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Performance Of Tall Fescue Varieties [1984], Robert C. Buckner, Paul B. Burrus Ii, Nelson Gay, James A. Boling, Garry D. Lacefield

Agronomy Notes

The objective of the tall fescue breeding program is the development of varieties characterized by superior nutritive value (including reduced contents of perloline and loline alkaloids and the fungal endophyte, Epichloe typhina, (Acremonium coenophialum), palatability, disease resistance, and adaptation through the utilization of intergeneric and interspecific hybrid derivatives of ryegtass and tall fescue species. Varieties previously released from the breeding program were Kentucky 31, Kenwell; and Kenhy. Johnstone tall fescue, developed cooperatively by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA-ARS, was released March 1, 1982, as a new variety. Johnstone is characterized as having low levels of perloline alkaloid and …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 16, No. 1. March 1984

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Seabloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MORTALITY OF RACCOONS IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ E. K. Fritzell and R. J. Greenwood

THE EFFECTS OF MOWING ON THE RODENT COMMUNITY OF A NATIVE TALL GRASS PRAIRIE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA ▪ C. A. Lemen and M. K. Clausen

PARASITES OF FISH FROM THE JAMES AND SHEYENNE RIVERS, JAMESTOWN RESERVOIR COMPLEX, AND LAKE ASHTABULA IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ M. D. Forstie and H. L. Holloway

LEAD POISONING OF SANDHILL CRANES (Grus canadensis) ▪ R. M. Windingstad, S. M. Kerr, and …

Results Of The Thirteenth International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery Grown In 1981, S. L. Kuhr, C. J. Peterson, V. A. Johnson, P. J. Mattern, J. W. Schmidt

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

This is the thirteenth report of results from an International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery (IWWPN) organized in 1968 by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U. S. Department of Agriculture, under contract number AID/ta-C-1093 with the U. S. International Development Corporation, Agency for International Development. The Nursery was designed to (1) test the adaptation and stability of winter wheat cultivars in a range of latitudes, daylengths, fertility conditions, water management regimes, and disease complexes; (2) identify superior winter cultivars to serve as recipient genotypes for high protein and high lysine genes; (3) test …

The Effects Of Mowing On The Rodent Community Of A Native Tall Grass Prairie In Eastern Nebraska, Cliff A. Lemen, Mary K. Clausen

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Our results indicate that mowing, like burning, greatly reduces the use of an area by Microtus and increases the density of Peromyscus maniculatus until the grass can grow back. Depending on the rate of growth of the grass this process can take more than a year. If the prairie is mowed every year to maximize the production of hay, populations of Microtus cannot be maintained at high densities.

The study site, Nine Mile Prairie, is one of the few natural tallgrass prairies remaining in eastern Nebraska. It covers about 240 acres and is located 5 km north and 9 km …

Warm Water Aquaculture Using Waste Heat And Water From Zero Discharge Power Plants In The Great Basin, Richard A. Heckmann, Robert N. Winget, Rex C. Infanger, Roger W. Mickelsen, John M. Hendersen

Great Basin Naturalist

Two series of experiments were completed to determine (a) toxicity of waste water from power plants on warm water fish and (b) multiple use of waste heat and water for aquatic animal and plant production. All three types of waste water from a typical coal-fired power plant are acceptable for growing catfish and tilapia following aeration. This growth was compared with fish raised in spring water. Closed, recirculating polyculture systems using evaporation pond water operated efficiently for plant (duckweed) and animal (fish and freshwater prawns) production. Duckweed is an excellent supplement for fish feed. Tilapia and freshwater prawns grew rapidly …

Bulletin No. 29: Common Mushrooms Of New England, John C. Cooke

Bulletins

49 pp. 1984. Descriptions of 89 species of fungi, 62 illustrated

Book Review: Plant Infectious Agents, Myron K. Brakke

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

This is not the book to go to for exhaustive coverage or detailed experimental protocol, but it is excellent for a concise version of recent developments in the molecular biology of plant viruses.

Population Dynamics Of Ludwigia Leptocarpa (Onagraceae) And Some Factors Affecting Size Hierarchies In A Natural Population, Rebecca W. Dolan, Rebecca R. Sharitz

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

1. Germination cohorts of Ludwigia leptocarpa, a semi-aquatic annual plant were marked in the field at time of establishment and followed through the 1981 and 1982 growing seasons at a site in southern South Carolina.

2. Data from each cohort were pooled to determine demographic characteristics of the population as a whole, then analyzed separately to determine the effect of time on germination on survivorship, relative growth rate, and adult size.

3. Changes in numbers of L. leptocarpa fit a Deevey Type II survivorship curve. This and other characteristics of the species classify it as ‘r-selected’. Aspects of the life history may reflect …

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Soil Acidity On High Rainfall Pastures, J S. Yeates, D. A. Mcghie, I. R. Wilson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Most soils of the high rainfall area of south-western Western Australia are naturally acis.

The most acid group of soils, the peaty sands. have been routinely limed before subterranean clover pastures were established since research in the 1950s showed that poor Rhizobium nodulation could be overcome with the application of about 2 tonnes per hectare of coastal limesand.

The Secretive Silvereyes, I J. Rooke

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Durinf the past five years the agricultural Protection Board, in co-operation with scientists from CSIRO's Division of Wildlife Research and the University of Western Australia, had studied the biology and control of the silvereye in the South-West of Western Asustralia. The project was partially funded by a voluntary levy on vignerons in the Margaret River and Mt Barker areas.

The first part of the study investigated the bird's bioloogy - its food requirements, reproductive rate, how it interacted with other birds and its seasonal movements, It was hoped that this knowledge would help develop effective techniques for either controlling the …

A Closer Look At Parrots As Pests, John L. Long

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Small parrots have been attacking fruit and grain crops in the south of Western Australia at least since agriculture expanded into their native habitats in the early 1900s. The parrots are capable of quickly adapting to new situations so it is not surprising that they have eaten crops.

It is not known whether parrot numbers have increased since European settlement began, but this appears likely. The present landscape of islands of uncleared country interspersed with areas of agriculture appears to favour the survival of the red-capped parrot, western rosella and the Port Lincoln parrot. These species were investigated during a …

Algal Growth And The Phosphorus Cycle, Arthur J. Mccomb, K. S. Hamel, A. L. Huber, D. K. Kidby, R. J. Lukatelich

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Larger algae and microscopic phytoplankton foul the waters of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, upsetting the fishery and polluting the beaches.

These aquatic plants grow in response to phosphorus runoff from drainage, trapping phosphorus in the estuary and using it in their growth. When they die this phosphorus remains in the system to be recycled for further plant growth.

Algal pollution in the estuary can be lessened by reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the system, increasing phosphorus losses to the ocean, or in some way blocking the trapping and recycling processes.

Soil Improvement With Bauxite Residues, W H. Tacey, S. C. Ward, K. J. Summers, N. J. Barrow

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The sandy soils of the Peel-Harvey catchment hold water and nutrients very poorly. The Gavin ridges dry out quickly during rainless periods and this severely limits pasture growth. These ridges and the lower lying Joel and Coolup sands also lose a large proportion of the phosphorus, sulfer and potash fertilisers applied to them. Normally the sands lack clay materials to bind and hold the nutrients so rainfall leaches them out.

The Peel-Harvey Study Group, CSIRO, Alcoa and Murdock University have studied the use of a residue from bauxite mining to help overcome these problems. The treated residue has a texture …

Soil Acidity And Liming In The Lower Great Southern, R N. Glencross, M. G. Clarke

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In the 375 to 750 millimetre rainfall area of the Lower Great Southern, reports of loss of subterranean clover from established pastures, reduced carrying capacity for sheep and increasing soil acidity lead to the establishment in 1981 of a research programme into the effects of soil acidity on pasture productivity in that region.

Flora And Early Secondary Succession In Wetlands Of The Lower Kanawha River Floodplain, West Virginia, Brenda Kay West

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Vegetational and floristic analyses were performed on eight wetlands undergoing early secondary succession on the Kanawha River floodplain of' West Virginia. All sites have been cleared previously and have been revegetated for 30 years or less. Vegetation was classified into ten cover types according to species composition and physiognomy. Aquatic, graminoid dominated wet meadow, shrub-wet meadow, Spiraea tomentosa dominated, Comus amomum dominated, and various early forested wetlands were among the cover types classified and surveyed. Frequency, density, dominance, and importance values were established with random plot sampling for both herbaceous and woody species. A total of 262 species distributed among …

Endocrine Mechanisms Of Puberty In Heifers: Estradiol Negative Feedback Regulation Of Luteinizing Hormone Secretion, M. L. Day, K. Imakawa, M. Garcia-Winder, D. D. Zalesky, B. D. Schanbacher, Roger J. Kittok, J. E. Kinder

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

The hypothesis that luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in prepubertal females is responsive to estradiol negative feedback and that decreased feedback occurs as puberty approaches was tested in heifers. In the first experiment, seven heifers were maintained prepubertal by dietary energy restriction until 508 days of age (Day 0). All heifers were placed on a high-energy diet on Day 0 at which time they received no additional treatment (CONT), were ovariectomized (OVX) or were ovariectomized and subcutaneously implanted with estradiol-17β (OVX-E₂). This feeding regimen was used to synchronize reproductive state in all heifers. A second experiment was performed with …

In Vitro Testosterone Secretion By Testicular Tissue From Young Bulls And The Effects Of Chronic And Acute Exposure To Estradiol- 17Β, M. J. D'Occhio, B. D. Schanbacher, J. E. Kinder

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

The possibility that estradiol-17/3 may directly influence testicular steroidogenesis in bulls was investigated in vitro. Testicular tissues were incubated for 4 h and regression coefficients (b, ng·ml^-1·h^-1) based on the increase in testosterone in the medium were used to describe testosterone secretion rates. In the first experiment, testicular tissues from control bulls and bulls chronically implanted with estradiol were incubated in the absence (basal conditions) or presence of 10 mlU/ml human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Under basal conditions, testosterone secretion rates were similar for tissues from control (b = 24.1 ± 6.0) and implanted (b = 34.7 …

Sulphur Needs Of Crops And Pastures, J S. Yeates

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Sulphur deficiency has long been recognised as a potential problem of legume pastures in the higher rainfall areas (over 750 mm a year) of south-west Western Australia. Before the introduction of granulated superphosphate (about 1970), sulfer deficiencies commonly developed in spring on susceptible soils despite autumn applications of superphosphate (containing about 10.5 per cent sulphur).

In loww and medium rainfall areas sulphur deficiency is rarely reported, at least partly because of annual superphosphate applications. However large areas of the sandy-surfaced soils of Western Australia would become sulphur deficient for pastures and crops if sulphur inputsd in fertilisers were substantially reduced. …

Effects Of Castration And Electrical Stimulation On Beef Carcass Quality And Palatability Characteristics, S. Kalstrup, H. R. Cross, B. D. Schanbacher, R. W. Mandigo

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

Thirty bull and 30 heifer Hereford x Simmental calves were weaned at approximately 5 mo of age and assigned randomly to one of the following treatments: intact, conventionally castrated or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunized (LHRH). All animals were slaughtered at 16 mo of age and the right side of each carcass was electrically stimulated (ES) or restimulated (RES). Yield and quality grades were determined on both right and left sides after 24 h chilling. Longissimus muscles (LD) were obtained at 7 d postmortem for objective color measurements, chemical analysis, shear force and trained sensory panel evaluation. Semitendinosus muscles (ST) were also …

Modifying Fertiliser Practices, J S. Yeates, D. M. Deeley, M. F. Clarke, D. Allen

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

If modified fertiliser practices are adopted phosphorus losses from the Peel-Harvey catchment can be reduced. Farmers can save money on fertiliser applications and the need for more expensive catchment management measures to reduce algal pollution of the estuary will be avoided.

Research data available so far indicate that, with farmer co-operation and the use of the new slow release fertiliser New Coastal Superphosphate, long-term phosphorus application rates can be reduced by 30-40 per cent - and possibly even halved - without lowering agricultural production. This will also reduce phosphorus loss to drainage water.

Although much of the research since 1982 …

Long Term Pasture Manipulation Trials, C W. Thorn, C J. Stockdale

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

A.W.I.R.C Project 498/0029 Pasture manipulation on the Esperance sandplain. Introduction In 1981 a 2 pasture: 1 crop rotation trial incorporating four pasture manipulation treatments was commenced on the Esperance Sandplain to determine: 1. the effect of herbicide manipulation of pasture composition on pasture and animal production. 2. the effect of grass control on take-all levels in a following cereal crop. 3. the effect of grass control on desicantha weevil levels in a following cereal crop. Rotation trial for wheat comparing a pure clover ley with a mixed pasture ley on the Esperance sandplain - Esperance Down Research Station. The effect …

Soil Acidity - High Rainfall Pastures. Lime On Old Land Pastures - Field & Glasshouse Experiments, J S. Yeates, M. F. Clarke, C S. Fang, D A. Tooke

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Soil Acidity - High Rainfall Pastures (funded by the Australian Meat Research Committee). Lime on old land pastures. 1. Field experiments - 80BU13, 80BU14, 81AL10, 81AL12, 81AL16, 81BU18, 81BY18, 81BY19, 81BY25, 81BY26, 82AL4, 82AL5, 82AL55, 82BU7, 82BU8, 82HA35, 82HA36, 82PE1, 83AL7, 83AL9, 83AL10, 83AL11, 83AL13, 83AL14, 83BU25, 83BU26, 83BY29, 83HA19, 83HA41, 84BU9, 84BY36, 84BY37, 84HA21. 2. Glasshouse experiments - 84GL4. Investigation of factors involved in lime responses on a new land acid peaty sand. 84GL7, 84GL8. Investigation of factors involved in lime responses on old land high rainfall area pastures.

Mutations, The Abberant Ratio Phenomenon, And Virus Infection Of Maize, Myron K. Brakke

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Viruses interact genetically in various ways with bacterial and animal hosts, e.g. by lysogeny in bacteriophage and by incorporating a DNA copy of retrovirus RNA into the host genome. These phenomena lead to mutations, to the transfer of host genes by viruses, and to latent viruses being transmitted from generation to generation essentially as host genes. In contrast, there are no known examples of the incorporation of viral genomes into plant DNA.

Spontaneous Deletion Mutation Of Soil-Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus Rna Ii, Yukio Shirako, Myron K. Brakke

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The wild-type (WT) isolate of soil-borne wheat mosaic virus has two species of rodshaped virions 281 nm and 138 nm in length, which are designated as virions 1∙0L and 0∙5L, respectively. We reported previously that virions shorter than 0∙5L arose in assay plants inoculated with separated and recombined 1∙0L RNA and 0∙5L RNA and suggested that these short virions were caused by deletion mutation of 0∙5L RNA. We now report that these short virions arose after a period of several months in wheat plants that had been inoculated manually with unpurified WT isolate, and also when plants infected naturally in …

Effects Of Water Flow Restriction And Environmental Factors On Performance Of Nursery-Age Pigs, John A. Neinaber, G. Leroy Hahn

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

A series of three feeding trials was conducted to determine if nipple waterer flow rate affects the performance of nursery-age pigs and if there are any interaction effects with environmental factors. In the first trial, 42 barrows, 10 wk of age, were fed during a period of 4 wk at 5 or 35 C and given water ad libitum with flow rates of 100, 600 and 1,100 ml/min and a control treatment of 20 C and 600 ml/min.

Manipulation Of Endogenous And Exogenous Hormones For Red Meat Production, Bruce D. Schanbacher

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

Growth and development of domestic livestock for red meat production are often discussed in the context of environmental factors, nutritional requirements, genetic potential and the anabolic agents affecting production efficiency. In this minireview, the effects of endogenous and exogenous hormones on animal growth are reviewed. The pituitary, pancreatic and gonadal hormones known to affect growth and(or) carcass composition are cited to illustrate and place into perspective the important contributions that the endocrine system makes to animal production. Manipulation of endogenous hormones through 1) administration of synthetic releasing and inhibiting peptides and 2) immunoneutralization techniques, will likely provide the livestock producer …

Pituitary-Testicular Responses Of Estradiol-17Β-Implanted Bull Calves To Continuous Versus Pulsatile Infusion Of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone, Bruce D. Schanbacher

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

The luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone response of bull calves implanted with estradiol-17β to continuous and pulsatile infusion of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) has been examined. Estradiol-17β reduced serum LH and FSH concentrations and suppressed testosterone secretion and testicular growth when compared with sham-implanted bulls. Putsatile iv infusion of LHRH [500 ng every 2 h (6 μg/d)] for a 4-wk period to estradiol-17β- implanted bulls resulted in elevated mean serum LH and testosterone concentrations that were characterized by discrete secretory episodes. Mean serum FSH was also increased by LHRH pulse infusion, but LHRH-coup!ed secretory episodes were …

Hypothalamic Control Of The Post-Castration Rise In Serum Lh Concentration In Rams, B. D. Schanbacher, M. J. D'Occhio

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

Sexually mature rams were left intact, castrated (wethers), castrated and implanted with testosterone, or castrated, implanted with testosterone and pulse-infused every hour with LHRH. Serum concentrations of LH increased rapidly during the first week after castration and at 14 days had reached values of 13·1 ± 2·2ng/ml (mean ± s.e.m.) and were characterized by a rhythmic, pulsatile pattern of secretion (1·6 ± 0·1pulses/h). Testosterone prevented the post-castration rise in serum LH in wethers (1·0 ± 0·5ng/ml; 0 pulses/h), but a castrate-type secretory pattern of LH was obtained when LHRH and testosterone were administered concurrently (10·7 ± 0·8 ng/ml; 1·0 pulse/h). …

Thermal Shrinkage Temperature Of Intramuscular Collagen Of Bulls And Steers, M. D. Judge, E. D. Aberle, H. R. Cross, B. D. Schanbacher

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

The thermal shrinkage temperature (T_s) of bull muscle collagen was higher (Ps from bull muscles increased from 12 to 15 mo and decreased from 15 to 18 mo of age, whereas that of steer muscles did not change with age (age × sex interaction, Ps. Carcass electrical stimulation did not affect collagen T_s in steer muscle, but there was a trend toward reduction of T_s in collagen of bull muscle.

Juglans Cinerea: The American White Walnut, Dennis Robert Hattermann

Masters Theses

The American white walnut Juglans cinerea L. is a native North American tree in the Juglandaceae, or walnut family. It prefers rich, moist, rather neutral to slightly basic lowland soils. This is an in depth study of its taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, age, size, growth habit, distribution, ecology, propagation, economic importance, medicinal uses, toxicity, folklore, diseases and pests, and chemical constituents.

J. cinerea L. is monoecious and confined in its distribution to the eastern and central parts of North America. It can be easily identified by its large, pinnately compound leaves and ashy-gray bark with broad, flat plates and deep furrows. …