Land Resources & Environmental Sciences

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The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State Universityoffers integrative, multi-disciplinary, science-based degree programs at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. levels.

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Author: search.filters.author.Menalled, Fabian D.Subject: search.filters.subject.Plant sciences

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    Impact of species identity and phylogenetic relatedness on biologically-mediated plant-soil feedbacks in a low and a high intensity agroecosystem
    (2014-12) Miller, Zachariah J.; Menalled, Fabian D.
    Aims: Plant species-specific effects on soil biota and their impacts on subsequent plant growth, i.e. plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs, henceforth), are major drivers in natural systems but little is known about their role in agroecosystems. We investigated the presence and magnitude of PSFs in two contrasting agricultural settings and tested the importance of species identity and phylogenetic relationships in determining PSFs. Methods: We compared PSFs that developed from an intensified agricultural site and a nearby non-cultivated pasture. Four weed and seven crop species were grown in soil inoculated with either biologically active or sterilized soils from each system. Four crop response species were grown to estimate PSFs. Results: PSFs were species-specific. The identity of currently- and previously-planted species and their interactions explained over 80 % of the variation in feedbacks. Biota from the intensified agricultural site produced negative feedbacks in three of the four response species. Phylogenetic relationships partially explained PSFs. Conclusions: PSFs can alter crop growth and may be altered by agricultural practices. The species-specific effect to soil biota should be taken into account when assessing the extent to which crop and weed species could influence subsequent plant growth.
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    Impact of growing conditions on the competitive ability of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz (Camelina)
    (2013-03) Davis, Phillip B.; Maxwell, Bruce D.; Menalled, Fabian D.
    It has been claimed that Camelina sativa, a recently introduced crop in the northern Great Plains, is a highly competitive species. However, this issue has not been formally tested. Utilizing replacement series diagrams, we assessed the importance of growing conditions in the competitive ability of C. sativa. Results indicated that canola and Bromus tectorum were superior competitors in both loam and sandy soils, thus providing evidence that C. sativa may not be as competitive as previously indicated.
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