The Influence of Rising Atmospheric CO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e on Grassland Ecosystems

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climatic change will have significant effects on the ecology of grasslands. This paper evaluates results from four CO2 enrichment studies in contrasting grasslands. A Swiss study investigates the effects of elevated CO2 (600 μL L-1 CO2) on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L), a New Zealand study examines how elevated CO2 (475 μL L-1 CO2) affects a botanically diverse pasture, and studies in the Kansas tallgrass prairie and the Colorado shortgrass steppe investigate the effects of an approximate doubling of CO2 in native grasslands. Productivity in all four grasslands was enhanced at elevated CO2, with the largest relative increases occurring in dry years on the shortgrass steppe (71%) and on the tallgrass prairie (36%). Nitrogen additions, whether from fertilizer or legumes, enhanced the capability of these grasslands to respond to CO2, and legumes were among the most competitive plant types in the Swiss and New Zealand grasslands under elevated CO2. No evidence was found to support the notion that C3 grasses were more competitive under elevated CO2 compared to C4 grasses. The results suggest that CO2 enrichment and global warming will have important impacts on grasslands

The Genome of Tolypocladium inflatum: Evolution, Organization, and Expression of the Cyclosporin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster

The ascomycete fungus Tolypocladium inflatum, a pathogen of beetle larvae, is best known as the producer of the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin. The draft genome of T. inflatum strain NRRL 8044 (ATCC 34921), the isolate from which cyclosporin was first isolated, is presented along with comparative analyses of the biosynthesis of cyclosporin and other secondary metabolites in T. inflatum and related taxa. Phylogenomic analyses reveal previously undetected and complex patterns of homology between the nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) that encodes for cyclosporin synthetase (simA) and those of other secondary metabolites with activities against insects (e.g., beauvericin, destruxins, etc.), and demonstrate the roles of module duplication and gene fusion in diversification of NRPSs. The secondary metabolite gene cluster responsible for cyclosporin biosynthesis is described. In addition to genes necessary for cyclosporin biosynthesis, it harbors a gene for a cyclophilin, which is a member of a family of immunophilins known to bind cyclosporin. Comparative analyses support a lineage specific origin of the cyclosporin gene cluster rather than horizontal gene transfer from bacteria or other fungi. RNA-Seq transcriptome analyses in a cyclosporin-inducing medium delineate the boundaries of the cyclosporin cluster and reveal high levels of expression of the gene cluster cyclophilin. In medium containing insect hemolymph, weaker but significant upregulation of several genes within the cyclosporin cluster, including the highly expressed cyclophilin gene, was observed. T. inflatum also represents the first reference draft genome of Ophiocordycipitaceae, a third family of insect pathogenic fungi within the fungal order Hypocreales, and supports parallel and qualitatively distinct radiations of insect pathogens. The T. inflatum genome provides additional insight into the evolution and biosynthesis of cyclosporin and lays a foundation for further investigations of the role of secondary metabolite gene clusters and their metabolites in fungal biology

A class-wide phylogenetic assessment of Dothideomycetes

We present a comprehensive phylogeny derived from 5 genes, nucSSU, nucLSU rDNA, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2, for 356 isolates and 41 families (six newly described in this volume) in Dothideomycetes. All currently accepted orders in the class are represented for the first time in addition to numerous previously unplaced lineages. Subclass Pleosporomycetidae is expanded to include the aquatic order Jahnulales. An ancestral reconstruction of basic nutritional modes supports numerous transitions from saprobic life histories to plant associated and lichenised modes and a transition from terrestrial to aquatic habitats are confirmed. Finally, a genomic comparison of 6 dothideomycete genomes with other fungi finds a high level of unique protein associated with the class, supporting its delineation as a separate taxon

Achievements in management and utilization of privately-owned rangelands

Historically, there have been several seminal achievements in management and utilization of privately-owned rangelands. The most important of the early achievements were domestication of livestock, fencing, haying, and the transfer of federal lands to private ownership. Later, federal programs to stimulate range research and extension were the springboard for the modern range research complex. The Morrill Acts established the land-grant institutions with agricultural research as one of the founding principles. The Hatch Act later provided funding for agricultural research, and the Smith-Lever Act funding for the extension of that research to the agricultural industry. Recent trends have been away from funding applied research and towards funding for basic research defined by the political scientific bureaucracy. Those achievements that I consider of major influence in management and utilization of rangelands include: defining stocking rate-animal performance relationships, refining prescribed burning techniques, formulation of selective-translocated herbicides, developing plant varieties and seeding methods for reseeding, matching forage quality with nutritional requirements of livestock, basic research on morphologic and physiologic characteristics of range plants, and information dispersal through extension and federal agencies for better management of rangelands. The future is uncertain, and unless we can reverse the trend away from applied to wholly basic research funding, we will have fewer achievements in managements of privately-owned rangeland.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Modified Step-point System for Botanical Composition and Basal Cover Estimates

Instructions for use and assembly are presented for a modified step-point sampler. Modifications were made to eliminate bias and to increase ease of use.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Fertilizing and Burning Flint Hills Bluestem

Burned and unburned Kansas Flint Hills range was fertilized in early May with 0, 40, and 80 lb N/acre/year and grazed from May 1 to October 1. Fertilizing with 40 lb N/acre increased carrying capacity per pound of nitrogen applied more than 80 lb N/acre did. Maintenance of good quality range was favored by burning and 0 and 40 lb N/acre compared to not burning and the same fertilizer rates. Eighty lb N/acre produced poor quality range whether burned or not. Individual steer gains were highest on burned pastures with 0 and 40 lb N/acre compared to unburned pasture at those same rates or pastures with 80 lb N/acre whether burned or not. Increased carrying capacity on fertilized pastures compared to unfertilized gave higher gains/acre.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Transient Depredation of Early Spring Range; Spotted Cutworms [Amathes c-nigrum (L.)] as a Possible Cause

Destructive feeding by insects delayed early spring development of native shortgrass range nearly 2 months. Although the perennial grasses and most forbs recovered, growth of several plant species was prevented completely for one growing season. Evidence indicated spotted cutworm [Amathes c-nigrum (L.)] larvae may have been responsible.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Intensive Early Stocking and Season Long Stocking of Kansas Flint Hills Range

Native Flint Hills bluestem range was stocked at twice the normal rate, 1.7 acres per steer. Daily steer gain and gain per acre were greater for IES. Late summer gain by steers on SLS was less than the gain during early summer on either treatment. For the complete trial, steers under SLS gained more per head, 210 lb compared with 141 lb, due to the 154-day grazing period compared with 75 for IES. Although more grass had been removed by mid summer with IES, by the end of the summer grass yield was higher on IES than on the pasture stocked only half as heavily but full season. Percent big bluestem increased under IES and decreased with SLS. Percent Kentucky bluegrass decreased under IES and increased with SLS, but that may have resulted from more complete burning under IES.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202