Optimizing nitrogen use efficiency in wheat and potatoes: interactions between genotypes and agronomic practices

One approach to decrease the environmental impact of crop production and reduce costs is to optimize agronomic practices and genotypes so that nutrients are used more efficiently. In this study the effects of agronomic practices (rotations, crop protection, fertilization) on yields, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and associated parameters were studied in an experiment using two winter wheat genotypes (Cordiale and Scaro) in one season and two potato genotypes (Sarpo Mira and Sante) in two seasons. The wheat showed no varietal differences in yield and NUE; instead the fertilization regime was the main factor affecting yield and NUE with higher values observed when conventional fertilization was used. The exception was for wheat grown after three years grass/clover ley when there was no added yield benefit from conventional fertilization of the organically bred variety (Scaro). This demonstrates the potential for N fixing crops to provide sufficient N to high yielding cereals if grown for long enough prior to planting. The greatest gains in NUE were achieved by combining an N efficient genotype with conventional crop management in an organic rotation. Fertilization and genotypic variation were the main factors affecting potato tuber yield and NUE, with the late maturing Sarpo Mira displaying elevated yields and NUE compared with the early maturing Sante. The use of organic fertility sources resulted in lower NUE, but N release from organic sources may increase NUE of future crops. This highlights the need for long-term nutrient balance and modelling studies to assess NUE at the crop rotation scale.     

Development of real-time PCR systems based on SYBR? Green I and TaqMan? technologies for specific quantitative detection of Phoma tracheiphila in infected Citrus

Real-time PCR assays based on SYBR? Green I and TaqMan? technologies were developed for in planta detection and quantification of Phoma tracheiphila, the mitosporic fungus causing ‘mal secco’ disease on citrus. Primers and a hybridization probe were designed on the basis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear rRNA genes. The real-time PCR assays were compared with a classic isolation method in two separate experiments carried out on 6 and 24 month-old sour orange seedlings, artificially inoculated with a conidial suspension of the pathogen. Both technologies made it possible to follow the progression of infection by P. tracheiphila, enabling detection and quantification of the target fungus prior to the development of symptoms. The detection limit was 10 copies of the cloned target sequence and 15 pg of genomic DNA extracted from fungal spores. The values of the cycle threshold (Ct) were linearly correlated with the concentration of the target DNA, indicating that the method is suitable as a qualitative and quantitative assay. The presence of non-target fungal DNA had no effect on the specificity of the assay, but resulted in a 10-fold reduction of sensitivity. Total inhibition of the reaction occurred when conidia of the target pathogen were mixed with an organic soil substrate before extracting DNA using the standard protocol, while an alternative purification kit resulted in a significant decrease in sensitivity. Compared to classic methods, real-time PCR proved faster and easier to perform and showed a higher sensitivity. These results suggest that real-time PCR, based on both chemistries, has a great potential for early diagnosis of ‘mal secco’ disease and for quantitative estimation of fungal growth within host tissue.     

Effect of long-term changes in relative resource availability on dietary preference of grazing sheep for perennial ryegrass and white clover

Three replicate paddocks, each of 0·235 ha, containing adjacent monocultures of perennial ryegrass or white clover [50:50 by ground area, 6 cm sward surface height (SSH) at start of experiment] were continuously stocked with three yearling and four mature non-lactating, non-pregnant Scottish halfbred ewes for 12 weeks. Herbage intake, grazing behaviour and dietary selection were measured on seven occasions. Clover SSH declined rapidly over the first 5 weeks then stabilized at 1·2–1·6 cm, whereas perennial ryegrass SSH rose slightly initially, then declined gradually. Animals initially included proportionately c . 0·6 white clover in their diet but, by the end of the experiment, this had fallen to 0·3. Total daily herbage intake declined over the 12 weeks from 1·8 kg dry matter (DM) day^–1 at the start to 1·0 kg DM day^–1. Total grazing time increased from 561 min day^–1 to 649 min day^–1 at the end of the experiment. The results suggest that, despite overall herbage depletion and a greater depletion of white clover than perennial ryegrass as a result of the initial partial preference for white clover, the animals traded-off a reduced total intake and an increased grazing time in an attempt to maintain their initial preferred dietary composition.     

Effect of peeling procedure on the ultra structure of potato peels

Potato peel can provide a good source of dietary fiber. Peel from the caustic soda process should be the most promising source of dietary fiber derived from potatoes because of better fragmentation and partial destruction of peridermal cells resulting, among other properties, in superior water holding capacity. Scanning electron micrographs of peel from Norchip tubers are presented     

Sensory evaluation as a tool in breeding potatoes for French fries and flakes

Standardized sensory evaluation of advanced breeding clones developed in the research program of the Horticulture Department at North Dakota State University has been conducted annually since 1980. Procedures used by the USDA-ARS Potato Research Laboratory for processing tubers into partially fried french fries or flakes are described along with the procedures used for finish-frying of the fries and rehydrating the flakes in preparation for sensory evaluation in the Food and Nutrition Department at North Dakota State University. Following brief training, panelists evaluate the fries and flakes from each clone in triplicate for color, flavor, and texture. Procedures for determining length of fries and limpness of fry strips are described. Samples of 334 clones prepared as french fries and 135 clones prepared as flakes have been evaluated. Examples are given of types of data collected with interpretation of results in relationship to their use in the breeding program.     

Amino acid composition of freshly harvested and stored potatoes

Total amino acid contents of several important U.S. potato cultivars grown in Maine, Idaho and The Red River Valley are listed along with nitrogen content. Differences in amino acid content among cultivars were roughly proportional to differences in total nitrogen. The effect of storage on amino acids in two cultivars was minor. The limiting essential amino acids compared to egg were MET and the sulphur amino acids.     

Changes in the nutrient composition of potatoes during home preparation: I. Proximate composition

The effects of various home cooking methods on the proximate composition of four potato varieties were investigated. The results revealed significant increases in the dry matter content of tubers during oven-baking and microwave cooking. With one exception, cooking unpeeled tubers in boiling water did not significantly alter their proximate composition. Boiling peeled tubers resulted in a significant decrease in the total ash content. Except for one variety, there was a significant decrease in crude fiber in boiled peeled and oven-baked potatoes. Changes in protein values were erratic.     

Slipsheets for handling and shipping prepackaged potatoes to market

Slipsheet performance was evaluated under simulated handling conditions and during actual shipment of baler bag and strap/angleboard systems for palletizing prepackaged potatoes for market. The light, low cost types of slipsheets do not stand up to the rigors of heavy loads (1-ton per pallet) and multiple handlings required in the fresh potato marketing system. One should consider the heavier, more durable types of slipsheets for use with potato shipments if problem-free slipsheet operations are required.     

Incidence of mechanical injury to potatoes during certain storage-related handling operations in the Red River Valley production area

Injury to potatoes during three commercial harvesting and bin-filling operations in the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota averaged 46.9%. The varieties Norchip, Kennebec, and Viking averaged 24.1, 64.5, and 73.2% respectively in these observations. The Kennebec potatoes, which had the most injury at bin filling, had the least decay at the end of the storage period. Loss of weight during storage averaged 2.04, 2.33 and 1.75 g/kg of potatoes per week, respectively for the Norchip, Kennebec and Viking tubers. During bulk scoop operations none of the factors: type of bucket, condition of pile, or operating speed significantly influenced handling damage.