Orientador: Ricardo Antonio Ferreira Rodrigues / Banca: Kuniko Iwamoto Haga / Banca: Orivaldo Arf / Banca: Rita de Cássia Félix Alvarez / Banca: Rogerio Soares de Freitas / Resumo: O arroz é uma das culturas que mais se destaca na produção mundial, responde ao uso de tecnologias, porém seu cultivo em terras altas apresenta problema de acamamento, dificultando ou impossibilitando a colheita mecânica. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o efeito do regulador de crescimento etil-trinexapac e diferentes densidades de semeadura do arroz de terras altas, cultivar BRS Primavera, nos municípios de Fernandópolis - SP e Selvíria - MS, visando reduzir a altura e diminuir o acamamento das plantas de arroz. O experimento foi conduzido no ano agrícola 2008/09, na Fazenda de Ensino e Pesquisa da Universidade Camilo Castelo Branco, Campus de Fernandópolis - SP, e na Fazenda de Ensino e Pesquisa da Faculdade de Engenharia, Campus Ilha Solteira - UNESP, localizada no município de Selvíria - MS. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso, disposto em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por cinco densidades de semeadura (100, 150, 200, 250 e 300 sementes viáveis por metro quadrado), com e sem aplicação de regulador de crescimento. O aumento da densidade de semeadura interferiu negativamente na produtividade de grãos de arroz apenas para a primeira semeadura em Selvíria - MS. A aplicação do etil-trinexapac resultou em plantas com menor altura e acamamento e, reduziu a produtividade de grãos da cultura do arroz para as duas localidades. Apesar da aplicação de etil-trinexapac reduzir a produtividade de grãos, seu uso em cultivares com tendência ao acamamento é interessante por possibilitar a colheita mecanizada, o que não é possível em áreas com plantas acamadas. O etil-trinexapac constitui uma ferramenta importante no manejo da cultura do arroz de terras altas, mas que ainda influencia nos componentes vegetativos e na produtividade e, não interfere no rendimento industrial do cultivar BRS Primavera / Abstract: Rice crop is highlighted around the world production, its responds to technology. However its cultivation in uplands presents problems of lodging, making it difficult or almost impossible the mechanical harvest. The goal of this research was to study the effect of growth regulators ethyl-trinexapac on sowing densities on upland rice, growing BRS Primavera, in Fernandópolis - SP and Selvíria - MS, aiming to reduce plant height and to prevent possible lodging of the rice plants. The experiment started in the agricultural year of 2008/2009, on the Experimental Farm of Camilo Castelo Branco University, Campus of Fernandópolis, SP, and on the Experimental Farm of Engineering College, Campus of Iha Solteira (UNESP), located in the municipal district of Selvíria, MS. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with treatments in factorial arrangement 5 x 2. There were four repetitions. The treatments were made of five combination of sowing densities (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 seeds per square meter), with and without the use of growth regulator ethyltrinexapac. Increased seeding rate had a negative influence on grain yield of rice only for the first sowing in Selvíria, MS. The application of ethyl-trinexapac resulted in plants with reduced height and lodging and reduced grain yield of rice for both locations. Despite the application of ethyl-trinexapac reduce grain yield, its use in cultivars prone to lodging is interesting because they allow mechanized harvesting, which is not possible in areas with lodged plants. Ethyl-trinexapac is an important tool in the management of upland rice culture, but it still influences the vegetative components and productivity, and it does not interfere with the performance of industrial BRS Primavera / Doutor

Submitted by Carla Ferreira (carlaferreira66@gmail.com) on 2014-07-30T15:29:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) DISSERTAcaO - Flavia Araujo da Fonseca (1).pdf: 4708214 bytes, checksum: b5ca7b2d93403cf243f69a959f3e4ecd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-30T15:29:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) DISSERTAcaO - Flavia Araujo da Fonseca (1).pdf: 4708214 bytes, checksum: b5ca7b2d93403cf243f69a959f3e4ecd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-16 / CAPES / The technique of parboiling represents more than 20% of the total rice industrialized in Brazil, and that this portion is increasing need for improvements in it processing. The parboiled rice is nutritional and economic advantages, and various changes that this process causes the grain are linked to the techniques employed. Inefficiencies and inexperience in the actions not only negate the advantages described, such as reducing the nutritional value of cereal. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the operational parameters to the characteristics of raw material, in order to obtain success in the process, because the isotherms of hydration depends on several factors and different for each cultivar and each bit pattern. This study aimed to establish whether there is the influence of the variable soaking (temperature and immersion time) on the quality technology (absorption rate of water content, dry solids and pH of the water immersion of soaking; index opening shell of the grains, degree of polishing, the income benefit, whole grain, defect analysis, color and test firing), chemical moisture, ash, crude proteins, crude fiber, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals and amylose content) and sensory cultivars upland rice cultivars BRS Primavera and BRS Sertaneja. For each cultivar was used a central composite rotational design (DCCR), which includes a factor of 22 over three replications at the central point and axial 4, totaling 11 treatments. As the temperature increased (mainly at the gelatinization temperature) and immersion time increased: the rate of water absorption, the rate of opening of the shell of the grains, the degree of polishing, the income benefit, income integer, the incidence of damaged grains, bananas and whole grains and translucent became easier to visualize the stained grains and chopped, the values of L *, b *, a * and ∆E *. The parboiled rice cv. BRS Primavera showed higher ash content, however the phosphorus, manganese, potassium and zinc did not change and the magnesium, calcium and copper reduced compared to white rice. For cv. BRS Folk parboiled rice had a higher content of ash, protein, fat and fiber, but the amount of manganese, potassium and zinc did not change compared to white rice. The levels of magnesium, calcium and copper reduced and phosphorus increased. The samples had grains loose and soft, higher yield and cooking time that the samples of white rice. Global acceptance of parboiled cooked values were constant between the two cultivars, ranging in scale adopted between indifferent and like moderately. / A técnica da parboilização representa mais de 20% do total do arroz industrializado no Brasil, e para que esta parcela aumente há necessidade de aperfeiçoamentos no seu processamento. O arroz parboilizado tem vantagens econômicas e nutricionais, e diversas modificações que este processo provoca no grão estão vinculadas às técnicas empregadas. Ineficiências e inexperiências nas ações não só podem anular as vantagens descritas, como reduzir o valor alimentício do cereal. Portanto, é necessário ajustar os parâmetros operacionais às características da matéria prima, para que se obtenha êxito no processo, pois as isotermas de hidratação dependem de vários fatores, sendo diferentes para cada cultivar e cada combinação binária. Este trabalho objetivou verificar se existe a influência das variáveis de encharcamento (temperatura e tempo de imersão) sobre as características de qualidade tecnológica (índice de absorção de água; teor de sólidos totais secos e pH na água de imersão do encharcamento; índice de abertura da casca dos grãos; grau de polimento, renda do benefício, rendimento de inteiros; análise de defeitos, cor e teste de cocção), química (umidade, cinzas, proteína bruta, fibra bruta, extrato etéreo, carboidratos, minerais e o teor de amilose) e sensorial das cultivares de terras altas BRS Primavera e BRS Sertaneja. Para cada cultivar foi empregado um Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR), que inclui um fatorial de 22 mais três repetições no ponto central e 4 axiais, totalizando 11 tratamentos. À medida que aumentou a temperatura (principalmente na faixa de temperatura de gelatinização) e o tempo de imersão, aumentaram: o índice de absorção de água, o índice de abertura da casca dos grãos, o grau de polimento, a renda do benefício, o rendimento de inteiros; a incidência de grãos danificados, grãos bananas e grãos translúcidos e tornou-se mais fácil a visualização dos grãos manchados e picados; os valores de L*, b*, a* e ∆E*. O arroz parboilizado da cv. BRS Primavera apresentou maior conteúdo de cinzas, porém os teores de fósforo, manganês, potássio e zinco não alteraram e os de magnésio, cálcio e cobre reduziram em relação ao arroz branco. Para a cv. BRS Sertaneja o arroz parboilizado apresentou maior conteúdo de cinzas, proteínas, lipídios e fibra bruta, porém a quantidade de manganês, potássio e zinco não alteraram em relação ao arroz branco. Os teores de magnésio, cálcio e cobre reduziram e os de fósforo aumentaram. As amostras apresentaram grãos soltos e macios, maior rendimento e tempo de cocção que as amostras de arroz branco. A aceitação global do parboilizado cozido apresentou valores homogêneos entre as duas cultivares, variando na escala adotada, entre indiferente e gostei moderadamente.

O fósforo (P) tem sido um dos fatores mais limitantes da produção agrícola em solos de exploração recente, bem como nos solos há tempo utilizados e cuja fertilidade não é mantida. Tradicionalmente, o uso de fontes de P de elevada solubilidade tem auxiliado no aumento da fertilidade desses solos proporcionando acréscimos na produtividade das culturas. No entanto, o processo de fabricação desses fertilizantes requer o uso de rochas fosfáticas com baixa quantidade de impurezas metálicas como ferro e alumínio. Essa exigência tem levado as indústrias a descartarem quantidades elevadas de resíduo fosfático, no qual se encontram os minerais do grupo da crandallita. A busca de fontes alternativas de P para a produção agrícola encontra-se dentro do contexto de aproveitamento racional de recursos minerais existentes bem como de avançar no conhecimento de condições agronômicas que maximizem sua utilização pelas plantas. Para tanto, coletaram-se amostras do rejeito da mineração de depósitos fosfáticos de importância nacional (Catalão-GO, Juquiá-SP e Tapira-MG) contendo fosfatos aluminosos do grupo da crandallita, objetivando-se avaliar a capacidade desses minerais, após tratamento térmico, em disponibilizar P para plantas em solos sob condição de inundação e de pH próximo à neutralidade e determinar sua eficiência agronômica relativa em comparação à uma fonte padrão de P, relacionando-a com as suas características químicas e mineralógicas. O material coletado foi submetido ao tratamento térmico sob diferentes temperaturas para avaliar o efeito sobre a solubilidade e transformação morfológica. O material tratado foi: (i) misturado a amostras de terra com diferentes valores de pH para avaliar o comportamento de dissolução, (ii) submetido a teste de hidrólise em solução aquosa com valores de pH distintos e (iii) avaliado como fonte de P para as culturas do arroz-de-sequeiro e arroz inundado. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que: (i) o tratamento térmico dos fosfatos aluminosos do grupo da crandallita com temperaturas ao redor de 500 ºC aumenta sua solubilidade em solução de citrato neutro de amônio e promove modificações na estrutura cristalina dos minerais, (ii) a liberação de P desses minerais é bastante reduzida em solução aquosa com valores de pH entre 4 e 8, (iii) a dissolução dos fosfatos aluminosos do grupo da crandallita calcinados em condição de solo é maior quando o valor de pH está próximo à neutralidade, comparado ao levemente ácido e (iv) que a adição dessas fontes de P ao solo promoveu resposta significativa na produção de matéria seca, na quantidade de P acumulado pela parte aérea das plantas e no rendimento de grãos de plantas de arroz-de-sequeiro e inundado, contudo não tão eficiente quanto a fonte padrão de P. / Phosphorus (P) has been one of the most limiting factors for crop production in recent cultivated soils as well as in old cropped soils in which fertility is not maintained. Traditionally, the application of high solubility P sources has helped to raise soil fertility providing increase of crop yield. However, the manufacturing process of water-soluble P fertilizers requires the use of phosphate rocks with low quantity of metal impurities as iron and aluminum. This requirement has forced the fertilizer industry to discard great amounts of phosphate residue, in which the aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group can be found. Searching alternative P sources for crop production meets the context of rational use of existing mineral resources as well as move forward on the knowledge of agronomic conditions to maximize P uptake by plants. Therefore, samples of the mine residue from phosphate deposits of great relevance (Catalão-GO, Juquiá-SP e Tapira-MG) with aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group were collected and thermal treated, aiming to evaluate their ability to provide P to plants in soils under flooding condition and with pH around neutrality, to determine their relative agronomic effectiveness compared to a standard P source, and relate it with their chemical and mineralogical properties. The material collected was submitted to a thermal treatment under different temperatures to evaluate its effect on solubility and morphology. Treated material was (i) mixed to soil samples with different pH values to evaluate its dissolution, (ii) submitted to a hydrolysis test in aqueous solution with distinct pH values, and (iii) evaluated as a P source to upland rice and flooded rice. According to the obtained results, it was concluded that: (i) the thermal treatment of aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group with temperatures around 500 ºC increase its solubility in neutral ammonium citrate solution and cause alterations on the crystalline structure of minerals, (ii) P released from these mineral is very low in aqueous solution with pH ranging from 4 to 8, (iii) dissolution of aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group under soil conditions is higher when soil pH is around neutrality, compared to low acidity, and (iv) the addition of these P sources to soil significantly increased dry matter yield, P uptake by plants, and grain yield of upland rice and flooded rice, however not as much as for the standard P source.

O fósforo (P) tem sido um dos fatores mais limitantes da produção agrícola em solos de exploração recente, bem como nos solos há tempo utilizados e cuja fertilidade não é mantida. Tradicionalmente, o uso de fontes de P de elevada solubilidade tem auxiliado no aumento da fertilidade desses solos proporcionando acréscimos na produtividade das culturas. No entanto, o processo de fabricação desses fertilizantes requer o uso de rochas fosfáticas com baixa quantidade de impurezas metálicas como ferro e alumínio. Essa exigência tem levado as indústrias a descartarem quantidades elevadas de resíduo fosfático, no qual se encontram os minerais do grupo da crandallita. A busca de fontes alternativas de P para a produção agrícola encontra-se dentro do contexto de aproveitamento racional de recursos minerais existentes bem como de avançar no conhecimento de condições agronômicas que maximizem sua utilização pelas plantas. Para tanto, coletaram-se amostras do rejeito da mineração de depósitos fosfáticos de importância nacional (Catalão-GO, Juquiá-SP e Tapira-MG) contendo fosfatos aluminosos do grupo da crandallita, objetivando-se avaliar a capacidade desses minerais, após tratamento térmico, em disponibilizar P para plantas em solos sob condição de inundação e de pH próximo à neutralidade e determinar sua eficiência agronômica relativa em comparação à uma fonte padrão de P, relacionando-a com as suas características químicas e mineralógicas. O material coletado foi submetido ao tratamento térmico sob diferentes temperaturas para avaliar o efeito sobre a solubilidade e transformação morfológica. O material tratado foi: (i) misturado a amostras de terra com diferentes valores de pH para avaliar o comportamento de dissolução, (ii) submetido a teste de hidrólise em solução aquosa com valores de pH distintos e (iii) avaliado como fonte de P para as culturas do arroz-de-sequeiro e arroz inundado. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que: (i) o tratamento térmico dos fosfatos aluminosos do grupo da crandallita com temperaturas ao redor de 500 ºC aumenta sua solubilidade em solução de citrato neutro de amônio e promove modificações na estrutura cristalina dos minerais, (ii) a liberação de P desses minerais é bastante reduzida em solução aquosa com valores de pH entre 4 e 8, (iii) a dissolução dos fosfatos aluminosos do grupo da crandallita calcinados em condição de solo é maior quando o valor de pH está próximo à neutralidade, comparado ao levemente ácido e (iv) que a adição dessas fontes de P ao solo promoveu resposta significativa na produção de matéria seca, na quantidade de P acumulado pela parte aérea das plantas e no rendimento de grãos de plantas de arroz-de-sequeiro e inundado, contudo não tão eficiente quanto a fonte padrão de P. / Phosphorus (P) has been one of the most limiting factors for crop production in recent cultivated soils as well as in old cropped soils in which fertility is not maintained. Traditionally, the application of high solubility P sources has helped to raise soil fertility providing increase of crop yield. However, the manufacturing process of water-soluble P fertilizers requires the use of phosphate rocks with low quantity of metal impurities as iron and aluminum. This requirement has forced the fertilizer industry to discard great amounts of phosphate residue, in which the aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group can be found. Searching alternative P sources for crop production meets the context of rational use of existing mineral resources as well as move forward on the knowledge of agronomic conditions to maximize P uptake by plants. Therefore, samples of the mine residue from phosphate deposits of great relevance (Catalão-GO, Juquiá-SP e Tapira-MG) with aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group were collected and thermal treated, aiming to evaluate their ability to provide P to plants in soils under flooding condition and with pH around neutrality, to determine their relative agronomic effectiveness compared to a standard P source, and relate it with their chemical and mineralogical properties. The material collected was submitted to a thermal treatment under different temperatures to evaluate its effect on solubility and morphology. Treated material was (i) mixed to soil samples with different pH values to evaluate its dissolution, (ii) submitted to a hydrolysis test in aqueous solution with distinct pH values, and (iii) evaluated as a P source to upland rice and flooded rice. According to the obtained results, it was concluded that: (i) the thermal treatment of aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group with temperatures around 500 ºC increase its solubility in neutral ammonium citrate solution and cause alterations on the crystalline structure of minerals, (ii) P released from these mineral is very low in aqueous solution with pH ranging from 4 to 8, (iii) dissolution of aluminous phosphates of the crandallite group under soil conditions is higher when soil pH is around neutrality, compared to low acidity, and (iv) the addition of these P sources to soil significantly increased dry matter yield, P uptake by plants, and grain yield of upland rice and flooded rice, however not as much as for the standard P source.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:55:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 josimar.pdf: 606711 bytes, checksum: c7aad57cf081ae2ea91c8899b8e012f2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-11 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / This work had as objective to determine the doses of N and K that provide to the biggest productivity and better density of plantation for the CV. Nanicão 2001 in 1° cycle. The field experiment consisted of the evaluation of doses of N and K, three densities of plantation (3m x 1m, 3m x 2 m and 3m x 3m), in holes with of 50 x 50 x 50 cm. The experimental block design was a factorial scheme (3 x 4), with three doses of nitrogen (0, 267 and 534 kg ha-1 cycle, source: urea) and four doses of K2O (200, 800, 1600 and 2400 kg ha-1 cycle source: KCl) lead in three densities of plantation, with three replicates, had been used a cultivar Nanicão 2001 , Cavendish group, proceeding from tissue culture. the treatments had been parceled out at four times (plant mother), had been collected ground samples in the 20 depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm, for determination of pH (water), P, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, H+Al, total N and soil organic matter and vegetable tissue being used 3ª leaf for foliar diagnosis. The fruits had been analyzed how much to the diameter and length, the relations pulp/rind, number of fruits for hands, number of hands, length of the fruit, resistance of the pulp, soluble solid productivity, text (degree brix) and acidity. The results show that to get the maximum of productivity, independently of the doses of N and K, concentrations of P, Ca, Mg, S and of the micronutrients have that to be inside or a little above of the considered bands adequate. The soil chemical attributes (pH, P, Na, Ca, Mg, H+Al, Al, total N, SOM, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) had been influenced by the density of the plants and applied treatments (doses of N and K). With the increase of the plantation density it increases the yield, however, it draws out the annual productivity, with increase of the cycle; The soluble size of the cluster, number of hands, texture, acidity, solids had not presented correlation between itself and nor between foliar concentration of N and K in leaves and fruits. Which had not the significance between doses 267 and 534 kg ha-1 of N in the productivity, sends regards in the spacing 3m x 1m, to use the lesser dose of N, diminishing the raised cost of production of the banana plantation in the region, caused for the high price of fertilizers / Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar as doses de N e K que proporcionem a maior produtividade e melhor densidade de plantio para a CV. Nanicão 2001 no 1° ciclo. O experimento realizado e m condições de campo constou da avaliação de doses de nutrientes N e K, três densidades de plantio (3m x 1m, 3m x 2m e 3m x 3m), utilizando covas de 50 x 50 x 50 cm. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizados em esquema fatorial (3 x 4), sendo três doses de nitrogênio (0, 267 e 534 kg ha-1 ciclo fonte ureia) e quatro doses de K2O (200, 800, 1600 e 2400 kg ha-1 ciclo- fonte KCl) conduzidas em três densidades de plantio, com três repetições, foram utilizadas mudas da cultivar Nanicão 2001 proveniente de cultura de tecidos. Os tratamentos foram parceladas em quatro épocas (planta mãe), foram coletadas amostras de solo na profundidade de 0-20 cm e 20-40 cm, para determinação do pH (água), P, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, H+Al, N total e matéria orgânica e amostras de tecido vegetal (folhas) sendo utilizada a 3ª folha para diagnóstico foliar. Os frutos foram analisados quanto ao diâmetro e comprimento, as relações polpa/casca, número de frutos por penca, número de pencas, comprimento do fruto, resistência da polpa, produtividade, teor de sólidos solúveis (grau brix) e acidez titulável. Os resultados mostram que para se obter o máximo de produtividade, independentemente das doses de N e K, os teores de P, Ca, Mg, S e dos micronutrientes têm que estar dentro ou um pouco acima das faixas consideradas adequadas. Os atributos químicos do solo (pH, P, Na, Ca, Mg, H+Al, Al, N total, MO, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn) foram afetados pelo adensamento das plantas e tratamentos aplicados (doses de N e K). Com o aumento da densidade de plantio houve incremento na produção, porém, prolongou a produtividade anual, com aumento gradativo do ciclo; O tamanho do cacho, número de pencas, textura, acidez, sólidos solúveis não apresentaram correlação entre si e nem entre os teores foliares e do fruto de N e K. Devido a não significância entre as doses 267 e 534 kg ha-1 de N na produtividade, recomenda-se no espaçamento 3m x 1m, utilizar a menor dose de N, diminuindo o elevado custo de produção do bananal na região, ocasionado pelo alto preço dos fertilizantes.

No description available.

No Abstract Provided / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

Upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., is a natural source of fiber and a major row crop in the US with an estimated $7 billion raw product value in 2019. However, it is extremely sensitive to the broadleaf herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). With the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds compounded by off-target spray damage on conventional cotton varieties outside the transgenic Enlist technology (Dow Agrosciences) of herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties (Dow Agrosciences), there is a need to identify and develop novel sources of herbicide tolerance gene for upland cotton genetic improvement. Cotton chromosome substitution (CS) lines carry introgressions from other cultivated and wild allotetraploid Gossypium species that could be sources of novel and exotic alleles for herbicide tolerance. A total of 50 CS lines of G. barbadense L. (CS-B), G. tomentosum Nuttal ex Seeman (CS-T), and G. mustelinum Meers ex Watt (CS-M), in the genetic background of G. hirsutum L. Texas Marker-1 (TM-1) were screened for resistance to a field-recommended rate (1.12 kg ae ha-1) of 2,4-D in the greenhouse. Seven CS lines, CS-T04-15, CS-B12, CS-B15sh, CS-T04, CS-B22sh, CS-T07, and CS-B04-15 with the lowest injury were evaluated for tolerance at four and seven weeks after seedling emergence under field conditions. Progeny tests conducted in the greenhouse validated 2,4-D tolerance of CS-B15sh, showing 41% lower injury than TM-1. Novel variants of CS-T04-15 and CS-T07 were identified with complete tolerance to the herbicide but are segregating. Uptake and translocation of 14C-labeled 2,4-D indicated that reduced translocation of 2,4-D may be the 2,4-D tolerance mechanism in CS-T04-15 and CS-T07, while gene(s) associated with metabolism and reduced auxin transport appeared associated with the 2,4-D tolerance in CS-B15sh. Transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression of genes in 2,4-D-treated CS-B15sh and TM-1 with several components of the 2,4-D/auxin response pathway, including ubiquitin E3 ligase, PB1|AUX/IAA, ARF transcription factors, and F box proteins of the SCFTIR1/AFB complex being up-regulated. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes revealed down-regulation of auxin transport, suggesting a potential linkage with tolerance mechanism involving altered movement of 2,4-D in CS-B15sh. The selected highly tolerant cotton CS lines will need to be confirmed further using molecular assays.

Vernal pools are small seasonally-ponded wetlands that provide crucial habitat for amphibian reproduction and support trophic levels beyond their boundaries. The Ridge and Valley physiographic province in Pennsylvania is known to have vernal pools, but a regional inventory and geomorphology assessment is needed. My research is split into two independent parts focusing on the higher elevation areas of this region to determine vernal pool distribution and characteristics. Vernal pools were mapped using a LiDAR based suitability model and leaf-off aerial imagery interpretation. Four terrain rasters derived from a 1-meter DEM (modified wind modified wind exposure, terrain surface convexity, topographic position index, and a multiresolution index of valley bottom flatness) were used in the suitability model. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD test found a significant difference using the model between terrestrial (non-wetland) habitat and vernal pools. Photo interpretation and field surveying lead to an inventory of 1011 vernal pools. Geomorphology was assessed from 13 variables to determine the best for vernal pool prediction. Three variables were significant for the occurrence and frequency of vernal pools; saddles with higher surface area, 0.6 to 1.5 kilometers between the summits of parallel ridgelines, and the presence of periglacial related solifluction. Vernal pool distribution is greater than previously known and they occur in predictable settings. Further research should focus on how and where vernal pools form, their impact on water quality, role in forest ecology, and ways to legally protect them at the state level. / Master of Science / Vernal pools are seasonally-ponded wetlands that are very important for amphibian reproduction. The Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania are known to have vernal pools, but comprehensive inventory is lacking. My research consists of two parts that focus on the higher elevation areas and assess the distribution and qualities of the vernal pools. Vernal pools were mapped using a LiDAR based suitability model and leaf-off aerial imagery interpretation. Statistical analysis was completed to prove that there was a significant difference in terrain morphology between non-wetland habitat and vernal pools. This research resulted in a total inventory of 1011 vernal pools. Results found that vernal pools were likely occur in landscape positions with higher surface area, 0.6 to 1.5 kilometers between the summits of parallel ridgelines, and the presence of topographic features indicative of glacial processes. Vernal pools are much more abundant than previously known and they occur in predictable settings. Further research could focus on the formation of vernal pools, impact on water quality, role in forest ecology, and ways to legally protect them at the state level.

Louping ill virus (LIV) is a tick borne disease that causes mortality in red grouse, an economically important game bird of British uplands. The aim of this thesis is to extend previously published models of LIV , to consider the potential impact of different management strategies. In addition a new route of infection and the seasonal biology of both grouse and ticks will be explored. Grouse chicks are known to eat ticks as part of their diet in the first three weeks of life which may contribute to virus persistence if chicks consume infected ticks. This novel route of infection is incorporated in to the model which predicts that ingestion increases the range of host densities for which the virus is able to persist. The ingestion of ticks by grouse also reduces the tick population so that for low host densities the ingestion of ticks by grouse reduces the tick population so virus cannot persist. The model is adapted to take account of the seasonal biology of grouse and ticks. Although the temporal predictions of the seasonal models show some differences the addition of seasonality does not alter the model predictions of when LIV is likely to persist at different grouse and deer densities. Consequently seasonality is felt to be unimportant when considering management strategies. The treatment of sheep with acaricide in an attempt to reduce the tick population on a grouse moor is currently being trialled in Scotland. We use a model to predict the likely effect of this strategy at different deer densities. The number of ticks found attached to sheep varies so we consider the effect of tick attachment rates as well as acaricide efficacy. Although we predict that acaricide treated sheep can reduce the tick population and therefore LIV in grouse in some circumstances the treatment is less effective in the presence of deer. Consequently we use a model to make theoretical predictions of the effectiveness of acaricide treated deer as a control strategy for reducing LIV in red grouse. The effect of culling deer on LIV in grouse is also modelled and contrasted with the effect of acaricide use. It is predicted that acaricide treatment of deer could be highly effective, particularly if the deer density is first reduced by culling. Finally we considered the direct treatment of red grouse with acaricide. Female grouse can be given an acaricidal leg band which protects her directly and indirectly protects her chicks as they acquire some acaricide whilst brooding. Trials have suggested this can reduce tick burdens for individuals. We use the model to determine the potential effect that treating individual broods may have on the whole grouse population. The model predictions suggest that unless acaricide efficacy on chicks is high and long lasting treating individual broods is unlikely to reduce LIV in the whole population but will still provide some benefit for the individuals. The effectiveness of treatment is reduced by higher deer densities. The success of the management strategies considered in this thesis appear to be restricted by the presence of deer. It may therefore be that a combination of treatments including the treatment of deer may be of the greatest benefit to the grouse population.