Marker-Assisted Verification of Hybrids in Pearl Millet-Napiergrass (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br. x Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.). (December 2011) Charlie D. Dowling, III, B.S., College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Russell W. Jessup A high-biomass perennial grass that is directly seeded using existing farm equipment can reduce both planting and overall input costs. Three cytoplasmic male-sterile cms A-lines and four fertile genotypes of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) and one novel pearl millet selection from the Perennial Grass Breeding Program at Texas A&M University were selected to cross with napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.). The pearl millet parents were chosen based on characteristics such as basal tillering, plant height, and days to anthesis. Three napiergrass accessions from the Perennial Grass Breeding Program and the cultivar Merkeron were used as pollinators for these crosses. The cms and fertile pearl millet accessions produced full heads of seed when pollinated with napiergrass. There were a large range of seed sizes and weights for each hybrid family, and the seed were separated into four size classes. The weight differences from the largest to smallest class of seed varied by more than 30%. All of the seed classes germinated, and seed size, in this case, was completely unrelated to the ability to germinate. 100% germination was observed in five seed size classes for both PMN iv hybrids, and 90% germination was observed in three of the eight classes. Essentially all of the hybrid seed recovered from the original pearl millet x napiergrass crosses germinated, but all of the F 1 hybrids were sterile in that none of them produced viable seed. Flow cytometry could not be used to identify the hybrids because the DNA content of pearl millet and napiergrass were essentially the same even though distinct 2C and 4C peaks were seen from the diploid pearl millet. From the 58 EST-SSRs surveyed in the bulked segregate analysis, several were heterozygous dominant and many were homozygous dominant and hemizygous at its particular loci. Seven hemizygous EST-SSRs were identified for Merkeron, seven for PEPU09FL01, eight for PEPU09FL02, and six for PEPU09FL03. These markers are extremely valuable to any pearl millet x napiergrass hybridization program because they provide a means whereby the hybrids can be easily identified. Identification of hemizygous pearl millet markers will also assist in future DNA sequencing and also in a marker-assisted breeding program.

Wine sensory attributes are associated with quality of wines. Cabernet Franc did not possess good coloration of its wine. Therefore, in the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons, studies including the sampling of four red wine grape cultivars from the end of flowering throughout the rest of the season and applying treatments to Cabernet Franc grapevines at veraison were commenced to address suitability and color enhancement, respectively. The study examining Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, and Norton looked at sampling their grapes at two-week intervals from times post-flowering to understand the demands of each cultivar during key stages of berry development, in particular berry maturation post-veraison. The French-American hybrids Chambourcin and Norton were found to accumulate high levels of anthocyanins, also termed high cultivar performance, while the Vitis vinifera L. cultivars of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon remained stable in their anthocyanin content post-veraison. The results of the treatments applied to Cabernet Franc as a possible exogenous amelioration for anthocyanin pigment deficit in this cultivar support use of treatments for improving coloration in Cabernet Franc in Kentucky.

Corn or maize (Zea mays L.) has been grown in North America for many centuries, and an increase in corn production will continue to be needed. Agriculture producers must meet the demands of feeding and providing for an increasing population of people. In order to meet those needs, different production practices are being investigated as a way to increase grain yield. Field plots were conducted across the state of Kentucky in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the interaction between hybrid, row width, and plant density on corn yield. The primary objectives were to test if 1) narrower rows increase grain yield, 2) higher plant densities increase yield in narrow and twin rows, and 3) the interactions among all factors. Three hybrids were evaluated in three row widths (76, 38 cm or twin) at target densities ranging from 74 000 to 124 000 plants ha-1. Interactions between hybrid, row width, and plant density occurred; however, effects on grain yield and plant physiological characteristics were small and variable across all environments. Plant density had the greatest impact on IPAR and grain yield. Field trials were conducted near Lexington and Princeton, Kentucky in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the effects of row width on different weed management treatments in corn. The objectives were to 1) evaluate five weed management methods in three row widths (76, 38 cm or twin) and 2) estimate the effect of these practices on corn yield. Herbicides used within each weed management strategy included the residual herbicide S-metholachlor + atrazine (1.4 + 1.8 kg/ha) applied preemergence (PRE) and/or glyphosate (0.86 kg/ha) postemergence (POST). Weed management treatments consisted of a PRE only, PRE followed by POST, POST only, POST + PRE, and an untreated control. Row spacing had little effect on weed suppression and control except for two cases. In general, PRE followed by POST and POST + Residual treatments controlled weeds better compared to PRE only and POST only treatments. Corn yields were higher when a herbicide was used compared to applying no herbicide application. KEYWORDS: Row spacing, Plant Density, Corn Hybrids, Weed Management, Herbicide Application Timing

In Deutschland werden jährlich über 40 Millionen männliche Eintagsküken aus Legelinien aufgrund vorrangig wirtschaftlicher Interessen getötet. Dies stellt sowohl ein ethisches als auch ein tierschutzrechtliches Problem dar (ANON. 2006, IDEL 2007). Gerade vor dem Hintergrund aktueller politischer Entscheidungen (MUNLV NRW 2013, NI MELV 2014) besteht ein Bedarf an Alternativen zur Tötung männlicher Eintagsküken. Verschiedene Lösungsansätze wie z. B. das Zweinutzungshuhn (ICKEN et al. 2013) oder aber die Mast männlicher Geschwisterhühner (KAUFMANN und ANDERSSON 2013) sind derzeit aus ökonomischen und ökologischen Gründen nicht flächendeckend realisierbar. Eine weitere Möglichkeit bietet die In-ovo-Geschlechtsbestimmung. Hierbei wird das embryonale Geschlecht bereits vor dem Schlupf identifiziert; nachfolgend können die Eier mit männlichen Embryonen aussortiert werden. Um sowohl ethischen als auch tierschutzrechtlichen Aspekten Genüge zu tun, sollte die Geschlechtsidentifikation dabei vor Einsetzen des embryonalen Schmerzempfindens stattfinden (Tag 10 + 12 h der Bebrütung; CLOSE et al. 1997). Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Entwicklung einer verlässlichen Methode zur In-ovo-Geschlechtsbestimmung anhand geschlechtsspezifischer Differenzen im Hormongehalt der Allantoisflüssigkeit sieben bis zehn Tage alter Hühnerembryonen. Nachfolgend wurde der Einfluss der Geschlechtsbestimmung auf die embryonale Entwicklung, Schlupferfolg, Aufzucht sowie die Leistungsparameter der adulten Tiere analysiert. Im Rahmen der ersten Teilstudie erfolgte die Beprobung von n = 750 Eiern des Braunlegehybrids Lohmann Brown (LB, Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH, Deutschland). Der minimalinvasiven Entnahme von Allantoisflüssigkeit folgte die Untersuchung auf 17β-Östradiol (E2), Östronsulfat (E1S) und Testosteron mittels an das Haushuhn angepassten Enzymimmunoassays (ELISA). Es konnten sowohl für E2 als auch für E1S signifikante (p < 0,01) geschlechtsspezifische Differenzen in der Allantoisflüssigeit von neun und zehn Tage alten Embryonen nachgewiesen werden. Die Testosteronkonzentration hingegen zeigte an keinem der untersuchten Tage geschlechtsabhängige Unterschiede und erwies sich somit für die In-ovo-Geschlechtsbestimmung als ungeeignet. Die statistische Auswertung ergab, dass die Bestimmung von E1S eine frühere und genauere Geschlechtsidentifikation ermöglicht als die von E2. Der für E1S festgelegte Grenzwert erreicht bei neun Tage alten Embryonen eine 86%ige Sensitivität und 83%ige Spezifität. In der zweiten Teilstudie wurde die zuvor etablierte Technik der Geschlechtsbestimmung mittels E1S an 8 + 4 h (n = 2420) und 9 + 4 h (n = 2850) Tage alten Embryonen der Herkunft LB sowie an n = 150 9 + 4 h alten Embryonen des Weißlegehybrids Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL, Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH, Deutschland) überprüft. Das Geschlecht der 8 + 4 h Tage alten Embryonen konnte zu 84 % korrekt identifiziert werden. Dieser Wert stieg bei 9 + 4 h Tage alten Embryonen auf 98 % (LB) bzw. 100 % (LSL) an. Im Vergleich zu einer unbehandelten Kontrollgruppe (n = 5258) wurde die Schlupfrate durch die Entnahme von Allantoisflüssigkeit um 1,4 - 3,5 (LB) bzw. 12,7 Prozentpunkte (LSL) reduziert. Nachfolgend wurden 150 Tiere der Versuchsgruppe und 80 Tiere der Kontrollgruppe für eine Aufzuchtperiode von 17 Wochen eingestallt. Hierbei zeigten sich hinsichtlich des Körpergewichtes signifikante (p < 0,05) Unterschiede zwischen Versuchs- und Kontrollgruppe in Woche 4 und 6, wobei die Zunahmen in der Versuchsgruppe geringer waren. Anschließend wurde die Leistung von 120 Tieren der Versuchsgruppe und 60 Tieren der Kontrollgruppe bis Lebenswoche 33 bezüglich Legeleistung, Eigewicht, Körpergewicht sowie Futterverbrauch analysiert. Bei keinem der untersuchten Parameter konnten signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen festgestellt werden (p > 0,05). Die Resultate der vorliegenden Arbeit zeigen, dass eine verlässliche Geschlechtsbestimmung in ovo bei 9 + 4 h Tage alten Hühnerembryonen mithilfe einer Bestimmung der E1S-Konzentration in der Allantoisflüssigkeit möglich ist; zudem ist die beschriebene Methode bei verschiedenen Legelinien anwendbar. Die Entnahme von Allantoisflüssigkeit führt zwar zu einer minimalen Reduktion der Schlupfrate, bei adulten Legehennen kommt es jedoch zu keiner Beeinträchtigung der Produktionsleistung. Demnach erfüllt das etablierte Verfahren alle Grundvoraussetzungen für eine Anwendung in kommerziellen Brütereien. Da die Geschlechtsbestimmung vor Einsetzen des embryonalen Schmerzempfindens erfolgt, kann sie somit als Grundlage für eine ethisch vertretbare Alternative zum Töten männlicher Eintagsküken angesehen werden. / In Germany about 40 million day-old male chicks are culled each year predominantly because of economic reasons. From the animal welfare as well as the ethical point of view this is a problematic situation (ANON. 2006, IDEL 2007). Particularly with regard to current political decisions (MUNVL NRW, NI MELV 2014) alternatives to the culling of male day-old chicks are required. Different approaches such as a dual-purpose breed (ICKEN et al. 2013) or the fattening of male layer-hybrids (KAUFMANN and ANDERSSON 2013) are not ubiquitous marketable at present due to economic and ecological reasons. In ovo sexing represents another option; the embryonic gender is determined before hatch and the eggs containing male embryos can be eliminated subsequently. To comply with ethical and animal welfare aspects, the sexing should take place before the onset of embryonic pain perception (embryonic day 10 + 12 h; CLOSE et al. 1997). Aim of this thesis was the development of a reliable method for in ovo gender identification with the help of sex-specific differences in the hormone concentration of the allantoic fluid of seven to ten day old chick embryos. Subsequently, the influence of gender identification on embryonic development, hatching rate, rearing as well as production performance of the adult hens was analysed. Within the first study n = 750 eggs of the brown layer-hybrid Lohmann Brown (LB; Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH, Germany) were sampled for allantoic fluid. After the minimally invasive withdrawal the allantoic fluid was analysed via enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) adapted to domestic chicken for 17β-oestradiol (E2), oestrone sulphate (E1S) and testosterone. With regard to E2 and E1S, significant (P < 0.01) sex-specific differences were observed in the allantoic fluid of nine and ten day old embryos. Testosterone on the other hand displayed no gender-related variances on any of the analysed days. Therefore, it proved to be unsuitable for gender identification using the method applied in this study. Statistical analysis showed that the analysis of E1S allows an earlier and more accurate sexing than the E2-assay. The limit value determined for E1S has a sensitivity of 86 % and a specificity of 83 % for nine day old embryos. The previously established method for gender identification via E1S detection in the allantoic fluid was verified with a larger number of samples in the second study. The allantoic fluid of day 8 + 4 h (n = 2420) and day 9 + 4 h (n = 2850) old LB embryos as well as n = 150 day 9 + 4 h old embryos of the white layer-hybrid Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL; Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH, Germany) was analysed. For day 8 + 4 h old embryos the sex was correctly identified in 84 %. The accuracy of gender prediction increased for day 9 + 4 h old embryos up to 98 % (LB) and 100 % (LSL). Compared to an untreated control group (n = 5258) sampling of allantoic fluid reduced the hatching rate by 1.4 - 3.5 (LB) and 12.7 points of percentage (LSL). In the following, 150 animals of the experimental group and 80 animals of the control group were reared for a period of 17 weeks. With regard to the body weight significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in weeks 4 and 6, with the animals of the experimental group having a lower body weight. Subsequently the production performance of 120 hens from the experimental and 60 hens from the control group was analysed up to an age of 33 weeks. With respect to egg production, egg weight, body weight and feed consumption no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the groups. The results of this thesis demonstrate that a reliable in ovo sexing of day 9 + 4 h old chicken embryos is possible via the measurement of E1S in the allantoic fluid; additionally the method is not limited to a certain layer strain. The sampling of allantoic fluid reduces the hatching rate only marginally. The production performance of adult hens on the other hand is not affected. Therefore, the described technique fulfils all the basic requirements for an alternative method to the culling of day-old male layer chicks. Because gender identification takes place before the onset of embryonic pain perception it can serve as the basis for an ethical alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks from layer-hybrids.

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- Lincoln University, 2007. / Also available via the World Wide Web.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας στο πρώτο μέρος της, είναι η διεξαγωγή και επεξεργασία μετρήσεων με στόχο τη μελέτη των κυψέλων υδρογόνου και την επίδραση της θερμοκρασίας στην απόδοσή τους. Στο δεύτερο μέρος, θα μελετηθεί η ανάπτυξη αυτόνομων υβριδικών συστημάτων παραγωγής ενέργειας για την τροφοδότηση δύο περιοχών, με σκοπό την ανεύρεση του πιο συμφέροντος συνδυασμού ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας. Στο Κεφάλαιο 1 γίνεται μια θεωρητική αναφορά στις κυψέλες υδρογόνου. Περιγράφονται συνοπτικά η δομή, οι κατηγορίες, τα πλεονεκτήματα, τα μειονεκτήματα μιας κυψέλης καυσίμου. Στο Κεφάλαιο 2 περιγράφονται τα μηχανήματα και ο τρόπος με τον οποίο πραγματοποιήθηκαν οι μετρήσεις στις διάφορες συνθήκες. Στο Κεφάλαιο 3 παρουσιάζονται οι μετρήσεις με στόχο την σύγκριση των αποδόσεων σε διαφορετικές συνθήκες θερμοκρασίας στη κυψέλη. Παρουσιάζεται επίσης η κατανάλωση καυσίμου, η θερμοκρασία και πίεση των φιαλών και η θερμοκρασία της κυψέλης με τη πάροδο του χρόνου. Στο Κεφάλαιο 4 γίνεται εκτεταμένη περιγραφή του προγράμματος HOMER, το οπoίο εκτελεί προσομοιώσεις υβριδικών συστημάτων παρουσιάζοντας το βέλτιστο συνδυασμό τους τεχνοοικονομικά. Στο Κεφάλαιο 5 αφού γίνεται μια αρχική αναφορά στις δύο περιοχές όπου πραγματοποιείται η μελέτη καθώς και η ενεργειακή κατανάλωση των κατοίκων, έπειτα καταγράφονται τα τεχνολoγικά στοχεία των εξαρτημάτων που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν. Ακολουθεί η εκτεταμένη περιγραφή του κάθε υβριδικού συστήματος με σχηματικές απεικονίσεις και ερμηνεία των διαγραμμάτων που προκύπτουν από τη προσομοίωση. Στο Κεφάλαιο 6 πραγματοποιείται σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων που προέκυψαν από τα δύο μέρη της διπλωματικής. Από το πρώτο μέρος συμπεραίνουμε ότι η επίδραση της θερμοκρασίας είναι καταλυτική τόσο στη λειτουργία όσο και στη απόδοση του συστήματος. Στο δεύτερο μέρος, επιβεβαιώθηκε ότι οι τιμές των συστημάτων που χρησιμοποιούν ΑΠΕ είναι ακόμα αρκετά υψηλές. Ιδίως οι τιμές κελιών καυσίμου και γενικότερα τις τεχνολογίας του Η2 είναι ακόμα σε αρχικά στάδια χρήσης της όποτε και είναι λογικό μέχρι να βγει σε ευρεία παραγωγή στην ελεύθερη αγορά να είναι αρκετά δαπανηρή. Οι προβλέψεις των επιστημόνων είναι αρκετά ευοίωνες για το μέλλον τόσο στην ευρύτερη χρήση των ΑΠΕ που υπάρχουν άφθονες στην καθημερινότητα μας όσο και για την μείωση του κόστους τους. Τέλος, το συμπέρασμα που προκύπτει από τη παρούσα διπλωματική είναι ότι το μέλλον θα ανήκει στην τεχνολογία του υδρογόνου, αφού ξεπεραστούν βέβαια πρώτα κάποια εμπόδια οικονομικής φύσεως. / The aim of the following essay in the first part, is the conduct and elaboration of measurements aiming at the study of fuel cell and the impact of temperature on its efficiency. In the second part, it will be examined how an hybrid system with renewable energy sources can meet the electric load demands of two areas. In Chapter 1 there is a theoretical report in fuel cell technology. The structure, the operation, the types, the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cell are briefly described. In Chapter 2 experimental apparatus and the way measurements were conducted in different conditions are described. In Chapter 3 the presented measurements aim at the comparison of the efficiency of fuel cell in different temperature conditions. Furthermore, while time goes by, fuel consumption, temperature and pressure of hydrogen storage canisters are examined. In Chapter 4 the Micro Power Optimization Model HOMER is described extensively. Different hybrid systems are simulated in this program in order to find the most economical solution for our areas. In Chapter 5 is given the location of the study as well as the load going to be covered by the hybrid system. Moreover, a description of technological elements is reported too. Extensive description of each hybrid system with schematic depictions and interpretation of curves that result from the simulation follows. Finally, in Chapter 6 all the results are compared together. It is easily conceivable that temperature plays a significant role in operation and efficiency of our system. In the second part, it is obvious that hybrid systems are still costly enough. Scientists try to work on it, in order to make them affordable and exploit renewable sources to the full. Taking everything into consideration, the conclusion that derives is that the future belongs to the technology of hydrogen.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:09:15Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 mussolini_rc_me_sjrp.pdf: 1060744 bytes, checksum: 0d16722a56fd41c21a66c30444a6df64 (MD5) / Na moagem úmida obtêm-se frações do milho relativamente puras: germe, amido, fibra e glúten. A etapa mais importante do processo é a maceração, que consiste da imersão dos grãos em solução de ácido lático e dióxido de enxofre (SO2), à temperatura e pH controlados. As concentrações de ácido lático adicionado ou produzido durante a maceração e SO2 adicionado, pH e temperatura da solução de maceração afetam diretamente o rendimento da moagem e podem ser variados e combinados para melhores resultados. Além das condições do processo, o tipo de grão e suas características físico-químicas influenciam no rendimento e qualidade dos subprodutos da moagem. Um problema comum no Brasil é o pré-julgamento dos grãos pela aparência, muitas vezes realizado sem critérios técnicos, causando a rejeição indevida do produto pelas indústrias moageiras. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar físicoquimicamente, quatro híbridos e estudar a influência do tipo de grão nos rendimentos dos subprodutos da moagem úmida. Duas concentrações de ácido lático na solução de maceração também foram testadas: 0,55 e 1,00 %. Os híbridos de milho foram desenvolvidos pelo Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) e produzidos na região Sudoeste do estado de São Paulo. Os híbridos foram: Dow2b587 (aparência “dentada” ou “mole”), Somma (aparência vítrea, dura) e A2555 e 30F98, ambos com dureza aparentemente intermediária. As propriedades físicas analisadas foram o tamanho dos grãos, esfericidade, diâmetro geométrico, massa de cem grãos, porosidade, porcentagem de grãos boiantes e peso volumétrico. Por meio de análises de composição centesimal, determinou-se a constituição química dos grãos. Testes de moagem úmida foram realizados para cada tipo de milho, os quais foram macerados em duas concentrações de ácido lático. As características... / In corn wet milling it is obtained grain fractions relatively pure: germ, starch, fiber, and gluten. Steeping is the most important step of the process which consists in soaking the kernels in sulfurous acid solution at controlled temperature and pH. The concentrations of lactic acid produced during steeping and sulfur dioxide (SO2) added, as well, as pH and temperature, affect the milling yields and can be changed and combined to reach better results. Besides process conditions, grain type and its physico-chemical characteristics also influence milling products yields and quality. A common problem in Brazil is the prejudgment of the grains by their aspect, sometimes without technical criterions, causing the rejection of the product by milling industries. The objective of this work was to characterize physically and chemically four new corn hybrids and to study the influence of each grain type in the products yields of the wet milling. Two lactic acid concentrations in the steeping solution were also tested: 0.5 and 1.0%. The corn hybrids were developed by Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) and produced in the northwest region of São Paulo state. The hybrids were the Dow2b587 (dented and soft appearance), the Somma (vitreous and hard appearance), A2555 and 30F98, both with intermediate hardness appearance. The physical properties determined were grain size, sphericity, geometric diameter, 100 grains mass, porosity, percentage of floating kernels, and volumetric weigh. Through centesimal composition analyses it was determined the chemical constitution of the corns. Wet milling tests were performed for each hybrid steeped in two lactic acid concentrations solutions. All characteristics of the grains presented similar values to the literature. Some results were statistically different ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

This thesis offers an interpretation of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur that accounts for its popularity in fifth century Athens. The myth of the Minotaur had particular political resonance in Classical Athens because of the Minotaur’s hybrid character and eastern connotations. In the wake of the Persian wars, Theseus came to embody Athenian democratic and anti-Barbarian ideals. His canonical opponent, the Minotaur, represented the enemy of the Athenian citizen: an eastern hybrid such as the Persian/Carian/Lycian groups of Anatolia and the east. By aligning the Minotaur with his Near Eastern origins, the story of Theseus sailing to confront the Minotaur can be viewed as the story of Greeks, specifically Athenians, facing what was for them, very real threats from the east. By integrating iconographical and mythological evidence for the myths of Theseus and placing the Minotaur myth within the wider historical and political context of fifth century Athens, this thesis shows that the hybrid Minotaur was a stand in for the Persians. / Graduate