U MI MICROFILMED 1995 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 of 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 bleed through, substandard margim, 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 bade 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. A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 USA 313'761-4700 800.521-0600 ACCELERATED DECLINE OF POTTED CHRYSANTHEMUM ASSOCIATED WITH ELEVATED NITROGEN FERTILIZATION: EVALUATION OF CARBOHYDRATES AND SOLUBLE PROTEINS AS PREDICTORS AND MEDIATORS OF DECLINE DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Stephen A. Carver, B.S., M.S. The Ohio State University 1995 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Michael Knee, Advisor Morris G. Cline Teny J. Logan Advisor Maurice E. Watson Graduate Program in Horticulture UMI Number: 9533942 UMI Microform 9533942 Copyright 1995, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition 1b protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 4B103 To My Wife Sandy, and To Our Two Daughters, Rachel and Stephanie ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Michael Knee for his guidance, insight and patience during this odyssey. I would also like to thank each of the other members of my advisoiy committee: Drs. Morris G. Cline, Terry J. Logan, and Maurice E. Watson, for their advice, suggestions, and for the encouragement that each of them have given me. I am thankful for the frendship and council of Drs. Allen Hammer, Harold Wilkins, and Luther Waters, Jr. To Dr. Robert Joly o f Purdue University, who generously allowed me the use of his computerized pressure bomb, thank you. For the opportunity to begin this degree process, I am indebted to Dr. Harry K. Tayama. I thank Dennis Kirven, Executive Director of the Ohio Florists' Association, for his understanding and for the considerations that he extended to me during the writing of this manuscript. For the financial support and individual and coiporate encouragement of the Ohio Florists' Association and the Ohio Floriculture Foundation throughout this journey, I am deeply obliged. To my wife Sandy, for your love, support, and sacrifice, I am eternally grateful. I also thank our daughters Rachel and Stephanie for their sacrifice and understanding. Finally, I thank the Lord my God for His countless blessings and for the grace and peace that He has given me. VITA February 18, 1953 Bom - Columbus, Ohio 1975 B.S., The Ohio State University, Department of Plant Pathology 1977 M.S., The Ohio State University 1977-1987 Plant pathologist, ChemLawn Services Corporation Diagnostic Lab Columbus, Ohio 1987-1994 Research Associate I / Graduaate Research Associate, The Ohio State University 1994-Present Membership/Technical Education Coordinator, the Ohio Florists' Association PUBLICATIONS Sirag-Ali, Y.S., H.K. Tayama, T.L. Prince, and S.A. Carver. 1990. Identification of developmental phases in poinsettia. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 115:729-731. Tayama, H.K., and S.A. Carver. 1990. Zonal geranium growth and flowering response to six chemical growth regulators. HortScience 25:82-83. Sirag-Ali, Y.S., H.K. Tayama, T.L. Prince, and S.A. Carver. 1990, The relationship between maturity level and splitting in poinsettia. HortScience 25:1616-1618, Tayama, H.K., and S.A. Carver. 1992. Comparison of resin-coated and soluble fertilizer formulations in the production o f zonal geranium, potted chrysanthemum, and poinsettia. HortTechnoIogy 2:476-479. Carver, S.A. and H.K. Tayama. 1992. Stock plant lateral node number influences splitting o f‘Eckespoint Lilo’ poinsettia. HortTechnoIogy 2:206-207 Tayama, H.K., and S.A. Carver. 1992. Concentration response of zonal geranium and potted chrysanthemum to uniconazole. HortScience 27:126-128 Tayama, H.K., and S.A. Carver. 1992. Residual efficacy of uniconazole and daminozide on potted 'Bright Golden Anne’ chrysanthemum. HortScience 27:124-125. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Horticulture Chemical growth regulator efficacy on poinsettia, chrysanthemum, geranium, and bedding plants. Dr. H.K. Tayama, The Ohio State University. Production of geraniums, poinscttias, and chrysanthemums using controlled release fertilizers, Dr. H.K. Tayama, The Ohio State University. Analysis of chrysanthemum chlorophyll, carbohydrate, and soluble protein levels at harvest and during postproduction, Dr. M. Knee, The Ohio State University. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................. iii V ITA ................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................. viii LIST OF FIGURES................. xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS........................................................................... xiv INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. I CHAPTER PAGE I. CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILIZERS AND POSTPRODUCTION LONGEVITY IN A FLOOD AND EBB SYSTEM............................................................................................. 7 Materials and Methods .......................................................... 13 Results.................................................................................... 16 Discussion .............................................................................. 20 II. DECLINE VS. SENSCENCE IN WELL FERTILIZED CHRYSANTHEMUMS..................................................................... 33 Materials and Methods ................................................ 34 Results.................................................................................... 37 Discussion .............................................................................. 44 HI. FOLIAR CARBOHYDRATE LEVELS AS INDICATORS OF POSTPRODICTION LONGEVITY........................................................ 46 Materials and Methods .................. 49 Results.................................................................................... 52 Discussion .............................................................................. 55 IV. EVALUATION OF ROOT CARBOHYDRATE LEVELS AND ROOT FUNCTION AS A MECHANISM OF ACCELERATED DECLINE IN WELL FERTILIZED CHRYSANTHEMUMS .... 61 Materials and Methods .......................................................... 62 Results.................................................................................... 65 Discussion .............................................................................. 79 GENERAL DISCUSSION................................................................................ 81 ABSTRACT........................................................................................................ 88 APPENDICES, ADDITIONAL DATA............................................................ 90 LIST OF REFERENCES........................................................................................ 104 vii LIST OF TABLES PAGE TABLE 1. Expl. ‘Bright Golden Anne* growth responses to controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). No water soluble fertilizer at beginning of production. 21 2. Expl. ‘Bright Golden Anne' growth responses to controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Water soluble fertilizer used at beginning of production 22 3. Exp2. ‘Spirit’ growth responses to controlled-release fertilizer (CRF).. 25 4. Exp2. ‘Iridon’ growth responses to controlled-release fertilizer(CRF).. 26 5. Exp3. 'Spirit* growth responses to controlled-release fertilizer (CRF).. 30 6. Exp4. 'Spirit' growth responses to Osmocote 14-14-14 at two rates and to Peter's 20-10-20 Peatlite ....................................................................... 38 7. Exp4. Coefficient of Determination (r3) between postproduction flower longevity and ............................................................................................... 40 8. Exp5. 'Spirit' growth responses at moderate and high levels of nitrogen fertility ........................................................................................ 43 9. Exp6. Impact of fertilizer regimes