Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Soil Conservation Measures: A Case Study In Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region, Tanzania, S. Y. Thadei

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A study on soil conservation measures was conducted in two villages, Tukuzi and Mahenge, in Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region, Tanzania. The results showed that the ngoro farming system was effective in controlling soil erosion by water on both steep and gentle slopes. Sediments collected from ngoro had high concentrations of plant nutrients such as available phosphorus (P), total nitrogen (N), organic carbon (OC) and exchangeable bases. This was probably due to nutrients released from decomposed grass bundles buried in the soil. In preventing soil erosion, ngoro and bench terraces were equally effective, while contour ditches were as effective as ridges …

Application Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Arton Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Art, Silas Kajuna

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Vibration is one of the techniques employed in the determination of dynamic properties of fruits and vegetables. It entails generation of a mechanical or acoustic vibrational signal which is propagated through the flesh of the agricultural material. A transducer is either attached or held close to the specimen to monitor the propagation of the signal through the specimen. The manner in which the signal is transmitted through the material is analyzed, and the dynamic properties of the specimen which relate to its firmness or its internal being are derived. The technique has been around for the past 30 years or …

An Assessment Of The Efficacy Of Deep Drains Constructed In The Wheatbelt Of Western Australia Part 1 A Discussion On Drainage Implmentation In The Wheatbelt : A Case Study Review, Summary, Conclusions And Recommendations, N A. Coles, Richard J. George Dr, A D. Bathgate

Bulletins 4000 -

Australia has undertaken a strategic review of current and historical deep drainage projects. A 'rapid appraisal' methodology was utilised, based principally on existing hydrological investigations and interpretation and anecdotal evidence provided by landholders to clarify the role of drainage in managing water in dry land rural landscapes.

The objectives of this discussion paper are to:

1. Review the current status of groundwater drainage practice

2. Provide an assessment of deep drains in the landscape and

3. Propose recommendations on the development of drainage policy to enable the application of best management practice in groundwater drainage.

Light Backscatter Of Milk Products For Transition Sensing Using Optical Fibers, Frederick A. Payne, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Sue E. Nokes, Klat C. Kang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Transition sensors are needed, particularly in the dairy industry, for detecting transitions in pipe flow systems from product-to-water or product-to-product (such as from chocolate to vanilla ice cream mix). Transition information is used to automatically sequence valves to minimize product waste. Optical fibers were used to measure light backscatter between 400 and 950 nm as a function of milk concentration in water and milkfat concentration in milk. The normalized response (100% for product and 0% for water) as a function of product concentration in water was approximately logarithmic for skim milk between 400 and 900 nm and approximately linear for …

Optimization Of Solid-State Fermentation Parameters For The Production Of Xylanase By Trichoderma Longibrachiatum On Wheat Bran In A Forced Aeration System, Elizabeth R. Ridder, Sue E. Nokes, Barbara L. Knutson

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The effect of aeration on the production of xylanase by Trichoderma longibrachiatum on wheat bran in a solid-state fermentation (SSF) system has not been investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of aeration, initial moisture content of the substrate, and depth of the substrate on xylanase activity produced in a tray fermenter. The experiment was conducted as a split plot experiment with factorial treatments and three replications of each treatment combination. The whole plot treatment was aeration rate (0, 2.9, 5.7 L/min/kg bran). Initial moisture content (45, 55, 65% w.b.) and depth of substrate (1.0 and 2.5 …

Runoff From Fescue Plots Treated With Trimec, Cristopher G. Moss, Dwayne R. Edwards, Stephen R. Workman, R. Michael Williams

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Runoff of herbicides can promote adverse impacts in receiving waters. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of rainfall delay, herbicide application rate, rainfall intensity, and pre-application rainfall on runoff of TRIMEC (a combination of 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop), a herbicide that is commonly used in central Kentucky. The levels of rainfall delay were 0, 2, and 4 d following application; and the levels of herbicide application rate were 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 times the recommended rate. Simulated rainfall was applied at intensities of 64, 102, and 140 mm h^-1; and the depths of …

Current Canal Modernization From An International Perspective, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Modernization differs from rehabilitation, which simply returns a deteriorated project or structures to their original new state. Rehabilitation by itself typically only perpetuates the vicious cycle of rehabilitation, deterioration, rehabilitation, etc. A modern irrigation design is the result of a thought process that selects the configuration and the physical components in light of a well-defined and realistic operation plan that is based on the service concept. A modern irrigation design is not defined by specific hardware components and control logic. Advanced concepts of hydraulic engineering, irrigation engineering, agronomy, and social science should be used to arrive at the most simple …

Case Study: Modernization Of The Government Highline Canal, Stuart W. Styles, Charles M. Burt, Ram Dhan Khalsa, Robert Norman

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Government Highline Canal Modernization Study was completed to evaluate options for reducing the flow rate requirement of the Government Highline Canal during the late Summer and Fall water delivery months. The intent was to develop a design for which Colorado River diversions could be better matched to on-farm demands. The two primary challenges associated with reducing diversions are that (i) at low canal flows many turnouts do not have sufficient pressure, and (ii) it is difficult to schedule diversions to match deliveries. The Government Highline Canal is part of the federal Grand Valley Project in the Colorado River Basin …

Modernization Of The Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, Charles M. Burt, Dale R. Brogan

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District (DEID) delivers water through closed reinforced concrete pipelines on an arranged schedule. Farmers are not allowed to operate their own turnouts, and individual turnout flow rate changes impact flow rates at all other turnouts on the same pipeline. DEID is in the process of a complete modernization program which will allow the farmers to operate their own turnouts on a very flexible arranged schedule. The modernization includes (i) a new water ordering program, (ii) new turnout designs with pressure regulators and new flow propeller flow meters, (iii) the use of hand held data recorders to document deliveries …

Case Study: Modernization Of The Patterson Irrigation District, Stuart W. Styles, Charles M. Burt, Mike Lehmkuhl, John Sweigard

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California has been working in conjunction with the Patterson Irrigation District (PID) on modernization of the district facilities. This project is being partially funded by the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Mid-Pacific Region. The district is located in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Water supply for the district is pumped primarily from the San Joaquin River. The district utilizes a series of pump stations and canal pools to bring water uphill to supply the lateral canals, which are laid out on the contour. Modernization …

Pesticide Residue Regulation: Analysis Of Food Quality Protection Act Implementation, Linda-Jo Schierow

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dr. Schierow discusses the effects of a recent statute on food safety.

Modeling Surface And Subsurface Pesticide Transport Under Three Field Conditions Using Przm-3 And Gleams, Robert W. Malone, Richard C. Warner, Stephen R. Workman, Matt E. Byers

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Contaminant transport models should be evaluated over a wide range of conditions to determine their limitations. The models PRZM and GLEAMS have been evaluated many times, but few studies are available in which predicted movement in runoff and percolate were simultaneously evaluated against field data. Studies of this type are essential because pesticide leaching and runoff are mutually dependent processes. For this reason, PRZM-3 and GLEAMS were evaluated for their ability to predict metribuzin concentrations in runoff, sediment, subsurface soil, and pan lysimeters under three field conditions (yard waste compost amended, no-till, and conventional-till) on a Lowell silt loam soil. …

Predicting The Cutting Time Of Cottage Cheese Using Backscatter Measurements, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Frederick A. Payne, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

An automated system for monitoring culture growth and determining coagulum cutting time is needed for cottage cheese manufacturing. A light backscatter measurement system was designed and installed in a local cottage cheese manufacturing plant. A cutting time prediction algorithm was developed using parameters generated from the backscatter profile. The cutting time prediction algorithm, T_cut = T_max + β₂ S, used two time-based parameters generated from the backscatter profile (T_max and S) and one operator selected parameter, β₂, to predict the coagulum cutting time, Tcut. The standard error of prediction for the algorithm was 6.4 …

Modified Strategy For Compliance To National Environmental Standards, Aliaa Samaha

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

High-Tensile Wire Or Cable Tobacco Field Curing Structure, George A. Duncan

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Producers are rapidly adopting field curing structures, and several variations in construction methods and materials exist to achieve low cost or low maintenance and long life. One of the construction methods, pioneered by a producer and now being used by others in the state, uses high-tensile wire strands or cable to support the tobacco sticks.

Three Reasons To Broaden Your Fertigation Knowledge, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Hand Held Data Recorder (Hhdr), Charles M. Burt, Stuart Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A HHDR is used to collect data from the field and to download that data to a database to generate reports for meters in the districts. The data can be collected intermittently or on a daily basis since these are not route based data collectors. The data is collected by means of a hand held portable unit that scans a bar code identification label that is permanently affixed to the meter. Data is then entered by means of a keypad or a scan sheet and the operator goes to the next meter. At the end of the day the unit …

Irrigation Water Balance Fundamentals, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Water balances are essential for making wise decisions regarding water conservation and water management. The paper defines the essential ingredients of water balances, and distinguishes between farm and district-level balances. An example of a hypothetical district-level balance is provided. The importance of listing confidence intervals is highlighted. Classic errors in water balance determination are noted

Water Balance-Related Performance Indicators For International Projects, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A unique study to examine the impacts of irrigation project modernization was funded by the Research Committee of the World Bank and managed by the International Program for Technology Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID). The project examined 16 irrigation projects in 10 developing countries, 15 of which have been partially modernized in some aspects of hardware and/or management. Besides developing specific recommendations for donor agencies interested in irrigation project modernization, this project also accomplished the following: 1. A Rapid Appraisal Process (RAP) was developed to quickly (within a week) evaluate an irrigation project to assess what type of modernization …

Subsurface Flows Water Balance Components For Irrigation Districts In The San Joaquin Valley, Stuart W. Styles, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Cal Poly ITRC has conducted several water balances for regions or districts within the San Joaquin Valley. In each case, the greatest unknown component for the water balance is subsurface flows (ITRC, 1994). Water balance calculations can be confusing, especially in districts where there is groundwater pumping. This paper will discuss ITRC efforts to determine both lateral and vertical components of subsurface flow, the accuracy of the estimates, and the impact upon the accuracy of the final estimates of irrigation district or regional irrigation efficiencies.

Closure To "Irrigation Performance Measures: Efficiency And Uniformity", Albert J. Clemmens, Charles M. Burt, Kenneth H. Solomon, Terry A. Howell, Theodor S. Strelkoff

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Ventilation System Design Parameters For Greenhouses For Tobacco Production, R. S. Gates, George A. Duncan

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Methods for germination and initial growth of tobacco have changed rapidly in recent years, moving from outside float beds into double-layer plastic greenhouses. Typically, these "tobacco greenhouses" consist of sidewall curtains, which run the entire length of both sides of the house. They may also have modest mechanical ventilation.

Ventilation of greenhouse structures is a mature field, with engineering practices for proper design given by numerous organizations including ASAE. In this article we briefly outline the important features of ventilation of concern to tobacco greenhouse operators.

Method And Apparatus For Production Of Levulinic Acid Via Reactive Extrusion, Viswasrao Ghorpade, Milford Hanna

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing levulinic acid from starch in a reactive extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion takes place in a twin-screw extruder having a plurality of temperature zones wherein the starch slurry is preconditioned, extruded, filter pressed, reboiled, vacuum distilled, condensed, centrifuged, whereby the waste effluent from the centrifugation is reprocessed upstream to the preconditioning stage.

Managing District Data Needs – Narrowing In On A Moving Target, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

San Luis Water District, Panoche Water District, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District (DEID), Westside Water District, Glide-Kanawha Water District (GKWD), and Central California Irrigation District (CCID) are blazing data management trails in the Mid-Pacific Region of the USBR. Ditchriders in these districts use or are beginning to use hand held data recorders (HHDR) to gather field information. The data management needs of these districts differ and as a result, the approach for each district differs. Further, each district is tackling portions of its data management needs in a stepwise fashion. The success of each step and the successes of other district approaches …

Influence Of Aqueous And Solid-Phase Fe(Ii) Complexants On Microbial Reduction Of Crystalline Iron(Iii) Oxides, Matilde Urrutia, Eric E. Roden, John M. Zachara

United States Department of Energy: Publications

The influence of aqueous (NTA and EDTA) and solidphase (aluminum oxide, layer silicates) Fe(II) complexants on the long-term microbial reduction of synthetic goethite by Shewanella alga strain BrY was studied. NTA enhanced goethite reduction by promoting aqueous Fe(II) accumulation, in direct proportion to its concentration in culture medium (0.01-5 mM). In contrast, EDTA failed to stimulate goethite reduction at concentrations e1 mM, and 5 mM EDTA enhanced the final extent of reduction by only 25% in relation to nonchelator controls. The minor effect of EDTA compared to NTA, despite the greater stability of the Fe(II)- EDTA complex, likely resulted from …

Evaluation Of Subsurface Drip Irrigation On Peppers, Stuart W. Styles, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper is a summary of two farms that utilized the California Energy Commission's low-interest loan program to facilitate their entry into drip irrigation. One farm is located near Oxnard, California, USA and the other is located near Gilroy, California, USA. Both of these growers farm about 162 hectares (400 acres) in their overall operations and used the loans to purchase subsurface drip irrigation systems for Peppers. Over $4 million in low-interest loans have been made available to California growers from the California Energy Commission (CEC) since 1986. The CEC initiated the loan program for growers to help implement energy …

Irrigation Sagacity: A Measure Of Prudent Water Use, Kenneth H. Solomon, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Within the western United States, water rights are granted for reasonable and beneficial water use, and a measure of irrigation performance that embodies this standard is needed. A new performance parameter, irrigation sagacity (IS), is recommended for this purpose. The term `sagacity' comes from `sagacious', meaning wise or prudent. IS is more closely tied to the water rights granted, and to the potential for water conservation and reallocation than is the traditional irrigation efficiency, which considers only beneficial uses. Sagacious uses are either beneficial, or non-beneficial but reasonable. Reasonable uses are those that, while not directly benefiting agronomic production within …

Problems Of Irrigation In Developing Countries, Phillip Z. Kirpich, Dorota Z. Haman, Stuart W. Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This paper describes the crucial importance of irrigated agriculture to developing countries and to the world as a whole. This is followed by a summary of key problems that restrict and diminish the benefits of irrigated agriculture. Solution of these problems will above all require a holistic approach and will require changes in the institutions involved. These institutions include those of the developing countries, of the developed countries that provide aid, and of the international financing and technical-assistance agencies. Engineers in the developed countries have had, and will continue to have, a leading role but will need some redirection. ASCE …

District Application Of Hand Held Data Recorder Technology, Stuart Styles, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A hand held data recorder (HHDR) enables a district to collect field data in a quick and virtually error-free manner. These units can be used to scan bar code location/equipment identifiers or the operator can manually key in this information followed by the current data. Some HHDRs can be programmed with error checking routines that prompt the operator when an entry is inconsistent with regards to the previous reading from that location. Each entry includes a time and date stamp. When the operator has collected all of the data for the day or for a route, the data is downloaded …

Simple, Portable Water Level Monitoring Package, Charles M. Burt, Stuart Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Electronic water level sensing equipment is becoming increasingly important for the implementation of water conservation programs in irrigation districts. A need has risen for information on costs, advantages/disadvantages, required support equipment, and required maintenance for the various options. For this reason, the Water Conservation Office of the Mid-Pacific Region of the USBR contracted with the Cal Poly ITRC to conduct a study on water level sensors and dataloggers and to produce a report.

One application covered in the water level sensor and datalogger report is the need to have a simple, portable water level monitoring package. This paper supplements the …