Agricultural Science Commons^™

Nourishing Births: A Program Evaluation Proposal For Community-Based Nutrition Education, Food Access, And Garden Engagement Among Black Birthing People, Naa Deedei-Vera Hammond

Master's Projects and Capstones

Black birthing people in the United States continue to experience unequal maternal health outcomes, shaped in part by racism and barriers to nutritious food, culturally relevant health education, and supportive community spaces. While prenatal nutrition education and food assistance programs can provide important resources, information alone cannot address the challenges many people face when trying to access healthy and affordable food during pregnancy. The Nourishing Births Initiative is a proposed community-based maternal health program designed to respond to these needs by bringing together prenatal nutrition education, help connecting to food resources, community gardening, and peer support for Black birthing people …

Cropland Change And Prime Farmland In Calloway County, Kentucky, 2015–2025: A Gis Analysis Of Corn And Soybean Fields, Shiba Hari Dhakal Shiba

Scholars Week

Understanding where cropland change occurs relative to soil quality helps indicate whether farmland is being used on the most productive land. This study used GIS-based change detection analysis to evaluate changes in corn and soybean fields in Calloway County, Kentucky, between 2015 and 2025 and to test whether new corn and soybean fields were located on prime farmland. USDA Cropland Data Layer maps for 2015 and 2025 (30 m resolution) were reclassified into seven classes and compared in ArcGIS Pro, and the results were overlaid on USDA NRCS gSSURGO farmland classification. Combined corn and soybean area declined about 19% from …

Gender-Responsive Knowledge Management Strategies For Vegetable Farmers Of Atok, Benguet , Philippines, Marianne R. De Luna, Farawyn E. Sarmiento

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Knowledge transfer in Philippine vegetable production often follows centralized pathways that neglect gendered roles, perpetuating productivity gaps. This study evaluated gender-responsive knowledge management pathways and technology adoption among smallholder vegetable farmers in Atok, Benguet, Philippines. Using a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 85), Social Network Analysis (SNA), vignettes, and key informant interviews, data were disaggregated by sex to map institutional disparities. Results showed that while women farmers demonstrate higher college completion rates (29%), men farmers cultivate larger average plots (0.57 vs. 0.37 ha), have higher off-farm income, and enjoy greater irrigation access (70.69% vs. 59.26%). Additionally, women derive …

Spatial Dependence Of Technical Efficiency Of Rice Farms In Camagong San Vicente Farmers Irrigators Association Inc., Cabusao, Camarines Sur, Philippines, Anthony James C. Albis, Julieta A. Delos Reyes, Antonio Jesus A. Quilloy, Jaine C. Reyes, Valerien O. Pede

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study assessed the technical efficiency of rice farms and examined how neighboring farms influence productivity among members of the Camagong San Vicente Farmers Irrigators’ Association Inc. in Cabusao, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Employing Stochastic frontier analysis and spatial econometric models, the research identified key determinants of productivity and technical efficiency. Moran’s Index and visual geospatial analysis revealed significant clustering of technical efficiency, confirming spatial dependence among farm locations. The spatial lag model was selected after robust diagnostic tests, including Lagrange multiplier tests, to capture the influence of neighboring farms on individual efficiency levels. Results indicate substantial variability in technical efficiency …

Physical Soil Health Indicators In Paired Certified Organic And Conventional Farms: A Multi-Case Study In The Philippines, Victorino A. Bato, Gina Villegas Pangga

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

There is a common perception that organic products and practices are good for the health of consumers, plants, the environment, and particularly the soil. In the Philippines, organic agriculture was enacted into law (i.e., Republic Act No. 10068) in order to encourage farmers to shift to organic farming and reap its benefits, including better soil health through improved soil physical properties. This study compared certain soil physical properties of certified organic farms in the Philippines with those of a conventional cropping system. Results showed significantly higher soil aggregate stability (high values of percent water-stable aggregates and mean weight diameter, both …

Bathurst Burr And Its Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This factsheet describes the nature of the plant, requirements land owners/occupiers must adhere to, control methods, and how to search, detect, and report it.

Bathurst burr is a summer growing annual shrubby plant originating in South America. In south west Australia, some mature plants survive well into winter, with the result that burrs may be found for most of the year. The weed spreads entirely by burrs, which are usually carried by people or animals, attached to clothes, fur, or other fibre by their hooked spines. They may …

Noogoora Burr And Its Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Noogoora burr, also known as cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This factsheet describes the nature of the plant with links to requirements that land owners/occupiers must adhere to and control methods.

Native to western United States of America. Locally abundant in parts of the Kimberley, especially near water courses. Occasionally found in the South West region of WA.

Evaluating The Responses Of Organic Corn Systems To Interseeded Cover Crops, Seeding Rate, And Tillage, Luvina B. Madrid

All Dissertations

Cover crop interseeding offers a potential strategy to increase plant diversity and make better use of above- and belowground resource niches within organic corn production systems. Interseeded cover crops can support agroecosystem sustainability through aboveground biomass production as well as belowground processes mediated by roots, including soil structural improvement, nutrient cycling, biological activity, and carbon storage. However, the success of interseeding depends on selecting cover crop species and management practices that provide these benefits without competing with the crop for water, nutrients, and light. Research studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of interseeded cover crop species, seeding rate, and …

Optimizing Urban Forestry Through Green Infrastructure: Tree Health And Water Retention In Ciudad Juarez Rain Gardens, Tomas Rogelio Lizarraga Ruiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Urban green spaces (UGS) in arid regions face significant challenges due to water scarcity and extreme thermal demand. This study evaluates the efficacy of Nature Based Solutions (NBS), rain gardens and median strips, in enhancing the physiological resilience of urban trees in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Using a comparative framework, the research monitored a native evergreen (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) and an introduced deciduous species (Morus sp.) across six planting treatments. Statistical analysis reveals that green infrastructure (GI) acts as a critical physiological accelerant. Trees situated within rain gardens and medians significantly outperformed those in restricted pot and sidewalk settings, maintaining higher stomatal …

Summaries Of Arkansas Cotton Research 2025, Fred M. Bourland

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Planted cotton acreage in Arkansas decreased in 2025 to 520,000 acres compared to 650,000 planted acres in 2024. Arkansas producers harvested 515,000 acres, which was a decrease of 125,000 acres from the 640,000 acres harvested in 2024 (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=Arkansas&year=2025). The 515,000 harvested acres ranked Arkansas third nationally, trailing only Texas and Georgia in harvested acres (https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/795725/cropan26.pdf). The average cotton yield, as reported by the USDA, was 1,239 lb lint/ac, which ranked fourth nationally, behind California, Louisiana, and Arizona. Arkansas farmers produced an estimated 1.329 million bales, which is a decrease from 1.788 million bales produced in 2024. This production still ranks …

Land Condition Standards For The Western Australian Nullarbor Pastoral Region, Peter-Jon A. Waddell, Wayne J. Fletcher

Natural resources published reports

This report outlines the quantitative land condition standards that define acceptable pastoral land condition for the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor, to meet the regulatory requirements of the Land Administration Act 1997 and the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is developing regional-level pastoral land condition standards for Western Australia as a critical component of the Framework for sustainable pastoral management – revised edition (Fletcher 2022), the purpose of which is to address the Office of the Auditor General’s recommendations to improve the management of pastoral lands in WA …

Towards 2035: Future Forms And Strategic Path Of Chinese Agriculture, Liu Tao, Zeyu Yang, Zhaohui Dong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Agricultural modernization is an integral component of the national modernization. Toward 2035, China’s agricultural system confronts multiple challenges, including increasing resource and environmental pressures, rapid upgrading of residents’ consumption structure, and in-depth adjustments in the international supply chain pattern. Meanwhile, it also embraces a series of opportunities brought by transformations in agricultural production technologies and models driven by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and engineering technology. Based on the perspective of national medium and long-term development strategy, this study sorts out the internal constraints, external opportunities, and development drivers faced by China’s agriculture. It explores six major strategic trends—ecological, intelligent, customized, facility-based, …

Nitrogen Management Strategies For Specialty Tea Production In Louisiana: Rate, Source Type, And Nutrient Dynamics, Autumn D. Hilderbrand

LSU Master's Theses

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is an emerging specialty crop in Louisiana and the southeastern United States; however, region-specific nitrogen (N) management recommendations remain limited. This research evaluated N fertilizer source, application rate, and nutrient leaching to identify management strategies that improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and environmental sustainability during tea establishment.

Three complementary studies evaluated N source replacement, application rate, and fertilizer source effects on nutrient retention and movement. The first study evaluated the replacement of urea ammonium sulfate (UAS) with blood meal (BM) while maintaining a constant annual N application rate. Fertilizer replacement did not significantly affect leaf …

Evaluating Fungicide Programs For Grapevine Disease Management And Fungicide Sensitivity Monitoring, Abraham Ahumada

Master's Theses

Grapevine diseases, such as powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot, require repeated fungicide applications to maintain fruit quality and reduce yield losses. However, fungicide performance can vary among products, application programs, disease pressure, and pathogen sensitivity. This thesis evaluated fungicide programs for control of powdery mildew in ‘Chardonnay’ grapes and assessed fungicide sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from California vineyards.

Powdery mildew, caused by the fungal pathogen Erysiphe necator, is a major threat to the production of Vitis vinifera grapes worldwide. Because powdery mildew management relies heavily on fungicide applications, field evaluations are needed to compare the efficacy …

Unh Extension Pollinator Garden Certification Application, Shyloh Favreau

UNH Cooperative Extension

When you certify your garden or landscape through The UNH Extension Pollinator Garden Certification Program, you become part of a growing community committed to creating meaningful habitat for pollinators through sustainable, science-based practices. Grounded in research, education, and shared learning, the program supports gardeners of all experience levels in contributing to the health and diversity of native pollinators. From plant selection to pollinator-friendly management practices, this application will guide you in planning, refining, and developing your garden into a safe, resilient habitat for native bees and other pollinating insects.

UNH Extension staff and Master Gardener volunteers are here to …

Exploring Regenerative Vegetable Systems On The Central Coast Of California, Una S. O'Connell

Master's Theses

As climate change and current agricultural practices place pressure on the long term sustainability and resilience of food production systems, there is growing interest in whether existing agricultural systems can adapt to maintain productivity while improving environmental outcomes.

This study evaluated the effects of regenerative versus standard organic vegetable production systems on yield, insect communities, and weed suppression across three field trials conducted on California's Central Coast. In addition, I collected baseline soil health data for all trials. Trials 1 and 2 were carried out at the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Organic Farm using cabbage and broccoli as cash …

Crop Performance Of Aromatic Basmati Rice Grown In Tidal Lands In Indonesia [Research Note], Riza Adrianoor Saputra, Indra Jatmika Liran, Yulia Padma Sari

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Rice production in Banjar Regency has declined in recent years due to land-limiting factors, particularly the suboptimal conditions of tidal wetlands. Therefore, improving cultivation techniques for new superior varieties such as Aromatic Basmati is essential to enhance productivity on marginal lands. This study aimed to determine the best combination of seedling number per planting hole and seedling age, as well as to evaluate the effect of each factor on the growth and yield of Aromatic Basmati rice cultivated on tidal land. The experiment was conducted for 4 mo (August to December 2020) in the experimental paddy fields of the Agricultural …

Leveraging Ict Adoption And Electricity Access For Sustainable Agricultural Productivity Among Nigerian Households, Menghan Huang, Qin Chen, Oluwayemisi Kadijat Adeleke, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Faryan

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study investigated ICT adoption (mobile phone and internet usage), access to electricity, and their impact on household agricultural productivity in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy. Utilizing Wave 4 (2018 to 2019) Living Standards Measurement Study–Integrated Survey on Agriculture (LSMS–ISA) data covering 4,980 household heads, this study applied logit regression and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) for estimation, alongside a Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze input contributions to agricultural output. The findings revealed that the age, residential location, educational level, and access to electricity of household heads significantly determine technology adoption among farming households. Furthermore, ICT adoption exhibits a significant, positive relationship …

Marker-Assisted Identification Of Hybrids In Polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Breeding In The Philippines, John Edward L. Felipe, Kyla Andrea G. Mendoza, Benjamin Christian J. Esguerra, Carolyn E. Alcasid, Gino R. Hernandez, Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Varietal improvement of the Philippine ‘Carabao’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) through conventional breeding is constrained by polyembryony, which makes it difficult to distinguish zygotic hybrids from nucellar seedlings at early developmental stages. This study evaluated the utility of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for early and accurate identification of hybrids in polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ mango crosses. Genomic DNA was isolated from 24 parental accessions and 61 putative hybrid seedlings using a modified CTAB protocol that yielded DNA suitable for PCR-based marker analysis. Eighty-one SSR markers were screened across 29 parental combinations, of which 64 markers (79.0%) were polymorphic in at …

Effect Of Leaf Harvesting Frequency On Cassava Leaf Production And Tuber Yield Of Binulak, Lakan 1 (Upl Cv-2), And Sultan 6 (Nsic 2003 Cv-25), Fides Marciana Z. Tambalo, Rosa Buena A. Capuno, Hiyasmin Rose L. Benzon, Jayson F. Garcia, Lizette Sahar N. Arcillas, Rona Joy C. Tud

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital staple crop in many developing countries, valued for its adaptability and dual-purpose use of roots and leaves. This study investigated the effects of leaf harvesting frequency on the leaf and tuber yields of 3 locally grown cassava varieties: Binulak, Lakan 1, and Sultan 6. The experiment followed a split plot in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 treatments varying in leaf harvesting frequency and initiation. Cassava leaves were harvested at 4, 6, 8, or 10 mo after planting (MAP), and tubers were harvested at 10 MAP. Results indicated that leaf yield …

Growth And Yield Of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Under Different Irrigation Methods In Transplanted And Direct-Seeded Systems, Wang Guirui, Crisanta S. Bueno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

In the face of climate change and socioeconomic transformation, there is an urgent need to save energy and enhance rice production. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is a viable alternative to transplanted rice due to reduced water and labor requirements, potentially achieving comparable or higher yields with reduced inputs. This study was conducted in the 2025 dry and wet seasons in Los Baños, Philippines, using a 2-factorial randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The first factor was the 2 rice varieties NSIC Rc 506 (Tubigan 41, V1) and NSIC Rc 160 (Tubigan 14, V2), and the second factor was cultural management, …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Reproductive Biology Of Sweet Potato Weevil, Cylas Formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Among Commonly Grown Sweet Potato Cultivars, Jerah Mystica Novenario, Flor A. Ceballo-Alcantara

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius), is a devastating pest of sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., with a specific point of damage at the tuber where eggs are oviposited, and voracious larvae feed. Farmers in Tarlac province in the Philippines claim that a specific cultivar is highly infested by the pest, suggesting that other cultivars may not be susceptible to the pest damage. This study aimed to determine the reproductive biology of the weevil across 3 sweet potato cultivars (Inubi, Super Bureau, and Bureau) frequently grown in Central Luzon. Since the weevils are nocturnal, behavioral observations were conducted …

Can Generative Ai Make Farming Decisions? Current Status And Future Pathways: A Case Study In Row Crop Production With Chatgpt, Nipuna Chamara, Yufeng Ge, Joe Luck, Yu Pan, Saleh Taghvaeian, Cory Walters, Christopher Proctor, Daran Rudnick, Daren Redfearn

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The agricultural decision-making process is experience-based, knowledge-dependent, time-sensitive, complex, and driven by historical data. Planting, fertilization, irrigation, and chemigation are key categories in farm decision-making, and currently there is no one-shot decision-support tool that covers all these activities. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are more advanced than traditional machine learning and deep learning models. These models have been trained on vast amounts of data from the internet, allowing them to accept unstructured data in various forms and generate human-like text, solutions to problems, and scenario predictions. Given this capability, we became interested in exploring the potential of generative AI in …

Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2024, Jeremy Ross

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The 2024 Arkansas Soybean Research Studies includes research reports on topics pertaining to soybean across several disciplines from breeding to post-harvest processing. Research reports contained in this publication may represent preliminary or only data from a single year or limited results; therefore, these results should not be used as a basis for long-term recommendations. Several research reports in this publication will appear in other University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station publications. This duplication is the result of the overlap in research coverage between disciplines and our effort to inform Arkansas soybean producers of the research being …

Discovering The Genetics Underlying Speciation Traits In Heuchera (Coral Bells), Tajinder Singh

Honors Theses

Hybridization is a key evolutionary mechanism for generating biological diversity, ultimately shaping diversification and adaptation of plant lineages in natural and agroecosystems.  Our understanding of the frequency, distribution, and significance of hybridization is rapidly increasing, but the external driving forces that dictate why certain species hybridize, and others do not remain obscure. The physical traits that shape gene flow and trait sharing among species are likely to be among the key factors that directly control hybridization. Gene flow in most plants is mediated by pollinating insects and thus by pollination syndromes, which are suites of floral traits that have evolved …

Effects Of Spatially Targeted Fertilizer Strategies On Canopy Growth Across Contrasting Tart Cherry Orchard Sites, Kurt Wedegaertner, Brent Black, Matt Yost, Grant Cardon

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Variable-rate fertilization is increasingly promoted in perennial orchard systems, but its effectiveness remains difficult to predict because tree responses are often inconsistent and strongly conditioned by site-specific constraints. To address this, we evaluated soil-based and vigor-based zoning frameworks across four commercial tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) orchards representing contrasting soil conditions, canopy structures, and management histories. Within each orchard, management zones were defined using either soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) or satellite-derived canopy vigor. Fertilization strategies were implemented by varying fertilizer application timing among zones using split-application approaches while maintaining a constant total fertilizer rate. Tree-level canopy structure was …

Soil Nutrient Sufficiency Does Not Ensure Plant Nutrient Status, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

Soil testing is commonly used to guide nutrient management. However, plants may not use nutrients in the same way that soil tests predict. This can happen when nutrients interact and limit uptake. This study evaluated whether soil test results match plant nutrient status under different compost levels, with a focus on nutrient antagonism. Soils from three compost histories were used: no compost (T1), moderate compost (T2), and long-term high compost from repeated hog manure application (T3). Soils were mixed with ProMix and Perlite (1:1:1), and Chijimisai was grown under greenhouse conditions. Plant height and chlorophyll (SPAD) were measured weekly. Soil …

Phytochemical Effects Of Culinary Spices On Kale Germination And Early Growth, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

Phytochemicals present in culinary spices can influence seed germination and early plant development through complex biochemical interactions. This study evaluated the effects of aqueous decoctions of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Yellow Mustard (Sinapis alba), and Brown Mustard (Brassica juncea) on germination and early growth of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) under greenhouse conditions. Treatments were applied at two concentrations (2 g/100 mL and 5 g/100 mL) with distilled water as control in a completely randomized design with three replications (n = 8). Seeds were soaked in spice decoctions for 2 hours prior to sowing, and …

Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests 2025, F. Bourland, J. Gann, B. Lovelady, B. Guest Jr, J. Mcalee, L. Martin, Z. Treadway, C. Henderson

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The primary goal of the Arkansas Cotton Variety Tests is to provide unbiased data regarding the agronomic performance of cotton varieties and advanced breeding lines in the major cotton-growing areas of Arkansas. This information helps seed companies establish marketing strategies and assists producers in choosing varieties to plant. These annual evaluations will then facilitate the inclusion of new, improved genetic material in Arkansas cotton production. Adaptation of varieties is determined by evaluating the lines at five University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture research sites (Manila, Keiser, Judd Hill, Marianna, and Rohwer). The tests at Rohwer were abandoned due to undefined …

Vertical Price Transmission In The Philippine Rice Supply Chain: Responses To Shocks In The Post-Tariffication Period, Bates Bathan

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

In the post-Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) period, several protectionist policies and state interventions have reemerged in the Philippine rice market. Using national-level time series data from January 2018 to April 2025, the study applies autoregressive distributed lag models to assess the impact of policy changes and external shocks on unmilled rice (palay) and rice prices. Results show that National Food Authority (NFA) rice stocks significantly affect palay farmgate prices and special rice retail prices. Vertical price transmission flows from farmgate to wholesale levels for special rice, and from wholesale to retail levels for well-milled and regular-milled rice. Major …