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Genetic Dissection Of Yield And Its Component Traits Using High-Density Composite Map Of Wheat Chromosome 3a: Bridging Gaps Between Qtls And Underlying Genes, Sachin Rustgi, Mustafa N. Shafqat, Neeraj Kumar, P. Stephen Baenziger, M. Liakat Ali, Ismail M. Dweikat, B. Todd Campbell, Kulvinder Singh Gill

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Earlier we identified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) chromosome 3A as a major determinant of grain yield and its component traits. In the present study, a high-density genetic linkage map of 81 chromosome 3A-specific markers was developed to increase the precision of previously identified yield component QTLs, and to map QTLs for biomass-related traits. Many of the previously identified QTLs for yield and its component traits were confirmed and were localized to narrower intervals. Four novel QTLs one each for shoot biomass (Xcfa2262-Xbcd366), total biomass (wPt2740-Xcfa2076), kernels/spike (KPS) (Xwmc664-Xbarc67), and Pseudocercosporella induced lodging ( …

Nitrate Reduction Coupled To Iron(Ii) And Manganese(Ii) Oxidation In An Agricultural Soil, Stephanie Pyzola

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

New evidence shows iron(II) oxidation is strongly coupled to nitrate reduction under anaerobic conditions in freshwater sediments and agricultural soils. However, the contribution of iron(II) oxidation to nitrate reduction is unknown. Furthermore, oxidation of manganese(II) by nitrate has been largely overlooked. This study investigated nitrate-dependent iron(II) and manganese(II) oxidation in an agricultural soil (Sadler silt loam) using stirred-batch kinetic techniques with native soil organic carbon (SOC) as the electron donor and included addition of amendments (hydrogen gas and wheat residue). In the presence of native SOC, nitrate-dependent Fe(II) and Mn(II) oxidation occurred at early stages of the reaction while organic …

Dna-Binding Site Recognition By Bhlh And Mads-Domain Transcription Factors, Joshua R. Werkman

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Herewithin, two transcription factor (TF) regulatory complexes were investigated. A bHLH–MYB–WDR (BMW) DNA-binding complex from maize was the first complex to be studied. R, a maize bHLH involved in the activation of genes in the anthocyanin pathway, had been characterized to indirectly bind DNA despite the presence of a functional DNA-binding domain. Findings presented here reveal that this is only partially correct. Direct DNA-binding by R was found to be dependent upon two distinct dimerization domains that function as a switch. This switch-like mechanism allows R to be repurposed for the activation of promoters of differing cis-element structure.

The …

Ecophysiological Responses Of Tall Fescue Genotypes To Endophyte Infection And Climate Change, Marie Bourguignon

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Tall fescue is a widely used forage grass in the eastern USA and can form a symbiosis with a fungal endophyte, which can be beneficial for the plant but can cause livestock health issues. Little is known regarding the symbiotic response to predicted climate change. To address this knowledge gap, I analyzed tall fescue variety trial data collected throughout the U.S., exploring relationships between climate variables and yield for two different fescue cultivars that were either endophyte-free or infected. This study showed no endophyte or cultivar effect on fescue yield, but identified temperature, precipitation and location as significant predictors of …

Reduced Tillage And Living Mulches For Organic Vegetable Production, Alex G. Hessler

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Reduced tillage and living mulches are alternative management strategies that can improve soil quality by minimizing disturbance and building soil organic matter. Weed suppression by these two practices alone is often insufficient to avoid crop yield losses, but their performance in an integrated system is not well understood. This project investigated the production of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in conventional tillage and strip tillage with a living mulch of teff (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) and Korean lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.). Yields of pepper and bean were …

Control Of Erwinia Tracheiphila In Cucumis Melo, John R. Caudle

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Currently there is no control of bacterial wilt disease, Erwinia tracheiphila, in susceptible cucurbit crops, once infection of the plant occurs. Conventional and organic production systems rely on insecticide applications to kill the vectors, striped and spotted cucumber beetles, Acalymma vittatum and Diabrotica undecimpunctata, respectively, prior to transmission of the pathogen which indirectly controls the disease to some extent. Physical barriers such as row covers are used to exclude the vectors from plants prior to flowering; however, pollination requirements expose plants to potential infection. Experimental field plots were developed to test various enhanced organic production systems in an …

2013 Virginia Wildflower Of The Year: Redbud, Cercis Canadensis, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Redbuds are small trees or shrubs that may attain heights of 10 m or so. Leaves are alternate and two-ranked, simple, entire, deciduous, broadly cordate, with an acute apex, 611 cm long, 712 cm wide, and palmately veined. Petioles have two swollen pulvini, one at its connection with the stem, the other at its junction with the leaf blade.

Redbud Cauliflory: The Inside Story, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

One of the most distinctive features of redbuds, Cercis canadensis, the 2013 VNPS Wildflower of the Year, is its production of flowers on mature trunks and major branches, a habit termed cauliflory. Redbud flowers also form on young, one-year old twigs; as explained below, twig- and trunk-borne flowers are parts of a single developmental continuum; twigs bearing flowers eventually becoming trunks and large branches that continue to bear flowers.

Effects Of Ethylene On Secondary Xylem Formation In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Haley M. Rupp

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Ethylene has myriad roles as a plant hormone, ranging from senescence and defending against pathogen attacks to fruit ripening and interactions with other hormones. It has been shown to increase cambial activity in poplar, but the effect on wood formation in Arabidopsis hypocotyl has not previously been studied. The Auxin-Regulated Gene involved in Organ Size (ARGOS), which increases organ size by lengthening the time for cell division, was found to be upregulated by ethylene. We tested the effect of ethylene treatment at 10 and 100 µM ACC on three genotypes of Arabidopsis, Col0 (wild-type), an ARGOS deficient mutant (argos), and …

Evaluation Of Sugar Maple Dieback In The Upper Great Lakes Region And Development Of A Forest Health Youth Education Program, Tara L. Bal

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Acer saccharum Marsh., is one of the most valuable trees in the northern hardwood forests. Severe dieback was recently reported by area foresters in the western Upper Great Lakes Region. Sugar Maple has had a history of dieback over the last 100 years throughout its range and different variables have been identified as being the predisposing and inciting factors in different regions at different times. Some of the most common factors attributed to previous maple dieback episodes were insect defoliation outbreaks, inadequate precipitation, poor soils, atmospheric deposition, fungal pathogens, poor management, or a combination of these. The current sugar maple …

Volume 1, Chapter 2-2: Life Cycles: Surviving Change, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Volume 1, Chapter 8-2: Nutrient Relations: Co2, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Volume 1, Chapter 11-3: Photosynthesis: Limiting Factors, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Chapter 1 - Field Taxonomy And Collection Methods, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Volume 3: Methods

Explore the contents of Bryophyte Ecology, Volume 3, Chapter 1 - field Taxonomy and Collection Methods by clicking the link above. For the Contents section of this ebook, as well as Volumes 1 through 5, please visit the Bryophyte Ecology Main Page.

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Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists.

Chapter 5 - Construction, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Volume 5: Uses

Explore the contents of Bryophyte Ecology, Volume 5, Chapter 5 - Construction by clicking the link above. For the Contents section of this ebook, as well as Volumes 1 through 5, please visit the Bryophyte Ecology Main Page.

Use CTRL+F to easily search within PDF files.

Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists.

Chapter 1 - Household And Personal Uses, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Volume 5: Uses

Explore the contents of Bryophyte Ecology, Volume 5, Chapter 1 - Household and Personal Uses by clicking the link above. For the Contents section of this ebook, as well as Volumes 1 through 5, please visit the Bryophyte Ecology Main Page.

Use CTRL+F to easily search within PDF files.

Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists.

Chapter 3 - Fine Arts, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Volume 5: Uses

Explore the contents of Bryophyte Ecology, Volume 5, Chapter 3 - Fine Arts by clicking the links above. For the Contents section of this ebook, as well as Volumes 1 through 5, please visit the Bryophyte Ecology Main Page.

Use CTRL+F to easily search within PDF files.

Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists.

Dna Fingerprinting And Anastomosis Grouping Reveal Similar Genetic Diversity In Rhizoctonia Species Infecting Turfgrasses In The Transition Zone Of Usa, B. S. Amaradasa, B. J. Horvath, D. K. Lakshman, S. E. Warnke

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Rhizoctonia blight is a common and serious disease of many turfgrass species. The most widespread causal agent, Thanatephorus cucumeris (anamorph: R. solani), consists of several genetically different subpopulations. In addition, Waitea circinata varieties zeae, oryzae and circinata (anamorph: Rhizoctonia spp.) also can cause the disease. Accurate identification of the causal pathogen is important for effective management of the disease. It is challenging to distinguish the specific causal pathogen based on disease symptoms or macroscopic and microscopic morphology. Traditional methods such as anastomosis reactions with tester isolates are time consuming and sometimes difficult to interpret. In the present study universally …

Distinguishing Between Yield Advances And Yield Plateaus In Historical Crop Production Trends, Patricio Grassini, Kent M. Eskridge, Kenneth Cassman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Food security and land required for food production largely depend on rate of yield gain of major cereal crops. Previous projections of food security are often more optimistic than what historical yield trends would support. Many econometric projections of future food production assume compound rates of yield gain, which are not consistent with historical yield trends. Here we provide a framework to characterize past yield trends and show that linear trajectories adequately describe past yield trends, which means the relative rate of gain decreases over time. Furthermore, there is evidence of yield plateaus or abrupt decreases in rate of yield …

Survey Of Medicinal Herbs Of Central Illinois Prairie And Woodlands, Debra Ann Welch

Masters Theses

Illinois has been named the "Prairie State" for good reason. When the pioneers discovered a vast sea of grasses and forbs, they thought the prairie infertile. However, they soon found out that the blacksoil prairie was composed of a rich diversity of plant species that could provide much of the medical and nutritional needs of everyday life. The medicinal uses of many prairie species have not only been tested throughout history, but today modern science has also discovered their therapeutic importance.

The purpose of this study was to survey prairie species growing in the central Illinois counties of Coles and …

A Phytosociological Study Of The Forest, Shrub, And Steppe Vegetation Of Kızıldağ And Environs (Isparta, Turkey), Coşkun Sağlam

Turkish Journal of Botany

The phytosociological properties of the forest, shrub, and steppe vegetation of Kızıldağ (Isparta province) were investigated in 2010 and 2011. The vegetation of the area was analysed using a 3-dimensional ordination technique based on the Braun-Blanquet method. As a result, 5 new plant associations were determined as belonging to forest, shrub, and steppe vegetation and classified syntaxonomically. The associations and their higher units are as follows. Quercetea-Pubescentis Doingt Kraft 1955. Querco-Cedretalia libani Barbéro, Loisel & Quézel 1974. 1. Meliloto bicoloris-Quercetum cocciferae ass. nova. 2. Hyperico heterophylli-Cistetum laurifolii ass. nova. 3. Atraphaxo billardieri-Amygdaletum orientalii ass. nova. Abieto-Cedrion Akman, Barbéro & Quézel …

Bark Anatomy And Cell Size Variation In Quercus Faginea, Teresa Quilhó, Vicelina Sousa, Fatima Tavares, Helena Pereira

Turkish Journal of Botany

The bark structure of Quercus faginea Lam. in trees 30-60 years old grown in Portugal is described. The rhytidome consists of 3-5 sequential periderms alternating with secondary phloem. The phellem is composed of 2-5 layers of cells with thin suberised walls and narrow (1-3 seriate) tangential band of lignified thick-walled cells. The phelloderm is thin (2-3 seriate). Secondary phloem is formed by a few tangential bands of fibres alternating with bands of sieve elements and axial parenchyma. Formation of conspicuous sclereids and the dilatation growth (proliferation and enlargement of parenchyma cells) affect the bark structure. Fused phloem rays give rise …

Seed-Coat Microsculpturing Of Turkish Lepidium (Brassicaceae) And Its Systematic Application, Mehmet Bona

Turkish Journal of Botany

This article investigates the seed exomorphic characteristics of 14 taxa of Lepidium L. in Brassicaceae by light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The exomorphic characteristics of the seed are size, seed shape, seed colour, seed wings, and seed surface pattern. All characteristics of the seeds are described, illustrated, and compared in this article. The results of SEM at higher magnification showed 6 types of seed surface patterns: tuberculate, reticulate, ruminate, reticulate-tuberculate, reticulate-areolate, and reticulate-fovate. In these seed surface patterns, there were diagnostic characteristics and differences at the specific level for Lepidium.

The Revision Of Genus Seseli (Umbelliferae) In Turkey, Ebru Doğan Güner, Hayri̇ Duman

Turkish Journal of Botany

Seseli L. is represented by 12 taxa (species and subspecies) in the Flora of Turkey. On the basis of morphological examination and field investigation, we have revised the genus Seseli in Turkey. The following are provided for each taxon: a description, along with the complete synonymy and notes on nomenclature, geographical distribution, habitat, IUCN conservation status assessment, and selected materials examined. Two new species from Turkey, Seseli marashica E.Doğan & H.Duman and S. serpentina B.L.Burtt ex H.Duman & E.Doğan, are also described. One taxon is reduced to synonymy: S. paphlagonicum Pimenov & Kljuykov is a synonym of S. gummiferum Pallas …

Smaller, Faster Stomata: Scaling Of Stomatal Size, Rate Of Response, And Stomatal Conductance, Paul Drake, Raymond H. Froend, Peter Franks

Research outputs 2013

Maximum and minimum stomatal conductance, as well as stomatal size and rate of response, are known to vary widely across plant species, but the functional relationship between these static and dynamic stomatal properties is unknown. The objective of this study was to test three hypotheses: (i) operating stomatal conductance under standard conditions (gop) correlates with minimum stomatal conductance prior to morning light [gmin(dawn)]; (ii) stomatal size (S) is negatively correlated with gop and the maximum rate of stomatal opening in response to light, (dg/dt)max; and (iii) gop correlates negatively with instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE) despite positive correlations with maximum rate …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2013), College Of Agriculture &. Biological Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

This issue includes the 2012 South Dakota Agricultural Station Annual Report

CONTENTS:
[Page] 1 From The Dean
[Page] 2 Commitment To Collaboration: Working Together Adds Efficiency To Budgets: Effectiveness To Solutions
[Page] 7 Special Pull-Out Section: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report: Highlighting Research Projects On Beef; Wheat; And Soybean Meal For Aquaculture
[Page] 11 Water Watchers: The South Dakota Water Resources Institute Provides Research, Education & Outreach
[Page] 12 Winter College News
[Page] 14 SDSU Extension: One Year Later: Reorganization Prompted Restructuring – And Renewed Commitment
[Page] 16 Bullseye!: South Dakota’s 4-H Shooting Sports Program Sees Continued Growth …

An Investigation Of The Factors Leading To Invasion Success Of Non-Native Plants Using A System Of Native, Introduced Non-Invasive, And Invasive Eugenia Congeners In Florida, Kerry Bohl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The overwhelming majority of plant species introduced into a new range never become invasive. Consequently, identification of factors allowing the small fraction of successful invaders to naturalize, increase in abundance, and displace resident species continues to be a key area of research in invasion biology. Of the considerable number of hypotheses that have been proposed to resolve why some plant species become noxious pests, the enemy release hypothesis (ERH) is one of the most commonly cited. The ERH maintains that invasive plants succeed in a new range because they are no longer regulated by their coevolved natural enemies, and this …

A History Of Place: Using Phytolith Analysis To Discern Holocene Vegetation Change On Sanak Island, Western Gulf Of Alaska, Cricket C. Wilbur

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study investigated a terrestrial climate proxy, phytoliths, as a complimentary approach to documenting the dynamics of present and past vegetation on Sanak Island, the largest island in a small island group in the eastern Aleutian archipelago, and as a new basis by which to interpret Holocene environmental variability in Alaska. A phytolith reference collection was established from 59 selected plant species of maritime tundra belonging to 27 families. The grass species and a sedge species produced abundant phytolith forms whereas the majority of dicotyledons in this study were trace producers of phytoliths. A paleoenvironmental reconstruction from fossil phytoliths recovered …

Effects Of Site Preparation, Seed Germination, And Harvest Maturity On Wiregrass Restoration Efforts At Fort Stewart, Ga, Nickey Garrett Anderson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) was once the dominant ground cover species within the Atlantic Coastal Plain longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem. Less than 1 million hectares of intact longleaf pine-wiregrass communities remain, due primarily to anthropogenic activities. Wiregrass is a keystone species in the longleaf pine ecosystem, as its presence facilitates the natural fire regime, a critical component in the perpetuation of these communities. Therefore, there is increased interest in wiregrass restoration in both existing longleaf pine communities and future longleaf pine restoration sites. Many restoration sites are on tracts that have been cleared of all vegetation. Removal of …

Morphology, Structure, Function And Evolution Of Infrastaminal Scales In Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), Stephanie Riviere

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cuscuta (dodder, Convolvulaceae) is a genus of about 200 species of obligate stem parasites of cosmopolitan distribution. Infrastaminal scales (IFS) are staminode-like formations that surround the ovary in the flowers of dodders. Their morphological diversity has historically provided some of the most useful taxonomic diagnostic characters at the species-level, however, their function had not been determined. I performed a comparative study of the IFS in 147 taxa using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and results were analyzed in relation to a Cuscuta phylogeny obtained from a combined analysis of rbcL and 26S rDNA gene sequences. To test the hypothesis …