Evaluation of Twenty Bermudagrass Cultivars for Their Drought Resistance

Twenty cultivars were evaluated for visual quality, leaf firing resistance and percent live green cover during exposure to soil moisture deficit as well as during a recovery period. The experiment was replicated three times. Celebration and Premier were selected as standards of comparison in this research. Visual quality (TQ) as well as leaf firing (LF) were evaluated using a 1-9 scale where 9 = excellent quality and no leaf firing. Green cover (LC) was visually estimated from 0 to 100 % where 100 = the entire surface canopy is green. In Experiment II and III percent volumetric soil moisture content was measured at an average 5, 10, 38 and 71 cm depths using a time domain reflectometry (TDR) probe. Air temperature was measured at the turfgrass canopy level, 30.5 cm above and at 10.2 cm below the wooden deck level outside of the growth tubes. Relative humidity was measured at 30.5 cm above the canopy with an electrical resistance type sensor. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and incoming solar radiation were measured by silicon diode type sensors at the surface of the canopy. The visual parameters: TQ, LF and LC were strongly positively correlated in all experiments during drydown and recovery cycles. Drought resistance as measured by LC varied greatly among the twenty bermudagrasses in each experiment. In general, Celebration showed the highest resistance to drought by resisting LF and loss of LC during drydown and recovering faster after the drought. Premier showed lower drought resistance as indicated by more rapid LF and earlier loss of LC. TifGrand performed nearly as well as Celebration in drought while Latitude 36 had LF and LC performance similar to Premier. Generally, Celebration, TifGrand and other cultivars with higher drought resistance had improved moisture extraction capacity at deeper soil depths. Cultivars with earlier LF and loss of LC had higher levels of moisture remaining deep in the soil profile during the drought. TifGrand may serve as a bermudagrass having improved drought tolerance if additional standards are needed in future drought studies.Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Departmen

Perennial grasses as sustainable bioenergy crops for marginal lands

To minimize energy dependence on foreign petroleum imports and reduce fossil fuel consumption, the US Government has mandated the annual use of 136 billion liters of biofuels by 2022. Of the 136 billion liters, 61 billion liters should be produced from cellulosic biofuels. This will likely lead to increased production of dedicated energy crops for renewable biofuels. Since an ideal biomass crop should not compete with food crops for land use, biomass crop production on marginal lands can reduce land-use competition between energy and food crops. Chapter 1 of this dissertation provides an introduction and rationale of the research with a general discussion of the marginal lands and comparative potential of the various feedstock crops used in the experiments. As a biomass crop in the US, switchgrass has been studied extensively and has been identified as a model biomass crop by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Cultivars of this species are generally considered as drought tolerant and are able to grow in a wide range of environments including some marginal lands. Miscanthus x giganteus has a high biomass yield potential and has been extensively evaluated for biomass in EU and recently in US. They also have moderate tolerance to heat, cold, drought, salinity, and flooding. Prairie cordgrass is native to North America and can be grown on lands that are too wet for corn, switchgrass, and big bluestem. They are highly tolerant to flooding and salinity. Big bluestem was primarily evaluated for forage purpose, but recently it has also been evaluated for bioenergy feedstock potential. In Chapter 2, the biomass yield and performance of four perennial grass species: Miscanthus x giganteus, big bluestem (Andropogan gerardii Vitman), ‘Kanlow’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and four natural populations of prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link.) were investigated in wet marginal land. A three-year study from 2011 to 2013 investigated the biomass yield and tissue lignocellulosic composition among the compared species in 45 cm and 90 cm row spacing treatments. Biomass yield at 45 cm spacing was significantly higher than that at 90 cm spacing for all the populations compared during the first three years in this experiment. Switchgrass had the greatest biomass yield during all three years in 45 cm spacing, but it was not significantly different from two of the prairie cordgrass populations and Miscanthus x giganteus by the end of the experiment in 2013. There was no significant difference found among the grasses for cellulose and hemicellulose concentration in tissue. Waterlogging in poorly drained soils can cause flooding that can delay early-season planting and also, cause difficulties in field operation in late season. High salinity is also a problem causing potentially arable land to be classified as marginal in the US. In Chapter 3, I investigated the potential of two natural populations of prairie cordgrass and a switchgrass in Illinois locations including poorly drained soils in Urbana and Pana, and a highly saline soil in Salem. A three-year study showed a reliable amount of biomass yield for all three grass populations by the end of the third year. All three locations produced acceptable amounts of lignocellulosic contents even when considering that these crops were produced in marginal settings. This research concludes that the evaluated grass populations have a good potential to be grown in a poorly drained, as well as salt-affected marginal land. In Chapter 4, I evaluated and screened 17 populations of prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) along with Kanlow switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Kanlow’) in poorly drained soil in Urbana, IL, and plots irrigated with saline water in Pecos, TX. A two-year study from 2012 to 2014 showed a great variation among the prairie cordgrass populations for biomass productivity. However, a Kansas-originating population produced the greatest biomass yields averaged over two years in both locations. Averaged over two years, Kanlow switchgrass was the top producer in both locations. We also found much variation in tissue mineral concentration among the populations in the two locations. Our study demonstrates that genetics and environment can have a great influence on grass performance

Impact of warm‐season grass management on feedstock production on marginal farmland in Central Illinois

The production of dedicated energy crops on marginally productive cropland is projected to play an important role in reaching the US Billion Ton goal. This study aimed to evaluate warm‐season grasses for biomass production potential under different harvest timings (summer [H1], after killing frost [H2], or alternating between two [H3]) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (0, 56, and 112 kg N/ha) on a wet marginal land across multiple production years. Six feedstocks were evaluated including Miscanthus x giganteus, two switchgrass cultivars (Panicum virgatum L.), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link), and two polycultures including a mixture of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula [Michx.] Torr.), and a mixture of big bluestem and prairie cordgrass. Across four production years, harvest timing and feedstock type played an important role in biomass production. Miscanthus x giganteus produced the greatest biomass (18.7 Mg/ha), followed by the switchgrass cultivar “Liberty” (14.7 Mg/ha). Harvest in H1 tended to increase yield irrespective of feedstock; the exception being M. x giganteus that had significantly lower biomass when harvested in H1 when compared to H2 and H3. The advantage H1 harvest had over H2 for all feedstocks declined over time, suggesting H2 or H3 would provide greater and more sustainable biomass production for the observed feedstocks. The N application rate played an important role mainly for M. x giganteus where 112 kg N/ ha yielded more biomass than no N. Other feedstocks occasionally showed a slight, but statistically insignificant increase in biomass yield with increasing N rate. This study showed the potential of producing feedstocks for bioenergy on wet marginal land; however, more research on tissue and soil nutrient dynamics under different N rates and harvest regimes will be important in understanding stand longevity for feedstocks grown under these conditions

Effect of cotton population density on lint yield and fiber quality

Abstract Commercial cultivars with advanced technology have reduced pest pressures, while greater seed costs have increased total production cost. Limited information is available on the optimal final population density (PD) for the commercially available cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars with advanced technologies in water‐scarce environments. Therefore, our objectives were to examine the effects of PD on cotton growth and development, lint yield, fiber quality, and net return. A 2‐year study was conducted to test four PDs (low, medium, high, and very high) in deficit‐irrigated and dryland conditions at Chillicothe, TX. Final PD at 12 days after planting were 54,078, 109,563, 124,037, and 151,377 plant ha−1 in irrigated and 67,346, 115,335, 116,397, and 145,432 plant ha−1 in dryland trials. Maturity was delayed in the low PD early in the season; however, the differences on maturity ceased toward the end of the season. No statistical differences were observed on lint yield and fiber quality among treatments in irrigated and dryland trials. Average lint yields were 1199 kg ha−1 in irrigated and 796 kg ha−1 in dryland trial. Net returns were similar among all PD in the irrigated trial, while low PD had significantly higher net‐return than very high PD in the dryland trial. The higher net return at the low PD was due to the lower seed cost associated with a low seeding rate. In the water‐scarce environment, final plant density of 54,078 plant ha−1 in deficit irrigation and 67,346 plant ha−1 in dryland produced optimal yield and net return as compared to higher PD examined

Adding to platelet safety and life: Platelet additive solutions

Background: Platelet additive solutions (PAS) are crystalloid nutrient media used in place of plasma for platelet storage. They replace 60%–70% of plasma in platelet components, so the amount of storage plasma can be decreased. Platelets in PAS have lower risk for allergic transfusion reactions with equivalent clinical efficacy for controlling bleeding. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and laboratory efficacy of PAS-platelets. Materials and Methods: A total of 1674 single donor platelet (SDP) were collected in PAS in the month of June to September 2016 by different apheresis systems. The quality control tests were done on 356 units in 4 months. Total number of SDP were processed with Amicus device (n = 232), Trima Accel (n = 84), and MCS+ (n = 40). The parameters analyzed were antibody titer of anti-A and anti-B, volume, platelet count, pH, bacterial contamination, and reporting of adverse transfusion reaction. Antibody titers were checked by tube technique, and platelet counts were checked by hematology analyzer Sysmex poch 100i. The swirling was checked manually, and pH was checked with pH strips. Results: Out of 356, 164 units were O group, 113 units were B group, 68 units were of A group, and the remaining 11 units were of AB Group. Anti-A and anti-B titer was significantly reduced in PAS-SDP and found 1:32 or less for all the units. All the units found negative for bacterial contamination. No transfusion reaction was reported of the units transfused. All other quality parameters for platelets also found satisfactory after implementing the additive solution. Conclusion: The ABO antibody titers were significantly reduced after addition of PAS. This facilitates the ABO incompatible SDP transfusion and helps in inventory management. The risk of allergic transfusion reaction decreases after reducing the amount of plasma from SDP units. Using PAS-SDP certainly improve the inventory management for platelets with no compromise on clinical and laboratory efficacy

One case many learnings: A case of blood group discrepancy along with multiple alloantibodies

Routinely, Immunohematology Reference Testing Center receives samples with blood group discrepancy, presence of allo/autoantibodies, positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT), etc. We are presenting a case in which we not only resolved blood group discrepancy but also identified multiple alloantibodies reacting at different phases. A tricenarian female patient was diagnosed with chronic anemia with hemoglobin level below 7 g/dl. The patient had a history of blood transfusion and pregnancy as well. On blood grouping, the patient's forward grouping was “AB” and reverse was “O.” Indirect antiglobulin test was found to be positive while DAT and autocontrol were negative. After complete investigation, patient blood group was confirmed to be subgroup of AB along with anti-A1 antibody. Furthermore, a cold-reacting alloantibody with high thermal amplitude was detected along with one warm-reacting alloantibody

Systematic approach in identification and management of multiple alloantibody: A case of triple alloantibody

Alloimmunization is an adverse consequence of exposition to red blood cell antigens through transfusion, pregnancy, or transplantation. Alloimmunization to red cell antigens creates problem not only in immunohematological testing but also causes difficulty in finding compatible blood for those patients who develop multiple alloantibodies. Moreover, the development of multiple alloantibodies can significantly complicate transfusion therapy and/or provokes hemolytic transfusion reactions, the severity of which can vary from mild to extremely severe. We are presenting an interesting case with multiple alloantibodies. Patient's samples were investigated for antibody screening using commercially available three cell panels, and the antibody was identified using different lots of identification panel. Red cell phenotyping was done with minor blood group antisera. After workup, antigen-negative compatible blood was provided for transfusion

Biomass Yield and Feedstock Quality of Prairie Cordgrass in Response to Seeding Rate, Row Spacing, and Nitrogen Fertilization

Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link) shows potential as a bioenergy feedstock in marginal croplands across much of the United States and Canada. Objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate the effects of seeding rate and row spacing on biomass yield and (ii) determine effects of N fertilization on biomass yield and feedstock quality of prairie cordgrass. During 2012, a field trial composed of three seeding rates (162, 323, and 484 pure live seed [PLS] m–2) and three row spacing treatments (19, 38, and 76 cm) was established in Urbana, IL. In the same year, another field trial was established with four N rates (0, 84, 168, and 84/84 [equal split applications during spring and after V6 stage] kg N ha–1). During 2013 to 2016, no differences in biomass yields were observed under all combinations of seeding rate and row spacing treatment, except for a higher yield under 76-cm spacing in 2014. Biomass yields increased as N applications increased from 0 to 84 kg N ha–1, but no additional response occurred above this rate. Feedstock quality (cellulose, hemicellulose, and ash concentrations) was not affected by N rate. Biomass nutrient removal increased as N fertilization caused an increase in biomass yield except for biomass P. Our results indicated that prairie cordgrass could be successfully established in 76-cm row spacing with a seeding rate of 162 PLS m–2. The recommended N rate for maximum yield is 84 kg N ha–1 based on a post-killing frost harvest

Phenotypic and Biomass Yield Variations in Natural Populations of Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link) in the USA

Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link) is a productive warm-season, C4 perennial grass native to most of North America having tolerance to wet, cold, and saline growing conditions. Excellent stress tolerance, along with high biomass yields, makes prairie cordgrass a good candidate as a dedicated energy crop on marginal land. However, there is little information available on genetic variation, including yield potential, of native populations in the USA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate biomass yield and to identify the nature and extent of genetic variation in natural populations of prairie cordgrass by comparing endemic strains collected throughout the USA. Forty-two prairie cordgrass populations were collected from prairie-remnant sites in 13 states and evaluated at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. The 4-year field study of prairie cordgrass revealed extensive variations in biomass yield and phenotypic traits associated with biomass yield among these populations. Strong correlations were observed between the phenotypic values and origins of the populations. Path coefficient analysis indicated that tiller mass, tiller density, heading date, plant height, and phytomer number positively affected biomass yield directly or indirectly. However, the phenotypic traits including biomass yield showed significant variation among years except for phytomer number and heading date. With the extensive genetic variability and high biomass yield potential demonstrated in this experiment, prairie cordgrass could become a highly productive bioenergy crop by developing a well-planned breeding program