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.
Ascochyta Rabiei in North Dakota: Characterization of the Secreted Proteome and Population Genetics
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Mittal, Nitin
Chickpea is one of the most important leguminous crops grown in regions of southern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta rabiei, is the most important foliar disease of chickpea. In favorable conditions, this disease can destroy the entire chickpea field within a few days. In this project the secreted proteins of Ascochyta rabiei have been characterized through one and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This is the first proteomic study of the A. rabiei secretome, and a standardized technique to study the secreted proteome has been developed. A common set of proteins secreted by this pathogen and two isolates that exhibit the maximum and minimum number of secreted proteins when grown in modified Fries and Czapek Dox media have been identified. Population genetic studies of Ascochyta rabiei populations in North Dakota have been conducted using microsatellites and AFLP markers. Population genetic studies have shown that the ascochyta population in North Dakota has not changed genetically in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, but the North Dakota population is different from the baseline population from the Pacific Northwest. The ascochyta population in North Dakota is a randomly mating population, as shown by the mating type ratio.
Assessment of Bacterial Blight Pathogens Prevalent on Dry Bean and Identification of Sources of Resistance to Rhizoctonia Root Rot in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Yen-Wei, Chang
Bacterial blights and root rots are two major diseases affecting dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in North Dakota and Minnesota (Venette and Lamey 1998). Bacterial blights of dry bean are commonly caused by three bacterial pathogens, namely Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Psp), Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), which can appear either together or independently under natural conditions. The bacterial portion of this study involved ascertaining the extent of incidence of bacterial blight in the major dry bean production areas of ND through surveys, determining the prevalence of Psp and Pss and screening a collection of commercial varieties from different market classes for resistance to these two bacterial pathogens. In this study, more than 50% of the fields surveyed in all the major dry bean producing counties, including Grand Forks, Pembina, Traill and Walsh from year 2008 to 2010, were found to have been affected by bacterial blight. Among the bacterial diseases, bacterial brown spot (caused by Pss) appeared to be the most prevalent. Representative isolates for both Psp and Pss randomly selected from the survey were used for pathogenicity tests and confirmed to be pathogenic. Race typing of the Psp isolates confirmed the presence of the races 6 and 8 in the field samples with race 6 being the most common. Susceptibility of the 11 varieties used in this study was also variable. Difference in aggressiveness was observed among the Psp isolates.
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 Mapping to Identify Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Genomic Regions Affecting Aggressiveness of Lesion Formation on Sunflower Stems
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Belay, Kassaye Hussen
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most destructive pathogens of sunflower in the United States and worldwide. Distinctive symptoms include mid-stalk rot, basal stalk rot and head rot from subsequent infection of the sunflower head. This fungal pathogen has a remarkably broad host range of over 400 dicot plants. However, little is currently known about the virulence strategies that allow S. sclerotiorum to successfully infect a wide range of plant hosts. The goal of our project was to identify S. sclerotiorum virulence determinants and effectors that contribute to disease development on sunflower. We evaluated a diverse collection of 232 S. sclerotiorum isolates for aggressiveness of mid-stalk lesion formation on two sunflower inbred lines. In addition, we performed genotyping-by-sequencing on 191 isolates to identify genetic markers for genome-wide association mapping to identify candidate genes associated with aggressiveness. A total of eight loci associated with variation in aggressiveness were identified.
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.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affecting the Survival of Listeria Monocytogenes in Prairie Pothole Soils and Sediments
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Dusek, Nicholas Stephen
The diversity-invasion relationship states that more diverse communities are more resistant to invasion. Listeria monocytogenes – a gram-positive facultative anaerobe, soil saprotroph, and opportunistic human pathogen – is capable of surviving in a diverse range of habitats, including soil, and several recent studies have shown that the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in soil increases with proximity to surface water. In addition, L. monocytogenes resides frequently in the guts of ruminants and poultry, creating many opportunities for deposition in soil. However, little work has been done to examine the effects of native soil microbiota on the survival of the pathogen. This thesis builds on previous work by examining microbial community diversity in the prairie pothole ecosystem and how it impacts the survival of L. monocytogenes. Results indicate that survival of L. monocytogenes does not seem to differ greatly as an effect of community diversity.
Carbohydrate-Based Micro and Nano Scale Materials from Soybean Meal, Distillers Dried Grains, and Sugar Beet Pulp for Food and other Applications
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Sivapragasam, Nilushni
Study 1 was carried out to isolate and produce enzyme resistant micro and nano scale carbohydrates from soybean meal (SBM), distillers dried grains (DDG), and sugar beet pulp (SBP). All materials produced were in micro and nano scales, and the yields were different depending on the starting material. Study 2 determined the physiological stability of study 1 materials for potential encapsulation applications. Both SBM and SBP were stable under simulated physiological conditions; the stability of the SBM was higher than SBP. In study 3 the SBM nanomaterial from buffer extraction was used for in vitro fermentation by Bifidobacterium brevis. The B. brevis showed a good growth in the presence of SBM nanomaterial. Study 4 characterized the SBM- resistant starch thin films produced with pectin and carboxymethylcelllulose. The films formed with SBM-resistant starch and pectin at 3:1 and 1:3 provided good barrier and viscoelastic properties.
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.
Combining Cover Crops, Strip Tillage, and Novel Mulches to Manage Weeds in Vegetable Cropping Systems
(North Dakota State University, 2020) Puka-Beals, Jesse Jor-El
Vegetable producers may benefit from integrating living mulches into their operations to manage weeds and improve soil quality. Living mulches, however, can reduce vegetable yield through competition. Here we investigate strip tilling into living mulches and then direct seeding a vegetable crop in the strip till zone as a production practice to limit competition. We further investigate the use of two surface-applied mulches, a newsprint hydromulch and a compost blanket, for weed control within the strip till zone. In field conditions, living mulches reduced vegetable yield by 49-84% and the use of the newsprint hydromulch and compost blanket reduced weed biomass by 84% and 85% respectively. In greenhouse conditions, a 50% reduction in the hydromulch application rate used in the field experiment achieved similar weed control, suggesting an application rate of 6.4 L m-2 or a mulch strength of 0.6 MPa may be sufficient for weed control with a hydromulch.
Comparative Study on Hulled Wheats Kernel, Flour, Dough Quality and Dietary Fiber Variation
(North Dakota State University, 2020) Maddakandage Dona, Jayani Chathurika Sandarani
This study was conducted to evaluate the kernel, flour and dough qualities and dietary fiber content of hulled wheats. Experimental design was separate randomized complete block designs for hulled wheat species with four field replicates. According to the results, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in kernel quality, flour, and dough quality compared to common bread wheat. Einkorn and spelt reported significantly lower insoluble dietary fiber and total dietary fiber content, in contrast emmer had contents with both higher and lower genotypes. Interestingly, few genotypes of hulled wheat had a higher content of low molecular weight soluble dietary fibers (LMW-SDF) such as fructo and galacto oligosaccharides. Overall, hulled wheats differed from modern bread wheat in their kernel, flour, baking and nutritional quality. Moreover, due to higher LMW-SDF content, hulled wheats would be a potential candidate for breeding and producing health beneficial novel food products.
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.
Comparison of Two Single Curtain and Two Double Curtain Trellis Systems with Marquette and Petite Pearl Wine Grapes
(North Dakota State University, 2020) Tatar, Ikbal
A field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of a trellis system, Genova double curtain (GDC), Scott Henry (SH), mid-wire that was vertical shoot positioned (VSP), and high wire cordon (HW), on fruit ripening and indirectly its influence on cold hardiness for cold-hardy, red wine grape cultivars, Marquette and Petite Pearl. In 2017, ‘Petite Pearl’ reached higher yields than ‘Marquette’, while VSP and SH trellis systems resulted in higher yields. However, in 2018, ‘Marquette’ had a greater yield than ‘Petite Pearl’. In 2019, 77.34% of ‘Marquette’ and 52.34% of ‘Petite Pearl’ had severe winter injury regardless of the trellis system. Unpredictable climate patterns in terms of growing degree-days, minimum winter air temperature, and rainfall manipulated both cultivars’ phenology during early establishment. Results suggest that under North Dakota climatic conditions, proper cultivar selection is more important than trellis system selection for sustainable grape production.
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.

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