Agriculture Commons^™

Sap Beetles, Nick Volesky, Zachery R. Schrumm, Kalen Taylor

All Current Publications

Sap beetles are typically considered a secondary pest of corn and overripe fruits and vegetables. They are broadly identified by their small and ovular bodies and club-shaped antennae. Adult sap beetles often feed on corn silk, pollen, and tassels. Larvae feed on kernels inside the husk. This fact sheet reviews how to identify sap beetles and their hosts and damage. It also provides ideas on how to monitor for sap beetles and outlines the options for managing them.

Usu Fasl Hands In The Garden Program, Deborah Ivie

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Management Strategies For Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus In Utah Tomatoes, Benjamin Scow

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Plant diseases are among the leading causes of tomato stand loss in the state of Utah. Viral plant diseases are often transferred from one plant to another by insect feeding. In Utah, one of the leading viruses that infects tomatoes is Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) which is spread by thrips. The objectives of this study were as follows.

1. Determine the impact from reflective mulch and row covers on thrips population numbers.
2. Determine the effects of row covers on the TSWV infection rate.
3. Compare varietal response to thrip populations.

This 2-year study focused on the use of two different types …

Managing Vegetation Around Fruit Trees, Teryl Roper

All Current Publications

Fruit trees thrive along the Wasatch Front and in many other locations in Utah. Backyard fruit trees are very common in Utah, and producers quickly become attuned to insect and disease pests that can swiftly spoil substantial amounts of fruit. They are typically less aware of the detrimental effect of competing vegetation around fruit trees. This fact sheet describes the nature of vegetation competition and proposes management strategies to reduce or eliminate competition.

Sampling Bias Exaggerates A Textbook Example Of A Trophic Cascade, Elaine M. Brice, Eric J. Larsen, Daniel R. Macnulty

Aspen Bibliography

Understanding trophic cascades in terrestrial wildlife communities is a major challenge because these systems are difficult to sample properly. We show how a tradition of non-random sampling has confounded this understanding in a textbook system (Yellowstone National Park) where carnivore [Canis lupus (wolf)] recovery is associated with a trophic cascade involving changes in herbivore [Cervus canadensis (elk)] behaviour and density that promote plant regeneration. Long-term data indicate a practice of sampling only the tallest young plants overestimated regeneration of overstory aspen (Populus tremuloides) by a factor of 4–7 compared to random sampling because it favoured plants taller than the preferred …

Evaluation Of Cold-Hardy Grapes On The Wasatch Front, Michael Caron, Taun Beddes, Michael Pace, Brent Black

All Current Publications

Grapes can be an excellent addition to home gardens and a revenue opportunity for small-acreage farms. Utah’s Wasatch Front region, along with portions of Cache Valley, are well suited to grow grapes, particularly the more cold-hardy cultivars. Many new cold-hardy cultivars have been introduced over the last few decades, including both wine and table types. However, many of these newer cultivars have not been adequately tested in Utah’s unique climate. Utah State University Extension conducted a grape cultivar comparison planting in Lehi, Utah. This fact sheet reviews the outcomes of the study and offers information on tested varieties that have …

Evaluating Alternative Feed Sources During Drought, Matthew D. Garcia, Ruger P. Carter, Ryan Larsen, Eric Thacker, Jacob Hadfield, Reganne K. Briggs, Justen Smith

All Current Publications

During years of drought, it is important to critically evaluate alternative feed sources available for cattle. The traditional method for sustaining a herd through a drought is feeding extra stored forage to compensate for decreased forage production or decreased forage quality available on rangelands and pastures due to drought conditions. However, hay prices rise substantially, and availability decreases due to irrigation water limitations and increased demand from livestock producers. This fact sheet will evaluate why hay prices rise and what alternatives are available to compensate for forage reductions during drought.

Size And Scope Of San Juan County Agriculture 2020, Reagan Wytsalucy, Ryan Feuz, Ryan Larsen, Paige Wray

All Current Publications

Located in the southeast corner of the state with approximately 5.2 million acres, San Juan County (SJC) is the largest county in Utah. It makes up one of the four corner states bordered by Colorado on the east and Arizona on the south. Surrounding Utah counties include Kane, Garfield, Wayne, Emery, and Grand. The current population is estimated at 15,772. This fact sheet provides agricultural information on land ownership, crop, vegetable, and livestock production, county characteristics, and producer farm income for San Juan County.

Gambel Oak Care, Shawn Olsen, Debbie Amundsen, Shital Poudyal

All Current Publications

Gambel oak is commonly called scrub oak, but other common names are Rocky Mountain white oak and Utah white oak. The scientific name is Quercus gambelii, after William Gambel, an American naturalist. This fact sheet reviews Gambel oak's usability in the landscape, its care, growth requirements, diseases and pests, and maintenance.

Growth–Defense Trade-Offs Shape Population Genetic Composition In An Iconic Forest Tree Species, Olivia L. Cope, Ken Keefover-Ring, Eric L. Kruger, Richard L. Lindroth

Aspen Bibliography

All organisms experience fundamental conflicts between divergent metabolic processes. In plants, a pivotal conflict occurs between allocation to growth, which accelerates resource acquisition, and to defense, which protects existing tissue against herbivory. Trade-offs between growth and defense traits are not universally observed, and a central prediction of plant evolutionary ecology is that context-dependence of these trade-offs contributes to the maintenance of intraspecific variation in defense [Züst and Agrawal, Annu. Rev. Plant Biol., 68, 513–534 (2017)]. This prediction has rarely been tested, however, and the evolutionary consequences of growth–defense trade-offs in different environments are poorly understood, especially in long-lived species …

Sycamore Scale (Stomacoccus Platani), Marion Murray, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

Sycamore scale feeds on foliage of London planetree and California sycamore in urbanized areas throughout Utah. The insect is difficult to see with the naked eye, so we rely on the primary symptom of yellow-to-brown leaf spots. If needed, the timing of treatment is at bud break and involves oil application and/or a soil-applied systemic insecticide.

Data From: Yellow Air Day Advisory Study, Arthur J. Caplan

Browse all Datasets

Using a dataset consisting of daily vehicle trips, PM2.5 concentrations, along with a host of climactic control variables, we test the hypothesis that “yellow air day” advisories provided by the Utah Division of Air Quality resulted in subsequent reductions in vehicle trips taken during northern Utah’s winter-inversion seasons in the early 2000s. Winter inversions occur in northern Utah when climactic conditions are such that PM2.5 concentrations (derived mainly from vehicle emissions) become trapped in the lower atmosphere, leading to unhealthy air quality (concentrations of at least 35 µg/m3) over a span of what are called “red air days”. When concentrations …

Association Between Financial Education, Affective And Cognitive Financial Knowledge, And Financial Behaviors, Lucy M. Delgadillo, Yoon Lee

Applied Sciences, Technology and Education Faculty Publications

Using data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study, this paper examined the relationship between financial education participation and affective and cognitive financial knowledge. Involvement in financial education yielded statistically significant associations between affective and cognitive domains. The results showed that participation in financial education was associated with both cognitive and affective financial knowledge as well as long-term financial behaviors. The findings supported the case for life-long learning of financial education for young adults, Blacks and Hispanics, and women. One important implication was the need to include both the affective and cognitive domains when teaching or researching financial education.

High Tunnel Pest Management - Caterpillars, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

In Utah high tunnel production, there are various caterpillar pests (larvae of moth and butterfly species) that cause economic damage to crops. Common caterpillar pest species found in Utah include hornworms, tomato fruit worms, imported cabbage worms, diamondback moths, cabbage loopers, armyworms, and cutworms. Various weed species growing inside or outside high tunnels can attract and harbor caterpillar pests. Managing caterpillar pests in high tunnels involves various mechanical, chemical, biological, and cultural control practices.

Determining The Novel Pathogen Neodothiora Populina As The Causal Agent Of The Aspen Running Canker Disease In Alaska, Loretta M. Winton, Gerard C. Adams, Roger W. Ruess

Aspen Bibliography

Neodothiora populina Crous, G.C. Adams & Winton was determined to be a new pathogen of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) growing in Alaska, based on completion of Koch’s Postulates in replicated forest and growth chamber inoculation trials. The pathogen is responsible for severe damage and widespread rapid mortality of sapling to mature aspen (≥ 80 years) in the boreal forests of interior Alaska, due to large diffuse annual (1–2 years) cankers. Isolation of the pathogen was challenging, and identification based on cultural characters was difficult. Fruiting bodies were not found on wild diseased trees, but erumpent pycnidia were found …

Creaciones En La Cocina Curriculum, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

Este currículo es una interpretación al español y adaptación cultural basado en su mayoría en la publicación titulada CREATE FAMILY MEALS* de Food Sense del Programa de Extensión de la Universidad Estatal de Utah (USU).

Alfanet: A Database Of Alfalfa-Bacterial Stem Blight Protein–Protein Interactions Revealing The Molecular Features Of The Disease-Causing Bacteria, Raghav Kataria, Rakesh Kaundal

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Alfalfa has emerged as one of the most important forage crops, owing to its wide adaptation and high biomass production worldwide. In the last decade, the emergence of bacterial stem blight (caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae ALF3) in alfalfa has caused around 50% yield losses in the United States. Studies are being conducted to decipher the roles of the key genes and pathways regulating the disease, but due to the sparse knowledge about the infection mechanisms of Pseudomonas, the development of resistant cultivars is hampered. The database alfaNET is an attempt to assist researchers by providing comprehensive Pseudomonas proteome …

Parents' Perceptions Of Life Skill Development And Satisfaction With Utah 4-H, Oakley G. Perry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The 4-H program is the nation’s largest youth development program with near six million members nationwide. Utah 4-H provides this program to the residents of Utah through Utah State University’s Extension Service. The program focuses on teaching life skills to youth to prepare them for their future using hands on educational programs tied to project areas, or particular topics like equine science or fine arts. Utah 4-H has many different stakeholders, one of which being the parents of its members. For youth programs to continue to be successful, these programs must show stakeholders their significance and ensure that its audience …

Barrenador Grande Del Durazno, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

El barrenador grande del durazno (orden Lepidóptera, familia Sesiidae) es originario de América del Norte, donde las cerezas y ciruelas silvestres son sus huéspedes nativos. Es una plaga esporádica en los frutales de hueso o carozo de Utah, pero si no se controla, puede ser lo suficientemente grave como para causar la pérdida del árbol.

What Is Biochar And How Is It Used?, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Biochar is a charcoal-like product that contains no petroleum. It is made by heating biomass such as herbaceous or woody crop residues, non-salvageable timber, and slash, or animal manure, in a contained system. There are many potential uses for biochar including water treatment, land reclamation, and carbon sequestration. Biochar may also be used as a soil amendment for two purposes – to improve plant health and to store carbon.

Plagas De Orugas De Vegetales Del Género Brassica, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

Los cultivos de Brassica albergan muchas plagas de insectos diferentes, inclusive varias especies de orugas. Los tres más comunes en Utah son la palomilla dorso de diamante (Plutella xylostella), la oruga de la col (Trichoplusia ni), y el gusano importado de las coles (Pieris rapae).

Insectos Cara De Gato, Diane G. Alston, Marion Murray, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

Hay una serie de insectos con el hábito alimenticio de perforar y succionar que pueden causar deformidad y lesiones del tipo cara de gato en los frutales de pepita y hueso, como la chinche ligus, la chinche hedionda y la chinche del boxelder. La lesión cara de gato es causada cuando la chinche se alimenta agujerando los botones florales y la fruta. El resultado son depresiones, deformidades y cicatrices desagradables en la fruta. El nombre “cara de gato” proviene de la forma distorsionada de la fruta que se asemeja a las mejillas fruncidas de un gato. Además de los insectos …

Balancing Food Security And Environmental Sustainability By Optimizing Seasonal-Spatial Crop Production In Bangladesh, Man Li, Zhe Guo, Wei Zhang

Applied Economics Faculty Publications

The intensification of crop production has been identified as one of the major drivers of environmental degradation. While significant advances could still be made with more widespread adoption of sustainable intensification technologies that address the agronomic efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers, the dynamic use of agricultural land across seasons and associated crop-specific responses to fertilizer applications have so far been largely overlooked. This paper explores the potential for improving the economic-environmental performance of crop production through spatially integrated modeling and optimization, as applied to Bangladesh. Results show that per-billion-Taka nitrogen loss from soil would decline by 83% from the baseline level …

Availability And Structure Of Coarse Woody Debris In Hemiboreal Mature To Old-Growth Aspen Stands And Its Implications For Forest Carbon Pool, Silva Šēnhofa, Guntars Šnepsts, Kārlis Bičkovskis, Ieva Jaunslaviete, Līga Liepa, Inga Straupe, Āris Jansons

Aspen Bibliography

European aspen deadwood is extensively studied as a habitat for saproxylic species, while less is known of its dynamics and role in carbon sequestration. We studied unmanaged mature (41–60 years), moderately overmature (61–80 years), overmature (81–100 years), and old-growth (101–140 years) and managed mature and moderately overmature aspen stands on fertile mineral soils. In unmanaged stands, marginal mean CWD volume was from 67.3 ± 12.1 m³ ha⁻¹ in moderately overmature to 92.4 ± 5.1 m³ ha⁻¹ in old-growth stands, with corresponding marginal mean CWD carbon pool 8.2 ± 1.6 t ha⁻¹ and 12.5 ± 0.7 …

Coarse Woody Debris Decomposition Assessment Tool: Model Validation And Application, Zhaohua Dai, Carl C. Trettin, Andrew J. Burton, Martin F. Jurgensen, Deborah S. Page-Dumroese, Brian T. Forschler, Jonathan S. Schilling, Daniel L. Lindner

Aspen Bibliography

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is a significant component of the forest biomass pool; hence a model is warranted to predict CWD decomposition and its role in forest carbon (C) and nutrient cycling under varying management and climatic conditions. A process-based model, CWDDAT (Coarse Woody Debris Decomposition Assessment Tool) was calibrated and validated using data from the FACE (Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) Wood Decomposition Experiment utilizing pine (Pinus taeda), aspen (Populous tremuloides) and birch (Betula papyrifera) on nine Experimental Forests (EF) covering a range of climate, hydrology, and soil conditions across the continental USA. …

Digital Innovations For Youth Farm Safety Education And Certification Instructors - A Professional Development And Training Program, Michael L. Pate

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Wheat Miller And Distributor Organic Wheat Quality And Quantity Requirements, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

All Current Publications

This fact sheet summarizes the findings of a survey conducted with wheat buyers (millers and distributors) to assess their organic wheat quality and sourcing needs. We examine the importance of various quality measures in miller and distributor decisions to purchase organic wheat and their perceptions of organic and conventional wheat quality. We also discuss the issues wheat buyers face when purchasing organic wheat and what prevents them from buying organic wheat if not already doing so. Given the significant contribution of the Intermountain West’s production to domestic organic wheat supply, growers and breeders must understand the needs of organic wheat …

Bakery Organic Wheat Flour Quality And Quantity Requirements, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

All Current Publications

This fact sheet summarizes the findings of a survey conducted with bakery owners and managers to assess their organic wheat flour quality and sourcing needs. We examine the importance of various quality measures in bakery decisions to purchase organic flour and baker perceptions of organic and conventional flour quality. We also discuss the hurdles and issues that bakeries face when purchasing organic flour and what prevents them from using organic flour if not currently doing so. Given the significant contribution of the Intermountain West’s production to domestic organic wheat supply, growers and millers must understand the needs of organic wheat …

Tree Establishment On Post-Mining Waste Soils: Species, Density, And Mixture Effects, Degi Harja Asmara, Suzanne Allaire, Meine Van Noordwijk, Damase P. Khasa

Aspen Bibliography

Tree establishment to restore degraded boreal post-mining lands is challenged by low soil productivity, a harsh microclimate, and potentially high contaminant levels. The use of mixed vegetation can facilitate the microclimate but increase competition for soil resources. A statistical accounting of plant–plant interactions and adaptation to multispecies conditions is hard to achieve in field experiments; trials under controlled conditions can distinguish effects of planting density and species interactions in the early stages of plant establishment. A greenhouse trial was established in containers (“mesocosms”) with waste rock or fine tailings from gold mines. Pregerminated (1-week-old) seedlings (Alnus viridis subsp. crispa …

Identification And Management Of Scotch Thistle (Onopordum Acanthium L.) In Pastures, Rangelands, And Non-Crop Settings, Cody Zesiger, Jacob Hadfield, Kalen Taylor, Corey Ransom

All Current Publications

Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) is an invasive species native to Eurasia. It was likely introduced into North America during the late 19th century (Young & Evans, 1969). Due to the plant’s size and prickles, a stand can damage pasture productivity, ruin campsites, or make trails nearly impassable. The thistle also outcompetes desirable plants and greatly reduces forage use by large animals. Since not all thistles are related or alike, it is essential to correctly identify Scotch thistle before making management decisions. This fact sheet provides information about identification, lifecycle and distribution, and management.