Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Push-Pull Farming System Helps Insure Smallholder Maize Production Under Climate Change, Yann Clough, Wilhelm May, Timothy Luttermoser, Dickens Nyagol, Nikolaos Alexandridis, Frank Chidawanyika, Mattias Jonsson, Charles A.O. Midega, Katja Poveda, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Agroecological approaches harnessing in-field biodiversity have been highlighted as a sustainable way to reduce yield gaps, but long-term assessments of their ability to buffer production from weather extremes and increasing interannual and intraseasonal climate variability are scarce. Here, we analyze a 12-year dataset from 642 control vs. push-pull maize field pairs in western Kenya, where long-term climate trends include increasing temperatures and intensifying drought and rainfall. In push-pull, maize is intercropped with a fodder legume that improves soil fertility, suppresses weeds, and deters pests, and is bordered with fodder grasses attracting and suppressing the pests. We assess interactions between push-pull …

Beyond Nutrients: Frass Fertilizer Legacy Effects For Sustainable Nematode Management In Potato–African Nightshade Rotation Systems, Emmanuel O. Anedo, Dennis Beesigamukama, Benson Mochoge, Nicholas K. Korir, Solveig Haukeland, Xavier Cheseto, Moses Nyongesa, Patrick Pwaipwai, Sevgan Subramanian, Abdou Tenkouano, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The utilization of insect frass fertilizer in crop production systems has recently gained significant global interest, but there has been limited evidence of its residual benefits in rotational cropping systems. The legacy effects of black soldier frass fertilizers (BSFFF), conventional organic fertilizer (SAFI), inorganic fertilizer (NPK), synthetic nematicide, and their combinations on potato cyst nematode (PCN) management under potato-African nightshade rotational farming systems were investigated. Eight treatments were evaluated: BSFFF, SAFI, chitin-fortified BSFFF (BSFFF+5chitin), NPK + nematicide, combination of BSFFF and NPK so that each supplies 50% of the nitrogen required by potato (50BSFFF+50NPK), combination of SAFI and NPK so …

The Influence Of Ecological Pest Management Practices On Pests And Natural Enemies Under A Cabbage–Garden Pea Rotational System In Central Kenya, Peter Nyakundi Mageto, Milka Kiboi, Monicah Mucheru-Muna, Felix Matheri

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Pest pressure is a major constraint on crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholder farmers rely heavily on synthetic pesticides with potential environmental and health risks. Ecological pest management practices (EPMs) have been proposed as sustainable alternatives, although field-based evidence is limited. This study evaluated pest and natural-enemy responses to EPMs in a cabbage–garden pea rotation system over six years (2020–2025) in Central Kenya. Four treatments were assessed: homemade botanical extracts (Botanicals), coriander intercropping (Intercrop), botanical extracts combined with coriander intercropping (Botanicals + Intercrop), and a control. In cabbage, ecological treatments often recorded lower aphid and diamondback moth abundance and …

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 …

European Corn Borer Management In Field Corn, Igor Sulzbacher Schardong, Francis Reay-Jones

Agronomic Crops

In the past, European Corn Borer (ECB) was considered a billion-dollar pest. Bt corn was first released in 1996 and its widely adoption reduced ECB populations and economic importance. Resistance to some Bt toxins was detected in Canada, representing a possible threat to corn production. In this paper, we reviewed potential management tactics for ECB in corn.

Impacts Of Multitrophic Interactions In Diversified Cropping Systems For Sustainable Management Of Spodoptera Frugiperda, Abdul A. Jalloh, Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf, Fathiya M. Khamis, Subramanian Sevgan, Daniel Munyao Mutyambai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Rapid population growth has made the sustainable intensification of agricultural productivity essential for meeting global food demands while maintaining environmental integrity and biodiversity. Diversified cropping systems, such as intercropping, push-pull systems, and cover cropping, are recognized as agroecological strategies to enhance plant growth and protection, and suppress major pests, including the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda). These systems influence complex above-and-below ground interactions among herbivorous pests, plants, soil microbes, and their natural enemies. Aims: This review synthesizes current knowledge on how diversified cropping systems shape multitrophic interactions that affect soil health, plant performance, S. frugiperda suppression, and biocontrol within …

Sustainable Control Of Pests And Striga Weed Through Intensified Push-Pull Technology And Frass-Based Soil Amendments, Evanson R. Omuse, Honest Machekano, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Dennis Beesigamukama, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Samwel O. Ogaji, Sevgan Subramanian, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Crop productivity under African smallholder farming systems is faced by numerous challenges, including insect pests, weeds, low soil fertility, and climate change. Sustainable intensification, such as push-pull (PP) technology and vegetable-integrated push-pull (VIPP) technology, coupled with soil organic amendments such as black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF), can address these agricultural constraints. We investigated the individual and synergistic effects of cropping systems comprising two crops [maize (DK777 variety) and cowpea (KVU27 variety)] and agroecological strategies (PP, VIPP and BSFFF) on the management of pests and Striga weeds and crop productivity in three different geographical areas. Diversified cropping systems (PP and …

Effect Of Successive Subculturing On Virulence, Growth, And Germination Of Fungus Metarhizium Rileyi For Biological Control Of Fall Armyworm, Joanna Marie E. Valeros, Trisha Anne P. Garcia, Noel G. Sabino, Marcela M. Navasero, Melissa P. Montecalvo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study explored the impact of successive subcultures of Metarhizium rileyi (Farl.) Kepler, S.A. Rehner & Humber on its cultural traits, spore germination, and virulence against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a key pest in agricultural systems. The mass production of infective propagules is essential for effective biological control. Notable changes were observed in the texture and mycelial appearance of the fungus across subcultures. Initially, the fungus exhibited a powdery texture up to the 6th subculture. However, the fungal growth became fluffy and cottony by the 8th and 10th subcultures. Additionally, sporulation rates (7.05 × 10^{8 …}

Oviposition Preference Of The Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Towards Bt And Non-Bt Corn, And Under Confined Conditions, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Jessica B. Baroga-Barbecho, John David C. Cortez, Edwin A. Benigno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Several experiments were conducted on the ovipositional preference and behavior of the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Confirmatory tests were conducted in table cages (1.5 m²) to determine if the results would align with those obtained from experiments on semi-field (285 m²) and mini-screen cage (90 m²) spatial scales. Preference for Bt and non-Bt corn was then observed under confined conditions. Table cage test results showed similar oviposition behavior to that observed in prior studies on larger test areas. There is no preference for either Bt or non-Bt corn plants. ACB adults …

Basic Studies On The Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée), Are Crucial For Insect Resistance Management For Bt Corn In The Philippines, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The Philippines is considered to be “at the forefront of biotech research and commercialization in Southeast Asia and a model for science-based and thorough regulatory policy in the region” (ISAAA 2016). This is evident in the country's pioneering adoption of Bt corn technology in Asia and in the effective handling and implementation of rules and regulations on biosafety and the application of transgenic crops through the regulatory function of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) under the Department of Agriculture.

Effect Of Planting Date, Insecticide Efficacy, And Hail Injury On Soybean Gall Midge (Resseliella Maxima Gagné) Infestation In Soybean, Natasha Hiromi Umezu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a recently described and economically significant pest of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in the Midwestern United States. Since its identification in 2019, this species has become widespread and is now associated with substantial yield losses in parts of the region. Prior to its formal description, orange larvae were observed in soybean associated with plants damaged by hail, suggesting that plant injury may influence infestation. Given the pest’s economic importance, understanding the role of hail injury and developing effective, integrated management strategies are critical for mitigating its impact.

Field studies were conducted to …

Lethal And Sublethal Effects Of Cotton Expressing Single And Pyramided Proteins Of Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) On Helicoverpa Armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Spodoptera Litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), And Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Sharna Holman, Paul Grundy, Helen Spafford, Michael Furlong

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

The susceptibility to proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can vary among lepidopteran pest species. While Bollgard 3 cotton (BG3) effectively controls the primary pest Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in Australia, its effectiveness against other pests, such as Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is unknown. This laboratory study assessed the survival and development of H. armigera, S. litura, and S. frugiperda larvae when fed foliage from a non-transgenic cotton variety (CC) and 3 transgenic cotton varieties: Bollgard (BG1) expressing Cry1Ac, Bollgard II (BG2) expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, and Bollgard 3 (BG3) expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, and Vip3A. Pyramided …

Landscape Effects On The Beneficial Arthropod Community In Agriculturally Dominated Environments, Hannah E. Stowe

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ecosystem services in agriculturally dominated regions rely, at least in part, on arthropods. Environment and biodiversity influence beneficial arthropods in population size, community structure, diversity, and ecosystem service provisioning. Predation is among the most important services provided by arthropods in agroecosystems. Understanding what alters predation and predator activity can support the successful application of biological control and, more broadly, integrated pest management. Land use and edge adjacency, field characteristics, landscape, seasonality, and diel period all alter predatory behavior. Crop fields dominate Nebraska agroecosystems, although interspersed perennial grasslands persist through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Such grasslands supply crucial resources and …

Mechanisms Of Perennial Sorghum Resistance To Sugarcane Aphid Infestation, Esha Kaler

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, the fifth most-grown cereal crop in the world, is a versatile crop, grown across different agro-ecological regions. Sorghum has numerous uses ranging from food and forage purposes to biofuel production. Sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari) is a major threat to sorghum production, accounting for 50% to 100% yield loss under heavy infestations. Perennial sorghum can be a sustainable and climate-resilient alternative to the current cereal farming systems. The development of perennial sorghum offers numerous benefits, such as reduced economic inputs, more carbon sequestration, better soil health, and sustainable yields. We employed host plant resistance …

Integrating Genomic And Phenomic Breeding Tools For Wheat Stem Sawfly Resistance In Hard Winter Wheat, Sydney E. Graham

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The wheat stem sawfly (WSS; Cephus cinctus) is an insect pest that affects wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the Northern Great Plains. This pest causes stem cutting that makes the plants susceptible to lodging and results in up to 30% yield loss. The primary management strategy for producers is utilizing host plant resistance, for which the main trait is stem solidness. This trait increases the pith thickness and provides resistance to the WSS by increasing larval mortality and reducing stem cutting. While stem solidness is largely controlled by a known major gene (SSt1), the phenotypic expression is also …

Understanding The Impact Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Feeding, And Drought Stress On Drought-Tolerant And Drought-Resistant Soybean (Glycine Max)., Adriana G. Peissel

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Drought and insect herbivory are two major stressors on high-value crops like soybean (Glycine max). However, few studies have explored how these stressors interact, despite their presence in tandem under field conditions. We investigated how drought stress and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) caterpillar herbivory impact Magellan (drought-tolerant) and Blackhawk (drought-susceptible) soybean cultivars. The soybean plants were subject to four treatment groups (1. Drought 2. Herbivory 3. Drought + Herbivory 4. Well-Watered) during a treatment period of 7 days in a greenhouse. We then measured plant height, physiological traits, trichome density, soil moisture, and larval mass gain. …

Too Much Of A Good Thing: Lessons From Compromised Rootworm Bt Maize In The Us Corn Belt, Ziwei Ye, Christina Difonzo, David A. Hennessy, Jinhua Zhao, Felicia Wu, Shawn P. Conley, Aaron J. Gassmann, Erin W. Hodgson, Bryan Jensen, Janet J. Knodel, Bradley Mcmanus, Lance J. Meinke, Andrew Michel, Bruce Potter, Nicholas J. Seiter, Jocelyn L. Smith, Joseph L. Spencer, Kelley J. Tilmon, Robert J. Wright, Christian H. Krupke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Widespread use of genetically engineered maize targeting the corn rootworm complex (Diabrotica species) has raised concerns about insect resistance. Twelve years of university field trial and farm survey data from ten United States Corn Belt states indicate that maize hybrids expressing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt maize) exhibited declining protection from rootworm feeding with increased planting while pest pressures simultaneously decreased. The analysis revealed a tendency to overplant Bt maize, leading to substantial economic losses; this was particularly striking in eastern Corn Belt states. Our findings highlight the need to go beyond the “tragedy of the …

Long-Term Agricultural Management Reduces Abundance And Alters Community Structure Of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Cynthia M. Fiser, Nathan L. Haan, Douglas A. Landis

Entomology Faculty Publications

Carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are beneficial predators and bioindicators of ground-dwelling arthropod diversity in agricultural landscapes. We studied changes in community composition, activity density, and diversity of carabids in a long-term agroecosystem study spanning 30 years in the US Midwest. We contrasted carabid community metrics measured by pitfall trap sampling in two conservation-oriented treatments in a corn-soybean-wheat rotation. One treatment uses conventional practices but with reduced agrochemical inputs (Reduced Input), while the other has no synthetic inputs (Biologically Based). Since a 1994–95 study on the same site, in 2019 overall carabid activity density had declined a minimum of 58–76 % …

Grass Weed Control And Rice Response With Tetflupyrolimet-Containing Programs, Mason C. Castner, Jason K. Norsworthy, Thomas R. Butts, Trenton L. Roberts, Nick R. Bateman, Travis R. Faske

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Tetflupyrolimet is the first herbicide with a novel site of action (SOA) labeled PRE and early POST for use in agronomic crops to be labeled in the last three decades. Direct-seeded paddy rice field experiments were conducted near Stuttgart, AR, on a silt loam soil and near Keiser, AR, on a clay soil to evaluate tetflupyrolimet-containing herbicide programs in comparison to commercial standards in conventional, imidazolinone-resistant, and quizalofop-resistant rice systems. Additionally, a furrow-irrigated rice experiment was conducted near Colt, AR, and Keiser to ensure weed control with clomazone and tetflupyrolimet mixtures compared to commercial standards. Twelve commonly planted rice cultivars …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Assessment And Management Of Dectes Stem Borer, Dectes Texanus Leconte, In South Dakota Soybeans, Zachary Loomis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Dectes stem borer (Dectes texanus LeConte, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) has emerged as an increasingly significant pest of soybean (Glycine max) in South Dakota. Although historically considered a minor concern, rising populations of this insect have led to significant preharvest lodging and subsequent yield loss in affected fields. The Dectes stem borer's larval feeding within the soybean stem interferes with nutrient flow, and as the season progresses, this internal feeding weakens stem integrity, amplifying lodging risks and causing considerable challenges for farmers and researchers. Since 2017, both the number and severity of Dectes stem borer infestations have been on the rise …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Jeff Edwards

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Genotypic Variation And Wilting Speed Affect Soybean (Glycine Max) Germination And Growth, Adriana Peissel, Jessica Ayala, Rupesh Kariyat

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important agricultural crops in the world due to its value as a major source of protein and oilseed production. Soybean is extremely sensitive to drought and experiences severe reductions in yield when there is a reduction in water availability. Canopy wilting speed is a trait linked with water use efficiency (WUE) in soybeans. Slower wilting canopies indicate greater WUE, while faster wilting canopies indicate lower WUE. Previous studies have explored the variation of plant physiological traits across wilting speeds on a smaller scale, but ultimately, a more extensive assessment is …

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Kelly Loftin, Eva Berryhill

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Argentine Ants, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are small, brown, and notorious worldwide for being one of the most difficult and costly ants to control, as it can involve ongoing and repetitive use of residual, contact insecticides. The ants are established in Western Australia (WA).

Lupin Root Diseases - Diagnosis And Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Root, hypocotyl and stem base diseases can be significant problems in lupin crops, reducing stand density, plant vigour and yield. Root disease is present in nearly all narrow leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) paddocks but in the majority of paddocks has only a small impact on crop development. However, in paddocks where high levels of root rot occurs, plant establishment, seedling vigour and crop yield can be significantly affected.

When a root disease is present in a crop very little can be done to manage it in that cropping season. It is therefore vital that the cause is correctly identified to …

Electric Ant (Little Fire Ant), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The electric ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), also known as little fire ant, is a tiny, gold-brown coloured ant, and one of the world's most invasive pests. Electric ants prey on and compete with other insects and can displace large numbers of native animals, ants, and other insects.

They affect human health and lifestyle, can inflict painful stings on humans and wild and domestic animals, can blind pets, damage the environment, and have the potential to severely affect agricultural industries.

The electric ant is native to Central and South America and was first detected in Australia in 2006 in Queensland, where there …