Digital Commons Network^™

Rice Chalky Grain 5 Regulates Natural Variation For Grain Quality Under Heat Stress, Anil Kumar Nalini Chandran, Jaspreet Sandhu, Larissa Irvin, Puneet Paul, Balpreet K. Dhatt, Waseem Hussain, Tian Gao, Paul E. Staswick, Hongfeng Yu, Gota Morota, Harkamal Walia

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Heat stress occurring during rice (Oryza sativa) grain development reduces grain quality, which often manifests as increased grain chalkiness. Although the impact of heat stress on grain yield is well-studied, the genetic basis of rice grain quality under heat stress is less explored as quantifying grain quality is less tractable than grain yield. To address this, we used an image-based colorimetric assay (Red, R; and Green, G) for genome-wide association analysis to identify genetic loci underlying the phenotypic variation in rice grains exposed to heat stress. We found the R to G pixel ratio (RG) derived from mature …

Agronomic And Quality Impact Of A Shortened Translocation For Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Resistance, Mary J. Guttieri, Robert L. Bowden, Guorong Zhang, Scott Haley, Katherine Anna Frels, Gary L. Hein, Katherine W. Jordan

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) is a mite-vectored virus with substantial economic impact on wheat production. One of the effective sources of resistance to WSMV, Wsm1, is carried on a translocation from Thinopyrum intermedium. The original whole arm form of this translocation (T4DL·4JsS) was highly effective against WSMV but carried a substantial yield penalty in the absence of the virus. Shorter recombinants of the Th. intermedium translocation are now available. This study characterized the agronomic performance of near-isogenic sib-pair families in 10 yield trials using one of these shortened T4DL·4DS-4J^sS translocations, named “rec213,” in the absence …

The Genomic And Bulked Segregant Analysis Of Curcuma Alismatifolia Revealed Its Diverse Bract Pigmentation, Xuezhu Liao, Yuanjun Ye, Xiaoni Zhang, Dan Peng, Mengmeng Hou, Gaofei Fu, Jianjun Tan, Jianli Zhao, Rihong Jiang, Yechun Xu, Jinmei Liu, Jinliang Yang, Wusheng Liu, Luke R. Tembrock, Genfa Zhu, Zhiqiang Wu

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Compared with most flowers where the showy part comprises specialized leaves (petals) directly subtending the reproductive structures, most Zingiberaceae species produce showy ‘‘flowers’’ through modifications of leaves (bracts) subtending the true flowers throughout an inflorescence. Curcuma alismatifolia, belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, a plant species originating from Southeast Asia, has become increasingly popular in the flower market worldwide because of its varied and esthetically pleasing bracts produced in different cultivars. Here, we present the chromosome-scale genome assembly of C. alismatifolia ‘‘Chiang Mai Pink’’ and explore the underlying mechanisms of bract pigmentation. Comparative genomic analysis revealed C. alismatifolia contains a …

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Small Rna Composition And Differential Microrna Responses Underlying Interferon-Mediated Antiviral Regulation In Porcine Alveolar Macrophages, Jiuyi Li, Eric R. Sang, Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Laura C. Miller, Yongming Sang

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Previous studies have shown that interferon-mediated antiviral activity is subtype-dependent. Using a whole transcriptome procedure, we aimed to characterize the small RNA transcriptome (sRNA-Seq) and specifically the differential microRNA (miRNA) responses in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) upon antiviral activation during viral infection and interferon (IFN) stimulation. Data showed that near 90% of the qualified reads of sRNA were miRNAs, and about 10% of the other sRNAs included rRNA, snoRNA, snRNA, and tRNA in order of enrichment. As the majority of sRNA (>98%) were commonly detected in all PAM samples under different treatments, about 2% sRNA were differentially expressed between …

The Casnr L.I.N.K.S. Newsletter: Learning Innovation Network For K-12 Schools, Edition 9, October 2022, Bailey Feit, Tammy Mittelstet

CASNR L.I.N.K.S. Newsletter

The purpose of this L.I.N.K.S. newsletter is to provide a monthly update of opportunities and resources for K-12 schools to connect with the University of Nebraska's CASNR Food, Energy, Water, and Societal Systems (FEWS²) programs and partners.

Included in this edition:

K-12 Partners website is live

Curriculum and classroom resources for all levels

Eye on curriculum and resources

Idena Nebraska Ag Expo career exploration event

Teacher opportunities

Link to list of new partnerships

Ask an expert

Students experiences: Student internship opportunities with USDA NRCS and Scholarships available

Eye on CASR research: Commodity marketing for high school students

Send your students …

Inventory Of Novel Approaches To Seed Quality Assurance Mechanisms For Vegetatively Propagated Crops (Vpcs) In Seven African Countries, Emanuel Sulle, Rebecca Pointer, Lava Kumar, Magreth Mc Ewan

East Africa Institute

This paper provides an inventory of novel approaches to and mechanisms for quality assurance of the seeds of vegetatively produced crops (VPCs). It explores to what extent seven African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) are decentralising and integrating VPC seed systems, in terms of regulations governing the sector, methods of seed production, and methods of seed inspection and certification. It consolidates existing data and presents new data on decentralised seed quality assurance (SQA) approaches for VPCs in these seven selected countries. It makes relevant information readily available for policy dialogue on appropriate and inclusive SQA approaches, …

Gsl Researcher (Fall 2022)

GSL Researcher

GSL Researcher (Fall 2022)

Greetings

Students

Range and pasture update

Technical note

Ranch update

Highlighted research

GSL Open House agenda

GSL spotlight

The Viability Of Traditional Portuguese Olive Groves In The Alentejo Region Under A Sustainable Development Framework, Sydney Soloway

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Portugal became self-sufficient in olive oil production in 2014 and produces 150% of its needs, which makes Portugal the world’s fourth-largest exporter (DeAndreis, 2022). Olive groves in Portugal were once estimated to be 70-80% low-input traditional type, but rapid intensification toward a predominantly intensive mode of agriculture has been extremely fast (Beaufoy, 2001, p. 22; Silveira et al., 2018, p. 248). The Alentejo region, despite its dry Mediterranean climate and a tradition of extensive, multi-functional agricultural systems, is now home to 85% of Portugal’s olive groves and responsible for 77% of the country’s olive oil production (Dawson, 2019; Silveira et …

Regenerative Agriculture Framework For Island Ecosystems Using São Miguel As A Case Study, Mya Hunter

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Context: Regenerative agriculture is a farming approach that uses soil health as the entry point to contribute to multiple objectives, such as improved nutrient cycling and climate regulation. Farmers can apply different practices to reach these objectives. The objectives and practices, however, are not equally relevant or applicable for farming systems on island ecosystems and the local context.

Objectives: The main objective of this paper, therefore, is to find out how solutions towards regenerative agriculture can be identified and evaluated as such that they result in meaningful advice for farmers on island ecosystems in order to mitigate the …

Louisiana Agriculture Fall, 2022

Louisiana Agriculture

Livestock industries contribute $2.5 billion to the state’s economy, and beef cattle production is one of the most important sectors of the state’s agricultural enterprise. LSU AgCenter researchers study how to improve cattle production at research stations across the state. AgCenter Extension agents in every parish connect producers with their findings.

In this issue of Louisiana Agriculture magazine, livestock agents and research faculty describe the many programs they have developed to educate cattle producers and help 4-H’ers raise and show animals. Producers discuss what they have learned from Master Cattleman classes, and writer V. Todd Miller details how some cattle …

Nebline, October 2022

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

4-H Youth Thrive at Super Fair With Community Support

Apples by Nebraska Extension Staff and Interns

Recipes of the Month: Crunchy Apple Roll and Easy Apple Salad by Kayla Colgrove

Fall Watering Aids Tree & Shrub Health by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Maintaining Your Septic System by Becky Schuerman

A Wasp in Disguise: The Velvet Ant by Kait Chapman

4-H’ers Test Family and Consumer Science Skills at Life Challenge

4-H’ers Test Their Knowledge of Animals and Decision-Making Skills at PASE

4-H Announcements for 4-H'ers and Volunteers

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Capital City Horse and …

Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2021/2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia, Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme

Agriculture reports

No abstract provided.

What Makes Mad Honey “Mad”? An Investigation Into The Obsession Of The Himalayan Wild Cliff Honey, Codi Farmer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Mad honey is a rare variety of cliff honey found in the mountainous regions of Turkey and Nepal and has been harvested by Indigenous groups for centuries. In Nepal, it is found on high-hanging cliffs that people risk their lives to face, but what makes this honey so special to cause generations of Nepalis to brave the formidable heights? Through a series of reading primary and secondary sources, watching first-hand accounts of honey hunting, and interviewing honey hunters, filmmakers, authors, and laypeople alike, I work to find the answer to the puzzling question – what makes mad honey "mad"? In …

Perennial Warm-Season Grass Forages Impact On Cow-Calf Profitability In The Fescue Belt, Kyle A. Brazil, Patrick D. Keyser, Andrew P. Griffith, Christopher N. Boyer, J. Travis Mulliniks

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

Incorporating a perennial warm- season grass (WSG) into tall fescue (Lolium arundina-ceum [Schreb.] Darbysh.) forage systems in the fescue belt can help avoid the effects of fescue toxicosis on beef cattle (Bos taurus) reproduction and animal performance and provide forage during summer when fescue production is low. However, little information is available on the economics of incorporating WSG into fescue-based forage systems. We developed a simulation model to compare profitability of three forage systems—100% tall fescue, 70% tall fescue/30% bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), and 70% tall fescue/ 30% switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)—while also comparing spring- …

Spatial Patterns Of Woody Plant Encroachment In A Temperate Grassland, Dillon T. Fogarty, Robert B. Peterson, Dirac Twidwell

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Context Woody encroachment is the process whereby grasslands transition to a woody-dominated state. This process is a global driver of grassland decline and is ultimately the outcome of increased woody plant recruitment in grasslands. Yet, little is known about how recruitment distances structure spatial patterns of encroachment.

Objectives Here, we develop a recruitment curve to describe the scatter of woody plant recruitment around seed sources and examine how this structures spatial patterns of encroachment.

Methods We developed a recruitment curve for Juniperus virginiana using an encroachment dataset that captures spread from tree plantings into treeless grassland sites in the Nebraska …

Ractopamine At The Center Of Decades-Long Scientific And Legal Disputes: A Lesson On Benefits, Safety Issues, And Conflicts, Kumail Abbas, Aqeel Raza, Ross D. Vasquez, Marri Jmelou M. Roldan, Nemi Malhotra, Jong-Chin Huang, Olivia Erin M. Buenafe, Kelvin H. -C Chen, Shin-Shin Liang, Chung-Der Hsiao

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Ractopamine (RAC) is a synthetic phenethanolamine, β–adrenergic agonist used as a feed additive to develop leanness and increase feed conversion efficiency in different farm animals. While RAC has been authorized as a feed additive for pigs and cattle in a limited number of countries, a great majority of jurisdictions, including the European Union (EU), China, Russia, and Taiwan, have banned its use on safety grounds. RAC has been under long scientific and political discussion as a controversial antibiotic as a feed additive. Here, we will present significant information on RAC regarding its application, detection methods, conflicts, and legal divisions that …

Protecting Cattle Feedyard Workers In The Central States Region: Exploring State, Regional, And National Data On Fatal And Nonfatal Injuries In Agriculture And The Beef Production Sector, Athena K. Ramos, Suraj Adhikari, Risto Rautiainen, Aaron Yoder

Journal of Extension

Working in agriculture can be dangerous. Despite ongoing efforts of Extension, animal production worker safety has not been adequately addressed. We present state, regional, and national counts and rates on fatal and nonfatal injuries in agriculture and animal production using publicly available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We found that animal production had a high number of fatal injuries and a higher rate of nonfatal injuries than the average within agriculture. More needs to be done to protect livestock workers from injury. Extension professionals can play a key role in increasing safety knowledge and changing behaviors.

Weather Information And Decision-Support Tool Needs Assessment, Lily Calderwood, Glen Koehler, Sean Birkel, Erin H. Roche

Journal of Extension

University of Maine researchers developed three commodity-specific grower focus groups (lowbush blueberry, apple, mixed vegetable) to discuss and survey 1) current access to weather information, and 2) interest in weather-based decision support tools. NOAA National Weather Service (30%) (n=47) was most commonly cited as a weather information source. Growers ranked greater forecast accuracy (31%) and localization (19%) (n=48) as highest priorities. Only 34% of growers reported current use of weather-based decision support tools, but 86% expressed interest in future use (n=134). The project team is using grower input to improve weather data access and decision-support tools for Maine farmers.

Broiler Vitamin Nutrition Guidelines, Nelson E. Ward

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

In a time of record feed prices, nutritionists and production managers continue to look for opportunities to lower growout costs. Even though their contribution seldom exceeds 1-2% of feed costs, vitamins are not immune to this cost-crunching scrutiny. Furthermore, in late 2017, an unparalleled drop in global vitamin supply resulted in sharply increased prices, and in some cases, outright shortages. Such events have placed pressure on vitamin fortification levels in broiler feeds. Nutritionists decide on the fortification rates based on a variety of criteria – bird age, production phase, field experience, research trials, and so forth. The rapid change in …

Progress In Food Safety Rapid Analysis Based On Deoxyribozyme, Zeng Yu, Chen Wei-Ju, Quan Ke, Lei Yan-Li

Food and Machinery

The article expounds the structure and activity of DNAzyme, and reviews the application progress of DNAzymes in the detection of heavy metal ions, pathogenic bacteria, microbial toxin and other illegal chemical components in food. The challenges faced by DNAzymes in the actual detection of food harmful substances are analyzed and summarized, and future development prospect in rapid and on-site detection are prospected.

How Digital Is Agriculture In A Subset Of Countries From South America? Adoption And Limitations, Laila A. Puntel, É. L. Bolfe, R. J. M. Melchiori, R. Ortega, G. Tiscornia, A. Roel, F. Scaramuzza, S. Best, A. G. Berger, D. S. S. Hansel, D. Palacios Durán, G. R. Balboa

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Digital agriculture (DA) can contribute solutions to meet an increase in healthy, nutritious, and affordable food demands in an efficient and sustainable way. South America (SA) is one of the main grain and protein producers in the world but the status of DA in the region is unknown. A systematic review and case studies from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile were conducted to address the following objectives: (1) quantify adoption of existing DA technologies, (2) identify limitations for DA adoption; and (3) summarise existing metrics to benchmark DA benefits. Level of DA adoption was led by Brazil and Argentina followed …

Functional Components Of Citrus Peel And Its Processing And Application Status, Tang Qing-Miao, Wang Lu-Feng

Food and Machinery

By overviewing the characteristic functional components of the citrus peel and its physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-bacteria and anti-inflammation, hypoglycemia and lipid-lowering, the current domestic and international situation of citrus peel processing and its applications, summarized in this review, and the technical solutions to comprehensive processing and applications in a stepwise manner, were also discussed. Finally, the future directions on the researches and applications of the citrus peel were prospected.

Cropland Reference Ecological Unit: A Land Classification Unit For Comparative Soil Studies, Saurav Das, Bijesh Maharjan

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

There is a growing consensus on a need for measuring the dynamic soil properties of croplands and even comparisons with a reference state or native land. These measurements and paired comparisons will create the capacity to determine soil health management effects and targets. However, the complex soil heterogeneity and climate variations make soil health potential variable and confound the effects of land-use and management practices and comparisons between soils from different sites. Identifying a discrete landmass unit where all soils have similar health potential will be critical in conducting meaningful comparative studies and measuring the impact of conservation practices. This …

Recent Findings On Phosphorus Digestibility Of Feed Ingredients In Broilers, Jay Hampton, Wenting Li, Franco Mussini, Katie Hilton, Janet Remus, Samuel J. Rochell

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Accurately meeting the dietary P needs of broilers is critical to ensure optimal bird performance, health, and welfare without causing undue environmental burdens associated with excess dietary P excretion. Phosphorus is commonly supplied in broiler diets from inorganic phosphates derived from non-renewable sources, but it has been estimated that peak P production will occur between 2030-2040 and that the global supply of P could be depleted within this century (Cordell and Drangert, 2009; Nest and Cordell, 2012). To address these concerns, inorganic P use in agriculture, including use in broiler diet formulation, requires careful stewardship. To this end, the dietary …

Reduction Of Protein Levels In Broiler Feed For Commercial Application – A German Case, Andreas Lemme, Kilian Fenske, Heiner Westendarp, Mathias Guhe, Elmar Rother

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

A project was initiated to apply dietary CP reduction under commercial conditions. The main objective was to demonstrate and validate that dietary CP can be reduced without compromising broiler performance in a production system which is already rather efficient. In addition, we wanted to demonstrate the potential of dietary CP reduction on reducing N-excretions especially in the context of German revised regulations and monitoring attempts. Finally, as previous research suggested, few further aspects such as impact of dietary CP reduction on litter quality and quantity, footpad health, change of ingredient inclusion levels and related impact on sustainability impact factors were …

Application Of Simulation Modelling In Broiler Integration: Is It A Necessary Nutritional Tool?, Peter Chrystal

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Modelling techniques have been used in many industries globally to illustrate to others an understanding of the way processes work. Also, engineers and scientists employ models to predict the consequences of various courses of action. Simple pictorial models, such as the diagram of the chicken digestive system, are useful in education and may be more suitable than a photograph for the purposes of explaining how the animal converts ingested feed into components that can be assimilated, leaving residue that is excreted. Complex, predictive models seek to quantify a specified outcome based on defined inputs. Many attempts have been made over …

State Of The Art Pullet And Breeder Nutrition, Rick Van Emous

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

During the last six to seven decades, broilers have been successfully selected for maximum growth and feed efficiency (Zuidhof et al., 2014). Modern fast-growing broilers reach a body weight of 2.0 to 2.5 kg in 35 to 45 days with an average daily growth of 55 or more gram a day (Augère-Granier, 2019). In a study with different broiler strains representative of broilers in 1957 or 1978 were compared with a broiler strain from 2005 (Zuidhof et al., 2014). The 2005 strain showed, over a 56-day growth period, a 4.6 times higher growth rate and a 50% lower feed conversion …

Broiler Breeder Males: Feed And Nutrition Discussion, Benton Hudson

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The methods for feeding broiler breeder males have evolved over recent decades, and further revisions will likely be needed as males become more challenging to manage. Since the introduction of separate male feeding systems in the early 1980’s, breeder males’ nutrient needs have been better managed via daily feed restriction. If a breeder operation can effectively produce, haul, and store a separate male diet, then it provides more options to use different nutrient levels or feed additives that are designed to enhance fertility. This article will outline the history of male-separate feeding and revisit nutritional research on fertility of broiler …

Amino Acids Were Not All Created Equal, Peter H. Selle, Shemil P. Macelline, Peter V. Chrystal, Sonia Y. Liu

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The contention that amino acids were not all created equal is based on the simple premise that intestinal uptakes of non-bound (synthetic, crystalline, feed-grade) amino acids are more rapid than their protein-bound counterparts. The post-enteral ramifications of this difference in bioequivalence are amplified in broiler chickens given their express growth rates and just one complication is the post-prandial oxidation of amino acids. The lack of bioequivalence between non-bound and protein-bound amino acids is a real obstacle to the development and adoption of reduced-crude protein diets that have the potential to promote sustainable chicken-meat production Thus, the purpose of this paper …

Recent Advancements On Calcium And Phosphorus Recommendations In Broilers, Justina Caldas, Marcelo Silva

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Calcium and phosphorus have been recognized essential nutrients in chickens since 1950’s (Lesson & Summers, 2001) playing important roles in bone development, among other functions. Calcium is assumed an inexpensive nutrient in animal least cost formulation while phosphorus is considered expensive and scant. The actual economic impact comes from the influence of calcium on phosphorus requirements, changes in phosphorus digestibility, buffer capacity, gut health, trace mineral absorption, fat digestibility, welfare traits, etc. Both minerals have important interactions to be considered during formulation. Few changes have been made over the past 20 years to calcium and phosphorus recommendations because these values …