Susan completed an MSc degree in Agronomy. Her thesis topic involved the evaluation of the effects of tillage
and planting date on the emergence of soybean seed lots that differed in seed quality. She also evaluated the volatile
aldehydes compounds assay as a potential vigor test.
Tian has finished her MSc degree
in Agronomy and has returned to China where she is working at a research institute. Her thesis topic was to investigate
the mechanisms of seed dormancy in Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsicum dactyloides). She found that the cupule had a significant
influence on germination as well as the pericarp. She also conducted experiments on the effects of the application
of GA in buffered solutions on the germination of dormant gamagrass caryopses. We are now investigating the potential
of solid matrix priming perhaps in conjunction with GA as a practical method of improving establishment success
with this species. This current work is being conducted in a collaborative effort with Dr. Lance Gibson.
Renan finished his PhD degree in Agronomy in the summer of 1999. He, along with researchers in the Chemistry
Department applied the pulsed electrochemical detection technique to the determination of polyamines from soybean
seeds and seedlings via high performance liquid chromatography. He then characterized the changes in polyamine
profiles in seeds and seedlings when exposed to high and low temperature stress. He is now conducting research
at the University of Minnesota.
Peter Akowuah completed his MSc degree and has returned to his homeland where he works as an agronomist. While
at Iowa State University, he studied the role of hard seeds in the storability of soybean seed under tropical conditions.
His hope was to find a means by which to preserve soybean seed vigor for farmers from one planting season to the
next.
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