Limits of environmental adaptation of ‘Florigraze’ rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.), a high‐quality perennial warm‐season legume, have not been well defined. A field experiment compared yield and nutritive value of rhizoma peanut and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in central Georgia on a Norfolk soil (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudults). Crude protein (CP), neutral‐detergent fiber (NDF), aciddetergent fiber (ADF), lignin, Ca, Mg, and P of total herbage, and dry matter (DM) yield and in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) of total herbage, leaf, and stem tissues were determined for three growing seasons. Annual DM yield of peanut and alfalfa averaged 7.6 and 11.8 Mg ha−1, respectively. In the first 2 yr, alfalfa outyielded rhizoma peanut, but there was no difference in yield in the third year. Leaf DM yield was higher for peanut than for alfalfa in the third year. Rhizoma peanut DM production occurred predominately during late summer and early autumn vs. spring for alfalfa. Rhizoma peanut total herbage DM was lower in CP and higher in Ca and Mg than that of alfalfa, but IVOMD was similar. Leaf IVOMD was higher for alfalfa than for rhizoma peanut, but IVOMD of peanut stems was equal to or higher than alfalfa stems. Rhizoma peanut has potential for central Georgia and other areas of the southern USA with a similar climate.

Kudzu [Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi.], a vigorous, perennial warm‐season legume, grows widely throughout the south‐eastern United States, predominantly as a volunteer species. It is tolerant of drought and acidic, infertile soils and may have potential as a low‐input forage for livestock. A field experiment was undertaken to determine the effects of cutting date and frequency on yield and nutritive value of kudzu (20‐year‐old stand with no fertilizer or lime inputs) in central Georgia. The cutting treatments included an uncut control, and plots cut once (September), twice (July and September), and three times (June, July, and September) during the 1994 growing season. Dry matter (DM) production and forage quality were determined for total herbage, leaf and stem tissues from quadrat samples taken on all plots in June, July, September, and November (after a killing frost) in 1994, and in June, 1995. Total herbage and leaf DM production was highest for the three‐harvest system and lowest in the no‐cut control plots in 1994, but these results were reversed in the harvest made in 1995. Total herbage production and crude protein concentrations were similar in kudzu cut in the initial summer harvest (either June, July, or September) during the first year. Whole plant and stem in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in these samples declined throughout the growing season, while leaf IVDMD was unchanged until the first frost. Kudzu has the potential to be a low‐input forage for livestock, particularly as supplemental drought feed, or as a protein bank for summer or autumn grazing.

Dipping asparagus crowns (Asparagus officinalis L.) in 1000 ppm (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon) solutions before planting significantly increased the number and fresh weight of both shoots and roots in pot studies. Ethephon treatment did not affect time of emergence, height, diameter of the shoots and root length. Of the concentrations tested (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm), the 1000 ppm was the most effective; 750 ppm was partially effective while 250 and 500 ppm were ineffective. Under field conditions, ethephon and/or the potassium salt of gibberellic acid (KGA3) at 1000 ppm, did not affect the time of emergence of shoots from crowns treated before planting. Ethephon was effective in increasing the number of shoots while KGA3 alone or in combination with ethephon was not. Both chemicals reduced stand. Increasing exposure from 15 to 60 minutes increased the effectiveness of ethephon at 1000 ppm on inducing shoot emergence.

Effects of BA, Promalin and Dikegulac-sodium on frond number and overall growth in Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata L.) were studies. Four weeks after transplanting, fern liners were sprayed with aqueous solutions of BA, Promalin and dikegulac-sodium. Chemical concentrations of BA and promalin ranged from 0 to 150 mg. liter-1 at 50 mg. liter-1 increments. Chemical concentrations of dikegulac-sodium ranged for 0 to 750 mg.liter-1 at 250 mg.liter-1 increments. Chemical treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 6 replications. BA and Promalin significantly increased the number of fronds, average frond length, leaf area and dry weight as the concentration of the chemicals increased. In contrast, dikegulac-sodium significantly suppressed the average frond length, leaf area and dry weight when compared to the control. Similarly to BA and Promalin, dikegulac-sodium increased the number of fronds as the concentration of the chemical increased.

One-year-old greenhouse-grown 'Mary Washington', 'Emerald', 'UC 157 F,', and 'UC 157 F,' asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) seedlings were sprayed on 23 Sept. 1988 with dikegulac concentrations ranging from O to 750 mg·liter -1 in 150-mg·liter -1 increments. No significant shoot emergence occurred before frost killed the ferns in December. With increasing temperature in Jan. and Feb. 1989, dikegulac promoted shoot emergence in all cultivars, except 'Mary Washington'. At 600 mg·liter -1 , dikegulac had increased shoot emergence in 'Emerald', 'UC 157 F,', and 'UC 157 F 2 ' by 310%, 161%, and 305%, respectively, over the control on 2 Feb. After frosts killed the first shoots, all cultivars responded to treatment as temperature increased. Dikegulac did not affect the height and dry weight of 'Mary Washington' ferns, but it reduced the height of 'Emerald' without affecting its dry weight. Both height and dry weight of 'UC 157 F 1 ' and 'UC 157 F 2 ' were reduced by the chemical. There was a significant effect of cultivar on shoot production regardless of treatment, but no significant cultivar × dikegulac interaction on shoot emergence. However, there were significant effects of cultivar and cultivar × dikegulac interaction on height and dry weight of the ferns. After the ferns had been cut off on 9 Aug. 1989, only 'UC 157 F 1 ' and 'UC 157 F 2 ' showed increased shoot emergence. A second treatment of the plants with the chemical on 23 Sept. 1989 resulted in no significant increase in shoot emergence before or after freezing temperatures killed the ferns. Chemical name used: 2,3:4,6bis-0-(l-methyl ethylidene)-a-L-xylo-2 -hexulofuranosonic acid (dikegulac).