Agricultural Science Commons^™

Serotonin Localization In The Turkey Vaginal But Not Sperm Storage Tubule Epithelia, M. R. Bakst, V. Akuffo

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

Elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating sperm selection and transport in the vagina of the hen had been the focus of a limited amount of research over the past decade. New observations indicate the presence of nonneuron endocrine cells in the epithelia lining the lumina of the turkey hen vagina and uterovaginal junction. Although no cells in the vagina or uterovaginal junction surface epithelia exhibited argentaffin staining, typical of cells containing neurosecretory granules, cells restricted to the vaginal and uterovaginal junction but not the sperm storage tubule epithelia were immunoreactive positive to serotonin. We speculate that if released into …

A Gel-Based Reference Map Of The Porcine Hepatocyte Proteome, Thomas J. Caperna, Amy E. Shannon, Wesley M. Garrett

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

The overall goal of our research is to characterize and identify gene expression profiles of porcine hepatic cells. In this study, we have prepared two-dimensional electrophoresis maps of cytosol and membrane fractions from freshly prepared hepatocytes which were pooled from three crossbred pigs (35–69 kg). Following isoelectric focusing with three pH range immobilized pH gradient strips (pH 3–6, 5–8 and 7–10) and staining the second dimension gels with colloidal Coomassie blue, 728 protein spots were picked and digested with trypsin. Extracted tryptic peptides were initially subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF-MS) analysis for identification of proteins …

Nuclear Targeting By Fragmentation Of The Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid Genome, Asta Abraitiene, Yan Zhao, Rosemarie Hammond

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

Transient expression of engineered reporter RNAs encoding an intron-containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) from a Potato virus X-based expression vector previously demonstrated the nuclear targeting capability of the 359 nucleotide Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) RNA genome. To further delimit the putative nuclear-targeting signal, PSTVd subgenomic fragments were embedded within the intron, and recombinant reporter RNAs were inoculated onto Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Appearance of green fluorescence in leaf tissue inoculated with PSTVd-fragment-containing constructs indicated shuttling of the RNA into the nucleus by fragments as short as 80 nucleotides in length. Plant-to-plant variation in the timing of intron removal and subsequent …

Hessian Fly, Jeffrey J. Stuart, Ming-Shun Chen, Marion O. Harris

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

The Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) is a gall-forming insect (Harris et al. 2006) with several attributes that make it suitable for genetic analysis: a short life cycle (30 days), a small genome (158 Mb) (Johnston et al. 2004), and polytene chromosomes. The reproductive biology and behavior of the insect also make it an attractive model (Harris and Rose 1989,1990; Bergh et al. 1990; Kanno and Harris 2000; Morris et al. 2000; Harris et al. 2001). Compared to most plant-feeding insects, Hessian flies can be reared in a small space. Unlike gall-forming aphid species, the Hessian fly is always …

Uncertainty In Environmental Decision Making: Issues, Challenges And Future Directions, H. R. Maier, J. C. Ascough, M. Wattenbach, C. S. Renschler, W. B. Labiosa, J. K. Ravalico

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

There has been an increase in the use of formal approaches to environmental management. Jakeman and Letcher (2003) and Jakeman et al. (2006) have demonstrated the importance of integrated models as a means of assessing the response of environmental systems to proposed enlargement options. Gunderson and Holling (2000), Cowie and Borrett (2005), Curtis et al. (2005) and Pahl-Wostl (2005) have highlighted the need for the incorporation of social and institutional aspects into decision-making processes.

Pastoral Profits Guide, A Paddock Guide To Achieving Sustainable Livestock Productivity, Mark Alchin, Jim Addison, Valarie Shrubb, Zac Cockerill, Matthew Young, Tim Johnson, Greg Brennan

All other publications

Most pastoralists appreciate the need to deliver an economic, environmental and social 'profit' from their business. Achieving these profits can be a real challenge given the comparatively low productive potential and the substantial seasonal variation in the WA Southern Rangelands region. This guide was written to assist pastoralists to meet their specific livestock production, financial and range condition objectives through the better alignment of feed demand (stocking rate) to feed supply (carrying capacity). We provide nine basic steps that simplify the process of managing the feed supply, equipping pastoralists with the tools to make· decisions and to critically assess the …

Sugar-Enhanced Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation For Northern Indiana, 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Research Reports

"The Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service reported sweet corn for fresh market sales was harvested from 5,200 acres in Indiana in 2006 and had a total value of $7.6 million. Sweet corn fields are located throughout the state. In northern Indiana, bicolor corn is most commonly grown. Varieties with improved eating quality are of interest to both producers and consumers. Producers are also interested in yield, ear size, appearance, and agronomic characteristics. This paper reports on 11 sugar enhanced and synergistic sweet corn cultivars that were evaluated at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana."

Pumpkin Cultivar Observation Trial, Indiana 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Research Reports

"Pumpkins for decorative use are grown on more than 4,000 acres in Indiana. Combined acreage in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio represents about a quarter of pumpkins grown for decorative use in the United States. Successful pumpkin production requires the use of cultivars that yield well and produce pumpkins of the size, shape, color, and quality demanded by the market. There is keen interest in cultivars that also show resistance to powdery mildew. This trial was conducted to observe the performance of jack-o-lantern, pie, and mini-pumpkin cultivars in northern Indiana."

Supersweet Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation For Northern Indiana, 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Research Reports

The Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service reported sweet corn for fresh market sales was harvested from 5,200 acres in Indiana in 2006 and had a total value of $7.6 million. Sweet corn fields are located throughout the state. In northern Indiana, bicolor corn is most commonly grown. Varieties with improved eating quality are of interest to both producers and consumers. Producers are also interested in yield, ear size, appearance, and agronomic characteristics. This paper reports on 12 sh2 sweet corn entries that were evaluated at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana.

Sugar-Enhanced Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation For Northern Indiana, 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

"The Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service reported sweet corn for fresh market sales was harvested from 5,200 acres in Indiana in 2006 and had a total value of $7.6 million. Sweet corn fields are located throughout the state. In northern Indiana, bicolor corn is most commonly grown. Varieties with improved eating quality are of interest to both producers and consumers. Producers are also interested in yield, ear size, appearance, and agronomic characteristics. This paper reports on 11 sugar enhanced and synergistic sweet corn cultivars that were evaluated at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana."

Pumpkin Cultivar Observation Trial, Indiana 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

"Pumpkins for decorative use are grown on more than 4,000 acres in Indiana. Combined acreage in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio represents about a quarter of pumpkins grown for decorative use in the United States. Successful pumpkin production requires the use of cultivars that yield well and produce pumpkins of the size, shape, color, and quality demanded by the market. There is keen interest in cultivars that also show resistance to powdery mildew. This trial was conducted to observe the performance of jack-o-lantern, pie, and mini-pumpkin cultivars in northern Indiana."

On-Farm Evaluation Of Tomato Cultivars For Disease Resistance, 2007, Dan Egel, Butch Zandstra, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

"Bacterial spot of tomatoes (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) causes lesions on leaves, stems, and fruit. Under hot, humid, rainy conditions, defoliation can result in a loss of yield. In addition, lesions on fruit result in a direct loss of marketability. This disease is managed primarily with applications of fixed copper bactericides, crop rotations, greenhouse sanitation, and healthy seed/transplants. Even in properly managed commercial fields, however, bacterial spot can cause yield losses. Although there are no varieties with complete resistance to bacterial spot, we report here the results of an on-farm trial that indicate some varieties may have partial resistance."

Sweet Corn Population Effects On Yield And Ear Quality, 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

"Current recommendations for fresh market sweet corn suggest row spacing of 30 to 40 inches and in-row spacing of 8 to 10 inches for early varieties and 9 to 12 inches for late varieties. This corresponds to populations from 13,068 to 26,136 plants per acre. Variety trials at Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center have been planted at row spacings of 30 or 36 inches and populations of 20,328 plants per acre. Some cultivars may perform well at higher populations. This trial was conducted to evaluate yield and ear characteristics of two cultivars at populations up to 50% higher than normally used in …

Weed Control In No-Till Pumpkins, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Research Reports

"No-till production systems for pumpkins are of interest to Midwest producers, but achieving acceptable weed control without cultivation can be difficult. Research was conducted in Wanatah, Indiana in 2007 to evaluate postemergence weed control options for pumpkins no-till planted into a fall-seeded, spring-killed winter wheat cover crop. Weeds in no-till pumpkins were controlled reasonably well with a preemergence herbicide (Strategy®) followed by a hooded sprayer, row-middle application of a nonselective, nonresidual herbicide (glyphosate). Weed control, yield, and fruit size with this treatment were comparable to conventional tillage with a preemergence herbicide (Strategy®) and one cultivation. Hand weeding could be substituted …

Sweet Corn Population Effects On Yield And Ear Quality, 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Research Reports

"Current recommendations for fresh market sweet corn suggest row spacing of 30 to 40 inches and in-row spacing of 8 to 10 inches for early varieties and 9 to 12 inches for late varieties. This corresponds to populations from 13,068 to 26,136 plants per acre. Variety trials at Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center have been planted at row spacings of 30 or 36 inches and populations of 20,328 plants per acre. Some cultivars may perform well at higher populations. This trial was conducted to evaluate yield and ear characteristics of two cultivars at populations up to 50% higher than normally used in …

On-Farm Evaluation Of Tomato Cultivars For Disease Resistance, 2007, Dan Egel, Butch Zandstra, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Research Reports

"Bacterial spot of tomatoes (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) causes lesions on leaves, stems, and fruit. Under hot, humid, rainy conditions, defoliation can result in a loss of yield. In addition, lesions on fruit result in a direct loss of marketability. This disease is managed primarily with applications of fixed copper bactericides, crop rotations, greenhouse sanitation, and healthy seed/transplants. Even in properly managed commercial fields, however, bacterial spot can cause yield losses. Although there are no varieties with complete resistance to bacterial spot, we report here the results of an on-farm trial that indicate some varieties may have partial resistance."

Weed Control In No-Till Pumpkins, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

"No-till production systems for pumpkins are of interest to Midwest producers, but achieving acceptable weed control without cultivation can be difficult. Research was conducted in Wanatah, Indiana in 2007 to evaluate postemergence weed control options for pumpkins no-till planted into a fall-seeded, spring-killed winter wheat cover crop. Weeds in no-till pumpkins were controlled reasonably well with a preemergence herbicide (Strategy®) followed by a hooded sprayer, row-middle application of a nonselective, nonresidual herbicide (glyphosate). Weed control, yield, and fruit size with this treatment were comparable to conventional tillage with a preemergence herbicide (Strategy®) and one cultivation. Hand weeding could be substituted …

Supersweet Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation For Northern Indiana, 2007, Elizabeth T. Maynard

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

The Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service reported sweet corn for fresh market sales was harvested from 5,200 acres in Indiana in 2006 and had a total value of $7.6 million. Sweet corn fields are located throughout the state. In northern Indiana, bicolor corn is most commonly grown. Varieties with improved eating quality are of interest to both producers and consumers. Producers are also interested in yield, ear size, appearance, and agronomic characteristics. This paper reports on 12 sh2 sweet corn entries that were evaluated at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center in Wanatah, Indiana.

Effects Of Atmospheric Co2 Enrichment On Crop Nutrient Dynamics Under No-Till Conditions, Stephen A. Prior, G. Brett Runion, Hugo H. Rogers, H. Allen Torbert

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

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration could increase crop productivity and alter crop nutrient dynamics. This study was conducted (3 yrs) with two crops ([Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]) grown under two CO₂ levels (ambient and twice ambient) using open top field chambers on a Blanton loamy sand under no-tillage. Macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations and contents were determined for grain, stover, and roots. Although elevated CO₂ tended to reduce nutrient concentrations, high CO₂ consistently increased nutrient content especially in grain tissue; this response pattern was more notable with macronutrients. The …

Good Vibrations? Structure And Function Of The Cloacal Tip Of Male Australian Maluridae, Melissah Rowe, Murray R. Bakst, Stephen Pruett-Jones

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

When females mate multiply, sperm competition can generate strong selection for traits that provide males with a fertilisation advantage. This study examined the cloacal tip, a unique morphological structure of males that appears to be associated with sperm competition in Australian Maluridae. Species in this group appear to experience a range of sperm competition intensities and exhibit a diversity of associated reproductive adaptations and behaviours. A prominent cloacal tip was present in the striated grasswren Amytornis striatus striatus, and superb Malurus cyaneus cyanochlamys, splendid M. splendens melanotus, red-backed M. melanocephalus and white winged fairy-wrens M. leucopterus leuconotus …

General Introduction To Areawide Pest Management, Robert M. Faust

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

Welcome to the realm of areawide pest management (AWPM). This book represents one of the first comprehensive 'treatises' on the AWPM concept and approach, and should be of interest and use to many types of readers, from research scientists in government, university and industry to pest control advisors and extension personnel, growers, pest control and integrated pest management (IPM) practitioners, students, teachers, natural resource managers and others interested in environmentally sound pest control. There is a range of topics included in the subject area. The book is grouped into three parts. Chapters 2-8 discuss the foundation of areawide pest management; …

Establishing Inter-Agency, Multidisciplinary Areawide Pest Management Programmes, Robert M. Nowierski, Hendrik J. Meyer

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

Pest management today usually comprises multiple complex tactics that transcend disciplines, geographical regions, climatic zones, production/management systems, production scales and economic strata. Solutions to priority problems involve research, education and extension professionals. But, equally important to project success are the users of the knowledge generated and the end-users of the 'products'. Setting a direction for the future goals, IPM has been an important activity for the 'community' of constituents who share concerns for future pest management.

Under the leadership of the USDA and land grant universities, a road map for IPM has been developed with extensive participation of diverse stakeholders. …

Social And Economic Aspects Of Areawide Pest Management, Sean P. Keenan, Paul A. Burgener

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

This chapter explores demonstration elements from the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service's demonstration programme for cereal aphid AWPM. We explore elements of the demonstration programme as agricultural innovations. We discuss potential adoption of these elements by wheat producers on the Great Plains and implications of the programme outcomes for other wheat-growing regions of the world. We begin with a history of research on the adoption of agricultural innovations, which provides the context for evaluating the cereal aphid programme from the perspective of farmer adoption. Chapter 19, this volume, by Kristopher Giles et al. provides a summary and …

The Role Of Databases In Areawide Pest Management, Vasile Catana, Norman Elliott, Kris Giles, Mustafa Mirik, David Porter, Gary L. Hein, Frank Peairs, Jerry Michels

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

The simplest definition of the term 'database' is given in Webster's dictionary as 'a comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer' (Random House, 1996). This term appeared in the late 1960s because of the evolution of computer software and the need to distinguish the specialized computer systems for the storage and manipulation of data, called database management systems (DBMS) (Neufeld and Cornog, 1986). Today, the acronym 'DBMS' is universally understood within Information Technology (IT), just like the acronym 'Bt' for 'Bacillus thuringiensis' is in the field of biological pest control. …

Corn Rootworm Areawide Pest Management In The Midwestern Usa, Laurence D. Chandler, James R. Coppedge, C. Richard Edwards, Jon J. Tollefson, Gerald R. Wilde, Robert M. Faust

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

For many maize (Zea mays) producers across the Midwestern USA, as well as in parts of the northern and southern plains, the corn rootworm complex (Diabrotica spp.; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has represented one of the greatest challenges to efficient, quality maize-grain production over the past 50-60 years. Three species of corn rootworm are particularly troublesome: the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, the northern corn rootworm, D. barberi and the Mexican corn rootworm, D. virgifera zeae; all have consistently been important economic pests of maize (Metcalf, 1986b). Prior to the introduction of transgenic maize varieties designed …

Turkey Sperm Reside In The Tubular Glands In The Urodeum Following Artificial Insemination, M. R. Bakst, V. Akuffo

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

A turkey hen in egg production requires 48 h after the last insemination to maximize the number of sperm in the uterovaginal junction sperm-storage tubules. Where the sperm that continue to fill the oviductal spermstorage sites during this 48-h period reside remains unknown. Histological sections of the juncture of the vagina with the urodeum, the central compartment of the cloaca, revealed deep tubular glands containing periodic acid- Schiff-positive secretory material. When examined 36 h after the last artificial insemination, sperm were observed in the lumen of the tubular glands associated with the urodeum. We suggest that sperm reside in the …

Central And Peripheral Administration Of Kisspeptin Activates Gonadotropin But Not Somatotropin Secretion In Prepubertal Gilts, Clay A. Lents, Neely L. Heidorn, C. Richard Barb, J. Joe Ford

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

It is well established that kisspeptin signaling is necessary for the onset of puberty in laboratory animals. However, the role that kisspeptin may have in regulating puberty in large domestic animals is unknown.We tested the hypothesis that either central or peripheral infusion of kisspeptin would stimulate gonadotropin and GH secretion in prepubertal gilts. In experiment 1, prepubertal gilts were fitted with i.c.v. cannula and indwelling jugular catheters. Animals were randomly assigned to receive 0, 10, or 100 μg kisspeptin in saline. In experiment 2, prepubertal gilts, fitted with indwelling jugular catheters, randomly received 0, 1, 2.5, or 5 mg kisspeptin …

Parentage-Based Dna Traceback In Beef And Dairy Cattle, Mike Heaton

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

Why is animal ID needed?

Ways to physically label individual cattle

Disputes arise even when animal identification systems are in place

The dispute

The resolution

DNA is the label never removed from beef

A chromosome has genes and other DNA

Genes are encoded by sequences of DNA

What are SNPs?

Properties of SNPs

Ways to use DNA for traceback

Sometimes parentage testing is the last resort for DNA-based traceback

Using SNP markers for parentage

Accurate sire determination requires many DNA markers

Comparing the calf to the sire: elimination

Comparing the calf to a possible sire

The ideal parentage SNP markers …

Genetic Profiling To Determine Potential Origins Of Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Captured In A Texas Eradication Zone: Endemicity, Immigration, Or Sabotage?, Kyung Seok Kim, Thomas W. Sappington, Charles T. Allen

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

Thirty-seven boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were captured in pheromone traps near Lubbock, TX, in the Southern High Plains/Caprock eradication zone during August-October 2006. No boll weevils had been captured in this zone or neighboring zones to the north earlier in the year, and only very low numbers had been captured in neighboring zones to the south and east. Therefore, the captures near Lubbock were unexpected. Five of the weevils captured the last week of August were preserved and genotyped at 10 microsatellite loci for comparison with a database of genotypes for 22 boll weevil populations sampled …

Improvement Of Perennial Forage Species As Feedstock For Bioenergy, William Anderson, Michael Casler, Brian S. Baldwin

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

Both native and non-native forage species other than switchgrass are less commonly considered as potential lignocellulosic feedstocks for bioenergy in the United States. These species hold potential as bioenergy feedstocks because of the experience and infrastructure that is already in place for management and harvest, and in certain areas of the country they have greater yield potential than switchgrass or other feedstocks. The forage grasses consist of temperate cool-season (most commonly C3) grasses as well as tropical or sub-tropical warm-season (C4) grasses. Some legume species may also play a significant role in supplying useful bioenergy feedstocks. Most have been researched …