Donald J. Wysocki

Influence of crop management practices on physiologic leaf spot of winter wheat

The response of physiologic leaf spot to winter wheat management practices was examined in the semiarid Pacific Northwest. Winter wheat cultivars exhibited large differences in susceptibility. The dominant cultivar (Stephens) produced in the region was the most susceptible cultivar evaluated. The disease became less severe as the date of seeding was delayed and as the rate of nitrogen fertilization increased. Leaf spot severity was reduced and grain yield increased with foliar application of urea+calcium chloride, but not with application of urea+micronutrients. The disease was more severe in annual wheat than in rotations of wheat with fallow or peas

Potential for ethanol production from conservation reserve program lands in Oregon

Increase in energy demand has led towards considering lignocellulosic feedstocks as potential for ethanol production. Aim of this study was to estimate the potential of grass straws from conservation reserve program (CRP) lands as feedstocks for ethanol production. The CRP was initiated to ensure reduction in soil erosion with a concomitant improvement in water quality and aquatic habitats. Species and abundance of various grasses in CRP sites can vary substantially. Ethanol yield from biomass is directly correlated to sugar content among other factors. It therefore becomes important to study the variability in the biomass composition from different CRP sites to reliably estimate biofuel production potential. Grass samples were collected from five fields contracted to CRP in Umatilla County in Northeastern Oregon. Composition of these samples was experimentally determined and was statistically verified to be similar for most of the sites. Sugar content was highest (60.70%) and statistically different for ...