Digital Commons Network^™

Tandem Inverted Repeat System For Selection Of Effective Transgenic Rnai Strains In Chlamydomonas, Jennifer Rohr, Nandita Sarkar, Susan Belanger, Byeong-Ryool Jeong, Heriberto D. Cerutti

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

RNA interference (RNAi), the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggered post-transcriptional gene silencing, is becoming a powerful tool for reverse genetics studies. Stable RNAi, induced by the expression of inverted repeat (IR) transgenes, has been achieved in protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, and metazoans. However, the level of gene silencing is often quite variable, depending on the type of construct, transgene copy number, site of integration, and target gene. This is a hindrance in functional genomics studies, where it is desirable to suppress target genes reliably to analyze unknown phenotypes. Consequently, we explored strategies for direct selection of effective transgenic RNAi lines in …

Nebraska Vine Lines, Vol. Viii, No. 6. November/December 2004

Nebraska Vine Lines (2003–2006)

• Fall Workshop: Instrumentation for Vineyards and Wineries – 95 attend.

• Edward Hellman

• The Grand Banquet to feature “Ragtime”

• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to Speak at the March Forum in Kearney, NE

• Last Chance Winery

• Pioneer Nebraska Winery Turns “10”

• Taste Buds

• Masters Students to speak at 7th Forum in Kearney

Interactions Among Western Ragweed And Other Sandhills Species After Drought, Patrick E. Reece, Joe E. Brummer, Brian K. Northup, Ann E. Koehler, Lowell E. Moser

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Interannual differences in yield and species composition of herbaceous vegetation on semiarid rangelands are common and often related to variations in precipitation regime. Interspecific interactions that occur after drought-induced population fluxes of western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya D.C.) were evaluated by removing western ragweed or associated species from 1-m² quadrats at weekly intervals beginning in early May, June, or July 1991 or 1992 on high-seral sandhills prairie in Nebraska. The composite of peak standing crops for ragweed and each group of associated species was 77% greater during May–October 1991 (2 252 kg•ha^-1) compared with 1992 (1 275 …

Patterns Of Fitness And Fluctuating Asymmetry Across A Broad Hybrid Zone, Mitchell B. Cruzan

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

We estimated levels of developmental instability in leaves, as indicated by fluctuating asymmetry (i.e., random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry), across a broad hybrid zone between two taxa in the Piriqueta caroliniana complex. Previous studies have indicated that this hybrid zone was initiated in southern Florida and has expanded northward. We found that plants from the hybrid zone generally had higher levels of leaf developmental instability than plants from allopatric regions, but the increase in asymmetry was not substantial. Although it is usually assumed that developmental instability is associated with lower fitness, these Piriqueta hybrids from central Florida are similar …

Biofilm Formation In Plant-Microbe Associations, Bronwyn E. Ramey, Maria Koutsoudis, Susanne B. Von Bodman, Clay Fuqua

Plant Science Articles

No abstract provided.

Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter, Fall 2004, Volume 10, No. 4

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

Nebraska's Natural Legacy Project by Kristal Stoner, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Earth, Wind, and Fire in the Flint Hills by David Hartnett, Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas State University

Owens Highlights UNL Grazing Activities at Grazing Conference

Professional Golf Management Program Tees Off with 31 Students

CGS Director Massengale Inducted into CSREES Hall of Fame

Nebline, October 2004

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Discover 4-H, Discover You!
Five Ways to Join 4-H!
Nebraska Wild Fruit and Nut Jam Oct. 2
Ten Rules for Planting Trees
Garden Guide: Things to do this month
Direct Seeding Hardwood Tree Species
Storing Sweet Potatoes
Watch for Deer When Driving, Especially at Dawn and Dusk
Head Lice Resources You Can Trust
Nebraska Water Facts
The Hazards of Biting Fleas
Upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collections
The Hazards of Biting Fleas
Prepare Bins and Equipment Before Harvest
“Grapes” is October Rural Living Clinic
Add Lime This Fall for Next Spring’s Alfalfa
Finding Forgotten Food
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
Camp Abbott: …

Summaries Of Arkansas Cotton Research 2003, Derrick M. Oosterhuis

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

A Single Amino Acid Substitution In Soybean Vspα Increases Its Acid Phosphatase Activity Nearly 20-Fold, Oranuch Leelapon, Gautam Sarath, Paul E. Staswick

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

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] contains two proteins called vegetative storage proteins (VSPs) that function as temporary storage reserves, but are also closely related to plant acid phosphatases of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily. This study examined the biochemical basis for the relatively low catalytic activity previously reported for these VSPs. The specific activity of purified recombinant VSPα on GMP was about 40-fold lower than for a related soybean root nodule acid phosphatase (APase), which had a specific activity of 845 U mg^-1 protein. Conversion of Ser¹⁰⁶ to Asp increased VSPα activity about 20-fold. This Asp residue …

Putting Genes Into Genetic Coefficients, P. Stephen Baenziger, Gregory S. Mcmaster, Wallace Wilhelm, Albert Weiss, Cynthia J. Hays

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

Plant parameters are critical inputs in crop simulation models and allow a general set of algorithms to represent features of specific cultivars. A subset of plant parameters is often referred to as ‘‘genetic coefficients’’. However, these genetic coefficients are developed from phenotypic observations, usually have a weak genetic basis, and are at best ‘‘genotypic’’ coefficients because they consider the genotype from a very integrative perspective and likely include some impact of environment on the trait or characteristic described. With increased understanding of crop genomes, we believe models can be improved by incorporating genetic coefficients that accurately describe the action of …

Channel Aggradation By Beaver Dams On A Small Agricultural Stream In Eastern Nebraska, M. C. Mccullough, J. L. Harper, D. E. Eisenhauer, M. G. Dosskey

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

agricultural area of eastern Nebraska. A topographic survey was conducted of a reach of Little Muddy Creek where beaver are known to have been building dams for twelve years. Results indicate that over this time period the thalweg elevation has aggraded an average of 0.65 m by trapping 1730 t of sediment in the pools behind dams. Beaver may provide a feasible solution to channel degradation problems in this region.

Folate Biofortification In Tomatoes By Engineering The Pteridine Branch Of Folate Synthesis, Rocio Diaz De La Garza, Eoin P. Quinlivan, Sebastian M. J. Klaus, Gilles J. C. Basset, Jesse F. Gregory Iii, Andrew D. Hanson

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

Plants are the main source of folate in human diets, but many fruits, tubers, and seeds are poor in this vitamin, and folate deficiency is a worldwide problem. Plants synthesize folate from pteridine, p-aminobenzoate (PABA), and glutamate moieties. Pteridine synthesis capacity is known to drop in ripening tomato fruit; therefore, we countered this decline by fruit-specific overexpression of GTP cyclohydrolase I, the first enzyme of pteridine synthesis. We used a synthetic gene based on mammalian GTP cyclohydrolase I, because this enzyme is predicted to escape feedback control in planta. This engineering maneuver raised fruit pteridine content by 3- …

Nebline, September 2004

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

What if You Could Access Extension’s Educational Resources at the Push of a Button?
Sorting Through Internet Clutter
What Users Are Saying
Garden Guide: Things to do this month
Good, Low-Maintenance Trees to Plant
Herbal Festival
Aster Yellows on Purple Coneflower
Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Fly Away Home! Please!
Composting Indoors with Worms
Upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collections
Packed Lunch Pizzazz!
Sports Mix Recipe
Adding A Rainbow To Your Diet
President’s Notes — Janet’s Jargon
Household Hints: Chill Out with an Efficient Fridge
FCE News & Events
Stress Affects Adolescents Too
Plan Now for Holiday Spending
Values
St. Johnswort is Increasing in …

Nebraska Vine Lines, Vol. Vii, No. 5, September/October 2004.

Nebraska Vine Lines (2003–2006)

Contents

• Fall Workshop: Instrumentation for Vineyards and Wineries

• Electronic Nose Technologies: A New Instrumentation Option for Wineries?

• Just Getting Started – or “So You Want to Grow Grapes”

• Fall Vineyard Management By Paul Read, Viticulture Professor

• FUNDAMENTALS OF WINE EVALUATION

• Summer Closes with a Bang

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 36, No.3 September 2004

The Prairie Naturalist

OVERLAND MOVEMENTS AND HABITAT USE OF MALLARD BROODS DEPARTING OVERWATER NESTING STRUCTURES ▪ J. D. Stafford, L. D. Flake, and P. W. Mammenga

NEST SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF EASTERN WILD TURKEY IN NORTHEASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ R. D. Shields and L. D. Flake

WHITE-TAILED DEER INFECTEUWITH STAPHYLOCOCCUS HYICUS IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ T. J. Zimmerman, J. A. Jenks, and A. E. Pillatzki

CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS TYPE A IN A FREE-RANGING FAWN? ▪ T. J. Brinkman, J. A. Jenks, C. S. DePerno, and B. S. Haroldson

BUFFLEHEAD BREEDING ACTIVITY IN SOUTH-CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA ▪ G. A. Knutsen and J. C. King

POTENTIAL MULTIPLE …

Restoration Of Aspen Woodland Invaded By Western Juniper: Applications Of Partial Cutting And Prescribed Fire, Jonathon D. Bates, Richard F. Miller

Aspen Bibliography

Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis spp. occidentalis) woodlands are rapidly replacing quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands throughout the northern Great Basin. Aspen stands provide important habitat for many wildlife species and contain a high diversity of understory shrubs and herbaceous species. We studies two juniper removal treatments to restore aspen woodlands in Kiger Canyon on Steens Mountain, Oregon.

Chloroplast Dna Rearrangements In Campanulaceae: Phylogenetic Utility Of Highly Rearranged Genomes, Mary E. Cosner, Linda A. Raubeson, Robert K. Jansen

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Background

The Campanulaceae (the "hare bell" or "bellflower" family) is a derived angiosperm family comprised of about 600 species treated in 35 to 55 genera. Taxonomic treatments vary widely and little phylogenetic work has been done in the family. Gene order in the chloroplast genome usually varies little among vascular plants. However, chloroplast genomes of Campanulaceae represent an exception and phylogenetic analyses solely based on chloroplast rearrangement characters support a reasonably well-resolved tree.

Results

Chloroplast DNA physical maps were constructed for eighteen representatives of the family. So many gene order changes have occurred among the genomes that characterizing individual mutational …

Disabling Surveillance: Bacterial Type Iii Secretion System Effectors That Suppress Innate Immunity, Avelina Espinosa, James R. Alfano

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

Many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens of plants and animals are dependent on a type III protein secretion system (TTSS). TTSSs translocate effector proteins into host cells and are capable of modifying signal transduction pathways. The innate immune system of eukaryotes detects the presence of pathogens using specific pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Plant PRRs include the FLS2 receptor kinase and resistance proteins. Animal PRRs include Tolllike receptors and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain proteins. PRRs initiate signal transduction pathways that include mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades that activate defencerelated transcription factors. This results in induction of proinflammatory cytokines in animals, and hallmarks of defence …

Effects Of Management And Population Size On Genetic Diversity Of Eggert's Sunflower (Helianthus Eggertii; Asteraceae), John Howard Starnes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Helianthus eggertii (Asteraceae) is a federally threatened sunflower species that typically grows between open woods and barrens. This species has both sexual and asexual modes of reproduction, which can influence the amount of genetic diversity present within and among populations. Maintaining genetic diversity is one of the primary objectives in managing threatened species or populations. Fire and population size may influence genetic diversity. Two Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Markers (873 and MAO) were used to characterize many important genetic parameters of 17 populations in 2003 and four populations in 2004. This information was used to assess the effectiveness of different conservation …

Activation Of The Oryza Sativa Non-Symbiotic Haemoglobin-2 Promoter By The Cytokinin-Regulated Transcription Factor, Arr1, Emily Ross, Julie M. Stone, Christian Elowsky, Raul Arredondo-Peter, Robert V. Klucas, Gautam Sarath

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

Using in silico methods, several putative phytohormoneresponsive cis-elements in the Oryza sativa nonsymbiotic haemoglobin (NSHB) 1-4 and Arabidopsis thaliana NSHB1-2 promoters have been identified. An OsNSHB2 promoter::GUS reporter gene fusion shows tissue-specific expression in A. thaliana. GUS expression was observed in roots, the vasculature of young leaves, in flowers, and in the pedicel/stem junction. In transient assays, activity of the OsNSHB2 promoter was significantly up-regulated in the presence of the cytokinin, 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Deletion analyses indicated that the full-length promoter was required for maximal trans-activation in the presence of cytokinin. Mutation of the single cytokinin-regulated ARR1-binding element abolished promoter …

Vegetation Characteristics Associated With Small Mammal Populations In The Las Vegas Wash, Christine Therese Herndon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Percent litter, average litter depth, percent bare ground, vegetation density, vegetation canopy, and distance to an ecotone boundary were measured and compared to small mammal capture locations in the Las Vegas Wash. Neotoma lepida appear to be greatly dependent upon the foliage litter of T. ramosissima. Alternatively, ecotone boundaries appear to be the most important factor affecting Dipodomys merriami distributions. Peromyscus eremicus distributions may be predicted based on vegetation density and increased canopy during shorter, winter torpor periods. Chaetodipus penicillatus were consistently associated with dense, seed-bearing vegetation, although C. penicillatus is extremely opportunistic and vegetation density should not limit their …

Growth And Yield Of Snap Beans As Affected By Wind Protection And Microclimate Changes Due To Shelterbelts And Planting Dates, Laurie Hodges, Mohd Nazip Suratman, James R. Brandle, Kenneth G. Hubbard

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The effects of wind protection on growth and total and marketahle yields of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) planted at 2-week intervals through the 1994 and 1995 growing seasons were examined. Research was conducted under nonirrigated conditions at the Shelterbelt Research Area, Univ, of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead. 'Strike' (white-seeded) and 'Rushmore' (dark-seeded) were planted in locations sheltered from wind stress hy tree windbreaks (shelterbelts) and in locations exposed to normal winds using a randomized complete-block design with a split-split plot arrangement of treatments. Air temperature, soil temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction …

Mesa, A Novel Fungal Protein Required For The Stabilization Of Polarity Axes In Aspergillus Nidulans, Claire L. Pearson, Kaimei Xu, Kathryn E. Sharpless, Steven D. Harris

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The Aspergillus nidulans proteome possesses a single formin, SepA, which is required for actin ring formation at septation sites and also plays a role in polarized morphogenesis. Previous observations imply that complex regulatory mechanisms control the function of SepA and ensure its correct localization within hyphal tip cells. To characterize these mechanisms, we undertook a screen for mutations that enhance sepA defects. Of the mutants recovered, mesA1 causes the most dramatic defect in polarity establishment when SepA function is compromised. In a wild-type background, mesA1 mutants undergo aberrant hyphal morphogenesis, whereas septum formation remains unaffected. Molecular characterization revealed that MesA …

B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 2003, R. J. Norman, J.-F. Meullenet, K. A.K. Moldenhauer

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Arkansas is the leading rice-producing state in the U.S., representing just over 48% of the total U.S. production and 48.5% of the total acres planted to rice. Rice cultural practices vary across the state and across the U.S. However, due to changing political, environmental, and economic times, the practices are dynamic. This survey was initiated in 2002 to monitor how the changing times reflect the changes in the way Arkansas rice producers approach their livelihood. The survey was conducted by polling county extension agents in each of the counties in Arkansas where rice is produced. Questions included topics such as …

The Effects Of Elevated Co2 And Environmental Variation On Plant Phenotype, Herbivore Performance, And Evolutionary Potential In A Brassicacae Model System, John Michael Landosky

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Part 3, Ken Hart, Keith Croker, Rob Davidson, Mario D'Antuono, Evan Burt, Tanya Kilminster, Diana Fedorenko, Darryl Mcclements, Robert Beard, Sandy Turton, Martin Atwell, Robert Beard

Sheep Updates

Posters Can Merino Ewes be Teased to Synchronise Oestrus for a Summer/Autumn Mating? Ken Hart, Keith Croker, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Rob Davidson, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia. Mario D'Antuono, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Damara Sheep: Now Looking Domestic Evan Burt and Tanya Kilminster, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Production and Water Use of Lucerne and French Serradella Under Three Sowing Rates Diana Fedorenko1,4, Darryl McClements1,4 , Robert Beard3,4 1Department of Agriculture, 3 Farmer, Meckering, 4CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity. E-SHEEP - Individual Animal Management is here Sandy Turton & Martin Atwell, Department …

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Part 2, Anyou Liu, Clinton Revell, Phil Nichols, Brad Nutt, Darryl Clements, Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi, Chris Oldham, Paul Sanford, John Gladman, G. E. Donald, A. Edirisinghe, D. A. Henry, S. P. Gittins, R. C. G. Smith, Roy Butler, Kelly Pearce, David Masters, David Pethick, Andrew Thompson, Ken Hart, Johan Greeff, Beth Paganoni, Rachel Kirby, Matt Ryan, Kira Butler, Roger Heggarty, David Hopkins, Samantha Giles, Tom Plaisted, Mark Ferguson, Darren Gordon, John Young, Sandra Brown, Ian Mcfarland, John Archer, John Milton, Rob Davidson, Graeme Martin, David Lindsay, Johnathan England, Mandy Curnow, Karina P. Wood, Ashley K. White, B. Lloyd Davies, Paul M. Carberry, Mark Hyder, Mike Freer, Andrew Van Burgel, Kazue Tanaka, Andrew Peterson, Roger Wiese, Gonzalo Mata, Evan Burt, Amanda Miller, Anne Bennett, Felicity Flugge, Amir Abadi, Perry Dolling, Dean Thomas, Mike Ewing, David Lindsay, Emma Kopke, E. A. Dowling, E. K. Crossley, Brien (Ben) E. Norton, John Karlsson, Geoff Pollott, Diana Fedorenko, Darryl Clements, Robert Beard, Brown Besier, Una Ryan, Caroline Bath

Sheep Updates

Precision Pastures

Using Species Diversity to Improve Pasture Performance Anyou Liu and Clinton Revell, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

New Annual Pasture Legumes for Sheep Graziers Phil Nichols, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt and Darryl McClements Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Pastures from Space – Can Satellite Estimates of Pasture Growth Rate be used to Increase Farm Profit? Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi and Chris Oldham Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Summer-active Perennial Grasses for Profitable Sheep Production Paul Sanford and John Gladman, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

Pastures From Space – Validation Of Predictions Of Pasture Growth Rates DONALD, G.E^{.A …}

Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter, Summer 2004, Volume 10, No. 3

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

WILD Nebraska Grasslands by Bill Vodehnal, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

High School Students Improve Their Game While Having Fun at UNL Golf Camp

Multiple Dimensions of a Strong Professional Golf Management Program by Charles Francis, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL

CGS Advisory Council Tours Northeast Nebraska

Groundwater Nitrates Being Used to Fertilize Intensive Grazed Pasture

Grazing and Grassland Management Is Theme of Wildlife Society Meeting

Regional Researchers Collaborate to Improve Grazing Systems

UNL Researchers Study Seed Production of Eastern Red Cedar

Range Management Focus of Beef Basics VI

Still Time to See Exhibition – Listening to the Prairie …

Nitrogen Mineralization From Humic Acid Fractions In Rice Soils Depends On Degree Of Humification, Bao Ve Nguyen, D. C. Olk, Kenneth G. Cassman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Although the chemical nature of soil organic matter (SOM) is thought to affect the mineralization rate of N bound in SOM, little direct evidence exists for such effects. To test the hypothesis that the N mineralization rate is affected by the degree of SOM humification, we added equivalent amounts of humic acid (HA) N as either the labile mobile humic acid (MHA) fraction or the more humified cal- cium humate (CaHA) fraction to two lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) soils, which were subsequently incubated under anaerobic conditions for 6 wk. The HA fractions had been chemically extracted from seven …

Genetic Control Of Branching In Foxtail Millet, Andrew Doust, Katrien Devos, Michael Gadberry, Mike Gale, Elizabeth Kellogg

Biology Department Faculty Works

Reduction in vegetative branching is commonplace when crops are domesticated from their wild progenitors. We have identified genetic loci responsible for these changes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica), a crop closely related to maize but whose genetics are little known. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis and comparative genomics reveal that basal branching (tillering) and axillary branching are partially controlled by separate loci, and that the orthologue of teosinte branched1, the major gene controlling branching phenotype in maize, has only a minor and variable effect. We identify other candidate genes for control of branching, including a number of hormone biosynthesis pathway …