Digital Commons Network^™

Consumer Perceptions Of Fda Front-Of-Package Nutrition Labeling, Madison Price

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a front-of-package nutrition labeling (FOPL) rule in early 2025 to help consumers more quickly and easily compare the nutritional quality of packaged foods (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025). FOPL is gaining attention as a way to encourage healthier eating habits and consumer choices, but there is still debate over which label format works best. The objective of this study was to examine consumer perceptions, understanding, and trust of FDA FOPL, and to determine how these labels impact purchasing behavior and nutritional decision-making. Data were collected via an online Qualtrics survey distributed …

Evaluation Of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance Administration And Feed Access Time On Finishing Cattle Performance, Behavior, And Carcass Characteristics, Carsten L. Loseke

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Novel products and bunk management techniques may significantly influence economically relevant performance metrics of feedlot cattle. The objective of the first experiment was to evaluate maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) administration on performance, carcass, health, and cortisol outcomes of yearling steers. Steers (n = 1,754, initial BW = 423 kg, SD = 25 kg) were received and assigned to pens for treatment allocation. Steers received either 10 mL of the mBAS or a mineral oil placebo at initial processing and reimplant. Hair samples were collected from a subset (n = 4 steers/pen) on d 0 and d 14. …

Mining The Usda Snap Bean Association Panel For Resilience: Genetic Dissection Of Heat And Disease Tolerance In Snap Bean, Atiya F. Khan

All Theses

Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an economically and nutritionally important vegetable crop whose production is increasingly threatened by rising temperatures and emerging bacterial diseases, particularly in the southeastern United States. Heat stress during reproductive development can significantly reduce yield, while newly emerging pathogens such as Pseudomonas capsici present additional risks to crop productivity. This study leveraged the USDA Snap Bean Association Panel (SnAP) to investigate the genetic basis of heat tolerance and disease resistance and to identify germplasm and genomic regions useful for breeding resilient cultivars.

To evaluate heat tolerance, a subset of the SnAP panel was …

Refining Treatment Thresholds Of Insect Pests In South Carolina Soybeans Using Simulated Injury And Natural Populations, Adam Whitfield

All Dissertations

Insect pests are a major limiting factor to profitable soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., production in South Carolina, yet current economic thresholds are largely based on historical data and may not reflect modern cultivars, production practices, or input costs. Key insect pests in South Carolina can be categorized into three major feeding groups: defoliators, stem feeders, and pod feeders. Defoliating insects include, but are not limited to, soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker); velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner); green cloverworm, Hypena scabra (Fabricius); grasshoppers; and numerous species of beetles. Stem feeders include, but are not limited to, kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria …

High Throughput Phenomics Pipeline For Pulse Crop Nutritional Breeding, Amod Udayanga Madurapperumage

All Dissertations

Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are major pulse crops valued for their high nutritional composition and importance to global food systems. Pulses are rich in carbohydrates, protein, and essential minerals, making them ideal whole foods and critical contributors to food and nutrition security. Due to these advantages, pulse breeding programs are increasingly focusing on enhancing nutritional traits, such as protein quality, amino acid balance, and micronutrient density, through the process of biofortification. However, improvement of agronomic traits remains equally essential. Characteristics such as plant height, standability, stress tolerance, …

How Pollinator Populations Can Impact Chronic Disease Risk, Kylee Cubbison

Honors Projects

This project investigates how pollinator populations can impact chronic disease risk. Pollinator populations are declining, which can have serious implications for human health. Declining pollinator populations can limit healthy food production and affordability. Poor nutrition is a major risk factor for most chronic diseases. Less healthy food available for people to consume can negatively impact diets and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. This project aims to address a potential gap in research existing on this specific topic regarding pollinator populations and human chronic disease risk. A brochure targeted towards educating the general public on this topic was created …

Three Bacterial Endophytes Enhanced Plant Growth And Yield And Reduced The Severity Of Phytophthora Capsici In Bell Pepper And Tomato Plants In The Field, Daniel Ambachew, Margaret T. Mmbaga Mmbaga, Richard Hall, Peter Eyegheleme, Mustapha Olawuni, Jamille Robinson, Emily Rotich

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Naturally abundant endophytes colonize plants internally without causing harm to their host plants. Endophytes are likely to occupy the same ecological niches as phytopathogens and thus have a high potential to be effective biological control agents. Their demonstrated ability to suppress more than one plant pathogen suggests that they can offer a viable alternative to chemical fungicides and a strategy for decreasing the inoculum potential of soil-borne pathogens. Some biocontrol endophytes are also known to improve soil health and the overall health of plants. However, the results in greenhouse studies do not always translate to consistent field efficacy. In this …

Effects Of Spatially Targeted Fertilizer Strategies On Canopy Growth Across Contrasting Tart Cherry Orchard Sites, Kurt Wedegaertner, Brent Black, Matt Yost, Grant Cardon

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Variable-rate fertilization is increasingly promoted in perennial orchard systems, but its effectiveness remains difficult to predict because tree responses are often inconsistent and strongly conditioned by site-specific constraints. To address this, we evaluated soil-based and vigor-based zoning frameworks across four commercial tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) orchards representing contrasting soil conditions, canopy structures, and management histories. Within each orchard, management zones were defined using either soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) or satellite-derived canopy vigor. Fertilization strategies were implemented by varying fertilizer application timing among zones using split-application approaches while maintaining a constant total fertilizer rate. Tree-level canopy structure was …

Scientific Research In Cuba: A General Analysis With A Special Focus On Energy, Agriculture And Technology, Henri Dou, Pierre Fournie

International Journal of Islands Research

An analysis of science in Cuba is carried out using data from the OpenAlex database. Examples are developed: agriculture, rice, technology in relation to the current situation: national food supply, energy and medicine. The predominance of research in biology and medicine and the low commitment in the fields of agriculture, energy, medicinal plants and technology are highlighted. Various development schemes are proposed. The conclusion is that research must be directed towards strategic areas: food and energy, must be less dispersed and that technology must be better taken into account. Three proposals are made: the development of a chemical analysis platform …

Cover And Contents, Editors Of Turkish Journal Of Agriculture And Forestry

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

No abstract provided.

​Functional Characterization Of Stmtpsl Terpene Synthase-Like Genes And Their Role In Pathogen Resistance In Selaginella Tamariscina, Zhijie He, Bo Bi

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The biological activity and function of microbial terpene synthase-like genes from Selaginella tamariscina (StMTPSL) were investigated using molecular and biochemical approaches. After isolating and amplifying StMTPSL genes (StMTPSL1-StMTPSL6), both native and site-directed mutant forms were expressed in tobacco via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The resulting transgenic plants had increased expression of StMTPSL genes, enhanced monoterpene production (as confirmed by GC-MS), and significantly improved resistance to Pseudomonas syringae infection compared to nontransgenic controls. These results show that StMTPSL genes are functionally active in plants and contribute to pathogen resistance through elevated terpene biosynthesis. This study provides new insights into the role of MTPSL …

Effect Of Some Organic Fertilizers On Yield And Quality Of Olive Oil In Semiarid Conditions, İshak Bayyi̇ği̇t, Ebru Sakar

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This two-year field experiment evaluated the effects of different organic fertilizers on olive oil quality of the Gemlik cultivar grown under semiarid conditions in Mardin, Türkiye. Treatments of olive pomace (P1: 4, P2: 8, P3: 12 kg tree⁻¹), leonardite (L1: 1.5, L2: 3.0, L3: 4.5 kg tree⁻¹), and vermicompost (SG1: 3, SG2: 6, SG3: 9 kg tree⁻¹) were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Oils were analyzed for free acidity (FA), peroxide value, and phenolic profile using high-pressure liquid chromatography. FA ranged from 0.27% to 0.42% (as oleic acid), remaining well below the International Olive Council …

Comparative Evaluation Of Curd Enriched With Essential Oils Derived From Dill, Caraway, And Cumin, Hafize Fidan, Toncho Kolev, Denis Dervish, Ivayla Dincheva, Ira Taneva, Serkan Yilmaz, Yusuf Şavşatli, Albena Stoyanova

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Curd cheese is a traditional dairy product that, in recent years, has increasingly been supplemented with various functional additives aimed at enhancing its aroma and flavor profile, improving overall quality, and extending shelf-life. The objective of the present study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of changes in selected physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory parameters of curd cheese enriched with 0.01% essential oils derived from dill (Anethum graveolens L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), and caraway (Carum carvi L.) fruits. Fatty acid profiling revealed a reduction in saturated fatty acids and an increase in oleic and linoleic acids in essential oil-enriched curds …

Silicon-Mediated Enhancement Of Wheat Tolerance To Drought Stress: A Comparative Study Of Antioxidant Activity, Photosynthesis, Secondary Metabolites, And Yield, Abida Kausar, Rida Yasmeen, Shahid Iqbal, Muhammad Bilal Hafeez, Asif Mukhtiar, Sadia Azeem, Ali Raza, Samreen Nazeer, Muhammad Zubair Akram, Muhammad Kamran, Fahd Rasul, Noreen Zahra

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Drought stress (DS) is a major constraint on optimal plant growth and yield. Agricultural researchers have been actively exploring fertilizers that can enhance crop production under DS conditions. Silicon (Si) application has emerged as a promising strategy for managing DS in various crops. This study investigated the potential of Si soil drenching to mitigate the adverse effects of varying levels of DS (at 100%, 70%, and 40% field capacity) in wheat. Two varieties (Ujala-2016 and FSD-2008) were used to evaluate the influence of Si (2.5 mM) on antioxidant activity, oxidative burst, secondary metabolites, growth, and yield. The results indicated that …

​Spectrophotometric Detection Of Food Additives And Pesticides By Magnetite Cross-Linked Tyrosinase Aggregates (Mcltas)​, İlker Polatoğlu

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

In this study, tyrosinase enzyme was cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to form aggregates on the surface of activated magnetite nanoparticles, without the need for a separate support matrix. For the first time, this novel aggregate was employed for the spectroscopic detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and diazinon, as model food additives and pesticides, respectively. This technique, developed as an alternative to optical sensors, not only eliminates their drawbacks but also facilitates the recovery of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA) from the reaction medium using the incorporated magnetite nanoparticles. A spectrophotometric technique was used to measure the enzyme activity of the aggregates to …

Mitigation Of Salinity Stress In Carnation Plants Through Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Growth, Physiological, And Biochemical Responses, Adel A. Rezk, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Maryam, Muhammad Saleem, Othman Al-Dossary, Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Mohammed Aldaej, Bader Y. Alsubaie, Hati̇ce Gülen, Tarek Shalaby, Riaz Ahmad

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) growth and floral yield are severely reduced when grown in soils with excessive salinity. Mitigation of adverse effects from salinity-induced stress is necessary for sustainable carnation cultivation. Although various approaches have been developed, the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to ameliorate these effects remains scarcely explored. The current study explored the potential of ZnO-NPs to alleviate salinity-induced stress by examining their effects on morphophysiological and biochemical traits. A controlled pot experiment was conducted using a factorial design with three concentrations of sodium chloride (0, 50, and 100 mM) and three of ZnO-NPs (0, 50, and …

Impact Of Climate Change On Agricultural Production In The North China Plain And Adaption Strategies, Yanjun Shen, Ying Guo, Chuanwei Zhang, Yaning Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Over the past century, global warming has posed significant challenges to the North China Plain (NCP), a core region for grain production, where resource-induced water scarcity now coincides with complex meteorological disasters. In recent years, the NCP has exhibited new climatic characteristics, notably the transition from a “warm-dry” to a “warm-wet” pattern accompanied by asymmetric warming, leading to an increased frequency of extreme events such as droughts, abrupt dry-flood alternations, and temperature extremes. These shifts pose a grave threat to regional grain stability. Currently, critical gaps remain in the understanding of the underlying disaster mechanisms, as well as in predictive …

Molecular Adaptation Of Sweet Potato To Martian Soil Simulant: Insights From Mrna And Long Non-Coding Rna Analyses, Subramanyam Reddy Chinreddy, Karthik Chinnannan, Purushothaman Natarajan, Vaibhavi Patel, Gwonjin Lee, Manohar Chakrabarti, Padma Nimmakayala, Umesh K. Reddy

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Understanding how crops adapt to extraterrestrial environments is essential for sustainable space agriculture. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), a nutritionally rich and stress-resilient crop, is a promising candidate for cultivation under Martian-like conditions, characterized by high salinity, heavy metal contamination, and poor water retention.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying sweet potato adaptation to Martian soil analog conditions using Mars Global Simulant-1 (MGS-1).

Methods: Leaf, shoot, and storage root tissues of sweet potato grown in MGS-1 were subjected to RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified, and functional enrichment analyses were …

Effect Of Different Pellet Binders On Palm Kernel On Growth Performance And Nutrient Digestibility In Broiler Chicken, Nuun Marfuah, Burhanudin Sundu, Rusdi Rusdi, Sugiarto Sugiarto

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

Feed plays a paramount role in supporting growth, metabolism, and production performance. Their high price encourages the utilization of inexpensive and alternative feed ingredients. PKM, one such feed ingredient, is produced by palm oil industries. However, there is still a very limited application because of its high crude fiber content, which needs processing technologies like pelletization with binder addition. Based on this background, this experiment has been conducted to study the effect of various types of natural and commercial binders in 15% PKM-based pellets on performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers. The study was done for five weeks using 150 …

Interest In Training Certifications Within The Horticulture Industry, Bradley S. Peiffer

Scholars Week

When it comes to post-secondary education, less than half of Americans hold a college degree. While certain industries don’t necessarily need college-level education, they can still have a lot to learn beyond hands-on education and training. Horticulture, for example, can have a large knowledge gap from people with a secondary education only. Oftentimes, a certificate in a field of work can significantly improve knowledge in the workforce without such an extreme time or cost expense. This study investigates whether there is a potential interest in training certifications within the Horticulture Industry. Specifically, this research was conducted to determine if Horticulture …

Study The Effect Of Climate Change On Barley Crop (Hordeum Vulgare L.) And Improving Its Productivity Through Municipal Treated Wastewater Utilization, Wasef A. Alzayadneh

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Climate change presents a complex risk to crop productivity, with elevated temperatures, rising CO2 and UV-B enhancement profoundly impacting growth. Although the effects of individual stressors are well-documented, limited information is available regarding the combined effects of variables such as elevated CO₂ (eCO2), UV-B radiation, and elevated temperature (eT). This knowledge gap is especially critical for major cereal crops such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), which ranks fourth in global production and serves as a valuable source of forage for livestock. However, traditional forage production is unsustainable in arid regions, where water shortage and extreme weather conditions are present, as …

Sorghum-Sudangrass Production Guide, Dakota Boren, Matt Yost, Luree Johnson, Tina Sullivan, Earl Creech, Grant Cardon, Corey Ransom, Randall Violett, Cheyenne Reid, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Michael Pace, Jody Gale

All Current Publications

Sudex is a warm-season forage crop that performs well in Utah’s dry climate due to its drought tolerance. It can be especially useful during drought years or when irrigation supplies are limited. As well as being a high-quality feed, Sudex has many benefits, including weed suppression and soil-building properties. Although there are concerns for prussic acid and nitrate poisoning, these concerns can be reduced and often eliminated with proper management. This fact sheet provides information to producers about using Sudex and best production practices. Much of the information may also apply to forage sorghum and a few of the major …

Reproductive Performance Of Friesian Holstein Crossbred Dairy Cattle After A Foot-And-Mouth Disease Outbreak In Lembang, Indonesia, Hanunghanindito Pamungkas, Septiyani Septiyani, Nurcholidah Solihati

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that may impair reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the reproductive performance of Friesian Holstein crossbred dairy cows following an FMD outbreak at UPTD BPTSP and HPT Cikole, Lembang, West Java, Indonesia. A retrospective study was conducted using reproductive records collected from 2019 to 2023. The reproductive parameters analyzed were calving interval, service per conception, conception rate, service period, and first mating postpartum. Differences between the pre- and post-FMD periods were assessed using paired sample t-tests. The results showed significant differences in calving interval, service …

The Potency Of Inulin Extraction Waste Fermentation From Local Tubers As A Feed Additive, Mohamad Septian, Danes Suhendra, Mikael Sihite, Dyah Saputri

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to determine the potential of inulin extraction waste fermentation as a feed additive based on the content of lactic acid, dry matter, pH, and Fleigh points. This research was conducted from March to June 2022 at the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Laboratory, Tidar University. The experimental design used in this study was a Completely Randomized Design with 4 treatments (fermentation of inulin extraction waste: T1 Dioscorea alata (uwi), T2: ganyong (Dioscorea alata discolor), T3: gadung(Dioscorea hispida), and T4: umbi ungu (Ipomoea batatas). Each treatment was replicated 5 times. The variables …

The Potential Of Bioactive Peptides From Goat Milk Kefir With Antibacterial Activity As An Antibiotic Substitute, Dhea Athillah, Jajang Gumilar, Eka Wulandari

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

This study aims to determine the optimal incubation time for goat milk kefir that produces the highest antibacterial peptides, and to determine the antibacterial activity of purified goat milk kefir. Protein levels were determined using the microassay method. Kefir, which is known to have the best incubation time for producing the highest antibacterial activity when ultrafiltered with a 10 kDa cut-off membrane, was analyzed for its molecular weight using SDS-PAGE. The antibacterial activity was tested against pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus. The highest soluble protein content was found in kefir incubated for 36 hours, with a soluble …

Growing South Dakota (Spring 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food, And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 National heritage, statewide research, local impact
[Page] 7 About the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Stations
[Page] 14 Managing the mooo-ment: How SDSU researchers are looking to improve cow health during the Transition Period
[Page] 18 Discovering strength in science: How education through undergraduate research prepares students for the future
[Page] 20 From India to Brookings: One grad student’s path to make a world of difference in virology
[Page] 22 Solving a billion-dollar problem: Identifying disease-resistent wheat genes
[Page] 24 Unlocking manure’s potential: SDSU leads multistate study on the power of swine manure in growing better crops
[Page] 28 …

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #69 Spring 2026

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President's message, Dustin Loy

Undergraduate Scholarship Awards

2026 Chapter Officers and Committees

Faculty Awards

Membership info and dues form

Grad Student Scholarship

Award of Merit

NU Foundation Fund

New Initiates

Save the Date

In Memoriam:
Kara Daye Heideman (March 31, 1980-December 11, 2025)
L. Dale Van Vleck (June 11, 1933-December 23, 2025)
James (Jim) Eugene Specht (September 12, 1945-February 13, 2026)
Irvin Thomas Omtvedt (June 12, 1935-April 6, 2026)
Fayrene L. Hamouz (June 6, 1946-April 8, 2026)
Robert L. Raun (April 22, 1928-April 22, 2026)

International Rice Outlook: International Rice Baseline Projections 2025-2035, A. Durand-Morat, W. Mulimbi

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

• Over the next ten years, global rice consumption is projected to exceed global rice production, making existing stocks crucial for meeting the global rice market demand. • Global production is projected to grow mostly due to productivity gains and some area expansion, with India’s production performance becoming more relevant. • The global rice consumption is projected to climb, driven mainly by population growth. The average global per capita rice consumption is expected to drop slightly over the next decade, primarily due to slower per capita consumption growth in Asia and Africa. • The international prices of long-grain and medium-grain …

Risk Factors Of Leptospirosis Among Agricultural Workers In Southeast Asia: Literature Review, Ronggo Adi Wibowo, Wawa Najwa Nurzakia, Meirany Sasitha Kirana, Yulia Arthemisia Wijaya, Jasmine Ayumaharani Sekaryudha, Dwi Sarwani Sri Rejeki, Rosita Dwi Jayanti

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

The agricultural sector is the primary source of livelihood for communities in Southeast Asia; however, these activities increase the risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases, particularly leptospirosis. Southeast Asia is one of the regions with the highest incidence of leptospirosis in the world. This literature review aims to identify risk factors for leptospirosis among agricultural workers in Southeast Asia. The search for research articles utilized three databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect) using a descriptive approach based on literature review and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 9,800 articles were screened for …

Challenges Of Selected Philippine Higher Educational Institutions In Facilitating Extension Services: Application Of The Best-Fit Framework, Kay Guiriba-Losabia, Allan G. Dalo, Calyd T. Cerio

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

This paper deals with a case study that uses the best-fit framework to analyze the challenges faced by the HEIs in facilitating the effective delivery of extension services. Specifically, it seeks to identify the factors that influence the HEI in identifying its thrusts and directions and developing extension programs. It also aims to assess the factors that facilitate and limit the implementation of extension programs. The study used a qualitative case study. Participants in the study include HEI Extension Unit Heads and project or program leaders. Key informant interview, survey, and secondary data review were conducted to collect data. Content …