Eugene K. Blythe

This study investigates the phytochemical variations among 34 cultivars of Ocimum basilicum to evaluate their essential oil composition and identify chemotaxonomic patterns. Understanding this variation is important for cultivar authentication, selection, and potential industrial or pharmacological applications. Essential oils were extracted via hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). To assess chemical variation and group cultivars based on their volatile profiles, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied. A total of 48 volatile compounds were identified across the cultivars. Linalool was the most abundant constituent, dominating in 28 cultivars with concentrations ranging from 24.2% to 81.1%. Methyl chavicol exhibited strikingly high levels in certain cultivars, reaching up to 82.0% in some samples. Cluster analysis revealed two major chemotype clades, with chemical similarity indices ranging from -33.07% to 90.84%, indicating substantial intra-specific variation and the potential for clear chemotaxonomic discrimination. The essential oil composition of O. basilicum cultivars exhibited marked variability, supporting classification based on chemotypic profiles. These findings enhance the understanding of chemotaxonomy within the genus and provide practical insights for cultivar selection in medicinal, aromatic, and commercial applications.

Plant propagation is a labor-intensive process in the nursery and greenhouse industry, with labor accounting for 41.4% of expenditures in 2019—$4.8 billion of the $11.6 billion total. Labor availability remains a critical issue, and current methods of applying root-promoting compounds to cuttings often yield inconsistent rooting responses. This research investigated honey as a rooting adjuvant and its effects on rooting in Red Cascade™ miniature rose (Rosa ‘MOORcap’), common camellia (Camellia japonica), and southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’). For Red Cascade™ rose, adding honey to water-soluble indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solutions did not improve root counts compared to IBA alone. However, 1000 µL∙L⁻¹ IBA produced more roots than 250 µL∙L⁻¹ IBA. Camellia and magnolia cuttings were treated with multiflora, Manuka, or commercial honey, alongside IBA rates of 0 to 4500 µL∙L⁻¹. In camellia, honey type or auxin rate did not significantly affect rooting, but local and multiflora honey combined with higher IBA rates increased root counts. For magnolia, multiflora honey improved both root number and quality, outperforming other treatments. While honey showed limited benefits for camellia and rose, multiflora honey demonstrated potential economic advantages for magnolia propagation, enhancing root quality and quantity for producers.

Use of foliar auxin applications are increasing in the nursery and greenhouse industry. However, previous research has shown that insufficient auxin is absorbed or translocated to the site of action when foliar auxin applications are used. It is theorized that adding surfactants to foliar applications of auxin may help with the absorption and translocation of auxin to the site of action. Research was conducted to determine whether adding surfactants to one-time foliar applications of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) would be as effective as the current industry standard, the basal quick-dip. Terminal, semi-hardwood cuttings of Red Cascade™ miniature climbing rose (Rosa ‘MOORcap’), common camellia (Camellia japonica) and ‘Southern Charm’ magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Southern Charm’) were sprayed to the drip point using Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts™ at concentrations of 0 ppm, 50 ppm, 75 ppm, or 100 ppm for rose cuttings or 0 ppm, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, or 1500 ppm IBA for camellia or magnolia. To serve as an industry control, the basal end of cuttings was immersed for 3-s in a solution of either 250 ppm, 4000 ppm or 2500 ppm for rose, camellia, or magnolia, respectively. A foliar application of 1500 ppm after sticking was as effective as the basal quick-dip for cuttings of ‘Southern Charm’, while other spray treatments were less effective. A basal quick-dip was more effective than a foliar spray for rooting cuttings of camellia. Auxin rate had no impact on rooting of Red Cascade^™ miniature rose. The goal of commercial plant propagation is to produce high-quality rooted cuttings as quickly as possible. Plant propagation places a large demand on labor within the nursery industry, with one recent report being that labor accounts for >50% of a nursery’s budget. Our results from this trial affirm the results reported by similar trials into foliar applications of auxin suggests that the benefits of foliar applications are species dependent Further work is warranted on examining other auxin and surfactant formulations.

Fresh beef storage in the retail setting can be presented in a variety of packaging methods, and identifying an alternative such as vacuum packaging to current traditional methods could potentially increase shelf life and reduce meat waste. The objective of this study was to identify the influence of packaging film and lean trimming sources on fresh ground beef surface color during a simulated retail display period. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in surface color redness (a*), yellowness (b*), chroma, or hue angle regardless of packaging film or lean trimmings. However, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were greater (p < 0.05) for packages containing a greater percentage of CULL beef trimmings regardless of packaging film. In addition, pH values of ground beef packages did not differ (p > 0.05) among packaging film or lean trimming blends. Visual color did not differ (p > 0.05) throughout the simulated retail display period regardless of beef trimmings or packaging film. Microbial spoilage organisms were greater (p < 0.05) after the simulated display period. These results suggest that ground beef presented in a simulated retail setting using an alternative packaging platform, such as vacuum packaging, is plausible.

This paper summarizes the estimates of the total changes in sales, expenses, and income of participants of the horticulture research and extension programs at the Mississippi State University—Coastal Research and Extension Center for the past five years. Major items outline the estimation procedures for the past five years. The average annual values were used in estimating the total economic impacts of added gross sales, expenses, and incomes of participants in horticulture events. The cumulative total impacts reach USD 8.7 million in sales, 76 jobs, USD 1.4 million in labor income, USD 2.4 million in value-added, and USD 0.4 million in local, state, and federal taxes. In addition, the total willingness to pay for the horticulture program by the adult participants reached USD 1.8 million. In comparison, the annual public spending on the horticulture program averaged USD 1.4 million, creating additional substantial economic impacts to the region.

This paper summarizes the estimates of the total changes in sales, expenses, and income of participants of the horticulture research and extension programs at the Mississippi State University - Coastal Research and Extension Center for the past five years. Major items outline the estimation procedures for the past five years. The average annual values were used in estimating the total economic impacts of added gross sales, expenses, and incomes of participants in horticulture events. The cumulative total impacts reach $8.7 million in sales, 76 jobs, $1.4 million in labor income, $2.4 million in value-added, and $0.4 million in local, state, and federal taxes. In addition, the total willingness to pay for the horticulture program by the adult participants reached $1.8 million. In comparison, the annual public spending on the horticulture program averaged $1.4 million, creating additional substantial economic impacts to the region.

The objective of this study was to validate the shelf-life of marinated and frozen chicken tenderloins. Treatments were randomly assigned to the age of the tenderloins post-harvest, days aged (DA): DA4, DA5, DA6, DA7, and DA8. Microbial analyses were used to analyze the growth of aerobic, psychotropic, and lactobacilli bacteria to assess the shelf-life of bulk-packaged chicken tenderloins. Tenderloins were sampled fresh, then vacuum tumbled in a marinade. After marination, the tenderloins were sampled with the remaining tenderloins packaged and frozen (−25 °C). After freezing the chicken tenderloins were slacked in a refrigerated cooler (2.2 °C) for up to 132 h (h) and sampled at 36 h, then every 24 h following. After marination, each treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in aerobic and psychotropic counts except DA4. During slacking, no treatment crossed the threshold of 10⁶ CFU/mL (Log 6) set for this study. Though none crossed the threshold, treatments DA4, DA5, and DA6 had significant (p < 0.05) increases in aerobic bacteria after 7 days of age. The psychotropic bacteria continuously grew at each sampling period, with DA4 and DA5 surpassing the other treatments (p < 0.05) at 108 h and 132 h reaching 105 CFU/mL. Every treatment remained below the spoilage threshold, suggesting that this method of storage is suitable for chicken tenderloin shelf-life.

This paper summarizes opinions on the economic impacts of horticulture research and extension at the Mississippi State University, Coastal Research and Extension Center. More than 8400 horticulture producers, master gardeners, research and extension staff, and nonprofit organizations participated in horticulture events during the last five years. Qualitative assessments of horticulture research and extension performed by the faculty and staff were solicited during voluntary surveys.

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate variety selection and planting date for spring and fall season extension of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. (syn.: Lycoperisicon esculentum Mill.)) production in high tunnels in southeast Alabama. ‘BHN 640’, ‘Florida 91’, ‘Sun Leaper’, and ‘Carolina Gold’ were evaluated for early spring production in 2004. These varieties did not differ in total yield of marketable fruit; however, ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Sun Leaper’ produced higher early yields compared with the other varieties. ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Florida 91’ were evaluated for late-season extension in fall 2004. ‘BHN 640’ produced higher yields of large, medium, total marketable, and unmarketable fruit grades than ‘Florida 91’. In a study conducted in early 2005, higher yields of marketable fruit were produced from the first planting date (31 January) compared with the final of four planting date (25 Mar.). In summary, results indicated that season extension of tomato production in high tunnels was possible, with harvests three weeks earlier in the spring and 12 weeks later in the fall compared with typical field harvest dates. These early yields can command prices from $3.30 to $4.40US per kg of fruit.