No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1989. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1994. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-56). Also available on the World Wide Web.

No description available.

Since plants utilize CO��� as the substrate for photosynthesis, terrestrial plants may be directly affected by increasing levels of CO��� in the atmosphere. Plants native to the sagebrush steppe are predicted to increase in growth in response to elevated CO��� through increased water use efficiency and higher photosynthetic rates. This study examined the interactions between edaphic factors and CO��� in order to determine how species native to the sagebrush steppe may respond to elevated CO���. The objectives of these experiments were to: 1. determine if Sitanion hystrix, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, and Stipa thurberiana alter their growth and physiology in response to CO��� and soil temperature. 2. determine if Sitanion hystrix and Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis alter their growth and physiology in response to CO��� and water stress. Two experiments were conducted using environmentally controlled chambers. In the first experiment, Sitanion hystrix, Artemisia tridentata and Stipa thurberiana were exposed to ambient (374 ppm) or high (567 ppm) CO��� conditions and low (13��C) or high (18��C) soil temperature. After four months in the chambers, plants were harvested and plant material was divided into shoots, roots, and leaves. Results from the first experiment demonstrated that carbon dioxide and soil temperature modified the growth of these species. Sitanion hystrix increased its shoot and root weights at elevated CO��� when grown under low soil temperatures. Artemisia tridentata had lower plant weights under elevated CO��� and 18 ��C soil temperature than plants grown at ambient CO��� and 13��C. Shoots of Stipa thurberiana were responsive to soil temperature and roots were responsive to CO��� at 18��C. In the second experiment, Sitanion hystrix and Artemisia tridentata were exposed to ambient (371 ppm) or high (569 ppm) CO��� and well-watered or water stressed conditions. Results indicated that there were no interactive effects betweeen CO��� and water stress with respect to plant growth or physiology. CO��� increased water use efficiency in S. hystrix and increased water use efficiency of A. tridentata at the beginning of the experiment but had no interactive effects with water stress on growth or photosynthesis. Results suggested that the effect of CO��� on plant growth and productivity of the sagebrush steppe is dependent upon the soil temperature to which the plants are exposed. Differences between species in their response to CO���, soil temperature, and water stress were also apparent in this experiment. These controlled environment studies should pave the way for field studies in the sagebrush steppe in order to determine if differences in carbon allocation, resulting from changes in CO��� and soil temperature, are realized in the field. Alterations in carbon allocation may potentially alter the competitive relationships between species and influence successional processes in the sagebrush steppe. / Graduation date: 1997

Compte tenu des propriétés spécifiques de l’Alfa, de son haut potentiel fibreux, des conditions de sa production et de sa transformation très écologiques, nous nous sommes proposés de mener une étude ayant pour objectif l’extraction des fibres cellulosiques à partir de la plante en vue d’applications textiles. L’extraction est conduite suivant différentes voies : mécanique, classique à la soude et enzymatique. A la lumière des différentes caractéristiques de ces fibres issues des différents procédés d’extraction, nous avons établi des corrélations entre la structure et les propriétés des fibres cellulosiques obtenues. Les fibres 1, 2 et 3 issues de différentes extractions ont fait l’objet d’une étude comparative dans le but d’évaluer au mieux, d’une part, leurs caractéristiques physico-chimiques (finesse et longueur, densité, MEB, FTIR-ATR, diffraction aux rayons X, comportement au mouillage et énergie de surface, taux de reprise, cinétique d’absorption-désorption…) et leurs propriétés mécaniques, d’autre part. L’efficacité de chaque traitement a été approuvée par l’élimination progressive des composants non cellulosiques et l’obtention de fibres longues prêtes à être intégrées dans le processus de transformation textile. Dans un second temps, nous avons produit des fils par le procédé conventionnel anneau- curseur afin d’obtenir une structure organisée et homogène. Ainsi, le potentiel textile des fibres d’Alfa a été confirmé. Afin de valoriser les fibres très courtes, nous les avons mises en solution dans un solvant écologique : le NMMO. La solution concentrée est extrudée à travers une filière selon le procédé de filage humide appliqué aux fibres Lyocell. Finalement, une comparaison entre les fibres extraites des tiges d’Alfa, les filaments obtenus par coagulation et les autres fibres naturelles couramment utilisées dans l’industrie textile, a été effectuée tout au long de cette étude pour permettre de bien situer les fibres d’Alfa dans le paysage général des fibres textiles. / Given the specific properties of Alfa plant, its high fibrous potential, its conditions of production and its processing very ecological, we proposed to study the extraction of cellulosic fibers for textile applications. The extraction is carried out following different ways: mechanical, chemical and enzymatic. In light of the different characteristics of these fibers obtained from different extraction methods, we established correlations between the structure and properties of cellulosic fibers 1, 2 and 3 fibers, resulting from the different extraction ways have been compared in order to better assess: on the one hand, their physico-chemical characteristics (fineness and length, density, SEM, FTIR-ATR, X-ray diffraction, wetting behavior and surface energy, moisture regain, absorption-desorption kinetics ...) and mechanical properties, on the other hand. The efficiency of each treatment was approved by the phasing out of non-cellulosic components and the obtaining of long fibers ready to be integrated into the process of textile processing. In a second step, we produced yarns by the conventional ring spinning method, in order to get an organized and consistent structure. Thus, the textile potential of Alfa fibers has been confirmed. Wastes from spinning (very short fibers) were dissolved in an ecological solvent: NMMO. The concentrated solution was extruded through a spinneret according to the wet spinning process applied to the Lyocell fibers. Finally, a comparison between the fibers extracted from Alfa stems, filaments obtained by coagulation and other natural fibers commonly used in the textile industry was conducted throughout this study to properly situate Alfa fibers in the general landscape of textile fibers.

Los mecanismos que contribuyen a evitar la herbivoría inducen una respuesta selectiva negativa en los herbívoros, mientras que los que contribuyen a su tolerancia inducen una respuesta selectiva positiva en los mismos. De ahí que las plantas que los poseen se clasifiquen como de baja o de alta palatabilidad, respectivamente. Los mecanismos de evitación compiten por recursos para el crecimiento, lo cual limitaría la productividad de las especies de baja palatabilidad. Por otra parte los mecanismos de evitación disminuyen la calidad de la broza (mantillo y raíces muertas), lo que limitaría la velocidad de descomposición y mineralización de las especies de baja palatabilidad. El objetivo de la presente tesis fue comparar la productividad y la velocidad de descomposición y mineralización de dos especies nativas del Caldenal, una de alta palatabilidad (Poa ligularis) y la otra de baja palatabilidad (Stipa tenuissima). Complementariamente se midió la densidad de tejido, la longevidad, la eficiencia de reabsorción de nitrógeno (N) y la eficiencia de uso de N, a nivel foliar y radical. La metodología abarcó mediciones periódicas de la biomasa aérea y subterránea por el método de la cosecha; incubaciones de hojas, raíces y suelo en condiciones in situ y/o en condiciones de laboratorio; y determinaciones del contenido de N y/o fósforo en hojas, raíces y suelo. P. ligularis fue más productiva, tanto en la parte aérea como en la parte subterránea. S. tenuissima presentó tejidos más densos a nivel foliar y radical, y más longevos y con mayor eficiencia de reabsorción y de uso de nitrógeno a nivel radical. Las hojas de P. ligularis se descompusieron y liberaron nutrientes más rápidamente que las hojas de S. tenuissima, pero las raíces de ambas especies se descompusieron y liberaron nutrientes a un ritmo similar. El concentración de N inorgánico fue similar o mayor en el suelo subyacente a P. ligularis. La tasa de mineralización in situ fue similar o mayor en el suelo subyacente a S. tenuissima, pero la tasa de mineralización potencial de nitrógeno fue superior en el suelo subyacente a P. ligularis. El N retenido en la biomasa microbiana del suelo fue similar o mayor en S. tenuissima. Si bien P. ligularis produjo broza de más calidad y en mayor cantidad que S. tenuissima, dichas diferencias no se tradujeron en forma consistente en una mayor velocidad de descomposición y de liberación de nutrientes, ni en una mayor tasa de mineralización y de concentración de nitrógeno en el suelo in situ en la primera que en la última especie. La estrechez de las diferencias en la calidad de la broza, sumado a episodios de escasez de agua recurrentes que limitarían la expresión de tales diferencias, explicaría las inconsistencias en las diferencias entre la gramínea de alta y la de baja palatabilidad en la dinámica del N mineral en el suelo subyacente a las a las mismas. / Mechanisms that help to avoid herbivory induce a negative selective response in herbivores, whereas those who contribute to herbivory tolerance induce a positive selective response in them. Plants having these mechanisms are classified as palatable or unpalatable species, respectively. Avoidance mechanisms compete for growth resources, which would limit the productivity of unpalatable species. On the other hand, the mechanisms of avoidance diminish litter quality, which would limit decomposition and mineralization speed of unpalatable species. The objective of the present thesis was to compare productivity, and decomposition and mineralization speed of two species native to the Caldenal, a palatable (Poa ligularis) and an unpalatable (Stipa tenuissima) grass species. In addition, tissue density, longevity, nitrogen (N) resorption efficiency and N use efficiency at leaf and root level were measured. The methodology included periodic measurements of above - and belowground biomass by the harvest method; in situ and/or laboratory incubations of leaves, roots and soil samples; as well as determinations of the content of N and / or phosphorus in leaves, roots and soil samples. P. ligularis was more productive, both aboveground and belowground. S. tenuissima presented more dense leaf and root tissues. The later species presented also longer tissue longevity and higher N resorption and N use efficiencies at root level. The leaves of P. ligularis decomposed and liberated nutrients faster than the leaves of S. tenuissima, but the roots of both species decomposed and liberated nutrients to a similar rate. Inorganic N content was similar or higher in the soil under P. ligularis. In situ net N mineralization was similar or higher in the soil under S. tenuissima, but potential net N mineralization was always higher in the soil under P. ligularis. N retained in the soil microbial biomass was higher in the soil under S. tenuissima. Poa ligularis produced more litter and litter of higher quality than S. tenuissima. However, these differences did not consistently translated either in faster decomposition and nutrient release rate or higher in situ net N mineralization and soil N content. Limited variation between species in the chemical composition of litter in combination to frequent moisture limitation episodes, which tend to reduce the influence of species on nutrient dynamics, may explain the inconsistencies in the differences between the palatable and the unpalatable grass in mineral N dynamic in the soil under them.

Seed heteromorphism related to chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) seeds can have different ecological significance in species with different functional characteristics, competitive ability and palatability. Punagrass [<i>Achnatherum brachychaetum </i> (Godr.) Barkworth], an invasive, perennial grass is common in grasslands of Argentina and it is an aggressive weed in other parts of the world. <i>Flechilla grande</i> [<i>Nassella clarazii</i> (Ball) Barkworth] is a palatable perennial grass associated with the dominant "climax" vegetation in grasslands of Argentina. Seeds of the two grasses were collected from grasslands of Argentina, and growth chamber and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine: 1) germination, dormancy breaking, and mass of CH and CL seeds of the two species 2) effects of contrasting range condition on germination and seed mass of punagrass, 3) the relative fitness of plants from CH and CL seeds, 4) if contrasting range condition affect fitness of CH plants of punagrass, and 5) the effect of maternal nutrient environments on CH and CL seeds and on fitness in the two species. Small CH seeds of high dispersal potential were less dormant than large CL seeds of low dispersal potential in punagrass. CH and CL seeds of flechilla grande had similar mass, germination, and response to dehulling. CL seed size and CL seed production of punagrass increased with good range condition. Increasing the maternal, nutrient environment enhanced germination of CH seeds, CL seed size, growth rate, development, biomass and seed production more in punagrass than flechilla grande. Under low nutrient conditions, flechilla grande produced a few large CH seeds. CH progeny of punagrass grew fast and developed rapidly as compared to CL progeny, which in turn produced many CH seeds. CH and CL seeds of flechilla grande had similar contribution to the fitness of adult plants. In both species, the ecological significance of having seed heteromorphism is that sibling competition is probably reduced by having more diverse offspring. Heavy grazing of competitive species such as flechilla grande may favours species as punagrass with many small CH seeds, high potential for colonization as well as large CL seeds for persistence in the seed bank and seedling competition.

Compte tenu des propriétés spécifiques de l'Alfa, de son haut potentiel fibreux, des conditions de sa production et de sa transformation très écologiques, nous nous sommes proposés de mener une étude ayant pour objectif l'extraction des fibres cellulosiques à partir de la plante en vue d'applications textiles. L'extraction est conduite suivant différentes voies : mécanique, classique à la soude et enzymatique. A la lumière des différentes caractéristiques de ces fibres issues des différents procédés d'extraction, nous avons établi des corrélations entre la structure et les propriétés des fibres cellulosiques obtenues. Les fibres 1, 2 et 3 issues de différentes extractions ont fait l'objet d'une étude comparative dans le but d'évaluer au mieux, d'une part, leurs caractéristiques physico-chimiques (finesse et longueur, densité, MEB, FTIR-ATR, diffraction aux rayons X, comportement au mouillage et énergie de surface, taux de reprise, cinétique d'absorption-désorption...) et leurs propriétés mécaniques, d'autre part. L'efficacité de chaque traitement a été approuvée par l'élimination progressive des composants non cellulosiques et l'obtention de fibres longues prêtes à être intégrées dans le processus de transformation textile. Dans un second temps, nous avons produit des fils par le procédé conventionnel anneau- curseur afin d'obtenir une structure organisée et homogène. Ainsi, le potentiel textile des fibres d'Alfa a été confirmé. Afin de valoriser les fibres très courtes, nous les avons mises en solution dans un solvant écologique : le NMMO. La solution concentrée est extrudée à travers une filière selon le procédé de filage humide appliqué aux fibres Lyocell. Finalement, une comparaison entre les fibres extraites des tiges d'Alfa, les filaments obtenus par coagulation et les autres fibres naturelles couramment utilisées dans l'industrie textile, a été effectuée tout au long de cette étude pour permettre de bien situer les fibres d'Alfa dans le paysage général des fibres textiles.

Seed heteromorphism related to chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) seeds can have different ecological significance in species with different functional characteristics, competitive ability and palatability. Punagrass [<i>Achnatherum brachychaetum </i> (Godr.) Barkworth], an invasive, perennial grass is common in grasslands of Argentina and it is an aggressive weed in other parts of the world. <i>Flechilla grande</i> [<i>Nassella clarazii</i> (Ball) Barkworth] is a palatable perennial grass associated with the dominant "climax" vegetation in grasslands of Argentina. Seeds of the two grasses were collected from grasslands of Argentina, and growth chamber and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine: 1) germination, dormancy breaking, and mass of CH and CL seeds of the two species 2) effects of contrasting range condition on germination and seed mass of punagrass, 3) the relative fitness of plants from CH and CL seeds, 4) if contrasting range condition affect fitness of CH plants of punagrass, and 5) the effect of maternal nutrient environments on CH and CL seeds and on fitness in the two species. Small CH seeds of high dispersal potential were less dormant than large CL seeds of low dispersal potential in punagrass. CH and CL seeds of flechilla grande had similar mass, germination, and response to dehulling. CL seed size and CL seed production of punagrass increased with good range condition. Increasing the maternal, nutrient environment enhanced germination of CH seeds, CL seed size, growth rate, development, biomass and seed production more in punagrass than flechilla grande. Under low nutrient conditions, flechilla grande produced a few large CH seeds. CH progeny of punagrass grew fast and developed rapidly as compared to CL progeny, which in turn produced many CH seeds. CH and CL seeds of flechilla grande had similar contribution to the fitness of adult plants. In both species, the ecological significance of having seed heteromorphism is that sibling competition is probably reduced by having more diverse offspring. Heavy grazing of competitive species such as flechilla grande may favours species as punagrass with many small CH seeds, high potential for colonization as well as large CL seeds for persistence in the seed bank and seedling competition.