2006-07 Deliverables
Task 5 Research
Principal Investigator(s): Raul I. Cabrera
We mutually agree for Raul I. Cabrera to deliver the following during the period of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, using funds from the Rio Grande Basin Initiative:
- Evaluate the effect of water quality and fertilization practices on the development of the physiological disorders of petal blackening and foliage chlorosis in rose crops. Controlled greenhouse experiments involving a recirculating hydroponic system will be used to reproduce these disorders and then evaluate fertilization and cultural practices to control or minimize them.
- Continue evaluating the effect of the companion cations (counter-cations) on the tolerance of plants exposed to relatively high Cl-based. Once again, the objective is to generate information that will allow growers to select the appropriate nutrient solutions and ratios that will help them optimize or maximize yields under elevated Cl-dominated salinity.
- Evaluate the salinity tolerance of selected herbaceous perennial crops. Despite their tremendous popularity and economic impact to the green industry (nursery, greenhouse, landscape), there is relatively little information about the best cultural practices, water/nutrient requirements and tolerance to water-related stresses (drought, salinity) of these crops. This study will evaluate the salt tolerance of economically important herbaceous perennials and provide recommendations and cultural practices that help sustain growth and quality when subjected to this stress.
- From these studies we expect to generate at least four publications. More importantly, several reports and presentations at local and national (Extension) grower meetings are already planned (New Mexico, Texas, California, Maryland), as well as presentations in national and international horticulture conferences. Furthermore a graduate (PhD) student working in these projects is expected to finish her dissertation and graduate in the fall of 2006.