Shrinkage cracks in soil function as a dominant control on the partitioning and distribution of moisture fluxes in the vadose zone. Their dynamics influence moisture balance and control water availability for runoff, deep infiltration, and near-surface storage. We present a new low-cost field instrument to monitor the temporal change in...
Current laboratory methods for determining volume and bulk density of soil clods include dipping saran-coated clods in water (a destructive process due to the permanent coating), performing physical measurements on samples with well-defined geometries, or using expensive equipment and proprietary software (such as laser scanners). We propose an alternative method...
Engineered capillary barriers typically consist of two layers of granular materials designed so that the contrast in material hydraulic properties and sloping interface retain infiltrating water in the upper layer. We conducted two benchtop capillary barrier experiments, followed by interpretation and numerical modeling. The hydraulic parameters for two coarse materials...
’Teamaker’ hop (Humulus lupulus L.) (Reg. No. CV-28,
PI 558864) was developed by the USDA-ARS as a unique,
nonbittering, high beta-acids hop and was released on 26 June
2006. The defining characteristics of Teamaker are its near-zero
percent alpha acids levels—a distinctive condition in the Humulus
species (Haunold et al.,...
NM-9D11A-AN3 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) germplasm
(Reg. no. GP-337, NSL 386506) was developed by the New
Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station and released 5 Oct.
1998. NM-9D11A-AN3 has demonstrated high yield potential
under deficit irrigated field conditions in southern New Mexico.
It is highly resistant to anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum trifolii...
Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a recent invasive pest of small and stone fruits, has been detected in more than half of the U.S. states, and in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Upon discovery, several different trap designs were recommended for monitoring. This study compared the trap designs across seven states/provinces...
The aphid Amphorophora agathonica Hottes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an important virus vector in red (Rubus idaeus L.) and black (Rubus occidentalis L.) raspberries in North America. Raspberry resistance to A. agathonica in the form of a single dominant gene named Ag1 has been relied upon to help control aphid-transmitted plant...
Genetic linkage maps have the potential to facilitate the genetic dissection of complex traits and comparative analyses of genome structure, as well as molecular breeding efforts in species of agronomic importance. Until recently, the majority of such maps was based on relatively low-throughput marker technologies, which limited marker density across...
Facultative/winter six-row malting barley is a distinct elite germplasm pool and a valuable resource that may prove useful in meeting the challenges of climate change. To preserve its diversity and make it accessible to the research and agricultural communities, the Oregon State University and University of Minnesota barley breeding programs...
Management of Italian ryegrass in cereal-based cropping systems continues to be a major production constraint in areas of the U.S.A., including the soft white winter wheat producing regions of the Pacific Northwest. Pyroxasulfone is a soil-applied herbicide with the potential to control broadleaf and grass weed species, including grass weed...