Life Sciences Commons^™

Bean Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Abundance In Soybean Fields Protected And Unprotected By Shelterbelts, Stephen Danielson, James Brandle, Laurie Hodges, P. Srinivas

Laurie Hodges

The bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major insect pest of soybean in Nebraska and throughout much of the Midwest. This insect overwinters in the adult stage in litter in wooded areas such as shelterbelts. Historically, crop producers have been unsure of the merits of shelterbelts, especially if nearby crops are more likely to be infested by insect pests as a result. In this study, bean leaf beetle adults were sampled during the season by visually counting the number of beetles found on soybean plants early in the season and by sweep net sampling once plants …

Comparison Of An Antitranspirant Spray, A Polyacrylamide Gel, And Wind Protection On Early Growth Of Muskmelon, Laurie Hodges, Entin Daningsih, James R. Brandle

Laurie Hodges

Field experiments were conducted over 4 years to evaluate the effects of antitranspirant (Folicote, Aquatrol Inc., Paulsboro, N.J.) and polyacrylamide gel (SuperSorb, Aquatrol Inc., Paulsboro, N.J.) on early growth of transplanted muskmelon grown either protected by tree windbreaks or exposed to seasonal winds. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement was used with wind protection (sheltered and exposed) areas as the main treatment and use of an antitranspirant spray or gel dip as subtreatments. Based on destructive harvests in the field, treatments and subtreatments did not affect dry weight or leaf area index in the first 2 …

G00-1778 Field Windbreaks, James Brandle, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

gricultural producers face many challenges as they try to balance efficient production systems with increasing environmental demands. For these systems to be successful, they must optimize the balance between inputs and final production. Field windbreaks are one way to increase yields while at the same time reducing inputs and improving both environmental quality and production efficiency. Windbreaks reduce wind speed and alter the microclimate in sheltered areas. Field windbreaks reduce wind erosion and the damage to crops caused by wind-blown soil. They improve water use efficiency, reduce risks associated with drought, and manage blowing snow.

Field windbreaks provide positive economic …

Ec02-1763 How Windbreaks Work, James R. Brandle, Laurie Hodges, Xinhua Zhou

Laurie Hodges

Windbreaks are barriers used to reduce and redirect wind. They usually consist of trees and shrubs but also may be perennial or annual crops and grasses, fences, or other materials. The reduction in wind speed behind a windbreak modifies the environmental conditions or microclimate in this sheltered zone.

Growth And Yield Of Snap Beans As Affected By Wind Protection And Microclimate Changes Due To Shelterbelts And Planting Dates, Laurie Hodges, Mohd Nazip Suratman, James R. Brandle, Kenneth G. Hubbard

Laurie Hodges

The effects of wind protection on growth and total and marketahle yields of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) planted at 2-week intervals through the 1994 and 1995 growing seasons were examined. Research was conducted under nonirrigated conditions at the Shelterbelt Research Area, Univ, of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead. 'Strike' (white-seeded) and 'Rushmore' (dark-seeded) were planted in locations sheltered from wind stress hy tree windbreaks (shelterbelts) and in locations exposed to normal winds using a randomized complete-block design with a split-split plot arrangement of treatments. Air temperature, soil temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction were …