Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Cyclic Heat Stress On The Acute Inflammatory Response In Broilers, Alessandro J. Rocchi, Chrysta N. Beck, Jossie M. Santamaria, Gisela F. Erf

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

Heat stress (HS) is a growing concern in broiler production. Little is known regarding the effect of HS on immune function. To examine the effects of HS on innate immunity, the local- and systemic-inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined in Cobb 500 male broiler chicks reared under thermoneutral (TN) or cyclic HS conditions. Beginning at four days of age, HS birds were subjected to 35 °C from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and TN temperatures from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. At 37 days of age, four groups of broilers were formed: LPS-TN (8 broilers), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-TN (4 …

A New Annual Satureja (Lamiaceae) Species From Turkey With Molecular Evidence, And Lectotypification Of Two Species, Hayri̇ Duman, Tuncay Di̇rmenci̇, Taner Özcan

Turkish Journal of Botany

A new species, Satureja hasturkii, is described using morphological characters and molecular studies in this study. The new species is closely related to S. hortensis but differs from it by very lax thyrsoid inflorescence, longer pedicels, shorter calyx, upper and lower calyx teeth, and corolla. In order to support the morphological data, molecular studies are also done using nrITS and cptrnL-F gene regions. nrITS data gives better results in phylogenetic analysis. It is pointed out that the closest relatives of S. hasturkii are S. hortensis and S. laxiflora. The fact that having annual life forms of …

Drought Stress Effects On Morphophysiological And Quality Characteristics Of Commercial Carrot Cultivars, Muhammad Daniyal Junaid, Zahi̇de Nesli̇han Öztürk, Ali̇ Fuat Gökçe

Turkish Journal of Botany

The effects of drought stress on plant growth and development are getting more pronounced due to increasing influence of climate change on environmental stresses. Current study was devised to explore the drought effects on eight commercial carrot cultivars, having different root colors as a base for further studies to understand the response of carrot. Drought stress for 10 days was applied to carrot plants at taproot formation stage in semicontrolled greenhouse. The results revealed that orange and yellow colored carrot cultivars exhibited the least decline in physiological functioning (relative water contents and dry matter) that assisted in maintaining higher yield …

Patterns, Mechanisms, And Characterization Of Carbon Cycling Stability Following Partial Forest Disturbance, Kayla C. Mathes

Theses and Dissertations

Among the most essential questions in the era of climate change is how the forest carbon (C) cycle will respond to an increase in the extent of biotic disturbances from insects and pathogens. While research has focused on stand-replacing disturbance regimes, less is known about C cycling stability following partial disturbances that produce gradients of disturbance severity. Belowground C cycling responses to disturbance are especially poorly understood, even though temperate forest soils contain up to 50% of total ecosystem C and soil respiration (R_s) accounts for more than half of temperate forest C loss. Interpreting trends and mechanisms …

The Influence Of Cover Crops On Grassland Restoration, Josh C. Poland

Masters Theses

Grassland ecosystems comprise almost a fourth of all Earth’s land mass; however, due to ever-increasing rates of agricultural land conversion, these habitats are facing a large-scale biodiversity crisis. The degradation of grasslands extends beyond physical impacts, such as soil erosion, to include the loss of soil microbial communities as a serious risk to the health and productivity of these habitats. Cover cropping, commonly used in agriculture to revive agricultural soils, has rarely been applied to grassland restorations, and could combat or reverse the harmful effects of modern agriculture techniques. For the first chapter of my thesis, I used a greenhouse …

Dpird Grains Research And Development (R&D) Stakeholder Update 2023, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grain and other field crops published reports

The Grains R&D (Research and Development) Stakeholder Update was developed to showcase the industry-leading work delivered by the Grains Research and Industry Development team at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia (WA).

Grains R&D is critical to the ongoing productivity and international competitiveness of our industry and the economic prosperity of WA. This newsletter highlights some of the vital research helping farmers grow the industry.

Addressing Soil Carbon Sequestration Response From Multispecies Dairy Forage Systems And Modeling Rangeland Beef Cow Dry Matter Intake Using Precision Enteric Emissions Measurements, Lillian J. Mcfadden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Regenerative agriculture is a pressing matter for the dairy industry to address cropland sustainability and carbon sequestration. One regenerative management practice that has been identified to help with row crop sustainability for key metrics like soil organic carbon (SOC) is complex covers. When producers use complex covers one of the main challenges is that it takes time to detect a change in SOC. However, simulation models are a tool that can be used to help determine if a regenerative practice is a strategy that gives the best results (i.e., increased SOC) while aligning with long-term production goals. Therefore, our objectives …

Assessing How Long-Term Conservation Agricultural Practices Impact Soil Properties And Soil, Water, And Nutrient Dynamics Through Soil Profile, Ajoy Kumar Saha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Expanding The Use Of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography For Varietal Identification Or Verification Of Selected Cereal Crops, Johnna Jorgensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a form of analytical chemistry where adsorption is a key factor in which the purpose is to separate, identify and quantify each component in a mixture. It is the optimal separation technique of chemical and biological compounds that are non-volatile including proteins and natural products (i.e., plant extracts). As each sample component interacts differently with the absorbent material within the column, the flow rates change leading to the separation of peaks, which are plotted via computer software. Most commonly HPLC analysis has been used for chemical manufacturing and pharmaceutical purposes. When using HPLC for crop …

Genomics-Assisted Approaches To Improve Grain Yield And End-Use Quality In Hard Winter Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), Harsimardeep Singh Gill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Global wheat production needs to be increased by 60% to meet the future demand of feeding nine billion people by 2050. Simultaneously, it is important to improve the enduse quality to meet the requirements of producers, grain markets, processors, and consumers. Thus, the development of more productive wheat varieties with better enduse quality remains the primary focus for all wheat breeding programs. However, direct phenotypic selection for improving grain yield and end-use quality is difficult as it is highly influenced by environmental factors. This dissertation focuses on harnessing advancements in genomics applications, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), for the genetic …

Enhancing Nitrogen Use Efficiency Through Ai-Powered Image Analysis And Innovative N-Rich Spot Method, Bobby Azad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study conducted in 2023 aimed to enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in wheat and corn grown in South Dakota. Based on dynamic weather conditions and other factor interactions, conventional nitrogen (N) recommendations need to be improved. Soil properties information, including electrical conductivity, was used to create management zones. In each zone, three N-rich spots were established as biosensors. Drones and satellites collected imagery data, and an AI-driven approach assessed the crop response to applied N. A dynamic N application approach, integrating aerial data with historical records, was developed and evaluated. Our methodology, at a 95% confidence level, resulted in …

The Collaboration Between Art And Botany, Hee So, Sierra Beecher

UROP Posters

Using past research from my work study with Dr. Beecher where a team of students focused on quantitative and diagnostic anatomies of salt marsh and beach grasses on the Atlantic coasts, I used the research collected and created vector-based diagrams that were easily readable for Biology students at VCU. These illustrations were used in a manuscript we have been preparing, which has been accepted by the “Castanea” scientific journal. During the research fellowship, I was able to design a poster that portrayed the benefits of collaboration between art and botany, and Dr. Beecher presented the poster at the ASPB conference …

Attack Of The Clones: Elucidating The Role Of Clonality In The Invasion Success Of Carpobrotus Edulis, Eduardo Luis Cruz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Transcriptomics is a modern technique in genomics that utilizes RNA sequences to get a snapshot of genetic expression. This is a powerful tool in non-model species lacking a reference genome. Thus, the application of comparative transcriptomics has the potential to help us elucidate the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate species invasion. Carpobrotus edulis is a prolific and widespread invasive succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family. A native to South Africa, this species has become a dominant invader of many Mediterranean coastal areas. In this study, we leveraged the use of RNAseq to investigate evolutionary changes among invasive populations. RNA-seq data …

Are Epicuticular Waxes A Surface Defense Comparable To Trichomes? A Test Using Two Solanum Species And A Specialist Herbivore., Sakshi Watts, Rupesh R. Kariyat

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Although plants possess a suite of structural defenses, most studies have focused on trichomes. Trichomes can have both pre- and post-ingestive effects and have been consistently found to reduce herbivory. Along with trichomes, a few studies have focused on epicuticular waxes as an important defense; however, manipulated comparisons examining herbivore growth and development is limited. In this study, using two Solanum species (Solanum glaucescens and Solanum macrocarpon) that vary in both defenses, we tested the hypothesis that variation in defenses will affect herbivore feeding, primarily by restricting feeding commencement. We used electron microscopy together with a series of plant- and …

Comparative Genomics Of The Putatively Asexual Powder Lichens Lepraria And Other Lecanoromycete Lichens, Bubba Pfeffer

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Changes And Relationships Of Soil Aluminum, Organic Matter, And Hydrogen Ion Concentration With Rye Cover Crop, Arron Wilder

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Soil acidity is a common agricultural problem worldwide, as approximately 50% of all potentially arable soils are affected by pH limitations. At soil pH 3+) is considered to be the chemical form of aluminum in acid soil that hinders plant growth the most. Potentially, soil organic matter (SOM) can ameliorate the toxic effects of Al³⁺ on plants and microbes by binding with Al³⁺, thus preventing Al³⁺ (and other species of aluminum) from interacting in the rhizosphere. Increasing SOM also increases soil health indicators (i.e., microbial activity, soil water holding capacity, aggregate stability, porosity, etc.) while the …

Plant Sentience? Between Romanticism And Denial: Science, Miguel Segundo-Ortin, Paco Calvo

Animal Sentience

A growing number of non-human animal species are being seriously considered as candidates for sentience, but plants are either forgotten or explicitly excluded from these debates. In our view, this is based on the belief that plant behavior is hardwired and inflexible and on an underestimation of the role of plant electrophysiology. We weigh such assumptions against the evidence to suggest that it is time to take seriously the hypothesis that plants, too, might be sentient. We hope this target article will serve as an invitation to investigate sentience in plants with the same rigor as in non-human animals.

Revisiting Plant Defense-Fitness Trade-Off Hypotheses Using Solanum As A Model Genus, Sakshi Watts, Satinderpal Kaur, Rupesh Kariyat

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plants possess physical and chemical defenses which have been found to deter herbivores that feed and oviposit on them. Despite having wide variety of defenses which can be constitutive or induced, plants are attacked and damaged by insects associated with different mouthparts and feeding habits. Since these defenses are costly, trade-offs for growth and defense traits play an important role in warding off the herbivores, with consequences for plant and herbivore growth, development and fitness. Solanum is a diverse and rich genus comprising of over 1,500 species with economic and ecological importance. Although a large number of studies on Solanum …

Investigating Dormancy And Germination Characteristics To Promote Restoration Success In The Northern Great Plains, Gregory A. Cooper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Failures in seed-based restoration can be partially attributed to a lack of knowledge on seed dormancy. Dormancy is beneficial for plant establishment in unpredictable environmental conditions, but a lack of uniform germination can hinder restoration efforts. The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of dormancy displayed by select forbs of the northern Great Plains. The first data chapter attempted to identify and break dormancy class. Seeds were treated with scarification, smoke, and fertilizer pretreatments in an attempt to break seed dormancy. Seeds were also placed in spring and summer temperatures to identify how seasonal phenology influenced …

Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Assessment In Barley, Tasneem Fathima

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fusarium head blight (FHB), commonly called scab is the most devastating disease of wheat and barley caused by the ascomycete fungus, Fusarium graminearum. FHB affects both the quality and quantity of cereal grains affecting the supply chain of the food and feed industry and the marketability of the produce. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is among the several crop species most vulnerable to FHB infection. An estimated 25% of Spring barley grain production in the United States is used to make malted beverages such as beer. Malting barley is a relatively high-value crop with high demands regarding grain quality. FHB directly …

The Effects Of Residue Amounts And Variety Selection On The Development Of Wheat Fungal Pathogens In South Dakota, Abrielle Tembreull

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Roughly 50% of South Dakota cropland is under the practice of no-till, with large increases in acres of no-till in the last 20 or so years. No-till is beneficial for Great Plains states, such as South Dakota, as soil residues are withheld. Residues are shown to increase soil health through retention of moisture and increase of microorganisms, but residues can serve as a source of inoculum for fungal pathogens that can overwinter on them. As wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world, it is important to protect this vital crop from diseases. Diseases of wheat …

Soil Profile Properties And Greenhouse Gas Emissions As Influenced By Long-Term Cattle Manure And Inorganic Fertilizer Applications Under Corn-Soybean-Spring Wheat Rotation In Eastern South Dakota, Anuoluwa Ojonoka Sangotayo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The application of manure and inorganic fertilizer in row crops may significantly influence soil and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Understanding the long-term influence of these management practices on soil pore characteristics, hydro-physical properties and greenhouse gas emission is essential in developing proper conservation practices. However, there is limited information on the impact of cattle manure and inorganic fertilizer application on soil hydro-physical properties, soil pore characteristics at lower depths and surface GHGs emissions. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to; (i) utilize X-ray computed tomography (XCT) technique to quantify the impact of manure and fertilizer amendments under a corn …

Biological Control Of Bacterial Leaf Streak Of Wheat Using Antagonistic Rhizobacteria, Ashley Frederickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the world’s most valuable crops, and the primary food grain produced in the United States. A major disease in wheat production is Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS) caused by the gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa (Xtu). Very few management strategies are available to growers to manage this disease, as common chemicals do not provide adequate control. A number of studies have been conducted on biological control using Rhizospheric bacteria for the control of various plant diseases, but limited data is available on the efficacy of biological control using Rhizospheric bacteria for controlling Bacterial …

Unveiling Race Diversity And Fungicide Sensitivity Profiles Of Pyrenophora Tritici Repentis Populations In South Dakota Collected From 2021-2023, Jaswinder Kaur

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tan spot, a foliar disease of wheat caused by the ascomycetes fungus Pyrenophora tritici repentis (Ptr), poses a significant threat to wheat crops globally. The disease gained economic importance in the late 1970s due to shifts in farming practices, such as minimal tillage and planting on crop residues, providing favorable conditions for the pathogen to overwinter and cause infections. Ptr is classified into eight races based on the production of necrotrophic effectors—Ptr ToxA (necrosis-inducing), Ptr ToxB, and Ptr ToxC (chlorosis-inducing on respective susceptible and sensitive cultivars)—resulting in distinct symptoms on susceptible wheat differentials. The inverse gene-for-gene hypothesis of Ptr suggests …

Recent Insights On The Conformational Changes, Functionality, And Physiological Properties Of Plant-Based Protein–Polyphenol Conjugates, Mehnaza Manzoor, Zaria Fozonne Ngabou Tchameni, Zuhaib F. Bhat, Amit K. Jaiswal, Sundeep Jaglan

Articles

Plant proteins are promising sources of nutrition with enhanced health benefits due to their interaction with bioactive compounds like polyphenols. These interactions can form protein–polyphenol complexes with diverse properties and applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. To exploit the potential of these conjugates, it is essential to understand how they are formed, characterized, and delivered. Various techniques such as spectroscopy, thermodynamics, and molecular docking simulations can reveal the mechanism and outcomes of protein–polyphenol binding. Moreover, the surface modification of protein–polyphenol conjugation can enhance the pharmacological effects of different drug molecules and enable their targeted delivery to specific tissues …

Investigation Of Fungal Pathogens And Woodboring Beetles Of Sugarbush Stands In The Central Appalachian Region, Molly A. Sherlock

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The production of maple syrup is a valuable source of income and cultural identity for many rural communities throughout the central Appalachian region. Regardless, maple syrup producers face difficulties maintaining the health and productivity
of their stands due to various impacts of climate change, which have given rise to extreme weather events that exacerbate damage caused by pests and diseases. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the maple syrup industry, it is crucial to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the current biotic threats within the region, particularly woodboring insects and fungal pathogens. However, insufficient information exists regarding the community assemblages …

Forage Grass Growth Habit And Allelopathy In Birdsfoot Trefoil Germination And Establishment, Nathan El Blake

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) (BFT) is a high quality, tanniniferous forage legume that has been shown to mitigate gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection in sheep. Reliable establishment of birdsfoot trefoil in existing pastures is difficult due to BFT’s poor seedling vigor, susceptibility to crown and root rot, and, perhaps chiefly, competition from other pasture plants. Most existing pastures in the Northeastern United States are primarily composed of cool-season grasses, many of which can be highly competitive. A common form of interplant competition is allelopathy, which occurs when secondary metabolites produced by a plant inhibit a necessary growth process of …

The Vulnerability And Resilience Of Seagrass Ecosystems To Marine Heatwaves In New Zealand: A Remote Sensing Analysis Of Seascape Metrics Using Planetscope Imagery, Ken Joseph E. Clemente, Mads S. Thomsen, Richard C. Zimmerman

OES Faculty Publications

Seagrasses are foundation species that provide ecosystem functions and services, including increased biodiversity, sediment retention, carbon sequestration, and fish nursery habitat. However, anthropogenic stressors that reduce water quality, impose large-scale climate changes, and amplify weather patterns, such as marine heatwaves, are altering seagrass meadow configurations. Quantifying large-scale trends in seagrass distributions will help evaluate the impacts of climate drivers on their functions and services. Here, we quantified spatiotemporal dynamics in abundances and configurations of intertidal and shallow subtidal seagrass (Zostera muelleri) meadows in 20 New Zealand (NZ) estuaries that span a 5-year period (mid/late 2016–early 2022) just before, …

Developing Best Practices For The Propagation Of Spartina Alterniflora For Use In Salt Marsh Restortaion, Justin Hinson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Coastal salt marshes are valuable ecosystems under threat from climate change and sea level rise. Living shorelines offer a promising solution, often incorporating the foundational salt marsh species Spartina alterniflora due to its ability to tolerate natural stressors and maintain sediment stability. However, research suggests that seed-based propagation protocols should be developed on a local scale due to the genetic heterogeneity within and between S. alterniflora populations. Here, we attempt to contribute to the development of one such protocol for coastal Georgia S. alterniflora.

In Fall 2021, seeds were collected bi-monthly from four marshes of varying ocean proximity and …

Middle Savannah River: An A/R/Tographic Ecopedagogical Ethnography Experimenting With Rhizomatic Perspectives, Lisa Augustine-Chizmar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research is an experiment in perspective. Using the four commonplaces (Schwab, 1978), I practiced letting the Savannah River teach me what there is to know about the water, the land, the people, and the other entities that depend on ki through artistic, ethnographic, and ecopedagogical lenses. The ethnographic findings describe the social actors that depend on ki and give a voice to the River. The a/r/tographic findings display the River on a canvas map through two hundred years using paint, clay, photography, video, abstract acrylics, and fabric. Together, these methods contribute to a unique ecopedagogical journey. This word cloud …