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| This Week's Titles: |
| Disease
Threatens Geraniums In Greenhouses |
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Predicting Chemical Risks
In The Environment |
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| Many
Children Eat Wrong Foods |
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| Nurseries
Concerned About Runoff Problems |
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| Finding
Solutions For Rural Areas |
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| Disease
Threatens Geraniums In Greenhouses |
1:29 |
A disease is making geraniums
sick in several greenhouses in Georgia. |
The disease, called Southern
Bacterial Wilt came in on geranium plants imported into the
U.S. and Georgia from foreign soils. Jean Woodward, a plant
pathologist with the University of Georgia Extension Service
says most of the confirmed cases are in Central Georgia. She
adds the disease has several warning symptoms. "Symptoms range
from yellowing leaves, yellowing lower leaves and then followed
by wilting, whole plants can actually collapse, but one of the
very first symptoms you actually see is some of the wilting
of the leaves." Jean Woodward with the College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, who adds no chemicals are available
that will control Southern Bacterial Wilt in geraniums. If infected
plants are tested positive for the disease, they must be destroyed.
With the disease confirmed in the state, greenhouse operators
should keep a close check on geraniums. If symptoms appear on
plants, call the local county extension office, so the plants
can be tested for Southern Bacterial Wilt. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural And Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Predicting
Chemical Risks In The Environment |
1:30 |
College scientists can now
predict the risks of chemicals in the environment without using
humans for testing. |
People in Georgia and across
the nation are getting concerned about the effects chemicals
in the environment have on humans. Scientists with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
have created models based on mathematics that can predict the
ways human bodies interact with chemicals. But using the models
can be a challenge. "Mathematical models set boundaries on your
thinking. And when it doesn't work it allows you to start thinking
in other directions and that's probably one of the most powerful
tools about modeling." That was Jeff Fisher with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Some of the mathematical
models university scientists will address include certain chemical's
effects on children. They also hope to use the models to find
out if low-level exposures of certain chemicals cause cancer
in humans. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Many
Children Eat Wrong Foods |
1:45 |
Children eating the wrong foods,
and not being active enough are becoming serious problems. |
Most children in the United
States have no problem eating enough to fill their stomachs.
But a recent study reported that fifteen percent of children
in the U.S. between the ages of six and nineteen are overweight.
Kelly Cordray, a Nutrition Specialist with the University of
Georgia Extension Service says it's important for children to
slowly ease into a healthy weight as they grow taller. She adds
children that eat the wrong foods and become overweight are
more likely to have other serious health problems when they
get older. "Overweight children are a high risk for developing
type 2 diabetes, they're also at risk for developing high blood
pressure, high blood cholesterol, and can exhibit early signs
of heart disease as well." Kelly Cordray with the College of
Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds children learn behaviors
from their parents. So parents can set a good example for their
children by eating right, and being active. The university nutrition
expert also recommends families eat together, so everyone, including
children learn healthy eating habits. Encourage children to
develop active hobbies, so children will stay active. Some examples
include bicycling, roller skating, and dancing. John Harrell,
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Nurseries
Concerned About Runoff Problems |
1:41 |
College scientists are working
to solve a runoff problem many nurseries have to deal with. |
Most nurseries use a lot
of water to satisfy moisture needs of plants and shrubs. Nutrients
are also added to the water, including phosphorus. But the remaining
water will run off, carrying phosphorus with it. Some nurseries
are having problems reducing the amount of phosphorus running
off from their operation into wetlands established to handle
the runoff. But scientists with the University of Georgia's
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences found a calcined
clay product can make a significant difference in the amount
of phosphorus runoff. "Yeah, the results are very encouraging,
because we're getting upwards of 70, 75 percent reductions in
the amount of phosphorus coming out the bottom of the container.
So when you start looking at that on a per acre basis, you know,
you're reducing a lot of phosphorus." That was John Ruter with
the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. University
scientists mixed calcined clay with pine bark for the research,
and test results showed a small amount of the clay material
mixed in would greatly reduce phosphorus runoff. John Harrell,
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Finding
Solutions For Rural Areas |
1:46 |
College scientists are working
to find effective solutions to problems in rural Georgia. |
Governments have tried
many ways to help rural America, but many people wonder if the
efforts address the serious needs in rural communities. Agricultural
economists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences are taking a long, hard look at the
problem. Early results from their studies show rural areas are
important, since they provide clean air, water, and areas for
recreation. This means innovative new programs should be considered
to provide money and other assistance in exchange for these
services. But these new programs could have a hard time winning
acceptance in urban towns and cities. "No it will be a very
unpopular program in that respect and yet I think that one of
our problems as a society is that we don't fully recognize that
we all have to chip in to get these environmental qualities,
or these clean air and water resources we want." That was Terry
Centner with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The new programs that provide funds to rural areas, in exchange
for clean water and other services could provide a much needed
shot in the arm rural communities in the state need. John Harrell,
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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