Persistence of Various Alfalfa Populations in South Dakota Rangeland

Inclusion of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in grasslands has long been valued to increase forage production and quality. Persistence of alfalfa in semiarid rangeland has generally been poor when non‐adapted and/or conventional hay‐type cultivars are utilized, however. Demand exists for alfalfa cultivars that establish readily and persist, particularly under grazing, in semiarid rangelands. A wild population of predominantly yellow‐flowered alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. falcata) was found growing and reproducing naturally in the Grand River National Grassland in northwestern South Dakota. This predominantly falcata alfalfa therefore demonstrates persistence in this semiarid environment. We initiated a study in May 2006 at the SDSU Antelope Livestock & Range Field Station near Buffalo, SD to evaluate persistence and vigor of eleven alfalfa populations transplanted into mixed‐grass prairie. Populations consisted of four predominantly falcata experimental populations (three are naturally selected and locally adapted; one is artificially selected), one pure falcata experimental population, one pure falcata cultivar, two pasture‐type cultivars, and three conventional hay‐type cultivars. Greenhouse grown seedlings were transplanted on 1 m‐centers within three exclosures (35 m X 35 m) divided into two sections; one exposed to grazing, the other protected from grazing. Grazing by cattle was initiated in August 2007. During the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons, intense grazing of alfalfa plants and associated vegetation occurred monthly for 1‐2 days. Survival, height, and canopy volume of grazed and protected alfalfa plants were measured before each grazing event. Despite a harsh winter with persistent ice cover, data from May 2009 revealed that falcata‐based populations had the highest survival under grazing (mean survival = 36%). Pasture‐type cultivars and conventional hay‐type cultivars experienced substantial mortality losses under grazing (mean survival = 8%). Low mortality and high vigor of all protected plant populations indicates that grazing weakened the grazed plants, greatly increasing the risk of winterkill and winter injury. These findings reveal that environmental adaptation, in addition to a degree of grazing tolerance, is necessary for persistence under grazing in this semiarid region. Populations that exhibit high persistence under both grazing and severe winter conditions offer great potential for being utilized in the northern Great Plains

NorKing Russet, A New Potato Variety

This article gives background into the breeding history that lead to the potato variety named Nor King Russet. It resulted from a cross between Nooksack and ND9567-2Russ. Nooksack is a russet variety grown for processing (french fry) in the northwestern states and ND9567-2Russ resulted from a cross between two number selections that have Norchip and B5141-6 in their pedigrees

Seminal plasma proteins and their relationship with percentage of morphologically normal sperm in 2-year-old Brahman (Bos indicus) bulls

The objective was to determine the relationship between seminal plasma proteins and sperm morphology in Bos indicus bulls of the Brahman breed. Fifty-six 24-month-old Australian Brahman bulls were electroejaculated and samples were examined to determine the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (PNS24) and the seminal plasma protein composition was identified and quantified by 2-D gel electrophoresis. The total integrated optical density of 152 seminal plasma protein spots (SPPs) across all gels was determined using the PDQuest software version 8.0 (Bio Rad, USA). Using a single regression mixed model with the density of individual spots as a covariate for PNS24, 17 SPPs were significantly associated with PNS24 (

"Ultra Early" Tomatoes

The history of the efforts for the production of very early producing tomato plants for usage across North Dakota was given. A few recommendations on how to best grow and to care for these plants is given. Also included is a partial list of tomato varieties that have been grown successfully at the NDSU

Small Wonder, Northern Delight, and Nodak Early Tomatoes

A news release announcing the Department of Horticulture and Forestry's okay for three new tomato plant varieties, Small Wonder, Northern Delight and Nodak Early Tomatoes. A brief description of each is given

New Apple Varieties for the Prairie States

A simple presentation of three new varieties of apples in North Dakota is given: Northern Lights, Dakota Gold and Wodarz. A brief history is given of each

Dakota Sunburst: A New Garden Chrysanthemum for Northern Gardens

Dendrathema Grandiflora 'Hildete' Dakota Sunburst, a new garden variety of chrysantemum, was going to be released by the Department of Horticulture and Forestry for garden usage.This new variety was found by chance by a volunteer of the author of this article in their garden by a volunteer. It's resembles the variety 'Muted Sunshine'. This variety seems to winter well, grows 14-18 inches tall with a wide spread. This new flower garden was to be released to nurseries under a propagation agreement

Effects of Using 'Ultra Early' Tomato Lines as Seed Parent on the Earliness and Fruit Size of F1 Hybrids

Early and ultra early ripening tomato lines are compared. By having tomato vines that are capable of ripening in cooler or colder environments, it allows for tomatoes being grown in more regions in the US and Canada. In this study, early and ultra early tomatoes were crossed in a greenhouse. Crossed plants were transplanted outside early June. Weeding was done by hand. Irrigation as needed. Nitrogen and phosphorus were administered. Fruit size was increased in all F1 hybrids. The yields on F1 hybrids varied

Discus Bush Buttercup and Dakota Gray Turban. New Winter Squashes for North Dakota Gardeners

The release of two new squash varieties to North Dakota by the Department of Horticulture and Forestry in 1990 is given. The two varieties were the Discus Bush Buttercup and the Dakota Gray Turban