Agriculture Commons^™

Improving Cocoa Production Through Lean: A Case Study Of The Ghanaian Cocoa Industry, Kwasi Boateng

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cocoa has been useful in several ways, especially to countries that produce it and consumers all over the world. Its benefits range from improving economies to satisfying millions all over the world who desire one cocoa product or the other. The production of cocoa however is not without its own attendant problems. Aging tree stock, spread of diseases, and production capacity problems are, but a few of many challenges that seed gardens that produce cocoa face. This study investigated the pollination process on selected seed gardens in Ghana, the second largest world producer of cocoa. The purpose of this study …

Cultivar, Mowing Height, And Herbicide Effects On Bermudagrass, Cynodon Dactylon [L.] Pers., Suppression In Tall Fescue, Schedonorus Arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort., Nom. Cons., Daniel S. Sandor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the fall of 2011, a study was initiated at the Western Kentucky University Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky on a Crider silt loam (Typic Paleudalf). The objective of this study was to determine cultivar, mowing height, and herbicide effects on bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers., suppression in tall fescue, Schedonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort., nom. cons. The experimental design was a split plot design with whole plots consisting of varying mowing heights and split plots consisting of different herbicide treatments with three replications. Two separate experiments were conducted. The tall fescue variety ‘KY 31’ was utilized for one study and …

Influence Of Transplanter Modification And Previous Crop On The Production Of No-Till Dark Tobacco, William Frazier Penick

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Dark tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) has historically been produced using
conventional tillage practices. Soil is cultivated multiple times throughout a growing season leading to an increased incidence of soil erosion. No-till systems have been growing in popularity with the advent of new technology that has enabled the practice to be performed effectively and efficiently. With the recent expansion of no-till practices throughout the agricultural community, many crops have had success in producing comparable yields while reducing input costs and saving soil resources. For this experiment, a traditional tobacco transplanter was modified for use in a no-till environment. All modifications were …

Bacterial Interactions Of Inoculated Price's Potato Bean (Apios Priceana): A Biological Study, Rhonda Walker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Apios priceana is a native endangered species plant found in the Southeast United States. It is characterized as a leguminous species that bears wisteria like clusters with pea like flowers, a large tuberous root and four to six inch long seed pods. It is believed the Native Americans and early European settlers relied on this species as a source of protein and utilized the seeds for cultivation of the tuberous “potato” which formed. Apios priceana contains an average of 13% fiber, 6.9% protein, 71% carbohydrate and 9 of the 11 essential amino acids needed in human diets (Walter et al.,1986). …

Economic Impacts Of Drought On Kentucky Corn, Hay, And Soybeans, Kortney E. Craft

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Understanding climatic impacts is important if we are to comprehend the relationship between climate and society. Weather phenomena can have environmental, economical, and social impacts. Drought is the natural hazard that affects people the most. It is also the most complex and least understood. There is no one universally accepted definition for drought which makes its examination difficult. Droughts’ duration is also difficult to determine because it has no clearly defined onset and end. Also, drought varies both geographically and temporally making uniform drought monitoring difficult. Since drought is difficult to monitor and access, drought impacts are often poorly documented. …

The Effects Of Within-Row Spacings & Cultivars On The Yield Of Bush Snap Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.), Timothy Hafner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The effects of within-row spacings and cultivars on the yield of bush snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were studied in two experiments. In each experiment, two cultivars and four within-row spacings (8, 15, 23 and 30 cm) were arranged in a split-plot with four replications. Spacing treatments were the whole plots and cultivars were the split plots. In 1988, the two cultivars were 'Blue Lake 274' and 'White Half Runner'. In 1989, the cultivars were 'Blue Lake 274' and 'Kentucky Wonder 125'. All rows were spaced 91 cm apart. Pods were harvested and oven dried. The data were subjected …

A Comparison Of Chemical Composition & Fermentation Patterns Of Alternative Silages To Whole Plant Corn Silage, Susan Fox

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A comparison of the relationship of fermentation to chemical composition was made for forages which were wilted and ensiled at 35 to 45 percent dry matter. Trial I consisted of three forages ensiled in October, 1981: interseeded soybeans and grain sorghum. whole plant corn with added anhydrous ammonia, and whole plant corn with shelled corn added at a rate of 150 kg/t of fresh forage. Trial II consisted of two forages ensiled in 1982: interseeded soybeans and pearlmillet, and wheat. Temperatures of fermentation were collected, and chemical composition during the first 25 days of fermentation analyzed.

Production data were also …

Evaluation Of Fomesafen For Broadleaf Weed Control, In Soybeans (Glycine Max), Ricardo A. Jimenez

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The lack of effective broadleaf weed control represents one of the major factors having detrimental effects on growth and yield of soybeans. Broadleaf weeds are a serious threat to soybean growers in the southeastern United States. A broad range of herbicides is being used in an effort to control broadleaf weeds in soybeans, and research is still being conducted to find new herbicides that can best work for this purpose. This study involved the use of one these herbicides. It was fomesafen, 5-[2-chloro-4-trifluromethyl) phenoxy]-N-(methyl-sulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide, which controls a broad spectrum of broadleaf weeds in soybeans.

The experiment was conducted in the …

Response Of Three Cultivars Of Bell Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) To Mulching & Irrigation, Cesar Gonzalez

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The effect of black polyethylene mulching and drip irrigation on the yield and quality of three cultivars of bell pepper was studied during the 1987 growing season. This study was conducted on a Pembroke silt loam soil on the Western Kentucky University Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The experimental design was a split-plot arranged in randomized complete blocks in four replications with treatment as the main plot and cultivars as the sub-plot.

'California Wonder,' 'Lady Bell F₁ Hybrid: and' Keystone Resistant Giant' cultivars of bell pepper were established in the field during the last week of May. The cultivars …

Evaluation Of Three Coverings For The Overwintering Of Container Grown Herbaceous Perennials In Kentucky, Richard Beckort

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate three coverings for overwintering twelve varieties of container grown herbaceous perennials under Kentucky conditions. The twelve perennial varieties were started from seed in the spring and had been moved to one gallon containers by fall. In the first week of December, three blocks of containers were covered with one of the following: one layer of 4 mil, milky copolymer; one layer of quarter inch microfoam and one layer of milky copolymer; a sandwich of two layers of milky copolymer with 6 inches of wheat straw between them; the remaining block was left …

Herbicide Effects On Cultivars Of Soybeans [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.], Mark Martin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Breeding herbicide-tolerant cultivars is a means of extending herbicide utilization. In 1983 and 1984, 20 soybean [Glycine max (L. Merr] cultivars were screened for their reactions to the following herbicides: metribuzin 4-amino-6-(tert)-butyl-3-(methylthio)-astriazin-5-(4H)-one]; vernolate (S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate); and fluchloralin [N-(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-4-(trifluoromethyl) aniline]. Each herbicide was applied at the recommended rate X, 2X, and 4X in 1983. An 8X rate was added in 1984. The recommended rates (X) for the herbicides were as follows: metribuzin 0.42, vernolate 2.80, and fluchloralin 1.12 kg/ha. The cultivars were Pella, Pixie, Cumberland, Williams, Essex, Union, Semmes, Tracy, Tracy M; North American Plant Breeders 350, 68225, 420, and …

Ultrastructural Effects Of Sethoxydim On The Intercalary Meristem Of Johnsongrass (Sorghum Halpense), Bobbie Dowden

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This investigation represents one of the first electron microscopic studies on determining the mode of action of the chemical herbicide sethoxydim, 2-[-1-(ethoxydimino)butyl] -5-.2-(ethiothio)propyl]-3- hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one. Samples were excised from the intercalary meristem of johnsongrass (Sorghum halpense) at time intervals of 1,3, 6,12,24,36,48,60, and 72 hours and examined using electron microscopy. Transmission electron micrographs revealed that cellular activity shows alterations or abnormalities as early as six hours. Membranes show deterioration at this time and chloroplasts contain densely staining starch granules. As time intervals increase, cellular degradation becomes more evident. Nuclear membranes extend outward into the cytoplasm in various types of …

Evaluation Of S-734 And Bas 9052 For Control Of Johnsongrass (Sorghum Halepense) In Soybeans (Glycine Max), Julio Beingolea Ochoa

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Johnsongrass is one of the more limiting factors in soybean production and is the most serious weed problem in the Southeastern United States. Actually, different herbicides are used in johnsongrass control, and still there are new herbicides which are being tested. Two experimental herbicides for johnsongrass control in soybeans are BAS 9052 and S-734.

The experiments were conducted in 1980 and 1981 with the objective to evaluate the effectiveness of S-734 alone and in combination with mefluidide and BAS 9052, BAS 9052 applied early or late postemergence, trifluralin, alachlor, and fluchloralin for seedling and rhizome johnsongrass control.

In both areas …

Effects Of Row Width And Seeding Rate On Yield And Other Agronomic Characteristics Of Three Soybean Cultivars, Russell Kithcart

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Soybeans have traditionally been grown in rows wide enough to allow mechanical cultivation and to increase lodging resistance. Improved cultivars and herbicides have permitted farmers to obtain yield advantages from narrower rows. The growth response of soybeans to variations in row width and seeding rates depends upon the cultivar and geographic location.

“Williams,” “Mitchell,” and “Essex” cultivars were planted at row widths of 18, 36, 54, and 72cm. at seeding rates of 33, 67, 100 and 134 kg/ha in multi-row plots. Data were collected from each plot for seed yield, lodging, plant height, height of lowest pod, seed and population …

Evaluation Of Herbicides For Suppression Of Rhizome Growth From Johnsongrass (Sorghum Halepense L.) In Corn And Soybeans, John Oakes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.) presents a serious problem in the production of corn and soybeans in Kentucky.

Various rates of the thiocarbamates, dinitroanilines, carbamates, amides, ureas, and triazines were used in association with the crops corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max L.) to determine the degree of suppression on rhizomatous johnsongrass infesting the previously named crops.

Suppression was determined by selecting areas within each treated plot, counting the number of culms, then harvesting johnsongrass rhizomes. Dry weights of rhizomes were then determined as a measure of rhizome suppression.

Results show that of …

Yield And Chemical Composition Of Barley Silage, John Henry James

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The potential of Barsoy barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a silage crop was studied at Western Kentucky University in 1970-1971. The field study was conducted at two locations. Barley was seeded at the rate of 107.5 kg/ha in a Pembroke silt loam soil at both locations in September, 1970. At the time of planting the soil was fertilized with 7.5, 32.4 and 33.1 kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively. Plants at location 2 received an additional 23.7 kg/ha of nitrogen in February, 1971.

Whole barley plants were harvested at weekly intervals from March 11 through June 3 at …

Yield, Crude Protein & Crude Fiber Content Of Three Forage Sorghum Cultivars During The Growing Season & After Frost, William Davis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Yield, crude protein, and crude fiber of 'Piper' sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor var. sudanese (L.) Moench), and 'Sweet Sioux' and 'FFR66 1 sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) X sudangrass hybrids were studied during the growing season and after frost.

Three treatments were studied, namely--4-s (four summer harvests and short or about 0.6 m at the time of frost), 3-M (three summer harvests and medium or 1.5 in at the time of frost), 2-T (two summer harvests and tall or 2.0 in at the time of frost). Dry matter yield, crude protein, and crude fiber were calculated.

The three cultivars …