Eastern North Dakota Research Articles

Improvements in maize N recommendations decreased carbon dioxide equivalence without sacrificing yield

AbstractGlobally, agricultural scientists are challenged with creating, testing, and validating climate‐smart nutrient strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food security. This study determined maize (Zea mays L.) N recommendations and bias for N‐rate studies conducted in South Dakota using models created for western Minnesota, Iowa, Eastern North Dakota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. From 2019 to 2021, 16 N rate studies were conducted in long‐term no‐tillage (>6 years) fields located in South Dakota. In the randomized block replicated study, the soils were mollisols that were derived in a semi‐arid frigid environment. The economic optimum N rates were calculated using four fertilizer‐to‐maize grain price ratios (4.11, 5.48, 6.85, and 8.23 [$ (kg N)−1] [$ (kg grain)−1]−1). Analysis showed that reducing the yield goal coefficient used in the South Dakota model from 21.4 to 17.9 kg N (Mg grain)−1 reduced the recommended N rate but did not reduce yield. The reduced yield goal coefficient that considered the fertilizer‐to‐maize price ratio also reduced model root mean square error (RMSE), bias, and the estimated partial carbon dioxide equivalence (CO2e) by at least 18%. Nitrogen recommendation models developed for western Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota had similar RMSE, bias, and fertilizer recommendations, and adjusting the recommendation based on expected fertilizer cost and maize selling price improved accuracy. This study suggests that yield was not sacrificed by reducing the coefficients from 21.4 to 17.9 kg N (Mg grain)−1 and that recommendations are improved by considering the fertilizer‐to‐maize grain price ratio.

Managing nitrogen to promote quality and profitability of North Dakota two‐row malting barley

AbstractAs the demand and cultivation of two‐row malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) increases in the Northern Great Plains, updated nitrogen (N) recommendations are increasingly necessary. Not only does N play a role in grain yield, but it also impacts grain malting characteristics, including protein and kernel plump. To determine the impacts N rate and availability have on two‐row malting barley, two experimental sites were established in eastern North Dakota during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. Treatments consisted of five fertilizer rates from 0 to 180 kg N ha−1 and two malting barley cultivars. Soil samples to be analyzed for nitrate‐N were taken prior to planting and N credit estimates from the previous crop were considered to determine the total known available nitrogen (TKAN) in the soil. It was determined there was a strong relationship between N rate and grain yield along with a strong positive correlation between N rate and grain protein. No significant interactions between N rate and kernel plump were noted. When the relationship between relative grain yield and TKAN was modeled using a best‐fit regression, maximum yield was attained at 210 kg TKAN ha−1 with a grain protein of 128 g kg−1, meeting malting quality requirements. When factoring in grain value and cost of urea fertilizer, the TKAN range needed to produce the crop at the highest profitability was lower than TKAN of maximum yield, ranging from 89 to 190 kg TKAN ha−1.

Death and Dying: Grapevine Survival, Cold Hardiness, and BLUPs and Winter BLUEs in North Dakota Vineyards.

A total of fourteen diverse, interspecific hybrid grapevines (Vitis spp.) were evaluated for their adaptability to North Dakota winter conditions using differential thermal analysis (DTA) of low-temperature exotherms (LTE) and bud cross-sectional assessment of survival techniques. This research was conducted in two vineyard locations in eastern North Dakota. This work demonstrates the use of DTA for monitoring and selecting cultivars capable of withstanding sub-zero temperatures. These results were assessed for quantitative genetic traits. High heritability was observed for bud LTE traits and may thus be a useful target for cold hardiness breeding programs; however, it is necessary to ensure that variance is reduced when pooling multiple sample events. After DTA sampling, grapevines were assessed for survival of primary and secondary dormant buds using cross-sectional visual evaluation of death. 'Valiant' had the greatest primary bud survival (68%), followed by 'Frontenac gris', 'Crimson Pearl', and 'King of the North'. These varieties are among those with potential for production in eastern North Dakota's environment. The newly evaluated relationships between traits and the heritability of DTA results provide valuable tools to grapevine breeders for the development of cold-tolerant genotypes for future climatic challenges.

Flow Rate and Volume Estimates from Variable Frequency Drive Operated Drainage Sump Pumps

Highlights This article provides an overview of operations and benefits of using a variable frequency drive to operate agricultural subsurface drainage system sump pumps. A methodology is proposed to monitor flow rates leaving agricultural subsurface drainage pump stations via a MATLAB algorithm. The results of this research were mixed because the algorithm estimates did not always match with the corresponding flowmeter measurements. Abstract. Subsurface drainage plays a crucial role in excess water removal through perforated pipes buried in the soil. The Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota and west central Minnesota often requires pumped drainage outlets due to its flat topography, with many modern systems incorporating variable frequency drives (VFD) for improved efficiency. VFDs adjust pump speeds to match drainage needs, but this dynamic operation complicates accurate flow rate estimation for edge-of-field monitoring. This project aimed to devise an automated method for calculating flow rate estimates from VFD pumping systems involving tank geometry, operational water levels, and pump duty cycling. Linear regressions with calibration data from a transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter produced mixed outcomes. Some linear regressions revealed errors in calculated versus measured flow rate of =14%, while other regressions showed errors nearing 40%. To address this, future efforts should explore methods incorporating the pump’s electrical characteristics. This approach would provide a more accurate representation of the unstable and intricate pumping operations during transient conditions. Keywords: Edge-of-field monitoring, Flow rate, Pump, Red River Basin, Subsurface drainage, Variable frequency drive

Interseeded cover crops did not cause corn yield loss in eastern North Dakota

AbstractNorth Dakota is a transitional semiarid region with annual precipitation in the eastern part of the state of about 50–55 cm, mostly from rainfall. The moisture demand from interseeding cover crops into standing corn (Zea mays) early in the season has been a concern and is likely why most corn growers do not interseed cover crops. Corn grain yield was determined in response to interseeding of cereal rye (Secale cereale) or oat (Avena sativa), radish (Raphanus sativus), and camelina (Camelina sativa) and incremental fertilizer nitrogen (N) application rates for five site‐years in the eastern North Dakota. Fifty‐eight days and 35 days of leaf wetness from dew in 2019 and 2020, respectively, were recorded. Cumulative dew accumulation since cover crop emergence was 5.6 mm and 3.5 mm in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Interseeding and its interactions with fertilizer‐N rate did not influence the grain yield. However, cereal rye produced the most biomass of the cover crop species, but the amount varied with site and growing season conditions. Late October, cereal rye biomass produced was 98.8 kg ha−1 in 2018, 352 kg ha−1 in 2019, and 70.3 kg ha−1 in 2020 at the Gardner site. Interseeding did not reduce grain yield loss compared to control. Outcomes will encourage corn growers to adopt cover crops without any changes in their fertilizer N application.

Soybean Response to N Fertilization Compared with Co-Inoculation of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense

The soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] relationship with the bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum is responsible for providing around 60% of the nitrogen (N) required for the crop and the remaining N comes from the soil or supplemental fertilization. To investigate if higher yields are possible, supplemental N studies and co-inoculation of Rhizobium with Azospirillum are necessary. This N rate (0, 30, 56, 112, 336 kg N ha−1) and inoculation study was conducted across eight environments in eastern North Dakota, USA, in 2021 and 2022. Also, the effect of supplemental N and co-inoculation on nodulation was evaluated. When N was applied at 112 kg N ha−1, nodulation was significantly inhibited. Co-inoculation increased the number of large nodules and the volume of nodules; however, the yield was not different from inoculation with B. japonicum. Nitrogen at 112 and 336 kg ha−1 increased grain yield, protein yield, and seed weight; however, the higher N rate decreased plant population. There were significant positive relationships between yield and protein content and seed weight, and negative relationships between oil and protein content, and yield and oil content. Based on a polynomial relationship, the highest yield (3711 kg ha−1) would be achieved at 273 kg N ha−1. The application of N resulted in a yield increase but using current prices may not be an economical choice. Additional research is necessary to verify if co-inoculation with efficient strains can improve biological N fixation.

Variability of asymbiotic N‐fixation organism activity with distance and time in North Dakota transitional no‐till soils

AbstractAsymbiotic nitrogen fixation (N‐fixation) is a microbial process that may result in the introduction of plant‐available N into the soil. Although the process of N mineralization in soils is mediated by many microorganisms and is related mostly to soil moisture, the soil factors which regulate asymbiotic N‐fixation are relatively unknown and the number of microorganisms with the ability to fix N is small relative to the whole soil microorganism pool. Soils under long‐term no‐till management have greater asymbiotic N‐fixing organism activity compared to no‐till. This study was conducted to determine the variance of N‐fixing activity over distance, and the temporal variability of asymbiotic N‐fixing organism activity at six sites with transitional no‐till soils in eastern North Dakota over three growing seasons. Sites were sampled at the same location each month of the growing season from 2019 to 2021. At one of the sampling dates, each year additional samples were obtained at distances from the central sampling location for use in statistical analysis. The sampling over distance indicated that to characterize a large field area, multiple samples should be taken and analyzed separately or mixed together for single analysis. Monthly sampling in all 3 years indicated that peak N‐fixation activity was favored by a moist, warm environment. Dry periods and excessively wet periods resulted in low activity. Heavy rains within 48 h of sampling resulted in extremely low N‐fixation activity at the subsequent sampling date. Models were constructed relating the accumulative rainfall from the 30 days prior to sampling, and the mean air temperature from the 30 days prior to sampling. These data indicate that the activity of asymbiotic N‐fixing organisms increased with temperature and cumulative rainfall prior to measurement.

Seasonality of Mosquitoes in North Dakota, 2003-2006, with Four New State Records.

Thirty-seven species and subspecies of mosquitoes were identified from 3,580,610 specimens collected in eastern (Cass, Nelson, and Richland counties) and western (Williams County) North Dakota in 2003-2006. Four species were new state records (Aedes schizopinax, Psorophora ciliata, Ps. ferox, and Ps. horrida). Aedes vexans was dominant (82.9%). Other relatively abundant species were Ae. trivittatus (7.7%), Ae. melanimon (2.7%), Culex tarsalis (2.6%), Ae. dorsalis (1.6%), Ae. sticticus (1.0), and Culiseta inornata (0.9%). The seasonality of the species is presented.

Pliocene Drainage in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, Canada

This study presents the restored Pliocene topography along northerly trending profiles in Manitoba, northwestern Ontario, eastern North Dakota, Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. A top-of-bedrock slope profile of the Red River/Lake Winnipeg/Nelson River and 19 south-trending landscape topographic and top-of-bedrock slope profiles of the region were made from published elevation data. These profiles reveal a clear change in slope and slope direction (flexure) in the top-of-bedrock elevation. The flexure axis trends southeasterly across Manitoba into northwestern Ontario. The profiles were then tilted southerly by lifting the profiles along the southern margin of Hudson Bay to restore remaining glacial isostatic rebound. When imposing a minimum 80 m of isostatic rebound to the Nelson River/Lake Winnipeg/Red River profile, the northern portion of the profile slopes north but the southern portion of the profile slopes south at 0.01%. When imposing a minimum 60 m of isostatic rebound to all 19 top-of-bedrock profiles, the bedrock slopes north to Hudson Bay northeast of the flexure; however, southwest of the flexure, the southern portions of the 19 top-of-bedrock profiles slope south. We interpret the flexure axis to have been the northern divide of the Pliocene Mississippi River basin in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario and the divide that will lie between the north-flowing Nelson River and south-flowing Red River with future glacial isostatic adjustment.

Evaluating the Cumulative Effects of Livestock Grazing on Wildlife With an Integrated Population Model

Livestock grazing can shape temperate grassland ecosystems, with both positive and negative effects on wildlife documented depending on a variety of grazing and site factors. Historically, research investigating the impacts of livestock grazing on wildlife has been limited by a narrow focus on simple “grazed” vs. “ungrazed” treatments or examining how grazing affects only a single vital rate in isolation. To overcome these limitations, we used a two-stage class, female-based integrated population model (IPM) to examine whether three grazing management regimes (season-long, rest-rotation, and summer rotation) differentially impacted population growth rates of sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanachus phasianellus) in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. We estimated 14 vital rates related to survival and fecundity and examined whether subtle cumulative effects of livestock grazing were present but not detected in prior analyses focused on single vital rates. While the management regimes did not differentially impact survival or fecundity of female grouse in our study system, we found evidence for significant cumulative impacts of grazing regime on population growth rates that were only apparent when all vital rates were evaluated concurrently. Population growth rates were higher in areas managed with season-long livestock grazing. The IPM framework encourages comprehensive investigations into the influence of covariates on critical components of species life histories and can assist in guiding management decisions in a world of limited resources. This integrated approach allowed us to more efficiently use multiple data types to provide a more complete picture of the effects of management on an important indicator species.

Relationship between reproductive hormones and migration distance in a polygynous songbird, the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Many bird species migrate to southern overwintering locations to avoid harsh conditions at their breeding grounds, but at the cost of an energetically demanding migration that may delay their spring reproductive development. Previous work on the relationship between migration distance and reproductive readiness has primarily focused on early season baseline testosterone in both males and females. However, for females, testosterone alone may not be the appropriate measurement of reproductive development. Estradiol, a metabolite of testosterone that is essential for breeding behaviors and reproduction, should also be measured. Furthermore, baseline testosterone varies throughout the day and may change due to social interactions that occurred prior to sampling. Injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) elicits an individual’s maximum potential testosterone production, minimizing daily and social variation. We explored relationships between migration distance and reproductive status after arrival to the breeding ground in Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). We predicted that individuals that travel a shorter distance will have higher levels of reproductive hormones upon arrival given they are able to invest less in migration and more in reproduction. This is important because individuals that breed earlier often have higher reproductive success. In females, we measured baseline estradiol and testosterone. In males, we assessed baseline and GnRH-induced testosterone. Hormone values were related to migration distance, estimated by stable isotope analysis of claw samples collected before breeding began in eastern North Dakota. We found that males with shorter inferred migration distances have higher baseline testosterone upon arrival. However, inferred migration distance was not correlated with GnRH-induced testosterone. Female inferred migration distance was not correlated with baseline testosterone, but it was correlated with baseline estradiol. Females with higher testosterone had lower estradiol, suggesting that testosterone in females is not a reliable indicator of estradiol levels, thus readiness to breed. Our observations suggest that baseline hormone levels were related to migration distance, but baseline testosterone alone may not provide a complete assessment of a male or female’s preparedness to breed following spring migration.

Soil temperature and water contents among vertical tillage, strip tillage, and chisel plowing in the Upper Great Plains

Long winters in the Red River Valley (RRV) of eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota result in short growing seasons for corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) systems. Historically, producers implement aggressive tillage to warm the soil, which has caused hesitation when considering reduced tillage systems. The association between soil warming–drying and crop yields via research at farmer-operated, production-scale systems practicing reduced tillage is lacking. A two-year study was conducted at three producer-operated, corn–soybean fields in the RRV with five soil series ranging from sandy loams to silty clays. Soil temperature (T), soil volumetric water content (θ), and crop yields were measured to evaluate the effects of soil warming and drying and crop performance under reduced tillage practices of vertical tillage (VT), strip tillage with shanks (STS), strip tillage with coulters (STC), and chisel plow (CP). Results showed that daytime soil T and θ in the tilled strips for STC and STS (i.e., in the plant rows) were similar to CP and significantly different from VT. The ST treatments demonstrated added benefits of higher soil θ between the tilled strips (i.e., between the plant rows) during the mid-growing season when plant water needs are at their highest. However, daily averaged soil T and θ demonstrated little to no significant differences among the tillage treatments. Moreover, crop yields were inconsistent with soil T and θ, indicating weak to no practical association in these on-farm settings.

Occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in sugarbeet fields of North Dakota and Minnesota

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are an important group of pathogens on sugarbeet. Surveys were conducted in the Red River Valley (RRV) area of North Dakota (ND) and Minnesota (MN) to determine the incidence, abundance, and distribution of PPNs in sugarbeet fields. A total of 217 soil samples were collected in 2016 and 2017 from fields with sugarbeet or a history of sugarbeet production. In addition, 48 samples were collected in 2016 from tare soils in sugarbeet piling stations, and two samples were collected in 2017 from sugarbeet production fields in eastern Montana (MT) and western ND border area. The incidence and abundance of major genera of PPNs identified from sugarbeet production fields in 2016 and 2017 were: Heterodera (incidence = 15%, abundance = 1,351/200 gm of soil); Helicotylenchus (38%, 157); Tylenchorhynchus (37%, 121); Paratylenchus (28%, 108); Pratylenchus (6%, 38); Paratrichodorus (7%, 37); Xiphinema (3%, 32); and Hoplolaimus (0.4%, 20). Helicotylenchus, Tylenchorhynchus, Paratylenchus, and Heterodera were the most frequent and widely distributed nematode genera whereas, Paratrichodorus and Pratylenchus were found less frequently and at low densities. Xiphinema and Hoplolaimus were rarely detected at lower densities. Paratylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus were widely distributed in most of the sampled counties (n = 11), followed by Helicotylenchus (10), Heterodera (8), Pratylenchus (8), Xiphinema (4), Paratrichodorus (3), and Hoplolaimus (1). Species-specific PCR assays and direct sequencing of ribosomal DNA were conducted to identify species. Species identification revealed that the cyst nematodes from one of the counties in eastern MT were Heterodera schachtii and the cyst nematodes analyzed from 31 samples in 12 counties in ND and MN were H. glycines. We have not identified any H. schachtii thus far from surveyed samples in eastern ND and western MN. Other nematode species identified include Paratrichodorus allius, Pratylenchus neglectus, Tylenchorhynchus sp., Paratylenchus nanus, Helicotylenchus microlobus, and H. pseudorobustus. Accurate identification of these nematodes and awareness of their occurrence across the region is essential for developing effective pest management strategies for improved sugarbeet production.

Cold-Hardy Grape Cultivar Winter Injury and Trunk Re-Establishment Following Severe Weather Events in North Dakota

Extreme winter temperatures during the 2018–2019 dormant season contributed to trunk collapse and complete trunk death of numerous genotypes throughout a diverse grapevine planting in eastern North Dakota, USA. Through the early portion of the dormant season, 12 genotypes were screened to identify lethal temperature exotherms of primary buds; from these results, none were anticipated to be fully prepared to survive the −37 °C minimum temperature recorded in the region. Trunk collapse, death, and survival were monitored for 35 replicated genotypes. New trunks were retrained from suckers and monitored for growth following trunk removal. Only five genotypes exceeded 50% trunk survival at the end of the 2019 growing season, ‘Valiant’, ‘King of the North’, ‘John Viola’, ‘Baltica’, and ‘Bluebell’. Following re-establishment, ‘La Crescent’ was the most vigorous genotype with the largest sucker circumference, sucker length, and internode length. Nearly all genotypes evaluated produced suckers with lengths approaching the high-wire trellis height (1.8 m), designating their potential for cordon retraining in 2020. Cumulatively, however, the lethal temperature exotherm results and the trunk survival examination indicate a harrowing need for investigation of new management practices (such as protected training systems) and the generation of new cold-hardy genotypes to enhance productivity under standard unprotected systems.

Blessed thistle a promising species on North Dakota, USA marginal lands: Agronomic productivity, oil properties and biodiesel potential

Screening new alternative vegetable oil sources as biodiesel feedstocks has attracted worldwide attention as world oil reserves decline and environmental concerns increase. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus L.) has recently been identified as a multipurpose crop with optimal economic yield in poor soils. Blessed thistle was seeded into three different site soil conditions (site 1: silt clay loam, site 2: sandy loam, site 3: saline sandy loam) in eastern North Dakota, USA to evaluate agronomic performance and seed properties as well as biodiesel potential. The highest biomass and plant heights were obtained from the sandy loam soil, while plants grown in saline sandy loam soil had similar seed and oil yield, and similar oil content as plants grown in other site soil conditions. Biodiesel obtained from blessed thistle oil in the saline site was an excellent substitute for fossil fuels. The saline soil did not influence the blessed thistle oil yield; however, the saline soil did affect the fatty acid composition and biodiesel properties with some improvement in biodiesel quality. Results showed that blessed thistle was a promising species for biodiesel feedstock, especially for marginal soils such as the saline soil conditions in North Dakota.

Cooperatively improving tallgrass prairie with adaptive management

AbstractAdaptive management (AM) is widely used as an approach for learning to improve resource management, but successful AM projects remain relatively uncommon, with few documented examples applied by natural resource management agencies. We used AM to provide insights into actions that would be most beneficial for the management of native tallgrass prairie plant communities in western Minnesota and eastern North and South Dakota, USA. After 9 yr of data collection and learning, we report on whether the condition of the prairie improved with management and which actions and frequency of action allowed improvement. Our approach to AM employed Bayesian inference to generate annual management recommendations at site‐ and state‐dependent scales. We also used a logistic regression approach to complement the output from the AM model and evaluate the more general conditions that led to attaining management goals. Overall, the cover of native plants increased for low‐quality sites, and among the management practices considered, we found that burning most effectively enhanced the native prairie plant community and increased the dominance of native indicator species. Contrary to expectations, the results also indicate that grazing on sites that started in a poor condition was less likely to show improvements in the native plant community. Complementing AM with more traditional statistical analyses can help inform the iterative double‐loop learning phase of the AM framework. Adaptive management has many challenges, but we demonstrate that multi‐agency AM can be successful. Keys to success include starting the project with an in‐person, in‐depth workshop; standardized protocols and a centralized database; a core project team with multi‐disciplinary backgrounds; stability in project leadership; and regular communication to meet annual deadlines.

Genetic and Environmental Predictors for Determining Optimal Seeding Rates of Diverse Wheat Cultivars

Seeding rate for maximum grain yield can differ for diverse hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and is derived from a yield response curve to seeding rates. Six groups of HRSW cultivars with combinations of Rht-B, Rht-D, and Ppd-D genes were planted at five seeding rates in 21 environments during 2013–2015 throughout Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, USA. Seeding rates ranged from 1.59 to 5.55 million seeds ha−1 and planting timings were optimal and delayed dates. An analysis of covariance predictive model with 13 predetermined training environments was built for yield and tillering, and validated with eight predetermined environments. Optimal seeding rates from the yield model were not predictive for yield, with latitude of the environment negatively skewing the predictions from observed values. A second yield model fit to only the six lowest-yielding environments (<4.8 Mg ha−1) was more predictive (R2 = 0.44), and revealed yield response to seeding rate was influenced by cultivar traits for photoperiod response (Ppd-D gene) and plant stature (semi-dwarfing gene Rht-D). The tillering model was also predictive for the validation environments, with a R2 of 0.71. Using regression predictions for yield and tillering from training and validation datasets with HRSW genetic and geographic predictors shows promise to help recommend seeding rates for future environments.

Molecular sequencing and morphological identification reveal similar patterns in native bee communities across public and private grasslands of eastern North Dakota

Bees play a key role in the functioning of human-modified and natural ecosystems by pollinating agricultural crops and wild plant communities. Global pollinator conservation efforts need large-scale and long-term monitoring to detect changes in species’ demographic patterns and shifts in bee community structure. The objective of this project was to test a molecular sequencing pipeline that would utilize a commonly used locus, produce accurate and precise identifications consistent with morphological identifications, and generate data that are both qualitative and quantitative. We applied this amplicon sequencing pipeline to native bee communities sampled across Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands and native grasslands in eastern North Dakota. We found the 28S LSU locus to be more capable of discriminating between species than the 18S SSU rRNA locus, and in some cases even resolved instances of cryptic species or morphologically ambiguous species complexes. Overall, we found the amplicon sequencing method to be a qualitatively accurate representation of the sampled bee community richness and species identity, especially when a well-curated database of known 28S LSU sequences is available. Both morphological identification and molecular sequencing revealed similar patterns in native bee community structure across CRP lands and native prairie. Additionally, a genetic algorithm approach to compute taxon-specific correction factors using a small subset of the most concordant samples demonstrated that a high level of quantitative accuracy could be possible if the specimens are fresh and processed soon after collection. Here we provide a first step to a molecular pipeline for identifying insect pollinator communities. This tool should prove useful for future national monitoring efforts as use of molecular tools becomes more affordable and as numbers of 28S LSU sequences for pollinator species increase in publicly-available databases.

Sunflower Response to Nitrification Inhibitor Application

Adding a nitrification inhibitor to fertilizer nitrogen (N) has potential to reduce N loss and increase N use efficiency. On‐farm trials were conducted to determine sunflower seed yield and soil inorganic N responses to spring‐applied urea N rates (100, 75, and 50% of the recommended N rate) and nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin) addition in eastern North Dakota. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/731.

Transboundary Environmental Governance Across the World’s Longest Border. By Brooks, Stephen, and Andrea Olive, eds. 2018. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.

<i>Transboundary Environmental Governance Across the World’s Longest Border</i>. By Brooks, Stephen, and Andrea Olive, eds. 2018. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.