4A 1- 4 '.--y-. I4 on 1r1.r -F ' rI rr ~ r LiE AG~~~~rIUTiL EEiI DIRECTORS COMMENTS \fh \iIlILAII. A ~IR l I& )t I HI tIl thoIIIil lflcnc t~tit u hoklv input. t1Cu (IiCd 11m n of iu1uju IXPIuollu 1i ii chaiiiii 11m I o o e (M~ Farm, th)I eI ii ~okl\ uctio1 oI ihIc p)11 ILv &It \ CI II Nu',C. Mili ~ Lll~ the 1t 0 fh111CP ll li i ii )~IkI \d~IIIil~ mIakI~in pm s, vv crflc I~lLN Iic a, m Io ii'1. \in in al~tirllxr hdI 1 iil(lLdI a 1IIL,Nt1I Il Ic\c tcI~II~~L uunI Itd ancL' lut , ~~ I II Ie~ p hl a ieI IL1--' I\C 10(11', ,a irlturIal 1)UIluC t \t cliiIInk l~ n IILki I oxli \ IIIhII\ I I OtIn Ih)\ '_t\ IOI\ t\ auo11I tchnoIILui lN aciC~L l enc \ a n L\lOWE~LLTl FROBI Fh~(Ice tht\\ I l hClem t nt 0111\ ait uri'e Cqt1dI\cin u~t ~itl' ~IhOlI I ( IeI ~NI Ic mil ful.\ I ~ULC iUT1 1 i)LII LOiAIi t 0i).' IIIX )C\ v lo e o n~ iiip, MAY EVE INTRODUCE Ill. O\ cllc (11;In1 hli,,.l'rol0~or of I for llclllllllC. Ch;lnlhli,,.:l natlv(ol IWIII'l County. Aluh:lIlKl-'M1ICd hi, R.S. (I( ,lcc ill ILriculul]al c(luraliont \uhurn in :111(1 hi, ALS. (Ic- _](( in Ilorli(ullUrO lronl \uhurn in too'. I I0 vv0nl on to ,-,(t Illy I'llD. Ill 111AIII hr(0(1111C 111(1 '.1en0t101 II0lIICUIIl1]C 1]1)111 PUldlIC t ni\Cril\ in 19(,11. oIkmin -, hi _ratlU:Uiun Irunl NLIMILI". ('hanlhli" ,cr\0(I 11 a ICCarrh IlolliCHilUrit vv fill l S1) v/ vRS in Ulm] ICton. S(gnth ("I]olin:l. lip] ; vran hCIoIC loinin1-' Auhurn, I)CllurtnlCnl of Il( rticto ltu]e ,loll in 1')7( ) U, 111 UM)Ci;uC Ivntlc-ol. I Ic vv t, Imillu110(i III Ivrolc~o] ill I')-\ .Intl 10rvC(1 1, .ICtine hc;ul ul Ihr UcIVIII11cnl (luring I9S( -SS. ( 'IIMIIhli,,. lit) ,Iv0(i11ii0, in IvIM11 hrCC(ling .Intl L cUCli(, Iol ,u(h vc1-'Cklhlc ,101), Al ,olllllcrnhC.I, anti lonmlkw,. ]0r0ntl\ coillpiclo'd 1 ccm low-, ,ahhnl iral vv Ilicll tool, 111111 to 1:1ol itla. In(li:nl:l.:uul ('alili(]ni;1 lu ,111(1v lC(Ilnlyuc, ur(I Ill 11101c(0I1r Lcnrtic, 11111 hiolo2k- o1o _v :Intl 1110 11)1)1 i(:Il ion (11t111cc lcchniyuC, in v CLCllhlc hrcc tl- ing. Ili, work 1001,Cd 1111-(111cally :11 inCOt llul I)1111 Irritants in (0\vIV11 mid Ionl;uoc,. All Miit. It' OH IMLC 5 of thi, i~uC of Ili hli Chl, ("Ilanlhli~' \\ork \k till Ihr dc\clop- mcn1 of a 110\\ I\ clclctl hla0kc\ .,d ,outllcrn I)c1.A l 11C. vv Mich v 10111]v cl 'Ind Ilcl I :Intl i, rcil:ult to cool-knol nclnllodcC . ON THE COVER. AUBe is a new. easier to harvest blackeyed southernpea. See related story on page 5. Fall 19')1 \ O1. 3S. No. 3 \11111 I -Ac 1rllur 1 Iv r In l I iI :Au ur l nivi l ( \k l I_ \\ . l i ( F: _ . kRI S IIIAS()\ ........ IM ) k(MiIRIS )\. ...... . I tij le- ItaeeI ietci No t, anl~d \\tet'll.i N11 l Int'te h I 1am 90t,lml 'li tcri liii 70 r.a . 'iaien ats aNtdtll CokeN 97t wh.ealltl wI)e hmah ,Ctte acn t' ur 'ilmla NNactu, Ni aht am seedih rat of 9CI lImii per acre Il.IieAtillm' nlirtelll \ ,aplathtime iltololi ee NA supp7 7100 Ih.ldtNi ter t are'm 11nd an~ti id IhomNi AN pNoid te NA Ill.1) a P oforu Ilie NiLa iAlN mm we teaplill immimmicti ito ,oitesllt.iii'al . NNicl htir oft ixe hi' e anl lilt 1111 alkii Alt' in~t tihe Itt~ iiiuitc ,ltlt' d 9t n id - the kmN Nit kim' rte Ali~ iti JAN Io. 0at themlo I das WNith -r2iI I"l peio at( l hih alid~ lolNN toctkin(,rae, hm'Ic al ile dilN ytt Lii \ ae hi-ca h ovokircthan At the i ih ,lNockilg mate. AS NtoNNn IlN dtlal~l 1 tim ahie. p\er ac wiai I1, h 'IlAit. 1 h lola "ill oal' ti NN vheAl thAn NN ith rI Neal the i0NN ,tockiii' Irate. Thlis NO"" ecstN that thle nulltiN e NA lo f (At' alid. wN eal IN Ijilethl~ a th oN ev.A lt'e loll Ntotkiii' raite, aNcra'e tclaiI dain aitnd.i per actfor N heal alnd. At tile hiNN Ntotkli", rate, als auth \N he~at IlloN idvdt.. tnill e c, At retlin per ACI ce thlat NN aN 1911Il hici thian I hal ol I \ e 1-"\ ell tlouLlih aiil per acie lot- oat, at Ithe hiL 'I ,lotkiL I ate NNa A ii"htei thall al the IoNN tckinu, rale. returni per aele \N a, saimiil. . Relnn pei atle at tihe hii"I Nltoklll late NNa ANcIm.lt for vv-NNheat andt~ INC hetcatiC 0 tin g aiin,. \Itlioui'i ot and Alttch prolet 1 id ~ed "a/Il" ill till' FirlIt-Neal tesl. othmei tcCaich ham NhotnN that rNe is more eITCtitlC in letdllilm" inemlatitdeN. IIN eCmuldi afit N icii ld l 111d prolt ill) NtiI'ilt.'t~ii' peanutl cropil. Ill add~iitin, oiat, mlidh N hellt ale cs ileedeci to d~eteriniie NN imele Naila~e of 0aIN andt~ vv hleat 1OF Sim ill IN e ill l'etclllt Il niemlatod~es lirltl~ lII 'lNoll" o Ilol lith lilt',,Nul iti lclilt'.ill u t I tip... x ' f it hc vI/a r -i I ily a r c LII II' 11n ?.Il 4Wi 1-3 '. 3i ,9 I il) I ; 80~iS~ l hlbatima .1 'i ituo l \/iperimle/l Slioll irlI Iiures ievi~ oat, W o- i i) ltcin R I. lll ar ir Ie S. EF SLADDEN. D. I. BRANSBY. AND G. E. AIKEN HIGH PRODUCTIVITY OF SWITCHGRASS CREATES ENTHUSIASM IN AAES RESEARCH Im- 1 ri . li.N hat ti~ heltu NiIaiti ilitit \arui ,tt ttcittiliN. NtMuch IN hil 111 ,lttl'l.iN in ilh m [tiN riiiI'h tLIN Ciy mithanolt. theri, IN lo IllIclet init a, IN pohten- A N vvrl- CiNti peienital. ,NN ittii''liN Il'i it I I> iii itt I ii i. B l c\ l ......... Cat c-ii-t .k.. t\ pc,. that are thitk telttttt. eret. andl tall. T he I int :A \I;S tetlt evilutlitt the (i in-Rock N iriety. i ulandi t\ pc NNN Itchl"'N that \\a idclt'ctloipcdt in the \itl e~t. It icltld olliN 2.2 to .; ton, tel itec ionl Niio ruIN each Nratmil. NNhitch appearetd to he tt I0NN tot piolIitihle producition it li- .Sttith Re~caith i(.entei Shoritei . to C\ au- aitet hU\ upan OliNwad ;llle, l3liackNt li. ('ai~e in-Rotck. Kama, \liN e. plolN of ct i it v N etc Ncedtedin lNn- ititiot I 9SS. Seed NNCIC diltled inbm pltN, it a iate ot l1O I h pet t aC it I Ott 7 in. apatI. NA't'.plt urutiv atll ttail Ai IN h A ptle acNite ttv equlii ,iedretin i tit([itlilt itettiniticc w'Cul I hawIc itic (i in ithi 't hit tll'' int hum' rere i St) pet it,) ind ierin 190 ilItletNelt ct o hiloeltion.li \the Hpan til Ie" Nit itlr Tit'iPi'- \tN t''l Hti N.\ II tIN TiRtIt it NtuS \c IN 1) v 4. ittw 7 6 t) Il thet ati d 1 aii th an Il' t'e Ii 46~t Itt 76ea 7he 41ll c 198 19 0 lcetonproei VD rDF hadiiit ill ilt til N ll llll lt'lel itt wteek, ahieadt ot licitutidi andt hallia ''lI'. intl Neta wii teek, aheati iii the other ,\t ittll''IiNN\ aietle, tin the NttlilN Ii thi N l ''oititl alilow, tiht l t toi li~t ''IINNi~ti 'iIiN ui~tet urmv ntil ralt, liii cuNtNt Ci peiodI thinio'. tevpttiin ritit Il ttNr ti. t Ihr l in ii nlr Bitit N t . hit tit t ii lik\CIel ttot Nr dtpimiwcl cv l \iatti tt tolicn'. 'te Chl IlouiCNN. tIN tcN- ilit t lii ltat tic into Nth fii l t t h i n tienu d lr ~ (Ntt il\ uvinL, ,ewSif0toSmott lth mot . '',Il If l l / -- I ci c t/uI'/h /.Suuutl O.0 L. CHAMBLISS AND A. G. HUNTER AUBE Is NAME FOR NEW SOUTHERNPEA DEVELOPED IN AUBURN RESEARCH I IF NMI AI Be mayd sounld like ilhe .11111 iri t mbtI MS'1\t1'COL. Nut actual\y it is the flamC~ of M d xoit tlj)C8 \ ariety. D~eveloped in the \Iuha~IMI \"t iCLIltit l I:\I)CI i1)Cni Sia liton v egetale hiH celii program i. \! Be (.short for . B3lackcyc) l's a1 unlic~uC INp of blL ke\ d southernpcIQ. ht has' 'cC Icea- tue hi1C11 s~houId mike i t espill aip Ipeal1 to homiC ''aidcli ',. ad~ it also( ol IcT c ommierl d prodion i opp oIfrt unities. T hese teatur ic udeit the IoIlo\\ w: -Pd are cos to 1iiW \ CN1 hc{ JLIC the\ M-1C pi lUCIl hf\~ ci\ith oi Llo\ c the tel iawe. MLId arc CUsil ~dCI]c(1d f101m pedles c'. -Reis7ltfnce to root-knot tktmatodcs aind Co pea CurCcllio. Al 13 C \vIM dC\CICl by the p c(rC hicedii, method imO I\m 'I u cI osses vi imn Gian BlackcN c. C onchI. Miid It IntCs \nne B lackc\ c. G iant Bla~ckc\ c v1') see~ted as a I p)otenl,~iI lig C. deep root s\ stclm. and larC seed. C onch is resistant to cool-knot ncmaitodc's. andf Princess~ MlI Anne Bladckcyc is a compac)LIt paIt Sht (Iii lield resistance in AU Be to dis- Onlc cases anid ltlsCCs \\its C\ :IUtCd in the Southei npCa ('oopClMll\ e Trials conduILcted at 13 Iocatioii ini the Tu Sotth \ labania. Arkansas. G cor- (I. Louliiana. \1issuuri. ( klahoimi. Suth Cairolinai. IcnssC m id Ie as). In t~hiNs mal..A i c cy- IilhitctI te\\ \ iru sym \ ptomsN ad had mloder ate eistndLce to hakctrial Mull Int held screenhing ktst in s0Luth- r hiLIh i lCitC~'tnClC to the CW\\pri eLliUI LIs the r esistant cck I ine A la. 963.h It was Ii hI resistant to root-knot ncmakto~dcs in 1iecflholIC tests Conuited at the U.S. VeCILIIahC LahuralItt Ch(arilestonf. South at the ~11 same r vk IpMim,. usuallI 36-4() ini. Ih'tvccii lO\\. w ith l nits spaiced 3-4 in. htminc I de irrl" d loll to Nuplc)IlI rifll to supplI\ I in. Of w\ater per wecek. soil ertilIity I etull es? I( l. N and 60 lb cach AU Be produced wecll in yied trLiI\ both in Alihaim aind in the Coope ati\ c T rials. talcsie I ii I. Priz1< Ipi pr1 \ C I~ tluuo iplUII rc5 I l i ... .. .. Ih)I ....X .. -Dee ll C11po 5.. Mature seed of AUBe offer an attractive appearance. IHuItiI)IC hdt\C~t t iiN at tihe \ V Smith Rce'a~rchi (Centel Shter ci. andi at the C hilton iln onCCer I hi xc's I tals at the (uit C'oast and ?. It his pr )dlced yiel~d C01IT- SubhsuulOn. Fai hope. e to standard chieck vaieices in It is nole\\orthy that AL. tc ptoducCs ahout Ms w\eli M> the popular lPinkce mv\., (I A~li .yV w~')O im u in PipIC I lull and better than Cal I ot 1 "uutu()Si \mi) Vyl ill nkid Blackcyc No. > Duiint the less yin1c eye types~ and ahoult tlhe samel Ill po \ id/ic I ms its parce line. G iiant Blackcyc. At tic Pplc\I( u I hrll Sil\cr Mackke\c Makc i)piI SiIver . the It igh \ i~lin htO\\11 ,3 30'_ 37L) 3-4 7~ hctlet tlhantm t c at all locations. 1l6 Il 27 l~ < I Io\\cyc. l..cha KIIproducedtl yelds .... o 70) '_9 141 -l. a lt\NMiissipi SiltI , hi oth in 1in1ul - tpie 18r \C~its and(. on1ce-oct hai- \ C~ls.\Multiple harvesCt dta Itoi1i1 dinil pr actices. but itn solm locI- kI't hei vb 1 \iCi\ Uo~tns onll\ OlniC-oe hari i est data hiic \\ rcl taken. Yields of \ I Be 'yiII A eI uflr ilc pr blx he ''rcatct than those ite -potedI hete \\ hien the ah ainta''e of y1 Nic h. hu ._._ _.._.I 14 114_ 17 , .> ) K) 4 thi oui' ih) cse ro\\ NjXa n''. ._..... ............ 02 1itlhia seed stortes by 1993 nir.1u11 \- 1C 1111"lntllC \I(//NlI/hI ; l/ rH IIrl L p kNIIfitc/1l Stionu M. G. PATTERSON, W. R. GOODMAN, N. E. NORRIS, AND W. B. WEBSTER HERBICIDE, CULTIVATION COMBINATION PROVES BEST FOR COTTON WEED CONTROL MODERN WEED control programs include soil-applied residual her- bicides, cultivation, and post- emergence directed sprays. All of these have a place in cotton weed control, but neither consistently does the job alone. The secret is to use the right combination of inputs that provides the level of control needed for high yields of good quality : .:.: cotton-at a cost that allows ::. a profit from production. Finding the right combi- nation of inputs was the . objective of Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station research during 1987-89 at the Tennessee . Valley Substation, Belle Mina. These field trials evaluated weed control, cot- ton yields, and net returns from several weed control systems. Deltapine 50 variety was conventionally grown each year, fertilized for optimum production and with optimum insect and disease control programs used. Planting dates were April 13, April 25, and April 18 for 1987, 1988, and 1989, respectively. Weeds infesting the experimental area in- cluded crabgrass, teaweed, andmomingglory. A soil-applied herbicide treatment of Cotoran? and Zorial? (1.5 lb. active each per treated acre) was used on all plots. This mixture was applied after planting-either ..... broadcast or over the row in a 16-in. band. In addition to the soil-applied treatments, each plot received either zero, one, two, or three cultivations, plus either zero, one, or two postemergence directed sprays (Bladex? plus MSMA?, 0.75 and 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre). With all possible combinations of the inputs, there were 24 individual treat- ments-ranging from extremes of a single soil-appliedherbicide band used alone to a broadcast soil-ap- plied treatment with three cultivations and two postemergence directed sprays. A hoed check treatment was also included for comparison. Weather varied widely during the 3 test years. Rainfall from April 14 to July 14 was 12.8 in. in 1987, 3.25 in. in 1988, and 21.6 in. in 1989. Obviously, such rain- fall differences affected weed growth tre- mendously and, in turn, affected control from the different treatments. Despite variations caused by weather, certain results were evident throughout . . .. the 3 years, and these are :" :::::..::." reported in the table. Ap- .: .. '. plying a 16-in. band of :" :' Cotoran plus Zorial without further treatment gave poor " results. Weed control was ineffective, yields were low, and there was a negative net return to the treatment. 'i r Adding two timely cul- tivations to the soil-applied '"- herbicide band provided ac- ? ? ceptable weed control, yields equal to the hoed check, and a positive net return. During the driest year (1988), the band-applied herbicide and one cultivation provided optimum returns. In the wet year (1989), however, more inputs were needed; best results were obtained with either (1) the herbicide band plus three cultivations, or (2) the herbicide band plus two cultiva- tions and one directed postemergence spray. Other systems that provided good to ex- cellent weed control and positive net returns over the 3-year period included (1) a soil- applied band plus one cultivation and one postemergence spray, and (2) Cotoran plus Zorial broadcast with no additional treat- ment. Although the broadcast treatment cost $39 per acre, it might be considered for use by growers with large acreages who may not be able to cultivate when needed. Patterson is Associate Professor of Agronomy and Soils; Goodman is Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology; Norris is Assistant Superintendent and Webster is Superintendent of the Tennessee Valley Substation. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station EFFECT OF SELECTED COTTON WEED CONTROL TREATMENTS ON WEED CONTROL, CorroN YIELDS, AND NET RETURNS, 1987-89 AVERAGE System'andcost/acre2 Weed Seed cotton Net returns Systecontrol yield/acre per acre Pct. Lb. Dol. Cotoran + Zorial (band)/$15.60 ........................... 16 805 -(209.69) Cotoran + Zorial (band), two cultivations/$24.08 ............ 76 2,442 99.73 Cotoran + Zorial (band), one cultivation, one directed spray/$27.18 ............... 82 2,319 73.22 Cotoran + Zorial (broadcast)/$39.00 .................... 97 2,332 53.87 Hoed check/$335.00 ................... 97 2,276 -(270.15) 'Cotoran plus Zorial (1.5 + 1.5 lb. a.i. per acre), banded or broadcast; Bladex plus MSMA (0.75 + 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre). 2Includes cost of herbicides plus equipment for cultivation and directed sprays. Hoe labor based on minimum wage. 3 Net returns above variable costs based on 35% gin turnout, $0.55 per pound for lint, $0.05per pround for seed, and no government program participation. C.W. WOOD, J.H. EDWARDS, M.E. RUF, AND J.T. EASON LONG-TERM CROP MANAGEMENT AFFECTS SOIL FERTILITY C ROP YIELDS have increased all cropping systems. Conventional tillage dramatically in the Southeast since (moldboard plowing the wheat cover in the the 1930's due to improved va- spring, followed by incorporation of herbi- rieties, fertilizers, and other factors, cide with adisk)andno-till (planting inkilled However, crop production in the region may wheat residue with a double-disk opener not be reaching its full potential due to planter) tillage systems were evaluated. losses of inherent soil productivity. Crop- The tillage and cropping systems were ping practices and cropping systems which established in 1980, and all systems received have lowered soil organic matter concen- the same amount of lime and P and K fertil- trations and have degraded the nutrient izers. Cropping systems including corn re- supplying capability of many soils have ceived the greatest amounts of N fertilizer contributed to this problem. During the past as ammonium nitrate. Soil samples were 20 years, however, conservation tillage collected from the 0- to 8-in. soil depth in systems have been developed that main- October 1990 after 10 growing seasons, and tain crop residues on the soil surface, thus were evaluated for pH, organic matter, and decreasing the potential for erosion and organic N. Potential N release from soil losses of soil organic matter and inherent organic N was determined in laboratory in- soil productivity. cubations under ideal conditions. Currently, 48% of cropland in the South- After 10 years, no-till had 50% moresoil east is managed under some form of con- organic matter in the surface layer than servation tillage. Along with widespread conventionally tilled plots, see table. No- adoption of reduced tillage systems, interest till also had 44% more organic N than con- has been renewed in crop rotations which ventional till. These large differences in soil increase yields, increase profitability and organic matter and organic N between till- reduce risk through diversification, and de- age systems were not caused by greater crease environmental hazards by reducing input of crop residues under no-till, because chemical inputs. amounts of crop residues added to the soil Alabama Agricultural Experiment Sta- during the 10-year cropping period differed tion research at the Sand Mountain Substa- by only 3%. Differences in soil organic tion, Crossville, determined the effect of matter and organic N among tillage systems long-term tillage and crop management on were due to the nature of the tillage systems. surface soil fertility status. Cropping sys- Conventional tillage mixed crop residues tems included continuous soybeans, con- into the soil surface, causing increased rates tinuous corn, and alternate corn-soybeans. of decomposition. Crop residues remaining Wheat was used as a winter cover crop in on the soil surface in no-till decomposed more slowly, allowing a SOIL PROPERTIES AND CROP RESIDUE PRODUCTION AS AFFECTED BY buildup of soil organic matter TILLAGE ANO CROPPING SYSTEM and organic N. Tlaead OgncPotential Crop 1 Cropping systems had less crpingsem matergi OgncN N relas residue! Orpigsse atrgn pHeese ar effect on soil organic matter Pct. Pct. ppm. Tons and organic N than tillage Tillage systems. Cropping systems Conventional ... 1.0 0.05 9 5.8 59 that included corn in the ro- No-till .............. 1.5 .09 13 5.8 61 Croppng sstemtation had slightly higher Cont. soybeans.1.2 .06 12 6.1 53 amounts of soil organic mat- Cont. corn ........ 1.4 .06 11 5.5 63 ter after 10 years, probably Corn-soybeans ... 1.3 .06 11 5.9 63 dutogeercprsie Amount added to tbe soil between 1980 and 1990. inputs. After 10 years, no-till had 50% more soil organic matter in the surface layer than conventionally tilled plots. Increases in soil organic matter and or- ganic N under no-till promoted a higher potential for N release. Potential N release in laboratory incubations was 44% greater un- der no-till than conventional till. These re- sults show that tillage systems can have a large impact on the nutrient supplying capa- bility of Alabama soils. Similar to soil or- ganic matter and organic N, cropping sys- tem had little effect on the potential for N release from soil organic N. Cropping system, not tillage, affected soil pH in the 0- to 8-in. layer, even though all cropping systems received the same amount of lime during the 10-year cropping period. The continuous corn system had the lowest soil pH, followed by the alter- nate corn-soybean system and the con- tinuous soybean system. Lower soil pH with higher frequencies of corn were due to greater input of N fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) that acidified the soil. In summary, cropping practices had a substantial effect on the fertility status of a soil in the Sand Mountain region after 10 years. Tillage was more important than cropping system in altering soil organic matter, soil organic N, and the potential for N release from soil organic N. These results demonstrate the benefits of no-till and cropping systems in increasing native soil fertility. Differences in soil pH among cropping systems emphasize the need for soil testing and distinct soil fertility man- agement under different cropping systems. Wood is Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Soils; Edwards is Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, National Soil Dynamics Laboratory; Ruf is Associate Superin- tendent and Eason is Superintendent of the Sandoun- tain Substation. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station - D. B. SOUTH TINY 'TARNISHED PLANT BUGS CAUSE BIG PROBLEMS FOR PINE SEEDLINGS fIflI 'NI.i A'II~f CCIIli !CLCIrI- unra~\ 1clld Ihr Int ,ICINo ai n inl "cLling", ini Southeri i lursNCries. [IiCCuli I IN im iinsct commonnill called tarii hNedL pla.1111 'I C cicnili C hul ;u ic~ui i.11//O (1 inst. l'CCLiii' h\ [i', iinsC~t CJaNCN NCCtL- Io'j Secl'LIinmi N iii ti LlauniaC'e arlc ollin cLiILI Iy unm filic Luab'. LO Iinc' nurl! NC!N h aI1C!r n file ~L SOnthCi~t IIOI~iNJII ol doIlliirN Ltii I\ IoI'pped Iilne CrlLIIi'N NNecC lint ('oo~a f'iCne ini 11_' SuI'IclunciiIIN NCL'L I11 i-n ijure KI h CC! i'I)IIIICLI UN a, i Nilt ,11 N1a l'iiiL NpeI'IC IL l fCICL Inlud II lbll IN ,lash. Sct.iini n I C.i Ln' hon lelllnt diticIc ai Iriii ICIC horin. anN C\ ell a11 IOIIitIIIL' Ni UCLI th litLi to 1 Iu~cc ltat . h ill NLIii'n MCLII III 11.1 hLN ~\ I'0 iCL adulCtN Lariii 1111C 1fil C plant hugI. itl C\iI1 i) iInLe~ ICINlo LcelIh~ii ,iIihi, dcIl".IICC!lCI i~t ,crate tLhat .Ice111111 u the Li IN ,s -4?"il] -I termI'Iil,I~i U II Il]N' tu Il n 'L'II I C urnulative Lygus lineolaris/trap 25 r 20 15F 10 I Injury in July Q 34% 0 10% D5% K> 2% 2% 15 25 April 5 15 May IG. 2. Cumulative trapping of Lygus fin ry (Ala.-1) and Coosa Nursery (Ala.-~ lursery (Ga.) in Georgia, the Piedmo :arolina.. and the New Kent Nursery (Va arnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris). deformity ig feedingo seedlings. .l n u , i ll. I Ic N7LLLII II''N iFlNI, ILuL 1 M1a11II)ll-C NIIL IL ilenen Ii \ L' til N , ludL ic, lt li\c ilulL efX rl ii NI NI CL' k t SlllC. I NNdliN LiNNlulL the I i f I week1 Ii'111f resulting L'acL 11111 N' . 'I IlL' Lii on young iulai~ L uh' olIfi'L' I 1.a11niNIhLd plant1 'Iii IhIIINCI II'iL'R2 IcrtiinL-i whe tII L'\liIi'I' ,pll ti' N'N isLcti- cideN'IN IIa coniIo the pNestL tI haI' N mN LloL l!imitio'C( 11 11 I IN Impe ati i' I IlL IlL' Ket SSC .itcL at r C! NL illL i l!'II GA IiiolL 1 NIliiI~ ild Ce I/ , illy IL1N'0i! Nuln' 1 1Ini- a L 11 on NN I ' 1fli aiiCJI trl~ l of _Il i lli ALL-2 to) huIl\i lap, ai Il~ _GAL- 1 Nult.l-1 IC!CII I. huN, 25 4 14 I N InIM111"i'cI, v Ito June '\ ililNI haIi L' id eoiaris at the Stauffer Nurs- 'I lariih Ni a C 2) in Alabama. the Carters u l'lin nit Nursery (S.C.) in South hui" ,il IN pI'It\1 *in Virginia. Inset: An adult p1-OI !lalI ial INNNii ill instiC IdIIL. NucL a, Instead ~ \ \\ \~n~ troh I soen e1-L ti en v v t N il L I \\ i a inselLc tiL iL.IIo Ie uc O INLIIIiLIL'N popilli IlL C,(NLd fle n I''L'. hest,. NL' N Il.i i l,cl \ t,INN l loI th LnIIL' 11 li'' s I,iNdu tILo IL'LiL'L'L 11n1 w17d ntna'acil- nlii~ IhhL'iN ,.~piiL' a L' h I NNlit lcLIN) 1l'lI I ll' ciid ill i~hlhIIiIc.~d ata llcihcmia .I,,ricid1lowl h.aperinicnl .Slcilicui I E. VAN SANTEN, J.O0 HORTON, AND J.L. HOLLIMAN CATTLE PREFER ENDOPHYTE-FREE TALL FESCUE VARIETIES Tr ALL FLSCUEI is the most imipor- hint cool secason I ora-c for the SI) I Ihcaxt xxit hox cia million acrex n Al ahama alok nc. SexveialI endo- ph tc I iCC tall tcxcoc x alietiex w\r ci c l-c oped in the 1 970's and 1 980's in rcsponsc to pirodciOt tin p101)1 ms ircxL t ing' fri 01 et cuc toi)\cosis among cattle giazinc tall fecueii iiitcctcd bx a Iltitial endophy\tc. leccit X liImita AXgIicutulth ExLperiment Statioin I \LS rcscarchi iindicatcs somec of thcsc ncxw tong'iix icc xaieticx arc iaicc hcav ixy wxhilc othcis arc viirtnallx i''irecc hx cattle. It these p)alatability clii crcnccx arc not considcre by h plant hi ccderx. poten- tial ncxx xaricticx max hc rc jcctcdI hCasox 0 xxiiat would c appcar to bc a lack of vigxIor, but in icality wxonucd he ovx ci "azin' basecd on ainimal pci circncc. In tests by the AAXLS, a sct ot tall fescue expciri mental populIat 10nsi and cutlt ix al N IS a cx aluatcd in Smtall plots undcr giazinc at tour11 xtockin'' rates at the Black Bclt Sob- station, Marion Juncition. in the fll of 1989. Sc\ cial dlaxx aitcr thc animialx xxC ptt onto thc paxiturec, the plot ai cas r cscmhlcd a patchxxoik qutilt. Therc wxcre large diilcr- cncx ini the anmount Ot tot acc ciazcd f rom vailouix plots. hut cxtended raiim madic it inmpossi hic to takc anx mcaxurcmcnts at that timc. Thc dil i cicnccx Cont inuccd to ex ist. Sl) thc plotx xw ci ratccd durn thc xprimi 1990 and 1991 i azim" scasons. The amount of ax ai Iahic forac-c recimoxe cl iom plots xxxas cx alIuatcd cldax s atcr an im ais xwecie put onto pasturicx. Sonic plots xw rc "i aiccl to giound lexl ri.i cardcllss of xwhcthcr the stock in" rate ofi cattl cxxax IcON oi higch. One of the most preferedc entiesc in this test xcas Kenhx, a 1 unux trcc xvariety rcleascd h> thc Unixvcrsitx ol'Kcntockx. Irom wxhich 951% of all foiracc xwax I cimox ccl hx riazinc. Most entries xx rc less than halt ax attractive tc) rattle ax Kcnhx. Hlox cx r, Kcnhx docs not pcrisit xx ll ini the humid South. Compaision o1 Gcoi clia-5 endophxytc- -1c and Gcorg ia-5 cindcophy tc-inftected tall cx- Cattle graze more palatable tall fescue varieties to ground level, but virtually ignore other varieties at the Black Belt Substation. Cuic xxax of particular intcrcxt. hCauxc1, thce vaiic aire i dentical e.cept that onc is I uncux-frcc. IThe fictirc xhoxxs animaix rc- imox cd almoxt txxicc ax much Gcorcia- e n- doph tc-lrec lotragc over ci o sxc pring crazinc periocds. Thix rcxcarch extahixhecd that encdophy te rcimoxval incrcaxcs the attractix cncx ot tall ICxCLC lcorace tc) cattle. Aimiial prcicrencc ratig Shcx oicild c t hcrclotrc accom pay x cxaluia- ion of hrcciinc matc rial Ine gioccrciainc. Xniimil prcicrcnc c ot cocoph tc I rcc I cxcue also max haxvc imiplicatioinx rcgari nig pcr- SistcncC ot tall feccii in ixedc pasurisc xxith lcc-umcx onclci c azinc. Furthcirmorc, maintainingc cnclophxtc- I rcC plantx in paxtuol cxxxith loxw to mccdium infcction lCxCI clxma hc ciliicolt cdic to poxxible xclcctixe grcaz'ing ot cncdophy tci reC pl antsx. It ix not k no xn xxhct hcr circot aiikai loicdx. xuxpectccd of caoxing fcui. tIOiCOxiS n cattlIc. alsxo causec the axvcidcancc of inf ctecd lccti plantx. I loxx cxci rScai cl in Othcr xtatcx indicatex that xhecp axvoid rcecd calial> ciax x plantx containiinc high lxvcls oit alkaloicdx, xxhich ai c chcmicadl rei latecd to alkaloicds procedc~c by the encdophytc ill leci. Preference in cattle grazing tall fescue. AIahcnou A','it ii Iiiia! I /)erinlic/t Statio)l C.H. RAHE. S.P. SCHMIDT. D.I. BRANSBY. R.L. CARSON. D.A. STRINGFELLOW. AND J.L. GRIFFIN ENDOPHYTE-INFECTED FESCUE MAY AFFECT EMBRYOS DURING EARLY PREGNANCY lii I-RS (ikA/ /I\ tll cNL c in-H ILL ILL w Ih tihe Cliohlell fc Liict .ii lYm ic17 (ul iiiOI'llnili'. tend~ a\autil l ICl' Iin pICC IinL it t he ll ii\C\ hll IL iiodIiLC ihL lox, th \ IlCo h mii n hetl unti I h Ict ncy \ rii crN . tIi o' help Cktu I lici LilLIIIci l ii tL'LhcLI I''Lil lumii L\ei mcn, hu LL iLL ,~N~~lud~ic, iii\c Iondcit lanll 4 .ioi1 the CIfii)LKof theL lidoilyiN 'ini/C~i IlL- u. i i vc pelf o I uiiC IIn ( 1a 71 tol ka 42. Nul L~ i I IL NIellle hru-h rca papaion kiCILiN lli LLLL that \1.i n11u,- ilL' e I eu 11W- h\ t Ii~ tiLN tiheLi Cnthrci, Sith~ ili~itilui L'enter L Shortipi .ic ' \n-i~ iLuIih~ and i L'N I N. fod- ncl Iiihi L I~iI l, NL'iIiI iILi ' iiI ap lo II'tc tiu 11iC . mdli vhi ifL i'liiL o nicLI 7~ru CvL.i cie b viLe LL LI C ii Ir II inlto) I LI iiiciit ti - Li" thu l i koiI had i 'Ci Ciil ithci Cl'il(IiLh IL' re oLL iiiiiiLCII I i PNItiIL' file'iil \ld auit \\cN Cit 4 Lii\ i-i the h C\ ic l.iiiIII1L I ic i ch IiiL ) [Lii '.i ;IuL iio1 ini th till Tic l I i \L i l o\C tht c\ I ii I it ImN Pw , v i I)v ' 1 (l,i yi I i ni ( I iii~ rO I iii' v n ~oHIti I vv ] ii in vvIi NI ,H I [[k l ta i l I .. . _ _ . JuLar i alc ii H-ri n = I-' Ii 10 3I ( n u l in li (orniui lri i nl y inLL ILed INi- PIi'itl\ LlilCIicICii Ito ILhe ticru ticai- IL.B hCC lLi ,c ciiin. il ,CCulil -.tUiI\ LI ai" Couill ed~i~. CiiiI~ ii ini Iii Ii l _' . \ ihiLh \\iU Luuu1 luL I(I cILL. hut ail- \\cck, altoc Tria 1 I. Ihe ciiihu~ \ uNLI iL lucut .indl 1 (ilic in filie ciiiphuIiu - LiLL iii inT ial I \\cIL' kept in Ih iL'i I'NIL h t it Lof iui dunra l ILLcilicnt iiiiiiiati \\i'1 iiniilt . LvI Ii IL Ciolll 31 oi IiLi liii N .iiin thL ilfltLIII.IdiI N Ladok weLe pregnat.ii Nii i\ al LILL L'.N 'i ini hel h Ii'iI Li, iti, IN ikLII thit theliLr' lu ulu~i N i l il oii L11) LiiLL .iN iL' ci d in I'iaL IIniIL Lii Liiic i r ti ih\ r tc [iiurC Ni Ii\L- I ItIi hi a ii Li I' i hl l c A, n i i III Ic ~ r [ II \II anaI I~ a( h ,cc, kaih i.Pio U'huiIitI' i.'i iclu iil/U! I Xit'ihit1i Siliui/t 1 by lungu~IQIU, Pullet,-inli tia SAMMY L. KING. H. LEE STRIBLING. AND DANIEL W. SPEAKE COTTONTAIL RABBITS ADAPT WELL TO COVER LEFT FROM PRESCRIBED BURNING In rcenti \c c oii ttoniitaiI 1iiihci, 11a\ c dc- ac ic'd. LcLi\~il c ui toIi~ aniIL iii iand \\IiLc ialc. In 11 hiltw Iiii ii. hhLc lp \IIt- iii\ i LLtiiil. Iru;u 1 nth uihIIIJ \ ii' cLI lumil.h Lv cii LLLI Stia i If iiu iin i th \tiIL ail aal i' Li in vc ielt Awl iihi~ pc- ,cih iiliL 1fi i~ . ai iio iiiiiii n il 1 I I u1L' p a- ic ILL hi all)i~ icnrac moiiuilii IliLL yai 1 Lila!i 101-i i l, and ilLiihc l\ il li lhlpc ie tiuh 1 Ilhiii iiie 11 ,tc nd om t-c1 Llillill iL 1 ii prtl icL ova imcii i p c ii theL Liiicil 11 t uid lii n C~ I 11 ILLl IOu i\~~c cPLc iLL I Li a di lSo L cI Ie i,. iiic ILL Ilithl auu i l hu l. 1c 90'' 0i 1 he I liL L i on iio\i ii p ILL iih Itpait m i ad itl IL acr, i liii \ic ithic a li ici n 4mcr and painlL' i radio ILai,- i i nh L L ' h L I ; 1 ii ,L i L i ui c a c I 1 ' 0,-1 ( ( n t h h o h o n U 1 1 1 h u l ti i ni i \ . \IIILI IL~~I hiL liLna Iiil u 0Itn~iL iLCMi. In ,pitc hi 1 iLL \\ ic~pli a i lo,, oii hi Lci i101I10\\ iH thec ilciLIL huli. 11, coiiiuniiiiI iein~ l tIhL tel lii iiL di atLLiI\ hlill \ IL, ihe 1)[iii1L11 and uu fle 1eLiali,LLl'i iii ariiillLiici Lihitt I- ( hav, Li kh'Vic. Lild huril lilaliLirL diiti IL I lh I l 1)[11 \\cic diicclk LIilld h\ fie undei cith~ci hu~IL, iciL\.iii~iiiIiLl~ iL tici~~ ova nCtitcd iibyi d cntriIIL pellct I~ccIIhr 11dc Lcd iiicci inc. rv-I ciiu hlr IL IlIIiecovirI\L.Llhci iiii\or Lii\Li- a e iiiii t hi c iii'.aLi i t 1i 1,,11i Li L Leu ,ii\ \\Cr ciL uliiLid it ec.h pint1. I Imnimh acLoi iIL iii iicitniiii. IcLuiili .O\ LilLC iiduuh Lirihi l \ Lii\ rLIr L r~e ILoLIL il iicil. Iciiuimc Lii ci i c and 1 1idci LiiA r ii ucili I hi\L'i~c hilL iitial viiUiii Lii Lcd ii 1i Ic Lck 01 dit ircici, hclv\ccnIi ihi- tiLti \ hiii Iol l'r burn Ucai iii I L in ti\ duiii in the stud . i ii c \\ cic \iii inil c\rl uihcd Fre the indv ari cir ti pe riodu it t Iicut 3i \Cm, hLiiic iiiltiationi 01i thlli.~ii\ In1 tiic piiiliinci ,11)1c iii L'iihL amiouniit oii timei i, icaiuiiL'i 101i iL' ii~vt c f . r11A\ cato o1n1 Kin"1 Ci i h A-Ik :11 S hi1 lii A i- l1i/iH/lntL ;) /I ltltiuiu LI! I 1/iei I/iL IL .Siii I)/ R.J. LIEN. D.E. CONNOR. AND S.F. BILGILI 1\I: II \\ I\(;S I1ivC l)Lee tihe d h\ nl ibittcr material pl oI,~t . hut Lotilittull \- NIIII~in IoiLI10 pIIIII inLu'iv Mid11 LI rCllnr II) lprietn ISitNIII' c- itit L1 ckirie ltid litt. thlL IINL of hultI tL'tI- MtN~t iated v ilt1 iitL au te~l IlL idlerte 01 IC it etilot ah~Noreb iltl aN \I\ hittetI hMa ttItei i INoilct Ito h> Ltittilh tes ie)oh- It \ N tLi:A hL't I 11111 LI f til~ INLIiLl Ih Iohn chp NLI INL I N \\et Latic~td ta- EIl I 011111111. Inc. \i(nI A"11\11,II fh Nil. lo, II.- in. \\ I. a II. iI in tick.IIIIII MILaiiure Fit, Ni l C'lean ( LII) shavng INpaphL' chll, I 7-leek weightlI.. . 5.2' Iee L O (P I ' ...N..it . 1183 BriLast hlli . pt... I13.2 Log ilIP aho hait IicN pLt. 1 ittel nistutl ct. ~NICL9N224 7-\ teck ....... .... 30.9 ite c12 akig. lpct. 3- (I ck ........ ... 5.8 tllol,llndN ............. 5858 PouITIN of teed pier pound ot gain. x u ' r ' 4' Chicks perform well on litter material made from ri paper. \\Cr LI' 1o\\I1 to 5IdI Na\ on IlL' t\o litttet I r t lliit fro li thIe lint NI iaklN N i lop-h LIIL'NL'L \\ ilt a Iin ltrt oII Liit clean Mid aIN ii on 111 o( ohI I0( hdolN N Lk~ ittet IN ilue Ind~ Ithiel ie~tC to wNeek, itt both t dINl BodN Ni Llil. Led hieINI iNL lele CIo. [III tilctd i11 Ite ettd of co llcL l l pior tI thlL lit NItiai l Itd fomi ou~~KOLIN prir tiltI.on ILLL il1L Ned itt hi iliN Li LC I I ltIL' Ln rc lIl it1 thte II o I idI. I IlL tmlLidlL'tLL 2.6 01 hteit hlite, aNdiL IL 1h- 24.6 011 thlLe I t I( liie INpe di no ~l 1 It SLOP UsNed Nlh)I\in 4.it 5.4- 2011 26.66 41) 30t 2 23.6 29. 3 hitd tIN v nI ti n itattpieL hid lovl Lci 11.7 15I0 16.8 eot~tNI c IL'N Itie mautet ial 44.2 2018 26.7 Ihut Ithoe teated ott pinL 1.8 812.8 72.4 NIl iO' \\Al botitll 1101L 1 II~v NLLI, Itt- llArtIN//Jul , irlp 111//l/ \/h!'llIim .Stot/ pipt chiel , 1111 t ipLII Iiic L tha le c\ hick, \\ei e plieed. I lIov e r. I inet " titurlt didI not) dik et hetNN eett Ii ttet t\ nt t 7 vv ekN. I ltd t littt N\ iN " ealet lt I Nc leId plit Cip" lthi Int pitt ,Idt ML 7t' w~eek, ,ltet . leIrNltiei inhle trtttlit,. N NI t. er. t Ltil et tt teelneu.nlt e~ le t cdtvt Itilh intilx eNlitet N\ ewtie Pt~IlIIIit ,tIhIIt N that NoItte Sithee paehiI teip iNNthi pe tiN eopttel lotC the ilcrt, nelietl C1(1 t al ntl ek iiig~ leN elot IhIN mtatetrial. inl ;also vv ete teCItet itn us~ed p~ine NI~tx t tltin it lI ed teL.\ctled papetI chipN pri ot to NhIII ccL' N ttli i )li C inl MitIttN olt' p plt liotn 11\lhltoftl ori n 1oN It llCt prdther hincuet cof eNI usl todd CIaiIOlN aNc eie II 'etni ned/o t plloduce tlon t \\ ich ric deti- metal totthe lti itit\ lamit [H~lL' nl~uiN 0t hoilecltit. takwi 10 el ' re Alealet of tht thetee Coled thot' elttpN kitce Ntper ip Itl a NmrtOtlrlI he thillIee pine th\il wNNiN In~~~~~~~~ hII fhric eron~ Indltc A.E. HILTBOLD N-,vr TR ;>._ . _.... FOR CRIMSON Ci ovE RIMNSON Cf OVI R i, a Iavoit toi a C ol \Iahaina cattlrmrn. and its distincti\C red tIoN',CiN and IlandscaipC', ini IhC Stlime. \, v\ iii othei Ic- ii1csN. lidc in' i operinuliit ion Ifoi C tim NslLon Clr is a loll -Niandim, pi ohici lot ,\Iahanla i alti\ er'. IHoN\err reCf Icent ALI- Ixirra \uIIi uitni al I \jlClimCnl Station ro sCai ch incdicatC, that ,Oiiccil Cniion, suieh a', tifll Ilimit CrIm n Cl~ll ch N u it ailsi ICLILC fiCe nomlllC ,ind ciCIciNenC~ o fii e liC ho- ocnI-lIi\limu iiactcri IA It'hiun /iitil(V~ii. Thle r hiiohia CiICr thCLIe Cie trook in the Iorm ni~lodlieN Itiat led the rhizohia while ailCeIL tN Ciyr lia, hCrn 111 a/Cd. ti mltutld ',CCdl. or tunnd ilto fle ',(ii a, ''ICril tiandiC. ,orii\ InCtiil CloNC i Ir iCNCcdrch. The rhi- itihii aN In Cv ,CN Cia montiiiihs' ori N Car, iln flic 'oi I iiidhpnCllIilIolIhrc ON Cihost. ITicN LCemical Ctindcitioins a, iutriCut LICI cCinciC', or ,oil aciditIN. SufCs, mia\ CatiC a (,CliC CliaiitC in the rhizohia. suclh a, O tlo ofiti t tiCnisin zI CI ctcN CCN. SNomi ',Ii',N, ar c NC\ CiC Cliihi'h to) CaulC diath ofil rCihiiohia pluilaltioi. It IN imipotlant to) idiCnil any ',til Iactoi that HNut illlticC a I0',N ol qutalitN ini theL ri lo/ia pouliatioin. Plot, in the (SI) NCa-ld Co(llar Rotation ,ul \0hott i n CICe >,Iiilcd toi dc-I lnC the ClIeCI, t1l ph]osphloi and i~ plyitant li l II Cicnlcic n ,iiih aclii id iII oil theC numhiCr Cttoin. corinI, aini dN bCvha,. Cimiionll oN Cr alid N CICI we ,CeCdCCLCd ini the fall aftIer ofl Ciiirn. Soiil iton tfiNl C~ptimn illis A pltedC N\ ih CI imi'oni Clti\ C iln a (riCrihousIN Cach I lid liralifIr \\, AN IcICrilliICd. Ill Soil nutrient deficiencies reduce number and efficiency of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which are critical to crimson clover production. ItliINd f1L ont Cl Iu~iiI by0N iollil lhiont nodil, of IcloC plaInt NN riC o L tlii~ 'hese sond N Theseil tilatl N\ CIC CCpalild do. ni t rei I iin)'Ci ci liCnC~ii Ci hI n apiLLd ina pur CuturL to Limsi n i C'tiiI I -I elec itc in sCICIiliCI Il-n d .I CINi N~lIc. i~tc~ l ci 6 \IcLIicI\ of _iomli Ci al(1 li tilt I si d t t o dh i i 'u PInclcck p inoi - Nor than 16(C llit CN lCli pLans Sit tun't c IL id- andI N ContlICnt. Ill addiitinto 1 hC,hotii 1c of, phosiphtor tICIrison CIoN el \\ aN Lonilrontedc luja ()LtIlil-I propor1C tin ofI ieIiitibi rlc'c'l ini fliCl phosphoril U dlic ic' il \\h as ,in, Ilel C tiN C. P~liit', iltieti~Ld NN11h ilic'II'IiNc 1111 butLNileLt N LII'iCiicNC. I11' hl ICN ,ILIadCLd 1o that itt pltiiphtli V cCIcICCnNCCCINl iin- iNs c iN Ci \ il". In CIicCnt-(lICI ICiIC'N o t Irid N oiIl LIi. So II oN CIU ov I)~ NNv1I \\I [Niii I t(I IN N-yISSII Xiii ,iti i i//U0t /N SNu-. 1990) Cimnuil cliiir R. ' ii i int Nol) RCIItiN ReltiN Po~pulatini n ttctIICINC yied N contenni ic ies ... I..... 115 N... Iled ... 101 5,900( lluhunw 1,,ric ultrncrl E-v7)c 1-inucnt Shitiolt B.E. VAUGHN, K.K. BOST, AND S.F. DUNCAN WILL QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL INFANT CARE BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL ALABAMIANS IN THE YEAR 2000? THE UNITED STATES leads the world in the development of life- saving medical technology, and yet the country's prenatal and postna- tal infant mortality rate is higher than al- most every other nation in the western, industrialized world. In Alabama, the infant mortality rate of 12.1 per 1,000 live births (1988 data) is excessively high, even com- pared to the 9.9 per 1,000 rate for the United States as a whole. The single most effective treatment for infant mortality/morbidity is regular pre- natal care for the mother during pregnancy, and postnatal pediatric care during the first year of life. In many states, especially states such as Alabama with large rural popula- tions, such care is becoming less available. As of 1989, more than half of the counties in Alabama had no resident obstetrician or pe- diatrician; in many of these counties, neither medical specialty was represented. There is a serious lack of information concerning future changes in the population of obstetric and pediatric specialists that may affect the quality of care provided for Alabamians. An An Alabama Agricultural Ex- periment Station survey of obstetricians and pediatricians is an initial effort to estimate the changes in health care availability Ala- bamians will face in the 1990's and into the 21st century. A survey was mailed to all obstetricians and pediatricians listed in the 1990 member- ship roster of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and to all family practice and generalpracticephysicians inthose coun- ties without resident specialists. From this population of 798 physicians, 427 responses were obtained (195 from obstetricians, 194 from pediatricians, and 38 from family or general practice physicians). From the total, 214 were returned from four counties with major urban center communities (Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, and Montgomery coun- ties) and the remainder (213) came from the nonurban and rural counties. Eighty-one of the respondents (19%) were not currently providing direct service to patients, either because they were already retired (52) or because they were employed in laboratory research positions for State or private agencies (29). Fifty-eight addi- tional respondents (25 obstetricians, 25 pe- diatricians, and 8 family/general practitio- ners) indicated that, for a variety of reasons including plans to retire, they intended to close their practices within the next 5 years. Data in the graph indicate that a greater percentage of family/general practice re- spondents had plans to stop practicing during the next 5 years than did obstetricians and pediatricians. Although the actual number of family/general practice physicians who reported plans to stop practicing was small, the fact that each of these physicians comes from a nonurban county in which there is not now a practicing obstetrician and/or pediatrician suggests future health care prob- lems of nonurban residents. Even more ominous is the response to a hypothetical question concerning physi- cians' estimates of the likelihood that the quality of care they are now providing would be available to their own patients should the physician decide to close his or her practice. Only about 46% of physicians responded positively. The potential reduction in the availability of obstetric and pediatric services for women and infants in nonurban counties becomes even more important when the association between infant mortality and frequency of prenatal visits for women in Alabama is considered. Statistics gathered by the Ala- bama Department of Public Health for 1988 indicated that infant mortality declined from 28.3 per 1,000 live births to 9.7 per 1,000 as the number of prenatal checkups increased from 6-7 to 8-10. Furthermore, when preg- nant women received fewer than six prenatal checkups, the rate of infant mortality in- creased dramatically, up to 65.1 per 1,000 live births for women who had no prenatal care prior to delivery. Furthermore, infant U Family/ Obstetricians Pediatricians general Percentages of physicians in three spe- cialties indicating that they plan to close and/or leave their practices within 5 years. morbidity, including growth retardation and developmental delays, is associated with in- adequate prenatal care. The anticipated changes reported by practicing physicians to the AAES survey suggest that prenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women and their babies in Ala- bama is likely to be further compromised, especially in rural and nonurban counties, which could increase the infant mortality and morbidity rates. For the eight rural counties in Alabama with infant mortality rates that are currently above 20 per 1,000 live births, further reductions in services could result in tragic consequences for in- fants. Although the results of this survey are somewhat pessimistic regarding the quality of care for State citizens in the coming de- cades, there was one glimmer of optimism. According to the survey results, 103 physi- cians providing obstetric or pediatric ser- vices opened a practice or joined an existing practice within the past 5 years, whereas only 70 were planning to retire from a joint practice or to close a single practice during the next 5 years. Vaughn is Professor, Bost is Graduate Research Assistant, and is Duncan is Specialist of Family and Child Development. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Percent 30 25 20 " 15 - 10 14 M.E. CARRINGTON AND R.E. MIRARCHI INGESTED LEAD SHOT MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL OF WILD MOURNING DOVES MOURNING DOVE hunting is a popular pastime for many Ala- bamians. Each year hunters in this State harvest approximately 3.5 million doves, primarily by hunting them over fields in which they feed. Up to one lead shot per square foot can accumu- late in the soil of such fields, and doves can suffer lead poisoning when they acciden- tally ingest them as food items, or as grit to aid in digestion. From 1 to 6.5% of the dove population ingests lead shot in this way. Lead poisoning causes high mortality in captive mourning doves. Previous research by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) showed captive doves force-fed one and two lead shot had mortal- ity rates of 24% and 60%, respectively, and another study indicated diet modified the severity of lead toxicity. The effects of lead on wild mourning doves and the potential for secondary lead poisoning among predators and scaven- gers that eat mourning doves containing ingested lead shot are largely unknown. To address these subjects, an AAES study com- pared mortality and causes of death of wild lead-treated and untreated mourning doves. From early August to mid-November 1986, 133 male and female doves of various ages were trapped on 5 trapping days about 1 week apart. Each dove was held in captivity overnight and its blood was tested for recent exposure to lead. Sixty-one birds (approximately 13 birds from each trapping) with no recent lead exposure were used in the experiment. Before release the next day, half of the experimental doves were force- fed one #8 lead shot (treatment) and half were force-fed a millet seed (control). A small radio transmitter was fitted on the back of each dove, and they were banded and released at the trap site along with trapped doves not used in the experiment. Survival time and cause of death were determined by locating each dove twice daily with a radio receiver and antenna for 21 days, or until they died. Remains of dead doves usually contained only feathers and occasional bones, so "clues" such as ar- rangement of the feath- ers and marks on the ra- dio transmitter were used to determine causes of death. Di ffer Sixty-eight percent of the treated doves died and lo, during the study, whereas only 52% of the control treater doves died. This differ- ence was not large sugges enough to prove that the lead treatment caused weren higher death rates, but the mortality of control doves also was higher than normal annual mor- tality. Avian predators "keying in" on the radio-outfitted doves may have masked any additional lead effects by killing some treated doves before lead poisoning developed. Differences in causes and locations of death between treated and untreated doves suggest that lead-treated doves were not behaving normally. Avian predators killed most of the untreated doves, and no mam- malian predation or CAUSE OF DEATH OF LEAD-TREATED AND CONTROL, FREE-RANGING MOURNING DOVES, LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA, 1986 Cause of death/scavenging Treatment Avian Mammalian Other Total Unknown Lead-treated ........ 4 7 0 11 4 Control ................ 6 0 11 7 6 1 Eaten by snake. scavenging was de- tected in that group. Conversely, mammals either killed or scav- enged most of the treated doves, see table. Additionally, remains of avian-killed doves were usually found in open areas (8 of 10), whereas remains of doves killed or scav- enged by mammals were found in denser cover (7 of 7). Lead-poisoned waterfowl seek dense cover, so the use of this type of cover by the treated doves may indicate they were sick and became susceptible to mammals hunting and scavenging there. Secondary poisoning of mammalian predators by mourning doves containing lead shot seems unlikely because mammals would probably excrete lead shot intact. Avian predators are likely to retain lead shot longer, but few would probably be poi- soned by the small amount of lead shot in the digestive tracts of mourning doves. The lower survival rates and high inci- dence of mammals killing or scavenging the lead-treated doves in this study suggest that the adverse effects of lead shot inges- tion observed in captive mourning doves may carry over into the wild population. An intensive banding study that includes lead- treated and control doves and an analysis of their survival during a long period is neces- sary to verify these findings and to deter- mine if lead poisoning has any significant impact on the State's dove population. Carrington is former Graduate Research Assistant and Mirarchi is Professor of Zoology and Wildlife Science. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station 15 G.J. KEEVER AND J.A. MCGUIRE ~iiIx~i~L 1 . AY HELP PRODUCE IDEAL CAMELLIA T :ie SHO)" fall ld \\ intcr Sa'~.iit a CIILlmilli~il e iiade itn I ii\ (ile liindNlape plant in the Sotitheist- cril I nited Staites. \\hen hn\ilnC cniieiias. coisumeri loo (6k furi 1w "e. \i11oionN!\ gi (iNN in planit, \v ith lit Ibtindnee of hoids or Iii -wn\iN. I ON\ C\ ei pioduiiein' h a~et plaiit ciihi li cutIKlt becaui'' \ LI iNI N "I (i in' [pldnts tendi to 'et CNN ifalit hods, aind prllouC hnuklin teiid, to NIONN \C(_taitN ruwii. 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Suiiii1i'L ieilitix e Ii tihe Lcoitiol: the 111iiNN ii ridc~tioii NNviN I,(( oef Ic itii the aicaiiL~tioni Oi 20 p-.p-.im. oi INN IIO in ii', iniicLatedi iN thL numhicL' OIi iiiLt iNNL Nwr ad~ hudl". iiiL ac firomIiii 3.ti pet phitit for the conitiril to ai hu(h of' S. I peri pilnt \\ ill tiiL 20 p.p.iii. tiecatmeint. ITiN Lhli'e ieprceNeitec a i1,)'- iiicieaue iii lIiuive riii''. 1'xei the liit, ticalcd \v ithi the (iNN et concientr itioni oh Smiumai (5) p.p.m. pIlantN. I hiNN e(ince a LiiitLi no iit al IcL el by Th IlL p)) il. tieatimeit ieNiitel ini tilL ''ehett iincieaNLsei i fioN ei andl I iuixN e ihud numihcr~ 3' I I aild iLedticed eriuiN hii Ix i' compatliiCd toi uiittLd plaiitN (iret iui- lct iuii lunl eiihaniied I iu\iNN i pi' ilaniit" tiecited \6ih~(I 1111 m il Suniiit ''iL ir ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STA AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUBURN UNIVERSITY. ALABAMA 36849-5403 Lowell T. Frobish. Director POSTMASTER-Address Correction Requested thiN treatiiieit ittN IhL Liseful in tilL eililiile NeC IN intio l I h im i p' lanitN heliuie later PlanitN tiLtedi NN itli 5 p.p.uv. oh Suntii,-' iL pIlantN. hiut% xerc Niimilain iic/ to thelControl plantN. Iiiede~ I Iiin iii''N ithi IuN irites (if SutiiO'L. Lii4IpLId NNitli Liatket luiliai'e aid theC Loitirol phlats. Nu''~ (iht tis tircitimeiit iii\ livLIiL i, -~ Iii r Nlne.1 iimi mlllkilc \1(it iii i, eti ittN ilumtl ea i No i kcN.ehD wr\ Ii. OI Si iu- r iin iii i Su [lii IciI. ILovt Fl. N iii : 6n _ .. . .. . .. . . X 7 . M.; I ins 167 NUM)C 01opn oPERM ndIo\e NO 9 ~ e mincdA BUR ALA in t clls pnd