Evaluating flood tolerance measures for Missouri oak species

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 25, 2010).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Michele R. Warmund.Ph.D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2008.The aim of this research was to determine the effects of four flooding treatments on survival of seedlings from 45 seedlots of seven oak species at two sampling dates using logistic analysis, and to quantify growth responses to flooding of seedlings from 27 seedlots of swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor). Flooding treatments were initiated at the completion of the first growth flush. Significant species and flood treatment differences were detected at the end of the growing season (15 week post-flood) and again in the following year (45 weeks post-flood). Logistic analysis demonstrated that Q. bicolor was the most flood tolerant species, followed by Q. palustris and Q. macrocarpa. Seedlings of Q. shumardii, Q. rubra, Q. alba and Q. muehelenbergii were less flood tolerant based on survival odds ratios at 45 weeks post-flood. Genetic differences in growth responses to flooding were detected among 27 seedling families of swamp white oak. No significant gains in flood tolerance were achieved using acorns derived from specific seed sources (or stands) along a hydrologic gradient. Flood tolerant swamp white oak families were identified in the "recovery" year following flooding by a flood tolerance index, which integrated four growth response variables. Of these four variables, the total number of elongating shoots and total leaf number after an over wintering flush were most highly correlated with flood tolerance.Includes bibliographical reference

Flowering and Fruit Characteristics of Black Walnuts: A Tool for Identifying and Selecting Cultivars (2008)

Black walnuts (Juglans nigra L.) are valued for their uniquely fruity flavor and are often used as an ingredient in baked goods and ice cream or are eaten as a snack food. Although black walnuts can be harvested from wild trees, several cultivars have been selected for such characteristics as ease of cracking, size of kernel and thickness of husks and shells. Other characteristics, such as date of budbreak, time of flowering, length of season and date of harvest, are also important as there is considerable variation within the species

Evaluating the relationship between leaf nitrogen concentration and Minolta SPAD-502 meter readings [abstract]

Abstract only availableOak trees are deciduous trees that can live for up to 200 years and face a variety of environmental stresses. Like all plants, oak trees need nutrients, which vary under different stress conditions. We study nitrogen as an essential element in the growth of plants. Most nitrogen is found in the chlorophyll molecules of a leaf, and we are interested in understanding how nitrogen concentration varies oak species with different responses to flooding. The objectives of this study are to: (1) Determine the relationship between leaf chlorophyll and leaf nitrogen concentration for five different species of oak tree (bur oak, pin oak, swamp white oak, northern red oak and shumard oak) and (2) asses how flood tolerance affects the above relationship. The relationship between total leaf nitrogen concentration and chlorophyll of bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), pin oak (Q. palustris), northern red oak (Q. rubra), shumard oak (Q. shumardii), and swamp white oak (Q. bicolor) were determined. Each tree species was represented by seedlings raised from acorns collected from both upland and lowland sites with the exception of northern red oak, which was represented by seedlings from a single location. A SPAD-502 Meter (Minolta Corporation ltd., Osaka, Japan) was used to measure chlorophyll in a total of 135 individual seedlings for 5 consecutive weeks. A single leaf was repeatedly sampled on each seedling in each flooded and non-flooded (control) treatment over 5 replications in a greenhouse. The harvested leaves were then oven dried for 72 hours and nitrogen analysis was conducted in the lab by combusting the sample in an induction furnace and measuring the nitrogen via thermal conductivity. Preliminary results indicate a close correlation between chlorophyll and nitrogen content and differing effects of inundation on their relationship.NSF Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biolog

Growing Black Walnut for Nut Production (2009)

Eastern black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) produce high-value, hardwood products and distinctively flavored, edible nuts. The potential for producing two valuable products from the same tree has captured the imagination of tree planters for years. Both large and small black walnut plantations have been established with the intent to harvest huge nut crops from trees that will eventually produce veneer-quality logs. However, if experience has taught us anything about black walnut, it is that optimum nut production and optimum wood production are not normally produced by the same tree.By William Reid (Nut Crops Specialist, Kansas State University), Mark Coggeshall (Tree Improvement Specialist, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry), H.E. "Gene" Garrett (Director, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry), and Jerry Van (Sambeek, Research Plant Physiologist, USDA Forest Service)Revised and printed: September 2009Includes bibliographical reference