Agricultural Science Commons^™

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 …

Producer Organizations, Productivity And Sustainable Intensification Practices In Oil Palm Production, Martin Paul Tabe-Ojong, Abebayehu Girma Geffersa, Kibrom T. Sibhatu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Oil palm production is expanding in traditional farming and forested areas, especially in West and Central Africa around the Congo Forest Basin and mostly characterized by declining yields and yield gaps. Due to typically non-binding land access, independent producers tend to prioritize extensification over intensification, which has negative environmental consequences. Sustainable intensification (SI) of smallholder production is a guiding paradigm that aims to increase yields while minimizing negative environmental impacts. In this study, we examine the relationship between producer organizations (POs), sustainable intensification practices (SIPs), namely mulching and intercropping, and oil palm yields in Cameroon. We estimate actual and counterfactual …

Harnessing Digital Twin (Dt) Technology For Food Security And Climate Resilience In Sub-Saharan Africa (Ssa), Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Francis Chianu, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Francis Muthoni, John Michael Humphries Choptiany, Franck B.N. Tonle, Bonoukpoe M. Sokame, Mercy Lung’Aho

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces chronic food insecurity despite possessing approximately 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Field trials generate evidence but are costly and insufficiently scaled to address accelerating climate and demographic pressures. Digital twin (DT) technology, defined as the continuous, bidirectional virtual replication of physical systems using real-time data, supports monitoring, modelling, and optimisation of agrifood systems. To our knowledge, however, no published synthesis has examined DT agriculture research through the lens of SSA food systems or smallholder farming realities. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted across bibliographic databases using a pre-defined Boolean search and adapted PICOS eligibility …

A Brief History Of Irrigation In Utah, Burdette Barker, Reagan Wytsalucy

All Current Publications

Irrigation is essential for most crop production in Utah. With an ever-increasing population, regular drought cycles, and environmental concerns, there is a public discourse about agricultural irrigation water use. This fact sheet is an effort to step back in time to consider the heritage of irrigated agriculture in Utah, from prehistory to the present, and the modernization of irrigation driven by global industrialization and the information age.

The Effect Of Pre- And Post-Emergence Herbicide On Weeds And Rice Yield In The Direct Seeding System, Uum Umiyati, Denny Kurniadie, Fauzi

Jurnal Kultivasi

Indonesian rice production has been unable to fully meet national demand, partly due to weed competition, which can reduce rice yields by up to 80% if left uncontrolled. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-emergence herbicides containing pretilachlor (300 g/L) and post-emergence herbicides containing cyhalofop + ethoxysulfuron (330 g/L) for weed control in direct-seeded rice, and to determine the optimal dosage. Herbicides active ingredient is pretilachlor are a category of pre-emergence herbicides used in rice cultivation; these herbicides are systemic and are used to control sedges, grasses and broadleaf weeds. The cyhalofop + ethoxysulfuron herbicide is a post-emergence …

Enhancing Tea Productivity Through Integrated Fertilization And Pruning Management: A Review, Intan Ratna Dewi Anjarsari, Murgayanti, Muhamad Kadapi, Syariful Mubarok, Uum Umiyati, Salsabilah, Alifatul Azmi, Afifah Putri Ramadhan, Trifani Hana Husniah, Rosita, Azkal Azkiya

Jurnal Kultivasi

Tea productivity is strongly influenced by agronomic management practices, particularly fertilization and pruning, which play critical roles in regulating plant growth, physiological performance, and shoot regeneration. This review aims to synthesize current scientific evidence on how integrated fertilization and pruning management can sustainably enhance tea productivity. A narrative review approach was employed by collecting and analyzing peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 from reputable databases, including Google Scholar and major international journals. The review highlights that balanced fertilization strategies, combining inorganic, organic, and biofertilizers, significantly improve nutrient availability, photosynthetic efficiency, and shoot yield. Pruning, when properly timed and executed, …

Effects Of Ab Mix Hydroponic Solution And Ameliorant Mixtures On Cayenne Pepper Growth And Yield In An Inceptisols, Tien Turmuktini, Betty Natalie Fitriatin, Tualar Simarmata, Firda Widayanti, Nuryanti, Lia Amalia, Elly Roosma Ria, Linlin Parlinah

Jurnal Kultivasi

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frustescens L.) cultivation faces several problems, including acidic pH and inadequate nutrient management. These problems can be addressed by using a mixture of various ameliorants and AB mix nutrient solutions. This study aimed to determine the effect of ameliorant mixture dosage and AB mix solution concentration on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of cayenne pepper. The experiment used a randomized block design, consisting of two factors: nutrient solution concentration and ameliorant dosage. The factor of nutrient solution concentration consisted of four levels, i.e., 700, 1000, 1300, and 1600 ppm, while the factor of ameliorant dosage also …

Metabolic Dynamics Of Secondary Metabolites In Arabica Coffee (Coffea Arabica): From Biosynthesis To Post-Harvest Transformations, Kamilrashid Hadi Dwitama, Yudithia Maxiselly, Cucu Suherman, Santi Rosniawaty

Jurnal Kultivasi

Coffee (Coffea arabica) is a globally significant beverage whose sensory profile and physiological effects derive from a complex matrix of secondary metabolites. This review presents a comprehensive "lifecycle" perspective of three pivotal classes: the alkaloid caffeine, phenolic chlorogenic acids (CGA), and the diterpenoids cafestol and kahweol. Here, 'lifecycle' defines a metabolite's continuous biochemical trajectory, tracking its genetic origin and ecological function in the plant through structural modifications during fermentation, drying, storage, and roasting. These classes are highlighted because they serve as the primary drivers of bitterness, acidity, and health bioactivities with fundamentally distinct transformational pathways. Following a systematic methodology, this …

Performance Of Dual-Form Terminalia Catappa Organic Fertilizers On Sweet Corn Yield And Economic Viability In Tropical Highlands, Stefina Liana Sari, Eso Solihin, Rahmat Budiarto

Jurnal Kultivasi

Recycling underutilized plant biomass into organic fertilizers underpins low-input cropping strategies, but liquid and solid formulations derived from a common feedstock have seldom been evaluated side by side under field conditions. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical properties and safety profile of a liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and a crumb-type organic fertilizer (COF) co-produced from Terminalia catappa leaf compost, (ii) compare their effects on sweet corn growth and yield, (iii) determine relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE), and (iv) evaluate economic feasibility of the most promising organic–inorganic combinations. We produced LOF and COF through aerobic composting of Terminalia catappa leaves …

From Dust To Growth: Microbial Pathways To Extraterrestrial Farming, Stefani Capasso Villanueva, Nupur Kulkarni

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

From Dust to Growth: Microbial Pathways to Extraterrestrial Farming addresses the fundamental challenge of sustaining long-term human habitation on other planets. In the era of the Artemis missions, establishing a cost-effective, bioregenerative food source is critical to reducing logistical dependency on Earth, and mitigating the physiological stressors faced by spacecrew through improved nutrition. This study initially investigated the viability of cultivating Mizuna, a proven ISS model organism, in a substrate of Martian regolith simulant amended with organic compost. Following iterative trials, it was found that the plant survival rate was extremely low, even after varying percentages of compost and simulant. …

High Biochar Rate Improves Water Retention In Some Environmentally Sensitive Soils, Samundra Sigdel

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Improving water retention and other hydraulic properties is key to managing soil water and sustaining crop production under fluctuating and extreme weather events. We assessed how wood biochar (836 g C kg^-1) applied at 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 Mg ha^-1 affected: i) soil hydraulic properties after 5 years and ii) corn and soybean yield, and biomass production of cereal rye cover crop (CC) and CC mix (cereal rye, radish, and winter pea) in sandy, sloping, and semi-arid soils in the central U.S. Great Plains over 6 years. Biochar affected field saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_{sat …}

Summaries Of Arkansas Cotton Research 2025, Fred M. Bourland

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Planted cotton acreage in Arkansas decreased in 2025 to 520,000 acres compared to 650,000 planted acres in 2024. Arkansas producers harvested 515,000 acres, which was a decrease of 125,000 acres from the 640,000 acres harvested in 2024 (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=Arkansas&year=2025). The 515,000 harvested acres ranked Arkansas third nationally, trailing only Texas and Georgia in harvested acres (https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/795725/cropan26.pdf). The average cotton yield, as reported by the USDA, was 1,239 lb lint/ac, which ranked fourth nationally, behind California, Louisiana, and Arizona. Arkansas farmers produced an estimated 1.329 million bales, which is a decrease from 1.788 million bales produced in 2024. This production still ranks …

Technological Behaviour Of Pellets Containing Dried Green Crop, Christian Furll

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pelleted dried green crop presents essential advantages compared to chaff and meal as processing forms. Normally, the solidity of the pellets does not exceed the values required by animal feeding. Abrasion resulting from turnover processes is at present too high, particularly for the discharge of bins. Belt conveyors, vibrating conveyors, and bucket elevators are suitable to convey pellets. Storage of pellets over long periods has to be done by respecting prescribed climate conditions. Zones with excessive portion of abraded par­ticles in the storing pile are a preferred cause for self-heating. Slit-type dosing units as well as dosing units equipped with …

Results Of Comparative Investigations Into The Chevving And Ruminating Activities Of The Dairy Cow Fed Dried Forage From Grass And Leguminous Crops, B Piatkowski, S Nagel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The chewing and ruminating activities were studied of dairy cows fed grass, alfalfa, and straw of different physical forms. An electronic­ally controlled measuring device was applied. When feeding 8 kg of grass hay (32 % crude fibre in dry matter), the ruminating time was 5: 24 and 1 :49 hours (20,712 and 6,982 ruminat­ing movements) for chopped and ground + pelleted forages, respectively. It declined from 1 : 49 to 0: 0 l hours (from 6,929 to 70 move­ments) when hot-air dried alfalfa (23 % crude fibre) was fed in chopped and ground + pelleted forms, respectively. The ruminating time …

Feed Efficiency In Dairy Cows Of Roughages Preserved And Treated In Different Ways, M Zausch, E Boldt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Trials were conducted with dairy cows to investigate the feed efficiency of grass-clover mixture (wilted silage, silage made of fresh material with addition of foDTiic acid, artifi­cially dried forage, pellets with varying portions of straw). The results obtained allow to draw the following conclusions:

As regards dry matter intake, digestibility, and feed efficiency, grass-dover for wilted silage should be wilted to give a OM content not exceeding 40 %.

Pelleting artificially dried grass-clover mix­ture and its use in mixed rations together with other separately pelleted components should be avoided.

The best feed efficiency is reached when dried grass-clover is converted …

The Influence Of Dried And Ensiled Grass On Rumen Fermen­Tation, J Voigt, B Piatkowski

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rumen-fistulated cows were used to study the influence of the forage preservation technique on rumen fermentation and holdup time of the feed in the rumen. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) preserved as wilted silage or dried green crop was fed in the following variants: wilted silage alone; wilted silage + sugar beet + protein supplement; dried green crop alone; dried green crop + sugar beet + protein supplement. As compared with dried green crop, the shares of true protein and sugar in wilted silage were reduced from 9.8 • to 6.4 '.'I􀉧 and from 7.7 to 1.8 %in DM, respectively. In comparison …

Changes In Feeding Value Of Preserved Grass And Legumes By The Action Of High Temperatures, R Prym, F Weissbach

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

High temperatures acting on grass and legumes during preservation and storage, cause nutrient digestibility to deteriorate. Protein digestibility is likely to be most strongly affected. Digest­ibility measurements were performed on sheep to estimate the extent of heat damage suffered by dried green forage and silages. Various laboratory methods were applied for record­ing. such damage. The detennination of the acid-detergent insoluble crude protein portion proved a very suitable approach.

Growth And Nitrogen Retention Of Lambs Fed Alfalfa Dehy­Drated At Different Temperatures, H K. Goering

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alfalfa was dried at four temperatures ranging from 60 to 180 °C in two experiments to evaluate the effect on composition, diet di­gestibility, and growth by lambs. In Experi­ment I, the alfalfa was supplemented with 0.6 % salt and pelleted. In Experiment 2, alfalfa was supplemented with 24.4 % starch, 18.5% straw, 6% cane molasses, 0.5% sodium phosphate, and 0.6 % salt so that total nitrogen intake was not in excess of the protein require­ment for growth of the lambs. Cell wall, acid­detergent fiber, lignin, acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen, and pepsin insoluble nitrogen in­creased in the alfalfa dried at 180 °C. …

Non-Mechanical Field Losses In Wilting Grasses As Influenced By Different Factors, G Rucker, O Knabe

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

When wilting grasses, non-mechanical field losses of different extent may occur. The main factors influencing the extent of losses were: water content at cutting time, drying rate, temperature, amount of rain, swath den­sity, and content of water-soluble carbohy­drates in the crop.

The Effect Of Mechanical, Thermal And Chemical Treatment On The Loss Of Water From Cut Leaves Of Grasses, Colin Edward Harris

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that cut grass -leaves have a high resistance to water loss, probably largely due to the imper­meability of the surface cuticle to water vapour. This resistance can be reduced and drying rate increased by thermal and mechanical treatment, and by exposure to the vapour of boiling petroleum ether. The effectiveness of formic acid and tri-n-butyl phosphate suggests the possibility of using chemicals to increase the drying rate of grass crops cut for hay and dried in the field.