| ALARC Highlights - Spring 2015 |
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Featured Recent AccomplishmentField marking of arthropods for dispersal research. The protein immunomarking procedure is a powerful method for marking insects for ecological studies. Scientists at the Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC) in Maricopa, AZ pioneered the procedure. For over a decade they have been tagging naturally occurring insects directly in the field with various protein solutions using conventional spray equipment. The proteins are found in common food products such as chicken egg whites (albumin) and bovine milk (casein). After the mark(s) are applied in the field the insects from surrounding areas are collected over time and space and examined for the presence of the marker(s). The presence of the protein on field-collected insects is detected using protein-specific (e.g., albumin and casein) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). These relatively simple, cost efficient, and sensitive ELISAs are very similar to the assays used by medical researchers for detecting for pregnancy, drug usage, and diseases (Fig. 1).
ALARC scientists recently used the protein immunomarking method in collaboration with researchers from the University of California at Santa Cruz to quantify lygus bug dispersal at a commercial organic strawberry farm that was intra-planted every 50 rows with a row of alfalfa (Fig. 2). Alfalfa is a highly attractive crop to the lygus bug and is often used to "trap" or lure the lygus away from the economically valuable strawberries. The movement of lygus adults and nymphs from a protein-marked alfalfa trap crop (Fig. 3) into adjacent strawberry rows or distant trap crops (Fig. 2) was examined using a chicken egg albumin lygus mark-capture ELISA.
The study revealed that vast majority of lygus bugs are attracted to the alfalfa rows and that the lygus marked in the central location remained in the alfalfa trap crop rather than dispersing out into strawberry rows (Fig. 4). The tempering of lygus movement by alfalfa in organic strawberries is a key component of successful trap cropping. It is anticipated that both organic and conventional strawberry growers will adopt this environmentally benign cultural insect control tactic.
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Using this immunomarking technique, ALARC scientists are collaborating with researchers throughout the world to study the dispersal patterns of a wide variety of agricultural and household pests (e.g., lygus, spotted-wing Drosophila, bed bugs), natural enemies (insect predators and parasitoids), and pollinators (e.g., honey bees, bumble bees). Every year, more and more people are finding ways to use immunomarking as part of their research thanks to the low cost and simplicity of this system.
Learn More
Swezey, S.L., D.J. Nieto, J.R. Hagler, C.H. Pickett, J.A. Bryer, and S.A. Machtley. 2013. Dispersion, distribution and movement of Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) in trap-cropped strawberries. Environmental Entomology. 42: 770-778.
Swezey, S.L., D.J. Nieto, C.H. Pickett, J.R. Hagler, J.A. Bryer, and S.A. Machtley. 2014. Spatial density and movement of the Lygus spp. parasitoid Peristenus relictus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in organic strawberries with alfalfa trap crops. Environmental Entomology. 43 (2): 363-369.
Funding.
This project was funded, in part, by the USDA-CSREES Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP).
(Contact: James.Hagler@ars.usda.gov, Scott.Machtley@ars.usda.gov)
Other Recent Accomplishments
Identification of critical genes in the western tarnished plant bug. Although the western tarnished plant bug is widely recognized as an important crop pest in the western U.S., little information is available regarding its molecular biology and physiology. We identified 65 members of a gene family (the ABC transporters) known from other organisms to function in protein synthesis, reproductive development, and the elimination of toxins. A subset of these genes likely to function in pesticide resistance was further identified. These results suggest possible targets for genetic-based pest control and provides a broad baseline for future research to develop species-specific non-insecticidal control tactics. Contact: Joe.Hull@ars.usda.gov
Host plant induction of detoxification enzymes in relation to insecticide resistance.
Insects that feed on many types of host plants are often exposed to a variety of plant defensive chemicals that are toxic to the insect. The mechanisms these insects use to eliminate or detoxify plant defensive chemicals may also deactivate certain insecticides. We identified a suite of detoxification enzymes in the silverleaf whitefly that are stimulated when the insects feed on specific hosts. Increased tolerance to selected insecticides was also associated with increased activity of the detoxification enzymes. Improved understanding of the influence of host plant on the effectiveness of insecticides is an important consideration to the design of sustainable management strategies for the silverleaf whitefly. Contact: Steven.Castle@ars.usda.gov
Novel molecular mechanisms associated with pink bollworm resistance to transgenic Bt cotton.
Although the pink bollworm is a major cotton pest worldwide, the advent of insecticidal Bt cotton has revolutionized management and suppression of this pest. However, recent emergence of highly-resistant field populations of pink bollworm in Asia accentuates the need to understand the molecular basis of Bt-resistance. Research at ALARC scientists in collaboration with the University of Arizona, analyzed field-collected pink bollworm from India, they found a diversity of genetic changes conferring resistance, including a novel mechanism called alternative splicing. These findings represent the first example of alternative splicing associated with Bt resistance that developed in the field. Because a diversity of resistance mechanisms were identified from only a few field-collected pink bollworm, current methods to detect resistance based on specific genetic changes may not be effective. Contact: Jeff.Fabrick@ars.usda.gov
Development of direct seeding methods for guayule, a natural source for rubber.
Guayule,Parthenium argentatum, is a desert shrub that produces latex in bark tissues and represents a potential domestic source of natural rubber. One of the major challenges for cultivating guayule, however, is that the plant must be hand-sown using seedlings, which significantly increases the costs and labor associated with crop production. ALARC scientists with the University of Arizona, Cornell University, West Virginia University, and Seed Dynamics Incorporated of Salinas, California, developed direct-seeding methods for guayule and optimized conditions for seed germination and seedling establishment. The results of these studies will directly impact the guayule industry and underpin future efforts to further improve guayule cultivation and agronomics.
Characterization of the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase gene family in cotton.
Cotton plants are sensitive to abiotic stresses including sudden episodes of cold temperature during the early parts of the growing season, and heat and drought encountered during the latter parts of the growing season. ALARC scientists in collaboration with scientists at the University of North Texas, Cornell University, Brigham Young University, and West Virginia University, identified and characterized a large gene family in cotton that is responsible for the production of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in both chilling adaptation as well as heat and drought response in plants. Knowledge of this gene family in cotton provides key insight to the genes that underlie abiotic stress response in commercially important varieties. Notably, a single gene was identified whose expression was upregulated during both drought and cold temperature response in cotton. This provides information that will underpin future efforts to improve cotton germplasm using molecular breeding approaches. Contact: John.Dyer@ars.usda.gov
Determination of the upper lethal growing-season-long-average air temperature for wheat.
In order to adapt wheat production to global warming, a dataset was needed to test the high-temperature aspects of wheat growth models. ALARC scientists in collaboration with scientists at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, conducted a Hot Serial Cereal Experiment. Cereal because the crop was wheat, Serial because the wheat was planted about every six weeks for two years in hot Arizona, and Hot because on six of the planting dates, infrared heaters were deployed above some of the plots to provide additional warming. Results showed that yields decreased as season-long-average air temperatures increased above 15C, reaching a crop-failure lethal temperature at 32C. These results should ultimately lead to improved wheat growth models that can be used to help develop strategies for adapting to global warming, which will benefit all consumers of wheat products including wheat-fed meat production. Contact: Jeffrey.White@ars.usda.gov
Irrigation scheduling using real-time spatial information.
Improved irrigation scheduling is needed in water-limited regions where surface irrigation methods still predominate. ALARC researchers developed an irrigation decision technology for applying variable irrigation scheduling to cotton borders utilizing real-time aerial and ground-based remote sensing information. This technology will help optimize variable rate irrigation systems through improved forecasting of irrigation amounts and dates. The research benefits irrigation managers of large cotton farms using surface irrigation systems, irrigation consultants, and State Water Resource Departments in the arid southwestern U.S. Contact: Doug.Hunsaker@ars.usda.gov
Nitrogen fertilizer management for durum wheat cultivars in the Southwest.
Optimizing nitrogen (N) management and using cultivars with high N use efficiency (NUE) are important for durum wheat producers in irrigated production systems. ALARC researchers collaborated with scientists at the University of Arizona to conduct field experiments with six durum wheat cultivars and five or six levels of N treatment for two growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) to determine NUE, and yield of durum wheat cultivars under irrigated desert conditions. Recovery efficiency of N fertilizer was very high (63 to 79%) and fertilizer rate had a positive effect on nearly all agronomic variables in both seasons. Although there was variation in grain yield and NUE among durum wheat cultivars, N fertilizer effects were more significant than cultivar effects. Results show that grower decisions on optimal N rate will have more impact than cultivar selection and that development of practical guidelines for optimizing durum N fertilizer management will benefit durum wheat growers in the southwestern U.S. contact: Kevin.Bronson@ars.usda.gov
Development of antibiotic resistance in soils receiving reclaimed municipal wastewater for groundwater recharge.
The application of reclaimed municipal waste water containing antibiotics may lead to the development of increased antibiotic resistance in soil microorganisms receiving these waters. ALARC scientists found that soil organisms isolated from the top 30 cm of a groundwater recharge facility were resistant to the antibiotics lincomycin, penicillin, and vancomycin. However, the level of resistance in the recharge basins was similar to organisms from a recharge facility that only receives ground water for recharge. Furthermore, resistance to four antibiotics in Enterococcus was higher in the control soils that had only received groundwater soils receiving treated effluent. Comparing the development of antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria at these two sites will increase awareness of the environmental and public health impacts of using reclaimed water for groundwater recharge and irrigation of municipal areas. Contact: Clinton.Williams@ars.usda.gov
Current Grant Awards (*new)
*Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Management and Fate of Nitrogen in Sprinkler-Irrigated Cotton, Cotton Incorporated (PI Kevin Bronson) 2015
*Prospective Resistance Management: Empowering Growers to Partition Chemistry in Space and Time, USDA-NIFA (PI Peter Ellsworth, Co-PIs Steve Castle, Nilima Prabhaker (UC-Riverside), Yves Carriere, John Palmbo, Al Fournier, Wayne Dixon, Lydia Brown) 2014-2016
*Prospective Resistance Management: Empowering Growers to Understand and Exploit Refugia (PI Peter Ellsworth, Co-PIs Steve Castle, Nilima Prabhaker,Yves Carriere, John Palmbo, Al Fournier, Wayne Dixon, Lydia Brown) 2015-2017
Selecting and Using Bt-Resistant Strains of Two Key Pests to Understand Resistance and Characterize Responses to Novel Toxins, CRADA Pioneer Hi-Bred International (PIJeff Fabrick) 2013-2016.
Identification of Factors Mediating Environmental Acclimation in Lygus hesperus, Cotton Incorporated (PIs Colin Brent Joe Hull, Jeff Fabrick) 2014-2015.
The Integrated Program to Accelerate Breeding of Resilient, more Productive Beans for Smallholder Farmers, Pennsylvania State University (PI Jeff White) 2013-2015.
Evaluating and Predicting H2O Consumption by Irrigated Agriculture in Israel and US: Inverse Biophysical Modeling Utilizing Spaceborne Imagery, Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) (PI Andy French) 2012-2015.
Accelerated Development of Commercial Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ) Fuel from Redesigned Oil Seed Feedstock Supply Chains, USDA-NIFA/DOE Biomass Research and Development Initiative (PI T. Isbell, Co-PIs John Dyer, Mike Gore, D. Long, D. Archer, S. Frey, D. Galloway, T. Tomlinson) 2012-2016.
Securing the Future of Natural Rubber Colvin, Co-PIs Mike Gore, C. McMahan, John Dyer, A. Halog, J. Mitchell, P. Zorner, Collaborator, Doug Hunsaker) 2012-2016.
Impact of Bioenergy Crops on Pests, Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Agricultural and Non-Crop Landscapes, USDA-NIFA-AFRI (Co-PI James Hagler with T. Kring and R. Weidenman, University of Arkansas; B. McCornack, Kansas State University; K. Giles, Oklahoma State University) 2011-2016
Investigation into Effects of Soil Moisture Depletion on Vegetable Crop Uptake of Microcontaminants under Recycled Water Irrigation, USDA-NIFA-AFRI (PI Clinton Williams with C. Ray, University of Hawaii) 2011-2015
Managing Pierce's Disease in Arizona Vineyards, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (PI Steve Castle) 2012-2015.
Comparison of cotton simulation models for Arizona production systems
, Cotton Incorporated (PIKelly Thorp) 2013-2015.
Applying Proximal Sensing to Enhance Upland Cotton Yield Trials, Cotton Incorporated (PI Andy French) 2013-2015.
High-Throughput Phenotyping Using Portable LIDAR, Cotton Incorporated (PI Andy French with Co-PIs M. Gore, Cornell University and P. Andrade-Sanchez, University of Arizona) 2012-2015.
Recent Professional Awards and Recognition
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Joe Hull, Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America (PBESA) Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology Award: This award recognizes an outstanding record of accomplishment in the study of biochemistry, microbiology, toxicology, endocrinology, cytology, molecular biology, allelochemicals, pheromones, hormones, metabolism, or other related areas.Joe was recognized at the annual PBESA meeting in April. |
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James Hagler, PBESA Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management: This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions, which have a direct relation to integrated pest management (IPM). James was recognized at the annual PBESA meeting in April. |
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Kelly Thorp,2015 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Superior Paper Award: The paper evaluated a cotton crop growth model for simulating effects of management and climate change on cotton growth and evapotranspiration in an arid environment. ALARC co-authors includeDoug Hunsaker, Jeff WhiteandBruce Kimball. All authors will be recognized at the annual ASABE meeting in July.
Clinton Williams
has been selected as a representative to Pharmaceuticals in Water Working Group. Clinton will serve on the Pharmaceuticals in Water Steering Committee.
ALARC in the News
NASA
, in partnership with USDA-ARS, and multiple universities will develop ECOSTRESS, a space-based instrument that will enable study of how effectively plants utilize water. (link)
High Throughput Phenotyping at the USDA-ARS and Maricopa Agricultural Center:
USDA-ARS, Kansas State University and University of Arizona are partnering on the development of high throughput phenotyping to accelerate crop improvement. (link2)
Recent Events and Outreach
June 2014, Drs. Jeff White and John Dyer hosted a traveling Phenomics Workshop for Grain Legume Researchers. The workshop promising techniques in field "phenomics" and "shovelnomics." This workshop helps build collaboration between USDA-ARS, Kansas State University (under the NSF Plant Genome project), Dr. Jonathan Lynch's lab at Penn State University and their Apache Root Biology Center located in Willcox, Arizona. Also attending the workshop was Dr. Hesham Agrama and Dr. Ousmane Boukar with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) located in Oyo State, Nigeria, Dr. Abiezer Gonzalez with the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Jana Kholova with the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Dr. Steve Bebe and Dr. Arnulfo Polania with Centro Internacional de Agricultura (CIAT) located in Cali, Columbia, and Dr. Carlos Rios with the USDA-ARS Tropical Agricultural Research Station, located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and Dr. Jennifer Trapp with Washington State University.
June 2014,
ALARC againhosted the Summer Ag Institute. This is a group of K-12 teachers, who embark on a week-long tour throughout Arizona. This adventure is designed to teach them about food and fiber production, and help them incorporate that knowledge in the classroom curriculum. This experience is a great opportunity for the teachers to see the vital role agriculture plays in rural communities and the importance of the research being conducted at our center. The group had the opportunity to tour various labs in the three research units, as well as seeing a tractor for high-throughput phenotyping, providing the group with an overview for why we need this approach for heat and drought research and how the sensors on the tractor make it possible.
June 2014
, ALARC hosted a group of students/faculty from Central Arizona College (an HSI), located in Maricopa, AZ. The group consisted of 18 students and 9 faculty members interested in learning about the agricultural research we do at the Center.
June 2014,
the EEO Committee observed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) month by showing a "Movie at Lunch Time." The movie included three short and fun videos, along with popcorn, soda, and candy. This was a great way for employees to take a break from their busy schedules, share thoughts, learn, and enjoy movie & popcorn.
July 2014, ALARC held its annual "Bring your Kids to Work" day. This was a great opportunity for our kids to see, touch, and feel the science that their parents are conducting. The day was filled with activities that included a Farm Field Tour, Isolating their own DNA, Robotics-Lab Automation, a Greenhouse tour, Computer/Intranet programming, Insects under the Microscope, Thermal Imaging, and Polymers to Slime. It was a wonderful day for the kids, as well as the parents (parent written consent granted for photos).
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June-July, 2014, USDA-ARS, Maricopa, AZ scientists from all 3 research units hosted 13 high school intern and one teacher as part of a South Mountain Community College (SMCC) led Undergraduate Bioscience Engagement Track (UBET) program. The program aims to increase science and engineering training in local high schools, particularly for minority students. The students conducted an individual research project in their mentor's laboratory while earning college level credits. The interns developed a poster of their projects that were presented at the Center and then at SMCC for a final grade. This marks the third year that USDA-ARS has hosted interns from this program and a group of 17 students and teachers will participate in summer of 2015. Enjoy a video of the program put together by Tempe Union High School District.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyYKsi5v1cE&feature=youtu.be
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July 2014, Dr. Jeff White (left in photo) provided a tour to a researcher from Thailand, and 3 researchers from Penn State University. The group was introduced to equipment and underlying approaches for field-based high-throughput phenotyping. The group is part of the Arizona Root Biology Center and also toured labs in the Plant Physiology and Genetics Research Unit. |
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July 2014,Dr. Paul Sanchez hosted and provided a tour to the Arizona Knights of Rizal. This group is a is a civic, cultural, non-political, non-profit, non-sectarian organization with the general purpose and specific objective to study and spread the ideals, teachings and the exemplary life of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine National hero and the pride of the Malayan race.
August 2014
, ALARC hosted the East Valley Chemistry Club, a group composed of home-school high school students. The club is a group of home-schooled teens studying chemistry. The club has been meeting weekly since June 2014 to interact with each other, work on lessons, and conduct chemistry experiments. Center scientists provided chemistry related activities for the students and discussed and demonstrated a number of scientific instruments used in chemistry.
September, 2014
, The USDA-ARS, Maricopa, AZ Seminar Series kicked-off its 8th year. The series this year focused on research being conducted by the scientific staff of the Center and included a wide diversity of topics in entomology, plant science and engineering.
September 2014,
Dr. Colin Brent and Dr. Joe Hull from the Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit and Mrs. Brenda Singleton from the Plant Physiology and Genetics Research Unit attended Central Arizona CollegeMath (STEM) night at the college
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September 2014, Drs. Colin Brent and Joe Hull and Mrs. Brenda Singleton attended Central Arizona College's (CAC) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) night at the college's Maricopa campus, located in Maricopa, AZ. They represented the USDA-ARS and presented some of the research being conducted at our research center. The STEM program is an innovative college enrichment curriculum for high school and college-aged students in Pinal County. The goal is to encourage and increase the presence of historically underrepresented groups in the career fields of science, technology, engineering and math and assist in the transfer to a 4 year college or university. |
October 2014, USDA-ARS, Maricopa, AZ hosted the 3rd annual Technical Meeting and Project Review for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) guayule Grant. Attendees were from Cooper Tire & Rubber, USDA-ARS (Maricopa, AZ, Albany, CA, Beltsville, MD), PanAridus LLC, Cornell University, and Arizona State University. The team visited & toured PanAridus' germplasm development and rubber extraction facility in Casa Grande, AZ, and the field trial locations at Maricopa Agricultural Center in Maricopa, AZ. Research presentation focused on a wide variety of topics including sustainability Analysis, guayule genome sequencing and development of molecular breeding tools, direct seeding, irrigation, and post-harvest processing for rubber production.
October 2014,
ALARC and the University of Arizona, Maricopa Agricultural Center held Farm Day. This event brought in local vendors, farmers, and families throughout the community to learn about agricultural and how it affects their communities. Activities included: insect zoo, insect sounds, cotton 101, auto-guidance tractor-ride along, hayrides for the kids to the University of Arizona Farm Village & cotton gin, cricket spitting, and face painting. ALARC Scientist and Technician's put together displays on Biofuel crops, Entomology, Photosynthesis, Irrigation, Remote sensing, Natural Rubber from guayule, and Farm Equipment. A local group brought along a number of antique tractors for display and rides and Pinal County Master Gardner's were also on hand.
November 2014, USDA-ARS-ALARC in Maricopa, AZ hosted an annual visit by students and faculty from the University of Chapingo, Chapingo, Mexico. The group consisted of sixty-eight undergraduate Irrigation Engineering students and four faculty members. Drs. Eduardo Bautista, Andrew French and Kevin Bronson discussed ongoing research in the areas of irrigation modeling, irrigation management, and remote sensing in irrigated agriculture. The group also visited the facilities of the Salt River Project, the Central Arizona Project, and the Maricopa Agricultural Research Center.
February 2015, ALARC Scientists and a Human Resource specialist represented the USDA-ARS at the annual Phoenix College USDA Career Pathways Fair located in Phoenix, AZ. The personnel visited with students and faculty to promote research activities and internship opportunities within the ARS, in general, and the Maricopa research lab, specifically. Approximately 30 people stopped by the table over a two-hour period, and pamphlets, brochures, and other promotional materials were passed out. We collected names of students interested in internships.
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Recent Journal Publications
Entomology
Asiimwe, P., Naranjo, S.E., Ellsworth, P. 2014. Effects of irrigation regime on interactions between Lygus hesperus, insecticides and predators in cotton. Environmental Entomology. 43:263-273. (PDF)
Brent, C.S., Hull, J.J.
2014. Characterization of male-derived factors inhibiting female sexual receptivity in Lygus hesperus. Journal of Insect Physiology. 60:104-110. (PDF)
Byers, J.A.
2014. Response to Martini and Habeck: Semiochemical dose-response curves fit by kinetic formation functions. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 40:1165-1166. (PDF)
Byers, J.A.
, Birgersson, G., Francke, W. 2013. Aggregation pheromones of bark beetles, Pityogenes quadridens and P. bidentatus, colonizing scotch pine: olfactory avoidance of interspecific competition. Chemoecology. 23:251-261. (PDF)
Byers, J.A., Naranjo, S.E.
2014. Detection and monitoring of pink bollworm moths and invasive insects using pheromone traps and encounter-rate models. Journal of Applied Ecology. 51(4):1041-1049. (PDF)
Callier, V., Shingleton, A.W., Brent, C.S., Ghosh, S.M., Kim, J., Harrison, J. 2013. The role of reduced oxygen in the developmental physiology of growth and metamorphosis initiation in Drosophila. Journal of Experimental Biology Online. 216:4334-4340. (PDF)
Castle, S.J., Merten, P.
, Prabhaker, N. 2013. Comparative susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci to imidacloprid in field- and laboratory-based bioassays. Pest Management Science. 70:1538-1546. (PDF)
Fabrick, J.A.
, Ponnuraj, J., Singh, A., Tanwar, R.K., Unnithan, G., Yelich, A.J., Li, X., Carriere, Y., Tabashnik, B.E. 2014. Alternative splicing and highly variable cadherin transcripts associated with field-evolved resistance of pink bollworm to Bt cotton in India. PLoS One. 9(5):e97900. (PDF)
Hagler, J.R., Machtley, S.A., Blackmer, F.
2015. A potential sampling error associated with insect protein mark-capture data. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 154:28-34. (PDF)
Hagler, J.R., Naranjo, S.E., Machtley, S.A., Blackmer, F.
2014. Development of a standardized protein immunomarking protocol for insect mark-capture dispersal research. Journal of Applied Entomology. 138:772-782. (PDF)
Hull, J.J., Brent, C.S.
2014. Identification and characterization of a sex peptide receptor-like transcript from the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus. Insect Molecular Biology. 23:301-319. (PDF)
Hull, J.J.
, Wang, M. 2014. Molecular cloning and characterization of G alpha proteins from the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus. Insects. 6(1):54-76. (PDF)
Hull, J.J.
, Chaney, K., Geib, S.M., Fabrick, J.A., Brent, C.S., Walsh, D., Lavine, L.C. 2014. Transcriptome-based identification of ABC transporters in the western tarnished plant bug Lygus hesperus. PLoS One. 9(11):e113046.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113046. (PDF)
Kawai, T., Nagata, K., Guo, L., Liu, D., Suzuki, T., Katayama, Y., Hayakawa, K., Lee, J., Nagamine, T., Hull, J.J., Matsumoto, S., Nagasawa, H., Tanokura, M. 2014. Identification of functionally important residues in the silkmoth pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide receptor, an insect ortholog of the vertebrate Neuromedin U Receptor. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 27:19150-19163.
Klick, J., Lee, J.C., Hagler, J.R., Bruck, D.J., Yang, W.Q. 2014. Evaluating Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) immunomarking for mark-capture research. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 152:31-41. (PDF)
Kumar, R., Tian, J.C., Naranjo, S.E., Shelton, A.M. 2014. Effects of Bt cotton on Thrips tabaci and its predator, Orius insidiosus. Journal of Economic Entomology. 107:927-932. (PDF)
Luthi, C., Alvarez-Alfageme, F., Li, Y., Naranjo, S.E., Higgins, T.J.V., Romeis, J.
2015. The potential of the bean alpha-amylase inhibitor alphaAI-1 to control true bugs (Hemiptera). Journal of Applied Entomology 139: 192-200. (PDF)
Meissle, M., Naranjo, S.E., Kohl, C., Riedel, J., Romeis, J. 2014. Does the growing of Bt maize change populations or ecological functions of non-target animals compared to the growing of conventional non-GM maize? A systematic review protocol. Environmental Evidence. 3:7. (PDF)
Naranjo, S.E.
, Ellsworth, P., Frisvold, G. 2015. Economic value of biological control in IPM of plant systems. Annual Review Of Entomology. 60:621-645. (PDF)
Penick, C.A., Brent, C.S., Dolezal, K., Liebig, J. 2014. Neurohormonal changes associated with ritualized combat and the formation of a reproductive hierarchy in the ant Harpegnathos saltator. Journal of Experimental and Environmental Biology. 217:1496-1503. (PDF)
Romeis, J., Meissle, M., Naranjo, S.E., Li, Y., Bigler, F. 2014. The end of a myth - Bt(Cry1Ab) maize does not harm green lacewings. Frontiers in Plant Science 5:391 (PDF)
Su, H., Tian, J., Naranjo, S.E., Romeis, J., Hellmich Ii, R.L., Shelton, A.M. 2015. Bt plants expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab and Cry1F do not harm the assassin bug, Zelus renardii (Kolenati (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 139:23-30. (PDF)
Terrapon, N., ... Brent, C.S., ... Liebig, J. 2014. The draft genome of a termite illuminates alternative social organization. Nature Communications. 5:3636. (PDF)
Tian, J.C., Wang, X.P., Long, L.P., Romeis, J., Naranjo, S.E., Hellmich, R.L., Shelton, A.M. 2014. Eliminating host-mediated effects demonstrates Bt maize producing Cry1F has no adverse effects on the parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris. Transgenic Res. 23: 257-264. (PDF)
Williams III, L.H., Hagler, J.R., Tonkel, K.C. 2013. Does dimethyl sulfoxide increase protein immunomarking efficiency for dispersal and predation studies? Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 148:275-286. (PDF)
Plant Science
Asseng, S, Kimball, B.A., Wall, G.W., White, J.W. .... 2015. Rising temperatures reduce global wheat production. Nature Climate Change 5:143-147. (PDF)
Bloom, A.J., Burger, M., Kimball, B.A., Pinter Jr, P.J. 2014. Nitrate assimilation is inhibited by elevated CO2 in field-grown wheat. Nature Climate Change. 4:477-480. (PDF)
Gaihrea, Y.K., Wassman, R., Tirol-Padrea, A., Villegas-Pangga, G., Aquino, E., Kimball, B.A. 2013. Seasonal assessment of greenhouse gas emission from irrigated lowland rice field under infrared warming. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 18:88-100. (PDF)
Gidda, S.K., Watt, S.C., Collins-Silva, J., Kilaru, A., Arondel, V., Yurchenko, O., Horn, P., James, C.N., Shintani, D., Ohlrogge, J.B., Chapman, K.D., Mullen, R.T., Dyer, J.M. 2013. Lipid droplet-associated proteins (LDAPs) are involved in the compartmentalization of lipophilic compounds in plant cells. Plant Signaling and Behavior. 8(11):e27141.
Horn, P.J., James, C.N., Gidda, S., Kilaru, A., Dyer, J.M., Mullen, R.T., Ohlrogge, J.B., and Chapman, K.D. 2013. Identification of a new class of lipid droplet-associated proteins in plants. Plant Physiology. 162:1926-1936. (PDF)
Lager, I., Yilmaz, J., Zhou, X., Jasieniecka, K., Kazachkov, M., Wang, P., Zou, J., Weselake, R., Smith, M.A., Bayon, S., Dyer, J.M., Shockey, J.M., Heinz, E., Green, A., Banas, A., Stymne, S. 2013. Plant acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs) have different specificities in their forward and reverse reactions. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 288(52):36902-36914. (PDF)
Lasserre, E., Ko, T.S., Dyer, J.M., Murai, N. 2015. Modified bean seed protein phaseolin did not accumulate stably in transgenic tobacco seeds after methionine enhancement mutations. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 6:640-650. (PDF)
LeCain, D., Smith, D., Morgan, J., Kimball, B.A., Pendall, E., Miglietta, F. 2015. Microclimatic performance of a free-air warming and CO2 enrichment experiment in windy Wyoming, USA. PLoS One DOI:10.1371. 1-14. (PDF)
Kimball, B.A., White, J.W.
, Ottman, M.J., Wall, G.W., Bernacchi, C.J., Morgan, J.A. 2015. Predicting Canopy Temperatures and Infrared Heater Energy Requirements for Warming Field Plots. Agronomy Journal. 107:129-141. (PDF)
Marty, N.J., Teresinski, H., Ting Hwang, Y., Clendening, E.A., Gidda, S.K., Zhang, D., Miernyk, J.A., Brito, G.C., Andrews, D.W., Dyer, J.M., Mullen, R.T. 2014. New insights into the targeting of a subset of tail-anchored proteins to the outer mitochondrial membrane. Frontiers in Plant Science. 5:426. doi:10.3389/fpls.2014.00426. (PDF)
McDaniel, M.D., Wagner, R.J., Rollinson, C.R., Kimball, B.A., Kaye, M.W., Kaye, J.P. 2013. Microclimate and ecological threshold responses in a warming and wetting experiment following whole-tree harvest. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 116:287-299. (PDF)
Park, S.
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Sanchez, P.L.
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Sanchez, P.L.
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White, J.W., Conley, M.M.
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Yurchenko, O.
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Yurchenko, O., Park, S.
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Water Conservation
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Camelina water use and seed yield response to irrigation scheduling in an arid environment. Irrigation Science. 31:911-929. (PDF)
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Thorp, K. R.
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Thorp, K.R.
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Thorp, K. R., Bronson, K. F.
2013. A model-independent open-source geospatial tool for managing point-based environmental model simulations at multiple spatial locations. Environmental Modelling & Software 50: 25-36. (PDF)
Wang, G., Bronson, K. F., Thorp, K. R., Mon, J., Badaruddin, M., 2014. Multiple leaf measurements improve effectiveness of chlorophyll meter for durum wheat nitrogen management. Crop Science 54 (2), 817-826. (PDF)
