Plant Sciences Commons^™

An Evaluation Of Eragrostis Tef For Future Cultivar Development, Eric Wayne Luteyn

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

The many benefits of utilizing teff (Eragrostis tef) as small grain is well documented in journal publications. Over time the domestication of this species has become essential to the diets of the local population and the livestock living in the African highlands. Current research points to a high diversity of trait characteristics found in many teff populations and the potential utilization of these traits to increase desirable characteristics in both grain and forage varieties. With the overarching goal of adding to what is already known about teff, this study evaluates the different traits that are of interest to …

Analysis Of The Soil Health Of Pastures Over-Seeded With Winter Annuals, Kathleen M. Bridges

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Utilizing winter annuals in livestock pastures reduces feed costs of hay, and provides additional vegetative cover that is beneficial to the soil. However, how this practice affects the soil microbial communities has not been well studied. Two sites were included in this study. Both were commercial cattle grazing operations that over-seeded a mixture of grasses, legumes, and brassicas into pastures dominated by bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum). Soil health was assessed using a suite of physical, chemical, and biological properties. Soil physical assessments included bulk density and aggregate stability. Soil chemical assessments included macronutrients, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total …

The Effects Of Biochar And Nitrogen Stabilizers Application On Forage Crop Growth, Greenhouse Gas Emission And Soil Quality, Joseph Elias Rodrigues Mikhael

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Forage systems are important for animal production. Nitrogen fertilization and herbicides use has led to a significant increase in forage production. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide + dicyandiamide (NBPT+DCD) application on manure and urea fertilized soil by focusing on nitrogen fertilizer efficiency use, greenhouse gases emissions, microbial community, soil aggregate stability, and organic carbon functional groups. In addition, herbicides effect on greenhouse gases emission was assessed. Biochar and NBPT+DCD increased nitrogen use efficiency of both fertilizers managements and reduced the N₂O emissions following manure fertilization. However, NBPT+DCD was …

Enhancing The Sustainability Of Integrated Biofuel Feedstock Production Systems, Amanda Joy Ashworth

Doctoral Dissertations

As use of second-generation biofuel crops increases, so do questions about sustainability, particularly their potential to affect fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen (N)-fixing legumes interseeded into switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) may be an alternative to inorganic fertilizer in forage-feedstock systems. Research herein is divided into four general experiments: I). N replacement and feedstock impacts from legume intercrops and biochar in switchgrass; II). N-fixation rates in intercrop systems; III). impacts of biofuel systems under enhanced climate change; and, IV). projected sustainability of regional switchgrass production. Approaches included: characterization of feedstock/forage quality traits based on legume, biochar and …

Utility Of Aminocyclopyrachlor For Control Of Horsenettle And Tall Ironweed In Cool-Season Grass Pastures, William Paul Phillips

Masters Theses

Previous research has shown that management of horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) and tall ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) in cool-season grass pastures and hayfields is difficult. Therefore, research was conducted at Alcoa, Fork Creek, Greenback, Maynardville, and Pulaski, Tennessee, and at London, Kentucky, in 2010 and 2011 to examine efficacy of aminocyclopyrachlor on these two perennial weeds. Research was conducted on naturally-occurring infestations of each weed. Treatments were: aminocyclopyrachlor (49 g ai/ha) with and without 2,4-D amine (371 g ai/ha), aminocyclopyrachlor (98 g ai/ha) with and without 2,4-D amine (742 g ai/ha), and aminopyralid (88 g ai/ha). Treatments were …

Seed And Forage Production In Four Clonal Lines Of Alfalfa As Influenced By Lygus Infestation, John Keith Noyes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

No other forage crop cultivated in the United States can be used in as many ways as alfalfa. The variety of its uses make it a most useful forage crop.

The distribution of alfalfa is world wide and it plays a leading role in the production of livestock and their products. For general feeding of farm animals, alfalfa is unsurpassed. Used for pasture, it has a high capacity, which leads to large gains in grasing animals. If properly rotated and cared for, it adds nitrogen to the soil in a form that is available to plants and thereby increases crop …