Plant Sciences Masters Theses

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The Acquisition of Useful Disease Resistance Genes for Hard Red Winter Wheat Improvement
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Poudel, Roshan Sharma
This study was part of a larger pre-breeding effort to develop new parental materials carrying useful genes for disease resistance and adaptation. Firstly, marker-assisted backcrosses were employed to transfer and pyramid combinations of disease resistance genes (Fhb1, Lr34, Lr53, Sr2, Sr26, Sr39, and Sr50) and a reduced height gene (Rht-B1b) into the variety Norstar. Following the third backcross to Norstar, the various backcrossed progenies were inter-mated to derive progenies having combinations of Fhb1 and Rht-B1b plus the targeted leaf and/or stem rust resistance genes. Five NILs (each carrying Fhb1 and Rht-B1b) that differ for the leaf and stem rust resistance genes they possess were recovered. Secondly, a mapping study using the 9K Illumina Infinium iSelect wheat assay was conducted with a F2 mapping population developed by crossing Lr59-25 (0306/2*CSph1b//CSN1AT1B/3/Thatcher) and Superb. Lr59 was mapped 0.5cM distally from the co-segregating SNPs IWA1495, IWA6704, IWA2098 and IWA969 on wheat chromosome arm 6BS.
Aminocyclopyrachlor Efficacy on Native Forbs, and Soil Seedbank Change 15 Years Following Release of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) Biological Control Agents
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Thilmony, Blake Marie
Native prairie response to aminocyclopyrachlor (AMCP) was evaluated in the Northern Great Plains. AMCP altered plant communities and reduced foliar cover of introduced, high seral, and low seral forb species. After treatment, high and low seral monocots increased at both sites due to reduced competition from susceptible forbs. AMCP reduced richness, evenness, and diversity. Aphthona spp. were released in the Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota in 1999 for leafy spurge biological control. Soil seedbank composition was sampled from two ecological sites to evaluate changes in the plant community. By 2014, leafy spurge abundance decreased 92% on average. Subsequently, Kentucky bluegrass increased, but has also been deterred by a slow reintroduction of native species. High seral forb species richness has doubled in both ecological sites since 1999. Aphthona spp. successfully controlled leafy spurge for over 15 yr without any additional control methods or costs to land managers.
Aminocyclopyrachlor: Weed Control, Soil Dissipation, and Efficacy to Seedling Grasses
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Conklin, Katie Lynn
Aminocyclopyrachlor was developed for invasive weed control in non-cropland. Weed control, soil dissipation, and seedling grass tolerance with aminocyclopyrachlor were evaluated in field and greenhouse trials. Weed control was evaluated with aminocyclopyrachlor applied at 70 to 210 g ha-1. Absinth wormwood was controlled when treated during vegetative growth, but yellow toadflax was only controlled at flowering. Aminocyclopyrachlor alone did not control houndstongue. Aminocyclopyrachlor dissipation generally increased as either soil moisture or temperature increased. The DT50 values ranged from 3 to > 112 d. Aminocyclopyrachlor applied to cool season grasses at 91 to 112 g ha-1 provided adequate weed control and was safe for use on intermediate wheatgrass, but injured western wheatgrass. Efficacy to green needlegrass could not be determined. Big bluestem, sideoats grama, and switchgrass were difficult to evaluate due to poor grass establishment, but minimal injury was observed when aminocyclopyrachlor was applied at 91 to 168 g ha-1.
Association Mapping of Agronomic Traits of Dry Beans Using Breeding Populations
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Agarwal, Chiti
Genome wide association mapping (GWAS) is an effective method to fine-map QTL because of its higher mapping resolution. In order to evaluate the possibility of using breeding populations for GWAS, analysis were conducted using AYTs (Advanced Yield Trials) and PYTs (Preliminary Yield Trials) from the NDSU dry bean breeding program, grown in 2012 at four locations in North Dakota using a 6k SNP chip. Genomic regions were evaluated separately for AYT, PYT, AYT+PYT, and races Mesoamerica and Durango. Overall, 13, 11, 9, and 9 significant markers were found for seed yield, maturity, 100-seed weight, and plant height respectively. Two candidate genes for seed yield and four candidate genes for days to maturity were identified. These markers are highly diagnostic within and among NDSU bean breeding populations and therefore, they could be directly used in Marker assisted selection to develop improved bean varieties while maintaining commercially desired phenotypic characteristics of beans.
Association Studies on Pre-Germination Flooding Tolerance and Cell Wall Components Related to Plant Architecture in Dry Bean
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Walter, Katelynn
Dry bean breeding programs have made significant advances in combating both abiotic and biotic stresses as well as improving plant architectural traits via selective breeding. Flooding can cause complete crop loss in dry bean. On the other hand, breeding for an upright architecture in dry bean has been a breeding target in several programs. However, the stem cell wall components underlying this change have yet to be studied. This research focused on analyzing the cell wall components that might be involved in dry bean architecture as well as pre-germination flooding tolerance in dry bean. For the plant architecture study, two significant genomic regions were identified on Pv07 and Pv08 associated with lignin accumulation in dry bean. For the pre-germination flooding study, one unpigmented seed coat genotype (Verano) and three pigmented seed coat genotypes (Indeterminate Jamaica Red, Durango, and Midnight) had germination rates similar to that of the tolerant check.
Biomass Yield and Nutritive Value of Annual Forage Mixes Compared With Monocrops
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Mozea, Kenneth
Forage mixes could serve as a cover crop mix to protect the soil during the winter, for prevented planting areas or as a high nutritious feed for grazing livestock. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritive value and productivity of selected annual forage mixes compared with forage sorghum monocrops. The nutritive value of annual forage mixes and monocrops varied across environments and between treatments. Monocultures produced more biomass than annual forage mixes. The three most productive mixes in comparison to the others were hybrid brassica/oat/forage pea/forage sorghum x sudangrass/sweet sorghum blend/foxtail millet, turnip/forage sorghum x sudangrass/sweet sorghum blend/forage pea/hybrid brassicas/oat/faba bean/forage pea, and forage sorghum x sudangrass/radish mix. The latter being the most cost-effective mix. Forage sorghum dominated annual forage mixes at a planting rate of 2.2 kg/ha. These results emphasize how forage annual mixes can provide additional forage for livestock.
Characterization of Selected Winter Hardiness Traits in Pea (Pisum Sativum L.)
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Fiebelkorn, Danielle
Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important crop from an agronomic and nutritional standpoint. Winter pea has further agronomic benefits for producers; however, sufficient winter hardiness to survive harsh North Dakota conditions is lacking. Winter hardiness was evaluated in the field and greenhouse using replicated trials with 267 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross ‘Medora’/‘Melrose’. Similar reactions were observed between the two trials. An optimum protocol based on acclimation time and scoring method to predict winter hardy genotypes using controlled environment conditions was studied. Twelve genotypes were acclimated for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 4 degrees Celsius prior to being frozen at -8 or -12 degrees Celsius for 1 hour. Three weeks of acclimation and scoring 21 days after freezing provided the best differentiation among genotypes. This research provided direction for development of winter pea varieties suited to the harsh winter conditions of North Dakota.
Characterizing Chromosomes for Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in a Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivar, 'Frontana'
(North Dakota State University, 2009) Yabwalo, Dalitso Noble
Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum, is a major fungal disease of wheat and other cereal crops that causes both yield and quality losses due to shriveled kernels and accumulation of mycotoxins in the seed. 'Frontana', a Brazilian spring wheat cultivar, is a source ofresistance genes to FHB, and it is believed to express resistance to both the establishment and spread of FHB (type I and type II resistance, respectively). Reciprocal backcross monosomic (RBCM) lines developed using Frontana and 'Chris', a susceptible spring wheat cultivar, and involving critical chromosomes 3A, 6A, and 4D from these parents were compared to characterize the type of resistance expressed by Frontana and confirm the chromosomes carrying genes for resistance. In four separate greenhouse tests, spray and single floret inoculation techniques were used to assess both types of resistance. Plants were inoculated when half of the plants in a pot were at anthesis (Feekes Growth Stage 10.5). Genotypes were evaluated for disease incidence, spread, deoxynivalinol (DON) content, Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and severity at 21 d after inoculation. Generally, RBCM lines with the critical Frontana chromosomes had low FHB incidence, spread, and severity. The RBCM line with chromosome 3A from Frontana exhibited the lowest FHB severity after spray inoculation, and the least spread after point inoculation. Frontana 3A lines had the lowest FHB incidence levels after spray inoculation amongst the RBCM lines that were tested. This implies the presence of major resistance genes on chromosome 3A which are likely involved in both resistance to disease establishment and spread. However, resistance genes on 3A likely also interact with genes on other chromosomes to confer resistance to FHB because Frontana typically expressed a higher level of resistance to disease establishment and spread. Chromosome 4D also seems to play a significant role in Type I resistance while 6A contributes to Type II resistance.
Characterizing Late Blight Resistance of Parental Genotypes Used in the North Dakota State University Potato Breeding Program
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Bjerke, James
The potato is an important food crop, and late blight is a potato disease costing growers millions of dollars. Utilizing cultivars with late blight resistance is the longest-term option to manage the disease. This two-part study identified genetic resistance to late blight present in North Dakota State University potato germplasm. More than 750 families were screened using a multiyear detached leaf assay. ND8277B-5, Dakota Trailblazer, EB8109-1, ND028856B-1Russ, and Stirling, were found to be the most successful parents. Additionally, 236 clones were evaluated for six late blight resistance (R) genes: R1, R2, R3, RB, Rpi-smira1, and Rpi-ber1. At least one R gene was found in 136 clones. The R1 gene was most prevalent. R1, R2, R3, and RB genes were present in ND14358AB-1, while three R genes were present in Etb 5-31-3 and J101-K6. These evaluations can guide breeding efforts for R gene stacking, developing a durable resistance to late blight.
Cold Hardiness and Survival of Interspecific Vitis Hybrids
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Bogenrief, Sarah Marie
Cold hardiness and survival of wine grapes in two locations in North Dakota was determined using differential thermal analysis for five cultivars in 2020 and six cultivars from 2020-2021. Phenological data was collected during the growing season of 2020. Phenological data showed that cultivars broke bud early in the season and matured before the first fall frost. In 2020, cultivars at Red Trail Vineyard were hardier than those at the North Dakota State University Horticulture Research Station and ‘King of the North’ exhibited greatest hardiness, while ‘Frontenac’ and ‘Frontenac gris’ exhibited lowest hardiness. Across both locations, ‘King of the North’ proved to be the most cold hardy cultivar. Unpredictable minimum temperatures during dormancy, subsequent winter injury and herbicide drift all influenced bud cold hardiness, vine recovery, and survival. These results suggest that when growing wine grapes in North Dakota, cultivar selection and vineyard placement are critical factors in sustainable production.
Comparison and Standardization of Wheat Pre-Harvest Sprouting Screening Methods, Preliminary Screening of Genomic Panel Lines
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Visto, Haley
Preharvest sprouting (PHS) in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) is a significant problem in the United States, with many ways to evaluate it. When unharvested wheat begins to sprout, the grain begins to germinate reducing functional quality. Screening methods for PHS can range from in-situ spike misting to seed wetting. Each method has multiple published protocols, each with differing results. This experiment sought to compare two common screening methods, in-situ spike misting and seed wetting, from both field grown, and greenhouse grown seed sources. The experiment was comprised of 528 wheat lines in 2020 and a 50-genotype subset in 2021. Results from the correlation of methods analysis yielded a high correlation (r=0.74). Results from the correlation of sourced material analysis yielded a high correlation also (r=0.87). A preliminary genome wide association study identified a significant QTL present on chromosome 4A. This work will serve as a foundation for future studies.
Corn Hybrid Response to Skip-Row Planting Configurations and Plant Population in Western North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Lungren, Nathaniel James David
Management practices are needed for stable com (Zea mays L.) production in drought prone regions of western North Dakota. Analysis of weather data suggests areas like those near Mandan and Hettinger suffer severe drought about 50% of the time. Since most of the rainfall in western North Dakota is in early summer, the soil water reserves may be completely utilized by anthesis, which can result in low yields or crop failure because of corn's water requirement and sensitivity to stress during this period. Skip-row planting configurations can conserve water and improve grain yield in certain environments. The objective of this research was to identify hybrids and hybrid characteristics that are better adapted to skip-row planting configurations and the optimum plant population when rows are skipped. Three field trials were conducted in 2009 and 2010 in western North Dakota. Six hybrids with two populations were used within three planting configurations: plant every row (P All), plant two - skip one row (P2S1), and plant one - skip one row (P1S1). Weather data were also analyzed to determine the frequency of drought. The long-term average precipitation in Mandan is 43.3 cm annually. In 2009 and 2010, there was 48.4 and 48.0 cm of rain, respectively. Grain yields for the three environments analyzed, 2009 dry pea, 2010 dry pea, and 2010 sunflower residue, were 6.93, 6.97, and 6.97 Mg ha^-1, respectively. Planting configuration affected grain yield and plant population at harvest with P All having significantly more grain yield and final plant population than P2S1 and P1S1, which were not significantly different from one another. The P All, P2S1, and PlS1 grain 111 yields were 7.89, 6.78, and 6.27 Mg ha^-1, and the plant populations at harvest were 63,149, 51,608, and 45,622 plants ha^-1, respectively. The plant population partially explains the difference in grain yield for the three planting configurations. The two plant populations used in these experiments were 59,280 (high) and 44,460 (low) plants ha^-1, but at harvest they actually were 57,953 and 48,967 plants ha^-1, respectively. The higher plant population had significantly more grain yield and significantly Jess test weight. The grain yield for the high and low plant populations was 7 .19 and 6. 73 Mg ha^-1. The six hybrids tested were NuTech 3T-484, PH 38R51, NuTech 3C-389, DKC 33-54, DKC 30-23, and PH 39D97, and their grain yields were 7.76, 7.50, 7.07, 6.81, 6.42, and 6.20 Mg ha^-1, respectively. Overall, later maturing hybrids had significantly more grain yield than earlier maturing hybrids due to the optimal growing conditions. The earliest maturing hybrid PH 39D97 had significantly less grain yield than all of the other hybrids tested because it had a significantly lower plant population at harvest. The plant population of the other five hybrids did not differ significantly. In wet years such as 2009 and 2010, highest grain yield is attained by planting all rows with a plant population of 59,280 plants ha^-1 with later maturing hybrids, especially NuTech 31-484.
Corn-Alfalfa Intercropping with Different Row Spacings
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Bibby, Samuel
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a staple crop grown mainly by dairy and beef farmers in the Midwest. To determine if seeding alfalfa with corn (Zea mays L.) could increase alfalfa forage yield and nutritive value in the second year, and provide a corn crop during the first year, an experiment was conducted in Prosper and Hickson, ND in 2020 and 2021. Corn grain yield in 2020 was negatively impacted by 152-cm corn row spacing compared with 76-cm row spacing. However, there was no significant difference in corn grain yield with or without an alfalfa intercrop for the same row spacing although it did trend lower in treatments with alfalfa intercropped. Intercropping corn and alfalfa with 76-cm corn row spacing was more profitable than conventional seeding. Optimizing this specific cropping system for growers in the Midwest could increase profitability as well as forage nutritive value and crop efficiency.
Cornus Mas L. Cultivar Selection Based on Hardiness and Propagation
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Swanson, Meredith
Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry) is a deciduous shrub/small tree native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It is unique among the Cornaceae (dogwood) family in that the fruit is used for human consumption and is highly nutritious and contains high amounts of antioxidants and anthocyanins. While this plant has many desirable fruiting and ornamental characteristics, it has seen limited use in North America. Several of these desirable characteristics are low disease and pest incidence, fruit qualities, and early yet long-lasting flowers. With limited use in North America, hardiness speculations are based on only a few individual plants. In this document, artificial freeze tests were conducted to better understand hardiness of the species and how vulnerable plants are when coming out of dormancy in the spring. Propagation methods (micropropagation, in vitro and ex vitro rooting of plantlets, and grafting) were also evaluated to determine the optimal method of growing cultivars.
Cover Crops Impact on Energy and Forage Crops Productivity in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Samarappuli, Dulan Pravinda
Forage crops have gained interest as potential source of lignocellulosic feedstock to produce ethanol. More focus is needed on developing cropping systems to improve productivity. This study was conducted to identify the agronomic potential of six different cover crops on five different annual biomass crops. Results indicated that forage pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Arvika) N uptake was 126 kg N ha-1 and was able to fix approximately 60 kg of N ha-1 in only 60 days in the fall. Results across locations indicated that forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. FS-5), and sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. Theis) had the highest biomass yields among the forage crops with 17.8 Mg ha-1 followed by sweet sorghum with 15.3 Mg ha-1, respectively. Therefore forage sorghum and sweet sorghum can be considered as the most productive biomass sources, specially combined with a legume cover crop seeded the previous fall.
Cultivation to Supplement Residual Herbicides in Sugarbeet
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Haugrud, Nathan Hans
The migration of waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) into northern sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) growing regions has prompted sugarbeet producers to utilize inter-row cultivation in their weed management program as no currently registered herbicides can control glyphosate-resistant waterhemp postemergence. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate cultivation efficacy on waterhemp and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and to evaluate cultivation safety on sugarbeet. Cultivation efficacy experiments demonstrated cultivation removes 65% of waterhemp and has no effect on further waterhemp emergence, but can be deleterious to common lambsquarters control if cultivation is timed before sugarbeet canopy closure. The ideal time to implement inter-row cultivation in sugarbeet is after sugarbeet canopy is closed and can suppress further weed emergence. Cultivation safety experiments demonstrated three cultivations as late as August 16 had no effect on sugarbeet yield and quality. Cultivation is a valuable tool to control glyphosate-resistant weeds with no deleterious effects if used correctly.
Dark, Hard and Vitreous (DHV) HRS Wheat Kernel Content Effect on Flour and Baking Quality
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Baasandorj, Tsogtbayar
Kernel vitreousness is an important grading characteristics of Hard Red Spring (HRS) wheat in the U.S., as subclasses vary in the dark, hard and vitreous kernel (DHV) content. This research investigated different subclasses of HRS wheat on flour and baking quality characteristics. The U.S. Regional Crop Quality Survey samples from three consecutive years were used for subclass segregation. Samples were milled, and flour quality and bread baking characteristics were evaluated for both regional and protein composites. A significant (P<0.05) difference in the flour water absorption was found between vitreous kernel treatments, and high DHV content resulted in greater water absorption. An example further showed the importance of flour water absorption on potential economical incentives that can be gained with high DHV content. These results enable the flour milling and baking industry to choose between the different subclasses of HRS wheat with varying DHV content for their intended end-use applications.
Delayed Harvest Affects Quality of Durum Wheat
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Cabas-Lühmann, Patricia Alejandra
Harvest can be delayed for many reasons. This research was conducted to determine the effect of delayed harvest on grain and semolina quality of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum [Desf.] Husn.). Twelve durum cultivars were planted in eight-row plots with four replicates at three environments. Two rows were harvested at four harvest times that were spaced about one week apart. The trend for all cultivars was for an increase in percent of large kernels, kernel brightness, 1000-kernel weight, and semolina gluten index with delayed harvest, while grain yield, test weight, kernel vitreousness, falling number, grain yellow pigment, and semolina yellowness and wet gluten content generally decreased. At all environments ‘Carpio’ tended to have high yields and ‘Strongfield’ low yields. ‘Carpio’ and ‘Joppa’ had the highest yellow pigment content and very strong gluten. In conclusion, grain and semolina quality generally declined with delayed harvest but varied with cultivar.
Developing Methodology to Predict and Increase Grain Protein Content in Spring Wheat
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Schimek, Nicholas James
A challenge for hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L. emend Thell.) producers is to obtain both high yields and market-required grain protein content (GPC). The ability to accurately predict HRSW yield with the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model early in the growing season may help producers determine probable GPC and lead to management decisions on whether to apply supplemental nitrogen (N) to enhance protein. A management decision HRSW producers may consider in high yielding environments is a late-season foliar N application to increase GPC. A second objective of this research was to test methods to improve the efficiency of a foliar N application. Improving the efficiency of a late-season foliar N application coupled with the ability to predict high yielding environments using DSSAT, can provide producers with effective management tools to determine the optimum situation in which supplementing GPC will have the most economic success.
Development and Evaluation of a Greenhouse Testing Procedure for Cold-Hardiness in Hard Red Winter Wheat
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Larson, Tyler
Experiments were conducted to develop a greenhouse test for comparing the cold tolerance of winter wheat genotypes. Winter-survival is a complex trait and in field trials it has low heritability, consequently, selection will be facilitated by a dependable early generation test. Such a preliminary test of the ability of seedlings to survive subzero temperatures was evaluated and improved upon. The finalized version was then used to compare varieties in a duplicated greenhouse trial. The winter-survival of the same varieties have also been evaluated in field variety trials conducted independently by either this project or Ducks Unlimited. Finally, a selection experiment was done to further test the method. Only the first greenhouse trial correlated well with the Ducks Unlimited field trial data (more dependable data set). The selection trial showed no selection response. It appears that the test could be very useful following further modification to make it more robust.

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Browsing Plant Sciences Masters Theses by browse.metadata.program "Plant Sciences"