Digital Commons Network^™

Halosulfuron Plus Prosulfuron And Propanil Interactions For Weed Control In Louisiana Rice Production, John A. Williams

LSU Master's Theses

A greenhouse study was conducted on November 18, and December 2, 2020 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to evaluate the interaction between a pre-packaged mixture of halosulfuron plus prosulfuron mixed with propanil for alligatorweed control. Antagonism occurred when halosulfuron plus prosulfuron at 55 g ha-1 was mixed with propanil at 2,242 g ha-1 at all evaluation dates and antagonism was also observed with halosulfuron plus prosulfuron at 83 g ha-1 mixed with propanil at 2,242 g ha-1 at all evaluation dates except 14 DAT with observed controls of 69 to 77% compared with expected controls of 94 …

The Impact Of Participation In 4-H Camp On The Connectedness To Nature Of Urban 4-H Members, Derek S. Landrum

LSU Master's Theses

Overnight summer camps are beneficial experiences that provide 4-H members from urbanized areas the chance to experience the outdoors and appreciate nature. Previous research shows that time in the outdoors can increase connection to nature. Furthermore, connection to nature is associated with adoption of pro‑environmental behavior, lowering of negative emotions, and positive general well-being. For this thesis, the researcher is interested in finding out if participation in 4-H summer camp has a significant effect on participant’s connection to nature as measured by the Children’s Environmental Perceptions Scale (CEPS) and the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale (INS). Previous work has …

Black Experiences With Community Gardening In Southeast Louisiana, Kiarah Craft

LSU Master's Theses

Community gardens have been rising in popularity over the past few years (Mayers, 2023). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people across the United States have decided that it is crucial to grow their own food and develop sustainability within their community. Historically, Black communities have been underserved and ignored, especially in relation to food security and community safety (White, 2019, Penniman, 2018). The purpose of this study was to collect information about the effects of community-based gardening programs on Black people in Southeast Louisiana. Additionally, the researcher would like to gain knowledge regarding the reasons that Black people …

Investigating The Potential Role Of Termites As Pathogen Vectors In The Decline Of Ironwood Trees (Casuarina Equisetifolia) In Guam, Garima Setia

LSU Master's Theses

Termites have been found associated with the decline of Casuarina equisetifolia (ironwood), an important agro-forestry species in Guam. While the ironwood tree decline (IWTD) was first reported in 2002, its association with termites as well as with bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum and Klebsiella species (K. oxytoca and K. variicola) was determined in 2010 and 2012 respectively. In 2019, the termite species attacking the ironwood trees were identified as Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Coptotermes gestroi, and Microcerotermes crassus. However, the role of termites in IWTD is not known. Since termites are repositories of bacteria and consume wood, termite foragers might …

Effect Od Different Sources And Application Rates Of Sulfur On Corn And Soybean Production Systems In Louisiana, Diego Mayorga Valladares

LSU Master's Theses

Sulfur (S) is a structural component of amino acids such as cysteine and methionine and is involved in important functions within the plant like photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, protein synthesis of oils, and detoxification mechanisms. Sulfur deficiency in crops has intensified around the world. Some of the reasons are improvement in controlling SO₂ emissions from industries, growing usage of high analysis S-free fertilizers and augmented cropping intensity. Sulfur fertilization has become an important factor in crop production systems and fertilization guidelines for S need to be up-to-date to improve use efficiency and compensate for rising prices of fertilizers. …

Development Of Functional Markers For Resistance To Smut And Identification Of Genes Differentially Expressed In Response To Brown Rust In Sugarcane, Jose David Cortes

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum and brown rust, caused by Puccinia melanocephala, are two of the most important diseases that affect sugarcane production in Louisiana and worldwide. Smut continues to cause losses in the breeding program in Louisiana. Therefore, a QTL analysis was conducted to identify molecular markers associated with resistance in F₁ progeny (162) of a biparental cross between susceptible cultivar L 99-233 and resistant HoCP 96-540. Using 1,574 single-dose SNP markers, a total of 253 linkage groups (LG) were obtained with a genome coverage of 24,580.15 cM. Six QTLs were localized on five LGs. The highest …

Evaluating The Viscoelastic Properties Of Alligator Skin Gelatin, Alligel, Compared To Mammalian And Fish Gelatins, Sarah E. Jimenez

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Paraquat-Resistant Italian Ryegrass (Lolium Multiflorum) Confirmed In Louisiana, Alphonse B. Coco Iii

LSU Master's Theses

Paraquat is the only herbicide labeled for postemergence control of Italian ryegrass in sugarcane. In 2017, sugarcane farmers in Louisiana reported Italian ryegrass control failures with paraquat applications. Seeds were collected from sugarcane fields in White Castle, St. Gabriel, and Bunkie, Louisiana where control was not achieved (reduced susceptibility). Additionally, Italian ryegrass seeds were collected from a sugarcane field in Welcome, LA with a history of paraquat use and with no reported control issues (susceptible population). A dose-response study was conducted at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center’s Sugar Research Station in February 2021 and was repeated in November 2021. …

Impact Of Rma’S Projected Price On Prevent Planting Claims, Nicolas Enrique Alvarez Mena

LSU Master's Theses

This research studies the presence of ex-post moral hazard in the prevent planting provision from the crop insurance program in cotton, corn, and soybeans for the Plains Region and Southeast Regions of the U.S. Three fixed effect models are developed using the proportion of prevent plant acres as the dependent variable, as well as weather, input price, expected harvest price and a break-even point for the independent variables. In addition, a fourth fixed effect (FE) model is introduced using the logit transformation and the same variables as in previous models. The results show the number of PP claims has been …

Integration Of Remote Sensing Approaches For In-Season Nitrogen Management, Murilo De Santana Martins

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Nitrogen (N) management is being conducted at flat rate in Louisiana due to practicality and convenience, but the price of N fertilizer and high breakeven costs are forcing producers to find ways to reduce costs and optimize N application. In this scenario, precision agriculture technologies, specifically the use of optical sensors on board of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to variable rate N application on farm is showing a promising approach to save inputs and reduce environmental impacts. However, the general goal of this research was to develop and evaluate in-season N management approaches for N recommendation in corn (Zea …

Identifying The Components Of A Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) (Rosales: Cannabaceae) Integrated Pest Management Program In Louisiana, Nathan C. Arey

LSU Master's Theses

Hemp, Cannabis sativa (L.) (Rosales: Cannabaceae), is defined as a plant in the genus Cannabis with a delta-9 3 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Domestic acreage of this crop has increased in response to the ratification of the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. In 2021, 21,915 hectares of hemp were planted in the United States with a production value of $712 million. There is a current lack of literature on insect related research in this reemerging crop system in the state of Louisiana. Therefore, this present …

Aphid Herbivory On Industrial Hemp, Cannabis Sativa L., And The Impact Of Plant-Soil Feedbacks On Hemp Performance In Louisiana, Alex Leede

LSU Master's Theses

Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is defined as having less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol by dry weight. It can be grown for fiber, food, oil, and cannabinoids. As a newly legalized crop, little research exists regarding the cultivation or pest management practices in Louisiana. The versatility of industrial hemp may allow for substantial future production in Louisiana. This project set out to understand the impact of previous crops on hemp performance and soil microbial communities. Soybean, Glycine max L. (Merr), grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and sweetpotato, Ipomeae batatas (L.) Lam, were selected as soil conditioning crops because they are …

Exploring The Implementation Of Dike Building And The National Endowment For The Oceans Act To Support Coastal Restoration In Louisiana, Taylor Perrodin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Tumor Matrix, Alejandra Ham

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Examination Of Pre-Emergence Control Of Johnsongrass In Sugarcane Seedlings, Carleton Baucum

LSU Master's Theses

Sugarcane is susceptible to many diseases and insect pests; therefore, to maintain high sugar yield new varieties must be developed. Producing new varieties contributes to the overall crop success through enhanced yield, insect and/or disease resistance, cold tolerance, and ratooning ability. However, unlike conventional sugarcane, which is vegetatively propagated, new sugarcane varieties are produced from true seed. These seedlings are more susceptible to herbicidal injury and weed competition than conventional sugarcane. For sugarcane seedlings to succeed, weeds must be controlled therefore, the most effective herbicide program with regards to seedling safety must be implemented. The objectives of this research were …

Re-Evaluation Of Late Season Action Thresholds And The Effect Of Seed Treatments On Early Season Colonization Of Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper, Spissistilus Festinus (Say), In Louisiana Soybean, Glycine Max (L) Merr, Tyler Ray Tagle Musgrove

LSU Master's Theses

Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr, is considered the most economically important oil and feed crop in the US and is grown on nearly 35,000,000 ha on an annual basis. Factors that limit yield include weed pressure, disease infection, and of particular interest to entomologists, insect herbivory. Soybean is targeted by a range of above and below ground pests which are primarily controlled by insecticides. Neonicotinoids are a recently popularized insecticide class that when applied as a seed treatment, can provide protection from early season pests. The most economically significant early season pest is threecornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus (Say), whose …

Experts’ Views On Issues Affecting Egg Labeling In The United States: A Delphi Study, Rexanna Powers

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

When purchasing food, many consumers have reported they question the ethical and humane treatment of products derived from animals at the point of purchase. To complicate this issue further, many U.S. consumers lack exposure, interaction, and involvement with the agricultural industry. As a result, they have reported a willingness to pay premium prices for meats, dairy, and eggs whose packaging suggests quality welfare practices. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was three-fold: (1) establish operational definitions for poorly understood poultry industry terms, i.e., cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, and organic; (2) describe experts’ perceptions of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) …

The Adoption Of Conservation Practices And Program Participation Among Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers: A Meta-Analysis, Myles A. Brown

LSU Master's Theses

As climate change has become undeniable in recent years, it has become increasingly important for the agriculture industry to address conservation. Within the agriculture industry, small farmers are usually the ones who take on this burden on a daily basis. However, some socially disadvantaged agricultural producers face unique challenges compared to the average farmer, which may impede their ability to adopt the necessary conservation practices or participate in conservation programs. This review sought to provide a definitive economic analysis on the possible effect of race on conservation adoption and program participation, as there is not much research on this topic. …

Nanoparticle Quantification And Distribution On Fluorescently Coated Angioplasty Balloons, Allison Dobson Zieschang

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Genetic Characterization Of Resistance To Bacterial Panicle Blight And Sheath Blight In Rice Using Qtl Linkage Analysis And Qtl-Seq, John Christian E. Ontoy

LSU Master's Theses

Bacterial panicle blight (BPB) and sheath blight (SB) are major diseases of rice causing significant yield reduction in conducive conditions. Few cultivars have shown reliable resistance to these diseases. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the U.S. cultivars Jupiter (moderately resistant) and Trenasse (susceptible) was investigated to identify genomic regions associated with BPB and SB resistance. Phenotypes in BPB and SB, as well as days to heading (DH), of the RIL population were evaluated in the field. DH was found to be correlated to BPB and SB diseases. BPB was also positively correlated to SB. …

The Effects Of Dietary Interventions On Adverse Outcomes In Obese, Preeclamptic-Like Bph/5 Female Mice, Morgan Alston

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Variability In Rice Returns Using A Representative Farm Approach, Adriana Dimas

LSU Master's Theses

Agriculture is a major contributor to the U.S. economy and vital to the continued availability of a safe and inexpensive food supply. Representative farms are virtual farms that represent the production practices of a specific crop and region. Annually, growers face critical management decisions on what crop enterprise selection and combinations will maximize the net returns. Risk for growers comes from the variation in different factors such as yield, market price, production input costs, among others that are required to produce each enterprise. Nine representative farms were established within Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to evaluate net return variability among different …

Ecology Of Periphyton In A Subtropical River Floodplain, Kamela De Gallardo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB) in southcentral Louisiana, USA, is a large and biologically diverse floodplain surrounding the Atchafalaya River (AR), which is the largest distributary of the Mississippi River, receiving 30% of the combined daily discharge of the Mississippi and Red Rivers. Annual flooding facilitates exchange between the AR and its floodplain and is thought to give rise to the high productivity of the river-floodplain system. Primary production within the aquatic ARB is driven by periphytic algae, phytoplankton, and aquatic macrophytes, however, very little is known about periphytic algal assemblages in floodplain systems. In this study, artificial substrates were …

Willingness Of Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners To Obtain A Private Versus Public Consultation, Erika Largacha

LSU Master's Theses

Promoting conservation practices among family forests landowners play a critical role to enhance forest health and ecosystem services. Several certification programs recognize such efforts, but participation among landowners varies based on their characteristics, program requirements, and incentives. One crucial step of certification is to obtain a forest management plan, but acquisition among landowners remains extremely low. Several studies suggest connecting landowners with foresters as the key element towards the adoption of forest management plans. Because foresters are typically employed by public forestry agencies or as private self-employed consultants, landowners' willingness to work with either may differ. As far as we …

Using Uav Technology Paired With Multispectral Cameras To Assess Crown Rust Epidemics In Oats, Turner A. Graham

LSU Master's Theses

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia cornonata f. sp. avenae, is a common disease of oats (Avena sativa) found virtually everywhere oats are cultivated. This disease has caused yield losses of 10 to 40% worldwide. Early detection is important for effective management. A more recently utilized technology in agriculture is unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs, or drones, equipped with cameras are now being used as a resource to take images of fields to identify pests and other issues that may be occurring. Normalized differentiated vegetative index (NDVI) is a numerical indicator used to determine the vegetative health of …

Evaluating Substrate Stratification Practices For Enhanced Water Resource Management In Nursery Production, Kristopher S. Criscione

LSU Master's Theses

The nursery and greenhouse industries have continued to increase in production and sales over the past two decades. This increase in horticultural production necessitates a greater demand for finite natural resources, specifically water. Sustainable water resource management will be critical to the success and continual growth of the nursery industry. Strategic irrigation scheduling and innovative substrate management practices can improve nursery resource efficiency. Soilless substrates were originally utilized by the industry to increase substrate air-filled porosity, to ensure adequately drained container systems. Thus, the implementation of these soilless substrates can lead to an inefficient use of water and fertilizer. Substrate …

Casting A Critical Lens On Global Development: A Multimethod Investigation Of The Masculine Hegemonic Forces That Marginalize Women In Agriculture, Morgan Alyse Richardson Gilley

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A critical link between gender equality and agricultural development has been established in the literature. However, disparities between genders have persisted in many areas of the developing world. One strategy that has been used to reduce gender inequalities has been educational outreach opportunities through agricultural extension, which has provided women a critical pathway to empowerment. Despite this, a lack of knowledge on the experiences of women in agriculture throughout Southeast Asia has served as a barrier to the advancement of such work. This investigation sought to better understand the issues facing this region’s fight to attain gender equality. To achieve …

Investigating Plant Tolerance For The Management Of Insect Pests In Rice, James Michael Villegas

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most destructive and widespread insect pest of rice (Oryza sativa L., Poaceae) in the USA. This insect poses a global threat to rice production, having invaded rice-producing regions of Asia and Europe. Moreover, lepidopteran stemborers, particularly the invasive Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), are increasingly becoming problematic in Louisiana rice. Although insecticidal seed treatments have been widely used against weevils and stemborers, alternative management strategies are needed. Plants possess defense-related traits that both reduce injury from herbivores (resistance) and the amount of yield loss per …

Effect Of Forage Management Strategies And Land Use Change On Nitrogen Budget And Soil Health Parameters In Pasture Systems, Yili Meng

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Pastures produce hay for livestock, and they conserve soil, water, and air resources. However, high nitrogen (N) fertilizer demands in pasture production have significant implication on greenhouse gas emission and environmental pollution. Appropriate forage management strategies can reduce environmental N loss and improve soil health, to enhance the long-term pasture productivity. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of management strategies on N budgets and soil health parameters in subtropical pastures. Both field and laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of N stabilizers including urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor on pasture yield, greenhouse gas emission, …

The One – Way (Agri)Cultural Mirror: A Case Study Of How Young Agriculturalists Understand And Experience Culture, Janiece M. Pigg

LSU Master's Theses

As the global economy continues to transform how society operates, cultural competence has become a buzzword in education, professional development, research, government, and healthcare (Gay, 1994; Gallus et al., 2014). Cross et al. (1989) developed the most accepted definition of cultural competence: “a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enable that system, agency, or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations” (p. 13).

Despite this, little to no research has been devoted to understanding cultural competence in agriculture. Thus, a need emerged to describe the cultural competence …