Digital Commons Network^™

15n Effects On Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Ryan Geraets, Brett Kollars

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Non-radioactive isotopic labeling has become a regular technique for efficiently labeling a wide range of macromolecules. The overall goal for this project was to develop a method of globally measuring plant protein turnover rates. In order to do so, an isotopic labeled environment that does not induce stress had to be used. The objective of this particular segment of research was to develop a 15N-labeled Tris-Acetate-Phosphate (TAP) media in which Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can successfully grow without eliciting stressed physiological responses. Our results illustrate that we have successfully developed 15N-labeled TAP that does not stress Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Effects Of Deuterium On Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Brett Kollars, Ryan Geraets

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to develop software tools to monitor rates of total protein turnover in plants, attempts were made to maximally label all the proteins in vivo. Our study focused on the use of the stable isotope of hydrogen, deuterium, to label proteins of C. reinhardtii. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of the label on algal growth. C. reinhardtii is a unicellular green algae that is heterotrophic, photoautotrophic and mixotrophic. The results showed that increasing concentrations of deuterium in the algal growth medium had a negative effect on the growth of the algae. These preliminary results …

Molecular, Genetic And Biochemical Characterization Of Oleic Acid- And Glycerol-Mediated Signaling In Plant Defense, Srivathsa C. Venugopal

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Oleic acid (18:1) is one of the important monounsaturated fatty acids, which is synthesized upon desaturation of stearic acid and this reaction is catalyzed by the SSI2 encoded stearoyl-acyl-carrier-protein-desaturase. A mutation in SSI2 leads to constitutive activation of salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense responses. Consequently, these plants accumulate high levels of SA and show enhanced resistance to bacterial and oomycete pathogens. Replenishing 18:1 levels in ssi2 plants, via a second site mutation in GLY1 encoded glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) dehydrogenase, suppresses all the ssi2-triggered phenotypes. Study of mechanism(s) underlying gly1-mediated suppression of ssi2 phenotypes showed that 18:1 levels are regulated via …

Investigating The Utilization Of Silica Gel Packets In Drying Research-Scale Rough Rice Samples, Ashley Wiedower, George Ondier, Terry Siebenmorgen

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

Rice moisture content (MC) must be reduced to approximately 12.5% MC to prevent spoilage during storage. Desiccants may provide an improved method for drying research-scale rice samples. This study investigated the effects of 1) rice mass to be dried, 2) placement method of silica gel packets in rice samples, 3) regeneration and re-use of the packets, 4) drying temperature, and 5) initial MC on the effectiveness of silica gel packets to dry rough rice samples to the desired 12.5% MC. Multiple masses (200, 500, and 1000 g) of long-grain rice samples were dried using three desiccant placement treatments: 1) intimate …

Subcritical Water And Carbonated Water Extraction Of Anthocyanins From Grape Pomace, Lydia Rice, L. R. Howard

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

Grape pomace, a by-product of juice and wine processing, is a rich source of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that may afford protection against cancer and coronary heart disease. Unfortunately, traditional extraction of these antioxidants involves use of organic solvents, which pose serious safety and disposal problems for industry. Clearly a need exists for “green” extraction technologies—such as use of subcritical water—that eliminate or reduce the amount of organic solvents. In this study, we determined the efficacy of subcritical and carbonated water in extraction of anthocyanins from red grape pomace. Extraction variables including particle size, pomace mass, and temperature were optimized, and …

Agricultural Systems: Agroecology And Rural Innovations For Development [Book Review], Charles A. Francis

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

To welcome yet another book on sustainable development, a reviewer must look for what is unique and what adds value to the volumes already published. In Agricultural Systems, editors Sieglinde Snapp and Barry Pound have assembled a collection of chapters that goes beyond the usual praise and criticism of the green revolution and the focus on economic development. Their book provides a first-hand story by people with lengthy experiences in the field, especially in Africa, who have developed and tested grassroots, participatory development approaches. The result is a valuable set of principles, strategies and case studies that paint a new …

Conservation In Developing Countries, Shahina A. Ghazanfar

Turkish Journal of Botany

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) set a number of targets to work towards by 2010 in order to aid conserve the world´s biodiversity. Several countries are now aiming at ex-situ and in-situ programmes for the protection and conservation of plant species through the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation targets (GSPC). Is it possible to achieve these targets in rapidly developing countries where the usage of land for urban expansion and agriculture to support basic human needs holds priority? How can conservation and development be sustainable? I take examples from a rapidly developing country in the Arabian Peninsula to show …

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping For Seed Mineral Concentrations In Two Arabidopsis Thaliana Recombinant Inbred Populations, Brian M. Waters, Michael A. Grusak

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Biofortification of foods, achieved by increasing the concentrations of minerals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), is a goal of plant scientists. Understanding genes that influence seed mineral concentration in a model plant such as Arabidopsis could help in the development of nutritionally enhanced crop cultivars. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for seed concentrations of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), Fe, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and Zn was performed using two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations, Columbia (Col) × Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Cape Verde Islands (Cvi) × Ler, grown …

Microspore Wall Morphogenesis And Orbicule Ultrastructure Of Isoetes, Khalid Alarid

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The microspore wall morphogenesis and orbicule ultrastructure of Isoetes were studied using electron microscopy. Microspore wall morphogenesis in five species of Isoetes (I. appalachiana, I. engelmannii, I. hyemalis, I. piedmontana, and an undescribed species from York Co., VA, USA) was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that they generally have the same developmental stages in terms of microspore wall morphogenesis. The mature microspore wall consisted of four layers: perispore, paraexospore, exospore and endospore. Paraexospore formation began during the tetrad stage. The exospore was then formed between the paraexospore and the plasma membrane. During the free spore …

Molecular Diversity And Coat Protein Expression Of Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus, Dina Lida Gutierrez Reynoso

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Leaf curl virus diseases have been reported in sweetpotato throughout the world. One of the causal agents is Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) which belongs to the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae). In the United States, SPLCV has been found infecting an ornamental sweetpotato and several breeding lines but not in sweetpotatoes grown for commercial production. SPLCV does not cause symptoms on Beauregard, the predominant sweetpotato cultivar in the US, but it can reduce its yield. Since SPLCV could become an important constraint for sweetpotato production; diagnosis, identification, and characterization are essential steps to develop an effective management program. The …

Removal Of Manganese From An Alkaline Mine Drainage Using A Bioreactor With Different Organic Carbon Sources, Jared D. Edwards

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The treatment of Mn and SO₄^2- contaminated mine drainage via a sulfate reducing bioreactor is expected to result in near-permanent immobilization of significant amounts of Mn and a portion of the sulfates within the matrix. This study tested several different combinations of organic amendments and inorganic substrates in an attempt to optimize sulfate reducing conditions and Mn removal capacity. Five different organic carbon sources, including corn mash, wood mulch, biosolids, soybean oil, and sorghum syrup in combination with five different inorganic substrates, including creek sediment, marble and limestone chips, polished gravel, and sand were tested in batch experiments. …

Evolutionary And Functional Characterization Of Os-Pollux, A Rice Gene Orthologous To A Common Symbiosis Gene In Legume, Cui Fan

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Root symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobial bacteria share a common signaling pathway in legumes. Among the common symbiosis genes are CASTOR and POLLUX, the twin homologous genes in Lotus japonicus that encode putative ion channel proteins. Orthologs of CASTOR and POLLUX are ubiquitously present in both legumes and non-legumes, but their function in non-legumes remains to be elucidated. Here, we use reverse genetic approaches to demonstrate that the rice (Oryza sativa) ortholog of POLLUX, namely Os-POLLUX, is indispensible for mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice. Furthermore, we show that Os-POLLUX can restore nodulation, …

Is Oxidative Stress The Cause Of Death When Recalcitrant Spartina Alterniflora Seeds Are Dried?, James Hammond Chappell

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Recalcitrant seeds, which die when desiccated, can be difficult to study because of their generally large size, high metabolism, and poor storage properties. However, recalcitrant seeds from the salt-marsh grass Spartina alterniflora are unique when compared to most other recalcitrant species because the seeds are dormant and small; Spartina pectinata and S. spartinae, which produce orthodox seeds, can be used as controls. Because of these somewhat rare characteristics, S. alterniflora is a good model system to study recalcitrance. In the present study, the following physiological parameters were examined: Cardinal temperatures for germination, a viability test to determine if seeds are …

2008 Wildflower Of The Year: Virginia Spiderwort, Tradescantia Virginiana, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Spiderwort is an herbaceous perennial that arises from a cluster of rather stout overwintering roots. Stems may be solitary or more commonly clumped, and usually grow unbranched, reaching heights up to 40 cm tall. Stems are smooth or bear scattered short hairs. Leaves are 2—5 per stem, attached by means of a leaf sheath that is 13 cm long. Leaf blades are dull green, elongate, ending in a gradually tapered tip, flat or keeled, smooth (without hairs), and 1—3.5 dm long by 0.5—2.5 cm wide. Flowers occur in tight clusters located at the stem apex; bracts similar to the leaves …

Harvest Frequency And Cultivar Effects On Yield, Quality, And Regrowth Rate Among New Alfalfa Cultivars, Thomas Adam Probst

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important forage crop in the United States and consistently produces high yields and quality, but harvest frequency is the most significant factor for maximizing forage yield and quality. The objective of this research was to determine forage yield, quality, and regrowth rate among new alfalfa cultivars under four different harvest frequencies. Some of these cultivars have been marketed as having rapid rates of regrowth after cutting to maximize the number of harvests per year. Five cultivars were placed under four harvest frequencies of 25, 30, 35, and 40 days in a split-plot …

State Of The River Report For The Lower St. Johns River Basin, Florida: Water Quality, Fisheries, Aquatic Life, And Contaminants 2008, Environmental Protection Board, City Of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida, Jacksonville University

State of the River Report

No abstract provided.

4th Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference, David Creech, Greg Grant, James Kroll, Dawn Stover

Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference

No abstract provided.

Comparative Biology Of Seed Dormancy-Break And Germination In Convolvulaceae (Asterids, Solanales), Kariyawasam Marthinna Gamage Gehan Jayasuriya

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The biology of seed dormancy and germination of 46 species representing 11 of the 12 tribes in Convolvulaceae were compared in laboratory (mostly), field and greenhouse experiments. Seeds were tested for kind of dormancy and storage behavior; artificial or simulated natural treatments were applied to break physical dormancy (PY); the initial route of water entry (“water gap”) into seeds was identified; the morphoanatomy of the water gap was compared in seeds of 17 species; ontogenetical differences between water gap and seed coat away from the hilum were described in Ipomoea lacunosa seeds; cycling of sensitivity to dormancy break was elucidated …

Performance And Physiology Of Yearling Steers Grazing Toxic Tall Fescue As Influenced By Concentrate Feeding And Steroidal Implants, Jessica Meagan Carter

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Fescue toxicosis can produce negative effects on animal weight gain and physiology. Sixty-four steers were grazed on endophyte-infected (E+) KY-31 tall fescue for 77 days in 2007 and sixty steers grazed for 86 days in 2008 to evaluate interactions with implantation of steroidal implants and concentrate feeding on performance and physiology of yearling steers. Steers were stratified by body weight for assignment to six, 3.0-ha toxic tall fescue pastures. The main plot treatment of with or without pelleted soybean hulls (SBH) were randomly assigned to pastures. Pelleted SBH were group-fed to provide daily consumptions of 2.3 kg/steer/d (as fed). Sub-plot …

New Alien Species For The Flora Of Romania: Bidens Bipinnata L. (Asteraceae), Culita Sirbu, Adrian Oprea

Turkish Journal of Botany

This paper presents an alien plant species that has recently migrated into Romania, namely Bidens bipinnata L. For this species, the following information is provided: occurrence in Romania, a short botanical description, general distribution, way of migration, and general aspects regarding its biology, ecology, and invasive character.

A New Species Of Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae) From Sivas (Central Anatolia, Turkey), Ergi̇n Hamzaoğlu, Ümi̇t Budak, Ahmet Aksoy

Turkish Journal of Botany

Gagea sivasica Hamzaoğlu (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from Sivas province (Central Anatolia, Turkey). A Latin diagnosis, a taxonomic description, an illustration of the new species, and some comments on geographical distribution and its affinity to Gagea chlorantha Schult.f. are given.

Two New Myxomycetes Records For The Myxobiota Of Turkey, Başaran Dülger

Turkish Journal of Botany

Badhamia gracilis (T.Macbr.) T.Macbr. and Diderma crustaceum Peck are recorded for the first time from Turkey.

Herbaceous Plant Cover Establishment In A Barren Materials Quarry, Nikolaos Arambatzis, Kitikidou Kyriaki

Turkish Journal of Botany

The ability to establish cover using grass and legume species without any soil preparation was studied in a barren materials quarry. The biodiversity indexes (Simpson) during the growing season as well as the vegetation cover and composition were measured. The results showed that the established species had a satisfactory cover (up to 87.5%). This means that we can achieve significant soil rehabilitation after mining using herbaceous plant cover and reduce the cost of rehabilitation by cutting the expenses of soil preparation.

The Geophytic Flora Of Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey, İsmai̇l Eker, Mehmet Koyuncu, Hasan Akan

Turkish Journal of Botany

This study was carried out between 2001 and 2004 to determine the geophytic flora of Şanlıurfa, located within C6, C7, and C8 of the grid system in Turkey. In all, 789 plant specimens that consisted of 104 taxa belonging to 13 families and 30 genera were gathered from the investigation area. Of all the collected specimens, 19 taxa were new records for C6, C7, and C8, and 11 taxa were endemic to Turkey. Scilla mesopotamica Speta, which was first collected from Şanlıurfa-Halfeti in 1888 by Sintenis and was considered a missing species, was rediscovered after 116 years during this study. …

Effects Of Atmospheric Co2 Enrichment On Crop Nutrient Dynamics Under No-Till Conditions, Stephen A. Prior, G. Brett Runion, Hugo H. Rogers, H. Allen Torbert

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

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration could increase crop productivity and alter crop nutrient dynamics. This study was conducted (3 yrs) with two crops ([Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]) grown under two CO₂ levels (ambient and twice ambient) using open top field chambers on a Blanton loamy sand under no-tillage. Macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations and contents were determined for grain, stover, and roots. Although elevated CO₂ tended to reduce nutrient concentrations, high CO₂ consistently increased nutrient content especially in grain tissue; this response pattern was more notable with macronutrients. The …

Good Vibrations? Structure And Function Of The Cloacal Tip Of Male Australian Maluridae, Melissah Rowe, Murray R. Bakst, Stephen Pruett-Jones

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

When females mate multiply, sperm competition can generate strong selection for traits that provide males with a fertilisation advantage. This study examined the cloacal tip, a unique morphological structure of males that appears to be associated with sperm competition in Australian Maluridae. Species in this group appear to experience a range of sperm competition intensities and exhibit a diversity of associated reproductive adaptations and behaviours. A prominent cloacal tip was present in the striated grasswren Amytornis striatus striatus, and superb Malurus cyaneus cyanochlamys, splendid M. splendens melanotus, red-backed M. melanocephalus and white winged fairy-wrens M. leucopterus leuconotus …

General Introduction To Areawide Pest Management, Robert M. Faust

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

Welcome to the realm of areawide pest management (AWPM). This book represents one of the first comprehensive 'treatises' on the AWPM concept and approach, and should be of interest and use to many types of readers, from research scientists in government, university and industry to pest control advisors and extension personnel, growers, pest control and integrated pest management (IPM) practitioners, students, teachers, natural resource managers and others interested in environmentally sound pest control. There is a range of topics included in the subject area. The book is grouped into three parts. Chapters 2-8 discuss the foundation of areawide pest management; …

Establishing Inter-Agency, Multidisciplinary Areawide Pest Management Programmes, Robert M. Nowierski, Hendrik J. Meyer

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

Pest management today usually comprises multiple complex tactics that transcend disciplines, geographical regions, climatic zones, production/management systems, production scales and economic strata. Solutions to priority problems involve research, education and extension professionals. But, equally important to project success are the users of the knowledge generated and the end-users of the 'products'. Setting a direction for the future goals, IPM has been an important activity for the 'community' of constituents who share concerns for future pest management.

Under the leadership of the USDA and land grant universities, a road map for IPM has been developed with extensive participation of diverse stakeholders. …

Social And Economic Aspects Of Areawide Pest Management, Sean P. Keenan, Paul A. Burgener

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

This chapter explores demonstration elements from the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service's demonstration programme for cereal aphid AWPM. We explore elements of the demonstration programme as agricultural innovations. We discuss potential adoption of these elements by wheat producers on the Great Plains and implications of the programme outcomes for other wheat-growing regions of the world. We begin with a history of research on the adoption of agricultural innovations, which provides the context for evaluating the cereal aphid programme from the perspective of farmer adoption. Chapter 19, this volume, by Kristopher Giles et al. provides a summary and …

The Role Of Databases In Areawide Pest Management, Vasile Catana, Norman Elliott, Kris Giles, Mustafa Mirik, David Porter, Gary L. Hein, Frank Peairs, Jerry Michels

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

The simplest definition of the term 'database' is given in Webster's dictionary as 'a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer' (Random House, 1996). This term appeared in the late 1960s because of the evolution of computer software and the need to distinguish the specialized computer systems for the storage and manipulation of data, called database management systems (DBMS) (Neufeld and Cornog, 1986). Today, the acronym 'DBMS' is universally understood within Information Technology (IT), just like the acronym 'Bt' for 'Bacillus thuringiensis' is in the field of biological pest control. …