No abstract

. 2005. Evaluation of growth, yield, and fruit size of chokecherry, pincherry, highbush cranberry, and black currant cultivars in Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 85: 659-664. The objective of this study was to quantitatively characterize the growth, yield and fruit size of cultivars of chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.), pincherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.f.), highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum Marsh.), and black currant (Ribes nigrum L.). Cultivars were evaluated in replicated trials at two sites (Saskatoon and Outlook) in Saskatchewan over 2-5 yr. Espenant, Garrington, Lee Red, and Boughen Yellow were among the highest yielding of the chokecherry cultivars (mean yield = 7.2 kg plant -1 at Saskatoon); of these, Lee Red had the largest fruit. The pincherry cultivar Lee #4 (mean yield = 3.1 kg plant -1 ) yielded at least twice as much as Mary Liss or Jumping Pound. Highbush cranberry cultivars Alaska, Espenant, Garry Pink, Manitou, and Wentworth averaged yields of 2.0 kg plant -1 at Saskatoon. Of these, Manitou had the largest fruit. Two black currant trials were established; the cultivars included in the second trial were not available at the time of establishment of the first trial. Black currant yields ranged from 0.2 kg plant -1 for Willoughby to 1.0 kg plant -1 for Consort in the first trial, and from 0.2 kg plant -1 for the selection 4-24-29 to 2.0 kg plant -1 for McGinnis Black in the second trial. Black currant cultivars with the largest fruit size included Wellington, Topsy, and three numbered selections from the University of Saskatchewan (mean = 225 fruit/cup) in the first trial, and Ben Sarek, McGinnis Black, and Ben Alder (mean = 156 fruit/cup) in the second trial. Data from the current study provide a basis on which to evaluate the performance of currently available cultivars, and any new cultivars or future selections that may be developed.

Root zone inoculation with P-solubilizing Penicillium bilaji (PB) has increased P uptake and yields of several field crops. We examined the influence of applying 0 - 5 × 105 C.F.U./plant of PB to geranium and petunia grown in the greenhouse in a low P soil amended with rock P. All rates of inoculation increased growth and enhanced flowering of both crops. A second study examined the interaction between PB and rock P amendments in poinsettia. Inoculation with PB accelerated growth through to pinching as did addition of rock P to the media. The combined PB + rock P treatment enhanced bract development resulting in better red color at market time. These results suggest that PB inoculation can enhance growth and/or improve P use efficiency in greenhouse crops.