Agriculture Commons^™

Nebline, November/December 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

Nebraska Extension celebrates 25 years of nutrition school enrichment kits

Recipe of the month: Fruit & yogurt parfait

Celebrating the season with American persimmon by Rachel Anderson

Love gardening? Become a master gardener by Mary Jane Frogge

Extension master gardener volunteer spotlight: Carol Rustad

Garden guide: Things to do this month by Mary Jane Frogge

Choosing child care: What parents should know by Jaci Foged

Commercial/noncommercial pesticide license

Little black bugs, big bite by Kait Chapman [about pirate bugs]

What you need to know about having a well drilled by Becky Schuerman

2026 nebraska custom rates survey by Glennis …

Identifying Superior Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana L.) Landraces Using The Multi-Trait Genotype-Ideotype Distance Index (Mgidi), Sujan Chapagaina, Bishnu Prasad Kandela, Sudikshya Shresthaa, Ankur Poudela, Shubh Pravat Singh Yadavb

Extension Publications

Genetic variability and selection are crucial for finger millet breeding programs to maximize genetic gain and productivity. This study evaluated 18 finger millet landraces cultivated in the mid-hills of Nepal, along with ‘Kavre Kodo 2’ as a check variety, assessing 14 agro-morphological traits. The objective was to identify superior finger millet landraces using a multivariate approach based on the multi-trait genotype– ideotype distance index (MGIDI). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Principal component analysis revealed that the first five components collectively accounted for 80.8% of the total variation, reflecting the genetic relatedness …

Comparative Decomposition Rates Of Prickly Pear And Sage Using Litterbags, Curtis Jang, Vy Ly, Ashlyn Reagan, Ellie Sebaugh, Darlene Panvini

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Litterbags are used to study nutrient cycling and track the rate of decomposition over time. Decomposition rates may vary between plant species due to various factors. One factor includes the abundance of lignin, or a structural component that provides support to a plant, which can slow the rate of decomposition. This study compared the decomposition rate of sage (Salvia officinalis), which has higher lignin levels, and prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa), which has higher water content and thus lower lignin levels. Four samples of each species, with two replicates each, were initially weighed and then placed in …

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #68 November 2025

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President's message, Deb VanOverbeke
Membership Information
2025 Outstanding Graduate Student Award Nomination Solicitation
2025 Teaching Award nomination solicitation
2025 Research Award nomination solicitation
2025 Extension Award nomination solicitation
2025 Award of Merit nomination solicitation
Gamma Sigma Delta Committees 2025
Annual Dues Notice
Membership Info and Dues
Student Award Fund solicitation
In Memoriam: Wayne W. Oberg (September 8, 1948 - February 21, 2025); Robert M. "Bob" Scriven (June 26, 1936 - August 29, 2025)
Pledge and Honor Cords
Save the Date: Initiation and Awards Reception

Value Of Horticulture From Western Australia 2023–24, Manju Radhakrishnan, Rohan Prince

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

In 2023–24, WA produced approximately $1.92 billion worth of fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, and amenity horticulture at the wholesale level. The real value of Western Australia’s horticulture sector, as of 2023–24, grew by 9.6% compared to 2020 levels, driving regional economic development.

Investigating The Effect Of Cacl2 Stress In Raphanus Sativus, Justin Contreras-Portillo, Stephanie N. Nelms, Kai Herring, Amanda Munoz, Gisel Cardenas, Grace Cogswell, Tatum Simms, Aniruddha Acharya

Undergraduate Research

Presented by Justin Contreras-Portillo at the Arkansas INBRE Conference on November 7-8, 2025.

Dusky Grouse Seasonal Resource Selection In The Great Basin Isolated Mountain Ranges Of Nevada, Usa, Stephanie Landry, Brian Smith, Erica Stuber, Shawn Espinosa, David Dahlgren

Aspen Bibliography

Dusky grouse Dendragapus obscurus are a montane forest grouse species with a paucity of information regarding their temporal and spatial resource use during critical times of high mortality and reproductive output. This lack of vital data may leave dusky grouse at risk of sub-optimal management in many areas of their distribution, especially in the isolated ‘sky island’ mountain ranges of the Great Basin, where high elevation habitats are surrounded by sagebrush and salt desert shrub land flats. Many of these high elevation habitats are being altered and lost rapidly from increasing disturbance events and effects of climate change. Our objective …

Investigating The Effect Of Kcl Stress In Raphanus Sativus, Stephanie N. Nelms, Mason Oelke, Luke Cantu, Amanda Munoz, Gisel Cardenas, Grace Cogswell, Tatum Simms, Aniruddha Acharya

Undergraduate Research

Presented by Stephanie Nelms at the Arkansas INBRE Conference on November 7-8, 2025.

Biosecurity Council Of Western Australia Annual Report 2024-25, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Established in 2008, the Biosecurity Council of Western Australia (Council) is a specialist advisory group to the Minister for Agriculture and Food (Minister), the Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC and Director General (DG) of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

The Council operates at a strategic level, with a long-term vision for effective biosecurity in Western Australia (WA) for the protection of WA’s environment, agriculture and aquaculture industries, social amenity, and economic development.

Matters the Council may provide advice on include, but are not limited to:

• the requirements of a comprehensive and effective biosecurity system for WA

• …

Western Australia’S Primary Industries: 2021-22 Economic Overview, D. Maharjan, S. Akbari, A K. Abadi Ghadim, P. Mattingley, I. Wilkinson, J. Tan, J. Van Staden, M. Radhakrishnan

All other publications

The Western Australia’s Primary Industries: 2021-22 Economic Overview (WAPIEO) is developed by DPIRD in partnership with the Forest Products Commission.

The WAPIEO has a trade focus and provides a single source for consistent statistics and insights on observed industry trends.

The WAPIEO is based primarily on 2021-22 economic indicators from the Department of Treasury, DPIRD data, and statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in line with the release cycle dates of final ABS data.

Minimum Standards Of Maturity For Table Grapes 2025-2026, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Viticulture research reports

The table shows the approved minimum standard of maturity for each of the standard varieties listed when tested using the approved method. The approved method for testing these varieties is to test the brix (sugar level) of the fruit using a refractometer.

Ecophysiological Benefits Of Industrial Organic Wastes On Alfalfa Yield And Stress Mitigation In Saline Soils, Shugao Fan, Zhuanzhuan Ma, Jiawei Wu, Tianhui Yang, Jincheng Hao, Shumei Chen, Xutong Hu, Ying Zhao

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Rising soil salinity and water scarcity demand sustainable solutions to maintain crop productivity. This study evaluated four agro-industrial organic amendments—fish emulsion, neem cake, coffee grounds, and seaweed extract on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) under combined salinity and drought stress, assessing their effects on soil respiration, plant physiology, and yield. Soil CO₂ efflux varied significantly among treatments: coffee grounds induced the highest microbial activity (6.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), suggesting rapid decomposition, while neem cake exhibited stable emissions (3.8 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), indicating slower organic matter turnover. Fish emulsion showed intermediate dynamics, peaking at 4.8 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ by week 4, …

Biosecurity Investment Impacts On Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Control In United States Commercial Turkey Operations, Jada M. Thompson, Kelly Patyk, Victoria Fields, Matthew Branan, Amy Delgado, Kylie Roesler

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely transmissible virus that poses a significant threat to the U.S. turkey industry through contagion from migratory birds and results in whole-farm depopulation. To combat the disastrous economic impacts of HPAI, this study examined how biosecurity investments may have economic benefits to producers and the industry. Using data collected from a farm-focused survey of commercial turkey producers, the differences in biosecurity practices between farms affected by HPAI and unaffected farms in 2022 were analyzed. This evaluation aims to understand how effective biosecurity investments were towards reducing the susceptibility of a turkey farm to …

Effective Control Of Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta Absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Using The Entomopathogenic Fungus, Beauveria Pseudobassiana Rehner & Humber In Commercial High-Arched Plastic Tunnels, Aya Fardoun, Nour Ezzeddine, Hagop S. Atamian, Hana Sobh, Houssam Shaib, Yusuf Abou Jawdah

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Background

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a highly invasive pest that causes significant damages to tomato crops globally. Its resistance to commonly used chemical insecticides has made management increasingly difficult, prompting the need for sustainable, effective alternatives. This study investigated the efficacy of a Lebanese isolate of Beauveria pseudobassiana as a biological control agent against T. absoluta, compared its performance to Bacillus thuringiensis and conventional pesticide mixtures under both controlled, commercial production conditions

Results

Three preliminary cage experiments were conducted under controlled infestation conditions using larvae reared from field-collected adults. Conidial suspensions of B. pseudobassiana …

Unraveling The Genetic Architecture Of Rice Yield Potential By Investigating The Impacts Of Heterosis And Inbreeding Depression, Shahwar Fatima, Muhammad Rashid, Dalal Sulaiman Alshaya, Adeel Khan, Areeqa Shamshad, Zia-Ul Qamar, Asim Abbasi, Kotb Attia, Sajid Fiaz, Qamar Uz Zaman

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Understanding the inheritance pattern, heterotic groups, and inbreeding depression is a prerequisite for hybrid rice seed production. Therefore, this study employed a full diallel mating system involving two tall varieties and three medium-statured mutants. The results revealed the significant differences in plant height, panicle length, tillers per plant, fertility percentage and grain yield. Heterosis was more pronounced for grain yield (24.2%), followed by tillers per plant (19.8%), and panicle length (19.2%). Conversely, inbreeding depression was lowest for tillers per plant (–11.5%) and grain yield (–6.8%). The additive–dominance model provided a good fit for tillers per plant and plant height, indicating …

Exocysteine Application Mitigates Salt Stress In Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.), Ece Ni̇sa İmamoğlu, Murat Erdem Güzel, Asi̇m Kadioğlu, Aykut Sağlam

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Environmental factors such as salt stress inhibit the growth of plants and agricultural productivity. Exogenous amino acid application has been shown to benefit plants. However, the effect of cysteine application on salt stress reduction in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is unknown. This study examined how exogenous cysteine could reduce salt stress in 2 chickpea cultivars with different salt tolerances. Salt-resistant Gökçe and salt-sensitive Küsmen cultivars were subjected to 100 mM NaCl stress with or without a 100 μM Cys pretreatment. Without Cys pretreatment, salt stress caused the sensitive Küsmen variety to lose 1.49 times its dry weight and 1.35 times …

Effect Of Three Different Crop Rotations On Seed Productivity And Soil Properties In Organic Tomato Seed Production: A Comprehensive 13-Year Field Study With Three Cycles, Gülay Beşi̇rli̇, İbrahi̇m Sönmez, Bariş Albayrak, Mehmet Şi̇mşek, Zühtü Polat, Nesri̇n Uzunoğullari, Nesri̇n Tunali̇, Gürsel Çeti̇n, Razi̇ye Kul

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of three different crop rotation practices and three cycle periods on tomato seed yield and quality and some soil characteristics in organic farming conditions. The crop rotations included tomato as the primary crop along two intercrops (CR-1: tomato-leek-okra crop rotation, CR-2: tomato-head cabbage-lettuce crop rotation, CR-3: tomato-watermelon-onion crop rotation). At the end of the study, seed yield and quality of other vegetable species (leek, okra, head cabbage, lettuce, watermelon, and onion) included in the trial along with tomato, seed-borne pathogens, and some soil properties of the trial area were determined. The …

Changes In Phenolics And Organic Acid Contents Of Postharvest Eggplants In Response To Preharvest Fertilizer Applications And Postharvest Edible Coatings, Nuretti̇n Yilmaz, Şeyda Çavuşoğlu

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Pre- and postharvest techniques play a key role in improving the quality and shelf life of fresh horticultural products. The aim of this 2-year study was to evaluate the postharvest phenolic and organic acid content in eggplants under different fertilizers and postharvest treatments. Before planting, all plots were treated with 2000 cc da−1 of humic acid through a drip irrigation system. Plots treated only with humic acid were considered the control group. Fifteen days after planting, the other plots were treated with 2000 cc da−1 of liquid vermicompost fertilizer or 2000 cc da−1 of organomineral fertilizer via drip irrigation. Postharvest, …

Development Of Functional Cottage Cheese Enriched With Elderberry Pomace Powder: Nutritional And Antioxidant Enhancement, Roxana Nicoleta Ratu, Florina Stoica, Ioana Cristina Crivei, Ionut Dumitru Velescu, Florin Daniel Lipsa, Andreea Bianca Balint, Romina Alina Marc, Petru Marian Cârlescu, Marius Giorgi Usturoi, Emi̇ne Maci̇t

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The increasing demand for sustainable and functional foods has driven interest in utilising agro-industrial by-products, such as elderberry pomace, to enhance the nutritional and antioxidant properties of food products. This study aimed to develop a functional cottage cheese enriched with elderberry pomace powder (EPP) and evaluate its nutritional composition, antioxidant potential, sensory acceptability, and textural properties. Cottage cheese samples were formulated with EPP at concentrations of 3% and 5%, alongside a control sample devoid of EPP. The results showed that the inclusion of EPP significantly increased the levels of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and polyphenols, along with enhanced antioxidant activity, compared to …

Determinants Of Job Performance In Forestry Organizations: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach On Technical Staff In The Mediterranean Region, Mehmet Pak, Ari̇f Okumuş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study aimed to explore the individual, institutional, and job-related factors influencing the job performance of technical staff in the Regional Forestry Directorates located in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. Data were collected through a mixed-method approach, including mostly face-to-face interviews, complemented by partially online questionnaires. Data were obtained from 650 technical staff, including regional directors, enterprise managers, section chiefs, and forest engineers. Structural equation modeling was applied, and variables were validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Model fit indices were within acceptable limits (e.g., RMSEA = 0.069, CFI = 0.838, GFI = 0.809). The results indicate that institutional factors had …

Unraveling The Morphophysiological, Biochemical, And Yield Responses Of Maize Genotypes To Contrasting Nitrogen Conditions Using Multivariate Approaches, Muhammad Faheem Jan, Yu Lin, Waqas Liaqat, Muhammad Tanveer Altaf, Changzhuang Liu, Wang Shuai, Gönül Cömertpay, Israr Aziz, Önder Albayrak, Ming Li

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Genotypic variation plays a pivotal role in modulating the activity of nitrogen (N) assimilating enzymes, photosynthetic rate, N accumulation, plant growth, and yield. Despite this, the extent to which growth and N-assimilating enzymes exhibit differential responses across genotypes and their influence on yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to elucidate genetic variations among two inbred maize lines (Huang C and 178) and their hybrid (Huang C × 178) for key morphophysiological and biochemical traits under contrasting N conditions. Multivariate statistical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), were used to …

Adapting Northern Herbs For Desertification Control Around Poyang Lake, China​, Haijing Xiao, Zhenwu Bian, Junyu Xu, Shimeng Li, Mengting Xiao, Min Guo, Xianglong Bu, Muhammad Rafiq, Chunsong Cheng

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Desertification poses a pressing global challenge, threatening both environmental stability and socioeconomic well-being, and it requires detailed monitoring of its dynamics and drivers to inform land restoration and sustainable development strategies. Around Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake, desertification has triggered profound ecological degradation and economic losses, intensified by human activities and climate change. This study investigates these challenges by evaluating an integrated revegetation approach that combines Beach vitex (V. rotundifolia) with nitrogen-fixing licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) to improve soil quality, stabilize environmental conditions, and foster sustainable land management. Field experiments examined the drought tolerance and soil enhancement capabilities of five …

Salinity Response In Tunisian Durum Wheat Genotypes: Genetic Relationships, Phenotypic Variation, And Ssr Marker-Based Computational Modelling, Rim Mzid, Rayda Ben Ayed, Imène Ayachi, Elyès Babay, İnci̇ Tolay, Lamia Hamrouni, Abdullah Eren, Mohsen Hanana

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study identifies salt-tolerant durum wheat genotypes for breeding programmes by integrating phenotypic, genotypic, and computational analyses of 27 Mediterranean varieties. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed two distinct genetic groups: modern genotypes (high-yielding Tunisian/Italian cultivars) and ancient genotypes (traditional Tunisian landraces). Among tested cultivars, JnehKhottifa and Grécale exhibited exceptional salinity tolerance, maintaining >80% germination at 200 mM NaCl, while Om Rabiaa and Agili showed sensitivity (<50% germination). Bayesian network modelling was used to explore the probabilistic relationships between simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (e.g., CFD40 and GWM182, PIC = 0.561) and important traits such as root length and germination rate under stress. Genetic diversity analysis (average PIC = 0.407) highlighted the potential of SSR markers for trait-marker associations. These findings establish a valuable platform for enhancing marker-assisted selection salt- tolerant durum wheat varieties, essential for securing yields in saline-prone Mediterranean regions.

Nitrogen Management In Enhancing Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus L.) Productivity And Sustainable Development In Fruit Cultivation, Aleksandar Leposavić, Žaklina Karaklajić-Stajić, Sezai̇ Erci̇şli̇, Darko Jevremović, Ivana S. Glišić, Branko Popović, Olga Mitrović

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study investigated the effect of reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer dosage on the vegetative and generative potential, physical and chemical characteristics, and fruit yield of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). Two raspberry cultivars (Willamette and Meeker) were treated with low and high doses of calcium ammonium nitrate and urea over 3 consecutive years (2021–2023) in Western Serbia. Basic floricane traits and fruit quality parameters were analyzed using widely accepted methodologies. The results showed significant variations in primocane growth, floricane traits, and berry quality in response to different N fertilizer doses, whereas soluble solid content (SSC) was more stable. Lower N fertilizer …

The Impact Of Endogenous And Exogenous Fungi In Saline-Alkali Soil On The Growth And Root System Of Pine Trees, Chunfeng Shi, Zhixin Ju, Kan Gao, Wenzhong Fan, Bo Yang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The objective is to explore planting methods that enhance the ability of black pine to cope with salt stress environments, improve its growth under such conditions, and observe its growth and physiological characteristics under various experimental conditions. For this purpose, endophytic mycorrhizal Indian pear-shaped fungus and ectomycorrhizal two-colored wax mushrooms were selected and inoculated onto potted black pine seedlings, and a control group was set up. After inoculation, the mycorrhizal infection rate, salt damage symptoms, growth rate, root parameters, and various physiological indicators under different salt stress durations were evaluated. Results showed that as the salt concentration was raised to …

Study On The Flow Field Characteristics Of The Air-Suction Jujube Harvester Pipeline Based On Magnetohydrodynamic Airflow Control, Jing Nie, Qi Zhang, Jiashun Jiang, Jingbin Li, Longpeng Ding, Shufeng Li, Liming Xu, Mehmet Çeçen, Savaş Tanrisever

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study aimed to address the issue of suction force attenuation in the air-suction jujube (red date) harvester due to pipeline pressure loss. The active flow control method based on magnetohydrodynamics was used to optimize the pipeline flow field and reduce pressure loss. Through multiphysics field coupling theory modeling and numerical simulation, the regulatory effects of different electromagnetic field parameters on the pipeline flow field were characterized. An experimental platform was established to verify that the optimized electrode tip density, electrode voltage, and magnetic induction intensity could significantly increase the outflow gas velocity, pressure difference, and harvesting efficiency of the …

Comparative Analysis Of Citrate Synthase Activity In Skeletal Muscle, Liver, And Adipose Tissue In Beef Cattle, Abigail Webb

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Mitochondrial efficiency plays a central role in determining how cattle partition nutrients toward muscle growth or adipose deposition, yet little is known about tissue-specific differences in mitochondrial density among tissues or among beef cattle. This study aimed to quantify mitochondrial density in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue samples from beef cattle and evaluate its potential relationship with metabolic efficiency. Tissue samples of semitendinosus muscle (ST), liver, and subcutaneous adipose (SC) were collected, homogenized, and analyzed for citrate synthase (CS) activity using a fluorometric assay as a proxy for mitochondrial density. Preliminary analyses revealed that the semitendinosus muscle displayed the highest …

Understanding Rice Production Stagnation In The Philippines: Regional Evidence And Development Implications, Henry Bartelet, Alenn Jhulia D. Prodigalidad, Janelle S. Dy, Jan Gabriel N. Manzano

Quantitative Methods and Information Technology Faculty Publications

Despite decades of investment in agricultural research and rice development, the Philippines continues to face stagnation in domestic rice production. This persistent trend, occurring despite a sizable arable land base and large rural workforce, has contributed to the country’s growing reliance on rice imports to meet national food needs. In response, the government has implemented a tariff-based import system designed to fund domestic productivity improvements. While previous studies have explored the technical and environmental constraints affecting rice production, such as irrigation shortfalls, land degradation, and climate variability, few have examined recent national trends using regionally disaggregated data alongside qualitative insights. …

Perspectives Of Cannabis Farmers On Intersection Of Water Access And Cannabis Frontier Constraints In Southern Oregon, Tapiwa Malvin Chabikwa

Dissertations and Theses

Cannabis farming and use are being legalized at unprecedented levels by many states in the United States. Oregon was one of the pioneer states to legalize cannabis in 2016. Although it is legalized at the state level (in Oregon), cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. Due to the quasi-legalization of cannabis, an agricultural frontier for marijuana is unfolding. Cannabis farming in Oregon has grown as there is a market and ideal weather climate for the cannabis industry to flourish. This study seeks to understand the challenges cannabis farmers face in accessing water and the socio-economic and political constraints that …

Evaluation Of Host Resistance To Rotylenchulus Reniformis In Sweetpotato Germplasm, Timothy S. Miller

LSU Master's Theses

The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is an emerging plant-parasitic threat to sweetpotato production. Dissimilar from the galling caused by root-knot nematode infections, infections from the reniform nematode occur without visible damage to the root system. In the southern United States, heavily infested sweetpotato fields can lose up to 40% of their total yield. Growers rely heavily on fumigants and nematicides which provide inconsistent control and are not sustainable in the long-term. Past research has been more focused on the efficacy of chemicals than in the identification of host resistance or tolerance in sweetpotato germplasm. This study evaluated past …