No description available.

No description available.

The thermophilic bacterium designated NT-7 was shown to reduce acetylene to ethylene at 35 C. It was found that the organism does not reduce acetylene when it is grown in Burk's medium with 0.3 per cent (w/v) NH4 N0 3 . Reduction of acetylene at 55 C could not be demonstrated due to insolubility of acetylene in Burk's medium at this temperature. It was shown that the bacterium NT-7 can not grow in the absence of atmospheric nitrogen at 55 C when combined nitrogen is not supplied with the nutrient medium. All these characteristics were used to prove that NT-7 is a nitrogen fixing bacterium. Identification procedures confirmed a previous finding that the organisms are rod shaped cells possessing endoepores. Further tests showed that NT-7 is obligately aerobic and motile.

A study of adsorption equilibria of oxygen, nitrogen and oxygen-nitrogen mixtures on types 4A, 5A, 13X and Na-Mordenite molecular sieve pellets has been made. Pure component isotherms, using a volumetric apparatus, have been measured for each gas on each adsorbent at pressures up to 9 bar and for temperatures of 278.15,293.15 and 303.15 K. Curve fitting of the pure canponent isotherms has been attempted using the kinetic model of Gonzalez and Holland, the vacancy solution model, the statistical thermodynamic model and a mathematical equation similar to the Hill-de Boer model. With the exception of the kinetic model, good curve fitting was obtained. Binary equilibria data have been measured, using a constant volume method, for mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen at pressures of 1.7 and 4.4 bar and at temperatures of 278.15,293.15 and 303.15 K for each of the adsorbents. These results have been presented graphically as equilibrium phase compositions and corresponding total adsorption loadings. The binary experimental equilibria data have been examined against values predicted by mixture models (kinetic model, the extended vacancy solution model, the statistical thermodynamic model, the Cook and Basmadjian model, and the ideal adsorbed solution theory) using regression parameters obtained from the pure component isotherms. The statistical thermodynamic model and the ideal adsorbed solution theory gave the best representation of the experimental data. The activity coefficients of the adsorbed phase for the binary experimental data have been calculated and the results showed no appreciable deviation of the adsorbed phase from ideality. / British Council and the University of Gezira (Sudan)

No description available.

No description available.

Development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars capable of more efficient uptake and utilization of applied nitrogen (N) has the potential to increase grower profitability and reduce negative environmental consequences associated with N lost from the plant-soil system. The first study sought to evaluate genotypic variation for N use efficiency (NUE) and identify lines consistently expressing high or low NUE under two or more N rates in a total of 51 N-environments. The results indicated that significant genotype by N rate interactions were frequently observed when trials utilized at least three N rates and identified wheat lines with high and stable yield potential that varied in performance under low N conditions. In addition, NUE was associated with above-ground biomass at physiological maturity were found to be both highly heritable across multiple N supplies. In the second study, two bi-parental mapping populations having a common low ('Yorktown') and two high (VA05W-151 and VA09W-52) NUE parents were characterized to dissect the genetics underlying N response. The populations were evaluated in eight N-environments and genotyped using single-nucleotide polymorphism data derived from a genotyping-by-sequencing protocol to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with high NUE. Six QTL for NUE were identified on chromosomes 1D, 2D, 4A, 6A, 7A, and 7D that were associated with N use efficiency. The QTL on 2D and 4A co-localized with known loci governing photoperiod sensitivity and resistance to Fusarium head blight (caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum Schwabe), respectively. Three of the identified QTL (6A, 7A, and 7D) were associated with NUE in previous investigations, while the QTL on 1D was novel. The final experiment employed a small panel of soft red winter wheat lines to study the effects of photoperiod alleles on chromosome 1D (Ppd-D1) on yield-related traits under three or five N rates that were variably split over two growth stages in eight environments. The results validated the effect of a photoperiod sensitive allele (Ppd-D1b) that was associated with increased grain yield across N rates in half of the Virginia testing environments and under low N rates in all Ohio testing sites at the expense of grain N content. Yield advantages conferred by the Ppd-D1b allele were attributable to increased floret fertility and kernel number per spike. The findings from these studies have direct application for winter wheat breeding programs targeting NUE improvements. / Doctor of Philosophy / Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) products account for a significant percentage of the total dietary calories and protein consumed globally. To meet production demands, wheat requires efficient nitrogen (N) management to ensure continued grower profitability and to reduce negative environmental impacts of N lost from agricultural systems. This dissertation sought to evaluate variation among wheat lines for N use efficiency (NUE), assess the performance of wheat lines under multiple N supplies, validate traits that are associated with NUE, investigate the role of photoperiod sensitivity genes on N response, and identify regions of the wheat genome associated with high N use efficiency. These studies were conducted using panels of winter wheat lines grown under two or more N conditions over a combined 32 location-years. Results of Chapter I identified variation in cultivar response to N rates was more frequently observed when a greater number of N rates were used in trials of wheat N response. The first chapter also identified variation among wheat lines for NUE and identified lines that consistently produce high grain yields over N-location-years. In addition, above-ground biomass at physiological maturity was found to be strongly associated with grain yield under all N rates and was highly heritable in both studies. Chapter II utilized a combination of genetic and observable trait data to perform genetic analysis in two bi-parental populations grown in eight Nlocation-years. The study identified reproducible and significant genetic markers associated with NUE for application in wheat breeding programs. Upon analysis of photoperiod sensitive versus insensitive wheat lines in Chapter III, photoperiod sensitive wheat lines had a significant yield advantage under N-limited conditions in Ohio and across N treatments in half of the Virginia testing location-years. This resulted from an increased number of kernels per spike and fertile florets in photoperiod sensitive wheat lines. Results from this dissertation suggest that active breeding and selection for N response may be achieved through the employment of high NUE genes and the continued identification of adapted high NUE wheat parental lines.

The products of nifE and nifN from Azotobacter vinelandii, which are involved in the biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) co) from nitrogenase, have been analyzed using a variety of mutagenic techniques. NifE was the object of several site-specific, amino acid substitutions that were designed to elicit information regarding metal cluster ligands, subunit-subunit interactions, and the proposed transfer of FeMo-co.from a nifEN-products complex to the apo-MoFe protein. A model of metal cluster binding; regions within the nifEN-products is discussed insofar as it relates to the rationale for the targeting of particular amino acids for-substitution. A translational fusion between nifN and lacZ was constructed and used to study the regulation of nifEN. This gene fusion was regulated in the same manner as wild type nifN and produced a fusion protein which was enzymatically active with respect to substrates of β-galactosidase. Results from mutant strains which carry lesions in nifH or nifA in addition to the nifN / Master of Science

Excess nitrogen (N) excretion from animal agriculture results in reduced air and water quality, and poses a risk to human health. Although the dairy industry utilizes milk urea N (MUN) to monitor protein feeding and N excretion, phenotypic diversity among cows may influence MUN and thus bias feed management. An initial study using data from 2 previously published research trials and a field trial, observed that cow had a significant effect on MUN variation. Regression models, utilized to predict MUN, corrected for dietary nutrients and some animal effects, and thus the observed effect of cow on MUN variation may reflect genetic selection decisions of animals with either poor or efficient urea transport. A second trial observed that MUN and PUN concentrations were positively correlated with gut urea clearance, providing evidence for differences in urea transport activity among cows. The presence of urea transport variation suggests that current protein recommendations may not estimate true requirements. A third trial observed that animals fed sub-NRC levels of RDP and RUP had reduced N intake and excretion of fecal N, urinary urea-N, and MUN. Animals maximized N efficiency and had no loss in milk production, suggesting a possible overestimation of RDP and RUP in the current NRC prediction model. The present project provides evidence for phenotypic variation among cows, which may be partially explained by differences in urea transport activity. Future work confirming genetic variation among urea transporters may provide an opportunity to improve feeding management if cow urea efficiency is known. / Master of Science

Cover crops (CC) are planted in between cash crops to improve soil quality and to supply nitrogen (N) to cash crops through biological N fixation or soil N scavenging. Most producers use single species CC, in part because potential benefits of using mixtures of three or more CC species are poorly understood. A three-year study was initiated at Painter, Virginia to observe effects of CC mixtures on a no-till (NT) corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max) rotation to measure CC performance, N cycling, cash crop yield, and soil quality in a sandy, low organic matter soil. Twelve treatments were created with conventional tillage (CT), NT, no CC control, and monoculture or CC mixtures of 3 to 9 species. Corn was grown in year 3 in all 12 treatments and four N rates were applied (0, 56, 112 and 156 kg N ha-1). Cover crop biomass, N accumulation, CC C:N ratio, and corn and soybean yield were measured annually. Soil bulk density, compaction, infiltration rate, pH, electrical conductivity, soil respiration, earthworm counts, soil microbial respiration, and soil microbial biomass carbon (C) after three years of CC. Cover crop biomass production varied significantly each year (5633 kg ha-1 in year 1, 755 kg ha-1 in year 2, 5370 kg ha-1 in year 3) due to climate and agronomic parameters, but a CC mixture always produced the highest biomass at termination. Nitrogen accumulation was strongly correlated with biomass production (R2= 0.94) and followed the same trend due to all CC having C:N < 30:1. Corn and soybean yields in years 1 and 2 were not significantly different, but corn yield was significantly affected by treatment and N fertilizer rate in year 3. After 3 years, soil respiration, earthworm populations and soil microbial biomass C increased in CC compared to CT without CC. However, infiltration rate, bulk density, microbial respiration, pH did not improve or declined compared to CT. In conclusion, adding CC mixtures to crop rotations shows promise for producing high CC biomass, accumulating N, and increasing crop yields, while improving some soil quality parameters on sandy low organic matter soils. / Doctor of Philosophy / Cover crop (CC) are planted in between cash crops to protect the soil from erosion, improve soil quality, and supply N to next cash crop through biological N fixation or soil N scavenging. Traditionally, CC were single species, but new CC methodologies utilize mixtures of three or more species planted together to protect soils as well as produce high biomass to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and improve soil quality. A long-term study was initiated in fall 2014 in Painter, VA to observe CC mixture effects on no-till (NT) corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max) rotations on CC performance, N cycling, cash crop yield, and soil quality of a sandy, low organic matter soil. Twelve treatments were created that compared NT rotations with CC monocultures, CC mixtures of 3-9 species, and without CC. In the third year corn was grown in all 12 rotations and four N rates were applied (0, 56, 112 and 156 kg N ha-1). To evaluate CC mixture performance in rotations, CC biomass, CC N accumulation and corn and soybean yield was measured over three years. To evaluate changes in soil quality, nine soil physical, chemical and biological soil properties were measured after three years of NT and CC. Biomass production varied significantly each experimental year (5633 kg ha-1 in year 1, 755 kg ha-1 in year 2, 5370 kg ha-1 in year 3) due to climate and agronomic differences, but CC mixtures were the highest biomass producing CC each spring and accumulated the highest amount of N. Cover crop mixtures had equal corn and soybean yield as CC monocultures. In year 3 corn yield and was greater in treatments with CC than in treatments without CC and was greater in legume dominated monocultures and mixtures than majority grass CC mixtures and monocultures. After 3 years of CC and NT, some soil quality parameters improved. Indicators of soil biology (soil respiration, earthworm populations, and soil microbial biomass C) increased in CC treatments. However, some soil physical and chemical properties (infiltration rate, bulk density, pH and EC) did not improve. In conclusion, adding CC mixtures to crop rotations shows promise for producing high CC biomass, accumulating N, and increasing crop yields, while also improving some soil quality parameters that are important for agricultural systems.