Thesis (MS)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2009. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Richard E. Engel. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-89).

The balance of improving hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Thell) yield while maintaining grain protein concentration continues to be a challenge in agriculture. The objective of the field research was to evaluate N fertilizer types, additives, rates, and application timing to find N management strategies that improved the efficiency of the applied N with regards to both grain protein and yield. Another aspect of this study was to determine if ground-based active sensor data can predict grain yield and/or protein content. Fertilizer treatments consisted of 2 application timings, 3 sources of N, 3 rates of N, and 2 additive types. Spring applications improved grain protein and yield compared to fall applications. Polymer coated urea shows promise in improving grain protein over urea alone. However, profitability is dependent on environmental factors that may influence N availability, as well as prices at the time that the grain is marketed. / Minnesota Wheat and Promotion Council

Each genotype was exposed to controlled PHS conditions for evaluation of susceptibility or tolerance to sprouting, falling number, kernel color, test weight, and yield. The 24 genotypes were grown in replicated trials at three locations over three years, all data subjected to an analysis of variance. Over three years the genotypes were rated for visual PHS using a 1 to 9 scale, with 1 equivalent to no visual PHS and 9 equivalent to maximum visual PHS. The red genotypes exhibited a higher tolerance to PHS than white genotypes with a mean PHS score of 4.46 compared with 5.16 for white genotypes. Not all the white genotypes were equally susceptible to PHS or more susceptible than the red genotypes, suggesting that not all seed dormancy is linked to the kernel color genes.

Dough strengtheners are the most common and largest group of chemicals used in bread formulations. This study evaluated the capability of hard red spring (HRS) wheat flour to replace commercial dough strengtheners in bread production. Doughs were prepared by blending different percentages (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) of four different HRS wheat flours with hard red winter (HRW) wheat flour. In addition, doughs were prepared by adding ten commercially available additives with HRW wheat flour to compare the dough strengthening ability of HRS wheat flour. All the HRS wheat flour blends had significantly (p<0.05) strong dough rheological characteristics than most of the additives. The 40% blends of HRS wheat cultivar Glenn and Linkert had better bread making quality than other blends and all the additives. The SE-HPLC unextractable protein fractions of these two cultivars also showed a better correlation with bread making properties than all the additives.

Grain protein content is an essential component to producing a profitable Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in the northern Great Plains. Growers can increase grain protein content through in-season N fertilization; however, the cost of these applications may outweigh the benefits. Predicting the grain protein content of early-season HRSW would give growers crucial information as they decide whether to apply in-season fertilizer to boost grain protein content. This research encompasses three studies; two of which aim to predict grain protein content with hand-held and aerial sensors respectively, and a third, which investigates the optimal rate, timing, and source of N fertilizer to boost grain protein content. Results of these experiments seemed to be greatly influenced by environmental factors. Findings of this research suggest that an in-season N application should be used for ameliorative purposes and not as a regular practice. / Minnesota Research and Promotion Council / Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers

With many genetic traits discovered and many more in progress, it is imperative to the industry that firms (biotechnology companies) decide on the trait valuation and pricing. This includes more than one trait (also referred to as stacked traits) in a single variety of crop; the risk and uncertainty of expected returns associated with the development and release of a variety increases even more in case of stacked traits. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a model that can be used for the valuing and pricing of genetically modified (GM) traits that are random, sporadic, and non-persistent (e.g. drought tolerance, heat/cold stress) using the real option approach. The efficiency gain in case of occurrence of random event and expression of GM traits will be measured and used as a decision factor in determining the value of GM trait(s) at different phases of development. Risk premiums representing the value of GM trait to growers is calculated across risk averse attitudes. The return to labor and management (RTLM) provided by a GM trait is used to calculate the risk premiums when variation in parameters is allowed to be same as that reflected in historical data and gains from GM traits are realized. Monte Carlo simulation and stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) are used to estimate the certainty equivalents that decision makers would place on a risky alternative relative to a no risk investment. Certainty equivalents are estimated across a range of risk aversion coefficients and used to rank alternatives and determine where preferences among alternatives change while estimating risk premiums for the base case (no trait), drought tolerance, cold tolerance, NUB, and All traits (all traits combined into one as a stacked trait). Premiums provide perspective on the magnitude of differences in relative preferences among choices. The range of ARAC utilized was from 0.00 to 0.15 for all three crops. The risk premiums are treated as a potential source of revenue in the model as a technology fee charged by a biotech company. This thesis uses the Real Option methodology to evaluate GM traits as Option values at various stages of development. This approach helps managers decide the best possible option in making a certain decision today. It is also helpful in comparing different pathways (series of decisions) and thus better exploits the potential cash return in the future from investments made today (Figure D.1, Figure D.2). Three possible options to "continue", "wait", and "abandon" were modeled in this thesis. Such modeling determines the possible option values of GM traits at different stages of development depending on the kind of choices made at different points of time. This thesis shows that various GM traits that are out-of-money (OTM) at initial stages have increased probability of being in-the-money (ITM) at later stages of development. Sensitivities show that a share of potential technology fees and acreage of GM crops play a significant role in option values being ITM. Stacked traits provide a better chance of being ITM, thus the option to continue will be exercised by management. The option to wait causes reduction in option value. Among individual traits, drought tolerance has the greatest maximum option value in most cases. Therefore, if management has to choose the development of only one GM trait, it is most likely to choose to invest in the development of drought tolerance.

Barley yellow dwarf (BYD), caused by Barley yellow dwarf virus and Cereal yellow dwarf virus, and is a yield limiting disease of small grains. A research study was initiated in 2015 to identify the implications of BYD on small grain crops of North Dakota. A survey of 187 small grain fields was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to assess cereal aphid diversity; cereal aphids identified included, Rhopalosiphum padi, Schizaphis graminum, and Sitobion avenae. A second survey observed and documented field absence or occurrence of cereal aphids and their incidence. Results indicated prevalence and incidence differed among respective growth stages and a higher presence of cereal aphids throughout the Northwest part of North Dakota than previously thought. Field and greenhouse screenings were conducted to identify hard red spring wheat and durum responses to BYD. Infested treatments in the greenhouse had significantly lower number of spikes, dry shoot mass and yield.