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College Of Agricultural Sciences And Natural Resources: 17th Annual Report August 1, 2009-July 31, 2010

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR): Annual Reports

Introduction excerpt

Seventeenth Annual Report for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Reflects on the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students, reviews the year, and serves as an archive of accomplishments. Primarily covers the period August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010.

Seventy-three schools competed for recognition as innovators in undergraduate education. Only 16 were selected. UNL is one of the 16 - the only one in our peer group as well as the only one in the Big 12. In fact, UNL is one of only five major research universities to be named ‘first tier’ …

Estrus Synchronization And Periconceptual Supplementation Affect The Profitability Of A Replacement Heifer Enterprise, D. M. Larson, R. D. Richardson, K. H. Ramsay, R. N. Funston

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Experiments evaluated estrus synchronization and periconceptual supplementation on pregnancy rate and calf production. Approximately one-half of heifers in 2 pastures (yr 1) or 4 pastures (yr 2) were injected with prostaglandin F_2α (PGF; n = 1,182) or not (NPGF; n = 1,208) 5 d after fertile bulls were introduced for 25 d. In yr 2, a total of 1,230 heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 pastures; 2 received a supplement providing 100 g/d of Ca propionate (1.4 kg/d, 20% CP) 2 d before through 19 d after bull exposure and 2 did not in a 25-d breeding …

Pollen Interception By Linyphiid Spiders In A Corn Agroecosystem: Implications For Dietary Diversification And Risk-Assessment, Julie A. Peterson, Susan Romero, James D. Harwood

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Dietary diversification, including consumption of plant tissues such as pollen, can enhance the fecundity of generalist predators, resulting in improved control of pest prey. Supplemental pollen feeding has been observed in many natural enemies, including sheet-web spiders (Araneae: Linyphiidae), which represent a major component of food webs in agroecosystems. Their horizontal, ground-based webs have the potential to intercept pollen grains during anthesis of crop plants, providing the opportunity for consumption of pollen to occur. In laboratory feeding trials, Frontinella communis and Tennesseellum formicum (Araneae: Linyphiidae) readily fed on pollen grains dusted on their webs, with 82 and 92% of spiders …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Michael Vayda

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Field Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) Companion Crop Management On Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense L.) Establishment And Productivity, Branko Cupina, Dorde Krstic, Aleksandar Mikic, Pero Eric, Savo Vuckovic, Borivoj Pejic

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) has the potential to be a suitable companion crop for the establishment of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), as it is fast growing and is harvested early, and thus reduces the duration of competition and allows light to be transmitted through its canopy to an undersown species more so than other companion crops such as small grains. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of field pea as a companion crop for red clover, and in particular to determine the effect of pea cultivar and plant population density. The field experiment comprised …

A New Study On The Bacteria Of Agrotis Segetum Schiff. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) And Their Insecticidal Activities, Ali̇ Sevi̇m, Zi̇hni̇ Demi̇rbağ, İsmai̇l Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Agrotis segetum Schiff. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most serious pests of nearly all vegetables in Turkey. In this study, to find a more effective and safe biological control agent, the bacterial flora of Agrotis segetum were investigated in larvae collected from different populations in the vegetable fields of the Black Sea region of Turkey, and 9 bacterial isolates were cultured from these populations. Seven of these bacteria were determined and characterized at the species level and the rest were characterized at the genus level. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the bacterial isolates were determined by conventional and …

Evaluation Of Late Season Drought Effects On Seed And Oil Yields In Spring Safflower Genotypes, Bahman Pasban Eslam, Hassan Monirifar, Mastaneh Taher Ghassemi

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Seed and oil yields, their components, and the relationships among yield and related traits were measured in 5 spring safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes, Local Arak, Local Esfahan, Sina, KH_{23-57}, and Goldasht, under nonstressed and water deficit conditions imposed from late flowering (80% flowering) to maturity. The studies were conducted in loam soil at the Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources of East Azarbaijan, Iran (46°2'E, 37°58'N) during 3 successive years (2005-2007). According to the significant decrease in the number of seeds per capitulum, 1000-seeds weight, harvest index, and seed and oil yields under water deficit conditions, it seems …

Determination Of Gene Escape And Fruit Quality Characteristics In Transgenic Melon (Cucumis Melo L. Var. Inodorus), Yeşi̇m Yalçin Mendi̇, Nebahat Sari, Asi̇ye Akyildiz, İlknur Solmaz, Ceren Ünek, Okan Özkaya, Sedat Serçe

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Gene escape and fruit quality characteristics of transgenic melons (Cucumis melo L. var inodorus cv. 'Kirkagac 637') resistant to zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and control plants were investigated under screenhouse conditions. No significant differences were observed between transgenic and transgenic × control genotypes, with regard to rind thickness, fruit cavity length, fruit cavity width, total soluble solids, pistil scar diameter, and peduncle length. Fruit characters, including fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit flesh thickness, and peduncle diameter were significantly different. These results indicate that transgenic × control genotypes had higher values than transgenic (T4 and T20) genotypes, regarding …

The Determination Of Pneumatic Conveying Characteristics Of Chickpea, Ahmet Kiliçkan, Meti̇n Güner

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The pneumatic conveying characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) of the variety Koçbasi were determined. The length, width, thickness, arithmetic mean diameter, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume, 1000 seed mass, bulk density, true density, porosity, projected area, terminal velocity, drag coefficient, pressure drop, power consumption, and seed damage, namely mechanical damage, germination test, and seed vigour index, were investigated experimentally. The positive low pressure system was used for the conveying of chickpeas. The power requirement and pressure drop were boosted with increasing the revolution of the blower and conveying capacity decreased with increasing pipe diameter. The highest pressure drop and …

Evaluation Of Fertilizing Schemes For Direct-Seeding Rice Fields In Taihu Lake Basin, China, Yong Li, Lin Zhang Yang, Chao Wang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Field experiments were performed to identify an effective fertilizing scheme for direct-seeding rice (DSR) fields in the Taihu Lake Basin in east China. Based on local traditions, 3 typical fertilizing schemes (FS-1, FS-2, and FS-3) were evaluated, in consideration of ensuring a certain rice yield and relatively low nitrogen (N) loss. The base, seedling, tillering, jointing, and panicle fertilizers for FS-1 were all 20% of 270 kg N ha^{-1}, those for FS-2 were 30%, 30%, 0%, 25%, and 15% of 270 kg N ha^{-1}, and 15%, 20%, 25%, 20%, and 20% of 220 kg N ha^{-1} for FS-3, respectively. The …

Louisiana Agriculture Winter, 2010, Lsu Agcenter

Louisiana Agriculture

No abstract provided.

Zinc Alleviates Salt Stress And Increases Antioxidant Enzyme Activity In The Leaves Of Pistachio (Pistacia Vera L. ‘Badami’) Seedlings, Vahid Tavallali, Majid Rahemi, Saeed Eshghi, Bahman Kholdebarin, Asghar Ramezanian

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The mechanism(s) by which Zn alleviates NaCl stress was investigated in Pistacia vera L. 'Badami'. Pistachio seedlings were treated with 0, 800, 1600, 2400, and 3200 mg of NaCl kg^{-1} of soil, along with Zn (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg kg^{-1} of soil). NaCl stress induced high oxidative stress, increasing lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and lipoxygenase (LOX, E.C. 1.13.11.12) activity to high levels. Zn supplement efficiently reduced all these adverse effects of salt stress. However, there were no significant differences among the above parameters in plants treated with Zn only. NaCl stress significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. …

Changes In Hay Yield And Quality Of Bulbous Barley At Different Phenological Stages, Ferat Uzun

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The objective of this study was to determine the changes in hay yield and quality components at different phenological stages of a bulbous barley (Hordeum bulbosum L.) population handpicked from natural flora during 2003-2007 in Samsun, Turkey. The phenological stages of bulbous barley during spring-summer (grazing maturity, early heading, heading, and milk-dough) and autumn (early growing) were investigated. Significant differences were observed in hay yield, relative feed value (RFV), crude protein (CP), acid and neutral detergent fiber (ADF and NDF), Ca, Mg, K, P, Mn, Fe, and Zn concentrations, and K(Ca + Mg)^{-1} and Ca P^{-1} ratios of DM, depending …

In Vitro Storage Of Some Pear Genotypes With The Minimal Growth Technique, Maqsood Ahmed, Muhammad Akbar Anjum

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Shoot cultures of 9 pear genotypes collected from different areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (northern Pakistan) were maintained on MS medium supplemented with 30 g L^{-1} of sucrose + 7 g L^{-1} of agar + 1 mg L^{-1} of BAP. For in vitro preservation shoot tips were excised from these cultures and transferred onto different media, i.e. full strength, ¼ strength, ½ strength MS medium, and full strength MS medium containing 2.5% or 3.5% (w/v) mannitol. The cultures were assessed for their survival after storage periods of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. To test the regenerability of the …

The Effect Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization On Yield, Some Fruit Characteristics, Hormone Concentrations, And Alternate Bearing In Pistachio, Nurdan Tuna Güneş, Yeşi̇m Okay, A. İlhami̇ Köksal, Mehmet Köroğlu

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This research was carried out in order to determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on yield, some fruit characteristics, hormone concentrations, and alternate bearing in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cv. 'Kırmızı' grafted on P. vera over 3 consecutive years. Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 0 (control), 800, 1000, and 1200 g tree^{-1}, and phosphorus was applied at the rate of 0 (control), 200, 400, and 600 g tree^{-1} into the soil. As a result, although yield mostly decreased and nut weight increased, especially in the 2^{nd} year ('off' year), considerable interactions among fertilizer rates were determined …

The Effects Of Biogas Slurry On The Production And Quality Of Maize Fodder, Md. Rafiqul Islam, Syed Mohammad Ehsanur Rahman, Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Deog Hwan Oh, Chang Six Ra

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The present study examined the effectiveness of biogas slurry (liquor from anaerobic digestion process) as a nitrogen source for the production of maize fodder (Zea mays). Maize fodder was cultivated as a control (T_0: 0 kg of slurry N ha^{-1}) and with 3 different levels of biogas slurry-T_1 (60 kg of slurry N ha^{-1}), T_2 (70 kg of slurry N ha^{-1}), and T_3 (82 kg of slurry N ha^{-1})-in a randomized block design. The parameters studied were plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter yield, and nutrient contents in maize fodder. Maize plant height and stem …

The Effect Of Different Nitrogen And Irrigation Levels On Grain Β-Glucan Content In Some Durum Wheat Cultivars, Mustafa Güler

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

\beta-glucan is a non-starchy, water-soluble polysaccharide component of wheat grain that positively affects grain nutrient quality. High \beta-glucan content in wheat grain also has a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and irrigation on durum wheat grain \beta-glucan content. Correlations between durum wheat grain \beta-glucan content, and grain yield and some quality characteristics were examined. Kunduru 1149, Kızıltan 91, and Çakmak 79 durum wheat cultivars were used as material, and 0-, 75-, and 150-mm irrigation levels with 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha^{-1} nitrogen rates were applied. Higher nitrogen …

Changes In Distribution Patterns Of Soil Penetration Resistance Within A Silage-Corn Field Following The Use Of Heavy Harvesting Equipments, Ekrem Lütfi̇ Aksakal, Taşkin Öztaş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Soil compaction caused by heavy wheeling reduces water infiltration, root development, and yield, and increases bulk density and soil strength. The objective of this study was to determine changes in spatial variability patterns of soil penetration resistance before and after using the silage machine in a corn-growing field. Soil penetration resistance was measured in a 100 × 400 m field with 10 m intervals just before and after harvesting. Measurements were taken from the 20 cm top layer on rows and inter-rows throughout each transect. The mean penetration resistance of 1353 measurements before and after harvesting was 2097 and 3116 …

Isolation And Identification Of Culturable Forms Of Bacteria From The Sweet Potato Whitefly Bemesia Tabaci Genn. (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) In Jordan, Mazen Ahmad Ateyyat, Mohamad Shatnawi, Mohammad Al-Mazra'awi

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Homopteran insects contain bacteria in their cells and tissues known as "secondary symbionts," which under special environmental circumstances act against their host insects. In this study, both molecular- and culture-based methods were used to characterize the bacteria associated with the whitefly in Jordan. We isolated, cultured, and identified 11 species of bacteria from nymphs (6 species), adults (8 species), and parasitized pupae (2 species) of the whitefly Bemesia tabaci collected from different vegetable crops planted in different localities in Jordan. The identities of the cultured bacteria were evaluated using PCR with sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments and fluorescence in …

The Influence Of Fennel Feeding On Development, Survival, And Reproduction In Podisus Nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Jose Bruno Malaquias, Francisco De Sousa Ramalho, Jefferson Virginio Silva Souza, Karjoene Cassimiro Vieira Rodrigues, Paulo Alves Wanderley

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) leaves as food on development, survival, and reproduction in Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas). Newly hatched P. nigrispinus nymphs were used in this study. The prey consisted of 3rd-instar Alabama argillacea (Huebner) larvae. Fennel and cotton leaves were not sufficient to enable the full development of the predator to its adult stage. It was verified that 35% of the nymphs that fed on cotton leaves and water, and 31% of the nymphs that fed on fennel leaves and water completed their 2nd instar in 5.68 days and …

Prey Preference, Interaction With Selected Natural Enemies, And Alternative Nutritional Sources Of The Mirid Bug Dicyphus Tamaninii Wagner, Ihab Ghabeish, Azzam Saleh, Abdulfattah Dababat

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The present study aimed to investigate the prey preference of the omnivorous bug Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae) among 5 different prey species, and its interaction with 3 different natural enemies commonly used in greenhouses. Moreover, the survival duration of the predator was studied in response to different nutritional sources. In multi-choice trials all developmental stages of the predator tested, namely N_3, N_5, and adult female, showed a clear preference for Aphis gossypii Glover over other prey species offered. Nonetheless, a considerable number of Tetranychus urticae Koch, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) were also consumed. Myzus persicae (Sulzer) …

Physiological Responses Of Two Turkish Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Varieties To Salinity, Özgür Tatar, Holger Brueck, Mi̇that Nuri̇ Gevrek, Folkard Asch

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Effects of salinity (60 mM NaCl) on 2 Turkish rice varieties (Kıral and Yavuz) were studied in comparison to 2 international check varieties (IR4630-22-2 tolerant and IR31785-58-1-2-3-3 susceptible) in 2 hydroponic and 1 outdoor soil-based pot experiments. Partitioning of dry matter, leaf chlorophyll concentration, K^+ and Na^+ uptake, and proline accumulation in the leaves were investigated under both control and salt stress conditions. Dry matter accumulation decreased with salt stress in all varieties, with the decreases being more pronounced in IR31785 and Kıral. The results showed that the varieties tested expressed different adaptation mechanisms under salt stress; however, the increase …

Pruning Effect On Content Of Quercetin And Catechin In Berry Skins Of Cv. Blaufränkisch (Vitis Vinifera L.), Zoran Beslic, Slavica Todic, Vele Tesevic, Milka Jadranin, Miroslav Novakovic, Dejan Tesic

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The effect of pruning severity on quercetin and catechin content in berry skins of cv. Blaufränkisch (Vitis vinifera L.) was studied over 3 years. Different crop levels and canopy structures were obtained by retaining 8, 16, and 24 nodes per vine at pruning. Canopy density, which is proportionate to the shoot number per canopy volume, directly affects the intensity of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The quercetin content has been shown to be highly dependent on the light exposure of the berries in which it accumulates. An increase in node number linearly decreased skin catechin, and it is suggested that the …

Effect Of Foliar Applied Kinetin And Indole Acetic Acid On Maize Plants Grown Under Saline Conditions, Cengi̇z Kaya, Ati̇lla Levent Tuna, Abdulkadi̇r Mustafa Okant

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study examined the effects of kinetin (KIN) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) sprayed on the leaves of salinity-stressed maize (Zea mays L. cv., DK 647 F1) plants grown in field conditions. Salt stress was created by adding 100 mM NaCl to the irrigation water through a drip irrigation system during the irrigation schedule. Kinetin (KIN), indole acetic acid (IAA), and their combinations were sprayed foliarly. Salt stress (S) reduced the total dry matter, grain yield, chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC), but increased electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation in the maize plants. Foliar applications of both KIN and IAA …

The Leading Object: May 2010, John C. Owens

Leading Object

Perspectives; NU delegation visits Vietnam; Green to assume vice chancellorship July 19; Pioneer Hi-Bred researcher credits success to ‘solid education’; Presidential nominee has IANR ties; Awards ... Dinsdale and OEA; Water research to ‘jump start’ new center; Entrepreneurship, ag are tour highlights; Death

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 11 2010, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Do The Poor Pay More For Healthy Food? An Empirical Economic Analysis, Patrick Lee Hatzenbuehler

LSU Master's Theses

The economic question this study seeks to answer is why healthier food products are less expensive in some stores than in others and in some neighborhoods than others. The analysis builds upon the precedent of past retail food pricing studies that have been conducted in Southeastern Louisiana and in other parts of the country, by further examining disparities of retail food costs across store formats and neighborhoods with different demographic compositions. It utilizes a comparison of a general market basket of food items used in past studies and a "representative" market basket that is regionally specific to Southeastern Louisiana to …

Phytoremediation Of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Tphs) Using Plant Species In Iran, Ali Daryabeigi Zand, Gholamreza Nabi Bidhendi, Nasser Mehrdadi

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Plant-based remediation is a relatively new, efficient, and environmentally friendly technology, which can be promising for removing many contaminants like hydrocarbon pollutants. The main objectives of the current study were to investigate the effect of petroleum hydrocarbons with high initial concentration (about 3.5% by weight) on growth characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) as well as to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of the 2 mentioned plant species in highly contaminated, aged soil. In order to improve the condition of soil nutrients and also study the effect of soil amendment on plant growth, peat amendment was …