Project Number: 5358-12210-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 01, 2006
End Date: Feb 28, 2011

Objective:
Define nitrogen requirements and optimize management practices to meet those requirements in grapevines and Rhododendron, emphasizing product quality. Characterize the role of mycorrhizal taxonomic diversity and identify important root-mycorrhizal interactions in cropping systems.

Approach:
Determine the relationships between nitrogen uptake, plant performance, and fruit quality of grapevines. Determine optimal timing and methods of N uptake that improves efficiency of fertilizer use and plant performance of container-grown rhododendron. Characterize the influence of fertilization practices on mycorrhizal functioning. Characterize the relationships between allocation patterns during plant development, product quality, and crop responsiveness to AMF. Characterize the taxonomic and functional diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in gravevine, blueberry, and rhododendron. Replacing 5358-12210-002-00D (02/2006).