Digital Commons Network^™

Innovative Water Management Using Advanced Irrigation Systems And Biochar, Jonathan A. Holt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two approaches to water optimization in agriculture are to increase soil water retention and improve the efficiency of irrigation. A soil amendment that has received attention for its ability to increase soil water retention is biochar, the remaining biomass after high C materials have been pyrolyzed (burned with limited oxygen and heat). Two studies were conducted at a total of 10 site-years in Utah from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate how wood biochar influences the productivity and crop quality of irrigated alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum L.), along with soil water tension. One study …

Compost And Cover Crop Effects In Dryland Organic Wheat, Michael D. Deakin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Producers of dryland organic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the western USA struggle to maintain adequate soil fertility due to the high cost of organic fertilizers and concerns over moisture use of cover crops. Low soil fertility results in decreased wheat yield and quality, and increased year-to-year variability in yield and quality based on weather. This study was conducted to measure the effects of, and interactions between, cover crop mixes and a one-time compost application on soil health and winter wheat yield and quality. The study was located on three adjacent certified organic wheat farms near Snowville, UT, each …

Genetic Mapping Of The Common And Dwarf Bunt Resistance Gene Bt12 Descending From The Wheat Landrace Pi119333, Almuth Elise Muellner, Babur Eshonkulov, Julia Hagenguth, Bernadette Pachler, Sebastian Michel, Maria Buerstmayr, David Hole, Hermann Buerstmayr

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Common bunt (CB), caused by Tilletia caries and T. foetida, and dwarf bunt (DB), caused by T. controversa, are particularly destructive diseases of wheat grown under organic (low-input) production conditions and negatively affect both grain yield and quality. A total of 16 race specific bunt resistance genes have been proposed to date. Thereof, only Bt9 and Bt10 have been mapped so far. A mapping and two validation populations comprising 176 recombinant inbred lines were evaluated for CB and DB in artificially inoculated field trials. The mapping population was derived from the cross of the Bt12 carrier PI119333 and …

Genetic Characterization And Genome-Wide Association Mapping For Dwarf Bunt Resistance In Bread Wheat Accessions From The Usda National Small Grains Collection, Tyler Gordon, Rui Wang, David Hole, Harold Bockelman, J. Michael Bonman, Jianli Chen

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Key message

Dwarf bunt-resistant bread wheat accessions and SNP markers associated with DB resistance identified in this study are valuable resources for characterization and deployment of DB resistance in bread wheat.

Abstract

Dwarf bunt (DB), caused by Tilletia controversa J.G. Kühn, can significantly reduce grain yield and quality on autumn-sown wheat in regions with prolonged snow cover. DB can be managed with the use of resistant cultivars. The objectives of the present study were to characterize DB resistance in a large set of bread wheat accessions from the National Small Grains Collection and use a genome-wide association study approach to …

Untangling The Economic And Social Impediments To Producer Adoption Of Organic Wheat, Donya L. Ralph-Quarnstrom

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Consumer demand for organic products has shown double-digit growth in recent years encouraging the development of a wider range of goods (Greene, 2017). Americans with an annual household income under $30,000 actively purchase organic foods at nearly the same rate as households with over $75,000 in annual incomes, 42% versus 49% (Greene et al., 2017). Previous research observed the adoption of organic farming practices on a combination of different grains, fruits and vegetables, meat, and dairy products from across the globe. However, this is the first study to examine the adoption of organic wheat in the Western U.S. By addressing …

Opportunities And Challenges Involved With A Large-Scale Private Enterprise Focused On Improving Food Security In Semi-Arid Regions Of Ethiopia, Anthony Richards

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In 2009, Morrell Agro Industries (MAI) was formed in Ethiopia with the mission to end famine in the country through growing imported dryland wheat varieties from the western United States. MAI entered into a lease agreement with the Ethiopian government for 25,000 ha of land in semi-arid brushland in the Oromia region. The Beltu farm was established at the location for seed multiplication and demonstration of the dryland initiative concept. From the first harvest in July of 2010 several challenges arose that prevented the success of the dryland seed initiative. From high intensity short duration rainfall events on Vertisol soils, …

Effect Of Silicon On Wheat Growth And Development In Drought And Salinity Stress, Spencer A. Tibbitts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Silicon is a major component of most soils, and is found in significant concentration in plant tissue. Plants vary widely in the amount of silicon they take up, with some plants excluding it, and others using transporters to move the silicon from the soil into their roots. Early plant physiology studies were unable to determine conclusively whether silicon was essential to plant growth, but for some plants, most notably rice, it has proved to be important enough to justify fertilizing silicon deficient fields.

Researchers at the USU Crop Physiology Lab tested the effect of silicon on wheat growth and seed …

A Novel Qtl Associated With Dwarf Bunt Resistance In Idaho 444 Winter Wheat, Jianli Chen, Mary J. Guttieri, Junli Zhang, David Hole, Edward Souza, Blair Goates

Green Canyon Environmental Research Area, Logan Utah

Dwarf bunt [Tilletia controversa J.G. Kühn [as ‘contraversa’], in Rabenhorst, Hedwigia 13: 188 (1874)] is a destructive disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that reduces grain yield and quality. A number of distinct genes conferring resistance to dwarf bunt have been used by breeding programs for nearly 100 years. However, few markers were identified that can be used in selection of dwarf bunt resistance. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the bunt-resistant germplasm, Idaho 444 (IDO444), and the susceptible cultivar, Rio Blanco, was evaluated for phenotypic reaction to dwarf bunt inoculation in four trials in …

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (Bydv), Claudia Nischwitz, Lyle Holmgren

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes Barley yellow dwarf virus, a worldwide insect pest that infects small grains like barley, wheat, oats and rice, as well as many wild grass species. It describes symptoms, the disease cycle, and management options.

Wheat Middling Versus Alfalfa Hay Supplements For Lactating Beef Cows Wintered On Ammoniated Wheat Straw, R. D. Wiedmeier

All Current Publications

Most cow-calf producers in areas with substantial winter snow cover remain dependent on mechanically harvested and stored forages to winter their cow herds.

Physiological And Biochemical Aspects Of Agrobacterium-Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Interactions, David L. Parrott Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes are the causal agents of gall or hairy root disease, but normally the bacteria do not cause disease in wheat. However, both bacteria grew without inhibition when exposed to intact or wounded wheat roots or embryos, and they colonized wheat root surfaces to levels similar to dicotyledonous plants. A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes induced 23% cell death after a 1-h exposure to wheat embryo cells grown in 7.4 mM O₂, while the extent of cell death at 2.1 mM O₂ was 8%. Contact with A. tumefaciens or A. rhizogenes caused cultured wheat …

Use Of Ground-Based Canopy Reflectance To Determine Radiation Capture, Nitrogen And Water Status, And Final Yield In Wheat, Glen L. Ritchie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ground-based spectral imaging devices offer an important supplement to satellite imagery. Hand-held, ground-based sensors allow rapid, inexpensive measurements that are not affected by the earth’s atmosphere. They also provide a basis for high altitude spectral indices.

We quantified the spectral reflectance characteristics of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Westbred 936) in research plots subjected to either nitrogen or water stress in a two year study. Both types of stress reduced ground cover, which was evaluated by digital photography and compared with ten spectral reflectance indices. On plots with a similar soil background, simple indices such as the …

Superoptimal Co2 Reduces Seed Yield In Wheat, Timothy P. Grotenhuis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although projected terrestrial CO₂ levels will not reach 1000 μmol moI^-1 (0.1%) for many decades, CO₂ levels in growth chambers and greenhouses routinely exceed that concentration. CO₂ levels in life support systems in space can exceed 10,000 μmol moI^-1 (1%) CO₂. Numerous studies have examined CO₂ effects up to 1000 μmol mol^-1, but theoretical and some experimental evidence indicates that the beneficial effects of CO₂ continue past 1000 μmol mol^-1 and are near-optimal for wheat at about 1200 μmol mol^-1.

We studied the effects of near-optimal …

Low Temperature Techniques As A Tool In Plant Pathology, Sigrun Hippe-Sanwald

Scanning Microscopy

In plant pathology, low temperature preparation techniques now appear to be feasible methods to stabilize the dynamic ultrastructure of the host-(plant)-pathogen (fungi) interaction for an analysis by transmission electron microscopy. A well defined ultrastructure of small organisms (fungi) and large biological samples such as plant material and as well as the plant-pathogen (fungus) infection sites are presented. The mesophyll tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana is characterized by homogeneously structured cytoplasm closely attached to the cell wall. Infection sites of stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) on primary leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe …

Home Storage Of Wheat, Ralph E. Whitesides

Archived Food and Health Publications

Publication gives information and tips on how to properly and safely store wheat.

Home Storage Of Wheat, Ralph E. Whitesides

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Use Of Annual And Perennial Triticeae Species For Wheat Improvement, A. Mujeeb-Kazi

Herbarium Publications

Constraints due to global biotic and abiotic stress continue to exist in wheat germ plasm. Novel genetic diversity resides in several annual/perennial Triticeae species that can be introgressed into wheat through intergeneric hybridization, of which Thinopyrum curvifolium is the principle source as it addresses the emphasis here for achieving wheat derivatives resistant to Helminthosporium leaf blight (Cochliobolus sativus). Some additional sources like Th. elongatum (2n=2x= 14) and Secale cereale are also mentioned. The interspecific hybridization strategy offers alien genetic introgression opportunities, for which the closely related Triticum species have a priority. Of these sources, the D genome T. tauschii (Aegilops …

Effects Of Elevated Co2 On Crop Growth Rates, Radiation Absorption, Canopy Quantum Yield, Canopy Carbon Use Efficiency, And Root Respiration Of Wheat, Oscar A. Monje

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat canopies were grown at either 330 or 1200 μmol mol^-1 CO₂ in sealed controlled environments, where carbon fluxes and radiation interception were continuously and nondestructively measured during their life cycles. The effects of elevated CO₂ on daily growth rates, canopy quantum yield, canopy and root carbon use efficiencies, and final dry mass were calculated from carbon flux measurements in an open gas exchange system. Dry biomass at harvest was predicted from the gas exchange data to within ± 8%. The greatest effect of elevated CO₂ occurred in the first 15d after emergence; however, several physiological …

Sensory And Functional Properties Of Wheat Stored Under Home Conditions, Marilyn M. Shumway

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Samples of wheat that had been stored in homes up to 48 years were collected with information about age and storage conditions. Germination, weight per bushel, protein, moisture, grade, and aroma were investigated. Volumes of gluten balls and bread made from ground whole wheat samples were measured. Sensory attributes of bread were evaluated by Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) for eight flavor and seven texture characteristics. Because of the tremendous variation in samples, generalizations on cause and effect are difficult to make. No one criterion was a perfect indicator of quality. A high percentage of germination was one of the better …

Distribution And Intracellular Localization Of Titanium In Plants After Titanium Treatment, G. Kelemen, A. Keresztes, E. Bacsy, M. Feher, P. Fodor, I. Pais

Food Structure

The physiological role of titanium in plants has not been elucidated yet, but a higher rate of growth , greater chlorophyll content and higher productivity, among others , may be attributed to this element. We have investigated the distribution of titanium in wheat seedlings after Titavit (a Ti ·ascorbate containing plant conditioner) treatment applied either through the leaf or through the root. In field experiments, we also sprayed spinach plants with Titavit. We have found a practically unidirectional tran slocation of Ti from the shoot into the root, and a preferential local ization of Ti in the nuclear cell fraction …

The Russian Wheat Aphid In Utah, Jay B. Karren

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Whole Kernel And Bulgur Wheat Preparation And Usage, Georgia C. Lauritzen, Charlotte P. Brennand, Deloy G. Hendricks

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Photosynthetic Capacity, Leaf Size And Plant Height In Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), Deborah L. Bishop

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Plant breeders often examine leaf size, plant height and photosynthetic capacity in an effort to increase wheat yield. This study was concerned with the relationship between these parameters in dwarf and semidwarf wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) with a wide range in flag leaf size. Photosynthetic capacity was measured at anthesis using photosynthesis versus intercellular CO2 response curves to determine maximum photosynthetic rate and ribulose-1,5- bisphosphate carboxylase efficiency. Leaf area, chlorophyll concentration, stomatal density, interveinal distance and dry mass partitioning were also examined. Smaller flag leaves had greater carboxylation efficiency and closer vein spacing. Dwarf wheat had higher chlorophyll …

The Relationship Between Leaf Area Index And Photosynthetic Temperature Response In Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Canopies, David B. Meek

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing leaf area index on the photosynthetic temperature response of a wheat canopy. Hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Veery-10) was grown hydroponically in a growth chamber, which also served as the gas-exchange chamber. Gas-exchange parameters were measured on single leaves and on wheat canopies at various leaf area indices. The temperature response curves of the canopy shifted from being steeper with a high temperature optimum to being flatter with a lower temperature optimum as leaf area index increased from 0 to 20.0 m²m …

Carbon Dioxide Toxicity In Wheat, Robert Spanarkel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research was conducted to quantify short- and long-term effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on wheat. Growth, development, and yield of the spring wheat cultivar Veery-10 were measured in response to CO₂ concentrations of 340 (ambient), 1200, and 2500 μmol moI^-1 of CO₂ air. These 3 CO₂ levels were chosen to provide a control group, a predicted optimal CO₂ environment, and a potentially toxic CO₂environment, respectively. A recirculating hydroponic system provided a near-optimal root-zone environment that was identical for all CO₂ treatment levels. Environmental factors, other than CO₂, were …

Morphological Responses Of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) To Changes In Phytochrome Photoequilibria, Blue Light And Photoperiod, Charles Barnes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) plants were exposed to three different levels of phytochrome photoequilibria (φ), two different photoperiods, end-of-day far-red radiation, two different levels of blue (400-500 nm) light, three levels of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), and two types of high intensity discharge lamp types. Tillering was reduced by lowered φ, by reduced amounts on blue light and by end-of-day far-red. Main culm development was increased by lowered φ, by increased PPF, and was reduced by shortened photoperiod and by reduced blue light. Leaf length was increased by increased PPF, lowered φ, and reduced blue light but was …

Techniques For The Microanalysis Of Higher Plants With Particular Reference To Silicon In Cryofixed Wheat Tissues, M. J. Hodson, A. G. Sangster

Scanning Microscopy

The applications of x-ray microanalysis in research into silicon in higher plants are reviewed, recent developments are assessed, and new data are presented. Conventionally prepared material [air or freeze drying for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and glutaraldehyde/osmium tetroxide fixation for transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) has been studied using both wavelength and energy dispersive microanalysis. These techniques are reliable provided that the deposited form of silica is the major focus of investigation. Recently, studies concerning the soluble, mobile forms of silica, and the ionic environment at deposition sites have been initiated. In these investigations x -ray microanalysis has been carried out …

Vacuole Formation In Wheat Starchy Endosperm, D. B. Bechtel, A. Frend, L. A. Kaleikau, J. D. Wilson, P. R. Shewry

Food Structure

The formation of vacuoles in wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Highbury) starchy endosperm cells was studied using electron microscopy. Some vacuoles were always present, even in the coenocytic cytoplasm. The first formed endosperm cells were highly vacuolated, but became filled with cytoplasm as they grew older. Various-sized pieces of cytoplasm were found in vacuoles of developing endosperm cells, probably as a result of autophagic sequestration. The membranes of the autographic vacuoles appeared to originate from the rough endoplasmic reticulum and from extensions of already-formed vacuoles. Autographic activity was confirmed by localizing the hydrolytic enzyme acid phosphatase within the vacuoles. The rough …

Use Of Image Analysis To Predict Milling Extraction Rates Of Wheats, A. D. Evers, R. P. Withey

Food Structure

Image analysis of grain morphological characteristics was examined as a possible means of predicting extraction rates of a wide variety of wheat types.

Two elevations of grain were examined and measured for the top view whole grains were used, while for the lateral view grains were sagittally bisected in the plane of the crease. Extraction rate was assessed on laboratory mills and expressed as flour yield.

Milling extraction rate correlated with one shape factor with a coefficient of 0.78. Inclusion of a second factor in a stepwise regression increased the correlation coefficient to 0.925.

No satisfactory predictor of extraction rate …

Cereal Structure And Its Relationship To Nutritional Quality, S. H. Yiu

Food Structure

Factors that determine the digestibility of carbohydrates and minerals in cereals are examined . Most carbohydrates and minerals in cereals are structurally bound, either surrounded by or associated with cell wall components not easily digested by non-ruminant animals and humans. Treatments such as mechanical grinding and heat improve the digestibility of nutrient s . Further processing and cooking result in structural and physeochemical changes of cereal starch, phytate, and dietary fiber. Such changes greatly Influence the physiological and metabolic effects in animals and humans. The digestive breakdown of most nutrient components is also dependent on the activities of enzymes in …