Agriculture Commons^™

Using L1-Magic For Feature Enhancement And Reduced Redundancy In Hyperspectral Data, Ashley Alfred

Mathematics Dissertations

Hyperspectral imaging offers detailed spectral information, but achieving high spatial resolution typically requires large and expensive equipment. This study explores an alternative approach: enhancing low-quality hyperspectral bands using an L1-norm minimization technique known as L1-magic. The goal is to improve the utility of low-cost hardware by preserving discriminative features, promoting sparsity, and reducing spectral redundancy. We apply L1-magic to enhance low-quality bands and hypothesize that this method selectively amplifies key features while suppressing redundant information. Experimental results indicate that the enhanced bands approach the quality of high-resolution data, enabling robust feature extraction without reliance on high-end hyperspectral cameras.

Effects Of Rnai Of Ribophorin 1, Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2 Beta, And Peptidylprolyl Isomerase A In Acyrthosiphon Pisum, Brandon L. Kennemer

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Three genes found in the Unfolded protein response, Ribophorin 1, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 beta, and Peptidylprolyl isomerase A are thought to be potential targets for RNA Interference (RNAi) in Acyrthosiphon pisum.  Ribophorin 1 (RPN1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that assists in anchoring ribosomes to the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane.  It acts as a substrate-specific chaperone.  It facilitates N-glycosylation by delivering newly synthesized proteins to the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex.  Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 beta (eIF2B) is a key component of the eIF2 heterotrimer that facilitates protein synthesis initiation by binding GTP and recruiting a specific transfer RNA to …

Element-Based Predictive Modeling Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Bioproducts Derived From Corn Stover, Isamu Umeda, Meicen Liu, Yi Zheng, Jiefu Wang, Zhiwu Wang, Sandeep Kumar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process offers an energetic advantage over pyrolysis because it does not require prior drying of the biomass feedstock. However, there are significant challenges in simultaneously estimating both the yields and characteristics of products from the HTL of biomass with theoretical support. This study developed a unique element-based kinetic model to predict the yields, higher heating values, and fuel characteristics of solid residue and heavy bio-oil, based on the temperature, residence time, solid loading, and elemental composition (C, H, N, and O) of corn stover. Furthermore, the model predicted the weights of dissolved carbon and nitrogen in …

Development Of The Core Lit Apparatus For Seaweed Hatcheries (Clash) Bioreactor Using A Germplasm Approach, Phillip O. Tahimic

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In comparison to the Asian aquaculture industry, the United States has minimal seaweed production. There are several drivers of the limited industry in the US, such as regulatory constraints and limited market demand, but the ability to scale is a considerable barrier to commercialization. One possible solution is the development of land-based systems that integrate bioreactors, which utilize fewer resources and do not wholly rely on an oceanic flow-through system. This study assessed the application of a modular bioreactor, known as Core Lit Apparatus for Seaweed Hatcheries (CLASH), as a nursery system and open-source project designed to expand land-based seaweed …

Agricultural Evidence Synthesis At A Critical Juncture: Quality Gaps And Implications For Evidence-Based Agriculture, Chao Cai, Jane Yatcilla, Justyna Czader, Sylvie Brouder, Jeffrey Volenec

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have become essential tools for synthesizing evidence to guide agricultural policy and practice, yet whether these syntheses are themselves conducted with sufficient rigor has rarely been systematically assessed. This study provides a field-wide assessment of reporting quality in agricultural evidence synthesis, examining whether existing reviews are conducted with sufficient transparency and rigor to support the policy and practice decisions they are meant to inform. We drew a random sample of 244 systematic reviews and meta-analyses from a bibliometric dataset of 1,709 articles published between 1997 and 2023, evaluating reporting quality using a 12-indicator rubric across four …

High Potential, Uneven Uptake: Off-Grid Renewables In Agriculture Across The Global South, Muhamad Setyawan Bahari, Destia Mardhotillah

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Reliable energy access is widely recognized as essential for agricultural development, yet adoption of off-grid renewable energy technologies (RETs) in the Global South remains uneven despite their high potential. While RETs are increasingly promoted as solutions to food insecurity and energy poverty, evidence on what enables or constrains their uptake across agricultural contexts remains fragmented. This study systematically reviews 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2025 using the PRISMA framework and synthesizes findings through a PESTEL lens. The literature has expanded in recent years, reflecting growing policy attention to the energy–agriculture nexus, but remains concentrated in Asia and heavily …

Spiders In The World Of Pesticides: A Review, Jackson L. Mendillo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Pesticides and other agrochemicals have varying effects on spiders depending on their mechanism of action and dosage, ranging from behavioral changes and ataxia, to reproductive changes and physiological stress, to lethal non-target effects. Additionally, peptide Hv1a has promising effects as a more narrow-spectrum pesticide.

Optimizing Poultry Production And Enhancing Egg Nutrient Composition Through Kelp Supplementation In Laying Hens, Meghan Clifford

Open Access Dissertations

The development of sustainable feed supplements is a crucial component in addressing the current global need for resilient and environmentally responsible food systems. This dissertation has explored the potential of brown algae (Saccharina latissima) as a sustainable feed supplement for poultry with the potential to benefit production efficiency, product quality, and the global food supply. With both controlled feeding trials and a producer-based survey, the work in this dissertation investigates the nutritional, biological and practical implications of adopting kelp into poultry diets.

Chapter one provides a comprehensive overview of the current literature surrounding the use of marine sources …

Developing Bioassays For Detection Of Residual Herbicides In Compost, Esther Moore

2026 Research Poster Competition

Developing Bioassays for Detection of Residual Herbicides in Compost, the use of synthetic herbicides has dominated the field of agricultural production for over a century. While synthetic herbicide use has resulted in an undeniable boost in agricultural productivity, risks such as environmental degradation and reduced yield of non-target plant species must be considered. Key among these risks is compost contamination, especially from persistent herbicides. After these herbicides are applied, they are absorbed by growing vegetation, consumed by herbivores, passed through the digestive tract, and reintroduced into soil manure based compost. Even after this process, chemicals in such herbicides can remain …

Soil Moisture Regime Effects On Near-Surface Soil Chemical Properties In Alfisols Under Native Tallgrass Prairie In Arkansas, Sydney Talley

2026 Research Poster Competition

Tallgrass prairie ecosystems provide many crucial ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling and storage, organism habitat, and soil and water conservation. However, tallgrass prairies are considered endangered ecosystems, particularly in the Ozark Highlands and Grand Prairie regions of Arkansas, where less than 0.05% of the state's original prairie land area remains. Understanding soil nutrient supplies over time in native tallgrass prairie ecosystems is critical for quantifying the success of restoration and rehabilitation activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil moisture regime (SMR) (i.e., aquic and udic), region (i.e., Ozark Highlands and Grand Prairie), and their …

Functional Characterization Of The Reniform Nematode Effector Protein Rr6640 In Soybean Parasitism, Noah Solomon

2026 Research Poster Competition

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis, RN) is a major plant-pest affecting key crops in Arkansas such as cotton and soybean, causing economic losses exceeding $757 million in the U.S. over the past decade. While some genetic resistance exists in cotton, soybean remains highly susceptible, exacerbating RN populations in crop rotations. To address this gap, this research investigates the mechanisms of nematode infection focusing on effectors, the specialized proteins secreted by the parasite to manipulate host cell biology and suppress plant immunity. This study characterizes Rr6640, a putative effector gene identified as an ortholog to a virulence factor in the Beet Cyst …

The Effect Of Cover Crop Management Strategies On Nutrient Availability In No-Till Corn, Emily C. Marsh

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Cover crops are reported to have long-term soil health improvements, one of which is reducing erosion. However, popular cereal cover crops, such as rye (Secale cereale L.), have the potential to cause a yield penalty in the following corn (Zea mays L.) crop due to a reduction in available nitrogen. Legumes, such as Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L. var. arvense), are thought to reduce this yield penalty due to their capacity to fix nitrogen. Sulfur is another nutrient of interest, especially as rates of atmospheric deposition of sulfur have declined, leading to more deficiencies being …

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis L.) As A Perennial Groundcover: Establishment And Weed Management In Corn, Kiera S. Searcy

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Perennial groundcover (PGC) systems offer a cost-effective alternative to annual cover crops, by providing continuous soil cover, reducing soil erosion, and contributing to integrated weed management (IWM) in corn (Zea mays L.) production systems. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) has been proposed as a perennial groundcover for corn due to its low growth habit and seasonal dormancy; however, successful adoption is limited by challenges associated with establishment-phase weed competition and compatibility with weed management programs during corn production. The objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate weed management strategies that support Kentucky bluegrass establishment and (2) assess …

Integrated Crop Management For Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) Grain Production In Kentucky, Maria M. Ricciardi

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Cannabis sativa L. is legally defined (U.S.) as hemp if the total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration remains less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Hemp can be produced for cannabinoid extraction, fiber, or grain. Hempseed meal and hempseed oil were approved as feed ingredients for chickens and performance horses in Kentucky. To leverage this opportunity, production requires improvement through an integrated crop management approach. This dissertation (1) reports the main arthropod and disease pests impacting hemp grain; (2) identifies grain yield components and their relationship with corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (CEW); (3) evaluates Fusarium head blight (FHB) development across …

The Role Of Agricultural Biomass In Supply Chain Decarbonization, Ruxia Lyu, Sobhan Arisian, Zhitang Li, Mohammad S. Taskhiri, Reza Kiani Mavi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To achieve supply chain decarbonization, environmentally conscious manufacturers are transforming their energy infrastructure. While certain manufacturers are adopting a pure bioenergy strategy in their production processes, others are opting for a hybrid energy approach that combines traditional energy with bioenergy. This choice is often influenced by limitations in land capacity and the developmental stage of biomass conversion technologies. This paper introduces a game-theoretic model that explores the optimal approach to achieving supply chain decarbonization by strategically selecting energy portfolios. Our findings reveal that in scenarios where the market size is small, manufacturers tend to adopt a hybrid energy strategy, particularly …

Assessing The Impact Of Local–State Revenue Shares And Property Tax Structure On Effective Farmland Tax Rates: Panel Evidence From Seven Midwestern States, 2009–2022, Imtiaz Amin Chy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Property taxes are the primary revenue instrument of local governments in the United States, yet the burdens they impose are distributed unevenly. Farmland, because it cannot be relocated, often absorbs a disproportionate share. This paper examines two related questions: what fiscal factors determine how heavily agricultural land is taxed, and do those tax rates capitalize into farmland asset values? Using an annual panel of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin from 2009 to 2022, we first document how each state allocates property tax revenue across four major spending categories (education, public welfare, health, and utilities) finding that all …

Crispr-Cas9: Transforming Biomedical Technology Through Gene Editing, Zaina Issa

A with Honors Projects

The research paper describe the gene editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and the implications of its use in different fields, including medicine and agriculture.

United States Mainstream Meat Market Entry: An Analysis On Speciality Goat Meat Products, Madison Raye Schmitz

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Understanding consumers' perspectives and motivations is key when looking into making goat meat more accepted in the mainstream meat market. Previous research has shown there is a demand for goat meat from different populations in the US. Consumers also care more about the quality of the food they purchase. Understanding that goat meat has lower cholesterol and is leaner than other red meat is important to incorporating goat meat in niche consumer markets. Providing consumers with a product that is familiar to them is more acceptable than giving consumers a cut of meat they are unfamiliar with. Standard products like …

A Novel 3d Imaging Approach To Study Evolutionary Innovations In Solanaceae Inflorescences, Devin L. Jackson, Joonseog Kim, Wenheng Zhang Dr.

Undergraduate Research Posters

Understanding the relatedness of angiosperms and the evolution of their inflorescence remains challenging, as these structures are highly modified and prone to convergent evolution. The current research describing inflorescence architecture, whether genetically or morphologically focused, typically relies on text based explanations, 2D images, or 3D based models created with CAD modeling software. This creates a disparity in the reader's understanding of these models since descriptions rely heavily on the author's interpretation of the inflorescence. The goal of our study is to bridge this disconnection by producing anatomically and color-correct 3D inflorescence models using Solanaceae flowers that readers can explore directly, …

Agrivoltaics Swot Analysis For Implementation In The United States, Vani Ramesh

Undergraduate Research Posters

Agrivoltaics is the implementation of solar installations alongside agricultural land in order to improve the efficiency of land usage in both industries. Research in European and Asian countries developing agriculture and solar developments in tandem has indicated that implementation in the United States, including Virginia, is feasible and beneficial. The US has the highest energy use per capita in the world, with the increase of various technologies has resulted in land developments using higher energy levels than previously. While Virginia’s energy demand has increased with the addition of data centers. Increased energy demand and food security requirements have unearthed policy/political …

Feasibility Of Corn Stover For Biogas Production In Northwestern Illinois: A Case Study Of Jo Daviess And Carroll Counties, Anthony Amotoe-Bondzie

Masters Theses

The growing demand for renewable energy and sustainable waste management has intensified interest in agricultural residues such as bioenergy feedstocks. This study evaluated the feasibility of converting corn stover into biogas through anaerobic digestion (AD) in Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois, with consideration of the Savanna Industrial Park as a potential centralized processing hub. Although corn stover represents one of the largest biomass resources in the United States, this research identifies a critical gap between theoretical availability and practically recoverable feedstock. Using a mixed-methods framework, the study integrates biomass quantification, methane yield modeling, economic analysis, and policy assessment. Results …

Layers Of Biodiversity: Linking Urban Garden Plants And Arthropods, Chenyang Su

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Diverse arthropods play essential roles in urban agriculture, while urban agriculture provides food and habitat that support arthropod biodiversity in fragmented urban landscapes. In urban community gardens, a form of urban agriculture characterized by allotment-style gardens, arthropods interact with plants and green space across multiple spatial scales of management, from individual gardeners' plots to broad urban landscapes. Understanding how plant communities in urban community gardens and urban landscapes shape arthropod biodiversity and interactions across scales can inform both agricultural management and urban biodiversity conservation. In this thesis, I conducted a series of field studies on ecologically and economically important arthropods …

Dwarf Tomato Cultivar Selection Guide, Abigail Lazier, Noah Langenfeld

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

This cultivar guide provides information on eighteen dwarf tomato cultivars grown at Utah State University. The goal is to help growers compare varieties based on plant size, productivity, fruit characteristics, and quality. Each cultivar profile includes a photograph of the plant along with key information on growth habit, size classification, yield, fruit size, and soluble solids (°brix). Whether you are selecting tomatoes for a patio, indoor garden, greenhouse, or other space-limited growing system, this guide offers an easy-to-use resource for identifying cultivars that best match your available space and production goals.

Success Criteria: Sustainable Efficacy In Australian Farmer Groups, David K. Mckenzie, Janine Joyce, Kerstin K. Zander, Penelope A.S. Wurm, Kim M. Caudwell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: To examine the factors and processes that sustain the efficacy of farmer groups as extension intermediaries for influencing collective innovation, and knowledge co-creation and exchange. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from farmer interviews, focus groups, and the published digital documents of five farmer groups across SE Australia. A grounded theory mixed-methods approach was used for data collection and analysis, aided by Atlas software in constructing concepts and a concept map representing group processes. Findings: The ability of groups to influence farm innovation, and farmer learning and knowledge co-creation, depends on the group efficacy. Group identity in advancing farmer interests and …