Digital Commons Network^™

The Future Of Metabolic Health: A Needle-Free Alternative For Blood Sugar Monitoring, Conor Cleary, Martin Bradley, Christopher Crosson, John Wade

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Transforming Plastic For A Sustainable Planet: Next-Generation Materials That Biodegrade Naturally, Kristof Racz, Clement Higginbotham

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

The Dock Beetle: Reducing Costs And Pesticides In Irish Agriculture, Bianca Araujo, Daniel P. Fitzpatrick

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Nature Restoration Law In The Eu - Pros, Cons And Impossibilities, Emma Mcdonagh, Liam Sunner

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Ireland’S Energy Transition: Unlocking The Potential Of Offshore Renewables, Caoimhe O'Hare, Madjid Karimirad, Gautam Baruah

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

From Conflict To Connection: Educators Leading The Shift Towards Restorative Practices (Rp) In Deis Primary Schools, Ellen Slattery, Clara Hoyne

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Bridging The Gap From Preschool To Primary: From Policy To Practice, Aimee O'Connor, Cóilín O’ Braonáin

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Editorial, Anne M. Friel, Brigid Hooban, Therese Montgomery, Anne Marie O'Brien, Cormac Quigley, Edel Mcneela, Eva Campion, James Walshe, Sinead Loughran

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Nebline, November/December 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

Nebraska Extension celebrates 25 years of nutrition school enrichment kits

Recipe of the month: Fruit & yogurt parfait

Celebrating the season with American persimmon by Rachel Anderson

Love gardening? Become a master gardener by Mary Jane Frogge

Extension master gardener volunteer spotlight: Carol Rustad

Garden guide: Things to do this month by Mary Jane Frogge

Choosing child care: What parents should know by Jaci Foged

Commercial/noncommercial pesticide license

Little black bugs, big bite by Kait Chapman [about pirate bugs]

What you need to know about having a well drilled by Becky Schuerman

2026 nebraska custom rates survey by Glennis …

Identifying Superior Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana L.) Landraces Using The Multi-Trait Genotype-Ideotype Distance Index (Mgidi), Sujan Chapagaina, Bishnu Prasad Kandela, Sudikshya Shresthaa, Ankur Poudela, Shubh Pravat Singh Yadavb

Extension Publications

Genetic variability and selection are crucial for finger millet breeding programs to maximize genetic gain and productivity. This study evaluated 18 finger millet landraces cultivated in the mid-hills of Nepal, along with ‘Kavre Kodo 2’ as a check variety, assessing 14 agro-morphological traits. The objective was to identify superior finger millet landraces using a multivariate approach based on the multi-trait genotype– ideotype distance index (MGIDI). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Principal component analysis revealed that the first five components collectively accounted for 80.8% of the total variation, reflecting the genetic relatedness …

Investigating The Effect Of Nacl Stress In Raphanus Sativus, Allison Norton

Undergraduate Research

Presentation at the Arkansas INBRE Research Conference, November 7-8, 2025

Paclobutrazol Enhances Tall Fescue Salt Tolerance Via Physiological And Root System Architecture Modulation, Shugao Fan, Xindi Sun, Guohao Liang, Zhuanzhuan Ma, Jincheng Hao, Jiawei Wu, Ying Zhao

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Salinity represents a major global constraint on crop productivity. Promoting the cultivation of tall fescue in saline environments offers not only nutritional advantages for livestock but also enhances its potential for ornamental use. In this mesocosm study, we examined the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on tall fescue performance under salt stress, focusing on key physiological traits to evaluate salt tolerance.

Results: Under high salt stress, paclobutrazol application increased the total number of lateral roots by 85%, from 18.39 to 34.04, and widened their growth angle by 24%, from 24.10° to 29.88°, fundamentally enhancing topsoil exploration. This reconfigured root system …

Recycling Waste Via Insect Agriculture: Frass Impacts On Soil And Plant Health, Helen C.S. Amorim, Amanda J. Ashworth, Thomas F. Ducey, Valerie B. Brewer-Gunsaulis, Gerson L. Drescher, Philip R. Owens, Alana H. Patterson, Giovanna De Blais, Iris Van Straaten

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Frass-the main by-product of insect rearing for animal feed-is emerging as a promising soil amendment and plant growth promoter. However, basic agronomic information is lacking and prevents frass' widespread use as a biofertilizer. This study assessed impacts of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L. [Diptera: Stratiomyidae]) frass on soil fertility, crop growth, and quality compared to poultry litter (PL). Irrigated and non-irrigated soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and non-irrigated switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) plots received either PL (5.6 Mg ha(-1)), low frass rate (LF; 5.6 Mg ha(-1)), high frass rate (HF; 11.2 Mg ha(-1)), besides the unamended control (CT). In …

Detection Of Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Virus Infection Via Remote Hyperspectral Imaging, Clayton Blake

LSU Master's Theses

In sweetpotato, global production exceeds 90 million tons annually, yet yields are threatened by numerous pathogens, including the potyvirus sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV). Virus infections can reduce yields by 25–40%, but surveillance is hampered by asymptomatic infections and the labor-intensive nature of detection. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), combined with machine learning (ML), offers a promising pathway to scalable, non-destructive detection; however, studies focused on virus infection in sweetpotato remain limited.

This study demonstrates the feasibility of ML-enabled HSI for SPFMV detection under greenhouse conditions via a curated spectral library of two commercial cultivars, 'Beauregard' and 'Orleans', and the biological …

Visible Image-Based Machine Learning For Identifying Abiotic Stress In Sugar Beet Crops, Seyed Reza Haddadi, Masoumeh Hashemi, Richard C. Peralta, Masoud Soltani

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Previous researches have proved that the synchronized use of inexpensive RGB images, image processing, and machine learning (ML) can accurately identify crop stress. Four Machine Learning Image Modules (MLIMs) were developed to enable the rapid and cost-effective identification of sugar beet stresses caused by water and/or nitrogen deficiencies. RGB images representing stressed and non-stressed crops were used in the analysis. To improve robustness, data augmentation was applied, generating six variations on each image and expanding the dataset from 150 to 900 images for training and testing. Each MLIM was trained and tested using 54 combinations derived from nine canopy and …

Purple Tomatoes Boost Nutrition Crop Value And Create New Opportunities For United States (U.S) Agriculture, Tariq Alam

Agronomic Crops

The agricultural landscape in the United States is continually evolving, with growers and the tomato industry seeking innovative ways to meet consumer demands while enhancing profitability. The introduction of both bioengineered and classically bred anthocyanins-enriched purple tomatoes presents a unique opportunity for U.S. growers to cultivate a high-value crop that appeals to niche markets and commands premium pricing. Bioengineered purple tomatoes achieve high anthocyanin levels through the introduction of snapdragon transcription factors, while classically bred 'Indigo Rose' purple tomatoes are developed via classical breeding methods, providing an alternative for consumers who prefer traditionally bred products. Specifically, the purple tomato holds …

Research Progress On The Effect Of Grafting Technology On Disease Resistance And Stress Resistance Of Watermelon, Xuena Liu, Shikai La, Chang Chen, Ainong Shi, Mingjiao Wang, Yingying Zhang, Jinghuai Guo, Lingdi Dong

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Grafting is an effective horticultural technique that significantly enhances disease resistance and stress tolerance in watermelon. This review systematically summarizes the types of rootstocks used in watermelon grafting and analyzes the effects of grafting on plant responses to biotic stresses, such as viral and fungal pathogens, root-knot nematodes infections, and abiotic stresses, including drought, temperature extremes, and salinity. Furthermore, it discusses the changes in fruit quality and explores the underlying mechanisms associated with graft-induced resistance. By synthesizing recent research advances, this review aims to offer valuable insights and practical references for improving resistance and promoting sustainable production in cucurbit and …

Leucaena - A Permanent Dry Season Forage In Australia, J H. Wildin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Leucaena (Leucaena Jeucocephala) can play an important role in alleviating the general low pasture quality during the dry season. Extensive commercial use of leucaena for cattle grazing commenced in central Queensland in 1980 when the grazing management of this tree legume was modified to suit Australian beef producers. Plantings increased from 30 ha in 1979 to 3000 ha in central Queensland by February 1985. This rapid expansion can be attributed to beef producers being more aware ofleucaena management and benefits based on several commercial successes. Mimosine toxicity has not been a problem when cattle have access to tree …

Effect Of Some Agronomic Practices On Productivity And Nutritive Analysis Of Aquatic Grass Echinochloa Stagnina, K M. Ghobrial, M A. Gabra, M A. Noreldin, M A. Salem

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Results indicated that the higher green, dry and protein yields increased with increasing plant density up to 105,000 plant per feddan that were fertilized with 45 kg N/fed. The average of the obtained green, dry and protein yields were 14.16, 4.24 and 0.30 ton/fed. respectively. The nutritive analysis on DM basis was 7.13 % crude protein (CP), 2.12% ether extract (EE), 31.56% crude fidre (CF), 47.97% nitrogen free extract (NFE) and 11.22% ash. The calculated starch value (SV) as a feed unit was 1.34 ton/feddan.

The Role Of Temperature Pastures Species In Beef Farming In The Humaid Sub-Tropics Of South America, Y E. Kawabe, E Hayashi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Attempts were made to identify and solve the problems which a beef farming operation in the humid sub-tropics of South America was facing. A total of 370ha of pasture at C.A.O.S.A. was established using temperate species, Lolium perenne, L. multiflorum, Trifolium repens, T. subterraneum and Medicago sativa, both to establish new and also to improve existing tropical pasture in order to overcome: 1. Cool season feed shortage., 2. Low nutritional value of tropical grasses. A rotational grazing system was introduced and the yield and feed value analysis showed a substantial increase in cool season feed while the …

The Effect Of Row Width And Intrarow Spacing On The Productivity And Nutritional Quality Of Silage Corn, Y Kishida, S Uchida

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of planting density on silage corn production and silage quality. Dent corn cv. Pioneer 3424 was planted at different or the same densities by changing row width or intrarow spacing or the both. The dry matter yield and silage quality were determined at different stages of ripening and the results are summarized as follows: When intrarow spacing was changed (under different intrarow spacings), the rate of increase of dry matter per plant was high at the low and intermediate planting densities and the dry matter yield per 10 are was high at …

Effects Of Climatic Zone, Topography, Land Utilization And Soil Condition On The Mineral Content Of Natural Grasses In Bali, K Lana, I M. Nitis, S Uchida

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To evaluate nutritional quality of the natural grasses fed to livestock, grasses grown in different climatic zones (zones B, C, D, E and F), different topographies ( coast, hills and higher altitude), various forms of land utilization (rice field, dry land and plantation) and different soil conditions, allocated in 15 districts of 8 regencies in Bali were analyzed for their macro and micro element contents. Although P, K, Mn and Mo contents were higher and Mg, Na, Fe and Zn contents were lower in wet season than in dry season, Ca and Cu contents were constant throughout the seasons. The …

Potential Role For Stylo In Traditional Crop And Livestock Production Systems In Nigerian Subhumid Zone, M A. Mohamed Saleem, R Von Kaufman, R M. Otsynia, H Suleiman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The typical soils (Alfisols) of the subhumid zone of Nigeria deteriorate under continuous cropping and grazing. Due to increasing demand for land, soil recovery through natural fallowing is too time consuming. Because other reclamation techniques are expensive forage legumes that rapidly confer most fallow benefits and improve livestock nutrition have an important role in traditional crop-livestock production systems. In its experiments ILCA subhumid zone team used Stylosanthes spp. (stylo) in the following way: - (i) undersown or sown on alternate ridges with sorghum, (ii) sorghum transplanted into it, and (iii) the succeeded by maize after varying years of its growth. …

Effects Of The Association Corn-Soybean On Dry Matter Production And Nutritional Silage Value, R Garcia, A R. Evangelista, J D. Galvao

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments were conducted to study the influence of corn-soybeans plant population in five cropping systems (four com-soybean associations and single corn) on the dry matter production and nutritional silage value. Variation in corn plant populations did not influenced green matter production, however, dry matter production increased as population increase. The cropping systems influenced both green and dry matter production. Plant population influenced on the nutritional silage value. The protein content and dry matter digestibility was higher for 30 thousand plants of corn per hectare. Two rows of corn to four of soybean resulted in superior protein content. The association com-soybean …

Managerial Characteristics Of The Grassland Type Dairy Farming In Hokkaido, Japan, Y Miyazawa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan with an area of about 78,500 km2 and lies between 41 ° and 46°N. Dairy farming in Hokkaido, being endowed with vast land resources, has overcome severe climatic conditions and expanded its scale of operations through such measures as developing and improving grassland. Its main type of dairy farming can be said to be of the-grassland-type and the feeding resources of which depends mainly on pastures. The dairy farming in Hokkaido, therefore, is represented by this grassland-type that is one of the alternative types to be developed under comparatively unfavorable land conditions, such …

Weight Gains And Nutrition Of Cattle Grazing On Grasslands Of Central Interior British Columbia, Canada, D A. Quinton, L Stroesser, H Douwes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Average daily gains and nutrient deficiencies of cattle grazing three grassland zones in British Columbia are shown. Cattle production was greatest on the rough fescue (Festuca scabrella) -bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) association and least on the big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) -bluebunch wheatgrass association. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in cattle diets generally paralleled cattle gains. Increases in these nutrients in forages correlate to increased cattle gains. Depressed weight gains, poor growth of calves, late estrous cycling of cows, and white muscle disease of calves are all livestock symptoms associated with nutrient deficiencies of cattle …

The Effect Of Fertilization With N-P-K In Yield Of Natural Pasture Grazed By Sheep On Southern Italy, L Postiglione, F Basso, T Di Ella, F Carone

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In order to raise the very low pasture yield in the dry regions of Southern Italy, a research was undertaken on the efficiency of mineral fertilization, owing to the variability of climatic conditions. Two levels of N (0-50 Kg ha-1), P (0-100 Kg ha-1) and K (0-100 Kg ha-1) arranged in factorial combinations were compared with a pasture grazed by sheep in a hilly area of Basilicata region (550 m s.l.} since 1982. During the spring of the first two years rainfalls amounted respectively to 79 mm and 146 mm while maximum temperature reached 30°C and 22°C in May, therefore …

Influence Of Stocking Rate On The Plant-Animal Interface In Rotational Grazed Mixed Swards, J W. Stuth, J R. Brown, P D. Olson, M R. Araujo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The impacts of brief periods of intense grazing in multipasture-single herd grazing systems on critical plant and animal parameters in natural mixed swards are not well understood. It was our objective to determine the interrelationship and nutritional consequence of tiller defoliation intensity, selection ratio and diet composition of two codominant species with contrasting phenology and growth habit as stocking rate was increased. A 16-pasture, 1-herd short-duration grazing regime was simulated at four stocking rates on a little bluestem (Schizachyr­ium scoparium)-brownseed paspalum (Paspalum plicatulum) savannah. Variables measured included morphology and defoliation intensity of marked tillers, diet composition …

The Effect Of Fertilization With N-P-K On Utilization And Nutritive Value Of Natural Pasture Grazed By Sheep In Southern Italy, B Ferrara, V Piccolo, F Basso, A Nizza

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Results of four grazing periods carried-out in 1983 and 1984 in a hilly area of Basilicata region (550 m. above s.I.) on a natural pasture utilized by sheep are reported here. Two levels of N(0-50 kg ha-1), P(0-100 kg ha-1) and K(0-100 kg ha-1) arranged in eight factorial combinations were compared. The utilization coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein and milk-FU (MFU) were affected by the climatic conditions and grazing period, whereas fertilization effect was low. The influence of treatments was not very emphasized during the first experimental phase also on the nuttritive value of total and utilized forage.

Vegetational Changes In The Sasa Nipponica Grassland Used By Winter Grazing For Successive Years, Y Ogawa, T Mitamura, K Okamoto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of winter grazing by beef cattle on yearly yield and flora changes in Sasa (Sasa nipponica) grassland was examined from 1974 to 1982. This Sasa sward was established semi-naturally on cutover land following deciduous broadleaved forest at an altitude of 1,100 m on Mt. Asama in Japan. Sasa kept its foliage green and nutritive all year round, so that in this experimental grassland a large quantity of its foliage supplied sufficient nutrients for the maintenance of beef cows during winter grazing periods. Foliage weight was 2.6 tons DW/ha before winter grazing use and this value was maintained for …