Agriculture Commons^™

A New Longidoridae Member, Xiphinema Brevicolle, From Citrus Orchards In Türkiye, Adem Özarslandan, Ayşenur Aslan, Lerzan Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Individuals of the genus Xiphinema were recovered from soil samples collected during citrus surveys in south-eastern Türkiye. Morphological examination using light microscopy identified the species as X. brevicolle. The female individuals measured 2000–2050 μm in length, and displayed a slightly flattened lip region, an amphidelphic reproductive system with two well-developed branches, and a short conoid tail ending in a rounded tip. These morphometric and morphological features were consistent with those of previously described X. brevicolle specimens. For molecular confirmation, the D2–D3 segment of the 28S rDNA was amplified using the D2AD3B primer pair, and sequenced; the resulting sequence has been …

Effects Of Different Perfluoroalkyl Substances On Rice Morphology, Physiology, And Biochemistry, Maryam M. Alomran, Muhammad Aqeel, Noreen Khalid, Noreen Akhter, Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Suliman Mohammed Suliman Alghanem, Fahad Mohammed Alzuaibr, Saher Nawaz, Omar Mahmoud Alzoubi, Muhammad Usman Akbar, Ali Noman

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic organic compounds that have not been extensively studied in natural environments. The current study aimed to explore how PFASs, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluorotetradecanoate (PFTeDA), and perfluorobutanoate (PFBA), affect rice plants and influence their metabolism. These substances had a notable impact on root and shoot growth, reducing fresh and dry weights across various treatments compared to the control. These attributes were the least affected by PFOS treatment. PFBA treatment had significant adverse effects on chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll levels, followed by the effects of PFHxA and PFTeDA. …

Effects Of Different Mixing Ratios Of Common Vetch And Oats On Forage Yield And Quality, Meli̇h Okcu, Sedat Severoğlu, İbrahi̇m Kavuncu

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study investigates the optimal mixing ratios of common vetch (Vicia sativa L., CV) and oats (Avena sativa L., O) for enhanced forage yield and quality in the ecological conditions of Erzurum Province. The research was conducted over two growing seasons with three replications in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Specifically, three common vetch cultivars (Gülhan, Albayrak, Kubilay) and one oat cultivar (Kupa) were evaluated by sowing as sole crops and in different ratios (25% vetch + 75% oat, 50% vetch + 50% oat, 75% vetch + 25% oat). The analyzed parameters included hay forage yield (HFY), dry matter …

Optimizing Cultivated Land Productivity Through Integrated Fertilization Strategies And Uav-Assisted Management, Kejun Wang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study investigates the impact of long-term fertilization modes on crop health and productivity using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted monitoring and a Q-learning-based approach for optimized fertilization strategies. An approximate state-matching Q-learning algorithm was developed to improve the efficiency of agricultural UAVs in fertilization tasks. The spatiotemporal patterns of cultivated land productivity under different fertilization regimes were analyzed in a long-term experiment. An evaluation system for cultivated land health productivity was established. The results indicated that the Q-learning algorithm enabled UAVs to achieve efficient task completion. QLASM outperformed traditional methods on all metrics. QLASM achieved a 92% task completion rate …

The Loss Function Of Usda Forecasters: Evidence From Wasde Animal Product Price Forecasts, Chad Fiechter, Siddhartha S. Bora, Todd H. Kuethe

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The loss function is a mathematical representation of the costs experienced by a forecaster when observed outcomes differ from what was predicted. Prior studies suggest that USDA forecasts are not optimal based on an assumed mean-zero quadratic loss function. This study proposes an alternative view of forecast evaluation, which assumes all USDA forecasts are produced to minimize the forecasters’ costs, and searches for the dimensions of the loss function under which optimality holds. We illustrate the degree to which USDA loss functions vary across a series of WASDE price forecasts. A better understanding of USDA forecasters’ costs will benefit forecasters …

Assessing Utah's Agricultural Producer And Small Processor Interest In Value-Added Food Production, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In 2024, Utah State University researchers conducted a study of Utah agricultural producers and food processors interested in value-added food production. This fact sheet provides an overview of the study’s results on respondents’ operational details, including years in business, number of employees, and annual sales, as well as their interest in and rationale for expanding into value-added food production. It also discusses their current or planned timeframe for processing operation implementation, the types of products and markets involved, processing locations, and sales projections. Finally, it highlights the resources, tools, information, and services respondents identified as most useful for their processing …

Developing A Tool To Measure Resistance To Sustainable Food Choices: A Pilot Study In Ireland And The Netherlands, Kate Flanagan, Bart Sinteur, Patricia J. Bulsing, John M. Kearney

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Consumer uptake of a sustainable diet is critical for addressing environmental challenges and promoting public health. Understanding why consumers resist adopting sustainable eating habits can inform targeted interventions and policies. This pilot study examines whether a newly developed scale can effectively detect consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Currently, there is a lack of research on a tool to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet, highlighting the need for a reliable instrument.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale, based on existing literature, to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Additionally, the study aims to …

Editorial-Sure Journal Volume 7, Issue 2, Geraldine M. Dowling, Eva Campion, Sinead Loughran, Ariane Perez-Gavilan, Josephine Treacy

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Agricultural Producer And Food Maker Food Processing Operation Needs Assessment Overview, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In 2024, Utah State University conducted a study of Utah's farmers, ranchers, and food makers related to value-added food production and processing. This fact sheet provides an overview of the survey results related to respondents, their operations, products, and marketing outlets. It also discusses respondents’ familiarity with key regulatory and resource organizations, the types of products and business resources they find difficult to obtain or access, and the primary obstacles to their processing operations. These results can be used by Extension faculty, policymakers, agricultural organizations, and local economic development agencies to guide targeted support for Utah’s farmers, ranchers, and …

Pumpkin Variety Demonstration In West Michigan, 2025, Benjamin P. Werling, Justin Adams

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

Pumpkin variety demonstrations were conducted in 2025 at the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center in Hart, MI, to compare yield, size class, and irrigation response among 21 pumpkin varieties representing jack-o’-lantern, large carving, and decorative cultivars. Demonstration plots were established on sandy soil under standard commercial fertility, pest management, and weed control practices. To assess irrigation effects under dry conditions, approximately 60% of each plot received supplemental sprinkler irrigation.

Jack-o’-lantern varieties varied in size distribution, with some producing a mix of 60, 45, and 30–35 count fruit with few larger-sized pumpkins. Others skewed toward larger bin count classes. …

Exposures, Protections, And Barriers: Advancing Understanding Of Agricultural Worker Health, Alexandra A. Farfalla

Theses & Dissertations

Farming is a hazardous occupation. Exposures are multifactorial, variable, and shaped by overlapping tasks, environments, and social contexts. This dissertation aimed to illustrate the complexity of agricultural exposures and the barriers to protective practices through three complementary studies.

The first study examined co-exposures to solvents and noise as risk factors for hearing loss (HL) among 7,495 farmers and ranchers in a 7-state region. Results indicated nearly 60% of co-exposed participants reported hearing loss, with an adjusted odds ratio nearly six-fold (OR=6.03, [4.67-7.78]) for moderate/severe HL. This work highlights the importance of recognizing chemical exposures as a modality in HL in …

Target Consumers For Beef Jerky, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the target market (consumer group) for packaged beef jerky, based on survey data collected from a Utah State University study in the fall of 2024. It includes details of the study and recommendations for beef jerky producers and retailers.

Exploring Biostimulant Efficacy For Onion Cultivation Under Limited Water And Nitrogen In Utah, Prakriti Nepal, Dan Drost, Youping Sun, Milena Oliveira

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information on using biostimulants to address the challenges of growing onions in Utah's semi-arid climate. It covers the role of biostimulants, Utah State University Extension case studies in Utah, harvest, and provides suggestions to mitigate nitrogen and water stress in onion production.

Applied Research For Corn Production In Indiana, 2024, Daniel Quinn

Purdue University Press Books

The 2024 edition of Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana offers accessible, research-based tips for farmers who want to improve corn production practices by using applied field-research trials. Daniel Quinn and the Purdue University Corn Agronomy team reveal practical ways to boost yields, reduce costs, and improve sustainability on the farm. Their findings are derived from applied research trials across the state and relate to important topics such as planting practices, fertilizer use, crop nutrition, cover crops, and new technologies. Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana distills complex research into clear insights and supplies corn producers with effective …

Teaming With Insects: Entomology For Grades 3-12, Natalie J. Carroll, Christian Y. Oseto, Timothy J. Gibb

Purdue University Press Books

Teaming With Insects: Entomology for Grades 3–12 is written for youth who enjoy learning about and studying science and nature. Insects have been around for millions of years and have evolved and adapted to many different habitats. Adaptations involving their anatomy, physiology, and behavior are what make insects so diverse and interesting. More than 1 million species of insects are known to scientists, and they believe there may be up to 40 million more we have yet to discover. Most people consider insects pests, and some insects do damage to homes, plants, crops, and stored foods. Others harm humans and …

Soil And Water Education For Grades 3-12, Natalie J. Carroll, Christian Y. Oseto, Timothy J. Gibb

Purdue University Press Books

Soil and Water Education for Grades 3–12 was written for youth who enjoy learning about science and two critical natural resources: soil and water. Level 1 introduces basic terms and concepts, and is intended for youth in grades 3–5. Activities focus on understanding important soil and water processes. Designed for students in grades 6–8, Level 2 offers readers more concrete examples of advanced soil and water concepts. The exercises in Level 3, which is geared toward grades 9–12, are divided into sections based on how readers might use the information they have learned, placing them in the shoes of homeowners, …

Fundamental Hydraulics Principles For Agricultural Systems Management And Technology, Robert M. Stwalley Iii, Roger Tormoehlen

Purdue University Press Books

Hydraulic systems have spread throughout modern technology, particularly in mobile equipment. The exercises presented in Fundamental Hydraulic Principles for Agricultural Systems Management and Technology are designed for the second-generation Parker Hydraulic Trainer to provide a basic understanding of hydraulic components and systems for technology and engineering students. Readers will learn how hydraulic pumps function, how linear actuators and their control circuits work, and how hydraulic motors operate and are controlled. Readers are also provided with the opportunity to attempt more advanced exercises. Aligned with beginning technology-based experiential hydraulics courses, this book emphasizes familiarity with common hydraulic components and circuit diagrams, …

Applied Research For Corn Production In Indiana, 2023, Daniel Quinn

Purdue University Press Books

The 2023 edition of Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana offers accessible, research-based tips for farmers who want to improve corn production practices by using applied field-research trials. Daniel Quinn and the Purdue University Corn Agronomy team reveal practical ways to boost yields, reduce costs, and improve sustainability on the farm. Their findings are derived from applied research trials across the state and relate to important topics such as planting practices, fertilizer use, crop nutrition, cover crops, and new technologies. Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana distills complex research into clear insights and supplies corn producers with effective …

Determinants Of Farmers’ Choices Of Adaptation Strategies In Rural Semi-Arid Agricultural Communities Of Tanzania: A Case Study Of Mwanga And Same Districts In Kilimanjaro Region, Bahati Ally Magesa

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Climate change is a global phenomenon that poses a significant threat to agricultural farming and the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Since agriculture is the primary source of employment in the region, enhancing the sector’s adaptive capacity has become increasingly important. This paper examines the key determinants influencing farmers’ choices of adaptation strategies to climate change impacts in the Mwanga and Same Districts of Tanzania. A total of 200 farmers participated in a household survey conducted using a simple random sampling technique. A binary logistic regression model was employed to analyse the association between selected …

Evaluating The Effects Of Biostimulants On Apple Coloration, Patrick G. Owens

Theses and Dissertations

Apple peel color is one determining factor of apple quality and is a highly sought after trait by both growers and consumers. Historically plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as daminozide and auxins have been used to induce a greater amount of red color in the peel, but these products typically have negative production impacts and raise environmental concerns. One new area of interest is in called biostimulants. This study investigated the effects of two experimental biostimulants (MCEN1 and MCEN2) applied at varying rates and timings, as well as a commercially available plant growth regulator (Blush® 2X), on ‘Honeycrisp’ apple color …