Research & Scientific Publications - Page 13
The Land Institute’s work advances research and agricultural scientific knowledge and is conducted in an innovative yet rigorous professional context. Explore our findings and ideas via articles authored or co-authored by members of our staff and published in research and peer-reviewed journals.
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Diversity and abundance of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungus spores in tropical forest and pasture
As Neotropical forests are increasingly converted to agriculture (especially pastures), little is known about the impacts on microbial biodiversity. To assess such impacts, I compared spore abundance and diversity of…
Potential conservation of biomass in the production of synthetic organics
Abstract: Hydrocarbon intermediates typical of the chemical industry are an inefficient route for the production of synthetic organics from biomass. This is demonstrated by stoichiometric calculations of mass losses of…
Variation in Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illioensis (Michaux) MacMillan): A potential perennial grain legume
Abstract: Illinois bundleflower, Desmanthus illinoensis (Michaux) MacMillan, is an herbaceous perennial legume native to the central and southeastern USA. It has been identified as a potential perennial grain legume. To…
Developing high seed yielding perennial polycultures as a mimic of mid-grass prairie
Abstract: Over the past two decades, work at The Land Institute has aimed to develop sustainable farming as a functional mimic of mid-grass prairie. Ecological studies of unploughed prairie suggested…
From genomes to ecosystems to human communities
Abstract: Genomes can be regarded as miniature ecosystems which display many of the same characteristics as that of a prairie or forest ecosystem. Human communities may likewise have characteristics common…
Composition of prairie plant communities on productive versus unproductive sites in wet and dry years
The diverse community structure and different types of resource use by plant species contribute to the persistence and resilience of the prairie ecosystem. Download PDF
Predicting evolutionary consequences of greater reproductive effort in Tripsacum dactyloides, a perennial grass
To test the prediction that a mutation causing greater reproductive effort will result in reduced vegetative vigor, we compared the seed production, growth, and carbohydrate status of normal and pistillate…
Seed yield and biomass allocation in Sorghum bicolor and F1 and backcross generations of S. bicolor x S. halepense hybrids
The Land Institute is developing perennial grains to be grown in prairie-like mixtures. One approach involves the development of a perennial grain sorghum by crossing tetraploid Sorghum bicolor with wild…
Illinois Bundleflower: Prospects For A Perennial Seed Crop
Presented Aug. 5, 1990 Published 1992 Abstract: Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacM., Fabaceae) is a warm-season perennial legume of the North American grass-lands. It is rated by some as…
Size structure and seed yield over 4 years in an experimental Cassia marilandica (Leguminosae) population
Abstract: An experimental population of a perennial species, Cassia marilandica, was monitored for 4 years to examine changes in size structure and seed production over time. Plants flowered and set…
Comparison of Monoecious and Gynomonoecious Eastern Gamagrass Breeding Systems for Foliar Disease Susceptibility and Agronomic Traits
Abstract: The discovery of a gynomonoecious sex form (GSF) of eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) has greatly increased our expectations for high seed yield from this species. Reported estimates range from…
Prospects for Domesticating Illinois Bundleflower
Introduction Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacM.) is a warm season perennial legume of the North American grasslands. Native stands occur in a variety of habitats, including rocky open ground,…