Research activities in alcohol fuels funded by CR in FY 1980 include the following Special Research Grants: 1) Continuous On-Farm Corn-Alcohol Production: Energy and Management Needs Iowa State University. $100,000. 2) Engineering Studies on A New Way to Dehydrate Ethyl Alcohol with Corn Purdue University. $91,967. 3) Production of a High Concentration of Ethyl Alcohol from Carbohydrates Rutgers University. $99,202. 4) Fuel Alcohol Production by an Operating Farm Scale Plant: A Cost and Energy Study - South Dakota State University. $93,831. 5) Precipitation of Ethanol Stillage to Improve Protein and Recycle Water University of Nebraska. $100,000. 6) Combustion of Agriculturally Derived Nonpetroleum Fuels in Diesel Engines - University of Illinois. $79,360. (Approximately 50 percent is alcohol fuels.) University of 7) Energy Management in a Biogas-Ethanol Production Unit Virginia 8) Cellular Regulation of Butanol-Isopropanol Fermentation In addition to the above, several SAES are beginning to use State and formula funds for operating research and demonstration plants for the production of fuel alcohol and byproducts. Others are working on the selection and improvement of better cultivars and better agronomic systems for alcohol substrates. No FY 1982 funding is expected from DOE. The following projects were funded in FY 1981 from DOE pass-through funds: Northern 1) Enzymatic Conversion of Biomass to Fermentable Sugars Agricultural Energy Center, Northern Regional Research Center, Peoria, Illinois. $150,000. 2) Development of Membranes for Ethanol/Water Separation - Western Regional Research Center, Berkeley, California. $150,000. COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS Mr. WHITTEN. Would you please provide for the record a listing of research projects you completed during the fiscal year 1980? Dr. KINNEY. I would like to submit for the record a listing of the projects completed. Each project listed was a large experiment or series of related experiments directed at testing a scientific hypothesis or developing new knowledge, products or techniques. On the average, these projects ran for about 3 years, but there was variation in project length. The resources applied to these projects in previous years are now used to attack problems that have recently been identified or that are of a recurring nature. In some cases, these new problems were revealed by scientists as they found solutions to the problems defined in the projects being terminated. In other cases, the new projects have no relation to the terminated projects. In all cases there has been a concerted effort by AR managers to use the resources to solve pressing researchable problems while maintaining a strong base of scientific expertise capable of addressing future related problems. [CLERK'S NOTE.-The listing appears on pages 171 through 204.] GYPSY MOTH Mr. WHITTEN. Would you please describe in detail for the Committee all work you currently have underway in connection with research on the gypsy moth? Dr. BERTRAND. The major research thrusts include development of: One, reliable, low cost procedures for mass rearing gypsy moths in order to facilitate production of pathogens and parasites of gypsy moths and to support sterile male release programs; two, methods of producing an effective virus pathogen of the gypsy moth; three, formulations to enhance the performance of the virus; four, rearing procedures that facilitate the collection of males only for use in sterile male release programs; five, effective slow release formulations of the sex attractant for suppressing the pest by disrupting mating; six, suitable specifications to facilitate the procurement of the sex attractant by user agencies; seven, effective and low cost methods of synthesizing the sex attractant; eight, procedures for disrupting mating of the pest; nine, procedures for mass trapping the pest; ten, integrated procedures for joint use of the sex attractant pathogens and insecticides for suppressing gypsy moth population; eleven, procedures to establish newly imported predator and parasites with emphasis on Dinorhynchus dybowskyi, Anastatus disparis and Hexamermis; and twelve, enhanced effectiveness of already established natural enemies. This last item is a new thrust that is being initiated by modest redirection of the base program. Substantial progress has been made on most of the above thrusts. Much of the information and technology is being developed cooperatively with FS, APHIS and state agencies and universities and is being used by federal and state action agencies. The research program is carefully targeted to the needs of users. SEA-AR participates in the USDA Gypsy Moth Steering Committee in order to provide appropriate support in the development of a unified and comprehensive approach by the Department in dealing with the gypsy moth problem. The SEA-AR program is conducted in cooperation, not only with USDA agencies, but also University of Delaware, Harvard University, Rutgers University, Michigan State University, New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Agriculture. FIRE ANTS Mr. WHITTEN. Would you please describe for the Committee all work that you currently have underway in connection with the fire ant? Would you please include the amount of funds budgeted and the number of people assigned to this work? Dr. BERTRAND. Imported fire ant research is being conducted at the Insects Affecting Man and Animals Research Laboratory, Gainesville, Florida, and at the Imported Fire Ant Research Unit, Gulfport, Mississippi, with field study sites in areas of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. The work at both facilities is closely coordinated with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Plant Protection and Quarantine methods development activities. Currently, there are six major research thrusts underway: Replacements for mirex; insect growth regulators; pheromones and attractants; biocontrol; economics; and biology-ecology. Personnel and budgetary resources available for this research at Gainesville are seven scientists and four support personnel with a net budget of $618,000. At Gulfport, there are two scientists, one scientist vacancy, and six support personnel with a budget of $265,000. Mr. WHITTEN. What is the current status of assigning a researcher to Brazil to study the fire ant? As you know, the Committee has made this recommendation for a number of years now. Dr. BERTRAND. Contact has been made with appropriate scientists at Brazilian universities and exploratory trips have been made to investigate the possibilities of biocontrol agents. Plans have been made to establish research capability in Brazil. We have State Department approval and will proceed as soon as sufficient funds are available. RESEARCH PLANS FOR JAPANESE BEETLE Mr. WHITTEN. Please provide for the record an up-to-date status. report on what your plans are for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 in connection with research on the Japanese beetle. Dr. BERTRAND. Our overall objective is to develop more effective methods for control of, and survey for, Japanese beetles; to develop treatments for regulated commodities; and, to supplement present information on ecology and behavior. To this end, our plans for fiscal 1981 and 1982 call for research to develop more effective lures and to improve the procedures for their use. We shall continue our efforts to develop insecticides for use against larvae and adults of the Japanese beetle for general use and application in integrated pest management programs. A program of basic research and innovative approaches to combat the Japanese beetle through the use of feeding deterrents, growth regulators, and other biological procedures will be intensified. INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS Mr. WHITTEN. Would you please provide for the record a list of contributions you have received from private industry or from other sources during the past twelve months? RESEARCH FACILITIES Mr. WHITTEN. Would you please provide for the record a listing of the principal types of research and staff-years, by location, for all agricultural research facilities? Dr. BERTRAND. The Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research projects are categorized into 10 principal types of research. These 10 principal categories are: Crop Production Efficiency, Animal Production Efficiency, Research on Housing, Marketing Efficiency, Research to Expand Agricultural Exports, Human Health and Safety, Consumer Services, Human Nutrition, Conservation, and Watershed Development. A table of these principal types of research and man-years, by location, for all agricultural research facilities will be provided. [The information follows:] 77-802 0-81--6 |