Agriculture Commons^™

Community Development Professionals’ Perceptions Of Agritourism In Mississippi, Emma Jane Berry

Theses and Dissertations

Agritourism has emerged as a strategy for supporting rural economies, strengthening community identity, and increasing agricultural literacy. Although prior research has examined agritourism operators and visitors, limited attention has been given to the perceptions of community development professionals who influence local planning and program support. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to examine community development professionals’ perceptions of agritourism’s role in community development, economic growth, and agricultural literacy in Mississippi. Guided by Social Exchange Theory, data were collected through two semi-structured virtual focus groups with 12 professionals representing Extension, tourism, economic development, and Main Street organizations. Data were …

Determining Agricultural Literacy Proficiency Of Extension Professionals And Primary Volunteers In Mississippi, Molly Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The development of agricultural literacy is a lifelong process, moving from gaining agricultural knowledge to communicating with others to applying to societal issues, and extends beyond the formal classroom. The Mississippi State University Extension Service has the ability to reach various audiences through educational programming, making them a potential catalyst for change in increasing agricultural literacy across the state. The study aims to determine the agricultural literacy levels of Extension professionals and primary volunteers in Mississippi and the factors potentially influencing these levels. Twenty-nine Extension professionals and eleven primary volunteers completed a survey of demographic questions and the Judd-Murray Agricultural …

The Development And Evaluation Of An Automated Tactical Tillage Tool To Identify And Control Weeds In Row-Crop Production Systems Using Vision-Based Machine Learning., Clara Anne Cobb

Theses and Dissertations

Controlling in-field weeds in row-crop production systems is vital to the success of the operation. To control weeds, most producers use combinations of weed control strategies, including tillage and herbicide applications. Cotton production operations across the country have been trending toward conservation tillage practices in an effort to minimize soil disruption and maintain crop residues on the soil surface. This practice, in addition to the adoption of herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties, has encouraged more use of chemical herbicides. The overuse of these herbicides has resulted in an increase in herbicide-resistant weeds, making weed control difficult for farmers. This research aimed to …

Analyzing Criteria Air Pollutants And Meteorological Parameters In The Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, And Corpus Christi Region Of South Texas, Angela Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, the Rio Grande Valley has experienced significant population growth due to economic opportunities, cross-border commerce, SpaceX, and the Rio Grande and Texas liquid natural export terminal presence. The Rio Grande Valley has an estimated population of 1,368,723. This region is largely understudied, along with nearby urban centers such as Laredo and Corpus Christi. The Rio Grande Valley and Laredo regions are a concern due to their population growth and heavy cross-border transportation. Data from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality Continuous Ambient Monitoring Sites was collected from January 1st , 2024, to December 31st, 2024. Statistical analysis, such as …

Cover Crop Effects On Soil Porewater Nutrients And Hydrothermal Properties, Md Mahadi Hasan

Theses and Dissertations

Adoption of winter cover crops in the U.S. Midwest may reduce nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching from soils, potentially shrinking the hypoxic zone by limiting nutrient runoff into the Gulf of Mexico. To evaluate the impact of selected winter cover crops on soil porewater N and P concentration, a field study was conducted at the Illinois State University Research Farm (ISURF) and the Western Illinois University Research Farm (WIURF). The experimental design was a block experiment with four replications.  Cover crop treatments included a winter fallow, wild pennycress (WPC), golden pennycress (GPC), cereal rye (CR), annual ryegrass (AR), and …

Effects Of Compost Incorporated Versus Surface Applied On Soybean Yield And Soil Health, Maheshwari Kuchanapally

Theses and Dissertations

Compost application is increasingly recognized as a sustainable soil management practice that enhances soil health and crop production. However, the method of application, incorporated versus surface applied, may influence its effectiveness in improving soil properties and crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of compost application method on soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) yield and soil health at Illinois State University Research Farm in Lexington, Illinois, across two growing seasons, 2024 and 2025. The 2024 experiment used a Completely Randomized Design comparing incorporated versus surface-applied compost (n = 4; 8 plots). The 2025 experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design …

Evaluating The Effects Of Biostimulants On Apple Coloration, Patrick G. Owens

Theses and Dissertations

Apple peel color is one determining factor of apple quality and is a highly sought after trait by both growers and consumers. Historically plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as daminozide and auxins have been used to induce a greater amount of red color in the peel, but these products typically have negative production impacts and raise environmental concerns. One new area of interest is in called biostimulants. This study investigated the effects of two experimental biostimulants (MCEN1 and MCEN2) applied at varying rates and timings, as well as a commercially available plant growth regulator (Blush® 2X), on ‘Honeycrisp’ apple color …

Characterizing The Germination Process And Establishing Best Practices For Seed Propagation Of Tamaulipan Thornscrub Species For Habitat Restoration, Saroj Dhakal

Theses and Dissertations

Tamaulipan thornscrub is an imperiled plant community of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Given its importance for biodiversity conservation, stakeholders have been involved in restoration programs using seedlings grown from wild seeds. However, stakeholders often report that insufficient seedling supply is a challenge. To address knowledge gaps in seed germination behavior limiting seedling production, this study was conducted on 18 Tamaulipan thornscrub species, identified by growers as difficult to germinate. Seeds of all studied species are orthodox except Amyris texana, which have recalcitrant properties. Nine species have physical dormancy that was successfully addressed with mechanical and/or chemical scarification. Other species …

Collective Agency And Community Resilience Among Farmworkers In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Angel Velazquez

Theses and Dissertations

This research assesses how farmworkers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas use everyday practices to build resilience and adapt to changes in their lives. I apply two interconnected theories, White’s (2017, 2019) framework of collective agency and community resilience and Castro and Sen’s (2022) framework of everyday adaptation actions, to study these practices. I conducted 19 semi-structured interviews with Latino farmworkers and professionals who work with local farmworker organizations in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas. Interview transcripts were analyzed to determine if and how Latino farmworkers in the RGV can work towards community resilience and implement …

Determination Of An Effective Natural Boxelder Bug (Boisea Trivittata) Repellent, Reyna Chavez

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the use of ecofriendly repellant alternatives to pest management to control boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata). This bug gathers by the thousands on warm surfaces of exterior suburban homes during early fall and late spring. I determined bug repellency to turmeric oil (Curcuma longa), catnip (Nepeta cataria), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The treatments consisted of essential oils containing 20% methanol. All treatments demonstrated repellency of Boxelder bugs. Citronella was the most effective and had the highest level of repellency range of 90-99%. Catnip was the least effective with a repellency range of 63-82%.

Developing Site-Specific Water Response Functions Using Historical Soil Moisture Data, Gifty Lad Ayela

Theses and Dissertations

Variable rate irrigation (VRI) systems offer a promising solution by optimizing water application based on site-specific needs in different areas within a crop field. While accurate crop water production functions (CWPFs) are essential for VRI systems, developing CWPFs has been hindered by challenges in data collection and the complexities of modeling water’s impact on yields. This study attempts to develop site-specific CWPFs using farmers’ historical soil moisture data, collected using soil water tension (SWT) as a proxy, and yield maps. The spatial variability of the crop-water response functions was modeled using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and the results from this …

Exploring Transcriptional Stress Responses In Sorghum And Evolutionary Insights Into Yth Domain Proteins Across Plants, Shikha Bharti

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how plants respond to abiotic stress is crucial for enhancing crop resilience in the face of climate change. This thesis explores plant stress adaptation mechanisms through two interlinked studies that address different aspects of gene regulation. The first study investigates the transcriptional dynamics of Sorghum bicolor under drought and heat stress at 1-hour and 6-hour time points. By employing 3'-end RNA sequencing, this study provides a comprehensive temporal view of gene expression changes, revealing stress-responsive transcription factors, hormone-associated pathways, and chromatin regulators. The comparative analysis highlights both common and distinct molecular responses between drought and heat stress, providing insights …

Removal Of Fluoroquinolones From Water Systems Employing Rice Husk Composited Sponges Via Nanoadsorption, Dalia Kanaa

Theses and Dissertations

A novel nanocomposite of polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde (PVF) sponge loaded with green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and referred to as (NP-PVF) was fabricated as a potential adsorbent of ciprofloxacin from water. A simple mechanical foaming process was used to synthesize the adsorbent. Rice husk extract was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) for its phytochemicals as reducing agents. A facile and low-energy-dependent extraction method was used that did not require the use of high-temperature annealing. The synthesized nanoparticles showed a maximum UV absorption at 347 nm, which corresponds to a 3.58 eV band gap energy. FTIR confirmed the successful …

Assessment Of Pagp Gene Function In Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Pathogenicity Using Different Challenge Models, Hailey Fugate

Theses and Dissertations

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in poultry, contributing an estimated $40 million in annual losses in the U.S. broiler industry alone, and contributing to growing concerns over antibiotic resistance. This study investigated the role of the pagP gene, which encodes a lipid A palmitoyl transferase involved in immune evasion, using both a broiler chick and embryo challenge model. Deletion of pagP significantly reduced mortality and lesion severity in broilers, indicating its role in APEC pathogenicity. However, in embryos, pagP deletion had minimal effects on survival and bacterial colonization, suggesting alternative virulence mechanisms …

Impact Of An Automated Brush System On Intensively Managed Lactating Dairy Cattle Behavior, Production, And Stress Physiology, Allison Lyn Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

The dairy industry has increasingly prioritized improving animal welfare for intensively housed cows. This study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) using an automated brush system on stress physiology, behavior, and productivity of lactating dairy cows. Fifty-nine pregnant and lactating dairy cows were divided into two groups: CON (no brush) and TRT (automated brush system). Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol concentrations, and behaviors were monitored in the morning (07:00 h - 11:00 h) and evening (19:00 h - 23:00 h) using high-resolution cameras. The results indicated that cows with brush access had lower cortisol concentrations, suggesting reduced …

Evaluating The Use Of Translucency Score As An Effective Parameter Of Eggshell Quality, Cassidy Autumn Morris

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to determine if an egg’s translucency score (TS) could be used as an effective predicting parameter to determine eggshell quality in both broiler breeders and commercial laying hens. In broiler breeders, it was determined that TS could be used as an effective predicting parameter for eggshell thickness (P< 0.001) and L* scores (P< 0.001). It was also found that the supplementation of organically sourced trace minerals could significantly decrease the TS of eggs, resulting in a better-quality eggshell (P< 0.001). In two different aged commercial laying hen experiments, there was no conclusive evidence for TS to be a predictive parameter of eggshell quality throughout the storage period. It was found, however, that the storage period did significantly increase the TS throughout storage in both experiments (P< 0.001).

Evaluating The Feeding Value Of Almond Hulls And The Supplementation Of Carbohydrases On Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrient Digestibility And Intestinal Health In Lsl-Lite Hens, Nelly Giovanna Cribillero Chuquihuaccha

Theses and Dissertations

Almond hulls (AH) are a by-product of the almond nut processing rich mainly in insoluble fiber. Addition of fiber in the diet has been shown positive results in performance in poultry. However, scientific literature on the use of AH in poultry is limited. The objective of this dissertation was to determine the effect of the supplementation of ground AH and cellulase-xylanase carbohydrase enzyme (E) inclusions on performance, egg quality, ileal nutrients digestibility, jejunum gene expression and ceca microbiota of Lohmann LSL-Lite pullets and laying hens from 0 to 70 weeks of age. Chapter I describe the knowledge on the composition …

Cover Crop-Induced Improvements To Soil Hydraulic Properties And The Role Of Termination Time In Mitigating Negative Soil Moisture Impacts, Fabrizio Javier Pilco

Theses and Dissertations

In the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, water scarcity and drought pose ongoing challenges for farmers. Although cover crops are promoted for improving soil health and moisture, their effects on soil hydraulic properties in this region remain understudied. This thesis addresses both long-term (Chapter 2) and short-term (Chapter 3) impacts of cover crops on soil hydraulic properties and soil moisture. Long-term effects were evaluated through a three-year participatory field trial across four farms using a BACI design, while short terms were evaluated using a complete randomized block design. Soil hydraulic properties (residual water content θr, saturated water content …

Climate Resilience In Texas Assessing The Impact Of Extreme Weather On Energy Poverty And The Mitigating Role Of Tree Canopy Coverage, Yongwen Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Extreme weather events, including severe heat and cold waves —increasingly threaten public health, economic stability, and energy equity. This two-part study examines the interplay between extreme weather, energy poverty, and green infrastructure (tree canopy coverage) in Texas, a state characterized by climatic extremes and socioeconomic diversity.

This study consists of four chapters. The first chapter in the Introduction includes the research background, existing research, research gaps, research questions, and potential contributions. Followed by two core chapters. Chapter II aims to assess the impact of extreme weather on energy poverty at the household level. Chapter III aims to identify whether tree …

Survival, Biofilm Formation, And Control Of Foodborne Pathogens In Hydroponic Systems, Sai Rithin Reddy Kothur Thirupathi

Theses and Dissertations

The growing global population and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns have intensified the demand for sustainable food production methods. Hydroponics, a form of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), has gained attention as a viable solution due to its efficient use of resources such as land and water. Although hydroponic systems are perceived as safer alternatives to conventional farming, recent foodborne outbreaks associated with these systems have raised significant public health concerns. This thesis research investigated the food safety risk in hydroponic, particularly the survival and persistence of foodborne pathogens. Chapters I and II provide a comprehensive overview of hydroponics and the microbial …

Climate Change And The Field Of Farm Labor In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Cody Richard Mortell

Theses and Dissertations

Farm workers in the United States are often vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change, particularly extreme heat. This study explores farm workers’ climate change perceptions (CCP) as a mediating force in climate adaptation. Using latent class analysis, in-person survey data (n=404) from Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX (2024) and NOAA data were analyzed. Results were interpreted using Bourdieu’s field analysis framework and his notions of capital and symbolic power. Findings include: a social hierarchy with three latent classes of workers based on economic, cultural, social, and symbolic capital, which statistically significantly affected CCP. Workers in higher structural positions were …

Rural Entrepreneurship In Upper Egyptian Communities: Exploring The Intervention Of Agri-Tech Startups, Marwa Wael Abohamda Hulail

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change and economic disturbance have changed the state of the world and increased the dependence on digitization in running people's daily life. In Egypt, the economic instability and climate change have affected people’s standard of living, making it challenging to sustain their life, especially in the agriculture sector. Farmers have been affected by the risks of climate change, economic shocks, and trends of digitization, which have impacted their profit, employability, and livelihood.

Several Egyptian Agri-tech startups were launched to support the farmers in the digital revolution that came to agriculture, attempting to make a change in the Egyptian farming …

Agricultural Drought Prediction From Multispectral Image Processing Using Deep Learning Models, Gowri L

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate and timely prediction of agricultural droughts is fundamental to the management of ecosystems, preservation of biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. It helps to reduce environmental exploitation, promotes eco-friendly irrigation techniques, and tackles climate change efficiently. Its social implications include food safety and financial stability through continuous rural employment. Drought prediction guarantees social progress and sustainability by ensuring zero hunger/poverty and effective water management. A multi-sensor image pre-processing framework that incorporates data from various satellite platforms like Landsat (30 metres), Sentinel-2 (10 metres, 20 metres, 30 metres), and MODIS (500 metres) is used to monitor and assess agricultural drought effectively.

Analysis …

Evaluating The Performance Of Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea Var. Italica) In The Sandponics System Using Brackish Water With Biochar And Compost, Gabriel Oyebode

Theses and Dissertations

Some of the most pronounced effects of climate change on agricultural output include the depletion of freshwater resources and heightened salinization of arable land, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, adversely affecting crop yields. Many economic vegetable crops including members of the brassica family are sensitive to salt-stress. The use of organic soil amendments such as biochar and compost as complimentary nutrient sources in the sandponics system can improve the performance of crops. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic amendment on the growth performance and yield of broccoli and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under brackish …

Utilization Of Golden Pennycress In Broiler Diets, Marley M. Knowles

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance in broiler chickens fed diets containing golden pennycress meal (GPCM), with and without a flavor additive. Golden pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a winter cover crop grown in the Midwest that is rising in popularity as a cash crop used for biofuel production. After oil is pressed out of the seeds, a meal remains that is usually discarded. Incorporation of this meal (23% protein, 15% fat) into feedstuffs for broilers would be an efficient way to make biofuel production more sustainable. In one study, Cornish Cross three-day-old chicks (n=12) were …

Scrolling For Two: An Exploration Of Pregnant Women's Social Support And Information Seeking Behaviors Using Technology During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sarah Knowlton

Theses and Dissertations

Pregnant women faced additional challenges in accessing reliable support and pregnancy- related information, leading to increased distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine measures limited doctor’s appointments and isolated pregnant women from their families, which meant that meaningful connections and convenient information was important.

The purpose of this study is to explore the implications of COVID-19 social distancing on pregnant women, with a focus on three questions: 1) what digital technologies did pregnant women use for support and information seeking purposes during the pandemic? 2) how did pregnant women use technology to seek social support during the pandemic? 3) how did …

The Impact Of Selected Winter Cover Crops On Soybean And Corn Yield, Seed Quality, And Economic Returns, Ashley Stockmaster

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops are being used to reduce nutrient runoff from agricultural fields and to mitigate climate change. However, cover crops may reduce summer cash crop yields and affect seed quality early in adoption. Therefore, this study evaluated soybean and corn yield, seed quality, and a cost-benefit analysis following cover crops.

This study was conducted at the Illinois State University Research Farm and the Western Illinois University Research Farm to evaluate the impact of selected cover crops on soybean and corn yields and seed quality. The experimental design was a randomized block design replicated four times. Cover crop treatments consisted of …

Nutrient Transport And Transformation In Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Crop Residues And Swine Manure, Shelby Stoner

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops may improve soil quality, water quality, soil health, reduce soil fertilizer use, and increase nutrient availability to cash crops. The benefits of cover crops are discussed due to the below ground presence of cover crops, but the aboveground biomass can serve as a source of sustainable energy through anerobic digestion. The nutrients in the above ground biomass can also be recycled and reused through land application of digestion effluent. We have tested anaerobic co-digestion of different biomass feedstocks: cover crops, soybean stalk, and corn stover with swine manure using both small and pilot scale digesters. Nutrients, specifically NPK, …

Stress And Behavior In Beef Calves During Weaning, Kathleen E. Tierney

Theses and Dissertations

Animal welfare in commercial livestock operations has been an increasing topic of concern. It is well known that stress can have significant behavioral and physiological repercussions. It is especially important in commercial operations to reduce stress, as animal efficiency is the leading priority. In an effort to reduce stress on animals and improve welfare in livestock operations, several studies have evaluated common husbandry practices. One of the most widely studied practices is weaning, which encapsulates the process of removing the young from the dam. Several studies have evaluated the effects of weaning on beef cattle through a variety of behavioral …

Guiding Wildlife: Evaluating Wildlife Exit Designs And Sensor Lights For Safer Highways In South Texas, Rupesh Maharjan

Theses and Dissertations

Roadside exclusionary fencing is more prevalent on highways to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Although it can mitigate wildlife road mortality by limiting their access to the road, it can also create a barrier for wildlife stranded within the right-of-way. In State Highway 100 of Texas, the Texas Department of Transportation installed ten wildlife exits to allow wildlife to escape the fenced roadway, and a pair of sensor lights on 13 wildlife guards (WGs) to scare off target species (bobcats and coyotes) from crossing the guards and accessing the roadway. In this study, the effectiveness of three wildlife exit (WE) designs were …