>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Molecular methods were used to investigate the microbial diversity and community structure of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) associated with the roots of the Proteaceae plant family. The identification of ammonia oxidizing bacteria in this ecosystem is of particular interest since Proteaceae are adapted to acidic, low nutrient (e.g. nitrogen) soils. The ammonia monooxygenase operon was used as a molecular marker to identify ammonia-oxidizing bacteria associated with the proteoid roots of the three Proteaceae members and compared to non-plant associated soil. PCR amplification using primer sets targeting the ammonia monooxygenase gene (amoA subunits) were used to construct a clone library. Sequence diversity was determined by RFLP analysis of amoA to identify major groups of AOB of the ~-subclass of Proteobacteria in total community DNA, and DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were also applied. DGGE analysis was performed to determine the community structure and distribution of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in plant-associated and non-plant associated soils. The AOB genotypic diversity was similar in the plant-associated samples and non-plant associated soil. All AOB phylotypes belonged to Nitrosospira species and clustered with Nitrosospira cluster 3. The abundance of the amoA was quantified to be approximately 4.2 x 107 copies/g of dry soil, using a real-time PCR assay. These data suggest that the Nitrosospira species are the dominant phylotypes in that environment. This investigation provides new insights into the relationships between plants and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in natural Fynbos ecosystems.

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Population growth in regions of the Intermountain West has resulted in rapid growth of residential neighborhoods. In Utah, the landscapes associated with these expanding neighborhoods consume vast quantities of treated water. This is a concern in all states of the Intermountain West, as water becomes increasingly scarce. Traditionally used turfgrasses, trees and other plants in Intermountain West landscapes require significant amounts of supplemental water considering the intense sunlight, dry winds and sparse rainfall typical of the region. Characterizing the interactions between turfgrass and tree species in these landscapes can aid in the identification of candidate species that consume less nutritional and water resources, while maintaining satisfactory appearance. A study was conducted investigating the nature of interactions between tree and turfgrass species in a constructed landscape of the Intermountain West. An experiment was performed investigating differences in rooting length and volume between combinations of two tree (Robinia pseudoacacia L., Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis L.) and three turfgrass [Poa pratensis L., Buchlöe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm., Festuca arundinacea Schreb.] species. A minirhizotron system was used to obtain root images at three times during the growing seasons of 2006 and 2007 at depths from 1-15 cm in each tree-turfgrass rooting zone. Images were analyzed to determine combined total volume, length, and surface area of turfgrass and tree roots. This research shows that root growth differences occur in turfgrass-tree combinations containing all three turfgrass species. Buffalograss best resisted possible root growth inhibition, regardless of tree combination. Further evidence shows that Robinia secondary growth is vulnerable to presence of turfgrass in proximity.

Un défi de la modélisation des cultures est de comprendre et de reproduire les hétérogénéités de développement de la végétation à l'échelle du pédon afin de prédire le rendement. Le but de ce travail est de proposer une méthode de spatialisation des modèles de culture par la spatialisation des données d'entrée, notamment de la réserve utile, pour reproduire les hétérogénéités observées au sein d'un petit sous-bassin versant. Ce travail a été mené en 3 étapes : (1) calage du modèle STICS au contexte local (2) spatialisation des entrées du modèle par une méthode dérivée desapproches SCORPAN et (3) évaluation des simulations spatialisées avec STICS. Préalablement à la spatialisation des données d'entrée du modèle STICS, il était nécessaire d'identifier quels étaient les déterminants des hétérogénéités de végétation observéesau sein du sous-bassin versant expérimental étudié. Pour cela un travail préliminaire a conduit à délimiter les situations pouvant être reproduites par le modèle et les variables pouvant être spatialisées ainsi que de définir une stratégie optimale pour spatialiser les entrées. Sur cette base, une méthodologie de travail a pu être définie pour évaluer et paramétrer le modèle sans spatialisation (approche locale) dans un contexte de sols ayant des propriétés vertiques. Cette particularité des sols locaux nécessite d'établir un nouveau domaine de validité du modèle, compte tenu des hypothèses indispensables (processus considérés comme négligeables) pour simuler dans ce contexte. Par ailleurs, le protocole utilisé pour déterminer la réserve utile a nécessité d'établir la manière dont l'incertitude de la mesure se propageait dans le modèle. Ainsi, grâce à ce travail de spatialisation statistique des mesures, le modèle STICS a pu être utilisé sur des mailles de 8 x 8 m pour simuler le développement de végétation sur tout le sous-bassin versant étudié. / One of the challenges in crop modelling is to understand and be able to reproduce heterogeneities in crop development at intra-plot scale in order to better predict the yield. The aim of this work was to suggest a method for spatializing the input data of crop models, in particular the water stock accessible to plants, in order to reproduce the differences in crop development within a subwatershed. This work was carried out in 3 main steps: (1) adaptationof the STICS crop model to the local context, (2) spatialization of the inputs by the spatial correlation method (SCORPAN-like method) and (3) evaluation of the simulated spatialization with STICS model. Prior to spatialization step, it was necessary to identify the determinants of vegetation heterogeneities observed within the experimental subwatershed. A preliminary study led to delimit the situations that could be reproduced by the model and to identify variables that could be spatialized as well as to define an optimal strategy to spatialize the inputs. Based on this, a methodological work was established to evaluate and parameterize the model without spatialization (local approach) in a context of soils with vertisolic properties. Particularity of local soils properties underlined the need to define a new domain of model validity. Moreover, the protocol used to measure water holding capacity, implied a needful and important step that was to determine the propagation of measurement uncertainty in the model. Finally, thanks to statistical spatialization of measurements, STICS model was used on 8 x 8 m meshes to simulate vegetation development on the whole studied subwatershed.

The father in Crossing the River by Caryl Phillips is a character burdened by guilt due to his implication in his children’s enslavement. He can be considered a supernatural being since his character transcends time. He is also connected to a supernatural essence called the “many-tongued chorus” that can be seen to represent the people of the African diaspora. The father is desperately trying to communicate with his children, and to the people of the African diaspora, but to no avail. He can, however, be interpreted as having a healing function. This essay explores this function. It analyzes how the father tries to heal the people of the African diaspora’s loss of ‘home’ and identity by looking at what he conveys in the prologue and the epilogue. The concepts of displacement, colonized minds, and roots and routes within postcolonialism is used for this purpose.

S-metolachlor is an effective herbicide used to control/suppress annual grasses, nutsedges and several broadleaf weeds in sweetpotato. However, a decline in storage root quality and yield has been reported under certain environmental conditions. Information is limited on the effect of S-metolachlor application followed immediately by rainfall on sweetpotato growth and development under different temperatures, as well as the optimum application time. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate sweetpotato responses to interactive effects of S-metolachlor, temperature and rainfall, and to determine S-metolachlor optimum application time. A sunlit, controlled environment experiment was conducted to investigate sweetpotato response to S-metolachlor and rainfall immediately after application under different temperatures. Sweetpotato slips were transplanted into sandy soil filled pots. Treatment combinations included five levels of S-metolachlor, 0.00, 0.86, 1.72, 2.58 and 3.44 kg ha-1, two levels of rainfall, 0 and 38 mm and three temperatures, 25/17, 30/22 and 35/27 °C, day/night. After POST application of S-metolachlor and rainfall, all plants were transferred to sunlit growth chambers that were maintained at their respective temperatures and ambient CO2 concentration for 60 days. In another experiment, S-metolachlor application time was varied to investigate sweetpotato growth and development. Two levels of S-metolachlor 0.0 and 1.0 kg ha-1 and three application times 0, 5 and 10 days after transplanting (DAT) were used and plants were harvested five times, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 80 DAT to estimate plant growth and development. Shoot, root and total plant biomass yields declined with increasing concentration of S-metolachlor across temperatures. In addition, storage root yield and quality decline was S-metolachlor rate dependent and aggravated by rainfall immediately after herbicide treatment across temperatures. S-metolachlor was more injurious on most plant component parameters in the optimum and high temperatures where plant growth was vigorous than in the low temperatures. S-metolachlor application at 0 and 5 days affected sweetpotato growth, including storage roots, but delaying until 10 days minimized the injury. These results can be used to weigh the risk of crop injury against the weed control benefits of S-metolachlor when making management decisions, and to determine application time based on weather information.

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