Agriculture Commons^™

Environmental Ethics Of Plastics And Microplastics Manufacturing: Balancing Industrial Production And Ecological Responsibility, Arindam Gupta

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The global production of plastics has increased dramatically over the past several decades, providing substantial economic and societal benefits while simultaneously generating complex environmental and ethical challenges. A growing body of research has identified microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—as persistent pollutants that accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, soil systems, and the atmosphere. These particles originate both from the degradation of larger plastic products and from direct industrial production processes used in plastics manufacturing. The ethical implications of plastics and microplastics production raise important questions about environmental responsibility, regulatory oversight, and the balance between economic development and ecological sustainability. This project …

Fracture Performance Of Fdm Printed Pla And Petg: Role Of Infill Geometry And Layer Height, Abdulla Ahmed Aldhaheri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This Additive Manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized modern design and manufacturing by enabling layer-by-layer fabrication directly from 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models. This approach enhances material efficiency, reduces waste, and allows the production of complex geometries. Among various AM methods, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one of the most widely used techniques. In FDM, thermoplastic filament is heated and extruded through a nozzle to build components layer by layer. Several process parameters significantly influence the structural integrity, mechanical properties, and overall performance of FDM-fabricated parts. Recent research has increasingly focused on understanding the fracture behavior of commonly used materials such as …

تأثير ارتفاع ثاني أكسید الكربون ، و الأشعة فوق البنفسجیة - ب، و ارتفاع درجة الحرارة على الكینوا, Mohamed Yousif

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This is an experimental study that focuses on the present status of three factors that shape the current world global climate, and how it affects future agriculture, The study gives an insight on how effective are elevated CO₂, high UV-B irradiation and rising temperature on forage after 50 years’ time, keeping in mind the growing population and the increasing demand for proteins, it focuses on Chenopodium Quinoa, A C3 plant that is highly nutritious and known for its ability to tolerate high temperature, high salt concentration, and drought. Recently it got more focus and is cultivated in many places all …

Effect Of Abiotic Stress On Uae Native Acacia Plants: Salinity, Drought, Uv-B, Co₂, And Temperature Under Open Top Chamber (Otc), Fatima Nasser Alkaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The presence of abiotic stressors such as salinity, water shortage, hot weather, increase in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and increase in UV-B radiations are major limiting factors to plant growth and survival, especially in desert and semi-desert conditions. These environmental limitations increase the exposure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the lack of freshwater, extensive soil salinization, and rapid effects of climate change. As a result, the discovery of native plant species that can survive under various abiotic stress salinity and drought levels is the key to establishing the sustainable, ecologically adaptive landscaping and the successful ecological rehabilitation …

Impact Of Different Light Emitting Diodes (Leds) Treatments On The Quality And Bioactive Compounds Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Fruit During Cold, Imad Eldin Abbas Yousif

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Extending postharvest quality and maintaining the nutritional value of cucumber fruit requires specific storage conditions to postpone senescence and enhance marketability. The postharvest lightening environment is a main factor that influences quality preservation for harvested biomass. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different light emitting diodes (LEDs) spectra (green, red, blue, and white LEDs) alone or in combination with 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest quality and bioactive compounds of cucumberfruit during cold storage. For 16 days at 5°C, fruits were either exposed to white, red, blue, or green LEDs or left in the dark (control). For …

Who Will Grow Our Food In The Future? Factors Influencing A-State Agricultural Student’S Intentions To Enter Production Agriculture, Kamana Kafle

Create@State

The future of agriculture depends on what motivates today’s student to pursue careers in production agriculture. This study identifies key drivers of career intention among College of Agricultural students at A-State using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior framework. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The model explained a substantial 74.2% of the variance in agricultural career intention. Results revealed that Career Planning was the strongest positive predictor, followed by Attitude Towards Agriculture and Perceived Value. Interestingly, factors such as Perceived Behavioral Control, Subjective Norms, and access to Facilities …

Synthesis, Characterization And Field Application Of Date Palm Biochar, Raed Sameeh Raja Hussain

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Date palm cultivation generates large quantities of lignocellulosic residues as a part of orchard management and regular pruning activities. Total date palm biomass produced in the UAE has been estimated at around 1.2 million tons per year. These residues are usually burned or disposed of in open areas or used in compost pits which in turn create waste management and environmental issues. This study investigated the conversion of date palm fronds into biochar and evaluated the feasibility of using it as a soil amendment for arid and saline agricultural systems. Biochar was produced using a locally fabricated double canister pyrolysis …

Interest In Training Certifications Within The Horticulture Industry, Bradley S. Peiffer

Scholars Week

When it comes to post-secondary education, less than half of Americans hold a college degree. While certain industries don’t necessarily need college-level education, they can still have a lot to learn beyond hands-on education and training. Horticulture, for example, can have a large knowledge gap from people with a secondary education only. Oftentimes, a certificate in a field of work can significantly improve knowledge in the workforce without such an extreme time or cost expense. This study investigates whether there is a potential interest in training certifications within the Horticulture Industry. Specifically, this research was conducted to determine if Horticulture …

Impact Of Climate Change Factors On Physiological And Biochemical Alterations In Some Uae Native Plants, Khalfan Mohammed Alnaqbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The worldwide effects of climate change on ecosystems are glaring because rising environmental stresses from UV radiation and elevated CO₂ and temperature variations make it difficult for plants to grow and sustain productivity. In this study, we compared how these four species, i.e., Calligonum crinitum, Juncus rigidus, Pulicaria glutinosa, and Senna artemisioides, respond to UV radiation exposure alongside elevated CO₂ levels and their combined effect. These species were selected due to their ecological importance and resilience to extreme desert conditions. The study focused on key morphological and physiological responses, including plant height, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, and other …

Study The Effect Of Climate Change On Barley Crop (Hordeum Vulgare L.) And Improving Its Productivity Through Municipal Treated Wastewater Utilization, Wasef A. Alzayadneh

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Climate change presents a complex risk to crop productivity, with elevated temperatures, rising CO2 and UV-B enhancement profoundly impacting growth. Although the effects of individual stressors are well-documented, limited information is available regarding the combined effects of variables such as elevated CO₂ (eCO2), UV-B radiation, and elevated temperature (eT). This knowledge gap is especially critical for major cereal crops such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), which ranks fourth in global production and serves as a valuable source of forage for livestock. However, traditional forage production is unsustainable in arid regions, where water shortage and extreme weather conditions are present, as …

Re-Purposing Pre-Existing Tilapia Aquaculture Open-Design System For Zebrafish Biomedical Research Purposes, Luke Cantu, David Sierra, Skyleigh Curtis, Maya Avila

ATU Scholars Symposium

Title: Re-purposing pre-existing tilapia open-design aquaculture systems for zebrafish biomedical research purposes.

Background: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are gaining popularity in biomedical research; however, the high infrastructure cost, at approximately $20,000 per unit, is a significant hurdle for primary undergraduate institutions (PUIs) establishing zebrafish facilities. This study assesses if repurposing existing tilapia open-design aquaculture systems could be a cost-effective method for zebrafish facility establishment.

Methods: Between November-2025 to February-2026, the study used a pre-existing tilapia aquaculture open-design system with personnel modified outlet filters. The water quality of this system was monitored and recorded. The study compared the stabilization phase or …

Field Evaluation Of Date Palm Biochar With Chickpea As Model Crop, Shamsa Alketbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Arid and semi-arid regions are continuously threatened by soil degradation, high salinity, low organic matter, water scarcity which necessitate soil amendments to ensure sustainability and food security. This study measures the potential of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) frond derived biochar, applied alone and in combination with compost, to overall improve the soil properties, physiological, biochemical performance and the crop productivity of chickpea grown under desert field conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Through controlled pyrolysis the biochar was produced and its physicochemical, elemental properties were characterized. Field experiments commenced with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: …

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

Scholars Week

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

Phytochemical Effects Of Culinary Spices On Kale Germination And Early Growth, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

Phytochemicals present in culinary spices can influence seed germination and early plant development through complex biochemical interactions. This study evaluated the effects of aqueous decoctions of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Yellow Mustard (Sinapis alba), and Brown Mustard (Brassica juncea) on germination and early growth of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) under greenhouse conditions. Treatments were applied at two concentrations (2 g/100 mL and 5 g/100 mL) with distilled water as control in a completely randomized design with three replications (n = 8). Seeds were soaked in spice decoctions for 2 hours prior to sowing, and …

Evaluation Of Soil Properties Under Forested And Cropland Areas In Murray, Kentucky, Ramson K C, Shiba Hari Dhakal, Abinash Dhungana

Scholars Week

Soil health is shaped by its physical and chemical properties which are largely influenced by land use, affecting structure, fertility and water retention. The objective of this study was to determine key soil properties, and to evaluate their interrelationships in cultivated and forested areas of Western Kentucky. For this study, two representatives cultivated and two forested sites were selected with 6 replications each on September, 2025 in Murray, Kentucky. A total of 48 soil samples (24 disturbed and 24 undisturbed) were collected from the 0–7 cm soil layer. Disturbed soil samples were used to measure organic matter (OM) content in …

Comparing Soil Quality Changes In Forest And Cropland Systems Of Western Kentucky, Abinash Dhungana

Scholars Week

Comparing Soil Quality Changes in Forest and Cropland Systems of Western Kentucky

Abinash Dhungana

Mentor:  Dr. Iin P. Handayani, Ph.D.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA

Abstract

Soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil water at field capacity are critical indicators of soil quality, influencing nutrient availability, microbial activity, and water retention. Cropping practices play a crucial role in modifying these properties and determining overall soil functionality and its long-term sustainability. This study was conducted in 2025 in Calloway County, Western Kentucky, to investigate the effects of forest and cropland systems on these soil properties. Four …

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

Scholars Week

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

Comparing A Normal (2005) And A Drought (2007) Year Crop Health Using Ndvi, Pratibha Adhikari

Scholars Week

Agricultural productivity in the southeastern United States is highly vulnerable to drought-induced crop stress, as interannual climate variability can markedly alter crop development and production dynamics. The main goal of this project is to assess how crop health in Calloway County changed between a normal year (2005) and an extreme drought year (2007) using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and to evaluate the effectiveness of NDVI for monitoring crop stress. Cloud free Landsat images were acquired from USGS Earth Explorer. NDVI was produced for each year and a pixel-wise NDVI differencing image was created (ΔNDVI = NDVI_2007 − NDVI_2005). While …

Effect Of Microbial Inoculation On Phosphate And Nitrogen Uptake From Dry Soil By Two Grasses With Different Nutrient Acquisition Strategies, Reem Hamdan Alkaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Organic matter and other sources of plant nutritional elements typically enter the soil from its surface, resulting in topsoil having the highest microbial activity, concentration of nutritional elements, and rooting densities. In agricultural systems of the UAE, high ambient temperature triggers rapid evaporation and causes the topsoil to dry. Nutrient uptake from dry soil is very challenging for plants, and topsoil dryness can have a negative impact on plant performance.

Beneficial soil microorganisms mediate plant growth by inducing tolerance against abiotic stresses. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi extend a large network of hyphae that helps the plants to acquire water and …

Nutritional Status And Endomycorrhizal Root Colonization Of Various Fruit Tree Species Grown In The Open Field In Al Ain, Uae, Mariam Mohammed Alhebsi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Domestic cultivation of fruits can greatly contribute to food security and supply of residents with healthy but highly perishable products. However, in the area of Al Ain, the cultivation of dicotyledonous fruit trees at the commercial scale is relatively uncommon, due to risks associated with the impact of the harsh environmental conditions on plant performance. The present study aimed at investigating to which extent mineral nutrient deficiency is responsible for the poor performance of fruit trees during the warm summer season. A five year old fruit tree plantation at the UAEU Research Farm in Al Foah served as study site. …

Impact Of Crop Rotation And Species Variation On Soil Quality Indicators, Somasekhar Auduti, Uday Kiran Pittala, Pratibha Adhikari

Scholars Week

Impact of Crop Rotation and Species Variation on Soil Quality Indicators

Pratibha Adhikari, Somasekhar Auduti, Uday Kiran Pittala

Mentor: Dr. Iin P. Handayani, Ph.D.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY, USA

Designing crop rotations that counter the negative effects of monocropping requires crop choices that build carbon and create stable pore structure. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of crop rotation on selected soil health indicators and to interpret soil health conditions across agricultural fields. Soil samples were collected from West Farm, Murray, KY, from six crop fields—corn, soybean, tobacco, millet, cotton, and …

Assessing Soil Properties Under Pastures Managed For Different Livestock Systems In Western Kentucky, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

Soil health plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems that influence physical and chemical soil properties. This study evaluated the effects of different livestock systems on surface soil characteristics in western Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from September 16 to September 22, 2025. Six fields were selected, representing beef, equine, swine, sheep/goat, poultry, and control (no livestock) systems. Both disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from one soil depth (0–7.5 cm) to assess physical and chemical properties including bulk density (BD), total porosity, macroporosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), …

Shaping The Soil: A Comparison Of Equine, Bovine, And Ungrazed Hay Fields, Brody Ellis Higgs, Taylor Madison Wynn, Scottie Craig Berry

Scholars Week

Shaping the Soil: A Comparison of Equine, Bovine, and Ungrazed Hay Fields

Brody Higgs, Taylor Wynn, and Scottie Berry

Mentor: Dr. Iin. P. Handayani, PhD.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT

Kentucky raises grazing species for multiple reasons, including food, recreation, and show. The most common of them are equine and bovine. These animals graze many acres across the state of Kentucky and impact soil properties in their pastures. This study was conducted on three pasturelands across Caldwell and Calloway counties in Kentucky. The pastures consisted of a cow pasture, a horse pasture, and a …

Assessing Soil Quality Indicators In Leguminous And Non-Leguminous Cropping Systems, Kabita Budthapa, Kranthi Vinukonda, Ramya Sree Teeguri

Scholars Week

It is crucial to understand how different cropping systems influence soil health to boost the efficiency of resources and sustainable agricultural outputs. This study examined the effects of leguminous (soybean and pea) and non-leguminous (sunflower and maize) cropping systems on selected soil characteristics. On September 16th, 2025, soil samples (24 disturbed and 24 undisturbed) were collected from the 0-7.5 cm depth of West Farm, Murray, Kentucky. Disturbed samples were analyzed for pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil organic carbon (SOC), while undisturbed samples were used to determine bulk density, porosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), and soil water field …

Comparative Assessment Of Soil Properties In Cropland And Forested Areas In Western Kentucky, Shiba Hari Dhakal, Abinash Dhungana, Ramson K C

Scholars Week

Soil health is profoundly influenced by its physical and chemical properties. These properties rely on land use systems; consequently, impact on soil functions and agricultural sustainability. The objective of this study was to determine selected physical and chemical properties affected by crop and forest management in Western Kentucky. Two crop and two forested areas with six replications each were selected for this study in September 2025 in Calloway County, Kentucky. A total of 24 disturbed and 24 undisturbed soil samples were collected at 0-7 cm depth. Disturbed samples were analyzed for soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil organic …

Deforestation Affecting Developing Nations, Nicole Villa

Sustainability Conference

Deforestation continues to be a growing problem around the globe, while it is affecting wildlife what can be overlooked is the challenges it’s creating for the livelihood of nations. This goes beyond losing the biodiversity of our ecosystems but social consequences with the scarcity of water in Malawi, rise in health risks in Democratic Republic of Congo and negative effects of agricultural expansion in Belize. Overall social conflict in these areas that are suffering to grow. Furthermore, I aim to cover the major challenges previously mentioned followed by counteracts of deforestation including action plan in Brazil, efforts of other countries …

Securing The Digital Harvest: Cybersecurity As A Core Agribusiness Skill, Jody Herchenbach, George Grispos

Mountain Plains Business Conference

The digitization of agriculture, through IoT-enabled equipment, cloud platforms, and precision technologies, has improved efficiency and profitability while also introducing significant cybersecurity risks. These vulnerabilities can disrupt supply chains, compromise sensitive data, and undermine financial stability. Yet agribusiness degree programs often overlook cybersecurity education. This paper proposes integrating cybersecurity content on threat awareness, incident response, and data protection into agribusiness curricula. Embedding these elements equips graduates to manage both digital and financial risks, enhancing resilience and competitiveness. Such curricular innovation aligns technical and managerial training, preparing future agribusiness professionals to lead securely and sustainably in an increasingly connected industry.

Exploiting Genomics To Advance Genetic Gain For Reproductive Traits In Sheep, Mujibur Rahman

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Poor reproductive performance has a negative impact on the profitability of sheep production systems with the number of lambs reared highlighted as a key driver of farm profitability. Nevertheless, the genetic improvement of reproductive traits in sheep has been constrained by their low heritability and pleiotropic nature. Understanding the underlying genetic architecture can improve genomic prediction estimates and enhance genetic gain.

This study will utilize large-scale genomic and phenotypic datasets to enhance genetic gain in sheep reproductive traits through four approaches: 1) to determine the effect of inbreeding depression on reproduction, 2) to identify causal variants impacting reproductive performance through …

Ghaf Microgreen: A Novel Funvtional Food With Improved Nutritional Content Using Nanoparticles-Seed Priming, Hamda Ahmed Alhindaassi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Providing enough food for a growing global population is not only a significant issue for the future but also millions of people worldwide suffer from hidden hunger. Microgreens are renowned for their dense nutrient profile, and higher vitamin levels, minerals, and antioxidants than mature plants. Despite the burgeoning interest in microgreens, the availability of diverse and locally relevant varieties remains limited in many regions, including the UAE. This gap in the availability of indigenous microgreens presents an opportunity to explore alternative sources of nutritious greens tailored to the local environment. Among the indigenous flora of the UAE, the Ghaf (Prosopis …

Evaluating The Effects Of Co₂ And Uv-B On Sporobolus Virginicus (L.) Kunth Growth Under Open Top Chamber: A Comparison Of Silicon Nanoparticle-Treated And Untreated Plants, Suhaila Humaid Ablooshi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study looked at how silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs; 50 mg/L) affected the growth and health of Sporobolus virginicus in four different environments: normal conditions, high CO₂, UV-B radiation, and a mix of high CO₂ and UV-B. Plants treated with SiNPs showed much better growth, with more biomass, larger leaves, and better root development, regardless of what stress condition they faced (Ahmad et al., 2024). Additionally, SiNPs improved photosynthetic efficiency, as evidenced by increased levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids. SiNP application also reduced oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms through the elevated …