Agriculture Commons^™

Rna Interference As A Method For Target-Site Screening In The Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera, Analiza P. Alves, Marce D. Lorenzen, Richard W. Beeman, John E. Foster, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

To test the efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi) as a method for target-site screening in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae, genes were identified and tested for which clear RNAi phenotypes had been identified in the Coleopteran model, Tribolium castaneum. Here the cloning of the D. v. vergifera orthologs of laccase 2 (DvvLac2) and chitin synthase 2 (DvvCHS2) is reported. Injection of DvvLac2-specific doublestranded RNA resulted in prevention of post-molt cuticular tanning, while injection of DvvCHS2- specific dsRNA reduced chitin levels in midguts. Silencing of both DvvLac2 and DvvCHS2 was confirmed by RT-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR. As in T. …

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Growth And Yield Of Cultivated Grape With Native Perennial Grasses Nodding Needlegrass Or California Barley As Cover Crops, Michael J. Costello

Wine and Viticulture

Two California native perennial grasses, nodding needlegrass [Nassella cernua (Stebbins & R.M. Love) Barkworth] and California barley [Hordeum brachyantherum Nevski ssp. californicum (Covas & Stebbins) Bothmer, N. Jacobsen & Seberg], were compared with a conventional grass cover crop, ‘Blando’ brome (Bromus hordeaceus L.), as well as resident (weedy) vegetation and a clean cultivated control for effects on growth and yield of cultivated grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Barbera). Statistical analyses did not reveal yield differences between treatments with floor vegetation (the native grasses, ‘Blando’ brome, and resident vegetation) and clean cultivation, the cover crop treatments (the native grasses and ‘Blando …

Efficacies Of Habitat Management Techniques In Managing Maize Stem Borers In Ethiopia, Difabachew K. Belay, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Habitat management techniques to control maize stem borers were tested in eastern (Melkassa and Mieso) and western (Sibu-Sire) Ethiopia. These techniques consisted of using mixed cropping of maize with haricot beans at different maize:bean ratios and a ‘‘push–pull’’ (PP) strategy utilizing Napier grass as a trap plant around maize plots as the ‘‘pull’’ and Desmodium in between maize rows as a deterrent or ‘‘push’’. In Melkassa, pest infestations were too low for the cropping system to significantly affect pests, plant damage and yields while in Mieso, where the pest densities were high, intercropping of maize with beans at ratios of …

Rna Interference As A Method For Target-Site Screening In The Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera, Analiza P. Alves, Marce D. Lorenzen, Richard W. Beeman, John E. Foster, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

To test the efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi) as a method for target-site screening in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae, genes were identified and tested for which clear RNAi phenotypes had been identified in the Coleopteran model, Tribolium castaneum. Here the cloning of the D. v. vergifera orthologs of laccase 2 (DvvLac2) and chitin synthase 2 (DvvCHS2) is reported. Injection of DvvLac2-specific doublestranded RNA resulted in prevention of post-molt cuticular tanning, while injection of DvvCHS2- specific dsRNA reduced chitin levels in midguts. Silencing of both DvvLac2 and DvvCHS2 was confirmed by RT-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR. As in T. …

Effects Of Maternal Nutrition On Conceptus Growth And Offspring Performance: Implications For Beef Cattle Production, Richard N. Funston, David M. Larson, K. A. Vonnahme

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Developmental programming is the concept that a maternal stimulus or insult at a critical period in fetal development has long-term effects on the offspring. Historically, considerable effort has been made to understand how nutrition influences health and productivity during the postnatal period. Whereas maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays an essential role in proper fetal and placental development, less is known about how maternal nutrition affects the health and productivity of the offspring. Conceptus growth is sensitive to direct and indirect effects of maternal dietary intake. Even from the earliest stages of embryonic life, when nutrient requirements for conceptus growth are …

Estrus Synchronization And Periconceptual Supplementation Affect The Profitability Of A Replacement Heifer Enterprise, D. M. Larson, R. D. Richardson, K. H. Ramsay, R. N. Funston

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Experiments evaluated estrus synchronization and periconceptual supplementation on pregnancy rate and calf production. Approximately one-half of heifers in 2 pastures (yr 1) or 4 pastures (yr 2) were injected with prostaglandin F_2α (PGF; n = 1,182) or not (NPGF; n = 1,208) 5 d after fertile bulls were introduced for 25 d. In yr 2, a total of 1,230 heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 pastures; 2 received a supplement providing 100 g/d of Ca propionate (1.4 kg/d, 20% CP) 2 d before through 19 d after bull exposure and 2 did not in a 25-d breeding …

Tillage And Crop Residue Affect Irrigation Requirements, Simon Van Donk

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Practicing less tillage and retaining more crop residue on the soil surface can reduce the rate of evaporation of water from the soil. These practices also increase the amount of soil water by increasing the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil and decreasing the amount that runs off across the soil surface. Less tillage and more residue coverage can significantly reduce the amount of irrigation water needed to grow a crop.

Effect Of Crop Residue On Soil Water Content And Yield Of Deficit-Irrigated Corn And Soybean, Simon Van Donk, Steven R. Melvin, James L. Petersen, Don Davison

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

It is believed that reduced tillage, with more crop residue on the soil surface, conserves water, especially in arid and semi-arid climates. However, the magnitude of water conservation is not clear. In 2007, a study was initiated on the effect of residue on soil water content and crop yield at North Platte, Nebraska. The experiment was conducted on plots planted to field corn (Zea mays L.) in 2007 and 2008, and soybean (Glycine max) in 2009. There were two treatments: residue-covered soil and bare soil. Bare-soil plots were created in April 2007 by using a dethatcher and …

Effect Of Crop Residue On Soil Water Content And Yield Of Deficit-Irrigated Corn And Soybean, Simon Van Donk, Steven R. Melvin, Jim Peterson, Don Davison

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

It is believed that reduced tillage, with more crop residue on the soil surface, conserves water, especially in arid and semi-arid climates. However, the magnitude of water conservation is not clear. In 2007, a study was initiated on the effect of residue on soil water content and crop yield at North Platte, Nebraska. The experiment was conducted on plots planted to field corn (Zea mays L.) in 2007 and 2008, and soybean (Glycine max) in 2009. There were two treatments: residue-covered soil and bare soil. Bare-soil plots were created in April 2007 by using a dethatcher …

Price Discovery In Nebraska Cattle Markets, Matt Stockton, David A. Bessler, Roger K. Wilson

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Monthly observations on prices from 10 weight/gender classifications of Nebraska beef cattle are studied in an error correction model (ECM) framework. This study attempts a replication of the 2003 paper on Texas prices by Bessler and Davis, where they find medium heifers (600–700 lb) at the center of price discovery. Using the ECM results Nebraska light steers are found to be weakly exogenous, with the innovation accounting results showing marked differences. Industry structure, production choices, and animal type and breeding herd differences between Texas and Nebraska are proposed as plausible reasons for partial (or incomplete) success at replication.

Resource Management Plan: Calamus Reservoir, Nebraska Great Plains Region, Bureau Of Reclamation

United States Bureau of Land Management: Staff Publications

The Calamus Reservoir Resource Management Plan (RMP) serves as a guidance document for land and resource management at the Calamus Reservoir and Kent Diversion Dam project areas. Calamus Reservoir and Kent Diversion Dam are components of the features and facilities constructed as part of the North Loup Division. This RMP has been developed cooperatively between the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Commission). The Commission manages both Calamus Reservoir and Kent Diversion Dam for Reclamation under a long term lease agreement.

The RMP provides information regarding project characteristics, land and water use, cultural resources, endangered …

Genomic And Transcriptomic Studies In Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis, J. P. Bannantine, Adel M. Talaat

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

Microarray technology is an important tool in functional genomic research. It has enabled a deeper analysis of genomic diversity among bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). In addition, the expression of thousands of genes can be studied simultaneously in a single experiment. With the complete genome sequence of a bovine isolate of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis, and the independent construction of DNA microarrays in our laboratories, transcriptomic studies for this veterinary pathogen are now possible. Furthermore, the bovine genome sequence project is completed and bovine arrays have been developed to examine host responses to infection with M. avium …

Threadfin Shad Impacts Phytoplankton And Zooplankton Community Structures In Channel Catfish Ponds, Bartholomew W. Green, Peter Perschbacher, Gerald Ludwig, Sara E. Duke

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

Plankton community structure and chlorophyll a concentration were compared in 12 0.1-ha earthen ponds co-stocked with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818) in multiple-batch culture (initial biomass = 5,458 kg ha^-1) and a planktivore, threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense Güther, 1867; initial biomass = 449 kg ha^-1), during the April-November growing season. We used a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement to test planktivore level (presence or absence of threadfin shad) and channel catfish feeding frequency (daily or every 3^rd d). Channel catfish were fed a 32% protein feed to apparent …

The Leading Object: February 2010, John C. Owens

Leading Object

Perspectives, IANR signs five-year agreement with Brazil for Fulbright program, Kimmel seeks to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, Mulliken turns his love for research into a successful consulting business,Lincoln has ties to Copenhagen climate summit, Sleight to be part of national policy conference at Drake University, Cotton receives national eXtension award, Weeks honored as AAAS Fellow, Former dean dies, ISU vet med leader retiring as dean, Swanson serves in interim 4-H post.

The Leaning Object: April 2010, John C. Owens

Leading Object

Perspectives; Costa Rican, IANR officials strengthen ties; Bust honors Morrill, author of land-grant legislation; Unintentional farm policy career is fulfilling; 4-H collaborates with Omaha zoo; Tree planting for Arbor Day; Awards ...OEAs, Holling awards, Outstanding postdoc mentor, Other awards

The Leading Object: May 2010, John C. Owens

Leading Object

Perspectives; NU delegation visits Vietnam; Green to assume vice chancellorship July 19; Pioneer Hi-Bred researcher credits success to ‘solid education’; Presidential nominee has IANR ties; Awards ... Dinsdale and OEA; Water research to ‘jump start’ new center; Entrepreneurship, ag are tour highlights; Death

Warm Season Annual Forage Performance Trials, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension continued their research to evaluate warm season annual forage systems. Warm season annual forages include grasses such as sorghum, sudangrass, sorghumsudangrass, Japanese millet, and pearl millet varieties. These grasses prefer the warmth of the summer months and generally thrive between June and August. Warm season annuals can be grazed or harvested for stored forage. Since warm season annuals thrive in hot weather they could supplement pasture during the summer slump. The summer slump is a period during the summer that cool season perennial grasses slow in growth and quality. The goal of this …

Oat Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Oats (Avena sativa L.) have a long history of being grown in the Northeast. Although most of the oats are planted for a cover crop or hay, growing oats for grain is another potential revenue source for farmers. According to the 2007 census, about 200 acres of land in Vermont is cultivated for oat grain production, with an average yield of 1747 lbs/acre. Unless, a hulless variety is grown, oats need to be hulled before being used for human consumption, and further processing is required to make oatmeal, steel cut oats or oat flour. The goal of this project was …

Sunflower Seeding Rate X Nitrogen Rate Trial Report, Heather Darby, Philip Halteman, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Rosalie Madden

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The 2010 growing season was warmer and slightly wetter than normal through the majority of the spring. The month of May was considerably drier than normal, though June’s rainfall exceeded 30-year averages. No effect was apparent on germination rates. Accumulated growing degree days (GDDs) for the sunflower season totaled 3,120 from the beginning of June through the middle of October, when the sunflowers were harvested, which was 264 higher than the 30 year averages (table 1). These data were recorded at weather stations in close proximity to the research site.