Earth Sciences Commons^™

Critical Knowledge Gaps In The Martian Geological Record: A Rationale For Regional-Scale In Situ Exploration By Rotorcraft Mid-Air Deployment, William Rapin Sorbonne Université, A. Fraeman California Institute Of Technology, B. L. Ehlmann California Institute Of Technology, A. Mittelholz University Of British Columbia, B. Langlais, R. Lillis, V. Sautter, D. Baratoux, V. Payré, Arya Udry, B. Horgan, J. Flahaut, G. Dromart, C. Quantin-Nataf, N. Mangold, S. Maurice, J. T. Keane, J. Bapst

Geoscience Faculty Research

Mars oldest terrains hold the answers to key science questions, yet remain largely unexplored. In situ exploration by mid-air deployed rotorcrafts can uniquely answer these questions in the near future due to their unique ability to access the ancient southern highlands and perform in situ analyses at regional-scale, at breakthrough costs.

Yield And N Recovery By Grass Species In Response To Long Term Applications Of Manure And Mineral Fertilizer In A Cool Maritime Climate, Shabtai Bittman, Derek Hunt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Liquid manure is an important source of nutrients on many modern dairy farms. Nitrogen (N) use efficiency of slurry is usually less than chemical fertilizer, but the difference is less when tested in trials lasting at least 7 years than in short term trials (Schröder et al., 2007). The efficiency of slurry manure N can be improved by minimizing loss of ammonia after application using low emission applicators. In grass stands where injection is impractical, mitigation methods often involve spreading the slurry in narrow bands directly on the soil surface. Losses of N as ammonia, nitrous oxide and leaching have …

Herbaceous Perennial Legumes: New Options For Pasture In Dryland Livestock Systems In Sub-Humid Mediterranean Chile, Carlos Ovalle, Soledad Espinoza, Viviana Barahona, Macarena Gerding, Alan Humpries, Alejandro Del Pozo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a climate with winter-dominant rainfall and long dry summers, like in Central Chile, the introduction and use of annual legumes and grasses, to improve productivity of livestock farming systems and to the rehabilitation of degraded agroecosystems have been the main strategies in the last twenty years. Unfortunately, the growth rate of annual legumes is low during autumn and winter, and also plant senescence starts by the end of October due to low soil water availability. As a consequence, the distribution of biomass production is mainly concentrated in spring when temperatures are moderate and soil water is available. In other …

Traditional Wisdom For Sustainable Agri And Livestock Production: An Opportunity For Better Animal, Human And Environment Health, M. J. Saxena, Anup Kalra

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Animal production is poised to make a generous leap in the years to come because of the multiplicity of the related events that are taking place around the globe. Increased demand of the livestock products, ease of market accessibility, and opportunity of global trade, increased cash flow in urban and rural societies, application of science and application of new technologies in production, feeding & processing may be some of the key factors responsible for the anticipated increase in livestock production. However, at the same time it is high time that we address some areas of quality assurance of feed & …

Presence Of Pesticide Residue In Feeds–An Assessment, Arpana Singh, S. K. Nag

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The presence of varying types of toxic substances in feed is undesirable as it acts as the main source of entry of these chemicals into the animal body, redistribution and deposition in different tissues for a long time depending on the nature of the toxicants. Feed safety is equally important as food safety as both are directly linked when production of food of animal origin is concerned. Presence of pesticide residues are often reported in different feed resources (Kang et al., 2002; Sharma et al., 2005; Nag, 2006). These residues may ultimately contaminate the food chain and accumulate in human …

Productivity And Quality Of Baby Corn (Zea Mays) Fodder As Influenced By Nutrient Management Practices In The Indo-Gangetic Plains Of India, Seeta Ram Meena, Ashok Kumar, Nand Kishor Jat

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Maize occupies an important place among cereals in the world ranking at third place in respect of area and production. Owing the diversified uses for food, feed and industrial utilization and having the greater yield potential among the cereals maize has become an important crop in India. For diversification and value addition of maize and growth of food processing industry; an interesting recent development is the growing maize for vegetable purpose as “baby corn”. The duration of baby corn ends with 60-70 days; until it enters into reproductive phase (40-45 DAS). Besides, from its cultivation ensures availability of good-quality green …

Calcium And Phosphorus Ratio In Soil, Native Grasses, Water And Bovines And Its Correlation With Productivity, Anandamoy Kundu, Jaisunder, S. Jeya Kumar, R. B. Rai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Minerals play vital role in growth, sexual maturity, conception and milk production. Reproductive problems viz. delayed puberty in heifers, post pubertal anoestrus, repeat breeding and prolonged post partum anestrous, prolonged service period and calving interval in cattle has been observed to be a major cause for poor productive and reproductive performance under this island ecosystem. Therefore, the study was undertaken to correlate the extent to which calcium and Phosphorus were responsible for reproductive performance of bovines. In Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the concentrate feeding to bovines is uncommon. Thus bovines are fully dependent on grazing or forage feeding. Most of …

Soil Enzymes: Indicator For Soil Health Under Fruit Based Agri-Horti System, Tilak Mondal, Jaideep Kumar Bisht, P. K. Mishra, B. M. Pandey, D. Mahanta, V. S. Meena, A. Pattanayak

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Agroforestry as a sustainable land management system, which increases the yield of the land, combines production of crops (including tree crops) and forest plants and/or animals simultaneously or sequentially. Among the different agroforestry system practices in hill area agri-horti system is one of the most important system because of its specific environmental conditions and natural availability of wide range of fruit trees (citrus, apple, walnut, plum, peach, pear, apricot etc.). In Northwestern hill region viz. Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir horticulture is the backbone of these states economy which supports about 1.5-2.0 million families and, provides direct or …

Monitoring Of Heavy Metal Contamination In Fodders, Feeds And Milk In Gulbarga District Of Karnataka, K. S. Prasad, D. T. Pal, S. B. N. Rao, B. D. Naveen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Xenobiotics like heavy metals are increasing in environment due to industrialization, urbanization and agricultural practices which pose threat to animal health and quality animal products. Safe animal feeds are important for health of animals, environment and for the safety of foods of animal origin especially milk (Prasad et al., 2012). To address the issue, monitoring of xenobiotics especially heavy metals in the fodder, feeds and animal products is necessary. The aim of the present study is to find out the status of heavy metals in feeds and milk of Gulbarga district in Karnataka.

Effect Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae On Nutrient Content And Seedling Quality Of Important Fodder Tree Species Of Central India, Ashok Shukla, Anuradha Jha, Anil Kumar, V. D. Tripathi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acacia nilotica, Albizia procera, Dalbergia sissoo and Leucaena leucocephala are important multipurpose tree species (MPTs). These are being utilized in agroforestry systems at ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute (ICARCAFRI), Jhansi and are also being utilized in reforestation programme in Central India. The success of any agroforestry model and/or reforestation programme depends upon the quality seedling materials. Nursery-produced seedlings can be an effective means of ensuring successful establishment of agroforestry models and/or reforestation programme. However, such seedlings sometimes fail to establish themselves in the fields. The poor performance of planted seedlings is often associated with transplant shocks and low seedling …

The Effect Of Novel Endophyte And Insecticide Seed Treatment On The Establishment Of Long Rotation Or Perennial Ryegrass Plants In The Presence Of Adult Argentine Stem Weevil (Listronotus Bonariensis), Wayne W. Nichol, Simon F. Walker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel)) is a recognised pasture pest throughout most regions of New Zealand including an increasing threat to the southern half of the South Island (Popay et al. 2011). Mitigation options for control of adult Argentine stem weevil (ASW) during establishment of ryegrass are available. The following study investigated the potential for seed infected with novel endophytic fungi Neotyphodium sp.(Clavicipitaceae: Hypocreales) and/or seed treated with systemic insecticide to improve the survivability of ryegrass seedlings in the presence of adult ASW in South Otago, New Zealand.

Endophytes For Improving Ryegrass Performance: Current Status And Future Possibilities, Alison J. Popay, David E. Hume

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The endophyte N. lolii was introduced naturally into New Zealand and Australia when perennial ryegrass seed was brought into these countries. Although the presence of the endophyte was recognised early in the 19^th Century, its effects were only discovered in the early 1980s when it was found that these Wild-type strains of endophyte caused ryegrass staggers, a neuromuscular condition of grazing animals (Fletcher and Harvey 1981), and that they also protected their hosts from the effects of Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) a serious pest of ryegrass in New Zealand (Prestidge et al. 1982). These endophytes …

Pasture Pests--Are They The Real Problem?, Colin M. Ferguson, Sue Peoples

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The New Zealand grass grub, Costelytra zealandica (White)(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and species of the porina complex, Wiseana spp. (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), (hereafter referred to as ‘porina’) are endemic New Zealand insects whose larvae have a long history as significant, intransigent, agricultural pests. Both affect pasture production and plant composition in most regions of the country. Grass grubs are root feeders while porina caterpillars, although dwelling in permanent subterranean burrows, emerge at night to feed on above ground plant foliage. Both find rye-grass and white clover, the basis of most New Zealand pastures, very favourable food plants. The life histories and larval development …

Linking Rangeland Management With The Nutritional Physiology And Ecology Of Locusts, Arianne J. Cease

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangeland management practices alter soil and plant characteristics and communities. These changes have implications for the success of pests common to grass and forage systems. Understanding how pests respond to anthropogenic influences is a key variable for the development of sustainable pest management strategies that minimize potential risk and severity of pest damage. For example, heavy livestock grazing in northeast China promotes locust outbreaks by lowering plant nitrogen content. This in turn likely decreases the amount of protein, relative to carbohydrate, that locusts receive. In this case, a low protein/high carbohydrate diet is just what this locust species needs to …

Long-Term Evidence Shows That Crop-Rotation Diversification Increases Agricultural Resilience To Adverse Growing Conditions In North America, Timothy M. Bowles, Maria Mooshammer, Yvonne Socolar, Francisco Calderon, Michel A. Cavigelli, Steve W. Culman, William Deen, Craig F. Drury, Axel Garcia Y Garcia, Amelie C. M. Gaudin, W. Scott Harkcom, R. Michael Lehman, Shannon L. Osborne, G. Philip Robertson, Jonathan Salerno, Marty R. Schmer, Jeffrey Strock, A. Stuart Grandy

Faculty Publications

A grand challenge facing humanity is how to produce food for a growing population in the face of a changing climate and environmental degradation. Although empirical evidence remains sparse, management strategies that increase environmental sustainability, such as increasing agroecosystem diversity through crop rotations, may also increase resilience to weather extremes without sacrificing yields. We used multilevel regression analyses of long-term crop yield datasets across a continental precipitation gradient to assess how temporal crop diversification affects maize yields in intensively managed grain systems. More diverse rotations increased maize yields over time and across all growing conditions (28.1% on average), including in …

Yield And Quality Of Dual Purpose Sorghum-Fodder Cowpea Cropping System As Influenced By Integrated Nutrient Management, R. V. T. Balazzii Naaiik, R. Susheela, V. Chandrika, M. Shanti, T. Shashikala, K. B. Suneetha Dev

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Integrated nutrient management in cropping system ensures higher fertilizer use efficiency through balanced combination of organic manures and chemical fertilizers. INM is required to stimulate sustainability in production of crops in cropping sequence. Sorghum is commonly grown for grain and fodder in different agro-climatic regions of Andhra Pradesh. The crop can be grown both in kharif and rabi season. In our country, sorghum provides a cheap source of dietary carbohydrate and energy. Sorghum is a C₄ plant species however grain and fodder yields are low mainly because of low inputs. Since it is not precisely known that what would …

Mineral Status Of Livestock, Soil, Feeds And Fodders In Ajmer District Of Rajasthan, Sheela Choudhary, Ramkesh Meena, Sunil Dutt Choudhary, Poonam Yadav

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A large number of Indian livestock suffer from deficiencies or imbalances in minerals because they are mainly maintained on crop residue based rations and grazing without access to mineral supplement (Mc Dowell et al., 1993). Deficiency or imbalance of single or multiple minerals results in enzymatic dysfunction and hormonal imbalance associated with fertility of animals (Maurice, 2003). In India where dietary concentration of fodder fed to the animals are unknown or highly variable due to availability, season, location, forage, species and animal potential (Sharma et al., 2003), it is important to determine plasma mineral concentrations in animal region wise, …

The Clover Root Weevil Invasion: Impact And Response Of The New Zealand Pastoral Industry 1996-2012, Philippa J. Gerard, James R. Crush, Colin M. Ferguson, Scott Hardwick, Mark R. Mcneill, Craig B. Phillips

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Clover root weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhall (Curculionidae: Coleoptera), was first reported in New Zealand in 1996. With few natural enemies or competitors, it rapidly became a major pest of white clover. Its strong flight capability, tendency to be transported in agricultural machinery and vehicles, and wide climatic tolerance enabled it to spread the length of the country (1,600 km) by 2010. The most damaging stage is the larva, which attacks the roots, root nodules and stolons of clovers, reducing herbage production (particularly in spring), pasture clover content, and nitrogen fixation. From the time of the initial invasion, the pastoral industry …

Prescribed Fire: A Proposed Management Tool To Facilitate Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys Ludovicianus) Colony Expansion, Felicia D. Archuleta, Paulette L. Ford

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are considered a keystone species in grassland ecosystems. Through their burrowing activities, they conspicuously alter grassland landscapes and provide foraging, shelter and nesting habitat for a diverse array of grassland species, in addition to serving as prey for the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Due to a combination of factors, the lands currently occupied by prairie dog colonies are thought to represent less than 10% of their historical range. Black-tailed prairie dogs have difficulty colonizing areas with tall and/or dense plant cover. We examine how manipulations of grassland vegetative structure through …

Influence Of Foliar Nutrition Of Selenium On Phytochelatines Content In The Forage Of Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense L.), Iva Klusoňová, Pavel Horký, Jiří Skládanka, Markéta Komínková, Vojtěch Adam, René Kizek, Petr Škarpa, Lucia Hodulíková

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Selenium (Se) is an essential element significantly influencing health status of animals and humans. The insufficient supply of organism with this element leads to many disorders. Conversely, higher intake can be toxic. As a part of selenoproteins, it regulates the antioxidant system and thus prevents the oxidative destruction of biological membranes and prevents the damage of the body by heavy metals. Consequently, its deficiency disrupts the overall health of animals and humans because of involvement of selenium compounds in many biological functions. Selenium concentration of plant biomass is derived from its content in the soil and may considerably vary depending …

Evaluation Of Quality Traits Of Nitrogen Treated Napier Bajra Hybrid Plants In Different Cuts Using Different Nitrogen Sources, Meenakshi Goyal, Rupinder Kaur, U. S. Tiwana

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Napier Bajra Hybrid, cv PBN-233 is a inter-specific hybrid between Pennisetum glaucum × Pennisetum purpureum. It is an important fast growing multi-cut fodder crop and provides fodder from April to November. It is widely distributed in sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, southern Europe and America. Nitrogen (N) is a fundamental regulator of plant growth and its supply strongly influence plant growth. In general, the availability of the nutrients influences the quality of various crops. Due to this reason, nitrogen fertilizers were increasingly used in agricultural sectors around the world. Some researchers reported that forage quality increased with nitrogen fertilization …

Enhancing Fodder Oat (Avena Sativa) Production In Problem Soils Using Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi Isolated From Acid And Salt Affected Soils Of India, R. Srinivasan, G. Prabhu, Manoj Chaudhary, Auji Radhakrishna, Sharmishtha Paul

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tropical and subtropical soils are predominantly acidic, and often extremely phosphorus-deficient with high phosphorus sorption (fixation) capacities. Phosphorus (P) is one of the major essential macronutrients for plants, present at levels of 400–1200 mg/kg of soil. One of the drawbacks of fertilization is that only a fraction of the P added is eventually assimilated by plants, due to high reactivity of soluble phosphate with other elements the rest becomes unavailable to plants by forming complexes with either, Al, Fe, Ca or Mn depending on soil type (Rodríguez and Fraga, 1999). Even though some soils may have high levels of total …

Composting Characteristics Of Bovine Manure Produced By Conventional Stacked Processing And An Experimental Small-Scale Apparatus, Yusuke Kajiya, Yasuyuki Ishii, Kiichi Fukuyama, Sachiko Idota

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Southern Kyushu is an important center of beef production in Japan and the large amounts of bovine waste that are produced in the region need to be utilized in a way that is not harmful to the environment. One such method is to use the manure to produce organic fertilizer, which can then be used to replace the chemical fertilizer that is used for forage production (Hasyim et al., 2014). The composting of bovine manure involves co-digestion of cow manure with substrates such as sawdust and hay. The composting characteristics of these mixtures are influenced by the relative amounts of …

Modelling The Effects Of Climatic Factors On The Biomass And Rodent Distribution In A Tibetan Grassland Region In China, Quanzhen Wang, Maolin Xia, Bai-Song, Xi-Rao-Zhuo-Ma, Ba-Sang, Jiang- Cuo, Zha-Dui, Jin-Mei, Ze-Duo, Surong Li, Zha-Xi, Yang-Ba, Jia-Yang, Dan-Pei, Jian Cui, Jimin Cheng

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To identify the main climatic factors from 2007 to 2009 that influence biomass and rodent distribution, 576 fixed sample plots within 81 million km² of different climatic grassland in Tibet were monitored. The aboveground biomass, the total burrows, the active burrows, the burrow index, and the rodent density in the plots were measured yearly in October. The monthly precipitation and the average temperatures from April to November were obtained for four successive years (2006-2009). Correlative and modelling analyses between the aboveground biomass, the rodent density, and the climatic factors were performed. The results showed that biomass and rodent density …

Impacts And Management Of Invasive Burrowing Herbivores In Grasslands, Peter J. S. Fleming, Limin Hua, Desley Whisson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Maintenance of the productivity of the world’s grasslands is critical for livestock production, bio-diversity conservation and ecosystem services. Using case studies from Australasia, North America and China, we identify general principles of managing invasive native and introduced herbivores. Management aims to achieve optimised livestock production while conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are often intangible. We identify similarities and differences in the ecologies and impacts of European wild rabbits, Californian ground squirrel and plateau zokors, discuss management tools and strategies, and the ecological, social and cultural factors affecting management. The ecosystem engineering characteristics of these species that make them important …

Alteration Of Physiological Parameters Of Milkvetch (Astragalus Adsurgens) By The Pathogen Embellisia Astragali, Binhua Yu, Zhibiao Nan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Milkvetch (Astragalus adsurgens) is sown on > 1 M ha in China as a forage legume and to control soil and water erosion. It is drought-tolerant and has high herbage yield, wide adaptability and medium forage quality. However, fungal disease is a major factor affecting its persistence and productivity. Embellisia astragali is a highly virulent seed-borne pathogen which commonly causes stunt and root rot. The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of Embellisia astragali on the physiological status of milkvetch by monitoring changes through time in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and other parameters of milkvetch inoculated …

Hematite (U-Th)/He Thermochronometry Detects Asperity Flash Heating During Laboratory Earthquakes, Melissa S. Chapot, Alexis K. Ault, Greg Hirth, Robert G. Mcdermott

Geosciences Faculty Publications

Evidence for coseismic temperature rise that induces dynamic weakening is challenging to directly observe and quantify in natural and experimental fault rocks. Hematite (U-Th)/He (hematite He) thermochronometry may serve as a fault-slip thermometer, sensitive to transient high temperatures associated with earthquakes. We test this hypothesis with hematite deformation experiments at seismic slip rates, using a rotary-shear geometry with an annular ring of silicon carbide (SiC) sliding against a specular hematite slab. Hematite is characterized before and after sliding via textural and hematite He analyses to quantify He loss over variable experimental conditions. Experiments yield slip surfaces localized in an ∼5–30-µm-thick …

Comparative Sulfur Use Efficiency And Water Stress Tolerance In Two Brassica Napus Cultivars, Bok-Rye Lee, Tae-Hwan Kim, Sang-Hyun Park, Qian Zhang, Rashed Zaman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

S-deficiency and/or S-deprivation decreases the cell sap osmotic potential resulting from a net increase of intracellular solutes rather than from a loss of cell water and chlorophyll content resulting in a restriction of Rubisco synthesis and provoked the chlorosis of young leaves (Lee et al., 2014; Muneer et al., 2014). These imply that S-deficiency results in a general inhibition of photosynthesis and protein synthesis. On the other hand, several studies have indicated that S nutrition has a potential role in stress tolerance and defense mechanism. Sulfur is an essential element in the formation of sulfhydryl (S-H) and disulphide bond …

Evaluation Of Spittlebug Incidence On Two Grasslands From Mojui Dos Campos Para, Brazil, Andréa Krystina Vinente Guimarães, Daniel Carvalho Evangelista, Adenomar Neves De Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Spittlebugs (Homoptera: Cercopidae) are considered the main pests of forage crops, particularly of the genus Brachiaria (Miles et al. 2006) with severe damage caused by the sucking of nymph and adult insects which often leads to reduced dry matter production and forage quality, and may result in death of the above-ground part of plants when spittlebug populations are high (Holmann and Peck 2002). In Brazil, spittlebug incidence is one of six major causes for degradation of Amazon pasture degradation.

This work was carried out to evaluate pastures conditions and spittlebug incidence on marandu grassland (B. brizantha cv. marandu) …

Towards Effective Management: Toxicity, Causal Mechanism And Controlling Strategy Of Toxic Rangeland Weeds In Western China, Wei He, Yongmei Liu, Hao Lu, Baoyu Zhao, Chonghui Mo, Juying Wu, Nengtai Da, Yahui Wei

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Toxic rangeland weeds (TRWs) pose a great threat to animal husbandry. Currently, an estimated 33 million hectares of pasture (10%) in western China is infested by a variety of toxic weeds, including Stellera chamaejasme, Oxytropis spp., Astragalus spp., Achnatherum inebrians. The spread of these toxic weeds results in huge annual economic losses of more than $2.4 billion USD (direct and indirect). A combination of ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry and field practise methods will be used to identify and evaluate TRWs, explore the mechanism of toxicity, and more importantly, understand the causal mechanism by which TRWs flourish. The knowledge …