Earth Sciences Commons^™

Life On The Edge: The Cambrian Marine Realm And Oxygenation, Sara Pruss, Benjamin C. Gill

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

The beginning of the Phanerozoic saw two biological events that set the stage for all life that was to come: (a) the Cambrian Explosion (the appearance of most marine invertebrate phyla) and (b) the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE), the subsequent substantial accumulation of marine biodiversity. Here, we examine the current state of understanding of marine environments and ecosystems from the late Ediacaran through the Early Ordovician, which spans this biologically important interval. Through a compilation and review of the existing geochemical, mineralogical, sedimentological, and fossil records, we argue that this interval was one of sustained low and variable marine …

Rice Biomass Response To Various Phosphorus Fertilizers In A Phosphorus-Deficient Soil Under Simulated Furrow-Irrigation, Jonathan B. Brye

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Wastewater-recovered phosphorus (P), in the form of the mineral struvite (MgNH4PO4⋅6H2O), may provide a sustainable alternative to rapidly decreasing rock phosphate reserves. Struvite can be generated via chemical and/or electrochemical precipitation methods, potentially reducing the amount of P runoff to aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this greenhouse tub study was to evaluate the effects of chemically- and electrochemically precipitated struvite (CPST and ECST, respectively) on above- and belowground plant response in a hybrid rice cultivar (Gemini 214, RiceTec) grown using furrow-irrigation compared to other common fertilizer-P sources [i.e., triple super phosphate (TSP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP)] in a P-deficient silt …

Building And Using A Hydrology Experiment For Place-Based Learning With Native American Students, Michaela Shallue

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Geoscience has a known diversity problem, specifically a participation gap of ethnic minority representation, and it is especially severe regarding Native American representation. To address this participation gap, an identity gap needs to be addressed first. Native students need to visualize themselves as geoscientists before they can commit to geoscience programs and careers. This project uses a hands-on, place-based learning activity as an opportunity for Native students to better see themselves as geoscientists.

A portable rainfall simulator was constructed, calibrated, and refined for use in teaching concepts about rainfall, runoff, and erosion. It was employed in place-based learning exercises with …

A Laser Ultrasound System To Non-Invasively Measure Compression Waves In Granular Ice Mixes, J. Chris Mccaslin, T. Dylan Mikesell, Hans-Peter Marshall

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Accurate knowledge of snow mechanical properties, including Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, and density, is critical to many areas of snow science and to snow-related engineering problems. To facilitate the assessment of these properties, an innovative non-contacting laser ultrasound system (LUS) has been developed. This system acquires ultrasound waveform data at frequencies ranging from tens to hundreds of kHz in a controlled cold-lab environment. Two different LUS devices were compared in this study to determine which recorded more robust ultrasound in granular ice mix samples. We validated the ultrasound observations with poro-elastic traveltime modeling based on physical and empirical …

Developmental Characteristics And Renovating Pattern Of Reed Canarygrass Shoots In A Sward, M Ito, S Mizuno, T Otani, S Kobayashi

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Developmental and renovating traits of shoots were investigated ecomorphologically in a reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L., cv. Palaton) sward harvested 3 times per year. Reed canarygrass shoots exhibited notably high growth rates both in the 1st and 2nd crops together with rapid leaf formation (around 7 days/leaf) and active internode elongation. Vigorously growing shoots, which regenerated soon after the 1st cutting and dominated in the 2nd crop canopy, mainly originated from the stubble formed with 3 to 4 phytomers that developed after the beginning of spring growth, thus resulting in higher shoot density than that of the 1st crop. …

Canopy Changes In Healthlands (Erica-Ulex) Grazed By Sheep Or Goats, R Celaya, K Osoro

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The grazing effects of sheep and goats on vegetation dominated by heaths (Erica spp) and gorse (Ulex gallii) were studied for two years. Two plots were grazed from May to October 1992 by 7 ewes or 7 does and in the following year each plot was subdivided into two subplots subsequently grazed either by sheep or by goats in a factorial design. During the first grazing season both sheep and goats reduced similarly the cover percentage of shrubs since the herbaceous content was scarce, although goats reduced more the height of the shrubs than sheep. The cover …

Effect Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium And Cutting On The Regrowth And Insect Infestation Of A Sorghum And Berseem Clover In Egypt, M B. Attia

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum quantities of phosphorus and potassium which must be applied with varying amounts of nitrogen in order to maintain maximum hay production and minimum level of insect infestation. This was more pronounced at the higher N rates and caused a significant N x K interaction during each of these years. There was no yield response to applied phosphorus at any N rate. Relation between levels of nitrogen and infestation percentage was positive but infestation rate decreased with the increase of potassium levels while there was no relation between levels of phosphorus …

An Overview Of The Physiology And Biochemistry Of N Reserves Mobilization In Forage Species, F Le Dily, A Ourry, J Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Recent works focusing on the physiological and biochemical events associated to perennial forages sustainability (re-growth after defoliation, winter survival), provided evidence that vegetative storage proteins (VSPs, ca proteins stored in remaining organs and specifically mobilized) were key organic compounds for shoot regrowth. Attempts to elucidate environmental conditions involved in VSPs deposit ability of different species are under progress today. In contrast, mechanisms of spring- or cut-induced proteolysis are investigated at a lesser extend. This contribution is an opportunity to summarize our knowledge of N-reserves mobilization and to set the question of VSPs breakdown regulation.

Intraspecific Competition In Lucerne And Relationships With Reserve Availability, Jean Christophe Avice, Alain Ourry, Gilles Lemaire, Jeffrey J. Volenec, Jean Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Below-ground reserves are thought to provide an indication of a forage potential for shoot regrowth after defoliation. The aim of this work was to re-evaluate the causal relationships existing between organic reserves (non-structural carbohydrates and N reserves) and shoot regrowth of alfalfa. The variations brought about by cultivar differences (cv Lodi or Europe), length of the previous regrowth period (30 or 45 d), or by intraspecific competition for light within a dense canopy, were studied. Field grown plants were harvested at weekly intervals, and separated as dominant, intermediate and suppressed plants. Shoot regrowth yield was determined and taproot were analyzed …

Seasonal Fluctuations Of Vegetative Storage Proteins And Starch Concentrations In Stolons Of Trifolium Repens L., V Bouchart, A Ourry, J C. Simon, J Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The seasonal pattern of nitrogen, starch and vegetative storage protein (VSP) concentrations was studied in the stolons of two Trifolium repens L. genotypes (cv Aran and Rivendel). Maximum concentrations of starch were found in summer months; its hydrolysis occurred in winter, at the time, where VSP and nitrogen were accumulated. The decrease of nitrogen and VSP concentrations occurred during spring, and an inverse relationship was found between VSP concentrations in stolons and mean temperatures. The causal implications of starch and VSP availability on spring regrowth potential are discussed in relation with regulatory mechanism inducing VSP synthesis.

Cynodon Dactylon Control In Conservation Tillage Systems, A Rios, J M. Sanz

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. PERS.) is the most important weed in Uruguay. With the development of conservation tillage systems, chemical control of bermudagrass becomes essential. The objective of this research was to evaluate, in a long term integrated program, bermudagrass chemical control during the first year of a pasture. Application of glyphosate and no-tillage seeding of the pasture took place during fall. A 70% reduction of underground part of the weed was detected. The chemical control, together with a conservation tillage system and an adequate pasture management allowed an important reduction in bermudagrass level for the first year pasture. …

Legume Seedling Development In No Till Pasture Establishment, J L. Rossi, V A. Deregibus

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this study was to compare no-till and conventional seeding of pasture and their effects on legume establishment. The presence of residue cover reduced legume seedling establishment and weed population under no-till seeding. The reduction in establishment was associated with the physical impediment of the residue cover and the decay of seedling vigor when passing through that cover.

Water Relations In Berseem Cultivars Under Drought Stress, A Iannucci, A Rascio, M Russo, P Martiniello

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is a crop of particular interest in semi-arid regions, used for herbage and hay productions. However, its seed yield is reduced by drought stress that occurs during seed filling. In this study five cultivars (Axi, Big Bee, Lilibeo, Sacromonte and Saniros) subjected to four irrigation frequencies in controlled environment, were compared for their physiological responses to subsequent water stress period (3 days). Some parameters (leaf water potential (), osmotic potential (þ), relative water content (RWC) and gravimetric soil water content (GSWC)) related to plant water status were recorded. Plants subjected to previous periods of …

Modelling The Effect Of A Variable Light Extinction Coefficient And Leaf Dispersion On Light Partitioning Between Species In A Grass-Clover Mixture, M Nassiri, A Elgersma

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Light partitioning in a grass-clover mixture was studied using a general competition model. The model assumes a fixed extinction coefficient (k) and no leaf dispersion. This was compared with modelling the effect of different k of both species over height as well as the effect of type of leaf dispersion. These new assumptions led to a better estimation of the light partitioning between both species. For grass the effect of variable k and leaf dispersion was similar and in both cases the total absorbed light was lower than under default conditions. For clover the new assumptions led to a higher …

Ecotypic Adaptation Of Medicago Polymorpha Along A Gradient In Central Chile: Growth And Seed Production, A Del Pozo, C Ovalle, J Avendano

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Relative growth rate, total dry weight and seed yield on 19 accessions of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.) from different bioclimatic conditions, were assessed at Cauquenes (35°58’;72°17’W) in the subhumid mediterranean region. The accessions were sown in microplots over raised beds during two years (1991 and 1992), and swards cut periodically at 2, 6 and 10 cm height. There were significant differences between accessions in both total dry weight and seed yield (P < 0.001, Table 1), but the interaction between accessions and height of cutting was not significant (P > 0.05). Total dry weight was positive correlated with days to flowering (r2 = 0.81; P > 0.01).

Effects Of Nitrogen On The Growth Of Hyparrhenia Diplandra, J Nkandza

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The nitrogen effects on Hyparrhenia diplandra were studied. Plants were grown on nutrient solutions of variable concentrations in nitrogen. The supplied nitrogen increased tillering, leaf production, lamina area, total dry matter accumulation and total nitrogen accumulation in lamina. A detailed examination showed that the effect on tillering was the main cause of the differences observed in dry weights between different treatments. The nitrogen supply elongated significantly the lamina and nitrogen deficiency increased its thickness; but this was not enough to compensate the loss of weight in lower nitrogen treatment. The lamina area as well as nitrogen accumulation in the lamina …

Biochemical And Isoenzyme Analysis Of Seven Pennisetum Purpureum (Schum.) Cultivars, E E. Bach, V B.G. Alacantara, P B. Alcntara, E A. Veasey

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This study characterized seven Pennisetum purpureum cultivars, namely cv. Anão, Bajra, Cameroon, Guaçu, Roxo, Taiwan A-144 and Uruckwami, through biochemical analysis, including protein, glucose and fructose contents, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the esterase system, by sampling 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 dayold leaves. Cultivar Taiwan A-144 presented the highest number of nodes per stem and percentage of emerging buds. Protein concentration decreased gradually after 60 days for all cultivars, except for Anão. Cultivar Guaçu presented the highest level of glucose in 90 day old plants, whereas Cameroon presented the highest levels at 120 and 150 days. The esterase …

Effect Of Phosphorous Fertiliser On The Competition Between Two Tropical Grasses And Two Tropical Legumes, F D. Hu, R J. Jones

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The effect of P fertiliser on the competition between grass and legume in four grass-legume mixtures : Urochloa mosambicensis cv. Nixon/ Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano; Nixon/S.scabra cv. Seca; Bothriochloa pertusa cv. Bowen/Verano and Bowen/Seca were studied. Each mixture was grown in a low P, low N soil, in pots. A standard replacement series design with two P levels (0 and 10 kg/ ha equivalent) and 3 replicates were used. Seventy days after sowing, Nixon mixtures outyielded Bowen mixtures, and Verano mixtures outyielded Seca mixtures. P increased top and root yields of all mixtures but there was no significant (p …

Selection And Agronomic Characterization Of Leucaena Spp. Genotypes For Cold Tolerance. I. Dry Matter Yield., M C. Goldfarb, J F. Casco

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Biotypes of Leucaena spp (56) were evaluated in order to identify those with tolerance to low temperature and with desirable characteristics as a forage crop. Selection was done at two phases. Phase I: 92 days old seedlings (n=2800) were subjected at two temperatures treatments during 14 hours: T1= -8 °C and T2= -3 °C. Selection criteria was established as 50% of live leaves remained after treatments were applied. Phase II: Plants that survived phase I were planted at field conditions and agronomic characteristics were measured. Seventeen plants were selected from eleven different biotypes, resulting one from T1 and the rest …

Effect Of Snowtrapping And Fertilization On Production Of Crested Wheatgrass And Native Pastures In Southwest Saskatchewan, M P. Schellenberg, J Waddington

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The benefits of increasing soil water with snow management and fertilizer for annual and perennial crops have been demonstrated for semiarid environments. We examined the combined effect of snow management and fertilizer on forage production. In 1985, vertical wood slat or slotted plastic snow fencing (0.7m high) were erected on crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) pasture. In 1986, five rates of fertilizer: 400, 200, 100, 50, 0 kg ha-1 nitrogen each with 50 kg ha-1 phosphorous and a sixth treatment with no fertilizer were applied to each side and type of the snowfence. A second site was selected on …