Duties as
Research Associate includes working as primary researcher on certain projects and
assisting others on their projects. Studies currently being conducted include Pierce’s Disease of grapevines, Total
Nitrogen Determination of rice plant tissue, and a Rice Project which is a
field scale study of carbon, water, and energy flow in irrigated rice.
- The Pierce’s Disease of grapevine study
concerns leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), the vectors of the casual agent, Xylella
fastidiosa. This study involves travel through-out the state to numerous grape
vineyards. At each vineyard, transects are laid out in each quadrant for sweep net and
sticky card placement. Captured leafhoppers are collected and later identified as to genus
and species. Data from this study will provide valuable information as to population sizes
and movements of those leafhoppers known to be vectors of Pierce’s disease.
- Total nitrogen determination of rice plant
tissue, including roots, culms, leaves, and panicles, involved extensive literature review
and experimentation. To determine total nitrogen in plant tissue it is necessary to first
break down organic nitrogen. This is achieved utilizing an alkaline potassium persulfate
digestion described by Purcell and King (1996). After digestion, the resulting nitrates
are reduced to nitrites using a cadmium mediated reduction similar to that described by
Vodovotz (1996). Nitrites are then quantified using the Griess assay.
- The rice project involves design and layout
of research plots and collecting data concerning the growth and development of various
rice genotypes. Data collected includes leaf and tiller measurements, chlorophyll content
of leaves (measured in SPAD units), and samples taken for total nitrogen determination and
total non-structural carbohydrates.
- Additional duties include hiring and
training of student workers and procuring any and all equipment necessary for field and
laboratory work.
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