Agriculture Commons^™

Genetics Of Aluminum Tolerance And Diversity In United States Vigna Unguiculata Germplasm, Max Carl Miller

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an annual legume of immense importance across the world. However, knowledge of its ability to tolerate aluminum (Al) at toxic levels is not as comprehensive. This stress is an issue globally and especially in the southeastern United States, which has many Al-toxic soils. Here we determined multiple cultivars both tolerant and susceptible to Al toxicity. This was expounded upon by employing RNA sequencing on two cultivars from the United States with significantly different tolerance levels to characterize genes and pathways associated with Al toxicity and response. Multiple well-established gene orthologs like STOP, STAR, and …

Agronomic Management Practices For Cbd And Fiber Hemp In Southeastern United States, Anand Kumar

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

The farm bill of 2014 and 2018 legalized hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) production for cannabidiol (CBD), grain, and fiber uses in the U.S. Agronomic management practices for floral hemp for CBD production were not well studied. To optimize the agronomic management practices for high CBD content and THC concentration below the compliance level of 0.3% on a dry weight basis requires specific management and adaptability. A two-year field study was conducted at the Tennessee State University Agricultural Research and Education Center (TSU AREC) in Nashville, Tennessee, to evaluate two production systems, the Non-Chemical System (NCS) and the Chemical-Based System (CBS), …

Tennessee’S Green Industry: An Economic Impact Assessment, Savannah R. Lewis

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

This study estimates the economic contributions of the greenhouse and nursery industry, commonly known as the "green industry," in Tennessee for 2023. Utilizing data on employment, labor income, value added, and industry output, alongside economic multipliers generated from the Input-Output modeling software, IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning), we provide a comprehensive analysis of the green industry's impact on the state's agricultural economy. The findings are presented in 2025 dollars, highlighting the industry's significance for informing future policy decisions. The primary objectives were to assess total contributions at the state, regional, and county levels. Direct employment across all sectors was estimated …

White Nose Syndrome In Bats And Infant Mortality In Georgia, Rhys Medcalfe, Sean Medcalfe, Simon Medcalfe

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: White nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease in bats caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that can result in bat mortality rates of over 90%. WNS was discovered in Georgia in 2012 in 3 counties but has continued to spread to 14 counties as of 2023, with P. destructans detected in a further seven. Biodiversity loss has been linked to human health outcomes including infant mortality. Understanding the link between WNS, biodiversity loss, and infant mortality in Georgia is important because Georgia ranks 42^nd out of the 50 states for infant mortality rate.

Methods: Using panel data from …

Space Agriculture: A Comprehensive Systems-Level Review Of Challenges And Opportunities, Hassan Fazayeli, Aaron Lee M. Daigh, Cassandra Palmer, Santosh Pitla, David Jones, Yufeng Ge

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

As humanity prepares for prolonged space missions and future extraterrestrial settlements, developing reliable and resilient food-production systems is becoming a critical priority. Space agriculture, the cultivation of plants beyond Earth (particularly on the Moon and Mars), faces a constellation of interdependent environmental, biological, and engineering challenges. These include limited solar radiation, elevated ionizing radiation, large thermal variability, non-Earth atmospheric pressures, reduced gravity, regolith substrates with low nutrient-holding capacity, high-CO₂/low-O₂ atmospheres, pervasive dust, constrained water and nutrient availability, altered plant physiology, and the overarching need for closed-loop, resource-efficient systems. These stressors create an exceptionally challenging environment for plant …

Thriving Hives: The Apiary - Beekeeping Essentials, Joseph Okoh, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is designed to help honey bee producers optimize their beekeeping practices and improve management systems. It offers essential guidance on selecting an ideal apiary location, choosing the right beehive, and ensuring efficient colony management. Additionally, this document serves as a valuable training resource for aspiring beekeepers.

Beginning Agriculture Teacher Support And Education Program (Base), Tyson Joel Sorensen

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Measuring Levels Of Ultrashort-Chain Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In Blood Collection Tubes, Alina M. Dziembowski

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent synthetic chemicals that are now ubiquitous in the environment. Due to PFAS stability leading to its environmental persistence, there is concern regarding potential long-term health effects as PFAS accumulation occurs in humans from dietary and inhalation exposure routes. Chronic exposure may lead to adverse effects such as fertility issues or liver damage. Although a wide range of PFAS have been found in human samples, specifically human serum, there remains data gaps for what PFAS are present in human blood. Recent innovation in detection technology has led to the ability to more accurately …

Single Compost Application Benefits For Organic Dryland Wheat Production, Shikha Sharma, Matt Yost, Earl Creech, Jennifer R. Reeve, Astrid R. Jacobson, Idowu Ademola Atoloye

All Current Publications

This research highlights the long-term value of compost in dryland wheat systems, where water scarcity and declining soil fertility limit productivity. A single, high-rate compost application (22 tons per acre) can improve soil moisture content, organic carbon content, aggregate stability, and microbial activity. All these benefits contributed to higher and more stable wheat yields, even more than two decades after application. These changes help to make the compost-treated wheat more resilient during dry years. While composting incurs a high upfront cost, its long-term benefits can significantly reduce the need for repeated fertilizer or soil amendments, offering cost and labor savings …

Tactile And Photoelectric Sensing For Leveling Berms In Peach Tree Rows, Shubham Singh, A. Bulent Koc, Guido Schnabel, Juan Carlos Melgar, Michael Vassalos, Jasanmol Singh

Open Access Publishing Fund

Planting peach trees shallow on berms is a short-term Armillaria root rot management strategy to facilitate root collar excavation for about two years after planting. Leveling of berms between trees planted in rows helps improve worker and machine mobility during orchard operations and reduces soil erosion caused by adjacent furrows on either side of the berm. The berm leveling mechanism in a prior study used tractor operator input to avoid trees during field operations. This research aimed to automate the actuation of the berm leveling machine around peach trees and to evaluate the effectiveness of a finger weeder attachment in …

Applicability Of Syntropic Agriculture To A Semi-Arid Continental Climate: Alentejo To New Mexico, Arielle Nathan, Joana Dionisio Msc, João Serra, Joseph Lanning, Cátia Magro Dr.

Journal of Critical Global Issues

Conventional industrial agriculture has detrimental effects on the environment including pollution and overconsumption of water, soil degradation, and biodiversity reduction. An environmentally sustainable future of food production requires alternative methods that limit negative environmental consequences. Syntropic Agriculture (SA) is a promising farming alternative especially for arid systems at risk of desertification. New Mexico, USA, is a semi-arid continental climate in a prolonged period of drought and predicted to experience worsening agricultural conditions including desertification, wildfire intensification, and exacerbated water scarcity. The Alentejo region of Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with similar agricultural challenges. The agroecological transition project, Terra Sintrópica, located …

Exploring Retention And Satisfaction Among Arkansas County-Level Cooperative Extension Employees: A Job Embeddedness Perspective, Rebecca M. Simon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This quantitative study investigated the retention of county-level employees within the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) using Job Embeddedness Theory (JET) as the theoretical framework. The research aimed to describe levels of job embeddedness, job satisfaction, and intent to stay, and to examine the relationships among these variables. A census of 328 CES employees was conducted, yielding a 53% response rate. Data were collected through a validated online survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. Results indicated high scores in organizational fit and sacrifice dimensions, while links to organization and community were comparatively lower. Age …

Teaching Leadership In The Context Of Crisis: Connecting Organizational Leadership And Crisis Competencies In A Faculty Leadership Education Program, Caitlin Lunzmann, Nicole Lamee Perez Stedman, Matthew Sowcik

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This research focused on enhancing leadership instruction in colleges of agriculture. A multi-institutional research team initiated a program to teach agricultural and natural resource faculty how to create leadership-oriented case studies for undergraduates. Forty faculty members participated in an online training academy centered on Bolman and Deal’s Organizational Frames and case study writing. Following the academy, these faculty members participated in field experiences in the southeastern U.S. to gather data on natural disasters, which they used to write case studies about leadership in agriculture. Though the program focused on organizational leadership, it also discussed leadership in the context of natural …

Essays On The Economics Of Farmland Valuation And Investment In U.S. Agriculture, Colson Tester

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents three empirical essays that collectively advance the understanding of farmland valuation in key U.S. agricultural regions, emphasizing the critical advantages of comprehensive, transaction-based data over traditional survey methods. Farmland represents a significant portion of agricultural wealth, and its accurate valuation is crucial for farmers, investors, and policymakers, influencing everything from credit access to investment strategies. Historically, research has often relied on subjective survey data, which can suffer from biases, inaccuracies, and insufficient granularity. This dissertation addresses these limitations by leveraging extensive datasets of arm’s-length farmland transactions, offering a more precise and market-driven perspective on land values. The …

From Fruit To Nut: Revisiting Pili Nut (Canarium Ovatum Engl.) Production Capacities And Value-Adding Activities In Sorsogon, Philippines, Joey Richard V. Dio, Ryan V. Dio, Dulce Corazon F. Lacson

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The value chain of agricultural products significantly influences their profitability and socio-economic contribution. This study developed a descriptive model of the pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) nut value chain in Sorsogon, the primary producer in the Philippines, and the only province with large-scale commercial operations. Using a descriptive research approach, data were collected through purposive interviews with 15 key informants—farmers, processors, and traders—guided by Porter’s value-chain framework. Results indicate that Sorsogon produces about 3 times the quantity required daily (< 2,233 kg) by Bicol-based processors, leading to underutilization and post-harvest losses attributed to limited storage facilities and market linkages. The processing stage, which converts pili fruits into nuts and kernels, demonstrates the highest operational efficiency, while the trading stage remains constrained by limited market access. Stakeholders often perform overlapping functions, and traditional sun-drying methods remain common. Furthermore, an aging farming population, limited succession planning, and inconsistent implementation of food safety standards continue to pose challenges to industry growth. These inefficiencies result in reduced profitability and restrict expansion. Strengthening the value chain through improved processing systems, broader market integration, and streamlined production activities is necessary to enhance economic returns and support the sustainable growth of Sorsogon’s pili nut industry.

Antioxidant Enzymes And Osmolyte Accumulation In Okra Cultivars Under Drought Stress, Jawad Ali, Ibadullah Jan, Hidayat Ullah, Muhammad Adnan, Shah Fahad, Hassan Alsberi, Khulud Albalawi, Hakki Akdeniz, Manzoor Ahmmad, Beena Saeed, Noor Us Sabah, Mian Sayed Khan, Abdul Basir, Muhammad Romman, Ayman El Sabagh

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Drought stress brought about by worsening environmental conditions due to climate change has increasingly damaging effects on crop production systems. To mitigate these effects, several physiological and biochemical aspects of plants could be used as markers in breeding for the selection of drought-resistant cultivars. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of 8 okra cultivars (Arka Anamika, Punjab Selection, Posaswami, Tulsi, Subz Pari, Super Green, Local Multani, and Green Star) under well-watered (control), mild drought stress, and severe drought stress conditions by irrigating plants at an interval of 3, 6, and 9 d after 30 d of planting. Results …

Evaluation Of The Suitability Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Accessions Grown In A Vertical Container System, Darel Kenth S. Antesco, Lourdes Edano Ma., Renerio Gentallan Jr, Roselyn F. Paelmo, Annalissa L. Aquino

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Growing tomatoes in vertical container systems such as hanging pots presents a promising production system for urban gardening. However, horticultural selections of tomato with traits suited for this system are still limited. The success of different genotypes grown in this system depends on the combination of morphological characters, including plant form, vegetative growth, and root development, as well as yield. This study assessed the morphological characters of 10 tomato accessions to identify those with ideal traits for this system. Results showed that some accessions possess unique traits that enhance their performance in hanging pots. Among the 10 accessions, T2 from …

Comparative Effects Of Organic-Based Seed Treatments On Seed Viability And Vigor Of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Varieties, Cielo Luz C. Mondejar

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Access to high-quality rice seeds remains limited for small and marginal farmers due to high costs, while traditional rice varieties favored by many farmers often suffer from poor seed viability. Seed treatment presents a practical and low-cost approach to enhance seed performance. This study conducted 2 independent experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 organic-based seed treatments: vermitea, a Trichoderma solution, and a water hyacinth decoction. In the first experiment, seeds from 4 traditional rice varieties (Redrice, Dinorado, Calatrava, and Arabon) were treated with distilled water (control) and 75% dilute solutions of each treatment. The second experiment involved different seed …

Assessing Male Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Mating Frequency Via Spermatophore Quantification, Gelyn D. Sapin, Marcela M. Navasero

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), has caused significant yield losses to corn due to its destructive feeding. Bt corn currently controls ACB, but it still poses a threat to Philippine traditional varieties. Random mating of ACB is essential to the insect resistance management (IRM) of Bt corn, and studying the mating behavior, specifically the mating frequency of ACB, is a critical part of understanding the IRM in the Philippines. Currently, there is no available information on the mating frequency of ACB. Here, the male and female ACB were allowed to mate at a ratio of 1 male …

Oviposition Preference And Behavior Of The Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), On Corn And Non-Corn Plants Under Semi-Field And Mini-Screen Cage Conditions, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Jessica B. Baroga-Barbecho, John David C. Cortez, Edwin A. Benigno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Oviposition site selection in Ostrinia furnacalis is a hierarchical, multi-stage process influenced by plant phenology and spatial context. Oviposition preferences under mini-screen cage (Sampaloc) and semi-field (BL2) conditions were evaluated to determine the effects of field size, corn developmental stage, and the presence of non-corn plants on egg deposition patterns. Females deposited significantly more egg masses on 40 DAP (pre-reproductive) corn than on early vegetative-stage plants [Sampaloc: n=437 (40 DAP), n=88 (30 DAP); BL2: n=98 (40 DAP), n=84 (30 DAP)], demonstrating a strong phenological preference, particularly in Sampaloc. The presence of non-corn plants has a negligible …