Nutritive and non-nutritive constituents in Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] from American Samoa. Nip W. K., J. Muchille, T. Cai, and J. H. Moy. Nutritive and nontritive constituents of 6 taro cultivars from American Samoa were analyzed. Data from freeze-dried and air-dried samples were similar except for the Na abd Fe contents. Crude protein and thiamin contents showed wide variations among cultivars. Total oxalate contents of 5 out of the 6 cultivars analyzed were very similar. Taro is rich in K, over 1% on a dry weight basis. American Samoan taro contained over 5% nonnutritive dietary fibers on a dry weight basis. Laboratory susceptibility of some tropical pest species and a non-target organism to the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae. Hara, A. H., Cathy L. Mello, Lorna H. Arita Tsutsumi and Harry K. Kaya. The susceptibility of certain tropical insect species to All strain and Mexican strain of entomopahogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser), previously know as S. feltiae Filipjev, and Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser) was tested under laboratory conditions. Larvae of the green looper, Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper), and adults of sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantus (Summers), and third-instar larvae of the agromyziad leafiner, Lirimyza trifoli (Burgess), were susceptible to the nematode with >80% mortality. Results indicated the teh nematode will also infect larvaeof L. trifolii parasitized by a larval-pupal parasitoid, Ganaspidium utilis Beardsly. Adults of the banana root borer, Cosmopolites soridus (Germar), and Chinese rose beetle, Adorretus sinicus Burmeister, showed low susceptibility to the the nematode with no concentration-mortality response. Our study demonstrates the biological control potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against certain tropical insect speicies, such as sweet potato wevils and the agromizyed leafminers A drying model for conditioned ryegrass forage. Tsang Mui Chung, M. and L. R. Verma. Non-linear regression analysis was used to develop a general model for drying data obtained form several mechanical and chemical conditioning treatments on ryegrass forage in the laboratory. The diffusion equation traditionally used to describe drying of biological materials did not fit the observed data adequately. Instead a two-part empirical equation was successfully fitted. Physical properties and laboratory performance of Mansard-soil mixtures. Murdoch, C. L., Kym Mitchell and Diane Ragone. Because there are no deposits of silica sands in Hawaii and other Pacific islands, suitable materials for amending turfgrass rootzones are scarce. A cement company in Hawaii is manufacturing sands (Mansand) by crushing basaltic rock to various particle sizes. One grade called "gof course sand" has been utilized for amending golf putting greens. Little is known of its physical properties and performance as a soil amendment. We determined particle size distribution, laboratory hydraulic conductivity and porosity characteristics of golf course grade Mansand and compared these with published indices for suitable rootzones. Based on data obtained in the laboratory, Mansand has characteristics of a suitable material for constructing rootzones for turfgrass areas when used with a maximum of 5% (v/v) soil. Suitability of the sweet corn cvs. Hawaiian Supersweet No. 9 and 10 for once-over harvesting. Kratky, B. A., G. Stevens, and J. L. Brewbaker. The suitability of the sweet corn cultivars, Hawaiian Supersweet No. 9 and 10, was tested for once-over harvesting. This study suggests that when both yield and quality are considered, a once-over harvest should be taken 3 to 4 days after one-fourth of the ears become marketable. Dry matter of ears increased rapidly causing overmaturity in as early as 3 days beyond this time. Influence of preconditioning temperatures on papaya seed germination. Furutani, S. C. and M. A. Nagao. Germination of papaya (Carica papaya L.) seeds increased who preconditioned at 24degrees C before transfer to 32 deg. C. Increasing the period of preconditioning at 24 deg. C before transfer to 32 deg. C increased germination, however, preconditioning at 32 deg. C followed by transfer to 24 deg C did not increase germination. A 2 staged dormancy mechanism controlling papaya seed germination is proposed. Use of sulphate salts to reduce subsoil aluminum toxicity: a review. Mathews, B. W. and Richard E. Joost. Surface liming has little beneficial effect in improving root growth into acid, Al-toxic subsoils. Surface application of soluable SO4 2- salts has been shown to improve plant growth on soils exhibiting Al3+ toxicity. Gypsum is believed to reduce exchangeable Al3+ through precipitation of insoluale Al-hydroxy-sulfate minerals or by bring about a pH increase through ligand exchange of SO42- for HO- on hyrous oxide surfaces. Gypsum may also reduce Al3+ activity through the formation of the AlSO4+ complex ion that does not appear to be phytoxic. In addtition, increasing the concentration of Ca2+ in the soil solution through gypsum application has a beneficial effect in reducing Al3+ uptake. Although heavy gypsum applications to highly weathered soils are very beneficial in overcoming Al3+ toxicity, they can create other problems by inducing K and Mg deficiencies. One possibility for overcoming this problem is to use mined langbeiniete as SO42- soruce instead of gypsum. In addtion to being a source of both K+ and Mg2+, langbeinite is 130 times more soluble than gypsum, which should speed its movement through the soil and reaction with subsoil Al3+. The use of surface-applied amendments to alleviate subsoil acidity problems is particularly important for perenial crops where surface cultivation is impossible. The practice of leaching soluble materials in high-rainfall tropical and subtropical ares is also much less expensive than any alternative solution tothis critical crop production problem. The use of crossbreeding and selection practices in the swine industry. I. An analysis among Indiana commercial producers. Cleveland, E. R. The use of crossbreeding and selection practices in the swine industry. I. An analysis among Missouri and Wisconsin commercial producers. Cleveland, E. R. A survey was conducted among pork producers attending 1987 extension swine meetings in Indiana. For the 139 producers surveyed, 10% used only purchased gilts as replacements and 53% used specialized crossbreeding systems. Yorkshire was the most frequently designated breed found in the pedigree of crossbred sows. Hamphsire, Duroc, Yorkshire and Duroc-Hampshire boars were most frequently used to sire hogs. Almost 60\% of the respondants were using only purbred animals. Reputation, health program and the availability of breeds were criteria used by about half of the respondents in selecting breeding stock suppliers. Individual boars were most frequently selected on growth rate, feet, and legs. Ninety-nine percent of the respondents felt there was a need to verify selection and testing practices among breeding stock suppliers. The use of crossbreeding and selection practices in the swine industry. II. An analysis among Hawaii commercial producers Cleveland, E. R. A survey was conducted among pok producers attending 1987-1988 extension swine meetings in Missouri and Wisconsin. For the 137 producers surveyed, 4% used only purchased gilts as replacements and 55% used rotational crossbreeding systems. Among respondents,the most frequently used breeds were Yorkshire, Duroc and Hamphire. Fifty-five percent of the respondents used performance tested boars and over 50% used growth rate or feet and legs in selection. Purebred and commercial breeders were the most popular suppliers of boars. Reputation, health program and the availability of breeds and lines were criteria most often used in selecting suppliers. Over 95% of the respondents felt there was a need to verify selection and testing practices among breeding stock suppliers. The Use of Crossbreeding and Selection Practices in the Swine Industry. III. An anaylysis among Hawaii Commercial Producers. Cleveland, E. R. In 1987 and 1988, a survey was conducted among 20 commerical poark producers from the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. Over 50% of the respondents had 100 - 500 sows and only 5% were using strictly purchased gilts as replacements. For surveyed producers, 805 were using specialized crossbreeding programs. Duroc and Yorksire were the most frequently designated breeds found in the pedigree of crossbred sows while Duroc, Hamphire and Yorkshire boars were most often used to sire market hogs. Less than 40% of the respondents were using performance tested boars. The most popular source of boars were purbred breeders, commercial suppliers and home-raised. When selected breeding stock suppliers, half of the respondents considered the availability of breds and lines. Individual boars were most often selected on visual traits and litter size. Over 80% of the respondents felt there was a need to verify selection and testing practices among breeding stock suppliers. Back to previous page Back to the Home Page |