Locations In New Mexico Research Articles

Genotyping of Jujube (Ziziphus spp.) Germplasm in New Mexico and Southwestern Texas.

Since the early 19th century, a substantial amount of jujube (Ziziphus spp.) germplasm has been introduced from China and Europe into the United States. However, due to a lack of passport data, cultivar mislabeling is common and the genetic background of the introduced germplasm remains unknown. In the present study, a low-density SNP array was employed to genotype 204 jujube trees sampled from multiple locations in New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, and Kentucky. Multilocus matching of SNP profiles revealed a significant rate of genetic redundancy among these jujube samples. A total of 14 synonymous groups were detected, comprising 48 accessions. Bayesian clustering analysis and neighbor-joining tree partitioned the US jujube germplasm into two major clusters. The first cluster included cultivated genotypes (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), whereas the other major cluster comprised the wild/sour jujube (Ziziphus spinosa Hu.). The results also revealed a unique jujube population at Fabens/Tornillo, Texas, and a semi-naturalized population at Tucumcari, NM. These findings will provide valuable guidance to jujube growers and researchers on the effective utilization of jujube germplasm in the horticultural industry.

The Mycobiome of Bats in the American Southwest Is Structured by Geography, Bat Species, and Behavior.

Bats are widespread mammals that play key roles in ecosystems as pollinators and insectivores. However, there is a paucity of information about bat-associated microbes, in particular their fungal communities, despite the important role microbes play in host health and overall host function. The emerging fungal disease, white-nose syndrome, presents a potential challenge to the bat microbiome and understanding healthy bat-associated taxa will provide valuable information about potential microbiome-pathogen interactions. To address this knowledge gap, we collected 174 bat fur/skin swabs from 14 species of bats captured in five locations in New Mexico and Arizona and used high-throughput sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed (ITS) region to characterize bat-associated fungal communities. Our results revealed a highly heterogeneous bat mycobiome that was structured by geography and bat species. Furthermore, our data suggest that bat-associated fungal communities are affected by bat foraging, indicating the bat skin microbiota is dynamic on short time scales. Finally, despite the strong effects of site and species, we found widespread and abundant taxa from several taxonomic groups including the genera Alternaria and Metschnikowia that have the potential to be inhibitory towards fungal and bacterial pathogens.

Survival rates of band‐tailed pigeons estimated using passive integrated transponder tags

AbstractObtaining survival estimates on the Interior population of band‐tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) is challenging because they are trap shy, but the joint use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and bands is a potential solution. We investigated the use of PIT tags to passively recapture band‐tailed pigeon at 3 locations in New Mexico, USA, to estimate survival. From 2013–2015, we captured, banded, and marked >600 individual band‐tailed pigeons with PIT tags. To estimate annual survival rates, we used a Barker multi‐state joint live and dead encounters and resighting model. Survival models excluding transience had survival estimates across site, sex, and year of 0.86 (95% CI = 0.84–0.88) for after hatch year birds and 0.63 (95% CI = 0.48–0.76) for hatch year birds. These results are consistent with other survival estimates reported for the Interior population of band‐tailed pigeons using band return data and potentially provide an effective alternative method of monitoring survival of this population.

Evaluating Wind Erosion Sensitivity for Landfill Sites in New Mexico Using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP)

The final closure veneer for municipal solid waste landfills must be designed to withstand an allowable annual soil loss from wind erosion over its design life. Veneer sensitivity to wind erosion depends on a multiplicity of intertwined variables. A Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) is used to evaluate weightings for specific forcing function criteria to assess overall wind erosion sensitivity (WES) at current and former landfill locations based on input from multiple decision makers selected from consulting, regulatory, and academe sources. FAHP weights represent the degree of importance of a given criteria relative to an overall criterion. For WES assessment, three criteria were identified: climatic factor (CF) as a function of wind power density (WPD) and effective precipitation index (EPI), vegetation cover (VC), and soil erodibility given as a wind erodibility index (WEI). The results revealed almost equal importance for WPD and VC with WEI being the lesser important criteria. Rankings of thirteen landfill locations in New Mexico showed that Las Cruces was most susceptible to wind erosion with Los Alamos and Clines Corner being least susceptible. The assessment methodology is useful for identifying potential hot spots for wind erosion with respect to the design and maintenance of final cover for landfills.

Weed suppression versus water use: Efficacy of cover crops in water‐limited agroecosystems

AbstractWinter cover crops (CC) may facilitate weed management by inhibiting weed seed germination and seedling emergence and suppressing weed growth within the cash crop. In southern New Mexico, with scarce winter precipitation and limited irrigation water, producing sufficient CC biomass for effective weed suppression while conserving water resources is challenging. This study assessed the water requirement to produce a CC with enough biomass for weed suppression benefits during cash crop growth at two locations in New Mexico. Three winter CC species, barley, Austrian winter pea and mustard, grown singly and in a three‐way mix, under three differential irrigation treatments (one, two or three irrigations after emergence) were evaluated for their weed‐suppressive potential. Maize was planted as a cash crop four weeks after winter CC termination. Number of irrigations had no effect on the CC and weed biomass production. All CCs had lower weed density prior to maize planting compared with fallow. Barley and the three‐way mix reduced weed density by 56–96% and 68–95%, respectively. All CC treatments had lower weed biomass at the end of critical period for weed control in maize compared with fallow. Weed biomass at maize harvest did not differ between treatments. The maize yield was consistently higher in conventionally managed, weed‐free subplots, than in unsprayed weedy subplots, suggesting that CCs did not suppress weeds throughout the maize growing season. Except for barley, CCs did not cause reductions in maize yield compared with fallow. Overall, the study suggested that with adequate winter precipitation, weed‐suppressive winter cover crop stands can be produced with just one irrigation at seeding and one supplemental irrigation, making them a viable option in water‐limited agroecosystems.

Southwest‐adapted maize germplasm as a potential genetic resource for selection of salinity tolerant cultivars

AbstractThe southwestern United States–northern Mexico Borderland Region (SW) is an arid to semi‐arid region characterized by high temperatures, drought, and frequently saline soil conditions. Nonetheless, maize (Zea mays) has been cultivated in the region for several millennia and recently has increasingly contributed to a growing dairy industry. Water resources are declining, and saline or brackish irrigation water is an increasing problem in the SW. Irrigation water that is highly saline can cause a buildup of salts in the soil. Adapted SW maize germplasm may offer stress tolerance that could be incorporated into breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate 13 maize cultivars and compare them to four commercial hybrids across 2 yr and three locations in New Mexico. Two of the locations were characterized by saline and/or brackish conditions. Agronomic factors including forage yield, forage quality, survival rates, and plant height were examined. The landrace ‘Mexican June’ and the synthetic population Arizona 8601 demonstrated good forage yields and higher survival rates at one stress location during 2016 (p < .05). Most southwestern landraces showed lower forage quality when compared to silage‐specific commercial hybrids. The landrace ‘Montgomery County Blue and White’ was an exception; it produced forage quality similar to that of one of the commercial hybrids while also producing comparable yield. Results indicate there is potential for further development of these genetic resources for selection of improved salinity tolerance in forage maize for production in semi‐arid regions.

Genotyping by Sequencing Reveals Genetic Relatedness of Southwestern U.S. Blue Maize Landraces.

Maize has played a key role in the sustenance and cultural traditions of the inhabitants of the southwestern USA for many centuries. Blue maize is an important component of the diverse landraces still cultivated in the region but the degree to which they are related is unknown. This research was designed to ascertain the genotypic, morphological, and phenotypic diversity of six representative southwestern blue maize landraces. Their genotypic diversity was examined using tunable genotyping-by-sequencing (tGBS™). A total of 81,038 high quality SNPs were identified and obtained through tGBS. A total of 45 morphological and biochemical traits were evaluated at two locations in New Mexico. The varieties Los Lunas High and Flor del Rio were genetically less related with other southwestern landraces whereas diffusion between Navajo Blue, Hopi Blue, Yoeme Blue, and Taos Blue demonstrated that these landraces were genetically related. Phenotypic variability was highest for kernel traits and least for plant traits. Plant, ear, and kernel traits were fairly consistent within and across locations. Principal component analysis and tGBS showed that Corn Belt variety ‘Ohio Blue’ was distinctly different from southwestern landraces. Genotypic analysis displayed that southwestern landraces are genetically closely related, but selection has resulted in differing phenotypes. This study has provided additional insight into the genetic relatedness of southwestern blue maize landraces.

Evaluating the Effect of Soil Particle Characterization on Internal Friction Angle

One of the critical design parameters used in evaluating soil structure is the friction angle, derived from Mohr's Circle failure criterion. The soil friction angle is an engineering parameter estimated in the laboratory to quantify the soil shear strength in geotechnical applications. This paper indicates an experimental study investigating the impact of particle size on different sandy soils shear strength behavior. The direct shear test equipment is useful for simulating various stress regimes to determine the soil strength by employing a slow moving lateral force to a consolidated sample along a shear plane. A series of direct shear tests were conducted to investigate the interface behavior of soil. Soil samples were selected from different locations in New Mexico, United States. The influence of soil particle size on the soil's shear strength behavior is discussed by performing a series of symmetric direct shear tests according to ASTM D3080 and analyzing the results. To minimize errors, electronic transducers were used to measure vertical and horizontal displacements. DS7 is geotechnical testing software controlling the test by utilizing a data logger. The investigation indicates that the maximum vertical deformation for all different kinds of sandy soils accrued simultaneously. It was concluded that a soil's friction angle is affected by coarse-grained material. Accordingly, sandy soils with bigger particle size record a higher friction angle than soils containing small particles. Furthermore, a non-linear regression analysis was performed to determine the direct relationship between soil's friction angle and soil particle characteristics.

Temperature and Light Characterization during Winter Production Season in High Tunnels in the Southwestern United States

Replicated temperature data from passively heated high tunnels are lacking, especially in the southwestern United States. Field studies were conducted over three seasons in two locations in New Mexico—a southern site in Las Cruces and a northern site in Alcalde—to characterize the crop environment in three high-tunnel designs during the winter growing season (October–March). High tunnels were 16 × 32 ft and oriented with the long edge running east to west. Heavyweight woven plastic covered the single-layer (SL) high-tunnel design. Double-layer designs (DL) were covered with a lightweight woven plastic on the bottom, followed by a second layer of the heavyweight plastic inflated with a fan. A heat sink was created using 16 55-gal barrels painted black, filled with water, and aligned along the north side of the double layer for the DL+B design. Soil temperature (3 inches deep) and air temperature (1 ft above the soil surface) were recorded inside the high tunnel, inside the high tunnel under a floating rowcover, and outside the high tunnel. In addition, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was recorded inside and outside the high tunnels during or near the winter solstice each year of the study. Daily air and soil temperature minimums were highest in the DL+B design and lowest in the SL design. Maximum air and soil temperatures did not significantly differ between high-tunnel designs, although the DL+B design measurements were consistently lower. During season 1, the SL design had significantly higher PAR transmission than the other two designs. In the northern location, the difference became insignificant during seasons 2 and 3, likely due to dust accumulation and plastic aging. In the southern location, the SL design maintained higher PAR transmission throughout the study, possibly due to plastic cleaning. Data collected in this study can help inform the decisions of high-tunnel growers and researchers in the region.

Image shift due to atmospheric refraction: prediction by numerical weather modeling and machine learning

We develop and study two approaches for the prediction of optical refraction effects in the lower atmosphere. Refraction can cause apparent displacement or distortion of targets when viewed by imaging systems or produce steering when propagating laser beams. Low-cost, time-lapse camera systems were deployed at two locations in New Mexico to measure image displacements of mountain ridge targets due to atmospheric refraction as a function of time. Measurements for selected days were compared with image displacement predictions provided by (1) a ray-tracing evaluation of numerical weather prediction data and (2) a machine learning algorithm with measured meteorological values as inputs. The model approaches are described and the target displacement prediction results for both were found to be consistent with the field imagery in overall amplitude and phase. However, short time variations in the experimental results were not captured by the predictions where sampling limitations and uncaptured localized events were factors.

Early Performance of Jujube Fresh Eating Cultivars in the Southwestern United States

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), also called chinese date, cultivars have not been formally trialed in the United States after the 1950s. Currently, there are five to six commercially available jujube cultivars, with ‘Li’ as the dominant one. Both growers and consumers demand a wider range of cultivars to extend the maturation season and for different uses. We tested jujube cultivars at three locations in New Mexico [U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones 6a, 7a, and 8a] to assess their adaption and performance. These are early performance results for fresh eating cultivars. Jujubes were precocious; 50% to 95% of trees produced during their planting year, depending on cultivar and location. The average yield per tree for trees in their second to fourth year after planting were 409 g, 4795 g, and 5318 g at Alcalde; and 456 g, 3098 g, and 5926 g at Los Lunas, respectively. The yields varied by cultivar and location. ‘Kongfucui’ (‘KFC’) was the most productive cultivar at Alcalde and Los Lunas in both 2017 and 2018, followed by ‘Daguazao’, ‘Gaga’, ‘Honeyjar’, Maya’, ‘Redland’, and ‘Sugarcane’. ‘GA866’, ‘Alcalde #1’, ‘Zaocuiwang’, and ‘Sandia’ had the lowest yields among the 15 cultivars tested. ‘Alcalde #1’ was the earliest to mature with large fruit, suitable for marginal regions with short growing seasons, whereas ‘Sandia’ had the best fruit quality among all cultivars tested, suitable for commercial growers and home gardeners. ‘Maya’, ‘Gaga’, ‘Honeyjar’, and ‘Russian 2’ were very productive, early-midseason cultivars with small fruit but excellent fruit quality—a perfect fit for the home gardener market. ‘Li’, ‘Daguazao’, ‘Redland’, and ‘Shanxi Li’ were productive with large fruit. Cultivars grew faster and produced higher yields, larger fruit, and higher soluble solids at more southerly locations. This article discusses cultivars’ early performance up to the fourth year after planting. This is the first jujube cultivar trial report in the United States since the 1950s.

Capture and injury rates of Band-tailed Pigeons using whoosh nets

ABSTRACT Catching ground feeding birds has typically been accomplished through small, walk-in funnel-style traps. This approach is limited because it requires a bird to find its way into the trap, is biased toward less wary birds, and does not allow targeted trapping of individual birds. As part of a large study on Band-tailed Pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) in New Mexico, we needed a trapping method that would allow more control over the number of birds we could trap at one time, when a trap was deployed, and target trapping of specific individuals. We adopted a relatively novel trapping technique used primarily for shorebirds, whoosh nets, to trap Band-tailed Pigeons at 3 different sites where birds were being fed by local landowners. During 2013–2015, whoosh nets were used to trap 702 Band-tailed Pigeons at 3 different locations in New Mexico. We captured 12.54 ± 8.19 pigeons per shot over 56 capture events across 3 locations (range: 2–39). Some superficial injuries occurred using this technique and typ...

Grain and Nutritional Quality Traits of Southwestern U.S. Blue Maize Landraces

Anthocyanin‐rich Southwestern blue maize (Zea mays L.) landraces are receiving interest as functional foods, and commercial production is increasing. We determined variation in kernel color, anthocyanin content, texture, and selected compositional traits of representative varieties. In 2013, eight varieties were grown at four locations in New Mexico. Total kernel anthocyanin content (TAC) and component pigments were measured with spectrophotometry and HPLC, respectively. Oil, protein, starch, and kernel density were determined using NIR spectroscopy and amino acid concentrations using wet chemistry. An average of 49.6 mg/100 g of TAC with a range of 17.6–65.1 mg/100 g was observed. Cyanidin and pelargonidin were major components, and peonidin and succinyl 3‐glucoside were minor components. Low levels of disuccinyl glucoside were detected. Blue kernels were higher in anthocyanin than purple or red kernels. Floury kernels displayed the highest protein and oil contents and the lowest starch content and kernel density. The highest starch and kernel density levels were observed in small flint/dent and pop‐flint/dent kernels. Amino acid content was variable across genotypes and locations.

Efficacy of pheromonal control of peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa (Say)) in small‐scale orchards

AbstractThe efficacy of pheromone‐based mating disruption for control of the peachtree borer Synanthedon exitiosa (Say) in small‐scale peach orchards (<0.1 ha) was evaluated in a total of six blocks at two locations in New Mexico, USA, from 2010 to 2015. In treated orchards, commercial pheromone dispensers were deployed at rates of approximately 500 or 600 per ha. Pheromone‐based monitoring traps were installed in each block (treated and untreated), and catches of male moths were recorded throughout each growing season to assess the effectiveness of pheromone treatments and to determine the pest's seasonal flight activity. Levels of larval trunk infestation were assessed twice yearly by inspecting all trees at and below soil level. Infestation levels in an unreplicated block of mature peaches at one site (Los Lunas) declined from 57.5% to 8.4% while under pheromone treatment (2010–2011). Pheromone treatments in this block were discontinued in 2012, and infestation levels subsequently increased to 16.9% by spring 2015. In a replicated study in four other peach blocks at the same site, annual application of pheromones from 2012 to 2014 resulted in a significant difference in larval infestations in treated blocks compared to untreated blocks. In addition, when a single block of infested peaches at a second site (Alcalde) was treated with pheromone dispensers for three consecutive years, trunk infestation levels declined significantly, but were not completely eliminated. These results indicate that mating disruption can help protect even very small orchards from damage by S. exitiosa. However, the technique is likely to be more effective where such orchards are relatively isolated and/or where the surrounding pest pressure is moderate or low.

Distribution of neptunium and plutonium in New Mexico lichen samples (Usnea arizonica) contaminated by atmospheric fallout

The concentrations of 237Np, 239Pu and 240Pu were determined in lichen samples (Usnea arizonica) that were collected from ten locations in New Mexico between 2011 and 2013 using isotope dilution inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS). The observed isotopic ratios for 237Np/239Pu and 240Pu/239Pu indicate trace contamination from global and regional fallout (e.g. Trinity test and atmospheric testing at the Nevada Test Site). The fact that actinide contamination is detected in recent lichen collections suggests continuous re-suspension of fallout radionuclides even 50 years after ratification of the Limited Test Ban Treaty.

The Economics of Low-cost High Tunnels for Winter Vegetable Production in the Southwestern United States

Relatively little season extension research has been conducted in the southwestern United States, particularly with low-cost high tunnels or hoop houses for small-scale farmers. In this study, the economics of winter production of two leafy crops [lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea)] in high tunnels in two locations in New Mexico were investigated, first using a simulation analysis in which yields were stochastic variables followed by a sensitivity analysis to examine returns from the high tunnel designs more closely. The returns examined in the sensitivity analysis were net of high tunnel materials, crop seed cost, and electricity. Two planting dates were tested and three high tunnel designs were examined: a single layer covering the house (SL), a double layer inflated with air (DL), and a double layer inflated with air and containing black water barrels to store heat (DL+B). The SL and DL designs appear to be the more appropriate technology for both locations for spinach, whereas for lettuce the DL+B model might be a reasonable option in Alcalde, a more-northern location. Overall, the SL and DL models provided adequate protection for growing crops, were less expensive to build, provided more interior growing space, and resulted in higher probabilities of producing positive returns, compared with the DL+B design. The DL design performed similarly to the SL design, but required running electricity to the structure to power the inflation fan, adding to the cost. As a result, expected returns in all cases were higher using the SL design based on the results of the sensitivity analyses. Combining the risk and the sensitivity analyses provides growers with a unique evaluation process to make high tunnel design, planting date, and crop choices.

Damage Detection in RAPTOR Telescope Systems Using Time-Frequency Analysis Methods

The RAPTOR telescope systems are astronomical observatories that operate in remote locations in New Mexico searching for astrophysical transients called gamma-ray bursts. Their operating condition should remain at good levels in order to have accurate observations. Currently, the first component of the RAPTOR telescopes to fail is a capstan driving mechanism that operates in a run-to failure mode. The capstans wear relatively frequently because of their manufacturing material and can cause damage to other more expensive components, such as the drive wheels and the telescope optics. Monitoring the condition of these systems seems a reasonable solution since the unpredictable rate at which the capstans experience wear, in combination with the remote locations and high duty cycles of these telescope systems, make it unprofitable to choose a strategy of replacing the capstans at chosen intervals. Experimental tests of the telescope systems reported here recorded vibration signals during clockwise and counterclockwise rotations, similar to a motion known as "homing-sequence". The Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method in combination with the Hilbert Transform (HT) and a new alternative method for the estimation of the instantaneous features of a signal that applies an energy tracking operator, called Teager-Kaiser Energy operator, and an energy separation algorithm to the data being analysed, are the time-frequency analysis methods used for analysis here.

Discriminatory power of MicroResp^TM^ analyses across variable spatial scales in semiarid ecological zones

AbstractIndirect assessment of enzymatic activity potential via substrate induced respiration is a common tool used to evaluate variability in soil microbial activity induced by environmental or management variables. The MicroResp™ method for total soil sample catabolic profiling has been employed to estimate divergence in microbial activities under contrasting conditions. Here we evaluate the potential for the method to discriminate across samples exposed to similar ecological conditions at distinct geographical locations, and across samples exposed to distinct soil management conditions. Samples used in this report came from four spatially distinct arid or semi arid locations in New Mexico, USA and Jordan. For all scales of comparison, similar conditions such as rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, disturbance levels, soil depth and distance from plants were considered as factors.Catabolic profiles vary within and between sampling locations as a function of soil characteristics as induced by proximity to plants, plant species, sampling depth and land disturbance. Substrate utilization potential was expectedly larger in the rhizosphere soils versus non-rhizosphere soil. Rhizosphere activity varied across sampling locations. Surprisingly, variation among plant species within a location was minimal.In summary, fast degradable substrates can distinguish between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils across small scales. Slightly more stable compounds such as aminoacids or fatty acid esters are better descriptors of catabolic potential differences on non-rhizosphere soils across small to large scales. Cellulose degradation only induced significantly differential respiration in samples collected across large spatial scales.

Optimization of aeromedical base locations in New Mexico using a model that considers crash nodes and paths

In a recent paper, Tokar Erdemir et al. (2008) introduce models for service systems with service requests originating from both nodes and paths. We demonstrate how to apply and extend their approach to an aeromedical base location application, with specific focus on the state of New Mexico (NM). The current aeromedical base locations of NM are selected without considering motor vehicle crash paths. Crash paths are the roads on which crashes occur, where each road segment has a weight signifying relative crash occurrence. We analyze the loss in accident coverage and location error for current aeromedical base locations. We also provide insights on the relevance of considering crash paths when selecting aeromedical base locations. Additionally, we look briefly at some of the tradeoff issues in locating additional trauma centers vs. additional aeromedical bases in the current aeromedical system of NM. Not surprisingly, tradeoff analysis shows that by locating additional aeromedical bases, we always attain the required coverage level with a lower cost than with locating additional trauma centers.

Phylogenetic relationships among New MexicoAstragalus mollissimusvarieties andOxytropisspecies by restriction fragment analysis

The phylogenetic relationships within two major locoweed genera,AstragalusandOxytropis, and among varieties of woolly loco found in New Mexico were analyzed by comparing their chloroplastrpoC1 andrpoC2 gene sequences. Nucleic acids from locoweed species and varieties collected from different geographical locations in New Mexico were amplified using specific primer sets and subjected to restriction fragment analyses. Identity of the amplicons was confirmed by determining the 5′-end sequences from pea and woolly loco var.matthewsii. The amplified sequences from all samples were digested with 16 different restriction enzymes. Presence or absence of individual restriction fragments was scored as binary characters and used to develop a similarity coefficient matrix for cladistic analyses to determine the phylogenetic relationships. The target sequence was conserved, yielding 7% polymorphic data.Oxytropisspecies were monophyletic and, as expected, formed a clade distinct fromAstragalus. The average similarity coefficient among woolly loco varieties was very high (0.9733), but the varieties still separated into three different clades. The phylogenetic relationship among woolly loco varieties coincided with their geographic distribution but was unrelated to insect feeding preference.