Agriculture Commons^™

Abrasive Weeding As A Vehicle For Precision Fertilizer Management In Organic Vegetable Production, Tran Kim Ngan Luong, Frank Forcella, Sharon A. Clay, Michael S. Douglass, Sam E. Wortman

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Abrasive weeding is a nonchemical weed control tactic that uses small, gritty materials propelled with compressed air to destroy weed seedlings. Organic fertilizers have been used successfully as abrasive grits to control weeds, but the goal for this study was to explore the effects of fertilizer grit, application rates, and background soil fertility on weeds, plant available nitrogen (N) uptake, and crop yield. Field trials were conducted in organic ‘Carmen’ sweet red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and organic ‘Gypsy’ broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and treatments included organic fertilizer grit (8N–0.9P–3.3K vs. 3N–3.1P–3.3K), grit application rates (low …

Fungicide, Insecticide, And Foliar Fertilizer Effect On Soybean Yield, Seed Composition, And Canopy Retention, Kelsey Bergman, Ignacio Clampitti, Peter Sexton, Péter Kovács

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield has increased over time through the introduction of new varieties and improved agronomic practices. However, seed protein concentration has decreased. We conducted field studies in 2018 and 2019 to investigate the effects of fungicide, insecticide, and foliar fertilizer application on grain yield and seed quality in two soybean maturity groups (MG). In‐season treatments targeted nutrient availability and soybean canopy duration during the seed‐filling period by fungicide, insecticide, or foliar fertilizer application at the onset of this period. Biomass samples were collected at R5, R6, and R7 and partitioned into plant parts. Year, location, …

Agronomic Response Of Camelina To Nitrogen And Seeding Rate On The Northern Great Plains, Thandiwe Nleya, Dwarika Bhattarai, Phillip Alberti

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz,) a new oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae family has favorable agronomic traits and multiple food and industrial uses. Appropriate production practices for optimal camelina yield in temperate climates of North America are lacking. This study investigated the response of camelina seed yield and quality, and agronomic traits to applied N (5 levels, 0, 28, 56, 84, 140 kg ha−1) and four seeding rates (4.5, 9, 13, 17.5 kg ha−1). Separate experiments were conducted at four environments (site-years) for N and three environments for seeding rate in South Dakota. In three of the four environments, the …

South Dakota Farmers’ Views On Environment & Community, Tong Wang, Jim Ristau

South Dakota Farm Survey

Researchers at South Dakota State University (SDSU) conducted producer surveys in the eastern part of South Dakota in both 2018 and 2021. Producers could take the survey online or via mail and were asked questions about their farm, farming practices including usage of soil and water conservation practices, and their values.

Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Progress Report, 2021, Southeast South Dakota Research Farm

Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports

This is an annual report of the research program at the Southeast South Dakota Research Farm in cooperation with South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences and has special significance for those engaged in agriculture and the agriculturally related businesses in the ten county area of Southeast South Dakota. The results shown are not necessarily complete or conclusive. Interpretations given are tentative because additional data resulting from continuation of these experiments may result in conclusions different from those based on any one year.

Management And Dietary Strategies To Mitigate Environmental Stressors In Northern Plains Cattle Feeding Systems, Warren Carl Rusche

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three studies were undertaken to examine strategies to mitigate environmental stress faced by Northern Plains cattle feeders. In the first study, 46 feedlot managers from SD (n = 21), MN (n = 6), and NE (n = 19) were surveyed on use and perceptions of heat stress (HS) mitigation strategies. All respondents avoided cattle handling during heat stress events and incorporated some method of HS mitigation. Buildings or shades were perceived as the most successful strategy (60.9%) and were most commonly named as strategies managers would like to employ (63% for shades and 17.4% for buildings). Increasing dietary corn silage …

Assessing Dairy Farm Employees Health, Leyby Stephany Guifarro Rodriguez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Master thesis evaluates the impact of general health care and eating habits (Study 1), vision care (Study 2), and mental health status (Study 3) on Latino dairy farmworkers lifestyle and work performance in South Dakota. We hypothesized that the health status of dairy workers has a negative impact on the workers’ job performance. In study 1, data from a total of 70 participants were collected, using a face-to-face survey in Spanish, which allowed us to assess various topics and details related to employees’ daily routine tasks, eating habits, and general health status. Furthermore, recommendations to improve general health care …

Implications Of Broadleaf, Grass, And A Blend Of Broadleaf And Grass Cover Crops On Soil Health And Corn Production In South Dakota, Hunter Bielenberg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops have recently gained attention in the U.S. Midwest because of their potential to increase soil organic matter and protect overall soil health. This study was conducted to determine the effects of different cover crop mixtures on soil health measurements and corn grain yield at increasing nitrogen (N) rates. Cover crops were planted in the fall after small grains harvest as a dominantly grass mixture, dominantly broadleaf mixture, or a 50/50 grass and broadleaf mixture with a no cover crop control. Soil and cover crop biomass samples were collected in the fall before winter cold termination and in the …

Soil Organic Carbon, Hydro-Physical Properties, Pore Structure And Greenhouse Gas Fluxes Under Integrated Crop-Livestock System, Jashanjeet Kaur Dhaliwal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) can improve soil organic carbon (SOC), enhance soil hydro-physical properties, and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate the influence of grazing, cover crop (CC), and a combination of grazing and CC on labile soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions and soil enzyme activity, (ii) assess the impacts of short-term (3-4 years) and long-term (>30 years) ICLS on SOC, bulk density, structural quality and water infiltration, (iii) evaluate soil pore structural properties such as porosity, number of pores, pore size, pore shape, fractal dimension, anisotropy and tortuosity …

Interrogating The Socio-Ethical Dilemmas Of Precision Agriculture Technologies, Ayorinde Ogunyiola

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Farming has moved into a digital age where data and information are available to farmers to make informed agronomic and financial on-farm decisions. The development of precision agriculture (PA), such as big data technologies and machine learning algorithms is transforming the agricultural food production system in diverse ways, economically, environmentally, and socially. Despite benefits afforded by PA to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, these technologies can raise unintended societal challenges that can also limit their adoption among farmers. PA is changing how farming is done, reconstructing farmers’ social identities, and influencing relationships between farmers, agronomists, and technology developers. This dissertation …

Exploring The Determinants Of Aspects Of Rotational Grazing In The U.S. Great Plains, Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pasture and rangeland make up about 45 percent of the agricultural land in the U.S. Great Plains and one of the most common form of mismanagement of this pasture is overgrazing. Which results in many detrimental effects on environment. Many practitioners endorsed Rotational grazing (RG) as an improved grazing management practice over season-long continuous grazing. The overall goal of the current study is to assess the certain aspects of using RG in the U.S. Great Plains. Using mail survey data of the of 874 beef cattle producers of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, the study found that neighborhood practice, …

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Permits Characterization Of Stagonospora Nodorum Blotch (Snb) Resistance In Hard Winter Wheat, Rami Altameemi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB) is an economically important wheat disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum. SNB resistance in wheat is controlled by several quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Thus, the identifying of novel resistance/susceptibility QTLs is crucial for continuous improvement of the SNB resistance. Here, the hard winter wheat association mapping panel (HWWAMP) comprising accessions from breeding programs in the Great Plains region of the US, was evaluated for SNB resistance and necrotrophic effectors (NEs) sensitivity at the seedling stage. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify singlenucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with SNB resistance and …

Genetically Modified Corn Diffusion And Biofuel Usage: Impacts On Corn Belt Cropping Systems Changes, Kenneth Annan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops, the rise of ethanol production that produced an additional derived demand for corn, and the increasingly prominent position of corn and soybeans in crop rotations embody major changes in U.S. agriculture during the past decades. This study investigates the linkages among these developments in two ways. First, we look at how biotechnology and biofuels have influenced cropping system changes in the Corn Belt region of the United States, using state-level data from 2000 to 2019. Second, we investigate the determinants of corn acreage intensification levels and heterogeneity at the state level using data …

Quantifying The Impacts Of An Integrated Crop-Livestock System On Plant Nutrient Accumulation, Crop Yield, And Economic Performance, Teerath Singh Rai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLs), if managed properly, have the potential for enhancing crop production and economics. Cover crops in ICL can be grazed to provide feed for livestock and improve nutrient recycling. This dissertation focused on assessing the impacts of ICL on crop yield and economics using field and modeling studies. Specific objectives of this dissertation are: (i) evaluating the impacts of the ICL on crop yield, and economic performance in a 3-yr oat (Avena sativa L.) – maize (Zea mays L.) – soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation, (ii) assessing the impacts of the ICL on maize biomass accumulation, …

Genome Wide Association Study On Kernel Size In Avena Sativa (Oats), Koryne Ann Carlson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kernel size is a vital milling characteristic for Avena sativa L. (oats), with larger kernel size being desirable for milling facilities. This project evaluated the effect of genotype, environment, and their genotype by environment interaction (G by E) on kernel width, length, and area for a set of 27 oat cultivars grown at multiple locations in South Dakota over three years. Findings indicated significant differences among oat varieties, and that environment had a substantial effect on kernel size. However, we did not see a strong influence of genotype by environment interaction on kernel size. The lack of impact for genotype …

Characterization Of The Rumen Bacterial Communities Of Bison Heifers Fed A Grass-Based Diet Vs A Grain-Based Free-Choice Diet, Anlly Miley Fresno Rueda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A century ago, the North American grasslands and prairie ecosystems were dominated by bison. At least 30 million bison roamed the Great Plains when the first explorers arrived. By 1900, there were little over a thousand bison remained in the United States and Canada. Recovery efforts has been made since the 20th century to reestablish the herds and increase the bison population. Today, over 500,000 bison are distributed across North America, with more than 90% of the existing bison population under commercial production. Modern conservation strategies are made via the collaborative efforts of conservationist, producers, and researchers, resulting in increased …

Influence Of Cover Crops On Water And Nutrient Cycles In South Dakota, Sam Ireland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A major concern of farmers implementing cover crops into a crop rotation is a potential reduction in soil moisture and nutrients available for the following cash crop. If soil moisture or nutrients are limited, the following cash crop yield suffers. One option to conserve soil moisture is to terminate cover crops with herbicides prior to a killing freeze. The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of the impact of cover crops and termination timing to the water and nutrient cycles and furthermore, the agronomic impact to the following cash crop (corn). Field experiments were conducted in …

School Gardening In America And A Survey Of South Dakota Schools, Aminah Hassoun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School gardening has a longstanding history in American education, dating as far back as the mid-1800s. Despite fluctuations in popularity throughout the twentieth century, school gardens have grown into an established method for hands-on teaching. This paper builds upon a historical framework of school gardening in American public education with particular focus on the connections between school gardens and agricultural education. This study offers a descriptive portrait of contemporary K-12 school gardens in South Dakota. Schools across the state were surveyed about their gardens to gain a better understanding of garden-based teaching in practice both in general education and agricultural …

Studies On Genetic Characterization Of Agronomic Traits And Disease Resistance In Bread Wheat, Jyotirmoy Halder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A steady increase in wheat yield is vital to feed the continuously rising world population. Systematic exploitation of wheat germplasm and a better understanding of the underlying genetic control could be pivotal in accelerating the genetic gain for yield and disease management. Various modern techniques such as genome-wide association study (GWAS), genomic selection (GS), fine mapping, and cloning can expedite wheat improvement and broaden our understanding of the complex wheat genome. In the first objective of this study, we evaluated the Watkins core set of 121 landrace cultivars (LCs) to identify novel sources of resistance against the tan spot, Stagonospora …

Developing Whey Protein Encapsulated Probiotics And Evaluating Environmental Listeria Using Whole-Genome Sequencing, Shayanti Minj

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study, a novel value-added dairy-based health formulation was developed using whey protein hydrolysate and probiotic organisms. In the first part of the study, different forms of whey proteins, concentrate WPC80, isolate WPI90, and hydrolysates WPH10, WPH15 and WPH20 were screened for bioactivities (antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antihypertensive activity). Hydrolysate WPH10, exhibiting the highest bioactivities was conjugated with maltodextrin. A batch of 2L conjugated solution was spray dried in a Niro drier with an inlet and outlet temperature of 200⁰C and 90⁰C, and alternatively, freeze dried at −80 °C under 50 mTorr vacuum. The bioactivities of the conjugated samples were …

Organic Fertilizer Abrasive Grits Increase Soil Available Nitrogen, Plant Height, And Biomass, Michael Carlson, Frank Forcella, Sam Wortman, David Clay, Sharon A. Clay

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

In organic cropping systems, air‐propelled abrasive grits can be used to control in‐row weeds. If the applied abrasive grit is an approved organic fertilizer, these applications may serve a dual purpose of weed control and crop fertility. Laboratory soil incubations examined the N mineralization rates of several grit types with differing C/N ratios (Agra Grit [crushed walnut shells, 170:1], corncob grit [91:1], Sustane [composted turkey litter, 5.0:1], Phytaboost Plant Food [crushed and pelletized soybean meal, 5.0:1]). A greenhouse study determined plant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), kale (Brassica napus pabluaria DC), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) growth response …

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2020), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 3 COVID-19: From Our Students' Perspective
[Page] 11 Class of 2020 Q&A
[Page] 19 Alumni Advice for the Future Generation
[Page] 21 Recent Alumni Features
[Page] 25 Student Features
[Page] 31 CAFES News, Student Success, Awards and Achievements
[Page] 57 Jackrabbits Now and Then: A Current Student and Alumni Q&A

Growing South Dakota (Spring/Summer 2020), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

This issue contains the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station 2019 Annual Report.

[Page] 2 South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Update
[Page] 4 Featured Research
[Page] 14 Graduate and Undergraduate Research: In Our Own Words
[Page] 20 Featured Research
[Page] 32 Research in Progress
[Page] 38 CAFES News and Updates
[Page] 56 Jackrabbits Now and Then: A Current Student and Alumni Q&A

Teaching Natural And Artificial Selection In Production Agriculture, Madhav P. Nepal, Clayton W. Scott

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will learn how natural selection and artificial selection impact both production agriculture and biological sciences. A natural selection is a mechanism that favors heritable traits that increase species survival and reproduction. Artificial selection is a selective breeding, where humans select for desirable traits in agricultural products.

Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Progress Report, 2020, Southeast South Dakota Research Farm

Agricultural Experiment Station and Research Farm Annual Reports

This is an annual report of the research program at the Southeast South Dakota Research Farm in cooperation with South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences and has special significance for those engaged in agriculture and the agriculturally related businesses in the ten county area of Southeast South Dakota. The results shown are not necessarily complete or conclusive. Interpretations given are tentative because additional data resulting from continuation of these experiments may result in conclusions different from those based on any one year.

In-Season Crop Management Effect On Soybean Yield And Grain Quality In Eastern South Dakota, Kelsey Bergman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield has increased over time by introduction of newer varieties and improved agronomic practices. However, grain protein concentration has been decreasing at the same time. New field studies in 2018 and 2019 investigated inseason crop management practices effect such as use of foliar protection application, fertilizer application, different maturity length or different planting dates on grain yield and grain quality. The studies were established near Brookings, SD and Beresford, SD. In-season treatments were targeting nutrient availability or protecting soybean canopy during the grain filling period. Such treatments included the use of fungicide, insecticide, or supplying …

Understanding How Agricultural Intensification Impacts Ring-Necked Pheasant Distribution And Survival In Eastern South Dakota, Hilary R. Kauth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically, pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) have thrived in South Dakota in conjunction with successful land retirement programs or early farming practices through the 1950s, which created interspersions of agriculture and native landscapes that were ideal for pheasants. Recently, the Prairie Pothole ecosystem has undergone rapid agroeconomic expansion, effectively reducing ideal interspersions of native prairie and cropland into agriculturally homogeneous landscapes. Indices of pheasant abundance have suggested persistent population declines since 2008, raising concerns regarding landscape suitability. Our goal was to understand how agriculture intensification impacts pheasant ecology. The objectives were to: 1) estimate overwinter hen probability of survival, resource …

Understanding South Dakota Farmers’ Intentions To And Adoption Of Conservation Practices: An Examination Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Edem Avemegah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conservation agriculture practice is a sustainable farming method based on three principle: crop diversification, minimal soil disturbance or movement and permanent or semi-permanent of soil cover. Government and stakeholders within the agricultural sector in the United States are promoting conservation farming practices but limited voluntary adoption still exists among producers at the farm level. This research study investigated the factors that influence the adoption of conservation practices among producers in the eastern and central parts of South Dakota (SD). A modified theory of planned behavior (TPB) is used as a framework alongside socioeconomic and demographic indicators to understand farmers’ current …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Experiential Learning In The 3-Circle Agricultural Education Model, Jon C. Schreurs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to describe teachers’ perceptions of experiential learning and its effects on student learning, understanding, and engagement through agriculture education's three-circle model. This paper explores teachers’ perceptions of the value and importance of experiential learning in agriculture education instruction, FFA, and supervised agricultural experience. Further, I explore experiential learning, constructivism, and hands-on learning as the foundational instructional practices used in agricultural education. Agricultural education teachers from southwest Minnesota were surveyed to determine how they are using experiential learning in their agriculture education programs, including classroom instruction, FFA, and supervised agricultural experiences.

Burning With Potential: Understanding The Relationship Between Biochar And Agriculture Of The Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion, Kaitlyn Abrahamson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Achieving global sustainable agriculture is one of the most incredible challenges of this century, yet many continue to try to solve this problem through the development of precision technologies. Biotechnologies, such as biochar, can perform like a precision technology while protecting agricultural land from soil erosion and fertility loss. The Northern Glaciated Plains ecoregion of the United States is little researched in the benefits from the use of biochar through improved soil nutrient capture and water retention, crop health improvements, and yield increases. The study plot has four sections of corn stover biochar and eight sections of control sections. This …