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Evaluating The Effect Of Coated Urea And Urea-Ammonium-Nitrate Solution On Cane Tonnage, Sugar Yield, And Leaf-Soil Nitrogen Content Under Louisiana Sugarcane Production System, Hector J. Mendoza Lagos

LSU Master's Theses

Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient for proper plant growth and development. N deficiency results in poor tillering and thin, short internode stem production for sugarcane production, thus resulting in low cane tonnage. Therefore, proper N fertilizer management is essential for a sustainable sugarcane production system. This research was conducted at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel, LA, from 2019 to 2020 at three Sites (Site 1, 2, and 3). The treatments consisted of different N rates (0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha^-1) and sources (urea-ammonium-nitrate solution [UAN]-32%, 30-day [Coated Urea 1], 45-day …

Corn Nitrogen Management Under Different Tillage Systems, Akshara Athelly

LSU Master's Theses

Adoption of no-tillage (NT) and cover crops (CC) significantly effect soil physicochemical properties and nutrient cycling that necessitates modified nutrient management to maximize crop yields. Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate N-sources Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN), urea, and urea+ N-stabilizer (urea+ stab) and N-split applications 100%N at V2 (S1), 25%N at V2+75%N at V6 (S2), 25%N at V2+ 50%N at V6+ 25%N at VT (S3) in a sandy loam soil and three CC wheat (Triticum aestivum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) , and radish (Raphanus sativus) and their combinations along with three N-rates ( …

From The River To The Gulf: An Investigation Of Biogeochemical Cycling In Wetland Soils And Coastal Shelf Sediments, Katie Bowes

LSU Master's Theses

Louisiana is home to 40% of the coastal wetlands in the lower 48 states, yet accounts for 80% of the coastal wetland loss in this region. This loss is attributed to decreased sediment supply, levee alteration, sea level rise, channelization, and subsidence. The levee system in Louisiana disconnected coastal wetlands from the main stem of the Mississippi River (MSR), reducing the amount of land-building sediment that reaches coastal wetlands. This disconnection also allows a greater percentage of river discharge, including agricultural contaminants and runoff, to flow into the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM).

The 2012 Coastal Master Plan proposed eight …

Effects Of Application Timing And Soil Type On Optimal N Rate Requirement Of Sugarcane (Saccharum Spp.) And Changes In Soil Inorganic And Leaf N Concentrations, Joseph Martin Garrett

LSU Master's Theses

Research is limited on the effects of soil types and early nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications to N management strategies in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production in Louisiana. This study was established in 2015 at two locations in St. Gabriel, LA to 1) determine the effect of fertilizer application timing and soil type on the optimal N rate requirement and yield of sugarcane and 2) relate the relationship of soil and leaf N content to yield at different growth stages with sugarcane yield. Treatments were set in a randomized block design on a clay soil and in a complete randomized …

Effects Of Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers On Agronomic Parameters And Loss Pathways In The Subtropical Mississippi Delta Region, Scott Michael Pensky

LSU Master's Theses

Minimizing nitrogen (N) loss is critical for improving N use efficiency (NUE) in crop production and reducing its effects on the environment. Management practices such as seasonal application timing of N fertilizers and the addition of enhanced efficiency N fertilizers (EENFs) were investigated for the high N requirement of the two most common cereal crops globally, corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), in the subtropical climate of Louisiana. Field research was established during the 2016 and 2017 seasons at the LSU Agricultural Center’s Dean Lee and Central research stations to examine the effect of different EENFs and …

Evaluation Of Controlled-Release Nitrogen And Potassium Fertilizer In Louisiana Sugarcane Production, Samuel Kwakye

LSU Master's Theses

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp) production is an integral part of Louisiana's economy. Proper fertilizer management, particularly nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), optimizes sugarcane production. An experiment was established in 2015 at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel, Louisiana to: (1) assess the effect of N and K fertilizer sources on sugarcane yield and quality parameters, and (2) monitor the changes in inorganic N and K levels in the soil at different sugarcane growth stages. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design on a Sharkey clay soil and complete randomized design on a Commerce …

Impact Of Sorghum Cultivar, Phenology, Nitrogen, And Silicon Fertilization On Melanaphis Sacchari Biology, Luna Lama

LSU Master's Theses

The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Since its first outbreak in sorghum in 2013, severe infestations have spread throughout the southern U.S. causing high economic losses. While insecticidal control has mitigated some of the impacts of this pest, a sustainable ecology-based management program is needed to reduce reliance on chemical control. We studied the effects of silicon (rates equivalent to 0 and 3360 kg Si/ha) and nitrogen (rates equivalent to 0, 110, and 220 kg N/ha) on M. sacchari growth and reproduction on resistant (DKS 37-07) and …

Soil Properties' Response To Wheat And Corn Stubble Residue Management In Louisiana, Autumn Danielle Acree

LSU Master's Theses

Crop residue plays an important role in improving soil fertility. Crop residue affects soil biological and chemical properties by increasing soil organic matter, nutrient status and availability, and microbial activity. The degree of the effects of crop residue on soil fertility depends on the crop residue management practice. Samples were collected in 2014 in wheat (Triticum spp.) stubble and corn (Zea mays) stubble residue. A second soil sample collection under wheat stubble residue was taken in 2015 in the prescribed fire and no-till sections. A total of 342 soil samples (0-2.5cm) were collected across conventional tillage, no-till, and prescribed fire …

Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency And Yield In Louisiana Sugarcane Production Systems, Daniel Ernesto Forestieri

LSU Master's Theses

Proper nitrogen (N) management is essential to optimize crop production. This study was conducted to evaluate different N fertilizer management strategies to improve N use efficiency and yield in sugarcane production in Louisiana. This research was initiated in 2013 at the Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel, LA and was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications consisting of different N rates (0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha-1) and sources (urea-46% N, ammonium nitrate [AN]-34% N, and urea-ammonium-nitrate solution [UAN]-32% N dribbled and knifed-in) as treatments. Sensor readings were taken from different N response trials …

Effects Of Silicon And Nitrogen Fertilization On Growth, Yield, And Leaf Rust Disease Development In Wheat, Maryamossadat Shahrtash

LSU Master's Theses

There are so many people who have helped me throughout my graduate studies and for whom I am grateful. I would like to take this opportunity to first and foremost thank God for his always guidance throughout my life and giving me the wisdom and the patience I needed to finish my thesis. I would like to thank Dr. Brenda Tubana for taking me in and providing me with guidance and knowledge. I also would like to thank my committee members, Prof. Brian D. LeBlanc who guided me, encouraged me and provided me with knowledge about sustainable agriculture and Dr. …

Evaluation Of Winter Cover Crops On Nutrient Cycling, Soil Quality And Yield For Production Systems In The Mid-South, Ina Iris Sanchez

LSU Master's Theses

The practice of planting cover crops during fallow periods has increased due to the benefits provided to the soil system including improved nutrient cycling, addition of organic matter and a more diverse soil fauna resulting in better crop yield and an overall improvement of soil health. Research has shown that microbial activity is sensitive to changes in management practices and is a good indicator of whether the changes are benefiting the production system. To study the effects of cover type on corn (Zea mays L.) harvest parameters and soil chemical and biological properties a field trial consisting of a split …

Evaluation Of Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers On Corn Production Systems In The Mid-South, Shanice M. Jones

LSU Master's Theses

Nitrogen (N) is often the most yield limiting nutrient, particularly in corn (Zea mays L.) production systems. In the Mid-South, high N application rates have the potential to lead to high N loss. To minimize this loss, proper N management should focus on improving N use efficiency (NUE) while optimizing productivity. The potential to achieve both tasks can be met using enhanced efficiency N fertilizer (EENF). However, limited research has directly compared the active chemicals in EENFs for corn production in the Mid-South. A study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at two locations in Louisiana to determine the effectiveness …

Effect Of Sugarcane Residue Management On Soil Organic Carbon In A Louisiana Agricultural System: Implications For Carbon Sequestration, April Newman

LSU Master's Theses

The soil organic carbon (SOC) pool is an important component of the global carbon budget. Agricultural systems in particular have been identified as an area in which SOC may be increased appreciably when managed for carbon sequestration. In the southern climate region of the United States, potential rates of carbon sequestration in soils are largely unquantified. The aim of this study was to quantify SOC and its spatial variability under two long-term residue management systems, burn and no-burn, for sugarcane (Saccharum Spp. Hyb.). Soil cores to a depth of 1 m were collected using a Giddings probe. Thirty soil cores …

Biomass And Mass Balance Isotope Content Of Mussel Seep Populations, Philip Martin Riekenberg

LSU Master's Theses

Cold seep mussels, Bathymodiolus childressi, are common cold seep constituents that form large populations at upper continental slope (500-1000 m) cold seep sites in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. These mussels utilize methane present through symbiotic relationships with methanotrophic bacteria. This study uses a coupled isotope technique to determine the relative incorporation of respiratory carbon in the shell as a measure of the availability of methane between different seep sites. This method indicates a higher abundance of methane at the Brine Pool site than at the Bush Hill site which appears significantly more resource limited and that changes in methane …

Development Of A Total Nutrient Treatment System For Alligator And Dairy Parlor Wastewater Using Hydrated Lime And Organic Bacterial Growth Media, Troy Francis Davis

LSU Master's Theses

Over application of phosphorus and the loss of ammonia-nitrogen to runoff and volatilization have resulted in the buildup of phosphorus in agricultural top soils around the world, and especially in the United States. Over the past few decades, raising livestock has trended towards the development of the Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s) which produce large volumes of wastes that need to be treated before being land applied. Nutrient treatment systems have typically focused on one nutrient singularly: either nitrogen or phosphorus. In order to develop a total nutrient system a phosphorus and nitrogen system had to be developed and evaluated …

Impact Of Urban Runoff On Phosphorus, Nitrogen, And Dissolved Oxygen In A Shallow Subtropical Lake, Ryan Mesmer

LSU Master's Theses

This research assessed the current conditions of water quality in a shallow subtropical lake, influenced by a highly developed urban environment. Specifically, the research focused on the dynamics of phosphorus, nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen, as well as the effects of stormwater runoff on lake water quality. Furthermore, the research quantified gross primary production, net primary production, and respiration in order to discern seasonal variation in lake metabolism. A water quality monitoring platform with multi-parameter probes was deployed in the center of University Lake on the Louisiana State University campus. A series of lake water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen (DO) …

Transitioning To Organic: Fertility Management In Potato Production, Lacey Theresa Dupreé

LSU Master's Theses

An increasing demand for organic crops in the US represents a considerable opportunity for organic, as well as conventional growers interested in exploring the transition to organic production. Renewed interest in organic farming has resulted in a need for research involving organic fertilizers. Limited research has been conducted on organic vegetable production with previous research conducted primarily outside the Deep South US. Field studies were conducted at the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter Burden Center to investigate the effect of three levels of pre-plant organic NPK fertilizer (8-5-5, Nature Safe) combined with a sidedress application of organic NPK fertilizer (13-0-0, …

Denitrification Enzyme Activity As An Indicator Of Nitrate Loading In A Wetland Receiving Diverted Mississippi River Water, Lisa Michelle Gardner

LSU Master's Theses

The Davis Pond freshwater diversion discharges nutrient-rich Mississippi River water to a 3,760 ha receiving marsh in upper Barataria Basin, LA. Excess nitrate in the Mississippi River has been linked to algal blooms and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico with potential to negatively impact Barataria Basin. We hypothesized that 1) soil denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) will increase with higher surface water nitrate concentrations, and 2) the spatial distribution of DEA in Davis Pond marsh will provide information about the extent nitrate loading at a specific discharge rate. Intact soil cores collected from the marsh received a continuous flow of …

Created Environments Voluntarily Colonized By Spartina Alterniflora In Coastal Louisiana, Han Xu

LSU Master's Theses

The coastal wetlands play a central role in maintaining productivity of the Gulf of Mexico while protecting coastal regions during severe storms. To help offset the loss of coastal marsh, there is growing interest in the beneficial use of dredge spoil for reconstruction of eroded areas. Hydraulic dredges are routinely employed to maintain navigation and the unconsolidated sediments can be pumped considerable distances to create gently sloping wetland areas. Some areas of these reconstructed wetlands are rapidly colonized by Spartina alterniflora, the dominant vegetative species in saline areas under tidal influence. Some areas, however, fail to colonize despite favorable positions …

Evaluation Of The Spatial Removal Of Nitrogen In The Marshland Upwelling System, Andrea Reneé Turriciano

LSU Master's Theses

The Marshland Upwelling System (MUS) is an alternative onsite wastewater treatment technology designed to utilize the natural ecology of saltwater marshes to remove human-borne contaminants. Over the past twelve years, MUSs have been installed in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, Moss Point, Mississippi, and Bayou Segnette, Louisiana. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nitrogen reduction capabilities of the Bayou Segnette system. The objectives of this research were to: 1) determine the first-order removal constants necessary for the development of nitrogen transport equations, 2) explore the spatial dependencies of nitrogen concentrations within the Bayou Segnette system, and 3) determine the …

The Effects Of Nutrient Enrichment On The Decomposition Of Belowground Organic Matter In A Sagittaria Lancifolia - Dominated Oligohaline Marsh, Kristen Raye Laursen

LSU Master's Theses

Wetlands improve water quality through sedimentation and the uptake of excess nutrients. As human population increases in the coastal zone, wetlands receive greater nutrient inputs. These additional nutrients may accelerate microbial activity, leading to faster decomposition rates. This decomposition could exceed belowground organic matter production, resulting in a net reduction in soil organic matter accumulation and vertical marsh accretion. The effects of nutrient enrichment on belowground organic matter decomposition in subtropical marshes have received little attention. As such, this research examined the effects of four levels of nitrogen combined with two levels of phosphorus enrichment on belowground decomposition through the …

The Fate Of Nitrogen In The Marshland Upwelling System, Jeremy Fontenot

LSU Master's Theses

The Marshland Upwelling System (MUS) is an alternative method for coastal dwellers to treat their wastewater. Past studies have dealt with the removal of fecal pathogens from wastewater. However the objectives of this research were to: 1) evaluate the treatment capability of the MUS under high hydraulic loadings and cool temperatures with respect to CBOD₅, TKN, TAN, NO₂^--N, NO₃^--N, TP, and PO₄-P, and 2) determine the ideal flowrate and injection frequency to achieve satisfactory nitrogen removal without hydraulic failure. The artificial wastewater study was performed to evaluate the treatment of …