A Study Of Collegiate Equine Team Funding, Expenditures, And Recruitment Strategies, Sydni Marie Nilles

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Collegiate equine teams (including horse judging, equestrian, ranch horse teams) have been recognized for their contributions to students' personal and professional development for post- graduation success. Teams have been used to provide opportunities, a sense of belonging and allow for experiences students may not have elsewhere. However, there is a notable gap in knowledge as to where funding comes from and how much teams may be able to budget for expenditures. Recruitment tactical knowledge provides other teams with knowledge of potential areas they may be lacking or unaware of. I used an online survey to understand current ranges of support …

The Effects Of Calcium Availability On Growth And Calcium Content Of Hydroponic Daikon Radish Microgreens, Cory Michael Reichmuth

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Microgreens are young, edible seedlings harvested upon emergence of the first true leaf. Their popularity is growing as a nutritionally dense food source that can be grown quickly in space-efficient systems. However, little is known about optimal cultivation practices and the effects of fertilization on growth and nutrition of microgreens. This study investigates the role of calcium (Ca) fertilization in optimizing the growth, yield, and nutrient content of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus) microgreens. A hydroponic system was designed to consistently deliver nutrient solution to microgreens grown in a closed-environment chamber. This study tested different Ca fertilization rates of 0, 5, …

Inoculating Soybean Plants At Different Growth Stages: Selecting Bradyrhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Or Both, Matthew R. Knoll

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Soybean plants rely on nitrogen for growth, however atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is not a usable form and needs to be converted into different forms that are available to the plant. Nitrogen fixing bacteria such as rhizobia form symbiotic relationships with Soybeans in exchange for shelter and excess plant sugars. As a result, the plant can get the nitrogen it needs. There are four main genera of rhizobia that can form root nodules on Soybean including Bradyrhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Rhizobium. At this point, the effect that age of the host plant has on the selection of …

Water Scarcity In The Bitterroot Valley, August W. Guenthner

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Water scarcity in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley is an increasingly urgent issue, driven by the dual pressures of climate change and rapid population growth. Since 1970, the Bitterroot has been the fastest-growing region in the state, with much of this growth occurring in low-density rural subdivisions that rely on individual groundwater wells. Simultaneously, climate change has reduced snowpack levels, leading to diminished springtime recharge of surface water systems that are vital for both ecological and agricultural needs. For the Valley’s agricultural producers, adapting to decreasing water availability will be essential for sustaining their operations. This research project was designed to better …

El Maíz Del Abuelo: Fidel Márquez Sanchez’S Legacy And Mexico’S Historical Maize Agriculture, Lucia Marquez-Uppman

Scripps Senior Theses

The Green Revolution was an era of scientific development in productive agricultural methods and technologies in the mid-twentieth century. High-yielding seed varieties, artificial fertilizers, irrigation infrastructure, pesticides, and herbicides all developed from this period. Texcoco, Mexico was the center of much of the Green Revolution's education and research from the 1940s onward at the Autonomous University of Chapingo, a prestigious agricultural school, with funding from the US-based philanthropic Rockefeller Foundation. Powerful consequences in the globe's agriculture emerged from the Green Revolution, including the production of maize, a staple crop in Mexico, especially for Indigenous and campesino populations. My abuelo, Fidel …

Estimating The Carbon Footprint Of Sheep Production In Western Australia, Tafesse Estifanos, Christophe D'Abbadie, Johnny Machon, Amir Abadi Abadi Ghadim, Gus Manatsa, Paul Mattingley, Ross Kingwell, Kevin Foster

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

Western Australia’s broadacre mixed farming systems combine cropping and sheep production and are the largest component of the state’s agricultural sector. The south west Western Australia (WA) agricultural area hosts about 98% of the state's sheep flock. The sheep industry contributed $1.5 billion to the state’s economy in 2021-22 and accounts for about a quarter of on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most sheep industry emissions (over 80%) come from methane produced by the sheep. Despite this environmental impact, only 9.9% of Australian sheep producers have estimated their emissions, which limits the industry's ability to monitor and manage carbon footprints effectively. …

Skeleton Weed In Western Australia: 2025 Management Guide, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity bulletins

Skeleton weed can reduce crop yields by competing for moisture and nutrients (mainly nitrogen).

This guide helps you manage and eradicate skeleton weed infestations on your property, and helps to stop the spread across WA.

Without the coordinated program aimed at controlling the spread, skeleton weed would now be much more abundant and widely established throughout cereal growing areas.

If you find skeleton weed on your property, we can help you get rid of it.

Skeleton weed is unpredictable and can spread over long distances due to wind dispersal, but once identified it can be managed effectively and eradicated

Skeleton Weed In Western Australia: Control Program 2024–2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity bulletins

Key program changes

Winter eradication program

New herbicide recommendations for control in crops, legume based annual pastures, plantations and glyphosate tolerant canola.

• The minimum size of ‘squares’ (infested areas) has been reduced from 40 m x 40 m (0.16 ha) to 20 m x 20 m (0.04 ha) to help reduce the winter treatment area.
• Landholders will need to consult with DPIRD/LAG officers to assess the degree of infestation before working or cultivating through squares in Code 1 paddocks.
• Clopyralid (LontrelTM) herbicide will no longer be provided for treatment on heavily infested paddocks. Landholders will still be required to undertake …

Characterizing Agroecosystem Effects Of Industrial Hemp On A Rotational Row Cropping System And Microbial Communities, Kent D. Pham

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

The implementation of crop rotation on a farm can have many benefits for agroecosystem health and production. This practice can potentially reduce nutrient amendments, disrupt pest and disease cycles, and increase crop yields. In Kentucky, one common rotation consists of either corn or soybean grown the first year, followed by the other crop, repeated every two years. Industrial hemp, grown for fiber or grain, is an emerging crop that has shown promise as a rotation alternative, although not much is known about its effects on soil health, agroecosystem functioning, and microbial communities. To better characterize hemp’s role within American agriculture, …

Factors Impacting Germination, Emergence, And Establishment Of Direct Seeded And Transplanted Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.), Paul Cockson Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Industrial hemp (IH) establishment has many challenges including: poor emergence, low stand establishment, and variable plant development in direct seeded hemp. In floral hemp production, quality transplant production is a challenge with seedlings often becoming root bound and etiolated. In both direct seeded and transplant hemp, the relationship between root vigor and vegetative growth has not been studied and may prove insightful for managing emergence and establishment challenges. The goals of this study were three-fold: 1) to measure and describe root system architecture (RSA) and root phenotypes observed in selected IH cultivars especially in regard to identifying agronomically important RSA …

Greenhouse Management For The Smaller Structure--Educational And Hobby, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Greenhouses used for teaching or by hobbyist are smaller than those used for commercial production or found in the retail environment. Structural materials, covering, mechanical equipment, and control systems often are packaged as a kit made available through greenhouse suppliers. Supplier construction services may not be available, in which buyers must use local contractors to complete the installation. Greenhouses are unique structures that differ greatly from sheds or other outbuildings. They have coverings that allow maximum light transmittance, protected from UV degradation, and can handle wide inside to outside temperature extremes. This extension circular provides valuable information on the character, …

Terrarium- An Ecosystem In A Jar, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

STEM education is supported through hand's-on activities in the classroom. Content understanding and reaffirmation of knowledge is supported through this informative STEM-Quick card that teachers or extension educators can distribute to participants for reference. Terrariums provide an example of a closed ecosystem where water and carbon cycling is demonstrated and plant growth can be observed. This card presents the steps to building and caring for an easy to create terrarium.

Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Genes Impact Agronomic Performance, Flavor, Milling, And Baking Traits In Soft Red Winter Wheat, Joyce Morris

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is an economically devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) causing low yields and poor quality. FHB, caused by Fusarium graminearum, disrupts the grain filling phase and results in bleached spikes and shriveled seeds. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungal pathogen when it infects the plant; DON is harmful when consumed by humans and causes feed rejection in livestock. Using FHB resistant varieties and timely applications of fungicides is the optimum strategy for management of this disease. However, there has been little research focusing on the impact of FHB resistance genes …

Influence Of Industrial Hemp On Soil Health Parameters In A Kentucky Cropping System, Jack T. Eaker

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Industrial hemp (fiber, floral, and grain: Cannabis sativa L.) legalization has prompted research into its incorporation into agronomic rotations and impacts on agroecosystem services such as nutrient dynamics. This study quantified the effects of integrating grain and fiber hemp on soil health, hypothesizing hemp would positively impact soil health due to its taproot, reported C benefits, and nutrient requirements. Conducted in Kentucky at two locations, a completely randomized block design included six crop rotation treatments, with soil cores collected at initiation (2020) and post three growing seasons (2023). Soil parameters analyzed included particulate organic matter, short-term CO2 mineralization, water-extractable organic …

Cost-Effective Strategies For Feral Swine Control: Exploring Trapping Equipment Cooperatives, Phil Kenkel, Riza Radmehr, Rodney Holcomb, Mckenzie Boyce

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States have become a growing concern, with a population of ≥6 million and causing annual damages of ≥$1.5 billion USD. Because of their high reproductive capacity, effective control methods are crucial to reducing or slowing their population growth. While remotely monitored and triggered traps have proven to be an effective control strategy, the cost of sophisticated trapping equipment, which can cost ≥$7,000 USD, is often cost prohibitive for many landowners. Despite the pressing need to address the challenge of making effective feral swine control methods more affordable, there are few studies …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Use Of Fecal Inoculum From Easy And Hard Keeper Horses To Determine In-Vitro Digestibility Of Feedstuffs Used In Equine Diets, Leah Bills

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Digestibility studies provide vital information for formulating ideal diets based on an animal’s ability to digest and absorb the available nutrients from the feed provided. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the nutrient digestion of horses between those that have a difficult time maintaining a healthy body weight (body condition score at or below 5, hard keeper) and those that easily maintain a healthy body weight (body condition score of >5, easy keeper). Six mature geldings averaging 534.1 ± 47.1 kg were used in this study. During the experimental period horses were …

Investigating The Ruminal Metagenome Of Grass And Forage-Fed Bison To Uncover Metabolic Activities That Impact The Efficiency Of Plant Fiber Utilization, Anlly Fresno Rueda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the ruminal microbiome of American plains bison (Bison bison) to uncover the metabolic activities that enable efficient utilization of plant fiber, with a particular focus on bacterial composition and functional capabilities in response to forage quality. Using both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic approaches, this research provides a comprehensive view of microbial diversity and metabolic potential in the rumen of bison, offering insights into their ecological resilience and efficiency in nutrient extraction. Chapter 2 focuses on the metabolic potential of bacterial communities in the rumen of bison fed a grass-based diet. Using high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic …

Stress And Behavior In Beef Calves During Weaning, Kathleen E. Tierney

Theses and Dissertations

Animal welfare in commercial livestock operations has been an increasing topic of concern. It is well known that stress can have significant behavioral and physiological repercussions. It is especially important in commercial operations to reduce stress, as animal efficiency is the leading priority. In an effort to reduce stress on animals and improve welfare in livestock operations, several studies have evaluated common husbandry practices. One of the most widely studied practices is weaning, which encapsulates the process of removing the young from the dam. Several studies have evaluated the effects of weaning on beef cattle through a variety of behavioral …

Cultivating Community-University Partnerships Within The Chicago Region Food System, Hanan Abdillahi, Vivian Cossey, Tania Schusler, Kevin Erickson, Karen Schauwecker, Sarah Ku, Ray Dybzinski

School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works

We interviewed 22 organizations in the Chicago Regional Food System to gain insights on their current initiatives, assets, challenges, future visions, and perceived roles of universities in advancing their work. We analyzed themes to report on strong consensus or varied perspectives related to this work. This report aims to advise Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability's future work and collaboration activities with Chicago Food System organizations.

Bridging Prairie Restoration And Regenerative Agriculture With Compost Tea / The Rocket Incident: Post-Fire Soil Microbe Recovery On The Eastern Washington University Restoration Site, April Hersey

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Inland Pacific Northwest prairie is an endangered ecosystem that has been reduced by conversion to agriculture. There is growing interest in the role of soil microorganisms in prairie ecosystems, which may be crucial for restoration of the plant community through interspecies interactions within the rhizosphere. One method for improving soil microorganism community composition is compost tea: enriched liquid compost extract. Compost tea is used in regenerative agriculture to improve crop yields and protect against pathogens. While research has supported compost tea application in regenerative agriculture, it has not been widely studied in the context of ecosystem restoration. After beginning a …

Characterization Of Lipids In Tenebrio Molitor Larvae And Pupae Under Various Extraction Methods, Nariman A. Ktil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tenebrio molitor, or the yellow mealworm is an edible insect widely recognized and consumed for its rich nutritional value. Mealworms are known for their flexible nature of adapting to various environmental conditions and being able to thrive under harsh conditions and low-value wastes. In this paper, our main goal was to investigate the mealworm’s ability to grow and develop while being reared on apple pomace, the biowaste from apple production, and the effect it would have on its nutritional value specifically its lipid profile. Then these reared insects were used for oil extraction and analyzing their fatty acid profiles. …

Parting The Corn Rows: Nikita Khrushchev’S Visit To Iowa, 1959, Jordan Stiles

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On September 23, 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited Roswell Garst to inspect US hybrid corn and agricultural methods. Khrushchev’s initial reforms are discussed to show why Khrushchev sought agricultural knowledge abroad. The details of Khrushchev’s and Garst’s life regarding their work in agriculture are explored up to the visit. The visit would leave an indelible mark on the USSR and Iowa. Khrushchev and his successors would use Garst’s model for hybrid corn farming as the template for Soviet farming. Garst would use his limelight to catapult his corn diplomacy into action around the world. Lastly, the legacy of Khrushchev’s …

Support Needs Of Agrarian Women To Build Household Livelihood Resilience: A Case Study Of The Mekong River Delta, Tran Thi Ngoc Tran

Dissertations

Problem

Rural livelihood faces significant challenges due to the increasing frequency and severity of climate change impacts. However, the development of women’s livelihood resilience remains constrained by gender-blind policies, limited sex-disaggregated data, and a lack of integration of gender-specific needs and priorities in resilience-building interventions. This study aims to address these critical gaps. This study aims at exploring the perceived support needs of rural agrarian women in building household livelihood resilience to climate change. Specifically, it seeks to (1) understand how household livelihood resilience is perceived by rural agrarian women, and (2) identify the support they require to effectively adapt …

Determination Of Manganese Concentration In Forages, Soil, Sewage Water Of Three Suburban Areas Of Sargodha, Pakistan, Iqra Anwar, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Kafeel Ahmad, Naila Riaz, Faiza Zubair, Asma Ashfaq, Muhammad Fahad Ullah, Farzana Siddique, Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Abid Ejaz, Maloofa Manzoor, Umbreen Bibi, Hafiza Memona Nazir, Saif Ullah

Journal of Bioresource Management

For irrigation of soil utilization of wastewater has risen significantly in the past few years. This wastewater often have large amount of trace elements and heavy metals, many of which are non-essential and harmful to living organisms such as plants, animals, and humans. In Pakistan, particularly around suburban areas, it is common to use this polluted water for growing vegetables. When such water is used for irrigation over an extended period of time, toxic substances can accumulate in the soil, potentially causing toxicity to plants and degrading soil quality. The samples analyzed in the study were prepared using the wet …

The Nutritional And Biotechnological Potential Of Amaranth: A Versatile Plant For Health And Sustainability, Zeliha Selamoglu, Muhammad Yasir Naeem, Yaira Rakhmetova, Tulkinzhon Gaipov

Journal of Bioresource Management

The amaranth plant, originating from Central and South America, was a staple food for ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Inca. Today, it is cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, including Africa, Asia, and North America. Belonging to the Amaranthaceae family and comprising approximately 60 species, amaranth is valued for its adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions. This versatile crop is a nutrient-dense food source with a diverse chemical composition and numerous bioactive compounds, particularly in its seeds. Naturally gluten-free, amaranth is ideal for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It provides a complete profile of essential amino …

Ethephon Application And Nitrogen Optimization Through Foliar Urea For Okra Production, Muhammad Usaid, Muhammad Yaisr Ali, Ihsan Ul Haq, Sajid Ali, Huzaifa Ihsan, Arslan Rafique, Kalim Ullah, Khalid Nisar, Khan Badshah, Mian Muhammad Huzaifa, Muhammad Shoaib Muteezai

Journal of Bioresource Management

To mitigate the environmental impact of excessive urea use, this study investigates the foliar application of urea and ethephon as a more efficient alternative to soil application, aiming to optimize nitrogen use while sustaining the growth and yield of okra. The research was conducted using a randomized complete block design with two factors, replicated four times. Factor A included ethephon levels with a control (E0 = Control, E1 = 150 ppm, E2 = 250 ppm, E3 = 350 ppm), while Factor B comprised two urea levels and a control (U0 = Control, U1 = 1%, U2 = 2 %). The …

Weed Incursion Of Irrigated Forage–Forb Mixtures Under Mob Grazing Or Mowing In The Mountain West Usa, Jennifer Macadam, Jared Gibbons, Xin Dai

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Improving the quality of irrigated pastures can increase the profitability of ruminant production systems. Increasing pasture plant biodiversity is beneficial for ruminants, pollinators, and soil health, but it is challenging to manage weed incursion in seeded mixed-species pastures. This study assessed the weed incursion that resulted when forage legumes or grasses were seeded as binary mixtures with one of four non-legume forbs. Defoliation occurred at 6-week intervals as either mowing or mob grazing. Forbs were chicory, plantain, Lewis flax, or small burnet and forages were alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, creeping foxtail, intermediate wheatgrass, kura clover, meadow bromegrass, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, reed …

Function Over Form: The Benefits Of Aspen As Surrogate Brood-Rearing Habitat For Greater Sage-Grouse, Michel T. Kohl, Charles P. Sandford, Paul C. Rogers, Renee Chi, Terry A. Messmer, David K. Dahlgren

Aspen Bibliography

Species of conservation concern are often habitat specialists, posing significant risk to those species when specific plant communities are threatened. As a result, practitioners habitually focus conservation efforts on these communities while ignoring ecological mechanisms that explain the wildlife–plant relationships. In doing so, practitioners may overlook alternative vegetation communities that could maintain wildlife populations under alternative conditions (e.g., climate change). Here, we term these areas surrogate habitat, defined as vegetation communities or resource sites that provide similar critical resources as conventional sites, and assess their potential for conservation using a case study of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) on …