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INVESTIGATING THE HOST SELECTION BEHAVIOR OF CEUTORHYNCHUS CARDARIAE, A POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT FOR LEPIDIUM DRABA
No full textABSTRACT Lepidium draba (L.) Desv. (Brassicaceae) is a perennial clonal mustard native to Eurasia that was unintentionally introduced into North America in the late 1800s via seed in ship ballast and via contaminated alfalfa seed from central Asia. The leaf petiole gall-forming weevil, Ceutorhynchus cardariae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is an herbivorous insect species considered for the biological control of this invasive plant. Past host-specificity testing data has revealed that under natural field conditions, C. cardariae is a host-specific specialist, but under laboratory, no-choice conditions, its fundamental host range includes two distantly related confamilial species in the genus Streptanthus: S. anceps and S. flavescens. Pre-release host-specificity testing of weed biological control agents can assess which plants are attacked but not why they are attacked. Detailed examination of the pre- and post-alightment behavior on hosts and non-host plants can help determine what plant cues influence host choice by potential agents. To explain the apparent phylogenetically disjunct host range of C. cardariae, I investigated the pre- and post- alightment host-selection behavior and underlying physiological responses of C. cardariae with regard to the visual, volatile, and surface wax cues of L. draba and 13 native North American Brassicaceae genera. Chapter 1, the introductory chapter, gives detailed background into the study system and rationale for the approach taken in proceeding chapters. Chapter 2 is a literature review on the role of physical and chemical surface wax cues in the host plant selection behavior of herbivore arthropods feeding on Brassicaceae. This review informed me of the importance of surface wax cues in the host selection of several Brassicaceae feeding herbivores, which warranted their examination in my study system. Chapter 3 examines the pre-feeding behavior of C. cardariae on L. draba and one non-host plant, basil. Distinctive pre-feeding behaviors were observed- weevils would drag their antennae along or just above the leaf surface prior to feeding. This suggests that contact chemoreceptors on the weevils’ antennae, and possibly their tarsi, are being used to assess the suitability of the leaf surface. Chapter 4 examines the role of visual, volatile, and contact cues in the host selection behavior of C. cardariae on L. draba. In this chapter, an array of bioassays which manipulated visual, volatile, and surface wax cues of L. draba and plant models were used in a walking arena. The data suggests that C. cardariae mainly relies on visual cues to identify a potential host plant prior to contact, while after contact volatile and contact cues are important for final host recognition. Results also indicate that volatile and contact cues are equally important for final host choice. Chapter 5 examines the similarity of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from four different L. draba populations (closely related genetic populations) and 13 native North American confamilial species. A total of 46 VOCs were identified across all plant species but the volatile blends could not be differentiated among plant species using principal component analyses (PCA). PCA among volatile blends of the four populations of L. draba, S. anceps, and S. flavescens only, showed slight separation among the populations and species. Follow-up experiments using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector-electroantennogram detection (GC-FID/EAD) to measure antennal responses in female C. cardariae when exposed to volatile blends of L. draba did not yield any consistent responses.doctoral, Ph.D., Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
PERSONAS OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION SUPPORTERS: A Q-METHOD STUDY
No full textEducational partnerships in schools play a crucial role in preparing students for success in the 21st century workplace. These partnerships are an engrained and essential part of agricultural education programs whereby external supporters give their time, talent, and resources to assist teachers and students. Successful educational partnerships are reliant in part on the agricultural teachers’ ability to recruit and retain quality supporters. Understanding the unique demographics and preferences of supporters is a vital part of managing those individuals. The purpose of this research study is to examine the perspectives that exist related to agricultural education supporter personas. A Q-method research design was used to describe the personas of school-based agricultural education supporters in Idaho. The findings of this research resulted in the interpretation of three personas. Persona 1 supporters perceive the success of the agricultural program as the success of their community, and value diversity and team work. Persona 2 supporters are driven to increase students’ career success and knowledge of agriculture and provide contributions unique to each individual supporter. Persona 3 supporters desire close, personal connections with the agricultural program and seek to promote the diverse opportunities within 21st century agricultural education programs.masters, M.S., Agricultural Education & 4H Youth Development -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Floristics and Biogeography of the High Idaho Batholith Ecoregion
No full textChapter 1: This inventory expands the floristic knowledge of the disparate, subalpine-alpine mountain ranges of the High Idaho Batholith Ecoregion (HIBE), a notably under-collected region in the interior Pacific Northwest (Consortium of the Pacific Northwest Herbaria, 2007). Located in central Idaho, the 3,295 sq km (1,272 sq mi) ecoregion spans eight national forests and ranges in elevation from 1830-3350 m (6,000-11,000 ft)(McGrath et al., 2002; Woods et al. 2002). The HIBE was surveyed for all vascular plants within the top 152 m (500 ft) of elevation for targeted peaks, with permanent voucher specimens taken and housed at the University of Idaho Stillinger Herbarium, Moscow, Idaho. Over four summers, 1,302 numbered specimens were collected from 20 different peaks, with 47 families, 175 genera, 310 species, and 414 unique taxa represented. Also, six species of conservation concern were found on 19 peaks, and 12 collections represented new county records. Remarkably, only two exotics from one locality were documented. In addition, formal description of a new variety, Montia parvifolia var. batholica, which was collected at three localities, is the subject of ongoing work (unpubl. data). Chapter 2: Although alpine ecosystems are the only globally distributed terrestrial biome, they represent one of the largest remaining gaps in floristic knowledge, making accurate predictions of the impacts of climate change difficult. In this study, we investigated community composition of the subalpine and alpine restricted flora from 20 peaks across the High Idaho Batholith Ecoregion (HIBE) of central Idaho in light of both abiotic (temperature, precipitation, ruggedness) and biotic (species-specific functional traits) variables. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and clustering analyses supported three, geographically distinct floristic groups within the ecoregion. Furthermore, environmental and species-specific trait data revealed a correlation between the three floristic groups and a gradient of increasingly harsh and heterogeneous alpine habitat from the northwest to the southeast across the ecoregion, suggesting a strong environmental filter. With this framework, it may be possible to incorporate knowledge of floristic patterns, hypotheses of climatic resiliency with respect to landscape ruggedness, and our floristic knowledge gaps into land management decision-making processesmasters, M.S., Biology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Regency Fashion: The Muslin Round Gown
No full textABSTRACT Fashion mirrors culture. In the late Georgian and Regency Periods, the evolution of a particular gown reflected the political, social, economic, and religious attitudes and movements of the time. The white, round gown made from Indian muslin grew to popularity in the last decade of the 18th century. Originating in France then moving across the Channel to England, I demonstrated how changes in the round, muslin gown reflected socio-political events occurring during the period from 1799 to 1828. In the 1820s the fashion was declining and by 1830 gone from the world of dress in the nation and beyond. Contemporary women’s journals of the era provided articles including images of current fashion. These sources offered primary information in a form from which data could be extracted and tabulated. Points were assigned to each garment based on the “Classification System for Types of Dress and their Properties” (Classification System) created by Mary Ellen Roach-Higgins and Joanne B. Eicher and the features suggested by Alden O’Brien; columnar shape, low neckline, high waistline, and white muslin fabric. For each image a zero per feature matching the criteria requisite to distinguish it a Regency gown was charted. For features such as attachments to enclosures indicated by Roach-Higgins and Eicher, one to three points were assigned. For example, if the skirt had a flounce it was given one point. More than one attachment increased the points for that skirt (enclosure for the lower body). The same method was applied to the bodice and sleeves as necessary. In viewing the data table created it was possible to see how and when the fashion was modified during the twenty-eight-year span of time. Consulting contemporary culture via historical accounts offered insight into what may have prompted a minimal or greater alteration in style. The table illustrates how the specific features of the gown morphed throughout the years. The greatest alteration occurred in the shape of the gown, which declined by 84% from columnar to a bell-shaped form, then the waistline which dropped by 48% from a very high waist to one that rested at or very near the natural waistline. The neckline and fabric (muslin) declined by 42% and 24% respectively. The feature with the least percentage of adjustment was the color of the gowns at 6%. Attachments to the enclosures signified the greatest change. Flounces on the skirts were the first to emerge followed by quilling and mancherons on the bodice. Each of these components increased over the period until there were multiple flounces, appliques, and puffings, on most gowns. As the attachments were added, the width of the skirt grew, the waistline dropped, the neckline rose, and the shoulders broadened. New fabrics and colors emerged also. The Regency gown of the early nineteenth century was gone by 1828.masters, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1
CALIBRATION OF THE PERFORMANCE MODELS OF THE AASHTOWARE PAVEMENT ME DESIGN SOFTWARE IN IDAHO
No full textABSTRACT The performance prediction models incorporated in the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software (PMED) were calibrated using data primarily obtained from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program database. Therefore, the globally-calibrated models should be evaluated to determine whether they accurately predict field performance for Idaho local conditions. Otherwise, some pavements will be overdesigned and others under designed, turning to either excessive costs or premature failure. This study aims to evaluate and improve the accuracy of the PMED asphalt and rigid pavement performance models for Idaho local conditions. A total of 34 flexible pavement and 39 rigid pavement sites were selected for conducting the local calibration effort. These sites represent different climate zones, traffic levels, pavement structures, and materials across Idaho. The required PMED inputs and the historical performance data for the selected sites were extracted from a variety of sources including project construction data, material testing records, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Transportation Asset Management System (TAMS). Each of the selected pavement sites were evaluated using PMED v2.5.3, and the predicted performance results were compared to field conditions. The results showed a significant statistical difference between the performance prediction and field observation. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of the software prediction with less bias and error, the PMED models were recalibrated and local calibration coefficients were determined for both flexible and rigid performance models.masters, M.S., Civil Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Stable Isotope Paleoaltimetry of the Peruvian Central Andes from the Miocene to Modern Using Hydrated Volcanic Glass
No full textTopography is a dynamic reflection of the duration and characteristics of interdependent tectonic and climatic regimes. The growth of high elevations and high relief in large continental orogens, such as the Andes of South America and the Himalayas-Tibetan Plateau of Asia, drive substantial perturbations in global atmospheric circulation (Molnar and England, 1990) and dictate biodiversity (Raymo and Ruddiman, 1992). As a result, paleoclimate reconstructions and models of geodynamic drivers for surface uplift depend on the timing and style of the emplacement of these topographic features. The Central Andes are the type example of subduction-driven orogenesis and magmatism (Horton, 2018) and contain two parallel mountain chains, the Western and Eastern Cordillera, with mean elevations reaching 6 km. At the center of this orogen, the Altiplano-Puna plateau has a mean elevation of 4 km and covers a 600,000 km2 area (Isacks, 1988), making it the highest subduction-driven plateau in the world (Decou et al., 2011). Despite the inherent importance of this region, the timing and style of surface uplift that led to the modern topography of the Central Andes is not well understood (Allmendinger et al., 1997; Garzione et al., 2017). Proposed models for the timing of surface uplift range from late Oligocene to late Miocene (Garzione et al., 2017). Paleotopographic studies in the Central Andes have used a wide range of different tools, including stable isotope geochemistry, river incision modeling, genetic divergence, leaf morphology, and structural analysis to identify phases of surface uplift and make predictions about geodynamic drivers for uplift (Gregory-Wodzicki, 2000; Ghosh et al., 2006; Schildgen et al., 2007; Thouret et al., 2007; Garzione et al., 2008; Picard et al., 2008; Ehlers and Poulsen, 2009; Lease and Ehlers, 2013; Saylor and Horton, 2014; Kar et al., 2016). Current uplift models for the Central Andes include gradual, rapid, and non-uniform, surface uplift. Proposed geodynamic mechanisms for Andean orogenesis include contractional deformation (Hindle et al., 2005), removal of dense lower lithosphere and or crustal flow (Mamani et al., 2010), ablative subduction or thermal weakening (Isacks, 1988; Gosh et al., 2006), magmatic additions of mantle material (Sempere et al., 2008) and lithospheric delamination (Garizone et al., 2008). Several localized studies attribute paleoisotopic shifts to orogen-wide surface uplift, but this extrapolation has produced conflicting models for the timing of Central Andean surface uplift (Garzione et al., 2008; Ehlers and Poulsen, 2009; Saylor and Horton, 2014). These models lack adequate constraints on the modern distribution of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes ratios across the orogen, which are necessary to reconstruct the specific timing and mechanisms of surface uplift. By sampling across the width of the orogen, it is possible to identify orogen-wide shifts in paleoisotopic values, which likely result from regional surface uplift or regional climatic changes. The research presented in this thesis includes 1) a comparison of modern isotopic values of meteoric waters in soil and precipitation to hydrogen isotope values of meteoric waters extracted from volcanic glass and 2) hydrogen isotopic values of Miocene–modern volcanic glass samples across the Peruvian Central Andes to reconstruct the past distribution of isotopic values and identify regional drivers of paleoisotopic change (i.e., climate and/or surface uplift). Chapter I provides a general geologic overview of the Peruvian Central Andes with a focus on aspects that are pertinent to this study. Chapter II presents a comparison between several meteoric water proxies to quantify past elevations. Hydrogen (and oxygen, where possible) isotope values of meteoric water are compared between records that correspond to average rainfall over ca. 10,000 years (hydrated volcanic glass), ca. 5–10 years (soil water), and 2 years (precipitation). This modern isotopic dataset spans the width of the orogen, from the Pacific coast to the Amazon Basin. Comparison of these proxies enables reconstruction of how short- and long-term isotopic records change with respect to climatic variability and through time. Chapter III provides an assessment of the spatial distribution of past surface topography through time by directly comparing modern and ancient hydrogen isotope ratios of hydrated volcanic glasses in the Central Andes. This study provides new constraints on the timing of Peruvian Central Andean surface uplift.masters, M.S., Geology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
QTL Analysis of Wheat Grain Yield Components and Agronomic Traits Using Advanced Genotyping Platforms
No full textThe genetic manipulation of major yield components and agronomic traits is an important approach to increase wheat grain yield. Phenotyping of these traits is cost-effective but is time-consuming and the output is also confounded by environmental conditions. In the present study, we aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and tightly linked, friendly used molecular markers to select for productive tiller number (PTN), fertile spikelet number per spike (fSNS), thousand kernel weight (TKW), grain yield (GY), height (HT), and heading date (HD). These traits were assessed in eight field trials over three years in a double haploid (DH) population that were derived from two adapted high yielding spring wheat cultivars ‘UI Platinum’ and ‘LCS Star’. The DH population of 181 lines was genotyped using the 90K iSelect SNP platform and markers for known genes (Ppd, Vrn, Rht, and FT) that affect plant adaptation. The genotypic data was used in linkage analysis and QTL analysis for yield components and agronomic data using JMP Genomics Software (V9.0). To consider spatial variation, the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) was calculated for each trait across all trials. QTL analyses were conducted separately for each trait in individual environments and in trait BLUP across all environments. A total of 48 linkage groups were constructed with a total length of 3892.81 cM and a marker density of 0.33 marker/cM. A total of nineteen QTL were detected, including five for fSNS on chromosomes 5D, 6A, 7B (two QTL), and 7D; two for PTN on chromosomes 4A and 6A; three QTL for TKW on chromosomes 4A, 6A, and 7D; one QTL for GY on chromosome 7D; four QTL for HD on chromosomes 4B, 6A, 7B, and 7D; and four QTL for HT on chromosomes 4A (two QTL), 5D, and 7D. The two parents have complementary and additive QTL effects in all traits evaluated, providing opportunities to improve each trait through pyramiding. However, four QTL, QPTN.uia2-6A, QfSNS.uia2-6A, QTKW.uia2-6A, and QHD.uia2-6A were clustered on chromosome 6A; five other QTL, QTKW.uia2-7D, QfSNS.uia2-7D, QHT.uia2-7D, QGY.uia2-7D, and QHD.uia2-7D were clustered in a small region on chromosome 7DS. The two QTL clusters each control traits that were negatively correlated, suggesting that the trade-off effects pose a challenge and further dissecting of the two clusters is necessary in order to use them in yield improvement. Using the exosome capture data, linkage maps of interest were saturated with additional KASP markers, which helps to dissect the identified QTL clusters. A few of QTL in the two cluster regions were further validated in an elite spring wheat panel, confirming the realty and effectiveness of the identified QTL. KASP markers developed in the present study may useful to pyramid multiple yield components to enhance yield improvement in wheat.masters, M.S., Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1
Video Speed and Interruptions in an Online Learning Environment
No full textTo investigate relationships between video playback speed, interruptions, and learning performance, taking into account the possible influence of media multitasking behavior, we implemented a 2 x 2 between-subjects factorial design with two video playback speed levels (1.0x vs. 1.5x) and two interruption levels (absent vs. present). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four video conditions: 1.0x speed/no interruption, 1.0x speed/interruption, 1.5x speed/no interruption, or 1.5x speed/interruption. Media multitasking was quantified using the Media Use Questionnaire/Media Multitasking Index. Learning was measured by examining recognition, elaboration, and confidence judgments. Results indicate speed-watching video does not interfere with learning, saves time, and may increase focus. Greater attention to faster video speeds may explain bolstered resistance to interruptions on recognition performance. Interruptions had a significant negative impact on elaboration. Faster video speeds resulted in lowered confidence, except when interruptions were present.masters, M.S., Psychology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Dietary effects on growth performance and health indices for burbot (Lota lota maculosa)
No full textBurbot (Lota lota maculosa) are the only freshwater members of the Gadidae family and can be reared in similar water quality parameters as rainbow trout under controlled rearing conditions. Burbot have desirable fillets for consumers and demonstrate good growth performance in culture. As such, burbot are a favorable species for aquaculture and may have potential for polyculture in trout facilities to diversify production. To successfully develop burbot culture on a production scale, nutrient requirements in burbot feed should be evaluated. In this project, we aimed to determine growth performance of fish fed two dietary formulations (marine type or trout type) for economic burbot culture. Additionally, the digestibility of soy protein ingredients for burbot was investigated to address the potential to produce more sustainable diets for burbot production in the future. To evaluate growth performance with commercial diet blends, a feeding trial was conducted, incorporating a marine-type commercial diet (Europa), marine-type formulated diet (Burbot1), trout-type commercial diet (Oncor) and trout-type formulated diet (Burbot 2).The experiment was conducted as a complete randomized design, with three replicate tanks per diet. No significant differences in growth parameters such as FCR, SGR, RG and K factor (p>0.05) were observed for burbot fed the different dietary treatments. There were no statistically significant difference between treatments. Taking these results into account it is suggested that a trout type dies such as Oncor would provide equal growth to a higher cost marine type diet and be a preferred choice for most producers at this life stage. There were significant differences observed between treatments for some organosomatic indices. Fillet yield of fish fed Burbot 2 diet was significantly lower than fish fed other diets (p=0.0039), and fish fed Oncor diet had the highest fillet yield level. This indicates that fish fed Burbot 2 diet may not have utilized dietary protein as efficiently for muscle creation in fillets, and fish fed the Oncor diet had the most efficient dietary protein usage. Also, gastrointestinal index (GII) was significantly higher in fish that fed with Oncor diet than fish fed Burbot 1 diet (p=0.0478). Proximate analyses showed that Oncor diet has the highest fiber level, and the highest GII in fish fed Oncor diet may be due to high fiber content in Oncor diet. For burbot soy digestibility, soybean meal diet (SBM), soy protein concentrate diet (SPC), microbially enhanced soy protein diet (MESBM) and reference diet were used to feed adult burbot. 30% of fishmeal protein in reference diet was replaced with dietary soy protein ingredient in experimental diets (SBM, SPC, and MESBM). Also, yttrium oxide, an inert marker was added in all diets at 0.1% ratio in order to calculate the nutrient digestibility. The present study indicates that burbot can digest high soy protein diets, also there is a significant difference between treatment digestibility for burbot. Furthermore, the soy protein ingredient digestibility of burbot was high, and there were significant differences between treatments on soy protein ingredient digestibility. The SPC diet has the highest digestibility level (85.5%) and digestibility of soy protein ingredient in SPC diet is significantly higher than in MESBM diet (P= 0.0004), but there is no significant difference among the protein ingredient digestibility of the SBM diet and SPC diets. Therefore, SPC and SBM may serve as better soy protein ingredients compared to other soy ingredients for replacing fishmeal in burbot diets based on higher levels of apparent digestion coefficient (ADC).masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1
The Role of Economic Enfranchisement in Setting Strong Goals
No full textThe Role of Economic Enfranchisement in Setting Strong Goalsmasters, M.S., Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology (Applied Economics) -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1