Digital Commons Network^™

Crop Watch No. 2001-26, Nov. 19, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Ag Technology..........224

Remedial Bt Response..........225

Soil Moisture Update..........226

Returning to the Farm..........226

Corn / Soybean Workshops..........227

Crop Protection Clinics..........227

Integrated Crop Management..........228

Agronomy Highlights..........229

Annual Index..........230

Soybean Expo..........232

Ec01-797 Filtration And Maintenance: Considerations For Subsurface Drip Irrigation (Sdi), Brian Benham, Jose O. Payero

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

When using Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) systems, it is important to prevent clogging problems before they occur. The best prevention plan includes an effective filtration and water treatment strategy. Depending on the water source and its quality, various combinations of sand separation, filtration and chemical treatments may be required and are discussed here in this extension circular.

Ec01-157 Precision Agriculture: Untangling The Gps Data String, Viacheslav I. Adamchuk

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Most people associate precision farming or site-specific management with the global positioning system (GPS). It is used to locate the antenna of aGPS receiver on Earth. GPS provides the opportunity to record a set of geographic coordinates that specify a particular field location. Therefore, field data collected using GPS technology is georeferenced. Processing of these data is complicated, and software packages designed for precision farming applications have built-in capabilities to interpret the GPS receiver output. However, some simple operations can be performed using standard office software. In this case, it is necessary to know the basics behind GPS data. The …

Feeding And Survival In Parasitic Wasps: Sugar Concentration And Timing Matter, Gitta Siekmann, Brigitte Tenhumberg, Michael A. Keller

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Sugar consumption can increase the longevity and lifetime fecundity of many species of parasitic wasps. Consequently, for these insects the availability of sugar sources in the field is important for their reproductive success. As sugar sources can be highly variable in quantity, space and time, the chances of finding a sufficient amount of sugar to increase longevity might be very low. Therefore, the reward from a single feeding event can be critical for the forager’s fitness. We measured the longevity of the parasitoid Cotesia rubecula after a single honey meal differing in sugar concentration (25, 47, 86% w/w) and timing …

Fish Survey Of Nathan's Lake, Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, Corey Lee, William Davison

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

The Columbia Fishery Resources Office conducted fish surveys at Nathan's Lake, a proposed component of Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), in June 2001.  Boyer Chute NWR is located in the Missouri River Floodplain about three miles north or Omaha, NE and four miles southeast of Ft. Calhoun, NE.

Nathan's Lake is located about one mile southwest of Boyer Chute (Figure 1) in Washington County and is connected to the Missouri River by a drainage ditch with a control structure located at the northeast corner of the lake,  Nathan's Lake is approximately a 50-acre shallow lake (0.61-1.22-m) that contains aquatic …

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (Cla), Body Fat, And Apoptosis, Jess L. Miner, C. Cederberg, Merlyn K. Nielsen, Xiaoli Chen, Clifton Baile

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by mice could induce apoptosis in adipose tissue. Other objectives were to determine the influence of feeding mice CLA for ≤2 weeks on body fat, energy expenditure, and feed intake.

Research Methods and Procedures: A mixture of CLA isomers (predominantly c9,t11 and t10,c12) was included in the AIN-93G diet at 0, 1, and 2%, and fed to mice for 12 days (Trial 1), or was included at 2% and fed to mice for 0, 5, and 14 days (Trial 2). Feed intake …

Use Of Intra-Uterine Insemination Of Pigs: Pros, Cons & Economics, Donald G. Levis, Scott Burroughs, Sara Williams

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Reproductive performance is a major concern for pork producers because the financial stability of a pork enterprise that produces piglets is substantially influenced by fecundity index (FI) for number of piglets born alive (FI = farrowing rate x litter size born alive). It is well known that farrowing rate and litter size are affected by numerous factors. A new reproductive technique that pork producers are hearing and reading about is intra-uterine insemination. Intra-uterine insemination is the process of placing spermatozoa directly into the uterine body instead of the cervix as traditionally done. The uterine body is located between the cervix …

Maximal Replacement Of Forage And Concentrate With A New Wet Corn Milling Product For Lactating Dairy Cows, K. Buddugari, R. J. Grant

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments were conducted to determine the maximal amount of concentrate and forage that could be replaced with a new wet corn milling product. The corn milling product contained 23.1% crude protein, 9.9% ruminally undegradable protein, 13.7% acid detergent fiber, 40.3% neutral detergent fiber, and 2.6% ether extract (% of dry matter; DM). In experiment 1, 16 Holstein cows were assigned to one of four diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. The four diets contained 54.3% forage (alfalfa:corn silages, 1:1 DM basis) with the wet corn milling product replacing 0, 50, 75, or …

Atresia Revisited: Two Basic Patterns Of Atresia Of Bovine Antral Follicles, H. F. Irving-Rodgers, I. L. Van Wezel, M. L. Mussard, J. E. Kinder, R. J. Rodgers

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Our observations of bovine follicles indicated that the original histological classifications of atresia were inaccurate. A detailed histological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of antral follicles from bovine ovaries collected from an abattoir and from animals whose large follicles had been monitored by ultrasonography was conducted to investigate this further. Nidogen and CD68 were immunolocalized to observe the follicular basal lamina and macrophages, respectively. In randomly collected ovaries, approximately one quarter of all antral follicles were undergoing antral atresia, as designated in this study. Antral atresia was characterized by early destruction of the layers of the membrana granulosa closest to the …

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 …

Microsatellite Analysis Of Female Mating Behaviour In Lek-Breeding Sage Grouse, Katy Semple, Robert K. Wayne, Robert M. Gibson

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

We used microsatellite DNA markers to genotype chicks in 10 broods of lek-breeding sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, whose mothers’ behaviour was studied by radio tracking and observing leks. Previous behavioural studies suggested that almost all matings are performed by territorial males on leks and that multiple mating is rare. Two broods (20%) were sired by more than one male. Genetic analyses of the broods of eight females that visited an intensively studied lek were consistent with behavioural observations. Four females observed mating produced singly sired broods and males other than the individual observed copulating were excluded as sires for most …

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 …

Monoclonal Light Chain–Mesangial Cell Interactions: Early Signaling Events And Subsequent Pathologic Effects, William J. Russell, James Cardelli, Ed Harris, R. John Baier, Guillermo A. Herrera

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Glomerulopathic monoclonal light chains (G-LC) interact with mesangial cells (MC), resulting in alterations of mesangial homeostasis. Early signaling events control mitogenic activities and cytokine production, which in turn participate in the subsequent pathologic events. Mesangial homeostasis is affected in two very different ways, depending on whether the G-LC is from a patient with light chain deposition disease (LCDD) or light chain–related amyloidosis (AL-Am). In contrast, tubulopathic (T)-LC chains from patients with myeloma cast nephropathy do not significantly interact with MC and result in no alterations in mesangial homeostasis. Therefore, understanding early events in the monoclonal LC–MC interactions is fundamental. MC …

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 …

Correlation Of Human Olfactory Responses To Airborne Concentrations Of Malodorous Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted From Swine Effluent, J. A. Zahn, A. A. Dispirito, Y. S. Do, B. E. Brooks, E. E. Cooper, J. L. Hatfield

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

Direct multicomponent analysis of malodorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in ambient air samples from 29 swine (Sus scrofa) production facilities was used to develop a 19-component artificial swine odor solution that simulated olfactory properties of swine effluent. Analyses employing either a human panel consisting of 14 subjects or gas chromatography were performed on the air stream from an emission chamber to assess human olfactory responses or odorant concentration, respectively. Analysis of the olfactory responses using Fisher’s LSD statistics showed that the subjects were sensitive to changes in air concentration of the VOC standard across dilutions differing by …

Endophytic Fungi In Canada Wild Rye In Natural Grasslands, Mary Ann Vinton, Emily S. Kathol, Kenneth P. Vogel, Andrew A. Hopkins

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

Some grasses harbor endophytic fungi living in intercellular spaces in the leaves, stems and reproductive organs. The fungi can dramatically affect the physiology and ecology of plants. For example, fungi may produce toxins that deter herbivores and they may alter the water status of the plant to increase drought tolerance. The distribution of fungal infection in natural plant populations is unknown for many host species. We investigated the occurrence of endophytic fungi in Elymus canadensis L. (Canada wild rye) from 13 remnant prairie sites in the midwest and 23 sites in the southern Great Plains. Collections of plant tissue came …

Influence Of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Larval Injury On Yield Of Different Types Of Maize, Mario A. Urías-López, Lance J. Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Two field experiments were conducted in 1995-1996 to determine if there are common yield responses among maize hybrids to larval western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte injury. Three yellow dent hybrids, five white food grade dent hybrids, and a popcorn hybrid were included in the study. The minimum level of rootworm injury as measured by root damage ratings (3.2-4.2) that significantly reduced yield was similar across the hybrids included in the study. However, the pattern of yield response to different rootworm injury levels varied among hybrids. This suggests that maize hybrids may inherently differ in their ability to tolerate …

Dispersal Of Adult European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Within And Proximal To Irrigated And Non–Irrigated Corn, Thomas E. Hunt, Leon G. Higley, John F. Witkowski, Linda J. Young, Richard L. Hellmich

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), causes economic damage to corn, Zea mays L., throughout the Corn Belt. Because this insect has become the primary target of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) transgenic corn, current efforts addressing the management of O. nubilalis resistance to Bt corn require information on adult European corn borer dispersal and factors affecting its dispersal. In 1998 we conducted mark-release-recapture, release-recapture, and caged-mating studies to directly measure and compare local dispersal patterns of O. nubilalis adults within and proximal to irrigated and non-irrigated cornfields. Releases of marked adults were made corresponding to the first and second …

Effects Of Decreasing Thermophotoperiod On The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Brian J. Cabrera, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), workers were exposed to decreasing temperatures and a shift in photoperiod to simulate conditions that are encountered during the fall in eastern Nebraska. Mean water and fat content in termites exposed to a decreasing thermophotoperiod did not differ significantly from controls or laboratory colony termites. Survival was higher for termites subjected to a decreasing thermophotoperiod than for controls. This could be attributed to acclimation to low temperatures or a delayed mortality due to lowered metabolic activity at low temperature. Previously reported data on soil temperatures taken in Lincoln, NE, at a depth of 91.4 …

Parental Compliance: Its Role In Termination Of Parental Rights Cases, Eve M. Brank, Angie L. Williams, Victoria Weisz, Robert E. Ray

Nebraska Law Review

This article examines the current state of termination of parental rights (TPR) law, along with the results of an appellate case review, an exploratory project, and an empirical investigation of decision-making related to these cases. Section I begins with an overview of termination of parental rights law. The focus of this section is recent statutory changes in the area, highlighting some key differences between the former and the current law. In Section II, the focus shifts to a review of the foundations for the empirical study. Section III more specifically addresses the main areas that are explored in the empirical …

Scwds Briefs: Volume 16, Number 4 (January 2001)

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study: Publications

• Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) was confirmed in eight bald eagles and is suspected in another six eagles that died from mid-November 2000 through late January 2001 at Clarks Hill Lake in eastern Georgia.
• Bovine tuberculosis TB in Manitoba Elk
• CWD in a Nebraska Deer: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids has been found for the first time in a free-ranging cervid outside Colorado and Wyoming.
• Tropical Bont Tick on St. Croix: The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that the tropical bont tick (Amblyomma variegatum) had been found on St. Croix in the U.S. …

American Hookworm Antiquity (& Response), Karl Reinhard, Adauto Araújo, Luis Fernando Ferreira, C. E. A. Coimbra Jr., Kathleen Fuller

Karl Reinhard Publications

Kathleen Fuller (Medical Anthropology 17:297-308 [1997]) presents a refutation of the evidence of ancylostomids (hookworms) in the New World. She argues that the life cycle of hookworms limits them to warm, moist environments and, thus, confines their prehistoric distribution to the Old World. Smith (1990) emphasizes that very little is known about the ecological parameters of egg and larval survival and that eggs and larvae can survive in cold environments. Fuller’s hookworm life cycle is oversimplistic and does not address the diverse array of infection modes available to Ancylostoma duodenale. This species is capable of mucosal penetration and, therefore, …

The Likely Cause Of Extinction Of The Tree Snail Orthalicus Reses Reses (Say), E.A. Forys, A. Quistorff, Craig R. Allen, D.P. Wojcik

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

The Stock Island tree snail, Orthalicus reses reses, went extinct in its native range in the Florida Keys in 1992. Fortunately, O. r. reses has been introduced elsewhere and further reintroductions are currently planned. Before these reintroductions are implemented, it is important to try and determine which factors were most likely to have caused the decline and extinction. While habitat destruction was probably the ultimate reason why there were so few tree snails, it is likely that an interaction of habitat fragmentation and the invasion of an exotic predator caused the final decline that lead to the extinction in …