Digital Commons Network^™

Differentiation Of Andean And Mesoamerican Accessions In A Proposed Core Collection Of Grain Amaranths, Matthew W. Blair, Jorge Londoño, María A. Buitrago-Bitar, Xingbo Wu, David M. Brenner

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Grain amaranths are made up of three New World species of pseudo-cereals with C4 photosynthesis from the dicotyledonous family Amaranthaceae and the genus Amaranthus. They originate in two ecoregions of the Americas, namely, the inter-Andean valleys of South America and the volcanic axis and lowlands of Mexico and Central America. These correspond to two centers of domestications for Andean and Mesoamerican crops, with one cultivated species found in the first region and two found in the latter region. To date, no core collection has been made for the grain amaranths in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) germplasm …

Pasture Pig Basics, Jacob Hadfield, Jessie Hadfield, Joshua Dallin, Lorie Millward

All Current Publications

With an increasing push for more sustainable agriculture practices, raising pigs on pasture has gained much attention over recent years. Although it is possible to raise pigs on pasture, and this production method may support some sustainability goals, there are some important considerations. This fact sheet provides insight and answers to aspiring pig farmers so that they can make better-informed decisions before purchasing their pigs.

Status Quo Of Research And Suggestions On Reduction Of Non-Co2 Greenhouse Gas Emission From Chinese Farmland, Guangbin Zhang, Jing Ma, Hua Xu, Xiaoyuan Yan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is of great significance for controlling global warming. In 2014, the CH₄ and N₂O emissions from farmland accounted for 4.3% of the total GHG emissions in China. After the carbon peak target in 2030, fossil energy in China will be gradually replaced by clean energy, and then the contribution of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from farmland will be enlarged, leaving that the urgency and importance of emission reduction becomes increasingly prominent. However, available technologies of emission mitigation have not been fully adopted and promoted due to the …

Connectivity And Racial Equity In Responding To Covid-19 Impacts In The Chicago Regional Food System, Rowan Obach, Tania Schusler, Paulina Vaca, Sydney Durkin, Ma'raj Sheikh

School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The COVID-19 outbreak led to major disruptions in food systems across the globe. In the United States’ Chicago region, the outbreak created immediate concerns around increased hunger, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions, and loss of local livelihoods. This was especially evident in communities of color, which faced disproportionate impacts from the pandemic. In March 2020, the Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) coordinated a Rapid Response Effort that convened people in working groups related to emergency food assistance, local food producers, small businesses, and food system workers to address urgent needs that arose due to the pandemic. Each working group …

Large And Stable Genome Edits At The Sorghum Alpha Kafirin Locus Result In Changes In Chromatin Accessibility And Globally Increased Expression Of Genes Encoding Lysine Enrichment, J. Preston Hurst, Abou Yobi, Aixia Li, Shirley Sato, Thomas E. Clemente, Ruthie Angelovici

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Sorghum is a resilient and widely cultivated grain crop used for feed and food. However, it’s grain is deficient in lysine, an essential amino acid. This is due to the primary seed storage proteins, the alpha-kafirins, lacking lysine. It has been observed that reductions in alpha-kafirin protein results in rebalancing of the seed proteome and a corresponding increase in non-kafirin proteins which leads to an increased lysine content. However, the mechanisms underlying proteome rebalancing are unclear. This study characterizes a previously developed gene edited sorghum line, with deletions at the alpha kafirin locus.

Methods: A single consensus …

Evaluating Sustainable Options For Valorization Of Rice By-Products In Sri Lanka: An Approach For A Circular Business Model, W. A. M. A. N Illankoon, Chiara Milanese, A. K. Karunarathna, Kumuditha D. Hikkaduwa Epa Liyanage, A. M. Y. W. Alahakoon, Puhulwella G. Rathnasiri, Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Sabrina Sorlini

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Due to the significant quantities of waste generated by the Sri Lankan rice industry, circular bioeconomy methodologies were applied to examine value-adding entrepreneurial activities for rice industry by-products (RIB). The study was conceived after scouring the existing literature on agricultural waste management and interviewing experts in the field and the rice industry. In the first phase, the suitability of valorizing alternatives for RIB was considered via a multi-criteria decision-making method. Valorization options, such as biochar production, energy purposes, composting, and other activities, were evaluated using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based on four criteria, namely environmental, social, technical, and economic …

Biochar Application: A Sustainable Approach To Improve Soil Health, Shubh Pravat Singh Yadav, Sujan Bhandari, Dibya Bhatta, Anju Poudel, Susmita Bhattarai, Puja Yadav, Netra Ghimire, Prava Paudel, Pragya Paudel, Jiban Shrestha, Biplov Oli

Extension Publications

Soil is a fundamental part of successful agriculture, and its quality has to be improved to maximize crop yield and soil fertility. To increase crop productivity and soil fertility, biochar can be applied to the soil. Biochar is a solid carbon-rich product produced from biomass of agricultural crop residues, wastes, and wood, through pyrolysis in an oxygen-deficient condition. Carbon sequestration through biochar is important because of its potential applications in recycling wastes, retaining nutrients in the soil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In this review, we explore the various applications of biochar to ensure the safe and sustainable …

Morpho-Physiological And Biochemical Response Of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) To Drought Stress: A Review, Utsav Bhandari, Aakriti Gajurel, Bharat Khadka, Ishwor Thapa, Isha Chand, Dibya Bhatta, Anju Poudel, Meena Pandey, Suraj Paudel, Jiban Shrestha

Extension Publications

Global food shortages are caused mainly by drought, the primary driver of yield loss in agriculture worldwide. Drought stress negatively impacts the physiological and morphological characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.), limiting the plant productivity and hence the economy of global rice production. Physiological changes due to drought stress in rice include constrained cell division and elongation, stomatal closure, loss of turgor adjustment, reduced photosynthesis, and lower yields. Morphological changes include inhibition of seed germination, reduced tillers, early maturity, and reduced biomass. In addition, drought stress leads to a metabolic alteration by increasing the buildup of …

Analysis And Installation Of A Demonstration Agroforestry Orchard For Californian Mediterranean Plant Communities, Brandon Hurd

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management Projects

Climate-appropriate agroforestry can provide low-input food security and ecosystem services for local Californian Mediterranean climates, while conserving natural resources (e.g., water, nitrogen, etc.). This project showcases a variety of agroforestry methods for five common plant communities of California and other analogous Mediterranean climates at the CAFES Experimental Farm on the campus of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Plant community species and their ethnobotanical uses were analyzed to mimic and incorporate aspects of native flora. Agricultural plants were also characterized to represent each of the five selected plant communities. GIS was used to assess the project site for soil, slope, and …

Nebline, March/April 2023

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Youth-Led Photovoice Project Gives Refugees Opportunity to Explore Mental Health by Emily Gratopp

Upcoming Photovoice Exhibits

Recipe of the Month: Baharat (Middle East Spice Blend) by Emily Gratopp

Early Season Disease Control in the Home Orchard by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

2023 Chemigation Training

Farm Estate Planning Workshop, March 7

2023 Lincoln Early Childhood Conference, Saturday, March 25

Two Lancaster 4-H’ers Participated in National 4-H Congress

4-H Horse Judging Team at Nationals

Teen Council 4-H’ers Team Up to Lead Lock-In

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Trevor Kauer and Bethany Bettenhausen

4-H Club Gives Youth With …

An Analytic Needs Assessment For Extension Education: Views From Extension Professionals And Faculty, Joseph L. Donaldson, Donna Graham, Shannon Arnold, Lisa K. Taylor, K. S. U. Jayaratne

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study describes professional development for Extension educators and curricula expectations for those preparing for Extension careers – as perceived by members of the American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) and Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP). We relate and differentiate findings from two surveys with open-ended questions. Regarding professional development, JCEP respondents identified program planning and evaluation, but AAAE respondents prioritized research methods. JCEP respondents prioritized practical experiences in Extension Education college courses, and AAAE members reported some practical Extension experiences in the college curriculum. College faculty may apply the results for impactful academic, professional development, and research programs.

Assessing Functional Biodiversity For The Future Of Plants, Planet, And People, Ali Loker

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Biodiversity plays a critical role in supporting life in global ecosystems and its links to ecosystem services and sustainability are recognized by scientific and non-scientific communities. Growing awareness of the importance of biodiversity is accelerated by discussions of its loss, and how to design interventions to conserve and mitigate a biodiversity crisis. Stakeholders are funding and implementing assessment strategies at various scales to help direct conservation efforts. There is also growing interest in measuring and communicating biodiversity outcomes.

Functional biodiversity characterizes the multiplicity of life forms into groups based on their diverse contributions to natural and agro-ecosystems. Assessing functional biodiversity …

Intensifying A Crop–Fallow System: Impacts On Soil Properties, Crop Yields, And Economics, S. J. Ruis, S. Stepanovic, Humberto Blanco-Canqui

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Intensifying crop–fallow systems could address increased weed control costs, increased land or rental costs, reduced crop diversity, and degraded soil properties in water-limited environments. One strategy to intensify such systems could be the insertion of a short-season crop during fallow. But, how this strategy affects soils, crop production, and farm economics needs further research. Thus, we studied the impacts of replacing fallow in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L)–corn (Zea mays L.)–fallow system with a short-season spring crop [field pea (Pisum sativum L.)] on crop yields and economics from 2015 to 2019 and 5-yr cumulative effects on …

Molecular Characterization Of Germination Of Date Palm Seeds Maintained At Microgravity In Outer Pace (International Space Station), Wesam Izzeldeen Khader

Theses

Over the past decade, the UAE has experienced unprecedented innovations in the space sector. Collaborating closely with universities and space agencies around the world, the country's efforts have advanced steadily but quietly under the public radar. The proposed research focuses on basic research to complement the UAE initiative to send date palms to Mars for future space missions. Plant growth analysis of date palm seeds was performed after maintaining at zero gravity in outer space in the International Space Station (ISS) and simultaneously under normal gravity at ground level. In this context, this work was carried out to analyze the …

Who Values Organic Specialty Bakery Products?, Tatiana Drugova, Kynda R. Curtis

All Current Publications

In this fact sheet, we examine differences in socio-demographics and lifestyle choices between those who view organic as important when purchasing specialty bakery products and those who don’t, with the aim to identify a target market of consumers who prefer organic specialty bakery products. Additionally, we evaluate other important product attributes to consumers seeking organic specialty bakery products. Consumer taste ratings for organic and conventional specialty bakery products are compared for those who value organics and those who don’t to evaluate the impact of taste beliefs on consumer demand for organic specialty bakery products.

Differential Impacts Of Cereal And Protein Sources Fed To Pigs After Weaning On Diarrhoea And Faecal Shedding Of Escherichia Coli, Production, And Total Tract Apparent Digestibility, John R. Pluske, Bruce P. Mullan, Jae Cheol Kim, David J. Hampson

Animal production and livestock research articles

Different cereal types, in combination with different protein sources, are fed to pigs after weaning, but their interactions and possible implications are not well researched. In this study, 84 male weaned piglets were used in a 21-day feeding trial to investigate the effects of feeding either medium-grain or long-grain extruded rice or wheat, in a factorial combination with protein sources of either vegetable or animal origin, on postweaning performance, shedding of β–haemolytic Escherichia coli, and the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD). Pigs fed either rice type performed the same (p > 0.05) as wheat-fed pigs after weaning. The use …

Evaluating Metabolic And Genomic Data For Predicting Grain Traits Under High Night Temperature Stress In Rice, Ye Bi, Rafael Massahiro Yassue, Puneet Paul, Balpreet Kaur Dhatt, Jaspreet Sandhu, Phuc Thi Do, Harkamal Walia, Toshihiro Obata, Gota Morota

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The asymmetric increase in average nighttime temperatures relative to increase in average daytime temperatures due to climate change is decreasing grain yield and quality in rice. Therefore, a better genome-level understanding of the impact of higher night temperature stress on the weight of individual grains is essential for future development of more resilient rice. We investigated the utility of metabolites obtained from grains to classify high night temperature (HNT) conditions of genotypes, and metabolites and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to predict grain length, width, and perimeter phenotypes using a rice diversity panel. We found that the metabolic profiles of rice genotypes …

Alfalfa In Rotation With Annual Crops Reduced Nitrate Leaching Potential, Arshdeep Singh, Tahseen Afzal, Bryan Woodbury, Charles Wortmann, Javed Iqbal

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Rotation of perennial alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with annual crops has the potential to reduce nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) in the vadose zone and increase soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects on SOC, NO₃-N, ammonium-N (NH₄-N), and soil water in the 7.2 m depth with an alfalfa rotation compared with continuous corn (Zea mays L.). Soils from six pairs of alfalfa rotation versus continuous corn observation points were sampled to 7.2 m depth in 0.3 m increments. The uppermost 0.3 m was divided into …

Soybean Seed Protein Concentration Is Limited By Nitrogen Supply In Tropical And Subtropical Environments In Brazil, E. H. Figueiredo Moura Da Silva, N. Cafaro La Menza, G. G. Munareto, A. J. Zanon, Santos Carvalho, F. R. Marin

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Soybean production contributes to ca. 60% of global plant-based protein used for food and feed. Brazil is the largest soybean producer and exporter, with 60% from tropical and 40% from subtropical environments. Nitrogen (N) can play an essential role in the storage of proteins in seeds; thus, it could be a key factor in increasing the quantity and quality of seeds in high-yielding soybean crops. Unlike in temperate environments, there is a gap of knowledge on whether soybean grown under tropical and subtropical climates are limited by N-fertilization to sustain the seed yield increase without detriments in seed protein concentration. …

Research Progress Of Change Rules In Freezing Denaturation Of Surimi Protein And Its Regulatory Methods, Yu Lu-Han, Chen Xu, Cai Xi-Xi, Du Ming, Wu Jin-Hong, Huang Jian-Lian, Wang Shao-Yun

Food and Machinery

The change rule of main indexes of frozen surimi was introduced, and the influencing factors of surimi protein denaturation were briefly analyzed and discussed. Moreover, the regulation methods of surimi protein in antifreeze were reviewed.

Effect Of High Intensity Ultrasound On Structural And Functional Properties Of Chickpea Protein Isolate, Wang Yun-Tao, Wang Ying-Juan, Wang Jin-Feng, Bai Yan-Hong, Zhao Dian-Bo

Food and Machinery

In order to improve the functional properties of chickpea protein isolate (CPI), CPI was treated with high intensity ultrasound (HIU) under 450 W for different time(5, 10, 20 min). The emulsifying property of protein was improved obviously by ultrasonic treatment, the solubility of CPI was significantly increased from 7.5 mg/mL to 9.2 mg/mL, and the foaming capacity of CPI was increased to a maximum value of 163.33%. Moreover, the water holding capacity and breaking force of the heat induced CPI gel significantly increased from 58.40% to 75.75%, and 75.7 g to 254.3 g. HIU increased the α-helix content and decreased …

Comparative Analysis Of Nutrient Quality And Polyphenol Composition And Antioxidant Activity Of Different Colored Quinoa, Zhao Meng-Meng, Yang Xi-Juan, Dang Bin, Zhang Jie, Zhang Wen-Gang

Food and Machinery

Differences of nutrient content, polyphenol profile and antioxidant activity of quinoa were explored from different grains quinoa of Qingbaili 1 (white grain), Gongza 4 (red grain) and Qingli 2 (black grain). Results showed that there were significant differences in nutritional quality among the three kinds of quinoa (P＜0.05), among them, crude protein content of white quinoa, fat and starch content of red quinoa, and crude fiber, ash and total amino acid content of black quinoa was the highest, respectively. Main type of quinoa pholyphenols was free form and their contents were significantly different (P＜0.05), with the contents of free phenol …

Analysis Of Nutrients And Bioactive Compounds In Fruits Of Psidium Guajava L. Cv. Pearl, Peng Yan, Zhang Min, Cui Xiao-Li, Zhang Shi-Feng, Tang Ting

Food and Machinery

The nutrients and bioactive compounds in fruits of Psidium guajava L. cv. Pearl, collected from Hechun town in Zhanjiang, were measured and determined in order to lay the foundation for the further development and utilization of this species. Results showed that the contents of moisture, crude fats, crude fiber, total carbohydrates, fructose, glucose, sucrose and citric acid in fresh fruits of P. guajava L. cv. Pearl were (88.98±0.04) g/100 g, (0.11±0.01) g/100 g, (2.27±0.01) g/100 g, (5.78±0.02) g/100 g, (22.00±0.20) mg/g, (22.05±0.25) mg/g, (12.45±0.15) mg/g, and (1.68±0.02), respectively. The content of crude protein was (0.78±0.01) g/100 g, and 16 kinds …

Optimization Of Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction Process Assisted By High-Temperature Alkaline Liquor Cooking And Steam Explosion For Peony Seed Oil And Its Quality Analysis, Wang Xin, Meng Yu-Qian, Xu Bao-Cheng, Luo Deng-Lin, Fu Yuan-Zhe, Li Meng-Jie, Wei Yu-Hua, Jiao Yu-Man

Food and Machinery

To obtain a higher yield and high quality of peony seed oil, unshelled peony seeds were pretreated with high-temperature alkaline liquor cooking and steam explosion, and the parameters were also optimized. The results were as follows. Firstly, peony seeds were subjected to cook at 105 ℃ for 40 min in an alkaline liquor with the concentration of sodium bicarbonate being 0.05 mol/L, and the material-liquid ratio (g/mL) was 1∶5. Then the precooked peony seeds were further processed by steam explosion with a pressure of 0.3 MPa, holding for 30 s. After pretreating, the enzymolysis efficiency of peony seed powder by …

Study On The Hypolipidemic Function Of Noni Wine, Li Xiao-Juan

Food and Machinery

Established a mouse model of hyperlipidemia. The male mice were divided into blank control group, low fat group and high fat group, and the low dose, medium dose, high dose of Noni wine. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), were measured after 90 days of feeding. The results showed that medium dose and high dose can effectively reduce the body weight or body weight gain of the obese mice, and the testis fat rate, renal fat rate or body fat rate decreased. The serum TC content, …

Development And Quality Evaluation Of Compound Rice Noodles Based On Traditional Recipe For Strengthening Spleen Diet, Zhang Jin-Yao, Tan Wen-Gen, Fan Yu-Bing, Zheng Tao, Zeng Yi-Qiong, Zheng Hui, Yang Yong

Food and Machinery

In order to improve the nutrition and health quality of traditional rice noodles, a special compound rice noodles was developed, using traditional rice noodles technology based on traditional recipe for strengthening spleen diet "Yang chun bai xue cake". In this study, the influence of the amount of single accessories for the recipe (poria cocos, yam, lotus seed, euryales semen) on the quality of rice noodles was used to determine the composition ratio of compound accessories. The amount of compound accessories, xanthan gum and water in the compound rice noodle formula was optimized, and the texture characteristics, product aging degree and …

Effect Of Salt Amount On The Quality Of Chimonobambusa Quadrangularis Shoots Dried By Salt Boiling, Lv Chao-Yan, Gao Zhi-Xi, Liu De-Fen, Jiang Qi, Wang Mi, Ma Yun-Fei, Cai Chun

Food and Machinery

Different amounts of salt (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) were set to cook Chimonobambusa quadrangularis shoots. The effects of salt amount on total sugar, reducing sugar, soluble protein, free amino acid, NaCl, nitrite, as well as moisture content, rehydration ratio, color, sensory score, were studied. The results showed that the water content decreases with the increase of boiling time, showing the salt amount dependent. The rehydration rate increased with the rehydration time, and when it basically stops increasing, the rehydration ratio was 10%＞15%＞20%＞30%＞25% in descending order. The total sugar, reducing sugar, soluble protein, and free amino acid content all …

Analytical Methods Of Glucosinolate And Its Application In Relative Research In Brassica Oleracea, E Heng-Chao, Zhao Xiao-Yan, Zhang Yan-Mei, Zhou Chang-Yan

Food and Machinery

This study reviews the research advancements of analytical methods with glucosinolates and its application in Brassica oleracea, with a view to providing reference for breeding, nutrition evaluation, and development in B. oleracea.

Application Of Image Recognition Technology In Food Packaging Defect Monitoring, Zhang Hong-Yan, Wang Yong-Zhi, Liu Qing-Hong

Food and Machinery

The applications of image technology in defect monitoring of three packaging forms of foam plastic packaging, aluminum-plastic blister packaging and rectangular paper packaging were described, and The application trend in food packaging defect monitoring is pre-judgment, which helps the development of China's food packaging industry.

The Public Opinion Monitoring, Network Attention And Forecasting The Reference Values Of The Labeled Food Nutrition, Ze-Ying Huang

Food and Machinery

Using 1 531 comment data of Sina Weibo and 2 587 of Baidu index data from 2013 to 2020, based on word cloud analysis, text sentiment analysis, and ARIMA-SVM prediction model, based on word cloud analysis, text emotion analysis and ARIMA-SVM prediction model. It was found that residents most concerned about the nutrient reference value of energy, and the nutrient reference value of moon cakes, soy sauce, yuanxiao, milk and other products were more used, especially children's food. In general, the nutrient reference values obtained slightly higher praise, but there were also many controversies; nutrient reference values did not get …