Agriculture Commons^™

Effects Of Varying Biochar Concentrations On The Growth Of Lactuca Sativa (Newham Bibb Lettuce), Lauren Holler

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this research experiment was to investigate the effectiveness of using biochar in potting soil in terms of plant growth and soil quality. This experiment was carried out using varying amounts (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) of biochar in the soil to see its effect on seed germination, plant growth, and soil quality such as pH, water retention, and soil temperature. The aim of the experiment was to identify whether biochar can be used in soil to promote healthier and stronger plants. There were four treatments which included 0% (Control), 5% (Treatment 1), 10% (Treatment 2), and 20% …

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 …

Autonomous Smart Vertical Farming: A Systems-Level Synthesis Of Iot And Solar Energy Integration For Sustainable Agriculture, Mahmuda Khatun Mishu, Md Rokonuzzaman, Boon Kar Yap, Tofan Agung Eka Prasetya, Md Arif Hossain, Asif Islam, Kazi Sajedur Rahman, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Rapid urbanization, land degradation, and climate variability are increasingly constraining food production, especially in densely populated urban regions. Vertical farming (VF), which grows crops in stacked layers under controlled conditions, is gaining recognition as a potential solution for sustainable urban agriculture. However, high energy requirements and questions surrounding long-term resource efficiency continue to challenge its scalability and environmental viability. This review explores the potential of smart vertical farming (SVF) systems, enhanced by the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and hybrid green energy-harvesting systems such as photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) technologies. This research analyzes how real-time data-driven …

A Journey To The Midwest For Migrant Farmwork: Women's Testimonies Examining Their Lived Experiences Using Autoethnography And Plática Research Methodologies, Yesenia G. Alcalá

Theses & Dissertations

A JOURNEY TO THE MIDWEST FOR MIGRANT FARMWORK: WOMEN’S TESTIMONIES EXAMINING THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES USING AUTOETHNOGRAPHY AND PLÁTICA

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Yesenia Garza Alcalá, Master of Business Administration

University of the Incarnate Word 2026

The purpose of my research was to share the stories of five women who experienced a yearly migratory routine from Del Rio, Texas, to work in farms and factories in the Midwest, and how that annual journey shaped and educated us. The women are four of my older sisters and me, all of whom traveled and worked in the Princeville, Illinois, migrant camp, where we experienced the …

Aginnovation South: Strategic Roadmap Initiatives (2020-2026), Gary A. Thompson

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report documents the major organizational initiatives undertaken by agInnovation South between 2020 and 2026. Rather than serving as a chronology of meetings or annual activities, it highlights the initiatives, partnerships, and collaborative efforts that strengthened the association and expanded regional research capacity across the Southern Land-grant system. Many began as conversations among the membership, matured through strategic planning and engagement, and ultimately resulted in partnerships, multistate projects, professional networks, organizational resources, and new opportunities for collaboration. The report is intended to preserve institutional knowledge while providing context for future leaders and members as they build upon these efforts.

Characteristic Flavors And Key Metabolites Of Qula From Different Production Areas Of Xizang, Xue Bei, Huang Qun, Wang Yang, Li Chuanting, Zhang Yidan, Hao Zhengyang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To elucidate the regional differences and metabolic regulatory mechanisms of the flavor quality of Qula from different production areas of Xizang. [Methods] Qula from six production areas in Xizang, including Ali, Chamdo, Lhasa, Shigatse, Shannan, and Nagqu, were used as the research subjects. Multi -omics techniques, including electronic nose, gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography -mass spectrometry (LC-MS), were combined to systematically analyze the physicochemical quality, volatile flavor components, and differential metabolites of the samples. [Results] The fat content of Qula from the Ali production area was significantly higher than that from the other production areas, and …

Traceability Analysis Of Microbial Community In Fuyu-Flavor Daqu And Its Production Environment As Well As Raw And Auxiliary Materials, Cao Mantang, Wang Yanfa, Liu Xiaoguang, Yu Bing, Zheng Xiaowei, Sun Yuting

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To explore the sources of the microbial community in Fuyu -flavor Daqu and to elucidate the key microorganisms in Daqu. [Methods] Fuyu -flavor Daqu was used as the research object, and high -throughput sequencing combined with microbial source -tracking techniques was employed to analyze the sources of microorganisms in Daqu. [Results] The microbial community structures of the Daqu crust and core were similar;however, there were substantial differences in their dominant taxa. Source -tracking results showed that bacteria on the Daqu crust were mainly derived from workers' hands (22.68%), the surface of koji -pressing machines (17.58%), the air around the …

Formation Rules Of Key Flavor Substances During Sauerkraut Fermentation And Their Correlation With Dominant Flora, Tao Ruixiao, Wen Xueping

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the relationship between microbial succession and flavor formation during sauerkraut fermentation. [Methods] This study investigates the dynamic changes in physicochemical parameters, volatile flavor substances, and bacterial communities during 30 days of natural fermentation at 15 ℃. [Results] During natural fermentation, pH decreases from 5.85 to 3.70, reducing sugar decreases from 28.7 g/kg to 1.6 g/kg, and nitrite concentration exhibits an initial increase followed by a decrease. Simultaneously, the proportion of Firmicutes increases sharply from 16.8% to 98.7%, with Lactobacillus (95.8%) ultimately dominating. [Conclusion] Acidity and sugar consumption are the core environmental factors driving flavor formation during the …

Screening And Identification Of High-Yield Diacetyl Lactic Acid Bacteria And Optimization Of The Ultrasonic Pretreatment Process, Li Xinyi, Zhou Hui, Hu Shunhong, Sun Binrong, Tang Xia, Luo Jie, Fan Xiankang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To selectively screen lactic acid bacteria with high diacetyl yield and explore the effect of low -frequency ultrasound treatment on their diacetyl synthesis capacity. [Methods] Using diacetyl yield as the indicator, high -yielding strains were selectively isolated from strains preserved in the laboratory. The strains were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing and Gram staining. The target strain was evaluated for safety, including antibiotic susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and biogenic amine production, and its probiotic potential was characterized based on free radical scavenging capacity and tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The diacetyl synthesis capacity of the strain was improved by …

Extraction , Structural Characterization , And Rheological Properties Of Fish Scale Protein, Tu Jianqiu, Jia Lei, Jing Lixiang, Wang Qing, Yang Xiaocong, Li Jianfang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To use Nanwan fish scales as raw materials for the extraction of fish scale protein by an ultrasonic -assisted alkaline method, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the high -value utilization of Nanwan fish by -products. [Methods] The extraction process of Nanwan fish scale protein was optimized through single -factor and orthogonal experiments. The structural characteristics of the protein were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and its rheological properties were determined using a rheometer. [Results] The optimal conditions for the preparation of Nanwan fish scale protein were an ultrasonic temperature of 50 ℃, ultrasonic time of …

Mass Transfer Kinetics And Quality Impact In Pickled Leaf Mustard Under Low-Salt Pretreatment, Huang Kun, Zhang Rui, Zhang Yin, Fang Zhongliang, Chen Hao, Zhao Dan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To further control the quality of leaf mustard (Brassica juncea var. foliosa ) during low -salt brining pretreatment. [Methods] The effects of different low -salt concentrations (3%, 5%, and 8%) and brining durations (0~72 h) on mass transfer kinetics, total bacterial count, color, bitterness, texture, and water distribution during the brining process of leaf mustard were investigated. [Results] Increasing the salt concentration significantly intensified mass loss, water loss, and salt uptake in leaf mustard, and the increments increased with higher salt concentrations. Furthermore, the Peleg model accurately described the mass transfer kinetics during the low -salt brining pretreatment of …

Development And Application Of A Fluorescent Imidazoquinoline-Imprinted Photonic Crystal Dual-Mode Sensor, Sun Yanxu, Hao Huihui, Zhao Xiaolei, He Jinxing

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To achieve rapid detection of 2-amino -3-methylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (IQ) in food. [Methods] A novel IQ fluorescent molecularly imprinted photonic crystal sensor is fabricated using the photonic crystal molecularly imprinted polymer (PCMIP )@CdSe/ZnS fluorescent material. [Results] Scanning electron microscopy (SEM ) reveals that the fabricated material possesses a highly ordered, interconnected three -dimensional macroporous structure. Under optimal conditions, the sensor demonstrates robust quantitative detection performance toward IQ. Specifically, the fluorescence method exhibits a linearity of 0.500 to 250 μg/L, with a limit of detection (LOD ) of 0.300 μg/L. Concurrently, the photonic crystal -based reflection peak shift assay shows …

Construction Of An Aupt Bimetallic Nanozyme-Based Sers Sensing Platform For Sensitive Detection Of Thiamethoxam In Agricultural Products, Xu Yongzheng, Yi Guanru, Xu Longhua

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish a surface -enhanced Raman scattering (SERS ) sensing method based on AuPt bimetallic nanozymes for the detection of thiamethoxam (TMX ) residues in agricultural products. [Methods] SiO2-supported AuPt bimetallic nanozymes were prepared using a reduction method. The excellent peroxidase -like activity of the nanozymes was utilized to catalyze the oxidation of 3,3', 5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB ) by H2O2 to generate oxidized TMB (ox-TMB ). The Raman signal of ox -TMB was enhanced by the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of the AuPt bimetallic nanostructure. Based on the inhibitory effect of TMX on acetylcholinesterase (AChE ) activity, the generation …

Effect Of Continuous Progressive Freeze Concentration On The Quality Of Concentrated Litchi Juice, Zhong Hongji, Zhong Ruimin, Deng Zeyuan, Wang Jinhong, He Huijun

Food and Machinery

[Objective] Through multi -component comparative analysis, this study evaluates the effect of continuous progressive freeze concentration on the quality of concentrated Litchi juice and explores the feasibility of preparing high -quality litchi juice concentrate. [Methods] Freshly squeezed litchi juice is used as the raw material and subjected to two -stage freeze concentration using a pilot -scale continuous progressive freeze concentration equipment. Systematic comparisons are conducted on the changes in sensory attributes, rheological properties, sugar and acid composition, mineral elements, amino acids, physiologically active components, and volatile flavor compounds of litchi juice before and after concentration. [Results] The soluble solids content …

Processing Analysis And Experiment Of Monopterus Albus Bone Removal Machine Based On Recurdyn-Abaqus Co-Simulation, Liu Mingyong, Wang Changqi, Xiang Xue, Wang Lei, Shen Yang, Li Ping

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To address the problems of heavy manual dependence, low efficiency, and poor bone removal quality in the existing Monopterus albus bone removal processing. [Methods] Simulation analysis and experimental research are carried out based on the previously designed bone removal machine and constitutive model of M.albus. Mechanical property parameters of M.albus bone and muscle tissues are obtained through mechanical tests. Subsequently, a third -order Ogden hyperelastic model for the muscle and a brittle fracture model for the spine are established. By coupling Recurdyn multi -body dynamics simulation software and Abaqus finite element analysis software, a simulation model of the M.albus …

Intelligent Optimization Method For Parallel Robot Boxed Yogurt Sorting Trajectory Based On Improved Mopso, Wang Yun, Wang Xiaojie, Guo Xu

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To improve the operational efficiency, operational stability, and energy efficiency of food -sorting robots and achieve intelligent and precise optimization of sorting trajectories. [Methods] An intelligent trajectory optimization method for parallel -robot yogurt sorting was proposed by integrating multi -objective optimization with an improved multi -objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO ) algorithm. A 3-5-3-5-3 segmented polynomial interpolation algorithm was used to construct the robot's joint motion trajectories, with the objectives of minimizing sorting time, total energy consumption of the robot, and mechanical impact. The MOPSO model was optimized by improving particle inertia weights, external archive update strategies, and crowding …

Fresh-Cut Processing Suitability Of Different Yam Cultivars, Pang Lingyun, Jiao Yijing, Jia Yingying, Guo Shuihuan, Qu Shanshan, Zhan Lijuan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To select the yam cultivars suitable for fresh -cut processing. [Methods] Five yam cultivars are selected as raw materials. Then, the following variation patterns are analyzed during storage:color difference, browning degree, weight loss rate, total phenol content, malondialdehyde content, polyphenol oxidase (PPO ) activity, and sensory quality. Based on the analysis, the core evaluation indicators are determined to select yam cultivars suitable for fresh -cut processing, while the weights of each indicator are determined through the analytic hierarchy process. Finally, the fresh -cut processing qualities of the five yam cultivars during storage are ranked using grey relational analysis. [Results] …

Heat Pump Drying Characteristics And Quality Evaluation Of Semi-Dried Xiantaoli Litchi Fruits, Liu Fei, Liu Shuping, Wang Xin, Peng Shaodan, Li Jihua, Zhou Wei

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the heat pump drying law of Xiantaoli litchi and the quality characteristics of semi -dried Xiantaoli litchi fruits under different moisture contents. [Methods] Heat pump drying treatment was applied to Xiantaoli litchi. Through the determination of key quality indicators and sensory evaluation, the comprehensive quality of semi -dried Xiantaoli litchi fruits with different moisture contents was compared. A sensory quality prediction model was established by stepwise regression analysis. [Results] The drying process of Xiantaoli litchi could be divided into two stages:an acceleration period and a deceleration period, with the maximum drying rate occurring at around 24 h. …

Effects Of Alkali Treatment On The Quality And Digestibility Of Soybean Textured Protein, Jin Jiaming, Wang Chao, Shen Zhicong, Guo Lu, Niu Zhiyong, Peng Mingye

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of sodium carbonate addition levels on the quality and digestibility of soybean textured protein during extrusion expansion. [Methods] Soybean protein isolate is used as the raw material, and sodium carbonate is added at mass fractions of 0,0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00% during extrusion expansion. Subsequently, the basic physicochemical properties, color characteristics, micro - and macro -morphology, intermolecular forces, and levels of carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups of the samples from different treatment groups are characterized. Additionally, the differences in the formation of high -temperature processing hazards and in vitro digestibility among the samples are comprehensively compared. [Results] …

Evaluation Of The Anti-Aging Effects Of Aqueous Extract From Dendrobium Officinale Leaves On Drosophila Melanogaster, Li Shuting, Yang Lin, Huang Yan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the in vivo anti-aging effects of the aqueous extract of Dendrobium officinale leaves and its potential mechanisms. [Methods] The contents of the main bioactive components, flavonoids and polysaccharides, in the aqueous extract of D.officinale leaves were determined. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, the effects of the aqueous extract on the lifespan, locomotor capacity, heat stress tolerance, and tolerance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress in D.melanogaster were evaluated, and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD ), cytosolic Cu/Zn -superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1), mitochondrial Mn -superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD 2), and catalase (CAT ) were measured. [Results] …