Nitrogen (N) fertilization and drought stress have large influence on maize grain yield, thus studies about genotypes and management technologies are very important to increase maize production. This study is presented in three chapters; the first two were undertaken in the United States of America and the third one in Brazil. The following objectives are addressed in this order: (1) The primary objective was to understand which traits, if any, differ between similar-maturity tolerant and non-drought tolerant hybrids that govern nutrient uptake and concentrations under different management treatments (varied plant densities (PD) and N rates) and their influence on grain yield (GY). (2) The primary objective was to investigate the physiological and yield responses of comparable-maturity drought and non-drought tolerant hybrids (P1151 vs. P1162, and P1498 vs. 33D49) to varied plant density and N rates. (3) The main objective was to investigate the responses of maize to sidedress N applications, using isotopically labeled urea fertilizer (15N), at different development stages. The secondary objective was to verify the correlations between the chlorophylls and carotenoids with SPAD index (evaluated at V14 and V16) and all these parameters with total biomass (BM), harvest index (HI), GY and grain N content. The major results for objectives 1 and 2 were as follows: All hybrids had similar GY responses to PD (near 79,000 versus near 100,000 plants ha-1) and N rate (from 0 to 269 kg N ha-1) treatment factors. Hybrid 1 (AQUAmax(TM) P1151) demonstrated similar leaf photosynthetic (A) and transpiration (E ) rates than its non-drought tolerant counterpart of similar maturity since Hybrid 2 (P1162) had a higher leaf area Index (LAI) (at the R2 and R3 stages) and a similar GY as Hybrid 1. Hybrid AQUAmax(TM) P1498 maintained higher leaf A and E rates than P33D49 during the grain-fill period, thus perhaps demonstrating improved persistence in root water uptake late in the season. There was no single trait differentiation in photosynthesis or transpiration between drought and non-drought tolerant hybrids. Highest BM and GY at maturity generally followed shorter anthesis-silking intervals and more stover macronutrient (P and S) accumulation, in the drought season, so these characteristics appeared to be important drought-tolerant mechanisms regardless of hybrid designations. The major findings from the objective 3 investigations: Maize crop responded similarly for GY to timing of sidedress N application. Grain N content from 15N fertilizer and N uptake and efficiency were greater for early N applications. SPAD values correlated positively with most pigment variables at V16 in both seasons, thus proving that SPAD was an efficient instrument of indirect evaluation of chlorophylls and carotenoids in maize leaves at early stages. Chlorophyll b at V16, sample stage, was positively correlated (P<0.05) with grain N content, GY, and BM, and total chlorophyll at V16 was positively correlated with GY and grain N content. However the chlorophylls a and total, evaluated at V14, were negatively correlated with GY. So, measurement chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment contents should be done after V14 stage when studies aim to evaluate crop nutritional conditions and prescribe future grain production practices. / Adubação nitrogenada (N) e o estresse hídrico tem grande influência no rendimento de grãos de milho, assim, estudos sobre genótipos e o manejo dessa cultura são muito importantes para o aumento da produtividade. Este estudo é apresentado em três capítulos. Os dois primeiros foram desenvolvidos nos Estados Unidos e o terceiro no Brasil. Os objetivos são apresentados na seguinte ordem: (1) o objetivo principal foi entender quais características, se existirem, diferem entre híbridos tolerantes e não-tolerantes à seca, com semelhança em maturidade, que regem a absorção de nutrientes e concentrações destes sob diferentes tratamentos de cultivo e sua influência na produção de grãos. (2) O objetivo principal foi investigar as respostas fisiológicas (fotossíntese (A) e transpiração (E)) e a produção de milho em genótipos, com semelhante maturidade, tolerantes e não tolerantes ao déficit hídrico (P1151 vs. P1162 e P1498 vs. 33D49) em relação a variação de densidade de plantas e doses de N. (3) O principal objetivo foi investigar as respostas de milho à aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura, ureia fertilizante (15N), em diferentes estádios fenológicos. O objetivo secundário foi: verificar a correlação entre as clorofilas e carotenoides com SPAD (avaliado em V14 e V16) e destas com a biomassa total (BM), índice de colheita (IC), produção de grãos (PG) e do conteúdo de N nos grãos. Como resultados: (1 e 2) Todos os híbridos responderam de forma semelhante para para PG em relação aos tratamentos. O Híbrido P1151 demonstrou semelhantes A e E e menor area foliar do que seu semelhante em maturidade (P1162). Híbrido P1498 pareceu ser capaz de manter a taxa de transpiração foliar e de fotossíntese mais elevadas do que 33D49, durante o período de enchimento de grãos. Este híbrido apresentou uma melhor persistência na captação de água pela raiz no final da estação de cultivo. Geralmente maiores BM e PG na maturidade foram relacionadas a menores intervalos de diferenciação floral e a maior acumulação, na estação seca, de macronutrientes (P e S) no colmo, sendo as ultimas características consideradas como mecanismos de tolerância à seca. (3) A cultura do milho respondeu de forma semelhante em relação a PG à aplicação de N. O teor de nitrogênio nos grãos derivado do 15N fertilizante e a eficiência de uso do fertilizante nitrogenado foram maiores em relação a aplicação de N nos primeiros estádios. Houve correlação positiva e siginificativa para SPAD com a maioria dos pigmentos no estádio de avaliação V16. Provando ser um instrumento eficaz de avaliação indireta de clorofilas e carotenóides em estágios iniciais. A clorofila b, avaliada em V16, apresentou correlação positiva significativa (p<0,05) com teor de N nos grãos, PG, e BM, a clorofila total em V16 também apresentou uma correlação positiva com o teor de N nos grãos, no entanto, as clorofilas a e total, avaliadas em V14, apresentaram correlação negativa com PG. Assim, a medição do teor de pigmentos com o objetivo de estudar as condições nutricionais e previr a produção de grãos deve ser realizada após o estágio V14.

Nitrogen (N) fertilization and drought stress have large influence on maize grain yield, thus studies about genotypes and management technologies are very important to increase maize production. This study is presented in three chapters; the first two were undertaken in the United States of America and the third one in Brazil. The following objectives are addressed in this order: (1) The primary objective was to understand which traits, if any, differ between similar-maturity tolerant and non-drought tolerant hybrids that govern nutrient uptake and concentrations under different management treatments (varied plant densities (PD) and N rates) and their influence on grain yield (GY). (2) The primary objective was to investigate the physiological and yield responses of comparable-maturity drought and non-drought tolerant hybrids (P1151 vs. P1162, and P1498 vs. 33D49) to varied plant density and N rates. (3) The main objective was to investigate the responses of maize to sidedress N applications, using isotopically labeled urea fertilizer (15N), at different development stages. The secondary objective was to verify the correlations between the chlorophylls and carotenoids with SPAD index (evaluated at V14 and V16) and all these parameters with total biomass (BM), harvest index (HI), GY and grain N content. The major results for objectives 1 and 2 were as follows: All hybrids had similar GY responses to PD (near 79,000 versus near 100,000 plants ha-1) and N rate (from 0 to 269 kg N ha-1) treatment factors. Hybrid 1 (AQUAmax(TM) P1151) demonstrated similar leaf photosynthetic (A) and transpiration (E ) rates than its non-drought tolerant counterpart of similar maturity since Hybrid 2 (P1162) had a higher leaf area Index (LAI) (at the R2 and R3 stages) and a similar GY as Hybrid 1. Hybrid AQUAmax(TM) P1498 maintained higher leaf A and E rates than P33D49 during the grain-fill period, thus perhaps demonstrating improved persistence in root water uptake late in the season. There was no single trait differentiation in photosynthesis or transpiration between drought and non-drought tolerant hybrids. Highest BM and GY at maturity generally followed shorter anthesis-silking intervals and more stover macronutrient (P and S) accumulation, in the drought season, so these characteristics appeared to be important drought-tolerant mechanisms regardless of hybrid designations. The major findings from the objective 3 investigations: Maize crop responded similarly for GY to timing of sidedress N application. Grain N content from 15N fertilizer and N uptake and efficiency were greater for early N applications. SPAD values correlated positively with most pigment variables at V16 in both seasons, thus proving that SPAD was an efficient instrument of indirect evaluation of chlorophylls and carotenoids in maize leaves at early stages. Chlorophyll b at V16, sample stage, was positively correlated (P<0.05) with grain N content, GY, and BM, and total chlorophyll at V16 was positively correlated with GY and grain N content. However the chlorophylls a and total, evaluated at V14, were negatively correlated with GY. So, measurement chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment contents should be done after V14 stage when studies aim to evaluate crop nutritional conditions and prescribe future grain production practices. / Adubação nitrogenada (N) e o estresse hídrico tem grande influência no rendimento de grãos de milho, assim, estudos sobre genótipos e o manejo dessa cultura são muito importantes para o aumento da produtividade. Este estudo é apresentado em três capítulos. Os dois primeiros foram desenvolvidos nos Estados Unidos e o terceiro no Brasil. Os objetivos são apresentados na seguinte ordem: (1) o objetivo principal foi entender quais características, se existirem, diferem entre híbridos tolerantes e não-tolerantes à seca, com semelhança em maturidade, que regem a absorção de nutrientes e concentrações destes sob diferentes tratamentos de cultivo e sua influência na produção de grãos. (2) O objetivo principal foi investigar as respostas fisiológicas (fotossíntese (A) e transpiração (E)) e a produção de milho em genótipos, com semelhante maturidade, tolerantes e não tolerantes ao déficit hídrico (P1151 vs. P1162 e P1498 vs. 33D49) em relação a variação de densidade de plantas e doses de N. (3) O principal objetivo foi investigar as respostas de milho à aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura, ureia fertilizante (15N), em diferentes estádios fenológicos. O objetivo secundário foi: verificar a correlação entre as clorofilas e carotenoides com SPAD (avaliado em V14 e V16) e destas com a biomassa total (BM), índice de colheita (IC), produção de grãos (PG) e do conteúdo de N nos grãos. Como resultados: (1 e 2) Todos os híbridos responderam de forma semelhante para para PG em relação aos tratamentos. O Híbrido P1151 demonstrou semelhantes A e E e menor area foliar do que seu semelhante em maturidade (P1162). Híbrido P1498 pareceu ser capaz de manter a taxa de transpiração foliar e de fotossíntese mais elevadas do que 33D49, durante o período de enchimento de grãos. Este híbrido apresentou uma melhor persistência na captação de água pela raiz no final da estação de cultivo. Geralmente maiores BM e PG na maturidade foram relacionadas a menores intervalos de diferenciação floral e a maior acumulação, na estação seca, de macronutrientes (P e S) no colmo, sendo as ultimas características consideradas como mecanismos de tolerância à seca. (3) A cultura do milho respondeu de forma semelhante em relação a PG à aplicação de N. O teor de nitrogênio nos grãos derivado do 15N fertilizante e a eficiência de uso do fertilizante nitrogenado foram maiores em relação a aplicação de N nos primeiros estádios. Houve correlação positiva e siginificativa para SPAD com a maioria dos pigmentos no estádio de avaliação V16. Provando ser um instrumento eficaz de avaliação indireta de clorofilas e carotenóides em estágios iniciais. A clorofila b, avaliada em V16, apresentou correlação positiva significativa (p<0,05) com teor de N nos grãos, PG, e BM, a clorofila total em V16 também apresentou uma correlação positiva com o teor de N nos grãos, no entanto, as clorofilas a e total, avaliadas em V14, apresentaram correlação negativa com PG. Assim, a medição do teor de pigmentos com o objetivo de estudar as condições nutricionais e previr a produção de grãos deve ser realizada após o estágio V14.

Conserving the earth's precious water supply is of increasing importance in light of the growing population and climate dynamics; therefore, this study focuses on identifying those exotic species that are best suited for the changing climate and environment of the Lower Kanawha Valley Region in West Virginia without compromising the water sustainable qualities once exhibited by the indigenous species. This task was accomplished by reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating the plant hydraulics and habitat matching characteristics associated with the identified native and exotic species. These species were limited to those produced or found in the local nurseries and garden centers in the designated region, thereby providing a practical and water sustainable plant list for the local homeowners and design professionals. The final list of species was translated into a master planting design of an arboretum displaying and demonstrating water conservation on the grounds of the Hurricane Valley Park. / Department of Landscape Architecture

No description available.

South Africa is classified as a semi-arid environment with limited natural water sources. Amenity landscapes provide broad ranging benefits for society. Amenity landscapes account for between 31% - 50% of water supplied for domestic and urban use. To reduce water use and water conservation in amenity landscapes, strategies, regulations and interventions are required. Every landscape is a unique complex system with a large number of variables that differ from each other. The variability can be summarized into management/design, irrigation, climatological, edaphic and plant related aspects. Several amenity landscape water use models have been developed around the world and two in South Africa. This study developed a comprehensive South African hydrozone based plant database and an Amenity Landscape Water Use Model South Africa (ALWUMSA). This will improve hydrozoning of amaneity landscapes and ultimately also improve water conserbvation for these sites. It allows users/owners to determine water use requirements through an extensive data gathering, from aspects such as design, management, microclimate, environmental, edaphic, irrigation and plant related factors. Comparisons of results from ALWUMSA to three test sites, selected existing models and a range of scenarios produced results demonstrating that ALWUMSA consistently projected lower water requirements. The model also allows for site aspects to be changed thus encouraging end users to implement specific water saving intiatives with the amenity landscape to reduce water use. These savings will be translated into both water-use savings as well as financial savings for users of the amenity landscape water use model. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)