Life Sciences Commons^™

Dyer, Susan Joan (Spear) (Fa 1326), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project FA 1326. Student folk studies project titled “’Sengin’: Cultivation of an Endangered Species” about growing and harvesting ginseng in Williamson County, Tennessee. Photos include the growing stages of the ginseng plant, the harvesting process, and related tools.

Steenbergen, Joel (Fa 1325), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 1325. Student folk studies project titled “Ginseng: The Wonder of the World,” about the history and folklore of ginseng in the United States, its uses, the harvesting process and tools.

Ua100/1/1 Rural Training School Administration, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

No abstract provided.

Stevens, Donald (Fa 1205), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

FA Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 1205. Student paper titled “Digging Ginseng” in which Donald Stevens describes the process of locating, cleaning, drying, and selling ginseng root. Stevens collected information from Charlie Dean Ashley, a Breckenridge County native, and Stevens’ neighbor in Dillsboro, Indiana. The paper also includes a photograph of Ashley along with his favorite hunting grounds.

Heterologous Expression Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Purple Acid Phosphatase Gene (Atpap15) In Crops For Phytoremediation Of Sites Contaminated With Excess Phosphorus, Jane Jeruto Bartonjo

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

AtPAP15 is one of the purple acid phosphatases expressed by Arabidopsis thaliana that has been extensively studied. Purified AtPAP15 has been shown to exhibit both phytase and phosphomonoesterase activities in acidic pH with maximal activity at pH 4.5. AtPAP15 is a phosphorus starvation inducible (PSI) gene that is expressed highly during phosphorus deficient conditions. In the current study, AtPAP15 was overexpressed in Nicotiana tabaccum under cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV35S) constitutive promoter. After PCR confirmation of the gene, plants were transferred to the greenhouse and allowed to grow in pots. The pots contained Sta-Green potting mix (Lowe’s Inc., Mooresville, North Carolina,U.S.). …

Transcriptomic Insights Into The Morphological Variation Present In Bromeliaceae, Victoria A. Gilkison

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Bromeliaceae family utilizes a wide range of adaptations to inhabit a variety of environments including dry ones. Many attribute the large adaptive radiation of Bromeliaceae throughout the Neotropics to three main features: absorptive trichomes, tank reservoirs, and CAM photosynthesis. Based on leaf morphology and arrangement, root type, and nutrient acquisition, Pittendrigh (1948) conservatively separated bromeliads into four main classes. These four main classes are designated Type I bromeliads, Type II bromeliads, Type III bromeliads and Type IV bromeliads. We used RNA-sequencing of leaf mRNA to investigate similarities and differences in gene expression which can be related back to the …

Perguson, Dee Carl, 1921-2010 (Sc 2861), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2861. Letters of Ohio County, Kentucky native Dee Carl Perguson, written to Marjorie Clagett, his French teacher at Western Kentucky State Teachers College, during his World War II military service and afterward. He writes observantly of military life while training in Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania, of his experiences while serving in North Africa and Italy, and of his reassignment to Florida after suffering an arm wound. He also describes local plant life to Clagett, an accomplished amateur botanist. After the war, he writes from England during his postgraduate study. Settled in Seattle, Washington, …

Cultivar, Mowing Height, And Herbicide Effects On Bermudagrass, Cynodon Dactylon [L.] Pers., Suppression In Tall Fescue, Schedonorus Arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort., Nom. Cons., Daniel S. Sandor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the fall of 2011, a study was initiated at the Western Kentucky University Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky on a Crider silt loam (Typic Paleudalf). The objective of this study was to determine cultivar, mowing height, and herbicide effects on bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers., suppression in tall fescue, Schedonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort., nom. cons. The experimental design was a split plot design with whole plots consisting of varying mowing heights and split plots consisting of different herbicide treatments with three replications. Two separate experiments were conducted. The tall fescue variety ‘KY 31’ was utilized for one study and …

Martin, Lanna Gayle, B. 1961 (Sc 1023), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "additional files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1023. Paper titled “Sadie F. Price: Artist, Botanist, Author, and Naturalist,” written by Lanna Gayle Martin for a Western Kentucky University class.

Mccoy, Thomas N. (Sc 2635), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2635. Bound typescript of paper by Thomas N. McCoy, Catlettsburg, Kentucky entitled “Sadie F. Price, 1849-1903,” Kentucky Botanist,” including typescripts of correspondence with Price about botany, and a collection of new clippings concerning Price.

Coombs, Elizabeth Robertson, 1893-1988 (Sc 2633), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2633. Original typescript of a Sarah "Sadie" Frances Price bibliography compiled by Elizabeth Robertson Coombs, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Lafferty, Maude (Ward), 1869-1962 (Sc 2616), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2616. Typescript copies of "A Brief Sketch of Rafinesque and the Transylvania Botanic Garden" and the "Journal of Samuel Constantine Ranfiesque," by Maud (Ward) Lafferty, Lexington, Kentucky.

Bacterial Interactions Of Inoculated Price's Potato Bean (Apios Priceana): A Biological Study, Rhonda Walker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Apios priceana is a native endangered species plant found in the Southeast United States. It is characterized as a leguminous species that bears wisteria like clusters with pea like flowers, a large tuberous root and four to six inch long seed pods. It is believed the Native Americans and early European settlers relied on this species as a source of protein and utilized the seeds for cultivation of the tuberous “potato” which formed. Apios priceana contains an average of 13% fiber, 6.9% protein, 71% carbohydrate and 9 of the 11 essential amino acids needed in human diets (Walter et al.,1986). …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 4: Contributions To The Garden, 1875-1912, Charles H. Smith

DLPS Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impacts Of Global Warming On Appalachian Wildflower Phenologies, Rachel D. Wigginton

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Public and private interest in global warming has prompted exploration of the impacts this phenomenon may impart on ecosystem functions. Flowering phenology has been one of the areas many scientists believe is particularly susceptible to the impacts of anthropogenic warming. Over three weekends in spring of 2008, the vernal herb community was surveyed at five sites within the Great Smoky Mountains regions of the southern Appalachian Mountains. The intent was to capture the naturally occurring elevational gradient and determine if the temperature cue for blooming was the same for all co-flowering species in the study. This information would allow for …

Conversion Of Traditional Observation-Based Botany Labs To Investigative Inquiry Learning, Hajara Mahmood

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

“Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand.” - Chinese Proverb. Involvement in learning implies possessing skills and attitudes that permit students to seek resolutions to questions and issues while constructing new knowledge.

Low enrollment in Plant Biology and Diversity and upper level plant science courses has been noticed at Western Kentucky University. In addition, graduating students performed below the national average on the senior assessment examination in the area of botany content knowledge offered by WKU’s Biology Department. This may be due to the fact that observation-based botany has been taught in …

Price, Sarah Frances "Sadie," 1849-1903 (Mss 212), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 212. Journal articles, scrapbook and botanical illustrations of Sarah Frances "Sadie" Price, a Bowling Green, Kentucky naturalist and artist. Also includes a copy of her book "Flora of Warren County, Kentucky" and a botanical card game, "Phaenogamia," that she developed.

Ua37/13 Faculty Personal Papers Charles Crume, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

The series includes papers and publications related to Crume's work as a naturalist as well as reproductions of some of his artwork and biographical data.

Effects Of Management And Population Size On Genetic Diversity Of Eggert's Sunflower (Helianthus Eggertii; Asteraceae), John Howard Starnes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Helianthus eggertii (Asteraceae) is a federally threatened sunflower species that typically grows between open woods and barrens. This species has both sexual and asexual modes of reproduction, which can influence the amount of genetic diversity present within and among populations. Maintaining genetic diversity is one of the primary objectives in managing threatened species or populations. Fire and population size may influence genetic diversity. Two Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Markers (873 and MAO) were used to characterize many important genetic parameters of 17 populations in 2003 and four populations in 2004. This information was used to assess the effectiveness of different conservation …

Ua66/5 Newsletter, Wku Agriculture

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by WKU Agriculture Department re: faculty/staff, students/alumni, student organizations and clubs and donors.

Evaluation Of Fomesafen For Broadleaf Weed Control, In Soybeans (Glycine Max), Ricardo A. Jimenez

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The lack of effective broadleaf weed control represents one of the major factors having detrimental effects on growth and yield of soybeans. Broadleaf weeds are a serious threat to soybean growers in the southeastern United States. A broad range of herbicides is being used in an effort to control broadleaf weeds in soybeans, and research is still being conducted to find new herbicides that can best work for this purpose. This study involved the use of one these herbicides. It was fomesafen, 5-[2-chloro-4-trifluromethyl) phenoxy]-N-(methyl-sulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide, which controls a broad spectrum of broadleaf weeds in soybeans.

The experiment was conducted in the …

Sulfur Accumulation In Xylem Tissue Of Forest Trees From Kentucky & Tennessee & Its Relation To Yearly Growth, Jennifer Sharp

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The levels of sulfur present in xylem tissue of Quercus alba (white oak) show a statistically significant increase from 1970 to 1983. This increase was found in trees from three different sites in Kentucky and Tennessee. The levels of sulfur present in Tsuga canadensis (hemlock) show a statistically significant increase from 1955 to 1970. Sensitivity, growth response to the tree's environment, decreased in oaks from 1933 to 1968 but increased slightly in hemlocks during the same time period. The data tend to support a direct relationship between increasing sulfur levels and a reduction in growth. Physiological and ecological studies of …

Patterns Of Sulfur Deposition In The Wood Of Pinus Echinatia Mill. From The Cumberland Plateau In Kentucky, Darrell Ray

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Air pollution and acid precipitation have long had an influence on plant and animal life. In this study, the level of sulfur in the stem tissue of Pinus echinata Mill. was measured in trees from various sites along the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau to determine the presence and pattern of sulfur deposition in this species. Overall, a 40.28% increase in sulfur levels was observed from four sites along the plateau with levels increasing from 0.072 mgS/gdwt in the 1962-66 growth increment to 0.101 mg in the 1982-86 increment. According to a computer generated analysis of variance, the differences …

Ua66/6 Brigadoon Nature Preserve Survey Phase I, Wayne Mason, Jeff Jenkins, Kenneth Nicely, Herbert Shadowen

WKU Archives Records

A preliminary report of an ongoing survey on the mammals, birds, vascular plants, and fungi that have been recorded at the Brigadoon Nature Preserve from November, 1983 - September, 1984.

Phenotypic Differences In Populations Of Euonymus Americanus L. From The Central United States & Autecological Studies Of This Species In A Deciduous Forest Of Kentucky, Paul Bayer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The concentrations of sodium and potassium in the leaves of Euonymus americanus collected from a relict hardwood forest during a four month period showed a possible winter conditioning pattern. Seeds collected from this same relict stand would not germinate, even though they were subjected to a wide variety of germination experiments. Phenotypic differentiation in fully developed leaves was not found; however, differences related to the length of the growing season were noted. Autecological studies of Euonymus americanus should be continued to investigate the role of this plant in relict hardwood stands.

Interpopulational & Species Comparisons Of The Genus Liquidambar, Diana Duckworth

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Growth patterns under controlled conditions and chemotaxonomic techniques involving protein and flavonoid analysis were used to investigate both interpopulational and species comparisons in the genus Liquidambar. Striking differences in budburstinq patterns after a dormant period were seen when comparing L. styraciflua and L. formosana. The latter species showed earlier initiation of growth. Dormancy patterns of L. styraciflua grown under growth chamber conditions showed a latitudinal cline. Cessation of growth occurred later in a Georgia population under both long and short day experimental periods than populations from Missouri and Kentucky. When grown under controlled conditions, flavonoid patterns from L. …

A Floristic Survey Of The Vascular Plants Of Barren County, Kentucky, George Pryor Johnson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A floristic survey was made of the vascular plants of Barren County, Kentucky. A total of 1190 specimens were collected which represent 603 species, 351 genera and 103 families.

The Asteraceae had the largest number of species of any family, a total of 85. The next largest families were Poaceae and Fabaceae, with 54 and 35 species, respectively. The genus Carex was represented by 24 species, the largest number for any genus.

A description and discussion of the vascular flora of specific sites as well as the county in general is given. An annotated list of species is also presented.

A Taxonomic & Physiographic Survey Of Scirpus In Kentucky With Problem Species Complex Analysis, Sally Arnold

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The genus Scirpus was analyzed according to species occurrence and physiographic distribution in the State of Kentucky. The morphology of three taxonomic problem complexes, Scirpus atrovirens-georgianus, Scirpus validus-acutus, and Scirpus cyperinus-eriophorum-pelius-pedicellatus was evaluated to determine whether or not their components are distinct among the Kentucky specimens. Remaining taxa were likewise evaluated and identified. A key to Scirpus in Kentucky and a taxonomic treatment are presented.

Ecotypic Differentiation Of Andropogon Virginicus L. In Relation To Strip Mine Spoil Banks, Valina Kay Hurt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Reciprocal plantings of populations of broomsedge, taken from an abandoned strip mine and from an abandoned farm plot in south central Kentucky, on strip mine spoil and abandoned field soil resulted in patterns of populations differentiation. Clonal plantings of populations from strip mine habitats and old field development appeared equal in height and biomass when grown on old field soils in both field trials and growth chamber studies. Populations when planted in strip mine soils in field trials and controlled growth experiments. Later flowering in strip mine populations may be a key to survival strategy in the harsh microclimates of …

Ecotypic Differentiation In Ohio & Mississippi Populations Of Acer Negundo L., Anthony Greco

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Laboratory investigations of Acer negundo populations from two widely separated habitats revealed distinct patterns of ecotypic differentiation in budbursting, leaf fall, and chlorophyll levels. Second year seedlings of Mississippi seed origin had complete leaf emergence before any evidence of budbursting in the Ohio progeny of similar age. Leaf fall patterns showed a clear difference between the two populations with Ohio plants dropping their leaves 2.5 weeks prior to complete defoliation in the Mississippi progeny. Significant differences in chlorophyll levels were demonstrated with the more northern (higher latitude) Ohio population showing consistently greater amounts of chlorophyll per gram dry weight than …