Agriculture Commons^™

B.R. Wells Arkansas Rice Research Studies 2025, J. Hardke, X. Sha, N. Bateman

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Arkansas is the leading rice producer in the United States. The state represents 45.2% of total U.S. rice production and 45.7% of the total acres planted to rice in 2025. Rice cultural practices vary across the state and across the U.S. However, these practices are also dynamic and continue to evolve in response to changing political, environmental, and economic times. This survey was initiated in 2002 to monitor and record changes in the way Arkansas rice producers approach their livelihood. The survey was conducted by polling county extension agents in each of the counties in Arkansas that produce rice. Questions …

Summaries Of Arkansas Cotton Research 2025, Fred M. Bourland

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Planted cotton acreage in Arkansas decreased in 2025 to 520,000 acres compared to 650,000 planted acres in 2024. Arkansas producers harvested 515,000 acres, which was a decrease of 125,000 acres from the 640,000 acres harvested in 2024 (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=Arkansas&year=2025). The 515,000 harvested acres ranked Arkansas third nationally, trailing only Texas and Georgia in harvested acres (https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/795725/cropan26.pdf). The average cotton yield, as reported by the USDA, was 1,239 lb lint/ac, which ranked fourth nationally, behind California, Louisiana, and Arizona. Arkansas farmers produced an estimated 1.329 million bales, which is a decrease from 1.788 million bales produced in 2024. This production still ranks …

Stephen Baenziger, Unl Agronomy & Horticulture, Breeding New Wheat Varieties, Mark Griep, P. Stephen Baenziger

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Stephen Baenziger awarded the ORCA in 2011. He was born in 1951 in Toronto, Canada. When he was an infant, his family immigrated to the U.S., where he grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's in biological chemistry magna cum laude from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Next, he earned a master's and doctorate in plant breeding and genetics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Over the next decade, he worked for the USDA at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland and then at the Monsanto Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1986, he joined the …

Survey Increases Understanding Of United States Sweetpotato Producer Clean Seed Needs, Lorin Harvey, Mark Shankle, Rachael Carter, Kelsey Harvey

Journal of Extension

A needs assessment of sweetpotato producers across the United States was conducted as part of a strategic planning process to enhance the applicability of research and education. A national survey and a 2-day grant-planning workshop were also used to engage stakeholders to develop a USDA–NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Proposal to improve and promote clean seed programs. Ninety-five U.S. sweetpotato producers completed the survey, representing more than 73,000 acres of production. Therefore, the survey respondents are estimated to account for nearly half of U.S. sweetpotato production, underscoring the importance and relevance of the results.

Growth And Yield Of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Under Different Irrigation Methods In Transplanted And Direct-Seeded Systems, Wang Guirui, Crisanta S. Bueno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

In the face of climate change and socioeconomic transformation, there is an urgent need to save energy and enhance rice production. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is a viable alternative to transplanted rice due to reduced water and labor requirements, potentially achieving comparable or higher yields with reduced inputs. This study was conducted in the 2025 dry and wet seasons in Los Baños, Philippines, using a 2-factorial randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The first factor was the 2 rice varieties NSIC Rc 506 (Tubigan 41, V1) and NSIC Rc 160 (Tubigan 14, V2), and the second factor was cultural management, …

Marker-Assisted Identification Of Hybrids In Polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Breeding In The Philippines, John Edward L. Felipe, Kyla Andrea G. Mendoza, Benjamin Christian J. Esguerra, Carolyn E. Alcasid, Gino R. Hernandez, Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Varietal improvement of the Philippine ‘Carabao’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) through conventional breeding is constrained by polyembryony, which makes it difficult to distinguish zygotic hybrids from nucellar seedlings at early developmental stages. This study evaluated the utility of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for early and accurate identification of hybrids in polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ mango crosses. Genomic DNA was isolated from 24 parental accessions and 61 putative hybrid seedlings using a modified CTAB protocol that yielded DNA suitable for PCR-based marker analysis. Eighty-one SSR markers were screened across 29 parental combinations, of which 64 markers (79.0%) were polymorphic in at …

Crop Performance Of Aromatic Basmati Rice Grown In Tidal Lands In Indonesia [Research Note], Riza Adrianoor Saputra, Indra Jatmika Liran, Yulia Padma Sari

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Rice production in Banjar Regency has declined in recent years due to land-limiting factors, particularly the suboptimal conditions of tidal wetlands. Therefore, improving cultivation techniques for new superior varieties such as Aromatic Basmati is essential to enhance productivity on marginal lands. This study aimed to determine the best combination of seedling number per planting hole and seedling age, as well as to evaluate the effect of each factor on the growth and yield of Aromatic Basmati rice cultivated on tidal land. The experiment was conducted for 4 mo (August to December 2020) in the experimental paddy fields of the Agricultural …

Can Generative Ai Make Farming Decisions? Current Status And Future Pathways: A Case Study In Row Crop Production With Chatgpt, Nipuna Chamara, Yufeng Ge, Joe Luck, Yu Pan, Saleh Taghvaeian, Cory Walters, Christopher Proctor, Daran Rudnick, Daren Redfearn

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The agricultural decision-making process is experience-based, knowledge-dependent, time-sensitive, complex, and driven by historical data. Planting, fertilization, irrigation, and chemigation are key categories in farm decision-making, and currently there is no one-shot decision-support tool that covers all these activities. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are more advanced than traditional machine learning and deep learning models. These models have been trained on vast amounts of data from the internet, allowing them to accept unstructured data in various forms and generate human-like text, solutions to problems, and scenario predictions. Given this capability, we became interested in exploring the potential of generative AI in …

Arkansas Corn And Grain Sorghum Research Studies 2025, Jason Kelley, Travis Faske

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2025 edition of the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Studies Series includes research results on topics pertaining to corn and grain sorghum production, including weed, disease, nematode, and insect management; economics; irrigation; agronomics; soil fertility; drone use; research verification program results; and numerous miscellaneous topics. Our objective is to capture and broadly distribute the results of research projects funded by the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board. The intended audience includes producers and their advisors, current investigators, and future researchers. The Series serves as a citable archive of research results. The reports inform and guide our long-term recommendations, …

Exploring Regenerative Vegetable Systems On The Central Coast Of California, Una S. O'Connell

Master's Theses

As climate change and current agricultural practices place pressure on the long term sustainability and resilience of food production systems, there is growing interest in whether existing agricultural systems can adapt to maintain productivity while improving environmental outcomes.

This study evaluated the effects of regenerative versus standard organic vegetable production systems on yield, insect communities, and weed suppression across three field trials conducted on California's Central Coast. In addition, I collected baseline soil health data for all trials. Trials 1 and 2 were carried out at the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Organic Farm using cabbage and broccoli as cash …

Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2024, Jeremy Ross

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2024 Arkansas Soybean Research Studies includes research reports on topics pertaining to soybean across several disciplines from breeding to post-harvest processing. Research reports contained in this publication may represent preliminary or only data from a single year or limited results; therefore, these results should not be used as a basis for long-term recommendations. Several research reports in this publication will appear in other University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station publications. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between disciplines and our effort to inform Arkansas soybean producers of the research being …

Discovering The Genetics Underlying Speciation Traits In Heuchera (Coral Bells), Tajinder Singh

Honors Theses

Hybridization is a key evolutionary mechanism for generating biological diversity, ultimately shaping diversification and adaptation of plant lineages in natural and agroecosystems.  Our understanding of the frequency, distribution, and significance of hybridization is rapidly increasing, but the external driving forces that dictate why certain species hybridize, and others do not remain obscure. The physical traits that shape gene flow and trait sharing among species are likely to be among the key factors that directly control hybridization. Gene flow in most plants is mediated by pollinating insects and thus by pollination syndromes, which are suites of floral traits that have evolved …

Effects Of Spatially Targeted Fertilizer Strategies On Canopy Growth Across Contrasting Tart Cherry Orchard Sites, Kurt Wedegaertner, Brent Black, Matt Yost, Grant Cardon

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Variable-rate fertilization is increasingly promoted in perennial orchard systems, but its effectiveness remains difficult to predict because tree responses are often inconsistent and strongly conditioned by site-specific constraints. To address this, we evaluated soil-based and vigor-based zoning frameworks across four commercial tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) orchards representing contrasting soil conditions, canopy structures, and management histories. Within each orchard, management zones were defined using either soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) or satellite-derived canopy vigor. Fertilization strategies were implemented by varying fertilizer application timing among zones using split-application approaches while maintaining a constant total fertilizer rate. Tree-level canopy structure was …

Soil Nutrient Sufficiency Does Not Ensure Plant Nutrient Status, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

Soil testing is commonly used to guide nutrient management. However, plants may not use nutrients in the same way that soil tests predict. This can happen when nutrients interact and limit uptake. This study evaluated whether soil test results match plant nutrient status under different compost levels, with a focus on nutrient antagonism. Soils from three compost histories were used: no compost (T1), moderate compost (T2), and long-term high compost from repeated hog manure application (T3). Soils were mixed with ProMix and Perlite (1:1:1), and Chijimisai was grown under greenhouse conditions. Plant height and chlorophyll (SPAD) were measured weekly. Soil …

Comparing Effects Of Crop Rotation And Continuous Monocropping On Soil Chemical Properties: A Review Of Agricultural Practices In The U.S. Corn Belt, Shiba Hari Dhakal Shiba

Scholars Week

Soil chemical health is critical for sustaining long-term agricultural productivity in the U.S. Corn Belt, yet continuous monocropping of corn poses persistent challenges to soil organic matter, soil organic carbon, nutrient balance, and pH stability. This review synthesizes findings from long-term field studies to compare the impacts of crop rotation and continuous monocropping on soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), nutrient availability, and soil pH across the Corn Belt. Results consistently show that crop rotation enhances SOM and SOC through increased residue input, diverse root systems, and improved microbial activity, whereas continuous monocropping accelerates organic matter decomposition and …

International Rice Outlook: International Rice Baseline Projections 2025-2035, A. Durand-Morat, W. Mulimbi

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

• Over the next ten years, global rice consumption is projected to exceed global rice production, making existing stocks crucial for meeting the global rice market demand. • Global production is projected to grow mostly due to productivity gains and some area expansion, with India’s production performance becoming more relevant. • The global rice consumption is projected to climb, driven mainly by population growth. The average global per capita rice consumption is expected to drop slightly over the next decade, primarily due to slower per capita consumption growth in Asia and Africa. • The international prices of long-grain and medium-grain …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2025, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Lovelady, B. Guest Jr, J. Mcalee, L. Martin, Z. Treadway, C. Henderson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The tests at Rohwer were abandoned due to undefined …

The Nexus Between Perceived And Scientific Weather Patterns And Its Effects On Cereal Crop Production In Manyoni District, Tanzania, Fadhili Lufunyo Ngajilo, Helena Elias Myeya, Evarist Fundisha Swai

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study examines the nexus between perceived and scientific weather patterns, and its effects on cereal crop production in Manyoni District; and involved 157 participants. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a mixed methods research approach. The data were collected through a household survey, FGDs, in-depth interviews and documentary review methods for triangulation and complementarity purposes. The quantitative data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics with IBM SPSS (version 27) and Microsoft Excel Office (version 2007). The results indicate that smallholder farmers perceived that rainfall had been fluctuating with increasing trends, while temperature and wind had been …

Integrative Effects Of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Azotobacter, And Azospirillum With Different Nitrogen Levels On Morphophysiological Responses And Drought Tolerance Of Maize (Zea Mays L.) ‘Sc706’ Under Varying Water Deficit Conditions, Nozar Shamohammadi, Mahdi Zare, Korosh Ordookhani, Farshid Aref, Shahram Sharafzadeh

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Under drought stress, soil fertility declines sharply, restricting nutrient availability and reducing plant productivity. This study evaluated the effects of mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum combined with nitrogen on the morpho-physiological traits of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid SC706 plants under different water deficit conditions. The experiment was conducted at a research field in Fars Province, Iran, over 2 consecutive years (2017–2018, 2018–2019) and applied a split-split plot design based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. It assessed the effects of the 3 biological fertilizers in 4 treatment groups (Control [B1], inoculation with mycorrhiza alone …

Vertical Price Transmission In The Philippine Rice Supply Chain: Responses To Shocks In The Post-Tariffication Period, Bates Bathan

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

In the post-Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) period, several protectionist policies and state interventions have reemerged in the Philippine rice market. Using national-level time series data from January 2018 to April 2025, the study applies autoregressive distributed lag models to assess the impact of policy changes and external shocks on unmilled rice (palay) and rice prices. Results show that National Food Authority (NFA) rice stocks significantly affect palay farmgate prices and special rice retail prices. Vertical price transmission flows from farmgate to wholesale levels for special rice, and from wholesale to retail levels for well-milled and regular-milled rice. Major …

The Dual Nature Of Weedy Rice (Oryza Sativa F. Spontanea): From A Noxious Weed To An Important Genetic Resource For Rice Improvement, Rica M. Rentino, Vanessa Sernicula, May O. Palanog, Roselyn G. Alfetche, Dan Michael A. Angay, Francis L. Tejada, Dexter G. Balboa, Shaireen M. Angay, Fatima-Nasra A. Sahadain, Teodora E. Mananghaya, Karl Vincent J. Jose, Liezel C. Llanes, Jonathan M. Niones, Karla Mae R. Nonog, Frodie F. Waing, Leonilo Gramaje, Albert Christian S. Suner, Ommal H. Abdulkadi, Norvie L. Manigbas, Jose E. Hernandez, Alvin D. Palanog

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) is becoming a serious threat to rice production in the Philippines, especially in direct-seeding rice areas, owing to its high competitiveness and its similarity to cultivated rice in morphology and ecological requirements. However, weedy rice can be considered both a threat that endangers rice production and an opportunity, as it offers a potential source of novel genes for rice improvement. This study evaluated the extent of weedy rice infestation in direct-seeding areas in the Visayas, measured the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of collected weedy rice ecotypes using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and …

Integrative Effects Of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Azotobacter, And Azospirillum With Different Nitrogen Levels On Morphophysiological Responses And Drought Tolerance Of Maize (Zea Mays L.) ‘Sc706’ Under Varying Water Deficit Conditions, Nozar Shamohammadi, Mahdi Zare, Korosh Ordookhani, Farshid Aref, Shahram Sharafzadeh

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Under drought stress, soil fertility declines sharply, restricting nutrient availability and reducing plant productivity. This study evaluated the effects of mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum combined with nitrogen on the morpho-physiological traits of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid SC706 plants under different water deficit conditions. The experiment was conducted at a research field in Fars Province, Iran, over 2 consecutive years (2017–2018, 2018–2019) and applied a split-split plot design based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. It assessed the effects of the 3 biological fertilizers in 4 treatment groups (Control [B1], inoculation with mycorrhiza alone …

Improvement Of Forage Productivity By Intercropping Pakchong 1 And Napier Grass With Mungbean And Soybean In Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, Paul Joshua C. Marquez, Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo, Menandro M. Loresco, Ma Lourdes S. Edano, Agapita J. Salces

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Forage demand is rising in the Philippines, and to sustainably boost agronomic performance, the beneficial impact of intercropping was investigated. This study characterized the performance of high-yielding forages, namely Napier grass (NG) and Pakchong 1 (PK), when intercropped with soybean (SB) and mungbean (MB) under rain-fed conditions in Los Banos, Laguna. The experiment was conducted in a repeated-measures RCBD replicated 3 times with grass species and cropping system as main factors, resulting in the following treatment combinations: Sole NG, Sole PK, NGSB, NGMB, PKSB, and PKMB. Grasses were ratooned, legumes were harvested, and legume seeds were re-sown every 45 to …

Heterosis For Flowering Time And Leaf Traits In F1 Hybrids From Desi And Kabuli Chickpeas [Research Note], Gizem Kamçi, Behiye Tuba Biçer

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture in Dicle University, Southeast Anatolia, Türkiye, during the 2023 growing season to estimate heterosis, heterobeltiosis, and dominance for phenological, leaf, and plant traits in F₁ hybrids from desi × kabuli and kabuli × kabuli chickpea crosses. In 2022, 2 desi (Black, ICCV 10) and 3 kabuli (Azkan, ILC 533, ILC 482) chickpea varieties were crossed, producing 10 hybrids and 5 parents evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Significant variation was found among genotypes for all traits. Days to first flowering ranged from 55.7 to 69.0 d, with …

Arkansas Soybean Performance Tests 2025, J. F. Carlin, T R. Faske, T L. Roberts, T. N. Spurlock, T. D. Swanson, R. D. Bond, J. C. Mccoy, C. J. Bulloch

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Soybean variety and strain performance tests are conducted each year in Arkansas by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement Program. The tests provide information to companies developing varieties and/ or marketing seed within the state and aid the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in formulating variety recommendations for soybean producers.

Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2025, Nathan A. Slaton

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Rapid technological changes in crop management and production require that the research efforts be presented in an expeditious manner. The contributions of soil fertility and fertilizers are major production factors in all Arkansas crops. The studies described within will allow producers to compare their practices with the university’s research efforts. Additionally, soil-test data and fertilizer sales are presented to allow comparisons among years, crops, and other areas within Arkansas.

To Hold Or Sell Breeding Cattle In The Rangelands, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

In a dry season where feed, water and finances are limited, removing less productive animals as soon as possible is a good option. This will free up feed for more productive animals and help preserve ground cover.

This page provides some of the information and a process for making decisions about holding or selling breeding cattle.

Weather Conditions Associated With Citrus Canker Incidence Caused By Aw Strain In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Of South Texas, Amit Sharma, Teresa Patricia Feria-Arroyo, George Yanev, Madhurababu Kunta

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Citrus canker, caused by bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), affects the citrus industry by making the fruit unmarketable due to unsightly lesions on the fruit. Citrus canker caused by a relatively new AWstrain of Xcc was reported on the citrus trees in the residential areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of South Texas. Xcc AW has a limited host range, predominantly affecting limes and a few other citrus species. Previous work has reported prevailing environmental conditions that influence the incidence and spread of the citrus canker caused by the Asiatic A strain. However, no information is available …

Soil Nutrient Sufficiency Versus Plant Nutrient Status In Compost-Amended Soils: Plant Tissue Analysis As A Diagnostic Tool, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated whether Mehlich III soil nutrient sufficiency ratings reliably predict plant nutrient status and chlorophyll response across contrasting compost application histories. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with Chijimisai (Brassica rapa) planted in three treatment soils that had no compost (T1), moderate compost history (T2), and long-term hog manure compost application (T3). Plant performance was assessed through weekly shoot length and chlorophyll content (SPAD) measurements, leaf number at maturity, and leaf tissue nutrient analysis conducted at harvest. Soil test results indicated adequate to high nutrient levels across all three treatments. Leaf tissue analysis, however, revealed substantial …

An Analysis Of Systemic And Contact Herbicide Usage Trends In Illinois Corn Production Systems, Paige E. Mckittrick

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Herbicide use is central to weed management in Illinois corn production; however, long-term changes in the balance between systemic and contact herbicides have not been well quantified at the statewide scale. This study analyzes herbicide trends in Illinois corn from 1982 to 2016 using secondary data from the USDA Agricultural Chemical Use Survey, paired with climate, regulatory, and herbicide resistance information. Herbicide active ingredients were classified into systemic and contact functional categories and grouped according to Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) mode-of-action (MOA) codes. For each survey year, total herbicide load (lb a.i./acre), functional proportions, MOA-specific contributions, and a …