Nitrogen (N) status of vegetable crops is often monitored by analysis of dried plant tissues. However, dry tissue analysis often causes a significant delay between sampling and analysis. This study was conducted to examine the accuracy of a portable nitrate meter for determining petiole sap nitrate (NO₃) concentrations in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Italica group cv. Claudia) and cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea L. Botrytis group, cv. 'Candid Charm'). The relationship between NO₃-N concentration in fresh petiole sap and in dried petiole tissue was Studied for these crops in southern Arizona during the 1993-94 and 1994-95 winter growing seasons. Experiments were factorial combinations of 3 irrigation rates and 4 N rates, both ranging from deficient to excessive. Petioles were sampled throughout each season, and were split for sap and dry tissue analysis. A linear correlation was obtained between the two measurements in both seasons, with no consistent effect due to irrigation treatment or crop maturity. The regression coefficients did not differ among seasons. Regression equations were derived to convert petiole sap nitrate concentrations to dry tissue nitrate concentrations. These equations can be used to relate sap test measurements to existing guidelines for NO₃-N concentrations in broccoli and caulker petioles. These results suggest that the quick sap test, using the portable nitrate ion meter, is a valuable technique for monitoring N status of broccoli and cauliflower.

Field experiments were conducted during the 1995-96 winter growing season at The University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center to determine the response of broccoli and cauliflower to a factorial arrangement of water rates and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates. Both the broccoli and cauliflower experiments were randomized complete block factorial designs with three water levels (deficient, optimum, and excessive), four N fertilizer levels (deficient, suboptimal, supra optimal, excessive), and four replications. Drip tubing was buried at a depth of eight inches along the midline of each planting bed. Irrigation was applied daily as needed to maintain the predetermined target soil water tension levels and N fertilizer (urea ammonium nitrate solution) was applied in 4 or 5 split applications. Broccoli spears and cauliflower curds were harvested weighed and graded according to prevailing commercial practices. The optimum marketable yield of broccoli of 4.6 tons/acre was achieved with a total application of 18.9 inches of water and 267 lbs. N/acre. The optimum marketable yield of cauliflower of 9.5 tons /acre was achieved with a total application of 18.5 inches of water and 178 lbs. N/acre. For both crops a nitrogen deficiency had a greater negative impact on marketable yield than either deficient or excessive water application. Optimum marketable yields, earliness and head quality for both crops were achieved when the average soil water tension level for the entire season was maintained at about 10 cbars (or 13 cbars uncorrected gauge reading).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-167). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-167). Also available on the Internet.

Downy mildew of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower is caused by the plant pathogenic fungus Peronospora parasitica. Cool damp weather with high humidity is highly favorable for sporulation, dissemination of spores, and infection by this pathogen. The severity of disease is affected by the duration of these weather conditions favorable for disease development. Potential new fungicides were evaluated for disease control in a field trial conducted in the winter of 1992-93. For broccoli, no significant differences in disease severity were detected among treatments. On the other hand, Microthiol and Microthiol + Maneb significantly reduced the number of downy mildew lesions on cabbage and cauliflower compared to nontreated plants. Maneb alone provided significant disease control on cabbage, but not on cauliflower.

A protocol for cauliflower micro-propagule production was developed and optimised for both micropropagation and artificial seed production techniques using meristematic tissues from cauliflower curd. All steps in the protocol were empirically optimised including: blending, sieving, culture methods, liquid culture media composition and plant growth regulator combinations and concentrations. The cost of the micro-propagules could be reduced by as much as 50% on the initial costings reported previously since treatments doubled the number of microshoots produced per culture unit. The research confirmed the suitability of cauliflower microshoots to be encapsulated as artificial seeds and an effective protocol for microshoot encapsulation was designed through the optimization of 1) the production of cauliflower microshoots suitable for encapsulation, 2) encapsulation procedures, 3) artificial seed artificial endosperm structure, 4) conversion materials. The possibility of culturing cauliflower artificial seeds in commercial substrates such as perlite, sand, vermiculite and compost was confirmed. The use of plant preservative mixture (PPM) for the control of contamination in cauliflower culture media and artificial seeds was optimised and the effect of this material on the development of plant material was assessed. It was confirmed that cauliflower artificial seed could be stored in a domestic refrigerator for up to 6 months which could have a great impact in cauliflower breeding programmes. The huge number of cauliflower microshoots that could be produced using this protocol and the homogeneity of the culture system, provided a tool for the molecular analysis of cauliflower microshoots (and artificial seed) abiotic stress tolerance analysis. Various treatments were conducted to improve microshoot cold tolerance and the up-regulation of the CBF/DREB1 transcription factor including low temperature acclimation, mannitol, ABA (abscisic acid) and Mo (molybdenum). Microshoots were confirmed to acclimate successfully using low temperature. Mo was shown to improve the cold tolerance of cauliflower microshoots and to up-regulate CBF/DREB1 in the absence of low temperature acclimation. Acclimation did not increase the accumulation of dehydrin proteins and it is concluded that dehydrins do not play a significant role in the cold tolerance of cauliflower microshoots. Since cauliflower breeding and seed multiplication protocols make extensive use of micropropagation, the studies reported in this research could make a significant impact by decreasing the cost of micropropagation and increasing its reliability. It also opens new perspectives for further research for cauliflower artificial seed production and the possibility of sowing these seeds directly in the field. Furthermore, this research helps to facilitate cauliflower breeding programmes by improving the understanding of abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms and the relationship between different types of abiotic stresses such as cold and drought.

A pesquisa teve como objetivos identificar métodos eficientes para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de couve-flor, verificar as relações entre o potencial fisiológico das sementes e o desempenho das plantas em campo, bem como definir procedimento adequado para o condicionamento fisiológico de sementes dessa espécie e identificar métodos de secagem que possibilitem a manutenção dos efeitos benéficos do condicionamento, inclusive durante o armazenamento. O estudo foi conduzido em quatro etapas, com a utilização de lotes de sementes dos cultivares Sharon e Teresópolis Gigante. A primeira etapa constou da seleção de procedimentos para condução dos testes de deterioração controlada, envelhecimento acelerado (com e sem solução salina), condutividade elétrica e lixiviação de potássio. Na segunda, avaliaramse as relações entre os resultados obtidos em testes de vigor, a emergência das plântulas em casa de vegetação e o desempenho das plantas em campo. Na terceira etapa, foram estudadas a marcha de absorção de água pelas sementes, as técnicas para o hidrocondicionamento e o osmocondicionamento e para a secagem das sementes após o condicionamento. Finalmente, a quarta etapa constou do hidrocondicionamento, secagem e armazenamento das sementes, em condições normais de laboratório e em condições controladas (20ºC e umidade relativa de 50%). Concluiu-se que os testes de envelhecimento acelerado tradicional, a 41ºC/48 horas, de envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl, a 45°C/72 horas, e de deterioração controlada (sementes com grau de umidade inicial de 20% ou 22%, a 45°C, durante 24 horas) demonstram sensibilidade para a avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de couve-flor. A utilização da combinação 50 sementes/75ml de água/4h de embebição, no teste de condutividade elétrica e de 25 sementes/50ml de água/30 minutos de embebição, para o teste de lixiviação, permitem a separação de lotes em diferentes níveis de vigor. Os resultados dos testes de envelhecimento acelerado ou de deterioração controlada devem ser usados conjuntamente com os obtidos nos de condutividade elétrica ou de lixiviação de potássio, para que sejam identificados lotes com possibilidade de apresentar comportamento diferenciado das plantas em campo. O nível de vigor das sementes afeta o desenvolvimento inicial das plantas, quando as diferenças entre o potencial fisiológico dos lotes são acentuadas, mas não influencia o desenvolvimento final das plantas e a produção. O hidrocondicionamento entre quatro e seis folhas de papel toalha, até atingir teores de água próximos ao necessário para a emissão da raiz primária é eficiente para sementes de couve-flor. A secagem rápida ou o choque térmico seguido de secagem rápida são métodos eficientes na manutenção dos efeitos benéficos do hidrocondicionamento, para sementes de couve-flor. O armazenamento em condições controladas (20ºC e umidade relativa de 50%), até durante quatro meses, permite a manutenção dos efeitos benéficos do condicionamento. / The objectives of this research were to identify reliable methods to evaluate the physiological potential of cauliflower seeds, verify the relationship between seed physiological potential and field performance, as well as to define a suitable procedure for seed priming and identify efficient drying methods to avoid the possible reversion of beneficial priming effects during storage. The study was conducted in four steps using seed lots of cultivars Sharon and Teresópolis Gigante. The first step comprised the selection of procedures for seed vigor assessment by controlled deterioration, accelerated aging (with and without saline solution), electrical conductivity and potassium leachate tests. On the second step, was evaluated the relation of vigor tests results, seedling emergence in greenhouse and field plant performance. On the third step, were studied the rate of water absorption by seeds and techniques for hydropriming and osmopriming were studied. Finally, the fourth step included hydropriming, drying and seed storage under normal laboratory conditions and controlled conditions (20ºC and 50% relative humidity). Results showed that he traditional accelerated aging test at 41ºC/48 h, accelerated aging with saturated solution of NaCl, at 45ºC/72 h, and controlled deterioration (seeds with initial moisture content of 20% or 22%, at 45ºC/24 h) tests were sensitive to differences in the physiological potential of cauliflower seeds. The combination 50 seeds/75ml water/4h imbibition during the electrical conductivity test and 25 seeds/50ml water/ 30 minutes imbibition for the leachate test detected differences of seed vigor levels. The test results of accelerated aging or controlled deterioration must be used together with those achieved in the electrical conductivity or the potassium leachate tests, so that one can identify the lots likely to present a distinguished behavior of plants in the field. Seed vigor level affects the initial development of plants only when differences among the physiological potential of lots are sufficiently wide, but however, these possible effects do not persist over time and the final development of plants and yield are not affected. The hydropriming of seeds between four and six sheets of paper towel to reach a moisture content close to the primary root protrusion is efficient for cauliflower seeds. Rapid drying or thermal shock followed by rapid drying are efficient methods to keep the beneficial hydropriming effect for cauliflower seeds. Storage under controlled conditions (20ºC and 50% relative humidity) allows to keep priming beneficial effects up to four months.

Orientador: Arthur Bernardes Cecílio Filho / Banca: Roberto Botelho Ferraz Branco / Banca: Pablo Forlan Vargas / Resumo: Um experimento em hidroponia, sistema nutrient film technique (NFT), foi conduzido com objetivo de fotografar e descrever os sintomas visuais de deficiência de macronutrientes assim como determinar os teores dos nutrientes nas folhas de couve-flor, assim que, visualizada a desordem nutricional e na colheita da inflorescência e avaliar o crescimento e a produção em função da desordem nutricional induzida pela deficiência de um nutriente. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos, que correspondem à solução nutritiva completa e à omissão individual de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, com três repetições. Foi avaliado o período (dias) para a visualização do início dos sintomas de deficiência, número de folhas, área foliar e teor de macronutrientes nas folhas e inflorescências. A omissão de todos os macronutrientes acarretou redução da inflorescência. Este efeito deletério foi mais acentuado para o N, P e K cuja redução da matéria seca da inflorescência foi de 87%, 49% e 42%, respectivamente. Nos tratamentos com omissão de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, os teores médios nas folhas da couve-flor por ocasião da colheita da inflorescência foram de 8,8; 0,5; 6,3; 5,4 e 0,8 g kg-1, respectivamente; para a matéria seca das inflorescências, os teores encontrados foram de 27,3; 2,2; 21,6; 1,1 e 0,7 g kg-1 / Abstract: An experiment in hydroponic conditions, system nutrient film technique (NFT), was carried out in order to make a picture when visualize the symptoms and evaluate visual symptoms of macronutrients deficiency and to determine the macronutrients content in leaves, when initial symptoms were observed, and in inflorescence of cauliflower plant. Experimental design was completely randomized design with seven treatments, which correspond to the complete nutrient solution and the omission of individual N, P, K, Ca e Mg, with three replicates. Number of days for deficiency symptom appearance was evaluated as well as leaf number, leaf area and content of macronutrients in leaves and inflorescences. Omission of all macronutrients led to a reduction in the mass of inflorescence. These reductions were more pronounced for N, P and K whose inflorescence dry mass reduction was over 87%, 49% and 42%, respectively. In treatment with the omission of N, P, K, Ca and Mg, nutrient levels in leaves of cauliflower were 8.8, 0.6, 3.5, 13.0 and 0, 77 g kg-1, respectively, at the inflorescence harvesting while the levels found in inflorescences were 27.3, 2.2, 21.6, 1.1 and 0.7 g kg-1 / Mestre