Anther culture is a relatively easy and high-efficiency technique; however, low efficiency in plant regeneration may restrict its use in crop breeding. Activated charcoal is often used in in vitro culture, and it may ameliorate or hinder in vitro growth depending on genotype and tissue used. Pepper is one of the main vegetable crops of the Solanaceae family, but some pepper genotypes are known to be recalcitrant to androgenesis and formation of haploid regenerants. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore the effect of activated charcoal on response to androgenesis in pepper genotypes. The plant material included 34 Long Green (LG), 13 Bell pepper (BP), 13 Charleston (Ch), 6 California Wonder (CW), and 23 Capia (CP) advanced breeding lines. Initially, anthers were cultured in a medium with activated charcoal (WAC) for 25, 35, or 45 d, and then they were transferred to the same medium without activated charcoal (NAC). In the WAC medium, 15 lines of LG genotype showed the highest recalcitrance while many lines of CW had the lowest recalcitrance to androgenesis; however, after transferring the 35-d-old anthers to a NAC medium, the androgenesis was observed in recalcitrant LG lines. The results indicated that transferring the cultured anthers from WAC medium, ideally after 35 d, to a NAC medium overcame the recalcitrance to androgenesis in pepper.

Despite the fact that damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill. var. trigintipetala Dieck) is an economically important aromatic plant, its growth and development has been severely suppressed by salt stress. Reports show that moringa leaf extract (MLE) or salicylic acid (SA) are involved in salt-stress tolerance. Nevertheless, scarce information is available about MLE or SA impacts on aromatic plants, especially damask rose under salinity. This investigation was, therefore, conducted to investigate the effects of MLE and (or) SA on salt-stress mitigation in damask rose. Rose plants were treated with 200 mmol·L⁻¹ sodium chloride, and foliar applied with MLE at 1:30 (v:v) and (or) 0.2 mmol·L⁻¹ SA. Foliar spraying with MLE and (or) SA enhanced the growth attributes, chlorophyll content, relative water content, proline content, and membrane stability index under salinity. Less accumulation of malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ was also observed when MLE and (or) SA were applied. Furthermore, MLE and (or) SA applications considerably increased the radical scavenging activity, total phenols, and antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase and superoxide dismutase) under stress. The mitigative effect of MLE or SA was more pronounced when they were applied in combination. Collectively, MLE and (or) SA had efficient antioxidant defense system that scavenged reactive oxygen species, and thus afforded considerable protection against salt-induced oxidative damage.

Pollination and pest control are important in many agroecosystems. Beneficial insects that provide these services (e.g., bees and natural enemies) often require floral resources beyond crop bloom. Planting floral resources along crop field margins may be a useful tactic to support communities of beneficial insects in agroecosystems. We examined the effect of planting buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) along lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) field margins on beneficial insect abundance and generic richness. We found that bee abundance was higher in buckwheat transects than control transects in 2014 and 2015, but not 2016, and that bee generic richness was higher in buckwheat transects than in control transects in 2015 only. High variability occurred across years. All bee genera recorded during blueberry bloom were also collected in buckwheat transects, suggesting buckwheat is a useful resource for the bee community involved in blueberry pollination. The effect of buckwheat on natural enemies was variable and inconsistent. We conclude that buckwheat influenced bee and natural enemy communities during certain years, but field edges in the lowbush blueberry fields studied may already adequately support beneficial insects. Thus, not all habitat management efforts with augmentative floral plantings may consistently boost communities of beneficial insects.

Narrow-leaved goldenrod is a common creeping herbaceous perennial weed in lowbush blueberry that is difficult to manage due to limited control from pre-emergence hexazinone applications and incomplete control from post-emergence mesotrione applications. The objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate a range of summer and fall non-bearing year acetolactate synthase/ acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS/AHAS) – inhibiting herbicide spot applications for narrow-leaved goldenrod control, and (2) evaluate broadcast applications of mesotrione applied alone or in tank mixture with foramsulfuron, nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron, flazasulfuron, and clopyralid for crop tolerance and management of narrow-leaved goldenrod in lowbush blueberry. Summer non-bearing year spot applications of glyphosate and flazasulfuron caused >90% visual injury to narrow-leaved goldenrod and reduced both non-bearing and bearing year shoot density. Spot applications of tribenuron methyl, foramsulfuron, nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron, halosulfuron, and pyroxsulam caused variable injury and did not consistently reduce narrow-leaved goldenrod shoot density. Results were similar in the fall non-bearing year experiment and they indicate that flazasulfuron could be used as an alternative to glyphosate for spot applications to narrow-leaved goldenrod due to lower crop injury from this herbicide relative to glyphosate. Broadcast mesotrione applications injured narrow-leaved goldenrod but did not reduce shoot density. Broadcast foramsulfuron, nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron, and clopyralid applications caused <60% narrow-leaved goldenrod injury and did not reduce shoot density. Tank mixture of these herbicides with mesotrione did not improve narrow-leaved goldenrod control. Broadcast flazasulfuron applications caused >60% visual injury to narrow-leaved goldenrod and reduced non-bearing year and bearing year shoot density. Flazasulfuron efficacy was reduced when applied in tank mixture with mesotrione.

Glyphosate-resistant kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott], the first known glyphosate-resistant weed in western Canada, was confirmed initially in chemical fallow fields located in Warner County, AB, in 2011. Further selection, lack of control, and rampant spread of this biotype contributed to its increased incidence, now present in about 50% of kochia populations sampled in Alberta. In 2014 and 2015, herbicide mixtures were evaluated based on control of glyphosate-resistant and susceptible kochia in chemical fallow fields near Lethbridge and Coalhurst, AB. The most consistent control (≥80% visual control in all environments with ≥80% biomass reduction in 2014) was observed with glyphosate + dicamba (450 + 580 g a.e.·ha^?1), glyphosate + dicamba/diflufenzopyr (450 + 150/50 g a.i./a.e.·ha^?1), glyphosate + saflufenacil (450 + 50 g a.i./a.e.·ha^?1), and glyphosate + carfentrazone + sulfentrazone (450 + 9 + 105 g a.i./a.e.·ha^?1). Reduced efficacy was observed for several herbicide mixtures when they were applied to glyphosate-resistant compared with glyphosate-susceptible kochia accessions. Effective modes of action mixed with glyphosate include synthetic auxins (group 4), a combination of a synthetic auxin and an auxin transport inhibitor (group 19), or protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors (group 14). In response to glyphosate-resistant kochia, many farmers in this region shifted their herbicide programs resulting in greater reliance on synthetic auxins; likely contributing to the recent discovery of auxinic herbicide-resistant kochia biotypes in Alberta in 2017. Careful herbicide stewardship is warranted to mitigate further selection of multiple herbicide-resistant kochia, suggesting an important role for integrated weed management.

Red sorrel is a common creeping herbaceous, perennial weed species in lowbush blueberry fields and reproduces asexually via ramets from creeping roots. Ramets emerge throughout the season but remain vegetative due to a vernalisation requirement for flowering. This weed may therefore be managed with fall herbicide applications, but few currently registered herbicides have been evaluated for fall red sorrel management in lowbush blueberry. The objectives of this research were to (i) determine the effect of various herbicide treatments on red sorrel shoot and root biomass in the greenhouse, (ii) determine the effect of fall bearing year herbicide applications on overwintered red sorrel ramet density in the field, (iii) determine if reduced overwintered ramet density reduces flowering ramet density in the field, and (iv) estimate the potential for red sorrel to recover from fall bearing year herbicide applications. Dicamba, tribenuron-methyl, and glufosinate reduced red sorrel shoot and root biomass in the greenhouse and reduced overwintered ramet density in the field. Clopyralid, sulfentrazone, and flumioxazin reduced shoot and root biomass in the greenhouse but exhibited limited efficacy in the field. Nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron and glyphosate were ineffective in both the greenhouse and field. Dichlobenil and pronamide reduced overwintered ramet density in the field. Reduction of overwintered ramet density did not consistently reduce flowering ramet density. Dichlobenil reduced seedling density at two sites, but no herbicide consistently reduced summer non-bearing year ramet density. Fall herbicide applications alone, therefore, do not appear to maintain red sorrel suppression in lowbush blueberry fields.

Sole-source light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are alternatives to fluorescent tubes and high intensity discharge lamps that are routinely used for indoor cultivation of horticultural commodities, including microgreens. This study examined the effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from LEDs on phytochemical profiles of organically grown kale, cabbage, arugula, and mustard microgreens, and their association with growth and morphological attributes. LEDs were used to deliver a 15% blue light and 85% red light mixture to microgreens at varying PPFDs between 100 and 600 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. For all microgreens, increased concentrations of ascorbate (total and reduced) and total anthocyanin were proportional to PPFD. Total phenolic concentrations were elevated in all four microgreens at high PPFDs, whereas chlorophyll concentrations declined in arugula, cabbage, and mustard. A principal component analysis revealed anthocyanins and phenolics were associated with ascorbate levels in all microgreens, but not with chlorophylls or carotenoids. At high PPFDs photosynthetic pigment levels were negatively associated with fresh and dry weight to varying degrees. Anthocyanins, phenolics, and ascorbate were negatively correlated with hypocotyl length and the colour attribute hue angle in all microgreens. These results indicate that microgreen growth and morphology are associated with altered phytochemical profiles during cultivation under sole-source LEDs.

The response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L., ‘Arcadia’) yield to application rates of mussel sediment (MS) from post-harvest washing as source of nitrogen (N) was evaluated in a 2 yr (2011–2012) study in Bouctouche, NB, Canada. Treatments in 2011 included a control (no amendment or fertilizer), three rates of MS (28 000, 42 000, and 56 000 L·ha⁻¹ equivalent to 14.7, 22.0, and 29.4 kg N·ha⁻¹) and an inorganic N fertilizer (135 kg N·ha⁻¹). In 2012, all plots were split, with just half of each plot receiving a repeat treatment application. Fertilizer and MS increased total fresh yields by 115% and 29%, respectively, compared with the control, with no significant differences between MS application rates. Total dry matter yield followed the same order as total fresh yield, but only at P < 0.10 in either years. Marketable yield was not affected by treatments in 2011 or by their residual effect in 2012, while it was greater in fertilizer compared with other treatments after 2 yr repeated application. The greatest head compactness and the lowest yellow-eye were measured in fertilizer treatment in both years, while no differences among MS treatments and the control were observed. The effect of treatments on total dry biomass and its partitioning in the broccoli plant was significant (P < 0.05) in both years. Yield and biomass data revealed that 42 000 L MS·ha⁻¹ application rate plus supplemental N sources can be recommended under the soil and climate conditions of the Canadian Maritimes. The concentration of salts in MS is an application rate limiting factor.

The level of genetic diversity among the available breeding materials determines the potential success of a breeding program. In this study, 92 maize inbred lines were genotyped with 3047 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using a Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP^TM) genotyping protocol. The objectives were to determine the level and pattern of genetic diversity and define potential heterotic groups of maize inbred lines developed by the Agricultural Research Council maize program of South Africa. More than 91% of the SNPs used were polymorphic with a mean polymorphic information content of 0.36. Gene diversity ranged from 0.35 to 0.37, with a mean of 0.36. Cluster analysis revealed the presence of three distinct subpopulations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed low but highly significant (P < 0.0001) variations among populations and high within and among individual variations. Variation among individuals contributed 83% of the total variation, whereas variation within individuals and among populations contributed 14% and 3%, respectively. Low mean population differentiation observed in this study suggested that the inbred lines might be developed from parental genotypes with similar genetic backgrounds. The mean percentage of genetic purity among the inbred lines was 4.8, with more than 79% of the inbred lines exhibiting less than 5% heterozygosity, indicating the inbred lines are fixed. Genotypes in different clusters may be earmarked as belonging to distinct heterotic groups, and their crosses may result in better heterosis. Thus, the findings of this study set the basis for earmarking heterotic groups and parental selection.

Common bacterial blight (CBB), caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), is a serious foliar disease in most of the dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growing regions. A 4 yr study examined the effects of different sources of infection and seed hydration on CBB development, yield components, and yield in seven resistant or susceptible dry bean lines and cultivars. The five agronomic treatments examined included clean seed, diseased seed, hydrated diseased seed, clean seed with a Xap spray, and diseased seed with a Xap spray. Disease development, the yield components, and yield were strongly influenced by weather conditions. In comparison with the diseased-seed treatment, the use of clean (disease-free) seed reduced the incidence of CBB leaf infection in the susceptible dry bean cultivars, but no similar benefit was observed in the resistant lines and cultivars. During the three dry growing seasons, the seed-hydration treatment increased the incidence of CBB leaf infection compared with the diseased-seed treatment for the susceptible cultivars but not for the resistant lines and cultivars. In the wet growing season, no significant difference in the incidence of leaf infection was observed between the hydrated-seed and diseased-seed treatments in any of the cultivars, possibly because the wet soil conditions promoted pathogen development within the bean plants that year. Seed hydration did not improve seed yield in the dry years, but sometimes decreased it under wet conditions. Therefore, seed hydration cannot be recommended for use in the production of dry beans.

Data obtained over three growing years were examined with principal component analysis to study how cherry quality was affected by pre-harvest mineral status in leaves and fruitlets and by orchard growing factors. Higher foliar levels of calcium were correlated with lower levels of pitting and pebbling in stored cherries, however there was no relationship with these disorders and fruitlet calcium content. Temperature and leaf size were associated with pebbling and pitting levels in stored cherries. Leaf and fruitlet mineral content are not the only factors to be considered in understanding fruit quality; environmental effects and management techniques should also be considered.

Moderate levels of zinc (3.50, 1.75 or 0.875 μmol·L^?1 Zn) or copper (0.75, 0.38 or 0.19 μmol·L^?1 Cu), in combination with a complete suite of other essential nutrients, were supplied up to flower bud break only, to two cultivars of subirrigated, potted, pinched chrysanthemums. Market-quality plants were produced with sufficient leaf-zinc or leaf-copper even though the delivery of the respective nutrient could be reduced by 75% compared with an industry standard. These results are interpreted as evidence for improved uptake efficiency with decreasing Zn or Cu delivery. Our modified delivery practice could contribute to low-input production of floricultural crops.

AAC Redstar is an early maturing, high-yielding hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar that is well adapted to the northern Canadian Prairies and eligible for grades of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat. Over 3 yr (2016–2018) of testing in the Parkland Wheat Cooperative registration trials, AAC Redstar was 11% higher yielding than AC Splendor, 6% higher than Parata, and 4% higher than Glenn and Carberry. AAC Redstar matured 3 d earlier than Glenn, 2 d earlier than Carberry, and had similar maturity to Parata. AAC Redstar was shorter than all checks except Carberry and had better lodging resistance compared with all the check cultivars in the registration trial. The test weight and thousand-kernel weight of AAC Redstar were similar to Carberry. The grain protein concentration of AAC Redstar was 0.2% lower than Carberry. AAC Redstar was rated moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight, leaf rust, stripe rust, and common bunt. AAC Redstar had resistant reactions to loose smut and stem rust. AAC Redstar was registered under the CWRS market class.

AAC Asher is a semi-leafless, medium to large seeded, yellow cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) variety developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, AB, Canada. It has high yielding potential, early to medium maturity, and good lodging resistance. AAC Asher has maturity of 94 d and a 1000-seed weight of 257 g. AAC Asher is resistant to powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe pisi DC.), moderately tolerant to Mycosphaerella blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes) and Fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl.). AAC Asher is adapted to all field growing regions in western Canada.

CO476 is an early-medium maturity (76 d to flowering), mostly stiff stalk (BSSS), yellow flint inbred which combines well with a stiff stalk B14-type and Iodent-type testers in many different locations. CO476 possesses moderate resistance to gibberella ear rot both in the inbred and in hybrid combinations. It has intermediate response to common smut, Fusarium stalk rot, northern corn leaf blight, common rust, and Goss’s wilt.

CO475 is an early-medium maturity (75 d to flowering), mostly Iodent, yellow semi-dent inbred that combines well with several testers in many different locations. It has moderate resistance to gibberella ear rot (both the inbred and in hybrid combinations) and intermediate response to smut, Fusarium stalk rot, northern leaf blight, eyespot, rust, and goss’s wilt.