Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Disease damages wheat roots, thwarts water uptake

Disease damages wheat roots, thwarts water uptake

March 02, 2006

Alterations in irrigation schedules may be needed when wheat streak mosaic infection is suspected in winter wheat crops, according to a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher in Amarillo.

Drought this winter has prompted more irrigation of wheat than normal; however, wheat streak mosaic is also being detected, said Jacob Price, a graduate student and diagnostic technician for the Experiment Station's plant pathology department.




Wheat streak mosaic, the most common wheat disease in the Texas Panhandle, is a problem throughout many wheat production areas, Price said. The disease is spread by the wheat curl mite and currently no pesticides can control the mite, he said.

In the High Plains, wheat is frequently irrigated and grown for both grazing and grain production, he said. It is already known the disease has a negative impact on plant development and forage yield.

Now Price is trying to get to the "root" of the problem. He wants to determine what effect the stunted root systems of infected plants have on their uptake of irrigation water and whether different levels of irrigation make a difference on the plants' growth and yields.

"We're trying to determine if it is worth irrigating at all," he said.

"I hope this research will develop recommendations on irrigation for infected wheat plants."

Samples are already being submitted this year with the yellowing, stunted symptoms of wheat streak mosaic to Jacobs. After making a diagnosis, he sends the information to the Plant Diagnostic Information System, a wide-scale information system used by many agricultural centers.

"What I've seen in my experiments so far is it (the disease) damages root growth," he said. "Once infected, the roots don't grow anymore. If they don't develop, they can't take up water efficiently and expensive irrigation water would be wasted."

Producers normally irrigate using the guidance of the Texas High Plains Evapotransporation network, Price said. The network collects weather data from various stations and uses it to estimate the daily water use of a crop.

By determining how much water the infected plants are actually taking up, he said he hopes to help producers save water and money and still maintain the best possible yields under the diseased scenario.

His study is only a year old, but Price intends to replicated it two more years both in the greenhouse and in the field. The greenhouse study looks primarily at root mass, while the field study tests plant production and yield, he said. He is using a neutron depth moisture gauge to monitor water uptake.

"When it starts warming up and the wheat starts growing, that's when we'll see more yellowing and we'll get a lot more samples to test," he said.

"I'm concerned since we've had so much drought and it's so expensive to irrigate this year," Price said. "Water-use efficiency is going to be key."

Texas A&M University-Agricultural Communications



Related Wheat Current Events and Wheat News Articles Wheat Current Events and Wheat News RSS Wheat Current Events and Wheat News RSS
DNA barcodes: Creative new uses span health, fraud, smuggling, history, more
The scientific ability to quickly and accurately identify species through DNA "barcoding" is being embraced and applied by a growing legion of global authorities - from medical and agricultural researchers to police and customs authorities to palaeontologists and others.

Rot resistant wheat could save farmers millions
CSIRO researchers have identified wheat and barley lines resistant to Crown Rot - a disease that costs Australian wheat and barley farmers $79 million in lost yield every year.

How Do We Fund Plant Breeding?
Worldwide demand for a safe and secure food supply is growing with plant breeding at the forefront of sustainability discussions; however many research programs have seen their funding decrease due to the erosion of traditional public or formula grants

New computing tool could lead to better crops and pesticides say researchers
A new computing tool that could help scientists predict how plants will react to different environmental conditions in order to create better crops, such as tastier and longer lasting tomatoes, is being developed by researchers.

Invasive species on the march: variable rates of spread set current limits to predictability
Whether for introduced muskrats in Europe or oak trees in the United Kingdom, zebra mussels in United States lakes or agricultural pests around the world, scientists have tried to find new ways of controlling invasive species by learning how these animals and plants take over in new environs.

Top wheat experts call for scaling up efforts to combat Ug99 and other wheat rusts
Wheat experts from 26 countries warn that rapidly-moving, wind-borne transboundary wheat diseases continue to threaten food security and wheat genetic diversity worldwide - particularly in the ancient breadbasket stretching from the Middle East to India - as they vowed new action to isolate and interrupt the steady march of dangerous wheat rust diseases.

UM scientists pinpoint critical molecule to celiac disease, possibly other autoimmune disorders
It was nine years ago that University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers discovered that a mysterious human protein called zonulin played a critical role in celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

Opals set to shine with new grading technology
CSIRO and a consortium of Australian Opal miners (Opal Producers Australia Limited) have unveiled the world's first automated device to grade opals using image analysis, at the 2009 National Council of Jewellery Valuers forum in Sydney.

Stressed crops emit more methane than thought
Scientists at the University of Calgary have found that methane emission by plants could be a bigger problem in global warming than previously thought.

Diets bad for the teeth are also bad for the body
Dental disease may be a wake-up call that your diet is harming your body.
More Wheat Current Events and Wheat News Articles
White Ink, Black Ink

White Ink, Black Ink
by Wheat

With their shimmering new album, Taunton' MA's Wheat is back from an extended period of musical hibernation. Following the critical success of their first albums, 1998's "Medeiros" and 1999's "Hope And Adams", the band released their major label debut in 2003, followed a few years later by a home-recorded album; the latter allowing them to reconnect with the process of musical experimentation and improvisation. This, their latest release, contains some of the most concise, well-written songs of the band's career, and also features some of their most intriguing musical explorations.

Organic Hard Red Wheat Seed- 35 Lbs- Plant & Grow Wheatgrass, Grind to Make Flour & Bread, Emergency Food Storage Seeds

Organic Hard Red Wheat Seed- 35 Lbs- Plant & Grow Wheatgrass, Grind to Make Flour & Bread, Emergency Food Storage Seeds
by Living Whole Foods

All Wheat is Not Equal. We have had the experience of growing wheatgrass and being in the commercial wheatgrass business over the last 14 years. During that time we have experienced many different kinds of wheat. We have used wheat from Texas, Utah, Montana, California, and Israel both organic and non organic. There are two kinds of wheat one can buy: chemical free and certified organic. Most wheat is chemical free in that the farmer might or might not use an herbicide to control the weeds in his fields. If he uses chemicals on the wheat, it will cause a distinct taste in the bread thus no chemicals are used on the wheat itself. Then there is certified organic: Certified organic is the same as chemical free except the wheat is grown by farmers who have not used chemicals on their land for...

How to Live on Wheat

How to Live on Wheat
by John W Hill (Author)

This is a cookbook, preparedness resource and survival manual all wrapped into one concise and thorough reference. It covers the acquisition and storage of wheat and other grains and legumes, the preparation of all of the basic foods from the whole grain to the finished product in the simplest and most foolproof manner possible. It includes Essene Bread, Pan Bread, Fry Bread, Sprouting, Sourdough, Food Combination, Baking, Bread Making, Gluten Meat Substitute, Pasta, Improvised Bread Making, Dumplings, Cast Iron Cookery, Salads, Biscuits and Pancakes. This is an essential resource for anyone who cooks with grains, anyone who wishes to prepare for natural disasters or other unexpected events and anyone who just wants to save a lot of money on their food bills.

Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second

Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second
by Wheat



The Amazing Wheat Book - Info on: gluten (wheat meat), grains, breads, cookies, seasonings, sauces, breakfast cereals, vegetarian dishes, and more! Details ... and hundreds of healthy nutritious recipes.

The Amazing Wheat Book - Info on: gluten (wheat meat), grains, breads, cookies, seasonings, sauces, breakfast cereals, vegetarian dishes, and more! Details ... and hundreds of healthy nutritious recipes.
by Learta A. Moulton (Author)

The Amazing Wheat Book is the only up to date guide on getting the most out of your stored wheat. Bulk food storage and low cost meals in times of catastrophe, natural disaster, or just economic hard times has always been important. LeArta makes it easy with delicious heart healthy and wholesome recipes on milling, baking bread, gluten (wheat meat), crackers, breakfast cereals, meatballs, soups, seasonings, and even good for you treats! Contains helpful information on: Milling wheat, nutritional values of wheat, storing and preserving wheat and flour, extracting the starch and bran and much more. Vegetarians will love our alternatives to meats, LeArta shows you how to make: Chicken, Steaks, Meatballs, Meatloaf, Sausage, Hamburgers, an many more ALL OUT OF...

6 Gallon Bucket Hard White Wheat

6 Gallon Bucket Hard White Wheat
by General Mills

6 gallon bucket of hard white wheat by Home Storage Basics, from the General Mills plant in Pocatello Idaho. Do not store directly on concrete or in extreme tempretures. Shelf life good for 20+ years.

Everyday I Said a Prayer for Kathy and Made a One Inch Square

Everyday I Said a Prayer for Kathy and Made a One Inch Square
by Wheat

Wheat's fourth full-length album, is nothing short splendid. From the celestial shimmer of 'Closeness', which opens the new album, to the pastoral instrumental poem, 'Courting Ed Templeton', which closes it, 'Everyday I Said A Prayer..' marks a splendid return to the incandescent form that yielded the delicious 'Medeiros' and the indie-pop gem 'Hope & Adams'.

From Wheat to Bread (Start to Finish)

From Wheat to Bread (Start to Finish)
by Stacy Taus-Bolstad (Author)



Hard Red Wheat Berries, 1 lb.

Hard Red Wheat Berries, 1 lb.
by Barry Farm

These wheat berries are the number one choice for Breads & Cereals.

Medeiros/Hope And Adams Re-issue

Medeiros/Hope And Adams Re-issue
by Wheat

Specially priced deluxe double CD re-issue of two '90s indie rock classics plus a bonus third CD of rarities. Massachusetts' Wheat has deliberately avoided the spotlight over their four album career. 1998's "Medeiros" was praised for its air of serene resignation, its aquatic wash of keyboards, slowly warping guitar chords, and gently urgent rhythms. "Hope And Adams" is now regarded as a touchstone of the late '90s indie rock scene. Look for their next album, "White Ink, Black Ink", in May.

© 2009 BrightSurf.com