Ag 'firsts' affect
Nebraska farmer
The UNL Experiment Station, through a series of
research "firsts" by some of its scientists, is having an
important impact on Nebraska, as well as the nation's
agriculture.
Samuel R. Thompson, NU chairman of Theory
and Practices of Agriculture in- 1871, who began
experiments to see whether sugar beets could be
grown in Nebraska, was the pioneer of these
scientists.
One major achievement has beei. the discovery of
how herbecides kill weeds and the development of
chemical potency tests. Dr. Lowell Klepper, crop
physiologist, lus developed monitoring equipment to
identify effective . herbecides and show how they
work.
With a nitrogen dioxide monitor, Klepper tests
nitrogen gas-emitted by a plant leaf treated with a
herbecide.
He said he began his testing when he discovered
that plants being killed by herbecides give off smrll
quantities of nitrogen dioxide. He said ihat one
person, with his equipment, can test the potency of
50 chemicals a day. Commercial tests now require
several days per chemical, he added.
A crop production system, called ecofallow, for
low rainfall areas, is another major development of
the Experiment Station. Scientist? at the North Platte
Station started on ecofallow in 1962.
With ecofallow, wheat fields are treated after
harvest with herbecides atrazine and paraquat to
control weeds, then left fallow until spring corn or
sorghum planting time.
According to scientists, the practice not only saves
water, but also protects against erosion and saves time
and fuel.
Three southwest Nebraska farmers using ecofallow
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One of UNL's "firsts", Dr. Klepper shows air pollution montioring equipment he has modified to use in
identifying effective herbecides. The machine draws air across a leaf in the flash he is holding, reads the
level of nitrogen dioxide, and records it on graph paper.
in 1974 reported a 50 per cent increase in grain
sorghum and corn yields compared with conventional
dryland plantings in the same year.
In food science and technology, Dr. Burt Maxcy
and Di. T.E. Hartung have been working on a
pasteurization process called irradiation. This process
gives food a longer shelf life, destroying microganisms
by directing gamma rays through the food.
Although basic research on irradiation has already
begun, Maxcy said his microbiolgy study has
discovered new microganisms that can be killed by
irradiation.
Hartung's research has developed into the
preparation of irriadii ted foods for space travel. Thus
far he has developed irradiated baked goods for
astronams.
Another major development 1 in foods is the
restructuring of less-economical pork parts into tasty,
uniform products. Dr. Roger Mandigo, animal science
professor, started tru; work in 1971 . .
Veterinary Science Department scientists hav?
developed a method for diagnosing hog cholera
rapidly and have discovered viruses that cause
diarrhea in young calves.
Dr. Charles Mebus, who identified the viruses, said
the discovery led to a vaccina i'or the disease.
An achievement in pathology and horticulture has
led to a virus free potatoe strain. This work has
opened a national seed potato :narket for Nebraska
farmers.
$4.8 million East Union approved
By Gina Hills
The East Campus Student Ceiler is almost a
dream come true.
After 25 years of speculation, the NU Board
of Regents gave its approva; last Saturday for the
construction of the $4.8 million building which
will cover 80,000 square feet.
It will be a three-story, brick building in the
"heart of the academic complex because of its
close relationship between campus scholastic
activities and this type of support facility,"
according to a 1972 Need Study and Program
Analysis report.
Seven sites wtie considered, but the final
decision left the proposed site bounded on the
north by Fair St., the west by Furr-Fedde, the
south by the perimeter road and the east by C.Y.
Thompson Library.
Its food service production area, which will
cover about 9,000 square feet, will replace the
Nebraska Center fo; Continuing Education as the
food service for residence hall ;;tuden'.s.
The food and nutrition kitchen has been
phased out and the new union kitchen will
become the laboratory facility tor food and
nutritior labs. Until the new union is completed,
the kitchen in the Chy Campus Union is being
used for food and nutrition labs.
There will be two main entrant to the
union, one from the north, and one from the
west. The positioning of these doors is such that
"students can actually take a short cut through
the building. This will encourage them to use the
center," Daryl Swanson, assistant director of
administration for the Nebraska Union said.
Instead of having large open lounges, like in
the city union, the new building will have
smaller, more private ones, he said.
The f'Uilding will house almost 2,000 square
feet of offices and nearly 5,000 square feet for
meeting rooms.
About 7,000 squ.ru i'eet comprises a large
auditorium expected to serve up to 500 people
for a banquet and seat up to 600 for a lecture.
In addition, almost 9,000 square feet will bi
reserved for a bookstore, he saJd.
A recreation area occupying about 7,000
s-i'.:;ie feet will house a six-lane bowling allt ,
pinball machines, pool tables and other
recreation items.
A multipurpose handicraft area has been
recommended and could be used for teaching
glass blowing, leather work and other crafts, he
said. But, Swanson added, this room is suT in the
planning stages.
Other suggested services for the complex are a
check cashing an! j:ost office area, student
affairs counseling offices., a stude.V. organizations
office and a health lesource center where i.
nurse-practitioner would be stationed.
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Friday April 25, 197
S lions it 7:10 sd M
Civic liiitcriia Unit Bill
S5.00 IN ADVANCE $6.00 DAY OF SHOW
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT CIVIC AUD. BOX OFFICE, BOTH
HOMERS, AND THE DAISY. AVAILABLE IN LINCOLN AT
U.N.L. UNION AND DIRT CHEAP.
amt. j i
East Union delayed twice before
The present East Campus Union was
established in the early 1950's i a temporary
building until a permanent structure could be
built.
Last Saturday, the University of Nebraska
Board of Regents approved tin? construction of a
$4.3 million Last Campus Student Center whit!,
will replace the present "temporary" building.
Twice in 'he past 25 years the student center
was almost built, Daryl Swanson, assistant
director of administration for the Nebraska
Union said last week.
But in 1969 and 1969, the funds that
probably would have financed the Last Campus
Union were used for additions on the City
Campus Union , he said.
The need to expand the City Campu? Union
was "primarily in response to rapidly increasing
enrollment "he added.
Then in October, 197C. a survey was
conducted to determine the needs of the East
Camp-; students, he said. Subsequent studies
were compiled in 1972. .
At the top of the students' priority list in
1970 was an auto parking area near the union.
Second was the desire for a book and supply
store
1 The last thing the student? wanted in 1970
was having the union in th fame balding as the
residence halls.
In the latest survey, a bookstore in the union
was a high priority.
According to the December 1972 report, the
East Campus Studi;t Center should be
"operated to fulfill the function.", of an
educational, so.:'?l, cultural and recreation?!
center."
The reports were prepared and rubrnitted by
the Nebraska Union Planning Committee with
tlit; cooperation of the Union Board, Union
Staff, Central Planning .nd Development
Committee and the Physical Plant.
In 1972, $2.5 million fromaicserve fund was
set aside by the regents for the student center,
Swanson said. Then, an additional $451,750 was
set aside later through a facilities and equipment
account, he said.
Tins account takes $2.5 per student per
semester from student fees, he said.
Before the regents gave the go ahead for
conr.tr J.rtion, Omaha Regent Kermit Hansen said
he was upset that the building wasn't completed
sooner. He blamed the delay on the committee
structure and organization of the pioject.
The board finally imthorized constriction of
the union which, will be financed with, revenue
bonds paid off with student fees.
If the project is started this spring, it will
probably be completed by January, 1977,
Swanson added.
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Sheldon Art Salary,
12th & R Streets
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Fsb-oakers' Showcase
featuring tb fibs of Gary ill
ST0KE10ST CilE GlfSE
Tuesday, Wsdr.ssday h Thursday
April 22, 26 & 24 Screenings at 3 h 7:10 p.m.
Admission Free! Fib-r.aksr Oary M wO he
prsssnt at each of tie evLig scrasmgs to
discoss his fibs with tha todbne.
