USING REMOTE SITE INCUBATORS FOR RE-INTRODUCTION OF ARCTIC GRAYLNG (THYMALLUS ARCTICUS) TO THE BIG MANISTEE WATERSHED

Remote Site Incubators (RSIs) were developed for the incubation of salmonid eggs directly at a field site to enhance success and imprinting of young. These have been employed in the re-establishment of Arctic Grayling in Montana and are being laboratory tested for possible reintroduction of this species in the Big Manistee River, MI. Arctic Grayling, Rainbow and Brook Trout eggs, obtained from state hatcheries, were reared in a laboratory using flow through lake water to assess egg and fry survival using RSIs. Dead eggs and fry were removed daily and observations of developmental stages recorded. Rainbow Trout eggs were evaluated at high, medium, and low egg densities with an average percent survival at hatch of 86% and swim up of 72%. Brook Trout eggs were evaluated at medium and low densities has an average percent survival at hatch of 74% and swim up 42%. In Montana, RSIs achieved success with 67% survival of Arctic Grayling eyed eggs to swim up, and in this study hatch and swim up for both medium and high density eyed-eggs was 54% and 77% respectively. This suggests that RSIs will be valuable tools future reintroductions to suitable Michigan streams

Oviposition by the Banded Sunflower Moth, \u3ci\u3eCochylis Hospes\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae) in Response to \u3ci\u3eHelianthus Annuus\u3c/i\u3e Pollen

Oviposition on an artificial substrate by the banded sunflower moth Cochylis hospes Walsingham was examined in response to sunflower pollen (Helianthus annuus) and sunflower pollen extract. Sunflower pollen in quantities as small as 0.2 mg significantly reduced oviposition on an artificial substrate relative to a control without pollen. Aqueous pollen extract applied to the artificial substrate significantly reduced oviposition with respect to the control substrate that was treated with solvent. Banded sunflower moths have gained some reproductive or competitive advantage by ovipositing on the bracts of sunflower and a deterrent effect of pollen could, at least in part, have had functional significance in the development of a behavioral preference for the bracts of the sunflower head as an oviposition site

Sunflower and Eastern Railway Company Ledger 2

This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)\u27s Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South project.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/deeplyrooted/1007/thumbnail.jp

Sunflower Variety Trial

Although sunflowers are a relatively new crop in the Northeast they have potential to add value to diversified operations providing fuel, feed, fertilizer, and an important rotational crop. Some sunflower varieties have also been gaining popularity for their potential to produce high quality edible oil. The major sunflower production region of the U.S. is the northern Great Plains, so most of the available production and agronomic management guidelines are from this region. Identifying varieties and management practices of sunflower that are suited to the local climate is essential to viable crop production and expansion of the sunflower acreage in the Northeast. With this in mind, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soil Program has been evaluating performance of sunflower varieties in our microclimate

Sunflower Population and Nitrogen Rate Trial

Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) is a warm-season crop with the potential to add high value to diversified farms in the Northeast as a rotation crop, an on-farm fuel production source, and an added-value retail crop. Production of high-yielding sunflower crops is highly influenced by plant population and adequate nitrogen (N). Applying excessive N to sunflower can have detrimental effects to the crop and environment as well as decreasing profits for farmers. Sunflower populations can also have a significant impact on yield and quality. In Vermont where a more temperate climate prevails, higher plant populations may be advantageous compared to the more arid sunflower-growing regions in the U.S. Plains. As target populations increase, N application recommendations generally increase as well. With the need for regionally-specific recommendations, the University of Vermont Northwest Crops & Soils Program has initiated a yearly study since 2010 to determine the effects of target population and N application rate on plant stand characteristics, pest damage, and seed and oil yields of sunflower. The following are results from the 2012 study

Sunflower under conventional and organic farming systems: results from a long term experiment in Central Italy

Sunflower productivity under organic and conventional agricultural systems was studied between 2002 and 2004 in the frame of the MASCOT experiment (Mediterranean Arable Systems COmparison Trial), established in 2001. The aim was to compare organic and conventional management systems for a typical arable crop rotation of Central Italy in the long-term. Sunflower was cultivated as a part of a five-year stockless arable crop rotation (sugar beet-common wheatsunflower-pigeon bean-durum wheat). In the organic system, red clover (Trifolium pratense) is interseeded in common and durum wheat and used as a green manure for sunflower or sugar beet. Grain yield of organically-grown sunflower was lower by 41%, 17% and 44% in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively, but no significant differences in percent seed oil content were found between the conventional and organic sunflower in two years out of three

Sunflower Insect Monitoring Projects

During the 2013 growing season, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program conducted studies to document the prevalence and impact of sunflower insect pests. Understanding the pest pressures unique to this region is crucial in producing a viable crop. Surveys of sunflower fields in the Northeast have shown that though plant populations are similar to the national averages, estimated yields are lower, primarily due to pest issues. Entire sunflower fields have been lost to pest pressures such as birds, weeds, insects, and disease, but Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies can help sunflower growers mitigate these problems

Sunflower Variety Trial

Sunflowers are being grown in the Northeast for their potential to add value to diversified operations as fuel, feed, fertilizer, and an important rotational crop. Some sunflower varieties have also been gaining popularity for their potential to produce high quality edible oil. The major sunflower production areas are in the northern Great Plains, so seed production and agronomic management guidelines generally come from this region. Identifying varieties of sunflower that will perform well in Vermont’s climate is essential to viable crop production. With this in mind, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soil Program has been evaluating sunflower varieties for performance in our microclimate