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tomatoesMAES Researchers to Use NSF Grant to Create More Resilient Tomatoes

Nothing says "summer" like a ripe, fragrant tomato, fresh from the vine -- assuming the delicate fruit has managed to escape attacks from hornworms, stinkbugs, blossom end rot, and other insects and diseases.

Michigan State University researchers hope to bolster the tomato's defenses by using a $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant to study tomato glandular trichomes, small cells located mainly on the plant's leaves that help protect it from pests. Scientists from the University of Michigan and the University of Arizona are also part of the team.

"The glandular trichomes make a number of phytochemical compounds, some of which help defend tomato plants and their relatives against insects and diseases," said Robert Last, MAES professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, who is one of the project leaders. "They also give many plants their smell and taste. For example, the aroma of many leaf spices and herbs, such as mint and basil, comes from glandular trichomes. The great smell that comes from rubbing a tomato leaf? That's from the trichomes. We want to identify the genes that control the development and function of the glandular trichomes so breeders can use this information to create plants that are more insect- and disease-resistant."

Wild tomato species are resistant to many insects and diseases because of compounds secreted by the glandular trichomes. Cultivated tomatoes have glandular trichomes that secrete compounds, but the types of trichomes and the amounts of compounds secreted are different from those in the wild varieties. Knowing the genes responsible for glandular trichome development would help breeders determine why this natural protection seems to have been bred out of cultivated tomatoes.

Related plants that have glandular trichomes and may benefit from the research include peppers, potatoes, eggplant and tobacco.

Last said the various types of glandular trichome cells each produce different compounds. As the scientists identify the genes that control the cells' formation, they also plan to determine the specific compounds produced by each type of trichome.

"Many secondary compounds have significant value as pharmaceuticals, fragrances, food additives and natural pesticides," Last explained. "Nicotine in tobacco and atropine in nightshade, for example. But we don't know how the plant uses all the compounds made by the glandular trichomes. That's another area we'll be studying. This information could be used to breed plants that make large amounts of a specific beneficial compound, which could then be extracted."

Other MSU scientists participating in the project are Gregg Howe, MAES biochemistry and molecular biology scientist; A. Daniel Jones, MAES biochemistry and molecular biology and chemistry researcher and director of the MSU Mass Spectrometry Facility; Curtis Wilkerson, manager of the bioinformatics core of the Research Technology Support Facility; and Kenneth Nadler, professor of plant biology. Participating scientists from the University of Arizona are David Gang, assistant professor of plant science; HyeRan Kim, coordinator of the DNA sequencing center; and Carol Soderlund, research associate professor of plant science; and from the University of Michigan, Eran Pichersky, professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology.

President Simon Granholm, Simon and Pueppke to Address First Michigan Bioeconomy Summit

The vast potential of the state's burgeoning bioeconomy will take center stage Sept. 20-21 in Lansing as industry, education and government leaders, including Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon and Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and MSU Office of Bio-based Technologies (OBT) Director Steven Pueppke, convene for the state's first Bioeconomy Summit.

Granholm will open the summit at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 20 in the Lansing Center with remarks on Michigan's current and future opportunities in the emerging bioeconomy. Simon will discuss MSU's key role at 8 a.m. Sept. 21. Pueppke will speak after lunch on Sept. 21 and discuss how the OBT will facilitate MSU's role.

Breakout sessions throughout the two days will focus on such topics as ethanol production and marketing, biodiesel production techniques and the technology behind cellulosic ethanol production.

Speakers include state and national leaders from the private and public sectors. MSU faculty members, including MAES scientists and Extension educators, will offer presentations on facets of bioeconomy research and development underway both on the East Lansing campus and throughout the state.

"Michigan is uniquely positioned to build a new, expanded bioeconomy that connects our strengths in agriculture, forestry and natural resources with commensurate strengths in industry and manufacturing to create a new, sustainable bio-based sector," said Pueppke. "This gathering is an important step in enhancing and expanding that connectivity."

The summit will also focus on biotechnology. Representatives of major biotechnology companies will explain their research priorities and pending developments. Though this new technology will help improve the efficiency of bioenergy production, it promises much more.

"There is far more to the bioeconomy than ethanol, and much more to ethanol than an ingredient to blend with gasoline," said Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Bio-Economy Consortium. "The opportunities we have in Michigan to lead these new industries are virtually limitless."

The agenda will conclude with a presentation by Thomas Dorr, undersecretary for rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To register or receive more information, call the Michigan Agri-Business Association at 517-336-0223 or e-mail maba@miagbiz.org. The program and registration materials are available online.

USDA Awards $600,000 Grant to MDA for Institute of Water Research Project

The Institute of Water Research at MSU and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) have teamed up to land a $600,000 Conservation Innovation Grant.

The grant, awarded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will fund implementation of the institute’s new geographic information systems-based high impact targeting (HIT) program in four Michigan watersheds. NRCS funds will be distributed by the MDA as incentives to qualified farmers to support the implementation of conservation best management practices.

The HIT program will help protect water quality in rural areas through the targeted application of conservation best management practices,” said Jon Bartholic, director of the Institute of Water Research.

The institute will work closely with the MDA and soil conservation district staff members to implement the HIT approach in four watersheds: Maple River, Saginaw Bay, Lake Macatawa and River Raisin. The HIT program complements the USDA-funded Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and Conservation Security Program implemented by the MDA in those watersheds.

The HIT program guides placement of conservation best management practices to those areas identified as high-risk erosion areas with the greatest potential to contribute sedimentation and associated loadings to state waterways. The institute has developed new technology and geographic information systems mapping to increase the efficiency of federal and state conservation programs delivery.

“The conservation innovation grant is a wonderful opportunity that will allow farmers and landowners to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat through a targeted approach,” said Mitch Irwin, MDA director.

“Michigan’s conservation districts will benefit from using this new technology to target their conservation work to areas in critical watersheds to greatly improve water quality and wildlife habitat,” said Gordon Wenk, MDA Environmental Stewardship Division director.

“We’re enthusiastic about this collaborative project, which builds on our long and successful relationship with the Michigan Department of Agriculture,” Bartholic said. “We look forward to using our research and outreach capacity in cooperation with the MDA to deliver this new HIT technology in watersheds where it can best be used to improve water quality and prevent soil erosion.”

The project team is made up of the NRCS, the USDA Farm Services Agency, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the MDA, the MSU Institute of Water Research and local conservation districts.

WildfireBurning Wetlands Release Sequestered Mercury in Wake of Climate Change

Climate change appears to be contributing to the waking of a dangerous sleeping giant in the most northern wetlands of North America -- mercury.

Mercury's release into the atmosphere increased sharply with the launching of the industrial age. The toxic element falls back to earth and accumulates, particularly in North American wetlands. An MAES researcher working closely with the U.S. Geological Survey has found that wildfires, which are occurring more frequently and burning more intensely than in the past, are unleashing this sequestered mercury at levels up to 15 times greater than originally calculated.

The report, “Wildfires threaten mercury stocks in northern soils,” appeared in the Aug. 21 online edition of Geophysical Research Letters.

“This study makes the point that, though peat lands are typically viewed as very wet and stagnant places, they do burn in continental regions, especially late in the season when water tables are depressed,” said Merritt Turetsky, MAES plant biology and fisheries and wildlife scientist. “When peat lands burn, they can release a huge amount of mercury that overwhelms regional atmospheric emissions. Our study is new in that it looks to the soil record to tell us what happens when peat soil burns, soil that has been like a sponge for mercury for a long time.”

Normal atmospheric conditions naturally carry the mercury emitted from burning fossil fuel and other industry sources northward, where it eventually settles on land or water surfaces. The cold, wet soils of the boreal forest region in Alaska and northern Canada have been efficient resting places for mercury.

“When we walk across the surface of a peat land, we are standing on many thousands of years of peat accumulation,” Turetsky said. “This type of wetland is actually doing us a service. Peat lands have been storing mercury from the atmosphere since well before and during the Industrial Revolution, locking it in peat where it’s not causing any biological harm, away from the food web.”

In addition to industrial activity, climate change also appears to be disrupting mercury’s cycle. Increasingly, northern wetlands are drying out. Forest fires are burning more frequently, more intensely and later in the season, which Turetsky believes will make peat lands more vulnerable to fire. In May, Turetsky co-wrote another Geophysical Research Letters paper that documented recent changes in North American fires and suggested that more frequent summer droughts and severe fire weather have increased the extent of burn areas.

“We are suggesting that environmental mercury is just like a thermometer. Levels will rise in the atmosphere with climate change but because of increasing fire activity in the north, not solely because of warming,” said Jennifer Harden, soil scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey and co-author of the study.

In the August paper, Turetsky, with co-authors Harden and James Crock of the U.S. Geological Survey; Hans Friedli and Lawrence Radke of the National Center for Atmospheric Research; and Mike Flannigan and Nicholas Payne of the Canadian Forest Service, measured the amount of mercury stored in soils and vegetation of forests and peat lands, then used historical burn areas and emission models to estimate how much of that mercury is released to the atmosphere on a regional scale during fires.

The group has spent more than five years studying prescribed burns in addition to natural fires to measure the influence of burning on terrestrial mercury storage. They also have sampled smoke plumes to measure atmospheric mercury levels as fires blaze.

Their findings indicated that dry conditions in northern regions will cause soil to relinquish its hold on hundreds of years of mercury accumulation, sending that mercury back into the air at levels considerably higher than previously realized.

“We’re talking about mercury that has been relatively harmless, trapped in peat for hundreds of years, rapidly being spewed back into the air,” Turetsky said. “Some of it will fall back onto soils. Some will fall into lakes and streams, where it could become toxic in food chains. Our findings show us that climate change is complex and will contribute to the pollution of food chains that are very far away from us, in remote regions of the north.”

The research was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Center of Atmospheric Research (supported by the National Science Foundation) and the Electric Power Research Institute. Turetsky’s May paper in Geophysical Research Letters was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Leaders’ Program Sends Clear Message on Manure’s Value

The Environmental Leaders’ Program delivered its message loud and clear: manure isn’t a waste to farmers. The program was part of the 2006 Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo in July at Berlyn Acres in Fowler, Mich.

The special program paired selected livestock farmer hosts with environmental leaders -- municipality officials, state agency leaders, and representatives from various plant and animal commodity, agribusiness and farmer organizations. The 28 farmer hosts discussed how they manage and recycle valuable manure nutrients on their farms as they led the 72 environmental leaders throughout the 30-acre show site of exhibits and demonstrations.

“The program was very well received,” said Dave Beede, program co-coordinator and MAES dairy nutrition and environmental management scientist. “We achieved our objectives to foster understanding about the benefits and challenges of using manure as an economical resource for food production and to develop a dialogue among environmental leaders and the agricultural sector about various food production practices.”

Dale Rozeboom, MSU associate professor of swine and nutrient management, co-facilitated the leaders’ program.

“I found the program to be very informative. I enjoyed seeing farmers’ hard work to apply manure in the proper way to recycle the nutrients and to protect the environment at the same time,” said Bob Wagel, a county commissioner from Cass County. “The level of sophistication in the manure spreading equipment I saw and the changes that have occurred in how we treat manure were very enlightening and eye-opening for me.”

The 2006 Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo drew 1,300 visitors from 14 states and Canada to the Berlyn Acres show site for demonstrations of ultramodern manure handling equipment, educational presentations by natural resources experts and agricultural engineers, and exhibits by more than 60 vendors.

Student Organic Farm New MSU Program Offers Organic Farming Experience

A new certificate program in organic farming will be available at MSU in January 2007.

The program, offered through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute of Agricultural Technology and the Department of Horticulture, will include both classroom and experiential learning to prepare graduates for careers in organic farming, urban agriculture, community gardening and other areas of sustainable agriculture.

Increasing interest in organic foods at both the consumer and producer levels led to the development of the program, said Eunice Foster, associate dean for undergraduate and certificate programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“With the increased interest in organic foods and public willingness to pay a premium for them, a growing number of farmers are looking into organic production,” Foster said. “As a land-grant institution, MSU should be studying and investigating all aspects of agricultural production that can benefit farmers in Michigan.”

“The requests from students and organic farmers for classes and educational programs about organic farming began more than seven years ago,” said John Biernbaum, MAES horticulture scientist and one of the designers of the certificate program. “In the meantime, we have been learning from organic farmers and gaining knowledge and experience through research and operation of the Student Organic Farm on campus. The students and faculty and staff members involved in the Student Organic Farm are ready and looking forward to getting the certificate program started.”

Biernbaum noted that many of the prospective students inquiring about the program do not have a farm background.

“They have limited growing or gardening experience but a commitment to being involved in raising food for people they know,” he said. “We will start at the beginning with the basics and an integrative and creative approach so students experience diversified production and marketing at the small-scale and local level.”

In addition to 40 credit hours of coursework in organic farming and year-round crop production, students will gain practical experience in the management of a 10-acre organic farm and year-round community-supported agriculture program on campus. The production of crops in both heated and passive solar greenhouses is a key feature of the program, which enables students to gain farming experience throughout their 12 months on campus. The program includes horticulture courses covering marketing, greenhouse operation, and production of vegetables, fruits, transplants, cut flowers and herbs. After a year on campus, students will also be required to complete a three- to four-month internship or apprenticeship on a working farm or urban garden.

More information on the organic farming certificate program is available on the MSU Student Organic Farm Web site.

Ian York New Faculty Members

The MAES is pleased to welcome two new faculty members with MAES appointments.

Ian York was named assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics in August. His research focuses on the cell biology of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation. MHC class I antigens play an important role in the immune system's response to viruses and cancer by allowing T cells to recognize abnormal cells. York is studying the peptides that are recognized by T cells and how they are generated in target cells. He hopes this will lead to new vaccine development by enabling scientists to predict highly immunogenic antigens. He is also interested in the mechanisms that viruses have developed to avoid recognition by this system.

From 1994 to 2006, York was first a postdoctoral fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University, then a research fellow, instructor and research assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. From 1985 to 1992, he was part of private veterinary practices in Ontario, Canada.

York received his doctorate in molecular virology and immunology from McMaster University in 1994 and his master's degree in veterinary microbiology and immunology and his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Guelph in 1990 and 1985, respectively.

Anthony CognatoAnthony Cognato was named assistant professor of entomology in August. He is an insect molecular biosystems scientist, and his research focuses on insect biodiversity, specifically the morphological and molecular characteristics related to diversity and historical relationships among bark beetles. This information increases understanding of the distribution, biology and evolution of local, national and international forest pests. He is also director of the A.J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection.

Before coming to MSU, Cognato was assistant professor of entomology at Texas A&M University for six years. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Natural History Museum and Imperial College in the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2000 and was curatorial assistant at the Essig Museum of Entomology at the University of California-Berkeley from 1996 to 1997.

Cognato received his doctorate in entomology from the University of California-Berkeley in 1998 and his master's and bachelor's degrees in environmental and forest biology from the State University of New York-Syracuse in 1995 and 1992, respectively.

MAES Horticultural and Entomology Scientists Honored

Five MAES researchers were recognized for their scholarship at the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) 2006 annual meeting.

The ASHS Extension Publication Award was given to Larry Güt and Ron Perry, MAES scientists, and Peter H. McGhee, MSU entomology technician, for their paper, "Soil Mounding as a Control for Dogwood Borer in Apple," which appeared in HortScience in 2005.

The ASHS Fruit Publication Award was given to Randolph Beaudry and Wayne Loescher, MAES scientists, and Zhifang Gao and Sastry Jayanty, former MSU postdoctoral horticulture researchers, for their paper, "Sorbitol Transporter Expression in Apple Sink Tissues: Implications for Fruit Sugar Accumulation and Watercore Development," which appeared in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2005.

The 2006 Kenneth Post Award for Graduate Research in Floriculture was given to Lee Ann (Pramuk) Moccaldi, of Oglevee Ltd., a former MSU graduate research assistant, and Erik Runkle, MAES scientist, for their paper, "Modeling Growth and Development of Celosia and Impatiens in Response to Temperature and Photosynthetic Daily Light Integral," in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2005. This award is presented to recognize the best paper in floriculture published in 2005.

Moccaldi and Runkle also received the OFA Alex Laurie Award for this and another paper during the OFA Short Course in July. The second paper is “Photosynthetic Daily Light Integral during the Seedling Stage Influences Subsequent Growth and Flowering of Celosia, Impatiens, Salvia, Tagetes, and Viola,” published in HortScience in 2005.

The Alex Laurie Award is presented by OFA to the author(s) of the most outstanding floriculture research paper published in HortScience or the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science during a calendar year.

Gretchen HIll MAES Swine Nutritionist Receives National Award

Gretchen Myers Hill, MAES animal science researcher, was honored with the 2006 Nonruminant Nutrition Research Award by the American Society of Animal Science. The American Feed Industry Association sponsors the annual award, which recognizes Hill’s lifelong work in trace element research in swine nutrition.

Hill was nominated by MSU professor David Hawkins and Don Mahan of the Ohio State University. The fact that this was Hill’s first nomination added to her excitement.

“We haven’t had a Michigan State winner in the nonruminant nutrition category for a while, so I feel extremely honored,” Hill said. “It’s also unusual to win the first time you’re nominated, so I was thrilled to be selected.”

Hill’s research group has studied the mechanisms of zinc, copper and iron metabolism and the interaction of these nutrients with other nutrients. She contributed to the swine mass balance data and has developed strategies to reduce minerals in swine waste.

“Dr. Hill is a valuable part of the animal science faculty at Michigan State,” said Karen Plaut, chairperson of the Department of Animal Science. “Her lifelong commitment to improving swine nutrition does not go unnoticed here, so I am extremely pleased to see her honored by her peers nationwide.”

Michael Allen MAES Dairy Nutritionist Receives National Award

Michael S. Allen, MAES dairy nutrition scientist, was honored with the 2006 Ruminant Nutrition Research Award by the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA). The American Feed Industry Association sponsors the annual award, which recognizes Allen's lifelong work in the nutritional physiology of lactating dairy cows.

MAES animal scientist Dave Beede nominated Allen, who is also a member of the MSU dairy nutrition group.

"Mike's recent research activities have left an indelible mark on the nutritional science and feeding of dairy cattle," Beede said. "He is moving dairy science and production forward because of his exceptional abilities to critically evaluate existing knowledge, construct cutting-edge hypotheses, and plan and conduct focused experiments."

Starch utilization and feed intake regulation of dairy cattle have been Allen's research focus in recent years. Since 2001, Allen has authored or co-authored 30 articles in refereed scientific journals, one book chapter, 31 conference proceedings and 48 scientific abstracts.

"Dr. Allen's research and outreach activities have made an international impact in dairy cattle nutrition. This award is a well-deserved recognition of his contribution to animal agriculture worldwide," said Karen Plaut, chairperson of the Department of Animal Science.

One of Allen's former graduate students, Kevin Harvatine, was also an ADSA award winner. Harvatine, now a doctoral student at Cornell University, won the 2006 Alltech, Inc., Graduate Student Paper Publication Award for his research article in the Journal of Dairy Science on the effects of fatty acid supplements on the milk yield and energy balance of lactating dairy cows. Harvatine's research was done in Allen's lab.

Earlier this year, Allen was recognized with a Distinguished Faculty Award from MSU for improving the productivity of ruminants and the standard of living for farmers, nutrition professionals and consumers nationally and internationally.

MSU Ovsynch Research Aided by National Milk Producers

An MSU doctoral student in animal science has received a boost in her mission to redevelop Ovsynch, a procedure to synchronize dairy cattle breeding. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) selected Nora Bello for the 2006 National Dairy Leadership Scholarship and the first Murray Hintz Memorial Scholarship.

Bello works with Richard Pursley, MAES animal scientist, who is also her adviser.

The NMPF awards are given to students who exhibit academic excellence and whose research demonstrates a strong, positive contribution to the dairy industry.

"The scholarship committee believes Bello's research addresses an important and all-encompassing concern in the dairy industry," said Alan Qual, chairman of the NMPF Scholarship Committee. "It will be of great benefit to dairy cooperatives and their member producers."

The $3,000 scholarship will help fund the first phase of Bello's doctoral research project. Bello and Pursley are conducting a three-phase research project to alter the Ovsynch protocol to enhance the fertility of dairy cattle. Ovsynch was developed to synchronize ovulation for timed breeding.

"MSU has a strong team focused on reproductive biology for dairy cows," said Karen Plaut, Department of Animal Science chairperson. "Dr. Pursley's expertise with the Ovsynch method really elevates our research capabilities, and Nora's project is a great fit in our overall mission to help address critical issues in the dairy industry."

"In the end, my goal is to make a positive impact on dairy farm profitability by increasing a herd's pregnancy rates," Bello said.

MSU Wheat Variety Trial Results Are In

The 2006 Michigan State Wheat Variety Trial results are now available to help growers decide which wheat varieties are best suited for their farms.

Wheat plots were planted at eight sites in six counties: Huron, Lenawee, Saginaw, Sanilac, Midland and Ingham. These plots were monitored throughout the growing season, and data were collected on the yield, disease resistance, test weight, grain moisture, lodging and milling properties of each variety at harvest.

A plot on the MSU campus was used as a fusarium head blight (wheat scab) screening trial. This plot is inoculated with scab and mist irrigated to promote the growth of fusarium. Data on the percent incidence and percent severity are published.

"The purpose of the trial is to provide Michigan wheat producers and millers with unbiased information on the performance and properties of wheat varieties available in Michigan," says Mike Staton, MSU Extension educator. "Wheat producers can use this information to select varieties that are likely to perform well on their farms and meet the needs of the milling industry."

The information is summarized in tables so growers can easily compare varieties.

The report can be found online, along with previous years' results.

Last Updated: March 17, 2009
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