Field experiments were conducted in 1983 and 1984 to compare conventional tillage (CT) versus no-tillage (NT) production of broccoli and cabbage. The tillage treatments were applied in combination with four rates of applied nitrogen fertilizer and three cover crops: hairy vetch (<u>Vigia villosa</u> Roth), Austrian winter pea (<u>Fisum arvenu</u> L.), and cereal rye (<u>Secale cereale</u> L.). Transplants of 'Premium Crop' broccoli (<u>Brassica oleracea</u> var. <u>italica</u> Plenck) and 'Market Prize' cabbage (<u>Brassica oleracea</u> var. <u>capitata</u> L.) were set with a locally adapted NT vegetable planter. None of the variables studied affected the final plant stand. Yield and head size with NT were equal to or greater than CT. Soil moisture was higher under NT plots throughout the growing season. Yield and head size with the two legume covers were equal to or greater than those with the rye cover. Yield and head size tended to increase as applied N was increased, although differences were not always significant. The data, although not conclusive, indicate that the legume cover crops provided additional nitrogen for the cole crops. / Master of Science

Forage crops grown in many parts of the Appalachian region are restricted in yields as a consequence of shallow soils, low levels of essential nutrients, toxic levels of aluminum, and low pH. Therefore, the successful growth of alfalfa in these regions is dependent on either changing existing edaphic conditions or modifying the plant physiologically so as to improve nutrient acquisition and utilization. The purpose of the present study was to determine if chemicals reported to possess growth regulatory properties affect nutrient uptake and utilization and how such effects are manifested in the plant. In the first series of experiments, foliar sprays containing 10 mM CaCl₂ with or without tetracosanoic acid (C-24), hexacosanoic acid (C-26), triacontanoic acid (C-30), or dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid (DPA) were ineffective (p=0.05) in enhancing alfalfa (Medicago sativa, Arc) shoot or root biomass when applied to 21 and 28 day-old plants. DPA treatments also had no effect (p=0.05) on the leakage of Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and PO₄³⁻ from foliar leaf discs. Foliar treatments containing either 10 mM CaCl₂ + DPA or 10 mM CaC1₂ were effective in increasing shoot biomass in plants grown in solution culture containing suboptimal levels of calcium and phosphate. The increased biomass, however, was attributed to calcium supplementation rather than the effect due to DPA. The second series of experiments evaluated the effect of seed treatments with the growth retardant XE-1019 ((p-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2(1,2.4-triazol-1-yl)-1-penten-3-ol) on alfalfa growth, chlorophyll concentration, ionic leakage, nutrient uptake, and root nodulation. Seed treatments resulted in plants with significantly reduced (p=0.05) shoot and root biomass and thicker greener leaves. Quantitation of leaf chlorophyll indicated that the seed treatments caused significant increases (p=0.05) in both chlorophyll a and b concentrations at initial growth stages. After six weeks, no significant differences in chlorophyll concentrations were detected. XE-1019 had no apparent effect on leaf membrane permeability or transport since no significant differences (p=0.05) were detected in the leakage of Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and PO₄³⁻ from foliar leaf discs. However, whole plants treated with XE-1019 depleted significantly (p=0.05) higher amounts Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and PO₄³⁻ from hydroponic solutions on a per centimeter root basis. On a per plant basis, untreated plants absorbed greater quantities of the assayed nutrients. The presence of XE-1019 in the rhizosphere was not deleterious (p=0.05) to the inoculation of the root with Rhizobium meliloti and the subsequent formation of root nodules. Seed treatments with XE-1019 also had no effect on the cultured growth of Rhizobium meliloti strains 102F34a, l02F51a, 102F66d, and 102F77b. / Master of Science

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1963 F55 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 B69 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 M92 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 S563 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 B85 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 N38 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 P34 / Master of Science