and reflectance data were collected and processed. The Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA) and signal sensitivity calculations were employed to identify the most informative wavelengths, which were then used to develop Downy Mildew Indices (DMI). A total of 37 existing vegetation indices and three proposed DMIs were evaluated to assess downy mildew infection levels. The results revealed that a support vector machine achieved accuracies of 71.3%, 80.7%, and 85.3% in distinguishing healthy leaves from those with early (DM1), progressed (DM2), and severe (DM3) infections, respectively, using the proposed downy mildew index. The development of this novel downy mildew index has the potential to facilitate the creation of an automated monitoring system for downy mildew and aid in resistance profiling in Brassica breeding lines.

Introduction: Fresh produce is commonly associated with foodborne disease outbreaks and food recalls. To prevent the lethal impact of outbreaks, effective traceability is crucial. Produce items are traditionally labeled with price lookup (PLU) stickers. However, those stickers are environmental hazards, and frequent detachment of PLU stickers losses the information for traceability. Purpose: To investigate the effect of postharvest quality and microbial safety of laser labeling on fresh produce. Methods: Three horticultural crops, apple ‘Red Delicious ‘apple, cucumber, and green bell pepper, were procured from a local grocery store. Each produce was printed with a Quick Response (QR) code or text code using the laser engraver machine, followed by the application of edible wax. All produce was stored at 4° C temperature and 90% relative humidity during the study period. The postharvest quality was measured through fresh weight loss, QR code readability, and visual quality for 16 days. In another study, the laser-labeled produce was assessed for microbial contamination by quantifying artificially inoculated rifampicin-resistant E.coli (ATCC 25922) at an initial concentration of 106 CFU/mL. The experiment had five treatments: QR-coded labels followed by waxing or no wax, text-coded labels followed by waxing or no wax, and nontreated control. Results: Fresh weight loss for laser-printed produce was slightly higher than the nontreated control, but no difference in visual quality ratings was observed compared to the control. The population of rifampicin-resistant E.coli was statistically higher in all three produce labeled with text code compared to the nontreated control. However, QR-coded treatments were similar in the control. The application of wax did not facilitate microbial attachment. Significance: Laser labeling technology did not deteriorate the postharvest quality and susceptibility to microbial contamination. Hence this technology has the potential in commercial application as a better alternative to the PLU sticker to improve traceability.

Cover crop recommendations can be complex based on regional factors and different growing conditions. In order to combat these challenges, the Precision Sustainable Agriculture team (PSA) developed online tools that are readily available for producers to help them optimize cover crops on their operation. Tools include a species and variety selector tool, seeding rate calculator, nitrogen calculator, and economic decisions tool. These platforms look to help producers find success with cover crops that fit their operation’s needs.

In South Korea, approximately 65% of the land is mountainous or forested, which limits large-scale farming. Over 53,000 ha of land has been reclaimed from the sea and dedicated to the development of large-scale indoor agricultural complexes. Given the coastal climatic conditions and flat nature, these areas present unique challenges including stronger winds and colder temperatures compared to the inland, leading to high air velocities and operation costs in naturally ventilated greenhouses. Aerodynamic analysis is necessary to estimate crop risk factors and identify potential aerodynamic problems before the construction of these structures. Traditional studies have focused on using natural ventilation rates to estimate greenhouse suitability for plant growth. However, under scenarios of high wind velocity, this approach has critical limitations in accounting for crop damage resulting from high air velocity induced inside naturally ventilated facilities. This is tailored to the fact that ventilation efficiency in naturally ventilated structures increases with an increase in air velocity. High wind velocity induced inside greenhouses is associated with rapid CO2 depletion, stomatal dysfunction, leaf abrasion, mechanical stress etc., which critically affect crop yield and biomass development. Under high wind environment, crop damage resulting from high internal air velocities is an important factor that needs to be accounted for during design of indoor agricultural facilities. This study introduces a CFD model for designing greenhouse complex including multiple greenhouses and model analysis approach. We developed the Aerodynamic Crop Damage Index (ACDI), used it to analyze the model, and compared it to the convectional ventilation efficiency approach. The ACDI revealed a 2.2-fold variation in damage potential based on the greenhouse's location within the complex and a 15-fold variation attributable to wind direction, pinpointing significant damage risks in zones with the highest and lowest air velocities. In contrast, the convectional ventilation efficiency method only identified damage risks in low-velocity areas. ACDI has not only the potential to account for high air velocity effects in naturally ventilated greenhouses but also presents an opportunity for specialized greenhouse complex control and management according to greenhouse position and incoming wind direction. Future research should aim at refining the ACDI for better aerodynamic analysis in greenhouse complexes planning and its integration into greenhouse ventilation control systems.

Acknowledgments: This work was supported by “Regional Innovations Strategy (RIS)” through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by Ministry of Education (MOE) (2024RIS-008)

Fruit Classes Teach Invasive Species Management and IPM Practices to Homeowners, Master Gardener Volunteers, and Pesticide Applicators - Kaydie McCormick
Invasive Potential of Ornamental Landscape Plants in Southern Arizona - Michael Chamberland
Education on Water Saving Landscaping Practices Results in Measurable Water Conservation - Tiare Silvasy
Cultivating Connections: Empowering Professionals through NC Farm to School Training Initiative - Liz Driscoll
The gARTening Program: Fostering Community Engagement through Innovative Education - Clarissa Chairez
Welcome Home to Gardening in Tennessee: Reaching New Audiences with New Collaborative Outreach Models - Natalie Bumgarner
Enhancing Backyard Fruiting Cultivation Efficacy Through Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Techniques for Homeowners - Brittany Council-Morton

Florida's diverse climate offers ample opportunities for cultivating various fruit crops, especially as traditional citrus faces disease challenges. However, accessible information on alternative fruit crops is limited. In response, a series of online classes was initiated in 2020 to address this gap, coinciding with the need for Continued Education Units (CEUs) for pesticide license holders during COVID-19 lockdowns. The objectives of the class series were threefold: to enhance knowledge of fruit crop cultivation in Central Florida, promote the adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in crop selection and care, and provide CEUs for pesticide license holders in Florida. In its pilot year, three Extension Agents developed a five-week class, expanding to a six-week series in 2021 involving five Agents across three counties. Each session focused on BMPs for landscapes and the cultivation of at least three different fruit crops, including discussions on potential invasive pests as well as alternatives to invasive fruit trees that shouldn’t be planted. The classes were conducted via Zoom and archived on YouTube for wider accessibility. Evaluation of the program included a post-class survey to assess knowledge gain and a three-month follow-up to measure the adoption of practices. Over the course of 2020-2023, the series covered care techniques for 29 different fruit crops. The impact of the classes has been significant. Since 2020, 23 episodes have been produced, attracting a total of 2,015 live viewers. Participants earned a total of 361 CEUs. Survey results indicated a substantial knowledge gain, with 96% (1,480/1,540) of respondents reporting increased understanding of the material. Moreover, 79% (195/248) of respondents adopted at least one new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy after taking the class. According to that same survey 48% (98/202) have altered turf to fruit trees, planting a total of 37,477 square feet with edible plants. In summary, the online class series successfully addressed the demand for information on alternative fruit crops in Florida while providing valuable CEUs for pesticide license holders. Its impact is evidenced by increased knowledge among participants and tangible changes in cultivation practices towards more sustainable and diverse fruit production.

Plants introduced through ornamental horticulture have contributed to exotic species invasions around the world. Fifteen landscape plants commonly used in horticulture in southern Arizona have been evaluated using the Plant Risk Evaluator (PRE) tool developed by PlantRight and Cal-IPC. The evaluations have recognized eight of these species as presenting high potential risk of escaping cultivation and becoming invasive in Arizona. The process of evaluating ornamentals has fostered communication and collaboration between invasive species managers and Extension horticulture agents, who previously had little interaction. The findings have been communicated through several articles on invasive species in the trade magazine, Southwest Horticulture. This information has contributed to two cultivated species (Searsia lancea and Ulmus pumila) and the entire genus Tamarix being newly added to the Arizona State Noxious Weed List. Arizona Master Gardeners have been educated on invasive plant issues to foster outreach to the public and to aid their planting choices.

Florida is facing critical water scarcity due to population growth. The home landscape is an opportune setting to make changes in practices to conserve water. Extension programs on water conservation in the landscape can provide residents with the information they need to adopt new practices to conserve water. In 2021-2023, UF/IFAS Extension residential horticulture programs in Central Florida, educated 6,474 residents about sustainable landscape practices. Based on client self-reported follow-up surveys (n=342), the annual water savings due to adoption of best landscaping practices was approximately 11.6 million gallons. It saved homeowners $49,977 in utility bills (based on regional value of $4.30 per 1,000 gallons). The most adopted practices included calibrating sprinkler systems to deliver ½ inch to ¾ inch of water instead of 1 inch, reducing irrigation frequency during summer, and reducing irrigation frequency during winter. Adoption is lower for water conservation practices that require installing soil moisture sensors and converting or installing irrigation spray heads. Participants reported (n=342): 35% eliminated irrigation or converted to low volume irrigation, 46% reduced irrigation from 3 to 2 days per week, 45% reduced irrigation frequency in winter, 46% reduced irrigation frequency in summer, 25% using a working rain shutoff device, 37% calibrated irrigation to ½” or ¾” rather than 1” or more. Impacts of changes in household water use multiply when life cycle assessment of a water supply system is considered. The reduction of 11.6 million gallons of residential water use resulted in saving 40,022 kWh of energy and $30,162 in treating and delivering water to the end users, reducing 28 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions, deferring the need for $98,734 investment in alternative water supply infrastructure, and potentially reducing stormwater runoff and avoiding water quality deterioration. The impacts of these water conservation efforts are even greater than the values represented here based on total program attendance. This shows the efforts of extension agents educational programs resulted in measurable water savings to help Florida households conserve water.

As the Farm to School movement continues to gain momentum, professionals in education, agriculture, and public health are seeking innovative ways to integrate this holistic approach into their practices. In North Carolina, our local, regional, and statewide food system has strengths across various sectors. Local agencies and community organizations now have decades of experience partnering together to maximize opportunities for local farmers and local food businesses. Partnering together, these food system practitioners have clearly begun to see that a systems approach is vital to supporting all sectors and stakeholders, vital to addressing the deep roots of inequity that negatively impacts our communities of color and particularly our children. The central need is in how to facilitate integrated efforts–both across farm to school components and also with multi-sector stakeholders–given that research shows that integration of farm to school programming brings the longest and most significant health and learning impacts on children. Our approach has been to develop the North Carolina Farm to School Training Initiative, a rich space of collaboratively created online content that informs and educates across the farm to school program areas. Through a combination of interactive modules, case studies, and expert-led discussions, our first course, School Gardening, provided participants with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of Farm to School programming. The results from surveying pilot participants suggest numerous impacts, both on an individual and community level. Preliminary results found participants increased their knowledge and gained a deeper understanding of farm-to-school initiatives, including building community engagement through school garden teams, integrating gardening into curriculum, and the horticulture knowledge to successfully grow a garden. Participants improved their practical skills such as gardening techniques and the application of educational programming in the garden. Part of the course included interactive discussion boards and a qualitative review showed a number of themes emerged including that the course participants strongly benefitted by connecting with a group of like-minded educators and community organizers by fostering collaboration and support for farm-to-school efforts. Community engagement was another emergent theme with participants and they named that they would like to become more involved in their local food systems, finding connections with community partners like growers and Extension for access to resources and materials. These results suggest that fostering a community of practice that transcends geographic boundaries and provides localized and engaging content has significant potential to support great professional engagement in farm to school.

Orange County, Florida, an urban county with a boasting a population of 1.4 million residents, faces a distinctive demographic trend with a homeowner rate of 56%, notably below the national average of 64%. This indicates a higher proportion of renters and apartment dwellers within our community. In order to expand the reach of our horticultural efforts beyond the limitations of traditional homeownership and include all residents, our Master Gardener Volunteer Program developed the Garden Art (gARTening) program, aimed to appeal to a wider audience. Beyond mere attraction of new attendees, our focus was to increase: office foot traffic, awareness of UF/IFAS Extension Services, and create a unique hands-on program that maintained affordability while generating revenue. We developed "The gARTening Program," featuring unique garden-related art projects, to achieve our objectives. Classes ranged from 1-2 hours and $5-35, with topics such as terrariums, kokedamas, pressed flower art, and more. Collaborating with Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs), we created educational materials such as PowerPoints, handouts, and economical shopping lists. Our diverse approach attracted a broad audience, including young families, mother-daughter pairs, couples, and individuals, fostering inclusivity and engagement. The outcomes of the gARTening Program exceeded expectations: • Revenue generated in one year: $3200 • 47% of participants were new to UF/IFAS Extension and had never utilized our services before. • 70% joined due to the unique hands-on experience. • 95% indicated they gained knowledge of UF/IFAS Extension services as a result of attending the workshop. • Additionally, participants showed continued engagement, with many signing up for additional classes, volunteering with 4-H or becoming an MGV, and promoting our services to others. The gARTening Program not only met, but surpassed its objectives, illustrating its efficacy in community engagement and revenue generation. By offering unique experiences, we heightened awareness of UF/IFAS Extension Services, attracting new participants and fostering long-term engagement. The program's success underscores the potential for innovative education methods to address funding challenges while advancing community outreach and awareness. This model holds broader implications for enhancing community well-being and supporting sustainable organizational growth.

New residents in the state along with new gardeners are an increasingly large Extension audience. As our Extension horticulture team discussed the challenges in individually addressing these questions and meeting the needs of these new stakeholders, we realized new models and resources were needed. While Extension has a great array of publications and resources on lawns, landscapes and gardens, there wasn’t a publication that provided a good entry point for those new to the region or gardening. So, we set out to develop a ‘gateway publication’ to provide a general overview and connect folks to further resources without being overwhelming. A magazine format with easy to digest 2-page spreads on the most common areas of gardening was developed titled “Welcome Home: Gardening in Tennessee.” To extend the reach and impact of this new resource and engage Extension agents and stakeholders across the state, our horticulture team developed a new outreach program that paired live, distance teaching with local hands-on labs and activities. In October of 2023, we had a 5-session workshop series where new residents could come to their local office for an hour of teaching from our best horticulture content folks and then take part in a hands-on teaching demonstration with their local agriculture Extension agent. Nearly 300 participants in 32 counties took part in the series. Evaluation data revealed that over 70% of attendees had attended no or very few prior Extension programs. With a fee of only $30-50 locally, attendees reported a value of over $950 received from information delivered in the class. This presentation will focus on the novel delivery model and evaluation data along with perspectives on opportunities and challenges in reaching these new Extension audiences.

Florida's distinctive subtropical climate renders it a haven for the average backyard gardener. Yet, numerous homeowners grapple with challenges in cultivating dooryard fruits, often due to incorrect planting times or a dearth of expertise. Recognizing this, the University of Florida/Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has introduced the Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM program, illuminating nine core principles. These guidelines equip homeowners with the necessary methods and techniques to optimize plant growth and development. As we continue to increase resident population daily from various parts of the world, educating homeowners on these principles, can significantly elevate their chances of realizing their cultivation aspirations.
To meet the persistent demand for edible landscapes, a series of enlightening workshops unfolded across Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties. These sessions honed in on sustainable management strategies tailored for cultivating delectable fruits like blackberries, mulberries, goji berries, and citrus varieties. Spanning two to three hours, participants delved into a comprehensive curriculum covering optimal planting and harvest timings, varietal nuances, cultivation methodologies, fertilizer selection, integrated pest management protocols, and the significance of hardiness zones. These workshops roamed through the tri-county region, shining a spotlight on local agricultural enterprises engaged in the production or promotion of sought-after backyard fruits.

This collaborative initiative not only bolstered our overarching educational goals but also catalyzed a surge in agrotourism intrigue. As each program reached its conclusion, attendees departed armed with two plants of their preference and a wealth of resources, poised to lay down the groundwork for thriving cultivation endeavors.
22 Program participants indicated the following as measured via post evaluation survey:
Participants indicated a 73% (n=16) implementation plan for Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM (FFL) principle of "Right Plant Right Place” as they continue in their gardening endeavors.
Participants indicated an 82% (n=18) knowledge gain on cultivar selection, soil testing, and importance of fertilization.
64% (n=14) of program participants shared a plan to continue backyard fruit production using the information disseminated during this program.

Effects of Drought Stress on Secondary Metabolite Production and Yield in Ocimum Basilicum - Daniela Menendez
Effects of Thermal Processing and Drying on Nutritional Quality and Consumer Preference of Amaranthus viridis L. Value-added Product - Megan Reid
Ginseng Growth and Ginsenoside Contents According to Light Intensity - Minhee Kim
Evaluation of anticancer activity of perennial tree seed-derived extracts on various cancer cell lines - Hamin Lee
Exploring the Potential of Annonacin and 2-Deoxy-D-glucose on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells - Bhoj Raj Bhattarai
Responses and relationship between bioactive compounds and phenotypic traits in Dahurian angelica breeding lines - Eun Jeong Koh
Effects of Foliar Application of Humic Acid and NPK Fertilizers to the Soil on Important Growth Indices of Black Mustard - Keefah Al-Garallaa
Assessment of micropropagated ginger cultivars and generations on plant growth and rhizome yield in a greenhouse - Guochen Yang

Climate change makes water stress a more prominent obstacle to maintaining the same yield and quality of harvestable crop biomass for consumers, posing a unique challenge to farmers who must compete for clean water resources with other stakeholders. Thus, farmers must adapt their irrigation strategies to remain profitable and relevant. Basil is a tender perennial crop from the family Lamiaceae that is grown as a culinary herb and as a source of essential oils. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a model crop for understanding water stress in economically important crops due to its intolerance to drought stress and its unique phytochemical properties. Sweet basil produces different concentrations of different secondary metabolites in response to abiotic stress, such as eugenol and methyl chavicol. This study seeks to understand what chemical and physical changes occur to sweet basil under water stress within a greenhouse environment. Three different treatments of water stress controlled via drip irrigation and a separate control group were used to analyze the yield and secondary metabolite production within sweet basil. Wet weight, dry weight, height, and phytochemical concentrations were calculated for the different drought treatments. There was a significant relationship between the final height, dry and wet yield, and chemical concentration of the different water stress treatments. One of the most interesting findings of the study was that the high note of sweet basil, a phenylpropanoid known as eugenol, was found in similarly high concentrations throughout the different treatment groups. There were significant differences in concentration across terpenoids such as eucalyptol, germacrene D, and linalool. This study showed that there were significant effects on the yield and concentration of phytochemicals produced by sweet basil from drought stress.

Economic opportunities have arisen to increase the production of specialty crops catering to ethnically diverse consumers. Opportunities to capture anticipated niche market growth for ethnic crops continue to grow. Amaranthus viridis L. (amaranth), a highly nutritious leafy vegetable, eaten cooked or raw, with a nutritional value similar to spinach, is widely cultivated, highly nutritious, and has medicinal properties. Studies were conducted to 1) evaluate two thermo-processing (steam and water blanching) and three drying methods (freeze, hot air, and infrared drying) for the development of amaranth value-added products and 2) analyze the effective thermo-processing and drying methods to maximize the phytonutrient contents and minerals in the vegetable. Two thermo-treatments, steam blanch (SB) and hot water (HB), and the control (C), three drying treatments, freeze-dried (FD), hot air dried (HAD), and infrared dried (ID) were used. The treatments were T1:FD(C), T2:HAD(C), T3:ID(C), T4:FD(SB), T5:HAD(SB), T6:ID(SB), T7: FD(HW), T8: HAD(HW), T9: ID(HW). Amaranth was harvested once per week and processed three times throughout the growing season (1st harvest (28 days after transplanting (DAT)), 2nd harvest (56 DAT) in the middle of the growing season, and the 3rd harvest (84 DAT) at the end of the growing season). Phytonutrients, ascorbic acid and β-carotene, rehydration capacity, and sensory evaluation were analyzed. Significant differences in phytonutrients (total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC)) were observed among treatments and harvest times, with the FD(C) treatment being significantly higher in TPC and TFC during the 1st and 2nd harvest when compared to the other treatments. Ascorbic acid was significantly higher in FD(C) and HAD(C) (419.33 mg/100g, dm and 203.3 mg/100g, dm, respectively). ID(C), ID(SB), ID(HW) and HAD(SB) were significantly lower in ascorbic acid when compared to the other treatments. Significant differences were also observed in β-carotene among treatments. For rehydration capacity, rehydration at 9 minutes showed the highest water absorbance for all treatments, with FD(C) and HAD(C) being significantly higher, while HAD(HW) and ID(HW) were significantly lower in water absorbance for the rehydration times of 3, 6 and 9 minutes. For the sensory evaluation, 59%, 73%, and 54% of respondents indicated that the rehydrated samples were just right for flavor, color, and texture, respectively; and 45% of respondents indicated that the overall quality of the rehydrated sample was good. This study provides valuable insights for the development of value-added products catering to ethnically diverse consumers.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is mainly cultivated in the Republic of Korea and China, and has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant in East Asia for the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney dysfunction, mental disorders, and skin inflammation. Ginseng roots are cultivated after maturing at 3 to 6 years of age. The harvested ginseng roots are consumed and sold in various forms of products, such as fresh ginseng, red ginseng, and white ginseng. Ginseng is a shade-tolerant crop and requires shading facilities. It grows well with a light intensity of 10%, but its growth is hindered at light intensity above 20% due to high temperature. Therefore, it is cultivated with a light intensity set to 10% from April to October and harvested in October. However, if early harvesting is done in August to increase farm income, growth is low due to insufficient light. Therefore, a cultivation experiment was conducted with the light intensity set to 10% and 20% for the August harvest, and the yield and ginsenoside contents were compared with the October harvest. The yield of the 20% light intensity treatment group was 665 kg/10a, whereas the yield of the 10% light intensity treatment group was 572 kg/10a. The yield of the 20% treatment group was 16.3% higher than that of the 10% treatment group. According to the analysis on nine ginsenoside components including Rg1, the total ginsenoside contents in the 20% light intensity treatment group was 27.51 mg/g, which was 75.3% higher than that of the 10% light intensity treatment group at 15.69 mg/g. Specifically, Rg1, Re, Rb1, and Rc were 3.40, 7.29, 7.93, and 3.84 mg/g, respectively, more than twice as high as those in the 10% light intensity treatment group. Conclusively, a light intensity of 20% was determined to be optimal for maximizing ginsenoside cultivation for August harvesting.

According to the WHO, the global cancer incidence rate is increasing by more than 5% annually due to the rapid increase in the elderly population and continuous environmental degradation. The increasing rate of cancer incidence underscores the importance of developing health supplements and pharmaceutical ingredients derived from plants. Indeed, several anticancer drugs such as Taxol, vincristine, and vinblastine have been developed from plant-derived ingredients, serving as crucial resources in modern pharmaceutical development. This study evaluated the anticancer activity of extracts from seven different seeds against various cancer cell lines. Seeds from perennial trees such as Alnus japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Cornus kousa, Phellodendron amurense, Pinus densiflora, Prunus sargentii, and Quercus glauca were used in the experiments. Extracts, prepared via ultrasonic extraction with 70% ethanol and concentrated to 100 µg·mL-1, were tested on lung (A549), prostate (LNCaP-LN3), melanoma (B16F10), colon (Caco-2, HCT15), and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. In the lung cancer (A549) cell line, C. kousa, C. obtusa, and Q. glauca significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation compared to the negative control (DMSO), with viability rates of 68.2%, 6.8%, and 44.7%, respectively. Prostate cancer (LNCaP-LN3) cells showed anticancer activity with extracts from six species, excluding P. sargentii, in the following order of cell viability: C. obtusa (8.2%) > C. kousa (15.8%) > A. japonica (35.1%) > Q. glauca (73.9%) > P. amurense (78.6%) > P. densiflora (86.3%). Cell viability was assessed for colon cancer cell lines Caco-2 and HCT15, where extracts from C. kousa (71.7% for Caco-2 and 69.9% for HCT15), C. obtusa (8.0% for Caco-2 and 7.1% for HCT15), and Q. glauca (89.9% for Caco-2) demonstrated significant inhibition of cell proliferation. For melanoma (B16F10) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines, extracts from C. kousa (63.8% and 66.3%, respectively) and C. obtusa (6.7% and 7.3%, respectively) showed strong anticancer activity, significantly reducing cell viability. This study suggests that the extracts from seven species of seeds can have a potent anticancer effect on specific cancer cell lines and confirms their potential as an important step in the development of anticancer ingredients derived from perennial tree seeds.

Annonacin is a natural compound found in the fruit of a number of members of the Annonaceae family, including soursop and Asimina triloba. This compound has promise in targeting vital metabolic pathways, inhibiting mitochondrial complex I, and exploiting the altered energy dynamics of cancer cells that lead to apoptosis. Non-small cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of all lung cancer cases and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in cancer treatment, the five-year survival rate of NSCLC is low, justifying the urgent need for innovative and effective therapeutic approaches. The aberrant energy metabolism, which is a hallmark of cancer, including NSCLC, known as the Warburg effect, makes it a potential target for therapeutic interventions. In addition, 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a glucose analog widely studied for its ability to target the glycolytic pathway of energy metabolism of cancer. The potential combination of Annonacin and 2DG acting synergistically to inhibit the growth of A549 NSCLC cells could lead to new treatment options. The objective of this study was to examine glycolytic and mitochondrial complex I inhibitors individually and in combination to target energy metabolism to inhibit A549 NSCLC cell growth as novel antitumor agents. The study was carried out in an in vitro model system using the A549 NSCLC cell line, where the NL20 Bronchial Epithelium cell line was used as a parallel control. Cells were treated with 0 µM, 2 µM, 4 µM, and 6 µM concentrations of Annonacin and 0 mM, 2.5 mM, 5 mM, and 10 mM concentrations of 2DG, both individually and in combination in triplicate experimental design with control. The MTT assay was employed to determine immediate cell viability and assess the applied treatment's cytotoxic effects. The oxidative stress in treated and control cells was determined through superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase assays. Furthermore, the long-term proliferative capacity of the cells post-treatment was examined using a colony-forming assay. The implications of the combined application of 2DG and Annonacin on A549 NSCLC cell viability and potential as a treatment of NSCLC will be discussed. These findings need further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the in vivo and clinical applicability details for the combined administration of Annonacin and 2DG's use in NSCLC treatment.

Dahurian angelica (Angelica dahurica (Fisch. ex Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Franch. & Sav.) is a medicinal plant that grows throughout Korean peninsula. According to the Korean Pharmacopoeia, the total contents of three bioactive compounds, including oxypeucedanin (C₁₆H₁₄O₅: 286.29), imperatorin (C₁₆H₁₄O₄: 270.29), and isoimperatorin (C₁₆H₁₄O₄: 270.29), in dried root of Angelica dahurica, should be higher than 0.7% in order to ensure the appropriateness of quality for the consumption of food and medicine. However, there are many irrelevant cases, where the minimum threshold level of bioactive compounds is not reached, dried products should be rejected for the final produce. Therefore, it is important to breed an A. dahurica varieties that meet the minimal contents of bioactive compounds for the requirements of Korean Phamacopoeia. The objective of this study aimed to evaluate the responses and relationship between bioactive compounds and phenotypic characteristics of two A. dahurica lines (BW2-3-2 and BW2-4-1). They were compared to a native line ‘Chunyang’ of which seeds were collected from farms in Eastern South Korea, the main production area for Angelica dahurica. The content of the three bioactive compounds is positively correlated with DPPH antioxidant activity, fresh root weight, dry root weight and root diameter. The contents of oxypeucedanin and isoimperatorin were highest in BW2-3-2 line, while imperatorin content was highest in ‘Chunyang’ landrace. The total contents of three bioactive compounds were 0.78% and 0.7% in BW2-3-2 and BW2-4-1 which were higher than those in landrace (0.55%). Fresh root weight, dry root weight and root diameter of BW2-3-2 and BW2-4-1 were significantly higher than those of ‘Chunyang’, a native landrace. The results suggest that the two bred lines of Angelica dahurica should have better phenotypes and higher bioactive compounds content than the native landrace, and meet the requirements of the standards of the Korean Pharmacopoeia.

Humic acid that improves plant growth and yield indices such as fresh and dry weights, plant height. Field experiment was conducted at the Al-Mussaib Technical Institute/Iraq during the 2022-2023 season to study the effect of adding NPK complex fertilizer to the soil and spraying with organic fertilizer (Humic acid) on the growth and yield of black mustard plants, according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In this study, the effect of foliar application of Humic acid and/or fertilizers of NPK on the growth characteristics of black mustard (Brassica nigar) in field conditions were compared. According to the results, the foliar application of Humic acid The results were analyzed according to analysis of variance, and the means were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test under the probability level of 0.05.A two-factor experiment (3×3) was carried out. The first factor was the addition of a balanced NPK complex fertilizer (20:20:20). At levels of (0, 30, or 60) kg/dunum in two batches, the first two weeks after germination, and the second when flowering begins. The fertilizer was placed about 10 cm under the plant in the furrows and covered with dirt, then watered after fertilization. The second factor was spraying with three concentrations of organic fertilizer (Humic acid) (0, 2, or 4) ml.l-1. It was observed from the results that adding NPK complex fertilizer and organic fertilizer (Humic acid) has a significant effect on the characteristics of vegetative growth, as is evident from the fact that the levels of NPK complex fertilizer and spraying with organic fertilizer (Humic acid) have a significant effect on the productive characteristics of the plant. It is conclude from this experiment that the most effective treatment that can be used to feed the black mustard plant under the conditions of this experiment, and which achieved the best results in improving the vegetative and productive characteristics of the plant, is the 60 kg overlap treatment. 1 dunam-1 NPK with spraying three times with 2 ml.l-1 of organic fertilizer (Humic acid), which improved the characteristics of vegetative growth and gave the highest rate of mustard number. Plant-1 and number of seeds. Mustard-1 and seed weight. Plant-1 and the amount of seed yield per dunum. application of 45 ppm humic acid with 60/kg – per dunum (per 2500 square meters) would be the best option to maintain better growth, yield and quality in black mustard.

Our research demonstrated micropropagated ginger helped solve seed ginger sourcing issue for this “niche” market crop. Traditionally, farmers would save ginger rhizomes from the previous year’s harvest, store over winter, and then use as seeds for the upcoming growing season. This research was to determine if micropropagated ginger generations would affect ginger growth and yield. We studied nine ginger cultivars (BB, BG, BK, CW, HY, MD, PY, KY, and KM) from various tissue culture (TC) generations (TCF1, TCF2, TCF3, and TCF4). TCF1 seedlings were initially planted (March 2023), and then transplanted with TCF2, TCF3 and TCF4 from previous years’ study, into individual grow bags (May 2023) with one seedling per 10-inch grow bag (2:1 metro mix:compost). Plants were placed on a bench inside a greenhouse with a completely randomized design (CRD) with 20 cultivar/TC Generation combinations, 5 replications per cultivar/generation. We collected growth data (stem number, diameter, length, and SPAD), yield data (number of rhizome pieces per seedling, weight of individual rhizome piece/finger, weights of biological root, edible root and total rhizome weight), and PAR of individual plants. Data was then analyzed using SAS OnDemand for Academics with PROC GLM at the 0.05 level of significance. There was a significant effect as the number of TC generations increased, with stem length (TCF1 – 91.8, TCF2 – 91.0, TCF3 – 103.5, and TCF4 – 101.5 cm) and stem diameter (TCF1 – 6.2, TCF2 – 6.4, TCF3 – 8.1, and TCF4 – 8.1 mm) increasing, while number of stems (TCF1 – 19.0, TCF2 – 18.3, TCF3 – 10.4, and TCF4 – 9.9) decreased on average. TC generations had significant effect on rhizome yield. Individual pieces of ginger rhizome decreased in number (TCF1 – 37.9, TCF2 – 31.1, TCF3 – 28.9, and TCF4 – 28.0) but increased in size (weight) (TCF1 – 12.3, TCF2 – 16.8, TCF3 – 25.4, and TCF4 – 23.1 g) as number of TC generations increased. Similarly, biological root weight significantly decreased (TCF1 – 175.9, TCF2 – 195.3, TCF3 – 42.0, and TCF4 – 52.9 g). Edible root weight significantly increased (TCF1 – 443.9, TCF2 – 460.6, TCF3 – 700.6, and TCF4 – 641.0 g). There was a slight upward trend of rhizome yield as TC generations increased (TCF1 – 619.9, TCF2 – 671.3, TCF3 – 761.2, and TCF4 – 709.5 g).

In-vitro Screening of Native Plant Crude Extracts Against Major Plant Pathogens Affecting Cannabis and Specialty Food Crops of Louisiana - Jennifer Blanchard
Investigating Fiber Hemp Seed Size Impact on Germination, Emergence, and Early Growth Rate - Samantha Carroll
Modified Media and Lighting for Repeated In Vitro Cutting Cycles of Cannabis Sativa - Molly McKay
QTL mapping and gene discovery for seed traits in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) F2 mapping populations - Luis Monserrate
Dynamics of Cannabinoid Accumulation and Morphological Changes in Cannabis Inflorescences - Samuel des Bordes
Variable Planting Date Influences on Growth and Development of Floral Hemp in North Dakota - Brock Schulz

Commercially produced floral hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is high in cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations relative to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); this is intentional due to regulatory pressures requiring low THC thresholds. Given the predominant role of genotype in plant development, it is crucial to also explore environmental factors that may allow for optimization of hemp growth, yield, and quality. The goal in this study is to evaluate the extent to which an extended vegetative growing period has on height, width, and yield in irrigated raised bed production of floral hemp in North Dakota. To survey this relationship between planting date, growth, and quality parameters, mother plants were germinated from seed at the beginning of the growing season. Each treatment group of cuttings, separated by approximately two weeks, were excised from their respective cultivar mother plant for four timing treatment groups. Cultivars evaluated were ‘ACDC’, ‘Bubbatonic’, ‘Sour Elektra’, and ‘Umpqua’. The main effect of cultivar did not significantly affect any measured parameters except for height and the top 1/3 portion of dry floral biomass. Planting date treatments significantly affected the wet weight of total above-ground biomass, total dry above-ground biomass, and total floral biomass. Average total above-ground biomass and dry floral biomass was statistically different for each planting date except for the last two planting dates (June 19 and July 3). Total above-ground dry biomass averaged over cultivars, were 4070 g, 2432 g, 1323 g, and 894 g, for dates May 19, June 5, June 19, and July 3, respectively. Mean yields for total dry floral biomass, averaged over cultivars, were 1779 g, 1279 g, 784 g, and 535 g, for dates May 19, June 5, June 19, and July 3, respectively. Earlier planting dates showed an increase in height for three of the four cultivars with the exception of ‘Umpqua’. A cultivar interaction with planting date treatment occurred for the top 1/3 portion of dry floral biomass and indicated that earlier planting date increased the biomass for ‘Bubbatonic’ and ‘Sour Elektra’ while planting date did not influence dry biomass for ‘ACDC’ and ‘Umpqua’. The insights gained from assessing the impact of variable vegetative growing periods on growth and quality parameters of photoperiod-dependent floral hemp could have broader implications for optimizing production practices. Understanding the intricate interplay between genotype, environmental factors, and cultivation practices is essential for advancing sustainable and efficient hemp cultivation strategies.

Louisiana’s hot and humid climate provides the perfect environmental conditions for the growth of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens. These fungal infections are an obstacle to the success of commercial production of Cannabis sativa in the state. Two of the most recent and significant fungal diseases are southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and stem canker caused by Botrytis cinerea. However, there is a lack of formal and professional knowledge regarding fungi that infect medicinal hemp plants, and practical and effective methods for managing the casual agents of these diseases. The objective of this study was to identify natural plant products from two native plants of Louisiana, that have been reported in the Native American ethnobotanical literature to have antifungal/antibacterial properties. An in-vitro bioassay experiment was conducted using the agar plug diffusion method testing the antifungal inhibition of crude ethanol extracts from the two species against each of the two pathogens Sclerotium rolfsii and Botrytis cinerea, on four plates each of Extract 1 Diospyros virginiana L. and Extract 2 Equisetum hymale L. of 1/4PDA spiked at a dose of 250ppm, 500ppm, 750ppm, and 1000ppm against a control plate of 1/4PDA for six days. Based on this initial crude extract bioassay there is a highly significant difference in the two crude extracts (p=0.000105) when tested against Botrytis cinerea. There is also a significant difference in concentration. The test against Sclerotium rolfsii did not find any significant inhibition from either of the plant extracts tested. From our findings we will continue the research study to test the antifungal potential of crude ethanol extract as well as Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate soluble fractions of Extract 1 Diospyros virginiana. The goal of the study is to integrate the antifungal compounds and their application for the development of best practices in Cannabis production.

Fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L. <0.30 % total THC) seed represents the highest input cost for growers, as it is often imported and seeding rates are high to create an ideal stem diameter for quality purposes. Seed size in other agronomic crops can impact germination rate and early season growth. Hemp seed size varies tremendously among hemp genotypes. We evaluated the impact of seed size on germination rate, emergence, and seedling growth and physiology in two Chinese industrial hemp varieties Yuma 1 and Zhongma. We found that seed size impacted germination and radicle length in both varieties. However, these results did not translate into significant differences on emergence rate, photosynthetic parameters, or harvested plant biomass in the greenhouse. We did observe differences in net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance between varieties. Further research should evaluate season-long plant performance and economics based on seed size. In doing so we can optimize production standards and consequently farmer profitability.

Micropropagation usually involves cytokinin in single-harvest batches. We report two in vitro studies with multiple harvest: (1) fed batch process with modified physical states and (2) LED light treatments. In (1), genotypes of Cannabis sativa were observed in stationary agar (A), stationary Oasis® infused with liquid (OIL) and agitated Oasis® infused with liquid (AOIL).Fifteen explants were planted in vessels with 120 mL DKW medium harvested on 3-week cycles, with 0 or 15 mL additional media. Harvested shoots, length, and dry mass from repeated cycles were recorded. Genotypes T1 and Peach failed on multiple harvest cycles and were eliminated, although single cycle had higher quality in OIL. BaOx and Cherry1 on OIL/AOIL with additions were better quality than A in five cycles. Shoots harvested increased from 15 to 30 in cycles 1-3 in OIL/AOIL, but in A were approximately 20, while length was longest in OIL/AOIL. By cycle 3, all measured responses were decreasing until cycle 5 where a minimum of 7 shoots per vessel or more were only in OIL, but shoots were too short to plant in greenhouse. In (2), blue and supplemental far-red were observed with in vitro shoots of BaoX and Cherry1. OIL treatments were placed in LED polychromatic and dichromatic light (white, high red:blue, medium red:blue, white w/5% far-red, high red:blue 5% far-red, medium red:blue w/5% far-red, low red:blue w/ 5% far-red) at similar intensities (190-240 µmols·m-2·s-116 h-photoperiod). Media additions were made with responses recorded bi-weekly. Five randomly selected microcuttings per vessel rooted ex vitro on mist bench for 16 days. Over multi-cycles, plants treated with 5% far-red increased number and length, while plants under higher blue light increased dry mass. Shoot number increased to 28 in cycles 1-3 with far-red, and 18 without before decreasing to initial 15 during cycle 5. The accumulated shoots per vessel over 5-cycles (10-weeks) was 108 with far-red, and 84 without. Shoot length in far-red-treated plants increased from 19 - 25 mm in cycle 3 before decreasing to 10 mm in cycle 5. Plants without far-red had 10 – 15 mm length the entire experiment. Dry mass was highest during cycle 1 with blue light before decreasing 50% in cycle 3, where it remained until cycle 5. Sixty-eight percent of shoots rooted regardless of prior in vitro treatment. OIL with media addition allowed shoots to be harvested five cycles, while signaling response of far-red light allowed increased productivity and length.

The emergence of a thriving hemp industry in the U.S. will depend on the breeding of high-yielding regionally adapted cultivars. Despite the latest research efforts, little is known regarding the genetic basis of important agronomic traits in hemp. The objective of this research was to identify and characterize genomic regions associated with seed morphology and quality traits. F 2 mapping populations were developed by crossing hemp germplasm bred or cultivated for cannabinoids (‘FL 58’ × ‘TJ’s CBD’), grain (GVA- H-20-1179 × ‘Picolo’), or fiber (‘Si-1’ × GVA-H-21-1003) market classes. These populations were investigated due to their variation in seed size and seed crude protein. The cannabinoid, grain, and fiber populations were grown and seed was harvested in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Harvested seeds were phenotyped for thousand seed weight (TSW) and crude protein content predicted by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The high-cannabinoid population was genotyped using an Illumina array, while the fiber and grain populations were genotyped using an Agilent SureSelect Custom Target Enrichment Probe Set. Marker-associated sequences were aligned to the CBDRx v.2.0 reference genome to align the physical and genetic maps. The TSW and protein content in the cannabinoid population ranged from 9.62 to 23.93 g and 19.25 to 31.89 %, respectively. In contrast, the TSW of the fiber and grain populations ranged from 7.34 to 45.17 g and 8.73 to 31.42 g, respectively. Numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) of varying effect sizes were identified genome-wide. Notably, in the high- cannabinoid population, major and minor effect QTL for TSW were detected on Chr01 corresponding to 642 kb and 5.56 Mb genetic regions, respectively. Our results in the cannabinoid population highlight the importance of developing more than one F 2 mapping population in a given cross to capture the effect of more alleles due to high heterozygosity in hemp and evaluating distinct pedigrees to sample additional alleles in diverse genetic backgrounds. Narrowing the region around or identifying candidate genes will allow the development of high-throughput molecular markers for beneficial alleles across mapping pedigrees. These findings will accelerate hemp breeding programs through the implementation of marker-assisted selection for high-yielding and high-quality hemp cultivars for grain production.

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is cultivated for its cannabinoids, which have applications for therapeutic and recreational use. This phenomic evaluation explores accumulation of 16 cannabinoids of interest and associated morphological changes in Cannabis flowers. Eight cultivars of interest were grown in containers within an environmentally controlled greenhouse for 150 days (72 days reproductive). Light intensity, light duration, temperature, and relative humidity were regulated. Monitoring floral development, we observed a consistent increase in cannabinoid concentration as flowers matured, peaking in advanced stages of development. This accumulation pattern was consistent across diverse cultivars, which indicates this accumulation pattern to be the result of a fundamental biological mechanism. Concurrent with cannabinoid accumulation, we noted morphological changes in trichomes, which are widely utilized as markers of maturation within industry. Trichomes transitioned from sparse and translucent to abundant, enlarged, and displaying orange/amber hues as flowers matured, signifying floral maturation and trichome senescence. Importantly, a significant linear correlation emerged between cannabinoid accumulation and trichome morphological changes across all cultivars. This underscores a tight relationship between cannabinoid biosynthesis and trichome development, shaped by genetic factors. In summary, our findings demonstrate the intricate relationship between cannabinoid accumulation and floral morphology in Cannabis. Insights gained are invaluable for cultivar selection, breeding, and cultivation practices aimed at optimizing cannabinoid quantity and time to harvest. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of cannabinoids promises tailored approaches for the optimization of cannabinoid production and the fostering of therapeutic and industrial advancements in Cannabis.

QTL and Transcriptomic Analysis of Fragrance in the Auto-tetraploid Rose Population - Haramrit Gill
Assessing Micropropagation Traits in Anthurium Towards Breeding and Cultivar Development - Jaclyn Nicole Uy
Genotype Comparisons of Anthurium In Vitro Shoot Production in RITA® Bioreactors - Jacob Olarti
Treatment with Oryzalin Induces Chromosomal Changes in Salvia coccinea and Salvia splendens - John Ruter

For centuries, roses have been treasured for their therapeutic, cosmetic, and ornamental qualities. Among its many qualities, flower fragrance holds significant economic value. Over 400 volatile compounds contribute to the complex aroma of roses, with terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and benzenoids playing dominant roles. Among these, geraniol, a monoterpene, contributes notably to the signature scent of rose oil. However, the fragrance of modern roses has gradually diminished as breeders have focused on enhancing other traits like appearance, adaptation, durability, and vase life. To gain a better molecular understanding of specialized metabolic pathways related to floral scent in roses we carried out QTL studies in the SWxBE autotetraploid rose population [Rosa L. ‘ORAfantanov’ (Stormy Weather™) x Rosa L. ‘Radbrite’ (Brite Eyes™)]. Our study suggests that the QTL for the fragrance was identified on chromosome 2 which colocalized with the genes involved with fragrance such as ODO1, EOBIII, and NUDIX. Two rose genotypes from the SWxBE population, ‘16401-N055’ (slightly fragrant) and ‘16089-N051’ (highly fragrant), were used for transcriptomic analysis. Gene expression analysis suggests that the monoterpenoid pathway was highly active in the highly fragrant rose with the NUDIX gene being highly expressed. Thus, NUDIX, a gene involved in geraniol biosynthesis, is a strong candidate gene for the QTL on chromosome 2. This study lays the groundwork for further exploration of the molecular pathways responsible for the scent of roses.

The major bottleneck in anthurium cultivar release is the availability of microprogated plants for field testing. Genotype has been a major consideration for anthurium protocol development. Different genotypes vary in in vitro performance even when using optimized media, therefore assessing proliferative variation under in vitro conditions could help identify cultivars that could introgress tissue culture traits and provide guidelines for future protocol development. The objective of this study is to assess the in vitro performance of different anthurium accessions from the University of Hawaii anthurium breeding program under the RITA® temporary immersion system and to observe how lineage affects in vitro performance. To evaluate shoot initiation/proliferation, 20 accessions of anthurium (parents, interspecific hybrids, complex hybrids, and wild relatives) were placed in RITA® supplemented with a liquid medium containing 0.3X MS salts with 0.2 mg/L BA, 15% coconut water and 20 g/L sucrose. Primary shoots were excised after 45 days to allow axillary buds to develop into secondary shoots. Bud masses (trimmed explant bases) were placed on a solid medium containing ½ MS salts with 15% coconut water, 20 g/L sucrose and 2g/L gellan gum to observe shoot proliferation and growth. Parameters were analyzed using mixed models with time block as random effects and accessions as fixed effects. Previously identified check cultivars (‘Marian Seefurth’ and ‘New Pahoa Red’) were used as controls in this study. Significant differences among the genotypes were observed in terms of the number of primary shoots, the number of secondary shoots, total axillary bud mass volume (cm3), number of explants with shoot, and number of explants with roots. Three selections and an accession were identified to have potential use for breeding. UH2053, UH2409, UH2327 and ‘New Pahoa Red’ showed superior or comparable number of primary and secondary shoots, explant volume, and rooting compared to the check cultivars. These lines will be considered as parents in future crosses for cultivar development. Cluster analysis was also performed and was cross-referenced to existing pedigree and breeding records. Our analysis revealed five clusters which indicate that that parentage influenced in vitro shoot production particularly in lines with Anthurium andraeanum, A. amnicola, A. formosum and A. kamemotoanum in their background. Pedigree and breeding records are valuable resources for predicting response profiles of anthurium in vitro performance.

Anthuriums are Hawaii’s top cut flower with its sales valued at USD1.6 M in 2022. It is an important floriculture crop as it is both used as cut flower and foliage. Development of new genotypes allows the growers in Hawaii to produce new cultivars desired by the market. The University of Hawaii anthurium breeding program has identified new selections to field test with commercial growers. In order to do so, the breeding program propagates these selections to send to growers. Recently the use of bioreactors, such as RITA® on ‘New Pahoa Red’, resulted in three times more shoot production than in traditional flasks placed on a platform shaker. Shoot and root production and axillary bud mass volume of three new selections, UH2647, UH2651, and UH2652, were compared against the control ‘New Pahoa Red’. Ten nodes of each genotype were placed in a RITA® bioreactor, and replicated five times in a completely randomized design. Nodes were cultured in liquid medium consisting of 0.3MS, 0.1 mg l-1 BA, 15% coconut water, 20 g l-1 sucrose, and 1 ml l-1 NaSiO3. The plants were cultured in the bioreactors for 1.5 months, and then removed to obtain the number of shoots, roots, and axillary bud mass volume. Primary shoots were excised and transferred to 0.3 MS, 15% coconut water, 20 g l-1 sucrose, and solidified with 6 g l-1 Gelzan® to promote axillary bud growth and shoot development. The pH for all media was adjusted to 5.8. One month later, shoots (~0.5 cm in height) were excised from the axillary bud masses. Shoot counts excised after initial culture in the liquid medium and after placement in the shoot development solid medium were analyzed using one-way ANOVA on R studio. Axillary bud mass volume and root number were analyzed. UH2647 significantly produced more shoots than UH2652 and ‘New Pahoa Red’, while UH2651 was not different from any genotype. UH2647 also had the highest average axillary bud mass volume. UH2651 and UH2652 produced significantly more roots than the control. Knowing the genotypic differences in shoot production will assist propagation facilities in developing guidelines to schedule production of individual genotypes.

Salvia coccinea (diploid) and Salvia splendens (tetraploid) and their associated cultivars are widely available, commercially profitable, and environmentally supportive flowering annuals. In recent years, exciting cultivars have been successfully introduced. This investigation explores further development of S. coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Lavender’, S. coccinea ‘Hummingbird Forest Fire’, and S. splendens ‘Mojave Red and White Bicolor’ through treatments by oryzalin for the potential development of novel cultivars. Surflan™ or oryzalin (4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrobenzenesulfonamide) and the nonionic surfactant SilEnergy™ were applied as a foliar spray for one, two, three, and six days to induce changes in chromosome numbers. Data collected included morphological observations, measurements of foliage and flowers, flower numbers, and ploidy analysis via a CytoFLEX™ flow cytometer. Ploidy changes were achieved in seedlings across all the treatment groups. Novel traits were identified, ranging from smaller overall growth habits and foliage, larger and increased numbers of flowers, and new floral pigmentation while maintaining vigor and potential for container production. Optimization of treatments will be discussed. The findings of this research have practical implications for plant breeders, landscape designers and architects, horticulturists, and environmental researchers as the market continues to demand drought-tolerant, low-growing, long-flowering, and pollinator-attracting plants.

Competition participants must bring your poster pdf on a thumb drive or the physical poster to your assigned room. You will be lined up to present to the judges in order of arrival. You will enter the room one at a time.

Students will be given 5 minutes to make a presentation to the judges, followed by a 2 minute period of questions and answers.

This competition is open to graduate students that have a poster presentation scheduled during the ASHS conference AND have also signed up to participate in this competition (Note: This is separate of the assigned time to present your abstract during the conference program).

Please note that if you do not also present your poster during the regularly scheduled Poster session, you will be disqualified from the Poster Competition.