AU & NZ travelogue: conclusion
davidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years ago
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davidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Excessive N and brix levels
Comments (12)Hman, I'm still inclined to believe excessive N can reduce brix in apples. There's too much out there for me to think otherwise. Following are three studies dealing with apple that indicate excessive N does reduce brix. The first I posted on another thread: "A factorial design was used with N and K annual fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 kg haâÂÂ1 of N and K2O) replicated in three orchards....Nitrogen fertilization negatively affected fruit color, flesh firmness, and TSS (sugar) content." http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00103620701759038 The second is a study of N levels on Fuji: "Lower rates of N fertilizer were related to lower concentrations of leaf and fruit N, "redder"; fruit skin color, greater fruit firmness and soluble solids concentration, higher fructose levels, and a lower incidence of bitter pit and scald than the higher rates of 100 or 150 lbs N AâÂÂ1" http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01904169709365375 The third is research that actually deals with different types of mulches/understory for apples. However they attribute the lower brix of apples with clover understory probably due to higher N levels: "Fruit grown with a red clover understorey had lower soluble solids (11.1� Brix) compared to the other three treatments (11.8 - 12.0� Brix), greener background colour and were less firm, probably due to higher nitrogen levels." http://www.hortnet.co.nz/publications/science/marsha.htm Following is a quote from on orchard management out of the Midwest Tree Fruit Pest Management Handbook. It's not research, but I include it to point out that I've read many similar statements in professional literature: "Excess nitrogen increases fruit size and cork spot, but it delays maturity and seriously reduces color, sugar content, flavor, shelf life, and storage life." I'm sure you recognize of the four different studies you list, none deal specifically with apples. That doesn't mean I dismiss the research. In fact I do think there is some crossover of the research you linked, just as I think the grape research listed in the other thread has crossover. Additionally, I'm sure, given enough time, you could produce the previous apple studies you read, and more, just as I could probably find more apple studies that support the converse. I think all these studies have crossover in that there seems to be a "sweet spot" for the amount of N applied. Too little N results in lower brix. Likewise, too much N results in lower brix. There seems to be a balance needed for optimum brix. Just as the grape research suggests, I agree that balance is different for different soils (as some soils naturally have more N than others), different irrigation and cultural practices, as well as different climates. Due to all these variables, it's no wonder different studies produce different conclusions....See MoreNew member from South Africa
Comments (39)Hi Guys As Lisa says, there are too many plain ol' variegated Neos. There are ofcourse the stunners that we all need ala kahala dawn, milagro, ying/yang etc. ect. I must say the some of G. Groves bright coloured plants are better (yes I said it)than most of the variegated plants around. Anyone willing to share the secret to creating plants like his? Thanks Kerry! Why is talk about variegated seedlings taboo? Sorry Lisa....it must be the "variegated fingers"! I have managed to get other plants to set seed that dont normally like to. I would gladly pass on the seed parents name to you, but it doesnt have a name. The story is this: 3 South Africans visited Central and South America a good few years ago. While there they popped into Chesters place and he then gave them a few odd plants, turns out that one of these is the elusive transmitter (or a one time luck shot)....its called (not sure who gave it the name) variegata red. That is it.. see pic below of pups. Cheers Dennis...See MoreRadon & Granite Article in today's NY Times
Comments (42)This is a cut and paste, so I hope Al does not get too upset. We did make mention of is name so that should make him very happy. When marketing a product, one expects a bit of hype. The idea is to show that the product is the best over the competitor's line of product. That is the trade of advertisers and the history of marketing. Some tactics used to sell can be humorous or as serious as the competition between manufacturers. Marketing tactics that play on fears of the general public can be a very powerful tool. In the present day, there's a very popular angle of "green." This is prevalent everywhere in the media. So what happens when you mix a scare tactic under the guise of environmental concern? Buildclean found the answer to that question. The premise seems of the nonprofit organization seems to be admirable but the fact that the "awareness campaign" that Buildclean is currently using seems to be curiously slanted. In fact, the target seems to be the natural stone industry. When Sara Selber of BuildClean was asked how she got involved in natural stone and radon, she explained how she was approached by the owner of C&C North America, a company that produces two products granite and a quartz product called Silestone®. "C&C North America then recruited a quartz company called Cambria, after they learned quartz was an issue, she further explained that the two companies hired her to test quartz, granite and other surfaces for radon emission. Both companies are testing their products through BuildClean, and they contracted two labs one in New York and one in Israel. We have looked all over the C&C website but cannot find any mention of natural stone. When ask what granites emit radon, Sara Selber said; "Not all granites emit radon or radiation. There are some that clearly do. There are some that absolutely don't. We don't know," she said. They're being set up as a non-profit, and they're funded with two large donations. The first is $250,000 from the makers of 'Silestone.' They manufacture quartz countertops, which is a direct competitor to granite. Silestone finance records show that they started out in April of 1998 with a an initial investment of $410K, made there first million in 1998, sales in 2002 was over $70M, and sales in 2006 was well over $260M. it is not hard to see that they have the money to invest $250,000 in a new advertising campaign. BuildClean is also getting money from Cambria, another quartz manufacturer. In fact, Cambria's marketing director is on BuildClean's board of directors. When asked about the funding Sara responds: I don't believe the issue is who our founders are. And I'm not going to have that debate." That answer seems to be clear enough. In a recent interview Mrs. Selber mentions teaming up with Al Gerhart who has some interest in the granite \radon scare. Al Gerhart is a carpenter whohappens to own a website called the Solid Surface Alliance .org. He educated himself, regarding materials he works with that may expose him to harmful elements." Upon further review it seems this "personality" is well known for his view of natural stone. All one has to do is look at the website to get the gist of his viewpoint. Coincidentally, there also seems to be a new business venture for Solid Surface Alliance as the website now sells Geiger counters to detect radiation His debates have earned him quite a place online in forums discussing the subject. After a certain debate on a well known residential forum, a renowned geoscientist in the industry concluded: "Al attempts to hijack debates by choking the system with verbal diarrhea. The problem appears to be that he has a bit of knowledge about some things but not enough sense and understanding of the subjects. In that debate on the Garden Forum he threw in so many fabrications (plain made up lies) that his credibility just plummeted to zero. Anyone who operates this way (by including a number of facts to gain an element of credibility in the eyes of a generally uninformed audience, twisting facts deliberately or because of his lack of understanding, and then throwing in a number of lies) does not deserve extended airtime. Many years ago when doing science psychology I still remember my professor giving the advice to his students that you should never engage a nutter in debate. You can never win an argument with such people. I recognized this early in the forum and that is why I would not engage him in "debate". One of his major problems is that he does not know what the numbers mean and how they are derived." In response to the buildclean tactics, The Marble Institute of America is in the process of doing their own independent study: "The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is grateful for the preliminary response from the members to the newly established Truth About Granite Fund. Based on this positive response, it's clear that their colleagues share their commitment to protect consumers from needless fear mongering by establishing standards for the testing of granite so consumers can safely and comfortably enjoy the beauty, durability and practicality of this natural stone." When we asked the MIA why Sara Speer Selber consider The Truth About Granite Fund as a draconian move that is being waged against BuildClean(TM), they simple responded: "The Truth About Granite Fund was established to help raise funds to develop unbiased, scientific standards for the granite industry, including the testing of granite for radon. No such standards currently exist in the natural stone industry. Previous tests of granite samples have found they are safe. However, the Truth in Granite Fund aims to take advantage of new, advanced scientific instruments that make testing both more practical and more accurate. Our goal is to make sure testing follows consistent protocols, so that future studies are meaningful and based on consistent, approved science not isolated methodologies or unapproved instruments. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure the granite we sell is safe." This latest sales tactic received the attention of an independent group called the Natural Stone Restoration Alliance (NSRA). The NSRA saw Radon testing as an added service that their members could provide to the homeowners along with all their other services for natural stone. Josveek Huligar, one of the lead testers and trainer for the NSRA , invited times Members of the Solid Surface Alliance dot org to discuss and provide proof of this threat to the home owners. The Solid Surface Alliance dot org agreed to provide an alleged radiation producing granite sample that they claim to have in their possession to do independent testing. After an initial agreement between the two groups it seems the Solid Surface Alliance dot org has reneged on the delivery of the alleged material. Mr Huligar was disappointed of the outcome. The NSRA than requested the name of the company that Mr. Gerhart claimed to just have rejected over 10k worth of radon producing granite. When the information was not provided, Huligar ask if he could purchase the next slab that Mr. Gerhart rejected. But for some reason Mr. Gerhart could no longer find a sample for testing. Mr. Huligar went on to say: "All we care about at this point. As for whether are not Stone adds a measurable amount of "radon" in a home, Mr. Gerhart had agreed to come to NY and pick out a hot slab that I would place in my own home after testing my home for radon. Once the granite was installed I would test my home again as described by the EPA and have it tested by someone approved by the EPA. Not only would we do the short and long term test, we would also video tape the whole event, the selection, the creation, the install, and than setting up cameras for anyone to view the stone and meters on the net. I was looking forward to do this, but at this time it appears that Mr. Gerhart has no plans on doing as he said which is a big disappointment." The NSRA plans to push for this simple test, they feel that the consumers only care about one thing; "whether or not adding granite in your home would significantly change the radon levels in a home". At present, the most prudent consumer should watch the outcome of this debate and make an informed decision, not taken in by a scare tactic by advertisers. EPA Confirms That Granite Countertops Pose No Significant Health Risk http://nsraweb.com/index.php/Latest/EPA_Confirms_That_Granite_Countertops_Pose_No_Significant_Health_Risk.html...See MoreSisters Under the Skin
Comments (63)I brought this up to the top after listening to a radio programme about the US on-line organisation called Mom's Rising. This is a fast growing group concerned with the lack of maternity leave/benefits/women's rights which are taken for granted by us in Europe and many other countries in the 'under-developed' world but are not available to American women. Apparently the US is on a par with Swaziland, Togo and Papua-New Guinea when it comes to fair treatment for working mothers, mothers-to-be or mothers who want to return to the work place. Cindy, I was visited recently by an old friend who has taught for the last twenty years plus in the 'reception' class of an Infant school ie. the youngest children who start full time at four years old. She pointed out that these days all schools with pupils up the age of eleven (when they transfer to secondary school) have to offer/provide extra care either before or after school for any parent that requires it. She said several of her four-year-olds arrive at school at 7.30 where they are given breakfast . . .cereal and toast . . . and work in school all day. At 3.30 'home time' these same kids plus some others have to wait to be picked up by a bus which takes them to another school which offers 'after school activities' and a snack until maybe 5.30 to 6 in the evening when they are finally taken home by parents or grandparents. This is in a very rough and ready part of the county and makes me wonder at the life-styles of the more middle class parents who work even longer hours. The friend said some of these 4 year olds are so tired they find it difficult to stay awake in class. The link below lets you hear the programme or use it as a podcast . . . something I understand nothing about. ;-) Here is a link that might be useful: Mom's Rising...See Moredavidrt28 (zone 7)
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