1991
Annuai Report
Alabama Agricultural 
Experiment Station
Auburn University
A
S~
Contents
Foreword
1991: A Big Year for Agricultural Research
Financial Report
Directors Award Winners
Administrative Officers
Alabama's poultry 
industry continues 
to grow,
and along with growth comes waste 
disposal
challenges, which AAES researchers are
striving to meet.
James E. Martin, President
Paul F. Parks, Vice President for Research
Lowell T. Frobish, Director
David H. Teem, Associate Director
Russell B. Muntifering, Associate 
Director
Charles W. Bruce, Assistant Director
This report was produced by the 
Office of Re-
search Information:
J. A. McGuire, Interim Head
J. R. Roberson, Associate Editor
C. L. Smith, Associate Editor
T. E. Rodriguez, Art Designer
The information contained herein is available 
to all
regardless of race, color, sex, or national 
origin.
On the cover:
Ol fNt ATI p f
U AND RTS )
L' < y H
rg r uo
foreword
In the 1990 Annual Report of the Ala-
bama Agricultural Experiment 
Station (AAES),
reference was made to the significance of the
year 1991. Reading the year 1991 forward or
backwards, the numbers are the same, but the
symbolism is different. If read from 
right to left,
we could look backwards to the security of the
past, or left to right and see the challenges of
tomorrow. The faculty and staff at Auburn
chose to read it from left to right and accepted the
challenges presented in 1991.
The year 1991 commenced with the
looming uncertainties of National and State
economies. Shortly after January 1, our bud-
gets were prorated due to lower than expected
tax revenue and the challenge to continue to
produce with less funds confronted the faculty.
On January 15, Operation Desert Shield be-
came Desert Storm. Faculty and staff were
called to active duty; thus, placing another
speed bump in the path of research.
As 1991 progressed, many more speed
bumps appeared, but we continued to survive.
In some of our sister states, declining budgets
led to the release of valuable personnel. How-
ever, Auburn University was able to retain its
faculty--thanks to the faculty's resourcefulness.
In looking back, 1991 should be known as the
"Year of the Faculty" in honor of their dedication,
resourcefulness, ingenuity, and positive spirit.
To accommodate the decline in appro-
priated research funds, faculty submitted and
received a record high number of extramural
grants to support their research programs. Fac-
ultyjoined together in research teams and shared
their equipment and technical support with
each other. Joint research ventures were initi-
ated with industry, resulting in additional funds
to support research, and also in the use of
industries' facilities and equipment and the
transfer of equipment to Auburn University.
During 1991, we moved into a much
needed greenhouse complex. This complex pro-
vides a greenhouse with a totally controlled
environment which is needed to answer the
complex questions facing agricultural and for-
estry production in the state. This facility pro-
vides modern laboratory space for investiga-
Lowell T. Frobish. Director
tions in plant stress, biological control, and the
genetic engineering of plants.
The faculty's concerns about environ-
mental quality issues increased. Alabama has
bountiful water traversing its rivers, streams,
and underground aquifers, which studies show
could be harvested and stored in times of plenty
to be used later for irrigation of our crops.
Investigations continued on converting by-prod-
ucts such as poultry litter, hardwood tree spe-
cies, and paper refuse, which are often referred
to as "wastes," into useful products that will
enhance production and improve environmen-
tal quality. Dr. William Davies was selected as
the Butler-Cunningham Eminent Scholar, a
position that deals with environmental issues.
The Task Force presented their final
report to the AAES. Faculty are using this report
to identify goals and specific objectives that will
ensure that the AAES's research program is
responsive to the needs of the State today and
tomorrow. Ultimately, the plan will provide a
blueprint for identifying the many opportunities
available to us in the future.
This annual report presents many sig-
nificant accomplishments of our research pro-
grams. Despite the obvious benefits of this
research, it is not easy to glean from it the
resourcefulness required for the faculty to
achieve these accomplishments. Their re-
sourcefulness epitomizes the belief that the
only difference between stumbling blocks and
stepping stones is the way you use them. In
1991, faculty and staff found ways to increase
the number of stepping stones!
1991:
A Big Year
for Agricultural Research
The formal announcement of AU Lean? sau-
sage at a press conference in New York City on
July 24, 1991 focused national and international
attention on Auburn's research program. Few
achievements have focused such positive public
opinion on the University, the Agricultural Ex-
periment Station, and agriculture in general.
Though other research accomplishments at Au-
burn may equal, even exceed, AU Lean, few have
captured the interest and support of the general
public as much as AU Lean.
From a scientific standpoint, the release of
genetically altered carp into ponds near the
Auburn campus marked a dramatic break-
through. These tiny fingerlings, which include in
their genetic makeup one extra gene that pro-
duces growth hormones, were the first such fish
cleared for release into outdoor ponds. These
transgenic carp will provide a model for genetic
development that could someday produce farm-
raised channel catfish of uniform size, with
greater disease resistance and the ability to
overcome many environmental hazards that
currently plague commercial production.
The development of a robot that can "see" and
"feel" bedding plants offers tremendous poten-
tial for the State's nursery industry. If it can be
made cost effective, this robot could help pro-
ducers overcome a shortage of seasonal work-
ers and eliminate long hours of tedious human
labor required to transplant bedding plants from
growth cells into flats.
Environmentally, one of the State's 
biggest
challenges is to find profitable, yet nonpolluting
methods of utilizing litter from Alabama's dy-
namic poultry industry. One method being
tested by Auburn researchers involves using
litter in combination with waste paper, which is
also a vital environmental concern, as a soil
amendment. Initial results of placing shredded
paper and poultry litter in shallow trenches,
covering the trenches, then growing cotton look
promising.
The awarding of a $300,000 National Insti-
tute for Health grant to Auburn researchers
could provide some longterm answers to Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome in infants whose mothers
consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Research-
ers are exploring how cells perceive extracellular
signals to move information across the cell mem-
brane and into the cell nucleus to affect gene
expression.
While a complete summary of research re-
sults by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment
Station isn't possible due 
to space limitations,
the following is representative of the work
being done by scientists at Auburn.
f .f
if Ii"
svU IL ri
McDonald's use of AU Lean ground beef in
their new Mclean Deluxe sandwich brought
national attention to Auburn University.
The development of genetically altered
bacteria Xanthomonas campestris, which 
was
reported in the 1990 AAES Annual Report, 
began
paying research dividends in 1991. In this
research, scientists included genes from a 
fish
bacterium which have the ability to produce
light, much like a firefly, into the genetic code of
Xanthomonas bacteria.
Researchers determined that the bacte-
ria, which causes black rot in crucifer crops, 
can
survive for short periods on plant debris and 
in
the soil in the absence of a host crop. Using 
the
"glow-in-the-dark" bacteria, researchers also
established that the bacteria grow as well on
the surface of resistant as on susceptible
plants without causing disease symptoms.
The use of latex microbeads for assay-
ing avian antisera for the immunization 
re-
sponse following vaccination was a 
significant
development for AAES researchers in 
1991.
Latex microbeads were coupled to different
viruses and were then used to 
perform agglu-
tination tests with specific antigens. This 
proce-
dure reduces time necessary to get results 
of the
test and lowers cost to less than 10 cents per
test. The sensitivity and specificity of the 
tests
are comparable to other immunoassays used
in the poultry industry
When sensitive strains of photosyn-
thetic bacteria are subjected to herbicides, such
as atrazine or terbutryn, they respond by 
synthe-
sizing specific proteins which researchers 
be-
lieve play a role in nontarget damage 
by these
pesticides. Some of these proteins are the same
as those produced by the plant during heat
stress, but as AAES researchers found, some are
specific to herbicide stress.
Researchers determined that one pro-
tein, a 55kDa, is common to sensitive and
atrazine-resistant strains of bacteria. AAES
researchers also determined that 
a simular pro-
tein is found in both the cytoplasm and the
membrane of these bacteria. If future research
confirms this finding, it will mark the first time a
major stress protein has been identified in the
membrane, and will provide invaluable informa-
tion in the quest to characterize herbicide-resis-
tant plants.
One of the newest groups of mycotoxins
of concern in agricultural products is the
fumonisin group. Mycotoxicologists have had
little success in producing antibodies 
to fight
these toxins. However, AAES researchers have
succeeded in adapting methodology used to de-
velop monoclonal antibodies to combat 
ergot
alkaloids that cause fescue toxicity in cattle
grazing fungus-infected fescue to develop "good"
antibodies to fight fumonisin toxins.
Auburn researchers now have two dif-
ferent monoclonal antibodies, called 
Mabs, to
fumonisin toxins. The Mabs have been suc-
cessfully used to detect the presence of these
compounds in agricultural products.
How successful introduced wildlife spe-
cies and other organisms in their environment
are at finding mates and raising offsprings is
critical to improving populations of 
some game
species in Alabama, especially quail. A tech-
nique developed by researchers may help wildlife
biologists to analyze breeding success of these
animals under natural conditions.
A number of techniques have been
tested, but the most positive findings have re-
sulted from amplification and analysis of a sec-
tion of an element known as Mys. These elements
are short segments of DNA that occur hundreds
of times in the chromosomes of some verte-
brates. Because of the repeated nature of these
segments, they tend to harbor numerous 
muta-
tions, which often are unique to individuals 
or
families.
Once multiple copies of segments are
produced, several procedures can 
be used to
examine the resulting fragment pattern. 
These
patterns are termed PCR fingerprints 
and are
comparable to the more widely 
known DNA
fingerprints that have been used successfully
with humans.
Researchers are currently testing 
this
procedure in Alabamawith two introduced 
popu-
lations of quail and white-tailed 
deer.
A catfish industry 
advertising campaign,
financed by a voluntary $6.00 per ton checkoff
on feed, demonstrated the economic 
effective-
ness of the campaign by estimating 
an eight-
equation econometric model that 
links con-
sumer awareness of the advertising messages 
to
consumer perceptions of catfish 
attributes,
attitude, and purchase frequencies.
In its first year, the ad compaign in-
creased consumer awareness of 
farm-raised
catfish 15 percent, improved consumers 
percep-
tions of product 
attributes (flavor, 
fishy odor,
and nutrition) and overall attitudes for catfish 2-
4 percent, and increased purchase frequencies
for at-home and restaurant consumption 
11-12
percent. The increased consumer demand 
for
catfish was estimated to have generated 
up to
$11.04 million in additional farm income 
in
1988, a net return of up to $7.46 per 
media
dollar invested.
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic compounds
that are metabolic products of the molds 
As-
pergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. 
The
presence of these potentially deadly 
carcinogens
in food products has become a worldwide 
con-
cern, and many governments have 
reduced al-
lowable tolerances for aflatoxins 
to as low as five
parts per billion. Peanut producers in Alabama
are extremely concerned about this, since 
afla-
toxin contamination is a sporadic, 
but wide-
spread problem for State growers.
Hot and dry conditions are conducive to
the development of A. flavus as well as lesser
cornstalk borers, a frequent 
insect pest of pea-
nuts. The larval stage of this insect feeds 
on
peanut pegs and pods, and it has 
been impli-
cated as contributing to the establishment 
of
aflatoxigenic fungi in peanuts.
Laboratory and field tests by Auburn
researchers showed that propagules 
that pro-
duced aflatoxigenic fungi were found in the frass
(droppings) from about 29 percent of field-col-
lected lesser cornstalk borer larvae and inside 9
percent of field larvae. Contamination 
of pods
was positively correlated with damage from lesser
cornstalk borer feeding. Contamination with
aflatoxigenic fungi declined in plots treated with
an insecticide aimed at controlling 
the lesser
cornstalk borer.
The symptoms of bacterial infection are
largely produced by substances called 
endo-
toxin, which are released from bacteria. 
Auburn
researchers are using sheep as a model 
for cattle
to investigate the effects of endotoxin 
on the
release of hormones regulating growth, 
repro-
duction, lactation, and stress. The 
data indicate
that hormones regulating growth 
in sheep are
released by endotoxin treatment, similar to 
the
response in humans, and reproductive 
regula-
tory hormones were found to be inhibited.
Future efforts will focus on the mecha-
nism for the endotoxin-induced release of hor-
mones regulating growth. Generally, evidence
The link between
lesser cornstalk
borers and aflatoxins
in peanuts may lead
to new production 
Jr
methods. A ,
suggests that products from immune system
cells are released by endotoxin which, in-turn
release or inhibit the secretion of specific hor-
mones. Since USDA researchers have shown
that some of these hormones may protect against
the effects of endotoxins (such as fever), one
result of studies at Auburn may be the develop-
ment of a means to use some of these hormones
as an aid in the treatment of bacterial diseases.
Alabarnians 'I u-luc i lunti 1
An estimate of the economic value of
wildlife is needed in Alabama because previous
economic evaluations dealing with hunting have
considered only the impact of gross expendi-
tures. By calculating the total value of hunting
in the State, wildlife decision-makers are better
equipped to make more informed decisions re-
garding wildlife management and hunting
policy and land use planning.
Experiment Station research showed
that resident hunters value their hunting op-
portunity in Alabama more than non-residents.
This information could prove useful in future
hunting license pricing because it would enable
Alabama wildlife administrators to optimize so-
cial welfare derived by State residents through
"their" wildlife resources and profits associated
with hunting. The average value that hunters
placed on having a license in hand was $716,
more than double that of nonresidents. Also, the
average price resident hunters were willing to
pay to buy a yearly hunting license, $155.09,
exceeded that of nonresidents by $107.
The difference in willingness to buy and
sell stems from the fact that hunters feel assured
a license may be purchased. But, if one could not
be readily obtained, its value would be quite
high. Obviously, the current license price of $15
annually is considered by hunters to be quite a
bargain. These values do not mean that a
hunting license is underpriced, but that Ala-
bama has high quality and valuable wildlife
resources.
Bovine somatotropin (BST), a new tech-
nology capable of enhancing a cow's ability to
produce milk by 7 -23 percent, is expected to be
available for commercial use soon. Auburn
researchers determined the potential impact of
BST on the size distribution of dairy farms. A
three-equation econometric model was estimated
to test hypotheses about the role of information
and human capital in the adoption decision.
Results indicate a positive link between
farm size and farmers' knowledge of BST and
intentions to adopt early in the diffusion process.
These results suggest that BST will likely accel-
erate the trend toward fewer and larger dairies in
the Southeast. Other results suggest that adop-
tion will be rapid. For example, 40 percent of the
respondents indicated they would try BST
immediately upon availability, although most
(82 percent) would apply the hormone initially to
only a portion of the herd. Only 8 percent
indicated they would never use the product.
Strong differences in perceptions of risks
were found to exist between community leaders
and the general public in Sumter County, Ala-
bama, site of the nation's largest hazardous
waste landfill. According to an Auburn study,
community leaders generally viewed hazardous
waste as a relatively minor local issue and a
minimal threat to their community. The general
public was far less convinced by the company's
assurances and viewed the facility with alarm.
Local leaders typically downplayed short- and
long-term risks associated with hosting the land-
fill, placing greater emphasis on the positive
economic impact of jobs and tax revenues. Local
residents identified hazardous wastes as a more
significant problem which posed an immediate
threat to their communities.
The question of differential perception of
risk has important policy implications. There is
mounting evidence that poor, rural, and minority
communities are being targeted as disposal sites
for solid and hazardous wastes. In such com-
munities, fiscal pressures facing local govern-
ment officials and limited opportunities for eco-
nomic growth available to rural and small town
business leaders provide a powerful incentive to
attract industry and jobs, even if these entail
possible environmental risks.
The case of Sumter County raises the
fundamental question of balance between un-
derstandable desires to promote economic growth
and equally powerful concerns regarding pro-
tection of environmental quality. Failure to
adequately identify and address these concerns
creates an atmosphere of distrust within which
hard choices become all the more difficult.
Litter an Environmental Threat
A significant portion of Alabama's bil-
lion dollar a year poultry industry is geographi-
cally concentrated in the Sand Mountain region
of northern Alabama. Broiler production in the
region generates enormous amounts of waste,
primarily as litter. If managed properly litter can
provide a source of fertilizer for crops and pas-
r 
4
An AAES survey shows Alabama dairy
farmers are knowledgeable about BST and
many are willing to use it on their dairy cattle.
tures. However, in the Sand Mountain region it
has been applied to relatively small areas of
agricultural soils which are shallow to bedrock,
sloping, and permeable to water and dissolved
constituents. The combination of disposal prac-
tices and soil characteristics may be creating a
potential for deleterious effects in soils due to
leaching and/or accumulation of litter released
nutrients and heavy metals. Thus, a study was
conducted in the Sand Mountain region to deter-
mine the potential impacts of long-term land
application of broiler litter on environmentally
related soil properties.
Results point to significant leaching of
nitrates to or near bedrock under littered soils.
Phosphorus accumulated in littered soils to a
depth of 22 inches. Accumulations in the soil of
copper, potassium, magnesium, and calcium
also were observed with long-term litter applica-
tion.
Research Aids Rare Plant
Clematis socialis, commonly known as the
Alabama leather flower, is facing extinction, and
is known to grow at only three sites in the State.
However, in 1991 AAES researchers found some
of the reasons its reproduction is limited and may
be able to devise a management strategy to boost
reproduction of these plants in the State and
keep populations vigorous and healthy.
Field research at the AAES indicates seed
output of the rare plant can be boosted by
spraying it with insecticides. Researchers also
found that natural levels of pollination do not
produce maximum seed set, and additionally,
that mice destroy many of the seeds.
Deep-Placed Potassium Doesn't
Pay
Interest in the potassium nutrition of
cotton has recently increased in the Southeast
due to increasing reports of late season potas-
sium deficiency symptoms. One proposed meth-
ods of correcting this deficiency in cotton is by
deep placement of a narrow band of potassium
fertilizer under the cotton row.
Studies were conducted for three years
at the E.V. Smith Research Center and Tennes-
see Valley Substation, and for two years at the
Prattville Experiment Field to evaluate cotton
response to the deep placement of potassium.
Deep placement treatments were achieved using
a dry fertilizer applicator that applies fertilizer at
depths of 6 to 16 inches behind a subsoil shank.
At the E.V. Smith Research Center and
the Tennessee Valley Substation no consistent
yield responses were observed for the deep
placement treatments. A yield response to deep
placement of potassium was obtained at the
Prattville Experiment Field, but a greater yield
response was obtained by applying the same
rates of K as a surface broadcast application.
Results from this series of field tests suggest that,
for cotton, deep placement of potassium was not
superior to surface broadcast applications of
potassium fertilizer.
Forest Planting Trends
A survey of timber-owning companies in
Alabama showed that half of them replant every
acre harvested. Those who did not replant 100
percent cited economic reasons. The replanting
effort devoted to reestablishing plantations rose
from 21 percent of all acres in 1985 to 38 percent
in 1990, and that number is expected to rise to 53
percent by 1995.
The frequency of use of site preparation
methods changed slightly from 1985 to 1990. In
1985, chop and burn was the most commonly
used method, but by 1990 it dropped to number
3. Chemical site preparation was number 3 in
Research is
bringing the
Alabama leather
flower back from
near extinction.
M i
1)t
1985, but rose to number 1 in 1990. 
The most
intensive and expensive method 
-shear, rake,
pile, and burn - was number 2 in 1985 
and 1990,
indicating a continued use of highly 
mechanized
site preparation methods.
Pine \cOtiie, LKxpiU:le
Planting of pine trees on 
land in the
Federal Conservation Reserve Program 
has been
a popular land-use practice in the 
past years.
However, unexpectedly high mortality of 
seed-
lings on some sites has been a problem.
Research showed that mortality of seed-
lings on these abandoned agricultural 
fields was
associated with: (1) root feeding insects such as
white grubs and white fringe 
beetles, (2) root
pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium and
Macrophomina with possible interactions 
with
several species of nematodes, and (3) presence of
a plow pan may exacerbate these biotic 
stresses
during dry years. Herbicides used in past
agricultural production of soybeans, 
and those
used to control herbaceous competitors 
during
pine establishment were not responsible 
for
mortality observed.
?Mly tbr Winiter Forage
Overseeding winter forages into
bermudagrass sods is a common practice 
in the
Southeast to improve forage quality, 
to extend
the grazing period, and to add nitrogen 
to the soil
in the case of legumes. However, 
research has
shown that Ally@, a recently registered 
herbicide
for control of Pensacola bahiagrass, has 
poten-
tial to persist in soil long enough to 
cause re-
cropping problems to sensitive plant 
species.
Ally is registered for use on
bermudagrass at 0.011 pound of active 
ingredi-
ent per acre, but rates used in these 
studies were
one and one-half and three times 
this rate. Few
problems were encountered when overseeding
these winter forage species after the application
of Ally at 0.032 pound active ingredient 
per acre
as late as July 15, and for two consecutive 
years.
Tibia dyschondroplasia (TD), a debili-
tating disease of chickens, 
cost Alabama's poul-
try industry millions of dollars annually in loss
of birds and loss of productivity. Researchers at
Auburn have used a Lixi Scope, an atomic
powered portable x-ray device, to detect 
TD, and
subsequently segregated chicks into high 
inci-
dence and low incidence breeding 
groups.
In 1991, 35 percent of third generation
chicks in the high incidence 
group developed
TD, while only 5 percent in the low incidence
group had the disease. These findings 
demon-
strate that TD can be dramatically 
reduced by
selective breeding of birds 
with a genetically low
inclination for the disease.
Alahbana Forest S irvev
A survey of over 700 forest owners in
the State revealed that income from timber
sales, keeping land in the family, and apprecia-
tion of beauty are the three primary benefits
gained from owning timberland. More than one
half of the owners questioned have harvested
timber, planted trees, or undertaken some 
other
forest management activity in the 
recent past.
While a majority of those 
surveyed
characterized themselves as politically conser-
vative, they indicated support 
for regulating or
controlling forest management practices 
where
necessary to protect environmental values 
such
as endangered species habitat and wetlands.
Responses to a forestry knowledge 
quiz
in the survey indicate that owners lack basic
knowledge about forests and forest 
manage-
ment techniques. About one half of 
the respon-
dents gave incorrect replies to each of 
the 10
true/false questions.
Herbaceous weed control has 
become
an accepted practice by forest managers through-
out the South. In the search for inexpensive and
effective herbicides, considerable interest 
has
been directed toward imazapyr, the latest herbi-
cide registered for silvicultural purposes.
Imazapyr (Arsenal) was tested at four
rates (0.1, .2, .4, .8 pounds of active ingredient
per acre), on three application 
dates (late fall,
winter, and early spring), and at eight locations
(three planted to slash pine and five to loblolly
pine).
Though it suppressed height growth of
slash pine, especially with the early spring ap-
plications, little damage was detected for the
late fall and early winter applications indicating
that imazapyr can be used safely on slash pine in
preplant and site preparation situations.
Loblolly pine was more tolerant than
slash pine to imazapyr demonstrating no signifi-
cant damage even at the highest rates.
Weed control improved with increasing
rates of imazapyr and spring applications pro-
vided better weed control than 
fall or winter
applications. It provided exceptional control on
established Panicum spp. and also demonstrated
that poor height growth occurred when herbi-
cides were applied concurrent with a late-season
planting of pine.
The value of effective weed control in
planted Coastal Plain slash pine plantations 
was
demonstrated, where two years of broadcast
weed control following planting increased 
7-
year-old pine volume by 705 cubic feet per acre
(130 percent) and basal area by 38 square feet per
acre (86 percent). Mean tree dominant height
was 38 feet with weed control compared to 21 feet
for the untreated check.
Much of the competing vegetation on the
weed control treatment had recovered by age 7
with bare ground averaging 47 percent for 
two
years of broadcast weed control, compared to 25
percent for the check. The large response at this
location is indicative of the loss of potential
growth due to competition on bedded and fertil-
ized Coastal Plain sites.
Hardwood forests in Alabama are under
increasing demand for wood products and 
are
highly valued for other uses as well. Managing
these forests for specific uses such as wood
production or game habitat is generally 
more
complex than managing pine stands, 
primarily
because a wider diversity of species (with varied
ecological characteristics and values) is involved.
Basic information regarding the estab-
lishment and development of hardwood seed-
lings, especially high quality oaks, under varied
conditions was obtained in 1991. Group selec-
tion harvests, creating openings 
ranging from 3/
4 acre to 3 acres, have been highly successful in
providing for the establishment of large numbers
of cherrybark, water, and 
willow oak seedlings.
Researchers discovered that timing of the har-
vest is an important factor in improving 
oak
establishment success in areas where it has been
a problem. The cuttings must be timed to provide
release to the current year's new seedlings before
they die in the dense understory shade.
Reestablishment of harvested 
pine
stands requires some form of site preparation.
Current reforestation practices favor the inten-
sive use of mechanical equipment that results 
in
a loss of ground cover, can reduce site productiv-
ity, and cause soil erosion for years. Herbicides
provide an alternative site preparation technique
that does not contribute 
to erosion; however,
there is some concern that these chemicals 
may
produce adverse impacts on nontarget organ-
isms, especially in adjacent streams.
Stream ecologists at Auburn, working
with the Southern Forest Experiment Station,
evaluated the effect of one chemical, hexazinone,
the active ingredient in Velpar?, on the aquatic
life in small streams on the treatment sites. This
herbicide is currently registered for noncropland
and right-of-way use and is being used for site
preparation by the forest industry.
Two small watersheds (178 and 237
acres) in the upper Piedmont of Alabama were
treated with Velpar, one treatment as a pelleted
form and one in a liquid form. An adjacent
watershed (301 acres) served as the control.
Each watershed was drained by a small first-
order stream. All three watersheds were 
clear-
cut during 1988 and 1989, and in 1990 
Velpar
was aerially applied at a rate three times 
higher
than any previous studies.
Aquatic invertebrates were apparently
insensitive to Velpar because no 
direct toxicity
effects were detected. Among invertebrate com-
munities few differences were measured 
among
the three streams in total number of different
species, number of intolerant forms, or species
Weed control proved vital in slash pine tree
plantations in Alabama's coastal plain region.
diversity. No indirect effects were measured
either, because shifts in community 
structure
were not evident. Fish communities 
exhibited
low diversity in all streams (e.g., only 
eight differ-
ent species). No differences in fish density 
or
diversity were detected among the 
streams fol-
lowing application of Velpar.
Catfish Disease Vaccine
Currently, vaccinating channel catfish
is not a routine procedure, however, 
current
research at Auburn is making it more 
practical.
Specifically, researchers have developed 
a method
to vaccinate commercially grown 
catfish against
enteric septicemia, which is a deadly 
bacterial
disease of catfish.
Fry and fingerlings can be vaccinated by
immersing the fish in a solution of 
bacteria killed
with formalin. Also the bacterial 
cell can be
broken and divided into several different 
compo-
nents. One of these 
components is a 
protein,
called an immunodominant "protein" 
that is
responsible for producing immunity 
to
Edwardsiella ictaluri in the fish.
Catfish can be immunized by immersing
the fish for two minutes in either the 
whole cell
preparation or the "protein" fraction. 
Fish that
are vaccinated with the "protein" develop 
immu-
nity in about 4 weeks; however, a second 
booster
vaccination is important to obtain a highly 
pro-
tective immunity. By vaccination 
with the
immunodominant "protein" 
mortality of infected
fish was reduced by over 50 percent.
Salinity Affects Shrimp, Fish
Shallow coastal waters, especially estu-
aries provide key nursery habitat 
for many spe-
cies of marine fish and shellfish that 
are of
economic importance. Larvae or juveniles 
enter
shallow nursery habitats during their 
growing
season and then move into marine habitat 
as
adults. A recent study indicates salinity 
is the
major physical factor affecting distribution 
and
abundance, followed by water transparency.
As part of the two-year study, research-
ers collected all the fish and shellfish from within
259 small areas that were blocked off with nets in
Weeks Bay in the Mobile 
Bay Estuary. Biological
information (zooplankton 
and bottom fauna)
and physical information (water 
depth, clarity,
bottom type, temperature, 
and salinity) were
also recorded at each site. The researchers
collected over 46,000 fish 
(57 species) and 4,800
shrimp (seven species). As expected, 
most were
juveniles.
Ultrasound Carcass Evaluation
The carcass characteristics of27 market
barrows and 27 market gilts were evaluated at
various times with real-time ultrasound (Aloka
210 DX) from approximately 44 pounds until
slaughtered at three endpoints. The hogs were
randomly assigned to a slaughter 
weight group of
200, 220, and 240 pounds at weaning time.
The accuracy of ultrasound longissimus
muscle area prediction was 
lower for 240 pound
hogs than the two lighter groups, whereas the
accuracy for prediction of last-rib 
fat was lower
for 200-pound hogs than 
the two heavier groups,
as indicated by higher absolute 
differences.
Last-rib fat and longissimus muscle area 
tended
to be over-estimated and tenth-rib fat tended 
to
be under-estimated by real-time ultrasound.
Prediction of last-rib fat by ultrasound 
was
more accurate for gilts than barrows as indi-
cated by a larger absolute difference. Muscle
score and ultrasound last-rib 
fat were highly
related to the USDA Grade as shown 
by a high
correlation between USDA Grade 
and Ultra-
sound USDA Grade.
Salt content 
of
Mobile Bay
estuary waters is
the prime physical
factor affecting
shrimp
populations.
k
,1Oir0 A, C1Cu LV qCjiUnUiLii r iSii
The commercial value of many orna-
mental fish is dependent on good coloration.
The source of color pigments is a group of
compounds called carotenoids.
In Auburn tests, three commercial
sources of carotenoids were added at various
concentrations to a nutritionally complete diet
made from commercial ingredients and fed to
cherry barbs (Barbus titteya) and tiger barbs (B.
tetrazona) in a recirculating system for four
weeks.
A red extract from pepper fruits, con-
sisting primarily of capsanthin, at 200 p.p.m. in
the feed provided the most intense pigmentation
in cherry barbs, better than that provided by a
yellow extract from marigold flowers, which
contained mainly lutein, or canthaxanthin, a
red synthetic pigment used to enhance color in
salmon flesh. A combination of capsanthin (200
p.p.m.) and lutein (200 p.p.m.) was best for the
tiger barbs, followed by capsanthin alone, then
lutein. The best coloration provided by these
supplemental pigment sources was equal to or
superior to coloration developed by fish grown
in ponds.
Newspaper Mats for Plants
Research indicates that 10 sheets of
newspapers can be used as a capillary irrigation
mat to successfully water and grow plants.
Newspaper used as capillary irrigation mats
breakdown rapidly when composted. The use of
newspaper capillary irrigation mats and subse-
quent composting conserves water and nutri-
ents and reduces runoff in the environment
during production and reduces the disposal
problem of newspapers in our environment.
In Auburn research, comparable plant
height and area, flowers per plant, and plant
quality were obtained with potted chrysanthe-
mums irrigated with an overhead hose, com-
mercial fiber irrigation mat, and the newspaper
mat.
Jl.i~gct-0 1' f-Oul i- Lii I
Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated
fatty acids have become a focus of considerable
research because of the health benefits derived
from them, reduction in risk from cardiovascu-
lar disease, cancer, and immune disorder.
Currently, the only commercial source
of these fatty acids is the oil of certain marine
fish, which is viewed as a limited source. This
has prompted a search for alternate sources of
these nutritionally important fatty acids.
Researchers at Auburn have discov-
ered a fungus that has the potential for produc-
ing substantial quantities of one such fatty
acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AU scientists
also developed a method for greatly enhancing
EPA production.
New AU Watermelons
Disease is a major factor limiting pro-
duction of watermelons in Alabama. Gummy
stem blight, anthracnose, and Fusarium wilt are
three of the most serious diseases, causing
reduced yields of melons in certain fields in
Alabama. Although satisfactory control of
gummy stem blight and anthracnose may be
accomplished with the proper application of
organic fungicides during normal weather con-
ditions, no control measure is effective during
periods of high humidity and high rainfall.
The discovery that certain plant intro-
ductions were resistant to gummy stem blight
and race 2 anthracnose led to development of
multiple disease resistant breeding lines that
produce high yields of excellent quality fruit.
This research resulted in the 1991 release of
AU-Golden Producer and AU-Sweet Scarlet va-
rieties that are resistant to gummy stem 
blight,
Fusarium wilt, and anthracnose (Colletotrichum
laginarium race 2).
Both melons are superior to current
varieties of their type in yield, 
quality, and dis-
ease resistance. And, taste tests indicated 
the
edible quality (color, texture, and 
taste) was
higher in AU-Golden Producer and 
AU-Sweet
Scarlet than in other varieties of their 
types.
Scab, a fungus disease, is the most
destructive and widespread disease 
of pecans.
Cultivars vary greatly in susceptibility, and ge-
netic resistance is a primary goal 
in breeding and
selection of potential new cultivars for humid
locations.
Scab occurrence was rated on 63 pecan
clones at five locations in Alabama 
in a year of
high disease incidence. Locally selected 
clones of
seedling origin, Deakle's Special, Dixie, 
and
Gafford, were entirely free of scab symptoms 
on
both nuts and leaves from unsprayed 
trees.
Advanced USDA selections 70-3-34 
and 70-2-9
had low scab incidence.
These findings suggest the possibility of
development and release of new pecan cultivars
with a much greater tolerance to this 
destructive
disease. As a result of development 
of scab
resistant cultivars, chemical spraying 
of pecans
may be reduced dramatically, with savings 
to the
farmer and less risk to the environment.
M uIlli - ;; .....
Summer yellow crookneck squash re-
search at the E.V. Smith Research Center 
indi-
cates that aluminum colored plastic mulch 
may
be an ideal color to use as a cultural 
practice
method to maximize total summer 
squash yield.
In addition to discouraging light-sensitive, 
dis-
ease-causing insect 
pests, controlling weeds,
conserving fertilizer and moisture, and elevating
plant temperature, the aluminum plastic 
boosted
squash yields by two to three fold over 
those
produced on other color mulches.
Research results also have shown that
different colors of mulches have a definite effect
on yield, growth, and development of a specific
plant species or family of species. These research
findings allow the user 
of the materials the 
option
of tailoring a specific 
color of mulch to the appro-
priate species to attain maximum yields.
Al-auiiir's Apparel 
Intc strv
Alabama is one 
of only two major 
ap-
parel producing states in the U.S. that did not
lose a sizable portion of its 
apparel employment
in the last decade. The economic 
health of the
textile/apparel industry is 
critical to the rural
revitalization of the State 
since the industry, with
over 100,000 workers, 
is located in every 
county
in Alabama.
When over one-fourth of all retailers in
the U.S. are in financial difficulty, 
there is a
compelling need for Alabama apparel producers
to develop partnerships with 
strong, financially
healthy companies (retailers, suppliers, 
and other
apparel producers); identify new market niches
and distribution channels; and position 
them-
selves to deliver an increasingly varied 
mix of
quality products in an ever-shorter time frame.
Education and training are keys 
to being
able to accomplish all three 
of the above listed
needs. While many of Alabama's apparel 
produc-
ers are too small to have well developed education
and training programs, the researchers 
have
utilized the concepts of 
networking to develop
and promote training options for a more qualified
work force. Innovative 
education and training
approaches are being developed to team 
apparel
firms, local community or technical 
colleges,
AAES researchers, and economic development
officials from the State.
Research may lead " 
: I
to scab-resistant I /\
pecan varieties.
The development of biological based foliar fungi-
cides continued during 1991. Formulations
were developed that allow control on several
unrelated hosts and at levels approaching that
of the best commercially available fungicide on
tomatoes and potatoes. Research has identified
a protocol that allows for selection of biocontrol
bacteria that prosper on a wide range of host
plants. Bacteria identified through this protocol
when combined with amendments, provided
control of early blight of potato and tomato near
equal to that of Bravo@ in field trials. Excellent
control of Septoria leafspot, bacterial speck, and
bacterial spot of tomatoes also was confirmed.
Biological control projects included the
selection and use of plant growth-promoting
rhizobacteria (PGPR) for control of cotton seed-
ling and peanut root rot diseases, both funda-
mental and applied in nature. Researchers have
selected one strain which provided seedling
disease control superior to the best synthetic
chemical pesticide at five Alabama test sites.
Researchers also identified a number of
qL r ^
a :i ~ 66F
i
Biological fungicides provided disease protec-
tion for tomatoes and potatoes comparable to
the best available commercial fungicides.
'r
i 4r,
%Wtv
PGPR that induce cucumbers, normally 
suscep-
tible to anthracnose, to be systemically 
resistant.
These bacteria survive in the rhizosphere 
and, by
an as yet unidentified signal, induce 
systemic
resistance.
Unlike other induced resistance 
re-
search, there is no necrosis of host 
tissue in-
volved in the induction, even 
though the same
pathogenesis related proteins are 
involved in the
resistant reaction. Induction 
of these proteins
has provided resistance against 
a broad spec-
trum of plant pathogens, including 
viruses, bac-
teria, and fungi. This research 
suggests that
farmers could use bacterial seed 
inoculants to
induce these crops to be 
resistant to diseases.
Decisin:
Over 40 million Americans change resi-
dences each year. This large number 
reflects the
fact that the average American 
moves 14 times
over the course of his or her lifetime. 
The decision
to move is affected 
by a wide range 
of factors,
though most are job-related, research 
at Auburn
identifies some noneconomic variables 
that are
related to the migration decision-making 
process
for men and women.
Results indicated that for women, will-
ingness to move to another 
community was
predicted by, the willingness 
to take a better job
that required moving, having held 
a number of
different jobs in the past ten years, 
dissatisfac-
tion with their current community, 
less resi-
dence stability (less likely to be home 
owners and
fewer years lived in a current 
home and state)
and currently living in a 
larger rather than
smaller community. In contrast to the 
number of
variables that predicted willingness to move, 
only
the likelihood of actually looking 
for a new job
within the next two years predicted 
the intention
to move for women.
The findings indicated that men who
were willing to consider moving to another 
com-
munity for a better job, had held 
a number of
different jobs in the past ten years, 
and did not
live in a close proximity to most of 
their relatives
were more willing to consider moving 
to another
community. Only community 
dissatisfaction
predicted the intention to move within the next
two years for men.
The physiology of newborn pigs is simi-
lar to that of human infants in many 
respects.
Experiment Station researchers have taken ad-
vantage of this in studies designed 
to determine
the type of fat that is best to use 
in infant formula.
Fish oils and some seed oils, 
such as
canola oil, contain omega-3 fatty acids, 
and small
amounts of this type of fat is present 
in breast
milk. Omega-3 fatty 
acids are believed 
to play an
essential role in the developing eyesight 
of in-
fants, and thus, nutritionists have proposed 
that
a source of these fatty acids be added 
to infant
formula.
Omega-3 fatty acids also have the poten-
tial to serve as therapeutic 
agents in combating
respiratory disease in the 
newborn. In respira-
tory disease, excessive amounts of compounds
called eicasanoids are produced by the lungs. 
In
a recent Auburn study, the relationship 
between
dietary omega-3 fatty acids and lung 
eicosanoid
production was studied in newborn pigs. When
formula containing fish oil 
or canola oil was fed
to pigs during the neonatal period, production of
eicosanoids in the lungs 
was reduced in compari-
son to pigs fed formula containing 
corn oil or
coconut oil. One eicosanoid, 
thromboxane A
2
m,
causes narrowing of 
the airways in the lungs;
thus, inhibition of this eicosanoid 
by omega-3
fatty acids in fish oil or canola oil could be
beneficial to the infant.
Iron Supplement for P
In swine research at Auburn, 12 litters
of pigs were treated with either 100 milligrams
iron dextran or 50 milligrams iron dextran 
at
three days of age. Half of the pigs given 50
milligrams also were given oral iron free choice.
Pigs receiving 50 milligrams of iron
dextran had lower packed cell volume than pigs
receiving 100 milligrams, while oral iron had no
effect on packed cell volume. There was no
treatment effect on pre- or post-weaning weight
gains, however, there was a trend for more
variation in weight gain for pigs given oral iron.
The results demonstrate the necessity
of 100 milligrams of iron dextran for prevention
of anemia in young pigs. However, the effects of
anemia on performance are reduced with ad-
equate environmental conditions.
Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M.
synoviae induced respiratory infections and
subsequent production losses continue to
plague the poultry industry. Accurate diagno-
Baby jormulas containing fatty acids from fish
oil or canola may be beneficial to infants.
sis of mycoplasmal infections is difficult due to
spurious serologic reactions and the emergence
of antigenically variant strains.
Auburn researchers have developed a
monoclonal antibody-based test system to over-
come confusing serological responses caused by
the presence of cross reacting antigens. This
immensely improved specificity of the test re-
sults. Two agglutinating monoclonal antibod-
ies, each specific for M. gallisepticum and M.
synoviae, were conjugated to protein A contain-
ing Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan Strain 1) and
used in a rapid coagglutination assay.
Coagglutination procedures have been
used successfully in the identification and clas-
sification of a number of bacterial pathogens. In
contrast to Sepharose and latex particles used
previously to immobilize and amplify the agglu-
tination reaction, staphylococcal protein A is
advantageous because it permits the proper ori-
entation of the antibody molecules. Staphylococ-
cal protein A possesses four highly homologous
regions comprised of approximately 60 amino
acids that bind selectively to the Fc region of the
immunoglobulin molecule.
The reaction enables orientation of the
antigen-binding (Fab) parts outwards. The avail-
ability of monoclonal antibodies that have an
affinity to protein A, concomitant with the speci-
ficity for conserved antigens of M. gallisepticum
and/or M. synoviae, makes these reagents ide-
ally suited for the rapid and specific diagnosis of
M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae infections in
poultry.
Johnsongrass With ,itaI nt i I ieavV
Johnsongrass has been recognized as a
good emergency feedstuff for several years. In
addition, it has been used as a good hay source.
However, little is known with respect to continu-
ous grazing ofjohnsongrass. Therefore, research
was initiated to determine what stocking rate is
optimal for continuously grazing johnsongrass
and to evaluate what effect stocking rate has
on forage utilization. An 18-acre pasture was
seeded with johnsongrass (25 pounds per acre)
on May 16, 1990. The field was irrigated from a
waste lagoon just prior to planting and again on
June 14, 1990.
On June 21, 1990, 30 medium-framed,
crossbred steers were assigned to six different
paddocks of varying sizes (five steers per pad-
dock). This provided stocking rates of 1.5, 2.0,
and 2.5 steers per acre. Average initial weight
was 490 pounds. After 42 days, 60 additional
cattle were added (10 per paddock) and left for 14
days, then removed. After 70 days, the trial was
terminated as a result of dry weather resulting in
inadequate amounts of forage.
Because the stand ofjohnsongrass had
been established the previous summer, re-
searchers were able to start at a much earlier
time in 1991. In April, 60 pounds of N per acre
was applied and on May 17, 48 medium-framed,
crossbred steers were assigned to the six pad-
docks (eight steers per paddock) to provide stock-
ing rates of 2.4, 3.2, and 4.0 steers per acre.
Average initial weight was 491 pounds. The
duration of the trial was 87 days.
The two-year study indicates john-
songrass will withstand continuous grazing of
2.5 steers per acre (initial weight - 500 pounds).
If grazing begins in early to mid-May, one can
expect 80 days of grazing or more. However,
animal performance in August and September is
quite low when forage quality is limiting.
Altering protein ' " -I I "
intake and using
Compudose?
improved steer
efficiency in AAES
tests.
Steer Gain
A study conducted using 48 crossbred
beef steers showed that the rapid period of
growth following feed restriction could be fur
[her improved by altering dietary protein intake
and implantation with Compudose0 .
Initially, steers were limit-fed a 35 per
cent concentrate diet to gain 2.2 pounds per day.
during a 66-day restriction period. At the end
of this period. one-half of the steers were im-
planted with Compudose and all were fed 80
percent conc'entrate diets containing 9, 12. or 15
percent cnde protein (CP) for 56 or 98 cays.
Results showed that dietary protein
intake affected the average daily gain (ADG) of
steers only during the first 14 days of compen
satory growth. with steers fed 12 and 15 percent
CP gaining faster than steers fed 9 percent CP.
These early changes in ADG resulted in steers
fed 9 percent CPweighing less than steers fed 12
or 15 percent CP on days 56 and 98. In contrast
to dietary protein. Compudose increased ADG
from cays 2 1 to 56, plus compensatory growth.
which resulted in the implanted steers weighing
more on days 56 and 98 than nonimplanted
steers.
Carcass data obtained from steers
slaughtered on days 56 and 98 showed that
additional time on feed increased hot carcass
weight. ribeye area. backfat thickness. and yield
grade. Quality grade vas not affected by the
additional days on feed. with all cattle grading
Select. Feeding diets containing 12 or 15 per
cent CP improved carcass characteristics com-
pared to 9 percent OP only during the first 56
days on feed. Compudose had no effect on
carcass characteristics on cay 56 and 98. Al
though carcass characteristics were improved
with the additional time on feed, ribeyc steaks
from cattle on feed for 56 days were as accept
able as steaks from cattlc on feed for 98 days.
based on taste panel evaluations for flav or inten-
sity. juiciness, and overall acceptability.
Alabana Airicultural Experiment Station
Report of Revenues
For the fiscal year ending Septeher 30. 1991
60
2
1,; O-d
50
40 -
30I ~
2' (, --
Totl Revenues
Total Revenues
S21:1 7
Fcdeiil Sl~lIC Pivate
Contracts and Grants
lie rdihi Si vices and 0er ll " i
Auxiliary Revenues
L)irector s Research Awards
Research Awach Award and Dr. David Stringfellow, as-
sociate professor in the Department of Animal
Health Research, was the recipient of the junior
level Director's Research Award.
The Director's Research Awards are given
annually to reward career research achievements
by scientists at the professor level, often referred
to as the Senior Award, and associate and assis-
tant professor level, often called the JuniorAward.
Each award includes a $10,000 grant from the
Agricultural Experiment Station, which can be
used at the scientist's discretion to further his or
her research efforts.
Paul A. Backman
In addition to being a former winner of the
Junior Director's Research Award, Backman is
internationally recognized as one of the world's
foremost soybean and peanut pathologists. In
recent years, his research has centered on bio-
logically-based fungicides used to control a wide
range of disease pathogens that attack many
fruit, vegetable, and agronomic crops.
Backman gained national recognition for his
pioneering work in identifying soybean stem
canker. His work on epidemiology and control by
either resistant varieties or chemicals has saved
soybean producers throughout the South mil-
lions of dollars. The Auburn researcher was also
instrumental in developing AUSIMM, the first of
its kind interactive soybean integrated pest
management computer consultant.
Despite his innovative work with soybeans,
Backman is best known for his work with peanut
diseases. In pioneering research with biological
control, he demonstrated that seed treatment
t
r
with the bacterium Bacillus subtilis could de-
crease damage from Rhizoctonia solani increase
Rhizobium nodulation, increase root mass, and
improve soil, water, and nutrient utilization by
peanuts. This work resulted in the development
of the commercial biological product Quantum
4000, which is the first plant growth promoting
seed inoculant registered for use.
David A. Stringfellow
Stringfellow, who conducts research in the
Department of Animal Health Research in the
School of Veterinary Medicine, came to Auburn
in 1980 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
to work on a regional brucellosis program. While
working on the project, he earned a masters
degree in epidemiology and microbiology, which
later became the primary focus of his research on
the epidemiological aspects of bovine embryo
transfer.
Since joining the Auburn faculty 
in 1984,
Stringfellow has established one of only two
laboratories in the world that are devoted prima-
rily to the study of embryo-pathogen interac-
tions. He is best recognized for studies on the
potential for spread or control of the transmis-
sion of Brucella abortus through embryo transfer.
This research has led to development of a num-
ber of primary cell lines from bovine embryos and
one from an ovine embryo. These cell lines are
the first, and only, ones of their kind from these
mammalian species.
His diligent work has led to an international
effort to establish the use of embryos as the safest
method of transporting embryos worldwide.
Stringfellow's pioneering work also has played a
key role in the continued expansion of markets
for bovine embryos in the United States.