Weed Emergence Patterns in Response to Disturbance on Two Soil Types

NYS IPM Type: Project ReportWeeds are a major constraint to crop production in NY State and can significantly reduce the quantity and quality of harvested crops. The management of weeds also incurs substantial costs for farmers and may have negative impacts on the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to better predict the timing of weed emergence in cropping systems and to identify those factors affecting emergence. In this research, we studied the emergence pattern of agricultural weeds in two common central NY soil types and in response to biweekly soil disturbance. Seedling emergence data and weather data (i.e. growing-degree days and precipitation) were collected at two research locations in central NY throughout the 2016 growing season. The Musgrave Research Farm (Aurora, Cayuga County, NY) has moderately drained clay-loam soils (Honeyoe/Lima soils) where grain crops are studied, while the Homer Thompson Research Farm (Freeville, Tompkins County, NY) is on very well-drained sandy loam (Howard/Phelps soils) where both vegetable and grain crops are grown. The 2016 growing season was exceptionally dry; weed emergence rates were low at both sites, but emergence was lowest at the H. Thompson site in the better-drained soils despite similar rainfall and temperatures. Data from ten weed species were analyzed; of these, only pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) was common at both sites. At the Musgrave site, weed emergence for all species peaked in late May/early June, with a smaller flush in late summer; the exception was Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum), which had its main emergence in mid-summer. At both sites, warm- and cool-season weeds were present, as well as an annual grass; but emergence patterns were more varied. The perennial grass Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) emerged only in the spring, while hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga quadriradiata) and common chickweed (Stellaria media) emerged mainly in the fall with a small preliminary flush in June; common chickweed had similar emergence rates in June and September. At both sites, repeated cultivation stimulated emergence during mid-season with the exception of foxtails (Setaria spp.) at Musgrave, where emergence was higher mid-season in the undisturbed soil treatment

Comparative Study of \u3ci\u3eMecinus Janthiniformis\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Attack and Simulated Mowing for Control of \u3ci\u3eLinaria Dalmatica\u3c/i\u3e Spp. \u3ci\u3eDalmatica\u3c/i\u3e (Plantaginaceae)

Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica spp. dalmatica (L.) Mill. (Plantaginaceae) has invaded over one million hectares in the western United States and Canada, in habitats similar to its native range. Two field studies were conducted to examine the impact of simulated mowing or insect herbivory on L. dalmatica growth and reproduction. Simulated mowing over the duration of the study decreased L. dalmatica total biomass per square meter, significantly reduced the total number of fruits and flowers per square meter, and resulted in significantly shorter flowering stems in the simulated mowing plots than in their controls. Plants in plots attacked by Mecinus janthiniformis Toševski and Caldara (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) had significantly less biomass per square meter, significantly fewer total numbers of fruits and flowers per square meter, and significantly fewer reproductive structures per stem than plants in paired control plots over the duration of the study. Specifically, both management tactics resulted in a negative impact on this invasive plant. With repeated tissue removal or damage, a reduction in numbers of fruits and flowers per stem on both the stems subjected to simulated mowing and Mecinus-attacked stems relative to their controls suggests that long term stress effects on the plants may be similar. The results of these studies suggest that mowing may warrant further evaluation as a possible method of control in areas where M. janthiniformis release is not effective

Nonlinear analysis of the ground-based magnetometer network

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015When the first magnetometer was created by Frederick Gauss in 1833, scientists gained a powerful tool for studying the structure, dynamics, and strength of the Earth's magnetic field: the magnetosphere. Since Gauss' time, the world's scientific community has established ground-based magnetometer stations around the globe in an effort to study local and global perturbations and patterns of the Earth's magnetic field. The main focus of this network has been monitoring the magnetic flux and impact from the Sun's constant outflow of radiation and particles known as the solar wind, as well as its more violent eruptive events. There has been little work, by comparison, into the signals and correlations within the network itself. Since the Earth's field can roughly be mapped to a dipole and disturbances often have a large scale structure, one can surmise there should be some correlation between stations based on their relative positions to one another. What that correlation is or represents is not clear. To investigate this possible correlation and its nature, a set of nonlinear analytic methods were conducted on magnetic data collected from stations scattered across North America over an 18 year period. The analysis was focused on searching for spatial and temporal correlations of nonperiodic signals in the magnetometer network. The findings from that analysis suggest there exist nonlocal correlations between stations that are dependent on position, which could be useful in the development of a space weather risk assessment

Using a Cognitive Behavioral Approach in Individual Counseling with Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Morbid obesity is linked to physical and psychological well-being. Bariatric surgery has shown tremendous success with rapid weight loss in the patient population with morbid obesity. These patients experience issues with weight regain post-surgery, which can be linked to psychological and social factors. Despite this, mental health counseling is rarely offered in bariatric surgery programs. The primary investigator used a six-session Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach in individual counseling with patients following bariatric surgery. The primary investigator used a single case research design to treat four participants. The primary investigator measured the effectiveness of a six-session CBT treatment, assessing for psychosocial improvements (i.e., symptom distress, interpersonal relationships, social role) among the patients. Results suggested that each participant experienced psychosocial improvements, as well as a decrease in co-morbid maladaptive behavior post CBT treatment. Each of the four participants lost body weight during the study. In conclusion, CBT treatment may be beneficial for post-surgery bariatric patients. Keywords: Bariatric Surgery, Clinical Trial, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Counseling, Single Case Research Desig

Impact of \u3ci\u3eMecinus Janthinus\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the Growth and Reproduction of \u3ci\u3eLinaria Dalmatica\u3c/i\u3e (Scrophulariaceae)

Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. (Scrophulariaceae), a native to the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions of Europe and Asia, has invaded over one million hectares in the western United States and Canada, in habitats similar to its native range. Once established, the aggressive vegetative growth of the plant allows it to invade undisturbed habitats where it can out-compete most other vegetation, placing native plant communities at risk. Biological control of L. dalmatica with Mecinus janthinus Thomson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has shown promise in the field. In both studies reported in this paper, the presence of insect attack reduced L. dalmatica plant growth and reduced plant reproductive potential. In a field sleeve cage study, insect- attacked stems were significantly shorter (18 cm) and had 50-70% fewer fruits and flowers than the control stems at the end of the study period. M. janthinus attacked stems showed little apical growth, fewer fruits and flowers, and lower stem biomass relative to control stems. Similar results were observed in the potted plant study where the influence of the extensive root system of the plant was eliminated. This negative impact by the insect is caused both by adult feeding in the apical portion of the plant and the physical destruction of the plant stem from larvae feeding. The decrease in the insect-attacked stem heights may also have an impact on seed dispersal from the mature reproductive structures. A combination of decreased seed production through M. janthinus biological control and poor seedling competition in the moisture limited sites common to north-central Washington State and other similarly dry habitats may negatively influence L. dalmatica populations more than general models predict

Biological Control of Ground Ivy Using a Rust Fungus

Ground-ivy or creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is a creeping perennial in the Mint Family that forms dense prostrate patches in turfgrass, damp shady meadows, and disturbed sites. The control of ground ivy using chemical and mechanical methods has largely been unsuccessful in turfgrass where it is considered a major weed. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop and evaluate alternative approaches for the control of ground ivy in turfgrass that are effective and environmentally sound

Physicians\u27 Attitudes, Concerns, and Procedural Understanding of Medical Aid-in-Dying in Vermont

The general purpose of the current study was to collect data on physicians\u27 attitudes towards Act 39, the medical aid-in-dying act that was legislatively approved in 2013. Given the recent nature of the implementation of Act 39, this is the first such study to be conducted in the State of Vermont. The survey was quantitative in nature and addressed three distinct aspects of legalized prescribing of life-ending medication, these being physicians\u27: (I) attitudes regarding ethics and legality of Act 39, (11)understandings of the policies and procedural requirements under the law, including their belief in legal immunity from penalty, and (I1) level of support for certain provisions under the law, such as patient-terminality requirements, verification of terminal diagnosis by a second physician, and whether a psychiatric evaluation ought to be required prior to prescription. In general, the physicians surveyed support medical aidin-dying, agree with the terminality and second-opinion provisions of Act 39, but are divided about whether a mental health professional should be involved in capacity evaluations. Furthermore, religious identification and ethical orientation, but not percent-terminal patient workload, were found to be significant covariates in statistical analyses of physicians\u27 support for Act 39. The respondents agreed that medical aid-in-dying is a valuable treatment option in the realm of palliative care, but expressed that other palliative care treatments should be explored prior to a patient\u27s pursuit of medication to hasten death. Physicians\u27 concerns about legal liability, and their lack of accurate and confident knowledge of the policies and procedures of Act 39, may limit the availability of medical aid-in-dying to interested terminally-ill patients

Enhancing faculty performance through coaching: Targeted, individualized support

Coaching in higher education is a relatively new field; although, it has been taking place in educational institutions for some time, even if it was not labeled as such. This paper describes the faculty development filosophies of a US-based higher education institution with a strong culture of supporting faculty and promoting social change. A coaching model was implemented as a means for professional development. It was designed to be facilitated through a peer relationship and it offers problem-focused, contextualized opportunities for faculty to collaborate, thus making the experience and outcome more meaningful. The coaching model is individualized, confidential, non-evaluative, and incorporates three pathways to support the professional development needs of faculty: self-assigned, a request from college leadership as a means to support faculty in an identified area of need, or the New Faculty Orientation (NFO) instructor may recommend a faculty member for coaching as a way to further engage in topics not discussed in-depth in NFO.DOI: 10.18870/hlrc.v4i4.22

Planting date effects on the germinability and seedling vigour of Abutilon theophrasti (Malvaceae) seeds

Abutilon theophrasti (Malvaceae) is a troublesome annual weed in many maize and soybean cropping systems of Canada and the United States. Seeds of A. theophrasti exhibit physical dormancy. Differences in the growing environment of parent plants may influence the germinability of seeds and vigour of seedlings produced by this species because of variation in resource allocation to seed development. Thus, the germinability of seeds and subsequent seedling vigour were examined for A. theophrasti plants grown in monoculture at a density of 4.2 plants m-2 under varying natural photoperiods in central New York State. Treatments were established by transplanting A. theophrasti seedlings on three dates: 15 May, 4 June, and 30 June 2000, which correspond to peak photoperiods of 15, 14, and 13 hours, respectively. Seeds produced under the shorter photoperiod (13 h) weighed, on average, 1.5 mg less than seeds produced under the longer photoperiod (15 h). Contrary to expectations, seeds of A. theophrasti that matured under shorter photoperiods had lower germinability (80%) than seeds produced under longer photoperiods (98%). Early radicle growth, a measure of seedling vigour, did not differ between the photoperiod treatments. Environmental conditions other than photoperiod (i.e. water availability) prevailing during the 2000-growing season may have influenced seed coat thickness and consequently affected the germinability of seeds.L’Abutilon theophrasti (Malvaceae) est une mauvaise herbe annuelle qui gêne la production du maïs et du soja dans plusieurs systèmes de culture du Canada et des États-Unis. Les graines de l’A. theophrasti possèdent une dormance physique. Des différences de l’environnement dans lequel croissent les plantes mères peuvent influencer la germination des graines et la vitalité des plantules de cette espèce à cause de variations dans l’affectation des ressources avant que les graines soient pleinement développées. Ainsi, la germination des graines et la vitalité des plantules qui en sont issues ont été étudiées pour l’A. theophrasti en monoculture à une densité de 4,2 plantes m-2 sous diverses photopériodes naturelles du centre de l’État de New York. Les traitements ont débuté par la plantation de plantules de l’A. theophrasti à trois dates, 15 mai, 6 juin et 30 juin 2000, qui correspondent respectivement à des photopériodes maximales de 15, 14 et 13 heures. Les graines produites avec la photopériode la plus courte (13 h) pesaient en moyenne 1,5 mg de moins que les graines produites avec les plus longues photopériodes (15 h). Contrairement à ce qui était prévu, les graines de l’A. theophrasti qui se sont formées lors des photopériodes les plus courtes avaient une germination plus faible (80 %) que les graines formées lors des photopériodes les plus longues (98 %). La croissance précoce de la radicule, une mesure de la vitalité des plantules, est restée la même pour les différentes photopériodes. Les conditions environnementales autres que la photopériode (c.-à-d. la disponibilité en eau) qui régnaient au cours de la saison de croissance de 2000 peuvent avoir influencé l’épaisseur du tégument et avoir ainsi eu un effet sur la germination des graines