During the second year of operation with funds appropriated under Section 1445, the institutions allocated funds to support new and on-going research projects under their on-going Public Law 89-106 grant supported research programs and for the renovation of some research laboratories. The research projects currently being conducted in the 1890 Colleges and Tuskegee Institute are distributed into several research programs as follows: natural resources 11 percent; crops resources, 27 percent; animal resources, 22 percent; people, communities and institutions, 35 percent; and competition, trade adjustments, price and income policy, 5 percent. Selected examples of recent progress: Home Insulation Pays Off for Low-Income Families: Data from Kentucky State University indicates that low-income households can conserve both energy and money through home insulation. House size was found to vary directly with in come. However, the amount of insulation needed varied inversely with level of income. Houses of low-income families need more insulation than those of highincome families to meet minimum standards. The savings in energy and, subsequently, in money from this conservation measure can be considerable. These findings have implications for public policy makers concerning the advisability of low interest loans to low-income families to encourage conservation through home insulation. Hair Zinc Level Linked to Control of Diabetes. Research findings in experiments with rats at Lincoln University, Missouri, indicate that zinc levels in blood and hair are related to the degree to which an animal with diabetes responds to treatment. Interest is high in using a simple technique (zinc determination) in a material (hair) that is easily available for sampling. Eventually, it is hoped, that if human subjects have similar responses, this technique will be a useful indicator of the process of diabetes treatment in humans. Environmental Toxins Related to Intelligence. Findings at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Experiment Station indicate that environmental toxins (lead and cadmium) are related to intelligence. According to the study, the higher the level of lead and cadmium in the diet, the lower the level of intelligence. Using an electrophysiological assessment tool, researchers identified direct linkage between cadmium presence and verbal skills; and lead presence and performance skills. The findings of the study impact particularly on nutrition practices during prenatal and post natal periods when major brain development occurs. The study can lead to more effective diagnostic and remedial procedures to aid children with learning disabilities. Low-Income Families See Clothing as Greatest Need. Alcorn State University researchers found that sixty percent of the families in southwest Mississippi counties who ranked clothing high on their human needs list had incomes of less than $6,000 per year. Overall, one-third of all families interviewed gave clothing needs top priority. Cost-saving techniques to help families make and repair their own clothes were developed and tested. These techniques are easily absorbed into low-income budgets, allowing people with limited inCome to meet other basic human needs. Rainbow Trout and Catfish Farming. Scientists at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, have produced rainbow trout in catfish ponds during the colder periods of the year. Double cropping was used with catfish in the summer and trout in the winter. Trout did well either alone or with catfish. Trout even stimulated winter feeding by the catfish. Stocking with 2.000 trout per acre resulted in net income yields of about $500 per acre. 77-802 0-81-32 Achieving Higher Vegetable Yields. In experiments at Tuskegee Institute during 1979, mulched tomatoes yielded 65 to 80 percent more fruit than unmulched plants. Direct seeded tomato plants bore fruit 15 days earlier than transplanted tomatoes. Direct seeding also appears to be beneficial for peppers and eggplants. In another study, drip irrigation increased yields of egg plants, okra, These experiments indicate that in Alabama's climate, it is advantageous to SPECIAL RESEARCH GRANTS The Special Research Grants program concentrates on problems on national interest beyond the normal emphasis in the formula grant program. Following is a description of current activities and selected examples of accomplishments from these appropriated funds: Current activities: In fiscal year 1981 under the Special Research Grants Included under the Special Research Grants program are grants for alcohol In fiscal year 1981 Special Research Grants will be awarded competitively, utilizing peer panels of scientists to evaluate the scientific merit of proposals in the areas of energy, animal health, integrated pest management, aquaculture, antidesertification, germplasm resources, native latex and, alcohol fuels research. Solicitation of applications for fiscal year 1981 grants to be awarded competitively will be published in the Federal Register. It is anticipated that grants will be awarded by August 1981. One hundred and thirteen Special Research Grants were awarded competitively in fiscal year 1980. Given below are details on the number of proposals submitted and the number of grants for each area. Selected examples of recent progress: Physiological Stress Effects on Nitrogen Assimilation in Soybeans. Studies suggest that inhibition of nodule activity observed under long term stress is not caused solely by the decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange rate (CER), but also by changes in photosynthetic pool sizes. Agronomists at the University of Minnesota studied the 14C02 assimilation, photosynthetic distribution, stomatal resistance, and acetylene reduction of vegetative 'Clay' soybean plants, 3 hours after the leaves had been pulse labelled with 14C02. While monitoring the photosynthetic (CER) and acetylene reduction activity of control and water stressed soybean plants, they found that 14C02 assimilation and specific nodule activity was decreased and stomatal resistance was increased following 6 hours of water stress induced by polyethylene glycol. They also found that dry weights of beans, of stems, and petioles, and of nodules were significantly decreased in the water stress treatments while root dry weights were increased. Water stress also resulted in a redistributing of 14 being translocated to the roots and nodules at the expense of the leaves. New Pesticide Clearances Aid Producers of Minor Crops. Pesticide field studies and chemical residue analyses conducted in research laboratories in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey and New York, with input from the states and U.S. territories, resulted in the establishment of twenty-two tolerances for food crops and 841 new registrations on ornamental plantings. These clearances have provided needed new chemical tools for control of serious pests for which no previous registered alternatives existed. This increases production while lowering costs. Freezing Plant Tissue for Future Use. Work in progress at the University of Arizona indicates it may be possible to deep freeze and later use isolated and cultured plant cells, buds, and other regenerative tissue of asexually propagated plants. Special interest is directed toward flowers, fruit trees, and some vegetables. Methodologies developed under this special grant should be applicable to a wide range of crops and other plants that traditionally are not propagated by seed. Trucking Regulations for Hauling Soybean Meal. Economists at North Carolina State University concluded that the proposal by Congress and by the Rural Transportation Advisory Task Force to reclassify soybean meal as an exempt commodity for trucking would save from 48,000 to 56,000 gallons of fuel per year in North Carolina alone. Additional cost savings would result in a total annual saving of $1.5 to $1.7 million per year. Most of these savings would be passed on to soybean producers and consumers of poultry and livestock products. This research is useful in the consideration of intra-state as well as inter-state transportation regulations. Disease-Infected Plant Tissue Makes Poor Feed. Research at the University of Missouri shows that stem rust of orchardgrass not only reduces forage yield but also adversely affect the quality of the forage. Microscopic examination showed no apparent in vitro digestion of tissue when mycelium was evident; and only partial digestion of adjacent tissues with no mycelium. Worker Exposure to Dimethoate, Trichlorfon, Carbaryl, and Chlorobenzilate. Researchers at the University of California at Riverside have determined the potential exposure of agricultural workers to four major insecticides applied to orange and lemon trees and under consideration by EPA for reregistration. The potential exposure was measured by a new technique of examining leaves for dislodgable residues which can be removed from leaves by shaking them in a detergent solution. Residues were monitored for 61 days following insecticide application. Carbaryl was the most persistent insecticide of the four; trichlorfon and dimethoate were the least persistent. Edible portions of fruit were examined for residues 60 days after insecticide application, and no analytically significant residues were found. Energy-Efficient Production of Anhydrous Ethanol. One of the barriers to more widespread use of gasohol as a fuel is the production of an essentially anhydrous ethanol. Studies underway at Purdue University indicate that a process using a mixture consisting primarily of cornmeal as an absorption agent is 25 times more energy efficient in producing anhydrous ethanol than previously tested methods. Mycoplasma Mastitis Studies in Dairy Cattle. California scientists have underway an extensive study of mycoplasma mastitis of dairy cattle. This form of mastitis spreads rapidly through a herd with serious consequences. Objectives of the research are concentrated on developing immunization programs, effective preventive therapy, and learning how the disease spreads on the farm and between farms. The epidemiologic study involves 235 herds (100,000 cows) in Tulare County. It is anticipated that these studies will provide information that may lead to control of the disease. Mastitis is one of the greatest economic problems facing the dairy industry and is estimated to cost the industry more than $1 billion annually. Liver Flukes - Control by Vaccination. Scientists at the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station reported that an experimental vaccine for Fasciola hepatica, liver fluks infection, has been developed, with preliminary tests showing fluke reduction of greater than 90 percent. Common liver fluke infection is a world-wide problem and a highly important economic infection in range cattle and sheep in many States. Current control programs relate to pasture management and treatment designed for infected animals. The experimental work holds promise for developing a preventive vaccination program that may have broad implications in the control of liver flukes. Bovine Pulmonary Emphysema Reproduced by Changes in Grazing Conditions. Oregon scientists have underway a two-year study on acute bovine pulmonary emphysema. They have been able to reproduce the disease (ABPE) by simulating natural grazing conditions. The disease was produced by abruptly changing cattle from an insufficient diet of green, closely clipped pasture to a lush well-irrigated pasture. By subjecting cattle to the simulated grazing regimen, 3-methyindole level were increased and a drop of pH occurred in the rumen. Lush pastures are rich in indole acetic acid which by action of rumen bacteria is converted to 3-methyindole. This compound had been found previously to produce the disease by dosing cattle with 3-methyindole or tryptophan. These findings are expected to furnish a basis for a management program that would prevent ABPE. Bovine Respiratory Disease - Effect of BVD Virus. Tennessee scientists have a three-year project in progress on the effect of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) agent on respiratory tract and immune response of the lungs. Animal models have been developed and studies are underway to evaluate the basic immune response of the cells and tissues of the lungs. Two tests are being studied to identify the immune response. IgG and IgA, but not IgM, were present in the lung fluids. The identification of the immune substances will lead to methods of enhancing this protective response. The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay test was found to be a sensitive specific test for BVD antibodies. This finding will aid in developing effective vaccines. Respiratory disease problems of cattle costs the cattle industry $3 billion loss each year. The studies at Tennessee and other states will help the industry reduce these losses. Identifying Disease Resistant Cattle. Wisconsin scientists have initiated basic studies to identify cattle having superior genetic resistance to diseases and parasites. These scientists are examining specific segments of cattle chromosomes to find genetic markers which will permit accurate identification of individual animals that are highly resistant to specific diseases. The chromosome segments under study control the specific kinds and amounts of disease fighting cells and substances that each animal mobilizes to counter Cattle Parasites - Studies Initiated on Potential Vaccines. Virginia scientists COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS Para The program of Competitive Research Grants was initiated to fund basic research in selected high priority areas related to food production and human nutrition. The competitive grants complement the on-going research efforts of the USDA and the traditional agricultural research community by obtaining the participation of research scientists throughout the entire U.S. scientific community who have outstanding expertise in these and related areas. The Competitive Research Grants program reflects the Congressional intent of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. The following is a description of current activities and selected examples of accomplishments from these appropriated funds: Current activities: Five targeted areas were identified as possessing great opportunities for scientific discoveries and for contributing to applied research vitally needed on important food problems. There are four target areas relating to crop productivity: photosynthesis, biological nitrogen-fixation, genetic mechanisms for crop improvement, and plant protection from biological stresses (e.g., insects, pathogens, viruses, and nematodes). The target area in human nutrition relates to establishing human nutrient requirements. The Competitive Research Grants Office received 598 research proposals in |