Since the rediscovery of Mendel's law in 1900, there have been many studies of inheritance in wheat. Of these rather numerous investigations, however, only a few have consisted of correlated studies of various characters on the same plant. Inheritance of awns and of spike density have received some attention but the studies have hardly more than indicated the problem. Both have been thought by some to be rather simple in their inheritance, and in some crosses without doubt such is the case, but lately there has come a recognition of considerable complexity. Density. As here used, "density" refers to compactness of the spike. Compact spikes have short rachis internodes and the spikelets are close together. Such

A series of experiments evaluated: 1) the influence of seed intake and gut retention time on seed passage , recovery , and germinability; 2) fecal seeding and broadcast /trampling as techniques to incorporate seeds into a well-established Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult. stand in Skull Valley , Utah; 3) intensive grazing as a means to reduce Agropyron biomass and increase establishment and survival of seeded species; and 4) the recovery and germinability of seed extracted from dung collected from the field. Two shrubs (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young and Atriplex confertifolia Torr. & Frem.), a grass (Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey) , and a forb (Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia (H. & A.) Rydb.) were selected as representative native species. Holstein heifers were fed 15,000 , 30 ,000 , and 60,000 seeds of Artemisia , Sphaeralcea, and Elymus. Elymus recovery was negatively correlated to seed intake. Sphaeralcea had the highest percentage of recovered, undamaged seed, followed by Elymus and Artemisia. Sphaeralcea and Artemisia seed passage was highest on Day 1 then dropped sharply. Elymus passage and recovery were more consistent through time. Post-passage germjnability was highest for Elymus and Sphaeralcea on Day 1. Artemisia germjnation was neghgible. In the fall seeding, Sphaeralcea emerged in 6% of the subplots (half were volunteers). Overall seedling mortality was 93%. Elymus emerged in 63% of the dung pats, with 86% mortality. No Artemisia emerged. Drought and Anabrus simplex herbivory contributed to low seedling emergence and survival. In April 2003, similar treatments were applied, except Atriplex seed was substituted for Artemisia, and a third treatment was added (broadcast seeding/raking). No emergence was observed. Sphaeralcea had the highest seed recovery from dung collected in the field trials, followed by Elymus, Atriplex, and Artemisia. Sphaeralcea germinability was similar for seeds collected from both trials (11 %) and Elymus germination was highest in the fall seeding (13%). These studies indicate that: 1) physical seed properties (size, shape, density, seed coat) influence seed passage , recovery, and germination; 2) intensive grazing can reduce Agropyron biomass by 50% for 2 years; 3) broadcast/trampling may be effective for Sphaeralcea; and 4) an average-sized dung pat (714 g) may have ample germinable Sphaeralcea and Elymus seeds for plant establishment.

The results presented in this paper are from data accumulated by a study of the F3 generation of a cross between the two varieties, Sevier and New Zealand wheat. This cross was made during the summer of 1920 by Professor George Stewart with the object of combining the high-yielding power of Sevier with the strong straw of New Zealand. In the fall of 1922 the problem was assigned to me, at which time I selected about 150 superior plants, possessing the desired characteristics, at least so far as appearance was concerned. Since then these plants and the F3 generation have been studied mainly with the object of finding out whether size characters behave in Mendelian fashion or not. Other characters received attention incidentally, and will also be reported briefly. To study a variable problem with any degree of accuracy there must of necessity be a definite means by which variations may be measured. Size differences in straw are extremely difficult of measurement, and measurements at best can only be approximations. It was decided, therefore, to make a careful study of size variations in wheat heads, and only estimate straw strength. The study of this problem is valuable for two main reasons: 1. If high-yielding power and straw strength can be combined from two different varieties it is worth knowing because of the economic value of such a combination. From this point of view the original object of the cross under discussion itself justifies the investigation. 2. Since it is not a definitely settled question as to whether heritable size fluctuations behave according to the principles of Mendelism the problem has both interest and value from the point of view of genetics.

In response to the changing economy of Kentucky tobacco, producers are seeking an economically viable alternative that can be produced on a similarly small acreage. Blueberries are an emerging crop that satisfy the needs of these producers and are popular with consumers for their flavor and health benefits. In addition to selling the berries, local producers are experiencing much success selling blueberry plants to homeowners and other producers. However, the protocol for propagating specific cultivars under local environmental conditions is unknown. Rooting percentages for producers has been extremely variable. A two year study conducted at Western Kentucky University investigated asexual propagation of four commercially significant cultivars of Vaccinium corymbosum, highbush blueberry, 'Jersey', 'Elliot', 'Bluecrop', and 'Bluejay'. The study was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Cuttings were taken from a producer's field in Metcalfe County and planted in a bed of pure peat under a mist system at the Western Kentucky University Agricultural Research and Education Center. Propagation techniques were designed to closely mimic the systems used by producers. The effect of cutting phenology, rooting hormone, and cutting location along the stem was investigated as they affected rooting percentage, and dry matter mass of leaves, shoots, and roots. Hormones had no effect on rooting or growth of first year cuttings. The greatest rooting percentages and dry mass gain was found in descending order, 'Jersey', 'Elliot', 'Bluecrop', and 'Bluejay'. There was a correlation between location of the cutting and time of the year the cutting was acquired. Basal cuttings performed well early in the season, while apical cuttings performed well later in the season. The effects of four weed management schemes were investigated on berry yield components and new growth in an established orchard of 'Bluecrop' blueberries in Metcalfe County, Kentucky. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Plots consisted of six established plants but data was collected on the innermost four. Treatments were weed-free strips 0.609 or 1.828 meters wide within the row, mowing, and an untreated control. Weed-free strips were maintained as necessary with directed sprays of labeled rates of glyphosate, a phloem-mobile, nonselective herbicide. Highly significant differences in new growth were noted during both years from the herbicide-treated plots compared with the non-treated plots. In 2005, highly significant differences were noted within total berry weight and berry weight per plant from the herbicide-treated plots compared with the non-treated plots. In 2006, highly significant differences were noted within total berry numbers, number of clusters per plant, and mean berries per cluster from the herbicide-treated plots compared with the non-treated plots.

Due to the relatively high value of dark tobacco compared with fertilizer costs, nitrogen is recommended at levels as high as 338 kg ha"1. Such rates of inorganic fertilizers increase the osmotic pressure of the soil solution and soil acidity, often causing reduced stands, Mn toxicity, Mo and Ca deficiencies, and reduced yield and quality of the cured leaf (Sims et al., 1984). Poultry litter utilized as a nutrient source is an inexpensive alternative to this dilemma due to its relatively neutral or alkaline composition. However, due the amount of chloride present in poultry litter, the University of Kentucky advises that application be limited to a maximum of 9 Mg ha"1 (Wells, 1996). Environmental concerns such as nitrate contamination of groundwater, P runoff into surface water, and accumulation of heavy metals in the soil are often related to excessive application of poultry litter. Studies were conducted at Western Kentucky University's Agricultural Research and Education Complex in Bowling Green, Kentucky and a farm in Owensboro, Kentucky to evaluate the influence of poultry litter on dark tobacco growth and soil nutrient concentrations. Results from these studies indicate that when applied at recommended rates, poultry litter in most cases can alleviate soil acidification often associated with the use of inorganic fertilizer sources. In general, poultry litter amendments increased soil pH, while inorganic fertilizers had the opposite effect. Data from the Rate Study suggests that rate of inorganic fertilizer and soil pH are negatively correlated. Due to the high nutrient content of poultry litter, its utilization could possibly lead to an accumulation of P2O5 and certain heavy metals, such as Cu and Zn. Data from the Bowling Green Timing Study indicated that poultry litter amendments increased postharvest soil P availability compared to inorganic fertilizer amendments. At the Owensboro location there were no differences in soil P availability among treatments. Results from the Rate Study suggest that soil P availability and poultry litter rate were positively correlated. Data from all studies indicate that in some cases, soil Cu availability was greater in poultry litter treated plots than in plots treated with inorganic fertilizers. With one exception, plots receiving poultry litter were higher in soil Zn availability than inorganic fertilizer plots at the Bowling Green Timing Study. Data from the Rate Study suggests that increasing the poultry litter rate increased soil Zn availability in poultry litter plots receiving a sidedress application. Data from the Owensboro Timing Study indicated that regardless of application timing, cured lamina tissue chloride concentration in poultry litter amended plots were greater than the tobacco industry standard of 1%. Chloride concentrations in the lamina and stem were higher in plots receiving poultry litter than plots treated with inorganic fertilizers. Despite these concentrations there were no noticeable differences in curing and USDA quality rating. Data from the Timing Studies indicated that total yields were equivalent in poultry litter and inorganic fertilizer treated plots, however yields of certain grades did vary. Plots receiving a source of fertilizer had higher total yields than the untreated control. Results from the Rate Study showed that total yields were quite variable, which may be attributed to poor water drainage from the study area. In the Rate Study, a general trend emerged in which increasing the rate of poultry litter in combination with a sidedress application increased trash, lug, and total yield, but decreased tip yield.

The seasonality of the price of alfalfa hay in Kentucky was studied as well as the potential cost or profitability of storage of this hay. Economic comparison of alfalfa hay production to other farm enterprises was carried out. In addition, an estimate of the value of two qualities of alfalfa hay was calculated based on 1991 prices. The analysis of 41 years of marketing data demonstrated significant differences (P<.01) in price with seasonal lows in June/July and a steady increase in price to a high in March. In general (based on $100 per ton hay and 12% interest) the alfalfa hay producer could lose from $5 to $10 storing hay and selling at a later date. There were some specific conditions where he might have realized a return to storage of $0.16 to $1.48 per ton. A further evaluation of average (KY Feeder) and good (KY Pride) quality hays indicated that current prices of $70-$75 and $100 per ton respectively were the prices where a dairyman would be able to include this hay in the cow's total diet. Even with problems of quality and quantity of alfalfa hay, the economic returns to the production of alfalfa hay were favorable when compared to other crops in Kentucky with the additional benefit of alfalfa being a crop that can result in reduced soil erosion from sloping land. Returns above variable costs can be from $120 to $400 per acre depending upon yield and sale price. However, an understanding of seasonality of price as well as storage costs need to be considered by alfalfa hay producers to assure realizing the above returns.

Extensive land areas in arid and semi-arid regions contain excessive amounts of salt which inhibit or prevent the growth of desirable crop plants. This problem is increasing with the development of extensive irrigation projects. The future of irrigation agriculture will depend upon the development and the utilization of means of (1) preventing salt accumulation, (2) reclaiming salted soils. and (3) making the best use of those soils which by reason of drainage problems, soil texture and permeability, poor quality irrigation water, etc. are unsuited for economic reclamation. The utilization of land that is not feasible to completely reclaim, at least under present economic conditions, will depend upon the selection, development, and use of varieties and strains of crop plants which will produce economically under such conditions. The objectives of this research are to (1) test on a preliminary basis the salt tolerance of a number of promising crop plant materials. (2) observe the effect of salt upon plant behavior and growth, and (3) develop various methods of evaluating plant materials for salt tolerance.

Rapid population growth in arid regions of the western US is placing increased demand on water resources. Variability in precipitation and common occurrence of drought have promoted scrutiny of water use in urban lawns and gardens. However, few reliable measurements of water use of these landscapes exist. Quantifying the amount of water used vs. required by landscapes such as turfgrass would allow significant water conservation. Evapotranspiration (ET) is affected by biophysical factors such as: available energy, turbulent mixing, saturation deficit, soil water, and stomatal conductance. In order to simulate the water use by turfgrass, the relative importance of these processes must be determined for this environment. This study measures ET rates for Kentucky bluegrass using eddy covariance techniques, to quantify water use under various conditions. The results are combined with a coupled form of the Penman-Monteith Equation to determine which biophysical factors affect the ET rate under various atmospheric conditions, especially the advection of heat and saturation deficit from the regional atmosphere. In addition, changes in ET and other properties of the vegetation were monitored during a period of reduced irrigation or dry-down. These results will help determine the amount of water such landscapes actually need.

This dissertation describes several studies of groundwater quality, the fate and transport of nutrients and atrazine in groundwater systems and physical processes at the sediment-water interface which impact on groundwater discharge. Groundwater monitoring wells were installed at the Goodwins Island and Catlett Island NERRS sites in Virginia and agricultural, suburban and forest land use sites in the York and James River Basins. Groundwater was analyzed for nutrients, pH, salinity and trace organics. Shoreline land use, associated nutrient loading and an estimate of total groundwater flux suggest that groundwater contributes up to 30% of the total nitrogen input to the Chesapeake Bay. Batch isotherm K&\sb{lcub}\rm d{rcub}& values for &\sp{14}&C-labelled atrazine sorption to low organic carbon (OC) aquifer solids ranged from 0.08 to 0.61 L/kg, much lower than for soil and other, higher carbon, solids. Kd was dependent on the surface area (SA) and surface iron (SFe), and can be described by:&&\rm K\sb{lcub}d{rcub} = 0.046(SA)+ 0.61(SFe) + 0.83&&. Kinetics of atrazine sorption onto low OC sediments showed an initial rapid reaction accounting for &>&95% of sorption within a few minutes at about 2 &\mu&g kg&\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}& min&\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}& followed by a slower (0.003 &\mu&g kg&\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}& min&\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}&) reaction. Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous atrazine hydrolysis reaction rates at elevated temperature showed no evidence for catalysis by aquifer solids. A physical mechanism for passive ventilation of relict biological structures in the benthic boundary layer is presented, a mathematical model of circulation in surrounding sediments was solved analytically and MODFLOW used to numerically determine induced hydraulic gradients and flow. Hydraulic head in surrounding sediments can be reduced by several centimeters in a zone extending over several hundred cm&\sp2&, and pore velocities of &>&10&\sp{lcub}-3{rcub}& cm/s and flux rates of tens to hundreds of mL/hr induced. Flume and field studies showed that large variability and poor repeatability of seepage meter measurements may be due to surface water flow across the meter. Pressure gradients in the boundary layer reduce hydraulic head within the meter and induce augmented seepage flow. Covering the seepage meter collection bag to isolate it from flow can reduce or eliminate this error.

Our objective is to study the agronomic growth characteristics of two varieties of baby carrots at three planting densities. The study site is in the area of Walipini, town of Lentanias, province of Ingavi, department of La Paz, Bolivia. In this investigation, the two varieties of baby carrots used were ‘Amsterdam Forcing 3-Minicor’ and ‘Thumbelina’ (Daucus carota var. sativus). Both varieties were planted at densities of 333 plants/m2, 166 plants/m2 and 111 plants/m2 with a planting interval of two days. Statistical differences were observed for the following variables: plant height, root length, root diameter, base diameter, leaf yield, and root yield. The density with the highest yield was 333 plants/m2 with a root yield of 32 Tm/hectare, which was higher than the amount reported by MAG/IICA of 30 Tm/hectare. Lower yields were obtained with densities of 166 and 111 plants/m2. The products and their quality at harvest were obtained in trials T1, T2 and T6. These products reached the parameters set by MAC/IICA (2003) and Pimentel (1997) for the baby carrot varieties previously mentioned. Both presented proper development in regard to root diameter, root length and root yield. After a marginal analysis looking at a minimum rate of return of 100%, I determined that trial 1 (‘Amsterdam Forcing 3-Minicor’ planted in Walipini at a density of 333.3 plants/m2) was the most economically profitable with respect to the other trials.