University of Illinoisresearch.aces.illinois.edu/sites/research.aces.illinois.edu/files...The audience included representatives of the UIUC College of ACES, members of the ... Eastern

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Issue 3

2011

University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Dixon Springs SummerInternship Program

On August 25th, at Dixon Springs, the interns participating in the 2011 Summer Internship Program presented the results of

their research. The audience included representatives of the UIUC College of ACES, members of the Dixon Springs

Advisory Board, and, we were particularly happy to see, some local stakeholders, who became involved in the program for

the first time this year. They included:

Grover Webb, Farmer/Producer, Entrepreneur, owner of Tanglefoot Ranch,

Chris Evans, Coordinator of the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area, a multi-agency partnership

to manage invasive plants in Southern Illinois,

Erik Rund, Farmer, CEO of Green Flame Energy, a Pesotum, IL based biomass company of Rund Farms

International AGtivities,

Shelee Padgett, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Eastern Sales Field Services Director Keith Bell, USDA—

Natural Resources Conversation Services District Conservationist,

David Allen, District Forester for Dixon Springs State Park.

Thank you to all of you for helping the interns make their work more relevant to the local community!

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Billy Assaranurak looked at the effects of nitrogen and plant

density on the structure photoperiod-sensitive sorghum, a

biomass crop that is widely grown in Southern Illinois. His

objective was to determine the effects of plant density and

nitrogen on sorghum architecture and its yield, and to identify

the ideal architecture of photoperiod-sensitive sorghum.

For the first objective, the plants were grown using two nitrogen

rates (45 lbs N/acre and 120 lbs N/acre) and two plant densities

(50,000 seeds/acre and 1000,000 seeds/acre), for a total of four

treatments, for hybrid and inbred lines. He measured six

morphological traits – plant height, leaf angle, number of tillers,

number of leaves, stem diameter, dry harvest weight. He found

that nitrogen levels significantly affect every trait except tiller

number, plant densities significantly affect every trait, and all

traits vary across varieties. For the second objective, he will

analyze trait data with genetic data drawn from analysis of

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to find associations

between traits and yield.

BIOENERGY

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Ron Revord looked at how nitrogen input affects the biomass yield of Miscanthus x giganteus

(MxG); the purpose of his research was to determine optimal nitrogen input. This information will be

used in determining whether MxG production is economically feasible. He conducted his research on

third year MxG using five different nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 N lbs/acre). He measured

height weekly and took SPAD data monthly. During the middle of the growth season, the optimum N

rate appeared to be 100 N lbs/acre. Total biomass production will be assessed after the killing frost,

allowing Ron to finalize his assessment of the most efficient nitrogen rate. In addition, Ron will

analyze nitrogen removal and feedstock quality this winter in Dr. D.K. Lee’s lab.

Margaret Jodlowski analyzed the potential for a miscanthus market to develop in Southern

Illinois by interviewing various local stakeholders from different sectors of the food and energy

industries, asking them about the benefits and costs of a growing miscanthus market to their

industry. She also compared Southern IL with the 5 national Biomass Crop Assistance Programs

(BCAP) areas and Central IL for six variables: percent marginality, Conservation Resource

Program (CRP) acres, average CRP payment per acre, average erodibility, average annual corn

yield, average annual soybean yield.

She found that areas most likely to have BCAP areas have low corn and soybean yield and low

average CRP payment per acre. Southern Illinois is, on average, very similar to the BCAP areas,

demonstrating its suitability for receiving BCAP status, although production facilities for

miscanthus are necessary. Currently, the simplest end use for biomass grasses is as an on-farm

heating fuel source. There are, however, concerns to growing miscanthus on a large scale in

Southern IL, specifically: the perceived threat to the coal industry, its potential invasiveness, and

the fact that no one is willing to invest in growing miscanthus until they are sure that there will be

a market (and there is no market until someone starts growing it). DSAC could play a crucial role

in raising local awareness of the potential of miscanthus. A pilot pelletizer and greenhouse

heating program at DSAC could serve as a demonstration of on-farm uses of biomass.

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Animal Nutrition

Lauren Welker looked at whether feeding dried distiller’s

grains (DDGS) to growing heifers could have a de-worming

effect or even prevent the animal from getting parasites. She

used 16 pastures with ten growing heifers in each pen, the cattle

are divided into four groups (four pens each), each of which

received a different diet: Four pens receive three pounds DDGS

per day, four receive six pounds; four received three pounds of

corn and four received six pounds. She measured weight gain,

parasite load, and the effects of each feed on cyclicity. She

weighed the cattle and collected fecal samples three times (Day

1, 37, 73). She drew blood twice (Day 64 to determine

cyclicity, Day 73 to determine cyclicity and packed cell volume

levels).

She found that all cattle gained weight. All packed cell volume

levels are in a normal range and no heifers are experiencing

anemia. The corn-fed cattle receiving three pounds per head per

day had a higher average daily gain than the groups receiving

six pounds per head per day. The cattle receiving six pounds of

DDGS had the fewest fecal eggs; the difference was close to

being statistically significant.

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Ashley Kloth researched the effects of feeding a co-product supplementation, 70% DDGS and 30%

soybean hulls, to cows during their final trimester of gestation. The study involved three different

treatment groups. The diet for each treatment was formulated to be deficient, meet, or exceed the net

energy requirements for energy and protein. Animals in the control group did not receive any supplement,

but were allowed to graze freely. The low supplementation group received five pounds per head per day.

The supplement was weighed and bucket fed once daily in a bunk setting. The high supplementation

group received 20 pounds per head per day, in addition to the fescue forages. These groups were fed with

a feed truck, equipped with a scale, once daily.

To monitor the overall performance of the cows, weights and body condition scores (BCS) were collected

three times: Once before beginning treatment, 57 days after implementing the feed program, and lastly

after parturition. BCS were evaluated on a scale of one to nine, one being emaciated and nine being obese.

Body fat reserve is believed to be a determining factor in reproductive health.

Average weights went up, regardless of treatment, due to gestation and fetal growth, with the greatest

increase in both weight and BCS in the high supplement groups. The low supplement groups showed

moderate improvement. Minimal improvements were observed in the control groups. Although average

weight gains were consistent with what was expected, weight ranges and change in individual body

weight were not conclusive. The large standard deviation for weight is due to large differences in cow

frame size and is also distorted by fetal growth. This makes BCS the better measure for monitoring cow

performance during gestation. She will collect more data, including third weights, lactation, and calf

performance, following parturition this fall.

With the growing expansion of ethanol production, co-product feeds have become more available.

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Resource Conservation

The focus of Anne Logisz’s research was to find strategies using

reduced herbicide while effectively controlling Japanese Stiltgrass

(Microstegium vimineum), a non-native invasive species found in

southern Illinois. She looked at two herbicides, sethoxydim (Poast Plus)

and clethodim (Envoy Plus). She had two locations for each product,

each with eight test plots. Plots were randomly assigned to one of four

treatments: recommended level, one third of recommended

concentration, two thirds of recommended concentration, or no

treatment. She found that a 1/3 reduction in active ingredient

concentration for both sethoxydim and clethodim is effective in

inducing stiltgrass mortality.

Land Management

Rachel Welch’s objective was to observe the impact of continuous

corn, continuous soybean, perennial biograsses, grass waterway and

forests on soil quality through physical, chemical and biological

indicators, using tests outlined in the Natural Resources Conservation

Service Soil Quality Kit (respiration, infiltration, electrical conductivity,

pH, temperature, nitrate content, slake test, bulk density, physical

observation and water aggregate stability). Moisture content, soil

organic matter and texture analysis were also measured for each of the

five management types. She used the data to calculate a quantitative soil

quality index on all five management systems. Overall, the hypothesis

for this study was that the least disruptive management type will lead to

the highest soil quality. Her results suggest that there are measureable

quantitative differences between different management systems, and

that the least disruptive management system has the highest score on the

soil quality index.

Resource Conservation &

Land Management

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Specialty Crops

Carmen Au’s original plan was to compare tomatoes grown in high tunnels with those grown in open fields. Her hypothesis

was that the high tunnel tomatoes would be of better quality, and have higher lycopene content and antioxidant capacity, than

the tomatoes from open fields. However, open field tomatoes were not ready for harvest at the end of the summer due to

delayed planting in the field caused by heavy rain and storms, so she chose six cultivars for physical and chemical comparison.

Three tomatoes per variety were picked randomly at the pink stage and ripened until red. There were no significant differences

in any physical qualities or ascorbic acid content between the six high tunnel varieties, but there were significant differences in

pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. In further analysis at UIUC, she measured the antioxidant capacity of the tomato

samples. Currently, she is extracting the pulped tomato to analyze carotenoid and lycopene content. Further analyses will be

done when all of the data have been gathered.

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Lily Benner proposed to compare vine-ripened hydroponic

tomatoes with conventionally grown vine ripened tomatoes.

Hydroponically grown tomatoes grow more rapidly than those

grown in fields and have a longer growing season but

consumers tend to think that they are less nutritious and tasty.

Her plan was to assess the diameter, firmness, weight, soluble

solids content, pH, titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid content

of ripe hydroponic tomatoes from the Rocky Top, Tribeca,

Charger, Black Seaman, BHN 589, and Cabernet cultivars, and

then measure these parameters for the same varieties of field

tomatoes. Due to weather conditions, the field tomatoes could

not be harvested before the end of the Internship Program. She

returned to DSAC to conduct tests on field tomatoes as they

become ripe. Currently, the ORAC and HPLC tests are

underway on campus.

Donny Kwandindo looked at the effect of putting potassium

permanganate (KMn04), a strong oxidizing agent, with

tomatoes in their packaging to see if it slows them from

ripening. His hypothesis was that this will prevent ethylene gas

from forming, thus slowing down ripening and increasing the

tomatoes’ shelf life. His research compared the effectiveness of

the different amounts of KMnO4 (without KMn04, Pure KMnO4

crystals, Purafil sachet with 8% KMnO4) in two packaging

conditions (micro perforated bags and loose packaging), for a

total of six experimental groups. These were compared with a

control group that received no treatment. He found that, at 12

and 13 days, the untreated tomatoes had ripened the least. For

his second experiment, all tomatoes were placed in loose

packaging, with one, two or three Purafil sachets or with fine

grain KMnO4 crystals (1 tsp or 3 tsp). PURAFIL Sachets (up to

three sachets) did not retard ripening, while KMnO4 crystals (at

3 tsp / 24.0 g) slowed ripening slightly, but not at a statistically

significant level. He compared the pH of tomatoes grown under

different conditions and found very little difference. His results

provide convincing evidence that tomato growers should not

spend money on expensive packaging designed to slow

ripening.

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Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Margaret Jodlowski: “Biomass Market Analysis: Assessing the Potential Market Development for Biomass Feedstocks in Southern IL”

Advisor: Madhu Khanna Mentor: Steve Ebelhar Stakeholders: Eric Rund, Grover Wells

Animal Sciences

Ashley Kloth: “Co-Product Supplementation for Gestating Cows” Advisor: Dan Shike Mentor: Frank Ireland Stakeholders: Ron Duncan, Clint Smith

Lauren Welker: “Parasite Load in Growing Heifers” Advisor: Dan Faulkner Mentor: Frank Ireland Stakeholders: Ron Duncan, Clint Smith

Crop Sciences

Ithipong “Billy” Assaranurak “Identification of Ideal Architecture of Photoperiod-Sensitive Sorghum” Advisor: Patrick Brown Mentor: Steve Ebelhar Stakeholders: Shelee Padgett, Grover Webb

Ron Revord: “Miscanthus x giganteus Biomass Yield Response to Nitrogen Fertility in Southern Illinois Advisor: “D.K.” Lee Mentor: Steve Ebelhar Stakeholders: J.B. Gates, Grover Webb

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Carmen Au: “Physical and Chemical Comparison of Tomatoes Grown in Open Field and in High Tunnels” Advisor: Nicki Engeseth.

Mosbah Kushad Mentor: Jeff Kindhart Stakeholders: Dayna Conner, Carl Duewer, Steve Scates

Lily Benner: “Chemical and Physical Comparison of Hydroponic and Field-Grown Tomatoes” Advisors: Nicki Engeseth.,

Mosbah Kushad: Mentor: Jeff Kindhart Stakeholders: Dayna Conner, Carl Duewer, Steve Scates

Donny Kwandindo: The Use of Potassium Permanganate in Tomato Packaging” Advisor: Scott Morris Mentor: Jeff Kindhart Stakeholders: Dayna Conner, Carl Duewer, Steve Scates

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

Anne Logisz: “The Effect of Lowered Herbicide Treatments Rates on Microstegium viminieum” Advisor: Jay Hayek Mentor: Jim Kirkland Stakeholders: David Allen, Dan Connelly

Rachel Welch “Impact of Land Management on Soil Quality” Advisors: Robert

Darmody, Maria Vilamil Mentor: Steve Ebelhar Stakeholders: Keith Bell, Carl Hart, Scott Trovillion

Thank You!

Sponsored by: The ACES Office of Research 1301 W. Gregory 228 Mumford Hall Urbana, IL 61801

Phone: (217) 333-0240 Website: [email protected]