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The Effect Of Black Plastic Mulch Alone And In Combination With Various Types Of Plastic Row Covers On Production Of Sweet Corn, Morteza Jabalameli

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effects of black polyethylene (PE) mulch alone and in combination with plastic film tunnels (Agronet, Reemay, whiteperforated, clear, and clear-slitted) were studied on morphology and yield of sweet corn in North Logan, Utah. Yields of "Miracle" sweet corn (Zea mays L.) were increased significantly by using black PE mulch and with a combination of various types of plastic row covers, as compared to unmulched soil. Standard-growth analysis procedures were conducted to verify responses among treatments. Treatment effects were determined by measuring days to first flowering, ear weight, number of side tillers, cob length, cob circumference, cob fill length, number …

Rural Labour Markets And Seasonality: A Theoretical And Empirical Analysis., Anindita Mukherjee Dr.

Doctoral Theses

A large proportion of the labour force in India (that is, 66.56% of the main workers according to the Census of India, 1981) is engaged in agriculture. Just this simple fact would make a study of the functioning of agricultural labour markets highly important. But quite apart from this observation, there are several reasons for a detailed study of rural labour markets, particularly in the context of the problem of economic development.A major issue facing developing economies is industrial growth. The agricultural sector can foster growth by creating demand for industrial products, by providing a supply of certain primary inputs, …

Diagnostic Regional Analysis On The Shortfalls In Development And Utilization Of Human Resource In India: A Statistical Study On The Spatial Variations By Districts Of India., Prasanta Pathak Dr.

Doctoral Theses

The main objective of this study has been estimation of model formulations, empirical evaluations and statistical analyses for identifying the existing regional patterns and structures of human resource development in the formative phase of human life-span through education, and the utilisation, or other- wise non-utilisation, during the activity phase of life-span in existing productive and related activities of our labour-abundant developing economy of India. Despite some awareness to the problems of development and balanced-utilisations of human resources into activities and also despite the various follow- up planning efforts undertaken, or stated to be undertaken, as reported in different Five-Year Plan …

A Thematic Unit For Integrating Social Studies And Science In The First Grade, Lin Marjorie Lasater

All Graduate Projects

A thematic unit for integrating social studies and science with other curriculum areas was developed for first grade students. The theme for the unit centered around farms. The unit was divided into five subunits: farms, farm animals, orchards/vineyards (to include fruits of the Yakima Valley and apples), crops (to include vegetables of the Yakima Valley, pumpkins, and wheat), and nutrition/four food groups. The literature was reviewed to establish a theoretical foundation for the unit and for activities that focused on reading, writing, and language development.

Recovery Of Sugars From Cane Molasses By Continuous Simulated Moving Bed Ion-Exclusion Chromatography., Khalid Iqbal

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Present investigation was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using a Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) Ion Exclusion Chromatographic system for the recovery of sugars from molasses. The recovery of sugars from molasses is complicated because of the presence of high concentration of salts of K, Ca, Mg, etc. The presence of these salts in the molasses prevents sucrose to crystallize. SMB Ion Exclusion Chromatography has been shown to be successful to recover sugars from beet molasses, and to separate sugars from each other in High Fructose Corn Syrup industry. The basis of the ion exclusion is that the sorbent used …

Applicability Of Bioluminescence Assay And Aerobic Bacterial Counts For The Evaluation Of Raw Milk Quality., Abdul Ghafoor Mian

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Raw milk samples were analyzed to determine the bacteriological quality by the standard plate count (SPC), adenosine-5$\sp\prime$-triphosphate (ATP) assay, preliminary incubation counts, and the psychrotrophic bacteria count (PBC). In a comparison of SPC and ATP content, an overall correlation coefficient of 0.97 was found between the two methods. The correlations between ATP content and SPC of fresh raw milk samples at zero hour and after preliminary incubating these samples at 12.8 and 15.6$\sp\circ$C for 18 hours were.96,.97, and.97, respectively. The regression coefficients for all types of milk samples were highly significant ($P <$.01). High correlation coefficients demonstrated that the ATP measurement in combination with preliminary incubation practices could be a rapid technique for the determination of bacteriological quality of milk at receiving stations and milk processing plants. Median SPC for 175 fresh raw milk samples was 36,000/ml. The bioluminescence technique is reported previously to have a good correlation with SPC in the range of 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp5$ to 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp{10}$ bacteria/ml. The commingled milk coming at the receiving stations sometimes have a bacterial count that is less than 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp{5}$ bacteria/ml. A correlation coefficient of.87 was calculated between the SPC and ATP values for the overall data while lowering the SPC range from 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp5$ to 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp4$ bacteria/ml. This range is more practical as a quick screening of raw milk at dairy processing facilities since 81 percent of all raw milk samples fell in this range. An equation (SPC = $-$1642213 + 6751(ATP)) was developed from the combined experimental data which could estimate the SPC of raw milk samples using their ATP content. Another phase of the experiment was to ascertain if the Petrifilm$\sp{\rm TM}$ technique could be effectively used in place of agar method to estimate PBC. The correlation coefficient between the Petrifilm$\sp{\rm TM}$ and the agar plate method for both the fresh and preliminary incubated raw milk samples was.99. A high linearity of relationship shows that one method can be substituted with the other. However, the Petrifilm$\sp{\rm TM}$ technique took longer than the usual time of 25 h to develop red colonies at 21$\sp\circ$C because of the slow reduction of the dye reagent triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) at this temperature.

Pedological Investigation Of Mangrove Soils In Relationship To Rice Management In The Republic Of Guinea., Sekou Cisse

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Mangrove soils along the Guinea coast are among the most fertile and potentially suitable soils for rice production. Rice production success and feasibility is hampered by adverse soil chemistry conditions and the use of traditional farming methods. The objectives were to undertake a pedological investigation to characterize these soils during the wet and dry seasons, provide an understanding of fertility constraints, and develop a management plan to improve rice production. Seasonally and permanently flooded soils categories were recognized. Seasonally flooded soils are subjected to drainage and permanent protection from saltwater intrusion. These soils were correlated as Typic Endoaquerts, Typic Endoaquepts, …

Effect Of Soil Redox Potential Andph On Nutrient Uptake By Rice With Special Reference To Arsenic Forms And Uptake., Alfredo Ruben Marin

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Studies dealing with the availability and speciation of arsenic (As) as affected by soil redox potential and pH were initiated because of the lack of information on As chemistry in flooded soils. The chemistry of native and applied As was studied in a Crowley silt loam soil (Typic Albaqualf). Arsenic uptake and its toxic effect on two rice cultivars as affected by As chemical form and concentration were also studied. Soil redox potential and pH were shown to affect speciation and solubility of both native and applied As. Upon soil reduction, indigenous-As solubility increased, and arsenite (As(III)) comprised most of …

A Study On The Aquic Conditions Of Two Natraqualfs In The Coastal Plain Of Louisiana., Ariel Alejandro Szogi

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study had the purposes of investigating the aquic conditions of two selected Natraqualfs to define the relationship between wetness and morphological properties and prediction of major soil processes. The proposed criteria for aquic conditions as defined by the International Committee on Aquic Conditions (ICOMAQ) were identified by: (i) presence of redoximorphic features, and (ii) measurement of saturation and reduction. They were used to locally verify morphological inferences used to predict the aquic conditions. Morphological properties and laboratory analysis were used to predict the periodicity and duration of saturation and reduction. Soil and ground water analyses were used to understand …

The Effects Of Dietary Sodium Zeolite A On Growth And Mineral Utilization Of Chickens., Kevin Lee Watkins

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Four experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of sodium zeolite A (SZA) on calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) utilization in broiler chickens from 5 to 14 or 15 days of age. In Experiment 1, two levels each of SZA (0 and.75%) and (or) Ca (1.0 and 1.5%) were fed to both uninfected and Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks. Excess dietary Ca reduced (P $$.10) in infected chicks (Ca x coccidiosis, P $<$.05). Addition of SZA to diets with excess Ca further decreased (P $<$.05) gain and tibia ash. These results suggest that SZA may exacerbate the adverse effects of excess dietary Ca. In Experiment 2, four levels of dietary Ca (.6,.8, 1.0, and 1.2%) and (or) two levels of SZA (0 and.75%) were fed. Sodium zeolite A decreased (P $<$.05) plasma P and tibia magnesium (Mg) but increased (P $<$.05) tibia Ca, Zn, aluminum (Al), and manganese (Mn). Tibia ash and shearing force were increased in chicks fed SZA and inadequate dietary Ca, but were decreased in chicks fed SZA and 1.2% Ca (Ca x SZA, P $<$.05). Dietary SZA enhanced tibia ash, density, and shearing force when dietary Ca was low; however, SZA reduced many bone mineralization indices in chicks fed excess Ca. In Experiment 3, various levels of dietary P (.41,.55, and.69%), Ca (.6 and 1%), and (or) SZA (0 and.75%) were fed. The addition of Ca, SZA, or both exacerbated the adverse effects of feeding low-P diets, yet alleviated the adverse effects of feeding low-Ca, high-P diets. Dietary SZA reduced (P $<$.01) plasma P and increased (P $<$.02) tibia Mn, Zn, copper (Cu), and Al. The SZA-induced increase in tibia Al was most evident in chicks fed low levels of P (SZA x P, P $<$.02). These data demonstrate that the effects of SZA are influenced by dietary concentrations of Ca and P, and that the addition of SZA to diets low in P results in bone Al accumulation. In Experiment 4, the effects of SZA on chicks fed inadequate (35 ppm), marginal (40 ppm), adequate (85 ppm), and excess (4,000 ppm) levels of Zn were assessed. Sodium zeolite A increased (P $<$.05) tibia and pancreas Zn regardless of dietary Zn concentration. Dietary SZA tended to alleviate the adverse effects of feeding inadequate Zn and exacerbate the adverse effects of feeding excess Zn.

Discards Of Commercial Fish Species In The Gulf Of Maine Groundfish And Shrimp Fisheries, Richard Langan

Doctoral Dissertations

A three part analysis of discarding of commercial fish species in the Gulf of Maine trawl fisheries was conducted from 1983 through 1992. Abstracts for each part of the dissertation are:

Part 1. The objectives of the research were to quantify commercial trawler discards of American plaice, witch flounder, yellowtail flounder, and winter flounder, and to examine variables that potentially influence discard rates. Data were obtained from 135 tows in 6 areas of the Gulf of Maine. Four different types of trawls were used. Mean discard percentages per tow, on a weight basis, were 25, 18, 13, and 5% for …

Sorption, Kinetics, And Transport Of Selected Heavy Metals In Soil: A Laboratory Study And Modelling Approaches., Christoph Hinz

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The retention and transport behavior of heavy metals in soils is affected by soil chemical heterogeneity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (i) the effects of heterogeneity on solute transport of heavy metals under steady water flow, (ii) the applicability of single solute and ion exchange isotherms to model Zn and Cd transport in soil columns, (iii) the modelling of the sorption kinetics of Zn under batch and flow conditions, and (iv) the effects of organic matter and iron oxide removal on the kinetics of Zn sorption in soils. A sensitivity analysis showed that site affinity distribution functions …

Genetics Of Stalk And Seed Quality Traits In Maize (Zea Mays L.) With Lfy Gene., Sridhar Dronavalli

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Parenchyma cell death (PCD) in stalk internodes of maize (Zea mays L.) is related to stalk rot. Spread of stalk rotting fungi is restricted by living parenchyma cells. A previously reported correlation coefficient of 0.70 between leaf midrib cell death (LMCD) and PCD indicated that selection for LMCD might result in low PCD, thus improving stalk quality. Inheritance of PCD and LMCD in maize possessing the leafy (Lfy) gene needs to be investigated. Experiments were conducted in three environments to estimate general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects for PCD and LMCD via a diallel cross among seven Lfy …

Effects Of Heat And Iron Fractions On Lipid Oxidation In Meat., Dongmei Han

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Size exclusion (SE) and hydrophobic interaction (HIC) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were developed for determining hemoglobin, myoglobin, and total pigments in beef and chicken. Hemoglobin and myoglobin in beef, but not in chicken, were separated by HIC with minimum detectable levels of 0.187 and 0.085 $\mu$g/$\mu$l, respectively. Determination of total pigment by SE-HPLC (minimum detection of 0.001 $\mu$g/$\mu$l) was more sensitive than with spectrophotometric assay. The effects of heat at 55$\sp\circ$C, 70$\sp\circ$C, 85$\sp\circ$C, and 100$\sp\circ$C on the distribution of iron in six fractions (water-soluble, water-insoluble, diffusate, hematin, total heme, and ferritin) in beef and chicken muscles were determined. …

Transgenic Rice Plants Containing A Chlorsulfuron Resistance Gene, A Hygromycin Resistance Gene And The Maizeactivator Transposable Element., Zhijian Li

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A mutant Arabidopsis acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene csr-1-1, conferring chlorsulfuron resistance, was tested in transgenic rice to develop an alternative selectable marker for rice transformation. Up to a 200-fold increase in chlorsulfuron resistance was detected in transgenic rice calli expressing the mutant ALS gene under control of the CaMV 35S promoter. Efficient selection of resistant protoplast colonies was achieved by using 10 to 50 nM of chlorsulfuron after transformation with the 35S/ALS gene. Fertile transgenic rice plants were successfully recovered from 35S/ALS-containing transformants. These results demonstrated that the 35S/ALS gene could be used as a selectable marker gene in rice …

Interference, Management, And Growth Response Of Wild Poinsettia (Euphorbia Heterophylla L.) In Soybean., Teresa Summerford Willard

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In field studies conducted in Louisiana in 1990 and 1991, area of influence, density, and duration of interference methodologies were used to evaluate wild poinsettia (Eupborbia heterophylla L.) interference in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). In 1990, soybean seed yield within 10 cm of wild poinsettia was similar to distances of 10 to 20 and 20 to 40 cm, but was less than that for distances greater than 40 cm from the weed. In contrast, soybean yields in 1991 growing within 10 cm of the weed were less than at greater distances. Weed interference resulted in a 9.4 and 18% …

Urea Transformations In Flooded Soil., Chawalit Hongprayoon

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Laboratory incubation studies were conducted to measure adsorption, movement, and transformations of urea and hydrolyzed ammoniacal N in flooded soil columns. Urea was added to the floodwater (750 mg N L$\sp{-1}$, equivalent to 150 kg N ha$\sp{-1}$) of Crowley silt loam soil columns and urea diffusion and urea hydrolysis were measured. Subsequent NH$\sb4\sp+$-N and NO$\sb3\sp-$-N distribution after urea application and hydrolysis were measured over a 30 d period under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Effects of percolation rates (0, 1, and 2 cm d$\sp{-1}$), and the use of urease inhibitor, N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), on movement and transformations of urea in …