CDLE Extension Research Projects

Previous work comparing E. nindensis and the desiccation sensitive plant E. curvula showed that E. nindensis adult leaves are desiccation tolerant, but not the older, juvenile leaves Vander Willigen et al. 2001, 2003).We will compare the developmental programs of juvenile and adult leaves in each of the species, including quantitative and qualitative analyses of leaf anatomical features. Qualitative comparisons include presence/absence of cell types such as hair cells, bulliform cells, and cork cells. We will examine the structure of apical hydathodes, which are a potential avenue for water loss/dehydration. Hand sections will be used to determine vascular anatomy. Quantitative measurements may include stomatal features such as density and size/area, vein density, bulliform cell area, xylem vessel number and area, and bundle sheath cell size. Images will be quantified using ImageJ. We will compare adult leaves before and after dehydration, and adult leaves in recovered vs never watered plants, to determine if tolerant and resistant grasses alter the developmental program of newly emerging leaves after desiccation.

Fully expanded leaf samples will be examined using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Confocal and histochemical staining will be used to examine the cell walls and cuticles, including general cell wall stains (Propidium iodide, Direct Red 23 and/or calcofluor), cuticle stains (Fluorol Yellow 088 and Nile Red) and lignin (Basic Fuchsin).

We will use gas exchange, and direct observations of stomata to address stomatal behaviors during different developmental stages, during dry-down, and during rehydration (if applicable). We hypothesize that gas exchange measurements may not accurately reflect stomatal behavior due to a decrease in available soil water, and that stomatal behavior is an important factor in the regulated dehydration of desiccation tolerant grasses. To address this, we will directly examine stomata using microscopic methods (SEM, methacrylate impressions, and/or confocal microscopy), in conjunction with gas exchange measurements. We will also sample leaves to measure abaxial and adaxial stomatal aperture at the same time, to determine the correlation (or lack thereof) between aperture and transpiration. We will also examine chlorophyll degradation in stomata vs mesophyll cells using confocal microscopy.

We have developed an unpublished method to segment and characterize the anatomical features of maize stomata. We will adapt our current Mask-RCNN segmentation model trained on maize confocal images to recognize stomata from other grasses, including tef, finger millet and related desiccation tolerant species. Using this model, we will perform high-throughput analyses of stomata of desiccation tolerant and sensitive plants.

Corn silage is a primary source of feed on most New England dairy farms, and feed is the largest annual expense. The corn growing season spans mid-May through early-October, with variation according to weather, region, and the maturity period (days to harvest) of the corn that the farmer selects. Corn planted in Massachusetts ranges from 85 days to maturity to well over 114 days to maturity.

Following the corn harvest, farmers will spread stored manure onto their fields to make space to store manure that will accumulate over the coming winter months. Before or after the manure application, farmers will ideally plant a cover crop. Cover crops are typically not harvested for profit, and rather serve to protect the soil until the following spring, when corn will again be planted.

The goal of the proposed research work is to evaluate the addition of biochar as a soil amendment in a temperate agricultural field and in the greenhouse using live field soil.

Nearly 15,000 acres were devoted to sweet corn production in New England in 2012. Because sweet corn is an herbicide-, fertilizer-, and water-intensive crop, research must be done to develop production systems that can reduce inputs and tillage. This project aims to improve sustainable and profitable production of early sweet corn in the Northeast by integrating the benefits of forage radish cover crops and no-till production. Two experiments will measure the precocity, fertility, and weed suppression in early sweet corn provided by fall forage radish cover crops.

There has been a steadily increasing demand for craft beer in the United States in the past 2 decades, especially the northeastern and western regions of the country. Currently, there is an insufficient body of research regarding varieties and fertility management plans that would permit growers in the pioneer valley to produce malting-quality barley. Barley must fit into a range of specific quality parameters, such as percent protein and the near absence of Deoxynivalenol (DON, produced by Fusarium head blight), to be suitable for malting. However, malt barley has a price premium ($5.70/bu) over feed barley ($3.37/bu) (June, 2016). This price premium may incentivize production for growers in the region. Consumer demand for locally sourced ingredients, in addition to locally produced beer may provide further economic incentives for regional production. Increased understanding of viable methods for producing malt quality barley in the region would therefore provide economic benefit to local breweries, malt houses, and farmers.