Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Dried Water Treatment Residuals Might Be An Option To Reduce Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Release From Soils, Katie B. Mckay

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Nonpoint source pollution from agricultural landscapes contributes to freshwater eutrophication, with legacy phosphorus (P) in soils potentially driving soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) losses to surface waters. The objectives of this study were to evaluate SRP adsorption by dried water treatment residuals (WTRs) produced by Beaver Water District, quantify reductions in soil SRP release across increasing WTR application rates, and compare dried WTR performance to prior WTR studies.

Dried WTRs (~98% solids) were assessed using batch sorption experiments and soil core incubations. Phosphorus sorption was measured by mixing WTRs with CaCl₂ solutions containing increasing SRP concentrations and fitting results to …

Irrigation Pumping Plants: Energy Consumption And Pumping Plant Performance [Class Handout], Derek M. Heeren, Saleh Taghvaeian, Abia Katimbo, Xin Qiao

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Irrigation can be a large contributor to energy consumption on an irrigated farm. It is important to understand factors that impact irrigation energy use and to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption. This class handout introduces a set of equations for calculating energy consumption for an irrigation pumping plant based on flow conditions and pump efficiency. It also presents typical values for motor performance (including both electric motors and internal combustion engines) in both SI and USCS units. Finally, the handout introduces the concept of a field evaluation of an irrigation pumping plant along with the Nebraska Pumping Plant Performance …

Fabrication Of A Low-Cost Drum Seeder For Paddy, Muhammad Rashed Al Mamun, Md Rejaul Karim, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Md Janibul Alam Soeb, Md Imranul Alam

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Rice is a staple food crop. Bangladesh produces it extensively which raised the nation into the fourth-largest rice-grower in the world. Transplanting or direct seeding is a major task in rice cultivation where the manual transplanting method requires a huge labor cost which is beyond control in a peak season. Although mechanical rice transplanters become popularization land preparation and seedling rising as a pre transplanting task is costly and labor-intensive. On the other hand, manual broadcasting and machine seeding direct method still exist due to the above method’s problem. Considering spacing accuracies for intercultural operation, drum seeders are an easy …

Classification Of Sow Postures Using Convolutional Neural Network And Depth Images, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Gary A. Rohrer, Sudhendu R. Sharma, Yeyin Shi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The United States swine industry reports an average preweaning mortality of approximately 16% where approximately 6% of them are attributed to piglets overlayed by sows. Detecting postural transitions and estimating sows’ time budgets for different postures are valuable information for breeders and engineering design of farrowing facilities to eventually reduce piglet death. Computer vision tools can help monitor changes in animal posture accurately and efficiently. To create a more robust system and eliminate varying lighting issues within a day including daytime/ nighttime differences, there is an advantage to using depth cameras over digital cameras. In this study, a computer vision …

Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Maize No-Till Agroecosystems In Southern Brazil Based On A Long-Term Experiment, Guilherme Rosa Da Silva, Adam J. Liska, Cimelio Bayer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Brazilian agriculture is constantly questioned concerning its environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This research study used data from a 34-year field experiment to estimate the life cycle GHG emissions intensity of maize production for grain in farming systems under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) combined with Gramineae (oat) and legume (vetch) cover crops in southern Brazil. We applied the Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator for modeling the “field-to-farm gate” emissions with measured annual soil N₂O and CH₄ emissions data. For net CO₂ emissions, increases in soil organic C (SOC) were applied as a proxy, …

Stream Water Quality Under Baseflow Conditions In A Livestock Production Area, Maryi Lorena Chavarro Chaux

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the spatial and temporal impacts of implemented Best Management Practices (BMP) on stream water quality under baseflow conditions in a stream segment affected by livestock production. The BMPs includes 10-m fenced riparian zone and crossing paths along the reach segment. Grab water samples and water quality monitoring were collected biweekly from July 2019 to March 2022. Water quality parameters included temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductance, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and pH. Water samples were lab analyzed for sediments and nutrients. Results evidenced poor water quality before BMPs implementation, with nutrient concentrations exceeding the nation's and state's criteria. …

Aicropcam: Deploying Classification, Segmentation, Detection, And Counting Deep-Learning Models For Crop Monitoring On The Edge, Nipuna Chamara, Geng (Frank) Bai, Yufeng Ge

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Precision Agriculture (PA) promises to meet the future demands for food, feed, fiber, and fuel while keeping their production sustainable and environmentally friendly. PA relies heavily on sensing technologies to inform site-specific decision supports for planting, irrigation, fertilization, spraying, and harvesting. Traditional point-based sensors enjoy small data sizes but are limited in their capacity to measure plant and canopy parameters. On the other hand, imaging sensors can be powerful in measuring a wide range of these parameters, especially when coupled with Artificial Intelligence. The challenge, however, is the lack of computing, electric power, and connectivity infrastructure in agricultural fields, preventing …

Statistical And Machine Learning Approaches To Describe Factors Affecting Preweaning Mortality Of Piglets, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Gary A. Rohrer, Sudhendu R. Sharma, Vamsi Manthena, Yeyin Shi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

High preweaning mortality (PWM) rates for piglets are a significant concern for the worldwide pork industries, causing economic loss and well-being issues. This study focused on identifying the factors affecting PWM, overlays, and predicting PWM using historical production data with statistical and machine learning models. Data were collected from 1,982 litters from the United States Meat Animal Research Center, Nebraska, over the years 2016 to 2021. Sows were housed in a farrowing building with three rooms, each with 20 farrowing crates, and taken care of by well-trained animal caretakers. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the various sow, …

Human Microbiome Transfer In The Built Environment Differs Based On Occupants, Objects, And Buildings, Andrew J. Hoisington, Christopher E. Stamper, Katherine L. Bates, Maggie A. Stanislawski, Michael C. Flux, Teodor T. Postolache, Christopher A. Lowry, Lisa A. Brenner

Faculty Publications

Compared to microbiomes on other skin sites, the bacterial microbiome of the human hand has been found to have greater variability across time. To increase understanding regarding the longitudinal transfer of the hand microbiome to objects in the built environment, and vice versa, 22 participants provided skin microbiome samples from their dominant hands, as well as from frequently and infrequently touched objects in their office environments. Additional longitudinal samples from home environments were obtained from a subset of 11 participants. We observed stability of the microbiomes of both the hand and built environments within the office and home settings; however, …

Impact Of Eastern Redcedar Encroachment On Water Resources In The Nebraska Sandhills, Yaser Kishawi, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Troy E. Gilmore, Dirac Twidwell, Tirthankar Roy, Nawaraj Shrestha

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Worldwide, tree or shrub dominated woodlands have encroached into herbaceous dominated grasslands. While very few studies have evaluated the impact of Eastern Redcedar (redcedar) encroachment on the water budget, none have analyzed the impact on water quality. In this study, we evaluated the impact of redcedar encroachment on the water budget in the Nebraska Sand Hills and how the decreased streamflow would increase nitrate and atrazine concentrations in the Platte River. We calibrated a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT model) for streamflow, recharge, and evapotranspiration. Using a moving window with a dilate morphological filter, encroachment scenarios of 11.9%, 16.1%, …

Estimating Battery Size Requirements For Tractor Electrification Of Row-Crop Planting Operations, Cheetown Liew, Andrew Donesky, Mark Freyhof, Ian Tempelmeyer, Santosh Kumar Pitla

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Power sources such as batteries, used for both on-road and off-road vehicles, are advancing at a rapid pace. Electric batteries are becoming more power dense, thus allowing them to be used as a power source to replace previous diesel or gasoline-powered systems. Efforts are underway to transition off-road agricultural vehicles from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs); however, the energy requirements of typical agricultural field operations need to be fully understood before such a transition can occur. Theoretical prediction equations available in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) standards or the use of engine …

Evaluation For Using Expended Bioelectrochemical Systems As Soil Amendments For Improved Corn Plant Growth And A Drought Resistant Soil., Jackson Lee Sauers

Theses and Dissertations

A long-held practice is to mix agricultural soil with a soil amendment to improve growing conditions in crops. A common soil amendment is biosolids produced from both municipal and dairy wastewater due to the macro- and micronutrients within it. Both the agricultural and wastewater industries are participating in the Circular Economy concept (CEC). Two experiments explored using expended bioelectrochemical systems (BES) that treated either synthetic dairy wastewater (DWW) or synthetic municipal wastewater (SWW) as soil amendments to improve corn plant growth when treated with three different nutrient treatments: 100%- 50%- and 0% Hoagland Nutrient Solutions. Biochar and used terracotta clay …

Evaluation Of Flood Damage On Cross Laminated Timber Wall Configurations, Mustafa Nezih Kaya

Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the critical factors that affect climate change, increasing flooding risk and threatening human life. The use of traditional construction materials is responsible for a higher percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions when compared to the use of sustainable materials in the construction industry. The substitution of current building materials with sustainable materials is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and positively influence climate change when the current construction demand in the world is considered. Wood is one of the primary environmentally friendly construction materials in regard to high carbon storage and low carbon emissions. …

Wetland Soil Development Along Salinity And Hydrogeomorphic Gradients In Active And Inactive Deltaic Basins Of Coastal Louisiana, Amanda Fontenot

LSU Master's Theses

Coastal wetlands provide an abundance of ecosystem services that benefit society, such as essential habitat for commercial species, storm protection, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage. Louisiana faces rapid rates of relative sea level rise (natural subsidence and eustatic sea levels) that threaten wetland survival, which are amplified by a reduction of riverine sediment input. An important determining factor of marsh survival is the formation of wetland platform elevation, known as vertical accretion, which is determined by several processes including sediment deposition & erosion, below ground biomass (BGB) productivity, decomposition of organic matter, shallow & deep subsidence, and soil compaction. Feldspar …

Biodegradation Of Rubber Particles In Soil: Using Acclimated Bacteria Isolated From Kansas Soil To Degrade Cryogrinds In Slurry, Shane Graham

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This study investigated the viability of bioremediating rubber cryogrind using enriched indigenous bacteria. To begin the experiment, soils from three highway roadside locations in Kansas, KS 96 and West, KS 400 and 143^rd, and 199^th, were collected and transported to the lab to be studied. An initial soil characterization was run on the soil samples using distilled (DI) water mixture and 0.01 M CaCl₂ to assess conductivity. The soils were tested to gather a baseline of the relationship between pH and conductivity and the impact of its distance from the roadside. Bacteria were isolated from …

Sources Of Variability And Uncertainty In Food-Energy-Water Nexus Systems, Heydi Calderon-Ambelis, Deepak R. Keshwani

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

A nexus approach contributes to the strategic allocation of resources to secure food, energy, and water for the world population. Integrated models considering the complex interactions across food, energy, and water (FEW) enhance decision-making and strategic planning towards resilience. However, a significant number of the existing integrated models leave unaddressed the inherent variability and uncertainty present in the FEW sectors. Here, we review the importance of characterizing variability over spatial and temporal scales and the importance of decreasing the uncertainty present within a FEW nexus systems. The review also discusses existing modeling tools that address variability and uncertainty on single …

Mathematical Model Of The Efficiency Of Investments Aimed In The Implementation Of Water-Saving Technologies

Irrigation and Melioration

In Uzbekistan, research work is being carried out aimed at improving the economic mechanisms for the introduction of water-saving technologies for irrigating agricultural crops. At the same time, the issues related to the analysis of the effectiveness of the use of water-saving technologies when irrigating cotton, the development of mathematical methods for assessing the effectiveness of investments, as well as their introduction into practice have not been sufficiently studied. This article provides a mathematical model of the efficiency of investments aimed at introducing water-saving technologies. The results of a numerical experiment of a mathematical model show that the introduction of …

Efficient Use Of Water Resources In The Basins Of Small Rivers, F. Gapparov, M.F. Gafforova

Irrigation and Melioration

The article provides a recommendation for the efficient use of water resources in the basins of small foothill rivers. The research was carried out on the example of the Govasay river basin located in the northern part of the Fergana Valley. The efficiency factor of the canal has been determined and a technical assessment has been given for the management of water resources in the river basin; the efficiency of the canal is 65-75%. A program for the operational management of water resources in The Govasay river basin and a GIS map of water consumers in the Govasay river basin …

Model Of Groundwater Level Control Using Horizontal Drainage, A. Arifjanov, M. Otaxonov, Z. Abdulkhaev

Irrigation and Melioration

The article describes the main factors affecting the rise in the level of groundwater in the city of Fergana and ways to eliminate them. Currently, in order to reduce the negative impact of rising groundwater levels on the environment, crops, buildings and structures, as well as underground utilities, it is proposed to design horizontal drainage in urban areas and a mathematical model has been developed for changing the groundwater level. For this, long-term data from observation wells were analyzed and the hydraulic parameters of horizontal drainage were selected taking into account the hydrogeology of the area. Taking into account the …

Results Of Proximate Analysis Of Energy Use Of Municipal Solid Waste, N.N. Abduganiev

Irrigation and Melioration

In the modern industrialized world, various raw materials are processed and used for human consumption. While some of the raw materials are converted into the desired product, the rest is thrown into the environment as waste. It is known that solid waste is a type of biomass that is formed in the course of human life. The article presents the results of a preliminary analysis of studies on the use of solid waste energy in the Urta-Chirchik district of the Tashkent region. Sorting results showed that the total volume of municipal solid waste in the district consists mainly of wood …

Shredding Of Cotton Stalks Under The Action Of Toothpicks In A Combined Unit, B. Khudayarov, U. Kuziev, B. Sarimsakov, М. Kholbutaev

Irrigation and Melioration

The article presents materials devoted to the justification of the parameters of the crown-wheel of the combined aggreagate. The technological process of work and the design of the working part, which is crushed by crushing cotton stalks, without breaking them, laying them on the movement of the unit, has been substantiated and developed. The optimal parameters of the crown-wheel and the tooth are determined by solving the regression equations that determine the optimal values of the vertical load on the teeth and its working quality. The results of theoretical and experimental research show that the amount of crushing of cotton …

Influence Of Electrophysical Methods On The Processes Of Root Formation Of Grapes, N.M. Markayev

Irrigation and Melioration

The article describes the possibilities of electrophysical processing before planting cuttings during vegetative cultivation of grape seedlings. The processes of root formation in cuttings using the electrophysical method in the article Acceleration of the process of root formation in cuttings of black raisins, treated at 71 V/m and an electric field strength of 15 hours, and an increase in the viability, quality, growth and survival of rooted seedlings up to 16.67-34% Presented the results of experiments on the increase and methods of electrotechnological processing of grape cuttings. The result of the study is the analysis and results of the processes …

Conditions, Criteria And Principles For Creating An Agri-Cultural Land Market In Uzbekistan, A.R. Nurnazarov

Irrigation and Melioration

The article analyzes the prerequisites for creating a market for agricultural land in the Republic of Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to land reform, land degradation (reduction of the bonitet score from 60 in 1991 to 50 or more at present, pasture degradation by 20-30%) and increase in economic from their use, the role of land rent in payments for land. 6 basic principles for creating a land market have been established and systematized, the relationship between X-rays and water in the irrigated farming zone, the role of the market in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of …

Economic Assessment Of The Effect Of Family Income On Students' Disciplines, Sh.A. Muratov

Irrigation and Melioration

The importance of higher education in scientific research, its role in poverty reduction and population growth has been studied theoretically. Also, when using the data of social surveys conducted by 538 respondents (students) studying in higher education institutions, they were awarded the Order of the logistics regulator in the economic assessment of the factors influencing the rate of mastery of disciplines. Factors influencing the acquisition of subjects by students: the main income of the family comes from non-farm (69,9 %), sex (52,2 %), studying at a higher education institution on a state grant (108,8 %), the student's course of study …

Innovative Rotor Casing And Leveling Apron For Combined Tillage Machine, A.A. Akhmetov, L.B. Muratov

Irrigation and Melioration

Investigations of the design of a combined machine equipped with an innovative casing and a leveler apron are presented, and the parameters of the leveler apron are substantiated. It was experimentally established that when the height of the drawing prism is exceeded by more than 200 mm, due to the falling of the crumbling part of the soil onto the rotor, the soil is thrown forward in the direction of the machine. Therefore, to eliminate soil waste, it is necessary either to reduce the height of the drag prism, or to increase the distance between the rotor and the leveling …

Ensuring The Uniformity Of Movement Of The Working Bodies Of The Machine For Processing Ridges In The Depth Of Travel, А. Tukhtakuziev, K.G. Abdulkhaev

Irrigation and Melioration

The article theoretically investigates the issue of identifying ways to ensure the deepening of the working bodies of the machine for processing ridges to a given processing depth and its required uniformity of stroke. The research results show that the deepening of the working bodies of the ridges processing machine to a given processing depth and its required uniformity is provided mainly due to the correct choice of the vertical distance from its reference plane to the lower connection points. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the fact that an analytical dependence has been obtained that allows us …

Develepment Of Land Market In Eastern European Countries And Experience For Uzbekistan, A.R. Nurnazarov

Irrigation and Melioration

The article examines the experience of the formation of the agricultural land market in Eastern European countries since the 90 s of the twentieth century, the problems and features of its devel-opment, the impact of the land market on the economies of countries. Particular attention is paid to the transformation of land ownership, methods of land privatization, land pricing, restrictions on land purchase, regulation of land relations in market conditions, issues of granting the right to pur-chase land to foreign individuals and legal entities, requirements for land owners for the presence of a special agricultural education or 3-5 years of …

The Developmet Of Competences Via Techniques For Enhancing Esp (English For Specific Purposes) Vocabulary Of Learners, G. Eshchanova

Irrigation and Melioration

In the article a recent trend in higher education is ESP (English for Specific Purposes) courses is discussed. These courses are designed around students’ needs based on their field of study. The goal is to strengthen students’ proficiency and help them to get ready to cope with everyday situations and deal with professionals in many fields such as: engineering, medicine, education and IT. There are many training sessions organized by international experts whose goal is to train local teachers to teach these courses successfully. In order to develop an ability to learn new vocabulary, for both general English and technical …

Development Of Girls’ Sports, A.R. Khodjanov, V.V. Mahmudov

Irrigation and Melioration

The article addresses current issues of higher education, taking into account its specifics. She has been providing appropriate advice on improving girls' physical well-being. The use of opportunities and qualities has an impact on the creation of comfortable conditions for female athletes. For girls involved in sports, the creation of impressive quality and possible conditions is considered. As a result, the girls-athletes of our institute took 2-3 places in the district and city qualifying rounds of chess, table tennis and won a ticket to the republican stage. At the republican stage, 2 female students of our team took 4th place …

The Imrovement Of Esp Teaching Via Methodical Provision At Technical Institution: Specializm-Oriented English Via Agriculture, G. Eshchanova, U. Nullaev

Irrigation and Melioration

In the given article the ways that ESP combines subject matter and English language teaching is discussed. This approach can be highly motivating for students because students are able to apply what they learn in their English classes to their main field of study, whether it be law, computing, business, tourism, etc. Being able to use the vocabulary and structures that they learn in a meaningful context reinforces what is taught and increases their motivation. Nevertheless, ESP concentrates more on language in context than on teaching grammar and language structures. Additionally, the ways of teaching English in ESL classes and …