Agriculture Commons^™

Lithospermum Incisum 'Pawnee' Germplasm, Dale T. Lindgren, Daniel Schaaf

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Lithospermums are a group of spring-flowering herbs that belong to the Boraginaceae Juss. Correll and Johnston (1977) reported there are about 40 species of Lithospermum L. in North America and an additional 20 species outside of North America. Flower color can vary from yellow to greenish-yellow, to orange or white, depending on species. There are four species native to the Great Plains: L. carolinense MacMill., L. canescens (Michx.) Lehm., L. latifolium Michx., and L incisum Lehm. Lithospermum arvense L., non Bove ex DC., Ledeb. nor Thunb. is an introduced, naturalized species of the Great Plains, native to Eurasia. …

Soil Temperature Under A Dormant Bermudagrass Mulch: Simulation And Measurement, Simon Van Donk, Ernest W. Tollner, Jean Steiner, Steven Evett

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

The ENergy and WATer BALance (ENWATBAL) model is a mechanistic, numerical model that simulates soil water and temperature profiles, evaporation from soil, and transpiration from crops, but it does not simulate the effects of a mulch layer. Surface vegetative mulches are becoming more common, especially in reduced -tillage systems, limiting the model’s applicability. Our objective was to modify ENWATBAL to enable physically based simulation of the effects of a dense mulch. As a preliminary evaluation of the model, soil temperatures simulated with the modified model were compared with those measured at Watkinsville, Georgia, in Cecil sandy loam ( …

Natural Product Herbicides For Control Of Annual Vegetation Along Roadsides, Stephen L. Young

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Natural product herbicides for vegetation control are being considered as alternatives to synthetic herbicides by many public agencies. Studies were conducted along roadsides at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) in 2001 and 2002 and on California State Route 29 (SR29) in 2002 to evaluate acetic acid, pine oil, and plant essentials compared with glyphosate for control of herbaceous vegetation. In 2001, annual grass control after a single application of pine oil at HREC was 40% or less effective, whereas acetic acid was at least 79% effective. A second application of pine oil or acetic acid did not control …

Influence Of Seed Stratification And See Age On Emergence Of Penstemon, Dale T. Lindgren, Daniel Schaaf

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of stratification and seed age on percent seedling emergence of Penstemon. Emergence differences occurred between the eight Penstemon selections, as well as between seed stratification treatments and seed age. Seed stratification significantly increased emergence. Emergence vaired from 0% with 1-year-old seed Penstemon digitalis with no stratification, to 72.8% emergence with 2-year-old seed of P. angustifolius with 10 weeks of stratification. Seedlings from 3- to 4- year-old seed generally emerged as well as or better than with 1- and 2-year-old seed. Percent emergence varied significantly with stratification, seed age, and species. Some emergence …

Expression Of Susceptibility To Fusarium Head Blight And Grain Mold In A1 And A2 Cytoplasms Of Sorghum Bicolor, James P. Stack, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Panicle diseases are among the major constraints to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) production in the northern Great Plains; host plant resistance is the primary management option. However, essentially all commercial sorghum hybrids contain A₁ cytoplasm, which raises the concern about increased disease risk as a result of cytoplasmic genetic uniformity. To determine the influence of cytoplasmic background on the expression of susceptibility to panicle diseases, F₁ hybrids with four nuclear genotypes in each of two cytoplasms (A₁ and A₂) were planted in three environmentally diverse geographic locations in Nebraska. Fusarium head blight ranged in …

Dalea Purpurea 'Stephanie', Dale T. Lindgren, Daniel Schaaf

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Dalea L. (prairie-clover) is a large genus of the western hemisphere consisting of herbaceous and shrubby plants (Great Plains Flora Association, 1986). Barneby (1977) lists over 160 species that range from the Canadian prairies into South America. The forage value of daleas for livestock is well known. Ornamentally, daleas are showy plants, desirable for their foliage as well as for their delicate flowers. Their value as a legume can also contribute to sustainable landscapes.

Dalea purpurea Vent., formerly designated as Petalostemon purpureus (Vent.) Rydb., and sometimes listed as Dalea purpureum is found growing from the Canadian prairie provinces to Texas …

Dalea Villosa ‘Sandhills Satin, Dale T. Lindgren, Daniel Schaaf, James H. Locklear

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Daleas (prairie-clovers) are annual or perennial, warm season legumes found from southern Canada to South America (Barneby, 1977). They are an important group of legumes in native grasslands of the Great Plains. The genus name Dalea L. is in honor of Samuel Dale, an English botanist (1659–1739). Until recently, these plants were classified in the genus Petalostemon Michx. (Weber, 1990). The prairie-clovers have potential as attractive garden ornamental plants in addition to their importance as constituents of prairies and pastures. They have uses, along with other native species, for beautification of roadsides, rest areas, parks, and recreation areas, and for …

A Field Test Of The Wind Erosion Prediction System, Simon Van Donk, Edward L. Skidmore

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Field data need to be collected to test wind erosion models under a broad range of climate, soil, and management conditions. The objective of this study was to test the USDA- ARS Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) for a field with winter wheat plants in a modest amount of flat residue. A 600 m by 415 m field was selected near Burlington, CO, USA. Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) samplers were used to measure wind blown sediment flux and automated devices (Sensits) for continuous detection of saltation. A weather station recorded relevant meteorological data. Detailed measurements of the field surface …

Review: Factors Affecting Decisions On When To Calve Beef Females, L. R. Sprott, Pas G.E. Selk, D. C. Adams

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

The decision of when to calve beef females is critical to production efficiency and profitability in a cow and calf enterprise. Calf production and associated costs are affected by calving season because environmental conditions, stage of production, and season of the year interact to affect nutritional status and reproductive performance. Cow and calf producers typically choose to commence calving and breeding at times of the year when weather is least stressful and forage conditions are optimal. Choosing to do so can reduce the amount of supplemental feed needed to ensure acceptable pregnancy rates, resulting in reduced annual feed costs. However, …

Development Of Hot/Cold Plate Apparatus For Determining Heat Transport Mechanisms In Mulch Materials, Simon Van Donk, Ernest W. Tollner, Stephen P. Mcdonald

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

To study the effects of mulches and crop residues on soil temperature, researchers have frequently used simulation models. In such models, quantification of heat transport within the mulch material is often weak and heat transport mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper we describe an apparatus to quantify heat transport through dry mulch materials. In addition, heat transport mechanisms (conduction, thermal radiation, free and forced convection) can be identified and quantified using this apparatus. The apparatus consists of precisely controlled and monitored 0.9 m by 0.9 m hot and cold plates. The hot plate actually consists of three component plates: …

Extending Interval From Seventeen To Nineteen Days In The Melengestrol Acetate - Prostaglandin Estrous Synchronization Program For Heifers, G. H. Deutscher

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether extending the interval between removal of melengestrol acetate (MGA) from feed and injection of prostaglandin F_2α (PGF) from 17 to 19 d would affect synchronization of estrus, conception, and pregnancy rates of beef heifers. In both experiments, heifers were fed MGA for 14 d, and PGF was given at either 17 or 19 d after cessation of MGA feeding. Heifers were observed for estrus and artificially inseminated for 5 d after PGF injection.

In Exp. 1, 240 yearling heifers were randomly assigned to either a 17- or a 19-d …

Apparent Thermal Conductivity Of Mulch Materials Exposed To Forced Convection, Simon Van Donk, Ernest W. Tollner

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Soil temperature controls plant growth and many related processes in the soil. A mulch or crop residue covering the soil may alter soil temperatures significantly. Available simulation models often lack experimental data for the mulch thermal conductivity and its dependence on air velocity. The apparent thermal conductivity (k) of wheat straw, pine straw, tire chips, dry sandy soil, and the thermal resistance of Bermudagrass sods were measured using a guarded hot plate at air velocities between 0 and 5 m/s. For all mulch materials, k ranged between 0.1 and 0.6 W m^–1 °C^–1, and increased …

Measurement And Modeling Of Heat Transfer Mechanisms In Mulch Materials, Simon Van Donk, Ernest W. Tollner

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Crop residues or mulches affect soil temperature influencing plant growth and related processes in the soil. A hot/cold plate combination was used to quantify heat transfer through several common dry test mulch materials (rubber chips, pine straw, wheat straw) and identify and quantify heat transfer mechanisms with the goal of modeling apparent thermal conductivity of the mulch. Mulch material bulk densities ranged from near 0 kg/m³ to 33 kg/m³ , mulch thickness ranged from 61 mm to 140 mm and test temperatures ranged from 20°C to 45°C. To determine the effect of thermal radiation on heat transfer, measurements …

‘Butterbowl’ Squash, A Novel, Flatshouldered Globe Butternut, Dermot P. Coyne, James M. Reiser, Durward Smith, Aly Ibrahim, Lisa Sutton, Dale T. Lindgren

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir) is one of the most popular winter squashes grown in the United States. However, current consumers not only bake but also microwave squash. The flesh is much thinner at the bulb end of the fruit around the seed cavity than in the neck of the typical butternut squash so that the whole fruit does not cook uniformly during the microwave process. A smaller butternut type squash with a more uniform flesh thickness around most of the seed cavity would be expected to cook more uniformly in the microwave and would be useful …

‘Prairie Palette’ Penstemon, Dale T. Lindgren, Daniel M. Schaaf

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Penstemon grandiflorus Nutt. (Scrophulariaceae Juss.), commonly known as the shellleaf penstemon or large beardtongue, is indigenous from North Dakota to Texas and from Wyoming to Illinois (Gleason, 1952). Leaves are large, almost heart-shaped, gray-green, smooth, and cupped. The erect stems range from 50 to 120 cm tall. It is a large-flowered species with normal floral colors of pink to light lavender (Wilde, 1995). Two white-flowered forms of P. grandiflorus (‘Albus’ and ‘Prairie Snow’) have been reported (Lindgren, 1990; Lindgren and Davenport, 1992). Anthers are pale green, widely divergent, but not explanate. Staminodes are recurved abruptly at the tip bearing minute …

‘Prairie Petite’ Lilac, Dale T. Lindgren, Glenn Viehmeyer, Roger Uhlinger

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

The Nebraska Agricultural Research Division, Univ. of Nebraska, announces the release of ‘Prairie Petite’ lilac, a selection of Syringa vulgaris L. with a compact, dense growth habit. The name ‘Prairie Petite’ has been registered with the International Registration Authority for Cultivar Names in the Genus Syringa, and we are publishing the registration in HortScience.

Origin

‘Prairie Petite’ lilac originated from a project at the Univ. of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte, begun in 1960 in which lilac seeds were subjected to ionizing radiation. Seeds of an unknown S. vulgaris source were treated at Brookhaven …

‘Prairie Pink’ Dianthus, Dale T. Lindgren, Roger Uhlinger

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

‘Prairie Pink’ (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) was released by the Univ. of Nebraska– Lincoln for its winter hardiness, compact growth, attractive pink double flowers, and repeat blooming. Its primary use is as a perennial border plant, but it also can be used as a cut flower. The name ‘Prairie Pink’ has been registered with the International Dianthus Registration Authority for cultivar names (A.C. Leslie, The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley GU23 6Qb, England).

Origin

‘Prairie Pink’ dianthus, tested as NP76116, was initially field-planted as a seedling in 1976 and was selected in 1977 at the Univ. of Nebraska West Central Research …

‘Prairie Splendor’ Penstemon, Dale T. Lindgren

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

‘Prairie Splendor’ is a Penstemon being released by the Univ. of Nebraska for its large, attractive flowers. This seed-propagated selection produces uniform plants except that flower colors differ between plants. ‘Prairie Splendor’ has been registered with the American Penstemon Society and assigned registration number 9301.

Origin

‘Prairie Splendor’ Penstemon originated from four generations of mass selection from the segregating population ‘Henry Hybrids’, which was named by Viehmeyer around 1960 (Viehmeyer, 1969) (Fig. 1). ‘Henry Hybrids’ originated from a cross of Penstemon cobaea Nutt. × Penstemon triflorus A. Heller made by Mrs. Norman Henry of Gladwyne, Pa., around 1940. Penstemon cobaea …

The Need To Register New Cultivar Names: Penstemon, A Case Study, Dale T. Lindgren

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

The genus Penstemon of cultivated landscape plants contains many species (Kartesz and Kartesz, 1980) and named horticultural selections (Lindgren and Davenport, 1992). However, of the 443 names listed in a recent publication summarizing Penstemon cultivar and selection names, only 29 (7%) were registered with the American Penstemon Society’s “Registrar of Cultivars” (Lindgren and Davenport, 1992). As with many ornamental crops, Penstemon cultivars are selected and developed by public and private plant breeders (professional and amateur) and other individuals. Many individuals who release and name Penstemon cultivars have little understanding of the cultivar release and registration process. Registering a new cultivar …

Leaf Chlorosis And Seed Yield Of Dry Beans Grown On High-Ph Calcareous Soil Following Foliar Iron Sprays, H.Z. Zaiter, Dermot P. Coyne, R.B. Clark, Dale T. Lindgren, P.T. Nordquist, Walter W. Stroup, L.A. Pavlish

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Iron deficiency chlorosis (FeDC) causes extensive reduction in yields of edible dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown on high-pH and calcareous soils. Fifteen bean cultivars/lines differing in response to FeDC were grown 2 years (1988 and 1989) on a high-pH (8.0), calcareous (2.3% calcium carbonate equivalent in surface 20 cm), and low-Fe (2.2 mg Fe/kg) Typic Haplustolls silt loam in the field (central Nebraska) to determine the effects of FeDC on seed yield of cultivars/lines sprayed with Fe. A significant interaction (P < 0.05) between cultivars/lines × Fe spray treatment was noted for visual FeDC ratings in 1988 only, and no significant interactions were noted for seed yield either year. Sprayed cultivars/lines generally produced higher yields than unsprayed ones. Overall increases were 47% in 1988 and 41% in 1989. Even though only slight FeDC was noted on some cultivars/lines receiving no Fe spray, seed yields were significantly increased when sprayed with Fe. Some cultivars/lines with moderate or moderately severe FeDC ratings did not show a significant increase in yield when sprayed with Fe, while other cultivars/lines did. Seed yield reductions for the cultivars/ lines per unit of FeDC rating (1 = green to 5 = severe chlorosis) were 915 kg·ha^-1 for unsprayed and 1518 kg·ha^-1 for sprayed plants in 1988 and 344 kg·ha^{-1 …}

Variation In Ornamental Traits Of Dalea Purpurea Vent. (Purple Prairie Clover), Dale T. Lindgren

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Dalea pulpurea Vent., formerly designated as Petalostemon purpureus (Vent.) Rydb., is a native herbaceous plant found growing in the United States from North Dakota to Texas and from the Mississippi River to the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains (Great Plains Flora Assn., 1986). Dalea purpurea would likely be more accepted as an ornamental plant if additional selections with improved flowering and foliage traits were available.

Two populations of D. purpurea were evaluated for variation in height, stem color, foliage color, flowering time, stem count, and lodging. Population 1 (467 plants) was the cultivar Kaneb (Stock Seed Farm, Murdock, …

Multiplication Of Four Penstemon Species In Vitro, Dale T. Lindgren, Brent Mccown

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Penstemon (beard tongue) is a native genus of U.S. wildflower that is used for landscape plants (Lindgren, 1984a, 1984b, 1990), for cut flowers (Lindgren, 1986), and for ecological studies (Stubbendieck et al., 1982). Tissue culture techniques could be useful for propagating cultivars and species in this genus as some do not breed true from seed, require special seed germination conditions, or are difficult to propagate using other vegetative methods (Lindgren, 1984b, 1990; Stubbendieck et al., 1982). Penstemon haydenii is also the only listed endangered plant species in Nebraska.

The Penstemon spp. P. digitalis Nutt. ‘Husker Red’ (Lindgren, 1984b); P. grandiflorus …

‘Prairie Snow’ Penstemon, Dale T. Lindgren

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

‘Prairie Snow’ is a white-flowered, seedpropagated bulk population of Penstemon grandiflorus selected for home landscape use that also can be used for prairie and roadside plantings. It was released in 1988 in conjunction with, and to honor, the 10th anniversary of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. It is unique to this species because of its pure white flowers. A native population of P. grandiflorus was manipulated using a modified bulk population selection scheme so that plants with specific traits could be isolated from plants without the desired traits.

Two similar cultivars, Albus and Lena Seeba, have been mentioned in the literature. …

Influence Of Planting Depth And Interval To Initial Harvest On Yield And Plant Response Of Asparagus, Dale T. Lindgren

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Four planting depths and two time intervals ( l or 2 years) between transplanting and initial year of harvest of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) yield were compared for 4 years. Spear emergence and initial spring harvest date were delayed and susceptibility to spring frost injury was decreased with increasing planting depth (from S.O to 20.0 cm). Over years, crown depth increased for the shallowest planting and decreased for the deepest planting. Harvesting after 1 year vs. 2 years from planting reduced yield. There were no significant interactions between year of initial harvest and depth of planting.

Serosurvey For Selected Pathogens In Hunter-Killed Pronghorns In Western Nebraska, Jerre L. Johnson, T. Lynwood Barber, Merwin L. Frey, George Nason

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Exposure of pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) in western Nebraska in 1983 to selected livestock pathogens was examined by serology and attempted virus isolation. Antibodies were present to the agents of bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus. There were no serologic reactors to Brucella, and attempts to isolate the viruses of bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease were negative.

Serologic Survey Of Selected Pathogens In White-Tailed And Mule Deer In Western Nebraska, Jerre L. Johnson, T. Lynwood Barber, Merwin L. Frey, George Nason

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Exposure of free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in western Nebraska to selected livestock pathogens was determined by serology and attempted virus isolation. Antibodies to bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus were present in both species of deer. No serologic reactors to Brucella or Anaplasma were found. Attempts to isolate bluetongue virus were negative.

Cerebral Abscess And Cephenemyia Phobifer In A Mule Deer In Central Nebraska, Jerre L. Johnson, John B. Campbell, Alan R. Doster, George Nason, R. J. Cagne

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

A wild yearling male mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from south central Nebraska was submitted to the University of Nebraska North Platte Station Diagnostic Laboratory with the history of severe depression, slight incoordination, and visual impairment. Gross examination revealed a large abcess involving approximately 65-75% of the cebral hemispheres of the brain and approximately bots in the retropharyngeal pouches.