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Evaluating Strategies For Anemone And Ranunculus Cut Flower Production In The Us Intermountain West, Shannon Rauter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

National growth in small-scale, specialty cut flower farms is reflected in Utah, where 145 members have joined the Utah Cut Flower Farm Association since its 2019 founding. Cool season cut flower production is limited in Utah and the Intermountain West by a narrow harvest window and elevated soil salinity. The objective of this research was to optimize production systems for anemone (Anemone coronaria L.) and ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) in the Intermountain West by evaluating season advancement methods within a high tunnel and field production system, as well as the salinity sensitivity of each species. Fall planting dates, …

Season Advancement Of Cool Season Cut Flower Crops Snapdragon And Peony, Maegen A. Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Demand and production of specialty cut flowers is growing across the U.S., but research is lacking in the U.S. Intermountain West, where the semi-arid and high elevation climate offers unique challenges for growers. The goal of this study was to evaluate the stem quality, harvest timing, and yield of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) ‘Chantilly’, ‘Potomac’, and ‘Rocket’ and peony (Paeonia lactiflora) ‘Coral Charm’ as cool-season cut flower crops under high tunnel and field production in North Logan, Utah. Snapdragons were transplanted at three-week intervals beginning in early-February in high tunnels and ending in late-May in the field. …

Trends In Us Crop Yields & Water Use, Britta L. Schumacher

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Over half the land in the US is dedicated to agriculture, with the vast majority of all cropland cultivated in corn, wheat, or soybean. Despite continuing advances in agricultural technologies, and consistent yield growth over the twentieth century, research suggests that environmental change is already impacting agricultural yield and future changes are sure to exacerbate challenges to agricultural production. It follows that the future of US agriculture depends on the evolution of the changing climate, the relationship between crop yields and the environment, on-farm management and adaptations, the ecosystems that support agriculture, the political and economic incentives that shape what …

Innovative Water Management Using Advanced Irrigation Systems And Biochar, Jonathan A. Holt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two approaches to water optimization in agriculture are to increase soil water retention and improve the efficiency of irrigation. A soil amendment that has received attention for its ability to increase soil water retention is biochar, the remaining biomass after high C materials have been pyrolyzed (burned with limited oxygen and heat). Two studies were conducted at a total of 10 site-years in Utah from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate how wood biochar influences the productivity and crop quality of irrigated alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum L.), along with soil water tension. One study …

Ecology And Economic Impact Of The Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae; Halyomorpha Halys) In The Utah Agricultural Landscape, Zachary R. Schumm

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a major insect pest that causes economic loss to a diversity of U.S. fruit and vegetable crops, and invades homes and human structures, causing nuisance issues for homeowners. This destructive insect causes millions of dollars of crop damage annually, and is difficult to manage due to its resistance to some common insecticides. BMSB is a relatively new pest to Utah, and its biology and ecology is not well known in the high elevation, arid Intermountain West region. In Chapter II, I explored the potential impact of BMSB to tart cherry, an unstudied crop …

Electron-Induced Electron Yields Of Uncharged Insulating Materials, Ryan Carl Hoffmann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Presented here are electron-induced electron yield measurements from high-resistivity, high-yield materials to support a model for the yield of uncharged insulators. These measurements are made using a low-fluence, pulsed electron beam and charge neutralization to minimize charge accumulation. They show charging induced changes in the total yield, as much as 75%, even for incident electron fluences of <3 fC/mm², when compared to an uncharged yield. The evolution of the yield as charge accumulates in the material is described in terms of electron recapture, based on the extended Chung and Everhart model of the electron emission spectrum and the dual dynamic …

The Effect Of Salinity Level Upon The Yield, Root Growth, And Water Extraction Of Contrasting Rooting Subpopulations Of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) Under Conditions Of Zero Leaching, Laura A. Vincent

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A major problem in irrigated agriculture in the Western U.S. is the gradual accumulation of salinity in the plant root zone. These nonuniformly saline soils contain increasing amounts of salinity with depth, and salt accumulation is accelerated in situations where leaching is minimized. Root growth and thus plant yield is limited in these soils due to decreased water uptake. We studied the root growth of two subpopulations of alfalfa differing in their ability to produce fibrous roots to determine if altering root morphology would increase plant yield and water extraction, in an irrigated saline soil.

Soil profiles for a control …

Influences Of Nitrogen Supply And Elevated Co2 On Nitrogen Consumption, Nitrogen Loss, Tissue Nitrogen Concentration, And Yield Of Hydroponic Wheat, Karl B. Ritchie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat was grown hydroponically for 23 days (early boot stage) in a controlled environment at NO₃^- concentrations of 100 and 1000 μmol and CO₂ levels of 360 and 1200 μmol mo1^-1. Nitrogen consumption and transpiration were measured daily. Tissue nitrogen concentration, total biomass, and percent root mass were measured at harvest. Nitrogen recovery and nitrogen use efficiency were calculated. Elevated CO₂ increased nitrogen consumption of the 100 μmol NO₃^- treatment by 13.6% and the 1000 μmol NO₃^- treatment by 21.3%. These increases were particularly evident during …

Comparison Of Several Forms Of Equations For Predicting Cheddar Cheese Yield From Milk Composition, Craig A. Moore

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate several forms of equations for predicting Cheddar cheese yields based on the fat and protein content of milk and moisture content of cheese. Production and quality control data from a Cheddar cheese plant for one entire year was used. This included the pounds of milk that went into each vat of cheese, yield of cheese from each vat, cheese moisture from each vat, and fat and protein percentages of the milk.

Seven models were derived to predict the yield of Cheddar cheese. The seven models were statistically fitted to the data by applying the …

Prediction Of Mozzarella Cheese Yield From Milk Composition, Hamzah M. Abu-Tarboush

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was conducted to develop and evaluate several formulas which predict Mozzarella cheese yield from fat and protein content of milk and moisture content of cheese. During a one month period, 107 samples of milk and cheese were collected at Olympia Cheese Company, Olympia, Washington. Milk samples were analyzed for fat and protein content. Cheese samples were analyzed for fat, protein and moisture content.

Three models were derived to predict the yield of Mozzarella cheese. The three models were statistically fitted to the data by applying the Gauss-Newton non-linear least squares method of iteration. The differences among the three …

The Effect Of Rain Leaching On Field Dried Alfalfa Hay Yield And Lamb Production From The Hay, John M. Kaykay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arranged split plot experiment was used to determine the decrease of dry matter yield from field-dried alfalfa hay caused by the application of a measured quantity of artificial rain (sprinkling irrigation). The three hay treatment factors were (1) alfalfa hay was cut at late vegetative and early bloom stage of maturity and (2) leached by 0, 5 mm or 20 mm of artificial rain applied by sprinkling and (3) sprinkled in the swath, 24 or 48 hours after cutting.

Changes in dry matter yield were not significantly (P < .05) related to stage of maturity of forage, level of artificial rain applied or the time of application of artificial rain. There were no significant interactions for dry matter yield. The non-significant results were probably due to the variability of the alfalfa stand among the specific areas harvested for each treatment and insufficient replications to control the variability.

Forty-eight lambs were fed for …

Evaluation Of Yield, Yield Components And Other Agronomic Characteristics In Mixtures Of Wheat And Barley, Hugo Villarroel-Arispe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Inia 66 and Siete Cerros wheat varieties, and Steveland and Woodvale barley varieties were grown in mixtures and in pure stands for two years in irrigated nurseries at Logan. These four varieties were also grown the first year in a dryland nursery at Blue Creek. Another set of four varieties was used the second year in the dryland nursery. These four varieties as well as the first set, were tested in seven combinations, with the following percentages of one barley and one wheat variety: 100:0, 90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 10:90, and 0:100.

Grain yield of mixtures was higher than that …

Forage Yield And Chemical Composition Of An Orchardgrass-Bromegrass Pasture Mixture As Influenced By Clipping Frequency, Nitrogen Fertilization And Irrigation Regime, Vinayak G. Gawai

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The influence of agronomic practices on forage production and chemical composition of an orchardgrass-bromegrass pasture mixture was studied at the Greenville Farm, Logan, Utah, during 1960-1964. The soil is a well drained Millville Silt loam that has about a one percent slope and occurs on an alluvial fan. It is high in potash, phosphorus and calcium and is alkaline having a pH of 7.9 to 8.2.

Analysis of the clipping frequency showed that the yield of forage from four harvests was greater than from five harvests. This difference was greater on plots receiving high rates of nitrogen fertilization, and frequent …

Influence Of Fertilizer Treatment On The Response Of Sugar Beet Yield To Moisture, Samad Farzanfar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many factors that influence the growth and quality of sugar beets behave in one way under one set of conditions and in quite another under other conditions. Consequently, these factors should be considered together under a dynamic situation to find their interrelations and their influence on sugar beet yield.

This study is a statistical analysis of the interaction of fertilizer and soil moisture potential with the yield of sugar beets grown in a crop rotation under different regimes of irrigation conducted over a period of seven years.

The data are available for the years 1949 through 1956, from an intensive …

General And Specific Combining Ability Of Five Alfalfa Clones Including Reciprocal Effects For Seedling Vigor And Seed Yield, Edwin Theodore Bingham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of F₁ hybrids for commercial production of such cross-pollinated crops as corn, sorghum, sugar beets, onions, and pearl millet suggests the feasibility of using this technique for alfalfa. Production of F₁ hybrids of commercial value is dependent on the use of breeding material expressing good combining ability. In order to obtain precise estimates of combining ability for quantitative characters in alfalfa, it is necessary to produce all possible single crosses among a number of parents. The single cross seed required is difficult to obtain due to the vegetative reproduction and isolation required; and, subsequently, limited testing …

The Effect Of 2 Soil Fertility Levels On 5 Potato Varieties In Relation To Yield, Specific Gravity And Chipping Quality, Gayland D. Robison

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The potato enterprise is important in Utah as it provides a cash crop and also a means of diversifying and intensifying the operations on many irrigated farms. It is of particular value in the sections of the state that have a short growing season where other crops cannot feasibly be produced. The potato chip industry supplies a demand for large quantities of potatoes. The usage by this industry makes it a major factor in potato farming economy.

The making of chips originated over a hundred years ago as the result of an accident. A silver of potato fell into a …

Soil Additives And Their Effect On The Yield Of Various Crops And The Physical Properties Of An Agricultural Soil, Gaylen L. Ashcroft

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is generally accepted that soil structure is very important in keeping productivity at a high level. When soils are loose and friable, mechanical impedance to root growth and seedling emergence is greatly reduced. Such soils infiltrate greater quantities of precipitation, are better aerated, and possess a more favorable temperature than puddled soils. Essential plant nutrients are also more easily available in well aggregated soil.

In the last few years, several synthetic soil additives have been placed on the market. Extravagant claims have been made about the ability of these amendments to maintain soil structure, without a sound body of …

Seasonal Yield And Nitrogen Content Of Three Grasses Grown Alone And In Association With Each Other And With White Dutch Clover, Donald B. Wilson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The chief aim of pasture research is to discover means of providing the largest possible amount of highly nutritious forage at the time the animal requires it. Throughout the grazing season animal herbage requirements are relatively constant, while herbage production from pastures usually is quite variable.

The Influence Of Time And Rate Of Application Of Urea Spray On The Yield And Protein Content Of Winter Wheat, Vern L. Marble

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Winter wheat, with an annual average acreage of about 300,000 acres, forms an integral part of the farm economy of Utah.

For many years intermountain agronomists and farmers alike have known dry-land wheat production to be limited by low summer rainfall. In the past 15 years, however, it has become apparent through intelligent research that in many cases lack of nitrogen has been the limiting factor. When this occurs, winter wheat production can be increased by correcting this nitrogen deficiency

The Yield And Thiamine, Riboflavin And Niacin Content Of Alfalfa Hay As Related To Fertilizer Treatment Of Soil, Rasik L. Pathak

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alfalfa has long been recognized as an outstanding hay plant in terms of both yield and feeding value. It is high in digestible protein, minerals, and vitamins. Because of its long life it can be economically produced. It is of exceptional value in maintaining soil fertility by helping to control erosion, by improving the physical condition of the soil, and by accumulating large amounts of nitrogen.

The great importance of alfalfa growing in the United States is attested by its rapid and continued expansion. It is one of the most important forage crops and is grown on a greater acreage …

The Yield, Quality, And Nutrient Relationships Of Celery As Affected By Commercial Fertilizer, Rex L. Hurst

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Celery production has become an important factor in the economy of certain areas in Utah. In 1949 over 400 acres were harvested with an average yield of 800 crates per acre, the average return per crate being $1.80. this amounts to over half a million dollars. The crop serves as a valuable cash crop, creates a demand for hand labor, and serves as an important commercial fertilizer.

The Effect Of Time, Quantity, And Kind Of Irrigation On The Yield Of Sugar Beets, Delos Boyd Archibald

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Investigations on factors affecting yield of sugar beets during the past two years at Newton and Garland, Utah, have shown two outstanding facts about irrigating sugar beets. First, the amount of water applied may not be as important as the time at which they receive it. Second, sugar beets should not be made to suffer for water in the early part of their growing season.

These observations suggest the need for further studies on method, time and quantity of irrigation. Further information on the most economical use of irrigation water for sugar beets would be of great value to the …

The Effects Of Fertilizer And Moisture On The Yield Of Sweet Corn, Rex F. Nielson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sweet corn is rapidly becoming an important cash crop in many of the irrigated regions of the intermountain West. The lacome from this crop is relatively small in comparison to that from other major agricultural products; however, sweet corn production has a definite place in the economy of the region.

One of the factors limiting increasing acreage of sweet corn in many areas is low yields. Yields have been increased naterially in recent years with the development of hybrid varieties, superior to the standard varieties previously used. Better cultural practices are improving yields, but much remains to be done in …