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Impact Of Switchgrass Bioenergy Feedstock Production On Soil Carbon Dioxide Flux And Below Ground Soil Organic Carbon Storage In East Tennessee, Leah Denise Soro

Masters Theses

Bioenergy production from switchgrass has shown promise in restoring degraded soils and helping to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. CO₂ loss and C-sequestration in soils are important topics for research to better understand the environmental impacts of bioenergy crops. The need for more thorough research of the carbon cycle in soils used for bioenergy production precipitated the primary interest of this study. The specific objectives of this study were 1) to measure SOC under switchgrass production in order to predict storage of carbon in soils based on previous cropping history, land management, soil physical characteristics, and time; and to …

Enhancing Soybean Profitability Using Portfolio Theory, Osemenkhian Cynthia Onyechere

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of utilizing portfolio theory on producers' profitability in the production of soybeans in three test locations - Keiser, Marianna and Rohwer - in Arkansas. The study used empirical yield data, their variances and covariances over a nine year period (2002-2010) in selecting a portfolio of soybean varieties that maintains or increases yield while minimizing the yield risk. Furthermore, carbon emissions associated with soybean production was estimated by modeling the effect of a potential carbon tax as well as the potential benefit of carbon offset payments resulting from carbon sequestration. The …

Rice (Oryza Sativa) Response To Low Glyphosate Rates As Influenced By Cultivar, Growth Stage, And Imazethapyr Applications, Jason R. Meier

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Off-target movement of glyphosate onto rice is a perennial concern when rice is grown in close proximity to glyphosate-tolernat crops. If differential tolerance to sub-lethal rates of glyphosate exists among rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars, these cultivars could be utilized in breeding programs or glyphosate-drift sensitive areas. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to examine differences among rice cultivars in response to sub-lethal rates of glyphosate, and to examine imidazolinone-tolerant rice response to imazethapyr and sub-lethal rates of glyphosate applied sequentially to determine the potential for either herbicide to predispose rice to greater injury. In the field …

Sweet Sorghum As An Alternative Cellulosic Biofuel In Eastern Kentucky, Sarah A. Hazenfield

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Sarah A. Hazenfield in June of 2011.

The Transfer Of Agricultural Water To Municipal And Industrial Usages, Dallin Paul Stephens

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The water that is available for beneficial use in Utah is quickly approaching full appropriation; water that has been claimed is nearing the amount that is available for use. The Division of Water Resources of the State of Utah has organized a three-part plan to "Plan, Conserve, Develop and Protect Utah's Water Resources." One of these three elements has a focus to "provide comprehensive water planning." Such planning is best achieved when current and accurate data on the uses of the state's water are available.

The primary purpose of this thesis was to provide an evaluation, from data collected on …

Establishing Weed Prevention Areas And Evaluating Their Impact, Stephanie Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The spread of invasive weeds continues to be a serious economic and environmental threat. Weed prevention has the potential to stop weeds before they become well established in an area conserving time, energy, and resources. Unfortunately, weed prevention is often overlooked. Weed Prevention Areas (WPAs) are a relatively new tool developed to help improve the application of weed prevention. They are cooperatively managed areas that focus on implementing prevention and early detection strategies at a community level. The purpose of this research was to establish baseline data that will be used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the WPA concept, …