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The life history of the cup plant leaf miner, Microrhopala laetula LeConte, in eastern South Dakota is briefly described, and the species is reported from the state for the first time. A confounding taxonomic history with M. vittata (Fabricius) restricted recognition of host plant specialization and beetle identity. Adult M. laetula overwinter and become active with mating and oviposition occurring with host plant emergence. Eggs are deposited abaxially and adaxially on leaf tips. Larvae are miners, forming a large blotch style mine, with all mesophyllic and vascular tissues consumed, resulting in most to all of a leaf dying. Pupation occurs within the leaf mine. The larva and pupa of M. laetula are compared to that of M. vittata including an ANOVA test based on morphological measurements,supporting a heuristic inference of three larval instars in M. laetula. The beetle's phytophagous impact on its host cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum (L.), can significantly reduce photosynthetic potential and biomass production through leaf loss in its first 4-6 weeks of growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium perfoliatum L., cup plant, has potential as a new multi-purpose crop. It is pollinator-friendly and has biodiversity enhancement, conservation, economic, and medical potential. In eastern South Dakota, S. perfoliatum can produce more than 20 Mg (million grams) ha-1 of biomass and 0.09 Mg ha-1 of seed in agronomic plantings. The giant eucosma moth, Eucosma giganteana (Riley), is a major pest of agronomic S. perfoliatum in the region. We provide a summary of this insect and its association with its host. Our experimental objectives were to determine if the frequency of rhizome occupation by late instar larvae and if their final prepupal size were influenced by plant genetic or environmental effects. In October 2009, several individual plants from each of 32 half-sib families were removed from the field. Rhizomes, proaxes, and shoots were examined for the presence of larvae. Each larva was counted and measured for total length, width, thoracic tergite length, head length, and head width. Significant differences were found among half-sib families and between locations for frequency of shoot infestation, degree of crown and rhizome feeding, number of larvae per shoot, and larval morphometrics. The parasitoid Bracon cf. mellitor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was found parasitizing larvae feeding in floral meristems, but no parasitism was found in larvae in the crown or rhizomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of drip irrigation on the activity of enzymes (rhodanese and arylsulphatase) participating at cycling sulphur in soil and content of total sulphur and sulphate (VI) in soil under crops cup plant. The research material was derived from an experiment located at Kruszyn Krajeński in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz. The main factor of the experiment was irrigation at following variants: O -- without irrigation (control plots), D -- with drip irrigation. The plant material was made up by plants seedlings from micropropagation. The amount of sulphur available for plants, in the soil investigated for control plots was, on average, 7.62 mg·kg-1 and for the irrigation plots it was similar 5.88 mg·kg-1, which, according to the soil richness with sulphur S-SO42- classifies it as the soil of its average content and growing cereals requires supplementary fertilisation with sulphur. There was shown a high sensitivity of arylsulphatase on the changes in soil moisture and a greater stability in the activity of rhodanese on that factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the optimal factors needed for establishing an effective protocol for propagation of the cup plant. This species can be applied in medicine, animal feeding, and as a decorative, apiarian energy-producing and fitoremediation plant. Currently, there is no sufficient sowing material in Poland that would do justice to the present attempts at propagating this species in in vitro growth cultures. As explants were used cotyledonary and leaf fragments with petioles, which were placed onto MS media supplemented with BAP in combination with IAA, ABA, NAA; and onto MS medium fortified with KIN and 2,4 -- for callus and shoot bud initiation. The most efficient callus proliferation reported was on MS medium incorporated with various concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinins such as BAP (10 mg dm-3) + NAA (1.0 mg dm-3), BAP (0.5 mg dm-3) + 2,4-D (1.0 mg dm-3) + IAA (1.0 mg dm-3) + NAA (1.0 mg dm-3). The adventitious shoots formed from both the tested explants. It was found that the highest frequency of explants forming shoots were induced on MS medium containing BAP (5.0 mg dm-3) + IAA (0.05 mg dm-3) and KIN (0.2 mg dm-3) + IAA (2.0 mg dm-3), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial crops can be used as renewable resource but only rare information concerning their site-specific biomass production are available. Also, their yield stability as well as the quality of the produced biomass, whether for energetic or material utilisation, is relatively unknown. Perennial crops offer several ecological benefits such as protection of soil and waterbodies, long flowering and cover for wild animals during winter. Most of these crops have a high yield potential and are – after planting and establishing is completed – labour efficient to cultivate. Concerning climate change and the presumed higher risk of extreme weather conditions, perennial crops might be a good supplement to common annual crops. The aim of a Bavarian project, started 2014, is to evaluate several perennial crops at six Bavarian sites with varying soils and climatic conditions. Cup plant ( Silphium perfoliatum ), sida ( Sida hermaphrodita ), tall wheatgrass ( Agropyron elongatum ), switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) and miscanthus ( Miscanthus x giganteus ) are cultivated in field trials in 100 m 2 plots and four replications. The annual crops maize and rye are similarly grown as references. Besides plant development and yield measurement, the potential methane yield and/or fuel properties will be determined to assess the quality and suitability of these crops for different usages. Trials concerning cultivation techniques and weed control complement the agricultural investigations. Ecological aspects of perennial cropping will be evaluated by measuring carbon levels in the soil as well as stocking rates of earthworms used as indicator for changes in soil biota as a result of perennial crop cultivation. Yield and quality results from foregoing trials for the various crops and first data of the now started field trials will be presented. The data and experiences will allow detailed consulting of farmers who are interested in increasing the biodiversity in their fields and minimising their climate-caused production risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]