|
|
|
ON THE COVER
Gerardo Boquin, research assistant in the Department of Entomology, checks a mosquito trap. The cooler hanging next to the trap contains dry ice, which helps attract the insects. See article entitled ‘Operation Mosquito’ Fights Bites. Photo by John Wozniak. |
| in this issue |
|
| Which Came First? Egg or Insulin The LSU AgCenter has licensed technology to a start-up biotechnology company to produce a precursor for the drug insulin in chicken eggs. This technology was developed by Richard Cooper, a professor in the Department of Veterinary Science. |
| [Image: Raquel Gleiser]Workshops Arm Parishes for Mosquito Battle Byrel Book, a Beauregard Parish police juror, started out as a skeptic at a West Nile virus/mosquito control workshop in Crowley, one of eight sessions held around the state sponsored by the LSU AgCenter this past April and May. When the session ended, though, Book said he was convinced of the need to seek funds to help fight the threat of the mosquito-borne virus. |
| [Image: Mosquito Conference]Ahead of the Curve on Mosquitoes As we headed into mosquito season in June 2002, the LSU AgCenter sponsored a one-day conference on mosquito-borne diseases. This was the first such conference ever hosted by the AgCenter and perhaps the first of its type in the country. Then, no one foresaw the severity of the West Nile virus to come. |
| Specialty Rices for Louisiana In the United States, all types of rice other than typical American long-, medium- and short-grain fall into the specialty category. Among these are aromatic rices, such as Jasmine and Basmati. Since these rices fit the specific needs of niche markets, they usually fetch a premium price. The demand for special purpose aromatic rice has increased dramatically in this country over the past two decades. |
| [Image: Clone]Graduate Student Produces First Cloned Cow From Frozen Egg Soon the portrait of another farm animal first will hang on the wall of the narrow hallway at the LSU AgCenter’s Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, located near St. Gabriel, La. |
| Valor: A New Herbicide for Managing Winter Vegetation in Louisiana Crops Conservation tillage systems, including no-till and stale seedbed, require successful control of native winter vegetation or planted cover crops before planting. Some winter vegetation is easy to control, such as annual bluegrass and common chickweed, while others are difficult, including curly dock and ryegrass. |
| Particleboard from Sugarcane Bagasse for Value-added Applications Finding a better way to use bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane production in Louisiana, is a key research interest of the LSU AgCenter. Disposal of this byproduct is so far inefficient. About 85 percent is used in-house as fuel in mill processes and for other low-value applications such as mulch and inexpensive ceiling tiles. The remaining 15 percent is waste that is allowed to decay or is landfilled. |
| 1 2 3 |
|
| [Image: Embryo Biotech Lab]Embryo Biotech Lab to Expand The LSU AgCenter’s Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, located at the St. Gabriel Research Station, is set for a facelift and some more space in 2003. The renovated facility should be ready for a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the first of 2004. |
| [Image: Morningglories]Weapons of Weed Destruction: Controlling Red Morningglory in Sugarcane Red morningglory is one of the more common and problematic weed pests found in Louisiana sugarcane fields. The traditional way to control it is to apply the herbicide atrazine in April or May when sugarcane is cultivated for the last time. The intent of this application is to eliminate weed competition until the crop is harvested beginning in September. |
| [Image: HoCP 96-540]New ‘540’ Sugarcane Variety Reduces Reliance The sugarcane industry has been playing a risky game in recent years because of its over reliance on the 10-year-old cane variety, LCP 85-384, which accounted for roughly 85 percent of Louisiana’s total sugarcane acreage last year. |
| [Image: Xueyan Sha]Scientists Ready Thai Jasmine Rice Competitor The industry leader is high-priced, perfumed and soft. It comes to America’s shores from Thailand with a name that hints of its marketing advantage.Khao Dawk Mali rice is the premium Thai Jasmine variety in the United States. So far, no American variety has matched its delicate taste, appearance or cooking characteristics, but an LSU AgCenter researcher is trying to produce such a variety. |
| [Image: Yuki]Cattlemen Pleased with Cloned Calf, Thanks to LSU AgCenter Research Though Dolly the famous Scottish sheep is no longer with us, the promise of cloning as another tool in the quest to produce perfect livestock animals remains strong. The LSU AgCenter just had a successful experience in cloning a genetically valuable cow. And the owner, Louisiana rancher David Pattridge, is pleased. |
| [Image: Cucumbers]Improving Cucumber Yields Following Nematode-resistant Tomatoes Root-knot nematode can cause significant losses in cucumber yield if not treated with nematicides. Considerable effort has been made to breed for nematode resistance in vegetable crops and was successful in tomatoes but not in cucumbers. Tomato cultivars resistant to root-knot nematodes have been developed and are an effective means of reducing tomato losses from this pest. Additional benefits include a residual effect that remains in the soil and protects following crops from nematode damage. |
| [Image: Figure 1]'Operation Mosquito' Fights Back The tropical and subtropical climate in Louisiana creates conditions that support mosquitoes year-round. Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but, more important, can transmit several diseases to people and domestic animals when biting for a blood meal. Louisiana is historically host to several viral mosquito-borne diseases such as St. Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis and LaCrosse-California encephalitis. |
| 1 2 3 |
|
|
|
|