Life Sciences Commons^™

Mr430: An Evaluation Of Turfgrass Species And Varieties: Tall Fescue, Alan R. Langille, Annamarie Pennucci

Miscellaneous Reports

Originating in Europe, Tall fescue (Festuca anundinacea Schreb.) is a coarse-textured grass, which is characterized by a bunch-type growth habit. Tall fescue possesses a deeper, coarser and more extensive root system than the other cool- season species giving this grass excellent drought tolerance. It is propagated by seed, with an establishment rate that is more rapid than Kentucky bluegrass, but slower than perennial ryegrass. In conclusion, the improved tall fescue varieties performed surprisingly well at the Littlefield Garden at the University of Maine. Based upon this performance, this species should be given consideration as a cool-season turf species in …

The Ecology Of Wolf Spiders (Lydosidae) In Low Bush Bluberry (Vaccinium Angustifolium) Agroecosystems, Darlene Maloney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ecology of spiders (Araneae) in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium (Aiton)) fields in Washington County, Maine, was studied during the summers of 2000 and 2001. The abundance and distribution of spiders was investigated, and predation by one family of spiders, the wolf spiders (Lycosidae) was evaluated. The abundance and distribution of spiders was examined by capturing spiders using pitfall traps. Traps were set in conventionally managed, reduced input, and organic fields at different distances from the field edge (forest border or windbreak). The most commonly captured spiders were in the family Lycosidae. More lycosids were captured in May, June, …

Physiology, Enzyme Production, And Zoospore Behavior Of Balrachochytrium Dendrobatidis, A Chytrid Pathogenic To Amphibians, Jeffery Scott Piotrowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Balrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a pathogen of amphibians that has caused severe population declines on several continents, and little is known about the conditions that favor epidemics. The zoospore activity, temperature, and pH requirements of B. dendrobutidis were investigated to help understand the ecology and transmission of this pathogen. Over 95% of the chytrid's zoospores stop moving in less than 24 hours, and the zoospores swam less than 2 cm before encysting on tryptone agar. B. dendrobutidis zoospores were not attracted to tryptone, gelatin hydrolysate, casamino acids, keratin, gelatin, glucose, or lactose. The chytrid grew and reproduced at temperatures ranging from …

2001 Wild Blueberry Csrees Project Reports, Alfred A. Bushway, Mary Ellen Camire, Kathy Davis-Dentici, Michael Dougherty, Kathleen Buzzard, Rodney J. Bushway, Kristi Crowe, Brian Perkins, Darrell W. Donahue, Frank Drummond, Judy Collins, Rose Mary Seymour, Maya Panangadan, Maribeth Haines, Heather Mclaughlin, S L. Annis, C S. Stubbs, John M. Smagula, Walter Litten, Karen Loennecker, Adam Nielsen, David E. Yarborough, Timothy M. Hess, John Jemison

Wild Blueberry Research Reports

The 2001 edition of the Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include:

1. Effect of Wild Blueberry Products on Oxidation in Meat Based Food Systems

2. Factors Affecting the Microbial and Pesticide Residues Levels on Wild Blueberries

3. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Fresh and Processed Wild Blueberries

4. Separation of Maggot-Infested Wild Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line

5. Water Use of Wild Blueberries and the Impact of Plant Water …

The Occurrence And Characterization Of Hemoglobin From Different Strains Of Genetically Diverse, Free-Living Frankia, Jason Beckwith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hemoglobins have been identified in root nodules of many actinorhizal plants. When cultured in vitro, the actinomycete Frankia strain CcI3 produces hemoglobin when grown with or without supplied nitrogen. The cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune, also produces hemoglobin in vitro, although only under nitrogen-fixing, microaerobic conditions, and in less than one fifth of the explored strainslspecies. The objectives of this study were to determine if Frankia strains EANlpec, ArI3, EUNlf, CcI.17, and Cc13, members of diverse genogroups, are capable of producing hemoglobin in vitro, to characterize the oxygen kinetics of the hemoglobin, and to determine the effect of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon …

Wood Anatomy Of Metasequoia - Separation From Glyptostrobus And Function/Structure Considerations, George E. Visscher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is part of a broader cooperative study aimed at understanding Paleo-forest dynamics -- namely those of the Eocene period in the Canadian High Arctic. Wood of the dominant tree species -- Metasequoia -- that grew on Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, Canada is the focus of this research. The text is divided into two chapters written as articles to be submitted to the International Association of Wood Anatomists Journal (IAWA). The first chapter of this text is a direct result of classifying the fossil wood of Axel Heiberg. The wood of Glyptostrobus is similar to that of Metasequoia. Because …

Localization Of Expansin Expression During Adventitious And Lateral Rooting In Response To Auxin In Loblolly Pine, Fuyu Xu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Loblolly Pine is the most important and widely cultivated timber species in the southern United States. Due to its fast growth, it is extensively planted for lumber and pulpwood. Vegetative propagation will enhance gains from genetic improvement of tree species. Rooted-cutting is at present the most reliable non-somatic embryogenesis method for cloning specific genotypes. However, an abrupt decline of adventitious rooting capacity has hindered the application of vegetative propagation in loblolly pine. Unraveling the rooting mechanism may facilitate a way to overcome this barrier. Regulation of lateral and adventitious root formation by auxin has been demonstrated through the application of …

Relationships Between Rooting Restrictions, Radial Growth, And Drought Stress With White Pine (Pinus Strobus) Decline In Southern Maine, Megan L. Fries

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout southern Maine there was a noticeable decline and mortality of white pine (Pinus sfrobus) from 1997 through 2000 in dense pole-size stands. The decline was widespread, scattered, and happened simultaneously indicating that it was incited by an abiotic stress. Because only isolated stands showed decline and mortality, site factors likely predisposed trees to injury. Site factors are likely related to the widespread field abandonment that took place throughout southern and central Maine, and led to establishment of pure white pine stands in many areas. Although white pine can regenerate on many sites, some locations will have soil limitations, such …