Digital Commons Network^™

Intsormil 2009 Annual Report, John M. Yohe, Kimberly Christiansen, Joan Frederick

INTSORMIL Impacts and Bulletins

The 2009 INTSORMIL Annual Report presents the progress and notable achievements by the Sorghum, Millet and Other Grains CRSP during the period of September 30, 2008 through September 29, 2009. These results are an outcome of partnerships between scientists at six U.S. Land Grant Universities (Kansas State University, University of Nebraska, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, Texas A&M University and West Texas A&M University), scientists of the Agricultural Research Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture at Tifton, Georgia and the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and National Universities in sixteen countries in Central America, West Africa, East …

Relationships Between Soil Nitrate Desorbed From Anion-Exchange Membranes, Canopy Reflectance And Nitrate Leaching Losses From Cool-Season Lawn Turf., Thomas J. Barry, Karl Guillard, Salvatore S. Mangiafico

Plant Science Articles

Nutrient leaching studies are expensive and require expertise in water collection and analyses. Less expensive or easier methods that estimate leaching losses would be desirable. The objective of this study was to determine if anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) and reflectance meters could predict nitrate (NO3-N) leaching losses from a cool-season lawn turf. A two-year field study used an established 90% Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)-10% creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) turf that received 0 to 98 kg N ha-1 month-1, from May through November. Soil monolith lysimeters collected leachate that was analyzed for NO3-N concentration. Soil NO3-N was estimated with …

Atlas Of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench): Production In Eastern And Southern Africa, Charles S. Wortmann, Martha Mamo, Christopher Mburu, Elias Letayo, Girma Abebe, Kaizzi C. Kayuki, Medson Chisi, Munyaradzi Mativavarira, Soares Xerinda, Theophile Ndacyayisenga

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a major crop in many parts of Africa and is noted for its versatility and diversity. It is adapted over a wide range of precipitation and temperature levels and is produced at sea level to above 2000 m altitude. In eastern and southern Africa, it is primarily a crop of resource-poor, small-scale farmers and is typically produced under adverse conditions such as low input use and marginal lands. There are numerous biotic and abiotic constraints to production. The grain and stover are used in many different ways with localized preferences. Much information …

University Of Nebraska-Lincoln Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter Articles Vols. 1 – 15, 1995–2009

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

Article list

Good Agricultural And Handling Practices For Grapes And Other Fresh Produce, Pamela L. Brady, Justin R. Morris

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

In recent years consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has increased dramatically. This trend has increased the amount of produce being purchased at farmer’s markets, road-side stands, and neighborhood markets since consumers say they feel that the direct contact with growers at these markets makes them better able to assess the quality and safety of the produce. This buying trend has opened new markets to small- and medium-sized farms, which sell at these local outlets.

Environmental Stress And Genetics Influence Night-Time Leaf Conductance In The C4 Grass Distichlis Spicata, Rebecca E. Drenovsky, Mairgareth A. Christman, Jeremy J. James, James H. Richards

Biology

Growing awareness of night-time leaf conductance (gnight) in many species, as well as genetic variation in gnight within several species, has raised questions about how genetic variation and environmental stress interact to influence the magnitude of gnight. The objective of this study was to investigate how genotype salt tolerance and salinity stress affect gnight for saltgrass [Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene]. Across genotypes and treatments, night-time water loss rates were 5–20% of daytime rates. Despite growth declining 37–87% in the high salinity treatments (300 mM and 600 mM NaCl), neither treatment had any effect on gnight in four of the six …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Lower Murchison River Area, Western Australia, P Hennig

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the lower Murchison River area, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 2002 and 2003, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. This survey report presents …

The 2008 Update Of The Aspergillus Nidulans Genome Annotation: A Community Effort, Jennifer Russo Wortman, Steven D. Harris, Geoffrey Turner, Aspergillus Nidulans Consortium

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

The identification and annotation of protein-coding genes is one of the primary goals of whole-genome sequencing projects, and the accuracy of predicting the primary protein products of gene expression is vital to the interpretation of the available data and the design of downstream functional applications. Nevertheless, the comprehensive annotation of eukaryotic genomes remains a considerable challenge. Many genomes submitted to public databases, including those of major model organisms, contain significant numbers of wrong and incomplete gene predictions. We present a community-based reannotation of the Aspergillus nidulans genome with the primary goal of increasing the number and quality of protein functional …

Plan To Support Horticulture Industry Development 2009-2012, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Horticulture published reports

The Plan to Support Horticulture Industry Development ('the Plan') recognises that healthy and profitable Western Australian agricultural industries are integral to the economic wellbeing of regional and rural communities. The Plan promotes a progressive and productive horticultural industry through efficient use of natural resources, high standards of biosecurity, modern marketing, value-adding and research to enhance continuous improvement throughout the supply chain from producer to consumer.

Plan To Support Horticulture Industry Development 2009 - 2012 - For Discussion, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Horticulture published reports

The State Government's increased investment in agriculture and food recognises the integral contribution this sector makes to the economy of Western Australia.

It is a key industry which will support Western Australia's growth beyond periods of boom and through the economic rebuilding phase ahead. Ensuring the State remains highly competitive in both domestic and international markets is vital to the future of our economy

Public funds must be 'money well spent'. This means ensuring the right direction, efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture and Food's programs. The department must focus its efforts on economic development - this is …

Contents, Discovery Editors

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

No abstract provided.

Post Weaning Management Of Heifer Calves Impacts Average Daily Gain And Feed Efficiency As Pregnant Heifers, D. M. Larson, Tonya L. Meyer, L. A. Stalker, Richard N. Funston

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Three experiments evaluated replacement heifer development systems and subsequent effects on gain and efficiency of pregnant heifers. In Exp. 1 and 2, were developed grazing corn residue (CR; 422 ± 5 kg) or fed in a dry lot (DL; 446 ± 5 kg) prior to breeding. In Exp. 1, a subset of pregnant heifers (n = 40) were individually fed a diet composed of 90% grass hay (11.7 % CP; DM basis) and 10% of a wet distillers grains plus solubles/straw mixture (21.8 % CP; DM basis) during late gestation. In Exp. 2, 55 pregnant …

Corrected Species Identification Of The Predator Orius Pumilio (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) In A Research Colony, Jeffrey P. Shapiro, Stephen M. Ferkovich

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

Our laboratories have reported on the predatory minute pirate bugs (Family Anthocoridae) in a research colony that was obtained in Dec 2002. The species was originally thought to be Orius insidiosus (Say) (Ferkovich & Shapiro 2004a, 2004b, 2007; Ferkovich & Shapiro 2005a, 2005b, 2005c; Ferkovich et al. 2007). However, specimens from the colony were identified as O. pumilio (Champion) by T. Lewis (USDA, ARS, Wapato, WA) in Apr 2008, not O. insidiosus as previously reported in the publications listed above.

Forage News [2009-01], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Forages at KCA: New Year – New Challenges
• 2008 Variety Test Reports
• KFGC - Supporting KY’s Forage Industry
• New Publication Addresses Key Forage/Livestock Issue
• Fertilizing Forage Crops in 2009
• KFGC Sponsored Project First in the State
• Upcoming Events

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 10 2009, Several Authors

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

No abstract provided.

Macronutrient Removal By Muskmelons Grown On Calcareous Soils, John L. Jifon, Gene Lester, Mike Stewart

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

Advances in understanding plant physiology and nutrient requirements now allow growers to supply crops with sufficient nutrients to optimize growth and yield. However, for certain high value horticultural crops, fertilizer requirements for optimum yields often differ from the requirements for quality traits such as taste, flavor, texture and shelf‐life. Timing of fertilizer application, as well as soil and plant factors, are also critical in quality considerations. Currently, there are no nutrient management guidelines for optimizing produce quality even though certain nutrient elements such as potassium (K) are known to influence quality development. Information on nutrient uptake and removal …

Natural Enemies Of The Coccinellidae: Parasites, Pathogens, And Parasitoids, E. W. Riddick, T. E. Cottrell, K. A. Kidd

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

We review aspects of the life histories of representative enemies of coccinellids (both entomophagous and phytophagous species) and expose both potential and real effects that they have on life parameters of their hosts. Lady beetles are attacked by a variety of natural enemies (bacteria, fungi, mites, nematodes, protozoa, wasps, flies). Few of these enemies have the ability to alter significantly the population dynamics of their hosts. This review should encourage further research to help define the role of natural enemies in the population dynamics of coccinellids. Ultimately, the conservation of beneficial lady beetles and the management of nuisance and pestiferous …

Coccinellidae As Predators Of Mites: Stethorini In Biological Control, David J. Biddinger, Donald D. Weber, Larry A. Hull

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

The Stethorini are unique among the Coccinellidae in specializing on mites (principally Tetranychidae) as prey. Consisting of 90 species in two genera, Stethorus and Parasthethorus, the tribe is practically cosmopolitan. The Stethorini are found in a diverse range of habitats, including many agricultural systems such as pome and stone fruits, brambles, tree nuts, citrus, avocadoes, bananas, papaya, palms, tea, cassava, maize, strawberries, vegetables, and cotton, as well as ornamental plantings, grasslands, forests, and heathlands. Tetranychid mite outbreaks became common in many agricultural systems only after World War II, when widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides increased. Stethorini were initially appreciated …

Report On Polyacrylamide, A Practice To Reduce Sediment And Insoluable Chemicals In Tailwater, Tara Slaven

Bulletins 4000 -

The main barrier to the adoption of PAM seems to the timing of the cost of outlay. This could add significantly to the initial crop establishment costs at a time of year when rowers receive no income. However, the partial and parametric analysis indicates that there re benefits from using PAM as part of the crop management cycle. These benefits are from ving water, retaining sediment on-farm and reducing the cost of delving drains. There are ther potential economic benefits including the retainment of phosphorus as a plant nutrient n-farm and subsequent yield increases.

Additionally, the off-site environmental impacts seem …

Benthic Algae (Except Bacillariophyta) And Their Seasonal Variations In Karagöl Lake (Borçka, Artvin-Turkey), Saadet Kolayli, Bülent Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Botany

Seasonal variation in the species composition of the benthic algae of Karagöl Lake was investigated from April to October in 2001 and 2002. The benthic algal flora consisted of 38 taxa belonging to the divisions Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta, and Chrysophyta. In general, Chlorophyta were dominant in terms of species number and abundance during the study period. The distribution range of the benthic algae composition and dominant species differed from each other at all stations. Benthic algal growth was mostly influenced by water temperature and light.

Phylogenetic Analyses Of Amaranthaceae Based On Matk Dna Sequence Data With Emphasis On West African Species, Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, Mark Chase

Turkish Journal of Botany

Comparative sequencing of the chloroplast matK coding and non-coding regions was used to examine relationship among the species of Amaranthaceae with emphasis on the West African species and other closely related family such as Chenopodiaceae, Portulacaceae, and Caryophyllaceae. Phylogenetic analysis of the matK sequences alone and in combination using maximum parsimony methods produced monophyletic lineage of Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae. Our results indicated that a polyphyletic Celosieae as sister to an Amaranthus-Chemissoa lineage. Subfamily Amaranthoideae is paraphyletic to the core Gomphrenoids. This study also shows that the polyphyly of Amarantheae is apparent and so is the polyphyly of Amaranthinae.

The Role Of Polyethylene Glycol (Peg) Pretreatment In Improving Sugarcane’S Salt (Nacl) Tolerance, Neelma Munir, Faheem Aftab

Turkish Journal of Botany

An important aspect of salt tolerance studies in different plants is the relationship between salt and water stress. In the present study calluses (60 days old) of 2 sugarcane cultivars (cv. SPF 234 and cv. HSF 240) were treated with 4 different salt concentrations, including a control (0 mM NaCl), after 1% polyethylene glycol (PEG) pretreatment for 5 days. Fresh weight, callus browning, and necrosis data were recorded at day 120. Biochemical parameters (soluble protein contents, and peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity) were also analysed. Regardless of PEG pretreatment, calluses subjected to salt stress had less fresh weight than …

2009 Spring Seed Book, Nebraska Crop Improvement Association

Nebraska Crop Improvement Association Seed Guides

FOUNDATION SEED

PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT and HOW IT BENEFITS YOU!

TURFGRASSES

PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES

SPRING BARLEY

SPRING WHEAT

OAT VARIETY CHARACTERISTICS - 2009

OATS

MILLET

MILLET VARIETY CHARACTERISTICS 2009

HYBRID SEED CORN

NEBRASKA SEED QUALITY ASSURANCE® PROGRAM

SOYBEANS BUYERS’ NOTICE

APPROVED SEED CONDITIONERS

CUSTOM CERTIFIED CONDITIONERS

2008 NCIA MEMBERS

Fungal Physiology: A Future Perspective, Richard A. Wilson, Nicholas J. Talbot

Fungal Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

The study of fungal physiology is set to change dramatically in the next few years as highly scalable technologies are deployed allowing accurate measurement and identification of metabolites, proteins and transcripts within cells. The advent of next-generation DNA-sequencing technologies will also provide genome sequence information from large numbers of industrially relevant and pathogenic fungal species, and allow comparative genome analysis between strains and populations of fungi. When coupled with advances in gene functional analysis, protein-protein interaction studies, live cell imaging and mathematical modelling, this promises a step-change in our understanding of how fungal cells operate as integrated dynamic living systems

Under Pressure: Investigating The Biology Of Plant Infection By Magnaporthe Oryza, Nicholas J. Talbot, Richard A. Wilson

Fungal Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

The filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae causes rice blast, the most serious disease of cultivated rice. Cellular differentiation of M. oryzae forms an infection structure called the appressorium, which generates enormous cellular turgor that is sufficient to rupture the plant cuticle. Here, we show how functional genomics approaches are providing new insight into the genetic control of plant infection by M. oryzae. We also look ahead to the key questions that need to be addressed to provide a better understanding of the molecular processes that lead to plant disease and the prospects for sustainable control of rice blast.

Floral Thermogenesis Of Three Species Of Hydnora (Hydnoraceae) In Africa, Roger S. Seymour, Erika Maass, Jay F. Bolin

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background and Aims: Floral thermogenesis occurs in at least 12 families of ancient seed plants. Some species show very high rates of respiration through the alternative pathway, and some are thermoregulatory, with increasing respiration at decreasing ambient temperature. This study assesses the intensity and regulation of respiration in three species of African Hydnora that represent the Hydnoraceae, an unusual family of holoparasitic plants from arid environments.

Methods: Long-term respirometry (CO₂ production) and thermometry were carried out on intact flowers of H. africana, H. abyssinica and H. esculenta in the field, and short-term measurements were made on floral parts …

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

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

No abstract provided.

Callus Induction, Biomass Growth, And Plant Regeneration In Digitalis Lanata Ehrh.: Influence Of Plant Growth Regulators And Carbohydrates, Zohra Fatima, Abdul Mujib, Samar Fatima, Anjum Arshi, Shahid Umar

Turkish Journal of Botany

The effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and carbohydrate sources on callus induction, callus growth, and plant regeneration in foxglove was examined. Explants were transferred onto MS medium with various levels of PGRs and carbohydrates to determine the optimum explant and effective combinations of PGR treatment. For callus induction 6.0 mg L^{-1} of \alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 3.0 mg L^{-1} of benzyl-aminopurine (BA) were very responsive. Addition of cytokinins (BA and kinetin) at 0.5-3.0 mg L^{-1} to media containing NAA enhanced callus growth. Shoot regeneration was best achieved in MS + 6.0 mg L^{-1} of BA. Adenine sulphate (Ade) …

Letter From The Dean, Lalit Verma

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

No abstract provided.

Research Emphasis – Forage And Bioenergy Crop Management, John A. Guretzky

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Guretzky specializes in research on forage and bioenergy crop management that will assist agricultural producers and landowners in meeting their goals. The first area of research involves Drs. Jon Biermacher and Billy Cook for the evaluation of management practices of switchgrass in forage and bioenergy systems. Objectives include: 1.) assessing potential on-farm biomass yields and production economics of switchgrass; 2.) documenting effects of location, harvest system and nitrogen fertilizer rates on biomass yields, forage quality, stand persistence and nutrient removal rates; 3.) evaluating establishment and biomass production responses to phosphorus and potassium fertilization; 4.) determining how stocker cattle gains on …