Biological Engineering Commons^™

Nitrogen And Phosphorus Concentrations Of Runoff As Affected By Moldboard Plowing, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball, David B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The excessive application of manure on cropland areas can cause nutrients to accumulate near the soil surface. This study was conducted to measure the effects of moldboard plowing on the redistribution of nutrients within the soil profile and nutrient transport by overland flow. Composted beef cattle manure was applied at dry weights of 0, 68, 105, 142, and 178 Mg ha^-1 to a silty clay loam soil and then incorporated by disking. Selected plots were moldboard plowed 244 days later to a depth of approximately 23 cm. Soil samples for analysis of water‐soluble phosphorus, Bray and Kurtz No. 1 …

Nutrient Concentrations Of Runoff During The Year Following Manure Application, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball, D. B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Little information is currently available concerning temporal changes in nutrient transport following the addition of manure to cropland areas. This study was conducted to measure nutrient transport in runoff as affected by tillage and time following the application of beef cattle or swine manure to a site on which corn (Zea mays L.) was grown. Rainfall simulation tests were initiated 4, 32, 62, 123, and 354 days following land application. Three 30 min simulated rainfall events, separated by 24 h intervals, were conducted at an intensity of approximately 70 mm h-1. Dissolved phosphorus (DP), particulate phosphorus (PP), total phosphorus …

Water Erosion Prediction Project (Wepp): Development History, Model Capabilities, And Future Enhancements, Dennis C. Flanagan, John E. Gilley, Thomas G. Franti

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) was initiated in August 1985 to develop new‐generation water erosion prediction technology for use by federal action agencies involved in soil and water conservation and environmental planning and assessment. Developed by the USDA‐ARS as a replacement for empirically based erosion prediction technologies, the WEPP model simulates many of the physical processes important in soil erosion, including infiltration, runoff, raindrop and flow detachment, sediment transport, deposition, plant growth, and residue decomposition. The WEPP project included an extensive field experimental program conducted on cropland, rangeland, and disturbed forest sites to obtain data required to parameterize and …

Temporal Changes In Nutrient Transport Following Land Application Of Manure, John E. Gilley, Eghball Bahman, D. B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Little information is currently available concerning temporal changes in nutrient transport following the addition of manure to cropland areas. This study was conducted to measure nutrient transport in runoff as affected by tillage and time following the application of beef cattle or swine manure to a site on which corn [Zea mays (L.)] was grown. Rainfall simulation tests were initiated 4, 32, 62, 123, and 354 days following land application. Three 30-min simulated rainfall events, separated by 24-hour intervals, were conducted at an intensity of approximately 70 mm hr-1. Dissolved phosphorus (DP), particulate phosphorus (PP), total phosphorus (TP), NO3-N, …

Runoff Nutrient Concentrations Following Manure Application As Affected By Crop Residue, John E. Gilley, Jeffrey Nicolaisen, Eghball Bahman, David B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Manure is applied to cropland areas managed under diverse conditions resulting in varying amounts of residue cover. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of crop residue on nutrient concentrations in runoff from areas where beef cattle or swine manure were recently applied but not incorporated. Plots 0.75 m wide by 2 m long were established at the study site. Existing residue materials were removed, and corn, soybean, or winter wheat residue was added at rates of 2, 4, or 8 Mg ha-1. Manure was applied at rates required to meet estimated annual nitrogen requirements for corn. …

Moldboard Plowing Following Compost Application Significantly Reduces Nutrient Transport, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball, David B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

The excessive application of manure on cropland areas can cause nutrients to accumulate near the soil surface and increase nutrient transport by overland flow. Inverting soils with high surface nutrient content could reduce runoff nutrient transport. This study was conducted to measure the effects of moldboard plowing on the redistribution of nutrients within the soil profile and nutrient transport by overland flow. Composted beef cattle manure was applied at dry weights of 0, 68, 105, 142, and 178 Mg ha^-1 to a silty clay loam soil and then incorporated by disking. Selected plots were moldboard plowed 244 days later …

Effect Of Overland Flow Rate On Nutrient Transport From Land Application Areas, John E. Gilley, William F. Sabatka, Bahman Eghball, David B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Little information is currently available concerning the effects of varying flow rate on nutrient transport by overland flow. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of overland flow rate on nutrient transport following the application of beef cattle or swine manure to plots containing 0, 2, 4, or 8 Mg ha^-1 of corn residue. After addition of residue materials to 0.75 m wide x 2.0 m long plots, beef cattle or swine manure was added and the plots were then either disked or maintained in a no-till condition. Three 30-min simulated rainfall events, separated by 24-hour …

Microwave Pretreatment Of Switchgrass To Enhance Enzymatic Hydrolysis, Deepak R. Keshwani, Jay J. Cheng, Joseph C. Burns, Laigeng Li, Vincent Chiang

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Switchgrass is a promising lignocellulosic biomass for fuel-ethanol production. However, pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials is necessary to improve its susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis. The objectives of this study were to examine the feasibility of microwave pretreatment to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis of switchgrass and to determine the optimal pretreatment conditions. Switchgrass samples immersed in water, dilute sulfuric acid and dilute sodium hydroxide solutions were exposed to microwave radiation at varying levels of radiation power and residence time. Pretreated solids were enzymatically hydrolyzed and reducing sugars in the hydrolysate were analyzed. Microwave radiation of switchgrass at lower power levels resulted in more …

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 1, June 2007

BSE Department Magazine

Contents:
Award Winning Academic Advisor
Hall of Fame 2007 Leslie W. Jochens, P.E. Leader in the Irrigation Industry
From the Department Head
John Deere Dealership Management Banquet
Alumni Profiles: Mike Henry
The Incredible, Edible Vehicle Competition
Graduation
December 2006 Graduates
May 2007 Graduates
Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences—UCARE
Honors Convocation
In Memoriam
Alumni News
Faculty News
Comings and Goings

Co-Production Of Chemical And Energy Products From Distillers Grains Using Supercritical Fluid Extraction And Thermochemical Conversion Technologies, Lijun Wang, Ajay Kumar, Curtis L. Weller, David D. Jones, Milford A. Hanna

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Dry-grind technology has become the dominant method for ethanol production. During drygrind ethanol production, roughly one-third of the dry grain mass resides in the dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as by-products (i.e., ∼0.8 kg/L ethanol). The energy content residing in the 0.8 kg DDGS is about 20 MJ, compared to the consumption of 1 MJ electricity and 10 MJ thermal energy for production of each liter of ethanol. A sequential supercritical fluid process with solvents including carbon dioxide, water and ethanol was used to recover high-value chemicals from DDGS. Thermochemical conversion methods were used to convert the DDGS residue …

Early Investment In Soil Conservation Research Continues To Provide Dividends, John E. Gilley, D. C. Flanagan

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Current soil conservation programs are built upon an established research legacy. Hugh H. Bennett, chief of the USDA Soil Conservation Service from 1935 to 1951, was instrumental in the establishment of a network of 35 soil conservation experiment stations (SCES). Research projects were initiated at the SCES in the 1930s to investigate the principal factors causing erosion and to identify the most effective and practical methods of controlling soil loss from agricultural areas. Information obtained from the SCES, and selected other locations, was assembled at the National Runoff and Soil Loss Data Center (NRSLDC) established on the campus of Purdue …

Characteristics Of Manure Harvested From Beef Cattle Feedlots, William F. Kissinger, Richard K. Koelsch, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Open lot cattle production systems present unique challenges for nutrient planning processes. Previous estimates of quantities and characteristics of harvested manure from this type of facility are based upon data from the early 1970s. In addition, harvested manure is impacted by weather, feeding program, season, and pen management decisions. The objectives of this study are to characterize under commercial conditions for open lot beef systems: 1) harvested manure quantities and characteristics; 2) impact of factors such as feeding program, season, and management on harvested manure; and 3) mass balance for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Data from six commercial feedlots …

Loss Of Visual Function In Light-Stressed Mice, Ana Stachowiak

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Because of the highly devastating effects of retinal degenerative diseases, the study of mechanisms of vision loss is imperative. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading causes of blindness in the elderly. In this study I examined how extreme light exposure, which causes light stress in rodents, affects the visual and retinal function of 3 strains of mice. I hypothesized that, three strains of mice, C57BL/6J, ALR/Lj and BALB/c, would all show significant changes in visual and retinal function. I used behavior testing to assess visual acuity and contrast sensitivity as well as electroretinogram (ERG) recordings to assess retinal function. …

Potential Of Agricultural Residues And Hay For Bioethanol Production, Ye Chen, Ratna R. Sharma-Shivappa, Deepak R. Keshwani, Chengci Chen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Production of bioethanol from agricultural residues and hays (wheat, barley, and triticale straws, and barley, triticale, pearl millet, and sweet sorghum hays) through a series of chemical pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation processes was investigated in this study. Composition analysis suggested that the agricultural straws and hays studied contained approximately 28.62–38.58% glucan, 11.19–20.78% xylan, and 22.01–27.57% lignin, making them good candidates for bioethanol production. Chemical pretreatment with sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% indicated that concentration and treatment agent play a significant role during pretreatment. After 2.0% sulfuric acid pretreatment at 121°C/15 psi for …

Crop Residue Effects On Runoff Nutrient Concentrations Following Manure Application, Jeffrey E. Nicolaisen, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball, David B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Manure is applied to cropland areas managed under diverse conditions, resulting in varying amounts of residue cover. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of crop residue on nutrient concentrations in runoff from areas where beef cattle or swine manure were recently applied but not incorporated. Plots 0.75 m wide by 2 m long were established at the study site. Existing residue materials were removed, and corn, soybean, or winter wheat residue was added at rates of 2, 4, or 8 Mg ha⁻¹. Manure was then applied at rates required to meet estimated annual nitrogen …

A “Sprinkler” Vegetative Treatment System, Jason Gross, Chris G. Henry

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Vegetative Treatment Systems have historically been a practice for the treatment and utilization of open lot livestock wastes. Use of these systems has been rejuvenated in recent years. A “sprinkler” vegetative treatment area (VTA) has been designed and developed as a proof of concept for addressing challenges experienced with small and medium Animal Feeding Operations. The focus of this paper is to report on the design, economics, challenges and the lessons learned on the development of this system. Cost data shows the cost of a “sprinkler” VTS to range between $31 to $63/head, compared to $51 to $170/head for a …

Sharing Distance Education Courses Among Universities, Leon Schmacher, Thomas Brumm, John Slocombe, Jack L. Schinstock

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Four universities collaborated to develop mechanized systems management (agricultural systems management, agricultural systems technology, etc.) courses to be shared via distance education. Funded by a USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant, these undergraduate and graduate courses were initially offered to students at Iowa State University, Kansas State University, the University of Missouri, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This effort is affiliated with the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA).

The objectives of this cooperative effort were to: (1) develop a collaborative, multi-state educational effort to add depth and breadth to each university’s instructional program in mechanized systems management; …

Energy And Environmental Contributions Of Corn-Ethanol, Adam Liska, Kenneth Cassman, Haishun Yang

Adam Liska Papers

Rapid development of regulatory mechanisms to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires that the biofuel industry employ standard methods to evaluate biofuel systems comprising both crop production systems and biorefineries. Biofuel systems associated with a variety of organic feedstocks have a range of performance capabilities, and recent life-cycle assessment studies of these different systems have used inconsistent methods, leading to confusion about biofuel energy efficiency and GHG mitigation. Hence, there is a critical need for well documented life-cycle metrics for consistent biofuel evaluation that are established and supported by a national or international governing body. Standardization of net energy and …

Pyrene Mineralization By Mycobacterium Sp. Strain Kms In A Barley Rhizosphere, R. Child, C. Miller, Y. Liang, Ronald C. Sims, A. J. Anderson

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

To determine whether the soil Mycobacterium isolate KMS would mineralize pyrene under rhizosphere conditions, a microcosm system was established to collect radioactive carbon dioxide released from the labeled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Microcosms were designed as sealed, flow-through systems that allowed the growth of plants. Experiments were conducted to evaluate mineralization of ¹⁴C-labeled pyrene in a sand amended with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degrading Mycobacterium isolate KMS, barley plants, or barley plants with roots colonized by isolate KMS. Mineralization was quantified by collecting the ¹⁴CO₂ produced from ¹⁴C-labeled pyrene at intervals during the 10-d incubation period. Roots …

Temperature Effect On Tert-Butyl Alcohol (Tba) Biodegradation Kinetics In Hyporheic Zone Soils, M. H. Greenwood, Ronald C. Sims, J. E. Mclean, W. J. Doucette

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Background

Remediation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in subsurface waters should be taken into consideration at reformulated gasoline contaminated sites since it is a biodegradation intermediate of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and tert-butyl formate (TBF). The effect of temperature on TBA biodegradation has not been not been published in the literature.

Methods

Biodegradation of [U ¹⁴C] TBA was determined using hyporheic zone soil microcosms.

Results

First order mineralization rate constants of TBA at 5°C, 15°C and 25°C were 7.84 ± 0.14 × 10^-3, 9.07 ± 0.09 × 10^-3, and 15.3 ± 0.3 …

Theory And Application Of Landfarming To Remediate Pahs And Mineral Oil Contaminated Sediments: Beneficial Reuse, J. Harmsen, W. Rulkens, Ronald C. Sims, P. Ritjema, A. Zweers

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

When applying landfarming for the remediation of contaminated soil and sediment, a fraction of the soil-bound contaminant is rapidly degraded; however, a residual concentration may remain, which slowly degrades. Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mineral oil can be described using a multi-compartment model and first-order kinetics, in which three degradable fractions are distinguished; (1) rapid, (2) slowly, and (3) very slowly degradable. Using this model populated with data from long-term experiments (initiated in 1990), it is shown that time frames from years to decades can be necessary to clean the soil or sediment to obtain a target below …

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Issue 2, November 2006

BSE Department Magazine

Contents:
Visiting Scholar
Big changes in the BSE Computer Lab
From the Department Head
National Science Foundation Initiative Moving to Transform Water and Environment Research ByWayneWoldt
ASABE Awards
Nebraska Tractor Test Lab Welcomes New Director
Alumni News
August Graduation
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Alumni Association (CASNRAA)
Hydrologic Studies in Prairie and Agricultural Watersheds: Gleanings from a Faculty Development Leave, by Dean E. Eisenhauer
Irrigation and Energy Conservation Field Day, by Suat Irmak
P3–Ten Years
Hall of Fame
Vegetative Treatment Systems Help Small Livestock Producers Control Animal Waste, by Kalee Olson
Ice Cream Social and Scholarship Recognition
Student …

Incorporation Of Polyethylene Glycol Into Self-Assembled Monolayers Enhances Substrate-Mediated Gene Delivery By Nonspecifically- Bound Complexes, Angela K. Pannier, Lonnie D Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Developing systems capable of controlled and efficient gene transfer is a fundamental goal of biotechnology, with applications including functional genomics, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Substrate-mediated delivery, also termed solid phase delivery, describes the immobilization of DNA, complexed with nonviral vectors, to a biomaterial or substrate through specific or nonspecific interactions. Cells cultured on the substrate are exposed to elevated DNA concentrations within the local microenvironment, which enhances transfection. We investigated transfection resulting from DNA complexes immobilized to a substrate through specific interactions introduced through complementary functional groups on the vector and surface or through nonspecific interactions. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) …

Closure Of Earthern Manure Structures (Including Basins, Holding Ponds And Lagoons), Don D. Jones, Richard K. Koelsch, Saqib Mukhtar, Ronald Sheffield, John W. Worley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

This paper is a summary of what is known scientifically about the closure of earthen manure structures without artificial liners, including lagoons, storage basins, and runoff holding ponds, and what needs to be examined further to increase our understanding of the dynamics of closing them in an environmentally safe manner. This information should be useful as a guide for state regulatory agencies considering rules for closure and for academicians and consultants who work with livestock production facilities.

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Issue 1, August 2006

BSE Department Magazine

Contents:
Welcome Comments from Department Head
Student Poster Exhibition
Quarter-scale Tractor Team
Distinguished Fellowship Awards
Scoops and Scholars
Educational Objectives
ASABE Honors Department Faculty and Staff Members
Computer Tool Helps Crop Production under Limited Irrigation
Comings and Goings
Milestones
Faculty and Staff News
Alumni Update
Alumni Profile
Graduation
UCare Spring 2006 Undergraduate Research
MSYM Student on Winning Team
A Nebraskan Goes Way South
Visitors to BSE

Vegetative Treatment Systems For Open Lot Runoff: Review Of Literature, Richard K. Koelsch, Jeffrey Lorimer, Kyle Mankin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Runoff from open lot livestock systems (beef and dairy) defined as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) must be controlled by systems designed and managed to prevent the release of manure-contaminated runoff for storms equal to or less than a 25-year, 24-hour design storm. This performance standard has been attained for open lot systems with some combination of clean water diversion, settling basins, runoff collection ponds and irrigation systems (baseline system).

An alternative approach is to rely on overland flow and infiltration into cropland with perennial forage or grasses for treatment of open lot runoff. Such vegetative systems have been researched …

Yield Response Of Corn To Deficit Irrigation In A Semiarid Climate, José O. Payero, Steven R. Melvin, Suat Irmak, David D. Tarkalson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Irrigation water supplies are decreasing in many areas of the U.S. Great Plains, which is requiring many farmers to con¬sider deficit-irrigating corn (Zea mays L.) or growing crops like winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that require less water, but that are less profitable. The objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify the yield response of corn to deficit irrigation, and (2) determine which of several seasonal water variables correlated best to corn yield in a semiarid climate. Eight (T1–T8) and nine (T1–T9) deficit-irrigated treatments (including dryland), were compared in 2003 and 2004 in North Platte, Nebraska. The …

Economics Of Manure Phosphorus Distribution From Beef Feeding Operations, William F. Kissinger, Raymond E. Massey, Richard K. Koelsch, Galen E. Erickson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

An economic model was developed to evaluate cost and value of manure distribution. Feedlots ranging in size from 2,500 head to 25,000 head one-time capacities were used as case studies to calculate excretion amounts from cattle fed diets with a range of phosphorus. Diet P and subsequent costs of distributing the manure were used to analyze the corresponding costs of manure distribution, in addition to determining the required available land needed to be in compliance with a nutrient management plan based on utilization of manure P by the crops grown.

The model illustrated when animals are fed diets of increasing …

National Livestock And Poultry Environmental Learning Center, Richard K. Koelsch, Mark Risse, Joe Harrison, Jill Heemstra, Frank Humenik

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

This paper describes a new national initiative to improve the delivery of science-based information to non-research customers. The vision of the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center is to provide individuals involved in public policy issues, animal production, and delivery of technical services for confined animal systems with on-demand access to the nation’s best science-based resources that is responsive to priority and emerging environmental issues associated with animal agriculture. This paper describes the implementation plans for this project.

Application Of Aspen Mads-Box Genes To Alter Reproduction And Development In Trees, Gopi Krishna Podila, Leland James Cseke, Banalata Sen, David F. Karnosky

Michigan Tech Patents

The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing a transgenic plant that exhibits altered characteristics resulting from over expression or under expression of a novel polypeptide PtM3 or its homolog PtM4. The altered characteristics resulting from over-expression include at least one of the ability to convert axillary mer- istem to floral meristem; to accelerate flowering i.e., early flowering; to increase fruit production; to increase nut production; to increase seed output; to increase branching; to increase flower production; to increase fruit yield; to increase flower yield and a combination thereof. The altered characteristics resulting from suppressed expression include at least …