This study presents a systematic assessment of landscape experiences in the state of Arizona through the use of mail survey techniques. It investigates how residents perceive and experience the everyday nonurban landscape and identifies where valued landscape experiences occur, what activities are associated with those locations and why those places and activities are highly valued. Geographic and socio-economic differences in landscape experiences are explored among survey respondents and information is provided to resource managers for predicting valued outdoor activities and environmental experiences. The overall aims of this research were to develop ways of studying environmental experiences that would: (1) identify the places, the activities, and the reasons for engaging in those activities related to outdoor experiences; (2) indicate the relationships among these three components; and (3) assess the probable influence of personal background characteristics and place of residence variables upon these judgments, choices, and relationships. Findings suggest considerable agreement among respondents on the components of valued landscape experiences and show that different landscape types are supportive of different outdoor activities and of different kinds of experiences. Also revealed was a tendency by respondents to select items occupying positions at the beginning of reponse listings. Analyses also indicate few significant relationships between components of valued landscape experiences and socio-economic characteristics of respondents and between components of valued landscape experiences place of residence variables including geographic location, community size, and familiarity with or awareness of specific landscapes.

Cordia boissieri and Cordia parvifolia are plants commonly used in landscapes in the Southwest. Although they are available in the nursery trade, Cordia species are recalcitrant to germinate from seeds. The objective of the study was to determine a reliable propagation protocol for each species. Germination percentages for Cordia boissieri of 70 to 100% were obtained when seeds were stratified under warm conditions before germination. However, with prolonged storage seeds lose viability and age of the seed and seed storage conditions need further investigation. Seeds of Cordia parvifolia collected from local sources had low viability and did not germinate in response to several different seed treatments.

Staking is a common practice following planting of most trees in the landscape. The objectives of this project were to demonstrate four methods of staking trees and the effect on subsequent caliper growth and taper development. Master gardener volunteers were involved in this project. Four methods of staking were used on two different tree species. Acacia stenophylla were 3.1 m tall at planting and were difficult to keep upright with one or two tall stakes. All acacias staked with root stakes or short stakes required corrective pruning to establish a new leader. Prosopis velutina staked with root stakes or short stakes developed greatest taper within 6 months after transplanting. Root stakes will not require removal of staking materials.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum rate of N to maximize growth of Prosopis velutina seedlings and minimize N leaching when seedlings were grown in different substrates. Mesquite seedlings were grown in sand or soilless media and were fertigated with a solution of67 % NH₄⁺: 33 % NO₃⁻ at a rate of 25, 50, 100, or 200 mg N/L. After 60 days, plants in media produced 41 % more leaves and total biomass compared to those in sand. Leaf number was greatest for plants grown at 200 mg N/L in both substrates. Root biomass of plants in media showed no response to increasing N concentrations while root biomass of seedlings in sand were similar for the three lower N concentrations and nearly doubled for the highest one. Shoot biomass of seedlings receiving 25, 50, or 100 mg N/L was similar, but more than doubled for plants fertigated with 200 mg N/L. N leachate losses were highest from seedlings growing in sand and receiving the two higher N fertigations, those in media had greatest N leachate loss when fertigated at 200 mg N/L.

Pyrus calleryana are widely used in landscapes in regions where they are adapted, however there are many species of Pyrus that have not been explored for their potential use in landscapes, particularly in hot, arid climates. The Landscape Plant Development Center in Chanhassen, Minnesota has started a program to develop small statured pear trees for landscape use in different climates. This project in Arizona was initiated in conjunction with the Landscape Plant Development Center with the objective to test second generation hybrid Pyrus species for adaptation to the arid climate of the Southwest. Fifty trees were planted in Sierra Vista and 30 trees were planted in Tucson, Arizona, in March 2001. Plant growth, survival, and aesthetic characteristics were observed until fall 2004. Out of thirty trees tested at the Tucson site, one tree from the cross of Calleryana 'Chanticleer' x eleagrifolia appeared to be well adapted to the climate of the mid-elevation desert based on growth, branch structure and foliage health. Pyrus trees performed better in the cooler climate in Sierra Vista compared to Tucson. However, Texas root rot at the site decimated 40 of the 50 trees by the end of the fourth growing season. The aesthetically most pleasing tree at the Sierra Vista site was a cross between fauriei x betulifolia. This provenance was represented with 17 trees in Sierra Vista, nine of which showed good performance by October 2004. Trees from this provenance seem to be well adapted to the arid climate of the higher elevation desert and appear to have a number of desirable characteristics for urban landscapes.

Vegetative shoot growth of eleven legume tree species growing under field conditions in the Southwestern United States in Arizona were monitored over two periods of twelve months. Species included plants native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, South America, and Australia. Based on shoot extension and branch differentiation species could be grouped into three categories. Fast growing legumes included Acacia farnesiana, A. pendula, Olneya tesota, Parkinsonia floridum, and Prosopis chilensis. Intermediate growth rates were monitored for A. jennerae, A. salicina, and A. visco. Slow growing species in this study included A. stenophylla, P. microphylla, and P. praecox. No buds, flowers, or pods were observed for P. microphylla, O. tesota, and P. chilensis during the study. Of the remaining species those native to the Americas flowered in spring and those native to Australia flowered in fall or winter.

Rhizoctonia root rot is caused by a soil borne fungus, Rhizoctonia solani and is a serious problem in bedding plants. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of three chemical and two biological products for controlling Rhizoctonia root rot in cool season and warm season bedding plants. Experiments were conducted with summer and winter bedding plants in a nursery production and landscape situation. The efficacy of conventional fungicides or biological products to control Rhizoctonia root rot in bedding plant production and simulated landscape growth cannot be evaluated from results of this study because of low mortality of plants.

Sales of containerized roses have increased dramatically in recent years and producing flowering plants in containers in a timely manner is important to the nursery industry. An experiment was conducted to determine whether forcing containerized roses will be faster in a retractable roof greenhouse compared to outdoors. Results suggest that forcing roses in a retractable roof greenhouse can shorten the production time and increase quality of finished plants, however, cultivar, time of harvesting, and time in cold storage also affect these parameters.

The objective of this study was to determine whether mesquite (Prosopis velutina) and jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) seedlings have a preference for the ammonia or nitrate form of nitrogen (N) to maximize growth and minimize N leaching when seedlings were grown in sand culture. Seedlings were fertigated with different ratios of NH₄⁺:NO₃⁻ to determine effects on shoot and root growth and N leaching. Nutrient solution containing 67 % NH₄⁺: 33 % NO₃⁻ resulted in greatest biomass of mesquite seedlings after 120 days of fertigation. N tissue concentrations of mesquite seedlings were highest for plants supplied with 100% ammonium. N leachate remained stable until 12 weeks after the onset of treatment, but increased significantly by week 16. Dry weight of jojoba seedlings did not differ throughout the experiment regardless of the nutrient solution provided, however N tissue concentration in jojoba seedlings fertigated with 100% ammonium was twice as high as that of plants fertigated with 100% nitrate.

The objective of this project was to determine whether the size of planting holes and the addition of organic material in the backfill is beneficial for plant establishment and growth during the early years. Acacia farnesiana were transplanted from containers into a permanent landscape using four methods: large planting hole with or without amendments or a small planting hole with or without amendments. The study was repeated on two sites. Three years following transplanting, plant growth such as height and caliper were not affected by the planting hole size or amendments, but differed significantly between sites. Plants that received more irrigation and were planted in a less rocky soil had greater caliper and were taller than those supplied with less irrigation and planted on a more rocky soil. Visual observations one and three years after transplanting indicate that trees that were amended with compost in the backfill had the highest incidence of leaning trunks and sinking crowns (20% of trees in study or 37% of those receiving amendments) while of those trees that were not amended only one tree (3%) was leaning three years after transplanting. Hole size at transplanting had no significant effect on leaning or sinking three years after transplanting. These results confirm earlier research across the country that 33% to 50% organic amendment in backfill compared to native soil at transplanting is not beneficial for native trees, but increases the risk of leaning or sinking.