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Developing A Tool To Measure Resistance To Sustainable Food Choices: A Pilot Study In Ireland And The Netherlands, Kate Flanagan, Bart Sinteur, Patricia J. Bulsing, John M. Kearney

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Consumer uptake of a sustainable diet is critical for addressing environmental challenges and promoting public health. Understanding why consumers resist adopting sustainable eating habits can inform targeted interventions and policies. This pilot study examines whether a newly developed scale can effectively detect consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Currently, there is a lack of research on a tool to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet, highlighting the need for a reliable instrument.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale, based on existing literature, to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Additionally, the study aims to …

Editorial-Sure Journal Volume 7, Issue 2, Geraldine M. Dowling, Eva Campion, Sinead Loughran, Ariane Perez-Gavilan, Josephine Treacy

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Supplemental Led Lighting And Biofertilizer On Yield And Fruit Quality Of Japanese Strawberry Cultivars In Indonesia, Reginawanti Hindersah, Febby Fitriyani, Kenji Endo, Masakazu Nakayama, Syariful Mubarok, Gita Bina Nugraha

Jurnal Kultivasi

Growing strawberries in soilless substrates in the greenhouse relies on fertilizers and supplemental light to boost yield and fruit quality. The research evaluated the properties of the biofertilizer and its effectiveness on the yield of Japanese strawberry cultivars Nanatsuboshi and KS-75 under controlled greenhouse conditions, with and without light-emitting diodes (LED) as supplemental light. The cell viability and plant-growth-promoting properties of a liquid consortium biofertilizer consisting of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing microbes, were characterized. Laboratory analysis confirmed the biofertilizer's composition, and a greenhouse experiment using a completely randomized design tested treatments of biofertilizer, LED, and their combination. The biofertilizer contained …

The Effect Of Phosphate Fertilizer And Organic Matter On Phosphorus Status, Ph, And Cabbage Yield In Andisols, Mahfud Arifin, Emma Trinurani Sofyan, Anni Yuniarti, Rina Devnita, Sastrika Anindita

Jurnal Kultivasi

Andisols are characterized by high phosphorus (P) retention, which often limits P availability for crops. This study aimed to analyze the independent and interactive effects of P fertilizer and organic matter (i.e. manure and rice straw compost) on P retention, total P, available P, P uptake, soil pH, and cabbage yield. This research was conducted in pot experiments in plastic house, applying P fertilizer (0, 90, 180, 270 kg ha-1) and organic matter (20 kg ha-1 of chicken, sheep, cow manures and rice straw compost) on Andisols planted with cabbage. The experiment used a factorial randomized design. The results showed …

Fruit Characteristics Of F1 Nil Sletr1-2 Vary With Parental Background, Imas Mintarsih, Anne Nuraini, Farida, Erni Suminar, Rika Meliansyah, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

The Sletr1-2 allele, which reduces ethylene sensitivity in tomatoes, offers a promising approach to extending fruit shelf life by slowing ripening-related metabolism. However, the trait’s success depends on compatibility with the recipient cultivar’s genetic background. This study evaluated fruit characteristics of F1 near-isogenic line (NIL) hybrids carrying Sletr1-2 in the commercial backgrounds ‘Costoluto’, ‘Oxheart’, and ‘Sart Roloise’. The field trial was carried out between May and August 2024 at the Experimental Station of Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia, following a randomized complete block design with eight biological replicates for each treatment. The results revealed that fruit characteristics of F1 NIL Sletr1-2 …

Effect Of Nano Edible Coating, Storage Temperature, And Packaging On Water Content, Weight Loss, And Color On Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus Ostreatus), Inneke Amalia, Warid Ali Qosim, Kusumiyati

Jurnal Kultivasi

Oyster mushrooms are one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms due to their high nutritional content, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as their antioxidant properties. However, these mushrooms are easily damaged by microbes and poor post-harvest handling, which affects their quality. The combination of nano-edible coating, packaging, and storage temperature offers a solution to these issues. This study aims to evaluate the effects of nano-edible coating, packaging, and storage temperature on water content, weight loss, and the color (L*, a*, and b*) of oyster mushrooms. The study was conducted at the Horticulture Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas …

The Effects Of Nanobubble Fertigation And Soil Conditioners To Improve Nutrient Dynamics, Soil Microbial Activity, And Chili Productivity, Betty Natalie Fitriatin, Euis Ahah Rokayah, Elsa Naila Elmyra, Tualar Simarmata, Nicky Oktav Fauziah, Hanif Fakhrurroja

Jurnal Kultivasi

Drip fertigation is a fertilization method that integrates nutrient delivery with an irrigation system, which is capable of optimizing the direct delivery of nutrients to the root zone. This experiment aims to investigate the effect of drip fertigation with nanobubble technology, and soil conditioners on the population of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and Azotobacter spp., available phosphorus, total nitrogen, growth, and yield of red chili. The study used a Strip Plot Design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was nutrient application (solid NPK fertilizing as control; drip fertigation; and drip fertigation with nanobubble technology), and the second factor …

The Biology Of Green Antelopehorn Milkweed (Asclepias Viridis Walter) And Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum Cannabinum L.) And Response To Triclopyr Formulations And Other Auxin Herbicides, Kayla L. Broster

Theses and Dissertations

Studies were conducted in Oktibbeha and Clay Counties in Mississippi to determine the response of green antelopehorn milkweed and hemp dogbane to triclopyr and other auxin herbicides in non-cropland areas. These studies were conducted at four locations with well established populations for each species throughout 2020 to 2023, with applications repeated at each location the following year if populations persisted. Treatments included a high and low rate of each herbicide studied, with all four triclopyr formulations included for both species. Injury response data were collected two and four weeks after treatment and population density data were evaluated using individual stem …

Study Of Insect Frass-Associated Microbiome On Plant Growth And Their Potential Use As Biofertilizer, Jasmine Sahota

Theses and Dissertations

An increasing global food demand and the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices have driven interest in insects as alternative feed and food sources. Insect frass, a by-product of insect rearing, represents a rich organic carbon source with diverse microbes that can enhance soil health and promote beneficial plant-microbe interactions. This study characterized the bacterial (16S-V4) and fungal (ITS2) microbiomes of frass from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) and Cricket species and evaluated their effects on maize (Zea mays) growth. Four frass variants were applied at rates of 56-280 kg ha⁻¹ in a pot experiment with untreated soil and mineral fertilizer …

Role Of Nano Edible Coating, Packaging, And Storage Temperature In Maintaining Color, Moisture Content, And Phenolic Compounds Of Straw Mushroom, Kiki Nuratni Sitompul, Syariful Mubarok, Kusumiyati

Jurnal Kultivasi

Straw mushrooms are among the most sought-after edible mushrooms, but their harvest is highly perishable due to their high respiration and transpiration rates, leading to a decline in quality during storage. The application of nano edible coating can cover the surface of straw mushrooms and maintain their freshness, while packaging and storage at low temperatures can maintain quality by inhibiting respiration and enzymatic activity. This study aims to evaluate the effects of nano edible coating, packaging types, and different storage temperatures on the color, moisture content, and phenolic compounds of straw mushrooms. The study was conducted at the Horticulture Laboratory, …

A Review Of Bioactive Compounds Of Caesalpinia Sappan: Pre- And Post-Harvest Effect, Annisa Lugina Rachman, Santi Rosniawaty, Syariful Mubarok, Cucu Suherman, Yudithia Maxiselly

Jurnal Kultivasi

Sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) is a shrub or small tree that thrives in tropical regions and has been widely distributed across various areas. It has long been used as a natural dye in textiles, cosmetics, and herbal beverages due to its content of various bioactive compounds. This literature review discusses the secondary metabolites in sappanwood, their health benefits, and strategies to enhance product quality through pre-harvest and post-harvest treatments. This literature review was conducted by searching for relevant journals on Google Scholar using relevant keywords. Sappanwood contains diverse secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolics, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, and tannins, with …

Advancing Louisiana's Cropping Systems: Sustainable Bioenergy Production, Cover Crops, And Technology Integration, Pedro R. Carrillo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The adoption of cover crops in Louisiana is lower than the national average, underscoring the need for region-specific research to address environmental challenges and demonstrate the short-term benefits of these practices within existing production systems. This research evaluated the integration of cover crops (CC) in energy cane (Saccharum spp.) and no-till cotton systems, focusing on their effects on soil health, nitrogen (N) management, and biomass production. Soil health indicators (SHIs), including enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and urease), protein N, inorganic N concentrations (nitrate and ammonium), soil organic matter (SOM), and microbial community composition assessed through ester-linked fatty acid …

Analysis Of Source–Sink Organ Dynamics In Kaffir Lime (Citrus Hystrix Dc.) At Different Plant Ages, Siti Auliya Rahma, Rahmat Budiarto, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC.) is a leafy spice commodity widely used as a culinary ingredient, in bio-pharmaceuticals, and as a raw material for essential oil production. Despite its high demand, leaf productivity remains relatively low, highlighting the need for improved cultivation practices. A better understanding of source–sink dynamics is essential, as leaf production is strongly influenced by the balance between assimilate-producing and assimilate-consuming organs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the source-sink capacity of kaffir lime plants of different ages as a preliminary step toward identifying cultivation strategies to enhance leaf production. The experiment was conducted at Bale Tatanen …

Exploring The Potential Of Martian Agriculture: Assessing Viability And Nutritional Composition Of Plants Cultivated In Martian Regolith, Abigail Ross

Honors Theses

In addition to sunlight and water, plants can utilize a small number of nutrients from the soil to biosynthesize all the materials that are needed for growth and development. However, plants require an environment where they are able to obtain those nutrients, such as iron, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and nitrogen. Environmental factors determine the types and accessibility of nutrients available to plants. Plants then take up these nutrients from the soil to aid in biological mechanisms and the synthesis of important molecules needed for growth and development. Ascorbic acid, commonly known as Vitamin C, is a vital molecule that is …

Antioxidant Enzymes And Osmolyte Accumulation In Okra Cultivars Under Drought Stress, Jawad Ali, Ibadullah Jan, Hidayat Ullah, Muhammad Adnan, Shah Fahad, Hassan Alsberi, Khulud Albalawi, Hakki Akdeniz, Manzoor Ahmmad, Beena Saeed, Noor Us Sabah, Mian Sayed Khan, Abdul Basir, Muhammad Romman, Ayman El Sabagh

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Drought stress brought about by worsening environmental conditions due to climate change has increasingly damaging effects on crop production systems. To mitigate these effects, several physiological and biochemical aspects of plants could be used as markers in breeding for the selection of drought-resistant cultivars. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of 8 okra cultivars (Arka Anamika, Punjab Selection, Posaswami, Tulsi, Subz Pari, Super Green, Local Multani, and Green Star) under well-watered (control), mild drought stress, and severe drought stress conditions by irrigating plants at an interval of 3, 6, and 9 d after 30 d of planting. Results …

Evaluation Of The Suitability Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Accessions Grown In A Vertical Container System, Darel Kenth S. Antesco, Lourdes Edano Ma., Renerio Gentallan Jr, Roselyn F. Paelmo, Annalissa L. Aquino

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Growing tomatoes in vertical container systems such as hanging pots presents a promising production system for urban gardening. However, horticultural selections of tomato with traits suited for this system are still limited. The success of different genotypes grown in this system depends on the combination of morphological characters, including plant form, vegetative growth, and root development, as well as yield. This study assessed the morphological characters of 10 tomato accessions to identify those with ideal traits for this system. Results showed that some accessions possess unique traits that enhance their performance in hanging pots. Among the 10 accessions, T2 from …

Gastropod Assemblage And Biofilm Abundance On Rocky Shores Of Southern Antique, Panay, Philippines, Mia Jane D. Geneblaza, Karen A. Villarta-Lane

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The gastropod assemblage and biofilm abundance, measured as chlorophyll a levels, were examined at 3 rocky shore sites in southern Antique, Panay, Philippines, in February 2024 to address significant gaps in current knowledge and help better understand the ecological dynamics of rocky intertidal zones. A total of 14 families comprising 22 genera and 31 species were identified from the area. The family Littorinidae was the most speciesrich, comprising 9 species. Among these, the scabra periwinkle Littoraria scabra (Philippi 1846) was the most abundant, comprising on average 50.17% of the total abundance across sites. Other identified gastropod families included Muricidae (5 …

Age-Dependent Reproductive Fitness And Behavioral Dynamics Of The Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera:Crambidae), Marcela M. Navasero, Randolph N. Candano, Maricon Dp Javier, Jethro M. Navasero, Wilson N. De Panis

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study evaluated the effects of parental age of the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), on fecundity, egg hatchability, adult longevity, and the duration of pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods using arranged mating pairs aged 1 to 5 days old. Mating behavior was also observed and documented. The highest fecundity, measured by the number of egg masses and total eggs produced, was recorded in pairings of 1-day-old males and females, indicating a positive effect of young parental age. In contrast, pairings involving 5-day-old males and females resulted in the lowest egg production, demonstrating an inverse relationship between parental …

Characterization Of Adult Emergence Pattern And Eclosion Behavior Of The Asian Corn Borer, [Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée)] (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Under Laboratory And Field Conditions In The Philippines, Marcela M. Navasero, Gelyn D. Sapin, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Wilson N. De Panis, Randolph N. Candano, Maricon Dp Javier, Jethro M. Navasero, Meijei T. Bangangao

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study focuses on understanding the emergence pattern of Asian Corn Borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee), in the Philippines vital in crafting integrated pest management schemes, including insect resistance management against pesticides and Bt protein. Although ACB adults are known to be nocturnal and primarily emerge at night, identifying critical windows of emergence for targeted management actions is essential. In the experiments conducted, the scotophase period is the preferred time for adult emergence under laboratory conditions with 248 adults (80.52%) and 60 adults (19.48%) in the photophase period. A similar trend was also observed under field cage conditions with ACB …

Movement Of The Different Larval Stages Of Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée), On Conventional Corn Hybrid Under Field Caged Conditions, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Mark Bryan A. Lontoc, Victor V. Alpuerto, Abigail P. De Leon, Jenifer Bigkas-Naungayan, John David C. Cortez, Edwin A. Benigno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Larval dispersal is crucial in pest population establishment in crop fields. The movement of Ostrinia furnacalis (ACB) larvae within corn plots was observed to determine which factors affect larval dispersal in the field. Conventional corn plots (3 rows, 0.70 m apart x 9 plants, 0.20 m apart) were artificially infested with different combinations of larval age and pest density. The distributions of larvae were recorded through destructive sampling at 4, 8, 12, and 16 days after infestation (DAI). The behavior of ACB from the time the hatching larvae break open the egg mass shell to ballooning to start actual movement …

Investigating Nutrient Management & The Impacts Of Nitrogen On Blackberries Across Arkansas And The Southeast, Amanda Michelle Lay-Walters

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) research on nutrient needs, monitoring practices, and dynamics in the United States has primarily been conducted on cultivars popularly grown in the Pacific Northwest. Thus, regional research is required to understand the needs of blackberry cultivars grown in the southeastern U.S., with southeastern U.S. production practices. In 2022 and 2023, 12 cultivars of blackberry, across seven states, were leaf tissue sampled across multiple phenological stages for nutrient analysis. In Clarksville, AR from 2022 to 2024, six rates of N were applied to established ‘Ouachita’ blackberry plants. During the trial, plant yield, post-harvest fruit quality, fruit …

Citrullus Amarus Drought Tolerance: An Above And Below Ground Analysis, Ben A. Hyland

All Theses

Ever rising environmental temperatures threaten global food security by worsening severity and increasing the occurrence of drought. Commercially cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), have reduced drought tolerance due to a narrow genetic base caused by breeding for desirable traits such as sweetness, size, and flesh/rind color. Comparatively, the crop wild relative desert watermelon variety (Citrullus amarus), while more drought tolerant than their commercially cultivated relatives (C. lanatus), still require large amounts of water to grow and produce reliable fruit yields. Watermelon root morphology plays a key role in their ability to tolerate drought, with more …

Patch Mow Grazing: Investigating The Effects Of Mowing On Forage Nutritive Value, The Biomass–Nutritive Value Relationship, And Herbivore Selection, Trace R. Stauble

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbivore foraging behavior plays a critical role in shaping grassland structural heterogeneity, with selection often driven by forage biomass and nutritive value. Currently, it is thought that herbivores primarily select areas that are greater in nutritive value, and low in biomass. More specifically, disturbances like fire and grazing have been thoroughly studied showing that recently burned and grazed areas are not only higher in nutritive value but disproportionately selected by herbivores in comparison to undisturbed areas. However, most studies address only narrow ranges of defoliation, comparing intensely defoliated sites (< 10 cm) to those that are either not defoliated or have experienced a much longer time since defoliation, thereby decreasing grazing pressure as biomass increases. However, one of the most widely used methods of defoliation in grasslands, mowing, hasn’t been thoroughly studied for its effects on nutritive value, and how it impacts herbivore selection. Our study aimed to (1) evaluate how mowing treatments—i.e., short (5 cm), medium (18 cm), and tall (>30 cm, unmown)—affect nutritive value and herbivore selection, (2) assess …

Cover Crop Influence On Arthropod Biodiversity And Soil–Water Dynamics In A Semi-Arid Maize–Soybean Sequence Of The Nebraska High Plains, Carlos Eduardo De Oliveira Martins

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

With the expansion of cover crop (CC) use in semi-arid regions, producers in the Nebraska High Plains are increasingly interested in understanding how CCs influence both beneficial arthropods and soil-water within maize-soybean (Zea mays L., Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotations. Integrating CCs in these systems can enhance soil water availability and beneficial insect activity, but potential trade-offs include higher early-season water use by CCs and the risk of increasing potential pest populations. This thesis addresses these questions through two complementary studies conducted under field conditions near Brule, Nebraska. The first study evaluated the effects of a multi-species CC mixture …

Establishment Of Native Warm-Season Forages Using Organic Practices, Kolten Ray Wright

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Grassland agriculture is seen as a particularly sustainable form of agriculture. Many opportunities are known to use organic production methods or incorporate native warm-season grasses (NWSG) to accomplish both production goals and environmental or social outcomes. Environmental concerns have led some practitioners to question the use of organic methods to establish NWSG. As limited work has been accomplished in the northern bermudagrass belt, this project sought to compare organic establishment strategies for common NWSG species. A field trial conducted at the USDA ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, AR found that NWSG establishment success in the …

An Integrated Modeling Framework To Evaluate Circularity Of The Corn–Water–Ethanol–Beef Nexus, Heydi Han

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation examines the transition from conventional linear agricultural and food bioenergy systems toward more circular, resilient, and resource-efficient configurations. Prior research indicates that spatial and temporal variability in soil, weather, animal biological responses, and management decisions strongly influences productivity, nutrient-use efficiency, and profitability. Studies have also shown that a diversified circular system can buffer these sources of variability, improving stability and adaptive capacity. Building on these insights, the central focus of this work is to develop an integrated modeling framework to evaluate circularity within the Corn-Water-Ethanol-Beef (CWEB) nexus and explore how climate variability and management choices shape system-wide performance. …

Nutrient Utilization Efficiency And Antioxidant Profile Of Bc2 Abaca (Musa Textilis Née) Hybrids, Roberto Barba Jr, Antonio Lalusin

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Abaca (Musa textilis Née) is an important fiber crop widely recognized for its superior tensile strength, yet its productivity remains constrained by nutrient inefficiency, poor cropping management, and climatic stresses under manual production systems. Efficient nutrient utilization and an understanding of antioxidant compositions are practically relevant to the productivity of the abaca fiber crop. However, despite the crop’s economic importance, limited studies have examined nutrient uptake dynamics and internal utilization efficiency related to fiber synthesis. This study aimed to demonstrate the nutrient utilization efficiency and antioxidant profiles of BC₂ abaca hybrids in relation to fiber yield and quality. Fiber …

Proso Millet In Us High Plains Dryland Agriculture: Systems Resilience, Phenology, And Consumer Preferences For Alternative Grains, Pratiksha Baishya

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Dryland crop production in Nebraska's semi-arid High Plains faces challenges from fluctuating weather impacts of climate change, including extreme temperatures, short growing seasons, and recurring droughts. Proso millet is an alternative crop used to build a more robust three-year rotation in the region, rather than the traditional two-year wheat-fallow cycle. This dissertation provides a systems-level assessment of proso millet, a climate-resilient crop with great potential to support sustainable cropping systems in the US High Plains. Using a field-to-consumer approach, it highlights its agronomic and environmental advantages in dryland rotations, develops a phenological framework to aid future research on production, crop …

The Development Of Tools For The Production Of Fusarium Oxysporum Race 4 Resistant Cotton Varieties, Thomas Rylands

All Theses

Fusarium oxysporum race 4 (FOV4) is a fungal pathogen that infects cotton (Gossypium spp.) plants, resulting in fusarium wilt (FW) disease that causes significant wilting, yield loss, and eventually death. Since cotton is such an important crop globally, with tens of millions of bales of fiber produced and sold worldwide each year, it is critical to develop effective strategies to combat this pathogen. This research aims to achieve that goal through two projects: (i) develop an efficient co-culture system to test fungal treatments in vitro, and (ii) develop a computer vision pipeline to more accurately assess plant resistance …

Horticultural Strategies To Improve Yield And Efficiency For Controlled-Environment Cannabis Production, Michael John Alden

All Dissertations

Controlled-environment cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) production is a novel horticultural industry due to long-standing federal prohibitions associated with production, distribution, and consumption of this species. Many cannabis production methods are based on legacy knowledge and hypotheses that often contradict standard practices used in the agriculture and floriculture sectors. During this research, several horticultural practices were evaluated, including shoot number manipulation, fertilizer restriction, harvest timing, and photoperiod manipulation. Shoot number manipulation was achieved by repeatedly pinching apical shoots, which reduced reproductive shoot length (cm/shoot) and improved inflorescence:trim ratio, both of which can reduce material cost in production and labor cost …