In the 1970s, a push for research on the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on food crops began. Since that time, multiple agricultural and horticultural crops have been studied with results showing that the morphological and physical reactions are species dependent. The purpose of these studies to determine how increasing UV radiation affects Allium fistulosum L. (scallion onions) and Allium tuberosum Rottl. (garlic chives), and how UV radiation affects 16 cultigens of A. fistulosum. The effects of UV radiation were determined by shoot height, fresh weight, carotenoid and chlorophyll pigment concentrations, and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm). The scallions showed decreases in shoot height and fresh weight in both studies, while the chives showed increases in both shoot height and fresh weight. High performance liquid chromatography showed changes in concentrations of nutritionally important carotenoids like lutein and the xanthophyll carotenoids were noted, while â-carotene concentrations did not change. Changes in chlorophyll a and b concentrations and ratios were also found. Changes in the xanthophyll cycle were found in the scallion cultigens, indicating irradiation stress. The scallion cultigens were found not to differ much between UV radiation treatments, but there were significant differences among the cultigens. To our knowledge, this is the first study to date that has examined the effects of UV radiation on Allium carotenoids.

As energy prices continue to rise, concern grows about the economy and about petroleum supplies. On January 1, 2009 The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2009 was enacted. It states that 500 million gallons of biomass-based biodiesel must be produced in 2009 and 1 billion gallons by 2012. In the United States 90 % of the biodiesel is produced from soybean oil, despite its shortcomings. The biggest problem facing the soy diesel industry is the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends. The two categories that are in need of immediate improvement to enhance test results and produce a better burning fuel are cloud point and oxidation stability. Monounsaturated fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) are reported to strike the best balance between cold flow properties and oxidative stability to enhance biodiesel test results and produce a better burning fuel. In addition, treating fuels derived from fatty acid alkyl esters with oxidation inhibitors (antioxidants) has been reported to increase resistance to oxidation. Fuel properties: acid value, cloud point, iodine value, pour point, peroxide value, induction period, onset temperature, and kinematic viscosity were used to evaluate a newly developed Roundup Ready® soybean recombinant inbred line with a novel oil profile, exhibiting an elevated level of monounsaturated FAME and the possibility of using selenium as a natural antioxidant for use in the biodiesel industry. We were able to demonstrate higher polyunsaturated content lead to lower IP values, lower PV values were indicative of increased monounsaturated FAME content and elevated levels of saturated FAME content resulted in higher CP and PP values.

The objectives of this study are three-fold: to determine the within row plant spacing and time of planting that will produce optimal yields and seed isoflavone content, to explore the feasibility of incorporating edamame soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] in a double-cropping system with strawberries [Fragaria X ananassa], and to study the potential as an edamame soybean of newly identified line TN03-349. Line TN03-349 was planted into raised, plasticulture, irrigated strawberry beds at the University of Tennessee’s East Tennessee Research and Education Center. Five within-row spacings were used (0.08m, 0.15m, 0.30m, 0.60m, and 1.20m) in 2004 and 2005. A second raised bed, irrigated plasticulture experiment was conducted at the Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville, TN, using four soybean lines (Gardensoy-43, TN00-60, USG 5601T, and TN03-349) and two planting dates (May 24 and June 14, 2005). A final field experiment at the same location used the same four soybean lines, four within-row spacings (0.04m, 0.08m, 0.15m, and 0.30m), and three planting dates (May 24, June 14, and July 6) in 2005 and 2006. All experimental plantings were harvested at both the R6 (green) and the R8 (dry) stages. Analysis of R6 and R8 data, averaged over two years (2004 and 2005), from the East Tennessee location showed that total pod yield was highest up to plant spacing 0.30m (at a mean of 10,450 kg ha-1) and dropped off at the 0.60m (8370 kg ha-1) and 1.20m (5985 kg ha-1) spacings. Similarly, shelled seed yield responded to spacing treatments with 3419 kg ha-1 at 0.30m and decreased to 1880 kg ha-1 at the 1.20m spacing. While seed numbers (per 100 pods) from R6 harvest did not change, seed size did, increasing as space between plants increased with means of 371mg seed-1 for 0.08m and 916mg seed-1 for 1.20m. Seed isoflavone content was not significantly affected by spacing treatment. Analysis of R6 data from the Plateau strawberry bed experiment showed that genotype significantly affected total plot yield (p<0.01) and seed size (p<0.05). While line Gardensoy-43 had the lowest shelled seed yield, it had the largest seeds (1070mg seed-1). The other lines did not differ in shelled seed yield, but TN00-60 and TN03-349 differed from USG 5601T (smallest at 260mg seed-1) in seed size. Planting date did not significantly affect yield or seed size. Analysis of R8 data at Crossville, TN showed line TN03-349 to have significantly higher total yield than all others at 876 kg ha-1 and Gardensoy-43 (lowest yield at 274 kg ha-1) differed from TN00- 60 (549 kg ha-1) and USG 5601T (497 kg ha-1) where p<0.0001. Three isoflavones were significant for genotype: daidzin (p<0.05), malonyl daidzin (p<0.001), and malonyl glycitin (p<0.0001). Total seed isoflavone and oil content were not significantly affected by genotype. Seventeen of eighteen measured amino acids were affected by genotype (p-values varied). Results from the field experiment revealed that genotypic effects were significant (p<0.01) to all measurements across all three planting dates for the R6 development stage. The edamame lines Gardensoy-43 and TN03-349 consistently produced larger seeds and heavier pod weights than the others. Planting date also had a significant effect on seed size (p<0.05) with June giving the largest (mean seed size, 360mg seed-1) and May the smallest (mean seed size, 350mg seed-1) size. Spacing treatment significantly affected seed size (p<0.05), total pod yield (p<0.01), and shelled seed yield (p<0.01). The widest spacing treatment, 0.30m, gave the largest seed size (0.36g) while the closest spacing treatment, 0.04m, yielded the lowest seed size (0.35g). Total pod and shelled seed yields only differed at the widest spacing (0.30m) and were significantly lower than all the other treatments, which did not differ from each other. Analysis of R8 harvested soybeans for 2005 and 2006 revealed that the 2005 experimental plantings produced higher yields than those in 2006 (p<0.0001), which were reduced by deer damage. Genotype played a significant part in R8 seed yield (p<0.0001). Line TN00-60 produced the highest weight (4374 kg ha-1) and differed significantly from the other three lines, which were not different from each other (Gardensoy-43, 2941 kg ha-1; TN03-349, 3373 kg ha-1; USG 5601T, 2970 kg ha-1). Spacing had no significant effect.

Four bioassays were conducted to evaluate an ecotype of Poa annua L. from Chattanooga for resistance to prodiamine, pendimethalin, and dithiopyr herbicides. MSmedia, filter-paper, and soil-based bioassays all evaluated root growth response in mature seed from the Chattanooga ecotype and a sensitive control. The hydroponics bioassay evaluated mature tiller response. All the bioassays were able to diagnose the Chattanooga population as resistant to prodiamine and pendimethalin. The soil-based bioassay was able to detect minimal resistance to dithiopyr. Additionally, the Chattanooga population exhibited variability of resistance to dinitroanalines.

The purpose of this thesis project was to, firstly, establish and optimize protocols for high-throughput callus induction and plant regeneration for the new, higher yielding switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars NSL and SL93. Secondly, to subclone the complementary DNA (cDNA) of the anthocyanin transcription factor, C1, from pBECKS.red into pUC18 and pBSL15 for downstream use. For the first part of this project the cultivars, NF/GA992, NF/GA993, NSL, and SL93, were tested for callus induction by plating whole dehusked caryopses on callus induction media (CIM) containing 8.5uM of the auxin dicamba. NF/GA992 responded best to the treatment with 44% of plated seeds producing callus. For the second experiment seeds of the cultivars NSL, SL93, and Alamo were plated on CIM containing various molar concentrations of dicamba (0uM, 8.5uM, 17uM, and 34uM) and 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) (0uM, 5uM, 15uM, and 45uM). This research revealed that the presence of BAP in CIM plates did not promote callus induction in Alamo, SL93, and NSL, but elevated concentrations (34uM) of dicamba significantly increased callus formation in all three cultivars. It was also found that the SL93 callus derived from CIM plates containing 34uM dicamba and 15uM BAP regenerated the most shoots, 27 shoots were regenerated from 3 calluses. Seed pretreatments were evaluated to determine their impact on callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration. For this experiment, seeds of NSL, SL93, and Alamo were plated on CIM containing 34uM of dicamba. Seeds were subjected to one of three treatments before plating: a) dehusked with H2SO4 , b) chilled for two weeks at 4°C then plated, and c) sterilized with sodium hypochlorite and ethanol. This research revealed that seed pretreatment significantly increased callus induction amongst the three tested cultivars. The second part of this experiment compared the shoot regeneration efficiencies of seed-derived calluses to inflorescence-derived calluses. Analysis showed that SL93 calluses induced from inflorescences produced significantly more shoots than any of the other explants. The final arm of this thesis project focused on sub-cloning the C1 anthocyanin regulatory cDNA. The C1 cDNA isolated from pBECKS.red was sub-cloned into pUC18 and pBSL15 using a sticky-end ligation.

Leadership and leadership development is an important topic facing those who lead and train people in the area of public horticulture. In the fall of 2007 an email survey consisting of 55 questions was sent to 448 executive directors of public gardens in the United States. This survey was divided into six major sections: demographics on each director‟s garden and their association with their garden; each directors view of leadership in their garden and in the field of public horticulture; each directors experience with, and their view on the importance of internships; leadership style; each directors level of confidence, and their views on the importance of different aspects of their job; general personal demographic information and each directors‟ comments. Results from this study suggest current garden directors have an interest in furthering their own knowledge in the area of leadership. The results from this study also revealed leaders of public gardens in the U.S. lead using a participative style of leadership. This style of leadership fosters an environment where subordinates opinions are taken into consideration when making decisions. Respondents to this study also value experiences during college at a high level in regards to choosing their career path. This includes participation in hands-on work experiences such as internships. In conclusion, those who currently lead public gardens typically feel that the ability to communicate is the most important aspect of what they do. Unfortunately, this is also an area where current directors lack personal confidence and desire professional development.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1978. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1975. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

The ecology of bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), on Bollgard and Bollgard II cottons, Gossypium hirsutum L., was studied in field and laboratory experiments. Neonate bollworm larvae were placed on selected components of cotton squares and flowers from non-Bollgard, Bollgard, and Bollgard II cotton varieties. Larval survival was higher on flower anthers and square anthers than on other floral parts for each cultivar. Bollworm survival was lowest on all Bollgard II floral structures. To evaluate larval behavior on Bollgard cotton, first instar bollworms were placed on terminals of non-flowering and flowering cotton plants. Larvae were recovered lower on Bollgard cotton than on non-Bollgard cotton. Larvae remained near the terminals of non-Bollgard plants feeding on terminal foliage and squares. On Bollgard cotton, more larvae were recovered from white flowers and bolls. To quantify injury from bollworms on Bollgard and Bollgard II cottons, first instar larvae were placed in white flowers of non-Bollgard, Bollgard, and Bollgard II cottons. Bollworms damaged approximately two and three times more fruiting forms on non-Bollgard cotton than on Bollgard and Bollgard II cottons, respectively. To evaluate the influence of alternate hosts on bollworm sensitivity to non-Bollgard and Bollgard cottons, host colonies were established on field corn, Zea mays L.; grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (Moench); soybean, Glycine max (Merrill); non-Bollgard cotton; and meridic diet. Field corn and grain sorghum were better hosts for bollworms than cotton. Neonates from each colony were placed on terminal foliage from non-Bollgard and Bollgard cottons in petri dishes. Mortality of larvae from the cotton colony was higher than mortality from the soybean, corn, and meridic diet colonies on non-Bollgard cotton. Mortality from the corn colony was higher than from the soybean and grain sorghum colonies on Bollgard cotton. Differences in bollworm larval behavior and development on Bollgard cotton suggest that changes are needed in the scouting protocols and management decisions for bollworms on Bollgard cotton compared to those on non-Bollgard cotton. Insecticide applications will be needed for bollworms on Bollgard cotton when populations persist over extended periods of time or when other boll feeding pests are present. Furthermore, alternate hosts may influence bollworm management with Bollgard cotton.

Physiological responses of maize