CRIS Project: Cotton Physiology

2008 Outcomes/Impacts

Screening foliage-feeding and wood-boring insects’ abilities to break down cellulose and lignin has yielded quantifiable activities of novel enzymes with potential for use in biofuel production.  Consequently, a patent has been submitted by UTRF to the US Patent Office regarding potentially novel means for enhancing biofuel production. 

Analyses of liner buyer- and producer-based survey data have revealed that high First Order Lateral Root (FOLR) number comprises 65% of buyer decision about bare-root nursery liner quality, followed by uniform canopy density (16%) and uniform liner height (11%).  Price, production region, nor uniform caliper diameter extended greater than 4% importance to buyer quality perceptions. Results can be used by nursery sales staff to increase competitive niche opportunities and optimize liner marketing.

Efforts to date have yielded bioassay screening of nearly 100 different insect species from 6 different insect orders. Insect cellulose assays conducted in the Dr. Jurat-Fuentes lab have identified potentially unique protein cellulases.  Future efforts in the Jurat-Fuentes lab will focus on detailing the genetic sequences leading to protein formation with intent of novel gene discovery from the assayed insect species.

MS graduate student, Drew Jeffers has summarized his survey research detailing strategies for addressing economic value of high quality nursery liners to TN markets. A manuscript is being prepared for submission to HortScience that will be directly relevant to marketing and positioning field grown liners among competitive southeastern U.S. segment of the green industry.

Manuscript is accepted and in revision with Environmental Entomology and details results of dogwood borer (Synanthedon scitula) trapping study in apple orchards, managed landscapes and naturalized woodlots across 5 eastern US states.

New species of clearwing moth and metallic wood boring beetle specimens continue to be trapped and analyzed.

Analysis of floral volatiles from 4 cultivars of flowering dogwood revealed levels of 6 principal chemical constituents recovered in floral volatile samples.  These chemical constituents were expressed in greatest abundance during daylight hours.  ‘World’s Fair’ had levels of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and germacrene-D that could be used to distinguish this cultivar. Manuscript was published detailing results of host plant volatiles emitted from flowers of select cultivars of Cornus florida with discussion about the role of these chemicals in cross-pollination and on-going breeding studies.