The tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius Gray var. latifolius), a drought resistant species, was compared under water stress conditions with the more drought susceptible P. vulgaris L. cvs Pinto and White Half Runner (WHR). In order to better understand the basis for the superior drought resistance of tepary, this study was designed to determine the relationships among leaf water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential, and relative water content (RWC). Plants were prestressed by withholding irrigation water. These stress pretreatments changed the relation between leaf water potential and relative water content of both species so that prestressed plants had lower water potentials than controls at the same leaf RWC. Tepary had lower water potentials at given RWC levels than Pinto or WHR; this can account for part of the superior resistance of tepary. In all genotypes, prestressed plants maintained osmotic potentials approximately 0.2 MPa lower than controls. Tepary reached osmotic potentials that were significantly lower (0.15 to 0.25 MPa) than Pinto or WHR. Both control and prestressed tepary plants had 0.05 to 0.25 MPa more turgor than Pinto or WHR at RWC values between 65 and 80%. Both prestressed and control tepary plants had greater elasticity (a lower elastic modulus) than Pinto or WHR. This greater turgor of tepary at low RWC values could be caused by several factors including greater tissue elasticity, active accumulation of solutes, or greater solute concentration. Tepary had significantly lower osmotic potentials than the P. vulgaris cultivars, but there was little difference in osmotic potential between Pinto and WHR. Knowledge of differences in osmotic and turgor potentials among and within species could be useful in breeding for drought resistance in Phaseolus.

Ten fresh market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes were evaluated for yield stability in 7 environments within Florida. Genotype × environment interaction was significant for yield of marketable fruit. Linear relationships between mean yields of individual genotypes and environmental mean yields were evaluated to determine genotype stability. Mean square deviations from linear regression (s2d), regression coefficients (b1) and coefficient of linear determination (R2) were used to evaluate phenotypic stability. ‘Sunny’, Castlehy 1035’, ‘Burgis’, ‘FTE 12’, and ‘Duke’ were considered stable and high yielding. An advanced breeding line, 827015-IBK, was considered stable but low yielding. ‘Hayslip’, D76127, ‘Flora-Dade’, and ‘Walter PF’ were considered unstable. This study suggests that yield stability differences occur among fresh market tomato genotypes. Therefore, selection of tomato genotypes for improved adaptability should be considered in tomato breeding programs.

results in more reliable marketable fruit production during cooler cropping seasons. Origin 'Equinox' was tested as Fla. 7249B and is a hybrid resulting from the Fla. 7324 x Fla. 7060 cross. The pollen parent was tested as Fla. 7249B (Fig. 1). Fla. 7060 also was the pollen parent in 'Solar Set', and its background has been described by Scott et al. (1989). Fl. 7060 was the seed parent cited in the release circular, but subsequently the parentage was reversed due to germination sensitivity in Fla. 7060, which was transferred maternally to 'Solar Set'. 'Solar Set' contributes large fruit size and good flavor to the hybrid. Fla. 7324 is the seed parent and contributes heat-tolerant fruit set and major components of blossom scar smoothness and crack resistance. The major source of heat tolerance in Fla. 7324 is from 'Campbell 28', although heat tolerance was enhanced by crosses with other lines, all of which are heat sensitive. Florida line 626 is similar to 'Florida 1A' (Augustine et al., 1981) and Florida line 648, which has been described briefly by Scott et al. (1985). Fla. 7057 is a jointless breeding line with firm fruit, used to increase the fruit size and firmness of the heat-tolerant inbred to which it was crossed. Description Vines of 'Equinox' are determinate (sp), similar in size to those of 'Solar Set' and smaller than those of 'Sunny' or 'Agriset 761',

Nineteen vinca (Catharanthus roseus) cultivars were evaluated for days to flower, flower diameter, flower color, plant dimensions, and appearance during the summer and fall of 1993. Summer: Days from sowing to flower ranged from 58 days for `Pretty in Pink' to 64 days for `Pretty in Rose'. Flower diameter ranged from 4.3 to 5.8 cm for `Orchid Cooler' and `Parasol', respectively. `Parasol' produced the largest flower. The `Carpet' entries (creeping types) were shorter than all others. Appearance ratings were similar among all entries at 85 and 109 days after sowing. Fall: Days from sowing to flower ranged from 51 days for `Grape Cooler' to 58 days for `Tropicana Rose'. Flower diameter ranged from 4.3 to 5.1 cm for `Orchid Cooler' and `Parasol', respectively. `Peppermint Cooler', `Grape Cooler' and `Orchid Cooler' were the only entries with significantly smaller flower size than `Parasol'. Appearance ratings at 109 and 141 days after sowing were similar for all entries, however at 166 days `Dawn Carpet' and `Pink Carpet' had significantly lower ratings than 15 other entries due to frost damage.

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars were grown in nine Florida environments to evaluate phenotypic stability of marketable fruit yield (t-ha-') and mean fruit size (g/fruit). A stable cultivar excelled for a particular trait when grown in either favorable or unfavorable environments. A stable cultivar for a given trait was defined as one with an individual mean greater than the grand mean (mean of all cultivars) (x > X), a regression coefficient (b1) ≤ 1 (individual genotypic mean regressed against environmental means), nonsignificant deviation mean squares from regression (S2d), coefficient of linear determination (R2) > 0.50, and coefficient of variation (cv) < the pooled cv. `Ssupersweet 860', `Whopper Improved', and `Ranger' were stable for mean marketable fruit weights and fruit size, and `Ssupersweet 860' and `Whopper Improved' were stable for mean fruit size. Bell pepper cultivars were differentiated for phenotypic stability of yield and fruit size or adaptability to diverse environments. Therefore, through stability analyses, bell pepper plant breeders can identify cultivars or select advanced breeding lines that express adaptability for fruit yields or size to diverse environmental conditions or cultural practices.