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Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter, Winter 2001, Volume 7, No. 1

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

Contents

Using the Nutritional Balance Analyzer (NUTBAL) Program to Track Crude Protein Values for Rangeland and CRP under Drought Conditions by Mary Schrader, Natural Resources Conservation Service

UNL Research Towards Biological Control of Turfgrass Diseases - Part II by Gary Yuen, Department of Plant Pathology, UNL

Nebraska Grazing Conference August 13-14

Natural Landscaping at City Library

2001-2002 Nebraska Ranch Practicum

USDA "PLANTS" Web Site

Manure Matters, Volume 7, Number 2, Rick Koelsch

Manure Matters (newsletter)

Pivot Irrigation of Livestock Manure
The selection of an appropriate land application method for manure can have an impact on several environmental issues. Individual methods should be evaluated based upon impact on:

• Air quality
• Water quality
• Soil conservation and quality
• Pathogen transmission

The following discussion will review these considerations as they relate to application of manure or lagoon effluent through a center pivot system. A generalized comparison of the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative application methods is attached in Table 1.

Manure Matters, Volume 7, Number 10, Christopher Henry, Richard K. Koelsch

Manure Matters (newsletter)

What is an Anaerobic Digester?

The first methane digester plant was built at a leper colony in Bombay, India in 1859. A methane digester system, commonly referred to as an AD (anaerobic digester) is a device that promotes the decomposition of manure or “digestion” of the organics in manure to simple organics and gaseous biogas products. Manure is regularly put into the digester after which the microbes break down the manure into biogas and a digested solid. The digested manure is then deposited into a storage structure. The biogas can be used in an engine generator or burned in a …

Manure Matters, Volume 7, Number 9, Richard K. Koelsch, Bryan Woodbury, David Stenberg, Daniel N. Miller, Dennis Schulte

Manure Matters (newsletter)

Total Reduced Sulfur Concentration in Beef Cattle Feedlots

In 1997, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality amended its Title 129 Air Quality Regulations to establish a regulatory threshold for Total Reduced Sulfur (TRS) concentrations under ambient conditions. These thresholds are set at “10.0 parts per million (10.0 PPM) maximum 1 minute average concentration or 0.10 parts per million (0.10 PPM) maximum 30-minute rolling average”. Two agricultural regions of Nebraska with significant cattle finishing in open feedlots came under scrutiny for possible rule violations. In one situation, area feedlots were asked to prepare and implement a TRS control plan.

This growing …

Comparative Genetics Of Seven Plants Endemic To Florida’S Lake Wales Ridge, Eric S. Menges, Rebecca W. Dolan, Rebecca Yahr, Doria R. Gordan

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Here we submit that mathematical tools used in population viability analysis can be used in conjunction with floristic and faunistic surveys to predict changes in biogeographic range. We illustrate our point by summarizing the results of a demographic study of Lobelia boykinii. In this study we used deterministic and stochastic matrix models to estimate the growth rate and to predict the time to extinction for three populations growing in the Carolina bays. The stochastic model better discriminated among the fates of the three populations. It predicted extinction for two populations in the next 25 years but no extinction of the …

Characterization Of Natural Variants Of Local Wild Bananas & Seed Progeny Of Musa Acuminata, Muhammad Asif Javed

Student Works (2000-2009)

The purpose of this study was to characterize the variation pattern that exists in the wild Musa acuminata (AA) populations. widely distributed in Malaysia. Fourteen populations of Musa acuminata, which included subspecies malaccensis, siamea and truncata were collected from different locations including Selangor, Pahang, Perak, Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu for studies on variation within and between populations, based on morphological characters, biochemical, ploidy and genomic DNA content. Techniques of numerical taxonomy were employed to determine the variation pattern and these included use of the clustering method and principal component analysis. Ploidy level and genomic DNA content were determined by flow …

Composting Of Feedlot And Dairy Manure: Compost Characteristics And Impact On Crop Yields, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Walker Luedtke, Mark Schroeder, Charles A. Francis, Gary Lesoing

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Since 1993, approximately 17,600 tons of beef feedlot and dairy compost have been spread on 1,100 acres. Crop yields were measured to determine the impact of a one-time compost application by using no-compost check strips in large-scale production fields. Adding compost to irrigated corn, irrigated soybeans, and dryland corn acres significantly increased yields, with four-year average increases of 2.3, 1.5, and 2.7%, respectively. For all crops measured, the response to compost was greatest the first year following application and declined linearly in subsequent years. The increased yield from compost application offsets spreading costs using average prices for crops.

A Simple Performance-Based Index For Assessing Multiple Agroecosystem Functions, Mark A. Liebig, Gary E. Varvel, John W. Doran

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Evaluating the impact agricultural practices have on agroecosystem functions is essential to determine the sustainability of management systems. This paper presents an approach to determine the relative sustainability of agricultural practices. A simple ranking procedure using a relative scoring method is proposed to discriminate among treatments based on the status of crop and soil parameters within different agroecosystem functions. Summing scores across agroecosystem functions allows for the identification of agricultural practices that are performing optimally based on functions included in the procedure. An example, using data from a long-term cropping systems experiment in the western Corn Belt, found the indexing …

Origin And Conservation Genetics Of Threatened Ute Ladies’-Tresses, Spiranthes Diluvialis (Orchidaceae), Allen L. Szalanski, Gerry Steinauer, Richard Bischof, Jessica Lynn Petersen

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The Ute ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes diluvialis, is listed as a threatened orchid in west-central United States by the Federal government. Information on its origin and patterns of genetic variation is needed to develop effective conservation strategies for this species. DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to evaluate genetic variation and structure of 23 populations of S. diluvialis. In addition, four congeneric species were analyzed to determine possible origins of the putative allotetraploid S. diluvialis. DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA …

Systematics And Relationships Of Fallugia (Rosoideae—Rosaceae), James Henrickson

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

The paper presents a systematic monograph of Fallugia (Rosoideae, Rosaceae) consisting of one variable species, Fallugia paradoxa. Morphological, cytological and molecular data clearly support its relationship with Geums.l. rather than Purshia-Cowani, with which it is often allied. The species was named twice independently in 1825 from the specimens and drawings, respectively, assembled by Sessé and Mociño for their proposed Flora Mexicana. The paper discusses the nomenclatural history, morphological variation, and the polygarno-dioecious mode of reproduction of the species. No infraspecific taxa are recognized.

Experimental Hybridization Of Northern Chihuahuan Desert Region Opuntia (Cactaceae), M. Patrick Griffith

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

Possible natural hybridization among 11 taxa of Opuntia sensu stricto was investigated in the northern Chihuahuan Desert region through the use of experimental hybridization. Established plants representing specific taxa growing in the Sul Ross State University Opuntia garden were used for all experiments. Reciprocal crosses were made between putative parental taxa of field-observed putative hybrids, and each experimental cross analyzed for fruit and seed set. For each taxon, tests were performed to control for possible apomictic, autogamous, and geitonogamous seed set. Several experimental crosses were found to set seed in amounts expected for natural pollination events. Data gathered from the …

Schaffnerella Rediscovered! (Gramineae, Chloridoideae), J. Travis Columbus, Hester L. Bell, Rosa Cerros-Tlatilpa, M. Patrick Griffith, J. Mark Porter

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

From 1876 to 1880 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, J. G. Schaffner made the first collections of a small grass that later was named Schaffnerella gracilis (Chloridoideae). The monotypic genus apparently was not encountered again by botanists until 2001, when, during a targeted search, we discovered it in the Sierra de San Miguelito growing along the Río Potosino, ca. 6 air km southwest of the city of San Luis Potosí. Most of the 100-150 plants encountered along a 3-km stretch of the Río Potosino above the village of Escalerillas and reservoir EI Potosino were growing in a moist alluvium of …

Arkansas Field Botany (Flora And Vegetation) Bibliography (1988-2000), James H. Peck, C. Theo Witsell, Thomas L. Foti

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The floristic richness and diversity of vegetation in Arkansas continues to require and stimulate a growing body of taxonomic and ecological research publications. Peck and Peck (1988) listed 766 references, including those of the two prior lists. Since then we have gathered 417 additional references. The total list now contains 1,183 references, with 70% prepared or published since 1970. This update is provided for four reasons: 1) to compile a comprehensive source to direct and facilitate future studies, 2) to provide easier access to many reports not normally located in electronic databases, 3) to improve communications with botanists outside Arkansas, …

Survey Of Salvinia (Salviniaceae) In Eastern Arkansas, James H. Peck

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Salvinia, water spangles, is a genus of 10 species of free-floating heterosporous aquatic ferns with two species introduced to North America. S. minima Baker was introduced into the eastern United States by at least 1814 and occurs mainly across the southeastern United States. S. molesta Mitchell was recognized as a distinct species in the 1970s, was introduced into the United States as a water-garden plant in the 1980s, and has escaped and spread across the southeastern United States in the 1990s. It is recognized by federal agency as noxious aquatic weed. S. minima Baker was discovered in Arkansas in 1998. …

Status Report On Harperella, Ptilimnium Nodosum (Rose) Mathias, In Arkansas, Edith L. Hardcastle, David X. Williams

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Kajian Kultur Tisu Dan Aktiviti Sel Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus Linn.) Cv. Grenadin, Norfariza A. Kadir

Student Works (2000-2009)

Cellular behaviour in primary roots of standard length 11.15 ± 0.33 mm from four-day-old seedlings of Dianthus caryophyllus Linn. cv. Grenadin were studied in vivo and in vitro. Parameters such as mitotic index (MI). chromosome count the ploidy level, the mean cell and nuclear areas and the cell doub ling time (Cdt) were determined from 2 mm segments of root tips. The MI value of the root segment decreased when transferred from in vivo to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA. The mean chromosome count were generally stable during 6 months in culture period with 2n= …

Kajian Morfologi, Variasi Anatomi Dan Distribusi Genus Zingiber Di Semenanjung Malaysia, Wan Fadhilah Wan Zainal Abidin

Student Works (2000-2009)

Among the objectives of the study are to survey and document the diversity and richness of the Zingiber species for the purpose of conservation. A total of 144 accessions from 32 Zingiber species including 8 varieties have been recorded throughout Peninsular Malaysia. These represent 20% out of the 150 species in the Zingibcraceae family, known to exist in Malaysia. Nine new species and two new varieties have been described. An anatomical study was conducted on 15 Zingiber species based on observation of anatomical structures of the leaves and petioles. The anatomy of the leaves and petioles shows some variation of …

Chitinases From The Plant Disease Biocontrol Agent, Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia C3, Z. Zhang, Gary Yuen, Gautam Sarath, A. R. Penheiter

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain C3, a biocontrol agent of Bipolaris sorokiniana in turfgrass, produced chitinases in broth media containing chitin. Chitinases were partially purified from culture fluid by ammonium sulfate precipitation and chitin affinity chromatography. The chromatography fraction with the highest specific chitinase activity was inhibitory to conidial germination and germ-tube elongation of B. sorokiniana, but it was less inhibitory than the protein fraction or the raw culture filtrate. The fraction exhibited strong exochitinase and weak endochitinase activity. Optimum temperature and pH for chitinase activity were 45 to 50°C and 4.5 to 5.0, respectively. Chitinase activity was inhibited by Hg …

Identification Of Seed Gall Nematodes Of Agronomic And Regulatory Concern With Pcr-Rflp Of Its1, Thomas O. Powers, Allen L. Szalanski, P. G. Mullin, T. S. Harris, T. Bertozzi, J. A. Griesbach

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

A molecular analysis of eight described species of seed gall nematode, along with six undescribed isolates from different hosts, has revealed a strong association between nucleotide sequence polymorphism and host status. Each anguinid nematode associated with a unique host produced a unique PCR-RFLP pattern for the ITS1 region. Anguina species that had been synonymized in the past, Anguina agrostis, A. funesta, and A. wevelli (Afrina wevelli), were readily discriminated. Two undescribed species from northern New South Wales and southeastern South Australia, reported to be vectors of Rathyaibacter toxicus in the disease called ‘‘floodplain staggers,’’ were differentiated …

Bacillus Species For Reducing Fusarium Head Blight In Cereals, David A. Schisler, Naseem I. Khan, Michael J. Boehm

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Microbial antagonists that will suppress Fusarium head blight (head scab) in cereals, particularly in wheat and barley have been identified. Two superior antagonists include NRRL B-30210 and NRRL B-30211.

Selection And Evaluation Of Microorganisms For Biocontrol Of Fusarium Head Blight Of Wheat Incited By Gibberella Zeae, N. I. Khan, D. A. Schisler, Michael J. Boehm, P. J. Slininger, R. J. Bothast

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Gibberella zeae incites Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease that causes extensive yield and quality losses to wheat and barley. Of over 700 microbial strains obtained from wheat anthers, 54 were able to utilize tartaric acid as a carbon source when the compound was supplied as choline bitartrate in liquid culture. Four tartaric acid–utilizing and three nonutilizing strains reduced FHB in initial tests and were selected for further assays. Antagonists were effective against three different isolates of G. zeae when single wheat florets were inoculated with pathogen and antagonist inoculum. All seven antagonists increased 100-kernel weight when applied simultaneously …

Analysis Of A Mixed Cereal Of Legumes That Processes Similar Nutritional Characteristics To A Cereal Product Of Local Consumption And Its Economic Feasibility, Willy Ivan Anzaldo Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

In this analysis, we plan on developing vegetable mixes with high nutritional qualities and instant fuel consumption. These are to be used as a nutritional supplement in the feeding of children from 6 months of age. Initially, I selected the raw material, due to its high protein content and low cost (soy, tarhui, Cuban corn, rice, wheat, barley). They formed mixes with nutritional characteristics similar to the control for reference (15.5% of protein, 419 kcal of energy). From these formulas, different tests of completed production of mixtures, going so far as to obtain eight mixes with good nutritional and organoleptic …

Genetic Analysis Of Kafirins And Their Phenotypic Correlations With Feed Quality Traits, In Vitro Digestibility, And Seed Weight In Grain Sorghum, C. Hicks, S. R. Bean, G. L. Lookhart, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, K. D. Kofoid, M. R. Tuinstra

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Twenty-three entries of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), including eight inbred lines (five males and three females) and 15 hybrids, were evaluated to determine the proportion of γ, αII, and β-αI-kafirins and their association with contents of crude protein, fat, and starch; protein digestibility; in vitro dry matter disappearance; and seed weight. The male lines included three normal-seeded lines (TX2737, TX435, and P954063) and two large-seeded lines (Eastin1 and PL-1). Female lines consisted of three common U.S. seed parent lines (Wheatland, Redlan, and SA3042). The lines and their hybrids were grown under dryland conditions at two locations in …

Seed Physiology, Production & Technology: Germination, Emergence, And Yield Of 20 Plant-Color, Seed-Color Near-Isogenic Lines Of Grain Sorghum, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, J. J. Toy

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Although there is growing demand for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] with white seed and tan plant color, there is limited information on the overall agronomic fitness of sorghum with these characters. A set of experiments was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of plant color and seed color on sorghum germination, emergence, and agronomic performance. Twenty near-isogenic lines with red seed/tan plant (RT), red seed/purple plant (RP), white seed/ tan plant (WT), white seed/purple plant (WP) phenotypes were tested under field and laboratory conditions. Plant color X seed color interactions were not significant. Purple plant color phenotypes had higher …

The Effect Of Aspen Wood Characteristics And Properties On Utilization, Kurt H. Mackes, Dennis L. Lynch

Aspen Bibliography

This paper reviews characteristics and properties of aspen wood, including anatomical structure and characteristics, moisture and shrinkage properties, weight and specific gravity, mechanical properties, and processing characteristics. Uses of aspen are evaluated: sawn and veneer products, composite panels, pulp, excelsior, post and poles, animal bedding, animal food supplements, fuel applications, and novelties. Aspen is a preferred species for paneling, veneer products including matchsticks and chopsticks, waferboard and oriented strandboard (OSB), fiberboard, pulp, excelsior, research animal bedding, animal food supplements, and tourist or gift items.

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 31 - Feeding Lupins To Fish: A Review Of The Nutritional And Biological Value Of Lupins In Aquaculture Feeds, Brett Glencross

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Lupins are the harvested seed of species from the Lupinus genus, a group within the leguminous bean and pea family Fabaceae. Legumes are particularly valuable agricultural crops because of their capacity to provide a grain crop and also fix and return nitrogen to soils and improve the soil value for further cropping. The oilseeds, soybeans and peanuts are also leguminous plants, though traditionally they have been cropped for their oil value, whereas lupins, are cropped for both their protein and nitrogen fixing value (Gladstones, 1998; Perry et al., 1998).

The three key commercial species of lupins are L. angustifolius (Narrow-leafed …

Distinctive Hydrocarbons Of The Black Dump Fly, Hydrotaea Aenescens (Diptera: Muscidae), David A. Carlson, Ulrich R. Bernier, Jerome A. Hogsette, Bruce D. Sutton

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

Hydrotaea aenescens (Wiedemann), the black dump fly, is a potential biological control agent originally from the western hemisphere, now found in many parts of the Palearctic region except for the United Kingdom, where it cannot be imported for any reason. A complication of classical biological control is the problem of strain identification, as one must be able to somehow mark or follow a particular strain that has been introduced into the field or is contemplated for release. Gas chromatographic analysis of the surface hydrocarbons of pooled and individual dump fly adults resulted in reproducible hydrocarbon patterns that differentiated widely distributed …

Gas Exchange And Photosynthetic Acclimation Over Subambient To Elevated Co2 In A C3-C4 Grassland, Laurel J. Anderson, Hafiz Maherali, Hyrum B. Johnson, H. Wayne Polley, Robert B. Jackson

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

Atmospheric CO₂ (C_a) has risen dramatically since preglacial times and is projected to double in the next century. As part of a 4-year study, we examined leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic acclimation in C₃ and C₄ plants using unique chambers that maintained a continuous C_a gradient from 200 to 550 µmol mol^-1 in a natural grassland. Our goals were to characterize linear, nonlinear and threshold responses to increasing C_a from past to future C_a levels. Photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf water-use efficiency (A/g_{s …}

Dis And Distributed Watershed Models I, Jurgen Garbrecht, Fred L. Ogden, Paul A. Debarry, David R. Maidment

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

The increasing proliferation of spatial data, geographic information systems (GIS), and models for hydrologic applications provide many new investigation opportunities but also present a number of challenges for the uninitiated water resources practitioner. This two-part paper is intended for the practicing engineer who wants to expand into the arena of spatial data and distributed watershed modeling. It provides an integrated overview of the multiple facets of data-GIS-modeling issues and a source of background information for selection and application of GIS in watershed modeling. This first paper addresses selected spatial data issues, data structures and projections, data sources, and information on …

Evidence For The Innervation Of Sperm Storage Tubules In The Oviduct Of The Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo), S. L. Freedman, V. G. Akuffo, M. R. Bakst

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

The presence of neural tissue and smooth muscle elements in the vicinity of the oviductal sperm storage tubules at the uterovaginal junction was assessed by several modes of light microscopy. Isolated neurones and small ganglia were identified in the uterovaginal junction of the turkey oviduct. The nerve cell bodies were observed in the tunica mucosa by bright field microscopy. Immunoreactivity against neurofilament antibody and recombinant fragment C of the tetanus toxin reacted with nerve fibres and the nuclei of neurones. Fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that nerve fibres continued from the base of the tunica mucosa into …