Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Nitrogen and calcium level'

Thesis (PhD(Agric))--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A lack of defects is required for successful table grape marketing, which pre-suppose optimal vine performance, berry development and post-harvest quality. The supply of mineral nutrients affects vine development, physiology and berry quality. Despite a vast amount of research conducted over decades, there remain many unresolved issues regarding table grape vine nutrition to ensure optimal table grape quality and shelve-life. Unjustified fertilisation practices often include excessive applications of nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca). A four-year field trial was therefore conducted on a sandy soil in the Paarl district of South Africa, using grafted on Ramsey, and trained to a gable trellis system. Nitrogen, potassium and calcium were applied, singular or in combination, at rates up to 300% the calculated annual nutritional requirement. The effect of these excessive applications on table grape performance under typical South African cultivation conditions was investigated for Vitis vinifera L. cv. Prime Seedless, a very early seedless table cultivar that is produced with minimum berry diameter of 18mm, with special reference to 1) vegetative growth, 2) expression of grapevine nutrient availability through foliar analyses, 3) berry nutrient accumulation patterns of this early cultivar, 4) manipulation of berry nutrient content through soil and bunch directed applications and 5) the effect of berry nutrient content on its quality. No definite vegetative growth responses (expressed as shoot length, leaf surface area and shoot mass) and leaf chlorophyll content differences were obtained for all the treatments. These results were obtained in a vineyard on a sandy soil where excessive N fertilisation caused a reduction of soil pH to detrimentally low levels and where the excessive N, K and Ca applications reduced mutual concentrations and that of Mg, in the soil. A lack of stimulation in vegetative growth may therefore be ascribed to the combined negative effect of these excessive applications on soil pH and vine nutrition. Although the N content of petioles was higher for treatments where N was applied, consistent significant increases in petiole N with N fertilisation were not observed. Petiole N concentration showed a decreasing trend throughout the season. Petiole K concentrations were significantly increased by the K fertilisation at all phenological stages. None of the K fertilisation treatments, however, succeeded to raise petiole K concentrations above the accepted maximum norms and petiole K concentration at a specific sampling stage varied significantly between the four seasons. A general decrease in petiole K concentration was found for all seasons. Calcium fertilisation did not increase soil Ca content, resulting in a lack of differences in petiole Ca concentrations between treatments. An increase in petiole Ca concentration towards harvest was obtained. Correlations between petiole nutrient concentration and berry mineral content at harvest were poor. The only way of knowing the mineral content of berries would seem to be by measuring it directly instead of deducing it from the results of leaf or petiole analyses. The dynamics of berry growth impacted on berry nutrient concentration. Early rapid berry growth, predominantly due to cell division and cell growth, was associated with the most rapid decreases in N, P and Ca concentration. Due to mobility of K and Mg in the plant, that exceeds other nutrients, the decrease in concentration of these two mineral elements was not as pronounced as that of the others. Nutrient accumulation was most rapid during the pre-véraison period, but only Ca showed a definite termination during the early ripening period. The continued inflow of N, P, K and Mg, albeit at slower rates immediately after véraison, should be taken into consideration when fertilisation is applied. As a table grape, total accumulation of each nutrient in Prime Seedless berries also far exceeded that of other cultivars studied thus far. A particular difference is that the berry flesh:skin ratio is much higher than that of previously studied cultivars, leading to higher levels of nutrient accumulation in the flesh. Slightly larger berry size was obtained for N applications and is ascribed to slight increases in early vegetative growth, allowing a better response to GA3 treatments. The use of GA3 for berry enlargement is also considered the reason why K fertilisation, resulting in increased berry K levels, did not affect berry size, as is often found for wine grapes. Higher available NO3 - in the soil on account of excessive N applications resulted in higher levels of berry N, despite sub-optimal soil pH regimes that were created by these treatments. Berry K concentration and content were increased by K fertilisation. Rapid vine K uptake and translocation to the berries seem to negate the reduced vine nutritional status as observed in petioles for situations of over-fertilisation with N. Berry Ca levels were not increased by Ca fertilisation or by bunch applied Ca. The rapid rates of berry growth, together with low rates of berry Ca uptake and Ca uptake that terminates at the onset of ripening, are assumed to be the main reasons for this result. Low levels of decay as well as a lack of consistently increased decay were obtained for N containing treatments. Nitrogen levels in the berries above which their susceptibility to fungal infection is increased, should be established. Information on specific N compounds that may lead to more susceptibility is required. Potentially increased berry browning on account of high rates of K fertilisation needs to be further investigated; indications that this may occur were observed. Neither soil applied Ca nor bunch applied Ca improved berry quality, although Ca treatments seemed to reduce decay during the only season that significant differences were obtained. The negative effect of excessive fertilisation on soil chemistry of sandy soils has again been highlighted by this study. This annuls the fertilisation, leading to inefficient fertilisation and a lack of the desired responses. As indicator of vine nutrient availability, petiole analysis, was proven unreliable and should be evaluated in parallel with soil analyses, taking seasonal variation into consideration. The danger of being only guided by published norms for leaf nutrient concentrations when establishing fertilisation practices has again been highlighted by this study. This research indicated that for a very early cultivar like Prime Seedless, nutrient accumulation dynamics can already start to change during the pre-véraison period in some seasons. This is due to different edaphic and climatic conditions as well as berry size, which leads to much higher flesh:skin ratios. Future research on table grapes would need to develop an understanding of the various factors and dynamics that determine berry nutrient concentration and accumulation of early ripening, large berry sized, seedless table grape cultivars.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suksesvolle bemarking van tafeldruiwe is ten nouste afhanklik van die beskikbaarheid van druiwe sonder defekte, wat ‘n direkte verband met optimale wingerdprestasie, korrelontwikkeling en na-oes kwaliteit inhou. Voorsiening van minerale voedingstowwe beïnvloed die stok se groei, fisiologie en korrelgehalte. Ten spyte van ‘n oorweldigende hoeveelheid navorsing wat oor dekades reeds gedoen is, is daar steeds onopgeloste kwessies aangaande bemesting van tafeldruiwe vir optimale druifgehalte en houvermoë. Die gevolg is onoordeelkundige bemestingspraktyke wat o.a. aanleiding gee tot oorbemesting met stikstof (N), kalium (K) en kalsium (Ca). ‘n Vier-jaar-lange veldproef is gevolglik op ‘n sandgrond in die Paarl distrik (Suid-Afrika) onderneem deur gebruik te maak van Vitis vinifera L. cv. Prime Seedless geënt op Ramsey en op ‘n dubbel-gewel prieelstelsel opgelei is. Stikstof, K en Ca is alleen, of in kombinasie, toegedien teen hoeveelhede gelykstaande aan 300% van die wingerd se jaarlikse behoefte. Die effek van hierdie oormatige toedienings op tafeldruif prestasie onder Suid-Afrikaanse verbouingstoestande is ondersoek, met spesiale verwysing na 1) vegetatiewe groei, 2) uitdrukking van voedingstofbeskikbaarheid deur blaarontledings, 3) die voedingstof akkumulasie patrone van korrels van hierdie vroeë kultivar, 4) manipulasie van korrel voedingstofinhoud deur grond en trosgerigte toedienings en 5) die effek van korrel voedingstofinhoud op kwaliteit. Die doel van die proef was om bemestinspraktyke van Prime Seedless, ‘n baie vroeë pitlose tafeldruifkultivar met ‘n minimum korrelgrootte van 18 mm, te verfyn. Deur die akkumulasie patrone van die druiwe uit te klaar is daar ook ondersoek ingestel of oestyd en na-oes gehalte deur oormatige toediening van voedingstowwe affekteer word. Geen duidelike verskille betreffende vegetatiewe groeireaksies (uitgedruk as lootlengte, blaaroppervlaktes en lootmassas) asook verskille in blaar chlorofilinhoud is vir die behandelings verkry nie. Hierdie resultate is verkry in ‘n wingerd op ‘n sandgrond, waar oormatige N-bemesting aanleiding gegee het tot grond pH verlagings tot die peil van nadelige vlakke. Verder het die oormatige N, K en Ca toedienings wederkerige verlagings in konsentrasies, asook op dié van Mg, in die grond teweeggebring. Die tekort aan vegetatiewe groeiresponse op die behandelings kon dus toegeskryf word aan ‘n gekombineerde effek van die oormatige toedienings op grond pH en voedingstofbalanse. Hoewel die N-inhoud van bladstele hoër was vir behandelings wat N toediening ingesluit het, was daar nie konstante toenames in die vlakke verkry nie. Bladskyf N-konsentrasie het afgeneem deur die loop van die groeiseisoen. Vir alle fenologiese stadiums was bladskyf Kkonsentrasies betekenisvol verhoog deur K-bemesting. Nie een van die Kbemestingsbehandelings het egter daarin geslaag om bladskyf K inhoud vir enige monstertyd bo die algemeen aanvaarde maksimum norms te lig nie. Verder het bladskyf K inhoud by ‘n spesifieke fenologiese stadium ook betekenisvol tussen seisoene verskil. Die K-inhoud van bladskywe het afgeneem met verloop van die seisoen. Kalsiumbemesting het nie die grond se Ca inhoud deurgans verhoog nie, wat dus die tekort aan verskille in Ca konsentrasies tussen die behandelings verklaar. ‘n Toename in Ca konsentrasie en korrel Ca inhoud is vanaf set tot oes waargeneem. Swak korrelasies tussen bladskywe se voedingstofinhoude en korrels se voedingstofinhoude is verkry. Die enigste manier waarop korrels se voedingstofinhoude dus afgelei kan word, blyk te wees deur direkte bepaling daarvan. Voedingstofinhoude van korrels is deur groeipatrone daarvan beïnvloed. Vroeë korrelgroei, hoofsaaklik a.g.v. seldeling en selgroei, het met die vinnigste afnametempo van N, P en Ca gepaard gegaan. As gevolg van die hoër beweeglikheid van K en Mg in die plant in vergelyking met ander voedingstowwe, was die afname in konsentrasie van hierdie twee elemente nie so groot soos vir die ander nie. Voedingstofakkumulasie was die vinnigste in die periode voor deurslaan. Slegs Ca het ‘n beeïndiging van opname aan die einde van hierdie periode getoon. Die voortgesette opname van N, P, K en Mg, alhoewel stadiger kort na deurslaan, moet in ag geneem word wanneer bemesting toegedien word. Vir hierdie kultivar het die totale opname van elke bemestingstof dié van die ander kultivars wat tot hede bestudeer is, ver oorskry. ‘n Spesifieke verskil is ‘n baie hoër vleis:dop verhouding as wat vir ander kultivars verkry is. Dit gee aanleiding tot baie hoër vlakke van voedingstofakkumulasie in die vleis. Effens groter korrelgroottes is verkry waar N toedienings gemaak is. Dit word toegeskryf aan klein toenames in vroeë vegetatiewe groei, wat dus beter reaksie op GA3 behandelings tot gevolg gehad het. Die gebruik van GA3 vir korrelvergroting word ook beskou as die rede waarom K-bemesting, wat tot hoër vlakke van K in die korrels aanleiding gegee het, nie korrelgrootte, soos by wyndruiwe, bevorder het nie. Hoër NO3 - in die grond (water), na aanleiding van N toedienings, het aanleiding gegee tot hoer vlakke van N in die korrels. Dit het plaasgevind ten spyte van sub-optimale grond pH wat deur die oormatige N toedienings veroorsaak is. Korrel K konsentrasie en -inhoud is deur K-bemesting verhoog. Vinnige opname en translokasie van K na die korrels het ook geblyk die rede te wees waarom die verlaagde voedingstatus van die stokke a.g.v. oorbemesting met N nie die korrels se K inhoud geaffekteer het nie. Die vinnige groeitempo van die korrels, tesame met lae vlakke van Ca opname, asook korrels se Ca opname wat tydens rypwording ophou, word as die redes vir die tekorte aan behandelingseffekte beskou. Lae vlakke van bederf, asook ‘n tekort aan betroubare tendense dat bederf deur Nbemesting verhoog word, is verkry. Daar moet vasgestel word of daar N vlakke in die korrels is waarbo hul vatbaarheid vir swaminfeksies verhoog word, en of daar spesifieke N verbindings is wat die korrels meer vatbaar maak vir bederf. Indikasies dat K-bemesting interne verbruiningsvlakke verhoog het, regverdig verdere ondersoek. Korrelkwaliteit is nie deur grond- of trosgerigte toedienings bevoordeel nie. Die negatiewe effek van oormatige bemesting op die chemiese samestelling van sandgronde is weer deur hierdie navorsing uitgelig. Dit lei tot oneffektiewe bemesting en ‘n tekort aan die verlangde effekte. Blaarontledings blyk onbetroubaar te wees as aanduiding van voedingstof beskikbaarheid. Dit moet evalueer word saam met grondontledings en ook seisoenale variasie in ag neem. Die gevaar om slegs deur gepubliseerde norme gelei te word wanneer bemestingspraktyke bepaal word, is weer deur hierdie navorsing uitgelig. Voorst is daar in hierdie navorsing gevind dat voedingstof akkumulasiepatrone van ‘n baie vroeë kultivar soos Prime Seedless alreeds voor deurslaan begin verander a.g.v. omgewingstoestande en korrelgroei wat tot ‘n veel hoër vleis:dop verhouding aanleiding gee. Toekomstige navorsing op tafeldruiwe behoort die faktore en dinamika wat voedingstofkonsentrasie en -akkumulasie in korrels van vroeë, groot korrel, pitlose tafeldruifkultivars beïnvloed verder te ondersoek.

In this thesis, a synthesis concept has been developed, which uses nitrogen-rich liquid phases for sintering of Ca-α-sialon ceramics. First, keeping the Si/Al ratios constant, the effects of N/O ratio on the properties and microstructure were investigated through a liquid phase sintering process. Second, nitrogen-rich Ca-α-sialon ceramics, with nominal compositions: CaxSi12-2xAl2xN16, x < 2.0, was synthesized and characterized. Third, mechanical and thermal properties of nitrogen-rich Ca-α-sialons were investigated in terms of high temperature deformation resistance,reaction mechanism, phase stability and oxidation resistance, and further correlated to their phase assemblage and microstructure observation. It has been found that increasing the N/O and Ca/Al ratio simultaneously in the materials could result in development of a microstructure with well shaped, high-aspect-ratio Ca-α-sialon grains, and an improvement in both toughness and hardness. For the nitrogen-rich Ca-α-sialon, mono-phasic α-sialon ceramics were obtained for 0.51 ≤ x ≤ 1.32. The obtained Ca-α-sialon ceramics with elongated-grain microstructures show a combination of high hardness and high fracture toughness. Compared with the oxygen-rich Ca-α-sialons, the nitrogen-rich Ca-α-sialons exhibited approximately 150 oC higher deformation onset temperatures and decent properties even after the deformation. The α-sialon phase was first observed at 1400 oC, however the phase pure Ca-α-sialon ceramics couldn’t be obtained until 1800 oC. The nitrogen-rich Ca-α-sialons were thermal stable, no phase transformation observed in the temperatures range1400-1600 oC. In general, mixed α/β-sialon showed better oxidation resistance than pure α-sialon in the low temperature range (1250-1325 oC), while α-sialons with compositions located at α/β-sialon border-line showed significant weight gains over the entire temperature range (1250-1400 oC).

Orientador: Kleber Tomás de Resende
Coorientador: Marcia Helena Machado da Rocha Fernandes
Banca: Rafael Canonenco de Araújo
Banca: Carla Joice Härter
Resumo: O nitrato de cálcio encapsulado (NCE) tem sido estudado nos últimos anos como uma fonte de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP) e representa uma alternativa ao uso do hidrogênio livre no ambiente ruminal, reduzindo assim a emissão de metano e possibilitando uma maior eficiência no uso da energia. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o uso do nitrato de cálcio encapsulado como substituto do farelo de soja na partição de energia, oxidação do substrato e síntese de N microbiano. Para isso, doze caprinos machos castrados em crescimento, com peso inicial de 21,95 kg ± 3,19 kg foram usados em um quadrado latino 3 x 3 quadruplicado com três períodos de 48 dias, agrupados pelo peso corporal e distribuídos aleatoriamente em um dos três tratamentos ECN0(SBM) - controle baseado em farelo de soja; ECN1.25 - 1,25% de NCE na matéria seca; ECN2.5 - 2,5% de NCE na matéria seca. Cada período consistia de 21 dias de adaptação, 5 dias de ensaio de metabolismo e 15 dias de mensuração de gases. Entre os períodos foi feito um washout de 7 dias onde todos os animais recebiam a dieta controle. Os dados foram analizados usando o procedimento MIXED do SAS (versão 9.4; SAS Inst., Cary, NC, USA). O modelo usado foi Yjkm: μ + LSi + Periodj + Ani(LS)ki + Treatm + єijkm. Quando significante, o efeito de níveis de NCE foi decomposto em dois contrastes polinomiais ortogonais (linear e quadrático). A significância declarada foi de P < 0,05. As variáveis de produção de calor (PC) e produção de calor em je... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Encapsulated calcium nitrate (ECN) has been studied in last years as a source of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and represents an alternative to use of free hydrogen in the ruminal environment, thus reducing the emission of methane and a higher efficiency in use of energy. Thus the aim of this study was to assess the impact of the use of encapsulated calcium nitrate as a substitute for soybean meal in the energy partition, substrate oxidation, and microbial N synthesis. For this, twelve castrated male growing goats, with initial average weight of 21.95 kg ± 3.19 kg were used in a quadruplicated 3 x 3 Latin square design with three 48-d periods, grouped by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to three diets: ECN0(SBM) - control based on soybean meal; ECN1.25 - 1.25% of encapsulated calcium nitrate (ECN) on dry matter (DM) basis; ECN2.5 - 2.5% of ECN on DM basis. Each period comprised 21 days for adaptation, five days for metabolism trial (d22 to d26) and 15 days for gas measurements (d27 to d38). Between periods, a washout period was provided for 7 d during which the control diet was fed. The data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.4; SAS Inst., Cary, NC, USA). The model used for each treatment was the following: Yjkm: μ + LSi + Periodj + Ani(LS)ki + Treatm + єijkm. When significant, the effect of levels of ECN was decomposed into two orthogonal polynomial contrasts (linear and quadratic). Significance was declared at P < 0.05. The heat production (HP) and fas... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

Cationic lipids are efficient tools to introduce nucleic acids and proteins into cells. Elucidation of the mechanism and cellular pathways associated to such a transport has been relatively slow, even though significant progress has been made in the characterization of the intracellular trafficking of cationic lipid/DNA complexes. Surprisingly, little is known about the effects of these delivery vectors on cell functioning. In the present thesis, we show that cationic lipids and cationic lipid/DNA complexes strongly increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The end point of the Ca2+ increase was ~400 nM from a basal level of ~100 nM. The [Ca2+]i increase was studied using K562 and Jurkat cells cultured in vitro. This effect is weakened following addition of DNA to cationic liposomes, although remaining very large at cationic lipid/DNA ratios commonly used for cell transfection experiments. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ did not abolish this effect significantly and preincubating K562 cells with the Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin strongly abolished intracellular Ca2+ concentration increase, indicating that Ca2+ was released mainly from internal Ca2+ stores sensitive to thapsigargin. Pretreatment of the cells with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 blocked the intracellular Ca2+ concentration rise, suggesting an inositol pathway-dependent mechanism. LDH release assay indicates that in the conditions used for fluorescence measurement and in those used to transfer DNA into cells, cationic liposomes diC14-amidine and DOTAP had no massive cytotoxic effects. Cationic liposomes showed more toxicity than their corresponding complexes; this toxicity decreases in the presence of serum. The effect of cationic lipids on phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) was quantitatively assessed using phosphatidylinositol (PI) and radiolabeled phosphatidylinositol ([3H]-PI). Incorporation of diC14-amidine into PC/PI vesicle activated PI-PLC and was shown to activate the hydrolysis of PI and [3H]-PI. Our data may suggest that mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ by complex could have an effect on the transfection process itself. These results indicate for the first time that cationic lipids and cationic lipid/DNA complexes are not inert and can affect the functioning of the cells by increasing their intracellular Ca2+.

Doctorat en sciences, Spécialisation chimie
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

To combat excessive vine vigor, many vintners have employed intensive cover cropping techniques. While cover crops provide a multitude of benefits to the farming system, they can compete for nutrients and water. The seemingly ubiquitous adoption of cover crops in the Eastern United States has led to vines and grape musts which are deficient in nitrogen (N). A must that is deficient in yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) can lead to the production of off aromas and stuck or sluggish fermentations. It has also been suggested that musts with limited amino nitrogen sources can result in wines with less fruity aromas than those with a higher starting amino acid content. Varying rates of calcium nitrate were applied to the soil at bloom and foliar urea was sprayed at a Sauvignon blanc and Petit Manseng (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard. Perennial White and Crimson clover as well as foliar urea applications at véraison were utilized at a Vidal blanc (Vitis spp.) site. Foliar urea was effective at significantly increasing YANs in all experiments with some year to year variation in efficacy. Foliar urea applications slightly favored the production of ammonia over primary amino nitrogen. While most of the measured amino acids in fruit increased in concentration with the application of either soil or foliar N, foliar applications were more effective at increasing fruit amino acids. Of the amino acids measured, arginine and glutamine were the most increased by foliar urea applications, whereas proline was relatively unaffected. The use of clover as a perennial under-vine cover crop did not increase berry YAN. The application of foliar urea sprays may present an effective means by which vintners can easily increase must YANs and amino acid contents.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

Extreme salinity is one of the most common environmental constraints with which legume/rhizobia symbionts must deal in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In some areas, with good management, it has been economically possible to ameliorate the saline soil with calcium. The objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate calcium amelioration of salinity (sodicity) on nitrogen fixation, stomatal resistance, potassium/sodium ratio, and total nitrogen of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Seeds of snapbeans were grown in pots under green house conditions and were irrigated with NaCl concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8 or 1.2 S m-1 combined with CaS04 . 2H20 or CaCl2. 2H20 , each at concentrations of 0, 4, and 8 mM . The results show that increasing NaCl concentration decreased leaf water potential, total leaf chlorophyll, shoot and root dry weight, and nitrogen fixation but increased stomatal diffusive resistance. At the highest level of NaCl, addition of CaS04to NaCl increased leaf water potential via increasing stomatal diffusive resistance. Such effects were not observed with the addition of CaCl2 to NaCl. Addition of CaS04 to all levels of NaCl increased total leaf chlorophyll. The shoot and root dry weight and nitrogen fixation was also increased when CaS04 was added to 0.4 and 0.8 S m-1 NaCl. Again, such effects were not observed with the addition of CaCl2 to NaCl. Furthermore, analysis of leaf mineral composition showed that leaf Ca2+ , Mg2+ and K+ were increased with each increase in NaCl concentration, whereas the K+/ Na+ ratio was decreased. Also, the total leaf nitrogen increased with 0.4 and 1.2 S m-1 NaCl as well as with all levels of CaS04. Neither CaS04 nor CaCl2 had any significant effect on leaf K+, Na+, or Mg2+ of the plant when they were added to different levels of NaCl. However, leaf Ca2+ increased with an increase in concentration of CaS04 or CaCl2, but only CaS04 exhibited an interaction when combined with NaCl. Speciation modeling showed that a considerable amount of S04 was complexed as the CaS04° and NaS04- species. In spite of this, CaS04 treatment had ameliorating effect on NaCl induced salinity symptoms in snapbeans.

This thesis describes a series of experiments both in solution systems and soil systems to study the precipitation of calcium carbonate in soils and the effects of the precipitation on soil pH after urea had been applied. (1) A gas bubbling system has been established which introduces ammonia at a steady rate to the reaction solution and keeps it equilibrated at 0.00484 atm partial pressure of carbon dioxide. (2) In a non-seeded system, the effects of calcium, urea, Mg (magnesium), P (phosphate), and DOC (water-dissolved organic matter) on the precipitation were examined individually and in various combinations. Calcite and vaterite were found in the 10 mM CaC1₂ solutions with and without the addition of urea. When the solutions contained Mg, P, and DOC, vaterite was not found. Aragonite was found in the reaction solution containing 5 mM Mg. In high initial concentration of P (5x10^-4 M) , the formation of calcium phosphate (amorphous by X-ray analysis) catalysed the formation of calcite. The effects of urea and Mg on the precipitation are negligible compared with the effects of P and DOC. (3) In a seeded system, 16 sets of experiments with four sizes of calcite-seeds were carried out to study the precipitation rate of calcium carbonate. This was described by the equation LR=-4.113±0.132 + 0.379±0.029 LWA + LSI where LR=log (precipitation rate, PR, in mole litre^-1 min^-1), LWA= log (newly formed calcium carbonate, g ml^-1), and LSI=log (degree of supersaturation of calcium carbonate, SI). (4) A wide range of concentrations of urea (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 M) were added to three soils (Beg., Uni., and VWH) with or without the addition of 5 per cent of calcite (10-15 μm) to establish a rate model for the precipitation of calcium carbonate in soils. The precipitation model (in logarithmic form) in soils is lnPR=-9.47±0.30 + lnK_SOIL + 0.379±0.029 InWA + InSI - 1686±703 P - 6.13±3.02 DOC + 3854±1775 (P DOC) where P and DOC are the concentrations in soil solutions, and lnK_SOIL is the effect of soils on the precipitation, which is - 1.98, 0.43, and -0.10 for Beg., Uni., and VWH soils respectively. The amount of newly formed calcium carbonate is about a third to a half of the amount of ammoniacal-N released by urea hydrolysis. It was able to reduce the increase of soil pH by more than 0.6 pH units in some circumstances.

The effects of altering pH and calcium level during whey protein extrusion were assessed by measuring the protein solubility and WHC of the textured whey protein (TWP). TWP samples were produced by extruding dry mixtures of 2/3 WPC 80 (80% protein) and 1/3 cornstarch using screw speed of 200 rpms, feed rate of 23 g/min, water flow rate of 11 g/min, and product temperature of 150°C. The levels of acid and base were adjusted by adding concentrated HCl or NaOH, respectively, to the water source. Calcium was added to the raw mix in the form of calcium chloride dihydrate before extrusion at levels of 0.4%, 0.88%, and 1.69% calcium per protein (w/w). It was shown that WHC of TWP was increased (p < 0.05) by extrusion with water. WHC was further promoted by extruding with increased levels of base. Solubility of whey protein in water was reduced by extrusion, especially when extruded with added acid or calcium. The practicality of using hydrated TWP in beef patties was determined using sensory, physical, and instrumental analysis. An open consumer panel was conducted on six beef patty samples: 1) 100% beef, 2) 30% TWP extruded with 0.2 M NaOH (TWP0.2MNaOH), 3) 30% TWP extruded with 1.69% calcium (w/w protein) added (TWP1.69%Ca2+), 4) 30% TWP extruded with water (TWPH2O) , 5) 30% TWP extruded with 0.1 M HCl (TWP0.1MHCl), and 6) 30% textured soy protein (TSP). It was found that patties containing 30% TWP0.2MNaoH were equal (p < 0.05) to 100% beef patties in tenderness, juiciness, texture, flavor, and overall acceptability, and well above the scores for patties with 30% TSP. TWP0.2MNaoH was then tested by sensory, physical, and instrumental analysis at three usage levels, 30, 40, and 50%, against 100% beef patties. Patties with up to 40% TWP0.2MNaOH were well accepted (p < 0.05) by consumers, and had higher cook yield, less diameter reduction, and less change in thickness than 100% beef patties. These results suggest great potential for the use of textured whey protein as a meat extender.

Our ability to predict and model the consequences of N deposition depends on our understanding of the mechanisms of N cycling. The research detailed in this thesis investigates the impact of enhanced nitrogen loading on nitrification and mineralisation in soils from two contrasting sites in Britain.  The first site is Deepsyke Forest, a Sitka spruce plantation situated in the Scottish borders.  The second site is Pwllpeiran an upland grass heath in Mid Wales.  The stable isotope, ¹⁵N, was used to measure gross mineralisation and nitrification rates at each site. This was used in conjunction with acetylene, a physiological block, which inhibits the oxidation of ammonium to nitrite; ascertain whether the dominant form of nitrification at each site was autotrophic or heterotrophic. Inorganic N concentrations at Deepsyke were highly variable.  NO₃^- levels were low at both sites but particularly at Deepsyke.  This had a major impact on the methodology used in the determination of gross transformation rates, and the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the results. Nitrification at Deepsyke was predominantly heterotrophic and rates whereas nitrification at Pwllpeiran was predominantly autotrophic. The results of a 20-day potential nitrification assay indicate that S deposition is inhibiting nitrification, while enhanced N loading is stimulating it.  No other effects of N, S or acid deposition were detectable at Deepsyke.  Similarly, no effects of N loading were found, however it was observed that heavy grazing reduced NH₄⁺ concentrations.

Aluminium has been used as a de-oxidant and grain refiner element for more than 100 years, however, the use of aluminium as a deliberate alloying addition in steels has attracted increased attention recently as a possible replacement for Si in Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels. Although the effect of substitutional elements such as manganese and chromium has been investigated in detail in the last few decades, there has been little research concerned with the effect of Al as a substitutional element in steel in amounts higher than 0.1 wt%. This could be due to the previous lack of industrial interest and also technological concerns over the production of high Al-content steels. Work was carried out on three low carbon (0.02 wt%) manganese (1.4 wt%) steels with very low levels of nitrogen (10 ppm) which have been alloyed with very different aluminium contents (0.02, 0.48 and 0.94 wt%). Electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) was employed to study the effect of excess aluminium (apart from aluminium nitride) on the final ferritic microstructure. In order to have a better understanding in relation to the role of excess aluminium in ferritic microstructure it required an investigation of the austenite to ferrite transformation. Prior to investigation of the influence of aluminium on austenite to ferrite transformation, attempts were made to reveal the role of excess aluminium in austenite formation. The results obtained from the latter part of the research enabled the author to better understand the role of excess aluminium in austenite grain formation and growth. From this study, it may be concluded that excess aluminium has a significant influence on as rolled ferritic structure which could be the result of changes in austenite to ferrite transformation kinetics. In addition, the results obtained from this research show a significant effect of excess aluminium on austenite formation and growth.

Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution, pollution that comes from diffuse sources that are difficult to trace back to a single point such as farm fields, is a major concern affecting America's water ways. Nationally, agriculture is the leading source of water impairment and has also been identified as the largest source of pollution affecting the Chesapeake Bay. There are proposals now for a program that would pay farmers to use 15 percent less than the extension recommended amount of fertilizer. Known as the Yield Reserve Program, or Enhanced Nutrient Management, this policy could possibly help to reduce the nutrient loads. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Yield Reserve Program on farm yields and net revenues. Costs were estimated for different policy implementations for the Virginia Coastal Plain to better understand problems with this type of program. The effects of Yield Reserve on enterprise net returns, yields, and N applications for corn under varying weather and soil conditions were estimated. Based on experimental trials from North Carolina and Virginia from 2000 to 2004, yield response functions were calculated for corn. The costs of the Yield Reserve Program vary depending on its implementation, but under current proposals these costs were estimated at $113 per hectare, and $10,855,000 for the coastal plain. This proposal is a more costly program than would be necessary to compensate farmers for yield losses based on estimates in this study.
Master of Science

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2008.
Thesis research directed by: Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

The effect of three sources of protein: soy, dairy, and meat protein, and two levels of calcium on zinc, iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium retention in young adult men was determined in a 30-day metabolic balance study. The study was divided into a twenty-day baseline period, a thirty day controlled feeding period from which all the balance data was collected, and a twenty day follow-up period. During the controlled feeding period, twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatment groups which differed in respect to protein source. The dairy treatment group was fed a diet in which 70% of the dietary protein was derived from dairy products; the soy treatment group was fed a diet in which 67% of the dietary protein was derived from soy products; and the meat treatment group was given a diet in which 70% of the dietary protein was provided by animal meat products. To test the effect of calcium level on mineral retention, the controlled feeding period was divided into two periods: Period I, in which the subjects consumed moderate levels of calcium (mean= 1206.77 + 193.29 mg/day) and Period II, in which the subjects consumed high levels of calcium (mean 2134.51 + 164.63 mg/day).
Master of Science

A novel dislocation locking technique is used to study the behaviour of nitrogen and oxygen in silicon. Specimens containing well-defined arrays of dislocation half-loops are subjected to isothermal anneals of controlled duration, during which nitrogen or oxygen diffuses to the dislocations. The stress required to move the dislocations away from the impurities is then measured. Measurement of this unlocking stress as a function of annealing time and temperature allows information on the transport of nitrogen and oxygen to be deduced. Despite being present in a concentration of just 3E14cm-3 in some specimens, nitrogen is found to provide substantial benefits to the mechanical properties of float-zone silicon (FZ-Si). The segregation of nitrogen at dislocations is stable to at least 1200 degrees centigrade and the unlocking stress measured at 550 degrees centigrade is of similar magnitude to that found previously for oxygen in Czochralski silicon (Cz-Si). The unlocking stress initially rises linearly with annealing time, before it takes a constant value. The rate of the initial rise is dependent on temperature and the 1.5eV activation energy found agrees with that found previously. The rate of the initial rise also depends on nitrogen concentration. In the 500 to 700 degrees centigrade temperature range, the unlocking stress is found to decrease linearly as the temperature at which the unlocking process takes place increases. The results of a pre-annealing experiment confirm that oxygen monomers and dimers in Cz-Si exist in thermodynamic equilibrium at 550 degrees centigrade. Numerical simulation of oxygen diffusion to dislocations allows values of the effective diffusivity of oxygen in Cz-Si with four different oxygen concentrations to be deduced. At 500 degrees centigrade, the effective diffusivity depends upon oxygen concentration in a way which is consistent with oxygen dimers being responsible for transport. The transport of oxygen in Cz-Si at 550 to 600 degrees centigrade is found to be unaffected by nitrogen doping at a level of 2.1E15cm-3. The dislocation locking technique has also been used to study the effect of high concentrations of shallow dopants on oxygen transport in Cz-Si in the 350 to 550 degrees centigrade temperature range. Oxygen transport has been found to be unaffected by a high antimony concentration ~3E18cm-3, but is found to be enhanced by, on average, a factor of approximately 44 in Cz-Si with a high boron concentration ~5E18cm-3. Furthermore, deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and high-resolution DLTS (HR-DLTS) are used to study the electrical activity of defects in silicon. A deep-level with an enthalpy of 0.50eV and a concentration of order 10E11cm-3 is found in n-type nitrogen-doped FZ-Si and n-type nitrogen-doped neutron transmutation doped FZ-Si. No additional deep-levels are found in either material, for which the detection limit is 6E10cm-3. No deep-levels are found in p-type nitrogen-doped Cz-Si, for which the detection limit is approximately 10E12cm-3. DLTS and HR-DLTS are also used to investigate the electrical activity of oxygen-decorated dislocations in Cz-Si and states associated with oxygen at dislocation cores have been identified.

Vineyards in the Eastern United States are often prone to excessive vegetative growth. In order to suppress excessive vine vigor, many viticulturists have employed cover cropping strategies. Cover crops provide a myriad of agronomic benefits, however they are known to compete with the vine for water and nutrients. Due to the widespread use of cover crops in Eastern vineyards, many vineyards experience nitrogen (N) deficiencies in both the vegetative vine tissue and yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in the juice. Soil applications of calcium nitrate and foliar applications of urea were assessed as a means of vineyard N amelioration at cover cropped sites comprised of Petit Manseng and Sauvignon blanc (Vitis vinifera L.). Perennial White and Crimson clover cover crops and foliar urea applications were also used in a Vidal blanc (Vitis spp.) vineyard. Treatments were imposed in the Sauvignon blanc vineyard for five years. The Petit Manseng and Vidal blanc vineyards were subjected to treatments for two years. Soil-applied N at bloom was most effective at increasing leaf petiole N at véraison, season-long chlorophyll content index (CCI), vine capacity and fruit yield. Fruit yield was increased due to more berries per cluster and greater berry weights. Increased rates of soil-applied N decreased the fruit weight:pruning weight ratio. Foliar-applied N after fruit set was most effective at increasing berry YAN. While most of the measured amino acids in fruit increased in concentration with the application of either soil or foliar N, foliar applications were more effective at increasing fruit amino acids. Clover cover crops offered little to no benefit as a N source in the two-year period of evaluation. None of the N management schemes negatively impacted canopy density, fruit zone light interception, or botrytis bunch rot incidence. The combination of both a soil-applied and foliar-applied N fertilizer may be the most effective means to increase both vine capacity and YAN in vineyards where vineyard floor cover crops are compromising vine N status.
Master of Science

The use of plastic mulches in producing red bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is relatively new to Quebec and management techniques need to be further developed in terms of nitrogen (N) fertilization as well as insect and disease control. A research project was undertaken in the 1995 and 1996 growing seasons to compare peppers grown on black and on silver mulches, and fertigated using either the conventional method (weekly N-fertigated) or N-fertigated using diagnostic chlorophyll meter readings. Both fertigation treatments resulted in similar yields, although those fertilized according to the chlorophyll meter received 28 to 42 kg N/ha less than the weekly fertilized treatments. The chlorophyll meter was able to detect N deficiencies. Alate aphid populations were significantly reduced by mulches, especially by the silver mulch in both years. However, apterous aphid populations were increased by mulches, most markedly by the black mulch. No significant effect of mulch or N was found on tarnished plant bug or European corn borer populations, or on the percentage of fruit with sunscald or viral symptoms.

A metabolic study was conducted with 23 men to determine the effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins of a high calcium intake from two sources compared to a normal level of calcium intake over an eight week controlled feeding period. Three diet treatments were examined: 1) high dietary calcium mainly from dairy sources (1600-1800 mg/day), 2) high dietary calcium supplied by a CaCO₃ supplement (1600-1800 mg/day), and 3) normal dietary calcium intake from mixed sources (600-800 mg/day). Fat, carbohydrate and protein were provided in the ratio of percent kcal as 40:49:11. Nutrient, cholesterol levels (500 mg) and polyunsaturated to saturated (P/S) fatty acid ratio (0.446) were held constant for all diet treatments. There were no significant differences between treatments or across time in plasma TC, LDL, HDL or VLDL-cholesterol. Levels remained similar throughout the controlled diet treatment and the pre- and post-treatment periods. At the level of fat content and P/S ratio tested, there was no hypocholesterolemic effect of elevated calcium intake on plasma lipids.
Master of Science

For the elucidation of the dynamics of signal transduction processes that are induced by cellular interactions, defined events along the signal transduction cascade and subsequent activation steps have to be analyzed and then also correlated with each other. This cannot be achieved by ensemble measurements because averaging biological data ignores the variability in timing and response patterns of individual cells and leads to highly blurred results. Instead, only a multi-parameter analysis at a single-cell level is able to exploit the information that is crucially needed for deducing the signaling pathways involved. The aim of this work was to develop a process line that allows the initiation of cell-cell or cell-particle interactions while at the same time the induced cellular reactions can be analyzed at various stages along the signal transduction cascade and correlated with each other. As this approach requires the gentle management of individually addressable cells, a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based microfluidic system was employed that provides the manipulation of microscale objects with very high spatiotemporal precision and without the need of contacting the cell membrane. The system offers a high potential for automation and parallelization. This is essential for achieving a high level of robustness and reproducibility, which are key requirements in order to qualify this approach for a biomedical application. As an example process for intercellular communication, T cell activation has been chosen. The activation of the single T cells was triggered by contacting them individually with microbeads that were coated with antibodies directed against specific cell surface proteins, like the T cell receptor-associated kinase CD3 and the costimulatory molecule CD28 (CD; cluster of differentiation). The stimulation of the cells with the functionalized beads led to a rapid rise of their cytosolic Ca2+ concentration which was analyzed by a dual-wavelength ratiometric fluorescence measurement of the Ca2+-sensitive dye Fura-2. After Ca2+ imaging, the cells were isolated individually from the microfluidic system and cultivated further. Cell division and expression of the marker molecule CD69 as a late activation event of great significance were analyzed the following day and correlated with the previously recorded Ca2+ traces for each individual cell. It turned out such that the temporal profile of the Ca2+ traces between both activated and non-activated cells as well as dividing and non-dividing cells differed significantly. This shows that the pattern of Ca2+ signals in T cells can provide early information about a later reaction of the cell. As isolated cells are highly delicate objects, a precondition for these experiments was the successful adaptation of the system to maintain the vitality of single cells during and after manipulation. In this context, the influences of the microfluidic environment as well as the applied electric fields on the vitality of the cells and the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration as crucially important physiological parameters were thoroughly investigated. While a short-term DEP manipulation did not affect the vitality of the cells, they showed irregular Ca2+ transients upon exposure to the DEP field only. The rate and the strength of these Ca2+ signals depended on exposure time, electric field strength and field frequency. By minimizing their occurrence rate, experimental conditions were identified that caused the least interference with the physiology of the cell. The possibility to precisely control the exact time point of stimulus application, to simultaneously analyze short-term reactions and to correlate them with later events of the signal transduction cascade on the level of individual cells makes this approach unique among previously described applications and offers new possibilities to unravel the mechanisms underlying intercellular communication.
Zelluläre Interaktionen sind wirkungsvolle Mechanismen zur Kontrolle zellulärer Zustände in vivo. Für die Entschlüsselung der dabei beteiligten Signaltransduktionsprozesse müssen definierte Ereignisse entlang der zellulären Signalkaskade erfasst und ihre wechselseitige Beziehung zueinander aufgeklärt werden. Dies kann von Ensemble-Messungen nicht geleistet werden, da die Mittelung biologischer Daten die Variabilität des Antwortverhaltens individueller Zellen missachtet und verschwommene Resultate liefert. Nur eine Multiparameteranalyse auf Einzelzellebene kann die entscheidenden Informationen liefern, die für ein detailliertes Verständnis zellulärer Signalwege unabdingbar sind. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Entwicklung einer Methode, welche die gezielte Kontaktierung einzelner Zellen mit anderen Zellen oder Partikeln ermöglicht und mit der die dadurch ausgelösten zellulären Reaktionen auf unterschiedlichen zeitlichen Ebenen analysiert und miteinander korreliert werden können. Da dies die schonende Handhabung einzeln adressierbarer Zellen erfordert, wurde ein auf Dielektrophorese (DEP) basierendes mikrofluidisches System eingesetzt, welches die berührungslose Manipulation mikroskaliger Objekte mit hoher zeitlicher und örtlicher Präzision erlaubt. Das System besitzt ein hohes Potential zur Automatisierung und Parallelisierung, was für eine robuste und reproduzierbare Analyse lebender Zellen essentiell, und daher eine wichtige Voraussetzung für eine Anwendung in der Biomedizin ist. Als Modellsystem für interzelluläre Kommunikation wurde die T-Zell-Aktivierung gewählt. Die Aktivierung der einzelnen T-Zellen wurde durch ihre gezielte Kontaktierung mit Mikropartikeln („beads“) induziert, welche mit Antikörpern gegen spezielle Oberflächenproteine, wie die dem T-Zell-Rezeptor assoziierte Kinase CD3 oder das kostimulatorische Protein CD28, beschichtet waren. Die Stimulation der Zellen mit den funktionalisierten beads führte zu einem raschen Anstieg der intrazellulären Ca2+-Konzentration, welche über eine ratiometrische Detektion des Ca2+-sensitiven Fluoreszenzfarbstoffs Fura-2 gemessen wurde. Anschließend wurden die einzelnen Zellen aus dem mikrofluidischen System isoliert und weiterkultiviert. Am nächsten Tag wurden Zellteilung und die CD69-Expression – ein wichtiger Marker für aktivierte T-Zellen – analysiert und auf Ebene der individuellen Zelle mit dem zuvor gemessenen Ca2+-Signal korreliert. Es stellte sich heraus, dass der zeitliche Verlauf des intrazellulären Ca2+-Signals zwischen aktivierten und nicht aktivierten, sowie zwischen geteilten und nicht geteilten Zellen signifikant verschieden war. Dies zeigt, dass Ca2+-Signale in stimulierten T-Zellen wichtige Informationen über eine spätere Reaktion der Zelle liefern können. Da Einzelzellen äußerst empfindlich auf ihre Umgebungsbedingungen reagieren, war die Anpassung der experimentellen Vorgehensweise im Hinblick auf die Zellverträglichkeit von großer Bedeutung. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde der Einfluss sowohl der mikrofluidischen Umgebung, als auch der elektrischen Felder auf die Überlebensrate und die intrazelluläre Ca2+-Konzentration der Zellen untersucht. Während eine kurzzeitige DEP-Manipulation im mikrofluidischen System die Vitalität der Zellen nicht beeinträchtigte, zeigten diese unregelmäßige Fluktuationen ihrer intrazellulären Ca2+-Konzentration selbst bei geringer elektrischer Feldexposition. Die Ausprägung dieser Fluktuationen war abhängig von der Expositionszeit, der elektrischen Feldstärke und der Feldfrequenz. Über die Minimierung ihres Auftretens konnten experimentelle Bedingungen mit dem geringsten Einfluss auf die Physiologie der Zellen identifiziert werden. Die Möglichkeit, einzelne Zellen zeitlich definiert und präzise mit anderen Zellen oder Oberflächen zu kontaktieren, die unmittelbare Reaktion der Zellen zu messen und diese mit späteren Ereignissen der Zellantwort zu korrelieren, macht die hier vorgestellte Methode einzigartig im Vergleich mit anderen Ansätzen und eröffnet neue Wege, die der interzellulären Kommunikation zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen aufzuklären.

Allium sativum and Tulbaghia violacea are some of the most important medicinal plants used by South African traditional healers for the treatment of flu, fever, cold, tuberculosis, asthma and many more diseases. However, growth, yield and quality are constrained by excessive and under fertilization. This study was carried out to determine, firstly, the effect of N source (ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate) on yield and quality of A. sativum and T. violacea plants. Secondly, to determine the best season for harvesting T. violacea and lastly, to determine the antifungal effects of A. sativum and T. violacea plant extracts against plant pathogens Altenaria solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Both plants were treated with both N sources applied as topdressing treatments at a total of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg.ha-1, divided into three applications at three week (A. sativum) and three month (T. violacea) intervals. A. sativum plants were sampled at 54, 82, 112, 140 and 175 days after planting (DAP) while, T. violacea plants were sampled monthly for ten months. Parameters recorded were growth analysis, yield and bioactivity for both plant species. Both nitrogen sources improved plant growth and yield of A. sativum and T. violacea plants. Calcium nitrate at 150 kg•ha-1 and ammonium sulphate at 200 kg•ha-1 produced the highest at 24 t•ha-1 and 27 t•ha-1, respectively. Ammonium sulphate improved bioactivity of leaves with the highest bioactivity recorded at 82 and 112 DAP. Yield obtained from the autumn harvest was not affected by N source. Ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate at 200 kg•ha-1 produced the highest yields of 23.6 t•ha-1 and 23.5 t•ha-1, respectively. In contrast, yield obtained from the winter harvest was affected by N source at 200 kg•ha-1, with significantly better yield of 30.8 t•ha-1 with calcium nitrate compared to 27.4 t•ha-1 with ammonium sulphate. Crude extracts of T. violacea bulbs that were treated with ammonium sulphate significantly inhibited the growth of plant pathogenic fungi, whereas extracts from plants treated with calcium nitrate showed low bioactivity. Extracts from plants grown with ammonium sulphate at 100 kg•ha-1 were more effective in controlling growth of plant pathogens when compared to other N levels. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) effects of A. sativum against S. rolfsii and A. solani were at 0.01 mg•mL-1. The MIC of T. violacea extracts against A. solani was at 0.006 mg•mL^{-1. The MIC of T. violacea extracts were better than previously reported in literature. Therefore, A. sativum and T. violacea plant extracts can be used as fungicides against S. rolfsii and A. solani diseases for crops such as tomato and potato.
Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Plant Production and Soil Science
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Thesis (MTech (Agriculture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014.
Plants require nitrogen (N) to support desired production levels. Nitrogen fertilization strategy is a major consideration in field management with regard to achieving both economic and environmental objectives. For instance, in potato, insufficient N supply reduces tuber size and overall yield while excessive N supply can reduce tuber quality and increase environmental risk through nitrate (NO3-) leaching and nitrous oxide emission. Selection of an adequate N fertilizer application rate for crops is difficult, due to marked variations in soil N supply and crop N demand in both the field and over time. This research was conducted to characterise the ammonium transporter gene (AMT1) of Bambara groundnut and potato using molecular biology and bioinformatics methods. Nucleotide database sequences were used to design AMT1-specific primers which were used to amplify and sequence the core-region of the gene from Bambara groundnut and potato. Bioinformatics techniques were used to predict the structure and infer properties of the proteins. Nucleotide sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicate that BgAMT1 and PoAMT1 are indeed from the AMT1 family, due to the clade and high similarity they respectively shared with other plant AMT1 genes. Amino acid sequence alignment showed that BgAMT1 is 92%, 89% and 87% similar to PvAMT1.1, GlycineAMT1 and LjAMT1.1 respectively, while PoAMT1 is 92%, 83% and 76% similar to LeAMT1.1, LjAMT1.1 and LeAMT1.2 respectively. BgAMT1 and PoAMT1 fragments were shown to correspond to the 5th - 10th transmembrane spanning-domains. Mutation of Bg W1A-L and S28A (for BgAMT1) and Po S70A (for PoAMT1) is predicted to enhance ammonium (NH4+) transport activity. Residues Bg D23 (for BgAMT1) and Po D16 (for PoAMT1) must be preserved otherwise NH4+ transport activity is inhibited. In all, BgAMT1 and PoAMT1 play a role in N uptake from the root while BgAMT1 may contribute more in different steps of rhizobia interaction. In an investigation of the correlation between AMT1 gene expression levels and leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI) with plant N status, potato plants were grown in a hydroponic greenhouse with 0.75 or 7.5 mM NO3- and 0.75 or 7.5 mM NH4+ as forms of N supply in a completely randomized design. Leaf CCI as measured by chlorophyll content meter, showed that an increase in N supply results in increased leaf CCI in response to both forms of N. Total RNA was isolated from leaf sampled at 28 days after treatment and expression level of the AMT1 gene was determined by reverse transcription-qPCR using a second set of primers designed for qPCR. The results showed that expression levels of AMT1 increased from 8.731 ± 2.606 when NO3- supply was high to 24.655 ± 2.93 when NO3- supply was low. However, there was no significant response in AMT1 expression levels to changes in NH4+. This result suggested that AMT1 transports NO3- less efficiently than NH4+, and thus more transport channels are required in the cell membrane when NO3- levels are low. Such variation in AMT1 expression levels are not necessary for NH4+ transport since the transport mechanism for NH4+ is efficient even at low NH4+ levels.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2008.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 131 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

The concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were determined in 12 llamas from the Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center (Oruro Technical University) of Oruro, Bolivia during two seasons (wet and dry) and at three ages (newborn, juvenile, and adult). Samples of flesh were taken from the arm, leg, back, rib, and neck. Pasture samples (grassland and prairie) were used to determine the rate of biting of each animal studied. The blood samples were taken by extracting blood from a jugular vein. The minerals (Ca and P) in the flesh are highest in the wet season, 113.78 mg/100 g. The newborns were found to have the highest concentrations of minerals during the wet and dry season, 113.78 and 93.98 mg/100 g. The mineral concentrations of calcium and phosphorus for the newborns and adults were 120.58 and 144.5 mg/100 g. The lower concentration of juveniles had 7.52 mg/100 g of calcium in the meat and reported a 9.59 mg/100 g concentration during the wet season and 6.78 mg/100 g for the dry season. The juveniles and adults recorded higher concentrations of calcium with 9.2 and 8.78 mg/100 g with the newborns having a lower value of 6.58 mg/100 g. The phosphorus in the flesh was reported to be 9.59 mg/100 g for the wet season and 6.78 mg/100 g for the dry season. The concentration of the calcium and phosphorus in the grazed pasture during the wet and dry seasons was 0.56 and 0.12 % respectively. The females recorded higher concentrations of calcium and phosphorus with 0.38% while the males recorded only a 0.30% concentration. The calcium content is higher in the pasture (0.55%) than the phosphorus (0.13%). In the wet season the biomass contains 0.91% calcium and 0.22% phosphorus. During the dry season the high calcium content was 0.19% and for phosphorus it was 0.04%. The calcium and phosphorus exist in smaller quantities in the blood during the wet season (7.25 mg/dl) and greater quantities during the dry season (9.88 mg/dl). Juvenile females have a higher quantity of calcium (10.15 mg/dl) while newborns and adults have a lower quantity (9.52 and 7.2 mg/dl).

Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2014.
Title as it appears in MIT commencement exercises program, June 2014: Reducing the contribution of the power sector to peak concentrations of ground-level ozone: an assessment of time-differentiated pricing of nitrogen oxide emissions. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-102).
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is a prevalent air pollutant across the United States and a requisite precursor for tropospheric (ground-level) ozone formation. Both pollutants significantly impact human health and welfare, so National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been established for each. As of 2013, over 100 million people in the U.S. lived in areas with ozone concentrations above the NAAQS. NOx emissions from the power sector, roughly 12% of total NOx emissions, are and will be significant contributors to ozone concentrations in the U.S. As such, states have reduced peak ozone concentrations through technology-based standards and cap-and-trade programs on NOx emissions from the power sector. These policies have largely treated NOx emissions uniformly. But marginal damages from NOx emissions are greatest on hot sunny days when meteorological conditions favor high ozone formation rates and, consequently, peak ozone concentrations. This thesis informs what type of policy is the most efficient for reducing peak ozone concentrations on high ozone days by assessing the cost-effectiveness of three policies for reducing NOx emissions on high ozone days. Emissions and costs under a relatively-novel differentiated policy, time-differentiated pricing, are compared for the first time to two currently-implemented undifferentiated policies, cap-and-trade and technology-based standards. Two power systems are studied, Texas and the Mid-Atlantic. A unique two-phase model is developed to capture the short- (re-dispatching) and long-term (control technology installation) effects of pricing schemes on power plants. The two-phase model dispatches generators with a unit commitment model, which, unlike past studies, captures real-world operational constraints of generators that may strongly influence emissions and costs under time-differentiated pricing. Technology-based standards are simulated via Monte Carlo analysis to capture the uncertain rule-making process. For reducing NOx emissions on high ozone days in both power systems, time-differentiated pricing is shown to be the most cost-effective policy with regards to producer and consumer costs. Most emissions reductions are due to substitution of gas- for coal-fired generators, as control technology installations are only observed at very high time-differentiated prices. For reducing summer-wide NOx emissions, undifferentiated pricing is the most cost-effective. In a minority of allocations, technology-based standards also achieve more cost-effective summer-wide reductions than time-differentiated pricing, but such allocations cannot be guaranteed ex ante. These results suggest that time-differentiated pricing is the most efficient policy for reducing peak ozone concentrations, depending on ozone formation rates.
by Michael T. Craig.
S.M. in Technology and Policy

This thesis details a series of studies to evaluate the effects of different dietary treatments on production performance and N utilisation in lactating dairy cows, with a particular emphasis on urinary N excretion. Firstly a digestibility trial was performed to investigate the effect of concentrate crude protein (CP) content (14.1, 16.1 and 18.1% CP) and cow genotype (Holstein vs Holstein x Swedish Red) on N and energy utilisation, nutrient digestibility, methane emissions and milk production. Reducing concentrate CP content decreased urinary and milk urea N outputs, without negatively effecting productivity, methane or energy utilisation parameters. However, crossbreeding of Holstein cows resulted in reduced gross energy, digestible energy and metabolisable energy intake and milk energy output. Regression equations were produced for estimating milk urea and urinary N output. The same concentrate feeds were then evaluated over a grazing season on pasture to examine effect on milk production and milk urea N parameters. Findings indicate concentrate CP content was negatively related to milk N/N intake and milk urea N content showed a strong tendency to increase with concentrate CP content. The effect of protein source was evaluated in a second digestibility trial. Specifically the rate of fresh white clover (WC) inclusion (0, 20 or 40% dry matter (DM) basis) in fresh perennial ryegrass based iso-nitrogenous diets on milk production, nutrient digestibility and N metabolism was investigated. White clover had no effect on production parameters despite a quadratic effect on DM and organic matter intake. However, WC inclusion linearly decreased digestible organic matter in total DM and digestibility of fiber, while increased digestibilities of N and gross energy were associated with the low WC (20%) diet. Relative to N intake, the low WC diet decreased fecal and manure N output rates while the high WC (40%) diet linearly decreased milk N output.

The primary objective of this research was to identify practices by which specialty cut flower growers can extend the vase life of cut delphinium, sunflower, and dahlia. Experiments investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilization rate on delphinium 'Guardian Mix' and the effects of deficit irrigation on delphinium 'Guardian Blue.' 'Guardian Mix' plants produced marketable cut stems at nitrogen rates as low as 50 mg/L. Deficit irrigation did not change vase life, stomatal conductance, or transpiration rates of delphinium 'Guardian Blue.' Studies tested the effects of foliar calcium applications or benzyladenine application on sunflower 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Procut Lemon.' Calcium did not change the vase life, stomatal conductance, or transpiration rates of either sunflower cultivar. Benzyladenine applied as a preharvest spray or a postharvest dip did not alter vase life of sunflower 'Moulin Rouge' or 'Procut Lemon.' Transpiration rate and conductance rates of sunflowers significantly decreased in the first three days after harvest. In both sunflower experiments, vase life of 'Moulin Rouge' was shorter than vase life of 'Procut Lemon.' Benzyladenine was also applied to dahlia 'Park Princess' and 'Karma Yin Yang' cut flowers. Benzyladenine did not change dahlia vase life. Dahlia 'Park Princess,' 'Bride to Be,' 'Cherish,' and 'Lollipop' cut flowers were not sensitive to exogenous ethylene. Further experiments tested the effect of flower stage at harvest, vase water temperature, or preharvest fungicide application on dahlia 'Park Princess' and 'Karma Yin Yang' cut flowers. Vase life of 'Park Princess' flowers was extended when flowers were harvested before fully open, but 'Park Princess' flowers harvested at budbreak failed to open completely after harvest. 'Karma Yin Yang' cut flower vase life did not differ when flowers were harvested at different stages. Placing cut dahlias in hot vase water had varied effects, but did not extend vase life of either cultivar. Fungicide applications extended vase life of 'Park Princess' flowers. However, the use of fungicide is not necessary to prevent postharvest fungal infection in cut dahlias. The results of all experiments indicate that optimal handling practices vary between cut flower taxa and that factors determining cut flower vase life are complex.
Master of Science

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Cincinnati, 2008.
Advisor: Xinhao Wang PhD (Committee Chair), David Edelman PhD (Committee Member), Jan Fritz PhD (Committee Member), William Shuster PhD (Committee Member). Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed Apr. 18, 2010). Keywords: Land cover change; cellular automata; TN loading model; non-linear regression; open space conservation network. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
O nitrogênio é nutriente absorvido em maiores quantidades na cultura do milho e o que proporciona maiores produtividades de grãos, sendo seu uso no sistema solo-planta alterado pelo sistema de cultivo utilizado. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de sistemas de cultivo e doses de nitrogênio na produção de matéria seca, nitrogênio na planta, nitrogênio foliar, produtividade de grãos e eficiência do nitrogênio no milho, foi implantado experimento de campo nos anos de 2008 e 2009, em um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, distrófico, sob irrigação. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em parcelas subdivididas, com oito repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas pela semeadura direta (SD) e plantio convencional (PC). Nas subparcelas, foram aplicadas seis doses de N (0; 40; 80; 120; 160 e 200 kg ha-1) na forma de uréia. Em 2009 a fim de avaliar a velocidade de decomposição e liberação do nitrogênio do feijão utilizado como cobertura morta, esses resíduos foram acondicionados em sacolas de náilon, as quais foram dispostas sobre o solo nas parcelas correspondente a SD e o seu conteúdo analisado em intervalos de 25 dias, até 100 dias após sua instalação. A adubação nitrogenada aumentou significativamente as variáveis relacionadas com a produtividade, sendo que a SD proporcionou a maior produção de matéria seca da parte aérea, matéria seca do grão, nitrogênio na parte aérea, nitrogênio do grão, produtividade de grãos, eficiência de absorção e uso do nitrogênio. A faixa de suficiência de nitrogênio na folha variou de 25,7 a 28,4 g kg-1. As doses máximas econômicas em 2008 e 2009 foram respectivamente de 125 e 160 kg ha-1 N
Nitrogen is the nutrient absorbed in largest quantities in maize which provides more grain yields, and its use in soil-plant system is modified by the tillage system utilized. Aiming to evaluate the effect of cropping systems and nitrogen rates on dry matter production, nitrogen in the plant, leaf nitrogen, grain yield and nitrogen efficiency in maize, field experiment was established in 2008 and 2009 in a dystrophic red-yellow Argisoil under irrigation. The split-plot experimental design were used with eight replications. The plots were established by no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Subplots were set in six levels of N(0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha-1) as urea. In 2009, in order to assess the speed of decomposition and nitrogen release from the bean plant used as cover crop, plant residues were packaged in nylon bags, which were arranged on the ground in the plots corresponding to NT and its contents examined at intervals of 25 days until 100 days after its installation. The nitrogen fertilization increased significantly the variables related to productivity, being that no-tillage provided the highest dry matter yield on shoot, dry matter of grain, nitrogen on shoot, grain nitrogen, grain yield, nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency. The sufficiency range of leaf nitrogen ranged from 25.7 to 28.4 g kg-1. The maximum economic rates in 2008 and 2009 season were respectively 125 and 160 kg ha-1N

There is an extended concern for how to quantify the fluxes of greenhouse gasses (GHG) and how they are related to climate change and land use. Efforts have already been done, mostly regarding carbon (C) compounds, but there is still much to be done especially to understand regulating factors and interactions with the Nitrogen cycle. NitroEurope is a large project for the integrated European research into the N cycle. This study shares its aim, to improve the understanding the physics involved in the fluxes of the reactive N (Nr). More specifically, the patterns of some physical and biological processes related to Nr have been studied for two wetlands, one in the proximity of Edinburgh and the other in the North of Finland.   A common model setup has been used for both of them, since they are both peat soils. The differences applied to achieve appropriate performances give insights of their nature. The presence of snow is a major factor that governs the behavior of the site in Finland. The scaling of existing models for the estimation of heat transfer in the soil of the Scottish site is also critical, such as its groundwater level. The sites represent different climatic conditions, but for CO2 fluxes they showed similar behavior and response to governing meteorological conditions. Using the GLUE method in combination with a process oriented ecosystem model, some further insights have been gained for the regulation and control of greenhouse gas emissions from the two sites.

In this study, annual total phosphorus (TP) budget and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) load were constructed for Lakes Mogan and Eymir for the period of eight years from 1997 to 2004 and the period of ten years covering from 1993 to 1995 and 1997 to 2004, respectively. Lake Mogan experienced seasonal and interannual water level fluctuations. Low water level experienced in 2001 led to decrease in the in-lake TP amount whereas 2-fold increase in the in-lake DIN amount was recorded. Also, high hydraulic residence time resulted in high TP and DIN amount in the lake. Increase in hydraulic residence time was due to management of the lake level. It seems that this practice deteriorates the water quality of Lake Mogan. In Lake Eymir, sewage effluent diversion undertaken in 1995 resulted in 2-fold and 11-fold decrease in TP and DIN amounts in the lake, respectively. High biomass of carp and tench were halved through selective removal during 1998-1999. A 2.5-fold and 1.5 fold decrease in the in-lake TP and DIN amounts, respectively, were recorded after the biomanipulation. In low water level years, the in-lake TP increased and the in-lake DIN amounts were high despite the fact that TP and DIN loads via inflows were significantly low. Therefore, the results showed that the in-lake phosphorus and nitrogen amount were controlled by internal processes rather than external loading in the years with low water levels which coincided with the high hydraulic residence times.

Abstract Boreal urban forests are becoming more and more fragmented and, at the same time, are exposed to low-level but long-term nitrogen and sulphur deposition. Natural mid-boreal forests are dominated by few tree and shrub species, while herbs and grasses are rare. Soils in mid-boreal forests are rich in ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, forming a symbiotic relationship with forest trees, which is important for the nutrient cycle especially in nutrient-poor ecosystems. Aims of this thesis were 1) to study differences between mid-boreal urban and rural forests in composition of macrofungi and structure of plant communities, 2) to explore whether responses of Scots pine seedlings to excess N are mediated via soil or via air, and 3) to study if partial removal of vegetation and humus layer alleviates the adverse effects of excess N on plant and fungal communities, and promotes performance and regeneration of Scots pine in urban forests. The growth responses of seedlings and their mycorrhizal colonization were studied in both field and greenhouse experiments. Peroxidase (POD) activity was used as a root stress indicator. Urban forests were poor in number of fruiting ECM fungal species, but rich in herbs and grasses in the field layer, as compared to rural forests. These differences were thought to result from changes in soil properties. ECM fungal colonization in Scots pine roots did not respond significantly to high nitrogen load in soil, but high root POD activity indicated changes in root physiology. ECM macrofungal diversity in urban forests was not markedly increased during a five-year survey after a partial humus removal treatment. On the other hand, fruiting of Cortinarius semisanguineus is a positive response to the treatment. Scots pine seedling emergence was poor due to rapid revegetation at the urban sites, but the treatment promoted both root and shoot growth of planted Scots pine seedlings in urban forests. Decreased root POD activity in Scots pine seedlings in the humus removal treatment possibly indicates lowered root stress. Soil manipulations may result in a risk of nutrient leakage, and a risk of invasion by non-typical plants. Also, small stand size with high recreation pressure causes a risk for tree regeneration in urban forest stands. These risks need to be considered when planning management of urban coniferous forests.

Objective: To examine the association between subclinical atherosclerosis (ascertained as coronary artery calcium; CAC) in asymptomatic individuals in the Central Appalachian region of the United States and individual- and geographic-level factors. Methods: Data were obtained from participants in CAC screening during 2012 and 2016. CAC score was assessed as CAC=0 (no plaque), 1≤CAC≤99 (mild plaque), 100≤CAC≤399 (moderate plaque), and CAC≥400 (severe plaque). Additionally, data on demographics (age, sex, and race), medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) were obtained. Further, zip codes of place of residence for participants were used to generate geographic-level data. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of CAC, and multinomial logistic regression models were used to delineate significant factors. Results: Of 1512 participants, 57.6% had CAC>0. The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe plaques was 31.6%, 16.3%, and 9.7%, respectively. Demographic, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and family history of CAD were associated with increased risk for subclinical atherosclerosis. Further, the proportion of minority residents significantly increased the risk for severe plaque [RRR=1.06; p-value=0.04] and the proportion of residents on government assistance significantly decreased the risk for mild plaque [RRR=0.93; p-value=0.03]. Conclusion: The results imply that the proportion of minority residents in a geographic area is associated with increased relative risk for subclinical atherosclerosis, while the proportion of residents on government assistance decreased such risk. However, future geographic or neighborhood-level studies with larger sample size are needed to delineate further the consistency of these results in the Central Appalachian population.

Resumo: O nitrogênio é nutriente absorvido em maiores quantidades na cultura do milho e o que proporciona maiores produtividades de grãos, sendo seu uso no sistema solo-planta alterado pelo sistema de cultivo utilizado. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de sistemas de cultivo e doses de nitrogênio na produção de matéria seca, nitrogênio na planta, nitrogênio foliar, produtividade de grãos e eficiência do nitrogênio no milho, foi implantado experimento de campo nos anos de 2008 e 2009, em um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, distrófico, sob irrigação. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em parcelas subdivididas, com oito repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas pela semeadura direta (SD) e plantio convencional (PC). Nas subparcelas, foram aplicadas seis doses de N (0; 40; 80; 120; 160 e 200 kg ha-1) na forma de uréia. Em 2009 a fim de avaliar a velocidade de decomposição e liberação do nitrogênio do feijão utilizado como cobertura morta, esses resíduos foram acondicionados em sacolas de náilon, as quais foram dispostas sobre o solo nas parcelas correspondente a SD e o seu conteúdo analisado em intervalos de 25 dias, até 100 dias após sua instalação. A adubação nitrogenada aumentou significativamente as variáveis relacionadas com a produtividade, sendo que a SD proporcionou a maior produção de matéria seca da parte aérea, matéria seca do grão, nitrogênio na parte aérea, nitrogênio do grão, produtividade de grãos, eficiência de absorção e uso do nitrogênio. A faixa de suficiência de nitrogênio na folha variou de 25,7 a 28,4 g kg-1. As doses máximas econômicas em 2008 e 2009 foram respectivamente de 125 e 160 kg ha-1 N
Abstract: Nitrogen is the nutrient absorbed in largest quantities in maize which provides more grain yields, and its use in soil-plant system is modified by the tillage system utilized. Aiming to evaluate the effect of cropping systems and nitrogen rates on dry matter production, nitrogen in the plant, leaf nitrogen, grain yield and nitrogen efficiency in maize, field experiment was established in 2008 and 2009 in a dystrophic red-yellow Argisoil under irrigation. The split-plot experimental design were used with eight replications. The plots were established by no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Subplots were set in six levels of N(0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha-1) as urea. In 2009, in order to assess the speed of decomposition and nitrogen release from the bean plant used as cover crop, plant residues were packaged in nylon bags, which were arranged on the ground in the plots corresponding to NT and its contents examined at intervals of 25 days until 100 days after its installation. The nitrogen fertilization increased significantly the variables related to productivity, being that no-tillage provided the highest dry matter yield on shoot, dry matter of grain, nitrogen on shoot, grain nitrogen, grain yield, nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency. The sufficiency range of leaf nitrogen ranged from 25.7 to 28.4 g kg-1. The maximum economic rates in 2008 and 2009 season were respectively 125 and 160 kg ha-1N
Orientador: Edson Luiz Mendes Coutinho
Coorientador: Adeodato Ari Cavalcante Salviano
Banca: Luiz Evaldo de Moura Pádua
Banca: Takashi Muraoka
Banca: José Carlos Barbosa
Banca: José Eduardo Corá
Doutor

Prescribed fire use in Virginia and West Virginia has increased over the past ten years as forest managers on public lands have increasingly used prescribed fire to meet management goals. These goals include hazardous fuel reduction, wildlife habitat restoration and management, and control of less desired vegetation. Research is needed to better understand the effects of wildland fire on forest ecosystems. In this study, we addressed wildland fire's effects on water, vegetation, and soil resources in the central Appalachian Region. Moreover, the long-term efficacy of various types of timber harvests on forest fuel reduction was analyzed. Over fifty peer-reviewed articles were evaluated to characterize the effects of prescribed fire on physical, chemical, and biological water quality parameters throughout the eastern United States. It was determined that fires of low to moderate intensity and severity may cause short-term sediment and nutrient increases in nearby waterbodies, but these effects often dissipate within 2-3 years. Effects on biological organisms are more transient, frequently lasting from a few weeks to a few months. Regeneration following wildfires at three sites in Virginia and West Virginia varied due to fire behavior and time since fire. Preferred and undesired species responded differently at each site. Follow-up treatments and continued monitoring are needed to obtain desired vegetative compositions post-fire. Two dormant season prescribed fires on the Fishburn Forest near Blacksburg, Virginia were studied for mineral soil chemistry effects. Both treatment and time affected macronutrient levels, but no differences were present 6 and 14 months post-fire between burned and unburned locations. Forest fuels were quantified approximately 20 years following different silvicultural harvests on the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest. Fuels of different size classes responded differently to different harvests as fine fuels were reduced by the high-leave shelterwood treatment, and coarse woody fuels were reduced by the clearcut and low-leave shelterwood treatments. Overall, low intensity and low severity fires induce minimal, potentially negative changes in water and soil quality. In contrast, wildfires of high intensity and severity may potentially contribute to changes in species composition and forest floor properties. Furthermore, varying levels of overstory removal may reduce extreme wildfire risk for decades. The findings of this study reinforce the need for continued research and monitoring of both wildfire effects and prescribed fire use in the central Appalachian Region.
Doctor of Philosophy
It is well-documented that fire has occurred in forested ecosystems for millennia. In addition to natural ignitions, indigenous peoples used fire for various reasons, such as understory reduction, hunting, and crop cultivation. As European settlers arrived and advanced across North America, they continued to use fire as a tool to shape the landscape to fit their societal needs. The use of fire by humans in North America all but ceased in the early 20th century. Large fire events in the western United States motivated the newly created United States Forest Service to restrict fire from the landscape. The fire exclusion policy of the early 20th century had unintended consequences, such as increased fire risk due to fuel accumulation and a shift from fire-tolerant species, such as oaks and pines, to fire-intolerant species. More recently, the perception of wildland fire has been re-examined due to ecological and societal issues. Although federal and state agencies are burning more acres, the public's wariness towards wildland fire is prevalent. As attitudes about wildland fire have changed, so have the research needs. Information regarding the effects of both wild and prescribed fires on forest ecosystems is needed throughout the United States, including the eastern United States, and more specifically, within the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. This dissertation discusses the effects of both wild and prescribed fires on various forests processes within these regions. In this dissertation, 1) the impacts of prescribed fire on water quality, 2) the responses of forest vegetation to wildfire, and 3) and the effects of prescribed fire on soil nutrients were investigated. Additionally, different timber harvests were studied to determine their long-term effects on potentially hazardous fuel loads. The results indicated that water quality is generally not impacted by low intensity and severity prescribed fires in the eastern United States. It was determined that vegetation often responds vigorously to wildfires, and subsequent species composition varies based on factors such as fire severity, site conditions, time since fire, and overstory species composition. When examining soil nutrients for 14 months following prescribed fires, nutrient changes occurred in both unburned and burned locations. When fuel loads were compared between timber harvests of varying intensities, woody fuels were reduced in the long-term. This reduction may minimize potential wildfire behavior and effects. While both wild and prescribed fires impact forest processes, they generally do so in different ways. This is mainly due to differences in fire behavior between these fire types. Effects of wildfires on water quality, soil chemistry, and vegetation tend to last longer than prescribed fire. Additionally, prescribed fire, when used in conjunction with other forest management activities, may reduce potentially negative wildfire impacts. Monitoring post-fire effects is critical to understanding the best way to use prescribed fire as a forest management tool.

In this retrospective cohort from 2002 through 2007, 104,003 singleton live births in Hillsborough County, Florida were analyzed to elucidate the relationship between feto-infant morbidity outcomes and prenatal exposure to six criteria air pollutants. This study is based on three linked databases: The Florida Hospital Discharge database; The vital statistics records of singleton live births; Air Pollution meteorological data from the Environmental Protection Agency. There are six common air pollutants, particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), particulate matter 10 (PM10), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen (NOx), and lead (Pb). These pollutants are harmful to human health and the environment. The primary outcomes of interest were low birth weight (LBW), preterm births, and small for gestational age (SGA). The intent of this project is to address these issues of air pollution effects and the methodology surrounding the study of air pollution. Using modeling, exposure values of the six criteria air pollutants were assigned to mothers over their period of pregnancy. To address these methodological concerns, this study utilizes the structural equation modeling, quartile groupings with dose response, and trimester groupings to evaluate the relationship between air pollution and birth outcomes of pregnant residents. Using structural equation modeling a significant B value of 0.35 indicated that exposure to the six criteria pollutant in pregnancy may have a significant relationship to all five birth outcomes if they are broken down into latent variables. Quartile data demonstrated that NOx seemed to have most significant associations with all outcomes with a dose response for SGA. PM10 and PM2.5 had some association to LBW and VLBW at high levels. PM10 demonstrated significance in the higher doses for SGA. However, the only dose response relationship that was demonstrated for PM10 and PM2.5 was in VLBW. PM10 also demonstrated a dose response with very preterm. If sub-divided into trimester data, PM10 demonstrated a significant relationship between exposures in all trimesters and LBW, VLBW, and SGA. PM2.5 demonstrated a significant relationship between exposures in all trimesters and VLBW. CO demonstrated a significant relationship in the 2nd trimester for LBW as well as for SGA. Mothers and their babies are a vulnerable population who are more susceptible to lower levels of pollution. These air pollutants can possibly have long-term effect on their children. Implantation of laws and regulations, warning system, or more strict EPA standards may be needed to adequately control the cost to our society.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Os tecidos vegetais tendem a ficar mais tenros em sistemas de produção onde maior fertilização com nitrogênio (N) é exigida, favorecendo o auto-sombreamento das plantas; entretanto, com aplicação de silício (Si), há melhoria na arquitetura foliar, reduzindo tal fenômeno. Objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada e sua interação com a adição de Si na forma de escória de siderurgia nos atributos químicos do solo, na nutrição e na produtividade da cana-planta. O experimento foi instalado em condições de campo no município de Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 5x2, sendo cinco doses de N (0, 30, 60, 90 e 120 kg ha-1) com Si (escória de siderurgia) e sem adição de Si (calcário), em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os atributos químicos do solo não diferiram com a aplicação de calcário ou de escória após 99 dias da aplicação dos materiais corretivos tampouco não houve mobilidade das bases no perfil do solo. A adubação nitrogenada com ou sem adição de Si não afetou as variáveis de desenvolvimento da cana-planta. Os maiores acúmulos de N, P, K, Mg, S, Cu e Zn ocorreram no colmo, ao passo que os maiores acúmulos de Ca, B, Fe, Mn e Si apresentaram-se nas folhas. Os elementos mais extraídos pela cana-planta (variedade RB855156) foram Si, K e N. Houve efeito da adubação nitrogenada na produtividade da cana-planta quando associada à adição de Si na forma de escória, ocorrendo aumento de 15 t ha-1 na produção de colmos industrializáveis. O uso da adubação nitrogenada incrementou o teor de sacarose e fibra de forma linear, entretanto, não houve efeito da escória nas variáveis tecnológicas da cana-planta. De modo geral, a adubação nitrogenada associada à adição de Si na forma de escória mostra-se adequada ao cultivo da cana-planta
In cases where more N fertilization is applied, plant tissues are tender and self-shading of the plants may result. Moreover, Si is important because it promotes improved leaf architecture and reduces self-shading. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen with addition of Si as slag in soil chemical properties, nutrition and cane plant yield. The experiment was carried out in Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State, Brazil with five N rates: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1 with Si (slag) and without Si (lime), in a randomized block with four replications. The soil chemical properties did not differ with the application of lime or slag in 99 days after application neither any mobility of bases in the soil profile was verified. Nitrogen fertilization with or without addition of Si did not affect the growth parameters of the cane plant. Accumulation of N, P, K, Mg, S, Cu and Zn mostly occurred in the stalk, while the highest Ca, B, Fe, Mn and Si accumulation were found in the leaves. Si, K and N were the most elements extracted by the cane plant (variety RB855156). No significant effects of N fertilization on cane plant yield; however, when associated with Si as slag, there was an increase of 15 t ha-1 of stalks. Nitrogen fertilizer increased the sucrose content and fiber linearly, however, no effect of adding slag in the technological variables of the cane plant. In general, nitrogen associated with Si added in the form of slag proved to be adequate for the cultivation of cane plant

En un assaig de tres anys amb pomes Golden Smoothee, cultivades a Gimenells (Lleida), es van realitzar diferents estratègies d'aplicació de calci sobre els fruits, combinades amb dues dosis d'abonat nitrogenat. Es van comparar els fruits de Gimenells amb els d'una finca de Pina d'Ebre (Saragossa), on també es va aplicar en totes dues el producte 1-MCP. Realitzant aplicacions de calci precollita, es va aconseguir incrementar els nivells d'aquest nutrient a les pomes, i caldrà aconseguir uns continguts mínims per obtenir una bona qualitat en collita i després de la seva conservació, aconseguint reduir el bitter pit i la plara, encara que no es van arribar a eliminar totalment. Una aplicació elevada de nitrogen va provocar una interacció amb el calci, que es va manifestar en el segon any d'assaig. Els fruits tractats amb 1-MCP van aconseguir mantenir millor la fermesa durant la conservació, amb uns nivells de respiració i producció d'etilè menors.
En un ensayo de tres años con manzanas Golden Smoothee, cultivadas en Gimenells (Lleida), se realizaron diferentes estrategias de aplicación de calcio sobre los frutos, combinadas con dos dosis de abonado nitrogenado. Se compararon los frutos de Gimenells con los de una finca de Pina de Ebro (Zaragoza), donde también se les aplicó en ambas el producto 1-MCP. Realizando aplicaciones de calcio precosecha, se consiguió incrementar los niveles de este nutriente en las manzanas, siendo necesario alcanzar unos contenidos mínimos para obtener una buena calidad en cosecha y después de su conservación, consiguiéndose reducir el bitter pit y la plara, aunque no se llegaron a eliminar totalmente. Una aplicación elevada de nitrógeno provocó una interacción con el calcio, que se manifiesto en el segundo año de ensayo. Los frutos tratados con 1-MCP consiguieron mantener mejor la firmeza durante la conservación, con unos niveles de respiración y producción de etileno menores.
In a three-year trial with Golden Smoothee apples grown in Gimenells (Lleida), different strategies were performed calcium application on fruit, combined with two doses of nitrogen fertilization. We compared the fruits of Gimenells with an estate of Pina de Ebro (Zaragoza), where he also was applied in both the product 1-MCP. Performing preharvest calcium application, is able to increase the levels of this nutrient in apples, being necessary to achieve minimum contents for a good quality harvest and after storage, which results in reducing bitter pit and plara, but were never total elimination. A high nitrogen application caused an interaction with calcium, which is evident in the second year of study. The fruits treated with 1-MCP got better maintain firmness during storage, with levels of respiration and ethylene production minors.

Plântulas obtidas a partir de germinação de sementes in vitro da bromélia Aechmea blanchetiana foram cultivadas em meio líquido para o estudo do crescimento em diferentes concentrações de nitrogênio (7,5; 15; 30; 60 e 120 mM.L-1), fósforo (0,15; 0,30; 0,60; 1,25 e 2,50 mM.L-1), potássio (2,5; 5; 10; 20 e 40 mM.L-1) e cálcio (1,5; 3; 4,5; 6 e 12 mM.L-1). As plântulas foram cultivadas sob 93 µmol.m-2.s-1 de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa, sob fotoperíodo de 12 horas e temperatura de 25oC ± 1, durante 120 dias e subcultivos a cada 30 dias. As concentrações dos nutrientes foram formuladas com base no meio MS e foram subcultivadas a cada 30 dias, totalizando 4 meses de cultivo. Para observar tão somente a ação dos nutrientes no crescimento, não foram adicionados reguladores de crescimento ao meio. A concentração 7,5 mM.L-1 de nitrogênio no meio MS modificado foi o nível ótimo para a produção de massa fresca e seca no cultivo in vitro das plântulas, enquanto que as concentrações maiores mostraram-se excessivas. A concentração 2,5 mM.L-1 de fósforo no meio foi o valor que proporcionou a maior produção de massa seca e fresca das plântulas. A concentração ótima de potássio no meio MS modificado foi de 32,6 mM.L-1, em média, estimada a partir de massas dos diferentes órgãos das plântulas de A. blanchetiana, sendo que as maiores concentrações mostraram os efeitos do excesso de potássio. O cálcio promoveu o maior incremento na produção de massa fresca e seca na concentração 9,38 mM.L-1, em média, e foi excessivo acima desse valor, sendo que o cloro, proveniente de CaCl2.2H2O, foi excessivo ao crescimento da massa fresca e seca na concentração 3,35 mM.L-1, em média.
Seedlings of the bromeliad Aechmea blanchetiana were axenically cultured in liquid MS basal medium without growth regulators but supplemented with different concentrations of nitrogen (7.5; 15; 30; 60 or 120 mM.L-1), phosphorus (0.15; 0.30; 0.60; 1.25 or 2.50 mM.L-1), potassium (2.5; 5; 10; 20 or 40 mM.L-1) or calcium (1.5; 3; 4.5; 6 or 12 mM.L-1). The resulting plantlets were cultured under 93 µmol.m-2.s-1 illumination, 12 hour photoperiod regime and 25oC ± 1 for 120 days with subcultures to fresh identical media every 30 days. The highest fresh weight for plantlets cultured in medium supplemented with nitrogen was 7.5 mM.L-1, whereas increased concentrations were shown to be excessive. For phosphorus (phosphate), 2.5 mM.L-1 produced the highest fresh and dry mass, while the optimal concentrations of potassium was found to be 32.6 mM.L-1 and higher concentrations were shown to be toxic. Calcium sustained the highest fresh and dry mass increase under 9.38 mM.L-1 but were excessive above that figure, especially due to the toxicity of chlorine from CaCl2.2H2O over the concentration of 3.35 mM.L-1.