The different reproductive strategies of males and females underlie differences in behavior that may also lead to differences in nutrient use between the two sexes. We studied sex differences in the utilization of two essential amino acids (EAAs) and one non-essential amino acid (NEAA) by the Carolina sphinx moth (Manduca sexta). On day one post-eclosion from the pupae, adult male moths oxidized greater amounts of larva-derived AAs than females, and more nectar-derived AAs after feeding. After 4 days of starvation, the opposite pattern was observed: adult females oxidized more larva- derived AAs than males. Adult males allocated comparatively small amounts of nectar-derived AAs to their first spermatophore, but this allocation increased substantially in the second and third spermatophores. Males allocated significantly more adult-derived AAs to their flight muscle than females. These outcomes indicate that adult male and female moths employ different strategies for allocation and oxidation of dietary AAs.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) is a perennial warm-season grass that is very responsive to nitrogen (N) fertilization. Excessive N applications have negative environmental consequences and make maintaining mixed swards difficult. This study determined the effects of enhanced efficiency (EE) N fertilizers and fertilizer rate on bermudagrass yields, nutritive values, and white clover persistence. Nitrogen sources included urea, urea formulated with Agrotain® (U+A), urea with Agrotain® and dicyandiamide (SuperU), a polymer-coated urea (ESN), ESN+urea (75% ESN, 25% urea), and methylene urea (MU). In the urea formulation trial, SuperU and U+A maximized forage yields at lower N rates. The dicyandiamide in SuperU did not increase yields over U+A. Highest production efficiency was achieved at lower N rates. ESN had the lowest relative stimulate growth, which may increase clover persistence. In the clover persistence trial, the addition of N fertilizer began decreasing clover populations after 112 kg N/ha. Slow-release fertilizers (ESN, ESN+urea, MU) had higher clover percentage at the final harvest. Crude protein and in vitro digestible dry matter increased, while neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber decreased with the addition of white clover. SuperU and U+A were more efficient and ESN had lower relative stimulated growth beneficial for mixed pastures.

Promotion of agroforestry practices in sub-Sahara Africa may help sustain subsistent food and wood production by integrating trees and crops on farmlands to replenish soil fertility and improve crop yield. Using rotational woodlot and pigeonpea intercropping systems in semi-arid Tanzania as case studies, my research screened suitable tree species to increase fuelwood supply and examined mechanisms for reducing tree-crop competition. By adopting nutrient use efficiency (the ratio of biomass yield to nutrient uptake) as a criterion, I found that selecting tree species of low wood nutrient concentrations would minimize nutrient exports by 42 – 60 %, thus reducing soil nutrient depletion while concurrently sustaining local fuelwood supply harvested from rotational woodlots. Currently smallholder farmers cannot afford to replenish soil fertility because of high fertilizer costs. However, 5-year tree fallowing raised soil N and P levels for maize culture as high as those from recommended fertilizer applications. Post-fallow maize yield was also increased significantly over natural fallow practices. Apparently there is a trade-off between yields of maize and fuelwood under rotational woodlot culture providing farmers the choice to proportion tree and crop composition based on priority demands. An alternative practice of intercropping pigeonpea with maize may also rapidly replenish soil fertility as well as enhance maize yield when competitive interactions between trees and crops are controlled. Vector analysis revealed that such interactions suppressed biomass yields of maize and pigeonpea by 30 % and 60 %, respectively, due to limited soil nutrients and/or moisture. Optimizing yields of both crops would require prescribed fertilizer addition when intercropped, but dose rates can be lowered by half under the improved fallow system due to alleviating interspecific competition. My findings form the basis of a plea for greater use of rotational woodlot and pigeonpea intercropping systems in semi-arid areas. I conclude that smallholder farm management of rotational agroforestry systems can be significantly improved by refining tree selection criteria and mitigating nutrient competition between trees and crops to maintain food and fuelwood production.

Promotion of agroforestry practices in sub-Sahara Africa may help sustain subsistent food and wood production by integrating trees and crops on farmlands to replenish soil fertility and improve crop yield. Using rotational woodlot and pigeonpea intercropping systems in semi-arid Tanzania as case studies, my research screened suitable tree species to increase fuelwood supply and examined mechanisms for reducing tree-crop competition. By adopting nutrient use efficiency (the ratio of biomass yield to nutrient uptake) as a criterion, I found that selecting tree species of low wood nutrient concentrations would minimize nutrient exports by 42 – 60 %, thus reducing soil nutrient depletion while concurrently sustaining local fuelwood supply harvested from rotational woodlots. Currently smallholder farmers cannot afford to replenish soil fertility because of high fertilizer costs. However, 5-year tree fallowing raised soil N and P levels for maize culture as high as those from recommended fertilizer applications. Post-fallow maize yield was also increased significantly over natural fallow practices. Apparently there is a trade-off between yields of maize and fuelwood under rotational woodlot culture providing farmers the choice to proportion tree and crop composition based on priority demands. An alternative practice of intercropping pigeonpea with maize may also rapidly replenish soil fertility as well as enhance maize yield when competitive interactions between trees and crops are controlled. Vector analysis revealed that such interactions suppressed biomass yields of maize and pigeonpea by 30 % and 60 %, respectively, due to limited soil nutrients and/or moisture. Optimizing yields of both crops would require prescribed fertilizer addition when intercropped, but dose rates can be lowered by half under the improved fallow system due to alleviating interspecific competition. My findings form the basis of a plea for greater use of rotational woodlot and pigeonpea intercropping systems in semi-arid areas. I conclude that smallholder farm management of rotational agroforestry systems can be significantly improved by refining tree selection criteria and mitigating nutrient competition between trees and crops to maintain food and fuelwood production.

No description available.

This thesis presents a more in-depth understanding of global root responses of contrasting tomato genotypes to cadmium-induced stress. Tomato genotypes growing in media containing 35 μM CdCl2 over seven days showed metal accumulation in roots and shoots of both genotypes, but with increased Cd allocation over time mainly in roots. PR (tolerant) accumulated lower levels of Cd in the shoots, exhibiting higher growth rate and higher levels of MDA in roots compared to CR (sensitive). Therefore, the PR genotype appears to have a more efficient mechanism to cope with Cd-induced stress. Enzymatic analysis revealed that the presence of Cd altered GSH content in roots of both genotypes, whilst increased the activities of APX, GR and GST, which in turn, together may be the main players against oxidative stress in the tolerant genotype. Following the characterization of tomato roots systems against Cd challenge the second chapter brings the root morphology parameters analysis. Cd exposure decreased the root length, the surface area and the volume in both genotypes, being more severe in the CR genotype. Tomato roots exposed to Cd showed NUE for many macro and micronutrients in the CR genotype lower than verified for the PR. These findings reinforce the explanation that the tolerant phenotype observed in PR plants could be related to a better nutrient management and minor damages in root morphology under Cd stress. Finally, the last chapter brings a large scale quantitative proteomic approach employed to determine alterations in the protein profile of tomato roots exposed to Cd. Tomato genotypes were grown in hydroponics and exposed to Cd over four days. The spectral counting revealed a total of 380 differentially accumulated proteins (DAP), which 62 were shared between both genotypes and showed similar alterations after metal exposure. In general, CR genotype presented higher number of DAP compared to PR. DAP showed alterations in diverse pathways, including proteins involved in cell wall, stress response, and redox activities. The results obtained in this study contributed to increase the understanding of Cd-tolerance in tomato plants. / Esta tese apresenta um aprofundamento do conhecimento global sobre as respostas radiculares de genótipos contrastantes de tomateiro ao estresse induzido por cádmio (Cd). Os genótipos cultivados em hidroponia em meio contendo 35 μM de CdCl2 durante sete dias exibiram acúmulo de metal tanto em raízes como em parte aérea em ambos genótipos, mas com um aumento da alocação de Cd principalmente nas raízes. PR (tolerante) acumulou menores níveis de Cd na parte aérea, exibindo maiores taxas de crescimento e acúmulo maior de MDA comparado ao CR (sensível). No entanto, o genótipo PR parece ter um sistema mais eficiente para lidar com o estresse induzido pelo Cd. Os ensaios enzimáticos revelaram que a presença de Cd alterou o conteúdo de GSH nas raízes de ambos os genótipos, com aumentos nas atividades de APX, GR e GST, que em conjunto podem ser os principais elementos responsivos na defesa contra o estresse oxidativo no genótipo tolerante. Seguindo a caracterização dos sistemas radiculares dos genótipos de tomateiro, o segundo capítulo contém as análises morfológicas. A exposição ao Cd provocou decréscimos nos parâmetros avaliados como comprimento radicular, área superficial e volume, sendo mais severos no genótipo CR. As raízes de tomate expostas ao Cd mostraram alterações na eficiência do uso de nutrientes para vários macro e micronutrientes, sendo menor no CR em comparação com PR. Esses resultados reforçam a explicação de que o fenótipo tolerante observado no genótipo PR pode estar relacionado a um melhor gerenciamento nutricional aliado aos menores danos na morfologia da raiz sob estresse. Finalmente o último capítulo contém dados de proteômica quantitativa, uma abordagem que foi empregada para determinar as alterações provocadas pelo Cd no perfil proteico das raízes de tomateiro. As plantas cresceram em hidroponia e foram expostas ao metal por quatro dias. A contagem espectral revelou um total de 380 proteinas diferencialmente acumuladas (DAP), das quais 62 foram compartilhadas entre os genótipos e apresentaram alterações similares após exposição ao metal. Em geral, CR apresentou maior número de DAP comparado ao PR. DAP foram alteradas em diversas vias, incluindo proteínas envolvidas em parede celular, resposta a estresse e atividades redox. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo contribuíram para aumentar o entendimento da tolerância ao Cd em tomateiro.

Cotton plant growth and development, as well as monitoring nutrient use efficiency were evaluated using hydroponic approach. Two set of experiments were conducted to determine the influence of phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and PK and exogenous application of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), zeatin (Z) and their combinations on growth and development of cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum) grown hydroponically. In the nutrient solution experiment, cotton vegetative growth was positively influenced by low P (half strength Hoagland standard solution), low K (one-sixth strength Hoagland standard solution) and high PK treatments (Hoagland standard solution). Phytohormone experiment negatively supported vegetative growth except root length at 43 days after transplanting (DAT). The nutrients levels applied significantly favoured NPK uptake by cotton plants while exogenous phytohormones application did not affect NPK uptake by cotton plants, except N uptake by stem. Low P and low K treatments estimated to have high nutrient use efficiency (NUE). For chlorophyll formation, low K and high PK significantly increased formation of chlorophyll a, b and total ab while the application of GA3, IAA, Z and IAA x GA3 x 2Z treatments significantly increased chlorophyll a, b and total ab at 80 DAT only. Low K and low P treatments stimulated endogenous phytohormone contents in the cotton plants. In the phytohormone experiment, cotton plants treated to IAA x GA3 x Z increased endogenous phytohormone contents in the cotton plants. Low P, low K, high PK treatments and phytohormones treatments significantly increased root area, root volume and root activity. Low P, low K and high PK treatments applied significantly influenced residual level of P and K in the hydroponics while phytohormone treatments did not affect residual level of P and K except at 43 DAT. Evapotranspiration rate was high at early and reproductive stages of plant growth. This report shows the response of mineral nutrients and phytohormones to support growth and development of cotton plants grown hydroponically. / Description as in abstract

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The bulk of Zimbabwe’s groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop is grown on sandy soils in the smallholder sector where sustainable production is hindered by acid soil infertility. The study goal was thus to examine the effects of soil acidity amelioration by four Ca-containing materials on nutrient composition, vegetative and reproductive growth, and quality of groundnut to formulate ameliorative strategies to improve productivity on acid soils. The effectiveness of calcitic lime (CL), dolomitic lime (DL), gypsum (G) and single superphosphate (SSP) in ameliorating soil acidity was determined in field experiments conducted for three seasons at two Research Stations in Zimbabwe, and in greenhouse experiments conducted for two seasons at Harare Research Station. In both experiments the lime application rates were from 0 to 4000 kg ha-1, while G application rates were from 0 to 3450 kg ha-1, and those of SSP were from 0 to 250 kg ha-1. Calcitic or dolomitic lime applied at 2000 or 4000 kg ha-1 increased soil pH and Ca and Mg contents in the pod and root zones, and in the plant material. Gypsum and SSP applications at 200 and 250 kg ha-1 respectively, had no significant effects on pH, Ca and Mg levels, but when applied in equivalent amounts of Ca as lime, gypsum improved soil Ca status. Effects of the four ameliorants on the N, P and K levels in the soils and in plant material were generally neither significant nor consistent. The direct and residual benefits of application of CL or DL were manifested in improved plant stands, better growth, nodulation, productivity and quality of groundnut. Gypsum applied at equal Ca rates as CL or DL was the superior Ca-source in improving pod and kernel quality. By the end of the third season, the increases in cumulative kernel yields due to application of 4000 kg ha-1 lime over non-application were up to 319%. The major growth-limiting factors on the studied acid soils were identified as deficiencies of Ca and Mg, and low pH per se. In a field experiment conducted to evaluate the tolerance of 15 groundnut genotypes to soil acidity, significant differences in yield and nutrient utilization efficiency of the genotypes were observed, implying that productivity on acid soils can be increased by growing genotypes efficient in uptake and utilization of nutrients. Results from greenhouse and growth chamber studies conducted to examine the effects of pH (3.0 - 7.0) and its interactions with Ca (0 - 2000 µM Ca) on early seedling growth and reproductive growth of groundnut indicated that low pH per se has a major detrimental impact on seedling survival, growth, pod formation, yield and quality of groundnut, but not on germination. The adverse effects of low pH were more pronounced in the absence of Ca, and became progressively less as the solution Ca concentrations increased. Further experiments showed that it is feasible to mitigate the adverse effects of soil acidity on groundnut germination and seedling survival by pelleting seeds with small amounts of CaCO3, or priming with CaSO4. / Dissertation (PhD (Plant Production: Agronomy))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Increased water- and fertilizer-use-efficiency in containerized crop production, via reduced water loss, enhances crop-available nutrients while reducing non-point source agrichemical contributions in accordance with regulatory standards. Previous studies detailed nutrient leaching patterns throughout crop production seasons, leaving little known about water and dissolved nutrient (solute) movement through soilless substrates during irrigation. The following experiments evaluated fundamental water and solute transport principles through pine-bark based substrates. 1) Ilex crenata Thunb. 'Bennett's Compactum' were grown in 2.7 L containers. Tensiometers detected wetting front (WF) movement throughout the substrate during irrigation. 2) Tracer solution (containing NO3-, PO43- and K+) and deionized water (DI) were applied to substrate-filled columns to characterize tracer breakthrough under saturated and unsaturated conditions. 3) Controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) was topdressed (surface-applied), incorporated (throughout substrate), dibbled (center of substrate) or not applied to fallow substrate, irrigated with DI and leachate analyzed to determine nutrient concentrations throughout irrigation. Tensiometers revealed that seasonal root growth affected substrate pre-irrigation moisture distribution. Wetting fronts channeled through the substrate before becoming thoroughly wetted. Tracer breakthrough occurred with less effluent volume under unsaturated conditions. Breakthrough of NO3- and PO43- was relatively conservative, though 37% of K+ was retained by the substrate. Leachate concentrations for topdressed and incorporated CRF peaked early (first 50mL effluent) before diminishing with continued leaching. Leachate concentrations for dibbled CRF initially increased (first 150mL leachate), plateaued and then diminished. These results show the relative rapidity which water and solutes move through pine-bark during irrigation and demonstrate methods for future research on within-irrigation solute transport. / Master of Science