Slide-set publication--a possible newstyle of article for
printing in Ithe Journal of Agronomic
Education
Dwane G. Miller"
publishing slide-set articles prepared by instructors in
JAE. The results reported herein were obtained from a
survey distributed to faculty and administrators in
April, 1980.
ABSTRACT
TheEditorial Boardof the Journalof Agronomic
Education(JAE) has discussedfor several years
the possibilityof publishingarticles onslide-sets
in JAE.In concertwith American
Societyof Agron.
omy(ASA)Committee
ACS525, the 1979 JAEEdi.
torial Boarddeveloped
a journalformatfor slide.set
publications.Onesoil andonecroparticle wasdistributed as a samplealongwith a surveyquestionnaire to selectedagronomic
administratorsandin.
structorsto test the ideaandformat.Datafromthe
surveyindicateda positivefeeling aboutthis new
formof publication.All instructorsandadministra.
tors surveyedanswered
affirmatively to the question, "Doyoufeel slide.set publicationcouldbe of
valueto agronomic
instruction?"Instructorsindi.
cared such publications should be countedas
publicationcredit to the author;however,
adminis.
tratorswereless inclinedto feel this way.In general, both administratorsandinstructors indicated
that the publishing
of this typeof article shouldbe
doneby JAEandthat it shouldbe considered
as a
scholarly
activity for faculty.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A survey questionnairewas sent to 41 instructors and 32 administrators selected to represent a geographicaldistribution
of the contiguous United States. Three questionnaires were
sent to Canada.Tables 1 and 2 contain the questions and responsesof administratorsand instructors, respectively. Thirty
of the 41 instructor formswere returned, for a 71%response.
Twenty-one
of the 32 administrator formswere returned, for a
66%response.
Slide-set publications wouldfollow the format presented in
Fig. 1. Articles wouldbe similar to other publications in JAE
with an abstract, index words,and sectioned context. Generally the articles wouldinclude an introduction describing the
purpose,use, and expectedaudiencefor the slide-set. A narrative and approximatelysix slide figures wouldbe displayed in
the bodyof the article. At the enda descriptionof the slide-set
and its availability wouldbe presented.
RESULTS
Additional index words:Teachingaids, Visual
aids, Education.
T
HeE
Journalas of
Agronomic society
Education
(JAE)
was
onceived
an additional
journal
to meet
the educational and resident instruction needs of the
American Society of Agronomy (ASA). These needs
were not sufficiently covered by the research journals
even though an attempt was made in a section devoted
to education in Agronomy Journal To date, JAE is
publishing one volume per year. If the traditional
articles are frequent enough to warrant only one volume
per year, perhaps other types of articles would be
valuable to the journal. These alternate articles must be
of a professional nature and must meet the objective of
communicating something of educational value to the
readers.
One type of article has been discussed for several
years by the JAE Editorial Board. In 1979, the author
was permitted by the board to explore the feasibility of
, Contribution
fromthe Dep.of Plant andSoil Science,TexasTech
University,Lubbock,
TX79409.
’ Professorandchairperson,Dep.of Plant andSoil Science,Texas
TechUniversity,Lubbock.
85
The data in Tables 1 and 2 showed conclusively that
both administrators and instructors believed slide-set
publications would be of value to agronomic instruction. The majority of respondents indicated such publications should be considered as a refereed article if
they follow the journal format and review processes as
described herein.
Sixteen of the 21 administrator respondents would encourage slide-set publications among their faculty.
Twenty-four of the 30 instructor respondents indicated
they wouldcontribute slide-set articles. These data suggest a very positive attitude towardslide-set articles and
a strong indication that these articles would be of professional advantage to authors and JAEo
The results suggested that central administration
(Vice-President, Provost, etc.) are less likely than college administration (Dean, Director, etc.) to consider
slide-set publications as significant scholarly activity.
Instructors felt department heads would be the most
likely administrators to favorably recognize slide-set
articles as significant scholarly activity for faculty evaluation.
Forty-eight of the 51 total respondents felt JAE
should publish slide-set articles.
86
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMIC EDUCATION
Crosspollination of wheat
Approach Crossing: The next 13 slides elaborate
on the approach crossing technique as first described by Curtis and Croy.2 They illustrate
the
D. G. Miller, E. C. Gilmore, and C. E. Manning’
selection and preparation of male spikes for pollination. The technique of holding pollination
spikes
in plastic soda straws as developed by R. E.
ABSTRACT
Allan and C. J. Peterson at Washington State
University is also described.
All speciesof Triticumare crossed
in essentially
Narratives for five selected slides are listed below. A
the samemanner.Minor differences in technique
photo of each corresponding slide for each narrative is
are relatedto flower structure.Thespeciesusedin
given in Fig. 1-6.
the slides is common
wheat(TriticumaestivumL.).
The emasculation and pollination techniques
Slide 4 (Fig. 1). The central florets of each spikelet are
shownare the mostwidely used today. However,
generally removed with forceps leaving two lateral
other techniqueshavebeendescribed.
florets in each spikelet. Often a spikelet on a wellWheatcommonly
is crossedby handpollination
developed spike will have more than one central
or by approachcrossing, so both methodsare
floret. Care should be taken to insure that the entire
illustrated. Approachcrossing can be usedef.
floret is removedbecause the anthers and ovary of the
fectively to obtain crossedseedwith a minimum
central floret frequently will slip out of the lemma
of labor in boththe field andgreenhouse.
Seedset
and palea and remain in the spikelet. If central florets
from approachcrossing is generally high. Hand
are well developed and are needed for additional seed
pollination requires morelabor, is slower, but a
larger numberof crossescan be madefrom one
set, they may be left and emasculated in the same
pollen parentusingthis technique.
manneras lateral florets.
Slide 10 (Fig. 2). The anthers should be counted to inAdditionalindexwords:InstructionalAid, Slide
sure complete emasculation. Infrequently one or
Set, WheatBreeding,Triticumspp.
more anthers will have aborted leaving only a colorless "shell" at the base of the ovary. It is recommendedthat the florets within a spike be emasculated
slide set showing a rapid methodof scissor emasin an orderly sequence; otherwise one floret may be
culation and mass pollination of wheat and barmissed which will contaminate the entire head.
ley has been developed by D. G. Wells for personal use. Slide 13 (Fig. 3). A spike from the male plant that conThe objective of our slide set is to showthe step-by-step
tains mature anthers ready to dehisce is selected beprocedure of the approach and hand-pollination crossfore any anthers have been extruded from the spikeing techniques, which are the most commonlyused of
lets as shown. If the emasculated spike is rather imall procedures for wheat. It would be a valuable visual
mature the male spike also should be somewhat less
aid for a variety of audiences and would appropriately
mature. If present, the awns are clipped, but no spikesupplement a lecture on the subject for students, relets or florets are removedfrom the male spike.
search associates, trainees, and workshops. The slide set Slide 17 (Fig. 4). The soda straw is filled with water
with a narrative could be used for independent study in
every 1 or 2 days to keep spike and pollen viable. The
audiotutorial
sessions or minicourses. It could be
wrapped spikes are shaken when they are watered to
adapted to manysituations and the techniques described
aid in pollen disposal. Note the male spike is posiused on a wide variety of wheat cultivars.
tioned above the female spike.
The set consists of 26 closeup slides in color which are Slide 20 (Fig. 5). Insert the spikes firmly into the pocket
divided into three basic parts:
with the bottom of the wrap approximately 1.27 cm
Emasculation: The first 11 slides show the
(0.5 in.) above the soda straw.
mechanical, hand preparation of the spike, spikeSlide 23 (Fig. 6). Beginningnear the spikes, wrapthe enlets, and anthers. Also included is a demonstration
tire paper tightly around them. Finish by folding the
of several bagging methods. The first slide dispoint snugly around the stems at the base of the wrap
plays the equipment needed to complete the proand fastening with a staple or metal fastener. Be carecess of crossing. The rest showthe sequential steps
ful not to crush or break the stems during wrapping.
involved in the emasculation and preparation of
The cross should be properly identified.
the female plant.
A
Hand Pollination:
The next two slides demonstrate the procedure for hand pollination utilizing
forceps. The critical factors needed to guarantee
success of this most important step are noted.
’ Professor,Dep.of Plant andSoil Science,TexasTechUniv.;professor, TexasA&M
Researchand ExtensionCenter, Vernon,Texas;
FederalCropInsuranceCorporation,Washington,
D.C.
2 Curtis, B. C., andL. I. Croy.1958.Theapproachmethod
of makingcrossesin smallgrains.Agro~
J. 50:49-51.
Fig. 1. Example
of the cropsarticle usedin the questionnaire
showing
an acceptableformat.
MILLER: SLIDE-SET PUBLICATION
A narrative, six pages in length, is available which
completely describes each step and slide in detail relative
to how, when, and why. Sufficient information is provided to give the user complete detail about each step
using technical and biological terms. Descriptions of the
proper growth stage or condition provide the learner
with a complete picture of the skill required and how to
recognize the requirements of each step being
performed.
87
The slide set coupled with demonstrations and actual
hands-on practice should provide the means of effectively teaching the learner. Almost everyone can become
basically trained in the skill of crossing wheat in a
matter of a few hours. Following that, practice will
make perfection.
The slide set is available from Dwane G. Miller, Plant
and Soil Science Department, Texas Tech University,
Lubbock, TX 79409.
Fig. 1 (Cont.). Example of crops article.
88
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMIC EDUCATION
Table1. Resultsof the administrator
evaluationof
slide.setarticle publication
in journalformat
Question
1. Doyoufeel slide-set publicationwouldbe of value
to agronomiceducation?
2. Wouldyouconsidera slide-set publicationsuch as
those illustrated as a refereedpublicationwhen
evaluatingfaculty for promotion,tenure, or merit?
3. If your answerto no. 2 wasno, do youconsider
slide-set publicationsas scholarlyactivity for
teachingand research faculty?
a) Teaching
b) Research
4. Doyoufeel higher administrationwill react
favorablyto publicationof slide-sets as a major
scholarlycontribution?
a) Collegedean&associates
b) Central administration(V.P., Pres.)
5. Wouldyouencouragefaculty to publish this type
of article as youwoulda researchjournal article?
6. Doyoufeel JAEshouldpublisharticles on slidesets?
Yes
Don’t
No know
21
0
0
16
5
0
$
2
0
3
0
0
15
11
5
8
I
2
16
4
1
18
2
1
DISCUSSION
To insure high quality publications, certain criteria
would need to be established as with research articles.
Slide-set manuscripts must pass peer review for effectiveness, scholarly purpose, technical accuracy, and
visual aid quality. This wouldbe similar to the process
of refereed papers in other society journals. In addition
to preparing articles, the author(s) must agree to make
the slide-set available for purchase by interested
persons. Sale of slide-sets could be arranged through the
author, student clubs, ASA,or other means.
This new form of publication is experimental and untested. Further, it is not a "conventional" publication.
However, the data in the survey show considerable support for slide-set publications amongboth administrators and faculty.
The commentsreceived with the survey suggested that
slide-set articles should not be considered as regular
articles in JAE. Many respondents favored treating
them as a special section such as "notes" or "slides" to
separate them from the other articles.
Table2. Resultsof the instructorevaluationof slide.set
article publication
in journalformat
Question
1. Doyoufeel slide-set publicationwouldbe of value
to agronomicinstruction?
2. Asa teacher, wouldyouconsiderpublishingarticles
describingslide-sets youhavedeveloped?
3. Doyoufeel publicationof slide-sets shouldbe
viewedas a refereedpublication,equivalentto the
valuegivenresearcharticles, for career advancement(promotions,salary merit, tenure, etc.)?
4. If your answerto no. 3 wasno, do youconsider
slide-set publicationsas scholarlyactivity worthy
of considerationwhenevaluatingfaculty for
professionalcontributions?
5. Doyoufeel that slide-set publicationwill be
favorablyviewedby teachers and/or nonteachersas an appropriateprofessionalactivity?
6. Doyoufeel that administratorswill react favorably
to publicationof slide-sets as a majorscholarly
contribution?
a) Departmenthead
b) Collect dean&associates
c) Central administration(V.P., Pres.)
7. Would
youcontributeslide-set articles as an author
to JAE?
8. ShouldJAEpublish articles coveringslide-sets
in future volumes?
Yes
Don’t
No know
30
0
28
1
25
5
9
5
0
0
25
1
4
24
19
15
1
5
7
5
6
8
24
3
3
30
0
0
0
SUMMARY
The goal of slide-set publications is to encourage development and distribution of slide-sets for agronomic
instruction. The specific objectives are to (a) give publication credit to the author, (b) describe a 2 x 2 slide-set
for teaching or other purposes, and (c) relate its availability to the reader whomaychoose to use it.
The ASAdoes not presently allow publication of
slide-set articles in a journal, but perhaps this format
would be a feasible approach. The general consensus
extrapolated
from comments showed preference for
such articles in a special section of JAE separate from
regular articles.
The results of the survey clearly indicated that slideset publications wouldbe of significant value to readers
and of professional advantage to the authors and the
journal.