Life Sciences Commons^™

Estimation Of Optimum Plot Size And Shape For Use In Safflower Yield Trials, Alfred Max Wiedemann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One of the big problems encountered in experimental yield trials of field crops is the variation that occurs in yield estimates regardless of how the trial is handled with respect to variety or treatment. This so-called "natural" variation is the result of such factors as heredity, human error, and environment.

The Use Of Tetrazolium As A Measure Of The Salt Tolerance Of Alfalfa, Daryl A. Freter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The task of obtaining and selecting plants which may not only survive under salty conditions, but grow and produce satisfactory yields is varied and complex. It is becoming necessary to select and breed crops for salt tolerance. Plants can be grown in artificially constructed salt basins to test their individual salt tolerance, but this takes time, at least one year. It would be desirable to develop a rapid test to determine the salt tolerance of a given plant. The use of a dye in conjunction with a series of salt solutions has been suggested for determining the salt tolerance of …

Alfalfa Resistance To The Clover Seed Chalcid Bruchophagus Gibbus (Boheman), Gerald Douglas Minion

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The destructive nature of the clover seed chalcid has been known since the latter part of the 19th century. This jet-black Hymenoptera, often called the "chalcis-fly," destroys from 10 to 20 percent of the alfalfa seed in Utah each year. Damage as high as 85 percent has been reported.

Influence Of Moisture And Nitrogen Levels And Harvest Interval On Water Requirement Of Two Genotypes Of Orchardgrass, William W. Wagner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the semi-arid west, moisture is often the limiting factor in plant growth. High crop production is dependent upon rainfall and supplemental moisture supplied through irrigation. Plants for these areas, which are most efficient in use of water, other things being equal, would be more desirable.

Varieties And Quality Of Small Grain Seed Planted In Utah In 1958, Louis A. Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

High quality seed is of first importance in efficient crop production. Seed is one of the major factors affecting yield and quality of the crop. High quality seed is of adapted varieties, has high gemination, and is free of foreign material and weed seeds. Crop seed containing weed seeds may be the means of infesting farm land with weeds. Such seed is expensive at any price.

A Study Of The Clover Seed Chalcid Infestation Of Various Alfalfa Varieties In Utah, Reed Charles Bunker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One of the limiting factors associated with seed production of alfalfa and certain clovers is a small jet-black wasp commonly known as the clover seed chalcid, Bruchophagus gibbus (Boheman). In alfalfa seed producing areas this insect is often referred to as the alfalfa seed chalcid or the alfalfa seed chalcis-fly. In local areas of Utah, farmers often refer to this insect as simply "the fly."

An Inheritance And Linkage Study Of 19 Factor Pairs In Barley, Francis Cheney Lebaron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Barley, during the past three decades, has been used considerably for the study of linkage groups and character inheritance. The commercial varieties are diploids, having seven pairs of chromosomes. Six linkage groups have been established. According to studies on interchange by Kramer et al. (1954), two linkage groups, formerly designated as III and VII, may be separate arms of the same chromosome. They are now generally considered as one linkage group.

Though more than two hundred characters have been investigated, less than sixty have been assigned relative positions on genetic maps. In many cases, selection for good characters is …

Linkage And Inheritance Studies In Barley (Hordeum), Robert E. Heiner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Barley has had wide acceptance not only as a cultivated crop but also as an excellent source of genetic material. Barley was being used in inheritance studies by Tschermak when he rediscovered Mendel's laws of heredity. Since then barley has become one of the most widely used plants for genetic studies known today.

More than 100 characters have been investigated indicating the relative ease of classification. There are 7 linkage groups corresponding to the 7 chromosomes in which 2 or more characters have been located as reported by Robertson (1939). But Kramer, Veyl, and Hanson (1954), from translocation experiments, suggest …

Absorption Of C14 Labeled Sucrose By Nectaries, Cecil Wright Lefevre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since the early Eighteenth Century the significance of nectar secretion has been debated. Some have reasoned that it is reabsorbed into the plant and used as energy for the developing embryo while others believe it is a waste product which attracts pollinating insects.

It has been suggested (Brink and Cooper, 1947) that the nutrient supply to developing ovules is a major factor in the development of seed. Also, alfalfa fields pollinated by pollen-collecting bees produce greater seed yields than those pollinated by nectar collectors (Bohart, Nye, and Levin, 1955). It is a well-known fact that more flowers are tripped by …

A Critical Appraisal Of Methods Of Sucrose Analysis In Sugar Beets, Homer M. Lebaron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the parent of the present sugar beet was probably known and used before the building of the pyramid of Cheops (22), it was as recent as 210 years ago that Marggraf obtained the first crystalized sucrose from the root. It was 40 years later before Achard claimed its potentialities as an efficient industry. The product rapidly passed from the status of a luxury to a vital necessity, until today sugar beet production receives some protection or preference in every country where sugar beets are grown.

The Effect Of Soil Moisture And Fertilizers On Seed Germination, Stephen Dubetz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Failure of viable seeds to germinate results in poor stands and often in lower yields. Some of the more important factors that affect germination of seed are temperature, moisture, aeration, and alkalinity.

Planting of speciality crops under irrigation in southern Alberta, Canada, usually is done when temperature is favourable to germination. However, soil moisture, especially in the seed zone, may not always be adequate - a situation brought about, in part, by the strong winds that prevail in this area. Results at the Experimental Farm, Lethbridge, Alberta, show that irrigated crops respond to phosphorus and nitrogen. During the past six …

The Relative Saponin Content Of Alfalfa Varieties In Utah As Measured By Chick Growth Depression, Morris Dean Wilding

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bloat among ruminants is not new to farmers or scientists. One learns from a Roman author's description of this ailment written in 60 A. D. that the symptoms have changed little since that time. Literature also records that the treatments used today for the prevention and relief of bloat are similar to those prescribed by the early Romans (Anonymous 1954).

A Study Of The Root Rot-Nematode Complex And The Comparative Yield Of 17 Varieties Of Alfalfa In Washington County, Utah, J. Clair Theurer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alfalfa is the major forage crop in the state of Utah. It is especially important in Washington County where mild temperatures allow the production of 4 to 5 cuttings each year, and where the dairy industry is increasing.

A Comparison Of Devices For Measuring Soil Moisture Tension And Their Effectiveness In Predicting Irrigation Requirements In The Field, Modesto Capiel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many problems of management of irrigated soils require a knowledge of the soil moisture status and its relationship to plant growth before they can be solved.

The amount of water in the soil as indicated by moisture content gives no reliable information of its availability for plant growth. It is therefore desirable to obtain a direct measurement of the readiness with which soil water can be obtained by the plant

the "field capacity" and the "wilting percentage" have been helpful in estimating the amount of soil water that can be used by plants.

Soil sampling has been used extensively to …

Salt Tolerance Studies Of Selected Crop Plants, Cyril Reed Funk Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Extensive land areas in arid and semi-arid regions contain excessive amounts of salt which inhibit or prevent the growth of desirable crop plants. This problem is increasing with the development of extensive irrigation projects. The future of irrigation agriculture will depend upon the development and the utilization of means of (1) preventing salt accumulation, (2) reclaiming salted soils, and (3) making the best use of those soils which by reason of drainage problems, soil texture and permeability, poor quality irrigation water, etc. are unsuited for economic reclamation.

The utilization of land that is not feasible to completely reclaim, at least …

The Effect Of The Water Extracting Requirement Upon The Fertilizer, Yield And Growth Response Of Sweet Corn, Roberto Vazquez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There are a number of factors that influence crop yield, two of which are soil moisture and fertility.

The Inheritance Of Certain Morphological Characters Of The Barley Spike, Donald C. Rasmussen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Plant breeding, in its simplest form, began thousands of years ago. Since then it has grown into a science of immense practical importance with vast strides made possible by continued research.

A Study Of The Variability Of Distichlis Stricta Selections From Several Geographical Locations In The Western United States, Arlan Kent Nielson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Distichlis stricts as indicated by the available literature is rather unpalatable, but has the ability to grow vigorously on wet, saline, or alkali soils where more palatable species will not survive. D. stricts can be eradicated quickly where drainage and cultivation can be practices, but there are thousands of acres in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina where cultivation or drainage are impractical or impossible.

On such problem soils, where the majority of the vegetation consists largely of D. stricts, a great deal of benefit would be derived from any improvement in the forage quality of this species. …

Root Yields, Sucrose, And Glutamic Acid Content Of Sugar Beets As Influenced By Soil Moisture, Nitrogen Fertilization, Variety, And Harvest Date, Donald G. Woolley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The United States produces about 1.8 million tons of sugar annually. Approximately 75 per cent of this production is derived from sugar beets. The importance of the sugar beet crop in national and world economy is justification for research effort as a means to more economical production.

It is desirable that sugar beet processing be carried out in the most efficient manner. More effective utilization of the sugar beet and its by-products will add stability to the sugar beet industry.

For the past 170 years, since Achard found that sugar could be used for human consumption and that pulp might …

Detection Of Coumarin In Seeds Involving Crosses Between Two Species Of Melilotus, William H. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sweet clover has become increasingly important as a forage and green manure crop. The main objection in recent years to sweet clover is its coumarin content, identified by a sweet odor and bitter taste, making it less desirable to farm animals. When sweet clover hay spoils, the coumarin is converted into dicoumarol which is toxic to animals, especially to ruminants. When ingested this may cause internal and/or external hemorrhages.

Phenotypic Variations Of Kochia Scoparia, Kenneth Malcolm Benson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. has had limited use as a forage crop during the past fifteen years in parts of the western United States, Canada, and Argentina. Erickson and Moxon (1947) reported kochia* to be a good emergency feed for sheep and cattle during dry years in South Dakota. Salguero (1946) said that this species could be utilized in Argentina as silage or pasturage if harvested before flowering. Bell, et al. (1952) in Saskatoon, Canada studied this species in a comparison with other introduced plants and reported that it seemed to have desirable nutrient characteristics for livestock roughage. Plummer …

Seedling Establishment Of Alfalfa Comparing Four Varieties, Three Fungicides And Two Inoculums, Ronald Brown Foster

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The establishment of alfalfa is expensive and good initial stands permit the farmer to secure high yields and spread establishment costs over several years, Of the factors involved: seedbed preparation, fertilization, seed viability, method of planting, and water application are controlled by the farmer, On the other hand, beneficial and detrimental microflora are not so easily controlled because practices aimed at controlling the detrimental microflora may also destroy the beneficial.

The Effect Of Limited Moisture Supply At Various Stages Of Growth On The Development And Production Of Hybrid Corn, Ralph E. Campbell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Corn occupies from 25 to 30 percent of the crop land harvested in the United States. In recent years the acreage devoted to corn in this country has been decidedly greater than that devoted to any other cultivated crop. In 1944 its dollar value exceeded the combined values of wheat, barley, rye, grain sorghums, and cotton.

Although South Dakota lies on the northwestern fringe of the corn belt, the corn crop is one of the most important in that state. Corn production in that area is somewhat unstable because of drought. Corn often fails to reach full maturity before the …

Control Of Dodder In Alfalfa Seed Crops, William Orvid Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) is a parasitic weed which attacks alfalfa, clovers, lespedeza, and many other species of plants. This pest is especially troublesome when these crops are grown to produce seed.

Control of dodder should increase the financial income of a seed producer in several ways. First, control should make it possible for a producer to raise seed of high quality which will command a better price; second, it should enable the producer to increase yields; and last, it should eliminate much of the cost of harvesting and cleaning his product.

Where dodder is present in seed, the grower …

Inheritance Studies Of A Wheat Cross To Six Races Of Covered Smut, Douglas R. Dewey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Covered smut is a fungus disease that has caused serious losses of wheat for centuries. Its origin is not known, but it was well known to early Romans as evidenced by the fact that they had a god, Robigus, whose special work was to watch over crops to "avert the mildew" (45). It is often referred to as "bunt" or "stinking smut of wheat". Throughout this paper the term "bunt" will be used to designate this disease in order to avoid confusing it with other smuts of wheat.

Bunt is worldwide in its distribution, but it is especially prevalent in …

Viability Of Seed Produced By Annual Weeds And Winter Wheat Treated With Herbicides, J. Wayne Whitworth

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Large sums of money are spent annually for herbicides to control weeds in fall sown wheat. Many of these weeds are killed by such treatments while others survive and mature seed. Viability of seeds produced by weeds injured by systemic or growth regulator type herbicides has long been a matter of great interest, much speculation, and very little research. Data on this subject are needed in order to intelligently use chemicals for weed control.

The Yield And Thiamine, Riboflavin, And Niacin Content Of Alfalfa Hay As Related To Fertilizer Treatment Of Soil, Rasik L. Pathak

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alfalfa has long been recognised as an outstanding hay plant in terms of both yield and feeding value. It is high in digestible proteins minerals, and vitamins. Because of its long life. it can be economlcally produced. It is of exceptlonal value in maintalning soil fertility by helping to control erosion, by improving the physical condition of the soil, and by accumulating large amounts of nitrogen.

Some Relationships Of Potassium To Lime-Induced Chlorosis, Wilford H. Robinson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Chlorosis, the yellowing of plant leaves, results from reduced synthesis of chlorophyll. It is caused by a deficiency or an unbalance of essential nutrient elements. The amount and pattern of yellowing varies with the cause and severity of the disturbance. Chlorosis results in reduced vigor of the affected plants and a corresponding loss in quantity and quality of the product grown. In severe cases chlorosis may lead to the eventual death of the plant.

Inheritance Of Resistance To Races Of Covered Smut, Awns, And Chaff Color In A Wheat Cross, Nazar Singh Dhesi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat is the most important cereal crop in the world. It is the principal staple food in Russia, United States, China, Canada, India and a number of other countries.

Covered smut is one of the most serious disease of wheat all over the world. According to Woolman and Humphrey (82) it was known from very early times and is referred to by Theoprastus and other early Greek Roman writers.

Inheritance Of Resistance To Six Races Of Bunt, To Awns And Kernel Color In A Wheat Cross, Marr D. Simons

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat is the most important cereal crop of the world, and one of the most serious diseases affecting it over much of its range is covered smut or bunt (57). The word "bunt", according to Heald (48), is a contraction of an old English term, "burnt ear", which fittingly describes the ravages of covered smut.

Man's first knowledge of this disease is lost in antiquity, but it was first recorded by early Greek writers (97). Gaines (39), writing in 1928, stated that since 1924 stinking smut had been the most destructive parasite of wheat in America, causing losses of as …