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Microbial Hydrolysis Process To Improve Anaerobic Digestion For Biofuel Generation, Caleb Michael Jensen
Microbial Hydrolysis Process To Improve Anaerobic Digestion For Biofuel Generation, Caleb Michael Jensen
Theses and Dissertations
Human development results in billions of tons of waste per year, which contributes to major issues such as pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. In this study, we explored the impact of bacterial inoculation on volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, volatile solids (VS), and gas output in anaerobic digesters under different substrate treatments. Our results reveal that bacterial inoculation significantly boosts VFA levels, especially acetic acid, with both Caldicellulosiruptor bescii and mixed Caldicellulosiruptor, cultures showing notable differences compared to controls, especially in untreated manure and WAS treatments. Acetic acid and VS/TS increased in untreated WAS when inoculated with C. bescii …
The Effects Of Combining Β-Lactam Antibiotics And Mefloquine In Multi-Drug Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Kayla C. Maas
The Effects Of Combining Β-Lactam Antibiotics And Mefloquine In Multi-Drug Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Kayla C. Maas
Theses and Dissertations
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a notorious opportunistic pathogen, is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. The newest generation of β-lactam antibiotics, the carbapenems, are often used to treat multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa infections. Treatment of P. aeruginosa has become increasingly difficult due to its remarkable ability to resist antibiotics through various intrinsic and acquired mechanisms. Physicians rely on a limited group of antibiotics to treat these infections, but many P. aeruginosa isolates are evolving to become resistant to all available antibiotics, including carbapenems. The multifaceted mechanisms underlying P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistance include β -lactamases, efflux pumps, altered membrane porins, and antibiotic …
Laying Framework For A Novel In Vitro Eukaryotic System To Measure Rate Of Transcription Elongation, John Lucas Ramirez
Laying Framework For A Novel In Vitro Eukaryotic System To Measure Rate Of Transcription Elongation, John Lucas Ramirez
Theses and Dissertations
Within each cell, genetic material is stored in the form of DNA. This DNA is compacted around proteins to form higher order structures called chromatin. The basic unit of chromatin is a histone protein octamer bound with DNA called a nucleosome. A nucleosome consists of eight core proteins, four pairs of histone proteins H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, wrapped by DNA. The DNA wraps around the histone protein roughly 1.7 times, helping facilitate the compaction of DNA within the nucleus of the cell. The location of nucleosomes makes genetic material that encodes various elements, such as promoters or enhancers, accessible …
Connecting Hiv-1 Viral Protein R Polymorphisms To Changes In Inflammatory Signals And Efficacy Testing Of Essential Oils As Disinfectants Against Sars-Cov-2, J. Brandon Lopez
Connecting Hiv-1 Viral Protein R Polymorphisms To Changes In Inflammatory Signals And Efficacy Testing Of Essential Oils As Disinfectants Against Sars-Cov-2, J. Brandon Lopez
Theses and Dissertations
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) is the causative agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Different strains of HIV-1 have been linked to a long term non-progressor (LTNP) or rapid progressor (RP) form of disease depending on rate of AIDS progression. Viral protein R (Vpr) is a viral protein that has been linked to varying rates of AIDS progression depending on the sequence. In this work, the effects of two polymorphisms, a LTNP and a RP, on different cells are studied. The LTNP virus was linked to lower release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-6, and an increase in apoptotic …
Evaluating The Effects Of Cheatgrass On Western Burrowing Owls, Kaylee R. Draughon
Evaluating The Effects Of Cheatgrass On Western Burrowing Owls, Kaylee R. Draughon
Theses and Dissertations
There has been a global decline of specialist species observed in recent decades due to the impacts of climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss. Habitat loss and degradation may lead to a mismatch between habitat attractiveness and actual quality, otherwise known as an ecological trap. Ecological traps occur when an organism is constrained by its evolutionary past to select for cues that no longer accurately predict habitat quality. Specialist species are more susceptible to ecological traps due to greater reliance on and fidelity to historic sites and resources. The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), a specialist bird species adapted to …
Using Rna Sequencing Methodologies To Uncover Common Pathways In Neural Tube Defects: A Comparative Study Of Three Oxidative Neurotoxicants, Aubrey Coleen Johansen
Using Rna Sequencing Methodologies To Uncover Common Pathways In Neural Tube Defects: A Comparative Study Of Three Oxidative Neurotoxicants, Aubrey Coleen Johansen
Theses and Dissertations
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common type of congenital birth defect that affect infants worldwide. There are several proposed mechanisms for NTDs, but no definitive mechanism has yet been described. One possible mechanism is oxidative disruption of normal developmental signaling. The purpose of this study is to culture whole mouse embryos with three common developmental toxicants, mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP, a plastic pollutant), Fumonisin B1 (FB1, a corn mold), and valproic acid (VPA, an anticonvulsant drug), all of which are known to cause NTDs, and compare their shifts in redox potential and changes to important signaling pathways through …
Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness And All-Cause Mortality, Jorin Dane Larsen
Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness And All-Cause Mortality, Jorin Dane Larsen
Theses and Dissertations
Introduction Both elevated levels of physical activity (PA) and high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality. The degree to which an individual's PA level and CRF status interact to influence mortality is not currently fully understood. This study investigated whether PA and CRF were independently related to all-cause mortality, and to what degree PA was associated with improved mortality risk in individuals with low CRF. Methods This is a prospective cohort study using health assessments on individuals gathered between 1975 and 2002. Health assessment data were matched with the National Death Registry to assess …
Conservation And Management Of Greater Sage-Grouse In Strawberry Valley: Quantifying Influences On A Traditional Capture Method And Long-Term Trends In Clutch Size, Janae Radke
Theses and Dissertations
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a species of conservation concern that has undergone serious declines in the last century. The Strawberry Valley sage grouse population in Utah underwent such a decline from an estimated 3,500 sage grouse in the 1930s to 150 sage grouse in the early 2000s. This decline initiated a long-term conservation and monitoring project in Strawberry Valley with the goal of preserving the sage grouse population. As part of this ongoing conservation project, we investigated factors that impact the success of capturing sage grouse using the night-lighting method (Chapter 1). We found that capture success is …
The Role Of Caloric Intake On Achilles Tendon Health In Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers, Annie G. Smedley
The Role Of Caloric Intake On Achilles Tendon Health In Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers, Annie G. Smedley
Theses and Dissertations
Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a common and debilitating condition among female ballet dancers due to the large repetitive loading forces placed on their Achilles tendons during rehearsals and performances. Tendon health problems in females are exacerbated by a lack of understanding about how energy availability influences tendons. Ballet dancers, as aesthetic athletes, are vulnerable to low energy availability and can enter a spectrum disorder, relative energy deficiency in sport, that consists of low energy availability (with or without disordered eating), menstrual cycle dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD). Aims: 1) To investigate the relationship between insufficient caloric intake and …
Exploring Mesolimbic Circuitry Modulation By Opiates, Interleukin-10, And Psychostimulants, Joakim W. Ronström
Exploring Mesolimbic Circuitry Modulation By Opiates, Interleukin-10, And Psychostimulants, Joakim W. Ronström
Theses and Dissertations
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and other areas including the basolateral amygdala (BLA), prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus. Drug use induces reward and leads to dysregulation in these brain areas and eventually to substance use disorders (SUDs). Chapter 1 introduces the mesolimbic DA system and its relationship to drug use and their relevance to each chapter. Chapter 2 explores opioid effects on BLA circuitry which is known to play a role in the emotional response including anxiety and stress in SUDs. We showed that morphine induced …
Characterization Of Cellular Metabolism Regulation By The Transcription Factor Centromere Binding Factor 1 (Cbf1), Spencer Ellsworth
Characterization Of Cellular Metabolism Regulation By The Transcription Factor Centromere Binding Factor 1 (Cbf1), Spencer Ellsworth
Theses and Dissertations
Centromere binding factor 1 (Cbf1) is a transcription factor that controls the transcription of many genes involved in cellular respiration and lipid biogenesis and, as such, has been associated with hypolipidemia in humans. It is a known substrate for PAS kinase, which phosphorylates Cbf1 and alters its activity. Our hypothesis is that this phosphorylation affects the genes it regulates and the DNA motifs it binds to, perhaps due to different transcription complexes being formed. In this study, we conduct a chromatin immunoprecipitation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to determine what genes and DNA motifs Cbf1 binds to in its wild type versus …
The Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure On Adipos Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Inflammation, Cali Elizabeth Warren
The Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure On Adipos Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Inflammation, Cali Elizabeth Warren
Theses and Dissertations
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) constitutes a significant component of ambient air pollution that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Among PM2.5 constituents, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are prevalent particulates that infiltrate the bloodstream to drive systemic pathologies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolic response of adipose tissue to DEP. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding by exploring mitochondrial bioenergetics, characterizing the inflammatory marker profile, including adipokines, and conducting a detailed histological analysis of adipocytes to provide valuable insights to the evolving understanding of the intricate …
Stacking And Intersecting Nutrient 4rs On Potato, Samuel Hamilton Stapley
Stacking And Intersecting Nutrient 4rs On Potato, Samuel Hamilton Stapley
Theses and Dissertations
The 4Rs of nutrient management is a global agronomic initiative with an aim to improve the sustainability of major cropping systems and the environment. The objective for this project is to evaluate individual and stacked 4R management practices and how they intersect. A field trial near Grace, Idaho was conducted on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in 2020 and 2023. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments included all combinations of two sources [urea or polymer coated urea (PCU)], two rates (82 or 100% of the recommended rate), and/or two timing/placements (all applied at emergence or 84% at emergence + 16% fertigation simulation) compared …
Effect Of Timing Of Energy Intake On Blood Glucose And Body Composition In Women With Overweight Or Class One Obesity, Michael Wade Smith
Effect Of Timing Of Energy Intake On Blood Glucose And Body Composition In Women With Overweight Or Class One Obesity, Michael Wade Smith
Theses and Dissertations
Overweight and obesity has increased in the U.S. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction, such as diabetes. Meal timing has recently shown promise as viable options to minimize the risk of overweight or obesity and metabolic dysfunction. The primary purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effect of timing of energy intake on blood glucose in females with overweight or class one obesity (BMI=27-35 kg/m2). This study utilized crossover design with two conditions counterbalanced in random order. Participants completed two 2-week 1500kcal dietary interventions: 1) a big breakfast diet or BB (50% of energy intake between …
Characterizing Stress Granule Regulation By Pas Kinase, Ataxin-2 And Ptc6 And Investigating The Lifespan Of Covid-19 Virus On Currency, Colleen R. Newey
Characterizing Stress Granule Regulation By Pas Kinase, Ataxin-2 And Ptc6 And Investigating The Lifespan Of Covid-19 Virus On Currency, Colleen R. Newey
Theses and Dissertations
The protein Ataxin-2 is a known positive regulator of stress granules in humans, mice and yeast (known as yeast PBP1). Due to the role that stress granules play in diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cancer, this thesis investigates the role of Ataxin-2 and its protein binding partners in stress granule development and its effects on various metabolic phenotypes of the cell. PAS kinase is a sensory protein kinase, conserved from yeast to man, which regulates respiration and lipid biosynthesis. Our lab discovered that PAS kinase phosphorylates and activates Ataxin-2 in yeast, and that PAS kinase overexpression enhances localization …
Soil Health In American Sports Fields, Miria C. Barnes
Soil Health In American Sports Fields, Miria C. Barnes
Theses and Dissertations
Healthy soils are essential for sustaining the world's ecosystems and maintaining human lifestyles. The adoption of biological, chemical, and physical analyses to assess soil health is a relatively new concept with a paucity of scientific work assessing how these metrics are affected by field management in urban systems Soil samples (n = 110) were collected from a diverse range of sports fields and, for comparative purposes, golf courses, farm fields, non-sport urban, undisturbed forest, and non-vegetated sandy soils. The samples were then analyzed using biological, chemical, and physical metrics to determine if there were significant differences between sport/golf venues and …
Use Of Microcalorimetry To Evaluate Hardening Reactions In Protein Bars During Accelerated Storage, Tiffany Rose Spackman
Use Of Microcalorimetry To Evaluate Hardening Reactions In Protein Bars During Accelerated Storage, Tiffany Rose Spackman
Theses and Dissertations
Protein bars have become a popular option among consumers to increase protein content in their diets. Since there is a large market for protein bars, many factors must be considered when creating a protein bar that both satisfies consumers and has a long shelf-life. Hardening and textural changes in protein bars are some of the most common modes of shelf-life failure in this product category. When the typical product creation timeline from formulation to launch can be as short as 3-6 months and with added pressure from executives to quickly launch another new product afterwards, product development scientists simply do …
Novel Fire And Herbivory Regime Impacts On Forest Regeneration And Plant Community Assembly, Devri A. Tanner
Novel Fire And Herbivory Regime Impacts On Forest Regeneration And Plant Community Assembly, Devri A. Tanner
Theses and Dissertations
Human activities are increasing the occurrence of megafires that have the potential to alter the ecology of forest ecosystems. The objective of this study was to understand the impact of a 610 km2 megafire on patterns of forest regeneration and herbivory of three forest types (aspen/fir, oak/maple, and pinyon/juniper) within the burn scar. Sapling density, meristem removal, and height were measured across a transect network spanning the area of the burn scar over three years from 2019-2021. The network consisted of 17 burned/unburned transect pairs in adjacent burned/unburned forest stands (6 aspen/fir, 5 oak/maple, and 6 pinyon/juniper). Species that regenerated …
Rage In Chronic Pulmonary Inflammation And Obstetric Complications, Katrina Lynn Curtis
Rage In Chronic Pulmonary Inflammation And Obstetric Complications, Katrina Lynn Curtis
Theses and Dissertations
The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a transmembrane cell surface protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily that acts as part of both the innate and adaptive immune system. RAGE is highly expressed in lung tissue and is therefore of interest in the pulmonary immune response. Specifically, RAGE mediates several cell-signaling responses such as inflammation and apoptosis. This work sought to elucidate the role of RAGE in the setting of chronic pulmonary irritation such as that found in long-term exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). This irritation has several shared characteristics with lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) …
Elucidating The Architecture Of The Tclijn Complex That Converts Cysteine To Thiazoles In The Biosynthesis Of Micrococcin, Diana G. Calvopina Chavez
Elucidating The Architecture Of The Tclijn Complex That Converts Cysteine To Thiazoles In The Biosynthesis Of Micrococcin, Diana G. Calvopina Chavez
Theses and Dissertations
Thiopeptides are a family of antimicrobial peptides that are characterized for having sulfur-containing heterocycles, and for being highly post-translationally modified. Numerous thiopeptides have been identified; almost all of which inhibit protein synthesis in gram-positive bacteria. These intrinsic antimicrobial properties make thiopeptides promising candidates for the development of new antibiotics. The antimicrobial peptide micrococcin is a thiopeptide that is synthesized by the ribosome and undergoes several post-translational modifications (PTMs). Micrococcin is formed from a precursor peptide, TclE. TclE comprises an N-terminal leader (35-AA) that is crucial for recognition of the PTM machinery, alongside a C-terminal core sequence (14-AA) that undergoes multiple …
Manipulating And Assaying Chromatin Architecture Around Enhancer Elements In Vivo, John Lawrence Carter
Manipulating And Assaying Chromatin Architecture Around Enhancer Elements In Vivo, John Lawrence Carter
Theses and Dissertations
There are about 20,000 genes in the human genome. The lowly nematode worm, C. elegans, has about the same number of genes. How could two organisms that are so different arise from a similar number of genes? The answer is epigenetics, or the factors that help control when and where genes are expressed. There are many layers that comprise the epigenetic control of genes. One of which is the structure or architecture of chromatin. Chromatin is a complex of DNA and proteins. Histone proteins with DNA wrapped around them form the fundamental component of chromatin, the nucleosome. Chromatin exists in …
Cell Of Origin Identification Using Methylation Signatures From Seminal Cell-Free Dna And Heterogenous Cellular Mixtures, Ryan Barney
Theses and Dissertations
Infertility is an issue for approximately 12% of couples attempting to have a child. Of this group, 50% of the cases are due to male factor infertility. There are many reasons for decreased fecundity in men, but there remains 10% to 15% of infertile men that are diagnosed with the most severe form of infertility, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). A diagnosis of NOA implies the lack of sperm cells in the ejaculate with no physiological reason. The current diagnostic test and treatment consist of microscopic examination of seminal fluid and a biopsy to extract any viable sperm from the testis. This …
Changes In Rna Expression Of Hut78 Cells Resulting From The Hiv-1 Viral Protein R R77q Mutation, Joshua S. Ramsey
Changes In Rna Expression Of Hut78 Cells Resulting From The Hiv-1 Viral Protein R R77q Mutation, Joshua S. Ramsey
Theses and Dissertations
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the causative virus for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is characterized by chronic inflammation and reduction of CD4+ T-cells in the blood. This leads to the patient becoming immunocompromised and much more susceptible to disease in general. Different phenotypes in the progression of AIDS have been observed in patients in either progressing to AIDS faster as a Rapid Progressor (RP), or slower as a Long-Term Non-Progressor (LTNP). Researching elements that result in the LTNP phenotype is of interest as it has the potential to offer alternative treatments and therapies to those suffering from …
Combining Expert Opinions To Assess Risk Of Change In Earth Systems: Permafrost Collapse, Global Wildfire, And Water Security, Sayedeh Sara Sayedi
Combining Expert Opinions To Assess Risk Of Change In Earth Systems: Permafrost Collapse, Global Wildfire, And Water Security, Sayedeh Sara Sayedi
Theses and Dissertations
In a world of uncertainty and change, leaders should base their decisions on best available scientific evidence. However, history has shown that science is often inadequately incorporated into the decision-making process. This dissertation investigates three environmental issues to identify the challenges of considering Earth system dynamics in policymaking and management. I also propose solutions for improving the two-way exchange of knowledge and values between researchers and policymakers. In chapter one, I investigate subsea permafrost carbon sensitivity to climate change using an expert assessment. The analysis revealed that subsea permafrost contains significant carbon stocks and is already contributing to climate change …
Gene Dive: Assessing The Diversity Of Perchlorate Reducing Genes In Mars Analog Environments, Colin Michael Robinson
Gene Dive: Assessing The Diversity Of Perchlorate Reducing Genes In Mars Analog Environments, Colin Michael Robinson
Theses and Dissertations
Biotic perchlorate reduction, a metabolic process that potentially occurs on Mars, has long been the subject of speculation in astrobiology. To determine whether it could be a viable metabolic strategy on the Red Planet, we sought to determine whether biotic perchlorate reduction could evolve and persist in Mars-analog environments on Earth. In this study, we introduce Gene Dive, a novel computational methodology that leverages profile hidden Markov models, sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree construction, and Faith's phylogenetic diversity to probe the prevalence and diversity of perchlorate reducing genes in metagenomes. To determine whether biotic perchlorate reduction persists in a wide range …
Food Web Of Icy Strait, Alaska: Comparison Of Position, Size, And Overlap Of Trophic Niche Among Fish Species, Andrew D. Suchomel
Food Web Of Icy Strait, Alaska: Comparison Of Position, Size, And Overlap Of Trophic Niche Among Fish Species, Andrew D. Suchomel
Theses and Dissertations
The Icy Strait of southeast Alaska, USA is an ideal system to study how ecological diversity is maintained. This area has historical ecological significance and supports diverse assemblages of fish species that are easily sampled. We used stable isotope analysis using δ13C and δ15N stable isotope ratios. Using these isotope ratios, we quantified trophic niche position, size, and overlap and compared how those trophic niche metrics varied using ecological and evolutionary perspectives. For ecological variation, mean total length, and δ13C trophic niche position has positive relationships with trophic niche size while total percent trophic niche overlap had a strong negative …
"The Trees Act Not As Individuals"--Learning To See The Whole Picture In Biology Education And Remote Sensing Research, Rebeka A.F. Greenall
"The Trees Act Not As Individuals"--Learning To See The Whole Picture In Biology Education And Remote Sensing Research, Rebeka A.F. Greenall
Theses and Dissertations
To increase equity and inclusion for underserved and excluded Indigenous students, we must make efforts to mitigate the unique barriers they face. As their knowledge systems have been historically excluded and erased in Western science, we begin by reviewing the literature on the inclusion of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in biology education and describe best practices. Next, to better understand how Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHPI) students integrate into the scientific community, we used Social Influence Theory as a framework to measure NHPI student science identity, self-efficacy, alignment with science values, and belonging. We also investigated how students …
Taxonomic Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Philadelphicus Group In The Genus Proctacanthus (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae), And Key To All Proctacanthus North Of Mexico, Teagan Marie Mulford
Taxonomic Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Philadelphicus Group In The Genus Proctacanthus (Insecta: Diptera: Asilidae), And Key To All Proctacanthus North Of Mexico, Teagan Marie Mulford
Theses and Dissertations
Proctacanthus (Macquart 1838), an elegant genus of robber flies within the Asilidae family, plays a significant ecological and economic role. However, the lack of a comprehensive taxonomic treatment hinders their identification and thus their use in evolutionary and behavioral research. This study focuses on the taxonomic revision of the Proctacanthus, identifying the features used in recognizing the philadelphicus Species Group and the rufiventris Species Group. By providing systematic and biological data, describing new species, and offering a key for identification, this research contributes to understanding the ecological significance and geographic distribution and history of Proctacanthus. This work will enhance future …
Feasibility Of Rna-Based Pathogen Detection In An Infant Formula Matrix, Gweneth Claire Gustafson
Feasibility Of Rna-Based Pathogen Detection In An Infant Formula Matrix, Gweneth Claire Gustafson
Theses and Dissertations
Background: The dairy processing industry is currently hindered by slow, antiquated testing for high-risk pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter sakazakii. Powder infant formula's low water activity and substantial fat content enhance the survival and thermotolerance of such foodborne pathogens. As DNA-based detection methods can produce false positives even after cell death, a more accurate approach is needed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the suitability of an RNA-based platform for the detection of pathogens in a dairy powder matrix. Materials and Methods: A unique phenol-chloroform extraction method was used to obtain total RNA from heat-killed and unheated …
Spatiotemporal Variation Of Alfalfa Leaf Area Index And Crop Water Productivity In An Irrigated Alfalfa Field, Keegan Dillon Hammond
Spatiotemporal Variation Of Alfalfa Leaf Area Index And Crop Water Productivity In An Irrigated Alfalfa Field, Keegan Dillon Hammond
Theses and Dissertations
Throughout the world, there continues to be increasing demand for freshwater resources. With urban expansion, increased demand from a growing population, drought, and climate change, growers must produce more crops using less water. One approach to water conservation is with a variable rate irrigation (VRI) system. VRI technology allows growers to irrigate crops according to site-specific within-field variation instead of a uniform rate across the field. This thesis addresses aspects of within-field variation of irrigated alfalfa as it relates to the potential for VRI. Chapter 1 examines measurement of within-field variation of leaf area index (LAI) to inform variable-rate irrigation …