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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Kathryne L. Everts and Jeffrey J. Fuhrmann, Dept. of Plant and Soil Science. Includes bibliographical references.

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Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, 1994. / Spine title: The pumpkin industry in Tonga.

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Dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that live by tapping into the vascular tissue of a host plant. Contents of the host phloem translocate readily into the parasite, and shared plasmodesmata have been documented between host cortical cells and dodder searching hyphae. Dodder is known to transmit viruses from one host to another, which is consistent with viral ability to traverse plasmodesmata (PD) with the aid of movement proteins (MPs). Plant endogenous mRNAs may also associate with specific proteins to pass through PD and traffic long distances in the phloem, a process that appears to play a role in coordination of development. We have evaluated the hypothesis that dodder is able to accumulate host phloem-mobile mRNAs by assaying lespedeza dodder (C. pentagona) for the presence of host transcripts. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and tomato microarrays were used to probe RNA from dodder parasitizing tomato. Transcripts from four tomato genes were detected in dodder grown on tomato, but were not detected in control dodder grown on other hosts. Notable among these was LeGAI, a transcript previously shown to be phloem translocated. In addition, RT-PCR of RNA from dodder grown on pumpkin detected three mobile pumpkin mRNAs (CmNACP, CmSUTP1, and CmWRKYP). These results imply the existence of an extraordinary situation in which mobile mRNAs move from one plant into another, and raise questions about the role of this phenomenon in plant development and parasite pathogenicity. / Master of Science

Agricultural industries play a key role in promoting the economic prosperity and growth of Tongan society. Agricultural exports, such as the pumpkin industry, receive foreign exchange to pay for the imports. This project aims to develop an understanding of the problems involved in exporting pumpkins from Tonga to the Japanese rice market. It also aims, as an action research project, to increase the understanding of the problem owners in order to improve the operation of the industry. The inquiry explores the perceived problems and concerns of all parties involved in the development of the industry including the exporters, farmers, government departments and the Tongan Development Bank as well as the Japanese pumpkin importers. The study used a systems approach, utilising action research methodology as an entry point to conduct a collaborative inquiry. A market analysis of the niche market of the pumpkin industry was carried out.The following have been identified as the most important factors in the development of the industry. (1) It was found that low quality standard of pumpkin exports has been the main concern as it hinders the development of the niche market. (2) Insufficient government support services have also contributed to the low quality standard. Partly as a result of the action research project a strategic plan for the industry was developed and this has already led to changes in industry practices. / Master of Science (Hons)