Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Drip And Microsprayer Irrigation Systems In California's Central Valley, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Evaporation Estimates For Irrigated Agriculture In California, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes, Andrew Mutziger

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

All California irrigation districts that receive either federal or state water are now required to prepare Water Conservation Plans. For the first time in the history of most districts, they are developing an elementary water balance. The term "elementary" should be emphasized, because there are significant weaknesses in our knowledge of subsurface flows and some components of Evapotranspiration (ET). Irrigation districts generally use published "typical" values of ET for their water balance computations.

Monitoring Subsurface Drainage Flow At Remote Locations, Stephen R. Workman, Stephen F. Higgins, Scott A. Shearer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Laboratory evaluations and field results are presented for a slotted weir used to measure discharge from subsurface drains. The head–discharge curve for the vertical slot is a simple power function with an exponent of 1.5. There was excellent agreement (r² > 0.99 and 1:1 slope) between predicted and observed discharge in laboratory testing of 12 test weirs representing five slot widths. The primary advantages of the vertical slot weir are its simplicity, ease of maintenance, and ability to measure small flow rates. Disadvantages include a tendency for the slot to close a small amount over time as a result of …

Rapid Appraisal Process And Benchmarking, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This WORD document [Rapid Appraisal Process (RAP) and Benchmarking] provides an explanation of the Rapid Appraisal Process (RAP), as well as a brief explanation of Benchmarking and the data that must be collected for both endeavors. This document also provides an explanation the EXCEL documents that are used by persons during the RAP. An EXCEL spreadsheet (with 12 internal worksheets) is provided twice:
1. Rapid Appraisal and Benchmarking BLANK.xls
2. Rapid Appraisal and Benchmarking EXAMPLE.xls
As the names suggest, the EXAMPLE has data in it so that users can examine an example before entering data in a blank spreadsheet.

Proceso De Evaluación Rápido (Rap) Y Comparación Con El Patrón De Referencia (Benchmarking): Explicación Y Herramientas, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Este documento WORD [RAP Documento en Español] provee una explicación del Proceso De Evaluación Rápido (RAP), como también una breve explicación de la Comparación con el Patrón de Referencia como también de los datos que deben ser recolectados para ambos esfuerzos. Este documento también provee una explicación de los archivos en EXCEL que son usados durante el RAP. Una planilla de cálculo en EXCEL (con 13 hojas de trabajo internas) es provista dos veces:

1. RAP en Español – EN BLANCO.xls

2. RAP en Español – EJEMPLO.xls

Como lo sugieren sus nombres, el EJEMPLO tiene datos previamente ingresados de manera …

Determining Matric Stress With The Modified Cam Clay Energy Relationship, Richard A. Rohlf, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The stress generated by matric suction, or matric stress, was determined at points along the stress path with an analytical and experimental procedure based on the modified Cam clay energy relationship. Matric stress was found to be approximately constant at large strain for constant water content triaxial compression tests. Matric stress was included in both shear and volume relationships in a critical–state soil model that employed the modified Cam clay yield function. Shear was modeled with a constant matric stress. Slope of the normal compression and recompression lines was adjusted for matric stress using a state function that expressed matric …

Evaluation Of Residual Chlorothalonil Levels On Processing Tomato Foliage Using The Tom-Cast Spray Program, Jane M. Patterson, Sue E. Nokes, Mark A. Bennett, Richard E. Riedel

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Field tomatoes were sprayed with chlorothalonil on a fixed–interval spray program and a TOM–CAST spray program with disease severity value threshold of 18. Foliage samples from upper and lower canopy layers were collected prior to spray re–applications. Chlorothalonil residue data were compared to the chlorothalonil efficacy threshold (1.2 μg/cm²). Using a seven–day interval program, eight of the nine and seven of the nine spray intervals had chlorothalonil residues above the critical level for the upper and lower canopy layers, respectively. Using the TOM–CAST program, four of the five spray intervals had chlorothalonil residues above the critical level for …

Influence Of Inoculum Size On Phytase Production And Growth In Solid-State Fermentation By Aspergillus Niger, Chundakkadu Krishna, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Solid–state fermentation is experiencing renewed interest for industrial enzyme production. Previous studies on the effects of fungal inoculum size on product yield have focused on spore inoculum. However, some organisms require vegetative inocula. This study investigated the effects of initial inoculum colony age, vegetative inoculum size, and duration of fermentation on the production of fungal biomass and phytase in solid–state fermentation using Aspergillus niger grown on wheat bran and soy meal. Initial inocula from 7– and 14–day–old potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates were used to study the effect of inoculum colony age in liquid culture and its further influence on …

Liquid Dairy Waste Transport And Land Application Cost Comparisons Considering Herd Size, Transport Distance, And Nitrogen Versus Phosphorus Application Rates, Robert T. Burns, A. S. Daugherty, T. L. Cross, D. Raj Raman, G. F. Grandle

D. Raj Raman

This study provides cost comparisons for the transport and application of dairy waste slurries based on both phosphorus and nitrogen application rates. Estimated cost comparisons are made for several commonly used systems for dairy waste transport and application. Five dairy sizes ranging from 50 to 2,000 cows using 13 transport and application systems were evaluated. For each dairy size, the costs associated with the transport and application system combinations were determined for transport distances of 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 miles for both nitrogen and phosphorus-based application rates. Total annual system cost, cost per acre, cost per cow, and manure value …

Incidence Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7, Listeria Monocytogenes , And Salmonella Species On A Tennessee Dairy Farm, T. L. Ervin, R. E. Yoder, F. A. Draughon, Robert T. Burns, D. Raj Raman

D. Raj Raman

In response to public awareness of foodborne pathogens due to recent outbreaks of illness, a study was conducted on the incidence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes , and Salmonella species on a dairy farm in middle Tennessee. Sampling locations included water samples from up- and down-stream in a creek running through the farm, free stall bedding, silage, separator liquids, separator solids, pumped liquid from a holding pond, feed, and bulk tank milk. Three samples were taken monthly at each location for 12 months. These samples were tested to determine the incidence of pathogens on the dairy farm and to …

Studies On The Formation Of Dna-Cationic Lipid Composite Films And Dna Hybridization In The Composites, Murali Sastry, Vidya Ramakrishnan, Mrunalini Pattarkine, Krishna N. Ganesh

Faculty Works

The formation of composite films of double-stranded DNA and cationic lipid molecules (octadecylamine, ODA) and the hybridization of complementary single-stranded DNA molecules in such composite films are demonstrated. The immobilization of DNA is accomplished by simple immersion of a thermally evaporated ODA film in the DNA solution at close to physiological pH. The entrapment of the DNA molecules in the cationic lipid film is dominated by attractive electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged phosphate backbone of the DNA molecules and the protonated amine molecules in the thermally evaporated film and has been quantified using quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM). Fluorescence studies …

Production Of Microcrystalline Cellulose By Reactive Extrusion, Milford Hanna, Gerald Biby, Vesselin Miladinov

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

This process involves feeding cellulose into an extruder with an acid solution. The extruder is comprised of a screw and a barrel. The screw is rotated so as to pressurize the cellulose, and the cellulose undergoes acid hydrolysis and forms microcrystalline cellulose. The invented process can be accomplished by using pure cellulose or a lignocellulosic material as the starting material. If a lignocellulosic material is used, then a basic solution is added to it and the lignocellulosic material is fed through an extruder so as to obtain a mixture comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. The lignin and hemicellulose are extracted …

Tb179: Oxygen Supplementation For Aquaculture Biofilters, John Riley, Daniel Hagopian

Technical Bulletins

There is conflicting evidence concerning the negative effects of high concentrations of dissolved oxygen on nitrifying bacteria. This project was developed to determine what happens to an established slime layer in a fixed-film, flow-through bio-filter, exposed to oxygen supersaturation. Specific objectives were to determine qualitatively and quantitatively whether the treatment is actually beneficial after acclimation, and whether rapid fluctuations in DO are detrimental to an acclimated culture.

Artificial Recharge Of Groundwater As A Water Management Option For Eastern Maine, Robert J. Saunders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The declining population of Atlantic salmon in eastern Maine has brought the wild blueberry industry's irrigation practice of pumping water directly from ponds and streams under scrutiny. Restrictions on pumping from streams has prompted the industry to seek new water resources. One resource with potential to assist the industry to meet its irrigation needs is groundwater. However, preliminary research has shown that groundwater is not capable of completely satisfying irrigation needs. To evaluate the potential that artificially recharging the groundwater during spring run-off to retain the water for later use as irrigation, the groundwater software Visual MODFLOW was applied. Inputs …

Flap Gate Design For Automatic Upstream Canal Water Level Control, Charles M. Burt, Russdon Angold, Mike Lehmkuhl, Stuart Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The EXCEL design procedure for a simple hydraulic flap gate for automatic upstream canal water level control is provided. Basic configurations were developed in The Netherlands in the 1920s and have recently been used in Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, and Nigeria. Four irrigation districts in the San Joaquin Valley of California have constructed and installed over 60 properly functioning flap gates. The gates can be installed within 2 h, but require free discharge conditions and in practice are limited to controlling water depths of about 1 m or less.

Kinetic Analysis Of The Bacterial Reduction Of Goethite, Chongxuan Liu, John M. Zachara, James K. Fredrickson, Cynthia Brinkman

US Department of Energy Publications

The kinetics of dissimilatory reduction of goethite (RFeOOH) was studied in batch cultures of a groundwater bacterium, Shewanella putrefaciens, strain CN32 in pH 7 bicarbonate buffer. The rate and extent of goethite reduction were measured as a function of electron acceptor (goethite) and donor (lactate) concentrations. Increasing goethite concentrations increased both the rate and extent of Fe(III) reduction when cell and lactate concentrations were held constant. However, constant initial reduction rates were observed after normalization to the Fe(II) sorption capacity of FeOOH, suggesting that the bacterial reduction rate was first order with respect to surface site concentration. Increasing …

Bottom Mounted Doppler Flow Meter For Canals, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Doppler technology, similar to that used by meteorologist to track weather patterns, has been developed and expanded to fill the need for advanced water flow measurement technology that is relatively easy to use, applicable to various hydraulic conditions, and very accurate. This report discusses the operation of doppler units, provides a comparison of the technology, benefits, cost, and use.

Adjustable Magnetic Coupler, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Efficiency in terms of power consumption is vital and continues to be increasingly important. The use of adjustable speed pumps can reduce energy consumption and improve controllability of pressure or flows. One such technology, the MagnaDrive coupler, has been developed for service in a variety of applications.

Pumped Storage: Simple Changes, Big Savings, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Several California irrigation districts achieved savings on electrical energy charges by implementing various types of pumped storage systems. Pumped storage uses some type of reservoir to store pumped water at a higher elevation than the original water supply. During times of peak statewide electricity demand, pumping is reduced while water is withdrawn from the reservoir which acts as a buffer.

Load Monitoring System, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Arvin-Edison Water Storage District received a loan - from the CEC's loan program for the development of new energy conservation technology - in 1995 to develop a program with variable frequency drives. This report discusses the design of the "Load Monitoring System", cost, the need for such a system, initial start-up challenges, configuration options, and benefits.

Evaluation Of Retrievable Drip Tape Irrigation Systems, Charles M. Burt, Jess T. Barreras

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

California growers of lettuce, broccoli, celery, and cauliflower have long been leaders in drip tape applications. Starting in the early 1990s, large acreages of buried, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) were installed with the intent of leaving the tape in the ground for up to 10 years (Burt and Styles, 1999). Tape burial depths were typically 20 - 25 cm below the soil surface. Although yields and irrigation efficiencies typically increased, there were numerous challenges with SDI. Since the tape was buried, such issues occurred as gopher damage, problems with root intrusion, soil back-siphonage when the system was shut off, damage …

Submerged And Solid-State Phytase Fermentation By Aspergillus Niger: Effects Of Agitation And Medium Viscosity On Phytase Production, Fungal Morphology And Inoculum Performance, Maria Papagianni, Sue E. Nokes, Keith Filer

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Qualitative relationships between agitation levels and medium viscosity, Aspergillus niger morphology and phytase production were investigated in submerged and solid-state fermentations. Overall phytase production increased with increasing shaker speeds from 150 to 300 rpm, although specific growth rates and phytase production rates were higher at 150 rpm for 72 h from inoculation. Fungal morphology was greatly influenced by agitation with the morphological forms of small pellets and entangled mycelia predominating at 150 rpm, while the free filamentous form was obtained at 300 rpm. Upon inoculation of SSF, increased productivities were obtained from inocula grown at 150 rpm. A shift towards …

Comparing Size In Lime, Mark Whitten

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Extensive research into the management of soil acidity in Western Australia is increasing farmer awareness that lime use can reduce soil acidity and improve crop yields. However, as lime use increases, the question of lime performance and particle size is becoming more critical. Chris Gazey from the Department of Agriculture is heading up the soil acidity project, with the team comprising members from the department, CSIRO and the University of Western Australia. Mark Whitten reports on project outcomes relating to lime particle size.

Determination Of 17ss-Estradiol Concentrations In Runoff From Plots Receiving Dairy Manure, A. R. Dyer, D. Raj Raman, M. D. Mullen, Robert T. Burns, Lara B. Moody, A. C. Layton

D. Raj Raman

Because of growing concern about estrogenic compounds in animal wastes, the objective of this research was to measure 17 ß -estradiol concentrations in runoff from plots fertilized with liquid dairy waste. Nine plots were established at The University of Tennessee Dairy Experiment Station located at Lewisburg, Tennessee, and dairy manure was applied to six of the nine plots. Three of the plots received manure at a rate sufficient to meet the nitrogen (N) requirement for winter wheat; three received manure at a rate sufficient to meet the phosphorus (P) requirement for winter wheat, and three received no manure. Runoff samples …

Enhancing Dairy Lagoon Performance With High-Rate Anaerobic Digesters, Gary L. Hawkins, D. Raj Raman, Robert T. Burns, Ronald E. Yoder, Tim L. Cross

D. Raj Raman

In a two–stage study, the possibility of using high–rate anaerobic digesters to enhance the performance of dairy lagoons was explored. Four anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBR) and four downflow anaerobic filters (DFAF) were tested, with two of each type operated at 25C, and the other two at 35C. The first stage of the experiment explored using the high–rate digesters on liquid effluent from a screw–press treating dairy manure slurry. The first–stage experiment demonstrated that settling processes, rather than biodegradation, accounted for most of the organic matter reduction in both reactor types, when operated at a 0.5–d hydraulic retention time. Specifically, …

Degradation Of Estrogens In Dairy Waste Solids: Effects Of Acidification And Temperature, D. Raj Raman, Alice C. Layton, Lara B. Moody, James P. Easter, Gary S. Sayler, Robert T. Burns

D. Raj Raman

Manure–borne estrogens are increasingly recognized as a potential ecological hazard. However, sample–handling protocols for these compounds are not clearly delineated in the literature, nor are comparisons between assays for estrogens. A study was conducted to explore the degradation of estrogen in separated dairy manure waste solids (press cake), using three popular assay types. Estrogens were measured by enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gas–chromatography mass–spectroscopy (GC–MS) and a recombinant yeast estrogen reporter assay. As measured by GC–MS, background estrone concentrations were approximately 100 ppb, while 17β–estradiol concentrations were one–third of the estrone concentration, and 17β–estradiol concentrations were below the detection limit (10 …

Evaluation Of Fabric Swatch Types For Relative Odor Intensity At Beef Cattle Feedyards, Sean D. See, David B. Parker, Brent W. Auvermann, Jacek A. Koziel, John Sweeten

Jacek A. Koziel

A research project was conducted to determine which type of fabric swatch was best suited for on-site sampling of odor intensity at open-lot beef cattle feeding operations. Five different types of fabric were tested: cotton flannel, cotton muslin, acetate, polyester and polyester felt. Square swatches (20 × 20 cm) were suspended 1 m above the ground surface downwind of cattle pens for 24 hours. The swatches were placed in glass jars and presented to 8-10 human panelists who were asked to rank the swatches based on relative odor intensity. Five trials were conducted at 3 feedyards. Sums of ranks and …

Air Sampling With Solid Phase Microextraction, Jacek A. Koziel, Fabio Augusto, Janusz Pawliszyn

Jacek A. Koziel

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) presents many advantages over conventional analytical methods by combining sampling, pre-concentration and direct transfer of the VOCs into a standard gas chromatography (GC) system. Since its introduction SPME has been applied to the sampling and analysis of environmental samples including airborne VOCs and particulates. The first part of this paper presents theory of air sampling with SPME and an overview of the a few current methods for quantitative air sampling and VOC determination with SPME using grab (‘instantaneous”) and time-weighted average (TWA) modes. The second part of this paper is focused on the recent development of …

Improving Irrigation For Ord Sugar Cane, Jim Engelke, Joe Sherrard, Gae Plunkett, Tim Triglone

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Major changes are underway in irrigation practices for the Ord sugar industry as it moves to implement recent findings on improving irrigation efficiency and managing rising groundwater. Significant improvement in efficiency is expected by more accurately matching water application with crop water requirements and by minimising drainage losses through improved water application techniques.

Based on findings from this work, drying off may not be an appropriate strategy for the ORIA as a means of improving crop sucrose content, but could allow for some reduction in water use towards the end of the crop cycle without adversely impacting on sucrose yield. …

Non–Water–Stressed Baseline As A Tool For Dynamic Control Of A Misting System For Propagation Of Poinsettias, Sérgio Zolnier, Richard S. Gates, Robert G. Anderson, Sue E. Nokes, George A. Duncan

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A technique is presented for dynamically adjusting misting intervals during propagation of vegetative cuttings. A crop setpoint temperature for activation of misting was defined by a "non-water-stressed baseline" concept, using infrared thermometry to acquire canopy temperature for plant feedback. The critical crop setpoint temperature was calculated from instantaneous values of air temperature, incident radiation, and air vapor pressure deficit (VPD_air). Misting was activated when the actual crop temperature exceeded the critical crop setpoint temperature. The dynamic control was shown to have the potential to reduce the amount of applied water from 9 to 12 times during low levels …