No abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br) has the requisite characteristics for dry land production in the southeastern USA in comparison to the traditional grain crops while requiring less input. The purpose of this study was to identify the genotypes that produce the highest yield and seed quality at different rates of nitrogen. Four pearl millet genotypes (2304, LHB08, 606A1*2304 and 707A1*4280) were cultivated on secondary land and treated with 4 different nitrogen rates: 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha -1 . The genotypes were evaluated for agronomic parameters including booting, number of tillers, plant height, plant weight, number of heads, head length and yield. Nitrogen rate did not have any significant effect on the head length, number of tillers and plant (dry) weight among the genotypes. Plant height ranged between 96 and 111 cm and was significantly different among the genotypes. However, numerically, genotype LHB08 produced the longest heads (42 cm) and highest seed yield (6,159 kg ha -1 ) across all treatments. Overall, nitrogen rate did not produce significant difference in yield among the genotypes. Since grain yield obtained in this study is comparable to those reported elsewhere, it can be inferred that pearl millet has the potential as a new grain crop for the southeastern United States. Furthermore, results demonstrated that pearl millet can be grown with limited N-input. As N-fertilization is the major cost of producing any crop, pearl millet offers special opportunity for large number of limited resource farmers in the region.

The utility of USDA-developed Russian and varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), was compared with that of locally produced, commercial Italian bees during 2004-2006 in beekeeping operations in Alabama, USA. Infestations of varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson & Truman (Acari: Varroidae), were measured twice each year, and colonies that reached established economic treatment thresholds (one mite per 100 adult bees in late winter; 5-10 mites per 100 adult bees in late summer) were treated with acaricides. Infestations of tracheal mites, Acarapis woodi (Rennie) (Acari: Tarsonemidae), were measured autumn and compared with a treatment threshold of 20% mite prevalence. Honey production was measured in 2005 and 2006 for colonies that retained original test queens. Throughout the three seasons of measurement, resistant stocks required less treatment against parasitic mites than the Italian stock. The total percentages of colonies needing treatment against varroa mites were 12% of VSH, 24% of Russian, and 40% of Italian. The total percentages requiring treatment against tracheal mites were 1% of Russian, 8% of VSH and 12% of Italian. The average honey yield of Russian and VSH colonies was comparable with that of Italian colonies each year. Beekeepers did not report any significant behavioral problems with the resistant stocks. These stocks thus have good potential for use in nonmigratory beekeeping operations in the southeastern United States.

The utility of USDA-developed Russian and varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), was compared with that of locally produced, commercial Italian bees during 2004-2006 in beekeeping operations in Alabama, USA. Infestations of varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson & Truman (Acari: Varroidae), were measured twice each year, and colonies that reached established economic treatment thresholds (one mite per 100 adult bees in late winter; 5-10 mites per 100 adult bees in late summer) were treated with acaricides. Infestations of tracheal mites, Acarapis woodi (Rennie) (Acari: Tarsonemidae), were measured autumn and compared with a treatment threshold of 20% mite prevalence. Honey production was measured in 2005 and 2006 for colonies that retained original test queens. Throughout the three seasons of measurement, resistant stocks required less treatment against parasitic mites than the Italian stock. The total percentages of colonies needing treatment against varroa mites were 12% of VSH, 24% of Russian, and 40% of Italian. The total percentages requiring treatment against tracheal mites were 1% of Russian, 8% of VSH and 12% of Italian. The average honey yield of Russian and VSH colonies was comparable with that of Italian colonies each year. Beekeepers did not report any significant behavioral problems with the resistant stocks. These stocks thus have good potential for use in nonmigratory beekeeping operations in the southeastern United States.

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