1+1 Agriculture - Robertson Library

.\A51-1/1988

1+1 AgricultureCanada

RESEARCHBRANCH REPORT

~1988~

RAPPORT DELA DIRECTIONCENERALE DE

LA RECHERCHE

I:JNIYERSlTY Of,; P"&. I•.

GOVERNMENT DOCtJMEN~~anada""

LIBRARY t1SE ONLY

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ResearchBranch Report

1988

Rapport de laDirection generalede la recherche

RESEARCH BRANCHDIRECTION GENERALE DE LA RECHERCHE

AGRICULTURE CANADA

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Agriculture Canada Publication 5252available fromCommunications Branch, Agriculture CanadaOttawa, KIA OC7

IllMinister of Supply and Services Canada 1989Cat. No. A51-1/1988 ISBN 0-662-56752-8Printed 1989 2M-I0:89

Agriculture Canada Publication 5252On peut e'nobtenir des exemplaires a laDirection generale des communicationsAgricultu;re Canada, Ottawa, KIA OC7

<DMinistredes Approvisionnements et Services Canada, 1989N0 de cat. A51-l/1988 ISBN 0-662-56752-8Impression 1989 2M-I0:89

ContentsTable des matieresForeword iv / Avant-propos vMap of research establishments vi / Cam des etablissements de recherche vii

Headquarters 1/ Administration centrale 1Branch Executive 1/ Haute direction 1Organization of the Research Branch 2/ Organisation de Ia Direction generale de Ia

recherche 3Program structure of the Research Branch 5/ Structure du programme de Ia Direction

generale de Ia recherche 6

Research Coordination Directorate 9/ Direction de la coordination de la recherche 9

Strategies and Planning Directorate 17/ Direction des strategies et de la planification 17Financial Planning and Analysis 19Industry Relations 21Management Services 25Policy Analysis and Planning 27Research Program Service 31

Central Experimental Farm 37/ Ferme experimentale centrale 37Animal Research Centre 41Biosystematics Research Centre 63Engineering and Statistical Research Centre 77Food Research Centre 87Land Resource Research Centre 95Plant Research Centre 117

Eastern Region 139/ Region de rEst 139St. John's West, Nfld. 143Charlottetown, P.E.I. 149Kentville, N.S. 159Fredericton, N.B. 173Centre de recherches alimentaires, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 187Lennoxville, Quebec 195Sainte-Foy, Quebec 205Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec 221Delhi, Onto 231Harrow,Ont. 235Kapuskasing,Ont. 247London Research Centre, Onto 251Vineland Station, Onto 261

Western Region 271 / Region de rOuest 271Brandon, Man. 275Morden, Man. 283Winnipeg, Man. 291Melfort, Sask. 305Regina, Sask. 311Saskatoon,Sask.323Swift Current, Sask. 335Beaverlodge, Alta. 343Lacombe, Alta. 353Lethbridge, Alta. 363Agassiz, B.C. 377Kamloops, B.C. 383Summerland, B.C. 389Vancouver, B.C. 399

Contents iii

FOREWORD

In 1988, the Research Branch moved for-ward with implementation of its proposal foraction. This document, Part 5 of Canadianagricultural research and technology transfer:Planning for the future, outlines the branchplan of a:ctionfor the next 4 years.

The branch mission is to improve the long-term marketability of agri-food products bydecreasing costs of production, increasing thevalue added to food products through diversi-fication, and placing more emphasis on foodsafety and environmental quality.

The Research Branch is in business for thefong term. Emphasis is on conducting strategichigh-risk research, the results of which canhave widespread application. We are also pay-ing more attention to the role of the variousresearch performers in the agriculture sector,in order to build a stronger cooperative and co-ordinated approach to national researchefforts.

With our new research strategy in place, weare developing improved planning proceduresto ensure effective use of limited resources,including both operating and capital expendi-tures. Over the past year, three station reviewsand 13 program reviews were conducted tostreamline programs and operations. Short-term research is directed to satisfying theneeds of specific clients, who are involveddirectly in priority setting, management, andfunding. Station advisory committees havebeen formed at most research establishmentsto ensure direct participation by our clients.Partnerships and joint ventures are beingencouraged, and we have realized considerablesuccess in negotiating agreements with theprovinces, universities, and industry.

The recently created Industry RelationsOffice developed a branch-wide policy frame-work and strategic plan in 1988. The primaryrole of this office is to facilitate partnershipswith indUstry, to commercialize branch tech-nology, and to acquire needed foreign scienceand technology. Also, the national ResearchBranch Advisory Committee, made up of seniorindustry officials, met twice during 1988 toadvise on our research priorities and programs.

The Research Branch Report provides anannual summary.of achievements throughoutthe branch. Detailed results are reported inboth scientific and extension-type papers, list-ed for 1988 at the end of each establishment'sreport. Iri0rmation is passed on to producers

iv

and food processors through various provincialcommittees and technology transfer mecha-nisms.

The Eastern Region, Western Region, andCentral Experimental Farm comprise 33 majorestablishments, 13 experimental farms, andseveral smaller units. Each one carries outresearch with national and regional objectiveswhile developing technology that is pertinentto the specific area where it is located. TheEastern Region has responsibility for theestablishments in Ontario, Quebec, and theAtlantic Provinces. The Central ExperimentalFarm consists of six research centres in Ottawathat combine research on national programswith special services to regional establish-ments and the public. The Western Region has12 major establishments located in the fourwestern provinces.

The Strategies and Planning Directorate,located at Research Branch Headquarters inOttawa, has six principal functions. These areFinancial Planning and Analysis, IndustryRelations, Management Services, PolicyAnalysis and Planning, and Research ProgramService. The Research Coordination Direct-orate, also located at Research Branch Head.quarters, is responsible for the development ofnational research strategies in the areas ofcrops, animals, food, and resources.

Research programs in the branch are devel-oped in response to the needs of the agri-foodindustry, which are determined through theCanadian Agricultural Services CoordinatingCommittee (CASCC) and by consultations atall levels of the agri-food sector. The branch isresponsible for organization of the activities ofCASCC and of the Canadian AgriculturalResearch Council (CARC).

In 1988, the Research Branch had a budgetof$245 million and a staff of3480, ofwhich 939were professionals.

The Research Branch has ongoing scienceand technology exchanges with severalcountries. Scientific and technical informationand personnel are provided to development-assistance projects sponsored by the CanadianInternational Development Agency (CIDA).

This report documents the continuousefforts by Research Branch staff to deliver abroad and effective research program thatbenefits all sectors of the agri-food industry.

A.O.OlsonAssistant Deputy Minister, Research

Research Branch Report 1988

AVANT-PROPOS

En 1988, la Direction generale de larecherche est alMe de l'avant dans l'applicationde son ;Projet. d'activites. Cet expose dest~ategle ~ecn.t Ie plan d'action qu'entendswvre la Dlrectlon genera Ie de 1988 a 1992., La ~ission de 18; Direction generale estd amehorer Ie potentlel de commercialisation along .terme des produits agro-alimentaires enredUlsant les coats de production, en au~men-ta!lt la valeur ajoutee des produits ahmen-talres par la diversification et en insistantdavantage sur la salubrit8 des aliments et laqualite de l'environnement.

La Direction generale de la recherchetravaille a long terme. L'accent est mis sur larealisation de travaux de recherche strate-giques a risque eleve, dont les resultatspeuvent etre largement appliques. Nous accor-dons egalement une plus grande attention aurole des differents executants de la recherchedans Ie secteur agricole afin de mieux concerterles efforts de recherche de la nation.

Forts de notre nouvelle strategie de recher-che, nous sommes en train de perfectionner nosmethodes de planification afin d'utiliser pluse~cacement Ie peu de ressources dont nousdlsposons y compris les credits de fonctionne-ment et d'immobilisation. L'an dernier on aprocede a l'examen de la situation de'troisstations et de 13 programmes afin d'en simpli-fier et d'en rationaliser Ie fonctionnement. Larecherche a court terme vise a satisfaire auxbesoins de certains clients bien precis. II enr~sulte une participation nettement plusdlrecte de leur part dans l'etablissement desprio~ites, la gestion et Ie financement. Descomltes consultatifs de stations ont et8 formesdans la plupart des etablissements de recher-che po~ assurer cette participation directe deno~re chenteIe. Le partenariat et la coentre-pnse sont encourages, et nous avons conside-rablement progresse dans la negociationd'ententes a~ec les provinces, les universit8s etIe secteur pnve.

Notre Bureau des relations industriellesrecemment cree a elabore un cadre et un planstratBgiques a I'echelle de la Direction generaleen 1988. Son role premier est d'etablir despolitiques et des methodes visant a faciliter Iepartena~i~t avec Ie .secteur prive, acommerc~ahs~r les techmques mises au pointpll:r la DlrectlOn generale et a acquerir lesSClences et .technologies etrangeres dont nousavons besom. De plus, Ie Comite nationalconsultatif de la Direction generale compose dehaut;s repres~ntants du secteur prive s'estreum deux f01Sen 1988 pour donner son avissur nos priorit8s et programmes de recherches.

Le Rapport de la Direction generale de larecherche est un resume annuel des realisa-tions de la Direction generale. Les resultatsont ete pu~lie~ dans de~ articles scientifiques etde vulgansabon. La hste de ces articles pour1988 se trouve a la fin du rap}?ort de chacun descentres de recherches. L information est

communi<J.ue~aux produc~urs et aux transfor-~ateurs d ahments par dlvers comites provin-Claux et par des mecanismes de transfert detechnologie. .

Les regions de I'Est, de l'Ouest et de laFerme exper~mentale centrale comptent 33grands etab.hsseme';lts, 13 fermes experimen-tales et plusleurs unltes petites. Chacun de cesetablissements procede a des tra vaux derec~erche qui ~oursuivent des objectifsnatlOnaux et .reglOna~ tout en developpantune ~echnologle adapt8e a sa propre region. LaReglOn de l'Est est responsable des etablisse-ments situes en Ontario, au Quebec et dans lesprovince~ de l'Atlantique. CelIe du Centre, quicompte SlXcentres de recherches a la Fermeexperimentale centrale a Ottawa fait desrecherches sur les programmes nationaux etassurent des services speciaux aux etablisse-ments regionaux et au public. La Region del'Ouest compte 12 grands etablissements dansles quatre provinces de l'Ouest.

L.a Di.rection des s~rategies et de laplamficabon, logee au Slege de la Directiongenerale ~e ~arecherche aOttawa, a six compo-santes pnnclpales, !10tamment la Planificationet analyse financlere, les Relations indus-triE!l~es,les Service~ de l.a gestion, l'Analysepohbque et de plamficatlOn et Ie Service auxprogrammes de recherche. La Direction de lac,?ordination de la recherche, qui est egalementsltuee a I'administration centrale de laDirection generale de la recherche, est respon-sable du developpement des strategies natio-nales de recherche en ce qui touche les culturesles animaux,les aliments et les ressources. '. Le~ programmes de recherche de la

DlrectlOn.generale sont con~us pour satisfaireaux ~esoms du secteur .agro-alimentaire, quisont.evalues.par Ie Comlte de coordination desserVlces agncoles canadiens (CCSAC) et pardes consultations a~pres dE!tous les segmentsdu secteur agro-ahmentalre. La Directionge~e~ale se charge de l'organisation desactlvltes du CCSAC et du Conseil de rechercheagricole du Canada (CRAC).

En 1988, la Direction genera Ie de la recher-che disposait d'un budget de 224 millions dedollars et d'un effectif de 3 480 membres dont939 chercheurs.. La Direction generale de la recherche pro-cede, en permanence, a des echanges scienti-fique~ et ~echnologiques avec plusieurs pays.La DlrectlOn generale fournit l'information etIe personnel scientifique et technique neces-sa~re aux pr~jets d'aide au developpement par-rames par IAgence canadienne de developpe-ment international (ACDI).

Le present rapport souligne les efforts cons-tants consacres par Ie personnel de la Directiongenerale de la recherche a la realisation d'unprog~amme de recherche vaste et efficace quiproflte a tous les segments du secteuragro-alimentaire.

A.O.OlsonSous-ministre adjoint a la Recherche

Rapport de la Direction generalede la recherche, 1988 v

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RESEARCH COORDINATIONSTRATEGIES AND PLANNINGCENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM

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D.F. Kirkland

D.G. Dorrell

J.C. St-Pierre

C.Scott

HeadquartersAdministration centrale

BRANCH EXECUTIVEHAUTE DIRECTION

Assistant Deputy Minister, ResearchSous-ministre aiUoint d LaRecherche

Directors General Directeurs genera we

Research Coordination, actingCoordination cU Larecherche, interimaire

Strategies and Planning Strategies etpLanification

Central Experimental Farm Fermeexperimentale centrale

Eastern Region Region cU l'EstWestern Region Region cU l'Ouest

Special Adviser Conseiller special

Branch Personnel Management, actingGestion du personnel cU la Directiongenerale, interimaire

Departures Departs

J.J. Cartier, B.A., B.Sc., Ph.D.Retired May 1988Retraite en mai 1988

I.A. de la Roche, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.Resigned September 1988Demissionne en septembre 1988

J .R. Lessard, B.A., B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.Retired December 1988Retraite en decembre 1988

W.L. Pelton, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.Transferred September 1988Mute en lfeptembre 1988

A.O. Olson, B.Sc., Ph.D.

C.B. Willis, B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D., F.A.I.C.

D.F. Kirkland

J.C. St-Pierre, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.Y. Martel, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.>, Ph.D.D.G. Dorrell, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

C. Scott, B.A., D.P.A.

G. Carpentier,! B.A.

Director General, Eastern RegionDirecteur general, Region cU l'Est

Director General, Priorities and StrategiesDirecteur general, Priorites et strategies

Executive AssistantAiUoint executif

Director General, Western RegionDirecteur general, Region cU l'Ouest

1 Persollllel Administration Branch Direction genera/e de I'administration du personnel.

Headquarters 1

ORGANIZATION OF THERESEARCH BRANCH

ASSISTANTDEPUTY MINISTER,RESEARCH

DIRECTOR GENERAL DIRECTOR GENERALSTRATEGIES AND RESEARCH COORDINATIONPLANNING

Financial Planning and Analysis AnimalsIndustry Relations CropsManagement Services FoodPolicy Analysis and Planning ResourcesResearch Program Service -------------1 IPERSONNEL

r 1DIRECTOR GENERAL

DIRECTOR GENERALDIRECTOR GENERAL

EASTERN REGIONCENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL

WESTERN REGIONFARM

2

Research StationsSt. John's West, Nfld.Colinet, Nfld.

Charlottetown, P.E.!.Kentville, N.S.Nappan, N.S.

Fredericton, N.B.Benton Ridge, N.B.Michaud(Bouctouchel. N.B.

Lennoxville, Que.Sainte-Foy, Que.La Pocatiere, Que.Normandin, Que.Chapais(Saint-David), Que.

Saint-Jean, Que.Frelighsburg, Que.L' Acadie, Que.L'Assomption, Que.Lavaltrie, Que.Sainte-Clothilde, Que.

Delhi,Ont.Harrow, OntoWhelan(Woodsleel. Onto

Vineland Station, OntoSmithfield,Ont.

Experimental FarmKapuskasing,Ont.Thu~der Bay, Onto

Research CentresFood, Sainte-Hyacinthe,Que.

Londo'n, 0 nt.

Research CentresAnimalBiosystematicsEngineering and StatisticalFoodLand ResourcePlant

Research StationsBrandon, Man.Morden, Man.Portage la Prairie, Man.

Winnipeg, Man.Melfort, Sask.Regina, Sask.Indian Head, Sask.

Saskatoon, Sask.Scott, Sask.

Swift Current, Sask.Beaverlodge, Alta.Fort Vermilion, Alta.

Lacombe, Alta.Vegreville, Alta.

Lethbridge, Alta.Manyberries(Onefour), Alta.

Stavely, Alta.Vauxhall, Alta.

Agassiz, B.C.Abbotsford, B.C.

Kamloops, B.C.Prince George, B.C.

Summerland, B.C.Creston, B.C.Kelowna, B.C.

Vancouver, B.C.


ORGANISATION DE LA DIRECTIONGENERALE DE LA RECHERCHE

SOUS-MINISTREADJOINT A LARECHERCHE

DIRECTEUR GENERAL DIRECTEUR GENERALDES STRATEGIES ET DE LA COORDINATIONDE LA PLANIFICATION DE LA RECHERCHE

Analyse politique et planification AnimauxPlanification et analyse financiere CulturesRelations industrielles AlimentsService aux programmes de recherche RessourcesServices de la gestion

------------1 PERSONNEL

I

I IDIRECTEUR GENERAL DIRECTEUR GENERAL DIRECTEUR GENERALDE LA REGION DE LA FERME DE LA REGIONDE L'EST EXPERIMENTALE CENTRALE DE L'OUEST

Stations de recherchesSaint-Jean (T.-N.)Colinet (T.-N.)

Charlottetown (i.-P. -E.)Kentville (N.-E.)Nappan (N.-E.)

Fredericton (N.- B.)Benton Ridge (N.-B.)Michaud(Bouctouche)(N. -B.)

Lennoxville (Quebec)Sainte-Foy (Quebec)La Pocatiere (Quebec)Normandin (Quebec)Chapais(Saint-David) (Quebec)

Saint-Jean (Quebec)Frelighsburg (Quebec)L'Acadie (Quebec)L'Assomption (Quebec)Lavaltrie (Quebec)Sainte-Clothilde (Quebec)

Delhi (Ont.)Harrow (Ont.)Whelan(Woodslee)(Ont.)

Vineland Station (Ont.)Smithfield (Ont.)

Ferme experimentaleKapuskasing (Ont.)Thunder Bay (Ont.)

Centres de recherchesAliments(Saint-Hyacinthe) (Quebec)

London (Ont.)

Headquarters

Centres de recherchesAlimentsBiosystematiquesPhytotechniquesTechniques et statistiqueTerresZootechniques

Stations de recherchesBrandon (Man.)Morden (Man.)Portage-la-Prairie (Man.)

Winnipeg (Man.)Melfort (Sask.)Regina (Sask.)Indian Head (Sask.)

Saskatoon (Sask.)Scott (Sask.)

Swift Current (Sask.)Beaverlodge (Alb.)Fort Vermilion (Alb.)

Lacombe (Alb.)Vegreville (Alb.)

Lethbridge (Alb.)Manyberries(Onefour) (Alb.)

Stavely (Alb.)Vauxhall (Alb.)

Agassiz (C.-B.)Abbotsford (C.-B.)

Kamloops (C.-B.)Prince George (C.-B.)

Summerland (C.-B.)Creston (C.-B.)Kelowna (C.-B.)

Vancouver (C.-B.)

3

PROGRAM STRUCTURE OFTHE RESEARCH BRANCH

Departmental objective

Agriculture Canada's 0bjecti ve is topromote the growth, stability, and competitive-ness of the agri-food sector, by makingavailable policies, programs, and services thatare most appropriately provided by the federalgovernment, so that the sector makes itsmaximum contribution to the economy.

Branch objective

The Research Branch's objective for thescientific research and development planningelement is to maintain and improve theproductivity of the agri-food sector throughdeveloping and transferring new knowledgeand technology.

Objectives for branch planningsub-elements and sub-sub-elements

Management and administration. Toprovide the managerial, financial, personnel,and administrative services required forefficient management of the Research Branch.

1. Planning and program managementTo provide branch planning and programcoordination in support of senior branchmanagement.

2. Administrative servicesTo provide support for branch manage-ment in financial, personnel, and anyother administrative areas necessary forthe efficient functioning of the branch.

Resource and research. To producescientific and technical information and todevelop technology that will assist the agri-food sector in managing and conserving thenatural resources necessary' for agriculturalproduction, while increasing the level andefficiency of production, and that will assistother researchers in developing appliedtechnology.

1. LandToprovide accurate information about thequantity, quality, and location ofCanada's land resource and to betterunderstand the properties of soils, whichaffect agricultural productivity.

Headquarters

2. Water and climateTo improve water management onCanadian soils in order to increaseproductivity and to monitor and preserveenvironmental quality within theconstraints imposed by Canada's northernclimate.

3. Energy and engineeringTo develop and adapt engineeringtechnology that will optimize energyutilization and efficiency of production,storage, processing, and distribution ofagricultural products.

4. Biological resourcesToprovide accurate information about thequantity, quality, and location ofCanada's biological resources (includingvascular plants, insects, arachnids,nematodes, fungi, and bacteria) and toprovide identification services that can beused as required to ensure agriculturalproductivity.

5. BiotechnologyTo assess, develop, and utilize technologyin support of basic and applied agricul-tural research.

6. ProtectionTo provide new, general, and basicresearch information on the protection ofanimals and crops from diseases, insects,and weeds.

7. Scientific support servicesToprovide for all scientific researchers thestatistical, graphic arts, publishing, andother general support services necessaryto maintain the quality and quantity ofoutput of research findings.

Animal research. To produce scientific andtechnical information and develop newtechnology that will assist the primaryproducer in increasing the quality andefficiencyof the production of animals.

1. BeefTo improve the efficiency of beefproduction and the quality of beefproducts in support of regional, domestic,and export market development.

2. DairyTo improve the efficiency of milk pro-duction for domestic and export marketdevelopment.

5

3. SwineTo improve the efficiency of porkproduction and the quality of pork andpork products in support of domestic andexport market development.

4. PoultryTo improve the efficiency of production ofeggs and poultry meat and the quality ofpoultry products in support of domesticand export market development.

5. Other animalsTo increase the efficiency of productionand quality of products from sheep, honeybees, fur bearers, and any other animalsdeemed to be ofagricultural importance insupport of domestic and export marketdevelopment.

Crop research. To produce scientific andtechnical information and develop newtechnology that will assist the primaryproducer in increasing the quality andefficiency ofthe production ofcrops.

1. CerealsTo increase the production efficiency,quality, and protection of cereal crops fordomestic and export markets.

2. OilseedsTo increase the efficiency of productionadaptability and the quality of oilseedcrops and their products for domestic andexport markets.

3. ForagesTo increase the efficiency of productionadaptability and the quality of domesticforage crops in support of livestockproduction.

4. Field cropsTo increase the production efficiency,quality, and protection offield crops suchas tobacco, field peas, buckwheat, andfield beans.

5. VegetablesTo increase the. efficiency of production,protection, adaptability, and quality ofvegetables for the domestic market, and ofpotatoes and seed potatoes for export.

6. Tree fruits and berriesTo increase the efficiency of production,protection, adaptability, and quality oftree fruits and berries for domestic andexport markets.

6

7. OrnamentalsTo develop, test, and release high-qualityornamental plants that are adapted toCanada's climatic regions.

Food research. To produce scientific andtechnical information and develop technologythat will assist the agri-food processing sectorin increasing the efficiency and effectiveness ofcrop and animal commodity processing, whileensuring the safety and nutritional value offood.

1. Food processing, equipment, and productsTo develop new food-processingtechnology, to improve the efficiency andeffectiveness of food-processing systems,and to develop and characterize new usesof products and ingredients fromagricultural crops and animal products.

2. Food safety and nutritionTo increase consumer safety fromantinutritional and toxic constituents infood and to monitor and improve thenutritive value ofagricultural products.

3. StorageTo develop and apply processes andhandling procedures for maintaining thequality of foods after crop harvest.

STRUCTURE DU PROGRAMMEDE LA DIRECTION GENERALEDE LA RECHERCHE

Objectif du Ministere

L'objectif d'Agriculture Canada est depromouvoir la croissance, la stabilite et lacompetitivite du secteur agro-alimentaire aumoyen de politiques, de programmes et deservices fournis par Ie gouvernement federal,de fal;on a assurer une contribution optimale dece secteur a l'economie.

Objectifs de la Direction generale

L'element planification de la recherchescientifique et du developpement de laDirection generale de la recherche a pourobjectif d'ameliorer la productivite du secteuragro-alimentaire en mettant au point denouvelles technologies et en diffusant lesconnaissances.


Objectifs des sous-divisions etdessous-so us-divisions de la planification

Gestion et administration. Fournir lesservices necessaires dans les domaines de lagestion, des finances, du personnel et del'administration afin d'assurer une gestionefficace de la Direction generale.

1. Gestion et planification des programmesAssurer la planification et la coordinationdes programmes de la Direction generaleafin d'appuyer la Haute Direction.

2. Services administratifsFournir un soutien a la Haute Directiondans les domaines des finances, dupersonnel et dans tout autre domaineadministratif pour assurer Ie bonfonctionnement de la Direction genera Ie.

Recherche sur les ressources. Mettre a ladisposition du secteur agro-alimentaire desinformations scientifiques et techniques etdevelopper des technologies qui l'aideront agerer et a conserver les ressources naturellesnecessaires a la production agricole tout enaugmentant leur utilisation efficace: cesmemes ressources doivent aider les chercheursa mettre au point des technologies appliquees.1. Terres

Fournir des informations precises sur laquantite, la qualite et I'emplacement desressources en terres du Canada etparvenir a une meilleure connaissance desproprietes des sols, qui influent sur laproductivite agricole.

2. Eau et climatAmeliorer la gestion des eaux sur les solsdu Canada afin d'accroUre la productiviteet de controler et conserver la qua lite del'environnement, en tenant compte descontraintes imposees par Ie climat borealduCanada.

3. Energie et genieDevelopper et adapter une technologiepour optimiser Ie rendement energetiqueet I'efficacite de la production, dustockage, de la transformation et de ladistribution des produits agricoles.

4. Ressources biologiquesFournir des informations precises sur laquantite, la qualite et l'emplacement des

Headquarters

ressoli.rces biologiques dli. Canada(notamment les plantes vasculaires,insectes, arachnides, nematodes,champignons et bacteries) et offrir desservices d'identification sur demande pourassurer la productivite agricole.

5. BiotechnologieEvaluer, develop per et appliquer unetechnologie a I'appui de la rechercheagricole fondamentale et appliquee.

6. ProtectionFournir les resultats generaux etfondamentaux sur la recherche dans Iedomaine de la protection des animaux etdes recoltes contre les maladies, lesinsectes et les mauvaises herbes.

7. Services de soutien scientifiq ueFournir a tous les chercheurs desstatistiques, des publications et tout autreservice d'aide generale necessaire aumaintien de la qua lite de la recherche et aI'accroissement de la productivite desoperations.

Recherche sur les animaux. Produirel'information scientifique et technique etelaborer une nouvelle technologie afin d'aiderIe producteur prima ire a augmenter la qualiteet l'efficacite de la production animale.

1. Bovins de boucherieAccroitre l'efficacite- de la productionbovine et ameliorer la qualite des produitspour les marches regional, national etd'exportation.

2. Bovins laitiersAccroUre I'efficacite de la productionlaitiere pour les marches national etd'exportation.

3. PorcsAccrottre I'efficacite de la productionporcine et ameliorer la qualite desproduits pour les marches national etd'exportation.

4. VolailleAccroitre l'efficacite de la production desoeufs et de la volaille et ameliorer laqualite des produits avicoles pour lesmarches national et d'exportation.

7

5. Autres animauxAccroitre l'efficacite de la productionovine, apicole, d'animaux a fourrure et detous les autres animaux juges importantspour l'agriculture, pour les marchesnational et d'exportation.

Recherche sur les cultures. Produire del'information scientifique et technique etelaborer une nouvelle technologie afin d'aiderIe producteur primaire a augmenter la qualiteet l'efficacite de la production animale.

1. CerealesAccroitrel'efficacite, la qualite et laprotection des cultures cerealitkes pour lesmarches national et d'exportation.

2. O1eagineuxAccroitre I'adaptabilite sur Ie planproductif et la qualite des oleagineux et deleurs produits pour les marches nationalet d'exportation.

3. FourragesAccroitre l'adaptabilite sur Ie planproductif et la qualite des culturesfourrageres sur Ie plan national afind'aider a la production du betail.

4. Grandes culturesAccroitre I'efficacite de la production, laqua lite et la protection des grandescultures comme Ie tabac, Ie pois sec, Iesarrasin et Ie haricot sec.

5. LegumesAccroitre l'efficacite de la production, laprotection, I'adaptabilite et la qualite deslegumes pour Ie marcha national, et despomines de terre et des pommes de terrede semence pour l'exportation.

8

6. Fruits de verger et petits fruitsAccroitre I'efficacite de la production, laprotection, l'adaptabilite et la qualite desarbres fruitiers et des baies afind'augmenter les marches national etd'exportation.

7. Plantes ornementalesDevelopper, tester et distribuer desplantes d'ornement de grande qua lite quisoient adaptees aux difTerentes regionsclimatiques du Canada.

Recherches sur les aliments. FournirI'information scientifique et technique etelaborer la technologie a l'appui du secteur dela transformation agro-alimentaire afind'accroitre 1'efficacite et la rentabilite de latransformation des produits animaux etvegetaux tout en assurant la salubrite et lavaleur nutritive des aliments produits.

1. Transformation des aliments,equipements et produitsElaborer de nouvelles techniques detransformation des produits alimentaires,accroitre l'efficacite et la rentabilite dessystemes de transformation et elaborer etcaracteriser de nouvelles fac;onsd'utiliserdes produits et ingredients provenant descultures et des anima ux.

2. Innocuite des aliments et nutritionAccroitre la protection des consomma.teurs contre les constituants alimentairestoxiques et nefastes sur Ie plan nutritif etd'assurer et rehausser la valeur nutritivedes produits agricoles.

3. EntreposageDevelopper et mettre en pratique desfac;ons de proceder pour maintenir lahaute qualite des aliments apres lamoisson.


Research CoordinationDirectorate.',Direction de Lacoordination de Larecherche

C.B. Willis

R.G. Fulcher

W.J.Saidak

Research Coordination

L.M. Benzing-Purdie

E.Larmond

R.Bouchard

G.A.Neish

9

Research CoordinationOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

C.B. Willis, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D., F.A.LC.

Research CoordinatorsL.M. Benzing-Purdie, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.DR. Bouchard, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.G. Fulcher, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.E. Larmond, B.Sc.G.A. Neish, B.Sc., Ph.D.W.J. Saidak, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.,

F.W.S.S.A.

Special AdvisersJ.W. Martens, 8.Sc., Ph.D.M. Nazarowec-White, B.Sc., M.Sc.K.A. Winter, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

DeparturesLA. de la Roche, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.B.B. Chubey, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R. Hironaka, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.W. Perrin, B.Sc., Ph.D.


Acting Director General

Natural resources, actingAnimalsGrains and oilseeds, actingFoodMultidisciplinary

Grains and oilseeds

Crop protectionFoodAnimals

Director GeneralSpecial Adviser, Horticulture and special cropsSpecial Adviser, Animal productionSpecial Adviser, Food

11

INTRODUCTION

Research coordinators and special advisers provide a national perspective in advising on thedirection of research programs across the Research Branch. They report to the director general ofthe Research Coordination Directorate to provide scientific expertise and advice on program issuesto the Assistant Deputy Minister, the Deputy Minister, and the Minister. The coordinators providescientific expertise to international delegations, play leadership roles in Canada committees andexpert committees of the Canadian Agricultural Services Coordinating Committee (CASCC),conduct research station and research program reviews, act as liaison between the ResearchBranch and its clients, and provide the perspective of the scientist-manager to programrationalization, human resource planning, scientist appraisals, branch restructuring, and resourceallocation. Special advisers are seconded from establishments to perform duties similar to those ofthe coordinators.During 1988, the Research Coordination Directorate was heavily involved in assisting with the

fine-tuning of Research Branch activities to conform with the Research Branch proposal for action,Part 5 of Canadian agricultural research and technology transfer: Planning for the future. Theseactivities included major reviews such as the eastern cereals, western wheat, Saint-Hyacinthe FoodResearch Centre, potato breeding, and tomato breeding, as well as other programs and researchstations. The group also made important contributions to Research Branch and departmentalresponses to issues of current importance such as hormones in animal production, climatic change,biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture.Further information can be obtained from the Director General, Research Coordination

Directorate, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

C.B.WillisActing Director General

CROPS

Input to policy, planning, and programdevelopment

The Research Coordination Directorate'provided leadership or participated in thepotato breeding review, the tomato breedingreview; the eastern cereal review, the easter~forage crops review, the western wheat review,the grain quality review, and the Sainte-Foy,Regina, and Winnipeg research stationreviews. In cooperation with the directorsgeneral, reviews have been completed of potatobreeding, tomato breeding, eastern cereals,and eastern forage crops. The reports includ-ing recommendations have been approved byBranch Management Committee. The reviewsincluded consultation with all sectors of theindustries, with branch and university per-sonnel, and with provincial governmentofficials. Recommendations include programguidelines for improving communicationamong the major breeding programs in Canadaand will result in improved efficiencies in thesebreeding programs. The western wheat reviewinvolved all members of the western wheat

12

industry, including producers, the CanadianWheat Board, specialists from provincialgovernments and universities and breedersand pathologists from Agriculture Canada.Review recommendations have been formulat-ed and should lead to improved efficiencies inwestern wheat breeding and research acti-vities. The grain quality review, whichaddressed activities and requirements for test-ing grain quality, was conducted in consulta-tion with industry, university, and federalpersonnel involved in cultivar development.Additional meetings with staff at otherresearch stations in western Canada contri-buted to information exchange and identifi-cation of issues of interest to research scientistsand ~anagers involved in programs of cropprotection research.The directorate provided support and parti-

cipated in the Plant- Virus BiotechnologyWorkshop held at the Vancouver ResearchStation. This workshop resulted in a timely,comprehensive review of plant virologyresearch in federal government and universityresearch laboratories, with a focus on theidentification of current and future needs,opportunities, and constraints affecting plant


virology research and technology transfer inCanada.

In collaboration with scientists from theEastern Region the reports of the workshops onintegrated pest management (lPM) in appleorchards and on IPM for potatoes were com-pleted, published, and distributed to partici-pants and branch managers.

Assistance with the initiation of the reviewof roles and responsibilities for research onbiological resources identified in the ResearchBranch proposal for action, Part 5 of Canadianagricultural research and technology transfer:Planning for the future was provided to theCentral Experimental Farm.

Interbranch and interdepartmentalactivities

The Research Branch played a key role inthe development of a departmental response tothe theme of sustainable development as itrelates to the agricultural sector. The ResearchCoordination Directorate was responsible forinitiating interbranch consultations in sustain-able agriculture in 1988 and collaborated withthe Policy Branch in the organization ofinterbranch meetings on this subject. Relatedactivities included attendance at relevantconferences in Canada and the United States, avisit to the Rodale Research Center, and dis-cussions with farmers, researchers, and exten-sion specialists concerned with agriculturalproduction systems that minimize dependenceon purchased inputs.

The directorate continued to provide admin-istrative support and a secretariat function forthe Task Force on the Status of CultureCollections in Canada whose report, Culturecollections in Canada, was presented to theMinister ofState for Science and Technology inOctober 1988. The directorate also partici-pated in the activities of the Ministry of Statefor Science and Technology's biotechnologycoordinating group, which supports the federalInterdepartmental Committee on Biotech-nology.

In cooperation with the Food Productionand Inspection Branch a presentation con-cerned with the regulation of pesticides andwith alternatives to synthetic chemical pesti-cides was made to the House of CommonsStanding Committee on Environment andForestry. The Research Branch also colla-borated with the Food Production andInspection Branch in cofunding an independentconsultant review of the Minor Use of


Pesticides Program; directorate staffparticipated in this review.

The directorate provided a scientific secre-tary to the Cell Biology and Genetics GrantSelection Committee of the Natural Sciencesand Engineering Research Council (NSERC).Also, by providing a rapporteur for one of theworkshops, the directorate represented Agri-culture Canada at the Prime Minister'sNational Conference on Technology and Inno-vation held in Toronto, 13-15 January 1988.

The directorate continued to work closelywith the regions in the implementation of thenational agricultural biotechnology initiative.

Extramural activities

In cooperation with External Affairs, thedirectorate provided the departmental andCanadian liaison with CAB International(CABI) and participated in the activities of theCABI working party on future financialarrangements and governing structure,through correspondence and by attendance atthe working party meetings held in London,England, 7-9 November 1988.

Support was provided to the Canadian Agri-cultural Research Council (CARC) throughchairmanship ofthe CARC standing committeeon biotechnology in agriculture and food,through participation in the CARC workshopon the regulation of agricultural products ofbiotechnology, and through contributions tomeetings ofcouncil.

ANIMALS


The Research Coordination Directorate par-ticipated in the continuing rationalization ofthe sheep and dairy research programs basedon previous recommendations and the need tocope with reduced resources. Dairy research isbeing directed toward more basic studies whileconsolidation of the sheep research at twoestablishments and adjustments to animalnumbers has continued. These programs focuson the long-term marketability of animalproducts to keep Canadian producers competi-tive in international trade. The dairy programat Fredericton, the genetics-environmentinteraction programs at Lethbridge andBrandon, and the livestock pest program atLethbridge were reviewed. Further definition

13

of the roles of these establishments wasdeveloped. The involvement of nonfederalresearch partners is being strengthened indairy, beef, and poultry research.

Interbranch activities

The directorate was involved in developingseveral new initiatives in cooperation with theAgriculture Development Branch and the FoodProduction and Inspection Branch in the areaof product marketing. Assistance was providedto the Audit and Evaluation Branch in asses-sing the role of regional agricultural develop-ment and in the departmental activity towarddeveloping a position on sustainable agricul-ture. Leadership was provided in developingguidelines for animal welfare and in draftingand preparing a code of practice for the careand handling of dairy cattle. The total depart-mental effort in animal welfare was evaluatedin cooperation with the Food Production andInspection Branch.


The directorate cooperated and consultedwith producer-commodity groups including theDairy Farmers of Canada, Canadian Cattle-men's Association, Canada Pork Council,Canadian Association of Animal Breeders,Canadil Sheep Council, the Canadian FeedIndustry Association, and the CanadianAnimal Health Institute. Private ownership ofresearch herds was discussed.

FOODInput to policy, planning, and programdevelopment

A review of the Research Branch's foodresearch program was initiated to defineAgriculture Canada's role and responsibilities.Consultations with other publicly fundedagencies were held to ensure complementarity.

The program and services of theSaint-Hyacinthe Food Research Centre werereviewed. Industry consultation was a keycomponent of the review. The report wasaccepted by the Branch ManagementCommittee, and the recommendations arebeing implemented.

Appropriate goals for the food researchprogram were developed and integrated intothe Branch Head Plan.

14

Interbranch activities

A management council committee to exa-mine the evolving role of Agriculture CanadavisoR-vis the public was chaired by directoratepersonnel. This interbranch committeerecommended that the department learn moreabout consumer concerns regarding food safetyand inform the public about the existingsystem for food safety.

Support to CASCC

In addition to the normal assessment ofresearch recommendations, the secretariatfunction was provided to the Canada Com-mittee on Food. An ad hoc committee of CARCon the role of red meat in the nutrition of Can a-dians was chaired by the research coordinator,food. The committee commissioned a report onthe same subject and presented it to CARC.


Directorate personnel participated on thesteering committee for the evaluation of thefederal contribution to the POS (protein oil andstarch) Pilot Plant Corporation. The evalua-tion report was accepted by the department.

Research Branch representation on theboard of directors and the technical planningcommittee on the POS Pilot Plant Corporationwas provided by the directorate.

Assistance was given to the Canadian MeatCouncil in establishing a meat researchinformation system which is compatible withthe planned changes to the Inventory ofCanadian Agricultural Research (lCAR).

Two meetings were held with representa-tives of federal, provincial, and university foodresearch and development centres to discussinformation exchange and technology transfer.

NATURAL RESOURCES ANDENVIRONMENT


A proposal for action in the natural resourceresearch area was developed in response to twoelements of the national agricultural strategy,i.e., protection of natural resources, andenvironmental concerns. Research into soildegradation and conservation was given highpriority as was research pertaining to fertilizer


use and pesticide movement and degradationin the environment. The need was identifiedfor crop production systems adapted to diversesoil and climatic conditions and for improvedsystems and practices of drainage andirrigation management.

Strong links were maintained with thenational soil conservation program. TheResearch Coordination Directorate providedbackground information on branch projects insoil conservation and commented on the pro-posed soil and water accords, soil conservationprogram agreements, and work plans.

In response to requests, the directorateidentified soil research priorities in bio-technology for the Ministry of State for Scienceand Technology. Specific targeted researchareas pertaining to the preservation of thequality of the environment were identified forNSERC.

Environmental issues in general received agreat deal of attention. The directorate pro-vided briefing material for the tetrapartitemeeting in Paris, France. A background paperon environmental policy issues and regulationswas prepared for a departmental planningmeeting. This paper included short-, medium-,and long-term effects on agriculture of policiesand regulations and of problems such asdeterioration in water quality, soil degrada-tion, and possible climatic change. Further-more, a document describing all linkagesbetween the Research Branch and Environ-ment Canada was produced.

In the field of climate, the directoratebecame active in the Canadian Institute forResearch in Atmospheric Chemistry tostrengthen coordination of Research Branchefforts with other government departments,universities, and the private sector. Inaddition, present and planned research projectson atmospheric change and its effects wereidentified as a first step in the development ofaResearch Branch position on the topic. A paperentitled Climate change and agriculture wasprepared as background material for discussionat the departmental level.

A number of unsolicited proposals werereviewed in support of the Industry RelationsOffice.

Interbranch and interdepartmentalactivities

The directorate provided support to theMinister and the Deputy Minister in variousareas pertaining to the environment,


e.g., sustainable development, climate change,and soil and water activities.

The directorate, which acted as the linkbetween the department and other agencies in-volved in atmospheric change, had member-ship in a number of committees including: TheFederal Committee on Atmospheric Changeand Impacts; The Canadian Climate Program;and The Long Range Transport of Air Pollu-tants-Research Monitoring and CoordinatingCommittee. As contact point for this issue, thedirectorate was a major player in the pre-paration of an interdepartmental document onclimatic change and also contributed to theIntelligence Advisory Committee (PrivyCouncil Office) paper on Implication of anenhanced greenhouse effect for Canada.

The Research Branch and the departmentwere represented on various interjurisdictionalforums, including the Interdepartmental Com-mittee on Land and Le Comite de Programme3-C (.Aide a l'innovation technologique enconservation du sol agricole et de l'eau,. dans Iecadre de l'Entente Canada/Quebec sur Iedeveloppement agro-alimentaire).

The directorate provided reviews andcomments for several memoranda to cabinetfrom the departments of Energy, Mines andResources and Environment.

Support to CASCC

The directorate assessed research needsunder CASCC activities and reviewed itsrecommendations on research and develop-ment and other matters.


An invited paper entitled Climate changeand agriculture was given at the annual meet-ing of the Canada Committee on Land Use.

In view of the consequences of possibleclimatic change for the agricultural sector,Research Branch supported the World Con-ference on the Changing Atmosphere: Impli-cations for Global Security and organized theworkshop on food security. Directorate staffalso attended the Second North AmericanConference on Preparing for Climate Changeheld in Washington.

The directorate participated in the SixthAnnual Western Provinces Conference onRationalization of Soil and Water Manage-ment-Policies and Institutions with Impact onSoil and Water in Manitoba and in the SoilConservation Conference: Working inHarmony in Quebec.

15

Strategies and PlanningDirectorateDirection des strategies et de laplanification

D.F. Kirkland

I.M.Wood

J.E.Renaud

A.M. Cooper

J.-M. Deschenes

Y.Belanger

Director General Directeur general D.F. Kirkland

Division Directors Directeurs des divisionsFinancial P~anning and Analysis

Planification et analyse {inanciereIndustry Relations, acting Relations

industrielles, interimaireManagement Services Services de lagestion

Policy Analysis and Planning, actingAnalyse politique et planification,interimaire

Research Program Service Service aw:programmes de recherche

Strategies and Planning

J.E.Renaud

J.-M. Desch~nes, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

I.M. Wood

A.M. Cooper, B.Sc.

Y. Belanger, B.Sc.

17

Financial Planning and AnalysisOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.E. Renaud, C.D.K. Archer, C.M.A.A.L. DignardG. McKane, B.A., C.M.A.J.B.Moran

Financial Planning and Analysis

DirectorChief, Financial Planning and AnalysisAdviser, Eastern RegionAdviser, Western RegionAdviser, Central Experimental Farm

19

INTRODUCTION

The Financial Planning and Analysis Division is a service organization. It has five majorfunctions: to provide all the financial inputs required by central agencies; to direct the budgeting ofperson-years and dollars; to foster the economic, effective, and efficient use of those resources; toprovide financial guidance and advice to all levels of management from the Assistant DeputyMinister to the staffs of responsibility centres; and to participate in policy development andimplementation. These functions are carried out by a core financial planning and analysis groupand teams of financial advisers assigned to the three regional directors general. The advisers aremembers of the regional management committees, and the director is a member of the BranchManagement Committee.

Enquiries can be directed to the Director, Financial Planning and Analysis Division, ResearchBranch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995.7084.

J.E.RenaudDirector

ACHIEVEMENTS

The division prepared the financial inputsfor the Research Branch's portions of depart-mental reports to the Treasury Board and otherdepartments, e.g., the Multi-Year OperationalPlan (MYOP), Main Estimates, SupplementaryEstimates, Science Addendum, and othersubmissions and reports.

Guidelines and assistance were provided tomanagers at all levels for the preparation andvalidation of annual resource plans and costedwork plans.

Budgets totaling 3484 person-years and$245 000 000 were monitored and controlledthroughout the year. This involved thedevelo'pment of alternatives for decisions in

20

resource allocations, reallocations, and reduc.tions and subsequent adjustments to budgetsand allotments, as well as the negotiation ofcash transfers among regions and from otherbranches as needed.

A proactive role was maintained in advisingmanagers on situation analysis, problem avoid.ance, and program support, including inter-preting and implementing corporate andcentral agency policies.

Reports, schedules, briefings, and corres-pondence for the Minister, the DeputyMinister, the Assistant Deputy Minister, andthe directors general were prepared on finan-cial matters. Various cyclical reports, such asvariance reports and cash forecasts, were alsoprepared.


Industry Relations, Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.-M. Deschenes, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.K. Endemann,l B.A.W.L. Fettes1K.W. Lievers, B.Sc., M.Sc.J.S. McKenzie, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Departure

P.W. Voisey, F.I., Mech.E.End of assignment, November 1988

Acting DirectorInternational programsInternational liaisonIndustry relationsIndustry relations

Acting Director

1 Transferred from Policy and Client Relations, November 1988.

Industry Relations 21

INTRODUCTION

The Industry Relations Office (IRO) was established in August 1987 to develop enablingmechanisms to facilitate the transfer and commercialization ofResearch Branch's technologies andto strengthen research partnerships with the private sector and other research partners. InNovember 1988, the International Research and Development Office joined IRO to facilitatelinkages between domestic and international activities.

Major achievements of the IRO since its establishment include the development of a policy forthe release of Agriculture Canada (AC) corn inbreds and hybrids to industry worldwide; thesigning of an agreement with a French organization to maintain, protect, and promote AC corninbred lines in Europe; the establishment of a specified purpose account to conduct collaborativeresearch; and the approval by the Minister for the worldwide licensing and collection of royaltiesfor all plant varieties developed by Agriculture Canada.

More complete information may be obtained by writing to the Director, Industry RelationsOffice, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

J.-M. DeschenesActing Director

INDUSTRY RELATIONS

During 1988, the major achievements wererelated to release of corn inbreds and hybrids,collection of royalties, and collaborative re-search agreements. Specifically, a contract hasbeen signed with a French organization for theprotection, maintenance, promotion, and distri-bution of inbred lines in the European Econo-mic Community (EEC) and Switzerland. Signi-ficant progress has been made in negotiatingrates for European royalties and in organizingthe collection of royalties for AC corn inbredlines commercialized in the EEC and Switzer-land.

Standard agreements for the release of ACcorn inbreds for research purposes and forlicensing hybrids have been developed. Aninbred licensing agreement has been draftedfor discussion with the industry. Sixteen cornhybrids and 24 inbred lines were released toindustry and 11 sunflower inbreds and 1hybridwere released from the Morden ResearchStation using the corn agreements as a model.

Guidelines for entering into agreementswith external collaborators have been develop-ed, reviewed by the Corporate ManagementBranch, approved by the Branch ManagementCommittee, and distributed to researchestablishment managers.

The specified purpose account has beenestablished and is now operational. Managersat research establishments can now acceptcollaborators' financial contributions toward a

22

specific project and spend the funds on directand incremental overhead costs.

The Minister of Agriculture has authorizedthe worldwide licensing and collection of royal-ties for all plant varieties developed by Agri-culture Canada. In addition, SeCan Associa-tion has agreed to collect royalties from thesales of certified seed and for the right to repro-duce breeder's seed from new seed crop varie-ties in 1989. Likewise, the Canadian Orna-mental Plant Foundation has agreed to enterinto an agreement to collect royalties on behalfofAgriculture Canada for ornamental species.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

In 1988, the Research Branch continued itssupport to departmental objectives pertainingto international science and technology andofficial development assistance programs.

Bilateral and multilateral projects and rela-tions were coordinated with some 55 countriesand international agencies to enhance ourdomestic research capability and to ensure thatCanadian government policies on agriculturalscience and techology were supported andencouraged internationally. All these acti-vities were coordinated by the InternationalResearch and Development Office, whichjoined IRO in November 1988.

The branch was responsible for the manage-ment of 10 official development assistance(ODA) projects in six countries, funded by the


Canadian International Development Agency(CIOA>, and seven ODA projects in six coun-tries funded by the International DevelopmentResearch Centre (IDRC). Branch scientistsalso provided scientific expertise for a widerange of other international activities for CIDAand IORC. In 1988 about 100 foreign scientistsvisited branch establishments for training in

Industry Relations

techniques directly applicable to their coun-try's agricultural development.Scientific and technical assistance was pro-

vided by the branch in support of Canadianpromotional activities, such as technical semi-nars and trade expositions aimed at expandingforeign markets for Canadian agriculturalproducts.

23

Management Services, Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

I.M. WoodM. CraibG. DesmaraisF.DrurylD.W.FrielJ.JohanisG.F. Morris2A.SevernM.B. Trudel2D. Violette

DepartureS.C. Cassidy

On special assignment withLand Resource Research Centrefrom 12 September 1988

1 Seconded from Corporate Management Branch.2 Seconded from Land Resource Research Centre.

Management Services

DirectorContracts and agreementsText reviserSystemsHead, Assets ManagementAdministrative servicesHealth and safetyMateriel managementPlanning and systemsReal property

Planning and systems

25

INTRODUCTION

The Management Services Division provides administrative services and advice to branchmanagement both at the headquarters level and at the responsibility centre level. Theseresponsibilities are fulfilled through a group ofofficers and support staff with expertise in the areasof contracts and agreements, general administration, assets management, text revision, andspecial projects. Some of the senior members of the staff act as liaison officers with the regionaldirectors general and participate as members of regional and departmental managementcommittees. The division also provides support to the branch headquarters staff in such areas asword processing, materiel management, and accounts processing.

Enquiries can be directed to the Director, Management Services Division, Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

I.M.WoodDirector

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Management Services Division, in its2nd year of operation, continued to promotecommunication with the responsibility centresin the Research Branch. This function wasachieved through the normal day-to-day con-tact via telecommunications and, in addition,through regional administrative meetings heldin Ottawa, London, Halifax, and Calgary. Inthe area of administration assistance, advice,clarification, and interpretation of policies andprocedures were provided to all levels ofmanagement.

Throughout the year, the division perform-ed its role of liaising with other branches of thedepartment on behalf of establishments acrossthe country concerning the various responsi-bilities associated with administration.

The division allocated resources to the pro-motion of the proper management ofdangerous

26

substances and to the initial stage of imple-mentation of the Workplace HazardousMaterials Information System. A real propertydata base was developed and property manage-ment guidelines were issued for use by allbranch managers.

Additional resources were allocated to aidthe branch in the area of office automation.The first stage of the microcomputerizedmanagement information processing systemwas implemented. It is anticipated that mostresponsibility centres will adopt the system.

One officer was assigned to the IndustryRelations Office to provide administrativesupport in the development of guidelines, poli-cies, and procedures regarding collaborativeprojects with industry.

Some adjustments were made to the struc-ture of the division to provide more effectiveadministrative support to staff located atheadquarters in Ottawa.


Policy Analysis and PlanningOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

A.M. Cooper, B.Sc.G.W. Andrews, B.Sc.F., M.Sc.J. Dingwall, B.A., Ph.D.J.P. Hayes, B.Sc., M.Sc.G. Poushinsky, B.Sc., M.Sc.

DeparturesD.F. Kirkland

Transferred to Strategies andPlanning Directorate as directorgeneral, 1 September 1988

E.K. Endemann, B.A.Transferred to Industry Relations,1 November 1988

W.L.FettesTransferred to Industry Relations,1 November 1988

M.K. John, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.Transferred to Land ResourceResearch Centre, 25 January 1988

J .A. Perrin, B.Sc.Retired October 1988

Policy Analysis and Planning

Acting DirectorPolicy and planningResourcesPlanningPlanning

Director

International programs

Branch Liaison-international

Special Adviser, resources

Operations processes

27

INTRODUCTION

During 1988 the Policy and Client Relations Division evolved into Policy Analysis andPlanning, one oftive divisions of the newly formed Strategies and Planning Directorate. Enquiriescan be directed to the Director, Policy Analysis and Planning Division, Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

A.M. CooperActing Director

POLICY

Response to government issues

The Policy Analysis and Planning Divisionundertakes activities in a variety of policyareas mostly related to science and technology.One major focus has been the active liaisonwith central agencies, e.g., Treasury Board andMinistry of State for Science and Technology,to provide input for the development and inter-pretation of broad policies and policy instru-ments related to federal science and tech-nology. During 1988 the division was respons-ible for the preparation of the 1988 annualscience and technology plan, as well as for thedevelopment of frameworks for cost recovery,intellectual property, and joint ventures.

Secondments

On behalf ofthe branch, the Strategies andPlanning Directorate is responsible for thecoordination of secondment programs bothinside and outside the branch. During 1988John Dingwall from Treasury Board joined thePolicy Analysis and Planning Division toanalyze resource issues, Greg Poushinsky wastaken on to deal with amendments to theExperimental Farm Stations Act, andJery Hayes was assigned to work on linking thestrategic plan commitments to the operationalplanning process and to integrate with thestudy data base.

PLANNING

Strategic planning

The branch continues to make excellentprogress in fulfilling the commitments of itsnew strategic directions. The Research Branchproposal for action, Part 5 of Canadian

28

agricultural research and technology transfer:Planning for the future, was developed by thebranch in March of 1988. This paper con-stituted the Research Branch plan for imple-menting its part of the overall researchstrategy. It was tabled with the ministers inJuly 1988 and was subsequently distributed toindustry, universities, and the provinces.

Operational and work planning

Planning for 1989-1990 is following theformat established for 1988-1989. The BranchHead Plan reflects Part 2 of the above-mentioned series, Proposed Strategy-TheAgriculture Canada (Research Branch)Perspective. The Branch Head Plan, whichresponds to these directions, was completed inJanuary 1988. This plan also identifiesrealigned branch priorities, incorporates policyissues affecting research, and providesdirection for the preparation ofwork plans on aregional and establishment basis. An auto-mated system has been developed so that theplans can be made available on Agrinet forsearching and copying.The following operational planning frame-

work is being used by the branch for planningin 1988-1989:

1.0 Scientific research and development1.1 Management and administration1.2 Resource research1.3 Animal research1.4 Crop research1.5 Food research

Full costing of work plans

A system has been implemented to deter-mine the full cost of commodity researchprograms. For display purposes, overhead andindirect costs are allocated to obtain the "real"cost of doing business.


Reporting to Treasury Board andParliament

On behalf of the Strategies and PlanningDirectorate, the division prepared the ResearchBranch sections in three departmental reportsto Treasury Board and Parliament: the Multi-Year Operational Plan, the Main EstimatesPart Ill, and the annual report for the Minister.These reports provide an opportunity for thebranch to outline clearly its concerns, priori-ties, and resollrce needs for the upcoming fiscalyear, and to describe its achievements of theprevious year.

Quarterly reporting

The quarterly operational variance reportscontinued to be the main mechanisms for

Policy Analysis and Planning

reporting achievements, variances againstplans, and factors that may affect future pro-gress across the branch. For the third andfourth quarters the Branch Head Plan hasproved to be particularly useful for recordingmajor management and operational achieve-ments, as well as resulting client benefits andprogram effects.

Branch Secretariat

The Research Branch Secretariat continuesto provide secretariat services to the BranchExecutive Committee and the Research BranchAdvisory Committee.

29

Research Program ServiceOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

AdministrationY. Belanger, B.Sc.H. Pitt, B.A.

Art and DesignC.N. Halchuk

AudiovisualW.G. Wilson

Scientific EditingS.M. Rudnitski, B.Sc.J.T. Buckley,l B.A., M.A.N. Rousseau, B.A., M.A.F. Smith, B.A.

Scientific Information RetrievalHead of SectionH.S. Krehm, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.C.D. Laing, B.Sc., M.Sc.P. Beauchamp, B.Sc., M.Sc.L. Boardman,2J.R. Kennett, B.Sc.E.K. McMillan, B.Sc.R. McNeil, B.Sc.

DeparturesS.V. BalchinRetired 5 August 1988

D.R. Sabourin, B.A.Resigned 22 January 1988

1 Appointed 17 August 1988.2 Appointed 4 January 1988.

Research Program Service

DirectorAdministration and awards

Head of Section

Head of Section

Acting Head of SectionEditingEditingEditing

VacantChief, Pest ManagementChief, Inventory and SystemsPest managementInventory and systemsInventory and systemsInventory and systemsPest management

Editing

Editing

31

INTRODUCTION

Research Program Service (RPS) supports research and development in the branch, as well astechnology transfer and the spread of scientific knowledge. To do so, RPS maintains computerizedscientific and technical information systems; provides publication, audiovisual, and art services;and administers jointly the programs for research partnership support and visiting fellowships.The Art and Design Section provides the many different types of graphic arts and design

services needed for publications, displays, posters, and other branch and departmental projects.The Audiovisual Section provides many audiovisual, computer graphic, and photographic services,including field and studio photography, and produces colored slides for presentations.The Scientific Editing Section manages the publishing program for the Research Branch by

planning, editing, producing, printing, and arranging for the distribution of about 100 publicationsannually on a wide variety of agricultural subjects.The Scientific Information Retrieval Section provides access by computer to the latest

information on agri-food research and pest management in Canada, including the current status ofpesticides, pest management research, and biotechnology, and maintains an inventory of plantgene resources.Further information can be obtained from the Director, Research Program Service, Research

Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC6;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

Yves BelangerDirector

ADMINISTRATION

RPS continued to administer the visitingfellowships during 1988 and assisted in theadministration of the new research partnershipsupport program (replacing the operatinggrants program). Research partnership sup-port grants will be awarded to researchers atCanadian faculties of agriculture and veteri-nary medicine or to researchers collaboratingwith them toward the costs of proposedresearch projects that will benefit the agri-cultural industry and train graduate students.The new program, cofunded by the NaturalSciences and Engineering Research Council(NSERC), matches on a two-to-one basis fundscommitted by industry. The selection com-mittee comprises five representatives fromfaculties of agriculture and veterinarymedicine, two representatives from industry,three from Agriculture Canada, two appointedby NSERC, and one from the CanadianAgricultural Research Council.The visiting fellowship program gives

promising young scientists from around theworld an opportunity to work with distin-guished'researchers in their respective fieldsbefore embarking on careers in scientificresearch. NSERC administers the program onbehalf of Canadian government departments

32

and agencies. RPS acts as liaison between thecouncil and Agriculture Canada. In 1988, theselection committee received 36 applicationsfor grants totaling $1 900000.

ART AND DESIGN

Again during 1988 the Art and Design Sec-tion provided many varied art-related servicesto the branch as well as to other departmentalagencies.The section produced artwork for 116 publi-

cation projects, both branch and departmental;71 seminar display projects; 598 jobs requiringpreparation of charts, graphs, and scientificillustrations; and more than 2680 photo-mechanical transfer prints for art purposes andreproduction. These totals represent anincrease of 40, 31, 6, and 34%, respectively,over the previous year.In addition, the section oversaw the

printing process for branch publications fromprinting requisitions to quality control.The section also assessed several types of

computer equipment packages in preparationfor the introduction of computerized equip-ment,which will play an important role infuture art services.


AUDIOVISUAL

The Audiovisual Section continued to pro-vide a wide variety of photographic, computergraphic, and audiovisual services to thebranch. In general, production levels through-out the section were much the same as theprevious year; however, field photographyreturned to normal levels, and micro-macrophotography was at an all-time high of 15 458photographs, an increase of 110% over theprevious year.

High-resolution, full-color, computergraphic slides continued to be in great demand.A heavier workload required the installation ofa Starburst II computer, which is faster andoffers additional editing features, such asautomatic color shading and shadowing.

SCIENTIFIC EDITING SECTION

Scientific editors help authors communicatescientific and technical information to theirintended readers. The editors evaluate the textand recommend changes to correct question-able statements and errors or inconsistenciesin spelling, grammar, and presentation ofscientific terminology. They also manage thedesign process and supervise typesetting,layout, and printing to ensure a level ofqualitysuitable for the type of publication beingproduced.

Publications are produced by the mostefficient and cost-effective method available,depending on the intended use. By developingnew procedures to use electronic typesettingand page-layout systems now available, RPScut the 1988 publications budget by aboutone-third.

Books, reports, and brochures written bybranch scientists and accepted for publicationby the department are divided into two maincategories, branch and departmental.

Branch publications

Branch publications are directed to anarrow audience, which is either highlyspecialized or restricted to a specific locality.They are printed in small quantities usinginexpensive methods and are distributed freeby the issuing branch establishment. Branchpublications are classed in five categories:• technical bulletins, written for colleagues in

a specialized field


• soil survey reports, written for specialists,planners, and managers ofland resources inspecific areas

• internal executive reports, issued by thebranch executive or expert committees,usually in the form of planning documents,minutes, or proceedings

• historical publications, written to documentthe achievements of a specific program orestablishment and ofinterest to readers in arestricted locality or brought together for aspecial event

• miscellaneous reports such as guides toresearch establishments, local or special-ized newsletters, and specialized branchperiodicals, written for a specific locality ora highly specialized readership.

In 1988, RPS produced 14 technical bulle-tins, 9 soil surveys, 20 internal executivereports, and 26 miscellaneous reports, for atotal of 69 branch publications. Includedamong the lengthy branch publications editedand produced this year were• Land resource inventory of Mill and

Woodfibre creeks• Land resource inventory of the Power River

watershed, B.C.• Preliminary inventory and annotated

bibliography of Canadian weeds• Soils of the Gulf Islands of B.C., Vol. 2• Soils of the Pasadena-Deer Lake area, Nfld.• Soils of Prince Edward Island.

Departmental publications

RPS also produced 29 departmental publi-cations, including scientific monographs, refer-ence books, or handbooks for the agriculturalscientist or specialist; six were pricedpublications.

Priced departmental publications. Lengthybooks, which are expensive to produce, are soldby Supply and Services Canada as priceddepartmental publications. Included in thisgroup are scientific monographs, referencebooks, or handbooks written for the use ofagricultural scientists or specialists.

In 1988, the following priced departmentalpublications were produced:• Canadian farm buildings handbook• La ferme canadienne : Manuel de

construction• Guide to the identification of plant

macrofossils in Canadian peatlands• Guide illustre des macrofossilles des

tourbieres du Canada

33

• Les plantes nuisibles du Canada• Wild rice in Canada.

Free departmental publications. Depart-mental booklets are stored and distributed freeby Communications Branch. In this groupsome of the titles produced last year in bothofficial languages were• Commercial storage offruits and vegetables• Curing flue-cured tobacco• Growing rutabagas• Management of saline soils under irrigation• Recommended code of practice for the care

and handling of mink• Recommended code of practice for the care

and handling of special fed veal calves• Reducing mycotoxins in animal feeds• Reed canarygrass-<I. production guide.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATIONRETRIEVAL

Inventory of Canadian Agri-FoodResearch

The Inventory of Canadian Agri-FoodResearch (ICAR) was updated in the course ofthe year. Additional information was collectedon behalf of the Dairy Farmers of Canada(DFC) to assist in the compilation of the DFCannual report. Scientific Information Retrie-val Section (SIRS) continued to provide accessto this computerized data base across Canadato the whole research community as well as toResearch Branch personnel. The 1988 versionof ICAR provides information on over 4400agri-food research projects. The distribution ofresearch effort was tabulated by commodityand discipline in the leAR summary tables,which were widely distributed.

Study data base

The study data base became operational inthe spring and by year's end contained detailedinformation on over 900 studies from ResearchBranch establishments across Canada. Pri-marily a scientific reporting and retrievalsystem, the study data base provides infor-mation at both the establishment and head-quarters level. It was developed in response toa recommendation in the Research Branchreport entitled Decision information systemsplanning.

34

Pest Management Research InformationSystem

All components of the Pest ManagementResearch Information System (PRIS) wereupdated and maintained. PRIS continues toprovide on-line access across Canada to currentpest management research information.Studies are under way on the addition ofseveral new components to PRIS, stressing thenewer trends of biological control, biotech-nology, integrated pest management, andnonpesticidal research to control plant andanimal pests in agri-food production systems.A new initiative was undertaken to transfer

the PRIS information to the Canadian Centrefor Occupational Health and Safety inHamilton, Ont., and so to make the data baseavailable on CCINFOline and compact discboth in Canada and internationally.

Other data bases

In response to a request from ResearchBranch headquarters, an inventory of Ph.D.graduate students was developed successfully.This computerized system allows planners tocompare forecasted requirements for researchscientists with the supply of qualifiedpersonnel graduating from universities.The section is also providing programmer-

analyst support to help develop a major database for the plant gene resources protected bythe Plant Research Centre. This data base willprovide access to thousands of seed acquisitionsin the national collections of gene resources.These seed samples are extremely important asa reservoir of genetic variability for theprotection and maintenance of plant stocks.

Minor use program

The Minor Use of Pesticides Program conti-nues to improve Canada's production capa-bility for a wide range of crops and has broughtabout substantial gains for producers. It is animportant production tool in the area of newprograms ofcrop development. SIRS continuedto administer the program and to coordinatethe activities of the various agencies con-cerned. In 1988, 170 submissions to the pro-gram were received and 27 new uses wereaccepted for registration. In addition, a reviewof the Minor Use of Pesticides Program wascompleted for consideration by the manage-ment of Research and Food Production andInspection branches. Reports on the minor use


program are disseminated to members of theagricultural industry, growers, scientists, andprovincial extension specialists through thequarterly newsletter, Pesticide Information.

canadian Plant Disease Survey

Research Program Service, in collaborationwith the Canadian Phytopathological Society,published a special spring issue of theCanadian Plant Disease Survey on diseasehighlights of the previous year. The highlightscovered the main horticultural and cerealcrops, facilitating efforts to take remedialaction to protect our crops from any harmful


diseases that may occur or be introduced intoCanada.

Committees

In addition to their regular activities,section staff supported the Expert Committeeon Pesticide Use in Agriculture, the ExpertCommittee on Weeds, the Western ExpertCommittee on Grain diseases, the EasternExpert Committee on Grains and Oilseeds, theCanada Committee on Crop Production, theCanada Committee on Food, the CanadianHorticultural Council, and the CanadianStandards Association.

35

Central Experimental FarmFerme experimentale centrale

J.C. St-Pierre

Director General Directeur general

Program Director Directeur desprogrammes

Central Experimental Farm

J.C. St-Pierre, B.Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

P.B. Marriage, B.Sc., Ph.D.

37

PREFACEThe directorate located at the Central

Experimental Farm in Ottawa consists of theAnimal Research Centre (ARC), Biosyste-matics Research Centre (BRC), Engineeringand Statistical Research Centre (ESRC), FoodResearch Centre (FRC), Land ResourceResearch Centre (LRRC), and Plant ResearchCentre (PRC). In 1988, the programs wereconducted by a complement of971 person-yearsinvolving 276 professional staff. All thecentres combine active research on programsthat have national significance with linkage toother regional establishments and service tothe agri-food sector in specialized areas of theirresearch, including collaborative ventures withindustry, provinces, and universities. Signi-ficant research accomplishments are high-lighted in the reports of the individual centres.

The Animal Research Centre conductsresearch in animal biotechnology, whichincludes the fields of gene manipulation andrumen fermentation. Other significantresearch includes studies on animal behavior,environmental management of farm livestock,and the safety and quality of feedstuffs andanimal products.

The Biosystematics Research Centre pro-vides Agriculture Canada clients with a uniquecentre of systematic expertise for dealing witheconomic and social problems relating toinsects, mites, spiders, plant parasiticnematodes, weeds, crop plants, native plants,plant parasitic and biodegrading fungi, andnonmedical bacteria. As the only Canadianorganization with comprehensive collections,systematic research, and identification exper-tise, BRC continues to provide systematicservices to support production and resourceprotection for two major Canadian industries,agriculture and forestry. Research activitieshave been progressively realigned in responseto demands in areas such as integrated pestmanagement, environmental protection, andbiotechnology .

The Engineering and Statistical ResearchCentre provides the Research Branch with acentre of expertise where engineers andstatisticians carry out research and analyses toimprove agricultural and food production andinspection systems and to support research byother disciplines.

38

The Food Research Centre provides assist-ance to the foodsector in improving its quality,marketability, and competitiveness. Researchscientists work on developing new technologythat enhances the safety, nutrition, and qualityof food. Through a combination of in-houseresearch, collaborative research projects, andtechnical advice, the Centre supports industrydevelopment and consumer protection.

The Land Resource Research Centre doesresearch on soil, water, and agrometeorologyand carries out soil surveys. The centre isresponsible for collecting, assembling, andintegrating information on soil, climate, andsurface hydrology in Canada, as well as forundertaking research to assess and improvethe potential of land for sustained agricultureand other land uses.

The Plant Research Centre has the man-date to develop, evaluate, and apply knowledgeand technologies for crop improvement, cropprotection, and plant health by integratingnew biotechnological methods with conven-tional research approaches. PRC develops andreleases elite genetic material and cultivars ofselected crops and determines methods for pestmanagement and increased resistance tostress. Programs in biotechnology generateknowledge and technologies for the charac-terization and manipulation at the cellular andmolecular levels of agronomically importanttraits in crop plants. An understanding isbeing gained of important plant-microbe inter-actions, and determinants for plant growthenhancement and disease resistance are beingelucidated. PRC houses the central office forthe Plant Gene Resources ofCanada and is alsoresponsible for the management of the CentralExperimental Farm.

Further information about our programsmay be obtained by writing to the researchestablishments concerned or by addressinginquiries to the Central Experimental Farm,Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Room715, Sir John Carling Building, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

J.C. St-PierreDirector General


PREFACELa Direction situee a la Ferme experi-

mentale centrale a Ottawa comprend Ie Centrede recherches zootechniques (CRZ), Ie Centrede recherches biosystematiques (CRB), IeCentre de recherches techniques et de statis-tiques (CRTS), Ie Centre de recherches sur lesaliments (CRA),le Centre de recherches sur lesterres (CRT) et, enfin, Ie Centre de recherchesphytotechniques (CRP). En 1988, la Directiona gere des effectifs de 971 annees-personnesdont 276 professionnels. Tous les centresallient la recherche active dans Ie cadre desprogrammes nationaux aux besoins enrecherches des regions et du secteur agro-alimentaire, et etablissent des lienscontractuels avec l'industrie, les provinces etles universites. Chaque centre souligne sesplus importantes realisations dans son rapportannuel.

Au Centre de recherches zootechniques, leschercheurs axent leurs travaux sur la bio-technologie anima Ie qui recouvre des domainestels la manipulation genetique et la resistanceaux maladies, aussi bien que la manipulationdes gam~tes et la fermentation du rumen. lIsse chargent egalement d'importantes etudessur Ie comportement des animaux et sur lesfacteurs d'ambiance agissant sur les animauxde ferme et, enfin, sur la qua lite et l'innocuitedes denrees et produits animaux.

Le Centre de recherches biosystematiquesoffre aux clients de l'Agriculture Canada uncentre unique d'expertise ou ron resoud lesprobl~mes socio-economiques causes par lesinsectes, les acariens, les araignees, les nema-todes parasites des vegetaux, les mauvaisesherbes, les plantes cultivees, les plantesindig~nes, les champignons parasites desplantes et biodegradants et les bacteriesdepourvues d'interet medical. Grace acescollections compl~tes, a son service d'identi-fication et a sa capacite de recherches systema-tiques, Ie CRB peut dispenser aux deux grandssecteurs canadiens que sont l'agriculture et lesforets, les services necessaires a la productionet a la protection des ressources. Face a lademande, il a progressivement reoriente sestravaux dans les domaines de la lutteanti-parasitaire integree, de la protection del'environnement et de la biotechnologie.

Pour sa part, Ie CRTS dispense a la Direc-tion generale des services d'experts-conseils;ses ingenieurs et ses statisticiens m~nent des

Ferme experimentale centrale

recherches et des analyses pour ameliorer laproduction agro-alimentaire et Ie syst~med'inspection et pour appuyer des travaux dansd'autres domaines.

Le Centre de recherches sur les alimentss'interesse au secteur des aliments surtoutl'amelioration de la qualite, des possibilites decommercialisation et des facteurs competitifsdans Ie cadre de programmes, de mise au pointde techniques ameliorees en vue d'accroitrel'innocuite, la valeur nutritive et la qualite desaliments. Le Centre appuie la mise en valeurdu secteur et la protection du consommateurpar la recherche interne qu'il mene, les projetsen collaboration et la prestation de conseils.

Le Centre de recherches sur les terres (CRT)s'occupe de programmes sur les sols,les eaux etl'agrometeorologie et des leves de recherche deterrains. II veille a recueillir de !'informationsur les sols, Ie c1imat et l'hydrologie de surfaceet a sa mise en forme, et effectue des recherchesvisant a evaluer dans quelie mesure les sols sepretent a l'agriculture de conservation et a enaccroitre les possibilites d'utilisation.

Le Centre de recherches phytotechniques apour mandat de develop per, d'evaluer etd'appliquer les connaissances techniques al'amelioration et a la defense des plantescultivees en integrant les techniques de bio-technologie aux methodes plus convention-nelles. Le CRP produit des lignees nouvelles etdes cultivars de cultures selectionnees et allieles methodes de lutte integree aux facteurs deresistance au stress. Les programmes debiotechnologie visent a ameliorer les carac-teristiques genetiques et moleculaires desplantes. Les chercheurs du Centre etudientdavantage les relations d'interactions plantes-microbes, les facteurs de croissance et deresistance aux maladies. Le CRP comprendegalement Ie Bureau des ressources phyto-genetiques du Canada. C'est aussi Ie centred'administration de la Ferme experimentalecentrale.

Pour obtenir de plus am pies renseigne-ments sur nos programmes, il faut ecrire auxetablissements de recherches concernes ouadresser vos demandes a la Direction de laFerme experimentale centrale, Directiongenerale de la recherche, Agriculture Canada,Edifice Sir John Carling, Piece 715, Ottawa,(Ont.) KIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

J.C. St-PierreDirecteur general

39

Animal Research CentreOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

AdministrationE.E. Lister,l B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.I. Elliot.2 B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.K. Ho,3 B.Sc., Ph.D.D.A. Leger, B.Sc.D.A. Schmid, B.A.L.M.B. Babin, B.A.J.G.R. Boisclair

Scientific SupportK.G. Hilson, B.Sc., M.Sc.D.CampbellB.J. McKelveyH.M.MuchaT.D. OsterhoutK.E. Hartin, D.V.M.J.P. Miska,4 B.A., B.L.S.

BiotechnologyJ.S. Gavora,5 Ing., C.Sc.

D.E. Bernon, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.P.S. Fiser, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A.J. Hackett, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D.

M. Lessard,6 Bacc., M.Sc.G.J. Marcus, B.A., Ph.D.J. Nagai,7 B.Sc., D.Agr.M.P. Sabour,8 B.Sc., Ph.D.R.M. Teather, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Animal Waste UtilizationN.K. Patni, B.Ch.E., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Dairy and Beef Cattle NutritionM. Ivan, Ing., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A.S. Atwal, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.D. Erfle, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

DirectorDeputy DirectorExternal Project OfficerAssistant to the DirectorChief, Administration and ResourcesAdministrative Officer, PersonnelAdministrative Officer, Finance

Project Manager; Computer servicesProgrammer-AnalystProgrammer-AnalystProgrammer-AnalystProgrammerVeterinarianLibrary services

Program Chairperson; Disease resistancegenetics

Molecular and quantitative geneticsCryopreservation, male reproductivephysiology

Embryo transfer, female reproductivephysiology

Nutrition and immunologyReproductive physiology, embryo manipulationEmbryo manipulation, quantitative geneticsMolecular and cellular geneticsMolecular biology and genetic manipulationof rumen bacteria

Program Chairperson; Livestock wasteutilization, farm pollution abatement

Program Chairperson; Digestive physiology,ruminants

Forage evaluation and nutritionRumen metabolism and nutrition

41

M. Hidiroglou, D.V.M., Dip. Nutr.K.J. Jenkins, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S. Mahadevan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.F.D. Sauer, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.D.M. Veira, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Vitamin and trace mineral nutritionCalf nutritionRumen metabolism and nutritionRumen metabolism and nutritionRuminant nutrition

Dairy Cattle Breeding and ProductionA.J. Lee,9 B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D. Program Chairperson; Dairy cattle breeding

and production-statistical methodology andbreeding strategies

T.R. Batra,tO B.V.Sc., M.V.Sc., M.S., Ph.D. Dairy cattle breeding-field data analyses,disease resistance

C.Y. Lin, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Dairy cattle breeding-multi-trait mixedmodel sire and cow evaluation methods;computer modeling

A.J. McAllister, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Dairy cattle breeding and production-selection for lifetime performance and use ofcrossbreeding

Swine ProductionD.W. Friend, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A. Fortin, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.

D.G. Fraser, B.A., Ph.D.

Poultry BreedingA.A. Grunder, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

J.R. Chambers, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.W. Fairfull, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.P.W. Tsang, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Poultry NutritionI.R. Sibbald, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.

N.A.G. Cave, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

R.M.G. Hamilton, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Sheep ProductionL. Ainsworth, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

D.P. Heaney, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.G.A. Langford, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.N.B. Shrestha, B.V.Sc.A.H., M.S., Ph.D.

Animal Feed Safety and NutritionH.L. Trenholm, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.M.H. Akhtar, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

42

Program Chairperson; Sow and pigletproduction, mycotoxinsCarcass composition, quality-swine, poultry,sheep, cattleAnimal behavior-swine, sheep

Program Chairperson; Eggshell qualitygenetics, broiler breeding, goose breeding andmanagementBroiler breeding and managementEgg stock breeding and managementPhysiology-eggshell quality and eggproduction

Program Chairperson; Nutrient requirementsand feedingstuff evaluationBroiler breeder nutrition and management,evaluation of novel feedingstuffsNutrition and physiology-minerals,mycotoxins

Program Chairperson; Female reproductivephysiologyNutrition and intensive managementMale reproductive physiologyBreeding and intensive production-appliedquantitative genetics

Program Chairperson; Mycotoxins, toxicologyPesticide metabolism and residues


E.R. Farnworth, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.K.G. Kramer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.B. Prelusky, B.Sc.(Pharm.), Ph.D.

DeparturesL.M. Cote,ll B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Terminated service 8 April 1988J.R. Lessard,12 B.A., B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Retired 31 December 1988

VISITING SCIENTISTS

L.L. Charmley, B.Sc., Ph.D.Institute for Research on AnimalDiseases, Compton, UK

Y.FukumaNihon Nosan Kogyo Feed ResearchCentre, Ibaraki, Japan

S. Gamage, B.Sc.Central Poultry Research Station,Kundasala, Sri Lanka

P. Javorsky, Ph.D.Institute of Animal Physiology,Slovak Academy of Sciences,Kosice, Czechoslovakia

K. Nonaka, Ph.D.Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

R.A.E. Pym, Ph.D.Department of Animal Sciencesand Production, University ofQueensland, Brisbane, Australia

R.G. Warnock, B.Eng., Ph.D.Department of Civil Engineering,University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Onto

Lipid nutrition and perinatal metabolismLipid chemistry and biochemistryMycotoxin metabolism, toxicology

Biochemical toxicology, mycotoxins

Forage conservation and nutrition

Copper metabolism

Feed evaluation methodology

Poultry breeding

Rumen bacteria plasmid vectors

Transfer and manipulation of embryos

Broiler breeding and selection

Waste disposal and surface andgroundwater pollution

Molecular biology of rumen bacteriaEmbryo manipulation

Forage evaluationMouse embryo transfer, transgenic miceMolecular genetics-analysis of casein genes

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canadapostdoctorate fellowsE. Charmley,13 8.Sc., Ph.D., 1987-1988G. Davis, B.Sc., Ph.D., 1986-1988D. Denicourt, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.,

1987-1989S.N. Liss, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., 1987-1988H.S. Sasada, Ph.D., 1988-1989

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) trainees(Canada-Brazil Project)L. Aroeira, M.Sc., Ph.D. Dairy cattle nutrition

National Dairy Cattle Research Centre(CNPGL), Coronel Pacheco, Brazil

H.C.V. Codagnone, M.Sc. Dairy cattle nutritionParana State Agricultural ResearchInstitute (IAPAR), Landrina, Brazil

Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto 43

M.S. Dayrell, B.Sc., D.Sc.National Dairy Cattle ResearchCentre (CNPGL), Coronel Pacheco, Brazil

C.M. Jaume, B.Sc.(Agr.Eng.>, Ph.D.National Dairy Cattle ResearchCentre (CNPGL), Coronel Pacheco, Brazil

M.L. Martinez, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.National Dairy Cattle Research Centre(CNPGL), Coronel Pacheco, Brazil

Ruminant mineral nutrition

Dairy cattle reproductive physiology

Dairy cattle breeding and selection

Research associates on contractG. Herbert,14 Ph.D.L. Sliger,15 B.Sc.L. Underhill,16 M.Sc.

Poultry pedigree records systemsDairy cattle breedingFrozen boar semen evaluation

Graduate studentsM.L. Biehl, D.V.M.H.C. Gauvreau, D.V.M.E.A.Pajor,17 B.Sc.

Mycotoxin metabolismVomitoxin metabolismSwine behavior

6

45

789

123

Seconded to Headquarters, Research Branch, 6 August-28 October 1988, 21 November-30 December 1988.Acting Director, 8 August-28 October 1988,21 November-30 December 1988.Seconded from Feed and Fertilizer Division, Food Production and Inspection Branch, from 1 February 1988.Acting Deputy Director, 8 August-28 October 1988,21 November-30 December 1988.Seconded from Libraries Division, Corporate Management Branch.On transfer of work at Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont., 6 April1987-31 March 1988. At HIroshIma University, Fukuhama, Japan, as recipient of a fellowship from the JapanSociety for the Promotion of Science, 1 September-1S October 1988.Appointed 16May 1984. On doctorate training program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and LavalUniversity, Quebec, until 8 June 1988.Acting Program Chairperson, 6 April 1987-31 March 1988.Acting Program Chalrperson,1 September-1S October 1988.On transfer of work at Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., 1 September1988-30 April 1989.

10 Acting Program Chalrperson,1 September 1988-30 April 1989.11 On extended leave at the University of Illinois, Urbana, from 7 March 1987.12 Seconded to Headquarters, Research Branch, since 1November 1981.13 Funded by the Canada-Brazil Project, CIDA, Ottawa, Ont., from 1April 1988.14 Funded by Shaver Poultry Breeding Farms Ltd., Cambridge, Ont.15 Funded by the Canada-Brazil Project, CIDA, Ottawa, Ont.16 Funded by the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board, Toronto, Ont.17 Partial funding by the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board, Toronto, Ont.

44 Research Branch Report 1988

INTRODUCTION

As a national centre for animal research, the role of the Animal Research Centre (ARC),Ottawa, is to identify and solve problems associated with improving livestock and poultry produc-tion in Canada. ARC has a multidisciplinary program team structure consisting of researcherswith a broad range of scientific knowledge. Both applied and basic studies are under way.

ARC is a Canadian centre of expertise in the area of animal biotechnology, which includes thefields of gene manipulation, disease resistance, gamete manipulation, and rumen fermentation.Other significant research areas include studies on animal behavior and environmentalmanagement of farm livestock, and on the safety and quality of feedstuffs and animal products.Within these three broad areas are important individual studies on the dietary utilization of fatsand oils; pesticide metabolism and residues; animal waste utilization; reproductive physiology;carcass evaluation; ruminant digestive physiology; trace mineral and vitamin requirements;evaluation of new feedstuffs; and nutrition and management of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine,and poultry.

In addition to the federally funded research in progress at ARC, a number of clients participatein formal research partnerships. Amlin Grain Roasting Ltd., BASF Canada Ltd., the CanadianAssociation of Animal Breeders, Competitive Edge Crop Management Systems Inc., DacoLaboratories, Harshaw Chemicals Canada Ltd., and Hoffman-LaRoche Ltd. have providedimportant additional resources for new and continuing studies. Significant support is alsoprovided by the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board, the Agricultural Research Institute ofOntario (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food), the Canadian Meat Council, and ShaverPoultry Breeding Farms Ltd. who are predominant partners in several research areas. Thisincreased collaboration with, and support by, industry is being achieved in line with the programthrusts of the Research Branch and the department.

The effective transfer of research findings from the laboratory to the agri-food industrycontinues as a major priority. In 1988, the technical bulletin Feeding and care of youngreplacement veal calves was published and received wide distribution. Collaborative researchbetween the Plant and Animal Research centres was summarized in the departmental bulletinReducing mycotoxins in animal feeds, and more than 6000 copies were forwarded to producers andextension specialists. Research findings were published in 62 scientific and 65 technical andpopular press articles. Among the visitors to ARC and the Greenbelt Research Farm, the centrewas especially honored by the Brazilian agricultural attache and by members of a poultry missionfrom Indonesia. Numerous other Canadian and international scientists, extension workers,administrators, and livestock and poultry producers interacted with various staff and toured thelaboratory and farm facilities.

The centre continued participation in the cooperative research and development program withBrazil in the area of dairy cattle production. The project is with the Dairy Research Centre of theBrazilian National Agricultural Research Organization and its state counterpart in Parana and isfunded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Five Brazilian researchersreturned to Ottawa to continue collaborative research and training with ARC geneticists,nutritionists, and physiologists. The return to Venezuela of a number of Criollo cattle marked theend of a unique breeding project, which had examined milk production of this breed and three-waycrossbreds under Canadian management conditions.

Several ARC scientists received major national or international awards in recognition ofresearch excellence. Dr. Friend was honored by the Canadian Society ofAnimal Science certificateof merit for his studies in pig nutrition and management. The Canadian Association of AnimalBreeders presented their award for excellence in genetics and physiology to Dr. Lee for his researchin dairy cattle breeding and selection. At the congress of the World's Poultry Science Associationin Japan, the association created an international poultry hall offame to recognize world leaders inthe industry. Elected as a founding member was Dr. Sibbald, whose system for measurement oftrue metabolizable energy in poultry feedingstuffs has been implemented around the world. Alsoelected to the hall was Dr. Gowe, recently retired director of ARC and an international authorityon poultry breeding.

Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto 45

The national and international scientific communities continue to acknowledge the expertise ofARC researchers. Typical of this recognition was the invitation by the Organization for EconomicCooperation and Development (OECD) and University of New England, Armadale, Australia(UNE) to Dr. Ivan to chair an international seminar on the role of protozoa and fungi in ruminants,which was held in Australia; Dr. Prelusky was a featured speaker at an international conferenceon mycotoxin problems sponsored by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) inArgentina; and Dr. Gavora chaired the section on disease resistance at the World Congress onSheep and Beef Cattle Breeding in Paris. ARC scientists also provided input on programevaluation. Dr. Elliot was a member of the international team examining progress of the jointprogram of the Southern Africa Development Coordination Council (SADCC) and theInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for sorghum andmillet improvement in the southern African states. Dr. Sibbald traveled to Argentina on behalf ofthe Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (I1CA) to assess feedingstuffevaluation; closer to home Drs. Lister and Gavora assisted the Government of Quebec in itsprogram of research grant evaluation.

Year 1988 marked important steps forward for the biotechnology program team. All threecomponents (microbial genetics, embryo manipulation, and molecular genetics of livestock) nowhave laboratory facilities that meet minimum requirements. Despite occasional handicaps,significant progress has been made by the team. A major undertaking of the program wasorganizing the "Short course on molecular genetics applied in animal breeding and production,"which took place in Guelph in July. The course, held in collaboration with the National ResearchCouncil of Canada and the University ofGuelph, was attended by 48 participants; 22 from Canada,11 from the United States, and 15 from nine other countries. Participants included geneticistsfrom industry, university, and government laboratories. Twenty speakers provided an overview ofthe present state of biotechnology and discussed future prospects in a broad range of areas,including animal welfare and legal regulatory issues.

Further strengthening of the biotech program was accomplished with the return of MartinLessard from a Ph.D. training program initiated by the Research Branch in 1984. Work in the areaof gene manipulation and disease resistance will be expanded as his research program isestablished.

With the support and close collaboration of the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association, thesynthetic sheep strains developed at the centre were registered as three new breeds and the processwas started to disperse foundation animals to nucleus flocks across Canada. The RoyalAgricultural Winter Fair saw the first public display of the ARCOTT breeds and their auction asbreeding stock. Final testing and crossing of the breeds is under way as the breed developmentaspect of the sheep production program enters its last phase. An example of this testing was thetransport of 58 ARCOTT sheep to the University ofMinnesota to participate in evaluation of theirmilk production potential in comparison with numerous other established breeds.

This annual review highlights research for 1988. Some studies that have produced particularlynoteworthy results include the following: the role of relaxin has been further clarified and itspresence detected in follicular growth and ovulation; the usefulness of manipulating photoperiodto advance the age at puberty has been shown in growing lambs; genetic gains for broilers can besignificant if emphasis is put on weight-corrected feed efficiency; studies on management ofintensively howed geese showed good production of semen by ganders under a regimen ofcontrolled light; detailed studies continued to unravel the problem as to why some egg-layingstrains of chickens are resistant to the eradication oflymphoid leukosis; a new farrowing crate hasbeen designed to allow the sow greater movement; the consumption of water by newborn pigletshas been monitored and is shown to be essential for good growth and survival; naked oats with alysine supplement supports good growth and carcass quality for growing-finishing pigs; in thediets of broiler chicks, vitamin supplementation of naked oats is useful to avoid effects of growthdepression; manipulation oflight and feed intake with broiler breeders as they approach adulthoodreduces mortality and increases adult egg numbers; confirmation that the extensivemetabolizable energy data for poultry feedstuffs can be extended for use with swine will expand thealready widespread use of the true metabolizable energy-cockerel assay; initial studies withJerusalem artichoke flour have indicated its possible use in milk replacer for piglets; metabolism


t....•.

ofa primary metabolite ofa popular, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide has indicated that the parentchemical is not a danger to the poultry industry; many pharmacologic effects ofmycotoxins occur atthe cellular level, which confirms the need to remove or destruct the toxin in grain prior toconsumption; 18 synthetic genes have now been designed to modify the composition of amino acid ofrumen bacteria; for the first time foreign DNA has been introduced into a rumen bacterium andexpressed in a stable way; pregnancies in cattle have been confirmed from embryo manipulationtechniques involving nuclear transfer (cloning); genetic markers have been found that may beuseful in selection for resistance to Marek's disease in poultry; selection for increased frequency ofthe K-casein B allele can improve lifetime total yield of milk in dairy cattle; study of the effects ofcopper in calf diets has shown that intake should be at 10-50 ppm to achieve best performance;copper metabolism is also affected by.rumen protozoa, however, the mechanism is indirect anddepends on the type of protein consumed; the usefulness ofvitamin E was established as an agent toprevent autoxidation of milk during storage; and the characteristics of a cytoplasmic cofactor thatregulates synthesis of rumen bacterial methane has been determined, which could allow moreefficient feeding ofdairy cattle through reduced energy wastage via methane production.

Detailed information on the research accomplishments, methodology, and results can beobtained from the publications listed at the end of this report. Reprints of these publications andcopies of this report are available on request from the Director, Animal Research Centre, ResearchBranch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC6;Tel. (613) 993.6002; Fax (613) 995-8175.

E.E. ListerDirector

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Genetic manipulation ofrumen bacteria

Genetic engineering techniques continue tobe applied to rumen bacteria to improve theefficiency of feed utilization by ruminants.The DNA sequence of the gene for a(1-+3)(1-+4)-I3-D-glucanase from Bacteroidessuccinogenes cloned in Escherichia coli hasbeen determined. Information on the detailedstructure of the control region of this gene hasbeen applied to the design of a plasmid cloningvector, which will facilitate the expression offoreign proteins in rumen bacteria.

E. coli clones that produce l3-g1ucosidaseand contain genes from the dominant rumenbacteria Selenomonas ruminantium, Lachno-spira multiparus, and Bacteroides succinogeneshave been studied to determine the substratespecificity of the enzymes. The isolation andanalysis of genes from rumen bacteria for theseenzymes, which are involved in the degra-dation of cellulose and other components ofplant fiber, provide basic information about,and tools to modify, the extent and rate ofdegradation of plant fiber in the rumen.

The structure of 18 synthetic genesdesigned to reduce the need of ruminants forsupplemental dietary protein has beenconfirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Thegene products are being characterized and


vectors for the cloning and expression of thesegenes in rumen bacteria are being developed.For the first time, foreign DNA has beenintroduced into a rumen bacterium and expres-sed in a stable way. The technique of electro-poration was used to introduce a newlydesigned plasmid vector carrying a mixed-linkage l3-g1ucanase gene into Bacteroidesruminicola. The plasmid was stably inheritedand the glucanase gene was expressed in itsnew host.

Embryo manipulation andcryopreservation

Manipulation. The cloning of bovineembryos by the technique of nuclear transferhas been accomplished. Cows designated asegg and embryo donors were given hormonetreatments to produce newly ovulated eggs andfour to eight cell embryos at the required time.Blood progesterone levels were monitoredcontinuously by enzyme immunoassay toconfirm response to treatment and to verify thetime of estrus. Embryos and oocytes werecollected from the oviducts within 10 min afterslaughter.

Micromanipulation procedures have beendeveloped to separate blastomeres and enu-cleate the oocytes, removing the polar body andadjacent cytoplasm containing the metaphasechromosomes. A blastomere inserted beneath

47

the zona pellucida of an enucleated oocyte wasfused to the oocyte by electrofusion. Fusionproducts were embedded in agar cylinders andplaced in the oviducts of a sheep for in vivoculture. After 5 days, the agar cylinders wererecovered, the embryos were removed, andthose considered viable were transferred non-surgically into the uterus of prepared recipientheifers. To date, three pregnancies (> 55 days)derived from one donor embryo have beenconfirmed.

Microsurgically bisected embryos are nowused routinely for transfers by commercialcattle breeders. Measures of performance, suchas body growth and milk production in cattlethat have developed from bisected embryos, arenot well known. Using mice as a pilot orga-nism, experiments have examined viability ofbisected embryos during gestation and post-natal growth and reproduction. Studies usinginbred, outbred, and crossbred mice revealedthat bisection decreased embryo survivalduring gestation by almost 20% compared withthat of transferred whole embryos. It alsoincreased the gestation period of recipients by1.1 days, but did not affect postnatal growth orreproduction of males and females.

Cryopreservation. Preliminary experi-ments on the development of nontoxic diluentsfor the preservation of embryos at low tem-peratures without freezing (Le., supercooling)have been completed and results are beingsummarized.

Studies to determine the optimal conditionsfor ultralow temperature preservation of boarsemen have examined the interaction ofglycerol concentration (0-100%) and coolingvelocity (2-1500°C/min) and their effects onmotility and acrosomal integrity of sperma-tozoa. The percentage of motile spermatozoaafter freeze-thaw increases with greaterglycerol concentration, the optimal glycerolconcentration being determined by the freezingvelocity used. However, the percentage ofspermatozoa with a normal apical ridge (NAR)decreases with increasing concentration ofglycerol. At the optimal freezing velocity of30°C/min, boar spermatozoa can tolerate thehigher levels of glycerol (4%v/v) necessary foradequate cryopreservation with only a slightdecrease in NAR. The proportion of motilespermatozoa doubles compared to valuesobtained from current procedures using pelletson dry ice. To accelerate the evaluation offreeze-thaw damage in boar spermatozoa. thethermo resistance test was modified. Post-thaw

48

incubation of spermatozoa at 42.5°C for 45 minis now used as a supplementary test to predictthe fertilizing capacity of ejaculates processedby various procedures.

Disease resistance and molecular genetics

Lymphoid leukosis (LL) is a lymphoprolifer-ative disease of chickens caused by a retro-virus. Resistance to LL virus infection isinherited. Viral penetration of the host cellsinvolves interaction of a viral glycoprotein anda cell receptor. Affinity binding of LL viruswith actylglucoside-extracted and radiolabeledproteins from the cell surface of susceptibleembryonic fibroblasts, after chemical linkingand immunoprecipitation, revealed fourcellular proteins that bind specifically to thevirus. Of these, one protein with apparentmolecular mass of 68-80 kilodaltons waspredominant. In another approach, electro-phoretically separated and membrane-blottedcell surface proteins were probed with radio-labeled LL virus. Two autoradiographic viralbands were detected that interacted withcellular proteins.

Marek's disease (MD), caused by a herpesvirus, results in development of tumors onnerves, viscera, and other sites. Despitevaccination, significant losses from MDpersist.especially where highly virulent strains of thevirus are involved. T-cells are the target of theneoplastic transformation by MD viruses andare also involved in cell-mediated immuneresponse. Collaborative research with theAnimal Diseases Research Institute, Nepean,Ont., and Hiroshima University. HigashiHiroshima, Japan, compared resistance to MDin a variety of genetic groups of chickens. Thestudy examined their protection by vacci-nation, as well as response to phytohema-glutinin (PHA), an indicator of cell-mediatedimmune response. Regardless of level ofgenetic resistance, vaccination reduced MD byabout 70%. Hence, the lowest incidence of MDwas in genetically resistant, vaccinated groups.Response to PHA was generally positivelycorrelated with MD resistance but the corre-lation coefficients were not sufficiently largeand constant to provide conclusive evidence onthe relationship of genetic resistance to MDand response to PHA.

Collaborative research with MacdonaldCollege ofMcGill University showed that DNAfingerprinting, based on the detection of ahypervariable virus satellite region in DNArestriction fragments can be successfully


~-----------------~~---------~-~- -_ ...._----.'~

applied in chickens. Comparisons of the band-ing patterns between parents and offspringrevealed that the bands are inherited as stable,Mendelian traits. As expected, the variabilityof the DNA fingerprinting patterns was reduc-ed in inbred lines. Indices of genetic distancecomputed on the basis ofthe DNA fingerprintsfor five well-defined genetic groups correctlyreflected the history of the groups. It wasconcluded that DNA fingerprinting may be apowerful tool to characterize genetic relation-ships among populations.

Studies with Macdonald College also result-ed in progress towards development of DNAprobes for genetic loci associated with MDresistance. A DNA polymorphism was detect-ed, through the use ofa cloned C-myb oncogeneprobe, between strains of chickens previouslyselected for resistance or susceptibility to MD.DNA fingerprinting, using phage M13 as aprobe, revealed a highly amplified DNAsegment of about 20 kilobases present in MD-resistant chickens and absent or present onlyat a low frequency in susceptible birds. Thesetwo genetic markers may be useful for selectionfor MD resistance without deliberate exposureof the selection candidates to the virus.

DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING

Genetic evaluation procedures

Simulation results from a cooperative pro-ject between ARC and the record of perform-ance program of the Livestock DevelopmentDivision demonstrated that correlationsbetween true and estimated genetic values arehigher when several traits are analyzed simul-taneously than when done individually. How-ever, the advantage of multiple- over single-trait analysis appeared small in both randomor selected populations when the traits studiedwere highly positively correlated. Furtherstudy is currently under way to examine thedifferences when the traits involved arenegatively correlated.

Association of milk protein type withlifetime production

Data from 889 cowsat five research stationsof Agriculture Canada were used to study theeffects of Q-, 13-,and K-casein and l3-lacto-globulin loci on lifetime performance repre-senting first three-parity and 61-month totalmilk yields. Of the four types of milk protein,


only the K-casein locus was found to havesignificant effects on lifetime performance.Complete replacement of A by B allele at theK-casein locus resulted in increases of 1657 and1923 kg in first three-parity and 61-monthtotal milk yields, respectively. It wasconcluded that the moderate gene frequency ofK-casein B allele in the current dairy popula-tion can be increased to improve lifetime totalmilk yield to the benefit of the dairy industry.

Bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)

Blood samples from 271 Holstein AI bullswere typed for 37 antigens, controlled bycodominant alleles of the BoLA locus, to studythe relationships of BoLA alleles withestimated transmitting abilities (ETA) forproduction and type traits. Only 16 antigenswere present and there were differences in thefrequencies of the 16 associated alleles. Themost common allele was W6.1, which had anallelic frequency of 26.0%. Substitution ofW6.1 for WI0 significantly (P < 0.05)increased the ETA for protein yield by 3.2 BCA(breed class average). The substitution ofWllallele for WI0 significantly increased the ETAfor yields as well as percentages of fat andprotein. Substitution of W16 for WI0 had asignificant (P < 0.05) negative effect on most ofthe type trait proofs. The effect of BoLA alleleon estimated transmitting ability in AI bullssuggested that the substitution of either W6.1or Wll for WI0 was significantly associatedwith increased yield of protein. Although notsignificant, the same substitution wasassociated with increased milk yield. It is nowimportant to see if a similar association existsin other dairy populations.

National cooperative dairy cattlebreeding project

Results of first lactation feed efficiency onabout 3200 heifers showed significant line (H,A, or C) and breed source additive effects with-in line. Heterotic and maternal effects weregenerally unimportant. Feeding concentratesaccording to milk production level precludedclear separation of effects of yield, consump-tion, and initial weight on feed efficiency.Ayrshires were more efficient than Holsteins.The North American Ayrshire, FinnishAyrshire, and Norwegian Red breed sourceadditive effects on feed efficiency were superiorto that of Agriculture Canada Holsteins withother genetic groups being intermediate.

49

DAIRY AND BEEF CATTLENUTRITION

Composition of pre ruminant calf bile

In adult ruminants, lysophosphatidylcho-line in bile promotes the intestinal solu-bilization and absorption of free palmitic andstearic acids, the products offat metabolism inthe rumen. Little is known of bile compositionand function in the preruminant calf, whichdigests fat to monoglycerides and free fattyacids, as do monogastric animals.Experiments demonstrated that bile from

preruminant calves, fed milk replacer to6 weeks of age, had similar patterns for lipidsand bile acids as reported by others for adults.Taurocholic acid was the most abundant bileacid and taurine conjugates predominated overglycine conjugates. Phosphatidylcholine wasthe major lipid (-75%) with smaller amounts ofphosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin,lysophosphatidylcholine, triglycerides, freefatty acids, and cholesterol. The fatty acidcomposition ofbiliary phosphatidylcholine wasfound to be markedly affected by dietary fattyacids. Dietary essential fatty acids appeared inthe biliary phosphatidylcholine but not in theessential fatty acid metabolites formed in thecalf.

Copper in calf diets

The maximum safe level for Cu in calf milkreplacers is not well defined. An upper limit of10 ppm (in dry matter), recommended by theUnited States National Research Council, isbased on very little experimental evidence. A6-week feeding experiment with calvesestimated the highest safe level of Cu in milkreplacers containing 10, 50, 200, 500, or1000 ppm Cu as sulfate. Weight gains, feedintake, and feed efficiency were the same for 10and 50 ppm Cu. At 200 and 500 ppm, gainswere reduced by 20 and 30%, respectively, andfeed efficiency was much poorer than for 10 or50 ppm. The calves could not tolerate1000 ppm; three of the seven calves died andthe four survivors had no weight gains. Thecalves showed typical symptoms of chronic Cutoxicity-apathy, poor appetite, jaundice, andbrownish-red urine. Post-mortem examina-tions revealed that all calves fed 1000 ppm hadtypical signs ofCu toxicity. Carcasses ofcalvesfed 500 ppm Cu were mildly affected butcarcasses were normal for all those fed less Cu.

50

Supplementing the 1000 ppm Cu diet with1000 ppm Zn prevented deaths but calf per-formance remained very poor. Most of thesupplemental dietary Cu was found in theliver. Molybdenum (Mo) and Zn, traceelements that provide some protection againstCu toxicity, were in lowered concentrations inliver because of increased fecal excretion.Although an intake of 50 ppm Cu was safe

and allowed good calf performance, likely thereare no benefits from providing more Cu in calfmilk replacers than the United States NationalResearch Council recommendation of 10 ppm.On the contrary, where milk replacers containless Zn and Mo than used in this experimentand the feeding period is longer as in vealproduction, calves would be much moresusceptible to Cu toxicity.

Ciliate protozoa and copper availability

Ciliate protozoa are part of the ruminalecosystem and affect rumina I metabolism. Itwas found previously that the presence ofciliate protozoa in the rumen reduces thebioavailability of Cu in diets containing soy-bean meal (SBM) as supplementary proteinand that this reduction is not dependant on thedietary concentration of Cu. Further experi-ments with fauna-free and faunated sheepstudied the effects of protozoa on the bioavail-ability of Cu in corn silage, alone and withSBM, casein, or fish-meal supplements. Thefaunated sheep in all treatments grew fasterand consumed more feed and consequentlymore Cu. However, they had a significantlylower ruminal Cu solubility and accumulatedless Cu in their livers than the fauna-free sheepwhen fed corn silage alone or in combinationwith SBM-an insoluble, rumen-degradableprotein. Such effects were not significant whencorn silage was supplemented with fish meal, apartially rumen-degradable protein. Thepresence ofciliate protozoa in the rumen had noeffect on the accumulation of Cu in the liver ofsheep fed corn silage supplemented withcasein-a soluble, rumen-degradable protein.The results showed that the effect of protozoaupon Cu metabolism is indirect and depends onthe type ofdietary protein present.

Vitamin D supplementation

Plasma concentrations of vitamin 03 (D3)and 25-hydroxyvitamin 03 (25-0H03) weremeasured serially in confined sheep that hadbeen supplemented either with dietary 03 or


exposed daily to ultraviolet irradiation (UVI).In sheep receiving oral Ds, plasma levels of thevitamin increased continuously until a plateauwas reached after 56 days of supplementation.Plasma 25-0HDs concentrations also increasedcontinuously and plateaued between 65 and 75days. In UVI sheep, plasma Ds and 25-0HDsconcentrations increased continuously for thefirst 49 days, then plateaued.

Following its administration intravenously,labeled 25-0HD3 was found to be eliminatedmore rapidly after a high oral intake of Ds,resulting in a shorter life of the vitamin com-pared with that in UVI sheep. The turnoverrate of 25-0HD3 was slower in sheep receivingUVI. It was concluded that the differences inturnover rates were reflected by differences ininter-compartmental transfer rates. The dataindicated that UVI was more effective thanoral Ds supplementation for improving ofvitamin D status ofconfined sheep.

Vitamin E pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetic disposition of varioustocopherol (vitamin E) formulations werestudied in sheep when the various tocopherolpreparations were given orally in equivalentinternational units. The efficacy of a-toco-pherol (natural form) was greater than that ofD-a-tocopherol, DL-a-tocopherol acetate,D-a-tocopherol acetate, or DL-a-tocopherol.When administered intravenously, D-a-toco-pherol acetate was more effective than equi-valent amounts of DL-a-tocopherol acetate orDL-a-tocopherol.

Autoxidation of milk and vitamin E

Milk containing milk fat with levels ofa-tocopherol less than 20l1g/g is likely tooxidize and flareups of autoxidation duringstorage in the food distribution system arebecoming common. Cows are inefficient intransferring dietary vitamin E, a naturalantioxidant, to their milk.

Studies were conducted to esta b !ishwhether this inefficiency was caused by smalllimitation in the ability of the mammary glandto transfer a-tocopherol. On day 2 after singleintraperitoneal injections of 5 or 10 g ofDL-a-tocopherol as an emulsion, vitamin Econtent of milk fat increased from about 20 to62 and 14111g/g, respectively. Daily dietarysupplementation of vitamin E supplied asDL-a-tocopherol at 400 g/t dry matter showedthat the response depended upon the energy


status of cows. When started at week 4 of lac-tation, when cows were losing body tissue, thesupplementation, which provided 8-10 g/day,increased vitamin E content of milk fat fromabout 10 to 2511g/g within 1 week and at theend of 4 weeks reached about 40 I1g/g. Thesame supplementation started at weeks 9, 14,15, or 16 of lactation resulted in levels ofvitamin E in the milk fat of 45-5111g/g within 1week.

It seems that the mammary gland is cap-able of transferring large amounts ofvitamin Eto milk and the inefficiency in the utilization ofdietary vitamin E results from mobilization ofadipose tissue fat and transformation ofvitamin E in other tissues such as the liver.

Protein quality of alfalfa silage

Alfalfa is of high nutritive value, howeverensiling reduces protein quality through acombined effect of plant enzyme action andmicrobial activity. Plant enzyme activity, inparticular proteolysis, serves no useful purposeand can degrade up to 60%ofthe true protein tononprotein nitrogen.

In a series of experiments plant proteaseactivity was inhibited using heat, applied at90.C for 2 min just after the crop was cut.Three silage pairs, each comprising a controland a heat-treated silage were studied. Silageswithin each pair were prepared from the samecrop and were of similar dry-matter content.Heat-treatment reduced the extent of proteinbreakdown by up to 50%.

The silages were fed to sheep with rumenand duodenal cannulas to evaluate digestion.Heat-treatment reduced the concentration ofrumen ammonia and increased the amount ofnonammonia nitrogen (NAN)--a measure ofamino-acid nitrogen, passing from the rumento the intestines. The response in NANpassage varied between 10 and 25%. Increasedflow of NAN to the intestines resulted fromreduced degradation of dietary protein in therumen and from increased efficiency ofmicrobial protein synthesis. Heat-treatmenthad no negative effects on the absorption ofnitrogen in the intestines, as can occur inheat-damaged silages.

In a feeding trial comparing one silage pairusing young lambs, heat-treatment increasedvoluntary intake by 40% and the daily rate ofbody weight gain from 56 to 145 g. Theincreased gain was attributed to the directeffects of increased intake and the indirecteffects of improved protein quality. The

51

experiments showed that short.term heat-treatment inhibited the negative effects ofplant proteolysis on the quality of silageprotein. The results demonstrated that theextent of proteolysis in silage had a directinfluence on the utilization of crude proteinand voluntary intake of alfalfa silage in sheep.

Fiber degradation by rumen bacteria

Rumen bacteria have enzymes capable ofhydrolyzing (1,3)-, (1,4)-, and (1,3)(1,4)-~-o-linkages between glucose units. An enzymespecific for (1,3)(1,4)-~-o-glucans was pre-viously cloned into E. coli and purified. Anenzyme that hydrolyses (1,3).~-o-linkages isalso present in rumen bacteria. This enzymehas been purified from the culture fluid ofRuminococcus flavefaciens grown on cellulose.A hundredfold purification has been achievedusing anion exchange and hydoxylapatitechromatography. The enzyme has a pH opti.mum of 7.5-7.0 and a temperature optimum of55.C. The molecular mass of the enzyme is inthe range 90-100 kilodaltons and the km of theenzyme for its substrate, laminar in, is approxi-mately 0.3 mg/mL. The products from hydrol-ysis oflaminarin, which could be identified, areglucose and gentiobiose. Five or six otherproducts were also present but could not beidentified readily. They are probably oligosac-charides of glucose units containing both (1,3)and (1,6) linkages. Activity of the enzyme withlaminarin as substrate has been compared withother (1,3)-fl-o-glucans such as curdlan,carboxymethylpachyman, and scleroglucan.

Methane biosynthesis

Methane synthesizing bacteria were shownto require Na + for the production of adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) and methane. The site ofaction of Na + is not known but it appears tofunction in a Na+lH+ antiporter, whereby H+expulsion from the bacterial cell is accom-panied by Na + import. Because monensinfunctions as aNa +/H + anti porter in mem-branes, low levels of monensin have beenshown to stimulate methane and ATP syn-thesis although at higher levels monensin is apowerful inhibitor. Work is in progress toestablish optimum Na + levels in the rumen formaximum ATP production.

The complete structure of the cytoplasmiccofactor, which regulates methane synthesis inrumen bacteria, has been characterized. Theintact molecule consists of uridine diphosphate

52

linked through two sugar residues to 7-mer-captoheptanoylthreonine phosphate. This co-factor is an absolute requirement in thebiosynthesis ofmethane and its activity cannotbe replaced by any other known cofactor.

SHEEP PRODUCTION

Development of specialized sire and damstrains

The three synthetic strains of sheep devel-oped through selection from crossbred founda-tions have been recognized as new breedsunder the Livestock Pedigree Act. The Cana-dian ARCOTT breed (ARC Strain 1) developedfor use as a terminal sire has a superior growthrate and lean meat yield. The OutaouaisARCOTT (ARC Strain 2) and Rideau ARCOTT(ARC Strain 3) breeds, developed for use asprolific dam breeds, have an average litter sizeof2.5-2.6. Foundation stocks have been select-ed and registered by the Canadian LivestockRecords Corporation on behalf of the CanadianSheep Breeders Association (CSBA), which hasbeen given responsibility for them.

To preserve the germplasm resources of thebreeds, the first nucleus flocks of registeredanimals have been established at selectedlocations across Canada. When establishmentof the nucleus flocks has been completed, about400 registered ewes and 40 registered rams ofeach breed will have been allocated. Typically,nucleus flocks consist of 40 ewes and 3 rams.

A preliminary study has evaluated thegrowth performance of purebred and crossbredlambs of the ARCOTT breeds under manage-ment conditions typical of those prevailing inthe Canadian sheep industry. Body weights oflambs from reciprocal matings ofthe OutaouaisARCOTT and Rideau ARCOTT breeds were, onaverage, 0.2 kg heavier at 91 days of age thantheir purebred contemporaries. In turn,purebred ARCOTT lambs were 4 kg heavierthan lambs of the Finnish Landrace breed,which is being maintained as a random-bredcontrol. Lambs ofa three-breed cross, producedby mating crossbred ewes of the ARCOTT dambreeds with rams of the Canadian ARCOTTand Suffolk (a random-bred control) breeds,were 2.2 kg heavier at 91 days of age thanlambs of the purebred or crossbred ARCOTTdam breeds. Also, lambs sired by CanadianARCOTT rams were generally heavier thanthose sired by Suffolk rams.


Reproductive physiology

Follicular growth and ovulation. Thepresence and localization of relaxin (RLX) inluteal tissue during the estrous cycle has beenstudied by a comprehensive immunocyto-chemical examination of porcine ovarian tissueobtained from gilts induced to ovulate by treat-ment with pregnant mares' serum gonad-otropin and human chorionic gonadotropin.Ovaries were obtained at laparotomy duringthe periovulatory period and at specified timesthrough day 19 postovulation. Emphasis wasplaced on obtaining tissue at intervals of 12-24 h up to 96 h after ovulation. RLX immu-nostaining was evident in theca interna cellsbefore and at 6 h after ovulation. At 18h afterovulation, RLX immunostaining, comparableto that seen in theca interna cells, was observedfor the first time in luteinizing granulosa cells.As luteinization progressed it became difficultto identify the origin of the RLX immu-nostaining cells. However, the intensity ofRLX immunostaining increased with corpuslute urn development, with the staining becom-ing localized in the large luteal cells. Byday 19after ovulation RLX immunostaining wasundetectable. These results indicated RLXwaspresent in the corpus luteum during its forma-tion and functional lifespan. Also, it appearedthat the presence of RLX in granulosa cellspostovulation was associated with cellluteinization.

Manipulation of photoperiod. Age atpuberty and reproductive performance wasdetermined for ewe lambs of the synthetic sireand dam strains raised under different photo-regimes. The lambs were bred during January,May, or September at 30-32 weeks of age.Irrespective of birth date, the lambs werereared under continuous light from birth to5 weeks of age. From 5 to 20 weeks they werekept under 16 h light daily (16L:8D; treatmentAl, 8 h light daily (8L:16D; treatment B), or asplit photoperiod of 8 h total light daily(7L:9D:IL:7D; treatment C). Subsequently, alllambs were exposed to 9 h light daily until afterbreeding. The incidence of puberty at 28 weeksofage was similar (- 50%)for lambs reared undertreatments A and C and higher than that oflambs raised under treatment B. Thereproductive performance of the lambs bredafter treatment with intravaginal spongesimpregnated with fluorogestone acetate andpregnant mares' serum gonadotropin to induce

Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Ont.

a synchronized estrus was not influenced bythe previous photoperiod history or by sexualmaturity at the start of the sponge treatment.However, strain, age, and weight of lambs atbreeding influenced significantly thereproductive outcome.

POULTRY BREEDING

Broiler meat production

In recent decades, broiler breeders' flockshave been selected intensively for greater bodyweight at younger and younger ages. Inaddition to large increases in growth rate,there have been correlated increases in fatness,especially abdominal fatness. Genetic param-eters for body weight, feed efficiency, andabdominal fatness have been estimated usingsix generations of data from selected andcontrol lines of the broiler sire and dampopulations at ARC. Genetic correlationsrevealed feed efficiency to have higher, positivecorrelations with gains at 4-6 weeks than witheither 4- or 6-week body weights. In fact,correlations between feed efficiency and4-week weight were negative. In addition,4-week weight had a higher correlation withabdominal fatness than carcass weight. Hence,selection for very young body weights should beavoided to prevent correlated increases inabdominal fatness and reductions in feedefficiency. It was concluded that breedersshould select for weight gain during the latterhalf of broiler growth unless they includeselection for feed efficiency or low abdominalfatness with body weight, or both.Five generations of selection in broiler dam

lines for weight at 28 days, feed efficiency at28-42 days, and hatching egg production to40 weeks revealed heritabilities of 0.32 for28-day weight and 0.14 for feed efficiency at28-42 days. Corresponding estimates based onsire variance components were 0.38 and 0.16.Correction of feed efficiency for differences inbody weight at the beginning of the test periodincreased heritability to 0.20. This increaseindicated that the response to selection forweight-corrected feed efficiency could improvethe response to selection by as much as 25%.For broiler breeders that are now beingselected for feed efficiency, this simpleadjustment could make major increases inexpected genetic gains.

53

Vitamin D3 and eggshell quality

A previous study examined substitution ofvarious 03 metabolites for 03 itself in alaying ration. l,25-Dihydroxyvitamin 03[l,25-(OH)203] at a level in the feed of 5 llglkgwas most effective in improving eggshellquality when fed to hens from 59 to 80 weeksof age. Further research indicated thatl,25-(OH)203 at levels of3, 5, or 7 llglkg had nosignificant influence on plasma calcium,jejunal or uterine ATPase, or uterine carbonicanhydrase compared to control rations con-taining 03' When the metabolite 24,25-dihy-droxyvitamin D3was added alone (5 llglkg) orin combination with l,25-(OH)2D3 (each at5 llglkg), uterine ATPase was depressed signi-ficantly compared with the control. It wasconcluded that the beneficial effect ofl,25-(OH)2D3 on eggshell quality must bethrough other physiological factors.

Goose management and genetics

Artificial insemination of geese is greatlydepend~nt on the persistence of high-qualitysemen production. In a study of two strains ofEmbden ganders, late in the breeding season(29 May-30 June), semen quality of thosemaintained indoors under 10 h light and 14 hdarkness (lOL:14D) was compared with thosekept outdoors under natural light, estimated at15L:9D. No significant differences were foundbetween strains for semen traits. Semenquality was generally low in that only 18.8 and7.5% of ejaculates from ganders kept indoorsand outdoors, respectively, were potentiallyuseful for artificial insemination. Concen-tration and yield of spermatozoa and percent-age of mature spermatozoa were all signi-ficantly greater in ejaculates of ganders keptindoors compared with those kept outdoors. Itwas concluded that the indoor light environ-ment was better than that outdoors forproducing good-quality semen.

Medium to high heritabilities of fatnesstraits suggest that selection against such traitscould result in leaner carcasses. To avoid thecostly procedure of killing siblings to assessfatness of potential breeders, plasma traitswere investigated to determine if they could beused to evaluate fatness in the live bird.Heritabilities of the plasma traits, very lowdensity lipoproteins, redox potential, and pHwere quite high (20.44), indicating that thesetraits could be changed. However, phenotypiccorrelations between these plasma traits and

54

intestinal fat, leaf fat, their sum, and skin plusfat, expressed as weight or as a percentage ofcarcass, were low (SO.25). Therefore, underthe conditions of this study, these traits couldnot replace testing of siblings to select forreduced fatness.

Poultry egg production

As yet there is no proven, satisfactoryscientific method to combine all the infor-mation available to determine the breedingvalue of a layer. The most promising method atpresent is best linear unbiased predictions(BLUP). Procedures were developed to cal-culate BLUP breeding values for quadraticcharacters of related layers on a continuousbasis in a production environment. A profitfunction for economic evaluation and selectionof layers was revised, extended, and general-ized. The profit function allows improvedassessment of poultry flocks for managementand selection and will allow researchers andeconomists to refine analyses for the poultryindustry. A subset of this function was usedwith breeding values estimated by BLUP toevaluate overall merit.

Fear in poultry is a natural adaptive be-havior, but too much fear can lead to economicloss and lower welfare. A study of environ-mental enrichment in layers, conducted incooperation with the Nova Scotia AgriculturalCollege, Truro, and the Institute of AnimalGenetics and Physiology, Edinburgh, revealedstrain differences in fear levels as measured bytonic immobility and open field tests.

Disease resistance genetics

Infection with lymphoid leukosis virus(LLV) is an industry-wide problem andeconomic losses from LLV are high. Recently,virulent field strains ofLLV that result in highmortality as well as the more usual subclinicalinfections have been reported. Eradication canbe achieved at the breeder level, which willimprove the accuracy of selection for eggproduction. Many strains of chickens havebeen free of LLV for several generations, butsome strains resist all effort at eradication.

In poultry populations at ARC, femalesfrom a 1986 hatch with readings for the groupspecific antigen (gsa) of LLV in egg albumenabove 0.40 were not used as breeders.Sampling was done at about 200 and 360 days.In the 1987 hatch their female offspring weresampled twice for gsa in featherpulp between


hatch and 12 days of age, and again between 22and 31 days of age. Chicks presumed positivewere removed and disposed of (-1460 chicks).About 200 chicks from this group were sent toAnimal Diseases Research Institute for virusneutralization tests to determine the relation-ship between ELISA gsa level and LLV infec-tion. ELISA gsa readings of featherpulpsamples ranged from> 0.00 to 3.30 with half ofthe females being 0.40 or higher. The readingsare much higher than expected; some of themmay result from endogenous viral DNA genes.

To determine the disease status of the flock,an antibody profile using blood serum from asample of 10 pullets from the middle tier ofeach rearing cage unit, post 14 weeks of age,was taken in November 1987. After housing,egg albumen was sampled from one egg of eachhen and tested for LLV gsa. The incidence ofshedders did not decrease appreciably althoughthe incidence of hens in the classes 1.60 andabove was reduced. Little relationship wasfound between LLVgsa in featherpulp of chicksand either LLV antibody or LLV gsa in eggalbumen. Also, there was little correspondencebetween hens testing positive for antibody andthose testing positive for LLV gsa in eggalbumen. Five of about 1600 hens sampled forantibody were test-positive for both LLVantibody and LLVgsa in egg albumen.

SWINE PRODUCTION

Swine behavior

Farrowing crates restrict the movement ofthe sow during the birth process and lactationand thus help to reduce accidental crushing ofpiglets by the sow. However, close confinementis controversial in terms of animal welfare andmay contribute to farrowing difficulties undersome circumstances. A new design of farrow-ing crate was developed with sides spaced wellapart (1.15 m) at the sow's standing height butangled inward near the floor. The designallows sows to move freely and turn whenstanding, but restricts their resting area andprevents sows from dropping suddenly onto oneside. Survival and body-weight data werecollected for 20 farrowings in the prototypecrate and for 18-20 farrowings in each of threeother crate types. No significant differenceswere found in stillbirth rate, other deaths to14 days, or average piglet weight gains, butgains were somewhat more variable in one of


the conventional designs that interfered withthe piglets' access to the teats. The principle ofinward-sloping crate sides may provide a lessrestrictive alternative to conventional farrow-ing crates, but large-scale testing is needed.

Traditionally it has been assumed thatpiglets raised by the sow have no need fordrinking water during the first days afterbirth. Doubtless this is true of healthy pigletsreceiving adequate milk, but many newbornsexperience some degree of milk deprivation.Use of drinking water by piglets was deter-mined for 51 litters by weighing and refilling abowl-type water dispenser each day for the first4 days after farrowing. Piglets drank anaverage of 46 g/day per piglet over the 4 days,but there was great variation from litter tolitter. Litters that lost weight or gained verylittle on days 1 and 2 drank considerable water,averaging about 110 g/day per piglet on day 2.Litters with high initial weight gains dranklittle water during this period. The resultssuggest that piglets will drink appreciableamounts of water on the first days after birth,especially if their milk intake is limited.Under these circumstances water intake mayhelp to prevent dehydration and promotesurvival of piglets with low early milk intake.

Naked oats

Naked oats (Avena nuda) differ fromcommon oats (Avena sativa) in that the hull isloosely attached and is blown away bycombining when harvested. Naked oats havelow fibre, high protein, and high oil contents.When naked oats were fed as a replacement forcorn and soybean meal in diets for growing-finishing boars and barrows, a supplement oflysine improved growth and carcass quality.Boars ate less feed daily then barrows; the rateof gain for boars was lower but feed efficiencywas better than for barrows. The studysupported the inclusion of at least 48% nakedoats in a diet for growing-finishing pigs.

Carcass quality

ARC research, partly funded under theOntario pork industry improvement program,continued to study environmental factors thatcan affect the incidence of pale, soft, exudative(PSE) pork under field conditions. Currentresearch determined the influences of packingplant conditions on the incidence of PSE. Thestudy was made possible by the activecooperation of the industry.

55

ANIMAL WASTE UTILIZATION

Pesticide persistence and movement

In a 14-ha corn field, concentrations ofmetolachlor, cyanazine, and atrazine wereessentially nondetectable in clay loam soil atdepths of >0.3 m. Metolachlor was detected ineffiuent from 0.6 to 1.0m deep tiles only afteran intense rainstorm event 50 days afterapplication but not at other times, suggestingpossible transport to tile drains via soil macro-pores. Cyanazine was not detected in tileeffiuent but atrazine was detectable most of thetime. Atrazine was not detected in the tileeffiuentfrom a 4-ha corn field with similar soiltype 4 years after the last application of theherbicide.

Composting of liquid manures

In a collaborative study with the LandResource Research Centre, acidic, hydrophillicsphagnum peat of low bulk density andion-buffering capacity was composted withmanure slurries from dairy cattle, sheep, andpoultry'. Nonmechanical aeration was providedby laying the compost heaps on open-ended,horizontal, perforated plastic pipes. Anenvelope of peat around the compost mixturerestricted ammonia and odor release. Compostpile temperatures of45 and 55°Cwere attainedin 1 and 4 days, respectively. Temperaturesbetween 45 and 65°C were maintained for 22,14, and 36 days in the dairy cattle, sheep, andpoultry manure compost mixtures, respect-ively. The total time for composting fromlaying of .heaps, heating, and cooling toambient temperatures varied from 43 to48 days. The nitrogen content of the finishedcomposts varied from 1.6 to 1.8% and thecarbon:nitrogen ratio ranged from 16 to 23.

POULTRY NUTRITION

Broiler breeder management

Development of broiler breeders during theperiod of transition from pullet to layer isimportant to their ability to produce hatchingeggs. Replacement of white light bynarrow-band green light during weeks 8-20decreased mortality by 28% duririg thetransition period and up to 45 weeks of age.The age at first egg was delayed for broilerbreeders given a relatively low level of feed

56

intake during the pullet-layer transition. Thisdisadvantage was offset by 2% more hatchedchicks per hen, resulting from 1.6% higherpeak level of egg production and 3.9% higherfertility of eggs laid.

Naked oats

Naked oats, a cereal feedstuff of relativelyhigh true metabolizable energy (17 MJlkg) andcontent of crude protein (180 glkg), was shownpreviously to give satisfactory growth and feedefficiency when incorporated in a broilergrower diet at a level of400 g, a cereal feedstuffof relatively high true metabolizable energy(17 MJ/kg) and content of crude protein(180 g/kg), was shown previously to givesatisfactory growth and feed efficiency whenincorporated in a broiler grower diet at a levelof 400 glkg. However, naked oats depressedgrowth when fed at 200 glkg to broiler starterchicks from hatching to 4 weeks of age. Oatfl-glucan was identified as a cause of reducedweight gains and feed efficiency in youngchicks. When the dietary level of fl-glucan wasincreased from 42 to 81 glkg, bioavailabilitiesof energy, ether extract, and individual aminoacids were decreased by 10,5, and as much as8%, respectively. Lysine and threonine werethe amino acids affected to the greatest extent.The causative agent, fl-glucan, appeared to actby modifying the intestinal environment andmicroflora such that the emulsification andabsorption of lipids, together with fat-solublevitamins, was impaired. The resultingdecrease in nutrient availability, combinedwith a lower feed consumption because of anadverse intestinal environment, decreasedweight gains in chicks.

Supplementation of a broiler starter dietcontaining naked oats at 600 g/kg withfactorial combinations of bile salts, fat-solublevitamins, and antibiotic demonstrated that thegrowth-depressing factor influenced theintestinal ecology of chicks. This findingsupported the observation that fat absorptionwas a limiting factor to chick growth. Whenbroiler chicks at 1-3 weeks ofage were fed dietsof naked oats supplemented with bothneomycin and a premix of vitamins A, D3, E,and K, the chicks gained weight equal to thatobtained with a corn-soy control diet. Anattempt to replace the antibiotic by aLactobacillus-Streptococcus probiotic, as anameliorator of growth depression induced bythe naked oats, was not successful.


Feedingstuff evaluation

Application of the true metabolizableenergy system for evaluating feedingstuffs wasextended by a joint project with the NationalInstitute of Animal Science, Denmark.Samples of84 feedingstuffs, previously assayedfor apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn)using pigs, were assayed for true metabolizableenergy (TMEn) using adult cockerels. Theresults show that the amount of energy that isavailable to a pig can be predicted from theTMEn value of the feedingstuff as determinedwith cockerels. The prediction is improved(P < 0.05) when crude fiber is included in themodel. Several prediction equations weredeveloped for various classes of materials.Extensive banks ofTMEn data, determined viathe cockerel assay, can now be used to establishcomparable information for use by swine nutri-tionists. The cockerel assay can be completedin a few days using a small sample whereas apig assay takes several weeks, requires muchmore test material, and costs 20-30 times asmuch. Preliminary results indicate that simi-lar predictions may be possible for bioavailableamino acids.

ANIMAL FEED SAFETY

Perinatal metabolism

Maternal and fetal blood plasma sampleswere analyzed to help determine the movementof maternal fat stores to the developing fetus.High levels of n-3 and n-6 essential fatty acidswere found in sow's blood throughout gestationand the level of these particular fatty acidsreflected the composition ofthe sow's diet.

The presence of long-chain, polyun-saturated fatty acids in blood plasma indicatedthat the fetus was capable of chain elongationand desaturation.

Feeding trials were carried out incooperation with the FoodResearch Centre andCarleton University to test the use ofJerusalem artichoke flour in milk replacer forpiglets. Initial experiments indicated thatJerusalem artichoke reduced diarrhea inyoung animals but improvements needed to bemade with respect to the sensory qualities ofthe flour.

3-Phenoxybenzaldehyde (3-PBald)

The metabolism of 3-PBald, a primarymetabolite of a large number of synthetic


pyrethroids, was investigated i~ laying he~swith 14C-benzyl-Iabeled material. ApproXl-mately 98% of the administered dose waseliminated from the body within 24 h afterdosing. About 84% of the excreted 14C wasextractable with methanol. The methanolextract contained both free and conjugatedmetabolites; major free metabolites were3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3-phenoxybenzoicacid. The polar metabolites when hydrolyzedwith enzymes (j3-glucuronidase, sulfatase),mild acid (buffer, pH 4.5), and 2 NHCI at 80-90.C for 3 h also produced 3-hydroxybenzoicacid. but a considerably larger amount wasproduced with 2 N HCI. 3-Hydroxybenzoic acidwas also found in the acid hydrolysate of themethanol extract of excreta from poultry fedeither deltamethrin or fenvalerate. 4-Hy-droxybenzoic acid was identified as a naturalconstituent of chicken excreta. Formation of3-hydroxybenzoic acid is an example of aunique cleavage path for diphenyl ether notknown to occur in animal and avian species.The data also indicated that 3-hydroxybenzoicacid reacts with other endogenous substancesmore rapidly than it forms glucuronides ~rsulfates. The mechanism of ether cleavage IS

not understood. Further studies are in pro-gress to determine the nature of intermediarycompounds leading to the diphenyl ethercleavage.

Mycotoxins

An evaluation of the toxicities of variousmycotoxins using a chick embryo toxicity(CHEST) assay has shown a high correlationbetween this bioassay and that of mouse LDsovalues obtained from published information.This furthel: promotes the CHEST assay as onepossible method that can be used as analternative to small laboratory animals fortoxicity testing. The assay is also being used tosupport chromatographic methods for theisolation and identification ofnew mycotoxins.

When livestock and poultry are fed moldyfeedstuffs, interest is aroused as to whethertoxic residues are transmitted to animal-derived food products intended for humanconsumption. Studies to date continue to showthat neither deoxynivalenol (DON) nor zeara-lenone (ZEN) residues occur in such productsfollowing typical levels of exposure. A long-term study in which laying hens were fed aDON-contaminated diet for 65 days showed noresidual accumulation of any concern in eggs.Over 21 days, unnaturally high amounts of

57

ZEN were added to the feed of dairy cows, withnegligible levels of residues being detected inthe milk. Studies have been initiated todetermine the mechanism of the feed refusaland emetic action associated with DONconsumption. Preliminary results indicatedthat many of the pharmacological effects weredirectly at the central nervous system level,which suggested that removal or destruction ofthe toxin in the grain prior to consumptionwould probably be the most practical approach.

Canolaoil

Further studies evaluated the nutritionaland toxicological properties of canola oil innewborn piglets. These studies will provide thescientific evidence needed to justify theremoval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion's restriction on the use of canola oil ininfant formulas. Piglets were fed artificialmilk replacer with canola-rapeseed oilmixtures containing either 2, 5, 10, or 20%erucic acid or soybean oi!. No differences werefound in growth and digestibility. Only the20% erucic acid diet showed evidence ofmyocardial lipidosis, which suggests thatcanola oil with <2% erucic acid is safe andnutritious. Perfused piglet hearts metabolizedeither glucose or fatty acids. Optimum workoutput of the heart was achieved by a combi-nation of glucose and physiological concentra-tion (0.1 mM) of either palmitic or erucic acid.The oxidation rates of both fatty acids weresimilar, indicating no uncoupling, which wasalso demonstrated by 31P_NMRmeasurements.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Atwal, A.S.; Erfle,J.D. 1988. Comparison ofwilted-alfalfa silage and alfalfa hay pre-served with propionic acid in corn-silage-based diets for milking cows. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:801-809.

Batra, T.R. 1988. Effect of complete dry cowtreatment on mastitis control in dairycattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:553-556.

Bernon, D.E.; Chambers, J.R. 1988. Geneticparameters of unadjusted and adjusted age-constant feed consumption and efficiencyof meat type chickens. Poult. Sci. 67:1497-1504.

58

Cave, N.A. 1988. Bioavailability of aminoacids in plant feedstuffs determined by invitro digestion, chick growth assay, and trueamino acid availability methods. Poult. Sci.67:78-87.

Chambers, J .R.; Lin, C.Y. 1987. Age-constantversus weight-constant feed consumptionand efficiency in broiler chickens. Poult.Sci. 67:565-576.

De Passille, A.M.B.; Rushen, J.; Hartsock, T.G.1988. Ontogeny of teat fidelity in pigs andits relation to competition at suckling. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:325-338.

De Passille, A.M.B.; Rushen, J.; Pelletier, G.1988. Suckling behavior and serum immu-noglobin levels in neonatal piglets. Anim.Prod. 47:447-456.

Elliot, J.I.; Modler, H.W.; Timbers, G.E. 1987.A continuous process for the production ofpurified porcine y-globulin for use in pig-milk replacer supplements. Anim. Feed Sci.Techno!. 17:213-218.

Erfle, J.D.; Teather, R.M.; Wood, P.J.; Irvin,J.E. 1988. Purification and propertiesof a l,3-1,4-~-D-glucanase (1ichenase,l,3-1,4-~-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC3.2.1.73) from Bacteroides succinogenescloned in Escherichia coli. Biochem. J.255:833-841.

Fagan, W.E.; Buckley, D.J.; Tsang, C.P.W.1988. Research note: Electronic eggshellthickness gauge. Poult. Sci. 67:1105-1108.

Farnworth, E.R.; Kramer, J.K.G. 1988. Fetalpig development in sows fed diets con-taining different fats. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:249-256.

Fisher, L.J.; Lessard, J.R. 1987. Intake anddigestibility of corn, rye and sorghum-sudan grass silages by lactating cows. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 67:1027-1032.

Fortin, A.; Raymond, D.P. 1987. The use ofelectronic grading probes for the objectiveassessment of PSE and DFD in porkcarcasses. Meat Sci. 21:159-173.

Fortin, A.; Raymond, D.P. 1988. The use of theelectrical characteristics of muscle for theobjective detection ofPSE and DFD in porkcarcasses under commercial conditions.Can. Inst. Food Sci. Techno!. J. 21:260-265.


Fraser, D. 1987. Suckling behaviour ofartificially-reared lambs: What kind of teatelicits spontaneous sucking? Appl. Anim.Behav. Sci. 19:99-109.

Fraser, D.; PhiIlips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.1988. Initial test of a farrowing crate withinward-sloping sides. Livest. Prod. Sci.20:249-256.

Fraser, D.; PhiIlips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.;Peeters Weem, W.B. 1988. Use ofwater bypiglets in the first days after birth. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:603-610.

Friend, D.W.; Fortin, A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler,G.; Kramer, J.K.G.; Burrows, V.D. 1988.Feeding and metabolism trials, and assess-ment of carcass and meat quality for grow-ing-finishing pigs fed naked oats (Avenanuda). Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:511-521.

Grunder,A.A.; Chambers, J.R. 1988. Geneticparameters of plasma very low density lipo-proteins, abdominal fat lipase, and protein,fatness, and growth traits of broilerchickens. Poult. Sci. 67:183-190.

Hamilton, R.M.G.; Trenholm, H.L. 1987. Dis-tribution ofdeoxynivalenol and zearalenonebetween the kernels and the cob in ears ofFusarium graminearum inoculated andnaturally infected corn. Microbiol. Alimen.Nutr.5:313-316.

Hamilton, R.M.G.; Trenholm, H.L.; Thompson,B.K. 1988. Chemical, nutritive, deoxyniva-lenol and zearalenone content of corn rela-tive to the site of inoculation with differentisolates of Fusarium graminearum. J. Sci.Food Agric. 43:37-47.

Hidiroglou, M. 1987. Vitamin E levels insheep tissues at various times after a singleoral administration of D-a-tocopherolacetate. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 57:381-384.

Hidiroglou, M.; Karpinski, K. 1988. Pharma-cokinetic disposition in sheep of variousvitamin E preparations given orally orintravenously. Br. J. Nutr. 59:509-518.

Hidiroglou, M.; Proulx, J. 1988. Evaluation ofa long-acting selenium and copper prepara-tion for intraruminal administration tocattle. Ann. Rech. Vet. 19:187-191.


Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.; Winter,K.W. 1988. Factors affecting culling andsurvival during rearing and first lactationin purebred and crossbred dairy cattle.Anim. Prod. 46:1-12.

Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.; Winter,K.W. 1988. Factors affecting length ofherdlife in purebred and crossbred dairycattle. J. Dairy Sci. 71:1011-1024.

Irvin, J.E.; Teather, R.M. 1988. Cloning andexpression of a Bacteroides succinogenesmixed-linkage 13-glucanase(l ,3-1,4-13-D-glu-can 4-glucanohydrolase) gene in Esche-richia coli. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.54:2672-2676.

Ivan, M. 1988. Effect offaunation on rumina Isolubility and liver content of copper insheep fed low or high copper diets. J. Anim.Sci. 66:1496-1501.

Jenkins, K.J. 1988. Factors affecting poorperformance and scours in pre ruminantcalves fed corn oil. J. Dairy Sci. 71:3013-3020.

Jenkins, K.J.; Griffith, I.; Hidiroglou, M.;Kramer,J.K.G. 1988. Bile acids and lipidsin gall bladder bile of the pre ruminant calf.Nutr. Rep. Int. 37:703-713.

Jenkins, K.J.; Griffith, G.; Kramer, J.K.G.1988. Plasma lipoproteins in neonatal,pre ruminant, and weaned calf. J. Dairy Sci.71:3003-3012.

Jenkins, K.J.; Hidiroglou, M. 1988. Binding ofselenium-75 to blood and liver cytosolicproteins in the pre ruminant calf. J. DairySci. 71:442-451.

Jenkins, K.J.; Kramer, J.K.G. 1988. Effect ofexcess dietary iron on lipid composition ofcalf liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. J.Dairy Sci. 71:435-441.

Khan, S.U.; Behki, R.M.; Tapping, R.I.;Akhtar, M.H. 1988. Deltamethrin residuesin an organic soil under laboratory condi-tions and its degradation by a bacterialstrain. J. Agric. Food Chem. 36:636-638.

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Kramer, J.K.G.; Farnworth, E.R.; Thompson,B.K.; Corner, A.H. 1988. Testing a short-term feeding trial to assess compositionaland histopathological changes in hearts ofrats fed vegetable oils. Lipids 23:199-206.

Kramer, J.K.G.; Sauer, F.D.; Bundle, D.R1988. The presence of tightly bound Na + orK+ in glycolipids of Methanobacteriumthermoautotrophicum. .Biochim. Biophys.Acta 961:285-292.

Lee, A.J. 1988. Correlations between adjacenttest days for fat percent, fat yield and milkyield. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:295-298.

Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; McAllister, A.J.; Winter,K.A.; Roy, G.L.;Vesely, J .A.;Wauthy, J .M.;Batra, T.R.; Atwal, A.S. 1988. Growth andfeed efficiency of pure line and crosslinedairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 71:1000-1010.

Lin, C.Y. 1988. Four equivalent sets ofmixed-model equations with relationshipmatrix for estimation of genetic param-eters. J. Anim. Sci. 66:1627-1635.

Lin, C.Y.; McAllister, A.J.; Batra, T.R.; Lee,A.J.; Roy, G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.;Winter, K.A. 1988. Effects of early and latebreeding of heifers on multiple lactationperformance of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci.71:2735-2743.

Marcus, G.J.; Durnford, R. 1988. Estradiolassay by microtitre plate enzyme immu-noassay. J. Steroid Biochem. 29:207-212.

Martinez, M.L.;Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y. 1988. Ageand Zebu-Holstein additive and heteroticeffects on lactation performance and repro-duction in Brazil. J. Dairy Sci. 71:800-808.

Nagai, J.; Lin, C.Y.; McAllister, A.J. 1988.Simultaneous estimation of genetic param-eters of lifetime reproductive traits in mice.Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1291-1295.

Petit, H.V.; Ivan, M.; Brisson, G.J. 1987.Duodenal flow of digesta in pre ruminantcalves fed clotting or nonclotting milkreplacer. J. Dairy Sci. 70:2570-2576.

Petit, H.V.; Ivan, M.; Brisson, G.J. 1988.Digestibility and blood parameters in thepreruminant calf fed a clotting or a non-clotting milk replacer. J. Anim. Sci.66:986-991.

60

Petit, H.V.; Ivan, M.; Brisson, G.J. 1988.Effect of duodenal infusion of glucose onblood parameters, ileal flow, and digesti-bility in preruminant calves fed a non-clotting milk replacer. J. Dairy Sci.71:2181-2186.

Phillips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.; Fraser, D.1988. Preference tests of ramp designs foryoung pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:41-48.

Prelusky, D.B.; Hartin, K.E.; Trenholm, H.L.;Miller, J.D. 1988. Pharmacokinetic fate of14C-Iabelled deoxynivalenol in swine.Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 10:276-286.

Robblee, N.M.; Farnworth, E.R; Bird, RP.1988. Phospholipid profile and produc-tion of prostanoids by murine colonicepithelium: Effect of dietary fat. Lipids23:334-339.

Rushen, J. 1988. Assessment of fightingability or simple habituation: What causesyoung pigs (Sus scrofal to stop fighting?Aggressive Behav.14:155-167.

Rushen, J.; Pajor, E. 1987. Offense anddefense in fights between young pigs (Susscrofal. Aggressive Behav. 13:329-346.

Segura, J.C.; Gavora, J.S.; Spencer, J.L.;Fairfull, R.W.; Gowe, R.S.; Buckland, R.B.1988. Semen traits and fertility of WhiteLeghorn males shown to be positive ornegative for lymphoid leukosis virus insemen and feather pulp. Br. Poult. Sci.29:545-553.

Sibbald, I.R.;Wolynetz, M.S. 1987. A compari-son of the amounts of energy and nitrogenvoided as !lxcreta by cockerels housed overtrays or fitted with harnesses and plasticcollection bags. Poult. Sci. 66:1987-1994.

Sibbald, I.R.;Wolynetz, M.S. 1988. Compari-sons of bioassays. for true metabolizableenergy adjusted to zero nitrogen balance.Poult. Sci. 67:1192-1202.

Sibbald, I.R; Wolynetz, M.S. 1988. Energyvalues of protein and lipid fractions inchickens. Poult. Sci. 67:413-419.

Teather, RM.; Sauer, F.D. 1988. A naturallycompartmented rumen simulation systemfor the continuous culture of rumen bacteriaand protozoa. J. Dairy Sci. 71:666-673.


Thompson, B.K.; Fraser, D. 1988. Variation inpiglet weights: Weight gains in the firstdays after birth and their relationship withlater performance. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:581-590.

Tsang, B.K.; Arodi, J.; Li, M.; Ainsworth, L.;Srikandakumar, A.; Downey, B.R. 1988.Gonadotropic regulation of prostaglandinproduction by ovarian follicular cells of thepig. BioI.Reprod. 38:627-635.

Tsang, C.P.W.;Grunder, A.A.;Soares, J .H., Jr.;Narbaitz, R. 1988. Effects of cholecalciferolor calcium deficiency on oestrogen meta-bolism in the laying hen. Br. Poult. Sci.29:753-759.

Veira, D.M.; Proulx,J.G.; Butler, G.; Fortin, A.1988. Utilization of grass silage by cattle:Further observations on the effect of fishmeal. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1225-1235.

Wolynetz, M.S.; Sibbald, I.R. 1987. Need forcomparative slaughter experiments inpoultry research. Poult. Sci. 66:1961-1972.

Wood, P.J.; Ertle, J.D.; Teather, R.M. 1988.Use of complex formation between Congored and polysaccharides in detection andassay of polysaccharide hydro lases.Methods EnzymoI.I60:59-74.

Miscellaneous

Bagnell, C.A.; Ainsworth, L.; Bryant-Greenwood, G.D.; Greenwood, F.C. 1987.Follicular relaxin: A role in the paracrinecontrol of ovarian function. Pages 35-44 inNaftolin, F.; Cherney, A., eds. The controloffollicle development, ovulation and lutealfunction: Lessons from in vitro fertilization.Raven Press, New York, N.Y.

Charm ley, E.; Veira, D.M. 1988. The effect ofinhibiting plant proteolysis on the com-position of silage nitrogen and its digestionby sheep. Forage Notes 33:20-22.

Dawe, Y.;Kuhnlein, U.; Zadworny, D.; Gavora,J.S. 1988. DNA fingerprinting: A tool forassessing parentship, strain relationship,and genetic variability in poultry. Pages507-508 in Proceedings 18th World'sPoultry Congress, Nagoya, Japan.

Farnworth, E.R. 1988. Growth of piglets fedartificial milk. Pages 114-116 in Ontarioswine research review. Onto Agric. CoIl.PubI. No. 388. University of Guelph,Guelph,Ont.


Fortin, A. 1988. Meat research program inCanada. Proceedings International Confer-ence on Meat Research Programs, Paris,France. 32 pp.

Fraser, D. 1987. Mineral-deficient diets andthe pig's attraction to blood: Implicationsfor tail-biting. Pages 117-122 in Ontarioswine research review. Onto Agric. CoIl.Pub!' No. 388. University of Guelph,Guelph,Ont.

Fraser, D. 1988. The role of ethology in deter-mining farm animal well-being. Proceed-ings of the Conference on Science andAnimals: Addressing Contemporary Issues.Scientists' Centre for Animal Welfare,Washington, D.C. 22 pp.

Gavora, J.S.; Gerson, D.F.; Luong, J.; Storer,A.; Woodley, J.H. 1988. Biotechnologyresearch and applications. Elsevier AppliedScience Publishers Ltd., New York, N.Y.321 pp.

Gavora, J.S.; Seligy, V.L. 1988. Moleculargenetics ofbirds-a survey. Pages 502-504in Proceedings 18th World's PoultryCongress, Nagoya, Japan.

Grunder, A.A.; Pawluczuk, B.; Fortin, A.;Chambers, J.R. 1988. Heritabilities andphenotypic correlations of plasma very lowdensity lipoproteins (VLDL), redoxpotential and pH, and fatness of geese.Pages 580-581 in Proceedings 18th World'sPoultry Congress, Nagoya, Japan.

Ivan, M. 1987. Gastric and intestinal absorp-tion and secretion of zinc-65 in sheep.Pages 179-185 in Boda, K., ed. Physiologyof ruminant nutrition. Institute of AnimalPhysiology~ Slovak Academy of Sciences,Kosice, Czechoslovakia.

Jenkins, K.J. 1988. Feeding and care of youngreplacement and veal calves! Alimentationet soin desjeunes veaux de remplacement etde boucherie. Agric. Can. Tech. Bull.1988-8E/1988-8F. 23 pp.

Jenkins, K.J.; Hidiroglou, M. 1988. Effects ofhigh levels of iron in milk replacers on calfperformance. Canadex 402.65.

Pawluczuk, B.; Grunder, A.A. 1988. Semenquality, late in the reproductive season, ofEmbden ganders kept in two environments.Pages 188-192 in Proceedings Interna-tional Symposium onWaterfowl Production(Satellite Conference, Beijing, China), 18thWorld's Poultry Congress, Nagoya, Japan.

61

Petit, H.V.; Ivan, M.; Brisson, G.J. 1988. Im-portance de la coagulation abomasale pourIe veau preruminant. Pages 28-30 in Faitssaillants des travaux de la station derecherches de Lennoxville. ResearchBranch, Agriculture Canada, Bull. 11.

Phillips, P.A.; Fraser, D.; Morris, J.R.;Underwood, J.W. 1988. Free-access two-level housing for growing-finishing pigs.Pages 417-422 in Livestock environmentIII-Proceedings 3rd International Live-stock Environment Symposium. AmericanSociety of Agricultural Engineers,St. Joseph, Mich.

Phillips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.; Fraser, D.1987. Ramp design for young pigs. Pages123-127 in Ontario swine research review.OntoAgric. ColI. Publ. No. 388. UniversityofGuelph, Guelph, Onto

Sibbald, I.R. 1988. Estimation ofbioavailablenutrient concentrations in feedingstuffs.Pages 277-280 in Proceedings 18th World'sPoultry Congress, Nagoya, Japan.

Sibbald, I.R.; Wolynetz, M.S. 1987. True andapparent metabolizable energy. Br. Poult.Sci. 28:782-784.

Speer, V.C.; Aherne, F.; Alee, G.L.; Cromwell,G.L.; Friend, D.W.; Lewis, A.J. 1988.

62

Nutrient requirements of swine. 9th ed.National Academy Press', NationalResearch Council, Washington, D.C. 93 pp.

Srikandakumar, A.; Downey, B.R.; Tsang,B.K.; Arodi, J.; Li, M.; Ainsworth, L. 1988.Inhibition of prostaglandin production bydexamethasone in dispersed theca internaand granulosa cells from porcine follicles.Proceedings 11th International CongressAnimal Reproduction and ArtificialInsemination, Dublin, Ireland, Vol. II,No. 197. 3 pp.

Teather, R.M. 1988. Genetic engineering ofrumen bacteria for improved productiveefficiency in ruminants. Pages 3-11 inBiotechnology research and applications.Gavora, J.S.; Gerson, D.F.; Luong, J.;Storer, A.; Woodley, J.H., eds. ElsevierApplied Science Publishers Ltd., New York,N.Y.

Trenholm, H.L.; Prelusky, D.B.; Young, J.C.;Miller, J.D. 1988. Reducing mycotoxins inanimal feedslReduction des mycotoxinesdans les aliments destines aux animaux.Agric. Can. Publ.1827E,1827F. 26 pp.

Veira, D.M.; Proulx, J.G.; Butler, G. 1988.Protein supplementation of grass silage fedto steers: Further observations on the effectoffish meal. Canadex 420.64.


Biosystematics Research CentreOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Robert Trottier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E. Gavora,l I.N.G., B.L.S.M.-J. Boisvenue,l B.Sc., M.BibI.P.M. LeClairA.Giroux

Soil and Water OrganismsI.M. Smith, B.Sc., Ph.D.

V.M. Behan-Pelletier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A. Borkent, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Y. Bousquet, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

E.E. Lindquist, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

D.R. Oliver, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.F. Schmid, Lie. es Sc. Nat., D. es Sc. Nat.A. Smetana, M.U.D.R., Cando Sc. BioI.

Beneficial InsectsG.A.P. Gibson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Huber,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

J .R. Barron, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.M. Campbell, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.M. Cumming, B.Sc., Ph.D.

C.D. Dondale, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J .S. Kelleher, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L. Masner, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

M.J. Sharkey, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.R. Vockeroth, B.A., M.A., D.PhiI.

Insect PestsJ.D. Lafontaine, B.A., Ph.D.

Biosystematics Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

DirectorLibrarian; BotanyLibrarian; EntomologyManager, National Identification ServiceAdministrative Officer

Project Leader; Water mites (Hydrachnida),rust and gall mites (Eriophyoidea)Assistant Leader; Oribatid mites (OribateilBiting midges (Ceratopogonidae), gall midges(Cecidomyiidae)Ground beetles (Carabidae), ClavicorniabeetlesPredaceous soil mites (Mesostigmata),plant feeding mites (Tetranychoidea)Aquatic midges (Chironomidae)Caddis flies (Trichoptera)Aquatic beetles, rove beetles(Staphylinidae)

Project Leader; Chalcid wasps (Chalcidoidea)Assistant Leader; Chalcid wasps(Chalcidoidea)Ichneumonid wasps (lchneumonidae)Rove beetles (Staphylinidae)Unit Curator of Diptera; Dance flies(Empididae), long-legged flies(Dolichopodidae)Spiders (Araneae), harvestmen (Opiliories)Manager, Biocontrol UnitUnit Curator of Hymenoptera; Proctotrupoidwasps (proctotrupoidea), digger wasps(Sphecoidea), ensign wasps (Evanioidea)Braconid wasps (Braconidae)Flower flies (Syrphidae), mosquitoes(Culicidae), dung flies (Scatophagidae)

Project Leader; Cutworm moths (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

63

H. Goulet, B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

S. Allyson-Morello, B.Sc., M.Sc.R.V. Anderson, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

D.E. Bright, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

P.T. Dang,2 B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.

B.A. Ebsary, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

R.G. Foottit, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

K.G.A. Hamilton, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

J.F. Landry, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L. LeSage, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Economic PlantsE. Small, B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

G. Baillargeon, B.Sc.A., M.Sc.,Dr.Rer.Nat.

B.R. Baum, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.C.

P.M. Catling, B.Sc., Ph.D.

J. Cayouette, M.Th., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.W. Crompton, M.Sc.A.E. Stahevitch, B.Sc., M.Sc.,Ph.D.S.I. Warwick, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Economic FungiR.A. Shoemaker, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.Y. Dalpe, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.Sc.D.J.S. Barr, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.D. Bissett, B.Sc., Ph.D.M.P. Corlett, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.J.H. Ginns, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.A. Needham, B.A., B.Sc.

S.A. Redhead, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

DeparturesG.A. Neish, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Seconded to ResearchCoordination Directorate

C.M. Yoshimoto,2 B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

64

Assistant Leader; Sawflies (Hymenoptera:Symphyta)Immature stages of LepidopteraNematoda: Spiral nematodes (Hoplolaimidae),stylet nematodes (Tylenchorhynchidae),foliar nematodes (Aphelenchoidea)Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae),weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)Unit Curator ofLepidoptera-Trichoptera;Budworms (Lepidoptera: Tortricoidea)Curator of Nematoda Unit; Ring nematodes(Criconematidae), sheath nematodes(Hemicycliophoridae)Unit Curator of Hemiptera and MiscellaneousInsect Orders; Aphids, scales, and thripsLeafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae),spittlebugs (Homoptera: Cercopidae)Microlepidoptera: GelechioideaLeafbeetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Project Leader; Cultivated crops,alfalfa (Medicago) and allies

Assistant Leader; Cultivated crops,rape (Brassica) and allies

Cultivated crops, barley (Hordeum) andallies, wheat group (Triticeae)Curator of Agriculture Canada Vascular PlantHerbarium; Sedges, aquatic plantsEconomic grassesHay-fever plants, honey plantsCytotaxonomy, crops, weedsMolecular systematics of economic plants

Project Leader; Parasitic PleosporaceaeAssistant Leader; MycorrhizaeZoosporic disease and soil fungiParasitic PhomalesMycosphaerella leaf diseasesTree and wood decaysCurator of the National Culture Collectionof Fungi and Nonmedical BacteriaMushrooms

Mycotoxin fungi

Chalcid wasps (Chalcidoidea), gall wasps(Cynipoidea)


-HONORARY RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

E.C. Becker, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.J. Cody, B.A.D.F. Hardwick, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.J. Hughes, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.Sc.,

F.R.S.C., F.M.L.S.W.R.M. Mason, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.F. McAlpine, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

W.C. McGuffin, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.G.A. Mulligan, B.Sc.E.G. Munroe, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.C.A. Mutuura, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Parmelee, B.Sc., M.A., Ph.D.

D.B.O. Savile, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.,D.Sc., F.R.S.C.

G.E. Shewell, B.Sc., M.Sc.

D.M. Wood, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

VISITING SCIENTISTS

W.I. I1lman, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.E. Roughley, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Click beetles, wireworms (Elateridae)Canadian flora, fernsCutworm moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)Conidial molds of wood and insects

Braconid wasps (Braconidae)Lance flies (Lonchaeidae), silver flies(Chamaemyiidae)

Geometer moths, loopers (Geometridae)Weeds, cabbage family (Cruciferae)Pyralid moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)Leafroller moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)Plant rusts and smuts; Curator ofthe National Mycological Herbarium

Plant rusts

Lauxaniid flies (Lauxaniidae), blow flies(Calliphoridae)

Parasitic flies (Tachinidae)

Economic fungiPredaceous diving beetles (Coleoptera:Dytiscidae)

1 Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.2 Seconded from Canadian Forestry Service, Agriculture Canada.

Biosystematics Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto 65

INTRODUCTION

The Biosystematics Research Centre (BRC) provides Agriculture Canada, other departmentsand agencies, and their clients with a unique centre of systematic expertise for dealing witheconomic and social problems relating to insects, mites, spiders, plant parasitic nematodes, weeds,crop plants, native plants, and plant parasitic and biodegrading fungi. BRC provides Canadianswith an expert team of scientists and technicians that maintains and updates an informationsystem ensuring that the identities of any of these organisms can be determined accurately, andthat appropriate data on their biology and impact are available quickly. It is a vehicle for the flowofbiosystematic information nationally and between Canada and other countries.

BRC develops and maintains primary reference collections of living or preserved organisms todocument their identity, variability, and distribution and draws upon unique genetic capabilitiesfor industrial applications. BRC also assists biologists in the agri-food, forestry, environment, andhealth sectors in evaluating these organisms either as potential crops, pests, agents of biologicalcontrol, and indicators of environmental quality; or as source of production for mycotoxins,mycorrhizal inoculums, and metabolites; or for use in biotransformations and in food production.

Reprints of publications and copies ofthis report are available from the Director, BiosystematicsResearch Centre, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Onto KIA OC6;Tel. (613) 996-1665.

Robert TrottierDirector

NATION AL IDENTIFICATIONSERVICE

From 1550 shipments of material, 96608identifications were made during 1988 oninsects, mites, spiders, nematodes, vascularplants, and fungi. Of these identifications, 70%benefited the agri-food sector. The majorclients of the service were Canadianuniversities followed by the Canadian ForestryService and Agriculture Canada.

Insects, mites, spiders, and nematodes

During 1988,84396 specimens were identi-fied of which 36% were for Canadian univer-sities and 15% for the Canadian ForestryService. Research Branch projects supportedby the National Identification Service in-cluded: economic insect survey (St. John's);vegetable, berry, and field-crop insect research(Kentville); integrated pest management ofapple pests, plus studies on insect pests ofblueberries and tomatoes (Saint-J ean-sur-Richelieu); biology of onion maggot parasitoidsand predators (London); fruit pest manage-ment and biological control of apple pests(Vineland); thrips on greenhouse cucumbers(Harrow); cutworm ecology, plus control ofinsects and mites in stored products(Winnipeg); biological control ofweeds, pests of

66

Saskatoon berries (Regina); control of foragecrop insect pests (Saskatoon); biology andcontrol of Russian wheat aphid, as well asinsects of cereal crops (Lethbridge); aphids ofBritish Columbia, plus survey of blueberrycrops (Vancouver); and biocontrol of thrips onapple trees in commercial orchards, andnonchemical control of leaf rollers on apples(Summerland, B.C.).

Forestry projects were also supported asfollows: forest insect and disease surveys(St. John's, Frederlcton, Sainte-Foy, Sault Ste.Marie, Edmonton, and Victoria) and revisionsto pest catalog listing; new methods of repres-sion of forest insects (Sainte-Foy); plantationpest management and environmental impactstudies (Sault Ste. Marie); biology of ash barkbeetles (Edmonton); and spruce weevil bio-logical control (Victoria). Plant ProtectionDivision (Food Production and InspectionBranch) submitted specimens for identificationfrom surveys of soybean cyst, blueberrymaggot, and Oriental fruit moth, as well asfrom import and export inspections andcertifications.

Examples of provincial government projectsassisted were as foilows: survey of aphids on.barley and winter wheat (Ontario Ministry ofAgriculture and Food); studies on wirewormsin potatoes (New Brunswick Department ofAgriculture); and control of greenhouse


vegetable pests (British Columbia Ministry ofAgriculture and Food). Identifications werealso provided to various universities: materialrelating to forensic entomology (Simon FraserUniversity); arthropod fauna of the Yukon(University of British Columbia); associates ofmountain pine beetles (University of Alberta);distribution of lyme disease tick in Ontario(University of Guelph); distribution ofChrysalina spp. (Coleoptera) in easternOntario, 18 years after initial release (Univer-sity of Ottawa); and hosts for parasities ofeastern spruce budworm (University of NewBrunswick). A significant number of inquirieswas also received from district health units anddermatologists, for identification of insects inhealth-related problems.

Vascular plants

During 1988, 7886 collections of vascularplants were identified. The major users of theservice were provincial departments (25%),Canadian universities (22%), and AgricultureCanada (20%). The identifications provided forthe research stations were associated with thefollowing projects: pollen studies associatedwith habits of honeybees and cutworm adults,and berry crop investigations (Kentville); weedproblems (Charlottetown); drought-resistantfodder crops (Swift Current); and new weedproblems and controls, as well as verification ofentire reference collection (Regina). Assistancewas provided to the Canadian Forestry Servicefor a study of plants in disturbed peat (SaultSte. Marie), and Food Production and Inspec-tion Branch divisions were provided withinformation and identifications related toimport and export inspections and certi-fications for plant protection, and withidentification ofvarious seed lots for laboratoryservices.

Provincial governments were assisted withthe following projects: forage productivity andrange studies (Yukon Renewable Resources);samples relating to livestock mortality(Alberta); weed control (Manitoba); ecologicalstudies (Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources); and identification of crop weeds(Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food andQuebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries andFood).

A significant number of inquiries was alsoreceived from the Poison Control Centre for theidentification of plants suspected of beingpoisonous.


Fungi

BRC identified a total of 4326 collectionsand cultures offungi during 1988. Major usersof the service were the Canadian ForestryService (59%), followed by the general public(22%). The Research Branch was supported inthe following projects: diseases of cereals(Charlottetown); tree fruit diseases (Kentville);diseases of forage legumes (Sainte-Foy); treefruit root rots (Harrow); diseases of ginseng(Delhi); etiology, epidemiology, and genetics offacultative fungi attacking barley, plusmycotoxin production experiments (Winnipeg);foliar diseases of winter wheat (Saskatoon);biological control of weeds (Regina); and effectof glyphosate on fungal flora, plus diseases offruit trees (Silmmerland). The CanadianForestry Service was assisted with thefollowing: forest insect and disease surveys(Fredericton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Victoria),plus revisions to pest catalog listing; needleblight of eastern white cedar (St. John's); andregeneration pests (Victoria). Food Productionand Inspection Branch was assisted withfungal problems relating to nursery surveys,import interceptions, export certification, thedeath of pigeons at the Central ExperimentalFarm (Plant Protection Division); and theinvestigation of a virulent form of blackleg inrapeseed (Laboratory Services Division).

Provincial government projects weresupported as follows: livestock mortality cases(Newfoundland Agriculture); diseases ofvegetable and fruit crops (Quebec Ministry ofAgriculture, Fisheries and Food); diseases ofred pine (Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources); and diseases of carrots in storage(Manitoba Agriculture). The Pest DiagnosticCentre (University of Guelph) was assistedwith various problems relating to diseases ofvegetable and fruit crops. Inquiries werereceived from poison control centres in Ottawaand Vancouver, and from other provincialhealth laboratories and hospitals, for theidentification of mushrooms suspected of beingpoisonous.

RESEARCH ANDCOLLECTIONS

Soil and water organisms

Scientists in the soil and water organismsproject conduct systematic research on insectand mite decomposers, predators, and parasites

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that constitute the major component of thearthropod communities characteristic of soiland aquatic habitats.

Among activities completed in 1988 werestudies on a new species of the soil mite genusAntennoseius, unique in having two forms ofadult females; a synthesis of the life historyand behavior offour species ofLasioseius foundin grasslands; and a major world revision oftherove beetle genus Gabrius, includingtaxonomy, bionomic, and distribution data for42 species. These mites and beetles arepredators and thus are at the top of the foodchain in soil. They are not only potentiallyimportant in biocontrol but also are excellentindicators of environmental conditions. Otherresearch on predators included a revision ofmites of the genus Mucroseius, associated withwood-boring beetles and the economicallyimportant pine wilt nematode.

A handbook on beetles associated withstored products in Canada has been submittedfor publication. In addition to a taxonomictreatment this handbook includes informationon dimorphism, distribution, and the economicimportance of 120 species. A technicalpublication on the wheat blossom midge,Sitodiplosis mosellana, was completed. Itsummarizes all previous work on this pest,which was complemented by research on thelarval instars of this species. Unambiguousevidence for there being four rather than threelarval stages now provides an easy and rapidmeans of identification for all immature stages.

Revisions were completed on genera ofwater mites in the families Momoniidae,Athienemanniidae, and Anisitsiellidae,specific to groundwater habitats and importantindicators of water quality. A synthesis ofcurrent information on holarctic madicolousmidges (Chironomidae) was completed. Thefirst taxonomic treatment of Limnozetes inNorth America was submitted. It indicatesthat species in this genus have a very restricteddistribution and, apparently, are highlysensitive to changes in pH. A major revision onthe trichopteran genus Hydrobiosides was alsocompleted successfully. This genus has aworldwide distribution, and 72 new specieswere described, along with a zoogeographictreatment of the world fauna.

Substantial progress was made on bookchapters on the 80 species of midges and 150species of oribatid mites of northern Yukon, aguide to the mites of apple orchards, a book onthe oribatid genera of North America, a key

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and diagnosis for all species of Culicoides inBritish Columbia, including known andpotential vectors of bluetongue virus, and atreatment of adults and larvae of NorthAmerican predaceous ground beetles,Pterostichini.

A cooperative program on sustainableagriculture was established with MacdonaldCollege of McGill University with twoobjectives: first of defining the communities ofboth pest and beneficial soil fauna associatedwith sustainable systems; and second, ofproviding baseline data for an index of therelationship between diversity of soil faunaand soil quality.

Fieldwork by staff members, donations fromcooperating researchers, and an importantexchange of material with colleagues in theUSSR added significant collections of watermites and soil mites and beetles to the NationalCollection in 1988. This material is extremelyimportant both for research in progress, and forfuture research, on the identification,distribution, and relationships of species thatoccur in Canada.

Beneficial insects

Thirty-five collections of beneficial insectswere imported from 16 foreign countries by thebiocontrol unit. Forty-seven shipments of liveparasites and predators were distributed to 10Canadian research establishments forlaboratory testing or release against the applemaggot, apple ermine moth, Russian wheataphid, European earwig, mountain pine beetle,spruce budworm, sp"rucebud moth, gypsy moth,white pine weevil, asparagus beetle, andeuonymus scale. Native collections were madeof two species of ladybug (Coccinellidae) forprograms in Canada and the United Statesagainst the Russian wheat aphid, and ofa mothspecies (Lepidoptera) for biocontrol oftoadflax.More than 800 copies of the first issue ofBio-Control News were distributed. Thisannual newsletter was prepared with theparticipation of biocontrol workers andtaxonomists across Canada and serves todisseminate information on biocontrol needs,expertise, and programs that influence thesetting of research priorities.

A manual on .the species of wolf,nurseryweb, and lynx spiders of Canada andAlaska was completed for the series The insectsand arachnids of Canada. Also completed weremajor revisions of the world species of


Symmorphus, a genus of predacious eumeninewasps, and of the world genera of twosubfamilies of chalcidoid wasps that parasitizemostly wood-boring beetles. Published weremajor revisions of the New World species ofAlabagrus, braconid parasitic wasps, and oftheNorth American species of Gonatocerus,chalcidoid egg parasites of leafhoppers. Thespecies status of Agrypon {laveolatum, anichneumonid parasitic wasp that had beenintroduced from Europe to control the wintermoth on apple and oak in Nova Scotia andBritish Columbia, was also clarified, and thespecies was distinguished from other closelyrelated native species.

Insect pests

Twopapers on Cretaceous fossil leafhoppers(Homoptera) were submitted for publication.These papers described 97 species, many wellpreserved, the unique characteristics of whichhave profound implications for ourunderstanding of the evolution andrelationships of the modern families. The fossildata challenge the validity of the presentclassification based solely on extant species.

Several papers on the cutworms of theBeringian area in northwestern NorthAmerica and northeastern Asia were publishedin 1988. One of these, a zoogeographic analysisof the cutworms of the Beringian area,discusses the significance of this region in theexchange of species between the Old and NewWorlds and in determining the composition ofthe present-day cutworm fauna ofCanada.

A catalog of plant parasitic nematodes(order Tylenchida) is in preparation; aboutone-half of the literature citations have beenentered into the data base and checked foraccuracy.

The first volume of the Catalog of theScolytidae, the bibliography, was publishedearly in the year. This 685-page book containsmore than 21 000 references to the literaturepertaining to the scientific study of barkbeetles. Part 2, the taxonomic catalog, is wellunder way. A paper reporting seven newsynonymies in the economically importantweevil genus Sitona and two notes reportingthe introduction and establishment of two pestspecies were published. A revision of Sitonashould be completed by the end of 1989. Theproject on the weevils ofCanada is progressing;keys to genera in several subfamilies have beencompleted, and a checklist of all species known


to occur in Canada has been compiled. Severalnew species ofSitona have been discovered andseveral introduced European species have beendetected in North America.

Two manuscripts on morphometric studiesof aphid complexes on conifers were completedand submitted for publication. A review of theinsect fauna of the boreal forest zone ofCanada,prepared in cooperation with H. V. Danks(National Museum of Natural Sciences) wascompleted during the year.

A handbook to the genera and subgenera ofsawflies of Canada has been completed,reviewed internally, and submitted forexternal review.

Collections

The Canadian National Collections ofinsects, arachnids, and nematodes (CNC)continued to grow through fieldwork of BRCpersonnel, donations from peers and Canadianpublic, and exchanges of scientific materialwith partner organizations, as well as byretentions from the National IdentificationService (NIS). The total holdings wereincreased by acquisition of 262 300 specimens,and the quality of the collection was enhancedby intensive curatorial work involving 310 000specimens.

The curatorial year 1988 was dominated bytwo major events, namely by the conducting ofthe first status report during January-Mayand by the rearrangement of the collections atthe year's end. The status report is based oncritical appraisal of entire holdings comprising1201 cabinets, with 26782 drawers, 395985slides, and 213 131 alcohol vials. Priorizedrecommendations resulting from the surveywere largely implemented, with goals achievedor exceeded. The report provides an historicalpoint from which further growth anddevelopment of the CNC could be measuredand monitored.

Requests from scientists around the worldfor the loan of material from the CNC resultedin 196 loans of about 45000 specimens. TheCNC continued to attract specialists fromCanada and abroad, and 36 visitors helped tocurate its holdings in 1988. CanaCollfacilitated 12 of the above visits, with grantsboth from the endowment and the developmentfunds. The homebound handicapped programcontributed significantly in preparation oflarge amounts of target material accessionedduring 1988.

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Economic plants

Progress continued in the areas of cropplants, weeds, poisonous plants, native forages,and honey plants. Several scientific paperswere prepared clarifying variation in somebarley species (Hordeum) and on some relatedcereals. Papers were also written clarifyingseveral wild alfalfa species (Medicago), and anidentification guide was prepared to the morethan 100 species and varieties of this genus.Extensive data on the genus Brassica (rape andallies), and on related genera, have beencollected into a computerized data base. A newstudy on Chinese gooseberry, also known askiwifruit (Actinidia), was established incooperation with Agassiz Research Station. Inthe area of native forages, several studies wereprepared on sedges (Carex spp.), common witchgrass (Panicum capillare L.), blue grass(Poa spp.), poverty oat grass (Danthoniaspicata (L.) Beauv.), and fescue grasses(Festuca spp.). Work continued on an atlas ofhoney plants. In the area of weeds, studieswere conducted on velvetleaf (Abutilontheophrasti Medic.), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.),thistle (Carduus spp.), Johnson grass(Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.), proso millet(Panicum miliaceum L.), giant foxtail (Setariafaberi Herrm.), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.),spurge (Euphorbia spp.), wormwood(Artemisia spp.), and mayweed(Matricaria spp.). The manuscript was com-pleted for a 200-page manual on Canadianaquatic plants, including weeds of irrigationsystems and recreational waters. Preliminaryinventory of Canadian weeds, a 300-page book,was prepared by fourBRC employees. Thistreats more than 500 of Canada's mostimportant weeds and presents essential data ofinterest to weed scientists, concerning correctnames, distributions, life history, and habitat.Also included is an extensive bibliography forthe use of all concerned with the deleteriouseffect of weeds on the agri-food industry.Progress was made toward a computerinformation system on poisonous plants ofCanada.

Several contributions to the internationalcooperative publication Flora North,Americaand to the international cooperative revision ofthe Manual of North American grasses wereinitiated. Plants of Riding Mountain NationalPark, Manitoba and Flore du Parc national dumont Riding, Manitoba, identification guideswith over 300 illustrations, were published incooperation with the Canadian Parks Service,

70

Environment Canada. The books treat all ofthe 669 flowering plant species found in thepark. They will be of interest to the thousandswho visit the park annually and to botanistsand conservationists conducting research onthe Canadian flora.

The genus Vaccinium in North America, a200-page illustrated monograph andidentification guide to the 26 North Americanspecies, was published under contract toi>rofessor S.P. Vander Kloet of AcadiaUniversity. Most of Canada's crops are of OldWorld origin. The genus Vaccinium providesCanada with its most important indigenouscultivated crops, the blueberries andcranberries, as well as other plants ofpomological, ornamental, and wildlife interest.This publication will be of particular interest tothe fruit crop industry and provides essentialtaxonomic information for plant breeders.

Review articles were prepared onbiosystematics and on genetic variation ofweeds. Several pilot studies, especially on rapeand its allies, were initiated in the newbiosystematic laboratory for macromolecularanalysis of isoenzymes and DNA and in thenew image analysis laboratory. The vascularplant herbarium increased by 8000well-curated specimens.

Economic fungi

A manuscript was completed on thebiogeography of Canadian mushroomsincluding 70 pages of species distributionmaps. Data base files created for the input ofrecords of Canadian mushrooms now include400 literature references and 7000 mushroomrecords. The Canadian species Crinipelliamaxima Smith &Walters was described, and amonograph of the agaric genus Flammulina isnearing completion. A paper describingseveral unusual wood-decaying fungi fromNorth America is in press. In cooperation withstaff of Forintek Canada Corporation, amanuscript was prepared on a fungusimplicated in lumber decay, and-a manuscripton the boreal species of the woodrot genusWrightoporia is nearing completion. Host,distribution, culture, and taxonomic data for amajor manuscript dealing with nearly 700species ofthe wood-decaying fungi Corticiaceaeof North America was accumulated. Incooperation with the universities of Albertaand Maine, a new hyphomycete, Scytalidiumvaccinii Dalpe, Litton & Sigler, was described,which aggressively forms a mycorrhizal


association with blueberry. A data base III fileon the mycorrhizal literature of the past10 years now comprises more than 120000entries on ecto-, endo-, and ecto-endomy-corrhizal species. Thirty eight of 57 isolatesfrom soil, representing nine species ofmycorrhizal fungi in the genera Glomus,Sclerocystis, and Scutellospora maintained inpure culture, have retained their mycorrhizalcapabilities when reinoculated to plant roots.Studies on preserving cultural isolates ofmycorrhizal fungi by lyophilization and underliquid nitrogen are being investigated todetermine whether mycorrhizal capability isretained under conditions oflong-term storage.A manuscript on the genus Ascosphaera,responsible for chalkbrood and other diseasesof bees was prepared and is now in press. Amanuscript on Phyllosticta pathogens ofconifers was submitted for publication. Twomanuscripts on members of the hyphomycetegenus Trichoderma, which are biocontrolagents for a variety of pathogenic fungi, werecompleted; two others are nearing completion.Revisions of the ascomycete plant parasiticgenera Diadema and Bricookea occurring inNorth America and elsewhere were completed.A new major monograph covers 61 speciesincluding many plant pathogens in fourPleospora-like genera Clathrospora,Platyspora, Graphyllium, and Comoclathris. Aliterature compilation is being prepared ofabout 1200 described species of the ascomycetegenus Mycosphaerella, which includesnumerous species attacking cultivated plants.The reference, host, distribution, anddescriptive data on the species being compiledis currently scattered throughout a vast andoften inaccessible literature. In cooperationwith staff of the Lethbridge Research Station,new studies on rumen fungi were initiated tosupport Lethbridge's research aimed atimproving feed usage in cattle. A book chapteron the zoosporic fungi, which are importantplant viral vectors, will be of immense value inthe detection and control of plant virusdiseases. An investigation on corn rootparasites was conducted in support of theResearch Branch's corn research program.

The National Mycological Herbarium grewby 2346 specimens to a total of 254780. Anadditional 650 dried specimens wereaccessioned into the herbarium; 4500 speci-mens of plant parasitic fungi were donated by


the Saskatoon Resarch Station; and a further5500 specimens ofManitoba fungi, collected byDr. G. Bisby and Dr. R. Buller, and 400specimens, donated by Dr. K. Egger, arecurrently being filed in the herbarium.

The Canadian Collection of FungusCultures grew by 587 isolates to a total of10303. The number of requests for culturesincreased to 853: Canada (73%), United States(18%), and others (9%). Of these requests,iQdustry accounted for 21%, universities 27%,and government 52%. Of the isolates 70% weresent oU,t to individuals or organizationsinvolved in mycotoxin research and foodproduction. New cryopreservation techniqueswere devised for the zoosporic fungi and thewood-rotting Basidiomycotina for long-termstorage in liquid nitrogen.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Allen, W.R.; Ebsary, B.A. 1988. Transmissionof raspberry ringspot, tomato black ring andpeach rosette mosaic viruses by an Ontariopopulation ofLongidorus elongatus. Can. J.Plant Pathol. 10:1-5.

Barr, D.J.S. 1988. How modern systematicsrelates to the rumen fungi. BioSystems21:351-356.

Barr,D.J.S.; Desaulniers, N.L. 1988. Preciseconfiguration of the chytrid zoospore. Can.J. Bot. 66:869-876.

Baum, B.R. 1988. A simple procedure forestablishing discrete characters frommeasurement data, applicable to cladistics.Taxon 37:63-70.

Baum, B.R. 1988. Numerical taxonomicanalyses ofthe Poaceae. Pages 334-342 and(bibl. 371-(74) in Sodestrom, T.R., ed.Grass systematics and evolution. Smith-sonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.

Baum, B.R.; Bailey, L.G. 1988. A taxonomicinvestigation of Hordeum arizonicum(Poaceae: Triticeae) with reference torelated species. Can. J. Bot. 66:1848-1855.

BaumjB.R.; Bailey, L.G. 1988. A taxonomicstudy of the annual Hordeum depressumand related species. Can. J. Bot. 66:401-408.

71

Behan-Pelletier, V.M. 1988. Redefinition ofZachvatkinibates (Acari: Mycobatidae),with description of a new species and imma-tures of Z. maritimus Shaldybina 1973.Can. Entomol. 130:797-813.

Bissett,J.; Widden, P. 1988. A new species ofBeauveria isolated from Scottish moorlandsoil. Can. J. Bot. 66:361-362.

Bousquet, Y. 1988. Dyschirius of Americanorth ofMexico: Descriptions ofnew specieswith keys to species groups and species(Coleoptera: Carabidae). Can. Entomol.120:361-387. .

Bousquet, Y. 1988. Redescription du Stobeuscollucens Fairmaire, une especeappartenant au genre Stomis Clairville.Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr. 24:229-231.

Bright, D.E. 1988. Notes on the occurrence ofXyleborinus gracilis (Eichhoff) in theUnited States. Coleopt. Bull. 41:338.

Bright, D.E. 1988. Polydrusus cervinus(Linnaeus) a weevil new to Canada(Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Coleopt. Bull.42:337.

Brookes, 8.; Small, E. 1988. Enhanced floralanalysis by low temperature scanningelectron microscopy. Scanning Microsc.2:247-256.

Campbell, J.M. 1987. Anthobioides pubescensan unusual new genus and species ofOmaliinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)from Washington. Can. Entomol.119:1027-1042.

Campbell, J.M. 1988. New species and recordsof North American Tachinus Gravenhorst(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Can.Entomol. 120:231-295.

Catling, P.M. 1988. Two sedges, Carexconoidea Schk. and Carex gravida Bailey(Cyperaceae), new to Manitoba. Can.Field-Nat. 101:459-460.

Catling, P.M.; Brownell, V.R. 1987. New andsignificant vascular plant records forManitoba. Can. Field-Nat. 101:437-439.

Catling, P.M.; Spicer, K.W. 1988. Theseparation of Betula populifolia and Betulapendula and their status in Ontario. Can. J.Forest Res. 18:1017-1026.

Catling, P.M.; Spicer, K.W. 1988. The status ofJuncus oronensis Fernald. Can. J. Bot.66:1574-1582.

72

Cayouette, J.; Darbyshire, S.J. 1987. Larepartition de Danthonia intermediadans l'est du Canada. Nat. Can. (Que.)114:217-220.

Cody, W.J. 1988. Hornseed buttercup,Ceratocephalus testiculatus: A new recordfor the adventive flora of Saskatchewan.Can. Field-Nat. 102:71-73.

Cody, W.J.; Blondeau, M.; Cayouette, J. 1988.Ranunculus X spitzbergensis (Nath.)Hadac, an addition of the flora of NorthAmerica. Rhodora 90:27-36.

Corlett, M. 1988. Taxonomic studies in thegenus Mycosphaerella. Some species ofMycosphaerella on Brassicaceae in Canada.Mycotaxon 31:59-78.

Cranston, P.S.; Oliver, D.R. 1987. Problems inholarctic chironomid biogeography. Ent.Scand. Suppl. 29:51-56.

Cranston, P.S.; Oliver, D.R. 1988. Additionsand corrections to the nearctic Ortho-cladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae). Can.Entomol.I20:425-462.

Crompton, C.W.; Hall, I.V.; Jensen, K.I.N.;Hilderbrand, P.D. 1988. The biology ofCanadian weeds. 83. Hypericum perfora-tum L. Can.J. Plant Sci. 68:149-162.

Desrochers, A.M.; Bain, J.F.; Warwick, S.I.1988. A biosystematic study ofthe Carduusnutans L. complex in Canada. Can. J. Bot.66:1621-1631.

Desrochers, A.M.; Bain, J.F.; Warwick, S.I.1988. The biology of Canadian weeds. 89.Carduus nutans L. and Carduus acan-tho ides L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:1053-1068.

Dreuhl, L.; Foottit, R.G.; Matsuda, M. 1988.Morphological affinities of JapaneseLaminaria. Phycologia 27:405-412.

Ginns, J. 1988. New genera and species ofLignicqlous Aphyllophorales. Mycologia80:63-71.

Ginns, J. 1988. Typification of Cordycepscanadensis and C. capitata, and a newspecies, C. longisegmentis. Mycologia80:217-222.

Huber, J.T. 1988. Redescription of and host-induced antennal variation in Anaphes ioleGirault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), anegg parasite of Miridae (Hemiptera)in North America. Can. Entomol.120:893~901.


Huber, J.T. 1988. The species groups ofGonatocerus needs in North America with arevision of the Sulphuripes and Ater groups(Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Mem.Entomol. Soc.Can. 141. 109 pp.

Jimenez, M.-L.; Dondale, C.D. 1987. Descrip-cion de una nueva especie del generoVaracosa de Mexico (Araneae, Lycosidae).J. ArachnoI.15:171-175.

Jurzysta, M.; Small, E.; Nozzolillo, C. 1988.Hemolysis, a synapomorphic discriminatorof an expanded genus Medicago. Taxon37:354-363.

Krug, J.; Corlett, M. 1988. A new species ofBerlia from China. Can. J. Bot. 66:1256-1258.

Lafontaine, J.D.; Kononenko, V.S. 1988. Areview of the genus Parabarrovia Gibson(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with descriptionof the immature stages and a new species.Can. EntomoI.120:507-523.

Lafontaine, J.D.; Kononenko, V.S. 1988. Arevision of the Lasionycta skraelingia(Herrich-Schaffer) species complex(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Can. Entomol.120:903-916.

Lafontaine, J.D.; Mikkola, K. 1988. Las-och-nyckel system; de inre genitalierna avNoctuidae (Lepidoptera) som taxonomiskakannetecken. [Lock-and-key systems in theinner genitalia of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera)as a taxonomic character]. Ent. Meddr.55:161-167.

Lafontaine, J.D.; Mikkola, K.; Kononenko, V.S.1987. A revision of the genus Xestia subg.Pachnobia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), withdescriptions of two new subspecies.Entomol. Scand.18:305-331.

Laurin, D.R.; di Menna, M.E.; Greenhalgh, R.;Miller, J.D.; Neish, G.A.; Burgess, L.W.1988. Toxin-producing potential of someFusarium species from a New Zealand pas-ture. New Zeal. J. Agric. Res. 31:219-225.

LeSage, L. 1988. Longitarsus huberi n.sp. andthe related species L. mancus LeConte(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae).Coleopt. Bull. 42:167-172.

LeSage, L. 1988. Nomenclatorial changes inChrysolina species described by Rogers1896. Coleopt. Bull. 42:315.


LeSage, L. 1988. On the identity of Longi-tarsus suspectus Blatchley (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae: Seticinae). Coleopt. Bull.42:253-254.

Lindquist, E.E.; Zacharda, M. 1987. A newgenus and species of Rhagidiidae (Acari:Prostigmata) from Chihuahuan Desertlitter in New Mexico. Can. J. ZooI.65:2149-2158.

Lohse, G.A.; Smetana, A. 1988. A new genusand a new species of Aleocharinae from theAppalachian Mountains of North Carolina.Coleopt. Bull. 42:265-268.

Lohse, G.A.; Smetana, A., 1988. Four newspecies of Geostiba Thomson from theAppalachian Mountains of North Carolinawith a key to North America speciesand synonymic notes. Coleopt. Bull.42:269-278.

Oliver, D.R.; Dillon, M.E. 1988. Review ofCricotopus (Diptera: Chironomidae) of thenearctic Arctic zone with description of twonew species. Can. EntomoI.120:463-496.

Provencher, L.; Coderre, D.; Dondale, C.D.1988. Spiders (Araneae) in corn fields inQuebec. Can. Entomol. 120:97-100.

Redhead, S.A. 1988. Marasmiellus paspalivar. Americanus, the causal agent ofttBordeBlanco" disease of maize in Latin America.Mycologia 80:286-290.

Redhead, S.A. 1988. Notes on the genusXeromphalina (Agaricales, Xerulaceae) inCanada: Biogeography, nomenclature,taxonomy. Can. J. Bot. 66:479-507.

Redhead, S.A.; Kuyper, T.W. 1988. Phyto-conis, the correct generic name for theBasidiolichen botrydina. Mycotaxon31:221-223.

Robbana-Barnat, S.; Lafarge-Frayssinet, C.;Cohen, H.; Neish, G.A.; Frayssinet, C.1988. Immunosuppressive properties ofdeoxynivalenol. Toxicology 48:155-166.

Rosa, S.J.; Schlarbaum, S.E.; Small, E;Johnson, L.B. 1988. Chloroplast genomicvariation and phylogeny in Medicagosection lnterlextae. Can. J. Bot.66:1352-1358.

Savile, D.B.O. 1988. Terminology of sporestates in Uredinales. Mycotaxon33:387-389.

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Schmid, F. 1988. Considerations diverses surquelques genres leptocerins (Trichoptera,Leptoceridae). Bulletin de l'institut Royaldes Sciences naturelles de Belgique.Entomologie 57.147 pp.

Sharkey, M.J. 1988. A taxonomic revison ofAlabagrus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).Bull. Brit. Museum (Nat. History) 57.437 pp.

Small, E. 1988. Pollen-ovule patterns in tribeTrifolieae (Leguminosae). Plant Syst. Evol.160:195-205.

Smetana, A. 1988. Review of the familyHydrophilidae of Canada and Alaska(Coleoptera). Mem. of Entomol. Soc. Can.142.316pp.

Smetana, A. 1988. Revision of the subfamilyXantholininae of America north of Mexico(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Supplemen-tum 1. Can. Entomol.I20:525-558.

Smetana, A. 1988. Revision of the tribesQuediini and Atanygnathini. Part II. TheHimalayan region (Coleoptera: Staphylin-idae). Quaest. Entomol. 24:163-464.

Spicer, K.W.; Catling, P.M. 1988. The biologyof Canadian weeds. 88. Elodea canadensisMichx. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:1035-1051.

Stahevitch, A.E.; Wojtas, W.A. 1988. Chromo-some numbers of some North Americanspecies of Artemisia (Asteraceae). Can. J.Bot. 66:672-676.

Stahevitch, A.E.; Crompton, C.W.; Wojtas,W.A. 1988. Cytogenetic studies of leafyspurge, Euphorbia esula and itsallies (Euphorbiaceae). Can. J. Bot.66:2247-2257.

Stahevitch, A.E.; Crompton, C.W.; Wojtas,W.A. 1988. The biology ofCanadian weeds.85. Euphorbia cyparissias L. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:175-191.

Stoffolano, J.G.,Jr.; Woodley, N.E.; Borkent,A.; Yin, L.R.S. 1988. Ultrastructuralstudies of the abdominal plaques ofsome Diptera. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.81:503-510.

Teskey, H.J.; Shemanchuk, J.A.; Weintraub, J.1988. Hybomitra agroa, a new species ofTabanidae (Diptera) from western NorthAmerica. Can.. Ultrastructural studies ofthe abdominal plaques of some Diptera.Ann. Entomol. Soc.Am. 81:503-510.

74

Trujillo, E.E.; Aragaki, M.; Shoemaker, R.A.1988. Infection, disease development, andaxenic culture of Entyloma compositarumt~e cause of Hamakua Pamakani blight inHawaii. Plant Dis. 72:355-357.

Warwick, S.I.; Black, L.D. 1988. The biology ofCanadian weeds. 90. Aubtilon theophrasti.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:1069-1085.

Wood, S.L.; Bright, D.E. 1987. A catalog ofScolytidae and Platypodidae (Coleoptera),Part 1: Bibliography. Great Basin Nat. 11.685 pp.

Miscellaneous

Bissett, J.; Borkent, A. 1988. Ambrosia galls:The significance of fungal nutrition in theevolution of the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera).Pages 203-225 in Pirozynski, K.A.; Hawks-worth, D.L., eds. Co-evolution offungi withplants and animals. Academic Press,London.

Bousquet, Y. 1988. Observations sur la bio-logie du Sphaeroderus lecontei Dejean(Coleoptera: Carabidae). Fabreries13:25-39.

Britton, D.M.; Catling, P.M.; Dickson, H.L.;Pryer, K.M.;White, D.J. 1987. Rare speciesof Aspleniaceae. In Atlas of the rarevascular plants of Ontario. NationalMuseum Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Onto

Brookes, .B.S.; Catling, P.M. 1987. Rarespecies of Nelumbonaceae. In Atlas of therare vascular plants of Ontario. NationalMuseum Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Onto

Brookes, B.S.; Catling, P.M. 1987. Rarespecies of Nymphaeaceae. In Atlas of therare vascular plants of Ontario. NationalMuseum Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Onto

Brownell, V.R.; Catling, P.M.; Riley, J.L. 1987.Rare species of J uncaceae. In Atlas of therare vascular plants of Ontario. NationalMuseum Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Onto

Buckingham, G.R.; Sharkey, M.J. 1988. Abdo-minal exocrine glands in Braconidae(Hymenoptera). Pages 199-242 in Ad.vances ih parasitic Hymenoptera research.E.J. Brill.

Catling, P.M. 1987. Rare species of Alisma-taceae. In Atlas of the rare vascular plantsof Ontario. National Museum NaturalSciences, Ottawa, Onto


Catling, P.M.; Catling, V.R. 1988. Spiranthesnebulorum (Orchidaceae), a new speciesfrom southern Mexico and Guatemala.Rhodora 90:139-147.

Catling, P.M.; Pryer, K.M. 1987. Rare speciesof Podostemaceae. In Atlas of the rarevascular plants of Ontario. NationalMuseum Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Onto

Corlett, M.; MacLatchy, LA. 1988. Petriellasordida. Fungi Can. 313.

Cranston, P.S.; Oliver, D.R. 1988. Aquaticxylophagous Orthocladiinae-Systematicsand ecology. Spixiana (Muench.) 14:143-154.

Crompton, C.W.; McNeill, J.; Stahevitch, A.E.;Wojtas, W.A. 1988. Preliminary inventoryof Canadian weeds. Agric. Can. Tech. Bull.1988-9E. 292 pp.

Dalpe, Y. 1988. De la mycologie a la phar-macie. Le Mycologue 13:3-5.

Deshaye, J.; Cayouette, J. 1988. La florevasculaire des iles et de la presqu'Ue deManitounuk, Baie d'Hudson: Structurephytogeographique et interpretation biocli-matique. Provancheria 21: 74 pp.

Lindquist, E.E. 1988. Mite, Arachnida, andtick. Pages 90, 1368, and 2158, respect-ively, in Marsh, J.H., ed. in chief. TheCanadian encyclopedia, 2nd edition.Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton, Alta.

Mikkola, K.; Lafontaine, J.D.; Grotenfelt, P.1987. A revision of the holarctic Chersotisandereggii complex (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae). Nota Lepid. 10:140-157.

Neish, G.A.; McGregor, R. 1988. Eurotiumechinulatum. Fungi Can. 315.

Parmelee, J.A. 1988. Puccinia iridis. FungiCan. 320.

Sarazin, M.J. 1988. Bio-control news 1. Agri-culture Canada. 55 pp.

Sarazin, M.J. 1988. Insect liberations inCanada. Parasites and predators 1985/LAchers d'insectes au Canada. Parasites etpredateurs 1985. Liberation BulletinNo. 49. Agriculture Canada. 30 pp.


Sarazin, M.J. 1988. Insect liberations inCanada. Parasites and predators 1986/Llichers d'insectes au Canada. Parasites etpredateurs 1986. Liberation BulletinNo. 50. Agriculture Canada. 35 pp.

Sarazin, M.J. 1988. Primary types ofChalcid-oidea and Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera) in theCanadian National Collection. Proc.Entomol. Soc. Onto 118:83-108.

Sarazin, M.J. 1988. The Canadian agricul-tural insect pest review. Vol. 65.Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Onto

Savile, D.B.O. 1988. Puccinia coronata var.avenae. Fungi Can. 311.

Savile,D.B.O. 1988. Puccinia hordei. FungiCan. 312.

Savile,D.B.O. 1988. Uromyces polygoni-avicularis. Fungi Can. 314.

Sharkey, M.J.; Rasnitsyn, A. 1988. NewEoichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) fromearly Cretaceous. Pages 169-197 inAdvances in parasitic Hymenopteraresearch. E.J. Brill.

Small, E. 1987. Generic changes in Trifolieaesubtribe Trigonellinae. Pages 169-181 inStirton, C.H., ed. Advances in legumesystematics, Part 3. Royal BotanicGardens, Kew, England.

Smetana, A. 1988. On the male secondarysexual characters on the antenna ofCarabus (Meganebrius) tuberculipennisMandl 1974 {Coleoptera, Carabidae). Nouv.Revue Ent. (N.S.) 1:79-81.

Smetana, A.. 1988. Replacement name forHelophorus {rater Smetana 1985. Coleop.Bull. 41:262.

Smith,LM. 1988. Biosystematics services inentomology and the biodiversity crisis.Page 21 in Proceedings 18th InternationalCongress Entomology, Vancouver, Canada,July 1988.

Warwick, S.L 1988. Hybrid superiority-mythor reality? 1988. Annual meetings ofBotanical Society of America. Am. J. Bot.75:214.

75

Engineering and Statistical ResearchCentre, Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

P.W. Voisey, F.I., Mech.E.P. Kirkwood, B.Sc.

Energy EngineeringP. Van Die, B.Sc.(Eng.), M.Sc.N.B. McLaughlin, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Food Process EngineeringG.E. Timbers, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.D. LeBlanc, B.Sc.(Eng.), M.Sc.D.S. McGinnis, B.Ap.Sc.(Eng.), M.Sc.

Instrumentation and AutomationD.J. Buckley, B.E., M.Sc.E.J. Brach,! D.E.E., Dip.Mil.W. Hong,2 B.Sc., M.Eng.

Structures and MechanizationM. Feldman, B.E., M.Sc.L.P. Heslop, B.Sc., M.Sc.H.A. Jackson, B.Sc.(Eng.), M.Sc.

D.l. Masse, B.Sc., M.Sc.

J.A.Munroe, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

P.A. Phillips, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.W.S. Reid, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

Statistical ResearchM.R. Binns, M.A., Dip.Math.Stat.G. Butler, B.Math., M.Math.P.Y. Jui, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.P. Lefkovitch, B.Sc.C.S. Lin, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.K. Thompson, B.Sc., M.Math., Ph.D.M.S. Wolynetz, B. Math., M.Math., Ph.D.W. Watt,B.A.I. Hall, Cert.lnfo.Proc.C. Nault, B.Sc., B.Math.

DirectorAdministration

Head of SectionMechanization

Head of SectionFood process engineeringFood process engineering

Head of SectionElectronicsComputer systems

Head of Section; Assistant DirectorMechanizationCanada Plan Service designengineer-structures

Canada Plan Service designengineer-structures

Director, Canada Plan Service;Structures--erop storage

Animal welfareMechanization

StatisticsStatisticsStatisticsStatisticsStatisticsStatisticsStatisticsHead, Systems and ProgrammingSystems and programmingSystems and programming

Engineering and Statistical Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto 77

Technical ServicesJ.G.Caron

DepartureJ.E. Turnbull, B.S.A., M.S.A.Retired 28 October 1988

Head of Section

Director, Canada Plan Service;Farm structures

1 Seconded to Meat Hygiene Division, Food Production and Inspection Branch.2 Ph.D. Recruitment Program, McGill University.


INTRODUCTION

This report summarizes the achievements of the Engineering and Statistical Research Centre(ESRC) in 1988 and lists publications of the staff.

All projects contracted out since 1973 under three engineering programs were completed by1988, ending an era of this major support to agricultural engineering. In 1973-1974, thedevelopment, research, and evaluation of agricultural mechanization (DREAM) program wasestablished. This program was replaced by agricultural engineering research and development(AERD) in 1977-1978 to encompass building and energy research. In 1981, energy research wasseparated into a program on energy research and development in agriculture and food (ERDAF),and AERD was transferred to the Western Region. Since 1973, the expenditures under the threeprograms totaled $40 million for 603 contracts with external performers. The results are reportedin 513 contract reports. Reports are accessible through the Agriculture Canada library and theCanadian Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI) at the National ResearchCouncil of Canada, where microfiche copies can be purchased. A number of ESRC and WesternRegion reports also summarize and review the results.

A highlight for the year was the first field trial ofan instrumented tractor equipped with a state-of-the-art system for data acquisition. This development has provided a mobile laboratory for thestudy oftractor-implement-soil interactions in a long-term, multidisciplinary research program onsoil conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Peter W. VoiseyDirector

ENERGY

An instrumentation and data-loggingsystem was developed for an agriculturaltractor to measure tractor-implement-soilinteractions. The system was designed as aresearch tool to be used in research programson tillage and soil conservation, both at ESRCand in collaboration with other researchestablishments. It utilizes state-of-the-artcomponents and measures variables such asfuel consumption, implement draft, and soilcompaction forces in crop production systemsusing conventional and conservation tillage.

Measurements, made by transducersmounted on the tractor, are recorded by amicrocomputer-based high-speed data loggerand are displayed in real time on a computermonitor. A tractor cab extension was built toaccommodate the data-logging system andoperator.

FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING

Canadian Patents and DevelopmentLimited (CPDL) has filed patent applicationsin Canada, the United States, and theEuropean Economic Community on the ESRC-Food Research Centre extrusion-microwave

puffing process. One company is negotiatingwith CPDL for a licence to use the process.

Process development is continued onseparation technology, thermal processing,freezing, and the use of microwaves. Work onthe supercritical extraction process was dis-continued in view of industrial developments.

Industrial clients spent time in the labora-tory to solve problems in the measurement offood textures. A study on the use ofsmall-angle, oscillatory testing for measuringthe properties of pectin gels was completedwith the Summerland Research Station.

INSTRUMENTATION ANDAUTOMATION

A prototype, microcomputer-based systemfor analyzing the rheology of dough duringmixing was developed to eliminate the need formanual analysis of analog chart records fromapparatus that measures the quality of dough.The system was developed in collaborationwith the Winnipeg Research Station, wheremore than 8000 wheat samples from breedersare analyzed annually. The system handles upto four mixographs or farinographssimultaneously. The system is linked with thedepartment's Agrinet computer network so


that results of analyses can be mailedelectronically to breeders. A similar systemwas installed at the Plant Research Centre inOttawa.

An electronic system for measuring andrecording the dimensions of horticultural pro-duce was developed for the Kentville ResearchStation. The device can obtain two dimensionssimultaneously, and the data can be trans-mitted to a computer for storage and analysis.The system speeds up the measurement oflarge numbers of samples and reduces errors.

Structural attributes ofchaffy seeds such asgrasses are a source of variation in obtainingpure seed samples. An electromechanical seeddivider was developed to divide chaffy seedsamples accurately.

An adjustable-slit;light-scanning system toimprove true depth of field in photographicapplications was developed for ResearchProgram Service. An adjustable electrodeholder was developed for the Plant ResearchCentre for experiments on cell fusion. Severalinterfaces for connecting scientific instrumentsto computer systems were developed toeliminate the need for manual entry ofresearch data.

As part of the continuing study on high-speed, visual detection of cracks and dirt oneggs by machine, a method for detecting bloodspots within the egg was conceived.

Electronics repair and maintenance wasprovided for the Research Branch's scientificequipment in the National Capital Region.Electronics design and microcomputer hard-ware and software support and consultationwas provided within and outside the centre.

STRUCTURES ANDMECHANIZATION

Structures

The Canada Plan Service (CPS) designcentre issued to provincial contacts 4 plan sets,11 truss drawings, and 8 leaflets, asinstruments of technology transfer for use byfarmers, contractors, and builders. Five of theleaflets were bulletin-size works in three serieson swine, ventilation, and storage of fruits andvegetables. Many older plans (74 sheets) werere-engineered to conform to the newer, 1984,

80

limit states design, wood code. Advice wasprovided to six provinces on computer-aideddrafting (CAD), promoting systemcompatibility and the use of the latesttechnology to facilitate national interchange oftechnology and efficient work practices.

The Canadian Farm Buildings Handbookwas completed and published in English andFrench. This handbook of recommended goodpractice complements the basic mandatorystructural requirements in the Canadian Far~Building Code and the National Building Codeof Canada.

Reliability, limit states design, andprobability offailure theories were combined todevelop a mathematical model to determinethe reliability of trusses and similar structures.

Load testing of full-scale frames showedthat existing frames with wooden,stud-and-pole knee braces, widely used as windbraces for agricultural buildings, lackedadequate stiffness and factor of safety.Redesigned connections were shown toovercome these deficiencies.

By means of an extensive theoreticalanalysis, details of construction and connectionwere developed for using buttresses as a morepractical alternative to existing diaphragmtechnology in wind braces for long(length:width ratio of 3 or more) and high (twoor more stories) agricultural buildings.

Laboratory tests of the stiffness andstrength of a wide range of farm steel claddingprofiles and of fastener properties definedrealistic design values for these materials infull-scale ceiling or roof diaphragms foragricultural buildings. The informationenables CPS and private sector designers toproduce appropriate designs without the needfor further full-scale testing.

Collaborative research with OntarioMinistry of Agriculture and Food, at Alfred,defined how to obtain optimum airflowpatterns when using natural ventilation inswine buildings. For eastern Ontario, thismeans orienting barns north-south, locatingrooms requiring larger ventilation rates at thepredominantly windward end of the building,and adding two windows in the end wall. Also,minimum ridge openings and a controlstrategy were evaluated for such barns, and achimney concept was described as analternative method ofventilation.


Laboratory tests showed satisfactoryoperation of a continuous baffle and slot inlet,automated by a simple-to-adjust counter-weight, for barn ventilation. Adding aninterior duct for recirculation reduced colddrafts from incoming fresh air.

In the first 2 days after birth, piglets usedtwice as much water from dispensers modifiedto bubble air constantly to the water surface ascompared with unmodified dispensers. Thebubbling dispenser promotes early use ofwaterby piglets to counteract dehydration when thesows initial milk supply is low. The researchwas carried out in collaboration with theAnimal Research Centre.

For the soil types tested, in a fieldexperiment, earthern manure storages did notprovide effective containment of nitrogen.

Mec hanization

A prototype machine for nonselective tyingof cauliflower plants at a rate of 45 plants perminute was developed and field tested. Themachine is available for agronomic studies andtechnology transfer. Development of varietiesand agronomic practise promise that itseconomical operation is feasible.

The improved technology developed for amechanical cucumber harvester has beentransferred to industry.

STATISTICAL RESEARCH

Support was provided to all commoditygroups by designing experiments, analyzingdata, maintaining and enhancing computersoftware, and conducting research onstatistical methodology.

Collaborative work continued on numerousaspects of animal science research. Studiesshowed that even relatively low levels of themycotoxin zearalenone in the diet adverselyaffected conception rates in gilts and reducedthe number of piglets per litter. A scheme wasdeveloped to enable farm workers on-site tocollect samples of both roasted and unroastedcorn; roasting was found to reduce mold in thecorn substantially without affecting nutrientlevels. Research into growth of lambsindicated that relative growth was unaffectedby diet, thereby supporting the currentprocedures for selecting genetic stock.Research on published regression equationsrelating egg parameters indicated that such

equations generally are not applicable amongexperiments.

Several collaborative studies concerninganimal environment were conducted. Com-pared with natural ventilation, fan ventilationappeared to reduce levels of respirable dust inswine barns. It was demonstrated thatmeteorological conditions such as barometricpressure and wind affected both the egg pro-duction and feed consumption oflaying hens.

Investigations continued into meth-odologies for estimating the bioavailableenergy of animal feedingstuffs (Le.,energy thatis biologically available to animals and birds).Analyses of data collected by the AnimalResearch Centre and the National Institute ofAnimal Science of Denmark indicated that fora wide variety of materials, estimates ofbioavailable energy obtained using chickenscan be used to predict the energy bioavailableto swine. Use of such predictions will greatlyreduce the cost of evaluating swinefeedingstuffs and formulating swine rations.Further investigations into the truemetabolizable energy bioassay for poultryrevealed other factors that affect the accuracyand precision ofbioavailable energy estimates.

To support studies on sensory evaluation offood, assistance was provided in the design ofseveral taste panel experiments and theanalyses of the resulting data. Areas ofinvestigation included: the effects of breed andsex and various dietary components on thequality of pork; the effects of dietary fishmealon the sensory properties of chicken; and theeffects ofbreed, sex, age, and diet on the carcassand sensory quality of geese.

Research continued into some statisticalaspects of integrated pest management. Thebinomial sampling scheme was both extendedand simplified, enabling a decision regardingwhether intervention is required to be easilyimplemented. A sequential counting schemefor mites has been successfully and widelyimplemented in orchards throughout BritishColumbia. A model was developed for theseasonal abundance ofLygus lineolaris (Palisotde Beauvois) in strawberries. Based onextensive data collected over several years, aneconomic threshold was determined for injuryto potatoes by the Colorado potato beetle.

New methodology that separates environ-mental variation into its predictable andunpredictable components was developed foranalyzing data on cultivar X location X year.This algorithm enables the identification of


each cultivar's optimum range of locations andthe selection of the most stable cultivars.Methods were also developed to classify sites,thereby enabling a reduction in the size ofvariety trials.

Research continued into automaticprocedures for pattern recognition. Adissimilarity vector was developed thateliminates the restrictive assumptionsassociated with other methods ofclassification.This methodology was used to distinguishdistribution patterns of weeds in northernAlberta. Other procedures were developed andused to identify grasses found in the Canadianhigh Arctic. Other collaborative researchactivities with Beaverlodge Research Stationfound: (a) alternating strips of grass andlegumes results in a higher content of drymatter in the pasture than that found in arandom mixture; (b) management practices canreduce the herbicide required to control quackgrass; and (c) high yields of honey come fromcolonies in which the worker bees have largewings and femora.

Statisticians advised researchers from morethan 40 establishments throughout Canada onvarious subjects including experimentaldesign, use of computer software, and datainterpretation. This facility was used morethan 150 times. The computer systems andprogramming unit responded to more than 60requests for assistance from branch personnel.A quarterly newsletter was distributed to allbranch establishments.

The library of computer software continuesto be used about 1000 times per month. Thecomputer system for the eastern cooperativecereal trials was enhanced to handlegeneralized lattices at the stages both ofdesignand of data analysis. Computer programs andon-line user instructions for analyzing single-and multi-line quantal assays were completed.The maximum likelihood program (MLP) fornonlinear optimization (curve-fitting) wasevaluated, and a multi-site license wasacquired for the branch. Additions were madeto the on-line library of examples for programsand for the SAS and GENSTAT softwaresystems; the scope ofthis library was expandedto include examples illustrating the use ofMLP. A monthly bulletin describing featuresof, and enhancements to, these systems wasdistributed to personnel at more than 30branch establishments.

Computer data bases were constructed forthe Industry Relations Office to monitor the

82

licensing of developments in technology,collaborative research agreements, andinbred-hybrid seeds that are licensed. Thecomputer systems and programming unitparticipated extensively in the development ofthe data base for the branch's study area.

Twenty-five requests for training in the useof general computer and statistical softwarefrom establishments throughout thedepartment were handled. Developed softwarewas distributed to five research-governmentestablishments external to the department.

SUPPORT SERVICES

The data base on engineering research waskept up-to-date, particularly with NorthAmerican results. Surveys were conducted onresearch and development ofaerial spraying inCanada, and the data base was expanded tocover the topic. A bibliography on researchinto North American aerial applications waspublished.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

The shop facilities were improved byretrofitting a number of machine tools withdigital read-out systems. This improvementnow permits the fabrication of researchprototypes to either metric or imperialdimensional standards.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Aiken, S.G.; Lefkovitch, L.P.; Darbyshire, S.J.;Armstrong, K.C. 1988. Vegetativeproliferation in inflorescences of red fescueFestuca rubra s.l., Poaceae. Can. J. Bot.66:1-10.

Atwal, A.S.; Heslop, L.C. 1987. Effectivenessof propionic acid for preserving alfalfa hayin large round bales. Can. J. Anim. Sci.67:75-82.

Basu, P.K.; Butler, G. 1988. Assessment ofbrown spot Septaria glycines alone and incombination with bacterial blightPseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea onsoybeans in a short-season area. Can. J.PlantPathol.l0:78-82.


Bate, L.A.; Hacker, R.R.; Phillips, P.A. 1988.Effect of growth on porcine defecationpatterns. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:191-192.

Bate, L.A.; Hacker, R.R.; Phillips, P.A. 1988.Effect of manure handling on air qualityand pig performance in partially slattedfloor barns. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:107-110.

Binns, M.R.; Bostanian, N.J. 1988. Binomialand censored sampling in estimation anddecision making for the negative binomialdistribution. Biometrics 44:473-483.

Brach, E.J.; Scobie, B.S.; Raymond, D.P. 1988.Hog tattooing techniques. J. Agric. Eng.Res. 41:339-344.

Buckley, D.J.; Desjardins, R.L.; Lalonde,J.L.M.; Brunke, R. 1988. A linearized, fastresponse gas sampling apparatus for eddyaccumulation studies. Compo Electron.Agric. 2:243-250.

Butler, G.; Poste, L.M.; Wolynetz, M.S.; Agar,V.E.; Larmond, E. 1987. Alternativeanalyses of magnitude estimation data. J.Sensory Stud. 2:243-257.

Choini~re, Y.; Blais, F.; Munroe,J.A. 1988. Awind tunnel study of airflow patterns in anaturally ventilated building. Can. Agric.Eng. 30:293-298.

Choo, T.M.; Reinbergs, E.; Jui, P.Y. 1988.Comparison of F2 and F••diallel analyses inbarley. Genome 30:865-869.

Clark, R.V.; Jui, P.Y.; Galway, D.A.; Wallen,V.R.; Jackson, H.R.; Burrows, V.D. 1988.Studies on the possibility of comparinggrain protein content of oat cultivars byaerial infrared photography. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:969-974.

Coffin, W.L.; Skelton, A.M.; Jackson, H.A.1988. Light levels in multispan greenhousemodels. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:143-149.

Fagan, W.E.; Buckley, D.J.; Tsang, C.P.W.1988. Electronic eggshell thickness gauge.Poult. Sci. 67:1105-1108.

Fairey, D.T.; Lefkovitch, L.P.; Lieverse, J.A.C.;Siemens, B. 1988. Materials for leafcuttingbee Megachile rotundata F. shelters innorth west Canada. J. Appl. Ent. 106:119-122.

Fraser, D.; Phillips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.1988. Initial test of a farrowing crate withinward-sloping sides. Livest. Prod. Sci.20:249-256.

Fraser, D.; Phillips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.;Peeters Weem, W.B. 1988. Use ofwater bypiglets in the first days after birth. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:603~10.

Friend, D.W.; Fortin, A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler,G.; Kramer, J.K.G.; Burrows, V.D. 1988.Feeding and metabolism trials, andassessment of carcass and meat quality forgrowing-finishing pigs fed naked oatsAvena nuda. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:511-521.

Gariepy, Y.; Raghavan, G.S.V.; Theriault, R.;Munroe, J.A. 1988. Design procedure forthe silicone membrane system used forcontrolled atmosphere storage of leeks andcelery. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:231-236.

Hamilton, R.M.G.; Trenholm, H.L.; Thompson,B.K. 1988. Chemical, nutritive, deoxyni-valenol and zearalenone content of cornrelative to the site of inoculation withdifferent isolates of Fusariumgraminearum. J. Sci. Food Agric. 43:37-47.

Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.; Winter,K.W. 1988. Factors affecting culling andsurvival during rearing and first lactationin purebred and crossbred dairy cattle.Anim. Prod. 46:1-12.

Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.; Winter,K.W. 1988. Factors affecting length ofherdlife in purebred and crossbred dairycattle. J. Dairy Sci. 71:1011-1024.

Holley, R.A.; Jui, P.Y.; Wittmann, M.; Kwan,P. 1988. Survival of S. aureus and S_typhimurium in raw ripened dry sausagesformulated with mechanically separatedchicken meat. Fleischwirtsch.68:194-201.

Kramer, J.K.G.; Farnworth, E.R.; Thompson,B.K.; Corner, A.H. 1988. Testing a short-term feeding trial to assess compositionaland histopathological changes in hearts ofrats fed vegetable oils. Lipids 23:199-206.

LeBlanc, OJ. 1988. Time-temperature indi-cating devices for frozen foods. Can. Inst.Food Sci. Technol. J. 21:236-241.

Lin, C.S.; Binns, M.R. 1988. A method forassessing regional trial data when the testcultivars are unbalanced with respect tolocations. Can.J. Plant Sci. 68:1103-1110.


Lin, C.S.; Binns, M.R. 1988. A method of ana-lyzing cultivar X location X year experi-ments: A new stability parameter. Theor.Appl. Genet. 76:425-430.

Lin, C.S.; Binns, M.R. 1988. A superioritymeasure of cultivar performance forcultivar X location data. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:193-198.

Lin, C.S.; Butler, G. 1988. A data-based ap-proach for selecting locations for regionaltrials. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:651-659.

Masse, D.I.; Salinas, J.J. 1988. Analysis oftimber trusses using semi-rigid joints. Can.Agric. Eng. 30:111-124.

Masse, D.I.; Salinas, J.J.; Turnbull, J.E. 1988.Strength and resistance of nailed plywoodfor Canada Plan Service trusses. Can.Agric. Eng. 30:283-288.

Masse, D.I.; Turnbull, J.E.; Jackson, H.A.1988. Design method for 1986 Canada PlanService roof trusses. Can. Agric. Eng.30:277-281.

McKenzie, J.S.; Stout, D.G.; Lefkovitch, L.P.1988. Alfalfa food reserves estimatedchemically and by etiolated growth. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:427-438.

Paris, J.; Houle, J.F.; Bricault, M.; Jackson,H.A. 1988. Conservation de la chaleurdans les serres par emmagasinage et rideauthermique, experimentation en vraiegrandeur. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:133-142.

Paton, D.;Hamilton, H.A.; Timbers, G.E. 1988.An assessment ofoat hulls as a press aid forthe apple juice processing industry. Can.Inst. FoodSci. Technol. J. 21:76-79.

Phillips, P.A.; Thompson, B.K.; Fraser, D.1988. Preference tests of ramp designs foryoung pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:41-48.

Pommier, S.A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler, G. 1987.Effect of low voltage electrical stimulationin the distribution of cathepsin D and thepalatability of the longissimus dorsi fromHolstein veal calves fed a corn or barleydiet. Meat Sci. 21:203-218.

Razl, I.; Bellman, H.E.; Turnbull, J.E. 1988.Evaluation of sealers and mortars forprotection of concrete silos. Can. Agric.Eng. 30:179-184.

Salmon, R.E.; Stevens, V.I.; Poste, L.M.; Agar,V.E.; Butler, G. 1988. Research note:Effect of roasting breast up or breast down

84

and dietary canola meal on the sensoryquality ofturkeys. Poult. Sci. 67:680-683.

Seecharan, R.;Colwell, M.;Hergert, G.B. 1988.Estimated costs of mechanical strawberryharvesting. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:221-226.

Sibbald, I.R.; Wolynetz, M.S. 1988. Compari-sons of bioassays for true metabolizableenergy adjusted to zero nitrogen balance.Poult. Sci. 67:1192-1202.

Sibbald,I.R.; Wolynetz, M.S. 1988. Energyvalues of protein and lipid fractions inchickens. Poult. Sci. 67:413-419.

Szabo, T.I.; Lefkoyitch, L.P. 1987. Fourth gen-eration of closed-population honeybeebreeding. 1. Comparison of selected andcontrol strains. J. Apic. Res. 26:170-180.

Szabo, T.I.; Lefkovitch, L.P. 1988. Fourth gen-eration of closed population honeybeebreeding. 2. Relationship betweenmorphological and colony traits. Apidologie19:259-274.

Thompson, B.K.; Fraser, D. 1988. Variation inpiglet weights: Weight gains in the firstdays after birth and their relationship withlater performance. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:581-590.

Turnbull, J.E.; Masse, D.I. 1988. Strength anddeformation of nailed wood gambrel roofarches. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:157-164.

Veira, D.M.;Proulx, J.G.; Butler, G.; Fortin, A.1988. Utilization of grass silage by cattle:Further observations on the effect offishmeal. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1225-1235.

Vigneault, C.; Lemieux, M.M.; Masse, D.I.1988. Development of an automated ice-block-making system utilizing winteroutdoor air. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:77-82.

Miscellaneous

Choinier!l, Y.; Blais, F.; Menard, 0.; Munroe,J.A.; Buckley, D.J.1988. Comparison oftheperformance ofan automatic control systemwith exterior temperature and winddirection sensors with a standard controlsystem for a naturally-ventilated swinebarn. Pages 22-31 in Proceedings 3rdInternational Livestock EnvironmentSymposium. American Society ofAgricultural Engineers, St. Joseph,Michigan, Report No. ASAEI-88.

Compton, B.A.;Hergert, G.B. 1988. A harvest-ing aid for stalk-cut tobacco. TheLighterlLe Briquet58:18-27.


Feldman, M.;Higgins, J.; Townsend, J .S. 1988.A strategy for engineering in agricultureand food in Canada/Strategie pour Iesecteur du genie agro-alimentaire auCanada. Canadian Agricultural ResearchCouncillLe conseil de recherches agricolesdu Canada. 52/53 pp.

Hergert, G.B.; Feldman, M.; Tomecek, E.J.;Pelletier, M.A.; Liptay, A.; Sumsion, F.D.1988. Investigation of transplantingmethods for processing tomatoestEtude destechniques de plantation des tomates detransformation. Engineering andStatistical Research Centre, AgricultureCanada, Report 8702-1985. 43/53 pp.

Masse, D.I.; Munroe, J.A. 1988. Solutions decontreventement pour les batiments agri-coles a un ou plusieurs etages. Centre derecherche technique et statistique, Agri-culture Canada, Report 8729-1977. 22 pp.

Masse, D.I.; Salinas, J.J.; Turnbull, J .E. 1988.Lateral strength and stiffness of single andmultiple bolts in glued-laminated timberloaded parallel to grain. Engineering andStatistical Research Centre, AgricultureCanada, Report 8319-C029. 29 pp.

Morrison, B.A.;Thuns, A. 1988. Aerial techno-logy application for agriculture andforestry: A literature survey selected fromthe Engineering and Statistical ResearchCentre's agricultural and food engineeringdata baselLes techniques d'epandage aerienpour l'agriculture et la foresterie : Unerevue d'ouvrages selectionmls dans la basede donnees en genie agro-alimentaire duCentre de recherche technique etstatistique. Engineering and StatisticalResearch Centre, Agriculture Canada,Report 8715-C062. 181 pp.

Morrison, B.A.; Thuns, A.; Feldman, M. 1988.Listing of Engineering Research ContractReports under the DREAM, AERD, andERDAF programs of the Research Branch1973-19881Liste des rapports de contrats derecherches techniques realises au titre desprogrammes DREMA, RDGR et RDEAA dela Direction genera Ie de la recherche de1973-1988. Engineering and StatisticalResearch Centre, Agriculture Canada,Report 8612-C005. 179 pp.

Munroe, J., Technical adviser. 1988. Cana-dian farm buildings handbooklLa fermecanadienne : Manuel de construction.Agric. Can. Publ. 1822.155/181 pp.

Munroe, J .A.;Turnbull, J .E.; Hodgkinson, D.G.1988. Performance of automatic counter-balanced air inlets with and withoutrecirculation. Pages 32-42 in Proceedings3rd International Livestock EnvironmentSymposium. American Society ofAgricultural Engineers, St. Joseph,Michigan, Report No. ASAE1-88.

Phillips, P.A.; Fraser, D.; Morris, J.R.; Under-wood, J.W. 1988. Free-access two levelhousing for growing-finishing pigs. Pages417-422 in Proceedings 3rd InternationalLivestock Environment Symposium.American Society of AgriculturalEngineers, St. Joseph, Michigan, ReportNo. ASAE1-88.

Salinas, J.J.; Masse, DJ. 1988. Reliability ofnailed connections. Pages 11-19 inProceedings 1988 International Conferenceon Timber Engineering. Forest ProductResearch Society, Madison, Wis.

Trenholm, H.L.; Friend, D.W.; Thompson,B.K.; Pre lusky, D.B. 1988. Effects ofzearalenone and deoxynivalenolcombinations fed to pigs. Pages 101-102 inProceedings 7th International IUPAC Sym-posium on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins,Tokyo, Japan, 16-19 August 1988.

Van Die, P.; Stumborg, M. 1988. An assess-ment of Agriculture Canada's program onenergy crops and biomass combustion/Evaluation du programme d'AgricultureCanada sur les cultures energetiques et lacombustion de la biomasse. Engineeringand Statistical Research Centre, Agricul-ture Canada, Report 8713-C014. 31/35 pp.

Van Die, P.; Stumborg, M.; Miller, J.D. 1988.An assessment of Agriculture Canada'sliquid fuels program/Evaluation duprogramme d'Agriculture Canada sur lescarburants liquides. Engineering andStatistical Research Centre, AgricultureCanada, Report 8615-C006. 47/52 pp.


Food Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

N.W. Tape, B.S.A., Ph.D.M.R. Sahasrabudhe, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.R. Maguire1G. Robitaille2M. Nazarowec-White,3 B.Sc., M.Sc.

Processing TechnologyD. Paton, B.Sc., Ph.D.

W.F. Collins, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.D. Jones, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., C.Chem.F.R.S.C., F.I.F.S.T.

C.Y. Ma, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.N. Weisz, B.Sc.P.J. Wood, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Dairy TechnologyD.B. Emmons, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.V.R. Harwalkar, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.C. McKellar, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.W. Modler, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.R.P. Sinha, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Food Safety and NutritionL.E. Lloyd, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.J. Mullin, L.R.I.C., Ph.D.A.M. Paquet, B.Sc., Ph.D.L. Robichon-Hunt, B.Sc., M.Sc.L.F. Russell,4 B.Sc., M.Sc.J.M. Smith,5 B.Sc., M.Sc.

Structure and Sensory EvaluationM.R. Sahasrabudhe, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P. Allan-Wojtas, B.Sc.D. Mackie,6 B'.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Kalab, M.Sc., Ph.D.L.M. Poste, B.A.Sc., Dip. Tech.I.R. Siddiqui; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.,C.Chem., F.R.S.C., F.C.I.C.

S.H. Yiu, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Food Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

DirectorAssistant DirectorAdministrative OfficerActing Administrative OfficerFood science services

Program Leader; Processingtechnology, extrusion cookingPhenolics chemistryOilseed processing

Protein functionalityCarbohydrate analysisCarbohydrate chemistry

Program Leader; Dairy productsProtein chemistryMicrobiologyProcessing and productsMicrobiology

Program Leader; Food safety and nutritionAnalytical methodologyAmino acid and peptide chemistryNutrition servicesNutrient analysisNutrient analysis

Program LeaderElectron microscopySensory qualityElectron microscopySensory evaluationCarbohydrates

Microscopy

87

Graduate studentL. Villa-Garcia, B.Sc. Dairy products

1 On extended leave, February 1988-February 1989.2 Seconded from Plant Research Centre.3 Seconded to Research Coordination, Novem ber 1988.4 On educational leave, University of Maryland, Beltsville, Md.5 Seconded from Food Development Division, Agriculture Development Branch.6 Mackie (nee Froehlich).


INTRODUCTION

The role of the Food Research Centre (FRC) is to contribute to the marketability of agri-foodproducts by developing new and enhanced technology in food safety, nutrition, and quality.Through a combination of in-house research, collaborative research projects, and technical advice,the centre's scientists support development of industry and consumer protection. The centretransfers technology to industry and government by means of workshops, seminars, and advisoryservices. For example, the centre conducts workshops on sensory analysis techniques and dairyproduct quality and collaborates with Canadian Patents and Development Limited in marketingpatented technology. Cost-shared research with companies or industrial associations providesanother mechanism that facilitates the development and adoption of new technology.

The centre's staff also contributes significantly to the operation and work of the CanadaCommittee on Food, the Canola Council of Canada, the National Dairy Council of Canada, theInternational Dairy Federation, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the InternationalConsultative Groupon Food Irradiation. In addition, the centre provides advisory services andexpertise in evaluation of research proposals for agencies such as the Natural Sciences andEngineering Research Council, the National Research Council of Canada, and the CanadianInternational Development Agency.

In collaboration with other branches ofAgriculture Canada, the centre developed and obtainedapproval for a nutrition policy that describes the department's role and responsibilities in thenutritional aspects of agri-food products. The Agriculture Canada Nutrition CoordinatingCommittee was formed under the leadership ofDr. Lloyd.

The scientific and technical contributions of three dairy scientists have been recognized:Dr. Modler received the Dairy Research Foundation Award; Dr. Harwalkar and Dr. Emmonsreceived the Pfizer Award and an Agriculture Canada MeritAward, respectively. Dr. Emmons waselected chairperson of Commission B (Technology and Engineering) of the International DairyFederation. Dr. Tape was elected vice-chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission andchairperson of the International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation.

This report provides highlights of research activities in 1988. Publications and moreinformation can be obtained by writing to the Director, Food Research Centre, Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC6;Tel. (613) 995-3722.

N.W. TapeDirector

PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

Extrusion cooking

The Research Branch Report 1987 describeda process for producing a dense, starch-based,glass-like extrudate, which expands uponsubsequent treatment with microwave energy.In 1988, the starch glass was examined for itsphysicochemical properties. As extrusiontemperature increased and moisture contentdecreased, so too did the indexes for watersolubility and water absorption. Wheat starchglasses were examined by gel permeationchromatography on a Sephacryl S-1000 columnand were compared with the chromatographicprofile for native wheat starch. The highmolecular weight amylopectin component wasfound to decrease as extrusion temperature

FoodResearch Centre, Ottawa, Onto

increased and moisture content decreased. Theextent to which each starch glass expandedupon microwave treatment was found to berelated inversely to the residual amount ofamylopectin component. After storage of thestarch glass for 9 months, moisture loss did notexceed 7% by weight in glasses initiallyassaying 20 and 25% moisture content prior tostorage. Prolonged storage had no detrimentalinfluence on microwave expansion.

Oat ll-glucans

Complex formation between Calcofluor and~-glucan has been utilized in a flow injectionanalysis system for analysis of oat ~-glucan.Preliminary analyses, in agreement with theliterature, show good correlation with valuesdetermined enzymatically.

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Rapid methods utilizing high-performanceliquid chromatography (HPLC) have beendeveloped to characterize physicochemically~-glucans in oat fractions, barley, malt, wheat,and rye. Nodetectable differences in molecularsize or structure of l3-g1ucanwere obtained fromdifferent cultivars or from different fractions ofthe oat groat. Barley, wheat, and rye l3-g1ucansdiffered structurally from oat l3-g1ucan.Oat gum prepared at the POS pilot plant in

Saskatoon was oflower apparent viscosity thana commercial guar gum at 1% w/v and at lowshear rates. In glucose tolerance tests carriedout in collaboration with Ottawa CivicHospital, both gums were found to reducepostprandial rises in glucose and insulinsimilarly and significantly in healthy humansubjects. Oat bran (14.5% l3-g1ucan),fed as aporridge to healthy subjects, lowered thepostprandial rise in glucose relative to acontrol group fed cream of wheat. Oat gum,added to cream of wheat to mimic oat bran'sl3-g1ucan content, similarly lowered thepostprandial rises in glucose and insulin. Theresults suggest that the l3-g1ucanof oats is aphysiologically active component, and that theextracted product, although of reducedmolecular size, has a similar activity to theintact cell-wall polysaccharide. These studieswere supported by Quaker Oats Company.

Oat phenolics

Naturally occurring phenolic compoundsare involved in a wide variety of biochemicaland nutritional processes. Despite thewidespread use of oats and oat components asfeed and food ingredients, little is known aboutthe structure ofoat phenolics.Oat grain phenolics were characterized

with particular emphasis on the structuralelucidation of bound forms of the commonlyreported hydroxycinnamic acids.The occurrence of a new group of nitrogen-

containing constituents, the avenanthramides,reported in 1987, has been established.Two-dimensional, thin-layer chromatographyshowed that groat extracts contain more than25 distinct avenanthramides, whereas hullextracts contained about 20. Some 15 werecommon to both groat and hull preparations.The complete structures of 10 avenanthra-mides have been elucidated using lH_ and13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), massspectroscopy, ultraviolet absorptionspectroscopy, and hydrolytic techniques andconfirmed by total synthesis.

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The determination by HPLC of theseN-aroylanthranilic acid alkaloids has beenestablished. A relationship was developedbetween the observed retention time and thepresence of the different functional groups ofthe molecule, enabling rapid elucidation of po-tential analogues in complex avena nth rami demixtures.

Oat protein

Acid-hydrolyzed (deamidated) oat proteinwas used to substitute meat in a wiener formu-lation. When compared with the all-meatwiener, there were progressive decreases incookyield and firmness but a slight increase incohesiveness with increases in the level ofsubstitution. When compared with theunmodified oat protein and three legumeproteins, wieners containing acid-hydrolyzedoat protein had significantly better texture.The cooking profiles (rheology

thermograms) of wiener batter substitutedwith native and acid-hydrolyzed wheat glutenwere assessed by small-amplitude, dynamicoscillatory tests. Results show that thechanges in mechanical properties (storagemodulus, loss modulus, and loss tangent) in thebatter during heating were attributed to fatmelting and myosin denaturation.Replacement with gluten led to decreases inmoduli, indicating a weakening in thestructure ofthe batter.

Fructosans from Jerusalem artichokes

Short-chain, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS)polymers are claimed to have beneficialproperties, e.g., they are noncariogenic andfunction as dietary fiber. FOS assists in theproliferation of bifidobacteria in the lower gutof animals and humans and results incompetitive exclusion of harmful pathogenicand putrefactive bacteria, which do notmetabolize FOS.Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus

tuberosum) are an excellent source offructo-oligosaccharides. Up to 80% of the drymatter in the tubers is FOS. Processes havebeen developed for the preparation of FOS as adry, off-white powder with a slightcharacteristic flavor. A patent application hasbeen filed with the Canadian Patent Office.A major problem in handling the tubers has

been storage. Under ambient temperature andair contact, the tubers readily dessicate andbecome heavily contaminated with molds.


Washed tubers have, however, beensuccessfully stored for more than 12 months insealed 6-mil polythene bags (to preventmoisture loss, with lower oxygen and increasedCO2 in the atmosphere) at 4°C.A collaborative research study was initiated

on the nutritional and therapeutic benefits ofcombinations ofFOS and bifidobacteria in feedand food applications.

DAIRY TECHNOLOGY

Multiple-component pricing of milk

A new approach was taken to evaluatevarious systems of multiple-component pricingof milk. Three formulas for milk pricing werecompared for their effect on costs per unit ofthree classes of milk products from milk ofvaried composition. The present formula, fat+ constant (fat differential), gave uniformcosts of fluid milk for milks of variedcomposition, whereas that formula resulted indifferent costs of those same milks when usedfor cheese or for butter and powder manu-facture. Similarly, a formula of fat + protein+ lactose and minerals was satisfactory forbutter and powder type of products yetunsatisfactory for fluid milk and for cheese. Aformula based on fat and protein wassatisfactory only for cheese. No single formulawas satisfactory for all products. However, ablend of the appropriate formulas, dependingon quantities of milk used, gave acceptablysmall differences in costs of milk of variedcomposition. The differences in milk costs withinappropriate formulas were great enough toaffect the profitability of milk plants.

Astringency in milk

The relationship between products ofproteolytic breakdown and astringentoff-flavor in milk was examined. Pasteurizedskim milk was treated with 12 psychrotrophproteinases and the naturally occurring milkproteinase, plasmin, and was evaluatedorganoleptically for astringency. Atcomparable levels ofdigestion (glycine value of0.5 llm/mL of milk), samples treated withplasmin and only four of the psychrotrophproteinases produced astringency. Chloroformand methanol extracts of astringent samples ofskim milk showed typical peaks by fast proteinliquid chromatography (FPLC) and

Food Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

characteristically increased levels of y-caseinby urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(urea-PAGE).The astringent off-flavor has been linked to

the production of y-caseins, which are specificbreakdown products of ~-casein (cleavage ofpeptide bond between residues 28-29,105-106,and 107-108). Further proof of this link wasobtained by treating purified ~-casein withplasmin, by producing astringent off-flavor,and by demonstrating them to be y-casein byFPLC and urea-PAGE.

Molecular genetics and physiology ofstarter cultures

Investigations have continued in thedevelopment of genetically engineered starterbacteria for accelerated cheese ripening,improved fermentation, and flavor. In lacticacid bacteria, genetic characteristics ofindustrial importance have been found to beplasmid-borne. While investigating thestability of proteolytic activity in lacticstreptococci, it was discovered that mostplasmids are lost spontaneously after extendedincubation of bacterial cultures in syntheticmedia and in milk. This finding led to thedevelopment of a simple technique for curingplasmids in lactic streptococci.Thermophilic lactic streptococci were found

to be very sensitive to acid pH, leading touneven distribution of bacterial population inmilk products. This finding was confirmed by asurvey of six brands of commercial yogurts.Isolation and characterization of acid-tolerantstrains indicated a discrete gene mutationinvolved in acid tolerance.

Regulation of lipase synthesis inpsychrotrophs

Arginine caused transient repression ofextracellular lipase secretion by Pseudomonas{luorescens. Arginine analogues, which couldonly partially be metabolized by themicroorganism, completely repressed lipaseactivity. Other amino acids that were poorlymetabolized also caused repression. It wasconcluded that accumulation of partiallymetabolized intermediates of amino acidcatabolism repressed the synthesis ofextracellular lipase. Amino acid analoguesmay have some potential in the control ofhydrolytic enzymes produced by microflorathat cause spoilage in food.

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FOOD SAFETY ANDNUTRITION

Potato nutrient content

The Cu, Zn, K, Fe, Mg, and vitamin Ccontents were determined and values werecompared, using current tables of nutrientdata, for seven potato cultivars: Superior,Russett Burbank, Norchip, Shepody, YukonGold, Red Pontiac, and Kennebec. Therelationship between mineral data from thepotatoes and from the soil was also studied.The mean concentrations (in parts per million,on a fresh weight basis) for minerals andvitamin C found in the potatoes were Cu, 1.1;Zn, 3.0; K, 3330; Fe, 4.9; Mg, 213.6; andvitamin C, 64.5 ppm. These values were alllower than those quoted in U.S. Department ofAgriculture handbook (8-11) for raw potatoes,with the exception of Mg. The variation inmineral content found in the soil between plotsdid not appear to correlate with the minerallevels in the potatoes. Mineral contentbetween cultivars differed; Yukon Gold andShepody, both new releases, were higher invitamin C than the other cultivars.

Phytic acid and other inositol phosphates

It has been demonstrated that simultaneousdetermination of inorganic phosphorus andphytate can be achieved using nuclearmagnetic resonance (NMR). There are certainadvantages to using NMR as it isnondestructive and does not require hydrolysisofphytate to inorganic phosphorus. Both NMRand wet chemical methods were used todetermine phosphorus in fishmeal, soybeanmeal, and excreta from poultry fed both diets.NMR techniques were used to determinephosphorus in oat and Jerusalem artichokeproducts. In the fishmeal, only inorganicphosphorus was present. By AOAC(Association of Official Analytical Chemists)methods it was found to be 42.2 mg/g, whereasby NMR it was 22.8 mg/g, the differenceresulting from the method of acid extraction.In the poultry excreta from the fishmeal diet,the phosphorus was found to be 54.1 mg/g byAOAC and 29.6 mg/g by NMR. Bothmeasurements increased because phosphorusis excreted from the metabolic pool. Thephosphorus in soybean meal was exclusivelyphytate, 3.6 mg/g (AOAC)and 3.0 mg/g (NMR).The poultry excreta from the soybean dietcontained phytate, in essentially the same

92

concentration as in the feed, and inorganicphosphorus (8.6 mg/g by AOACand 6.6 mg/gbyNMR). The oat bran samples contained lessphytate (4.7-10 mg/g) than most wheat brans.The oat gum contained about 40% of thephytate from the bran starting material.Jerusalem artichoke contained equal amounts(0.3 mg/g) of phytate and inorganicphosphorus. The study showed thatsimultaneous, quantitative determination ofphytate and inorganic phosphorus by NMR is aviable alternative to wet chemical methods.

STRUCTURE AND SENSORYEVALUATION

Vegetable fiber

In FRC's continuing investigation on thevegetable fibers ofsignificance in the Canadiandiet, the structure of arabinogalactan fromcelery was established. An arabinogalactanisolated from celery (Apiium graveolens)consisted of L-arabinose, D-galactose, andD-glucose residues in the molar ratio of2.53:1.00:0.12. Data from sedimentationanalysis indicated that the polysaccharide washomogeneous. Methylation studies showed astatistical unit of 78 sugar residues with 27terminal, nonreducing end groups (20L-arabinosyl and 7 D-galactosyl). There arealso 19 residues of L-arabinose involved inbranching, including 12 through positions 3and 5; and 7 through positions 2, 3, and 5. Theremaining 32 nonterm ina I residues consist ofeighteen (1-+5)-linked L-arabinosyl, nine(l-+4)-linked D-galactosyl, and five(1-+3)-linked D-galactosyl residues.

Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) wasused to demonstrate structural differencesrelated to processing and product quality inseveral products. Spray-dried retentates,prepared by ultrafiltration of milk, were lesssusceptible to lactose crystallization because oftheir lower lactose content. SEM of regularspray-dried milk (SDM)showed crystallizationand caking when exposed to humid conditions.In addition, surfaces of spray-dried particlesshowed less wrinkling than the regular SDM.

Coagulation ofmilk retentates yielded firmgels with branching casein micelle chains whencommercial proteolytic enzymes wereemployed, the firmest gels being produced with


rennet. Microbial proteases, e.g., Endothiaparacitica, produced soft gels composed ofclusters of casein particles. Coagulation ofhomogenized retentates resulted in a uniformgel structure in which the dimensions of fatparticles were similar to those dimensions ofcasein micelles.

Electron microscopy revealed differences inthe rheological properties of elevated solidcontent yogurt prepared by traditionalmethods, by ultrafiltration, and by culturing amilk retentate. Yogurt made from a milkretentate was the firmest.

Grittiness in concentrated milk products,generally believed to be caused by calciumphosphate, was shown by SEM andhistochemical analysis to result fromcompacting of protein particles.

Transmission electron microscopy wasapplied to elucidate special relationshipsbetween collagen, muscle fibers, and fattytissue in roast pork.

FI uorescence microscopy, SE M, andenergy-dispersive X-ray analysis were used toshow that globoids of undigested oat phytinremain unaltered as regards structuralidentity and elemental mineral contents in thegastrointestinal tract of rats.

Sensory evaluation

The Sensory Evaluation Unit providedcollaborative research service to severalscientists within FRC; to other establishmentsin the Research Branch, namely Kentville,Smithfield, Brandon, and Nappan; and toLaval University.

Sensory qualities were characterized andquantitated to determine the effect of dietsupplements on meat flavor; the graininessquality of applesauce from different varieties ofapple; the effect of the Biobone process oncheddar cheese production; and the relation offishmeal in the poultry diets to off-flavors inpoultry meat.

Standardized methods were developed toestablish reference standards for four commonflavor defects in cheese and butter (sour, bitter,rancid, and fruity). These have beenincorporated in the federal dairy gradertraining program of the Food Production andInspection Branch.

The Sensory Evaluation Unit conducted aworkshop on sensory evaluation methods andtechniques for participants from industry andgovernment .

. Food Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Butler, G.; Poste, L.M.; Wolynetz, M.S.; Agar,V.E.; Larmond, E. 1987. Alternativeanalysis of magnitude estimation data. J.Sensory Studies 2:243-257.

Carie, M.; Kalab, M. 1987. Effect of dryingtechniques on milk powders quality andmicrostructure: A review. FoodMicrostruct.6(2):I71-180.

Collins, F.W.; Mullin, W.J. 1988. High per-formance liquid chromatographicdetermination of avenanthramides,N-aroylanthranilic acid alkaloids from oats.J. Chromatogr. 445:363-370.

Comer, F.W.; Allan-Wojtas, P. 1988. Function-al and microstructural effects of fillers incomminuted meat products. FoodMicrostruct.7(1):25-46.

Duitschaever, C.L.; Kemp, M.; Emmons, D.B.1988. Comparative evaluation of fiveprocedures for making kefir.Milchwissenschaft 43:343-345.

Erfle, J.D.; Teather, R.M.; Wood, P.J.; Irvin,J.E. 1988. Purification and properties of a(l-+3)(1-+4)-13-o-glucanase [(1-+3)(1-+4)-13-o-glucan-4-g1ucanohydrolasel fromBacteroides succinogenes cloned inEscherichia coli. Biochem. J. 255:831-833.

Fernandez, L.; San Jose, C.; McKellar, R.C.;Cholette, H. 1988. Characterization of apyoverdine-deficient mutant ofPseudomonas fluorescens impaired in thesecretion of extracellular proteinase andlipase. Arch. Microbiol. 150:523-528.

Friend,D.W.; Fortin, A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler,G.; Kramer, J.K.G.; Burrows, V.D. 1988.Feeding and metabolism trials, andassessment of carcass and meat quality forgrowing-finishing pigs fed naked oats(Avena nuda). Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:511-521.

Harwalkar, V.R.; Kalab, M. 1988. The role of13-lactoglobulin in the development of thecore-and-lining structure of casein particlesin acid-heat-induced milk gels. FoodMicrostruct.7(2):173-179.

Jennings, C.D.; Boleyn, K.; Bridges, S.R.;Wood, P.J.; Anderson, J.W. 1988. A com-parison of the lipid-lowering and intestinalmorphological effects of cholestyramine,

93

chitosan, and oat gum in rats. Proc.Soc.Exp. BioI.Med..189:13-20.

Kalab, M. 1988. Encapsulation of viscousfoods in agar gel tubes for electron micro-scopy. Food Microstruct. 7(2):213-214.

Kalab, M.; Allan-Wojtas, P.; Yang, A.F. 1988.Sample holders for solid and viscous foodscompatible with the Hexland Cryotrans CT100 assembly. Food Microstruct. 7(1):115-120.

Kalab, M.;Gupta, S.K.; Desai, H.K.; Patil, G.R.1988. Development of microstructure inraw, fried, and fried and cooked paneermade from buffalo, cow, and mixed milks.Food Microstruct. 7(1):83-91.

Ma, C.-Y.; Harwalkar, V.R. 1988. Study ofthermal denaturation of oat globulin bydifferential scanning calorimetry. J. FoodSci. 53:531.

Ma, C.-Y.; Harwalkar, V.R. 1988. Study ofthermal denaturation of oat globulin byultraviolet and fluorescence spectrometry.J. Agric. Food Chem. 36:155-160.

Ma, C.-Y.; Khanzada, G.; Harwalkar, V.R.1988. Thermal gelation of oat globulin. J.Agric. Food Chem. 36:275-280.

Martel, J.; Minvielle, F.; Poste, L.M. 1988.Effects of crossbreeding and sex on carcasscomposition, cooking properties and sensorycharacteristics of pork. J. Anim. Sci.66(1):41-46.

McKellar, R.C.; Cholette, H.; Emmons, D.B.1988. Modification of the alkalinephosphatase assay for butter. Can. Inst.Food Sci. Technol. J. 21(1):97-101.

Modler, H.W. 1988. Development of a contin-uous process for the production of Ricottacheese. J. Dairy Sci. 71:2003-2009.

Paquet, A.; Kalab, M. 1988. Amino acid com-position and structure of cheese baked as apizza ingredient in conventional and micro-wave ovens. Food Microstruct. 7(1):93-103.

Paton, D.; Hamilton, H.A.; Timbers, G.E. 1988.An assessment of oat hulls as a press aid forthe apple juice processing industry. Can.Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J. 21(1):76-79.

Pommier, S.A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler, G. 1987.Effect of low voltage electrical stimulationon the distribution of cathepsin D and thepalatability of the longissimus dorsi fromHolstein veal calves fed a corn or barleydiet. Meat Sci. 21(3):203-218.

94

Poste, L.M.; Patterson, C.F. 1988. Multidi-mensional scaling-sensory .analysis ofyoghurt. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J.21(3):271-278.

Salmon, R.E.; Stevens, V.I.; Poste, L.M.; Agar,V,E.; Butler, G. 1988. Research note:Effect of roasting breast up or breast downand dietary canola meal on the sensoryquality of turkeys. Poult. Sci. 67:680-683.

Vachon, C.; Jones, J.D.; Nadeau, A.; Savoie, L.1988. A rat model to study postprandialglucose and insulin responses to dietaryfibers. Nutr. Rep. Int. 37(6):1339-1348.

Vachon, C.; Jones, J.D~;Wood, P.J.; Savoie, L.1988. Concentration effect of solubledietary fibers on postprandial glucose andinsulin in the rat. Can. J. Physiol.Pharmacol. 66:801-806.

Wood, P.J.; Joergensen, K.G. 1988. Assay of(1~3)(1~4)-13-D-glucanase using theinsoluble complex between cereal(1~3)(1~4)-13-D-glucan and congo red. J.Cereal Sci. 7:295-308.

Yiu, S.H. 1988. Application of fluorescencemicroscopy in dairy science. Mljekarstvo38:171-178.

Miscellaneous

Bond, E.F.; Kalab, M. 1988. External oscillo-scope improves photography with the 1STDS-130 scanning electron microscope.Electron Microsc. Soc. Am. Bull. 18(1):90-91.

Kalab, M. 1988. Yoghurt. Kagaku to Seibutsu26(3):187-189 [in Japanese].

Kalab, M.; Carie, M. 1988. Process cheese.Kagaku to Seibutsu 26(6):374-377 [inJapan~se].

McKellar, R.C., ed. 1988. Enzymes ofpsychro-trophs in raw food. CRC Press, Boca Raton,Fla.

McKellar, R.C. 1988. Regulation and controlof synthesis. Pages 153-172 in McKellar,R.C., ed. Enzymes of psychrotrophs in rawfood. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

Wood, P.J.; Erfle, J.D.; Teather, R.M. 1988.Use of complex formation between congored and polysaccharides in detection andassay of polysaccharide hydrolases. Pages59-74 in Wood, W.A.; Kellog, S.T., eds.Methods in enzymology 160.


Land Resource Research CentreOttawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.L. Nowland, B.A., M.Sc.M.K. John,! B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.B. Trudel2R. Boisclair3S.Cassidy4

Acting DirectorDeputy DirectorChief, AdministrationActing Chief, AdministrationActing Chief, Administration

Soil Resource Inventory and MappingK.W.G. Valentine, B.A., M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. Head of SectionJ .A. Shields, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. Soil correlation-Great PlainsC. Tarnocai, B.S.F., M.S. Soil correlation-British Columbia,

Atlantic region, and North

Newfoundland Soil Survey (St. John's)

E.F. Woodrow, B.Sc.F. Hender, B.Sc.

Head of UnitParty Leader

Prince Edward Island Soil Survey (Charlottetown)

C. Veer Senior Soil Survey Technologist

New Brunswick Soil Survey (Fredericton)

H.W. Rees, B.Sc.S.H. Fahmy, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Nova Scotia Soil Survey (Truro)

K.T. Webb, B.Sc., M.Sc.D.A. Holmstrom, B.S.A.G.T. Patterson, 8.Sc., M.Sc.

Quebec Soil Survey (Sainte-Fay)

J.M. Cossette, B.Sc.L. Grenon, B.S.A.L. Lamontagne, B.Sc.M.C. Nolin, B.S., M.Sc.

Ontario Soil Survey (Guelph)

C.J. Acton, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.K.A. Denholm, B.E.S., M.Sc.E.W. Presant, B.S.A., M.Sc.G.J. Wall, B.S.A., Ph.D.

Land Resource Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

Head of UnitParty Leader

Head of UnitParty LeaderParty Leader

Head of UnitParty LeaderParty LeaderParty Leader

Head of UnitParty LeaderParty LeaderParty Leader

95

Manitoba Soil Survey (Winnipeg)

R.E. Smith, B.S.A., M.Sc.R. Eilers, B.S.A., M.Sc.W.R. Fraser, 8.Sc., M.Sc.W. Michalyna, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.H. Veldhuis, Ing., M.Sc.

Saskatchewan Soil Survey (Saskatoon)

D.F. Acton, 8.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.J. Anderson, B.Sc.W.D. Eilers, B.S.A., M.Sc.L.M. Kozak, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Padbury, B.S.A., M.Sc.H.P.W. Rostad, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.B. Stonehouse, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Alberta Soil Survey (Edmonton)

G.M. Coen, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.W. Pettapiece, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J .A. Brierley, B.Sc.J .C. Hiley, B.A., M.A.J. Tajek, Eng.B.D. Walker, B.Sc., M.Sc.

British Columbia Soil Survey (Vancouver)

D.E. Moon, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.J. Green, B.S.A., M.Sc.C.J. Selby, B.Sc., M.Sc.L.J.P. van Vliet, B.S.A., M.Sc.S.C. Jeck, B.Sc.

Yukon Soil Survey (Whitehorse)

C.A.S. Smith, B.Sc., M.Sc.

ResearchG.C. Topp,5 B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D., F.C.S.S.S.

Soil Quality and Soil Erosion

C. Wang, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.D.R. Coote, M.S., Ph.D.K.D. Switzer-Howse, B.Sc.

Mineralogy and Soil Quality

H. Kodama, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.Sc., F.C.S.S.S.M. Ihnat, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.A.O.A.C.G.J. Ross, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.N.M. Miles, B.Sc.

Prairie Regional Land Evaluation

J. Dumanski, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R. De Jong, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.C. Huffman, B.Sc., M.A.

96

Head of UnitParty LeaderParty LeaderParty LeaderParty Leader

Head of UnitParty LeaderParty LeaderParty LeaderParty LeaderParty LeaderParty Leader

Acting Head of UnitNational InterpretationsParty LeaderParty LeaderParty LeaderParty Leader

Head of UnitParty LeaderParty LeaderParty LeaderResource Economist

Head of Unit

Head of Section

Study Leader, Soil chemistryStudy Leader, DegradationInformation

Study Leader, Soil mineralogyTrace element chemistrySoil mineralogySoil mineralogy

Study Leader, Land evaluationWater useLand use


K.B. MacDonald, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Onofrei, B.Sc., M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

lnorganic-Organic Soil Component Interactions

S.S. Singh, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.R. De Kimpe, B.A.,lng.Chim.et Ind.Agr., D.Sc.Agr.

Pesticides in Soil and their Uptake by Plants

S.U. Khan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., C.Chem.,F.C.I.C., F.R.S.C.

R. Behki, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.S. Gamble, B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.C.I.S.S. Nelson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Soil-Conserving Production Systems

J.L.B. Culley, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.e.A. Fox, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

EvaluationLand evaluation

Study Leader, Soil chemistrySoil chemistry

Study Leader, Soil-pesticide chemistry

Pesticide molecular biologyPesticide-soil interactionPlant uptake of pesticides

Study Leader, Soil physicsMicromorphology

Soil Physical Quality and Movement of Water and Solutes

W.D. Reynolds, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Study Leader, Soil physicsG.C:Topp, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D., F.C.S.S.S. Soil physicsK.C. Wires, B.A. Physical structure

Soil Organic Matter and Composts

M.Schnitzer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.,F.C.S.S.S., F.A.S.A., F.S.S.S.A.

K.C. Ivarson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Levesque, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.S.P. Mathur, B.Sc., Assoc. I.A.R.I., Ph.D.

Analytical Chemistry Services

S.U. Khan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., C.Chem.,F.C.I.C., F.R.S.C.

M.K. John,6 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Climate Assessment and Information

A. Bootsma, B.Sc., M.Sc.J. Boisvert, B.Sc., M.Sc.S.N. Edey, B.Sc.H.N. Hayhoe, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.A.R. Mack, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Wilson, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.I.C.

Weather and Soil in Crop Production

D.W. Stewart, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.L. Desjardins, B.Sc., M.A., Ph.D.L.M. Dwyer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

DeparturesS.N. Edey, B.Sc.Retired 31 May 1988


Study Leader, Organic chemistry

Soil microbiologyOrganic soilsOrganic soils

Study Leader

Study Leader

Study Leader, ClimatologyFarm weather service researchApplicationsBiomathematicsRemote sensingEngineering

Study Leader, Plant growth modelingMicrometeorologyEnvironmental meteorology

Applications

97

K.C. Ivarson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Retired 30 November 1988

R.K. Jones, B.Sc., M.Sc.Resigned; now with AlbertaResearch Council

J .A. McKeague, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.On transfer of work, Tanzania CanadaWheat Project, Arusha, Tanzania,Apri11986-April1989

VISITING SCIENTISTS

A. Buttler, B.Sc., D.Sc.Switzerland

H.Y. Chiow, B.Agric.Sc.Malaysia, CIDA project

A. Darus, B.Agric.Sc.Malaysia, CIDA project

B. Dumrugs, M.Sc., D.S.Thailand

S. Dupont, M.Sc.France

A. Faridah, B.Agric.Sc., M.Sc.Malaysia, CIDA project

P. Fauzi, B.Sc., M.Ec.Malaysia, CIDA project

G.-Q. Geng, B.S.A., M.Sc.People's Republic of China

J .C. Gomes, B.Sc., M.Sc.Brazil

M.A. Hares, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.University of British Columbia

F. Karanja, B.Sc., M.Sc.Kenya

Abd. R. Mansor, B.Agric.Sc.Malaysia, CIDA project

S. Mohmad, 8.Sc., M.Sc.Malaysia, CIDA project

E. Pattey, B.Sc., M.Sc.Laval University

S.R. Vieira, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Brazil

Q. Zhen, B.Sc., M.Sc.People's Republic of China

H. Zhou, 8.Sc., M.Sc.People's Republic of China

H.C. Zhou, B.Sc., M.Sc.People's Republic of China

Soil microbiology

Party Leader, Ontario

Soil classification

Organic soils

Cropping systems

Remote sensing

Pesticide residues analysis

Pesticide residues analysis

Land suitability modeling

Agricultural economics

Soil degradation

Agroclimatic assessment

Soil physics

Crop modeling

Systems analysis

Agroclimatology

Micrometeorology

Soil physics

Geographic information system

Computer applications to soilmapping

Cartography

1 Appolnte.f25 January 1988.2 Seconded to Management Services Division, 8 February 1988.3 Seconded to Land Resource Research Centre, 7 March-16 September 1988," Seconded to Land Resource Research Centre, 12 September 1988.5 Effective 1March 1988.6 Effective 1March 1988.


INTRODUCTION

The Land Resource Research Centre (LRRC) carries out soil surveys and research programsinvolving soil, water, and agrometeorology. The mandate is to collect, assemble, and integrateinformation on soil, climate, and surface hydrology in Canada and to undertake research to assessand improve the potential ofland for sustained agriculture and other land uses.

Programs of the centre entered their 2nd year since being restructured into multidisciplinestudies, which embrace pedology, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, microbiology, agrometeorology,and some other environmental sciences. The benefits of the arrangement became obvious in 1988in improved interdisciplinary collaboration and flexibility for change.

The Inventory Section, working from a solid technical base, has begun to move soil surveysincreasingly from traditional products into applications of the information. Many suchapplications are facilitated by the updated, computerized Canada Soil Information System(CanSIS). In addition to the traditional field surveys, still much in demand, generalizedprovince-wide maps and digital data bases are being produced. Interpreted products includeregional assessments of subsoiling, crop management groupings, application of census data tolandscape units, crop insurance risk, and grazing capability. Monitoring activities focused ontrends in soil temperature measured at selected sites in relation to other soil characteristics. Aninteresting application of the geo-information system was to portray the possible sources ofpesticide pollution ofthe Great Lakes on both the Canadian and American sides of the border. Formuch of the year heads of the soil survey units were assigned to the national soil conservationprogram to assist with the preparation of background material and the negotiation of federal-provincial agreements. A major conversion of the computerized soil information (CanSIS) from itsoriginal custom software to ARCIINFO software has been completed, involving fully 891 maps.The compilation of data files for each area on each of these maps absorbed much of the efforts of theSoil Resource Inventory and Mapping Section during the year.

The Research Section continues to make excellent progress across the broad range of studiesthat seek understanding of complex physical, biochemical, and microbial processes in soil, as wellas the behavior of management systems in the field setting and comprehensive modeling of soil-plant-atmosphere relationships. Much thought was given to reorientation of research, andpreparations were made for focusing more resources toward the higher priorities, namelypesticides in the environment, soil conservation production systems, solute movement in thephysical system, land evaluation, and climatic risk.

In land evaluation a series of key economic variables have been calculated as estimates oflong-term sustainability of agricultural systems. A major simulation model for crop growth, PIXMOD,has now been validated for wheat, and similar models are being developed for forages and forcanola. Work has been initiated to refine the concepts of risk areas for crop insurance. Claymineralogy work has indicated that some clays may have a potential as a selective adsorbent fortoxic organic and inorganic substances.

Scientists working on behavior of pesticide residues in soils acquired greater understanding ofthe processes of microbial degradation and genetic aspects that might be manipulated to increaseefficacy and reduce environmental impacts. The data being obtained on crop development inrelation to soil thermal and water regimes under conservation tillage systems should prove to be ofgreat value in evaluating models of crop growth and better systems for conservation production.Considerable progress was made in hydrologic characterization of field sites, which to date hasbeen bedeviled by the extreme variability of field conditions. A significant finding withimplications for structural stability of soils was that up to a quarter of the" organic matter inagricultural soils is made up ofwax-like materials. In agrometeorological research, the usefulnessof weather-based production estimates made in July for that year's crop production levels in thePrairies was demonstrated. Regional values for carbon dioxide flux obtained by low-flying aircraftwere used to relate photosynthetic rates to vegetation indices estimated from satellites.

Additional information can be obtained from the Director, Land Resource Research Centre,Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC6;Tel. (613) 995-5011.

J.L. NowlandActing Director

Land Resource Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto 99

RESEARCHSoil quality evaluation and monitoring

The major soil degradation processes wereidentified by two task forces (eastern and west-ern) on soil quality evaluation and monitoring.For western Canada these processes areerosion by water and wind, disappearance oforganic matter, and salinization. For easternCanada the major degradation processes arewater erosion degradation of soil structure(compaction), and acidification. The task forcesdescribed the approaches to be used forevaluation and monitoring of soil degradation.Process-based models, as opposed to statisticalmodels, were recommended for prediction ofthe rate of the various degradation processes.Existing models will be used, if possible.Criteria were established for selecting andcharacterizing a network of verification(benchmark) sites. The site selection involvesstratification of the agroecosystem, includingclimate, soil texture, soil development, slope,and farming system. The data from periodicsampling and measurement at these sites willbe used to evaluate and to modify the proposedmodels.

Soil quality in the Canadian context bringstogether six discussion papers that cover:(1) identifying the important attributes ofgood-quality agricultural soils; (2) describingthe current quality of soil conditions foragricultural production in Canada; and(3) establishing a national program formonitoring agricultural soil quality.

Loss of soil quality by erosion

Research at the Central ExperimentalFarm, Ottawa, has shown that soil erosion hasa greater effect on organic matter in the soilthan on other soil properties. The loss of sur-face soil and organic matter leads to a decreasein available nutrients in the root zone. Insouthern Ontario, rainfall simulation was usedto determine the effects of winter conditions,different crop residues and tillage conditions onrunoff, infiltration, and soil loss. Soil lossesdecreased with increasing residue cover andwere least from no-till treatments. Attempts atinterseeding red clover into corn were notsuccessful at establishing this cover cropsufficiently well to provide significant controlof erosion over winter. In eastern Ontario no-till corn can be grown in rotation with hay andcereals, which reduces erosion and improves

100

physical characteristics of the soil, withoutcausing significant losses in yield. Results inthe Peace River region of Alberta and BritishColumbia indicate that the universal soil lossequation may overestimate water erosion inthis part of Canada. In Saskatchewan theheavy clays, which are relatively nonerodibleby wind in the summer months, are highlyerodible in winter and early spring.

Research on ways to predict soil erosionunder pal::t1y frozen soil conditions hascontinued. Two empirical methods based onfreezing degree days and surface heat flux forpredicting the frozen state of the soil wereevaluated using field data observed on a sandyloam and a clay loam soil. A physically basedapproach, which incorporated a finitedifference solution to the diffusion equation forheat flow, was also assessed. This approachprovided the best agreement between theobserved and predicted frost penetration.

Assistance and support were provided forthe operation of Soil Conservation Canada andfor several provincial soil conservationorganizations, to facilitate the transfer oftechnology and to improve communications.Newsletters, information packages, andresource materials were prepared.

Mineralogy and soil quality

The criteria for mineralogical classes, asdefined in earlier research, were combinedwith information on soil texture to provide amethod for mineral classification of 350subsoils. The resulting information wassummarized onto a 1:5000000 mineralogicalmap of Canada. The map units are beinginterpreted in relation to important soil char-acteristics, such as potassium supply, swelling,shrinking, and capacity for water retention.

Collaborative research with Ontarioscientists identified the cause of potassiumdeficiency in grapes and other fruit crops in theNiagara region. Soils of loamy and finer tex-ture contain sufficient amounts ofvermiculiticminerals, which take up and retain potassium,that a deficiency is caused even under fertilizedconditions. The deficiency problem can bealleviated by applying potassium fertilizer at ahigher rate and by placing the fertilizer inbands to reduce its contact with the soil.

Research is continuing to evaluate specificsurface area of whole soils as an indicator ofclay mineral composition and associated soilbehavior, such as swelling, shrinking, andwater-holding capacity. Attempts are being


made to establish the relationships of agro-nomically important minor elements in soils tothe mineralogy and crop production in relationto element toxicity and deficiency problems.Mineral analyses services provided 1948

X-ray powder difTractograms, 288 infraredabsorption spectra, and 7 Mossbauer spectra tocontribute supportive data to at least 21research papers and reports from research sta-tions. Subjects included mineral characteriza-tion ofCanadian soils, mineral weathering, soilacidification, acid sulfate soils, clay-organiccomplexes, clay intercalation with hydroxyalu-minum cations, and methodology developmentfor mineral identification and quantification.

Prairie regional land evaluation

New agroecological resource area maps(1:2000000) were completed for the threePrairie Provinces, and work is well under waytoward development of an integrated,electronic data base of soil-elimate-erop yield-management for the region. These data arebeing developed as one of the main bases ofassessing production risk in this area. Theyare supported by the powerful ARC/INFOgeographic information system, which wasrecently installed in the department.Procedures were developed for selecting and

grouping weather data to obtain acharacterization of the daily weather andclimate for each agroclimatic resource area.These data are being used to compile a series ofessential soil moisture limits by phenologicalstage for the major crops grown in the region.The best available mathematical models andcomputerized interpolation techniques arebeing used for this purpose.Similarly computer techniques have been

developed to characterize and classify croppingsystems in the region, using census data from1981 and 1986. On this basis a eeries of keyeconomic variables have been calculated asestimates of the economic performance andlong-term sustainability of the agriculturalsystems currently being practiced in each area.These include estimates such as profitability,return to labor, return on investment, annualinputs and costs, and the rate of change of theseovertime.The development of computerized simula-

tion models for crop growth is a parallelactivity in this project. The spring wheatmodel, PIXMOD, has been validated forManitoba and simulations of yield have beenperformed for all major agricultural soils in the


province. These values, based on annual,stochastic weather events and modified by soiland management conditions, have been used tocalculate yield probability functions for allagricultural soils in Manitoba. Similar modelsare being developed for forages and for canola.Associated with the activities of crop

modeling and developing the data base is somenew and innovative research on assessing risksin crop production, particularly as theseconcern suc.h major, safety-net programs ascrop insurance. On this basis, work has beeninitiated to reexamine and refine the conceptsof risk areas, soil productivity, crop suitability,and other elements in the program, to provide amore scientific basis for crop insurance and tomake it more actuarially sound.

Interactions between inorganic andorganic soil components

The solubility and mobility of Al from soilclays under the influence of acidity affects bothsoil fertility and the environment. Three typesof hydroxy-AI-montmorillonite complexeswere identified and the initial conditions fordrying the complexes were found to be deter-mining factors for the type of solid complexformed. The 28-A complex had a relativelyregular interstratified structure of 9.6- and18.9-A component layers. The hydroxy-AIpillars were sparsely but homogeneouslydistributed in the interlayer space. The heightof the pillars was 9.2-A, which, together withthe chemical data, suggested that theJohansson's model molecule, [AI1304(OH)Z4(HZO)lZ]7+, was most suitable for the pillar.The spongy form and high surface area of thecomplex has a potential as a selectiveadsorbent of organic and inorganic molecules.Low-temperature ashing (0 plasma

oxidation) of humic acid (HA) extracted fromleonardite (brown coal) and of fulvic acid (FA)extracted from the Armadale Bh horizonshowed that the ash contents were 2 and 21.5%in HA and FA samples, respectively. Theinfrared and 13C-NMRspectroscopy techniquesdemonstrated a layer-by-Iayer oxidationprocess. Analysis for C:N ratio at variousstages of oxidation showed that organic N wasbeing oxidized to nitrate and being retained inthe inorganic residues. The possibility ofnitrate formation and retention must berecognized and taken into account when thelow-temperature ashing method is used for thequantitative determination of organic matterin soil samples.

101

Three Fe-FA complexes, containing 0.80,1.54, and 4.70% Fe, were prepared in thelaboratory. An analysis using Miissbauerspectroscopy suggested that Fe(lll) in thecomplexes occurred partly in the form oforganic complexes and partly as inorganicspecies. A study of the resistance of Fe in thecomplexes to base hydrolysis showed that ironwas associated with the FA by at least two,possibly three, different mechanisms, and thatthe interaction products exhibited differingchemical stabilities.

The chemical speciation method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)previously developed for an organic soil hasbeen adapted to an iron-rich mineral soil fromsouth-central New Brunswick. Experimentalresults indicate that both sorption andhydrolysis can be monitored during the courseof a heterogeneous kinetics experiment.

Pesticides in Canadian soils and theiruptake by plants

The persistence of EPTC (S-ethyl dipro-pylthiocarbamate) and related thiocarbamateherbicides in soil was shown to be controlledmicrobiologically. A bacterial strain, TEl,isolated from soil was not only proficient atEPTC degradation but also degraded butylate(S-ethyl di-isobutylthiocarbamate) andvernolate (S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate).Addition of the extender dietholate, Le.,O,O-diethyl-O-phenyl phosphorothioate, tocultures of this bacterium inhibiteddegradation of all three thiocarbamateherbicides. The inhibitory effect of dietholateon bacterial growth of TE 1 and EPTCdegradation depended upon dietholateconcentration in the medium and lasted untildietholate itself was degraded by TElcells.

Microbial degradation of [1-14C-propyl]EPTC with the soil isolate TEl showed thatabout 68% of the label wasliberated'as 14C02and that only 23% was incorporated into thecell biomass. The identity of the initialmetabolite (dipropylamine) formed was firstinferred from isotope dilution experiments andlater established by gas chromatography (GC)and GC-mass spectrometry. The subsequentmetabolism of l-14C-propyl moiety of EPTCwas deduced by comparison with the utilizationof [1-14C]propionate and [l_14C]propylamine.The EPTC-degradation-deficient mutant, TE3,metabolized propylamine and propionate atrates similar to those with TEL However, TE3

102

did not degrade EPTC. The mutant, whichlacks. a 50.5-megadalton plasmid (present inTEl) reported previously to be involved inEPTC degradation, was shown to be defectivein the initial ester hydrolytic step of EPTCdecomposition.

The effects were investigated of repeatedapplication of prometryn, i.e., 2-(methylthio)-4,6- bis(isopropylamino )-8- tria zine, whe napplied to an organic soil already containingbound or frel;lhlydeposited prometryn residues.The soil, which was previously treated with[14C]prometryn and incubated for 4 yearsunder laboratory conditions, contained 53.5%of the initially applied 14Cin the form of boundresidues. Repeated addition of the herbicide tothe soil containing formerly bound 14Cresiduesresulted in a decrease in the proportion of theadded herbicide bound as residues. The soilexhibited a considerable increase in thethermal decomposition of bound 14Cresiduesby high-temperature distillation.

The mineralization of the pyrethroidinsecticide deltamethrin, Le., (S)-a-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl cis-( lR ,3R)- 2,2-dimethy 1-3-(2,2-dibromoviny1)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, and the hydrolysis products3-phenoxybenzoate and Br2CA, Le., 3-(2,2-dibromoviny1)-2,2-dimethy lcyclopropanecarboxylate, were examined in an organic soiland in enrichment cultures. 3-Phenoxy-benzoate was much more rapidly mineralizedthan either deltamethrin or Br2CA. It appearsthat the Br2CAmoiety may be quite resistantto microbial metabolism.

Endomycorrhizal infection of corn roots hada significant effect on atrazine uptake,metabolism, allocation, and resistance in cornplants. The herbicide atrazine was removedfrom soil by endomycorrhizae and was trans-ferred to corn plants. Dyfonate, i.e., O-ethyl-S-phenylethylphosphonodithioate, residuesbound in organic soil were released, taken up,and transferred to onion plants byendomycorrhizae.

The HPLC chemical speciation method,developed for atrazine in aqueous suspensionsof organic soil, yielded numerical values forchemical kinetics parameters that are relatedto persistence in soils, and for sorptionparameters that are related to leaching in soils.

A pressure extraction technique previouslydeveloped was used to extract the atrazine andits metabolites from plant tissues of bean,soybean, and canola. Single leaves were placedin a pressure. chamber, and plant fluids were


collected from the leaf vascular system underapplied pressures from 0 to 6.2 MPa. Up to 98%of the total tissue fluid was extracted by thistechnique. Pressure extracts were directlyinjected into an HPLC for analysis.

Soil-conserving production systems

The 1988 growing season in eastern Ontariowas characterized by an early season droughtfollowed by near-normal conditions. Goodyields ofboth corn and soybeans were obtainedwith both conventional and moisture-conserving tillage practices. Averaged overtwo locations, the conventionally produced(moldboard plowing in autumn with one springdisking) corn yield was 9.6 tJha, whereas thatfor no-tillage was 8.3 tJha. Ridge (8.8 tJha) andchisel (9.3 tJha) systems produced intermediateyields.

Excellent data sets on crop development aswell as soil thermal and water regimes wereobtained; these data will be used to evaluatecrop growth models, which are essential to thedevelopment of better soil and water-conserving production systems for field crops.The data were used to establish relationshipsbetween air and seedbed temperatures.Accumulated thermal units were calculatedand these, together with data on the fieldemergence of corn, were used to quantifydifferences in emergence among hybrids andtillage practices.

Preliminary observations of earthwormsindicated higher populations under no-tillage.Acari and collembola populations were alsomonitored; relationships between faunalpopulations and soil structure are underinvestigation.

Soil physical quality in relation to waterand solute movement

Extensive hydrologic characterization hasbeen conducted on a field site (located on theCentral Experimental Farm) prior to theinitiation of experiments in water andchemical tra'nsport. Three-dimensional (3-D),field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Krs)'matric flux potential (41m)' the alpha parameter(a), and the antecedent volumetric watercontent (6v) were measured in situ over twodepth intervals (6-15 em, 35-50 em) at 164stations on a 10 X 10m grid. 3-D, vertical, andhorizontal Krswere also measured on the site at


two depths (50 em and 100 em) at 82 stations ona 20 X 20 m grid. The analyses completed todate show that Kcs' 41m' and a are highlyvariable over the field site with similar spatialvariability patterns within each samplingdepth, but different patterns between depths.As a consequence, the rates and patterns ofwater and solute movement on the field sitemay be very complex. With this potentialcomplexity in mind, four detailed monitoringnetworks have been installed and are beingtested. Each network consists of vertical nestsof piezometers, water-table wells, time-domaine reflectometry (TOR) probes, andporous suction cups.

A numerical modeling investigation ofleakage from unlined, liquid-manure storagepits suggests that simple relationshipsdescribing steady, ponded infiltration througha crusted surface into unsaturated soil can beuseful in the design and assessment of theseand similar storages. A field study showed thatthe rates and patterns of contaminant leakagedepend strongly on the water-table regime, theKrs of the manure crust, the Krs of theunderlying soil, and the unsaturated flowproperties (a,lp) of the soil.

Because of its flexibility, the SWATREnumerical model from the Netherlands hasbeen selected as a suitable model for the devel-opment and assessment of systems for water-table management. The model is currentlybeing tested using Krs and field data collectedat two sites near Ottawa. Field testing of twocombined systems for water-table manage-ment, surface contouring and underdrainage,continues at Kapuskasing. Field tests in claysoils at Alfred and Alexandria have shown thatwater-table management using mole drains isfeasible provided that the soil meets specificstability and plastic limit criteria.

Theoretical and field investigations havesuggested new means by which the soilhydraulic properties, Krs' 41m' a, the wettingfront potential (lpr), and the microscopiccapillary length (Am) can be measured at andbelow the soil surface. Some of these methodsshould be particularly useful in porous mediaof low permeability. The Am value has beenproposed as a possible index of soil structure.Image analysis studies using impregnated soilblocks have suggested that it is not feasible toestablish parameters for soil micro- andmacro-structure solely on the basis of porewidth distribution.

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Soil organic matter and compostsA series of greenhouse studies for soil

testing and classification of organic soils wascompleted, having included 55 cultivatedorganic soils; lacustrine, marine, and alluvialclays, silts, and sands; mineral sub layers; andorganic amendments of varying degrees ofdecomposition. Oats, barley, onions, carrots,lettuce, spinach, and reed canarygrass weregrown. One of the interesting conclusions wasthat even when nutrition, temperature, andavailable water were nonlimiting for cropgrowth, yields varied widely seeminglybecause of differences in amounts of oxygenavailable for root respiration. Soil quality ofcultivated mineral and organic soils maytherefore decline as a result of loss of organicmatter and compaction, even when water andnutrients have not become limiting to cropgrowth.

Organic amendments rich in humus, suchas decomposed peat and composts, werecompared with those rich in more readilybiodegradable and hydrophilic materials suchas peat and straw. Both amendments improvedsoil structure and stability. However, theimprovement by the polysaccharide-richundecomposed peat was mainly caused bywater-dispersible adhesives. The humifiedmaterial was four times more effective, on thebasis of unit carbon, for improving soilaggregation and structural stability,apparently because of the water-stability andpolyvalent cation bridging afforded by thelong-chain aliphatics in humus.

Soil organic matter often containssignificant concentrations of straight-chain(paraffinic) aliphatics. To identify some ofthese materials, we extracted whole soils, fineclay fractions, and humic and fulvic acidssequentially with n-hexane, chloroform, andsupercritical n-pentane. Each extract was thenanalyzed by pyrolysis-soft ionization massspectrometry. The extracts contained high-molecular-weight n-alkanes, n-fatty acids,n-alcohols, sterols, and n-alkyl mono-, di-, andtri-esters. The highest molecular weightcompound identified had a mass of close to 1500daltons. All the components identified havebeen reported to occur in natural waxes. Ourfindings suggest that between 10 and 25% oforganic matter in agricultural soils is made upof wax-like materials. The latter couldpositively affect the structural stability of soils.

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Climate assessment and informationDuring 1988, modeling estimates of soil

moisture reserves and expected levels of cropproduction indicated the severity and extent ofthe heat and drought conditions for theprairies. Weather-based production estimatesmade in July during 1979-1988 were inexcellent agreement with the StatisticsCanada data published by the subsequent year.

Vegetative growth and fresh weight oftubers in several varieties of potato weresignificantly increased in Ottawa by irrigationscheduled using a water-budgeting technique.User-friendly software was calibrated forscheduling irrigation for potatoes and appleorchards.

Collaborative work with the University ofGuelph has shown that genetic improvementsin photosynthetic response has contributed toincreased yields in maize cultivars from 1958to 1988.

Observations of soil temperature from sitesin three provinces and the Yukon werecompared with estimates derived from a macro-climatic model to determine effects ofdrainage,management, and vegetation on soil climate.Comparison of procedures for sampling andanalyzing soil temperatures indicated thatprimary classifiers for soil climate can beestimated reliably by infrequent, regularlyspaced sampling over 3 years. Monthly soiltemperatures were estimated at 53 locations inthe Atlantic region to classify soil climates andto determine risk of extreme low temperaturesduring winter months.

A cooperative study with the University ofGuelph has determined simple criteria forestimating spring and autumn freeze dates atvarious risk levels and critical temperaturesfrom zonation maps of average frost dates forOntario. A procedure was developed toestimate seeding dates for corn from climaticdata as part of an evaluation of variability inheat units available for corn production in theMaritime region.

A more accurate method of estimatingpotential evapotranspiration from climaticdata was developed for the province of Quebec.Agroclimatic zonations were produced for thegrowing season and for the cold season inQuebec.

Computer archives of daily meteorologicaldata for more than 500 climate stations inCanada were updated and maintained for a


variety of applications in agrometeorology.These data are available to AgricultureCanada users with access to the AGRINETsystem.

Assistance was provided to Brazilianscientists under a program, sponsored byCIDA, in development and training incomputer software used to estimate soilmoisture content and to determine risk offreezing temperatures from long-term dailyrecords under Brazilian conditions.

Crop production

A microcomputer-based system of dataacquisition was used for calculation of thefluxes of CO2, H20, and sensible heat. Fluxdensity measurements taking into account allknown sources of energy exchange werepresented in several publications as anexample of the strategy required to control thequality of the data in measuring eddy fluxesunder field conditions. The sources of errorsand the degree of accuracy that can be obtainedfor CO2 and H20 flux densities were thendemonstrated with available instrumentation.Chamber techniques were also used to measurethe CO2 and H20 exchange at leaf and soilsurfaces in a project aimed at scaling up frompoint values in the crop canopy to fieldaveraged values given by the flux measuringsystem. A newly developed unit to measuresoil gas exchange was used to assess the spatialand temporal variability of soil respiration in amaize crop and on bare ground.

Regional CO2 flux values obtained by flyingat an altitude of 50 m across various transectswithin a 100 X 300 km agricultural region insouthern Manitoba were used to relate photo-synthetic rates to vegetation indices estimatedfrom LANDSAT multispectral scanners data.Good relationships were obtained when thedata were stratified into soil and vegetationtypes. Factors that affect airborne fluxestimates such as types of sensor used, runlength, altitude, environmental conditions,and averaging processes were evaluated andthe results were presented at a workshop on themeasurement and parameterization ofland-surface evaporation flux.

Several years of field measurements ofphotosynthesis and respiration in maize leaveswere analyzed as a function of environmentalconditions, plant age, and cultivar type.Significant cultivar differences were found inphotosynthesis rates during development,


though preliminary analysis did not showcultivar differences in respiration.

Methods have been developed forcalculating leaf appearance rates, leafexpansion intervals, and leaf. maturing rates.These methods will be used to improve modelsof leaf area expansion and phenologicaldevelopment for maize under field conditions.

SOIL RESOURCE INVENTORYAND MAPPING

Mapping

Soil landscapes 1:1 million scale. This long-term project continues. Its aim is to compilegeneralized descriptions of the soil landscapesof the whole country in the form of a digitaldata base that can be evaluated for biologicalproductivity and trafficability. Maps are to bepublished at a scale of 1:1000000 showingselected information from this data base. Theinformation is being digitized into the CanadaSoil Information System (CanSIS). Each area(polygon) is described by a standard set ofattributes stored in the computer files. Newmapping was completed in northern BritishColumbia (40000000 hal, southern Yukon(15000000 hal, and parts of southern Quebec(40000000 ha). Reports and data files havebeen published for the first five areas: Alberta,Manitoba, Maritime Provinces, southernOntario, and the island of Newfoundland.Unpublished information has already beenused in such projects as prairie regional landevaluation and loss of soil quality by erosion.Other users so far include the InternationalJoint Commission for a regional study ofpesticide use and transmission through soils inthe watershed of the Great Lakes, BritishColumbia Ministry of Environment fornorthern wildlife habitat, and NewfoundlandForestry for regional site productivity.

Detailed regional and local surveys. Thesesurveys are conducted at the request of, and incooperation with, provincial ministries ofAgriculture, Natural Resources, and Environ-ment. They research complex environmentalrelationships to guide agricultural landmanagers and planners, but their results arealso applied to urban fringe planning, forestry,and wildlife management. Mapping scalesvary from 1:100000 to 1:20000 (surveyintensity levels 4, 3, and 2).

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This year field mapping has been completedin the areas of Woodstock-Florenceville, N.B.(7500 ha); Rouville County, Que. (14000 ha);Elgin County (60 000 ha) and an experimentalwatershed (2000 ha) in Ontario; the ruralmunicipalities of Rhineland, Pembina, andHanover, Man. (100000 ha); Melfort, WoodMountain, and Cypress Hills, Sask.(1:22000000 ha); St. Paul County (200000 ha)and Gleichen (93000 ha), Alta.; PromontoryRidge, B.C. (2000 ha); and the Carcross Valleyin the Yukon (2000 ha). A number of other soilsurvey maps and reports are at various stagesof compilation, drafting, or editing and, thoughas yet unpublished, interim information isavailable. These include Comfort Cove, Nfld.;Pictou and Colchester counties, CambridgeStation, Northumberland Shore, andAnnapolis Valley, N.S.; Chipman-Minto-Harcourt area, N.B.; the counties of Vercheres,Richelieu, Saint-Hyacinthe, and Chambly,Que.; the counties of Brant, Middlesex, Elgin,and Niagara in Ontario; the rural municipal-ities of Dufferin, Thompson, Grey, Roland, andStanley, Man.; the Rhineland, North Norfolk,and Hanover areas ofManitoba; about 18 ruralmunicipalities in Saskatchewan; the St. Paul'sand Cardston areas ofAlberta; the Gulf Islandsin B.C.; and Takhini Valley and HerschelIsland in the Yukon.

Some of these surveys (notably some inNova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec,Saskatchewan, and the Yukon) are conductedunder federal-provincial agreements such asthose of the Economic Regional DevelopmentAgreement (ERDA) and the Agricultural FoodDevelopment Agreement (AFDA). In thesecases scientists from' the Soil ResourceInventory and Mapping Section act as contractsupervisors or scientific authorities. Examplesof soil surveys actually published in the pastyear are listed under publications.

International soil resources map, 1:1 millionscale. This project is international, verysimilar to the soil landscapes 1:1 million workalready mentioned. Precisely because of thatsimilarity, scientists from the Soil ResourceInventory and Mapping Section have beenasked to cooperate. The project is beingsponsored partly by the United Nationsenvironment program ofUNESCO and is beingorganized by the International Soil Referenceand Information Centre, Wageningen, TheNetherlands. The purpose is to compilestandard soil and landscape information for thewhole world (but emphasizing at first the Third

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World) that can be used to assess broadscaleland productivity and soil degradation. So farthe structure and proposed contents of the database have been fixed, and a procedure manualhas been written that describes the way inwhich the data are to be collected. Theprocedures proposed in the manual were testedand found practicable during a 3-week tour of apilot mapping area that covers parts ofArgentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Now anumber of are.as around the world are to betest-mapped, including a portion of the UnitedStates and Canada straddling the 49th parallelfrom Montana into Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Interpretations

Interpretation studies and systems. Thesection conducts studies that promote thescientific assessment of soil and land forvarious forms of land use. Some of thesestudies are linked to a particular survey,whereas others are independent and help todevelop assessment systems that ensureconsistent results across the country. Allpublished soil surveys contain interpretationsfor agricultural land uses. In addition anational working group was convened to revisethe soil capability for agriculture interpreta-tion system that was used in the Canada LandInventory 1965-1975, but which is now out ofdate. The working group proposes to make thesystem more objective and quantitative byconverting the present. seven classes into acontinuous numeric scale and by integratingthe major factors into a single index. Thischange will require separating the climate,soil, and landscape aspects of the system andbasing it initially on an assessment of grainsand oilseeds. The climate portion is to use"growing degree days" and "water deficits."

Individual studies are also pursued withinprovinces. In Prince Edward Island the effectof dense subsoil tillage on the rooting depth ofalfalfa is being assessed. -In New Brunswick aproject, funded by Employment andImmigration Canada, is developing a systemfor soil-climate-crop performance. Thissystem will group soils into managementcategories according to their requirements forcertain crops. To this end, yield data fromalfalfa plots on different soil types were col-lected and analyzed. Revised interpretationswere published for general field crops in theHaldimand-Norfolk and Niagara regions ofOntario. In Manitoba, maps ofwind and watererosion risk were published. The project to


evaluate the effect of deep plowing Solonetzicsoils was continued in Saskatchewan, as wasan evaluation of rangeland productivity forLands Branch. In Alberta, a number ofworkshops were held to explain the Landcapability classification for arable agriculturein Alberia (1987) that was published last year.In addition a method was developed to linkcensus data from Statistics Canada tolandscape units and farm managementsystems for the purpose of land evaluation. InBritish Columbia, revised agriculturecapability maps for the Peace River were testedand used to assist with risk assessments for theCrop Insurance Branch ofthe British ColumbiaMinistry of Agriculture and Food. As anextension of this work, a study was started todevelop ratings for climate- and soil.based croprisk in the Peace River district. Finally, agrazing capability study was done in theYukon for the Kluane Regional PlanningCommission.

The British Columbia unit is also runningCIDA project 600/12419 to design a prototypeland evaluation system for Malaysia. Thesystem analyses biophysical, transportation,and economic constraints to agriculturalproduction and allocates the most suitablecropping systems to land areas. It maximizesregional net farm income by optimizing the useof limited agricultural resources. The system,which runs on a desktop computer, uses thelatest technology in data base management,geographic information systems, expertsystems, and linear programming.

Correlation

Regional correlation. The results of fieldmapping and manuscripts of soil reports werereviewed to ensure that they meet nationalstandards. These include 27 surveys alreadylisted in the section on ftDetailed regional andlocal surveys" and 14 other field mappingprojects.

Correlation studies. Names are given tosoils as a means of identifying those withessentially the same characteristics. How far,however, should one name be allowed tospread? From one map sheet to another isreasonable, but could two soils, one inVancouver Island and one in Newfoundland,with essentially the same characteristics,developed from the same parent material,under a maritime climate, bear the samename? To regulate such problems a map of


ecoclimatic regions has been adopted for trial.A particular soil name would be restricted togiven areas on the map.

In Nova Scotia, a method was developed andapplied to correlate the on-farm surveys of theprovincial government's land evaluation andplanning surveys (LEAPS), and field work for areliability study of the Kings County surveywas completed. A portion of the 5thinternational soil correlation tour, which dealtwith the chara~terization, classification, andutilization of Spodosols passed through NewBrunswick.

Monitoring

Soil temperature. Soil temperaturescontinue to be measured within and below therooting zone at regular intervals at fixed sitesin the Maritimes, Manitoba, British Columbia,the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.These measurements have led to a revisedclassification for soil climate being developedfor display as maps of soil climate. Soil climatehas considerable control over plant growth. Inaddition soil temperature models werecalibrated using the measured soiltemperature data to determine the accuracy ofthese models for soils of different texture,drainage, and vegetation cover.

Soil temperatures are also measured on acontinuing project to determine the effect ofconstruction of the Norman Wells pipeline onpermafrost. This project is a cooperative studywith the Department of Indian and NorthernAffairs. It appears that such construction canraise the soil temperature significantly,leading to changes in the depth of the activelayer, severe subsidence in ice-rich soils, andpossible soil erosion.

Regional monitoring studies. Severalstudies in the regional units can be groupedunder the heading ofmonitoring. For example,in Nova Scotia a project has been started toevaluate the effect ofland rolling on blueberryyields and soil properties. This project willinvolve developing methods to measurecompaction and express it by such means ascompactibility indices. In the same vein, aproject in New Brunswick is evaluating, inconjunction with McCain's Foods Ltd. and theFredericton Research Station, the effect ofstone crushing on soil properties. In Ontario amapping study has been done, using theCanSIS ARC/INFO system ofcomputerized soilinformation (see below), to record the

107

application of agricultural pesticides. Thiswork is being done for the whole of the GreatLakes basin at the request of the committee ofthe Great Lakes Water Quality Board of theInternational Joint Commission that dealswith nonpoint source pollution. A second stageinvolves connecting information about theapplication rates to that of soil and land use. InaddJtion, reports have been published onagricultural pollution sources, pesticides, andpollution in the south Sydenham Riverwatershed, and the potential for soils totransfer pesticides to water systems insouthern Ontario. In Manitoba, in addition tomonitoring soil temperatures, there is aprogram to monitor soil hydrology, pH, andcertain heavy metals. Monitoring sites forairborne pollutants continue to be establishedin that province as well.

Paleosol Research. In 1987 a fossil forestwith relict and buried paleosols was discoveredon Axel Heiberg Island in the high Arctic. Thisyear, scientists from the Soil ResourceInventory and Mapping Section visited the sitewith a multidisciplinary team supported by thePolar Continental Shelf Project of Energy,Mines and Resources. They mapped, described,and sampled the soils and buried peat depositsto help recreate a picture of this anomalousTertiary forest that now sits far north of theArctic Circle, but whose nearest modernequivalent appears to be something like theFlorida Everglades.

National soil conservation program

Accords, Agreements, and Work Plans.From February to October 1988 the heads ofeach of the regional units of the Soil ResourceInventory and Mapping Section were assignedto the national soil conservation program.Reporting to the executive director general,their responsibilities were to help with thenegotiations that would lead to the accords,agreements, and work plans for each provincespecifying what was to be done under theprogram. Two major reports were alsoproduced, which detailed, for western andeastern Canada, the support activities, such asthe development of a computerizedgeographical information system and aprogram to monitor the effects of soilconservation practices, that a nationalprogram such as this would require.

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Canada Soil Information System (CanSIS)

ARC/INFO conversion and file compilation.The computerized soil information system thatstores, analyzes, and displays data about thecharacteristics and productivity of the majorsoils in Canada is now running on ARCIINFOsoftware. The conversion from the customsoftware that had been developed by LRRCsince the early 1970s is now complete.

All maps that were previously digitized,and those which were deemed important andreliable enough by the provinces to become partof the new system, have been converted to ARCfiles. These maps total 891. The conversionwas intended for contracting out but proved tooexpensive. The staff of the InformationSystems and Cartography Unit eventually didit, working shifts between September 1988 andMarch 1989. At the same time, a nationalCanSIS working group established thestructure and contents of the info files that willhold records of the attributes of all soils shownon these maps. There are files for each area onthe map (polygon file); each unique map symbol(soil map unit file); each soil, or nonsoil, listedin the legend (soil name file); each horizon, orlayer, in a soil (soil layer file); and each surveyproject (project file). A core set of attributeswas established for each file. These attributesare mandatory. They must be recorded beforeinformation about the project will be stored inCanSIS. Much of the effort of the Soil ResourceInventory and Mapping Section this year hasbeen spent on compiling all these files for theconverted maps. This task has been enormousbecause not all the information was in the oldCanSIS system. Indeed, in some of the oldersurveys, not all the information was availablein the originally published maps and reports.To date, soil map unit, soil name, and soil layerfiles have been completed for 450 maps. Theyhave been partially completed for 300 more, ashave all the project files. Work has also startedon writing all the operating manuals that willexplain what CanSIS now is and how to use it.

Further work next year will concentrate on(1) completing the standard national files,(2) digitizing and compiling files for importantpublished maps that were never put into theold system, (3) augmenting the nationalstandard files with additional data that arerequired by particular provinces, and(4) determining the full requirements for all


national files in future projects. Some of themajor regional units of the Soil ResourceInventory and Mapping Section are also beingsupplied with microcomputer-based systems ofsoil information so that CanSIS will graduallybe converted to a country-wide network from acentral Ottawa system.

The CanSIS system has been usedextensively this year by such internal LRRCprojects as prairie regional land evaluation andthe distribution of clay minerals in Canada. Inaddition, information has been transferred toexternal clients. For example, New Brunswickrequested soil information for the provincialcomputerized agricultural land informationsystem. Manitoba Hydro received soilinformation for the Lac du Bonnet area andconnected it to land use and forestry data toassess routes for hydroelectric lines. TheGeography Department of the University ofRegina and Canada Centre for Remote Sensingeach received the 1:1 million soil landscapesmap of Alberta in digital form for the purposeof environmental studies. Parks Canada alsoreceived map information in digital form aspart of the continuing cooperative mappingproject for national parks, which included datafor Waterton Lakes, Prince Albert, Elk Island,and the Kootenays.

Cartography

Printed maps and graphics. Besides theirincreasing role in the operation of CanSIS thestaff of the Information Systems andCartography Unit prepare maps, diagrams,and figures to be printed for centre anddepartmental publications. For some timethere have been suggestions that much of theunit's work could be contracted out.Consequently, the Bureau of ManagementConsulting conducted a review of theirprogram in the early part of this year. Theyconcluded that although many activities couldbe contracted out, in whole or in part, the unit'sservices are required and well regarded by itsclientele, and that there are no particularstrong or attractive advantages to contractingthem at present. Nevertheless, the unit hashad to undergo some internal reorganization tofulfill its greater responsibilities for CanSIS.

This year the unit completed 15 soil projectscomprising a total of 171 maps for the


department and 14 new maps and 9 mapreprints for Environment Canada. Ten mapsshowing groundwater contamination bypesticides were produced for Food Products andInspection Branch, and eight special projects,such as conference displays, and 394miscellaneous jobs were completed for thedepartment. A total of 53 new projects for theprinted map program and the Canada SoilInformation System were received and startedduring the year ..

A piece of cooperative work with theCorrelation Unit and CanSIS staff was thedevelopment of standard format products to beproduced automatically from the ARC and infofiles of CanSIS. So far standard formats, for asoil map with soil symbols or polygon numbersand for derived and interpretive maps, havebeen produced. It is intended also to develop astandard soil description from the info filesthat can be inserted directly into future soilreports or soil fact sheets.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Arshad, M.A.; Ripmeester, J.A.; Schnitzer, M.1988. Attempts to improve solid state 13CNMR spectra ofwhole mineral soils. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:593-602.

Arshad, M.; Schnitzer, M.; Preston, C. 1987.Characteristics of a termite fungus combstudied by a chemical and spectroscopicmethods. Soil BioI. Biochem. 19:227-230.

Arshad, M.A.; Schnitzer, M.; Preston, C.M.1988. Characterization of humic acids fromtermite mounds and surrounding soils,Kenya. Geoderma 42:213-225.

Austin, L.B.; Schuepp, P.H.; Desjardins, R.L.1987. The feasibility of using airborne CO2flux measurements for the imaging of therate of biomass production. LRRCContribution No. 87-7. Agric. For.Meteoroi. 39:13-23.

Belanger, A.; Levesque, M.;Mathur, S.P. 1987.The influence of variation in soil copper onthe yield and nutrition of radishes grown inmicroplots on two peat soils. Intern. Peat J.2:65-73.

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Bootsma, A.; De Jong, R. 1988. Estimates ofseeding dates of spring wheat on theCanadian prairies from climate data. Can .. J. Soil Sci. 68:513-517.

Brown, A.; Mathur, S.P.; Kauri, T.; Kushner,D.J. 1988. Measurement and significanceof cellulose in peat soils. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:681-685.

Buckley, D.J.; Desjardins, R.L.; Lalonde,J.L.M.; Brunke, R. 1988. A linearized fastresponse gas sampling apparatus for eddyaccumulation studies. LRRC ContributionNo. 86.45. Comput. Electron. Agric.2:243-250.

Burn, C.R.; Smith, C.A.S. 1988. Observationsof the "thermal offset" in near.surface meanannual soil temperatures at several sitesnear Mayo, Yukon Territory. Arctic41:12-16.

Campbell, C.A.;Jame, Y.W.;De Jong, R. 1988.Predicting net mineralization over a grow.ing season: Model verification. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:537-552.

Christensen, J.M.; Ihnat, M.; Stoeppler, M.;Thomassen, T.; Yeillon, C.; Wolynetz, M.1987. Human body fluids-IUPACproposed reference materials for traceelements analysis. Fresenius Z. Anal.Chern. 326:639-642.

Coote, D.R.; Malcolm.McGovern, C.A.; Wall,G.J.; Dickinson, W.T.; Rudra, R.P. 1988.Seasonal variation of erodibility indicesbased on shear strength and aggregatestability in some Ontario soils. LRRC Cont.No. 87.63. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:405-416.

Culley, J.L.B.; Dow, B.K. 1988. Long termeffects of an oil pipeline installation on soilproductivity. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:177-181.

Culley, J .L.B.; Larson, W.E. 1987. Susceptibi-lity to compression of a clay loam Hap.laquoll. Soil Sci. Soc.Am. J. 51:562-567.

Dasog, G.S.; Acton, D.F.; Mermut, A.R.; deJong, E. 1988. Shrink-swell potential andcracking in clay soils of Saskatchewan.Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:251-260.

De Jong, R. 1988. Comparison of two soil.water models under semi.arid growingconditions. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:17-27.

De Jong, R.; Bootsma, A. 1988. Estimatedlong-term soil moisture variability on theCanadian prairies. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:307-321.

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DeJong,R.;McKeague,J.A. 1987. Acompari-son of measured and modelled soil waterretention data. Can. J. Soil Sci. 67:697-703.

DeJong, R.; Shields, J.A. 1988. Availablewater holding capacity maps of Alberta,Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:157-163.

De Kimpe, C.R.; Laverdiere, M.R. 1988. Effectof cultivation on the physical and chemicalproperties oftwo podzolic soils from Quebec,Canada. Pedologie 38:15-33.

De Kimpe, C.R.; Laverdiere, M.R.; Baril, R.W.1988. Caracteristiques des sols sulfatesacides de la serie de l'Anse en milieuestuarien (Quebec). Can. J. Soil Sci.68:577-592.

De Kimpe, C.R.; Laverdiere, M.R.; Baril, R.W.1988. Classification of cultivated estuarineacid sulfate soils in Quebec. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:821-826.

Dwyer, L.M,.;Stewart, D.W.; Balchin, D. 1987.Rooting characteristics of corn, soybeansand barley as a function of available waterand soil physical characteristics. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:121-132.

Eilers, R.G. 1988. A "revised" methodology forassessing land suitability for irrigation.LRRC Cont. No. 88-12. Can. Wat. Res. J.13:3,26-32.

Gamble, D.S.; Khan, S.U. 1988. Atrazine hy.droloysis in aqueous suspension of humicacid at 25.0•. Can. J. Chern. 66:2605-2617.

Gamble, D.S.; Langford, C.H. 1988. Complex.ing equilibria in mixed ligand systems:Tests of theory with computer simulations.Environ. Sci.& Technol. 22:1325-1329.

Grover, R.; Kerr, L.A.; Bowren, K.E.; Khan,S.U.. 1988. Airborne residues of triallateand trifluralin in Saskatchewan. Bull.Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 40:683-688.

Hayhoe, H.N.; De Jong, R. 1987. Comparisonof two soil water models for soybeans. Can.Agric. Eng. 30:5-11.

Ihnat, M. 1987. High reliability atomic abosorption spectrometry of major and minorelements in biological materials. FreseniusZ.Anal. Chern. 326:739-741.

Ihnat, M. 1988. Criteria for the developmentof biological reference materials. FreseniusZ.Anal. Chern. 332:568-572.


Ihnat, M. 1988. Pick a number-Analyticaldata reliability and biological referencematerials. Sci. Total Environ. 71:85-103.

Ihnat, M. 1988. Preparation of twelve candi-date agricultural reference materials.Fresenius Z.Anal. Chem. 332:539-545.

Ihnat, M.; Cloutier, R.; Wood, D. 1987. Refer-ence materials for agricultural and foodanalysis: Preparation and physicalcharacterization of a bovine muscle powercandidate reference material. Fresenius Z.Anal. Chem. 326:627-633.

Khan, S.U.; Behki, R.M.; Tapping, R.I.;Akhtar, M.H. 1988. Deltamethrin residuesin an organic soil under laboratoryconditions and its degradation by bacterialstrain. J. Agric. Food Chem. 36:636-638.

Kodama, H.; De Kimpe, C.R.; Dejou, J. 1988.Ferrian saponite in a gabbro saprolite atMont Megantic, Quebec. Clays Clay Miner.36:102-110.

Kodama, H.; Schnitzer, M.; Murad, E. 1988.An investigation of iron (I1I)-Fulvic acidcomplexes by Mosshauer spectroscopy andchemical methods. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.52:994-998.

Kotlyar, L.S.; Sparks, B.D.; Kodama, H.;Grattan-Bellew, P.E. 1988. Isolation andcharacterization of organic-rich solidpresent in Utah oil sand. Energy and Fuels2:589-593.

Levesque, M.;Mathur, S.P. 1988. Soil tests forcopper, iron, manganese and zinc inHistosols. 3: A comparison of eightextractants for measurement of active andreserve forms of the elements. Soil Sci.144:215-221.

Levesque, M.; Mathur, S.P.; Dinel, H. 1988.Admixing organic overlays and mineralsublayers of shallow-peat soils forimproving soil productivity. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:775-786.

Longworth, G.; Towensend, M.G.; Provencher,R.; Kodama, H. 1987. Magnetic interactionin biotites and oxidized biotites. Phys.Chem. Miner. 15:71-77.

Lord, D.; Desjardins, R.L.; Dube, P.A. 1988.Sun-angle effects on the red and far-redreflectances of five different crop canopies.LRRC Contribution No. 87-82. Can. J.RemoteSens.14:46-55.


Mahaney, W.C.; Rees, H.W.; Rutter, N.W.;Smith, S.; Tedrow, J.C.F. 1987. Holocenesoils in Canada: A review. Quat. Sci. Rev.6:221-230.

Mahaney, W.C.; Rees, H.W.; Rutter, N.W.;Smith, C.A.S.; Tedrow, J.C.F. 1988.Holocene soils in Canada. Sov. Soil Sci.6:17-30 [in Russian].

Mathur, S.P.; Belanger, A. 1987. The influ-ence of variation in soil copper on the yieldand nutrition of carrots grown in microplotson two organic soils. Commun. Soil Sci.Plant Anal. 18:615-624.

Mathur, S.P.; Johnson, W.M. 1986. Tissue-culture and suckling mouse tests oftoxigenicity in peat-based composts of fishand crab wastes. BioI. Agric. & Hortic.4:235-242.

Mathur, S.P.; Levesque, M. 1988. Soil tests forcopper, iron, manganese and zinc inHistosols. 2: The distribution of soil Fe, andMn in sequentially extractable forms. SoilSci. 144:102-110.

Mathur, S.P.; Daigle, J.Y.; Brooks, J.L.;Levesque, M.; Arsenault, J. 1988. Com-posting seafood wastes. BioCycle 29:44-49.

Miles, N.M.; De Kimpe, C.R. 1988. Signific-ance of corrensite in soils of southernOntario. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:617-627.

Protz, R.; Ross, G.J.; Shipitalo, M.J.; Terasmae,J. 1988. Podzolic soil development in thesouthern James Bay lowlands, Ontario.Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:287-305.

Robert, J.-L.; Kodama, H. 1988. Generaliza-tion of the correlations between hydroxyl-stretching wavenumbers and composition ofmicas in the system K20-MgO-AI20a-Si02-H2: A single model for trioctahedraland dioctahedral micas. Am. J. Sci.228-A:196-212.

Ross, G.J.; Eilers, G.H.; Ivarson, K.C. 1988.Influence of acid sulfate weathering onchemical and mineralogical properties of anacid sulfate soil of Manitoba. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:629-644.

Ross, G.J.; Wang, C.; Hill, R.G. 1987. Miner-alogical variability of clay in a mapdelineation of Brandon soil. Can. J. Soil Sci.67:83-93.

Schnitzer, M.; Ripmeester, J.A.; Kodama, H.1988. Characterization of the organicmatter associated with a soil clay. Soil Sci.145:448-454.

111

Schuepp, P.H.; Desjardins, R.L.; MacPherson,J.I.; Boisvert, J.; Austin, L.B. 1987.Airborne determination of regional wateruse efficiency and evapotranspiration:Present capabilities and initial field tests.LRRC Contribution No. 86-58. Agric. For.Meteorol. 41:1-9.

Simmonds, J.; Nelson, S.D. 1988. Adventi-tious bud production on explants of BegoniaX hie rnalis depends on the developmentstate of the donor plant. Physiol. Plant.73:360-367.

Singh, S.S.; Kodama, H. 1988. Reactions ofpolynuclear hydroxyaluminum cations withmontmorillonite and the formation of a28-A pillared complex. Clays Clay Miner.36:397-402.

Smits, C.M.N.; Smith, CAS.; Slough, B.G.1988. Physical characteristics of arctic fox(Alopex logopus) dens in northern YukonTerritory, Canada. Arctic 41:99-104.

Tam, A.C.; Behki, R.M.; Khan, S.U. 1988. Ef-fect of dietholate (R-33865) on thedegradation ofthiocarbamate herbicides byan EPTC degrading bacterium. J. Agric.Food Chern. 36:654-657.

Tanner, J.T.; Angyal, G.; Smith, J.A.; Weaver,C.; Wolf, W.; Ihnat, M. 1988. Survey ofselected materials for use as an organicnutrient standard. Fresenius Z. Anal.Chern. 332:701-703.

Topp, E.; Crawford, R.L.; Hanson, R.S. 1988.Influence of readily metabolizable carbonon pentachlorophenol metabolism by a pen-tachlorophenol-degrading Flavobacteriumsp. Applied Environ. Microbiol. 2452-2459.

Topp, G.C.; Yanuka, M.; Zebchuk, W.O.;Zegelin, S. 1988. Determination of electri-cal conductivity using time domain reflecto-metry: Soil and water experiments in co-axial lines. Water Resour. Res. 24:945-952.

Wall, G.J.; Dickinson, W.T.; Rudra, R.P.; Coote,D.R. 1988. Seasonal soil erodibilityvariation in southwestern Ontario. LRRCContribution No. 87-64. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:417-424.

Wang, C.; Ross, G.J. 1988. A discussion on"iron oxides as indicators of soil age."Geoderma42:189-191.

112

Yanuka, M.; Topp, G.C.; Zegelin, S.; Zebchuk,W.O. 1988. Multiple reflections and atten-uation of time domain reflectometry pulses:Theoretical considerations for applicationsto soil and water. Water Resour. Res.24:939-944.

Miscellaneous

Brown, A.; Kushner, D.; Mathur, S.P. 1987.Amelioration of mine tailings with localpeat soils in southern Canadian shield.Pages 179-188 in Proceedings 12th AnnualMeeting, Canadian Land ReclamationAssociation. Sudbury,Ont.

Brown, A.; Kushner, D.J.; Mathur, S.P. 1987.Feasibility of assessing metal pollution inCanadian shield mining areas throughanalysis of peat soils. Pages 299-305 inProceedings International Peat Symposium87. Edmonton, Alta.

Chatwin, S.C.; Chatwin, T.A.; Green, A.J.1988. Suitability of land in Hanang maparea for mechanized dryland farming(wheat). Map Sheet 84/4 (West). (Map).

Chatwin, S.C.; Saravait, B.; Green, A.J. 1988.Soils of the Hanang area map sheet 84/4(West) Tanzania. (Map).

Coen, G.M.; Pettapiece, W.W. 1988. The needfor standards in soil databases: A nationalperspective. Pages 106-115 in ProceedingsForestry GIS: The Next Step, 8-19 March1988. Regional Development, CanadianForestry Service, Edmonton, Alta.

Culley, J.L.B.; McGovern, M.A. 1988. Singleand dual nuclear instruments for determin-ing water content and density of a layeredclay loam soil. Pages 43-47 in Proceedings11th Conference International Soil TillageResearch Organization, Edinburgh,Scotland.

Dabeka, R.W.; Ihnat, M. 1987. Methods of cad-mium detection. Pages 231-263 in Nriagu,J.O.; Sprague, J.B., eds. Cadmium in theaquatic environment. John Wiley and Sons,NewYork,N.Y.

De Coninck, F.; Jensen, W.; De Kimpe, C.R.1987. Evaluation of silicates, especiallyphyllosilicates during podzolization. Pages147-162 in Righi, D.; Chauvel, A., eds.Podzols and podzolization. INRA, France.


Desjardins, R.L.; Brach, E.; MacPherson, J.I.;Schuepp, P.H. 1988. Surface exchange ofCO2 and H20 over a grassland ecosystem.Pages 54-57 in Global change Canadianwetlands studies. Report numberCIRAC/O18801.

Desjardins, R.L.; Mack, A.R.; MacPherson, J.I.;Schuepp, P.H. 1987. Characterizing cropconditions using airborne CO2 fl uxmeasurements and Landsat-D MSS data.Pages 97-100 in Proceedings 18thConference on Agricultural and ForestMeteorology. West Lafayette, Ind. LRRCContribution No. 87-56.

Desjardins, R.L.; MacPherson, J .I.; Betts, A.K.;Schuepp, P.H.; Grossman, R. 1988. Diver-gence of CO2 latent and sensible heatfluxes: A case study. Pages 71-72 in Pro-ceedings Lower Tropospheric Profiling:Needs and Technologies. Boulder, Colo.LRRCContribution No. 88-12.

Dumanski, J. 1987. Evaluating the sustain-ability of agricultural systems. Pages 195-209 in Latham, M.; Ahn, P., eds. Landdevelopment and management of acid soilsin Africa. Proceedings 2nd RegionalWorkshop on Land Development andManagement ofAcid Soils in Africa, Lusakaand Kasama, Zambia, 9-16 April.IBSRAM, Bankok, Thailand.

Dumanski, J. 1988. Perspectives on agricul-tural resources in the prairie region ofwestern Canada. Pages 9-17 inDumanski,J.; Kirkwood, V., eds. Crop production risksin the Canadian prairie region in relation toclimate and land resources. ResearchBranch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Onto

Dumanski, J.; Birch, A.L.; Chambers, L.B.;Cormier, R.C.; Cressman, D.R. 1988. ACanadian perspective on the Food SecurityAct. J. SoilWater Con. 43:76-77.

Dumanski, J.; Kirkwood, V., eds. 1988. Cropproduction risks in the Canadian prairieregion in relation to climate and landresources. Research Branch, AgricultureCanada, Ottawa, Onto 144 pp.

Dumanski, J.; Zeng, Z.Y.; Kirkwood, V. 1988.Assessing the physical land flexibility of theprairie region of western Canada. Pages113-131 in Dumanski,J; Kirkwood, V., eds.Crop production risks in the Canadianprairie region in relation to climate andland resources. Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Onto


Eilers, R.G.; Lindberg, N. 1988. Areas inManitoba where soils are likely to bedeficient in potassium. Canada-ManitobaSoil Survey. (Map).

Elrick, D.E.; Reynolds, W.D.; Tan, K.A. 1988.A new analysis for the constant head wellpermeameter technique. Pages 88-95 inProceedings International ConferenceWorkshop on Validation of Flow andTransport Models for Unsaturated Zone,May 1988, Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Hilliard, C.R.; Rostad, H.P.W.; Stushnoff, R.1988. Wind erodibility of Saskatchewansoils. Soil Survey Research Report Publ.M87(l988), Saskatchewan Institute ofPedology, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, Sask. 12 pp.

Ihnat, M. 1988. Appendix I, Biological and re-lated reference materials for determinationof elements. Pages 739-760 in McKenzie,H.A.; Smythe, L.E., eds. Quantitative traceanalysis of biological materials. Elsevier,Amsterdam.

Ihnat, M. 1988. Biological reference materialsfor quality control. Pages 331-351 inMcKenzie, H.A.; Smythe, L.E., eds.Quantitative trace analysis of biologicalmaterials. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Ihnat, M. 1988. Reliable measurement ofmajor, minor and trace elemental nutrients.J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. 93:354-358.

Kenney, E.A.; van Vliet, L.J.P.; Green, A.J.1988. Soils of the Gulf Islands of BritishColumbia: Volume 2. North Pender, SouthPender, Prevost, Mayne, Saturna, andlesser islands. Report No. 43 BritishColumbia Soil Survey. Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Onto 137 pp.

Kotlyar, L.S.; Kodama, H.; Ripmeester, J.R.;Sparks, B.D. 1988. Comparative study oforganic rich solids present in Utah andAthabasca oil sands. Paper No. 16. Pages1-10 in 4th International Conference onHeavy Crude and Tar Sands, Edmonton,Alta.

Kozak, L.M.; Farkas, S.G.; Stewart, J.W.B.1987. Second report on the analyses of soilsamples taken from the vicinity of the PCSMining-Lanigan Division Refinery. Sask-atchewan Institute Pedology, Publ. M85.University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,Sask.

113

Larson, W.E.; Gupta, S.C.; Culley, J.L.B. 1988.Changes in bulk density and pore waterpressure during soil compression. Pages123-128 inDrescher, J.; Horn, R.;De Boodt,M., eds. Impact of water and external forceson soil structure. Catena Supplement 11,Cremlingen-Destedt, Federal Republic ofGermany.

Levesque, P.E.M.; Dinel, H.; Larouche, A.1988. Guide to the identification of plantmacrofossils in Canadian peatlands/Guideillustre des macrofossiles vegetaux destourbieres du Canada. Agric. Can. Publ.1817E/1817F.

Mathur, S.P.; Proulx, J.G.; Levesque, M.;Sanderson, R.B. 1986. Composting of anigneous rock phosphate. Pages 129-145 inProceedings Symposium on RockPhosphateand Agrogeology in East Africa.Commonwealth Science Council, TechnicalPubl. Series No. 226.

Morison, S.R.; Smith, C.A.S., eds. 1987. Quat-ernary research in Yukon. Excursion guidebook A.20 XII INQUA Congress, Ottawa,Canada. National Research Council ofCanada, Ottawa, Onto 110 pp.

Onofrei, C.; Smith, R. 1985. A land producti-vity assessment procedure for Manitoba.Technical Report, University of Manitoba,Winnipeg, Man. 160 pp.

Pettapiece, W.W. 1986. Physiographic sub.divisions of Alberta. Land ResourceResearch Centre, Agriculture Canada,Ottawa,Ont. (Map).

Pettapiece, W.W., ed. 1987. Land capabilityclassification for arable agriculture inAlberta (1987). Alberta Soils AdvisoryCommittee. Alberta Agriculture. 103 pp.5 maps.

Sheldrick, B.H.; Wang, C. 1987. Compilationof data for ECSS reference soil samples.Land Resource Research Centre,Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Onto 19 pp.

Shields, J.A. 1988. Procedures manualSOTER legend. Pages 30-39 in Proceedings1st Regional Workshop on Global Soils andTerrain Digital Database and GlobalAssessment of Soil Degradation. 20-25March, Montevideo, Uruguay. Ministeriode Ganaderia Agricultura y Pesca,Direction de Suelos.

114

Simmonds, J.; Nelson, S.D. 1988. Improvedmicropropagation of Reigers begonia.Canadex No. 286.15.

Smith, C.A.S.; Beckman, D.B.; Hargrave, A.E.;Guay,F. 1988. Yukon agriculture 1986-87:State of the industry. Agriculture Develop-ment Series Report NO.4. Land ResourceResearch Centre, Agriculture Canada,Whitehorse, Yukon.

Staff, Saskatchewan Soil Survey. 1987. Soilsof the Silverwood (123), Kingsley (124),Willowdale (153) and Elcapo (154) ruralmunicipalities, Saskatchewan. Saskatche-wan Institute of Pedology, Publ. S206.University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,Sask.

Staff, Saskatchewan Soil Survey. 1988. Soilsof the Moosomin (121), Martin (122),Rocanville (151) and Spy Hill (152) ruralmunicipalities, Saskatchewan. Saskatche-wan Institute of Pedology, Publ. S207. Uni-versity ofSaskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask.

Stewart, D.W. 1987. Climatic trends and theeffects of weather variability on wheatyields on the Canadian prairies. Pages 145-162 in Proceedings Workshop/ Symposiumon Climate Change and Variability.Edmonton, Alta.

Stewart, D.W. 1988. Climatic trends and theeffect ofweather variability on wheat yieldson the Canadian prairies. Pages 145-162 inMagill, B.L.; Fedder, D.F., eds. Proceed.ings: The Impact of Climate Variabilityand Change on the Canadian Prairies. 9-11Sept. 1987. Edmonton, Alta.

Stewart, D.W. 1988. Risk analysis of cerealyields in the Canadian prairies. Pages 89-112 in Dumanski, J.; Kirkwood, V., eds.Crop production risks in the Canadianprairie region in relation to climate andland resources. Agric. Can. Tech. Bull.1988.5E.

Sutherland, D.W.; Lelyk, G.W.; Aglugub, C.;Kaushal, B.; Fraser, W.R. 1989. SIMSsystems manual. Version 1.0. Canada-Manitoba Soil Survey, Winnipeg, Man.

Tarnocai, C. 1988. Sedimentary peat in Cana-dian peatlands. Pages 25-37 in Rubec,C.D.A.; Overend, R.P. ProceedingsSymposium '87, Wetlands/Peatlands.Environment Canada, Ottawa, Onto


Tarnocai, C.; Smith, C.A.S.; Beckman, D. 1988.Agricultural potential and climate changein the Yukon. Pages 181-196 in Proceed-ings 3rd Meeting on Northern Climate. 7-8Sept. 1988, Whitehorse, Yukon. Atmos-pheric Environment Service, Downsview,Onto

Tarnocai, C.; Zoltai, S.C. 1988. Wetlands ofArctic Canada. Pages 27-53 inWetlands ofCanada. National Wetlands WorkingGroup. Ecological Land ClassificationSeries, No. 24, Sustainable DevelopmentBranch, Environment Canada, Ontario, andPolyscience Publications Inc., Montreal,Quebec.

Thomassen, Y.; Ihnat, M.; Veillon, C.;Wolynetz, M.S. 1987. IUPAC interlabora-tory trial for the determination of seleniumin clinical materials. Pages 571-575 inCombs, G.J., Jr.; Spallhalz, J.E.; Levander,O.A.; Oldfield, J.E., eds. Selenium in bi-ology and medicine; Part B. Van NostrandReinhold Company, New York, N.Y.

Vieira, S.R.; Reynolds, W.D.; Topp, G.C. 1988.Spatial variability of hydraulic properties


in a highly structured clay soil. Pages 471-483 in Proceedings InternationalConference and Workshop on Validation ofFlow and Transport Models for theUnsaturated Zone. May 1988, Ruidoso,New Mexico.

Weil, C.; Wires, K.C.; Natho-Jina, S. 1987.Stability and performance of mole drains ineastern Ontario. Pages 346-353 in Proceed-ings 5th National Drainage Symposium,Drainage Design and Management. Dec.1987, Chicago, Ill.

Woodrow, E.F.; Heringa, P.K. 1987. Pedocli-matic zones of the Island of Newfoundland.Newfoundland Soil Survey, Rept. No. 32.Research Branch, Agriculture Canada,Ottawa,Ont. 12 pp. 1map.

Zoltai, S.C.; Tarnocai, C.; Mills, G.F.; Veldhuis,H. 1988. Wetlands of subarctic Canada.Pages 54-96 in Wetlands of Canada.National Wetlands Working Group.Ecological Land Classification Series, No.24, Sustainable Development Branch, Envi-ronment Canada, Ontario, and PolysciencePublications Inc., Montreal, Que.

115

Plant Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

W. Baier, Diplomlandwirt, M.Sc., Dr.Agr.J.-M. Deschenes, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.PorteousC.McCarthy

Plant BiotechnologyW.A. Keller, B.S.A., Ph.D.K.C. Armstrong, B.S.A., Ph.D.D.C.W. Brown, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Fedak,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.C. Gleddie, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.L.A. Miki,l B.Sc., Ph.D.S.J. Molnar, B.Sc., Ph.D.W.M.S. Orr, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.K. Pomeroy, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Singh,l B.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Simmonds, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Plant-Microbe InteractionsR.C. Sinha, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.Sc., F.R.S.C.L.R. Barran,l B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.K. Basu, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.M. Benzing-Purdie,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.T. Bolton, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.S.P. Bromfield, B.Sc., Ph.D.Y.K. Chan, B.Sc., Ph.D.L.N. Chiykowski,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R. Greenhalgh, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.D. Miller,l B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.W. Miller, B.Sc., Ph.D.A. Picman, M.Sc., Ph.D.M.E. Savard, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.F. Schneider, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.L. Seaman,l B.Sc., Ph.D.R.J. Watson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.G.L. Wheatcroft., M.A., D.Phil.J.C. Young,3 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Plant Breeding and ManagementH.D. Voldeng, B.S.A., M.Sc., D.Phil.N. Ames-Gottfred, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.J. Andrews,l B.Sc., Ph.D.V.D. Burrows,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.A. Faris,4 B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Plant Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto

DirectorDeputy Director, ResearchAssistant Director, OperationsAdministrative Officer

Program Chairperson; Cell geneticsMolecular cytologyDevelopmental physiologyCereal cytogeneticsCell geneticsMolecular geneticsCell geneticsCell biologyLipid biochemistryDevelopmental physiologyCereal tissue culture

Program Chairperson; Virus andmycoplasma vector relationships

Rhizobium ecological geneticsForage and oilseed pathologyCarbohydrate chemistryCorn pathologyRhizobium ecologyRhizobium physiologyMycoplasma diseases-plant interactionsMycotoxin chemistryFusarium physiology and toxinsRhizobium and legume physiologyPhytochemistryMycotoxin chemistrySnow mold damageCereal pathologyRhizobium geneticsRhizobium geneticsAnalytical chemistry of my cotoxins

Program Chairperson; Soybean breedingForage qualityCrop physiologyOat breedingLegume breeding

117

J. Fr~geau.Reid, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.G. Fulcher,l B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.C. Guppy, B.S.A., M.S.RI. Hamilton,l B.Sc., M.S.A., Ph.D.D.G. Harcourt,l B.S.A., Ph.D., F.E.S.C.

K.M. Ho, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.J. Hope, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.R. McElroy,l B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.F. Meloche, B.Sc., M.Sc.M.J. Morrison, B.Sc., Ph.D.D.R Sampson,l B.Sc., A.M., Ph.D.

Plant Gene Resources of CanadaR. Pandeya, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

B. Fraleigh, D.E.U.G., M.Sc., D.T.C.

Cerel;il physiologyCrop 'biochemistry and grain qualityPest population dynamicsCorn breedingPop~ation dynamics and integratedpe~t management

Barley breedingCrop physiologyGenetics offorage qualityIntegrated pest managementCrop physiologyWh!!at breeding

Head of Unit; Population genetics andbiostatistics

Plant genetic resources

BlospectroscopyElectron microscopy

Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy ServicesR.C. Sinha, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Head of UnitD.Sc., F.R.S.C.

BA Blackwell, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.H. Haggis, B.Sc., Ph.D.

DeparturesC.C. Loan, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.Retired April 1988

F.D.H. Macdowall, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Retired December 1988

Y.C. Paliwal, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.Died 23 June 1988

VISITING SCIENTISTS

M.AsratEthiopia

H.S. Balyan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.India

C. Bornman, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Sweden

J. Dong, M.Sc.People's Republic of China

J. Gabard, B.Sc., M.Sc.France

X..M. Geng, M.Sc.People's Republic of China

P.K. Gupta, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.India

S. Liang, M.Sc.People's Republic of China

M.Lu,M.Sc.People's Republic of China

118

P,~rasite-host relationships,

~egume physiology

~phid. and mite-transmitted viruses

,Tissue culture

:Cereal cytogenetics

~Cell geneticsI

:Fusarium metabolite physiologyI

: Molecular geneticsI

Plant physiology

Cereal cytogenetics

I Cereal biotechnology/Fusarium

Resistance to Fusarium in wheat


M. Oelck, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Federal Republic of GermanyY. Ohkawa, B.Sc., Ph.D.JapanD.Ou-hePeople's Republic of ChinaN. Ramaswamy, B.Sc., Ph.D.IndiaG. Rotino, M.Sc.ItalyG. Shan, B.S.A.People's Republic of ChinaT.C. Ta, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.CanadaY.Z. Wang, M.Sc.People's Republic of ChinaD.L. Wetzel, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.United States of AmericaH. YiPeople's Republic of ChinaB. Yoo, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Canada

Cell genetics

Cell genetics

Soybean breeding

Experimental haploidy

Cell genetics

Soybean breeding

Biochemistry

Resistance to Fusarium in wheat

Grain quality

Plant gene resources

Molecular genetics

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada visitingfellowsS. Blakeley, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Z. Fan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Gines, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.H. Kuriyan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A. Laroche, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H. Le, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D. McCrae, B.Sc., Ph.D.P. Pechan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.V. Rastogi, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R. Rutledge, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Graduate studentsB. Bauer, B.Sc.L. Blais, B.Sc.A.-C. Bonfils, B.Sc.F. Cosette, B.Sc., M.Sc.P. Charest, B.S.A., M.Sc.J. DeMoor, B.Sc., M.Sc.D. Fielder, B.Sc.K. Gibney, B.Sc., M.Sc.K. Hovey, B.Sc.C. Hovey, B.Sc.J. Kendel, B.Sc.M.-F. LadouceauxR. Martin, B.Sc., M.Sc.V.B. Pentyala, B.Sc., M.Sc.A. Plourde, B.S.A., M.Sc.T. Rand, B.Sc., M.Sc.G. Saindon, B.S.A., M.Sc.Z.-P. Ta


Molecular biologyCell geneticsMolecular geneticsRhizobium geneticsMolecular physiologyCereal tissue cultureBiochemistryDevelopmental physiologyRhizobium geneticsMolecular genetics

Cell geneticsFusarium chemistryCell geneticsCereal tissue cultureMolecular geneticsMolecular geneticsFusarium chemistryDevelopmental physiologyCell geneticsBiochemistryFusarium biochemistryBiochemistryAgronomyDevelopmental physiologyCereal cytogeneticsBiochemistrySoybean geneticsVirus-mycoplasma interactions

119

T. Villegas, B.Sc., M.Sc.C. Wenzel, B.Sc.

Scientists on contractS. Bird, B.Sc.M. Dijak, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Hattori, B.Sc., Ph.D.B. Huang, B.Sc., Ph.D.B. Huang, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.V. Phan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.H. Simmonds, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph,D.

Develdpmental physiologyCell genetics

,Molecular geneticsCell geneticsMole~ular geneticsMolecular geneticsCell geneticsCell ,geneticsCelligenetics

1 Study area leaders.2 Seconded to Research Coordination DIrectorate.3: Seconded to Health, Safety and Security Division, Personnel Branch.'•• Seconded to Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) program In Egypt.


INTRODUCTION

In 1988, the internal restructuring of the Plant Research Centre (PRC) was completed, and thenine sections of the former Ottawa Research Station and the Chemistry and Biology ResearchInstitute were consolidated into three programs: plant biotechnology, plant-microbe interactions,and plant breeding and management. From October 1987 to February 1988, PRC conducted anexhaustive review of its past and current activities to determine what kind of research the centreshould conduct in the next 5-10 years in response to the national agricultural strategy and, morespecifically, to the new Research Branch strategy. This exercise involved nine review panelsconsisting of a total of 46 external reviewers from industry, universities, provinces, and othernational and international research establishments. The critical analysis of the comments andrecommendations from these reviews resulted in the development of a strategic plan, whichidentifies PRC's capabilities to address the needs of the Canadian agri-food sector for long-termresearch and technology transfer. An improved mechanism is in place for effective delivery ofprograms through 3 research programs and 16 studies. Details of the research activities to beconducted in PRC are being developed within the framework of the overall commitment of theResearch Branch to industry and its research partners.

Activities of the centre covered a broad spectrum of plant research, ranging from characterizingplant and microbial genes to cultivar release of selected crops, and involved research anddevelopment as well as technology transfer. Highlights of research achievements in 1988 include:the determination of specific growth conditions of donor plants to optimize haploid plantproduction from anther culture of wheat; the isolation and complete nucleotide sequencing of astorage protein gene from cruciferous plants and construction of vectors to regulate its embryospecific expression; the sequencing of satellite RNA of lucerne transient streak virus, and thedemonstration that it is partially homologous to an Australian strain of the virus; the mapping ona mega plasmid ofRhizobium meliloti of the membrane transport genes essential to the fixation ofsymbiotic nitrogen; the evaluation of large numbers of wheats for mycotoxin tolerance; therecommendation for licensing of a new, soft, white winter wheat that has resistance to theprevalent race of smut; and the development of a number of techniques that can contributemarkedly to the development ofhybrid alfalfa.

These and other research activities are reported in the 56 research publications and 29miscellaneous papers listed.

The productive partnerships with the other research players, in universities, provincialorganizations, and industry, is reflected in the increasing number of collaborative agreements.Twelve PRC professionals are currently appointed as adjuncUassociate professors at five Canadianuniversities (Carleton, Ottawa, New Brunswick, McMaster, and Guelph). Several others areinvolved in university thesis committees, granting councils (NSERC), and three centres ofexcellence: monocot transformation; plant protection; and Brassica juncea, Canada's futureoilseed crop. The international recognition of PRC as a centre for basic research in plant sciencehas attracted 20 visiting scientists, 10 NSERC fellows, 20 graduate students, and 7 scientists oncontract.

In 1988, the director ofPRC managed three research programs, the national officeof the PlantGene Resources ofCanada (PGRC), and the operations for the 500.ha Central Experimental Farm(CEF). The operations include the maintenance of the CEF grounds, the arboretum, theornamental gardens, growth facilities, and experimental fields for PRC and other CEFestablishments. PRC is also responsible for assets management and services, the Research Branchmotor vehicle fleet, campus security, and services to the national livestock "showcase herds."

PRC also provides research service to other establishments and universities in electronmicroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy.

It is with deep sorrow that I also have to record the untimely death of Dr. Y.C. Paliwal, who wasan outstanding scientist in PRC and who was known internationally for his work on plant virusdiseases. His scientific contributions to plant virology and Canadian agriculture have left aremarkable imprint. His sudden death has left behind a void that will not easily be filled.

Plant Research Centre, Ottawa, Onto 121

This report summarizes only some of the more impo'rtant research activities on the basis ofprograms and studies as well as researchcrelated services. Further information can be obtainedfrom the publications listed at the end of this report. ~prints of the research publications andcopies of this report are available on request from the Oirector, Plant Research Centre, ResearchBranch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, OntoKIA OC6;Te~.(613) 995-3700.

W.B~ierDire~tor

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Cell biology and somatic cell genetics

To further characterize embryogenic micro-spores in Brassica nap us L., changes in nuclearmorphology and in lipid, protein, and carbohy-drate content during pollen development wereexamined. Cytoskeletal studies of microsporesduring embryogenic induction revealedextremely rapid reorganization ofmicrotubulesfrom gametic to somatic developmentalpatterns. The inductive mechanism is beingexamined at the cytoskeletal and biochemicallevels.

Two cell lines resistant to the herbicidechlorsulfuron derived from mutagenizedmicrospore cultures of B. napus were furthercharacterized biochemically and physio-logically. Biochemical evidence suggests anovel enzyme system of resistant acetolactatesynthase (ALS), however, these cell lines arenonmorphogenic. Experiments were initiatedto recover this mutation in B. napus plants bysomatic hybridization. Conditions for proto-plast isolation, culture, fusion, and selectionlevels of herbicide have been established.

Cell suspension cultures of Arabidopsisthaliana Heyhn. were used as model systems:for the demonstration of assymetric fusion as a :method of gene transfer into B. napus.;Conditions for the X-ray inactivation of'Arabidopsis protoplasts were established with'60000 rads inhibiting cell division by 80%~Following fusion, several B. napus plantletsthat possess limited Arabidopsis geneti~information were regenerated. ;

High-frequency plant regeneration frorb.long-term Arabidopsis cell suspensions w~sused to transform this model species withbacterial reporter genes fl-glucuronidas:e,neomycin phosphotransferase, andchloramphenicol acetyl transferase.

Experiments were undertaken to ident,lfyand purify the mitochondrial polypepti?es

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I

inv61ved in cytoplasmic male sterility in B.napus. A protein of molecular mass 60kilOdaltons was identified in the male sterilemitochondria, whereas another protein ofmolecular mass 12 kilodaltons was identifiedin ~esponse to a nuclear restorer gene.,'Protoplast isolation, culture, and plant

re~eneration protocols for several cultivars ofto,mato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and thesterile hybrid between L. esculentum XSolanum lycopersicoides Dun. were developed.f1rotoplast fusion experiments between tomatoand this chilling-tolerant hybrid have been~erformed, and more than 75 putative hybridsare being evaluated for their chilling toleranceand fertility., The use of protoplasts from transformed;plants was tested as the basis for a new systemifor somatic hybridization selection. Proto-:plasts from transformed Nicotiana tabacum L.: plants with a marker gene for antibiotic, resistance have been fused with protoplasts ofthe wild species N. debneyi L. containinganother gene for antibiotic resistance.Selection for hybrid cells on both antibioticshas been successful, and putative hybrids arebeing characterized.

Another novel system for selection of hybridcells, based on sorting fluorescence-activatedcells, has been tested with protoplasts of B.napus and Thlaspi arvense L. (stinkweed). Theconditions for vital fluorescence-staining, cell.sorting parameters and recovery of double-labeled heterokaryons has been established.

Developmental physiology

The expression of agronomically importanttraits such as storage lipid biosynthesis and theinduction of freezing and desiccation tolerancein relation to embryo and seed developmentwas studied in Brassica and Medicago species.

Fatty acid biosynthesis of storage lipidsfrom developing microspore-derived embryos ofBrassica napus was investigated. The


temperature at which embryos were culturedduring early stages of development markedlyaffected embryogenesis. Embryo developmentwas severely inhibited at 25°C and wasarrested completely at 20 and 35°C. Initialculture of microspores at 32.5°C for 4 days,followed by transfer to 25°C, resulted in highyields of well-developed embryos. Fatty acidcomposition of total glycerolipids was similarfor all treatments except for the cultures grownat constant 32.5°C in which levels of the 18:2and 18:3 fatty acids were significantly reduced.The fatty acid distribution of triacylglycerolschanged markedly during embryogenesis. Infreshly isolated microspores, the levels of 16:0and 18:3 fatty acids were relatively high,whereas 18:1 was low. During embryodevelopment, 16:0 and 18:3 decreased rapidly.and the content of 18:1 increased to about 60%of total fatty acids. The proportion oftriacylglycerols in the total lipid extractsincreased dramatically during embryogenesisuntil it attained levels comparable to thoseobserved in dry seed.

Cooperative projects were initiated with thePlant Biotechnology Institute and MacdonaldCollege to investigate biosynthesis of lipids inmicrospore-derived embryos and embryohomogenates of Brassica. Preliminary resultshave shown that radioactive lipid precursorsare readily incorporated into all major classesof complex lipids and at rates equivalent to, orgreater than, those reported for otherdeveloping oil seeds. These observationsindicate that the development Brassicamicrospores should provide an excellent systemby which to generate the basic knowledge offatty acid biosynthesis required to improve thequality of canola oil using biotechnology.

cDNA libraries, in A gUO, were constructedfrom fully expanded leaves of cold-acclimatedand nonacclimated Brassica napus L. 'Jet Neufand Arabidopsis thaliana 'Columbia'. As a firststep to identify genes specifically expressedduring cold hardening, differential screening(primary and secondary) of over 45 000 clonesfrom the acclimated Brassica library wascarried out by hydridization with single-strandcDNA probes prepared from acclimated andnonacclimated Brassica poly A mRNA.Positive clones obtained are beingcharacterized.

Ribosomal RNA was found to double duringcold acclimation in both B. napus and A.thaliana. To gain some insight into the role ofthis process in relation to the development of


freezing tolerance, the origin of the increasewas studied using an Arabidopsis rDNA probe.Although a doubling of rDNA cistrons wasobserved during cold acclimation in B. napus,no such amplification occurred in Arabidopsis.Similarly, hybridization of restricted genomicDNA with an rDNA probe suggested thepresence of increased ecoRI sites during coldacclimation in B. napus but not in Arabidopsis.These rDNA changes may be related to arequirement for low-temperature vernalizationin B. nap us rather than to the induction offreezing tolerance. RNA polymerase I activityassociated with the chromatin fraction was alsofound to double in B. napus during coldacclimation.

Methods were developed to induce freezingtolerance in microspore-derived embryos ofwinter B. nap us. Mefluidide was found to besuperior to abscisic acid (ABA) in the inductionoffreezing tolerance. Plants regenerated fromembryos of winter Brassica, which wereacclimated in culture with a combination ofABAImefluidide and low temperature, did notrequire low-temperature vernalization forflowering.

An electrofusion technique to produce newhybrids from selected commercial and wildspecies of Medicago was developed incooperation with the Plant ScienceDepartment, University of Alberta. Protocolsfor the in vitro culture of Medicago scutellata,M. disciformis, M. rugosa, M. lupulina, M.marina as well as M. sativa were establishedand the in vitro performance of selected lineswas evaluated under optimized electrofusionconditions. Regeneration from commercialalfalfa lines was generally found to be higherthan that observed in the wild species.

Two in vitro approaches to micropropagateselected parental lines of alfalfa for hybrid seedproduction were developed. One technique,developed in cooperation with the plantbreeding program, combines rooting andtissue-culture mediums in one container toproduce a fully rooted plant from anunorganized cell suspension in about 2 monthswith no transfers required. A second techniquewas developed in cooperation with thedepartments of Crop Science and Botany,University of Guelph. It is the production ofartificial seed (i.e., dried somatic embryos) bythe use of static and liquid tissue-culturemethods combined with induction ofdesiccation tolerance and the subsequentcontrolled drying of the clonal material. This

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approach has the added advantage oflong-termstorage capability. The artificial seedtechnology will likely have significantapplications in the area of internationalexchange ofclonally maintained germplasm aswell as in the production of hybrid crops.

Cytogenetics and molecular cytology

Cereal cytogeTUitics. Plant tissue culturehas become a powerful tool not only for plantpropagation but also as a means of applyingtechniques for biotechnology to cropimprovement. Leaf sections from Triticumaestivum L. 'Chinese Spring' and XTriticosecale Wittmack 'Welsh' were used asexplants as an alternative to immatureembryos. Using 15-day-old seedlings fromseeds grown aseptically, 15-mm lower sectionsof third and fourth leaves were sectioned into5-mm sections and were cultured on Kao'smedium supplemented with 2 mgIL of 2,4-D.Both species showed nearly identicalfrequencies of callus induction at 64 and 63%for Chinese Spring and Welsh, respectively.The frequency of plant regeneration fromcallus was considerably higher in Welsh at31%, compared to Chinese Spring at 18%.Studies on meiotic chromosome behavior ofregenerated plants revealed no aneuploids butlow frequencies of chromosome irregularitiesexpressed as univalents or trivalents andquadrivalents, which were indicative ofchromosome translocations. The frequency ofmeiocytes with chromosomal abnormalitieswas considerably higher in Welsh than inChinese Spring and may be the basis for theconsiderably higher frequency ofmorphological somoclonal variants that were ,observed in that species. The frequency ofmicronuclei per tetrad (which is indicative of :chromosomal irregularity) in Chinese Spring:regenerants varied from 1.7 to 12.4%,whereas,'the range ofWelsh was 22.1-62.2%. :

Cereal tissue culture. Low-temperature:growth conditions (10°C day/5°C night) foranther donor plants during 4 weeks prior to th~mid-uninucleate pollen stage improved theanther culture response of seven winte,~cultures of Triticum aestivum L. Green plantswere obtained from all the cultivars at a meanfrequency of 1.5 per 100 anthers. Antherscultured at 25°C did not yield green plants b,utat 30°C microspore callus production w,asincreased 25-fold and green plants wereregenerated. Albinism occurred in all ~he

124

cultivats but the degree of expression wasgenotype dependent. For the production ofgreen plants, ficoll (10%) medium was superiorto liqli,id or agarose media; the relativeproduction of albinos was decreased eightfoldin Norstar showing that culture conditions caninfluence and possibly negate this problem.

Re,8triction fragment length polymorphism.DNA 'from eastern Canadian two-row barleycultivars Atlanta, Birka, Herta, Micmac, andRodeo was examined at.the molecular level.Restriction fragment length polymorphisms(RFLPs) were detected using an 18 + 26 Sribosomal DNA and two B horde in storageprotein probes. A 5 S ribosomal probe revealedno ,differences. Such RFLPs are usefulfingerprints for cultivar identification andprovide a measure of the genetic variation inthi~ germplasm.

:Extensive interspecific variation in18:+ 26 S ribosomal DNA was observed inmtJ.ltipleHorckum, Agropyron, Elymus, Secale,and Triticale accessions. Polymorph isms inb~th 18 + 26 Sand 5 S ribosomal DNAsequences, observed between wheat andAgropyron distichum, have potential as geneticmarkers in the development and evaluation ofthe corresponding amphiploid and chromosome~ddition lines.

, Molecular cytogeTUitics. DNA from Secalecereale 'Petkus' was nick-translated to;cytological preparations of X Triticosecale, 'Welsh' and a wheat-rye translocation stock, (lBS/1RS) called Kavkaz. The hybridized: biotin probe was detected with the streptavidenhorseradish peroxidase conjugate and wasdeveloped with diaminobenzedinetetrahydrochloride. Under the appropriatehybridization conditions the labeled probewould label rye and wheat DNA differentially.A mixture of labeled rye and unlabeled wheatDNA (1:1)has given the best results.

It was confirmed that Welsh triticalecontains six pairs of rye chromosomes and nointerchanges are apparent. Similarly, it wasconfirmed that Kavkaz contained a completearm translocation (lBS/1RS).

Similarly, biotin-labeled total DNAextracted from Thinopyrum distichum(Agropyron distichum, Elytrigia disticha)preferentially labeled the Thinopyrum.chromosomes in a Triticum durum-Th.distichum disomic addition line. The techniquecan be expanded to many intergeneric andinterspecific combinations.


Tissue culture and cytology. Callus cultureof immature embryos (8 days) of Hordeumuulgare 'Golden Promise' (two-row) was highlyregenerable, whereas the cultivar Himalaya(six-row) would not regenerate. The F1hybridsbehave like Golden Promise, thereforeregenerability was completely dominant.Segregation patterns in backcrosses and F2hybrids suggested that two to three majorgenes could be involved in the regenerationdifferences but that minor genes or epistaticinteractions could playa part.

Molecular genetics

The gene coding for the 1.7 S storage proteinin Arabidopsis thaliana has been isolated andthe complete nucleotide sequence has beenestablished. The transformation vectorsneeded to identify regions of the gene thatregulate embryo-specific expression have beenconstructed. A detailed analysis of 1.7 Sstorage protein mRNA in various tissues ofBrassica napus 'Topas' indicated develop-mental regulation of transcription in embryosand in micros pores induced to undergoembryogenesis; The expression of this gene asa marker for embryogenic competence is beingassessed.Several members of the acetohydroxyacid

synthase gene family have been isolated fromB. napus 'Topas.' Extensive nucleotidesequencing of two members has been com-pleted. An equivalent A. thaliana mutant genehas been introduced into B. napus 'Westar' andbreeding lines advanced to generatesulfonylurea-resistant lines. The use of thisgene as a selectable marker has been examinedin detail in both B. napus and Nicotianatabacum. cDNA clones of the genes expressedin B. nap us 'Topas' have been isolated and arebeing analyzed.Transformation vectors have been

constructed with a hamster metallothionein IIgene and the same gene fused to a reportergene. Both were constructed in a manner thatenhanced expression in roots. Transgenic linesofN. tabacum 'Delgold' have been generated toassess the protection of leaf tissues fromcontamination with cadmium.Transgenic canola lines have been

generated with genes responsible for resistanceto sulfonylurea herbicides. Transgenic tobaccolines with animal genes that code for proteinthat sequester heavy metals have beengenerated.


PLANT-MICROBEINTERACTIONS

Disease epidemiology and resistance

Snow molds. Damage from snow molds inOntario fields of winter wheat was trace tolight in 1988 because of a relatively light andnonpersistent snow cover. However, in testplots on which snow cover persisted for 129days, winter kill reached 60-100% in linesbeing screened for resistance. Fieldexperiments using three Typhula species thatcause snow mold in Ontario were carried out toexamine whether saprophytic behavior maycontribute to the severity of snow mold disease.Under natural winter conditions isolates of thethree species were capable of colonizingnonliving tissues of winter wheat and of usingthese substrates as a food base for furtherdevelopment, including spread of disease andproduction of sclerotium. The number ofTyphula sclerotia formed on the nonliving hosttissues varied with the species but a substan-tial contribution was made to the sclerotiumpopulation in the soil. The sclerotia showedphysiological and morphological characteris-tics similar to those produced in cultllle. Thesefield studies and earlier laboratory work on thecompetitive saprophytic ability of the threeTyphula species indicate that saprophyticcapability is of some significance in theepidemiology of snow mold.

Loose smut of wheat. All the white wheatcultivars grown in Ontario were susceptible torace TI0 of loose smut (Ustilago tritici (Pers.)Rostr.) in inoculation studies. However, twoadvanced lines from the PRC program haveproven resistant to both race TI0 and race T2in 2 years of testing.

Crown rust of oats. Virulence on theformerly resistant oat cultivar OACWoodstock(resistance gene Pc 39) comprised 90% of thecrown rust (Puccinia coronata) isolates testedfrom Ontario in 1988-a substantial increaseover 1987 levels. However, an oat line from thePRC breeding program with resistance to therace affecting Woodstock has been registeredas the cultivar Newman.

Fusarium ear mold of corn. Inheritancestudies with the ear-mold-resistant inbredC0272 indicated that this line carries a singledominant gene for resistance to the pathogenFusarium roseum var. graminearum(Schwabe) Snyd. & Hans. In field inoculation

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experiments, the F2 and backcross generationsof C0272 with susceptible lines exhibitedMendelian segregations for resistant tosusceptible of 3:1 and 1:1, respectively. Of 85inbred lines inoculated in the field, 6 exhibitedgood resistance to infection by the ear-moldpathogen, whereas the remaining 79 wererated very susceptible.

To determine the status of susceptibility toear mold among recommended Ontario cornhybrids, and to study the feasibility of acontinuing program of testing, 240 hybridswere inoculated in the field withF. roseum val'.graminearum. Significant differences inamount ofvisible infection were observed.

Other diseases of corn. A survey of cornfields at 76 locations in Ontario showed that,although disease severity was less than in 1986and 1987, incidence of three major corndiseases was greater. Anthracnose, caused byColletotrichum graminearum (Ces.) G.W.Wils.,identified for the first time in Canada in 1984,was found at 32 locations and as far east asOttawa. Stewart's wilt (Erwinia stewartii(E.F. Sm.) Dye) was present at 69 of thelocations and was severe in areas sufferingdrought stress. Ear mold (F. roseum val'.graminearum) was found in all fields examined 'and was severe at 15 locations.

Brown spot of soybean. Yield losses of up to .'16% were experienced in field plot studies of,brown spot (Septoria glycines Hemmi) in 1988,.using eight cultivars and lines (Maple Arrow;Maple Glen, Apache, Bicentennial, OAdScorpio, KG30, Altona, and NK 809-70). Theseresults confirm earlier findings with a differentset of cultivars that brown spot can cau!lesignificant yield losses in soybean. i

Patbogen-bost-environment interaction.

Fungal diseases. Effects of cold stress! onsymptoms of Phytophthora root rot(Phytophthora megasperma Drechsler fi sp.medicaginis, Kuan & Erwin) of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) were examined ingreenhouse and field conditions for 4 years.Freezing alone was the main cause of death ofplants and it did not produce any dark rootlesions that are typical of the disease. Severewinter stress favored disease developmerit in asusceptible cultivar (Vernal) causingsignificant yield loss. ;'

Five terpenoid compounds, sesquit~rpenesand diterpenes, isolated from leaves of adultsunflower plants were tested fot their

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antifungal activity against two importantsunflo~er pathogens. All five terpenoidssignifitantly inhibited the hyphal growth ofSclero'tinia sclerotiorum and Verticilliumdahliae within 24 or 48 h. In addition,germination of V. dahliae spores was inhibitedby two of these terpenoids. Wild sunflowerpopulations have been shown to contain muchlarger quantities ofterpenoids, including thoseuse4 in this study, than sunflower cultivarsand' are known to be far: more resistant tocertain pathogens. The results of this studydemonstrated that at least some terpenoidsma,y play an important role in the defence ofsuPnower against diseases.

j Virus diseases. A complete eDNA copy ofthe viroid-like satellite RNA of the Canadianstrain of lucerne transient streak virus (LTSV)has been cloned and the nucleotide sequence ofthe RNA has been determined using this andother clones. The sequence comprises 322residues and shares 80% homology with'satellite RNAs (stRNAs) of the Australasian'isolates of LTSV. A proposed secondary, structure for the RNA is highly base-paired, and thermodynamically stable and consists ofarod-like structure interspersed withsingle-stranded loops. This arrangement issimilar to that proposed for circular stRNA ofother strains of LTSV and other sobemovirusesas well as for viroids. Whereas certain regionsof the sequence are very similar or identical tothose of stRNA from Australasian LTSV,including the putative self-cleavage sites onboth the positive and negative sense forms ofthe RNA, other regions of the sequence in theCanadian and Australasian strains are quitedissimilar.

Mycoplasma diseases. Periodic infectivityassays of inoculum prepared from the grass-feeding leafhopper Elymana sulphurella, afterthey had fed on barley plants infected with theeastern strain of aster yellows (EAY) diseaseshowed that the causal mycoplasmal ikeorganism (MLO)was still present in the insects8 weeks .after they were removed from theinfected plants, indicating that the pathogenwas multiplying in the insect. Subsequenttransmission experiments showed that 26 and30% of the leafhoppers were capable oftransmitting EAY-MLO from barley to barleyfollowing 7- and 14-day acquisition accessfeeds, respectively. Although E. sulphurelladoes not normally survive on dicotyledonousplants, it can survive on aster plants infected


with EAY, and 16% of the leafhopperstransmitted the pathogen to barley from asterfollowing a 14-day acquisition access period.This species is only the second leafboppershown to be capable of transmitting this strainof aster yellows.An indirect procedure of enzyme-linked im-

munosorbent assay (ELISA), using polyclonalantibodies, was developed for detection of theMLOs that cause aster yellows (AY), cloverphyllody (CP), and eastern peach-X (EPX)diseases in various crops. The MLO-antigenswere detected in both purified and partiallypurified preparations from infected plants. Theminimum detectable concentration forAY-MLO was 0.0811g/mL and for both CP- andEXP.MLO 0.3111g/mL. Further immunolo-gical assays showed that the indirect ELISAwas at least 15 times more sensitive than directELISA in detecting MLO-antigens in samplesfrom diseased plants. Attempts to detectAY-MLO in individual vector leafhoppers byindirect ELISA were unsuccessful. The resultssuggest that the concentration of MLO insamples prepared from individual leafhopperswas below the detectable limit and that somemodifications in the indirect ELISA procedurewill be required before it can be used for therapid detection ofMLO in individual insects.Eighteen stable hybridoma cell lines

secreting antibodies against EPX-MLO wereproduced by fusion of murine myeloma cellswith splenocyctes of BALB/cmouse immunizedwith partially purified preparations frominfected celery plants. Nine of the 18hybridomas that gave the highest absorbencevalues to infected celery preparations in ELISAtests were cloned by limiting dilution. Furtherimmunoassays for specificity tests were carriedout using a MLO.associated panel consisting offour strains of aster yellows, clover phyllody,elm yellows, paulownia witches'-broom, sweetpotato witches'-broom, maize bushy stunt, andlittle peach diseases. None of the preparationsfrom plants infected with these diseasesreacted with the selected nine monoclonalantibodies.

Fusarium toxins in wheat and corn

Fusarium graminearum resistance in wheatand corn. Further studies of the effects of thetrichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol onprotein synthesis by polysome preparationsfrom wheat cultivars resistant and susceptibleto Fusarium head blight were refined andextended. It is now clear that ribosomes of


highly resistant winter and spring cultivarscan be as much as 20 times more tolerant to oneof the most potent inhibitors of the peptidyltransferase enzyme known, compared tosusceptible cultivars. The enzyme is likelymodified as is the case of trichothecene-resistant yeast mutants, which helps to explainthe considerable trichothecene tolerance oftissue of resistant cultivars. Recent reportshave demonstrated that resistance to the headblight involves some new protein synthesis inwheat plants after infection. Cultivars lackingthe trichothecene tolerance system are unableto synthesize new proteins after initial infec-tion and, hence, are more rapidly colonized bythe pathogen resulting in more mycotoxin inthe crop. The identification of specific proteinsinvolved in the trichothecene tolerance systemoffers a useful approach to the selection ofresistant material in vitro and in the fieldwithout the necessity of time-consumingexperimental inoculations. These principleswere further verified in 1988 through theevaluation of250 bread wheat lines by in vitroresistance test in collaboration with theInternational Maize and Wheat ImprovementCentre (CIMMYT). All the material classed asresistant using the results of many years oftrials in the CIMMYT F. graminearum nurserywas identified using the test developed at ourresearch centre.Corn inbred material that had been

identified as partially resistant to maize ear rotwas examined for the effects of deoxynivalenolon protein synthesis by leaf tissue. A heritabledifference in trichothecene tolerance betweenpartially resistant and highly susceptibleinbreds was found. This finding suggests thattrichothecene tolerance is involved in F.graminearum disease of corn as is the situationin wheat.

Fusarium metabolite studies. Eight newminor metabolites from a western Canadianstrain ofF. sporotrichioides were characterized.They were all hydroxylated apotrichothecenes,some of which were acetylated. The use ofNMR techniques such as IHIlH correlatedspectra (COSY) and nuclear Overhauser effect(NOE) difference spectra permitted thestereochemistry of these molecules to be deter-mined. Three isolates of F. avenaceum werestudied for their ability to produce enniatins,phytotoxic cyclic depsipeptides. Mixtures ofenniatins NAI and BIBI were obtained fromthe mycelia. Conditions were established forthe separation of these isomers using

127

high-performance liquid chromatography.These compounds were found to bind to alkalimetals. A study done using FAB-massspectroscopy suggested that enniatin complexformation is related to the size of the alkaliatom, potassium being optimum. Reports thatnivalenol was found in Canadian wheat andbarley samples prompted further examinationof Canadian and foreign strains of F.erookwellense for metabolite production. Thisspecies is the probable source of any nivalenolin grain because Canadian strains of F.graminearum do not produce this compound.Isolates from several countries (includingCanada, Finland, the Federal Republic ofGermany, Yugoslavia, Poland, Australia, andsouthern Mrica) pro-duce similar patterns of3- and 3,4-oxygenated trichothecenes includingnivalenol and fusarenone. These compoundsare more toxic than deoxynivalenol. Studies ofChinese isolates of F. graminearum haveshown that the distribution of strainsproducing the different toxins of this species isthe same as in Canada, in contrast to thepattern found for Japanese strains.Preliminary studies of toxigenic strains of F.moniliforme have identified a number of newcompounds for this species including culmorinanalogues.

Rhizobium-legume symbiosis

Genetics. The dicarboxylate transport (det)genes of Rhizobium meliloti have been clonedand mapped on the exo megaplasmid.Molecular characterization of these genes has :revealed that one gene, detA, is the structural:gene for the membrane transport protein. Two'others, dctB and detD, encode regulatory'proteins required for sensing extracellular'dicarboxylates and for activation of dctA.Aspartate has been discovered to be a substratefor this transport system, along with succinate,fumarate, and malate. Dicarboxylatetransport is essential for symbiotic nitrogdnfixation, because these compounds serve as thecarbon and energy sources for bacteroids in thenodule. Cloning and characterization of thesegenes is a prerequisite to increasing theiractivity to provide more dicarboxylates ,forsupport of nitrogen fixation.

A series of R. meliloti Tn5 mutants alteredin the ability to proliferate within the nodulehas been used to isolate new genetic loci: im-plicated in the synthesis of exopolysaccharidesor lipopolysaccharides, which are also required

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for early stages of nodule formation. These lociare bei,ng studied in a scientific cooperationbetweeh the Federal Republic of Germany andCanada. Analysis of the mutants bycomplementation studies has shown that theyare grouped into at least five regions in thegenome. Cosmids containing four of theseregions have been isolated. They contain genesthat are involved in processing of side chains ofthe ,polysaccharides, such that excesspolysaccharide of incon:ect structure isproduced by the mutants.

A cloned internal fragment of the insertionsequence ISRml, which occurs naturally in R.me(iloti, has been used to probe and positivelyideittify the genomes of strains isolated fromthe field. Proof of identity is based on thelocation and number of copies of ISRml in thegenome, a trait that is unique and sufficientlystable to be an effective fingerprint of thest~ain. Identification can be made from free-living bacteria or bacteroids extracted fromnodules. The method has been adapted for usewith nonradioactive probes and is sensitiveenough to identify the occupants of singlenodules. Supercoiled plasmids, which are nor-mally found in vegetative cells of R. meliloti,:are not detectable in bacteroids. However"DNA-probing showed that no rearrangement of!plasmid genes active in symbiosis takes place, during nodule development in strain SU47 or'Balsac. Some genomic instability, involvingthe chromosomal integration and integrationof a 150-megadalton plasmid, was observed invegetative cells of strains related toJJlc10.

It was reported previously that symbioticgene probes hybridized to cryptic plasmids ofindigenous R. meliloti. The presence of the fullcomplement of common nodulation (nod) genesequences on a large, cryptic plasmid(300 megadalton) of an indigenous isolate ofR.meliloti was demonstrated by hybridization ofindividual common nod A,B,C, and D geneprobes derived from the R. meliloti megaplas-mid with the cryptic plasmid DNA. Diffe-rential hybridization intensities of these probeswith cryptic plasmid DNA suggest that the rei-terated genes may have originated from speciesother than R. meliloti by genetic exchange.Studies are continuing to assess the signifi-cance of reiterated symbiotic genes on crypticplasmids and the contribution to symbiotic andcompetitive properties ofR. meliloti.

Physiology. The vanadium-containingnitrogen-fixing enzyme system was found tohave more nitrogen-reducing activity than


conventional molybdenum systems whentested at temperatures below 10.C in vitro.Diazotrophs expressing the vanadium systemwould therefore possess an evolutionaryadvantage over those limited to molybdenumnitrogenase at lower ambient growthtemperatures. The vanadium nitrogenase hasbeen fully characterized in a joint researchproject with scientists at the AFRC Laboratoryof Nitrogen Fixation Research in the UnitedKingdom. Cyanamide, a new alternatesubstrate for conventional nitrogenase wasfound to discriminate between themolybdenum and vanadium systems,providing an additional means of testing forthe expression of the vanadium system.

The isolation of intact bacteroids, havinghigh levels of respiration-supportednitrogenase from the a lfalfa-R hizobiummeliloti system, has allowed directcharacterization of nutrient transport systemsin these cells. Of the wide range of potentialnutrients tested, only 4-carbon dicarboxylicacids were actively accumulated within thebacteroids and supported nitrogenase activityat physiological substrate concentrations.Aspartate accumulation required much highersubstrate concentrations and was inhibited bythe dicarboxylates. The results of studies onbacteroid transport and nitrogenase activityhave led to the partial elucidation of pathwaysof energy utilization and nitrogen assimilationin bacteroids and whole alfalfa nodules. Theenzyme system requires large amounts of ATPto function but the demonstration of tightbinding of ADP to both the nitrogenaseproteins has contributed to understanding themechanism of nitrogenase action undernonideal conditions in vivo. Intracellularratios ofATP to ADP prevent nitrogenase fromhaving the maximal predicted activity.

Transfer of nitrogen from plants of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) to timothy (Phleumpratense L.) was assessed by the isotopedilution method with 15N-nitrate and quan-titatively confirmed by the 15Ncontent of thegrass and by changes in its total nitrogen. Inthis work 3% of the total nitrogen fixed by thealfalfa was transferred into 10%of the nitrogencontent of the timothy. The biosynthesis ofsignificant levels ofy-aminobutyrate in alfalfa,was followed starting from 15N- and14C-labeled glutamate and glutamine.Asparagine synthetase was purified 300-foldfrom root nodules of alfalfa, and its kineticproperties, its subcellular localization, and its


activity during plant development and aftercutting were examined. Its activity fell 90%after inhibition of nitrogen fixation by cuttingor by removal of oxygen, unlike a 20% loss ofglutamine synthetase activity, which probablymade use of catabolic ammonium.

Ecology. Indigenous populations ofRhizobium meliloti represent a majorconstraint to the establishment of inoculantstrains in nodules of the host plant. Anunderstanding of the factors responsible forvariation in predominance of diverse typeswithin such populations may assist inelucidating problems of inoculant strainestablishment in soils harboring nativerhizobia. Multi-isolate inocula for Medicagosativa consisting of 30 representative phagetypes from each of two defined naturalpopulations of R. meliloti were employed todetermine whether frequency of occurrence innodules of field-grown plants is related toability to occupy nodules when equallyrepresented in an inoculum (intrinsicnodulating competitiveness). The absenceeither of significant correlation or of any otherobvious relationship suggest that factors otherthan intrinsic competitiveness, such as originaldistribution in soil, determine the relativefrequency of indigenous R. meliloti in nodulesof the host grown in the field.

PLANT BREEDING ANDMANAGEMENT

Crop biochemistry and utilization

Digital image analysis was used todetermine the variations in kernel morphologybetween classes ofOntario wheats and betweencultivars of soft white winter wheats.

Using external morphology, kernels couldbe assigned to classes but cultivars within thesoft white winter wheat could not be clearlydistinguished. Whole kernel features alonewere inadequate for correct cultivarsclassification but the addition of crease or branfeatures improved cultivar identification.

A collaborative research program withindustrial partners was also initiated to assesswith digital image analysis the geneticdiversity of oat kernel characteristics inrelation to oat processing.

The large and small starch granules fromwheat have been isolated, cleaned, and purifiedand the proteins associated with these two

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populations have been extracted. Electro-phoretic determination of the distinctiveprotein patterns associated with eachpopulation is in progress.

The evaluation of genetic andenvironmental influences on mixed linkagefl-D-glucans in oat kernels was continued andbroadened to include nondomestic oats toimprove the genetic data base for this trait.

Crop physiology

Low-temperature stress. A program hasbeen initiated to determine factors controllingthe overwintering of winter Brassica napus ineastern Ontario. Observation trials at Ottawaover the last several years have indicated goodsurvival in about 50% of years, with excellentyields from surviving stands. In controlledenvironments using survival tests on intactplants, significant variation in tolerance tofreezing and to ice among a number of cultivarsand lines of B. napus and B. campestris havebeen observed. Field experiments to determinethe effects of planting date on survival and todetermine changes in cold hardiness duringwinter are in progress.

Using a set of 21 lines in which individualchromosomes of hardy Cheyenne winter wheatare substituted into unhardy Chinese springwheat, evidence has been obtained that icetolerance is programmed on different,chromosomes than freezing tolerance.Additive effects on cold hardiness of six,'chromosomes from all three genomes wereseen, whereas there was a predominant effectof chromosome 50 on ice tolerance.

A close relative of cultivated corn, Ze~diploperennis, has been reported in the Russianliterature to overwinter where temperatures of-5°C are common. Verification of its 10"",,'temperature tolerance using a cold chamberdemonstrated 100% survival over severalweeks at TC, which is much greater tolera.hcethan that found in Canadian grain corncultivars. This species crosses readily ';'ithgrain corn lines so it is possible that improvedlow-temperature tolerance and growth can betransferred to grain corn for areas of 2000: cornheat units in central Canada.

A portable fluorometer was used to ,'studylow-temperature stress on photosynth~sis ingrain corn lines. Elite lines, which grew well attemperatures as low as 12°C, showed le'ss coldstress than those growing poorly. In a parallelstudy, tolerance to overnight chilling ~f theselines also showed the same trend indicating

that ne'w lines under selection for goodlow-temperature growth also possess goodresistance to chilling.

Hard red spring wheat. An experimentwas de'signed to examine the effects of varyingseeding rates and nitrogen rates on yield andquality parameters of hard red spring wheatusing the Canadian cultivars Katepwa andColumbus and the European cultivar Max.The test was seeded at six locations in Ontarioduring 1987 and 1988..yield increasedsignificantly with 60 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizerbut decreased or remained the same withhigher nitrogen levels. Seeding rates of 350and 450 seeds per square metre resulted in thehighest yields. The European cultivar Maxyi~lded significantly more than the Canadiancultivars, however, it did not yield enough tocompensate for its lower economic return pertOnne. Maximum economic yield was achievedby growing Katepwa wheat with no nitrogeninput. Grain protein concentration increasedils nitrogen fertilizer increased. However, theiresponse was variable and did not warrant,'recommending increased nitrogen rates.

Preharvest sprouting of wheat. Resistanceto pre-harvest sprouting of entries in theOntario winter wheat screening andcooperative tests was visually evaluated onthreshed grains from spikes that were exposed,in the field, to heavy rain and high humidityfor 4 days. Among the commercial cultivars,Fredrick and Augusta were the most resistantwith about 20% sprouting grain, whereasHouser had the worst performance with almost50% of sprouted kernels. In both tests, therewere lines with performances similar, but notbetter than the best checks. Over 800 linesfrom the PRC breeding program were alsoevaluated and lines with improvedperformance were selected.

Management of forage and corn insectpests

Alfalfa weevil. Since the late 1970s, popu-lations of the alfalfa weevil (AW) in southernOntario have fluctuated within narrow limits,generally at subeconomic levels. However,periodic eruptions exceed the damagethreshold. The driving variable is Zoophthoraphytonomi (Arthur), a fungal pathogen thatcauses disease epizootics in the weevil nearlyevery year. Recent studies have shown that thefirst incidence of disease occurs after theaccumulation of204 degree-days (DO) base 9°C

130 !i,,


i

from 1April. Epizootics begin at 261 DD andcontinue for 10 days to 2 weeks, killing up to99% of the larvae and about 50% of thecocooned stages. It is apparent that there arethree conidial cycles of the fungus that shower(discharge conidia) at intervals of 55-60 DD.The first cycle showers when the AW larvae aresmall but is coincident with epizootics of thedisease in overwintered larvae of the cloverleaf weevil whose infections magnify thesupply of inocula. The second cycle showers atpeak incidence of the third instar, and thethird, just subsequent to peak incidence of thefourth instar. Larvae infected during thefourth instar die in their cocoons and produceresting spores that overwinter in the groundlitter. In 1988, unusually dry weather in Mayand June inhibited conidial discharge and AWepizootics failed to develop for only the secondtime in the past 15 years. Life tables for threebellweather sites in the Quinte area show thatsurvival rates for the pest exceeded 20%, whichforeshadows a sharp increase in numbers for1989.

Alfalfa SMut beetle. During its 2-year lifecycle, the alfalfa snout beetle overwinters as amature larva and as an adult, respectively.Field studies showed that the new adults moveto the soil surface in early April and remaininactive for several days. Migration and feed-ing begin in mid April in response to seasonalincreases in temperature, and the onset ofmigration is phenologically associated with fullbloom of wild serviceberries, Amelanchier spp.Ovarian development begins within 10 days ofmigration and the first eggs are laid in earlyMay. The eggs are deposited in the soil nearthe alfalfa crowns to a depth of 5 cm. Thelarvae hatch in early June and the first twoinstars feed on the root hairs and fine lateralroots, gradually moving deeper in the soil. Thethird to fifth instars feed at depths of 20-40 cmbut the final two instars move upward to feedon the tap roots at levels of 5-10 cm. In latefall, the fully fed larvae retreat to a depth of20-30 cm and hibernate until June of thefollowing year when they pupate. Theresulting adults remain dormant for about9 months. In 1988, a study was carried out todetermine the longevity of the adults in balesof hay. To simulate harvest conditions, markedspecimens were fed into the compressionchamber of a commercial forage crop harvesterand were baled with the hay. Living adultswere recovered from the bales for up to 46 daysof storage, indicating that baled hay should not


be shipped from infested farms for a prescribedperiod.

Alfalfa blotch leafminer. During the earlyto mid 1980s, Ontario populations of the alfalfablotch leafminer (ABL) collapsed owing to theattack of Dacnusa dryas (Nixon), a parasiteintroduced from Europe. Detectablepopulations of both host and parasite havesince persisted. Survival of ABL is attributedto a defence reaction in which the third instarhost encapsulates and kills.the egg or firstinstar parasite. This phenomenon has reducedthe level of parasitism by about 10% in eachgeneration but its incidence is independent ofhost and parasite densities. Encapsulation hasprovided a dampening effect, resulting in whatappears to be a state of equilibrium thatassures co-existence of both host and parasite.

European corn borer. The European cornborer overwinters in eastern Ontario as amature larva in the stalks and stubble of corn.In 1988, it pupated in mid June and the adultsemerged 2 weeks later. Moth flight andoviposition peaked in mid July following theaccumulation of 1406 corn heat units (CHU)after 10 May. The larvae fed on the leaf tissueswithin the whorls, then bored inside the stalkat the base of the tassels before moving to theear zone where they fed on the ear shoots andleaf sheaths. By mid September (ca.2500 CHU) they had descended to the lower30 cm of the stalk and were undisturbed byharvesting practices. The bivoltine strainaccounted for 8.5% of the total population.

Genetics of wheat improvement

The soft white winter wheat 0-90-4-1out yielded the mean of the yield checkvarieties in test area I (southwestern Ontario)for 3 years in the Ontario cooperative test andso is a candidate for registration. Its pedigreeis 8077B92-1/fecumsehl/Fredrick from crossesmade in 1975 and 1977 at Ottawa. It wasadvanced by head-to-row selection in the fieldfrom F2 to Fe with emphasis on strong straw,large heads, and general agronomicperformance. F4 and Fs rows were selected forlow grain protein, as its three parents hadsomewhat higher protein than desirable for apastry wheat.

0-90-4-1 averages 1 m in height and hasvery strong straw. It and a sister line, 0-90-5-1,were the only entries in the cooperative testwith resistance to race TI0 of loose smut(Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.), which is the

131

prevalent race in Ontario. 0-90-4-1 had lessleaf spot (Septaria tritici Rob. ex Desm.) thanall but one of the cultivars recommended forOntario. It had less Fusarium head blight(Fusarium graminearum Schw.) than Augustaand Frankenmuth.

0-90-4-1 has lower grain and flour proteinthan most cultivars recommended for Ontario.Its sprouting resistance equals that of thebetter checks and surpasses that ofHouser.

The weaknesses of 0-90-4-1 include loweryields in test areas II and III than the mean ofthe yield checks; poorer winter survival thanmost checks and lower 1000 kernel weight. Ithas the same susceptibility to powdery mildew(Erysiphe graminis DS ex Merat) and leaf rust(Puccinia recondita Rob. ex Desm. f. sp. tritici)as currently recommended varieties.

Genetics of oats and barley improvement

Oats. A new, covered, seeded, milling-typeoat named Newman (OA774-l) was registeredin Canada (No. 2947) in 1988 and released toSeCan Association for distribution to growers.It resembles the popular PRC oat Donald butpossesses genes for resistance to prevalentraces of crown rust in Ontario. It is anticipatedthat Newman will be useful as a food oat, and 'as a feed oat for horses and in the mixed graintrade because of its plump, white seed of highhectolitre weight.

Naked oats are gaining popularity as aspecialized feed for pigs and poultry andQuaker Oats, Robin Hood Multifoods, and:Nabisco expanded their evaluation of the:naked oat Tibor and the experimental strainOA753-2 for food uses. So far no processingproblems have been recorded by any company.Genetic mechanisms have been discovered andused in breeding programs to reduce thepercentage of covered seeds in grain samples ofnaked oats, and to reduce the number of hairs(trichomes) on the surface of oat groats, whichact as skin and respiratory irritants after beingliberated into the air during threshing andhandling. A new strain of naked oats OA826-3outyielded, at eight locations in Ontario,:thestandard naked oat Tibor by an average of24%and the groat yields of covered seeded checkcultivars Ogle by 11% and OAC Woodstock by18%. '

Barley. The PRC six-row barley cultivarLeger is still the standard for yield andadaptability in eastern Canada. However, anew standard for yield may be established with

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the reg~tration oftwo new PRC two-row barleycultivars OB751-12 and 08751-27. Support forregistration has been obtained from theOntario Cereal Crops Committee and anofficial registration request is being processed.In ad4ition to expressing high yield, they havehigh ~st weight, large seed, mildew resistance,and excellent lodging resistance. Another newsix-r6w barley strain OB942-1 has performedwelt as a 1st-year cultivar in the easterncooperative test and has resistance to mildewfrom two-row barley. A few promising linesderived from somaclonal variationexperiments have reached the stage at whichthey will be evaluated in the Ontariopreliminary barley test in 1989.

Corn breeding and genetics

The 1988 growing season was long andabove normal in heat unit accumulation.~ajor moisture deficits did not occur at Ottawabut were severe at Pakenham and Cobden,\vhich are two new short-season test locationsof 2400 and 2200 CHU respectively.

Several new elite inbred lines have beenidentified. These resulted from second andthird generations of COI09 as the recurringearly source together with excellent agronomiccharacteristics of the 814 family.

The use of silk inoculation for screening S2lines began and was effective in detectingresistance to Fusarium graminearum. Severeroot lodging resulted from a violent storm inearly August following silking. As a result ofan imposed stress of high population densityand a corn borer infestation, some 60-70% ofS2lines were discarded.

Cooperative studies in the Maritimes(Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, andNova Scotia) have shown that early adaptedcorn hybrids are being developed. Corn cannow be evaluated as an alternate feed grain inthe region. Similarly, for the 2nd year in a row,several new early hybrids matured at LaPocatiere, Quebec.

A study of growth chamber conditionsunder which corn is selected for good growth atlow temperature demonstrated considerablewithin-chamber horizontal variability in temp-eratures. By carefully rotati~g the position ofplants three times a week, this variability wasminimized and a day temperature of 12°Cwasidentified as being most useful to select eliteplants. Seedlings from cycle-one selection forgood low-temperature growth survived and

Research 8ranch Report 1988

showed slow, steady growth over 28 days at12°C,whereas unselected material showed onlylimited growth from seed reserves followed bydeath after 10-14 days.

Soybean breeding and genetics

Experimental lines were rated visually forresponse to natural daylength extended to 20 husing incandescent lamps (outdoors) and usingcool white fluorescent lamps (greenhouse), thenclassified at the E3/e3 and E4Ie4 maturity loci.Analysis of F2 and F2:3 populations from fivecrosses revealed that only the e3e3e4e4genotype is insensitive to a 20-h photoperiodoutdoors. To explain this insensitivity, a modelof two loci (E3/e3 and E4Ie4) each with twoalleles, each with dominance, plus epistasis ofE3 on e4, is proposed.

Early maturing, nondwarf, determinatesoybean plants were isolated from crosses withthe Japanese cultivar Kitamishiro(PI 317334A). Test crosses confirmed thatthese plants, and Kitamishiro, carried thematurity gene El and the stem terminationgene dt1 normally found only in cultures fromthe southern United States. They also were ofthe genotype e3e3e4e4 and hence insensitive tolong photoperiods.

Genetics offorage quality

Forage research is focused on developingmore effective breeding strategies and oninvestigating factors that affect forage quality.

A technique using transplant plugs wasdeveloped to facilitate the commercialproduction of hybrid alfalfa seed. Hybrids areknown to out yield significantly traditionalsynthetic cultivars, but commercial productionhas not been possible because of the need topropagate parental clones vegetatively. Usingthis new technology, which involves massproduction of somatic embryos in tissueculture, alfalfa clones that carry regenerationgene(s) are multiplied in a form that can betransplanted directly to seed production fields.Laboratory evaluation of the plug is completeand field testing is under way.

Forage grass genotypes differing indigestibility have been shown to exhibitdifferent spectral absorption characteristicsusing microspectrophotometry. The initialresults ofthis cooperative project with the U.S.Department of Agriculture Plant Structureand Composition Research Unit, Athens, Ga.,has confirmed the potential of using in situ


microscopic techniques to investigate chemicalfactors affecting digestibility in forage.

Digital analysis is being used to examinefactors that affect digestibility in foragegrasses. Initial studies of intact stem and leaftissue indicate that digestibility is more closelyrelated to structural differences in cell wallcomponents than to percent tissue type.

Genetic variability for protein breakdownduring ensiling was identified in timothy.Proteolysis resulting from the action of plantenzymes during ensiling has an importantnegative effect on forage feeding value.Replicated growth room and field experimentsrevealed highly significant differences amongtimothy genotypes for proteolysis, as measuredby amino acid production in chopped samplesincubated for 4 days at 30°C.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY ANDSPECTROSCOPY SERVICES

More than 80 professional and technicalstaff, from establishments on the Central Expe-rimental Farm (CEF), from research stations atSmithfield, St. John's, and Fredericton, andfrom outside agencies such as Ottawa Univer-sity, Carleton University, University of NewBrunswick, University of Guelph, and OttawaCivic Hospital, made use of the facilities of theElectron Microscopy Unit. Visiting scientistsfrom India and the People's Republic of Chinawere trained in operation of transmission andscanning electron microscopes. Research doneat the unit was reported in 30 research papersand reports covering biosystematics of fungi,plants, and insects; ultrastructure of meat anddairy products; soil structure; freezing injury inplants; viral studies; study of food products atlow temperature; development of rapid freezingtechniques; and image analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction from serialsections. These publications are listed inindividual reports of research centres andstations. New techniques have been developedat the unit for presentation of three-dimensional structural detail in fungaltaxonomy, for examination of frozen foodproducts by scanning electron microscopy atlow temperature in the frozen state, and forscanning electron miroscopy of internalstructure in freeze-fractured cells and tissues.The IPS-Kontron image analysis system wasupdated with new programs extending itsrange of operation.

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The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)Unit was augmented by the installation of ahigh-resolution 500-MHz NMR spectrometer.This new technology has proved invaluable forthe structure determination of the uridine-diphosphate-disaccharide fragment fromcytoplasmic cofactor involved in methanesynthesis, as part of a continuing study on thecharacterization of novel lipids and cofactorsfrom Methanobaeterium thermoautotrophicum.The improved resolution was used to determinethe configuration of several newapotrichothecene derivatives from Fusariumsporotriehioides through the use of two-dimensional NMR and nuclear Overhauserenhancement techniques. In addition, an NMRmethod for the quantitation of phytate invariety of feed extracts was developed. Incollaborative research, the unit providedhigh-field NMR service to Carleton Universityand the National Research Council of Canadaas well as to other research centres at the CEF.

More than 1100 samples were analyzed bymass spectroscopy for scientists at CEF,National Health and Welfare, and theuniversities of Toronto and Moncton. Fastatom bombardment, an increasingly useful andrelatively new technique, was adaptedsuccessfully to determine the structure of abroad range of labile natural products. Thedata-handling capacity was increased byinterfacing an IBM PC-compatible computer tothe MSdata system.

PLANT GENE RESOURCES OFCANADA (PGRC)

The PGRC central office is the essential ele-ment of a national program the goals of whichare to obtain, maintain, conserve, and evaluatecollections of crop germplasm, to organizenational and international exchanges of pl~ntgenetic material, and to provide informationand documentation on all the above.

Refurbishment of the PGRC buildingcontinued in 1988 and six mid-term and: twolong-term seed conservation units with 162 and272 m3 of storage capacity, respectively, ,wereinstalled and made fully functional. pGRCmaintains more than 84 700 seed samples,including national base (CN) and active (PGR)collections. Principal world base collections ofoats and barley as well as duplicate collectionsof pearl millet, rapeseed, and mustard are

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conserved as Canada's contribution tointernational genebank activities. In 1988,5181 accessions were involved in exchanges ofgermp,lasm with individuals and institutionsin 27: countries. Smithfield ExperimentalFarm:was designated as the primary nationalrepository for clonally propagated geneticresources.

Iriformation on Canadian nationalcolle~tions (oats, barley, wheat, tomato, andalfalfa) is stored in computerized data banks.Enqancement of data base management isunder way. The bilingual PGRC newsletter,published semiannually, reports on plantgenetic resources activities. It has an extensivemliiling list in Canada (>700) and 55 othercoUntries.

PGRC provides a national focus forCanadian activities in plant genetic resources.Consultations are held with various cropcommittees. A genetic evaluation workshopwas organized successfully and held at the 26thWorld Genetic Congress. Also a National,Clonal Genetic Resources Workshop was held:to develop recommendations for conservation'and utilization of clonally propagated plant: germplasm.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Aitken, S.G.; Lefkovich, L.P.; Darbyshire, S.J.;Armstrong, K.C. 1987. Vegetative proli-feration in inflorescence of red fescue(Festuea rubra L. s.l. Poaceae). Can. J. Bot.66:1-10.

Andrews, C.J. 1988. The increase in survivalof winter cereal seedlings due to lightexposure during ice encasement. Can. J.Bot. 66:409-413.

Barran L.R.; Bromfield, E.S.P. 1988. Symbio-tic gene probes hybridize to cryptic plasm idsof indigenous Rhizobium meliloti. Can. J.Microbiol. 34:703-707.

Basu, P.K.; Butler, G. 1988. Assessment ofbrown spot (Septoria glycines) alone and incombination with bacterial blight(Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea) onsoybeans in a short-season area. Can. J.Plant Pathol. 10:78-82.

Brown, D.C.W. 1988. Germplasm determina-tion of in vitro somatic embryogenesis.Hortscience 23(3):526-531.


Charest, P.J.; Holbrook, L.A.; Gabard, J.; Iyer,V.N.; Miki, B.L. 1988. Agrobacteriummediated transformation of thin cell layerexplants from Brassica napus L. Theor.Appl. Genet. 75:438-445.

Chiykowski, L.N.; Sinha, RC. 1988. Some fac-tors affecting the transmission of easternpeach X-mycoplasmalike organism by theleafhopper Paraphlepsius irroratus. Can. J.Plant Pathol. 10:85-92.

Clark, R.V.; Jui, P.Y.; Galway, D.A.; Wallen,V.R.; Jackson, H.R.; Burrows, V.D. 1988.Studies on the possibility of comparinggrain protein content of oat cultivars byaerial infrared photography. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:969-974.

Dijak, M.; Simmonds, D.H. 1988. Mictotubuleorganization during early direct embryo-genesis from mesophyll protoplasts ofMedicago sativa L. Plant Sci. 58:183-191.

Eady, RR.; Richardson, T.H.; Miller, R.W.;Hawkins, M.; Lowe, D.J. 1988. Thevanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacterchroococcum. Purification and properties ofthe iron protein. Biochem. J. 256:189-196.

Eady, RR.; Robson, R.L.; Smith, B.E.; Lowe,D.J.; Miller, R.W.; Dilworth, M.J.1987. Thevanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacterchroococcum. Reel. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas106:6-7.

Faris, M.A. 1988. Variability in growth ofPhytophthora megasperma f. sp.medicaginis in relation to temperature.Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:99-104.

Fedak, G.; Armstrong, K.C.; Handyside, R.1987. Chromosome instability in wheat andtriticale plants regenerated from leaf basecallus. Plant Breeding 99:151-154.

Fregeau, J.A.; Burrows, V.D. 1988. Seed dor-mancy in dormoats: Winter survival andspring emergence. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:661-667.

Friend, D.W.; Fortin, A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler,G.; Kramer, J.K.G.; Burrows, V.D. 1988.Feeding and metabolism trials and assess-ment of carcass and meat quality for grow-ing-finishing pigs fed naked oats (Avenanuda). Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:511-521.

Greenhalgh, R.; Ashley, A. 1988. Problemsassociated with the trace analysis oftricho-


thecenes in biomedical and environmentalsamples. Comments Toxicol. 2:17-36.

Gupta, P.K.; Fedak, G. 1987. Two new inter-generic hybrids between Hordeum andSecale. Plant Breeding 99:155-158.

Gupta, P.K.; Fedak, G. 1987. Preferential in-tragenomic chromosome pairing in two newdiploid intergeneric hybrids betweenHordeum and Secale. Genome 29:594-597.

Gupta, P.K.; Fedak, G. 1987. Intergeneric hy-brids between Hordeumjubatum andtriticale (Triticosecale Wittmack). Genome29:671-673.

Haggis, G.H.; Pawley, J.B. 1988. Freeze-frac-ture of 3T3 cells for high resolutionscanning electron microscopy. J. Microsc.150:211-218.

Klimaszewska, K.; Keller, W.A. 1988. Regen-eration and characterization of somatichybrids between Brassica napus andDiplotaxis harra. Plant Sci. 58:211-222.

Kourany, E.; Arnason, J.T.; Schneider, E.F.1988. Accumulation of phytotoxicthiophenes in Tagetes erecta (Asteraceae)elicited by Fusarium oxysporum. Physiol.Molec. Plant Pathol. 33:287-291.

Lauren, D.R.; Di Menna, M.E.; Greenhalgh, R.;Miller, J.D.; Neish, G.A.; Burgess, L.W.1988. Toxin-producing potential of someFusarium species from a New Zealandpasture. New Zealand J. Agric. Res.31:219-225.

Meijer, E.G.M.; Simmonds, J. 1988. Poly-amine levels in relation to growth andsomatic embryogenesis in tissue culture ofMedicago sativa L. J. Expt. Bot. 39:787-794.

Meijer, E.G.M.; Simmonds, D.H. 1988. Inter-phase microtubule arrays in culturedmesophyll protoplasts of higher plants.Physiol. Plant. 72:511-517.

Meijer, E.G.M.; Simmonds, D.H. 1988. Micro-tubule organization during the develop-ment of the mitotic apparatus in culturedmesophyll protoplasts of higher plants-animmunofluorescence microscopic study.Physiol. Plant. 74:225-232.

Meijer, E.G.M.; Keller, W.A.; Simmonds, D.H.1988. Cytological abnormalities and aber-rant microtubule organization during earlydivisions in mesophyll protoplast cultures ofMedicago sativa and Nicotiana tabacum.Physiol. Plant. 74:233-239.

135

Meijer, E.G.M.; Brown, D.C.W. 1988. Inhibi-tion of somatic embryogenesis in tissuecultures of Medicago sativa by aminoeth-oxyvinylglycine, aminooxyacetic acid,2,4-dinitrophenol and salicyclic acid atconcentrations which do not inhibitethylene biosynthesis and growth. J. Expt.Bot. 39 (199):263-270.

Miller, J.D.; Laflamme, A.M.; Sobol, Y.;Lafontaine, P.; Greenhalgh, R. 1988. Fungiand fungal products in some Canadianhouses. Int. Biodeterior. 24:103-120.

Miller, R.W.; Eady, R.R. 1988. Cyanamide: Anew substrate for nitrogenase. Biochem. J.256:290-296.

Miller, R.W.; Eady, R.R. 1988. Molybdenumand vanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacterchroococcum: Low temperature favours Nzreduction by vanadium nitrogenase.Biochem. J. 256:429-432.

Miller, R.W.; McRae, D.G.; AI-Jobore, A.;Berndt, W.B. 1988. Respiration supportednitrogenase activity of isolated Rhizobiummeliloti bacteroids. J. Cell. Biochem.38:35-49.

Molnar, S.J. 1988. High frequency of stable5-methyl-DL-tryptophan resistance inBrassica nigra cell suspension cultures.Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult. 15:245-256.

Molnar, S.J. 1988. Nutrient modifications forimproved growth of Brassica nigra cellsuspension culture. Plant Cell TissueOrgan Cult. 15:257-267.

Newell,S.Y.;Miller,J.D.;Fell,J.W. 1987. ~-pid and pervasive occupation offallen mart-grove leaves by 2 marine zoosporic fungi.Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53:2464-2469.

Newell, S.Y.; Miller, J.D.; Fallon, R. 19,87.Ergosterol content of salt-marsh fu~gi:Effect of growth conditions and myc~lialage. Mycologia 79:688-695.

Pechan, P.M.; Keller, W.A. 1988. Identifica-tion of potentially embryogenic microsporesin Brassica napus. Physiol. Plant.74:377-384. '

Pechan, P.M.; Keller, W.A.; Mandy, F.; Ber-geron, M. 1988. Selection ofBrassiccl. nap usL. embryogenic micros pores by flow sorting.Plant Cell Rep. 7:396-398. '

Picman, A.K. 1988. Effect of isoalan~lactoneon germination, biomass produdion and

136

respitation of young seedlings. Biochem.Syst; Ecol. 16:127-131.

Picman', A.K. 1988. Effect of isoalantolactoneon germination of selected weeds and cropplants. Phytoprotection 69:65-71.

Prelusky, D.B.; Hartin, K.E.; Trenholm, H.L.;Miller, J.D. 1988. Pharmacokinetic fate of14p-Iabelled deoxynivalenol in swine.F?-ndam. Appl. Toxicol. 10:276-286.

Preltlsky, D.B.; Trenholm, H.L.; Hamilton,R.M.G.; Miller, J.D. 1987. Studies on thetransmission of 14Cdeoxynivalenol to eggsfollowing oral administration to layinghens. J. Agric. Food Chem. 35:182-186.

Sirhmonds, J.; Nelson, S.D. 1988. Adventi-: tious bud production on explants ofBegonia, X hie malis, depends on the developmentalstate of the donor plant. Physiol. Plant.73:360-367.

Singh, J.; Laroche, A. 1988. Freezing toler-, ance in plants; a biochemical overview.Biochem. Cell BioI. 66:650-657.

'Symons,S.J.;Fulcher,R.G. 1988. Observation, on the milling quality of oats. J. Cereal Sci.

7:215-217.Symons, S.J.; Fulcher, R.G. 1988. Determina-tion of variations in wheat kernel morpho-logy by digital image analysis. I. Variationbetween classes of Ontario wheats. J.Cereal Sci. 8:211-218.

Symons, S.J.; Fulcher, R.G. 1988. Determina-tion of variation in wheat kernel morpho-logy by digital image analysis. II. Variationwithin and between cultivars of soft whitewinter wheats. J. Cereal Sci. 8:219-229.

Ta, T.C.; MacDowall, F.D.H.; Faris, M.A. 1988.Assimilation and partitioning of labellednitrogen from 15Nz and 15NOs by alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.). J. Plant Physiol.132:239-244.

Thurman, N.P.; Bromfield, E.S.P. 1988. Effectof variation within and between Medicagoand Melilotus species on the compositionand dynamics of indigenous populations ofRhizobium meliloti. Soil BioI. Biochem.20:31-38.

Teich, A.H.; Sampson, D.R.; Shugar, L.; Smid,A.; Curnoe, W.E.; Kennema, C. 1987.Yield, quality and disease response of softwhite winter wheat cultivars to nitrogenfertilization in Ontario, Canada. CerealRes. Comm. 15:265-272.


Walton, P.D.; Brown, D.C.W. 1988. Screeningof Medicago wild species for callusformation and the genetics of somaticembryogenesis. J. Genet. 67(2):95-100.

Walton, P.D.; Brown, D.C.W. 1988. Electro-fusion of protoplasts and heterokaryonsurvival in the genus Medicago. J. PlantBreed. 101:137-142.

Wang, Y.Z.; Miller, J.D. 1988. Effects ofFusarium graminearum metabolites onwheat tissue in relation to fusarium headblight resistance. J. Phytopathology122:118-125.

Watson, R.J.; Chan, Y.-K.; Wheatcroft, R.;Yang, A.F.; Han, S. 1988. Rhizobiummeliloti genes required for C4-dicarboxylatetransport and symbiotic nitrogen fixationlocated on a mega plasmid. J. Bacteriol.170:927-934.

Wheatcroft, R.;Watson, R.J. 1988. A positivestrain identification method for Rhizobiummeliloti. J. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.54:574-576.

Wheatcroft, R.; Watson, R.J. 1988. Distribu-tion of insertion seq uence ISR ml inRhizobium meliloti. J. Gen. Microbiol.134:113-121.

Miscellaneous

ApSimon, J.W.; Fielder, D.; Meier, R.-M.;Delmond, B.; Greenhalgh, R.; Blackwell,B.A.;Miller, J.D. 1987. Trichothecenes andother sesquiterpenes from Fusariumspecies. Pages 275-285 in Joulain, D., ed.Progress in terpene chemistry. EditionFrontieres, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.

Armstrong, K.C. 1987. Chromosome numbersof crop species. Pages 3-13 in Christie, B.R.,ed. Plant science in agriculture. Vol. I.CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

Basu, P.K. 1988. Relationship between phy-tophthora root rot severity index and thepercentage of resistant alfalfa plants. Can.Plant Dis. Surv. 68:23-26.

Basu, P.K.; Brown, N.J. 1988. Soybean diseaseincidence in growers' fields, 1987. Can.Plant Dis. Surv. 68:123-124.

Basu, P.K.; Brown, N.J.; Haley, D.; Quesnel,G.; Beaudin, P.; Miller, D.C.; Smith, G.J.;


Humphries, R.A.; Guy, S. 1988. Incidenceof verticillium wilt of alfalfa in easternOntario. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:65-67.

Bolton, A.T. 1987. Corn disease outlook ineastern Ontario with particular emphasison Fusarium ear mold. Pages 29-34 inProceedings 42nd Annual NortheasternCorn Improvement Conference, CornellUniversity, Ithaca, N.Y.

Chan, Y.-K.; Pau, R.; Robson, R.L.; Miller,R.W. 1988. Expression of unconventionalnitrogenase reactions in several nitrogenfixing bacteria. Page 88 in Bothe, H.; deBruijin, F.J.; Newton, W.E., eds. Nitrogenfixation: Hundred years after. Proceedings7th International Congress on NitrogenFixation. Gustav Fischer, New York, N.Y.

Chiykowski, L.N. 1988. Maintenance of yel-lows-type mycoplasmalike organisms.Pages 123-134 in Hiruki, C., ed. Tree myco-plasmas and mycoplasma diseases. Univer-sity ofAlberta Press, Edmonton, Alta.

Chiykowski, L.N. 1987. Vector relationshipsof xylem- and phloem-limited fastidiousprokaryotes. Pages 313-320 in Civerolo,E.L.; Collmer, A.; Davis, R.E.; Gillaspie,A.G., eds. Plant pathogenic bacteria.Martinus NijhoffPublishers, Boston, Mass.

Chiykowski, L.N. 1987. Aster yellows instrawberry. Pages 31-34 in Converse, R.H.,ed. Virus diseases of small fruits. U.S.Department of Agriculture, Agric.Handbook 631.

Eady, R.R.; Robson, R.L.; Pau, R.N.; Woodley,P.; Lowe, D.J.; Miller, R.W.; Thorneley,R.N.F.; Smith, B.E.; Gormal, C.; Fischer, K.;Eldridge, M.; Bergstrom, J. 1988. Thevanadium nitrogenase of Azotobacterchroococcum. Pages 81-86 in Bothe, H.; deBruijn, F.J.; Newton, W.E., eds. Nitrogenfixation: Hundred years after. Proceedings7th International Congress on NitrogenFixation. Gustav Fischer, New York, N.Y.

Fregeau, J.A. 1988. Dormoat physiology.Research Branch, Agric. Can. Tech. Bull.1988-7E.

Haggis, G.H. 1988. New developments inthaw-fixation. Pages 184-185 in Proceed-ings 46th Annual Meeting Electron Micro-scopy Society America. Milwaukee, Wise.

137

Hope, H.J.; Hamilton, R.I. 1988. Improvementof corn low temperature germinationlgrowth. Pages 54-55 in Proceedings 5thInternational Corn Conference. Pittsburgh,Pa.

Johnson-Flanagan, A.; Singh,J. 1988. Proteinsynthesis and freezing tolerance in plantcells. CRC Critical Rev. Plant Sci.7(4):279-302.

Johnson-Flanagan, A.; Singh, J. 1988. Induc-tion of freezing tolerance in suspensioncultures of B. napus by ABA at 25°C:Studies in protein and RNA changes. Pages29-42 in Li, P.H., ed. Plant cold hardiness:Plant biology series. Alan R. Liss, NewYork, N.Y.

Miller, R.W.; Eady, R.R. 1988. Tight bindinginteractions of molybdenum and vanadiumnitrogenase proteins with adeninenucleotides. Page 90 in Bothe, H.; deBruijn, F.J.; Newton, W.E., eds. Nitrogenfixation: Hundred years after. Proceedings7th International Congress on NitrogenFixation. Gustav Fischer, New York, N.Y.

Miller, J.D.; Greenhalgh, R. 1988. Metabolitesof fungal pathogens and plant resistance.Pages 405-421 in Hedin, P.; Menn, J.J.;Hollingworth, R., eds. Biotechnology in cropprotection. ACS Symposium Series No. 379.American Chemical Society, Washington,D~ .

Miller, J.D. 1987. Biological control of plantpathogens: Opportunities for the 1990's;Pages 79-85 in Biological control inCanada. Research Branch, AgricultureCanada, Ottawa, Onto

Molnar, S.J. 1988. Smooth bromegrass(Bromus inermis Leyss). Pages 428-443 inBajaj, Y.P.S., ed. Biotechnology inagriculture and forestry. Vol. 6 Crops II.Springer-Verlag, Berlin. '

Pomeroy, M.K.; Andrews, C.J. 1988. Lowtemperature injury in winter cereals. Pages107-122 in Li, P.H., ed. Low temperature

138

stresS physiology in crops. CRC Press, BocaRaton, Fla.

Posnette,A.F.;Chiykowski, L.N. 1987. Straw-berry green petal and similar diseases.Pages 34-38 in Converse, R.H., ed. Virusdiseases ofsmall fruits. U.S. Department ofA~iculture, Agric. Handbook 631.

Seaman, W.L. 1988. Cereal diseases in On-tario. 1987. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:54-56.

Sinha, R.C. 1988. Serological detection of my-coplasmalike organisms from plantsaffected with yellows diseases. Pages 143-156 in Hiruki, C., ed. Tree mycoplasmasand mycoplasma diseases. University of•Alberta Press, Edmonton, Alta.

S~ith, B.E.; Buck, M.; Eady, R.R.; Lowe, D.J.;. Thorneley, R.N.F.; Ashby, G.; Deistung, J.;Eldridge, M.; Fischer, K.; Garner, C.D.;Hasnain, S.; Miller, R.W. 1988. Recentstudies on the structure and function ofmolybdenum nitrogenase. Pages 91-100 inBothe, H.; de Bruijn, F.J.; Newton, W.E.,eds. Nitrogen fixation: Hundred yearsafter. Proceedings 7th InternationalCongress on Nitrogen Fixation. GustavFischer, New York, N.Y.

Tobin, R.S.; Baranowski, E.; Gilman, A.P.;Kuiper-Goodman, T.; Miller, J.D. 1987.Significance of fungi in indoor air. Can. J.Public Health 78(Supp. 2):SI-832.

Van Die, P.; Stumborg, M.; Miller, J.D. 1988.An assessment of Agriculture Canada'sliquid fuels program. ESRC Report C-006.Agriculture Canada. 43 pp.

Vezina, L.P.;Joy, K.W.; Hope, H.J. 1988. Theeffect of nitrate on the enzymes involved innitrogen assimilation in nodulated pearoots. Physiol. Plant. 72:762-768.

Wang, Y.Z.;Miller, J.D. 1988. Screening tech-niques and sources of resistance toFusarium head blight. Pages 239-250 inKlatt, A.R., ed. Wheat productionconstraints in tropical environments.CIMMYT,Mexico, D.F.


Eastern RegionRegion de l'Est

Y.A.Martel

Director General Directeur gbliral

Program Director Directeur desprogrammes

Eastern Region

D.Deniars

Y.A. Martel, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), Ph.D.

D. Demars, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

139

PREFACEThe Eastern Region, with headquarters in

Ottawa, consists of 10 research stations, tworesearch centres, eight experimental farms,and several substations. These research esta-blishments serve the agricultural communitiesin six provinces, namely Newfoundland, PrinceEdward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,Quebec, and Ontario. In 1988, the regionmanaged a budget of about $74 million andemployed some 360 professionals to carry outits programs. Research programs in 1988encompassed the following in the three areas.

Atlantic Provinces: soil management,which includes the development of practicaltechnology to cope with erosion, drainage, andthe physical constraints related to imper-meable subsoils; livestock and livestock feedsresearch, to develop improved feeding andmanagement systems with particularemphasis on the utilization oflocally producedfeedstuffs for beef and dairy cattle, swine, andpoultry operations; cereal research, concernedwith developing and identifying superior cerealcultivars meeting regional requirements foryield, disease, cold tolerance, and climaticadaptability; forage crop research, to developsuperior forage management techniques andthe breeding and testing of new cultivars; andhorticultural crops research on potatoes, othervegetables, tree fruits, berries, andornamentals.

Quebec: soil conservation and improve-ment, to establish optimum fertilization ratesfor various crops and continued studies toobtain strains of Rhizobium more resistant tolow temperatures and endomycorrhizaespecific to various crops; livestock research, ,designed to improve feeding and management:systems for beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, and:sheep; cereals research, to develop and identifysuperior cultivars that meet the needs ofEastern Canada; forage research, developing

140

new varieties and improved crop managementtechniques; horticultural research, focusing onvarious types of vegetables, orchard fruits,aromatic plants, and ornamentals; and foodprocessing research, using biotechnology andfood engineering to develop new technology forprocessing dairy, meat, and plant products andextending storage life.

Ontario: multidisciplinary field cropsresearch and development, aimed toward de-veloping new varieties and generating appro-priate crop husbandry practices for soybeans,winter wheat, field beans, and horticulturalcrops; sandy soil research on tobacco andtobacco alternate crops; pest management fororchard and vegetable crops; animal and plantres~arch, developing improved beef productionsystems for northern Ontario and westernQuebec; pest management and environmentaltoxicology and quality research, involved withreducing the dependence of the agri-foodindustry on pesticides; and research on foodprocesses, improving the quality, safety, andnutritive value offood.

Staff changes in 1988 included the follow-ing. Dr. Claude Aube, director at Saint-J ean-sur-Richelieu, was appointed as director at theSaint-Hyacinthe Food Research Centre,replacing Dr. Rene Riel who retired; Dr. J.C.St-Pierre, director at the Lennoxville Research'Station, was appointed as Director General,Central Experimental Farm.

Further information about our programsmay be obtained by contacting theestablishment concerned or by directinginquiries to Eastern Region Headquarters,Research Branch, Agriculture Canada,930 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Onto KIA OC5;Tel. (613) 995-7084.

Y.MartelDirector General


PREFACELa Region de l'Est, situee a Ottawa, com-

prend dix stations de recherches, deux centresde recherches, huit fermes experimentales etquelques stations satellites. Les etablisse-ments de recherches dispensent leurs servicesaux collectivites agricoles dans six provinces,soit Terre-Neuve, l'iIe-du-Prince-Edouard, laNouvelle-Ecosse, Ie Nouveau-Brunswick, IeQuebec et l'Ontario. En 1988, la Region a gereun budget de 74 millions de dollars et aemploye quelque 360 professionnels pourmener a bien ses programmes. Les program-mes de recherches en 1987 comprenaient cestrdis regions.

L'Atlantique: l'amenagement des sols com-prend Ie developpement de technologiespratiques destinees a resoudre les problemesd'erosion, de drainage ainsi que des contraintesphysiques liees aux sous-sols impermeables; lesrecherches sur les bestiaux et leur alimen-tation mettent au point des regimes d'alimen-tation et des pratiques d'elevage susceptiblesd'accroitre l'utilisation du fourrage produitlocalement pour les bovins de boucherie et lesbovins laitiers, les porcs et la volaille; lesrecherches sur les cereales sont axees sur lacreation et l'identification de cultivars supe-rieurs susceptibles de repondre aux besoinsregionaux; les recherches sur les fourragesameliorent les techniques culturales, selec-tionnent et essaient de nouveaux cultivars; lesrecherches horticoles incluent la pomme deterre, d'autres legumes, les fruits de verger, lespetits fruits et les plantes ornementales.

Le Quebec: Ie programme de conservationet d'amelioration des sols vise a etablir destaux optimums de fertilisation pour differentescultures; il mise aussi a obtenir des souches deRhizobium plus resistantes aux bassestemperatures et des souches d'endomycorhizesspecifiques a plusieurs cultures; les recherchessur Ie betail ont pour objet d'ameliorer lessystemes d'alimentation et de conduite desbovins de boucherie, des bovins laitiers, desporcins et des ovins; Ie programme de recher-ches sur les cereales a pour objet de developperet d'identifier les cultivars superieurs capablesde satisfaire les besoins de rest du Canada; Ieprogramme de recherches sur les plantesfourrageres vise a mettre au point des

Region de l'Est

techniques superieures de gestion des cultures;les recherches en cultures horticoles portentsur diverses especes de legumes, les fruits devergers, les plantes aromatiques et les plantesornementales; la recherche sur la commer-cialisation des aliments fait appel Ii la bio-technologie et au genie alimentaire pourdevelopper de nouvelles technologies et denouveaux procedes de transformation deproduits laitiers, carnes et vegetaux.

L'Ontario: les activites pluridisciplinairesde recherches et de developpement sont axeessur la creation de nouveaux cultivars, la miseau point de pratiques culturales approprieespour Ie soja, Ie ble d'hiver et Ie haricot ainsi quesur des cultures horticoles; la recherche sur solsablonneux de tabac et d'une culture de rem-placement; les etudes sur la lutte integreecontre les ravageurs des cultures de vergers etdes productions maraicheres tentent de reduirel'epandage de pesticides chimiques; Ie pro-gramme de recherches sur les animaux et surles plantes vise la mise au point de systemesameliores d'elevage de bovins de boucheriepour Ie nord de l'Ontario et l'ouest du Quebec;les recherches sur la lutte integree contre lesravageurs, sur la toxicologie et la qualite del'environnement visent Ii diminuer lespesticides; les recherches sur les alimentss'efforcent d'ameliorer la qualite, l'innocuite etla valeur nutritive des aliments.

En 1988, il y a eu certains changementsdans Ie personnel: Ie Dr Claude Aube,directeur Ii Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a etenomme directeur au Centre de recherchesalimentaires de Saint-Hyacinthe; il a remplaceDr Rene Riel qui a pris sa retraite. Le Dr J.C.St-Pierre, directeur Ii Lennoxville, a etenomme directeur generale de la Fermeexperimentale centrale a Ottawa.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseigne-ments sur nos programmes, il faut ecrire auxetablissements concernes ou adresser lesdemandes a l'Administration centrale de laRegion de l'Est, Direction generale de larecherche, Agriculture Canada, 930, avenueCarling, Ottawa (Ont.) KIA OC5; Tel.(613) 995-7084.

Y.MartelDirecteur general

141

Research StationSt. John's West, Newfoundland

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

K.G. Proudfoot, B.Agr., M.Agr.

AgronomyD.B. McKenzie,! B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

HorticultureK.G. Proudfoot, B.Agr., M.Agr.M.e. Hampson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.G. Penney, B.Sc., M.Sc.G.A. Bishop, B.Eng., M.A.Sc.

VISITING SCIENTIST

R.F. Morris, E.S.A., M.Sc., F.E.S.C.Honorary Research Associate

1 Appointed March 1988.

Research Station, St. John's West, Nfld.

Acting Director

Forages

Potato and rutabaga breedingPotato diseasesVegetable and berry cropsAgricultural machinery; land drainage

Insect fauna of Newfoundlandand Labrador

143

INTRODUCTION

The research station of approximately 70 ha is located at an elevation of 116 m, 5 km west ofthecity of St. John's. Research is conducted on forages, vegetable production, peat soils, nativelowbush blueberries, and control of potato wart disease and golden nematode. The station has atotal budget of$1.5 million and 31 person-years.

Additional information can be obtained from the Research Station, Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 7098, St. John's, Nfld. AlE 3Y3; Tel. (709) 772-4619.

K.G. ProudfootActing Director

AGRONOMY

Forage crops

As part of the Atlantic Canada CooperativeForage Evaluation Program, alfalfa, red clover,timothy, and four miscellaneous perennialgrass cultivar trials were maintained at St.John's in 1988. New trials were seeded forphacelia and perennial rye grass. Herbageyields in all trials were higher than normalbecause of a warm May and adequate summerrainfall. The meadow fescue cultivar Traderwas again the highest yielding forage, with1988 dry matter yields of 10.3 Uha. Data fromthe cooperative trials were used to support theaddition of the alfalfa cultivar 532 to theAtlantic Region recommended list.

Land drainage

In 1988 a project was ini tia ted incooperation with the Fredericton ResearchStation to evaluate subsurface drainagetechnology on mineral soils used for forageproduction in Newfoundland. Funding for theproject is being provided under the AtlanticLivestock Feed Initiative TechnologyEnhancement Program. The objectives of theproject are as follows: to demonstrate theinstallation capability of modern drainageequipment under typical on-fa'rmNewfoundland conditions; and to detern'tinethe hydraulic performance characteristics ofthe systems under Newfoundland soil. andclimate conditions. Drainage sites have ,beenselected and planned layouts have ,beenprepared, with installation scheduled for thespring of 1989. .

144

HORTICULTURE

Potato wart disease

Soil amendments. A variety of chitin-related chemicals were used as soil amend-ments in the greenhouse. Substances such asglucosamine or N-acetyl-o-glucosamine wereobserved to induce suppression ofwart disease,as did a mixture of glucose and ammoniumsulfate. The results, however, although en-couraging, were not as consistent as thoseobtained with crab shell. In a field trial, crabshell obtained from Nova Scotia was applied asa band either above or below the tuber. Theresults ran counter to our experience with crabshell, with as much wart developing in thetreated plants as in the check plants.

Germination. Using a citrate-phosphatebuffer system with the addition of NaCI tophysiological saline strength, a number ofexperiments were carried out with and withoutglucose, or with and without heat shock.Glucose appeared to stimulate the productionof germination vesicles, but the level was verylow. Slightly more success was obtained usinga heat-shock system. In this, temperatures andtimes ranging between 10 and 100°C,and 3 and30 min were used. In cultures that displayedvesicle production, germination increasedquite dramatically at temperatures of 70, 80,and 90°C. These observations are beingexamined further, with the aim of developing anew means of assessing viability in the causalagent.

Bioassay. The nodal propagant systempreviously reported was used to explore thelimits of the bioassay for Synchytriumendobioticum. Infection occurred at a densitylevel ofone spore in 109 of soil.


Eradication. Greenhouse experiments car-ried out with crab shell and Synchytriumendobioticum indicated that spore level dimi-nished with time. After 3 months, only 50% ofthe spores introduced to the amended soil couldbe retrieved. Further research in this findingis being actively pursued.

Potato breeding

Trials of the golden-nematode-resistant andwart-resistant selection N1051-1 have beencompleted. This white-fleshed blue-skinnedselection produces tubers earlier than the BlueMac cultivar. Yields have been similar to thoseofBlue Mac, but dry-matter content oftubers ishigher. Seed stocks are being multiplied inorder to have sufficient seed available in 1990,when application will be made to name andlicense this selection. Weather conditionsduring the growing season were ideal for thedevelopment of wart disease in the Avondaletest plots. In a repeat test of 48 F84 selections,only two remained free of infection this year,and first-time evaluation ofF85 selections fromthe Fredericton breeding program indicatedthat 49 selections of the 71 tested weresusceptible. Among recently introduced culti-vars, Somerset, Russet Norkotah, NorkingRusset, Red Gold, Rose Gold, and SaginawGold were susceptible. Three Europeancultivars, Barbara, Nicola, and Certo remainedfree of infection, as did the U.S. cultivarHampton and the Canadian cultivar Eramosa.Of 74 advanced selections from the St. John'sbreeding program, 61 remained completely freefrom wart disease, while slight infections wererecorded on the 13 classed as susceptible. Themost promising wart-resistant selection,N1323-24, produced very heavy crops of roundwhite tubers, although dry-matter content ofthe tubers was disappointing. This and otherresistant selections will be further evaluated intrials in 1989, as will the early selectionF80014, which has remained wart-free in3 years of test. Further crosses with parentsknown to be early maturing, and with resist-ance to common scab, were undertakensuccessfully. Attractively shaped tubers wereobtained in greenhouse grown seedlings fromcrosses of Atlantic X Kennebec and MirtonPearl X Wischip.

Vegetable production

Rutabaga breeding. The selection RST,developed from a cross of summer turnip and


rutabaga, continues to remain substantiallyfree from club root in plantings throughoutNewfoundland and has been named Kingston.Several different seed lots of Kingston thathad been produced by local growers fortheir own use were seeded in observationplots at St. John's. No major differences indisease susceptibility, color, or shape ofroots were apparent at harvest. Rutabagapopulations that incorporate club rootresistance with tolerance to triazine herbi-cides and that have resistance to root maggotinjury and turnip mosaic virus have beendeveloped, and selection for commercialsuitability is continuing. Material resultingfrom crosses of triazine-resistant Laurentian(A6) and Kingston have increased plantvigor and have larger root size than the A6parent.

Root maggot control in rutabagas. Ruta-baga transplants were established at St. John'sand Wooddale to assess root maggot controlobtained from single drenches of eitherGuthion or Dasanit applied before planting.Twenty millilitres of a solution of Guthion(2.5 g Guthion 50WP in 1000 mL water) orDasanit (2.0 mL Dasanit 720EC in 1000 mLwater) were administered, by syringe, aroundthe stems of each seedling 2-6 days beforetransplanting to the field.Damage from root maggot larval attack was

least at St.John's. Infestation indices werereduced from 140 to 50 for treated plots atSt.John's and from 169 to 95 at Wooddale.Yields of marketable roots from the fourreplicate 10-m single-row plots averaged61.1 kg at St. John's and 25.5 kg at Wooddalefor the Guthion treatment and 43.9 kg and20.0 kg for the Dasanit treatment. Untreatedplots yielded 9.1 kg and 3.2 kg at St. John's andWooddale, respectively.

Celery. With the use of the cultivar StokesImproved Utah 52-70, transplants wereevaluated at spacings of 35 X 35, 30 X 30,25 X 25, and 20 X 20 cm at the PeatSubstation, Colinet. Weeds were controlledwith black plastic mulch. Total yield increasedand base diameter of the celery (averageofwide and narrow sides) decreased as spacingdecreased from 35 X 35 to 20 X 20 cm.At spacings of 35 X 35, 30 X 30, 25 X 25,and 20 X 20 em, celery yields were 87, 95,117, and 146 t/ha, respectively, and basediameter was 9.3, 8.5, 8.0, and 7.3 em,respectively.

145

Cabbage. At the Peat Substation, trans-plants of the cultivars Houston Evergreen andSlawdena were compared at in-row spacings(50 cm between rows) of 40, 30, and 20 cm.Weeds were controlled with black plasticmulch. Head weight increased for both culti-vars as spacing increased from 20 to 40 cm, butSlawdena produced larger heads than HoustonEvergreen at each spacing. Marketable headweights at spacings of20, 30, and 40 cmwere asfollows: Houston Evergreen (0.75, 0.87,0.90 kg); Slawdena (0.80,1.04, and 1.10 kg).

Machinery. Testing of a modified carrotharvester for use on organic soils was conti-nued. A sma,!l plow point 100 mm in width wasinstalled to loosen carrots and reduce theamount of soil lifted with them. This solved theproblem encountered in 1987 and permittedcarrots to be harvested equally well whenplanted on ridges or on flat ground. Samples ofcarrots harvested by the machine were groupedto include all carrots that would meet the sizerequirements of the Canada NO.1 grade. Ofthese, 12.7% were found to be unmarketablebecause of damage by the harvester. Furthertrimming was required for 29.1%ofthe sample,while the remaining 58.2% were correctlytopped. A more detailed damage assessment isplanned for 1989, along with a comparison witha commercial harvester.

The adaptation of a chain-type trencher forinstallation of subsurface drainage tubing inorganic soils continued in 1988. Cleaning teethinstalled in the chain improved the ability ofthe machine to excavate a trench in wet peat.However, some problems are still beingencountered with spoil falling back from thesides of the trench. Alternatives to correct thisproblem will be evaluated in 1989.

Lowbush blueberry production

Management studies. An experiment was'established at the Avondale Blueberry Sub-:station in 1983 (rep 1,2) and 1984 (rep 3, 4) tqexamine the effects of weed control as well asrate and timing of fertilizer applications onlowbush blueberry production. Treatmentsincluded factorial combinations of the follow-ing factors and levels: N (0, 60 kg/ha); P (0,26.2 kg/ha); K (0, 49.8 kg/ha); timing (vegeta-tive year, fruiting year); and herbicidal weedcontrol (yes, no). Plots were burned every 2ndyear using straw. Preliminary results indicatethat weed control, N, and timing of applicationwere the principal factors affecting productic;\n.

146

During 1984-1985, severe winterkilloccurred. Flower bud kill averaged 80 and53%, respectively, where herbicide was andwas not used. Furthermore, yield of ripe fruitwas 13% lower in herbicide-treated plots.Much less flower bud injury occurred in 1986-1987 when only 7%winterkill was recorded. Inthose years, herbicide without N increasedyield of ripe fruit by 203%. Also, N withherbiCide increased yield of ripe fruit by anadditional 7% when applied in the vegetativeyear and by 31% when applied in the fruitingyear. Yield of ripe fruit from herbicide-treatedplots receiving N was 4614 and 6019 kg/ha,respectively, for vegetative and fruiting yearapplications. N increased berry weight onlywhen applied in the fruiting year.

Weed control. In cooperation with otherfederal and provincial research facilities in theAtlantic Region, the herbicide Glean wasevaluated at Avondale for the control ofbunchberry (Comus canadensis) in lowbushblueberry. Rates of Glean evaluated were 0,13.33, 20.00, 26.67, and 33.33 g/ha. Spraytreatments were applied on 10 May, beforeblueberry or bunchberry emergence, torecently burned land. No evidence of injury toblueberry plants was observed at any time~uring the season. On 3 October, stem samples,Wereobtained from each plot to determine the,effect of treatments on the stem density of,blueberries and bunchberries. Glean did notsignificantly affect the stem density ofblueberries at any rate tested. Bunchberrycontrol at the lowest rate of Glean was minor,but it improved with increasing rate ofapplication. At the highest application rate,the stem density of bunchberries was reducedby approximately 69%. The average stemdensity ofbunchberries, with Glean at 0,13.33,20.00,26.67, and 33.33 g/ha, was 521,496,333,230, and 162 stems per square metre.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Morris, R.F., Penney, B.G., Greenslade, G.,Hendrickson, P.A., McRae, K.B. 1988.Notes on the occurrence, distribution, popu-lation levels and control of Grapholitalibertina Heinr. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae),a pest of lingonberries in Newfoundland.Can. Entomol. 120:867-872.


Miscellaneous

Choo, T.M.; Connolly, B.J.; Langille, J.E.;Drapeau, R.; Coulman, B.; Walton, R.B.;Bubar, J.S.; Goguen, B.; Madill, J.; Proulx,J.G.; Fairey, D.T. 1988. Marino red clover.Forage Notes 31:64-65.


Hampson, M.C. 1988. Control of potato wartdisease through the application of chemicalsoil treatments: An historical review ofearly studies (1909-1928). EPPO Bull.18:153-161.

147

Research StationCharlottetown, Prince Edward Island

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

L.B. MacLeod, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.,F.C.S.S.S.

L.S. Thompson, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.B.Stanfield,l B.S.A., M.S.A., M.L.S.D.O. Northcott,2 B.Sc.

L.E. Hurry3

Cereal and SoilJ.A. MacLeod, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.A.J. Campbell, B.Eng., M.Phil.M.R Carter, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.T.M. Choo, B.Sc., Ph.D.L.M. Edwards, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.U.C. Gupta, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.),

Ph.D., F.C.S.S.S., F.A.S.A., F.S.S.S.A.H.W. Johnston, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.RA. Martin, B.Sc., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.H.G. Nass, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Forage and BeefH.T. Kunelius, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.R. Narasimhalu, B.Sc., B.V.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.M. Suzuki, B.Sc., Ph.D.L.S. Thompson, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.K.A. Winter,4 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Potato and VegetableJ .A. Cutcliffe, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

W.J. Arsenault, B.Sc.(Agr.)J.A. Ivany, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.J. Kimpinski, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.W. Platt,5 B.Sc., Ph.D.J.B. Sanderson, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.J.G. Stewart, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.RP. White, B.S.(Ed.), M.S., Ph.D.

Research Station, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Director

Assistant DirectorLibrarianTechnology Development Program (ERDA)Projects Officer

Administrative Officer

Head of Section; Cereal and forage nutritionAgricultural engineeringSoil tillageBarley breedingSoil managementSoil and plant micronutrients

Cereal diseasesCereal diseasesWheat breeding, cereal physiology

Head of Section; Forage managementForage conservation and utilizationForage and cereal biochemistry and physiologyForage and potato insectsAnimal nutrition

Head of Section; Vegetable nutrition andmanagement

Tobacco and potato variety evaluationWeed controlNematologyPotato diseasesPotato management and fertilityEntomologyPotato and corn nutrition and management

149

DeparturesR.G. Andrew, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

Transferred to AgricultureDevelopment Branch, October 1988

M.B. Bourdon, D.Journ.Resigned November 1988

L.J. Halliday, B.Sc., Ph.D.ERDA term expired

B.L. McFarlane, B.Sc.(Biol.), M.Sc.Resigned June 1988

B.J. MurrayResigned December 1987

VISITING SCIENTIST

J.C. Li, B.Sc.The Biology Institute of ShanxiProvince, Taiyuan, People's Republicof China

Agricultural economics

Industry Relations Information Officer

Forage degradation and quality

Technology Development Program (ERDA)Project Officer

Admi'nistrative Officer

Barley tissue culture

1 Seconded from Libraries Division, Corporate Management Branch, Ottawa.2, Joined staff June 1988.3 Joined staff September 1988.4 Seconded to Research Coordination Directorate, Ottawa, June 1988 to June 1989.5 On transfer of work to Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands, August 1988 to August1989. '


INTRODUCTION

The Charlottetown Research Station was established in 1909 on the outskirts of Charlottetownon 12 ha ofland leased from the government of Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown was thesecond experimental farm (after Nappan in 1886) established east ofOttawa. By the 1940s the landbase had increased to 60 ha, and by the 1960s the station had become encircled by the city. TheUpton Farm (111 ha) was established in West Royalty between 1945 and 1953 and nowaccommodates the dairy-beef research program and most of the forage research. In 1983 theHarrington Research Farm (134 ha) was established and accommodates over 60% of the station'sfield plot research on livestock feed crops, potatoes, crop rotations, and soil management andconservation. In addition, 50 ha of land are rented from farmers across Prince Edward Island tomeet specific research requirements.

The Charlottetown Research Station has a total staff of 102 person-years including 24 scientists,a total budget of $5.3 million, and an operating budget of $1.1 million. In addition, the stationadministers the following: 5-year technology development program under the Canada-PrinceEdward Island Economic Regional Development Agreement (ERDA) ($4 million); 4-yearalternative enterprises initiative program ($0.2 million); and contracted-in funds ($0.06 millionannually). As weH, the station plays a leading role in a 4-year Atlantic livestock feed initiativetechnology advancement program ($2.8 million). The research station administers several majorresearch contracts with the Atlantic Veterinary College of Prince Edward Island University, NovaScotia Agricultural College, Dalhousie University, Technical University of Nova Scotia, andMount Allison University under the ERDA agricultural subagreement. Most of the Prince EdwardIsland Department of Agriculture staff are housed in the same building as Research Branch staffand work closely with scientists for transfer of technology to the industry.

The station has a mandate for breeding barley for eastern Canada and for breeding andmanagement ofother cereals and protein crops for Atlantic Canada. This work includes breeding ofwheat and development and evaluation of oats, soybeans, and other protein crops such as lupins.The development of disease resistance and disease control procedures plays an important part incereal management research as do crop sequencing or rotation studies.

The mandate of the soils group includes soil physics and engineering in relation to tillage:minimum tillage, direct drilling of cereals, and forage crops. Soil management and croppingpractices are developed to minimize soil erosion, and the effect on groundwater quality ismonitored. The micronutrient nutrition oflivestock feed and ofvegetable crops is studied.

In the forage and beef section, the emphasis is on the development of cost-effective feedingsystems for dairy-beef. This work is supported by research on forages for pasture and conservedfeed (including breeding of persistent clovers) as well as management, biochemistry, physiology,conservation, utilization, and pest studies offorages.

Research is conducted on potatoes, vegetables, small fruit, and tobacco, with emphasis on pestcontrol, fertilization, and management practices. Charlottetown has a shared mandate withFredericton for work on potatoes. Studies on potatoes include epidemiology, control of fungaldiseases, fertilization, management, weed control, insect control, nematode population dynamics,and systems of production for small whole seed. Programs on vegetables and small fruit includefertilization, management practices, cultivar evaluation, and insect control. Tobacco selections areevaluated for regional adaptation.

This report includes brief summaries of some of the research completed in 1988. More detailedinformation may be obtained by referring to the station's research summary, which is publishedannually, or by contacting the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box1210, Charlottetown, P.E.I. CIA 7M8; Tel. (902) 566-6800.

L. B. MacLeodDirector

Research Station, Charlottetown, P.E.I. 151

CEREAL AND SOIL

Cereal breeding and management

Linearity of offspring-parent regression. Astudy was conducted to test the linearity ofoffspring-parent regression in barley. Forty-two F2 families and 398 Foo (i.e. doubled-haploid) lines were derived from 7 X 7 diallelcrosses. The F2 families, Foolines, and theirparents were evaluated in hill-plots with fivereplications. Three types of regression analysis(regression of F2 family on mid-parent,regression of Foofamily on mid-parent, andregression of Foo line on mid-parent) werecarried out for grain yield, heading date, plantheight, and number of spikes per hill. Thelinear regression mean square was significantin most cases, but the quadratic regressionmean square was not significant in all cases.These results suggest that the true regressionof offspring on mid-parent is linear, althoughdominance, additive X additive epistasis, andmaternal effects were detected for the fourtraits ofthe same materials in previous studies.

Doubled haploids. Molecular markers areuseful for locating quantitative trait loci(QTLs). The current practice, however, ofusing molecular markers to locate QTLs in F2and backcross populations in plants has severallimitations.In contrast, these limitations do not exist if

the marker-based analysis is carried out in Foo(Le.doubled-haploid) populations. Foolines canbe evaluated under commercial productionconditions in many environments; an un-limited number of molecular markers andquantitative traits can be studied in a given setof Foo lines; and the additive effects ofmarker-linked QTLs can be detected even inthe presence of gene interactions among QTLs.Consequently, the usefulness of any molecularmarker in a marker-assisted selection programcan be determined without any follow-upstudies. Therefore, it is recommended thatmolecular markers and doubled haploids beused together to study QTLs in diploid cropspecies such as barley.

Early yielding grain corn hybrids. Newcorn hybrids submitted for evaluation in sixmaritime regional grain corn trials showedconsiderable improvement in at-harvest grainmaturity and some yield improvement between1981 and 1987 in relation to the performance ofstandard check hybrids grown in all trials.After adjusting for changes in at-harvest

152

maturity between 1981 and 1987, regressionanalysis indicated the average yield potentialin 1987 had increased by 4.4%, or by about 0.2 tofdry matter per hectare. The improvement inmaturity was, on average, 3.7%, representing alowering of the actual at-harvest grain moist-ure content by 2.4% moisture, after adjustingfor changes in yield between 1981 and 1987.However, at a yield level of4.6 t/ha of grain,

representing 90% ofthe mean yield in 1987, thereduction in actual moisture content of thegrain at harvest was 4.0% moisture. Evenmore significant, 16 of the 36 hybrids eva-luated in 1987 were earlier in maturity thanEuros LG3 (the earliest hybrid in the 1981trials), and of the 16, 10 also yielded more thanthe 4,9 t/ha of grain produced by Euros LG3 inthe 1987 trials. These findings demonstratethat some hybrids available in 1987 were notonly considerably earlier maturing than thoseavailable in 1981 but also gave good yieldlevels equivalent to or better than hybridsavailable in 1981.

Cereal disease nursery. A cereal diseasenursery was established in 1988 with theacquisition of a field-misting system. Withinthis nursery, foliar and head diseases of cerealswere initiated following inoculation and moist-ening of the plants to begin disease symptomdevelopment. The system will be used indisease resistance breeding programs on oatsand wheat for Septoria species and on barleyfor Pyrenophora teres. The nursery' will beparticularly useful for detection of resistance tofusarium head blight in all cereals, as earlyhead symptoms develop rapidly, allowing alonger assessment period and reducinginfluence ofhost maturity.

Soil management and tillage

Soil macroporosity in moldboard plowingand direct drilling studies. The temporalvariability of soil porosity, especially macro-'pores (>50 11m), and associated porosity:factors, such as pore continuity and percentageof water-filled pore space (%WFPS), were, determined over 3 years under direct-drilling, and moldboard plowing. The study wasconducted on a Charlottetown fine sandy loam,an Orthic Podzol with a humid to perhumidsoil-moisture regime. Differences in soilporosity between tillage systems were confinedmainly to the surface 0-8-cm soil depth. Theabsence of soil loosening caused the volume ofmacropores to fall below 10% during the


growing season. Tillage had a residual effecton soil porosity, maintaining the volume ofmacropores at between 11 and 18%. In general,water-storage pores were similar betweentillage systems. A close relationship (r2 =0.832) was observed between dry bulk densityand macroporosity under both tillage systems.The relationship between macroporosity andpore continuity (Ksat), which differed betweentillage systems, indicated that a macroporosityof between 8 and 10% (v/v) would maintainadequate soil permeability. In contrast, the%WFPS,which was closely related (r2 = 0.952)to macro porosity and soil water content,indicated that the volume ofmacropores shouldexceed 14% to provide an optimum level ofair-filled pore space. Under humid soil-moisture regimes, the use of macroporosity asan index of critical soil structure or limitingdensity needs to be based both on adequate soilpermeability and on water-filled pore space.

Use of penetration resistance in tillageexperiments. Soil penetration resistance wasused to characterize tillage-induced changes insoil strength, as a function of soil depth andtime, under three reduced tillage systems and astudy on deep tillage in loam to fine sandyloam, Podzolic, and Luvisolic soils. Themeasurements of penetration resistancequantified the depth, degree, persistence ofsoilloosening, and potential soil rooting depth inregard to tillage system. Moldboard plowingprovided a greater degree ofsoil loosening thanchisel plowing. The potential soil rooting depthof 33-36 em under moldboard plowing wasdecreased to 26 em under both direct drillingand shallow tillage. Use of a slant-leggedsubsoiler (i.e., "para plow") before directdrilling prevented the reduction in soil rootingdepth. The depth of soil loosening graduallydeclined by 30 and 60%,over a 5-month period,under moldboard plowing and the para plowdirect-drilling system, respectively. Residualtillage effects and soil compaction after deeploosening were quantified by measurements ofresistance to penetration.

Effect of direct drilling and soil looseningtillage systems for spring cereals. Changes insoil structure and properties, plant growth anddiseases, and agronomic aspects weredetermined, after 3 years, on a Charlottetownfine sandy loam, subjected to three tillagesystems for spring cereals. The tillage systemsconsisted of direct drilling, soil loosening witha paraplow, followed by direct drilling and


moldboard plowing. Rate of plant growth andother crop measurements were not changed bythe tillage systems, except for the depth ofseeding. Direct drilling reduced the accumu-lation of Nand K in the plant and reducedgrain N, compared with moldboard plowing.Soil loosening before direct drilling preventedthe decline in Nand K accumulation, andincreased grain yield and N content, incomparison with moldboard plowing. Directdrilling caused changes in soil macro-aggregation, reduced the evaporation rate, andincreased microbial biomass C and N, totalorganic C and N, and extractable ions at thesoil surface (0-5 em), compared with moldboardplowing. In addition, earthworm numberswere increased under direct drilling. Rootlesion and spiral nematodes were not influ-enced by tillage differences. Although soilpermeability was optimum under directdrilling alone, the relative increase in relativewater saturation and the reduction in soilaeration were associated with a concomitantincrease in common root rot.

Performance of cover crops spring-seededinto standing winter rye and their relation tophysical conditions of the soil. This studyassessed, over a 3-year period, the cumulativedry-matter (OM)yield (as a measure of groundcover performance) of red clover and Italianryegrass spring-seeded into fall-seeded winterrye using one broadcast and two drill-seedingmethods. Yield of winter rye and changes inphysical characteristics of the soil were alsoassessed. Yield of red clover was 48% morethan that of ryegrass. However, the air seeder,which was the least compacting machine,afforded a 30-60% greater cover-crop yieldthan either of the other seeders. Underseedingthe cover crops did not affect winter rye grainyield. In the year after cover-crop seeding, redclover showed a significant linear decline (r2 =0.66) with increasing soil penetration resist-ance, thus confirming the benefits of seedingwith a low-compacting machine like the airseeder. Red clover also showed a significantquadratic relationship (r2 = 0.70) with shearstrength. Cover cropping is a standingrecommendation against soil erosion in PrinceEdward Island, particularly after potatocultivation, which would otherwise leave thesoil compacted and bare during the coolseason.

Effect of slope position and croppingsequence on physical properties of thesoil. Physical characteristics of the soil were

153

examined at depth intervals of 0-15 and 15-30cm over three slope positions (top, mid, andbottom slope) for three cropping sequences(hay-barley, cereals-barley, and potato-barley). Hydraulic conductivity (HC) was asignificant 40-50% greater at top slope than atmid or bottom slope, and aggregate stabilitypercentage (AgSt) was a significant 6-7%greater at bottom slope than at mid or top slopewhen the soil aggregates were pretreated byfreezing and thawing (freeze-thaw). Under thepotato-barley sequence, shear strength (VS),penetration resistance, and bulk density weresignificantly greater than any other sequenceby up to 29, 21, and 15% respectively, whereasHC and maximum penetration depth wererespectively up to 65 and 28% lower than anyother sequence. Under hay-barley, HC andAgSt (freeze-thaw) were respectively up to asignificant 82 and 10% greater than any othersequence. There was, therefore, significantlymore compaction under potato-barley andmore soil physical enhancement under hay-barley than other respective sequences.Disease severity was up to 55% greater atbottom slope than at mid slope or top slope forBirka barley, which also showed a significantlinear decrease (r2 = 0.89) in yield withincreasing VS. Yield of Perth barley showeda significant linear increase with increasingsoil depth (r2 = 0.92) and clay-silt content(r2 = 0.78).

Effect of freeze-thaw, soil compaction, andground cover on soil erosion. Three PrinceEdward Island soils (loam, fine sandy loam,and sandy loam) were tested under a labora-tory rainfall simulator to examine the effects offreezing and thawing, winter rye cover, incor-porated cereal residue, and subsoil compactionon runoff volume and sediment loss. Woodensoil boxes and ancillary collection frames(termed soil cassettes) were designed to beoperated four at once in the simulator. Wherethe soil was frozen for 10 straight days, therewas a significant 178% greater sediment loss "and a 160% greater runoff than with daily:freeze-thaw over the same period, but there:was no difference in sediment concentration.'Incorporated cereal residue afforded signi,'ficantly better erosion control than winter rye;having decreased sediment loss to 50% andrunoff to 77% of that for bare soil, whereaswinter rye cover decreased sediment loss to73% of that for bare soil. Soil compactioncaused a 45% increase in sediment loss. Sciiltype had no effect on total sediment loss but

154

significantly affected the movement of finesediment fractions. For fractions <0.075 mm,the loam showed a 16.5% greater loss than thefine sandy loam, which showed a 23.4% greaterloss than the sandy loam.

FORAGE AND BEEF

Red' clover breeding. The Charlottetownbreedirlg line CRS1 had higher yield and betterwinter, survival than the two check varietiesFlorex and Prosper I on the basis of 8location-years in the 1986 red clover regionaltrial. CRSI red clover was supported by theAtlantic Advisory Committee on Forage Cropsfor registration in Canada.

Yields and quality of forage kale. Foragekale; Brassica oleracea L., is a high-yieldingand frost-tolerant green forage crop suitable forgrazing in the fall. The dry-matter yields andcomposition of Maris Kestrel kale were deter-mined between 16 September and 6 Decemberat 18- to 22-day intervals over 2 years. Thedry-matter yields peaked at 10 166 kg/ha inearly November and then declined at about19k9lha per day. The in vitro digestibility ofdry matter ranged from 916 to 952 glkg amongthe harvest dates. Crude protein was similarfor the harvest dates, averaging 105 g/kg.Cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and cellcontents of kale varied inconsistently amongthe harvest dates. There was an increase inS-methylcysteine sulfoxide (SMCO) concentra-tion of leaves from 1.4 to 6.2 glkg between thefirst and last harvest dates. At theseconcentrations, SMCOwas not high enough to,predispose cattle that consumed daily up to1.5 kg dry matter per 100 kg liveweight, to

, hemolytic anemia. The mineral composition ofkale was adequate, with the exception ofcopper, manganese, and zinc, which would notsatisfy the dietary requirements of ruminants.

Nutritive value of timothy-quackgrasssilage. Dry-matter yield of timothy-quack-grass was about the same as that measured in atimothy stand. Quackgrass infestation oftimothy decreased acid detergent fiber but hadno effect on lignin or crude protein contents inthe silage. Feeding trials with sheep showedthat the timothy-quack grass silage wasequally well consumed and digested as thetimothy silage. Forage yield and quality wereconcluded to be mainly unaffected when up to56% of the stand of timothy was infested byquackgrass.


Boron deficiency and toxicity levels incrops. In plant tissue, B concentrations of lessthan 30 mg/kg in alfalfa and less than 20 mg/kgin red clover were related to B deficiency. Inplant tissue, B concentrations of 105 and90 mg/kg in alfalfa and red clover, respectively,were related to B toxicity symptoms on thefoliage as the burning of older leaf edges.Boron deficiency in cereals was associated withB at less than 2 mg/kg in boot-stage tissue.Yield reductions caused by B toxicity wereobtained when the boot-stage tissue Bexceeded80mg/kg.

Selenium enrichment of cereals andforages. A 5-year field study conducted inPrince Edward Island at two locations showedthat sodium selenite applied as a foliar spray,with Se at a rate of 10-20 g/ha, could enrichcereals and forages sufficiently to prevent Sedeficiency in livestock in the Atlantic region ofCanada. To produce the same Se levels in cropswould require less Se in the form of selenatethan when selenite is used. For maximumefficiency Se should be sprayed when thevegetation has covered most of the ground.

POTATO AND VEGETABLE

Potato

Growth model for predicting potato yields inPrince Edward Island. A 2-year project fundedunder the technology development program ofthe Canada-Prince Edward Island Agri-foodDevelopment Subsidiary Agreement evaluatedand refined an Australian potato growth modelfor use in Prince Edward Island. Weeklypotato yields, after tuber initiation, arepredicted based on the following site-specificinformation: cultivar, emergence date, plantdensity, stems per plant, soil water deficit atplanting, a management factor, weekly meansof maximum and mimimum air temperatures,solar radiation, weekly totals for rainfall(including irrigation), and evaporation. Themodel recognizes five major physiologicalevents (planting, emergence, tuber initiation,attainment of maximum bulking, andcessation of bulking) and relates these to aphysiological time scale (p-time) based on bothtime and air temperatures. The higher thetemperature the more rapidly p-time accumu-lates (within certain temperature limits).Cultivars differ in the p-time required for eachcrop event. The management factor has to be


estimated based on experience, correlations ofmodel predictions with experimental croptrials, information about production in specificfields, and level of management input of theproducer. The model was refined to suit potatoproduction conditions in Prince Edward Islandby utilizing detailed crop information collectedbiweekly from 20 commercial Kennebec orRusset Burbank potato fields over 2 years. Therefined model (PEl-TUBERS) predicted theyields of 19 Kennebec crops to within plus orminus 16% (5 tlha) 95% of the time and theyields of 23 Russet Burbank crops to withinplus or minus 17%(7 tlha) 95% of the time.

Potato irrigation requirements as predictedby a potato growth model. A potato growthmodel refined for conditions in Prince EdwardIsland was used to predict yearly yields ofwell-managed crops of both Kennebec andRusset Burbank potatoes using Charlotte.town's historical weather records from 1968 to1987. Yields were predicted based on actualhistorical moisture conditions (no irrigation)and assuming ideal moisture conditions(irrigation available).

In only 2 years (1975 and 1987) were soilmoisture levels low enough for predictedunirrigated yields to be significantly differentfrom the 20-year mean yield of 50 tlha. Anaverage 16% total yield loss was predicted in1975, and a 12% loss was predicted in 1987, thetwo driest years. The model predicted anincrease in the average Kennebec yield from47.5 to 49 tlha with irrigation. The maximumpredicted increase of 8 tlha would occur only 1year in 10. For Russet Burbank, irrigationwould increase the long-term yield from 51 to53 tlha, with a maximum predicted increase of10 tlha occurring 1 year in 10. Assumingpotatoes are priced at $88/t and irrigationoperating costs at $138/ha, irrigation equip-ment would not have been economically viablefor Kennebec crops. A maximum thresholdinvestment cost of$233/ha could be justified forRusset Burbank based on yield improvementspredicted by the model, assuming amortizationof the equipment at 10% over 10 years.However, the model is unable to predict lossesin tuber quality or the cullage of irregularlyshaped tubers resulting from poor moistureconditions, a problem especially prevalent inthe Russet Burbank cultivar. Additionalexpenses for irrigation equipment would bejustified by such losses.

155

The effect of short-term cropping sequenceon N requirement of Russet Burbank potatoes.The effects of previous cropping sequences onthe N requirement ofRusset Burbank potatoeswere determined in 1986. The previous 2-yearcrop sequences were as follows: potato-ryegrass, barley-red clover, and potato-potato.Ammonium nitrate was banded at plantingwith N at rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and250 kg/ha on each of the three differentcropping sequences in four replications. Totaltuber yields for the control treatment were21.7, 35.7, and 22.1 t/ha for the potato-rye grass-potato, the barley-red clover-potato,and the 3-year potato sequence, respectively.Maximum tuber yield was 46 tlha and was notinfluenced by cropping sequences, butmaximum yield required N at 220, 170, and200 kglha, respectively, for the same threesequences. Growing conditions in 1986 werefavorable for the development of tubers withshapes unacceptable for market. The weightsof these misshapen tubers were 1.9, 3.3, and10.9 tlha for the barley-red clover-potato, thepotato-ryegrass-potato, and the 3-year potatosequence, respectively.

Microbial control of Colorado potato beetle.An application of Bacillus thuringiensis var.tenebrionis (serotype 8a8b) SANDOX 418 Ireduced populations of the Colorado potatobeetle on potatoes and resulted in tuber yieldssimilar to yields from plots treated with thepyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin. M-One(Bacillus thuriengiensis Berliner var. Sandiego) also showed promise as a biologicalcontrol agent for potato beetles. Tank mixingthe fungicides mancozeb or chlorothalonil withM-One did not significantly affect the efficacyof M-One against newly hatched potato beetlelarvae.

Quackgrass control in potatoes withfluazifop. Quackgrass control with fluazifopwith active ingredient (a.i.) at 0.25 and0.5 kglha in the greenhouse was greatest withapplication at the two-leaf stage compared withthe four- and six-leaf stages. Control was notaffected by rhizome length, with similarcontrol obtained for plants grown from 2- and10-node rhizome pieces. Removal of quack-grass shoots at 6 or 24 h after treatment result-ed in decreased control at application rates of0.25 and 0.5 kg/ha. Fluazifop at 0.5 kg/hacontrolled quackgrass treated at the four-leaf

156

stage. The active enantiomer of fluazifop athalf~he rate of the racemic mixture controlledthe quackgrass to the same extent. Fluazifopdid J10taffect Russet Burbank potato yield.

I

Quackgrass control with glyphosate andadditives. The addition of nonionic surfactantsnonylphenoxylpolyethoxy ethanol at 0.1% oftotal spray volume (v/v), tallow amine etho-xylate at 0.5% (v/v), or oil concentrate at 1%(v/v):to commercially formulated glyphosateapplied with a.i. at 0.25 and 0.5 kglha improvedcont~ol of quackgrass-Agropyron repens (L.)BeaJv. However, the improvement was notsuffi~ient to provide an acceptable level ofcontrol of quack grass. The addition of ammo-niuni sulfate to glyphosate gave significantlygrea~ercontrol of quackgrass at all three ratesof glyphosate. In one of the two experiments,control with glyphosate with a.i. at 0.5 kglhawas 'comparable to that with glyphosate witha.i. ~t 1.0 kglha. The addition of any of thethre~ surfactants to the ammonium sulfate andglypihosate combinations did not furtherenhance control.

vegLable and small fruit managementIAsparagus cultivar trial. A replicated

culti~ar evaluation trial was established at theCha~lottetown Research Station in June 1981.The, planting established well, came intoproduction early, and the highest yieldingcultivars (Lucullus Mid-Early, Aneto, LucullusLate, Larac) produced 3000-4000 kg/ha in1983-1986, inclusive. However, plant vigorand ~urvival declined, and yields in 1987 and1988 were low. Examination of the crowns atthe ~nd of the 1988 harvest season indicatedthe presence ofFusarium spp. and Rhizoctoniasolah-i, and the trial was terminated.

6nion cultivar trial. A number of cultivarsof orlions were evaluated at the CharlottetownResJarch Station in 1988. Several matured bylate: September. Bullet and Norstar werethe highest yielding. These cultivars alsoproduced the highest yields in a similar trialconducted in 1987. Bingo, Super Apollo,COlrlmbia,and Eskimo also performed well andare I considered worthy of further trial.Eva1luation trials have been conductedannually since 1971, and the results show thatsati~factory maturity and yields were achievedin 1$ of the 18years.

!


Effects of added nitrogen and potassium onyield and storability of rutabagas. Fieldexperiments were carried out at two differentlocations in Prince Edward Island each year for3 consecutive years to determine the effects ofadded nitrogen and potassium on yields ofrutabagas (Brassica napobrassica Mill.) andsubsequent losses during a 6-month period intwo storage regimes. Preseeding applicationsof nitrogen at 120 kg/ha compared with40 kglha generally increased marketable yieldsby 10-12%. Similar applications of potassiumat 180 kglha compared with 60 kglha had noeffect on marketable yields. Mean weightlosses from dehydration of rutabagas held for 6months at about 2°C and 95% relative humid.ity and at about 5°Cand 90% relative humiditywere 5.2% and 10.8%, respectively, and werenot affected by the nitrogen and potassiumtreatments. Also, the nitrogen and potassiumtreatments had no effect on the proportion ofthe rutabagas that remained in marketablecondition during the storage period.

Black currant cultivar trial. The cultivarsBen Lomond, Ben Nevis, Consort, Magnus, andTopsy were established in a replicated trial onfine sandy loam soil in 1978. Plants werespaced at 1.5 m in rows 3 m apart. A grass sod,about 2 m in width, was established betweenthe rows in 1980. Ben Lomond produced at therate of 7.4 tlha in 1988, with a mean berryweight of 1.03 g per berry. Ben Lomondproduced the highest yield each year since 1984and a mean yield of6.0 tlha for 1984-1988.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Carter, M.R. 1988. Penetration resistance tocharacterize the depth and persistence ofsoil loosening in tillage studies. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:657-668.

Carter, M.R. 1988. Temporal variability ofsoilmacro porosity in a fine sandy loam undermouldboard ploughing and direct drilling.Soil & Tillage Res. 12:37-51.

Carter, M.R.; Johnston, H.W.; Kimpinski, J.1988. Direct drilling and soil loosening forspring cereals on a fine sandy loam inAtlantic Canada. Soil & Tillage Res.12:365-384.

Carter, M.R.; Pearen, J.R. 1988. Influence ofcalcium on growth and root penetration of


barley seedlings in a saline.sodie soil. AridSoil Res. Rehab. 2:59-66.

Choo, T.M. 1988. Cross prediction in barleyusing doubled.haploid lines. Genome30:366-371.

Choo, T.M. 1988. Plant regeneration in zigzagclover (Trifolium medium L.). Plant CellRep. 7:246-248.

Choo, T.M.; Kannenberg, L.W. 1988. Selectionresponse and efficiency of haploid recurrentselection in a cross.fertilized species. Theor.Appl. Genet. 75:410-414.

Choo, T.M.; Reinbergs, E. 1987. Diallelanalyses of plant height and the number ofspikes per hill in barley using doubled.haploid lines. Genet. Agr. 41:361-374.

Choo, T.M.; Reinbergs, E.; Jui, P.Y. 1988.Comparison ofF2 and FIX>diallel analyses inbarley. Genome 30:865-869.

Cutcliffe, J .A. 1988. Effects of lime and gyp.sum on yields and nutrition of two cultivarsof Brussels sprouts. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:611-615.

Edwards, L.M. 1988. The effect of slopeposition and cropping sequence on soilphysical properties on Prince EdwardIsland. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:763-774.

Gupta, U.C.; McRae, K.B.; Winter, K.A. 1988.Selenium enrichment of crops throughfoliar applications. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:519-526.

Harris, W.; Kunelius, H.T. 1988. Production ofpastures in the second year after drilling ofred clover and ryegrass. N.Z. J. Exp. Agric.16:17-20.

Ivany, J.A. 1988. Control of quack grass withglyphosate and additives. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1095-1101.

Ivany, J.A. 1988. Quackgrass (Agropyronrepens) control in potatoes (Solanumtuberosum) with fluazifop. Weed Sci.36:363-366.

Kimpinski, J.; McRae, K.B. 1988. Relation.ship of yield and Pratylenchus spp.population densities in Superior and RussetBurbank potato. Ann. Appl. Nematol.2:34-37.

Kunelius, H.T.; Carter, M.R.; Kimpinski, J.;Sanderson, J.B. 1988. Effect of seeding

157


Thompson, L.S. 1987. The control of potatofleabeetles, leafhoppers, wireworms andwhite grubs. Proceedings Symposium onPotato Pest Management in Canada, pp.99-111.

Stevenson, RC.; Cutcliffe, J.A. 1988. Brusselssprouts cultivar trials in Prince EdwardIsland. Canadex 252.34.

method on alfalfa and red clover establish-ment and growth, soil physical conditionand nematode populations. Soil & TillageRes. 12:163-175.

158

Miscellaneous

Nass, H.G.; Johnston, H.W.; Caldwell, C.;Langille, J.E.; Jones, RW.; Lockhart, C.L.;Belanger, G. 1987. Absolvent winterwheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 63:1093-1096.

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IGu~ta, U.C. 1986. Boron deficiency and toxi-city symptoms for field and horticultural~rops as related to tissue boron levels.Pages 894-900 in Suprenelement Sympo-sium 5, Karl Marx University, LeipsizFrederich-Schiller University, Jena, EastI,Germany.

Gu~ta, U.C.; Cutcliffe, J.A. 1988. Tolerance of:Brussels sprouts to high boron levels.iCanadex. Horticultural crops, Brussels!sprouts/soil nutrients. 252.531.i

Ivimy, J.A.; Freeman, J.A. 1987. Weed con-I trol. Proceedings Symposium on ImprovingI Potato Pest Protection, Fredericton, N.B.,I pp.341-354.I

KJimpinski,J.; Arsenault, W.J.; MacLeod, J.A.I 1987. Root lesion nematodes in tobacco onI Prince Edward Island. The Lighter

Bubar, J.S.; Choo, T.M. 1988. Shifts in flower- ! 58:31-33.ing types in pedigreed Florex red clover. I

Forage Notes 33:8-19. Kimpinski, J.; Kunelius, H.T. 1988. Effects of: conventional and minimum tillage on

Carter, M.R.; Kunelius, H.T.; White, R.P.; J nematode populations in red clover andCampbell, A.J. 1988. Development of I timothy. Forage Notes 32:14-15.direct drilling systems under perhumid soil :environments in Atlantic Canada. Proceed- ~impinski, J.; Kunelius, H.T.; Craig, B.N.ings 11th International Soil Tillage Re- I 1988. Occurrence of plant parasitic nema-search Organization Conference, Edin- todes in forage legumes and grasses. Agdexburgh, Scotland, Vol. 2, pp. 589-594. 511.4 pp.

Choo, T.M.; Connolly, B.J.; Langille, J.E.; !Kimpinski, J.; Kunelius, H.T.; Thompson, L.S.Drapeau, R; Coulman, B.; Walton, RB.; : 1988. Residual effects of aldicarb in theBubar, J.S.; Goguen, B.; Madill, J.; Proulx, i year after application on yields of sod-J.G.; Fairey, D.T. 1987. Marino red clover. I seeded alfalfa and root-lesion nematodes.Forage Notes 31:64-65. : Forage Notes 32:40-41.

Cutcliffe, J.A.; Gupta, U.C. 1988. Effect of !Kimpinski,J.; Olthof, T.H.A. 1987. Control ofapplied boron on rutabaga yields. Canadex. I nematodes. Pages 135-145 in Boiteau, G.;Horticultural crops, roots and tubers/ I S' h R P P R H d P tat tmg, .. ; arry, . ., e s. 0 0 pestreatments. 258.23. t' C d F d' N B: manage men mana a. re encton, . .

Cutcliffe, J.A.; Stevenson, RC. 1988. Effects of I Sanderson, K.R; Cutcliffe, J .A. 1988. Effect oflime and gypsum on yield and incidence of I inter-row soil management on growth andinternal browning in Brussels sprouts. ICanadex 252.23. I yield of red raspberry. Canadex 237.510.

Edwards, L.M. 1988. Erosion of P.E.I. soils I Sanderson, K.R.; Cutcliffe, J.A. 1988. Theduring cool seasons. Canadex. Erosion: strawberry cultivar Kent in Prince Edwardcontrol. 573. : Island. Canadex 232.30.

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Edwards, L.M. 1988. Performance of forage Icrops spring seeded by three methods under I

winter rye. Forage Notes 32:10-13. I

Edwards, L.M.;Burney, J.R 1988. Erosion ofsoil under frozen and freeze-thaw condi-tions. Proceedings Conference XIX ofInter- I

national Erosion Control Association, Feb-Iruary, 1988,New Orleans, La.,pp. 355-366.:

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Sanderson, K.R; Cutcliffe, J .A. 1988. Effect ofinter-row soil management on growth andyield of red raspberry. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:283-285.

Sterling, J.D.E.; Choo, T.M.; Langille, J.E.;Walton, R.; Jones, R.W.; Bubar, J.S.;Goguen, B. 1988. Albany barley. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1139-1141.

Research StationKentville, Nova Scotia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

AdministrationG.M. Weaver, B.Sc., Ph.D.G.P, ShorttC.L:Lockhart, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

K.B. McRae, B.Ed., M.S., Ph.D.J.R. Miner,l B.A., M.L.S.W.D. Regan, B.Math.H. Myer, B.Sc.

Crop ProductionC.R. Blatt, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

C.G. Embree, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

P.R. Hicklenton, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A.R. Jamieson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

C.L. Ricketson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

D.H. Webster, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Crop ProtectionK.I.N. Jensen, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

M.G. Anderson, B.Sc., Ph.D.P.G. Braun, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.S.O. Gaul, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.M. Hardman, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.LC., Ph.D.P.D. Hildebrand, B.Sc., Ph.D.E.R. Kimball, B.Sc.W.T.A. Neilson, B.Sc., M.Sc.N.L. Nickerson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.T.H. Ragab, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.B. Specht, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Food ProcessingR. Stark, B.Sc., Ph.D.E.D. Jackson, B.Tech., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.A. Lawrence, B.Sc.(Chem. Eng.), M.Sc.K.A. Sanford, B.Sc., M.Sc.T.M. Smith, B.Sc.

Research Station, Kentville, N.S.

DirectorAdministrative OfficerProject Manager, Technology development,Agri-food Development Agreement (AFDA)Regional StatisticianLibrarianComputer Systems ManagerComputer Systems Programmer

Leader; Agronomy project, physiology andnutritionLeader; Tree fruits project, physiology andmanagementLeader; Ornamentals project, physiology andmanagementLeader; Berry crops project, berry cropsbreedingLeader; Vegetable project, physiology andmanagement

Soils management and nutrition

Leader; Crop protection project, weedphysiologyVegetable storage and cereal diseasesOrchard crop diseasesToxicologyInsect ecology, orchard pestsBerry crops and vegetable diseasesResidue chemistryBlueberry insectsBerry crop diseasesResidue chemistryField crops and vegetable insects

Leader; Food processing project, food scienceFood microbiologyFood engineeringSensory evaluationFood technology

159

R.K. Prange, B.Sc.,M.Sc., Ph.D.

PoultryF.G. Proudfoot, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

Fruit and Vegetable StorageP.D. Lidster, B.Sc.,M.Sc., Ph.D.

DeparturesA. D. Crowe, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Retired July 1988H. W. Hulan, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Resigned September 1988S. P. Sarich, B.Sc.(Agr.)

Returned to Policy Branch, June 1988

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I,Lea,der; Storage project, fruit storagepnysiology

Berry and vegetable storage physiology!i!

Physiology and managementI

Nappan Experimental Farm, Nappan, rf.S.P.L. Burgess, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.,Ph.D. SuperintendentA.E. Foster Ad~instrative OfficerN.R. Fulton, B.Sc.(Agr.) BeefmanagementL.F. Laflamme, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.,Ph.D. Be~fnutrition and managementY.A. Papadopoulos, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D. Fotage breeding and managementA.V. Rodd, B.Sc.(Biol.), M.Sc. Soil and crop managementT.A. Van Lunen, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. Swine management and nutrition

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Tree fruit breeding and physiology

LJader; Poultry project, nutrition andphysiology

Eiecutive Assistant; Special projectsIIIiI

1 Seconded from Libraries DivisioD, Corporate Management B~anch.II


INTRODUCTION

The Kentville Research Station was established in 1911 at the request ofthe Nova Scotia FruitGrowers' Association on land donated by the province. The current facilities consist of three farmsthat occupy a total of264 ha ofland area. A modern agricultural centre completed in 1981 providesoffice, laboratory, and controlled-environment facilities for research and regulatory staff ofAgriculture Canada as well as housing special extension and advisory services of the Nova ScotiaDepartment ofAgriculture and Marketing.

Kentville's research mandate is the development of new technology to increase marketopportunities for the horticultural and poultry sectors in the Atlantic region. Emphasis is placed ongenetic improvement, integrated pest management, efficient production systems, and thedevelopment of innovative new technology for storage, handling, and processing. The operations ofthe Nappan Experimental Farm, one of the five original research establishments of AgricultureCanada, add a further dimension to the Kentville program through the farm's concentrated effortsto improve beef cow-calf and swine production systems.

The staff complement for the two centres is 131, supplemented by short-term appointees for thedelivery of the various collaborative projects with industry organizations and universities. Thetotal budget is approximately $7 million.

The research results reported herein are intended as an overview only of current research. Morecomplete information may be obtained in the annual research reports of the two establishments bywriting to Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Kentville, N.S. B4N 1J5, Tel. (902) 678-2171; orthe Experimental Farm, Nappan, N.S. BOL1CO,Tel. (902) 667-3826.

G.M. WeaverDirector

CROP PRODUCTION

Genetic improvement of lowbush blue-berries. Between 1963 and 1980, approxi-mately 1300 blueberry clones were selectedfrom commercial fields or from families ofseedlings developed in the breeding program.Currently, 200 selections remain in formalcultivar trials. Three trials fruited in 1988,containing 81, 63, and 19 clones. Yields werehigh, with several clones producing more than1 kg per plant. Berry qualities were evaluated,with emphasis on firmness, appearance, andflavor. Clones of particular merit included73-9, 73-10, 73-14, 73-22, and 83-6. Thecultivar Fundy was outstanding in severalcharacteristics and is highly recommended forthe fresh market.

The effect of plant spacing on marketableyields of lowbush blueberry. In an attempt todemonstrate whether a double- or triple-rowalternate planting of clones would fill in fasterwhen compared with a standard single row, anexperiment was set out in 1980 with threeclones and cropped for five seasons. Initially,there were three successive harvests, followedby a mow-burn-sprout season (1985) and then


two successive harvests. Increasing plantdensity significantly increased yields in thefirst two harvest seasons only, and the type ofclone was the most consistent factor indetermining a yield difference.

The effect of sawdust mulch and irrigationon marketable yields of the lowbush blue-berry. Mulch alone significantly increasedfruit yields in two out of three seasons, whereasirrigation was not an important factor for plantestablishment and subsequent fruit yield.

Strawberry breeding. Fourteen strawberryseedlings were selected for further evaluationfrom a total population of 4600 seedlings. Thecross Micmac X Honeoye was notable in that itproduced five selections with large, glossy fruitexhibiting greater firmness than Micmac. Thered-stele-resistant selection K83-4 (GlooscapX Annapolis) continued to demonstrate super-iority over the standard cultivar Annapolis,both in yield and fruit size. In a trial of nineclones, K83-4 ranked third in marketable yield(23.6 tlha) and first in seasonal fruit weight(15.1 g).

Raspberry breeding. A raspberry trial,established in 1986 to compare the standardcultivar Festival to four Kentville selections,

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had its first crop in 1988. Selection K81-6(combining genes from Muskoka, OttawaLatham, Creston, and Willamette) performedvery well, with a marketable yield of 9.9 t/haand a seasonal fruit weight of 4.3 g. Festivalranked third in yield (5.7 t/ha) and fruit size(3.2 g per berry). The locally importantdisease, late yellow rust, has not been observedon K81-6; Festival is highly susceptible.Another selection showing particular promisein 1988 was K76-1, a genetically spinelessclone.

Comparison of seaborne waste products witha commercial fertilizer on yield of broccoli,cabbage, and cauliflower. Transplants of .broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower receivedthree rates of nitrogen (0, 75, 150 kg/halsupplied by either 17-17-17, liquid fish silage,fish-bone meal, or seaweed meal and weregrown under irrigation in a sandy loam soil.Marketable yields of broccoli were notsignificantly affected by either rate or source ofnitrogen, whereas total marketable yields ofcabbage and cauliflower from all fertilizedplots were increased significantly comparedwith the no nitrogen treatment. Total yieldsand weight per plant yields for these two cropswere affected by nitrogen source, with yieldsfrom plants receiving 17-17-17 and fish-bonemeal being significantly higher than thosefrom plants receiving liquid fish silage andseaweed meal. Depending on the economics ofthese seaborne products, some of them could begood alternatives to commercial fertilizer.

Fish-bone meal and liquid fish silage asalternatives to commercial fertilizer for theproduction of table beets. Studies were carriedout with the red beet cultivar Ruby Queen,seeded to a Somerset sandy loam soil. All plots!were irrigated and all fertilizers applied:preplant at a nitrogen rate of 100 kglha. :

The fish-bone meal was produced by igrinding unwashed fish frames and contained!approximately 7-8% sodium. The liquid fish!silage was a product of cod or ground fish offal!preserved in formic acid. i

There is an indication that a preplantapplication of fish-bone meal containing Iismall amount of sodium will support beetyields equal to or greater than a commercialfertilizer or liquid fish silage. The addition dfsodium chloride (up to 1000 kglha) tended t,l>reduce the yield of marketable beets. Plantsreceiving the treatment of fish-bone me~lproduced the highest average weight per be~t

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(in the >7.6 cm grade), indicating that beetsgiv:en this treatment could have beenharivested earlier than those given the othertreatments, with a substantial increase inm~rketable yield (3.8-7.6 cm).

I

IEffect of ancymidol of XE.l019 on growthan,cJ.flowering in three asiatic hybrid lilies.Ancymidol (a-cyclopropyl-a-(4-methoxyphe-n~l)-5-pyrmidinemethanol) and XE.I019 (E-(pLchloropheny1)4,4-dimethy 1.2(1,2,4. triazol-1-~l)-I-penten-3-0l) have been evaluated forh~ight control of the asiatic hybrid lilycultivars Prominence, Connecticut, King, andE;'nchantment. A single application ofXE-1019a,t 0.05 mg per plant effectively controlledheight in all cultivars. Higher concentrations(up to 0.4 mg per plant) resulted in delays inflowering, reduced the number of flowers, and6aused excessive limitation of stem length.Drench applications of XE-I019 at 0.4 mg perplant and ancymidol at 0.5 mg per plant alsopontrolled height to acceptable values in each,cultivar. The very low concentration ofiXE-IOI9 required to limit plant height is an:advantage, but care must be taken not to:exceed this rate or plant quality and earliness!may be jeopardized.i Capillary irrigation of woody ornamentals:I Effects of fertilizer type and placement. Dibbledi application of Nutricote controlled releaseI fertilizer (16-4.4-8.1 Type 140:40 applied inI a 3:1 ratio) resulted in poorer growth of; capillary-irrigated Andorra juniper asi compared with the results achieved when theI same fertilizer was incorporated in the growingmedium or applied to the container surface.There were, however, only minor growth differ-ences between application methods whenanother controlled release fertilizer (Osmocote18-2.6-9.7) was used. Dibbled applications ofNutricote in all cases resulted in high levels ofsoluble salts in the medium in the early season,which tended to suppress growth of both rootand shoot at a critical growth stage. Sarcoxieeuonymus, on the other hand, showed no sensi-tivity to fertilizer placement or type, illustrat-ing that growth response ofwoody ornamentalsto these parameters varies significantly withspecies. These data do not, however, supportthe concept of dibble application offertilizer incontainer culture.

Cereal cultivar testing. There were 52cultivars of barley tested at Nappan in 1988.Of the two-row type, OB751-12 and OB751-27have been supported for licensing. In the


six-row test, the Quebec barley QB198.27 waslicensed as Chapais last year and included as astandard check cultivar. There were 21 springwheat cultivars tested, and again Messier wasthe top cultivar. In 1988 two cultivars of the 22tested were licensed. These were Perlo andKarat; both are milling wheats. Twelvetriticale cultivars were tested and one cultivar,CT 3, has been supported for licensing.

CROP PROTECTION

Races of Phytophthora fragariae in NovaScotia. Local races of P. fragariae, the causalagent of red stele root rot of strawberry, wereidentified on the basis of their virulence on thesix indicator clones: Blakemore, Maryland1183,Sparkle, Stelemaster, Del Norte, andYaquina A. Four races were found among 35isolates collected from 19 commercial straw-berry operations in Nova Scotia and one fieldplot at the Kentville Research Station during1986-1988. Race A-6 was the most commonrace in the province, accounting for 31 (88.6%)of the isolates. Race A-4 was found at two sites(5.7% of isolates) and race A-7 at one site. Afourth race with a virulence pattern differentfrom any of the 10 known North Americanraces of P. {ragariae was found at one site.Screening of strawberry germ plasm for redstele resistance at Kentville is being modifiedto reflect the results of the race identificationstudy.

Resistance of Phytophthora fragariae tometalaxyl. Eighty-five percent of P. fragariaeisolates from a Nova Scotia strawberry fieldwhere metalaxyl (Ridomil) had been used forseveral years to control red stele root rotshowed some degree of resistance to thefungicide in vitro (ECso values 0.52-102.33).In contrast, isolates from fields with little or nohistory of metalaxyl use were all sensitive tothe fungicide (ECsovalues 0.01-0.02).

Survival of sclerotia ofMonilinia uaccinii-corymbosi in relation to pruning of blueberryfields by fire or mowing. Flail mowing ofblueberry fields has become popular because itcosts less than pruning by fire. However,concern has been raised regarding thelikelihood of increased perination ofMoniliniavaccinii-corymbosi, which causes moniliniablight. The pathogen produces sclerotia, whichoverwinter on the soil. A study to quantify theeffects of mowing versus burning showed that


mowing did not reduce the viability ofsclerotia. Mowing generated significantamounts of debris, which covered the sclerotiaand tended to protect them from fire duringsubsequent burns. Pruning by fire signifi-cantly reduced the viability of sclerotia,provided that they were not covered by debrisfrom previous mowing. Mowingwas concludedto result in increased levels ofmonilinia blight.

Characteristics and identity of bacteriaassociated with head rot of broccoli. Fluorescentpseudomonads were found to be the pre-dominant microbes causing water soaking ordecay of broccoli. Apart from pectolyticcharacteristics, a key factor in the etiology ofhead rot was the ability of some strains to wetthe waxy surface of broccoli florets, whichresulted in a water-soaked appearance. Thiseffect was associated with surfactant-likeactivity of inoculum suspensions. Pectolytic,surfactant-positive strains identified asPseudomonas fluorescens biovar II and IVwerethe most virulent of all strains examined.Nonpectolytic, surfactant-positive strains ofthese two biovars caused extensive watersoaking, but no decay. Pectolytic, surfactant-negative strains of P. viridiflava and Erwiniaspp. did not cause water soaking and were ableto macerate only wounded tissues. However,when these strains were coinoculated with thenonpectolytic, surfactant-positive strains of P.fluorescens biovar II and IV, extensive watersoaking and decay ensued. The surfactantcharacteristic appears to be a novel plantpathological trait and is essential forpathogenicity of some bacteria.

Computer model simulating chemicalcontrol of European red mite. A model wasdeveloped to simulate chemical control of theEuropean red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch),in Nova Scotia apple orchards. Simulateddensities of summer eggs and motile P. ulmiwere similar to densities observed in experi-mental plots that had been treated with amiticide. The model was used to estimate thebest dates to apply miticides with variousbiological half-lives (7 or 30 days) and specifictoxicities. Criteria for effectiveness of a givenapplication were as follows: cumulativemite-days to 15July; yield per tree; and densityof winter eggs on 31 August. The best dates toapply miticide differed according to thecharacteristics of the miticide and the criterionof effectiveness. The model also indicatedproblems in using the current economic

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threshold based on counts of summer eggs andmotile mites on leaves: if the initial populationis moderate or high and the choice ofapplication date is based on mite density onleaves, then application ofmiticide may be toolate to prevent significant yield losses in thecurrent year, a high population of winter eggsat the end of the season, and reduced returnbloom and yield in the following year. Themodel suggests the importance of early springassessments of winter egg density and thenecessity of considering age structure of themite population and characteristics of themiticide in selecting dates for application.

An isolating mechanism between Ixodesdam mini and I. scapularis. In northeasterncoastal North America, spring nymphs ofIxodes dam mini have a longer premo It periodthan those of Ixodes scapularis, with the resultthat I. dammini late-fall adults enterbreeding activity the following spring. Late-season I. scapularis nymphs are early absent.This difference in the nymphal premoIt periodis the isolating mechanism between thespecies, which, despite the constant transportof immature specimens on migratory birds,maintains their separation from I. dammini inthe north and I. scapularis in the south.

Related to the late-fall development stagesof I. dammini is the restriction of the species,including the disjunct populations on CapeAnn, Mass., and Long Point, Ont., to thecoastal area within the 2.8°C averageNovember-December isotherm. This require-ment has prevented the establishment ofI. dammini in Nova Scotia, although adultsintroduced as immature specimens on birds !have been found.

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sp~cies. Although differences in metabolismbetween the two species were not dramatic,chrkepear degraded more 14C-hexazinone than'bl~ckberry, and general levels of 14C-activityin: plant parts decreased more with time inchokepear, suggesting cleavage of the14C-labeledtriazine ring and loss Ofl4C02•

: Effect of canopy and incorporation on metri-buzin persistence in soils. The half-life (tl/2) ofmetribuzin applied to a bare soil surface wasc~lculated from fitted regression curves to be3~7days over four field tests. An artificialcover erected over a portion of the plots thatprovided protection from direct sunlightincreased, on average, t1l2 by threefold from 7to 21 days. A shallow incorporation provided~y raking the plots immediately after applica-tion increased the t1l2 twofold, compared withincorporated applications. In contrast, the dif-ferential canopy provided by planting soybeans~t either 20- or 60-cm row spacings had noImeasurable effect on persistence over 60 days.:The results suggest the photo-decompositioniand volatility losses that have been previously:measured in the laboratory must also influenceimetribuzin under field conditions. If so, the:method of application and conditions soon after!application should be important considerations: when attempting to predict or assess! metribuzin carry-over problems.!! The effect of the herbicide clopyralid

(Lontrel) on strawberries and its residues infruit. Clopyralid was tested in early bloom, atrenovation, and in the fall on several cultivars.Clopyralid at rates to 0.3 kg/ha in early bloominduced some injury, which was acceptable,and resulted in up to 10% yield loss in clean

: fields. These treatments provided excellentDifferential uptake and metabolism of: control of tufted vetch, goldenrods, Canada

14C-hexazinone. In a greenhouse trial, tolerant! thistle, and others. Veestar was more sensitiveblack chokepear, Pyrus melanocarpa (Michx.): than Kent or Honeoye. Residue levels rangedWilld., had a 3.5-fold greater ED50 dosage than; from about 50 to 370 ppb in fruit of the firstsensitive trailing blackberry, Rubus hispidus: harvest of plots treated during early bloomL. Uptake of 14C-hexazinone (Velpar) from a! with clopyralid at 0.1-0.3 kg/ha. Little or nonutrient solution was fourfold greater in: injury was observed with the same rates withblackberry than in chokepear, related undoubt-I renovation applications or those made on 28edly to a twofold greater root-to-foliage ratio in; September or 17 November. Residue levels in

Isensitive blackberry. 14C-hexazinone was: fruit from this trial ranged from not detectablemetabolized to a number of hydroxylated and' to 3.1 ppb. Applications at these times ofdemethylated derivatives and two triones, in! clopyralid at 0.1 and 0.2 kg/ha also providedroots, stems, and leaves of whole plants ove~ excellent control of sensitive species, except48 h and in 14C-hexazinone-infiltrated leaf ox-eye daisy, which required clopyralid at

Idisks and root sections over 24 h in bot~ 0.3 kg/ha for good control.

i


Antagonistic effects of 2,4-D and bentazonon control of wild oats with tralkoxydim. TheEDso dosage of tralkoxydim on wild oatsincreased more than fivefold when tank-mixedwith either 2,4-D amine or bentazon at1.25 kg/ha. Short-term sequential spray appli-cations and selective application of 0.2-JlLdroplets of herbicide solution indicated thatbentazon antagonism occurred only where thetwo herbicides were mixed in the same dropletand probably resulted from reduced uptake oftralkoxydim into the leaf. 2,4-D antagonismoccurred regardless ofwhether each componentwas applied as separate droplets or trans-location of tralkoxydim to the meristem wasorde,ed.

FOOD PROCESSING

Modified atmosphere packaging of wildblueberries. Storage of conventionally pack-aged produce at O'C imparts short-term qualityadvantages similar to the modified atmospherepackaged (MAP) samples stored at 5'C.Moisture loss is, however, a limiting factor,making MAP a more attractive alternative forextended storage. The greatest benefits inquality maintenance were obtained by com-bining MAP with O'C storage, irrespective ofpackaging format, making this the optimumstorage and distribution system.

Fresh lowbush blueberry quality: problemsinduced by primary processing, handling, andstorage conditions. Increasing the dropdistance (damage) or storage temperatureresulted in progressively more split berries,softer berries, loss of bloom, increasedanthocyanin leakage, higher numbers ofmicro-organisms, and a general reduction in market-able product. The magnitude of deteriorationwas greatest at the higher storage temper-atures. Berries held above O'C showed moredecay and greater weight loss. Color changewas also evident as damage to the fruitincreased.

Little benefit was realized by precooling to5'C. Preconditioning to 20'C before processingand storage resulted in reduced bloom loss,splitting, and a brighter berry color.

Washing was significantly detrimental tofruit quality following storage at all fourtemperatures.

The sensory assessment of strawberrycultivars. Eleven strawberry cultivars were


presented to a trained sensory panel for thepurpose of generating a profile of descriptiveand distinguishing features.

Cultivars varied with respect to the sensoryattributes of redness, glossiness, seedy appear-ance, texture, firmness, juiciness, pulpiness,aroma, sweetness, tartness, bitterness, astrin-gency, flavor intensity, and specific flavors.Use of these profile elements enables a compre-hensive description of each cultivar, provides abasis for comparing new selections to standardcultivars, and permits the establishment of adata base for relating sensory perceptionseither to the physical and chemical propertiesof the berries or to indicators of consumeracceptance.

Modified atmosphere packaging of broccoliflorets and shredded iceberg lettuce. A retailpackage system was used to study the atmos-phere modification that developed in packagesof shredded iceberg lettuce and in broccoliflorets sealed in trays with a range of polymerfilms of various gas permeabilities. Modifiedatmospheres were produced both naturally (byrespiration) and by application of gas flushingtechniques.

With shredded iceberg lettuce an equili-brated atmosphere containing 1-3% O2 and 5-6% CO2 was established with 35-Jlm low-density polyethylene film after flushing with5% O2 and 5% CO2 in N2' This resulted in ashelf-life of approximately 14 days at 5'C,almost double that of the controls.

A 2-3% 02, 2-3% CO2 equilibrium modifiedatmosphere (MA) was established using LFfilm to package broccoli florets when stored at5'C, but this did not markedly improve thequality of florets when compared with broccolistored in air. When florets were packagedwith films that resulted in very low 02atmospheres (1% or less) foul off-odorsshortened storage life.

Shelf-life extension of fresh pasta usingmodified atmosphere packaging. Samples offresh pasta were prepared to contain variouslevels-0.2-0.6% (MS)-of the acidulant-humectant glucono-S-Iactone (GDL), packagedin a high-barrier film (DuPont SclairfilmLP 920) and evacuated and flushed withCO2:N2 gas mixtures containing 25, 50, and75% (v/v) CO2, respectively. Representativepackages were subsequently stored at 0, 5, and10'C, respectively, and were periodicallyanalyzed for their content of bacteria, yeast,and mold.

165

Unlike refrigerated aerobically packagedfresh pasta, where spoilage is caused primarilyby molds and aerobic bacteria, theMA-packaged products were eventually spoiledby members of the bacterial familyLactobaciIIaceae, but only when the initial CO2concentration within the package met orexceeded 50%. Spoilage of the pasta was alsodelayed. In the presence of 50-75% CO2,

shelf-life was extended to 45 days at 5°Cand tomore than 60 days at O°C. However, no signi-ficant shelf-life increase could be attributed tothe addition of the GDL. Finally, temperatureabuse (lO°C storage) negated most of thepositive effects of using MA packaging, thusemphasizing the requirement for goodtemperature control during distribution andretail if the benefits of this recently introducedtechnology are to be funy realized.

Alternative methods of juice clarification.Two alternative methods of juice clarification,ultrafiltration and centrifugation, were evalu-ated in comparison with the conventionalsedimentation and diatomaceous earth (de)filtration procedure. Both offered potentialadvantages through the use of semicontinuousversus batch processing, reduction in materialcosts (de and enzymes), and improved productquality. Preliminary tests were conducted on acontinuous centrifuge to determine thepredominant factors affecting the rate andextent of clarification. Increased duration ofstorage caused an increase in the sedimentvolume and a reduction in the clarificationefficiency ofjuice made from air-stored apples.Enzymatic treatment of either the juice or themash increased the clarification efficiency,though the mash treatment was preferred forits increased juice yield.

Hard cider production from apples grown inNova Scotia. Preliminary fermentation trialshave been conducted on a total of57 cultivarsof I

apples to test their suitability for producing ihigh-quality ciders and to define the processingconditions most suited to locally grownproduce. Fermentation variables testedincluded method of sulfiting and depectinizingthe raw juices; rate of amelioration with canesugar, yeast strain, fermentation, and end-point; filtration and carbonation procedures; :and length ofmaturation. ;

In general, the most consistently acceptable:cider quality was achieved by sulfiting the ~juices immediately after pressing at a rate:dependent on the pH of the juice, depectinizing i

IIIIII

166 :II

III

,wit~ Kleerzyme 200, amelioration ofeach juiceto ~n initial soluble solids of 16°Brix, fer-mei:ltation with Saccharomyces uvarum at 18-20°C to a final soluble solids of 6-8°Brix,cold-sterilizing filtration, bulk-tank carbon-ation using an overpressure of 138 kPa of CO2at 0-2°C for 24 h, crown-cap bottling underreftigerated conditions, and storage for at least6-9 months at 15°C.

I,;

FflUIT AND VEGETABLESTORAGE

I

I, Effect of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and

te~perature in larvae of the lowbush blueberryfr~it fly, Rhagoletis mendax. The presence ofR:hagoletis mendax larvae in lowbush blue-b!!rry fruit reduces fruit quality and stops thes\Iipment of fresh fruit to destinations outsidet\Ie Maritime Provinces, where this insect doesriot occur. Since the fumigant methyl bromideis not registered for blueberries, and carbonq.ioxide is being successfully used for insectcontrol in stored grain, the effect of carbondioxide on Rhagoletis mendax larvae wasexamined.: The lower oxygen concentration (5%) wasslightly more effective than the higherconcentration (20%) regardless of temperatureor carbon dioxide concentration. The carbon~dioxideconcentration had a significant effect,:especially at the warmer temperature. Pre-'dieted mortality from the regression modeli indicated that the highest mortality would beiobtained at 21°C, 5% O2, and a CO2 concen-~tration between 40% (57% predicted mortality): and 60% (43%predicted mortality).I

: Effect of carbon dioxide on blueberry fruit fly, larvae within the fruit of the lowbushblueberry. Fumigation with carbon dioxidehad an effect on larvae within fruit, with themaximum effect occurring with concentrationsof more than 90% for at least 48 h. Thiscombination could produce larval mortality ofmore than 85%. Further research is needed toconsistently achieve mortalities approaching100%.

Postharvest quality of lowbush blueberryclones. Fruits of 10 lowbush clones wereevaluated for postharvest quality after beingheld for 3 weeks at -0.5 and 3°C.After 3 weeks at -O.5°C, an 10 clones had

marketable berries, ranging from 59% for


75-21 to 100%for 73-22, with a mean of81%. Inthe 3°C treatment, only five clones had market-able berries, with a mean of 41%. There werefive clones that had superior marketability inthe -O.5°C treatment-Brunswick, Chignecto,Fundy, 73-14, and 73-22. Clone 73-22 had100% marketability at both temperatures, butthe berries had a tendency to split whenhandled. Fundy had the best general ratingbecause it retained high soluble solids, titrat-able acids, and firmness at both temperatures.

Modified atmosphere fruit coating. Clapp'sFavorite pears stored in 1.0 or 2.0% O2controlled atmosphere (CA) or dipped in 1 or2% Nutri-Save and stored in air were firmerand. retained higher titratable acids contentsthan the air controls after 120 days. Pearsstored in 1.0 or 2.0% oxygen or treated with 2%Nutri-Save were the firmest fruit after storage.Fruit stored in 1.0%O2 had significant levels offlesh breakdown resulting from low-oxygeninjury, whereas pears stored in 2.0% oxygenhad a high incidence of decay. Fruit treatedwith either 1.0 or 2.0% Nutri-Save showed thelowest incidence of flesh breakdown and decay.Apples treated with 1 or 2% Nutri-Save afterharvest were firmer and had higher titratableacid retention when removed from storage thanthat of controls. Apple juice quality wasimproved and the level of relative ambienthumidity was an important factor.

Water-vapor barrier for horticulturalcrops. Of the water-vapor barrier coatingsformulated and applied to carrots, rutabagas,or English cucumbers, none were as effective asstretch film wrapping or O°Cstorage (carrots orrutabagas) in reducing weight loss, retardingsenescence, or preventing decay. The presentstudy indicated that stretch film wrapping wasthe most effective moisture barrier tested.However, the study also suggested thatindividual commodities may require moisturebarrier film formulations compatible with thecuticle specific to that commodity.

Storage of fiddle heads. Storage of ostrichferns (fiddleheads) at temperatures above orbelow O°Cdecreased storage life and market-able quality. Percentage of weight loss, ascor-bic acid content, bacterial load, yeast, and moldloads generally increased, and relative watercontent decreased, with increased storagetemperature above O°Cand duration. Absolutemoisture and ascorbic acid content of fiddle-heads decreased with extended storage atlower storage humidity. Marketable yields


decreased with higher storage temperature,lower storage humidity, and extended storageduration. Optimum storage conditions of O°Cand 100% relative humidity provided market-able yields of95 and 76% after 16 and 32 days,respectively, whereas fiddle head storage inH20 and O°Cfor 15 days provided marketableyields of97%.

POULTRYPerformance comparisons of phased protein

dietary regimens fed to commercial Leghornsduring the laying period. Experiments with2824 female Leghorn hens were conducted toestimate the effects of single-, double-, andtriple-phase feeding regimens chosen fromthree isoenergic diets with either 15,18, or 21%protein. The Leghorn genotypes were found tobe adaptable to a wide range of feedingregimens, without extreme adverse effects.The quantity of feed required to produce 672 gof eggs was reduced significantly among hensfed diets with the higher protein content, butthe consumption of protein, lysine, andmethionine or methionine plus cystine per672 g of eggs produced was significantlygreater for these hens than for hens fed thedietary regimens containing lower protein.Feeding either an 18% protein diet to 210 daysfollowed by a 15% protein diet from 211 to490 days, or an 18% protein diet throughoutthe laying period, consistently supportedperformance that was equal to or better thanother dietary treatments.

Omega-3 fatty acid levels and performanceof broiler chickens fed redfish meal or redfishoil. Arbor Acre broiler chickens were fed sixdifferent diets to determine if the omega-3 fattyacid content of broiler chicken carcasses couldbe enhanced by feeding additional redfish meal(RFM) or redfish oil (RFO). The six diets were:control (no fish meal or fish oil), 7.5% RFM,15.0% RFM, 30.0% RFM, 2.1% RFO, and 4.2%RFO. Mortality at 28 days and 42 days waslower (P < 0.05) for birds fed RFO comparedwith those fed RFM. Feeding additional RFMor RFO had no (P > 0.05). effect on mortalitybut resulted in lower body weights, lower feedconsumption, and poorer feed conversion.Additions of RFM or RFO to the diets resultedin a substantial dietary enrichment ofomega-3fatty acids (especially eicosapentaenoic acid,EPA or 20:5n-3, and docosahexaenoic acid,

167

DHA or 22:6n-3). Analyses (w/w%) revealedthat breast meat was lower in lipid and tri-glyceride but higher in cholesterol esters, freecholesterol, and phospholipid than was thighmeat. Lipid, free cholesterol, and phospholipidof edible meat lipid increased with duration offeeding, but triglyceride content decreased.Dietary treatment had no effect on carcass lipidcontent or composition. Breast meat lipid con-tained more of the omega-3 fatty acids andmore total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) than thigh meat lipids. Eicosa penta-enoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA),docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total n-3PUFA in edible meat lipids increased withduration of feeding. Feeding additional RFMand RFO resulted in ali increased accumu-lation of EPA, DPA, DHA, and total n-3 PUFA,primarily at the expense of the omega-6 fattyacids, linoleic (l8:2n-6) and arachidonic(20:4n-6). It can be calculated from the datapresented that on average a normal meal(100 g) of chicken that has been fed 7.5% fishmeal would contribute 140 mg ofomega-3 fattyacids (EPA + DPA + DHA). A meal of thesame size consisting of cod flesh would con-tribute about 135mg of these fatty acids.

The response of male broiler chicks to theconsumption of low levels of chlortetracycline asa growth promoter. A total of 3200 male broil-er chickens were used to evaluate the efficacyof chlortetracycline (CTC) as a growth promo-ter when used in compliance with the present :maximum feed-supplementation rate permit- :ted in Canada (5.5 mg/kg). No significant (P > !0.05) improvements in 21- and 42-day live- ~body weights or feed conversion efficiencies!were observed, regardless of the method of!administration (feed or water). Changes to the:sources of dietary calcium and phosphorus in'an attempt to circumvent antibiotic inactiva-:tion by divalent cations also failed to potentiat~any effect of this level of CTC. If adequateattention is paid to the diet and health ofbroiler stocks, no further gains will be realizedthrough feed supplementation with CTC at5.5 mg/kg.

Nutritive value of wheat screenings as a feedingredient for broiler chickens. The effects Offeeding diets containing 0, 15, 30, or 45%ground wheat screenings (WS) were assessed.Mortality was significantly higher for mal~sthan for females at both 21 and 42 days of age.Although there was no significant differen;cebetween feed conversion ratios for the ty,.o

i

168

Isexes, body weights were significantly higherfor:males than for females. Significant dietaryeffects were evident for feed conversion to211days of age but not to 42 days. Dietaryeffects on body weights were not significant,al~hough a significant linear pattern at 21 daysin'dicated that heavier weights were associatedwith higher dietary WS levels. Evidence isprovided that satisfactory performance can beattained with diets containing up to 45%WS.

i The nutritive value of triticale as a feedingredient for broiler chickens. Five experi-rPents involving 10 080 chickens were used toevaluate the effects of feeding diets containing9, 15, 30, and 45% triticale. The diets werecalculated to be isoenergic and isonitrogenous.The effect of using supplementary lysine in<Iiets having escalating levels of triticale was;included in these studies. Mortality did notIdiffer significantly among dietary treatments.:Dietary effects on feed conversion were:inconsistent with two experiments providingi evidence of a significant depression in feedi efficiency associated with feeding triticale upi to 21 days of age, but results from the other, three experiments showed no detrimentaleffects. Body weights tended to be depressed

i with the higher dietary levels of triticale,which was particularly evident at 21 days ofage, but supplementing starter diets withlysine did not correct this problem. Evidenceindicates that growth inhibition associatedwith triticale limits its practical use to notmore than 15% in broiler chicken diets;furthermore, damp litter conditions were alsoassociated with the 30 and 45% dietary levels.

Effect of ambient temperature and dietaryenergy on the performance of turkey broilers.Performance of male and female turkeybroilers was compared for up to 93 days of agewhen the birds were housed in one of threeambient temperature environments and fedone offour dietary regimens differing in energylevels. Feed conversion ratios were improvedin the high-temperature environment, but feedintake and body weights were reduced. Higherdietary energy levels resulted in improved feedconversion ratios and heavier body weightsexcept for the dietary regimen with the highestenergy level. Temperature X dietary energyand sex X temperature X dietary energyinteractions for body weights and feedconversion indicated that the dietary energyrequirement may have been reduced in warmerenvironments, particularly for females.


NAPPANEXPERIMENTALFARMBeef

Carrot silage. A mixture of culled carrotsand chopped hay (3:1)was ensiled and fed to 40growing cattle along with three other silages.The cattle grew at a rate of 0.72 kg/day duringthe 140-day feeding trial, equivalent to gainsobserved with our best brome-alfalfa silage.Supplementation with 1 kg/day of barley im-proved gains in both cases to 0.95 kg/day. Thecarrot silage had an in vivo digestibility of 63for both dry matter and protein. Our resultsshow that this mode of storing and feeding<;ulledcarrots can result in good cattle perform-ance.

Postcalving nutrition of beef cows. A 2-yearstudy was completed to evaluate the repro-ductive performance of 144 cows that were inlow or good body condition at calving and thatwere fed silage with or without 4 kg of barleypostcalving. Results indicated that the preg-nancy rate, and days to breeding and to firstheat, were much improved by feeding grainafter calving, even with cows in good bodycondition. Grain feeding was also important tosecure better preweaning gains. Higher bodycondition scores had no effect on birth weightsof calves but did result in better reproductiveperformance.

Swine

Ensiled poultry offal as feed for swine. Dietscontaining as much as 10% (DM) ensiledpoultry offal (EPO) in diets for growing pigsresult in growth performance, feed conversionefficiency, and carcass quality equal to that ofconventional diets. Bacterial culture of EPOrevealed no presence ofE. coli or salmonella.

Effect of hull-less oats on carcass quality ofswine. Diets containing levels of hull-less oatsas high as 95% can be fed to growing pigs withno detrimental effect on carcass quality orgrowth rate when removed from the diet at60 kg liveweight. No removal of hull-less oatsresults in poor carcass quality, whereasremoval at 80 kg results in poor growthperformance in general.

Pigs modify their environment according toair temperature. When housed in unheatedfacilities, pigs spend significantly more time inan insulated hut when air temperature is below4°C. Use of huts appears to be correlated to


animal size as well as to temperature, withlarger pigs using the huts less frequently thansmaller pigs.

PUBLICATIONSResearch

Ballantyne, A.; Stark, R.; Selman, J.D. 1988.Modified atmosphere of broccoli florets. Int.J. Food Sci. Technol. 23:353-360.

Ballantyne, A.; Stark, R.; Selman, J.D. 1988.Modified atmosphere packaging ofshreddedlettuce. Int. J. Food Sci. Technol. 23:267-274.

Craig, D.L.; Hicklenton, P.R. 1988. G.S.Swain-Rhododendron. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:899-900.

Crompton, C.W.; Hall, LV.; Jensen, K.LN.;Hildebrand, P.D. 1988. The biology ofCanadian weeds. 1983. Hypericumperfora-tum L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:149-162.

Gupta, U.C.; McRae, K.B.; Winter, K.A. 1988.Selenium enrichment of crops throughfoliar applications. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:519-526.

Hall, LV.; Hildebrand, P.D. 1988. Rosettevegetative growth of lowbush blueberryrelated to freezing temperatures. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:549-551.

Hall, LV.; Jamieson, A.R.; Brydon, A.D. 1988.Cumberland and Fundy lowbush blue-berries. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:553-555.

Hall, LV.; Steiner, E.; Threadgill, P.; Jones,R.W. 1988. The biology ofCanadian weeds.1984. Oenothera biennis L. Can. J. PlantSci. 18:163-173.

Hardman, J.M.; Rogers, R.E.L.; MacLellan,C.R. 1988. Advantages and disadvantagesof using pyrethroids in Nova Scotia appleorchards. J. Econ. Entomol. 81:1737-1749.

Hidiroglou, N.; Laflamme, L.F.; McDowell,L.R. 1988. Blood plasma and tissue con-centrations of vitamin E in beef cattle asinfluenced by supplementation of varioustocopherol compounds. J. Anim. Sci.66:3227-3234.

Hulan, H.W.; Ackman, R.G.; Ratnayake,W.M.N.; Proudfoot, F.G. 1988. Omega-3fatty-acid levels and performance of broilerchickens fed redfish meal or redfish oil.Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:533-547.

169

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Jones, R.W. 1988. Modeling of growth anddevelopment of cereal crops for resourcemanagement. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.143:39-45.

Kimpinski, J.; McRae, K.B. 1988. Relation-ship of yield and Pratylenchus sp. popu-lation densities in Superior and RussetBurbank potato. Ann. Appl. Nematol.2:34-37.

Laflamme, L.F. 1988. Utilization of crab mealfed to young beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:1237-1244.

MacMurdo, W.; Prange, RK.; Veinot, R. 1988.Nitrogen fertilization and petiole tissuetesting in production ofwhole seed tubers ofthe potato cultivars Sebago and Atlantic.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:901-905.

MacPhee, A.; Newton, A.; McRae, K.B. 1988.Population studies on the winter mothOperophtera brumata (L.) (Lepidoptera,geometridae) in apple orchards in NovaScotia. Can. Entomo!. 120:73-83.

McEnroe, W.D.; Specht, H.B. 1988. An isolat-ing mechanism between Ixodes damminiand Ixodes scapularis. Folia parasitol.;35:363. I

Morris, R.F.; Penney, B.G.; Greenslade, G.;:Hendrickson, P.A.; McRae, K.B. 1988.:Notes on the occurrence, distribution~population levels, and control ofGrapholitaliberlina Heinr. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)~a pest of lingonberries in Newfoundland.Can. Entomo!. 120:867-872. '

Nickerson, N.L.; MacNeil, B.H. 1987. Studi~son the spread of red leaf disease, caused byExobasidium uaccinii, in lowbus'hblueberries. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 9:301-310.

Prange, RK.; Embree, C.G.; Ju, H.Y. 1988.Effects of simulated shelf-life conditions pnconsumer acceptance and weight loss;inClapp's Favorite, Bartlett, Flemish Beauty,Bosc and Anjou pears. Fruit Var.; J.42:76-79.

Prange, R.K.; Ju, H.Y.; Embree, C.G. 1988.Post-storage physiology and quality of fivepear cultivars as affected by temperat~re.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:561.

Proudfoot, F.G.; Hulan, H.W. 1988. EffeCtofambient temperature and dietary energy onthe performance of turkey broilers. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:257-263. I

I

170

I

Proudfoot, F.G.; Hulan, H.W. 1988. Nutritive, value of triticale as a feed ingredient: for broiler chickens. Poultry Sci.: 67:1743-1749.

Proudfoot, F.G.; Hulan, H.W. 1988. Nutritive, value of wheat screenings as a feed ingre-

dient for broiler chickens. Poultry Sci.67:615-618.

,Proudfoot, F.G.; Hulan, H.W.; Jackson, E.D., 1988. Response ofmale broiler chicks to the

consumption of low levels of chlortetra-cycline as a growth promoter. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:1285-1290.

Proudfoot, F.G.; Hulan, H.W.; McRae, K.B.1988. Performance comparisons of phasedprotein dietary regimens fed to commercialLeghorns during the laying period. PoultrySci. 67:1447-1454.

Sanford, K.A.; Gullett, E.A.; Roth, V.J. 1988.Optimization of the sensory properties offrozen peas by principal component analysisand multiple regression. Can. lnst. FoodSci. Techno!. 21:174-181.

Schaefer, P.W.; Dysart, R.J.; Specht, H.B.1988. North American distribution ofCoccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) and its mass appearance incoastal Delaware. Environ. Entomol.16:368-373.

Smith, J.P.; Khanizadeh, S.; Van de Voort,F.R; Hardin, R; Ooraikul, B.;Jackson, E.D.1988. Use of response surface metho-dology in shelf-life extension studiesof a bakery product. Food Microbiol.4:163-176.

Smith, J.P.; Ooraikul, B.; Koersen, W.J.; Vande Voort, E.R; Jackson, E.D.; Lawrence,R.A. 1987. Shelf-life extension of a bakeryproduct using ethanol vapour. FoodMicrobio!. 4:329-337.

Sterling, J.D.E.; Choo, T.M.; Langille, J.E.;Walton, R.; Jones, R.W.; Bubar, J.S.;Goguen, B. 1988. Albany barley. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68: 1139-1141.

Miscellaneous

Braun, P.G.; Sutton, J.C. 1984. Effectivenessof fungicides in reducing inoculum pro-duction by Botrytis cinerea in dead straw-berry leaves. Proc. Br. Crop Prot. Conf.Pests Dis. 3:971-974.


Braun, P.G.; Sutton, J.C. 1986. Managementof strawberry grey mould with fungicidestargeted against initial inoculum in cropresidues. Proc. Br. Crop Prot. Conf. PestsDis. 3:915-921.

Embree, C.G.; Craig, W.E.; Sarich, S.; Sanford,K.A.; Crowe, A.D.; Hardman, M.H.;Lockhart, C.L.; Whitman, R.J. 1988.Specialized juice apple production (apreliminary assessment). Atlantic CropsCommittee Pub 1.1225. Agdex 211/634.

Hicklenton, P.R. 1988. CO2 enrichment in thegreenhouse. Timber Press, Portland, Oreg.58 pp.

Laflamme, L.F. 1988. Study of carrot silage forbeef production. Technical Report 19.Canada-Nova Scotia Livestock FeedInitiative Agreement.


Laflamme, L.F. 1988. Time of feeding influ-ences time of calving in beef cows. Canadex420.55.

Laflamme, L.F.; Fulton, N.R. 1988. Time offeeding influences time of lambing.Canadex 430.55.

Prange, R.K. 1988. Fiddlehead identification.Atlantic Provinces Agricultural ServicesCoordinating Committee (APASCC)Publication No. 1445. Agdex No. 250.

Sutton, J.C.; Braun, P.G. 1987. New methodsfor controlling grey mould fruit rot (Botrytiscinerea) in strawberries. ProceedingsOntario Horticultural Crops Conference,pp.47-52.

171

Research StationFredericton, New Brunswick

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

D.K. McBeath, B.Se., McSc., Ph.D.G.C. Misener, B.Se., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.S. Bush,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.W. Garber, B.A., M.Ed.T.R. Tarn, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Scientific SupportD.B. Gammon,2 M.A.RM. Anderson,2 M.L.S.

Potato BreedingT.R. Tarn, B.Se., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.H. Coffin, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H. De Jong, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.M. Murphy, B.Sc., M.Sc.J.E.A. Seabrook, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.C.C. Tai, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Potato Pest ManagementR.P. Singh, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.RH. Bagnall, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Boiteau, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.C. Clark, B.Sc., Ph.D.W.K. Coleman, B.Sc., Ph.D.RR King, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.R McKenzie, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Y. Pelletier,3 B.Sc., M.Sc.

Animals and CropsJ.W.G. Nicholson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Barclay,4 B.Sc.G. Belanger,S B.Sc., M.Sc.R.S. Bush,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.E. McQueen, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.M. St-Laurent,4 B.Sc., M.Sc.

Engineering, Horticulture, SoilsC.D. McLeod, B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc.

T.L. Chow, B.Sc., Ph.D.E.N. Estabrooks, B.Sc., M.Sc.P.H. Milburn, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Research Station, Fredericton, N.B.

DirectorAssistant DirectorProgram CoordinatorAdministrative OfficerHead, Benton Ridge

Area Coordinator, LibraryLibrarian

Section Head; Breeding and cytogeneticsBreeding and evaluationDiploid breeding and geneticsDisease screeningPropagation methodsQuantitative genetics

Section Head; Virus diseases, viroidsVirus epidemiology and resistanceInsect ecologyBiochemistry of disease resistancePhysiologyAnalytical organic chemistryTuber-borne pathogensInsect-plant relationships

Section Head; Meat animal nutritionCrop conservation engineeringForage cropsCalf nutritionRumen microbiologyLivestock nutrition

Section Head; Agricultural mechanizationengineering

Soil hydrologyTree fruits and berry cropsSoils engineering

173

G.C. Misener, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.T. Owen,4 B.Sc., M.Sc.J .E. Richards, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

i~arvesting and storage engineering8pils engineeringSOilfertility

Senator Herve J.Michaud Experimen:tal Farm, Bouctouche, N.B.G.L. Rousselle, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), SuperintendentM.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D. ;

P.V. LeBlanc, B.Sc.(Agr.), B.S.A.(Agr.) Yegetable SpecialistM. Luffman,6 B.Sc.(Agr.) Fruit Biologist

DeparturesC. Esau, B.Sc.Resigned May 1988

A.E. Fillmore, B.Sc., M.Sc.Resigned August 1988

E.M. Tremblay-Deveau, B.Sc., M.Sc.Transferred to PotatoBreeding Section, January 1988

L. Woodrow, B.Sc., M.Sc.Transferred to Harrow ResearchStation, September 1988

VISITING SCIENTISTS

H. Owen, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Visiting fellow, Natural Sciencesand Engineering Research Council,departed October 1988

F. Loiselle, B.Sc., M.Sc.Postgraduate student

I

;Forage engineering

; Cereals

Postharvest handling offruit

Physiology winterhardiness

Potato tissue culture

Quantitative genetics and plant breeding

,1 On transfer of work at !nstitut National de la Recher~he Agronomique, Rennes, France, from August 1988 to July1989.

2 Seconded from Libraries Division, Corporate Management Branch.3 Completed education leave at Pennsylvania State U~iversity, University Park, Penn., August 1988.4 Appointed under Canada-N.B. Agri-Food Subsidiar:y Agreement 1984-1989.5 On education leave at Universite de Paris XI, Paris, France, from December 1987.6 Completed education leave at Macdonald College, SBinte-Anne-de-Believue, Que., September 1988.


INTRODUCTION

The Fredericton Research Station traces its origin to the establishment in 1912 of theexperimental farm on the eastern outskirts of the city of Fredericton. This was one of severalexperimental farms being established at the time by the Experimental Farms Service of theCanada Department ofAgriculture. That same year also saw the establishment of an entomologylaboratory on the campus of the University of New Brunswick by the Science Service of theDepartment of Agriculture. In 1915, the Science Service also established a plant pathologylaboratory in downtown Fredericton. These three establishments were amalgamated in 1959 toform the Fredericton Research Station, within the newly formed Research Branch of AgricultureCanada.

The research station currently enjoys the advantage of having the head offices of the NewBrunswick Department ofAgriculture located in the same building on the grounds of the station.The Veterinary Inspection and Agricultural Inspection divisions of the Food Production andInspection Branch of Agriculture Canada are also housed in this building. The fact that these~gencies occupy the same building provides opportunities for close collaboration and effectivecommunication among the several groups ofemployees serving the agricultural industry in variouscapacities.

The station operates a potato breeding substation at Benton Ridge, N.B., approximately 100 kmwest of Fredericton. This location was established in 1975 to provide isolated plot land for thebreeding program, which would minimize the possibility of disease transmission within thebreeding program.

The station also overse'es the operation of the Senator Herve J. Michaud Experimental Farm,established in 1978 near the town ofBouctouche, N.B.

The major areas of research activity at Fredericton include the national potato breedingprogram for Canada, research on the management of pests of the potato crop, and nutrition ofdairyanimals. Smaller research programs are directed toward the development of improved potatoharvesting equipment; tissue culture and propagation of potatoes; nutrition of beef cattle; fertility,management, and conservation of soils; evaluation of cereal cultivars; and management andagronomy of forage crops, tree fruits, and small fruits. These research activities were augmentedby a technology development program under the Canada-New Brunswick Agri-FoodSubagreement, with additional in-house and contracted research on the livestock industry,livestock feed, and horticulture. Research at the Senator Herve J. Michaud Experimental Farmserves mainly the horticultural sector of the province, with particular attention to the coastalregion, performing evaluation of crop cultivars, and conducting experiments on managementpractices for vegetables, berries, and tree fruits, as well as participating in the cereal and forageprograms of the station.

The land base for research activities at the three locations comprises 300 ha at Fredericton,345 ha at Benton Ridge, and 28 ha at Bouctouche. Resources devoted to operation of theFredericton Research Station and the Benton Ridge Substation during the 1988-1989 fiscal yearincluded an operating budget of $1 240000, a capital budget of $455 000 for both equipment andminor construction, and a staff complement of 112.4 person-years, including 24 professional staff.Resources for the Senator Herve J. Michaud Experimental Farm included an operating budget of$76000, a capital budget of $115000, and a staff complement of 10.8 person-years, of which threeare professionals.

The results reported herein provide an overview of some of the continuing research programs.Additional information may be obtained from the Research Station, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box20280, Fredericton, N.B. E3B 4Z7; Tel. (506) 452-3260.

D.K. McBeathDirector

Research Station, Fredericton, N.B. 175

POTATO BREEDING

Raw city water as a source of contaminationof stock plants for tissue culture. Seriouscontamination of stock plants .of the potatocultivars Shepody and Yukon Gold (Solanumtuberosum) for tissue culture was observed.Stem explants excised from these stock plantsand placed in nutrient media exhibited 100%contamination. Filter sterilization of the rawcity water, with which the greenhouse stockplants were irrigated, reduced thecontamination of the cultures 30%. Thebacterial flora isolated from the contaminated~tem explant cultures was very similar to thetiora observed from the residue in a pleatedfilter through which 50 L of raw city water hadbeen filtered. Revising the excision procedures ,included transporting explants from thegreenhouse to the laboratory in sterile water :rather than tap water and cutting stems with Isterilized blades. The use of raw city water on:greenhouse plants and incorrect laboratory:techniques can be important sources of:contamination of cultures and test plants used ifor the identification ofbacterial pathogens. :

Potato breeding-Guelph. Two seedlings,:F72217, named Eramosa, and MS002-171 Y;named Saginaw Gold, received full registratiortstatus from Agriculture Canada in 1988~Canadex fact sheets for each have bee~published and circulated. Eramosa is a white-skinned, white.fleshed cultivar that has showppromise as a first early type, often producin'gmarketable yields in 75 days from planting..Saginaw Gold (pale yellow flesh) is a main-cropcultivar for potato chips and table stock. It hasconsistently produced high-quality potaltochips after tuber storage. Saginaw Gold wasbred in Michigan and selected at Guelph and isbeing jointly released by Michigan St~teUniversity, Agriculture Canada, University ofGuelph, and Ontario Ministry of Agricultureand Food. i

Breeding for potato chipping qual~ty.Selection for good clones for potato chipping isoften conducted during the middle and latebreeding stages because of the resourcesneeded for the assessment of several cha'rac-teristics. Objective multivariate method~ forthe elimination of redundant variables wereapplied to eight traits of potato chipbingquality, recorded on advanced clone~. Areduction of the number ofvariables from ~ightto four could recover more than 80% of the

,Ioriginal variations, showing that redundant"ariables were effectively discarded. Theriesults reveal that specific gravity and directpotato chipping from the field were alwaysretained. Reconditioning results from 1 and~weeks after cold storage were shown to be the,most redundant variables.

Combining ability analysis of4x-2x crosses.!A new breeding method of crossing tetraploid;potato cultivars with enhanced diploid germ'plasm (4x-2x crosses) is currently beingimplemented. This method provides access to alarge pool of Solanum germ plasm whileallowing for hybrid vigor.

Information on general (GCA) and specific(SCA) combining abilities are important indetermining appropriate breeding strategiesfor generating useful 4x-2x crosses. Toevaluate the combining abilities of 2x parents,a group of 4x parents are chosen as testers.Each member of the 2x parents is used to crosswith each of the 4x testers. Progenies aretested in the field. A mathematical procedurehas been developed to resolve the problem ofmissing progenies (resulting from fertility orincompatibility problems between certain crosscombinations). A field experiment involving45 crosses obtained from ten 2x parents andfive 4x testers was conducted in 1987 and 1988at the Benton Ridge Potato Breeding Sub-station. The 2x parents were evaluated bytheir mean effects and sensitivity measures tothe 4x testers based on the new method ofanalysis. The 4x parents were also evaluatedby their tester effects. The analytic results fitthe observed data very well. The results areused to identify superior 2x parents (high meaneffect) or 4x-2x crosses (2x with above averagemean and high sensitivity and 4x with hightester effect).

Response of cultivars to moisture stress. Ajoint study was conducted with the LethbridgeResearch Station to determine the response tomoisture stress of eight potato cultivars atthree growth stages. Important differenceswere found between cultivars. An under-standing of cultivar responses at tuberformation and during tuber growth is essentialto ensure efficient irrigation scheduling.Analysis of yield and its componentsdemonstrated that in general, genotypes arevery sensitive to moisture stress at both tuberinitiation and tuber-sizing growth stages. Thegreatest variability among genotypes inresponse to stress occurred at tuber sizing.

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Shepody, Russet Burbank, and Sable showed astrong sensitivity to stress in the tuberinitiation phase, whereas Jemseg, AcadiaRusset, and Kennebec were more,sensitive attuber sizing. '

POTATO PEST MANAGEMENT

Cross-protection with PSTV strains intomato plants. Analysis by return poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (R-PAGE) of amild strain of potato spindle tuber viroid(MA-PSTV) and a severe strain (S-PSTV)showed that both strains replicated in the plantat a similar rate and could be distinguishedfrom each other by different electrophoreticmobilities. In singly infected plants, bothstrains were detected 10 days after inoculation;in doubly infected plants they were detected 8days after inoculation. MA-PSTVwas detectedin all the leaflets of tomato plants 14 dayspostinoculation, a duration often used beforechallenge inoculation. In MA-PSTV-protectedplants, the challenge strain (S-PSTV)was firstdetected 21 days after inoculation, and itsconcentration increased with time. Symptomsof S-PSTV appeared 48 days after challengeinoculation. In unprotected plants, S-PSTVwas detected 10 days, and the symptomsappeared 21-28 days, after inoculation. In thetop leaves of the MA-PSTV-protected plants,S-PSTV totally replaced the protecting strainin the later stages of infection. Both strainsmultiplied in the middle and bottom leaves ofMA-PSTV -protected plants. In S-PSTV-protected plants, MA-PSTV as a challengestrain was detected only in the later stages ofinfection but was present in top, middle, andbottom leaves of doubly infected plants. Bothstrains were found to be present in sepals,petals, anthers, and pistils in MA-PSTV-protected and S-PSTV-challenged plants.Fruit pulp in MA-PSTV-protected and S-PSTV-challenged plants contained only S-PSTV, butfruit pulp in S-PSTV -protected andMA-PSTV-challenged plants contained bothstrains. Only low percentages of seeds wereinfected with MA-PSTV, and none wereinfected with S-PSTV.

Native structural conformations of viroidsaffect their differential migration on thegel. Citrus exocortis viroid (CEV), tomatoapical stunt viroid (TASV),and three strains ofpotato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV), varying innucleotide chain length, migrated at various


rates when subjected to return polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis (R-Page). Differences ofoneor two nucleotides in length among three PSTVstrains resulted in three separate bands on thegel. Conformational heterogeneity resultingfrom extraction and purification steps was notresponsible for differential migration. Themigration pattern was not explained byvarying the gel concentrations, the pH of thegel, or the elution profiles of the various strainsfrom CF-ll columns with or withoutmagnesium. Differential migration of variousPSTV strains, TASV, and CEV, was alsoachieved in R-PAGE at various runningtemperatures (60, 65, 71, and 75°C). Migrationrates of mild PSTV strain (MF-PSTV) (358nucleotides) were slower than the severe PSTVstrain (S-PSTV) (360 nucleotides) on non-denaturing gels, Migration was reversed onthe denaturing gel. TASV migrated fasterthan S-PSTV, although both were of 360nucleotide length. CEV (375 nucleotides)migrated at the same rate as S-PSTV. The datasuggest that the conformations in the nativestructure of viroids are implicated indifferential migration on the gel.

The potato mosaic, virus Y, and latent virusS cycle. Areas ofNew Brunswick seed potatoesrejected for excess mosaic, largely resultingfrom potato virus Y (PVY), have fluctuatedquite regularly, with periodic peaks at anaverage of 9.4 years between 1922 and 1988.This period differs from the 32-year cyclerecently reported for the potato leaf roll virus(PLRV) and runs out of phase with thewell-known ll-year sunspot cycle. But duringthis time it was approximately in phase with apopulation cycle in Canadian wildlife, knownas the Canada hare-lynx cycle.

The difference between the two potato viruscycles is derived from the different modes oftransmission of the respective viruses. Theprolonged acquisition-transmission sequenceof the persistent-type PLRV is accomplishedlargely by the potato colonizing aphid, Myzuspersicae, which does not overwinter readily inNew Brunswick. By contrast, the non-persistent PVY can be transmitted by anumber of aphids that do not necessarilycolonize potatoes but visit briefly in search offeeding sites. Many of these aphids are welladapted to the northern climate and lay theireggs on some of the same shrubs and trees thatsupport the hare population. Moreover, theCanada hare-lynx cycle is also reputed to be anorthern phenomenon. The transmission ofthe

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mosaic viruses by "native" aphids accounts forthe spread of these viruses several weeks ear-lier in the season than is typical for PLRV andfor the fact that years ofmajor spread of the twotypes ofvirus frequently do not coincide.The potato mosaic cycle is actually more

complex. During the peak years of the mostrecent cycle intense spread of the virusesoccurred during alternate years (1974, 1976,1978, 1980, 1982)-in effect, a biennialrhythm. After a double low, or transition,phase (1983, 1984) a new cycle has begun withhighs in odd years (1985, 1987). Thus, therehas been relatively intense spread of PVY inonly 7 of the past 16 years, with no 2 years insuccession. The years of relief have. had asignificant bearing on the status of New!Brunswick as a seed-growing area. 'During years of relatively intense spread,!

infections started in late June or early July and:accumulated through most of this month while:the rapidly growing plants were most sus-;ceptible. By 1August, mature plant resistancewas evident. Although spread of virus Y froniplant to plant continued, fewer ofthe infectionsthat occurred after this date resulted irtinfected tubers. In years of relatively low virulsspread, infections commenced later, in midJuly, with only a brief period of the susceptiblestage of plant growth left. 'In an extension of these studies, the spre~d

of the "latent" potato virus S (PVS) in the fieldwas found to start regularly at about the sarhedate as that of PVY, and that PVS has bdensubject to the same biennial rhythm. Thisindicates the presence ofa strain ofPVS that isspread by aphids-virtually the same ones thatare prominent in the epidemiology ofPVY. :

Control of the Colorado potato beetle. ;rhedevastating potential of the Colorado potatobeetle and the discovery of insecticide-resistantpopulations often cause growers to applyinsecticides in a preventive way. A 3-year>fieldstudy was carried out to determine the optimaltiming of insecticide applications. The stlige ofthe host plant most sensitive to the insec~ andthe abundance of the pest determine: thatperiod. On Russet Burbank potatoes in' NewBrunswick, insecticides applied in mid J,uly atthe peak of larval abundance, when plantswere entering into bloom, had the gr~atestefficacy in controlling the beetle,S andprotecting the yield. A single application at50% bloom was 12-17% and 82-95% moreeffective than one application at bloom *nd fullgrowth, respectively.

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Timing the spread of PVY. Extensive fieldtesting over a 5-year period showed that PVY~pread in New Brunswick starts in mid to late,July, when plants reach maximum height.;Some 62 different genera or species of aphids!were collected in experimental plots. Onlyiseven of these were known vector species. Of: the colonizing species, the alate green peach! aphid seems to be the most important vector.: However, because it is not always present whendisease spread starts, noncolonizing aphids areprobably responsible for the early spread ofPVY. These data indicate that mineral oilsprays, an effective strategy against PVY, neednot be applied until mid July. This representsimportant costs savings and could help reducethe danger of soil compaction by the equipmentused to apply the oil.

Isolation and characterization of phytotoxicsubstances associated with Streptomycesscabies, the causal organism of common scab ofpotatoes. Earlier attempts at this institution toelucidate the host-parasite interaction ofcommon scab of potato caused by Streptomycesscabies (Thaxt.) Waksman & Henrici demon-strated that phytotoxic substances producedextracellularly by pathogenic strains wouldinduce the development of scab-like lesions onimmature potato tubers. Through the utiliza-tion of modern chromatographic and spectro-scopic techniques, the two major phytotoxicsubstances have now been isolated (from bothfield-grown and aseptically cultured potatotubers) and characterized as unique4-nitroindol-3-yl containing 2,5-dioxopiper-azines. The toxin identifications, which werealso corroborated by detailed synthetic proce-dures, are seen as a potential milestone inapproaches to the eventual understanding ofthe mechanisms associated with scab diseasedevelopment. This includes pathogenicspecificity, disease susceptibility, and moreeffective means ofcontrol.

ANIMALS AND CROPS

Silage additives give inconsistent results.There was more variation among threereplications of the same treatment than amongsix silage additives tested on second growthalfalfa. The replications were ensiled on 3consecutive fine days in late July. Althoughweather conditions were similar each day (coolwith bright sun) the first replicate generallyproduced poor silage, whereas the other two


were excellent. There is no apparent reason forthe poor results in replicate 1 except that theweather preceding the day of cutting waswarm, with 16 mm of rain. For each replicatethe forage was cut the day before ensiling andwilted overnight. Only small differences werenoted among treatments or replicates in rate ofdrop of pH over the first 14 days after ensiling,but in replicate 1 the pH increased between day14 and day 84.The digestibility of the silage crude protein

was not different for the various treatments asdetermined with sheep. There were smalldifferences in the digestibility of dry matter.The values for the untreated control silagesand those treated with an enzyme or aninoculant were higher (P > 0.05) than for thesilages treated with an inoculant plus eitherbarley-malt or an enzyme. The silage that hada 9:1 mixture of ground barley and maltedbarley added at 1% of the weight of foragegoing into the silo had values that were notdifferent from either the high or low group fordry-matter digestibility.There were no significant differences in

weight gain ofbeef calves fed four of the silagesin a 98-day trial, although those fed the controlsilage tended (P > 0.10) to have the highestgain. They also consumed the most dry matterand were the most efficient at converting feedto weight gain, but the only statisticallysignificant difference was for the silage treatedwith the inoculant plus barley-malt fordry-matter consumption.The other two silages were fed to Holstein

heifers. Those fed the barley-malt-treatedsilage had significantly higher (P < 0.01)dry-matter intakes and rates of gain (P < 0.10)than those fed the enzyme-treated silage.However, these differences were largely due tothe fact that enzyme-treated silage fromreplicate 1 was fed for a longer period than forthe replicate 1 barley-malt-treated silage.There was little difference in the daily gain ofthe heifers when silage from the other tworeplicates was fed.The silage additives tested included an

inoculant, a cellulolytic enzyme, a source ofstarch plus amylase enzyme, or combinations ofthe inoculant with the cellulolytic enzyme orthe starch plus amylase. None ofthese resultedin a significant improvement in replicate 1,where the ensiling conditions were apparentlyunsatisfactory, or in replicates 2 and 3, whereconditions were good.


Near infrared reflectance analysis of farm-grown forage. The suitability of near infraredreflectance (NIR) spectroscopy for determiningcrude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF), andneutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents offarm-grown forages depends on the type offorage and whether it is conserved as hay orsilage. Although NIR technology offers theadvantages in speed, nondestructiveness, andreduced chemical requirements, the accuracyof the predicted values must be acceptable tonutritionists. Six hundred farm-grown foragesfrom Prince Edward Island were sorted intothree forage types: grass, legume, or mixed;and two conservation systems: hay or silage.The standard errors crude protein (l % drymatter) ranged from 0.54 for grass hay to 1.12for grass silage for forages used as validationsamples. For ADF (percentage of dry matter)the standard errors ranged from 1.26 for grasshay to 2.31 for mixed silage; for NDF they werefrom 2.3 for grass silage and grass hay to 3.1 forlegume hay. Generally, the constituents ofgrass hay were predicted with the least error.With legume hays the prediction errors weregreater than found with either grass or mixedhays, which was probably because of unrecog-nized, variable amounts of grasses and broad-leaved weeds contaminating legume stands onfarms. The crude protein and ADF contents ofsilages tended to be estimated with lessaccuracy than the forages conserved as hay.When all forages were combined within silageor hay groups to provide general predictionequations, the errors about predicted values forgrasses increased, whereas those for legumesand mixed forage species were reduced.As the magnitude of errors about predicted

values for ADF and NDF in farm-grownforages was substantial, caution is advisablewhen incorporating NIR technology into a farmforage testing service.

Drying desiccant-treated large round balesof alfalfa. A commercial desiccant was appliedto second- and third-cut alfalfa to decrease itsdrying time in the field and in an experimentallarge round bale hay dryer. Desiccantapplication was found to have a positive effecton the drying time ofboth cuts of alfalfa.The drying time was measured from the

time the alfalfa was cut to the time it reached18%moisture. Desiccant-treated hay baled atapproximately 35% moisture dried signifi-cantly faster than did untreated hay baled at

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the same time, regardless of moisture content(87 versus 112 h for treated and untreatedsecond-cut alfalfa, respectively, and 131 versus166 h for treated and untreated third-cutalfalfa, respectively). However, untreatedalfalfa baled at well below 35% moisture driedsignificantly faster than did the desiccant-treated alfalfa (65 and 104 h for second- andthird-cut alfalfa, respectively).

During both trials, reducing the initialmoisture content of the bales entering theexperimental dryer decreased the drying time.Lower moisture bales were also found to drymore uniformly.

ENGINEERING,HORTICULTURE, SOILS

Harvesting potatoes with steep-angle,beds. An experimental harvesting unit was'able to dig potatoes and elevate them up a 60"'incline. A weighted belt held the tubers on thebed and assisted soil separation. High speedsof the digger bed and weighted belt speedsreduced the average depth of material beingelevated and assisted sieving and elevatingwithout affecting the potato damage levels. Asexpected, tuber temperature and roc'kconcentrations were variables that affecteddamage levels. The damage index averaged148 for this unit compared with a commercialharvester level that averaged 297. The bestfeature of the machine was simplicity. '

Effect of strawberry fruit ripeness 'onshelf-life. The shelf-life of the strawbetrycultivars Veestar and Glooscap was prolongedby harvesting at the three-quarters or one-~alfred stage rather than the full red stage. Fullred fruit deteriorated beyond acceptable levelswithin 3 days when held at 2"C, whereasthree-quarters and one-half red berries Werestill in acceptable condition after 3 days instorage and up to 2 days at room temperature.Fruit harvested at the one-quarter red $tageexhibited reduced size and flavor.

The Veestar cultivar stored better; thanGlooscap, indicating that cultivar selec~ion isan important consideration in extending theshelf-life of strawberries. '

Half-high blueberry clones evaluated.! Half-high blueberry clones MIN 84, MIN o'm-l),and MIN 354 produced good fruit yields andshow promise as a new fruit crop for the ,~egion.Lesser yields were produced by other c;lones-

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I~IN 327, MIN 350, Northblue, and Northsky.Harvests for 1987 and 1988 constitute the firstiield results from clones selected fromMinnesota highbush X lowbush crosses and~lanted at Fredericton in 1985 at 4905 plantsper hectare. Average yield in 1988 was 1300 giper plant over the seven clones tested. The:largestfruit was 135 g per 100berries by clones:MIN 354, MIN (NB-l), and MIN 84, whereasi the smallest fruit was produced by Northbluei at 44 g per 100 berries.

Nitrate nitrogen in systematic tile drainagewaters from potato fields in New Brunswick.Approximately 20000 ha of potatoes are pro-duced annually in the Upper Saint John RiverValley of New Brunswick. Recommendedfertilizer N levels range from 120 to 150 kglha,and annual yields average 27 tlha. Severalrecent studies and reviews have emphasizedthe potential negative effects of agriculturalchemicals on water quality and have indicatedthat intensive production of shallow-rootedcrops such as potatoes are, under high rainfallor irrigated conditions, especially vulnerable toconsiderable leaching losses of appliedfertilizer N.

Flow volumes and NOs-N contents of draindischarge from five systematically tiledcommercial potato fields were measured fromApril to December 1987 and 1988, to assess thepotential for NOs-N leaching losses associatedwith current production practices. Three of thefive sites were representative of intense potatorotations, and the remaining two wererepresentative of land conversions into potatoproduction from more passive, low-inputproduction systems.

From the 10 site-years ofdata collected, theflow-weighted average annual nitrate concen-tration of the drainage effiuent, (NOs-N)f, wasobserved to be 10 mglL or greater for potatosite-years, regardless of antecedent croprotation. (NOs-N)f values of the establishedpotato rotation sites also remained greaterthan 10 mglL for the first nonpotato year.

Estimates of residual soil N to 0.6 m depth,determined in November of 1987 and 1988,reflected the increasing or decreasing (NOs-N)fvalues at each site. Because the drainagesystems were operative during winter andspring thaws, when measurements were notrecorded, it was not possible to calculate thetotal annual NOs.N losses in the drainagewater. Total annual NOs-N losses for themonitored April to December periods rangedfrom 5 to 33 kglha for the potato site-years.


Future research under conditions of controlledland use will help identify more preciseinteractions among crop rotations, culturalpractices, and shallow groundwater quality.

Automation of sunshine duration measure-ment. The duration of bright sunshine pro-vides some estimate of the availability ofradiation for photosynthesis and is a parametermonitored routinely across Canada at all Agri-culture Canada weather stations. At present,the parameter is monitored with a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder, which consists of aground-glass ball that focuses the sun's raysonto a time-graduated chart. The sunshineduration is then measured from the chart onwhich a trace was burnt when the sun wasshining. In addition to the daily changing ofthe recorder chart, abstracting sunshine dura-tion from the chart is not only tedious work butits accuracy is also subject to human error.

To achieve the goal of fully automating theweather station, a prototype differential ther-mocouple consisting of two copper-constantanjunctions, one black and one white, was deve-loped and tested. Polyolefin heat-shrinkabletubings with black and white colors were foundto be suitable for the purpose. After 7 monthsof intensive testing, a threshold value ofO.72°Cwas determined to be adequate for discri-minating between bright sunshine and cloudi-ness during both winter and summer. Usingthis value, the automated results are inagreement with those from the Campbell-Stokes recorder, with a correlation coefficientof 0.9. Also, the maximum resolution of theautomated sensor is 1 min, which is consider-ably better than that of the manual recorder.

Applicability ofuniuersal soil loss equation.The universal soil loss equation (USLE) is anempirical model designed to predict soil loss byrunoff from a specific field under specifiedcropping and management systems. In themodel, soil loss is expressed as a numericalproduct of combination factors such as rainfall,soil, slope, crop, and support practices.Numerical values for each of these factors arederived from experimental data or computedaccording to standard methods for areas whereexperimental data are not available.

Three years of erosion study at Grand Fallsreveals that rainfall erosion indexes (R)

explain 66-82% of the variation in soil lossesfrom plots at 8 and 11% slopes under variouscropping practices. Soil erodibility factor (K)

inferred from soil losses is 0.11 for Holmesville


soil, whereas values ranging from 0.2 to 0.3have been used commonly for the same soil inconservation planning. The slope length andslope steepness factors (LS) are very com-parable, in which the calculated ratio betweenthe 11 and the 8% slopes is 1.60, whereas theaverage value based on the experimental datais 1.61. On the other hand, the crop cover andmanagement factors (C) for continuouspotatoes planted up and down the 11 and 8%slopes calculated from the experimental dataare approximately four times greater than thesuggested values. The suggested values aregenerally inferred from other row crops. Theconsiderably higher C values for potatoescompared with other row crops may beattributed to the physical configuration ofpotato rows that consist of hills of approxi-mately 60 cm in width and 20-30 em in height,with slopes of greater than 100%. In addition,the depressional areas between rows that areavailable for runoff are less than one-third ofthe total land area. This discrepancy suggeststhat more locally derived C values are anessential for the use of USLE. The supportpractice factor (P) accounts for any reduction insoil loss resulting from support practices suchas contouring or strip cropping. Comparing thesoil losses from contour planting of potatoeswith those of planting potatoes up and downthe slope, a P value of 0.05 was found. The lowP indicates that contour planting of potatoesprovides excellent protection against soilerosion.

Dinoseb in subsurface drainage water. Theherbicide dinoseb was detected in effiuent fromsystematically tile drained fields in northwestNew Brunswick in a cooperative study withEnvironment Canada and the New BrunswickDepartment of Agriculture. In samples ofsubsurface drainage water taken in the springfrom three fields, dinoseb applied the previousyear was present in concentrations that rangedfrom 0.11 to 1.111glL. The elapsed time fromapplication to sample collection was 7 monthsfor two fields and 11 months for the other. Inanother field, dinoseb was present in tile draineffluent in the spring, 23 months afterapplication. Dinoseb could not be detected,however, in a field where it was applied42 months before sampling. These resultssuggest that dinose b will persist in NewBrunswick soils for 24-42 months afterapplication.

Dinoseb was detected soon after applicationto these soils. For example, dinoseb was

181

applied as a preemergent herbicide on 8 June1987 at one site. In the first rainfall afterapplication (17 June), dinoseb was not presentin the drainage waters. Dinoseb was detected(0.06 - 0.57IlglL), however, in five sequentialsamples taken on 28 and 29 June.

In another field, dinoseb was used as a top-killer on 4 September 1987. On 14 September,the concentration of dinoseb in the tile-draineffiuent was 441lglL. Dinoseb concentrationsdecreased during the interval between14 September and 6 October, and in samples'taken on 6 October the concentration ranged'from 0.17 to 2.00 IlglL. These results suggest;that dinoseb is highly mobile in New;Brunswick soils., 'Although dinoseb is mobile in NevJBrunswick soils, it is important to keep i~perspective the concentrations measured in thesubsurface drainage water relative to thieapplication rate. For example, the maximufuconcentration of dinoseb measured at two sit~swas multiplied by the total drain outflow.Based on this most-negative situation, between0.03 and 0.3% of the dinoseb application could

Ibe accounted for in the drainage waters. i

Concentrations of nitrate N in rural wellwater. Concentrations of nitrate-N variedfrom 0 to 31 mglL in samples of 53 wells ta~enfrom 1973 to 1976 and in August andNovember of 1988. The wells were located inthree agricultural areas of New Brunswick,Centreville, Holmesville, and Saint-Andr~, aswell as in a nonagricultural area near iFre-dericton. Mean N03-N concentrations; andranges within areas were as follows: 'Fre-dericton 1.1 mglL (0.2-3.4 mglL); Centreville5.7 mglL (0.9-13.7 mglL);Holmesville 5.0 mglL(1.7-9.9 mglL); and Saint-Andre 9.5 mgtE (4.0-31 mglL). Thirteen percent of the wells in theCentreville area and 39% of those in theSaint-Andre area had N03 concentrations thatexceeded the Health and Welfare Canad;'alimitof 10mglL for drinking water. No wells in theother two areas had N03 concentratiohs thatexceeded the 10mglL limit. !

The mean concentration of N03 :in wellwater decreased in the Centreville a~ea overthe course of the study. The avedge con-centration of N03 from 1973 to 1~76 was6.3 mglL and 3.7 mglL in 1988. No change inmean N03-N concentrations occurre'd in theHolmesville and Saint-Andre areas. Fre-dericton wells were not sampled fr06 1973 to1976. !

182

The Department of Health and Welfare"guidelines ofl0 coliform organisms per 100 mL:were exceeded in 33% of the wells in thei Centreville area, 36% of those in the Holmes-ville area, and 22%of those in Saint-Andre. Nocoliform bacteria were present in wells in theFredericton area.

There was no apparent association betweenthe presence of coliform organisms and N03concentrations; when wells containing morethan 10 coliform organisms per 100 mL wereexcluded from analysis, mean N03 con-centrations within areas were unaltered.Evidently, the presence of N03 in the wellwaters of the three agricultural areas was notdue to leakage from septic fields or toinfiltration of surface waters. It is speculatedthat the elevated N03 concentrations may bedue to leaching, into the ground water, ofN-containing fertilizers or soil N.

Draft-depth relationships in a pedogenetic-ally compacted clay loam soil. An experimentwas carried out to determine force-depth rela-tionships under constant speed for a subsoilerusing a tine with three different wing typesoperating in a pedogenetically compacted clayloam soil. The results revealed that thevertical force on the tine increased linearlywith operating depth. The horizontal force,moment, and total force increased quadratic-ally with operating depth. Wing width had asignificant effect on the vertical force, whereasno interaction existed between depth and wingwidth. Wing width had only interactive effectson the horizontal force, moment, and totalforce. The vertical force was small relative tothe horizontal force; therefore the horizontalforce dominated the moment and total force onthe tine under the conditions tested. The angleof application of the total force on the tinevaried with depth and with wing width. Thedata were compared with a three-dimensionalsoil wedge model of soil failure that accuratelypredicted the total force but underestimatedthe horizontal force and greatly overestimatedthe vertical force.

Reconsolidation of Salisbury silt loam.Neither limestone (CaC03) nor gypsum(CaS04)' added at 0.5 and 0.08% w/w, respect-ively, had an effect on the optimum moisturecontent and maximum dry bulk density of thestandard Proctor test. The addition of peat(2.0%, w/w) lowered the maximum dry bulkdensity from 1.84 mg/m3 to 1.73 mg/m3 and


increased the optimum moisture content to16.8% (w!w) from 14.8% (w!w). These resultsare contrary to those obtained from thelow-energy compaction test, designed tosimulate a 0.44 m soil overburden, in which thechemical amendments increased the dry bulkdensity and the volumetric moisture content ata soil moisture tension of 101 kPa. This findingmay reflect a susceptibility of soils treated withCaCOs and CaS04 for reconsolidation afterdeep ripping. The standard Proctor test did notreveal this. Soil strength, as measured by thecone index from penetrometer studies, wasdecreased by the addition of CaCOs or CaS04;however, when corrected for volumetricmoisture content, no treatment effect on soilstretlgth was observed.

Spectral analysis of the forces on a subsoiler.Autocorrelations were determined for lags upto 400 on horizontal and vertical forcesrecorded digitally at 100 Hz over 30-s periods.Smoothed spectral density estimators, calcu-lated using Parzen lag windows of 100, 200,and 400, revealed that the major portion of thepower developed in both the horizontal andvertical forces was at frequencies of less than1 Hz and was attributed to variation in soilparameters. A significant peak consistentlyappeared between 3 and 10 Hz. The frequency,band width, and power contribution to a filter-ed spectrum were then regressed against depthof operation and wing type. For both the hori-zontal and vertical forces, the frequencyassociated with the peak and the band width ofthat peak were decreased by the addition ofwings and further decreased by increasing thewidth of those wings. Depth of operation hadno effect on these parameters. The powercontribution to the filtered spectrum associatedwith these peaks was found to increase withdepth for both the horizontal and verticalforces. It is suggested that this frequency isrelated to the development of shear planeswithin the soil caused by the action of thesubsoiler blade.

Senator Herve J. Michaud ExperimentalFarm, Bouctouche, N.B.

Raspberry late yellow rust. Late yellow rustPucciniastrum americanum (Farl.) Arth. was aproblem in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)plantings of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada.A program to determine the optimum schedule


of fungicide applications for rust control basedon the life cycle of the pathogen wasestablished. Anilazine (Dyrene) applicationsat the time of alciospore release from thealternative host, white spruce Picea glauca(Moench) Voss., reduced leaf and fruitinfections. A program of three anilazineapplications early in the season, terminatingbefore flowering, gave the best disease control.

Carottes. L'utilisation de billons pour laproduction de carottes sur une tourbiere auNouveau-Brunswick a donne de bons resultatsau cours des deux dernieres annees. Lesrendements commercialisables de carottes ontete plus eleves (environ 10 %) avec les billonsqu'avec les semis classiques sur Ie plat. Lescarottes etaient Iegerement plus longues surles billons; on comptait aussi plus de carottesdu calibre 32-45 mm (63 % contre 51%). Onattribue ces resultats favorables a un drainageameliore et a un meilleur rechauffement du solavec les billons.

Chaux de bruxelles. L'evaluation deplusieurs cultivars de 1980 a 1986 demontreque Ie cultivar Predora a constamment produitun excellent rendement sans incidencemarquee de brunissement interne. Son seuldesavantage a ete sa maturite tardive. Lescultivars Jade Cross et Jade Cross E ontegalement obtenu d'excellents rendements touten affichant un faible taux de brunissementinterne. Ces deux cultivars sont d'unematurite hiltive. Les cultivars Prince Marvel,Silverstar et Widgeon semblent sensibles aubrunissement interne. Consequemment, ils nese preteraient pas au marche de congelationqui exige un faible pourcentage de brunisse-ment interne. Bien que Ie cultivar Valiant sesoit classe septieme pour Ie rendement, ilaffichait Ie pourcentage Ie plus eleve de chouxde petit calibre. II avait egalement une faibleincidence de brunissement interne.

Luzerne. Deux essais regionaux de culti-vars de luzerne ont ete semes a Bouctouche, unen 1986 (12 cultivars) et l'autre en 1987 (14cultivars). L'essai seme en 1986 s'est mieuxetabli que celui seme en 1987. Les resultats dela recolte de 1987 sur l'essai seme en 1986 ontmontre des rendements de 5,1 tlha a 4,3 tlhaM.S. Le cultivar O.A.C. Minto s'est classe aupremier rang, suivi du Saranac et de l'Apica.

183

En 1988, des rendements de 13,8 tlha a11,7 tlha M.S.ont ete obtenus pour I'essai semeen 1986, et de 11,2 tlha a 9,0 tlha M.S. pourl'essai seme en 1987. Le cultivar O.A.C. Mintos'est a nouveau classe au premier rang, suivi deNRG-83-01 Syn 2 etDK135 (semis 1986). DansI'essai seme en 1987, Ie Vertibenda etait aupremier rang, suivi du Saranac et de I'Iroquois.

Ma'is ensilage. Les resultats de 3 anneesd'evaluation de cultivars de mais ensilage ontmontre les possibilites de cette culture sous nos:conditions climatiques. Pour les hybrides!hatifs, Ie K730 avait un rendement moyen de'9,3 tlha M.S. sur 2 ans (1987-1988), Ie G-408~8,2 Vha M.S. sur 3 ans (1986,1987,1988) et IePumas 7,3 tlha M.S. sur 3 ans (1986, 1987,1988). En ce qui concerne les hybrides tardifs,Ie Coop S259 avait un rendement de 11,5 tlhaM.S. sur 3 ans (1986,1987,1988), Ie Bishop 30-3011,0 tlha M.S. sur 3 ans(1986, 1987, 1988)etIe 3957 (Pioneer) 10,9 tlha M.S. sur 3 ans (l9~6,1987,1988~ '

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bagnall, R.H. 1988. Epidemics ofpotatoileafroll in North America and Europe link~d todrought and sunspot cycles. Can. J. PlantPathol. 70:190-199. '

Boiteau, G. 1988. Sperm utilization and' post-copulatory female-guarding in the Col~radopotato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 47:183-187. '

Boiteau, G. 1988. Timing of insecticide appli-cations and economic threshold for theColorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa'decem-lineata (Say), (Coleoptera: Chryso~elidae),on potatoes in New Brunswick; Can.Entomol. 120:587-591. ;

Boiteau, G.; Singh, RP. 1988. Resistance tothe greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vapo-rariorum (Westwood) (Homopter~': Aleyro-didae), in a clone ofthe wild potato'Solanumberihaultii Hawkes. Ann. Entomol. Soc.Am. 81:428-431.

Boiteau, G.; Singh, R.P.; Parry, RH.; Pelletier,Y. 1988. The spread ofPVY in New Bruns-wick potato fields: Timing and vebtors. Am.Potato J. 65:639-649. !

184

,,'Bush,RS. 1988. Effect of age and diet on in

vitro metabolism in rumen epithelium fromHolstein calves. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:1245-1251.

Coffin, R.H.; Johnston, G.R.; McKeown, A.;Wilson, J.; Keenan, M.K.; Langenburg, B.;Knibbe, E.; Reynolds, L. 1988. Rose Gold:A yellow-fleshed, pink-red-skinned, table-stock potato cultivar with short dormancyand full-season maturity. Am. Potato J.65:325-332.

Coffin, R.H.; Johnston, G.R.; McKeown, A.;Tarn, T.R; Wilson, J.; Fitts, M.; Keenan,M.K.; Reynolds, L.; Langenburg, B. 1988.Red Gold: A yellow-fleshed red-skinnedpotato cultivar with short dormancy andhigh tuber set. Am. Potato J. 65:49-56.

Coleman, W.K. 1988. Tuber age as a contri-butory factor in the water relations ofpotatoSolanum tuberosum L. Am. Potato J.65:109-118.

Coleman, W.K.; Estabrooks, E.N. 1988. Anevaluation of the effect of plant growthregulators on cold hardiness in apple trees.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:859-869.

Hawkes, J.G.; Hjerting, J.P.; Tarn, T.R 1988.Two new tuber-bearing Solanum speciesfrom Mexico: S. tarnii and S. matehualae.Phytologia 65:114-118.

Khoury, J.; Singh, RP.; Boucher, A.; Coombs,D.H. 1988. Concentration and distributionof mild and severe strains of potato spindletuber viroid in cross-protected tomatoplants. Phytopathology 78:1331-1336.

King, RR; Calhoun, L.A. 1988. 2,3-Di-O and1,2,3-Tri-O-acylated glucose esters from theglandular trichomes of Datura metal.Phytochemistry 27:3761-3763.

King, RR; Calhoun, L.A.; Singh, R.P. 1988.3,4-Di-O-acylated glucose esters from theglandular trichomes of nontuberousSolanum species. Phytochemistry27:3765-3768.

Lowery, D.T.; Boiteau, G. 1988. Effects of fiveinsecticides on the probing, walking andsettling behaviour of the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the buckthornaphid, Aphis nasturtii (Kaltenbach),(Homoptera: Aphididae), on potato. J. Econ.Entomol. 81:208-214.


Luffman, M.; Buszard, D. 1988. Controloflateyellow rust Pucciniastrum americanum(Far!.) Arth. of red raspberry. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:1185-1189. .

Lynch, D.; Coffin, R.H. 1988. Effect of short-and long-term exposure of seed tubers tolow temperatures on the growth and yield offive potato cultivars. Am. Potato J.65:57-66.

Manzer, F.E.; McKenzie, A.R. 1988. Cultivarresponse to bacterial ring rot infection inMaine. Am. Potato J. 65:333-339.

McDonald, J.G.; Coleman, W.K. 1988. A re-~valuation of bromo ethane and comparisonto rindite for the post-harvest detection ofpotato virus Y in tubers by ELISA. Am.Potato J. 65:547-550.

McLeod, C.D.; Misener, G.C. 1988. Lowbushblueberry plant growth response to varia-tions in pruning for whole crop harvesting.Appl. Eng. Agric. 4:118-121.

Misener, G.C.; McLeod, C.D. 1988. A plotplanter for potatoes. Am. Potato. J.65:289-293.

Milburn, P. 1987. The performance ofa sub-surface drainage system on aNewBrunswick silt loam soil. Can. Agric. Eng.29:27-34.

Milburn, P.; Allaby, R. 1987. A field-readysolution to the resection problem given twocoordinated points. Can. Agric. Eng.29:93-96.

Milburn, P.; Burney, J. 1988. V-notch weirboxes for measurement of subsurface drain-age system discharges. Can. Agric. Eng.30:209-212.

Milburn, P.; Gartley, C. 1988. Subsurfacedrainage and land use in New Brunswick.Can. Agric. Eng. 30:13-17.

Nicholson, J.W.G.; Snoddon, P.M.; Dean, P.R.1988. Digestibility and acceptability ofpotato steam peel by pigs. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:233-239.

Owen, G.T. 1988. Soil disturbance associatedwith deep subsoiling in compact soils. Can.Agric. Eng. 30:33-37.

Owen, G.T.; Drummond, H.; Cobb, L.; Godwin,R.J. 1987. An instrument system for deeptillage research. Trans. ASAE (Am. Soc.Agric. Eng.) 30:1578-1582.


Richards, J.E.; Bates, T.E. 1988. Studies onthe potassium-supplying capacities ofsouthern Ontario soils II. Nitric acidextraction of non-exchangeable K and itsavailability to crops. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:199-208.

Richards, J.E.; Bates, T.E.; Sheppard, S.C.1988. Studies on the potassium-supplyingcapacities of southern Ontario soil I. Fieldand greenhouse experiments. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:183-197.

Seabrook, J.E.A.; Coleman, S. 1988. Guide-lines for shipping in vitro potato plantlets.Am. Potato J. 65:301-308.

Singh, R.P.; Boucher, A. 1988. Comparativedetection of mild strains of potato spindletuber viroid from the dormant potato tubersby return-polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis and nucleic acid hybridization.Potato Res. 31:159-166.

Singh, R.P.; Boucher, A. 1988. Loss of potatospindle tuber viroid from tuber tissues afterrepeating freezing. Am. Potato J.65:283-287.

Singh, R.P.; Boucher, A.; Seabrook, J.E.A.1988. Detection of the mild strains of potatospindle tuber viroid from single true potatoseed by return electrophoresis. Phyto-pathology 78:663-667.

Singh, R.P.; DeHaan, T.L.; Jaswal, A.S. 1988.A survey of the incidence of potato spindletuber viroid in Prince Edward Island usingtwo testing methods. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1229-1236.

Sterling, J.D.E.; Choo, T.M.; Langille, J.E.;Walton, R.; Jones, R.W.; Bubar, J.S.;Goguen, B. 1988. 'Albany' barley. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1139-1141.

Tai, G.C.C.; Coffin, R.; Yada, R. 1988. Theeffect of scion and stock autografting andheterografting on specific gravity, sugarcontent and chip color of potatoes. Am.Potato J. 65:141-145.

Wehrhahn, C.; Tai, G.C.C. 1988. Gene differ-ences in heading date, height, seed weightand seed yield between two pure linevarieties of Triticum aestivum L. Theor.Appl. Genet. 76:341-351.

Young, D.A.; Bagnall, R.H.; De Jong, H.;Murphy, A.M.; Tarn, T.R. 1988. Donna: Ayellow-fleshed potato cultivar withpotential in export seed markets. Am.Potato J. 65:509-515.

185

Miscellaneous

Boiteau, G. 1988. Control of the Colorado pota-to beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say):Learning from the Soviet experience. Bull.Entom. Soc.Can. 20:9-14.

Coffey, B.; Dixon, M.; Coffin, R.H. 1988.Describing tolerances to drought stress inpotatoes. Hortic. Sci. 23:800.

Coffin, R.H.; Keenan, M.K. 1988. Eramosa: Anew potato variety for early tablestockmarketslUne nouvelle variete de pomme deterre hative de consommation. Canadex,Factsheet 258.33. I

I

Coffin, R.H.; Keenan, M.K. 1988. Red Gold:}>idew red~skinned yellow-fleshed tablestockpotato variety/Une nouvelle variete d~pomme de terre rouge a chair jaune d,econsommation. Canadex Factsheet 258.33;'.

Coffin, R.H.; Keenan, M.K., eds. 198$.Research Bulletin NO.3 for Ontario PotatoCultivar Evaluation Association. 31 pp.

Coffin, R.H.; Keenan, M.K. 1988. RoseGold: Anew red-skinned yellow-fleshed tablest~ck

I

I

iI;

iiII!!I

186

potato varietylUne 'n'ouveHec variete depomme de terre rouge a chair jaune deconsommation. Canadex Factsheet 258.33.

I:Coffin, R.H.; Keenan, M.K. 1988. Saginaw

Gold: A new potato variety for tablestockand processing/U ne nouvelle variete depomme de terre de consommation et detransformation. Canadex Factsheet 258.33.

De Jong, H. 1988. Genetische manipulatie bijde aardappel (Genetic manipulation inpotatoes). 1988 Voldgavst Bull. (Bull.Alumni Assoc. Hortic. ColI.Netherlands):48-51.

LeBlanc, P.V.; Thebeau, G. 1988. Essai decultivars de brocolis de mi:saison "dims restdu Nouveau-Brunswick. Canadex 252.34.

LeBlanc, P.V.; Thebeau, G. 1988. Rendementde haricots sees au Nouveau-Brunswick.Canadex 142.34.

Tai, G.C.C. 1988. Potato breeding (in Chi-nese). In Ke-Xue-Nong- Ye (ScientificAgriculture) 36:295-304. Special issue forcelebrating Professor Tang's 90th birthday.


Centre de recherches alimentairesSaint-Hyacinthe, Quebec

PERSONNEL PROFESSIONNEL

AdministrationC. Aube, B.Sc.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Bechard, B.Sc.F. Bernard,7 B.A., M.B.S.I.S. Boudreault, DEC

Usines pilotesM. TanguayC. Gagnon,9 B.Sc., M.Sc.E. Gauthier, B.Sc.C. Leblanc,9 B.Sc.N. Raymond,9 B.Sc.R. Tardif, Ing.J.J. Turgeon, DTA

DirecteurChef; services administratifsBibliothecaireAnalyste-programmeur

Chef; extrusion et emballage aseptiqueBiotechnologieIrradiationProduits carnesProduits laitiersExtractionProduits fromagers

Services industriels et relations internationalesP.A. Huot, B.Sc.A.S. Bittner, B.Sc.A., M.Sc.H. Thibeault, B.Sc., M.Ed., M.Sc.

BiotechnologieB. Lee, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C. P. Champagne, B.Sc., Ph.D.F. Cormier, B.Sc., Ph.D.C. Dufresne, B.Sc., M.Sc.J. Fontaine, B.Sc.N. Gardner, B.Sc.F. Girard, B.Sc.A. Lafond,tO B.Sc.M. Lamoureux,lo B.Sc.D. Leblanc, B.Sc., M.Sc.A. Morin,ll B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.N. Morin,lO B.Sc.L. Ricard,tO B.Sc., M.Sc.N. Robert, B.Sc., M.Sc.A. Kyryacou, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Industrie laitiereD. Roy, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Britten, B.Sc., Ph.D.P. Gelinas, B.Sc.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.H. Giroux, B.Sc.A., M.Sc.

Chef de sectionTransfert technologiqueAgente de projet

Chef de section; genie genetique et enzymologieMicrobiologieCulture de cellules vegetalesPhysiologie des plantesMicrobiologieMicrobiologieMicrobiologieMicrobiologie des anaerobesGenie genetiqueMicrobiologieEnzymologieMicrobiologieGenie genetiqueGenie genetiqueBio-ingenierie enzymatique

Chef de section; bioreacteurPhysico-chimieBoulangerie industrielleBiochimie alimentaire

Centre de recherches alimentaires, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 187

M. Gros-Louis, DECS. Hache, B.Se.M. Lagimoniere, B.Se.A.D. St-Gelais, B.Se., M.Se.L. Savoie, B.Se., M.Sc.P. Ward, B.Se., M.Se.

Industrie CarneeM.C. Collette, B.Se.P. Delaquis,l B.Se., M.Se.F. Dusseault, B.Se.J .C. Frentz10J.P.G. Piette,2 Ing., M.Se.M. Robertson, B.Se.C. Zarkadas,5 B.Se., M.Se., Ph.D.

Industrie vegetaleG. Doyon,3 B.Se.A., M.Se.D. Belanger, B.Se., M.Sc.A. Begin,3 B.Se.A., M.Se.F. Brunet, DEC Chimie Ind.J. Gagnon,lO Ing., M.Se.P. Gelinas,lO B.Se.A., M.Se., Ph.D.K. Lapsley,4 B.Se., M.Se.M. Marcotte,9 Ing., M.Se.E. Savoie,lO B.Se.A.C. Toupin, B.Se.A., Ph.D.C. Willemot,6 B.Se., M.Se., Ph.D.

Genie alimentaireC. Passey, B.E.(Hons.>, M.E., M.B.A.,D.Se.A. Utioh,lO B.A.Se., M.Sc.

Aromes et extraction ;}

J .R.J. Pare, B.Se., Ph.D., C.Chem., MRSC iJ. Belanger, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Se., Ph.D.M. Boulet,9 B.Se., Ph.D.N. Durand, B.Sc.J. Fortin, B.Se.A.R. Laing, B.Se.F. Lamarche,9 B.Se., Ph.D.J. Lapointe, R.T.M. Sigouin, DECL. St-Onge Sigouin, Dip. Se. Inf. I

M.R. van Calsteren,9 B.Se., M.Se., Ph.~.

DepartsM.DardiriSB. KalmanSJ.H.Kwon8R.LabelleJ. LanthierP.Magny

188

fdicrobiologierrechnologie alimentaire:Technologie alimentaire:Produits laitiersi Microbiologie post-pasteurisation!Culture bacterienne

ChimieMicrobiologieMicrobiologieCharcuterieProduits carnesTechnologie alimentaireBiochimie musculaire

Chef de section; conservation et emballageChimie organique-analytiqueRheologie et transformationInstrumentationProduits vegetaux et procedesBoulangerie et fermentationProduits vegetauxIngenierie alimentaireProduits vegetaux et technologieBio-ingenieriePhysiologie

Chef de section; genie alimentaireet irradiationSterilisation

Chef de section; spectrometrie de masseExtractionProteinesEvaluation sensorielleEvaluation sensorielleSpectroscopieProteinesChimie bioorganiqueChimie bioanalytiqueMicroscopie electroniqueResonance magnetique nuc1eaire

Chercheur inviteChercheur inviteChercheur inviteDossiers speciauxChimie analytiqueMicroscopie electronique

Rapport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988

J. NeveuR. R. Riel

CHERCHEURS INVITES

P. Chevalier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.B. Do, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.N.D. Pati!, B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D.N. Ramarathnam, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(biochimie), Ph.D. (Sc.Alim.)

J.P. Touzel, Ing. (lNSA), M.Sc.(biochimie)

Etudiants a la maitriseM.1.Barrigaresponsable, C. Wille mot

J. Borduasresponsable, C. Passey

N.Dalyresponsable, C. Wille mot

J.D'Amourresponsable, C.Wille mot

M.L. Desjardinsresponsable, D. Roy

E.Gauthierresponsable, C. Champagne

S. Jacqueminresponsable, A. Morin

A. Lopez-Dominguezresponsable, C.Wille mot

Y.Raymondresponsables, A. Morin,C. Champagne,F. Cormier

J. Rossiresponsable, F. Cormier

Etudiants au doctoratM.Akier Assantaresponsable, D. Roy

G.Aroraresponsable, B. Lee

J.L.Bergerresponsable, B. Lee

F.Cheourresponsable, C. Willemot

R.Coutureresponsable, C. Wille mot

G. Doyonresponsable, C. Wille mot

J. Fichtaliresponsable, C. Toupin

Evaluation sensorielleDirecteur

BioreacteurCulture de cellules vegetalesExtraction supercritique, BlanchimentProduits naturels

Microbiologie des anaerobes

Atmosphere contr6Iee, tomate

Fractionnement

Potentiel d'entreposage

Irradiation des fraises

Produits laitiers fermentes

Ecologie microbienne des viandes

Enzymologie

Irradiation, brocoli

Biosynthese d'ar6mes

Culture de cellules vegetales

Listeria

Enzymologie

Enzymologie

Conservation des fraises

Irradiation des fraises

Atmosphere modifiee

Extrusion


R.Laingresponsable, J .R.J, PareM. Lamontagneresponsable, B. Lee

J. Makhloufresponsable, C. Willemot

L.Romoresponsable, C. Wille motP. Verretresponsable, C. Toupin

Hydrates de carbone

;Genetique lactique

'Atmosphere controlee, brocoli

: Atmosphere controlee

Produits laitiers

1 En conge d'etudes au doctorat, Universitli de la Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, 1984-1987.2 En conge d'etudes au doctorat, Universitli McGill, Quebec, 1985-1988.3 En conge d'etudes au doctorat, Universitli Laval, Que,bec, 1984-1989.4 En conge d'etudes au doctorat, Ecole polytechnique federale, Zurich, 1985-1989.5 Affectli a l'Universita McGill.6 Affectli a l'Universita Laval.7 Detachee de la Direction generale de la gestion intagrae, Division des bibliotbeques.8 Boursier de l'Agence Internationale d'Energie atomique (Vienna, Autriche).9 Recrutli en 1988. '10 Entente Canada-Quebec (1987-1990),11 En conge sabbatique.

190 Rapport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988

INTRODUCTION

La mission du Centre de recherches alimentaires de Saint-Hyacinthe est d'aider l'industrie desaliments et des boissons du Canada afin de leur permettre de devenir plus efficaces et productifs etpar consequent plus competitifs.

Le Centre favorise la recherche sur Ie lait, les viandes, les nouveaux ingredients et laconservation des produits frais. Les disciplines representees au Centre sont la chimie, lamicrobiologie,la chimie-physique,la biochimie,la physiologie vegetale, la bio-ingenierie, Ie geniealimentaire.

Le Centre possede un eventail d'instruments modernes qui permettront de mener desexperiences complexes dans Ie but de realiser des progres rapides en recherche. Au Centre, onprivilegie les realisations avec l'industrie; celle-ci peut profiter d'une usine pilote dont lesinstruments permettent de mettre au point de nouveaux produits a base de cereales, de lait et deviandes. De plus, nous possedons des ressources financieres qui permettent d'aider l'industrie dansla realisation de projets de recherche.

Ce rapport resume quelques-unes des principales realisations du Centre en 1988 dont ontrouvera la description detailIee dans les articles scientifiques cites dans la bibliographie.

Le Centre de recherches alimentaires de Saint-Hyacinthe a accueilli en 1988 Ie Service derecherches sur les aliments (SRA)du Ministere de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries et de l'Alimentationdu Quebec. Une entente concernant l'utilisation conjointe du Centre a He signee par Ie ministred'Etat a l'Agriculture, Pierre Blais, par Ie ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries et del'Alimentation, Michel Page, et par Ie ministre deIegue aux Affaires intergouvernementalescanadiennes pour IeQuebec, Gil Remillard.

Le Centre federal de recherches alimentaires et Ie Service provincial de recherches sur lesaliments travaillent de concert a l'harmonisation et l'orientation des programmes de recherche.L'equipe de B. Aurouze, chef du SRA, est composee d'une vingtaine de personnes dont sixchercheurs.

Pour de plus amples renseignements, s'adresser au Centre de recherches alimentaires deSaint-Hyacinthe, 3600, boul. Casavant ouest, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, J2S 8E3; tel.(514) 773-1105.

Claude B.AubeDirecteur

PHYSIOLOGIE VEGETALE ETATMOSPHERECONTROLEE

Conservation du brocoli et du chou-fleur souaatmosphere contr6lee. La conservation dubrocoli peut etre prolongee par une atmospheremodifiee contenant 2,5% d'02 et de 6 a 8 % deCO2, Une atmosphere contenant peu d'02(2,5%) a reduit la respiration, la productiond'ethyUme, l'activite de l'enzyme formantl'ethylene (EFE) et Ie contenu en ACC, Ieprecurseur immediat de l'ethylene, et retardeIe climacterique et la senescence. Le controlede la synthese de l'ethyUme semble se faire auniveau de I'EFE, et non au niveau de l'ACCsynthetase. Le froid (1 .C) reduitconsiderablement la sensibilite des bourgeonsdu brocoli a l'ethylene. II reduit egalement la

synthese de l'ethylene, en reduisant l'activitede l'EFE. Un traitement a l'ethylene accelereIe climacterique en stimulant l'EFE, sans effetnotable sur l'ACC synthetase.

La senescence du brocoli montre une bonnecorrelation avec la degradation desphospholipides et I'augmentation du rapportsteroVphospholipide. Ces changements dans lacomposition des lipides membranaires sontralentis par une atmosphere modifieecontenant 2,5 % d'02 et 8,5 % de CO2 quiretarde la senescence.

Les choux-fleurs se conservent mieux sousune atmosphere contenant 3 % d'02 et 5 % deCO2, Une atmosphere de 3% d'02' ainsi qu'unpretraitement pendant 24 h a 15 % de CO2causent Ie jaunissement et Ie ramollissementdes tissus. L'acide succinique s'accumulequand la concentration de CO2est elevee.


Irradiation des produits vegetaux (Encollaboration avec l'Universite Laval). L'irra-diation des produits vegetaux cause souvent Ieramollissement des tissus. L'etude de I'effet deI'irradiation des fraises Ii 4 kGy sur les paroiscellula ires a demontre que les parois etaientpartiellement degradees. La cellulose et leschaines d'acide polygalacturonique desfractions pectiques et de I'hemicellulose ont eteaffectees. Les chaines de sucres neutres sontrelativement resistantes aux rayons ionisants.

Pour eviter Ie risque de ramollissement etdiminuer les effets indesirables de I'irradiationdes fraises, il est possible de combiner une dosetrl!S legere (0,25 kGy) d'irradiation avec une 'atmosphere modifiee contenant 10 % de CO2et;5 % d'02' Les deux methodes ont des effets!synergiques. ;

L'irradiation des fraises Ii 2,0 kGy entraineiune Iegere degradation des phospholipides;Les acides gras de ces phospholipides ne sontpas affectes. Une dose de 4,0 kGy cause uneforte augmentation de la conductivite elec-trique des tissus, ce qui indique des dommagesimportants aux membranes cellulaires. i

La methode de detection et de mesure deI'irradiation dans la viande, decrite recemmeptpar des scientifiques du National Bureau ;ofStandards (NBS) des Etats-Unis. et qui estbasee sur la presence d'o-tyrosine dans les pro-teines, n'est applicable qu'aux fraises. En effet,I'o-tyrosine a ete detectee en petite quantiteaussi bien dans les proteines des frai,~esirradiees que dans des echantillons temoins,.

PRODUCTION DES ENZYMESLACTOBACILLES '

L'etude vise Ii utiliser les enzymes micro-biens, en particulier les enzymes de lactobacil-les, dans la fabrication du fromage et la matu-ration du fromage cheddar. Nous avons ~tudie20 souches d'especes Lactobacillus casei dupoint de vue de leurs activites enzymatiqtIes.

Les peptidases et esterases de,' troisLactobacillus casei ont ete produits, purifies etcaracterises sur les systemes de FP;LC etPHAST. L'etude a porte sur quatre peptidases(amino, di, tri, carboxy) et trois esterases(butyrate, caproate, capryate). Nos resultatsont demontre que la fabrication d'aromes defromages est facilement realisable pendant 1 a2 jours, et aussi que Ie fait d'ajou'ter desenzymes augmente d'une fa<;on significativeI'indice de maturation du cheddar. :

GENIE GENETIQUE

, Nous faisons appel aux techniques du genie:genetique pour augmenter Ie potentiel'industriel de certains microorganismes. Legene de la lactase de Streptococcusthermophilus a ete introduit dans la levureSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Une cartographie Iil'aide d'enzymes de restriction de l'ADN donne

, indique que Ie gene se retrouve sur unfragment de 3,4 kb. Ceci nous a perm is dedetecter I'activite 3-galactosidasique dans lalevure transformee. De plus, Ie produit deI'expression du gene clone dans la levure estthermostable comme pour la bacterie d'origine.Nous sequen<;ons ce gene et etudions Iemecanisme de secretion de la lactase dansS. cerevisiae. La production d'une levurecapable de croitre sur lactose rum est un grandapport pour l'industrie laitiere.

Nous avons caracterise les plasmides deLactobacillus casei et avons mis au point unetechnique de clonage de genes d'esterase(Capryate) de Lactobacillus casei dansStreptococcus lactis.

PRODUCTION DE BIOMASSEDE Leuconostoc oenos

En oenologie, des cultures de Leuconostocoenos peuvent etre ajoutees au jus de raisin ouau yin afin d'y favoriser la fermentation malo-lactique. La conversion de l'acide malique enacide lactique et CO par cette bacterie permetde reduire I'acidite des vins et d'en accroitre lastabilite. Nous avons determine les conditionspermettant de produire des biomasses (pouretre ulterieurement sechees et utilisees pourinoculer les mouts) de L. oenos dans Ie jus depomme. Des milieux ayant diverses teneurs ensolides de jus de pomme ont ete supplementesen peptones et extraits de levure. La croissancede L. oenos dans les jus de pomme sanssupplements n'etait pas elevee et lesrendements n'etaient pas influences par lateneur en solides. Les extraits de levures sesont averes les meilleurs pour stimuler lacroissance de L. oenos. Les pep tones issusd'hydrolysats de caseine de viande ou de sojaont ete preferes aux mycopeptones. Lapreference pour les milieux sterilises parchauffage ou filtration varia it selon la souche.Les zones optimales de pH et de temperaturepour la croissance etaient de 4,5 a 4,8 et de 28 a32° respectivement. Lorsque la fermentation

192 Rapport de la Direction genera Ie de la recherche, 1988

ne s'effectuait pas en controle pH, la plupartdes souches acidifiaient Ie milieu. Laproduction de biomasse en controle de pH (4,7)a permis d'accroitre les rendementS de 60 %.Dans ces conditions, L.oenos utilisait presquetout l'acide malique disponible, mais nousavons observe d'importantes quantites desucres residue Is. Parmi divers autressupplements ajoutes (jus de tomate, vitamines,nucleotides, Mn ou acide malique), seull'acidemalique a permis une reprise de fermentation.

INHIBITION DES BACTERIESPSYCHROTROPHES

Des laits crus ont ete inocules avec descultures lactiques specifiquement destines ainhiber la croissance des bacteriespsychrotrophes. Des additions de moins de3 millions de bacteries lactiques (BL) parmillilitre n'ont pas inhibe de fac;onsignificativela croissance des psychrotrophes du lait crurefrigere (7°C), les BL ont acidifie Ie laitjusqu'a un pH de 6,6 lors des ensemencementsde 25 millions par millilitre. L'inhibition despsychrotrophes n'etait toutefois pas reliee acette acidification. Nous n'avons pas observede correlations elevees entre l'efficacite del'inhibition et la population initiale desbacteries psychrotrophes dans Ie lait ou sontaux de croissance. De fac;onglobale, toutefois,l'addition de BL inhibe davantage les florespsychrotrophes qui demontrent un pouvoir dedeveloppement rapide dans Ie lait. Lesbacteries psychrotrophes se develop pent mieuxdans les laits sterilises que dans les crus. Nousavons demontre qu'il est egalement possibled'inhiber la croissance des psychrotrophes parl'addition de bacteries lactiques immobiliseesdans un gel d'alginate. Les psychrotrophes sedeveloppent mieux dans les laits agitlls, maisl'efficaciM de l'inhibition de BL immobilisees yest aussi superieure. L'emploi de BLimmobilisees a cette fin permet de retirer laplupart des bacteries inoculees. Ainsi nousn'avons retrouve que 30 000 BUmL dans Ie laitcru.

DEVELOPPEMENT DECONTAMINANTS DANS DESSYSTtMESACELLULESIMMOBILISEES

Lorsque les cellules sont immobilisees dansdes gels d'alginate, il est possible de lesrecuperer suite a la fermentation. Les memescellules peuvent donc servir pour plusieursfermentations consecutives. Ceci souleve lapossibilite de contaminations lors del'utilisation industrielle des systemes a cellulesimmobilisees (CE). Nous avons doncvolontairement contamine un systeme abacteries lactiques immobilisees avec desbacteriophages ou des levures et avons observeleur developpement au cours de cinqfermentations consecutives en employant lesmemes CEo Les bacteriophages se sontdevelop pes rapidement dans un milieu et ontatteint des populations de plus de 1 milliardpar millilitre de lait. Les bacteries situees al'interieur de la matrice d'alginate n'etaientpas affectees. Ainsi malgre une populationimportante de phages, Ie systeme CE demontreun taux d'acidification presque identique autemoin sans phages. Les phages infectaient lescellules lib res du milieu. Le nombre de celluleslib res a donc diminue au cours des troispremieres fermentations. Nous avons toutefoisobserve l'apparition d'une populationresistante au cours des deux dernieresfermentations. Un rinc;age du systeme n'a pasempeche l'implantation du phage. Lacontamination par les levures pouvait etrepour sa part controIee. Les levures ne sont pasimplantees dans les systemes et un rinc;age aaccelere leur elimination.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherche

Britten, M.; Green, M.L.; Boulet, M.; Paquin, P.1988. Deposit formation on heated surfaces:Effect of interface energetics. Dairy Res.55:551-562.


Champagne, C.P.; Cote, C.B.; Goulet, J. 1988.Fermentation du lactose rum par cellulesimmobilisees de Lactobacillus bulgaricus.J. Inst. Can. Sci. Techno!. Alim.21(4):403-407.

Champagne, C.P.; Girard, F.; Morin, N. 1988.Bacteriophage development in animmobilized lactic acid bacteria system.Biotechnol. Lett. 10(7):464-468.

Champagne, C.P.; Goulet, J. 1988. Growth ofBakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) inlactose hydrolyzed cheese whey ultra-filtrate. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Techno!. J.21(5):545-548.

Couture, R.; Willemot, C.; Avezard, C.;Castaigne, F.; Gosselin, A. 1988. Improve~extraction of lipids from strawberry.Phytochemistry 27:2033-2036. '

Graber, M.; Morin, A.; Duchiron, F.; Monsan,P.F. 1988. Isolation ofmicroorganisms p~o-ducing 6-deoxyhexoses containing poly-saccharides. Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 10 (2).

Kiriacou, A.; Newfeld, R.J.; Mackenzie, C.R.1988. Effect of physical parameters on ,theabsorption characteristics of fractionatedTrichoderma reesei cellulase components.Enzyme Microb. Technol. 10:675-681. '

Laliberte, M.F.; Britten, M.; Paquin, P. 1988.Interfacial properties of sodium caseinatemonoclyceride mixture: Combined effects ofpH and surface ratios. Can. Inst. Food Sci.Technol. 21:251-254. '

Lopez-Dominguez, A.M.; Willemot; C.;Castaigile, F.; Cheour, F.; Arul, J. ,"1988.Effets de I'irradiation aux rayons gammasur la conservation du brocoli (Brassica'olracea var. italica). Can. J. Plant Sci.68:87I,-876.

Roy, D.; Samson, R. 1988. Investigation ofgrowth and metabolism of Saccharomycescerevisiae (Baker's yeast) usingmicrocalorimetry and bioluminomery. J.Biotechnol. 8:193-206.

Divers

Cormier, F. 1988. Selection of monoterpeneproducing Menth piperita cell lines. Pages357.c.363 dans Schreier, P., redacteur.Bioflavour 87. Proceedings of theInternational Conference, Wurzburg, RFA.29-30 September 1987. W. de Gruyter,Berlin.

Cormier, F. 1988. Potentiel d'utilisation descultures de cellules vegetales en industriealimentaire. Dans Biotechnologie descellules d'organismes superieurs. Compterendu du 5e Colloque des 2e Entretiens duCentre Jacques Cartier. Institut derecherches en biotechnologie de Montreal,Montreal,13 octobre 1988.

Cormier, F.; Charest, C.; Dufresne, C. 1988.Characterization of proteases from Ficuscarica calli. Plant Physiol. 86 (4):121.

Doyon, G. 1988. L'aliment et son environne-ment. Cahier conference, Colloque .Agro-Plastique». Mai, Motel Universe 1 deMontreal C.D.A.Q.:27-54.

Doyon, G.; Willemot, C.; Savoie, E. 1988. Vis-ual examination and grading sheets forasparagus. A.S.H.S. 85th Annual Meeting,Michigan State. Hortic. Sci. Vol. 23(3):729.

Roy, D.; Saint-Gelais, D. 1988. New develop-ments in dairy industry. Colloque IndustrieLaitiere et recherche. Notes de recherches.56e CongrElS de l'ACFAS, Universite deMoncton, mai 1988. (contribution nO98).


Station de recherchesLennoxville, Quebec


AdministrationJ.C. St-Pierre,l B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.D. Petitclerc, B.Sc., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.J. de Leseleuc

Soutien scientifiqueA.BelleauS. Gagne-Giguere,2 B.A., M.A., M.Bibl.D. Savage, B.Sc.(Agr.)

Animaux d'abattageJ.J. Matte, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.A.M. B. de Passille,3 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.p.M.H. Fahmy, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Farmer, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.J.G. Lussier,4 B.Sc.(Biochim.), D.M.V., M.Sc.G. Pelletier, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.S.A. Pommier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S. Robert,5 D.M.V., Ph.D.

Production laitiereL.A. Guilbault, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.E.A.

(Nutr.), Ph.D.C.L. Girard, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.F. Grasso, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

physiologieB. Lachance, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.H. Lapierre, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.D. Petitclerc, B.Sc., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.G.L. Roy, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.M. Vinet, B.Sc.(Bio.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Exploitation des plantes fourrageresP.M. Flipot, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.G.M. Barnett, B.Sc.<Agr.), M.Sc.J. Chiquette, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Fernet, B.Sc.A.R. Pesant, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.H.V. Petit, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.P. Savoie, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Station de recherches, Lennoxville, Quebec

DirecteurDirecteur adjointServices administratifs

InformatiqueBibliothequeGerant de ferme

Chef de section; nutrition-poresEthologie-porcsGenetique-porcsRegie-porcsSante et reproduction animalesPhysiologie de la digestion-bovinsQualite des viandes-bovins, porcsEthologie et physiologie

Chef de section; physiologie de lareproduction-bovins

Nutrition-jeunes ruminantsAssistant; recherche de lareproduction-bovins

Nutrition-jeunes ruminantsPhysiologie et nutritionPhysiologie de la lactation-bovinsGenetique-bovinsNutrition-bovins laitiers

Chef de section; nutrition-bovins de boucherieRegie et environnementMicrobiologie du rumenAmelioration des plantesPhysique des solsPhysiologie de la digestion-bovinsGenie des plantes fourrageres

195

DepartJ.L. Dionne, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.

Retraite,janvier 1988

CHERCHEURS INVITES

Etudiants a la maitriseA.Abbar

responsable, P. SavoieD.Baril

responsable, A.R. PesantS. Beauregard

responsable, P. SavoieP.Dumoulin

responsable, C.L. GirardD.Jannini

responsable, P.M. FlipotP. Lacasse

responsable, D. PetitclercS. Lapierre

responsable, L.A. GuilbaultJ.Lareau

responsable, A.R. PesantM.Letendre

responsable,J.J. MatteA. Marcoux

responsable, P. SavoieP. Rouiller

responsable, L.A. GuilbaultN.Roy

responsable, G. PelletierF.Salehi

responsable, A.R. PesantH.Su

responsable, G.L. RoyD. Tremblay

responsable, P. SavoieJ. Vigneux

responsable, A.R. Pesant

Etudiants au doctoratS.Manga

responsable, P. SavoieC.Pomar

responsable, P. SavoieP. Villeneuve

responsable, L.A. Guilbault

196

Fertilite des sols

Genie rural

Geographie

Genie rural

Nutrition-jeunes ruminants

Nutrition-bovins de boucherie

Physiologie de la lactation

Physiologie de la reproduction

Physique des sols

Nutrition-porcs

Genie rural


Physiologie de la croissance et de la digestion

Physique des sols

Genetique-bovins laitiers

Genie rural

Physique des sols

Geographie

Analyse de systemes



S.P. Wangresponsable, G.L. Roy

GenHique-bovins laitiers

1 M.J.G. Proulx agit a titre de Directeur intt\rimaire a compter du 3 janvier 1989.2 Detechee de la Direction generale de la gestion intt\grea, Division des bibllotheques.3 En conge d'etudes post.doctorales, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.4 En conge d'etudes de doctorat, Universitt\ de la Saskatcbewan.5 Poste determine.

Station de recherches, Lennoxville, Quebec 197

INTRODUCTION

La Station de recherches de Lennoxville a He :fondee en 1914. Une douzaine de chercheurs ytravaillaient jusqu'au debut des annees 1970. i En 1980, on a commence a embaucher lesetudiant(e)s a la maitrise ou au doctorat pour appuyer les programmes de recherches. La Stationetant situee pres de Sherbrooke, nos chercheurslmtretiennent une fructueuse collaboration avecceux du Departement de biologie de l'Universitil de Sherbrooke. Les chercheur(e)s de la Stationparticipent aussi activement a des projets de recherches avec la Faculte de medecine et la Facultede medecine veterinaire de l'Universite de Montreal, la Faculte des sciences de l'agriculture et del'alimentation de l'Universite Laval, formant ainsi un groupe de travail qui Hudie differentsaspects de la production bovine et porcine. Vi,ngt-quatre projets conjoints sont actuellement encours avec l'industrie, 22 avec les universites, to avec des institutions provinciales et huit avecd'autres institutions federales. '

Les activites de recherches de la Station de Lennoxville sont principalement axees sur lazootechnie. La majeure partie des ressources de la Station sont assignees aux programmes enproductions laitiere et porcine. Dans la section des bovins laitiers et celIe des animaux d'abattage,des equipes multidisciplinaires, comportant d,'esspecialistes en genetique, nutrition, physiologie,comportement et regie, travaillent a ameliorer la productivite et la rentabilite de ces elevages dansl'est du Canada. Une troisieme section regfoupe les chercheurs dont les etudes sont axees surl'exploitation des plantes fourrageres. Les:recherches visent a mettre au point des methodesameliorees de recolte et de conservation des fourrages et a augmenter l'utilisation des plantesfourrageres dans la diete des ruminants et plus specifiquement des bovins de boucherie; d'autresetudes, sur, la regie des fumiers, la fertilite et l'erosion ont pour objectifs d'augmenter laproductivite des sols et d'en freiner la degradation.

Le budget operationnel de la Station de recherches de Lennoxville est de 1,3 millions de dollars.L'effectif de la Station est de 94 annees-per!lonnes, dont 24 chercheurs. Pour soutenir la recherche,la Station de recherches possede une ferme d.'environ 400 ha.

On peut obtenir des renseignements plus complets en ecrivant directement aux chercheurs al'adresse suivante: Station de recherches, Direction generale de la recherche, Agriculture Canada,C.P. 90, 2000, route 108 Est, Lennoxville, ~uebec, JIM 1Z3;tel. (819) 565-9171.

J.G.ProulxDirecteur interimaire

ANIMAUX D'ABATT AGEI

Effets du type de plancher sur la te~eur enfolates et en vitamine B 12 ainsi que ,sur lesperformances zootechniques du porc d'abattage.Quarante-huit porcelets, ages de 5 seinaines,ont ete utilises afin de determiner l',effet dutype de plancher sur l'evolution des c~hcentra-tions seriques de folates et de vita mine B12,ainsi que sur les performances zoote'chniquesdu porc d'abattage. Pendant 18 semaines, cesanimaux ont He eleves soit sur un pl~ncher detype plein (libre acces aux feces) sait sur unplancher a caillebotis (acces limite ~ux feces).A tous les 14 jours, chaque animal a Jetepese etun echantillon sanguin a He prele\re afin dedeterminer les concentrations s~riques enfolates et en vita mine B12• Le type jIe planchern'a pas eu d'effet (P > 0,05) sur les concentra-tions seriques de folates et de vi~amine' B12,

lesquelles etaient respectivement de 72,2 :t2,9 ng/mL et 246,0 :t 21,3 pg/mL, a la fin del'experience. Entre l'age de 5 et 11 semaines, Ietaux de croissance des porcs gardes surplancher a caillebotis a He superieur(P $ 0,05) a celui des porcs gardes sur plancherplein. De 11 a 23 semaines, cependant, Ie tauxde croissance a ete Ie meme (P 2: 0,05) sur lesdeux types de plancher. Les resultats semblentindiquer que, dans les conditions de cetteexperience, la coprophagie n'est pas un moyenefficace de combler les besoins en vita mines ducomplexe B chez Ie porc en croissance.

Influence de Ia castration et d'un traitementa Ia testosterone sur Ia secretion d'hormone decroissance chez Ie porc. Chez la plupart desmammiferes, les males atteignent a 1'ageadulte une taille plus grande que les feme lIes.Ce phenomene pourrait etre dft a 1'action

198 Rapport de la Direction g(merale de la recherche, 1988

indirecte des hormones sexuelles sur d'autresfacteurs de croissance, telle I'hormone decroissance GH. Chez Ie porc, on a demontre queles concentrations seriques de GH sont plusfaibles chez les castrats que chez les femelIes; lareponse de cette hormone apres stimulation ala somatocrinine est egalement plus grandechez les femelles. On a fait une experiencedans Ie but de determiner l'effet de la castra-tion et d'un traitement a la testosterone d'uneduree de 10 jours consecutifs sur la secretionbasale et stimuIee a la somatocrinine de la GHchez Ie porc d'engraissement. Les resultats ob-tenus indiquent que les males castres avaientune concentration sanguine de GH plus basseque les animaux temoins non castres. Dans lesdeux groupes la concentration diminue avecl'age pour les deux traitements. Cependant,l'administration de proprionate de testosteronen'a pas permis d'augmenter les concentrationssanguines de GH meme si les niveaux sanguinsde testosterone ont He augmentes. Parailleurs, la stimulation a la somatocrinine adouble les concentrations de GH; cette reponsea aussi ete influencee par l'age et la castration,mais non par Ie traitement a la testosterone.

Effet de traitements avec des facteurs hypo-tJr.alamiques sur le comportement des truiespendant la lactation etsur leur reponse a laregie du sevrage. L'effetd'une administrationquotidienne de somatocrinine (GRF) eUou dethyreoliberine (TRF) sur Ie comportement du-rant la lactation et au sevrage a ete etudie chez51 truies primipares. Durant la lactation, lestruies recevant du TRF, seul ou en combinaisonavec du GRF, passaient un plus grandpourcentage de tempscouchees sur Ie cote queles truies recevant de la saline ou seulement duGRF. Cette difference pourrait etre causee parune stimulation du comportement maternel.Au jour dusevrage, on n'a observe aucun effetde traitement sur Ie comportement des truieslaissees dans leurs cages de mise bas. Cepen-dant, dans un autre groupe de truies ayant etedeplacees, les sujets traites au GRF seulementou au TRF seulement etaient plus agites, plussouvent couches sur Ie ventre et moins souventsur Ie cote que lIes truies recevant de la salineou Ie traitemen't,combine GRF-TRF. Cesresultats suggeretit que' les traitements avecdes facteurshypofhalamiques n'ont pas d'effetsnefastes sur 1e 'bien-etre des truies mais qu'ilsmodifient leurs reponses au stress.


PRODUCTION LAITIERE

Influence de la presence d'un embryon sur lafonction ovarienne. On a determine chez lagenisse laitihe l'influenc,e "en "debut degestation de la presence d'un embr:yon sur Ieretour en chaleur et la fonction luteale suite aune luteolyse provoquee avec desprostaglandines. Les resultats indiquent quel'intervalle entre l'injection de prostaglandineset Ie retour en chaleur ne varie pas en fonctionde la presence d'un embryon (P > 0,1).Cependant, la fonction luteale du cycle oestralsuivant l'injection de prostaglandines estreduite en presence d'un embryon (P < 0,01)lorsque la luteolyse est provoquee chez unegenisse en gestation depuis 24 jours. Dessignaux d'origine embryonnaire influencentdonc la fonction ovarienne en tout debut degestation. Ces resultats suggerent egalementque Ie probleme associe aux cyclesoestraux ouphases luteales de courte duree chez les vaches

".encde,but de periode post-partumpeut ,etreengendre des Ie 24"jour de gestation.

Developpement des follicules ovariens chezla vache. Le developpement des folliculesovariens a ete etudie chez la vache durant Iecycle oestral. f.'index mitotique (1M) a eteevalue pour les follicules de differentsdiametres provenant d'ovaires non traites (TO)et traites 2 h (T2) a la colchicine. L1M a TOestpeu eleve pour les follicules de petit diametre(de 0,13 a 0,28 mm), augmente en relation avecIe diametre folliculaire entre 0,68 et'1;52 mm,puis diminue pour les follicules dont Iediametre est superieur a 3,67 mm. La dureemoyenne de la mitose (TM) d'une cellule de lagranulosa a ete estimee a 0,99 :!: 0,14 h;cependant la TM varie selon les classesfolliculaires, soit 1,32 h pour les follicules depetit diametre (0,13-0,67 mm) et 0,78 h pourles follicules de 0,68 mm ou plus. A partir dutemps requis par un follicule pour doubler sonnombre de cellules de granulosa, on a evaluequ'un follicule necessite environ 41,;-5jourspouraccroitre son diametre de 0,13 'a ';8,56.mm.Cette periode representant Ie stade antral dudeveloppement folliculaire s'etend donc surenviron deux cycles oestraux. On a egalementobserve une correlation positive entre Ienombre de follicules et leur temps de passage atravers les differentes classes folliculaires. Lesresultats suggerent que la croissance des

199

follicules de 0,68 a 1,58 mm constitue une etapecritique dans Ie developpement folliculairechez la vache si l'on se base sur l'augmentationde la proportion des follicules endegenerescence ainsi que sur leur taux decroissance eleve.

Effet d'un supplement d'acide folique sur lacroissance des genisses. Quarante-septgenisses de type laitier, agees d'environ 10jours, ont ete assignees a une experience detype factoriel OU l'apport en acide folique (0 ou;40 mg) et Ie niveau de consommationalimentaire ont ete les deux facteurs etudies~Les animaux, sevres 4 semaines apres l'entreea l'etable, ont re~u un foin de graminees et de~concentres a deux niveaux differents: ,11volonte ou de fa~on a restreindre Ie gain depoids quotidien a 700 g. Pendant les 1'6semaines d'experience, les genisses ont re~uune injection intramusculaire hebdomadairede saline ou de 40 mg d'acide folique. De la sa ala 16" semaine d'experience, Ie gain de poidsdes animaux nourris a volonte a ete superi~ura celui des animaux dont l'alimentation etaitrestreinte. De la 5"a la 9"semaine d'elevag~,lesupplement d'acide folique a ameliore Ie gainde poids des genisses. De plus, cet avan~ges'est maintenu jusqu'a la fin de l'experiehce.Ces resultats indiquent qu'un supplementd'acide folique administre pendant la perioded'etablissement et de stabilisation de lafonction ruminale ameliore Ie gain de poids desgenisses laitieres. '

Remplacement du ma"is par l'orge ;dans['alimentation des vaches en lactation.:' Uneetude a ete entre prise afin d'evaluer l'i,lnpactdu rem placement du mais par l'orge dans ladiete sur les performances zootechniques de lavache en lactation. Des Ie village, 47 vaches ontre~u au hasard l'une de deux rationstotalesmelangees dont la cereale principale eta it dumais concasse ou de l'orge roulee. Entr~ la 3" etla 26" semaine de lactation, l'utilisS:tion del'orge ou du mais dans la ration' totalemelangee n'a pas influence (P > 0,05) laproduction de lait (30,9 contre 30,3 kg/jour), lacomposition en gras (3,86 contre 3,78,'%) ou enproteines (3,26 contre 3,26 %) du,' lait, laconsommation de matiere seche (22;3 contre22,0 kg/jour), l'efficacite alimentaire brute(1,38 contre 1,38 kg de lait par kilogramme dematiere seche consommee) ou Ie poids moyen(668 contre 661 kg). On a satisfait les besoinsdes vaches en proteines et en energie des la 4"semaine de la lactation. L'alimenUttion de la

: vache laitiere avec une ration totale melangeedont la principale cere ale est l'orge rouIeen'influence donc pas negativement les

. performances zootechniques entre la 3" et la26" semaine de lactation.

Infusion de glucose dans le duodenum deveaux recevant un lactoremplaceur noncoagulable. Quatre veaux males Holstein,ages de 7 a 10 jours et munis d'une canuleduodenale, ont re~u un lactoremplaceur noncoagulable formule a partir de poudre de laitecreme sechee a basse temperature. Unesolution tampon oxalate-NaOH a ete ajouteeafin d'empecher la coagulation dulactoremplaceur. On a reparti ces veaux auhasard en deux groupes et ils ont re~u uneinfusion duodenale de solution saline (temoin),ou de solution saline contenant du glucose(traitement). L'experience a ete repetee defa~on a ce que chaque veau re~oive les deuxtypes d'infusion. L'infusion de glucose aameliore la retention azotee et a diminue lesconcentrations plasmatiques d'acides amineset d'uree. Les concentrations plasmatiquesd'insuline et de triglycerides n'ont pas eteinfluencees par l'infusion de glucose. Unapport supplementaire d'energie sous forme deglucose est donc necessaire afin d'optimiserl'utilisation de l'azote d'origine alimentairelorsque Ie veau pre ruminant re~oit unlactoremplaceur non coagulable.

EXPLOITATION DES PLANTESFOURRAGERES

Pertes de sol, d'azote et de phosphore aucours d'une pluie de forte intensite. Deuxpluies de forte intensite (63 mm!h) d'une dureede 30 min chacune ont ete appliquees a l'aided'un simulateur de pluie sur des parcelles deloam argileux de 15 m2• Le laps de temps entreles ondees etait d'une demi-heure. A toutes les5 min, nous avons mesure les quantites de solerode, d'azote et de phosphore entrainees parles eaux de ruissellement au bas d'une pente de11 %. Le taux de ruissellement a ete plus elevea la seconde pluie qu'a la premiere puisquel'humidite du sol avait atteint Ie point desaturation. En effet, au cours de la deuxiemeondee,la quantite de sol erode etait de 11,1 kgavec un taux de ruissellement de 83 % alorsque, durant la premiere ondee, la quantite desol erode etait de 6,4 kg avec un taux deruissellement inferieur a 54 %. On a observe


des interactions significatives (ondees Xperiodes) quant aux pertes de sol et auxquantites d'azote et de phosphore dissoutesdans l'eau de ruissellement. Ainsi, durant lapremiere ondee, les pertes ont augmentelineairement entre la periode de 5 min et celIede 30 min alors qu'au cours de la seconde, lespertes ont plutot augmente de fa<;onquadratique. Dans l'ensemble, les quantitesd'azote et de phosphore perdues ont suivi lameme tendance que Ie ruissellement.

Effet du surconditionnement sur la duree dusechage des fourrages. De recents travaux derecherche ont demontre qu'il etait possibled'acce1erer Ie sechage des fourrages au champde 20 a 60 % a l'aide des techniques de fenaisonpresentement disponibles sur Ie marche(faneurs a toupies, retourneurs d'andains,conditionnement chimique). II est importantde faire secher Ie foin au champ Ie plusrapidement possible afin d'eviter Ie lessivagepar la pluie et les pertes de la valeur nutritivedu fourrage. Avec les techniques actuelles, 2 a3jours de beau temps sont necessaires pourrecolter un foin sec de qualite. Une nouvelletechnique de conditionnement mecanique quibroie Ie fourrage et Ie presse en une mincenatte de 6 mm d'epaisseur accelere Ie sechagede plus de 300 %. Ce surconditionnement,parfois appele maceration, permettrait derecolter du foin sec en une seule journee. Desessais en laboratoire ont demontre l'effetbenefique de ce surconditionneur sur laluzerne. D'ici un an, un prototype a l'echellecommerciale devrait nous permettre de verifierdans des conditions nature lIes les resultatsobtenus en laboratoire.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherche

Chiquette, J.; Cheng, K.-J.; Costerton, J.W.;Milligan, L.P. 1988. Effect of tannins onthe digestibility of two isosynthetic strainsof birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.)using in vitro and in sacco techniques. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:751-760.

Delisle, J.; Petit, H.V.; Giguere, F. 1988. Per-formance of young lambs fed a clotting or anon-clotting milk replacer. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:993-996.


De Passille, A.M.B.; Rushen, J.; Hartsock, T.G.1988. Ontogeny of teat fidelity in pigs andits relation to competition at suckling. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:325-338.

De Passille, A.M.B.; Rushen, J.; Pelletier, G.1988. Sucking behaviour and serumimmunoglobulin levels in neonatal piglets.Anim. Prod. 47:447-456.

Dubreuil, P.; Lapierre, H.; Pelletier, G.; Petit-clerc, D.; Couture, Y.; Gaudreau, P.;Morisset, J.; Brazeau, P. 1988. Serumgrowth hormone release in response to agrowth hormone-releasing factor analogduring and after anesthesia in pigs. Can. J.Vet. Res. 52:304-307.

Dubreuil, P.; Lapierre, H.; Pelletier, G.; Petit-clerc, D.; Couture, Y.; Gaudreau, P.;Morisset, J.; Brazeau, P. 1988. Serumgrowth hormone release during a 60-hourperiod in growing pigs. Domest. Anim.Endocrinol. 5:157-164.

Dubreuil, P.; Pelletier, G.; Petitclerc, D.;Lapierre, H.; Couture, Y.; Gaudreau, P.;Morisset, J.; Brazeau, P. 1988. Influence ofgrowth hormone-releasing factor and(or)thyrotropin-releasing factor onsomatotropin, prolactin, triiodothyronineand thyroxine release in growing pigs. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:699-709.

Dufour, J.J.; Grasso, F.; Daviault, E.; Matton,P. 1988. Relationship between twomorphological types of ovaries and theirfollicular microscopic population beforepuberty and their ensuing folliculardevelopment and ovulation rates at pubertyin gilts. J. Anim. Sci. 66:932-938.

Fahmy, M.H. 1988. The accumulative effect ofFinnsheep breeding in crossbreedingschemes. J. Agric. Sci. Finl. 60:481-491.

Fahmy, M.H.; Dufour, J.J. 1988. The accumu-lative effect of Finnsheep breeding incrossbreeding schemes: Reproductiveperformance. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:69-81.

Flipot, P.M.;Ouellet, G. 1988. Mineral and ni-trate content of swine drinking-water infour Quebec regions. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:997-1000.

Flipot, P.M.; Roy, G.L.; Dufour, J.J. 1988. Ef-fect of peripartum energy concentration onproduction performance ofHolstein cows. J.Dairy Sci.71:1840-1850.

201

Fortier, M.A.;Guilbault, L.A.;Grasso, F. 1988.Specific properties of epithelial and stromalcells from the endometrium of cows. J.Reprod. Ferti!. 83:239-248.

Girard, C.L.; Matte, J.J. 1988. Blood serumconcentrations of folates and vitamin B12during growth period of white veal calves.Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:455-460.

Grasso, F.; Castonguay, F.; Daviault, E.;Matton, P.; Minvielle, F.; Dufour, J.J. 1988. "Study of follicular development and:heredity ofmorphological types ofovaries in "prepuberal gilts. J. Anim. Sci. 66:923-931. !

Grasso, F.; Matton, P.; Dufour, J.J. 1988. Pre-'cision of sampling techniques in deter7mining microscopic follicular population ingilts. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1297-1300.

Guilbault, L.A.; Roy, G.L.; Grasso, F.; Matton,P. 1988. Influence of pregnancy on tHeonset of oestrus and luteal function afterprostaglandin-induced luteolysis in catu'e.J. Reprod. Fertil. 84:461-468.

Guilbault, L.A.; Villeneuve, P.; Dufour, J.J.1988. Failure of exogenous prostaglandinF2Q to enhance uterine involution in b'eefcows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:669-676.

Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.; Wiriter,K.A. 1988. Factors affecting culling andsurvival during rearing and first lactationin purebred and crossbred dairy cattle.Anim. Prod. 46:1-12.

Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.; Winter,K.A. 1988. Factors affecting length ofherdlife in purebred and crossbred dairycattle. J. Dairy Sci. 71:1011-1024.

Lapierre, H.; Pelletier, G.; Petitcl~rc, D.;Dubreuil, P.; Morisset, J.; Gaudreau, P.;Couture, Y.; Brazeau, P. 1988. Effect ofhuman growth hormone-releasing factor(1-29)NH2 on growth hormone release andmilk production in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci.71:92-98.

I

Lapierre, H.; Pelletier, G.; Petitclerc, D.;Dubreuil, P.; Morisset, J.; Gaudreau, P.;Couture, Y.; Brazeau, P. 1988., Effect oftwo-month treatment with: growthhormone-releasing factor ort growthhormone release in dairy cows'. Can. J.Anim.Sci.68:731-740.

:Lapierre, H.; Pelletier, G.; Petitclerc, D.;, Dubreuil, P.; Morisset, J.; Gaudreau, P.;

Couture, Y.; Brazeau, P. 1988. Effect oftwo-month treatment with growthhormone-releasing factor on milkproduction and plasma constituents indairy cows. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:741-749.

Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; McAllister, A.J.; Winter,K.A.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely,J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.;Batra, T.R.;Atwal, A.S. 1988. Growth andfeed efficiency of pure line and crosslinedairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 71:1000-1010.

Lin, C.Y.; McAllister, A.J.; Batra, T.R.; Lee,A.J.; Roy, G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.M.;Winter, K.A. 1988. Effects ofearly and latebreeding of heifers on multiple lactationperformance of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci.71:2735-2743.

Mason, W.N.; Flipot, P.M. 1988. Evaluation oftimothy cultivars for voluntary intake andnutrient components. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:1121-1129.

Pattey, E.; Savoie, P.; Dube, P.A. 1988. The ef-fect of a hay tedder on the field drying rate.Can. Agric. Eng. 30:43-50.

Petit, H.V.; Ivan, M.; Brisson, G.J. 1988.Digestibility and blood parameters in thepre ruminant calf fed a clotting or anonclotting milk replacer. J. Anim. Sci.66:986-991.

Petit, H.V.; Ivan, M.; Brisson, G.J. 1988. Ef-fect of a duodenal infusion of glucose onblood parameters, ileal flow anddigestibility in preruminant calves fed anonclotting milk replacer. J. Dairy Sci.71:2181-2186.

Pommier, S.A. 1988. Predictive value of thepectoralis muscle on the color of veal. Can.Inst. Food Sci. Techno!. J. 21:438-440.

Pommier, S.A.; Poste, L.M.; Butler, G. 1988.Effect of low voltage electrical stimulationon the distribution of Cathepsin D and thepalatability of the Longissimus dorsi fromHolstein veal calves fed a corn or barleydiet. Meat Sci. 21:203-218.

Robert, S.; De Passille, A.M.B.; St-Pierre, N.;Dubreuil, P.; Pelletier, G.; Gaudreau, P.;Brazeau, P. 1988. Effect of stage oflactation and of daily injections of GRF andTRF on serum cortisol in lactating sows.Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:689-697.

Savoie, P. 1988. Hay tedding losses. Can.Agric. Eng. 30:39-42.

202 Rapport de la Direction genera Iede la recherche, 1988

Savoie, P. 1988. Optimization of plastic coversfor stack silos. J. Agric. Eng. Res. 41:65-74.

Sissons, J.W.; Bell, F.R.; Girard, C.L.; Wass,J .A.H. 1988. Nutrient sensitivity of gastricemptying of digesta in the pre ruminantcalf. Br. J. Nutr. 59:335-343.

Villeneuve, P.; Dufour, J.J.; Guilbault, L.A.1988. Influence of infusion of prostaglandinF2a(PGF2a) and weaning on surface andhistologic populations of ovarian follicles inearly postpartum beef cows. J. Anim. Sci.66:3174-3184.

Divers

Baril, P.; Matte, J.; Flipot, P. 1988. Rationne-ment de la truie selon Ie stadephysiologique. Pages 87-106 dans Colloquesur la production porcine, Ie 31 mai 1988,Auberge des Seigneurs de Saint-Hyacinthe.Ministere de l'agriculture, des p~cheries etde l'alimentation du Quebec, Conseil desproductions animales du Quebec. 197 pp.

Brunelle, A.; Barnett, G. 1988. Fertilisation.Pages 77-86 dans Cereales de printemps:culture. Ministete de l'agriculture, desp~cheries et de l'alimentation du Quebec,Conseil des productions vegetales duQuebec, Agdex 110-20. 167 pp.

De Passille, A.M.B.; Rushen, J.; Pelletier, G.1988. Suckling behaviour and serumimmunoglobulin levels in neonatal piglets.Pages 180-185 dans Unshelm, J.; VanPutten, G.; Zeeb, K.; Ekesbo, I., eds.Proceedings of the International Congresson Applied Ethology in Farm Animals,Skara, Sweden. 408 pp.

Fahmy, M.H.; Roy, G.L. 1988. Apport desraces synthetiques dans Ie cheptel ovin enAmerique du Nord. Pages 21-36 dansColloque sur la production ovine, Ie 11novembre 1988, Hotel Loews Le Concordede Quebec. Ministere de l'agriculture, desp~cheries et de l'alimentation du Quebec,Conseil des productions animales duQuebec. 82 pp.

Fevrier, C.; Lachance, B. 1988. Libre-servicedu lactoserum pour Ie porc a I'engrais.Influence de la densite energetique et de lapresentation de I'aliment compIementaire.Journees de la recherche porcine en France20:361-368.

Station de recherches, Lennoxville, Quebec.

Jubinville, J.; Belzile, L.; Savoie, P. 1988. As-pects economiques de techniques d'etab-lissement et du rendement des plantesfourrageres. Pages 121-140 dans Toutcommence au semis: Colloque sur lesplantes fourrageres, 7 avril 1988, IeChAteau Champlain, Montreal. Ministerede l'agriculture, des p~cheries et del'alimentation du Quebec, Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec, Agdex120.22. 145 pp.

Perras, S.; Baril, D.; Pesant, A.; Bonn, F. 1988.Distinction des zones a haut risqued'erosion hydrique a I'aide d'images SPOT.Pages 393-397 dans Guyennes, T.D.; Hunt,J.J., redacteurs. Proceedings of the 4thInternational Colloquium on SpectralSignatures of Objects in Remote Sensing,Aussois, France, 18-22 January 1988.European Space Agency. 524 pp.

Pesant, A.R.; Perras, S.; Baril, D.; Bonn, F.;Lagace, R. 1988. Estimation of watererosion from row crops using remote sensingand geographical information system.Pages 276-281 dans Juhasz, I., ed. 5thSymposium of the Working Group RemoteSensing, Commission V, International SoilScience Society, Budapest, Hungary.281 pp.

Petit, H.V.; Seoane, J.R.; Flipot, P.M.. 1988.Digestibilite et consommation des fourragesservis sous forme de foin ou d'ensilagEl"adesbouvillonslDigestibility and consumption offorages fed to steers in the form of hay orsilage. Agriculture Canada, Directiongenerale de la recherche, Canadex 401.55.

St-Pierre, J.C., redacteur. Faits saillants destravaux de la Station de recherches deLennoxville 1988. Agriculture Canada,Direction generale de la recherche, Bulletin11. 82 pp.

Savoie, P.; Beauregard, S.; Tremblay, D.;Quevillon, M.; Garino, H.; Amyot, A. 1988.Nouvelles methodes de conservation desfourrages. Pages 9-39 dans Nourrir denouvelles idees: Symposium bovins laitiers,Ie 20 octobre 1988, Centre municipal descongres de Quebec. Ministere de l'agri-culture, des p~cheries et de l'alimentationdu Quebec, Conseil des productionsanimales du Quebec. 142 pp.

203

Station de recherchesSainte-Foy, Quebec


AdministrationS.J. Bourget, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.S., Ph.D.C. Gagnon, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.T.Nadeau

Soutien scientifiqueM. Bernier-Cardou, B.Sc., M.Sc.M. Germain, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.P. Venne,l B.Bibl., M.L.S.

DirecteurDirecteur adjointServices administratifs

StatistiquesAgent de transfert de technologieBibliothecaire

D. Angers,2 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.M.R. Bullen,3 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.J.-P. Dubuc, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.A. Leg~re, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Lemieux, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D. Isfan, B.Sc., Ph.D.R. Simard, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Surprenant, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Zizka, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

Amelioration et gestion des sols et des plantesR. Michaud, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D. Chef de section; genetique des

Iegumineuses fourrag~resPhysique et conservation des solsGenetique des plantesGenetique des cerealesMalherbologieMalherbologieChimie et fertilite des solsChimie et fertilite des solsGenetique des graminees fourrag~resFertilite des sols

Phytoprotection et physiologieC. Gagnon, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

N. Bissonnette, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.R. Bolduc, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.L. Bordeleau, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.Y. CastonguaY,4 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.Y. Cloutier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A. Comeau, B.Sc., Ph.D.L. Couture,s B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.V. Furlan, B.Sc., Ph.D.R. Lalande, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.P. Nadeau, B.Sc., Ph.D.D. Prevost, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Richard, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L. Vezina, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Station de recherches, Sainte-Foy, Quebec

Chef de section; pathologie desIegumineuses fourrag~res

MicrobiologieResistance au froid-physiologieMicrobiologieAgrometeorologieResistance au froid-physiologieEntomologiePathologie des cerealesEndomycorhizesMicrobiologieResistance au froid-biochimieMicrobiologiePathologie des Iegumineuses fourrag~resMetabolisme azote

205

Hybridation interspecifique

IMicrobiologie

i10nservation des sols

ihYSiOlOgievegetale

Hybridation interspecifiqueIricrObiOIOgie

iPhysiologie vegetaleI

;

1Conservation des sols

Physiologie vegetaleI

IPhytoprotection

Conservation des solsII

II

I, Endomycorhizes

Biochimie vegetaleII

IIJ

Rlpport de la Direction genera Ie de la recherche, 1988

II!

Boursiers post-doctorauxF. Ahmad, Ph.D.

responsable, A. ComeauD.O. Jain, Ph.D.

responsable, L. Bordeleau

CHERCHEUR ASSOCIE

R. Paquin, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

CHERCHEURS INVITES

206

Etudiants it la maitriseG.Charron

responsable, V. FurlanS.Delaney

responsable, P. Nadeau

Assistants de rechercheD. Avon, B.Sc.

responsable, D. AngersJ. Bourassa, B.Sc.

responsable, L.-P. VezinaC. Bourget, B.Sc.

responsable, A. ComeauD. CoutIee, B.Sc.

responsable, R. LalandeS. Delaney, M.Sc.

responsable, L.-P. VezinaC. Lapierre, M.Sc.

responsable, R. SimardR. Ouimet, M.Sc.

responsable, L.-P. VezinaS. Pouleur, B.Sc.

responsable, C. RichardN. Samson, B.Sc.

responsable, A. Legere

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Ferme experimentale de La Pocatiere 1J.E. Comeau, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.S. Surint ndantL. Belzile, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. Plante~ fourrageresA. Freve, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. Pomm,es de terreR. Rioux, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. Herbicides et malherbologie

Ferme experimentale de Normandin !J.-M. Wauthy, B.Sc.(Agr.) Surintendant; fertilite des solsD. Pageau, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. RegiJ et genetique des cerealesR. Drapeau, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. Plantes fourrageres et horticolesG. Tremblay, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D. Nutrition et alimentation des bovins

I

IsurLe a l'hiver des plantes

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J.Durandresponsable; J. Surprenant

J. Lafondresponsable, D. Angers

N.Lavoieresponsable, L.-P. Vezina

A. Grenierresponsable, V. Furlan

L.Harperresponsable, A. Comeau

S. Pouleurresponsable, L. Couture

P.Renaudresponsable, J. Surprenant

N.Samsonresponsable, C. 'Lemieux

Etudiants au doctoratA.Bertrand

responsable, P. NadeauP.-C. Bigwaneza

responsable, L. BordeleauM.Cooke

responsable, V. FurlanI. Drabo

responsable, R. MichaudS.Gagne

responsable, C. RichardR.Gerard

responsable, L.-P. VezinaJ. Grandmaison

responsable, V. FurlanC.Hamel

responsable, V. FurlanS.Laberge6

responsable, L. BordeleauL. Romo.Parada

responsable, L.-P. VezinaR. Voisine

responsable, L..P. Vezina

Amelioration des graminees fourrageres

Conservation des sols

Physiologie vegetale

Endomycorhizes

Amelioration des cereales

Pathologie des cere ales

Science et technologie des aliments

Malherbologie

Physiologie et biochimie vegetales

Biochimie bacterienne

Endomycorhizes

Amelioration de la luzerne

Rhizobacteries

Eco-physiologie

Endomycorhizes

Endomycorhizes

Genetique bacterienne



1 Detache de la Direction generale de la gestion integree, Division des bibliotheques.2 Obtention d'un doctorat de I'Universite McGill en novembre 1988.S Prllte, College Macdonald, Universite McGill.4 En conge d'etudes de doctorat, Universite du Minnesota.5 Affecte a un projet en phytoprotection de I'Agence canadienne de developpement international (ACDI), BurkinaFaso.

6 Lie au programme de formation de chercheur.

Station de recherches, Sainte-Foy, Quebec 207

INTRODUCTION

AMELIORATION ET GESTIONDES SOLS ET DES PLANTES

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La Station de recherches de Sainte-Foy a ete fondee 1m avril 1967. En plus de l'etablissement aSainte-Foy, elle regroupe les fermes de La Pocatierk et de Normandin, ainsi que la fermeJean-Charles Chapa is a Saint-David de l'Auberiviere. Sa situation pres du campus de l'UniversiteLaval et des principaux effectifs du gouvernement ~rovincial favorise les echanges avec Iepersonnel scientifique et de vulgarisation de ces etabli/1'sements.

Le mandat de la Station porte sur les plantes foutrageres, les cereales, les sols et I'eau. Sixgroupes de chercheurs se partagent les travaux de recherches portant sur les plantes fourrageres,les cereales, la physiologie et la biochimie des plante~, les sols, la microbiologie et Ie soutien a larecherche. Des travaux en horticulture, sur les bovin~ laitiers et sur les ovins sont aussi effectuesaux fermes de La Pocatie~e et de Normandi.n. . I . ..

Les budgets d'operatlOn pour les troIS etabhssements de Samte-Foy et Samt-David del'Auberiviere, La Pocatiere et Normandin respectiverltent sont de 960000 $, 340000 $ et230 000 $.Les annees-personnes sont de 74,32 et 25 dont 27,/3 et 3 chercheurs. Les terrains accessiblesrepresentent respectivement 75, 240 et 140 ha pour ~ainte-Foy, La Pocatiere et Normandin.

Ce rapport presente les principaux faits saillants de la recherche effectuee en 1988. Vous pouvezobtenir des renseignements plus complets en vous adressant a la Station de recherchesd'Agriculture Canada, sise au 2560, boul. Hochela~a, a Sainte-Foy (Quebec), Canada, Gl V 2J3;tel. (418) 657-7980. i

IS.J. BourgetIIDirecteuriII Bte roux de prinfemps panifwble. En plusIdes caracteristiques agronomiques, 28Iparametres de qualite doivent Eltreconsideres

Amelioration genetique des cere ales / dans un programme d'amelioration genetiquedu ble panifiable. En 1988, les efforts de

Le cultivar d'orge Chapais. Le nouveau I selection pour la qua lite panifiable du bIe rouxcultivar Chapais, un cultivar d'orge a six rangs I de printemps ont porte sur la teneur encree a la Station de Sainte-Foy, est enregistre I proteines et sur la durete des grains (PSI) chezau Canada depuis 1988. Ce cultivar est carac- les premieres generations de segregation enterise par de hauts rendements en grains, une I utilisant la technologie du proche infrarouge.paille courte et de force superieure, de gros I Cette strategie vise l'elimination de tous lesgrai.ns, une ~Ierance au virus de la j~unisse i genotypes ne repondant pas aux criteres denamsante de 1orge et une tres bonne resIstance, base afin de n'evaluer au champ que les ligneesa l'acidite du sol. Le cultivar Chapais est bien I ayant un potentiel panifiable. Sur les 16000adapte a toutes les regions. de I'est du Canad~ I lignees produites et selectionnees, a peineet demontre une bonne reSIStance a la pourn-, quelques centaines ont repondu aux exigencesture des racines dans l'ouest du pays. De plus,1 de base.suite a des essais de regie, Ie cultivar Chapa is a:demontre une bonne plasticite lorsque com-' Durete et feneur en proteines des grains depare a des cultivars utilises en regie intensive./ bte. La teneur en proteines et la durete des

grains de ble varient en fonction de leur stadeOrge a deux rangs. Les caracteristique~ de developpement. Au stade de developpement

recherchees chez un cultivar d'orge a deut 75 de l'echelle de Zadoks (mi-Iaiteux), Ierangs pour Ie Quebec est un haut rendement ep pourcentage de proteines des grains est tresgrains et une adaptation aux conditions d'e eleve, puis diminue a son plus bas niveau aucroissance locales. Douze lignees issues d'Jn stade 80 (debut pateux) pour ensuitecroisement impliquant quatre parents sont tr~s augmenter et demeurer constant a partir duprometteuses apres deux annees d'evaluati6n stade 85 (pAteux mou), soit au debut de laau champ; on a note des rendements plus elev,~s maturite physiologique. La durete des grainsque les cultivars temoins et une resistance au de ble panifiable augmente graduellementcharbon et au mildiou. I entre les stades 75 (mi-laiteux) et 85 (pAteux

208 !RaPport de la Direction genera Ie de la recherche, 1988

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mou) tandis que celIe des grains de ble nonpanifiable ne varie pas durant ces memesstades de developpement. La selection deslignees de ble potentiellementpanifiables peutdone etre efTectuee lorsque les grains ontatteint leur maturite physiologique.

Identification de la qualite des bles tendresavec l'infrarouge. En collaboration avec IeDepartement des sciences et technologies desaliments de l'Universite Laval, des techniquesde regroupement hierarchique et d'analysediscriminantes multiples appliquees a desspectres dans Ie proche infra rouge de 125lignees de ble de qualites difTerentes ont eteutilisees pour distinguer les qualites depanification et les parametres rheologiques,biochimiques et physico-chimiques de ceslignees. L'analyse discriminante multiple s'estaveree tres efficace pour identifier les ligneesde bIe en reclassifiant pres de 90 % de ceux-ci.Cette etude laisse entrevoir la possibilited'utiliser l'analyse en groupe hierarchique surdes populations de ble en segregation et deregrouper les difTerentes lignees selon leurniveau de ressemblance avec les ligneesparentales. En raison de sa facilited'utilisation et des ressources minimalesnecessaires, cette technique ofTreun potentielenorme pour les programmes de selectionutilisant des parents de qualite differente.

Croisements intergeneriques. Les hybridesdu ble avec Ie Leymus innovatus et IePsathyrostachys juncea ont ete retrocroisesavec Ie ble. Plusieurs Leymus et Agropyron ontdemontre une quasi immunite au virus de lajaunisse nanisante de l'orge (VJNO) et uneresistance au puceron vecteur duRhopalosiphum padi; ce!,caracteristiques sontheritables de fa<;onadditive. La resistance aupuceron etait introuvable chez Ie genreTriticum. Les hybrides interspecifiquessubissent donc actuellement trois types deselection: virus de la jaunisse nanisante del'orge, pucerons et, chez Ie ble d'automne,mortalite hivernale. La resistance au VJNOrevet une importance particuliere car ellepermet une meilleure croissance racinaire etconfere une certaine resistance a la secheresse.

Nouvelles methodes d'hybridation. Desmethodes biotechnologiq ues originalespermettent maintenant d'hybrider Ie bIe avecdes especes tres lointaines comme Ie ma'is Zeamays, Ie sorgho Sorghum vulgare et Ie mil achandelle Pennisetum typhoides. La plupartdes hybrides donnent des bles haplo'ides


quoiqu'un hybride contenant un chromosomede ma'is ait ete obtenu. Le transfert de certainscaracteres du ma'is au ble est presentement al'etude. .. .

Amelioration genetique des Iegumineusestourrageres

Resistance a la verticilliose chez la luzerne.Depuis l'apparition de la verticilliose auQuebec en 1986, un effort marque a ete faitpour Ie developpement de populations deluzerne Medicago sativa resistantes a cettemaladie. On a inocule et transplante au champplus de 12000 plants et selectionne plusieurscentaines de genotypes resistants. On aproduit de la semence de generation syn-2 pourquatre populations dont Ie niveau de resistancevarie de moderement resistant a resistant. Cespopulations seront introduites en 1989 dans lesessais d'enregistrement du Quebec et desprovinces maritimes.

Selection pour la resistance multiple. DansIe but d'accroitre Ie rendement et la persistancede la luzerne, on a effectue des croisements, desinoculations artificielles et des selections afind'incorporer dans differentes populationsexperimentales la resistance a la pourriturephytophthoreenne, au fletrissement bacterienet ala verticilliose. On a produit de la semencede generation syn-l a partir de quatre cultivarsexperimentaux qui combinent la resistance aces trois maladies.

Amelioration du trefle rouge. Uneimportante collection de cultivars europeens etnord-americains de trefle rouge Trifoliumpratense a ete evaluee conjointement a Sainte-Foy et au College Macdonald. Les cultivarsnord-america ins ont demontre une meilleurepersistance. Les resultats obtenus ne semblentpas confirmer la superiorite des cultivars detrefle tetraplo'ide sur les cultivars de treflediplo'ide, ni des cultivars de trefle a une coupesur ceux a deux coupes pour ce qui a trait aurendement fourrager et a la persistance. Quel-ques cultivars europeens semblent interessantsa utiliser dans un programme d'ameliorationgenetique de cette legumineuse fourragere.

Amelioration genetique des gramineesfourrageres

Caracteristiques morphologiques et qualitede la {Uole des pres. Une etude visant aevaluer la relation entre divers caracteresmorphologiques et la qualite nutritive de la

209

Fertilisation des sols

Effet des copeaux de bois et des fertilisantsazotes sur le rendement de la fleole des pres et del'orge. Une etude menee au champ durant3 ans a permis de constater I'effet de deux typesde copeaux de bois appliques a trois doses, detrois sources d'azote-inorganique, fumier etlisier-et de deux profondeurs d'enfouissementsur Ie rendement de la fleole des pres et deI'orge. Les facteurs a l'etude n'ont pas faitvarier significativement les rendements engrains de l'orge. Toutefois, pour la fleole despres, Ie lisier a permis d'obtenirsystematiquement de meilleurs rendements enfourrage que les deux autres sources d'azote.Les rendements fourragers de la fleole des presont diminue significativement, quoiquefaiblement, avec I'augmentation des doses decopeaux ajoutes. Cependant, lors de la

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fourJager mais de qua lite inferieure. Desanalhes de qualite sur Ie fourrage recoltepermettront de develop per un regimed'exploitation qui va permettre de prendre encon~ideration la productivite, la qua lite et laperSistance de cette culture.

PhtsiQUe et conservation des solsIMatiere organique du sol. Une methode

d'apalyse des glucides du sol a ete mise aupoint. Apres hydrolyse dans une solution

Jac,de, les teneurs en glucose, galactose,mannose, arabinose et xylose de la matiereor~anique du sol sont determinees parch~omatographie liquide a haute performance(l.fPLC) en utilisant une colonne HPX-87P deBIO-RAD. Cette methode simple et rapidepJrmet, entre autres, d'etudier la nature etl'hrigine des glucides impliques dans lastabilisation des agregats du sol.II Stabilite structurale des sols en fonction descultures exploit€es. Apres trois saisons dedroissance, les cultures d'orge et de luzerne ontIaugmente de 50 % la stabilite et la taille deskgregats d'un sol argileux de la serieKamouraska lorsque compares a l'etat initial,bu aux parcelles maintenues en jachere. ParIcontre, Ie sol sous mats ne presentait pas une

j1agregation differente du sol laisse en jachere.L'evaluation de la consolidation des agregatspar la methode d'oxydation au periodate a

I confirme que les polysaccharides des racinesdes plantes et la fraction humifiee de lamatiere organique du sol ont contribue a lastabilisation des agregats.

fleole des pres, Phleum pratense., a permisd'identifier certains parametres morpho-logiques qui permettent de selectionner lesgenotypes de fleole des pres ayant a la fois unpotentiel de rendement eleveet une bonnequa lite nutritive. Toutefois, on a note unecorrelation indesirable entre une bonnequalite et un mauvais rendement fourrager cequi signifie qu'il faut se resoudre a faire uncompromis biologique entre une productiviteelevee et une bonne qua lite nutritive pour cettegraminee fourragere.

Amelioration de la qualite nutritive de lafleole des pres. Des populations divergentes defleole des pres ont ete obtenues apres unpremier cycle de selection phenotypique pour lateneur en protEiines brutes (PB), ladigestibilite et Ie rendement digestible.Evaluees en plants espaces, ces populations ontmontre des differences significatives pour ladigestibilite, les teneurs en PB et en paroiscellulaires. Evaluees en parcelles, on a notedes differences entre les populations pour IeADF, Ie NDF et la retention d'eau. Suite al'evaluation de differents parametres deproduction potentielle de lait, il s'est averequ'un cycle de selection de la fleole des pres soitsuffisant pour modifier la produc.1lfonanimale.Ces derniers resultats devront toutefois etreverifies avec des animaux.

Evaluation de cultivars d'especesfourrageres

Essais de cultivars de luzerne et de fleole despres. L'evaluation de cultivars de luzerne etde fleole des pres pour Ie Quebec s'estpoursuivie en 1988 avec l'aide des stationscooperantes. Les cultivars de luzerne Armor etThunder ont ete ajoutes a la liste des cultivarsrecommandes pour Ie Quebec en 1989 tandisque Ie cultivar de fleole des pres Tiller a eterecommande pour son enregistrement au I

Canada. :I

Exploitation des plantes fourrageres iGestion de la luzerne. Les resultatsl

additionnels obtenus en 1988 d'un essai visanJa determiner la periode critique de repo~automnal de la luzerne sur cinq sites differentAont confirme les observations anterieures J.l'effet que des coupes effectuees durant le~premieres semaines de septembre sont tre~nefastes a la survie de la luzerne. Les coupJseffectuees a la fin de septembre ou au debJ.td'octo'" on' "'"",' ~ m,illon, ,,"d.m,I'

210 .\Ulpportde la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988

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premiere annee de recolte,les doses croissantesde copeaux ont entraine uneaugmentation desrendements fourragers lorsque de l'azoteinorganique etait utilise. Le type de copeaux etla profondeur d'enfouissement ont ete s'anseffet sur Ie rendement de la fleole des pres.L'ajout de copeaux de bois a eu peu d'effet sur lateneur en carbone organique du sol apres 3 ansde culture de fleole des pres ou d'orge.

Dynamique du potassium et du magnesiumdans les sols du Quebec. Une grande partie duterritoire agricole du Quebec est potentielle-ment deficiente en potassium (K) et enmagnesium (Mg). Les especes perennes commela luzerne dependent des fractions echan-geables et lentement echangeables pour leuralimentation en ces deux elements nutritifs.Une etude dont I'objectif est de determiner ladynamique de la liberation du K et du Mg al'aide de solutions d'acide citrique permetd'etablir des correlations hautement significa-tives entre Ie taux de liberation et la quantitede K non echangeable liberee d'une part, et lateneur initiale en K sous forme echangeabled'autre part. La liberation du K etaitegalement reliee a la teneur en argile grossiere(0,2-2 \lm) des sols, mais non a des differencesd'ordre mineralogique ou d'origine geologique.Les quantites de Mg liberees etaientstatistiquement reliees a la capacite d'echangecationique des sols. Les resultats d'une secondeetude, menee en milieu contrale sur la luzernecultivee dans 30 sols de la province, montrentque la fraction dite non echangeable contribued'une fa~on importante a I'alimentationpotassique de la luzerne. Cette contributionetait d'autant plus importante que la teneur enargile du sol augmentait. L'apport relatif desfractions non echangeables qui ne sont pashabituellement evaluees par l'analYi3e de solclassique devrait etre considere si nous voulonstendre vers I'utilisation optimale desfertilisants potassiques et ainsi diminuer lesrisques de pollution des eaux d'ecoulement.

Malherbologie

Demographie du chiendent. Avec lacollaboration de chercheurs affilies II d'autrescentres de recherches, l'etude de la demo-graphie du chiendent Agropyron repens a etepoursuivie afin de modeliser Ie developpementdes populations de bourgeons de rhizomes. LatailIe optimale des echantillons qui doiventetre preleves pour evaluer les populations derhizomes a ete detinie a huit echantilIons de


15 x 15 cmlm2 de surface de sol. Cette tailled'echantillorin'age constitue un compromisacceptable entre Ie degre de precision desire etIe cout financier de l'echantilIonnage.

Competition spargoute-luzerne. Une etudea ete entreprise au champ afin de determiner laperiode critique de competition entre laspargoute des champs Spergula arvensis et laluzerne. Les resultats preliminaires indiquentque la periode de competition se situe entre latroisieme et la cinquieme semaine apres Iesemis.

PHYTOPROTECTION ETPHYSIOLOGIE

Pathologie des legumineuses fourrageres

Bacteries glafogenes. Ces microorganismes(INA +) qui colonisent naturellement Iexyleme des racines de la luzerne ont la capacited'elever considerablement la temperature decristallisation de l'eau en surfusion dans lestissus. La temperature a laquelle I'eau libredans les racines gele .est d'environ -7.C pourles racines exemptes de bacteries nucIeatricesalors qu'elle se situe aux environs de -3.Cdans les racines colonisees par les bacteriesINA+.

Verticilliose de la luzerne. Cette maladiecausee par Ie Verticillium albo-atrum affecte laresistance au froid de la luzerne de fa~onmarquee. La tolerance au gel (LT-50) del'Apica, cultivar sensible a la verticilliose, aete seulement de -3,2.C pour les plantesmala des alors qu'il a ete de - 9,1 .C pour lesplantes saines, une difference de 5,8 .C. Cettedifference n'a ete que de 1,1 .Capres troiscycles de selection pour augmenter laresistance a cette maladie. La verticillioseaffecte egalement Ie rendement des cultivarssensibles; ceux-ci ont donne 20 % moins derendement que les cultivars resistants.

Les symbioses vegetaies

Souches de Rhizobium arctiques pour lesainfoin. Les souches arctiques de Rhizobiumisolees des legumineuses des genres Astragaluset Oxytropis sont adaptees au froid et sont effi-caces a fixer I'azote dans Ie sainfoin Onobrychisviciifolia. L'effet toxique des tannins, composesphenoliques exudes des graines de sainfoin, surla croissance des souchesarctiques deRhizobium a ete mesure sur un milieu a

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l'extrait de levure et au mannitol; on a observ~ O. a~ctobia et Astragalus alpinus, troisl'effet inhibiteur des tannins pour toutes les JegJmineuses arctiques, indique que cessouches. Toutefois,lorsque Ie milieu de culture plantes apportent une contribution majeure aucontient un suppl~ment de fer, cet effet est bilab azo~ de la toundra arctique. L'activi~renvers~. La sensibilit~ des souches aux nitrbg~nasique (N2-ase) des plantes intactestannins n'est pas corr~l~e a leur efficacit~ est bn corr~lation avec Ie nombre de nodulessymbiotique avec la plante. par/plant, avec les temp~ratures du sol et avec

Efficacite des souches arctiq ues de la disponibilit~ de l'eau. La N2-ase des nodulesRhizobium sur l'astragale pois-chiche. Une d~Jches montre une activit~ maximale entre~tude sur l'efficacit~ symbiotique de 33 souches 10 let 20.C, et un declin lin~aire avec la

arctiques de Rhizobium avec l'astragale pois- ~r:~::::J:~~~:l~ ;o:C~p~s c~::~~~~:~~chiche Astragalus cicer, une Iegumineuse dont I

(de, 2 a 10 cm) et ils sont p~rennes. LaIe rendement fourrager se rapproche de celui dela luzerne, a montre qu'a la premiere coupe, crdissance des nodules et leur production de

leghemoglobine recommencent a chaqueaucune des souches arctiques n'a donne desprintemps a partir du m~risteme apical qui arendements aussi ~lev~s que les souches I

commerciales utilisees comme ~moins. A la hivern~.deuxieme coupe, sept souches arctiques ont et~ ! Induction et expression de la nitrogenase desclassees moyennement efficaces et deux, aussi Rhizobium arctiques. Une etude en milieuefficaces que les souches commerciales. A la cdntriHe sur l'expression ex planta de latroisieme coupe, sept souches arctiques ont nitrogenase (N2-ase) dans une souche dedonn~ des rendements semblables a ceux Rhizobium arctique a indiqu~ que lesobtenus avec les souches commerciales. p,~lysaccharides extracellulaires (EPS)Contrairement aux souches commerciales dont diminuent la diffusion de l'oxygene vers lesIe rendement a la troisieme coupe repr~sentait c,kllules bacteriennes a un niveau qui permetseulement 50 % du rendement maximum a la liinduction de la N2-ase, et par la suite lapremiere coupe,les souches arctiques efficaces fixation d'azote. Une etroite zone deont assur~ a l'astragale pois-chiche un ~oncentration en EPS favorisant un equilibrerendement qui se maintenait ou augmentait tie la tension d'oxygene autour des cellules estavec les coupes. fa condition requise pour obtenir l'induction et

I'expression de cette enzyme dans la bact~rie enCaracterisation serologique des souches 'arctiques de Rhizobium. L'analyse des l'culture liquide.antigenes internes a permis d'etablir les rela- I Rhizosphere du mais. L'identification mor-tions taxonomiques des 48 souches arctiques Iphologique et biochimique des rhizobacteriesentre elles et avec sept autres especes connues Ide la rhizosphere du mais a d~montre que cettedes genres Rhizobium et Bradyrhizobium. Les !rhizosphere est dominee par les bacteries duanalyses d'immunodiffusion contre les I genre Pseudomonas, suivi par des Bacillus etanticorps de quatre souches arctiques ont I des Serratia en nombre beaucoup pluspermis de montrer que les souches arctiques I restreint. A l'interieur de la racine, lasont fortement apparen~es entre elles et avec II population microbienne est en grande partieles souches appartenant a d'autres especes composee de Bacillus, suivi de quelquesd'Astragalus et d'Oxytropis. Le Rhizobium I Pseudomonas. Les tests en serre ont permisleguminosarum partage quelques antigenes I l'isolation de deux souches bact~riennes, laavec les souches arctiques et on a observe de I Serratia liquefasciens et la Pseudomonas sp.,faibles reactions avec Ie R. meliloti et Ie R. loti. qui ont contribue a augmenter Ie rendement duLes souches arctiques n'ont pas d'antigene I mais de fac;onconstante sur deux types de sol.commun avec Ie Bradyrhizobium japOnicum.! Des tests au champ sont presentement enCes r~sultats appuient les conclusions tirees cours, de meme que des experiences visant ades autres propriet~s analys~es qui classaient I determiner Ie mecanisme d'action de cesles souches arctiques du Rhizobium dans un I bac~ries sur les plants de mais.groupe distinct. I Endomycorhize-Rhizobium chez la luzerne.

Contribution des legumineuses arctiques aul Une etude en milieu controle a permis debilan azote. Une analyse detaillee des donneesl constater un effet synergetique tras significatifrecueillies sur Ie terrain concernant l'activite de la double symbiose chez la luzerne. Suite ade fixation d'azote de Oxytropis maydellianaJ ces resultats, on a entrepris une experience au

IJpport de la Direction g~nerale de la recherche, 1988

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champ qui permettra de determiner Ie degre depersistance du synergisme, l'influence de ladouble symbiose sur la reprise de la croissancedes plants au printemps, la resii;!tance auxmaladies et au froid, la teneur en proteinesbrutes et Ie contenu mineral des plants, ainsique la rentabilite de cette double symbiose.

Endomycorhize-poireau. Une etude apermis de verifier l'impact de doses elevees dephosphore (P) sur la croissance des plants depoireau Allium porrum endomycorhizes et nonmycorhizes. A tous les niveaux de P appliques,la croissance des plants endomycorhizes a etesuperieure aux plants temoins. De plus,contrairement a ce qui est rapporte dans lespublications, la colonisation endomycorhi-zienne est demeuree constante quel que soit Ieniveau de P applique. La technique deprecolonisation des plantules mise au point aSainte-Foy doit donc favoriser Ie developpe-ment du champignon endomycorhizien al'interieur de la racine et dans la rhizosphere.Par contre, l'inoculation in situ des plantulesavec des segments de racines colonisees nereussit que lorsque la concentration en P dansIe sol est relativement faible.

Mecanismes de resistance au froid desplantes

Regulation des niveaux de polyamines.L'exposition de plantes a des stress entraineune augmentation de la teneur en putrescine.Une etude a ete menee en retenant laputrescine comme marqueur biologique afin deverifier si l'exposition de plantes a un premierstress pouvait modifier leur reponse a un stressulterieur de nature differente; on a retenucomme deuxieme stress l'utilisation des bassestemperatures comme premier stress et ladeshydratation-un stress osmotique-oul'incubation dans l'acide abscissique (ABA).Les collets des plants des cultivars de bleKharkov et Champlain ont presente uncomportement identique a la suite del'exposition au mannitol, un agent dedeshydratation, a l'ABA ou a une combinaisonABA-mannitol, que les plants aient ete ou nonprealablement endurcis au froid. Au cours del'exposition a un deuxieme stress, on a observepeu de variations de la teneur en putrescine,spermidine et spermine. Le contenu enputrescine etait de 4 a 6 fois superieur dans Iemateriel prealablement expose aux bassestemperatures par rapport au materiel temoin.


A l'oppose de la situation constatee dans lescollets, Ie stress osmotique ainsi que lacombinaison ABA-mannitol ont entraine dansIe materieltemoin une augmentationimportante de la putrescine dans les feuilles,une augmentation de 75 nmollg de produit fraisau debut du traitement jusqu'a 2 300 nmollg deproduit frais apres 48 h d'exposition a undeuxieme stress. Dans les feuilles, laspermidine a augmente de quatre fois durantcette periode et la spermine est demeureestable. D'autre part, les feuilles provenant deplants de bIe endurcis aux basses temperaturesn'ont pas presente une augmentation deputrescine comparable a celIe observee avec Iemateriel temoin; suite au trempage racinairedans Iemannitol ou Iemelange ABA-mannitol,la putrescine n'a que doubIe dans Ie materielendurci au froid alors que l'exposition a l'acideabscissique n'a pas modifie la teneur enpolyamines.

Dosage des sucres solubles et de l'amidon.L'evolution de la teneur en sucres solubles et enamidon au cours d'une periode d'endurcisse-ment au froid a ete etudiee avec diverscultivars de luzerne, de ble, de seigle Secalecereale, d'avoine et de fleole des pres; la mesurede l'amidon a ete determinee par colorimetrietandis que l'analyse des sucres solubles a eteeffectuee par chromatographie liquide a hauteperformance (HPLC). Les resultats indiquentque les temperatures froides ont affecte Ieniveau des sucres solubles de fac;on marquee.On a observe des differences importantes entrela luzerne d'une part et les cere ales et lesgraminees fourrageres d'autre part. En effet,chez la luzerne, Ie sucrose a ete Ie sucre solubleIe plus abondant et s'est accumule de fac;onimportante alors que les niveaux de fructose etde glucose sont demeures stables. Chez lesautres especes etudiees, Ie sucrose etait uncompose mineur qui variait peu au cours dutraitement. Par contre, Ie glucose et Ie fructoses'accumulaient au cours de l'exposition aufroid. Chez toutes les especes etudiees,l'amidon presentait une baisse d'abondance audebut de la periode d'exposition au froid pouraugmenter progressivement par la suite. Bienque les sucres solubles et l'amidon se soientaccumules chez toutes les especes durant uneexposition au froid, il n'est pas certain que lesniveaux de ces constituants puissent etreutilises comme indicateurs d'endurcissementau froid ou comme marqueurs de rusticite.

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Les plantes fourrageres

FERME EXPERIMENTALE DELA POCATIERE

Test sur la tolerance au gel

Evaluation de la rusncite de piantules deluzerne. >Sous des conditions contr01ees, laluzerne est habituellement testee pour latolerance au gellorsque les plants ont entre 28et 35 jours de croissance. Toutefois, une etudemontre que des Ie sixieme jour apres lagermination, la tolerance au gel peut litredetectee chez les jeunes plantules de luzerne.La separation des cultivars pour la selection estpossible vers Ie 20e jour. A cet age, lesplantules sont suffisamment petites pourpermettre une manutention beaucoup plusaisee tout en permettant une economie d'espacelors de l'endurcissement et des tests decongelation.

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d I .orrnante qw se comporte comme une especeanndelle dans les regions temperees. Les troiscultfvars'ont ete ensemences au champ sur unsol ~rgileux de la serie Kamouraska et sur unsol loam graveleux de la serie Saint-Andre.Leslresultats preliminaires montrent que Iecultivar de luzerne Nitro n'a pas surpasse enrentIement les deux autres cultivars sur lesdeJx types de sol; Ie cultivar de tretle rougeTriktan a donne la meilleure production defoJrrage suivi du cultivar de luzerne Apica etdulcultivar de luzerne Nitro.

IHOrticulture

IIAmelioration de ia pomme de terre. L'ame-lioration genHique de la pomme de terre s'estp6ursuivie en 1988 et 177 croisements ont ete

Ir~ussis avec differentes lignees et cultivars afind~augmenter Ie rendement, les qua lites culi-nkires et de transformation, principalementp,bur les croustilles. Le programme a alimenteIe reseau provincial d'evaluation avec 20rlouvelles lignees. Plusieurs de ces lignees ont

Competition luzerne-pissenlit. Dans un ~galement fait l'objet d'evaluation dans lesessai effectue en serre, nous avons introduit des 4uatre programmes canadiens d'amelioration.plants de pissenlit Taraxacum officina IeWeber Les lignees LP8058 et LP8120 produites a Ladans un peuplement de luzerne. Apres 260 Pocatiere sont prometteuses. La lignee LP8058jours, la presence du pissenlit n'a pas affecte la ,~ui a ete presentee a l'enregistrement interi-biomasse aerie nne de la luzerne. Toutefois, la Imaire est mi-ha.tive, a un haut rendement etbiomasse racinaire de la luzerne a ete reduite lest utilisable principalement pour Ie marchelorsque Ie peuplement de pissenlit a atteint 12 Ifrais. La lignee LP8120 a une chair jaune, estplants par pot. La biomasse aerie nne ainsi que Ide calibre moyen, a une maturite mi-saison etla biomasse racinaire du pissenlit ont diminue Iest tres bonne pour la cuisson a l'eau, de bonneproportionnellement avec Ie peuplement de la II a moyenne pour les croustilles et se recon-luzerne. En l'absence de mortalite, la souplesse ditionne assez bien; cette lignee sera presenteed'adaptation a la competition du pissenlit I a l'enregistrement interimaire en 1989.permet d'expliquer sa survie dans un I' Pathologie de la pomme de terre. Unepeuplement de luzerne etabli.

I nouvelle methode d'echantillonnage de tiges aEssais de cultivars de dactyle. L'evaluation ete developpee et evaluee pour depister Ie

de cultivars de dactyle, Dactylis glomerata L., I f1etrissement bacterien de la pomme de terrepour Ie Quebec, s'est poursuivie en 1988 avec I au champ. Les resultats obtenus avec Iel'aide des stations cooperantes. Le cultivar I tubercule de semence et avec Ie tubercule de laOR-WH a fait l'objet d'une demande I pomme de terre de consommation sont tresd'enregistrement et sera ulterieurement I concluants, car il y a eu jusqu'a 7 echantillonsajoute a la liste des cultivars recommandes de I positifs sur 10 dans un champ servant a ladactyle pour Ie Quebec. consommation alors qu'un seul echantillon de

I semence s'est avere positif. Cette methodeLuzerne vivace non dormante. Les especes,I permet d'obtenir les resultatsdes tests defourrageres annuelles adaptees aux conditions,

climatiques du Quebec qui permettraient de laboratoire avant Ie defanage de la culture cerechapper une production fourragere affecteJ qui laisse plusieurs alternatives a l'inspecteurpar des dommages hivernaux serieux sont etau producteur lorsque les tests sont positifs.rarissimes. Nous avons donc compare l~ Defanage de ia pomme de terre. Lesperformance des cultivars de luzerne Apica et resultats d'une etude de 3 annees menee aude trefle rouge Tristan avec celle du cultivar d~ champ montrent que l'herbicide glufosinate estluzerne Nitro, une luzerne vivace noh moinsefficacequelediquatcommedefanantde

IIiPport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988

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la pomme de terre. Les feuilles et les tigestraitees avec Ie glufosinate ont desseche pluslentement. De plus, Ie glufosinate etait plussensible au delavage par la pluie. Finalement,les applications simples ou divisees et l'emploid'un pulverisateur classique ou Ii gouttelettescontroIees n'ont pas ameliore l'efficacite duglufosinate.

Cultures fruitieres et orne mentales

Arbres {ruitiers. II y avait respectivement179,131 et 126 pruniers en evaluation en 1986,1987 et 1988 et ils ont produit en tout 3 100,1 890 et 1 530 kg de fruits par annee. Lescultivars Stanley, Bradshaw-Blue, Levis,Mont-Royal, l'Islet et Veeblue ont ete les plusproductifs avec 48, 44, 29, 25, 23 et 23 kg defruits par arbre en moyenne. Les vieux poiriersont donne de bons rendements; les cultivarsMiney et Phileson ont produit respectivement325 et 350 kg de fruits par arbre.

FERME EXPERIMENT ALE DENORMANDIN

Les plantes fourrageres

Essais comparatifs de graminees fourra-geres. Une etude de productivite des quatreprincipales graminees fourrageres utiliseesdans la region demontrent que l'alpiste roseauPhalaris arundinacea L. a rendu Ie plus dematiere seche, suivi de la fleole des pres, dubrome Bromus inermis Leyss et du dactyle.Chez Ie brome, Ie cultivar Tempo a unrendement superieur au cultivar Baylor tandisque Ie cultivar d'alpiste roseau Vantage a eteplus productif que Ie cultivar Frontier; lesrendements des cultivars de fleole des presBasho et Champ ainsi que des cultivars dedactyle Frode et Pennlate n'ont pas differe chezune meme espece. La plus haute teneur enproteines brutes a ete enregistree avec Iedactyle tandis que Ie fourrage de la fleole despres possedait la plus faible teneur en proteinesbrutes. De plus, Ie dactyle a produit Ie fourrageIe plus digestible tandis que la digestibilite dufourrage de l'alpiste roseau etait la plus faible.

Seuil de nuisibilite du chiendent dans laluzerne. Les resultats d'une etude effectueependant 2 annees consecutives demontrent quesans plante-abri, Ie chiendent a reduit lacroissance de la luzerne. A chaque annee,suivant l'etablissement, les peuplements de

Station de recherches, Sainte-Foy, Quebec-

luzerne ont ete superieurs dans les parcellesdesherbees.En semis pur, Ie chiendent aaugmente Ie rendement fourrager total, rna is areduit la qualite du fourrage durant l'annee dusemis. La qualite du fourrage telle qu'estimeepar Ie contenu en parois cellulaires a Hereduite Ii des densites de chiendent depassant300 tiges par metre carre; des densitessuperieures etaient necessaires pour qu'il y aitreduction du taux de proteines brutes. Le seuilde nuisibilite du chiendent dans une luzemiere'se situe donc entre 150 et 300 tiges par metrecarre; Ii des densites superieures, Ie chiendentreduit significativement la qualite du fourragerecolte.

Ma"is fourrager. Selon les resultats d'unessai effectue Ii Lac-li-Ia-Croix au Lac-Saint-Jean, Ie pourcentage de matiere seche Ii larecolte des plants entiers d'hybrides de maisfourrager COOP 120 (2600 UTMI, Pioneer3 992 et 3 994 (respectivement 2 300 et 2 250UTM) et Funk's 4077 (2 200 UTM) Haitinferieur Ii 22 % tandis que celui des epis de ceshybrides Hait de 26 %; la contributionmoyenne de l'epi au rendement total n'a pasdepasse 30 %. La forte teneur en humidite desplants entiers et des epis a la recolteexpliquent, en partie, la faible popularite decette culture dans la region:

Sorgho fourrager. Un essai mene auchamp pendant 3 annees a permis de constaterque les conditions climatiques particuliere-ment fraiches de la region du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean ne permettent pas d'obtenir desrendements fourragers eleves avec Ie sorgho.Toutefois, recolte lorsque les plants avaientatteint un metre de hauteur, Ie sorgho fournitun fourrage de qualite avec une teneur enproteines brutes superieure Ii 19 % et unedigestibilite (ADF) d'environ 28 %.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherche

Angers, D.; Mehuys, G.R. 1988. Effects of crop-ping on macro-aggregation of a marine claysoil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:723-732.

Angers, D.; Nadeau, P.; Mehuys, G.R. i :)88.Determination of carbohydrate composit,ol'of soil hydrolysates by high-perfortnancE.'liquid chromatography. J. Chromatogr454:444-449.

215

Pouleur, S.; Couture, L. 1988. Presence et dis-tribution des moisissures niveales descereales d'automne au Quebec. Can. J.Plant Pathol. 10:183-187.

Rioux, R.; Freve, A. 1988. Evaluation du glu-fosinate pour Ie defanage de la pomme deterre. Phytoprotection 69:121-125.

Schulman, H.; Lewis, M.C.; Tipping, E.M.;Bordeleau, L.M. 1988. Nitrogen fixation bythree species of Leguminosae in theCanadian high arctic tundra. Plant CellEnviron. 11:721-728.

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Lin, p.Y.; Lee, A.J.; McAllister, A.J.; Batra,T:.R.;Roy, G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.-M.;Vfinter, K.A. 1987. Intercorrelationsamong milk production traits and body andlither measurements in Holstein heifers. J.IDairySci. 70:2385-2393.

Lin! C.Y.; McAllister, A.J.; Batra, T.R.; Lee,A.J.; Roy, G.L.; Vesely,J.A.; Wauthy,J.-M.;~inter, K.A. 1988. Effects of early and latebreeding of heifers on multiple lactation:~erformance of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci.:71:2735-2743.

Mdrgolis, H.A.; Vezina, L.-P. 1988. NitrateIcontent, amino acid composition and growthIof yellow birch seedlings in response to lightIand nitrogen source. Tree Physiol. 4:245-253.

M~rgoliS, H.A.; Vezina, L.-P.; Ouimet, R.I 1988. Relation oflight and nitrogen sourceI to growth, nitrate reductase and glutamineI synthetase activity of jack pine seedlings.I Physiol. Plant. 72:790-795.Nadeau, P.; Paquin, R. 1988. Evolution of, polyamines in winter cereal and forage! species under field cold acclimation inI Quebec. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:449-456.Pageau, D.; Leroux, G. 1988. Seuil de nuisibi-

II lite du chiendent (Agropyron repens (L.)Beauv.) dans la luzerne (Medicago sativa

I L.). Can.J. Plant Sci. 68:121-130.,'pelletier, G.; Petitclerc, D.; Lapierre, H.;I Bernier-Cardou, M.; Morisset, J.;I Gaudreau, P.; Couture, Y.; Brazeau, P.

I 1987. Injection of synthetic human growthhormone-releasing factors in dairy cows. 1.Effect on feed intake and milk yield and

I composition. J. Dairy Sci. 70:2511-2517.II Plourde, A.; Comeau, A.; Fedak, G.; St-Pierre,I C.-A. 1988. Cytogenetic analysis of hybrids

of Triticum aestivum X Leymus innovatusand their backcross progenies. Genome30:266.

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Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.-M.; Winter,K.A. 1988. Factors affecting length ofherdlife in purebred and crossbred dairy Icattle. J. Dairy Sci. 71:1011-1024. I

Kay, B.D.; Angers, D.A.; Groenevelt, P.H.; IBaldock, J.A. 1988. Quantifying the Iinfluence of cropping history on SOil[structure. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:359-368.

Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; McAllister, A.J.; Winter,K.A.; Roy, G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy,:J.-M.; Batra, T.R.; Atwal, A.S. 1988.1Growth and feed efficiency of pure line andcrossline dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci.!71:1000-1010. I

!Jpport de la Direction genera Ie de la recherche, 1988

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Bissonnette, N.; Lalande, R. 1988. High survi-vability of cheese whey-grown Rhizobiummeliloti cells upon exposure to physicalstress. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54:183-187.

Bolduc, R.; Comeau, A.; Couture, L.; St-Pierre,C.A. 1988. Resistance to alternating freezeand thaw stresses in wheat, rye, triticaleand foxtail barley. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:331-335.

Cloutier, Y.; Imbeault, E. 1988. A new test forfreezing tolerance in winter cereals.Phytoprotection 69:3-7.

Comeau, A.; Fedak, G.; St-Pierre, C.A.;Cazeault, R. 1988. Intergeneric hybridsbetween Hordeumjubatum (4x) and Triti-cum aestivum (6X). Genome 30:245-249.

Comeau, A.; Plourde, A.; St-Pierre, C.A.;Nadeau, P. 1988. Production of doubledhaploid wheat lines by wheat X maizehybridization. Genome 30:482.

Grandmaison, J.; Benhamou, N.; Furlan, V.;Visser, S.A. 1988. Ultrastructurallocaliza-tion of N-acetylglucosamine residues in thecell wall ofGigaspora margarita throughoutits life-cycle. BioI. Cell 63:89-100.

Gueye, M.; Bordeleau, L.M. 1988. Nitrogenfixation in Bambara groundnut (Voandzeiasubterranea (L.) Thouars). Mircen J. Appl.Microbiol. Biotechnol. 4:365-375.

Hocking, P.M.; McAllister, A.J.; Wolynetz,M.S.; Batra, T.R.; Lee, A.J.; Lin, C.Y.; Roy,G.L.; Vesely, J.A.; Wauthy, J.-M.; Winter,K.A. 1988. Factors affecting culling andsurvival during rearing and first lactationin purebred and crossbred dairy cattle.Anim. Prod. 46:1-12.

Simard, R.R.; Bates, T.E.; Evans, L.J. 1988.Effects of CaC03 and P additions on corn(Zea mays L.) growth and nutrientavailability of a podolic soil. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:507-517.

Simard, R.R.; Evans, L.J.; Bates, T.E. 1988.The effects of additions of CaC03 and P onthe soil solution chemistry of a podzolic soil.Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:41-52.

Surprenant, J.; Barnes, D.K.; Bush, R.H.;Marten, G.C. 1988. Selection of highquality genotypes using near infraredreflectance spectroscopy in reedcanarygrass. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:705-712.

Surprenant, J.; Michaud, R. 1988. Geneticvariability in the physical properties andother quality traits of timothy. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:713-720.

Surprenant,J.; Michaud, R. 1988. Evaluationof near infrared reflectance spectroscopy forpredicting forage quality in timothy. Can.J. Plant Sci. 68:471-480.

Vezina,L.-P.;Joy, K.W.; Hope, H.J. 1988. Theeffects of nitrate on the enzymes involved innitrogen assimilation in nodulated pearoots. Physiol. Plant. 72:762-768.

Vezina, L.-P.; Margolis, H.A.; Ouimet, R.1988. The activity, characterization anddistribution of the nitrogen assimilationenzyme, glutamine synthetase, in jack pineseedlings. Tree Physiol. 4:109-118.

Divers

Amyot, A.; Comeau, A.; Bastien, D.; Dubuc,J.-P. 1988. Developpement et physiologie.Pages 33-47 dans Cereales de printemps;culture. Ministere de l'Agriculture, desPecheries et de l'Alimentation du Quebec.Conseil des productions vegetales duQuebec. Agdex 110120. 167 pp.

Bastien, D.; Comeau, A. 1988. Culture inten-sive. Pages 149-152 dans Cereales de prin-temps; culture. Ministere de l'Agriculture,des Pecheries et de I'Alimentation duQuebec. Conseil des productions vegetalesdu Quebec. Agdex 110120. 167 pp.

Belzile, L. 1988. Etablir les plantes fourra-geres sans travail du sol; est-ce possible?Pages 55-94 dans Tout commence au semis.Ministere de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries etde I'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Agdex120.22. 145 pp.


Belzile, L.; Desjardins, R.; Grondin, G. 1988.Evaluation de cultivars de dactyle pour IeQuebec. Pages 55-88 dans Gramineesfourrageres; rapport des essais de cultivars1987. Ministere de l'Agriculture, desPecheries et de l'Alimentation du Quebec.Conseil des productions vegetales duQuebec. Comite des plantes four rage res.147 pp.

Bernier-Cardou, M.;Vincent, C. 1988. Experi-ences avec mesures repetees et tableaux defrequences. Pages 277-291 dans Recueildes textes des presentations du colloque surles methodes et domaines d'application dela statistique. Gouvernement du Quebec.Bureau de la statistique du Quebec. 363 pp.

Comeau, A.; Cloutier, C. 1988. Ravageurs.Pages 113-119 dans Cereales de printemps;culture. Ministere de l'Agriculture, desPecheries et de l'Alimentation du Quebec.Conseil des productions vegetales duQuebec. Agdex 110120. 167 pp.

Comeau, A.; Dubuc, J.-P.; Arcand, A. 1988.Obtention, recommandation et productionde semences de cultivars. Pages 159-163dans Cereales de printemps; culture.Ministere de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries etde l'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Agdex110120. 167 pp.

Comeau, A.; Jacob, J.-P. 1988. Ensemence-ment. Pages 81-112 dans Regie integreedes cereales. Ministere de I'Agriculture, desPecheries et de I'Alimentation du Quebec.Conseil des productions vegHales duQuebec. Bull. tech. no 14. Agdex 110/20.271 pp.

Comeau, A.; St-Pierre, C.-A. 1988. Essais surla resistance des cereales au virus de lajaunisse nanisante de l'orge (VJNO). Agric.Can. (Sainte-Foy). Rapport 110 9. 138 pp.

Couture, J.-N.; Isfan, D. 1988. Gestion ettravail du sol. Pages 49-61 dans Cerealesde printemps; culture. Ministere de I'Agri-culture, des Pecheries et de l'Alimentationdu Quebec. Conseil des productions vege-tales du Quebec. Agdex 110120. 167 pp.

Couture, L. 1988. Maladies. Pages 101-112dans Cereales de printemps; culture.Ministere de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries etde l'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Agdex110/20. 167 pp.

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Ug.~. A.; Sc"'.ib". M.M. 1988. 81mui.,,",of redroot pigweed (Amaranthusretroflex us) growth: development andvl~lidation of the model AMSIM. Pages641-647 dans Annales du VlIIe Colloqueihternational sur la biologie, l'ecologie et la~ystematique des mauvaises herbes. Vol. 2.694 pp.

Lelieux, C.; Larouche, A.; Leg~re, A.;:'Deschenes, J.-M.; Rioux, R. 1988.JInventaire des mauvaises herbes auIQuebec; cultures cereali~res. Agric. Can.I(Sainte-Foy). Bulletin d'extension nO2.

184PP•L~mieux, C.; Larouche, A.; Legere, A.;I Deschenes, J.-M.; Rioux, R. 1988. Inven-! taire des mauvaises herbes au Quebec;I culture de mais, de pommes de terre et deI fraises. Agric. Can. (Sainte-Foy). BulletinI d'extension nO3. 45 pp.rtemieux, C.; Larouche, A.; Legere, A.;I Deschenes, J.-M.; Rioux, R. 1988.

I Inventaire des mauvaises herbes auQuebec; prairies et pil.turages. Agric. Can.

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I (Sainte-Foy). Bulletin d'extension nO 4.64pp.

iLemieux, C.; Leroux, G. 1988. Repression desI mauvaises herbes dans les prairies.I Pourquoi, comment, quand? Pages 95-113i dans Tout commence au semis. Minist~reI de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries et deI l'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desI productions vegetales du Quebec. AgdexI 120.22. 145 pp.I McKenzie, J.S.; Paquin, R.; Duke, S.H. 1988.I Cold and heat tolerance. Pages 259-302I dans Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement;

agronomy monograph no. 29. Hanson, A.A.;Barnes, O.K.; Hill, R.R., redacteurs.American Society of Agronomy, Madison,Wisconsin, U.S.A. 1084 pp.

Michaud, R.; Chabot, A. 1988. Evaluation decultivars de luzerne pour Ie Quebec. Pages15-71 dans Legumineuses fourrag~res;rapport des essais de cultivars 1987.Ministere de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries etde l'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Comitedes plantes fourrag~res. 112 pp.

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Jacob, J.-P.; Dion, Y.; Fortin, S.; Wauthy,J.-M. 1988. Recolte et conservation desgrains humides. Pages 143-148 dansCereales de printemps; culture. Minist~rede I'Agriculture, des Pecheries et del'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Agdex110/20. 167 pp.

Jubinville, J.; Belzile, L.; Savoie, P. 1988. As-Ipect economique de techniques d'etablisse-,ment et du rendement des plantes fourrajg~res. Pages 121-140 dans Tout commenceau semis. Ministere de l'Agriculture, de~Pecheries et de l'Alimentation du Quebed.Conseil des productions vegetales dhQuebec. Agdex 120.22. 145 pp. I

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!Irapport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988

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Drapeau, R.; Laliberte, C. 1988. Evaluation decultivars de trefle rouge et de tretle blancpour Ie Quebec. Pages 75-112 dansLegumineuses fourrag~res; rapport desessais de cultivars 1987. Minist~re del'Agriculture, des Pecheries et del'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Comitedes plantes fourrag~res. 112 pp.

Dubuc, J.-P. 1988. Rapport d'amelioration del'orge. Groupe du Quebec. Resultats 1987.Agric. Can. (Sainte-Foy). Vol. 30. 107 pp.

Dubuc, J.-P. 1988. Rapport d'amelioration del'avoine. Groupe du Quebec. Resultats1987. Agric. Can. (Sainte-Foy). Vol. 31.103 pp.

Dubuc, J.-P. 1988. Rapport d'amelioration duble de printemps. Groupe du Quebec.Resultats 1987. Agric. Can. (Sainte-Foy).Vol. 5. 89 pp. .

Dubuc, J.-P. 1988. Rapport d'amelioration dutriticale. Groupe du Quebec. Resultats1987. Agric. Can. (Sainte-Foy). Vol. 5.40pp.

Germain, M. 1988. Evaluation des melangesfourragers bispecifiques et des semis purspour Ie Quebec. Pages 105-147 dansGraminees fourrag~res; rapport des essaisde cultivars 1987. Minist~re de l'Agricul-ture, des Pecheries et de l'Alimentation duQuebec. Conseil des productions vegetalesdu Quebec. Comite des plantes fourrag~res.147 pp.

Michaud, R.; Lehman, W.F.; Rumbaugh, M.D.1988. World distribution and historicaldevelopment. Pages 25-91 dans Alfalfa andalfalfa improvement; agronomy monographno. 29. Hanson, A.A.; Barnes, D.K.; Hill,R.R., redacteurs. American Society ofAgro-nomy, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. 1084 pp.

Michaud, R.; Surprenant, J. 1988. Caracwris-tiques des esplkes et des cultivars deplantes fourrageres. Pages 23-35 dans Toutcommence au semis. Ministere de I'Agricul-ture, des Pecheries et de I'Alimentation duQuebec. Conseil des productions vegetalesdu Quebec. Agdex 120.22. 145 pp.

Morin, R.; Comeau, A. 1988. Production, utili-sation et classification. Pages 19-33 dansCere ales de printemps; culture. Ministerede I'Agriculture, des Pecheries et del'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Agdex110/20. 167 pp.

Pageau, D. 1988. Evaluation des cultivars etdes lignees de cereales. Resultats 1987.Agric. Can. (Normandin). Rapport nO 2.69pp.

Paliwal, Y.C.; Comeau, A. 1987. Yellow dwarfof cereals. Ontario Ministry of Agricultureand Food, Bull. 87-074. 3 pp.

Renaud, P.; Boudreau, A.; Surprenant,J. 1988.Application de la spectroscopie de reflexiondans Ie proche infra rouge pour la prediction


de la qualite technologique des lignees debles tendres vitreux. Ann. Assoc. Can. Fr.Av. Sci. 56:151.

Richard, C. 1988. Ce qu'on peutfaire au semiscontre les maladies. Pages 115-119 dansTout commence au semis. Ministere del'Agriculture, des Pecheries et deI'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Agdex120.22. 145 pp.

Richard, C. 1988. Observations on diseases ofalfalfa. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:71.

Richard, C.; Nicholls, H. 1988. Survey ofverticillium wilt of alfalfa in Quebec,1986-'-87. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:72-73.

Surprenant,J.; Rivard, R. 1988. Evaluation decultivars de fleole des pres pour Ie Quebec.Pages 17-54 dans Graminees fourrageres;rapport des essais de cultivars 1987.Ministere de I'Agriculture, des Pecheries etde I'Alimentation du Quebec. Conseil desproductions vegetales du Quebec. Comitedes plantes fourrageres. 147 pp.

Turcotte, P.; Freve, A. 1988. Pommes de terre;methode d'evaluation, conditions al'enregistrement et Ii la recommandation decultivars. Ministere de l'Agriculture, desPecheries et de I'Alimentation du Quebec.Conseil des productions vegetales d uQuebec. Agdex 161/30. 15 pp.

219

Station de recherchesSaint-J ean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec


AdministrationP. Martel, B.A., B.Sc., Ph.D.R. Cr~te,l L.S.A., M.Sc.S.JoncasT. Otis, B.Sc.(Agr.)

Soutien scientifiqueR. MessierI. Wallace,2 B.A., MLS

Cultures fruitieresR. Granger, B.A., L.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.N.J. Bostanian, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J .C. Cote,3 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.J. Lareau, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.J.R. Pelletier, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Vincent, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Cultures maraicheresJ. Belcourt, B.Sc., M.Sc., D.Sc.G. Belair, B.Sc., M.Sc.D.L. Benoit, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.S. Berard, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Boivin, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.S. Chiang, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Hudon,4 L.S.A., M.Sc.B. Landry, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B. Vigier, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

Chimie et genieR. Chagnon, B.Sc.(lng.)B. Panneton,3 B.Sc.(lng.), M.Sc. Ph.D.C. Vigneault,5 B.Sc.(lng.), M.Sc.A. Belanger, B.Sc., Ph.D.G. Bourgeois,5 B.Sc., M.Sc.E. Grunfeld, B.Sc., M.Sc.J.A. Millette,6 B.Sc.(lng.), M.Sc., Ph.D.N. Tremblay, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Directeur par interimDirecteur adjointServices administratifsAgente d'information

InformatiqueBibliotheque

Chef de section; physiologieAcarologie-entomologieGenie genetiqueGestion des culturesPhytopathologieEntomologie

Chefde section; entomologieNematologieMalherbologiePhysiologie de la senescenceEntomologieGenetiqueEntomologieGenetique moleculaireGestion des cultures; plantes oleagineuses

Chef de section; mecanisationPulverisationsEntreposage des legumesChimie des pesticidesModelisationChimieHydrologieFertilite des sols

Station de recherches, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec 221

Entomologie

Entomologie

I

~lantes oleagineuses<Jtenetiquefhytotechnie

II

iIIBiologie moleculaire des plantesI

II

! Physiologie vegetaleIII Physiologie vegetaleII EntomologieII NematologieI: Physiologie vegetaleII EntomologieII: EntomologieIIi EntomologieII Entomologie

II

IIIiRapport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988IIIIIII

222

Visiteur stagiaireZhanMing

Universite de ChineNorthwest Plateau Institute of BiologyRepublique populaire de Chine

Etudiants a la maitriseJ. Belem (Univ. Laval)

responsable, N. TremblayA. Fierro (Univ. Laval)

responsable, N. TremblayF. Fournier (Univ. McGill)

Responsable, G. BoivinX. Gracia (Univ. McGill)

responsable, G. BelairJ. Mason (Univ. Laval)

responsable, N. TremblayC. Picard (Univ. de Montreal)

responsable, G. BoivinJ. Pichette (UQAM)

responsable, C. VincentC. Roger (UQAM)

responsable, C. VincentL. Savoie (UQAM)

responsable, C. VincentP. Sohati (Univ. McGill)

responsable, G. BoivinL. Traore (Univ. de Montreal)

responsable, G. Boivin

CHERCHEURS INVITES

Professionnels auxiliairesJ. Hackney, B.Sc., M.Sc.S. Khanizadeh, B.Sc.(Ing.),M.Sc.L. Brodeur, B.Sc.(Agr.)

IIIIII

Ferme experimentale de L'Assomption !I

suribtendantPhy~iologieMalherbologiePhytotechnieGe~etiqueGestion des plantes ornementales

III

DirlecteurI

Ge~tion des culturesII

III!I

III

I

F. Darisse, B.A., B.Sc.(Agr.)N. Arnold, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. Ph.D.D. Cloutier, B.Sc.(Agr .), M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Lamarre, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.I.S. Ogilvie, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Richer-Leclerc, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

DepartsC.B.Aube

Nomme directeur du C.R.A.S.H.M. Senecal, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

Conseiller regionalMinistere de l'Agriculture, desPecheries et de l'AlimentationduQuebec

J. Zongo (Univ. McGill)responsable, C. Vincent -

Etudiants au doctoratM. Barkire (Univ. de Montreal)

responsables, P. Martel etA. BelangerG. Chouinard (Univ. McGill)

responsable, C. VincentZ. Dingxin (Univ. McGill)

responsable, G. BoivinC. Norohna (Univ. McGill)

responsables, G. Boivin et C. VincentS. Rivard (Univ. de Montreal)

responsable, B. Landry

Entomologie

Phytopharmacie

Entomologie

Entomologie

Entomologie

Biologie moIeculaire des plantes

Protection des vegetaux au Burkina FasoJ. DaneauG. Benharrosh, Ing. Agr.C. Genest, B.Sc.(Agr.)L. Vallieres, B.Sc., D.E.A., M.Sc.D. Bouchard, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Lafleur, 8.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Administrateur, St-J ean-sur-RichelieuDirecteur de projet sur Ie terrain, OuagadougouSpec. intervention, OuagadougouSpec. formation, OuagadougouEntomologie, Bobo-DioulassoEntomologie, Bobo-Dioulasso

1 Directeur interimaire du 31 octobre au 30 decembre 1988; retraite affecte au Programme d'exceUence pour leschercheurs jusqu'en 1992.

2 Detache de la Direction generale de la gestion integree, Division des bibliothloques.3 S'estjoint au personnel en 1988.4 Retraite affecte au Programme d'exceUence pour les chercheurs jusqu'en 1992.5 Presentement BUX etudes pour I'obtention d'uo doctorat.6 Affecte au programme de recherche de I'ACDI sur les sols arides au Pakistan.


INTRODUCTION

224

CULTURES FRUITIERES

Protection hivernaie des {raisiers. Desrangs de fraisiers recouverts a l'automne d'unebAche plastique ont produit plus de fruits ensaison que les rangs proteges ou non par de lapaille hachee. Quand la bache a ete enlevee Ie19 mai, la production des quatre premierescueillettes a ete plus elevee que lorsque celle-ciavait ete enlevee au cours des deux premieressemaines de ce mois. La maturite des fruits aete avancee sous bache plastique par rapport ala regie avec ou sans paille. On n'a remarqueaucun dommage hive rna 1dans les divers rangssous observation.

La Station de recherches de Saint-Jean-sur-Richeli~u a ete implantee en 1940 pour repondreaux problemes de protection des pomiculteurs. Le mandat s'est par la suite elargi pour englober lesproblemes des producteurs de legumes. Aujourd'hui, les1travaux de recherche de la Station portentsur la production et la protection des cultures horticoles et sur les cultures oleoproteiques. LaStation a trois sous-stations; la premiere, situee a Frel;ighsburg et d'une superficie de 134 ha, estconsacree a la culture des fruits et des petits fruits; ila deuxieme, situee a L'Acadie et d'unesuperficie de 86 ha, est consacree a la culture des legumes et des petits fruits en sol mineral; latroisieme, situee a Sainte-Clothilde et d'une superficie de 32 ha, est consacree a la culture delegumes en sol organique. De plus, la Station a la re~ponsabilite de la Ferme experimentale deL'Assomption et sa sous-station de Lavaltrie, d'une sup'erficie de 105 ha.

La Station a pour responsabilite d'effectuer des t~avaux de recherche en horticulture sur la,production et la protection organises sous des programmes pluridisciplinaires: arbres fruitiers,petits fruits, legumes et plantes oleagineuses. Les disciplines representees sont: entomologie,phytopathologie, nematologie, malherbologie, physiOlogie, chimie des pesticides, toxicologie,biologie moleculaire des plantes, genie aeronautique ~t mecanique.

Le mandat de la Ferme experimentale de L'Assorription a deux objectifs principaux; l'un est lavalorisation des sols sablonneux laisses partiellemeht libres par la diminution de la culture dutabac jaune; l'autre est Ie developpement de rosiers rt¥>tiquesa floraison soutenue et l'identificationdes zones d'adaptation d'especes ligneuses ornementales.

La Station de recherches emploie 24 professionnkls sur un personnel de 74 employes avec unbudget d'operation annuel de 910000 $. La Fer'me experimentale de L'Assomption et sasous-station a Lavaltrie emploient 6 professionnels ~ssistes de 15 autres employes avec un budgetd'operation annuel de 240 000 $. i

Pour de plus amples renseignements, s'adresser 4: Station de recherches, Agriculture Canada,430, boulevard Gouin, C.P. 457, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, J38 6Z8; tel. (514) 346-4494.Ferme experimentale de L'Assomption, s'adresser~: M. Fernand Darisse, Agriculture Canada,801, route 344, C.P. 3398, L'Assomption, Quebec, JOK 1GO;tel. (514) 589-4775.,

II~ierre MartelIj)irecteur interimaireiI,I

province canadienne qui a un problemeWhoplocampe (Hopiocampa testudinea) dans!ses vergers commerciaux. Au cours d'etudes/effectuees en 1986 Ii la ferme de Frelighsburg,inous avons traite (Ie 7 mai 1986, soit au stadeibouton rose) un groupe d'arbres avec du,Ambush 25WP.i On a denombre trois fois plus d'hoplocampesi en-dessous des arbres traites qu'en-dessous des

I,arb res non traites. Ce type d'approche seraitvraisemblablement efficace avec des produits

I ayant un effet rap ide (<<knockdown effect»)I telles les pyrethrinoides. En 1988, nous avonsI fait une seconde experience pour connaitre

I l'effet d'un traitement au Ambush 500EC (La.a 212,5 g/ha) en evaluant les dommages

Effets de traitements insecticides appliques I primaires et secondaires causes aux fruits. Lesau stade bouton rose contre l'hopiocampe de ia i traitements ont ete effectues au stade dupomme. Le Quebec est a ce jour la seule I bouton rose, Ie 19mai 1988.

II!

Ra.pport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988IIIII

Apres la chute de juin, il y avait significa-tivement plus de fruits ayant des dommagesprimaires dans les parcelles traitees auAmbush. II est donc maintenant etabli qu'untraitement effectue a l'aide d'une pyrethrinoideau stade du bouton rose a un effet insecticidecertain contre les populations d'hoplocampe dupommier.

De tels traitements doivent cependant atreconsideres comme Hant complementaires aceux qui sont effectues au calice. II convienttoutefois de rappeler qu'au debut de l'annee1988, aucun insecticide n'Hait homologuecontre cet insecte au Canada.

Resistance d la tavelure chez le pommier.De 1971 Ii 1978, Ie programme d'ameliorationgeniltique du pommier a genere 1 950selections resistantes a la tavelure. Dans ceprogramme, les cultivars Lobo, Mcintosh,Cortland, Melred et Quinte ont servi de parentsfemelles avec quelques cultivars resistants Ii latavelure comme Ie Macfree, Ie Trent et IePrima. Jusqu'li present, 65 selections ont eteretenues pour effectuer des observationsulterieures plus poussees. La rusticite despommiers de ces selections ainsi que leurcapacite a rapporter ont He enregistreesannuellement. De marne, on a evalue la date decueillette optimale des fruits, leur grosseur,leur coloration, leur fermete, leur teneur ensucres et leur aptitude a la conservation.

Dans des parcelles d'essais avances etabliesen 1988, 19 selections ou cultivars resistants ala tavelure sont maintenant evalues enprenant la McIntosh comme point de com-paraison. Tous les arb res de cet essai ontcomme porte-greffes Ie M.M.I06. Le type decroissance du pommier, sa susceptibilite aumildiou,la longueur de sa periode de juveniliteainsi que sa vigueur de croissance sont Iil'Hudedans ces parcelles.

CULTURES MARAiCH:ERES

Construction d'une librairie genomique dudoryphore de la pomme de terre. Le doryphorede la pomme de terre est Ie principal ravageurde la pomme de terre et il prend de plus en plusd'importance a mesure que son niveau deresistance aux insecticides augmente. Laconstruction d'une carte genetique detaillee dudoryphore permettra de verifier si cetteresistance aux insecticides est causee par desvariations genHiques.

L'ADN chromosomal du doryphore a Heisole et ensuite recupere. Apres purification,I'ADN a He digere a l'aide d'enzymes derestriction. Les fragments d' ADN dudoryphore ont ete inseres Ii l'interieur de deuxvecteurs plasmidiques par une ligationenzymatique. Deux vecteurs ont He utilisesafin de comparer leur efficacite. Le rendementen ADN obtenu de l'isolation est de 77 llg/gd'insecte. Cet ADN est de haut poidsmoleculaire et sa digestion par enzyme derestriction est facile.

Le clonage nous a perm is de constater qu'iletait possible d'inserer des fragments d'ADNde doryphore dans l'Escherichia coli et depouvoir ainsi construire une librairiegenomique du doryphore de la pomme de terre.Cette etape n'est que la premiere menant Iil'etablissement d'une carte genetique detailleedu doryphore.

Le temps de developpement du nematode desnodosites en sol organique. Le nematode desnodosites Meloidogyne hapla est un ravageurimportant dans les sols organiques dusud-ouest du Quebec.

L'etude s'est poursuivie sur 2 annees con-secutives Ii la Ferme experimentale de Sainte-Clotilde. Au total, huit semis de laitue ducultivar Ithaca ont ete faits en microparcellesinfestees. Les temperatures de l'air et du solont ete enregistrees pendant toute la duree del'experimentation. Les donnees de tempera-ture de l'air ont ete exprimees en degres-jourscumules a partir des temperatures moyennesjournalieres superieures Ii 5 .C. Pour lesdonnees de temperature du sol, les unitesthermiques heures, ou une unite thermique estega Ie a un degre celsius superieur au seuil de5.C pendant une heure, ont aussi ete cumuIeesde la date de semis a un stade de developpe-ment donne du nematode.

II a fallu une moyenne de 540 degres-joursou 9 761 unites thermiques heures pour que lalarve hivernante de 2" stade se developpe enfemelle mature en debut de ponte. Unemoyenne de 909 degres-jours ou 17012 unitesthermiques heures ont He necessaires pourcompleter un cycle complet, soit du secondstade larva ire au second stade larvaire de lanouvelle generation.

En faisant reference Ii ces donnees, il seramaintenant possible de predire, avec uneprecision connue, la date a laquelle Ienematode des nodosites atteindra un stade dedeveloppement donne. De la marne fa<;on,onpourra connaitre la date avant laquelle il sera


II

IIII

man~anese ou zinc de la partie aerienne. Lesresultats temoignent d'importantes differencesinte~specifiques quant a l'effet du typed'irrigation et de la presence d'uree.

I~nteraction entre l'Ethephon et La fertilisa-

tion azotee sur la productivite de la tomate dechamp. Dans ce projet, nous avons etudie!'influence de la dose d'azote, de la dosed'Ethephon et de sa date d'application sur lapro:ductivite de la tomate de conserverie.

IL'annee 1987 a ete exceptionnelle avec unepr~duction de fruits (toutes categories) de80;7tlha dont 57,7 tlha de fruits n01, soit Iedob-bledes ann~es 1986 et 1988. La quantite defruits nO2 au mo.rissement insuffisant n'a pasv~rie en fonction de l'annee, et Ie rendement aet1 d'environ 6,2 tlha. Nous avons appris quel'Jpplication tardive d'Ethephon favorise Iegtossissement des fruits puisque la masse desf~uits de toutes categories s'accroit de 8 %.Gette augmentation est surtout associee a unerecolte 60 % plus abondante de fruits nO2 au*firissement insuffisant et 31 % plus grande de~ruits restes verts. Toutefois, l'applicationprecoce donne en moyenne un rendement de6% superieur de fruits nOI, de la meilleure4ualite. Ces fruits sont alors plus nombreux,,bais plus petits. La dose d'Ethephon de'3,5 Uha est nettement suffisante pour la!plupart des situations; il est inutile de depenserIdavantage pour ameliorer Ie rendement. Pourirecolter des fruits de la meilleure qua lite!possible, l'application precoce d'Ethephon estI en general preferable a l'application tardive! bien que cette derniere procure plus de fruitsI nO2 qui restent vendabIes.

La quantite d'azote appliquee n'a eu aucuneffet sur les rendements en fruits de classe nO1.En augmentant la dose, on a obtenu moins defruits nO2 au mo.rissement insuffisant, maisdavantage de fruits verts de rebuts. Ces effetsde la dose d'azote ont ete les memes, peuimporte l'annee consideree. Nos travauxconfirment Ie doute qui s'exprimait chez lesproducteurs quant a la recommandationactuelle de fertiliser a raison de 135 kglha deN. Nous avons obtenu des rendements de fruitsnO1 aussi bons avec la dose de N a 45 kglha.

La fertilisation en potassium est sans doutela plus directement reliee a la qualite et aumfirissement de la tomate et Ie contenu du solen potassium intervient dans l'interpretationdes resultats.

226

Mode d'irrigation et contenu en uree de lasolution fertilisante pour plants maratchers enmini-mottes. On a compare l'irrigation paraspersion a l'irrigation souterraine avec dessolutions nutritives completes, contenant 0 %ou 50 % d'uree, sur la culture de plantsmaraichers en mini-mottes. Les especesetudiees etaient Ie brocoli,le celeri et la laitue.

L'irrigation par aspersion a favorise lacroissance de la partie aerie nne de toutes les Iespeces, mais la presence d'uree a ete sans effet :significatif. Le type d'irrigation a He Ipratiquement sans effet sur la composition iminerale du brocoli alors que, chez Ie celeri et;la laitue, les concentrations des tissus en azote Iet phosphore etaient nettement inferieuresjavec l'irrigation souterraine. Celle-ci a aussilgeneralement appauvri Ie contenu en elements:de l'extrait sature du milieu nutritif (SME)de~plants de celeri. Selon l'espece, la presencJd'uree a augmente la concentration en azotelphosphore, potassium, calcium, magnesium;,

IIII~pport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988

preferable de faire la recolte pour empecher Ienematode de se reproduire. En prenant soin debien detruire tous les residus de plante auchamp, on aura ainsi trappe et tue des millionsde nematodes dans les racines qui ne sereproduiront pas.

Influence de la dose et de la source d'azotesur la nutrition en oligo-elements et l'incidencedu "coeur creux" chez le brocoli. L'objectif decette etude eta it de determiner si la source et ladose de N ont une influence, d'une part surl'existence de la tige creUSeet d'autre part, surIe contenu en oligo-elements des nervurescentrales du brocoli (Brassica oleracea L. spp.italica Plenck 'Green Valiant'). Quatre sourcesde N, i.e., NH4N03, Ca(N03)2, (NH4)2S04 ouCO(NH2)2, ont ete evaluees en combinaisonsfactorielles avec des doses de N de 75, 150 ou225 kglha. L'effet de la dose de N sur laconcentration en B des nervures recoltees a lami-saison a ete fonction des conditions del'annee courante; ce qui est Ie cas egalementdes symptomes du coeur creux. Aucunerelation n'a toutefois pu etre decelee entrel'importance du coeur creux et la concentrationen B, pas plus qu'avec aucun autre elementmineur etudie. Par ailleurs, la presence de Nnitrique (N03) a diminue la concentration enMn particulierement en 1986. L'augmentationde la dose de N a agi correlativement sur laconcentration en Mn et Zn.

CULTURES MARAtCHERES

Evaluation de cultivars de soja. La pro-duction de soja au Quebec a couvert 10500 haen 1988, une augmentation de 62 % par rapporta l'annee precedente. L'evaluation de cultivarsde soja pour Ie Quebec s'est poursuivie en 1988.Au total, 42 cultivars de soja hiitif et 63cultivars de soja ayant une maturite de 2 600unites thermiques-mais ont ete evalues. Lasaison seche a semble activer la maturite avecdes plants plus petits que les anneesprecedentes et un rendement legerementinferieur. Cet essai a contribue al'enregistrement du cultivar de soja XP-0282.

Evaluation de cultivars de canola. Cetteevaluation s'est poursuivie en 1988 sur Ie cano-la de printemps et Ie canola d'hiver. Au total,30 cultivars de canola d'hiver ont ete evalues.lIs ont bien survecu a l'hiver (50-90 %) a causedu terrain bien draine a la ferme experimen-tale de L'Acadie. Pour Ie canola de printemps,49 cultivars ont ete evalues. La secheresse aaffecte la croissance a un point tel que lahauteur moyenne des plants a diminue de 20 %et que les rendements ont ete inferieursd'environ 15% a ceux de l'annee precedente.

Inventaire des insectes ravageurs du canola.L'inventaire des insectes nuisibles au canola deprintemps et canola d'hiver a l'aide de pieges apermis la capture, particulierement en mai etjuin, des memes especes qu'en 1987, soit l'altisedes cruciferes, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze),l'altise du navet, Phyllotreta striolata (F.),l'altise du houblon, Psylliodes punctulataMelsh., Ie nitidule Meligethes nigrescensStephens et Ie puceron du chou, Brevicorynebrassicae. Cependant, comme pour les deuxdernieres annees, aucun dommage d'ordreeconomique n'a ete observe dans les parcel1esexperimentales de la ferme de L'Acadie.

Impact de cinq methodes culturales surle ma'is-grain et la pyrale. Pendant 5 ans(1977-1981), ala ferme de L'Acadie, on a eva-lue cinq fac;ons culturales sur deux cultivarssous differentes intensites d'infestations depyrale, soit sous infestation naturel1e, uneinfestation artificiel1e et une infestationartificielle suivie d'un traitement uniqued'insecticide granule. Les fac;ons culturalesetaient la methode classiq ue, unlabour-hersage Ii l'automne, un labour-hersageau printemps, un semis sur sillon butte etentin, Ie non-travail du sol.

Les criteres de comparaison des resultatsutilises ont ete la brisure de la tige au-dessus etau-dessous de l'epi, Ie rendement et l'humiditedes grains Ii la recolte. La methode c1assique etIe labour-hersage faits au printemps ont donnedes rendements significativement plus elevespendant les 5 annees, chacune etant aussimoins affectee pendant les annees seches. Lelabour-hersage au printemps et Ie semis surbillon ont reduit significativement lesdommages causes par la pyrale aux plantesbien qu'il n'y eut aucun effet de reduction derendements cause par la pyrale. Le nombre dejours entre Ie semis et 50 % des plantes enfloraison a ete relie positivement avecl'humidite des grains a la recolte, la methodeclassique favorisant une moins grandehumidite, ce qui permet de reduire d'autant lescoOts de sechage. Le labour-hersage auprintemps a reduit significativement lesattaques de la maladie cryptogamiqueGibberella zeae. En somme, il semble que lamethode dite c1assique reponde bien auxexigences des producteurs de mais-grain.

CHIMIE ET GENIE

Construction d'un systeme d'entreposage enatmosphere contr6lee pour des finsexperimentales. Un systeme d'entreposageindividuel en contenants etanches de 110L(mini-chambre) a ete developpe. Ce systemed'entreposage permet l'utilisation desentre pots refrigeres deja existants qui peuventcontenir 14 mini-chambres. La quantite deproduit Ii utiliser pour chaque essai a etereduite par un facteur de cent par rapport auxchambres existantes sans affectersignificativement la valeur des resultatsexperimentaux.

Les deux types de systemes de controlesuivants ont ete utilises pour maintenir laconcentration des gaz au niveau desire Iil'interieur des mini-chambres: un systemepassif a membrane semi-permeable et unsysteme actif incorporant un automateprogrammable qui permet d'operer l'ouvertureet la fermeture des valves electriques quiservent Ii controler Ie lessivage du CO2 etl'ajout du O2, Des essais ont servi a determinerles conditions d'entreposage Ii utiliser. On aconstruit huit chambres pourvues de systemepassif qui servent Ii l'entreposage de nouvellesvarietes de pommes. On a egalement construit

Station de recherches, Saint-J ean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec 227

Cultures qui remplaeent Ie tabae

Culture de l'asclepiade pour la productiond'aigrettes. Ce projet avait pour but d'evaluerles effets de l'espacement, de la population, dela methode d'etablissement, de la fertilisationet des defanants au champ sur Ie rendement enaigrettes. En 1988, chacun des plants etablispar semis ou par transplantation a produit une

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de 6~emaines devient alors logarithmique pourla oh les periodes suivantes. Ces resultatsperrhettront a I'industrie des pepinieres depro~ager rapidement des clones et de nouveauxcultivars de Prunus, d'exclure la necessite degreffer dans certains cas (prune) et de reduirel'inicidence des maladies communes aux,Prunus.

Ipispersion des graines de cardamine de

Pennsylvanie. La cardamine de Pennsylvanieest; souvent observee dans les pepinieres depl~ntes ornementales que l'on fait croitre encOI,ltenants. Une des caracteristiques de lacardamine est que ses graines sontm~caniquement dispersees par l'eclatement dela:silique. La projection des graines se ptoduitpar la separation subite des valves et par leurerlroulement energique, ne laissant qu'unefa'usse cloison. On a entrepris une experienceert serre en 1987 afin d'evaluer la capacite dedispersion des graines de cardamine deP,~nnsylvanie. La distance de projectionnl.oyennedes graines est de 46,S cm; la distanceniinimale observee est de 0,1 cm et la distancedIaximale est de 148,0 cm. Cette observation~eut avoir une incidence sur la decision4'inter.vention en vue de reprimer cettemauvalse herbe.I Capacite de regeneration des rhizomes de larorippe sylvestre. La rorippe sylvestre est unetnauvaise herbe vivace qui infeste de,,nombreuses pepinieres ornementales du,Quebec. On a entrepris une experience en serre:afin de determiner la capacite de regenerationIde ses rhizomes. Le temps d'emergence et lajbiomasse totale (matiere seche) ont HeImesures. Seulement 2,5 % des rhizomes n'ontI pas produit de plantes. Le nombre de joursi requis pour emerger et la biomasse ont eteI significativement affectes par la longueur desi rhizomes. En moyenne, les plantes ont pris de110 a 19 jours pour emerger du sol. Le tempsI requis etait inversement proportionnel a lai longueur des rhizomes et la biomasse produite: Hait proportionnel1e a la longueur desrhizomes.

Plantes orne mentales

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FERME EXPERIMENTALE DEL'ASSOMPTION

Propagation de plantes. La methodologiepour la multiplication in vitro de douze culti-vars de Prunus ornementaux a ete developpee.Ces cultivars sont Ie cerisier des sables (P.besseyi 8601, P. besseyi Lett.), Ie prunierpourpre des sables (P. cistena Hansen),la cerisenaine d'Europe (P. fruticosa Pall.), Ie cerisier agrappes (P. padus Men. Schubert, P. padusWateri, P. padus colorata), Ie cerisier sauvage(P. pensylvanica L.), Ie faux amandier(P. glandulosa 'Rosea' et P. triloba 'Multi-plex'), l'amandier nain (P. tenella 'Fire hill') etIe cerisier-prune (P. cerasi{era W7). Cette Imethode de multiplication permet de produire I6 a 13 plantules a partir d'un bourgeon axil-laire pendant une periode de 6 semaines. Le r

taux de multiplication apres la periode initiale III


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18 chambres equipees d'un systeme actif quisont destinees a la recherche sur l'entreposagedu chou et de la pomme. Le temps necessaireaux analyses des gaz est vingt fois plus rap idegrAce au systeme semi-automatique d'analysedes gaz qui a ete developpe dans ce projet.

Pulverisateur pour parcelles experimentales.Un pulverisateur a He developpe afind'appliquer des herbicides sur les parcellesexperimentales. On a compare les tempsd'operation de l'ancien et du nouveaupulverisateur. Les operations sont plus rap idesavec Ie nouveau pulverisateur. De plus, Ienouveau systeme ne requiert qu'un seuloperateur dans Ie champ puisque les herbicidessont mesures en laboratoire la veille plutOtquepar un second technicien dans Ie champ,comme c'etait necessaire avec l'ancien systeme.

On a aussi compare la qualite de rinc;agedes deux pulverisateurs. Pour l'anciensysteme, il n'y a eu aucune differencesignificative entre une suspension et unepoudre mouillable pour la quantite d'herbicidemesuree apres rinc;age. Pour Ie nouveausysteme, il y avait une difference significativeentre les formulations. La poudre etait plusdifficile a rincer. Un second rinc;age eta itnecessaire pour abaisser la concentration del'eau de rinc;age a moins de 0,1 % de laconcentration de la solution initiale. Un seulrinc;age etait suffisant pour l'ancien systeme etavec la suspension pour Ie nouveau systeme.

moyenne de 8,6 et 14,3 follicules respective-ment. Le rendement moyen en follicules sesitue aux environs de 859722/ha pour unepopulation naturelle de transplants et740000lha pour une population nature lIesemee. Seul l'ethrel s'avere un defanantacceptable pour l'asc1epiade, car il n'affecte pasla maturite des follicules.

Evaluation d'especes et de cultivars deplantes aromatiques, condimentaires etmedicinales. On a etabli des parcelles deplantes aromatiques annuelles et vivaces a laferme experimentale de L'Acadie en 1987 et1988. Le rendement a l'hectare a ete estimed'apres les rendements obtenus en parcelle.Les plantes etudiees etaient l'estragon, Ierumex, la ciboulette, Ie thym, la bardane, lalavande, I'hysope, la menthe poivree, lamenthe verte, la liveche, Ie sauge, Ie chili, lavaleriane, la monarde, l'angelique ainsi queI'achillee mille-feuilles provenant de septendroits differents. On a note les dates defloraison de recolte et d'apparition d'insectes oude maladies. Des echantillons ont ete recoltespour extraction d'huile ou de composes diverset des dosages de residus de divers pesticidesont ete effectues. Seules la menthe,l'achillee etla monarde semblent avoir du potentiel commeculture de remplacement du tabac.

PUBLICATIONS

Recherche

Belair, G.; Boivin, G. 1988. Spatial patternand sequential sampling plant forMeloidogyne hapla in muck-grown carrots.Phytopathology 78:604-607.

Benoit, D.L.; Lemieux, C. 1987. La dynamiquedes populations de mauvaises herbes.Phytoprotection 68(1):1-15.

Berard, L.S.; Dubuc-Lebreux, M.A.; Vieth, J.1987. Etude histologique de la bigarrurenervale, de la grise lure du limbe et de lamediane noire, trois desordres du chou enentrepot. Can. J. Plant Sci. 67:321-329.

Binns, M.R.; Bostanian, N.J. 1988. Binomialand censored sampling in estimation anddecision making for the negative binomialdistribution. Biometrics 44:473-483.

Boivin, G.; Benoit, D.L. 1987. Predicting onionmaggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) flights in

southwestern Quebec using degree-daysand common weeds. Phytoprotection68(1):65-70.

Chiang, M.S.; Hudon, M. 1987. Inheritance ofresistance to Gibberella ear rot in maize.Phytoprotection 68:29-33.

Cote, J.C.; Wu, R. 1988. Sequence of thechloroplast psbF gene encoding thephotosystem II 10 kDa phosphoprotein fromOryza sativa L. NucI. Acids Res. 16:10384.

Lareau, M.J. 1988. Some growth regulatoreffects on the carbohydrate content ofapple leaves and stems. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:229-232.

Michelmore, R.W.; Marsh, E.; Seely, S.;Landry, B.S. 1987. Transformation oflettuce (Lactuca sativa) mediated byAgrobacterium tumefasciens. Plant CellRep. 6:439-442.

Senecal, M.; Benoit, D.L. 1987. Influence dutype de semis, du contenant et de lafertilisation sur la croissance et Ie contenuen elements mineraux des plantsd'asc1epiade (Asclepias syriaca L.). Nat.Can. (Que.) 114(7):507-511.

Tremblay, N.; Yelle, S.; Gosselin, A. 1988.Effects of CO2 enrichment, nitrogen andphosphorus fertilization during the nurseryperiod on mineral composition of celery. J.Plant Nutr. 11(1):37-49.

Vigneault, C.; Lemieux, M.; Masse, DJ. 1988.Development of an automated ice-block-making system utilizing winter outdoor air.Can. Agric. Eng. 30(1):77-82.

Vincent, C.; Mailloux, M. 1988. Abondance,importance des dommages et distributionde l'hoplocampe des pommes au Quebec de1979 a 1986. Ann. Soc. EntomoI. Fr. 24:39-46.

Divers

Belcourt, J.; Ritchot, C.; Hudon, M.; Boivin, G.;Martel, P. 1988. Les ravageurs des culturesoIeagineuses, Quebec 1987. Can. Agric.Insect Pest Rev. 65:26.

Belcourt, J.; Ritchot, C.; Hudon, M.; Boivin, G.;Martel, P. 1988. Les ravageurs deslegumes, Quebec 1987. Can. Agric. InsectPest Rev. 65:40-41.


Belcourt, J.; Ritchot, C.; Hudon, M.; Boivin, G.;Martel, P. 1988. Les ravageurs du mats,Quebec 1987. Can. Agric. Insect Pest Rev.65:18-19.

Belloncik, S.; Arella, M.; Hudo, M.; Martel, P.1988. Biological control program of theeuropean corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis inthe Province of Quebec (Canada). Proc.14th Workshop of IWGO, Beijing (China)1986:109-113.

Benoit, D.L.; Lapointe, M.;Watson, A.K. 1987.Weed interference in carrot production inQuebec. Northeastern Weed ScienceSociety, Proceedings, Vol. 14:117-118.

Chagnon, R. 1988. La manutention du fumiersemi-liquide. Bull. tech. nO25, AgricultureCanada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 45 pp.

Filion, P.; Martel, P.; Choquette, D.; Duplessis,M. 1988. Production du mais-grain dans Iesud-ouest du Quebec: mise au pointtechnique. Bull. tech. nO24, Station de

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II,IIr~cherches, Agriculture Canada,Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 36 pp.,

Grahger, R.L. 1988. The NC-140 trial resultsfor 1988. Quebec report. Wenatchee Wash.,dctobre 1988. p. 4.i

Hudon, M. 1988. Ecological considerations indeveloping recommendations for Europeanborn borer control in maize crops in Quebec,Ipanada. Proc. 14th Workshop of IWGO,,Beijing (China) 1986:80-91.

Huaon, M.; LeRoux, E.J. 1988. Bionomics andIpopulation dynamics of the European corn'borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner) on sweetImaize in Quebec, Canada. Proc. 14thIWorkshop of IWGO, Beijing (China);1986:48-58.

Li,dster, P.O.; Hildebrand, P.O.; Berard, L.S.;I Porritt, S.W. 1987. Entreposage commer-I cial des fruits et des legumes/Commercial, storage offruits and vegetables. Agric. Can.Publ. 1532F, 1532/E. 96 pp.

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Rabport de la Direction generale de la recherche, 1988I

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Research Station, Delhi, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

AdministrationP.W. Johnson, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.G. Ashby

Tobacco and Alternative CropsR.P. Beyaert,1 B.Sc.(Agr.)H.H. Cheng, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.A. Court, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.K. Gayed, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.B. Reynolds,2 RSc.(Agr.)N. Rosa, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.C. Roy, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.RF. Zilkey, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.Vacant

EXTENSION SERVICES3

M.C. Watson, B.S.A.N.W. Sheidow,4 B.Sc.

DirectorAdministrative Officer

SoilsEntomologyChemistryPlant pathologyAgronomyPlant physiologyAgronomyPlant physiologyGenetics and plant breeding

TobaccoTobacco

AGRICULTURAL ENERGY CENTRE3

D. VanHooren, B.Sc.(Agr.)

DepartureP.E. Mills,S B.A., REd., M.L.S.

Resigned 30 December 1988

VISITING SCIENTIST

Energy Specialist

Librarian

D.L. Burton, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. SoilsAlternate Enterprise Initiative ProgramPostdoctoral Research Associate

1 Appointed 1June 1988.2 Appointed 1June 1988.3 Provided by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.4 Seconded to Transition Crop Team 1September 1988to 30 June 1989.5 Seconded from Libraries Division, Corporate Management Branch.

Research Station, Delhi, Onto 231

INTRODUCTION


A program to evaluate cultivars registeredin the United States was conducted in 1988.Nine cultivars were compared with Delgold foragronomic, physical, and chemicalcharacteristics. J

Generally, the U.S. cultivars provided a ibright, lemon-colored, clean-cured leaf. The'quality index of three entries (Coker 371 Gold, INK5168, and Speight G102) were graded,higher than the check cultivar. The data:suggested that there was as much as a 10%:variation in grade price between the entries:

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Genetics and plant breeding

Production

Transplants, affected by partial freezinginjury, could be decapitated to encourage anaxillary bud to regain plant development andextension of the main growing axis. Thismanagement procedure provided significantlyimproved crop productivity compared with thereplanting of damaged plants, shouldreplanting be needed within approximately 2weeks after normal transplanting.

Tobacco grown at 35 and 31.C, day andnight temperature regimes, showed signifi-cantly reduced growth as well as morphologicalchanges to the leaves. Return to 25 and 21.Cpromoted near normal growth of newlydeveloping leaves, but the existing leaves didriot recover. Preliminary data suggest thattemperatures in excess of 30-35.C had adetrimental effect on tobacco growth undercontrolled environment conditions.

TOBACCO AND ALTERNATIVECROPS

iThe Delhi Research Station, founded on the Norfolk~sandplain in southwestern Ontario in 1933,

was initially established to conduct research on flue,"cured tobacco. The station now conductsmultidisciplinary research programs on tobacco for ea'stern Canada, and on alternative crops andthe management of coarse-textured soils relative to: long-term productivity for southwesternOntario. Eight professionals from a total staff of 40 conduct commodity-oriented research toimprove yield, quality, and efficiency of crop production. Research is carried out on a 60-ha site andat several off-station locations.

This report summarizes some of the results obtained in 1988. Further information can beobtained from the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 186, Delhi,OntoN4B 2W9; Tel. (519) 582-1950. :,,

P. W. JohnsonI

Di,rector,i:

tested ($3.60-$3.90/kg). Yields of all cultivarstested were from 10 to 25% less than Delgold(200-600 kglha), and days from planting totOpping ranged from 3.5 to 7 days later. Withthe exception of Speight G102, all entriesanalyzed for nicotine were from 10 to 40% lessthan Delgold. In summary, the Americancultivars tested in 1988 did not perform withinthe parameters established for recommendedcultivars grown under Canadian agro-climaticbonditions.; The 1988 crop was produced with 97%Delhi-bred cultivars. Delgold was still the:dominant variety grown on 82% of the hectar-iage; Delliot and Candel each on 6%; and Delhi176,Newdel, and Nordel collectively on 3%.iI:Chemistry,, A field experiment was conducted in 1981i and 1982 on Fox loamy sand to study the effectsI of a number of harvested leaves on selectedagronomic and chemical characteristics offlue-cured tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. Thecultivar Delgold was topped at 12, 15, and 18leaves; it was topped at 18 leaves, with eitherthree or six of the lower leaves removed.Reducing the number ofharvested leaves had anegative impact on yield and returns, regard-less ofwhether the leaf number was reduced bylower topping or by removing the bottomleaves. Differences in chemical compositionamong treatments for phytosterols, green pig-ments, fatty acids, polyphenoIs, organic acids,hexane extracts, duvatrienediols, reducingsugars, and total alkaloids followed changes ofcomposition with stalk position, although dif-ferences were typically smaller than expected.

r----------------~. ,-;\"".:.,".,-co.'~----~~~~~~~-_. - - ..-----------

A field experiment was conducted from1983 to 1987 on a Fox loamy sand soil to studythe effects of transplanting date on selectedagronomic, physical, and chemical characteris-tics of flue-cured tobacco, Nicotiarw. tabacum L.Tobacco plants of the cultivar Delgold weretransplanted at 3- to 5-day intervals, startingin mid May and continuing for seven to nineplanting dates. Delaying transplanting de-creased yield, returns, total alkalo'ids, hexaneextracts, lamina weight, anp. percentage oflamina. Delaying transplanting also increasedthe chlorophyll content of the leaf but had noeffect on reducing sugars and only reducedgrade index late in the planting season.

Protection

Monitoring studies. Larvae of dark-sided,striped, and sandhill cutworms increased inabundance from 1987, and population levels of12-34 larvae per 100 plants were present inmany tobacco fields in 1988. The high popula-tions were attributed to the warm, dry spring,which was favorable for cutworm development.

Aphids on tobacco have been correctly iden-tified as the tobacco aphid Myzus nicotianaeBlackman, not the green peach aphid, Myzuspersicae (Sulzer), as previously thought. Twocolor forms, green and red, are present. In 1988aphid populations were on the decline and werenot as severe and widespread as in 1987. Thepopulation density ranged from 260 to 1224,with an average of725 aphids per leaf.

Chemical control. A 3-year study on the ef-fects of alphamethrin, cyhalothrin, fluvalinate,and cypermethrin on cutworms and on yieldand quality of flue-cured tobacco revealed thatall insecticides were effective in controllingcutworms. The results from physical andchemical analyses of cured tobacco leavesindicated that the insecticide treatments hadno adverse effects and increased both yield andgrade index as compared with the untreatedcheck.

Preliminary studies of frost control materi-als did not show any promise for tobacco trans-plants under controlled conditions. At - 5 to-5.5°C, damage was present on control andtreated plants. Field studies were establishedby 4 May 1988, but the last frost was on 25April 1988.

Weed control

The experimental postemergencegraminicides sethoxydim, fluazifop-p-butyl,

Research Station, Delhi, Onto

Excel, clethodim, and Assure were evaluatedover 3 years for their effects on the grade index,yield, return index, total alkaloid, and totalreducing sugar content of flue-cured tobacco.These herbicides had no deleterious effect onthe measured agronomic and chemicalcharacteristics at the rate range tested.

Field crops

A number of alternative crops are beinginvestigated including peanuts, evening-primrose, kenaf, amaranth, quinoa, sweetwhite lupine, and guayule.

Three hundred and fifty hectares of peanutswere produced in 1988, with pod yields rangingfrom 1200 to 2800 kglha. The wide range was aresult of extremely variable moisture patterns.The two new peanut cultivars that weregranted interim registration in 1987 have nowbeen fully registered. Establishing consistentmarkets is still the main problem with peanuts.

Forty-one biotypes (native clones) ofevening-primrose are under evaluation. Seedyields ranged from 170 to 740 kglha, oil contentranged from 16.6 to 26.4%, and gammalinolenic acid (GLA) content ranged from 6.0 to13.0%.

Mean dry-matter yields of kenaf were8.1 tlha in 1987 and dropped to 3.7 tlha in 1988.Drought-like weather conditions in 1988 werethe cause of this decline.

Four cultivars of amaranth tested in 1988produced seed yields of148 to 312 kglha.

Three quinoa cultivars that were testedflowered but failed to produce any seed.

Eight sweet white lupine cultivars yielded317-410 kglha. Sweet white lupines do notappear to be adapted to this area of 3000 cornheat units (CHU).

Five cultivars of guayule were transplantedto the field in the spring of 1987. Guayulerequires two to three growth seasons to producerubber cells. None of the five cultivarssurvived the winter season of 1987-1988, andtherefore the crop has been abandoned as apotential alternative crop.

Insect survey. Heavy infestations of thepotato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris),occurred on peanuts from late June to lateAugust in 1988. The population density of thepotato leafhopper nymphs ranged from 27 to 85for every five plants. Insecticide sprays wereused by all growers, and most fields weresprayed twice~nce in early July and once inearly August.

233

Weed control. Field experiments wereconducted over a 3-year period to evaluate theefficacy and crop yield response of certainpreemergence herbicides for the control of silkybentgrass, Apera spica-venti (L.) Beauv., in fallrye and winter triticale. In rye, silky bentgrasswas controlled with a single application ofisoproturon with active ingredient (a.i) at 1-2 kg/ha, CHEM HOE 135 with a.i. at 1 kg/ha,trifluralin with a.i. at 0.4-0.6 kg/ha,chlorsulfuron with a.i. at 0.012-0.036 kg/ha,and metsulfuron with a.i. at 0.006-0.024 kg/ha.None of these treatments adversely affectedrye yield. In a farm demonstration-sized trialon winter triticale, silky bentgrass wascontrolled with a single pre emergenceapplication of trifluralin with a.i. at 0.4 kg/ha,and crop yield was unaffected.

Horticultural crops

Roots of sweet potato were observed tocontain approximately 16-24% dry weight, andapproximately 40% starch before curing.Starch levels decreased during curing andstorage. Reducing sugars and total sugarswere approximately 6 and 11%.

A 2-year field survey of insect pests of sweetpotatoes has shown that there are noeconomically important insect pests. Noinsecticide application is needed at present forgrowing sweet potatoes in the Delhi area.

Tomatoes are susceptible to injury from agreat many genera and species of plant-parasitic nematodes. In 1987 research wasinitiated to determine if row fumigation of aFox loamy sand soil infested with root lesionPratylenchus penetrans nematodes wouldproduce an economic response in the yield orquality of paste tomatoes. Plant size and yieldof red fruit were the only crop parameterssignificantly affected by fumigation. Yields in1988 were increased by 12.4 tlha, resulting inan increase of$1275.32/ha (based on an optionA contract of$123.0l/t and a cost of fumigationof$250/ha) in gross returns.

Populations of the overwintered Coloradopotato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say),were high on tomatoes in 1988. Heavyinfestations occurred from late May to mid

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Junk. The population density ranged fromthr~e to eight beetles and one to three eggma~ses per plant. Damage was severe, andapplications of insecticide were needed foreffebtive control.

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phemical control. Results from 3 years ofin~estigations revealed that acephatetransplant-water treatments were effective forcoritrol of several early-season insect pests,Co~orado potato beetles, cutworms, root mag-go~, and aphids on tomatoes for 2-6 weeks,depending on the species and the rate of appli-cation. The high rate of acephate appeared tocaUse brown and burned spots on the leaves butno;adverse effects on plant growth.

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PUBLICATIONSII

R~searchI

Cjleng, H.H.; Hanlon,J.J. 1988. Residual acti-I vity of insecticides applied on tobacco fori green peach aphid control. Tob. Sci. 32:9-I 12.qayed, S.K.; Patrick, Z.A.; Ripley, B.D. 1987.

I Efficacy ofmetalaxyl in the planting water! against blue mold and its effect on tobaccoI yield and quality. Tob. Sci. 31:63-66.I(iHthof, T.H.A.; Johnson, P.W.; Potter, J.W.I 1989. Establishment of a redhaven peachI orchard with Pratylenchus penetrans-: infested and non-infested rootstocks in ai fumigated and non-fumigated Niagara soil.I Can. J. Plant Sci. 69( I ):285-295.IiMiscellaneousI

:Cheng, H.H. 1987. Insect and related pests ofi miscellaneo~s crops. Can. Agric. InsectI Pest. Rev. 65.52-53.I

'Cheng, H.H. 1987. Insect and related pests of: tobacco. Can. Agric. Insect Pest Rev.: 65:32-34.

: Zilkey, B.F.; Capell, B.B. 1988. The effect of: herbicides on agronomic and chemical: characteristics of flue-cured tobacco in: Ontario in 1986. The Lighter 58(1):28-30.III

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Research Station, Harrow, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

C.F. Marks, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.S.A., Ph.D.A.S. Hamill, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.P.RyanH.O. Jackson, B.A.E. Champagne,! M.A., M.L.S.

Field CropsT.R. Anderson, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.I. Buzzell, B.Sc., Ph.D.B.R. Buttery, B.Sc., Ph.D.WJ. Findlay,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.D. Gaynor, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.S. Hamill, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.J. Park, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.J.A. Stone, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.A.H. Teich, B.A., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.C. Tu, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.E. Weaver, B.A., Ph.D.T.W. Welacky, B.Sc., B.Sc.(Agr.)G.H. Whitfield, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Horticultural CropsW.G. Bonn, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.B.N. Dhanvantari, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.W. Garton,3 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.

D.M. Hunter, B.Sc., M.Sc.R.P. Jaques, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.W.R. Jarvis,4 B.Sc., Ph.D., DJ.C.T.J. Jewett,5 B.Sc.Ag.Eng., M.Sc.G.J.R. Judd, B.Sc., M.P.M., Ph.D.R.E.C. Layne, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.A. Liptay, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R. Michelutti, M.Sc.A.P. Papadopoulos, M.Sc.(Agr.>,

M.Sc.(Hort.>, Ph.D.V.W. Poysa, B.Sc.(AgrJ, Ph.D.J.L. Shipp, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.S. Tan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Traquair, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Research Station, Harrow, Onto

DirectorAssistant DirectorAdministrative OfficerComputer Systems ManagerLibrarian

Soybean and corn diseasesSoybean breedingSoybean physiologySoil fertilityEnvironmental chemistryWeed scienceField bean breedingSoil physicsWinter wheat breedingWhite bean diseasesWeed ecologyAgronomyField corn insects

Bacterial diseases offruitBacterial diseases of vegetablesVegetable cultivar evaluation andmanagement

Orchard managementInsect pathologyVegetable diseasesGreenhouse energy engineeringField vegetable insectsTree fruit breedingVegetable managementHorticultureGreenhouse management

Vegetable breedingGreenhouse and field vegetable insectsSoil moisture and agrometeorologyTree fruit diseases

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EXTENSION SERVICES6

J.C. Fisher, B.S.A.L.A. Huffman, B.Sc.(Agr.)

DepartureF. Kappel, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.Transferred to Research Station,Summerland, B.C.6 February 1988

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Greenhouse and fresh market vegetablesFr~it crops and asparagus

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1 Seconded from Libraries Division, Corporate Management Branch.2 Seconded to the Soil and Water Environmental Enhancement Program.3 Returned from educational leave 1April 1988. '4 On leave without pay, 1October 1988to 1 October 1989. I'5 Returned from educational leave 13June 1988.6 Provided by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. I

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INTRODUCTION

The research station at Harrow was established in 1959 to serve the agriculture and food sectorin southwestern Ontario. The station has close links with industry through direct interactions withgrowers, processors, and farm suppliers and through numerous joint committees involving thesegroups. Cooperative research is carried out with private industry and universities in southwesternOntario. Links with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) are maintainedthrough jointly funded research activities with OMAF organizations, agreements regarding areasof research, cooperative activities in the Soil and Water Environmental Enhancement Program,and the location ofOMAF personnel at the station.

In support of departmental and branch missions, the station's mandate is to improve the yield,quality, and efficiency of crop production. Crops under study include soybeans, field beans, softwhite winter wheat, grain corn, field and greenhouse vegetables, and stone and pome fruits.Through multidisciplinary commodity teams the following areas of basic and applied research areemphasized: crop improvement using breeding and genetics to create new germ plasm andcultivars with improved agronomic or horticultural characteristics, resistance to pests, andsuitability to environmental conditions; crop protection using chemical, biological, and culturalmethods to control diseases, insects, and weeds, with emphasis on the management of pestpopulations, development of integrated crop management systems, and improvement ofenvironmental quality; and crop and soil management using improved cultural practices, croppingsystems, fertilizer practices, and tillage systems to improve soil structure and fertility, to reducesoil erosion, and to improve water quality.

The station has a person-year complement of 114, including 29 researchers, with a total budgetof $5 million of which $0.9 million is designated for support and services. Field operations arecarried out at three locations. The.main station and the Ridge Farm, comprising 131 ha and 21 ha,respectively, are representative of sandy loam soils. The Hon. E.F. Whelan Experimental Farm islocated in the centre of Essex County on 57 ha ofBrookston clay soil.

This report provides brief summaries of results obtained in 1988. Further information can beobtained by writing to the Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Onto NOR lGO; Tel.(519) 738-2251.

C.F. MarksDirector

FIELD CROPS

CornEffect of simulated rootworm damage on

yield of grain corn. Roots of field corn werepruned weekly to simulate damage by larvae ofthe western corn rootworm. Reduction in yieldof grain was highly correlated with the amountof reduction of root volume. Removal of asmuch as 22% of roots in each ofthe first 3 weeksdid not affect yield, but more frequent pruningto this extent did reduce yield. The dataindicate that if soil moisture is adequate forplant growth, yield of corn is not reduced by aloss of root volume for a limited period.Therefore, application of insecticides forcontrol of corn rootworm larvae can be delayeduntil after the first cultivation of the croprather than applying the insecticide atplanting as a preventive practice.


Forages and the aggregation of a clay loamsoil. The aggregating ability of alfalfa,sweetclover, slender wheatgrass, timothy, reedcanarygrass, crested wheatgrass, tall fescue,Austrian winter pea, and red clover wasevaluated in an 80-day growth-rootexperiment. Reed canarygrass and sweetclovershowed the most increase in aggregatestability. However, improvements inaggregation generally increased with theextent of root development. Although thefrequency of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizavaried between forages, it was not associatedwith improvements in aggregation. Theresults indicate that the root density and rateof development of a forage may have thebiggest impact on short. term improvements inaggregation and should be considered whenselecting a forage for inclusion in a croppingsystem.

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Protection. Metolachlor and atrazine,which are used to control weeds in corn, do notprovide control of the commonweed, velvetleaf.Metribuzin has been a key component in thecontrol of velvetleaf in soybeans and wastherefore proposed for use in corn. When a lowrate of metribuzin(0.3 kglha) was added to amix of metolachlor and atrazine, velvetleafcontrol was shown to improve from less than50% to greater than 85%. Selected hybridswere evaluated for injury to ml;ltribuzin andresulted in the registration of the use ofmetribuzin in combination with metolachlorand atrazine for velvetleaf control only inspecific corn hybrids.

Soybeans

Diseases. The pathogens R hizoctoniasolani, Fusarium oxysporum, and F.graminearum were the fungi most frequentlyisolated from the roots and stems of plants fromareas of the field showing stunting of soybeans.Stunting of plant growth was most severe whenall three organisms were present.Consequently, all three organisms must beconsidered when developing future controlmeasures. Cultivars resistant to the abovefungi are not yet available.A total of265 soybean mosaic samples were

collected, and nine virus strains werecharacterized. Two new strains (HI and H2)were found in addition to the seven strains (Glto G7) reported from Illinois. Strain HI causedsevere necrotic symptoms in many Ontariocultivars. A new dominant gene (Rsv3) forresistance was discovered. Incorporation ofany two of the three major genes (RsVl' Rsv2'and Rsv3) into a cultivar should reduce the riskof soybean mosaic virus (SMV)disease.The incidence of sclerotinia white mold was

shown to be related partly to soybean maturity,with earlier maturing cultivars tending tohave less disease. Cultivars requiring lessthan 2550 heat units (HU) to mature had a lowincidence. Maple Donovan, requiring 2750HU, and S1346, requiring 2900 HU, had lesswhite mold than cultivars of similar maturity.There was no effect of row spacing on theincidence of white mold. If a full-season culti-var with suitable resistance is not available foruse in Sclerotinia-infested fields, growing anearlier maturing cultivar in narrow-rowculture could be a cost-effective way ofdecreasing the incidence of disease, reducinginoculum buildup, and obtaining high yield.

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IiIjII!Herbicide tolerance. Soybeans grown

under hydroponic conditions in a greenhousesho\ved that cultivars with the Rpsl-k gene forPhytophthora resistance had marked toleranceofmetribuzin herbicide. In 2 years offield testson: a clay soil, Elgin showed an inverserelationship between yield and rate ofm~tribuzin, with active ingredient (a.i.) of up totwice the recommended rate of 1.12 kglha. Theyield of Elgin 87, which carries Rpsl-k, was notsignificantly affected by the increasing rates ofmetribuzin. This improved tolerance iseX:pected to be of benefit to growers whenvariation in soil type within a field or heavyra'infall would normally result in crop injuryadd loss from metribuzin application.,

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Field beansII Breeding and genetics. The resistance ofc~ltivars of field bean to bean common mosaicvirus is due to the presence of the I gene.Unfortunately, this gene results in a~ypersensitive type of reaction, which kills theplant. Susceptibility to the disease is due to thepresence of the gene BC3. However, severalwhite bean lines have been selected that carryboth genes and are resistant to the viruswithout the hypersensitive reaction. Theselines provide germ plasm for the developmentbe new disease-resistant cultivars.I Several white bean lines have beenpbtained with improved resistance to commonpacterial blight (Xanthomonas phaseoli) by.transferring resistance from various germ;plasm sources. Resistance in A8-40, a bean'mutant for common blight, delayed (but did not/prevent) development ofleafblight infection in:greenhouse screening tests. Germ plasmlintroduced from Centro InternacionalId'Agricultura Tropical was found to be: resistant to local isolates of common leaf blight.

; Common blight. Epidemiological studies: of bean blight are hampered by the lack of: reliable plating media, among other diagnosticI tools. A selective medium using the addition of: brilliant cresyl blue was developed for the; common and fuscous blight bacteria based onstarch retrogradation and inhibition ofcommonly encountered epiphytic andseed-inhabiting bacteria and fungi. Themedium was found to be useful in seed platingassay and in monitoring epiphytic populationsof blight bacteria. However, furtherimprovements to increase its efficacy are

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Stem blight. A new stem blight wasdiscovered. The disease appeared to bewidespread in southwestern Ontario. Isolationand characterization yielded Glomerellacingulata (Stonem.) Spaulding & Schrenk anda pink Colletotrichum sp. yet to be identified.The disease thrived in mid- to late-growthstage. Pods above the affected stems usuallydied prematurely and seed set was greatlyreduced. Foliar and pod infection were alsocommon. Infected leaves developed brown tochocolate brown lesions on leaf veins and oninterveinal tissues. Both fungi wereseed-borne and capable of overwintering inplant debris in the field.

Wheat

Breeding and genetics. Ena, a soft whitewinter wheat (registration #2973), wasreleased. Under field conditions it is lesssusceptible to scab and leaf rust than othercultivars of its market class grown in Ontario.Its low accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxyni-vale noI is a major advantage. In areas of south-western Ontario with more than 2900 CHU, ityields within 1%of the highest yield cultivar.

FIELD VEGETABLES

Green peas

Root rot. Root rot severity increased withinoculum density in the field. At a giveninoculum concentration, root rot severityincreased slowly from 10 to 20.C andexponentially from 20 to 35.C. Water stresspromoted fusarium wilt and plant death.Excessive water favored fusarium root rot anddamping-off. Liming of soil to bring soil pH toabout 6.5 prompted saprophytic bacterialgrowth, particularly Bacillus andPseudomonas spp., which lead to a competitivedecrease in population of root rot fungi. Greenmanuring of soil reduced the population of rootrot fungi by 30 to 55% and lessened theincidence and severity of pea root rots.

Peppers

Infestation ofpeppers by the European cornborer. Four cultivars of field peppers wereartificially infested with egg masses ofEuropean corn borer after plants were thinnedto a selected fruit number and size. Larvalsurvival and establishment were low whencompared with initial rates of egg infestation.


Damage to cultivars of sweet pepper by larvaeof the borer was greater than was damage tothe pungent cultivars of hot pepper. Feedingdamage to cultivars tested was more commonamong large or mature fruit than among smallor immature fruit. It appears that early-seasondamage to small, immature pepper fruit is lesslikely because of high larval mortality and thedifficulty that larvae have in finding the smalldeveloping fruit on the plant.

Insect host-plant resistance. Laboratorychoice tests showed that host-plant preferencesof the egg-laying females of pepper maggotswere generally independent of the originalhost, suggesting that flies may move freelyfrom weeds to crop plants. Field and laboratorystudies showed that pepper varieties bearingdark green fruit were more susceptible topepper maggot damage than those bearingfruit of other colors. Bell and cherry-shapedpeppers were preferred by egg-laying femalesover banana-type peppers. Pungency ofpeppers did not affect preferences by theovipositing females. However, larval survivor-ship was lower in more pungent peppers.Pepper maggot females oviposited in the fruitof a wide range of solanaceous plants, includingtomatoes, when fruit was removed from plantfoliage. However, leaves, particularly those oftomato, deterred oviposition on intact plants.Identification of characteristics of fruit andfoliage of solanaceous plants that reduce adultegg-laying and larval survivorship could beimportant to breeding long-term host-plantresistance to insect pests of peppers.

Pest monitoring. The pepper maggot, Zona-semata electa, is a major pest of peppers inEssex County. A degree-day model for predict-ing emergence of the adults was developedfrom laboratory and field studies. Adult survi-val and times of emergence from overwinteredpupae held at various constant temperatureswere used to derive the base temperature(9.5.C) and the degree-days (602) required for50% adult emergence. The model was vali-dated by comparing predicted emergence timesagainst observed events. The degree-daymodel greatly improved prediction of peppermaggot emergence over historically used calen-dar dates. Predicted times of 50% adult emer-gence were all within 1 day of the observedevents. The accurate prediction of the adultemergence of the pepper maggot will enableextension personnel to inform growers of theoptimum times for insecticide application.

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Tomatoes

Bacterial canker. Systemically infectedseeds needed for studies on disease control wereproduced in the greenhouse by the technique ofpeduncle inoculation, which resulted in auniformly high level of seed infection. How-ever, the common method of seed extraction byfermentation reduced seed infection to variousdegrees, depending on e~traction time. The useof pectinase over a period of 1 h provided amethod of removing the gel coat from the seedand providing the seed with high levels ofinfection and germination for use in diseasecontrol experiments.

For 1988 field experiments on cankercontrol, infected tomato seeds produced in thegreenhouse were treated with (1) 0.6 Mhydrochloric acid, (2) 0.6% (available chlorine)sodium hypochlorite, (3) 0.05% w/vo-hydroxydiphenyl. In seed plating assays thethree seed treatments resulted in apparenteradication of the canker bacteria from theseeds, compared with 96% infection found inthe untreated check. In the infected check, 36%ofplants had cankers and 49% died. There wasno plant mortality or canker in theo-hydroxydiphenyl treatment; no plantmortality but a very low (.01%) incidence ofcanker in the acid treatment and a 1% plantmortality; and 9% of the plants had cankers inthe sodium hypochlorite treatment. At harvestin September, 62% of the remaining plants inthe infected check a.nd 17% in the sodiumhypochlorite treatment had cankers comparedwith 0.6% in the acid and none in theo-hydroxydiphenyl treatments. There was asubstantial reduction in the plant stand in theinfected check (72%) and a moderate reductionin the sodium hypochlorite treatment (14%).The yield of tomatoes was significantly higherin the o-hydroxydiphenyl (33.25 tlha) and acid(28.05 tlha) treatments, and it was negligiblein the infected check (1.45 tlha).

Breeding. A major project was continuedin 1988 to overcome the severe incongruitybarrier that has prevented tomato breedersfrom making efficient use of the extensivegenetic variability available in Lycopersiconperuvianum, including resistance to severalimportant diseases, chilling tolerance, andimproved solids level. Using three bridge linesand the embryo callus technique for rescuinginterspecific hybrids, crosses were made with'11 of 15 new L. ,peruvianum accessions,including three cultivars of L. glandulosum

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and three cultivars of L. humifusum. Thisrep'resents a major expansion in the range ofL.peruvianum germ plasm available to thetorriato breeder and brings to 24 the number ofL. peruvianum populations accessed in thetorhato breeding program.

IISolanum lycopersicoides is tolerant of low

ter,nperatures relative to tomato or other Lyco-persicon species. An intergeneric F1 hybridbe,tween L. esculentum and S. lycopersicoideswas obtained that had completely sterilepollen, even following chromosomal doublingwith colchicine. Using the L. peruvianumb~idge line and embryo callus culture, hybridsinvolving S.lycopersicoides,L. esculentum, andL~ peruvianum have been obtained. Thisniaterial has about 33% viable pollen and isbeing backcrossed to adapted tomato lines.

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I Irrigation effect. An experiment wascOnducted to determine the effect of drip andsprinkle irrigation on processing tomatoproduction. Five tomato cultivars (FM6203,H2653, H722, OH7814, and PUR812) weregrown on Fox loamy sand. The 1988 growingseason was extremely hot and dry. The total~ater deficit from May to August was 353 mm,as compared with a normal water deficit of 195~m for the same period. Drip irrigation plots~ere irrigated three times a week from midMay to August, and sprinkle irrigation plots~ere irrigated four times. Both drip andsprinkle irrigation increased total marketableyields but reduced total solids of tomatoes,~specially under drip irrigation treatments.iAverage marketable yield for all cultivars with'sprinkle irrigation (47.4 tlha) outyielded drip:irrigation (38.2 tlha) by 24% and nonirrigation1(21.3tlha) by 123%.II

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: CucumbersII Biological control of cucumber powderyI mildew. Yeast-like Sporothrix spp. have been: evaluated for their ability to biologically con-: trol powdery mildew caused by Sphaerotheca

,i fuliginea (Schlect.: Fr.)Pollacci in the green-I house under commercial production conditions.I The Sporothrix antagonists were more effective: in retarding powdery mildew developmentI when applied at the time of seedling emergence: and when the relative humidity was controlledI at 80%.IIiIII

Tomatoes

Biological control of fusarium rot.Antagonistic filamentous bacteria(Streptomyces spp.) were shown to reducesignificantly fusarium crown and root rot(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersiciJarvis & Shoem.) when applied shortly aftersterilization of greenhouse soil. Allelopathicbiological control, with companion planting orthe application of chopped lettuce togreenhouse soils, was shown to. reduce theinfection of tomato roots by depriving thepathogen of iron necessary for growth.

Stem necrosis. Anew disease ofgreenhousetomato, bacterial stem necrosis, was caused byPseudomonas sp. The disease symptomsdiffered from those of bacterial stem rot causedby Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora.Discontinuous necrosis ofnodal tissue occurredearlier, followed by extension to internodes andleaf rachii and extensive browning of the pith.The plants did not lose their turgor, unlike inthe erwinia stem rot. Although the causalbacteria were similar to P. cichorii (a broadhost-range pathogen) in being oxidase-positiveand arginine-dihydrolase-negative, theydiffered in many other key physiologicalcharacteristics and pathogenicity, enough to beconsidered a new taxonomic category.

The Harrow Fertigation Manager (patentpending). In highly intensive agriculturalsystems (e.g. greenhouse crop production),fertilizer application requires continuousattention and adjustment to ensure adequatenutrient supply. The newly developed HarrowFertigation Manager (HFM) addresses thispractical problem and makes it possible to meetthe diverse nutrient requirements of a numberof crops from one set of fertilizer stocksolutions. The HFM uses a microcomputer toactivate a series of dosimetric pumps for theprogrammed application of desired concentra-tions of individual nutrients. In addition, theHFM automatically adjusts the supply ofwaterand individual nutrients to the crops accordingto stored information and crop andenvironment status as monitored by sensors.The system can operate either manually orautomatically, is equipped with self-checkingsoftware and alarms, and its software isuniversal enough to control a great variety ofelectric, hydraulic, or air-driven fertilizerpumps. Besides its practical application in thecommercial production of crops, the HFM canbe a powerful tool in plant nutrition research.


TREE FRUITS

Apple

Control of the codling moth by granulosisvirus. Orchard tests carried out in cooperationwith the University of Guelph and with otherinstitutions in Canada in the past several yearshave demonstrated that the granulosis virus iseffective in the management of the codlingmoth on apples and that the virus has aminimum effect on nontarget arthropods in theorchard. In the 1988 orchard test at Guelph,codling moth larvae caused deep-entry damagein 3.0% of apples sprayed with the virus and in19.2% of apples in nonsprayed plots. In the1986 test none of the apples in virus-treatedplots were damaged by the insect, whereas10.1% of nonsprayed apples were damaged.The granulosis virus is particularly attractiveas an alternative to broad-spectrum chemicalinsecticides in integrated pest managementsystems for apple because the virus has aminimum effect on parasitic and predaceousspecies that regulate other pests such as theEuropean red mite.

Apricot

Breeding. Six selections (HW450, HW451,HW452, HW453, HW454, HW455) from 1982crosses with ripeness dates from 15 July to 30July were advanced for placement in regionaltrials in 1989 in cooperation with the WesternOntario Fruit Testing Association (WOFTA).These selections are suitable for testing insouthern Ontario and southern BritishColumbia because they appear to haveadequate coldhardiness, disease resistance,and productivity combined with sufficient fruitsize, color, and quality to satisfy fresh-marketrequirements.

Controlled freezing tests offully acclimated,detached, dormant shoots were carried out, andthe temperatures required to kill 50% of theflower buds and 50% of the shoot xylem weredetermined. The cultivars Harlayne andHarglow and the line HW440 exceeded thehardiness of Goldcot, the hardy standard.Cultivars or advanced selections that exceededthe shoot xylem hardiness of Goldcot includedHW436, HW439, and HW440. Of twelveHarrow seedling selections compared withGoldcot for hardiness, three were significantlymore bud-hardy <H8205025, H8208004,H8208273) and two were significantly morewood-hardy (H8202030, H8205025). The

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remainder were similar in hardiness toGoldcot. The technique showed that it ispossible to select apricots with improvedcoldhardiness.

Nectarine

Breeding. The best Harrow selections werecrossed with two of the best Californiacultivars, Fantasia and Stark's Redgold. Fourvery promising selections (H7936029, HWI04,HWI06, H7938023) ripening from.4 August to1 September appear worthy of testing insouthern Ontario and southern BritishColumbia and could provide a 4- to 5-weeksupply of attractive, high-quality nectarinesfor the fresh market.

Peach

Biological control of cylindrocarpon root rot.The incidence and severity of peach root rotcaused by the fungus Cylindrocarpondestructans (Zinss.) Scholten were reducedsignificantly by prior colonization with thevesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungusGlomus aggregatum Schenck & Smith undergreenhouse conditions. This symbiotic fungusisolated from local peach soils acted as abiological agent for cylindrocarpon root rot,which was shown to be a major component ofreplant and establishment problems in peachorchards.

Biological control of perennial canker.Regular sampling of healthy and cankeredbark from scaffold branches of peach treesduring fall, winter, and spring has revealedthat Leucostoma pe;soonii (Nits.) Hohn. ispredominant over L. cincta (Fr.) Hohn. as acanker-causing agent. Significantly differentcommunities offungal epiphytes were found onthe bark of healthy versus cankered trees.Yeasts and filamentous fungi with dark- I

colored walls were always associated with the:canker-causing Leucostoma spp. Artificial:inoculation of wounded bark on potted trees I

has revealed that A ureobasidium pullulans (de:Bary) Arn. and Epicoccum purpurascens:Ehr.: Schlecht. are effective biological control i

epiphytes if applied before or at the same time:as L. persoonii. i

Breeding. Sixteen cultivars and advanced,selections were tested by controlled freezing o(detached, dormant, maximally acclimated;shoots. The temperatures required to kill 50,*!of the flower buds and 50% of the shoot xylent

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were determined and compared withRJdhaven, the hardy commercial standard.Si'x were significantly more hardy thanR~dhaven and six were as hardy as Redhaven.T~o entries were more wood-hardy thanR~dhaven, five were equally wood-hardy, andsix were less hardy than Redhaven. In general,a ~closecorrelation of the rank order of bud andvJood hardiness was found among the 16ehtries tested.I: I~tegrated orchard management. Three

cultlvars, two ground covers, and twoirrigation treatments were tested in a Fox sandorchard. There were cultivar effects in budhardiness, wood hardiness, and yield; anirrigation effect on wood hardiness; and a~ultivar-ground cover interaction for trunkfross section.

: Rootstocks. Ten peach seedling rootstockshaving Redhaven as the common scion testerIhave been under evaluation since 1982 on a:Fox sand. In 1988, a hot, dry growing season,:the rootstocks differed significantly in their:effect on scion hardiness of flower buds, winter:kill ratings, tree vigor, bloom intensity, fruit,set, total yield, marketable yield, split pits, andcropping efficiency. The rank order in generalrootstock performance from best to worst wasas follows: H7338019, Chui Lum Tao,H7338013, H7338016, Tzim Pee Tao, Lovell,Halford, Siberian C, Bailey, and Harrow Blood.Chui Lum Tao, a hardy Chinese introduction,and the three Harrow selections were better

i rootstocks for peach than were the commercialstandards, Halford, Lovell, Bailey, andSiberian C. They show promise as future

, commercial rootstocks for peach.

Screening for canker resistance. Anartificial screening test based on the necroticresponse of peach bark and leaf tissues to oxalicacid has revealed significant differences amongpeach cultivars. These results indicate a rolefor oxalic acid, a toxic metabolite produced byLeucostoma spp., in detecting cankerresistance.

Pear

Breeding. Three seedlings with goodfresh-fruit quality were selected in 1988. Theyhave fire blight [Erwinia amylovora (BurrillWinslow et al.l resistance similar to Kieffer,and their fruit had good ratings for appearance,flavor, texture, freedom from grit, and fruitsize.


A breeding program was initiated to incor-porate pear psylla (Psylla pyricolli Foerster)resistance into high-quality, fire-blight-resistant pears. The source of resistance isPyrus ussuriensis. Pollen from P. ussuriensisX P. communis selections resistant to pearpsylla was used for crossing with Bartlett,Harvest Queen, Harrow Delight, and HW609.A total of 1600 controlled hybridizationsyielded 650 seeds.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Anderson, T.R.;Buzzell, R.I. 1988. "Defeated"Rpsl gene in soybean. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:225-227.

Anderson, T.R.;Welacky, T.W. 1988. Popula-tion of Thielaviopsis basicola in burleytobacco field soils and the relationshipbetween soil inoculum concentration andseverity of disease on tobacco and soybeanseedlings. Can. J. Plant Pathol.10:246-251.

Anderson, T.R.; Welacky, T.W.; Olechowski,H.T.; Ablett, G.; Ebsary, B.A. 1988. Firstreport of Heterodera glycine Ichinoke onsoybeans in Ontario, Canada. Plant Dis.72:452.

Bedford, K.E.; MacNeill, B.H.; Bonn, W.G.;Dirks, V.A. 1988. Population dynamics ofPseudomonas syringae pv. papulans on Mu-tsu apple. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:23-29.

Bonn, W.G. 1987. Potential for fire blightactivity in Ontario. Acta Hortic.217:101-112.

Buttery, B.R.;Buzzell, R.I. 1988. Soybean leafnitrogen in relation to photosynthetic rateand yield. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:793-795.

Buttery, B.R.; Park, S.J.; Findlay, W.I.;Dhanvantari, B.N. 1988. Effects of fumi-gation and fertilizer on growth, yield,chemical composition, and mycorrhizae inwhite bean and soybean. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:677-686.

Buttery, B.R.;Stone, J .A. 1988. Some effects ofnitrate and light intensity on soybean rootgrowth and development. Plant Soil106:291-294.

Buzzell, R.I.; Hamill, A.S. 1988. Improved tol-erance of soybean (Glycine max) tometribuzin. WeedTechnol. 2:170-171.


Dhanvantari, B.N. 1987. Comparison ofselec-tive media for isolation of Clavibactermichiganense pv. michiganense.Phytopathology 77:1694.

Dirks, V.A.;Tan, C.S. 1988. Root distributionof irrigated and non-irrigated vegetablecrops. Acta Hortic. 228:299-304.

Gaynor, J.D.; Buttery, B.R.; Buzzell, R.I.;MacTavish, D.C. 1988. HPLC separationand relative quantitation of kaempferolglycosides in soybean. Chromatographia25:1049-1054.

Grace, B.;Shipp, J .L. 1988. A laboratory tech-nique for examining the flight activity ofinsects under controlled environment condi.tions. Intern. J. Biometeorol. 32:65-69.

Jaques, R.P. 1988. Field tests on control oftheimported cabbageworm (Lepidoptera:Pieddae) and the cabbage looper(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by mixtures ofmicrobial and chemical insecticides. Can.Entomol. 120:575-580.

Jarvis, W.R. 1988. Fusarium crown and rootrot of tomatoes. Phytoprotection 69:49-64.

Jarvis, W.R.; Barrie, S. 1988. Stem rot ofgreenhouse cucumber caused byPenicillium crustosum. Plant Dis. 72:363.

Judd, G.J.R.; Borden, J.H. 1988. Long-rangehost-finding behaviour of the onion fly(Diptera: Anthomyiidae): Ecological andphysiological constraints. J. Appl. Ecol.25:829-846.

Judd, G.J.R.; Borden, J.H.; Wynne, A.D. 1988.Visual behaviour of the onion fly, Deliaantiqua; antagonistic interaction of ultra-violet and visible wavelength reflectance.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 49:221-234.

Kasenberg, T. R.;Traquair, J.A. 1988. Effectsof phenolics on growth of Fusariumoxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici in vitro.Can. J. Bot. 66:1174-1177.

Layne, R.E.C.; Tan, C.S. 1988. Influence ofcultivars, ground covers, and trickleirrigation on early growth, yield, and coldhardiness of peaches on fox sand. J. Am.Soc.Hortic. Sci. 113:518-525.

Papadopoulos, A.P.; Ormrod, D.P. 1988. Plantspacing effects on light interception bygreenhouse tomatoes. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1197-1208.

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Tr4quair, J.A.; Shaw, L.A.; Jarvis, W.R. 1988.INew species of Stephanoascus withISporothrix anamorphs. Can. J. Bot. 66:926-~933.i

Traquair, J.A.; Shaw, L.A.; Jarvis, W.R. 1988.iStephanoascus farinosus, teleomorph of:Sporothrix fungorum. Mycologia 80:244-'246.,

Tti, J.C. 1987. Epidemiology of white moldI (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) in navy beanI (Phaseolus vulgaris). Med. Fac.: Landbouww. Rijksuniv. Gent 52:787-796.

Tu, J.C. 1987. Etiology and control of fusa-I rium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) and rootI rot (Fusarium solanO of green pea (Pisum,sativum). Med. Fac. Landbouww.I Rijksuniv. Gent 52:815-823.

T6, J .C. 1988. Antibiosis of Streptomyces gris-; eus against Colletotrichum lindemuthia-; num. J. Phytopathol. 121:97-102.~u, J.C. 1988. Control of bean anthracnose

i caused by the delta and lambda races ofI Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in Canada.I Plant Dis. 72:5-8.I'I;u,J.C. 1988. The role of white mold-infectedI white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds in, the dissemination of SclerotiniaI sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. J. Phytopathol.: 121:40-50.Tu, J.C.; Buttery, B.R. 1988. Soil compactionI reduces nodulation, nodule efficiency, andgrowth of soybean and white bean.HortScience 23:722-724.f

ITu, J.C.; McDonnell, M.; Dirks, V.A. 1988.I Factors affecting seed quality of navy beansI in the field in southwestern Ontario. Seed! Sci. & Technol. 16:371-381.~Tu,J.C.; Tan, C.S. 1988. Soil compaction effect

on photosynthesis, root rot severity, andgrowth of white beans. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:455-459.I

ii Weaver, S.E.; Tan, C.S.; Brain, P. 1988. Effect: of temperature and soil moisture on time ofI emergence of tomatoes and four weedI species. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:877-886.IIi Miscellaneous; Anderson, T.R.; Olechowski, H.; Welacky, T.I 1988. Incidence of rhizoctonia and

fusarium root rot of soybean insouthwestern Ontario, 1986. Can. PlantDis. Surv. 68(2):143-145.

Papadopoulos, A.P.; Ormrod, D.P. 1988. Plantspacing effects on photosynthesis andtranspiration of the greenhouse tomato.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:1209-1218.

Park, S.J.; Bradner, N.R. 1988. KG 30 soy-bean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:215-216.

Park, S.J.; Bradner, N.R.; Scott-Pearse, F.1988. KG 20 soybean. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:211-213.

Park, S.J.; Buttery, B.R. 1988. Modulationmutants of white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)induced by methyl-methane sulphonate.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:199-202.

Park, S.J.; Tu, J.C.; Aylesworth, J.W.; Buzzell,R.I. 1988. Centralia field bean. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1149-1151.

Quiring, D.T.; Timmins, P.R. 1988. Predationby American crows reduces overwinteringEuropean corn borer populations insouthwestern Ontario. Can. J. Zool.66:2143-2145.

Rood, S.B.; Buzzell, R.I.; MacDonald, M.D.1988. Influence of temperature on heterosisfor maize seedling growth. Crop Sci.28:283-286.

Rood, S.B.; Buzzell, R.1.;Mander, L.N.; Pearce,D.; Pharis, R.P. 1988. Gibberellins: Aphytohormonal basis for heterosis in maize.Science 241:1216-1218.

Shipp, J.L. 1988. Classification system forembryonic development of Simuliumarcticum Malloch (lIS-10.11) (Diptera:Simulidae). Can. J. Zool.66:274-276.

Tan, C.S. 1988. Comparison of irrigationschedules for processing tomatoes based onsoil moisture measurement and climato-logical data. Acta Hortic. 228:91-96.

Tan, C.S. 1988. EffeCtof soil moisture stress onleaf and root growth of two processingtomatoes. Acta Hortic. 228:291-298.

Teich, A.H.; Sampson, D.R.; Shugar, L.; Smid,A.; Curnoe, W.E.; Kennema, C. 1987. Yield,quality and disease response of soft whitewinter wheat cultivars to nitrogenfertilization in Ontario, Canada. Cer. Res.Communic. 15:265-272.

Traquair, J.A.; Berch, S.M. 1988. Colonizationofpeach rootstocks by indigenous vesicular-arbuscularmycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:893-898.


Blom, T.; Fisher, J.C.; Ingratta, F.; Jarvis, W.;Papadopoulos, T.; Potter, J.; Smith, I.;Straver, W.; Tiessen, H. 1988. Growinggreenhouse vegetables. Ont.' Min. Agric.Food Publ. 526. 54 pp. ' .

Jarvis, W.R.; Khosla, S.; Papadopoulos, A.P.1988. Gummy stem blight in greenhousecucumber. Agdex 88/065.

Layne, RE.C. 1988. Peach varieties, breedingobjectives and needs for Ontario. Pages130-133 in Childers, N.F.; Shennan, W.B.,eds. The peach-world cultivars tomarketing. Horticultural Publications,Gainesville, Fla.

Layne, R.E.C.; Tan, C.S. 1988. Irrigation, den-sity and orchard floor management of


peaches. Pages 618-622 in Childers, N.F.;Sherman, W.B., eds. The peach-worldcultivars to marketing. HorticulturalPublications, Gainesville, Fla.

Michaels, T.E.; Heard, J.; Park, S.J.;. Tu, J.C.;Ablett, G.A.; Roy, RR; Forrest, RE. 1987.Coloured bean variety trials in Ontario,1982-1986. Agdex 142/34.

Park, S.J. 1988. Heterosis and diverse crossesin breeding for pulse crops. Proceedings1988 Summer Symposium KoreanScientists' and Engineers' Association, pp.187-191.

Tu, J.C. 1988. Virus diseases of soybeans.Agdex 141/632.

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Experimental FarmKapuskasing, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J .G. Proulx, D.V.M.M.J.Baron

Animal ProductionVacant

Crop ProductionC. Lafreniere,1 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.D. Ouel1et,l B.Sc.(Agr.)

SuperintendentOffice Manager

Beef management

Forage management and physiologyCereal management

Experimental Farm, Thunder Bay, OntoJ. Wilson Superintendent, Crop evaluationJ. Haglund Office Manager

Graduate studentD. Ouellet, B.Sc.(Agr.)

1 Located at Rouyn.Noranda office.

Experimental Farm, Kapuskasing, Onto

Ruminant nutrition

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Reproduction. Conventional estrussynchronization was compared with timedinsemination at 48 and 72 h after removal of aprotestagen (Synchromate-B); 100 and 94 cowswere randomly assigned to each group.

INTRODUCTION

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Beef cattle management

Cow-calf production. Five feeding trialsperformed on ranches in western Canada andnorthwestern Ontario confirmed that a distinc-tive, recurring congenital anomaly in beefcalves was associated with feeding pregnantcows with clover or grass silage exclusivelyover the winter. The anomaly, termed congeni-tal joint laxity and dwarfism, was charac-terized at birth by generalized joint laxity,disproportionate dwarfism, and occasionallysuperior brachygnathia. Pregnant cows weredivided randomly into feeding groups, and thenumber of abnormal calves in each group wastabulated. The condition occurred on both redclover and grass silages. Supplementation ofthese diets with hay (2.5-4.5 kg per head per

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The Kapuskasing Experimental Farm was estJ.blished in 1914 to support agriculturaldevelopment of the Great Clay Belt of northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec. The farmmaintains a beef herd of200 animal units on 450 ha. An experimental site is maintained on leasedland in northwestern Quebec. Research projects in cereal and forage production at that site aresupervised by two professionals occupying rente~ office space in Rouyn.Noranda. TheKapuskasing Experimental Farm is also accountabl~ for the Thunder Bay Experimental Farm,which has a surface area of25 ha. I

The main mandate of Kapuskasing is to conduct !leef cattle research for northern Ontario andQuebec. To that end, we are collaborating with Laval University and the University of Guelph, aswell as with scientists from the Animal Research C~ntre and the Lennoxville Research Station.Forage crop research, including pasture and stored feed, is being integrated into the beef cattleresearch programs. Cultural practices for short-seasbn growing areas have been determined, andresources are being shifted toward forage and beef research. Small projects in support of thedevelopment of the area's peat and phosphate resour~es are important for sustainable agriculture.

The Kapuskasing Experimental Farm supports the forage and cereal provincial cropcommittees ofboth Ontario and Quebec. Research projects are conducted in collaboration with thefollowing federal research establishments: Sainte-Foy Research Station; Lennoxville ResearchStation; and, in Ottawa, Plant Research Centre, Ani~al Research Centre, Land Resource ResearchCentre, and Engineering and Statistical Research Centre. Certain projects are also conducted incollaboration with scientists from the University Jf Guelph, Laval University, and MacdonaldCollege. A memorandum of understanding is currently being developed with the Ontario MinistryofAgriculture and Food's College ofAgricultural Te~hnology at New Liskeard.

The Kapuskasing Experimental Farm and the Thunder Bay Experimental Farm operate with32 person-years, including four professional positiorls. The nonpay operating budget of both farmsis $345 000. A major capital project of $300 000 w:iJ,scompleted in 1988. Minor construction andequipment expenditures consisted of$125 000 and $130 000, respectively.

Further enquiries can be directed to the Kapuskasing Experimental Farm, Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Kapuskasing, OntoP5N 2X9; Tel: (705) 335-6148.

IIJ.G.Proulx

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SuperintendentIII,(lay) and rolled barley <0.75-1.5 kg per head perday) eliminated the problem. SupplementationIof grain without hay was not as effective.IVarying the proportion of grass and clover in'the silage or the age of the silage did not alterlthe teratogenetic potency of the silage.:Vitamin D3 supplementation did not reduceI the risk of the condition. A trial conducted at:the Kapuskasing Experimental Farm:demonstrated that copper supplementation of: grass silage did not alter the incidence of the,condition. The incidence was observed to be: much higher in calves born to 2-year-oldI heifers than to adult cows.


Conception rate after a 35-day breeding seasonwas similar for both groups. Services requiredper conception were, respectively, 1.61 and3.17. Cost of the protestagen, higher expendi-tures for semen, and the increased handling ofthe cows by using the Synchromate-B productmake this breeding system economicallyunattractive for the commercial beef producer.

Beef cattle nutrition. Projects conducted inbeef cattle nutrition are to be found in thereport of the Animal Research Centre.

CROP PRODUCTION

Cereal evaluation

Six-row barley cultivars compared withtwo-row cultivars. Twenty-two official entrieswere evaluated at Kapuskasing in the 1988Ontario regional barley trial. Ten entries weretwo-row cultivars, 12 were six-row entries, andtwo additional entries were added to our trialfor their earliness. The six-row entries yielded391 kg/ha more grain than the two-row entries,which is usually the case in most years. Thesix-row entries also ripened about 1day earlierthan the two-row entries. However, thelodging resistance of the six-row type was 2.5,whereas that of the two-row type was only 1.9.The two early-maturing entries, Nord andOtal, yielded 308 kg/ha less than the two-rowcultivars. However, they ripened 7-8 daysearlier. The lodging resistance of the early-maturing entries was 3.8 compared with 2.5and 1.9 for the six-row and two-row entries.The top-yielding barley cultivars from the

Ontario regional barley trials at Thunder Baywere Rodeo at 3439 kg/ha and TBE 611 20 at2413 kg/ha. The mean for the trial was 2053kg/ha. The top-yielding oat cultivars from theOntario regional oat trials were Oxford at 3099kg/ha and OACWoodstock at 3063 kg/ha. Themean for the trial was 2743 kg/ha.

Cereal management

Barley blends. Leger, Sophie, Bruce, andMingo six-row barley were compared atKapuskasing, with Herta and Birka two-rowbarley sown in monoculture or in blends. Threeyears of data have revealed that Legercontinues to be the highest grain-yieldingcultivar when sown alone or in blends. The fivehighest grain-yielding cultivars or blends allhad Leger in the 3 years of testing. The secondgroup of blends that performed best contained

Experimental Farm, Kapuskasing, Onto

the cultivar Sophie, followed by a group ofblends that contained Herta. At the bottom ofthe yield production table stood the entryBirka, along with the blends containing Birka.On the average, cultivars sown in blends hadless lodging than a seeding in monoculture.

Forage evaluation

Forage cultivar trials. Three alfalfa trialswere run at Thunder Bay. Top yieldingcultivars were A872 at 5931 kg/ha and NAPB31 at 5784 kg/ha. Magnum, the top-yieldingcultivar in 1987, with a yield of6094 kg/ha, hada yield of 4519 kg/ha in 1988; OAC Minto,which had the second highest yield in 1987,with 5007 kg/ha, yielded 4691 kg/ha in 1988.Four grass trials were run at Thunder Bay.

Dan (M3-8569) had the highest yield for thethird straight year in meadow foxtail at 4162kg/ha compared with 4327 kg/ha in 1987 and4561 kg/ha in 1986. Kay was the highestyielding orchardgrass at 4878 kg/ha, followedby 14-78-3 at 4714 kg/ha. The highest yieldingorchardgrass from 1987, SF 8501 at 5655kg/ha, yielded 4656 kg/ha in 1988. The topyields in bromegrass were Blair at 7523 kg/haand Beacon at 7350 kg/ha. The top yields intall fescue were Syn A at 5822 kg/ha and Stef at5794kg/ha.

Forage management

Water-soluble carbohydrates. The level ofwater-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) is animportant quality parameter in forages forensuring fermentation of crops as silage. WSClevels of 12-13% of dry matter are consideredcritical for humid crops (20-25% dry matter).A survey of grasses harvested during the firstvegetation cycle in 1987 in the Great Clay Beltregion on commercial farms showed that WSCwere in the range of 14-17%, depending on thespecies. WSC were lowest for quackgrass andorchardgrass, averaging 14 and 15%, respec-tively, and highest for grassland, averaging17.5% (no species represent more than 50% ofthe stand). Data also showed that WSC werevariable within species, varying from 10 to24%. WSC decreased as the plant matured.They were highest at jointing and boot stages,averaging 16.9%, and lowest at heading stage,with 14.7%. There was a difference of 2.5% inWSC between morning and afternoonsamplings. Nitrogen fertilization decreasedWSC but not as much as expected. There is adifference of about 1% in WSC with and

249

without nitrogen, but appreciable differencesbetween levels of nitrogen (1-90 kglha) werenot evident. Results of the survey showed thatWSC were generally high enough to ensuregood fermentation of silage in grass crops.

Performance of perennial ryegrass

Six medium-maturing perennial ryegrasscultivars were compared with Hallmarkorchard grass sown in monoculture or inmixtures with Ladino white clover in 1987.Hallmark orchardgrass had a 4.2% winterkill,whereas the ryegrass ranged from 16.7% forBastion to 92.5% for Bison. Seeding rye grasswith Ladino did not significantly change thepercentage of winter kill. On average, themedium types of rye grass had a 19.2%winterkill over the first winter. Seasonaldry-matter yields were increased from 3253kglha when sown in pure stands to 4483 kglhawhen sown with Ladino white clover. In a purestand Hallmark yielded at least twice as muchas the best yielding rye grass, whereas in amixture with Ladino the orchardgrass was onlyslightly better than the best ryegrass mixture.Another similar trial compared nine

cultivars of late-maturing perennial ryegrasswith Kay orchardgrass sown in monoculture orin a mixture with Ladino white clover. Thewinterkill damage was higher in thelate-maturing types, with 80% losses over thefirst winter. The check Kay orchardgrass hadan average of 7% loss, whereas the lateryegrasses ranged from 38% for WWE-37 to98% for Gladiator. Seeding the ryegrasses withLadino white clover reduced the winterkilldamage from 80 to 64%. As in the case of themedium types, the addition of Ladino whiteclover to ryegrass increased total seasonaldry-matter products from 1752 kglha to 4685kglha. In a pure stand Kay orchardgrasssignificantly outyielded any of the late-typeperennial ryegrasses. The addition of Ladinowhite clover did not significantly increase theseasonal dry-matter yield ofKay orchardgrass.

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Pofato breeding

(Jultivar evaluation. Unusually warm anddryl conditions for the early part of May inThunder Bay allowed the completion ofplanting for multiplication stock by 20 May1988. This program contains 22 cultivars andeight breeders' lines for multiplication forOntario regional potato trials. Approximately4 t 'of potatoes were shipped to Guelph fordistribution to the six cooperators.!Selections were made from 42 breeders'

lines that will be entered in the 1989 single-hilltrials; 142 selections from single hills willproceed to 10-hill trials and 24 10-hill trialswill progress to the 1989 100-hill trials.,Thirteen breeders' lines were bulked up for

entry into the Ontario regional potato trials in1990. Two of these are G85250P, a white-fleshed, purple-skinned cultivar; and FTB811-1, a white-fleshed, red- and white-skinnedbicolor similar to the British cultivar KingEdward. Both cultivars produced good,crinsistent yields under adverse conditions in1988. These two cultivars have been sent to~griculture Canada's laboratory in Vancouverfqr virus freeing.Of 16 cultivars sent to Florida for virus

t~sting (l00 tubers of each), only one tuber oft~e cultivar Onaway showed any symptoms ofmosaic.III

,fUBLICATIONSI

~esearchHidiroglou, M.; Proulx, J. 1988. Evaluation of! a long-acting selenium and copperI preparation for intra ruminaladministration to cattle. Ann. Rech. Vet.19:187-191.

IiVeira, n.M.; Proulx, J.G.; Butler G.; Fortin, A.! 1988. Utilization of grass silage by cattle:; Further observations on the effect offishmeal. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1225-1235.


London Research CentreLondon, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

H.V. Morley, B.Sc., Ph.D.J .A. ColemanD.E.H. Drew,! B.Sc., M.L.S.

DirectorAdministrative OfficerLibrarian

Section Head; Plant pathology-phytoalexinsPhytobacteriology-molecular geneticsPlant pathology-soil-borne diseasesMicrobial biochemistry and pathologyChemistry-phytoalexins and mycotoxinsBiochemistry-fungicides

Mode of Action of Selected and Potential Insect Control AgentsA. Vardanis, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Section Head; Insect biochemistryC.J. Bolter,2 B.Sc., M.Sc. Fumigation-toxicologyM. Channon,3 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Analytical chemistry-fumigantsR.M. Krupka, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. BiochemistryT.T. Lee, B.Sc., Ph.D. Plant biochemistry and tissue cultureE.B. Roslycky, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. MicrobiologyA.N. Starratt, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.C.I.C. Chemistry-natural productsR.W. Steele, B.Sc., Ph.D. Neurochemistry

Mode of Action of Selected and Potential Plant-Pathogen ControlAgentsE.W.B. Ward, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.A. Cup pels, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.G. Lazarovits, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Madhosingh, B.S.A., M.A., Ph.D.A. Stoessl, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.C.I.C.G.A. White, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Soil PesticidesC.R. Harris, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.B.T. Bowman, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.A. Chapman, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.G.R. McLeod, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.J.H. Tolman, B.Sc., Ph.D.A.D. Tomlin, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.M. Tu, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.A. Turnbull, B.Sc., M.Sc.

DeparturesW. Chefurka,4 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Retired 5 April 1988

T. Dumas, D.C.E., M.Sc.Retired 1 April 1988

London Research Centre, London, Onto

Section Head; Insect toxicologySoil physical chemistryAnalytical organic chemistryInsect physiologyApplied entomologyPesticide ecologyMicrobiologyInsect toxicology

Insect biochemistry

Analytical chemistry-fumigants

251

VISITING SCIENTISTS

R.C. Zimmer, B.Sc., Ph.D.Transfer of work from Morden ResearchStation

Visiting fellowsM. Butler, B.Sc., Ph.D.D. Cahill, B.Sc., Ph.D.K.R. Hynes, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S..W. Ma, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.A. Moore, B.Sc., Ph.D.P. Morris, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Graduate studentsK. Lee, B.Sc., M.Sc.R. Schwartz, B.Sc.

Pla~t diseases

Bidtechnology-plant pathologyBi6technology-plant pathologyBiotechnology-plant pathologyBi6technology-plant pathologyBiotechnology-plant pathologyBiptechnology-plant pathology

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Biochemistry-fungicidesP~ytobacteriology

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1 Seconded from Libraries Division, FInance and Administration Branch.2 Education leave, University of Western Ontario. I

3 Seconded from Food Production and Inspection Branch. I

4 Part.time work for Retired Research Scientists Program.

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INTRODUCTION

The London Research Centre was established in 1951 to investigate the ecological effects of theuse of agricultural chemicals (other than fertilizers) with the purpose of ensuring that thewidespread or continued use of pesticides does not have harmful consequences on soil fertility,beneficial organisms, and crop quality.

During 1988 the new, long-awaited laboratory~ffice complex to house the Soil PesticidesSection was completed. The move from the downtown rented space took place in October. Thedisruption of the research of this section necessitated by the move was mitigated by the new,extensive insect-rearing facilities, possibly the finest in North America, which will provide themeans to mass-produce biological control agents, thereby enhancing program initiatives in thisarea. Present research programs continue to reflect environmental and health concerns regardingthe agricultural use of pesticides. The original mandate has been extended to examine alternativepest control procedures to replace or severely curtail current pesticide use. The aim is to developnew procedures for environmentally acceptable pest control, with the primary focus on theutilization of natural defense mechanisms of crops against plant pathogens, and insect pests andbiological control agents against insect pests.

To meet the above objectives, multidisciplinary teams carry out research primarily in fourareas, with the following goals: to provide leads that could be used in a unique manner for theselective disruption of communication, growth, development, or reproduction of the pest in anenvironmentally acceptable manner; to investigate the detailed biology and ecology of selectednative potential biological control agents and to develop improved methodology for mass culture,introduction, and maintenance of these indigenous control agents in conjunction with otherenvironmentally acceptable procedures; to utilize natural defence and resistance mechanisms incrops by developing a detailed understanding of host-pest interactions at the biochemical,physiological, and cellular levels; and to develop new and improved knowledge of the nature,behavior, movement, and fate of soil pesticides in relation to their impact on nontarget organisms,vital soil processes, and factors that influence their performance, toxicology, and environmentalsafety in crops, soils, and water. .

The main laboratory is on the campus of the University of Western Ontario. Its primaryemphasis is on plant pathology, and it is also the centre of administration. The new Packs Lanelaboratory is some 10 min away. It is adjacent to the 25-ha research farm that is maintainedvirtually pesticide-free so that environmental studies can be more easily pursued. The LondonResearch Centre has 69 person-years, including 22 professionals, and an operating budget of$450000.

This report records only the highlights of our accomplishments for 1988; more detailedinformation can be obtained from the publication titles listed at the end of the report. Copies of thereport, reprints of publications, and further information are available on request from the ResearchCentre, Agriculture Canada, 1400Western Road, London, OntoN6G 2V4; Tel. (519) 645-4452.

H.V.MorleyDirector

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Research in this area falls under two broadcategories. The first is concerned with theimpact or potential impact of present pesticideuse on the environment. The second isprimarily concerned with research that willavoid or drastically reduce the release, into theenvironment, ofbroad -spectrum toxicants usedfor pest control.


Pesticide impact on nontarget organisms

Studies over the past 4 years have shownthat soil microorganisms can develop theability to rapidly degrade nearly all soil-applied insecticides or their insecticidaltransformation products. Under optimumenvironmental conditions anti-insecticideactivity is generated within 6 weeks of the firsttreatment. Anti-insecticide activity has notoccurred with tefluthrin or chlorpyrifos. Tests

253

have indicated that the hydrolysis product ofchlorpyrifos (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, orTCP) has antimicrobial properties, suggestingthat as TCP is generated in soil, it provides adegree of "protection" of the parent material.Some indirect support for this theory wasobtained in laboratory studies: in soils knownto possess a high level of anti-insecticideactivity, carbofuran, isofenphos, and Dowco429X were all more persistent when the soilwas pretreated with TCP.

Enhanced microbial degradation results inerratic pest control that may be erroneouslyattributed to resistance, leading to increasedapplications of soil pesticides. A betterunderstanding of the processes may allow theuse of inhibitors in formulations or theutilization of a process to remove undesirableresidues from the environment.

Heating clay-loam soils at 45°Cfor 4 weekswas found to destroy anticarbofuran, anti-isofenphos, antialdicarb sulfoxide, and anti-Dowco429X activity initially present. A fieldstudy was carried out on the effect ofsolarization under plastic on the persistence ofcarbofuran in soil and the development ofanticarbofuran activity. The disappearancerate was significantly reduced in plotssolarized immediately after treatment, andanticarbofuran activity did not develop in theseplots over 7 weeks. Plots not solarizedimmediately developed anticarbofuran activitywithin 2 weeks. Solarization of these plots 3weeks after treatment caused a detectabledecrease in anticarbofuran activity at 5 weeksand a significant decrease at 7 weeks.

Resistance

The development of resistance by the pest isa nondesired impact of the pesticide on targetorganisms leading to a breakdown in controland increased input of pesticides to theenvironment in an effort to maintain control ofthe pest. It is also possible that in the absenceof "hard" data, the occurrence of enhancedmicrobial degradation might be ascribed toresistance.

Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsadecemlineata (Say), from seven potato-growingareas across Ontario was monitored forresistance to representative insecticides. Highresistance to carbofuran was identified in six ofseven populations; endosulfan resistance was>30-fold in four of six collections. Resistanceto deltamethrin and fenvalerate varied, f

reaching a high of 30-fold in one collection. All

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populations showed moderate resistance toazinphos-methyl but remained susceptible toaIdicarb. In laboratory tests, abamectin,cyl1alothrin, and cyfluthrin were highly toxicto :insecticide-susceptible CPB; the twopyrethroids were approximately one-tenth astoxic to a resistant strain. In field microplottests, foliar applications of RH-5849 andcyhalothrin provided excellent control ofinsecticide-susceptible CPB. Bacill usth'uringiensis var. san diego and B.th~ringiensis var. tenebrionis gave fair to goodcop.trolofsmall larvae early in the season., Another potential consequence is the effect

of:pesticides on the life functions of beneficialsoil organisms, which could affect soil enzymeattivities and microbial respiration. Theeffects of four soil insecticides, Dowco 429X,

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chlorethoxyphos, tefluthrin, and trimethacarbon microbial activities in a sandy loam soil andan organic soil were evaluated. Results showedthat although some short-term effects onn'umbers and activities were observed, theywere not drastic enough or prolonged enough to

Ibe considered deleterious to soil organismsexamined or to their activities in relation tosoil fertility.

resticide movement and persistence

, The probability of ground-watercontamination from agricultural pesticides isdetermined by the relative rates of percolationthrough, and degradation within, the soilprofile. The use of field lysimeters enables anlnvestigation of the relative mobility and'persistence of commercial formulations. Thelend objective is to predict accurately the'potential of the pesticide to leach to ground'water. Field lysimeters packed with PlainfieldI sand were used to study the persistence and;mobility of commercial formulations of the,herbicides atrazine, metolachlor, and: terbuthylazine. The choice of soil type was anj attempt to simulate the most probableI conditions for ground-water contamination.I Based on effluent and soil core data, the three, herbicides exhibited limited movement under, moderate rainfall patterns. Two of the three, applied herbicides appeared to be moreI susceptible to rapid leaching for a 24-h periodfollowing application. This in turn suggeststhat soil-water partitioning coefficientsobtained by traditional laboratory stirringmethods may not accurately reflect therestricted soil-pesticide contact available inthe field in normally unsaturated soils.


ALTERNATIVE PEST CONTROLSTRATEGIES

Biological control

Entomogenous fungi have long been knownto play an important role in the naturalregulation ofmany insect pests. Few examplesof successful control are available, however,primarily because of the lack of knowledge ofthe interaction between host and pathogen. Tostudy this interaction, isolation and growth ofthe entomogenous fungus in pure culture onartificial media are necessary. An efficienttechnique has now been developed for theisolation, in vitro growth, and laboratoryproduction of Entomophthora muscae (Cohn).The fungal isolates have now been through 3years of continuous subculture withoutreversion to hyphal form, conidia or restingspore formation, or loss of infectivity.Examination by scanning electron microscopyhas demonstrated that the attachment ofconidia to insect host epicuticle is mediated bythe hydrophobic nature of the conidial wall andthe epicuticle ofthe host.

Continuing research on potential insectbiological control agents was severely curtailedbecause of the need to move the insect-rearingfacilities to the new building.

The second year of an experiment to test thefeasibility of using Aleochara bilineata (Ab) tocontrol root maggots in home gardens met withconsiderable success. In both years significantreductions in infestations ofcabbage maggot inradishes were related to the release of Ab. In1988 three different levels of Ab release wereused and demonstrated that the percentage ofdamage was inversely related to the number ofAb released. The results with onion maggots inboth onion sets and bunching onions from seedwere inconclusive. Apparently Ab is a moreeffective parasitoid ofthe cabbage maggot thanthe onion maggot. This agrees in largemeasure with the results from Europe.

Plant diseases

Research in this area is directed towardobtaining an appreciation ofthe basic processesinvolved in plant-pathogen interactions inresistant and susceptible crops. The potentialbenefits of these studies would be the ability toactivate the plants' natural defensemechanisms and to provide a firm basis forbreeding for genetic resistance.


Cytological studies of the early stages ofinfection of soybeans by the pathogenPhytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycineayielded several important findings. Invasion ofsoybean plants was shown to occur veryrapidly; 2 h after inoculation, hyphae havereached the cortex. Resistant and susceptibleresponses can be distinguished at this time,and differences become more pronounced 3, 5,and 7 h after inoculation. In resistantresponses cells die immediately, and insusceptible responses cells remain intact.Thus, there is clearly almost immediaterecognition of the pathogen in the resistantresponses and an absence of recognition in thesusceptible responses where a biotrophic phaseis established at least temporarily. The studyprovides a time course with which the geneticand biochemical responses of the plant toinfection can be correlated.

A highly sensitive enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) procedure has beendeveloped for the determination of abscisic acidlevels in infected plants, which will enableinvestigation of the role this hormone plays inthe plant's response to infection. There hasbeen speculation and conflicting evidence formany years that hormones are involved inregulating disease defence responses.Measurement of hormones has been previouslydependent on bioassays or on the extraction oflarge amounts of tissues. The ELISA procedureallows the measurement of concentrationswithin single lesions rather than gross changeswithin tissues, only a small part of which maybe involved in the disease reaction. Results sofar indicate that there are distinct changes inabscisic acid levels during infection, withtiming differences in resistant and susceptibleresponses. This finding suggests that abscisicacid exercises control over defence responses.

Work was continued on phytotoxicsecondary metabolites of fungi and bacteriathat are known in some cases to be causalfactors in plant diseases. A collaborative studywith workers at Harrow Research Station, on afungus isolated as a cucumber-infectingpathogen from a greenhouse, has demonstratedthe utility of chemical studies for the correctidentification of species as well as for theassessment of toxicological hazards. A postu-lated key intermediate on the biosyntheticpathway to the molluscicidal fungal metabolitetraversianal has been isolated and identifiedfrom cultures of the fungus. Testing by anoutside laboratory has revealed that

255

traversianal also has antileukemic activity. Abiosynthetic study has confirmed that themycotoxins orlandin and kotanin are rareexamples of structures that are in conflict witha generally accepted biogenetic rule; this mightprovide leads to specific control measures.

The possibility that the inhibition of thefungal toxin altersolanol was caused by theaccumulation of toxic levels of melaninprecursors, rather than tricyclazole itself, wasinvestigated using a fungus that does .notproduce melanin but does produce severalpentaketide-derived phytotoxins. Theorganism selected was the soil borne pathogenof onion, Pyrenochaeta terrestris (Hansen)Gorenz, Walker & Larson. Tricyclazole wasdemonstrated conclusively to inhibit thebiosynthesis of a wide range of pentaketide-derived fungal products including secalonicacid, a product of numerous fungi that isregarded as a mycotoxin dangerous to humanand animal health. The other product found tobe inhibited by tricyclazole was the pigmentcynodontin. Treated cultures accumulatednumerous pigments that were not found incontrol cultures. Many of these products havebeen purified, chemically characterized, andidentified and have confirmed the theoreticalbiosynthetic pathways proposed in theliterature. These findings can be considered tobe of some significance, in light of the widerange of other mycotoxins synthesized by thesame biochemical pathway.

Studies on the mode of action of thephytotoxin helminthosporal and the insectantifeedant polygodial revealed that they bothinteract with the electron transfer respiratorychain and prevent pyridine nucleotide (NADH)and succinate-linked reduction of coenzymeQI0 and cytochrome b, and can inhibitreversed electron flow from cytochrome c tonicotine-adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Itappears that these compounds can react withprotein amino groups involved in the functionof the electron flow chain.

A 30-kilobase (kb) segment ofPseudomonassyringae pv. tomato DNA required for pro-duction of the phytotoxin corona tine has beencloned. The clone restored toxin production tofour of five toxin-negative mutants. Restric-tion enzyme analysis and subcloning indicatedthat almost the entire 30 kb were required fortoxin production. A 5.3-kb internal fragment ofthis clone was labeled nonradioactively andwas used as a probe to screen other P. syringae

256

,I

pathovars, other bacterial tomato pathogens,and; tomato plant epiphytes for the presence ofcorona tine genes. Only the coronatine-producing P. syringae pathovars, pv. tomato,pv. glycinea (soybean pathogen), pv. maculicola(crucifer pathogen), and pv. atropurpurea(lta:lian ryegrass pathogen), reacted with theprope. Thus, the genes present on this cloneare highly conserved and exclusive to those P.sy~ingae pathovars that produce coronatine.The nonradioactively-labeled DNA probe hasthe potential to serve as a safe and effectivemeans of identifying the bacterial speckpa~hogen and the soybean bacterial blightpathogen in field, seed, and plant samples.Al~ernatively, one of the. protein products ofthis DNA could serve as an antigen in thedeVelopment ofa serologically based diagnostickit for the two diseases. Either approachshould help in the phytosanitary certificationof tomato and soybean seed destined for export.

, A tomato tissue-culture bioassay has beendeveloped. The assay distinguishes extractsfrom pathogenic Fusarium cultures and thosef~om nonpathogenic fusaria. The diseasesystem being examined is the economicallyifuportant wilt disease in tomato crops locatedprimarily in southern Ontario.

Single-cell tomato tissue culture was usedto facilitate and obtain uniform effects on all~ells in the system with the treatment extractsfrom the various isolates of the pathogens.This uniformity could not be obtained with~allus tissues. In order to amplify the smalldifferences in respiration and (l4C]methionine~ptake that were obtained, the tomato cellswere pretreated with metabolic modifiers.:With indoleacetic acid pretreatment, thedifferences in methionine uptake were,dramatic and significant between the cultures'treated with "pathogen extracts" and the:control cultures. This study is being doneIcooperatively with Dr. W. Jarvis, Harrow;Research Station.

i Solarization

Solarization has been shown in other; countries to be a promising technique forI control of soil-borne diseases, eliminating the: need for soil fumigation. Coverage of vastI areas may not be practical, but for home gardenI use, for low-hectarage high-value cash crops,

and for greenhouse soils there is an immediatepotential use.


Collaborative studies were continued insouth-central Ontario on the effect ofsolarization (heating soils under transparentplastic) on populations of the 'soil-borne fungalpathogen Verticillium dahliae, on severalspecies ofplant parasitic nematodes, and on thesubsequent health and productivity ofpotatoes.Soil temperatures were monitored at variousdepths at 15 min intervals over 8 weeks in twoof the six tarped and control plots. Samplingfor nematodes and V. dahliae was perforqledbefore and after tarping and before and afterplanting in the subsequent year. In addition,V. dahliae microsclerotia were buried atvarious depths before solarization to assesstheir survival. Laboratory experimentsdetermined the effect of specific temperatureson the mortality of these resting structures.Chemical analyses ofthe organic and inorganicconstituents of the soils were conducted beforeand after treatment.Temperatures in solarized soils on the

average were 7-10.C higher than in soils atcomparable depths in nonsolarized plots. Thisdifference was evident within 24 h aftertarping and remained uniform during thesolarization period. Temperatures in the top 10cm exceeded 40.C for an average of 8-9 h1day,which in laboratory experiments reducedmicrosclerotia viability by at least 90%.Maximum temperatures of about 50.C wererecorded in the top 10 cm oftarped plots. Bothnematode and V. dahliae populations wereeliminated or significantly reduced in the top15 cm of soil but not at the lower depths.Incidence of verticillium wilt was reduced insolarized plots by 10 August from 30, 35, and15%to 5,15, and 0%in Kennebec, Norchip, andA66107-51 (a Verticillium-resistant cultivar),respectively. Yield increases as a result ofsolarization for these three cultivars were 25,43, and 19%, of which only the increase forNorchip was statistically significant. Totalnitrogen levels increased up to 300% in the top10 cm of solarized soils and up to 50% in thenext 10 cm. No increase was observed at thelower depths.

Mode of action

A large variety of new furan carboxamides,substituted 2-methylbenzanilides, andoxathiin carboxamides were synthesized andfound to be potent inhibitors of the succinatedehydrogenase complex (SOC)in wild-type andcarboxin-resistant strains of Ustilago maydis(DC.) Corda (corn smut). Of importance was


that a wide variety of 4'-substituent groups onthe parent anilides produced compounds moreinhibitory to the mutant SOC than toward thewild-type enzyme complex. Such compoundsmay be of importance in controlling naturallyoccurring carboxin-resistant fungi.Further research was carried out on the role

of indole-3-acetic acid (lAA) in the chemicalregulation of plant growth and in pesticide-plant interactions. An analytical procedurewas developed to isolate an unstable majormetabolite resulting from the effect of theherbicide glyphosate on IAA metabolism insoybeans. Using a combination of normal andreverse phase HPLC and radio assay forisolation, this major metabolite has beententatively identified as being a conjugate ofindole-3-methanol.

STORED PRODUCTS

The mode of toxic action of the fumigantphosphine (PH3) has remained a mystery forover 50 years during which time it has beenused as an insecticide in stored products inmany areas of the world. It is known that PH3inhibits cytochrome c oxidase ofthe respiratorychain. However, this does not appear to be themajor cause of insect death. Investigationscarried out over the past 4 years suggest thatPH3 toxicity may be related to the production ofsuperoxide radicals from the inhibitedrespiratory chain. Oxygen-derived radicals arehighly cytoxic and can oxidize most cellularcomponents including lipids, proteins, andnucleic acids. A gradual accumulation ofcellular damage could explain why insects takeseveral days to die after fumigation.In vitro studies revealed that insect

mitochondria challenged with PH3 releaseHzOz, a measure of superoxide radicalgeneration. Insects exposed to PH3 showedincreased superoxide dismutase activity, andsince this enzyme removes superoxide radicals,this finding reaffirms that fumigated insectsmay produce them in vivo.These findings have implications for the

application ofPH3, because superoxide radicalgeneration is increased at higher oxygenconcentrations. By lowering the oxygenconcentration before fumigation, the activity ofantioxidant enzymes should be decreased,making the insects sensitive to less PH3,especially ifit is accompanied by higher oxygenconcentrations.

257

Additional information required by regula-tory authorities has been obtained concerningthe identity of chemically bound residuesformed during fumigation with [14Clmethylbromide. Studies of the sites of protein methyl-ation have now been extended to include 10commodities. Methylation of methionineaccounts for only 6% of the chemically boundresidue in alfalfa but for 28-30% in apples,potatoes, and wheat. Histidine also accountedfor a major portion of the residue. Amongthehydrolysis products that have been identifiedare 1- and 3-methylhistidine. In corn andalmonds the bound residues associated withboth the protein and the DNA were stable overa 6-month period.

A cooperative project with the FoodProduction and Inspection Branch wasinitiated to determine the conditions underwhich phosphine can be safely used to controleffectively all stages of the Hessian fly incompressed and chopped hay. The data areneeded to satisfy requirements of Japaneseauthorities regarding the import of hay. Themost critical factor for the initiation of theproject was the successful rearing of largenumbers of the Canadian strain of the Hessianfly on a year-round basis. This task was finallyaccomplished with the move to the newmass-rearing facility at the end of the year.Mass rearing of this insect has now beenachieved for the first time in Canada. Insectsare also being provided to the University ofSaskatchewan for thermal studies on theinsect. Studies on phosphine penetration,sorption, and desorption using bales ofcompressed hay have been completed, andresidue levels resulting from phosphinetreatment of loose hay have been establishedand should present no problems to regulatoryauthorities.

Previous work in this laboratory resulted inthe isolation of a unique insect protein kinaseinvolved in the insect molt. Research wasstarted on the enzyme trehalose to establish itsnature and to determine if its activity iscontrolled by the molt protein kinase. Becausetrehalose is found only in insects, its control bythe protein kinase would provide a logical focalpoint for a rational approach to biologicalcontrol. Two forms of trehalase enzyme havebeen identified and separated fromgrasshoppers, crickets, and flies.

With the use ofthe model system developedhere, the impact of various insecticides and

258

ifungicides on membrane transport processes inlivi'ng cells was investigated. Manyorganochlorine and pyrethroid fungicides aswell as the fungicides dodine, captan, phaltan,difolatan, and thiophanate have been shown tointerfere directly with metabolite transportacr6ss the cell membrane. Fungicides active inthe'model system were also shown to blocktransport in the smut fungus. The possibilitythat this general inhibitory effect on transportby some pesticides may provide a predictiveca~ability for determining potential impact onnorltarget organisms is being investigated.

II

PUBLICATIONSI

R~search

Bhattacharyya, M.K.; Ward, E.W.B. 1988.I Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity insoybean hypocotyls and leaves following

I infection with Phytophthora megasperma f.~sp. glycinea. Can. J. Bot. 66:18-23.

Brind,E.J.; Dumas, T. 1987. Concentrations of, methyl bromide inside flour mills and in theI atmosphere around the mills during andI after fumigation. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ontoi 118:1-6.

B~nd, E.J.; Miller, D.M. 1988. A new tech-I nique for measuring the combustibility ofgases at reduced pressures and itsapplication to the fumigant phosphine. J.

I Stored Prod. Res. 24(4):225-228.

Bbwman, B.T. 1988. Mobility and persistenceI of metolachlor and aldicarb in fieldI lysimeters. J. Environ. Qual. 17:689-694.

Butler, M.J.; Lazarovits, G.; Higgins, V.J.;, Lachance, M.-A. 1988. Partial purificationI and characterization of a dehydratase, associated with the pentaketide melano-genesis pathway ofPhaeococcomyces sp. andotherfungi. Exp. Mycol. 12:367-376.

Guppels, D.A. 1988. Chemotaxis by Pseudo-I monas syringae pV. tomato. Appl. Environ.Microbiol. 54(3):629-632.,

Harris, C.R.; Chapman, R.A.; Morris, R.F.;I Stevenson, A.B. 1988. Enhanced soilmicrobial degradation of carbofuran andfensulfothion-A factor contributing to thedecline in effectiveness of some soil insectcontrol programs in Canada. J. Environ.Sci. Health Part B 23(4):301-316.


Harris, C.R.; Chapman, R.A.; Tolman, J.H.;Moy, P.; Henning, K.; Harris, C. 1988. Acomparison of the persistence in a clay loamof single and repeated annual applicationsof seven granular insecticides used for cornrootworm control. J. Environ. Sci. HealthPart B 23(1):1-32;

Krupka, R.M.; Deves, R. 1988. The cholinecarrier of erythrocytes: Location of theNEM-reactive thiol group in the innergated channel. J. Membr. BioI. 101:43-47.

Lazarovits, G.; Stoessl, A. 1988. Tricyclazoleinduces melanin shunt products andinhibits Altersolanol A accumulation byAlternaria solani. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol.31:36-45.

Merchant, F.J.A.; Margaritis, A.; Vardanis, A.;Wallace, J.B. 1987. A novel technique formeasuring solute diffusivities in entrap-ment matrices used in immobilisation.Biotechnol. Bioeng. 30:936-945.

Roslycky, E.B. 1988. Stability and other char-acteristics of paraquat resistant rhizobiaand agrobacteria. Phyton 48(112):101-106.

Shipitalo, M.J.; Protz, R.; Tomlin, A.D. 1988.Effect of diet on the feeding and castingactivity of Lumbricus terrestris and L.rubellus in laboratory culture. Soil BioI.Biochem.20:233-237.

Starratt, A.N.; Bond, E.J. 1988. In vitro meth-ylation of DNA by the fumigant methylbromide. J. Environ. Sci. Health Part R23(5):513-525.

Starratt, A.N.; Bond, E.J. 1988. Methylationof DNA of maize and wheat grains duringfumigation with methyl bromide. J. Agric.Food Chern. 36(5):1035-1039.

Starratt, A.N.; Stothers, J.B.; Ward, E.W.B.1988. Coprinolone, an oxygen-bridgedprotoilludane from the fungus Coprinuspsychromoorbidus: Structure determina-tion by chemical and n.m.r. studies aided bybiosynthetic incorporation of [I,2-l3Czlacetate. J. Chern. Soc. Chern. Commun.590-591.

Stoessl, A.; Rock, G.L.; Stothers, J.B.; Zimmer,R.C. 1988. The structure, stereochemistry,and biosynthetic origin of a diterpenoidfungal metabolite, traversianal, establishedby lH, zH, and l3C magnetic resonance.Can. J. Chern. 66:1084-1 090.


Stothers, J.B.; Stoessl, A. 1988. Confirmationof the polyketide origin of kotanin byincorporation of [I,2-l3Czlacetate. Can. J.Chern. 66:2816-2818.

Tomlin, A.D.;Miller,J.J. 1987. Composition ofthe soil fauna in forested and grassy plots atDelhi, Ontario. Can. J. Zool.65:3048-3055.

Tomlin,A.D.;Miller,J.J. 1988. Impactofring-billed gull Larus delawarensis Ord.foraging on earthworm populations ofsouthwestern Ontario agricultural soils.Agric. Ecosyst. & Environ. 20:165-173.

Tu, C.M. 1988. Effects of selected pesticides onactivities of invertase, amylase andmicrobial respiration in sandy soil.Chemosphere 17(1):159-163.

Tu, C.M.; Harris, C.R. 1988. A description ofthe development and pathogenicity ofEntomophthora muscae (Cohn) in the onionmaggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen). Agric.Ecosyst. & Environ. 20:143-146.

White, G.A. 1987. Substituted benzanilides:Structural variation and inhibition ofcomplex II activity in mitochondria from awild-type strain and a carboxin-selectedmutant strain of Ustilago maydis. Pestic.Biochem. Physiol. 27:249-260.

White, G.A. 1988. Furan carboxamide fungi-cides: Structure-activity relationships withthe succinate dehydrogenase complex inmitochondria fr.oma wild-type strain and acarboxin-resi'stant mutant strain ofUstilago maydis. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol.31:129-145.

Miscellaneous

Bond, E.J. 1987. Investigations on adverseproperties of the fumigants methyl bromideand phosphine. 1. Residues of methylbromide in fumigated commodities. Pages327-334 in Donahaye, E.; Navarro, S., eds.Proceedings 4th International WorkshopConference Stored-Product Protection,September 1986, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Bond, E.J.; Starratt, A.N. 1987. Residues re-sulting from fumigation offood commoditieswith methyl bromide. Pages 89-95 inRadiotracer studies of pesticide residues instored products. Technical Document 405,International Atomic Energy Agency,Vienna, Austria.

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McLeod, D.G.R.; Tolman J.H. 1987. Evalua-tion oflosses in potatoes-A review. Pages363-373 in Boiteau, G.; Singh, R.P.; Perry,R.H., eds. Potato pest management inCanada.

Stoessl, A.; Abramowski, Z.; Lester, H.H.;Rock, G.L.; Stothers, J.B.; Towers, G.H.N.;Zimmer, R.C. 1988. Structural, biogenetic,and activity studies on metabolites offungal pathogens. Chapter 7 in Hedin,P.A.; Menn, J.J.; Hollingworth, R.M., eds.Biotechnology in crop protection. AmericanChemical Society Symposium Series 379.American Chemical Society, Washington,D.C.

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iI

Sto~ssl, A.; Stothers, J .B. 1987. Recent studieson some metabolites implicated in plant-fllicrobe interactions. Pages 1-17 (Chaptero in Hostettmann, K.; Lea, P.J., eds.Annual Proceedings Phytochemical Societyof Europe, Vol. 27. Oxford University Press.

Toinlin, A.D. 1988. Soil microfaunal densities;following drainage of peatlands. Onto Min.,Nat. Res. 4(1):3.

Turnbull, S.A.; Tolman, J.H.; Harris, C.R.,1988. Colorado potato beetle resistance toI insecticides in Ontario, Canada. BritishI Crop Protection Conference, Pests andI Diseases, 1988. 1:457-463.


Research StationVineland Station, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

D.R. Menzies, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.R.FordM.A. Fraumeni,l B.A., M.L.S.

EntomologyD.J. Pree, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.B. Broadbent, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.A.C. Hagley, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.,

DJ.C.T.A.A.B. Stevenson, B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.H.M.A. Thistlewood, B.Sc., M.P.M., Ph.D.R.J.M. Trimble,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

DirectorAdministrative OfficerLibrarian

Head of Section; ToxicologyOrnamental entomologyFruit pest management

Vegetable pest managementAcarologyBioclimatology

M. Chiba, B.Sc., D.Sc., C.Chem., F.C.I.C.B.D. McGarvey, B.Sc., M.Sc.T.H.A. Olthof, Ing., B.Sc.(Agr.), Ph.D.J.L. Townshend, B.Sc., M.Sc., DJ.C.J. Yee, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Nematology, Chemistry, and Computer ScienceJ.W. Potter, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D. Head of Section; Nematode ecology and

chemical controlResidue chemistryChemistryHost-parasite relationsNematode ecologyMathematics and computing

Plant PathologyA.R. Biggs, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.R. Allen, B.A., Ph.D.R.F. Cerkauskas, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Matteoni, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Northover, B.Sc., Ph.D., DJ.C.A.A. Reyes, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.L.W. Stobbs, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Head of Section; Tree fruit diseasesFruit and soil-borne virusesVegetable diseasesOrnamental pathologyFruit mycologyVegetable mycologyGrapevine viruses

Smithfield Experimental Farm, Trenton, OntoS.R. Miller, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Superintendent; PomologyW.P. Mohr, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D. Food processingJ.G. Metcalf Tomato breedingJ. Warner, 8.Sc., M.Sc. Pomology

Research Station, Vineland Station, Onto 261

DepartureN.J. Smits, B.Sc.

Retired 28 September 1988

EXTENSION SERVICES3

D.Ridgway

IVegetable management

I

iFruit and vegetable crops

I

I

1 Seconded from Ubrarles Division, Corporate Management BrJch.2 Transfer of work, October 1987 to September 1988, The Netherlands.3 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Trenton, Onto '

I


INTRODUCTION

The Vineland Research Station was formed in 1960 with the amalgamation of the DominionEntomological Laboratory in Vineland Station (established in 1911) and the Dominion Laboratoryof Plant Pathology in St. Catharines (established in 1912). The two facilities moved to a new office-laboratory-greenhouse complex in 1968 on the property of the Ontario Ministry ofAgriculture andFood Horticultural Experiment Station at Vineland Station. The Smithfield Experimental Farm,located 8 km west ofTrenton, was administratively linked to Vineland in 1975.

The mandate of the research station is crop protection, with particular reference to horticulturalcrops. The research programs are multidisciplinary and are coordinated under three maincommodity groups: tree fruits, ornamentals, and vegetables. The principal objective of the threecomponents is the development of alternative pest control strategies that will permit a reduction inthe use of chemical pesticides while maintaining an acceptable quality of crop. The researchactivities at Vineland are closely linked to the horticultural production research of the provincialestablishment. The Smithfield Experimental Farm performs horticultural production andprocessing research, as well as pest control research in collaboration with Vineland. In 1988Smithfield was identified as the primary site for the clonal repository of the Plant Gene ResourcesofCanada program, and the collection of genetic material has begun.

The combined Vineland-Smithfield establishment has a professional staff of 25 and anoperating budget of$675 000. The Vineland facility has 30 ha of research farm while Smithfieldoperates 121 ha. Both establishments also dowork on private growers' properties.

This report summarizes some of the research results from the station in 1988; more detailedinformation can be obtained from the publications listed at the end of this report. For moreinformation on these or other research projects, or for copies of this report, please write to theDirector, Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Station, Onto LOR2EO;Tel. (416) 562.4113.

D.R.MenziesDirector

ENTOMOLOGY

The effects of two sterol-inhibiting fungi-cides on pests and beneficial arthropods onapple. Populations of some pests andbeneficial arthropods were monitored for twogrowing seasons in a Mcintosh apple orchardthat had received applications, at 2-weekintervals, of two sterol-inhibiting fungicides,bitertanol and flusilazole. High rates offusilazole were associated with increasednumbers of European red mite and increasednumbers of predacious mite species,Typhlodromus caudiglans Schuster. Treesreceiving a high rate of bitertanol had fewerEuropean red mites and predacious mitespecies. Fungicides did not influence theoviposition of spotted tentiform leafminer orthe number of leafminer larvae in May andJune 1985. However, in September 1985 fewerleafminer pupae in plots were treated with thetwo lower rates of flusilazole and more larvaein plots were treated with the high rate ofbitertanol, relative to trees sprayed with

Research Station, Vineland Station, Onto

captan. In 1986 more leafminer eggs in plotswere treated with the low rate of bitertanolcompared with captan and nonsprayed trees.However, by 24 June, all treatments showedsimilar levels of leafminer larvae and pupae.Populations of Pholetesor ornigis weregenerally higher in trees treated withflusilazole relative to nonsprayed and captan-treated trees. Fungicides had no apparenteffect on populations ofwhite apple leafhopper.

Monitoring Pholetesor ornigis, a parasite ofthe spotted tentiform leafminer. The effect oftrap location on the number and sex ratio ofadultP. ornigis (Weed) caught on yellow stickytraps was examined in Ontario from 1982 to1985 during the spring and first-summeractivity periods in one experimental orchardand five commercial orchards. In the firstexperiment, traps placed within the treecanopy in the peripheral zone caught more P.ornigis than traps placed above, below, andwithin the tree canopy, as well as those placedbetween adjacent trees in the peripheral and

263

interior zones of the orchard. Traps placedabove the tree in both zones caught less than1% of all parasites trapped. In the secondexperiment, traps placed within the treecanopy in the interior zone caught more male,female, and total P. ornigis than traps placedbelow the tree in the interior zone and withinand below the tree in the peripheral zoneduring both the spring and periods offirst-summer activity. The results suggest thatthe spatial distribution of male and femaleparasites changes between the spring andperiods of first-summer activity. Trap locationdid not affect the sex ratio of trap catches. Thepercentage of males in trap catches from anorchard ranged from 75.6 to 96.4 during thetwo activity periods, whereas estimates of thepercentage of males in the population from anorchard ranged from 40.0 to 63.0.

The effect of three insect growth regulatorson spotted tentiform leafminer. Most treatedeggs hatched, but larvae died in the earlyinstars. High larval mortalities also occurredwhen treatments were applied to the foliagebefore oviposition. Treatments applied tolarvae, especially older larvae, were less toxicthan those applied to eggs. In the field, controlwas similar whether insecticides were appliedduring egg deposition, during first hatch ofeggs, or against early-instar larvae.Applications during egg deposition aresuggested as optimal for control. Control ofspotted tentiform leafminer with insect growthregulators was equivalent to that obtainedwith deltamethrin or methomyl. Residues ofdiflubenzuron and triflumuron, appliedprebloom, persisted until leaf drop 19 weekslater. Residues of teflubenzuron applied inMay were toxic to larvae into October.

Influence of mass trapping on populations ofspotted tentiform leafminer Mass trapping forcontrol of spotted tentiform leafminer wasevaluated during 1986 in one experimentalorchard near Jordan Station, Ont., and threeexperimental orchards in Norfolk County, OntoMulti-Pher II traps were used to trap adultmales, and Vineland traps were used tomonitor adult activity and to obtain a measureof the effect of mass trapping on adult maleabundance. In the experimental orchard,Vineland trap catches were similar in thetrapped and control plots. In two of the threecommercial orchards, Vineland trap catcheswere smaller in the trapped plots during one ofthe three yearly periods of activity. Preadult

264

leafminer density was significantly lower inthe trapped plots than in the control plots onthree of the seven sample dates in the experi-mental orchard, whereas in the commercialord\.ards, where up to 91 times as many adultmales were trapped per plot per activity period,preadult density was lower in the trapped plotsonIt in one orchard on one sample date.

IN~MATOLOGY:Xiphinema rivesi, a vector of tomato ring

spot virus in grape. X. rivesi was recoveredfrom all nematode-containing samples takenfrotn the root zone of grapevines that wereeitper healthy or infected with tomato ring spotvirus (TmRSV) in 21 European hybridvilfleyards in the Niagara Peninsula. X.americanum was found in one of those samples.TmRSV-infected vineyards occurred on all soiltypes, and the virus was transmitted to baitplants grown in soil from infected vines. Theresults indicated that X. rivesi is the principalve'ctor of the virus in the area studied and thatthis nematode is associated with a wider rangedsoil types than was previously reported.

I Control of Pratylenchus penetrans byoxamyl. Oxamyl was applied to both cut andUJ;lcutpotato tubers in aqueous solutions of1000-32000 Ilg/mL. Emergence in greenhousepots was delayed for a day or more aftersoaking cut tuber pieces in 32 000 Ilg/mL.AIter 10 weeks, plant growth was greater,relative to the control, when P. penetrans-iMested soil was planted with cut tuberssoaked for 20 min in 32 000 Ilg/mL. Soaking for40 min did not increase nematode control nordid it affect plant growth. Oxamyl applied tot~bers at 1000 Ilg/mL reduced the number of P.penetrans in the soil by 20% and in the roots by35%; at 32000 Ilg/mL, the number of P.penetrans in the soil was reduced by 73-86%a,nd in the roots by 86-97%. The number of P.penetrans did not increase in the roots of plantsdeveloped from the cut tubers soaked in 32 000~g/mL over a period of 10 weeks, but thenumber of lesion nematodes had begun toincrease in the soil.

Influence of strip tillage on yield, diseases,and nematodes of tomatoes. Strip tillage intokilled rye (Secale cereale L.) and oats (Avena'sativa L.) cover crops was evaluated as a:production system for machine-harvestedIprocessing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum


Mill.). No effect of tillage on yield was foundfor 2 out of 3 years. Yield was reduced in thethird year in strip-tilled rye plots because oflow transplant vigor, and, possibly,low-temperature injury. Populations of plantparasitic nematodes were stimulated by ryeand strip tillage. Bacterial diseases wereincreased by strip tillage in one season.Long-term evaluation of conservation-orientedsystems is required to determine effects onyield, nematodes, and diseases.

Longidorus elongatus as a virus vector. Apopulation of L. elongatus from Ontario wasshown to transmit efficiently English andScottish isolates of raspberry rings pot virusand a Scottish isolate oftomato black ring virus(TBRV). No transmission occurred withEnglish or German isolates of TBRV, but theoccasional transmission of an Ontario isolate ofpeach rosette mosaic virus was detected. Thetransmission results and the morphometricindices for this nematode population indicatedthat it was similar to populations of thenematode found in Great Britain.

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Influence of temperature and wetnessduration on infection of peach and sweet cherryfruits by Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey.Nonwounded peach and sweet cherry fruitswere inoculated with a conidial suspension ofM. fructicola at temperatures of 15-30°C at2.5°C intervals and wetness durations of3-15 h(peach) or 6-18 h (cherry) at 3-h intervals.Both peach and cherry had an increasedincidence of fruit infection with duration ofincreased wetness over the range of tempera-tures tested. Optimum observed temperaturefor cherry fruit infection was 20-22.5°C, withgreater than 80% infection after 15 h ofwetness. After 18 h of wetness, infection wasgreater than 80% at all temperatures except30°C. Optimum observed temperature forinfection ofpeach fruit was 22.5-25°C. Greaterthan 70% infection occurred after 12 h at alltemperatures except 17.5 and 30°C. Nontrans-formed polynomial and logistic equations forpeach and cherry, respectively, were chosen asthe best regression models to describe theincidence of fruit infection as a function oftemperature and wetness duration. TheAnalytis Beta model was used to describe theeffect of wetness duration on the incubation


period for sweet cherry. The incubation perioddecreased with increasing wetness duration.All models had significant coefficients, and theexperimental runs were similar within fruitspecies.

Tomato spotted wilt virus in greenhousecrops in Ontario. Since 1984 tomato spottedwilt virus (TSWV)has caused production lossesin 32 greenhouses, principally in the NiagaraPeninsula and southwestern Ontario. TSWVwas identified on the basis of symptoms inassay .hosts, immunosorbent electron micros-copy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Based on representative samples, themost frequently infected crops were NewGuinea impatiens, gloxinia, tomato, cineraria,cyclamen, and calceolaria. Other infectedcrops included begonia, marigold, ageratum,dahlia, calendula, and primrose. All diseasedcrops were infested with the vector,Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). In somecases, TSWV outbreaks were associated withthe introduction of infected New Guineaimpatiens. Complete eradication of the virushas not been possible, except when the viruswas detected early and the thrips populationlevels were low.

Fungicidal control of phoma canker ofparsnip. The minimum concentrations ofchlorothalonil, maneb, mancozeb, fixed copper,and iprodione, with active ingredient (a.i.),that inhibited germination of Phomacomplanata in vitro were 0.1, 10, 10, andlOOllg/mL, respectively. In greenhouse testsusing parsnip plants of the susceptible cultivarHarris Model, these fungicides with a.i. appliedat 10.8, 20.0, 13.6, 16.3, and 4.0 mg per plant,respectively, significantly reduced the severityof P. complanata foliar disease. Field studies,conducted at three widely separated locationsin 1986, evaluated chlorothalonil and man-cozeb with a.i. at a rate of 1.4 and 1.8 kg/ha,respectively. Generally, final foliar diseaseseverity ratings, area under the diseaseprogress curve, and canker incidence weresignificantly less in fungicide-treated plotsthan in untreated plots, whereas yield ofharvestable parsnips (plants with topsremaining) was significantly greater in treatedplots than in untreated plots at two of the sites.Residue levels of chlorothalonil and4-hydroxy-2,5,6- trichloroisophthalonitrile, thetoxic metabolite of chlorothalonil, did notchange significantly between 3, 5, 7, and 10days after the last fungicide application.

265

Residues of chlorothalonil and its metabolite 7days after the last fungicide application rangedfrom 0.13 to 0.35 and from 0.021 to 0.03011g/gof root tissue, respectively. This was the firstreport of the chemical control of phoma cankeron parsnip.

Influence of graft unions on the infectionof scions by tomato spotted wilt virus.DeChaunac scions grafted onto Sonona, S04,5BB, 3309, 4453, Concord, and DeChaunacrootstocks were planted along with own-rooted-vines in a commercial vineyard with a highincidence of tomato ring spot virus infection.All grafted vines remained healthy over sevengrowing seasons, while own-rooted DeChaunacbecame infected during and following thesecond growing season. Since the virus wasundetectable in all grafted understocks,including susceptible DeChaunac, it wouldappear that the graft union influencestranslocatory movement and multiplication ofthe virus, thus preventing infection of suscep-tible scions. Yield reductions were apparent inDeChaunac grafted on Concord, S04, 5BB, and4453 understocks, while total sugar, acid, andpH levels of the juice were unaffected.

Report of a previously unidentifiedpotexvirus in Ontario. A previouslyunidentified potexvirus was isolated fromcommon burdock (Arctium minus (Hill)Bernh.) in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario.Infected plants showed a bright yellow mosaicmottling and stunting of growth. The viruswas readily transmitted mechanically but wasnot seed borne. On the basis of studies on therange of the host, no similarity could be foundbetween this virus and other describedpotexviruses, although immunodiffusion testsrevealed serological relatedness with potatoaucuba mosaic and clover yellow mosaicviruses. The \'Virus crude sap fromChenopodium q/uinoa' was infective to adilution end point of 10..,6. The thermalinactivation point was 58°C, and longevity invitro at 20°Cwas up to 13 weeks.

Variation with maturity of peach fruits toMonilinia fructicola. Fruit of the peachcultivars Redhaven and Loring was harvestedweekly beginning in early June and continuingto full ripeness, and was inoculated undercontrolled conditions with Monilinia fructicolaat a range of 103-106 conidia per millilitre. Inboth years of the study, fruit was susceptible toinfection at all inoculum concentrations for 2-4weeks in June. At pit hardening 'it became

266

reststant to infection at all inoculumconcentrations. Fruit again becameincreasingly susceptible to infectionapproximately 2 weeks before full ripeness.

,Suppression of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on

celery. At 1°C, the growth in vitro of S.scle:rotiorum (Lib.) de Bary on celery extractagar was most suppressed in a storageatmosphere containing 7.5% CO + 1.5% O2,but!only slightly suppressed in 4%CO2 + 1.5%O2 or in O2 alone, compared with normal air.Watery soft rot caused by this fungus wassev~re on celery (Apium graveolens val'. dulce)stored in normal air for 2 wk at 8°C. Acomparable severity took 10 weeks to developat 1°C. At 8°C the suppression of this diseasewaSthe greatest in atmospheres of7 .5-30% CO+ 1.5%O2, but only slightly reduced in 4-16%cd2 + 1.5%O2 or in 1.5-6% O2,

S~IITHFIELD EXPERIMENTALFARM

IMonitoring apple maggot, R hagoletispomonella (Walsh). The standard applemaggot trap, consisting of a Zoecon prebaitedyellow board and two red spheres, which iscurrently used in Ontario, was more effectivein general performance than the Ladd trap,cohsisting of a yellow panel with a redhemisphere on each side. Odor-enhanced luresin~reased the effectiveness of both the Laddtraps and the red spheres in trapping applem~ggot flies under some conditions.

! Performance of scab-resistant applecultivars. Scab-resistant apple cultivarsde1velopedfrom the breeding program initiatedinl1949 at the Central Experimental Farm,Ottawa, Ont., include Macfree, Moira, Trent,Britegold, Murray, Richelieu, and Rouville.Three additional scab-resistant selections,0+637, 0-654, and 0-662, show promise asfresh-market and processing apples. Murraywas the highest yielding cultivar, but Moirahad the highest cumulative yield efficiency onall rootstocks. Britegold and Richelieu had lowyields. The fruit of Macfree, Moira, Murray,Richelieu, and 0-662 was smaller than that ofMcIntosh, whereas the fruit of Rouville waslarger. Trent had the best storage life,, retaining firmness for at least 6 months at 2°C.The fruit of Macfree, 0-637, 0-654, and 0-662Jas resistant to cedar apple rust, although theleaves and the fruit of all cultivars wasI


susceptible to quince rust. Britegold, Macfree,and 0-637 showed good resistance to fireblight. These cultivars offer a range in harvestdates from late August for Murray to lateOctober for Trent.

Texture differences in applesauce fromvarious cultivars. Canned sauce made fromvarious cultivars of apples differs charac-teristically in texture. Textural variations ofthis kind are important commercially.Microscopic study of the raw fruit of Mcintosh,Red Delicious, Northern Spy, Spartan, andIdared demonstrated differences in the natureof the parenchyma cell wall materials. Thedegree to which they dissociate and possiblyrecombine in the case of certain cultivars oflate storage fruit determines the degree of cellseparation contributing to the main texturalquality of applesauce, usually referred to ascoarseness. In addition to these cell wallbinding materials, the results indicated thatlesser contributors to sauce texture couldinclude the fruit's vascular system and thephysical presence of starch granules in the cellsofearly -storage fruit.

Improving juice yield from apples. Yieldsof apple juice on pressing have been increasedfrom 72 to 82% by using improved prepressconditions. These include processing theapples at harvest maturity rather than laterout of storage, reducing the grind size, andtreating the crushed apples with a maceratingenzyme before pressing. An additional benefitwas a much faster and better compaction offines during juice settlement. This benefit wasdue mainly to the use of fruit at harvestmaturity, which also resulted in a juice oflighter color, although it was slightly lower insoluble solids. The slight lowering of solublesolids content was not a problem, because theminimum requirement for commercialprocessing was met with the cultivars tested in1987 and 1988. The 10% increase in juice yieldwill improve the efficiency of the operation,especially in orchards established for juiceproduction, where harvest date can bescheduled for immediate juice pressing.

Pea cultivars for processing. In 1987 and1988, 16 and 13 cultivars, respectively, ofprocessing peas were evaluated for fieldperformance and quality after freezing. Thecultivars required from"634to 914 heat units tomature. The high temperatures of 1988accelerated the maturity. Puget rankedhighest in yield both years and had the highest


percentagecof peas in sieve sizes 3, 4, and 5,although it ranked poorest in cooking quality.Wavertop and FR9888 were the cultivars withthe best cooked quality, although Wavertopwas hard to shell and was lowyielding. Bolero,the standard, was intermediate in all factorsevaluated.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Allen, W.R.; Eosary, B.A. 1988. Transmissionof raspberry ringspot, tomato black ring,and peach rosette mosaic viruses by anOntario population of Longidoruselongatus. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:1-5.

Allen, W.R.; Matteoni, J.A. 1988. Cyclamenringsppt: Epidemics in Ontariogreenhouses caused by the tomato spottedwilt virus. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:41-46.

Allen, W.R.; Stobbs, L.W.; Van Schagen, J.G.;Ebsary, B.A. 1988. Association ofXiphinema species with soil type and grape-vines infected with tomato ringspot virus inOntario, Canada. Plant Dis. 72:861-863.

Biggs, A.R.; Britton, K.O. 1988. Presymptomhistopathology of peach trees inoculatedwith Botryosphaeria obtusa andBotryosphaeria dothidea. Phytopathology78:1109-1118.

Biggs,.A.R.; Hagley, E.A.C. 1988. Effects oftwo sterol-inhibiting fungicides onpopulations ,offpest and beneficialarlhropodson apple. Agric. Ecosyst. &Environ. 20:235-244.

Biggs, A.R.; Miles, N.W. 1988. Association ofsuberin formation in non-inoculatedwounds with susceptibility to Leucostomacincta and L. persoonii in various peachcultivars. Phytopathology 78:1070-1074.

Biggs, A.R.; Northover, J. 1988. Early andlate~season susceptibility of peach fruits toMonvli'nia fructicola. Plant Dis.72:1070-1074.

Biggs, A.R.; Northover, J. 1988. Influence oftemperature and wetness duration oninfection of peach and sweet cherry fruit byMonilinia fructicola. Phytopathology78:1352-1356.

Cerkauskas, R.F. 1987. Phoma canlter"severi~ty and yield losses in parsnip. Can. J. PlantPathol. 9:311-318.

267

Cerkauskas, R.F.; McGarvey, B.D. 1988. Fun-gicidal control of phoma canker of parsnips.Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:252-258.

Chiba, M.;Northover, J. 1988. Efficacy of newbenzimidazole fungicides against sensitiveand benomyl-resistant Botrytis cinerea.Phytopathology 78:613-618.

Hagley, E.A.C.; Allen, W.R. 1988. Groundbeetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) aspredators of the codling moth, Cydiapomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).Can. Entomol.120:917-925.

Harris, C.R.; Chapman, R.A.; Morris, R.F.;Stevenson, A.B. 1988. Enhanced soilmicrobial degradation of carbofuran andfensulfothion-A factor contributing to thedecline in effectiveness of some soil insectcontrol programs in Canada. J. Environ.Sci. Health Part B 23:301-316.

Marshall, D.B.; Pree, D.J.; McGarvey, B.D.1988. Effects of some benzoylarylureainsect growth regulators on eggs and larvaeof the spotted tentiform leafminerPhyllonorycter blancardella (Lepidoptera:Gracillariidae). Can. Entomol. 120:49-62.

Matteoni, J.A.; Allen, W.R.; Broadbent, A.B.1988. Tomato spotted wilt virus in green-house crops in Ontario. Plant Dis. 72:801.

Matteoni, J .A.;Broadbent, A.B. 1988. Woundscaused by Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera:Agromyzidae) as sites for infection ofchrysanthemum by Pseudomonas cichorii.Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:47-52.

McKeown, A.W.; Cerkauskas, R.F.; Potter,J.W. 1988. Influence of strip tillage onyield, diseases, and nematodes of tomatoes.J. Am. Soc.Hortic. Sci. 113:328-331.

Northover, J. 1987. Persistence ofdicarboxi-mide resistant Botrytis cinerea in Ontariovineyards. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 10:123-132.

Reyes, A.A. 1988. Suppression of Sclerotiniasclerotiorum and watery soft rot ofcelery bycontrolled atmosphere storage. Plant Dis.72:790-792.

Ritchey, K.D.; Cerkauskas, R.F.; Silva, J.E.;Vilela, L. 1987. Residual effects ofpotassium and magnesium on soybeanyields and disease incidence in a CerradoDark Red Latosol. Pesqui. Agropecu. Bras.22(8):825-832.

268

Shantz, G.M.; Proctor, J.T.A.; Chiba, M. 1988.Cytokinins in apple leaves and theirrelationship to spotted tentiform leafminerinjury. HortScience 23:878-879.

Smith, R.B.; Reyes, A.A. 1988. Controlled at-mosphere storage of Ontario-grown celery.J. Am. Soc.Hortie. Sci. 113:390-394.

Stobbs, L.W.; Potter, J.W.; Killins, R.; VanSchagen, J .G. 1988. Influence of grapevineunderstock in infection of DeChaunac scionby tomato ringspot virus. Can. J. PlantPathol. 10:228-231.

Stobbs, L.W.;Van Schagen, J.G. 1988. Occur-rence and characterization of a potexvirusinfecting Arctium minus. Plant Dis.72:314-317.

Townshend,J.L. 1987. A vacuum multi-pointseeder for pots. HortScience 22:1328.

Townshend, J.L.; Olthof, Th.H.A. 1988.Growth of potato and control ofPratylenchus penetrans with oxamyl-treated seed pieces in greenhouse studies.J. Nematol. 20:405-409.

Trimble, R.M. 1988. Monitoring Pholetesorornigis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), aparasite of the spotted tentiform leafminerPhyllonorycter blancardella (Lepidoptera:Gracillariidae): Effect of sticky traplocation on size and sex ratio oftrap catches.Environ. Entomol. 17:567-571.

Trimble, R.M. 1988. Relationship betweensticky trap catches and emergence ofPholetesor ornigis (Weed) (Hymenoptera:Braconidae), a parasite of the spottedtentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycterblancardella (F.) (Lepidoptera:Gracillariidae). Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.146:95-105.

Trimble, R.M.; Hagley, E.A.C. 1988. Evalua-tion of mass trapping for controlling thespotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycterblancardella (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera:Gracillariidae). Can. Entomol. 120:101-107.

Warner, J.; Potter, C. 1988. Performance ofscab resistant apple cultivars at theSmithfield Experimental Farm. Fruit Var.J.42:96-102.

Watts, K.C.; Bilanski, W.K.; Menzies, D.R.1988. Design curves for drying grains withbentonite. Can. Agric. Eng. 30:237-242.


Miscellaneous

Allen, W.R.; Broadbent, A.B.; Matteoni, J.A.1988. Epidemiology and control of thrips-transmitted tomato spotted wilt virus incool-season ornamentals. Proceedings 34thAnnual Meeting Canadian PestManagement Society, pp. 86-87.

Barker, K.R.; Townshend, J.L.; Bird, W.;Thomason, I.J.; Dickson, D.W. 1986.Determining nematode population responseto control agents. Pages 283-296 in K.D.Hickey, ed. Methods for evaluatingpesticides for control of plant pathogens.American Phytopathological Society andSociety ofN ematologists, St. Paul, Minn.

Bird, G.W.; McKenry, M.V.; Davis, R.A.;Malek, R.B.; MacDonald, D.; Townshend,J.L.; Orr, C.; Rich, J.R. 1986. Site selectionprocedures for field evaluation of nematodecontrol agents. Pages 29-33 in Hickey,K.D., ed. Methods for evaluating pesticidesfor control of plant pathogens. AmericanPhytopathological Society and Society ofNematologists, St. Paul, Minn.

Hagley, E.A.C. 1988. Use of biological agentsin the management of insect pests of applein Ontario. Proceeding 34th AnnualMeeting Canadian Pest ManagementSociety, pp. 38-44.

Heeney, H.B.; Miller, S.R. 1986. SmithfieldExperimental Farm 1944-1985. Res.Branch Agric. Can. Hist. Ser. 26. 84 pp.

Kimpinski, J.; Olthof, Th.H.A. 1987. Controlof nematodes. Pages 133-145 in Boiteau,G.; Singh, R.P.; Parry, R.H, eds. Potato pestmanagement in Canada.


Matteoni, J.A. 1988. Diseases of cyclamen inOntario from 1983 to 1987. Can. Plant Dis.Surv.68:84.

Matteoni,J.A. 1988. Diseases of florist's chry-santhemum in Ontario from 1983 to 1987.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:85-86.

Matteoni, J.A. 1988. Diseases offlorist's gera-nium in Ontario from 1983 to 1987. Can.Plant Dis. Surv. 68:87-88.

Matteoni, J .A.;Broadbent, A.B. 1988. Interac-tions between the leafminer Liriomyzatrifolii and bacterial leaf spot ofchrysanthemum. Proceedings 34th AnnualMeeting Canadian Pest ManagementSociety, pp. 88-91.

Matteoni, J.A.; Sinclair, W.A. 1988. Elmyellows and ash yellows. Pages 19-31 inHiruki, C., ed. Tree mycoplasmas andmycoplasma diseases. University AlbertaPress, Edmonton, Alta. 245 pp.

Miller, S.R. 1988. Research Report, SmithfieldExperimental Farm, 1986 and 1987. 49 pp.

Mohr, W.P. 1988. Apple cultivars for juice andcider production. Res. Branch Agric. Can.Tech. Bull. 1988-6E, Smithfield Tech. Bull.NO.7.

Stevenson, A.B. 1988. Carrot insect manage-ment in the Holland Marsh. Proceedings34th Annual Meeting Canadian PestManagement Society, pp. 45-50.

269

Western RegionRegion de ['Ouest

D.G. Dorrell W.G.R. McKane

Director General Directeur general

Program Specialist Specialiste enprogrammes

Regional Financial Adviser Conseillerregional en finance

Western Region

D.G. Dorrell, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

R.E. Howarth, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

W.G.R. McKane, B.A., C.M.A.

271

PREFACE'Fhe Western Region consists of 14 research

stations, four experimental farms, and eightsubstations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan,Alberta, and British Columbia. In 1988 theregion employed a staff of 1256 with a budget of$82.9 million. Each research station has anadvisory committee for consultation onresearch priorities.

The region participates in many jointventures with provincial governments,universities, producer associations, commodityassociations, and agribusiness. Notableexamples are the Economic and RegionalDevelopment agreements with Manitoba,Saskatchewan, and British Columbia; theAlberta Farming for the Future program; andthe Western Grains Research Foundation.

Research is conducted in four programareas: soil and water resources, crop produc-tion, livestock production, and food processingand storage. The goals of the researchprograms are to solve production problems andto develop new opportunities for Canadianfarmers in domestic and internationalmarkets. The following highlights of 1988illustrate the research programs of the region.

The 1988 crop year was one of the driestyears on record in the southern prairie region.During the year the region also responded: tothe infestation of cereal grains by the Russianwheat aphid, the threat to honey beespresented by tracheal and verroa mites, andoff-flavor in stored potatoes.

Excessive tillage associated with tradi-tional practices has led to degradation ~nderosion of prairie soils. However, the phySicalcharacteristics of soils can be improved bycontinuous cropping and reduced-tillagepractices. Economic analysis showed thatreduced summerfallow tillage can provideeconomic returns within 5% of conventionalsummerfallow practices.

HY368, a new red-seeded Canadian PrairieSpring wheat was registered and accepted formarket evaluation by the Canadian WheatBoard. HY368 has a hard kernel withimprovements in milling and baking qualitycompared with the variety HY320. Franktriticale was registered. This cultivar provi~esa higher yield and test weight, compared withearlier cultivars. Corn inbred CL30 wasreleased to Canadian seed corn companies.CL30 combines early maturity and good stalkstrength. Sunflower hybrids MRS37 andMRS40 were released to industry. MRS37 is anearly-maturing hybrid 'Yith resistance. todowny mildew and other diseases. MRS40 is ashort-statured, high-yielding hybrid withresistance to verticillium wilt.

A breakthrough in the genetic manipu-lation ofBrassicajuncea allows the breeding ofoilseed mustard with a quality comparable tothat of canola. Mustard is resistant to blacklegdisease and is well adapted to the drier parts ofthe prairie region.

272

Ii Tetracan Russian wild ryegrass was regis-

ter,ed. Tetracan has a large seed, with improv-ed establishment vigor. James and ArthurDalhurian wild ryegrass were registered. Thisquick-growing forage grass is suitable for shortrotations. It is a useful starter grass withlong-lived perennial grasses.

MP889, a field pea with high fiber content,was registered and released to serve therapidly expanding pea fiber market. MP954, alarge-seeded, high-yielding field pea suitablefori the soup market, was registered andreleased.

.A plan for the control of codling moth wasapproved by fruit growers in the southern-interior region of British Columbia. Thissterile insect release program is expected toeradicate the codling moth within 5 or 6 years.

The northern strawberry breeding programwas completed with the release of fourseli:lctions,which are earlier and higher yield-ing than the cultivar Protem. A new winter-hardy, everblooming light pink rose cultivarwas released to the nursery trade.

:Economic analyses of beef cow herd p.ro-ductivity showed that the benefits of producmga large calf from a large-framed cow out-weighed the additional cost of winter feed andthe cost of pasturing fewer cows. Handlingmethods that cause bloody thighs insla'ughtered chickens were identified, andrecommendations for reducing its incidencewere made to the industry.

The use of electronic probes to grade beefcarcasses provided only marginal improvementin Ithe estimation of carcass lean yield,compared with conventional grading. Recom-mendations for changes to beef grades includedmore complete ribbing of carcasses, fewerm~turity grades, and reinstatement ofma;rbling.

D.G. Dorrell was appointed director generalof the Western Region, replacing W.L. Peltonwho transferred on special assigment to theposition of Canadian project director ofResearch Branch international aid projects inPakistan, Tanzania, and Malaysia. D.G.Dorrell was formerly director at LethbridgeResearch Station. P.A. O'Sullivan wasappointed acting director and D.L. Struble wasappointed acting assistant director atLethbridge Research Station. D.M. Bowdenretired as director at Summerland ResearchStation, and D.B. Cumming was appointedacting director at Summerland ResearchStation.

For further information concerningprograms, contact the !es~arch stati~nsdirectly. Address commumcatlOns on planmngand priorities to Agriculture Canada, ResearchBranch, Western Region, Sir John CarlingBuilding, Ottawa, Onto KIA OC5; Tel.(613) 995-7084.,

D.G. DorrellDirector General


PREFACELa Region de I'Ouest comprend 14 stations

de recherches, 4 fermes experimentales et8 stations satellites situees au Manitoba, enSaskatchewan, en Alberta et en Colombie-Britannique. En 1988, la region gerait uneffectif de 1 256 personnes et un budget de 82,9millions de dollars. Chaque station derecherches possede un comite qui fournit desconseils sur les priorites de la recherche.

La region participe a de nombreux projetsconjoints avec les provinces,les uriiversites,lesgroupements de producteurs, les associationsdu secteur primaire et I'agrinegoce. A titred'exemples, on peut citer sa participation auxententes de developpement economique etregional (EDER) conclues avec Ie Manitoba, laSaskatchewan et la Colombie-Britannique,ainsi qu'au programme Farming for the Future(L'Agriculture de demain) de l'Alberta et a laFondation de recherches sur Ie grain deI'Ouest.

Les recherches portent sur quatredomaines, notamment les ressources en sol eten eau, les productions vegetales, les produc-tions animales, de meme que la transformationet la conservation des aliments. Leurs objectifsglobaux consistent a trouver des solutions auxproblemes de production et de nouvelles possi-bilites pour les agriculteurs canadiens sur lesmarches nationaux et internationaux. Lesfaits saillants qui suivent donnent un aper~udes programmes de recherches de la Region en1988.

La campagne agricole de 1988 a ete mar-quee par l'une des pires secheresses del'histoire de la region du sud des Prairies.Cette derniere a egalement dfi composer avecI'infestation de pucerons russes du ble, avec ladouble menace de l'acarien de I'abeille et duvarroa, et aussi avec Ie probleme des pommesde terre eventees en entrep6t.

Le labour excessif associe aux pratiquesd'exploitation traditio nnelIes a cause la degra-dation et l'erosion des sols dans les Prairies.Toutefois, it est possible d'ameliorer lescaracteristiques physiques des sols en adoptantun regime de monoculture et de labourminimal. Des analyses economiques ont reveIequ'une reduction du travail du sol sur lesjacheres ferait baisser les rendements d'a peine5 % par rapport aux methodes d'exploitationtraditionnelles.

Le HY368, un nouveau cultivar de ble rouxde printemps des prairies canadiennes, a ete

Region de l'Ouest

homologue et accepte pour l'evaluation com-merciale par la Commission canadienne du ble(CCB). Sa graine est dure et it presente unequalite meuniere et boulangere superieure acelIe du HY320. La variete de triticale Frank aegalement ete homologuee. Son rendement etson poids a l'essai depassent ceux des cultivarsanterieurs. La lignee autofecondee de maisCL30, qui se caracterise par sa precocite et laresistance de sa tige, a ete mise a la dispositiondes marchands grainetiers du Canada.

Les hybrides de tournesol MRS37et MRS40ont He mis au commerce. Le premier secaracterise par sa precocite et sa resistance aumildiou et a d'autres maladies. Le deuxieme sedistingue par sa petite taille, son rendementeleve et sa resistance a la fletrissureverticillienne.

Les progres accomplis dans Ie domaine de lamanipulation genetique du Brassica junceapermettront de produire une moutarde dequalite comparable a celIe du colza canola. Lamoutarde resiste a la jambe noire et elle estbien adaptee aux zones seches de la region desPrairies.

L'elyme de Russie Tetracan, une variete agrosse graine qui offre une vigueur d'Ha-blissement amelioree, a He homologuee. Lesvarietes James et Arthur d'elyme de Mongolie(Elymus dalhuricus) ont egalement Hehomologuees. Ce sont des graminees fourra-geres a croissance rapide qui sont utilisees enregime de court assolement et qui constituentde bonnes plantes de depart pour les gramineesvivaces de longue duree.

Le MP889, un pois de grande culture ahaute teneur en fibres, a He homologue et misau commerce pour repondre aux besoins d'unmarche en pleine expansion. Le MP954, unpois de grande culture a grosse graine et a hautrendement qui se prete a la preparation desoupes, a ete homologue et mis au commerce.

Un plan de lutte contre la pyrale de lapomme a ete approuve par les producteurs defruits de la region du sud de l'interieur de laColombie-Britannique. Ce plan, qui consiste aeffectuer des lachers d'insectes steriles, devraitpermettre d'eliminer la pyrale en 5 ou 6 ans.

Le programme d'amelioration de la fraisedu nord a pris fin avec la mise au commercede quatre selections qui surpassent Iecultivar Protem au chapitre de la precocite etdu rendement. Un nouveau cultivarremontant de rose, de couleur rose pale,resistant a l'hiver, a He mis a la disposition despepinieristes.

273

Des analyses economiques de la produc-tivite des troupeaux de vaches de race Aviandeont demontre qu'il etait plus avantageuxd'utiliser des vaches A grand developpementpour la production de veaux, et ce marne entenant compte des coo.ts supplementairesqu'occasionnent les rations d'hiver et ladiminution du nombre de vaches en paturage.Par ailleurs, on a cerne les methodesd'abattage qui sont A 1'0rigine des tachessanguinolentes presentes sur les cuisses despoulets abattus et on a recommande desmesures au secteur afin de reduire l'incidencede ce probleme.L'utilisation de sondes electroniques pour

classer les carcasses de boeuf n'a fait qu'ame-liorer Jegerement revaluation du rendement enviande maigre si 1'0n compare avec lesmethodes de classement traditionnelles.Parmi les changements qu'on a recommanded'apporter au systeme de classement du boeuf,mentionnons I'incision plus complete descarcasses, la reduction du nombre de classesd'age et Ie retablissement du critere de persille.M. D.G. Dorrell a ete nomme directeur

general de la Region de rOuest A la place deM.W.L. Pelton. Par suite d'une affectation spe-

ciale, ce dernier s'est vu confier Ie poste dedirecteur des projets canadiens d'aide inter-nationale au Pakistan, en Tanzanie et enMalaisie. M. Dorrell a dejAoccupe Ie poste dedirecteur de la Station de recherches deLethbridge. M. P.A. O'Sullivan a ete nomm~directeur interimaire et M. D.L. Struble,directeur adjoint par interim de la Station derecherches de Lethbridge.M. D.M. Bowden a quitte son poste de

directeur de la Station de recherches deSummerland pour prendre sa retraite et M.D.B. Cumming a ete nomme directeur parinterim de la Station.Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les

programmes, il suffit de communique I'

directement avec les stations de recherches.Pour obtenir des precisions sur la planificationet les priorites, on doit s'adresser a la Directiongenerale de la recherche du ministere del'Agriculture du Canada, Region de I'Ouest,edifice Sir John Carling, Ottawa (Ont.),KIA OCS;tel. (613) 995-7084.

D.G. DorrellDirecteur general


Research Station, Brandon, Manitoba

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

AdministrationE.E. Swierstra, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.T. Baran1S. Ramsay, B.Sc.(Agr.)R.J. Bomford, B.Sc., M.Sc.Vacant2E.G. Smith, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Animal ScienceG.W. Rahnefeld, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.G. Castell, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.L. Cliplef, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.W. Dyck, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.R. Grandhi, B.V.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.L. Grinwich, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.M. McKay, B.Sc., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Plant and Soil ScienceL.D. Bailey, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

P.N.P. Chow, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.T. Gehl, B.S.A., M.Sc.C.A. Grant, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.G. Legge, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S. Plett, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.M. Sadler, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.G. Simons,3 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.C. Therrien, B.Sc., Ph.D.

DepartureE.D. Simundsson, B.A., M.L.S.

Transferred to Canadian GrainCommission, Winnipeg, October 1988

DirectorAdministrative OfficerInformation OfficerComputer System ManagerLibrarianEconomist, Economic Regional DevelopmentAgreement (ERDA)

Head of Section; Beef cattle breedingSwine nutritionMeats physiologySwine reproductive physiologySwine nutritionSwine reproductive physiologySwine genetics

Head of Section; Soil-plantrelationships

Herbicides and weed controlAgronomy (ERDA)Soil managementBarley geneticsCorn breedingSoil fertility and plant nutritionForage agronomyBarley breeding

Librarian

1 Appointed January 1988.2 Seconded from Ubraries Division, Corporate Management Brancb.3 On transfer of work at the School of Botany, Cambridge, England, December 1988 to December 1989.

Research Station, Brandon, Man, 275

INTRODUCTIONII

Research programs at the Brandon Research Station focus on beef cattle breeding; swinegenetics, reproductive physiology, nutrition, and meat physiology; barley and corn breeding; foragecrop management; and soil management and crop production. Much of the research ismultidisciplinary. The station occupies 708 ha and leases another 585 ha for research work andfeed production for the large beef and swine herds. i

In 1988 Mr. T. Baran joined the staff as administrative officer, Dr. R.G. Simons started a I-yearpostdoctoral transfer of work at Cambridge, England, and E.D. Simundsson transferred to theCanadian Grain Commission in Winnipeg.Highlights of research include the finding that hide thickness in swine carcasses is influenced

by breed or cross and gender and that these difference~ need to be taken into account when gradingskinned hog carcasses; that the incidence of anestrus ip.primiparous sows is affected by the type ofhousing but not by exposure to mature boars; that the most successful method of phosphorusapplication in flax production is placement 2.5 cm directly below the seed at planting; and thatcurrent nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for barley in Manitoba may need revision todifferentiate between older malting and newer higher yielding feed types, which were shown torequire 50 kg/ha (40%) more applied nitrogen on avera1geto achieve maximum grain yield. Many ofthe findings were published from the long-term beef-Breeding program designed to determine thecontribution that the Continental (exotic) breeds of cattle can make to the Canadian beefindustry.The short reports that follow give results of recent research as well as an indication of the type of

studies that are in progress. Further information can be obtained from the publications listed atthe end ofthese reports or by direct contact with individual scientists. Correspondence or requestsfor reprints should be addressed to the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada,Box 610, Brandon, Man. R7A 5Z7; Tel. (204) 728-7234.

E.E. SwierstraI

DirbctorI

ANIMAL SCIENCE

BeeCeattle

Live body measurements of 10 first-crossesof beef cows raised in two environments. A6-year study compared live body measure-ments from 10 first-crosses of beef cows raisedunder semi-intensive farm-type managementtypical of the parkland region (Brandon, Man.)versus extensive range management typical ofranching operations in the semiarid shortgrassprairies (Manyberries, Alta.). Mature Conti-nental (exotic) crosses of cows at weaning in thefall were heavier and larger in skeletalmeasurements and carried less subcutaneousfat than cows of traditional British (Hereford-Angus) breeding. Nursing status did notpermanently affect the skeletal measurementsbut did affect body weight and fat cover. Cowsat Brandon achieved a greater proportion oftheir mature body size before their contempo-raries at Manyberries did, for all traitsmeasured.

276

Genotype X environment interactions forbeef cow performance during lactation. BeefcoW performance traits expressed duringlactation were evaluated for 10 F1 cow crosses.The crosses (genotypes) were represented bythe Hereford-Angus and nine others producedby mating Charolais, Simmental, and Limou-sini sires with Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorncows. Environmental differences were pro-vided by two climatically distinct locations(Brandon, Man., and Manyberries, Alta.), withtwo treatments (dry lot confinement versuspasture) imposed at each location during 3consecutive years. The total data set comprised1274 cow-calf pairs, with milk productionmeasured for 730 lactations. Substantial year,treatment, and breed-cross effects were present(P ~ 0.01) at each location for virtually all thetralits evaluated (cow weight and averagesubcutaneous fat, weight and fat changesduring lactation, milk yield, calf growth rate,and conception rate). Substantial year Xtreatment interactions were also present(P j< 0.0001). No genotype X environment

I


(year X breed cross and breed cross Xtreatment) interactions were identified ateither location for preweaning growth rate ofthe calves, average daily milk yield of the cows,or date ofconception. Location differences werelarge for all these traits, but ran kings of thebreed crosses at the two locations were in closeagreement, indicating the absence of anylocation X genotype interactions. The rankingof breed crosses for conception rate wasunaffected by treatment or year withinlocation, but the rankings did differ betweenlocations. At Manyberries, conception ratestended to be inversely related to average milkyield of the breed crosses; no such relationshipwas evident at Brandon.

Breed-cross differences in feed input forlactating beef cows. Feed input for lactationwas measured over a period of approximately120 days in drylot confinement during threeconsecutive summers for two herds of maturebeef cows. Each herd, one located at Brandon,Man., and the other at Manyberries, Alta.,included 10 breed crosses. Nine crosses wereproduced by mating Charolais (C), Simmental(S), and Limousin (L) sires with Hereford (H),Angus (A), and Shorthorn (N) dams. TheHereford-Angus (HA) served as the control.Data for analysis represented a total of 760cow-years. Cow weight at the start of the test(approximately 1 June) was used to estimatebasic daily feed requirements. Averagesubcutaneous fat at the start of the test wasalso considered at Manyberries. Daily feedinput was adjusted at approximately 28-dayintervals, with allowances increased(decreased) as required to correct for losses (orgains) of weight or fat in the drylot cowsrelative to contemporary lactating cows onpasture. As a result, the feed input wasconsiderably in excess of the estimated(according to levels set by the NationalResearch Council of Canada-NationalAcademy of Sciences (NRCC-NAS) in 1984)daily allowances for cows of superior milkingability during the first 3-4 months of lactation.The heaviest breed cross (CN at Brandon andCH at Manyberries) consumed the most feed,whereas the lightest breed crosses (HA and LA)consumed the least. Estimated digestibleenergy offered the final year averaged 20%(Brandon) and 14% (Manyberries) above 1984NRCC-NAS requirements, but these feedinglevels were not sufficient to maintain bodyweight during lactation. Particularly largeweight losses (12-29 kg) at both locations were

Research Station, Brandon, Man.

recorded by the LN, SH, SA, and SN breedcrosses, although the feed allowances for thesecrosses were above the averages at eachstation.

Swine

Level of soybean meal in pig grower diets.Barrows and gilts were fed barley-based dietscontaining from 4 to 20% soybean meal (SBM,46% protein). Their responses revealed that atleast 12% SBM was required for fast, efficientgrowth from 25 to 97 kg liveweight. Carcassattributes were improved as the dietary SBMlevel increased, but they tended to peak atlower levels for barrows than for gilts. Sensoryevaluation showed a marked preference forpork from pigs fed the lowest SBM level. Forbarrows and gilts, respectively, the resultsfavored the use of 8 and 12%SBM. Those dietscontained approximately 14 and 15% crudeprotein, respectively.

Methionine supplementation for lentil diets.At 25-95 kg liveweight, gilts were self-fedbarley diets containing 13.3% soybean meal or40% lentils (23% protein) and 0, 0.1, or 0.2%added methionine. Increasing the dietary levelof methionine did not affect (P > 0.05) live pigperformance but did improve (P < 0.05) thecarcass leanness of pigs fed the barley-lentildiets. There were no differences in the meatquality criteria examined in either dietarygroup. The results indicated the potentialbenefit of using a commercially availableamino acid to correct an imbalance in dietaryprotein quality.

Measurement of 16-androstenes in matureboars of two breeds following castration.Salivary levels of 16-androstenes, a class ofsteroids responsible for boar taint, were deter-mined by radioimmunoassay for six Lacombeand seven Yorkshire mature boars (l weekbefore and 12weeks after castration) as well asfor seven Lacombe and six Yorkshire intactboars. Results showed that the measurementof salivary 16-androstenes was not a reliableindirect method of estimating levels of boartaint in porcine fat.

Hide thickness of market-weight pigs asaffected by line and sex. Two hundred andeighty purebred boar and gilt carcasses, repre-senting two genetic lines, and 143 crossbredboar, barrow, and gilt carcasses were measuredfor hide thickness at three anatomical loca-tions. A breed difference in hide thickness was

277

apparent. Boars had thicker hides than didgilts in the purebred carcasses arld gilts andbarrows in the crossbred. carcasses. Giltcarcasses generally had thicker hides than didbarrow carcasses. Consistent differencesbetween fat measurements from the threeanatomical locations were evident in thepurebred carcasses. These differences withbreed or cross and gender need to be taken intoaccount when grading skinned hog carcasses.

Mineral metabolism during gestation ingilts fed increased dietary levels of calcium andphosphorus. The apparent absorption andretention of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P),magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), manganese(Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) weredetermined at 5, 8, 11, 13, and 15 weeks ofgestation for 27 Landrace X Yorkshire gilts.These gilts were fed two dietary levels of Ca-P(0.75-0.60% versus 1.125-0.90%) in threetrials. Feeding higher Ca-P levels increased(P < 0.05) fecal excretion ofCa, P, Mg, Mn, Cu,and Zn as well as urinary excretion ofP duringgestation. Urinary excretion ofMn and Cu wasnegligible, and urinary excretion ofZn was alsovery low for both treatment groups. Gilts fedhigher Ca-P levels had increased absorptionand retention of P, but absorption andretention of Ca and K' were similar for bothtreatment groups. Absorption of Mg, Mn, Cu,and Zn was reduced (P < 0.05) by higherdietary Ca-P levels, indicating that gestationdiets should be adequately supplemented withthese minerals to prevent possible deficienciesfrom occurring.

Occurrence of estrus in sows after. weaning.Two experiments used 106 primiparous sows todetermine how the incidence of anestrus (noestrus within 10 days ofweaning) is affected bythe type of housing and exposure to matureboars. More sows were anestrous (P < 0.10)when housed in pairs in confinement thanwhen housed in groups in outside lots (64.0versus 39.5%, respectively). Exposure of sowsto mature boars had no effect on the incidenceof anestrus, but the duration of estrus wasshorter (P < 0.01) for sows with constant boarexposure as compared with 5 min of daily boarexposure (1.6 versus 2.4 days, respectively).

Stimulation of puberty for gilts housed inconfinement. Over a 4-year period, 483 giltswere evaluated to determine the effects ofdietary intake, type of confinement pen, andbreed of sire on the occurrence of puberty. Giltswere moved from a grower facility to a

278

c0l1finement dry sow barn at 160 days of age,housed either in group pens of eight gilts or inindividual stalls, and fed at a level of dietaryintake to provide either 0.4 or 0.0 kg daily gainfor the first 2 weeks and 0.4 kg daily gainthereafter. The gilts were from a rotational-cross herd and sired by Yorkshire andLa,ndrace boars in alternate years. Threehupdred and fifty-seven (74%) gilts attainedpuberty within 60 days. Breed of sire had noeffect on the number of gilts that attainedpuperty, but there was an interaction betweenbreed of sire and pen type. Yorkshire-siredgilts were not affected by pen type, with 77 and75% of the group. and stall-penned pigs,respectively, attaining puberty. For Landrace-sired gilts, however, more stall- than group-penned (86 versus 56%, respectively) pigsattained puberty (P < 0.01). There was nobreed difference in the average number of daysto puberty, but this trait was affected by bothpen type and dietary intake. More stall- thangroup-penned gilts attained puberty (P < 0.01)within 2 weeks of movement (59 versus 35%,respectively). The effect of dietary intakeoccurred only with the stall-penned gilts; fewerattained puberty between 2 and 26 days aftermovement. These results would indicate thatwhen gilts are selected for the breeding herd atmarket weight and are moved to a differentconfinement facility, the efficiency with whichthey attain puberty is influenced by breed ofsire, type of pen, and dietary intake, with all ofthese differences being apparent within 1weekofmovement.

iI

PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCEI

C~reals

Corn breeding. Five years of data col-lected for the Manitoba Corn Committee were

I

used to produce a more accurate formula forpr~dicting the number of corn heat units (CHU)accumulated before maturity of corn hybrids.Piresent CHU predictions are based on days tosilking and moisture at harvest time relative tothose of Pioneer 3995, whose rating is set at2151 CHU. The new formula is based on thera,te at which grain dries down for ninedifferent hybrids as measured from 1984 to1988 at Brandon, Morden, and Ridgeville. Thenew predictor shows less interaction ofgenotype by environment, as no one hybrid hasa fixed CHU value across locations and years.


The actual number ofCHU accumulated to themeasurement of grain moisture is used todetermine the CHU rating of the hybrid.Because the prediction is based on grain-moisture levels, it better reflects the actualmaturity date of the hybrids when grown inManitoba. Thus, published CHU maps will bemuch more closely related to actual maturityand harvest dates. When predicting time to30% grain moisture, CHU ratings will rangefrom 150 to 250 CHU higher than when usingthe present rating system.

Forages

Alfalfa emergence under low-temperatureseeding and deep seeding. Experiments wereperformed to establish possible differences inthe emergence of seedlings of eight alfalfacultivars from two seeding depths (1 and 4 em)at three low or medium temperatures (8, 12,and 16°C). Algonquin had the greatest finalemergence as a proportion of the viable seedssown, and Banner and Beaver had the least. Itis possible, however, that seed lots could varyin this respect. Vernal and Iroquois were moreaffected by increased seeding depth than wasCitation. There was no correlation with seedweight. Citation was less affected by soiltemperature than were Banner and Saranac.The different responses of the cultivars totemperature and seeding depth suggest thatplants can be selected for emergence at lowtemperature and tolerance for deep seeding.

Soil management and crop production

Phosphorus fertilizer placement studies inflax. In a series ofexperiments, flax was grownon calcareous and noncalcareous OrthicChernozemic soils, low in sodium bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus (P), to evaluate fourplacement methods using six rates of mono-ammonium phosphate fertilizer applied atseeding. Over a 5-year period, soil type, broad-cast application ofP fertilizer, and banding lowrates of P fertilizer in the seed row with theseed had no significant effect on growth, seedyield, and P uptake in flax. Crop emergencewas reduced when P fertilizer was banded inthe seed row with the seed at rates of 15 kglhaor more. Poor emergence of the crop reducedseed yield and P uptake; when P fertilizer wasapplied by this method at rates of 15 to25 kglha, seed yield was reduced by 28-62%.The flax responded by increasing growth, seedyield, and P uptake when P fertilizer was


banded 2.5 em below and 2.5 em to the side ofthe seed or 2.5 em directly below the seed. Withboth methods, similar quantities of dry matterand P uptake accumulated during the growingseason, and the harvest index of flax decreasedwith increasing rates of P fertilizer. However,at harvest, banding P fertilizer 2.5 em directlybelow the seed produced the higher seed yieldand larger quantity.of P removed by the crop.This greater efficie.hcy of P use was due tohigher P uptake early in the growing season,increased seed yield, and lower harvest indexvalues.

Yield and chemical composition of soybeansand fababeans. A 3-year experiment was con-ducted to compare the relative yield and chemi-cal composition of soybeans (cultivar MapleAmber) and fababeans (cultivar Ackerperle)when the crops were grown on six Orthic BlackChernozemic soils at two levels of fertility.Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S)fertilizer application increased dry-matteraccumulation and selld yield of both crops. Atall growth stages, fababeans produced moredry matter and, at maturity, higher yields ofseed, hull, and stalk compared with soybeans.However, the ratio of seed to hull to stalk forboth crops was similar and constant at 3.8:1:4.7on all soils and at both levels offertility. At thehigh fertility level, when the plants wereflowering or in full pod, fababeans had highernitrogen (N), P, and K concentrations than didsoybeans, but both crops had a similar Sconcentration. At the low fertility level, bothcrops had similar P, K, and S concentrations.Upon maturity, soybean seeds had higherconcentrations of the four nutrients. The Pconcentration in the hull and stalk of bothcrops was similar, but fababeans had a higherK concentration and soybean stalk had ahigher S concentration. Soybean seed also hada higller protein content and yielded moreprotein per hectare than did fababean seed.These results showed that the high yield and Nconcentration offababeans at flowering makesthis crop ideally suited to green manuring incereal rotations or to feeding livestock. Soy-beans, on the other hand, would best serve as aseed protein crop in cereal rotations because ofthe high protein content in the seed.

Zinc and phosphorus nutrition of flax. Two8-week growth chamber studies showed thathigh level.s of magnesium and pH, but notadverse calcium to magnesium ratios, in soilscan reduce the availability of zinc and

279

dry-matter yield of flax. Applications of zincwith phosphorus fertilizer increased thedry-matter yield of flax in half of the 16 soilsevaluated. Response to zinc was more likely tooccur in soils containing high levels ofmagnesium, phosphorus, and pH.

Effects of soil management on potassiumand chloride nutrition of barley. Two 8-weekgrowth chamber studies found that the dry-matter yield of barley grown in disturbed soilcores was equal to or lower than that producedin the undisturbed cores but was unaffected bythe degree of soil compaction. The studies usedintact and disturbed soil cores collected fromfields under reduced tillage management.Disturbed soils showed a greater increase indry-matter yield of barley in response topotassium or chloride fertilization, comparedwith undisturbed soils. Compaction did notinfluence the response to fertilization withpotassium chloride.

Nitrogen fertility requirements of feed andmalt barleys. Six cultivars of barley wereevaluated for their responses to incrementalnitrogen fertilization in a 3-year field study atthree sites in Manitoba. The level of appliednitrogen required to achieve maximum grainyield was a function of available moisture andvaried among cultivars. The high-yielding feedcuItivars Virden and Heartland requiredadditional applied nitrogen-an average of 50kg/ha more than the malting cultivar Bonanzato achieve maximum grain yield. AmongcuItivars, a negative relationship betweengrain yield and grain protein content wasdemonstrated. These results indicated thatcurrent nitrogen fertility recommendations forbarley iIi Manitoba may need revision todifferentiate between malting types and higheryielding feed types.

Weed control. A 4-year study showed thatAC 222,293 and HOE 33171 effectively control-led wild oats in cereals. These results contri-buted to the registration of the two herbicidesfor commercial use. Ester formulations of2,4-D and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid(MCPA) for control ofbroad-leaved weeds couldbe tank-mixed effectively with AC 222,293 atrates of up to 0.56 kg/ha. This would providefor broad-spectrum weed control in cereals.

Both AC222,293 and HOE 46360 gaveexcellent control of wild oats, but the formerdid not control green foxtail. These two grasskillers proved to be compatible upon tankmixing, and the mixture showed a significant

280

improvement in green foxtail control comparedwith applications ofAC 222,293 alone.

Addition of the adjuvants Ag-Surf, Citto-wet, or Agral 90 significantly improved theeffectiveness of the herbicide DPX-R9674 incontrolling lamb's-quarters and other broad-leaved weeds in spring wheat. Addition of theadjuvants CC-16255 or May & Baker Oilsubstantially increased control of wild oats byclethodim in flax; whim ammonium sulfate wasalso added to the mixture, further improve-ments in weed control occurred.

Addition of the adjuvant KP 2100 enhancedherbicidal activity of RO-17-3664 and UBI9076 against grassy weeds in flax, resulting inlarge increases in crop yield. UBI 9076 appliedalone at 35 g/ha was ineffective against wildoats and green foxtail. To broaden thespectrum ofweed control, RO-17-3664 could bemixed with herbicides for broad-leaved weedssuch as bromoxynil and DPX-M6316, and UBI9076 could be mixed with bromoxynil,DPX-A7881,and MCPA ester.

Lamb's-quarters are resistant to CGA131036, a sulfonylurea herbicide for control ofbroad-leaved weeds. Addition of 2,4-D esta-mine and the adjuvant Agral 90 enhancedherbicidal activity. Addition of the adjuvantAg-Surf at 0.5 to 1.0% (v/v) rates gave bettercontrol ofvolunteer flax with CGA 131036.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bailey, D.R.C.; Entz, T.; Fredeen, H.T.;Rahnefeld, G.W. 1988. Operator and ma-chine effects on ultrasonic measurements ofbeef cows. Livest. Prod. Sci. 18:305-309.

Bailey, D.R.C.; Swierstra, E.E.; Entz, T. 1988.Postpartum interval in 10 first-crosses ofbeef cows under dry lot and range condi-tions. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1027-1033.

Bailey, L.D. 1988. Influence of single strainsand a commercial mixture of Bradyrhizo-bium japonicum on growth, nitrogen accu-mulation and nodulation of two early-maturing soybean cultivars. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:411-418.

Castell, A.G.; Cliplef, R.L. 1988. Live perform-ance, carcass and meat quality character-istics of market pigs self-fed diets contain-ing cull-grade lentils. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:265-273.


Castell, A.G.; Cliplef, R.L. 1988. Performanceand carcass responses to dietary inclusion ofraw soybeans (cv. Maple Amber) by boarsfed ad libitum from 30 to 95 kilogramsliveweight. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:275-282.

Castell, A.G.; Neden, L.R.; Mount, K. 1988.Potential of field pea (Pisum sativum)screenings as feed for market pigs. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:577-579.

Chow, P.N.P. 1988. Effect of chlorsulfuron onfour graminicides for weed control andwheat yield. Weed Res. 28:145-150.

Chow, P.N.P. 1988. Wild-oat herbicide stu-dies: Barban herbicidal activity for wild oat(Avena fatua L.) control as influenced byadjuvants. Crop Prot. 7:3-8.

Dyck, G.W. 1988. Factors influencing sexualmaturation, puberty and reproductive effi-ciency in the gilt. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:1-13.

Dyck, G.W. 1988. The effect of estradiol ben-zoate and boar exposure on the occurrence ofestrus and ovulation in the gilt. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:377-386.

Dyck, G.W. 1988. The effect of housing facili-ties and boar exposure after weaning on theincidence of postlactational anestrus inprimiparous sows. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:983-985.

Fredeen, H.T.; Weiss, G.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;Lawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A. 1988. Breedcross differences in feed inputs for lactatingbeef cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1171-1186.

Fredeen, H.T.; Weiss, G.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;Lawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A. 1988. Geno-type X environment interactions for beefcow performance during lactation. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:619-636.

Fredeen, H.T.; Weiss, G.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;Lawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A.; Ward, D.1988. Beef cattle reproduction in relation toenvironment. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:15-28.

Grandhi, R.R. 1988. Effect of nutritionalflushing, supplemental fat and supple-mental lysine from puberty to breeding andduring early gestation on reproductiveperformance of gilts. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:941-951.

Grant, C.A.; Racz, G.J.; Bailey, L.D. 1988. Theeffect of Ca and K levels on the herbageyield and nutrient composition of barleyplants grown in high Mg soils. Commun.Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 19:1813-1835.


Grinwich, D.L.; Cliplef, R.L.; McKay, R.M.1988. Measurement of 16-androstenes(50-androst-16-en-3-one/50-androst-16-en -30-01) in saliva of mature boars of twobreeds following castration. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:969-972.

Irvine, R.B.; Therrien, M.C. 1988. Effects ofbarley intracoleoptilar internode lengthand effective xylem radius on water use anddry matter accumulation. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:57-63.

Klein, K.K.; Smith, E.G.; Dubetz, S.; Gardiner,E.E. 1988. A bioeconomic evaluation offababeans in broiler chick diets. Can. J.Agric. Econ. 36:337-347.

McKay, R.M.; Cliplef, R.L. 1988. Effect ofline-cross and delayed castration on growth andcarcass traits in boars and barrows. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:151-164.

McKay, R.M.;Garnett, I. 1988. Growth and fatdeposition curves in swine. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:57-67.

McKay, R.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W. 1988. Effi.ciency of feed utilization by three-breedcross steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:93-105.

Rahnefeld, G.W.; Weiss, G.M.; Fredeen, H.T.;Lawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A. 1988. Geneticeffects on postweaning growth of three-waycross beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:647-654.

Smith, E.G.; Rahnefeld, G.W. 1988. Economicvalue of feeder calves between breedcrosses. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1041-1050.

Therrien, M.C.; Irvine, R.B.; Campbell, K.W.;Wolfe, R.I. 1988. Registration of'Virden'barley. Crop Sci. 28:374.

Therrien, M.C.; Irvine, R.B.; Campbell, K.W.;Wolfe, R.I. 1988. Virden barley. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1111-1113.

Tong, A.K.W.; Newman,J.A.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;Lawson, J .E. 1988. The relationship of sireevaluations for ease of calving and birthweight. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:557-560.

Trudeau, V.L.; Grinwich, D.L.; Sanford, L.M.1988. Seasonal variation in the blood con-centration of 16-androstenes in adult Land-race boars. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:565-568.

281

Miscellaneous

Castell, A.G.; Friend, D.W. 1988. Field peasbenefit livestock industry. Pages 17-21 inCanadian pulses report (January 1988).Agriculture Development Branch, CropDevelopment Division, AgricultureCanada, Ottawa, Onto 21 pp.

Chow, P.N.P.; Grant, C.A. 1988. Food produc-tion, pesticides use, and adjuvants con-tribution in developing countries. Pages373-379 in Proceedings 11th Asian-Pa<;ificWeed Science Society Conferem;e (Vol. '11),29 November-5 December 1987. Weed

282.

Science Society of the Republic of China,Taipei, Republic of China.

Fredeen, H.T.; Weiss, G.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;iLawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A. 1988. Beef.cow reproduction in relation to cow condi-'tion. Canada-Manitoba economic and re-gional development agreement, Tech. Bull.12101.3. Research Branch, AgricultureCanada. 16 pp.

Smith, E.G.; Rahnef~ld, G.W. 1988. FeederIcalf prices by breed cross and break-even!feeder calf pricing. Res. Branch Agric. Can.;Tech. Bull. 1988-10E. 12 pp.


Research Station, Morden, Manitoba

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.B. Bole, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.B. Chubey, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.G.BrodieM.P. Reimer

Field CropsC.G. Campbell, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.T. Ali-Khan, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.H. Friesen, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.F.A. Kiehn, B.S.A., M.Sc.R.C. Zimmer, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Horticultural CropsB.B. Chubey, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.M. Collicutt, B.S.A., M.Sc.C.G. Davidson, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G. Mazza, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.L. Rex, B.S.A.B. Siemens, B.S.A., M.Sc.D.A. Wall,l B.S.A., M.Sc.

Oilseed CropsE.O. Kenaschuk, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.W. Dedio, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.H. Gubbels, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.K.Y. Rashid, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

VISITING SCIENTIST

E. Pietrazak, B.Sc., M.Sc.Potato Industry Research Associate

DirectorAssistant DirectorAdministrative OfficerInformation Officer

Head of Section; Breeding of buckwheatBreeding offield peasWeed scienceNew alternative cropsDiseases offield peas

Head of Section; Alternative cropsBreeding of ornamentalsBreeding of woody ornamentalsFood science and technologyPotato managementPotato storageWeed control

Head of Section; Breeding of flaxBreeding of sunflowersCrop management; PhysiologyPathology offlax and sunflowers

Food Science

1 On educational leave, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.

Research Station, Morden, Man. 283

INTRODUCTION

The programs at the Morden Research Station are directed toward the development of newcultivars and the improvement of production and preservation methods for flax, sunflowers,buckwheat, field peas, new crops, potatoes, vegetables, and herbaceous and woody ornamentals.This report summarizes some of the results obtained from research conducted during 1988.

An early high-yielding oilseed sunflower hybrid and 12 early disease-resistant sunflower lines,several with bird resistance, were released. A field pea cultivar, with 17%higher seed coat contentthan existing cultivars, yielded an average of 19% higher than the most widely grown cultivar andwas supported for registration. It is expected to have an impact on the rapidly expanding pea fibermarket. A large-seeded high-yielding field pea suitable for the soup market was also released. Twoflax lines developed in cooperation with the Crop Development Centre, University ofSaskatchewan, have been supported for registration. ' An everblooming ivory pink rose, MordenBlush, was released to the nursery trade through the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation, anda unique scarlet red rose is being propagated for introduction. -

Data were provided to support the registration of new herbicide uses for flax, buckwheat, fieldcorn, field peas, field beans, and saffiower. Agronomic studies defined optimum plant populationsfor sunflowers, flax, and French fried potatoes, as well as optimum seeding dates for flax. Foodresearch has led to improved storage management praCtices for potatoes and to the investigation ofirradiation for improving potato storage. Plant pathology research has identified tolerance of themost serious sunflower disease, sclerotinia wilt. i

Further information on any of these research activities and reprints of publications listed in thisreport may be obtained from the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box3001, Morden, Man. ROG IJO; Tel. (204) 822-4471. '

J.B.'BoleDirector

FIELD CROPS

Buckwheat

Breeding. CM 221 buckwheat containing asemidwarf character was released as germplasm. This character, conditioned by a singlerecessive gene, reduces plant height byshortening the first six internodes. Theresulting plant is more resistant to lodging andto plant breakage because of the almost solidstem in the region of reduced internode growth.

Pathology. Infected seed was shown to bethe source of primary infection ofbuckwheat bythe downy mildew pathogen, Peronosporaducometi Siemaszko & Janow. Infected seedcontained a few or numerous oospores, theoverwintering sexual structure of the fungalpathogen. These were found in the calyxattached to mature seed, on the inside of theseed coat, and in the aleurone tissue.Examination of the calyx can be used as anondestructive method to determine theoospore status of buckwheat seed, making iteasier to determine the potential of buckwheatfor spreading the disease.

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I

Weed control. Imazamethabenz (AC222',293), applied when buckwheat was 7 cm inheight, controlled wild mustard with accept-able crop tolerance. The control of wildmustard with desmedipham applied at similarstages was also satisfactory.

Field corn

tveed control. Metolachlor plus cyanazineapplied pre plant and incorporated into the soil,foll~wed by flam prop-methyl at the four-leafstage, controlled both broad-leaved and grassyweeds, including wild oats.

Field peas

Breeding. Two yellow-seeded lines, MP 889and MP 954, were supported for registration.MP 889 is a high-fiber and high-yielding linethat outyielded Century, a commonly growncultivar, by 19% in 4 years of testing. Theedible fiber as expressed by the percentage ofhutl was 17% higher than the mean of thesev~n check cultivars. Edible fiber from peas is

I

now being processed for use in various foodproducts.


MP954 is a high-yielding, large-seeded linewith good cooking quality. In 4 years oftest-ing, MP 954 yielded 14%higher than Centuryand 4% higher than Titan, a newly releasedcultivar. The seed of MP 954 is 21% largerthan that of Century and 10% larger than thatof Titan. The pedigreed seed will be increasedin 1989 and 1990 for distribution to growersthrough the SeCan Association in 1991.

Management. Studies were conducted toimprove a technique to evaluate green field peabreeding lines for resistance to color loss.Percentage of nonsoaked seed after 40 h onmoist paper in petri dishes was negativelycorrelated with percentage of bleached seedsand positively correlated with color at last fieldharvest. This finding would provide the basisof a rapid evaluation technique. Furtherresearch is required to ensure that this non-soaking characteristic is not associated withcooking quality.

Weed control. Imazethapyr (AC 263,499)applied when field peas were 10 cm in heightcontrolled lamb's-quarters, redroot pigweed,and wild mustard, with satisfactory croptolerance. Similar results were obtained withisoxaben and RE-40885 tank-mixed, appliedpreplant, and incorporated into the soil.

Field beans

Weed control. Mixtures of fomesafen andbentazon applied when dry beans were 10cm inheight controlled most broad-leaved weedswith acceptable crop tolerance. Imazethapyrwas equally effective.

New alternative crops

A line of Lathyrus LS 8246 was released asgerm plasm because of its low content (0.03%)of the neurotoxin {J-N-oxalyl-L-a-fl-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP). Lathyrus is a veryhardy, drought-resistant pulse crop with goodpotential for production in western Canada.The compound ODAP has been identified as acausal agent for lathyrism, a neurode-generative disorder precipitated by excessiveconsumption of grass pea. This is the firstreported low toxin source and will haveapplication both in Canada and in productionareas of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and India,where concentrations of 1-1.5% are commonlyfound.

Research Station, Morden, Man.

Weed control. Imazamethabenz controlledwild mustard in safflower. Treatments appliedwhen the crop was 8 cm in height were moreeffective than treatments at the 4-cm stage.

OILSEED CROPS

Flax

Breeding. Two lines, FP 855 and FP 859,developed in the cooperative breeding programwith the Crop Development Centre, Universityof Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, have beensupported for registration. FP 855, a medium-early line, has high oil quality and is higheryielding than the medium-early cultivarsNorLin, NorMan, and Vimy in late seeding.FP 859 is similar to McGregor in seed yield butis 2 days earlier maturing and has an oilcontent of approximately 1 percentage pointhigher.In 2 years of evaluation in the cooperative

test, the medium-early line FP 862 was similarto NorMan in seed yield in early-seeded testsbut was much higher yielding in late-seededtests. FP 862 is similar to NorMan in oilcontent but is higher in oil quality byapproximately 7 iodine units.

Management. Five flax cultivars, includingthe four latest releases from this station, wereseeded at four seeding rates in 1985, 1986, and1987. Increases in seeding rate caused smalldecreases in seed weight, oil content, andiodine number, whereas lodging increased andmaturity was hastened. There was little effecton volume weight, variable effect on plantheight, and a large decrease in basal branch-ing. Although the cultivars varied in theirresponse to seeding rate, most yielded nearmaximum at the 600 seeds per square metre(approximately 33 kglha) rate.

Pathology. Seven lines from Argentinawere identified with resistance to a combi-nation of three rust races and may be newsources of genes with rust resistance. Thegenetics of resistance in these lines is underinvestigation. A study to evaluate the variouscomponents of partial resistance in 12 flaxcultivars showed significant differences inthe incubation period, latent period, recepti-vity, and pustule size between the variouscultivars.

285

Weed control. Early treatments of seth-oxydim, 7-10 days after emergence, greatlyimproved the control ofwild oats and volunteerbarley compared with later treatments. Spraynozzles oriented 45° forward also increased theefficiency of sethoyxdim and fluazifop-P-butyl.When sethoxydim or fluazifop-P-butyl wastank-mixed with bromoxynil and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), early-morning sprayings (5:00-11:00 a.m.) resultedin significantly more flax injury than afternoonor evening treatments.

Sunflowers

Breeding. An early oilseed hybrid, MRS 40,has been recommended for registration. MRS40 yielded 4%more than the mean offour otherearly hybrids in the Manitoba sunflower trial.It is slightly shorter and has better resistanceto verticillium wilt and to the midge insectthan do most other hybrids.

Twelve sunflower inbred lines werereleased in March 1988, under the sunflowerhybrid-inbred agreement. These lines includetwo nonoil types, five bird-resistant lines, andfive oil-type restorer lines, which are early orhave good combining ability, or both.

Management. An early- and a late-maturing sunflower hybrid were seeded in midMay and mid June at three plant densities in1983,1984, and 1986. Seed yields followed thesame trends in each seeding date for both earlyand late hybrids. Yields were similar at the30000 and 45000 plant densities, but lower atthe 60000 density. Plant height and oilcontent of the seeds increased, whereas seedweight decreased with the increase in plantdensity. Plant height was greater, but seedweight, oil content, and seed yield were lowerin the late seeding than the early seeding.

Four oilseed sunflower hybrids, varyingwidely in growth habit, were grown with rowsuniformly spaced at 45 cm and in a paired-rowarrangement, alternating 30 cm with 60 cm, in1986 and 1987. Soil moisture levels were ade-quate. The paired-row arrangement resultedin no yield advantage over uniform rowspacing.

Pathology. Rhizopus head rot was wide-spread in sunflower fields in Manitoba perhapsbecause of the high levels of grasshopperdamage to the heads and the above normaltemperature in 1988. There were no apparentdifferences in susceptibility between thevarious hybrids in 35 fields surveyed. Rust was

286

II

more severe than usual in southwesternManitoba. Testing field collections of the rustrevealed a shift in the race composition, withrace 3 predominant in 1988. Sclerotinia wiltwas less common than in previous years. A3-year evaluation study of selected sunflowerhybrids showed that ST330 was the leastsusceptible to sclerotinia wilt, followed byCh~llenger and D0643-11E. Other hybridswere even less susceptible in the first year oftesting in 1988 and further evaluation will beconducted to confirm these results.

Weed control. Ethalfluralin plus RE-40885applied preplant and incorporated into the soilcontrolled wild mustard, lamb's-quarters, andred root pigweed. Similar results were obtainedwhen ethalfluralin was followed by imazame-thabenz at the four-leaf stage of sunflowers.

HORTICULTURAL CROPSi

Or~amentals

Breeding and evaluation. In 1988 Towerpoplar, released 10years ago from Morden, wasgiven an Outstanding Cultivar Award by theCanadian Society for Horticulture Science atthei~ annual meeting. It was also recognizedwit~ an Award ofMerit in 1983 by the WesternCarladian Society for Horticulture for itsexceptional performance under prairie growingconditions. Tower poplar is most useful inparks and recreational settings such as golfcourses and is also useful as shelter and screenplantings for both urban and rural residences.It is;very popular in both western and easternCanada, with significant production in themidwestern United States as well.

Morden Blush was registered as a new rosecultivar. It is a low-growing, everbloomingbush that combines winterhardiness witheve~blooming characteristics. Plants haveconsistently survived winters in zones 3a and3b (Agriculture Canada Hardiness Zones).Pla~t height and width both average 50 em.Field resistance to local populations ofpowderymildew (8phaerotheca pannosa (Wallr.:Fr.)Lev.) and rust (Phragmidium) is good, whereasresistance to blacks pot (Diplocarpan rosaeWoIn is fair. Flowers are borne on both currentseaSon or older wood and are light pink toivory.

I'nheritance models for flower color andext~a petals in Potentilla fruticosa L. weredev~loped by conducting controlled crosses


between various cultivars and advancedselections. Models for flower color included twowhitening genes (W1 and W2) and two yellow-ing genes (Y1 and Y2), with the action of ableaching gene implicated. Models with extrapetals involve a two-gene switch (D1 and D2) toturn on the production of up to five extra petalsand a modifier gene (Dm) that accounts for anadditional one to five extra petals. Superiorselections from the breeding program werefield-planted, but establishment was poorbecause of heat and drought stress.

Male and female green ash trees from threedifferent crown-shape classes were studied atvarious locations in the crown to identifyimportant architectural variables. Significantdifferences among shape classes were found inmidshoot diameter, elevation angle, shoot tipabortion frequency and daughter lateral shootlength. Differences among crown levels includ-ed shoot length, midshoot diameter, elevationangle, and daughter shoot length. Significantdifferences between sexes were found for shootlength, shoot tip abortion, and daughter lateralshoot length and number. Interrelationships ofmany architectural variables suggest that asignificant change in one may lead to changesin overall crown form. Both deterministic andopportunistic growth responses are beinginvestigated further.

Thirty selections of chrysanthemum seed-lings were identified for further evaluation onthe basis of early bloom, landscape value, andhardiness. Nineteen plants of Monarda werechosen for further evaluation, based onpowdery mildew resistance, hardiness, andflower qualities. Aster cultivars (Pink Beauty,Purple Beauty, and Rose Beauty) and coral-bells (Brandon Pink, Northern Fire, and WhiteCloud) were found superior in trials and wererecommended to the industry.

Potatoes

Hollow heart. A literature review on thecauses, control, and detection of hollow heart inpotatoes was published. Hollow heart, a.physiological disorder characterized by thedevelopment of cavities in the pith of thetubers, causes major losses for potato producersand processors. Ma'nagement practices thatcan influence the incidence of hollow heartwere identified. They include choice ofcultivar, chemical treatment of seed pieces,plant spacing, rate and timing of fertilizerapplication, control of soil moisture, and use ofplant-growth regulators. The most reliable


and practical procedure developed for thenondestructive detection of hollow heart inwhole tubers uses X-ray technology. Futureinvestigations will evaluate the effect ofselected management techniques to control orlimit the incidence of hollow heart.

Varietyellaluation. A recommendation forfull license will be made to the National PotatoBreeding Advisory Committee by the PrairiePotato Council and the breeders for two potatoselections that showed superior performance inthe Prairie Regional Variety Trials. W848,from the breeding program at the University ofWisconsin, has oval, white-skinned tubers withpotential as a maincrop cultivar for potatochips. A 69868-2, from the University ofIdahobreeding program, has long, heavy, russet-skinned tubers with potential for French friesand for count pack baked potatoes.

Plant population. The effect of plantpopulation on Russet Burbank potatoes grownunder rain-fed conditions in southernManitoba from 1983 to 1987 was determined.Seed-piece population at planting ranged from21.7 to 45.5 thousand seed pieces per hectare,and plant emergence generally exceeded 85%.Marketable tuber yields, specific gravity, andincidence of hollow heart in main-grade tubers(greater than 5 cm in diameter and less than284 g in weight) and in tubers greater than 284g in weight were generally not affected by plantpopulation. However, as population increased,the number of harvested tubers increased andaverage tuber size decreased, with a decreasedyield of tubers greater than 284 g in weight andan increased yield of tubers smaller than 5 cmin diameter. Sucrose levels, determined in onlyone trial, decreased as population increased.

Vegetables

Seed irradiation. Very low doses of irra-diation have been reported to cause stimu-latory or hormesiseffects on plants. In ourstudy over 3 years, irradiation significantlyincreased the germinated seedling emergencerate of broccoli, where the occurrence of 50% offinal emergence was advanced by more than 1day. In I-year trials, 50% of final emergencewas advanced by 3 days for parsnip, with nosignificant effect for cauliflower. Nosignificant hormesis effects were observed onyield parameters.

Belgium endille. Chicory cultivars grownfor production of Belgium endive (chicons) were

287

evaluated for commercial production potentialunder prairie conditions over a period of 3years. Three cultivars-Zoom, Flash, andFaro-produced chicon yields of 36.5,34.8, and33.0 kg/m2, respectively, under hydroponicculture. The roots required 6-8 weeks of coldstorage to reach adequate maturity for forcing,with the use of water and alcohol-solublesugars as a maturity index.

Utilization and quality

Potatoes. The effects of irradiation on theprocessing quality of Norchip and RussetBurbank potatoes were examined as a functionof storage time and radiation dose. Sampleswere irradiated with cobalt-60 gamma rays toabsorbed doses of0, 0.08, 0.12, or 0.20 kGy, andthen stored at 10.C and 95% relative humidity.Quality assessments were carried out atintervals of approximately 1 month. Controlsall started sprouting within 120-150 days afterbeing placed into storage. Irradiated samplesdid not sprout even after 278 days of storage.Sucrose content in both cultivars exhibited amarked transient increase shortly afterirradiation, with subsequent return to controllevels within 30 days (Russet Burbank) to 90days (Norchip) postirradiation. Reducingsugar in both cultivars initially increased(twofold to threefold) and then returned tocontrol levels within 90 days postirradiation.The color of potato chips ofRusset Burbank andNorchip darkened during the interval between30-60 and 90-120 days after treatment.respectively, after which the color recovered tovalues indistinguishable from the controls.The results demonstrate that irradiation ofManitoba grown Norchip and Russet Burbankpotatoes results in excellent suppression ofsprouting along with good retention ofprocessing quality for extended periods of time.

Saskatoon berries. The influence of acetal-dehyde and catechin on aqueous solutions ofcyanidin 3-glucoside and aqueous and alcoholextracts of saskatoon berry was investigated.Pigment systems were analyzed periodicallyduring storage at 23°C in the dark forabsorbance spectra, high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC) profiles, and Hunter-lab color values. Presence of acetaldehyde inthe fruit extracts and both acetaldehyde andcatechin in the cyanidin 3-glucoside modelsystem caused a marked increase in colorintensity during storage. Visible spectra of thecolor-intensified samples showed both a

288

bathochromic shift and an increase inab!10rbance. The HPLC profiles of theacetaldehyde-treated berry extracts revealedthe' appearance of a new peak and the decreaseof two anthocyanin peaks. Chromatograms ofthe cyanidin 3-glucoside solution containingacetaldehyde and catechin displayed six newpeaks and loss of the anthocyanin. Addition ofcatechin alone had no significant effect on thecolor of the model or pigment extract systems.Results indicated that color intensification wasdue to molecular condensation involvingcatechin, acetaldehyde, and anthocyanin aswell as other phenolic compounds in the berryextracts. Hue angle of the extracts accuratelyme~sured the color intensification reaction.

Qnosmodium. Seeds ofOnosmodium hispi-dissimum Mack.•collected at three locations insouthern Manitoba. were analyzed for seedcharacteristics. oil content, and fatty acidcomposition. Whole seed contained 16.7-18.4%oil, of which over 22% was y-linolenic acid(18:3). The other fatty acids prese'nt in the oilwere palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0). oleic (18:1).linoleic (18:2), a-linolenic (18:3). tetraenoic(18:4), and eicosenoc (20:1) acids. The seeds ofO. hispidissimum contained 2.8% morey-linolenic acid, 2.6% more linoleic acid, and4.4% less oleic acid than those of O. occidentaleMack., a previously characterized source ofy-linolenic acid. It constitutes a rich naturalsource of y-linolenic acid and may find appli-catidn in the health food and pharmaceuticalindustries.

Winter-hardy apples. The sugars present in10 p.;-airie-adapted apple cultivars were identi-fied and quantified by high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC). Total sugar contentranged from 5.8% for Heyer NO.12to 9.7% forBreakey apples. All cuItivars, except Collet(7.9%), Heyer NO.12 (5.8%), and SeptemberRuby (8.5%), had intermediate sugar content.The predominant sugar was fructose. followedby glucose and sucrose. The concentration offructbse (4.4-6.9%) and glucose (1.4-3.4%) inthe winter-hardy apple cuItivars was compar-able to values reported in the literature forapples grown in milder climates. Comparedwith 'the reported range of 1.3-6.6%, sucroseconcentration in the prairie-adapted apple cuI-tivar~ was low (0.0-1.1%). The most frequentlyoccurring minor sugar was xylose. It wasquantified in all cuItivars except Heyer NO.12.Galactose and arabinose were present in traceamounts in 2 of the 10 cuItivars studied.


PUBLICATIONS

Research

Dedio, W. 1988. Breeding sunflower cultivarsfor the northern latitudes. J. Agric. Sci.Finland 60:255-265.

Dedio, W.; Hoes, J.A. 1988. Registration ofsunflower parental lines CM 593, CM 594,CM596 and CM 597. Crop Sci. 28:1042.

Friesen, G.H. 1988. Wild mustard control insunflower with AC 222,293. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:1159-1161.

Friesen, G.H.; Korwar, G.R. 1987. Conserva-tion tillage systems for sorghum productionunder semi-arid conditions in India. Trop.Pest Manage. 33:364-366.

Green, R.C.; Mazza, G. 1988. Effect of catechinand acetaldehyde on colour of saskatoonberry pigments in aqueous and alcoholicsolutions. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol.21(5):537-544.

Gubbels, G.H.; Dedio, W. 1988. Response ofsunflower hybrids to row spacing. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1125-1127.

Hoes, J.A.; Dedio, W. 1988. Registration ofeleven disease resistant oilseed sunflowergermplasm lines. Crop Sci. 28:875.

Hussain, A.; Ali-Khan, S.T.; Bushuk, W. 1988.Field pea cultivar identification byelectrophoretic patterns of cotyledonproteins. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:1143-1147.

Mazza, G. 1988. Lipid content and fatty acidcomposition of buckwheat seed. CerealChem.65(2):122-126.

Mazza, G.; Marshall, H.H. 1988. Ooosmodiumseed, a potential source of gamma-linolenicacid. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol.21(5):558-559.

Sharma, D.O.; D'Souza, V.F.; McConnell, M.B.;Mazza, G. 1988. Identification and quanti-fication of sugars in winter-hardy apples byhigh performance liquid chromatography.Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. 21(4):435-438.

Stoessl, A.; Rock, G.L.; Stothers, J.B.; Zimmer,R.C. 1988. The structure, stereochemistry,and biosynthetic origin of a diterpinoidfungal metabolite, traversianal, establishedby IH, 2H, and 13C magnetic resonance.Can. J. Chem. 66:1084-1090.


Wall,D.A.; Friesen, G.H.; Dryden, D. 1988.The effect of herbicides and annual weedson the yield and seed quality of lathyrus.Crop Prot. 7:372-377.

Miscellaneous

Brouillard, R.; Cheminat, A.; Mazza, G. 1988.La reaction de copigmentation. Bull.Liaison-Groupe Polyphenols 13:12-19.

Campbell, C.G. 1988. Improvement ofLathyrus sativus. Proceedings Interna-tional Network for the Improvement ofLathyrus sativus and the Elimination ofLathyrism Workshop. London, England.12pp.

Collicutt, L.M. 1988. Lily breeding research atthe Morden Research Station. Proc. West.Can. Soc. Hortic. 44:34-35.

Friesen, G.H. 1988. Annual grass control inflax (Linum usitatissimum) with quizalofop.Weed Tech. 2:144-146.

Friesen, G.H. 1988. Wild mustard, Sinapisarvensis, control in common buckwheat,Fagopyrum esculentum, with desmediphamand fluorochloridone. Weed Tech.2:175-178.

Gonsalves, J.T.; Rex, B.L. 1988. 1987 PrairiePotato Cultivar Evaluation Association(PPCEA): Cooperative industry trials.Proceedings 16th Annual Meeting PrairiePotato Council, 99. 97-103.

Gubbels, G.H.; Dedio, W. 1987. Narrow rowspacing increases sunflower seed yields.Canadex 145.22.

Gubbels, G.H.; Kenaschuk, E.O. 1987. Effectsof canola stubble on flax seed yield.Canadex 148.22.

Gubbels, G.H.; Kenaschuk, E.O. 1988.Response of new flax cultivars to plantdensity. Proceedings 52nd Annual FlaxInstitute U.S., pp. 28-29.

Kenaschuk, E.O.; Gubbels, G.H. 1988.Response of varieties to temperature andlight quality. Proceedings 52nd AnnualFlax Institute U.S., pp. 7-14.

Mazza, G.; Chubey, B.B.; Kiehn, F. 1988.Essential oil of Monarda fistulosa L. var.menthaefolia, a potential source of geraniol.Flavour & Fragrance J. 2:129-132.

289

Stoessl, A.; Abramowski, Z.; Lester, H.H.;Rock, G.L.; Stothers, J.B.; Towers, G.H.N.;Zimmer, R.C. 1988. Structural, biogeneticand activity studies on metabolites offungal pathogens. In Hedin, P.H.; Menn, J.;Hollingworth, R. Biotechnology in cropprotection. ACD symposium series.

290

Zimmer, R.C. 1988. Change in the Rhizoctoniasolani index on the stems and stolons offourpotato cultivars during the growing season.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:5-6.

Zimmer, R.C. 1988. Development of Rhizoc-IOnia solani on four fungicide-treated potatoci.lltivars grown in virgin potato soil. Can.Blant Dis. Surv. 68:7-9.

I


Research Station, Winnipeg, Manitoba

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

T.G. Atkinson, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.L Johannson

Scientific SupportJ.R. Anderson, B.Sc.M. Malyk,l B.Sc., M.Sc., M.L.S.S.M. Woods, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Cereal BreedingD. Brown, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.M. Czarnecki, B.S.A., M.Sc.P.L. Dyck, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.R. Kerber, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.MJ.P. Kovacs, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D. Leisle, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.O.M. Lukow, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.R. Metcalfe, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.RJ.H. McKenzie, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.S. Noll, B.Sc., Ph.D.E. Sykes,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.T.F. Townley-Smith,3 B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Cereal DiseasesJ.W. Martens,4 B.Sc., Ph.D.J. Chong, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Gilbert, Ph.D.S.M. Haber, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.E. Harder, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.N.K. Howes, B.Sc., Ph.D.W.K. Kim, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Kolmer, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.J.J. Nielsen, Dr.Sc.Agr.R. Rohringer, Dr.Sc.Agr.A. Tekauz, B.Sc" M.Sc., Ph.D.P.L. Thomas, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Stored ProductsJ.T. Mills, B.Sc" Ph.D., DJ.C.D. Abramson, 8.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.S. Barker, LA., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.G. Fields,s B.Sc., Ph.D.R.N. Sinha, B.Sc., Ph.D.N.D.G. White, B.Sc.Agr., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Research Station, Winnipeg, Man.


Computer Systems ManagerLibrarianProgrammer-Analyst

Head of Section; Oat breedingCommon wheat breedingWheat geneticsWheat cytogeneticsCereal chemistryDurum wheat breedingCereal chemistryBarley breeding and geneticsCanada prairie spring wheat breedingCereal chemistry and physiologyGerm plasm evaluationCommon wheat breeding

Head of Sect ion; Wheat stem rustOat crown rustFoliar diseases of wheatCereal viruses and biotechnologyOat stem rustMolecular biology and biotechnologyMolecular biology and biotechnologyWheat leaf rustSmutsMolecular biology and biotechnologyLeaf diseasesMicrobial genetics, smuts

Head of Section; Storage moldsMycotoxicologyBiology and control of stored grain mitesPostharvest insect physiologyEcology of granary pestsBiology and control of stored-product insects

291

Integrated Pest Control,

W.J. Turnock, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

G.L. Ayre, B.S.A., M.S.A.R.P. Bodnaryk, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.K. Bracken, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.H. Gerber, B.S.A., Ph.D.R.J. Lamb, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.O.N. Morris, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P. Pachagounder, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.),Ph.D.

B. Timlick,6 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.I.L. Wise,7 B.Sc., M.Sc.

DeparturesA.B. Campbell, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.Retired 26 March 1988

B.E. Galka, B.Sc., M.Sc.Resigned 2 December 1988

P. Jedel, B.S.A., M.Sc.Resigned 30 September 1988

VISITING SCIENTISTS

H. Kawamoto, Ph.D.Natural Sciences and EngineeringResearch Council (NSERC) researchassociate, seconded from.Department of Agricultural EngineeringUniversity of ManitobaMarch 1987-March 1989

M. Luo, Ph.D.NSERC visiting fellow

F. Momen, Ph.D.Canadian International DevelopmentAgency (CIDA)INSERC research associateEgypt, 13 July-31 December 1988

G. Newcombe, Ph.D.Uniroyal Chemical

J. Sock,2 M.Sc. Dr.Sc.Agr.D. Tuma, M.Sc.L. Wong, Ph.D.Western Grains Research Foundation

H.ZhangVisiting scientist, Northwest PlateauInstitute of Biology, Academia, SinicaPeople's Republic of ChinaJuly 1987-July 1988

292

He~d of Section; Ecology and populationdynamicsInsect ecologyBio'chemistry and toxicologyPhysiology and behaviorHistology, physiology, and behaviorSydtems biologyInsect pathologyInsect-plant relationships

Economic entomologyPesticide evaluation entomology

!

ICommon wheat breeding

IEcopomic entomology

Gerht plasm evaluation

Popillation ecologyI

lInse?t biochemistry

Storbd grain mites

Loose smut of barleyI

Mole:cular biology of cereal rustsCereal mycologyFusa~ium head blight

I

Wheat breeding and quality


Graduate studentsS. Fox, B.Se.A.S.GermanB. Innes, B.Se., M.Se.J. Leferink, B.S.A.{Eng)X.Chen

Oat breedingRust pathologyWheat cytogeneticsEconomic entomologyCereal rusts

1 Seconded from Libraries Division, Finance and Administration Branch.2 Funded under the Canada-Manitoba Agri.food Subagreement (ERDA).3 Appointed 1March 1988.4 Seconded to Research Coordination Directorate. Ottawa, October 1988.5 Appointed 6 September 1988.6 Appointed 5 December 1988 as a biologist under the Canada-Manitoba Agri-food Subagreement (ERDA).7 Appointed 18April 1988.

Research Station, Winnipeg, Man. 293

INTRODUCTION

Research programs at the Winnipeg Research Station focus on three main areas ofresponsibility: the development of improved cultivars of cereals specifically adapted to the rustarea of the eastern prairies; research on the integrated control of insect pests of field crops; andresearch on the protection of stored cereals, oilseeds, and their products. In each of these areas,interdisciplinary teams of scientists are pursuing both mission-oriented and basic research insupport of the department's objectives of sustainable agriculture, food quality and safety, andmarket competitiveness.The development of improved cereal cultivars requires the close collaboration of breeders,

geneticists, cytogeneticists, plant pathologists, cereal. chemists, and biotechnologists. Indeed,during the past year, our first application of biotechnology to cereal breeding programs hasdemonstrated how specific monoclonal antibodies can be used to rapidly screen breeders' lines forsuperior end-use quality and for resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus. The importance ofmaintaining such strong interdisciplinary teams in cereal cultivar development was also apparentwhen a rapid increase was detected in the incidence of new races of oat crown rust that can attackcurrent resistant cultivars.Research on the integrated control offield crop insects, particularly those that attack canola and

the various special crops grown in southern Manitoba, includes the biology and ecology of pestspecies, the evaluation of biological and chemical control measures, the assessment of economicdamage, and the development of integrated management systems. We are increasingly focusing onopportunities to use host resistance to reduce losses from crop pests. In this regard, field researchover the past 2 years has demonstrated that some currently recommended sunflower hybrids have auseful level of resistance to the sunflower midge, which has caused serious losses in southernManitoba.Our research on the storage and protection of cereals, oilseeds, and their products is national in

scope and involves close cooperation with the Canadian Grain Commission, the Food Productionand Inspection Branch of Agriculture Canada, and the grain industry. Particular emphasis isplaced on understanding the ecology of organisms that infest stored grain, the development of safestorage guidelines, nonpesticide measures to control infestations, and the microbiological andenvironmental factors influencing the occurrence of mycotoxins. The importance of our mycotoxinresearch was clearly illustrated in 1988 with the detection of ochratoxin A in the blood ofslaughterhouse hogs in collaborative studies with the Department ofAnimal Science, University ofManitoba.The station's two-row malting barley breeding program was transferred to the Brandon

Research Station in preparation for Dr. D.R. Metcalfe's retirement in 1989 and in keeping with theResearch Branch's policy of consolidation of programs. The Winnipeg Station will, however,continue to be responsible for research on malting quality and disease resistance in support of thebreeding program. Following a long and productive career as leader of the hard red spring wheatbreeding program, Dr. A.B. Campbell retired with an unprecedented record of nine cultivarsreleased during his career. His position was filled by the transfer of Dr. T.F. Townley-Smith fromthe Swift Current Research Station. Other new staff members include Dr. P. Fields, postharvestinsect physiologist, and Mr. I. Wise, pesticide evaluatiOlJ..The following short reports of recent research are indicative of the types of studies under way.

Further information can be found in our annual Research Update or in the publications listed here,copies of which can be obtained by writing to individual scientists or to the Research Station,Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Man. R3T 2M9; Tel. (204)269-2100.

T.G. AtkinsonDirector


BREEDING, GENETICS, ANDCYTOGENETICS

BarleyTwo cultivars recently released from the

Winnipeg Station are being well accepted byManitoba producers. Ellice, a two-row maltingbarley released in 1987, and Norbert, a two-row feed barley registered in 1980, were plant-ed on a total of 74700 ha (12.4% of the totalarea sown to barley in Manitoba, the area ofadaptation ofthese two cultivars) in 1988. Thefaster malting rate of Ellice is enhancing itsacceptance by maltsters.

Resistance to stem rust in North Americanbarleys has depended entirely on the T gene forover 70 years. Despite the stability of the Tgene, the dependence on one gene and theidentification of stem rust isolates virulent onit indicated the need for additional sources ofresistance. A new dominant gene conferringresistance to stem rust was identified in re-search on germ plasm isolation and evaluation,partly funded by the Canada-Manitoba Econo-mic Regional Development Agreement. Gene-tic studies indicate that this gene, found inaccession PI382313 from the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture Wiebe collection,provides a level offield resistance equivalent tothat of the T gene.

It has been known for many years that theYd2 gene confers a high level of resistance tobarley yellow dwarf (BYD) virus in barley.Only recently, however, has this gene been in-corporated into agronomically desirable barleylines suitable for use in the breeding program.Such BYD-resistant lines, along with otherbarley populations at various stages ofdevelop-ment, were transferred in 1988 to staff at theBrandon Research Station as part of the con-solidation of the Manitoba barley breedingprograms. The Winnipeg Research Station willcontinue to be responsible for research onbarley diseases and malting quality and willsupport the Brandon breeding programs inthese areas.

During the year the efficiency of the barleymalting quality screening program was greatlyimproved with the installation of a custom-built, 100-sample capacity malting unit, thebasic design of which was conceived byWinnipeg Research Station personnel.

Hard red spring wheatHard red spring wheat cultivars from the

Winnipeg Station continued to have wide-


spread acceptance across the prairies. Justover 90% (9.1 million hal of the total area sownto hard red spring wheat was planted toWinnipeg cultivars. Katepwa, at 41% of theprairie bread wheat area, has clearly replacedNeepawa as the dominant cultivar, a position itheld for 13years.

A number of important findings were madein 1988 concerning the identification, transfer,and control of genes providing resistance to therusts. An inheritance study to determine thenumber ofwheat leaf rust (Lr) resistance genesin the Canadian cultivar Kenyon [(Neepawa)5X (Buck Manantial)J showed that it carriesgenesLr13 and Lr16. The donorcultivar, BuckManantial, has Lr3, Lr13, Lr16, Lr17, as wellas a gene for adult plant leaf rust resistance. Apreviously unidentified gene for leaf rustresistance was identified in two accessions,V336 and V618, of the A.E. Watkins wheatcollection. This gene is dominant and gives afleck (resistant) infection type to all isolates ofleaf rust. Seedling leaf rust resistancetransferred to Marquis from RL5347 (Aegilopsspeltoides Tausch X Triticum monococcum L.)was shown to be determined by a dominantgene that confers good resistance to all leaf rustcultures tested. The baking quality of theresistant stock was equal to Marquis,indicating that no deleterious characteristicswere transferred from A. speltoides. This newgene should be a useful addition to the pool ofresistance available to breeders.

The transfer of leaf rust resistance genesfrom diploid and tetraploid wheats to hexaploidwheats is difficult. In a study to test thehypothesis that Lr34 may facilitate suchtransfers, a hexaploid line with Lr34 was usedas a recurrent parent to transfer leaf rustresistance from diploid and tetraploid species.After three backcrosses, leaf rust resistancewas successfully transferred from tetraploid tohexaploid wheat but not from diploid tohexaploid wheat. Previous studies on theinheritance of stem rust resistance in RL5713(derived from A. squarrosa L.) were indecisive.F2 and F3 data from crosses with Marquis(susceptible) indicated two genes were involv-ed, whereas reciprocal backcrosses showed onlyone gene. The backcross data also suggestedthat male gametes bearing the resistance genewere preferentially transmitted. Additionalresistant lines, selected from various backcrosspopulations, have been identified that result inresistant-to-susceptible segregation ratios of3:1 when used as parents in hybrid

295

populations. The resistance of this singledominant gene is effective against all culturesof stem rust tested.

The sprouting resistant cultivar Columbuswas found to contain four gliadin protein bandsthat are present in RL4137, the source of thesprouting resistance in Columbus but not inNeepawa. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PAGE) of 92 random lines of RL4137 XNeepawa showed that two of the bands may beloosely associated with dormancy. There wasno association of high molecular weightglutenin subunits with dormancy.

Canada prairie spring wheat

The selection criteria of the breedingprogram for prairie spring wheats, supportedin part by the Canada-Manitoba EconomicRegional Development Agreement, continuedto emphasize high yield, early maturity, andresistance to sprouting, tan spot, and rust.Because 1988 was the hottest summer everrecorded in Winnipeg, as well as one of thedriest, selection for heat and drought tolerancewas possible. Three promising lines wereentered in the high-yield co-op wheat test.Results from the eastern prairie high-yield Bwheat test indicated several of the Winnipeglines out yielded all the checks and arepromising for a number of other attributes,including earliness and sprouting resistance.

Individual lines of three medium-hardprairie spring wheats were analyzed for kernelhardness. HY320 and HY355 were composedof hard and soft lines: 38% and 74% hard lines,respectively. The Canada prairie springcultivar Oslo consisted of a single hardnesscategory and could be more accuratelyclassified as a hard red spring wheat.

Durumwheat

Sixty percent (75 000 ha) of the area seededto durum in Manitoba and 20% of the prairiedurum area was planted to cultivars releasedfrom the Winnipeg Research Station. Thedurum wheat breeding objectives continued toemphasize early maturity, moderate height,lodging resistance, rust resistance, and headand kernel type. Sixteen single and three-waycrosses were made; extensive use was made ofthe intermediate height parent Sceptre andsemidwarf lines, with the objective ofimproving lodging resistance. There werethree lines in the 1988 durum co-optest.

296

A genetic study showed that the cultivarsCoulter and Medora each carry three genes forseedling resistance to races CI 0 and CI 7 ofstem rust: one gene conditions resistance toCIO, one to Cl7, and one to both races. Basedon rust reactions and the ancestry of thesecultivars, it is postulated that the genes areSr7a, Srge, and Sr13. Crosses to confirm thepresence of these genes have been made. Thesethree genes account for the seedling resistanceof these cultivars to over 20 races. Thisknowledge provides the basis for incorporatingadditional genes for stem rust resistance.

The use of monoclonal antibodies (MABs)specific for gliadin band 45 to select for glutenstrength was investigated using lines from thedurum wheat program. High correlations wereobtained between the enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) test for binding ofMABsand sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-sedimenta-tion volume, gluten elasticity, and presence ofgliadin band 45. The results indicate that thisMABhas potential as a rapid screening test forhigh gluten strength using small samples ofbreeders'lines.

Oats

Essentially, 100% (215500 ha) of the totalarea seeded to oats in Manitoba and 34% of theprairie oat area was planted to cultivarsreleased from the Winnipeg Research Station.The oat-breeding program continued to empha-size high yield combined with a high-qualitykernel and resistance to crown rust, stem rust,smut, and barley yellow dwarf. Thirty-onecrosses and five backcrosses were made todevelop superior oat cultivars, and selectionswere made among 11 000 F4-Fs lines. Eighthigh-yielding, disease-resistant lines weretested in the 1988western co-opoat test.

An allelism study to identify a gene foundin IB3056 that gives broad-spectrum resistanceto most races of crown rust was concluded.Segregation ratios within seven F2 populationsinvolving this gene and known crown rustresistance genes indicated that it is allelic to orthe same gene as Pc68.

CEREAL DISEASES

Our research in cereal pathology involvesbasic studies in genetics, biochemistry, bio-technology, ultrastructure, pathogen virul-ence, and epidemiology, as well as control of


diseases of wheat, oats, and barley. Thisinformation is used in support of the develop-ment of disease-resistant cereal cultivars tominimize yield losses, improve grain quality,minimize pesticide input, and avoidcontamination of the environment.

Cereal rusts

Incidence. The rust diseases were not aserious threat to any of the cereals in 1988 as aresult of the exceptionally warm and dryconditions. Low incidences of the stem rusts ofwheat and oats and of oat crown rust occurredin Manitoba, and only trace amounts werefound in eastern Saskatchewan. Wheat leafrust was more widespread and may havecaused minor losses in some late-sown fields ofNeepawa and Katepwa wheat.

Analysis of virulence. A new system foridentifYing and naming races of wheat stemrust was introduced in 1988. The new systemuses an internationally coded procedure.Using this system, eight races of wheat stemrust were identified in 1988. It is not possibleto correlate these completely with the old Csystem, although the culture previouslyidentified as C53 was still the predominantrace. No new virulence combinations werefound that threatened the currently usedsources of stem rust resistance. Races ofwheatleaf rust were also identified using a newinternational system of race nomenclature.From across Canada, 16 races were identifiedfrom 347 isolates. From the prairie region, thelevel of virulence on the resistance genesLr24 and Lr26 has increased rapidly since1987.

A wider range than usual of oat stem rustraces was found. From collections made acrossCanada, 25 races were identified, the majorityof which were from Manitoba. In previousyears a single race, Na27, dominated theprairie oat stem rust population. While stillthe dominant race in 1988, it was reduced to60% of the rust population. From acrossCanada, 43 virulence combinations of oatcrown rust were identified. In the Ontario rustpopulation, the frequency of virulence on lineswith gene Pc39 increased to over 90% ofisolates, sufficient to threaten any cultivarsutilizing gene Pc39 for resistance. In addition,isolates were found in Ontario with combinedvirulence to genes Pc38 and Pc39, which arethe main sources of crown rust resistance in oatcultivars developed for Manitoba.


Sources and transfer of rust resistance.Separate genes for resistance to oat crown andoat stem rusts were isolated from a singleaccession of Avena sterilis L. obtained fromSpain. The gene for stem rust resistance is anew, simply inherited gene effective only in theadult plant stage. The gene for crown rustresistance was shown to be the same as apreviously isolated gene, Pc68.

Cereal smuts

Occurrence and distribution. Heat anddrought stress generally reduced the levels ofcereal smut infections in Manitoba, Saskat-chewan, and Alberta in 1988. Smut wasdetected in 75% of 271 barley fields surveyed.Of these, 62% were loose smut, 18% false loosesmut, and 25% covered"smut. The mean inci-dence of infection was 0.17%. In hard redspring wheat, 14% of fields were infected withloose smut, with a mean infection level of0.01% and a maximum of 0.2%. In durumwheat, 47% of fields were infected, with a meaninfection level of 0.18% and a maximum of2%.In oats, 13% of fields were infected by eitherloose or covered smut, with mean andmaximum infection levels of 0.04% and 1.0%,respectively.

Pathogenicity. Field collections of loosesmut obtained from wheat from Canada, theUnited States, and the USSR showed the occur-rence of three new races, but they do not threat-en current resistant cultivars. There were nonew virulent races of oat smuts. Species ofUstilago were collected from Aegilops andother grasses related to wheat in Uzbekistan,USSR. Host specificity was found at the genuslevel in Avena by six strains of each of Ustilagoavenae (Pers.) Rostr. and U. kolleri Wille.

General pathology

Barley. Heat and drought stress kept mostfoliar diseases (mainly net blotch and spotblotch) at low levels in 1988. In northwesternManitoba, where rainfall was higher, normalor above normal disease levels occurred. Testsof adult plant reactions to the net and spotblotch diseases caused by Pyrenophora teres(Died.) Drechs. showed a distinction inreactions between two-row and six-row barleyswhich had not previously been identified. Ninemajor pathotype groups of P. teres wereidentified using nine different barley lines.The variability found in western Canada wasmuch greater than previously recognized.

297

Wheat. Foliar diseases other than rustswere not significant in wheat fields in 1988.However, in an inoculated nursery trial atGlenlea, a 14% increase in yield in Katepwawheat was obtained when Septaria and tan spotwere controlled with fungicides, demonstratingthe desirability of developing cultivars withresistance to these foliar pathogens. A 9%yieldincrease with the partly resistant cultivarErik, although not significant, also suggeststhe value of such resistance. Some hard redspring, prairie spring, and durum wheats werecompared for reaction to spot blotch caused byCochliobolus sativus (Ito & Kurib.) Drechs. exDastur. The hard red spring wheats Katepwaand Neepawa were unexpectedly susceptible,developing lesions that could be confused withthose of tan spot. Progeny of crosses to improvetan spot resistance in hard red spring anddurum wheats were tested, and some showedpromising resistance. Fusarium head blightwas at insignificant levels in Manitoba in 1988because of the drought conditions. Preliminaryscreening tests indicated the occurrence ofresistance to Fusarium graminearum(Schwabe) Snyd. & Hans. in some exotic wheatlines.

Virology

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Theincidence of BYDV was sporadic in 1988.Although the vector aphids were detectedearly, the warm and dry conditions limitedaphid multiplication. These conditions mayalso have confounded identification of plantsinfected with BYDV. Some barley fields ineastern Manitoba undoubtedly sustaineddamage due to BYDV. High levels of resist-ance to BYDV in barley lines with the Yd2gene were demonstrated by five different para-meters: seed yield, harvest index, above-ground biomass, root mass, and ELISA assay.It was shown that a rapid virus assay (ELISA)can be used to screen barley lines for BYDVresistance at early stages of growth. Thismethod complemented other data, indicatingthat the Yd2 gene behaves as a single recessivecharacter.

Other viruses. Flame chlorosis was con-firmed as a new and spreading disease, mainlyof barley. It was found in a number of newlocations and may have been detected in a fewwheat fields. In two fields of barley, theincidence of affected plants was near 20%,

298

indicating economic losses. A soil-inhabitingfungus, Polymyxa graminis Led., was asso-ciated with roots of affected plants. Alltrdnsmission tests other than using soil frominfested fields have failed, suggesting thatP. graminis is a vector of flame chlorosis.Br!>memosaic virus was detected in a singlefie~dofwheat near Minnedosa.

iMOlecular biology and biotechnology

,Physical maps of linear plasmids of severalTilletia spp. were constructed using restrictionenzymes and exonucleases. There was nohomology to ribosomal genes or to anysequence in the total DNA of Ustilago hordei(Pers.) Lagerh. or Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp.tritici Eriks & Henn. Interspecific variation inth~ restriction fragment length polymorphismoffuitochondrial DNA from wheat, rye, and oatstem rusts was shown, although wheat and ryestem rusts shared homologous sequences, indi-cating their closer relationship. Multi.segments of ds-RNA from rust fungal mito-chondria contained a unique 5.0-kilobase seg-ment, which appears to be a molecular markerfor the Uredinales. Analysis of intercellularwashing fluids (lWF) from rust-infected wheatleaves has demonstrated the occurrence of highmolecular weight ConA-binding glycoproteins.Immunocytochemical methods confirmed thatcertain proteins in IWF originate in the fungus.Some of these fungal proteins were localized inthe extramural substance of intercellularhyphal cells by utilizing specific antibodypr()bes.

Specificity of monoclonal antibodies (MABs)against gliadin band 45 from wheat wasdemonstrated and was verified as a useful testto screen for pasta quality in durum wheat. Itwas also shown that the same MAB could beused to test for the wheat-rye translocations onchromosome 1Bsince the gene controlling band45 gliadin also occurs on the same arm of thatchromosome.

I

Electron microscopy

The occurrence and form of extramuralcoating substances on intercellular hyphae ofwheat stem rust were elucidated usingcry~preservation and cytochemical techniques.The extramural substances appear to haveunique roles in the rust-host interactions. Avariety of gold-labeled lectin probes were usedto determine the glycocomposition of fungal


and host walls and of the extrahaustorialmatrix in rust-host interactions. A new probe,arabinogalactan protein, specific for ~-linkedbound sugars, was described for the first time.Intense ATPase, acid phosphatase, andthiamine pyrophosphatase activities werelocalized in the oat-crown rust interface.Scanning electron microscopy was used toassay spore spines in a study of the inheritanceof echinula-tion in progeny of Ustilago nigra XU.hordei.

CROP PROTECTION

Research on insect pests of oilseed, cereal,vegetable, and special crops emphasizesaspects of their biology and control leadingtoward better prediction of infestations, cropprotection, and the reduction of pest popu-lations. These programs are supported byresearch on sampling techniques, survival,development, phenology, host selection, induc-tion and termination of diapause, over-wintering strategies, reproductive biology, andthe biochemical bases ofneurotransmission.

Monitoring and prediction

Sex attractant trap catches of male speci-mens of the bertha armyworm, Mamestraconfigurata Walker, continued to be below thethreshold for predicting a larval outbreak, andlarval densities were less than 2.lIm2• Part ofthe population failed to enter diapause becauseof the hot summer and emerged as adults inAugust and early September. The number ofmoths of this flight captured in traps was about25% of the first flight, and because the adultsflying in August would leave no progeny, noincrease in population should occur in 1989.

As part of a project funded under theCanada-Man~toba Economic Regional Deve-lopment Agreement, the distribution anddamage caused by selected insect pests of fieldcrops in Manitoba were determined. The inci-dence of damage to corn caused by the Euro-pean corn borer, Osmnia nubilalis (Hubner),was significantly lower than in 1987. Anaverage of2.8 broken stalks per 100 plants, 1.0larva per broken stalk, and 0.2 larva per plantwith unbroken stalks occurred. Sex attractanttraps were found to be more accurate than lighttraps in predicting when and where damage tocorn is likely to occur. Damage caused by thesunflower midge, Continaria schulzi (Gagne),


was also low in 1988. An average of 15.7% ofcanola seeds in pod samples taken throughoutManitoba were destroyed, apparently by thefeeding ofLygus bugs. Lyguslineolaris (Palisotde Beauvois) and L. borealis (Kelton) were themost abundant Lygus spp. collected in canolafields. Populations of pea aphids, Acyrtho-siphon pisum (Harris), were also relatively lowin 1988; only 25% of the fields sampled hadaphid levels above the economic threshold.

Damage assessment

Controlled field experiments showed thatfeeding by the redbacked cutworm, Euxoaochrogaster (Guenee), on flax caused plantlosses that increased with larval density untilall plants were destroyed at 32 larvae persquare metre. Yield per plant increased inresponse to decreased plant densities, but theincrease did not compensate for plant loss.

Biological control

Collections of parasitized pea aphids fromalfalfa fields in the Red River Valley weresmall, and no specimens of the recentlyintroduced Aphidius smithi Sharma & SubbaRao were recovered. However, Cocci nellaseptempunctata (L.), an aphid predator intro-duced to eastern North America from Europe,was found for the first time in Manitoba inalfalfa fields near Winnipeg.

Field-collected flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.)exhibited feeding preferences for cruciferoushost plants in laboratory tests. Choice testsusing the cotyledon stage of Brassica oleraceaL. (broccoli), B. campestris L. (cultivar Tobin),B. napus L. (cultivar Westar), B. nigra (L.)Koch, B. juncea (L.) Czern. (cultivar Cutlass),Raphanus sativus L., Sinapis alba L., and S.arvensis L. showed that S. arvensis and S. albawere damaged the least and R. sativus themost. In nonchoice tests, B. oleracea had thehighest level of damage; the two species ofSinapis had low levels of damage, but thedifferences were not significantly differentfrom the other species tested. Field studiesusing potted plants also revealed that R.sativus was the most attractive to flea beetles ofall the crucifers tested.

Despite low populations of sunflower midge,the occurrence of resistance and susceptibilityamong registered sunflower hybrids wasevident infield tests, confirming 1987 tests andindicating that host resistance provides apractical control measure.

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Insecticides

The effectiveness of bacterial insecticidesbased on Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionisvaried with formulation in tests againstthe Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsadecemlineata (Say).

Nine strains or species of entomopatho-genic nematodes have been bioassayed againstsix species of cutworms. Greenhouse testsshowed that some of these nematodes wereas effective in protecting flax seedlingsfrom damage by the redbacked cutworm andthe black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel),as the recommended insecticide Lorsban.The nematodes were less effective in fieldtests, but nevertheless are potential alter-natives to chemical insecticides for cutwormcontrol.

Biology and physiology

Exposures to temperatures below -15.C for3-6 h did not freeze diapausing pupae of thebertha armyworm but significantly reducedsurvival to adult emergence. Similar treat-ment did not reduce the survival of diapaus-ing pupae of the cabbage maggot, Deliaradicum (L.).

A field study in 1987 and 1988 showed thatthe flight period of the redbacked cutworm insouthern Manitoba extended from late June tomid September. Most of the mating and egglaying occurred during the peak of the flightperiod, which was from mid July to midAugust.

PROTECTION OF STOREDPRODUCTS

Research on the biology and control ofpests in stored cereals and oilseeds andtheir by-products emphasizes the interactionof insects, mites, and microorganisms in adynamic storage environment. The programincludes studies of grain storage manage-ment during long-term storage; survey,prediction, and control of microflora andmycotoxins in stored cereals and oilseeds;identification and quantification of insectsand mites in stored products; influenceOf attractants and feeding stimuli oninsect behavior; and control of insects andmites by environmental, physical, andchemical means.

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Storage ecologyI

With funding support from the CanolaCouncil lof Canada, the conditions for storingcanola meal with negligible quality loss weredetermihed. During 1 year of storage, littlequality loss occurred at 30.C and 7% moisturecontent '(MC),25.C and 9.5% MC, or 20.C and12% Me. Fifteen species of stored-productinsects ~nd mites were exposed to canola meal,but on,ly Tribolium species successfullymultipl~ed on it.

PopUlation fluctuation and spatial distri-bution Ipatterns of five species of Pscoptera(book lice) were determined during 1959-1979in 12 cereal and oilseed bulks, each stored for2-6 ye~rs in granaries typical of those used onManitoba farms. Lepinotus reticulatus Ender-lein, Liposcelis bostrychophilus Badonnel, and

Iother lJ.iposcelis spp. naturally infested wheat,

~~~~dc~::lle: ~~~~;~lll~~~e~~~ 1~;:r~~:'the psocids were sparsely distributed andoccurr~d in all parts of the granaries through-out thk year, but their frequency of occurrenceand mimber per sample increased during latesumrrier and autumn. Only one seriousoutbrJak involving L. reticulatus was observeddurin~ the 20 years.

MicrJflora and mycotoxins

TJe mycotoxins ochratoxin A and citrininwere jdeveloped in II-kg parcels of amberdurum wheat at 15 and 19% initial MC andexpo~ed to simulated bulk storage in aManitoba granary for 60 weeks. Ochratoxin AreacHed maximum levels of 11.8 and 0.11 ppmat 19jand 15% initial MC, respectively, duringweeks 44-48; citrinin reached levels of80.0 and0.65 ppm at these moisture levels, respectively,during the same period.

Trelve hundred blood samples obtained in1986 from slaughterhouse hogs in westernCan~da were assayed for ochratoxin A, becauseit is ~ potential contaminant in the feed system.High performance liquid chromatographyanalysis demonstrated that 3.6 and 4.2% of thebloo:d samples collected in February andMarch (n = 194) and May, June, and July(n 11006), respectively, had ochratoxinconcentrations that exceeded 20 ng/mL.In deneral, the percentage of samples thathadl concentrations of greater than 10, 20,50, 100, and 200 ng/mL serum were 11.3,4.1, 1.25, 0.42, and 0.08%, respectively.Th~se blood serum ochratoxin concentrations

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are a g.o.odindicator .of tissue c.oncentrati.ons,particularly in the liver and kidney.

Hard red spring wheat, stored at 20 and25% m.oisture c.ontent far 10 m.onths during1985-1986, was manito red far bi.otic and abi.o-tic variables in 10 bins in Winnipeg, Man. Themaj.or .od.orv.olatiles identified were 3-methyl-I-butan.ol, 3-.octan.one, and l-octen-3-.ol. Thepr.oducti.on .of these v.olatiles was c.orrelatedwith micr.ofl.oral infecti.on. Ventilati.on, usedfar c.o.oling and drying .of grain, disruptedmicr.ofl.oral gr.owth and thus the pr.oducti.on .ofv.olatiles. The highest levels .of 3-methyl-I-butan.ol .occurred in 25% MC wheat infectedwith bacteria, Penicillium spp., and Fusariumspp. Detecti.on.of od.or v.olatiles pr.ovides anearly-warning system far m.onit.oring grainsp.oilage.

Biology

Ovip.ositi.on and larval devel.opment .ofthered fl.ourbeetle, Trib.olium castaneum (Herbst),and the rusty grain beetle, Crypt.olestesferrugineus (Stephens), were used as criteria .ofthe nutriti.onal value .of 28 gr.ound .or 29ball-milled cultivars .of twa-raw and six-rawbarley, .oats, triticale, and durum and cammanwheat. Durum wheat cultivars were c.onsist-ently the mast nutriti.ous, whereas .oats werethe least nutriti.ous far these storage insects.

Control

The am.ount .of residue .of the insecticideschl.orpyrif.os-methyl, pirimiph.os-methyl, andmalathi.on, applied separately at 3-6 ppm, wasnat significantly different .on either freshlyharvested .or previ.ously stared wheat after1 year. Thus, applicati.on rates .ofthese insecti-cides used .on new and .old wheat sh.ould besimilar.

Adults and larvae .of the merchant grainbeetle, Oryzaephilus mercator(Fauvel), and thec.onfused fl.our beetle, T. confusum Jacquelindu Val, were exp.osed to silica aer.ogel glued tow.o.odsurfaces. M.ortality was directly relatedto durati.on.of exp.osure to the silica aer.ogel andthe length .oftime between such exp.osure andavailability .of f.o.od. O. mercator was killedwith 15 s.of exp.osure and 2 h .ofstarvati.on, butT. confusum needed 6 h .ofexp.osure. Larvaewere as susceptible as adults. Type and quanti-ty .off.o.odals.oaffected insect survival. The use.ofsilica aer.ogel as a means .ofc.ontr.olling insectpests .of stared f.o.odin dwellings has beensubmitted far patent pr.otecti.on.

Research Stati.on, Winnipeg, Man.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bad.our, S.S.; Kim, W.K. 1988. Detecti.on.ofspecific p.olypeptides in Chlamydomassegnis adapted to atm.ospheric c.oncentra-ti.on .ofCO2 using a zuvitheri.onic detergent.Can.J. Bat. 66:1750-1753.

B.odnaryk, R.P.; Gerber, G.H. 1988. Inhibiti.on.ofspermi.ogenesis .ofeupyrene spermatoz.oaby elevated, sublethal temperatures duringpupal-adult devel.opment .of the berthaarmyw.orm, Mamestra configurata Wlk.(Lepid.optera, N.octuidae). Int. J. Invert.Repr.od. Devel.op. 13:65-84.

Bracken, G.K. 1988. Seasonal .occurrence andinfestati.on potential .of cabbage magg.ot,Delia radicum (L.) (Diptera: Anth.o-myiidae), attacking rutabaga in Manitobaas determined by captures .of females inwater traps. Can. Entom.ol. 120:609-614.

Chang, J. 1988. Virulence and distributi.on .ofPuccinia coronata in Canada in 1986. Can.J. Plant Path.ol. 10:273-278.

Czarnecki, E. 1988. A meth.od.of germinatingimmature spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:797-799.

Demianyk, C.J.; Sinha, R.N. 1988. Bi.oener-getics .of the larger grain barer, Pros-tephanus truncatus (H.orn) (C.ole.optera:B.ostrichidae), feeding .on c.orn. Ann.Entom.ol. Soc. Am. 81(3):449-459.

Dyck, P.L.; Luk.ow, O.M. 1988. The geneticanalysis .oftwa interspecific sources .ofleafrust resistance and their effect .on thequality .ofc.omm.onwheat. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:633-639.

Jayas, D.S.; Kukelk.o, D.A.; White, N.D.G.1988. Equilibrium m.oisture-equilibriumrelative humidity relati.onship far can.olameal. Trans. Am. Soc. Agric. Eng. 31(5):Sept-Oct.

Kerber, E.R. 1988. Tel.ocentric mapping inwheat .ofthe gene Lr32 far resistance to leafrust. Crap Sci. 28: 178-179.

Kim, W.K.; McNabb, S.; Klassen, G. 1988. Alinear plasmid in Tilletia c.ontr.oversa, afungal path.ogen .of wheat. Can. J. Bat.66:1098-1100.

301


Kim, W.K.; Reisener, H.J. 1988. Evidence forbinding between host proteins and patho-gen wall components in the wheat/stem rustsystem from affinity protein blottingtechnique. Can. J. Bot. 66:1702-1706.

Kukelko, D.A.; Jayas, D.S.; White, N.D.G.;Britton, M.G. 1988. Physical properties ofcanola (rapeseed) meal. Can. Agric. Eng.30:61-64.

Lamb, R.J. 1988. Assessing the susceptibilityof crucifer seedlings to flea beetle(Phyllotreta spp.) damage. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:85-93.

Lamb, R.J. 1988. Susceptibility of low- andhigh.glucosinolate oilseed rapes to damageby flea beetles, Phyllotreta spp. (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae). Can. Entomol.120:195-196.

Lamb, R.J.; MacKay, P.G. 1988. Effects oftemperature on developmental rate andadult weight of Australian populations ofAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera:Aphididae). Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can.146:49-55.

Luo, M.; Bodnaryk, R.P. 1988. The effect ofinsecticides on (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase andthe ATP-dependent calcium pump in mothbrain synaptosomes and synaptosome mem-brane vesicles from the bertha armyworm,Mamestra configurata Wlk. Pestic.Biochem. Physiol. 30:155-165.

Luo, M.; Bodnaryk, R.P. 1988; High affinity(Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in adult brainsynaptosomes of the bertha armyworm,Mamestra configurata Wlk. InsectBiochem. 18(1):87-91.

MacKay, P.A.; Lamb, R.J. 1988. Geneticvariation in asexual populations of twoaphids in the genus Acyrthosiphon from anAustralian lucerne field. Entomol. Exp.Appl. 48:117-125.

Marquardt, R.R.; Frohlich, A.A.; Sreemanna-rayana, 0.; Abramson, D.; Bernatsky, A.1988. Ochratoxin A in blood from slaughterhogs in western Canada. Can. J. Vet. Res.52:186-190.

Martens, J.W.; Dyck, P.L. 1988. Occurrenceand virulence of Puccinia recondita inCanada in 1986. Can. J. Plant Pathol.10:268-272.

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MartenJ, J.W.; McFadden, W. 1988. Pucciniagrantinis on wheat and barley in Canada in1986': Incidence, virulence, and impact.Can.lJ. Plant Pathol.l0:263-267.

Morris,IO.N. 1988. Comparative toxicity ofdeltk-endotoxin and thuringiensin ofBacillus thuringiensis and mixtures of thetwo for the bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). J. Econ. Entomol.81(l!):135-141.

IPalaniswamy, P.; Underhill, E.W. 1988.

Medhanisms of orientation disruption bysex ipheromone components in redbackedcutworm, Euxoa ochrogaster (Guanee)(Le~idoptera: Noctuidae). Environ.Enfumol. 17(3):432-441.

iPenner, G.A.; Kerber, E.R.; Larter, E.N.;Lukow,O.M. 1988. Effects of chromosome7D!of Triticum aestivum Canthatch and offour varieties of Triticum tauschii onmijling and baking quality. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:995-1002. .

Rohrihge.r, R.;Martens, J ..W. 1987. Infection-rerated proteins in intercellular washingflu~dsfrom stem rust-affected wheat leaves:Race-associated protein differences reveal-edlby PAGE and Con Ablottirig. Physiol.Mblec. Plant Pathol. 31:375-386.

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Shang, H.S.; Dyck, P.L.; Martens, J.W. 1988.hlheritance of resistance to Pucciniag~aminis tritici in eight resistant accessionso~common wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathol.10:36-40. .

Sinht R.N. 1988. Population dynamics ofPfocoptera in farm-store~ grain and oilseed.Clan.J. Zool.66:2618-2627.

Sinh,~,R.N.; Demianyk, C.J.; McKenzie, R.I.H.1988. Vulnerability of common wheatchltivars to major stored-product beetles.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:337-343.I

Sin~a, R.N.; Tuma, D.; Abramson, D.; Muir,W.E. 1988. Fungal volatiles associatedJ,ith moldy grain in ventilated and non-ventilated bin-stored wheat. Mycopatho-logia 101:53-60.I

Sock, J.; Rohringer, R. 1988. Activity stainingbf blotted enzymes by reaction couplingrith transfer membrane-immobilizedauxiliary enzymes. Anal. Biochem.171:310-319. .

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Sreemannarayana, 0.; Frohlich, A.A.; Vitti,T.G.;Marquardt, R.R.; Abramson, D. 1988.Studies of the tolerance and disposition ofochratoxin A in young calves. J. Anim. Sci.66:1703-1711.

Trottier, M.R.; Morris, O.N.; Dulmage, H.T.1988. Susceptibility of the bertha army-worm, Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae), to sixty-one strains from tenvarieties of Bacillus thuringiensis. J.Invert. Pathol. 51:242-249.

Turnock, W.J. 1988. Density, parasitism anddisease incidence of larvae of the berthaarmyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Manitoba,1973-86. Can. EntomoI.120:401-413.

White, N.D.G.; Bell, R.J. 1988. Inheritance ofmalathion resistance in a strain of Tribo-lium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebri-onidae) and effects of resistance genotypeson oviposition and larval survival inmalathion-treated wheat. J. Econ.Entomol. 81:381--386.

White, N.D.G.; Jayas, D.S.; Sinha, R.N. 1988.Interaction of changing carbon dioxide andoxygen levels, and temperature on adultsurvival and reproduction of Cryptolestesferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) instored wheat. Phytoprotection 69:31--39.

White, N.D.G.; Loschiavo, S.R. 1988. Ovi-position and larval development of the redflour beetle and the rusty grain beetle onground and ball-milled seeds of variouscereal cultivars. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:617-626.

Will, O.H., III; Dixon, D.; Birney, A.; Thomas,P.L. 1987. Effects of far UV and visiblelight on germination ofwild type and albinoteliospores of Ustilago nuda. Can. J. PlantPathol. 9:125-229.

Wylie, H.G. 1988. Release in Manitoba,Canada of Townesilitus bicolor (Hym.:Braconidae), a European parasite ofPhyllo-treta spp. (Col.: Chrysomelidae). Entomo-phaga 33(1):25--32.

Miscellaneous

Bushuk, W.; Lukow, O.M. 1987. Effects ofsprouting on wheat proteins and bakingproperties. Pages 188-196 in Mares, D.J.,ed. Proceedings 4th International Sympo-sium on Preharvest Sprouting in Cereals,Boulder, Colo. Westview Press.


Chong, J.; Harder, D.E.; Rohringer, R. 1988.Ultrastructural and cytochemistry of extra-mural substances associated with inter-cellular hyphae of the wheat stem rustfungus. Proceedings 7th European andMediterranean Cereal Rusts Conference,Vienna, Austria, pp. 144-146.

Dyck, P.L.; Johnson, R. 1988. Resistance tothe leaf or brown rust pathogen (Pucciniarecondita) due to Lr20 and its temperaturesensitivity in European spring wheats.Proceedings 7th European and Mediter-ranean Cereal Rusts Conference, Vienna,Austria, pp. 91-93.

Jedel, P.; Perrino, P.; Dyck, P.L.; Martens, J.W.1988. Resistance to Puccinia recondita andPuccinia graminis in Triticum accessionsfrom the National Research Council Germ-plasm Institute, Bari, Italy. Proceedings7th European and Mediterranean CerealRusts Conference, Vienna, Austria,pp.82-84.

Leisle, D.; Martens, J.W. 1988. Genetics ofstem rust resistance in two CanadianTriticum durum cultivars. Proceedings 7thInternational Wheat Genetics Symposium,Cambridge, England, pp. 841-844.

Madder, D.J.; Stemeroff, M.; Gerber, G.H.;Philip, H.G.; Doane, J.F.; Ellis, C.R.;Becker, E.C. 1988. The economics of insectcontrol on wheat, corn, and canola inCanada, 1980-1985. Suppl. Bull. Entomol.Soc.Can. 20(2):1-22.

Nielsen, J. 1988. Ustilago spp. Pages 483-490in Sidhu, G.S., ed. Genetics of plant patho-genic fungi. (Advances in plant pathology,Vol. 6.) Academic Press, London.

Tekauz, A.; Howard, R.J. 1988. Conservationtillage-effects on crop diseases. Pages215-216 inLand degradation and conserva-tion tillage. Proceedings 34th AnnualCanadian Society of Soil Science Meeting,Calgary, Alta.

Tekauz, A.; Mueller, E.; Beever, D. 1988.Fusarium head blight of spring wheat inManitoba in 1987. Can. Plant Dis. Surv.68:51.

Tekauz, A.; Mueller, E.; Beever, D. 1988. Leafdiseases of barley in Manitoba in 1987.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:40.

Tekauz, A.; Mueller, E.; Beever, D. 1988. Leafdiseases of spring wheat in Manitoba in1987. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:53.

303

Thomas, P.L. 1988. Barley smut survey, 1987.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:41.

Thomas, P.L. 1988. Ustilago hordei, coveredsmut of barley and Ustilago nigra, falseloose smut of barley. Pages 415-425 inSidhu, G.S., ed. Genetics of plant patho-genic fungi. (Advances in plant pathology,Vol. 6.) Academic Press, London.

304

Turnock, W.J. 1988. Insect pests of oil seeds.Can~.Agric. Insect Pest Rev. 65:26.

IWhite'IN.D.G.; Loschiavo, S.R. 1988. Effects of

localized regions of high moisture grain oneffitiency of insect traps capturing adultTribolium castaneum and CryptolestesferTjugineus in stored wheat. Tribolium Inf.B~l. 28:97-100.

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Research StationMelfort, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

S.E. Beacom, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.M.BellD.J. Ewanus, B.S.A.A. Poznanski, M.Sc.

Crop ProductionA.T. Wright, B.S.A., M.Sc.

W.B. Berkenkamp, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.E.Z. Jan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.N. Malik, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A. Moulin, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.F. Nuttall, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L. Townley-Smith, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.Vacant

Beef Production, Crop UtilizationS.E. Beacom, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

D.H. McCartney, 8.Sc., M.Sc.

Departurez.Mir, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Transferred to Kamloops ResearchStation, April 1988

Research Station, Melfort, Sask.

DirectorAdministrative OfficerFarm ManagerComputer Systems Manager

Program Leader; Variety evaluation, cropproduction

Plant pathologyEngineering, crop production and harvestingWeed controlSoil management and conservationSoil fertility, crop nutritionCereal agronomy, crop ecologyForage crop agronomy

Program Leader; Crop and crop by-productutilization

Beef cow-calf and pasture management

Ruminant nutrition

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INTRODUCTION

CROP PRODUCTION

Direct drilling into barley stubble. Twoseedbed preparation systems were comparedfor seeding cereal, oilseed, and pulse crops intobarley residue on light-, medium-heavy-, and

Winter wheat seeding methods. A double-disc press drill, a hoe drill, and an air-seederwere used to seed winter wheat into standingstubble and a prepared seedbed from 1985 to1987. Nitrogen fertilizer was broadcast at 0,50, 100, and 150 kglha in the spring followingseeding. Seeding implement had no effect onyield. In the first year, crops grown with andwithout prepared seedbed had nearly equalyields. In the second year, the crop on theprepared seedbed yielded nearly double that onstanding stubble. However, a severe volunteerbarley problem was partly controlled by theseedbed preparation. In the third year,seedbed preparation reduced yield by 25%when the volunteer crop was controlled, prob-ably because trapped snow and availablespring moisture were reduced. Nitrogenfertilizer increased the mean yield from1110 kglha to 1270 and 1300 kglha with N at 50and 100 kglha, respectively. When weeds andvolunteer crops are adequately controlled,seeding winter wheat into standing stubble isrecommended, particularly in a dry spring.Any drill that can get good seed placementwithout plugging will produce acceptableresults with winter wheat.

IThe Melfort Research Station was established in 1935 Itoserve the needs of crop and livestock

producers in the Aspen Parkbelt of northeastern Saska~chewan, an area comprising 10% ofCanada's improved agricultural land. It is well suited ito the production of a wide range ofagricultural crops and livestock. The station comprises 37;0ha on a productive silty-clay loam andoperates another 390 ha of bushland pasture project on k Gray wooded soil. The station's ninescientists are involved in interdisciplinary research aimed at improving the efficiency of crop andlivestock production and the maintenance of soil producti~ity. Many cooperative research projectsare undertaken with the province, the agricultural industry, and producer groups, whose support isappreciated. I

During the year Dr. Z.Mir transferred to Kamloops an(l Dr. Alan Moulin, a soils specialist, washired to work on soils management and conservation. I

The station publishes Research Highlights annuS;lly; that publication and any otherinformation relating to our work can be obtained by writing to us at the Research Station, ResearchBranch, Box 1240, Melfort, Sask. SOE lAO; Tel. (306) 752-2776.

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S.E.BeacomI

DirectOrI

Ihea~-textured soils in northeastern Saskat-chewan. Seedbed preparation systems con-sisted! of either direct drilling into standingstubble or drilling into a seedbed prepared inthe s~ring ,after the stubble had been leftstanding over the winter to trap snow. Data

Icover~ng an average of 9 station-years showthat with adequate preseeding weed control,the direct drilling offababean (Vicia faba L.),field Ipea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lensculinhris), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and

Iwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) gave yieldincreases of6, 14, 24, 4, and 12%, respectively.Simil.arly, data from another experiment,coveting an average of 7 station-years, showyield increases with direct drilling of 16,15,5,II, alnd9% for Brassica campestris L.,BrassicanapJs L., flax (Linum usitatissimum), barley,and iwheat, respectively. Lower yields asso-ciatJd with preseeding tillage were probablydue to drying out of the seedbed.

I

~hosphorus fertilizer placement. The place-ment ofN and P fertilizer in the soil relative tothe position ofthe seed can markedly affect theefficiency of fertilizer use. The effect of deepbanaing (DB) P fertilizer at four different rates(P at 0, 10,20, and 30 kglha with N applied at75 ~glha) was compared with seed placement(50;) and with one-half seed placed, one-halfdee~-banded (SDDB) in a 6-year rotationconSisting of canola, four crops of wheat, andtheh canola grown on Melfort silty clay soil. Inth'i r~.t y••• of tho "p,,'mont, SD of tho


P fertilizer resulted in a significantly higheryield of canola (cultivar Regent) than DB (1.01versus 0.88 Uha). In the last year of the experi-ment, canola yields were not significantlydifferent between SD and DB (1.87 versus1.83 Uha). There was no significant differencein wheat yields between SD and DB (2.97versus 2.95 Uha) over the 4 years. Withincreasing amounts of P in the soil over theperiod of the test, the method of fertilizerapplication became less significant.

Crop diseases. Disease surveys on cropsgrown in northeastern Saskatchewan havebeen carried out over the past 2 years. The dryspring of 1988, when compared with 1987,probably reduced some diseases. Pasmo of flaxwas found only in trace amounts in 1988,although it was a major disease in 1987. Wheatsurveys showed lower levels of foliar diseasebut slightly higher root rot in 1988. All barleydiseases except net blotch were at lower levels,and the spot form of net blotch was the majordisease in 1988. Canola blackleg was severe,but other diseases of canola were reduced.Alfalfa foliar diseases were at low levels as wassnow mold of forage legumes, grasses, andwinter cereals in the spring. Mycosphaerellablight of pea appeared late in the season anddid not attain high levels. Powdery mildewwas the most severe disease of pea this year.

Weed control. Field peas, lentils, faba-beans, and annual vetch exhibited greatertolerance to preemergence versus postemer-gence applications of imazethapyr with activeingredient (a.i.) tested at 50-200 glha. Despitedelays in pod development, yield increases forpeas, beans, and vetch were, however, higherwith postemergence applications because ofsuperior control of stinkweed. A postemer-gence application with a.i. at 100 glha resultedin 2520, 1660, 1610, and 1110 kglha of peas,beans, vetch, and lentils, respectively, whichwere 132, 134, 183, and 70% of the respectiveuntreated pulses.

Weed control in forage crops. The long-termeffects of postemergence herbicide treatmentsapplied at the seedling stage in 1985 wereassessed on productivity of forage grasses in1987. The graminicides sethoxydim andfenoxaprop-ethyl, which severely damaged thegrasses in the establishment stage, continuedto depress yields. However, selectivity offenoxaprop-ethyl (with a.i. at 0.18 kg/halimproved considerably when tank-mixed withbromoxynil, because dry-matter yields of


timothy, smooth bromegrass, and meadowbrome increased 27,49, and 79%, respectively.The highest yields of 5440, 4290, 5500, and4200 kglha, respectively, for smooth brome-grass, meadow bromegrass, crested wheat-grass, and timothy were associated withcombined application of diclofop-methyl +bromoxynil with a.i. at (0.7 + 0.3) kglha. Altaiwild ryegrass, which proved to be the leastcompetitive grass at the seedling stage,benefited most from the herbicide treatments.Metsulfuron tested with a.i. at 3 and 4.5 glhaincreased yields by 590 and 710%, respectively,compared with the untreated plots.

BEEF PRODUCTION, CROPUTILIZATION

Ruminant nutrition

Aureomycin (chlortetracycline) residues inbeef. A study conducted in cooperation withthe Health ofAnimals laboratory in Saskatoonrevealed that supplementing a beef cattlefinishing ration with 350 mg of aureomycin perhead per day and withdrawing it 7 days beforeslaughter left no repeatably detectable resi-dues of this antibiotic in the meat. Samples ofmuscle, kidney, liver, and perirenal fat wereobtained from 14 control and 61 aureomycin-fed animals. Traces of aureomycin weredetected in three samples of muscle, two ofkidney, and two ofliver, representing a total ofsix animals from those fed aureomycin. Thelevels were below the lowest limit for reliablemeasurement (l00 ppb) and could not bereplicated with additional subsamples from thesame tissues. The use of aureomycin resultedin increased returns to labor of $36 per headover control cattle and $13 over cattle receivingmonensin, a widely used feed supplement. Itsuse is thus of considerable economic signifi-cance to the beef industry, and if properly fed,of no concern to the consumer, as the level waswell below the Canadian tolerance of 1 ppm inedible tissue.

Steer versus heifer carcasses. A review wasconducted of carcass data from experimentsover several years, in which a total of 339steers and 379 heifers of comparable ages(grading Al or A2, and of either Charolais XSimmental X Hereford or Charolais X AngusX Hereford breeding) were fed identicalrations. The review showed that heifersreached finished condition at lighter weight

307

than steers (482 versus 556 kg), dressed out at0.2 percentage units less (53.9 versus 54.1), andhad slightly less backfat cover (0.84 versus 0.89em), smaller lean eye areas (76 versus 80 cm2),

and lower cutability (59.1 versus 59.3%). Thedifference in market price paid per unit weightfor steer and heifer carcasses within acceptableweight ranges was far in excess of that justifiedby the slightly lower yield of the heifercarcasses (54% of heifer carcasses fell withinthe desirable weight range for steer carcasses).

Kochia silage. Kochia silage (KS) preparedfrom two cultivars of kochia, cut at twomaturities and fed in a 50% combination withalfalfa silage (AS), was compared with acomplete AS diet. Starch and soluble carbo-hydrate content and buffering capacity offreshand ensiled samples of alfalfa were higher(P < 0.05) than those of either variety ofkochia. Stage of maturity of kochia had noeffect on those parameters. The pH of AS (4.7)and KS (5.0) was similar, but lactic acidcontent of AS was greater (3.7 versus 1.3%).Dietary nitrogen (N) (2.9-3.3%) and fibercomponent did not vary among diets, but ashcontent of the K~AS diets was higher than theAS diet (12.1 versus 8.9%). Dry-matter (DM)intake of the AS diet was 2.3 kg/day and washigher (P < 0.05) than that for the KS-ASdiets (1.8-1.9 kg/day). OM digestibility, N, andenergy of the K~AS diet were lower (P < 0.05)than for the AS diet and ranged from 59.7 to64.9, 73.9 to 78.9, and 56.5 to 65.2%,respectively. Results indicate that kochia canbe preserved as silage and used in sheep dietsin combination with AS.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Beacom, S.E.; Mir, Z.; Korsrud, G.O.; Yates,W.D.G.; MacNeil, J.D. 1988. Effect of thefeed additives chlortetracycline, monensinand lasalocid on feedlot performance offinishing cattle, liver lesions and tissuelevels of chlortetracycline. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:1131-1141.

Berkenkamp, B.; Meeres, E.J. 1988. Hay andpasture yields of fall and spring seededwinter wheat and fall rye. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:519-522.

Berkenkamp, B.; Meeres, E.J. 1988. Orionfaba bean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:809-810.

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Bittman, S.; Simpson, G.M.; Mir, Z. 1988. Leafsenl~scence and seasonal decline innutritional quality of the temperate foragegrasses as influenced by drought. Crop Sci.28:546-552.

Cessn~, A.J.; Waddington, J.; Bittman, S.1988. Residues of 2,4-D and picloram inAspen poplar and soil after application witha roller. Can. J. Plant Sci. 69(1).

IGrover, R.; Kerr, L.A.; Bowren, K.E.; Khan,

S.U. 1988. Airborne residue oftriallate andtrmuralin in Saskatchewan. Bull. Environ.Cortam. Toxicol. 40:683-688.

Malik~N.; Vanden Born, W.H. 1988. The bio-logy of Canadian weeds. 86. Galiumaphrine L. and Galium spurium L. Can. J.Plilnt Sci. 68:481-499.

I

Malik!,N.; Waddington, J. 1988. Polish rape-se~d as a companion crop when establishingsvJeetcover for dry matter production. Can.J. iPlant Sci. 68:1009-1015.

Mir,~. 1988. A comparison of canola acidulat-ed fatty acids and tallow as supplements toa Iground alfalfa diet for sheep. Can. J.Arim. Sci. 68:761-767.

Mir, r.S.; Mir, Z. 1988. In situ degradability ofbarley straw in cattle fed a barley straw andctested wheatgrass diet supplemented withi~obutyric acid. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:821-829.I

Nuttall, W.F.; Ukrainetz, H.; Stewart, J.W.B.;~purr, D.T. 1987. The effect of nitrogen,sulphur and boron on yield and quality ofrl~peseed (Brassica napus L. and B.iampestris L.). Can. J. Soil Sci. 67:545-559.

IMis;cellaneous

Be~com, S.E. 1988. Performance and carcasscharacteristics of steers and heifers.Canadex (Beef Cattle Feeding Research)If20.55.

Be~kenkamp, B. 1988. Diseases of clover onnortheastern Saskatchewan. Can. PlantIDis.Surv. 68:74.

Betkenkamp, B.; Kirkham, C. 1988. DiseaseIsurvey of barley fields in N.E. Saskat-ichewan. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:36-37.

Berkenkamp, B.; Kirkham, C. 1988. Disease

IIsurvey of canola in N.E. Saskatchewan.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:115-116.


Berkenkamp, B.; Kirkham, C. 1988. Diseasesurvey of pea fields in N.E. Saskatchewan.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:121-122.

Berkenkamp, B.; Kirkham, C. 1988. Diseasesurvey of wheat fields in N.E. Saskat-chewan. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:45-46.

Berkenkamp, B.; Kirkham, C. 1988. Foliardiseases of alfalfa in northeastern Saskat-chewan. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:62.

Berkenkamp, B.; Kirkham, C. 1988. (Un-titled, Flax disease survey, N.E. Saskat-chewan). Can. Plant Dis. Surv ..68:119-120.

Berkenkamp, W.B.; Malhi, S.S.; Meeres, E.J.1987. Comparative yields of annual foragecrops harvested as silage, hay and pasture.Canadex 120.34.

Berkenkamp, W.B.; Malhi, S.S.; Meeres, E.J.1987. Mixtures of annual crops for forage.Canadex 120.11.


Berkenkamp, W.B.; Meeres, E.J. 1988.Annual crops for forage in the AlbertaParklands. Res. Branch Agric. Can. Tech.Buli.1988-1E. 38 pp.

Malik, N.; Bowes, G.; Waddington, J. 1988.SASPA weed control project update. Pages32-38 in Proceedings 7th Canadian AlfalfaSeed School, Saskatoon, Sask.

Malik, N.; Cole, D.; Darwent, L.; Moyer, J.1988. Weed control in forage legumes withimazethapyr. Forage Notes 32:42-45.

Mir, Z.;Beacom, S.E.; Bowren, K.E.; Berjian, L.1988. Nutritive value of various types ofstraw in total rations for growing steers.Canadex (Beef cattlelRoughage) 420.61.

Wright, A.T. 1988. Benefits from pulses in thecropping systems of northeastern Saskat-chewan. Canadex (Grain Crops/CropRotations) 110.27.

309

III1 _

Research StationRegina, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J. Dueck, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.B. Atkinson,l B.A.J.D. Wilson, B.S.A.R.M. Young, Dip.Admin., B.Sc.S.P. Yanosik

Biological Control of WeedsP. Harris, B.S.F., DJ.C., Ph.D.R.M.D. Makowski, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.K. Mortensen, B.Sc., Ph.D.D.P. Peschken, B.S.A., M.Sc., Dr.ScLAgr.

Weed Ecology and PhysiologyGJ. McIntyre, B.Sc., Ph.D.

G.G. Bowes, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.AJ. Hsiao, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L. Hume, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.H. Hunter, B.S.A., Ph.D.A.G. Thomas, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.F. Wise

DirectorAdministrative OfficerInformation OfficerSystems Manager-AnalystLibrary Technician

Head of Section; InsectsPlant pathogensPlant pathogensInsects

Head of Section; Physiology, waterrelations, dormancy

Range and pasture weed controlWeed seed dormancy, wild oat herbicidesCrop losses, ecologyWeed control-annual cropsSurveys, ecologyComputer Programmer

Herbicide Behavior in the EnvironmentR. Grover, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.J. Cessna, B.A., Ph.D.A.E. Smith, B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.CJ.C.Vacant

Head of Section; Availability, mobilityResidues, plantsResidues, metabolism, soilApplication technology (Economic RegionalDevelopment Agreement)

Experimental Farm, Indian Head, SaskatchewanG.R. Boughton, B.S.A., M.Sc. Officer in Charge; Seed increaseG.P. Lafond, B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Agronomy, cereal cropsH.A. Loeppky,2 B.S.A., M.Sc. Agronomy, special crops

Research Station, Regina, Sask. 311

DeparturesD.A. Derksen,3 B.S.A.D.A. Pchajek,4 B.S.A., M.Sc.RW. Barrie,5 B.S.A., M.Sc.M.A. Jasieniuk,6 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D ..M.G.G. Blair7

I

AgrOnoJy, special cropsApplicat~on technologyApplica~ion technologyWeed ec(>logyAdministrative Officer

III

1 Appointed 13 June 1988. I2 Appointed 2 December 1988.3 On education leave for Ph.D. training at University of Guelph, Guelp\', Onto, 22 August 1988.4 Resigned 13 June 1988. I5 Appointed 2 May 1988; resigned 10 November 1988. I6 Resigned 19 August 1988. I7 On leave from June 1988.

III

II

IIII


INTRODUCTION

The program of the Regina Research Station focuses on the biology and control of weeds incultivated crops and pastures and the chemistry of herbicides in the environment. The extensiveuse of herbicides in prairie agriculture has created a demand for scientific information on efficacy,crop tolerance, persistence in soil, and movement away from the intended target. Expertise onissues of herbicide safety is widely sought for collaborative research by Health and WelfareCanada, Environment Canada, National Hydrology Institute, Saskatchewan Research Council,and the pesticide industry. Integrated weed management and studies on biological control seek todevelop means to reduce herbicide use. Great progress is being made on biological control ofdiffuseand spotted knapweed and on leafy spurge with the release of host-specific phytophagous insects.Development of a biological herbicide in collaboration with the firm Philom Bios is nearingcompletion.

Research programs at the Indian Head Experimental Farm include cereal and special cropagronomy. The emphasis is on crop management and weed control. Work includes maintenance ofa plant breeding nursery for the south Saskatchewan wheat breeding project.

The Seed Increase Unit is responsible for increase, distribution, and maintenance of newcultivars of cereal, oilseed, and forage crops developed by Agriculture Canada and for a plantbreeding nursery in winter at Brawley, Calif.

More detailed information on the station program may be obtained by directing enquiries toResearch Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 5000 Wascana Parkway, P.O. Box 440,Regina, Sask. S4P 3A2; Tel. (306) 780-7400.

J.DueckDirector

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Round.leaved mallow

An endemic fungus, Colletotrichum gloeo-sporioides f. sp. malvae (C.g.m.), causinganthracnose of round-leaved mallow, is beingdeveloped as a biological herbicide in coopera-tion with Philom Bios, a biotechnology firm,under the tradename BioMal. The regulatoryregistration agencies are concerned about envi-ronmental fate and persistence of all products,even when they are naturally occurring.

Survival and carry-over of the pathogenhave been investigated to address regulatoryrequirements. C.g.m. was not found to persistin the soil. It was not reisolated from soilartificially inoculated with spores after 4 daysat two locations with various soil properties,even when applied at 100 times the recom-mended rate. Similarly, C.g.m.persisted foronly a short time in infected plant tissue thathad been buried at seeding or tillage depth.Survival of C.g.m. in buried infected planttissue declined rapidly within a few weeks ofburial and was not detected 12 weeks afterburial or after a winter. C.g.m. naturallyoverwinters in infected plant tissue left on the

Research Station, Regina, Sask.

surface of the soil. Even after augmentation,less than 10% of the infected tissue remainingon the soil surface after the winter producedC.g.m. when cultured on artificial medium.

Carry-over was investigated in previouslytreated plots subjected to four differentcultivation treatments. More carry-over thanexpected from the previous survival experi-ments was observed in the first year. Timelyrains throughout the season coupled with agreat amount of infected trash left on the soilsurface may explain the high levels ofcarry-over and secondary infection. In thesecond year, drought conditions prevailed andmuch less carry-over was observed. In culti-vation treatments with the least soil disturb-ance, more infected trash was present anddisease development was more rapid. Ingeneral, disease development was much slowerin carry-over plots than in plots sprayed withC.g.m.

Bladder campion

The flower- and leaf-feeding beetle Cassidaazurea Fab. does not develop eggs while feedingon genera closely related to the target weed,including the one cogeneric native Silene

313

species that was tested. Larval feeding on sixnative campion species was 42% less than onbladder campion. Therefore, C. azurea is a safeand promising biological control agent forbladder campion.

Diffuse and spotted knapweed

The combination of the root boring beetle,Sphenoptera jugoslavica, and the seed headflies Urophora affinis and U. quadrifasciatahas slowly but persistently depressed thediffuse knapweed stand at White Lake, B.C.There were 10.5 bolting knapweed plants persquare metre, 6.2 rosettes per square metre,and an S. jugoslavica population of 7.4 beetlesper square metre. This is the lowest knap-weed population since the beetle release in1976. Additional field releases were made inBritish Columbia on both knapweeds. AdaptedS.jugoslavica was supplied to the UnitedStates.

Seed production of spotted knapweed atChase, B.C., with the two seed head flies andthe seed head moth, Metzneria paucipunctella,has declined from around 40 000 seeds persquare metre to 1660 seeds per square metre in1988.

For moist sites the knapweed root moth,Agapeta zoegana, is well established at severallocations in British Columbia. Strong coloniesof the meisic root moth, Pelochrista medullana,and the root weevil, Cyphocleonus achates,were established so that field releases can bemade in 1989.

A heavy infestation of the diffuse knapweedrust, Puccinia jaceae var. diffusae, was found inOliver, B.C. This should provide a major boostto the control of this weed.

Leafy spurge

The root-feeding flea beetle Aphthonanigriscutis was introduced from Hungary in1983. A rapid population increase was noticedin 1986 in both Alberta and Manitoba. By 1987it had reduced spurge flowering and stemheight, and by 1988 native vegetation startedto return in the centre of the release area. Thebeetles are doing well on dry, well-drainedslopes and poorly in swales. There have been3 releases in British Columbia, 6 in Alberta,20 in Saskatchewan, 28 in Manitoba, and 4 inOntario. The fate of the Ontario colonies isuncertain, but most of those in western Canadaare thriving. The main drawback of the beetleis that spread is only a few metres a year.

314

IAdapted stock from Cardston, Alta., wasprovidJd to the United States.

The) shoot gall fly, Bayeria capitigena,obtained from Switzerland and Italy andreleasJd in 1987, survived the winter in Reginaand c~mpleted two generations, despite arequirement for moist conditions. The leaftying fuoth, Lobesia euphorbiana, released in1983 vHth stock from Italy, now appears to besynchtonized with the climate. It successfullycompl~ted four generations in a field cage inRegina in 1988. A release made in Brandon,Man., in 1988, emerged for a second generationat the: end of August. One additional releasewas ,made in Manitoba and two inSaska!tchewan.

Tile flea beetle AphthOna czwalina survivedin a Regina field cage. A strong colony of A./lava lis established on leafy spurge at Card-ston, ,Alta., and another on cypress spurge inOnta~io. Stock of A. flava was obtained fromInne~ Mongolia for release ~n Manitoba andSaskatchewan. A flourishing colony of A.cypa~issiae is established at Maxim, Sask., onrobuSt spurge growing on a lakeshore. Thiswas ~ed for secondary releases in Saskat-che~an and provided adapted stock to theUnited States. To date, there have been tworele~ses in Alberta, nine in Saskatchewan, fivein M~nitoba, and three in Ontario.

I

IWEED ECOLOGY ANDPHYSIOLOGY

IExpert Committee on Weedsco~puterization and retrieval

IEach year the research report of the Expert

Corltmittee on Weeds (western section) con-I

taiBs up to 1200 computerized and 300 non-conl.puterized abstracts. A retrieval program,imbIemented in 1984, allowed limited access tothe' data base, which contains computerizedab~tracts from 1976 to the current year. Thisretrieval information has proved extremelyvaluable as a historical weed control recordana, for the chemical industry, as a tool in there~istration process.

lIn 1988 a pilot Electronic Data Input(ECW-EDI) floppy disk program was distri-bdted to 13 weed researchers (five from Agri-culture Canada and eight from industry) inwestern Canada. The main goal of developingECW-EDI was to eliminate keypunching andother production charges and to reduce

I

IResearch Branch Report 1988

duplication of data entry. The research reportcontained 120 abstracts submitted electronic-ally, which constitutes 15% of the totalcomputerized submissions. The 1989 researchreport will be produced using the ECW-EDIsystem, which can be distributed free ofcharge.

The data-base management system selectedfor the general rewriting of the computer-ization and retrieval system will facilitate thecreation of a national weed control data basefor ECW in the East and the West, as well as anin-depth retrieval program. This system willalso accommodate all sections previouslyunable to "fit" the computerized format, such asforestry, adjuvants, and environmentalchemistry, among others.

A major benefit to the system upgrading isthat ECW in eastern Canada will be in a posi-tion to computerize their research report, usingthe program developed at the Regina ResearchStation. The new program is being written sothat it can be coordinated with methods ofreporting weed research in eastern Canada.

In the future, organizations will be able totransfer data from their in-house data basesinto ECW format for electronic submission intothe research report. The final phase of theupgrading includes the development of third-party access to the database for pesticideevaluators, people in industry, and otherresearchers. A continuing task will be toattempt to structure the new research reportformat to fill as many needs as possible.

In 1989 the new ECW production system(western section) will be run in-house at theRegina Research Station on a MicroVAX 3500,thus eliminating the problems associated witha remote job-entry site connected to the IBMcomputer in Ottawa as well as saving time andmoney.

Scentless chamomile

A four-year project on the integrated controlof scentless chamomile, funded under theCanada-Saskatchewan Economic and Region-al Development Agreement (ERDA), wascompleted.

A questionnaire sent to 39 594 farmhouseholds in the Black, Dark Gray, and Graysoils of Saskatchewan prompted a response by3148 farmers. Thirty-four percent of therespondents said that scentless chamomileoccurred on or adjacent to land they farmed,and 37% believed it was a serious problem orwas most troublesome compared with other


weeds. In total, 1889 locations of scentlesschamomile were reported from 502 townships.

Scentless chamomile was ranked as one ofthe top five weed problems by over one-half ofthe 35 farmers with whom personal interviewswere conducted in an area of Saskatchewaninfested by the weed. The most commonlyreported physical characteristics of scentlesschamomile that made it a problem were theroot system and the wiry, tough texture of theplant. The spread of scentless chamomile wasrelated largely to agricultural activities suchas movement of machinery, grain, and feedcontaminated with seed.

The most common scentless chamomilehabitats are roadsides, farm yards, farmbuildings, fences, lanes, and power lines. It canhave direct effects on agricultural productionin low areas that are sometimes cropped, incropped land, and around permanent sloughsthat are never cropped. An estimate of theagriculturally most important habitat, the lowareas of fields, constitutes 3% of the cultivatedarea in the Dark Brown soils, 1% in the Blacksoils, and 8%of the cultivated Dark Gray soils.

The germination of scentless chamomileseed, from eastern and western Canadian popu-lations, was tested at various day-night tem-perature combinations. Most seed had initialviability of 90% or more. The optimum meandaily temperature was 17.S.C, but scentlesschamomile germinated well at mean dailytemperatures of 10.C-30.C. Below the opti-mum, germination of the western tetraploidpopulations was generally superior to that ofthe eastern diploids and was more rapid.

The spread of scentless chamomile has beenpartly blamed on the transportation of con-taminated grain. Truck-box and bin sampleswere collected in an area infested with theweed. Samples of lentil, wheat, and mustardwere found to contain mean densities of31 000,24000, and 254000 seeds per tonne of grain,respectively.

Summer annual scentless chamomile in awet year, and the winter annual in a moder-ately moist year, strongly depressed the yieldof spring wheat. Winter wheat yield was alsoaffected, but to a much smaller degree.

Control with currently available methods isnot easily accomplished. The spectrum ofherbicides is limited, and bromoxynil, theherbicide most commonly used, must beapplied while the plants are small seedlings.Cultivation can be effective if conditions aredry enough to minimize soil retention by the

315


weed's root system, but scentless chamomileoccurs predominantly in the moister areas ofthe province.

Wild oats-barley competition

Rates of nitrate uptake were found to besignificantly different among nine barleycultivars and five genetically pure lines of wildoats. As in a previous study in potassiumuptake, rates of nitrate uptake were correlatedwith degree of seed dormancy of these wild oatlines, i.e., the more dormant lines (AN 51 andAN 474) had higher fluxes than the lessdormant lines (SH 319 and SH 430). Thegenetic differences between crop and weed inendogenous seed nutrient levels (N, P, K),initial nitrate uptake rates, and growth inrelation to nitrate supply should be consideredin examining competitive effects such as weed-crop interactions.

Wild oats

A comparative study of the effect ofmechanical injury on water uptake andgermination in various pure lines of wild oatsshowed that the initial rate of water uptake bythe embryo in the intact caryopses wasinversely related to a genetically determineddifference in their degree of dormancy.Mechanical injury of the seed coat resulted in arapid increase in the water content of theembryo before emergence of the radicle. Theseresults are consistent with the hypothesis thatthe supply of water to the embryo, asdetermined by the hydraulic conductivity ofthe enclosing tissues, plays a major role in themechanism ofdormancy in wild oats.

2,4-D tolerance and germination inlamb's-quarters

The environment in which plants grow canhave a substantial influence on plants that areproduced, both in physical appearance andgermination. In a cropping situation, appliedherbicides are an important aspect of thematernal environment for weeds. Herbicidesoften are applied at sublethal doses because ofdrift, the interception of spray by the cropcanopy, increased herbicide tolerance of targetspecies, or the deliberate cutting of rates tosave money.In order to investigate the effect ofsublethal

doses of 2,4-0 on lamb's-quarters, plants fromthree sources were sprayed at the 4-6 leaf stage

316

II

with rates of 2,4-0 with active ingredient (a.i.)ranging Ifrom0 to 0.6 kglha. The three sourceshad various levels of tolerance for 2,4-0.Surprisi'ngly, the most tolerant source wasfrom a field with no past history of herbicideapplication. With increasing 2,4-0 rates,plants ftom all sources became weaker and lesscompetitive, producing fewer seeds. At sub-lethal d~ses, lamb's-quarters plants were slow-er to flo~er and produce seeds. However, seedsthat we}e produced by plants sprayed at higherrates whe larger, germinated faster, and mayhave h~d a competitive edge over those fromunspra~ed plants.

I

Tolerahce of winter wheat to phenoxyI

herbicides

Thel development of new winter wheatcultivars with increased winterhardiness hasincreaJed the winter survival potential of thecrop. There has also been an agronomic changeaway from growing winter wheat on summer-fallow Ito seeding into standing stubble as ameanslofmaintaining a blanket of snow. TheseimproJements have recently facilitated pro-ductiob ofwinter wheat outside the traditionalareas. iWinter annual and early spring annualbroad-1eaved weeds present a major problem togrowe}s for production ofwinter wheat in thesenew nigions.No~star winter wheat was sprayed in 1985-

1986 Jnd 1986-1987 to determine the effect oftim ink of application of the postemergentphenoxy herbicides 2,4-0 and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA)on wintersurviJal and crop tolerance of winter wheat,wheniapplied in the fall compared with appli-cation in the spring.In11985-1986, fall treatments of both 2,4-0

and MCPA increased the severity of lodgingcomphred with spring treatments. Comparedwith ~pring applications, the fall treatment of2,4-0 at 850 glha significantly reduced thegraid yield and kernel weight; all rates ofMCP1\reduced grain yield.Id the 1986-1987 crop year, fall applica-

tions!of2,4-0 and MCPA did not affect wintersurv~val of grain yield. At normal field rates,applications of 2,4-0 and MCPA did not resultin aJy injury to the winter wheat. Since thecrop jwas 13 cm shorter in the second season,the serious lodging problems of the previousyeari were not a general concern, and the falltreatments did not cause lodging to be a seriousprobtem.

IIII

Control oCbud growth in perennial weeds

The persistence of perennial weeds is duemainly to their ability to regenerate from budson their roots or rhizomes. The behavior ofthese buds determines both the weeds' capacityfor regenerative growth and their suscep-tibility to herbicide and cultural treatments. Abetter understanding of the factors and physio-logical mechanisms regulating bud activitymay lead to more effective methods of control.A problem of particular significance is the

mechanism by which the growth of the buds isinhibited by other parts of the plant. Thisphenomenon, known as correlative inhibition,is generally attributed to the inhibiting effectof specific hormonal factors. However, investi-gations have provided considerable evidencethat the primary cause of inhibition is theinability of the buds to compete for water withthe parent shoot. Additional support for thishypothesis was provided by a recent investi-gation involving the use of a specially designedstrain-gauge transducer capable of measuringchanges in bud growth with an accuracy of:tl pm.In experiments with Phaseolus vulgaris, a

species widely used for the study of correlativebud inhibition, bud growth measurementsshowed that both shoot decapitation and leafexcision triggered the almost instantaneousrelease of lateral buds from inhibition. Thisimmediate growth response is attributed to thesudden increase in xylem water potentialproduced at the cut surfaces of the treatedshoot and rapidly transmitted to the lateralbuds. It was concluded that in the intact plant,the negative water potential generated bygrowth and transpiration limits the supply ofwater to the buds and thus plays a major role inthe mechanism ofbud inhibition.Further investigations using the same

technique showed that the buds on the root ofmilkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) also respondimmediately when released from inhibition byexcision of the parent shoot. Similar experi-ments are now being conducted to determinethe response to shoot excision of root andrhizome buds in other perennial weeds.

1986 Manitoba weed survey

The 1986 survey for weeds occurring inManitoba cereal and oilseed crops indicatedthat no major shifts in weed species compo-sition had occurred since the previous surveysin 1981. However, there was a 19%decrease in


the relative importance of the grassy com-ponent of the weed community. Green foxtailand wild oats were the most abundant species.The decrease in the abundance of these grassyweeds was compensated for by an increase inthe relative abundance of the annual broad-leaved weeds that are usually controlled with2,4-0, MCPA, or other herbicides used forbroad-leaved weed. control. Wild mustard,stinkweed, and dog mustard were examples ofspecies in this component that were morefrequent and were found at higher densities in1986 than in 1981.

HERBICIDE BEHAVIOR INTHE ENVIRONMENT

Minor use program (herbicides)summary report

The minor use program for herbicides wasinitiated in 1976 to provide a means for theCanadian agricultural community to registerneeded additional pesticide uses for minorhectarage crops. In 1978 the Regina ResearchStation, in collaboration with the PesticidesSection, Food Production and InspectionBranch, developed new protocols for the regis-tration of minor uses for herbicides along thelines already in place for other pesticides,stressing the importance of crop tolerance dataand the role of the Expert Committee onWeeds.During the 10-year period (1977-1986),

over 140 submissions for minor herbicide useswere processed. Of these, 82 were submitted byprovincial extension offices and stations, 38 bypersonnel in Research Branch and other agen-cies in Agriculture Canada, 13 by industry, 6by grower groups, and 1 by a university.Twenty-eight submissions were not accept-

ed because they did not meet acceptance cri-teria. Thirty-five submissions required toler-ance data, and some of these were generated incollaboration with interested agronomists.Forty-six submissions required residue data.Residue data have been generated for 31 ofthese submissions and another 8 are in theprocess of being generated. Of the 142 sub-missions during the period under review,56 uses have been accepted and another 15 areat various stages of progress.Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, as

well as provincial and private laboratorieswere involved in generating residue data over

317

the past 10 years. Of these, the ReginaResearch Station laboratory Wasmost active ingenerating these data (17 crops, 12 differentherbicides). Kentville Research Station (blue-berries), Harrow Research Station (cole crops),and the provincial laboratory at Guelph(peanuts) were used primarily for locally growncrops.

The success of the herbicide minor use pro-gram is evidenced by the individual andcollaborative 'scientific publications generatedover the years. Thirty-four research pub-lications have been published; of these, 10credit the Regina Research Station forherbicide residue studies, and an additional 24,dealing with herbicide efficacy and tolerance,credit 8 other Agriculture Canada Researchstations.

Minor use program (linuron in asparagus)

In a 2-year study, residues of the herbicidelinuron were monitored in asparagus spearsthat had been treated with preemergenceapplications of 1.1 and 2.2 kglha at two sites inBritish Columbia (Agassiz and Summerland).Residue determinations were made using ahigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method that gave recoveries in theorder of 90% from asparagus tissue fortified atthe I011glkg level. Asparagus spears thatemerged at the time of application werecollected as postemergence-treated samples,whereas those that emerged after applicationwere collected as preemergence-treatedsamples. Maximum linuron residues detectedin the preemergence samples were in the orderof 10 llglkg, whereas maximum residues in thepostemergence samples were greater than40011glkg.

Clopyralid breakdown in soils

Extraction and gas chromatographic ana-lytical procedures were developed for c1opy-ralid in soils. Recoveries of the herbicide, fromthree soil types fortified at the 0.1 ppm level,were over 90%. The laboratory breakdown ofc10pyralid in clay, clay loam, and sandy loamsoils at 85% field capacity moistures and at 10°,20°, and 30°C was investigated. The soilbreakdown was dependent on temperature andsoil type. The results indicate that carry-overof this herbicide can be expected inSaskatchewan field soils under conditions ofdeficit moisture.

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Glufosinate breakdown in soils

ProJedures for the extraction and gaschromJtographic analysis of the herbicideglufosinate in several soil types, at the 0.1 ppmlevel, Jere developed. Gas chromatographicand radioactive techniques were used to studythe labpratory breakdown of (14C]glufosinatein a clay, clay loam, and sandy loam at 20°Cand 85% of field capacity. Breakdown wasrapid, with 50% of the applied herbicide bio-logically degraded in 7-10 days. Only onedegrad,~tion product was isolated and identi-fied. The dissipation of glufosinate at 1 kglhawas st~died at three Saskatchewan field sites.In all koils, breakdown of the herbicide wasrapid and complete by the end ofSeptember. Inall sods, the loss of the degradation productwas sl6wer than that of glufosinate. There wasno leathing of either the herbicide or degra-dationl product, at any site, to soil depths below10 cm) These results indicate that there shouldbe no Jecropping problems with glufosinate.,

ILongjterm effect of2,4-D and MCPAapplication

IThi! rate of breakdown of2,4-D in soils from

the 106g-term plots at Indian Head that hadreceiJed 40 prior annual applications of theherbiJide was investigated under controlledlaboratory conditions. Similar studies werealso conducted with MCPA in soils from plotsreceiting 34 annual treatments with the

Ichemical. The breakdown of both herbicideswas Significantly faster in soils that hadreceived continuous applications than in soilfrom [control plots with no prior treatments.This finding indicates extensive soil microbialadaptation in response to long-term use ofthesel herbicides, resulting in a faster fielddissipation.

II

AGRONOMYI

Soil ~onservation production systems

Sfnce 1986 the Indian Head ExperimentalFarm has been conducting extensive researchon d.op production systems that address soil

I

conservation. These systems are being investi-gate~ for three different soil types (Meota finesandy loam, Yorkton light loam, and Oxbowloan\) in east-central Saskatchewan, and on aheaiY clay soil at Indian Head. Special atten-tion/ is being given to comparing zero tillage,


minimum tillage (only one preseeding tillageoperation), and conventional tillage (fall andspring tillage operations). The three tillagesystems are superimposed on various croprotations that include cereal and oilseed cropsas well as pulse crops at the Indian Head site.The agronomic and economic results from

east-central Saskatchewan favor a cropproduction system that incorporates minimumtillage and continuous cropping. After 3 years,the weed spectrum and densities were similarfor all three tillage systems at all sites ineast-central Saskatchewan.The results from Indian Head were more

definite. After 3 years, the net returns weresuperior for the zero and minimum tillagesystems, compared with the conventionaltillage systems. In 1988, yields of flax, springwheat, and field peas on zero and minimumtillage exceeded those on conventional tillageby at least 30%. An effort is being made toquantify, in as much detail as possible, thechanges with respect to leaf and root diseases,weed populations, and plant-soil water rela-tions caused by changes in tillage systems.At all locations, plant establishment and

plant populations were not affected by tillagesystems. The yields have been similar for allthree tillage systems regardless of crops usedor locations, except at Indian Head, where the1988 yields with conservation tillage weresuperior. The results do not support thepopular view that changing tillage systemsresults in lower yields in the short term. Onthe contrary, benefits were obtained during thefirst year for flax grown on zero and minimumtillage at Indian Head.

Green foxtail control in annualcanarygrass

Production of annual canary grass (Phalariscanariensis L.) has declined in some areas inthe past few years, primarily because ofinfestations of green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.)Beauv.). At present, a propanil plus MCPAtank mix is the only herbicide treatmentregistered for green foxtail control in annualcanarygrass. The treatment must be appliedbefore the three-leaf stage, and producersbelieve that crop tolerance problems exist withthe use ofpropanil on canarygrass.Fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-ethyl com-

bined with 2,4-0, MCPA, bromoxynil, bromo-xynil plus MCPA and dicamba, and propanil


plus MCPAwere evaluated for their efficacy incontrolling green foxtail and for tolerance oncanarygrass.Differential susceptibility of the two grass

species to fenoxaprop-ethyl and modificationsof this phenomenon by the addition of growthregulating herbicides to the treatment weredetected in greenhouse trials. In the field,green foxtail control with fenoxaprop-ethyland fenoxaprop-ethyl mixtures was gener-ally better than the recommended treatment,propanil plus MCPA. Athough significantreductions in green foxtail numbers occur-red, yield advantages were not realized.Visual crop tolerance was commerciallyacceptable, except with the high rate offenoxaprop-ethyl alone (200 glha) in 2 years outof 3, and fenoxaprop-ethyl plus bromoxynil in1year.Fenoxaprop-ethyl and fenoxaprop-ethyl

mixtures were generally more effective thanpropanil plus MCPA in reducing green foxtailnumbers and seed production, without reduc-ing canarygrass yield.

SEED INCREASE ANDDISTRIBUTION

In 1988 Agriculture Canada released tothe SeCan Association seed of the newcultivars Chapais barley (2520 kg), Franktriticale (211 kg), Robert oats (1473 kg),Kirk crested wheatgrass (46 kg), and Laurawheat (12312 kg). In addition, 79900 kgof Laura wheat were brought to the IndianHead Experimental Farm for reshipping.There were 1050 kg of HY 355 wheat

and 2500 kg of HY 368 distributed tothe Canadian Wheat Board MarketDevelopment Office for increase for testmarketing.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Atkins, T.A.; Thomas, A.G.; Stewart, J.M.1987. The germination of wild rice seed inresponse to diurnally fluctuating temper-atures and after-ripening period. AquaticBot. 29:245-259.

319


Cessna, A.J. 1988. The determination of theherbicide linuron in saskatoon berries usingHPLC with column switching. J. Liq.Chrom.ll:725-735.

Cessna, A.J.; Caldwell, B.C. 1988. The deter-mination of maleic hydrazide in parsnips.J. Anal. Purific. 3:40-43.

Cessna, A.J.; Grover, R.; Smith, A.E.; Hunter,J.H. 1988. Uptake and dissipation oftrial-late and trifluralin vapors by wheat underfield conditions. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1153-1157.

Grover, R.; Kerr, L.A.; Bowten, K.E.; Khan,S.U. 1988. Airborne residues of triallateand trifluralin in Saskatchewan. Bull.Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 40:683-688.

Grover, R.; Smith, A.E.; Shewchuk, S.R.;Cessna, A.J.; Hunter, J.H. 1988. Fate oftrifluralin and triallate applied as a mix-ture to a wheat field. J. Environ. Qual.17:543-550.

Harris, P. 1988. Environmental impact ofweed-control insects. Bioscience38:542-548.

Hsiao, A.I.; Huang, W.Z. 1988. Induction ofgermination of skotodormant seeds ofJohnson grass, Sorghum halepense (L.)Pers. Weed Res. 28:163-174.

Hsiao, A.I.; Mcintyre, G.1. 1988. Induction ofvivipary in Avena fatua. Physiol. Plant.73:128-133.

Hsiao, A.I.; Worsham, A.D.; Moreland, D.E.1988. Effects of chemicals often regarded asgermination stimulants on seed condition-ing and germination of witchweed (Strigaasiatica). Ann. Bot. 62:17-24.

Hsiao, A.I.; Worsham, A.D.; Moreland, D.E.1988. Effects oftemperature and dl-strigolon seed conditioning and germination ofwitchweed (Striga asiatica). Ann. Bot.61:65-72.

Hume, L. 1988. Long-term effects of 2,4-Dapplication on plants. II. Herbicide avoid-ance by Chenopodium album L. and Thlaspiarvense L. Can. J. Bot. 66:230-235.

Mcintyre, G.I.; Damson, E. 1988. Apical domi-nance in Phaseolus vulgaris. The triggeringeffect of shoot decapitation and leaf excisionon growth of the lateral buds. Physiol.Plant. 74:607-614.

320

Mortensek K. 1988. The potential of an en-demicl fungus, Colletotrichum gloeospori-oides,lfor biological control of round leavedmallo\v (malva pusilla) and velvetleaf(Abudlon theophrasti). Weed Sci.36:473-478.

IPeschken, D.P.; Darwent, A.L. 1988. Effect ofnarro\v-Ieaved hawk's.beard (Crepis tecto-rum) Ion yield and quality of lucerne hayand s~ed yield of creeping red fescue. WeedRes. ~8:207-213.

Peschkeh, D.P.; Derby, J.L. 1988. Host spe-Cificity of Liriomyza sonchi Hendel(Dipfura: Agromyzidae), a potential bio-logic~l agent for the control of weedy sow-thisties, Sonchus spp., in Canada. Can.EntomoI.120:593-600.

ISmith, *.E. 1988. Persistence and transforma-tionlof the herbicide (14C]glufosinate-ammonium in prairie soils under laboratoryconditions. J. Agric. Food Chern.36:3/93-397.

Smith, !A.E.;Aubin, A.J.; Derksen, D.A. 1988.LosSof trifluralin from clay and loam soilscontaining aged and freshly appliedresit!.ues. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.41:569-573.

I

Smit~,IA.E.; Waite, D.; Grover, R.; Kerr, L.A.;Milward, L.J.; Sommerstad, H. 1988.Per~istence and movement of picloram in a

Ino~thern Saskatchewan watershed. J.Enyiron. Qual. 17:262-268.

Walla~e, K.; Grover, R.; Westcott, N. 1988.Ev~luation of an activated carbon filter forthe retention of selected pesticide vapor.J. Environ. Sci. Health B23(6):605-621.

IZentner, R.P.; Stephanson, J.E.; Johnson, P.J.;Cabpbell, C.A.; Lafond, G.P. 1988. Theec6nomics of wheat rotations on a heavycl~y chernozemic soil in the Black soil zoneof east central Saskatchewan. Can. J. PlantSc~.68:389-404.

iMiscellaneous

Cess~a, A.J. 1988. Pesticide safety. Agric.ICan. Publ.1825E and 1825F. 23 pp.

Grovbr, R. 1987. Behaviour of herbicides inagro-ecosystems. Pages 2143-2147 inEncy-cfopedia of systems and control, Vol. 3.P~rgamon Press, Oxford, England.

I

IIIII

Grover, R., ed. 1988. Pages 2143-2147 inEnvironmental chemistry of herbicides.Vol. I. CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Fla.

Grover, R. 1988. Magnitude and source of air.borne residues of herbicides in Saskat.chewan. In Dosman, J., ed. InternationalSymposium on Health and Safety in Agri.culture. Academic Press, New York, N.Y.

Grover, R.; Cessna, A.J.; Muir, N.J.; Riedel, D.;Franklin, C.A. 1988. Pattern of dermaldeposition resulting from mixinglloadingand ground application of 2,4.D dimethyl-amine salt. Pages 625-629 in Mansdorf,S.Z.; Sager, R.; Nielsen A.P., eds. Perform.ance of Protective Clothing: Second Sympo.sium. ASTM STP 989. American Societyfor Testing and Materials. Philadelphia,Penn.

Lafond, G.P.; Derksen, D.A. 1987. Crop man.agement study-annual report, p. 66.

Lafond, G.P.; Geremia, R.; McKell, D. 1988.Annual report. Demonstration andevaluation of intensive cereal managementsystems in spring and winter wheat, p. 78.

Maathuis, M.; Wasiuta, V.; Nicholaichuk, W.;Grover, R. 1988. Study of herbicides inshallow groundwater beneath three irri.gated sites in Outlook Irrig. Dist. Sask.-1987 results. Saskatchewan ResearchCouncil Publ. No. R-844.13-E-88, p. 94.

Maybank, J.; Grover, R. 1988. Testing theeffectiveness of reduced rate herbicideapplicators. In Environmental aspects ofapplied biology. Aspects of biology series,Vol. 17.


Shewchuk, S.R.; Grover, R. 1986. The vapourflux of2,4-D iso-octyl ester. SaskatchewanResearch Council Publ. No. E-906.1.D-86.p.9.

Smith, A.E. 1988. Effect of dry soil conditionson herbicide residues. Proceedings 1988Agri-Forum Conference. Winnipeg, Man.

Smith, A.E. 1988. Transformations in soil.Pages 171-200 in Grover, R., ed. Envi.ronmental chemistry of herbicides, Vol. I.Chap. 6. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

Smith, A.E. 1988. Transformation of theherbicide [14C]glufosinate in soils.American Chemical Society 196th NationalMeeting, Division of Agrochemicals. LosAngeles, Calif.

Struthers, D.; Lafond, G.P.; Derksen, D.A.1988. East central Saskatchewan soil con-servation project-annual report. Yorkton,Sask.

Thomas, A.G.; Wise, R.F. 1988. Manitobacereal and oilseed crops weed surveyquestionnaire (1986). Page 106 in Agric.Can. Weed Surv. Ser. Publ. 88-3. Regina,Sask.

Thomas, A.G.; Wise, R.F. 1988. Weed surveyofManitoba cereal and oilseed crops (1986).Page 201 in Agric. Can. Weed Surv. Ser.Publ. 88.1. Regina, Sask.

Thomas, A.G.; Wise, R.F. 1988. Weed surveyof Saskatchewan winter wheat fields (1987).Page 92 in Agric. Can. Weed Surv. Ser.Publ. 88.2. Regina, Sask.

321

Research StationSaskatoon, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.R. Hay, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D., F.W.S.S.A.R.K. Downey, O.C., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.,

FALC., F.R.S.C.R.J. Peters1V.J. Katarey2

Scientific SupportM.J. Bentham, B.Sc., M.Sc.D.M. Kichuk,3 B.F.A., B.A., M.L.S.C.E. Lynn, B.S.A.H.K.MilneD.T. Spurr, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.E. Underwood

OilseedsR.K. Downey, O.C., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.,

FALC., F.R.S.C.A.P. Arthur, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L. Burgess, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.T. Campbel1,4 B.Sc., M.Sc.D.S. Hutcheson, B.A., B.S.A., Ph.D.DJ. McGregor, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.A. Petrie, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.K.A. Pivnick,5 B.Sc., Ph.D.G.F.W. Rakow, B.S.A., Ph.D.J.P. Raney, B.Sc., Ph.D.G. Seguin-Swartz, B.Sc., Ph.D.H. Ukrainetz, B.S.A.P.R. Verma, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

CerealsH. Harding, B.Sc., Ph.D.K.L. Bailey, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.L. Crowle, B.S.A., M.Sc.L.J. Duczek, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.D. Tinline, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., F.C.P.S.

Forage CropsB.P. Goplen, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.D. Gossen, B.Sc., Ph.D.M.Y. Gruber,6 B.Sc., M.Sc.R.E. Howarth,7 B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Research Station, Saskatoon, Sask.

DirectorAssistant Director

Administrative Officer

Head of Section; Computer Systems ManagerLibrarianInformation OfficerComputer Analyst-ProgrammerStatisticianPhotographer

Head of Section; Oilseedbreeding---eanola

Oilseed crop insectsOilseed crop insectsBiotechnology---eanolaOilseed breeding---eanolaPhysiology of Brassica spp.Oilseed crop diseasesOilseed crop insectsOilseed breeding---eanolaOilseed chemistryCytogenetics of Brassica spp.Soil fertilityOilseed crop diseases

Head of Sect ion; Cereal diseasesCereal diseasesCereal crop managementCereal diseasesCereal diseases

Head of Section; Legume breedingForage and low-temperature diseasesPlant biotechnologyLegume bloat--biochemistry

323

R.P. Knowles,8 B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.,FALC.

G.L. Lees, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.J. Soroka,9 B.Sc., M.Sc.S.B.M. Wright,lO B.Sc.

Integrated Pest ManagementJ.F. Doane, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.

R.H. Elliott, B.A., Ph.D.M.A. Erlandson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.B. Ewen, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.C.F. Hinks, B.Sc., A.R.C.S., DJ.C., Ph.D.P.G. Mason, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.K. Mukerji, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.0.0. Olfert, B.Sc., B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.N.D. Westcott, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Scott Experimental FarmK.J. Kirkland, B.S.A., M.Sc.S.A. Brandt, B.S.A., M.Sc.

DepartureK.C.Falk

Returned from educational leave1987 and on leave of absence withContiSeeds, 1987-1992

VISITING SCIENTISTS

V.K. Bansal, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Natural Sciences and EngineeringResearch Council, visiting fellow1987-1988

R.K. Gugel, B.Sc., M.Sc.Canola Council of Canada, researchassociate, 1985-1988

Y.G. Li, B.Sc., M.Agron.Chinese Academy of AgriculturalScience and World Bank, visitingscholar

Q.-Y. Liu, B.S.A.International Development ResearchCentre (IDRC), visiting scholar

W. McFadden, B.Sc., M.Sc.University of Saskatchewan CropDevelopment Centre,research assistant

Q.Y. Pan, B.S.A.China Ministry of Agriculture AnimalHusbandry and Fisheries, visitingscholar

324

Grass bteedingI

LegumJ bloat-plant physiologyForage insectsGrass b~eeding

IIII

Head of Section; Insects-ecology andbeha~iorInsectiJidesInsect ~irology

IInsectsr-ecology and pathologyInsects-toxicologyBlack fliesInsectJ--managementInsects-ecologyPesticide chemistry

ISuper~ntendent; Weeds and crop managementAgronomy

II

Oilsee~ breeding-canolaI

III

IPlan'lbiOtoclmolOgy

0i4' pathologyFora~e research (legumes)

I

I

Planl breeding

II

Winter wheat diseasesI

IPlaJt breeding

I


B.K. Teo, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Canola Council of Canada, researchassociate, 1984-1988

A.S. Tiwari, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.Canadian International DevelopmentAgency-Natural Sciences andEngineering Research Council,visiting fellow

C.G.J. van den Berg, M.Sc., Ph.D.Department of Plant Science,University of Manitoba,viaiting scholar

G.X. Yan, B.Sc.Chinese Academy of AgriculturalScience and World Bank, visitingscholar

J. Yang, B.S.A.Chinese Ministry of Education,visiting scholar

I. Yvon, D.E.A.Ecole Nationale Superieure Feminined'Agronomie, Rennes, France, visitingscholar

Graduate studentsD.-J. Bing, B.S.A.J. Chen, B.Sc.P. Dribnenki, B.Sc., M.Sc.K. Floate, B.S.A.M.A. Forhan, B.Sc.M. Gijzen, B.Sc.H.-M. Kao, B.S.A., M.Sc.H.K. Love, B.S.A.T.S. Schuler, B.Sc., M.Sc.A.K. TopinkaR. Weiss, B.Sc.K. Xi, B.Sc., M.Sc.H.J. Yoell, B.S.A.

Oilseed pathology

Plant breeding

Plant biotechnology

Forage research (grasses)

Oilseed pathology

Plant biotechnology

Oilseed chemistryPlant biotechnologyPlant breedingEntomologyPlant breedingOilseed biochemistryPlant biotechnologyPlant breedingPlant breedingAgronomyEntomologyOilseed pathologyPlant biotechnology

1 On Tanzania-Canada Wheat Project, Arusha, Tanzania, March 1985-February 1990.2 Appointed March 1988.3 Seconded from Ubraries Division, Corporate Management Branch.4 On educational leave, University of Saskatchewan, from 1October 1986.5 Appointed 12December 1986.B On educational leave, University of Waterloo, from 21 September 1984.7 Seconded to Western Region Headquart8rs,1987.8 Appointed Research Scientist Emeritus, 1November 1985.9 Returned from educational leave, 1March 1988.10 On educational leave, University of Saskatchewan, from 9 September 1985.

Research Station, Saskatoon, Sask. 325

INTRODUCTION

j

III!

This report covers the results ofwork completed in 1988 ~t the Saskatoon Research Station andat the Scott Experimental Farm, 160 km west ofSaskatoon. Four research programs are conducted.These programs include multidisciplinary research on breeding and agronomy as well as on controlof diseases, weeds, and insects on oilseed, forage, andr cereal crops. We have the majorresponsibility in the Research Branch for research on canollJ.-rapeseed and mustard. Saskatoon,along with the Lethbridge and Kamloops research station~, is an integral part of the branch'sresearch program on development ofbloat-safe alfalfa. We dlso have a major responsibility for thedevelopment offorage grasses for the northern prairies. THecereal program is concerned mainlywith reducing losses from common root rot in wheat and barley and with the breeding of utilitywheats. The integrated pest management program deals w~th the development of control systemsfor problem insects (i.e., grasshoppers, wireworms, wheati midge, and black flies) that are notspecifically restricted to anyone commodity. A major objective in the program is to minimize ourdependence on insecticides for the control of these pests. :

Reports and reprints of publications can be obtained from the Saskatoon Research Station,Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 107 Science CresJent, Saskatoon, Sask., S7N OX2; Tel.(306) 975-7014. i

IJ.R.HayDirector

OILSEEDS

Breeding

Development of low-glucosinolate mustard.Low-glucosinolate mustard (Brassica junceaCoss.) was developed from an interspecific crossbetween an Indian-type glucosinolate-con-taining B. juncea selection and low-glucosino-late B. campestris L. A BC1F3 plant, number1058, was found to contain less than 1 limoItotal aliphatic glucosinolates per gram ofmeal.The glucosinolate content of individual plantsof the BC1F4 generation from plant 1058ranged from 0.8 to 2.9 llmol per gram of meal.Field-grown progeny of plant 1058, at threelocations in 1987 and at one location in 1988,contained less than 10 llffiol of glucosinolatesper gram of meal. The low-glucosinolatecharacteristic of selection 1058 is considered tobe genetically stable. Progeny of plant 1058had the gross morphology, chromosome num-.ber, and seed coat reticulation characteristic ofB.juncea.

This achievement will allow the breeding ofcanola-quality B. juncea.mustard. Currentlygrown cultivars of condiment mustard (B.juncea) cultivars such as D"omoor Cutlassyield, on average, 10-15% more seed than thecanola cultivar Westar (B. nap us L.). Mustardis better adapted to drier and hotter parts of theprairies and is highly resistant to blackleg. It

326

is expected that a canola-quality mustard willgreatly I increase the potential for canolaproductton in western Canada, but will notreplace existing canola species in the north.

DiseasJa

RacJs of white rust. Saskatchewan collec-tions of[white rust, Albugo candida (Pers. exLev.) Ktze., from Raphanus sativus L.,Brassicajuncea (L.) Czern., Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.)Medic.,land B. campestris L. represented fourraces. Races were differentiated on R. sativus,B. junc~a L:Southern Giant Curled', Capsellabursa-pastoris, and certain cultivars ofB. campestris ssp. pekinensis (Lour.) Olsson.Some a'ccessions of Indian yellow and brownsarson,iB. campestris ssp. sarson Prain, weresusceptible to both the B. juncea and theB. campestris races. The collection fromradish fas judged not to be a serious threat tothe production of canola-rapeseed or condi-ment 4ustard in western Canada. The collec-tion fr6m Capsella did not'infect any Brassicacultiva'rs. The B.juncea race infected less than10%ofithe plants ofB. campestris L. 'Torch' and'Tobin" but infected up to 35% of the plants inthe cultivar Candle and 59% of the plants in aB. caritpestris breeding line from Finland.B. napks L. (rape and rutabaga) was highlyresista:nt to all the races. A few yellow sarsonaccessions from Nepal were resistant to both

I


the B. campestris and B. juncea races and areimportant from the perspective of resistancebreeding. Sources of resistance to the B.juncearace were found in both brown and Orientalmustards from the USSR. Resistance to theB. campestris race was found in accessions ofB. campestris ssp. eu-campestris (L.) Olssonfrom North America, Central America, andSouth America.

Inheritance of resistance to white rust inmustard. The inheritance of resistance towhite rust Albugo candida (Pers. ex Lev. Ktze.)in mustard,B.juncea (L.) Coss., was studied incrosses involving one resistant and twosusceptible cultivars. The reaction of the F1was like that of the resistant parent, indicatingthat resistance is dominant and controlled bynuclear genes. Backcrosses of F1 plants to theresistant parent showed the same reaction asthat of the resistant parent. Backcrosses of theF1 to the susceptible parents segregated in a1:1 ratio of resistant to susceptible. The F2segregation of resistant and susceptible plantsgave a good fit to a 3:1 ratio. The studyrevealed that resistance is monogenic andcould be easily transferred to adaptedsusceptible genotypes through backcrossing.

Heritability of resistance to sclerotinia.Twenty-five cultivars and strains representingfive Brassica species were tested under con-trolled conditions for their reaction to infectionby Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, thecausal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot. Using therate of stem lesion expansion as an indicator ofthe resistance of stem tissue to the pathogen,significant differences were present betweenspecies as well as among cultivars and strainswithin species. Although heritability of stemlesion expansion was low, plants of Brassicacampestris L. and B. juncea (L.) Czern. withincreased resistance to sc1erotinia stem rotcould be selected.

Toxin produced by blackleg fungus. A newfungal toxin produced by the causal agent ofblackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans (Desm.) Ces.& de Not., was isolated and its phytotoxicitywas examined. Sirodesmin H is the firstexample of a monosulfur bridged dioxopiper-azine and is about 10 times less phytotoxic thanSirodesmin PL, the major toxin produced by L.maculans.

Differentiation of .blackleg strains. Amethod was developed for the rapid aiITer-entiation ofthe virulent strain ofLeptosphaeriamaculans (Desm.) Ces. & de Not. (Phoma

Research Station, Saskatoon, Sask:

lingam (Tode ex Schw.) Desm.) from commonweakly virulent isolates of L. maculans andother Phoma species. The test is based ondifferences in germ tube length after incu-bation for 40-44 h on agar containing anti.biotics. Often, it was not necessary to obtainthe fungi in pure culture on agar before testing.The main value of the test could be its use inconjunction with the 2,4-D blotter test foridentification of the virulent strain ofL. maculans from Brassica seed.

Detection of metalaxyl in rape plants. Abioassay procedure using Pythium ultimumTrow. and agar strips was sensitive andquantitatively accurate in detecting metalaxylin rape tissue extracts. A linear response wasobtained when assay values for both puremetalaxyl and a 50% WP formulation wereplotted against the logarithm ofchemical rates.Extraction procedures for recovering fungicidefrom plant tissues varied from 90% at500 llg/500 mg tissue to 20% for 7.8 llg.Metalaxyl was detected in the foliage of theseedlings grown from seed treated withmetalaxyl. Seedlings contained metalaxyl at arate of 0.30, 0.19, and 0.23 llg per plant at 5, 7,and 9 days of age, respectively. Bioassay andgas chromatographic analysis of plant tissueextract confirmed the presence of metalaxyl intissues remote from the site of treatment. Bothbioassay and chemical analysis of plants grownin metalaxyl-drenched soil showed that thefungicide was readily taken up by plants fromthe soil solution, that the greatest accumu-lation was in the lower leaves, and thatmetalaxyl was found in decreasing amounts inleaves furthest from the roots and in only smallconcentrations in the stem and inflorescence.

Insects

Survey of thrips in canola fields. Adults ofnine species of thrips from Saskatchewancanola fields were identified. The species wereAeolothrips fasciatus (L.);Anaphothrips obscu-rus (Miiller); Frankliniella occidentalis (Perg.)(western flower thrips); Frankliniella tritici(Fitch) (eastern flower thrips); Limothripsdenticornis Haliday; Odontothrips loti (Hali-day); Thrips nr. fuscipennis Haliday; Thripstabaci Lindeman (onion thrips); and Thripsvulgatissimus Haliday. The eastern flowerthrips was the most abundant, and of all of thespecies it seems to have the greatest potential

.for becoming a significant pest of candIa inSaskatchewan. It was followed in abundanceby the onion thrips and T. vulgatissimus.

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CEREALS

Diseases

Inheritance of resistance to common rootrot. Heritability, effective gene number, andgenetic effects for disease reaction toCochliobolus sativus (Ito & Kurib.) Drechsl. exDastur in two crosses of spring wheat wereestimated by partitioning genetic and environ-mental variance components. In the F1genera-tion of the cross H-I05 X H-186, the meandisease rating was intermediate between theresistant parent H-I05 and the mid-parentvalue, pointing to incomplete dominance forresistance. Heritabilities estimated fromfamily means of the Fs, F., and Fs generationswere greater than 70%, indicating thatselection for resistant families may begin inearly generations. Additive genetic effectswere greater than dominance genetic effects,and there were small but significant epistatic(additive X additive) interactions. In the F1generation of the cross H-159 X H-186 resist-ance was completely dominant. Heritabilitiesamong family means ranged from 32% in theFs to 78% in the Fs generation, indicating thatselection for resistance should be practiced inadvanced generations. Additive and domi-nance genetic effects were equal, and no signi-ficant epistatic interactions were observed.Resistance to common root rot appeared to becontrolled by at least three genes in bothcrosses.

Genetic markers in common root rot. InCochliobolus sativus (Ito & Kurib.) Drechsl. exDastur, populations of randomly isolated asco-spores from various crosses were analyzed todetermine the inheritance of some attributes.White, tan, and brown (wild type) conidialcolors were controlled by various alleles of agene that segregated independently of one con-trolling mating type. A requirement for thia-mine appeared allelic to prototrophy, and itwas inherited independently of conidial color.The thiamine requirement and one for argininewere linked. A unisexual male reaction ex-pressed by white-spored strain J26 appearedbecause of blocks in its female function. Incrosses of this strain with dark-spored ones,white pseudothecia or white protothecia did notdevelop. The impairment in female functionapparently was controlled by two genes thatsegregated independently of those for matingtype and conidial color. These additional

328

IIII

genetic markers may be useful in determiningthe genetics ofvirulence in C. sativus.

IInoculum density and common root rot.

Commott root rot was assessed in wheat culti-vars gr~wn at field sites in Queensland,Australfa, having low, intermediate, and highinoculum densities of Cochliobolus sativus (Ito& Kurill.) Drechsl. ex Dastur. The densities atseeding1time in the upper 10 cm ofthe profilewere 3, 77, and 132 viable propagules per gramof sOil,1respectively. Both incidence andintensity of disease at tillering, flowering, andfirm dbugh stages of plant developmentappear~d closely related to inoculum density.Additibnal inoculum applied with seedincreaskd disease markedly at the site of lowinoculuk density, slightly at the intermediatesite, abd had no effect at the site of highinoculJm density, indicating a threshold levelfor maJtimum disease in the test. Reduction indry we~ght of plants at the low and high sitesparall~led the disease levels at the tilleringand floj"Veringstages. The relative reactions ofthe cultivars were expressed consistently:Songle6 and Timgalen invariably were morediseas~d than Kite and QT2338/9. The resultssuggest that cultivars may be evaluated forresistance in the field from tillering onward ifdiseas~ levels are adequate. C. sativus was thedominimt fungus isolated from the subcrowninternodes of plants from noninoculatedsubplots. Its frequency of isolation was muchless frbm the site oflow inoculum density thanfrom the sites of intermediate and highinocul\un density, and lower from Kite and

I •QT233819 than from Songlen and Tlmgalen.Fusatium chlamydosporum Wollenw. &Reinking was isolated from sub crown inter-nodes1with increasing frequency as the seasonprogr~ssed. However, it was considered to be asecondary invader of the plant material.

I

Ii

FORAGESI

ISainfoin

Tlznnin formation in tissue culture.Cotyledons from aseptically grown seedlings ofsainfoin, Onobrychis viciifolia Scop., were usedas eiplant material to grow callus tissue forperirids of 21 and 31 days. The formation ofcellslcontaining condensed tannins was in-duced by adding the cytokinin 6-benzamino-puri~e (BAP) to a culture medium containing

I

III

2,4-D. After 21 days, the fresh weight of callitreated with BAP was much greater than thecontrol and appeared highest at the 0.6 mgILlevel. Fresh weight was reduced at high BAPlevels (2-8 mgIL) but stilI remained well abovethe control. The formation of tannin-filled cellswas genotype-specific but occurred in alltreatments with BAP. After 21 days in culture,fresh weight and tannin formation increasedwith the BAP level at the lower BAPconcentrations. After 31 days, the growth rateslowed in the control and the lowest BAPconcentration but continued at a high rate inthe remaining treatments. In general, thenumber of tannin~filled cells appeared todecline after 21 days. Thus, in sainfoin callusculture, BAP induced the formation ofcondensed tannin, a secondary metabolite, andconcomitantly produced a high growth rate.

Grasses

Response of bromegrass to fertilizer. A5-year study was conducted on Dark Brownloam at Scott, Sask., and a 9-year study on aGray Luvisolic loam at Loon Lake, Sask., todetermine the effects of ammonium nitrate andurea in bromegrass production and quality, Nuse efficiency, and N recovery. The Nfertilizers were applied in a single applicationat the start of the experiment. The effects of Pand S, applied to ensure adequate levels, werealso assessed. Each N source was applied atsingle rates of 0, 100,200,400, and 800 kg/haand annual rates of0, 50,100, and 200 kglha.

At Scott, forage dry-matter yields werepositively related to precipitation received inApril-J'une and in April of the crop year plusthe previous September. Over the first 4 years,annual application of N resulted in up to 37%more dry matter than did single applications.Dry-matter production was generally greaterwith ammonium nitrate than with urea,especially at medium N rates. Dry matter wasincreased by P only when N was applied. Nconcentration in forage was directly related toN rate in years of good precipitation; it wasgreater in dry than wet years and when N wasapplied annually, but was not affected by Nsource. Phosphorus fertilization increased Pconcentration in forage, but high dry-matteryields reduced P concentration. Toxicconcentrations of NOa.N in forage occurred inthe first year only at N rates of 200 kglha orgreater and were related to N rate. Except forthe N rate of 800 kglha in the second year, nofurther indications of NOa-N toxicity were


found. Accumulated efficiency of N usedecreased linearly with increasing N rate andwas greater for ammonium nitrate than forurea, except at very high N rates. Over thefirst 4 years, accumulated N recovery wasgreater for the single application at lowN ratesbut was greater for annual applications at highN rates. P fertilization increased N recovery.

At Loon Lake, forage dry-matter yieldswere positively related to precipitation receiv-ed in May-J'uly and April-May, but negativelyrelated to June precipitation. Forage dry-matter production was greater over the first8-year period for annual N applications thanfor single applications receiving an equivalentamount of N. Dry-matter yields were 19%greater after 4 years and 26% greater after 8years when ammonium nitrate was usedcompared with urea. Recovery offertilizer N inforage also favored ammonium nitrate. Appli-cation of low to moderate N rates depressedforage Nand P concentrations when yieldresponse was high, but concentrations wereincreased by the highest rates of N and byrepeated annual applications. Toxic concen-trations ofNOa-N occurred in forage in the firstyear when N was applied at or above 400 kg/haas one application and in the second year whenN was applied at 800 kglha. When N wasapplied annually at 200 kg/ha, NOs toxicitybecame a potential problem in later years assoil mineral N accumulated. P and S fertilizersincreased dry-matter yields. Annual Napplications resulted in more uniform annualyields and N uptake compared with singleapplications and provided greater totaldry-matter production without loss ofquality.

INTEGRATED PESTMANAGEMENT

Wheat midge

Survival of wheat midge eggs and larvae.The spatial and statistical distribution of eggsand larvae of the wheat midge, Sitodiplosismosellana (Gehin), in wheat in northeasternSaskatchewan was investigated. The highestnumber of each stage occurred in the top thirdof the head and the lowest in the bottom third.Because of this the entire wheat head isconsidered an adequate sample unit for densityestimates of the two life stages. Sample sizesrequired to estimate egg and larval populationswith given levels of precision were

329

determined. A sequential sampling plan forlarval populations was derived using twomethods referred to in the literature. Bothmethods gave similar results; however, thenumber of samples required to reach a decisionwas higher using one method than the other.

Laborarory rearing of the wheat midge. Theorange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosismosellana (Gehin), was reared through onecomplete generation in the laboratory. For theadult stage, avoidance of handling, themaintenance of at least 60% RH, low nighttemperature, and the provision ofwheat plantsat the correct flowering stage for ovipositionwere important factors for survival. Forlarvae, adequate soil moisture was essential toinduce them to leave their ecdysial sheaths, topenetrate the soil before diapause, and topromote diapause development. Adult emer-gence ranged from 10.6 to 51.6%. At least 112days at 2°C was required for optimalemergence of adults.

Insecticides for wheat midge control. Theefficacies of cypermethrin, deltamethrin, per-methrin, endosulfan, methoxychlor, carbo-furan, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and malathionwere evaluated against the wheat midge,Sirodiplosis mosellana (Gehin). Methods weredescribed for evaluating damage and pro-tection in individually collected wheat headsand whole plants. Weighted values from wholeplants provided the best indication of kernelprotection and yield response.

Whole plants contained three main,types ofwheat heads (primary heads, first tillers, andsecond tillers), which differed in theirfrequency, number of kernels, number, anddevelopmental time. Developmental timeindicated that the chronology of midge attack,status of midge infestations during spraying,and spray coverage also differed in the headtypes.

Insecticides provided various levels ofkernel protection within and among thevarious head types. The majority of primaryheads emerged before spraying and harboredmidge eggs at spraying. In these wheat heads,chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, and malathionprovided significantly better kernel protection(60-75%) than did permethrin, deltamethrin,and cypermethrin «7%). The results sug-gested that the more effective kernel pro-tectants permeated the spikelet,and;controlledthe eggs or newly hatched lar;v:ae, or both.Kernel protection in the primary heads was

330

closely rJlated to insecticide volatility. In firstand secorld tillers that emerged after spraying,poor sprJy coverage of the wheat heads andshort residual activity of all insecticidesagainst the adult midge appeared to limitkernel pr6tection.

I

Aeria~ applications for the control of wheatmidge. Evaluation of individually collectedwheat hJads and whole plants indicated thatseveral factors may influence the efficacy ofaerial sprays against the wheat midge,Sirodiplo~is mosellana (Gehin). These factorsrelated tb methods of assessing midge damage,conditiorl of wheat heads during spraying, andmethods of spray application. Influencesrelated tb location and distribution also wereimportaJt.

IEfficacy assessments were based on reduc-

tions in midge larvae, midge-damaged kernels,and perJentage of kernel damage. Data onpercentage of kernel damage were confoundedby diffet:ences in number of kernels withinwheat I:\eads. In head and plant samples,sprays Were more effective at reducing thenumber lofmidge larvae rather than reducingthe incidence of midge-damaged kernels.Evaluation of individual heads overestimatedthe efficacy of sprays in whole plants with oneprimary! head and two tiller heads. Spraysprovided more effective midge control andkernel ~rotection in the primary heads, whichemerged before spraying, than tiller heads,which ~merged mainly after spraying.Protection was usually better in apicalregions lthan basal regions of each head type.In whole plants, efficacy declined as tilleringincreasJd.

Plant evaluations indicated that the high-volumJ (37.4 L of water per hectare)chlorpy~ifos spray provided the best midgecontroll and kernel protection (95% and87%, re~spectively),followed by the low-volume(18.7 Liof water per hectare) chlorpyrifosspray (87% and 76%, respectively) andlow-volhme dimethoate spray (66% and 53%,respectively). When improvements in bothyield ~nd grade were considered andcalculations were based on 1987-1988 wheatprices, het returns from the three aerial spraysrangedj from $62 to $113/ha. Long-termbenefits of the sprays probably were lessfavoralhe. Reduction in wheat midge aftersprayi*g would negate the benefits of anegg-larral parasite, Pirene penetrans (Kirby),which 'fas present in low numbers.

I


Grasshoppers

Fungal pathogens of grasshoppers. A sur-vey of grasshopper populations in Saskat-chewan and Alberta indicated that the fungaldisease caused by Entomophaga grylliFresenius, pathotype II, was present inmelanopline grasshoppers in 1985 and 1986.In Saskatchewan the disease was moreprevalent and widespread in 1986 than in1985. It was found in 44%of128 survey sites in1986 compared with 11%of 190 sites in-1985.In Alberta a high incidence (more than threeper 100 m2) ofinfected grasshoppers was foundat 6% of 1746 sites in 1986 as compared withless than 1% of 2055 sites in 1985. Levels ofinfection based on cadaver densities at siteswith a high incidence of disease in Sask-atchewan were similar in both years, rang-ing from 3 to 28% for the total popula-tion. Melanoplus bivittatus (Say) was thepredominant host species for E. gryllipathotype II; M. sanguinipes (F.) was lessaffected. E. grylli pathotype I was isolatedfrom Camnula pellucida (Scudder) from a fewsites in both Saskatchewan and Alberta in1986.

Protozoan parasite of grasshoppers. The lifehistory and ultrastructure of the protozoanMalameba locustae (King & Taylor) werestudied in the migratory grasshopperMelanoplus sanguinipes (F.) using feeding andinjection studies. Insects that were fed cystsdeveloped infection in the Malpighian tubes~ days later; no trophozoites were observedin hemolymph samples taken 2-20 days afterfeeding. After excystment, a few trophozoitesentered the midgut epithelium and many werelocated near the basement membrane of theepithelial cells, where they appeared todegenerate. Trophozoites were not seen todivide in the midgut epithelium and appar-ently did not damage this tissue. Trophozoitesinjected directly into the hemocoel could not berecovered even 4 h after injection, and theMalpighian tubules did not become infected. Itwas concluded that trophozoites did notpenetrate the midgut to enter the hemocoel ormove through the hemocoel to infect theMalpighian tubules, but instead probablyentered the tubules directly from the gut.Trophozoite ultrastructure in midgut andMalpighian tubules, and cyst wall deposition,were described.

Isolation of grasshopper pathogens. Asper-gillus parasiticus Speare and Beauveria


bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin were isolated frommelanopline grasshoppers in Saskatchewan in1986 and 1987. The pathogenicity of theseisolates for Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.)nymphs was assessed by topical, oral, andinjected applications of 1.0 X 103, 104, or 105conidia per individual. The A. parasiticusisolate was pathogenic to M. sanguinipes byinjection and topical application but not orally.The B. bassiana isolate was pathogenic wheninjected or topically applied, resulting in highmortality (82-100%) at all doses tested,between 3 and 5 days after inoculation.Beauveria bassiana was infectious, at thehighest dose tested, when orally applied, withmost mortality occurring 7-14 days afterinoculation.

Resistance of cereal cultivars to grass-hoppers. A laboratory test was developed toscreen cereal crops for resistance to grass-hoppers, Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.), usingmean weight and survival of the first twoinstars. When 22 modern cultivars (11 wheats,four oats, three ryes, and four barleys)were tested, survival ranged from 95% onwheat (Sinton) to 85.7% on oats (Harmon).Percentage of survival was more variablethan the mean weight of measurements.Mean weight of grasshoppers after 5 days offeeding was highest for wheat (Glenlea) andlowest for the four cultivars of oats. Meanweight of grasshoppers fed on HY320 wassignificantly lower than for all other wheatcultivars. There was no correlation betweeneither growth rate or survival of grasshoppersand percentage of nitrogen in the cultivarfoliage.

Differential feeding by grasshoppers.Sixty-four cultivars and strains of cereals wereevaluated under field conditions for differ-ential feeding by grasshoppers (Orthoptera:Acrididae) and for their resistance to foliardisease. Grasshoppers fed actively on alltriticale and durum wheat lines, on 11 of 12bread wheat lines, and on 11 of24 barley lines.Both the incidence and severity of foliardisease were high in all cereals. There was nocorrelation between grasshopper damage andresistance to foliar disease (r = - 0.059) in thebarley, but a positive trend appeared in wheatlines (bread r = +0.487; durum r = +0.295).The data suggest that present trends inbreeding disease-resistant cereal cultivars willnot introduce increased susceptibility to grass-hopper damage.

331

Pesticide chemistryTerbufos residues. Granular terbufos

(Counter 15G) was applied in furrow at time ofplanting of wheat and barley. Total terbufosresidues were determined as terbufoxonsulfone in foliage collected at several times. Inwheat foliage, maximum residues of 7.4 and10.6 parts per million (ppm) from application of1.5 and 3.0 kglha occurred 10 days afterseeding. Wheat foliage collected 53 days afterseeding had residues of 0.32 and 0.58 ppm fromthe applications consisting of 1.5 and 3.0 kglha.Residues in barley were consistently less thanin wheat, with 4.4 and 7.0 ppm detected infoliage collected 10 days after seeding and 0.21and 0.34 ppm detected at 53 days after seeding.Residues of 0.01 ppm or less were detected inboth of the grain samples at harvest. Strawsamples had up to 0.75 ppm total residue ofterbufos at harvest.

PUBLICATIONS

ResearchBailey, K.L.; Knott, D.R.; Harding, H. 1988.

Heritability and inheritance of resistance tocommon root rot (Cochliobolus sativus) inwheat (Triticum aestivum). Can. J. PlantPathol. 10:207-214.

Braun, L.; Ewen, A.B.; Gillott, C. 1988. Thelife cycle and ultrastructure of Malamebalocustae (King and Taylor) (Amoebidae) inthe migratory grasshopper Melanoplussanguinipes (F.) (Acrididae). Can. Entomol.120:759-772.

Burgess, L.;Weegar, H.H. 1988. Thrips (Thy-sanoptera) in canola crops in Saskat-chewan. Can. Entomol. 120:815-819.

Elliott, R.H. 1988. Evaluation of insecticidesfor protection of wheat against damage bythe wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana(Gehin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Can.Entomol. 120:615~26.

Elliott, R.H. 1988. Factors influencing the effi-cacy and economic returns of aerial spraysagainst the wheat midge, Sitodiplosismosellana (G~hin) (Diptera: Cecido-myiidae). Can. Entomol. 120:941-954.

Erlandson, M.A.; Johnson, D.L.; Olfert, 0.0.1988. Entomophaga grylli (Fresenius) in-fections in grasshopper (Orthoptera:

332

Acr~didae) populations in Saskatchewanand Alberta, 1985-1986. Can. Entomol.12~:205-209.

Erlan~son, M.A.; Johnson, D.L.; Olfert, 0.0.1988. Entomophaga grylli (Fresenius) in-fections in grasshopper (Orthoptera:Aciididae) populations in Saskatchewanand Alberta, 1985-1986. Can. Entomol.120:205-209.

HinksJ C.F.; Doane, J.F. 1988. Observationson Irearing and diapause termination ofSitOdiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecido-my!iidae) in the laboratory. J. Econ.Entomol. 81:1816-1818.

IHinksl C.F.; Olfert, 0.0.;Westcott, N.D. 1987.

Scteening cereal cultivars for resistance toearly-instar grasshoppers (Orthoptera:Actididae). J. Agric. Entomol. 4:315-319.

ILees, G.L. 1988. Influence of benzyl adenine on

condensed tannin formation and callusgr6wth in cultures from sainfoin (Dno-brychis viciifolia Scop.) cotyledons. PlantCeil Rep. 7:166-169.

MoorJ, K.C.; Erlandson, M.A. 1988. Isolationof !Aspergillus parasiticus and Beauveriabaksiana (BaIs.) Vuillemin from melano-plipe grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)and demonstration oftheir pathogenicity inMJlanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius). Can.Entomol. 120:989-991.

IMukeHi, M.K.; Olfert, 0.0.; Doane, J.F. 1988.

DJvelopment of sampling designs for eggand larval populations of the wheat midge,Sitodiplosis mosellana (G~hin) (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae) in wheat. Can. Entomol.120:497-505.

!Olfe1, 0.; Hinks, C.F.; Westcott, N.D.; Crowle,

WfL.; Dziadyk, D.A.; Duczek, L.J. 1988.Differential feeding by grasshoppers andletels offoliar diseases in various cultivarsofispring cereals. Crop Prot. 7:338-343.

Pedras, M.S.C.; Abrams, S.R.; S~guin-Swartz,GJ 1988. Isolation of the first naturallyoccurring epimonothiodioxopiperazine, afringal toxin produced by Phoma lingam.T~trahedron Lett. 29:3471-3474.

IPetrre, G.A. 1988. Races of Albugo candida

(~hite rust and staghead) on cultivatedCtuciferae in Saskatchewan. Can. J. PlantPkthol. 10:142-150.

I


Petrie, G.A. 1988. The rapid differentiation ofvirulent and weakly virulent strains ofLeptosphaeria maculans (blackleg or stemcanker) and related pycnidial fungi fromBrassica seeds and stems. Can. J. PlantPathol. 10:188-190.

Stone, J .R.; Verma, P.R.; Dueck, J.; Westcott,N.D. 1987. Bioactivity of the fungicidemetalaxyl in rape plants after seed treat-ment and soil drench applications. Can. J.Plant Pathol. 9:260-264.

Tinline, R.D.; Harding, H. 1988. Inheritanceof some genetic markers in Cochliobolussativus. Mycologia 80:863-865.

Tinline, R.D.; Wildermuth, G.B.; Spurr, D.T.1988. Inoculum density of Cochliobolussativus in soil and common root rot of wheatcultivars in Queensland. Aust. J. Agric.Res. 39:569-578.

Tiwari, A.S.; Petrie, G.A.; Downey, R.K. 1988.Inheritance of resistance to Albugo candidaRace 2 in mustard B. juncea (L.) Czern.Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:297-300.

Ukrainetz, H.; Campbell, C.A. 1988. Nand Pfertilization of bromegrass in the DarkBrown soil zone of Saskatchewan. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:457-470.

Ukrainetz, H.; Campbell, C.A.; Zentner, R.P.;Monreal, M. 1988. Response ofbromegrassto N, P and S fertilizer on a Gray Luvisolicsoil in northwestern Saskatchewan. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:687-703.

Westcott, N.D. 1988. Terbufos residues inwheat and barley. J. Environ. Sci. Health,PartB23:317-330.

Miscellaneous

Barnes, D.K.; Goplen, B.P.; Baylor, J.E. 1988.Highlights in the USA and Canada. Pages1-24 in Hanson, A.A.; Barnes, D.K.; Hill,R.R., Jr., eds. Alfalfa and alfalfa improve-ment. Agronomy Monograph 29. AmericanSociety ofAgronomy. 1084 pp.

Doane, J.F. 1988. Wheat midge and levels ofparasitism. Can. Agric. Insect Pest Rev.1987.65:6.


Downey, R.K. 1988. Brassica oilseed crops fortoday and tomorrow. Pages 27-32 in Con-gress abstracts. 19th World Congress ofInternational Society for Fat Research and27th Annual Meeting of Japan OilChemists' Society, 26-30 September 1988,Tokyo, Japan.

Downey,R.K. 1988. Case histories of modifiedplant introductions. Pages 71-72 in Pro-ceedings International Workshop on Regu-latory Considerations for Testing and Useof Genetically Engineered Plants, 19-20October 1987, Ithaca, N.Y.

Downey, R.K. 1988. Dilemma of patenting foroilseed breeders and biotechnologists.Pages 282-283 in Applewhite, T.H., ed.Proceedings World Conference Bio-technology for Fats and Oils Industry,27 September-2 October 1987, Hamburg,West Germany.

Downey, R.K. 1988. The public breeder's per-spective for the future. Pages 82-86 'inProceedings 21st Annual Convention,Canola Council of Canada, 28-30 March1988, Vancouver, B.C.

Duczek, L.J.; Kindrachuk, C.R.; Dziadyk, D.A.1988. Disease survey of irrigated cereals inSaskatchewan in 1987. Can. Plant Dis.Surv.68:46-47.

Goplen, B.P. 1988. Recommended forage cropvarieties for 1988. Canadex 120.30, Mayissue. 10 pp.

Lees, G.L.; Maatman, T. 1988. Cost and per-formance comparison between fluorescentand high pressure sodium lighting in agreenhouse. Canadex 731.774, July issue.3pp.

Olfert, 0.;Hinks, C.F.; Craig, W. 1988. Grass-hopper resistance in kochia. Pages 19-22 inCoxworth, E.; Green, D.; Kernan, J.A., eds.Improving the agronomics and feed value ofkochia. Sask. Res. Counc. Tech. Rep. No.221, Publ. No. R-814-4-B-88.

Olfert, 0.; Hinks, C.F.; Westcott, N.D. 1988.Grasshoppers and Kochia scoparia. Pro-ceedings 36th Annual Meeting Entomo-logical Society of Saskatchewan.

Tinline, R.D. 1988. Genetics of Cochliobolussativus, a pathogen ofwide host range. Adv.Plant Pathol. 6:113-122.

333

Research StationSwift Current, Saskatchewan

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

B.H. Sonntag, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.T.V. Carr

Research ServicesG.E. Parker, B.S.A.R.W. Luciuk, B.Sc.K.E. Wilton,l B.A., M.L.S.G.E. Winkleman, B.Sc.

Cereal Production and UtilizationJ.M. Clarke, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

RM. De Pauw, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R Knox, B.S.A., M.Sc.C.W.B. LendrumT.N. McCaig,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.G. McLeod, B'Sc.(Agr.). M.Sc., Ph.D.R.E. Salmon, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.V.I. Stevens, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

EngineeringF.B. Dyck, B.E., M.Sc.D.G. Green, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.Y.W. Jame, B.Sc" M.Sc" Ph.D.B.G. McConkey, B.Sc., M.Sc.H. Steppuhn, B.Sc., Ph.D.M.A. Stumborg, B.E., M.Sc.CEng.)S. Tessier, B.Sc.(Eng.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Forage Production and UtilizationT. Lawrence, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., F.A.LC.N.W. Holt, B.S.A., Ph.D.P.G. Jefferson, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc" Ph.D.J.E. Knipfel, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J. Waddington, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Soils and EnvironmentC.A. Campbell, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.,

F.A.LC.V.O. Biederbeck, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.W. Cutforth, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.AJ. Leyshon, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Research Station, Swift Current, Sask.


Head of Section; Information OfficerSystems ManagerLibrarianChemist

Head of Section; Wheat physiology andbreeding

Wheat breedingCereal pathologyProgrammerQuality physiologyCereal breedingTurkey nutritionTurkey nutrition

Head of Section; Equipment designSaline crops agronomyCrop modelingHydrologySubsurface hydrology, salinityEnergy, equipment designTillage

Head of Section; Grass breedingPasture managementGrass breeding and physiologyRuminant nutritionPasture establishment and physiology

Head of Section; Soil chemistry and fertility

Soil microbiologyAgrometeorology, soil physicsForage fertility

335

F. Selles, B.S.A.(Chile), B.S.A., Ph.D.R.P. Zentner, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

DeparturesS.D. Hanson

Resigned 23 September 1988T.F. Townley-Smith, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Transferred to Winnipeg ResearchStation March 1988

VISITING SCIENTIST

D. Curtin, B.Agr.Sc.(Hons.), Ph.D.Dublin, Ireland

Soil fertilityEconomics

!

Progra~mer-Analyst

ICereal breeding

I;

Soil chemistry

1 Seconded from Ubrarles Division, Corporate Management Branch.1

2 On transfer of work, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., ~eptember 1988 to August 1989.I

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INTRODUCTION

The research program at Swift Current encompasses breeding, physiology, and agronomy inwheat (hard red spring, durum, and Canada prairie spring) and rye; breeding, agronomy, ruminantnutrition, and pasture management in forage crops; engineering, hydrology, fertility,agrometeorology, economics, and soil chemistry in soil and water management; and turkeynutrition. Research programs are designed to solve production problems and to evaluate newopportunities that will enable Canadian farmers, especially those located in the semiarid PalliserTriangle, to maintain or improve their competitive position in domestic and foreign markets.

The research strength of the station was reduced in 1988. Dr. T.F. Townley-Smith, wheatbreeder, transferred to the Winnipeg Research Station, and S. Hanson, programmer-analyst,resigned.

Examples of significant new developments in research include evaluation of energy efficiency ofcropping systems in southwestern Saskatchewan, development of a method to estimate rate ofrelease of nitrogen from soils, assessment of the effect offoliage color on the seed and forage yield ofAltai wild ryegrass, and registration of Frank triticale, Tetracan Russian wild ryegrass, and twovarieties of Dahurian wild ryegrass. Also, the potential productivity of a Brown loam soil wasshown to improve by zero till management when properly fertilized. Turkey nutrition studiesevaluated various pharmaceutical products as feed additives for their effects on productionefficiency and product quality.

Three scientists received major awards in 1988. Dr. C.A. Campbell became a Fellow of theAgricultural Institute of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Soil Science. Dr. T.Lawrence received the Outstanding Research Award from the Canadian Society of Agronomy andthe Award of Merit from the American Forage and Grassland Council. Dr. R.M. De Pauw waspresented the Distinguished Agrologist Award by the Saskatchewan Institute ofAgrologists.

This brief report contains highlights of recent findings of our research programs. More detailedresults can be obtained from our annual Research Hi-Lites, from published papers, or by directcontact with the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Box 1030, Swift Current,Saskatchewan, S9H 3X2; Tel. (306) 773-4621.

RH. SonntagDirector

CEREAL PRODUCTIONAND UTILIZATION

Wheat

HY368 wheat. HY368 is a red spring wheatsuitable for the Canadian prairie spring class.This cultivar has a hard kernel with improve-ments in milling quality and baking perform-ance compared with the cultivar HY320.Yields are similar to HY320 in all of the agro-climatic areas of the prairies. HY368 out-yielded Oslo by 6% in Manitoba and south-eastern Saskatchewan and by 23% in theBrown and Dark Brown soil zones of southernSaskatchewan and Alberta.

HY368 appears to mature slightly earlierthan HY320 and about 3 days later than Oslo.It has semidwarf stature and straw strengthsimilar to HY320. It is resistant to shatteringand to prevalent races ofleaf and stem rust and


is moderately susceptible to common root rot.HY368 is susceptible to both loose smut andcommon bunt.

Drought physiology

Rate of water loss from wheat leaves. Rateof water loss (RWL) from excised leaves hasbeen proposed as a screening technique to iden-tify wheat genotypes adapted to dry growingconditions. The relationship ofRWL and grainyield was ~tudied in 100 durum wheat (Triti-cum turgidum L. var. durum) genotypes grownat two locations in Canada and three locationsin Syria. Fifty of the genotypes were chosen onthe basis of low RWL and 50 on the basis ofhigh RWL. Growing-season precipitationranged from 73 to 356 mm. Genotypes with lowRWL yielded more than those with high RWLin four of the five driest environments in9 site-years of study. Yield of the low RWL

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genotypes ranged from 40 to 150%greater thanthat of the high RWL genotypes at the foursites. The high RWL group did not yield morethan the low RWL group (P < 0.05) in any ofthe site-years. Glaucousness confounded inter-pretation of the results because the low RWLgroup tended to be more glaucous than the highRWL group. Separation of the genotypes intogroups of high and low glaucousness showedthat the high group yielded more than the lowgroup in the three driest Canadian sites and inthe wettest site in Syria. Low RWL and highglaucousness were associated with delayed leafsenescence in dry environments. Low RWLwas concluded to contribute to high yield underdry growing conditions and does not exhibit ametabolic carbon cost under more favorableprecipitation regimes.

Harvest physiology

Factors affecting rate of water imbibition bywheat kernels. Rate of water imbibition bywheat kernels may be related to pre harvestsprouting damage and tempering times duringmilling. The effects of kernel color and expo-sure to weather damage on water imbibitionrate of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernelsand the effects of field versus oven drying andhand versus mechanical threshing on wateruptake rate of HY320 wheat and Welshtriticale (X-Triticosecale Wittmack) wereinvestigated. Rates of imbibition w~re deter-mined by sequential weighing over a 32-hperiod of 50-kernel samples imbibing waterfrom agar media. In HY320 wheat the rate wasfaster for mechanically threshed (0.0117 gIgper hour) samples than for those that werehand-threshed (0.0115 gIg per hour). Thresh-ing method did not affect imbibition rate ofWelsh triticale kernels (average 0.0141 gIg perhour). Rate of germination was significantlygreater for mechanically threshed than forhand-threshed Welsh, but there was no signi-ficant difference for HY320. Method of dryingdid not affect kernel water imbibition rate.Rate of imbibition was faster in nonweatheredthan in weathered wheat (0.0136 versus 0.0130gIg per hour). In five wheat crosses involvingwhite and red kernel color, rate of waterimbibition was not associated with the allelefor kernel color. Rate was negatively cor-related with kernel weight and kernel hard-ness in the five crosses and positively corre-lated with protein content. Other undeter-mined factors accounted for the major part ofthe genotypic differences in rate ofimbibition.

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PoultrYlnutrition

Hull-less barley for turkeys. Small whiteturkeys \vere fed diets containing hull-lessbarley (!with or without a beta-glucanaseenzyme Source) or wheat, each supplementedwith gra~ed levels of vitamin 03 and availablephosphorus, to 12 weeks of age. The dietsconsistihg of hull-less barley plus enzymesignificantly increased liveweight over thehull-Ies~ barley or wheat diets by 4 weeks, butthere was no difference at 12weeks of age. At 4weeks, b1irdsfed the diets consisting of hull-lessbarley ~lus enzyme were as efficient in feedconversion as those fed wheat-based diets, butby 12 vJeeks birds fed both hull-less barley-based diets were less efficient than those fedthe whekt-based diets. A significant cereal Xavailab~e phosphorus X vitamin 03 interactionat 4 weejks showed the pronounced effect of thelower dietary available phosphorus and vita-min 03 concentration on reducing body weightof birds Ifed hull-less, barley-based diets with-out the ibeta-glucanase enzyme source. Mor-tality, incidence of leg problems, and carcassquality rere not affected by diet. Tibia ash wasgreater[for birds fed diets containing hull. lessbarley 'plus enzyme, 0.7% available phos-phorus"or 2500 IU vitamin 03 per kilogram offeed compared with those fed wheat or hull-lessbarley without enzyme, 0.4% available phosphorus,lor 900 IU vitamin 03' respectively

Res*lts show hull-less barley plus anenzyme, source can replace wheat as a majorcereal grain in diets for turkeys. Birds fedhull-less barley plus enzyme can tolerate lowerlevels of vitamin 03 and available phosphorussupplementation than those fed hull-lessbarley diets without the enzyme.

IDiei{:Lryprotein and leg disorders in turkeys.

Diets ",arying in protein (24, 29, 34, or 39%),calcium (0.8, 1.2, or 1.6%) and available phos-phorus: (0.4, 0.8, or 1.2%) concentration werefed to Large White poults to 3 weeks of age.Treatrr{ents were then pooled according to theproteiIJjconcentration of the starting diet, andbirds Were fed either the regime recommendedby the National Research Council (U.S.A.) or ahigh protein dietary regime through thegrowing and finishing period. By 2 weeks ofage the incidence of leg disorders was 4, 8,12,and 15% in birds fed the 24, 29, 34, and 39%proteiIJ.diets, respectively. By 3 weeks of age,tibia ash was reduced as dietary proteinincrea~ed. By 20 weeks, liveweight was notaffected by diet, but birds fed the high protein

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growing-finishing regime had a higherincidence of twisted and weak legs than thosefed the recommended level of protein.

These results indicate that feeding higherthan recommended levels of dietary proteinmay predispose turkeys to early leg problemsand increase the incidence at market age.

ENGINEERING

Energy

Alternative fuel control parameters for adiesel engine. Investigations were conductedto determine appropriate diesel engine para-meters for the development of a dual fuelcontrol system for agricultural use. A feedbacksignal representing engine power was con-cluded to be an essential characteristic of adual fuel control system. Also, it was shownthat engine power could be estimated bycorrelations with engine fuel consumption orexhaust energy rejection.

Energy efficiency of cropping systems. Non-renewable energy input, metabolizable energyoutput, and the energy efficiency of 10 springwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop rotationswere examined over an 18-year period. Theresults showed that the total energy input perunit of land was lowest for the traditionalfallow-wheat rotation (3482 MJlha), inter-mediate for well-fertilized fallow-wheat-wheat(4470 MJlha), and highest for well-fertilizedcontinuous wheat (7100 MJlha). Substitutingflax or rye for wheat in the rotations reducedtotal energy input modestly, and the elimina-tion of one application of nitrogen or phospho-rus fertilizer reduced energy input by 16-37%.

FORAGE PRODUCTION ANDUTILIZATION

Grass breeding

Evaluation of Dahurian wild ryegrass.Dahurian wild rye grass (Elymus dahuricusTurcz. ex Griseb.) is a short-lived but produc-tive forage crop for western Canada. Dahurianwild ryegrass was found to be a self-pollinatedbunch grass, showing variability in maturityand at least three distinct head types: purple,green floppy, and green erect. It was also foundto have good seedling vigor, high dry-matterproduction, high seed yields, adequate


digestibility, and palatability. It will provide ashort-rotation hay or pasture crop and may beuseful for increasing production from youngstands of longer lived, slower growing foragesseeded in widely spaced rows.

Two cultivars of Dahurian wild rye grasswere approved for registration.

Pasture management

Effect of nitrogen on beef production andforage quality of Russian wild ryegrass.Average annual applications of Nat 30 or 61kglha were made to pastures of Russian wild-rye (Psathyrostachya juncea (Fisch.) Nevskii)from 1977 to 1987 to raise the available Npresent in the soil to 55 or 110 kglha. Addi-tional treatments consisted of a once-onlyapplication ofN at 390 kglha in April 1977 anda control treatment of no fertilizer. Pastureswere grazed with yearling steers from earlyMay until 5 cm of grass remained or whensteers did not gain weight in a 2-week period.

Total beef production averaged 133, 147,131. and 105 kglha, respectively, and grazingdays were 168, 183, 168, and 130 days/ha.respectively, for steers on the four treat-ments. Fertilizer N increased carrying capa-city 30-40% each year, even in years of belowaverage rainfall, and prevented the decline inproduction often observed in seeded grass as anunfertilized stand ages.

Forage N and digestible organic matterwere marginally increased by fertilizer N.Forage N and organic matter digestibilitygenerally decreased through the season.Average daily gains of the steers were notaffected by the treatments and decreasedgradually as steer weight increased and foragequality declined.

SOILS AND ENVIRONMENT

Economics

Economics of tillage and rotation systems forwinter wheat production. This study examinedgrain yields and net returns from producingwinter wheat under 2-year, 3-year, andcontinuous crop rotations each using zerotillage and twomethods ofconventional tillage.The study draws on 7 years of data collected atLethbridge. Alta. The results showed that theeconomics of zero-tilled winter wheatproduction were generally quite favorable. Netreturns were often similar or higher with zero

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tillage than with conventional tillage, espe-cially in years when growing-season rainfallwas low or when grain prices were expected tobe high. In years with above normal rainfall,zero tillage was generally less profitable thanconventional tillage when the winter wheatwas grown in rotations that included fallow;but this was not the case when the winterwheat was grown continuously and downybrome infestations were low. The relativelypoor economic performance of the zero tillagefallow-type rotations in years with favorablegrowing season rainfall was a result of the highcosts of herbicides for control of weeds on fallowareas. Zero tillage was shown to offer produc-ers substantial savings in fuel, machinerepairs, labor, and machine investment; how-ever, the high cash outlay for herbicides oftenoffset much ofthese resource savings, includingthe increased revenue from higher grain yields.

Nutrient cycling

Predicting net nitrogen mineralization overa growing season. A nitrogen mineralizationmodel was developed by combining thepotentially mineralizable nitrogen (No) withfunctions representing the effect of tem-perature and soil moisture on the mineral-ization rate constant (k). The model was usedto estimate net nitrogen mineralized in anOrthic Brown soil at Swift Current, Sask.,under summerfallow; cropped-dry land; andcropped-irrigated conditions. Model outputshowed good agreement to field measurements,especially for the first 45-60 days, but there-after tended to underestimate the measureddata, particularly under cropped-dry landconditions. The model is not dynamic becauseit does not allow for No to be replenishedcontinuously by nitrogen derived from decom-position of fresh residues and rhizospheremicrobial biomass. Net nitrogen mineralizedfrom this source might explain at least part ofthe underestimate predicted by the model.Other sources of possible discrepancy could beimprecision in measuring the mineralization ofnitrogen and in estimating the parameters inthe model. One ofthe main shortcomings of themodel was that it underestimated the amountof nitrogen mineralized whenever the soilbecame very dry and was then rewetted byrainfall. This probably occurred because thelatter process resulted in large flushes inmineral nitrogen in situ, whereas in thelaboratory estimate of No and k, this effect isnot adequately simulated.

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Rotati~ns and cropping systemsi

Sno!» and N fertilizer management forwheat irt southwestern Saskatchewan. In theBrown Isoils of Saskatchewan, limited soilmoisture prevails; consequently, a springwheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-summerfallowrotatioJ is commonly used by farmers. Duringthe 21-month fallow, about 45 mm of extramoistute is conserved, but bare soil encouragessoil deJradation. Soil scientists suggest thatuse of snow management may allow conser-vation pf as much moisture as summerfallowallows~ Using zero tillage may reduceevapotranspiration, and, coupled with properfertilizJr management, could further improvemoistu~e use efficiency. A 6-year study inwhich ~all strips of standing cereal stubblewere uSed to enhance snow trap resulted in anaverage 11 mm of extra water stored in soil.This e;tra water resulted in higher yields,especially in dry years. Yields were increasedby N fertilizer rates of up to 100 kglha in yearsoffavo~able moisture, but N treatments did notaffect yields in dry years. On average, therelativ~ yield responses to N systems wererated 1100, 98, 94, and 91 for springdeep-~anded, fall deep-banded, springbroadcast, and fall broadcast, respectively.

Soil qjality

Effect of 6 years of zero tillage and fertiltzermanag~ment on changes in soil qualtty In theBrownisoil zone of Saskatchewan, moisture isusually limiting; consequently, the predomi.nant c~opping system is a year of summer.fallow followed by a year of spring wheat,Tillags in the fallow period results in severesoil dehadation because of erosion. Scientistshave suggested that producers might be able toovercobe their economic and environmentalproble;ms by using cereal trap strips con-structed at harvest to trap snow and increasemoistJre conservation, especially if this actionwere coupled with zero tillage continuouscroppibg and proper fertilizer management. A6-yearl experiment in which the latter factorswere investigated was sampled and analyzedfor vahous soil properties. These measure-mentsiwere compared with similar measure-ments imade on the adjacent area that had beenin fal~ow-wheat for 70-80 years. Resultsshowed that the zero-till continuous wheatsysten\. has increased total organic matter,microbial biomass N, amino compounds,potential C and N mineralization rates, and

II


phosphatase activity in the top 7.5 em of soil,but in most cases there was little change in the7.5-15-cm depth. Bulk density was not affectedby tillage or cropping, but soil aggregation wasincreased by a single year of cropping(compared with tilled fallow).

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Campbell, C.A.; Jame, Y.W.; de Jong, R. 1988.Predicting net nitrogen mineralization overa growing season: Model verification. Can.J. Soil Sci. 68:537-552.

Campbell, C.A.; Zentner, R.P.; Johnson, P.J.1988. Effect of crop rotation and ferti-lization on the quantitative relationshipbetween spring wheat yield and moistureuse in southwestern Saskatchewan. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:1-16.

Campbell, C.A.; Zentner, R.P.; Selles, F. 1988.Regressions for estimating straw yields andNand P contents of spring wheat and Nmineralization in a Brown loam soil. Can.J. Soil Sci. 68:337-344.

Campbell, G.L.; Salmon, R.E.; Classen, H.L.1988. Effect of nutrient density on broilercarcass composition as influenced by age.Nut. Rep. Int. 37:973-981.

Clarke,J.M.;DePauw,RM. 1989. Waterim-bibition rate ofwheat kernels as affected bykernel colour, weather damage, and methodof threshing. Can. J. Plant Sci. 69:1-7.

De Pauw, R.M.; Townley-Smith, T.F.; McCaig,T.N.; Clarke, J.M. 1988. Registrationof Laura spring wheat. Crop Sci.28:1032-1033.

Holt, N.W. 1988. Effect of nitrogen fertilizeron the agronomic performance and seedquality of annual canarygrass. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:41-45.

Jefferson, P.G.; Johnson, D.A.; Rumbaugh,M.D. 1988. Genetic analysis of epicuticularwax production in alfalfa. Genome 30:869-899.

Keogh, R.G.; Lawrence, T. 1987. Influence ofAcremonium lolii presence on emergenceand growth of ryegrass seedlings. N. Z. J.Agr.Res.30:507-510.


Lawrence, T.; Ratzlaff, C.D. 1988. Effects ofselection for foliage color on the seed andforage yield of Altai wild ryegrass. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1003-1007.

Malik,N.;Waddington,J. 1988. Rapeseedasacompanion crop for establishing sweetclover. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:1007-1015.

Nicholaichuk, W.; Leyshon, A.J.; Jame, Y.W.;Campbell, C.A. 1988. Boron and salinitysurvey of irrigated projects and the boronadsorption characteristics of some Saskat.chewan soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:77-90.

Salmon, R.E.; Stevens, V.I.; Ladbrooke, B.D.1988. Full-fat canola seed as a feedstuff forturkeys. Poult. Sci. 67:1731-1742.

Stevens, V.I.; Salmon, RE. 1988. Effects ofdietary protein on leg problems in turkeys.Nutr. Rep. Int. 38:915-926.

Stevens, V.I.; Salmon, R.E.; Classen, H.L.;Campbell, G.L. 1988. Effects of dietarybeta-glucanase, vitamin 03 and availablephosphorus on the utilization of hullessbarley by broiler turkeys. Nutr. Rep. Int.38:283-290.

Waddington, J. 1988. Effect of herbicides forthe control ofweedy grasses on seed produc-tion ofbromegrass, crested wheatgrass andtimothy. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:817-821.

Ukrainetz, H.; Campbell, C.A.; Zentner, R.P.;Monreal, M. 1988. Response ofbromegrassto N, P and S fertilizer on a Gray Luvisolicsoil in northwestern Saskatchewan. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:687-703.

Zentner, R.P.; Campbell, C.A. 1988. First 18years of a long-term crop rotation study insouthwestern Saskatchewan-yields, grainprotein and economic performance. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:1-21.

Zentner, R.P.; Lindwall, C.W.; Carefoot, J.1988. Economics of rotations and tillagesystems for winter wheat productionin southern Alberta. Can. Farm Econ.22:3-13.

Zentner, RP.; Stephenson, J.E.; Johnson, P.J.;Campbell, C.A.; Lafond, G.P. 1988. Theeconomics of wheat rotations on a heavyclay chernozemic soil in the Black soil zoneof east-central Saskatchewan. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:389-404.

341

Miscellaneous

Campbell, C.A.; Zentner, R.P.; McConkey, B.;Selles, F.; Nicholaichuk, W; Green, D.G.1988. Snow and N fertilizer managementfor wheat in S.W. Saskatchewan. In Inter-national Conference on Dryland Farming,1-19 August 1988, Amarillo-Bushland,Texas.

Craig, W.; Soveran, D.; Stumborg, M. 1988.Conversion of vegetable oils to conventionalliquid fuel extenders. SaskatchewanResearch Council Publ. No. R-811-9-C-88,November 1988.

Davies, J.G.; Reed, W.B.; Stumborg, M.A.;Zoerb, G.C. 1987. Development of a dual-fuel control for diesel engines. No. 87-211 inProceedings, Canadian Engineering Cen-tennial Convention, 18-22 May 1987,Montreal, Que.

De Pauw, R.M.; Townley-Smith, T.F. 1988.Patterns of response for genotype grainyield and protein content in seven envi-ronments. In 7th International WheatGenetics Symposium, 13-19 July 1988,Cambridge, England.

Dyck, F.B.; Neudorf, B. 1988. The Swift Cur-rent self-propelled forage harvester. InProceedings 7th International Conferenceon Mechanization of Field Experiments,11-15 July 1988, Debrecen, Hungary.

Jefferson, P.G. 1988. Forage yield testing:What is an adequate regime? Forage Notes32:3-9.

Jefferson, P.G.; Irvine, R. B.; Heinrich, D.H.1988. Performance of Rambler alfalfabreeder seedlots. Forage Notes 32:52-57.

Jefferson, P.G.; Lawrence, T. 1988. Persist-ence of alfalfa cultivars in southwesternSaskatchewan. Forage Notes 32:46-51.

Johnson, D.A.; Asay, K.H.; Tieszen,' L.L.;Ehleringer, J.R.; Jefferson, P.G. 1988.Carbon isotope discrimination as a possibleselection criteria for improving range grassproduction in water-limited environments.American Society of Agronomy AnnualMeeting, 27 November-2 December 1988,Anaheim, Calif.

342

Lawrence, T. 1988. Effect of extracts of rootsand ~ays on the germination and seed-ling growth of other crops. Forage Notes32:1l29.

Lawrence, T. 1988. Tetracan Russian wild rye-grass. Forage Notes 33:47.

Lawrenc~, T.; Jame, Y.W.; Ratzlaff, C.D.;Thick, W.A. 1988. Effect of irrigation onthe s~ed yield of Russian wild rye grass.Forage Notes 33:41.

Lawren~e, T.; Ratzlaff, C.D. 1989. An evalua-tion br Dahurian wild ryegrass (Elymusdahuhcus Turcz. ex Grieseb.) as a foragecrop. IForage Notes 33:28.

Neudorf. B.; Dyck, F.B. 1988. An electronicweighing and data acquisition system forthe S~ift Current Harvester IV. Pages 269-273 ;in Proceedings 7th InternationalConference on Mechanization of FieldExperiments, 11-15 July 1988, Debrecen,Hun~ary.

Nichola(chuk, W.; McConkey, B.; Steppuhn, H.1988l Role of a small agricultural water-shed to address soil and water issues today.Proceedings Canadian Hydrology Sympo-siuml9-11 May 1988, Banff, Alta.

I

Steppuh'n, H.; Black, A.L.; Aase, J.K.;McChnkey, B.; Nicholaichuk, W. 1987.Gras~ shelterbelts for the Great Plains andthe Canadian Prairies. Proceedings Natio-nal Symposium on Conservation Systems:Optimum Erosion Control at Least Cost.Am. Soc.Agric. Eng. Publ. 08-87:363-373.

IStumborg, M.A.;Craig, W. 1988. Chaff collec-tion and processing options. No. 88-409 inProc~edings Joint Meeting, Canadian Socie-ty o~Agriculture Engineers-AgriculturalInsti~ute ofCanada 21-24 August 1988.

Zentner~ R.P.; Campbell, C.A.; Johnson, P.J.;Bacon, G. Assessing the risks of recropping.Canidex, Production costs, Wheat, 821.112,Octorer.

Zentner" R.P.; Campbell, C.A.; Selles, F.;McConkey, B.; Nicholaichuk, W.; Beaton,J.D. I 1988. Snow trapping and nitrogenmankgement for zero-tilled spring wheat inS.W; Saskatchewan. Pages 159-163 inProJeedings Great Plains Soil FertilityWorkshop, March 1988, Denver, Colo.


Research Station, Beaverlodge, Alberta

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.D. McElgunn, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.V. KerrVacantL.S. Christiansen, B.Sc., M.L.S.

Cereal and Oilseed CropsR.I. Wolfe, B.S.A., M.Div., Ph.D.D.L. Woods, P.Pharm., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Environment and SoilsW.A. Rice, 8.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.A. Arshad, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.L. Darwent, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.G.N. Davidson, B.S.F., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.S. McKenzie,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.F. Mills, B.A.Y.K. Soon, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Forage Crops and ApicultureD.L. Nelson, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.T. Fairey, 8.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.N.A. Fairey, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.VacantT.P. Liu,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.T.I. Szabo, C.M., B.A.E., M.Sc., Ph.D.

DirectorActing Administrative OfficerComputer Systems ManagerLibrarian

Head of Section; Cereal breedingRapeseed breeding

Head of Section; MicrobiologySoil physicsWeed controlPlant pathologyPlant survivalMicrometeorologySoil chemistry

Head of Section; ApicultureLegume seed physiologyForage productionGrass seed managementApiculture pathologyApiculture

Experimental Farm, Fort Vermilion, Alta.B. Siemens, B.S.A., M.Sc.G.W. Clayton, B.S.A., M.Sc.

DeparturesW.H. Marshall

Transferred 28 February 1988W.A.Conrad

Transferred 1April 1988

Research Station, Beaverlodge, Alta.

Superintendent; Forage cropsCrop production

Administrator

Computer Systems Manager

343

VISITING SCIENTIST

v. Thananusont, B.Sc., M.Sc.Biological Nitrogen FixationResearch CentreDepartment of AgricultureBangkok, Thailand

Rhizobium ecologyI

1 On secondment to Ottewa beginning February 1987.2 On transfer of work to Davis, Calif., December 1988 to December 1989.

I


INTRODUCTION

The Beaverlodge Research Station and the Fort Vermilion Experimental Farm make up theNorthern Research Group, which has responsibility for research and technology transfer onagriculture in the northern half of Alberta and British Columbia (the Peace River Region), inaddition to undertaking limited work in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The land resourceencompasses over 2.2 million ha of cultivated land, and the region has an agriculture land resourcefor development for an additional 7 ha. The research is targeted to adapting crops and croppingmanagement to the environment and to soils of a northern climate lying largely north of latitude53°N. About 20% of the soils a,re acidic (below pH 6.0). Growing periods are 70-134 days(base -2.2°C). In part, the short growing season is compensated for by extremely long days duringMay, June, July, and August, with 2121 yearly hours of bright sunshine. The predominant cropsare barley, canola, wheat, forage grasses, and legumes for seed and honey.

The staff of 50 consists of 14 researchers who work under 10 Research Branch projects. Weconduct breeding in barley, canola, wheat, and honey bees. Forage research is conducted onherbage production and in seed production oflegumes and grasses, the former using leafcutting andhoney bees for pollination. We conduct research in a wide variety of areas including bees and theirmanagement and diseases, soil physics, chemistry, nitrogen fixation, weeds, plant pathology, andclimate.

In addition to our federal resources we have partners such as Farming for the Future, AlbertaResearch Council, and Western Grains Research Foundation, which contribute funds for research.Other clients, ranging from individual producers to commodity groups and agribusiness, contributeto our research in various ways. The newly formed Beaverlodge Research Station AdvisoryCommittee is an example of the contribution that our partners in the provinces, universities, andfarming enterprises make to improve our research. Our work is targeted to developing technologyfor the future. Long-term research is our mandate.

During 1988 the border closure to importation of honey bees from the United States because ofthe Varroa mite created problems for our honey producers, yet colony numbers and honeyproduction at year end were near normal. Crop production was generally good to excellent, and adry fall contributed to a good harvest of a high-quality product.

During 1988 Dr. Liu continued his transfer ofwork at the University of California, at Davis, towork on honey bee pathology including tracheal and Varroa mites. Students at Fairview Collegestudying forage technology and apiculture spent several months of on-the-job training as futuretechnicians with the station. Numerous scientific visitors from Canada, the United States,Thailand, and Japan were hosted by the scientists.

The brief reports that follow give results of research in 1988. Detailed information can beobtained from the publications listed in the report or by correspondence with individual researchscientists or the station director. The addresses are Research Station, Research Branch,Agriculture Canada, Box 29, Beaverlodge, Alta. TOHOCO,Tel. (403) 354-2212; and ExperimentalFarm, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Fort Vermilion, Alta. TOH1NO,Tel. (403) 927-3253.

J.D. McElgunnDirector

APICULTURE

Breeding

Closed-population comparison of selectedand control strains. The offspring of 10 queenhoney bees were divided and kept in northernand southern Alberta; in each location, selectedand control groups were established. A newgeneration of queens was reared each year,


representing all 10 queen families in each ofthe four groups. The primary selection cri.terion was short-term gain for the colony at thebeginning ofnectar flow. The new queens weremated in four geographically isolated locationswith drones from their 10 colonies. Sixteencolony traits were recorded for the test colonies.

Twelve traits differed between control andselected groups of the combined north andsouth apiaries. These traits included fall

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colony weight, winter food consumption,number of Nosema spores per bee in the fall,colony population in May, capped worker anddrone-brood area, colony population in June,brood viability, propolizing, pollen collection,disease resistance, and short-term gain. Whendata for the northern location were analyzedseparately, a significant response to selectionwas noted for an additional colony trait, totalhoney yield, for which there was a 25.6% in-crease in productivity over the control colonies.Fourteen traits differed between the northernand southern groups. Differences betweenselected and control groups are attributed toselection, and between the northern and south-ern groups to their respective environments.

ManagementColony gains in Alberta. In Alberta, honey

bee colony weights were recorded at Beaver-lodge, 1977-1985; Falher, 1979-1983; Brooks,1979-1980; Scandia, 1982-1983; and SpruceGrove, 1982-1983. Colonies were providedwith a constant supply of 10-30 combs forhoney storage during the summer nectar flow.The peak period for colony gains was the latterpart of July and the beginning of August.Great fluctuations in gains occurred betweenand within seasons. As much as 12%of the netproduction for the entire season occurred in asingle day, 28% in 3 days, 53% in 7 days, 86% in14 days, and more than 100% in 21 days. Dur-ing the nectar flow, the continuous provision ofample empty combs was concluded to be essen-tial for maximum production, probably notonly in Alberta but also in other areas of theworld where nectar flows are intense and ofshort duration.

Evaluation of nuclei. Nuclei may becomethe mainstay of modern beekeeping for main-taining or increasing colony numbers and foroverwintering queens. Six-frame nuclei wereprepared in late July and wintered indoors.There was 15% mortality during the winterand another 3% that were eliminated in thespring as queenless or too weak for productionof colonies. When the nuclei were moved out-doors, at least three frames and adhering beeswere placed in a standard-sized brood chamberthat had been prepared with honey and pollenframes. Twenty nuclei were evaluated forspring buildup and production. Average sealedbrood was 3132 cm2 and 4653 cm2 on 5 Juneand 7 July, respectively. Mean honey produc-tion was 65.9 :t 8.0 kg. Two colonies becamequeenless during the season.

346

Pathologyi

Nosema infection of overwintering colonies.Winter survival of 194 honey bee (Apis melli-fera) colonies was not affected adversely byNosema disease. The number ofNosema sporesper bee after medication in the fall and in thespring d~creased logarithmically with anincrease ih the amount offumagillin fed in therange of 2,00-800 mg (r = -0.381 and -0.323for fall and spring, respectively;P < 0.01). Theaverage number of spores (in millions per bee)for the st!rviving colonies in the spring was10.15 :t 1.47,4.93 :t 0.81, 2.76 :t 0.59, and3.20 :t 1.59; and for the dead colonies, 16.02 :t2.65,6.48' :t 2.65,7.32 :t 7.32, and 0, with fallfeedings of 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg offumagilli? per colony, respectively.

Nosema control with thimerosal in vitro. Adrastic ultrastructural change occurred in thesporont ahd sporoblast of Nosema apis, withinthe midgut of honey bees that were treatedwith thi~erosal for 24 h. In both the sporontand the sporoblast, a disintegration of nucleiwas observed. The cytoplasm was electron-lucent ana ribosomes appeared to be reduced innumber. These changes indicated that thedeath of~he parasite took place long before theexperiment was terminated. The drug isperhaps 4irectly toxic to the Nosema parasites.

iEffects of itraconazole on chalk brood. The

young sRorocysts had a wrinkled sporocystwall, numerous papillae on the wall surface,and the wall was granular and porous. In theitraconazole-treated culture, the walls of theyoung s~orocysts were also wrinkled, but thecharacteristic papillae were replaced by largerlumps t~at were densely packed and thatcoated the entire surface of the sporocyst wall.The mat\1re sporocysts' walls were smooth andpossessed numerous papillae. In theitraconazole-treated culture, the walls ofmature isporocysts were also smooth butpossessetl densely packed larger lumps insteadof papillae. At higher magnification, each ofthe lumbs was found to consist of numerousglobules: No pores were observed because theywere in the normal sporocyst wall.

iMorp,hology of tarsal sensilla in Varroa

jacobso~i. The group of hair at the distal endand dorsal surface of the tarsus consisted ofsensillae of varying size and shape. In thecentre of this hair group was a pit containing aminute 40me-like protrusion, centrally locatedat the bottom. On the rim of this pit were

I


small, fine, and different-shaped pegs measur-ing 3-4 p.min height. The pit was surroundedby six sensillae, two of which were slender,curved, round-tipped, and porous; three of theremaining four were stout, and one had apointed tip. All pegs and six sensillae werestained with crystal violet, and pores werevisible on the walls of the two slender andcurved sensillae. Surrounding these smallsensillae were 12-16 large hairs measuring12-79 p.min height. Two to three of the largehairs were slender, curved, and round-tipped.They were also stained with crystal violet.Seven to eight stout, straight hairs measured16-32 p.m in height and were stained withcrystal violet only at the tip. Three to four ofthe longest hairs measured 68-79 p.min heightand were not stained with crystal violet.

Queens

Evaluation of instrumentally inseminatedqueens. Instrumentally inseminated (II)queens were evaluated for their performancewhen substituted for naturally mated (NM)queens in 1-kg packages shipped to Beaver-lodge, Alta. II queens were inseminated oncewith 8 mm3 of semen. The NM queens weresignificantly heavier (P < 0.05) than theII queens (190 mg versus 174 mg) on 30 Aprilbut were not different on 23 July. Sealed broodarea ofNM queen colonies was 8%greater thanthat of II-queen colonies on 20 May but notsignificantly different on 16 June and 18 July.Honey production was not significantly differ-ent; II queen colonies averaged 81 kg and NMqueen colonies 70 kg.

Spermatozoa of queens from 0 to 3 yearsold. Queen honey bees (Apis mellifera) werereared under optimal conditions between 1982and 1985. Mean weight ofqueens at emergencewas 213 :t 2.02 mg. At initiation ofoviposition(designated 0 years) and after 1,2, or 3 years inhoney-producing colonies, mean numbers ofspermatozoa in the spermathecae were 9.77 :t0.79,7.63 :t 0.85,5.57 :t 0.64, and 2.08 :t 0.62million, respectively; numbers declinedlogarithmically with age of the queen. Annualrequeening of colonies may be unnecessary, ifefforts are made to produce queens of thehighest quality.

Queen weight and initiation of oviposition.The onset of oviposition of 1396 queens rearedin 2 years in the Peace River region of Albertaranged from 4 to 22 days after emergence, with


a mean of10.6 :t 0.1 days. There was evidenceto suggest that some queens may start to layeggs within 24 h after mating. No consistentcorrelation was found between queen weight atemergence and the onset of oviposition. Meanweight of queens was 211.2 :t 0.7 mg (range160-266 mg) in 1981 and 222.6 :t 0.06 mg(range 173-273 mg) in 1982. There was a closeassociation between maximum daily temper-ature and time of oviposition. A large numberofqueens mated at temperatures below 25°C.

Short-term storage and queen weight. Ineach of 2 years, imported queens from Cali-fornia were maintained in one of three storagemethods: a four-frame queenless nucleus hive(NH); a strong two-chamber queenless queenbank (QB); or a temperature controlled incu-bator (I). In the first 17-19 days NH queenswere laying and gained an average of 59 mg in1984 and 92 mg in 1985. The QB queens lost1 mg in 1984 and gained 10 mg in 1985,whereas the I queens lost 27 mg in 1984 and11mg in 1985. After they were switched todifferent treatments (Le.,NH to QB,QB to NH,and I to NH), queens in the NH-QB treatmentlost 55 and 58 mg, queens in the QB-NHtreatment gained 30 and 54 mg, and queens inthe I-NH treatment gained 53 and 66 mg in1984 and 1985, respectively. It took 10-14 daysfor QB and I queens to gain substantial weightafter placement in NH. It is thereforeimportant that any storage technique maintainqueens in a laying condition to minimize delaysin colony development.

CEREALSBarley

The most advanced line in the Beaverlodgebarley breeding program, BT663, receivedsupport for registration. It performed well inthe 12 Peace River sites ofthe Alberta RegionalRecommendation Trials in 1988. It is anearly-maturing six-row feed barley, 1-2 dayslater than the early-maturing cultivar J ack-son. It has excellent resistance to barley leafscald. This line will be the earliest maturingCanadian barley carrying effective resistanceto locally common biotypes ofbarley leaf scald.One-half tonne of breeder seed is available atthe Indian Head Experimental Farm for the1989 increase.

347

FORAGES

Shelter materials for leafcutting bees. Threematerials (Loretex III, Monarflex Ultra, andDura Film polyethylene), each with differenttextures (clear to coated), thickness (0.152 to0.250 mm), and light transmittance (91-78%)were compared as covering materials for leaf-cutting bee shelters under growing conditionsin forage-seed-producing areas in northwesternCanada. Tests at two locations at latitude55°12' Nand 58°23' N, over 5 consecutive years,indicated that all three materials were similarin performance. No differences were observedin the sex ratio of the leafcutting bees or intheir production of viable cells.

Pollination of red clover. The use of theleafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fabri-cius), as a pollinator of diploid red clover,Trifolium pratense L., was investigated in thePeace River region of northern Alberta over a5-year period, 1983-1987 inclusive. Averageseed yield with the use of this pollinator was410 kg/ha as compared with 291 kg/ha for thecontrol where the leafcutting bee was not used.Furthermore, in 4 of the 5 years of study,provision of leafcutting bees was associatedwith higher seed production. Reproduction ofleafcutting bees pollinating red clover wascomparable to that obtained on alfalfa. Foreach crop, about 96%of the cells produced wereviable. Also, about 32% of these cells werefemales, i.e., a 2:1 ratio of males to females. Itshould be noted, however, that the ratio of cellincrease was generally lower in bees polli-nating red clover than in those pollinatingalfalfa, but that the lowest increase obtainedwas 1.5, i.e., there was no bee loss, only aminimum gain of 50%. The results of thepresent study indicate that management of theleafcutting bee as a pollinator of red clovermerits further investigation.

Herbage production from grass-legumestands. Herbage from stands that consist ofalternating, solid-seeded strips of pure grassand pure legume (40, 60, or 80 em in width).grown under various N fertilizer treatments,was compared with that from a conventionalmixture for yield, quality. and botanicalcomposition. The component species weresmooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.)and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The Nfertilizer treatments were as follows: No, no Napplied; Ng1, N applied uniformly at a rate of150 kg/ha to the grass and legume components;

348

Ng, N applied at an average rate of 150 kg/habut distributed only over plot areas seededoriginally to the grass component. Dry-matter(DM) yield of grass declined progressively asstrip width increased with No and Ng1 butremained constant for the three strip-culturestands with Ng• Digestibility of DM was 69.7,69.9, and 70.8% for the 40, 60. and 80 emstrip-culture stands. respectively, comparedwith 69.0% for the conventional mixture.Legume content (DMbasis) ranged from 73 to80%, 5'0 to 53%, and 41 to 42% for thestrip-culture stands with No, Ng1, and Ng,

respectively, compared with 66 and 39%for theconventional mixture with No and N gl>

respectively. Strip-culture stands have somepotential for manipulating the grass-to-legumebalance of herbage. They may provide apractical way to overcome the long-recognizeddifficulty of supplying optimal N fertilizer tograss plants in grass-legume associations,without relinquishing the N-fixing contri-bution <lfthe legume plants.

Weed control. 2,4-D with active ingredient(a.i.) at 0.5 and 1.0 kg/ha was applied to brome-grass Bromus inermis Leyss. in September ofthe year of seeding or in the following spring ateach oftwo crop stages: before stem elongationand at the shotblade stage. Seed yields 1 yearafter seeding were not significantly reduced byany of the herbicide treatments applied inSeptember or by any of the 2,4-D treatmentsappliedbefore stem elongation. However, seedyields averaged across the 3 years of the studywere significantly reduced by applications of2,4-D with a.i. at 1.0 kg/ha at the shotbladestage and by all spring applications ofdicamba.except the rate of 0.15 kg/ha applied beforestem elongation. Weight per 100 seeds andpercentage of germination were not affected byany of the herbicide treatments.

I

ENVIRONMENT AND SOILS

Long-term effects of some cropping systemson a Gray Luvisol. In 1968 a study wasinitiated comparing four cropping systems on aGray Luvisol soil. Cropping systems includedcontinuous barley, continuous bromegrass(hay), continuous legume (red clover hay), anda 6-year rotation of barley-barley-barley and3 years of bromegrass-red-clover mixture(hay). The results 20 years after its initiation:yields of barley following the mixed forage


were higher than continuous barley; and soilaggregates were more stable in the barley-forage rotation than continuous barley crop-ping. However, of all cropping systems, con-tinuous bromegrass most increased the organiccarbon content of the soil and the aggregatestability. There was no apparent effect ofcropping system on soil pH, although therehave been reports in the literature of acidi-fication under legume cropping. Althoughnitrate in the soil profile tended to be higherunder continuous legume than under othercropping systems, this finding was not reflectedin total soil N analysis. The highest waterinfiltration rates were measured for soil undercontinuous grass treatment.

Conservation tillage. In a 4-yearstudy,wheat grown under zero tillage yielded1900 kglha compared with 1930 kglha underminimum tillage and 1840 kglha under con-ventional tillage methods on a Leith soil.Yields were comparable between zero, mini-mum, and conventional tillage on the Davissoil. However, yield of wheat increasedsignificantly under zero tillage (1660 kg/ha)compared with minimum tillage (1450 kglha)and conventional tillage (1280 kg/ha) on aBoyer soil. Seeding with a hoe drill produced awheat yield of 1880 kglha averaged over alllocations and years, which was significantlyhigher than the wheat yield of 1530 kglhaproduced with the double disc drill.

Survey of trace elements in typical north-western Alberta soils. There are few dataavailable on the concentrations of extractabletrace elements, including micronutrients suchas boron and copper and toxic elements such ascadmium and lead, in typical soils ofnorthwestern Alberta. The data generated inthe present study are useful in at least twoaspects: they provide a reference for evaluat-ing soils in the region and a basis for thedevelopment of further soil micronutrientresearch; and they provide a background database for evaluating soil pollution with metalssuch as cadmium and lead. The study is acollaboration between Agriculture Canada, theAlberta Research Council, and AlbertaEnvironment. Fifty-two agricultural topsoiland 11 subsoil samples were extracted withDTPA, EDTA, water, and dilute HCI for tracemetals. Boron was determined in mannitol-CaCl2 extracts. Soil texture was found to be asuitable criterion for grouping soils in thisregion on the basis of their trace element


status. Fine-textured soils were higher in siltand organic matter content than medium-textured soils (Le. texture as coarse as orcoarser than sandy clay). Fine-textured soilshave higher concentrations of extractableboron, copper, zinc, cadmium, nickel, and leadthan medium-textured soils. Trace elementconcentrations were well correlated with soilorganic matter and generally better correlatedwith silt than with clay content. This surveyindicates that of the micronutrients studied,boron is the one more likely to be deficientunder certain cropping conditions, e.g., crop-ping a canola on a coarse-textured GrayLuvisol.

Types of soil crusting. Three morphologicaltypes of surface crusts were identified, includ-ing lamellar, sedimentational, and disrup-tional. Lamellar crusts were typical of soilshigh in clay and exchangeable Na and Mg.Sedimentational crusts were found in areasthat were subject to large amounts of surfacerunoff and subsequent sedimentation of sus-pended materials. Disruptional crusts wereformed by direct raindrop detachment of soilaggregates, subsequent disruption of aggre-gates, and a reduction of volume within thecrust. Disruptional crust was the most commoncrust formed in the silty soils ofthe Peace Riverregion. One characteristic, very common to allcrust types, was the presence of layers 2-5 11mthick, within the immediate surface, thatcaused the complete sealing of the soil surface.The moisture content of the immediate surfacelayer determines the strength of the crust.Hence, water management and mulching arecrucial for crust-prone soils.

Studies of organic matter in whole mineralsoils by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)spectroscopy. Various preparation techniquesfor recording solid state lSC NMR spectra ofwhole mineral soils were studied. Removal ofparamagnetic mineral by a high-gradientmagnetic separator improved the quality oflsCNMR spectra ofwhole soil. Soil rich in organicmatter and particle size fractions separated bya flotation technique also producedwell-defined spectra. The C-to-Fe ratio appearsto be an important indicator for obtainingsatisfactory lSCNMRspectra ofwhole soils andfractions separated from them. If the C-to-Feratio is > > I, the quality of the spectrum willbe good; if the ratio is > I, a reasonablespectrum will be obtained, but if the ratio is< I, the spectrum will be poor.

349

Rhizobium strain identification and quanti-fication. Analysis ofcommercial legume inocu-lants is carried out by Agriculture Canada aspart of a regulatory program designed tomaintain high quality in inoculants availableto Canadian farmers. The inoculant analysishas been performed by growing the inoculantsin plants, which requires 4 weeks to performand is incapable of distinguishing betweenstrains within a Rhizobium species. Theadvent of selected individual strains into thecommercial market has created a need forrapid analysis at the strain level.

An immunoblot procedure for the strain-specific quantitative analysis of commercialRhizobium inoculants was developed. Theimmunoblot procedure is rapid, strain-specific,and reliable. It requires only 4 days to com-plete, compared with 4 weeks for the nodulegrow-out method of inoculant analysis. Thegrow-out test does not determine strainidentity, whereas the membrane immunoassaychecks strain identity of all colonies on a plate.Some commercial legume inoculants containedas many contaminants as Rhizobia. Never-theless, it was possible to analyze contami-nated products for R. meliloti NRG 185 andBalsac. Correlation between immunoblotanalysis and traditional plant bioassay tech-niques was r = 0.90 for 16 commercial alfalfainoculants tested.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Arshad, M.A.; Ripmeester, J.A.; Schnitzer, M.1988. Attempts to improve solid state 13CNMR spectra ofwhole mineral soils. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:593-602.

Arshad, M.A.; Schnitzer, M.; Preston, C.M.1988. Characterization of humic acids fromtermite mounds and surrounding soils,Kenya. Geoderma 42:213-225.

Darwent, A.L.; Smith, J.H. 1988. Effects of2,4-D and dicamba time of application onbromegrass seed production. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:811-815.

Fairey, D.T.;Letkovitch, L.P.; Lieverse, J.A.C.;Siemens, B. 1988. Materials for leafcuttingbee (Megachile rotundata Fab.) shelters innorth west Canada. J. Appl. Entomol.106:119-122.

350

Liu, T.P. 1988. Effects of itraconazole on thesporocysts wall of the entomopathogenicfungi Ascosphaera apis as revealed by thescanning electron microscope. Mycopatho-logia 103:75-80.

Liu, T.P. 1988. The morphology of the tarsalsensilla in the female mite Varma jacob-soni. Pan-Pacific Entomol. 64:261-265.

Liu, T.P. 1988. Ultrastructural changes inNosema apis in the midgut of the honey beetreated with thimerosal in vitro. Parasitol.Res. 74:492-494.

Nelson, D.L., 1987. The effect of short-termstorage methods on the weight of queenhoneybees. J. Apic. Res. 26(4):240-242.

Olsen, P.E; Rice,W.A. 1989. Rhizobium strainidentification and quantification in com-mer~ial inoculants by immunoblot analysis.App~.Environ. Microbiol. 55:520-522.

Peschken, D.P.; Darwent, A.L. 1988. Effect ofnarr<ow-Ieavedhawk's-beard (Crepis tecto-rum L.) on yield and quality of alfalfa hayand seed yield of creeping red fescue. WeedRes. 28:207-213.

Rakow,.G.;Woods,D.L. 1986. Outcrossing inrape and mustard under Saskatchewanprairie conditions. Can. J. Plant Sci.67:1~7-151.

Rice, W.A.;Olsen, P.E. 1988. Dinitrogen fixa-tion in soil and alfalfa nodules in thepree!ence of nitrification inhibitors. SoilBioEBiochem. 21:245-249.

Rice, W.A.; Olsen, P.E. 1988. Root-tempera-tur~ effects on competition for noduleoccupancy between two Rhizobium melilotistrains. BioI.Fertil. Soils 6:137-140.

Rice, vi.A.; Olsen, P.E. 1988. Soil inoculantsfor alfalfa grown on moderately acid soil.Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 19:947-956.

Soon,Y.K. 1988. A rapid method for cation ex-change capacity estimation of mineral soilsusing methylene blue adsorption. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:165-169.

Soon, Y.K. 1988. Interactions between cal-cium amendments and phosphate on theresponse of alfalfa and barley growing onacid soils. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal.19:1343-1353.

Soon, Y.K. 1988. Nutrient uptake by barleyroots under field conditions. Plant Soil109:171-179.


Soon, Y.K. 1988. Root distribution of andwater uptake by field grown barley in aBlack Solod. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:425-432.

Szabo, T.I.; Heikel, D.T. 1987. Effect offuma-gillin treatment on Nosema infection, survi-val and populations of overwintering honey-bee colonies. J. Apic. Res. 26(3):186-190.

Szabo, T.I.; Heikel, D.T. 1987. Numbers ofspermatozoa in spermathecae of queensaged 0 to 3 years reared in Beaverlodge,Alberta. J. Apic. Res. 26(2):79-82.

Szabo, T.I.; Heikel, D.T. 1987. Patterns ofhoneybee colony gain in Alberta, Canada.J. Apic. Res. 26(1):47-52.

Szabo, T.!.; Lefkovitch, L.P. 1987. Fourthgeneration of closed-population honeybeebreeding. 1. Comparison of selected andcontrol strains. J. Apic. Res. 26(3):170-180.

Szabo, T.!.; Mills, P.F.; Heikel, D.T. 1987.Effect of honeybee queen weight and airtemperature on initiation of oviposition. J.Apic. Res. 26(2):73-78.

Therrien, M.C.; Irvine, R.B.; Campbell, K.W.;Wolfe, R.!. 1988. Registration of'Virden'barley. Crop Science 28:374.

Therrien, M.C.; Irvine, RB.; Campbell, K.W.;Wolfe, R!. 1988. Virden barley. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68.1111-1113.

Wolfe, R.I.; Irvine, R.B.; Campbell, K.W. 1988.Leduc barley. Can. J. Plant Sci.68.221-223.

Miscellaneous

Choo, T.M.; Connolly, B.J.; Langille, J.E.;Drapeau, R.; Coulman, B.; Walton, R.;Bubar, J.S.; Goguen, 8.; Madill, J.; Proulx,J.G.; Fairey, D.T. 1987. Marino red clover.Forage Notes 31:64-65.

Darwent, A.L.; Smith, J.H.; Drabble, J.C.1988. Experiments in the control of weedsin grass seed crops, 1971-1988. Agric. Can.North. Res. Group Publ. 88-01. 48 pp.

Davidson, J.G.N. 1988. Checklist of trees andshrubs in the landscaped areas at theBeaverlodge Research Station, AgricultureCanada, with map. Agric. Can. North. Res.Group Publ. 88-12. 5 pp.


Davidson,J.G.N. 1988. Diebacks and cankerscan destroy your orchard. Agric. Can.North. Res. Group Publ. 88-05. 6 pp.

Davidson, J.G.N. 1988. Grassing down yoursaskatoon orchard. Agric. Can. North. Res.Group Publ. 88-10. 3 pp.

Davidson, J.G.N. 1988. Saskatoon berry ble-mishes cause loss of grade and profit. Agric.Can. North. Res. Group Publ. 88-14. 3 pp.

Fairey, D.T. 1988. Research update on forageseed production. Pages 14-16 in Fairey,D.T., ed. Alfalfa seed production in thePeace River region: Update 1988. JointPubl. 88-2, Peace River Branch, AlbertaAlfalfa Seed Producers' Association andFairview College, Alberta.

Fairey, D.T. 1988. Seed production of some for-age crops grown in Canada in 1987. Pages4-8 in Fairey, D.T., ed. Alfalfa seedproduction in the Peace River region:Update 1988. Joint Publ. 88-2, Peace RiverBranch, Alberta Alfalfa Seed Producers'Association and Fairview College, Alberta.

Fairey, D.T.; Lieverse, J.A.C. 1988. Quality ofleafcutting bee cells produced in the PeaceRiver region: 1987-88 survey. Publ. 88-1Peace River Branch, Alberta Alfalfa SeedProducers' Association.

Howe, G.M. 1988. Forage cultivar trials.1988. Agric. Can. North. Res. Group Publ.88-13. 40 pp.

McKenna, D.; Nelson, D.L. 1988. Preparationand evaluation of six-frame nuclei winteredindoors. Agric. Can. North. Res. GroupPubl. 88-02.

Nelson, D.L. 1988. Trapping pollen fromhoney bee colonies. Agric. Can. North. Res.Group Publ. 88-02.

Nelson, D.L.; Laidlaw, H.H. 1988. An evalu-ation of instrumentally inseminated queensshipped in packages. Am. Bee J.128(4):279-280.

Nelson, D.L.; Sheehan, L.R 1988. A simplemethod of weighing honey bee queens. Am.Bee J. 128(7):492-493.

Szabo, T.!. 1988. Sri Lanka: The bee paradise.Am. Bee J. 128(6):405-409.

351

Research Station, Lacombe, Alberta

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

D.E. Waldern, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.D.D.Jones

Red Meats and Beef ProductionS.D. Morgan Jones, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.G. Greer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.E. Jeremiah, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.A.C. Murray, B.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Newman, B.Sc., Dip.An.Gen., Ph.D.A.P. Sather, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.L. Schaefer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

A.K.W. Tong, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Plant and Soil ScienceL.J. Piening, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.V.S. Baron, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.K.N. Harker, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S. Kibite, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.S. Malhi, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.S. Taylor, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Scientific SupportL.R.FobertJ.E. McIsaac, B.A., M.L.S.


Head of Section; Meat scienceMeat microbiologyFood technologyMeat biochemistryBeef cattle productionSwine production and managementPhysiology of meat animal growth andbehaviorBeef cattle evaluation and statistics

Head of Section; Cereal pathologyForage physiologyWeed physiologyBarley, oat, wheat breedingSoil chemistryCrop physiology

Systems and programming managerLibrarian-Information Officer

Soils and Crops Substation, VegrevilleD.W. McAndrew, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Officer in Charge; Soil fertility and

managementJ.R. Pearen,l B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc. Forage physiology and management

DeparturesL.G. Wetter, B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc.Resigned 17 September 1988

D.LamkinTransferred 21 September 1988to Corporate Management Branch,Moncton, N.B.

Research Station, Lacombe, Alta.

Soil conservation, tillage cropping systems

Computer programming

353

VISITING SCIENTISTS

J .L. Aalhus, B.Sc., Ph.D.National Research Council of

Canada visiting fellowC. Gariepy, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.National Research Council of

Canada visiting fellow

1 On educational leave effective 19 August 1986.

354

Animal growth development

Meat sciehce,


INTRODUCTION

The Lacombe Research Station and the Soils and Crops Substation at Vegreville are responsiblefor regional agricultural research in the central Alberta parklands. Specifically, programs includesoil reclamation and development of cropping practices for Solonetzic soils of east-central Alberta;breeding new, high-yielding, disease-resistant oat and hard red spring wheat (replacement forPark) cultivars for domestic use and for export; and developing soil fertility, soil management,weed control, and cropping systems for barley, oat, and canola production in the parklands. Thestation has regional responsibility for production and disease research of perennial forage crops;development and evaluation of hay management systems that will improve the quality of storedforages; and development ofmanagement systems and evaluation of new forage species and plantgrowth regulators to extend the pasture season, all ofwhich will be used by beef and dairy farmersto optimize milk and beef production per hectare. The mandate of the Lacombe Research Stationalso includes research responsibility for regional and national programs in red meats, withintegrated supporting programs in pork and beef production that include developing andevaluating various muscle types of meat animals; assessing the effect of nutrition, management,and environmental stress on growth, performance, and subsequent carcass quality; and conductingresearch to support technical aspects of the beef cattle and swine record of performance (ROP)testing programs. The red meats research includes developing and evaluating new procedures andtechniques for improving the effectiveness ofnational departmental beef and swine carcass gradingprograms. The research also involves work on the physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensoryaspects of beef and pork quality in relation to preslaughter and postslaughter environmentalconditions, processing systems, and carcass management, both at the meat-packing plant and atthe retailer level, and with consideration given to cooking quality and other factors related toconsumer acceptance of the final product.

This report summarizes the highlights of research completed in 1988. Further information onany of these research activities, reprints of publications listed in this report, and copies of previousreports may be obtained from the Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Bag5000, Lacombe, Alta. TOCISO;Tel. (403) 782-3316.

D.E. WaldernDirector

RED MEATS AND BEEFPRODUCTION

Beef production

Postweaning gain and efficiency of cross-bred calves from Charolais, Simmental, andLimousin sires mated to Hereford, Angus, andShorthorn dams. Research conducted at theLacombe and Brandon research stations hasprovided several comparisons offeedlot growthand efficiency involving calves sired by Charo-lais, Simmental, or Limousin bulls and born toHereford, Angus, or Shorthorn dams. Breedcomparisons have been made using data deriv-ed over a period of 4 years from bull, steer, andheifer calves born in 48 beef herds in the Cana-dian prairie provinces. The calves were rearedon pasture with their dams. Following wean-ing, half the male calves were castrated, andthe bull and steer calves were placed


on a high-energy feeding program to gain1.0-1.7 kg/day. Heifer calves were fed a lowerenergy rearing diet.

Charolais-sired steers gained an average of14.0 kg more liveweight than Limousin-siredsteers from comparable dams in a 112-day testperiod (125 g/day). Simmental-sired bulls andsteers exceeded Limousin-sired bulls andsteers from comparable dams by an average of9.6 kg (86 g/day). There were, however, no cor-responding differences in feed conversion ratio.Limousin-sired heifer calves also tended toachieve lower rates of growth than those siredby the other two breeds, but the effect wasmuch less apparent than for male calves, possi-bly because the heifer calves were on a lowerenergy diet. The growth rates of calves fromHereford, Angus, and Shorthorn dams did notdiffer in a consistent manner in this 112-daytest.

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The effects of fasting and transportation onbeef cattle: body component changes, carcasscomposition, and meat quality. Fifty Herefordcattle (30 steers, 20 heifers) that had been fed acereal and silage diet ad libitum were assignedto three treatments on the basis of liveweightwithin sex. Treatment 1 animals were notmixed with unfamiliar animals, were fasted for24 h, and were slaughtered. Treatment2 animals were initially fasted for 24 h, mixed,transported for 320 km, and held in lairageuntil total time off feed reached 48 h.Treatment 3 animals were fasted for 24 h,mixed, transported for 320 km on 2 consecutivedays, and held in lairage until total time offfeed reached 72 h. All animals had access towater up to the time of slaughter except duringtransportation. Liveweight was recorded atthe start of the trial, on return from trans-portation, and immediately before slaughter.Liveweight shrinkage amounted to 17, 45, and53 glkg for treatments 1,2, and 3 respectively.The primary components involved in this lossfor treatment 2 and 3 animals were warmcarcass weight (10 and 15 glkg), gutfill (10 and15 glkg), and body fat depots (0.3 and 8 glkg).Body organs, including the liver, showed onlyminor proportional changes with longerfasting. The proportion of lean and fat in theloin and hip of carcasses was similar for alltreatments. Treatment had no effect on musclepH (45 min and 24 h), expressible juice, musclefat content, or weight losses of steaks duringretail display. Meat color for both the loin eyemuscle at 24 h and for retail steaks wassignificantly darker in treatments 2 and 3compared with treatment I, but the changewas not of sufficient magnitude to result indark, firm, and dry meat. The main effect offasting and transportation in beef cattle wasconcluded to be a loss in carcass weight andgutfill.

Carcass grading

The effect of genotype on predicted lean yieldin heavy pig carcasses using the HennessyGrading Probe and the Destron PG-IOOelectronic grading probe. The backgroundwork used to develop an electronic hog carcassgrading system was based on commercialcarcasses largely composed of the white breeds(Yorkshire, Landrace) and their crosses, butdid not consider the extent of bias in predictedlean yield, which might be attributed to differ.ences among conformation and muscularity inother breed types, or the application to the

356

prediction oflean yield in heavy (>80 kg) porkcarcasses. This study was conducted toexamine' the appropriateness of existingequation~ to predict lean yield from probemeasurements on heavy carcasses. The studyalso exJmined the extent to which thepredictiort of lean yield is influenced by thegenotypes and the body conformation of thepig. Carcasses from four genotypes (LAC,Lacombe; HSL, a Lacombe-based, halothane.positive line; XBD, a LAC X HSL F1 cross; andYRK, Yorkshire. These four genotypes rangedfrom 73 to 104 kg and were evaluated by twoelectro nib grade probes, Hennessy GradingProbe (HOP) and Destron PG-I00 (DGP). Thegenotypes were then physically separated intolean, fat, and bone according to the AgricultureCanada Livestock and Poultry ProductionDivision fork Carcass Cutability SpecificationGuide. i

As pigs became heavier, their dressingpercentage increased, but the lean yield oftheir carcass decreased. Furthermore, the HSLline had 4% greater dressing percentage and4.5% greater lean yield than did Lacombe pigs,which did not carry the halothane gene.Progeny from the cross of these two lines (Le.,halothan~ carrier pigs) were intermediate totheir parental lines, as expected from ourunderstJnding of the inheritance of thehalothane gene. The Yorkshire pigs also had agreater dressing percentage and lean yieldcompared with that of the Lacombe pigs but notas high as in the HSL pigs.

The ayerage predicted lean yield was 0.2%higher fo~ the HGP than for the DGP but fellwithin the established tolerance levelsspecified for electronic grading probes.However; as carcass weight increased, bothprobes progressively underestimated actuallean yield. Lean yield in carcasses in excess of100 kg w~s underestimated by 1.8%. However,at present this does not represent a seriousproblem I for the current grading of porkcarcasses: because relatively few carcasses inexcess of' 90 kg are marketed. Both probesunderestimated lean yield in HSL and YRKbut overestimated lean yield in LAC. The mostserious bias was recorded for HSL, which has ashort, thickly muscled carcass. There arerelativelj few pigs with a conformation similarto the H~L pigs in the current Canadianpopulation, and so this result would notcurrently' have much commercial significance.However, the trend for increased use ofterminal sire lines with similar characteristics


to the HSL line has occurred in Europe andmay be a future development in the Canadianswine industry.

The effect of preslaughter feed restrictionand genotype for stress susceptibility on leanquality and composition of pork. The effect ofthe duration offeed restriction before slaughteron the ultimate lean meat quality of thelongissimus dorsi muscle (loin eye) was testedin three lines of pigs ofdiffering genotypes withrespect to stress susceptibility. Pigs of theLacombe breed (genotype NN), none of whichhas been shown to be halothane-positive,yielded essentially no (0-4%) pale, soft, exu-dative pork at any of the three feed restrictiontreatments (0, 24, and 48 h off-feed). The meatquality of pigs from the halothane-positive line(genotype nn) was altered dramatically by theoff-feed treatment. The incidence of pale-colored pork decreased from 57% at 0 hoff-feedto 9% at 48 h off-feed, and the incidence of soft,exudative pork decreased from 87% at 0 hoff-feed to 48% at 48 hoff-feed. NN X nncrossbred pigs (genotype Nn), all of which gavea negative response to the halothane test, wereintermediate in quality between the other twogenotypes at all times off~feed. In no instancedid the feed restriction treatment producedack, firm, dry (DFD) meat. These datasuggest, first, that halothane-negative carriersof the halothane gene may contribute con-siderably to the incidence of pale, soft, exu-dative (PSE) pork and secondly, that mani-pulation of the length of time off-feed beforeshipping for slaughter may offer potential as amanagement practice to improve meat quality.

Postmortem technology

The effects of spray-chilling beef carcasseson the shrinkage and quality of beef. Afterslaughter, alternate beef carcass sides (left,right) were allocated to an intermittentspray-chilling cooling treatment using water(four cycles per hour; 60 s per cycle) andconventional air chilling (1-2.C; air velocity0.5 m/s) or conventional air chilling only.Experiments 1, 2, and 3 (n = 19, 16, and16 carcasses) involved spray-chilling for 4, 8,12 h in shrouded sides, whereas experiment 4(n = 16 carcasses) examined 8 h of spray-chilling in unshrouded sides. At 24 h post-slaughter all sides were ribbed between the12th and 13th rib and assessed for meat and fatcolor. Half the treatment and control sides ineach experiment were aged for 6 days, while


the boneless ribs and inside rounds wereremoved from the remaining sides, vacuumpackaged, and held for 6 days. After 6 days ofstorage, retail packs of rib steaks and roundroasts were prepared and assessed for color anddrip losses over a 4-day period. Spray-chillingsignificantly reduced carcass shrinkage at 24 hpostslaughter in experiments 1-4 by 0.48, 0.69,0.89, and 1.43%, respectively. After 6 days ofcooler storage, spray-chilling significantlyreduced carcass shrinkage in experiments 3and 4 only (0.47 and 0.94%). Weight and driplosses for vacuum-packaged ribs and insiderounds were not influenced by spray-chillingover 6 days of storage. Spray-chilling had noinfluence on rate of pH decline, but reducedloin and round muscle temperatures by 1-2.C.Loin eye muscle color and shear force were notaffected by treatment, but in experiments 2, 3,and 4, fat color was significantly lighter inspray-chilled compared with conventionallychilled sides. Color changes and drip losses inretail packs over 4 days for rib steaks andround roasts were not related to spray-chilling.It was concluded that spray-chilling could pro-vide a moderate reduction in carcass shrinkageduring cooling without having a detrimentalinfluence on muscle quality.

Meat microbiology

Effects of quality of pork muscle on bacterialgrowth and retail case life. Stress-relatedaberrations in quality of pork muscle includepale, soft, and exudative (PSE) and dark, firm,and dry (DFD). In comparison to pork of"normal" muscle quality, PSE pork is charac-terized by a lower pH, reduced water-holdingcapacity, and a paler color, whereas DFD porkhas a higher pH, greater water-holdingcapacity, and a darker color.

In view of these pronounced physico-chemical differences, the current work wasdesigned to determine the effects of musclequality (PSE, normal, DFD) on the bacterio-logy and retail case life of pork chops. Pork loinchops were processed from boneless backs after90 days offrozen storage at -30.C. Variationin bacterial numbers was due to a highlysignificant (P < 0.001) storage time by muscle-quality interaction. During simulated retaildisplay, total psychrotrophs, Pseudomonasspp., Brocothrix thermosphacta, and Entero-bacteriaceae were lowest on PSE pork andhighest on DFD pork in comparison to that ofnormal pork. Differences in bacterial densitieswere due to a longer lag phase on PSE pork and

357

a shorter lag phase on DFD pork than onnormal pork. Of the three muscle-qualitygroups, DFD was most susceptible to thedevelopment of spoilage odors, whereas PSEpork was most sensitive to deterioration inappearance. It would appear that the sensi-tivity of PSE pork to discoloration is due to anonbacterial chemical denaturation, whereasthe development of spoilage odors more closelyreflects bacterial growth and metabolism.

Sensory evaluation

A comparison of flavor and texture profilesfor lamb leg roasts from three differentgeographical sources. Lamb leg roasts fromCanada required less time to reach 75°C inter-nal temperature than roasts from Australia orNew Zealand and sustained lower total cookinglosses than roasts from Australia (P < 0.05). Inaddition, complete flavor and texture profilescompiled from the evaluation of 60 fresh(unfrozen) legs of lamb (20 from Australia,20 from Canada, and 20 from New Zealand)revealed that both Australian and NewZealand lamb generally rated higher(P < 0.05) than Canadian lamb in texturaltraits not directly related to tenderness andthat New Zealand lamb generally rated higher(P < 0.05) in textural traits directly related totenderness than did Canadian lamb. They alsorevealed that Australian lamb had the mostintense lamb flavor (P < 0.05) and thatCanadian lamb was perceived to contain themost fat. In addition, fishy and metallic noteswere most intense (P < 0.05) and occurredmost frequently (P < 0.05) in New Zealandlamb, whereas a livery note was most intenseand occurred most frequently (P < 0.05) inAustralian lamb. It should be noted, however,that in the present study differences in flavorand texture amplitude or general impressionwere not detected as a result of differences ingeographical source (P > 0.05).

PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE

Forage crops

Mefluidide effects on yield and quality ofsmooth bromegrass. Smooth bromegrass isadapted to the Parkland of the Canadianprairies, where it is used extensively as hayand pasture. However, forage quality ofsmooth bromegrass deteriorates rapidly as thestems elongate and seed heads appear. In

358

addition, initial tillers represent 60-70% ofseasonal dry matter by anthesis. The lack oflate-season growth limits its carrying capacityas a pasture grass. Toalleviate these problemsthe plant I growth regulator mefluidide wasapplied to smooth bromegrass at 150 and300 glha before jointing (early May) over aperiod of 2 years. The following weremeasured~ yield and quality at three stages ofinitial growth (pre boot, anthesis, and harddough); lI;nd yield, yield distribution, andquality of:a three-cut system beginning at thepreboot stage. Compared with the control, themefluidide at a rate of 300 glha was most con-sistent in bffecting change. Yield was reducedbymefluidide to 32, 66, and 85% of the controlat the preboot, anthesis, and hard dough stagesof initial growth. Total yield over the three-cutsystem was reduced by 17%, although yielddistribution was improved. The improved yielddistributi6n occurred because of the reductionin preboot yield and a yield increase to 400% ofthe control at the second cut. Unfortunately,no improvement in forage yield occurred late inthe year I(cut 3) as a result of mefluididetreatment. Forage quality was improveduniformly:over all initial cuts but decreased atthe second cut of the three-cut system. Differ-ences in forage quality among treatments wereattributed to corresponding differences inleaf-to-steln ratio. Crude protein and in vitrodigestibility (IYD) increased, whereas neutral(NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber, lignin,and cellulbse decreased slightly over initialstages of growth. IYD decreased, whereasNDF, ADF, and cellulose content increasedwith mefl~idide application at cut 2 of thethree-cut ~ystem. The improved forage qualityof initial growth would be advantageous forhay produ~tion in smooth bromegrass. Animproved yield distribution shown in thefrequently:cut regime, as a result ofmefluidide,may be aflvantageous in pasture systems.Whether the improvement in forage quality,caused by: mefluidide, will follow through toanimal perlformancemust be studied in furtherexperiments with mefluidide.

I

Cereal physiologyi

Plant hormones in hardening winterwheat. D~ring over-wintering in a northernclimate, winter wheat goes through a harden-ing procesk, followed by de-hardening in latewinter-early spring. This sequence of eventsmay be pa,rtly controlled by changes in endo-genous hormone levels. Crowns and leaf tissue


from field-grown winter wheat plants (cultivarNorstar) was collected and freeze-dried atmonthly intervals following seeding at thebeginning of September. Material was alsosampled and freeze-dried from seedlings grownin a growth chamber under hardening condi-tions (21°C for 2 weeks plus 3°Cfor 6 weeks) ornonhardening conditions (3 weeks at 21°C).The tissue was analyzed for abscisic acid(ABA), an inhibitory plant hormone known tobe involved in the hardening response, andcytokinins, plant hormones generally involvedin active growth and dormancy release.Cytokinin levels declined from October onwardand then rose to a peak in late winter(February), subsequently declining again.Nonhardened crown tissue from the growthchamber contained more than double thecytokinin activity of hardened tissue. ABAlevels in the crowns of the field-grown winterwheat seedlings initially increased fromOctober to November, then decreased to arelatively low level between December andApril, and finally increased in March to a levelsimilar to the October sampling period. Leaftissue from seedlings hardened in a growthchamber contained more than double the ABAactivity of nonhardened leaf tissue. In terms ofhardiness, the winter wheat reached itsmaximum frost resistance in November,declined to a somewhat less resistant conditionover December to February, and then declinedmuch more rapidly thereafter. The resultssuggest that ABA and cytokinins act in anopposite manner during the hardening process.ABA does not appear to act on the long-termmaintenance ofcoldhardiness but may functionmore as an inducer of hardiness. The cytokininpeak in late winter occurs just before arelatively sharp decline in frost resistance andthis increase in growth-promoting hormonemay signal the end of the most resistant periodpreparatory to the resumption of active growth.

Cereal pathology

Snow molds of winter wheat in central andnorthemAlberla. A major limitation to winterwheat production in the parklands of theCanadian prairies is the periodic failure of thiscrop to survive the winter. The snow cover thatusually remains on the land all winter in theparklands provides a thermal blanket againstthe lethal, low soil temperatures, and thesufficient level of coldhardiness in the cultivarNorstar suggests that snow molds are the most


probable cause of the failure of winter cerealsto survive the winter. Extensive surveys offields of winter wheat and rye in central andnorthern Alberta in the spring of the years1985-1987 indicated that the snow moldCoprinus psychromorbidus was the mostfrequently isolated pathogen on winter wheatand rye that died during the winter. Thispathogen is also found on legumes and grasses,and winter wheat seeded immediately afterbreaking pasture often has been shown not tosurvive the winter because of an attack by C.psychromorbidus. A test was established atLacombe to determine the longevity ofinoculum of C. psychromarbidus in the soilunder spring wheat and canola. The inoculumofC. psychramarbidus was applied in the fall toplots of winter wheat. None of the inoculatedwinter wheat survived the first winter. Thefollowing spring the plots of dead winter wheatwere cultivated and sown to spring wheat andcanola. These crops were not affected by thesnow mold. The test was designed in such away as to replant winter wheat I, 2, 3, 4, and 5years after the initial application ofC.psychromorbidus, and spring wheat andcanola were planted during the interveningyears. Winter wheat failed to survive for up to3 years after the initial introduction of theC.psychramarbidus inoculum into the soil,but winter wheat did survive in the fourthyear, suggesting that the inoculum maysurvive in the soil for a period of 3 years.Farmers should therefore avoid sowing winterwheat and rye on land where these crops werewinter-killed by this snow mold or on grasspastureland for 3 years.

Weed research

The effects of imazamethabenz on wildoat, green foxtail, and Tartary buckwheat.Imazamethabenz is a selective postemergenceherbicide recently registered for use on cereals(spring wheat, spring barley, and durumwheat). The herbicide controls wild oat in theone-to-four-leafstage as well as stinkweed andwild mustard in the cotyledon-to-six-leafstage.In addition, imazamethabenz suppresses wildand Tartary buckwheat, and seems to haveminor effects on green foxtail. Imazametha-benz exhibits good crop tolerance, can betank-mixed with 2,4-0 and 4-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), and performs wellunder dry conditions.

359

Field experiments were conducted over2 years with Neepawa wheat and Galt barley,with wild oat planted between the crop rows.Imazamethabenz was applied to the wild oat inthe two- and four- leaf stages with a motorizedsmall-plot sprayer in 100 L of water perhectare. Greenhouse studies that includedgreen foxtail and Tartary buckwheat were alsoconducted.

Imazamethabenz gave goodwild oat controlover normal rates of use (0.3-0.5 kg/ha). Thoserates reduced the fresh weight ofwild oats to atleast 20-30% of the untreated checks. Con-sidering the rather dry conditions that prevail-ed during the experiments and the fact that theresults are averaged over treatment at twogrowth stages (two- and four-leaf wild oat) and2 years, control of wild oat was excellent.Imazamethabenz suppressed both green foxtailand Tartary buckwheat. At the above rates ofuse, green foxtail fresh weights ranged from 55to 80% of untreated checks, whereas Tartarybuckwheat fresh weights ranged from 30 to40%of untreated checks.

In summary, Imazamethabenz controlledwild oat, suppressed Tartary buckwheat, andslightly suppressed green foxtail.

Soil fertility

Recovery of15N-labeled urea and potassiumnitrate as influenced by date of application. Inthe Prairie Provinces, N fertilizers are oftenapplied in fall rather than in spring forspring-sown cereal grain crops. In some areas,fall-applied N fertilizers, at lellst when broad-cast and incorporated into the soil, are oftenless effective than spring-applied N in increas-ing crop yields. Ammonium-based fertilizersare superior to nitrate-based fertilizers withfall application for barley in north-centralAlberta. Rate of nitrate formation from ammo-nium is related to soil temperature. Therefore,early fall application would be expected to formmore nitrate during the fall and winter periodthan the late fall application, and subsequentlyto incur more N loss over the winter. Fieldexperiments were conducted during 1982-1983at two sites (Breton, in north-central Alberta,and Innisfail, in central Alberta) to determinethe recovery in barley plants and soil of15N-labeled urea and potassium nitrate, with Napplied at a rate of 50 kg/ha. Dates ofapplication were early October, late October,late winter, and spring.

Recovery ofl5N in soil samples taken beforesowing in the spring of 1983 indicated N losses

360

,

over the linter from October-applied N at bothlocations and especially with potassiumnitrate. At Breton, spring recovery of 15N insoil from ;theOctober application was 69%withurea and 30% with potassium nitrate. Late-winter application had nearly complete springrecovery'in the soil for urea (96%), but therecovery I remained low for potassium nitrate(31%). The amount of 15N immobilized in thesoil was greater with urea than potassiumnitrate for both sites. 15Napplied in the fall orlate win~r was not detected any deeper thanthe 15-30 cm layer of soil in spring at theInnisfail site, but small amounts were found inthe 55-70 cm depth at Breton. Therefore, themechaniJm of N loss was caused primarily bydenitrifidation. The total recovery at harvest(plants p~us soil) of 15N fertilizer applied inOctober rlr late winter was low, with a range of7-71 %. 'Application in the spring generallygave higher total recovery of 15N at harvest,but varied with location and N source.Specifically, values at Innisfail were 88% forurea an~ 84% for potassium nitrate, but atBreton, which had heavy rain and saturatedsoil in early July, recovery was lowered withurea (56%) and lowered more with potassiumnitrate dO%). In all, losses of 15Noccurred inthe noncropped period over the winter andduring the cropped season. The 15N recoverywas lessi with fall compared with springapplication and the recovery was less withpotassiu~ nitrate compared with urea.

ISOILS AND CROPSSUBSTATION VEGREVILLE

I

SOlonetzlc soils

Improvement of Solonetzic soils by nitrogenand calcium amendments. Solonetzic soilsoccupy n~arly 4 million ha in Alberta, withlesser areas in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.Research,on methods to improve crop produc-tion on Solonetzic soil has been conducted sincethe mid 1950s by Agriculture Canada at theVegrevillk Soils and Crops Research Substa-tion. The Ap horizon of a Solonetzic soil isgenerally: shallow, acidic, and coarse-textured.The Bnt horizon is sodic, alkaline, and poorlystructured. This results in poor water infil-tration, aeration, and rooting-depth restric-tions. Amelioration techniques must improvethe condition of the Bnt horizon while minimiz-ing any negative effect on the Ap horizons.


This study was intended to determine whatinteraction may occur between surface appli-cation of calcium minerals with shallow incor-poration and broadcast application of ammo-nium nitrate. Combinations of treatmentswere used to test three rates of nitrogen and sixsources or rates of calcium minerals. Thecalcium minerals were incorporated on7 October 1982. Barley was grown for 3 yearson this site. One of the 3 years was relativelywet, and 2 years had nearly drought conditions.In 2 of the 3 years, a significant response ofgrain yield to nitrogen occurred.

Nitrogen fertilization with N at a rate of50-100 kglha resulted in significant increasesin yield ofbarley froni 4.7 Mg/ha and 1.9 Mglhato 5.2 Mglha and 2.5 Mglha in both a wet year(1986) and a dry year (1988), respectively. Theaddition of calcium minerals also significantlyincreased barley yield in a moist year (1986)and tended to increase yield in 1988, which wasdry until a storm in June. Growing seasonprecipitation has an effect on both the totalyield and on the applied treatments. In 1987no significant yield difference occurred, andthere was a trend toward yield reductionresulting from nitrogen fertilization. In 1988significantly higher yields occurred because ofN fertilization, and there was a trend towardincreased yield resulting from calcium addi-tions. Although 1988 had above-average preci-pitation, there was significant drought in Apriland May, with 47 mm of rain from a storm on8 June. This early drought limited total yield,but yield responses to treatments occurredbecause of improved moisture conditions laterin the season.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Fredeen, H.T.; Weiss, G.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;Lawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A. 1987. Breedcross comparisons of beef cow productivityrelative to winter feed inputs. J. Anim. Sci.64:714-727.

Fredeen, H.T.; Weiss, G.M.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;Lawson, J.E.; Newman, J.A. 1988. Geno-type X environment interactions for beefcow performances during lactation. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:619-637.


Greer, G.G. 1988. Effects of phage concentra-tion, bacterial density, and temperature onphage control of beef spoilage. J. Food Sci.53:1226-1227.

Greer, G.G.; Dilts, B.D. 1988. Bacteriologyand retail case life of spray-chilled pork.Can. Inst. Food Sci. Techno!. J. 21:295-299.

Harker, K.N.; Dekker, J. 1988. Effects ofphenology on translocation patterns ofseveral herbicides in quackgrass, Agro-pyron repens. Weed Sci. 36:463-472.

Harker, K.N.; Dekker, J. 1988. Temperatureeffects on translocation patterns of severalherbicides within quackgrass (Agropyronrepens). Weed Sci. 36:545-552.

Harker, K.N.; O'Sullivan, P.A. 1988. Ammo-nium sulphate enhances control of annualgrass weeds in canola (Brassica campestris)with sethoxydim. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1087-1093.

Jeremiah, L.E. 1988. Effects of antioxidantson the retail appearance and display-life offrozen bacon. J. Food Prot. 51(2):105-109.

Jeremiah, L.E.; Newman, J.A.; Tong, A.K.W.;Gibson, L.L. 1988. The effects of castration,preslaughter stress, and zeranol implantson beef. I. The texture ofloin steaks frombovine males. Meat Sci. 22(2):83-101.

Jeremiah, L.E.; Newman, J.A.; Tong, A.K.W.;Gibson, L.L. 1988. The effects of castration,preslaughter stress, and zeranol implantson beef. II. Cooking properties and flavor ofloin steaks from bovine males. Meat Sci.22(2):103-121.

Jones, S.D.M.; Murray, A.C.; Robertson, W.M.1988. The effects of spray chilling porkcarcasses on the shrinkage and qualityof pork. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Tech. J.21:102-105.

Jones, S.D.M.; Murray, A.C.; Sather, A.P.1987. Body proportions and carcass compo-sition of pigs with known genotypes forstress susceptibility fasted for differentperiods of time prior to slaughter. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:139-149.

Jones, S.D.M.; Schaefer, A.L.; Tong, A.K.W;Vincent, B.C. 1988. The effects of fastingand transportation on beef cattle II. Bodycomponent changes, carcass compositionand meat quality. Livest. Prod. Sci.20:25-35.

361

Looney, N.E.; Taylor, J.S.; Pharis, R.P. 1988.The relationship of endogenous gibberellinand cytokinin levels in shoot tips to apicalform in four clones of McIntosh apple. J.Am. Hortic. Sci. 113:395-398.

Malhi, S.S.; Baron, V.S.; McBeath, D.K. 1987.Economics of N fertilization of bromegrassfor hay in central Alberta. Can. J. PlantSci. 67:1105-1109.

Malhi, S.S.; Mumey, G.; O'Sullivan, P.A.;Harker, K.N. 1988. An economic compari-son of barley production under zero andconventional tillage. Soil Tillage Res.11:159-166.

Malhi, S.S.; Nyborg, M. 1988. Controlofnitri-fication of fertilizer nitrogen: Effect ofinhibitors, banding and nesting. Plant Soil107:245-250.

Malhi, S.S.; Nyborg, M.; Caldwell, C.D.; Hoyt,P.B.; Leitch, R.H. 1988. Effect of ammo-nium and nitrate on growth and yield ofbarley on acid soils. Commun. Soil Sci.Plant Anal. 19:1049-1063.

Malhi, S.S.; Nyborg, M.; Jahn, H.G.; Penney,D.C. 1988. Yield and nitrogen uptake ofrapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) withammonium and nitrate. Plant Soil105:231-239.

Nyborg, M.; Malhi, S.S. 1988. Band applica-tion reduces soil acidification by nitrogenfertilizers. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal.19:819-829.

Sather, A.P.; Tong, A.K.W.; Harbison, D.S.1988. The relationship of live ultrasonicprobes to carcass fat measurements inswine. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:355-358.

Schaefer, A.L.; Jones, S.D.M.; Newman, J.A.;Sather, A.P.; Tong, A.K.W. 1988. Repro-ductive performance, fetal growth, carcasscomposition and glucose tolerance in preg-nant gilts given a dietary protein supple-ment. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:677-687.

Schaefer, A.L.; Jones, S.D.M.; Tong, A.K.W.;Vincent, B.C. 1988. The effects of fasting

362

and transportation on beef cattle. 1. Acidbase ana electrolyte balance, infra-red heatloss and muscle colour ofbeef cattle. Livest.Prod. Sci. 20:15-24.

iTong, A.K.W.; Newman, J.A.; Rahnefeld, G.W.;

Lawson: J .E. 1988. The relationship of sireevaluat~ons for ease of calving and birthweight.ICan. J. Anim. Sci. 68:557-560.

MiscellanJous,Jones, S.D.M. 1988. Automation of carcass

measurements in Canada: Commercial andresearcH developments. Proceedings Inter-national Symposium on Automated CarcassMeasurement, Sydney, Australia.

IJones, S.D.M. 1988. Factors influencing the

variation ofmeat quality in beef cattle. Pro-ceedings Strategies Success III, Edmonton,Alta., pp. 27-32.

Jones, S.D.)\{. 1988. New insights into beefquality. i Proceedings Annual ConferenceCanadian Meat Council, Quebec City, Que.,pp.16.1-"-16.3.

IJones, S.D!M.; Murray, A.C.; Sather, A.P.;

Jeremiah, L.E.; Greer, G.G. 1988. Porkquality: I A technical review. Agric. Can.Res. Branch Tech. Bull. 1988-11E.

iJones, S.D.M.;Robertson, W.M. 1988. Shrink-

age and inuscle quality in spray-chilled beefcarcasse~. Proceedings International Con-gress Meat Science and Technology,Brisban~, Australia, pp. 40-49.

Jones, S.D.M., Tong, A.K.W.; Robertson, W.M.1988. The prediction of beef carcass leancontent. i Proceedings International Con-gress Meat Science and Technology,Brisban~, Australia, pp. 236-238.

Samborski,: D.J.; Tekauz, A.; Piening, L.J.1987. Wheat diseases in western Canadaand thei~ control. Pages 405-414 in Wheatproduction in Canada: A review. Proceed-ings Cartadian Wheat Production Sympo-sium, 3-~ March 1986, Saskatoon, Sask.

I

I


Research Station, Lethbridge, Alberta

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

AdministrationP.A. O'Sullivan, B.Sc., Ph.D.D.L. Struble, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.E.S.C.M.ParentM.M. TarnavaW.H. Marshall1

W.H. Mains, B.Sc.(Eng.), M.Sc., P.Eng.

Scientific SupportL.J .L. Sears, B.A.H.S. Chung, B.Sc.W.A. Conrad,2 8.Sc.C.M. Cutler,3 B.A., M.L.S.T. Entz, 8.Sc., M.M.E.G. Kokko, B.Sc.J. KolpakG.C. Kozub, B.Sc., M.Sc.R.W. McMullin,' B.Sc., M.Sc.C.M. Ronning Mains, B.L.S.G.B. Schaalje,5 B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Crop SciencesK.W. Richards,6 8.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.R. Lynch, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

R.E. Blackshaw, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.A. Butts,7 B.S.A., M.Sc.J.R. Byers, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.A. Charnetski,8 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.L. Conner, B.S.A., Ph.D.D.A. Gaudet, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.S. Goettel,9 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.D. Hill, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.C. Huang, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.L. Johnson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.S. Kaldy, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.D.J. Major,lO B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.K.W. May, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.R. Moyer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.H. Miindel, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.G.A. Nelson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.S. Sadasivaiah, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.D. Schaber, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.L. Struble, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.E.S.C.

Research Station, Lethbridge, Alta.

Acting DirectorActing Assistant DirectorHead, AdministrationAdministrative Officer-PersonnelAdministrative Officer-Finance andmateriel management

Head, Facilities Management

Acting Head of Section; Scientific EditorProgrammerComputer Systems ManagerLibrary Area CoordinatorStatisticianElectron MicroscopistHead, BiographiesStatisticianTechnology Transfer OfficerLibrarianStatistician

Acting Section Head; Forage pollinationActing Assistant Section Head; Potatobreeding

Weed control-<erealsCereal crop insectsCereal crop insectsInsecticidesCe.real diseasesCereal diseasesInsect pathologyResidue chemistryForage diseasesRangeland insectsCereal chemistryCrop physiologyBarley, hard red spring wheat breedingWeed control-foragesSafflower, corn breedingPotato and bacterial diseasesSoft white spring wheat breedingForage crop pestsInsect attractants

363

J .B. Thomas, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.E.D.P. Whelan, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.W.D. Willms, B.S.F., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Livestock SciencesG.H. Coulter, B.S.A., Ph.D.R.W. Baron, B.Sc., Ph.D.C.RM. Bailey, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.D.R.C. Bailey, B.Sc., Ph.D.K.A. Beauchemin,l1 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.K.-J. Cheng, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.D. Colwell, B.Sc., M.Sc.T.J. Danielson,12 B.S.P., Ph.D.RS. Freeze, RS.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.T.W. Hall,13 B.Sc., Ph.D.R. Hironaka,14 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.L.A. McClelland, B.Sc., M.Sc.G.J. Mears, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.C. Phillippe, B.Sc.L.M. Rode, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.J.A. Shemanchuk, B.Sc., M.Sc., C.D.,

F.E.S.C.W.G. Taylor, B.S.P., Ph.D.

Soil ScienceC.W. Lindwall, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.F. Dormaar, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.J .R. Allan, B.Sc., M.A., Ph.D.G.J. Beke, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J .M. Carefoot, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.C. Chang, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.N. Foroud, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.B.W. Grace,lS B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M.F. Hynes, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.H. Janzen, B.S.A., Ph.D.R.M.N. Kucey, B.Sc., Ph.D.S.M. McGinn,16 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.RM. O1son,17RS.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.T.G. Sommerfeldt, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.C.A. Webber,lS B.Sc., M.Sc.(Comp.ScL),

M.Sc.(Ag.Ec.)

Onefour SubstationA.G.Ross

Vauxhall SubstationB.C. Farries

DeparturesD.G. Dorrell, RS.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Transferred to Western RegionHeadquarters, October 1988

364

I

IWinter wheat breedingWheat cytogeneticsRangelana ecology

I

IHead of8ection; Reproductive physiologyAssistant:8ection Head; ImmunologyRuminant physiologyBeef cattl~ breedingRuminant nutritionRumen microbiologyCattle grub ecologyToxicologyBioeconorriistNMR spec~roscopyRuminant nutritionSheep productionRuminantl physiologyRumen bacteriologyRuminantinutritionBiting-fly ecology

. iPesticide c,hemistry

Head of8ection; Conservation tillageAssistant Section Head; Organic chemistryAquatic plilnt physiologyHydrology!Irrigation agronomySoil physic~Irrigation ~ngineeringAgrometedrologyMicrobial geneticsDryland agronomySoil microIjiologyAgrometeorologyBiochemistryDrainage engineeringBioeconomics

IFarm Man~ger

Farm ManagerI

Director


M.R. Hanna, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.Retired June 1988

J .E. Lawson, B.S.A., M.S.A.Retired November 1988

M.D. MacDonald, B.Sc., Ph.D.Retired June 1988

VISITING SCIENTISTS

M.E. Leggett, Ph.D., Philom Bios,February 1987-June 1989

R.P. Gilbert, Ph.D.Research associate, NSERC fellow,November 1988-November 1989

Forage legume breeding

Beef cattle breeding

Corn breeding

Phosphate solubilization

Beef cattle breeding

1 Appointed March 1988.2 Appointed Aprll1988.3 Seconded from Ubrarles Division, Finance and Administration Branch.4 Appointed August 1988.5 On educational leave, North Carolina State University, N.C., August 1985-August 1988.6 On transfer of work, Rothamsted Experimental Station, England, February 1987-February 1988.7 Appointed September 1988.8 Seconded to Pesticides Directorate, Ottawa, November 1987-March 1989.9 Appointed December 1988.10 On transfer of work, INRA station de biocUmatologle, Montfavet, France, August 1987-August 1988.11 Appointed September 1988.12 Appointed June 1988.13 Appointed October 1988.14 Seconded to Priorities and Strategies Directorate, Research Branch, May 1987-AprllI988.15 Seconded to CIDA, Arusha, Tanzania, July 1988-.July 1980.16 Appointed October 1988,2-year term.17 Appointed August 1988,2.year term.18 Appointed May 1988.

Research Station, Lethbridge, Alta. 365

INTRODUCTION. I

The research station at Lethbridge, in southern Alberta, is located at the centre of one of themost diverse agricultural regions in Canada. A variety of crops is grown on both dry and irrigatedland, and a major part of Canada's beef cattle industry is established on the farms and rancheswithin and around the region. I

Station scientists conduct fundamental and applied research in support of 12 Research Branchobjectives. In addition to the 500-ha site at Lethbridge, the stati,on conducts research at a 17OOO-habeef cattle ranch near Manyberries, a 400-ha ranch near Suively in the foothills of the RockyMountains, and a 130-ha irrigation substation at Vauxhall. Fundamental and applied researchfocuses on plant breeding; the control of plant diseases, weeds, and insect pests; soil fertility,tillage, and water use; and livestock improvement, nutrition, arid the control oflivestock pests.

Crop production and improvement research deals with the b~eeding and genetics of 10 differentspecies or crop kinds, the study of the biology and control of a wide range of plant diseases andinsect pests, and the development of improved agronomic practices related to soil fertility, tillage,and water use. Related studies on physical, chemical, microbio~ogical, and hydrological aspects ofsoil provide guidance for the introduction ofmethods to maintain or improve the soil resource.

Livestock research is concerned with evaluating the effects of breed or selection methods on theimprovement of beef or dairy cattle, and of breed and management on sheep productivity. Otherstudies on nutrition, rumen microbiology, and physiology contribute to the development of efficientmethods of beef and dairy cattle production. The station is al,so a major centre for the study ofarthropod pests oflivestock.

Several changes in staff and organization occurred at the station during 1988: Dr. D.G. Dorrell,director, was appointed director general, Western Region, Agric,ulture Canada, located in Ottawa;Dr. P.A. O'Sullivan was named acting director; and Dr. D.L. Struble was named acting assistantdirector. In the Livestock Sciences Section, Mr. J.E. Lawson retired; Dr. G.H. Coulter wasappointed section head; and Dr. R.W. Baron was appointed as ll-ssistant section head. Three newscientists joined the section: Dr. K.A. Beauchemin (ruminant nutrition), Dr. T.J. Danielson(toxicology), and Dr. T.W. Hall (NMR spectroscopy). In the Soil Science Section, Dr. J.F. Dormaarwas appointed assistant section head, and Mr. C.A. Webber (economist) joined the section. Twonew term scientists were appointed in the section: Dr. S.M. McGinn (agrometeorology), as areplacement for Dr. B.W. Grace, who accepted a 2-year Canadian International DevelopmentAgency assignment in Tanzania; and Dr. B.M.Olson (soil bioche1nist). Two scientists retired fromthe Crop Sciences Section: Dr. M.R Hanna (forage breeding) and Dr. M.D. MacDonald (cornbreeding), and two new scientists joined the section: Mr. RA, Butts (toxicology) and Dr. M.S.Goettel (insect pathology). In the Scientific Support Section, Mr~W.A. Conrad joined as computersystems manager and Mr. RW. McMullin as technology tranSfer officer. Mr. W.H. Marshalltransferred from the Beaverlodge Research Station as the administrative officer-finance andmateriel management. I

Our scientists hosted visiting scientists and foreign delegatidns; and participated on graduatestudents' thesis committees, international secondments, and el'changes. They also served onnumerous provincial, national, and international committees. Several of our clients participateddirectly in our research activities; Farming for the Future of Alb~rta Agriculture partially funded13 projects, the Western Grains Research Foundation funded thr~e projects, and new collaborativeresearch was initiated with several companies. i

This report gives results of some recent research and illustrates the types of studies that areunder way. Further information may be obtained from publicati~ns listed at the end of the reportor from our scientists. Correspondence or requests for reprints should be addressed to the Director,Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, Alta. TIJ 4Bl; Tel. (403)327-4561; Fax (403) 382-3156. !

II

P.A. O'SullivanActing Directo~

I


CROP SCIENCES

Field crop diseases

Elimination of ring rot by in vitro culturing.The incidence of bacterial ring rot (Coryne-bacterium sepedonicum) in a potato breedingprogram would result in a serious loss ofpotentially valuable clones and may requirethat all materials in the program be discarded.The hazard is considerably enhanced bygenotypes that do not readily develop visiblesymptoms and by the fact that, even insusceptible genotypes, small numbers of ringrot bacteria could possibly remain undetectedthrough several generations of tubers. In a3-year study, an in vitro technique wasdeveloped to free potato clones from ring rot.Tuber eyes, confirmed to be infected with ringrot by Gram stain and development of visiblesymptoms, were freed from the ring rotbacteria by the in vitro culturing of 4 mm ofapical tissue derived from sprouts 4 em long.The success of this procedure is probablyassociated with the lack of well-developedvascular tissue in the explant. This techniqueprovides breeders with a rapid, inexpensivemethod of ensuring that advanced clones arefree from ring rot bacteria prior to large-scalemultiplication.

White mold. A field survey conducted dur-ing 1983-1987 revealed that white moldcaused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the mostserious disease of pulse and oilseed crops suchas field beans, canola, and sunflower in south-ern Alberta. The pathogen produces blacksclerotial bodies that overwinter in the soil,and it can cause two distinct diseases on hostcrops, root rot or wilt and stem canker or headrot, depending upon the mode of sclerotia Igermination. Root rot or wilt is caused bysoilborne infection by mycelia from the myce-liogenic germination of sclerotia, and stemcanker or head rot is caused by airborne infec-tion by ascospores from the carpogenic germi-nation of sclerotia. The infection of field bean,canola, and saffiower is produced mainly byairborne ascospores but the infection of sun-flower can result from both soilborne myceliaand airborne ascospores. Results of a funda-mental study showed that myceliogenic germi-nation of sclerotia was triggered by injury orincomplete melanization of the rind tissue andthat only fall melanization would impedemyceliogenic germination and foster dormancyof sclerotia. This study has provided a further


understanding on the epidemiology ofSclerotinia wilt in field crops.

Forages

Sainfoin pollinators. The density andefficiency of bumble bees, honey bees, andalfalfa leafcutter bees on sainfoin grown insouthern Alberta were studied. Six species ofbees were identified as pollinators, with alfalfaleafcutter bees comprising 56% of the observa-tions, honey bees 40%, and bumble bees 4%.The density of flowers over the season can bedescribed as curvilinear. The mean number offlowers per raceme decreased significantly overthe season. The rate of foraging by pollinatorspecies from flower to flower varied and wasdescribed by multiple regression models.Julian date, hour ofday, and flower density arethe independent variables. More than 90% ofthe bees visited three or fewer flowers perraceme when 60% of the racemes had three ormore flowers available for pollination. Thebees foraged on sainfoin for about 12 h per dayand the average density of bees increasedsignificantly with the corresponding density offlowers. A theoretical approach used to predictthe bee populations required to pollinatevarying flower densities shows that therequired population of bumble bees is abouttwo-thirds that of honey bees or alfalfaleafcutter bees. The observed populations ofpollinators did not correspond well with thederived values, probably because multiplevisits per flower are required for fertilization.

Sainfoin seed chalcid. The seasonal occur-rence of adults and larvae of the sainfoin seedchalcid, Eurytoma onobrychidis Nikolskaya,infesting pods of sainfoin was determined.Sainfoin pods were infested and female chal-cids were present throughout the floweringperiod. The proportion of pods infested variedeach year. A parasitic chalcid, Habrocytusmedicaginis Gah., attacked a low percentage ofpods infested with seed chalcids. The timenecessary for postdiapause, overwinteringlarvae to defecate, pupate, deposit pigment,and emerge as adults was influenced by tem-perature and differed by sex. Sainfoin adultsemerged at least 3 weeks before floweringbegan, thus providing time to implementcontrol. Larvae in infested pods subjected tocold treatment (-40.C for 5 days) immediatelyafter harvest were killed, and seed germinationwas not hindered by the cold treatment.

367

Nutritional value of dandelions. In foragecrops all plants are either harvested andcombined into hay or available for grazing byanimals. Dandelions often contribute 10% ormore of the total forage produced on pasturesbut the degree of utilization by animals isunknown. A grazing study was conducted withHereford cows over three grazing periods in1year on an orchardgrass pasture containing10% dandelion (based on dry matter yield).The percentage of available. plant materialconsumed was equal or greater for dandelionthan for orchardgrass. Protein contents weresimilar in dandelion and alfalfa but aciddetergent fiber was lower in dandelion than inalfalfa. The concentration ofCa, P, Mg, K, Cu,Zn, Mn, and Se in dandelions and orchard grasswas determined, and the mineral contents ofboth were high enough to meet the establishedrequirements of cattle. In previous studies,dandelions did not reduce the total forage yieldin orchardgrass pastures. Thus, herbicide usefor dandelion control could be reduced.

Other cereals

Nonreplicated yield testing for cereals. Thelarge number of lines or selections and thesmall quantity of seed available from each linein a plant breeding program necessitate theutilization of a nonreplicated yield-testingsystem. The modified, augumented design,which adjusts for environmental heteroge-neity, is a nonreplicated testing system thathas been adapted to make it suitable foryield-testing cereals. A careful and completeassessment of new experimental designs isessential to ensure that the advantages anddisadvantages of the design are understood.This research reports the advantages inflexibility offield operations and illustrates thestatistical requirements and the type of resultsthat can be obtained from field data. Theresults illustrate the importance of having anaccurate testing system, because the best lineschosen, based upon the most appropriateadjustment method suggested by the modifiedaugumented design or unadjusted data, canvary by more than 50% in any given test.

Wheat

Fungicidal control of stripe rust. A 3-yearfield study showed that a single application ofthe systemic fungicides propiconazole, triadi-mefon, or fenpropimorph, before the heads ofFielder soft white spring wheat had completely

368

emerged) provided effective control of striperust. Depending on disease severity, the use ofthese systemic fungicides resulted in yieldincrease~ ranging from 16 to 79%. Thisincrease in yield resulted only partially fromhigher kernel weight. It appears that numberof kernels per head was also increased throughfungicidal control ofstripe rust.

I

Cytogenetics of black point resistance. Testsof several hard red spring wheat cultivarsagainst a I causal agent of kernel black pointshowed that disease incidence was lowest inCadet, intermediate to high in Apex, andhighest ill' S-615 and Rescue. Inoculation ofdisomic substitution lines for chromosome 5Bdemonstrated that black point incidence inCadet and Rescue was controlled by a gene orgenes located on chromosome 5B. The F1

progeny trom crosses between Cadet andRescue hap a black point incidence similar tothat of Rescue, indicating that resistance is arecessive trait. The level of resistance in Apexdid not co.nsistently lower the incidence ofblack point from the levels in S-615 andRescue. I

I

Cottony~ snow mold. The effect of cottonysnow mold and freezing resistance on winterwheat sur"iival in central and northern Albertawas studied during the winter ofl986 and 1987at Lacombe and Fort Vermilion, Alta. Resultsshowed that infection occurred in the stemsand crowns and that the incidence of thepathogen i~ these tissues was closely asso-ciated with percent mortality. Infectionbecame prevalent in stems and crowns duringNovember and December at Fort Vermilion,and during January and February at Lacombe.Freezing re'sistance in wheat plants reached amaximum level by mid November and remain-ed constant until mid March; it was not corre-lated with the incidence or severity of cottonysnow mold.: Environmental conditions, parti-cularly the presence of a deep snow cover pro-ducing relatively constant soil temperaturesbetween - t and - 5°C, appeared most condu-cive for dev~lopment ofcottony snow mold.

Commo~ bunt. The level of resistance ofwestern Canadian spring wheats and triticalesto common; bunt was determined in fieldstudies. Triticales and durum wheats weredesignated immune or highly resistant. Thehard red sp~ing wheats were generally resist-ant; however, recently registered cultivarsRoblin and Uaura were susceptible. The prairiespring whea/;s and the soft white wheats were


generally susceptible. The reaction of thecultivars to individual bunt races evaluatedunder controlled environment conditionsrevealed that specific genes for bunt resistance,Bt7 and BUO, were present in the cultivarsCanuck and BW-553, respectively. In theremainder of the hard red wheats, theresistance appeared to be race nonspecific innature. The potential for large areas plantedwith susceptible cultivars may lead to thereemergence of common bunt as an importantdisease that can reduce yield and quality inspring wheats in western Canada.

Insecticide residue chemistry

Aerial application studies. To evaluateproperly an aerially applied insecticide, onemust first determine that enough spray wasdeposited to achieve efficacy. Until now, theamount of spray deposited has been deter-mined by conducting complex residue analysison crop or soil samples taken from treatedareas. As a new approach, we have developedmethodology to quantitate aerial deposits bychemical analysis of artificial targets. We usecommercially available, water-sensitive papers(wsp) as the artificial targets. A visual assess-ment of the spray deposits is made first, thenthe wsp are extracted to quantitate thedeposits. Our analysis method recovered 97%of the deposits on the wsp. The wsp were mucheasier to analyze than crop or soil samples. Inthe field, the wsp were placed on top of stakesabove the crop canopy. They had 91%trappingefficiency for the spray deposits and thetrapped deposits were representative of theactual deposits on the adjacent crop and soilsurfaces. We recommend the use of wsp in allexperiments on aerially.applied pesticides.

LIVESTOCK SCIENCES

Pest studies

Early detection of cattle grub infestationsusing ELISA. An enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed todetect animals infested with cattle grub duringthe fall in Alberta. The antibody to Hypodermalineatum is detected as early as 6 weekspostinfestation in artificially infested steers.The peak in antibody concentrations precededthe peak in maximum apparent grub numbers,which occurred between 37 and 43 weeksafter infestation. Natural infestations with


H.lineatum and H. bovis, ranging from 1 to92 grubs per calf, were readily detected byNovember, and the incidence of false positivesin uninfested calves was only 5%. Low-level(one to four grubs) infestations ofH. bovis onlybecame detectable in February, and theantibody concentrations peaked at the end ofApril. Prevalence of cattle grub infestations insouthern Alberta was shown to be 37% duringthis study. The cattle grub is a major pestaffecting livestock in this province.

Scanning electron microscopy of the poste-rior spiracle of cattle grubs. Studies showedthat posterior spiracles of newly hatched,first-instar larvae of Hypoderma bovis and H.lineatum consist of two. pairs of spiracularopenings. Each pair is surrounded by a rimabearing three spines. Posterior spiracles ofsecond-instar larvae are composed of a pair ofmedial ecdysial scars bound laterally byspiracular plates. H. bovis spiracular plateshave 29-40 openings, each surrounded by aslightly raised rima. H. lineatum spiracularplates have 18-25 openings. Spiracular open-ings of H. bovis lead to posterior feltchambers, which are connected to a common,anterior felt chamber filled with a mesh-likenetwork. In third-instar H. bovis each medialecdysial scar is surrounded by a stronglyconcave spiracular plate. Spiracular openingsare surrounded by a slightly raised rima. Mostrimae bear a spine. Spiracular plates of H.lineatum are flat, and rimae are withoutspines. Each spiracular opening leads to aposterior felt chamber, several of which areconfluent with a larger anterior felt chamber.Anterior felt chambers open into the dorsallongitudinal tracheal trunk. Felt chambers inthird-instar larvae are also filled with acomplex mesh. This research increases ourunderstanding of cattle grub adaptations toparasitism and aids in the identification of thetwo species.

Determination of residues on cattle hair. Asimple method was developed for determiningpermethrin residues on cattle hair by gas-liquid chromatography with electron capturedetection. This method is cost-effective, fast,and accurate and can be mechanized and auto-mated. On a 10-mg sample of permethrin-treated hair, the average recovery of cis- andtrans-isomers was 95 and 100.7%,respectively.Using this method it was found that adual-cloud electrostatic sprayer provideduniform body coverage with permethrin.

369

A simple method for the determination offenvalerate residues on cattle hair by gas-liquid chromatography was developed andapplied to determine the fenvalerate residueson cattle hair from Bovaid ear tags. Recoveryrates were found to be 96-104% at 0.1-1.0 llglevels of fenvalerate. Fenvalerate was ade-quately distributed over the entire body andpersisted for at least 80 days on the hair ofcattle when applied with one Bovaid ear tag.

SOIL SCIENCE

Nitrogen fixation

Effect of rhizosphere bacteria on wheatgrowth. The effects of the associative N2-fixingbacteria, Azospirillum brasilense and BacillusC-1l-25, on wheat growth were evaluatedusing conditions of very low (3 llg/g) and veryhigh (l28511g/g) levels of available N. Seed-lings were inoculated with one of the bacteriaor were left un inoculated as a control. Atmaturity, inoculated plants weighed less thanuninoculated plants in the low-N mixture;however, both inoculated and un inoculatedplants contained similar amounts of N. Therewas no indication of associative N2 fixationthat could be attributed to activities of theadded bacteria in inoculated plants. Inocu-lated wheat in the high-N mixture producedmore plant dry matter than uninoculatedwheat. The average tiller height of inoculatedplants was greater for inoculated wheatthan for un inoculated plants. Endogenousgibberellin-like substances (GAl and GA3)were identified in culture filtrates of thebacteria using high-performance liquidchromatography and a dwarf rice bioassay. Itwas concluded that the main effect of A.brasilense and Bacillus C-1l-25 on wheatgrowth in these experiments was throughalteration of plant growth and that thecontribution of associative Nz fixation by thesebacteria to wheat N nutrition is minimal.

Plasmid-encoded genes. Derivatives of thetransposon Tn5, carrying the Mob site (oriT) ofplasmid RP4, and an nptl-sacB-sacR cassettewere constructed. The Mob site allowsidentification of transposon inserts in, crypticplasmids by mobilization to other strains. Thesac genes allow direct selection for the loss orcuring of plasm ids, because only strains that nolonger contain an active sacB gene are able togrow on media containing sucrose. These

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transposbns were tested in four strains ofRhizobiutn. leguminosarum and two strains ofRhizobium meliloti, and curing of many largecryptic plasmids was achieved. Use of thismethod has enabled the identification ofplasmids ,carrying genes involved in nodula-tion, nitrogen fixation, and various metabolicpathways, including genes involved incatabolisrh of various plant metabolites. Thesegenes could be used in the construction ofimproved; genetically engineered Rhizobiumstrains. The transposons constructed shouldfunction ,for curing of plasmids in anyGram-negp.tive bacterium.

Soil manll;gement and conservation

Nitrog~n exudation through roots. Long-term crop rotation studies have demonstratedthat continuous wheat production is veryeffective in sustaining nitrogen fertility in soil.A hypothetical mechanism for this beneficialeffect is release of nitrogen from wheat rootsinto the soil via exudation and related pro-cesses. Quantification of plant nitrogen fluxesinto the soil, however, has been impaired by theabsence of,appropriate methodology. A pro-posed method for the direct measurement ofroot nitrogen exudation was devised andevaluated I,lnder controlled conditions. Wheatplants, when exposed to atmospheric ammonianitrogen, v.iere found to absorb this nitrogenrapidly intb the leaves and, furthermore, totranslocatel the assimilated nitrogen into theroots. Useiof 15N-labeled ammonia thereforepermitted direct quantification of nitrogenreleased from the roots by analysis of the soilfor 15N. Preliminary estimates indicated that asubstantial proportion (perhaps 20% or more)of the nitr~gen assimilated by wheat wasreleased in~ the soil by exudation and relatedprocesses. ;Use of this method will permitquantifica~ion of rhizosphere nitrogendynamics under field conditions and willperhaps facilitate identification of crop plantsor agronomic practices that ensure sustainedsoil productivity.

Soil rhizosphere. As plant roots growthrough soil, they introduce changes to thesurrounding:soil. To examine the effect of rootson the chemical and biochemical properties ofthe rhizosph~re, two grass species, blue grama(Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag.) and rye(Secale cereafe L. 'Fr'ontier'), were grown on fivedifferent soils in simple containers consisting offive sandwiched compartments, simulating

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rhizosphere and surrounding soil, over5 weeks. Although the presence of rootsinfluenced the measured chemical properties ofthe soil surrounding them, there were nooverall common trends. For example, changesin pH over time were slight but consistent; theydecreased in one and increased in the otherfour soils. The results, even in this simplifiedsystem, demonstrated complex and interre-lated effects (P < 0.01) of soil type, plantspecies, and time on the biochemical dynamicsin and near the rhizosphere. The properties ofthe rhizosphere are, therefore, system specific.

Restoring productivity to artificially erodedsoil. A field was artificially eroded by levelingin 1957. Continuous cropping to barley for7 years followed by a wheat-fallow rotation for14years without application of nutrients didnot significantly improve the soil productivityof the severely eroded land. Subsequently, awheat-fallow experiment was conducted from1980 to 1985 to determine the effects of either30 Mg/ha of feedlot manure or 150 kgcommercial fertilizer N (as urea) and 150 kgcommercial fertilizer P (as triple super-phosphate) per hectare on restoring theproductivity to soil from which either 10-20 emor 246 em of soil had been removed. Both themanure and commercial fertilizer treatmentsessentially restored productivity within the 1styear, as measured by wheat yields, regardlessof severity of erosion. During years of droughtstress, which often occur under drylandconditions, the manure application on theeroded soil treatments resulted in yieldsgreater than those on check or fertilized plots.The manure significantly increased the organicmatter, total N, NOs-N, available P, andwater-stable aggregate status of the soil. Thedifference in carbohydrates between undis-turbed and eroded plots decreased from 1982 to1984.

Water and climate

Automation of weather systems. An auto-mated system of data collection and datamanagement for climatic data is invaluable atresearch institutions ofapplied sciences such asagriculture and forestry. A climatic datamanagement system implemented at theLethbridge Research Station uses off-the-shelfdataloggers and sensors for data collection.Sufficient flexibility is built into the datacollection system to accommodate standardclimatic measurements as well as nonstandard


measurements in support of local researchactivities. The data collected are processed in adata management program to provide qualitycontrol, to update historical archives, and toproduce reports for investigators both at thestation and at external agencies such asEnvironment Canada. The integration ofhistorical archives with the most currentclimatic data collected provides a resource toresearchers wherein most of the requiredclimatic information is readily available.

Canal linings for seepage control. Seepagefrom canals is the major cause of waterloggedand saline land in the irrigation districts ofsouthern Alberta. Studies at the station havebeen directed toward finding a suitable liningto control canal seepage under the semiaridcontinental climate of the area. Black poly-ethylene plastic covered with patio blocks(concrete slabs either 610 or 760 X 610 X30 mm thick) was the only one of four liningstested to control seepage satisfactorily and wasessentially maintenance-free throughout the5-year study. Because of its flexibility, it wasnot damaged by frost heaving and was easilyfitted to the ditch. The ditch surface had to besmoothly trimmed to size and shape to make agood bed for the blocks. Maximum deteriora-tion in the yield and breaking strengths of theplastic was <5%. This concept of canal lininghas been used by one irrigation district, andanother district is considering its use.

Instrumentation for monitoring water levels.The increasing demand for reliable anddetailed data on use of water in irrigation hasencouraged the use of digital systems for dataacquisition. An instrumentation system forsimultaneous recording of water-table heightsin digital and graphical forms was developed.The major components of this device were afloat-potentiometer (float-pot) unit, an elec-tronic datalogger, and a Stevens FI recorder.The instrumentation system has worked verywell for monitoring water levels at a streamflowstation in an irrigation canal, where waterlevel changes rapidly. The float-pot unittransferred absolute water level positionselectronically to an electronic data logger inany preset, incremental time interval, whilemechanically operating the clock-driven pencarriage and chart drum recorder. Data storedin the datalogger were transferred to floppydisk through an RS-232 communication inter-face and a portable IBM-compatible micro-computer. The raw data were processed,

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transformed into water levels, and comparedwith those simultaneously obtained by thechart. The results indicated that the dataobtained by the electronic datalogger werehighly accurate. The proposed system hasprovided an excellent concurrent digital andgraphical record of water levels with a highlevel of accuracy.

Glauber's salt in a Dark Brown soil. An un-known effiorescent mineral, occurring at adepth of about 1 m in a moderately welldrained soil of southern Alberta, was identifiedby chemical analysis as Glauber's salt, thehydrated sodium sulfate mineral mirabilite.X-ray diffraction analysis of dehydrated crys-tals identified the anhydrouS sodium sulfatemineral thenardite. The mirabilite crystalsoccurred in unsaturated soil beneath a meltingfrozen layer. Saturation extracts of bulk soilsamples identified two zones of high ionicconcentration, at the depth of mirabiliteoccurrence and below the water table. Thedominant ions in these zones were sulfate andsodium and, to a lesser extent, magnesium. Allsaturation extracts and soil solutions frombelow the frozen layer and the groundwaterwere found to be saturated with respect tocalcite, dolomite, and gypsum. Only the soilsolutions from the 90-120 cm depth showedsaturation with mirabilite. Mirabilite forma-tion was attributed to the low soil tempera-tures, high soil water contents, and concentra-tion ofions below the frozen layer.

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Asea, P.E.A.; Kucey, R.M.N.; Stewart, J.W.B.1988. Inorganic phosphate solubilization bytwo Penicillium species in solution cultureand soil. Soil BioI.Biochem. 20:459-464.

Bailey, D.R.C.; Entz, T.; Fredeen, H.T.;Rahnefeld, G.W. 1988. Operator and ma-chine effects on ultrasonic measurements ofbeef cows. Livest. Prod. Sci. 18:305-309.

Bailey, D.R.C.; Swierstra, E.E.; Entz, T. 1988.Postpartum interval in 10 first-crosses ofbeef cows under dry lot and range condi-tions. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:1027-1033.

Bergen, P.; Whitfield, G.H. 1987. Evaluationof at-planting and post-emergence treat-ments for control of the sugarbeet root

372

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maggot! J. Am. Soc. Sugar Beet Technol.24:67-7~.

Byers, J.R., 1988. Woolly-bear caterpillars ofGramm,ia blakei (Grt.) (Lepidoptera:Arctiidae)-An occasional pest of nativerange pastures and adjacent crops in south-ern AH),erta and southwestern Saskat-chewan., Can. Entomol. 120:927-935.

Byers, J.R.;'Struble, D.L.; Schaalje, G.B. 1988.Monitodng population levels of eightspecies ofnoctuids with sex-attractant trapsin southern Alberta, 1978-1983: Congru-ency of year-to-year fluctuations in intra-specific density shown by subsets of moni-toring sites. Can. Entomol. 120:1071-1078.

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Chang, C.; Sommerfeldt, T.G.; Entz, T. 1988.Soil saliriity and sand content variabilitydetermin~d by two statistical methods in anirrigated saline soil. Can. J. Soil Sci.68:209-221.

Charnetski, ~.A. 1988. Toxicity of insecti-cides to tHealfalfa leafcutter bee, MegachilerotundatcL F. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae),establish~d by three evaluation methods.Can. Entomol.120:297-305.

Cheng, K.-J.;'Phillippe, R.C.; Majak, W. 1988.Identification of rumen bacteria thatanaerobically degrade nitrite, Can. J.Microbiol.,34:1099-1102.

Chiquette, J.; Cheng, K.-J.; Costerton, J.W.;Milligan, ~.P. 1988. Effect of tannins onthe digestibility of two isosynthetic strainsof birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.)using in vi~ro and in sacco techniques. Can.J. Anim. Sci. 68:751-760.

Conner, R.L.', 1988. Influence of irrigationtiming on, black point incidence in softw~ite spring wheat. Can. J. Plant Pathol.9:301-306.:

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Conner, R.L.; Davidson, J.G.N. 1988. Resist-ance in wheat to black point caused byAlternariet altemata and Cochliobolussativus. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:351-359.

Conner, R.L.;: MacDonald, M.D.; Whelan,E.D.P. 1988. Evaluation of take-all.re-sistance id wheat-alien amphiploid andchromosom~ substitution lines. Genome30:597-602,

Coulter, G.H.; Bailey, D.R.C. 1988. Effects ofultrasonography on the bovine testis andsemen quality. Theriogenology 30:743-749.


Coulter, G.H.; Bailey, D.RC. 1988. Epidi-dymal sperm reserves in 12-month-oldAngus and Hereford bulls: Effects of bullstrain plus dietary energy. Anim. Reprod.Sci. 16:169-175.

Coulter, G.H.; Bailey, D.R.C. 1988. Testiculardevelopments of Salers bulls to one year ofage. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:961-964.

Coulter, G.H.; Senger, P.L.; Bailey, D.RC.1988. Relationship of scrotal surface tem-perature measured by infrared thermo-graphy to subcutaneous and deep testiculartemperature in the ram. J. Reprod. Fert.84:417-423.

Croy, D.S.;Rode, L.M. 1988. Nutritive value ofpulp mill fiber waste for ruminants. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:461-470.

Dormaar, J.F. 1988. Effect of plant roots onchemical and biochemical properties ofsurrounding discrete soil zones. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:233-242.

Dormaar, J.F.; Lindwall, C.W.; Kozub, G.C.1988. Effectiveness ofmanure and commer-cial fertilizer in restoring productivity of anartificially eroded Dark Brown Cherno-zemic soil under dryland conditions. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:669-679.

Erlandson, M.A.; Johnson, D.L.; Olfert, 0.0.1988. Entomophaga grylli infections ingrasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) popu-lations in Saskatchewan and Alberta 1985-1986. Can. Entomol.I20:205-209.

Gamboa, G.J.; Foster, RL.; Richards, K.W.1987. Intraspecific nest and brood recog-nition by queens ofthe bumble bee, Bombusoccidentalis (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Can.J. Zool.65:2893-2897.

Gaudet, D.A.; Chen, T.H.H. 1988. Effect offreezing resistance and low-temperaturestress on development ofcottony snow mold(Coprinus psychromorbidus) in winterwheat. Can. J. Bot. 66:1610-1615.

Grace, B.; Quick, B. 1988. A comparison ofmethods for the calculation of potentialevapotranspiration under the windy semi-arid conditions of southern Alberta. Can.Water Resour. J. 13:9-19.

Grace, B.;Shipp, J.L. 1988. A laboratory tech-nique for examining the flight activity ofinsects under controlled environmentconditions. Int. J. Biometeorol. 32:65-69.


Hironaka, R. 1988. The effect of calciumsupplementation of an all-concentratediet for beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:199-203.

Huang, H.C.; Kokko, E.G. 1987. Ultrastruc-ture of hyperparasitism of Coniothyriumminitans on sclerotia of Sclerotiniasclerotiorum. Can. J. Bot. 65:2483-2489.

Huang, H.C.; Kokko, E.G. 1988. Penetrationof hyphae of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum byConiothyrium minitans without theformation of appressoria. J. Phytopathol.123:133-139.

Hynes, M.F.; Brucksch, K.; Priefer, U. 1988.Melanin production encoded by a crypticplasmid in a Rhizobium leguminosarumstrain. Arch. Microbiol. 150:326-332.

Jain, D.K.; Beyer, D.; Rennie, R.J. 1987. Dini-trogen fixation (C2H2 reduction) bybacterial strains at various temperatures.Plant Soil 103:233-237.

Janzen, H.H. 1988. Comparison of barleygrowth in naturally and artificiallysalinized soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 68:795-798.

Janzen, H.H.; Chang, C. 1988. Cation concen-trations in the saturation extract and soilsolution extract of soil salinized withvarious sulfate salts. Commun. Soil Sci.Plant Anal. 19:405-430.

Janzen, H.H.; Kucey, RM.N. 1988. C, N, andS mineralization of crop residues asinfluenced by crop species and nutrientregime. Plant Soil 106:35-41.

Johnson, D.L.; Huang, H.C.; Harper, A.M.1988. Mortality of grasshoppers Orthop-tera: Acrididae) inoculated with a Cana-dian isolate of the fungus Verticilliumlecanii. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 52:335-342.

Klein, K.K.; Smith, E.G.; Dubetz, S.; Gardiner,E.E. 1988. A bioeconomic evaluation offababeans in broiler chick diets. Can. J.Agric. Econ. 36:337-347.

Kucey, R.M.N. 1988. Alteration of size ofwheat root systems and nitrogen fixationby associative nitrogen-fixing bacteriameasured under field conditions. Can. J.Microbiol. 34:735-739.

Kucey, R.M.N. 1988. Ammonia loss followingsurface application of urea fertilizers to acalcareous soil. Commun. Soil Sci. PlantAnal. 19:431-445.

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Kucey, R.M.N. 1988. Effect of Penicilliumbilaji on the solubility and uptake of P andmicronutrients from soil by wheat. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:261-270.

Kucey, R.M.N. 1988. Plant growth-alteringeffects of Azospirillum brasilense andBacillus C-II-25 on two wheat cultivars. J.Appl. Bacteriol. 64:187-196.

Kucey, R.M.N.; Bonetti, R. 1988. Effect ofvesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi andcaptan on growth and N2 fixation byRhizobium-inoculated field beans. Can. J.Soil Sci. 68:143-149.

Kucey, R.M.N.; Chaiwanakupt, P.; Arayang-kool, T.; Snitwongse, P.; Siripaibool, C.;Wadisirisuk, P.; Boonkerd, N. 1988. Nitro-gen fixation (15Ndilution) with soybeansunder Thai field conditions. II. Effect ofherbicides and water application schedule.Plant Soil 108:87-92.

Kucey, R.M.N.; Chaiwanakupt, P.; Snit-wongse, P.; Toomsan, B.; Boonkerd, N.;Siripaibool, C.; Rennie, R.J.; Rungrat-tanakasin, W.; Wadisirisak, P. 1988.Nitrogen fixation (N-15 dilution) withsoybeans under Thai field conditions.III. Effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicumstrains and herbicides in northeastThailand. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol.34:243-253.

Kucey, ~.M.N.; Snitwongse, P.; Chaiwana-kupt, P.; Wadisirisuk, P.; Siripaibool, C.;Arayangkool, T.; Boonkerd, N.; Rennie, R.J.1988. Nitrogen fixation (15Ndilution) withsoybeans under Thai field conditions. I.Developing protocols for screening Bradyr-hizobium japonicum strains. Plant Soil108:33-41.

Lynch, D.R.; Coffin, R.H. 1988. Effect of short-and long-term exposure of seed tubers tolow temperatures on the growth and yieldof five potato cultivars. Am. Potato J.58:57-66.

Lynch, D.R.; Kozub, G.C. 1988. An analysis ofthe response of nine potato genotypes to fiveprairie environments. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1219-1228.

MacKay, D.C.; Carefoot, J.M.; Entz, T. 1987.Evaluation of the DRIS procedure forassessing the nutritional status of potato(Solanum tuberosum L.). Commun. Soil Sci.Plant Anal. 18:1331-1353.

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MacKay, p.C.; Carefoot, J.M.; Entz, T. 1988.Detection and correction of midseason Pdeficiency in irrigated potatoes. Can. J.Plant ~i. 68:523-534.

Mains, W.fI.; Ethier, D.J.; Lynch, D.R. 1988.Automated, variable speed PTO for a plot-sized potato harvester. Am. Potato J.65:365~368.

IMajor, D.c!.; Rao, U.M.B. 1988. Genotypic

stability and compatibility in maize evalua-tion trilils. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:607-615.,

Major, D.Ji; Smoliak, S.; Asrar, G.; Kanemasu,E.T. 1988. Analysis of spectral data forcomparing rangeland and cultural practicesin soutHern Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci.68:1017:..t023.

McLean, R1J.C.; Nickel, J.C.; Cheng, K.-J.;Costerto'n, J.W. 1988. The ecology andpathoge~icity of urease-producing bacteriain the urinary tract. CRC Crit. Rev.Microbiol. 16:37-79.

Mears, G.J.;' Vesely, J.A.; Cheng, K.-J. 1988.Plasma 'insulin and growth hormone ingrowing lambs fed monensin. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:165-171.

Miiller, P.; ~ynes, M.F.; Kapp, D.;Niehaus, K.;Puhler, A. 1988. Two classes ofRhizobiummeliloti infection mutants differ in exopo-lysaccha~ide production and co-inoculationpropertie~ with nodulation mutants. Mol.Gen. Genet. 211:17-26.

Mundel, H.-H.; Huang, H.C.; Burch, L.D.;Kiehn, F.' 1987. Registration of'Saffire'safllower.: Crop Sci. 27:364-365.

Mundel, H.-H.; Schaalje, G.B. 1988. Use ofnear infrared reflectance spectroscopy toscreen soybean lines for plant nitrogen.Crop Sci. 28:157-162.

O'Connell, M.P.; Hynes, M.F.; Piihler, A. 1987.Incompatibility between a Rhizobium Symplasmid a9d a Ri plasmid ofAgrobacterium.Plasmid 18:156-163.

Peters, H.F.; Vesely, J.A. 1988. Brahman-British beM cattle crosses in Canada. II.Postweani~g growth and carcass charac-teristics. dan. J. Anim. Sci. 68:345-353.

IRao, U.M.B.;Major, D.J.; Carefoot, J.M. 1988.

Comparati~e risk of growing four irrigatedcrops in southern Alberta. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:907i913.

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Richards, K.W.; Edwards, P.D. 1988. Density,diversity, and efficiency of pollinators ofsainfoin, Orwbrychis viciaefolia Scop. Can.Entomol. 120:1085-1100.

Roberts, D.W.A.;MacDonald, M.D. 1988. Roleof chromosome 5A in wheat in control ofsome traits associated with cold hardinessofwinter wheat. Can. J. Bot. 66:658-662.

Rode, L.M.; Satter, L.D. 1988. Effect ofamount and length of alfalfa hay in dietscontaining barley or corn on site ofdigestionand rumen microbial protein synthesis indairy cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:445-454.

Schaber, B.D.; Entz, T. 1988. Effect of springburning on in"sectsin seed alfalfa fields. J.Econ. Entomol. 81:668-672.

Scholl, P.J.; Hironaka, R.;Weintraub, J. 1988.Impact of cattle grub (Hypoderma spp.)(Diptera: Oestridae) infestations on per-formance of beef cattle. J. Econ. Entomol.81:246-250.

Scholl, P.J.; Weintraub, J. 1988. Gonotrophicdevelopment in Hypoderma lineatum andH. bovis (Diptera: Oestridae), with notes onreproductive capacity. Ann. Entomol. Soc.Am. 81:318-324.

Shipp, J.L. 1988. Classification system for em-bryonic development of Simulium arcticumMalloch (IIS.10.11) (Diptera: Simuliidae).Can. J. Zool.66:274-276.

Shipp,J.L.; Grace, B.; Janzen, H.H. 1988. In-fluence of temperature and water vapourpressure on the flight activity of Simuliumarcticum Malloch (Diptera: Simuliidae).Int. J. Biometeorol. 32:242-246.

Shipp, J.L.; Sutcliffe, J.F.; Kokko, E.G. 1988.External ultrastructure of sensilla on theantennal flagellum of a female black fly,Simulium arcticum (Diptera: Simuliidae).Can. J. Zool.66:1425-1531.

Sommerfeldt, T.G.; Chang, C.; Entz, T. 1988.Long-term annual manure applicationsincrease soil organic matter and nitrogen,and decrease carbon to nitrogen ratio. SoilSci. Soc.Am. J. 52:1668-1672.

Thomas, J.B.; Schaalje, G.B.; Roberts, D.W.A.1988. Prolonged freezing of dark-hardenedseedlings for ratings and selection ofwinterwheats for winter survival ability. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:47-55.


Whelan, E.D.P. 1988. Transmission of achromosome from decaploid Agropyronelongatum that confers resistance to thewheat curl mite in common wheat. Genome30:293-298.

Whelan, E.D.P.; Hart, G.E. 1988. A sponta.neous translocation that transfers wheatcurl mite resistance from decaploidAgropyron elongatum to common wheat.Genome 30:289-292.

Willms, W.D. 1988. Forage production andutilization in various topographic zones ofthe fescue grasslands. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:211-223.

Willms, W.D. 1988. Response of rough fescue(Festuca scabrella) to light, water,temperature, and litter removal undercontrolled conditions. Can. J. Bot.66:429-434.

Willms, W.D.; Dormaar, J.F.; Schaalje, G.B.1988. Stability of grazed patches on roughfescue grasslands. J. Range Manage.41:503-508.

Yeung, J .M.;Shemanchuk, J .A.; Spooner, R.W.1988. Small-scale method for the deter-mination of permethrin residue on cattlehair by gas-liquid chromatography withelectron capture detection. J. Agric. FoodChern. 36:1287-1290.

Yeung, J.M.; Taylor, W.G. 1988. MetabolismofN,N-diethy-m-toluamide (DEET) by livermicrosomes from male and female rats.Simultaneous quantitation ofDEET and itsmetabolites by high performance liquidchromatography. Drug Metab. Dispos.16:600-604.

Miscellaneous

Beke, G.J.; Entz, T. 1987. Effect of irrigationmethods on groundwater levels in glaciatedterrain. Pages 91-98 in Irrigation andwater allocation. Proceedings VancouverSymposium, August 1987. InternationalAssociation of Hydrological Sciences,Publ. 169.

Conner, R.L. 1988. Stripe rust of wheat.Canadex 112.632.

Conner, R.L.; Kuzyk, A.D. 1988. Black pointincidence in soft white spring wheat insouthern Alberta and Saskatchewanbetween 1982 and 1987. Can. Plant Dis.Surv.68:27-31.

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Conner, R.L.;Thomas, J .B.;Kuzyk, A.D. 1988.Overwintering of stripe rust in southernAlberta. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:2.

Coulter, G.H. 1988. Thermography of bulltestes. Pages 58-62 in Proceedings 12thTechnical Conference on Artificial Insemi-nation and Reproduction. National Asso-ciation ofAnimal Breeders, Columbia, Mo.

Gaudet, D.A. 1987. Snow mold diseases ofwinter cereals in Alberta. Agric. For. Bull.10:14-16.

Gaudet, D.A.; Bhalla, M.K. 1988. Survey forsnow mold diseases of winter cereals incentral and northern Alberta, 1983-87.Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 68:15-21.

Grace, B. 1988. User's guide and documenta-tion for WEATHER, a climatic datamanagement system. Agriculture Canada,Research Station, Lethbridge, Alta. LRSMimeo Report 7.

Hanna, M.R.; Bergen, P.; Charnetski, W.;Richards, K.; Moyer, J.R. 1987. Manage-ment of alfalfa for seed production insouthern Alberta. Alberta Alfalfa SeedCommittee, Lethbridge, Alta.

Harper, A.M. 1988. Insects and mites onalfalfa in Alberta. Research Branch, Agric.Can. Tech. Bull. 1988-3E.

Harper, A.M.; Huang, H.C. 1988. Insectskilled by the fungus Verticillium lecanii.Canadex 621.

376

Harper, A.M.; Roberts, D.W.A. 1988. Phyto-tron ma~ual. Research Branch, Agric. Can.Tech. B(111.1988-4E.

Huang, H.C.; Kokko, M.J.; Phillippe, L.M.1988. White mold of dry bean (Phaseolusvulgaris' L.) in southern Alberta, 1983-87.Can. Pla~t Dis. Surv. 66:11-13.

Johnson, D;L.; Kok, L.R. 1988. A guide tobasic corpmands used in the Alberta grass-hopper spatial analysis system. Agricul.ture Canada, Research Station, Lethbridge,Alta. LR\SMimeo Report 8.

Richards, K.W.; Whitfield, G.H.; Hill, B.D.1987. Timing leafcutter bee parasite devel-opment assists control. Canadex 616.651.

Sommerfeldt, T.G.; Chang, C. 1987. Canallinings to control seepage. TransactionsInternatiimal Commission on Irrigationand Drainage 13th Congress Q.40,R.22:325-333.

Sommerfeldt; T.G.; Rapp, E.; Chang, C.; JanzenH.H. 198'g. Management of saline soilsunder irrigation. Agric. Can. Publ. 1624.

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Walker, G.K.'; Blackshaw, R.E.; Dekker, J.1988. Leaf area and competition for lightbetween plant species using direct sunlighttransmissi~n. Weed Technol. 2:159-165.

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I~esearch Branch Report 1988I

Research StationAgassiz, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.M. Molnar, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.R. Maurer, B.S.A., M.Sc.D. Neve, B.A.D.H. Frey, B.Sc.J.P. Bolton,l B.A., M.L.S.

Animal ScienceL.J. Fisher, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.S. Bittman, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.T. Buckley, B.S., Ph.D.E.E. Gardiner, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.J.R. Hunt, B.S.A., Ph.D.R.C. Newberry, B.Sc., Ph.D.

Crop ScienceA.R. Maurer, B.S.A., M.Sc.D.L. Ehret, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.A. Freeman,2 B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.S. Freyman, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.S.A., Ph.D.S.G. Fushtey, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.R. Gillespie, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C. Kempler, B.Sc., M.Sc.J.C.W. Keng, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.C.G. Kowalenko, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.DW.C. Lin, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.DJ.G. Menzies, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.W. Perrin, B.Sc., Ph.D.

VISITING SCIENTISTS

J. Budac, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.National Research Council ofCanada visiting fellow,September 1988-August 1989

M.-M. Gaye, B.S.A.Agri-food Regional DevelopmentSubsidiary Agreement

Research Station, Agassiz, B.C.

DirectorAssistant DirectorAdministration OfficerAnalyst-ProgrammerLibrarian

Head of Section; Dairy cattle nutritionForage crop managementRuminant mineral biochemistryPoultry nutritionPoultry physiologyAnimal behavior

Acting Head of Section; Vegetable physiologyGreenhouse vegetable physiologySmall fruits management; Weed controlWeed controlTurf managementGreenhouse vegetables entomologyKiwifruit, exotic vegetablesSoil, water, and crop managementSoil biochemistry and fertilityGreenhouse vegetables postharvest physiologyGreenhouse vegetables plant pathologyPostharvest physiology

Analytical Chemist

Vegetable season extension

377

W.-Y. YangYunnan Agricultural TechniqueExtension Centre, Yunnan, People'sRepublic of China,I October 1988-30 April 1989

,

Vegetable rttanagement

1 Seconded from Libraries Division, Corporate Management Branch.2 Appointed to emeritus status 1April19~.

378I,I

R~search Branch Report 1988I

INTRODUCTION

The Agassiz Research Station celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1988 with the burial of a timecapsule that will be opened in the year 2088. The station was one of the original five established inCanada.

The station is situated in the lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia where the majority of theprovince's dairy, poultry, vegetable, and berry industries are located. The mandate ofthe station isto conduct research in both plant and animal sciences.

Dairy research is directed towards the nutrition of cattle, including mineral biochemistry ofruminants. The program is supported by the forage specialist and by the facilities in the station'sfeedmill. The poultry program, which is operated with the tangible support ofthe British Columbiapoultry industry, emphasizes nutrition, physiology, and animal behavior. These programs havebeen recognized nationaUy and internationally.

The station's research on horticultural crops has a broad mandate, which includes management,physiology, postharvest physiology, entomology, and plant pathology of greenhouse and fieldvegetable crops and management of berries, including kiwi fruit. Weed control studies addressboth chemical and nonchemical methods of control. The programs are supported by research insoils on a wide range ofmanagement and fertility problems.

The station's programs are directed towards sustainable systems of soil, plant, and animalmanagement with a view to maintaining and improving the rural environment.

Further information regarding the research programs and results achieved may be obtained byrequesting copies of the listed publications and other informal reports. Address requests to theDirector, Research Station, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P.O. Box 1000, Agassiz, B.C.VOMlAO;Tel. (604) 796-2221.

J.M.MolnarDirector

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Apparent tissue mineral changes related tosudden death syndrome in chickens. Suddendeath syndrome (SDS) is the main cause ofmortality in male broiler chickens in westernCanada, although the etiology of the disease isessentially unknown. The objective of recentwork was to screen tissues from SDS birds andto identify mineral elements that might bepresent in concentrations higher or lower thanin healthy chickens. Sixty-eight elements inheart, liver, lung, and kidney were determinedsemiquantitatively by inductively coupledplasma mass spectrometry. Apparent concen-trations ofbromine, calcium, iron, germanium,and strontium were higher in one or moretissues from SDS chickens, whereas apparentconcentrations of cesium, magnesium, man-ganese, phosphorus, rubidium, and zinc werelower compared with the healthy controls.Thus, a number of mineral elements may berelated to SDS in some manner.

Use of pen space by broiler chickens. Aninvestigation was made of the use of pen space


by broiler chickens kept in two different sizes ofpens, large (407 m2 for 3040 birds) or small(203.5 m2 for 1520 birds). The area of the dailyhome range of individual chickens within eachflock was relatively small and was unaffectedby the pen size. However, the location ofindividuals within pens generally changedover time such that the total area of space usedduring the period from 4 to 9 weeks of age wasrelatively large and was greater for chickens inthe large pens than for those in the small pens.The results indicated that chickens were notrestricting their movements to a small area oftheir pen where they could develop and main-tain social relationships with other chickens inthe vicinity. Lack of a well-delineated homesite, and constant mingling with strangers,may have an adverse effect on the welfare ofbroiler chickens.

Effect of dietary boron on eggshell quality.Postmenopausal human females were reportedto deposit more bone calcium when their dietwas supplemented with boron. Feeding supple-mental boron to laying hens that had beenmolted and then brought back into egg

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production did not influence eggshell quality asmeasured by the specific gravity method or bymeasuring eggshell thickness.

Formaldehyde as a preservative. Residualformaldehyde (CH20) in the tissues, blood, andmilk of calves and cows fed whey preservedwith various levels of formalin was measuredby gas chromatography. The morning milkfrom cows fed whey preserved with 0.05, 0.10,and 0.15% formalin contained CH20 at anaverage of 0.034, 0.095, and 0.208 mg/kg,respectively. Fresh muscle tissue from calvesconsuming whey preserved with 0.10%formalin had a significantly higher concen-tration of CH20 (0.256 mg/kg) than freshmuscle tissue from control calves or calvesconsuming whey containing 0.05% formalin(0.178 and 0.206 mglkg, respectively).

Dogfish silage. In a cooperative study withB.C. Research and the Department of AnimalScience, University of British Columbia,wastes (Squalus acanthias) from processingdogfish were readily hydrolized in the presenceof 1.5% formic acid to produce a stable, liquidproduct free of bones and scales. The rate andextent of solubilization was temperature-dependent. The resultant acidified productcontained 74.4% moisture, 3.0% nitrogen, and3.4% ash and was stable for 6 months atambient temperatures. However, when fed as asingle feedstuff to rats, the biological value ofthe silage was low and was not improved by theaddition oflysine or methionine.

PLANT SCIENCE

Computer-assisted watershed hydrologystudies. The suitability of the digital elevationmodel (OEM) and of electronic land imagemanipulation for watershed quantification wasstudied in a small British Columbia watershedwith terrain varying from flat lowland to about75% slope upland. Results suggest that OEMallows the creation of synthetic watershedimages with contour overlays for accurate andeconomical landscape descriptions. Throughthe use of proper software, OEM also providesmore accurate measurement of watershedareas and profiles than traditional planimetricprocedures. With the increased availability ofdigitized topographic data and improved reso-lution of aerial photo and satellite landscapeimages, OEM will be a useful tool in the field ofagricultural hydrology.

380

Cucumber yellowing-a challenge for thegreenhouse,industry in British Columbia. Themarketability of greenhouse cucumbers isdependent on several factors, one of which isyellowing. ,Shelf life is reduced by yellowing.In a survey of six commercial growers,cucumbers were collected weekly for 11weeks.Shelf life ofthese cucumbers varied greatly andranged fron). 2 to 14 days. Average shelf liferanged from,5.1 to 9.0 days among growers andfrom 5.0 to, 7.5 days depending on week ofharvest. Smaller fruit (440 g) lasted longerthan larger fruit (580 g). Analysis of mineralcontent of ~ruit showed that shelf life wasnegatively correlated with nitrogen, boron, andcalcium anp. positively correlated withmagnesium 'and zinc. Fruit that was keptlonger on the plants had a shorter shelf lifethan fruit that was harvested at an earlier age.

Effect of fertilizers on weed emergence andweed communities. Results of trials conductedfrom 1986 to 1988 on the effect offertilizer onweed emergence and subsequent weed commu-nities indicate that application of nitrogenstimulates emergence ofcorn spurry seedlings.After a few weeks, lady's-thumb or lamb's-quarters assu~ed biomass dominance in thepresence of nitrogen, whereas corn spurry wasdominant on plots with no nitrogen. Phos-phorus had a small effect and potassium had noeffect on composition of weed communities.The ability to manipulate weed emergence andcommunities may have implications in choiceof strategy and,ease ofweed control.

Response of cantaloupe to row covers andhoney bees. Two cantaloupe cultivars weregrown on black plastic mulch (BPM) alone oron BPM plus fll?ating mulch (Agryl P-17). Thetwo floating mulch treatments either had ordid not have, h~ney bee colonies placed underthem. Introdl.!-ction of pollinating insectsallowed for a 4-;.veekexten,sion of the coveringperiod; row covers without bees had to beremoved as soo~ as blossoms appeared. Earlyyield was 23 times greater from the coveredthan from the u~covered treatments. Floatingmulch with bee~ resulted in the greatest earlyand total yields. ,

Supplemental lighting of greenhouse vege-tables. A compr'ehensive review of availableinformation on the use of supplemental light-ing was publish:ed. Current use of supple-mental lighting 'of greenhouse vegetables islargely restricted to propagation and trans-plant production; Yield data from trials with

~search Branch Report 1988

lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and pepper, grownunder supplemental lighting during each crop'smain growth period, are promising, but moreinformation is needed, particularly on productquality. Supplemental lighting increases theeffectiveness of enriching carbon dioxide in thegreenhouse but may necessitate adjustingnutrients and climate in the greenhouse.

Host range of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicis-lycopersici. The roots of young seed-lings of different plant species were inoculatedwith four different isolates of Fusariumoxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici to evaluatetheir susceptibility to this pathogen. Sus-ceptible plant species included asparagus,barley, broad beans, pinto beans, snap beans,beets, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, onions,peas, spinach, horned melon, chard, kohlrabi,tomatoes, chickweed, sweetclover, red clover,curled dock, wild buckwheat, corn spurry,hairy galinsoga, and narrow-leaved plantain.Species not observed to be susceptible includedbroccoli, corn, dill, eggplant, fennel, kiwifruit,leeks, pepper, potato, zucchini, canola, Frenchmarigold, rutabaga, common groundsel, barn-yard grass, perennial rye grass, white clover,and lamb's-quarters. Susceptible plant speciesmay be important as reservoirs of inoculum ofthe pathogen.

Biological control of fusarium yellows ofcelery. The use of Bacillus subtilis, Talaro-myces flavus, and Trichoderma sp. and a cock-tail of three avirulent Fusarium species wereassessed as root inoculants to control fusariumyellows of celery on celery cultivars 52-70HKand 52-70R. The biological control agents didnot significantly affect disease severity, celeryfresh weight, or marketability for eithercultivar. However, celery 52-70HK was ob-served to be less susceptible to fusariumyellows than 52-70R. Significantly lowerratings for disease severity and greater freshweights were observed for cultivar 52-70HKthan for 52-70R.

Biological control of Botrytis cinerea onkiwifruit. Four fungi, Drechslera sp., Fusa-rium heterosporium, Myrothecium verrucaria,and Trichoderma viride, were compared withthe fungicide Rovral (a.i. iprodione) forcontrolling the infection of the stigmata ofkiwifruit. Only Rovral significantly reducedthe percent infection of the stigmata, butRovral did not reduce infection significantlybetter than Drechslera sp., F. heterosporium,or T. viride.


Kiwifruit cold tolerance. The successfulcultivation of kiwifruit in British Columbiarequires an understanding of conditions andtemperatures that will damage the plants.Kiwifruit plants and tissue pieces were exposedto a ramp and soak program during the fall,winter, and spring using controlled envi-ronment chambers developed for this study.The electrolyte leakage, determined on thephloem tissue and l-year-old buds from boththe scion and the rootstock, was a good indi-cator of frost damage and was closely related tobud death, ringbarking, discolored exudate,and reduced growth. In general, the percent-age of electrolyte leakage was much greaterwhen tissue was damaged and this increasewas higher for the l-year-old buds than for thephloem tissue from the trunk. The tissues mostsusceptible to cold temperatures were theundifferentiated and differentiating floral budsin winter and spring. Floral bud differentia-tion was influenced by cold temperaturesin November, December, and January (- 8to -lOOC) but warmer temperatures (0 to-O.5°C) caused damage to flower buds duringdevelopment, which resulted in flower abortionor the development of misshapen fruit.

Kiwifruit frost protection using insulationwraps. Damage to trunks by cold tempera-tures usually occurs between 15 and 60 cmabove ground level. A good trunk wrap is onehaving good properties for thermal insulationthat reduces heat loss and trunk heating andminimizes diurnal temperature fluctuations.Ideal wraps will provide long lags in tem-perature increases and decreases. The wrapsthat moderate daily maximums also influenceplant cold tolerance by changing the accli-mation and reducing the freezing-thawingstress. At all test times the minimum airtemperature was cooler than the minimumtemperature under all wraps tested. Sawdust,followed by foam, foil, and white paint,provided the greatest increase in minimumtemperatures. The wraps (with one excep-tion) and the white painted trunks reduceddaily maximum temperatures over the control.White polyethylene foam increased dailymaximum temperatures over the control.White polyethylene foam and sawdust weremost effective in reducing the amount ofdamage under the wrap. In some cases thedamage above the wrap was increased.Painting the trunk with white paint abovethe wrap reduced trunk damage above thewrap.

381

PUBLICATIONS

ResearchBuckley, K.E.; Fisher, L.J.; MacKay, V.G.

1988. Levels of formaldehyde in milk,blood, and tissues of dairy cows and calvesconsuming formalin-treated whey. J. Agric.Food Chern. 36:1146-1150.

Gardiner, E.E.; Hunt, J.R.; Newberry, R.C.1988. Relationships between age, bodyweight, and season of the year and theincidence of sudden death syndrome in malebroiler chickens. Poult. Sci. 67:1243-1249.

Gardiner, E.E.; Newberry, R.C.; Hunt, J.R.1988. Effect of estradiol-17p-monopalmi-tate on the incidence of sudden deathsyndrome in male broiler chickens. Poult.Sci. 67:156-157.

Gillespie, D.R.;Ramey, C.A. 1988. Life historyand cold storage of Amblyseius cucumeris(Acarina: Phytoseiidae). J. Entomol. Soc.B.C. 85:71-76.

Keng, J.C.W. 1988. Monitoring corn rootdevelopment in greenhouse mini-rhizotron.Agron. J. 80:287-291.

Keng,J.C.W.; Kusaka, T. 1988. Application offiber optic techniques in underground ob.servations. Int. J. Soil Technol. 1:157-167.

Newberry, R.C.; Hunt, J.R.; Gardiner, E.E.1988. Influence of light intensity on beha-vior and performance of broiler chickens.Poult. Sci. 67:1020-1025.

Newberry, R.C.; Wood-Gush, D.G.M. 1988.The development of some behaviour pat-terns in piglets under semi-natural condi-tions. Anim. Prod. 46(pt.I):103-109.

Newberry, R.C.; Wood-Gush, D.G.M.; Hall,J.W. 1988. Playful behaviour of piglets.Behav. Processes 17:205-216.

Perrin, P.W. 1988. Electrical energy consump-tion in refrigerated produce storages. Can.Agric. Eng. 30:227-230. '

Strasdine, G.; Beames, R.M.; Fisher, L.J.;Jones, Y.M. 1988. An assessment of ensil-ing the processing wastes from dogfish toproduce a protein feed for monogastricanimals. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:873-880.

MiscellaneousBittman, S.; Hunt, D.E. 1988. Field corn re-port 1988. Agriculture Canada ResearchStation, Agassiz, B.C. 26 pp.

382

Fushtey, s.d. 1988. Summary of turf grass cul-tivar evaluation trial results. WesternCanada Turfgrass Committee TurfgrassResearch:Report. Vol. 1 (1):3-13.

Gaye, M.M.;Maurer, A.R 1987. Season exten-sion of asparagus harvesting-Agassiz, B.C.Pages 12-23 in Canadian AsparagusResearch'Report, University of Guelph,Guelph,O'nt.,

Gaye, M.M.;Maurer, A.R. 1988. A comparisonof row covers in the seedbed production ofBrussels sprouts. Agassiz Research StationTech. Rep. ,40. 11 pp.

Gaye, M.M.;Maurer, A.R 1988. The effect ofrow cover and seeding date on season exten-sion of zucchini squash. Agassiz ResearchStation Teth. Rep. 45. 14 pp.

Gaye, M.M.;Maurer, A.R 1988. The effect ofseeding date and row covers on the sup-pression of vernalization and bolting offield-grown celery. Agassiz ResearchStation Tec~. Rep. 44. 13 pp.

Gaye, M.M.;Maurer, A.R 1988. The effects ofseeding methods, seeding date and floatingmulches on plant development, yield andharvest date of Brussels sprouts. AgassizResearch Station Tech. Rep. 42. 15 pp.

Gaye, M.M.; Sweeney, M.E.; Maurer, A.R1988. The effects of floating mulches on theyield and earliness of Brussels sprouts.Agassiz Resilarch Station Tech. Rep. 41.10pp.

Keng, J.C.W.; :Bittman, S.; Maurer, A.R;Freeman, J.A.; Frey, D.; Jewell, M. 1988.Weather observations for 1988: Summariesand averages for 97 years of continuousrecording. Agriculture Canada ResearchStation, Agassiz, B.C. 10 pp.

Maurer, A.R; Frey, B.M. 1988. Effects ofbetween row',spacings on performance ofbell peppers grown in double poly tunnels-1987 results.. Agassiz Research StationTech. Rep. 43.: 5 pp.

Maurer, A.R.; SkInner, M.M. 1988. Asparaguscultivar asse'ssment for coastal BritishColumbia-l~87. Pages 3-11 in CanadianAsparagus Research Report, University ofGuelph, Guelph, Onto

,

Newberry, RC.; 11all,J.W. 1988. Space utili-zation by broiler chickens in floor pens.Pages 305-309 in Unshelm, J.; van Putten,G.; Zeeb, K.; J1;kesbo,I., eds. ProceedingsInternational Congress on Applied Etholo-gy in Farm Animals, Skara 1988, KTLB,Darmstadt, Federal Republic ofGermany.


Research StationKamloops, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

J.A. Robertson, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.K.J. RobinsonW. Majak, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.S. Mir, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Z. Mir,l B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.A. Quinton, B.S., Ph.D.R.B.ReaneyD.G. Stout, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.L. van Ryswyk, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.

Prince George Experimental FarmK. Broersma, B.S.A., M.Sc.

VISITING SCIENTIST

D.J. Thompson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.National Research Council visitingfellow

1 Transferred from Melfort Research Station, 1April 1988.

Research Station, Kamloops, B.C.

DirectorAdministrative OfficerBiochemistryRuminant nutrition-physiologyRuminant nutrition-physiologyRange managementComputer systemsPlant physiologySoil science

Superintendent; Forage agronomy

Grass-legume establishment

383

Director

INTRODUCTION

The research programs at the Kamloops Range Research Station and the Prince GeorgeExperimental Farm are designed to serve the ranchers and man~gers ofthe diverse rangelands andfarmlands in southern and central interior British Columbia. Research is focused on developingand transferring new technology in the fields of range management, plant ecology, poisonousplants, bloat, winterhardiness, forage agronomy, quality of conserved forages, and animalnutrition. :

Our professional staff acquired one additional scientist with: the transfer of Dr. Zahir Mir fromthe Melfort Research Station. He is conducting research in the areas of ruminant nutrition anddigestive physiology through investigations into improvement of digestibility and intake offibrousfeeds for ruminants and determination of compositional chan~es in forages during harvest andstorage.

Further information on our research activities is availa~le from the Director, ResearchStation, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 3015 Ord Road, Kamloops, B.C. V2B 8A9,Tel. (604) 376-5565; or the Experimental Farm, R.R. 8, RMD #6, Prince George, B.C. V2N 4M6,Tel. (604) 963.9632.

J.A. RobertsonI

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Evaluation of alfalfa winter injury

Each spring, growers of alfalfa (Medicagosativa L.)must normally wait for several weeksofwarm weather before knowing whether theiralfalfa survived the winter. The 1985-1986winter at Kamloops had low temperaturesduring a period with no snow cover. Early inthe spring, before growth began, alfalfa plantswere dug from the field and various root andcrown lesions were identified and ratedaccording to severity. Numerical ratings ofoneto three or four were used, with the lowestnumber indicating dead plants and the highestnumber indicating no visual indication ofinjury. The plants were then put into pots ofsoil and grown for 6 weeks to determine if theywould live or die. The relationship betweenlesions present at the time of digging andsurvival was then studied to see if the lesionscould be used to predict survival. Injuries toseveral characteristics were found to beassociated with plant death: bud vigor, leafvigor, resistance of root bark to peeling,resistance of root to squeezing, root interiorcolor, and, depending on site, the presence offungi on the root surface. A model combininginjury ratings for three characteristics (budvigor, root color, and root resistance to peeling)was developed, and survival probabilitiesbased on this model were determined. Use of

384

this model wil,lallow for an early evaluation oflow.temperatl;lre injury without having to waitfor aerial growth to occur.

Nitrogen-fertilized crested wheatgrass,

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatumL.) at three sites on Chernozemic soils wasfertilized once in the fall with nitrogen at 0, 25,50, and 100 kglha and harvested for 7 years.Yields of crested wheatgrass were greatest onthe two moister sites (Dark Brown Cherno.zems) in the 2nd and 3rd (wettest) years ofharvest for the 'highest fertilization rate. Theseyields ranged ~p to double that of the controlyield (1.0 Uha), Low yield and yield responseon the driest 'site (Brown Chernozem) waslikely the result of a history of drought andphosphorus deficiency.

It is import/mt to increase the yield of an,early growing forage, such as crested wheat.grass, so that shortages of winter feed can bealleviated. However, when the greatest yieldresponse does not occur in the 1st year, because

Iof yearly variation of moisture supply, thereturn on investment will be delayed andtherefore less valuable.

Yield and quality of grass-legumemixtures '

Response offorage crop mixtures, includingcombinations or',timothy (Phleum pratense L.),reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.),

I

:Research Branch Report 1988

orchardgrass (Dactyl is glomerata L.), redclover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover(T. repens L.), alsike clover (T. hybridum L.),birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), andalfalfa (Medicago spp.), to increasing rates andsplit applications of nitrogen was determinedat three locations in the central interior of B.C.An additional part of the study determinedcrop response to nitrogen, phosphorus, potas-sium, and a mixture of micronutrients thatincluded copper, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.The field trials were conducted on Pineviewclay at Prince George, Doughty clay atSmithers, and Driftwood loam at Smithers.

Use of nitrogen fertilizer increased yields offorage dry matter by 100-200% compared withplot areas receiving no nitrogen fertilizer.Nitrogen fertilizer did not increase the qualityof the forage, as both the crude protein andpercent digestibility decreased with increasingamounts of nitrogen at moderate rates. Splitapplications of nitrogen increased yieldsbetween 2 and 5% over single applications inspring. These minor increases do not warranttwo separate applications. The minus trialshowed that nitrogen was the most limitingnutrient. Phosphorus was also limiting but to alesser extent. Potassium and the micronu-trients tested were not deficient. Nitrogen wasthe most economical fertilizer element to applyin that the returns from the applied fertilizermore than paid for the extra input costs.

Pasture bloat in cattle

Rumen-fistulated cattle were fed freshalfalfa herbage daily during two growingseasons. Samples of rumen fluid were collecteddaily prior to feeding and the frothiness of therumen fluid was assessed. Concentrations ofsoluble protein nitrogen in the rumen fluidwere higher in animals that subsequentlybloated than in those that did not (P < 0.01).There was no relation between soluble proteinnitrogen and the occurrence of foam in therumen prior to feeding. The concentrations ofsodium and potassium in the rumen fluid werenegatively correlated. Bloat was associatedwith a low concentration of sodium and a highconcentration of potassium (P < 0.01). Con-centrations of calcium and magnesium werelower than those of the two monovalent ionsbut were positively associated with bloat(P < 0.01). The high concentration of chloro-phyll associated with a predisposition to bloatmay be the result of a colloidal aggregation ofchloroplast particles stabilized by cations.

Research Station, Kamloops, B.C.

Cyanide potential of saskatoon

The saskatoon shrub (AmelanchieralnifoliaNutt.) is widely distributed in temperateregions of North America. It has a diverserange of habitats, extending from near sealevel to subalpine. The shrub is browsed byboth domestic and wild ruminants but largeintakes can be fatal, owing to the naturaloccurrence of a cyanide-containing compound,prunasin. Prunasin is broken down rapidly inthe rumen with the resultant release ofhydrogen cyanide, which can be lethal at2 mglkg of body weight. The most hazardousperiod for ruminants appears to be in springduring the bloom stage, when saskatoon plantscontain high levels of prunasin in both leavesand twigs.

The lethal potential of this shrub was firstdemonstrated at the Kamloops ResearchStation when deer were inadvertently killed bybeing fed a pure diet of saskatoon twigs. How-ever, in subsequent studies with rumen-fistula ted cattle given saskatoon, the expectedlevels of cyanide in rumen fluid were notgenerated and only trace quantities of cyanidecould be detected. This prompted us toreexamine the local variation in prunasinlevels of saskatoon foliage.

A survey was done in the immediateKamloops area, within 16 km of the station,along the North Thompson and Thompsonrivers, from the grasslands on the valley floorinto the forest in the adjoining hills. Saskatoonsamples were collected in the early bloom stagefrom 25 sites for prunasin analysis. Later, inthe full-bloom stage, another sample was takenfrom each shrub, for identification of the plant.It was determined that there are two varietiesof saskatoon in the Kamloops area, and thattheir genetic difference is responsible for adifference in toxicity. These two varieties areonly readily distinguishable during the bloomstage because flower characteristics are usedfor identification.

Grazing control of Columbia milk-vetch

The growth and miserotoxin content ofColumbia milk-vetch (Astragalus miser var.serotinus Dougl. ex Hook) were examinedfollowing grazing of early growth by cows at agrassland site in southern British Columbiaduring 1987. Growth of Columbia milk-vetchwas determined by measuring the freeze-driedweight of each plant and miserotoxin levelswere determined by a rapid screening method.

385

IIII

ICoWseither avoided Columbi~ milk-vetch

or consumed it incidentally with 6ther forageso long as there was adequate grass available.As grass became scarce the use of Columbiamilk-vetch increased. After being:grazed, therate of growth and the toxicity of Columbiamilk-vetch were substantially r~duced. Incomparison to ungrazed plants, the above-ground biomass of grazed plants w1asreducedby >50% and the average miserotoxin contentper plant was reduced by >75%, during a6-week period of regrowth. I

Although early grazing may ~educe thepotential hazard of Columbia mil~-vetch tolivestock, the plant is not a preferre:d food andmay not be eaten by cattle until other foragebecomes scarce. Heavy grazing intehsity may,in turn, result in low vigor ofbunchgtasses anda deterioration of range conditions :which, inturn, may result in more weeds in lthe plantcommunity. Clearly these aspects of manage-ment require further study. ,

I

IEstimation of extent of feed degradabilityin the rumen :

I

Degradabilities were determined for alfalfa,orchardgrass hay, alfalfa silage, corh silage,cracked corn, and orchardgrass at 70;30 ratio,and barley straw and alfalfa at 70:30 ratio.Samples were incubated in nylon b~gs for aperiod equal to the rumen retentifln time(estimated as reciprocal of the partict¥ate rateof passage of each feed) of these forages.Degradabilities at rumen retention ti\ne werefound to be correlated (r > 0.8, P < 0.p5) withthe effective degradabilities of the feeds, whichwere estimated from the readily ;solublefraction, the potentially digestible fraction, therate of degradation, and the rate of pa~sage ofthe feeds from the rumen. However, th~ hourlyrates of passage of the feeds ranged from 2.8 to3.3% and could be estimated (r ~ 0.57,P < 0.0004) from total dry matter cOQsumedalong with dry matter intake expressed aspercent of body weight and content bf aciddetergent fibre and lignin. These resul~ indi-cate that estimates of effective degradabilitiescan be obtained by incubating feed sam~les (innylon bags) for a period equal to the rumenretention time, which is the reciprocali of therate of passage-a technique that willi signi-ficantly reduce the time and labor required fordetermining effective degradabilities of

Ifeedstuffs. I

IIIIII

386 IIIII

PUBLICATIONS

Research

Beacom, S.E.; Mir, Z.; Korsrud, G.O.; Yates,W.D.G.; MacNeil, J.D. 1988. Effect of thefeed additives chlortetracycline, monensinand lasalocid on feedlot performance offinishing cattle, liver lesions and tissuelevels of chlortetracycline. Can. J. Anim.Sci. 68:1131-1141.

Bittman,S.; Simpson, G.M.;Mir, Z. 1988. Leafsenescence and seasonal decline in nutri-tional quality of three temperate foragegrasses as influenced by drought. Crop Sci.38:546-552.

Brooke, B.M.; McDiarmid, R.E.; Majak, W.1988. The cyanide potential in two varie-ties ofAmelanchier alnifolia. Can. J. PlantSci. 68:543-547.

Majak, W.; Benn, M.H. 1988. 3-Nitro-l-propyl-13-o-gentiobioside from Astragalusmiser var. serotinus. Phytochemistry27:1089-1091.

Majak, W.; Cheng, K.-J. 1987. Hydrolysis ofthe cyanogenic glycosides amygdalin,prunasin and linamarin by ruminalmicroorganisms. Can. J. Anim. Sci.67:1133-1137.

Majak, W.; Engelsjord, M. 1988. Levels of aneurotoxic alkaloid in a species of lowlarkspur. J. Range Manage. 41:224-226.

Majak, 'N.;Quinton, D.A.; Douwes, D.E.; Hall,J.W.; Muir, A.D. 1988. The effect ofclipping on the growth and miserotoxincontent of Columbia milkvetch. J. RangeManage. 41:26-29.

McKenzie, J.S.; Stout,D.G.; Lefkovitch, L.D.1988. Alfalfa foodreserves estimated chem-ically and by etiolated growth. Can. J.Plant Sci. 68:427-438.

Mir, P.S.; Mir, Z. 1988. In situ degradability ofbarley straw in cattle fed a barley straw andcrested wheatgrass diet supplemented withisobutyric acid. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:821-829.

Mir, Z. 1988. A comparison of canola acidu-lated fatty acids and tallow as supplementsto a ground alfalfa diet for sheep. Can. J.Anim. Sci. 68:761-767.


Pass. M.A.;Majak. W.; Yost. G.S. 1988. Lackof a protective effect of thiamine on thetoxicity of 3-nitropropanol and 3-nitropro-pionic acid in rats. Can. J. Anim. Sci.68:315-320.

Stout, D.G. 1988. Effect of cold acclimation onbulk tissue electrical impedance. 1. Mea-surements with birdsfoot trefoil at sub-freezing temperatures. Plant Physiol.86:275-282.

Stout. D.G. 1988. Effect of cold acclimation onbulk tissue electrical impedance. 2. Mea-surements with alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoilat subfreezing temperatures. Plant Physiol.86:283-287.

Stout. D.G.; Hall. J.; Brooke, B.; Moore, T.1988. A field method for evaluating frostinjury to lucerne. J. Agric. Sci. Camb.111:171-177.

Research Station, Kamloops. B.C.

van Ryswyk. A.L.; Stevenson, D.S.; Williams.R.J. 1988. Irrigation treatment and alfalfayield on a layered alluvial soil. Can. J. SoilSci. 68:799-805.

Miscellaneous

Mir. Z.;Beacom, S.E.; Bowren, K.E.; Berjian, L.1988. Nutritive value of various types ofstraw in a total ration for growing steersand heifers. Canadex 420.61.

Stout, D.G. 1987. Does a critical fall harvestperiod exist? Forage Notes 31:4-8.

Stout, D.G.; Pardoel. H.; Brooke, B. 1987. Win-ter survival of grasses at Kamloops. ForageNotes 31:9-13.

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Research StationSummerland, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

D.B. Cumming,l B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.D. McMullen,2 B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.L.C. ~dfrey, B.Sc.P. Watson, B.A., M.Lib.J. Wild, B.Sc., M.Div.

Entomology-Plant PathologyR.S. Utkhede, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.),

Ph.D.F.L. Banham, B.S.A.J.E. Cossentine, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.V.A. Dyck, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.K. Eastwell,3 B.Sc., Ph.D.A.J. Hansen, Dip.Agr., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.D. McMullen, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.P.L. Sholberg, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Food ProcessingH.J.T. Beveridge, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

M. Cliff, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.S.D.B. Cumming, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.G.E. Strachan, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Pomology and ViticultureN.E. Looney, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

E.J. Hogue, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D.F. Kappel,4 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.W.D. Lane,5 B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Meheriuk, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D.H.A. Quamme, B.S.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.A.G. Reynolds, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Acting DirectorAssociate DirectorHead, AdministrationLibrarianComputer Systems Manager

Head of Section; Tree fruit fungus diseases

Stone fruit insectsIntegrated controlManagement of codling mothBiotechnologyTree fruit virus diseasesPear pest managementTree fruit fungus diseases

Head of Section; Food chemistry andanalytical methods

Food qualityFood technologyEnology and food technology

Head of Section; Pomology-plantphysiology-growth regulators

Herbicides-vegetation management-nutritionTree fruits management researchApple--eherry breedingFruit storage and biochemistryOrchard management-hardinessGrape management

G.H. Neilsen, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P. Parchomchuk, B.A.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.

Soil Science and Agricultural EngineeringD.S. Stevenson, B.S.A., M.S., Ph.D. Head of Section; Soil moistureA.P. Gaunce, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Pesticide and environmental chemistryP.B. Hoyt, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D. Soil chemistry and managementA.L. Moyls, B.A.Sc., M.S., Ph.D. Agricultural equipment---development and

assessmentSoil fertility and plant nutritionAgricultural equipment---development andassessment

Research Station, Summerland, B.C. 389

Pomology and viticulture

Pomology and viticulture

Plant pathologyPlant pathology

Entomology

Entomology

Orchard mite control, San Jose scale

Director

M. Gardiner, B.Sc.

R. Smith, B.Sc., M.Sc.

Graduate students

O.L. Lau,6 B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

W.A. SU,7 M.Sc.

J.D. HolleY,8 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.A. Levesque,9 B.Sc., M.P.M.

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VISITING SCIENTISTS IIII

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Departures :I

N.P.D. Angerilli, B.Sc., Ph.D. IResigned 27 July 1988 I

D.M. Bowden, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D. IResigned 1 September 1988

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1 Appointed Acting Director,l September 1~88.2 Appointed Associate Director, 1Septembe~ 1988.3 Appointed 1 June 1988. :4 Transferred to Summerland from Harrow Research Station, 8 February 1988.5 On transfer of work to the Fruit Tree Rese':"ch Station, Tsukuba, Japan, under a Japanese Science and TechnologyAgency Fellowship, 15December 198&-15Qctober 1989.

6 Okanagan Federated Shippers Association~ Research Associate.7 On transfer of work from Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology, Acedemia, Sinica, from January 198&-.December1988. I

8 Agrifood Regional Development SubsidiarY, Agreement, Research Associate, September 1986-May 1988.9 Agri.food Regional Development Subsidiary Agreement, Research Associate, June 1985-0ctober 1988.

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Research Branch -Report 1988

INTRODUCTIONThe Summerland Research Station. located in the Okanagan Valley of southern interior British

Columbia, conducts research concerned primarily with solving problems of production andutilization oftree fruits and grapes with the objectives of increasing production efficiency, reducingproduction costs. and providing high-quality products to consumers. Studies are also carried out atsubstations located at Kelowna to the north and Creston to the east and in growers' orchards andvineyards in the Okanagan, Similkameen, and Creston valleys. Cooperative involvements inresearch with food-processing companies extend Canadawide.

1988 was a year for staff changes. Dr. Frank Kappel joined the staff, transferring from theHarrow Research Station to work in pomology on stone fruits. Dr. Ken Eastwell (formerly of SimonFraser University) joined Agriculture Canada and the Entomology-Plant Pathology Section toresearch rapid methods of detection and identification of plant viruses. Ms. Margaret Cliffcompleted her M.Sc. at the University of California (Davis) and returned to work in the FoodProcessing Section. She was appointed to a biologist position and will research food quality. Dr.Nello Angerilli resigned his position in entomology to take an overseas assignment with theEastern Indonesia Universities Development Project. A major staff change at Summerland sawDr. Dave Bowden resign as director after a hectic tenure during which the new office-laboratorycomplex was completed. occupied, and brought on-stream as a productive research facility.

A significant event for the station was the unanimous approval by fruit growers of a regionalsterile insect release program that is expected to eradicate the codling moth within 5-6 years.Research for this program was begun here some 30 years ago. The grape and wine industry ofBritish Columbia was hit hard by recent GATT rulings and certain provisions of the Canada-United States trade agreement. Adjustment will require some years and research will be acornerstone of developing the surviving components of the industry. The agri-food industry hasbeen calling upon Summerland to participate in research ventures, and an unprecedented numberof externally funded cooperative projects are under way. International involvement continues withvisitors welcomed and our scientists traveling abroad. Dr. David Lane was selected to receive aJapan Science and Technology Agency Fellowship; he began his tenure at Tsukuba in December1988.

This report contains brief statements of some major achievements attained at thisestablishment during 1988. Further information may be obtained from publications listed at theend of this report or from individual scientists. Requests for information or reprints should beaddressed to the Director, Research Station. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada. Summerland,B.C. VOH lZ0; Tel. (604)494-7711.

D.B. CummingActing Director

SOIL SCIENCE-AGRICUL-TURAL ENGINEERING

Comparison of leaf and soil tests todiagnose Zn deficiency of apples

Soil Zn, extracted by 0.25 M MgCl2 or DTPAas an index of plant-available Zn, was com-pared with Zn or P:Zn concentration in leavesfor 40 commercial apple orchards in southernBritish Columbia. Sampled trees included arange of ages and cultivar-rootstock combina-tions. Leaves were sampled from the mid-portion of a current season's shoots four times;in May-June 1984. July 1984. May 1985.

Research Station, Summerland, B.C.

and July 1985. At these times the severity ofthe four deficiency symptoms (rosetting. blindbud. little leaf, and chlorosis) was assessed.Little relationship was found between soil andleaf Zn measures, except in July 1984, whenboth terminal leaf Zn and P:Zn concentrationsvaried directly with 0.25 M MgCl2 extractablesoil Zn. Soil Zn extracted by 0.25 M MgCI2 wasmore closely related to severity of deficiencysymptoms on the trees at all four sample datesthan was DTPA-extracted soil Zn or leaf Znconcentration. Blindbud was the most usefulindicator of deficiency in samples collected inMay, whereas chlorosis was the most useful onein July.

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If'Application of wastewater to tree rUltsand grapes \

Macspur McIntosh and Red Chief Deliciousapples on M.7a rootstock were s~bjected totreatments involving all combinayions of twotypes of irrigation water (well wa~r or muni-cipal wastewater from 1983, the y~ar of plant-ing) and three annual rates of N ~ertilizationper tree (0, 200, 400 g NH4N03), ~984-1987.The zero N treatment was increased to anannual rate per tree of 100 g NH4N03 in 1986because oflow vigor of these trees. y,rastewaterirrigation increased the concentration of N, P,and K in the leaves in 4 of5 years fot McIntosh,whereas N, P, and K in leaves incre~sed in 1,4,and 2 years, respectively, for Delicio~. Waste-water irrigation increased the inctement intrunk diameter 1983-1987, and frrlit numberand yield in 1985-1986 for both culiivars. Nomajor horticultural limitations to the use ofwastewater for irrigation were observed. Nfertilization increased leaf N in 31years forMcIntosh and 2 years for Delicious, whereasleafP and Kwere decreased at high~st N ratesin 2 years for each cultivar. N fertili,zation didnot increase trunk diameter and increasedfruit number and yield only in 1~86 after3 years of a zero N treatment. The resultsimplied a role for P in the establishknent andearly growth and yield ofyoung applJ, trees.

Okanagan Riesling vines were supjected toa similar experimental design, 1984-Jl987 andtheir response differed from apples.: Waste-water-irrigated vines had increased f, K, andCa in petioles but decreased Mg and, for 2 of3 years, decreased N during August. Iincreasedrate of N fertilization increased petible N attime of bloom but not in August, h~d minoreffects on petiole P, K, Ca, and ~g, andincreased petiole Mn at highest N rates,especially (2 of 4 years) in association withwastewater irrigation. Yield increaseq both forvines irrigated with wastewater and I linearlywith rate of applied N in 2 of 3 fruitidg years.Increased yield was not associat~d with

• . ItA tincreased petiole N concentratlOn m, ugus.Minor increases were measured for Isolublesolids and juice pH at harv~st for

.. d . 2 Iwastewater-irngate grapes m yearsr

Identification ofK deficiency in locJlorchard soils IGrowth responses of apples to K fllrtiliza-

tion have been identified both under lal:Joratoryconditions using apple seedlings a~d in a

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grower orchard with McIntosh on M.4 root-stock. This finding has not previously beenreported for the irrigated tree fruit area ofBritish Columbia and is apparently anotherfactor that could be associated with the poorgrowth ofyoung apple trees. In the orchard, Kdeficiency was associated with concentrationsof leaf K below 1% and low values forextractable soil K, which averaged 39 Ilg/gthroughout the surface 30 cm of soil. Appli-cations of K fertilizer at planting timeincreased leaf K even though the fertilizer wasapplied near the surface. Although this sitewas found likely to respond to K fertilization,present indications are that such response willnot be general as most orchards in southernBritish Columbia have adequate, even high,available K.

FOOD PROCESSING

Modified atmosphere packaging

Research was initiated on the character.istics of low-oxygen respiration of severalcommodities including cherries, apricots,peaches, plums, apples, tomatoes, and greenpeppers. As O2 levels dropped, the productsexhibited two or more consecutive, first-orderreactions (02 consumption rate was propor-tional to the quantity of O2 present) whereasCO2 was produced at a constant rate, implyinga zero-order reaction. The respiratory quotientwas not constant but reflected these varyingrates. At very low O2 levels, the quotient rosesharply as O2 consumption dropped off andmost CO2was produced anaerobically.

The first-order O2 reaction rates werematched with first-order O2 diffusion ratesthrough a small hole in a product container.This self-generated equilibrium enabledLambert cherries to be stored at O°C for>3 months in an atmosphere of 5-8% O2 and22-26% CO2, The fruit retained its size,weight, and firmness and tasted quiteacceptable despite dropping two percentagepoints in sugar content.

Experiments were also conducted tomeasure the oxygen diffusivities of fleshand skin of the McIntosh apples, which werefound to be much lower (1I40th for skin and1/20-1/11 Oth for flesh) than theoreticalestimates in the literature. These findingsimply that cellular oxygen levels can indeed bereduced to no longer saturate all the


cytochrome oxidase when external atmospherelevels are still relatively high (15-20% O2).Hence, the cytochrome oxidase-oxygenreaction appears to be the limiting factor inaerobic respiration.

Application of small-amplitudeoscillatory testing to pectin gelation

The setting characteristics of pectin gelsduring cooling from 105 to 25.C and reheatingto above 100.C have been determined usingsmall-amplitude oscillatory testing. A versa-tile food rheometer designed and built by theEngineering and Statistical Research Centre ofAgriculture Canada was used for the study.Gel strength during cooling was correlatedlinearly to temperature down to 30.C at least.On reheating, the gel softened initially thentransformed to a thermally stable form as thetemperature exceeded about 70.C. At about pH2.8, gelation temperature increased with pectinconcentration to about 0.85% after which nochange in gelation temperature was observed.On cooling, 75-85% of the gel strength attain-able on standing overnight was developedwithin 30 min, providing for possible develop-ment of a rapid test method for determiningpectin gel properties.

Time-intensity evaluation ofsweetness and fruitiness and theirinteraction in model solution

Using a computerized time-intensity (TI)system, ten judges evaluated sweetness andfruitiness of 24 aqueous solutions varying inconcentrations ofglucose (0-9% w/v) and peachextract (0-0.6% v/v) and presented at twosolution temperatures (5 and 25.C). The TIcurves were quantitated using 11 parameters.For sweetness, 10 TI parameters increasedwith increases in glucose concentration; afurther increase was observed in sevenparameters with increases in peach extractconcentration and increases in solution tem-perature. For fruitiness, seven TI parametersincreased with increases in peach concentra-tion; a further increase was elicited in four TIparameters with increases in glucose concen-tration. The suitabilty and interrelationship ofthese parameters for characterization of the TIresponses was discussed. Although the totalpersistence of the two attributes did not differ,the mean time to maximum sweetness (6.6 s)was 3.8 s shorter than that found for fruitiness(10.4 s). For stimuli that were generally not


recognized to have lingering aftertastes,sweetness and fruitiness had 74 and 65%,respectively, of the total perception after themaximum intensity.

Evidence for adsorption mechanismof flavor perception

Time-intensity (TI) methodology was usedto explore adsorption-desorption as the 'model'for chemoreception. Temporal perception ofsweetness and fruitiness was evaluated for 24aqueous solutions varying in glucose (0.0-9.0%w/v) and peach essence (0.0-0.6% v/v), pre-sented at two solution temperatures (5 and25.C). The resulting TI curves were character-ized using four TI parameters: maximumintensity, time to maximum, maximum rate ofonset (adsorption), and maximum rate of decay(desorption). As predicted from adsorption-desorption principles, the time to maximumwas concentration-dependent for low-stimuliconcentrations and became concentration inde-pendent at higher concentrations. The maxi-mum rates on onset and decay of perceptionwere proportional to stimuli concentration forboth sweetness and fruitiness. By comparingadsorption with desorption for each attribute,an index of the efficiency of stimuli removalwas calculated. The efficiency of stimuli re-moval decreased exponentially with increasingstimuli concentrations.

ENTOMOLOGY-PLANTPATHOLOGY

Apple replant disease controlby biological treatment

Recently, apple replant disease (ARD) hasbecome a major concern to the growers of theOkanagan, Similkameen, and Kootenayvalleys of British Columbia. Chemical controlwith soil fumigants is a popular means tocontrol ARD. The effectiveness of volatilefumigants is influenced by temperature andmoisture. The application of fumigants is alsodifficult, expensive, and hazardous. Moreover,soil fumigation results in destroying thenatural equilibrium between pathogens andantagonistic microorganisms. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate biological treat-ment, in combination with fumigation andfertilization, for the control of ARD in theOkanagan valley ofBritish Columbia. The testwas conducted at Kelowna on an old apple

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orchard site. A 3-year study indicated that theapplication of strain EBW-4 ofBacillus subtilisas a soil drench application at t.he time ofplanting was effective in pro~oting treegrowth on replant soil. The ap~lication ofmonoammonium phosphate (ll-5S;-O NPK) orfumigation with formalin did not increasetrunk diameter or shoot growth of abple trees.

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Control of the grape erineum mite duringthe growing season I

IThe grape erineum mite, a major pest on

susceptible grape varieties, was !controlledeffectively during the growing seasdn by a new

Isulfur formulation that is primarily a fungicidefor powdery mildew suppression. 0ne or twosprays of Kumulus S 80 WP (80% s~fur) were

Iapplied by airblast sprayer providing a.i. at2.7 kglha. In a 4-ha block of Verd~let grape-vines the number of vines infested Iwith miteerinea on the foliage was reduced frbm 99.9 to1.2% by spraying 19 May at prebloqm, imme-diately after the first evidence Of erineadevelopment was detected, and again 15 Julyat mid season. In a 4-ha block of Vid~1256 thenumber of infested vines was reduced:from 88.4to 13.4% with one spray applied 11June, atprebloom about 14days after the first evidenceof erinea on the leaves was observed. :Levels ofmite infestation in each block were determinedby inspecting for active mite erinea on thefoliage ofl000 vines in marked plots.\Pretreat-ment infestation levels were determined priorto harvest (24 September 1987) and post-treatment levels in mid season (JulY

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prior to harvest (27 September 1988). Pre-viously available sulfur formulations with orwithout added surfactants have been! at best,marginally effective against heavy infestationsof the grape erineum mite when applie~ duringthe growing season. Various acaracides andsystemic insecticides evaluated in earlier trialsI '",' Ia sowere mellectlve. I

ICodling moth control by sterile-insectr~e~e I

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Implementation of a sterile-insect [release(SIR) program would bring about a major shiftin control of codling moth, from chemical tobiological control. In cooperation with theSummerland Research Station, the B.C. FruitGrowers' Association (BCFGA), the )argestfruit cooperative in the Okanagan, reappraisedthe commercial cost and practical feasiOility ofan area-wide SIR program. The prbjected

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program cost to orchardists is equal to, or lessthan, the cost of chemical control, and allproperty owners would also pay a small fee. In1988 the BCFGA approved the programwithout a dissenting vote and has requestedthe support of the various levels of governmentin the area to implement the program.

The effect of a codling moth SIR program onthe control of other insect pests of apples andpears was assessed. Some pests woulddiminish in importance, because of increasedaction ofbeneficial organisms with the reducedapplication of insecticides, but a few speciesmight increase in importance. These speciescould, in most cases, be controlled by treat-ments applied in the spring before codlingmoths would be released, and in the remainingcases chemicals or application procedureswould be selected to be of minimal toxicity tothe released sterile moths.

Role of nematodes, fungi, and bacteriain apple replant disease

Apple replant disease (ARD) is onecomponent contributing to the poor growth ofapple trees planted on old apple or pear orchardsites. This disease suppresses initial growth ofyoung trees and reduces yield. A number ofbiotic and abiotic causal agents have beenidentified. Abiotic causal factors include im-balanced nutrition, especially low phosphate,low or high pH, poor soil structure anddrainage, cold or drought stress. Nevertheless,because of the control obtained with soilfumigation or pasteurization or both, the causeof ARD is thought to be biotic. The purpose ofthis investigation was to test the response ofapple seedlings to nematodes, fungi, andbacteria both individually and in combination,to determine their role in ARD in soils of theOkanagan valley.

The growth of apple seedlings (Mcintosh),dry root weight of seedlings, and root scorewere reduced when soil in the test pots wasinoculated with 210 or 322 Pratylenchuspenetrans per 50 cm3• However, fungi orbacteria in combination with high levels ofP.penetrans (322 per 50 cm3) did not decreasethe plant growth. Apple seedlings werestunted and their dry root weight was reducedwhen grown in sterilized soil to whichPenicillium janthinellum, Constantineliaterrestris, Trichoderma sp., and four strainsof Bacillus subtilis previously isolatedfrom ARD soil were added. Trichodermasp., Bl, and B26 strains of B. subtilis alone


reduced the plant growth but the combinationsof Trichoderma sp. + B1 and Trichodermasp. + B26 increased plant height. It issuggested that either fungi, bacteria, andnematodes alone, or their interactions, maycontribute toward the occurrence of ARD inorchard soils of the Okanagan valley of BritishColumbia.

POMOLOGY ANDVITICULTURE

Hormonal physiology and apical formof four strains of Mcintosh apple

Shoot tips collected in June from Summer-land Red Mcintosh, the standard nonspurstrain, and from three other strains ofMcintosh varying from spur-type (MacSpurand Morspur) to very compact and spurry(Mcintosh Wijcik) were examined for polar andless-polar gibberellins (GAs) and for cytokinin-like bioactivity. Mcintosh Wijcik also differsfrom the other strains in that it exhibits a verycolumnar growth habit with few lateralbranches emerging from the main stem.

Although total gibberellin bioactivity didnot differ among strains, Mcintosh Wijcikexhibited significantly lower levels of themore-polar gibberellins (GAl and GA19) thanany other strain. These are the gibberellinsbelieved to be most directly involved in shootextension.

Conversely, cytokinin bioactivity (believedto be predominately zeatin and zeatin riboside)was very high in shoot tips of Mcintosh Wijcikcompared to the other strains. High cytokininactivity is consistent with the strong tendencyof Mcintosh Wijcik to develop growing points(in this case, spurs) at virtually every node on2-year-old wood.

It is concluded that the combination of highcytokinin and low-polar gibberellin activityplays an important role in defining the unique,and heritable growth habit of Mcintosh Wijcikapple. It is significant, however, that the otherspur-type strains differed little fromSummerland Red Mcintosh in their hormonalphysiology.

Effects of vineyard site and canopymanipulation on growth, yield, and fruitcomposition of Gewurztraminer vines

Gewurztraminer vines in a Kaleden, B.C.,vineyard were subjected over the 1985-1987


seasons to seven different canopy treatments:Unhedged control (C); cluster thin (CT);postbloom hedging (8); hedge + paclobutrazol(H+P); basal leaf removal (LR); lateral shootremoval (LSR); and CTIH+PILR (REM-ALL).Hedging, LSR, and LR reduced degrees Brixand some parameters of juice color in 2 of 3years, whereas LR also reduced titratableacidity (TA) and pH. Free volatile terpene(FVT) concentration was improved in 1987 byLR, and in 1986 in CT, H, H+P, and REM-ALLvines. Potential volatile terpene (PVT)concentration was also increased over the Ctreatment in CT, H, LR, LSR, and REM-ALLvines in 1986 and in LR and REM-ALL vines in1987. Treatments in which leaf area wasremoved (8, H +P, LR, LSR, and REM.ALL)generally exhibited lower pruning weights,yield, cluster weight, berry weight, and berriesper cluster than C and CT vines. Peridermdevelopment was not strongly affected by anytreatment. Paclobutrazol (a plant growthretarding chemical) successfully reduced thelength oflateral shoots on H +P and REM-ALLvines. This phenomenon was confined to theupper portion of the canopy.

The experiment was modified in 1988 to testthe effects of vineyard site and canopy mani-pulation on canopy density and monoterpeneconcentration of Gewurztraminer berries,juices, and wines. Three canopy treatments, C,H, and LR, were applied to vigorous, bilateral,cordon.trained vines at each of three sites.Average degree-days (in degrees Celsius)varied between the sites in 1988 from 1055(Kelowna) to 1390 (Oliver). Canopy densitywas reduced at all sites by Hand LRtreatments. The Kelowna site was charac-terized by highest cluster weight and clustersper shoot, and lowest degrees Brix, TA, and pH.Highest FVT and PVT were found in theberries and juices from the Kelowna site.Canopy treatments had no effect on yieldparameters, degrees Brix, or TA. The LRtreatment increased FVT and PVT in the juiceand PVT in the berries, whereas both the HandLR treatments decreased juice pH. The effect ofLR on increasing juice FVT was only apparentat the moderate heat unit site (Kaleden) wherecanopy density was high. Mechanical LR at theKelowna site resulted in higher berry FVT andlower pH than manual LR, but juice FVT andPVT were lower also.

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Effects of methyl bromide fumig~tionon apple quality IApples were treated with met~yl bromide

for disinfestation ofcodling moth, a ~uarantinerequirement for potential export 6,fapples toJapan. Research over 4 years indic~ted a high,moderate, and low tolerance to the fumigantfor Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, andSpartan apples, respectively. Idcidence ofexternal and internal disorders inbreased inmost instances with longer storage periodsafter treatment; 4-h treatments ~ere moredetrimental to the fruit than 2-h treatments.Dips in diphenylamine (DPA) reduced but didnot prevent disorders. Fumigationl had littleeffect on firmness and no effect on sol6ble solidscontent or titratable acidity. Tr:eatmentswith a low risk of disorder develo~ment are32-64 g/m3 for Golden Delicious, 32-48 g/m3 forRed Delicious and 32 g/m3 for Spartan, all at10'C for 2 h. :

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PUBLICATIONS I:

Research IBeveridge, T.; Harrison, J.E.; Ki~on, J.A.

1988. Pear juice from Bartlett p~ar peelsand cores. J. FoodSci. 53(4):1195-1198.

Chandra, G.; Dyck, V.A. 1988. N~w tech-niques of rearing A nagrus flaveollfs [Hym.:Mymaridael, an egg parasitoid of the brownplanthopper. Entomophaga 33(2):~39-243.

iGupta, V.K.; Utkhede, R.S. 1987. Nutritional

requirements for production of aJtifungalsubstance by Enterobacter aerogenesand Bacillus subtilis antagonists ofPhytophthora cactorum. J. Phytbpathol.120:143-153. I

IHansen, A.J. 1988. Chemotherapy of plant

virus infections. Appl. Virol. Res.1:285-299. !

IHogue, E.J.; Neilsen, G.H. 1988. Effects of

excessive annual applications of tilrbacil,diuron, simazine and dichlobenil on vigor,yield and cation nutrition of young appletrees. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:843-850}

IHoyt, P.B. 1988. The relationship of internal

bark necrosis in 'Delicious' apples Ito treecharacteristics and soil properties.: Com-mun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 19:1041-1b48.

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Kappel, F.; Quamme, H.A. 1988. Growth andyield of pear cultivars on several rootstocks.Can.J. Plant Sci. 68:1177-1183.

Looney, N.E.; Taylor, J.S.; Pharis, R.P. 1988.The relationship of endogenous gibberellinand cytokinin levels in shoot tips to apicalform in four strains of 'McIntosh' apple. J.Am. Soc.Hortic. Sci. 113:395-398.

Lombard, P.B.; Callan, N.W.; Dennis, F.G., Jr.;Looney, N.E.; Martin, G.C.; Renquist, A.R.;Mielke, E.A. 1988. Towards a standardizednomenclature, procedures, values, andunits in determining fruit and nut tree yieldperformance. HortScience 23:813-817.

Malhi, S.S.; Nyborg, M.; Caldwell, C.D.; Hoyt,P.B.; Leitch, R.H. 1988. Effect of ammo-nium and nitrate on growth and yield ofbarley on acid soils. Commun. Soil Sci.Plant Anal. 19:1049-1063.

McKenzie, D.-L.; Beveridge, T. 1988. Theeffect of storage, processing and enzymetreatment on the microstructure of cloudySpartan apple juice particulate. J. Food Sci.53(4):1195-1198.

Neilsen, G.H. 1988. Seasonal variation in leafzinc concentration of apples receivingdormant zinc. HortScience 23:130-132.

Neilsen, D.; Hoyt, P.B.; MacKenzie, A.F. 1988.Comparison ofsoil tests and leaf analysis asmethods of diagnosing Zn deficiency inBritish Columbia apple orchards. Plant andSoil 105:47-53.

Nyborg, M.; Hoyt, P.B.; Penny, D.C. 1988.Ammonification and nitrification of N inacid soils at 26 field sites one year afterliming. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal.19:1371-1379.

Reynolds, A.G. 1988. Response ofOkanaganRiesling vines to training system andsimulated mechanical pruning. Am. J.Enol. Vitic. 39:205-212.

Reynolds, A.G. 1988. Inhibition of lateralshoot growth in summer-hedged 'Riesling'grapevines by paclobutrazol. HortScience23:928-930.

Reynolds, A.G. 1988. Effectiveness of naph-thaleneacetic acid and paclobutrazol forcontrol of regrowth of trunk suckers on'Okanagan Riesling' grapevines. J. Am.Soc.Hortic. Sci. 113:484-488.


Reynolds, A.G. 1988. Response of Rieslingvines to training system and pruningstrategy. Vitis 27:229-242.

Reynolds, A.G.; Denby, L.G.; Strachan, G.E.;Bouthillier, M.J. 1988. 'Sovereign Opal'grape. HortScience 23:642-643.

Sholberg, P.L.; Gaunce, A.P.; Owen, G.R. 1988.Occurrence of Erwinia amylollera of pomefruit in British Columbia in 1985 and itselimination from the apple surface. Can. J.PlantPathol.l0:178-182.

Utkhede, R.S. 1987. Chemical and biologicalcontrol of crown and root rot of apple causedby Phytopthora cactorum. Can. J. PlantPathol. 9:295-300.


Utkhede, R.S.; Gupta, V.K. 1988. In vitroselection of strains of Phytophthoracactorum resistant to Metalaxyl. J.Phytopathol. 122:35-44.

Utkhede, R.S.; Li, Thomas S.C. 1988. Deter-mining the occurrence of replant disease inBritish Columbia orchard and vineyardsoils by pasteurization. Can. Plant Dis.Survey 68(2):149-151.

Utkhede, R.S.; Quamme, H.A. 1988. Use of theexcised shoot assay to evaluate resistance toPhytophthora cactorum of apple rootstockcultivars. Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:851-857.

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Research StationVancouver, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

M. Weintraub, B.A., Ph.D., F.N.Y.A.S.A.R. Forbes, B.A., M.S., Ph.D., F.E.S.C.C.A. Gray, B.Comm.

Scientific SupportT. Matsumoto,l B.S.A., M.Sc., M.L.S.

Statistical ServicesJ.W. Hall, M.Sc., Ph.D.

EntomologyA.R. Forbes, B.A., M.S., Ph.D., F.E.S.C.B.D. Frazer, B.Sc., Ph.D.D.A. Raworth, B.Sc., Ph.D.J. Roland,2 B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.S.Y.S. Szeto, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.D.A. Theilmann, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.R.S. Vernon, B.Sc., M.P.M., Ph.D.

Plant PathologyR. Stace-Smith, B.S.A., Ph.D., F.A.P.S.,F.C.P.S.

H.A. Daubeny, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D.S.H. De Boer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.P.J. Ellis,3 B.Sc.CHons.), M.P.M.R.R. Martin, B.S., Ph.D.H.S. Pepin, B.S.A., M.A., Ph.D.T.C. Vrain, D.E.A., Ph.D.

Virus Chemistry and PhysiologyR.I. Hamilton, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.,F.A.P.S.

C.J. French, B.Sc., Ph.D.D. Rochon, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.J.H. Tremaine, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.M. Weintraub, B.A., Ph.D., F.N.Y.A.S:

DepartureH.W.J. Ragetli, Ir., Ph.D.Retired 1 August 1988

Research Station, Vancouver, B.C.

DirectorAssociate DirectorAdministrative Officer

Librarian

Regional Statistician

Head of Section; Virus vectorsAphid ecologyBiological controlBerry insectsPesticide chemistryInsect virologyVegetable insects

Head of Section; Raspberry viruses,virus characterizationPlant breeding, small fruitsBacterial diseasesPotato virusesStrawberry virusesRoot rots, red stele of strawberryNematology

Head of Section; Virology, virus interaction,and seed transmissionPhysiological plant virologyPlant viruses, molecular biologyBiophysical virologyCytopathology, electron microscopy

Chemistry and ultrastructuralcytopathology viruses

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Plant virology

Insect vectors

Plant virology

Plant virology

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VISITING SCIENTISTS:IiIiIII

P. Anderson, M.Sc.Instituto Superior de CienciasAgropecuariasManagua, Nicaragua

C. Darcy, Ph.D.University of IllinoisUrbana, Ill.

W. Jelkman, Ph.D. IBiologische Bundesanstalt fUr ILand und Forstwirtschaft, Braupschweig,Federal Republic of Germany

S. Spiegel, Ph.D.The Volcani InstituteBet Dagan, Israel

". IHonorary Research AssoCiatesF.C. Mellor, B.S.A. iN.S. Wright, B.S.A., M.S.A., Ph.D. I

Adjunct Research ProfessbrsI

R.C. Copeman, B.Sc., Ph.D.University of British Columbia

L. Gilkeson, B.Sc., Ph.D.Applied Bio-Nomics Ltd.

J.C. McPherson, B.Sc., Ph.D.University of British Columbia

Virus eradication and EditorVirus-free potato repository

Phytobacteriology

Biocontrol of insect pests

Molecular genetics

Graduate studentsT. Baumann, B.Sc.M. Bulger, M.Sc.L. Fuentes, M.Sc.R.C. Johnson, M.S.A.J. Johnston, B.Sc.(Agr.)L. Kawchuk, M.Sc.X. Lan, B.Sc.A. Luczynski, M.Sc.S. MacDonald, B.Sc.M. McLean, M.Sc.M. Ratt, B.Sc.R. Smith, M.Sc.D. Thompson, B.Sc.

Plant breedingPlant virologyPlant virologyPlant pathologyVirus chemistryPlimt virologyBacterial diseases of potatoPlant resistance to mitesPlant pathologyPlant virus epidemiologyGenomic organization to tomato ringspotSpiders in polyculturesPlant virology

1 Seconded from Libraries mvlsion, Finance ~d Administration Branch.2 On staff 1March-30 November 1988. I3 Educational leave, University of British Col~mbia.

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INTRODUCTION

This 26th annual report of the Vancouver Research Station summarizes some aspects of ourresearch program. It emphasizes our dual mandate, first as national centre for plant virus researchand plant health biotechnology, and second in our function of assisting growers of vegetables andsmall fruits in British Columbia, particularly in the control of pests and diseases. The latteractivity has led to an outstanding program of integrated pest management that has alreadyresulted in a decrease of chemical pesticide applications on several crops.

The recruitment of new young scientists to replace those retired is proceeding on schedule togive us an excellent group of plant virologists and molecular biologists. Their research is aimed atcontrolling viral diseases in economically important crops through the use of the new recombinantDNA technology, while developing new and sensitive tools for accurate diagnosis ofviral, bacterial,and fungal diseases.

Further details of research, and reprints of this report or of the publications listed can beobtained either from the scientists or from the Director, Research Station, Agriculture Canada,6660 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C. V6T lX2; Tel. (604)224-4355.

M.WeintraubDirector

VIRUS CHEMISTRY ANDPHYSIOLOGY

Biotechnology

The complete nucleotide sequences of thegenomes of two cucurbit-infecting, fungus-transmitted plant viruses, cucumber necrosis(CNV) and melon necrotic spot (MNSV), havebeen determined. The deduced genomicorganizations ofCNV and MNSV differ, whichis consistent with their assignment to differenttaxonomic groups. However, comparisons ofthe predicted protein products of these virusesdemonstrate considerable similarity of aminoacid sequence in their coat proteins andputative replicases. Full-length cDNA clonesof RNA in CNV, from which infective RNA canbe transcribed, are being used to study regionsof the CNV genome involved in transmissionby the fungus vector (Olpidium radicale) anddisease induction.

The sizes and genomic locations ofRNA-directed in vitro translation products forCNV are being determined by hybrid-arresttranslation and synthetic CNV transcripts.Viral RNA directs the synthesis of four majorproteins in wheat germ extracts (Mr = 33000,41 000,21 000, and 20 000). The 33 000 proteinmaps to the 5' terminus of the genome, the41000 to an internal location, and the 21000and 20 000 proteins to the same location at the3' terminus of the genome. The sizes of theseproteins and the genomic locations of the


coding sequences determined from in vitrotranslation studies are consistent with thatbased on nucleotide sequence data. However,no synthesis of a 92000 readthrough protein,predicted from the nucleotide sequence, hasbeen observed.

Complementary DNA clones of bothgenomic components of the bipartite nepovirus,tomato ringspot, have been prepared and pre-liminary nucleotide sequences of the 3' terminiofRNA-l and RNA-2 have been determined. Apreviously detected 1.9-kilobase region ofhomology between RNA-l and RNA-2 wasconfirmed.

Double-stranded eDNA copies of the cucum-ber mosaic virus (CMV) gene for the non-structural protein 3A was inserted in anexpression vector containing the protein Agene from Staphylococcus aureus. Using thefusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli asan immunogen, monoclonal antibodies wereproduced that reacted with the 3A proteinproduced by in vitro translation of CMV RNA.These antibodies were used to detect theaccumulation of the 3A protein, primarily inthe nucleolus, by electron microscopy ofimmunogold-labeled, ultra-thin sections ofCMV-infected tobacco leaf cells.

Mixed virus infections

A flexuous virus, isolated from white cockle(Silene pratense) naturally co-infected withribgrass mosaic virus, was shown to be a new

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member of the potexvirus group. Infectious,purified preparations contained 546- and204-nm nucleoprotein rods consisting of 6.9or 2A kilobases pOlyadenylated, single-stranded (ss) RNAs and a 291000 capsidprotein. Double-stranded (ds) RNAs of 17.1-,7.0-,5.7-, and 4.6-kilobase pairs were isolatedfrom infected plants. In vitro] translationproducts of viral ss- or ds-R:!'fAs reactedwith antiserum specific for~ the virus.Hybridization studies with the new virusshowed no nucleotide similarity with sevenother potexviruses, including potato virus X,white clover mosaic, and clriver yellowmosaic. The virus, provisionally bamed whitecockle virus X is more closely related tonarcissus mosaic virus than to nine otherpotexviruses. iFurther data were obtained on the inter-

action of the cowpea strain of sduthern beanmosaic virus (SBMV-C)and sunn~hemp mosaicvirus (SHMV) in bean, a nonpermissive hostfor SBMV-C. Protoplasts, isolated fromBountiful bean and inoculated i'n vitro withSBMV-C, sustained excellent rkplication ofinfectious virus as determined by ELISA andinfectivity assay, indicating the innate sus-ceptibility of protoplasts from a nonpermissivehost. Spread of SBMV-C occJrred in ino-culated primary leaves of Bodntiful beansimultaneously inoculated withl SHMV but,in contrast to SHMV, SBMV-C does notproceed to the petiole, suggesting thatlong-distance transport of SBMV-C isnot facilitated by co-infection rith SHMV.These results are in contra,st to thoseobtained with similar helper-dependent viruscombinations. ,

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Effect of flavenoids on virus infectivity

Naturally occurring deriva:tives of theflavenoid quercetin (3,3',4,5,7-pentahydroxy-flavone) have been screened as possibleantiviral compounds. Preliminary experi-ments showed that in vitro inchbation with3,7-dimethoxyquercetin (9 an~ 90 llg/mL)inhibited infectivity of tobacco fnosaic virus(TMV) on Nicotiana glutino~a by 50%.The 4',7-dimethoxy and 3-methoxy-substi-tuted derivatives were without effect overthe range of 0.9-90 llg/mL. pJe-incubationof TMV with both 3,3'-diSd4 quercitinand 3,7,4'-triS04 quercetin enhanced in-fectivity by 25-50%, depending on con-centration.

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PLANT PATHOLOGY

Nematology

Small fruits. The growth of raspberryplants was much reduced by the root lesionnematode Pratylenchus penetrans in fieldmicroplots, when plant densities were morethan 50 per 50 mL of soil at planting time. Nonoticeable damage occurred when soil nema-tode densities were low at planting. When thefungus Phytophthora erythroseptica waspresent in the microplots, plant growthreduction was severe at all nematode densities.Nematodes reproduced faster in raspberryroots in the presence of the fungus in themicroplots but not in the greenhouse.

Biological control. A survey ofthe parasiticand predatory mycoflora of British Columbiasoils was started. Fungi predatory andendoparasitic to nematodes were found in 50 of81 samples taken from 41 sites in theagricultural soils of the lower Fraser Valley.Four species were isolated in pure culture:Dactylaria sp., Arthrobotrys sp., Meria sp., andHirsutella sp. Greenhouse and micro plotexperiments will determine the potential foruse ofseveral of these fungi.

Bacteriology

DNA probes were produced for detection ofErwinia carotovora. Two probes were selectedfrom a genomic library of E. carotovora in theBluescribe plasmid vector. One probe, 2kilobases in length, was obtained by selectingErwinia DNA segments not found inEscherichia coli strains HB101, RR1, or DH5a.Another probe, 6 kilo bases in length, wasselected because E. coli DH5a transformantscontaining this segment of Erwinia DNA wereable to grow on crystal violet pectate medium,which is selective for pectolytic Erwinia. Theprobes were labeled with 32p using a randomprimer and then used to probe lysed colonies orpurified DNA of various E. carotovora strainsfixed to Zeta-probe membranes. Both DNAprobes hybridized to 40 strains from differentserogroups as well as to 20 strains selectedfrom an international culture collection inBelgium. Both subspecies, carotovora andatroseptica, were included among the strains.Subsequently the 6-kilobase probe wassubcloned and two smaller inserts of 1 and2 kilobases were selected. Both subcloneshybridized to varying degrees with all

Research Branch Report. 1988

E. carorolJora strains tested to date. Analysisof restriction fragment length polymorphism ofseveral strains in serogroups I, III, and XVIIIwith the 6-kilobase probe revealed that, where-as restriction patterns were identical amongsome strains within a serogroup, differences inpattern within a serogroup also occurred.

Fungal pathology

Monoclonal antisera have been developedthat react differentiaUy against the 10 describ-ed North American races of Phytophthorafragariae, the causal agent of red stele ofstrawberry. In a comparative indirect ELISAtest using seven of the hybridoma clones it waspossible to identify each of the 10 races, withthe exception of races 3 and 6 that haveidentical reactions to all antisera.

The fluorescent antibody technique hasbeen used successfully to detect Phyrophthoraerythroseptica in inoculated raspberry rootsand P. fragariae in inoculated strawberry rootsusing a Phytophthora-specific polyclonal anti-serum. Detection in field-infected samples wasless successful, possibly beca use of lowconcentration of fungal mycelium resultingfrom age of infection.

A collection of 123 clones of Fragariachiloensis, obtained along the coast of BritishColumbia, were evaluated for resistance to amixture of races of Phytophthora fragariae.Nine clones were immune to the composite ofraces (AI, A2, A3, A4, and A5) and a further23 clones were highly resistant. These clonesform an important pool of resistance genesavailable for strawberry breeding.

Virology

Blueberry. A carlavirus, designated blue-berry scorch virus (BBSeV),has been shown tocause a scorch disease of highbush blueberry.During a survey of blueberry fields in BritishColumbia, Washington, and Oregon, BBScVwas found to be restricted to the PuyallupValley in Washington. However, there werescorched blueberry bushes in all areas survey-ed that did not react with our BBScV anti-serum in double antibody sandwich ELISA.Purification from these bushes using theBBSeV protocol was unsuccessful, suggestingthat another causal agent induced scorchsymptoms. Flowers from some of these bushesin one field were used as inoculum for mecha-nical transmission to Nicotiana clelJelandii.Purification from the Nicotiana plants yielded


spherical particles when observed with theelectron microscope. A host range wasconducted with this isolate and only threespecies of Nicotiana-produced symptoms. Anantiserum against the spherical virus has beendeveloped and will be used to determine thedistribution of the virus.

Raspberry. Previous work had revealed thepresence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) innative red and black raspberry plants inBritish Columbia. None of the suspect plantsshowed symptoms, but the dsRNA pattern wasindicative of virus infection. Thin-sectionelectron microscopy of leaf tissue showed noevidence of virus-like particles. Seed collectedfrom Rubus leucodermis and R. strigosusproduced seedlings that had the same dsRNAbanding pattern. The bands were detected in30 of 52 R. leucodermis and 5 of 18 R. strigosusseedlings that were assayed. Random-primedeDNA made from the major dsRNA bandhybridized to total DNA isolated fromR. leucodermis and R. idaeus that did notcontain dsRNA band, indicating that thedsRNA band was of host rather than viralorigin. These results raise some questionsabout the value of the dsRNA technique as aprocedure for the detection of latent viruses innuclear stock programs.

Asparagus. In previous surveys of BritishColumbia asparagus plantings, we determinedthat asparagus virus 2 (ilarvirus) was pre-valent and that asparagus virus 1 (potyvirus)was present but the incidence was considerablylower. Tobacco streak virus (TSV), which isknown to infect asparagus in Europe and theUnited States, was notfound primarily becauseour detection techniques were not sufficientlysensitive to distinguish asparagus virus 2 fromTSV. Both are ilarviruses and induce similarsymptoms on indicator plants and thepolyclonal antiserum against TSV that wasavailable at that time was of poor quality. Thisproblem has been solved by the production ofhigh-quality monoclonal antibodies againstTSV. In the 1988 season, we used the ELISAtechnique to index 705 asparagus samples fromcommercial plantings in the Okanagan Valley,of which 408 were infected with asparagusvirus 2 and 32 were infected with TSV.

Potato. Murine monoclonal antibodies(MCAs) prepared against beet western yellowsvirus (BWYV)and potato leaf roll virus (PLRV)reacted strongly with the homologous virus butexhibited no cross-reactivity when used in

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heterologous tests. Assays were done using atriple antibody sandwich ELISA procedure;polyclonal antibodies for coating':IMCA as thesecond antibody, and rabbit antimousealkaline phosphatase as the conjuga.te. From1986 to 1988,771 potato plants with symptomsof potato leaf roll disease, r~presenting26 cultivars, were tested. Samples werecollected from 6 Canadian provinces and12 states, mainly at the Florida and Californiawinter test plots. NOQeof the samples testedpositive for BWYV, 754 tested [pOSitive forPLRV, and 17 samples tested negative for bothviruses in aphid transmission tests usingMyzus persicae as the vector abd Physalispubescens as an indicator plant. ! The resultsindicate that BWYV is not ',a commoncomponent of potato leaf roll disease in NorthAmerica-indeed it may be rare. I

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Small fruit breeding

Raspberry. Two B.C. raspberrlY selections,80-28-53 and 80-28-50, both froml the cross ofNootka X Glen Prosen, were identified in 1987as warranting immediate propagation. Theycontinued to perform well in 1988 in first testplots at the Vancouver Substatio~. 80-28-53again was noted for its large (mean weight5.4 g), attractive, bright red fruit, which isexceptionally well presented. 80-28-50 also hasgood presentation of large fruit.! The meanweight of 4.3 g is similar to Comox and 1.0 gheavier than Willamette. Fruit of 80-28-50 isnot quite as bright or glossy as that of 80-28-53but it is firmer and still attractiv~ enough forthe fresh market. In addition the' fruit seemsparticularly well suited to machine harvest.Both selections have consistentl~ out yieldedthe standard cultivars, with the exception ofComox, and have extended harvest seasons. In1988, harvest of 80-28-53 started, July 4 andcontinued for 53 days; harvest bf 80-28-50started July 12 and continued frir 45 days.Both selections are aphid resista~t and thuswill escape the mosaic virus complex and, todate, neither has become infect~d with thepollen-transmitted raspberry blishy dwarfvirus. 80-28-50 has shown an extended shelflife, which suggests resistance to postharvestrots. Both are relatively susceptible to spurblight and cane Botrytis. :

Both selections have been released topropagators; a few plants of 80-28-53 should beavailil.bl~ for grower trials in 11989and of80-28~50in 1990. '

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ENTOMOLOGY

Vectors

Aphid survey. New records brought thenumber of known aphid species in BritishColumbia to 397. Aphids have now beencollected from 1052 different host plants andthe total number of aphid-host plantassociations is 2043.

Spread of virus diseases. A rapid butaccurate method for sampling strawberryaphids, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, was deve-loped for use by growers and professional pestmanagement consultants in an integrated pestmanagement program for strawberries. Samp-ling consists of recording only the proportion ofstrawberry leaves not infested with aphids.The proportion and the sample size permit theabundance of aphids in a field to be estimatedfrom statistical relationships developed fromsampling commercial strawberry fields. Suffi-ciently accurate samples can be made in thefield within minutes as compared with hours ifall aphids were to be counted.

The 3rd of a 4-year survey for PLRV andBWYV was conducted in the lower FraserValley ofBritish Columbia. The main source ofPLRV was again verified to be backyardgardens, with no incidence of PLRV or BWYVbeing detected in samples from growers' fields.

Pest management

Ermine moth (Yponomenta malinellus).Ageniaspis fuscicollis, a European parasitefirst released in 1987, was reared from erminemoth larvae collected at the release site thisyear. The recovery of the parasite is a positiveindication of a potentially successful biologicalcontrol program. Additional releases of theparasite were made this year.

Aphid and virus regulation in strawberry.The efficacy of oxydemeton-methyl (Meta-systox-R 2.4 SC) was evaluated for the controlof the aphid Chaetosiphon fragaefolii and theregulation of viruses on Totem strawberries,Fragaria X ananassa. Analysis of aphid datacollected during 1987 and 1988 suggested thataphid numbers in the controls were two tothree times higher than in plots treated withthe American rate of oxydemeton-methyl.Virus indexing during July and August, 1987,indicated that 21% of the parent plants wereinfected with viruses and that these werescattered randomly with respect to pesticide


treatment. Indexing during 1988 suggestedthat 67-100% of the plants in a plot wereinfected with viruses, and that the percentageinfected was negatively related to the pesticideapplication rate. Yields in the first harvestyear were 25% less in the controls than in plotstreated with the American rate ofoxydemeton-methyl. The results suggest that the use ofoxydemeton-methyl in commercial strawberryfields will effectively reduce aphid populationsand the proportion of plants infected withviruses.

GreenMuse pests. Experiments were con-ducted in a cucumber greenhouse to determinethe color preferences of the western flowerthrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, a new andmajor pest of greenhouse vegetables. Trapspainted bright blue, violet, yellow, and whitewere all found to be attractive colors, with aslightly desaturated blue tint being a verypotent visual lure.

Potato pests. Several granular insecticideswere evaluated for efficacy and longevityagainst first and second generation tuber fleabeetles, green peach aphids, and potato aphids.The insecticides were tested at two or threerates at three locations with differing soiltypes. Only insecticides with systemic pro-perties controlled both pests. Of the registeredproducts tested, Temik (aldicarb) gave the bestcontrol of all pest species in soils with loworganic matter. Thimet (phorate) providedsimilar levels of control on all but green peachaphids. Efficacy of these chemicals wassignificantly reduced in soils with high organiccontent.

An expert system to provide potato growerswith field-specific late blight predictions(blight management system or BMS) wasevaluated successfully for the 2nd year. BMSrapidly and efficiently processes weather datacollected automatically or manually from thefield, and the expert system software providesrecommendations to growers. In pilot studies,BMS has enabled growers to reduce fungicidespraying by at least 50%.

Insect virology. A new research programhas been initiated that will investigate themolecular biology of baculoviruses. Thegeneral aims ofthis biotechnology program aredirected at understanding the molecularmechanisms of virus infection to determinestrategies of improving these viruses asbiocontrol agents. Baculoviruses have the


potential to replace chemical insecticides insome insect control programs, and their usewill therefore help to reduce the use of com-pounds that may be toxic to the environment.

Early studies identified a potential imme-diate early gene of the Orgyia pseudosugatanuclear polyhedrosis virus using a related genefrom the Autographa ealiforniea nuclearpolyhedrosis virus. This gene now calledOplE-l has subsequently been cloned andsequenced. OplE-l may be one of the limitednumber of genes that are expressed as soon asthe virus enters the cell of the target hostinsect. These genes turn on other viral genesand are therefore usually essential for viralreplication. This gene and other similar genesmay provide information on how to engineerthese viruses genetically to improve theireffectiveness as biological insecticides.

Pests of small fruits. Winter moth, Oper-ophtera brumata, has been positively identifiedas a pest of blueberries and raspberries in thelower Fraser Valley. This insect was cited bygrowers as the single most important pest onblueberries, and the problem appears to beincreasing. Several experiments were con-ducted to determine the suitability of theTachinid fly Cyzenis albicans for control ofwinter moth on blueberries. This fly lays eggson foliage, which the host larva then ingests,and has been observed to cause up to 70%mortality of winter moth on apple trees. Onblueberry, the fly was able to distinguishdiffering levels of damage and to concentrateattacks on the foliage where winter mothlarvae were feeding; this pattern was notobserved on raspberry. Results suggest thatCyzenis may be a useful control agent onblueberry but not raspberry.

Experiments were conducted to determinethe suitability of alternate plants asmonitoring tools for the cranberry girdler,Chrysoteuchia topiaria. This insect is difficultto monitor without the destruction of valuablecranberry vines, and so a ~trap" crop or monitorcrop might be used to more easily evaluateinsect abundance. Eight alternative plantswere assessed: one species of tree seedling-Douglas-fir; and seven grasses-red fescue,biltjart fescue, sheep fescue, timothy, reedcanarygrass, foxtail, and redtop. Greaternumbers of girdler larvae were detected onfoxtail than on any of the other plant species,indicating a preference for foxtail by either theovipositing female or the feeding larvae.

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Residue chemistry

Persistence of vinclozolin. When pea leaf-lets were treated with the fungicide Ronilan 50WP (50% vinclozolin) or an acetobe solution ofvinclozolin, the persistence of the fungicideunder laboratory conditions was, higher withRonilan 50 WP, a commercial formulation,than with an acetone solution. Hhwever, mostof the Ronilan deposits were easil~ dislodged byrinsing with water, indicating that Ronilanwould be susceptible to weathering. Thedissipation ofvinclozolin on leaflets was linearand the calculated half-life wasl33 days forRonilan and 13 days for the acetone solution.Translocation ofvinclozolin was nbt detected inpea plants after its application to one of theleaflets; and none of the hydrolytic degradationproducts was detected in the treated plants. Toensure seasonal protection agJinst fungalinfection with Ronilan, its applicJtion must beproperly timed and several treatments may berequired.

Residues of phorate in potato. i Thimet 15G(15%phorate) was evaluated as an alternativeto Temik 15G (15% aldicarb) frir control oftuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberik Gent., andgreen peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulz.Phorate was comparable to aldica,rb in efficacy.It provided effective control in ~ sandy loamsoil and a clay soil but was inadequate in amuck soil with organic matter content as highas 58%. Phorate strongly adsorbed on soil withhigher organic matter and mucp less of thechemicals were picked up by the plants, thusreducing its efficacy. Potatoe~ picked upphorate residues including its toxic oxidativemetabolites, most readily from sandy loam,more readily from clay and least readily frommuck. Potatoes grown in sanay loam soilcontained about 0.1 ppm (fr~sh weight)residues 83 days after applicatio~ of phorate atan a.i. rate of3.2 g/10 m of row.

Residue of oxydemeton-methyl in straw-berry. Metasystox-R 2.4 SC (24%:oxydemeton-methyl) was evaluated for the second time forcontrol of strawberry aphid, Ghaetosiphonfragaefolii (Cockerell). The insecticide wasapplied at a.i. rates of0.28, 0.56, and 1.12 kglhaat the start of bloom. Fruit was ~nalyzed after39 and 46 days. Residues were J.ell below thenegligible level of0.1 ppm (fresh ~eight) for allapplication rates tested. Registration ofMetasystox-R 2.4 SC as an alternative toSystox is currently under review'lbYthe MinorUse ofPesticides Program.

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PUBLICATIONS

Research

Bristow, P.R.; Daubeny, H.A.; Sjulin, T.M.;Pepin, H.S.; Nestby, R.;Windon, G.E. 1988.Evaluation of Rubus germplasm forreaction to root rot caused by Phytophthoraerythroseptica. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci.113:588-591.

Converse, R.H.; Adams, A.N.; Barbara, D.J.;Casper, R.; Hepp, R.R.; Martin, R.R.;Morris, T.J.; Spiegel, S.; Yoshikawa, N.1988. Laboratory detection of viruses andmycoplasmalike organisms in strawberry.Plant Dis. 72:744-749.

De Boer, S.H.; Verdonck, L.; Vruggink, H.;Harju, P.; Bang, H.D.; De Ley, J. 1987.Serological variation among potato blacklegcausing Erwinia carotovora subsp. atrosep-tica strains. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 63:487-495.

De Boer, S.H. 1987. The relationship betweenbacterial ring rot and North American seedpotato export markets. Am. Potato J.64:683-694.

De Boer, S.H.; Hall, J.W. 1988. An automatedmicroscope system for estimating thepopulation ofCorynebacterium sepedonicumcells labelled with monoclonal antibodies inimmunofluorescence. Can. J. Plant Pathol.10:215-220.

De Boer, S.H.; Wieczorek, A.; Kummer, A.1988. An ELISA test for bacterial ring rotof potato with a new monoclonal antibody.Plant Dis. 72:874-878.

Forbes, A.R.; Chan, C.K. 1987. The aphids(Homoptera: Aphididae) of British Colum-bia. 16. Further additions. J. Entomol. Soc.B.C. 84:66-72.

Forbes, A.R.; Chan, C.K. 1987. The aphids(Homoptera: Aphididae) of British Colum-bia. 17. A revised host plant catalogue. J.Entomol. Soc.B.C. 84:72-100.

Forbes, A.R.; Chan, C.K. 1988. The aphids(Homoptera: Aphididae) of British Colum-bia. 18. Further additions. J. Entomol. Soc.B.C. 85:87-97.

Ford, R.E.; Beczner, L.; Hamilton, R.I. 1988.Turnip mosaic-, cucumber mosaic- andribgrass mosaic viruses isolated fromHesperis matronalis in British Columbia.Plant Dis. 72(2):101-106.


Frazer, B.D.; Vernon, RS. 1988. ST~ as anadhesive on traps used to monitor for alategreen peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer)(Homoptera: Aphididae). Can. Entomol.120:1059-1061.

Freeman, J.A.; Eaton, G.W.; Baumann, T.E.;Daubeny, H.A.; Dale, A. 1989. Primocaneremoval enhances yield components of rasp-berries. J. Am. Soc.Hortic. Sci. 114:6-9.

French,C.J.; Alsbury,J. 1988. Effect of pre-force storage conditions on early flower-ing of Rhododendron. HortScience23(2):356-358.

Gaddipati, J.P.; Atreya, C.D.; Rochon, D.M.;Siegel, A. 1988. Characterization of theTMV encapsidation site on 18S rRNA.Nucleic Acids Res. 16:7303-7313.

Gardiner, E.E.; Hunt, J.R.; Newberry, R.C.;Hall, J.W. 1988. Relationships betweenage, body weight, and season ofthe year andthe incidence of sudden death syndromein male broiler chickens. Poult. Sci.67:1243-1249.

Graham, M.B.; Ebsary, B.A.; Vrain, T.C.;Webster, J.M. 1988. Distribution ofXiphi-nema bricolensis and Xiphinema pacificumin vineyards of the Okanagan andSimilkameen valleys, British Columbia.Can. J. Plant Pathol.l0:259-262.

Hall, J.W.; Majak, W.; Van Ryswyk, A.L.;Howarth, R.E.; Kalnin, C.M. 1988. Therelationship of rumen cations and solubleprotein with predisposition of cattle toalfalfa bloat. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 68:431-437.

MacKenzie, D.J.; Tremaine, J.H. 1988. Ultra-structural location of non-structural protein3A of cucumber mosaic virus in infectedtissue using monoclonal antibodies to acloned chimeric fusion protein. J. Gen.Virol. 69:2387-2395.

Mackenzie, J.R; Vernon, RS.; Szeto, S.Y.1987. Efficacy and residues of chlorpyrifosapplied against root maggots attacking colecrops in British Columbia. J. Entomol. Soc.B.C. 84:9-16.

Mackenzie, J.R; Vernon, R.S.; Szeto, S.Y.1988. Efficacy and residues offoliar spraysagainst the lettuce aphid, Nasonovia rib is-nigri (Homoptera: Aphididae), on crispheadlettuce. J. Entomol. Soc.B.C. 85:3-9.


Mackenzie, J.R; Vernon, R.S. 1988. Samplingfor distribution of the lettuce aphid,Nasonovia ribisnigri (Homoptera: Aphi-didae), in fields and within heads. J.Entomol. Soc. B.C. 85:10-14.

Majak, W.; Quinton, D.A.; Douwes, H.E.; Hall,J.W.; Muir, A.D. 1988. The effect of clip-ping on the growth and miserotoxin contentof Columbia milkvetch. J. Range Manage.41(1):26-29.

Martin, RR; Bristow, P.R. 1988. A carlavirusassociated with blueberry scorch disease.Phytopathology 78:1636-1640.

Miller, S.A.; Martin, R.R. 1988. Moleculardiagnosis of plant disease. Ann. Rev.Phytopathol. 26:409-432.

Myers, C.J.; Griffiths, A.J.F.; Kraus, S.R;Martin, RR. 1988. Double-stranded RNAin natural isolates of Neurospora. CurroGenet. 13:495-501.

Newberry, R.C.; Wood-Gush, D.G.M.; Hall,J.W. 1988. Playful behaviour of piglets.Behav. Processes 17:205-216.

Parliman, B.J.; Daubeny, H.A. 1988. Consi-derations for effective exchange of clonallypropagated plant germplasm. HortScience23:67-73.

Raworth, D.A.; Merkens, M. 1987. Samplingthe twospotted spider mite Tetranychusurticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on commer-cial strawberries. J. Entomol. Soc. B.C.84:17-19.

Robinson, A.G.: Chan, C.K. 1988. The correcthost plants of the aphid Aulacorthumpterinigrum Richards (Homoptera: Aphi-didae). Can. Entomol.120:699.

Rochon, D.M.;Tremaine, J.H. 1988. Cucum-ber necrosis virus is a member of the tom-busvirus group. J. Gen. Virol. 69:395-400.

Rott, M.E.; Rochon, n.M.; Tremaine, J.H.1988. A 1.9 kilobase homology in the3' terminal regions of RNA-l and RNA-2 oftomato ringspot virus. J. Gen. Virol.69:745-750.

Stace-Smith, R; Hamilton, R.I. 1988. Inocu-lum thresholds of seed-borne viruses.Phytopathology 78(6):875-880.

Stout, D.G.; Hall, J.; Brooke, B.; Moore, T.1988. A field method for evaluating frostinjury to lucerne. J. Agric. Sci. Camb.111:171-177.

407

Miscellaneous

Szeto, S.Y.; Mackenzie, J.R.; ~ernon, R.S.1988. Comparative persistence of chlor-pyrifos in a mineral soil afterlgranular anddrench applications. J. Environ. Sci. HealthB23(6):541-557. I

Theilmann, D.A.; Summers, M.D, 1988. Iden-tification and comparison of Campoletissonorensis virus transcripts ekpressed fromfour genomic segments in the insect hostsCampoletis sonorensis add if eliothisvirescens. Virology 167:329-341.

IVernon, R.S.; Hall, J.W.; Judd, (f.R.R.; Bartel,

D.L. 1989. Improved moniUjring programfor Delia antiqua (Diptera: Ahthomyiidae).J. Econ. Entomol. 82(1):251-258'.

IVrain, T.C.; Copeman, RJ. 1987. The inter-

actions between AgrobacteriJm tumefaciensand Pratylenchus penetrans ih red raspber-ry roots. Can. J. Plant Pathol! 9:236-240.

Wright, N.S. 1988. Assembly, duality controland use of a potato cultivar tollection ren-

Idered virus-free by heat therapy and tissueculture. Am.PotatoJ.65:1811-198.

I

IConverse, R.H.; Martin, RR; Spiegel, S. 1987.

Strawberry mild yellow-edgej. Pages 25-29in Converse, R.H., ed. Virus diseases ofsmall fruits. U.S. Departm~nt of Agricul-ture, Agriculture Handbook No. 631.,

Converse, R.H.; Martin, R.RJ; Tanne, E.;Spiegel, S. 1987. Tobacco nJcrosis virus instrawberry. Pages 64-66 in (i:onverse,R.H.,ed. Virus diseases of small fruits. U.S.Department of Agriculture, AgricultureHandbook No. 631. !

Converse, R.H.; Stace-Smith, ~.; Jones, A.T.1987. Raspberry mosaic. Pages 168-175 inConverse, R.H., ed. Virus diseases of smallfruits. U.S. Department of Agriculture,Agriculture Handbook No. 6~1.

IConverse, R.H.; Stace-Smith, R. 1987. Tomato

ringspot virus in strawberr~. Pages 52-55in Converse, RH., ed. Virus diseases ofsmall fruits. U.S. Departtnent of Agri-culture, Agriculture Handbobk No. 631.

De Boer, S.H. 1987. Control of bacterial ringrot. Pages 242-253 in Boitkau, G.; Singh,R.P.; Parry, RH., eds. Potato pest manage-ment in Canada. Fredericto~, N.B.

408

De Boer, S.H.; McCann, M. 1988. Determi-nation ofCorynebacterium sepedonicum cellpopulations in potato during the growingseason with a monoclonal immuno-fluorescence procedure. Phytopathology78:1604-1605.

Frazer, B.D. 1988. 9.2. Predators. Pages217-230 in Minks, A.K.; Harrewijn, P., eds.Aphids, their biology, natural enemies andcontrol, Vol. B. Elsevier Science PublishersB.V., Amsterdam.

Frazer, B.D. 1988. 9.2.1. Coccinellidae. Pages231-247 in Minks, A.K.; Harrewijn, P., eds.Aphids, their biology, natural enemies andcontrol, Vol. B. Elsevier Science PublishersB.V., Amsterdam.

Jones, A.T.; Murant, A.F.; Stace-Smith, R.1987. Raspberry vein chlorosis. Pages194-197 in Converse, R.H., ed. Virusdiseases of small fruits. U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Agriculture HandbookNo. 631.

Martin, R.R. 1988. Survey of viruses in rasp-berries in B.C. and Washington. Can. PlantDis. Surv. 68:93-95.

Martin, R.R.; MacDonald, S.G. 1988. Surveyfor blueberry scorch virus and tomato ring-spot virus in highbush blueberry in B.C.,Washington and Oregon. Can. Plant Dis.Surv.68:91-92.

Pepin, H.S. 1988. Survey for Colletotrichumacutatum in strawberry fields in the lowerFraser Valley. Can. Plant Dis. Survey68:101.

Stace-Smith, R.;Converse, RH.; Johnson, H.A.1987. Tobacco streak virus in strawberry.Pages 57-60 in Converse, R.H., ed. Virusdiseases of small fruits. U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Agriculture HandbookNo. 631.

Stace-Smith, R.; Jones, A.T. 1987. Rubusyellownet. Pages 175-178 in Converse,R.H., ed. Virus diseases of small fruits.U.S. Department of Agriculture,Agriculture Handbook No. 631.

Stace-Smith, R.; Jones, A.T. 1987. Black rasp-berry necrosis. Pages 178-183 inConverse,R.H., ed. Virus diseases of small fruits.U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricul-ture Handbook No. 631.


Stace-Smith, R; Converse, RH. 1987. Rasp-berry leaf curl. Pages 187-190 in Converse,R.H., ed. Virus diseases of small fruits.U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricul-ture Handbook No. 631.

Stace-Smith, R. 1987. Thimbleberry ringspot.Pages 192-194 in Converse, R.H., ed. Virusdiseases of small fruits. U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Agriculture HandbookNo. 631.

Stace-Smith, R.; Converse, R.H. 1987. Tomatoringspot virus in Rubus. Pages 223-227 inConverse, RH., ed. Virus diseases of smallfruits. U.S. Department of Agriculture,Agriculture Handbook No. 631.

Stace-Smith, R. 1987. Tobacco ringspot virusin Rubus. Pages 227-228 in Converse, RH.,ed. Virus diseases of small fruits. U.S.


Department of Agriculture, AgricultureHandbook No. 631.

Stace-Smith, R 1987. Tobacco streak virus inRubus. Pages 235-239 in Converse, R.H.,ed. Virus diseases of small fruits. U.S.Department of Agriculture, AgricultureHandbook No. 631.

Stace-Smith, R. 1987. Rubus virus diseases ofminor or undetermined significance. Pages248-250 in Converse, R.H., ed. Virusdiseases of small fruits. U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Agriculture HandbookNo. 631.

Stace-Smith, R. 1987. Control of aphid-bornepersistent viruses. Pages 54-69 in Boiteau,G.; Singh, R.P.; Parry, RH., eds. Potatopest management in Canada. Fredericton,N.B.

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1+1 Agriculture - Robertson Library

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Transcript of 1+1 Agriculture - Robertson Library