Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Improving malt barley agronomics via allelic selection of senescence and flowering time controlling genes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) Alptekin, Burcu; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Andreas M. Fischer; Dylan Mangel, Duke Pauli, Tom Blake, Jennifer Lachowiec, Traci Hoogland, Andreas Fischer and Jamie Sherman were co-authors of the article, 'Combined effects of glycine-rich RNA binding protein and a NAC transcription factor extend grain fill duration and improve malt barley agronomic performance' submitted to the journal 'Theoretical and applied genetics' which is contained within this thesis.; Dylan Mangel, Duke Pauli, Tom Blake, Jennifer Lachowiec, Jamie Sherman and Andreas Fischer were co-authors of the article, 'Dissecting the effects of senescence-regulating HvNAM1 and HvNAM2 transcription factors on malt barley agronomics' submitted to the journal 'Molecular breeding' which is contained within this thesis.; Dylan Mangel, Duke Pauli, Tom Blake, Hannah Turner, Jennifer Lachowiec, Jamie Sherman and Andreas Fischer were co-authors of the article, 'Allelic selection of senescence and flowering time controlling genes confers malt extract stability' submitted to the journal 'Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists' which is contained within this thesis.Malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a high-profit crop for farmers; yet, its production raises challenges that need to be addressed. The standards for grain quality in malt barley are stringent, and the rejection of non-qualified grains by maltsters is the leading cause of revenue loss for malt barley producers. Rejection is mainly due to high grain protein content and low kernel plumpness which both cause significant problems in the malting process. While proper growing practices can improve malt quality, the industry requires genotypes that have more stable malt quality. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with grain quality can be applied to improve selection of superior malt varieties. A considerable volume of literature has suggested that regulation of whole-plant senescence and flowering processes in cereals have direct influences on grain yield and quality parameters. The central question in this dissertation examined whether malt barley agronomic and end use quality can be improved by the selection of varying alleles for genes associated with plant development. With this purpose, two whole-plant senescence-regulating NAM, ATAF and CUC (NAC) transcription factors, HvNAM1 and HvNAM2, and a flowering-time controlling Glycine-Rich RNA Binding Protein (HvGR-RBP1) were studied. Molecular markers for selection of alleles from varieties 'Karl' (with consistently low grain protein) and 'Lewis' were developed, and an advanced-generation malt barley breeding population was genotyped. Statistical analysis of growth parameters from this population showed that selection of HvNAM1 'Karl', HvNAM2 'Karl' and HvGR-RBP1 'Lewis' alleles ensures a longer grain filling period in malt barley. Plants with prolonged grain filling also exhibited increased kernel plumpness and test weight. Additionally, selection of 'Karl' alleles for both NAC genes decreased grain protein content ensuring grain quality for malting. The improvement of grain characteristics correlated with improved malt phenotypes, for example a ~2% increase in malt extract, and improvement in other malt characteristics such as beta-glucan content and alpha-amylase activity was observed. Overall, these data show that molecular genetics and allelic selection for genes controlling plant development is promising for advancing malt quality. Research performed here has a direct potential for improving the profits for malt barley producers.Item Screening field pea (Pisum sativum L.) for tolerance to high salinity conditions(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) Tracy, Jacob D.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Kevin McPheeField pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important salt-sensitive crop utilized in rotation with cereals in semi-arid cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Saline soils (EC > 4 dS m -1) negatively impact over 10.8 million acres in Montana, the second largest producer of field pea in the US. Despite its global importance, few studies have explored field pea response to high salinity conditions outside of germination testing and even fewer have looked at tolerance to sodium sulfate (Na 2SO 4), the dominant salt affecting plant growth in the NGP. In this study, 311 accessions comprising the genetically diverse USDA Pisum single plant (PSP) core collection were screened under high Na 2SO 4 conditions in germination and seedling experiments. Germination screening was conducted in petri dishes within a dark growth chamber. Accessions received H 2O (control) or 16 dS m -1 Na 2SO 4 (highly saline) solution for 8 days. The mean percent germination compared to the control was used as the indicator for tolerance. A preliminary greenhouse concentration series experiment using 7 levels of Na 2SO 4 (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 dS m -1), supported screening seedlings at 9 dS m -1 Na 2SO 4. Greenhouse screening was conducted in plastic pots of coarse sand media. Accessions received a nutrient solution (control) or 9 dS m -1 Na 2SO 4 and nutrient solution daily. Salinity symptom scores were assessed on days 21, 28, 35, and 38 post-sowing using a visual growth response scale of 1-9 (healthy-dead). Phenotypic measurements and the Area Under the Injury Curve (AUIC) were used as indicators for tolerance. A Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted using the phenotypic data collected and a large dataset of 68,222 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms developed from the USDA PSP plus core collection. Potential candidate breeding germplasm conferring high salinity tolerance at the germination and seedling growth stages was identified. Significant marker-trait associations were discovered for all traits measured, providing potential Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) opportunities.Item The characterization of fungicide resistance, population structure, and aggressiveness of fungal species associated with ascochyta blight of pulse crops in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Owati, Ayodeji Stephen; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mary Burrows and Bright Agindotan (co-chair); Bright Agindotan, Julie Pasche and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'The detection and characterization of QOI-resistant Didymella rabiei causing ascochyta blight of chickpea in Montana' in the journal 'Frontiers in plant science' which is contained within this dissertation.; Bright Agindotan and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'First microsatellite markers developed and applied for the genetic diversity study and population structure of Didymella pisi associated with ascochyta blight of dry pea in Montana' in the journal 'Fungal biology' which is contained within this dissertation.; Bright Agindotan and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'Characterization and detection of fungal species associated with ascochyta blight of dry pea in Montana' submitted to the journal 'Plant disease' which is contained within this dissertation.; Bright Agindotan and Mary Burrows were co-authors of the article, 'The development and application of real-time and convention SSR-PCR assays for rapid and sensitive detection of Didymella pisi associated with ascochyta blight of dry pea' submitted to the journal 'Plant disease' which is contained within this dissertation.Ascochyta blight (AB) of pulse crops causes yield loss in Montana, where 1.24 million acres were planted to pulses in 2018. Pyraclostrobin and azoxystrobin, quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides, have been the choice of farmers for the management of AB in pulses. QoI-fungicide-resistant Didymella rabiei isolates were found in one chickpea seed lot each received from Daniels, McCone and Valley Counties, MT, from seed produced in 2015 and 2016. Multiple alignment analysis of amino acid sequences showed a mutation that replaced the codon for amino acid 143 from GGT to GCT, introducing an amino acid change from glycine to alanine (G143A), which is reported to be associated with QoI resistance. Under greenhouse conditions, disease severity was significantly higher on pyraclostrobin-treated chickpea plants inoculated with QoI-resistant isolates of D. rabiei (QoI-R) than sensitive isolates (QoI-S) (p-value = 0.001). D. rabiei-specific PCR primer pair and probes were developed to discriminate QoI-R and QoI-S isolates. In North America, AB of dry pea is caused by a complex of fungal pathogens (Didymella pisi, Peyronellaea pinodes, and Peyronellaea pinodella). D. pisi is the predominant causal pathogen of AB of dry pea in Montana resulting in yield losses. Thirty-three microsatellite markers (SSR) were developed and used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of 205 D. pisi isolates from four geographical regions of Montana. Unweighted Neighbor-joining, principal coordinate, and population structure analyses grouped these 205 isolates into two major sub-groups. The clusters did not match the geographic origin of the isolates. Analysis of molecular variance showed 85% of the total variation within populations and only 15% among populations. There was moderate genetic variation in the total populations (PhiPT = 0.153). Recently, a shift in pathogen composition has been observed in Montana from D. pisi to P. pinodes and P. pinodella. Also, a Phoma sp. was found associated with AB contaminated dry pea seeds and included in this study. Mycelial growth and sporulation were evaluated at different temperatures. Also, the pathogenicity of Phoma sp. and the difference in aggressiveness among the fungal pathogens was evaluated. At all temperatures, Phoma sp. had the highest growth rate (p-value = < 0.001) and produced more spores than the other species (p-value = < 0.001). P. pinodes caused greater disease severity than the other species when inoculated on pea plants (cv. Carousel, p-value < or = 0.001). The Phoma sp. was not pathogenic. Peameal agar was used to visually discriminate between fungal species. Diagnosis of AB of dry pea is challenging because of the complex of pathogens involved. Also, they have slow growth rate and different morphotypes. Currently, there are no PCR-based assays developed for D. pisi or any of the fungal pathogens associated with the AB complex of dry pea. D. pisi specific SYBR green SSR-qPCR and conventional SSR-PCR assays were developed for rapid detection and quantification of D. pisi both in-planta and in-vitro.Item Extending cool season production of vegetables in the high tunnel: balancing heat and light(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Baumbauer, David Alan; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mac Burgess; Macdonald H. Burgess was a co-author of the article, 'The Montana high tunnel growers survey - identifying grower practices and concerns' submitted to the journal 'HortTechnology' which is contained within this thesis.; Macdonald H. Burgess was a co-author of the article, 'Row cover influences light transmisson, air and soil temperatures in the high tunnel during Spring and Fall' submitted to the journal 'Journal of agricultural and forest meteorology' which is contained within this thesis.; Macdonald H. Burgess was a co-author of the article, 'Season, sowing date, and row cover influence the production of cool season vegetables in the moveable high tunnel' submitted to the journal 'Canadian journal of plant science' which is contained within this thesis.; Colleen B. Schmidt and Macdonald H. Burgess were co-authors of the article, 'The influence of low daily light integral on the growth of baby kale, lettuce and spinach' submitted to the journal 'HortScience' which is contained within this thesis.Montana high tunnel growers face challenges associated with being at a northern latitude and high elevation. The wide seasonal fluctuation in photosynthetically active radiation coupled with wide diurnal temperature swings produces a dynamic growing environment within the high tunnel. This dissertation is comprised of four studies investigating the management of light and temperature and their influences on high tunnel grown crops. Chapter one is an introduction to high tunnels and production strategies. Chapter two discusses the results of the Montana High Tunnel Growers Survey, in which respondents reported that managing the high tunnel environment was their number one challenge. Two thirds of respondents produced crops during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, a period of time when the climatic conditions are especially dynamic. Chapter three presents the findings on the influences various types of season extension have on light and temperature levels and the impacts they have on the accumulation of growing degree hours, soil degree hours, and daily light integral. While each layer retains heat, moderating the effect of low night air temperatures, it comes at the cost of lower light energy at the crop level. Heat retention performance of high tunnel plus row cover improves as outside air temperature decreases, maintaining crop level air temperature at -3°C despite an outside air temperature of -22°C. Chapter four presents the results of seeding date and row cover effects on the yield and days to harvest of six cool season crops. Row cover within the high tunnel only improved crop yields when outside air temperatures were well below the historical average. The early seeding date in the fall resulted in higher yields and fewer days to harvest, indicating that the two weeks difference between August 15th and August 30th has a large impact on production. Chapter five reports on the influence of low daily light integral has on the production of kale, lettuce, and spinach. While all three responded to increasing light, lettuce had the largest response with a 200% increase in dry weight when the daily light integral increased from 8 to 14 mol m -2 d -1.Item The effect of various soil amendments and preceding crops on seedling disease of sugar beets caused by Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechs(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1949) Bellingham, Roscoe C.Item The effects of crop residues on seedling disease of sugar beets caused by Aphanomyces cochlioides drechs(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1958) Lyda, Stuart D.Item Genetic analysis of productive tiller number and green leaf duration under late-seasoned heat and drought stress environment in spring wheat(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2010) Naruoka, Yukiko; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Luther E. Talbert.Climate change is affecting the growing environment for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) in the northern Great Plains, challenging breeders to identify traits and genes that will allow reliable grain yield under drought and heat stress conditions. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic basis of productive tiller number (PTN) and its relationship to economic traits under a wide range of environments. Correlation of PTN with economic traits was determined using three recombinant inbred line populations. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted with a mapping population generated from a cross between Reeder and Conan. Our results showed a consistent positive correlation between PTN and grain yield under drought and heat stress conditions as well as well-watered conditions across three spring wheat populations. The major stable QTL, QTn.mst-6B, was consistent across environments and populations, and the positive allele from Reeder increased grain yield. The second objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic basis of green leaf duration (GLDAH) which has been reported as a drought and heat stress resistant trait in several crops. Additionally, the relationship of GLDAH to agronomic traits and a root trait was assessed using the Reeder/Conan population. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between GLDAH and test weight, seed weight, seed diameter under heat and drought stress conditions but not cool, well-watered conditions. In contrast, GLDAH had a neutral relationship with grain yield under the stress conditions, but showed negative correlation under well-watered conditions. Major QTL QGfd.mst-4A had a consistent effect under hot, dry conditions for the populations. The Reeder allele of QGfd.mst-4A resulted in longer GLDAH and also increased the amount of xylem exudate, indicating higher root mass and/or activity. These results suggested that i) QTn.mst-6B may be useful for improvement of spring wheat production under a wide range of environment and ii) QGfd.mst-4A may contribute to heat and drought stress resistance potentially through root function, but may negatively affect grain yield under well-watered conditions in the northern Great Plains of North America and similar environments.Item Agronomics of Reseeding winterkilled winter wheat(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2009) Allen, Thomas Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Phillip L. Bruckner.Winterkill has long been a problem for winter wheat growers in Montana. In any given year up to 50% of the seeded acres of winter wheat may have to be reseeded to spring wheat. Research has addressed injury thresholds on when to reseed winter wheat. But little information is available regarding reseeding to spring wheat. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of injury whereby it is more profitable to reseed to spring rather than leave the reduced stand of winter wheat. Eighteen treatments were used to simulate different levels of winter injury and methods of termination of the winter wheat before reseeding. Soil water and nitrogen use by the winter wheat before termination was also determined. Mechanical and chemical termination of 60%, 40% and 20% stands of winter wheat were replanted to spring wheat. An early and late reseeding was also imposed. A 20% stand of winter wheat out yielded the early seeded spring wheat check in all environments. Early reseeded treatments were significantly better than late reseeded treatments. There was no difference between mechanically and chemically terminated plots.