Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment And Management Of Dectes Stem Borer, Dectes Texanus Leconte, In South Dakota Soybeans, Zachary Loomis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Dectes stem borer (Dectes texanus LeConte, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) has emerged as an increasingly significant pest of soybean (Glycine max) in South Dakota. Although historically considered a minor concern, rising populations of this insect have led to significant preharvest lodging and subsequent yield loss in affected fields. The Dectes stem borer's larval feeding within the soybean stem interferes with nutrient flow, and as the season progresses, this internal feeding weakens stem integrity, amplifying lodging risks and causing considerable challenges for farmers and researchers. Since 2017, both the number and severity of Dectes stem borer infestations have been on the rise …

Evaluation Of Established Perennial Clover Living Mulch And Soil Management Effects On Weed Suppression, Soil Health, And Broccolini Production For The Northern Great Plains, Connor Ruen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vegetable cropping systems have long been reliant on the use of tillage to prepare favorable seedbeds and manage weed pressure. Tillage degrades soil structure, decreases water infiltration and leads to compaction. Due to recent droughts across the central United Stated, it is important for water conservation to improve infiltration and avoid run off and erosion. Changes in weather patterns not only influence drought conditions but bring heat waves that have made early and late planted cool season crops in the brassica family prone bolting, leading to unmarketable produce and economic losses for farmers. This 2023 and 2024 study was designed …

Potential Of Using Trembling Aspen To Make Structural Engineered Wood Products, Dawei Wang

Aspen Bibliography

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is abundant in Canada but is widely considered an underutilized species. This study was aimed at evaluating the potential of using aspen lumber to produce cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued-laminated timber (glulam), and wood I-joists. The key mechanical properties of these engineered wood products, which were fabricated using a modified grading criterion, were examined. It was found that 1) The mean effective bending stiffness and characteristic bending moment resistance of 5-layer CLT specimens in the major-strength direction were 5,069x10⁹ N·mm²/m and 97.65x10⁶ N·mm/m; 2) The mean apparent MOE and characteristic modulus …

Bioremediation In The Chesapeake Bay: Anthropogenic Ocean Acidification Mitigation In An Interactive Multi-Trophic Ecosystem, Cree Taylor

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Zostera marina is a species of marine macrophyte that has been largely prioritized in past submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration initiatives within the Chesapeake Bay because of its 1) previous abundance, 2) demonstrated carbon burial abilities, and 3) observed ability for meadows of Z. marina to ameliorate low pH conditions. Due to the temperature variability and poor water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, Z. Marina beds have experienced several die-off events with limited capacity for regrowth. Ruppia maritima, an opportunistic species with tolerance to temperature shifts within the bay, may have the potential to maintain SAV coverage in areas …

Rejuvra's Effect On Soil Seed Banks, Blake J. Roeslein, Bryan Endress, Abby Mcmurtry, Akasha Faist

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Invasive annual grasses are a major driver of grassland degradation globally. In perennial grasslands, invasion can heavily impact biodiversity, including potential changes to the soil seed banks. Seed banks, the living seeds stored in the upper soil column, play an important role in healthy systems, or can harbor invasive species. To reduce negative invasion outcomes, whether in the seed bank, or aboveground vegetation, pre-emergent herbicides are a commonly used tool for land managers. Pre-emergent herbicides work by targeting seeds as they germinate and begin emerging from the soil. Thus, our study asks 1) how does pre-emergent herbicide influence germination and …

Physiological Responses And Plant Trait Interactions With Coastal Dune And Swale Development, Emily C. Riffe

Theses and Dissertations

Vegetation is crucial to coastal ecosystems experiencing climate change and storm-induced disturbance. Plant species interact with the physical environment and are considered “ecosystem engineers.” Sand dunes and barrier islands are at the forefront of climate change impacts as they are barriers that protect landward habitat and communities. Nature based solutions are utilized to protect infrastructure on developed coastlines. Understanding how dominant plant species interact with and alter the physical environment enhances our understanding of the mechanisms of change and consequences to the system. The goal of this research was to quantify physiological and functional trait differences in dominant species found …

Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Technical Manual [2025], Kristine Nemec, Josh Brandt, Kirk Henderson, Jim Uthe

Faculty Book Gallery

The objective of this publication is to provide basic technical support for new and existing Iowa county roadside programs. This manual is also intended to provide guidance to policymakers and engineers interested in adopting or expanding integrated roadside vegetation management in county rights-of-way.

Assessing The Potential For Bigleaf Maple Syrup Production In Humboldt County, Ca, David A. Reinhart, Juan A. Ramos-Cool, Liam H. Richardson

Undergraduate Scholarship

The bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum, Pursh) is the largest maple of the Pacific Northwest. While it has generally been treated as a nuisance in timber harvesting operations, a small amount of research has been conducted on its sugaring ability in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. This research has yet to reach further south in the species' range. This study aims to help a California landowner understand which maple trees on his property produce the most maple sap, to gauge what environmental factors contribute to maple sap production, and to find greater implications for the production of maple sap …

Impact Of An Herbicide Treatment In An Annual Grass Invaded Sagebrush Steppe, Jordan Dino Santia

Undergraduate Scholarship

Globally, rangelands are being threatened by invasive annual grasses (IAGs) that alter fire regimes, drive vegetation type conversion, and alter ecosystem function. This study evaluates vegetation responses to an Imazapic treatment applied in 2020 to control a population of Taeniatherum caput-medusae, an IAG, that flourished following a severe wildfire in 2013. The site, located on a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing allotment east of Klamath Falls, Oregon, has been monitored annually using the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocol since the Summer of 2022. Over this period, very little T. caput-medusae has been detected while bare ground has …

Igc Oral Presentation Summary: Xxv Igc Congress, S. Ray Smith, Echo Elizabeth Gotsick, J. R. Weinert-Nelson, Alayna Jacobs, Christopher D. Teutsch, Will Fleming, D. R. Woodfield, James L. Klotz, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Greg S. Halich, Brittany Davis, Brittany Hendrix, Krista Lea

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper will give an overview of the XXV International Grassland Congress thematic, keynote, and plenary sessions. The theme of the XXV IGC Congress meeting was “Grasslands for Soil, Animal, and Human Health.” We had many people attending, presenting, and participating in all these sessions. Within a month after the conclusion of the Congress, the proceeding’s papers presented at the meeting will be available on the IGC app. By the end of 2023 all papers will be available for download through any search engine at internationalgrasslands.org.

Tallgrass Prairie Center 2024-2025 Highlights, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

Annual Reports

Contents:

--- Staff
--- From our Director
--- Iowa Roadside Management: Enhancing our public roadsides
--- Research and Restoration: Native seeds and methods for prairie reconstruction
--- Plant Materials: A prairie pedigree for Iowa’s roadsides and beyond
--- Irvine Prairie: Restoring a piece of the original Iowa landscape
--- Prairie on Farms: Making prairie practical
--- Prairie Roots Project: A deeper appreciation of the prairie ecosystem
--- Green Iowa AmeriCorps: Service members expand TPC capacity
--- A Hidden Gem - UNI's Biological Preserves: A legacy of service and partnership
--- UNI Students at the TPC: Practical experience in support of …

ผลของสารสกัดหยาบจากเปลือกของประดู่ป่า Pterocarpus Macrocarpus Kurz ต่อฤทธิ์การต้านอนุมูลอิสระและความมีชีวิตของเซลล์มะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่, ฐิติกานต์ เกตุทอง

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

มะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่เป็นหนึ่งในสาเหตุหลักของการเสียชีวิตและการเจ็บป่วยทั่วโลก มีปัจจัยเสี่ยงหลายประการที่ส่งผลต่อมะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่ หนึ่งในนั้นคือการเปลี่ยนแปลงระดับอนุมูลอิสระของออกซิเจน แม้ว่าการรักษาด้วยเคมีบำบัดจะมีประสิทธิภาพ แต่อัตราความสำเร็จก็ยังค่อนข้างต่ำเนื่องจากเกิดผลข้างเคียงด้านลบหลังการรักษา ประดู่ป่าได้รับการยอมรับว่าเป็นแหล่งของสารสำคัญในด้านการรักษาโรค สารสกัดจากแก่นของประดู่ป่ามีสารประกอบสำคัญคือ homopterocarpin ซึ่งมีคุณสมบัติต้านอนุมูลอิสระและต้านมะเร็งตับ อย่างไรก็ตาม ผลกระทบต่อมะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่ยังไม่ชัดเจน ในการศึกษานี้ ผู้วิจัยศึกษาผลของสารสกัดหยาบจากเปลือกของประดู่ป่าต่อฤทธิ์ต้านอนุมูลอิสระและความมีชีวิตของเซลล์มะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่ ตัวอย่างประดู่ป่าถูกเก็บและระบุชนิดในเดือนกุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ.2568 จากนั้นแช่ตัวอย่างแห้งของเปลือกของประดู่ป่าใน methanol เป็นเวลา 48 ชั่วโมง ตัวอย่าง 20 กรัม ให้สารสกัด 3.79 กรัม การวิเคราะห์ TLC ปรากฏจุดสีแดงเด่นชัดในทุกครั้งของการทดสอบ คาดว่าเป็นสารประกอบหลักของสารสกัดคือ homopterocarpin ฤทธิ์ต้านอนุมูลอิสระของสารสกัดถูกวิเคราะห์ด้วยวิธี DPPH assay และคำนวณค่า IC50 เพื่อประเมินความสามารถในการกำจัดอนุมูลอิสระ ซึ่งอยู่ที่ 45 µg/ml การทดสอบความเป็นพิษของสารสกัดต่อเซลล์มะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่คือ HCT116 และ SW620 และเซลล์ไตตัวอ่อนของมนุษย์คือ HEK293 ด้วยวิธี MTT assay คำนวณค่า IC50 เพื่อประเมินความสามารถในการกำจัดเซลล์มะเร็งและความเป็นพิษต่อไต ซึ่งมีค่า 91, 32 และ 87 µg/ml ตามลำดับ สารสกัดจากเปลือกของประดู่ป่าแสดงคุณสมบัติต้านอนุมูลอิสระและต้านมะเร็งลำไส้ใหญ่ที่โดดเด่น อย่างไรก็ตาม จำเป็นต้องมีการศึกษาเพิ่มเติมเพื่อศึกษากลไกการออกฤทธิ์ของสารประกอบแต่ละชนิดในสารสกัดนี้

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Quantification Of Auxin-Cytokinin Response During Primary Root And Lateral Root Development In Common Bean, Gurdeep Singh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Roots support water and nutrient uptake, anchorage, and soil interactions through continuous growth at the primary root tip (PRT). In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), new cells are produced in an open root apical meristem and subsequently elongate in the elongation zone, and together these processes drive root tip progression through the soil. Lateral roots (LRs) arise in the differentiation zone, where pairs of pericycle founder cells dedifferentiate, divide asymmetrically, and form lateral root primordia (LRP) that pass through defined developmental stages before emergence. Auxin and cytokinin (CK) are central regulators of both primary root growth and LR development, yet their …

Best Methods For Establishment And Maintenance Of Pollinator Plantings In Highway Rights-Of-Way, Sophia Lopardo

Open Access Master's Theses

This study explores the potential of highway rights-of-way (ROWs) to serve as habitats for native New England grasses and flowering plants, while also enhancing resources essential for native pollinator communities. This project emphasizes the adaptability of regionally native and insect-pollinated wildflowers and grasses to periodically mowed ROWs; the research assesses various establishment methods that are commonly used in new roadside construction. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different establishment methods for developing roadside pollinator meadows within ROW settings, using species richness (separated into forbs, grasses, insect pollinated functional groups), bare ground percentage, and seed mix germination and persistence …

Evaluating Yield And Quality Of Heat-Tolerant Broccoli Varieties For Rhode Island Farmers, Calla Pederson

Open Access Master's Theses

In the United States, broccoli is a popular vegetable, important for its nutrition and economic contributions alike. However, its future production is at risk as broccoli prefers cooler climates, with an optimal temperature range of 15 - 23°C (59 - 73°F) for growth, especially in the weeks leading up to harvest. Temperatures above this threshold lead to failure to develop, damage, and unmarketability. There has also been an emphasis on bringing broccoli production back to the East coast from California, as climate events threatened Californian agriculture and local food has become popular, necessitating outside of season broccoli production during times …

Exportin 1 Is The Central Hub In Antiviral Defensive Mobilization Of Nuclear Factors And The Target Of Counter-Defence By Tombusviruses, Biao Sun Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Positive-strand RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses and flaviviruses, are obligate parasites whose genomic RNAs function as mRNAs. These viruses infect a wide range of hosts-including plants, animals, and humans-resulting in significant economic losses and posing serious threats to public health. Due to the relatively simple structure of the genome of positive-strand RNA viruses, many host factors and physiological processes are co-opted to support virus infection and replication. In our previous studies, we identified numerous host factors and associated physiological processes involved in the replication of tombusviruses, a cytosolic-replicating model that includes tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and carnation Italian ringspot …

Quantifying Landscape Variability Of Dynamic Soil Properties In The James River Valley, Eastern South Dakota, Sage Reuter-Schmitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic soil properties (DSP) are a great tool for monitoring land-use change, and they are frequently used as soil health metrics. The NRCS and other soil researchers often use repeating, single-point or nested-point DSP studies to monitor and better understand the effects of land management decisions. While these studies capture the temporal variability of DSPs, they overlook the field-scale spatial variability of DSPs. Soil organic carbon (SOC) provides critical services to the ecosystem and other environments. These traits, as well as its susceptibility to management decisions, make SOC an important soil health indicator and DSP. Measuring SOC is often time …

The Spatial And Temporal Dimensions Of Plant–Soil Feedback In Native Perennial Monocultures, Bret Lang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) describe how plants change their soil environment in ways that can either negatively or positively affect subsequent plant growth. In doing so, they offer an opportunity to connect ecological processes with agricultural practice. My dissertation examines PSFs created by native perennial monocultures, commonly used for native seed production, across time and space, and through soil legacies. Specifically, I focus on how plant species identity shapes both soil nutrient and soil microbial community responses. To address these questions, I conducted field experiments with monocultures of five forb species native to South Dakota and established plots with these species …

Isolation And Characterization Of Rhizobia Bacteria From Midwest Soils, Jr Loya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Symbiotic bacteria, known as rhizobia, can colonize the roots of legume plants and then convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by the host through the process called biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Many of these bacteria produce other plant-growth-promoting benefits, such as nutrient acquisition, phytohormone production, and the modification of plant stress responses. Agricultural inoculants made from these bacteria have helped reduce the need for man-made nitrogenous fertilizers, known causes of pollution and eutrophication. There are additional benefits in developing bacteria inoculants local to regional soils. The ability to survive and compete in Midwest soil and climates present an opportunity …

Microbial And Plant Biodiversity In Appalachian Agroecosystems And Their Implications For Soil Health, Kinsey Reed Close

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The sustainability of agricultural landscapes depends on understanding the complex interactions between plants, soil, and microbes. In Appalachia, a region shaped by complex terrain and long histories of human and ecological interaction, small family farms produce hay, livestock, and row crops. These agroecosystems, though often treated as “artificial” by many ecologists, have the potential to support both food production and biodiversity conservation if managed with an understanding of ecological complexity. This dissertation examines how plant and microbial diversity interact with soil and management to influence nutrient cycling, soil health, and long-term resilience in Appalachian agricultural systems. A literature review revealed …

Wasting Disease Of A Marine Foundation Species Links Community Interactions To Disease Dynamics, Lillian R. Aoki, Olivia J. Graham, Reyn M. Yoshioka, Rebecca Maher, Lindsay Alma, Eileen E. Hofmann, Colleen A. Burge, Drew Harvell, Maya L. Groner

CCPO Publications

Infectious disease plays a key role in shaping marine communities, including in seagrass meadows, which form biodiverse coastal habitats. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is the most widespread seagrass species and is susceptible to seagrass wasting disease, caused by the protist Labyrinthula zosterae. As a foundation species, eelgrass strongly influences ecosystem structure, function and services; recent work has begun to explore the links between critical community interactions and seagrass wasting disease. Here, we highlight recent advances about how the eelgrass community regulates and responds to seagrass wasting disease, from the microbiome to herbivores and filter feeders. We further show …

The Bioremediation Of Nutrients And Heavy Metals In Watersheds: The Role Of Floating Treatment Wetlands, Nirmal Kumar, Bhupinder Singh, Yuanze Chen, Abishek Kafle, Ram L. Ray, Sandeep Kumar, Xiaonan Shan, Venkatesh Balan

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are engineered systems that utilize floating platforms planted with aquatic vegetation to treat polluted water such as stormwater, agricultural runoff, and wastewater. FTWs have emerged as promising and environmentally sustainable solutions for water purification. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on FTW design, plant selection, and performance evaluation. It highlights key factors influencing nutrient and heavy metal removal, including the hydraulic retention time, mat thickness, and types of plant species. Recent findings on the roles of root architecture, microbial interactions, and seasonal variability in treatment efficiency are also discussed. Additionally, the review explores advanced analytical methods …

Introduction To Hydroponics- 2025-2026 Workshop Handbook, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Hydroponically grown plants grow faster than traditional production systems, with greater productivity, greater palatability, and having optimal visual character. Three principal components of a system include the plant support platform, a nutrient solution reservoir, and an interface for the root-solution. This publication provides in-depth explanation to system design, evaluation of water quality, nutrient formulation, and prototype systems that can be easily constructed for those wanting to explore hydroponics, such as educators, organizational leaders, or home enthusiasts.

Generational Exposures To Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles And Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid Affect The Performance Of Daughter Plants, Preston Clubb

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The effects of parental stress on the performance of next generation exposed to another contaminant were investigated. Wheat was exposed to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) in first and second generations and exposed to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in the third generation. Phenotypic or metabolic responses were assessed at 21-day (short-term exposure) or 90-day (long-term exposure) exposure periods. Biomass production, chlorophyll content, enzyme activity, and membrane damage were measured at short-term exposure, while elemental and PFOS concentrations, and grain metabolites were analyzed in long-term exposure. Results showed that continued exposures to CeO2-NPs and PFOS enhanced chlorophyll content but reduced concentrations of important …

An Economic And Production Analysis Of Seaweed Farms In California And The Pacific Northwest, Brian Donovan

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Since the early 2010s, the seaweed aquaculture industry has steadily expanded in the United States, with states like Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut leading the way in the development of this emerging sector. However, information gaps remain concerning certain aspects of the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the status of the seaweed aquaculture industry along the West Coast of the United States; specifically in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Seaweed farmers in these states were invited to voluntarily complete surveys asking important production, economic, and commercial questions regarding their operations. Data …

Raman Spectroscopy For Rapid Quantification Of Macronutrients In Heirloom Beans, K. Chandler Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Quantification of macronutrients in food requires a large investment in facilities and instrumentation as well as ongoing expenses of labor, reagents, and hazardous waste disposal. These costs pose a significant barrier to determining macronutrient quantities in the thousands of uncharacterized landrace and heirloom crops and discourage traditional crop breeding projects from ensuring that their selected crops maintain desirable macronutrient profiles in addition to target agronomic traits. Our objective was to test whether a hand-held Raman spectrometer—a technology which has found use in plant disease diagnostics but remains largely overlooked in nutrient quantification-- could provide a feasible means for quantifying the …

The Aussie Oddballs: Identifying The Existence Of Censer And Trample Burr Dispersal In Australian Bush Tomatoes, Abigail Motter

Honors Theses

Australian bush tomatoes in northern Western Australia likely have seed dispersal mechanisms that depend on processes outside of frugivory, which is unusual for this genus. Solanum tudununggae seeds are wind dispersed by the censer mechanism, meaning that seeds fall from holes in the top of the fruit when the branches move. In another species, piles of abscised and burr-like fruits have been found strewn around the bases of S. ossicruentum, possibly due to the extinction of animals that may have been a means of dispersal via epizoochory. In this study, we attempt to provide support for the theorized dispersal …

Investigating The Mechanisms Of Freeze Tolerance In Lemna Minor, Tamara Bouchard

Honors Theses and Capstones

Freezing presents a significant abiotic stress to aquatic plants, yet little is known about the mechanisms by which species like Lemna minor (duckweed) survive subzero temperatures in nature. This study investigates whether L. minor employs freeze-avoidance or freeze-tolerance strategies and explores the potential role of its microbiome in enhancing cold resilience. Using both field-collected fronds from naturally frozen ponds and controlled freezing experiments in the lab, I assessed survival through viability staining and post-thaw survival. Results showed that L. minor can survive natural ice encasement and that prior cold acclimation significantly improves tissue survival under induced freezing. Trypan blue staining …

Effects Of Round-Up On The Environment, Sandra J. Marcu

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Many people around the world have used and still currently use Roundup but are unaware of the effects it has on the environment. Roundup is a spray on application weedkiller that is widely used around the world today both residentially and commercially. It enables its user to grow a garden or a field of crops with a no-tilling approach to eliminate weeds. It is a well-known and popular choice for killing weeds that has been around since the mid 1970’s (Oca, 2017). John Franz, a Monsanto scientist discovered that glyphosate (main ingredient in Roundup) was an herbicide or weedkiller, and …