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Activity Patterns Of The Endangered Amargosa Vole (Microtus Californicus Scripensis), Austin N. Roy, Anna D. Rivera Roy, Deana L. Clifford, Janet E. Foley

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Examining the activity patterns of wildlife is an important aspect of understanding the ecology of a species and may be especially important for species of conservation concern. We used remotely triggered cameras to describe the daily and seasonal activity patterns and examine ecological factors that influence the activity of the Amargosa Vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis), a California endemic listed federally and by the state as Endangered, and is a marsh habitatspecialist in the Mojave Desert. We found that vole activity was greatest during crepuscular periods, followed by nocturnal and diurnal periods. We saw strong seasonal effects, with the highest activity …

Nitrogen Fertilization And Harvest Management Improve Forage And Crude Protein Content In Crabgrass, B. C. Pedreira, I. T. M. D. Barros, J. I. Yasuoka, D. Helwig, J. K. Farney, G. F. Sassenrath

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) is an annual summer grass that can provide high-quality forage, but optimal management strategies are unclear. Our objective was to compare the yield and quality of crabgrass (Mojo and Quick-N-Big) under different nitrogen rates and harvest management. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments and three replications for each crabgrass variety, totaling fifteen experimental units for both Mojo and Quick-N-Big, in adjacent sites. Treatments were nitrogen rates (0, 100, and 200 lb N/acre) and harvest management (cut once or twice per year) for two growing seasons (2020 and 2021). Total forage accumulation …

Chemical Composition And Microbial Diversity Of The Silage Of Forage Peanut Harvested At Two Regrowth Ages And Treated With Microbial Inoculants, A. J. S. Macêdo, O. G. Pereira, V. P. Da Silva, A. J. Dos Anjos, W. Alves, H. R. O. Santos, K. G. Ribeiro

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and microbial diversity of the silage of forage peanut harvested at 40 and 80 days of regrowth and treated with microbial inoculants. The inoculants evaluated were commercial inoculant (CI) Sil-All 4×4 (Lallemand®, Brazil); the AV14.17, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strain (ISO) isolated from alfalfa silage; and control (CTRL), without inoculant. A total of 500 g of forage was ensiled in nylon-polyethylene bags (25.40 × 35.56 cm). After 60 days of fermentation, the bags were opened and silages were analyzed for dry matter (DM), mineral matter (MM), organic matter (OM), crude protein …

Evapotranspiration Of Rewetted And Drained Fen Soils With Grass – Long Term Lysimeter Studies, M. Pesch, J. Hoysagk, F. Eulenstein, A. Behrendt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the context of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to combat climate change, rewetting of peatlands is of particular importance. High groundwater levels covering organic matter in the soil prevent its oxidation to CO₂. The amount of water needed to allow the rewetting of peatlands can be determined in lysimeter studies.

The evapotranspiration in fens depends essentially on the groundwater table, the vegetation (transpirational active biomass) and the saturation deficit of the atmosphere. After rewetting, these factors can lead to an evapotranspiration of 1000 l m^-2 a^-1 and even 2000 l m^-2 a^-1 in …

Industrial Hemp Forage Potential, Swarup Podder, John H. Fike, B. Wilson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been a valuable species for humans throughout history due to its adaptability and diverse uses. Farmers are interested in hemp as a forage and feedstuff due to its unique nutritional properties and fast summer production. Moreover, the presence of cannabinoids in leaf and bud tissues may provide pharmacological benefits to animal health, productivity, and product quality under different regulatory frameworks. This study examined two hemp cultivars, Grandi and Joey, solely as forage crops, and samples were taken at different growth stages in Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2021. The highest biomass production of 1.41 tons per …

Differential Responses Of Yield And Shoot Traits Of Five Tropical Grasses To N And Distance To Trees In Silvopastoral Systems, L. S. Pontes, Emilio A. Laca

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Light intensity and nitrogen (N) availability are important factors influencing the growth of C₄ forage species. Trade-offs may occur in the adaptive responses of species to shading and N inputs, and functional shoot traits can help to explain the consequences of these responses for species performance. Our objective was to gain understanding of the mechanisms between traits of five C₄ perennial grasses determining above-ground dry matter yield (DMY) when both resources, light and N, vary. Forage grasses were grown in six shading conditions (full sunlight vs. five positions between Eucalyptus dunnii rows) with two N levels (0 vs. …

Clovers Around The World: A Symposium In Memory And Honor Of Dr. Norman L. Taylor, Kenneth H. Quesenberry, D. Boone, B. M. Irish

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Trifolium is arguably the largest and most diverse genera of herbaceous forage legumes (Zohary and Heller, 1984). Dr. Norman L. Taylor, Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Kentucky, deceased, was a pioneer and champion of collection and preservation of Trifolium species throughout his 57-year career. Dr. Taylor was a native of northern Kentucky, born near where this Conference is being held.

Estimating The Carrying Capacity For Habitat Of Urial Wild Sheep (Ovis Orientalis) In Tandoureh National Park, Iran, M. Rahimian, F. Tabatabaei Yazdi, Mansour Mesdaghi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In an attempt to estimate forage production and carrying capacity of wild ungulates in Tandoureh National Park of Iran, the Babanestan grassland was selected, as the typical habitat of about 200 Urial wild sheep. In order to estimate the carrying capacity of this habitat for foraging of Urial wild sheep, this habitat with an area of 132 hectares was classified as low flat (LF), high flat (HF), north aspect (NA), and south aspect (SA). Then, to estimate forage production, clipping method of comparative yield was used. In each land form, standing crop yield of five reference plots of 1-^{m2 …}

Development Of Novel Interspecific Fertile Cytotype (4x) Of Pennisetum Glaucum X Pennisetum Purpureum Utilizing Modified Ploidy Coupled With Embryo Rescue Technique, Maneet Rana, N. Kumar, R. Gajghate, S. Kumar, R. Kaldate, Kamini Gautam, R. P. Sah, R. Verma, H. A. Bhargavi, R. P. Saini, S. Ahmed, P. Kaushal, A. K. Roy, A. Chandra

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interspecific hybrids of genus Pennisetum (P. glaucum x P. purpureum) is the one of the most popular manmade hybrid. It combines the unique features of both P. glaucum (Pearl millet; Bajra) and P. purpureum (Napier; Elephant grass) species, which makes it more resilient to harsh environments with superior fodder quality. Due to ploidy level variation among the parents, these hybrids are sterile and propagated vegetatively only. To overcome this, attempts were made in the present study by exploring the feasibility of novel tetraploid pearl millet (2n=4x=28; Tetra 1; INGR 09047) developed at IGFRI, as a female parent in …

Integrating Grazing With 2,4-D And Florpyrauxifen To Control Broadleaf Weeds And Maintain Red Clover Productivity In Grass-Legume Pastures, M. J. Renz, G. M. Imhoff

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In grass-legume pastures, 2,4-D-amine + florpyrauxifen-benzyl controls broadleaf weeds but red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is eliminated. Grazing within a week prior to herbicide application is likely to reduce leaf surface area and may reduce red clover injury and maintain productivity. Experiments were conducted in 2020 and in 2021 to determine if red clover could be productive when 560 g ae ha-1 2,4-D-amine + 6.3 g ae ha^-1 of florpyrauxifen-benzyl with 1% v/v methylated seed oil applied in the spring was grazed before or after herbicide application. Grazing timings occurred 6, 4, or 2 days prior to herbicide …

Use Of Genuine Sources Of Ergot Resistance In Species Of The Dilatata Group Of Paspalum, R. Reyno, S. Murchio, C. Goñi, W. Iriarte, H. Oberti, Javier Do Canto, Walter Ayala, C. Rossi, M. Dalla-Rizza

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Paspalum dilatatum Poir. (dallisgrass) is an excellent C4 forage for summer production, highly productive with a wide distribution within warm-temperate regions. P. dilatatum is native to South America with special relevance for milk and meat production since its forage quality is superior to that of other C4 forage grasses and it shows tolerance to frost and water stress. In situations of temperate and warm temperate climate, the presence of these species plays a key role in the ecological stability of the system due to the complementarity of the growth cycles between winter and summer grasses. Claviceps paspali (ergot) is a …

Fermentation Profile Of Signal Grass Silages Intercropped With Calopo Or Fertilized With Nitrogen And Treated With Microbial Inoculant, Karina G. Ribeiro, Tâmara Chagas De Silveira, João Paulo Santos Roseira, Albert José Dos Anjos, Wagner Souza Alvez, Danielle Nascimento Coutinho, Odilon G. Pereira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tropical grasses have characteristics that allow the occurrence of undesirable fermentations resulting in low quality silage. Inoculants can improve silage quality. Fermentation profile and microbial population of signal grass silages under four management (M), with and without microbial inoculant, were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with silages of signal grass managed without N application (control, 0N), fertilized with 50 kg ha^-1 of N (50N), fertilized with 100 kg ha^-1 of N (100N), or signal grassintercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides D.) (LEG), with inoculant (I) andwithout inoculant (WI), in a …

Plant Breeding Perspectives For Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) Success In Warm Climates, Esteban F. Rios, M. Murad Andrade, C. C. Fernandes Filho, P. Sipowicz, A. Biswas, R. Ulbricht, D. Basigalup, E. C. Brummer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Climate change can have major impacts on adaptation of forage species to agroecosystems around the world. The ability of breeders to select for traits that impart adaptability to climate resilience will be critical for the future of grasslands. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important perennial forage legume in the world because of its relatively high yield and nutritional value. In Florida, nondormant cultivars were developed for improved adaptation to the state’s subtropical agroecosystem (‘Florida 66’, ‘Florida 77’, and ‘Florida 99’); however, these cultivars are not commercially available. Breeding efforts are underway to develop new nondormant alfalfa adapted …

Impact Of Fertilizer Type, Seed Coating, And Duration Of Exposure On The Germination Of Orchardgrass Seed, Edwin L. Ritchey, Christopher D. Teutsch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cool-season grasses such as orchardgrass, are important components of forage systems in transition zone states like Kentucky. To maintain dense and vigorous sods, improved cool-season grass varieties are sometimes overseeded into existing stands in late-winter or early-spring. In many cases seed is mixed with fertilizer and top-dressed onto pastures. Little data are available on the impact of fertilizer type or duration of exposure on the germination of raw and coated grass seed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two fertilizer types, muriate of potash and a blended fertilizer (urea, diammonium phosphate, and muriate of potash), …

Accuracy And Precision Of Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (Nirs) Versus Wet Chemistry In Forage Analysis, U. K. Saha, R. J. Kern-Lunbery

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Near Infra-red Spectroscopy (NIRS) is an attractive option for forage analysis. NIRS is less labor intensive, nondestructive, rapid, environmentally friendly and provides accurate and precise results. However, many nutritionists are quick to brush off NIRS, citing ‘poor accuracy’. We evaluated the accuracy and precision of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of 33 National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) proficiency test (PT) alfalfa hay samples analyzed by NIRS in 7 NIRS Forage and Feed Testing Consortium (NIRSC) member laboratories. The reference method averages (RMA), used to evaluate the NIRS results, were based …

Evaluation Of Different Genotypes Of Teosinte (Euchlaena Mexicana) For Herbage And Seed Production In Nepal, S. Sanjyal, John G. Hampton, P. Rolston, S. Marahatta

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Teosinte is highly admired by the Nepalese farmers as a summer forage crop. It is also an important crop for milking animals in the tropical world where dairy husbandry is practiced. The only Sirsa cultivar of teosinte currently grown in Nepal takes 8 to 9 months from sowing to seed harvesting, which makes growing this crop difficult for farmers with small land holdings wanting to establish winter crops. Therefore, a diversity study on eighteen teosinte accessions was conducted in CRBD design. Seventeen teosinte accessions imported from CYMMIT Mexico and one locally grown Sirsa were evaluated in order to identify if …

Effects Of Insecticide And Tolerant Alfalfa Cultivars On Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca Fabae) Populations And Forage Yields In Quebec (Canada), Philippe Seguin, X. Shi, J. Saguez, Huguette Martel, A. Claessens

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The potato leafhopper [PLH, Empoasca fabae (Harris)], which affects several crops including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), is a recurrent problem in several regions of Quebec. The objective was to evaluate alfalfa management tools in order to reduce yield losses caused by this pest. An experiment was conducted at two sites in Quebec over three field seasons to evaluate the impact of insecticide applications and the use of PLHtolerant cultivars on forage yield and PLH populations. Foliar insecticide applications in the seeding year reduced PLH populations but generally failed to impact alfalfa yields compared to untreated alfalfa. However, in one …

Addition Of Red Clover Or Birdsfoot Trefoil In Alfalfa-Based Mixtures To Improve The Forage Energy To Protein Balance, Philippe Seguin, Gaëtan F. Tremblay, M. Thériault, X. Godin, Shabtai Bittman, D. Hunt, J. Hakl, Gilles Bélanger, M.-N. Thivierge, Annick Bertrand, A. Claessens

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The low ratio of sugars (S) to crude proteins (CP) in alfalfa (AL, Medicago sativa L.) leads to inefficient use of nitrogen by ruminants. The objective was to determine if adding red clover (RC, Trifolium pratense L.) or birdsfoot trefoil (BT, Lotus corniculatus L.) with or without a grass species to AL improved the forage S/CP ratio. Treatments were 100% AL (control) or AL-based mixtures with RC or BT in three proportions (75, 50, or 25% of seeded legumes) with either no grass or with timothy (Phleum pratense L.) or tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb. Dumort.), resulting in …

Yield Potential Of Co4 Napier Hybrid Bajra (Pennisetum Perpureum Schumach.) Fodder Crop Under Irrigated Conditions In India, Om Singh, Ayushi Singh, Ananya Singh, Anita Singh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A field trial on Co₄ was conducted at ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar during 2013-14 to 2017-18 to study the effect of harvesting season/time on green, dry matter yield and morphological parameters. Data shows that yield of Co₄ was increased from first year 2013-14 to third year 2015-16 and decreased in fourth year of plantation of crop. Regrowth of ratoon crop was good as it was in first year crop, it may be concluded that crop can be grown upto 5-6 years. The crop yield of first year and second year as par with fifth year. Maximum green fodder yield 307.7 …

Concentration And Bioactivity Of Condensed Tannins And Total Phenolics Of Lespedeza Species From A Germplasm Collection, Thomas H. Terrill, V. Smith, B. Morning, E. M. Courson, James P. Muir, N. M. Cherry, J. B. Morris

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interest in ‘AU-Grazer’ sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) as an anti-parasitic bioactive forage has been growing in the United States, but the concentration and bioactivity of tannins and other phenolics from additional accessions of L. cuneata, as well as other Lespedeza species, have not been evaluated. A study was completed to determine the concentration of extractable condensed tannins (ECT), total CT (TCT), total phenolics (TP), and protein-precipitable phenolics (PPP) of 32 accessions of L. cuneata and 16 additional Lespedeza species from a germplasm collection. The plants were established in small pots in a greenhouse and then transplanted into …

The Broadwater Formation (Pliocene) Of Nebraska And Southeastern Wyoming, Robert F. Diffendal Jr., James B. Swinehart

Robert F. Diffendal, Jr., Publications

The Broadwater Formation, initially defined in 1945, is a Pliocene-aged coarse-grained alluvial deposit in Nebraska and southeastern Wyoming. It is characterized by a complex stratigraphic history and debated geologic interpretations. The formation is a rich resource of groundwater for the citizens of Nebraska and the Central Great Plains. We aim to synthesize and redefine the Broadwater Formation, shedding light on its distribution, geological characteristics, and paleoenvironmental significance. While historical hypotheses on Broadwater Formation paleovalley trajectories suggested northwest-southeast trending valleys, later investigations proposed wind-driven erosional patterns to explain the unique topographic features observed. The Broadwater is divided into an unnamed Upper …

Using Remote Sensing To Determine Riparian Resilience In Beaver Dammed Versus Un-Dammed Corridors Following Whiplash Weather, Sophie Charlotte Valérie Aubry

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management Projects

Beaver complexes slow and store water allowing for riparian growth which in turn fosters biodiversity, retains carbon, and enhances resistance to fires and drought. Given the benefits associated with beaver complexes and the potential they have for climate mitigation, California hopes to reintroduce beavers and restore their habitat throughout the state. However, the impact of high peak flow events on beaver complexes and their adjacent riparian corridors is less understood and requires more documentation at various spatial scales. To better understand the potential beavers may have as climate change mitigators it is important to understand beaver complex resiliency following a …

Landscape/Atmosphere Interactions And Carbon-Dioxide Dynamics In The Great Onyx Groundwater Basin, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, Meghan Raines

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An increase in atmospheric CO2 since the Industrial Revolution has altered rates of global climate change and has motivated a need to better quantify the flux of carbon between Earth’s reservoirs. Attempts to quantify the exchange of atmospheric carbon between sources and sinks have led to an increasing interest in the terrestrial landscape, including the continental carbon sink associated with carbonate-mineral dissolution. This research sought to better inform an understanding of karst landscapes and their relationship with global climate change through carbon cycling. The study utilized high-resolution data collection of pH, temperature, and specific conductance of waters in the Cascade …

Wonderstone And Its Connection To Liesegang, Microbes, And Beyond, Haden S. Mandery

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the western and southwestern United States, the term wonderstone is used to describe volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks with variegated banding produced by iron oxide mineralization or staining. This iron oxide mineralization is typically described as Liesegang banding. In this paper I will (1) test if the banding in wonderstone follows the spacing and width laws characteristic of Liesegang, (2) identify the source of iron that ultimately precipitated in the bands, and (3) examine the role that microbes played in the formation of the mineralization in these rocks. I conclude that the iron oxide mineralization is not Liesegang banding. …

Environmental And Agronomic Evaluation Of Struvite In Rice Production Systems, Diego Della Lunga

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Furrow-irrigation constitutes an alternative water regime that has been increasingly adopted in Arkansas. Among the management of nutrients in furrow-irrigated systems, phosphorus (P) represents a substantial challenge. The environmental sustainability of rice (Oryza sativa) production systems needs to be evaluated across different water regimes and fertilizer-P sources. Therefore, the objectives of the following studies were to: i) evaluate season-long carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions and global warming potential (GWP) under different tillage treatments [i.e., conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT)] and at different site positions (i.e., up-, mid-, down-slope) along the predominant slope of a production-scale, furrow-irrigated rice …

Bridging The Gap: Analyzing The Relationship Between Environmental Justice Awareness On Twitter And Socio-Environmental Factors Using Remote Sensing And Big Data, Charles Knoble, Danlin Yu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Mounting awareness of the discriminatory distribution of environmental factors has increasingly placed environmental justice at the forefront of discussions on sustainable development, but responses to these disparities are often too little, too late. Remote sensing has emerged as a potential solution to this problem, capitalizing on the ability to capture high-resolution, spatially explicit data in near-real time. However, a conventional reliance on physical measurements and surface-level analyses risks overlooking the experiences and perceptions of affected communities. It is against this backdrop that the potential integration of remote sensing imagery and socially sensed big data such as social media data assumes …

The Discovery Of Diverse Picophytoplankton Populations In The Columbia And Willamette Rivers Using Flow Cytometry, Kylee M. Lamberson

Chemistry Undergraduate Departmental Honors Theses

As important primary producers, picophytoplankton determine the flow of carbon and energy in aquatic ecosystems. Picocyanobacteria are one picophytoplankton group known to be dominant in oceans and lakes, but they are still poorly understood in river systems. This project examined picophytoplankton communities in two distinct river systems: the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon. I aimed to characterize and quantify the picophytoplankton populations in the context of the environmental conditions of the two rivers. I used flow cytometry to detect cells based on their relative size and pigment fluorescence. I sampled nearly weekly for ten months to capture population …

Multi-Scale Characteriziation Of Pore Structure And Mass Transport In Natural Rocks, Xiaoqing Yuan

Earth & Environmental Sciences Dissertations - Archive

The mass transport process in porous natural rocks is notably influenced by the pore structure with both geometrical and topological attributes. Nevertheless, previous studies have not taken into consideration the sample size effect or the impact of diagenesis processes on petrophysical investigations of rocks, fluids, and rock-fluid interactions. Six rocks (one granodiorite, one limestone, two chalks, one mudstone, and one dolostone) with different extents of heterogeneity at six different particle sizes were studied to describe the effects of pore structure (especially connectivity) on mass transport. Thirteen geologically different rocks (two marbles, four fossiliferous limestones, six mudstones, and one sandstone) were …

How Low Can You Go?: Widespread Challenges In Measuring Low Stream Discharge And A Path Forward, Erin C. Seybold, Anna Bergstrom, C. Nathan Jones, Amy J. Burgin, Sam Zipper, Sarah E. Godsey, Walter K. Dodds, Margaret A. Zimmer, Margaret Shanafield, Thibault Datry, Raphael D. Mazor, Mathis L. Messager, Julian D. Olden, Adam Ward, Songyan Yu, Kendra E. Kaiser, Arial Shogren, Richard H. Walker

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Low flows pose unique challenges for accurately quantifying streamflow. Current field methods are not optimized to measure these conditions, which in turn, limits research and management. In this essay, we argue that the lack of methods for measuring low streamflow is a fundamental challenge that must be addressed to ensure sustainable water management now and into the future, particularly as climate change shifts more streams to increasingly frequent low flows. We demonstrate the pervasive challenge of measuring low flows, present a decision support tool (DST) for navigating best practices in measuring low flows, and highlight important method developmental needs.

Subduction Initiation Recorded In The Dadeville Complex Of Alabama And Georgia, Southeastern United States, Naomi A. Becker, Freya R. George, George L. Guice, James L. Crowley, Wendy R. Nelson, Joseph F. Browning-Hanson, Supratik Roy, Daniel R. Viete

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Dadeville Complex of Alabama and Georgia (southeastern United States) represents the largest suite of exposed mafic-ultramafic rocks in the southern Appalachians. Due to poor preservation, chemical alteration, and tectonic reworking, a specific tectonic origin for the Dadeville Complex has been difficult to deduce. We obtained new whole-rock and mineral geochemistry coupled with zircon U-Pb geochronology to investigate the magmatic and metamorphic processes recorded by the Dadeville Complex, as well as the timing of these processes. Our data reveal an up-stratigraphic evolution in the geochemistry of the volcanic rocks, from forearc basalts to boninites. Our new U-Pb zircon crystallization data—obtained …