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Can Dairy Manure Be Profitably Composted In Maine?, Anne Grant Dec 2003

Can Dairy Manure Be Profitably Composted In Maine?, Anne Grant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Manure contains many important nutrients that are vital to the growth of crops. When this material is applied to fields in an inappropriate manner or in quantities too large for the soil to handle, this leads to pollution in the form of leaching and runoff, which causes contamination of ground and surface waters. An average cow produces one hundred pounds of manure per day (1 8 tons per year). Composted manure could provide farmers with a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional manure management practices. A review of the composting literature determined that a wide variety of markets do exist …


Susceptibility Of Adult Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa Decemlineata) To The Fungal Entomopathogen Beauveria Bassiana, Ellen Klinger Aug 2003

Susceptibility Of Adult Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa Decemlineata) To The Fungal Entomopathogen Beauveria Bassiana, Ellen Klinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Factors influencing the susceptibility of adult Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), to the fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.), were studied. In an assay comparing trials between a): laboratory reared, non-diapausing beetles and b): field collected, post-diapausing beetles, survival of B. bassiana treated beetles was higher for non-diapausing adults, however, control mortality was higher for post-diapausing adults. In a similar assay with field collected pre- and post-diapausing beetles, survival of B. bassiana treated individuals was higher for post-diapause adults and control mortality was higher for post-diapausing adults than pre-diapausing beetles. In a third experiment, the effect of time from …


An Economic Analysis Of United States Agricultural Exports To Four Major Trading Partners : Canada, China, Japan, And Mexico, Oscar Okon Udoh May 2003

An Economic Analysis Of United States Agricultural Exports To Four Major Trading Partners : Canada, China, Japan, And Mexico, Oscar Okon Udoh

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

The United States government has enacted several policies and programs aimed at promoting agricultural exports. This is indicative of the importance of U.S. export trade in its agricultural products. This study identifies and examines several important macroeconomies factors including policy and international relations that influence United States' agricultural exports performance .. After testing for Non stationarity property of the annual time series data, the study employs multiple regression techniques to evaluate export enhancing factors for Canada, China, Japan, and Mexico. The important findings of the study are: (1) exchange rate inversely affects U.S. agricultural exports, meaning a strong U.S. dollar …


Determining The Factors That Control Respiration And Carbon Use Efficiency In Crop Plants, Jonathan M. Frantz May 2003

Determining The Factors That Control Respiration And Carbon Use Efficiency In Crop Plants, Jonathan M. Frantz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the literature on plant respiration, there are two viewpoints concerning the source of respiratory control: supply (photosynthate availability) or demand (temperature dependent) limitations. While different studies indicate the primary dependency for respiration is either the supply or demand side, the two paradigms cannot both be true. The relative importance of each paradigm may depend on a number of factors including period of time during which respiration is measured, phase of plant development, environmental conditions, and species.

Studies were performed using continuous CO2 gas-exchange instrumentation to monitor short- and long-term changes in whole canopies of lettuce, tomato, soybean, and …


Field Testing Of Abrasion Resistant Carbides, Kevin C. Orme May 2003

Field Testing Of Abrasion Resistant Carbides, Kevin C. Orme

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Chromium, tungsten, titanium, and vanadium carbides were investigated to determine relative cost of operation for each in an agricultural environment. For use on a ripper plow, these carbides were field tested in two different soil types; one soil having a matrix of gravel and cobblestones, and the other consisting of hard dirt and large underground rocks. Each alloy was applied to a high carbon plow point using an arc welding process. Along with the welded points, cast chromium carbide was tested. The results are given in price per acre and not solely longevity of the point. It was concluded that …


An Analysis Of Consumer’S Willingness To Pay For Environmental Certified Hardwood Products, Meng Li May 2003

An Analysis Of Consumer’S Willingness To Pay For Environmental Certified Hardwood Products, Meng Li

Masters Theses

This study examines Tennessee and Pennsylvania consumers’ market participation for environmentally certified hardwood products (oak table, oak shelving board, oak chair), obtains potential premiums paid for selected hardwood products, determines the effects of scope of certification and demographics on premium amounts, and builds profiles of consumers who are willingness to pay the premium for certified hardwood products.

A pretest survey taken in Tennessee was used to construct premium ranges for the main field survey. Analysis of the main field survey conducted in rural and urban areas of Tennessee and Pennsylvania is based on the results of the logistic model, descriptive …


Establishing The Economic Impact Of The Green Industry On Louisiana's Economy, Raul A. Pinel Jan 2003

Establishing The Economic Impact Of The Green Industry On Louisiana's Economy, Raul A. Pinel

LSU Master's Theses

The general objective of this study was to provide updated estimates of value of the green industry in Louisiana. Data collection was conducted for the production sector (Nursery Growers and Sod Producers, and Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance Services) and the Golf Industry. In addition, expenditures on green industry products and services incurred by other sectors were obtained. Among those sectors were churches and cemeteries, public schools (elementary and secondary), public colleges and universities, private schools (elementary, secondary and college/university), parish/city grounds, state parks, road shoulder and median maintenance, and airports. To conduct the surveys, listings from those sectors were …


Economic Analysis Of The Best Management Practices (Bmps) In Louisiana Sugarcane Production, Ying Zhong Jan 2003

Economic Analysis Of The Best Management Practices (Bmps) In Louisiana Sugarcane Production, Ying Zhong

LSU Master's Theses

Agriculture has been identified as one of the major sources of nonpoint water pollution due to discharges running off farmland. This study assessed the current adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Louisiana sugarcane industry and provided policy recommendations based on the empirical results. Fifteen BMPs recommended by Louisiana State University Agricultural Center were examined in three categories: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, Nutrient Management, and Pesticide Management. Based on neoclassical economic principles of individual’s utility maximization, this study evaluated seven multivariate probit models using primary data collected from a mail survey of Louisiana’s sugarcane producers. The results indicated …


The Effect Of Recreational Fishing On Targeted Fishes And Trophic Structure, In A Coral Reef Marine Park, Mark B. Westera Jan 2003

The Effect Of Recreational Fishing On Targeted Fishes And Trophic Structure, In A Coral Reef Marine Park, Mark B. Westera

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Recreational line fishing is highly targeted at predatory fishes, making them vulnerable to overfishing. These same fishes play a role in trophic structure by regulating prey species. Despite increasing numbers of fishers, few studies have investigated the potential effects of recreational fishing on fish populations and subsequent trophic effects. This project investigated whether there were differences in fishes and benthos between unfished and recreationally fished areas, and whether the removal of targeted fishes influenced trophic structure. The study was conducted at the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, which had Sanctuary (no-take) and Recreation {recreationally fished) Zones. Data were collected from …


Factors Affecting Plant Location Decisions Of U.S. Broiler Executives, Pramod Sambidi Jan 2003

Factors Affecting Plant Location Decisions Of U.S. Broiler Executives, Pramod Sambidi

LSU Master's Theses

The broiler operations in the United States, which are concentrated in the southeast and south central regions are unevenly distributed within those states. The major concern for Louisiana¡¯s broiler industry is that even though its production is increasing every year it is relatively low compared to many other southeastern states. This study analyzes the relative importance of factors that affect location decision of a broiler complex. A national survey of broiler industry executives is conducted to analyze site-specific factors related to the broiler-complex location problem. Conjoint analysis is used to measure the relative importance of each attribute in the location …


Influence Of Three Soil Types On The Physical, Chemical, And Organoleptic Characteristics Of Two Varieties Of Kidney Tomato Hydroponically Cultivated Under A Panqar Huyu System, Carlos Fernando Yepez Vallejo Jan 2003

Influence Of Three Soil Types On The Physical, Chemical, And Organoleptic Characteristics Of Two Varieties Of Kidney Tomato Hydroponically Cultivated Under A Panqar Huyu System, Carlos Fernando Yepez Vallejo

Theses and Dissertations

One of the largest problems that face communities located high in the Andres Mountain range is the lack of crop diversity due to the climate characteristics of this zone. Because of this, the Benson Institute created a small subterranean greenhouse called a "panqar-huyu," which in Aymara means "flower garden," that allows cultivation of small and medium-sized crops. This study's objective is to modify and adapt this system to cultivate table (kidney) tomatoes, for which one was enlarged, a drip irrigation system was installed, channels were dug to drain groundwater from the interior, etc. This study was done in the community …


Costs Of Feeding Guinea Pigs In Two Meat-Producing Populations In The Field And Experimental Station, Sara Taborga Galindo Jan 2003

Costs Of Feeding Guinea Pigs In Two Meat-Producing Populations In The Field And Experimental Station, Sara Taborga Galindo

Theses and Dissertations

The cost of feeding has been pointed out as the most trascendet investment inside a guinea-pig production. The present work carries out with the purpose to determine and to quantify feeding costs, total costs of production and profitability of Tamborada and MEJOCUY guinea-pig populations. In the stage of suckling period, breed and gestation, experimental station and field. The result of feeding cost was 0.05 and 0.03 $US in suckling period (14 days) for Tamborada and MEJOCUY population, in breeding (42 days) it was 0.14 $US in both populations and in gestation (67 days), it was 0.42 and 0.40 $US. In …


In Situ Degradability Of Native Pastures In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Rainy Season In The Community Of Pujrata, Pacajes Province, Mario Acho Nina Jan 2003

In Situ Degradability Of Native Pastures In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Rainy Season In The Community Of Pujrata, Pacajes Province, Mario Acho Nina

Theses and Dissertations

The llama (lama glama) in the Bolivian Highlands region is a most important potential resource from the socio-economic point of view for the dedicated producer to the management and exploitation of these Andean camelids, considered as national heritage of our country. The llama is completely adapted to the high plateau system, being considered a three purposed animal in this environment: producer of fiber, meat and work (load). However, due to the expansion of sheep and cattle, they have been marginalized to the poor areas, where they prosper well because they are rustic, sober and greatly efficient in the conversion of …


Evaluation Of Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa Willd) At Different Spacings Between Furrows And Plants In The Mamani Community, José Ferrufino Miranda Jan 2003

Evaluation Of Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa Willd) At Different Spacings Between Furrows And Plants In The Mamani Community, José Ferrufino Miranda

Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed spacing between furrows and plants in the cultivation of the quinoa variety Patacamaya. This study took place from 1999 to 2000 in the Mamani community, Ingavi, La Paz, Bolivia. The Patacamaya variety is a cross between Samaranti (sweet) and Kaslala (bitter), with a vegetative cycle of 145 days (semi-early). It has large grains, is sweet, and has a high grain yield. The spaces between furrows were 40, 60, and 80 cm in an experimental design of randomly divided plots with four repetitions. The spaces between furrows were implemented in large plots and the plant spaces as sub-treatments …


Analyzing Changes In Contractual Practices In The Louisiana Nursery Industry, Roberto E. Navajas Jan 2003

Analyzing Changes In Contractual Practices In The Louisiana Nursery Industry, Roberto E. Navajas

LSU Master's Theses

The flow of nursery products through the different market channels has changed over the past decade. As mass-merchandisers’ market share increased, buyers of nursery product imposed conditions on nursery growers in terms of their business practices as well as the presentation of the product itself. This study analyzed changes in contractual terms between buyer and sellers for two market channels; mass-merchandisers and garden centers. The items evaluated were that product information tags be applied, barcode stickers be applied, special containers be used, transportation to retailer be paid by the seller, returnable shipping equipment be supplied by the grower, on-time delivery …


An Economic Analysis Of Homeowners' Preferences And Perceptions Regarding Termite Prevention And Control In Louisiana, Doleswar Bhandari Jan 2003

An Economic Analysis Of Homeowners' Preferences And Perceptions Regarding Termite Prevention And Control In Louisiana, Doleswar Bhandari

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis used a mail survey to collect data on homeowners' preferences and perceptions regarding termite prevention and control in four metropolitan areas of Louisiana (Monroe, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans). Respondents were asked to rank four different alternatives differing in cost, treatment choice, and number of inspections on termite control options. These ordered preference data were then analyzed using a contingent ranking method to determine the homeowner's choice for termite control. It was found that more than three-fourths (77%) of homeowners preferred to control termites and were willing to pay for it. In addition to contingent ranking, willingness …