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The Highs And Lows Of Life In A Valley: Topographic Controls On Tundra Vegetation In A Warming Arctic, Ruth S. Dunlap

Biology Honors Projects

Topographic heterogeneity structures Arctic plant communities, impacting broader ecosystem responses to climate change. The role of topography in shaping leaf physiological, nutritional, and structural traits in the Arctic is important, yet not well characterized across diverse tundra landscapes. To address these controls, we examined plant community composition and measured leaf traits in a few representative species along a heath-slope-valley gradient in Varanger, Norway. Our results indicated that valleys are more biodiverse, driven by forb and graminoid dominance, whereas slopes and heaths had less diversity with high shrub abundance. Leaf physiology and structural traits did not vary across topographic positions, though …

Introduction To The Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Affecting Row Crops In South Carolina, Jonathan K. Croft, G. Kyle Smith, Jay Crouch, William J. Hardy Iii, Shelby Hammond, John D. Mueller

Introductory Materials

Knowledge of the biology, host range, overwintering habits, damage thresholds, and life cycles of problem nematode species is necessary to optimize the design of effective management schemes. The following is a summary of the relevant facts for the important plant-parasitic nematode species affecting South Carolina row crops.

Testing The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis On Anthropogenic Pressure In Central Alabama, Gavin Terrell

Theses

Biodiversity is fundamental to maintaining ecosystem structure and function globally. Prior to the late 20th century, ecological theory generally predicted that biodiversity would be highest in systems experiencing minimal disturbance. However, Joseph H. Connell challenged this view with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH), which posits that species diversity peaks at intermediate levels of disturbance and declines under conditions of both low and high disturbance. Although widely cited, the applicability of the IDH to natural systems remains debated, particularly in the context of anthropogenic disturbances and when diversity is measured beyond species richness alone.

This study evaluated the predictions of the …

Life Line Spring 2026, Jonathan Atwood

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

In This Issue:

Greetings and Farewell: Part Deux; Signs for Trees; Passing of Dr. Mary Gahbauer: a Beloved Friend and Colleague; Dr. Lisa Marr Retires; The Department Welcomes Dr. Ann Feke; Dr. Kevin Svitana Retires; Ms. Donna Rhodeback Retires; Tucker Adds Swan Specimen to Otterbein's Collection; An UnbeLEAFable Year for the Otterbein Chapter of Botanical Society of America; Field Geology Course Visits Death Valley and Beyond; Agar Art: An Unexpected Canvas; Dr. Kevin Svitana Wins the Anderson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Groundwater Research; Introducing Opi: A New Face for Zoo and Conservation Ambassador Work; Michael Hoggarth, Professor Emeritus, Wins …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food, And Environmental Sciences

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

[Page] 2 National heritage, statewide research, local impact
[Page] 7 About the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Stations
[Page] 14 Managing the mooo-ment: How SDSU researchers are looking to improve cow health during the Transition Period
[Page] 18 Discovering strength in science: How education through undergraduate research prepares students for the future
[Page] 20 From India to Brookings: One grad student’s path to make a world of difference in virology
[Page] 22 Solving a billion-dollar problem: Identifying disease-resistent wheat genes
[Page] 24 Unlocking manure’s potential: SDSU leads multistate study on the power of swine manure in growing better crops
[Page] 28 …

Production Of Black And Navy Beans In Virginia, Harbans L. Bhardwaj, Satya S. S. Narina Ph.D.

Virginia Journal of Science

An urgent need exists in Virginia and adjoining states to identify crops to replace declining tobacco acreage. Although not traditionally grown in the region, dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have considerable potential as alternative summer crops due to their nutritional benefits and increasing consumer demand. Information on the production potential of these crops in Virginia, however, is not yet available. To remedy this situation, replicated field trials were conducted over three years with six black and four navy bean varieties to characterize grain yields following three row spacings and three planting times. Black beans significantly out-yielded navy beans (2095 …

Alabama Prairie Reconstruction: Comparing Management Pathways For A Southeastern Landscape, Cecelia R. Geyer

Theses

Southeastern prairies are highly biodiverse yet increasingly threatened by land-use change, fire suppression, and habitat fragmentation. These disturbance-dependent systems rely on periodic fire and grazing to maintain plant diversity and ecosystem function. This study evaluates prairie restoration strategies by testing predictions from the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis and the Patch Mosaic Burn Hypothesis. The study site was divided into three treatments: prescribed burned only (B), prescribed burned with mowing (BM) to simulate grazing, and an undisturbed control (C). A standardized mix of native plant seeds was broadcast across all treatments. Ecosystem health and function were evaluated using plant community diversity and …

Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio De Jesus Martinez De La Rosa, Emily Lancaster

Research Papers

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …

Sustainable Mitigation Of Microplastic Pollutants Using Native Plant Species, Antonio Martinez

Posters - 2026

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics [Ziani et al. 2023], that hold a regular or irregular shape, ranging from 1μm to 5 mm [Campanale et al. 2025]. This diminutive size makes them virtually impossible to remove once released into the environment[Lee et al. 2023]. Furthermore, biological, chemical, and physical processes break MP's further down in the environment, causing them to exist in nano-level sizes (1nm-1μm) [Lee et al. 2023], further exacerbating their threat to critical habitats. However, recent studies have shown MP contamination expands beyond the natural environment as recent studies …

Agronomic Practices For Climate-Resilient Okra Production In Agroecological Systems: A Review, Samuel Mathu Ndungu, Lokeshwar Kesamreddy, Mathieu A.T. Ayenan, Stephen Othim, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Yu Hsiang Liu, Amha Besufkad, Wubetu Bihon Legesse, Eric C. Legba, Judith Honfoga, Lukas Pawera

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Okra is increasingly recognized as a climate-resilient crop within diversified agroecological systems; however, an integrated synthesis of its biophysical, agronomic, and socioeconomic dimensions is lacking. This review consolidates the current knowledge on okra physiology, production ecology, and value chains, with a focus on climate resilience under heat, drought, salinity, pest, and disease pressures. Evidence across regions demonstrates that agroecological practices such as crop diversification, mulching, conservation tillage, integrated pest management, and the use of organic and biological inputs consistently improve soil health, stabilize yields under climatic stress, and reduce dependence on external inputs, although with trade-offs in labor demand and …

Comparative Antiscabies Efficacy Of Sonneratia Alba Extracts: Evaluation Of Plant Parts And Concentrations In Mice, Delima Engga Maretha, Lara Mukti Taresha, Karina Yuliana, Iis Ariska, Silvia Diah Lestari

Makara Journal of Science

This study evaluated the antiscabies efficacy of 70% ethanol extracts from various parts of the mangrove Sonneratia alba (leaves, flowers, bark, and roots) as a potential alternative therapy. The primary objective was to compare the healing effects of the extracts at different concentrations on scabies lesions in mice (Mus musculus). Using a completely randomized design, 24 male Swiss Webster mice were assigned to four groups: a control (K0) group and three treatment groups to receive 10% (K1), 20% (K2), and 30% (K3) extract concentrations topically twice daily. The results demonstrated that the S. alba extracts had significant effects …

Liparis Condylobulbon Reichb. F. From Gumitir, Indonesia: Morphology, Molecular, And Phytochemical Profile, Fuad Bahrul Ulum, Asyifa Yasmin Arum, Kurnia Sa’Adah, Dwi Setyati, Edia Fitria Dwinianti, Ranjithkumar Rajamani, Ari Satia Nugraha, Mukhamad Su’Udi

Makara Journal of Science

Liparis condylobulbon Rchb.f. is an epiphytic orchid across South and Southeast Asia, which holds notable ethnomedicinal and pharmacological significance. This study aims to characterize Indonesian Liparis condylobulbon using integrated morphological, molecular (matK, rbcL, ITS2), and phytochemical (LC-MS, DPPH) analyses of specimens from Mount Gumitir, providing the first comprehensive taxonomic and pharmacological profile to support species authentication and future bioprospecting. The L. condylobulbon specimen displays diagnostic epiphytic morpho-logy, including fusiform pseudobulbs, two elongate leaves, and an erect inflorescence bearing ~123 flowers. Molecular barcoding using matK, rbcL, and ITS2 confirmed its identity, with phylogenetic analyses consistently clustering it with …

Genome Wide Association Study (Gwas) On Different Economic Traits And Epigenetic Stability Of Sweetpotato In Louisiana, Ajay Dhungana

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is a globally important food, feed, and industrial crop, yet its improvement is constrained by a complex hexaploid genome, clonal propagation, and susceptibility to multiple diseases. In Louisiana, production is threatened primarily by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas (Fusarium wilt) and Ceratocystis fimbriata (Black rot). Furthermore, the in vitro propagation methods essential for disease-free planting material and germplasm conservation can introduce epigenetic instability that undermines clonal fidelity. This dissertation integrates genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genotype by environment interaction (GEI) and DNA methylation profiling to dissect resistance mechanisms and assess epigenetic stability in Louisiana sweetpotato …

Determination Of High-Temperature Stress Tolerance In Strawberry Varieties Based On Physiological And Biochemical Mechanisms, Izhar Ullah, Hüsnü Demi̇rsoy, Musa Kavas, Kubi̇lay Yildirim, Leyla Demi̇rsoy

Turkish Journal of Botany

Rising global temperatures due to climate change threaten optimal strawberry growth and sustainable yields. Limited data exist on the physiological and biochemical responses of strawberry cultivars to high-temperature stress and their tolerance mechanisms. T his study evaluated the responses of 21 day-neutral and short-day strawberry cultivars to high-temperature stress and classified their tolerance levels using a novel weighted rating method. Plants were grown in 15-cm plastic pots (3:1:1 garden soil, peat, perlite) under open-field conditions until the 3–4 leaf stage and then transferred to climate chambers. After acclimatization at 25/15 °C (day/night) for 2 weeks, the plants were subjected to …

Functional Trait Structure In A Plant Community In Central Anatolian Steppe, Cansu Ülgen, Zeynep Ladi̇n Coşgun, Bariş Özüdoğru, Çağatay Tavşanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Botany

Exploring the trait structure of grassland plant communities enhances our understanding of how these communities will respond to climate change and disturbances such as herbivory. The trait structure of a plant community was investigated in the Central Anatolian steppe, an ecoregion with high biodiversity that has been largely unexplored in terms of plant functional ecology. Fifty plant species in the community were measured across 9 plant traits, including several leaf traits (leaf area, leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, and leaf nitrogen content), two seed traits (seed mass and seed shape), as well as the plant height …

Ethnobotanical Study Of Medicinal Plants Used By The Local Population In And Around Kozak Plateau (Bergama, İzmir, Türkiye), Şükrü Arasan, Hasan Yildirim

Turkish Journal of Botany

This research was conducted between 2020 and 2022 in 21 villages located on the Kozak Plateau and its surroundings, in the Bergama district of İzmir province, Türkiye. The main aim of the study is to document the medicinal uses of plants by the local population and to contribute to the preservation and transmission of ethnobotanical knowledge—passed down through generations— to future generations before it disappears. Interviews were conducted with 159 informants, and the traditional medicinal uses of 126 plant taxa belonging to 54 families were identified. Among these, the therapeutic uses of 37 taxa were recorded for the first time. …

Novelties In The Genus Aethionema (Brassicaceae) In Türkiye: Resurrections, New Combinations And Status, And New Synonyms, Kuddi̇si̇ Ertuğrul, Tuna Uysal, Hakki Demi̇relma, Emrah Şi̇ri̇n, Meryem Bozkurt, Burcu Yilmaz Çitak

Turkish Journal of Botany

The genus Aethionema in Türkiye was investigated through a comprehensive taxonomic study including morphological, seed micromorphological, and molecular methods. This study led to the synonymization of 11 taxa: A. annuum, A. dincii subsp. baytopiae, A. alidaghenicum, A. bingoelicum, A. dumelicum, A. ertughrulii, A. fruticulosum, A. gypsicola, A. huber-morathii, A. maraschicum, and A. turanicum. Conversely, seven species were resurrected: A. levandowskyi, A. sintenisii, A. acarii, A. pallidiflorum, A. pseudoarmenum, A. pulchellum, and A. recurvum. Four new combinations and status changes (comb. et stat. nov.) were proposed. Reevaluation of synonymous species resulted in the reclassification of A. cardiophyllum and A. lacerum as …

Global Transcriptomic Insights Into Nla-Dependent Boron Toxicity Responses In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Doğa Seli̇n Kayihan

Turkish Journal of Botany

Boron (B) toxicity disrupts multiple metabolic and signaling processes in plants, yet its interaction with post-translational regulators remains poorly understood. The E3 ubiquitin ligase NITROGEN LIMITATION ADAPTATION (NLA) is known to control nutrient transporter turnover, but its role in B toxicity responses has not been previously characterized. Here, we present the first genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of nla mutant Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to mild (1 mM) and moderate (2 mM) B toxicity. Loss of NLA caused a profound reprogramming of gene expression, marked by constitutive activation of ribosome- and translation-related pathways and strong repression of MAPK signaling, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and …

Transcriptome Profiling Of Silique Lncrnas Reveals Novel Insights Into Silique Length In Radish (Raphanus Sativus L.), Xiaomin Yu, Yuxin Zhu, Zhoubo Guan, Shisheng Li

Turkish Journal of Botany

Radish is a widely cultivated vegetable with known medicinal value and produces siliques that differ significantly in number and size. The present study compares normal Duanye-13 radish (CK-type) siliques with mutant radish siliques induced by chemical mutagenesis at the young (YS), short (SS), and long (LS) silique stages. Differences in long noncoding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) expression were investigated using high-throughput RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses, revealing 45 324 new lncRNAs in radish siliques. lncRNA expression was higher in YS and LS mutant lines than in CK-type lines, and expression in SS mutants tended to be lower than in CK-type lines. …

The Do-It-Yourself Guide To Backyard Drip Irrigation, Jaydee Gunnell, Taun Beddes, Burdette Barker

All Current Publications

This guide promotes efficient backyard drip irrigation as a vital strategy for water conservation in Utah, the third-driest state in the U.S. It explains evapotranspiration (ET), drip system components, and provides formulas to calculate a plant’s water needs. The guide provides practical advice on converting traditional irrigation systems to drip systems, particularly in flower beds and around shrubs and trees. By implementing drip irrigation, homeowners can contribute to water conservation while enhancing the health of their landscapes.

Artificial Intelligence In Mycology: A Systematic Review Of Species Identification, Biotechnological Assessment, And Explainable Deep Learning Methods, Fati̇h Eki̇nci̇, Mehmet Serdar Güzel, Ilgaz Akata

Turkish Journal of Botany

This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mycological research. It highlights how AI supports the identification of fungal taxa at both microscopic and macroscopic levels, facilitates the detection of toxic species, contributes to ecological mapping, aids in discovering new fungal bioproducts, and enhances precision agriculture practices. Advanced techniques such as convolutional neural networks, you only look once, U-shaped network (UNet), and residual network have demonstrated strong performance in classification, segmentation, and object detection tasks. Additionally, explainable AI (XAI) methods like gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM), local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME), and SHapley …

Effects Of Phosphorus Addition On Fungal Colonization In Little Bluestem, Isabel M. Zanartu, Alexx Nicholas, Mckenzie Goodwyn, Connor Morozumi

The Cardinal Edge

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a North American perennial grass that is able to tolerate high heat and droughts. This is possible by its extensive underground root network that taps deep into the ground for resources. Within the same soil systems are fungal endophytes, which are symbionts that live within plant tissues including roots. Fungal endophytes can affect host growth and nutrient acquisition, but the functional role these endophytes play in plant health may be dependent on the abiotic conditions the plant is facing. In the modern era, one large driver of abiotic conditions is synthetic fertilizer use which alters …

Impact Of Legacy Amf Communities On Vegetative Growth & Yield Of Soybean, Dylan Habeeb, Connor Morozumi, Natalie Christian

The Cardinal Edge

Soil microbial communities are increasingly recognized as an important factor in sustainable agriculture. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), are key players in these communities, known to benefit their plant host in a number of ways, such as increased nutrient uptake. Plants can partner with multiple AMF species; however, little is known about how interactions between multispecies communities of AMF impact plant growth and yield. In an agricultural setting, the long-term development of these communities following practices such as rotational planting or cover cropping is also an important consideration, but there is little research on the long-term legacy of AMF communities or …

Effects Of Salinity On Interactions Between Epichloë Amarillans And Fusarium Spp. In American Beachgrass, Emma G. Mills, Dylan Habeeb, Natalie Christian, Connor Morozumi

The Cardinal Edge

Effects of Salinity on interactions between Epichloë amarillans and Fusarium spp. In American Beachgrass

Emma Mills, Dylan Habeeb, Natalie Christian, Connor Morozumi

Epichloë is a well-known genus of vertically transmitted fungal endophytes in many species of grasses. In Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass), Epichloë amarillans is a key endophyte species known to cause chemical and morphological changes to its host and provide protection from stressors. Additionally, Epichloë is thought to influence fungal endophyte community composition within its host. However, deepening research on the interaction of Epichloë with coexisting fungal endophytes may shed further light on its role in community composition. Additionally, …

Leaf Droppage Delayed In Sugar Maple Trees On An Urban To Rural Gradient, Isabella S. Bastien, Isabella Bastien

The Cardinal Edge

This study investigates the timing of leaf abscission in Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) trees along an urban-to-rural gradient in Louisville, Kentucky, to determine how proximity to urban environments influences leaf drop. We hypothesized that urban trees would retain their leaves longer than suburban or rural trees due to environmental stressors and tested this using weekly leaf collection and canopy cover measurements from three locations—urban, suburban, and rural. Results showed that urban trees exhibited delayed leaf drop and slower canopy opening compared to suburban and rural trees. These findings suggest that urban stressors significantly alter tree phenology, which may signal underlying …

Asimina Triloba (L.) Dunal: The Complete Story Of America’S Forgotten Fruit, Autumn M. Howard

The Cardinal Edge

Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw, is a unique and historically significant native fruit tree of the eastern United States. This research paper explores the taxonomy, botanical description, distribution, habitat requirements, ecological interactions, economic importance, and reproductive biology of A. triloba. The species is distinguished by its tropical-flavored fruits, adaptation to temperate climates, and reliance on clonal reproduction and specific insect pollinators. While offering promising opportunities for sustainable agriculture and riparian restoration, A. triloba faces challenges related to limited seed dispersal, susceptibility to certain pests and diseases, and the presence of neurotoxic compounds. Despite its historical importance …

Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (Acanthococcus Lagerstroemiae) And Sooty Mold (Capnodium Sp.) Decrease Bloom And Fruit Number In ‘Natchez’ Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Xfauriei ‘Natchez’), Derald A. Harp, Beatriz Ruiz, Kara Bailey, Pedro Castillo, Phoebe Alvarez

Faculty Publications

Crepe myrtle bark scale (CMBS) (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) is an important pest of crepe myrtle in Texas, and infestations are accompanied by excessive growth of sooty mold (SM) that will cover stems, and, in severe cases, leaves. These combine to create significant stress on the plant, and anecdotal evidence suggests a decrease in bloom number under heavy infestation. In an existing planting of 24 ‘Natchez’ crepe myrtle in four blocks, three trees were randomly chosen in each block and treated with either a dinotefuran (year 1) or imidicloprid (year 2) drench. The three remaining trees were untreated. In February of year …

Black Medic (Medicago Lupulina) Identification And Control In Residential Landscapes, Michael Caron, Taun Beddes, Corey Ransom

All Current Publications

Black medic (Medicago lupulina) is an herbaceous winter or summer annual broadleaf landscape weed. This fact sheet provides a weed description and describes suppression and control options.

The Comparison Of Fresh And Dry Duckweed (Lemna Minor L.) On Metal (Cr6+, Cd2+, And Zn2+) Removal From Wastewater, Rahin Islam, Noah Smith, Ben Jang, Lin Guo

Student Publications

Heavy metals contaminating the environment is a global concern. Duckweed (Lemna minor) is a promising plant for the phytoremediation and biosorption of metal-contaminated water. Although studies have shown that duckweed can remove multiple metals, there is limited research comparing the efficiency of fresh and dried biomass for wastewater treatment. To evaluate the performance of both forms, fresh and dried duckweed were exposed to metal solutions containing varying concentrations of Cr6+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ (5 mg/LCr6+ +1mg/LCd2+ 10mg/LZn2+;10mg/LCr6+ +5mg/LCd2+ +50mg/LZn2+; or 50 mg/LCr6+ +25mg/LCd2+ +250mg/LZn2+)for a duration of 168 h. Metal uptake in fresh duckweed followed zero-order kinetics for Cr6+, Cd2+, …

Habitat And Conditions Of Poisoning Of Toxic Plants In North America, Michael H. Ralphs

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

This paper presents a list of important poisonous plants in North America that are toxic to both livestock and humans. The aim of this paper is to present information to help reduce the risk of poisoning. The paper emphasizes the particular plant communities in which these plants grow. Some of these plants are endemic, growing on specific soils or specific ecological sites. Others are distributed more broadly throughout a vegetation type. A few of the plants are widespread, ranging over several broad ecosystems. In diagnosing poisoning, it is important to know what plants are expected to grow in the communities …