Life Sciences Commons^™

The Genomic Landscape Of Molecular Responses To Natural Drought Stress In Panicum Hallii., John T. Lovell, Jerry Jenkins, David B. Lowry, Sujan Mamidi, Avinash Sreedasyam, Xiaoyu Weng, Kerrie Barry, Jason Bonnette, Brandon Campitelli, Chris Daum, Sean P. Gordon, Billie A. Gould, Albina Khasanova, Anna Lipzen, Alice Macqueen, Juan Diego Palacio-Mejía, Christopher Plott, Eugene V. Shakirov, Shengqiang Shu, Yuko Yoshinaga, Matt Zane, Dave Kudrna, Jason D. Talag, Daniel Rokhsar, Jane Grimwood, Jeremy Schmutz, Thomas E. Juenger

Yevgeniy (Eugene) Shakirov

Environmental stress is a major driver of ecological community dynamics and agricultural productivity. This is especially true for soil water availability, because drought is the greatest abiotic inhibitor of worldwide crop yields. Here, we test the genetic basis of drought responses in the genetic model for C4 perennial grasses, Panicum hallii, through population genomics, field-scale gene-expression (eQTL) analysis, and comparison of two complete genomes. While gene expression networks are dominated by local cis-regulatory elements, we observe three genomic hotspots of unlinked trans-regulatory loci. These regulatory hubs are four times more drought responsive than the genome-wide average. Additionally, cis- and trans-regulatory …

Meandering Water Dataset, Matthew Elliott

Matthew Elliott

The Next Step Beyond Identifying Field Variability: Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems Into The Farm Management Workflow, Kevin A. Adkins, Christen C. Bailey, Aspen E. Taylor

Kevin A. Adkins, PhD

Harnessing Wastewater For Renewable Energy (2013-2), Aaron Adalja, Chalida U-Tapao

Aaron Adalja

This case study explores the options for using wastewater to produce renewable energy in the context of a public wastewater treatment plant. It provides an opportunity for students to synthesize knowledge from resource economics, engineering, environmental science, agriculture, and public policy to develop a transdisciplinary approach to a socio-environmental issue. The case is designed for upper division undergraduate courses in resource economics or environmental engineering, but several modifications are provided graduate course applications. Students assume the role of a newly hired analyst at a consulting firm in Washington, DC, that specializes in renewable energy solutions. They are charged with proposing …

J. C. Penney: The Man, The Store And American Agriculture, David Delbert Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Implementing A Community-Based Social Marketing Project To Improve Agricultural Worker Health, Joan D. Flocks, Leslie Clarke, Stan Albrecht, Carol Bryant, Paul Monaghan, Holly Baker

Joan D. Flocks

The Together for Agricultural Safety project is a community-based social marketing project working to reduce the adverse health effects of pesticide exposure among fernery and nursery workers in Florida. In 3 years, the collaboration between university and community researchers has embodied many of the principles of community-based research while completing multiple stages of formative data collection required for a social marketing project. This hybrid approach to developing a health intervention for a minority community has been successful in its early stages because the community partners are organized, empowered, and motivated to execute research activities with the assistance of academic partners. …

Interagency Disputes Over Dry Fields Or Clean Water: A Case Study Of The Conflict Between Agricultural Drainage Programs And The Chesapeake Bay Cleanup, Timothy J. Lindon, Mark P. Gergen

Mark P. Gergen

Despite the threat posed to Chesapeake Bay by agricultural runoff, SCS continues to plan and fund agricultural drainage projects which will worsen the already critical condition of the bay. One such project now under consideration for the Delmarva peninsula in Maryland and Delaware is discussed. The upper Chester river watershed project provides a case study of the environmental peril posed by drainage projects and of the difficulty environmental agencies confront in seeking to compel other agencies to consider adequately the harmful consequences of their actions. ( 24 references, )

Increasing The Value Of Wool In Wyoming And Beyond: The Impact Of Uw's Wool Lab And Library, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

At the turn of the twentieth century, little more than a decade after Wyoming attained statehood, a young agricultural student at the University of Wyoming saw a pressing need to improve the quality and reputation of Wyoming wool. When John Arthur Hill became a professor in 1907, the Wool Department he created would go on to not only assist Wyoming sheep ranchers in wool production, but provide the sheep industry with a better understanding of how wool fleeces and fibers could be improved across the nation. Under Hill’s leadership and his later protege Robert Homer Burns, the Wool Department developed …

Jcpenney And His Agrarian Animals: The Award-Winning Livestock Of A Department Store Icon, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Widely known for his department store chain, James Cash Penney (1875-1971) greatly contributed to American agriculture through his horse and cattle breeding enterprises. Beginning in 1917, three years after moving to New York City, Penney began using his personal capital to acquire, breed, and sell outstanding animals for agricultural purposes. By the 1920s, his Guernsey dairy herd had earned a worldwide reputation for quality and production, with herd sire Foremost eventually becoming the namesake for one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States. By the 1940s, Penney was personally developing award-winning beef cattle herds on the Missouri farm …

Beta Diversity Of Urban Floras Among European And Non-European Cities, Frank A. La Sorte, Myla F.J. Aronson, Nicholas S.G. Williams, Laura Celesti-Grapow, Sarel Cilliers, Bruce D. Clarkson, Rebecca W. Dolan, Andrew Hipp, Stefan Klotz, Ingolf Kühn, Pter Pyšek, Stefan Siebert, Marten Winter

Rebecca W. Dolan

Aim- Cities represent an ideal study system for assessing how intensive land-use change and biotic interchange have altered beta diversity at broad geographic extents. Here we test the hypothesis that floras in cities located in disparate regions of the globe are being homogenized by species classified as invasive (naturalized species that have spread over a large area) or as a European archaeophyte (species introduced into Europe before ad 1500 from the Mediterranean Basin). We also test the prediction that the global influences of European activities (colonization, agriculture, commerce) have supported this outcome. Location- One hundred and ten cities world-wide. Methods- …

Jcpenney As Cattleman, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Though widely known for his department store chain and its Wyoming origins, James Cash Penney also played a prominent role as a cattleman from the 1920s until his death in 1971. This presentation will explore Penney's personal and professional involvement in the cattle industry, including his significant contributions within the Angus, Hereford, and Guernsey breeds.

Pulling The Wool Under Your Eyes: Preserving A Century-Old Wool Lab And Library At The University Of Wyoming, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Sheep and wool have long been integral to the agrarian heritage of Western states, and still play a vital role in the region’s agricultural economy. From 1907-2012, Wyoming’s sole university supported wool research around the world through its Wool Department, complete with its own wool laboratory and library. When the Wool Department was permanently dissolved and its building condemned for demolition in 2012, the University of Wyoming (UW) Libraries partnered with UW Extension and the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to preserve the unusual print and physical artifacts of this unique collection, as well as disseminate the spirit …

Strategic Management In Agriculture (Recording), Steven Slezak

Steven Slezak

No abstract provided.

University Of Wyoming Wool Laboratory, 1907-2012, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

The University of Wyoming Wool Laboratory operated on campus from 1907-2012, in which time the sheep and wool industry experienced great change. For over a century, the faculty of the Wool Lab carefully cataloged research associated with sheep and wool, accumulating a collection of over 1,000 individual titles, 10,000 bound journal articles, correspondence, equipment manuals, and data notebooks, and a set of 872 preserved wool samples dating from 1837. This collection, now housed at the Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections Library at the University of Wyoming, is thought to be one of the most unique and complete collections of sheep …

The Public Health Impacts Of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations On Local Communities, Michael Greger, Gowri Koneswaran

Michael Greger, MD, FACLM

Large-scale farm animal production facilities, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), release a significant amount of contaminants into the air and water. Adverse health effects related to exposure to these contaminants among CAFO workers have been welldocumented; however, less is known about their impact on the health of residents in nearby communities. Epidemiological research in this area suggests that neighboring residents are at increased risk of developing neurobehavioral symptoms and respiratory illnesses, including asthma. Additional research is needed to better understand community-scale exposures and health outcomes related to the management practices and emissions of CAFOs.

The Human/Animal Interface: Emergence And Resurgence Of Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Michael Greger

Michael Greger, MD, FACLM

Emerging infectious diseases, most of which are considered zoonotic in origin, continue to exact a significant toll on society. The origins of major human infectious diseases are reviewed and the factors underlying disease emergence explored. Anthropogenic changes, largely in land use and agriculture, are implicated in the apparent increased frequency of emergence and reemergence of zoonoses in recent decades. Special emphasis is placed on the pathogen with likely the greatest zoonotic potential, influenzavirus A.

Food, Fibre And The Future : Report On Surveys Of Students’ And Teachers’ Knowledge And Understanding Of Primary Industries, Kylie Hillman, Sarah Buckley

Dr Sarah Buckley

Primary Industry plays a vital role in Australian’s economy and society, but the gap between rural and urban communities is growing, contributing to a lack of understanding of where food and other basic necessities of life come from. The goal of the Primary Industries Education Foundation (PIEF) is to provide a source of information on primary industries for educators, to better equip students with not only knowledge about what goes into their food and fibres but also what career opportunities exist in primary industries. In 2010, PIEF contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to design and conduct a …

Pulling The Wool Under Your Eyes: Preserving A Wool Lab And Library At The University Of Wyoming, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Since 1909, the University of Wyoming boasted a Wool Department and one of the few wool laboratories, libraries, and scouring plants in the United States. With the decommissioning of the wool laboratory and library in 2012, University of Wyoming Libraries is working to preserve its vast contents including wool samples, book and scrapbook collections, and the process of wool research itself. University of Wyoming Libraries has partnered with UW Extension and the College of Agriculture to help preserve the history of wool research.

Real And Perceived Damage By Wild Turkeys: A Literature Review, Scott R. Groepper, Scott E. Hygnstrom Dr, Brandon Houck, Stephen M. Vantassel

Scott R Groepper

As populations of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) have increased, the number of complaints about damage has increased. We conducted a literature review to determine real and perceived damage caused by wild turkeys in North America. Wild turkeys can cause damage to agricultural crops, such as corn (Zea mays L.), soybeans (Glycine max [L.] Merrill), wheat, and hay crops but the majority of actual damage is usually minor or caused by other wildlife, thus estimates of damage by wild turkeys often are inflated. Occasionally, wild turkeys damage specialty crops, turfgrass, or ornamental flowers that may have higher value than common agricultural …

Deep Pipe Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

Deep pipe irrigation uses a vertically placed section of pipe to deliver water to the roots of plants. This reduces evaporation and increases water use efficiency. Deep pipes can be filled by hand, drip or rainwater catchment.

The Increasing World Population: A Call For Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Connie I Reimers-Hild, PhD, CPC

According to the United Nations, the world’s population hit 7 billion on October 31, 2011. The United Nations is projecting the world population to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. The new population landmark set off alarms in governments and organizations around the world. Most of the growth will occur in the poorest and least developed regions of the world, which already must work to resolve issues related to shortages of quality food, soil, air and water. Many people living in these countries also lack access to education, healthcare and global political capital. This white paper discusses the importance of innovation …

Some Cultivated Plants In Ndumba, Eastern Highlands Province, Terence E. Hays

Terence Hays

This paper reports on the cultivation and uses of 47 species of minor food crops and other useful plants in Habi'ina village, a Tairora speaking community in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.

G90-993 Basic Cultural Practices For Commercial Production Of Green (Snap) Beans, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebGuide discusses cultivar selection, production, pest management and packing of commercial green beans. Cultivars Selection of cultivars depends on intended use or market. "Processor" cultivars are low in fiber and are best for home garden and roadside markets as well as processing. These include the various Bush Blue Lake selections (BBL 47, BBL 92, BBL 274) and others such as Early Gallatin, Eagle, Slenderwhite, Labrador, Flo, and Peak. The "fresh market" or "shipping" beans have high fiber to maintain quality during long distance shipping. These include Strike, Podsquad, Blazer, Triumph, Atlantic, Gatorgreen, Greencrop, Sprite, and many others. Cultivars with …

Nf99-404 Income Generation Using Alternative Crops, Roger D. Uhlinger, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact examines considerations for utilizing alternative crops for income generation.

Food, Fibre And The Future : Report On Surveys Of Students’ And Teachers’ Knowledge And Understanding Of Primary Industries, Kylie Hillman, Sarah Buckley

Kylie Hillman

Primary Industry plays a vital role in Australian’s economy and society, but the gap between rural and urban communities is growing, contributing to a lack of understanding of where food and other basic necessities of life come from. The goal of the Primary Industries Education Foundation (PIEF) is to provide a source of information on primary industries for educators, to better equip students with not only knowledge about what goes into their food and fibres but also what career opportunities exist in primary industries. In 2010, PIEF contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to design and conduct a …

G73-46 Hessian Fly On Wheat, John E. Foster, Gary L. Hein

John E. Foster

This NebGuide discusses the life cycle, control and prevention of the Hessian fly. Plant-safe dates and resistant wheat varieties are also examined. The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is not native to the United States, but was probably introduced by Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary War. This insect was given its common name by Americans because of its damage on Long Island in 1779. The pest has become distributed throughout the United States wheat production areas since then. The Hessian fly belongs to the family of insects known as gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a group noted for their habit of …

Ec96-142 Crp Land Use Guide (Conservation Reserve Program), Douglas Anderson

Douglas Anderson

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts held by Nebraska producers will begin to expire in 1996. Thousands of acres of grassland will be eligible for haying, grazing or to be returned to other uses. Land-use decisions made by owners and operators will impact the economic viability and long-term productivity of individual farms, as well as the region as a whole. The intent of the CRP Land Use Guide is not to provide all the asnwers - in many instances we don't even know the questions. It is however, intended to provide an outline of the key issues you will face when …

Student Internship In Science And Technology-Based Microenterprises In Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines, Frede G. Moreno, Teresita A. Narvaez, Julieta B. Tendero

Frede G Moreno

The “Student Internship Project in Science and Technology-based Microenterprises” is a curriculum enhancement intervention executed through “hands-on” internship across Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource (AFNR) courses in three State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region IX, Philippines. With the goal of reversing the declining enrolment trend, its four components (Coconut Sugar, Seaweeds, Tissue Culture and Rubber Seedlings) operate on experiential and pragmatic approach to enhancing the competence and institutional employability of students through science and technology utilization, acquisition of entrepreneurial skills and microenterprise development focusing on Zamboanga Peninsula’s major dollar-earning export commodities. The immersion of 362 student-interns has developed their …

Pigments For Improving Plant Health In Organic Systems, Gregory Keith Bartley Jr.

Gregory Keith Bartley Jr.

Photosynthesis, arguably the most important biological process on earth, solely relies on the ability of pigments to capture, utilize, and convert the sun‟s energy to form life. The adequate conversion of light into harvestable food, fuel, and fiber regulates rates of population and economic growth. In order to meet the expanding needs of humanity with the earth‟s potential for agricultural production, new sustainable techniques for increased photosynthetic efficiency in plants must be implemented. The earth's pattern of light exposure is extremely dynamic, exhibiting constant changes in quantity and quality throughout time and space. For photosynthetic organisms, this meant evolving various …

Geologic Constraints On Rain-Fed Qocha Reservoir Agricultural Infrastructure,Northern Lake Titicaca Basin, Peru, Nathan Craig, Mark Aldenderfer, Catherine Rigsby, Paul Baker, Luis A. Flores

Luis FLORES

This paper reports new data on qocha ponds from the Rio PucaraeAzángaro interfluvial zone, northern Lake Titicaca Basin, Peru. Qocha are a little known form of Andean agriculture that developed around 800e500 B.C. and remain in use today. Prior estimates suggested that in the study area, there were more than 25,000 qocha. While most Andean sunken beds are excavated to reach groundwater, qocha are rainfed ponds. How these rain-fed ponds functioned has been an open question, but one that is answered in part by research presented in this paper. We suggest that a thick impermeable stratum of clay that was …