Agriculture Commons^™

Hot Air Drying Characteristics And Model Of Mango Slices, Huang Min, Gan Ting, Yi Ping, Huang Fang, Li Li

Food and Machinery

Objective: In order to predict and control the hot air drying process of Mango. Methods: Using fresh Mangifera indica Linn as experimental material, the effects were studied in different hot air temperatures (60, 65, 70 ℃) and different thickness of Mango slices (0.8, 1.0, 1.2 cm) on the drying curve, drying characteristic curve and effective moisture diffusion coefficient of Mango. Selecting six commonly used drying models suitable for fruits and vegetables for fitting, analysis, and validation, the most suitable model for Mango hot air drying was selected. Results: With the increase of temperature and the decrease of slice thickness, the …

Optimization Of Preparation Process And Preliminary Structure Characterization Of Polysaccharides From Lemon Peel With High Hypoglycemic Activity, Jiang Zhonggui, Li Di, Li Kaifeng, Ma Li, Gu Xin

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to optimize the preparation process of polysaccharides from lemon peel and screen out the components with high hypoglycemic activity. Methods: Ultrasonic assisted enzymatic extraction of lemon peel polysaccharide, combined with response surface test to explore the best extraction process, through DEAE-52 anion chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel column chromatography separation and purification to obtain a homogeneous polysaccharide fraction (named as LPs-1a). The effective hypoglycemic components of lemon peel polysaccharides were screened by α-glucosidase and their relative molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and characteristic groups were analyzed. Results: The optimal extraction process of lemon peel polysaccharide was …

Research On Efficient Production And Quality Optimization Of Yuba Based On Soymilk Solids Concentration And Slurry Depth Control, Zhang Yan, Ren Guangyue, Duan Xu, Liu Wenchao, Wang Zhe

Food and Machinery

Objective: Determine the appropriate soymilk concentration and slurry depth to provide a theoretical reference for the efficient and high-quality production of yuba. Methods: The effect of soymilk solids concentration and slurry depth on the yield, film-forming rate, nutrient contents, mechanical properties, cooking loss rate, and rehydration ratio were investigated. Results: The optimal yield solids of yuba (34.68%) and highest nutritional value occurs when the soymilk solids concentration is 6% and the soymilk slurry depth is 6 cm, which presents 51.05% protein, 23.42% fats, and it also has good tensile strength and rehydration qualities, with respective measurements of 3.74 MPa and …

Study On Optimization Of Enzymatic Hydrolysis Technology For Mushroom Sauce, Chen Jing, Tang Haoguo, Wang Jiakang, Si Qihe, Shen Ruxiao

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to prepare a kind of mushroom paste with Lentinus edodes, Pleurotus eryngii and Agaricus bisporus as raw materials by enzymolysis with cellulase. Methods: The response surface method was used to optimize the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis process of the mushroom paste with amino acid nitrogen content as the index. Results: The optimal enzymolysis conditions were as follows: enzyme dosage 0.6%, pH 6, enzymolysis temperature 50 ℃, solid-liquid ratio 1∶30 （g/mL）. Under these conditions, the actual amino acid nitrogen content was 0.418 μg/100 g. Conclusion: The sensory evaluation and nutritional indexes of the mushroom paste are up …

Preparation Of Matrix Reference Materials Of Bifenthrin And Cyhalothrin Pesticide Residues In Green Tea, Fang Haixian, Chen Xinglian, Li Xinyun, Li Jun, Pu Yali, Liu Hongcheng

Food and Machinery

Objective: The preparation method of matrix reference materials of bifenthrin and cyhalothrin pesticide residues in green tea was established. Methods: Green tea samples were sprayed with biphenylthrin and cyhalothrin. The samples were crushed, screened, homogenized and bottled. After the homogeneity and stability tests, the quantity value was determined by three laboratories, and the uncertainty was evaluated. Results: The amount values of bifenthrin and cyhalothrin in green tea were (0.185±0.019 7) and (0.207±0.046 6) mg/kg with k=2, and the confidence interval was 95%. Conclusion: The developed matrix reference materials of bifenthrin and cyhalothrin in green tea are homogeneous and stable …

Banana Ripeness Determination Based On Cnn And Xgboost, Han Xue, Zhang Lei, Zhao Yafei, Wang Cong

Food and Machinery

Objective: Improve the identification accuracy of banana ripeness. Methods: A novel method was established to identify banana ripeness based on CNN and XgBoost. Firstly, convolutional neural network was used to extract banana image features, and full-connected layer network and linear discriminant analysis were used to simplify banana image features. Then, the hyperparameters of the limit gradient lifting algorithm were optimized by Bayesian optimization algorithm. Finally, the simplified banana image features were input into the limit gradient lifting algorithm, and the banana ripeness was judged by the limit gradient lifting algorithm. Results: The identification accuracy of the method for banana ripeness …

Characteristics Influencing Enrollment Choices: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Factors That Influence Black Students' Decision To Enroll In College Of Agriculture Programs, Jennifer L. Brown

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study aims to identify the barriers that affect Minority enrollment in agriculture, particularly focusing on increasing the enrollment of Black students. There is a significant concern regarding the gap between Black individuals and agriculture enrollment in post-secondary agriculture programs at land-grant institutions. The purpose of this mixed method phenomenology was to (1) identify factors that influence the decision of Black students to enroll in the College of Agriculture and (2) uncover the societal and economic influences that continue to serve as barriers to Black students’ enrolling in agriculture. The quantitative portion of the investigation utilized a web-based instrument structured …

Research Review On The Detection Of Bpa By Electrochemical Sensors Modified With Carbon-Based Composites, Ren Huimin, Zhang Bo, Yin Shixian, Rong Zhixing, Wang Jianhui

Food and Machinery

As one of the most widely used plasticizers, BPA is often used in various types of food packaging. However, the leaching of BPA from food and water and the emission of BPA in the manufacturing process can harm human health. In recent years, carbon-based composites have shown excellent performance in the detection of BPA due to their unique physical and chemical properties. The rapid detection of BPA by electrochemical sensors based on carbon-based composites has become a research hotspot. This article provides an overview of BPA and the application of carbon-based materials modified electrochemical sensors in the detection of BPA, …

Extreme Climate Events And Agricultural Commodity Markets, Mohammad Abir Chowdhury Shovon

LSU Master's Theses

This article investigates the impact of extreme climate events on U.S. agricultural commodity markets, specifically focusing on corn and soybeans. Using event study methods and a comprehensive dataset of 254 extreme climate events for corn as well as 250 extreme climate events for soybeans in top ten corn & soybeans producing states of the USA between 1995 and 2023, we examine how storms, floods, extreme temperatures, and droughts affect the abnormal returns of these commodities. Our findings indicate that 22.04% of climate events significantly impact corn returns and 21.20% of climate events have significant impact on soybeans returns. Notably, extreme …

Effects Of Alternative Hermetic Bag Storage On Fermented And Dried Cocoa Bean (Theobroma Cacao L.), Kenneth Foster, Lina M. Suarez-Guzman, Diana C. Meza-Sepulveda, Dieudonne Baributsa, Carlos A. Zurita

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Cocoa beans, derived from the Cacao Tree (Theobroma cacao L.), are a cash crop among smallholder farmers in tropical regions. After harvest and processing, maintaining cocoa bean quality is critical to access lucrative markets. This paper examines the impact of hermetic storage on insect damage, mold, moisture content, and water activity of fermented and dried cocoa beans under farm conditions in collaboration with a farmer association of Belén de Umbría in Colombia. Three types of hermetic storage systems were assessed for a period of 12 months: Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, including both 2- and 3-layer variants, and Ecotact® …

Assessing The Use Of Regenerative Agriculture In California Almonds As Climate Change Resilience, Skyler M. Seamons

Master's Projects and Capstones

The agriculture sector is responsible for 10% of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions. In turn, anthropogenic climate change threatens crops. With its Mediterranean climate, California is the country’s largest agricultural-producing state. Many California crops are at risk due to increasing temperatures and changed precipitation patterns. This paper investigates regenerative farming techniques as a tool to protect California crops from a changing climate. Almonds are used as a case study to analyze the soil management practices, finances, and policies underlying regenerative agriculture in California. A literature review and comparative analysis are used to compare regenerative and conventional soil management practices …

Impact Of Temperature On Children’S Nutrition: A Comparative Study Of Three Ecological Regions Of Nepal, Prakriti Shakya

Master's Theses

Nutrition obtained during the growth period of childhood significantly influences long-term well-being and overall productivity, ultimately contributing to the economy of a society. However, weather shocks can wreak havoc by damaging crops, changing yields of important crops and disrupting market access, which directly impacts the food intake of both adults and children. When these adverse events occur during childhood, short term and long term inadequacy in nutrition as well as disease incidence can cause malnutrition leading to stunted growth and cognitive impairment that may persist into adulthood, affecting the labor market and increasing health expenditure. To address this issue, we …

The Impact Of Index Based Livestock Insurance (Ibli) On Child Nutrition In Marsabit County, Kenya, Jackson Kadyampakeni

Master's Theses

The study uses six rounds of Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) panel surveys (2009 – 2015) for Northern Kenya’s Marsabit county to investigate the impact of IBLI on child nutrition and household food security. We employ Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Instrumental Variable (IV) regressions to account for potential endogeneity in IBLI uptake. The results indicate that while IBLI uptake significantly improves the intake of key nutrients such as Vitamin A, protein, iron, and fruits and vegetables, it does not translate into significant improvements in child nutrition status, as measured by Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) z-scores. Significant negative effects of age …

Land Use Intensification And Bio-Resource Utilisation In The South Pacific Islands, David Lopez Cornelio

International Journal of Islands Research

The long and gradual colonisation of the Pacific islands created settlements of cohesive social networks that fused or were displaced by western ways of life, trade and governance through the centuries. In this paper, a historical review of the processes of island discovery, plants domestication, and of land use practices are discussed alongside the main socioeconomic drivers of land cover change. The native trees of the South Pacific constitute an invaluable resource for sustainable development; they were used and domesticated for thousands of years but logging, commercial agriculture, mining, the introduction of exotic species and urban expansion are threatening them …

Antibiogram Profiles Of Pathogenic And Commensal Bacteria In Goat And Sheep Feces On Smallholder Farm, Ashesh Basnet, Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Introduction: The increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic pathogens poses a substantial threat to both animal production and human health. Although large-scale animal farms are acknowledged as major reservoirs for AMR, there is a notable knowledge gap concerning AMR in small-scale farms. This study seeks to address this gap by collecting and analyzing 137 fecal samples from goat and sheep farms in Tennessee and Georgia.

Method: Bacteria were identified using culture-dependent methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method.

Results and discussion: The prevalence of E. coli (94.9%) …

The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, Part Ii: Activities And Success Stories, Sheila Aikanathan Johnson, Christine Lockert, Bradley D. Lubben

Cornhusker Economics

The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center is committed to educating American farmers and ranchers on effectively managing the distinct risks associated with producing food for global consumption. So far, we've funded 523 projects totaling over $18.7 million, benefiting more than 168,000 participants.

Part I provided an overview of the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, including its operations, priorities, service areas, and how the grant program functions. Part II details the center's activities and highlight some of the numerous projects that have been supported over 23 years since the awarding process started. In the forthcoming segment, Part …

An Exploration Of Learning And Teaching Methods In Agricultural Extension, Jeremy Levinson, Dave Lamie, Michael Vassalos, Chris Eck, Juang Chong, Francis P. F. Reay-Jones

Journal of Extension

Abstract

The Train-the-Trainer approach is widely used in Cooperative Extension education to efficiently disseminate research-based information to many clientele groups, including farmers. This paper compares the traditional Train-the-Trainer model to a comprehensive Collaborative Train-the-Trainer model and discusses weaknesses of the traditional model that are addressed in the Collaborative model. Sources of information used by farmers (growers) and overall effectiveness were measured through a survey instrument created and distributed to farmers in South and North Carolina. The Collaborative Train-the-Trainer model, which emphasizes peer-to-peer interaction and feedback loops, represents an enhanced approach for conceptualizing and implementing Extension educational programs.

Hay Inventory And Purchasing Calculator For Horse Owners, Robyn L. Stewart, Brooklyne M. Wassel

Journal of Extension

The Hay Inventory and Purchasing Calculator for Horse Owners is an Excel-based tool for estimating hay needs and expenses for horse owners. Challenges with hay quality and availability can result in higher than expected costs for horse owners as they attempt to purchase enough horse-quality hay to meet their needs. Estimating intake requirements and creating a budget for hay purchasing is key for the effective management and profitability of equine operations. This tool can be used regardless of geographic location and will benefit a diverse audience including Extension educators, equine business owners, and horse owners.

Perceived Benefits And Barriers To Livestock Mortality Composting, Rachel Wieme, Lynne Carpenter-Boggs

Journal of Extension

We conducted webinars in 2020 about livestock mortality composting (LMC). Forty-five attendees completed a survey to evaluate the webinar and help define future educational needs. Major barriers to LMC were lack of experience, public and neighbor perceptions, and environmental management. Most respondents indicated convenience, cost, biosafety, use of product, and environmental management as benefits. An unexpected emotional theme indicated that LMC also supports the “circle of life” and “respect for the animal.” We propose that this theme may be a uniting message to improve public and producer perception of LMC, increase use of LMC, and improve public-producer relationships overall.

Cereal Rye Cover Crop Termination At Or Before Soybean Planting Has Minimal Effect On Soybean Yield Across The Midwestern Us, Tatiane Severo Silva, Spyridon Mourtzinis, Anthony Justin Mcmechan, Gabriela Inveninato Carmona, Bruce D. Potter, Kelley J. Tilmon, Louis S. Hesler, Nicholas J. Seiter, Robert Wright, Shannon L. Osborne, Thomas E. Hunt, Shawn P. Conley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Context: Interest is growing among farmers in the Midwestern US region in the potential benefits of establishing cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) as a cover crop. However, they are concerned about the implications and potential trade-offs due to this practice. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of cereal rye cover crop termination at or before soybean planting on soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) seed yield. Methods: Field experiments were conducted from 2019 to 2021 across 28 location-years in the Midwestern US. Treatments consisted of no cereal rye, cereal rye termination before soybean planting, and termination at planting. …

Designing Future Agriculture: Design For Complex Systems And Cross-Cultural Interactions, Karina Madzari

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Climate change is now recognized by businesses as a major challenge, prompting the agribusiness sector to transform to meet sustainability goals. However, there are many ways to achieve sustainability. Precision agriculture and agroecology are two concepts that evolved from conventional and regenerative approaches respectively, and offer distinct perspectives on sustainability attainment. Precision agriculture relies on technological solutions like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, gene editing, and carbon dioxide removal technologies (CDR) and aims to revolutionize industry operations through automatization. Agroecology, on the other hand, creates a symbiotic relationship between farming practices and ecosystem services. It aims to replace non-renewable resources with …

Adopting Yield-Improving Practices To Meet Maize Demand In Sub-Saharan Africa Without Cropland Expansion, Fernando Aramburu-Merlos, Fatima A. M. Tenorio, Nester Mashingaidze, Alex Sananka, Stephen Aston, Jonathan J. Ojeda, Patricio Grassini

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase 2.3 times during the next 30 years driven by demographic and dietary changes. Over the past two decades, the area croppedwithmaize has expanded by 17million hectares in the region, with limited yield increase. Following this trend could potentially result in further maize cropland expansion and the need for imports to satisfy domestic demand. Here, we use data collected from 14,773 smallholder fields in the region to identify agronomic practices that can improve farm yield gains. We find that agronomic practices related to cultivar selection, and nutrient, pest, and crop management can …

On-Farm Hog Processing Demonstration For Teenage Exhibitors: Blending Academic, Laboratory, And Farm-Based Learning, Katherine A. Wells, Chris L. Bruynis, Lyda G. Garcia

Journal of Extension

COVID-19 challenges induced a U.S. meatpacking industry bottleneck. [University] Extension identified the need and responded by creating a three-step hands-on training for teenage junior fair exhibitors. [University] Extension Meat Scientist and graduate students assisted in demonstrating an on-farm hog harvest and processing event in collaboration with a local Extension office for 4-H and FFA teenagers. To add a practical perspective, a local hog-producing and harvesting family was asked to assist with the event. An online post-survey reflected 90-100% gains in five educational areas and 100% said they would a similar event in the future and recommend it to a friend.

An Evaluation Of A Cooperative Extension Internship Program, Lisa Ellis Mccormick, Karen A. Vines, Subrato Kumar Kuri

Journal of Extension

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the Virginia Cooperative Extension internship program from the perspective of student participants and their supervisors. Three focus groups were conducted with internship supervisors from the summer of 2019. Student survey data was used to identify concerns from the student perspective to inform the supervisor focus group questions. In addition to the questions, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was also used to collect qualitative data within the supervisor focus groups. Findings suggest areas of strength that can be used in marketing as well as opportunities for program improvement.

Evaluating The Yield Of Surviving Plants From Early-Season Hail Damage In Corn: A Field Survey, I. P. Lisboa, Christopher A. Proctor, R W. Elmore, A. J. Mcmechan, N. D. Mueller, J. Wilson, G. Zobeck, Aaron Nygren, A. Bastidas, Osler Ortez

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Economic losses due to hailstorms acrossUS corn fields occur every year.Hailstorms result in leaf defoliation, decreasing photosynthetic area and impairing carbon assimilation and crop yield for all corn (Zea mays L.) development stages. However, more attention is often given to stand reductions rather than damage to stems or leaf defoliation. During the 2014 growing season, a natural hail event affected many areas of eastern Nebraska. Twelve affected corn fields were surveyed and included in this study. An injury score scale (1–5) was developed based on various injury and severity levels before the V6 (6-leaf corn growth stage) (six-collared leaves). …

Scrapbook 58-59, Mandarin Garden Club

Mandarin Garden Club Scrapbooks

Scrapbook includes leaflets, pamphlets, images and news clippings. Includes items from 1960-1962. Cover material: Cardboard Size: 12.75 x 11.0625 x 1. Circa 1958-1962

Does Increased Productivity Ensure Food Security And Food Sovereignty? Case Study: Productivity, Food Security, And Gender Participation Within The Framework Of The “Sustenta” Project In Nampula Province, Mozambique., Arcenia Notilija Vilanculo

Theses - ALL

When food security and sovereignty are viewed from a gendered lens, critical questions arise concerning inclusive participation in food systems. While policymaking is pivotal in ensuring gender parity in these systems, the lack of stakeholder engagement and buy-in during the policy design process hinders governmental efforts to create and implement policies that effectively ensure food and nutritional security for all. This research examines agricultural productivity, food security, land tenure, and stakeholder engagement in the context of SUSTENTA project in Nampula. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach, incorporating data from semi-structured interviews, featuring predefined questions and topics and a thorough literature …

Agroecology And Soil Stewardship: Values And Techniques Of Smallholder Farmers In Bernalillo County, Stephanie Olivas

Geography ETDs

Agrarian movements around the world use agroecology to build sovereignty and steward dynamic ecosystems. Research has shown that agroecological farmers steward more resilient crops, more resilient soil biomes, and greater biodiversity than conventional agriculture. GIS and remote sensing offer many tools to detect the impacts of these farmers on the environment, but it is less clear how such technologies fit into agroecological goals. This study asks: what values, experiences and knowledge do smallholder producers in Bernalillo County embody in their soil stewardship practices? Also, what experience or knowledge do smallholder producers in Bernalillo County have about remote sensing, and would …

And Food Justice For All: Advancing Access To Just And Sustainable Food Systems, Makenna Grace Landry

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A collection of work exploring food justice and food access programming in Western Montana, as well as a critique of the Bayer-Monsanto merger.

'My Body Is Fertile Ground': Exploring Relational Agriculture Through Gender, Body, And Local Food Policy, Erin M. Tansimore

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This master's portfolio, "'My Body Is Fertile Ground': Exploring Relational Agriculture Through Gender, Body, and Local Food Policy," explores the concept of relational agriculture through multiple forms of practice. It comprises three parts: a personal essay discussing the author's experiences with the land as a young woman with a turbulent relationship with her own body; a literature review on gender dynamics in alternative agricultural spaces; and a survey report and a USDA Census of Agriculture data brief produced during an internship with two local food entities.

The first piece, "My Body Is Fertile Ground," details the author's experience with an …