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 …

Assessment Of Pletekan Leaf Extract (Ruellia Tuberosa L.) As An Antibacterial Feed Additive For Broiler Chickens (Gallus Gallus Domesticus L.) Infected With Salmonella Sp., Nuria Istiqomah, Poncojari Wahyono, Rury Eryna Putri, Abdulkadir Rahardjanto

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

The use of synthetic antibiotics as antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in broiler chickens raises concerns over antibiotic residues and bacterial resistance, necessitating safer natural alternatives. Ruellia tuberosa L. contains various secondary metabolites with potential antibacterial properties; however, its in vivo efficacy against Salmonella sp. remains poorly documented. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical composition of R. tuberosa leaf extract and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Salmonella sp. in broiler chickens. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with eight treatments: a positive control (tetracycline), a negative control (Tween-80), and six extract concentrations (125, 250, 375, 500, 625, and 1000 …

Strategic Value Chain Analysis Of Baiada Poultry: Enhancing The Industrial Value Of Ross Breeders In South Australia, Hammam Abdullah, Eudia Christina Wulandari, Zakaria Husein Abdurrahman

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

The Australian poultry industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rising protein demand and stringent standards for animal welfare and biosecurity. As a market leader, Baiada Poultry plays a pivotal role in the upstream Ross breeder sector in South Australia. This study evaluates Baiada’s strategic positioning and operational efficiency to identify how vertical integration and value chain optimization enhance industrial value. Using a descriptive qualitative case study approach, this research utilizes Value Chain Analysis (VCA) and SWOT analysis. Data were gathered through field observations at South Australian breeder facilities, in-depth interviews with management, and comprehensive documentation of biosecurity protocols. …

Credit Access And Technical Efficiency Among Laying Hen Farmers In Indonesia: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis, Mutiara Amalina Khairisa, Dwi Rachmina, Netti Tinaprilla

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

Eggs are a key source of animal protein for the Indonesian population, as they are relatively inexpensive and accessible even for low-income families. The stability of egg production is important for national food security. Access to credit is crucial for continuity in poultry production and can help farmers sustain their operations through efficient farm management. The study aims to examine the factors influencing farmers' decisions to access credit and to evaluate the estimated association between credit and technical efficiency using 2014 Livestock Farm Household Survey data, complemented by provincial producer-price statistics for May 2013–April 2014. Credit was positively associated with …

Comparative Case Study Of Production Efficiency, Financial Performance, And Business Risk In Laying Hen Farms With Different Housing Systems And Management Conditions, Aliffa Mahayu Swastiratu, Fanny Widadie, Darsono

Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran

The laying hen sector continues to expand in response to increasing demand for animal protein; however, productivity remains sensitive to environmental conditions, particularly temperature fluctuations that affect production stability. The housing system represents a key management factor influencing farm performance. This study aims to compare production efficiency, financial performance, and business risk between closed-house and open-house laying hen systems. A comparative case study approach was applied to two commercial farms in Bayat District, Klaten Regency, representing each housing system. Data were analyzed using feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality rate for production efficiency, cost–revenue analysis, R/C ratio, and return on …

Sinergia Para Un Futuro Sostenible. Tecnologías Y Agrosistemas, Jaime Eduardo Andrade Ramírez, Angélica Bravo Bojórquez

Ingeniería

Este libro reúne los resultados más relevantes del proyecto de investigación “Laboratorio Experimental de Sistemas Tecnológicos Orientados a Modelos Acuapónicos (Lestoma)” desarrollado en la Universidad de Cundinamarca, Extensión Facatativá, liderado por el Grupo de Investigación de Sistemas y Tecnología Facatativá (GISTFA). Lestoma también contó con la colaboración de los grupos de investigación Axioma, Agrociencia y Cundinamarca Agroambiental, adscritos respectivamente al programa de Ingeniería de Sistemas y Computación, Ingeniería Agronómica e Ingeniería Ambiental de las Facultades de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agropecuarias. El proyecto también contó con la colaboración estratégica del grupo de investigación Centro de Investigaciones Ambientales de la Universidad del …

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 …

Kronik Perubahan Paradigma Terhadap Wacana Agronomi Di Andalusia Pada Abad Ke 11-12 M, Muhamad Naufal Sulistyo

Multikultura

This study examines the history of Islamic science through the paradigmatic shift in agronomic discourse (filāḥah) in Andalusia during the 11th to 12th centuries CE. Employing Thomas Kuhn's paradigm shift theory within his framework of Scientific Revolution, this qualitative research aims to reconstruct the intellectual transformation of the Muslim agronomist community from a magical-speculative orientation toward an empirical-technical one. The study applies a five-stage historical research method topic selection, heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography in conjunction with the paradigm shift concept, as applied to the major agricultural treatises of Andalusia. Data sources include both primary and secondary literature comprising books, …

Part Ii: Sustainable Irrigation Practices For Cut Flowers, Chloe Seeborg, Melanie Stock, Burdette Barker, Alex Rodriguez, Jonathan D. Meyer

All Current Publications

Sustainable irrigation uses crop and environmental information to guide the frequency (how often) and amount (how much) of water to apply. Without this balance, poor irrigation practices can result, causing crop stress from too little or too much water, nutrient loss and contamination, or wasted water that drains below the root zone. This fact sheet covers the basics of soil water storage, crop water demand, considerations for designating irrigation zones, using free weather stations, and water conservation strategies for gardens and small farms, with a focus on cut flowers.

Comparing Soil Health Indicators Between Corn-Soy Production And Restored Utility-Prairie Systems, Katie Oakley Anthony

Scholars Week

It has long been known that cultivation in agroecological systems disrupts inherent soil attributes that support soil health. Soil health can be defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans – but is soil health a blanket concept? This research intended to address health gaps in production systems – corn-soy rotation (CS) and restored utility-prairie (UP) – based on USDA taxonomic classifications. The quality of soil is generally reported in terms of physicochemical and biological indicators. By examining same soil series in adjacent land management systems, those indicators …

Evaluation Of Selected Physical Properties Under Diverse Cropping Systems, Elizabeth A. Heine

Scholars Week

Evaluation of Selected Physical Properties

Under Diverse Cropping Systems

Elizabeth Heine and Dr. Iin Handayani, Ph.D. Murray State University, Hutson College of Agriculture

Abstract

Soil quality influences agricultural productivity, water retention, nutrient cycling, and environmental sustainability. Soil organic matter (SOM), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), macroporosity, and total porosity are important indicators of soil health because they affect soil structure, aeration, and water availability. This study evaluated these properties under different land-use systems at the West Farm Complex in Calloway County, Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from corn, soybean, sunflower, tobacco, pasture, and miscanthus fields; 24 disturbed and 24 …

Variability Of Soil Properties In Southern Illinois Croplands, Megan Waeltz

Scholars Week

Understanding soil properties and what causes their variability is important for improving or maintaining soil health, as well as incorporating better cropland management practices. The objective of this research was to determine the variability of soil properties from six St. Clair County, Illinois fields with different soil orders, types, textures, and field conditions. The six fields studied were a soybean field with clay hills, corn field with medium texture, corn field with light texture, corn field with high plant residue, soybean field with medium texture, and corn field with Mollisol heavy clay. The soil properties evaluated in this study were …

Land Management Practices Control The Changes In Soil Quality, Jillian E. Graham

Scholars Week

Soil quality is essential for agricultural productivity and long-term sustainability. Different land management practices can influence soil properties and their ability to support plant growth. This study evaluated differences in soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), soil water-holding capacity (SWFC), and microporosity among eight sampling locations representing different land management practices in Western Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from McLean and Calloway Counties at eight locations: Woodland, Berry Field, Squash Field, Wheat Field, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Corn Field, Bean Field, and Conservation Tillage Field. These locations represented different agricultural and conservation management practices. Soil samples were collected at a …

Soil Health Indicator Responses To Different Crop Production Systems, Lynnlee Jones

Scholars Week

Various crop production systems have affected soil health by changing soil physical, chemical and biological properties. In general, differences in crop production management systems include crop rotations, tillage and crop types. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the changes of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), bulk density (BD) and total porosity (TP) following various crop production management practices in Western Kentucky. The study was conducted in Calloway and McLean counties and were performed in a 90m x 90m area. These fields consisted of row crops (CRP, Bean Field, Woods Field, Corn Field, Conventional …

Determining Soil Characteristics Under Six Land Management Practices In Western Kentucky, Lyndsey R. Bryant

Scholars Week

Different types of land management practices can change soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the changes of soil properties as affected by cultivation practices through measuring soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), and soil water field capacity (SWFC). The sites for this study include an agriculture hemp field, construction site, urban pathway, bison prairie, control burn field, and forest floor. The sites were located in Calloway and Trigg County; Kentucky. Twenty-four undisturbed and twenty-four disturbed soil samples were taken across six fields with four replications each. The …

Evaluating Soil Properties Of Silt Loam Between No Till Cropland And Pasture: Study Case From Ballard, Graves, And Hickman Counties, Avery Bray, Shiba Hari Dhakal

Scholars Week

Ballard and Hickman County is home to silt loams in the northern and eastern parts of the county due to the Ohio and Mississippi River. Graves County’s silt loam is a product of windblown glacial loess thousands of years ago. Silt loam soil contains around 50% silt and less than 27% clay. The annual flooding and windblown loess are the cause of minerals into these soils, making them perfect for canola, corn, pasture, soybeans, and wheat production. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of different agriculture land systems on selected soil properties including soil organic matter …

Assessment Of Soil Properties Under Diverse Crop And Land Use Types, Olivia P. Berger

Scholars Week

Assessment of Soil Properties Under Diverse Crop and Land Use Types

Olivia Berger and Dr. Iin Handayani, Ph.D.

Hutson College of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY

Abstract

Soil properties can vary among different crop and land use systems and can influence soil health and agricultural productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of six different crop and land use types on selected soil properties in western Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from six sites at the West Farm Complex in Calloway County, Kentucky, which contained tobacco, soybean, corn, sunflower, pasture land, and Miscanthus. Four disturbed …