Distribution Of Indigenous Strains Of Atoxigenic And Toxigenic Aspergillus Flavus And Aspergillus Parasiticus In Maize And Peanuts Agro-Ecological Zones Of Kenya,
2015
Kenyatta University
Distribution Of Indigenous Strains Of Atoxigenic And Toxigenic Aspergillus Flavus And Aspergillus Parasiticus In Maize And Peanuts Agro-Ecological Zones Of Kenya, Daniel O. Okun, Fathiya M. Khamis, Geoffrey M. Muluvi, Joseph J. Ngeranwa, Fidelis O. Ombura, Moses O. Yongo, Eucharia U. Kenya
All Peer-Reviewed Publications
Background: Grains of important food and export crops in Africa are susceptible to contamination by toxin-producing moulds. Aflatoxins are mycotoxins associated with liver damage and cancer in humans and animals. These toxic substances are produced by fungi (such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) in food and feed exposed to poor conditions during crop cultivation, storage or processing of harvest. The presence of aflatoxins in especially maize and peanuts in Kenya is of great concern. Recent developments in the application of atoxigenic strains of these fungi as biological control agents against toxigenic strains could be a solution to the problem. …
Summaries Of Arkansas Cotton Research 2014,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Summaries Of Arkansas Cotton Research 2014, Derrick M. Oosterhuis
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series
No abstract provided.
Sternal Gland Structures In Males Of Bean Flower Thrips, Megalurothrips Sjostedti, And Poinsettia Thrips, Echinothrips Americanus, In Comparison With Those Of Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella Occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae),
2015
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Sternal Gland Structures In Males Of Bean Flower Thrips, Megalurothrips Sjostedti, And Poinsettia Thrips, Echinothrips Americanus, In Comparison With Those Of Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella Occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Stephanie Krueger, Sevgan Subramanian, Saliou Niassy, Gerald B. Moritz
All Peer-Reviewed Publications
Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species of one genus. Their functional role is speculated to be that of sex- and/or aggregation pheromone production. Yet, sexual aggregations are not reported in Echinothrips americanus, known to have sternal pores, while we observed aggregations in Megalurothrips sjostedti, previously reported to lack them. We examined the sternal glands and pores of the thripine species E. americanus and M. sjostedti males, in comparison with those of Frankliniella occidentalis using light microscopy, as well as scanning and …
B. R. Wells Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2014,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
B. R. Wells Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2014, R. J. Norman, K.A. K. Moldenhauer
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series
No abstract provided.
Arkansas Wheat Cultivar Performance Tests 2014-2015,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Arkansas Wheat Cultivar Performance Tests 2014-2015, R. E. Mason, R. G. Miller, D. E. Moon, J. P. Kelley
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series
Wheat cultivar performance tests are conducted each year in Arkansas by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. The tests provide information to companies developing cultivars and/or marketing seed within the state and aid the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in formulating cultivar recommendations for small-grain producers.
Nitrogen And Water Effects On Canopy Sensor Measurements For Site-Specific Management Of Crops,
2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nitrogen And Water Effects On Canopy Sensor Measurements For Site-Specific Management Of Crops, Nicholas C. Ward
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Water and nitrogen (N) are undoubtedly the two largest agricultural inputs globally. Coupled with advances in site-specific management technology their integration into production agriculture will allow for the most efficient use these crop input resources. Active canopy sensors offer the ability to measure biophysical plant traits rapidly and make assessments about plant status. Specifically, optical sensor measurements of light reflectance assess plant N status allowing for in-season and on-the-go N recommendations and applications; while infrared thermometers (IRT) measurement of canopy temperature can be used a tool for irrigation management. To evaluate how these technologies work among different plant stress environments …
Land Use And Water And Soil Management Practices Impacts On Potential Groundwater Recharge In Loess Regions Of South Central Nebraska,
2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Land Use And Water And Soil Management Practices Impacts On Potential Groundwater Recharge In Loess Regions Of South Central Nebraska, Gustavo Bosch-Rubia
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Sustainability of agro-ecosystems must consider land use and water and soil management effects on groundwater recharge. Water flow beneath the plant root zone through the intermediate vadose zone determines potential groundwater recharge. Different land uses, water and soil management practices control deep percolation as a result of changes on evapotranspiration and infiltration. This study of the impact of surface activities on deep percolation was conducted at six locations across Nebraska: Two center-pivot irrigated no-till planting systems fields were compared with one tilled center-pivot irrigated field, a furrow irrigated field with multiple tillage treatments, an eco-fallow dryland farming system, and a …
Occurrence Of An Herbicide-Resistant Plant Trait In Agricultural Field Margins,
2015
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Occurrence Of An Herbicide-Resistant Plant Trait In Agricultural Field Margins, Karla L. Gag, David J. Gibson, Bryan G. Young, Julie M. Young, Joseph L. Matthews, Stephen C. Weller, Robert G. Wilson
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications
Agricultural environments allow study of evolutionary change in plants. An example of evolution within agroecological systems is the selection for resistance to the herbicide glyphosate within the weed, Conyza canadensis. Changes in survivorship and reproduction associated with the development of glyphosate resistance (GR) may impact fitness and influence the frequency of occurrence of the GR trait. We hypothesized that site characteristics and history would affect the occurrence of GR C. canadensis in field margins. We surveyed GR occurrence in field margins and asked whether there were correlations between GR occurrence and location, crop rotation, GR crop trait rotation, crop type, …
Isolation And Identification Of Desmodium Root Exudates From Drought Tolerant Species Used As Intercrops Against Striga Hermonthica,
2015
Rothamsted Research
Isolation And Identification Of Desmodium Root Exudates From Drought Tolerant Species Used As Intercrops Against Striga Hermonthica, A. M. Hooper, J. C. Caulfield, B. Hao, J. A. Pickett, C. A.O. Midega, Z. R. Khan
All Peer-Reviewed Publications
Abstract Plants from the genus Desmodium, in particular D. uncinatum, are used on sub-Saharan small-holder farms as intercrops to inhibit parasitism of cereal crops by Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica via an allelopathic mechanism. The search for Desmodium species which are adapted to more arid conditions, and which show resilience to increased drought stress, previously identified D. intortum, D. incanum and D. ramosissimum as potential drought tolerant intercrops. Their potential as intercrops was assessed for resource poor areas of rain-fed cereal production where drought conditions can persist through normal meteorological activity, or where drought may have increasing impact through climate …
Isolation Of Possible Biocontrol Endophytic Bacteria From Solanum Tuberosum Effective Against Streptomyces Scabies.,
2015
Northern Michigan University
Isolation Of Possible Biocontrol Endophytic Bacteria From Solanum Tuberosum Effective Against Streptomyces Scabies., Annie Flatley, Luke Ogle, Adam Noel, Erica Fraley, Alaxandra Goodman, Donna Becker
Poster Sessions
Use of biological control offers a cost effective and environmentally safe method for controlling plant diseases. Biocontrol agents that can colonize roots and live endophytically within plant tissue should allow for effective disease control. The goal of this research was to develop protocols to isolate putative Streptomyces species from potato stem and tuber tissue due to their ability to produce inhibitory compounds which could potentially reduce diseases caused by Streptomyces scabies. Endophyte isolation from Solanum tuberosum (potato) plants (stem and tuber tissues) that were grown in a biocontrol field trial were the focus of this study. Several surface …
Use Of Two Pathogen-Inhibiting Streptomyces Isolates For Biocontrol Of Scab Disease Of Raphanus Sativus,
2015
Northern Michigan University
Use Of Two Pathogen-Inhibiting Streptomyces Isolates For Biocontrol Of Scab Disease Of Raphanus Sativus, Tyler Park, Nichole Klingler, Adam Noel, Luke Ogle, Annie Flatley, Donna Becker
Poster Sessions
Streptomyces species are ubiquitous soil bacteria that are promising as biological control agents due to their prolific antibiotic production that can inhibit soil-borne plant pathogens. This includes Streptomyces scabies, which causes scab disease on underground storage organs. The goal of this research was to test two Streptomyces isolates that have known inhibitory and biocontrol abilities against S. scabies in a potato (Solanum tuberosum) agricultural system for their effectiveness in biocontrol of this pathogen in a radish (Raphanus sativus) greenhouse assay. Pathogenic S. scabies were mixed into either pasteurized or unpasteurized soil prior to planting. Radish …
Biochemical And Proteomic Profiling Of Maize Endosperm Texture And Protein Quality,
2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Biochemical And Proteomic Profiling Of Maize Endosperm Texture And Protein Quality, Kyla J. Morton
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
The research described herein, focuses on the biochemical and proteomic analysis of the maize endosperm and what influences kernel texture. Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is a hard endosperm version of the high-lysine opaque2 (o2) mutant but the genes involved in modifying the soft o2 endosperm are unknown. Pyrophosphate (PPi)-dependent fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (PFP) catalyzes the ATP-independent conversion of fructose 6-phosphate to fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate in glycolysis. We found a large increase in transcript and protein levels of the alpha regulatory subunit of PFP (PFPα) in QPM endosperm. In vitro enzyme assays show a significant increase in forward PFP …
Long-Term Effects Of Alternative Residue Management Practices On Near-Surface Soil Properties And Soybean Production In A Wheat-Soybean, Double-Crop System In Eastern Arkansas,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Long-Term Effects Of Alternative Residue Management Practices On Near-Surface Soil Properties And Soybean Production In A Wheat-Soybean, Double-Crop System In Eastern Arkansas, Christopher Ryan Norman
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Adoption of management practices that maintain or increase soil organic matter (SOM), which contains 58% carbon (C) on average, may help to mitigate climate change by sequestering atmospheric C. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the long-term trends in SOM, soil C and nitrogen (N), bulk density, various soil chemical properties (i.e., pH, electrical conductivity [EC], and Mehlich-3-extractable nutrients) in the top 10 cm, and soybean yield as affected by residue burning (burning and non-burning), tillage (conventional and no-tillage), irrigation (irrigated and non-irrigated), and N-fertilization/residue level (high and low) in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-soybean [Glycine …
Grower Adoption Of An Integrated Pest Management Package For Management Of Mango-Infesting Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Embu, Kenya,
2015
University of Nairobi
Grower Adoption Of An Integrated Pest Management Package For Management Of Mango-Infesting Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Embu, Kenya, J. K. Korir, H. D. Affognon, C. N. Ritho, W. S. Kingori, P. Irungu, S. A. Mohamed, S. Ekesi
All Peer-Reviewed Publications
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a well-recognized fruit of economic and nutritional importance to smallholder farmers across Africa. Production and marketing of this fruit is, however, severely hampered by fruit fly infestation that is responsible for enormous fruit losses. In Kenya, control of this pest is primarily dependent on the use of chemical pesticides, a strategy that has been shown to be ineffective. Although the recently introduced fruit fly integrated pest management (IPM) package developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) has proved to be effective against this pest, there is little demonstrable investigation on its …
Prokaryotic Diversity In The Rhizosphere Of Organic, Intensive, And Transitional Coffee Farms In Brazil,
2015
San Jose State University
Prokaryotic Diversity In The Rhizosphere Of Organic, Intensive, And Transitional Coffee Farms In Brazil, Adam Caldwell, Livia Silva, Cynthia Da Silva, Cleber Ouverney
Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences
Despite a continuous rise in consumption of coffee over the past 60 years and recent studies showing positive benefits linked to human health, intensive coffee farming practices have been associated with environmental damage, risks to human health, and reductions in biodiversity. In contrast, organic farming has become an increasingly popular alternative, with both environmental and health benefits. This study aimed to characterize and determine the differences in the prokaryotic soil microbiology of three Brazilian coffee farms: one practicing intensive farming, one practicing organic farming, and one undergoing a transition from intensive to organic practices. Soil samples were collected from 20 …
Predicting The Impact Of Temperature Change On The Future Distribution Of Maize Stem Borers And Their Natural Enemies Along East African Mountain Gradients Using Phenology Models,
2015
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Predicting The Impact Of Temperature Change On The Future Distribution Of Maize Stem Borers And Their Natural Enemies Along East African Mountain Gradients Using Phenology Models, Sizah Mwalusepo, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Estomih S. Massawe, Gerphas O. Okuku, Nancy Khadioli, Tino Johansson, Paul André Calatayud, Bruno Pierre Le Ru
All Peer-Reviewed Publications
Lepidopteran stem borers are among the most important pests of maize in East Africa. The objective of the present study was to predict the impact of temperature change on the distribution and abundance of the crambid Chilo partellus, the noctuid Busseola fusca, and their larval parasitoids Cotesia flavipes and Cotesia sesamiae at local scale along Kilimanjaro and Taita Hills gradients in Tanzania and Kenya, respectively. Temperature-dependent phenology models of pests and parasitoids were used in a geographic information system for mapping. The three risk indices namely establishment, generation, and activity indices were computed using current temperature data record from local …
Zernike Moments And Genetic Algorithm: Tutorial And Application,
2015
Edith Cowan University
Zernike Moments And Genetic Algorithm: Tutorial And Application, Oluleye Babatunde, Leisa Armstrong, Jinsong Leng, Dean Diepeveen
Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles
Aims/ objectives: To demontrate effectiveness of Zernike Moments for Image Classification. Zernike moment(ZM) is an excellent region-based moment which has attracted the attentions of many image processing researchers since its first application to image analysis. Many papers have been published on several works done on ZM but no single paper ever give a detailed information of how the computation of ZM is done from the time the image is captured to the computation of ZM. This work showed how to effectively apply ZM on RGB images. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of Zernike moment in image classification system. A neuro-genetic …
Genetic Engineering Online Lessons Improve Teaching And Increase Knowledge And Accepting Attitudes Among Students,
2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Genetic Engineering Online Lessons Improve Teaching And Increase Knowledge And Accepting Attitudes Among Students, Grace Troupe
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Genetic engineering has been used in the production of food in the U.S. for nearly three decades, however, science literacy in genetic engineering among consumers is still low. To address this problem, an online resource called The Journey of a Gene (passel.unl.edu/ge) was created to help incorporate genetic engineering education in high school and college curriculums. Here we report two studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of The Journey of a Gene in 1) improving student knowledge and attitudes about genetic engineering and 2) helping teachers increase their knowledge as well as quantity and quality of genetic engineering instruction. In …
Determinants Of Adoption Of Climate-Smart Push-Pull Technology For Enhanced Food Security Through Integrated Pest Management In Eastern Africa,
2015
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Determinants Of Adoption Of Climate-Smart Push-Pull Technology For Enhanced Food Security Through Integrated Pest Management In Eastern Africa, A. W. Murage, C. A.O. Midega, J. O. Pittchar, J. A. Pickett, Z. R. Khan
All Peer-Reviewed Publications
Food security attainment in Africa has been hindered by poor yields of cereals that serve both as staple and cash crops for the majority of smallholder farmers. Among the various constraints responsible for lower yields are the parasitic weed Striga, and Stemborer pests whose control has remained a challenge. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) with partners developed a novel conservation agricultural technology termed ‘push-pull’, based on companion cropping that effectively controls both constraints simultaneously. However, the effects of climate change threatened its expansion into drier areas where Striga is rapidly spreading. Further adaptation of the conventional …
Comparing Yield Monitors With Weigh Wagons
For On-Farm Corn Hybrid Evaluation,
2015
Iowa State University
Comparing Yield Monitors With Weigh Wagons For On-Farm Corn Hybrid Evaluation, Bjorn P. Nelson, Roger Wesley Elmore, Andrew W. Lenssen
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications
For many years, on-farm yield evaluations of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids were done with weigh wagons, handheld moisture testers, and measuring wheels. Today, most combines have continuous flow yield and moisture sensors. Published research results comparing the accuracy of combine-mounted sensor systems with that of weigh wagons are limited for on-farm corn hybrid evaluation. This study examined the accuracy of combine-mounted yield sensors with traditional weigh wagon methodology in on-farm corn hybrid strip trials. Data from combine-mounted sensors for plot weight, moisture percentage, and yield were compared with weigh wagon weight, handheld moisture testers, and calculated yield …
