The effect of postharvest storage temperature (–15, 5, 20, and 30 C) on seed dormancy of red rice [Oryza sativa L. ‘strawhulled (SH)’], an annual species, was studied. Intact and dehulled (by hand) seeds were dormant at harvest. Intact seeds were nondormant (greater than 90% germination at 30 C) after dry storage at 20 or 30 C for 4 weeks after harvest. In intact seeds stored dry at 5 C, the degree of dormancy was dependent upon postharvest exposure time at 20 C prior to storage. Dormancy of intact seeds decreased at 5 C as this initial postharvest exposure to 20 C was increased from 2 to 7 days. This effect of initial 20 C exposure was independent of seed moisture content (11 to 12%). After dry storage of intact seeds at 5 C, dehulling promoted germination. Germination of such dehulled seeds increased with increasing storage time at 5 C up to 11 months when complete germination occurred. The response of seeds dehulled immediately after dry storage at 5 C was independent of prior exposure time (2 to 7 days) at 20 C. Storage at −15 C prevented all forms of dry-afterripening for 1 yr.

Endothall [7, oxabicyclo (2,2,1) heptane-2-3 dicarboxylic acid] is an aquatic herbicide with potential use as a blossom thinner for apples (Malus domestics Borkh.). Trials conducted in Washington, New Zealand, and Australia on several apple cultivars indicate that endothall is a safe, consistent blossom thinner. Cultivars treated were `Golden Delicious', `Delicious', `Royal Gala', and `Granny Smith'. Single and repeat applications were used in the New Zealand and Washington tests. With multiple applications of endothall, no fruit marking occurred on any of the test cultivars. In temperate fruit zones with extended apple bloom periods, multiple applications of endothall at a low rate may be beneficial for reducing fruit set and biennial bearing.

Endothall [7, oxybicyclo (2,2,2) heptane-2-3 dicarboxylic acid] is an aquatic herbicide which has potential for use as a blossom thinning agent for apples. Trials conducted in Washington State, New Zealand and Australia on several apple cultivars indicate Endothall is a safe, consistent blossom thinner. Cultivars treated were `Golden Delicious', `Delicious', and `Gala'. Single and repeat applications were used in the New Zealand tests. With multiple applications of Endothall, no fruit marking occurred on any of the test cultivars. In temperate fruit zones with extended apple bloom periods, multiple applications of a low rate of Endothall may he beneficial for reducing fruit set and biennial hearing.