Life Sciences Commons^™

Comparison Of Sorghum And Indiangrass Chloroplast Genomes Using Rflps, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, R. D. Lee, D. J. Lee, K. P. Vogel

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash) appear closely related based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characters. Each species could potentially provide desirable traits to the other. However, traditional breeding techniques have been unsuccessful in hybridizing these two species. The objective of this study was to determine the relatedness of sorghum and indiangrass chloroplast DNA using RFLPs. Eleven sorghum lines in several cytoplasms, two indiangrass popu1ations, and a corn line were studied using 60 proberestriction enzyme combinations. Principal component analysis of the results showed sorghum to be as closely related to corn as to indiangrass, with no …

Breeding Systems For Cross-Pollinated Perennial Grasses, K. P. Vogel, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

I. Introduction

II. Reproductive and Breeding Characteristics

III. Breeding Systems

A. Ecotype Selection

B. Recurrent, RestricteclPhenotypic Selection

C. Half-sib Progeny Test

D. Between and Within Family Selection

E. Recurrent Multistep Family Selection

IV. Gains From Selection

A. Time Interval per Cycle

B. Potential Gain per Cycle .

C. Potential Inbreeding per Cycle

V. Polycrossing

VI. Hybrid Cultivars

VII. Conclusions

Literature Cited

Developmental Morphology Of Tropical Sorghum And Sorghum X Sudangrass, R. B. Mitchell, K. J. Moore, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, T. A. Peterson, L. E. Moser, D. D. Redfearn

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Tropical sorghum and sorghum x sudangrass are known to be efficient scavengers of soil nitrogen and are important forage crops in the U.S. Nitrate contamination of groundwater due to disposal of organic wastes and excessive fertilization is a major concern in the Central Great Plains. A common disposal method of municipal wastes is application to fallow cropland. Quantification of the developmental morphology of tropical sorghum and sorghum x sudangrass is important to developing management strategies that allow multiple applications of organic wastes to optimize nitrogen removal and dry matter production. The objective of this study was to quantify the developmental …

Jasmonate, Genes, And Fragrant Signals, Paul E. Staswick

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Although first recognized for its growth-inhibiting activity about 20 years ago, JA² and its fragrant methyl ester MeJA (referred to here collectively as jasmonate) are receiving renewed interest as potentially important signaling molecules in plants. This is because jasmonate markedly increases the expression of specific plant genes, some of which are wound responsive. Similarities with fatty acid-derived stress signaling molecules in animals (1) make jasmonate of general biological interest.

Inheritance Of Acid-Soil Tolerance In Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) Grown On An Ultisol, C. I. Flores, L. M. Gourley, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, R. B. Clark

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Inheritance of acid-soil tolerance (generally considered AI-toxicity tolerance) i.n sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is not clear. Forty F₁ sorghum hybrids and their 14 parents were grown two seasons in the field at relatively high (67 and 71%) and low (43 and 42%) Al saturations on an acid Ultisol in Colombia, South America to evaluate the effects of acid soil on agronomic component traits and to better understand inheritance of acid-soil tolerance of sorghum. For plants grown at the high Al saturation levels, hybrids from acid-soil tolerant [AS-T] x acid soil-sensitive [AS-S] crosses were as tolerant as hybrids from …

Notes: Interpretive Analysis For Forage Yield Trial Data, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, K. J. Moore, Edzard Van Santen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Forage cultivar evaluation is often done in small plots with multiple harvests throughout the growing season. Data is often summarized by presenting a yearly total yield for each cultivar in addition to the mean for each harvest date. Data summarization often becomes burdensome and difficult to interpret. Regressing yield against a growth index associated with harvest dates can be utilized to describe forage performance in a concise and easily interpreted format. Subsets of data from tall fescue (Festuca amndinacea Schreb.) yield trials conducted in Alabama and Kentucky were used to demonstrate the technique. The analysis involves regressing yield of a …

Nitrogen And Methyl Jasmonate Induction Of Soybean Vegetative Storage Protein Genes, Paul E. Staswick, Jing-Feng Huang, Yoon Rhee

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Vegetative storage protein (VSP) and VSP mRNA levels in soybean (Glycine max) leaves correlated with the amount of NH₄NO₃ provided to nonnodulated plants. The mRNA level declined as leaves matured, but high levels of N delayed the decline. This is consistent with the proposed role for VSP in the temporary storage of N. Wounding, petiole girdling, and treatment with methyijasmonate (MeJA) increased VSP mRNA in leaves 24 hours after treatment. The magnitude of the response depended on leaf age and N availability. N deficiency essentially eliminated the response to wounding and petiole girdling. MeJA was …

Fertility And Forage Yield Of Sorghum X Sudangrass Hybrids In A1 And A3 Cytoplasm, J. J. Toy, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, K. J. Moore

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Most sorghum x sudangrass hybrids are currently produced in Al male-sterile cytoplasm. Availability of alternative cytoplasmic sterility systems allows production of sorghum x sudangrass hybrids that may have superior forage characteristics. A study was conducted to compare the agronomic performance of Al and A3 sorghum x sudangrass hybrids. A bulk of eight sudangrass populations was used to pollinate four grain sorghum inbreds normally used as females that had been sterilized in both Al and A3 cytoplasm, and two inbreds normally used as males that had been sterilized in A3 cytoplasm. The hybrids were evaluated in 1990. Results indicate that male-sterile …

Evaluation Of Seeding Rates Of Au Triumph And Endophyte-Infected Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, D. M. Ball

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Increased difficulty in stand establishment of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has been reported by producers since the introduction of endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum Morgan Jones and Gams)-free tall fescue seed into the market place. This has encouraged the use of higher seeding rates for endophyte-free tall fescue without scientific basis. The objective of this study was to determine whether ‘AU Triumph’, and endophyte-free cultivar, and endophyte-infected ‘Kentucky 31’ differ in minimum seeding rates for successful establishment. Experiments were established at two locations in each of two years, using a randomized complete block with four replications. Soils at the two locations …

A Review Of The Agronomic Characteristics Of Endophyte-Free And Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, G. D. Lacefield, D. M. Ball

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Agronomic differences between endophyte- (Acremonium coenophialum Morgan Jones and Gams) free and endophyte-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exist, and should be considered when implementing a management strategy. Although dry matter yield of tall fescue does not generally appear to be influenced by endophyte infection status, endophyte infection has been shown to improve seedling performance and survival, is associated with insect and nematode resistance, drought resistance, improved nitrogen assimilation, and higher seed set. Considering all biologically valuable characters of the endophyte-tall fescue relationship, survival of endophyte-infected tall fescue is probably better than that of endophyte-free tall fescue, especially in drought- …

Heritability Of Root Characteristics Affecting Mineral Uptake In Tall Fescue, J. H. Edwards, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, R. C. Kingery

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Modification of plant roots can potentially increase the area. of adaptation of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Limited information is available on the heritability of root diameter and root volume in tall fescue. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with'50 random 'Kentucky 31' (Ky-31) tall fescue parents and their progeny grown in aerated nutrient solution during four separate time intervals. Measurements of root volume, root diameter, shoot Mg concentration, and shoot K/(Mg + Ca) ratio were made six weeks after clonal material was transplanted in nutrient solution. Heritability estimates for root volume, root diameter, shoot Mg concentration, and shoot K/(Mg …

Fescues With Large Roots Are Drought Tolerant, H. A. Torbert, J. H. Edwards, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Consideration of root/soil interactions is essential in, adapting tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) to soil and climatic conditions of the Coastal Plain region of the southeast. Sandy soils of the region are very susceptible to the formation of hardpans. These compacted layers often restrict plant root development to the plow layer (0 to 6 in.) and prevent plant roots from reaching available moisture and nutrients in the subsoil horizons. Plants grown under these conditions are shallow rooted and will be subjected to water stress up to 50% of the time during the growing season. Although implements are available to penetrate …

Concetta Tm (Papconc) C.V. (Rose Plant), Ellen T. Paparozzi

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the hybrid tea rose class, which was originated as a sport of the rose Gabriella; characterized by its bright orange red, well-formed hybrid tea type blooms with dark velvet overtones on the outer edges of the open flower; disease resistant with everblooming habit and outstanding pot forcing characteristics.

Levels And Timing Of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications For Tall Fescue In Central Alabama, J. W. Odom, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), the most important cool season perennial pasture grass in the United States, is generally well adapted to the northern two-thirds of Alabama. Unfortunately, the most commonly grown tall fescue cultivar, Kentucky 31, is of northern origin and is dormant during the winter. To reduce this problem, AU Triumph was selected from Mediterranean germplasm. The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station released this cultivar to growers in 1981. Compared to Kentucky 31, AU Triumph produces about 80 percent more forage during the winter and produces mature seed about 2 weeks earlier in the spring. Total annual forage production …

Considerations In Breeding Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue Forage Cultivars, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, D. A. Sleper

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Breeding tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars that are free of the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams [previously identified and referred to as Epichloe typhina (Fries) Tulasne] is necessary to improve animal performance. The techniques used in developing new cultivars are not greatly different from those used previously, with one exception. Prior to the evaluation of new tall fescue lines or populations, the endophyte needs to be eliminated from the seed or the plants. Several techniques utilizing aging, heat, or chemical treatment are being used to effectively accomplish this in the seed. Methods for permanently eliminating the endophyte …

Evaluation Of Repellent Seed Treatments And Effects On Early Corn Performance, Ann E. Koehler, Ron J. Johnson, Orvin C. Burnside, Stephen R. Lowry

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A combination of field, field enclosure, and germination chamber studies was used to evaluate the effects of methiocarb [3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio)phenol methylcarbamate] and thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) repellent seed treatments on early corn performance. The thiram treatments used (0.08, 0.4,0.8,0.5,1.25, and 2.5% active ingredient by corn seed weight) had negligible effects on germination/emergence time or on com plant heights. The thiram treatments never reduced stand counts in comparison to controls, but apparently increased stand counts in some trials, particularly under wet conditions. The methiocarb treatments evaluated (0.5, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0% active ingredient by corn seed weight) had only occasional effects on early …

Growth And Magnesium Uptake Of Tall Fescue Lines At High And Low Potassium Levels, J. H. Edwards, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Five tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) clonal lines with diverse root and xylem diameters were grown in nutrient solutions with magnesium (Mg) concentrations of 42, 125 and 250 µm and potassium K concentrations of 133 and 333 µm. Leaf Mg concentrations increased with increasing Mg rates at both low and high K concentrations. The tall fescue line with the largest root and xylem diameters had low leaf Mg concentrations, indicating a possible increased Mg tetany potential when consumed by cattle. The response of the K/(Mg+Ca) ratio in the plant, an indicator of tetany potential, to varying solution Mg at low …

Notes: Differences Among Nematode Populations In Tall Fescue Pastures In North, Central, And South Alabama, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, R. Rodriguez-Kabana

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Surveys of nematode populations in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures in north, central, and south Alabama in 1982 and 1983 showed significant differences in frequency of occurrence of many nematode species by geographical region. Although nematode damage has been implicated in the poor adaptation of tall fescue to the sandy soils of the extreme Southeast, many plant parasitic nematode species occurred in low frequency in south Alabama pastures. There were significant differences in the frequency of occurrence of Paratrichodorus christiei (Allen) Siddiqi by region. This nematode occurred with relatively high frequency in south Alabama in both years. There were …

Lysimetric Calibration Of The Bowen Ratio-Energy Balance Method For Evapotranspiration Estimation In The Central Great Plains, Blaine L. Blad, Norman J. Rosenberg

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Most reports show good agreement between evapotranspiration (ET) rates estimated by Bowen Ratio-Energy Balance (BREB) method and rates measured with lysimeters, although underestimation by the BREB model has occasionally been reported. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the BREB technique in the climatic conditions characteristic of the central Great Plains, a region where a significant proportion of the energy consumed by evapotranspiration is supplied from advected sensible heat.

Agreement between the BREB method and lysimetric measurements of ET is good during non-advective periods but during advective periods the BREB model underestimates ET by about 20%. Data collected …

Penstemon In Your Garden [Revised], Roger D. Uhlinger, Glenn Viehmeyer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The Genus Penstemon

Penstemon Breeding: Emasculation • Pollen Collection • Pollination • Keeping Records

Selection of ParentaI MateriaIs

Species Crosses

Breeding Behavior

Sources of Breeding Material

Penstemon Propagation: Propagation by Seed • Propagation by Division and Layering • Propagation by Cuttings • Tip Cuttings • Single Node and Single Eye Cuttings • Striking the Cuttings • Rooting Mediums • Setting the Cuttings

Penstemon Diseases : Leaf Diseases • Soil Borne Diseases • Virus Diseases

Insects that Affect Penstemon: Aphids • Cutworms • False Plant Bug • Flea Beetle • Grasshoppers • Leaf hoppers • Slugs • Red Spider Mites • …

Rollins Adams Emerson (1873-1947) Horticulturist Pioneer Plant Geneticist Administrator Inspiring Student Adviser, Rosalind Morris

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The vigorous and highly productive life of Professor R. A. Emerson spanned 74 years and 7 months. His birth and death took place In New York State, but Nebraska nurtured his early development and schooling. He spent 15 years of his professional career at the University of Nebraska, followed by 33 years at Cornell University.

Rollins Adams Emerson, son of Charles David and Mary C. Adams Emerson (a direct descendant of Henry Adams), was born May 5, 1873 at Pillar Point, New York State on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. In 1880 his family moved to Nebraska and settled …

Microorganisms And Soil Structure, T. M. Mccalla, F. A. Haskins

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

SUMMARY

Good stable soil structure is valuable for promoting the growth of plants and micro-organisms by permitting enhanced aeration and water penetration and by decreasing erosion under some conditions.

Micro-organisms influence water percolation through the soil. They may plug up soil pores with byproducts of growth and reduce water percolation. On the other hand, if a soil containing a large amount of microbial products is stirred and allowed to dry, then the percolation may be high.

Micro-organisms are involved in stabilizing soil structure by their products of decomposition and their cellular binding material, such as mycelia. Microorganisms differ greatly in …

Pensternon In Your Garden, Glenn Viehmeyer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A new race of hardy perennials is beginning to appear in American gardens. These are the penstemons, a genus of plants closely related to the familiar snapdragon, which may become important ornamentals as they become better known to gardeners. The purpose of this bulletin is to show the possibility of the genus as an ornamental and to suggest species and species hybrids of possible value to Great Plains gardeners; to provide information about propagation and culture; and to encourage gardeners to engage in penstemon breeding as an avocation.

Microorganisms And Soil Structure, T. M. Mccalla

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

SUMMARY

Laboratory tests were made to determine the effectiveness of different compounds and microbial groups in increasing the stability of Peorian loess lumps against the action of falling water drops. The influence of these on percolation tests in the laboratory was also determined.

Many organic substances-dextrose, sucrose, starch, peptone, cullulose, and gum arabic-did not themselves contribute directly to soil-structure stability, though these substances do furnish energy material for soil microorganisms, which can convert them readily into either microbial tissue or decomposition products that increase soil-structure stability. Lignin, proteins, oils, fats, waxes, resin, and paraffin increased the stability of lumps of …

The Genetics Congress, R. A. Emerson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Mice and men reported from

Edinburgh after the Congress

(JOURNAL OF HEREDITY for

September 1939) but since then there

has been silence, as far as getting into the

record any details of the Congress. On

account of the disruption to trans-Atlantic

travel caused by the declaration of

war between England and Germany,

September 3, the American delegation to

the Congress was considerably delayed

in getting back. Only two failed ultimately

to return, Dr. and Mrs. F. W.

Tinney of the Division of Farm Crops

of the University of Wisconsin. They

were among about a dozen members of

the Congress who …

A Zygotic Lethal In Chromosome 1 Of Maize And Its Linkage With Neighboring Genes, R. A. Emerson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A Bolivian maize

maize with mosaic red pericarp and cob, here designated by the symbol M-M, crossed with a local inbred strain of maize having white pericarp and cob, W-W, produced in F₁ 21 M-M and 28

W-W plants, not far from the I : I relation expected on the assumption that

the M-M parent was heterozygous for pericarp and cob color, M-M/W-W.

In F₂ and segregating F₃ cultures, however, there were 130 M-M and 64

W-W plants obviously a 2 : I instead of the 3 : I relation expected. Later cultures

increased these records to …

Relation Of The Differential Fertilization Genes, Ga Ga, To Certain Other Genes Of The Su-Tu Linkage Group Of Maize, R. A. Emerson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The Ga, or “gamete” gene of maize can be studied only or principally by its disturbance of normal Mendelian ratios of contrasted characters differentiated by genes linked with it. The amount of this disturbance can be used as a measure of the intensity of linkage between Ga and other genes of the su-Tu group.

Disturbance of the 3:1 ratio of starchy, Su, to sugary, su, endosperm has been most studied. In one of the early papers on Mendelian inheritance, Correns (1902) reported that, although crosses between most starchy and sugary varieties gave an F₂ ratio of …

The A Series Of Allelomorphs In Relation To Pigmentation In Maize, R. A. Emerson, E. G. Anderson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Introduction ... 503

The allelomorph A^b ... 504

The allelomorph a^p ... 505

Dominance ... 508

Summary ... 508

Literature Cited ... 509

The Frequency Of Somatic Mutation In Variegated Pericarp Of Maize, R. A. Emerson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Some years ago (Emerson 1922) the writer announced that in F₂ of

certain crosses of variegated with colorless pericarp in maize the heterozygous

individuals changed to self color more frequently than did the homozygous

individuals of the same cultures. No “explanation” of this phenomenon

was then apparent, but later results, though still far from affording

an adequate solution of the problem, have furnished at least a working

hypothesis. The original unpublished paper, with minor modifications,

is given below, under the heading. “Somatic mutations in heterozygous

and in homozygous variegated pericarp.”

Control Of Flowering In Teosinte: Short-Day Treatment Brings Early Flowers, R. A. Emerson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Attempts to force teosinte into flower in mid-summer, in order to facilitate hybridizing it with maize, have afforded considerable information concerning the flowering time of teosinte under diverse conditions. The possibility that some of this information may be of use to others suggests its publication. The paper is, therefore, to be considered as a help in the technique of teosinte and maize hybridization rather than a contribution ~to the solution of the physiological problems involved.