Formative Evaluation of a Family Cooperation Board Game

A lack of credible evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of play therapy and the use of therapeutic board game in play therapy exists (Phillips, 2010; Matorin, 1996). Parent involvement is a key variable in the effectiveness of play therapy (Kottman, Stother, and Deniger, 2001). Formative research was used in this study to evaluate of The Super Family Board Game™ (SFBG) in order to develop an effective therapeutic board game aimed at enhancing family cooperation and cohesion. As the first formative evaluation of a therapeutic board game, this study provides future research implications for developing and testing therapeutic board games

Potassium-magnesium antagonism in high magnesium vineyard soils

The Iowa wine and grape industry underwent a rapid phase of growth at the turn of the 21st century that is continuing to evolve and develop today. Cultivar trials across the state found that `Marquette\u27 grapevines were performing poorly in eastern Iowa while other cultivars performed well. A preliminary investigation suggested a magnesium induced potassium deficiency and/or above optimum soil pH as the cause of poor growth of `Marquette\u27. Soils in the upper Mississippi Valley are derived from limestone and dolomite bedrock resulting in their characteristically high pH and high magnesium properties, which often inhibits potassium uptake. Recommendations to amend these soil types for grape production do not exist but are essential for optimizing grapevine yield. This study was undertaken to determine how to amend vineyard soils with a low potassium/magnesium concentration and above optimum pH. The multi-year pot culture study included two cultivars, Marquette and St. Croix, and four soil amendment treatments. Soil amendment treatments compared all combinations of potassium/magnesium concentration (0.24 and amended to 0.50) and soil pH (7.2 and amended to 6.2) in a two-by-two factorial. Results indicated potassium additions increased the soil potassium/magnesium concentration as well as increased the petiole potassium concentration. Decreasing the pH alone decreased available soil magnesium but had no effect on the potassium/magnesium concentration. This suggests that it is only necessary to add potassium to increase the potassium/magnesium concentration in these soils

Sweet Cherry Cultivar Trial

In 2009, a sweet cherry tree cultivar trial was established to evaluate the suitability of new varieties for the home gardener in the Muscatine Island region. Seven varieties grafted onto Gisela® 5 rootstocks were planted in spring 2009. Gisela® 5 rootstock was chosen for its dwarfing ability (roughly 50 percent of Mazzard), virus resistance, and cold hardiness

Black Degradable Plastic Mulch Evaluation

Black polyethylene plastic mulch provides many benefits to fruit and vegetable producers. It increases earliness by increasing spring soil temperatures, conserves soil moisture, and reduces pesticide usage by decreasing weed and disease pressure. Furthermore, during seasons of high precipitation, it protects fertilizer from leaching below the root zone. Unfortunately, polyethylene mulches do not degrade and must be removed from the field and discarded each season. This is a labor-intensive process whether it is done mechanically or by hand. Several degradable plastic mulches have been developed that are designed to be incorporated into the soil profile, eliminating the need for removal, with no negative impact on soil quality or health. However, these degradable plastics often do not meet degradation expectations (either degrade too quickly or degrade incompletely and require manual removal). The objective of this project was to evaluate several degradable mulches for storage life, ease of use, and influence on tomato production

Sweet Corn Cultivar Trial

The 2010 sweet corn cultivar trial was conducted to identify cultivars with good ear characteristics for local marketing or shortdistance shipping. This year’s trial focused on the bicolor, high-quality shrunken 2 (sh2) types, often referred to as augmented or improved sh2. They need isolation from other corn genotypes and careful handling at harvest but reward the grower with the best combination of good eating quality and extended shelf life that is available

All-America Selections Vegetable Trial

A new project this year at the Muscatine Island Research Farm was the All-America Selections (AAS) Vegetable Trial. The AAS is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1932 by industry leaders to organize and oversee unbiased evaluations of new,soon to be released flower and vegetable varieties. The goal of the AAS is to identify extraordinary breeding breakthroughs in their trials and then promote these proven winners to the public with the AAS Winner designation

All-America Selections Vegetable Trial

All-America Selections® (AAS) is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1932 by industry leaders to organize and oversee unbiased evaluations of new, soon to be released flower and vegetable varieties. The goal of the AAS is to identify truly improved home garden varieties through a national network of trial grounds and then promote these proven winners as All-America Selections®

Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) Cultivar Observation

Fueled by increasing interest in home gardening, this trial was established to evaluate seven cultivars on hardiness, growth habit, and overall appearance. Three specimens of Emerald, Holmstrup, Woodwardii, Elegantissima, Berckman’s Golden Biota, Pyramidalis, and George Washington were planted at the Muscatine Arboretum, Muscatine, IA, in June 2001. The planting site was on a knoll allowing full sun exposure and air movement. The soil is a moderately well drained, fertile clay loam.Roundup herbicide, woodchip mulching, and hand pulling controlled weeds. Plants were not pruned to observe natural growth habit

All American Selections

The year 2007 was the second for the All American Selections Vegetable Trial at the Muscatine Island Research Farm. The AAS is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1932 by industry leaders to organize and oversee unbiased evaluations of new and soon to be released flower and vegetable varieties. The goal of the AAS is to identify extraordinary breeding breakthroughs in their trials and then promote these proven winners to the public with the AAS Winner designation

Muskmelon Cultivar Trial

The 2010 melon trial evaluated 13 muskmelon and specialty melon cultivars to determine their relative maturity, yield potential, and fruit characteristics when grown in southeast Iowa