Agricultural Telecommunications 2001
Full Proposal 4.11 / 20383

 

 

Project Summary:

Title of Project:

 

Weed Science Electronic Library Modules

Project Director:

 

Deana Namuth

Applicant Organization:

 

University of Nebraska

Summary:

Since 1980, the spread of herbicide resistant weeds has increased at an alarming rate. Herbicide resistant weed management involves cultural control and combining or rotating herbicide modes of action to reduce selection pressure applied to weed populations. This requires an understanding of how various herbicides work. The goal of this proposal is to build upon Internet-based teaching modules developed in a previous ADEC grant. This new effort will involve developing interactive learning modules that will target applied as well as advanced biochemical information suitable for non-credit and credit offerings. A lack of emphasis in herbicide physiology training during the last two decades has resulted in inadequate resources to extend this information to the audiences in need. We purpose to overcome these limitations with the collaborative efforts of research and extension personnel from several land grant universities. We envision providing valuable information on herbicide mode of action, herbicide resistance weed management and basic weed ecology to a wide audience that will include Spanish speaking farm workers. Learners who complete the Internet modules will know how to make decisions to delay the onset of herbicide resistance and how to use herbicides within the context of an integrated pest management (IPM) system.



Authorized Organizational Representative:

Name:

 

Donald W Helmuth

Email:

 

dhelmuth1@unl.edu

Phone Number:

 

(402) 472-2851

FAX Number:

 

(402) 472-3834

Address:

 

307 Canfield Administration, UNL

 

 

Lincoln, NE   68583-0467



IRS Number:

 

470491233

Congressional District Number:

 

1

Period of Proposed Project Dates:

 

09/01/01 to 09/01/02

 

Principal Investigator/Project Director #1:

Name:

 

Deana M Namuth

Email:

 

dnamuth1@unl.edu

Phone Number:

 

(402) 472-1549

FAX Number:

 

(402) 472-7904

Address:

 

217 Keim Hall, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture

 

 

Lincoln, NE   68583-0915

Curriculum Vitae:

Appointment
Responsibilities include working closely with UNL Agronomy and Horticulture faculty to provide organizational direction in the prioritization, development and maintenance of one-credit distance course modules which serve both academic students and extension clientele. Co-teach Crop Genetic Engineering distance module for non-credit, CEU credit and academic credit learners. Involved with research on the effectiveness of distance education teaching methods.

Education
PhD 1998, Plant Molecular Genetics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
MS 1993, Plant Molecular Genetics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
BS (with honors): 1990, Ag Honors/Agronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

Professional Experience
Distance Education Lecturer, Dept of Agronomy & Horticulture, University of Nebraska, 1999-present
Lecturer (Genetics resident course), Dept of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 12/98-6/99
Post Doc Teaching Fellowship, Dept of Plant Production, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland 1/98-12/98
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, Dept of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 8/90-6/92; 8/92-6/93; 8/93-8/96; 1/97-12/97
Graduate Student Research, Dept of Plant Production, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland 6/92-8/92
Genetics Instructor, Dept of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 6/93-8/93
Biology Instructor, Dept of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, 8/96-12/96

Awards
Gold Award for “Experience the Science Behind Genetic Engineering” education project in the Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE) Critique & Awards Program, 2001.
Tak Tsuchiya Soil and Crop Sciences Graduate Student Award (CSU), 1995 and 1997.
First Place in Graduate Student Presentations Competition, Western Society of Crop Science, 1995.
GRADE-A (Graduate Diversity Education Assistantship), 8/90 to 5/94.
Best Graduate Student Poster, Sixth Annual Colorado Biotechnology Symposium, 1993.
Colorado Institute for Research in Biotechnology Graduate Student Fellowship, 1992.
Charles N. Shepardson Graduate Student Teaching Award (CSU), 1992.

Grants
Expanding and enhancing plant breeding modules; Office of Extended education and Outreach Course/Program Development Grants (UNL). 2001; $11,404
Meeting diverse educational needs in agricultural biotechnology; USDA CSREES, IFAFS. 10/01/00-9/30/03; $568,520
Plant breeding principles and practices- enhancing its education value: Teaching, Learning and Technology Roundtable proposals (UNL). 12/2000; $4,860
Creation of interactive computer learning modules for soil science education: Teaching, Learning and Technology Roundtable proposals (UNL). 12/2000; $4,725.
Travel to American Society of Agronomy annual meeting; Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) Research Travel Grant. 10/2000. $500
Herbicide mode of action distance module; Office of Extended Education and Outreach Course/Program Development Grants (UNL). 12/1999; $6,900
Travel to Telecoop Distance Learning Conference, CO; Office of Extended Education and Outreach National/Regional Distance Education Conference Grant (UNL); 1999; $541

Invited Presentations (Select listed)
Have been invited to give 15 presentations (3/00-5/01) regarding Department of Agronomy and Horticulture distance education programming projects at the local, regional, and international level.

Namuth, Deana; Internet lessons for plant biotechnology (3/01) All ADEC Meeting, Safety Harbor, FL
Coupling CEU and Academic Credit Offerings (11/00) International Certified Crop Advisor Board and Advisory Council, Minneapolis, MN
Byrne, P., Namuth, D., Hain, P.; Meeting Diverse Educational Needs in Agricultural Biotechnology (10/00) Engaged Institutions Role in Biotechnology Education conference (Iowa State University)
Distance Education at the University of Nebraska, USA (8/00). VTT, Jokionen, Finland

Other Selected Presentations
Namuth, D., Hain, P., Lee, D., Engebretson, A.; Dual Role for Lesson Module in Distance Learning (11/2000) American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
Suchman, Erica and Namuth, Deana. 1997. The Nuts and Bolts of Running an Effective Lab. Graduate Teaching Assistant Workshop, August 1997, Colorado State University

Selected Publications (Refereed articles designated with *)

*Fritz, S., Ward, S., Byrne, P., Harms, K., & Namuth, D. (in preparation). Agricultural Biotechnology Training for Extension Educators
Namuth, Deana (2000) E-learning-More than an electronic correspondence. In: Learning Matters (an electronic publication of Saba, which is a for profit training organization)
Namuth, D (2000) Increasing HIV awareness in college stuents using multiple teaching/learning styles. In: Practice Notes - Strategies in Health Education. Health Education and Behavior 27(1):5
*Boyko, E.V., Gill, K.S., Mickelson-Young, L., Nasuda, S., Raupp, W.J., Ziegle, J. N., Singh, S., Hassawi, D.S., Fritz, A. K., Namuth, D., Lapitan, N.L.V., Gill, B.S. (1999) A high-density genetic linkage map of Aegilops tauschii, the D-genome progenitor of bread wheat. Theor. Appl. Genet. 99(1 / 2)16-26.
*Sherman, J.D., Fenwick, A.L., Namuth, D.M., and Lapitan, N.L.V. (1995) A barley RFLP map: alignment of three barley maps and comparisons to gramineae species. Theor. Appl. Genet. 91:681-690.
*Namuth, D., Lapitan, N., Gill, K., and Gill, B. (1994) Comparative RFLP mapping of Hordeum vulgare and Triticum tauschii. Theor. Appl. Genet. 89:865-872.

Published abstracts
Namuth D, Hain P, Lee D, and Engebretson A. (2000) Dual role for lesson modules in distance learning. American Society of Agronomy (Minnesota)
Baenziger PS, Lee DJ, Namuth D, and Strauss C. (2000) Going the distance: Video and web-based learning. American Society of Agronomy (Minnesota)
Nicolai D, Lee D, and Namuth D. (2000) Industry-university partnerships in teaching crop genetic engineering. American Society of Agronomy (Minnesota)

Books
Namuth, D., Koivu, K., Kuvshinov, V., Arbatova, J., and Pehu, E. (1998) Advanced Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory Manual. Yliopistopaino, Helsinki, Finland.



Principal Investigator/Project Director #2:

Name:

 

Scott J Nissen

Email:

 

snissen@lamar.colostate.edu

Phone Number:

 

(970) 491-3489

FAX Number:

 

(970) 491-2462

Address:

 

115 Weed Research Lab, CSU

 

 

Ft. Collins, CO   80523-1177

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION
Ph.D. 1986, Crop Science/Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman.
M.S. 1978, Agronomy/Soil Science, University of Nevada, Reno.
B.S. 1975, Botany, University of Montana, Missoula.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1997 to present-Associate Professor, Weed Science, Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
1995-1997-Assistant Professor, Weed Science, Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO.
1989-1994-Assistant Professor, Weed Science, Agronomy Department, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
1987-1989-Postdoctoral Researcher, Pomology Department, University of California, Davis.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Responsibilities include integrated weed management in onions, potatoes, sugar beets and dry beans. Field, laboratory and greenhouse research to understand herbicide performance, weed biology and application technology in addition to outreach programming and extension education. Teach a graduate level class in herbicide mode of action.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Weed Science Society of America
Western Society of Weed Science
American Society of Plant Physiologists
Plant Growth Regulator Society of America

PUBLICATIONS (past 5 years)
Thompson, W.M. and S. J. Nissen. 2000. Absorption and fate of carfentrazone-ethyl in corn, soybean, and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). Weed Sci. 48: 15-19Enloe, S. F., P. Westra, S. J. Nissen, S. D. Miller, and P W. Stahlman. 1999. Use of quinclorac plus 2,4-D for controlling field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) in fallow. Weed Tech 13:731-736.
Miller, P. A., P. Westra, and S. J. Nissen. 1999. The influence of surfactants and nitrogen on foliar absorption of MON 37500. Weed Sci. 47:270-274.
Enloe, S. F., S. J. Nissen, and P. Westra. 1999. Absorption, fate and soil activity of quinclorac in field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Weed Sci. 47:136-142.
Thompson, W. M., S. J. Nissen, and R. A. Masters. 1998. AC 263,222 absorption and fate in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). Weed Sci. 46:510-513.
Anderson, D. D., S. J. Nissen, A. R. Martin, and F. W. Roeth. 1998. Mechanism of primisulfuron resistance in a shattercane (Sorghum bicolor) biotype. Weed Sci. 46:158-162
Masters, R. A., and S. J. Nissen. 1998. Revegetating leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)-infested rangeland with native tallgrasses. Weed Tech. 12: 381-390.
Krishnan, G., D. L. Holshouser and S. J. Nissen. 1998. Weed control in soybean with green manure crops. Weed Tech. 12:97-102
Rowe, M. L., D. J. Lee, S. J. Nissen, B. M. Bowditch, and R. A. Masters. 1997. Genetic variation in North American leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) determined by genetic markers. Weed Sci. 45:446-454
Uludag, A., D. J. Lyon, and S. J. Nissen. 1997. Proso millet response to metsulfuron, prosulfuron and triasulfuron. Weed Tech. 11:138-143
Lym, R.G., S. J. Nissen, M. L. Rowe, D. J. Lee, and R. A. Masters. 1996. Influence of shoot morphology and genetic variation on establishment of the leafy spurge gall midge, Spurgia esulae. Weed Sci. 44:629-633.
Masters, R. A., S. J. Nissen, R. E. Gaussion, D. D. Beran, and R. N. Stourgaard. 1996. Imidazolinones improve ecological restoration of Great Plains Grasslands. Weed Sci. 392-403.
Thompson, W. M., S. J. Nissen, and R. A. Masters. 1996. Adjuvant effects on imazethapyr, 2,4-D, and picloram absorption by leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) Weed Tech. 44:469-475.



Principal Investigator/Project Director #3:

Name:

 

Susan M Fritz

Email:

 

smfritz@unlnotes.unl.edu

Phone Number:

 

(402) 472-9559

FAX Number:

 

(402) 472-5863

Address:

 

300 AgHall, ALEC Department

 

 

Lincoln, NE    68583-0709

Curriculum Vitae:

APPOINTMENT
Interim Department Head and Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

EDUCATION
B.S. Bus. Adm. 1979 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.Ed. Adult Ed/Ag. Ed 1989 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D. Community & 1993 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Human Resources

DISSERTATION AND THESIS COMMITTEE CHAIRED
Dierberger, Betsy. (December, 1998). “Determination of Informed Choice and Pathways to Selection of the Environmental Studies Major.” (Ph.D.) Co-Chair
Engiz, Mufit. (August, 1998). “The Impact of a Distance-delivered Agricultural Program and Recommendations for Future Programs in the Isparta Region of Turkey.” (M.S.)
Johnson, Zane. (December, 1998). “Incentives and Obstacles Influencing Community
College Faculty and Administrators Receptivity Toward Distance Education.” (M.S.)
Schauer, Jolene. (December, 1997). “Incentives and Obstacles Influencing Faculty and Administrators Receptivity Toward Delivering Distance Education.” (M.S.) Co-Chair

Honors and Awards
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Distinguished Teaching Award, April 14, 2000
National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture Teacher Fellow,
June 22, 1999.
Holling Family Award for Teaching Excellence – 1998 Junior Faculty Member, March 13, 1998.

Refereed Journal Articles (Last five years)
Fritz, S., Bek, T., & Hall, D. (In press). Comparison of campus and distance undergraduate leadership students attitudes. Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management.
Lane, K. & Fritz, S. (In press). Environmental science in rural and elementary programs in Nebraska. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Science Education.
Fritz, S., Burrow, S., Etling, A., Barbuto, J. (2000). Motivation and recognition preferences of
4-H volunteers. Journal of Agricultural Education, 41, (3), 40-49.
Rockwell, S. K., Schauer, J., Fritz, S., & Marx, D. (2000). Faculty education, assistance and support needed to deliver education via distance. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration. Available: http://www.westga.edu/~distance/jmain11.html.
Barbuto, J., Fritz, S., Marx, D. (2000). A field study of two measures of work motivation for predicting leaders transformational behaviors. Psychological Reports, 86, 295-300.
Rockwell, S. K., Schauer, J., Fritz, S. M., & Marx, D. (1999). Incentives and obstacles influencing higher education faculty and administrators to teach via distance. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 2(4).
Millard, M. & Fritz, S. M. (1999). Value intensity identification of Environmental Studies/Natural Resources Majors. NACTA Journal, 43(3).
Fritz, S. M. & Brown. F. W. (1998). Leadership courses and programs in departments of agricultural education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 39 (3) 57-62.
Fritz, S. M. & Myers, N. F. (1998). The impact of gender and status in a university setting on importance of EAP services. Employee Assistance Quarterly, 13(3) 59-68.
Fritz, S. M. & Moody, L. M. (1997). Assessment of junior high/middle school agricultural programs in Nebraska. Journal of Agricultural Education, 38(1) 61-65.
Brown, F. W., & Fritz, S. M. (1996). The use of an incomplete sentences test for employment screening and selection of Cooperative Extension Agents and Educators. Journal of Extension,34(2).

Books (Last five years)
Fritz, S. M., & Lunde, J. P. (2000). Instructors manual: Interpersonal skills for leadership. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Fritz, S.M., Brown, F.W., Lunde, J.P., & Banset, E.A. (Eds.). (1999). Interpersonal skills for leadership. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Fritz, S.M., Brown, F.W., Lunde, J.P., & Banset, E.A. (Eds.). (1997). Interpersonal skills for leadership(2nd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Simon & Schuster Custom Publishing.
Fritz, S.M., Brown, F.W., Lunde, J.P., & Banset, E.A. (Eds.). (1996). Interpersonal skills for leadership. Needham Heights, MA: Simon & Schuster Custom Publishing.

RESEARCH GRANTS (Last five years)
Changing How Rural Students Will Learn in the 21st Century–A Rural Agricultural Science Magnet School Network. W. K. Kellogg. May 1, 2001-July 31, 2002. $200,000.
Leadership and Issues Action Team Project. University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. January 1, 2001-June 30, 2001. $5,000.
LINC Phase II. W.K. Kellogg. July 1, 2000-June 30, 2002. $274,000.
Meeting Diverse Educational Needs in Agricultural Biotechnology. USDA CSREES, IFAFS. September 15, 2000-September 30, 2003. $568,520.
University Neighborhood Community Development. Leadership for Institutional Change. September 1, 2000-August 31, 2002. $16,000.
University Neighborhood Community Organizing Using Collaborative Leadership. NN21. January 1, 2000-December 31, 2000. $5,000.
Multi-site Delivery of Interpersonal Skills for Leadership. Extended Education Training Support and Course Development. July 1, 1999-May 15, 2000. $10,000.
Completing the Cycle: Student Evaluation of Service Projects. Nebraska Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education. August 1, 1999-May, 15, 2000. $2,500.
Enhancing Student Ethnic and Gender Diversity Through Recruiting and Retention in CASNR. UNL Faculty Liaison Task Force on Diversity. December 1, 1999-June 30, 2000. $4,694.
Strategies for Gender Equity in Agricultural Education. Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Program. April 15-June 30, 1999. $6,493.
Redefining the Delivery of Leadership Education. ADEC Planning Grant. August 15-December 31, 1998. $6,000.
Focusing on Gender Equity in Agricultural Education. Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Fund. April 1- September 1, 1998. $9,990.



Principal Investigator/Project Director #4:

Name:

 

Tracy M Sterling

Email:

 

tsterlin@nmsu.edu

Phone Number:

 

(505) 646-6177

FAX Number:

 

(505) 646-8087

Address:

 

Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science (EPPWS), NMSU, MSC 3BE, Box 30003

 

 

Las Cruces, NM   88003

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1988
Ph.D., Agronomy/Botany - Thesis: Mechanisms of Herbicide Absorption and Metabolism

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 1985
M.S., Horticulture - Thesis: Phytotoxic Exudates from Glandular Trichomes of Weeds as Allelopathic Chemicals.

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 1983
B.S., Agronomy and Horticulture

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Professor, New Mexico State University 2001 to present
Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science.

Associate Professor, New Mexico State University 1995 to 2001
Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science.

Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University 1989 to 1995
Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science.

Graduate Research Assistant, 1986 - 1988
University of Wisconsin, Department of Agronomy.

Graduate Research Assistant, 1983 - 1985
Michigan State University, Department of Horticulture.

Assistant Agronomist, Agri-growth Research Inc. 1983
Hollandale, MN

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
American Society of Plant Biologists
Gamma Sigma Delta
Sigma Xi
Weed Science Society of America
Western Society of Weed Science

COURSES TAUGHT
BIOL/EPWS 314 - Plant Physiology
EPWS 420/520 - Environmental Fate of Pesticides
AGRO/BIOL/EPWS/HORT 530 - Plant Physiology: Metabolism

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
1997 Sam Steel Society Induction
1994 El Paso Natural Gas Foundation Faculty Achievement Award
1992 National Assoc. of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit
1988 D.C. Smith Outstanding Agronomy Graduate Student Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison
1988 Outstanding Weed Science Graduate Student Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison
9/86 to 12/88 Graduate Professional Opportunities Program Fellow

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS (last five years)
Valenzuela-Valenzuela, J. M., N. K. Lownds and T. M. Sterling. 2001. Clopyralid uptake, translocation, metabolism and ethylene induction in picloram-resistant yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.). Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 60 (in press).
Sterling, T. M., N. K. Lownds and L. W. Murray. 2001. Similar competitive ability between Centaurea solstitialis accessions resistant or susceptible to picloram. Weed Sci. 49:42-47.
Sterling, T. M., L. W. Murray and Y. Hou. 2000. Morphological variation among broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) populations. Weed Sci. 48:356-365.
Sabba, R.P., T.M. Sterling and N.K. Lownds. 1998. Effect of picloram on resistant and susceptible yellow starthistle: The role of ethylene. Weed Sci. 46:297-300.Sterling, T. M. and Y. Hou. 1997. Genetic diversity of broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and threadleaf snakeweed (G. microcephala) populations. Weed Sci. 45:674-680.
Fuerst, E. P., T. M. Sterling, M. A. Norman, T. S. Prather, G. P. Irzyk, Y. Wu, N. K. Lownds and R. H. Callihan. 1996. Physiological characterization of picloram resistance in yellow starthistle. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 56:149-161.
Waldrop, M. P., T. M. Sterling, R. A. Khan and W. T. Molin. 1996. Fate of prometryn in prometryn-tolerant and -susceptible cotton cultivars. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 56:111-122.
Sterling, T. M., N. K. Lownds, and L. W. Murray. 1996. Picloram uptake and picloram-induced ethylene production by broom snakeweed as influenced by environment. J. Range Manage. 49:245-250.

BOOK CHAPTERS
Sterling, T. M. and J. C. Hall. 1997. Mechanism of action of natural auxins and the auxinic herbicides. In R. M. Roe, J. D. Burton and R. J. Kuhr (editors), Herbicide Activity: Toxicology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, I. O. S. Press, Inc., Amsterdam, pages 205-263.

Sterling, T. M., D.C. Thompson and K.C. McDaniel. 1999. Perennial Snakeweeds. In R. L. Sheley and J. K. Petroff , Eds., Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds, Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, pages 323-335.



Description of the Agricultural Communication Network Project:

1. Project Objectives:

·    To improve agricultural research underlying agricultural telecommunications.

·    Make optimal use of available resources for agricultural extension, resident education, and research by sharing resources between participating institutions.

·    Train students for careers in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, human sciences and the food industries.



Explain how the project relates to the Program Objective(s) and how the Project will contribute to achieving these.

Weed management is critical in agricultural production and natural resource management. Weeds compete with crop plants for light, water, and nutrients and effect the stability of natural communities. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are commonly used to deal with weed problems in agricultural and natural systems and herbicides are an important component of these integrated management strategies. Strategies must be developed to reduce the selection pressure being applied to weed populations if herbicides are to remain a viable IPM component. The proposed project seeks to inform learners of the management strategy currently available to reduce the selection pressure being applied to weed populations across the country. Lessons developed will provide learners of various levels with vital information about the action of herbicides so that management strategies can be developed that reduce the potential for resistant weed development. Learners will develop an understanding of weed management principles important to resistance management.

Learning modules will be developed at two levels because the needs of the agricultural and natural resource managers are diverse. At one level we propose to train learners that have a basic understanding of plant science and biochemistry. These learners would include crop consultants, extension educators, undergraduate and graduate students, state and federal land managers. Agricultural producers and workers would be able to access similar information at a level that would not require advanced education. At the second level, the less advanced lessons will be translated into Spanish to empower a much wider audience both in the US and Mexico. Planned topics for all lessons are detailed later in this proposal.

The proposed project would not be possible except for the combined efforts of agricultural faculty from several land-grant universities. In this way we can efficiently utilize the expertise necessary to accomplish the proposed objectives and develop better interactions between lesson developers. Lessons will be reviewed by several PIs or collaborators to insure informational accuracy and to determine if lessons are appropriate for the intended audience. Drs. Sterling, Nissen, and Mallory-Smith will have primarily responsible for the biochemistry based learning level, while Drs. Martin, Lyon, Dille, and Knezevic will work to adapt the same basic material for a less technical audience. The needs of a broad audience will be addressed with this strategy.





2. Description of Agricultural Communication Network to be Developed or Utilized.

We propose to utilize and expand upon the web environment developed at the University of Nebraska Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the DEAL lab (Distributive Environments for Active Learning) (http://croptechnology.unl.edu/ ). This Internet library of crop technology modules uses a multimedia approach combining text, images, a hyper-linked glossary, animations, and on-line quizzes to present educational learning in an interactive manner. The database environment was created with the intent of allowing expansion and growth from the original framework of crop genetics topics. Following an open source type of philosophy, materials can be accessed free of charge via the Internet using any browser. Only the quiz features require passwords, which learners enrolled in workshops and courses can access. The text, images and animations can now be saved on a CDROM format for those users with unreliable Internet connections.

The effectiveness of this learning environment is well documented. For example, it is currently linked on a transgenic plant web site at Colorado State University (http://www.colostate.edu/programs/lifesciences/TransgenicCrops/ ). Publications in which the Transgenic Crops web site has been mentioned or reviewed include Science magazine, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Genetic Engineering News, the Christian Science Monitor, the Rocky Mountain News (Linda Seebachs column), IPMnet News, CNN.com, the Internet Scout Project (an NSF-sponsored organization at the University of Wisconsin), and the Environmental Nutrition Newsletter. Also about 125 other web pages now link to the Transgenic Crops web site.

Various lesson module components have also been used extensively. At the University of Nebraska alone over 500 undergraduate, graduate and continuing education learners from a resident genetics course, two distance graduate courses and extension workshops have improved their knowledge of crop genetics and plant biochemistry through these lessons. Requests from students outside of Nebraska doing projects have been received from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Connecticut. Teachers from the University of Kentucky, University of Illinois, South Dakota State University, South Africa and the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum have used the animations and/or database environment. Extension educators from Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington and Australia have used the flash animations for workshop presentations to clientele. Journalists from Nebraska, Minnesota Public Radio, Brazil and Malaysia have also referred to the materials in their reports.

Four lessons in particular, (http://croptechnology.unl.edu/html/Newlesson.shtml?lesson=PlantBiochemistry ) which compose the plant biochemistry section of the learning environment, represent preliminary work from which the preproposal was based upon. These lessons (Herbicides That Act Through Photosynthesis, Inhibitors of Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis, Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis, and The Interaction of Light with Biological Molecules) have been used in a distance course Herbicide Action in Plants taught by Dr. Alex Martin at the University of Nebraska. The audience for this course was 23 percent non-credit learners, 54 percent academic credit learners and 23 percent continuing education credit learners. Three of those lessons are currently in peer-review with The Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education.

Two PIs for this proposal, Drs. Deana Namuth and Scott Nissen have worked with the original croptechnology Internet library project. Dr. Nissen has developed content and animation guidelines for two lesson modules. Dr. Namuth has served as project manager with responsibilities including content development for several lesson modules and animations, coordination between graphic artists and content experts, directing the environments evolution and providing input for licensing and copyright issues. The third PI, Dr. Susan Fritz has conducted outcomes assessments from crop genetic engineering workshops utilizing the lessons. Fourth, PI, Dr. Tracy Sterling brings extensive collaborations with key Mexican weed scientists, as well as authorship in several weed science venues and multiple teaching responsibilities.





Describe the Cost/Benefit Analysis for purchasing (or leasing) different types of facilities, equipment, components, hardware and software, or other items. (complete only if applicable to your project).



3. Agricultural Communication Network Programming:

Agricultural Biochemistry

Agronomy

Biochemistry

Biotechnology

Environmental and Natural Resources

Plant Science

Other


Describe the Programming and how it will contribute to achieving the Objective(s):

Educational Needs
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has become a central theme in production agriculture with pesticides remaining key components for successful pest management. The problem is that since 1980, the spread of herbicide resistant weeds has increased at an alarming rate. To manage herbicide resistance weeds requires an understanding of how different herbicides function. The various needs of learners we plan to target are discussed at length in the audience section of this proposal.

A barrier to providing this type of training comes from a national trend in recent years that has reduced the pool of weed science professionals with expertise in herbicide mode of action. This has resulted in a reduction of college courses available to train students in herbicide technology. Many faculty who are teaching these courses feel ill-prepared due to a lack of supporting resources. In neighboring Mexico, there are even greater limitations in weed physiology expertise to address the resistance issue. Mexican extension and academic audiences are in urgent need of educational materials, especially in relation to avoiding the spread of resistant weeds.


Goals and Objectives
With this proposed project we intend to bring together faculty representing five different states (CO, KS, NE, NM, OR) and two countries (US and Mexico). These faculty have a variety of appointments (i.e. teaching, research and extension) and expertise strengths to effectively assess and meet the weed science educational needs with one network.

Education Venues
Some interesting observations were made regarding the sources extension educators used to learn more about biotechnology. A study conducted during a recent biotechnology workshop offered by faculty of the Soil and Crop Sciences Department at Colorado State University found that of 55 participants (84 percent extension educators), newspapers (47), the Internet/World Wide Web (28), and “popular” magazines (26) were the most widely reported media sources utilized by respondents (Fritz et al. 2001). At the same time, a national study by Vestal and Briers (1999) found that journalists' knowledge of biotechnology was low, and, therefore, the heavy reliance by respondents on newspapers and popular magazines as sources of information may be ill-advised, and lead to further confusion about biotechnology for them and their clientele. These studies suggest to us that the same targeted audience may likely be gaining their knowledge regarding weed science topics from similar sources. Therefore, we plan to collaborate with the ongoing work of the http://croptechnology.unl.edu/ learning environment, following the model established to develop content in the format of lesson modules which can then be packaged to meet the specific needs of educators.

Programming
Lesson content will be developed by individual faculty in their particular expertise area. We are proposing to add 15 new lessons covering the various herbicide mode of action classes and other weed science topics (listed in table below). Along with the peer review process already underway with the American Society of Agronomy, we plan to expand this peer review process with a second professional society, The Weed Science Society of America. The peer review aspect is critical for ensuring learners accurate and up-to-date information, allowing content authors an avenue for providing professional contributions in their field, and continuing a high-quality electronic library.

Proposed Lesson Title

Author

Weed Physiology Topics

Extension Level

Herbicide Application Technology

Drew Lyon

Practical Applications of Herbicide Physiology

Alex Martin & Brady Kappler

Weed Physiology Topics

Academic Level

General Herbicide Physiology (absorption, translocation & metabolism)

Scott Nissen & Tracy Sterling

Auxinic Herbicide Mechanism(s)of Action

Tracy Sterling

Herbicides That Inhibit Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

Scott Nissen

Inhibition of Secondary Pigments

Tracy Sterling & Scott Nissen

Inhibition of Microtubule Formation

Scott Nissen

Herbicide Resistance: Biochemical Mechanisms, Inheritance, and Molecular Genetics

Carol Mallory-Smith

General Weed Management Issues

Extension Level

Weed Management For Dryland Cropping Systems

Drew Lyon

Effects of Additives on Herbicide Performance

Alex Martin & Brady Kappler

Herbicide Classification by Mode of Action

Alex Martin & Brady Kappler