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Table Of Contents

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effect Of Woodchips On Soil Matric Potential, Temperature, Weed Biomass, And Yield Of Selected Crops, Leonard Githinji, Patrick Johnson

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Organic mulches are very popular for weed control in sustainable agricultural systems where the application of synthetic herbicides is restricted. A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of organic mulch in controlling weeds, enhancing soil matric potential, and soil temperature. Blended hardwood mulch was applied to the soil surface at a thickness of 10 cm. The experimental design was laid out as a completely randomized design with two treatments, viz., mulch and no-mulch, replicated 5 times. Data were collected during the growing period for weed biomass, soil matric potential, soil temperature, and yield of selected crops. Results from a …

Assessing The Global Drivers Of Sustained Economic Development: The Role Of Trade Openness, Financial Development, And Fdi, Riza Radmehr, Ernest Baba Ali, Samira Shayanmehr, Sayed Saghaian, Elham Darbandi, Ebenezer Agbozo, Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie

Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Achieving economic development is one of the most important economic goals of every country. Identifying the determinants of economic growth, is a useful tool for adopting appropriate economic policies. This study, therefore, empirically examines the impact of trade openness, foreign direct investment, and financial development on economic growth, across 62 countries over the period 1995–2016. These countries are divided into two groups: low-income and high-income countries. We employ the pooled mean group (PMG), mean group (MG), and dynamic fixed effect (DFE) estimation techniques on the cross-country panel data. The findings show a positive long run association between trade openness, foreign …

Two Inter-Row Spacing And Staggered Planting On Collard (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Acephala Dc.) Yield In A Wiregrass Tunnel House, Cassandra Searight, Victor Khan, James E. Currington, David Miller, Justin Tate, Jeffery Moore, Carnell Mcalpine

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

There is interest among small vegetable producers to grow collards in Tunnel Houses during the winter months. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine if collard yields could be increased by reducing row spacing and increasing plant density. This study had four treatments replicated three times, and “Georgia” and “Hi-Crop Hybrid” collards were transplanted on single, and staggered rows spaced 18” and 24” apart in a split-split-plot design. At 45 days after transplanting 50% of the leaves from all plants in each treatment were harvested, counted, and weighed. The results showed staggered 18 and 24” rows increased yields …

Factors Associated With Attracting Business And Industry To Selected Black Belt Counties Of Alabama, Andrew Zekeri

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

There is limited recent research on the economic development strategies that local officials, state, and federal governments are employing in rural Alabama. To better understand these strategies, the data were collected from local community officials in two rural Alabama counties. The objectives are to examine what efforts are being used, and what resources are available for economic development efforts. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analyses to test the hypothesis that past community action and community solidarity variables can contribute to a higher probability of recruiting business and industry than will be predicted by the ecological characteristics of the communities …

Impact Of Selected Factors On Farm Income For The Alabama Black Belt Counties And Non-Alabama Black Belt Counties, David Nii O. Tackie

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

The study examined the impact of selected factors on farm income in the Alabama Black Belt Counties (ABBCs) and Non-Alabama Black Belt Counties (NABBCs). Data were obtained from the 2017 Census of Agriculture and analyzed using ordinary least square regression analysis. The results revealed that for the ABBCs, average size of farms, government payments, and average farm production expenses significantly affected average cash farm income (ACFI); for the NABBCs, median size of farms, government payments, and average farm production expenses significantly affected ACFI. Furthermore, for the ABBCs, average size of farms, government payments, and total farm production expenses significantly impacted …

Prevalence Of Gastrointestinal Parasites In Lactating Kiko Does And Their Kids In Woodlands With Supplements, Bhuwan Shrestha, Uma Karki, Anand Tiwari, Santoshi Chaudhary, Lila Karki, Chukwuemeka Okere

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites pose a major health concern in goats raised in pastures. The study objective was to evaluate GI parasites’ prevalence in lactating Kiko does and kids stocked in woodlands with supplemental grazing or feedstuffs. Seventeen lactating Kiko does, and their thirty-three kids were divided into two groups. Group 1 was supplemented with grazing in silvopastures and Group 2 with ad libitum hay and corn (0.5% of metabolic weight) along with stocking in woodland plots rotationally. Fecal samples were analyzed for type and quantity of GI parasites from animals having FAMACHA score 3 and higher. Group-1 does showed a …

Establishing A Small-Scale Pastured Poultry Operation In Kentucky, Frederick N. Bebe

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Pastured poultry is poultry rotationally raised on pasture, as opposed to large-scale confinement operations. There has been a growing demand for pastured poultry as a result of the adverse effects of the use of antibiotics in large-scale caged systems and pastured poultry’s attributable nutritional and economic benefits to consumers. As a result, an increasing number of small-scale farmers in Kentucky have begun raising birds both for personal consumption and for supplemental income, in conjunction with other farm enterprises. Poultry is the number one agricultural commodity in Kentucky. Thus, knowledge of how to establish small-scale pastured poultry operations as an alternate …

Abridged Submission Guidelines

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

No abstract provided.

Historical Corn Price Evolution Implications For Pre-Harvest Hedging, Cory Walters, Richard K. Preston

Cornhusker Economics

Commodity markets evolve through information provided by participating buyers and sellers and throughout this process the conditions in which commodity markets work are revealed. Producer pre-harvest commodity marketing can be further developed by incorporating information on how commodity markets work, leading to better farm financial performance.

We investigate how commodity markets have historically evolved from spring to fall. While changes in future prices appear random in any given year, observing average daily prices over 32 years could uncover a seasonal tendency. In the past 32 years, the average daily price tends to be higher in the spring than the fall, …

Incidence Of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Strains In Organic And Conventional Watermelons Grown In Tennessee, Onyekachukwu Akaeze, Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge, Dilip Nandwani, Abdullah Ibn Mafiz, Maureen Nzomo, Tobenna Aniume

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

The production and consumption of organic fresh produce have constantly increased since the 1990s. Consumers prefer organic produce because it does not contain synthetic chemical residues that are often implicated in health problems. The contamination of fresh produce by pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae strains remains a major challenge, and is responsible for frequent foodborne disease outbreaks. The use of antibiotics has proved an effective treatment, but the increase in occurrences of antibiotic resistance is becoming a health challenge. This study seeks to establish the presence of antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae on organic and conventional watermelon fruits. Watermelons used for this study were …

Mitigating The Adverse Effects Of Semi-Arid Climate On Capsicum Cultivation By Using The Retractable Roof Production System, Giao N. Nguyen, Neil Lantzke

Horticulture Research Articles

Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family and is an economically important vegetable crop. However, the crop is very sensitive to adverse weather conditions such as high temperatures and excessive sunlight, which cause flower and young fruit to drop and sunscald to mature fruits. Using protected cultivation such as shade covers or net houses is a feasible agronomic approach to protect the crop from high light intensity, which increases plant growth, reduces fruit damage, and increases marketable fruit yield and quality. Low-cost protected cropping options such as fixed-roof net houses have proved cost-effective and suitable for fruiting vegetable …

New Cooperative Approaches: Successes And Opportunities, Charlotte Narjes

Cornhusker Economics

The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International states that there are 40,000 co-ops in the United States that range in size. Examples of cooperatives include the local Ace Hardware (purchasing cooperative) to Land O' Lakes. Cooperative businesses operate across virtually all industries, or sectors. The most common cooperative in Nebraska is the agricultural cooperative. According to the Nebraska Cooperative Council ag facts, in June 2020 there were 401 cooperatives located across the state providing jobs and services in many rural communities. In addition, there are over 64,400 farmers and ranchers that are voting members of Nebraska cooperatives with many members …

2022 Nebraska Ballot Issues, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

Three issues will be on the 2022 statewide ballot, one proposed by the Nebraska Unicameral and two added to the ballot by initiative petition. The three issues are: 1) public payments to expand commercial airline service; 2) requiring photo IDs for voting; and 3) increasing the Nebraska minimum wage from $9/hour to $15/hour.

The Federated Circles Of The Mandarin Garden Club Year Book 1961, Mandarin Garden Club

Mandarin Garden Club Yearbooks

Mandarin Garden Club yearbook listing committee members, activities, meetings and member rosters. Edited by Eleanor Aiken

Patterns Of Population Structure And Introgression Among Recently Differentiated Drosophila Melanogaster Populations, Jenn M. Coughlan, Andrius J. Dagilis, Antonio Serrato-Capuchina, Hope Elias, David Peede, Kristin Isbell, Dean M. Castillo, Brandon S. Cooper, Daniel R. Matute

Nebraska Cooperative Extension: Faculty and Staff Publications

Despite a century of genetic analysis, the evolutionary processes that have generated the patterns of exceptional genetic and phenotypic variation in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster remains poorly understood. In particular, how genetic variation is partitioned within its putative ancestral range in Southern Africa remains unresolved. Here, we study patterns of population genetic structure, admixture, and the spatial structuring of candidate incompatibility alleles across a global sample, including 223 new accessions, predominantly from remote regions in Southern Africa. We identify nine major ancestries, six that primarily occur in Africa and one that has not been previously described. We find evidence …

Workspace Simulation And Trajectory Planning Of Food Handling Robot, Cai Guo-Qing, Hao Rui-Lin, Zhou Li-Jie, Shi Yan

Food and Machinery

Objective: Analyzed the workspace of 6-DOF food handling robot and planed the motion trajectory, so as to provide basis for the layout of food handling platform in workstation and the motion control of robot. Methods: Composition and structure of the robot were analyzed, the kinematics model was established, and the kinematics model was verified by MATLAB. Based on this, the workspace of the robot was modeled and solved, the working area of the robot was obtained, and the reasonable layout position of the food handling table was given; combined with the requirements of food handling task, a three-stage …

Effect Of The Electric Field Treatment On The Pullulanase-Catalyzed Hydrolysis Of Waxy Rice Starch, Chen Cai-Wen, Tian Jia-Ning, Yu Kun-Zheng, Li Dan-Dan

Food and Machinery

Objective:This study aimed to classify the mechanism of pullulanase-catalyzed hydrolysis of waxy rice starch under electric field treatment, by monitoring the changes in hydrolysis efficiency, pullulanase activity, and the structure and properties of waxy rice starch. Methods:The hydrolysis efficiency was determined, and the structure and thermal properties of hydrolysates were characterized, by using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, differential scanning calorimeterand rapid viscosity analyzer. Results:Under the control of the following conditions, electric field with intensities ≤2.5 V/cm could increase pullulanase activity, accelerate the hydrolysis, induce the pores and cracks on the granule surface, increase the relative crystallinity, …

Effects Of Microwave Aging On The Content Of Phenols,Organic Acids And Esters In Black Rice Wine, Tang Lin-Yue, Yuan Jiang-Feng, Lai Yu-Ting, Gong Ming-Gui, Sun Jian-Rui

Food and Machinery

Objective:This study aimed to solve the problems of time consuming and high cost in the natural aging process. Methods: Black rice wine was treated with different microwave power, time and temperature. The contents of main phenols, organic acids, and esters in black rice wine treated by microwave technology were analyzed. Results: Microwave treatment could increase the contents of total esters, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, acetic acid, ethyl valerate and ethyl acetate, reduce the contents of total phenols, total acids, caffeic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and ethyl lactate, and have little effect on the contents …

Effect Of Tobacco Moisture Content On Releases Of Main Components In Heated Cigarette Aerosol, Zhang Hu, Duan Yuan-Xing, Zhao Yang, Li Shi-Wei, Yang Liu

Food and Machinery

Objective: To investigate the effect of moisture content of heated cigarette on releases of aerosol main components. Methods: Three different types of heated cigarettes were used to study the effects of moisture content of cigarette sticks on the release of main aerosol components by gas chromatography. Results: ① The equilibrium humidity was a positive correlation between the moisture contents of tobacco materials and releases of total aerosol particulate matters. ② The moisture contents of heated cigarettes stored at different equilibrium humilities had a great effect on releases of glycerol and nicotine in aerosol, but a small effect on release of …

Effects Of Nacl Stress And Cacl2 Supplemental On Phenolic Accumulation And Antioxidant Activity In Common Vetch Sprouts, Zhao Qi-Yan, Tang Ning, Zhao De-Chen, Zhang Bo-Ya, Cheng Yong-Qiang

Food and Machinery

Objective: The study aimed to develop the vegetable value of common vetch (CV) and explore the effects of salt solution on phenolic accumulation and antioxidant activity in CV sprouts.Methods: The effects of NaCl stress and supplemental CaCl2 on free and combined phenolic accumulation in CV sprouts were analysed by UPLC in comparison with pea sprouts, soybean sprouts and mung bean sprouts. The changes of key enzyme activities and gene relative expression levels of PAL, C4H and 4CL, antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant activities were investigated under NaCl and CaCl2 treatments.Results: The total phenolics increased from (10.63±0.40) mg GAE/g …

Determination Of Bongkrekic Acid In Auricularia Auricular Combined Quechers With Uhplc-Ms/Ms, Huang Yong-Qiao, Ma Kai, Wu Xin-Wen, Gao Liang, Jian Yin-Chi, Lu Yao, Yang Chang-Biao

Food and Machinery

Objective: A rapid method for determination of bongkrekic acid in Auricularia auricular was developed using QuEChERS in combination with UHPLC-MS/MS. Methods: In this study, Several important experimental parameters, including type of extraction solvent, extraction time, adsorbent type and adsorbent dosage were effectively optimized using spiked samples. The sample were shaken with methanol containing 1% ammonia water, and then carried out by the C18 adsorbent purification.Results: The bongkrekic acid was determined within 4 minutes by negative ion multiple reaction monitoring mode analysis and external standard method. The linear range was 0.05~10.00 ng/mL (r＞0.998 3). The limit of detection (LOD) was …

Determination Of 16 Kinds Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Spicy Strip By Quechers Gas Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass, Li Sha, Zeng Xi-Wen, Shen Rui, Li Yi-Wei, Tan Zhen

Food and Machinery

Objective:This study aimed to effectively improve the risk warning and quality and safety supervision of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in spicy strip.Methods: The target compounds in the samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified by QuEChERS, containing 100 mg N-propyl ethylenediamine (PSA), 100 mg octadecylsilane bonded silica gel (C18), and 1 000 mg neutral alumina adsorbent, and then were separated by DB-EUPAH column. It was detected by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with multiple reaction monitoring mode and matrix matching external standard method.Results: The 16 kinds of PAHs showed good linearity in the range of 0.005~0.500 μ …

Determination Of Four Kinds Of Illegally-Added Artificial Sweeteners In Syrups By High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Zhong Fei-Fei, Lei De-Qing, Zhou Jin-Sha, Liu Bo, Wang Zi-Qing

Food and Machinery

Objective: A high performance liquid chromatography method was established for determination of four artificial sweeteners in syrups, i.e., acesulfame, saccharin sodium, aspartame and advantame.Methods:Acetonitrile was used as mobile phase A, and 0.02 mol/L ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (pH value adjusted to 5.5 by triethylamine) was used as mobile phase B. The gradient elution was conducted, with flow rate at 1.0 mL/min,and the column temperature was at 35 ℃; the detection wavelength was 214 nm, and sample size was 10 μL was loaded on the was Shiseido AQ-C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) A total of 45 …

Uncertainty Evaluation For The Determination Of Natural Capsaicin, Dihydrocapsaicin And Synthetic Capsaicin In Edible Oils And Fats By Lc-Ms/Ms, Huang Hui, Liao Yan-Zhi

Food and Machinery

Objective: Uncertainty assessment of the content of synthetic capsaicin, natural capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in edible oils and fats by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was carried out, and the sources of uncertainty and the key factors affecting the test results were analyzed, so as to improve the accuracy of test results.Methods: To establish a mathematical model for the uncertainty of the content of synthetic capsaicin, natural capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in edible oils and fats, to analyze the factors that may introduce uncertainty in the detection process, and to evaluate each uncertainty component.Results: The contents of synthetic capsaicin, natural capsaicin and …

Discrimination Of Cigarette Based On Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Technology And Firefly Algorithm Optimized Support Vector Machine Parameters, Pan Xi, Li Ran, Wei Min, Wei Qing, Qiu Chang-Gui

Food and Machinery

Objective: In order to accurately and quickly discriminate cigarettes. Methods: After collecting the near-infrared spectra of different brands and reducing the interference factors through the spectral preprocessing method, the spectral pretreatment method, the population number of firefly algorithm (FA) and the number of iterations on the correct rate of cigarette classification were investigated by using firefly algorithm to optimize support vector machine (SVM) parameters. Results: The standard normal variable transformation (SNV) combined with the first derivative method (1D) was used for near-infrared spectroscopy preprocessing. Under the condition that the number of firefly populations was 20 and the number of iterations …

Exploration Of Multi Scene Task Scheduling And Simulation Experiment Platform For Materials Transportation Robots System, Weng Xun, Zhang Jing-Tian, Hu Xiao

Food and Machinery

Objective: Verify the feasibility of the task scheduling and algorithm test platform of the materials transportation robots system based on the actual order data. Methods: This paper discusses the design of simulation experiment through the independently developed platform, focusing on the typical scenarios of pharmaceutical logistics. Aiming at the logistics scenario of task allocation strategy of multi robot with task classification, the Memory Elite Population based Catastrophe Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search(MEPCALNS) algorithm is designed. Results: Compared with ALNS algorithm, the efficiency of MEPCALNS algorithm is increased by 3.16% on average. Conclusion: By means of algorithm optimization research and simulation operation …

Packaging Design Of Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Based On The Characteristics Of Traditional Folk Houses In East Fujian, Qiu Zu-Zhou, Qian Hui, Liu Yun

Food and Machinery

In order to enhance the cultural value and design thinking of intangible cultural heritage food packaging design, and to spread the characteristics of traditional dwellings and traditional skills of intangible cultural heritage food, starting from cultural characteristics, architectural layout characteristics, architectural element characteristics and architectural color characteristics, Fujian Fuding white tea in east Fujian intangible cultural heritage food is the object of packaging design, which combines the characteristic elements of traditional residential buildings in eastern Fujian with the packaging design of local intangible cultural heritage food, and gives its packaging design significance and design strategy for feasibility design.

The Effect Of Hygroscopicity On Quality Characteristics Of Different Freeze-Drying Fruit And Vegetable Products, Li Xing-Xia, Li Yue, Yang Fei-Fei, Hu Jia-Qi, Zhang Hong-Lin, Wang Hai-Ou, Li Xing-Xia, Li Yue, Yang Fei-Fei, Hu Jia-Qi, Zhang Hong-Lin, Wang Hai-Ou

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to explore the changes of hygroscopicity and quality characteristics of different freeze-dried (FD) fruits and vegetables in the storage.Methods: Taking four kinds of fruits and vegetables, including potato, king oyster mushroom, apple and white radish, as the research objects, the changes of microstructure, hygroscopicity, color and texture characteristics of the four kinds of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables were observed, and the correlation analysis was conducted.Results: The results showed that the cell structure of fresh fruits and vegetables was plump and regular; The FD apple slices was observed with relatively complete tissue structure, thicker cell …

Optimization Of The Biotransformation Process Pumpkin Polysaccharide By Using Lactobacillus Plantarum, Li Xiao-Jie, Guo Yi, Ma Qing, Wang Pu, Xiao Ping

Food and Machinery

Objective: This study aimed to improve the technological conditions of antioxidant activity of pumpkin polysaccharide. Methods:The effects of temperature, pumpkin powder/distilled water ratio of solid to liquid, inoculation amount and shaking speed on the extraction rate of bio-transformed pumpkin polysaccharide were investigated, and the scavenging ability of pumpkin polysaccharide on DPPH free radical was studied. Results:The optimal conditions were inoculation amount 1% and solid-liquid ratio 1∶30 (g/mL), with shaking speed of 100 r/min at 37 ℃. Under the control of these conditions, the scavenging rate of DPPH free radical was (54.61±1.58)%. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the …