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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type o f computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zed) Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 CULTURAL METHODS OF MANIPULATING PLANT GROWTH DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Gary R. Bachman, B.S., M.S. ***** The Ohio State University 1998 Dr. Michael Knee, Co-Advisor Approved by Dr. Margaret McMahon, Co-Advisor Dr. Jim Metzger Dr. Michael Evans Advisor Graduate Program in Horticulture UMI Number: 9833945 UMI Microform 9833945 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeh Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ABSTRACT Spectral filters removing the far-red (-FR) portion of the light spectrum or using reverse day/night temperatures (-DIF) are non-chemical growth control methods that inhibit plant intemode elongation and are hypothesized to have a similar mode of action. Growth reductions of Lilium longiflorum ‘Nellie White’ grown under spectral filters were similar to those reported for L. longiflorum ‘Nellie White’ grown under -DIF conditions. Direct comparisons of the techniques using Petunia hybrida ‘Celebrity White’ were made. Far-red deficient and -DDF grown plants had intemodes that were 35% and 23 % shorter than controls, respectively. Epidermal, cortical, and pith cell lengths were less in -FR and -DIF grown plants than in controls. Chlorophyll content increased in -FR grown plants and decreased in -DIF grown plants. Spectral filters and -DIF affected intemode elongation primarily by cell elongation though this result is through different environmental signals. The horticulture industry has interest in agricultural wastes processed by earthworms as media components. Vermicompost is the excrement of the worm. Vermicompost has been shown to, when added to soils, promote the growth of a variety of plant species. Objective of this research was to determine benefits to floriculture crops grown in soilless media amended with vermicompost. Seedling growth of french marigold, tomato, green pepper, and bachelor button were positively influenced by addition of vermicompost (10-20% v/v) to the growing medium. Dry shoot weight and leaf area increased up to 40% in media amended with 10%VC compared to controls. Sterilization of vermicompost negated any growth increases. Standard fertilization practices failed to restore growth equal to that of non-sterilized vermicompost suggesting that microorganisms may be responsible for growth increases. Addition of vermicompost to potting media may have further economic benefits. There was a 29% reduction in space/time utilization for plug production. Fertilization could eliminated from plug production due to nutrients provided by the vermicompost. Ill Dedicated to my wife and children IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank the members of my advisory committee for guiding me to the correct path to complete my degree. I also thank Dr. Peg McMahon for being a friend and convincing me to make the decision to come to Ohio State. I think we both learned a great deal during our mentor- student relationship. This degree was not just the labor of an individual. The willingness of the technical and support staff of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science to help whenever and wherever the need arose will always be remembered. I especially thank the Ohio Floriculture Foundation and for providing their financial support. Without such generous organizations myself and others would not be able to devote the time necessary to pursue advanced degrees. VITA April 10, 1955 ................................ Bom - Detroit, MI 1991 ............................................... B.S. Horticulture, Clemson University 199 3 ............................................... M.S. Horticulture, Clemson University 1994 - present ................................. Graduate Teaching and Research Associate, The Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS Research Publication 1. Young, Roy E. and Gary R. Bachman. 1996. Temperature distribution in large, pot-in-pot nursery containers. J. Environ. Hort. 14(4): 170-176. 2. Bachman, Gary R. and Margaret J. McMahon. 1995. Effects of spectral filters on growth of Easter Lily. Plant Growth Reg. Soc. Amer. 22:344-347. 3. Bachman, Gary R., and Ted Whitwell. 1995. Nursery production of Uniola paniculata (Southern seaoats). HortTech 5(4):295-298. 4. Bachman, G.R. and W.B. Miller. 1995. Iron chelate inducible iron/manganese toxicity in zonal geranium. J. Plant Nutr. 18(9): 1917-1929. 5. Bachman, Gary, Chris Wilson, and Ted Whitwell. 1995. Tolerance of containerized landscape plants to the postemergence herbicides Stinger, Manage and Basagran. J. Environ. Hort. 13(3): 129-132. 6. Bachman, G.R. and M.C. Halbrooks. 1994. Multiple applications of FeDTPA or DTPA on micronutrient extraction and potential availability from peat-based medium. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 25(19&20):3103-3113. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Horticulture VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ................................................................................................................... ii Dedication ............................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ................................................................................................... v V ita........................................................................................................................... vi List of Tab les .......................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ...................................................................................................... xvii Chapters 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 1.1.1 Objectives ........................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Effects of Light on Plant Growth - Photomorphogenesis . 2 1.1.3 Effects of Temperature on Plant Growth ................................... 7 1.1.4 Thermomorphogenesis ................................................................ 7 1.1.4 Effects of Gibberellins on Plant Growth .................................... 9 1.1.5 Relationship of Photo-and Thermomorphogenesis to Gibberellins ................................................................................ 11 1.2 Greenhouse Plant Growth Media ...................................................... 13 1.2.1 Objectives ................................................................................. 15 1.2.2 Composting ............................................................................... 16 VII 1.2.2.a Microorganisms Associated with Composting .. 18 1.2.2.b Humic Materials .................................................... 19 1.2.3 Vermicomposting ....................................................................... 20 1.2.3.a Earthworm Species Used in Vermicomposting . 20 1.2.3.b Organic Matter Breakdown by Earthworms 22 1.2.3.C Microorganisms Associated with Vermicomposting ................................................. 23 1.2.3.d Wastes Suitable for Vermicomposting .................. 24 1.2.3.C Commercial-Scale Vermicomposting ................... 25 1.2.4 Vermicompost and Soilless Media Properties ......................... 26 1.2.4.a Physical Properties of Soilless Media .... 26 1.2.5 Vermicompost and Plant Growth .............................................. 30 1.2.6 Vermicompost and Mineral Nutrition ....................................... 33 1.2.6.a Nutrient Cycling .................................................... 34 1.2.6.b Nitrogen ................................................................. 34 1.2.6.C Phosphorus ............................................................ 35 1.2.6.d Other Macronutrients ............................................ 37 1.2.7 Vermicompost and Plant Hormone-like Activity .................... 38 2 Control of Stem Elongation of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. ‘Nellie White’