PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Studies give growers tools to bring new tropical plant to Indiana

Studies give growers tools to bring new tropical plant to Indiana
2011-04-02
(Press-News.org) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University researchers have developed a set of propagation and production protocols that will help Indiana greenhouse growers bring a tropical plant into flower for spring sales.

Roberto G. Lopez, an assistant professor of horticulture, and Arianna P. Torres, a doctoral student in agricultural economics and a former graduate student under Lopez, determined the optimal light intensity, temperature and photoperiod for Tecoma stans, a flowering shrub with yellow, trumpetlike flowers. Their findings, based on seeds and seedlings grown under varying light and temperature conditions, were published in two papers in the journal HortScience.

"We wanted to introduce a new flowering patio or bedding plant to Indiana, and we believe that because of its exotic physical attributes, there is a market here," Torres said.

Not surprising since it is native to Central and South America, Tecoma stans needs a lot of light and warmth. But the plant's need for 14 or more hours of light per day to flower, also called photoperiod, did surprise the researchers.

"Since it grows near the equator, we didn't expect it to need long days to flower," Lopez said. "It's an energy-intensive crop because it needs supplemental light and warm temperatures, but it can be a profitable crop for growers."

Lopez and Torres also noted that Tecoma stans was not a target of most pests found in Indiana. It also is drought-tolerant.

Tecoma stans is a perennial in its native environment but will not survive Indiana winters. However, it potentially can be overwintered indoors. Lopez said it's likely an annual in Indiana that could be potted or planted in a flowerbed for one season.

Lopez and Torres will develop a Purdue Extension bulletin that will give greenhouse growers detailed specifications needed to grow and induce Tecoma stans into flower.



INFORMATION:

The Purdue College of Agriculture Agricultural Research Program assistantship and the Ball Horticulture Company funded the research.

Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-496-2050, bwallhei@purdue.edu

Sources: Roberto Lopez, 765-496-3425, rglopez@purdue.edu Ariana Torres, 765-430-7585, torres2@purdue.edu

PHOTO CAPTION:

Roberto Lopez and Ariana Torres developed production protocols for Tecoma stans, a tropical flowering shrub. (Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell)

A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/2011/lopez-tropical.jpg

[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Studies give growers tools to bring new tropical plant to Indiana

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

The Gab Group Announces: Book Tour Launch For New Children's Book 'Wacky Jacky,' By Celebrity Author Jaclyn Stapp

2011-04-02
Jaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp, accomplished philanthropist, model, mentor, and spokesperson, kicks off the book tour for her first children's book, Wacky Jacky: The Story of An Unlikely Beauty Queen. Making appearances at multiple kid-friendly venues and book stores across the state, Jaclyn will participate in a live reading, book signing and princess-inspired "play time" over the coming months. By creating this book, she hopes to raise awareness of childhood bullying and teach children how they can look within to find the solution. Wacky Jacky is currently available on http://www.WackyJackyBooks.com ...

Imagination receives Gold World Excellence Award from Ford

2011-04-02
Ford Motor Company recognised its 47 top performing global partners of 2010 with the World Excellence Awards, the company's highest recognition for its suppliers across the globe. Global communications agency Imagination was among a group of only 15 who received the prestigious Gold Award this month, which recognises the very highest levels of quality, delivery and cost performance. "We made tremendous progress on the One Ford plan in 2010 and the partnership with our suppliers was absolutely critical in making that happen," said Alan Mulally, Ford president and ...

Biological molecules select their spin

2011-04-02
Do the principles of quantum mechanics apply to biological systems? Until now, says Prof. Ron Naaman of the Institute's Chemical Physics Department (Faculty of Chemistry), both biologists and physicists have considered quantum systems and biological molecules to be like apples and oranges. But research he conducted together with scientists in Germany, which appeared recently in Science, definitively shows that a biological molecule – DNA – can discern between quantum states known as spin. Quantum phenomena, it is generally agreed, take place in extremely tiny systems ...

Scientists call for more robust measures to identify and protect endangered species

2011-04-02
Conservationists may need to change their approach to protecting animals and plants from extinction if they are to successfully shield key species and habitats from the effects of global climate change, according to a new review in the journal Science. Scientists and conservation organisations currently work out a species' extinction risk by determining how likely it is that climate change will make its habitat unsuitable. They then focus their efforts on protecting species whose location is threatened by changing temperature and rainfall. However, these are not always ...

Screening does not reduce prostate cancer deaths

2011-04-02
Screening does not significantly reduce prostate cancer deaths, but the risk of overdetection and overtreatment is considerable, concludes a 20-year study published on bmj.com today. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. Screening is widely used in many countries, but remains controversial because experts can't agree whether the benefits outweigh the potential harms and costs of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of healthy men. Today's findings are based on a trial started in Sweden in 1987 involving 9,026 men aged 50-69 years identified ...

Bluegreen Resorts Ideal for See the World in Branson

2011-04-02
Bluegreen Corporation a leading provider of Colorful Places to Live and Play, today announced its resorts are the ideal place for guests attending the See the World in Branson events. Multiple Bluegreen resorts are convenient to this event, occurring this spring from April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011. Visitors to the Branson area will love taking advantage of all these resorts have to offer, while also checking out the variety of events going on especially for See the World in Branson. Bluegreen offers numerous places to stay, close to all the action at See the World in ...

Rapid City Hospitality Industry Harnesses the Power of Disney

2011-04-02
A taste of Disney magic is coming to Rapid City. Although Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck will remain in Orlando, Doug Lipp, former head of training at Disney's Corporate Headquarters, will help members of the local visitor industry discover Disney's secrets to customer service. Lipp will give a behind-the-scenes view of how the Walt Disney Company became a leader in customer service, sharing examples of Disney's successes and how they overcame customer service challenges. Attendees will leave the session with skills they can use to become leaders in their industry. "We ...

MONSTERS Unlimited Offers MiX'Em App as Free Download for a Limited Time

2011-04-02
MONSTERS Unlimited announces their acclaimed family gaming app "MiX'Em" will be available as a free download in the iTunes App Store beginning April 1. The free promotion will run for a limited time before the app returns to regular price. "We wanted to give everyone - parents, kids and casual gamers - the chance to enjoy MiX'Em free of charge," said game designer Patrick Jebber. "Our goal is to get the game in the hands of as many families as possible, especially all the new iPad 2 and Verizon iPhone buyers who are just starting to explore the App Store." The MiX'Em ...

Affinity Properties Supports Ban the Bags

2011-04-02
Paper or Plastic? That familiar grocery store question has once and for all be settled in Austin. Nationwide consumer markets are being tested for the expulsion of plastic bags from communities and the environment with some of the leading grocery and drug store chains eliminating the option for non-biodegradable containers. In addition to being a hazard to wildlife, plastic bags are made from petroleum, thus furthering our dependency on foreign oil. With an estimated one trillion plastic bags consumed worldwide, positive initiatives have to start somewhere, and the city ...

Milestone Group Selects Aspectus PR to Handle Global Communications

2011-04-02
Aspectus PR, the leading business, energy and financial technology PR agency, today announced that it has been appointed by Milestone Group, adding to its strong financial technology practice. Milestone Group supplies highly-specialised software solutions for fund managers, custodians and life and pensions companies across Europe, the US and Australasia. The win underlines Aspectus PR's position as a leading provider of financial technology PR, and reflects its ongoing expansion in this market. "We look forward to kick-starting our global PR campaign with Aspectus PR," ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Scripps Research scientists unlock new patterns of protein behavior in cell membranes

Panama Canal may face frequent extreme water lows in coming decades

Flash Joule heating lights up lithium extraction from ores

COMBINEDBrain and MUSC announce partnership to establish biorepository for pediatric cerebrospinal fluid and CNS tissue bank

Questionable lead reporting for drinking water virtually vanished after Flint water crisis, study reveals

Assessing overconfidence among national security officials

Bridging two frontiers: Mitochondria & microbiota, Targeting Extracellular Vesicles 2025 to explore game-changing pathways in medicine

New imaging tech promises to help doctors better diagnose and treat skin cancers

Once dominant, US agricultural exports falter amid trade disputes and rising competition

Biochar from invasive weed shields rice from toxic nanoplastics and heavy metals

Rice University announces second cohort of Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows

Soil bacteria and minerals form a natural “battery” that breaks down antibiotics in the dark

Jamestown colonists brought donkeys, not just horses, to North America, old bones reveal

FIU cybersecurity researchers develop midflight defense against drone hijacking

Kennesaw State researcher aims to discover how ideas spread in the digital age

Next-generation perovskite solar cells are closer to commercial use

Sleep patterns linked to variation in health, cognition, lifestyle, and brain organization

University of Oklahoma researcher awarded funding to bridge gap between molecular data and tissue architecture

Nationally-recognized pathologist Paul N. Staats, MD, named Chair of Pathology at University of Maryland School of Medicine

The world’s snow leopards are very similar genetically. That doesn’t bode well for their future

Researchers find key to stopping deadly infection

Leafcutter ants have blind spots, just like truck drivers

Tayac receives funding for community engagement project

Parker receives funding for Elementary Education Program Professional Development School (PDS)

Physicists uncork a message in a bottle from another star

Sanders receives funding for project aimed at enabling prostheses for children with lower extremity amputation

Engineers develop solid lubricant to replace toxic materials in farming

Repurposing gemstone polishing waste to create smart cement

Patient-physician messaging by race, ethnicity, insurance type, and preferred language

Unrecognized motor difficulties and developmental coordination disorder in preschool children

[Press-News.org] Studies give growers tools to bring new tropical plant to Indiana