Botany Commons^™

A Study Of The Historical Development And Horticultural Practices Of A Public Garden, Steven J. Nosal

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This project examined the historical development and the horticultural practices in the public gardens of the Parks Department in Lincoln, Neb. It concentrates on one particular place to illustrate development and practice issues: the Sunken Gardens. This garden was built during the Depression in the 1930s as a place of beauty for all of the citizens of Lincoln. Although the Sunken Garden covers only 1.5 acres, it has remained a very important part of Nebraska's capital city for more than 64 years.

Automated Conserved Non-Coding Sequence (Cns) Discovery Reveals Differences In Gene Content And Promoter Evolution Among Grasses, Gina Marie Turco, James C. Schnable, Brent S. Pedersen, Michael Freeling

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Conserved non-coding sequences (CNS) are islands of non-coding sequence that, like protein coding exons, show less divergence in sequence between related species than functionless DNA. Several CNSs have been demonstrated experimentally to function as cis-regulatory regions. However, the specific functions of most CNSs remain unknown. Previous searches for CNS in plants have either anchored on exons and only identified nearby sequences or required years of painstaking manual annotation. Here we present an open source tool that can accurately identify CNSs between any two related species with sequenced genomes, including both those immediately adjacent to exons and distal sequences separated by …

2013 Fall Seed Guide, Teshome Regassa, P. Stephen Baenziger, Greg Kruger, Dipak Santra

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Nebraska Winter Wheat Variety Tests

Locations for Winter Wheat

Winter Wheat Characteristics

Alfalfa Variety Tests

Cool Season Grasses

Winter Barley Variety Tests

Triticale

NCIA Seed Book

Rate Of Shattercane × Sorghum Hybridization In Situ, Jared J. Schmidt, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Mark L. Bernards, John L. Lindquist

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Cultivated sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. bicolor] can interbreed with a feral weedy relative shattercane [S. bicolor nothosubsp. drummondii (Steud.) de Wet ex Davidse]. Traits introduced from cultivated sorghum could contribute to the invasiveness of a shattercane population. An experiment was conducted to determine the potential for pollenmediated gene flow from grain sorghum to shattercane. Shattercane with juicy midrib (dd) was planted in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] fields during 2 yr in concentric arcs at varying distances from a 0.39 ha sorghum pollen source with dry midrib (DD). The arcs …

A Morphological Analysis Of A Hybrid Swarm Of Native Ulmus Rubra And Introduced U. Pumila (Ulmaceae) In Southeastern Nebraska, Christian Elowsky, Ingrid E. Jordon-Thaden, Robert B. Kaul

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

The parental species and hybrid swarm of native Ulmus rubra Muhl. and the introduced, naturalized and weedy U. pumila L. were investigated in a 65-km transect in Lancaster, Saunders, and Butler counties in Nebraska. Thirty-two trees of U. rubra, 32 of U. pumila, and 50 of the hybrid swarm were sampled for leaves and buds and subsampled for flowers and fruits. Leaves were measured for petiole length, blade length, width, primary and secondary teeth per cm, number of secondary teeth per primary tooth, and texture. Buds were scored for color and distribution of trichomes. Flowers were sampled for stamen counts …

A Floristic Analysis And Comparison Of Plant Communities In Harlan County, Nebraska, Naomi D. Hastings, Steven J. Rothenberger

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Historically, the Republican River Valley in Harlan County, Nebraska, has been extensively explored, but the county flora has continually been under-represented and has been found to lack records for plants that are considered common. During the 2009 growing season, a taxonomic study and comparison of 3 different sites in Harlan County was made. Site #1 was pastureland and Sites #2 and #3 were both riparian, located on the north side of the Republican River. Collections were pressed, dried, identified, and deposited in the University of Nebraska at Kearney Herbarium (NEBK). Forty-eight new county records were verified, in­cluding cutleaf-cucumber (Cyclanthera …

Estudios Científicos En El Estado De Hidalgo Y Zonas Aledañas, Volumen Ii, Griselda Pulido-Flores, Scott Monks

Zea E-Books Collection

Los 16 capítulos que conforman este libro son una contribución al conocimiento de la biodiversidad y conservación de los recursos naturales en el estado de Hidalgo, México.

Se aborda el derecho de propiedad intelectual en la biodiversidad, citando algunos ejemplos de México. Así mismo, se presenta un estudio de la biodiversidad y distribución de la herpetofauna en cuatro tipos de vegetación. Desde el punto de vista de la helmintología se presentan dos estudios de los helmintos parásitos de vertebrados silvestres; con nuevos registros de hospederos y localidades de algunas especies de helmintos para Hidalgo. También, se aborda el uso de …

Contributions Of Stocked And Naturally Reproduced Rainbow Trout In The Deerfield Reservoir System, Jacob L. Davis, Jerry W. Wilhite, Greg Simpson, Michael E. Barnes, Kaite N. Bertrand, David W. Willis

The Prairie Naturalist

Deerfield Reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota and its tributary system are managed as hatchery supplemented rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fisheries. Three genetically unique strains of rainbow trout (Shasta, Erwin and McConaughy) are stocked into the system. Recently, juvenile rainbow trout of unknown origin were collected in the tributary system above Deerfield Reservoir, indicating potential natural reproduction. Understanding the genetic origins and ability of these rainbow trout to contribute to the fishery is essential in determining the proper management strategy for these waters. Our objectives were to 1) evaluate the genetic origins of potentially naturally reproduced rainbow trout …

Distribution Of Burrowing Owls In East- Central South Dakota, Jiill A. Shaffer, Jason P. Thiele

The Prairie Naturalist

Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) populations have declined across much of western North America, particularly at the northern and eastern edges of the species’ breeding range (Martell et al. 2001, Murphy et al. 2001, Shyry et al. 2001, Skeel et al. 2001, Klute et al. 2003). In South Dakota, the burrowing owl is a summer resident that historically was relatively common throughout the state, but its range has decreased in recent decades, especially in the eastern half of the state (Whitney et al. 1978, South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union [SDOU] 1991, Peterson 1995). Tallman et al. (2002) described the species …

Notes: Nesting Patterns Of Red-Tailed Hawks And Great-Horned Owls In South-Cen- Tral Kansas, William Langley

The Prairie Naturalist

Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus) can influence the nesting behavior of each other through direct competition for nesting sites. For instance, owls begin nesting before hawks and, thus, can use nests from the previous year and prevent hawks from occupying those sites (Orians and Kuhl- man 1956, Gilmer et al. 1983, Minor et al. 1993). However, both species sometimes kill the nestlings of the other (Craig- head and Craighead 1956, Bosakowski et al. 1989).

The objective of my study was to investigate nesting patterns of these two raptors at the edge of the tallgrass prairie over …

Research Notes Vs. Research Articles, Christopher N. Jacques

The Prairie Naturalist

Greetings GPNSS members! I hope this email finds you well, winding down another academic year, and looking forward to the summer field season. Warm temperatures, peak foliage, and heightened anticipation of the start of another field season are upon us following a long winter season and unusually wet spring for many of us across the Great Plains. Here in westcentral Illinois, wild turkeys are gobbling, neotropical migrants are singing and establishing breeding territories, and white-tailed deer are within days of giving birth to the next generation of fawns. Granted, there are many outdoor activities to participate in, though oppressive heat …

2013 Keya Paha Biological Unique Landscape Ecological Evaluation, Robert F. Steinauer

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project (Schneider et al, 2005), a statewide comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy developed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), identified the Keya Paha River drainage as a “Biologically Unique Landscape” (BUL). To facilitate conservation efforts, ecological evaluations of mesic prairie, wetlands, and bur oak woodland plant communities and surveys for Tier 1 and Tier 2 at-risk-plant species were conducted within the Keya Paha BUL.

Nebraska Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) Ecological Community Survey Forms were completed to document native plant communities and NNHP Rare Plant Survey Forms were completed to document rare plant occurrences (S1-S2 species) …

Oaks For Nebraska, Justin R. Evertson

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: Publications

R = belongs to red oak group—acorns mature over two seasons & leaves typically have pointed lobes.
W = belongs to white oak group— acorns mature in one season & leaves typically have rounded lobes.

Estimated size range is height x spread for trees growing in eastern Nebraska.

A few places to see oaks: Indian Cave State Park; Krumme Arboretum in Falls City; Peru State College; Fontenelle Nature Center in Bellevue; Elmwood Park in Omaha; Wayne Park in Waverly; University of Nebraska Lincoln; Lincoln Regional Center Arboretum; Ehman Park in Gothenburg; Highland Park in Hastings; UNL Extension Center & Cody …

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Differ In Their Ability To Regulate The Expression Of Phosphate Transporters In Maize (Zea Mays L.), Hui Tian, Rhae A. Drijber, Xiaolin Li, Daniel N. Miller, Brian J. Wienhold

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Previous studies have found that some phosphate (Pi) starvation inducible transporter genes are downregulated and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inducible Pi transporter genes are upregulated in maize roots associated with the fungus Glomus intraradices. However, little is known about the functional diversity of different AM fungal species in influencing the expression of Pi transporters in maize roots. Here, we studied the expression of two Pi transporter genes ZEAma:Pht1;3 (Pi starvation inducible) and ZEAma:Pht1;6 (AM inducible) in maize root colonized by different AM fungal inoculants. Non-mycorrhizal maize, maize colonized by Glomus deserticola (CA113), Glomus intraradices (IA506), Glomus mosseae (CA201), Gigaspora gigantea …

Sub1a-Mediated Submergence Tolerance Response In Rice Involves Differential Regulation Of The Brassinosteroid Pathway, Aaron J. Schmitz, Jing J. Folsom, Yusuke Jikamaru, Pamela C. Ronald, Harkamal Walia

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Submergence 1A (SUB1A), is an ethylene response factor (ERF) that confers submergence tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa) via limiting shoot elongation during the inundation period. SUB1A has been proposed to restrict shoot growth by modulating gibberellic acid (GA) signaling.

Our transcriptome analysis indicated that SUB1A differentially regulates genes associated with brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis during submergence. Consistent with the gene expression data, the SUB1A genotype had higher brassinosteroid levels after submergence compared to the intolerant genotype. Tolerance to submergence can be activated in the intolerant genotype by pretreatment with exogenous brassinolide, which results in restricted shoot elongation …

Erratum To: Identification And Characterization Of Four Missense Mutations In Brown Midrib12 (Bmr12), The Caffeic Acid O-Methyltranferase (Comt) Of Sorghum, Scott E. Sattler, Nathan A. Palmer, Ana Saballos, Ann M. Greene, Zhanguo Xin, Gautam Sarath, Wilfred Vermerris, Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The original version of this article unfortunately contained some mistakes. The name of the enzyme “Caffeic O-methyltransferase” should be read as “Caffeic acid O-Methyltranferase” throughout the paper, including the title.

On Table 2, the fifth column should have been captured as part of the sub-heading “Unpretreated”. The corrected version is shown on the next page.

Table 2 Variation in Klason lignin content and glucose yields obtained after enzymatic saccharification at 50 °C at 60 FPU/ g cellulase of native (unpretreated) stover after 4, 20, and 96 h, and of pretreated stover after 24 h

Mapping Soybean Aphid Resistance Genes In Pi 567598b, Carmille Bales, Guorong Zhang, Menghan Liu, Clarice Mensah, Cuihua Gu, Qijian Song, D. L. Hyten, P. B. Cregan, Dechun Wang

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) has been a major pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in North America since it was first reported in 2000. Our previous study revealed that the strong aphid resistance of plant introduction (PI) 567598B was controlled by two recessive genes. The objective of this study was to locate these two genes on the soybean genetic linkage map using molecular markers. A mapping population of 282 F_4:5 lines derived from IA2070 X E06902 was evaluated for aphid resistance in a field trial in 2009 and a greenhouse trial in 2010. Two …

Unleashing The Potential Of The Root Hair Cell As A Single Plant Cell Type Model In Root Systems Biology, Zhenzhen Qiao, Marc Libault

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Plant root is an organ composed of multiple cell types with different functions.This multicellular complexity limits our understanding of root biology because -omics studies performed at the level of the entire root reflect the average responses of all cells composing the organ. To overcome this difficulty and allow a more comprehensive understanding of root cell biology, an approach is needed that would focus on one single cell type in the plant root. Because of its biological functions (i.e., uptake of water and various nutrients; primary site of infection by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legumes), the root hair cell is an attractive …

The Clubroot Pathogen (Plasmodiophora Brassicae) Influences Auxin Signaling To Regulate Auxin Homeostasis In Arabidopsis, Linda Jahn, Stefanie Mucha, Sabine Bergmann, Cornelia Horn, Paul E. Staswick, Bianka Steffens, Johannes Siemens, Jutta Ludwig-Müller

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The clubroot disease, caused by the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae, affects cruciferous crops worldwide. It is characterized by root swellings as symptoms, which are dependent on the alteration of auxin and cytokinin metabolism. Here, we describe that two different classes of auxin receptors, the TIR family and the auxin binding protein 1 (ABP1) in Arabidopsis thaliana are transcriptionally upregulated upon gall formation. Mutations in the TIR family resulted in more susceptible reactions to the root pathogen. As target genes for the different pathways we have investigated the transcriptional regulation of selected transcriptional repressors (Aux/IAA) and transcription …

Taxonomy And Biogeography Of The New Caledonian Species Of Xylopia L. (Annonaceae), David M. Johnson, Jérôme Munzinger, Julie A. Peterson, Nancy A. Murray

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A taxonomic review of the New Caledonian representatives of the pantropical tree genus Xylopia L. (Annonaceae) is presented based on museum study of 157 collections. Distinctions are clarified among the four endemic species, two of them previously undescribed in flower and two others described in the literature from only the type collections. A key and species descriptions are presented. Xylopia pancheri Baill., the most frequently collected species, occurs in maquis environments with ultramafic rocks in the central and southern regions of the island, as well as on the Ile des Pins. Xylopia vieillardii Baill. is widespread in low elevation humid …

Immunodetection Of Triticum Mosaic Virus By Das- And Dac-Elisa Using Antibodies Produced Against Coat Protein Expressed In Escherichia Coli: Potential For High-Throughput Diagnostic Methods, Satyanarayana Tatineni, Gautam Sarath, Dallas Seifers, Roy C. French

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV), an economically important virus infecting wheat in the Great Plains region of the USA, is the type species of the Poacevirus genus in the family Potyviridae. Sensitive and high-throughput serology-based detection methods are crucial for the management of TriMV and germplasm screening in wheat breeding programs. In this study, TriMV coat protein (CP) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and polyclonal antibodies were generated against purified soluble native form recombinant CP (rCP) in rabbits. Specificity and sensitivity of resulting antibodies were tested in Western immuno-blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In direct antigen coating (DAC)-ELISA, …

Soil Sorptivity Enhancement With Crop Residue Accumulation In Semiarid Dryland No-Till Agroecosystems, T.M. Shaver, G. A. Peterson, Laj R. Ahuja, D.G. Westfall

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Water capture and precipitation use efficiency are of great importance in dryland cropping systems because the world's dependence on food produced in dryland areas continues to increase. Growing season evapotranspiration potential greatly exceeds growing season precipitation rates in dryland areas, creating a water deficit for crops. Management practices that positively impact soil physical properties increase the potential for soils to capture water. One way to assess the ability of soils to capture water is through the measurement of sorptivity. Sorptivity is defined as the cumulative infiltration proportionality constant and is governed by surface soil physical properties such as texture, degree …

Enzyme Activity In Wheat Breeding Lines Derived From Matings Of Low Polyphenol Oxidase Parents, Somrudee Nilthong, Robert A. Graybosch, P. Stephen Baenziger

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in grain plays a major role in time-dependent discoloration of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) products, especially fresh noodles. Breeding wheat cultivars with low or nil PPO activity can reduce undesirable product darkening. The low PPO line PI 117635 was crossed to two low PPO wheats, IDO580 and ‘IDO377s’, to determine whether matings between wheats with low levels of grain PPO would result in complementation, such that lines with still lower or nil PPO would be generated. Progeny in a population derived from PI 117635/ IDO580 displayed no variation in PPO activity. In the F_3:4 populations …

Evaluation Of Public Sweet Sorghum A-Lines For Use In Hybrid Production, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Scott E. Sattler, William F. Anderson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A fundamental need for commercialization of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] as a bioenergy crop is an adequate seed supply, which will require development of hybrid varieties using dwarf seed-parent lines. A set of six public sweet sorghum A-lines (Dwarf Kansas Sourless, KS9, N36, N38, N39, and N4692) were crossed with a set of six public sweet sorghum cultivars (Brawley, Kansas Collier, Dale, Sugar Drip, Waconia, and Wray). Grain, fiber, and sugar yields were determined, and conversion formulas were applied to estimate ethanol yields. Hybrids were grown in fields at Ithaca, NE, USA, in 1983– 1984 fertilized with …

Functional Characterization Of Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase And Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase In Brachypodium Distachyon, Gina M. Trabucco, Dominick A. Matos, Scott J. Lee, Aaron J. Saathoff, Henry D. Priest, Todd C. Mockler, Gautam Sarath, Samuel P. Hazen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background: Lignin is a significant barrier in the conversion of plant biomass to bioethanol. Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyze key steps in the pathway of lignin monomer biosynthesis. Brown midrib mutants in Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor with impaired CAD or COMT activity have attracted considerable agronomic interest for their altered lignin composition and improved digestibility. Here, we identified and functionally characterized candidate genes encoding CAD and COMT enzymes in the grass model species Brachypodium distachyon with the aim of improving crops for efficient biofuel production.

Results: We developed transgenic plants overexpressing artificial microRNA designed …

Transcriptome Analysis Of Two Buffalograss Cultivars, Michael Wachholtz, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Paul Twigg, Lisa Baird, Guoqing Lu, Keenan Amundsen

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background: Buffalograss [Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engel. syn. Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) Columbus] is a United States native turfgrass species that requires less irrigation, fungicides and pesticides compared to more commonly used turfgrass species. In areas where water is limited, interest in this grass species for lawns is increasing. While several buffalograss cultivars have been developed through buffalograss breeding, the timeframe for new cultivar development is long and is limited by a lack of useful genetic resources. Two high throughput next-generation sequencing techniques were used to increase the genomic resources available for buffalograss.

Results: Total RNA was extracted and …

Complete Plastid Genomes From Ophioglossum Californicum, Psilotum Nudum, And Equisetum Hyemale Reveal An Ancestral Land Plant Genome Structure And Resolve The Position Of Equisetales Among Monilophytes, Felix Grewe, Wenhu Guo, Emily A. Gubbels, A Katie Hansen, Jeffrey P. Mower

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background: Plastid genome structure and content is remarkably conserved in land plants. This widespread conservation has facilitated taxon-rich phylogenetic analyses that have resolved organismal relationships among many land plant groups. However, the relationships among major fern lineages, especially the placement of Equisetales, remain enigmatic.

Results: In order to understand the evolution of plastid genomes and to establish phylogenetic relationships among ferns, we sequenced the plastid genomes from three early diverging species: Equisetum hyemale (Equisetales), Ophioglossum californicum (Ophioglossales), and Psilotum nudum (Psilotales). A comparison of fern plastid genomes showed that some lineages have retained inverted repeat (IR) boundaries originating …

Indoor Application Of Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait (Atsb) In Combination With Mosquito Nets For Control Of Pyrethroid-Resistant Mosquitoes, Zachary P. Stewart, Richard M. Oxborough, Patrick K. Tungu, Matthew J. Kirby, Mark W. Rowland, Seth R. Irish

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background: Attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) sprayed onto vegetation has been successful in controlling Anopheles mosquitoes outdoors. Indoor application of ATSB has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ATSB stations positioned indoors have the potential to kill host-seeking mosquitoes and constitute a new approach to control of mosquito-borne diseases.

Methods: Insecticides were mixed with dyed sugar solution and tested as toxic baits against Anopheles arabiensis, An. Gambiae s.s. and Culex quinquefasciatus in feeding bioassay tests to identify suitable attractant-insecticide combinations. The most promising ATSB candidates were then trialed in experimental …

Nutrient Partitioning And Grain Yield Of Tanam-Rnai Wheat Under Abiotic Stress, Mary J. Guttieri, Ricardo J. Stein, Brian M. Waters

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Aims — Decreased expression of TaNAM genes by RNAi results in delayed senescence and decreased grain protein, iron, and zinc concentrations. Here, we determined whether NAM expression level alters onset of senescence under stress conditions, whether delayed senescence in the TaNAM-RNAi line resulted in improved tolerance to post-anthesis abiotic stress, and determined the effects of post-anthesis abiotic stress on N and mineral remobilization and partitioning to grain.

Methods — Greenhouse-grown WT and TaNAM-RNAi wheat were characterized in two studies: three levels of N fertility or water limitation during grain fill. Studies were conducted under both optimal and heat stress …

Genetic Mapping And Confirmation Of Quantitative Trait Loci For Seed Protein And Oil Contents And Seed Weight In Soybean, Safiullah M. Pathan, Tri Vuong, Kerry Clark, Jeong-Dong Lee, J. Grover Shannon, Craig A. Roberts, Mark R. Ellersieck, Joseph W. Burton, P. B. Cregan, David L. Hyten, Henry T. Nguyen, David A. Sleper

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Demand for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal has increased worldwide and soybean importers often offer premiums for soybean containing higher contents of protein and oil. Objectives were to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with soybean seed protein, oil, and seed weight in a soybean mapping population and confirm detected QTL across genetic backgrounds and environments. Two populations of 216 and 156 recombinant inbred lines were developed from Magellan × PI 438489B and Magellan × PI 567516C crosses, respectively, and grown in two Missouri environments in 2008. More than 900 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism …