Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia: Banksiophoma australiensis (incl. Banksiophoma gen. nov.) on Banksia coccinea, Davidiellomyces australiensis (incl. Davidiellomyces gen. nov.) on Cyperaceae, Didymocyrtis banksiae on Banksia sessilis var. cygnorum, Disculoides calophyllae on Corymbia calophylla, Harknessia banksiae on Banksia sessilis, Harknessia banksiae-repens on Banksia repens, Harknessia banksiigena on Banksia sessilis var. cygnorum, Harknessia communis on Podocarpus sp., Harknessia platyphyllae on Eucalyptus platyphylla, Myrtacremonium eucalypti (incl. Myrtacremonium gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus globulus, Myrtapenidiella balenae on Eucalyptus sp., Myrtapenidiella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus sp., Myrtapenidiella pleurocarpae on Eucalyptus pleurocarpa, Paraconiothyrium hakeae on Hakea sp., Paraphaeosphaeria xanthorrhoeae on Xanthorrhoea sp., Parateratosphaeria stirlingiae on Stirlingia sp., Perthomyces podocarpi (incl. Perthomyces gen. nov.) on Podocarpus sp., Readeriella ellipsoidea on Eucalyptus sp., Rosellinia australiensis on Banksia grandis, Tiarosporella corymbiae on Corymbia calophylla, Verrucoconiothyrium eucalyptigenum on Eucalyptus sp., Zasmidium commune on Xanthorrhoea sp., and Zasmidium podocarpi on Podocarpus sp. Brazil: Cyathus aurantogriseocarpus on decaying wood, Perenniporia brasiliensis on decayed wood, Perenniporia paraguyanensis on decayed wood, and Pseudocercospora leandrae-fragilis on Leandra fragilis. Chile: Phialocephala cladophialophoroides on human toe nail. Costa Rica: Psathyrella striatoannulata from soil. Czech Republic: Myotisia cremea (incl. Myotisia gen. nov.) on bat droppings. Ecuador: Humidicutis dictiocephala from soil, Hygrocybe macrosiparia from soil, Hygrocybe sangayensis from soil, and Polycephalomyces onorei on stem of Etlingera sp. France: Westerdykella centenaria from soil. Hungary: Tuber magentipunctatum from soil. India: Ganoderma mizoramense on decaying wood, Hodophilus indicus from soil, Keratinophyton turgidum in soil, and Russula arunii on Pterigota alata. Italy: Rhodocybe matesina from soil. Malaysia: Apoharknessia eucalyptorum, Harknessia malayensis, Harknessia pellitae, and Peyronellaea eucalypti on Eucalyptus pellita, Lectera capsici on Capsicum annuum, and Wallrothiella gmelinae on Gmelina arborea. Morocco: Neocordana musigena on Musa sp. New Zealand: Candida rongomai-pounamu on agaric mushroom surface, Candida vespimorsuum on cup fungus surface, Cylindrocladiella vitis on Vitis vinifera, Foliocryphia eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus sp., Ramularia vacciniicola on Vaccinium sp., and Rhodotorula ngohengohe on bird feather surface. Poland: Tolypocladium fumosum on a caterpillar case of unidentified Lepidoptera. Russia: Pholiotina longistipitata among moss. Spain: Coprinopsis pseudomarcescibilis from soil, Eremiomyces innocentii from soil, Gyroporus pseudocyanescens in humus, Inocybe parvicystis in humus, and Penicillium parvofructum from soil. Unknown origin: Paraphoma rhaphiolepidis on Rhaphioleps...

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Non-destructive biomass estimation of vegetation has been performed via remote sensing as well as physical measurements. An effective method for estimating biomass must have accuracy comparable to the accepted standard of destructive removal. Estimation or measurement of height is commonly employed to create a relationship between height and mass. This study examined several types of ground-based mobile sensing strategies for forage biomass estimation. Forage production experiments consisting of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were employed to examine sensor biomass estimation (laser, ultrasonic, and spectral) as compared to physical measurements (plate meter and meter stick) and the traditional harvest method (clipping). Predictive models were constructed via partial least squares regression and modeled estimates were compared to the physically measured biomass. Least significant difference separated mean estimates were examined to evaluate differences in the physical measurements and sensor estimates for canopy height and biomass. Differences between methods were minimal (average percent error of 11.2% for difference between predicted values versus machine and quadrat harvested biomass values (1.64 and 4.91 t·ha−1, respectively), except at the lowest measured biomass (average percent error of 89% for harvester and quad harvested biomass < 0.79 t·ha−1) and greatest measured biomass (average percent error of 18% for harvester and quad harvested biomass >6.4 t·ha−1). These data suggest that using mobile sensor-based biomass estimation models could be an effective alternative to the traditional clipping method for rapid, accurate in-field biomass estimation.

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is a man-made species developed by crossing wheat (Triticum spp.) and rye (Secale cereale L.). It incorporates favorable alleles from both progenitor species (wheat and rye), enabling adaptation to environments that are less favorable for wheat yet providing better biomass yield and forage quality. Triticale has huge potential for both grain and forage production, though research to improve the crop for better adaptation and grain quality is lagging behind that of other small grains. It is also gaining popularity as a cover crop to improve soil health and reduce nutrient leaching. Because of its genetic and flower structure, triticale is suitable for both line and hybrid breeding methods. Advances in the areas of molecular biology and the wealth of genomic resources from both wheat and rye can be exploited for triticale improvement. Gene mapping and genomic selection will facilitate triticale breeding by increasing selection precision and reducing time and cost. The objectives of this review are to summarize current triticale production status, breeding, and genetics research achievements and to highlight gaps for future research.

Increasing desire for renewable energy sources has increased research on biomass energy crops in marginal areas with low potential for food and fiber crop production. In this study, experiments were established on low phosphorus (P) soils in southern Oklahoma, USA to determine switchgrass biomass yield, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient removal responses to P and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. Four P rates (0, 15, 30, and 45 kg Pha −1 ) and two N fertilizer rates (0 and 135 kg Nha −1 ) were evaluated at two locations (Ardmore and Waurika) for 3 years. While P fertilization had no effect on yield at Ardmore, application of 45 kg Pha −1 increased yield at Waurika by 17% from 10.5 to 12.3 Mg ha −1 . Across P fertilizer rates, N fertilizer application increased yields every year at both locations. In Ardmore, non-N-fertilized switchgrass produced 3.9, 6.7, and 8.8 Mg ha −1 , and N-fertilized produced 6.6, 15.7, and 16.6 Mg ha −1 in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. At Waurika, corresponding yields were 7.9, 8.4, and 12.2 Mg ha −1 and 10.0, 12.1, and 15.9 Mg ha −1 . Applying 45 kg Pha −1 increased biomass N, and P concentration and N, P, potassium, and magnesium removal at both locations. Increased removal of nutrients with N fertilization was due to both increased biomass and biomass nutrient concentrations. In soils of generally low fertility and low plant available P, application of P fertilizer at 45 kg Pha −1 was beneficial for increasing biomass yields. Addition of N fertilizer improves stand establishment and biomass production on low P sites.

There is a need to identify alternative uses for composted manure applications. The objectives in this study were to 1) document the effect of composted dairy manure on soil agronomic characteristics, and 2) evaluate tall wheatgrass yield response to six rates of composted dairy manure. A field trial with a split-plot randomized complete block design and four replications was initiated on a Windthorst sandy loam soil (Udic Paleustalfs) in north-central Texas near Stephenville in September of 2001. Main plots were 1 by 7 m and received a single application of composted manure prior to planting Tall wheatgrass at 17 kg ha-1. Composted dairy manure rates of 0, 11.2, 22.4, 44.8, 89.6, and 179.2 Mg dry matter (DM) ha-1 of a commercial source were applied. Subplots were 1 by 3.5 m and received annual split applications of 224 or 336 kg N ha-1 yr-1. Application of compost improved or increased soil OM, soil pH, soil infiltration, soil P levels, and soil K levels, which, in turn increased tall wheatgrass DM yields (by 96% at the greatest rate compared to the control in 2002-03 and by 58% in 2003-04) yielding up to 9536 kg DM ha-1 in 2002-03 and 6097 kg DM ha-1 in 2003-04. Compost also increased the concentration of forage P (by 56 and 64%) and K (by 40 and 29%) at the greatest compost rate in 2002-03 and 2003-4, respectively. Tall wheatgrass responded to improved soil fertility, and could be utilized to grow forage of high nutritive value (up to 231 g CP kg-1 for the greatest compost rate in 2002-03, a 11.6% increase over the control, and a 9.5% increase, 175 g CP kg-1 , in 2003-04).

Biomass demand for energy will lead to utilization of marginal, low fertility soil. Application of fertilizer to such soil may increase switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass production. In this three-way factorial field experiment, biomass yield response to potassium (K) fertilizer (0 and 68 kgK ha −1) on nitrogen (N)-sufficient and N-deficient switchgrass (0 and 135 kgNha −1) was evaluated under two harvest systems. Harvest system included harvesting once per year after frost (December) and twice per year in summer (July) at boot stage and subsequent regrowth after frost. Under the one-cut system, there was no response to N or K only (13.4 Mgha −1) compared to no fertilizer (12.4 Mgha −1). Switchgrass receiving both N and K (14.6 Mgha −1) produced 18 % greater dry matter (DM) yield compared to no fertilizer check. Under the two-cut harvest system, N only (16.0 Mgha −1) or K only (14.1 Mgha −1) fertilizer produced similar DM to no fertilizer (15.1 Mgha −1). Switchgrass receiving both N and K in the two-cut system (19.2 Mgha −1) produced the greatest (P< 0.05) DM yield, which was 32 % greater than switchgrass receiving both N and K in the one-cut system. Nutrient removal (biomass×nutrient concentration) was greatest in plots receiving both N and K, and the two-cut system had greater nutrient removal than the one-cut system. Based on these results, harvesting only once during winter months reduces nutrient removal in harvested biomass and requires less inorganic fertilizer for sustained yields from year to year compared to two-cut system.

Grazing warm‐season grass pastures with stocker cattle (Bos taurus) is an important economic activity in the southern Great Plains, and substantial increases in the price of N fertilizer have negatively affected profitability of forage producers. The goal of the study was to determine if bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures interseeded with either annual or perennial legumes are more profitable than the conventional method of fertilizing with 112 kg N ha−1 commercial fertilizer. A completely randomized design grazing study was conducted in south‐central Oklahoma during the spring and summer months of 2008, 2009, and 2010. Preconditioned stocker cattle (260 ± 47 kg head−1) were randomly assigned to pastures (1.42 ± 0.10 ha; three replicates per system) at 2.32 ± 0.40 animals ha−1, beginning when measured standing forage reached 2000 kg ha−1 and grazing continuously until forage mass declined to 1000 kg ha−1. Results of the 3‐yr grazing study show that under continuous stocking for the growing conditions common to the south‐central Great Plains, the legume systems could not compete economically with the common practice of fertilizing bermudagrass pastures with synthetic inorganic N fertilizer. Results are most sensitive to number of grazing days, price of N, and prices of legume seed.