Agriculture Commons^™

Relaxation Of The Leaf Economics Spectrum Within And Across Quaking Aspen Populus Tremuloides Genotypes, Jolanta Rieksta, Bente J. Graae, Kenny Helsen, Rozália E. Kapás, Richard Strimbeck, Benjamin W. Blonder

Aspen Bibliography

Plant functional traits typically show strong covariation, e.g. as in the worldwide leaf economics spectrum (LES). Covariation is thought to arise from selective forces and physical constraints. However, processes shaping covariation at interspecific scales may differ from those at intraspecific scales. Potential sources of intraspecific trait variation include variation in genetics, abiotic environment, and biotic environment; any of these factors may cause divergence from interspecific patterns. Quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides (Salicaceae), is a widespread tree species ideal for assessing these processes' role in the intraspecific LES, due to its clonal growth along environmental gradients, intraspecific variation in cytotype (ploidy level), …

Improving Efficiency Of Prime Editing For Superior Genetic Traits In Livestock, Iuri Viótti Périssé

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Larkspur Cut Flower Production In Utah, Nick Volesky, Melanie Stock

All Current Publications

Larkspur is an annual crop that provides vertical structure, height, and balance to floral arrangements. Stems also dry well, making them ideal for dried floral designs and other products. Paired with low input costs compared to many other flowers, larkspur is a competitive local crop for small farms. Utah State University (USU) trialed three colors for each Cannes, Fancy, and QIS^TM series (C. ajacis) in 2023 and 2024. This fact sheet covers site preparation, direct sowing and plant density, nutrient management, irrigation, pests and disease, harvest and storage, and economics.

Northern Arizona Ecological Conservation: Assessing Quaking Aspen Health In Northern Arizona Using Earth Observations, Ikram Morso, Luke Collins, Margaret Cox, Melissa Schwan

Aspen Bibliography

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) forests in Northern Arizona provide critical habitat for endangered bird species and support regional tourism and recreation. However, aspen populations are declining due to a combination of abiotic and biotic stressors. In response, land managers implemented strategies, such as ungulate exclusion fencing, prescribed burns, and stand thinning, but efforts are constrained by limited data on where and when to intervene. This project worked in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, and Northern Arizona University School of Forestry. The team utilized Earth observations …

What’S The Beef With Agriculture? Evaluating The Effectiveness Of An Agricultural Literacy Intervention On Students’ Attitudes And Knowledge Toward Sustainability And Animal Agriculture, Jenny E. Bennett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Agricultural literacy is essential for helping individuals understand how food systems impact their daily lives and society. While most research has focused on students’ knowledge, this study addresses the underexplored role of attitudes—critical predictors of behavior—as outcomes of educational interventions. This research analyzed survey data collected before and after an agricultural literacy intervention delivered to high school students in school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs. The curriculum focused on sustainability in animal agriculture.

Findings from paired samples t-tests showed statistically significant improvements in students' attitudes (from moderately neutral to more positive) and knowledge scores. Further analyses revealed that demographic factors such …

Potential Impact Of Dotted Paropsine Beetle And Other Leaf Beetles On Eucalyptus In Utah, Marion Murray, Victoria Xiong, Megan Kast

All Current Publications

Dotted paropsine leaf beetle (DPLB) is an invasive eucalyptus pest native to Australia. Its first U.S. detection was in California in 2022. DPLB feeds on several eucalyptus species, with blue gum as its primary host. Feeding damage includes semicircular notches on leaf edges, defoliation of young leaves, and dieback of shoot tips. DPLB poses a threat to eucalyptus plantings across the western U.S. and to cut foliage producers in Utah.

Miniature Carnation Cut Flower Production In Utah, Kellie Webb, Melanie Stock, Benjamin Scow, Cheyenne Reid, Victoria Xiong, Claudia Nischwitz, Nick Volesky

All Current Publications

Carnation is one of the most popular cut flowers worldwide and has been grown for centuries. The delicate, fringed petals of miniature carnation have a spicy, clove-like scent and are often used commercially in potpourri and perfume. Florists value the scent, versatility in both large and small design work, long vase life, and broad range of colors, which include yellow, orange, pink, white, red, and purple. While traditionally grown under cover in regions like Colombia and Ecuador, carnation may be a viable cut flower for U.S. Intermountain West growers, as plants tolerate frost and grow well in both cool and …

Delphinium Cut Flower Production In Utah, Nick Volesky, Melanie Stock

All Current Publications

Delphinium is a perennial crop that produces tall racemes in two flushes per season. Its long stems serve as vertical line elements, adding height and balance to floral arrangements. Popular series are available in striking shades of blue, which are not commonly found among cut flowers, making delphinium an excellent choice for local market production. This fact sheet provides an overview of how to grow, harvest, and store delphinium, including yields for various cultivars. It also covers its common pests and diseases, and reviews its economic value for cut flower producers.

Changing Aspen Stand Structure Following Large Carnivore Restoration In Yellowstone, Luke E. Painter, Robert L. Beschta, William J. Ripple

Aspen Bibliography

Restoration of large carnivores in northern Yellowstone National Park in the late 20th century resulted in a sustained reduction of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) and their herbivory, facilitating new growth of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) saplings. In 2020–21, we examined 87 randomly selected, previously sampled aspen stands across northern Yellowstone, combining random plots with stand-wide observations. Forty-three percent of stands contained a new cohort of small trees (5–10 cm dbh), the first documented recruitment of overstory aspen trees in northern Yellowstone since the 1940s. Both aspen saplings ( ≥2 m tall) and small trees were …

Canopy Insect Communities Are Shaped By The Genes And Phenotypes Of Their Aspen Hosts, Clay J. Morrow, Jennifer Lind-Riehl, Christopher T. Cole, Kennedy Rubert-Nason, Cécile Ané, Richard L. Lindroth

Aspen Bibliography

1. Community genetics research aims to identify genetic and phenotypic mechanisms that shape communities as extended phenotypes. To date, most progress has been made identifying variation in herbivore communities associated with intraspecific variation in plants, with little focus on identifying specific genes or traits responsible for that variation. Here, we identify how extended phenotype variation of a foundation tree species, Populus tremuloides, arises from trait variation among individuals and specific genes. 2. We quantified heritability for 13 tree traits -- including phenology, defense chemistry, reproduction, and morphology -- and for 18 associated insect species (640,557 individuals). We performed genomic …

Aspen Impedes Wildfire Spread In Southwestern United States Landscapes, Matthew P. Harris, Jonathan D. Coop, Jared A. Balik, Jessika R. Mcfarland, Sean A. Parks, Camille S. Stevens-Rumann

Aspen Bibliography

Aspen (Populus tremuloides) forests are generally thought to impede fire spread, yet the extent of this effect is not well quantified in relation to other vegetation types. We examined the influence of aspen cover on interpolated daily fire spread rates, the relative abundance of aspen at fire perimeters versus burn interiors, and whether these relationships shifted under more fire-conducive atmospheric conditions. Our study incorporated 314 fires occurring between 2001 and 2020 in the southwestern United States and a suite of gridded vegetation, topography, and fire weather predictor variables. We found that aspen slows fire progression: as aspen cover …

Squash Bug Integrated Pest Management, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

This infographic reviews integrated pest management for squash bugs. It includes information on the following: resistant varieties of vegetables to plant and crop rotation, homemade traps, mechanical destruction, mulches, trap crops, natural enemies, and organic and synthetic insecticides.

Thriving Hives: Making Products With Honey - Skincare And Food Recipes, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

While keeping bees is beneficial for many reasons, one of the most notable benefits is producing honey and wax, which have many practical uses. This fact sheet provides information on honey's properties and how to make creamed honey to control crystallization. It also provides instructions on how to make skincare and various food products using honey.

An Agricultural Needs Assessment In The Tri-County Area Of Utah, Cheyenne Reid, Lendel K. Narine, Brooke Holgate

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

An agricultural needs assessment was conducted in the Tri-County area, i.e., Uintah, Daggett, and Duchesne counties, to inform extension programming. Results showed that profitability, business development, and land use were high-priority needs. Gaps in producers’ access to information were found, highlighting the need for targeted education programs to address agricultural challenges.

Bite By Bite: How Ungulate Browsing Shapes North America's Forest Future, Darius Hardalau, Vladut Stefanescu, Mindaugas Bakševičius, Michael Manton, Charles Ruffner, Gediminas Brazaitis, Georgeta Ionescu, Ovidiu Ionescu

Aspen Bibliography

Ungulate browsing represents a contemporary issue for forest development, influencing forest regeneration, composition, and management practices across the world, especially in North America. This review synthesizes findings from 101 studies conducted between 1980 and 2025 to examine patterns of herbivory damage through browsing by moose, elk, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, and bison. Despite regional variation, high ungulate density consistently emerges as the primary factor driving browsing intensity and ecological and economic impact, leading to decreased social acceptance of coexistence with ungulates. This review highlights the selective suppression of palatable species such as balsam fir, red oak, and white cedar, leading …

Utah Surface Irrigation Water Optimization Opportunities And Barriers, Matt Yost, Clara Anderson, Burdette Barker, Justin Wyatt Clawson, Kalen Taylor, Michael Pace

All Current Publications

Surface irrigation systems are still the predominant system used in some parts of Utah, representing nearly half of the irrigated area in the state and the region. Understanding the barriers to water optimization and opportunities for improvement in surface irrigation systems will help ensure their viability. This article presents the results of a survey of surface irrigators in Utah.

The Perfect Pairing: Early Stand Dynamics In Conventional Aspen And Mixedwood Forests In Northern Minnesota, Usa, Chelsea C. Semper, John M. Zobel, Sawyer S. Scherer, Michael R. Reinikainen, Matthew B. Russell, Tyler S. Gifford, Marcella A. Windmuller‑Campione

Aspen Bibliography

In North America, mixedwood management is being increasingly considered by natural resource managers as an alternative to single species management for a variety of ecological, economic, and cultural reasons. In northern Minnesota, USA, natural resource managers are increasingly using treatments to establish mixedwood forests in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx, Populus grandientata Michx) dominated ecosystems by planting white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench). However, little quantitative information is known regarding differences between stand structure and composition in conventional aspen and aspen-white spruce during early stand development. To provide greater clarity for managers, we sampled 40 aspen stands across a chronosequence …

Influence Of Increasing Fires On Mixed Conifer Stand Dynamics In The U.S. Southwest, Simon D. Baker, Kristen M. Waring, David Auty, Nicholas Wilhelmi

Aspen Bibliography

(1) Stand-replacing fires may threaten the continued stability of mixed conifer forests in the U.S. Southwest. Increasing fire frequency and severity have made post-fire forest recovery trajectories uncertain for many coniferous species, potentially leading to long-term shifts in forest structure and composition. (2) The purpose of this study was to examine post-fire stand dynamics over a 10-year period, using a network of permanent plots established prior to wildfire events across Arizona and New Mexico. We assessed changes in over story composition, regeneration, and fuel loading across different fire severities. (3) High severity fire caused near-total over story mortality, with little …

Experiments To Enhance Post-Fire Aspen Seedling Survival And Growth, Larissa L. Yocom, Mark R. Kreider, Owen T. Burney, Tammy Parsons, Ryan T. Choi, Emily K. Liese, Karen E. Mock

Aspen Bibliography

Aspen forests provide wildlife, watershed, and aesthetic value, and the potential for reduced fire occurrence, behavior, and severity. There is interest in planting aspen to achieve various management objectives. However, few studies have investigated the optimal conditions for aspen seedlings in the western US. We conducted two experiments to address this knowledge gap. First, we tested the effects of shading structures (i.e., logs) and biochar on the survival and growth of 960 outplanted aspen seedlings in three exclosures in a recent fire footprint. Second, we tested whether experimentally placing logs near 120 naturally-occurring post-fire aspen seedlings affected survival or growth. …

Utah Farmers Market Consumer Preferences For Local Cut Flowers, Alison Bingham, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford

All Current Publications

In this fact sheet, we review the results of a 2024 study examining consumer preferences for local cut flowers at Utah farmers markets. Study data were collected in person via Qualtrics at six farmers markets across northern Utah, with 51 total responses. We discuss farmers market consumer purchasing preferences, familiarity with labeling programs, and preferred flower colors and varieties. Additionally, the factors influencing consumer decisions when purchasing cut flowers, as well as the product information they rely on, are discussed. Overall, the information in this fact sheet will assist cut flower growers in making informed decisions regarding production methods and …

Utah Strawberries: Consumer Consumption And Purchasing Preferences, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is the first of two discussing the results of a study on consumer preferences and willingness to pay (pricing) for fresh strawberries. The study was conducted on the Logan, Utah, campus of Utah State University (USU) in August 2024, and participants were recruited via campus emails, flyers, and social media posts targeted at the greater Logan community. A total of 116 study participants completed a sensory taste test of organically, locally, and conventionally grown strawberry samples, followed by a survey that included questions about their demographics, shopping habits, and familiarity with, as well as beliefs about, various …

Utah Strawberries: Consumer Preferences For Specialty Labels, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is the second of two discussing the results of a study on consumer preferences and willingness to pay (pricing) for fresh strawberries. This fact sheet highlights how specialty labeling influences consumers’ perceptions and willingness to pay. The study was conducted at Utah State University (USU) in August 2024.The study examines familiarity with production and labeling programs, as well as perceptions of local and organic food.

Transition To Organic: Alfalfa Production In Utah, Earl Creech, Ryan Larsen, Marion Murray, Jennifer R. Reeve, Michele Schahczenski

All Current Publications

Transitioning to organic production may not require drastic operational changes on the part of the producer, as alfalfa production lends itself to more organic practices by default. Producers may decide to transition to certified organic production to capture organic price premiums, access niche market opportunities, reduce the use of synthetic inputs, meet growing consumer demand, enact personal values around environmental stewardship, and support soil and biodiversity conservation. Whatever a grower’s motivation, this fact sheet covers transitioning to organic production through understanding organic production systems, the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, and crop-specific considerations.

Suggested Vegetable Planting Dates For Utah, Shawn Olsen

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides suggested planting dates for vegetables in various areas throughout Utah. It also identifies resources for starting seeds at home.

Sexual And Vegetative Recruitment Of Trembling Aspen Following A High-Severity Boreal Wildfire, Denyse A. Dawe, Ellen Whitman, Michael Michaelian, Alan J. Tepley, Marc-André Parisien

Aspen Bibliography

Background High-severity fire is rare in trembling aspen-dominated forests of the boreal region. The post-fire recruitment strategy of aspen, by either vegetative suckering or sexually (i.e., by seed), has considerable implications for subsequent forest structure, genetic diversity, and ecological resilience to shifting climatic and disturbance regimes. In this study, we take advantage of the unique opportunity provided by the Chuckegg Creek Wildfire Fire (310,000 ha) in northern Alberta, Canada, which burned at high severity through aspen stands before and after spring green-up, to document how phenology, fire severity, and stand characteristics affect recruitment one year following the fire.

Results We …

Factors Impacting The Variability Of Post-Fire Forest Regeneration In Central European Pine Plantations, Florent Jouy, Maren Schüle, Yojana Adhikari, Anja Binder, Danica Clerc, Werner Gerwin, Thilo Heinken, Thomas Raab, Frank Repmann, Susanne Rönnefarth, Marina Schirrmacher, Marie-Therese Schmehl, Jens Schröder, Pierre L. Ibisch

Aspen Bibliography

Fire is increasingly posing a risk to forests and plantations, even in the temperate latitudes of central Europe. Little is known about fire ecology in this region, and therefore, appropriate approaches for the management and reforestation of burned sites are mostly lacking. In a Scots pine plantation region in Brandenburg (northeast Germany), the early tree regeneration of two nearby areas that burned 1 year apart was investigated. We observed that 3 years after the fire events, the forest in one study area showed a relatively high regeneration with a mean density of 7765 saplings/ha, clearly dominated by European aspen (93%); …

Thousand Cankers Disease Of Walnut (Geosmithia Morbida), Claudia Nischwitz, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Causes Of Heterozygosity Excess: The Case Of Mexican Populations Of Populus Tremuloides, Javier Hernández-Velasco, José Ciro Hernández-Díaz, Sergio Leonel Simental-Rodríguez, Juan P. Jaramillo-Correa, David S. Gernandt, José Jesús Vargas-Hernández, Ilga Porth, Roos Goessen, M. Socorro Gonzáles-Elizondo, Matthias Fladung, Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero, José Guadalupe Martínez-Ávalos, Artemio Carrillo-Parra, Eduardo Mendoza-Maya, Arnulfo Blanco-García, Christian Wehenkel

Aspen Bibliography

The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity, which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes. While inbreeding generally reduces the proportion of heterozygous individuals in a population, polyploidy tends to increase the proportion. North American Populus tremuloides is one of the most widely distributed and ecologically important tree species in the Northern Hemisphere. However, genetic variation in Mexican populations of P. tremuloides, including the genetic signatures of their adaptation to a variety of environments, remains largely uncharacterized. The aim of this study was to analyze how inbreeding coefficient (F …

Evaluating The Economic Viability Of Feeding Hydroponic Barley Fodder To Growing Wethers, Fallon Johnson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

As the livestock industry combats challenges including rising feed costs and ensuring sustainable production practices, some attention is being given to hydroponic fodder as a feed source. Hydroponic fodder offers a potential alternative to traditional feed sources. Research has demonstrated hydroponic fodder production has increased water efficiency while providing a sustainable green feed source throughout the year. This study seeks to understand how using hydroponically produced barley fodder in a total mixed ration for growing wethers compares economically to feeding traditional feed sources. A stochastic simulation model is used to determine the expected total feed costs, costs of gain, and …

Below-Ground Carbon Gradients Surrounding Saskatchewan's Native Agricultural Copses, Andrea V. Cline, Colin P. Laroque

Aspen Bibliography

As carbon markets develop, understanding the carbon storage capabilities of agricultural land is imperative to maximizing carbon storage. Ecosystems store two-thirds of their carbon below ground. Shrubland and shelterbelt carbon storage have been well documented in agricultural settings, yet little is known about the carbon stored under the native woody vegetation scattered across the Prairies. This study aims to be the first to quantify the below-ground carbon under and around these native trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) copses in the Canadian Prairies. For this study, the leaf, fibric, humic layer (LFH) and soil samples up to 60cm were collected …