CRIS 421 Hatch Reports 2007

Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont

Hatch Funded Research
CRIS AD-421 Progress/Termination Reports for the period 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007

Submitted to CRIS: January 9, 2008

Project Number: VT-H01112
CRIS Number: 0201951

Optimizing milking frequency to enhance mammary development and milk production efficiency

Investigators: McFadden, T. B.

Performing Department: Animal Science -- 0331

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
These results indicate that frequent milking during the first 21 days of lactation is an effective management tool for increasing milk production efficiency. The estimated economic value is nearly $300/cow/lactation. Farmers will use this information to implement milking management that will increase farm profitability and reduce environmental impacts. Both of these outcomes are crucial to the viability of Vermont's dairy farms.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01203
CRIS Number: 0205300

Mechanism of gene expression in mammary epithelium through hormone synergy

Investigators: Hovey, R. C., Trott, J. F.

Performing Department: Animal Science -- 0331

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
The goal of this project is to understand the ways and mechanisms in which intracellular signaling mechanisms occur inside epithelial cells within the normal mammary gland. These epithelial cells respond to hormonal signals during their growth and when they are synthesizing and secreting milk. Two of these critical hormones are the pituitary hormone, prolactin and the ovarian hormone, progesterone. While each of these hormones has established individual roles, our work has identified that these two hormones also work cooperatively and synergistically on mammary epithelial cells to induce specific and unique signaling events. In particular, we have identified a unique transcription factor binding site that coordinates the activation of receptors for these hormones. We found that this site is an enhancer region that induces transcription from downstream genes. We also found that the site is activated by upstream signaling molecules that include Src, Fyn and Jak2, while other molecules such as Bcl6 may also participate in its activation. We have presented these results at various scientific venues and are preparing the work for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Our ongoing goal is to identify the factor(s) that are recruited to this site and to establish in which cells this site is activated. This work has also provided critical preliminary data for several grant submissions to federal agencies to extend and continue this work as relevant to the disease of breast cancer.

Publications:
Satoh K, Hovey RC, Malewski T, Warri A, Goldhar AS, Ginsburg E, Saito K, Lydon JP, Vonderhaar BK. Progesterone enhances branching morphogenesis in the mouse mammary gland by increased expression of Msx2. Oncogene. 2007 epub ahead of print.

Outcomes/Impacts:
This work is important to understanding how hormones work cooperatively during mammary gland function as occurs both during heifer growth and during milk production during lactation. Hence this work is extremely important for understanding the biological basis for dairy production. By understanding the biological function of this genetic enhancer region we will then be able to determine which genes are regulated by these two hormones working together. While this work is very basic in nature and will first be used to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms, it ultimately will be useful for genetic selection and modification efforts. The work also has direct application to understanding the basis for breast cancer as these hormones are also critical regulators of cell function in the disease. Hence the work has broad application for dairy producers and breast cancer patients alike.

Participants:
Russell C. Hovey, PhD; PI. Experimentation, data analysis, project oversight and coordination. Josephine F. Trott, PhD; co-PI. Experimentation and data analysis Joseph Morabito, graduate student. Experimentation and data analysis. Heather Fairfield, undergraduate student. Experimentation and data analysis.

Target Audiences:
This work has been presented as poster presentations to graduate student forums and to audiences interested in animal science and breast cancer. The work has also provided a basis for graduate and undergraduate research efforts.

Project Modifications:
none

Project Number: VT-H01208
CRIS Number: 0205783

Regulation of Bovine Mammary Gland Development and Function by Estrogen Receptors

Investigators: Pan, Z.

Performing Department: Animal Science -- 0331

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
This project is to determine the molecular mechanism of how estrogen receptors mediate mammary epithelial cell proliferation. Estrogen is one of the most important regulators for mammary gland development, and the function of estrogen is mediated by the estrogen receptors (ER) - ERalpha and ERbeta. Lack of any of the estrogen receptors will impair the mammary gland development to some extent, suggesting that both ER-alpha and ER-beta are required for the full development of mammary gland. We stained the bovine mammary gland tissues obtained from the slaughter-house and assessed the expression of bovine estrogen receptors in the bovine mammary gland. We demonstrated ERalpha expression in about 30% of the mammary epithelial cells from the non-lactating and non-pregnant cows. We did not detect the expression of ERbeta in the mammary epithelial cells from these cows. We modified our experiment plan for the next year since we were unable to get mammary gland biopsy samples from the UVM Miller Research Farm for some reason beyond our control. Rather than looking at the expression of estrogen receptors in the different phases of the estrous cycle, we plan to focus on the ERalpha and see whether ERalpha cells can proliferate by co-staining ERalpha with a couple of cell proliferation markers including Ki-67. We used RT-PCR to get the cDNA of bovine estrogen receptors. We obtained several PCR products for ERalpha, from 250bp to about 2kb. We did not obtain any PCR product for ERbeta. The PCR fragments were sequenced and we found that only the 250bp fragment contains sequences matching the bovine ERalpha sequence in the GenBank, but the 2kb and 900bp fragments did not match any genes in the databases. We are going to continue the cloning of the genes. In the meanwhile, we are going to over-express the estrogen receptors from other species into the bovine mammary epithelial cells and evaluate the proliferation of the bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The general goal was to understand how mammary epithelial cell proliferation is regulated by estrogen receptors. We developed immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent assays for bovine ERalpha and determined the expression of ERalpha in the mammary gland of non-lactating non-pregnant cows. The expression of ERalpha were confirmed by Western-blotting and RT-PCR. We subcloned a fragment of the bovine ERalpha. Using different detection methods, we demonstrated that ERalpha and ERbeta have different expression patterns in the mammary gland of non-lactating and non-lactation cows. These results suggest that ERalpha and ERbeta might be differentially involved in bovine mammary gland development. These results are important to the researchers in the dairy cow field in particular and will expand the knowledge on the functions of estrogen receptors across different species in general.

Participants:
Sivashankar Ramakrishnan, M.S. student, UVM Huining Tan, Postdoc, UVM

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
We modified our experiment plan for the next year since we were unable to get mammary gland biopsy samples from the UVM Miller Research Farm for some reason beyond our control. Rather than looking at the expression of estrogen receptors in the different phases of the estrous cycle, we plan to focus on the ERalpha and see whether ERalpha cells can proliferate by co-staining ERalpha with a couple of cell proliferation markers including Ki-67. We tried to use RT-PCR to get the cDNA of bovine estrogen receptors but did get the full-length bovine ERalpha and ERbeta cDNA. We are going to continue the cloning of the genes. In the meanwhile, we are going to over-express the estrogen receptors from other species into the bovine mammary epithelial cells and evaluate the proliferation of the bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Nutrition and Food Science

Project Number: VT-H01010
CRIS Number: 0202053

Simple analytical method to quantify calcium lactate crystals on cheddar cheese

Investigators: Kindstedt, P.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2003 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Calcium lactate crystal formation is a widespread and costly problem for Cheddar cheesemakers in Vermont and throughout the US because institutional buyers and consumers reject cheeses that contain the white surface deposits. However, progress towards preventing crystal formation has been stymied because key analytical methods, especially quantitative methods to measure crystal growth rates and characteristics, have not been available to support careful quantitative studies. The aim of this project is to use a computer-vision image analysis method that we recently developed in our laboratory to study the causes and mechanism of calcium lactate crystal formation on Cheddar cheese surfaces. Our first objective was to systematically study various factors during cheese storage and distribution (e.g., storage temperature, packaging tightness) that are known to promote crystallization, with specific focus on underlying mechanisms. Our results indicate that these post manufacture factors are problematical because they cause an increase in the number crystals that form per unit of cheese surface area over time. In contrast, they do not cause individual crystals to grow more quickly once they are formed. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that number of crystals that form per unit of cheese surface area over time is strongly influenced by the physical properties of the cheese surface, such as smoothness and surface contour, and tightness of the packaging film impinging on the surface. These results indicate that the physical environment at the surface of the cheese modulates crystal nucleation, therefore, the cheese surface is a critical control point in the control and prevention of crystal formation. Our results to date indicate that significant progress can be made towards reducing the incidence of calcium lactate crystal defects by optimizing the physical environment at the cheese surface through proper control over the cut-and-wrap operation and storage conditions. These results were presented as four research papers to academic and industry scientists at the annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association in San Antonio, Texas last July. In the coming year, we will study the mechanism by which key cheese manufacturing conditions such as fortification of cheesemilk with additional nonfat milk solids promotes crystallization. Finally, we will evaluate whether crystallization defects that occur as a result of problematical manufacturing practices can be reduced or eliminated by optimizing key post-manufacture conditions (e.g., cut-and-wrap operation, storage conditions) that we have identified as critical control points.

Patel, J., P. Rajbhandari, E. Valentine and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Nucleation and growth rates of calcium lactate crystals on smoked Cheddar cheese. 1. Effect of storage temperature. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):197

Valentine, E., P. Rajbhandari, J. Patel and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Nucleation and growth rates of calcium lactate crystals on smoked Cheddar cheese. 2. Effect of packaging tightness. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):198

Patel, J. E. Valentine, P. Rajbhandari, and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Nucleation and growth rates of calcium lactate crystals on smoked Cheddar cheese. 3. Effect of cheese surface. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):198

Outcomes/Impacts:
The underlying mechanism by which calcium lactate crystals form and grow on the surface of cheese is poorly understood. Knowledge of such mechanisms is key to developing effective preventive strategies, but cheese companies generally lack resources to engage in fundamental research. The major finding of this work to date is that post manufacture factors such as low storage temperature and loose packaging that elevate the risk of crystal defects on Cheddar cheese do not affect the rate at which the crystals grow but do affect the number of crystals that form on the surface over time. This is an important breakthrough because the number of crystals that may form on a cheese surface is limited by the number of physical sites at the surface that have the potential to serve as nucleation sites. This means that the risk of crystal defects can likely be reduced significantly by minimizing the possible sites for nucleation at the cheese surface. Our research indicates that possible sites for nucleation can be significantly reduced by optimizing the cut-and-wrap operation and storage and distribution conditions. This research provides cheesemakers a better understanding of how this defect occurs and where they can most effectively target interventions to eradicate the problem. Calcium lactate crystal defects represents a nationwide problem, thus better strategies to prevent the defect has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of the more than three billion pounds of Cheddar cheese produced annually in the United States.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01212
CRIS Number: 0205288

A Web-Based Energy Balance Curriculum for Young Adolescents

Investigators: Pintauro, S. J.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among US children has increased dramatically. It is estimated that as much as 25% of children between 12 and 19 years old are overweight. In addition, some studies indicate that over 27% of adolescent girls have disordered eating attitudes or behaviors. One approach to reducing these statistics is to expand school nutrition educational efforts. The middle school grades offer an excellent opportunity to integrate nutrition and energy balance education into the curriculum, while simultaneously contributing to state education standards in life science, inquiry, and the human body. The Internet and the rapidly expanding capabilities of the World Wide Web allow for the delivery of engaging, content rich, learning materials to rural communities that may not have the resources and/or faculty expertise to provide a high-quality energy balance education program. For this project, we are developing a highly-interactive, multimedia, online resource for delivering an energy balance curriculum to middle school children. We will evaluate and compare the effectivene (Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01218
CRIS Number: 0205784

A Qualitative, Longitudinal Study of Cooking Skill and Cooking Knowledge: How Can Cooking Help Us Understand the Obesity Epidemic and Our Fo

Investigators: Trubek, A. B.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
This is a qualitative research project to more fully capture just how cooking (both as practical skill and body of knowledge) functions in the link between the food environment and individual health. Initially we developed a series of questions for two polls of randomly selected Vermonters on cooking skill and cooking knowledge that was conducted in February 2006 and February 2007. The results of both polls were provocative. In the first, with 611 respondents, when asked their highest priority when making dinner, the majority of the respondents (56%) indicated that health was their first priority. Yet these results contradict a number of other national polls asking consumers their priorities, where cost and convenience regularly rank highest. In the second poll, with 636 respondents, the vast majority (86%) agreed or strongly agreed that better cooking skills lead to a healthier diet with 92% of the respondents saying a concern for health affected their home meal preparations. The results of this poll have helped to frame the development of our other more qualitative research, including surveys, interviews and observations. In particular, the main qualitative method being used focuses on peoples aspirations for creating healthy meals and their every day cooking skill and knowledge, as well as their negotiation of competing demands on their time. The final choices for qualitative methods were open ended interviewing and videographies of people cooking. After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval for the project, we began the interview and observation phase of the project. We are fully launched in this phase, having complete 25% of the interviews. In all of the ethnographic interviews done so far, every person mentions health, or eating a healthy diet, or being mindful of incorporating healthy foods. However, most of the participants also articulate barriers of time and access when having to translate these aspirations for healthy cooking and eating into every day practices. Over the next year we will finish the interview process and begin analyzing the results. We are in the process of developing a system for coding the oral interviews and videographies to capture the relationship between healthy aspirations and healthy actions as well as cooking knowledge and cooking actions. These initial results have been shared at an international social science conference and at a lecture for the University of Vermont community.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The research is still on-going and so we have yet to arrive at final results and impacts. However, looking more closely at what people actually do in their homes on an every day basis to create meals can broaden the contemporary understanding of the relationship of the food environment to individual health, a relationship that has been identified as crucial for making sense of the contemporary obesity epidemic. We can not think of this epidemic as simply made up of millions of individuals, but rather need to also consider it as the result of the way organize we every aspect of our life today, from where we can shop to whether we have time to make for dinner or who has a chance to eat dinner at home. A close examination what really is happening in peoples homes, day in and day out, as they work to feed themselves can help us better understand the dynamic between aspirations for healthy cooking and eating and Americans everyday realities in our present food environment. We can understand better how larger changes in the organization of society, for example the increased time spent at work, the larger number of dual-earner families, the greater concentration in food retailers, and theincreased consumption of food outside the home, has transformed how we cook and eat every day. Our consideration of rural, semi-urban and urban areas can also increase our understanding of the impact of the food environment on individual health. This knowledge can lead to new and better interventions as we continue to address the long term consequences of the obesity epidemic on American society.

Participants:
Alyssa Nathanson, graduate student in Nutrition and Food Science.

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01302
CRIS Number: 0208625

Listeria monocytogenes: Enrichment, sampling and novel surveillance.

Investigators: Donnelly, C. W.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2009
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01303
CRIS Number: 0208626

Physicochemical Properties and Survivability Of Probiotics In Symbiotic Oats Yogurt Using Polymerized Whey Proteins As A Gelation Agent

Investigators: Guo, M.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Prebiotics and probiotics have been widely used as two major components for functional foods development due to their cholesterol reducing property. Oat is considered as a functional food due to its rich in soluble dietary fiber. In this study, a prototype oat-based symbiotic yogurt-like food (Oagurt) was developed using a combination of oats, sugar and inulin with polymerized whey protein isolate (PWPI) as the gelling agent. A commercial starter culture containing S. thermophilus and L delbrueckii (subsp. Bulgaricus) and probiotics L. acidophilus, L. casei and bifidobacterium was used to make oats yogurt. The newly developed oagurt prototypes were analyzed for chemical composition, microbiological properties, and microstructure. Results showed that the polymerized whey protein is a good alternative to commonly used gellation agent (e.g., pectin) for the oat yogurt making.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The newly developed technology will help food industry to manufacture oats-based functional foods for delivering both pre- and probiotics to health conscious consumers.

Participants:
Helen Walsh and Mingruo Guo, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont.

Target Audiences:
Food/Dairy industry and health professionals

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01304
CRIS Number: 0208627

Vermont Obesity Treatment and Prevention

Investigators: Harvey-Berino, J.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01305
CRIS Number: 0208628

Imaging methods to characterize calcium lactate crystallization in Cheddar cheese

Investigators: Kindstedt, P.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2009
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Calcium lactate crystal formation is a widespread and costly problem for Cheddar cheesmakers in Vermont and throughout the US because institutional buyers and consumers reject cheeses that contain the white surface deposits. However, progress towards preventing crystal formation has been stymied because key analytical methods, especially quantitative methods to measure crystal nucleation and growth rates, have not been available to support careful quantitative studies. The aim of this project is to use a computer-vision image analysis method that we recently develop in our laboratory to study the causes and mechanisms of calcium lactate crystal formation on Cheddar cheese surfaces. Our first objective was to systematically study various factors during cheese storage and distribution (e.g., storage temperature, packaging tightness) that are known to promote crystallization, with specific focus on underlying mechanisms. Our results indicate that these post-manufacture factors are problematical because they cause an increase in the number of crystals that form per unit of cheese surface area over time. In contrast, they do not cause individual crystals to grow more quickly once they are formed. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the number of crystals that form over time is strongly influenced by the physical properties of the cheese surface, such as smoothness and surface contour, and tightness of the packaging film impinging on the surface. These results indicate that the physical environment at the surface of the cheese modulates crystal nucleation, therefore, the cheese surface is a critical control point in the control and prevention of crystal formation. Our results to date indicate that significant progress can be made towards reducing the incidence of calcium lactate crystal defects by optimizing the physical environment at the cheese surface through proper control over the cut-and-wrap operation and storage conditions. These results were presented as four research papers to academic and industry scientist at the annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association in San Antonio, Texas last July. In the coming year, we will study the mechanism by which key manufacturing conditions, such as fortification of cheesemilk with nonfat milk solids, promotes crystallization. Finally, we will evaluate whether crystallization defects that occur as a result of problematical manufacturing practices can be reduced or eliminate by optimizing key post-manufacture conditions (e.g., cut-and-wrap operations, storage conditions) that we have identified as critical control points.

Publications:
Rajbhandari, P., J. Patel, E. Valentine and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Chemical changes that predispose smoked Cheddar cheese to calcium lactate crystallization. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):197 Patel, J., P. Rajbhandari, E. Valentine and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Nucleation and growth rates of calcium lactate crystals on smoked Cheddar cheese. 1. Effect of storage temperature. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):197 Valentine, E., P. Rajbhandari, J. Patel and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Nucleation and growth rates of calcium lactate crystals on smoked Cheddar cheese. 2. Effect of packaging tightness. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):198 Patel, J. E. Valentine, P. Rajbhandari, and P.S. Kindstedt. 2007. Nucleation and growth rates of calcium lactate crystals on smoked Cheddar cheese. 3. Effect of cheese surface. J.Dairy Sci. 90(Suppl. 1):198

Outcomes/Impacts:
The underlying mechanism by which calcium lactate crystals form and grow on the surface of cheese is poorly understood. Knowledge of such mechanisms is key to developing effective preventative strategies, but cheese companies generally lack resources to engage in fundamental research. The major finding of this work to date is that post-manufacture factors such as low storage temperature and loose packaging that elevate the risk of calcium lactate crystal defects on Cheddar cheese do not affect the rate at which crystals grow but do affect the number of crystals that form on the surface over time. This is an important breakthrough because the number of crystals that may form on a cheese surface is limited by the number of physical sites at the surface that have the potential to serve as nucleation sites. This means that the risk of crystal defects can likely be reduced significantly by minimizing the possible sites for nucleation at the cheese surface. Our research indicates that possible sites for nucleation can be reduced significantly by optimizing the cut-and-wrap operation and storage and distribution conditions. This research provides the cheese industry with a better understanding of how this defect occurs and where they can most effectively target interventions to eradicate the problem. Calcium lactate crystal defects represent a nationwide problem, thus better strategies to prevent the defect have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of the more than three billion pound of Cheddar cheese produced annually in the United States.

Participants:
Paul Kindstedt - PI Elissa Valentine - Graduate Student Pallavi Rajbhandari - Graduate Student

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01403
CRIS Number: 0211829

Effects of Reducing TV Viewing Time on Energy Balance in Obese or Overweight Adults.

Investigators: Harvey-Berino, J.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2009
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01410
CRIS Number: 0211920

A Web-Based Energy Balance Tutorial for Middle School Students.

Investigators: Pintauro, S. J.

Performing Department: Nutritional Sciences -- 1670

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2009
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Plant Biology

Project Number: VT-BO-01005
CRIS Number: 0197702

Using genetic progamming to evolve optimally specified process models of biological systems.

Investigators: Hoffmann, J. P., Bentil, D. E.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: Outcomes/Impacts:
Given the observed increase in invasions of non-native species, and the likely increase of future invasions due to global warming, environmental managers need predictive tools to lessen and eventually reverse the deleterious biological effects of invasive species on Vermont ecosystems. Predicting, understanding, and mitigating the effects of these invasions on the processes of these complex ecosystems depend on good predictive models of these systems. Therefore, there is the need to develop better mathematical models of invasive species dynamics and the biological systems they are affecting. This project will benefit environmental managers who need an enhanced ability to predict invasive species dynamics for directing their control efforts. Specifically, this project will make available a way to evaluate different invasive-species models, in terms of which biological and habitat factors to incorporate in the models to insure the greatest accuracy of model predictions.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01111
CRIS Number: 0201431

Mechanism of enhancement of photosynthetic performance of plants under diffuse light

Investigators: Vogelmann, T. C.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 10/01/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2004 to 10/01/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Final Report:
This three-year project has four major objectives: (1) Build an instrument to measure how much light a leaf absorbs when it is irradiated with diffuse light; (2) Assess the photosynthetic performance of leaves irradiated with direct vs. diffuse light in plants with different photosynthetic pathways; (3) Evaluate the relationship between leaf anatomy and the internal distribution of absorbed quanta when a leaf is irradiated with diffuse vs. direct light; (4) Evaluating potential canopy effects - bright vs. dim patches of light on a leaf. We have completed the objectives 1-3 and we are preparing to work on objective (4). We have successfully built and finished testing a dual beam integrating sphere spectrophotometer to measure how much light a leaf absorbs when it is irradiated with diffuse light. This instrument is essential for the other objectives of the project because it is necessary to express photosynthetic rate on the basis of absorbed quanta under diffuse light (objective 1). Using a LiCor 6400 gas exchange system, we made exhaustive photosynthesis measurements on leaves of maize (Zea mays), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Amaranthus and we found that the directional quality of the light significantly affects leaf photosynthesis (objective 2). When leaves are grown under high light, direct light is 10-15% more effective for photosynthesis than is diffuse light. Interestingly, when plants are grown under low light, leaves utilize direct and diffuse light similarly. The most likely reason for these results is that high-light grown leaves have a thicker palisade layer that may facilitate the penetration of direct light but not diffuse light. We examined the effects of leaf anatomy upon the internal distribution of absorbed light to relate leaf structure to photosynthetic performance (objective 3). Using a specially designed illumination system coupled to a microscope, we were able to measure where light was absorbed in leaves when they were irradiated with diffuse vs. direct light. We found that direct light penetrated further into leaves than diffuse light and that light moved further into leaves with palisade cells. The effect was less pronounced in leaves grown under low light.

Publications:
Brodersen, C.R., Vogelmann, T.C. 2007. Do epidermal lens cells facilitate the absorptance of diffuse light? American Journal of Botany 94: 1061-1066.

Outcomes/Impacts:
We found that leaf photosynthesis is affected by the directional quality of light and that some leaves perform better under direct light compared to diffuse light. This effect was found in plants that have different photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4) suggesting that it may be widespread in native vegetation and crop plants. More diffuse light will occur with global climate change. The photosynthetic effects that we found at the leaf level will provide important information to canopy photosynthesis models that predict future productivity in crops and forests.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01113
CRIS Number: 0201439

Impact of global climate change on forests in the Green Mountains of Vermont

Investigators: Beckage, B.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 10/01/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
We are comparing the present and past tree composition of vegetation plots that were originally established in the early 1960's in order to assess changes in forest composition associated with regional warming trends. We are also using historical aerial photographs and satellite images to determine elevational shifts in forest trees associated with regional warming trends. We have detected a significant shift in forest composition and an upslope change in forest communities over the last half century. We currently have a manuscript presenting these results in review.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The regional climate of Vermont has warmed by 1.5 degrees C over the last several decades and these trends are expected to continue in response to human emissions of greenhouse gases. Understanding the changing nature of Vermont forests will allow for planning that can mitigate against the negative consequences of global warming on the economy of Vermont (e.g., maple syrup production, tourism associated with leaf watching).

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01202
CRIS Number: 0205299

The Roles of Jasmonic Acid Signaling during formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules.

Investigators: Harris, J. M.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
The objectives of this project are to examine the effect of jasmonic acid-inhibition of legume nodule formation on both gene expression and nodule development. In addition, we propose to examine the effect of co-inoculation of the beneficial soil bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and Sinorhizobium meliloti on legume nodulation. The beneficial effect of some P. fluorescens strains has been proposed to be due to stimulation of the plant defense response via the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. We will test whether or not P. fluorescens inhibits formation of nitrogen-fixing legume nodules.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
We have recently published a role for jasmonic acid in regulating the earliest steps in the interaction between legumes and the beneficial bacterium, rhizobium. We are currently examining the interaction between the legume, M. truncatula, and two different beneficial bacteria, Rhizobium and P. fluorescens. Plants produce chemicals that provide a defense against disease-causing bacteria. Organic gardeners are increasingly interested in harnessing plants' native defense systems to provide natural protection against pathogens. We have found that one natural plant defense compound, jasmonic acid, not only protects against pathogenic bacteria, it also harms the plants ability to interact with beneficial bacteria. We are trying to identify the point at which jasmonic acid interferes with this beneficial interaction. Ultimately, this research could be helpful to Vermont farmers, especially organic farmers, as they try to increase interactions with beneficial bacteria and reduce bacterial disease of plant crops.

Participants:
Giovanna Sassi, graduate student, has worked on the P. fluorescens part of the project. In addition, Graham Burkart, an undergraduate student and then a technician in my lab, ran some nodulation assays.

Target Audiences:
The target audience for this project is other scientists and potentially organic farmers.

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01205
CRIS Number: 0205426

Genetic variance in life history traits in the invasive species, Phalaris arundinacea

Investigators: Molofsky, J.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
The purpose of this project is to determine if the invasive grass, Phalaris arundinacea, reed canary grass, has the genetic ability to extend its range further south. We conducted a greenhouse study in which we grew genetic individuals taken from the original native range of the species and genetic individuals from the invasive range and grew them across a temperature and moisture gradient. Our results indicate that there is the potential for this invasive grass to continue to invade further south,although only a small percentage of the genetic individuals could survive and grow under the most extreme temperature and drought conditions. Currently, we are testing to see whether the results from our greenhouse studies are consistent with what happens in field sites. We have established common gardens containing the genetic individuals used in the greenhouse study along a climatic gradient in the eastern United States (Vermont, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida). Results will show whether reed canarygrass will become a pest in these areas in the future.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The main conclusion from our project is that there is sufficient genetic variability present in introduced invasive populations of the invasive grass Phalaris arundinacea that will allow it to continue to expand southward in the future. In addition, climate change in the Northeast will likely not have a major effect on its abundance patterns.

Participants:
Manisha Patel, Graduate student, Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont Robin Collins, Graduate Student, Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01210
CRIS Number: 0205286

Strategies to Limit Reductions in Maple Sap Yield in Vacuum Installations

Investigators: Perkins, T. D., Wilmot, T. R., Stowe, B.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
This project aims to identify methods by while maple producers can maintain high sap yields from vacuum tubing operations. In the 2007, we compared sap yields from four treatments: standard tubing system maintained and cleaned (control), newly installed tubing system (maximum yield control), systems in which spouts were replaced, and systems utilizing new spout adapters. No significant differences were found, however the new tubing installation yielded approximately 14-16% more sap than any of the other installations. We anticipate that differences in sap yields may become evident in other treatments as the tubing systems age.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Continued monitoring of the experimental treaments is necessary to determine which methods provide the highest sap yields.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01214
CRIS Number: 0205740

Identification of genes regulating polarized secretion of cell wall proteins in arabidopsis

Investigators: Tierney, M. L.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
This research allows us to characterize possible protein/protein interactions involved in the differential secretion of a family of structural cell wall proteins (ATPRPs) in the root hairs of arabidopsis. Our first objective is to identify amino acid sequences within the unique domains of ATPRP1 and ATPRP3 that are sufficient for the targeting of these proteins to the base and growing tip of the root hair cell wall. To do this we have generated a series of deletions within the localization domain of ATPRP1 and ATPRP3 that we previous identified as being sufficient in targeting the secretion of these proteins in root hairs. Each of these deletion constructs has been sequenced and we are in the process of transforming these modified genes into arabidopsis in order to study their secretion pattern. We expect that deletions altering the secretion patterns of ATPRP1 and/or ATPRP3 within the root hair wall will either result in their accumulation in new regions of the root hair wall, in accumulation of these proteins within the Golgi or in their degradation. Our second objective is to overexpress the novel domain of these two proteins in order to examine potential protein/protein interactions between either ATPRP1 and/or ATPRP3 and other proteins within the root hair extracellular space. We have cloned the localization domains into a bacterial expression vector and are defining the conditions necessary to purify large amounts of these proteins. In the next year, we plan to use these overexpressed proteins in protein interactions screens to identify potential binding partners for ATPRP1 and ATPRP3.

Publications:
Xiao, Wei; Tierney, Mary. 2007 Identification of primary sequences sufficient for crosslinking proline-rich proteins within the root hair cell wall of Arabidopsis thaliana. American Society of Plant biology. Chicago Il. (this abstract was chosen for a minisymposium presentation.)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The long term goal of this research is to determine the role of ATPRP1 and ATPRP3 in maintaining root hair function. Previous work has shown that mutations in either of the genes encoding these proteins results in plants that have altered growth patterns and for ATPRP3, altered root hair shape. These studies indicate that these cell wall proteins may play critical roles in maintaining the ability of root hairs to absorb water and nutrients from their environment. Future studies should allow us to examine the mechanism through which these proteins function within wild type plants and may allow us to translate this information into crop plants that are currently unable to grow in marginal environments.

Participants:
Mary TIerney (PI) Changjun Mu (postdoctoral associate) Changjun Mu has just started working on this project. All graduate students and postdoctoral associates in my lab are sent to national or international meetings where they have the opportunity to present their data to leaders in the field.

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01301
CRIS Number: 0208624

Characterization of the Arabidopsis thaliana SON1-regulated planyle='mso-bookmark:agbot'>09/30/2008
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01307
CRIS Number: 0208666

Genetic features and origin of wild polyploid species

Investigators: Barrington, D.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Final Report:
In this work we are pursuing tools to understand the evolutionary processes by which polyploid species originate in nature. Our study system, though not an agricultural plant, comprises plants that are from the Andes, where major temperate-climate polyploid crops such as potato and tomato originated. Thus, we hope to use our plants, which are ferns, as witnesses to the events that promote the origin of agriculturally important crops. The advantage of our plants, in the genus Polystichum, is that the polyploid species in the study area are all of recent origin, so that evidence about their origin has not been badly obscured by more recent events. In this year of our work, we continued to work aggressively to assemble the tools to analyze the component genomes that constitute the polyploids, focusing on our chosen gene, phospglucoisomoerase (PGIc). This gene is valuable because it is well understood in animals and plants and because we have partial sequence for the gene for 18 species in our study group. We also know from studies of enzyme variation that the gene is variable enough sithin and between species of Polystichum that it can serve as a useful witness to the historical origin of polyploids. We developed the utility of PGIc in several ways: 1) having successfully cloned the gene from a model hybrid last year, we pursued the component genomes in an established polyploid species, albeit unsuccessfully (this work is ongoing), 2) we used a complimentary DNA approach to expand our knowledge of the gene beyond the rather small region in which we are working, to improve chances of locating useful markers for interpreting evolutionary history, and 3) we did a more extensive analysis of the partial sequences we already have to improve our understanding of the genetic variation we have retrieved.

Publications:
Driscoll, H. E. and D. S. Barrington, 2007. Origin of Hawaiian Polystichum(Dryopteridaceae) in the context of a world phylogeny. American Journal of Botany 94: 1413-1424.

Lu, J.-M., D. S. Barrington, and D.-Z. Li. 2007. Molecular phylogeny of the polystichoid ferns in Asia based on rbcL sequences. Systematic Botany 32: 26-34.

Outcomes/Impacts:
We did inaugurate an alternative approach to identifying component genomes this year, with the technique that uses amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to identify component genomes of polyploids. In this work, graduate student Erin Sigel (funded by the station) has been very successful. She has gotten the technique up and running, and we have identified markers that will be useful in identifying component genomes in hybrids and polyploids. This coming year, we look forward to expanding this work to clinch markers useful in this analysis. At the same time, we have continued our aggressive accumulation of chloroplast DNA sequence data for Polystichum species with the goal of providing a chloroplast-based phylogeny to compare with the emerging data we retrieve for the nuclear genome. This has gone well; both reported publications for this year include data from this source. These publications represent a landmark for the genus; they provide the first substantial insights into the global history of this genus and will serve as a basis for all of our future work.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01405
CRIS Number: 0211830

Assessing distribuition and origins of genetic diversity in Vermont's fiddlehead fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Onocleaceae).

Investigators: Barrington, D.

Performing Department: Plant Biology -- 1740

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2010
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Plant and Soil Science Department

Project Number: VT-AE-IR00916
CRIS Number: 0193947

Evaluation and Implementation of a Phosphorus Index to Assess P Runoff Potential from Agricultural Fields in Vermont

Investigators: Jokela, W., Magdoff, F., Carter, J.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2002 Termination Date: 09/30/2005
Reporting period: 10/01/2005 to 09/30/2006
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The revised research-based P Index is a useful tool for nutrient management planners that allows farmers the flexibility to adjust management practices if needed to meet both environmental and economic ends. We have trained planners in use of the new P Index so they will be able to effectively incorporate P Index ratings into the nutrient management planning process. We will use results from ongoing research and feedback from users to update and improve the P Index.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01101IR
CRIS Number: 0201425

Improving water quaity with alternative annual forages rotated with corn silage.

Investigators: Bosworth, S., Darby, H.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
The overall goal of this project is to provide Vermont dairy farmers with alternative cropping systems that are both economically viable and environmentally sound in comparison to continuous silage corn production. The cropping systems investigated will aim towards improved crop production, soil quality, weed, disease, and insect control, and reduction or elimination of soil degradation as well as pesticide use ultimately leading to improved water quality. The study began in 2004 and will end in 2007 and is repeated on two soil types in Alburgh, VT. Treatments include five cropping systems: 1. Continuous corn with plots planted to corn in all three years, 2. Continuous corn with a winter cover crop, 3. Double Crop System for two consecutive years, 4. Double Crop System only in first treatment year, and 5. Double Crop System only in second treatment year. The double crop system included winter rye planted in September and harvested in May and brown midrib sorghum-sudangrass, a high quality warm season grass, planted in June and harvested once in July with regrowth harvested in August. Both crops were utilized as silage. In 2007, the last year of the project, all treatments were planted to corn in order to assess the impact of previous rotation and cover crop treatments on corn silage production. Preliminary results indicate that short rotations utilizing a double crop of rye and sorghum-sudangrass had similar corn silage yields in the first year out of the rotation as compared to the continuous corn treatments. In 2006 and 07, field meetings were held to show local producers the concept of the study with a total of 146 farmers attending both meetings. A final report of the project with final results will be posted on the Vermont Crops and Soils web site and disseminated via winter extension meetings.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Our research and extension and outreach education efforts in this project will provide useful information to farmers, consultants and agency personnel as they develop and implement comprehensive nutrient management plans for reducing phosphorus loading into Lake Champlain water. Our findings showed that alternative annual forage crops such as rye and sorghum-sudangrass are viable options for many farms that can fit into a corn rotation.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01107
CRIS Number: 0201428

Optimization of dairy manure compost application for vegetable production

Investigators: Tignor, M. E.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Results of this study will allow vegetable researchers to further understand the impact of compost application method choice on vegetable root architecture and crop yield. Current preliminary results also indicate that some farmers could substitute compost banding for applications of synthetic fertilizer without yield loss in sweet corn. Costs would be higher for individual farmers, but cooperation between dairy operators and vegetable farmers could help make the practice more economically feasible.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01209
CRIS Number: 0205285

Biological Control of the Asian Longhorned Beetle: Drawing From Indigenous Sources

Investigators: Parker, B. L., Skinner, M., Teillon, H. B.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2010
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is an exotic pest threatening the Northern hardwood forest. Native parasites may serve as local biological control agents. Identification of such an agent would benefit all citizens within the projected range of ALB by protecting hardwood trees from insect attack. Without natural controls, many hardwood trees in natural and urban forests are at risk from ALB attack. A research site predominating in sugar maple trees was located and twelve plots were established, and assigned one of the four treatments: 0,1, 3 or 9 maple logs. It was hypothesized that longhorned beetles can detect volatiles emitted from maple logs that have been wounded. Thus the volume of maple logs present would differentially attract beetles and their associated parasites. Maple trees outside the study site were felled and cut into 2 m lengths. Logs were randomly assigned to each of the treatments and transported to the appropriate plots. Malaise traps were installed in each plot, and collections made every two weeks from May to October. Logs were visually inspected for evidence of beetle attack. Audio inspections were also made with a specially designed hearing device to detect internal insect feeding. In September a single bolt 0.3 m long was cut from each end of each log and placed in specially designed plastic containers to collect emerging beetles and parasites. Bolts were held in an unheated building and monitored every two weeks for emergence for one year. Inspection of logs in the forest was repeated over the summer of 2007 as was sampling with malaise traps and other appropriate sampling methods. All felled logs were brought to the laboratory and caged to allow insects to emerge naturally in the coming year. Next year bolts of white pine will be infested with native white pine sawyer beetles and exposed to natural attack by indigenous parasitoids. Live parasitoid species will be sent for evaluation as natural enemies of Asian longhorned beetle. Results will be disseminated to sugarmakers through regional trade journals and to scientists through research publications.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
To date no longhorned beetles emerged from bolds cut from the felled logs one year ago. However, audio inspections have provided evidence that larval feeding is underway within several of the log samples, suggesting that it takes longer than we anticipated for invasion of the beetles to take place. Samples from the malaise traps for 2007 are currently being sorted to determine the number and species of Cerambycidae and parasitoids. Very few longhorned beetles were collected last year, which may have been because of the unusually cool wet summer. This research is critical to future studies on longhorned beetles. Because these pests spend much of their time within logs, and occur in fairly small numbers compared to other insect species, studying them is particularly challenging. Iit is critical that effective methods of survey and detection are devised. It is also important to begin to establish baseline information on the biodiversity of this potentially damaging group of wood-boring beetles and their associated parasitoids. If or when the Asian longhorned beetle expands its range to the Northeast, this baseline information will be very useful for developing sustainable management strategies. Climate change may also impact the population dynamics of this group of beetles and its parasitoids. Our data will serve as a bench mark from which changes can be assessed.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01211
CRIS Number: 0205287

Effects of Four Variables on Herbaceous Perennial Hardiness

Investigators: Perry, L.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Three studies have been conducted, examining the effects on perennial plant hardiness of plant age, cycling temperatures, and soil moisture. Results, when analyzed, will be shared with producers through articles in trade journals, online, and in meetings.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Outcomes and impacts will be dependent on final results when analyzed. Results will better help container perennial producers in northern climates more successfully overwinter their crops with less losses and least labor and cost inputs.

Participants:
Dr. Leonard P. Perry, PI Sarah Kingsley Richards, graduate assistant

Target Audiences:
perennial container producers

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

forest ecosystems impacted by N deposition

Investigators: Ross, D. S.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Nitrogen deposition (as a component of acidic deposition) continues in the northeast and evidence from forest ecosystems is accumulating that it may be contributing to both soil nutrient loss and stream acidity. Especially in light of global climate change, there is a clear need for a better understanding of the fate of nitrogen in these systems. Our research is examining ammonification (conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonium) and nitrification (conversion of ammonium to nitrate) at three Vermont watersheds with a focus on the interaction of soil chemical and physical characteristics with plant and microbial communities. We have continued the measurement of net and gross rates of N transformations in plot studies, providing an estimate of both seasonal and annual variability. We have also continued to monitor stream flow and stream chemistry in two high elevation tributaries in the central Green Mountains (Brush Brook on Camels Hump) and one in southern Vermont near the Lye Brook Wilderness Area. New research is underway that will examine N release from decomposing litter. Additionally, we have begun examining the diversity of the soil microfauna that may control ammonification. Preliminary results from all of the above suggest that soil transformation rates and stream export are related to tree species composition, especially the presence or absence of conifers, which in turn controls soil carbon to nitrogen ratios.

Publications:
Hales, H.C., D.S. Ross and A. Lini. 2007. Isotopic signature of nitrate in two contrasting watersheds of Brush Brook, VT. Biogeochemistry 84:51-66. DOI 10.1007/s10533-007-9074-6.

Outcomes/Impacts:
Results will enable better management decisions for these ecosystems by providing a more comprehensive mechanistic model of the factors affecting nitrogen transformations in Vermont forest soils. The work will have regional and international applications, both from a methodological viewpoint and from the findings on the interaction between soils, vegetation and nitrogen movement.

Participants:
Individuals who worked on the project incldue W. Ted Auch, Ph.D. candidate, researcher; Laura Dicicco, undergraduate student, research assistant; and Will Wheeler, undergraduate student, research assistant. Partner organizations include the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Forest Service, both who aided with site maintenance and sampling. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is also a partner in permitting research access. Collaborators include researchers from UVM's geography department and from the above partner organizations. Training of graduate and undergraduate students in field and laboratory research is ongoing.

Target Audiences:
Target audiences include soil scientists, ecologists, biogeochemists, land managers, policy makers and the general public.

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01311
CRIS Number: 0208832

Attributes of Soil Communities Associated with Suppression of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in New England and North Central Regions of the USA

Investigators: Neher, D. A.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2009
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
The proposed study examines New England (Part 1) and North Central (Part 2) regions of the U.S. In New England (Part 1), workshops on diagnosis and assessment of damage caused by plant-parasitic nematodes on vegetable and ornamental crops were conducted in Albany, New York and Windsor, Delaware. Relative to Part 2, a proposal was submitted to the NRICGP program, Arthropod and Nematode Biology and Management: Organismal and Population Biology program that received a high priority ranking but was not funded. The proposal entitled, Ecology of nematode-suppressive soils in Midwest soybean-cropping systems, was co-authored with Dr. Senyu Chen (U Minnesota). In response to the panel review, we conducted a joint greenhouse experiment to test the proposed methods associated with quantifying soil suppressiveness.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
We know that the application of captan targets fungi and learned that it eliminates biological disease suppression, allowing an increase in the soybean cyst nematode populations compared to streptomycin alone, streptomycin and captan, or untreated soil. Furthermore, soil disturbance that mimics tillage also eliminates disease suppressiveness. Use of extracellular enzyme substrates targeted toward collagen and amino acids reported to be associated with suppressiveness are currently being analyzed. These preliminary data will be used to resubmit an extramural grant proposal in FY08.

Participants:
Research technician Thomas Weicht and graduate student, Yong Bao, contributed to the project. Collaboration has been with Cornell University (George Abawi, Beth Gugino), University of Connecticut (James LaMondia), and University of Minnesota (Senyu Chen).

Target Audiences:
The partnership with Cornell University and University of Connecticut organized and completed two workshops designed for training of extension agents and farmers on diagnosis and severity of root rots caused by plant-parasitic nematodes on greenhouse produced vegetable and ornamental plants.

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01312
CRIS Number: 0211075

Enhancing Opportunities to Use Biological Control Agents for Thrips IPM in Greenhouses

Investigators: Skinner, M., Guo, M.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 03/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01408
CRIS Number: 0211832

Entomopathogenic Fungi and Predators for IPM of Western Flower Thrips.

Investigators: Skinner, M.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2010
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-PS-01003
CRIS Number: 0197705

Multi-scale measurement of phosphorus loss in surface runoff from manured fields

Investigators: Magdoff, F. R., Jokela, W. E., Aleong, J.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2003 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Results from this project will help farmers use more environmentally sound field management practices, resulting in decreased phosporus in surface waters.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-PS-01006
CRIS Number: 0197706

Grafting Sugar Maple to improve salt tolerance.

Investigators: Starrett, M.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2003 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2003 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Final Report:
Sugar maples typically cannot be grown in urban areas due to salt applied to nearby roadways and walkways during winter. This project has helped to determine if a sugar maple grafted onto a salt-tolerant maple produces a salt-tolerant sugar maple suitable for possible use in urban areas. Sugar maples were successfully grafted onto salt-tolerant sycamore maple rootstock. One-year-old grafted plants were challenged with select concentrations of road de-icing salt (primarily sodium chloride - NaCl). In the second replication of the experiment, all sugar maples grafted onto sugar maple rootstock died at 2.8 gm/L (the lowest salt concentration applied) whereas sugar maples grafted onto sycamore maple rootstock all survived at this same salt concentration treatment. Sycamore maples grafted onto their own sycamore maple rootstock tolerated rates as high as 8.8 gm/L, however, this salt concentration killed all sugar maples grafted onto sycamore maple rootstock. These results indicate that sycamore maple rootstock do not prevent translocation of salt to the sugar maple scion, therefore resulting in death of the sugar maple scion at salt concentrations that are not lethal to the sycamore maple grafted on sycamore maple rootstock. However, the sycamore maple rootstock with a sugar maple scion does provide greater tolerance to soil salt applications than sugar maple on its own root system could survive. This information was shared with members of the Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists at their annual meeting in Montpelier, Vermont, 19 February 2007 and International Plant Propagators Society at their annual conference in Montreal, Canada, 16-19 October 2007. Further study is needed to determine the effect of the long term growth and development of sugar maples grafted onto sycamore maple rootstocks for both graft union compatibility and also the potential for maple syrup production from these grafted plants.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Arborists and landscapers in urban areas of the northeastern and northern mid-American states may be able to effectively use sugar maples grafted onto sycamore maple root systems in city locations without the negative impact of winter de-icing salts which typically kill or severely injure sugar maples growing on their own root systems.

Participants:
David A. Heleba, Research Technician. R. Andrew Burtt, Graduate Student. Funding was partially provided by: The J. Frank Schmidt Family Charitable Foundation and The Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists.

Target Audiences:
Horticulturists, arborists and landscape professionals, as well as maple syrup producers.

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-PS-01007
CRIS Number: 0197707

Media top-dress amendments for prevention and control of liverworts.

Investigators: Starrett, M. C.

Performing Department: Plant & Soil Science -- 1825

Start Date: 10/01/2003 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2003 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Final Report:
Liverworts are a common weed that are difficult to control in container production of ornamental horticultural crops. This project examines the effectiveness of several different top-dress treatments including: rice hulls, buckwheat hulls, cocoa shells, grit, coconut fiber disks, loose coconut fiber (coir), pine bark, Turface(R)[calcined clay] and geotextile disks to prevent or control liverworts and select herbaceous vascular weeds in container crop production. This information was reported to The Northeastern Weed Science Society at their annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, 2 - 5 January 2007, The Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists at their annual meeting in Montpelier, Vermont, 19 February 2007, and the International Plant Propagators Society at their annual conference in Montreal, Canada, 16-19 October 2007.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Reduction of weeds during container production of nursery crops using non-chemical methods may eliminate the need for use of herbicides and thus prevent possible environmental contamination. Additionally these treatments may make the crop more salable to the consumer due to the aesthetic qualities of the treatment. Less weed infestations during crop production will allow for less inputs (ie: water and fertilizer, labor costs for weeding), and thus provide the consumer with an ecologically-friendly plant at purchase. Results indicate that all the treatments investigated prevented/suppressed the growth of liverworts and select herbaceous vascular weed during the production of container-grown horticultural crops. For liverworts, the effectiveness of the mulch treatments can be ranked from most effective to least effective control as follows: 1. Buckwheat hulls, 2. Rice hulls, 3. Bark mulch, 4. Cocoa shells, 5. Turface(R), 6. Coconut fiber disc, 7. Loose coconut fiber (coir), and 8. Geotextile disc. While for select herbaceous vascular weeds, the effectiveness of the mulch treatments can be ranked from most effective to least effective control as follows 1. Buckwheat hulls, 2. Rice hulls, 3. Cocoa shells, 4. Geotextile disc, 5. Coconut fiber disc, and 6. Bark mulch. Greenhouse and nursery growers should consider using buckwheat hulls or rice hulls as a top-dress mulch application on the surface of potting media in container-grown horticultural crops as an effective method to prevent the growth of liverworts and select herbaceous vascular weeds.

Participants:
David A. Heleba, Research Technician. R.Andrew Burtt, Graduate Student. Funding was partially provided by: The Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists.

Target Audiences:
Horticulturists and nursery production professionals.

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Project Number: VT-H01103
CRIS Number: 0202062

Physiology of Carbon Tetrachloride Dechlorination by Bacteria of the Genus Pseudomonas:Basic Science for Engineered Remediation

Investigators: Lewis, T. A.

Performing Department: Molecular Genetics and Microbiology -- 2162

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
The data generated in this funding period increases our knowledge of how a novel dechlorination agent is made by environmental bacteria. That knowledge may be useful for the rational design of treatment strategies which optimize that activity in contaminated media, and for explaining other bacterial regulatory phenomena.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01308
CRIS Number: 0208667

Fungal Pathogenesis and Development of New Anti-Fungal Drugs

Investigators: Johnson, D. I.

Performing Department: Molecular Genetics and Microbiology -- 2162

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Final Report:
The goals of this project are to understand the mechanisms that control yeast cellular morphogenesis and virulence in the nonpathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, and to identify new anti-fungal therapeutic agents. We have developed a morphology-based assay that allows us to screen novel small molecules for their ability to inhibit the budded-to-hyphal transition and virulence in C. albicans. We have also developed a new technique of bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) that allows us to examine protein-protein interactions within living S. cerevisiae cells. These accomplishments have been disseminated to the research community by two publications in the prestigious journals, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and Eukaryotic Cell. Based on these outcomes, we will identify the cellular targets of the novel small molecules in C. albicans and will use BiFC to analyze additional protein-protein interactions.

Publications:
Cole, K.C., H. W. McLaughlin, D. I. Johnson. 2007. Use of bimolecular fluorescence complementation to study in vivo interactions between Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc42p and Rdi1p. Eukaryotic Cell 6:378-387.

Outcomes/Impacts:
The major findings of last year's research endeavours included the identification and characterization of 16 small molecules that inhibited the budded-to-hyphal transition in C. albicans and the characterization of in vivo interactions between the Cdc42p GTPase and the GDI Rdi1p in S. cerevisiae. The 16 molecules have known mammalian targets or mechanisms of action, which allows us to make conclusions about how these molecules are functioning in C. albicans. For instance, the molecule fungals may have important roles in controlling fungal infections of key agricultural products in Vermont, including commercial apple productions.

Participants:
Douglas I. Johnson, Ph.D.; Principal Investigator; no salary support; Karen Cole; Graduate Student; no salary support; Benjamin Stark; Graduate Student; no salary support; Jessica Pearson; Undergraduate Student; salary support; Elizabeth Welsh; Undergraduate Student; salary support; Brittany Marble; Undergraduate Student; no salary support

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01409
CRIS Number: 0211833

Fungal Pathogenesis and Development of New Anti-fungal Drugs.

Investigators: Johnson, D. I.

Performing Department: Molecular Genetics and Microbiology -- 2162

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2009
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Community Development and Applied Economics

Project Number: VT-H01104
CRIS Number: 0201427

Identifying Paths of Learning and Farming Decisions of Multi-stage Organic Farmers in Vermont

Investigators: Liang, C.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2005 to 09/30/2006
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
This project focused on identifying organic farmers based on seven typologies from exploring stage to established stage. Some key questions included why how farmers became interested in organic farming, why they wanted to be engaged in organic farming, and how they made decisions. More than 1200 questionanires had been mailed to Vermont farmers in various production catagories. More than 200 farm surveys were returned and provided sufficient information for analysis. The redults of the survey included farm profiles, current situation in farming practices, factors influcing farmers' decisions on organic practices and farmers' perspectives on organic practices.

Publications:
Liang, C. and Dunn, P. (2007). (2007 Outstanding Paper Award). Exploring the Myths of Optimism and Realism in Entrepreneurship Related to Expectations and Outcomes, Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference, Proceedings, October.

Liang, Chyi-lyi (Kathleen) and Dunn, Paul. (2007). Multiple Aspects of Triggering Factors in New Venture Creation: Internal Drivers, External Forces and Indirect Motivation, Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 19, No. 1, March. Liang, K. and Dunn, P. (2007). Optimism, Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Personal/Family Experiences in New Venture Creation, Proceedings, US Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, January.

Outcomes/Impacts:
The survey results show that most farmers who adopt organic practices were concerned with the environment, health concerns, and personal philosophy. The reasons why farmers chose not to be certified organic varied considerably. The most common reasons appeared to be the time and costs involved in organic production, and market and price reasons, meaning that for some producers there was little or no additional benefit to become organic. Some producers indicated that the organic price for their product was no different than the conventional price (for example goat's milk). Some more concerns involved transition issues and disagreement with the guidelines. Extension can use this information on producers' motivations to bolster its education and outreach efforts, especially targeting farmers who are considering transition to organic production. For example, knowing that organic producers are motivated by health and safety concerns suggests that Extension could focus efforts in this area. One vegetable farmer proposed having a one-stop, easy-to-understand source for information on fertilizers and chemicals, and the benefits and dangers of each. With such a resource interested farmers could easily compare choices available to them. The results also show that a substantial portion of uncertified Vermont producers are interested in becoming certified organic. These producers may be seeking information on organic production and transition and they will need to make a decision eventually: to be organic or not. These producers who are faced with such a decision would especially benefit from Extension efforts to provide them with useful information.

Participants:
Bob Parsons, UVM Extension, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, Burlington, Vermont 05405 Qingbin Wang, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, Burlington, Vermont 05405

Target Audiences:
farmers in general Extension services professional service providers in agriculture policy makers other researchers

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01110IR
CRIS Number: 0201430

Organic dairy farming in Vermont: Profitability analysis and educational programs

Investigators: Parsons, R. L., Wang, Q., Rogers, G., Kauppila, D.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2004 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
This project benefits organic dairy farmers, transitioning dairy farmers, and dairy farmers thinking about moving to organic production. This being the first economic study of a growing ag sector provides vital economic information that farmers can incorporate into their budgeting and planning. The conclusions are: First, this study found that the average organic dairy farm did have a taxable income but was not profitable enough to provide an adequate return for the owner's labor and no return on the farm's investment in cows, land, and equipment. Second, the study confirmed that profits for organic dairy farms declined 42% since 1999! This finding supports farmers' claims that profits were down and a higher milk price was needed. Third, this study found that with record high milk prices, conventional farms did better than the average organic dairy farm in 2004. But when we examined 2003, we found that organic dairy farms had nearly identical net farm revenue as conventional dairy farms.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01215
CRIS Number: 0205290

Locally grown food: Consumer preference, retailer attitudes and marketing strategies

Investigators: Wang, Q., Parsons, R., Timmons, D.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
While agriculture means business for the state of Vermont, many farmers and rural communities in the state are facing serious problems and challenges due to fluctuating prices and increasing production costs for many Vermont farm products. This project presents an ongoing effort at the VT-AES for helping Vermont farmers enhance their profitability through more direct sales of local food. Increasing local food in our food system also contribute to protecting our working landscape and improving our environment quality and food safety. The project has focused on the analysis of two surveys conducted in 2006: (1) a Vermont farmer market survey and (2) a survey of Vermont farmstands. Both surveys have collected primary data for analyzing these two important marketing channels for local food.

Publications:
Timmons, D., Q. Wang and D. Lass. 2007. Local foods: Estimating capacity. Journal of Extension (In press).

Timmons, D. 2006. Local food in Vermont: Mixed messages. Vermont Commons (April 2006).

Timmons, D. 2006. Vermont's farmers' markets: What spells success? Agriview (November): 6-7.

Outcomes/Impacts:
As increasing local food in our food system becomes an important strategy for dealing with many problems such as food safety and environmental quality, this research has provided useful information regarding how to measure local food, the major factors for the variation in direct sales of food from farmers to consumers across regions, contributions of local food, potentials and limitations of alternative direct marketing channels such as farmer markets and farmstands, etc. This study has also derived economic and policy recommendations regarding how to promote local foods.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01217
CRIS Number: 0205355

The Tragedy of the Non-commons in Vermont's Forests, Watersheds and Agriculture

Investigators: Farley, J. C.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
Economics concerns the allocation of scarce resources among alternative desirable ends, and has traditionally emphasized the production and consumption of human made goods and services. Over the past 200 years, human made goods and services have become increasingly abundant, while the vital goods and services produced by healthy ecosystems have become increasingly scarce. Most ecosystem services have specific, objectively identifiable physical characteristics that lead to inefficient allocation in market economies. The goal of this project is to develop and test a theoretical framework that identifies appropriate mechanisms for allocating different resources based on the physical characteristics of those resources. I have completed a Delphi Survey to define a consensus on the productive uses of Vermont's forests and how they should be managed to achieve then, and a landowner survey to determine what incentives and policies would best convince forest landowners to manage their forests to these standards. Survey results have been published in one masters thesis, and two other masters students are analyzing results for their theses. I expect at least 4 journal articles from these theses. Two other papers discussing the tragedy of the non-commons have been accepted for publication by Environmental Management pending minor revision. To disseminate results, I accepted 13 invitations to present this research in a wide variety of venues, ranging from academic conferences to business and public forums. Five of these presentations were keynotes or plenary addresses. I have also presented two papers on this research at the US Society for Ecological Economics Conference. Next year I will be incorporating research results into the 2nd edition of the textbook in Ecological Economics I co-authored with Herman Daly and into another co-authored book on Restoring Natural Capital: Valuation and Finance. I will also be integrating the results into a project on Assessment and Research Infrastructure for Ecosystem Services, funded by NSF, for which I am the lead economist.

Publications:
Farley, J. and E. Gaddis. (2007) An ecological economic assessment of restoration. In J. Aronson, S. Milton and J. Blignaut. Restoring Natural Capital: Science, Business and Practice. Island Press: Washington, DC.

Farley, J., E. Gaddis, W. Rees and K. VanDis. (2007) Our global footprint: Managing global public goods. In J. Aronson, S. Milton and J. Blignaut. Restoring Natural Capital: Science, Business and Practice. Island Press: Washington, DC.

Outcomes/Impacts:
The major conclusion of my research is that resources which are not depleted through use (known as non-rival resources) are becoming increasingly important, yet our economic system fails to allocate them efficiently. For example, the Delphi survey found unanimous agreement that Vermont's forests should be managed for ecosystem services, but market forces provide little incentive to do so. In terms of policies for promoting the protection of ecosystem services, landowners favored reduced taxes on land that provides such services (82%) and improved education about ecosystem services and the land uses that provide them (72%); few favored the status quo (18%) or regulations on land use with fines for non-compliance (14%). This research should help Vermont develop appropriate policies for enticing landowners to manage forest land for critically important ecological benefits.My research on the economics of information, a resource that improves through use, has revealed two examples of serious inefficiencies stemming from private property rights. Indonesia has sold a strain of avian flu virus to a private corporation that hopes to develop a vaccine, which prevents other firms from using the genetic information in the strain. One firm has less chance of finding a cure than many firms would have. Once a cure is found, it will patented, and prices will ration use to those who can afford it, creating artificial scarcity and increasing the chance of a global pandemic.In a second example, 2006 witnessed the greatest depletion of the ozone layer to date, as China and India increase their use of the ozone depleting HCFCs by 35% per year. Prices are used to ration the use of patented non-ozone depleting compounds, aggravating the problem. Understanding the inefficiencies of private property rights to non-rival resources will help us develop a new economic system better adapted to solving the critical problems we currently face. Beneficiaries of such a fundamental change will include all those who suffer from ecological problems caused by the existing economic paradigm.

Participants:
Jessica Massanari, a masters student in CDAE who finished in summer, 2007, helped to design, conduct and analyze both the Delphi and the landowner surveys, and was first author on two articles to be submitted to peer reviewed journals for publication. Marta Ceroni, PhD, a collaborator from the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics also helped to design, conduct and analyze both the Delphi and the landowner surveys, and is also a co-author of the two articles.

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01219
CRIS Number: 0205785

Assessing the Interaction Between Low-Income Consumers and Fresh Produce Providers

Investigators: Gregory, L. D.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2005 Termination Date: 09/30/2007
Reporting period: 10/01/2005 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Final Report:
The project focuses on the marketing, availability, and consumption of fresh produce and low-income consumers. The results will be shared with WIC and published to add to the literature on social marketing and nutrition. Data was collected from 1) a survey of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition clients, 2) a survey of Vermonters (Vermonter Poll), 2) receipts collected from a sample of the WIC survey respondents, 3) a focus group of those select WIC survey respondents, and 4) interviews of a select group of WIC participants. In addition, pricing information was collected from a select sample of local produce providers. Information will be disseminated to WIC administrators through a report of finding, to the marketing community and the communication community through publication, and to producers of media focusing on healthy eating among low-income consumers. In the future, results from this study will inform research on the provisions given to participants and their use, the formulation of messages that move beyond information to persuasion, and the creation of a Healthy U program illustrating nutritional choices for low-income consumers.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Research results indicate that WIC participants appear to have adequate levels of nutritional knowledge and have varying reasons for not operationalizing this information thought they believe it to be helpful. In addition, it was found that, while organic fresh produce is not generally affordable, non-organic varieties are both readily available and affordable. In comparison to those taking the Vermonter Poll, the WIC participants reported similar attitudes towards nutrition. However, behavioral measures of a small sample of WIC participants reveals that attitudes are not reflected in purchasing behaviors. Further investigation revealed that providing sweets and sodas is not only easier, but serves as a

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01309
CRIS Number: 0208668

Profitability and Transitional Analysis of Vermont Organic Dairy Farms: Identifying Key Factors for Success

Investigators: Parsons, R. L., Wang, Q.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/30/2008
Reporting period: / / to / /
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01310
CRIS Number: 0208831

A Process Approach to Closing the Digital Divide in Vermont: Situation Analysis

Investigators: Gregory, L. D., Schmidt, F.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2006 Termination Date: 09/29/2008
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
This project lays the foundation for a process approach to closing the digital divide in Vermont. It is designed to be a platform from which future stategic planning related to e-commerce can be done. In particular, researchers will be continuing to evaluate Broadband outreach programs and networks as they pertain to agriculture entrepreneurs, as well as to explore perceptions of Broadband among this key sector of Vermont's economy. Significant accomplishments and outputs that contribute to these goals are 1) the evaluation of the Broadband Roadshow as a tool for diffusion of Broadband and 2) the identification of key data points necessary for any successful evaluation effort: networks and attitudes. Results have been disseminated through presentations to key stakeholders and research networks. Publications are planned but must await additional research. Important activities for next year will be 1) to longitudinally evaluate the impact of the Broadband Roadshow, 2) to determine through survey and interview methods Agriculture Entrepreneurs' perceptions of Broadband and the barriers to adoption, and 3) to map the online communication network of this key sector.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
Findings from the first year indicated that the Broadband Roadshow was an effective tool for informing its target audience of the possibilities of Broadband adoption in a state as rural as Vermont. The evaluation raised questions regarding the behavioral impact and longitudinal effects of the Roadshow, as well as the limitation of the data gathered in predicting adoption behavior and in understanding communication networks that would support sustained adoption. The gap in Broadband adoption (aka the digital divide) could potentially be an economic constraint on Vermont's agricultural sector. Results from this research can serve as a process approach to closing the divide, can inform policy makers interested in the equitable distribution of Broadband infrastructure, and most importantly can provide crucial insights for strategic communication in the successful adoption and use of Broadband technology by this target sector. Those potentially benefiting include individuals and organizations in the Agriculture Entrepreneur sector, those who fund and supply that target sector, and those reliant on the health of this industry. Given the nature of the Vermont economy, that is a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations. These stakeholder's need assistance because of the increasingly competitive nature of the agriculture sector across Vermont, the Northeast, and the US. Opening online markets may be one way to extend business opportunities globally for those agricultural entrepreneurs making Vermont their home.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01404
CRIS Number: 0211919

Health Capital as Measured by Obesity in Single Headed Female Households.

Investigators: Kolodinsky, J.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 09/30/2010
Reporting period: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2007
Report was submitted to CRIS.

Outputs:
The literature is being reviwed for relevant updates. The American Time Use Survey is being examined. Modeling has begun.

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
This project will help identify how time use issues in low income households affect the formation of health capital in the form of a healty weight.

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

Project Number: VT-H01406
CRIS Number: 0211831

Where Does Vermont Milk Go? Examining Distribution of Vermont Milk From Transportation and Economics Perspective.

Investigators: Liang, C.

Performing Department: Community Development and Applied Economics -- 6089

Start Date: 10/01/2007 Termination Date: 10/01/2010
Reporting period: 10/01/2005 to 09/30/2006
No Report has been entered.

Outputs:
(No Report narrative.)

Publications:
(None)

Outcomes/Impacts:
(Outcomes/Impacts narrative has not been entered.)

Participants:
(Participants have not been entered.)

Target Audiences:
(Target Audiences have not been entered.)

Project Modifications:
(Project Modifications have not been entered.)

46 reports