bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrical Conductivity as a Measure of Planting Seed Quality in Cotton1
Authors: Hopper N. W. , Hinton H. R. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractDetermining planting seed quality generally involves conducting a standard germination test or a tetrazolium test. The development of the Automatic Seed Analyzer (ASA‐610) has renewed interest in using electrical conductivity (EC) as a measure of seed viability. The purposes of this study were: (i) to evaluate the ASA‐610 in measuring the EC of various salt solutions, and (ii) to evaluate the ASA‐610 in assessing the planting seed quality of cottonseeds (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The EC of four sodium chloride solutions (10, 100, 500, and 1000 mg L−1) was measured at 10,20, and 30°C using the ASA‐610 and a Barnstead conductivity bridge (BCB). The BCB EC increased linearly as the salt concentration was increased at each of the temperatures. A linear increase in the EC was noted also with increased salt concentrations using the ASA‐610. In Exp. 1, the EC values, as indicated by the ASA‐610, of 15 cultivars increased as the seed soak time increased from 0.5 to 24 h. The best prediction of the planting seed quality resulted from soaking the seeds for 16 h and using 55 µA as the partition value (germination test values for 11 of the 15 cultivars predicted to within 10 percentage units). In Exp. 2, nine seed lots of marginal quality were evaluated using the ASA‐610 after soaking the seed for 16, 20, and 24 h. The best estimate of the standard germination resulted from soaking seeds for 20 h and using a partition value of 33 µA (germination predicted to within 10 percentage units for five of nine seed lots). The lack of consistency in selecting a unique partition value between the two studies would indicate difficulty in accurately assessing planting seed quality of cotton using the ASA‐610.
Relationship between Alkaline Mineral Concentration and Rate of pH Decline in Ensiled Greenhouse‐Grown Alfalfa1
Authors: Shockey W. L. , Barta A. L. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAlkaline minerals present in forage may form salts with fermentation end products during the ensiling process, thus slowing the rate of pH decline. For legumes, which have high concentrations of alkaline minerals, excessive degradation of plant protein might occur because of extended duration of proteolytic enzyme activity. This hypothesis was examined by fertilizing greenhouse‐grown alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) so that the concentrations of the alkaline minerals, K, Mg, and Ca, varied. Stepwise regression techniques were used on data from 11 cuttings to relate mineral composition, lactic acid buffering capacity, initial pH, and percentage dry matter of green herbage to the rate of pH decline of the resulting silage. Results indicated that the rate of pH decline of alfalfa was significantly, but weakly, correlated to its alkaline mineral concentration. Unexpectedly, higher concentration of water soluble K and water soluble Ca resulted in increased rate of pH decline. The cause for this response is not known but may be related to specific effects of mineral concentration or content on microbial activity or mineral induced changes in levels of carbohydrates, soluble N, or other plant components that may strongly affect microbial activity and fermentation rate.
Cotton Response to Bud and Boll Removal1
Authors: Ungar E. D. , Wallach D. , Kletter E. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe compensation capacity of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for loss of fruiting bodies can be exploited in pest control management where environmental conditions permit some delay in yield. Three experiments were conducted on a clayey, montmorillonitic, calcareous, thermic Typic Chromoxerert, in a region with a growing season of 210 days. The first experiment investigated crop response to removal of different classes of fruiting bodies at different times. The second and third experiments tested the hypothesis that compensation for late‐season boll removal is enhanced when preceded by early season removal of squares. Removal of 120 squares/m2 over 2 weeks, 200 small squares/m2 over 4 weeks, or 60 small bolls/m2 over 2 weeks did not significantly reduce yield. Removal of 60 large bolls/m2 over 2 weeks or 30 large bolls/m2 on a single date significantly reduced final yield to between 56 and 85% of the control yield. Removal of 120 squares/m2 in combination with the late removal of 30 large bolls/m2 yielded 94% (NS) of the control yield when squares were removed early and 79% of the control yield when squares were removed late. The degree of compensation in the combination damage treatments was related to the extent to which the growth pattern of the crop was delayed by square removal. Early square removal delayed flowering cutout so that the plants were still producing flowers when the large bolls were removed. The effect of damage depended on the state of the crop, which then should be taken into account in determining pest control strategy.
Conservation and Aerobic Stability of Forage and Sweet Sorghum Silages Treated with Acrylic or Caproic Acid1
Authors: Hill N. S. , Posler G. L. , Bolsen K. K. , Ware G. O. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractApplication of formic acid to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or corn (Zea mays L.) at harvest can increase fermentation and lactic acid production during ensiling. By increasing fermentation of the silage mass, potentially more energy can be lost from formic acid applications. Acrylic and caproic acids are effective microbial inhibitors and may be effective at lower concentrations than formic acid, this study was designed to determine the effectiveness of acrylic or caproic acids applied to ‘Rio’ and ‘Dale’ sweet sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and DeKalb ‘FS25A’ forage sorghum herbage to conserve sugars in silage and during aerobic exposure. Crops were harvested at black layer stage with a forage chopper and treated with 0, 0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0, 2.5, or 5.0 g kg−1 of acrylic or caproic acid. Sugar conservation was evaluated after 130‐days ensiling. Sugar conservation was greatest in Rio and FS25A silages. Caproic acid treatments resulted in lower sugar conservation in Dale and FS25A silages. Aerobic stability was measured by monitoring heat production from spoilage during 10‐days exposure following ensiling. Application of acrylic acid delayed heating in Rio but gave erratic responses in Dale and FS25A silages when exposed to air. Caproic acid treatments delayed heating at all rates in all silages. Silages that were thermally stable had greater sugar recovery at the end of the aerobic exposure.
Nitrogen Fixation Capacity of Field‐Grown Bean Compared to Other Grain Legumes1
Authors: Piha M. I. , Munns D. N. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe generally poor symbiotic performance of field‐grown bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has been attributed to difficulty in establishing effective symbiosis and to genetic variability in N‐fixation capacity. The ontogeny of N accumulation by symbiotic and N‐fertilized common bean selected for high N‐fixation potential was compared to commercial bean varieties, cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], and soybean [Glycine max, (L.) Merr.] in a N‐deficient field (Reiff sandy loam, Typic Xerorthent). Cowpea and Soybean accumulated N to higher levels and at faster rates than did common bean, whether symbiotic or N‐fertilized. Relative N accumulation (N accumulation in symbiotic plants relative to that in fertilized plants) during vegetative growth was highest for cowpea, intermediate for soybean and late maturing bean, and lowest for early maturing commercial bean varieties. Relative N accumulation during the late growth stages was always higher than in the early stages. Absolute rates of N accumulation declined after flowering in both symbiotic and N‐fertilized plants. Early maturing bean and cowpea reached physiological maturity at the same time, but bean accumulated more of its N during early development and had a shorter vegetative growth period. Despite weak vegetative N‐fixation capacity, some late maturing bean cultivars achieved similar final harvest N accumulation and seed yield whether they were N‐fertilized or not.
Nitrogen Fertilizer Effects on Uptake and Partitioning of Chloride in Sugarbeet Plants1
Authors: Moraghan J. T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractKnowledge of factors affecting availability of soil Cl− in cropping systems is needed. Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), a crop commonly treated with N fertilizer, can accumulate large quantities of Cl−. The influence of urea‐N (0, 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg N ha−1) on growth and Cl− accumulation by tops and storage roots of sugarbeet was studied at five dryland sites in the Red River Valley. The soils at all sites were Calciaquolls and contained from 59 to 329 kg Cl− ha−1 and 50 to 100 kg NO−3−N ha−1 in the top 1.20 m. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased yield of tops at all sites, and yields of roots and recoverable sugar at three sites. There was no tendency for N fertilizer to suppress uptake of plant Cl−, even though petiole analysis suggested that much of the added N entered the plant in the NO−3 form. The quantities of Cl− present in tops plus storage roots at the final harvest ranged from 54 to 246 kg Cl− ha−1 for sugarbeet grown with 224 kg N ha−1; the corresponding values for unfertilized sugarbeet were 35 to 167 kg Cl− ha−1. Most of this plant Cl−, 28 to 148 kg Cl− ha−1 and 46 to 226 kg Cl− ha−1 for the unfertilized and N‐fertilized (224 kg N ha−1) sugarbeet, respectively, was located in the tops, which are left in the fields. Consequently, a sugarbeet crop, especially when treated with N fertilizer, can result in considerable redistribution of Cl− within soil profiles, and through this redistribution possibly affect the growth of subsequent crops.
Yield Compensation for Stand Deficiencies by Determinate and Indeterminate Growth‐Habit Soybean
Authors: Pepper G. E. , Walker J. T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] stands that emerge poorly are often replanted without taking into consideration the yield compensating ability of the plant in the field. This study was done to determine if compensation for yield in deficient soybean stands is influenced by the growth habit (determinate versus indeterminate). Gaps imposed at or before stage V2 were used to generate stand deficiencies. Compensation for yield in stands having gaps of fixed sizes was measured in the indeterminate cultivar Cumberland and the determinate cultivars Gnome, Sprite, and Pixie in 1981 and 1982. Three seeding dates were used in trials conducted on a Flanagan silt loam (Aquic Argiudoll) at Urbana, IL, and on a Cisne silt loam (Mollic Albaqualf) at Brownstown, IL. Compensation in yield for missing plants was found in both the rows with gaps and in adjacent full rows. Grain yields in gapped rows, having stand reductions equal to 63%, averaged 1614 kg/ha, or 55% of the control plot yield of 2923 kg/ha. Yields in adjacent full rows increased as much as 19% in response to the 63% stand reduction in gapped rows. In 1983, the determinate cultivar Sprite and the indeterminate, Asgrow A3127, were compared under farm field conditions where random gaps of various size were imposed as treatments. A single timely seeding was used. High levels of yield compensation for missing plants were again measured. Grain yields resulting from 60% stand reductions were only 25% less than those of full stands. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate gap x cultivar responses. The lack of a cultivar × gap interaction found in the analysis of variance suggested compensation for irregular or gap‐filled stands was not influenced by the growth habit of the soybean.
Effect of Calcium Source and Application Method on Potato Yield and Cation Composition
Authors: Simmons K. E. , Kelling K. A. , Wolkowski R. P. , Kelman A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractCalcium applications to low Ca, sandy soils can improve potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grade and USlA size grade, and these improvements are significantly correlated with increased periderm Ca concentrations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of several Ca sources (pelleted CaSO4, granulated CaSO4, sieved CaSO4, dolomitic lime, triple superphosphate, or CaCl2), methods of application (broadcast, sidedress, and preplant strip), and rates (84–336 kg Ca ha−1) on increasing tuber Ca on two irrigated loamy sands (Typic Udipsamments) in Wisconsin from 1983 to 1985. The addition of Ca increased the percent of grade USlA tubers, the yield of prime size (<170–370 g) USlA tubers, and periderm Ca concentrations. It also reduced the percent of USlB or cull tubers, the yield of small (170 g) USlA tubers, and the concentration of periderm Mg. Improvements of grade USlA tubers ranged from 3 to l0%, and yield of USlA prime tubers was increased from 2 to 10 Mg ha−1. Dolomitic lime, triple superphosphate, and CaCl2 did not consistently improve tuber yield or grade, whereas CaSO4 in any of the forms applied was an effective Ca source. In 1985, a vertical cross‐section of the potato hill was sampled to determine the distribution of exchangeable Ca in the hill for each application method. The accumulation and uptake of Ca in the plant tops and in tuber periderm and medullar tissue for an untreated control and each application method were determined at several times during the season. The preplant strip method concentrated more material in the central portion of the potato hill where the tubers formed, and increased Ca uptake in both periderm and medullar tissue compared to the sidedress and broadcast treatments. Calcium concentration and uptake in the plant tops was not affected by any method of Ca application. Total Ca uptake averaged 8.5 and 32.9 kg Ca ha−1 in the tuber and plant tops, respectively.
Nitrogen Fertilization of Spring Wheat Genotypes: Influence on Root Growth and Soil Water Depletion
Authors: Comfort S. D. , Malzer G. L. , Busch R. H. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRoot distribution within a soil profile affects the extent and depth of N and soil water utilization by a plant. We determined the effects of N fertilization on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) root growth and soil water use, and determined if genotypic differences existed in root growth and soil water use in response to N fertilization. Eight genotypes (G) of hard red spring wheat were grown under three N fertilizer rates (0, 67, 134 kg N ha−1) at two locations in western Minnesota in 1982 and 1983. Major soil types were a Wheatville silt loam (coarse‐silty over clayey, frigid Aeric Calciaquoll) and a Forman clay loam (fine‐loamy, mixed Udic Argiboroll). Root sampies were obtained from all genotypes at the soft‐dough growth state in 15‐cm increments to a depth of 120 cm. Soil water use was determined weekly by neutron attenuation during the growing season on three genotypes in 1982 and five genotypes in 1983. Although a significant N × G interaction occurred for root length, certain similarities existed among genotypes. Root length was significantly (a = 0.05) increased in the top 30 cm by applying 67 kg N ha−1 but remained the same or decreased at 134 kg N ha−1. Below the 30‐cm depth, 134 kg N ha−1 generally suppressed root growth more than the 0 and 67 kg N ha−1 rates. Genotypes did not differ in total amount of available soil water (0 to 120 cm) used, but differences in depths from which soil water was extracted were observed in response to N fertilization. Depth of soil water use and root growth were influenced by N fertilization rates for some genotypes. We suggest that high rates of N fertilization may inhibit deeper root growth and hence decrease the potential use of deeper soil NO3 and water reserves.
Planting Date and Temperature Effects on Germination, Emergence, and Seed Yield of Chickpea
Authors: Auld D. L. , Bettis B. L. , Crock J. E. , Kephart K. D. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractCommercial production of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Palouse region of northern Idaho and eastern Washington was initiated in 1981. Since the cool springs and short growing season of this area limit the adaptation of chickpea, field and laboratory studies evaluating 10 chickpea lines were conducted to optimize the planting date of this new pulse crop. Laboratory germination and radicle elongation of the 10 lines at 5, 13, and 20 °C were compared to field emergence and seedling growth at Moscow, ID, on a Palouse silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Pachic Ultic Haploxeroll) during 1982 and 1984. The 10 lines were also planted in late April, early May, and late May to determine the effect of planting date on yield components and seed yield. Greatest germination and radicle elongation of all 10 lines occurred at 20 °C. At 5 °C, less than half of the seed germinated within 7 d, and radicle elongation was less than 4% of that observed at 20 °C. The 10 lines did not differ in their ability to germinate under cold conditions in the laboratory. Under field conditions of 1984, the Desi lines with pigmented testa showed a higher percentage of emergence than the non‐pigmented Kabuli lines. Seedling dry weight accumulation was most rapid in the large seeded Kabuli seedlings and slowest in the smaller seeded Desi seedlings. Planting in late April produced higher seed yields than planting in late May (34 and 5% in 1982 and 1984, respectively). However, seedling emergence was slower at the early planting date. These results indicate that chickpea grown in areas with cool climates such as northern Idaho should be planted in the early spring when average soil temperatures exceed 13 °C to insure optimum seed yield.
Responses of Maize to Plant Population Density. II. Reproductive Development, Yield, and Yield Adjustments
Authors: Tetio‐Kagho F. , Gardner F. P. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPlant population density (PPD) exerts a strong influence on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and grain yield. Most PPD studies have usually confounded plant number with spatial arrangement, since row width remained constant and only spacing between plants in row was varied. This study used a systematic design (fan) to observe the effect of 15 PPD (0.8∓15.4 plants m−2) on maize reproductive growth in constant spatial arrangement on Lake fine sand (hyperthermic, coated Typic Quartzipsamments) at Gainesville, FL (29°38'N), in 1985 and 1986. All plants produced at least one ear over the 15 PPD range. Ear 2 and Ear 3 were lost at 4.3 and 2.8 plants m−2, respectively The kernel row number per ear (KRNE), kernel number per ear row (KNER), and kernel number per ear (KNE) were influenced by PPD and differed (P < 0.05) among ears (Ear 1 > Ear 2 > Ear 3). Mean kernel weight (WK) was unaffected by PPD. Yield component vulnerability due to PPD for three‐ear plants was: KNE and KNER > ear number per plant (ENP) > KRNE > WK. Kernel, stalk, and total dry matter yield per plant decreased reciprocally with increasing PPD. Kernel yield per land area increased parabolically up to a maximum yield of 1080 g m−2 at about 10.0 plants m−2, whereas stalk and total dry matter yield increased asymptotically up to 12.5 plants m−2. Shelling percentage was constant with inceasing PPD, but harvest index decerased, though not significantly. We conclude that as PPD pressure is gradually removed over a wide PPD range, yield is adjusted in prolific maize hybrids first by KNE and KNER, followed by ENP, KRNE, and WK, which remained relatively stable.
Wing‐Chisel Plow for In‐Row Conservation Tillage
Authors: Heilman M. D. , Valco T. D. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractConservation tillage in the semiarid subtropical region of South Texas should both maintain soil moisture and reduce wind erosion. Farming in the area historically uses seven to 10 tillage operations to prepare land for planting. The newly developed wing‐chisel has been effective in the once‐over desiccation of stubble from recently harvested crops. Additional benefits have included deep tillage to break any existing hardpan, controlled tractor traffic by using the chisel as an in‐row implement for a ridge‐till planting configuration, increased infilatration rates, and maintaining plant residue on soil surface. The plow, which is simple in design, when added to either disc or lister bedders becomes a once‐over tillage implement that accomplishes all necessary soil preparation between harvest and planting. Winter weed control between grain harvest and planting is accomplished by the use of contact herbicides.
Kinetics of In Vitro Cell‐Wall Disappearance and In Vivo Digestion
Authors: Fisher D. S. , Burns J. C. , Pond K. R. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractUnderstanding the dynamics or kinetics of digestion and passage may suggest ways to manipulate forages to improve the diet, and consequently the production, of domesticated ruminants. The methodology of fitting exponential curves was tested using simulated cell‐wall‐disappearance curves with both an exponential and a gamma‐distributed exponential driving function and normal‐random variation superimposed. Nonlinear regression gave more precise estimates of the true rates of digestion and lag times than linearization. The gamma distributed exponential gave lower residual sum of squares but estimates of digestible and indigestible fractions as well as lag times and disappearance rates were not improved over the simpler exponential function. Estimates were less precise when the gamma‐distributed exponential was the driving function for the disappearance curve and the gamma function was skewed. The use of the exponential decay constant (k) in studies of cell‐wall composition is confounded with extent of disappearance as a result of plant anatomy. A surface area fermentability index (SAFI) is proposed as (kCd)/(1000 − Ci) where Cd and Ci are the digestible and indigestible fractions, respectively, of the cell wall. The SAFI was used to adjust literature values for k as well as to partially explain observed negative correlations between extent and rate of cell‐wall disappearance (k) in bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) that had been selected for high and low in vitro dry matter disappearance. Study of in vivo kinetics is complicated by variable rate of passage, particle size, and extent and rate of particle size reduction. Models of in vivo kinetics offer an opportunity for synthesis of understanding of the animal system. However, the many interactions make interpretation and incorporation of in vitro data into models of in vivo ruminant digestion difficult.
Osmotic Potential of Winter Wheat Crowns for Comparing Cultivars Varying in Winterhardiness
Authors: DeNoma J. T. , Taylor G. A. , Ferguson H. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractCold hardening of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crowns results in decreased water content, and in increases and changes in solutes. These facts led us to hypothesize that osmotic potential (ΨII) of hardened wheat crowns might be used as a screening technique for winterhardiness. Winter wheat with different levels of winterhardiness, ranked from long‐term trials, were grown in the field. Periodically, during two winters, plants were removed and the ΨII of the crowns determined. Contrast comparisons between two hardy, and two or three less hardy cultivars showed significant differences, at every sampling date with the hardy lines having lower ΨII. During one winter the ΨII of 24 cultivars whose winter‐hardiness had been evaluated over several years in the field was determined on three dates. Linear correlations (r2) between field scores (5 = most winterhardy, 1 = least hardy) and ΨII were highly significant, and varied from 0.75 to 0.83. Based on these data, we suggest that measurement of ΨII of winter wheat crowns following cold acclimation may be a valuable tool in the selection of winterhardy wheat cultivars