Call number: LD2668 .T4 1961 A33

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1961 S85

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1967 L59 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 C54 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1928 K41

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1928 W32

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1929 B71

Gene expression in two different genotypes of alfalfa, salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive, was examined by studying differences in protein products coded for by poly(A+) RNA isolated from shoot and root tissue. Plants were grown in hydroponics under unstressed or salt-stressed conditions. Two salinity levels (low salt: 30 mM NaCl and 6 mM CaCl2 and high salt: 133 mM NaCl and 27 mM CaCl2) and one unstressed control were applied. The salt-tolerant genotype showed higher biomass accumulation than the salt-sensitive genotype under both control and salt-stressed conditions. The difference in biomass accumulation between the two genotypes was greatest at the highest salt level. The effect of salt stress on gene expression was studied via in vitro translation of poly (A+) RNA with (35S) -methionine. The labeling pattern was similar in all treatments when analyzed by one dimensional SDS-PAGE. However, a two dimensional analysis (isoelectric focusing followed by SDS-PAGE) showed that salt-stress induced a number of new proteins and repressed several others.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joel M. DeRouchey / Seven experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of alfalfa and cornstalk round bale processing type on animal performance, wastage, preference, and mixing characteristics. All bales were baled using a round baler (John Deere) that had the ability to cut forage being baled prior to wrapping. This machine processed all bales used in these experiments, with those termed conventional being baled with the cutter disengaged. In Exp. 1, 46 heifers (initially 270 kg BW) were used in a 27 d experiment with ADG being higher (P < 0.01) for heifers consuming precut alfalfa compared to conventional alfalfa in ring feeders. However, there was no difference in final BW (P = 0.56) between conventional and precut treatments. In Exp. 2, 46 heifers were used to show there was no (P > 0.05) difference in forage wastage from ring feeders between precut or conventional alfalfa. In Exp. 3, 26 beef heifers, (initially 305 kg) were used to show that there was no (P = 0.48) difference in the preference of conventional alfalfa or precut alfalfa when offered simultaneously in different ring feeders for 2 d. In Exp. 4, 75 bulls (initially 317 kg BW) were used to show that tub ground bales had smaller TMR particle size (P = 0.01) than TMR’s with conventional or precut alfalfa bales. In Exp. 5, 60 heifers (initially 332 kg BW) were used to show that different discharge locations from each of the different cornstalk treatments had similar (P > 0.11) DM, CP, ADF, and NDF. Mixing time and fuel usage of a vertical mixer were evaluated in Exp. 6 and 7. In Exp. 6, bale mixing time was shorter (P < 0.05) for precut alfalfa compared to conventional alfalfa bales. Fuel usage per bale was lower (P < 0.001) for precut alfalfa bales compared to conventional alfalfa bales. In Exp. 7, precut cornstalk bale mixing time was shorter (P < 0.001) than conventional cornstalk bales. Fuel usage was similar (P > 0.05) among precut and conventionally-processed cornstalk bales. In conclusion, precutting alfalfa or cornstalk bales prior to net wrapping improved heifer performance and decreased mixing time and tractor fuel usage, but did not affect wastage and preference.

2 pp. / The first sign of a potential alfalfa caterpillar (Colias eurytheme) outbreak is the influx of large numbers of yellow or white butterflies in late spring or early summer. This publication discusses the biology of the alfalfa caterpillar, the damage it causes, the biological and cultural controls, and the treatments for it.