Agriculture section. (Senior Division 2002).

*Aide, M.T. and Z. Pavich. Department of Geosciences. Southeast Missouri State University. SPODIC HORIZON DEVELOPMENT IN WISCONSIN SPODOSOLS. Spodosols are soils commonly located in the northern Great Lake States and having a spodic horizon. Spodic horizons are depicted as having an accumulation of Al, supposedly formed by downward leaching organic complexes. The purpose of this study was to determine if elements other than Al and Fe are chelated by soil organic matter and illuviated to deeper soil horizons. We present evidence that the rare earth elements are slightly concentrated in the spodic horizon and that these elements are concentrated by the same soil processes responsible for Al migration.

Madzura, T. University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, Columbia. INTERNET INFORMATION- A TOOL FOR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT. There is a critical need for information on the relative designs, plans, implementation and evaluation measures used to restore or rehabilitate water pollution sources. Working together with University Extension personnel, state, federal and non-governmental agencies, the Missouri Watershed Information Network (MoWIN) will plan and implement regional training workshops in Missouri. Workshops will include ways to find key elements for developing watershed restoration action strategies, source water protection plans, total maximum daily loads and water quality management plans. Target audiences will include landowners, land managers, locally led watershed alliances, decision and policy makers, educators, researchers, or volunteers. Pre-surveys will be conducted to determine the extent of watershed activities and/or education and information requirements. Using a watershed approach to resto re the environment fosters a coordinated and efficient implementation effort of programs that reduce polluted runoff, protect natural resources and drinking water supplies. Providing information at a watershed level increases citizen accountability and involvement, as well as promotes a holistic way of managing watersheds. This project is an additional empowerment resource for Missourians to make informed watershed management decisions. The project will contribute to watershed restoration activities by promoting awareness of watershed related information and educate citizens on how to access the various categories of information. Hands-on activities will be provided to train participants to utilize existing information and data. For additional information please visit: http://www.outreach.missouri.edu/mowin

Strong, C.D., F.D. Worman and L.A. Watkins. Department of Agriculture, Central Missouri State University. FACTORS AFFECTING THE BEEF CONSUMPTION OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AT CENTRAL MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY. This project was conducted to find out what factors influenced the consumption of beef products among college students. A survey was administered to 135 students enrolled in a general studies education class, Global Agriculture, during the Fall 2001 semester. The survey contained questions regarding student's demographic characteristics, current college characteristics, consumption patterns relating to beef and shopping habits of students. A general description of statistical analysis and chi-square analysis were used to determine significant relationships among the variables. It was found that age and gender of a college student had an affect on the consumption of beef among college students. Even though students were aware of health issues associated with eating beef, they did not let these concerns affect t heir consumption of beef products. Students were also looking for convenience in beef products to fit their college lifestyle. Whether a student was from a rural or urban area and income did not affect the consumption of beef products among students attending college.

* Wilson, M.A., D. Harp, C. Stevens, and V. Khan. Southeast Missouri State University and George Washington Carver Experiment Station, Tuskegee University. INFLUENCE OF NUTRIPAK FERTILIZER ON YIELD OF POTATOES. The experiment was conducted in a split-split plot design in 2001 to determine the effect of NutriPak on yield of potatoes. Potatoes were emerged. from soil by April 10, 2001. Potatoes were sprayed with 3 applications of NutriPak of 8, 16 and 32 oz. per acre at 3 different growth stages; 3 to 4 in high, pre-flowering and at flowering. Total number of grade A potatoes was not significant for regression analysis of four dose levels of NutriPak fertilizer on "Atlantic" potatoes with bare soil treatment. But, the data showed that potato numbers were highest with the 16 oz. of NutriPak per acre with bare soil treatment. Potato yields were consistently higher for both grade A and grade B with NutriPak fertilizer at 16 oz. per acre.

Winkeler, E.L., R.D. Aidridge and A.P. Bufalino. Department of Biology, Saint Louis University. HISTOLOGY OF THE OVIDUCT OF MODERN SNAKES, PRIMITIVE SNAKES, AND THE WORM LIZARDS. The oviduct is part of the reproductive system that does not change rapidly over evolutionary time. All modem snakes, whether they are egg laying (oviparous) or live bearing (ovoviviparous), have the same basic oviductal anatomy. Similarly, as a group, lizards also have similar anatomy which may make this structure useful in determining phylogenetic relationships among major groups of reptiles. In this study we will examine the histological anatomy of the oviducts of the brown house snake (Lamprophis fuliginosus), the Brahminy blind snake (Rhamphotyphiops braminus), and the worm lizard, Amphisbaena fuliginosa, to determine if the anatomy of the worm lizard oviduct is more similar to the snakes or lizards. The oviduct will be cut into sections, and placed into cassettes for dehydration, clearing in toluene, and infiltration with wax. When cooled the blocks of tissue will be cut at 7 [micro]m, placed on glass slides, and stained with hematoxylin, fast green, orange II and Biebrich scarlet.