Cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) are naturally occurring plant molecules (nitrogenous plant secondary metabolites) which consist of an aglycone and a sugar moiety. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released from these compounds following enzymatic hydrolysis causing potential toxicity issues. The presence of CNGs in American elderberry (AE) fruit, Sambucus nigra (subsp. canadensis), is uncertain. A sensitive, reproducible and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed and optimized for accurate identification and quantification of the intact glycoside. A complimentary picrate paper test method was modified to determine the total cyanogenic potential (TCP). TCP analysis was performed using a camera-phone and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A method validation was conducted and the developed methods were successfully applied to the assessment of TCP and quantification of intact CNGs in different tissues of AE samples. Results showed no quantifiable trace of CNGs in commercial AE juice. Levels of CNGs found in various fruit tissues of AE cultivars studied ranged from between 0.12 and 6.38 µg/g. In pressed juice samples, the concentration range measured was 0.29–2.36 µg/mL and in seeds the levels were 0.12–2.38 µg/g. TCP was highest in the stems and green berries. Concentration levels in all tissues were generally low and at a level that poses no threat to consumers of fresh and processed AE products.

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California, Oregon, and Washington produced 98% of the commercial U.S. pear crop from 2003-2005, consisting of 'Williams' ('Bartlett') (51%), 'Beurré Anjou' (36%), 'Beurré Bosc' (11%) and 2% others, mainly 'Doyenne du Comice', 'Red Clapp's Favorite', 'Seckel' and 'Concorde'. Declining processing demand has heightened interest and evaluation of new fresh market alternatives. Production, post-harvest quality, and consumer sensory evaluation data from 2001 to 2006 has allowed identification of several new potentially commercially valuable cultivars. Among the more favorably rated candidates are fire blight resistant selections developed at the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, West Virginia. These are 'Blake's Pride' (OHUS 66131-021), US 71655-014 and 'Sunrise' (OHUS 66170-047), which both bloom and harvest before or with 'Bartlett'. 'Blake's Pride' trees yield consistently but dry weather is required for optimum fruit finish. 'Sunrise' trees are also productive and fruit maintains a clear finish. Also promising is Cinnamon ® (Fowler Nurseries, Inc., Newcastle, CA, USA), a fully russeted sport of 'Bartlett' which blooms before or with 'Bartlett' but harvests about two weeks later in California. 'Abate Fetel' and 'Concorde' have been difficult to ripen in California, and 'Concorde' has shown some internal browning after one month of storage.

SYNOPSISSilver wattle is being effectively controlled by some land-users using combinations of mechanical and chemical control methods together with fire. In rare cases infestations are being indirectly controlled by utilisation. Most control is limited to high potential land. However, little control is being carried out on low-potential land. The development of cost-effective control methods for these situations was identified as the main research need for the control of silver wattle in Natal. Progress with control is also being hampered by poor dissemination of information. The proposed research is designed to meet these needs. The trials will be conducted within communities, in such a way that maximum transfer of results is ensured.

Synopsis Differences in yields of corn from different phosphate sources were small, and in nearly all cases statistically insignificant. Fused phosphate produced a significantly higher yield of hay than any other source. Differences in yield from other treatments were insignificant. Regular grade superphosphate, concentrated superphosphate, and dicalcium phosphate produced the highest yields of potatoes; rock phosphate produced only about 60% as high potato yield as these even at double the P2O5 rate. The other materials were intermediate. Tests at the close of the experiment showed the most extractable phosphorus in plots receiving rock phosphate, fused phosphate, or calcium metaphosphate.