Digital Commons Network^™

Composting Of Feedlot And Dairy Manure: Compost Characteristics And Impact On Crop Yields, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Walker Luedtke, Mark Schroeder, Charles A. Francis, Gary Lesoing

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Since 1993, approximately 17,600 tons of beef feedlot and dairy compost have been spread on 1,100 acres. Crop yields were measured to determine the impact of a one-time compost application by using no-compost check strips in large-scale production fields. Adding compost to irrigated corn, irrigated soybeans, and dryland corn acres significantly increased yields, with four-year average increases of 2.3, 1.5, and 2.7%, respectively. For all crops measured, the response to compost was greatest the first year following application and declined linearly in subsequent years. The increased yield from compost application offsets spreading costs using average prices for crops.

Genetic Analysis Of Kafirins And Their Phenotypic Correlations With Feed Quality Traits, In Vitro Digestibility, And Seed Weight In Grain Sorghum, C. Hicks, S. R. Bean, G. L. Lookhart, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, K. D. Kofoid, M. R. Tuinstra

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Twenty-three entries of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), including eight inbred lines (five males and three females) and 15 hybrids, were evaluated to determine the proportion of γ, αII, and β-αI-kafirins and their association with contents of crude protein, fat, and starch; protein digestibility; in vitro dry matter disappearance; and seed weight. The male lines included three normal-seeded lines (TX2737, TX435, and P954063) and two large-seeded lines (Eastin1 and PL-1). Female lines consisted of three common U.S. seed parent lines (Wheatland, Redlan, and SA3042). The lines and their hybrids were grown under dryland conditions at two locations in …

Seed Physiology, Production & Technology: Germination, Emergence, And Yield Of 20 Plant-Color, Seed-Color Near-Isogenic Lines Of Grain Sorghum, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, J. J. Toy

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Although there is growing demand for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] with white seed and tan plant color, there is limited information on the overall agronomic fitness of sorghum with these characters. A set of experiments was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of plant color and seed color on sorghum germination, emergence, and agronomic performance. Twenty near-isogenic lines with red seed/tan plant (RT), red seed/purple plant (RP), white seed/ tan plant (WT), white seed/purple plant (WP) phenotypes were tested under field and laboratory conditions. Plant color X seed color interactions were not significant. Purple plant color phenotypes had higher …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 31 - Feeding Lupins To Fish: A Review Of The Nutritional And Biological Value Of Lupins In Aquaculture Feeds, Brett Glencross

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Lupins are the harvested seed of species from the Lupinus genus, a group within the leguminous bean and pea family Fabaceae. Legumes are particularly valuable agricultural crops because of their capacity to provide a grain crop and also fix and return nitrogen to soils and improve the soil value for further cropping. The oilseeds, soybeans and peanuts are also leguminous plants, though traditionally they have been cropped for their oil value, whereas lupins, are cropped for both their protein and nitrogen fixing value (Gladstones, 1998; Perry et al., 1998).

The three key commercial species of lupins are L. angustifolius (Narrow-leafed …

Distinctive Hydrocarbons Of The Black Dump Fly, Hydrotaea Aenescens (Diptera: Muscidae), David A. Carlson, Ulrich R. Bernier, Jerome A. Hogsette, Bruce D. Sutton

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Hydrotaea aenescens (Wiedemann), the black dump fly, is a potential biological control agent originally from the western hemisphere, now found in many parts of the Palearctic region except for the United Kingdom, where it cannot be imported for any reason. A complication of classical biological control is the problem of strain identification, as one must be able to somehow mark or follow a particular strain that has been introduced into the field or is contemplated for release. Gas chromatographic analysis of the surface hydrocarbons of pooled and individual dump fly adults resulted in reproducible hydrocarbon patterns that differentiated widely distributed …

Gas Exchange And Photosynthetic Acclimation Over Subambient To Elevated Co2 In A C3-C4 Grassland, Laurel J. Anderson, Hafiz Maherali, Hyrum B. Johnson, H. Wayne Polley, Robert B. Jackson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Atmospheric CO₂ (C_a) has risen dramatically since preglacial times and is projected to double in the next century. As part of a 4-year study, we examined leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic acclimation in C₃ and C₄ plants using unique chambers that maintained a continuous C_a gradient from 200 to 550 µmol mol^-1 in a natural grassland. Our goals were to characterize linear, nonlinear and threshold responses to increasing C_a from past to future C_a levels. Photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf water-use efficiency (A/g_{s …}

Dis And Distributed Watershed Models I, Jurgen Garbrecht, Fred L. Ogden, Paul A. Debarry, David R. Maidment

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The increasing proliferation of spatial data, geographic information systems (GIS), and models for hydrologic applications provide many new investigation opportunities but also present a number of challenges for the uninitiated water resources practitioner. This two-part paper is intended for the practicing engineer who wants to expand into the arena of spatial data and distributed watershed modeling. It provides an integrated overview of the multiple facets of data-GIS-modeling issues and a source of background information for selection and application of GIS in watershed modeling. This first paper addresses selected spatial data issues, data structures and projections, data sources, and information on …

Evidence For The Innervation Of Sperm Storage Tubules In The Oviduct Of The Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo), S. L. Freedman, V. G. Akuffo, M. R. Bakst

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The presence of neural tissue and smooth muscle elements in the vicinity of the oviductal sperm storage tubules at the uterovaginal junction was assessed by several modes of light microscopy. Isolated neurones and small ganglia were identified in the uterovaginal junction of the turkey oviduct. The nerve cell bodies were observed in the tunica mucosa by bright field microscopy. Immunoreactivity against neurofilament antibody and recombinant fragment C of the tetanus toxin reacted with nerve fibres and the nuclei of neurones. Fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that nerve fibres continued from the base of the tunica mucosa into …

Burakin Focus Catchment Report, Mike Clarke

Natural resources published reports

The Burakin Focus Catchment Project was developed between farmers and Agriculture _ Western Australia. The project was designed to give farmers an understanding of the salinity processes occurring within the Catchment and suggestions on appropriate management.

Work began in the Catchment early in 1999 and was complete at the end of 2000. Intensive hydrological investigations formed the basis of the study, which was complemented by surface water control and revegetation strategies. Agronomic issues associated with sandplain soils were raised by the farmers at the initial meeting and this led to a soil survey to determine the pH status of the …

Farming Systems To Manage Salinity. Farmer Directed Research, Development And Extension. Research Results 2001, Richard Olive

Natural resources published reports

More and more of Western Australia's agnicultural lands are becoming saline. Currently it is estimated that about 18 milliion ha of land are affected to a greater or lesser degree by salinity causing production losses estimated at about $70 million a year.

Unless ways are found to halt and reverse the salinisation of land it is estimated that another 4.4 million ha could become saline over the next 50 years.

Grain growers and the Federal Government, through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). are investing $12 4 million in R&D across Australia to develop productive solutions to the salinity …

Fallow Versus Wheat Cropping Of Unamendedand Manure-Amended Soils Related To Mycorrhizal Colonization, Yield, And Plant Nutrition Of Dry Bean And Sweet Corn, Brett L. Allen, Von D. Jolley, Charles W. Robbins, Larry L. Freeborn

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Previous studies reported manure application to eroded Portneuf silt loam soil (Coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcid) improved dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Viva) yield to levels of topsoil. These yield increases only correlated with whole-plant zinc (Zn) concentration and soil organic matter. This might be related to enhanced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization stimulated by manure application. A greenhouse study with dry bean suggested a relationship between manure application, increased AM colonization, and whole-plant Zn uptake, while field studies with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) did not. To clarify the apparent …

Methyl-Β-Cyclodextrin: An Alternative Carrier For Intravenous Infusion Of Palmitate During Tracer Studies In Swine (Sus Scrofa Domestica), Diane Wray-Cahen, Thomas J. Caperna, Norman C. Steele

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Fatty acid-free albumin has been the standard carrier for intravenous infusion of fatty acids to study in vivo lipid metabolism. However, subjects can have adverse reactions to infusion of albumin. We sought an alternative to albumin as a carrier for intravenous infusion of fatty acids, using the pig as a model. Cyclodextrins are naturally occurring water-soluble molecules that can serve as carriers for lipid-soluble compounds. ¹³C-palmitate was complexed to either 20% methyl-β-cyclodextrin, 20% 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, or 5% porcine albumin (isotopic purity of infusates: 99.22±0.06%). ¹³C-palmitate-albumin was infused under fed conditions and ¹³C-palmitate-methyl-β-cyclodextrin was infused under fasted and fed …

Mechanical Barrier For Preventing Climbing By Lesser Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) And Hide Beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) Larvae In Poultry Houses, Christopher Geden, David Carlson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Mechanical barriers consisting of bands of polyethylene terepthalate resin attached to wooden posts by latex caulk adhesive and staples were 100% effective in preventing passage of dispersing lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), larvae in the laboratory. Barriers continued to be 100% effective after being held in a caged layer poultry house for 3 mo. Polyethylene terepthalate barriers installed on support posts in a pullet house in Brooker, FL, were>92% effective against natural populations of lesser mealworm larvae 6 mo. after installation. The barriers also were >94% effective against natural populations of larvae of the hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus DeGeer, …

Hymenopteran Pupal Parasitoids Recovered From House Fly And Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Pupae Collected On Livestock Facilities In Southern And Eastern Hungary, Jerome A. Hogsette, Róbert Farkas, Csaba Thuróczy

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This field survey, the second noting the occurrence and diversity of filth fly pupal parasitoid fauna in Hungary, was performed on beef and dairy feedlots and swine facilities in the southern and eastern parts of the country. The filth flies Musca domestica L. And Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) Were the two most commonly parasitized hosts. The three species of Spalangia recovered, in decreasing order of abundance, were S. Cameroni Perkins, S. Nigroaenea Curtis, and S. Endius Walker. Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani, Trichomalopsis sp., two apparently undetermined Diapriidae spp. And one apparently undetermined Brachycera sp. Are believed to be new country records.

Assessing Site Vulnerability To Phosphorus Loss In An Agricultural Watershed, Andrew N. Sharpley, Richard W. Mcdowell, Jennifer L. Weld, Peter J. A. Kleinman

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

A P index was developed as a tool to rank agricultural fields on the basis of P loss vulnerability, helping to target remedial P management options within watersheds. We evaluated two approaches, a soil P threshold and components of a P index, by comparing site vulnerability estimates derived from these two approaches with measured runoff P losses in an agricultural watershed in Pennsylvania. Rainfall–surface runoff simulations (70 mm h^-1 for 30 min) were conducted on 57 sites representing the full range of soil P concentrations and management conditions found in the watershed. Each site was comprised of two, abutting …

History, Current Status, And Collaborative Researchprojects For Bemisia Tabaci, M. R. V. Oliveira, T. J. Henneberry, P. Anderson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Bemisia tabaci was described over 100 years ago and has since become one of the most important pests worldwide in subtropical and tropical agriculture as well as in greenhouse production systems. It adapts easily to new host plants and geographical regions and has now been reported from all global continents except Antarctica. In the last decade, international transport of plant material and people have contributed to geographical spread. B. tabaci has been recorded from more than 600 plant species and there may be many additional hosts not yet formally documented. Biotypes have been identified in different areas of the world …

Quantitative Trait Loci Associated With Milling And Baking Quality In A Soft X Hard Wheat Cross, Kimberley Garland Campbell, Patrick L. Finney, Christine J. Bergman, Daisy G. Gualberto, James A. Anderson, Michael J. Giroux, Dimuth Siritunga, Jiaqian Zhu, Francois Gendre, Catherine Roué, Aliette Vérel, Mark E. Sorrells

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Interclass hybridization between soft and hard wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) results in new genetic combinations of potential value.

Gis And Distributed Watershed Models Ii, Fred L. Ogden, Jurgen Garbrecht, Paul A. Debarry, Lynn E. Johnson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This paper presents representative applications and models that can take advantage of spatially distributed data in a geographic information system (GIS) format for watershed analysis and hydrologic modeling purposes. The intention is to inform hydrologic engineers about the current capabilities of GIS, hydrologic analysis modules, and distributed hydrologic models, and to provide an initial guide on implementing GIS for hydrologic modeling. This paper also discusses key implementation issues for individuals and organizations that are considering making the transition to the use of GIS in hydrology. Widespread use of GIS modules and distributed watershed models is inevitable. The controlling factors are …

Food Webs, Risks Of Alien Enemies And Reform Of Biological Control, D. R. Strong, R.W. Pemberton

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

As ilwasions of alien species mount, biological control will become an increasingly important tool of conservation and agriculture. In an effort to understand indirect interactions in biological control, we review food web ecology in terms of resource competition, trophic cascades, intraguild predation, apparent competition, omnivory and a diverse set of tritrophic interactions. The most inclusive study suggests that food webs in biological control are simpler than in natural communities. Risks to non-target species created by biological control have been studied seriously for only about 20 years, and knowledge of these risks is incomplete. The greatest risks are known to be …

Innovative 15N Microplot Research Techniques To Study Nitrogen Use Efficiency Under Different Ecosystems, Ronald F. Follett

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Use of labeled ¹⁵N techniques can help improve and refine knowledge required to understand the dynamics of the N cycle under agricultural systems. The examples reported in this paper illustrate that, with creativity and careful planning, use of ¹⁵N-enriched or depleted fertilizers can be used in many types of N experiments with various crops, cropping systems, and in many types of agroecosystems. The objective is to report examples of a wide range of field studies that researchers can hopefully draw upon to design and utilize N isotope techniques that accomplish the objectives for their own research. Examples of …

Polyacrylamide For Surface Irrigation To Increase Nutrient-Use Efficiency And Protectwater Quality, Rodrick D. Lentz, Robert E. Sojka, Charles W. Robbins, Dennis C. Kincaid, Dale T. Westermann

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Furrow irrigation systems have a greater application capacity, are less costly, and use less energy than sprinkler systems but furrow irrigation produces greater runoff, erosion, and deep percolation losses. Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) losses are associated with runoff sediment, and can be minimized by eliminating irrigationinduced erosion. Excessive leaching of inorganic and organic solutes commonly occurs at the inflow region of furrow irrigated fields where infiltration opportunity times are longer. In one conservation practice, a high molecular weight, anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) is applied to advancing furrow stream flows at a concentration of 10 mg L^-1. Because PAM …

Genomic Regions That Underlie Soybean Seed Isoflavone Content, K. Meksem, V. N. Njiti, W. J. Banz, M. J. Iqbal, My. M. Kassem, David L. Hyten, J. Yuang, T. A. Winters, D. A. Lightfoot

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Soy products contain isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, and glycitein)that display biological effects when ingested by humans and animals, these effects are species, dose and age dependent. Therefore, the content and quality of isoflavones in soybeans is a key to their biological effect. Our objective was to identify loci that underlie isoflavone content in soybean seeds. The study involved 100 recombinant inbred lines (RIL)fr om the cross of ‘Essex’ by ‘Forrest,’ two cultivars that contrast for isoflavone content. Isoflavone content of seeds fromeach RIL was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The distribution of isoflavone content was continuous and unimodal. The …

Uneasy Unions: Quality Effects Of Rye Chromatin Transfers To Wheat, Robert A. Graybosch

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

A number of genes of agronomic importance have been transferred from rye (Seale cereale L.) to its close relative, common bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L). Largely through the production of interspecific chromosomal translocation and substitution lines, rye chromatin now rides within the genome of a large number of wheat breeding lines and cultivars. Rye chromosomal materials have been used to transfer resistance genes to fungal pathogens, especially rusts and powdery mildew, resistance to insect pests, and in some cases, may enhance grain yield, grain yield stability, and grain protein content. Unfortunately, the transfer of some rye chromosomal materials …

Net Grassland Carbon Flux Over A Subambient To Superambient Co2 Gradient, P. C. Mielnick, W. A. Dugas, H. B. Johnson, H. W. Polley, J. Sanabria

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations may have a profound effect on the structure and function of plant communities. A previously grazed, central Texas grassland was exposed to a 200-µmol mol^-1 to 550 µmol mol^-1 CO₂ gradient from March to mid-December in 1998 and 1999 using two, 60-m long, polyethylene-covered chambers built directly onto the site. One chamber was operated at subambient CO₂ concentrations (200-360 µmol mol^-1 daytime) and the other was regulated at superambient concentrations (360-550 µmol mol^-1). Continuous CO₂ gradients were maintained in each chamber by photosynthesis during the day and …

Research Needs Concerning Non-Target Impacts Of Biological Control Introductions, K.R. Hopper

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Two workshops were held in 1999 on research needs concerning non-target impacts of biological control introductions. One took place on the Internet for 9 months, and the other in Montpellier, France, for 1 day. Altogether, over 200 researchers from over 30 countries participated, representing a wide variety of viewpoints on the issues involved. The deliberations of these workshops are summarized here. Both workshops highlighted the need for retrospective studies to: (i) identify cases of significant non-target impacts; (ii) explore mechanisms involved when such impacts are found; (iii) evaluate the reliability of host-range testing protocols; and (iv) determine whether and under …

Oxidative Metabolism In Plant/Bacteria Interactions: Characterization Of The Oxygen Uptake Response Of Bacteria, C. Jacyn Baker, Norton Mock, Kenneth L. Deahl, Bryan Bailey, Daniel P. Roberts

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

An increase in oxygen uptake has been previously described in plant cell suspensions treated with bacteria or bacterial elicitors. These studies, regarding oxygen uptake, have all been undertaken from the perspective of the host plant cell reacting to the invading pathogen. In contrast, here we describe and characterize an increase in oxygen uptake by bacterial cells in response to plant suspensions or autoclaved plant cell filtrates. Autoclaved plant cell filtrates stimulated bacterial oxygen uptake by as much as sevenfold within a few minutes after addition. This oxygen uptake response was proportional to both the concentration of the plant cell filtrate …

Oxidative Metabolism In Plant/Bacteria Interactions: Characterization Of A Unique Oxygen Uptake Response Of Potato Suspension Cells, C. Jacyn Baker, E. W. Orlandi, Kenneth L. Deahl

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Plant suspension cells have been shown to respond to bacteria or microbial elicitors by producing active oxygen as well as increasing oxygen uptake. Here we characterize a unique two stage oxygen uptake response of potato suspension cells to heat-killed bacteria. Stage 1 occurred within minutes after the addition of heat-killed bacteria; the potato suspension cells responded with a rapid increase in oxygen uptake and reached a steady state approximately 50 % greater than the initial basal rate. Stage 2 began 20-30 min after this new steady state was achieved and was characterized by a slow increase in the oxygen uptake …

Induction Of Defense Responses In Tobacco By The Protein Nep1 From Fusarium Oxysporum, James C. Jennings, Patricia C. Apel-Birkhold, Norton M. Mock, C. Jacyn Baker, James D. Anderson, Bryan A. Bailey

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Fusarium oxysporum produces a 24-kDa protein, Nep1, which induces necrosis and ethylene production in leaves of many dicot plant species. Detached Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi leaves respond with concentration-dependent necrosis after infiltration with Nep1 or when Nep1 is taken up by the vascular tissue. This response follows the induction of ethylene biosynthesis and accumulation of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase transcripts. Pretreating the leaves with 100 µl/l ethylene prior to elicitation enhanced Nep1-induced ethylene production. Nep1 (208 nM) causes extensive necrosis of mature tobacco leaf tissue when applied to Xanthi tobacco as a foliar spray (129 ml/m²). …

Conservation And Evaluation Of Natural Enemies In Ipm Systems For Bemisia Tabaci, Steven E. Naranjo

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Conservation biological control emphasizes the preservation and enhancement of natural enemies and is the cornerstone of all approaches to biological control. This review critically examines recent and current research efforts in conservation biological control by predators and parasitoids of Bemisia tabaci worldwide. A large number of natural enemy species have been identified from many agricultural systems. Further research has demonstrated that these natural enemies may act along with other mortality agents to inflict high levels of mortality on populations of B. tabaci. Less effort has been placed on determining the factors constraining or potentially enhancing biological control. The widespread …

Managing Crop Residue With Green Manure, Urea, And Tillage In A Rice–Wheat Rotation, Milkha S. Aulakh, T. S. Khera, John W. Doran, Kevin F. Bronson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Most double-crop grain farmers in South Asia remove or burn cropresidue to facilitate seedbed preparation and to avoid possible yield reductions. This results in loss of soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrients. In this study, we determined whether incorporating wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residue, rice (Oryza sativa L.) residue, and sesbania (Sesbania aculeta L.) green manure with urea fertilizer N in a rice–wheat cropping system can improve grain yields, N use efficiency, and SOM. We incorporated wheat residue (6 Mg ha^-1, C/N = 94), rice residue (6 Mg ha^-1, C/N = 63), or …