Vol. 31, No. 1 pig18 Spring 1984 of Agricultural Research I ,r Yr Eli; - II hi I~'fr t 4' L D .4. '4' 3. 4S I 14 'e . y 3,. A r ,1 1 *' 4. ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION GALE A, BUCHANAN, DIRECTOR AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUBURN UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS Paul is clunidt_ assucialc ptoI)epartnwilt of :Anllllal :uld Sc is nc("s. Specializing in IIIIII IIII t Ilnh Itlull - tic inIIidl canrr to Auburn in I9_6 .[,tilt proi('ssor. Born in Oal:lit Id_ Calilunlia, and raised ml a cattle ranch in Idaho_ Schmidt reccivcd his undcrraduatc dc_ ree Ii-onl the l niA cnitc of Idaho in 1066 :tad his Al S. and I) II.I ) . degrees h~nl the I IIiccnil\ of \\ iscun.in in I m 1 ,aid 11)-,2- I( spcctiv(dv IIis postdocfor"(i vsOr1, wits douc it lmvL Stttc I III\(,rsit\ hunt It) 2 t I1)-5. I)I SchnIidf s nitiI I :ncgs ul I m tI 1 arc in Icscne tovwity, usin(-' soy IItnI Iitin fur IiI IisI IiI I cattle in Alab:nu:t and conIpariu feedlot veIsI Is If)ru(-,:c svstenls fur nt:uta(in ctossl)I I caters poslvv al Iif (. The author of nnncrons plIhli(AiolIs. Schmidt has served on the editorial hoard fur the JOlu II'll off Anima! Seim((. I) I istepbcI in lc'sm I),tiI \ iiIv xiH I the i W t iiixii t ithits(ic liii it l ca tii i icl t i T ,lxti researc is \clcx hituet to~i I the iiv apiti iii o b ils p~un a kxi d l cii nun of sce Iif ti I'iittre nicdt itt! t i il i c tio pheoii ca11111tio an 'I itt trst i s co i liaionix tix hi nk p ledrs~ c llv 1( u (lix liite h11(1 api ~ asIlx p,- towhso it d Ill i ~fi"h Pi 111liii~ Ii ci cn Ii Iv Sl natoi Cl iiti 1111ins lti ti In it ti such tiii thti peli :lxxxil Ie ea c iiiI \lli i tt i ta dioiittc l t t i i i iiiiiil ii ltl iilijicx :xliii cutttxi I iiil-i ttu ll c n S11. tt t tiit u t~eein ii \ i lii -it 11i 111tl SPRING 1984 (1111i-cl pi ojtxx i t nc udi l li thi ha ixi i d li lc ii iiililcixi i VOL. 31, NO. 1 t1 A (Iu:uterk report of research published by the Alahunn :A("ricultlnal F\pcrinlent Stitlion.:Anburn l'nicersit\. ali i dii m xix l ii fts ii _ 1/11 hit coIt silu ii 1 iiIii iliIli cc ii c till pracictl ol i a ti-p i iiit tIe t-t xi I 1tiiiii li lii-ih Sii.i \ tl\ -...... A Issitt im XxVA .I 111111 Sii \l- - -- c s e-tiit uu it frmci ur it kitiixxlciini sati ulitut t l thli xci tti 1'.(/itoiiiitc 111 Xx .. Al Ici i ' show1 i- iit v acitii iandi tapp l ii isixrchi ilt ctI ci iit cx is u~ o ft xix Editoial (:ouuiittee: (xi I X\.Iix 11ii!iithe xxyy I 111111 i ti sgu chiii in hiiitiatiid toxxiiins pria tia m lilt ha 'hut trin-:' . X A. )toz /it I u. ii ,. iixxii i11 *0 . (,ix I I Im I' XAs xistl ll ti/i xiiir if Iitii Si i lii it ('.I, X\ xc~i ni Xxwitiiiut It u/ c o oxiihhiiili / I lii )1 ic /it iiliii i tf / XX I) I) xv (v /Ai siix tit( ii/ I rlil so t i 11 l: ONclt THE CVER.mi Grain Rhum/ prdut research cag the attenio of faslrmes at1 tefni theac 1983reserc tous at iltheEV. Smith Research Center. Shorter. SORGHUM as a Grain Source for Beef Cattle Feedlot Diets S.P. SCHMIDT, E.E. THOMAS, and G.W. TURNBULL, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences important grain crop in the western GRAIN (milo) many years part of the Great Plains forhas been an and is becoming an increasingly popular grain crop in Alabama because of its heat and drought resistance. Recent research at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station shows that feedlot performance and economics of gain by cattle fed sorghum diets compare favorably with corn; thus, grain sorghum is a viable alternative to corn as a grain source for feeding cattle in the Southeast. When processed, sorghum has a feeding value that is 90-95% as good as corn. If sorghum is dry rolled or coarsely cracked, its energy value will improve 6 to 7%. If an SORGHUM and HU diets were nearly the same for the first 70 days indicated that the extra protein (or nitrogen) provided in the HU diet was not utilized by the rumen microorganisms and hence was wasted. The SBM diet, which contained the same percent crude protein as the HU diet, provided more total protein for the rumen microorganisms and animal, resulting in faster gains. Also during the first 70 days, steers fed corn gained more rapidly than those fed sorghum. Since both diets contained the same amount of protein, this indicates that more energy was available from the corn than from the sorghum grain. During the last 70 days, however, all steers gained approximately the same, regardless of protein source or grain source. The feed cost per 100 lb. gained was less airtight silo is available, reconstituting the grain (adding water at harvest time) to 25 to 30% moisture is an excellent processing method that is widely used in Great Plains feedlots. Early harvesting as high-moisture grain is also an excellent alternative. The crude protein content of sorghum grain is about the same as corn but there is limited information about how that protein is digested and utilized by feedlot cattle. Also, little is known about feeding situations in which urea is an effective and economical source of supplemental "protein" for cattle diets and which situations call for a natural protein supplement such as soybean meal or cottonseed meal. The objectives of the research conducted at the Experiment Station were (1) to evaluate soybean meal (SBM) and urea as protein sources for feedlot steers fed diets containing non-bird-resistant sorghum grain (yellow endosperm variety), and (2) to compare this sorghum grain and corn as energy sources for feedlot steers. The sorghum-containing diets, table 1, all contained the same amount of energy, differing only in the source and amount of protein. The basal diet had no protein supplement. The basal diet was then supplemented with either (1) a low amount of urea (LU), which resulted in a diet that was below the protein requirement of lightweight feeder steers, (2) a high amount of urea (HU), or (3) SBM. The HU and SBM-supplemented diets contained 12% crude protein and were calculated to meet the protein requirement of feeder steers. The steers used in the study were Angus and Angus x Hereford crossbreds averaging 518 lb. initially. For steers fed the diets containing the sorghum grain, urea supplementation did not result in maximum gains during the first for the sorghum diets than for the corn, table 2. This is due mainly to the cost differential that existed between corn and sorghum grain-10 to 15% less for sorghum than corn. With the potential for high yields of grain sorghum in the Southeast compared with the low average yields of corn, this economic advantage would be expected to be consistent over the years. This experiment, combined with other feeding trials at the Experiment Station, suggests a two-phase feeding program for weaned calves: (1) natural protein supplements for fast-growing calves weighing less than 700 lb., and (2) after the calves reach 700 lb., urea is usually as effective as natural proteins in providing rapid gains. Beyond 700 lb., economics can dictate the decision whether to use natural protein or urea in high-energy feedlot diets. TABLE 1. FEED AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF DIETS FED TO STEERS DURING THE 140-DAY GROWTH TRIAL Item Sorghum grain Corn, Feed composition' Cracked corn ............. Cracked sorghum......... Chopped Coastal bermudagrass hay ........... 2 Basal Pct. 77.8 9.4 LU Pct. 77.9 9.0 HU Pct. 78.1 8.5 SBM Pct. 71.7 9.4 SBM Pct. 71.5 9.2 Molasses ................. . . 10.0 .7 ....... .8 .8 .5 9.5 10.0 .5 .6 .8 .7 .5 11.2 10.0 .9 .6 .8 .6 .5 12.0 10.0 6.8 .5 .8 .3 .5 12.0 10.0 6.8 .3 .6 .8 .3 .5 12.0 Soybean meal ............. Urea ...................... Dicalcium phosphate Limestone ............... . Potassium and magnesium sulfate ............ Trace mineral salt .......... Chemical composition Percent protein........... . 2 'As-fed basis. All diets contained 1,000 IU vitamin A and 10 mg Rumensin per pound. TABLE 2. FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE OF STEERS FED DIETS VARYING IN SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF CRUDE PROTEIN Item Sorghum grain Corn, Initial weight ................ 70-day weight .............. 140-day weight ............. Basal Lb. 516 676 846 LU Lb. 530 711 885 HU Lb. 511 694 859 SBM Lb. 514 710 875 SBM Lb. 517 727 905 70 days or up to a weight of approximately 700 lb., table 2. Feed efficiency was better for steers fed SBM-supplemented diets. The fact that daily gains for the steers fed the LU Performance for first 70 days Feed consumed per day .... 17.6 2.3 Daily gain ............... Feed per lb. gain ......... 7.7 Performance for second 70 days Feed consumed per day .... 22.9 Daily gain ................ 2.4 Feed per lb. gain ......... 9.5 Feed cost per 100 lb. $42.27 gained' .................. 18.5 2.5 7.4 23.7 2.5 9.5 $41.11 17.8 2.6 6.8 22.5 2.4 9.4 $40.29 18.3 2.8 6.5 23.0 2.4 9.6 $42.60 18.4 3.0 6.1 23.0 2.5 9.2 $49.07 of sorghum and corn were $100 and $135 per ton, respectively, based on 1983 prices. Chopped hay was valued at $70 per ton; SBM and urea each cost $230 per ton. 'Costs Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station 3 3 x, P PA, BACKMAN, J.T. TURNER, M.A. CRAWFORD, and R.P. CLAY Department of Botany, Plant Pathology, and Microbiology p)1tho1gt'iix 111144n tx t'Irai foll growxxtih xitex ,lppcnti Peanuts treated with fungicide alone, left, and treated with fungicide plus Bacillus subtills bacterium, above. Treatments were grown in neighboring rows. 1t Peanti lsi mlost likcix to beneft'it from1 thlt practitte ari thoii tihat ii\ c4 ca se 2- 'or Icssx r otaitions' of petsti' oF xs\ Ibtansi b)oth. If or pent lit', lant dO tcfti , root-rtottin~g fungi. iiit' rlt tf I \I 4 0 Alti 1 0n thes' e wxili p)oorI rotationsx yieild imlprox t'i't', ftcn 114 from x t' dfor4 fungi uroiltl 1 living il ng x41ii~xttin the' frox t1414) l si tItiti 14e 2 r xxttk Stnilitx xxrr 1 tiotnt 1983 to ctttin utedt tuing 1982 .oitl 1t wh114' xichti petanu4t farmilit firsxt cirop tart d f~ior thet iouiikt'tiuig of (,) antunti4000 inoculatt xxic 1 w)4xillhe4 dxva1ille Il i imlitet'tiuardititi'' 4 in) 1981. In 1/ation of tile loot i1144tt'Fj/tioli pripl IIo)1 calle'd Bacti/llssubiItilis. Resulits, of tilt stiudx xiowlx t ha it t .tre c ee t' ti rnnet 444' wh1 usedxil)I 1 x' tilt, )teriahadt avxteragte x i ( in i~creatses of Tw 5)1 1 .1) 1401cr 13o llwillsv ON Roo']- 1)Dirrxxi SuNI) titili Ilcntit XI'I'4i1)ro Itro'4 or P11)1) \1i x'x 195'2 xxtrc n' 44114 tiiat 15cc f1i7%4 of tihe h-tex. fii tf tx oms ti~ ct', xati x piro,in "itr rolt he41' hItncrease Lb. 2 x t,4i Sothat tjIouttsIiiwer wthrnol 1..j thoughiiiox the xu cctdfrms No bacIt4)ia....... B3ac ills sitis No anitiiticc . .... 2.15 2.68 2,17 1 2,264 + 1.2 In ign ['die i 9h2 nx i-.pitenlt r nt' sie14t xd Sttion Ftutd b14thix drx id +17.0t 180,t tirxat v wix iit'trtetl xt''i rt'xit in ivsit' compariiis onwitsci 1txriattd ofl x itthe Fseltd pl'slxts x f, iti Scal ofi Ito y:1. 50] rotttti 4 = n discascx,i 2 =25%~/ rotte,'t 3 5% irotttd, anid 5 1U100 l lapped' xx,4x ( t hel't ool n(i, ] tha lxcixt'rt is (fillatta '1io I 2. Y ir I 1)1lilt11)1 t tlti' SF) 4)111:.vitae 1)11)c /3u~~ s(4) xlsn4)14 Srolo,: xkl F) NI.))11) w)tixiithtadtional chmialttt 'fun ii xxxter1ia xxoil]]b /4ix ed cheicti l seIed41 trieatmcnt w'iiholu Xt iat',itioncF F~th I el 14 shix nti 411 it'd t untit' xth In th /ing lt o1)1 tx ols f jrl 2 \tcars 4in preiou 2 \'eirs i.11x tro I ctxlu FarbI~ N tiingt bactriai. 'i~xoi~xlg 15.29c (5) +<. 14 (3) +3.7% (5) \1,4x 1). WeI + 87%4 N igted (11) 12.390 +3.49c/ O parnthsi in iaes1141h ro'loain Aloaama Agfricul i-a (/lxpco'inii'oit S tation1 LANI) ~J7TW ~ Ubk~ PAl 1k~MNS A N~TIVV iNt'LULNLh~ ~4I ~TWW)X~W~V V ~ D.W. SPEAKE, Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit polationsttil ii l mlxloixti lixI inl labamia wxr scix'(t To iln.k itit iet~lte r)a1 comlity in tiltt kCx [and thit State, thanitks to successful~ wxild ,ol(ic iitcitt'tltn tciratiotl ti' Aabaa Agiuluturalxt Fiii titcnti e e'i11( - Stat1 itn h a lip mtili i onltd tlli (It on h tiatagctii'tt of til xxill1 tultkcx 'Ill( Al, I I (E xiloxx thiat land uitt pttlrnsi 'l infliluent hall a stironi lil popu 1)lattitio lixs hunltiti. it -lI ccsxx andl till'11xit l ratt' of tiittuikc\xs Th moxxsxt til'sfu htntix g lijitcrrities tal ilt lolit (xt. ofi habitat tx s litid at t- yili it / 59 r4 hax tvitl ii xx'/ ich t op it fintlcitl I i 32 % o h haitxatldc it l aso 1b an(lt u'itfa fitilds ta xx lit ail us.I ns ttcts andl netttil Pin ras ptx o~II i t and tttx(I mont tct grasts~lil~ ptrtansx teed lh t't x 2t all x xxaxecarets Dt'l in the fllI xtndl winti xxeli , mas11 iit dxucti it up2 1 flln'd ha(ko li ad ti liltrt' it ( tatttl 4 ll- latitat Pidmnt I I(lae xith4cx t xxss ax nigs tant tchs im tnt ~tyes, t'xtdar-tct tiltzn dt'ttd rof xxoo~ds forcxt axv plts andiac 'lxx c dtix aixun-l~ 11est xlxTurkcI xtolet4rat it vil(il lut'tx tof daitat hlighl dtit i ain tx xpi ition txlc xndii patirn xto'fl lailise.l xx axttittx tllonxtor thel II x xxdaxl tlatiltifo pat t : tat lox icxct till' anactitg a tts broo til raxgs it ittt I goodc bro 2 rttx warsix es not a ia blett' att art ixxsxtth lfirsttii xx( ilx'll~ o ( il Iit tl lilt 24ilcilt hisrax- car ttling ailsete , h Ia xll o xxil(I it kt n reilactio ipt'tltl is r bott tittix xillx a'ce ate cxtm'nl aeati 10x t ilt matngric axit an dldhunxlt't xsNxtccesst. ns rat'is nlr x d t1i'xtc i il Alabama A-1-iculttu-al h;xpcHment Station shows a preference for table eggs AMERICAN CONSUMER weighing approximately 1.9 to 2.3 oz., which are commonly classified as large. Egg size is closely related to body weight of the hen, and consequently, commercial hens must weigh 3 to 4 lb. to produce large eggs. However, as body weight increases, the efficiency of egg production generally decreases. This is because larger birds have greater body maintenance requirements, and their egg size relative to body size is lower than that of smaller birds. Since large hens producing large eggs are generally less efficient, any significant boost in egg production efficiency would require some change in marketing methods. A shift to marketing by weight instead of by dozen could result in a change to small hens that produce small eggs more efficiently. Such a shift could occur in the future if efficiency becomes more important than egg size to the egg industry. An Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station research project was conducted to determine the optimal body size for maximum egg production efficiency of dwarf Single Comb White Leghorn hens. The hens were selected for large (high line) or small (low line) body weights. Results showed that egg production efficiency was lowest in high weight dwarf hens, and that efficiency was not significantly different between the low weight and the control groups of hens. The gene responsible for dwarfing in layer type chickens reduces body weight approximately 30% and egg weight 10%. Aver- THE age body weights of dwarf high and low weight hens at 40 weeks of age are 4.3 and 2.2 lb., respectively. Results of this study demonstrated that both high and low line birds are most efficient during peak egg production. Feed efficiency and performance efficiency were determined for the high, low, and control dwarf hens from 24 to 40 weeks of age, see table. Feed efficiency was defined as egg mass per estimated daily feed intake, and performance efficiency as egg mass per body weight. Egg mass was computed as average egg weight multiplied by percent egg production. Data in the table demonstrate that egg production efficiency was decreased in high weight dwarf hens, while the low weight dwarf hens were not significantly different from the controls. This suggests that there is a minimum body weight requirement for most efficient egg production. The relationship of body weight to performance efficiency was established for the three dwarf lines at 24, 32, and 40 weeks of age, see figure. Estimated optimal body weights for the hens used in this study were approximately 2.6 and 2.2. lb. at 24 and 40 weeks of age, respectively. This does not imply that birds should lose weight as they age, but that lighter birds are more efficient at the older age. Ideal body weight, however, not only depends on breeding type, but also on various environmental factors such as nutrition and management. Hens that are above or below an optimal body weight will be less efficient. Extremely small hens were most efficient only during peak egg production, which was at approximately 32 weeks of age. The performance efficiency of small bodied birds seemed to be limited by their ability to maintain adequate egg production before and after peak production. It has also been suggested that some aspects of body composition, such as percent fat or protein, may be associated with normal egg production maintenance. Therefore, studies have been initiated to characterize body composition of hens during an egg production cycle to relate these factors to performance efficiency. In summary, the optimal body weights of dwarf Single Comb White Leghorn hens were 2.6 lb. at 24 weeks of age and 2.2 lb. at 40 weeks. Maximum egg production efficiency occurred during peak egg production for both heavy and light birds. However, extremely small hens were more efficient than controls only during peak egg production, which was at approximately 32 weeks of age. FEED AND PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY OF DWARF SINGLE COMB WHITE LEGHORN HENS SELECTED FOR BODY WEIGHT Measure High Control 0.38 .026 Low 0.34 .027 Feed efficiency'........0.28 Performance . . . . . . . . . . 018 efficiency 2 . mass (egg weight x percent production) divided by daily feed intake. 2 Egg mass divided by body weight. 'Egg Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Effects of Irrigation, Nitrogen, and Growth Regulators on Cotton I ee' I 3.6001- 3,20 C I [ll CPE, TED WHINJYE, 311 and J.H. DANE, Deparment of Agronomry and Soils kitlu: )\ (11 S t ,, it t iti I 2,800 I I3 i.i i 0f ll art, Il l111inu ii t11111 i i 1113, lii c3 3t I 111 33i 11 33 3 11ii' rclnt1l1 i I itc( 1i\.iii I (:w\iiit,, i IT t1113 1 3 1 30 N-aI'gen, 60 lb /ace 90 1 11 I(h i lI bi l,Oilti 113 \ Ii II II I(l llt( 3h( 31111 II 3111133 II .ii Iit l,( Illl I l I I : i t II i m Itl 1111111(1 1 13 IitI i I 11 itt , ' I3 I I( lilt I I l fl l]i iI1,it11.1 liI il ii ,t I111tuI 33I1) I I31,( t1 :Intl ("S.t 2111 IllI I i i I t II,l~ 1.111 131 1 ll I , 11n1 33itI)Ii ii1)1( II t IIIt I 111 pIt II(. li 31 1 ii iii tIll lit! i iii a1111 3 I t l I r t t, Ii 3 i 33111111 i ~ ~ I I31 i I l~ I ) t11111111 ii111I IiIll pc I ii I 111(1 li \,i 11 i loii l 1 riii I11 t in i 313 ,11 li1,1tI p till 31 1113 l II II till II111 11 I()t IlII 11 (,w( IIli I , \ii tillVII )1 at I 111 1113 131111 iI 1113t II II 1311 I a, jllkl I 3311111I I t1311111 ct i I "I i I II r IIi, lI(t)t ]1 Io~ I),:3 It11 it 13 111 1 I It IU ii 13 1 ll i tf t ,tt 'ul11 il11faI (°,11 111 IIiu l " 11111\1 I I)Il iI I II 331 I I t I 33l irell 311 II 111113 i i IcI )c t11(I3.tII 33it111 t ii,i ii II l tli I 31 o ll p 3I) 3,)I liiil 33)tGlill il 113tl i it, iIotill I 3I( o 11 it I . 1 ) scar11 I IIii itt 31 pi 13ta kII l~(i \11 ~ia aIt r1111I th o liiT II Ili lillrat pe I 111 II iii Il h 31111 ]III :u1 (I11 1 l iro 1 l ( 111 Icpt N 11(11 .- petll I ,11 13 1111 1; 11 o 111 fo1.2 t131 (I . ii 1111111I (l.i Intr 331I ti \ 1ttcl ii11 1 I)I-3 l I thlii ll tio IT 1)1t l 111(1 i , from i\ .2 I95-5 ii lii illl13 ( a c11 cfl(,( of I 1111111 5ii ofIthil 10 cars lit 11111 tS 5.3 I 31 I( a i I 1 1 (' pliati3 Il) ia t t1 I t 'fl tlt 1 of11 to ? ( i i piilb~ i ( ilt. I '3r Ic c ,itI I R till]' it ll 1 li ;11 kil . 1)11 3 itItlIll 13 SIi I.p111 acIi 1 e II ploiltli Sicl W-tiiillit3-rt till\l 1 111 11111 (i)l anii I l 11 iii Sil Pi3 boll 1.1 Ill (i c) I Il l il ro-i ll ( 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ il,,iii1-I< i 111 tpll litr .IIv \ 1113 ( t 11liill I it l 11 hul ' l (ill((I (villltI ti 13 Il i ii (ht1I i t 31 I~o 111 11 331( acre II . 1111 I(. I33 it nII 111 I 33111 il . ill II ' 'S11). .1 Iplant1 hci,111 111to 11.1 1311 II till 1111111 it 111 13j1 Pi ( 111 t 3c li 111 ll. t 111 3111133i Ill (ll It it\ el thll t It lii il I iiII I 11111r III it tri l 31 li ( 3,1 il 1 fl 3 i tosI ' 11 1 el3 IT13 Ii 1,113 t I II iI 21 l l c .11 t ) nii 13 tIl I~c it I 3( r o l( ,( ( i ia i n 31: 13 i . Il I il II II 31 iIo fit 111 It 3. II, :I111 II I lti' IHS)> >a(. II, ILl IIL ILb ill . . . lilt. . . . \U li Ii \ihPi (iil . . \ith 1 Sli 1 3 3,501 t lii . i -00 13111] 1s)111 3300 lt i'O 3 5ti11 2 I - II .2 11511 5(1() 2 Iri 112116( I() '.ili 32 I SI :35I , 1 0tl 1 I i 1. 0 1(1 3 fl1 111 :.05 5:~~3 )0 1.51II0 2 Ii3i 2 1111l .llnbm a .Qriru1011-al 1-..11wrinucrtt Statiuu Iii c root'l grS2 til :liu hs i to Coi tep er -i illItiatd 1o chlaracteiz k. anidigrowC 19i 2 wteiurt' t npat iicI t of1( flcCtuation tI In~ Marc5 Ilili 'lts d the azalead~ liii 1s btte lini po5 pl ts dn x i ttI-xxtal. )itn tld 11)ac wite poix 011ide or X d p)in hr 5lrk. t'iihcs hreei tilatmpnts sl siiotit groig c i ed tokilii dee ie pt an mu' efiit sl meium tcnllprths CClant Cxx and mulc atii)' dtili ntl usdco bntini Evaluation of Hershey's Red Azalea Growth Using Three Pot and Mulch Combinc ii~~~ilhecsse Su s pit l b iplli vCilixn muilchs ail blaicki puts i 5tl' i nhto iti'ihitix pk' o frami soixx' tii t G.J. KEEVER, Department of Horticulture G.S. COBB, Ornamental Horticulture Substation P 2c11i' I. ]u duin GROWU wood (IN(;(C iili ' t'ils AI IN I31). orxnamitS g 1 s tir nd iitis x xthat t ltis ari siit5pacediI Ix'iii tir s ul tlls o iil t i I sia gisiixs of, relit cc t iiiiix ('lii Boor'i Cm I yiul y ii n oi ill vN1) Soti 'I' 13uik St i S IIt x(:e oiii \ NI)"I' 1) \\ 11 i rI Ib I I : sxi1) A/s.ti ' 31IS Ii~t,-r I I:R INr1111tI x TS sbr ~1 I)ii 5a~ ) r C'u Pot/nndch combination Roiiii) (15 tI Igi' g J~ I root B3lack pouxi iiti' 7.2 \Vlit) put/iiltck 0. 2.6 .3 :3.6 sxsh'iii 26.01 25.,S 31. IBlatck pot/shilde........ IRating: I 1)lest dix i'iupi'i aind '5 iliist 20. 12. ti diesloiped I ii, Alabama A"ric"ultural 1"'XI)crinicnt Station NATURE and extent of root IFFERENCES THE systems of assorted IN varieties of southernpeas were recognized in the early stages of southernpea breeding at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Some 30 to 40 years ago, Dr. C.L. Isbell emphasized the importance of the root system in developing high yielding varieties. Current interest in nitrogen fixation and conservation tillage has stimulated renewed interest in understanding the root system of legumes, their genetic diversity, and their potential for improvement through breeding. There is a need to develop southernpea varieties with strong, deep penetrating roots, with high nitrogen-fixing capability, for use as summer legumes in conservation cropping systems. Efforts are currently being made at the Experiment Station to relate the various root system characteristics of southernpeas to biological nitrogen fixation and root growth in compacted soils. Once these relationships are established it should be possible to (1) develop southernpea varieties with superior nitrogen-fixing capability that are adapted to Alabama soils, and (2) at a later date relate this information to possible yields. An Experiment Station study was initiated to characterize root morphology of a number of diverse southernpea varieties and to determine if a correlation existed between root morphology and nitrogen fixation. Traditional techniques for studying root systems in the field are laborious, time consuming, and not as accurate as desired because of root loss in the process of excavation. Thus, a greenhouse technique was developed in 1982 to make possible the growth and evaluation of root systems for 40 individual plants every 3 weeks. Fourteen southernpea varieties representing a diversity of horticultural types were grown in the greenhouse in polyethylene cylinders filled with non-compacted Cahaba fine sandy loam. Eleven days after planting, soil was washed from the roots and data taken on taproot development and number and distribution of lateral roots for each variety. The photographs illustrate the diversity of root systems. Also, a field experiment was conducted to compare root systems of the same varieties using traditional methods of excavation and plotting. California Blackeye, a popular table variety, was distinctive in that lateral roots near the crown were long and somewhat fibrous. In the field, the taproot was strong and effective in penetrating a plowpan. Knuckle Purple Hull, a variety which has been shown experimentally to be extremely capable in biological nitrogen fixation, has a strong root system. Dr. Isbell noted that when this variety was released (by Auburn in 1959), its root system was large enough to D Diversity of Root Characteristics Among Southern pea Varieties M.F. SAWYER and C.B. ELKINS, U.S.DA-Department of Agronomy and Soils O.L, CHAMBLISS, Department of Horticulture support large plants and heavy yields. Knuckle Purple Hull had a symmetrical root system with laterals well distributed along the sturdy taproot. A cluster of laterals near the soil surface and few laterals at greater depths on the taproot were characteristic of Freezegreen, released by the Experiment Station in 1979. This same effect showed up in a Freezegreen x Iron cross (no photograph). Lateral roots of Mississippi Silver extended down a strong taproot but were sparse in comparison to Pinkeye Purple Hull which had more lateral roots that were longer and better distributed than those of Mississippi Silver. The possibility of breeding for a specific type of root system is illustrated by Worthmore, a variety developed from a cross between Mississippi Silver and Pinkeye Purple Hull. Worthmore had root characteristics intermediate to the parent lines. Root symmetry, number, and strength of Worthmore laterals resembled Pinkeye Purple Hull more than Mississippi Silver. Other older varieties had distinct characteristics. Lateral roots around the crown of Red Ripper were fibrous, with many branches. The taproot was strong and penetrating under field conditions. The root system of Iron was symmetrical with a strong taproot. Both laterals and taproot of Iron were strong soil penetrators in the field. Data from these varieties and others indicate that each variety has a characteristic root pattern, indicating genetic diversity in root systems. Through breeding, the possibility is good for developing better performing root systems. Root morphology of southernpea varieties grown in the greenhouse in polyethylene cylinders filled with non-compacted Cahaba fine sandy loam. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station 9 FIG. 1. SIDAS incorporates the use of a digitizing tablet to allow for analysis of field boundaries and obstructions. I x tilts fiii eici ci (itii I terI I II lil t- 11111(1i xir iiiatiln iii ii iiot cnl N.ilt t ( II h"t xx l I it (Id titoin i i Ltl ua inc tS i itif h liiids xI til itt sliii l lii l S I) r x i tioi SI DAS__ lx tlt iiti n lt listtitt li col Iti r iiit l i - offers efficient irrigation of fields with irregular boundaries /~ ROCHEIR, Department of Agricultural Engineering I 1111a Ilsc"d to produce Iovv crops :Ala1v nrgular boundarlrs_ 111 is, t, OF THE F 11'.I:US that i\\1 L('. ,l scluares_ rt,.tanllcs_ or ;ul\ ulhl I ,I;II I( shape. Alanv of the fields also hay I, obstructions such as houses, povct'r lincs..uld roads. Tllcsc irregular shayx's itnd obstruction" ,tllc'ct tot, polcnlial to irrigate these fields \\ ith sprinkler irrigation s\ steins. fiel(ls include e anliniug flit, possibililc of IIIov ing obstructions and bmilIdill ws- 'those obsh'nctions aild bolnldaric" \\hlcb cannot changed mist be ronsid(ilcd in the irri- t itt l I Hi t I n t t I te h l cs a c I oi i htt Iu c t i 1 dt t iI i ga41 x xctt Ii tliuI be ttlx tirrittixxn itt(" itixnls lIi I)v \S iti tation dtsign, c"ausinl, changes in the sirc~ , positioning, and t\ 1w of cyuipnnvt \\bich can be utilized. 'these considerations afl" t th(" cfII(iencv of vvatttl utilization. tnrr(" v usugc- and finalb_ the cost of the svstl). Ilovccccl, ccen vyitli obstructions ;old irrcgnlal buundalies_ there vvill tv pically be scivcral vv;ty s to irrigate it Iic"Id. :A research goal st (hr \lablnla I I(I[Ilit rul I'\pcrinn'it Station is t ) pI(\ id(' halt lit tt i\ i (111 xtitt I1' d(ii htitha 'll ixt it I ltli ii Ih~ arxxi l I xxI I! iilii ii t I iiiii e i l to p o li ui ix tht liiIc i li xxiii iit h\ li tI~ (d 't It(ili it ci llpxtiui A conllnon problem, for e.xanlplt', is it povv cr line crossings field and restrichm" the potential te lll. 1'' ,l list' of at center picot irritation s\ sI.\p ical d (',sk"ll t("1'11111(Illt, it')l tll("st' ilt xi to t xt p xiulel tx IIIlx titn iitl he hoiiir tlv Sv t! ii iSi ix tilt tl Th u it it 4,1 jlta xx~r xt1iti ItiS it tttiisi (I gtii itablet FIG. 2. Grid system with typical field and center-pivot positioning. ...... Maximum wetting radius Tablet boundary t Initti Ib use xl Itablit.u~'Iii .. it i miti li itt attth ldtoli th ontp tcuii :Effective radius Paints of analysis ' i~mit of uniform coverage ::.:. . . . ..... . ... : : .. . . .. : : . . . .. .............. . . ... ....................... ip t tutu xe x or e eld boundary . ~ ~~~ ~ .2. zf gr.i . .e ni u . e.. t . . k/abiiiti:i X'uiuultui, i 1 l FIxcui'i tI .Stititii RASSES such as Texas panicum and crabgrassare generally controlled peanuts with dinitroaniline herbicides. These soil-applied materials, when properly used, can provide good to excellent control. However, because of poor application or incorporation, adverse weather, extremely high weed pressure, or combinations of these variables, escapes often occur. Few alternatives, in terms of economical herbicide treatments, exist for the control of grasses after they have become established. Researchers at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, though, have been evaluating Paraquat CL®for control of Texas panicum in peanuts. Preliminary results suggest that Paraquat CL can be used to control Texas panicum with minimal injury to peanuts. (At this time, this herbicide is not registered for this use in peanuts.) Paraquat CL, a nonselective contact-type herbicide, is effective on many annual grasses and some seedling broadleaf weeds. It can be selective, however, if applied early to a crop which has a greater ability to overcome injury than the target weeds. Such is the case with peanuts where the seedling taproot penetrates deep into the soil even before emergence. Compared to other crops, peanuts can tolerate considerable herbicide injury prior to the flowering period without a reduction in yield. Experiments were conducted at the Wiregrass Substation in Headland to define the rate and application timing of Paraquat CL necessary for maximum weed control with a minimum of crop injury. The test areas were treated with 1 pt. per acre of Prowl and 2.5 pt. of Vernam® to provide marginal grass control, imitating a weed escape situation. Texas panicum was the predominant weed species present. Paraquat CL was applied at three different rates: 1/4, 1/2, and 1 pt. product per acre. The application times were single applications at true ground cracking of peanuts, 1, 3, and 5 weeks after ground cracking, and multiple applications at 1 and 3, and 1, 3, and 5 weeks after ground cracking. All Paraquat applications included X-77, a nonionic surfactant at 1/4% of total spray volume. An untreated control was also included, which was maintained weed free by hand hoeing. Recovery from injury depends on the time interval between herbicide application and crop maturity. Consequently, separate experiments were conducted at two planting dates: normal (first week of May) and late (first week of June). The late planting date experiment was conducted in 1982 and 1983; the normal planting date experiment was conducted only in 1983. A portion of each plot was maintained weed free so that any canopy width, yield, or grade reduction would reflect only herbicide Gin TEXAS PANICUM CONTROL IN PEANUTS WITH PARAQUAT (late planting date) after ground cracking resulted in the greatest Texas panicum control, table 2. Paraquat CL has no residual soil activity, thus an early application may miss later emerging grasses. Delayed applications, while providing better grass control, were more injurious to the peanuts. At the normal planting date, applying Paraquat CL at the third week after ground-cracking had no effect on grade and resulted in minimal, if any, reduction in canopy width and yield. Multiple applications provided excellent weed control; however, injury was excessive. Similar results occurred with late planting. Excellent Texas panicum control was achieved with a single application postponed to the third or fifth week after ground cracking. With each delay in application timing, however, canopy width, yield, and grade progressively decreased. Regardless of planting date, the appliCation of no more than 1/2 pt. per acre of Paraquat CL at approximately 3 weeks after ground cracking, when peanuts were 3 to 6 in. across and Texas panicum was 1 to 2 in. tall, resulted in optimum control and minimal injury. Beyond this time, grasses generally became harder to control and the peanut's ability to recover was reduced. This was even more apparent at the later planting date. Multiple applications provided excellent grass control, but excessive crop injury. G. WEHTJE, Department of Agronomy and Soils, JA. McGUIRE, Department of Research Data Analysis, R.H. WALKER, Department of Agronomy and Soils effects. Weed control ratings were obtained from the nonweeded portion after the final scheduled Paraquat CL application (6 weeks after ground cracking). The 1/2-pt.-per-acre rate provided the best balance between effective Texas panicum control (89% averaged over all times of application, planting dates, and years) and minimal crop injury, table 1. The slight reductions in canopy width, yield, and grade compared with the 1/4-pt. per-acre rate and the untreated check are probably an acceptable trade-off for grass control. Timing of application had a great influence on the effectiveness of Paraquat CL. Delaying a single application until the third week (normal planting date) or the fifth week TABLE 1. EFFECTS OF PARAQUAT RATE WHEN AVERAGED OVER ALL APPLICATION AND PLANTING TIMES, WIREGRASS SUBSTATION, 1982-83 Paraquat rate, pt./acre 1/4 ............ 1/2 ............ 1.............. Texas panicum control Pct. 84 89 92 Yield Lb./acre 2,100 1,960 1,750 Sound mature kernels Pct. 65 63 61 Untreated (hand weeded). ...... 100 2,260 65 TABLE 2. EFFECTS OF PARAQUAT CL APPLICATION TIME AS AVERAGED OVER ALL RATES, WIREGRASS SUBSTATION, 1982-83 Normal planting Time of application Texas panicum control Peanut canopy width' Peanut Late planting Sound mature kernels Texas panicum 2 control Peanut canopy 2 width Peanut yield yield Sound mature kernels Pct. Single applications In. 19 20 18 16 Lb./acre 2,450 2,370 2,380 2,230 Pct. Pct. 87 91 94 97 In. 18 17 17 16 Lb./acre 2,090 2,070 1,970 1,630 Pct. 66 65 65 62 Ground cracking (GC)...... GC + 1 wk... GC + 3 wk. .. GC + 5 wk. .. Multiple applications GC + 1 and 3 wk........ . GC + 1, 3, and 5 wk......... 93 15 2,190 2,160 65 97 13 1,500 61 66 65 62 89 79 64 66 67 99 Untreated (hand weeded) ..... 100 . 14 20 62 66 100 100 10 20 1,350 2,110 54 65 2,410 'Data taken 1st week of July. 2 Data taken 1st week of August. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station 11 Vitamin C in Dairy Calf Diets Improves Immunity Traits D uI KA. CUMMINS, Deportment of Animal and Doiry Sciences ( ,iI, I A xv \li't ~:\II ) losx's oni ossiixxx iixi ixil t tixu ini (lois ixc inuxnt Sulix iiill xiiiiitiiiii xvI hori liiu \Ilo t it thel the (ill \ ,(k ofi'xli k i liit' tll x~tl (,axoesthil thait rci(Iii ii ii xun tional. xlx iai i ilii tis ii l ixli x con t rrc iiii ii 111 sl lx lii ll (t iixt li ies ll t\ii li i fi rs xii cIi x i rot lhiiui toi ix(uithui cal uilosses stiui i cli Ili iii il ii orvia liiit . xiii~c atoll \iiiiit h it l s xx *i kxiiiii g oup lii a i uu \, ix it i i thoi iii i il xtual tiii iix lix Saion le-ix iiitrll fii xl i ol i tl hliii xt maili in i ii loitax i C111 di( iiiiiiiiii ti, ut 111 eyi- bix*th ii t tll, a id no reccix iii it (al t iliter n 1u. I n ht lx ii i satr 'li 1)1t iiiilhiil\r ii f i d d ii v iiii (,ill ii i o ilxtin tilit Ic ix ilh ulslh iitii 11 l ith Iix I( sot xxixl i aci (,cill i n, t ii ltt ' li a 11 pxni lt- tiiie cllsx iu illliti t ii (Icitll. i iilk itliscl day t as ii lilt tiix d)11 ilt a 111lt dw fi i mo lth lx l he i i i life2 1111 it lis ita th td iy(a xl osrcI shoI no, ii iii it frolx t ical utor lii it ii ix lx Ci in hih ihiuuix clixiul llix iiie ii xix xkc ith.i To lix i riiil - xxin it uit tixi or 11111 li Iii lx lfiilru- ilo i's \xiiix it 1<1 al 6 w i xiks todii f ic Iy c oitiliii nxti iii ii xii ninc xxl b lo i ll i x Cis idi to thi I diI it of dors atil)1111 iiiu x iti lo I ui i i is l it( il tolI ti l iu xxiiuu io xlii iiiii lto cab that rcci is cdi colsrm tr Asit result. t xiiiii I 1111111it I 111111 li ,"i l n I )iii I(.(. a( i lIx 1 3 xx( ikx I 'Ii;IIiiii \o it ( . . .30 ;tI 1.620 I, 1 1i5t : I m mix 0-5' \\ iII ks(Ii :A(.1 ll lixitol I utixtiii 0.F 1t I. 2. t1, 1 ii I° .11 i No it, \Si a dii l ~thu 'in. \l,(diiuiin u ii -lil I xja 1 ji'iit '/ttion K Itcit till z; homes has increased snlist all tfill IN u" ,t pi inrur s fuel 101 51. OII\\ ( I UI) nt iccent times because of stilton and hi("h cost (dottier tomato]] flIt ls IIcatm,_, succ"essf11ll% ssith it fireplace or %%ood-burnnt(,' stoc c calls for stoc"kpili]]g considcrnble amounts of firessvocl. With the inc rcase in nu11t1er ofhotucs using aml stockpiling firewood, there has been increased c onccro osrr finding unfa11liliar \V0oc1-bolin' beetle adults inside a0cl around the home. Findings of all Alaba11ut :11;rictt1tural F.spcrnncnl Station studs indicate that hrc,t, 4 ")REP scoocl iliac be responsible for the beetles, present c. Although sonic vCootl borers are potcntialb da11ntging to the bomc. infurnattion about their habits front the Auburn studs man t c.tssure cone coiled hontcoss ncrs. Steer al insects fit into the "snood borin,_ categon, but D.J. WATERS and LL HYCHE Deparrrment of Zoology-Entomology, Ki i;4. 71 the most counuon species identified in this situation sere long-hornccl wood borers, Cerambsriclac. Souu' ceranlbscicls attack lining trees but most spccics arc attracted to anal infest (lead, (hamt felled trees. Adults arc actkc during the scarnt 111011th" 1Min-ch-Octobcrl. syith li"nutles las ing eggs on bark, in bark arcs iccsor in siloilar situations. 'I'hc small me"al" hatched lava, bore in, leaning little or no eternal cciclence of their presence. Lary ac tunnel and clcv clop in the bark or stood or both. I)uralion of the Natal stagcc writs grcatls bs spccics (50-60 dins to 1. 2,3-5. or ]]lore c('a s): cooseyuentl., stockpiled fircwoocl ntas contain dc\eloping borer broods fin- more than one sciusoo. Mature I.u'sue. figure I, pupate in the snood, bark. or between snood and hark u11d ucsc adults cmcrgc lciMm-, conspicuous round eil holes, figure 3. Outdoors, ]]lost long-hornccl wood borers spend the s+i11tcr in the lunal or pupal sthtgc and aclttlt cuu'rincncc bc(,ins in FIG. 1. (left), Cerambycid larva; FIG. 2. (right), adult wood borer exit holes. In the Alahanut ;lgricullural h;Xpcrintent Station research, nmrc than 40 species of cerunbsrids sccrc identified in association "kith c;u-ious freshb felled harchcoocl trees. A(lults 01 the most couunon of these are sftossn in figure 3 A-11: (:1) \-c'oclttttis acnncin(iNts (red-hcacle(I ash borer); (B) A'. rcutcllari.s: (C) N. inucrwiulns; (D) litloircchiis colouu.s (rustic borer): (FJ 1":uclc°rcc's pini; (F) Flaphi(hon 11111cronallow ((:) Grapllisvu-nw fasriutus: (11) Stcnoyhcnns notatus. All of' these spccics scot found associated with oak uncl hickory, two fasoritc firewood tire groups, and ]]uty be cncolintercd where Tcithiiit ti i' rtlli' dc i tx tttii is i r pupai )l() issttti d i letoji in ti \\xxI illl lute-stai.gt lami x hoiiut' a tx ilxxitt'in hIxThug prsec ixli .11litu ti cui iitlt amtlx ofi bore latlti iside thet 1 i firewood is concentrated. .. n 1 ~ ,s '- s. E:G F G;~N FG3.Some common long-horned wood borer adults associated with felled hardwood trees: (A) Neoctytus acuminatus. (B) N.scutellaris, (C)N. mucronatus, (D) Xyotrechus colonus, (E) Euderces pini, (F) Elaphidion mucronatum, (G) Graphisurus fasciatus, (H) Stenosphenus notatus. .Alaama Agricultu ral 1J'xp')'i-ilieft Station UNDERSTANDING SODIUM AND UNIM POTASSI UM USE V HELPS PROMOTE NUTRITIONAL HEALTH AJ, CLARK and C. FIELDS, Department of Home Economics Research many foods and both are important in AND However, there is congood nutrition. POTASSIUM occur in siderable concern about excess use of salt and inadequate consumption of potassium by Americans. This pattern of consumption means that the sodium to potassium ratio is different than the desired 1:1. The average American consumes about 1/3 to 1/2 oz. (10 to 15 grams) of salt per day, which contains about 1/6 oz. (5 grams) of sodium. This is considerably more than the 1.1 to 1.3 grams of sodium an adult needs to maintain good health. In contrast, the usual American diet contains about 1.6 to 3.0 grams of potassium per day. Sodium and potassium have several roles in the body. Sodium is the principal cation of extracellular fluid, which includes blood. Potassium is the princpal cation of the intracellular fluid (fluid inside the cell). Sodium is involved primarily with the maintenance of osmotic equilibrium and body fluid volume. Potassium is primarily involved with cellular enzyme function and, to a lesser extent, osmotic pressure and body MEAN DAILY SODIUM SODIUM Salt shaker use High (2 subjects) ............ Low (3 subjects) ............. None (3 subjects)............ fluid volume. The salt content of the fluids in the body affects movement of water into or out of the tissues. The body content of sodium and potassium and their concentration in body fluids are under homeostatic control. Moderate sodium and potassium intakes are promptly any error that would occur if subjects failed excreted in the urine and excretion of these to comply with directions for food sample elements quickly drops to low levels when and urine collections. intake is reduced. How heavy use of salt at the table affects Since sodium is involved with control of sodium consumption showed up in data body fluid volume, it can affect blood pressure. The relationship between sodium in- gathered concerning salt shaker use. Subtake and hypertension (high blood pressure) jects were arbitrarily divided into three is strong enough to suggest a causal role for groups: high use, low use, and no use. Those salt in the development of many cases of in the high use category had a marked increase in total sodium consumption and a hypertension. One of the leading causes of kidney dis- high sodium:potassium ratio, see table. ease in the South is high blood pressure. The Thus, the practice of adding salt to prepared Southern diet, which often contains high foods may be a substantial contributor to the amounts of fat and too much salt, may be an problem of excess salt consumption. Since sodium and potassium are involved important reason why hypertension is prevalent in the region. Alabama currently has the in altering blood pressure, it is prudent to highest incidence of kidney disease in the maintain a close ratio of sodium to potassium United States (90 persons with kidney dis- in the American diet. Either lowering the ease for each million persons), and high salt intake or increasing potassium intake, or both, can be done to more nearly approach the desired 1:1 ratio of sodium to potassium. INTAKE OF SUBJECTS, ACCORDING TO SALT SHAKER USE Having accurate information about dietary sodium intake of a particular popuRatio of Sodium intake/day from lation segment is necessary to obtain a clear Food Salt Total sodium to shaker potassium understanding of the relationship between sodium intake and hypertension. Thus, the Grams Grains Grams methodology developed for accurately esti4.445 2.86 3.040 1.415 mating sodium and potassium intakes of ado1.65 .105 2.462 2.357 lescent girls may prove valuable in this area 1.67 2.162 -2.162 of work. blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease. Blood pressure can be decreased by lowering sodium intake and increasing potassium consumption. Since adolescent females are a high risk group as related to nutritional health, information about this group is being sought in Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station research. A recent study developed methodology to accurately determine sodium and potassium intake and excretion in this population group. Eight female subjects, about 13 years of age, were asked to prepare or purchase a duplicate serving of each food or beverage ingested from meals or snacks. Serving sizes of each food were estimated to the nearest gram by weighing the food before ingestion. Subjects were allowed to salt food at the table, but a salt shaker containing a known amount of salt was provided so amount of salt added to the food could be determined. Weighed food portions and beverages were collected into a plastic container for each food consumed each day of the week for a total of 7 days. Corresponding 24-hour urine samples were obtained. Sodium and potassium analyses of food and urine were done by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Subjects ingested daily almost twice as much sodium as potassium (2.883 vs. 1.446 grams). Most of this was excreted in the urine.(2.410 and 1.121 grams, respectively). One of the reasons for collecting the urine was to confirm the amount of each element consumed in the diet. This check indicated 14 Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station process of recovering fertilized ova TRANSFER in days is a from a donor female 6 to 8 cattle after breeding and transferring the ova into unbred recipient females. The recipients must be in estrus at the same time as the donor animal. The recipient cow then carries the developing embryo through gestation without influencing the genetic makeup of the offspring. The process of embryo transfer also involves superovulation of the donor (stimulating multiple follicular growth with an injectable hormone), insemination, embryo recovery (flushing), and storage of the embryos (either short-term incubation or freezing) in addition to the actual transfer of the fertilized ovum. During the last decade, embryo transfer has become commonplace in the cattle industry. Since genetic improvement in cattle is usually limited by low reproductive rates (70 to 75%) and long intervals between generations (5 to 7 years), many successful producers of purebred cattle have either used embryo transfer or are considering its use as an attractive alternative enabling them to improve the quality of their herds more rapidly. The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station is searching out and evaluating those variables that determine the success of such a program. In recent years, hundreds of commercial companies have been organized throughout North America and Europe for the purpose of transferring embryos. The larger, more established companies normally provide producers with two options: (1) on-the-farm transfers, or (2) the producer may transport the donor animal to the embryo transfer center where the appropriate procedures are carried out. Before deciding to transport a valuable donor animal to an embryo transfer center, producers should carefully consider several factors. Most embryo transfer centers have the added capability of freezing embryos, producing two or more potentially viable embryos from one original (splitting), and in some instances determining the sex of the embryos. Usually it is more expensive for the producer to transport a donor animal to an embryo transfer center. Furthermore, animals which are transported may be injured or stressed as a result of shipping. Since stress associated with transportation has been shown to adversely affect reproduction, a study was conducted by the Experiment Station to determine the interaction of transportation stress with ovulation rate in superovulated donor heifers. Four trials were conducted during 1982. Thirty cycling Hereford heifers between the ages of 15 and 21 months and of similar weight (600 to 750 lb.) and body condition were used. Cattle were maintained together in a 5-acre pasture for at least 3 weeks prior to assignment to groups. Heifers received 10 EMBRYO Illustration of fertilized bovine embryo. Effect of Transportation Stress on Ovulation Rate in Superovulated Hereford Heifers C.H. RAHE, L.E. EDWARDS, D.N. MARPLE, and KA CUMMINS Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences J.F. PRITCHETT, Department of Zoology-Entomology D.F. WOLFE, School of Veterinary Medicine lb. per head per day of a ground hay, corn, and soybean meal diet that was approximately 12.5% crude protein and were allowed free access to Coastal bermudagrass hay and water. After the acclimation period the animals were divided into control and stressed groups. Stress was induced by transporting the animals to a new location every 12 hours during a 4-day period. The amount of time the animals were transported ranged from 20 to 60 minutes. During this 4-day period, control and stressed animals were superovulated with a hormone which causes multiple follicular growth. The superovulatory regimen consisted of twice daily injections of 5 mg FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for 4 days beginning on day 10 to 12 following the onset of estrus. On the fourth day of injections, the heifers were given 25 mg PGF2a in the morning and 15 mg PGF2a in the afternoon to regress the existing corpus luteum, a component of the ovary that produces progesterone. Following the 4 days of FSH treatment, stressed heifers were regrouped with their control counterparts. In both groups, ovaries were visually examined 8 days folEFFECT OF TRANSPORTATION STRESS ON FORMATION OF CORPORA LUTEA IN RESPONSE TO SUPEROVULATION TREATMENT Animals CL left CL right Total ovary ovary CL No. No. No. Control ..... 13 10.6 8.6 19.1 15.5 Stress ...... 17 8.0 7.5 Treatment lowing standing heat to determine the number of corpora lutea which reflects the number of ova produced by the animal. Results of the experiment are summarized in the accompanying table. The 13 control heifers had an average of 19.1 corpora lutea (range was 7 to 33), whereas the 17 stress heifers had an average of 15.5 corpora lutea (range was 6 to 32). Although there were on the average four fewer corpora lutea in the stressed group, these differences were not significant. Furthermore, there were not significant differences between the number of corpora lutea on the left and right ovaries. These results indicate that transportation stress of the intensity and duration used in this study did not affect FSH-induced ovulation rate in Hereford heifers. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station 15 "Take-all" Disease of Wheat Moves into Alabama R.T. GUDAUSKAS, Department of Botany, Plant Pathology, and Microbiology A.K. HAGAN, Cooperative Extension Service, G MORGAN-JONES, Department at Botany, Poant PtoW gy, and Microbiology, E.D. WILLIAMS, Department oftAgronm an Ki sr FIG. 2. (left), Degenerate roots and darkened stem bases indicative of take-all, healthy plant (lf) I.3. (center). Close-up of wheat plants with take-all disease. FIG. 4. (right), Dark, superficial mycelium of take-all fungus on stem base of wheat plant; healthy (left). is moitf it ft iii tlit' at tt'mper'iaturi soiil 't' i 1-G(' I'iicl .if high xioil miiiiixuii tIx tx~s -i i lx ii iifin a i t take-all nitra1te' niitr'-'ell \. lxxcsix ap iplict'lioil of reporteiIdly ftcor x lime umdin l lIncfit'i~x'X li Inc m loI nxxi i cc i,' fcll ii, ct 'xtiiit ft'tak a ,)(t( l i l xx i /c t I atsi~ it seiou ii itxfuii ii i' 1 ic t i ra x t xx ax mi at gtrowinggthtroughx fth'soilt t'ni xill cithx I ht ran i . flt'xi ts pre cii' c xxino XIurce si iiofx i ii ix iit' tiii cnt'i'it ii tedt'f wiit 'of. i Tt l it i i't 1 n 3i. lowI tciiil I rt ax w iclcl ini whet, losses~i fc lit at'x for tx fli rs~itl )tx'i i i plmtX l tnili thei t~hin'rc xxiIIotl waxit'i ix ft'e fi 11.1 Xi-nilii x lix xxl ith fliliigus ix t1 ixspei xii flo 111 icl tigifiilitt r. i S i fie lls tihat ,o i5 k Ii Iwe ti' p lat'frd ii ihiat 'ii' to ll flitu a t icl l i ni ist 2) on t' iixtt' sonlil co itt tx s c it'iiuwas iifi ii lfit' tCx'u fl t'liit' t lifton lal Lam c arsal fitialuhaiiu\ Mi cci il c ipill ~itt i e tii'' lafi n' a i s oite ifi and iiiianii cumtic hisn floit tit tMiitcexi uct'xxix ix ,ixiiuix an iktepinug lic'lil xxifi a xixrrtita~ki'-all piillciii lilt iiixxlit fii atf lt'ait 2 wars Co ('tfton corn a'1 .lotlii nd grainsx or patuie grasxs'x cnnct it'tixt't asx i~otriht'i i i s c the ii t f xiix-all fi'tw agen1 lt'st and liltt fri ,nict fial s takfi -al li fkits lift xx ha l fi refsen i ini t trcillini it'i ii- st'i'fX t for ic t hilt x t iihfiiii's cokiii for) thi i iiiiixii t incud itli susin', prn FIG. 1. Wheat field showing large areas killed by the take-all fungus. xt i li ifm a agit ult , a d'ci't (2i' seekf mthodsutl olttflt ccliig oiit ciixxtri n m he xtt discasci'iilto i c clcrp red iioixssteiisii Takicxali iixts'iii caus h x itx itlitn fiingusi xtitu Ittittafli xl nii flu igi t'h4t attcks ~ Alabama Al-i-ic"iclticral Expc)- n cid Station T oftu '\aIillpIc of thet ditstriittivrs inhmi ftnlI ce 11ill I'X 1 NI~ ii tf 131 I .iii 'I'llis a classi petst i'shutlet of an (1apan bei c lits.11 Icis tital 1 int'Sodution in11todi15 couh t iH i Ift19 iiize beele Din .p the et5 as h pce il ti lupo ihi i itt st m uill ttitiii l icc i andi i sprafoitiii arealti lfust'00 s.i., coir ing mo~ttsiIi iit i t ti fIa tnitid tlt. l ,i.~ 'Ihsi b41s t pose ittea r cutura t)hrt'i~ I Fment G.L. MILLER and L.W LIAMS, C partment of Agricu G.W. KARR, Alaba FIG. 1. Adult Japanese beetle. jy-Entomology Industries oi titis c hiitat.i itiIliiatee' but ft clii t- iutc stor ati i11) i lj it ,11.th d Stte . iftstttd arcas. itittits Xiiitiituuui\ ift'stations oiittatianese 1 beetls.il t'idditii's lic l 'I i st' io~ dui tit flit' I )t'juilu iititiiand dangi a scaritii iotf i at1 tneies~. N t iii a s rcgt14iii i01 i oftargiec l ots rtic1lits iiincltd stil si, vv111 it) fisi iire si attchiti ii humt p~lants lil-i -l lccuri n' talit Xi n l ;ia'iiiuset tlii iuititiui and itbust ptiants Marsall lilt' ith e ~it'l tits cs ilts fIo poi titons tof C'hll ii', Jackson Jefiti still lct' MXariin, autti X ilisfili counti's. Spec'tific iii I 'iequii t'iltiot ti i i of nube iiiiiiii'i if s beiaicomicg ifet tei nd tititit's itfnt thlctis tills. illt lissing's the Japaneiisieitl n t iiil'ltiiit i copliatilcit 'iiis It ueristo il/it and)tttsInditrit teilsiitc s i 1114 li iii okr(1I i a FIG. 2. (left). Adult beetles often congregate to feed on host plants. FIG. 3. (right). Larvae, C-shaped white grubs, hatch and feed on turf roots. Alabamai Agr41iculltul1/ Lptriuutut Statin Using Adjuvants with Concentrate Sprays Improves Deposition on Pecan Leaves H.J. AMLING and J. SNELL Department of Horticulture J. SMITH and V.L. BROWN Department of Research Operations C ttN 'l1\I LSl'IIX's hixl H txxu 'Iuigit1 25 l tp o it droltst tilt apaii ill ttlll e ft \ ptx I iie 1 t \I( r n tlt e ofiiin ix it i titiitisusgi oun aiittx t tiltIX ilts D ata ill tite tabl in iattt that c~h t I i li tlth u~u luiot ix t i ~ foaiiatt. andtx the us ti2i of maltlt sprtitlti ill iv('x attit tiht it Xi s tin amil ts ofat iir tte er (5t i tgxal. t sptit gal t ead ofgi i 15-21ti ihtit l i ng 1 loX t b11IX e ra Hill f tt Xlsii e ti) I)oui it Xi fit I I g No ( nozzle FMC the fit rat of s'lideandt lcxntimltili cNt aItili tIXI ( tit iti Ill fsti hu ac i cgtc to ling pray~a X iitilliittpesio t l Im h u e droplettiit wir ustd ith coitrui x nca tu att satlxying 1atlimore t itti t (r duihteutcinc t\a Il Io tait ttx tC Xiii iii dii itha ppiles)tidicatit tiat ixatlt iiith i t lt Ilitilitli ( ni ciii troli 11tf. 90°tit if 0 X tlit i xiii iii eitu a tE a the ai s ixn ditnctitif t0xxa. ix hll il lhlithe til ititi it i I II ttil itit. Iinc igcti 0.(1 0.6 it 19.1 f19 15.1 32 g;i . . .. tl.i .i .1 0.3 ("al be tGfeat ii\ cis t bict L s Co.,tti Inii. Datilas X l t i i( ii i': :t l ia It o _A V It S I )1111 ii it th 85 s n~ it o Li lilT I tt i t iti i t1.) i (Iof t 5 tt iiI u its ii I "iii sis . I I i it t , I It Isi ('itt tisi- I t itlba I l itt sto ut iii li i 3 1iii n i Iro tio (I II( s itii lii rI iist m i( 1 I S2 t(III(t Iif IwIOI its11 I ills its I t ii 1ii )~i tI I \ii ti, Iit ii l'I II Itt ititti itib St i i,I inlis tu u I I( I st Il ttI sst t( t1 e IIII tI t(itt I t i ' i t( tiults l )to e ii t 219 iS I t~ n 1t'5 it t caull ctu p uitsi t l Ii .i f tei r i il l iii. rxI I lit ri Itt 1 c lit it itIii( iltl iii ieit II1 lit e IS )III t1 1 to itt I i ill liltl ,1T litsII I 'I o It ii (isc I(It 111: i ii Ii Brucellosis Eradication Program Profitable for Alabama V.P JOSEPH ana GM. SULLIVAN Department at Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology P.R. SCHURRENBERGER, School of Veterinary Medicine l1.iiit ll1 1" \ i Si til st ti(us i .t b itt It '5 s.11ii li ii I sst't stlt ii s i t liai Iei titttm st iit iis liii i in iti. i(1 Th iis i tit'tI iii 5t( i 1c~ lti itt it i AIli I't A I ii iii ii,~t tt A I I t tltch 't t iii t I lii Iii si i ofi l .1 t~ltitLItIn is ' 1 i JIi i l l I I VI A 'Ii I i lii 55 t -ItIi. 1 1 11 ( Its til itt ic j ill't n i~ l l v11 DX I itt silt e un(~Iii' tttit t1 pto tcst 1i i s iof sjhe h lst' s i tutu icatit'stjttiitiii iunl lii's l titti l ri l ilis ha,,iii til t ll tti ii tstsAI t lln Iill Il I"I II ticuiiil raio. toii~ ,I u111 Fvtt iini tilt I L l I it i It fI m el' its1 111 ( t lust I I Ii i llst tt peilet' I positiv i tt on It tiltii :ur It pf tt tutu tlt"I \ ul c l~t1t it blit ut~I iiiplttIt* )It ll I it i ItI I Iiitotl a u I)of itt n riicttit fa liii i iit iiI u Il \- t -. 11a u iiv pool i is jilt t i Iits si s sit it'l itlt Iiinto tvlt (lIfiil t osi nIii I. Fistt tit ii is tll i sit((' (l( ell{it( ti "fiiinca t' 'Ili(' (iisi ii ti' outtt l ii liiiiiits 't lii si i it pr ie ilit s ta t tillt I It isis i ith is 5 sii ti 111 Itt iiie c late t s ii naitlii IuI i t' isittI(:u lii1) s iii \iis 'i itf it li u1 ni o st ct -h itt 8- Iihlipeti't ia it )1i iii isal lt c ih \\i tit I i it lii I ii'til iii it t I lis t 11(1 it(i boit i tit '' I iliI litol itI i I'l tl itt iii hit t(O.111 m i hI s s lk ( 1\iiti i iltilts ust( ito itt ttI-I it's . \\itu tIt 1 tit it hu'lllo ii lni it IiI itI It ti n~ It it its s itf .5I IS ittI I~r~u Ii i'i' itt it it titof si l( tItt lal th l iii lit' si i i-ct i tioll t ra i slls stud(-I th Ilit tlt t s it is i ttltIit i pa is I io' pli tll lli i1s II isi ALL-i i' icae cu u lli is111 Iii itt ai.1 l l l iii' It 1111 it Irs I l wereIl r - t is till I wII(lt ii S(iti' cI("itt I IIII a beit )1istilt I t itii u cs.11 t il it ii s tiit ii tti 'ts 'Ics linI ti othe1 Stites I) Tsi iii (,1itll Iit iii' cosit. lIii t lit \llt'tl ii t i ts i( ll si'tttII 'tsii iii. II tiltsouitititi it"ittti iii reasa it tit I111 m li i i '"i it If It pIi IS es. ItItitI itil llalunnn _k-I-i(nlhn-a/ E'xI)rrinIiIII SI(I/iOII Corn into Strip-kIaIea Clover J.T. TOUCHTON ono T. WHITWELL Deportment of Agronomy and Soils9 U SING, NN INTIEli LE(,t \IS litro iX l.,utl ouIne ilte 11 lve crimson ciover. lA Xoiirce ~i for no-iIlage ti ON )n-in itiu xi XXXight of thlt it iorn ilh Xwas C cgo und c9iiloi- planttd inpllI i IX tc Xiiln r crolps iX inaini~lg E)111 i iii fair 09,o i)XX seasXilinl plaiitinig 6.0tt0 l11per 1-10I lb. thie Xall' of tht N in thlt liguiiii tiXsiut iX Ini 1983, %ihstatili. at stiil iu llt XXitll \itailga crimso~in ttit'i acre. Nitiotii ini llt tissuit aX Clraged tpei atie CXX liitl iX adequatlito pn ioduce~ an (rs to CXaliiatcth initoiap i XwithIthan Xm thiout Xsuth as tliio r, Xwhich iliinialt in XsubsXtquitit \cas C XCeal and is XX bilitx IofXpiXXlian tingcr i iir ,lcot. scatling cost fai licd on1 c~toblti I S. 19)S2, at 20) 11b. pcr acre. 'It (i corn 1953, XX Ilil it XtttliO3 ratt oif IIAk 15302, cIX (h I XXas fttilili/ci N t ItalX indiaitsuiiint qtilit\ of N XX iiit aX released Iroli thC tlnX Cl lillCi al IX tn Xclitl the t lnr ti XXXcomipletltt a killed at torni plating, Xtt talel. Inatdequoate retltase oif N cte that ( .rain soirghutmi XXOrkX XXtl teiiiX Ii iiiaiilX° because tcliX er niii l pi ating ini thest XXill tilt cloX ci XXI il,iii lhoiii froitthcl Aug\tiiti_ AX to cX tultt iagi bainii.'l ill ptLialit 1 sXXX gO4Cll lI raiinfall fin-\IaX anuutt~ per141)1iodt soIgh fioi XXcr T.1, hiunet JuIX, 1. 1, 2.9 anth 0.1 in. 0,9, 18, and 36 in. x itii in the CXIptttiX 'IX. 36-in. kill stip \\ iXsacnmltc iX I Iiglir iorn X itIII Xwere attainied XwheIn kill across~ the lntirt phlt. Eath stirip-kill plolt clioX Xcas comtiii l} thie Cr killedl .36-in. kill niiiii N acciimtlation ill thlt ligtint iitlwasX(fix itcld iinto twoi subloits one rcitX it stipil thanl XXhe lii itheri 9- or IS-iii. Xtrips XXc killtid. LI)XXii X ildti Xwithl thetrIip) iii Xsill CXX N aiitthet oithtr 1itttIttl t16i. IDuiing thiC paXt 2 Xcrs onicX~i innolIX tiX C ptr acri of Xitlitli :3 ttkX aftir plantCX N XX ing. All plots XXcr titiplitatttl imr tinil's aiit tretoitiitit iliaX hax t beeni causidtI slox~XCcr tich ) cni XX X rtoiiiX pla n i~)tetX durig th each ioc.i earless ofi thet iii lesXN rtlcast fronii~t the i tivu tissueit Xitltcli(X N rat, but rctctiXec t It) 6ptr atre tof N as at start Cl XXLIXiiilt likelX causied lbX Xsoil misituiit tIc- nii. I'ii- XXithl iinjat con iii c. Thlt ioaiiiiti plantig tiiut sel. ltXl peiif is onlt ctliX ling tiil re-Xa ilf theset XX Xtems. W\ithl thiX to gi iXX, IliiXvetX actciiiilati itearcth ri N, andtpi ioito at thlt Alabiilil Station suetsg~l ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUBURN UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA 36849 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE POSTAGE PAID Agriuioltuiral Exptimnt n ii r)1) No iiiui 10101X Iii ( liN XX -\i~ct~ I Nnic: F 1111) nOO Xn IN KILLEDo(10A~ FR Sriiils liii ( RUNoX Pi~ Xllm; Xi i0 or11 ioN1 mi Gale A. Buchanan, Director PUBLICATION-Highlights of Agricultural Research 3 84 Penalty tar private use, $300 AGRI 101 BULK RATE I!L~&MIL Sithed ess trIoigent i lb) /atre i tdit el/ce Xkllt ykle tlp ti X111I its in. i n. I in 131ii :36 i Rat Bii 18 0.I . .. t 6tt............63 Bi. :34 7.3 :32 6 501 91 ItoxX Xwidth~ wasX 36 in. ad comuple te kill. the :36-in. Xwithl XwaX i