Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

The Design, Construction, And Testing Of An In-Furrow Planter For The Planting Of Low Residue Cover Crops, Chandler A. Bennett

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project encompasses the design, construction, and evaluation of an in-furrow planter for the planting of low residue cover crops. The purpose of planting the furrow is for the management of off-site removal of residual pesticides, nutrients, and soil by mitigating water flow. Due to there being no current solution for the mechanized planting of furrows this project was pursued to provide a means for farmers to do so at the most cost effective means. The result of this project is a prototype planter that can be made with basic shop tools, be made with off the shelf parts, and …

Evaluation And Modification Of Solid Set Sprinkler System For Hirashima Berry Farms, Jeffrey Hirashima

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project encompassed the evaluation and recommendations for a solid set sprinkler system. This project will determined the distribution uniformity for an existing solid set sprinkler system located on Hirashima Berry Farms. After the evaluation was complete modifications were suggested to the farmer in order to lower watering costs during pre-irrigation and provide salt leaching. The results from the system evaluation show that the current system distribution uniformity is 0.69. The following recommendations and conditions were assumed; normal pre-irrigation practices, an EC threshold of 2.0 dS/m for strawberries, a leaching requirements of 0.15, and an improved DU to 0.80. With …

Design And Fabrication Of A Sporting Clay Launcher, Zachary Flowers

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Phanerochaete Chrysosporium Pretreatment Of Biomass To Enhance Solvent Production In Subsequent Bacterial Solid-Substrate Cultivation, Wanying Yao, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigated pretreatment of corn stover using solid substrate cultivation (SSC) of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) to improve subsequent accessibility to cellulose. Thereafter, Clostridium thermocellum (C. thermocellum) was directly inoculated onto the pretreated biomass to accomplish hydrolysis, followed by solventogenesis by introducing Clostridium beijerinckii (C. beijerinckii).

An enzyme suite containing laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase activity was detected during the cultivation of P. chrysosporium on corn stover within 288 h at an initial moisture content 𝓌_H2O = 80% (mass of water/total mass). Incubation factors, such as substrate moisture content and cultivation …

Identification Of Wheat Varieties With A Parallel-Plate Capacitance Sensor Using Fisher’S Linear Discriminant Analysis, C. V. K. Kandala, George Meyer, N. Puppala, V. Settaluri, R. S. Reddy

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Fisher’s linear discriminant (FLD) models for wheat variety classification were developed and validated. The inputs to the FLD models were the capacitance (𝐶), impedance (𝑍), and phase angle (𝜃), measured at two frequencies. Classification of wheat varieties was obtained as output of the FLDmodels.𝑍and 𝜃of a parallel-plate capacitance system,holding thewheat samples, weremeasured using an impedance meter, and the 𝐶 value was computed.The best model developed classified the wheat varieties, with accuracy of 95.4%, over the six wheat varieties tested.This method is simple, rapid, and nondestructive and would be useful for the breeders and the peanut industry.

Berm Method For Quantification Of Infiltration At The Plot Scale In High Conductivity Soils, Derek M. Heeren, Garey A. Fox, Daniel E. Storm

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Measuring infiltration at the plot scale is difficult, especially for high hydraulic conductivity soils. At the plot scale, the infiltration rate is usually calculated by comparing surface runoff to rainfall. Direct measurement of infiltration beyond the point scale is typically limited to locations where land forming (e.g., infiltration pond) has been performed or fields with basin irrigation systems. The standard method for field measurement of point-scale infiltration is the double ring infiltrometer, which is limited in size (typically 30 cm diameter). In this research, a new method is proposed that uses a temporary berm constructed of a water-filled 15-cm diameter …

Application Of Isothermal Calorimetry To Phosphorus Sorption Onto Soils In A Flow-Through System, Chad Penn, Derek M. Heeren, Garey A. Fox, Ajay Kumar

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The degree, mechanisms, and kinetics of phosphorus (P) sorption onto soils can have a significant influence on leaching losses of P from soil. The objectives of this study were to measure the impact of retention time (RT) on P sorption in a flow-through system intended to simulate downward movement of a P solution through two different riparian soils, and determine if isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) can provide useful information reflective of flow-through results. Topsoil from two riparian/alluvial sites (Barren Fork and Clear Creek) was sampled and characterized for P concentrations and parameters related to P sorption. Flow-through P sorption experiments …

A Cost Effective Method To Create Accurate Engine Performance Maps & Updating The Nebraska Pumping Plant Performance Criteria, Jacob K. Keller

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objective of this paper was to develop a simplified process to create engine performance maps using tractor test data and theoretical modeling techniques. Performance maps for industrial engines can greatly simplify the process of matching engines to their various applications in the most economical way. However, a common performance graph supplied by a manufacturer typically only includes a single performance curve across the range of an engine’s operating speed. The single curve is good for some applications but lacks the needed performance detail at operating conditions other than shown on the performance curve. Extensive testing and resources are required …

Groundwater Challenges, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

There are some old lessons that continue to repeat themselves throughout the history of irrigation. For example, it has become a common understanding that accumulated salinity from irrigation spelled the doom of some ancient civilizations in the Middle East. Despite this ancient knowledge, today we still have numerous irrigated basins in which there is no outlet for high-salinity drainage flows.

Likewise, groundwater is something that traditionally has not been well understood, and is often treated as an ever-present back-up plan for irrigation. The “water rights” laws in the western US and elsewhere almost exclusively formalized rules about and concentrated on …

Flow Measurement Options For Canal Turnouts, Kyle Feist, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Volumetric record-keeping, billing, and allocations at irrigation district delivery points (turnouts) are the norm, rather than the exception for most California irrigation districts. However, many older districts are just beginning these efforts, and other districts are trying to improve existing hardware and procedures. Volumetric accounting with high accuracy and a reasonable price presents unique engineering challenges for irrigation districts because of the variety of existing structures and configurations at irrigation delivery points. Because it is likely that irrigation districts will attempt to utilize existing devices, or slightly modify them, there is a need for standardized installation and/or calibration. This paper …

Irrigation System Regulating (Buffer) Reservoirs, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Regulating reservoirs (also known as "balancing" or "buffer" reservoirs) are very commonly used in western US irrigation district modernization projects with canal systems. Some districts have a dozen or more reservoirs within total service areas of 20,000 – 40,000 ha. This paper presents details of sizing and control of flows into and out of the reservoirs.

Groundwater Nitrate In California: What Should Be Done?, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Charle's Burt PowerPoint presentation discusses current issues concerning nitrates in groundwater in California, as well as recommendations made to the State Water Board by the Nitrate Task Force.

Variedades De Sorgos Bmr: Una Alternativa Para Producir Forraje, Instituto Nacional De Innovación Y Transferencia En Tecnología Agropecuaria (Inta-Costa Rica), Roberto Tinoco Mora

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Nervadura de color café en variedad de sorgo BMR.

Durante el año 2010, el Instituto Nacional de Innovación y Transferencia en Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA-Costa Rica), conjuntamente con el Programa Colaborativo y de Apoyo a la Investigación del Sorgo, el Mijo y otros Granos (INTSORMIL, CRSP) ubicado en El Salvador. elaboraron un proyecto de investigación para evaluar la adaptación, producción y valor nutritivo de una colección de 15 variedades de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) para alimentación animal. Las variedades disponían del gen recesivo denominado BMR, siglas en inglés de "Brown mid rib" que significan "vena café" (Figura 1).

Este gen tiene la …

Overcoming India’S Food Security Challenges: The Role Of Intellectual Property Management And Technology Transfer Capacity Building, Stanley Kowalski, Aarushi Gupta, Ifica Mehra

Law Faculty Scholarship

The growth of the Indian economy after Independence has had little impact on the food security of the country. The paper analyses the development of advanced crop varieties through the use of agricultural technologies (hereinafter "agbiotech") within the technology transfer system, a framework which comprises of the interactions of intellectual property rights law and agricultural research and development in India. Through this, the author argues that agricultural innovation in India is failing due to the absence of connections within the technology transfer system and advocates for the creation of a national program aimed at advancing IP and tech-transfer capacity in …

Synthesis And Characterization Of High-Iron Alite-Calcium Sulfoaluminate-Ferrite Cements Produced From Industrial By-Products, Tristana Y. Duvallet, Youngmin Zhou, Thomas L. Robl, Rodney Andrews

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSAC) are well-known and commonly used construction materials. The clinker phases mainly responsible for their strength development are C3S (alite) in OPC, which hydrates to form a calcium silicate gel phase; and C4A3S ´ (calcium sulfoaluminate) in CSAC, which hydrates to rapidly form ettringite. The purpose of this work was to produce high-iron alite-calcium sulfoaluminate-ferrite cements, by combining C4AF (ferrite), from 5% to 50% by weight, to the C3S and C4A3S ´ clinker phases. Producing this alite-calcium sulfoaluminate-ferrite cement would decrease the requirement of bauxite in the raw materials, which would consequently …

Experimental Tools To Study Molecular Recognition Within The Nanoparticle Corona, Markita P. Landry, Sebastian Kruss, Justin T. Nelson, Gili Bisker, Nicole M. Iverson, Nigel F. Reuel, Michael S. Strano

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Advancements in optical nanosensor development have enabled the design of sensors using synthetic molecular recognition elements through a recently developed method called Corona Phase Molecular Recognition (CoPhMoRe). The synthetic sensors resulting from these design principles are highly selective for specific analytes, and demonstrate remarkable stability for use under a variety of conditions. An essential element of nanosensor development hinges on the ability to understand the interface between nanoparticles and the associated corona phase surrounding the nanosensor, an environment outside of the range of traditional characterization tools, such as NMR. This review discusses the need for new strategies and instrumentation to …

Controlled De-Cross-Linking And Disentanglement Of Feather Keratin For Fiber Preparation Via A Novel Process, Helan Xu, Yiqi Yang

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Pure protein fibers were fabricated from chicken feathers via a potentially green process. In the last several decades, efforts have been made to produce keratin-based industrial products, especially fibers. However, the methods of producing keratin fibers directly from chicken feathers could not be repeated. In this research, protein fibers from chicken feathers were developed using chemicals that could be either derived from renewable resources or facilely recycled. Backbones of keratin were preserved after cleavage of disulfide bonds using cysteine. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was applied to dissolve keratin for spinning. Increasing SDS concentration intensified the ordered conformation of keratin, first …

Seed Tape Effects On Corn Emergence Under Greenhouse Conditions, Ramarao Venkatesh, Peter R. Thomison, Colette K. Gabriel, Mark A. Bennett, Elaine M. Grassbaugh, Matthew D. Kleinhenz, Scott A. Shearer, Santosh Pitla

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Seed tape has recently received attention as an alternative planting system for smallholder farmers in underdeveloped regions of South America, Africa, China, and India (Mateus, 2014). Seed companies are also developing seed-tape planting systems for germplasm evaluations (Deppermann et al., 2013). Although seed tape has been promoted as a method for ensuring uniform seed spacing and plant density of small-seeded flowers, herbs, and vegetables (Chancellor, 1969), little or no information is available on the use of seed tape for larger-seeded row crops and its effect on crop emergence. The objective of this study was to compare the emergence of corn …

Fate Of Antimicrobials And Antimicrobial Resistance Genes In Simulated Swine Manure Storage, Stacey R. Joy, Xu Li, Daniel D. Snow, John Gilley, Bryan L. Woodbury, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The behavior of three antibiotics (bacitracin, chlortetracycline, and tylosin) and two classes of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), tet and erm, were monitored in swine manure slurry under anaerobic conditions. First-order decay rates were determined for each antibiotic with half-lives ranging from1 day (chlortetracycline) to 10 days (tylosin). ARGs were monitored in the swine manure slurry, and losses of approximately 1 to 3 orders of magnitude in relative abundance were observed during the 40 day storage period. First-order degradation profiles were observed for chlortetracycline and its corresponding resistance genes, tet(X) and tet(Q). Tylosin was degraded to approximately 10% …

Experimental And Modelling Evaluation Of Slagging Behaviour Of German Lignite, Martin Kaiser, Alexander Ilyushechkin

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

The behaviour of mineral matter is important for the characterisation of coal for use in entrained-flow gasification technologies. We investigated four behavioural characteristics—ash fusion temperatures (AFT), slag viscosity versus temperature profiles, temperatures of critical viscosity (TCV), and slag phase compositions—of Rhenish lignite coal ash using laboratory and modelling tools. Our modelling of AFT using coal ash composition provided a wide range of data, with only one (modified) model demonstrating agreement with experimental data. Experimental slag viscosity data were obtained over a temperature range from 1200uC to 1500uC. Where relevant, TCV was also measured. Comparison of these data to the calculated …