Laura Paine

Some ecological and socio-economic considerations for biomass energy crop production

Abstract Power generation using biomass could provide substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits. Production of the feedstocks to fuel biomass power plants can either add to potential environmental gains or contribute to the environmental problems which the agriculture and forestry industries already face. Likewise, the biomass energy infrastructure can help strengthen agricultural economies or speed the decline of rural communities. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a regional approach to ensure that energy crop production will proceed in an ecologically and economically sustainable way. At this juncture, we have the opportunity to build into the system some ecological and socio-economic values which have not traditionally been considered. If crop species are chosen and sited properly, incorporation of energy crops into our agricultural system could provide extensive wildlife habitat and address soil and water quality concerns, in addition to generating renewable power. We recommend that three types of agricultural land be targeted for perennial biomass energy crops: (1) highly erodible land; (2) wetlands presently converted to agricultural uses; and (3) marginal agricultural land in selected regions. Fitting appropriate species to these lands, biomass crops can be successfully grown on lands not ecologically suited for conventional farming practices, thus providing an environmental benefit in addition to producing an economic return to the land owner.

Technical note: comparison of simulated ground nest types for grazing/trampling research.

Ornithologists often use simulated nests consisting of game bird or domestic poultry eggs to study nest survival. Researchers investigating cattle trampling of ground nests have sometimes used clay targets instead of actual eggs to avoid the confounding effects of nest depredation. To determine whether livestock respond similarly to clay targets and egg nests, we compared inadvertent trampling and intentional disturbance of clay targets versus clutches of 3 pheasant eggs by Angus X Holstein heifers. Overall trampling levels for clay target- and egg-nests were similar (35 and 36%, respectively). Cattle noticed and responded to both types of nests. When noticed, simulated nests were kicked, sniffed, licked, or picked up in the mouth. Cattle disturbed an average of 25% of the clay targets and 8% of the egg nests during 4 trials. Our results suggest that cattle are as likely to inadvertently trample egg nests as they are clay targets, but targets are more likely to attract attention and are therefore disturbed more often than egg nests. The greater likelihood of intentional disturbance of clay targets by cattle reduces the confidence of extrapolating the fate of this type of simulated nest to that of actual nests.

Chlorosis and meristem dieback in greenhouse‐grown asparagus transplants

Abstract Following observation of severe chlorosis and dieback of meri‐stem tissue in asparagus seedlings started in the greenhouse in a soilless media, a study was conducted to determine if the growth patterns were associated with one or more of the media components. Asparagus seedling growth using several potting media was compared. Treatments included single component media, washed sand, perlite, peat, Plainfield loamy sand [a local soil (PLS)], plus 1: 1 mixtures of peat/perlite, washed sand/peat, PLS/perlite, washed sand/peat, and PLS/peat. Abnormal growth patterns were observed in several of the media. Chlorosis was associated with high pH which occurred in perlite, washed sand, and their combinations. Chlorotic plants were characterized by low root and fern dry weights and low fern to root ratios. Meristem dieback occurred in several media treatments and did not appear to be pH related. Plants exhibiting dieback had fern to root ratios approaching 1 if they were not also affected by chlorosis. Nutr...