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Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
1995 
annual
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Alar _.A
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CONTENTS
Introduction
Food and Sport Animals
Plant Production
Integrated Pest Management
Food Safety, Quality and Nutrition
Environmental Quality
Economic, Social and Health Issues
1995 Director's Research Awards
Financial Report
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Administrative Officers
William V. Muse, President
Paul E Parks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
C. Michael Moriarty, Associate Provost and Vice President
for Research
Lowell T. Frobish, Director
David H. Teem, Associate Director
Russell B. Muntifering, Associate Director
Patrick D. Green, Assistant Director
James R. Roberson, Assistant Director
The 1995 Annual Report was produced by the Office of Research
Information:
James R. Roberson, Assistant Director/Editor
Catherine L. Smith, Associate Editor
Robert A. Hearn, Associate Editor
Teresa E. Rodriguez, Art Designer
For more information about the contents of this publication, call (334)
844-4877.
The information contained herein is available to all, regardless of
race, color, sex or national origin.
aGRICULTURAL 
research:
An INVESTMENT in the x LIRE
iike rowing upstream: not ;c
advance is to drop back,"
(Jescribes the research progru
or the Alabama 
Agiicultura!
Experiment Station (AAES). G
iesearch must addess not on
today' pobeu~
Production of food and 
fiber is no
longer an island unto itself, but is influ-
enced or affected by many factors.
G?o\vernmnental programs, woraid trade poli-
cies, envirorrnrenta concerns and con-
sumer perceptions, to name a few, greatly
impact production efficienc. A particular
chemical may control a specific 
weed,
insect, or plant or animal disease but its
impact on the environment must be ascer-
tained. Hence, our research must verify
that existing production practices are still
viable, economical and environmentally
safe. Integration of the various manage-
ment practices into
a total production system is needed.
Development ot a total production sys-
tem requires use of existing practices as
wX ell as the investigation of new ideas. The
research described in the 1995 AAES
\nnual Report represents a small portion
of our total research program, but it serves
to convey the scope of our efforts to move
Alabama into the future.
From basic to applied science, AAES
researchers took huge steps forward last
year in efforts to improve crop and live-
stock management, develop new agricultur-
al products, protect the environment, sate
guard against foodborne disease and con-
front economic and social issues vital in
ensuring the well-being of Alabama's citi-
zens. For example, Auburn's active biologi-
cal control research program discovered
beneficial microorganisms that control
many common agricultural pests, reducing
the need for chemical pesticides. Genetic
engineers developed tobacco plants that
produce a material which can be used to
make biodegradable plastic. Animal scien-
tists devised a technique for using ultrasound
to produce leaner pigs. Aquaculturists bred a
hybrid catfish that could earn millions in
new revenues for southeastern tish farmers.
Poultry scientists formulated disintectants
that coumld better control Salninella bacte-
ria attached to chicken carcasses.
Entomologists developed a pest control
strategy that suppresses cockroaches taster,
better and longer than conventional treat-
ments, but uses much less pesticide.
Consumer affairs researchers put Alabama's
textile and apparel manutacturing plants on
the Information Superhighwa, giving this
industry a much-needed competitive boost.
These are but a fewv examples of the diverse
accomplishments Iade by the AAES in
1995, but they exemplift the goals all our
scientists strive to achieve.
Investing in research is like a savings
account. If one wvaits to save until the
money is needed, it may be too late.
Research conducted today wXill ensure that
the production and utilization of food and
tiber will remain an important contributor
to the economy of Alabama.
Lowell T. Frobish
AAES Director
AAES ANNUAL REPORT I
foo(
and 
SPORT
A labama 
is blessed with 
diverse anin.
agriculture industries, including 
bee
poultry, fish, swine and dairy produc
tion. Also, the state's abundant nat..
resources give us economically imp
tant game animals, such as white-r'
deer and largemouth bass.T
ty of animals requires a dive
research program 
to ensure
management and continued growth-
crelated industries. AAES scientists
addressing wide-ranging issues imp
tant to these segments of th
economy: animal health, new
improved animal products a'
effic
While most southeastern livestock
producers hav e not yet heard of the 
para-
site Neospora caninum, it could be 
a hidden
cause of abortions and calf deaths 
in the
region. AAES animal health identified the
parasite in Alabama cowXs and dceveloped a
vaccine to treat the disease. There are no
statistics on the parasite's economic dam-
age in the South, but it is known to have
an impact of more than $35 million 
in
California.
Researchers tested laboratory strains
of the parasite for tse as vaccines.
Researchers altered the parasites so that
they no longer cause the disease, 
but rather
build up treated animals' immunity.
Preliminary evidence indicates that the
vaccine protects against the organism. AU
scientists are working with a pharmaceuti-
cal company to test the vaccines and
experiment with adjuvant chemicals 
to
boost the effectiveness of the treatments.
Infective cysts of the parasite are 
spread in
wvild animal wastes, but the precise epi-
demiology is still under investigation.
In other animal health research, sci-
entists began testing in January 1996 on
SVt
Mn AAES p b l c d
pl es ' arc o
A -+
f ' - F
humans ha livesto Crptidu
life-threatening complications in human
AIDS patients. It is likely that the new
treatments will soon be used in clinical
AIDS studies.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT-2
AWbl
bbtV .d91
V 
4
Ludies ranging from deveioping new treatments for 
parasitic 
infections 
to 
increasing 
the 
value 
of 
cuii 
cows 
to 
overcoming 
the 
effects 
of 
toxic 
fescue.
AAES animal scientists used real-
time ultrasound in a selective breeding pro-
gram to develop pigs that produce more
lean pork with 34 percent less feed. Their
technique can be used easily by swine
breeders in the field.
Ultrasound was used to identify low-
backfat pigs for use in selective breeding.
Using ultrasound data in combination with
growth efficiency and growth rate measure-
ments, researchers developed an index that
predicts feed efficiency. This index allows
breeders to use ultrasound and growth rate
data to select more efficient animals, thus
removing the need for costly and difficult
feed conversion tests.
Researchers have completed three
years of research on a purebred 
Duroc line
using this technique. This selected line has 18
percent less backfat, 13 percent larger loin eye
area, 31 percent greater daily lean growth and
34 percent better lean feed efficiency.
A
s 
with much lean pork, the meat is
less firm, has higher water loss and is less
flavorful, but these problems are not as
severe as they are in most other lean lines.
Also, unlike many other lean lines, these
Durocs do not have the stress gene, which
is related to poor meat quality and sudden
animal death.
Animal scientists now plan to use
ultrasound in an effort to identify g id
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 3
~;riE i
1 
~--f 
o 
;
;.iY tzi
Animal health researchers are using pygmy goats to test a new
vaccine against a parasite that could be causing abortions and calf
deaths in Alabama cattle herds.
muscle quality in live pigs. Researchers also
will seek genetic markers for higher-quality
muscle. The goal is to use this information
in selective breeding to eliminate problems
with firmness, flavor and water loss in lean
pigs.
An AAES-developed hybrid catfish
has the potential to increase the
Southeast's $2 billion catfish industry by at
least 20 percent. After more than 20 years
of research, the first large-scale attempt to
produce these hybrids will occur in spring
19906.
A cross between female channel cat-
fih and male blue catfish, the hybrids grow
at least 20 percent faster than channel cat-
fish. They are more resistant to oxygen
depletion and to columnaris, enteric sep-
ticemia and other diseases. And they are
easier to remove from ponds by seining or
angling. Overall survival is about 30 per-
cent better in the hybrid fish. These bene-
fit> are greater in the higher stocking densi-
ties and more stressful growing environ-
ments common to commercial catfish pro-
duction. In addition, the hybrids yield
about 1-4 percent more edible flesh.
Blue catfish and channel catfish do
not mate naturally, so a major hurdle was
dc\eloping artificial fertilization techniques
to hatch enough hybrid fingerlings for com-
mercial production. Another barrier is
achieving cost effectiveness with a highly
labor-intensive breeding system. Breeding
methods developed at Auburn proved not
only to be competitive, but to provide
increased profits for the catfish industry.
Researchers found that hybrid finger-
lings can be produced at the same price as
channel catfish. However, fingerling pro-
ducers can almost double the price for
hybrids, and farmers can still make a 10
percent better profit.
Poor-quality or old brood cows retired
from a herd are byproducts of cow-calf pro-
duction; 10-15 percent of Alabama's
920,000 brood cows are culled and sold
each year. These cows, which often have
poor muscle quality, are now shipped away
immediately after culling for use as raw
material in ground meat or other low-grade
products.
However, AAES animal scientists are
developing techniques to enhance the
value of cull cows. One goal is to use low-
cost extra management to add muscle mass
without adding fat to the cows.
Management strategies include feed-
ing the culled cows for 60-100 days while
using growth-promoting agents to enhance
the animals' muscle quality.
Scientists demonstrated that treating
cull cows with the genetically engineered
growth hormone bovine somatotropin
(bST) can increase muscling and feed con-
version by about 40 percent. The synthetic
AAES ANNUAL REPORT--4
testosterone trenbolone acetate (TBA)
increased muscling by 20 percent and feed
conversion by 40 percent. Researchers are
now investigating the potential for combi-
nation effects with TBA and bST.
Basic information uncovered by
AAES animal scientists could help produc-
ers counter the harmful effects of cattle
feeding on endophyte-infected fescue.
Endophytes, fungi that grow between plant
cell walls, decrease cattle pregnancy rates
and calf growth rates.
Animal scientists found that cows
grazing infected fescue actually have a nor-
mal 21-day estrous cycle and do become
pregnant. However, when the animals are
examined 42 days into pregnancy, several
will no longer be pregnant. Blood samples
indicated that this is not a reproductive
hormone problem.
To explore this mystery, researchers
bred cows not fed fescue, flushed out
healthy embryos and implanted them in
heifers that were grazing on infected fescue.
Whether the animals were bred or implant-
ed, the rate of pregnancy was still reduced
at 42 days.
Scientists are now testing the theory
that the toxic fungus somehow interrupts
the biochemical process that signals to a
cow's body that it is pregnant. A fetus must
biochemically communicate to the uterus
that it is there, and the uterus must recog-
nize this signal so the cow's body can
respond appropriately. If these events do
not occur, the ovaries begin to produce
new eggs and the fetus dies. In a spring
1996 grazing trial, researchers will use mol-
ecular techniques to examine embryo and
uterus tissue samples. The goal is to mea-
sure whether the proper biochemical events
actually take place.
AAES aquaculture researchers in
October 1995 harvested the first crop ot
pond-raised shrimp in a project to develop
culture technology for this commercially
important shellfish in Alabama. Goals
included evaluating the growth and culture
of the native Gulf white shrimp in South
Alabama and assessing the economic, ,f its
production as a bait or food fish.
Preliminary results indicated that it i,
highly profitable to grow these native
shrimp as bait. Gulf white shrimp produced
4,000 pounds of bait per acre. High stock-
ing density proved to be most profitable in
bait production. Researchers will stock at
even higher rates in May 1996 and focus
on studies of aeration, management effi-
ciency and water quality. In the proposed
long-term project, decades of Auburn cat-
fish research will be adapted to the produc-
tion of shrimp in brackish ponds.
Since annual shrimp harvests are sub-
ject to drastic seasonal variability, many
producer, in Mobile and Baldwin counties
A new AAES-produced hybrid catfish could increase the South's 
cat-
fish industry by 20 percent.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT - 5
=p~ P--i
Ilrc"'I/
~4a,
a
are interested in pond production of the
shellfish. However, many basic questions
must be ansvered betore wide-scale produc-
tion is advisable.
Bait production appears to he iich
more protitable thin toOd tsh production.
Bait shrimp which are about one-third
as big as mlediul food shrimp at market size
sell for almost three times as much as
tood shiimp. The native Culft white shrimp
is superior for bait production.
This research is condliCted at the
Alabama Department of Marine Resources
facility in Culf Shores. In a companion
study, the Cult Coast Research Laboratory
in (c ean Springs, Miss., is working on
shr imp hatchery technology.
p ,"
Poultry scientists are focusing on nuil-
tiple aspects of production, transportation
and processing that affect final poultry
prodtict quality. From the feet to the breast,
these studies have yielded information that
increases profits tor the poultry industry
and provides higher quality products tor
conSiincrs.
In one study, iesearchers found that
AAES ANNUAL REPORT- 6
long transportation distances, especially
during high temperatures, can significantly
reduce the yield of sellable prodlict.
Chickens tend to shrink about .25 percent
per hour inder opti mum transportation
conditions; double that in hot weather.
However, scientists determined that pro-
viding elccttroly tes and Vitamin C in water
betore slaughter can reduce this shrinkage.
Responding to an export demand for
chicken feet, researchers are examining
environmental and dietary conditions that
reduce the qtuality of a chicken part once
sold to rendering plants for about 2 cents
per pound. In Asian markets, chicken paws
can be sold for about 50 cents per pound.
I ligh ammonia concentration in chicken
house litter can cause dermatitis in the
feet, creating sores that make them unsal-
able. Researchers found that increasing the
concentration of dietary zinc enhances
healing. Poultry scientists also are evaluat-
ing sand as an alternative bedding material
to reduce chicken foot lesions.
Other studies focus on skin quality in
whole birds. In one project, researchers
tested a feed additive to control the proto-
zoan disease coccidiosis. They found that
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AAES aquaculture researchers, in cooperation with t
develop culture technology for this important shellfi!
:
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41
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abama Department of Marine Resources, harvested the first crap of pond-raised shrimp in a project to
77
r
"A
Y 
a
tlw aJltit ix C hafltpci S. t11aI ~Igt'ntilh()-
lkm, al problcll that CrdUCS Sk4.inl tpilit x
il l srenth. Testscn ih.mt srrait tihati
-~ the atlJlttix e Shoiild not he uised ill ill
dlfring thC first three wveeks of pro li-
dioll or- IIbd Ctt oI tIlol' inl Stibs'.eien
N' eeL.
an,(lers n~lilli ll [i~ hilt Jenlle ailjiitic
Alihalia rescr\v oii', but .AA P f isheries
it re( ilrh has Shownl thatl this is nut the
in itinlalt fait t r inl I he rirot tx\' e it
f ~ e'.art her'. fundl liii icenCi ionl i inic of
a like'. v atc cin the s.pirigt iii] cirN
suiimnCr is. more importa.nt. Deiteniion
tinfl, the rit e at w~hich wilier is. fhisliet
fitraalake, lange'. from tw~o to 41 l9 ays
ON 
Il Alabma 
ricr.~i0ii. 
Too rafipi 
wltc
P lrn'ienlt Paus'es. algae iti [mitroscopic
;1ittiills to oct flooded (ill of a1 re'.tmxoil,
tilt itely iedlutiiig theltitotii of prcy
foir biass intl other '.pe it'.
,t itl1I d' del ltnc that a i et en-
AAES ANNUAL REPORT-7
AAES fisheries researcher s found that the rate at which water flows through
Alabama's reservoirs can have a huge impact on bass and crappie populations.
to enough algae and plankton 
develop- to catc
mieat to suipport a t 
ng food base. 
more 1
At Lake Guntersville, tot example,
water volume turns over every 12 days on A
asverage. Under rainy conditions, 
when the scored
lake flushes faster, bass reproduction 
is the die
reduced. During dry periods 
water retention Deer 
n
is 20-25 days, and there 
is hettei reproduc- tein 
ye
tion. In Weiss Lake, resource 
managers tial, hr
keep the water level 
as high as possible 
only 7.
between April and June, providing a
greater young bass poipultion. 
Plants were scienti
tound to help increase bass 
populations in 22 per
last-flushing lakes. 
only I
Plants c apture nutrients 
and provide a seen 
ir
food souircLe for young bass. 
lnfrunately, anial
'rovthis low inl young fis
1
)
I tihat rely on dense vegetation,
and many do not reach a large
enough size to survive the win-
ier. Researchers found that
plaint coverage of more than 15
percent of a lake's surface caus-
es a reduction in adult fish
growth. Anglers are moie likely
h a greater number of small bass in
eavily planted lakes.
AAES wildlife research has under-
the importance of crude protein in
is of white-tailed deer in Alabama.
eed at least 17 percent dietary pro-
ar-round to maximize growth po)ten-
It native vegetation often provides
-11 percent.
Jsing AU's captive deer herd, wildlife
sts fed one group of fawns a diet with
cent crude protein and another group
1 percent. Dramatic differences were
a all measured characteristics of the
s. For example, yearling males fed
the higher-protein Jiet were 14 percent
heavier and had antlers 52 percent heavier.
To help land managers economical ly
provide year-round, high-protein forages for
w ild deer, researchers also determined the
Ilk )st cost-effective mixture of 39 cool-sea-
a rn and nine warm-season grains, legumes
and grasses.
Researchers found wheat, oats and rye
to he the most cost effective and most pro-
dictive ciool-season torages from
September-March, costing less than $100
per ton of forage. If they are planted on
good soils that support reseeding and
perennial growth, Crimson clover and rye-
grass are cost effective from winter through
early spring, costing less than $200 per ton
of forage. Combining these grasses and
small grains supplies abundant, high-uality
forage during a stressful period for deer, and
it also attracts game to forage plots during
hunting season. Red clover and ladino
clover, wvhich cost less than $50 per ton of
feed, are very cost effective from April to
September. Red clover - and ladino, if it
is planted on high- uality sites contin-
ues to produce well in the summer, when
native vegetation is scarce and low quality.
Soybeans, velvetbean and peas also are
cost-effective warm-season forages, costing
less than $60 per ton of forage.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT -8
4..
Auburn's Turfgrass Research Unit plays a major role in AAES plant piroduction research with studies designed to improve
care and golf course management in the South.
plain. systemns I eseal tfli
A Es as varied as the plant
AAEspecies that play such vital
roles in the state's economy. Innovative
techniques to improve the value of row
crops and to develop hardier grasses foi
golf greens, disease-resistant ornament~li
plants for landscape use and productive
new forages for livestock production arec
but a few of the goals Aubur n iresear cheirs
are stiingi to atairn.
CoUt s-
Sounthern "Olt courses coU I enjory
.oils idcrfflL SnIv'ings [i itiurgeiflet
expenses becatise of AAES t trtgra',
reset1rch. Agronoitst tiec ex .thitt ing
Berinutidgrals (tilt ixti- M"In c~ot 'pe'
that dexveloped nit- nirly tin }greens
throutghot the region titJ 11i;1 be bet-
ter n1dnpted to hot, h uid summniers in
cold, rainy winters.
PRODUCTION
ReIV ,CIfhet' ll I'i plineJ
(Iiiu experiieitd .l ines .itt
eight sceect e Tilgreen ,inJ
law~n I ildxx~lil x, ii iit onuICe tell lr-t111
Viu hioi','iiies, inctlding
seiet t gnlf C out se gireen,. The
iii Igi sse ire being ev;diuiCit on ;1f .i 1.S.
CGit.\',tt A ollonttc t utting green Aind on
fitixe 'Hii1i\ loinm soil. In 1996, ilgiino-
mists wxiii suiject the test t oturses ton xii 10th
mlh ting heights mid t opdress treylnils,
wxhile sinnniit ing the stress ot tralttict i
lexel si mi ir to i"At, course pla1y.
Plinintiy re'.eii it showsed 111hit
grrxx in of graiss icover xx is sioxvet 1on the
USG A green, inicit i rg t1,1 unit i nK
seiected Ironm locii putt rug greeits in;iy he
AAES ANNUAL REPORT -9
moie adapted to natixe soil. Also, spring
Seedhead prouductnin, xxh ith sexerely
iiiipait s tui- o lial it y, xxas un ore of a pr ibleim
onl the USG A gireen. Hoxxever, the grasses
xxere usually darker on the 1. SC A green,
ilkd sp ring green tp ratings wxere higher o
that green. A Titdxxarl vairiant from at
Movlc I go lf t ourse wxas gireener than mttoI
other grasses, but it xxas the only gras, i
produce tall secdhcads. A variant tromi
Lakexxood produced morue spring seedl id,
than mos t if the othei glasses, while the
Mobile vaiaint did not produce spring
seed heads.
AAES micro biologists haive genetit .1-
lengineeired t bhatco plants t hit prodluce
poblyester, a protein-bised po lymer that . an
be used to mtake biodegradable plastic. This
bireaikthrouigh wa~s the tiirst time Scientists
halvxe dcmn striii d the expression of a syn-
het it gene in plints.
Piroductiton of petrioleuii-bVsed plas-
ics requiries iM-aidotis chemicails, and dis-
po sal it these piodutc ts presents mta] u solid
waste problems Proitemn-based poldymers ire
enx iininut iil sate, cans be made fromt
renewa'ble tesottts and break dowxn natt
mally dittc disposal. In iddit ion to use in
plastic patckagmng, the polyimeris ian be used
in imedic ii supplies, controlled-release agro-
chietmical productts and other iiidistriaml
ippl icat ions. I lo wexer, tor pr otein-based
polym ets to comipete xxith petr ileuim-based
Genetically engineeired tobacco could provide an
environmentally safe source of plastic.
plastics, they must be produiced abundant ly
and inexpensively. One ot the most pro-
duictixe and economuical ways to pmroduce
the poly mer is to hatrvest it fiom plants.
Scientists first experimented xvith iso-
lit ing a natural polymer-related gene from
bacteria that prodit e small amounts ot
poly~ester, but this gene prov'ed too complex
tomanipulate Researchers at Auburn and
the University ot Alabama at Birmingham
then created a sy nt hetic gene xxith similar
properties but with a simpler genetic
struturae. AU microbiologists used a
gene gun to insert this gene into
tlbacco chhloplists. In this process,
tungsten partic les xvere coated wvith
Ithe synthetic DNA and accelerated
into plant tissue by a gunpowder
I targe. These tiSSUe samples were cull-
t Uiied and groxwn into mature tobacco
I plants, 
wxhich 
were 
shown 
to express
the sy nthetic gene Researchers are
nowx try ing to determine whether
these parent plants transter the gene
A o Subseq~uent gnrtos
AAES h irticulturists have a
bodprogram of investigating the
best ornamsentalI plants foit Alabama.
UResearchers continued to evaluate red
mtaples, shade trees, crape my~rtles and
tlower ing dogwvoods, and in 1996, a
rhododendion study~ will begin.
In a comparison ot red maple cultivars
at the Piedmont Substation, Autumnt
Elamne, Autumn Blaze, Fairviewx Flame and
October Glory xxere found to be the best
tot the Southeast, based on groxwth and tall
color. In a test of crapemyrtle eliltivars,
toliage of several selections was tree of poxx-
dery mildew: Acoma, C addo, (Cherokee,
Choctaw, Comanche, N athez, Osage and
Sarah's Favorite. However, several mildew-
tree oi resistant ctiltixvars Acoma,
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 10
C omanche, Near East and Yuma exhib-
ted extensiv e Ccrcoslvna leaf spot andI
somte Piremature leaf shed. (irbin'.s Adk ins,
C arolina Beauty, Wonderful Whbite and
Raspberry Sundae were suisteptible to both
diseases. OnlyiI light h rliaii spo)ttinig was seen
on Fantasy, Tusc arora and Tuskegee, all of
which also had excellent mildew resistance.
In flowering dogwoods trials, little or
no pow~dery mildew damage was seen in the
(Jiant D~ogw~ood; the lKorean dogwoods
Mlilky WXay, M/ilky WXay Select and Satomi;
or the Corus kousa x Florridai hybrids
Stellar Pink and Aurora. Among the tradi-
tional flowering dogwoods, only Chlerokee
Brave was tree ot mildew. Heaviest
mildew damage was seen the common
dogwoods Autumn Gold, Pink Beauty,
Pink Flame, and Wonderberry, and First
Lady. Most selections, with the exception
of the ctiltivar Rainbow, showed few signs
of anthracnose.
Managing Native Forages
Alahaima's Black Belt needs alterna-
tive warm-season forage grasses; c immon ly
used species such as Bermuda and Bahia are
not well suited tothis region. However,
native perennial grasses are naturally adapt-
ed to the state's growing conditions and
could meet the needs of Alabama farmers.
AAES agronomists are develoiping strate-
gies to manage these grasses for torage pro-
duction.
Researchers planted several nativ'e
bunch grasses big bluestem, Indian grass,
switc hgi ass, little bluiestem and Eastern
gamagrass -in Black Belt pastures in
spring I1995. Goals inclhide determining
fatoi rs critic al to succ essfuil estibl isl lin t
of the grasses: temperature, moisture, feril-I
ity, date and method of planting and other
factor s. Agronomists also hope to deter-
mine how muc h graz-ing the grasses can tol-
crate, how often and how shoirt they can be
c ut for hay and how~ i he intflient e sedi-
ment and nutrient loss from Pastures. In
a~ddit ion, rhe pr oet iwill seek ro idountify
adv antages and disadvantages ot integiriting
native forage-livestock produittion into
major Alabama cropping systems.
Unlike the sod-itype grasses c ommonly
used as for-ages, soil comfpac tionW is inot a
pirobleim for many native grasses.
Compaction, caused by vehicle and cat ilo
t a f c 
d e l 
t s oi 
o x g 
n a d 
c n pove 
n t P la 
n ts fro 
m t re ai 
ch in g 
w a te 
r a n d 
n u t i 
-
ents. Switc hgrass and Fastern gamagrass,
for example, cin penetrate compac ted sil
by rooting through the restrictive layer in
order to reac h deeper moisture and nut ri-
ents. Even in diought, the deeply rooted
switc hgrass can thrive. Nat i\r claIsses ( i
also enhami. e wildlife habitat.
0~
focus of AAES horticulture studies.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT I I
INTEGRATED
management
j F
Alba, A4 giricultut al Ptroduction on the
level required to meet soci-
ety's needs is not possible
ts 
d 
without the use of advanced
technology and tactics.
Unfortunately, as the demands
on agriculture increase, the
?iaditional arsenal against crop
f liseases, weeds and 
insects is
ecoming more and more lim-
ed. Environmental concerns
lave put tight constraints on
ising the chemical pesticides
h fat made modern 
agriculture
ossible. Researchers in the
\AES are developing or evalu-
Ling an array of environmen-
Illy safe new weapons that
ould ensure continued
Several AAES integrated pest management projects benefit King Cotton, one of Alabama's top cash crop. gr owth in agriculture.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 12
Genetically Engineered Cotton
Studies
Genetically engineered crops are an
increasingly important weapon in the arse-
nal against agricuturai Ipests. 
H lowever,
these weapons must undergo caretul testing
before they can he tsed on a large scale.
AAES researchers are testing three new
genetically engineered cotton varieties to
mnaximize the economic benefit of these
crops and determine how they can best be
integrated into management strategies.
Two of the new prodicts ire geneti-
cally engineered L)eltapine cotton varieties
fromn Monsanto - Pnllgard and Roundup-
ReAdy (otton. Boilgard contains Bacillus
thuringienisis (Bt) genes that ena"ble the
plant to produce proteins toxie to the
insecticide-resistant budwormns that have
devastated much of Alabama's cotton.
Roundup-Ready is tolerant to the broad-
spectrum herbicide Roundup.
In studies at the Prattville Experiment
Field, researchers found that Bollgard is 99
percent effective against the budworm.
Bo llgard seed should be avai table in 1 996,
and Alabama farmers lire expected to plant
more than 60 percent of their cotton fields
in the genetically engineered crop.
It is ditfic ult to apply herbicides to
normal young cotton plants withoult dam-
aging the ciop. Researchers found that
multiple applications of Roundup can be
harmlessly applied over the to p of youn,_,
Roundup-Ready cotton to control a w ii
spectruim of bioadleaf- weeds. Undet lu ux-
rait'fll condi-
tions, which
hindered acti-
\'ation of pre-
emergence
herbicides,
Roundup pro-
vided efferl
weed col ,
Hoe\'ev
resealrch
showed tii
applic ations ImPst be test iiu.led to ~- l
the season. Roundup-Ready (Cotton was
registered for use in 1995.
Auburn researchers have also studited
L>; 4e1A'IL N SpeciaI colpu1tel-assslsSc Camera
equipment (left) was used to study how
genetically engineered, bioluminescent pathogens grow inside cab-
bage plants. The photo above shows a diseased cabbage leaf, while
the photo below pinpoints disease-causing bacteria in the same
leaf, even in areas where there are no outward symptoms.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 13
the use of BXN Cotton, a Stoneville vari-
ety from Calgene that is immune to the
herbicide Buctril. Researchers fLind that
BIuctril can be safely sprayed over young
BXN cottonl to proxvide effective control of
broadleaf xveeds.
Farmers cannot use soil-incorporated
herbicides in conserv ation tillage 
systems,
in which the ground is left untilled to
reduce erosion. Researchers showed that
the ability to spray Roundup or Buctril over
the respective genetically engineered cot-
ton xi eties is a mijoi aidiintige in con-
servation tillage. The soil-applied herbi-
cides commonly used now are applied
betrie plants emerge. With the bioengi-
neered cottIon, iarmers can wait and see
when and w here weeds develop, thus
avoiding unnecessary pesticide use. Als,
Roundup and Biuctril have no residual
activity in the soil, miaking them environ-
mentally sate.
Glowing Microbe Aids Disease Study
AAES plant pathologists have used
genet ically engineered, glow-in-the-dark
bactci a and space-age camera e(Iuipment
to reveal how disease-resistant plants con-
front pathogens. Understanding the mech-
anisins of disease resistance is necessary
before these defenses can be bioengineered
iito susceptible plants.
Scientists transtfi med pathogenic
bac teiai to express a gene isolated fron
glowing microbes, which are associated
with marine fish. The luminescent
pathogens xere Used to infect normal 1> hb
bage plants. Using a Charge Couplcd
Device - a high-tech camera used bx
astonomers - researchers produced re~il-
time pictures of the gloxing pith of the
disease as it progressed throughout infectted
leaxves. This non-destructive procedure
alloxved scientists to spot diseased 
tissue,
even when symptons could not be detect ed
by other means. Researchers charted the
disease from very early to very late sta''e> ,
infection and took small leaf samples I
analyze the biochemical warfare bein_
waged at each stage.
Using these tools, AIiLirn reselili~ Ir
showed that iesistant plants produce a Co n-
stant antibacterial environment and li
prepaired before pathogens invade.
Resistant plants benefit from stuady, I xx'
level production of seceral defensive bio-
chemicals. This production shifts into hib)
gear xxhen pathogens enter, illmox\n rciel
rant plants to react Cllickly
In response to pathogen 
x allon,
resistant plants produce certain peri oxla
es, which are enzymes involvet in toughen-
ing cell walls to defeni against pathogens.
Non-resistant plants may also produce
these enzymes but too late to stop the
spread of disease. Researchers also foLnd
that resistant plants steadily produce
another enzyme known as CHL2, xhith is
thought to degrade pathogen tell xvalls.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 14
AAES entomologists found that the tarnished
plant bug, which is an increasing problem in
~cotton production, is not affected by traditional
pest management strategies. However, their
~ iresearch indicates alternative approaches to
control the pest.
CnSrsonsiblc 101- ths (kIct\ ivc~ eh-
tics to Manage Cotton Pests
Insectcde s I'CflVLL on Itrl the
1I I i i thetnihdJA~l bug. Belt tlu\w
Ih~it t he need ft() bll. wee\Lvil tiigclnt
i" it.. c, tarn i~hc J plnt buigs 1M\L
\C VSnru mci gret t hlc int AflkL im
x vvaN' toi Ater tihe tst's 
htt it tocut ("III
L\\ it eis and arc cxt rcilll'I\' tIUlt.c.
W\hen t he XvCc, a c arc ,Ir dirbed
Miatrt inigrt ing. (1itc littling that might
p reterred ht. t plant ftonr t hc~c inscts
I lowc\xvcr, t hcy xxiii Cross t t n ficelds in
huge numbecrs, cating ,Is thc g.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT I S
JnfhII ttlteIy, this iliiss I vIX')eIIt often
Occr w l \hen flowei buds are dev'elouing.
nl 1st Ither insects, fenmile hugscan holid
onto their eggs dlnd deposit them at will.
Femal~es wVil layi a few' eggs o n miny
1 
plit
bet tc i nding the ideal host o n wxh ich h
dump the mnijo rity of the eggs. The idea I
lhost is 1n(t Cotton, hblt signitic ant ritmber.
iii eggs die laid O11 cotton is bugs mfigiate.
Since the tarnished plint bugs ire jusi
passng through onf theii \\ ay to moie pie-
ler red plints, insecticides and biologic al
COWlitol treatmients often ire not eflet i'ee.
Rescai c hers plii to seek dltela ni e meth-
ods for mninglg the pests. ()ne option
incliudes thle use of trap plint s to alvoid
is a pireferred host foIr tarnished platnt hugs;
ilnce they eniei ani iltalti hfeld, thIey genei-
aldo nol[ht leiX e. lniit ing altilti arounidta
t otton field oi in strips thirotighioi thle field
imighi itrip the hugs.
Rm tria Cointrol of Wheat Disease
liike-ill rot rot of wheat has the
potlential to dev'dstate Alihiimi's wheat
Sro[p. I. Jirt tiiitely, there are nol resistant
wh'leat vai etiles aind no fungicide I tleilnts
proihiil COilpte control. /AAES plant
lReseatt hers suirveNyed whedt fitelds in
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 16
AAES plant pathologists have discovered beneficial bacteria that could control a devastating
wheat root disease.
maijor wNheat produtctio n areas of the state
to ilate root-ass1ciated kic rer in to sree n
as potenltial biololgical Iontrol agents for
suppression of root rot A total of 1 89
Psendornonos ad Bac ilis species w~ere
screened in greenhourse studies. Preliminry
stuties showed thlit two (It these bacteria
were at least eqilil to BiN tin in root rot
co~ntol. Biytin is a tingic ide t hit slippress-
es rake-al
1 
in the early season but dissipates
ifter about six to eight weeks. Biocontol
agents colonize the roots and contintie to
suppress disease throiughotit the season.
In addition to suppressing the disease,
one strain' showedc signs oIf increased plant
growth, while a second had significantly
higher populations on wheat roots.
Researchers are now screening the two
microbes on wheat planted in November at
the E.V. Smith Plant Breeding Unit.
Sesame: Cash Crop and Nematode
Killer
Nematodes can devastate cotton, soy-
beans andi peanuts, but most oIf the effec-
tive pesticides to control these microscopic
worms hav'e been or soon will be banned.
In a broad program to develop alternative
strategies fot managing solilhorne diseases,
AAES platit pithologists hive ident ifie.
many plants that can be tised in roririon
with cash crops tto Cotrotitl neimatotdes.
Hoxwever, thetre ire no mairkets tot mottst of
these plants.
Research in 1995 showed that scsame
is a natural nemattidie that has the poten-
tial t bec onie a inijor cash ci op. Sesame is
soild~ fot 25 ceflts per potind in the U.S.,
xwhich mleans that the break-even point for
prioducing this croip in Alabama is 400
poutnds pet acrit.. Researchers fotund that
exven sesame tteld~s levele. by Hurricane
Opal produitetd thit amount tit seetd. In the
best sittiations, such as xxere seen in Belle
Mina, sesame protduction illowxetd a pntljec-
edl $100 per acre profit. These yield~s xxere
30-50 percent below average since the. c top
xwas harv'estedl with inadequtate equipment.
Sesame reqluires intensc management an.
spec ializedl harxvesting equriipment.
Reseatrchers are nowx trying to determine
the best ways to grow this crop in
Alabama.
Six sesame cialtivats stippressedl corn
mon nemaitodes. Twto cutlt ivar-s cut ptiptli-
titans O root-knot nematid~es to zero at the
Plant Breeding Unit near Taliassee; tine
cultivair yiel.etd more than 500 potinds per
acre. At the Tennessee Valley Substation,
one ctiltivar ciut poptilatitons Of spiral nema-
toides to, ftr per 6.,1 cuthic inches tOf stil,
wh ile yielding 851 Pouinds per acre.
Another cutlt ixat retdlucedt these nematodes
to 30 per 6.1 tcubic inches an. N ieltded
1,135 ptounds per acre. In this test, ct.totn
ha. 85 spiral nematodes and] yieltded Il,1 78
ptiund~s he acr e.
Microbe Contr ols Disease aIt,i Vt r
AAES scientists hive ditcumitent et. fOt
the first rime that a beneficial tot-assoi-
ite. tnic i oaIiganitsml nor tOnly can mike at
plant moire resistant rto a tdisease pit ho gen,
but also can redutc e feetding by the insect
that transmits the pathogen. Researchlers
id.ent ified~ bacteria that are better than
weekly pestic ide applic at itons at ctontrt iiling
bacterial xwilt tdisease ant. the cuctimber
beetle, wvhich spreids the d~isease.
Normally, Such bioilogical control agents
ate very specific, teit her affetting the d~is-
eise ot the vet.tot, but not both.
B~acteriil wilt is pitartilirly tdestruc-
xie to cucumlbers and~ mtiskmelonS, btit it
alsto affec ts squas~ih, zuctct.hint, ptimpk ins,
xwatermelons an. cantaloutpes. Insec tic itdes
targetctd againist the Cc c mitber beetle Com-ti
prise the primatry ctontri Amiethodt~ for bacte-
ria
1 
xwilt. Hoxwexvet, insetitt.ides art. not very
effective becatise beertles ire highly imtobi le
an. ntot many beetles are needed to trans-
mit the disease.
Duing Observations tf f i ell experi-
ments to confirm the c'ttecttvenesS of [bacte-
reseirc.hers ftouind t hit the tic Krobes wetre
also prtotec.ting against hactettial wilt.
Stibse.
1
tient gt eniht use and f ield tests Iden-
tifted the broad-spec trumi effec t of these
bac ieriai aginst hbacterial wilt and cutcutm-
her beetles. When appl med is a seed twrar-
ment, the bac.teria pipuilate ia plant's rootts
xxlitle Plant.
Tlie bacteiah boos~tt a plant's iiitine
Systemi, muc h like at vaccinaitiotn in aimanls.
In iaddit ion, tihe mlicrobes reducit.e the plants
that gr eatly Stimutlat es belett feeding.
Absenc.e Of th is cot mpoiuitd ireduices feeding
indl t rinSmissiin tif hit.teril ilii bet ween
plants. Bittchemi.ailly, the Ptrecutrsttrs fttr
tctcltitlitat ii attc tiht samer is thie precuritsors
for plant defense ne.hinistms. It is ptosstble
thit inst ead~ of pitiduc.itig the feeding st im-
Ulant , the bacteria t.hinge the plant's ivit-
bolt. pathway to Ptttduite dteensive ttttl-
Two~ batterial st rains wxere sho wn tot
he tmore effet.tive thin instecticties.
plat. trieit ed lwth the motst effeti ve staitn
wer tnfeSted with iO Peit.ent fex'eit. lit.um-1
ber beetles, exhibited a ftour-ftiltd Jet.relse
in bat.terial xiii sinpttinlS and Prttduted~ 35
percent tne Cu lt.umbets.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 1 7
Nev<< 'Niapiw A~'ainst Aflatoxin
AAES scienist ~s have identified bac-
teria thi-it greatly reduce peanut infestation
Xwith Aspecrgillus flatus fungi, Xwhich produltce
the c artcinoigen iflitoxifl. Th is t inding,
the itlatoxin problt'm in A lihami.
Irrigatlioni is thle oinly ettht iX waiy to
confsistentlyN reduice ifatix in but is not
iliX ys A-fo rdiaimi. AAES irtstarch linkedi
lNsCr t irnst ilkV borer teedling to the sprtadi
SPOD-X LC, a uew biological iiseciiucid uidei evilUation by
AAES researchers, was shown to be effective at controlling beet
armywormis.
oft A. flat us, but inset ticidies to control
lesserl do no [t comupletely cointro i titoi [.
(ither studies showeVd that elevated soil cal-
citiii reduices atlitlixil. Comtbining insect
cointirol and soil tcitility wXith a bacterial
occ li Cice of thiis contaminant.
Researchers collec ted and stcreened
mort than I150 batcterial strains tor activity
against A. flat us. Five of the most promnis-
ing strinis Xer t~Iest Cd in I1995 at the
USDA National Peanut Laboratory.
(Xnri otl Itti nviiol metilnt phlots wXeCie used to
hipli. atC the extiremel heat intl diriiught
that pri imote growith of lesser tcorinstalk
borers and A. flatus.
TwXo of the bac teia reduced Ataltox in
contaminition by morei than 90 percent.
On av'rgC, the bac~teria redutced atlatox in
tuontcntratioins to approximately 20 parts
per billion (pph), which is within the
icc CptabC limit. UtinrateJ peanuits hatd
200 ppb it aftatox in. Treated plants also
pirodutced a greater yield.
'w Beet Armyworm 
Insecticide
Thinks to research by AAES ento-
molIotgist s, t toii tiriers wvill soion leXve a
in\w inin-c hemita we X apon against the beeti
ii iy'orXXii , Xwhich dievistatedi the c otton
cOP in I1995. POID-X LCi, a hio ltigical
insetctic ide in the final stages of field test-
ing by Auburn restartchers, t iuid become
the best way to controli beet armNXworms.
l\ )l )X I ( XX, oriiiginaill irketedl
fot use on ornament ii plants. HowXXever, AU
scijentists recognixted the protiuc t's po tential
anti instigatedi stutdies of its use on cotton
in 1993.
Beet nrms XXorms are major cotton
pests uiidei thei rig
1
hit condit
1
ins, intl there
is currentlIy nothing on the market to pro-
vide adiequtate conrol ot these insects tdur-
ing heavN infestations. SI)L) X LC con-
rains a litlirallN icc urring viirus that k ills
armNXX'(ris Xwithout harming other insects
or humans. Once eaten bNy larvae, vital
infection iiteralNy tdissoilves the insects from
the inside ott The product proividies excel-
lent atntmXwi rm co ntrol, even against
insects iesistint to chemical insecticitdes.
SPOD) LC's pattern of action is ide-
ally suited to the development and impact
ot thle ii ilN X 11t. In cotton, it is usualNy
not the tirst generation ot beet armywXorms
that causes majoi damage. A new genera-
tion of atmyXX'trms is protducedi each three
to toui Xwteks thioughouit the season, ani
there aie greater numbers in each genera-
tnin. 1.l t imately', a huge popuilathin of
wXoms late in the season eats the cotton
toliage, blo oms andi bols. SPOD X LC is
appliei early in the season Xwhen insect
numbers atc low, thus prev ent ing the over-
XXhelming poipulation growth. When
insects tie they become resitdual applica-
tots, with each dlead Xworm spreading more
virus to liter generations.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT --- 18
FOOD 
safe 
t QUALITY & 
nutrition
recent years have
seen several
major outbreaks
ffoodborne
sease, creating
)ore interest
ipfn ever bef'i
icontrolling
Jimonellh'
Id other
ithogen%
>ntinue to pose
threat to UJ S,
,)n sum er
iforts to
i prove the
.ality and rnuti-
ve value )f co
,od supply
entists in the
AES made
ajor strides in
995 toward
'complishin"
ro~se gcmk
Nutrition and food science
research to improve infant
formulas is one example of
the AAES food technology
program.
Irrprovinp Infaxtnt Fo1ii
AASnutritiois~its ad fluid scien-
tists~ halve etine ia step clse It io maiking
infant fortnilis thit proide all the beneftir'
of breast inilk. Researcehers test ed ia promis-
ing st urte fton- in essentijal omega-3 tatty
it.id thatit frniula lit.k,. )t her soirc.es of
this fit ty aid lve ncs"itix e cite. ts on
grothii, but ia tatty aid I prtodiced by
mic.robes appears to prov ide the nuxeedd
benefits xwiithout any drixxhki.
cantr amount, oi t he inegi 3 liii t il
doosdl-ixaenoit. ait.d (DI IA), but irdi-
tional formutla Ihas nne to tis cssteuiil
lipid. PI Mk is Monnd in the ret inai iind hbrtin
and is believedo to be invoilved in visuail
at.uimty and rnt l desC~t pnuent . In prcnmi
nurc ihis, eyesight is affec ted by the lit.k
01 1P1 IA. Di1 IA may alsti li\~ i tile in
imellI gent. . Adnlt s synt hesiz P I IA ftin
intither fatty ait. ltilld lirtileici ai.l
I It xx eer, bibies must get PI1 I A ftrtou breast
milk tr itItrnuili. ish til is ia good stiurce ti
I A hat prcx'ious resent. B shtowed that it
inimmhit thle stus tia hion it iiitml relii ed
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 19
.r 
W
Controlling the spread of foodborne disease pathogens 
such as E. col
poultry products is a major goal of the AAES.
Using piglets as models, researchers
found that for mula supplemented with
miicrobially produced DHA did not
dec reise growth of the animals. Pigs receiv-
ing the suppleincnted formula had
increased concentr ations of PHA in the
brain, retinas and other tissue. Researchers
ate now designing experimental techniques
to test the functional consequences of the
lack of DI IA, with the goal of dlfining the
exact role this fatty acid plays in physiolog-
ical processes.
.Iling Foodborne Disease
Ii ee-flo at ing Salmoella bacteria are
sill\ killed in poultry processing, but
pathogens attached to a chicken's skin are
difticult to reach by traditional methods.
However, AAES
poultry s"cietists
have developed tech-
niques to remove
most of tie firmly
attached Slmonell.
The topography
of chicken skin pro-
tects bacrea from
the acids used to
lean ioultry.
Adequate kills of
skin-attached bacte-
ria require 2-6 per-
cent acid concentra-
or- Salmonella in tions, which are
expensive and discol-
or the skin. However, acid solutions of .5-1
percent killed up to 99 percent of
Salimonella when combined with the emul-
sifier Span-20. Only 20-30 percent were
killed \when reduced-acid washes were used
alone. Emulsifiers, which hold together oil
and water, likely force bacteria into contact
with the acid bath. Citric and lactic acids
worked best in these treatments, and effec-
tiveness was enhanced when the treat-
ments were applied in scald baths.
Researchers will use the Span-20 treat-
ments in a processing plant pilot program
in 1996.
In other foodborne disease research,
researchers found both inherent and envi-
ronmental factors that affect the heat resis-
tance of E. coli 0157:H7. Some E. coli iso-
lates are naturally harder to kill by cooking.
Scientists also found that E. coli heat resis-
tance is improved when fat, salt and cer-
tain spices are added to chicken, turkey,
beef and pork products. However, additives
used in fat reduction formulations
decreased heat resistance. E. coli was most
heat resistant in turkey franks, tirkey ham
and turkey sausage. However, USDA heat-
ing guidelines still seem to be adequate to
control E. co/i.
Federal law requires that raw and
cooked meats be labeled accurately as to
the species they contain. Prevention of
substitution and adulteration of meats with
undeclared species is important for eco-
nomic, religious and health reasons. AAES
food scientists have developed an inexpen-
sive, accurate and rapid test for meat
inspection.
Tests now used by meat inspectors are
expensive, variable in quality, have a poor
detection limit, require overnight incuba-
tion and cannot detect species in cooked
meat. The new Auburn test overcomes
these problems.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 20
This new technique uses imnoclonal
antilies (MAhs), which reatct with cer-
tain proteins in cooked poultry meat. Food
scientists dev\eloped six MAhs that can be
ised in a series of tests to quickly identity
the specific species of pouliry meat used to
adulterate products. The tests tan he used
to inspect raw products it they are cooked
briefly. In addition to merely detecting the
presence ot aduilter at ion, these tests can
quantify the extent of containination. They
also can be used to measure the maximum
internal temperature that the meat reached
when it was cooked. Resear chers are now
developing MAhs to detect mamnnalian
muscle proteins.
The tests are suitable to be made into
commercial kits that can he used easily in
the field. To use the test, cooked meat sam-
ples are ground and extracted in a saline
solution tor 10 minutes. MAhs are coated
onto a small dipstick and dipped into a vial
containing the meat solution. Results are
immediately obvious as the clear solution
turns green if the target meat is detected;
the more adulteration, the darker the color.
Decontaminating Beef Trim with
Intense Flame
AAES meat scientists have developed
a method for using direct flame to deconta-
inate beef trim ised in griumnd I products.
Searing the surface of beef trim with a
high-intensity flame was found to signifi-
cantly reduce bacterial populations without
harting product qtiality.
l)irect flame rt six seconds ctrd
popu Lations if batteria that cause 11121
spoilage. Ground beet subjectetd to th,
treatment, packaged and stored in a it 111
display case had a shelf lifte iboit twon I
lon gcr than untrcatcd mceat. Rcscart Lir
are now examining the use of direct-i]n
treatments to contrl E. coli, SalmIIlk Im,
and Listeril.
Traditional methotds to control I),It
ria in beet processing Occ mir at the whohe
carcass le\'el. But there are many steps
between carcass inspection and meat griJ-
ing, leaving plenty t Onpportunities for
recontamination. The new Aubrhnde\'c I
oped technique can be applied immediltcI\
before grinding. In gtround product pIepa a-
tion, beet t rimi is transportedc via at coinveyer
belt to a grinder. AAES scientists added at
new piece of equipment to this process: at
chaumber that projects flame on the topl and
bottom of tmeat. This chamber is asscmni d
around the conveyer just before it tec~I
into the grinde. The systei can be idi id
to existing pino~c l i'I;ln \\ iilb mit In'-c
Iapitil ()il N.
AAES researchers have developed an innovative
new technique to detect adulterated meat
products.
r 'it
A' -, 
A
,JL
4~s
AALS ANNUAL REFOR! 21
2
~'CALITV~
our population gows,
indI livestockc, cIo il
timber productio
be(come more intrir
Alabama's woteriy
tomus, forests ondi other
naiural resources ore
increasingly threatened.
Staned agi~utr I ud Forestry produci,,
us well as the health and we//-being of 
our i
izens, depend upon protecting these resori-
Safe disposal of animal wastes, low-imp(;
timber harvesting, prevetion, of pesticide
runoff and other vital environmental promnor
goofs have /in hoeen the focus ofAA[
cesfl chi O
SLI Ii bLu usu uA AiIu I uS vast u i Ow I usw cus Is a gut 
dhat mniy AAES cI Us ICry 11 (n agicultur al engines
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 22
Reducing Environmental Impact of
Timber Harvesting
Abundant fairest land iS aman11 thle
stiltheast's tnt st valuable natural resaurCes.
Sustained use at this resource withoutt dam-
ging the en'eironinent 
is a goal addiressed 
in
cvenil AAES forestry prajects. Developing
I ipraved mnanagemn t practices, new~ tech-
nology, and a basic understanding at how~
latest systems function wXill allow sustainable
ulse af this region's torests while minimni-ing
CMi iianmenrt impacts.
(one recently Coimpieted Study Showed
II ii timber harvesting causes fewX probleins
wr the envirunmental health ot wetlands
is long as proper imanagemecnt p act ices ai e
sed. There is great patential tor harming
forsted flood plains, but there are Simnple,
ammnonl
1 
known w~ays to avoid this damn-
ge. If these best mlanagemecnt prac tices are
oIlt wed, wXetlands are nut affected even
iI I wo- are clear-c~it.
I tuiestry teseirchets are now~ exatnin
1i1 lit XXsilviCUlt ural practices affect lang-
etim prod~uctivity ol a farest. In this funda-
m iental research, scientists hope ta learn
iuore abaut howX the tarest ecalagy func-
It ins, su1ch aS haw flooding utter ts nuitriet
WIailability. Such into~rinationl is important
I)CMS erlis tgging raad installatian tit high-
wXy i\ kist It tiin Itit5 a tltUtk ptlain Could
affec t flootding patterns, whirch, in turni,
Cuild attect nutrient av'ailabilit.
I nidovert ent sit ts in nutrient ava ilabi lity
ian hiarm thoodplain pr aductivity. (fn the
l)Ueechee Riv er, researc hers built con-
trolled areas to study the effects af flooding
on nutrient ava ilabilIity. They partitally
buried sections oft luge pipe in whirch river
wa ter* is pooled tor vaiouais periods. With
these artitic ial icrocosims, reseairchers are
Sttidytillg m1ass, Ca rban, nitrt gen anld phaS-
Ithil us dyniimics in dertunlpaSing ttiliii lit-
ter expo~sed to different flauding iregimnes
d.uing a three-year peiod.
eit her foirestr tscientists arc ev'altiat-
ing mu 1part isf roaid Conist-Utontif, tree hit-
vesting and site preparition ol u n imiei ial
timber land in South Ahiiua. In tine
phase aft ihe study, ireseaircheis ft ind that
sail erusian is lessened by the use at grass
roads, which aire produced by ;priNying gi ass
seed and tertilirer oin dirt roads ithat leadl to
timber harvesting sites. (;riXvel iroids were
not as etteetiXC hibt did alter better erasion
cotrotil thin diit iaads aovei a 15-imanth
periad. Atter c lear cutting the area,
reseaichers will evilliate v'ariaulS Site prepa-
ration tec hn icIuis to iready the land fot
replani ing. Pireliminary resullts i lusrated
the effec t iveness at "Strainside niani~ge-
menit :unes,, strips at undisturbhed land
aloiig st reaim banks, in pireventiing signifi
cant amounts at sedimlent train) ieaching
the waiter.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 23
Reusable Portable Bridges Reduce
Stream Damage
(Constrlticon and use of stream cross-
ings are major causes of sedimentation and
erosion in tiimaber hairvesting operations.
Sediments can transpo rt other pollutants
into waterways, aid in the destruction of
aquatic habitats and fill in reservoirs and
channels. Preliminary research has demon-
strated that AAES-dev eloped poirtable tim-
ber bridge systems have little or no impact
on streanms if roads are correctly con-
- sitric ted.
Researchers compared 
installation,
use and removal of portable 
bridges to
o othet co)mmon stream crossing methods
in commercial timber operations. After
ineasirin g sedimentation upstream and
dwnstream, researchers found that the
glued-laminated-timber-beam bridges
+ did not modify stream channels and
introduced almost no sediments to the
stream.
. Cuilverts are placed in a stream
' ' I1 and soil is piled on top, a process that
- ?, V c an introduce large amounts of sedi-
4 ~- 
ment into the water. Also, 
culverts can
-~ A become clogged and cause even more
soil to wash downstream. Vehicles dri-
-d 
i 
ving across fords churn up the stream
" a''bed and can introduice sediments.
W- However, the only site disturbance
Upst car~ and dowinstr ear water quality tests showed that AAES-plo- 
required with a portable bridge is level-
duced portable bridges have little impact 
on stream health. ing 
the stream bank for placement 
of a
mud sill, on which the bridge is placed.
This disturbance did not affect the stream
banks ot the channel. Unlike permanent
bridges, the portable structures are easy to
install and can be reused many times. If a
portable bridge is installed at least 10
times, the total cost tor each installation
can be as little as $2,550, which is competi-
tive with the cost of installing permanent
culverts on most streams.
Researchers also developed a special-
ized portable bridge that reduces the envi-
ronmental impact of skidder traffic.
Skidders, large tractors used to drag trees
from a harvest site, are nut allowed to drive
through streams. And since they are used
in a given area only for a few days, con-
struction of a permanent crossing is not
feasible. Now, a skidder must travel around
streams, greatly increasing the machine's
route. As the length of travel increases, so
does fuel consumption, forest damage and
soil compaction or erosion. The AAES
portable bridge consists of glued-laminated
timber deck panels equipped with steel pro-
tective plates, which allow the skidder to
pick tp the panels and install them.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 24
5sS (a.tSfQ B rl ) t *
Reducing Broiler Litter Pollution
The potential tor wvateir qualty dam-
age by improperly managed broiler litter is
well documented, but many people are
unaware that this poultry industry bypr d-
uct can Cause air pollution as well. When
spread over pastures, litter releases gasses
that contribute to acid rain, global warm-
ing or ozone depletion. AAES scientists
have long studied the water quality effects
of litter use and are now developing a
method to determine its air pollution
porential.
Broiler litter teed, wastes, and
other materials that collect on chicken
house floors - presents a major disposal
problem for Alabama's $7 billion poultry
industry. One traditional use of litter is
spreading it over pastures as a fertilizer. As
the litter lies on the ground, 
ammonia,
methane and nitrous oxide can dissolve
into the atmosphere and contribute to vari-
ous pollution problems. As a first step
toward developing management schemes to
reduce these emissions, AAES agronomists
are refining a new device to monitor
ammonia release in the field. This device
consists of a 10-foot rotating mast that
turns in the wind. Extended from the mast
are rods that hold glass vials containing a
chemical that traps ammonia gas. The
device can measure the gas flow at different
heights. To test the monitor, researchers
coat an area with urea, allow the device to
coIle ct samples rt three day s, then coin-
pare its findings to a traditional reterenc e
technique for measuring gas emissions.
Other AAES research has demon-
strated v. alumable uses to hiroiler littei, but it
must be used wisely to avoid overloading"
ground and surface waters with nitrates and
other nutrients. For example, researchers
demonstrated that applying eight tons of
litter per acre on conventionally tilled
cotn/w\inter rye fields in the Tennessee
Valley was enough to cause \\ater quiality
problems. I lowxever, t uu toins caiused less
contamination than the soil test recom-
mendat ion foir commiferc ial tert ilIizer. Tbhis
lower rare provided corn yields equal to
fields treated with c omiierci.ial fertilizer.
On the other hand, leadching studies
under seedling loblolly pines in the
Appalachian Plateau showed that applying
iroiler litter to these young trees is unwise.
Research showed that pine seedlings lick
root systems extensive enough to c apitire
the hulk of nitrogen released firon lit icr. It
is posbe however, that litter d ouild be
safely used at the mid-rotation thinning,
about 16 years into the timber production
cycle.
Research continued in 1995 on the use of artificial wetlands to
treat effluent from livestock production facilities.
Disposing of Livestock Wastes
Finding environmentally friedly
w~ay's to dispose of aniimals wvastes is a iuriilo
c hal lenge in m he bee, dii, poult ry and
swine industries. Agricultura l engineers
continumed studies toI imiprovwe the ette ici-
ness of constr-uc ted wet lands in trating liq
uid waste bef ire it is applimed ovier Iild.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 25
lRtscarchcri lliti ithii it teinpeil-
ures above 50 degrees, l ive plants in the
t reatment ponds are best at t aptut ing
excess~ nutrient,. I loxxever, after the firs
hrost, plants at tual ly add nutrients to h
water L. From in id-fletember to inid-
February wo oden rods driven into the
pond bottom proivide better treatment; rods
prid e a gron wth med ia tor- batcteria that
break down xx aste products.
Fngineei- alson determined whic h
plats prodrite the greltest biollnass in ton-
struilcted wetlandts. Nutrient harvestingv and
rmval is dir etly pironporionl ro rhe bio-
mass producted. Al son, the harvested plants
ran be used is a feed for livestocmk.
Ph
m
tluw~litoeS u1107dlt ( omumon i eed ) prov\ed
to be the preferred specijes, prodUt ing
ilmn ist twic e as much hbioniass as the next
c lonsest plant.
As an aii ernative to uising wxet lands in
liquid waste mnliilgement, reseamrcheis pre-
viuusly designed at novel process with
potmentia iri abatinmg polluionn and provmxid-
ing at nexw on-farm energy source Engineems
dlevelo ped a "suspended pamrtic.le-lttcbed
gr owth" ilaerobiL fermlenter, xvhic h tan
tuiin liquiefied aiumil wvastes into usable
mlet hine gas xxith in four Llays. Th is devic.e
iin be uised xx'iih th hyKdirauilic flushing sys-
tems t nonlNll used to transport xxlstes
outi inmfnimmal priniduttion building s.
Based Onl eight y~ear-s of researc h, engi-
lCI-mus dlee olud crsi tIiter ii foi oi'lnit
Monitor ing and preventing pottution in
Alabama's streams and lakes is one of AAES'
top pior0ities.
loainig roies, hlydriaulic tIdet limit times,
and tenpm itures for beef, dii ry, lay er andI
Sxx11 me xIStes. Stuidies also iddressetl pr )LLs,
dlesign variables suth as reactor metlia till
rio, in ndii porosity and media type. Tank;
tan be made inf epoxy plastic or fibre glalss
and are patcketd wxith a synthetic fibre simi-
lilr to air tonditioner filter media. Wast e
floxxS into the bottom of the tank and
remeimns for- xarious rumes bosed on the
xxaste type Methane us piped out of the
tank's top ,ad tan be pumupedI into at still
age rank oi usedi diretctly in spate heat ti,,
internal combustion englines and othei
talrm equipment. Other met hods of
methane pirmdui on fro m igrictu~ra
walstc tiltke 20 days, whereas the newxs
tein pr nit sses xxaste iin thlree or touri d l\s.
Pollution in Alabama Lakes
AAES fisheries reseirc hers havx ceni
pletted xxattr quality studties on for majo
Alabamm lakes -West Point, Eufaula,
We/iss Indl Neeley Henryin and will tinm-
plete a stuidy of Lexxis Smith Lake in 1996.
('nntinted uinder the U.S. Enxirninmentil
Protec tion Agency
1
's Clean Lakes Program,
these studies indicate problems with toxic
contaminiiniiii iin snomt lilts iand high Icv-
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 26
~. '.
- vJ
\ ic contaminants were fouand in the
it tililtochlie River reservoirs
Aest Pouint liid Euifatim- and tn thme txx't
'oo5i Rivei reserirus Weiss aind H einriy.
1iloi dine, in insec tic ide that wals onc e
I 1512( to conltrol termites, wvas the ifl11st sig-
niif icant problem in the Chattilhoochee
I eSem xomrS, wxhie industrial PCBS were
Ilund in excessive concentrations in the
( Coosa reservois. PIy examininlg tish inl
,(tfnle lakes and sediments in all, researchers
determined the distibihmon of toxic o(n!a-
ininants. For example, c hlordane contai-
I it ton xxas iiited tt I the very uippemo st
Ii tion of Lake Eufaula. Public health otti-
Is have isstied adv'isories to pro h ibit coIn-
inuption of fish from areas oIt these reser-
dirs. Int erest ingly, the health adxvisory for
WVest Point Lake is based on high con en-
I rations of tintam inalnts in catfish a~nd
Ii lgeifltltth lhiss, but iAuhtmrn studies folund
iI(I Sigiicanit conltinaiitioni in black crap-
pie and hybhiid striped hiss. In ai related
, tidy of the IHuintsville Spring
I ranc h/Indian Creek tributary to the
WVheeler Reservoir, researchers totund that
I )l)T disc harged from lit mantiamttring
a~knt alimolst ? scari ago still pcr Iis.
Chlattahoo ichee and (Coo la rivxer reser-
irs also have significaunt prt Ileinl wxith
iltr ient enric hment, or elevated attn hits
n iitrolgen aind ph ii Ihrotis. Nutrint
cnri hment causes exc essive girlvih 4f
plankt on algae, wxh ich can . itme witer
q1uality\ probleims and fish kill,. Sewerc ox ri
tlxxw, diS. Ilrge of treited was! ewit er liid
rinoff fronm i~i. ulttiral and urbhan iareis aic
iflijti CiMiSCS of this ntltrienit l\ crld.
West Point Lake, in particutlir, s'uffers
fro m the Iimpac t of nutrients' filowing ftrom
the At lintit area. Studies Showe d that at
Gcorgia bin o n high-phospllt e deterigent,
ani l Iimits placed on phosplhorous ini treat-
ed xvistexxater have dec.reised pho splhorous
Iladin~g ini We(st Poiint iand ILike iifiiila.
Hlowever, further ireduw tions coul b11 e need-
ed to offset the effects of plinlied inc reases
in treated wa stexwater dischl; ges d ant ic-
pitcd reduc ed tribtary flows." iaised b\
incrieased wxater cnstinilpt n upstreaml.
Sntith I ike has sonic tribuitarics thait
aie impacted Iby (Aontaiivitiltrfilii polilt rI
cit Ie and tither agicu tltutral l1)crii l.
AA[ S researchers are wvork ing to deter-
mine tihe efticts of inutrienit enichmitent oni
receiving wx ters; 1 996 dat a wxili he c im-
pared to restults frtmilii simiilar st udy con-
duc ted in I1986 to determine wit er quill it y
chiainges. Estinmtes> of nut rient and sedi
ment Iladiiig will 11e made iisiig satellite
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 27
Tools to Stop Herbicide Runoff
AAS cent is foutnd that under th
hest Uf LiirL umlstaIces int nirsery proidui-
tio n, 25 pec n of~l (th[I herbic ide applied t,
plints mnisses target p itS and is xxasihed
ixx ix. How\ever, resell cher s lixve dexvikl~~
txwo tecLhniquies to greatly redCJIL th is
p itenftial sourL of waxvter contamnination.i
Baised nlmi earCit r sI 1tudy that shu xi
heriLIci aC tighly N bound in theC uipi
Livr it pi ltting mted ic, researIchers dCvc I
iap'd a meth od torit Using med ia ti filt Ci
tiidcs out of runoff water. In lab InuJels,
meldIia \Xs placed int plistic plies, eCl IIiM
Uil ch end il wix re mesh. Thirty per-
ceCnt it heriid re IC siduC wa s fiti re fUrCtmli
water thai fli wed thiriugh the media filtir
Longer expo suir t imest removx d uip Ito 70
peClt Using meldia, a product availale
iin largC qiuaniie cot iitrseries, is much~l
simnpler ilkd c heaipr than the activated
Lhrca tli iiiIhat S111k iirtir ies use.
ReCsar c hers LiionliItCtd a series of lab-
iii iior stieIs an~d arC nowX\ cinduc~tinig theC
tirst fie~ld studies wi th the media tilteri.
WO(ilh ilhe i'(ial of refining theC systemi ft-l
a vairiety iif titctirs, inlulinlg iiedia pariti-
C sieC ad t he use it diftereiit miidiai 1111-
uthiily totijid in a nurilsery.
I IlriLic IIcS i trdi~tionailly~ briadlcast
appliCd, mneaning thtat they Sprayed ovxer
Ihk hip ot ai groiup Ai tr-get puts. After
deterCining that heriL des wh iLh aCtually
AAES scieiiusts developed a prototype system foi filtering excess
herbicides in drainage water from nursery plant production.
h it the INtS dii not leach fromi meldiai,
.\AAES researchers deveLloiped a more pre-
Lise method for applyiing the che~micals.
Ciombining the herbicide xvith thLe fertilizer,
xwhiLch is applied diirLLtly into the pot,
rL'mLdies the problem of herbiLcide loss and
does not requiire extra labor. In the most
ettectixc Cfturmula, liqluid herbicide is mlixed
wxith xxauter and sprayed on fertilizer in an
nduistriaii bMlndler. TheL optimni u cated
firmulatitin is eight poundls ot Roinstar
5O'uNP hericLide Lcoated onito 25 pounds of
Nuirsery~ Special 12-6-6 tertilizer. Herbicide-
Lulated tert ilizer proivided weed conltrol sim-i
ilar to broadcast applicatioins, while reduc-
ing the amount ot herbic ide runoff to prac-
tically zero.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 28
ECONOMIC,
AND
health
StSUES
state citizens is one of the fot:
ing principles of the AAES. Iss,
related to economic develoni
physical health and emotic
being are the focus of mai
Experiment Station investi
AlabarniaTextiles on tin, In((,
With support from the AAES amid
National Textile Center, consumer affairs
researchers have developed an Internet
database that gives textile arid apparel
mnanuifactu rers greater marketing opportu-
nities throughout the nation. Through the
electronic directory, major retailers anid
large manufacturers can contact even tile
smallest, mohst rural Alabama plant to
.It
.. raato.,
AAES consumer affaitrs r eseai chers hiclped put Alabamna's
textile industry on the Information Superhighway.
a 
.
oirder pi idutts or otler Stihctl-
trac ts. Coi'mputer-assisted souirc-
ing of apparel produt ion has
hus far generated it least $50
il lionr in A labama sales.
Tis1 Naiti tinl Sourcintg
hlbase me ets th1-e need ti i a
single, tentrali~ed source of
mint 11.11itn o th le nationts
c urrent ly available text ile md
ippml iproduct ion capac~ity. It
uilta~jin in-depth infuirmaition
on eac.hI plants ca pihilitites,
including such tat iors is in i
mumll proidiuct ion limttit, types oii
t asks. Buy ers searc.h the data-
kase by producit tcategorly to find
it tues that meet thteir specifi-
Iniortttition on Alihinii
iail fiturI Pteias first t t in-
11iled into a proitt type dat ihise
in 1994. Fac t ti es in G eoirgia
amd the ( arolinas were subse-
(Iuently added to tthe syst em.
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 29
rr+-'
a-~':'
-' .9
AAES resour ce economists are developing plans to better market and preserve
Alabama's national forests.
Eventually, the database will include all the impact o
nation's textile and apparel plants. group of
Researchers also developed a simple, inex- urban u.
pensive modem package that allows small TNF an(
plint managers to access the database and trip. Urb
update the information on their respective hiking, l
firms. The daiabase is now completely viewing
operational and is being introduced to 
users coL
produc t developers in major retail compa- expandir
nies, such as Wal-Mart and ) C. Penney's. ties.
Lo(
Lack of plinnint g for multiple tses and 
erred ht
lack of knowledge about users of Alabama's 
placed p
national foIrests can cause resource degrada- 
ulation.
Lion. AAES economists are
developing marketing plans
foi these resources and are
,analyzing the recreation
areas to identify ways to bet-
ter preserve them.
Researchers profiled
c t ommunity leaders, special
i interest grotps and users of
Talladega National Forest
(TNF) to design more effec-
tive marketing strategies.
-' Surveys showed that the
tser segment with the great-
est potential economic
i area communities is the smallest
visitors. This grotp, designated as
,ers, travels the farthest to reach
I spends more time and money per
an users are attracted to TNF for
Backpacking, camping, fall color
and related activities. More urban
ild be attracted by improving or
ig areas dedicated to these activi-
cal and regional users of TNF pre-
inting and fishing, which have
resstires on the park s wildlife pop-
These groups expressed strong pref-
erences f)r expanded facility 
development,
which may be costly to provide. However,
they were more willing to pay additional
user fees to cover such Costs.
Researchers identified a need to zone
TNF to avoid conflicting uses. For exam-
ple, hiking trails now run through areas
designated for hunting. A non-hunting cor-
ridor in a portion of the forest would ensure
safety while reducing pressure on wildlife.
TNF's Cheaha Wilderness and
Bankhead National Forest's Sipsey
Wilderness and Sipsey Fork Wild and
Scenic River were found to he suffering
from symptoms of site overuse that threat-
en to render some sites unacceptable. To
prevent resotrce abuse or area 
closures,
researchers formulated multiple-use man-
agement plans with suggestions for renova-
tions ot new facilities.
AAES family and child development
researchers are working to identify the
iajor stressful events faced by Alabama's
rural and urban families and the role of
social support networks in maintaining
family well-being.
Data were collected from 318 parents
of college-aged children on life events that
had impacted families during the previous
year. In general, the sample was whitc, ciu-
cared, middle-aged, and abott evenly divid-
ed across rural, suburban and urban areas.
Restlts suggest that even families many
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 30
~
r3 '
c
~iiin~
r
1L L ~~a
i r* s rr- I
would view as cushioned from adversity
must be able to adapt to and cope with a
high frequency of stressful events.
During the past year, the average tam-
ily reported experiencing four life events
that aftected its well-being. The most fre-
quently reported stressful events were asso-
ciated with financial and employment
issues. The most difficult issues for families
included death, life cycle transitions and
health problems. In coping with 
problems,
these families first turned to social network
members. Extended family members wvere
mentioned most often, followed by fricnds
and nuclear family members. Spiritual
resources were also cited frequently as ;i
source of solace and support.
This study highlights the need for
family life education programs to stress sk ill
development in providing emotional sup-
port to others and in creating and nurtr-
ing social support networks. Further, agcn-
cies that provide support to families shou ld
seek to enhance and work cooperatively
with families natural support systems.
AAES entomologists have developed
a formula that takes into account a wide
range of home and landscape characteris-
tics to predict the size of cockroach popula-
tions and how best to control the insects.
This new pest management strategy elimi-
nates cockroaches faster, better and 
loInet.rc,
while using a fraction of the pestic ides
requiircd inl stanirid dtreatments
House age, unscrcened windi 155 S, ws all
cracks, loose-fitting doors, wood piles,
aim unt if mulch and shruibbery , numbers
of outbuildings, hardwx ood trees 
and pets,
and mnany other variables aire factored into
the formula. By identifying problematic
aieas, researchers were able to control
cockroaches with small, strategic applica
tions of bait, gel and spray. In addition to
l iited inscctic idc List, t he intcgratedl pest
iminagement (IP) strategy also consists ot
san itat iton and lindsc ape ilnrageirient,
such as pruning, removing ivy or using
ilternat is e imulc.hes. This strategy is
designed tor Smllokbrown cockroach es,
whic h ire lirige, Jark-brown insec ts.
Entomologists arc devising similar
sti It egCs tot other household pests.
Trid it it a pcimeter i nsec ti
cide treatments applied accoird ing to
lIbe directions are etfective for
abut 30 days, while the 1PM system
listed 60 day-s. Coct.kroac.h abun-
dance was tinaftec ted outside the
spiay z-one in the pertimctem it at-
merit, and cockroaches quic.kly rein-
ided from peripherali habitats. 1PM
I catrurts sgiiticaritly iece~t d
cokroich poipulationrs and~ sup-
crssed the insects tor a lonrger pei-
/ ,I. Plus, 1PMI treat merits ieqiuire 80
pec Ic l~ c"11(1itt h i i".
Contr olling cockroaches and other
household pests is a major goal of the
AAES ur ban entomology program.
AAES ANNUAL RFPoRT 31
1995 DIRECTOR' S RESEARCH
#1'V IV 10 i u
Winners of the 1995 AAES Director'
R~esearc h Awar ds were Claude Boy d, a pro-
tessor in the Department of Fisheries and
Allied AdiiictiltueS; an1d C iteMll ins, an
ass)citate professori in the I epairtmnent of
Agironomy and Soils. These iwairds ire pre-
sented annually to recognize outstanding
career accomplishments in the Experiment
Staltion.
Boyd, a native of Mississippi who
joined the AU. faiculty in 1971, has made
lie envir onimentAl risk posed by effluents
reseairch in the use of Iqimatic plants to fil
ter wastewater. Ile also demonstr ated the
relationship between teed input and watei
dual ity\ variables in ponds, which has
helped tish and sh ri mp pmroducers avoid
many problems. In other studies, Boyd
designed a watei ciiculator for catfish
ponds, devel iped techn idtes to measure
pond l im~e eqdim mnts, anailyzed the use
of fluid fertilizeis in ponds, dev ised a system
to more accurately estimate pond water
budgets and exaluated pir)duc ts used in
commercial and sportfishing ponds.
(i'irrent ly, Boyd is evaluating products to
imnprovxe pond wxatem duiality and developing
relitable management procedur es to reimovIe
phosphate fronm pond wvater.
M~ullins, a Virginia native wxho caime
to Auburn in 1985, has addressed many
issues related to soil fertility and chemistry.
Foru example, he cx aluated the dry matter
production and nutim ent uptake of cotton
varieties, generating intornmtion crucial in
answxering cotton feirtility duestions.
Mumllins also showved that late-season sur-
face applic itions of potassium to cot ton is
is effective as deep placement, thus saving
firiners unnecessary expenses. Anothei of
M/ull ins' studies is opening new mar-
kets to U.S.-produced fertilizers.
Previously, the European Economic
Commuinity penalized U.S. fertiliz-
rsfor being lowv in wxater-soluble
posphorous, but he provxed that
1, U.S. fertilizers are as effective 
as
' 4 European products. M~ullins also
studies alternative crops such as
lupin and the use of industrial and
Igricutltuiral wxastes as so il amend-
11ents.
Left, Senior Research Award winner Dr.
Claude Boyd.
Right, junior Research Award winner Dr.
Greg Mullins.
AAES ANN J"I I H 32 u j
State
$19,611,042
19
Federal
I $4,358,858
State-Paid
Employee Benefits
I $2,040,000
CONTRACTS AND GRANTS
Federal
$5,002,933
State
$1,004,194
Private
$4,088,759
AUXILIARY REVENUES
Indirect Cost Recoveries
$1,099,138
Interest and Royalties
$73,568
Diagnostic Services
$251,412
Sale of Research
Products
$3,063,184
r"p
TOT A L 
R E V E N U 
E S
$40,593,088
AAES ANNUAL REPORT 33
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