Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Effect of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) variety and harvest maturity on quality, yield, and condensed tannin content(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) Gardhouse, Kylie Ann; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Megan Van EmonSainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is a forage legume that was introduced to North America from Europe and Asia. Unlike alfalfa, sainfoin is non-bloating, lacks autotoxicity properties, and may work as an anthelmintic when consumed by livestock. With limited information available on sainfoin varieties and management, new information is necessary to provide to producers for optimal production. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of variety and maturity at harvest on forage yield, quality, and condensed tannin content. Four varieties of sainfoin ('AAC Mountainview', 'Eski', 'Shoshone', and 'Delaney') and one alfalfa variety ('Shaw') were planted at two locations in Montana and the same sainfoin varieties and one alfalfa variety ('Spredor 4') were planted in one location in Utah. Samples were taken at 10, 50 and 100% bloom and evaluated for dry matter production and nutritive quality. Variety (P < or = 0.005) and maturity (P < or = 0.001) both were found to impact production, with Shaw, AAC Mountainview and Eski varieties having higher production, as well as tonnage increasing with advancing maturity than Delaney and Shoshone. Sainfoin had greater levels of condensed tannins than alfalfa (P < or = 0.001), and within sainfoin, tannin content decreased with increasing maturity (P < or = 0.003) at all locations. Crude protein levels were significantly different for maturity (P < 0.001) and variety (P < or = 0.003), and fiber values were only affected by maturity (P < or = 0.001). These results demonstrate that sainfoin is a beneficial legume to feed to livestock particularly in grazing situations, with similar quality and yield compared to alfalfa, as well as a higher condensed tannin content.Item Mortality dynamics and life tables of Megachile rotundata(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Donahoo, Claire Katherine; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Robert K. D. Peterson.; Kevin M. O'Neill, Casey M. Delphia and Robert K. D. Peterson were co-authors of the article, 'Mortality dynamics and life tables of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)' which is contained within this thesis.The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (F.), contributes to the pollination of more than two-thirds of alfalfa seed production in North America. However, population losses of more than 50% are common in the U.S., requiring many alfalfa seed producers to import costly bees from Canada. Understanding the mortality dynamics of M. rotundata and being able to estimate these impacts on their populations are critical for identifying ways to conserve and increase their populations. Therefore, this study had three objectives: 1) identify mortality classes for M. rotundata in brood cells; 2) experimentally manipulate parasitism and temperature to determine their impact on total mortality; and 3) estimate mortality risks using the multiple-decrement life table (M-DEC). Research was conducted over two years on a 38.5 ha alfalfa field in Toston, MT. Nest shelters were manipulated for a main temperature treatment (low vs. high) and a sub-treatment for parasitism (backing-present vs. backing-absent). Females constructed and provisioned nests during the summer and offspring mortality was assessed during the summer and the following fall. Mortality classes were then analyzed using the M-DEC model. We found no temperature-treatment effect, so our main treatment was not used in the analyses. However, for every 1 °C increase in nest-tunnel temperature, there was a 7% increase in total mortality. Nest boxes without felt backing (backing-absent) had a 43% increase in mortality over both years compared to those with felt (backing-present). Average temperature decreased by 4.4 °C from 2017 to 2018, while average relative humidity increased by 12.1%. Total mortality was approximately 15% for both years, but the proportion of each mortality class differed substantially, with death by parasitoids greatest in 2017 and death by pollen ball greatest in 2018. Mortality from each class was highly irreplaceable in that it is unlikely to be replaced by another class, and death by predation was the only cause with similar mortality between the two years. The ability to identify and quantify mortality classes and their respective irreplaceable mortality, especially for parasitoids, pollen ball, and predators, will help producers maintain and increase bee populations.Item Effect of boron on alfalfa yield and quality at various water regimes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2018) Sapkota, Anish; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Emily Meccage; Emily C. Meccage, Robert N. Stougaard, John P. Tanner, Danielle M. Peterson and Jessica A. Torrion were co-authors of the article, 'Boron fertilization of irrigated alfalfa in Montana' in the journal 'Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management' which is contained within this thesis.; Emily C. Meccage, Robert N. Stougaard, Breno Bicego and Jessica A. Torrion were co-authors of the article, 'Alfalfa response to boron application at various water regimes' submitted to the journal 'Agronomy Journal' which is contained within this thesis.Boron (B) application on B-deficient soil may improve alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield and quality. The objective of the first study was to identify the effects of foliar-applied B on yield and forage quality of irrigated alfalfa. A two-year study was conducted in 2015/16 at Creston and Dillon, MT. The initial soil B at the Creston and Dillon sites was 0.2 and 0.8 mg kg -1, respectively. The study was designed as a randomized complete block design with four replications of five B rates: 1) 0, split-applications of 2) 0.56, 3) 1.12, 4) 2.24, and a one-time application of 5) 2.24 kg ha -1. Boron fertilization increased (P <0.05) plant B content at both locations. Application of B increased (P < 0.05) alfalfa yield only in the second cutting in 2015 at Dillon, but the influence of B was not observed in any other cuttings, nor in the total yields for either years or location. Forage quality was not affected (P >0.05) by B application. The results of this study suggested no effect of foliar-applied B on alfalfa yield or quality. The objective of the second study was to determine the effect of foliar-applied B at various water regimes on alfalfa yield and quality. The study was conducted in 2016-17 at Creston, MT. Soil at this site contained 0.2 mg B kg -1. The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with three rates of water regimes as main-plot and five B rates as sub-plot factors. The three water regimes were rainfed, 100 percent evapotranspiration (ET), and 50ET. Boron rates and timing of application was the same as in the first study. Irrigation increased total alfalfa yield by 45% and 12% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, with no yield difference between 100ET and 50ET. In 2016, irrigation decreased (P <0.01) forage nutrient quality in the second cutting but had no effect in 2017. There was no effect of B on yield (P >0.08) for either year. Overall, this study suggested that the foliar-applied B on a B-deficient soil did not increase alfalfa yield or quality, regardless of water regime, or year.Item Utilizing gene suppression technology and hay storage techniques to improve forage quality and animal performance(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2017) Staudenmeyer, Danielle Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Emily Glunk; J.G.P Bowman, R.L. Mack, A.L. Mack and E.C. Glunk were co-authors of the article, 'The effects of feeding reduced-lignin alfalfa on growing beef cattle performance' submitted to the journal 'Journal of animal science' which is contained within this thesis.; J.G.P Bowman, R.L. Mack and E.C. Glunk were co-authors of the article, 'Dry matter and forage quality losses associated with storing large round bales outside at varying geographic locations in the state of Montana' submitted to the journal 'Journal of animal science' which is contained within this thesis.Utilizing technologies such as genetic modification and forage management techniques are two ways to improve forage quality. The objective of the first study in this thesis was to determine the differences in forage quality between reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa. To test these differences, twenty-four Crossbred Angus heifers were selected to participate in this study and their performance was evaluated based on changes in BW, ADG, DMI, and G:F. In situ digestibility was determined using four ruminally cannulated Hereford cows. Hay samples were collected and used to determine forage quality and leaf-to-stem ratio. There were no differences (P > or = 0.05) in forage quality between treatments, except for DM (P = 0.01). Means did not differ by treatment for percent leaf (P = 0.06) but did differ for leaf-to-stem ratio (P = 0.04). There were no treatment or treatment by day interactions (P > or = 0.05) for BW, ADG, DMI, or G:F. There were no treatment or treatment by time interactions (P > or = 0.05) for in situ digestibility. Overall, the results of this study suggested no difference in forage quality between reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa. Additionally, animal performance did not differ for crossbred Angus heifers consuming reduced-lignin or conventional alfalfa. The objective of the second study in this thesis was to quantify DM and forage quality losses associated with three different methods of outdoor round bale hay storage at two different sites in Montana. Large round bales consisting of 100% grass hay wrapped in plastic net wrapping were placed into one of four storage systems at both the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching farm (BART) and the Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC). The four storage systems were: single-stack (SS), pyramid (PYR), mushroom (MSH), and inside stored bales (INSIDE). Results indicated that DM and forage quality losses differed based on geographic location in Montana. This study suggested that DM and forage quality losses differ by location and that bale placement, rather than hay storage formation, is more important for changes in DM and quality for bales stored in Montana over the winter months.Item Molecular mapping and characterization of two chloroplast-encoded chlorophyll deficient mutants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1988) Lee, Donald JohnItem The potential for dryland alfalfa on minesoils in southeastern Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1985) Postle, Robert CairnsItem The presence and role of phytic acid in the alfalfa root and crown(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1990) Campbell, Mark RobertItem The isolation and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from Medicago sativa (alfalfa)(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 1974) Myott, Richard GeorgeItem Seasonal and spatial patterns of mortality and sex ratio in the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (F.)(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2004) O'Neill, Ruth Pettinga; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sue Blodgett.Nests from five seed alfalfa sites of the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata (F.) were monitored over the duration of the nesting season in 2000 and 2001, from early July through late August. Cells containing progeny of known age and known position within the nest were subsequently analyzed for five commonly encountered categories of pre-diapause mortality in this species. Chalkbrood and pollen ball had the strongest seasonal relationships of mortality factors studied. Chalkbrood incidence was highest in early-produced cells. Pollen ball was higher in late-season cells. Chalkbrood, parasitism by the chalcid Pteromalus venustus, and death of older larvae and prepupae , due to unknown source(s) exhibited the strongest cell-position relationships. Both chalkbrood and parasitoid incidence were highest in the inner portions of nests. The “unknown” category of mortality was highest in outer portions of nests. Sex ratio was determined for a subset of progeny reared to adulthood. The ratio of females to males is highest in cells in inner nest positions. Sex ratio is female-biased very early in the nesting season, when all cells being provisioned are the inner cells of nests, due to the strong positional effect on sex ratio.Item Alfalfa dehydration : operations and costs(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1969) Zurenko, John George