Corn Response to Foliar-Applied Zinc Fertilizers

This study was conducted to determine corn response to three foliar-applied zinc sources. The study was conducted on dryland corn in Manhattan, KS, during the 2014 growing season. Yields were low as a result of very low precipitation during pollination and grain fill. There was no yield response to foliar-applied Zn; however, grain analysis show significant increases in grain Zn concentration from foliar-applied Zn. Foliar-applied Zn products are effective for increasing Zn uptake in corn. Additional studies need to be conducted to determine the yield response

Models for the Observable System Parameters of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources

We investigate the evolution of the properties of model populations of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) consisting of a black-hole accretor in a binary with a donor star. We have computed models corresponding to three different populations of black-hole binaries; two invoke stellar-mass (~10 Msun) black hole accretors, and the third utilizes intermediate-mass (~1000 Msun) black holes (IMBHs). For each of the three populations, we computed 30,000 binary evolution sequences using a full Henyey stellar evolution code. The optical flux from the model ULXs includes contributions from the accretion disk, due to x-ray irradiation as well as intrinsic viscous heating, and that due to the donor star. We present "probability images" for the ULX systems in planes of color-magnitude, orbital period vs. X-ray luminosity, and luminosity vs. evolution time. Estimates of the numbers of ULXs in a typical galaxy as functions of time and of X-ray luminosity are also presented. Our model CMDs are compared with six ULX counterparts that have been discussed in the literature. Overall, the observed systems seem more closely related to model systems with very high-mass donors (> ~25 Msun) in binaries with IMBH accretors. However, significant difficulties remain with both the IMBH and stellar-mass black hole models.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, submitted to ApJ on Oct 05, 200

Deranged calcium signaling and neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in ataxin-3 (SCA3, MJD1) protein. In biochemical experiments we demonstrate that mutant SCA3exp specifically associated with the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R1), an intracellular calcium (Ca2+) release channel. In electrophysiological and Ca2+ imaging experiments we show that InsP3R1 are sensitized to activation by InsP3 in the presence of mutant SCA3exp. We found that feeding SCA3-YAC-84Q transgenic mice with dantrolene, a clinically relevant stabilizer of intracellular Ca2+ signaling, improved their motor performance and prevented neuronal cells loss in pontine nuclei and substantia nigra regions. Our results indicate that deranged Ca2+ signaling may play an important role in SCA3 pathology and that Ca2+ signaling stabilizers such as dantrolene may be considered as potential therapeutic drugs for treatment of SCA3 patients

Seeding Date Effects on Camelina Seed Yield and Quality Traits

An alternative crop with potential for dryland crop production in the Great Plains is camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz). Time of planting is an important management consideration that can affect camelina production. A study was carried out in the spring of 2013, 2014, and 2015 to evaluate seeding date effects on spring camelina varieties grown under dryland conditions in western Kansas. Three spring varieties (Blaine Creek, Pronghorn, and Shoshone) were planted at three seeding dates: early (April 3, 2013; March 17, 2014; and March 18, 2015); mid (April 16, 2013; April 1, 2014; and April 1, 2015); and late (April 30, 2013; April 15, 2014; and April 15, 2015). Parameters collected included time of flowering and physiological maturity, stand count at maturity, seed yield, biomass yield, harvest index, oil and protein content. Our findings indicate that seeding date can affect the time of flowering and physiological maturity, stand count, seed yield, biomass yield, harvest index, and protein content, but it did not affect oil content. Harvest index and oil content was significantly different among varieties. In general, mid and late seeding dates produced the highest yield across the three years. There were yield differences among varieties; Blaine Creek produced the highest seed yield and was significantly different from Pronghorn and Shoshone. Seed yield ranged between 340 and 440 lb/a. Average oil and protein content was 26% and 30%, respectively. Based on environmental factors and agronomic characteristics, camelina varieties were more productive when planted between early and mid-April

Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization Effects on Camelina Sativa in West Central Kansas

Camelina sativa is early maturing and possesses characteristics that make it a good fit as a rotation crop in dryland wheat cropping systems. Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) play very important roles in oilseed production, including camelina. This study was conducted over 3 years to determine N and S rates necessary for optimum camelina production in west central Kansas. The experiment was set up as randomized complete blocks with four replications in a split-plot arrangement. Treatments were two sulfur rates (0 and 18 lb/a) as the main plots, and four N rates (0, 20, 40, and 80 lb/a) as the sub-plot. Sulfur application did not affect stand count, biomass yield, harvest index, seed yield, oil and protein content. However, stand count, biomass yield, seed yield, and protein content were affected by N application (P \u3c 0.05). Average oil and protein content were 28.1% and 33.9% respectively. The optimum N rate for yield was 20 lb N/a, which produced around 680 lb/a seed yield. Based on soil test levels of 25 lb N/a, N requirement for camelina production is 45 lb N/a

Biochar and Nitrogen Effects on Winter Wheat Growth

Biochar, a co-product of thermochemical bioenergy production, may be a valuable soil amendment, but little is known about its potential long-term effects on plant growth and soil fertility. In order to gain more information, this experiment was performed to see if the addition of biochar, in comparison to lime and fertilizer treatments, has the potential to return key nutrients back to the soil or increase crop yield. A field study to investigate the effects of biochar on plant growth was initiated in 2011 near St. John, KS. Treatments included biochar applied at 16.6 ton/a (biochar), lime and annual applications of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (lime+P&K), and a control. Four rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer were applied within each treatment (0, 45, 90, and 135 lb N/a). Winter wheat was planted in 2015 and harvested in 2016. The biochar treatment had greater wheat yield and better plant growth than the control but it was similar to the lime+P&K treatment. The greater yields from the biochar and the lime+P&K were likely due to increased soil pH from the lime and biochar. Biochar appears to be an effective method of supplying phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and increasing soil pH, and there was no effect on nitrogen availability

Grain Sorghum Response to Band Applied Zinc Fertilizer

Zinc (Zn) is one of the micronutrients found to be deficient in Kansas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of grain sorghum to Zn fertilization using strip trials. The experiment was set up in Manhattan, KS, in 2015. The experimental design consisted of two strips, one with Zn fertilizer and the other without, with five replications. Zn fertilizer was applied as starter in combination with ammonium polyphosphate at the rate of 0.5 lb Zn/a. Plant tissue samples were collected to determine Zn content. Grain yield was recorded by combine equipped with yield monitor. No significant differences were found for sorghum grain yield. Grain Zn content increased with Zn fertilization. Zn fertilization may be considered for future studies in food biofortification