Agriculture Commons^™

Covid-19 Pandemic, Climate Change, And Conflicts On Agriculture: A Trio Of Challenges To Global Food Security, Devendra Paudel, Ram Chandra Neupane, Sailesh Sigdel, Pradip Poudel, Aditya R. Khanal

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Global food security is a worldwide concern. Food insecurity is a significant threat to poverty and hunger eradication goals. Agriculture is one of the focal points in the global policy agenda. Increases in agricultural productivity through the incorporation of technological advances or expansion of cultivable land areas have been pushed forward. However, production growth has slowed in many parts of the world due to various endemic challenges, such as decreased investment in agricultural research, lack of infrastructure in rural areas, and increasing water scarcity. Climate change adversities in agriculture and food security are increasing. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely …

Uv-C Inactivation Of Microorganisms In Droplets On Food Contact Surfaces Using Uv-C Light-Emitting Diode Devices, Aakash Sharma, Housyn Mahmoud, Brahmaiah Pendyala, Sampathkumar Balamurugan, Ankit Patras

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ultraviolet light (UV-C) emitting diodes for the decontamination of stainless steel food contact surfaces. Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19115), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ATCC 700720) were chosen as challenge microorganisms. Target microorganisms were subjected to UV-C dosages of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mJ cm−2 at an average fluence of 0.163 mW/cm2 using a near-collimated beam operating at 279 nm wavelength. Escherichia coli showed lower sensitivity to UV-C light compared to Salmonella Typhimurium and followed first-order kinetics. Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium were …

Predictors Of Tropical Cyclone-Induced Urban Tree Failure: An International Scoping Review, Allyson B. Salisbury, Andrew K. Koeser, Michael G. Andreu, Yujuan Chen, Zachary Freeman, Jason W. Miesbauer, Adriana Herrera-Montes, Chai-Shian Kua, Ryo Higashiguchi Nukina, Cara A. Rockwell, Shozo Shibata, Hunter Thorn, Benyao Wang, Richard J. Hauer

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Background: Trees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species.

Objective: In this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones.

Design: We searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that …

Effect Of The Red-Edge Band From Drone Altum Multispectral Camera In Mapping The Canopy Cover Of Winter Wheat, Chickweed, And Hairy Buttercup, Clement E. Akumu, Samuel Dennis

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The detection and mapping of winter wheat and the canopy cover of associated weeds, such as chickweed and hairy buttercup, are essential for crop and weed management. With emerging drone technologies, the use of a multispectral camera with the red-edge band, such as Altum, is commonly used for crop and weed mapping. However, little is understood about the contribution of the red-edge band in mapping. The aim of this study was to examine the addition of the red-edge band from a drone with an Altum multispectral camera in improving the detection and mapping of the canopy cover of winter wheat, …

Effects Of Full-Fat High-Oleic Soybean Meal In Layer Diets On Nutrient Digestibility And Egg Quality Parameters Of A White Laying Hen Strain, Pramir Maharjan, Amin Rahimi, Kari L. Harding, Thien Chuong Vu, Ramon Malheiros, Edgar O. Oviedo-Rondon, Rouf Mian, Michael Joseph, Lisa Dean, Kenneth E. Anderson, Ondulla Toomer

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

This study was conducted to understand the impact of including full fat high-oleic soybean meal in layer hen diets on nutrient digestibility and added nutritional value in eggs. Forty-eight layers (∼36 wk old) were randomly assigned to one of 4 isonitrogenous (18.5% crude protein) treatment diets with 12 replicate birds per treatment in a 3-wk study. Treatments were 1) solvent extracted defatted soybean meal + corn diet, 2) dry extruded defatted soybean meal + corn, 3) full-fat soybean meal + corn, 4) high-oleic full-fat soybean meal + corn diet. Apparent ileal digestibility of crude fat (CF) and crude protein (CP) …

Differentiation Of Andean And Mesoamerican Accessions In A Proposed Core Collection Of Grain Amaranths, Matthew W. Blair, Jorge Londoño, María A. Buitrago-Bitar, Xingbo Wu, David M. Brenner

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Grain amaranths are made up of three New World species of pseudo-cereals with C4 photosynthesis from the dicotyledonous family Amaranthaceae and the genus Amaranthus. They originate in two ecoregions of the Americas, namely, the inter-Andean valleys of South America and the volcanic axis and lowlands of Mexico and Central America. These correspond to two centers of domestications for Andean and Mesoamerican crops, with one cultivated species found in the first region and two found in the latter region. To date, no core collection has been made for the grain amaranths in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) germplasm …

Evaluating Sustainable Options For Valorization Of Rice By-Products In Sri Lanka: An Approach For A Circular Business Model, W. A. M. A. N Illankoon, Chiara Milanese, A. K. Karunarathna, Kumuditha D. Hikkaduwa Epa Liyanage, A. M. Y. W. Alahakoon, Puhulwella G. Rathnasiri, Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Sabrina Sorlini

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Due to the significant quantities of waste generated by the Sri Lankan rice industry, circular bioeconomy methodologies were applied to examine value-adding entrepreneurial activities for rice industry by-products (RIB). The study was conceived after scouring the existing literature on agricultural waste management and interviewing experts in the field and the rice industry. In the first phase, the suitability of valorizing alternatives for RIB was considered via a multi-criteria decision-making method. Valorization options, such as biochar production, energy purposes, composting, and other activities, were evaluated using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based on four criteria, namely environmental, social, technical, and economic …

Biochar Application: A Sustainable Approach To Improve Soil Health, Shubh Pravat Singh Yadav, Sujan Bhandari, Dibya Bhatta, Anju Poudel, Susmita Bhattarai, Puja Yadav, Netra Ghimire, Prava Paudel, Pragya Paudel, Jiban Shrestha, Biplov Oli

Extension Publications

Soil is a fundamental part of successful agriculture, and its quality has to be improved to maximize crop yield and soil fertility. To increase crop productivity and soil fertility, biochar can be applied to the soil. Biochar is a solid carbon-rich product produced from biomass of agricultural crop residues, wastes, and wood, through pyrolysis in an oxygen-deficient condition. Carbon sequestration through biochar is important because of its potential applications in recycling wastes, retaining nutrients in the soil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In this review, we explore the various applications of biochar to ensure the safe and sustainable …

Morpho-Physiological And Biochemical Response Of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) To Drought Stress: A Review, Utsav Bhandari, Aakriti Gajurel, Bharat Khadka, Ishwor Thapa, Isha Chand, Dibya Bhatta, Anju Poudel, Meena Pandey, Suraj Paudel, Jiban Shrestha

Extension Publications

Global food shortages are caused mainly by drought, the primary driver of yield loss in agriculture worldwide. Drought stress negatively impacts the physiological and morphological characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.), limiting the plant productivity and hence the economy of global rice production. Physiological changes due to drought stress in rice include constrained cell division and elongation, stomatal closure, loss of turgor adjustment, reduced photosynthesis, and lower yields. Morphological changes include inhibition of seed germination, reduced tillers, early maturity, and reduced biomass. In addition, drought stress leads to a metabolic alteration by increasing the buildup of …

Abundance Of Halyomorpha Halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) And Megacopta Cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) In Soybean In Areas With Few Previous Sightings In Tennessee, Kaushalya G. Amarasekare, Richard H. Link

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) are two exotic invasive pests that have invaded the United States in recent years. Halyomorpha halys can damage various fruits, vegetables, and field crops, such as soybean and corn, while Megacopta cribraria only attacks soybean and kudzu, a weed species. They are currently found in southeastern states and threaten soybean and other crops grown in the region. This study evaluated the seasonal abundance of H. halys and M. cribraria in soybeans in 2016 and 2017 in two counties in the central region of Tennessee, where both species had either a few sightings or …

Phenotypic Variability For Root Traits In Andean Common Beans Grown With And Without Aluminum Stress Conditions, Daniel Ambachew, Abay Asfaw, Tennessee State University

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Genetic variation in wild relatives, GenBank accessions, landraces, and cultivars can unlock key alleles for the traits of interest for breeding programs. Breeding programs often utilize different strategies to quantify the source of heritable variation for target traits. One neglected area of study is the root traits of diverse genotypes, and this is especially the case for aluminum toxicity effects on legumes such as the common bean, which is the most used pulse for direct human consumption. This study evaluated 267 genotypes of common bean that were part of the global Andean Diversity Panel (ADP), consisting mainly of genotypes assembled …

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile Of Pathogenic And Commensal Bacteria Recovered From Cattle And Goat Farms, Winne Mukuna, Tobenna Aniume, Bharat Pokharel, Collins Khwatenge, Ashesh Basnet, Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The use of antibiotics in food animals results to antimicrobial resistant bacteria that complicates the ability to treat infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pathogenic and commensal bacteria in soil, water, manure, and milk from cattle and goat farms. A total of 285 environmental and 81 milk samples were analyzed for Enterobacteriaceae by using biochemical and PCR techniques. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique. A total of 15 different Enterobacteriaceae species were identified from goat and cattle farms. Manure had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Enterobacteriaceae (52.0%) than soil (37.2%), trough water (5.4%), and runoff water (5.4%). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in Enterobacteriaceae in goat milk (53.9%) and cow milk (46.2%). Enterobacteriaceae from environment showed 100% resistance to novobiocin, erythromycin, and vancomycin E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Enterococcus spp., and Listeria monocytogenes displayed three, five, six, and ten. AMR patterns, respectively. NOV-TET-ERY-VAN was the most common phenotype observed in all isolates. Our study suggest that cattle and goat farms are reservoirs of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Food animal producers should be informed on the prudent use of antimicrobials, good agricultural practices, and biosecurity measures.

Sensing And Automation Technologies For Ornamental Nursery Crop Production: Current Status And Future Prospects, Md Sultan Mahmud, Azlan Zahid, Anup Kumar Das

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The ornamental crop industry is an important contributor to the economy in the United States. The industry has been facing challenges due to continuously increasing labor and agricultural input costs. Sensing and automation technologies have been introduced to reduce labor requirements and to ensure efficient management operations. This article reviews current sensing and automation technologies used for ornamental nursery crop production and highlights prospective technologies that can be applied for future applications. Applications of sensors, computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet-of-Things (IoT), and robotic technologies are reviewed. Some advanced technologies, including 3D cameras, enhanced deep learning models, …

Tree Architecture And Powdery Mildew Resistance Of Yellow-Flowering Magnolias In Tennessee, Usa, Madhav Parajuli, Prabha Liyanapathiranage, Krishna Neupane, Jacob Shreckhise, Donna Fare, Benjamin Moore, Fulya Baysal-Gurel

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Magnolias (Magnolia sp.) are economically important woody ornamental plants; however, plant damage associated with frost and powdery mildew (Microsphaera alni and Phyllactinia corylea) disease is a major production challenge. To understand the tree architecture and powdery mildew resistance, 26 yellow-flowering magnolias (Magnolia sp.) were evaluated in McMinnville, TN, USA (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b). One-year-old containerized trees were planted in a field plot during Mar 2006, with 4.6-m plant-to-plant and 3.7-m row-to-row spacing. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with three single-plant replications. Plant height and canopy diameter were measured on Dec 2016 and …

Smart Precision Agriculture But Resource Constrained Farmers: Is Service Provision A Potential Solution? Farmer's Willingness To Pay For Laser-Land Leveling Services In Nepal, Gokul P. Paudel, Aditya Raj Khanal, Dil Bahadur Rahut, Timothy J. Krupnik, Andrew J. Mcdonald

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Farmers commonly split large, undulating crop fields, even those at similar elevation range or contour, into a patchwork of small sub-plots in plane areas of Nepal. Specifically, to ensure irrigation or rainwater throughout their cultivated rice or wheat growing areas, structures like bunds, dikes, and ditches are commonly built. These structures not only require significant labor hours to build but also incur loss of some portion of productive crop areas. Laser-land leveling (LLL) is one of the precision technologies that can prevent these area losses, save labor costs, and enhance water utilization. However, purchase of LLL system requires …

Developing Institutions And Inter-Organizational Synergies Through Digitalization And Youth Engagement In African Agriculture: The Case Of “Africa Goes Digital”, Matthew Ayamga, Abdelaziz Lawani, Selorm Akaba, Arsene Birindwa

Extension Publications

As digitalization increasingly gains attention in the agriculture sector, many African youths are seizing the opportunity provided by digital technologies to engage in agriculture. While prior studies have started examining the intricacies of digitalization in agriculture, they have paid less attention to its implications for fostering institutions and inter-organizational synergies that can support and sustain the businesses of youth enterprises engaging with Africa’s agriculture. Against this backdrop, we undertook a qualitative case study to shed light on the development of a community of practice comprising youth enterprises engaging in agriculture through digitalization. Thus, we studied Africa Goes Digital (AFGD), a …

Box Tree Moth (Cydalima Perspectalis), Kripa Dhakal, Karla M. Addesso

Extension Publications

The box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive pest of boxwood (Buxus spp.) causing severe damage to these popular ornamental plants. These plants are popular for their low maintenance, deer resistance, and evergreen foliage. It is a shrub common to almost all landscape environments in the United States. The box tree moth is native to East Asia. It was discovered in Europe in 2007, and since then it has spread rapidly across the continent. In 2018, box tree moth was first detected in North America in Ontario, Canada and in July 2021, the U.S. Department …

Ambrosia Beetles Important To Tennessee Nurseries, Anju Poudel, Asmita Gautam, Karla Addesso, Jason Oliver, Garrett Roper

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Japanese Beetle (Popillia Japonica), Asmita Gautam, Karla M. Addesso, Anju Poudel, Jason B. Oliver

Extension Publications

Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Popillia japonica Newman, is an invasive beetle introduced from Asia to the United States in the early 1900s. It was first detected in New Jersey and later distributed in 28 states in the United States (Fig 1). In Tennessee, the beetle population was first detected in 1936, and about 80 counties in Tennessee have been infested by their establishment. Adult beetles feed on over 300 plant species, including foliage, fruits, and flowers. It is a significant pest of turfgrass, and ornamental and horticultural crops in the eastern United States. Adults and larvae aggregate on the plants …

Woody Ornamental Disease Management Research Reports 2023, Fulya Baysal-Gurel

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Using Drones In Forestlands And Nurseries, Priya Saini, Jason P. De Koff

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Elephant Mosquitos, Toxorhynchites Rutlius, And Their Potential Use As A Biological Control, Aubree Morrison, Jason Oliver, Karla Addesso

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Based Tree Canopy Characteristics Measurement For Precision Spray Applications, Md Sultan Mahmud, Long He, Paul Heinemann, Daeun Choi, Heping Zhu

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The critical components for applying the correct amount of agrochemicals are fruit tree characteristics such as canopy height, canopy volume, and canopy coverage. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based tree canopy characteristics measurement system was developed using image processing approaches. The UAV captured images using a high-resolution red-green-blue (RGB) camera. A digital surface model (DSM) and a digital terrain model (DTM) were generated from the captured images. A tree canopy height map was generated from the subtraction of DSM and DTM. A total of 24 apple trees were randomly targeted to measure the canopy characteristics. Region of interest (ROI) was generated …

Incidence Of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Strains In Organic And Conventional Watermelons Grown In Tennessee, Onyekachukwu Akaeze, Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge, Dilip Nandwani, Abdullah Ibn Mafiz, Maureen Nzomo, Tobenna Aniume

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The production and consumption of organic fresh produce have constantly increased since the 1990s. Consumers prefer organic produce because it does not contain synthetic chemical residues that are often implicated in health problems. The contamination of fresh produce by pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae strains remains a major challenge, and is responsible for frequent foodborne disease outbreaks. The use of antibiotics has proved an effective treatment, but the increase in occurrences of antibiotic resistance is becoming a health challenge. This study seeks to establish the presence of antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae on organic and conventional watermelon fruits. Watermelons used for this study were …

Building Soil By Building Community: How Can An Interdisciplinary Approach Better Support Community Needs And Urban Resilience, Erica L. Wohldmann, Yujuan Chen, Kirsten Schwarz, Susan D. Day, Richard V. Pouyat, Michelle Barton, Manny Gonez

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Given the interrelated problems of climate change, energy and resource scarcity, and the challenge of supporting critical natural systems in cities, urban dwellers may be exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While a number of programs and policies have been developed and implemented to help reduce the environmental and social impacts of climate change on communities, we argue that effective and sustainable programs must not only consider how the changing environment impacts communities, but also how communities interact with and impact the environment. Specifically, drawing on a case study of the needs assessment of the Healthy Soils for …

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Small Rna Composition And Differential Microrna Responses Underlying Interferon-Mediated Antiviral Regulation In Porcine Alveolar Macrophages, Jiuyi Li, Eric R. Sang, Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Laura C. Miller, Yongming Sang

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Previous studies have shown that interferon-mediated antiviral activity is subtype-dependent. Using a whole transcriptome procedure, we aimed to characterize the small RNA transcriptome (sRNA-Seq) and specifically the differential microRNA (miRNA) responses in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) upon antiviral activation during viral infection and interferon (IFN) stimulation. Data showed that near 90% of the qualified reads of sRNA were miRNAs, and about 10% of the other sRNAs included rRNA, snoRNA, snRNA, and tRNA in order of enrichment. As the majority of sRNA (>98%) were commonly detected in all PAM samples under different treatments, about 2% sRNA were differentially expressed between …

Type Of Stress Induces Differential Responses In Acer Rubrum (Red Maple), But Induced Responses Have No Effect On Herbivorous Pests, Cindy Perkovich, Anthony Witcher, Grayson Delay, Karla Addesso

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Plants thrive in dynamic environments requiring adaptive strategies in response to environmental stressors. Furthermore, insect herbivores may be attracted or deterred by the expression of these traits. This study examines growth, physiological, and phytochemical adaptations of maple trees in response to stressors and how these stressors effect herbivore feeding behavior within an agricultural production system. Agricultural systems are unique because plants experience environmental stressors unique to production such as herbicide sprays and girdling. Using four environmental stressors commonly observed in agricultural production (control, mechanical defoliation, chemical defoliation, and girdling), applied to two cultivars of red maple (Acer rubrum, ‘Brandywine’ and …

Responses Of Soil Heterotrophic Respiration And Microbial Biomass To Organic And Conventional Production Systems, Kripa Dhakal, Madhav Parajuli, Siyang Jian, Jianwei Li, Dilip Nandwani

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The effects of organic and conventional production systems on crop productivity have been greatly explored, but their effects on soil microbial processes were often neglected. A comparative field study of organic and conventional production systems was conducted at the Tennessee State University research farm to determine soil heterotrophic respiration and microbial biomass carbon. Leafy green vegetables were grown in a conventional production system in an open field, and they were grown in an organic production system, using three different row covers (agribon cloth, insect net, and plastic), and in an open field. Soil samples (0-15cm) were collected from the two …

Zero Discharge Of Nutrient Solution To The Environment In A Soilless Greenhouse Cucumber Production System, Xiaotao Ding, Lizhong He, Rongguang Li, Tingting Qian, Hongmei Zhang, Haijun Jin, Jiawei Cui, Hong Wang, Qiang Zhou, Jun Zou, Dafeng Hui, Yuping Jiang, Kun He, Jizhu Yu

Biology Faculty Research

With the development of the economy and society, more attention is being paid to energy costs and the potential environmental pollution caused by vegetable cultivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of zero discharge of nutrient solutions on cucumber growth, leaf photosynthesis, and the yield and quality of cucumber under greenhouse conditions. The results show that zero discharge treatment did not change plant height, stem diameter, internode length, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr), and leaf relative chlorophyll content on the most measurement days. Only Pn …

Agritourism As An Alternative On-Farm Enterprise For Small U.S. Farms: Examining Factors Influencing The Agritourism Decisions Of Small Farms, Reginald Holland, Aditya R. Khanal, Purushottam Dhungana

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

This study examines the adoption of agritourism by small farms in the U.S. Using primary survey data collected from small farms in Tennessee in 2020, we assessed adopter characteristics and investigated the factors influencing the farmers’ decision to adopt or add agritourism-related activities, including recreational, educational, and touristic attractions in the farm. We found that factors such as social media marketing, smartphone use in farm activities, and having farm insurance significantly increased the likelihood of agritourism adoption in addition to other demographic factors. Additionally, we found that a farmer’s perceived survival risk positively influences small farms to adopt agritourism. Small …