Agricultural Science Commons^™

Using A Vnir Spectral Library To Model Soil Carbon And Total Nitrogen Content, Nuwan K. Wijewardane

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

n-situ soil sensor systems based on visible and near infrared spectroscopy is not yet been effectively used due to inadequate studies to utilize legacy spectral libraries under the field conditions. The performance of such systems is significantly affected by spectral discrepancies created by sample intactness and library differences. In this study, four objectives were devised to obtain directives to address these issues. The first objective was to calibrate and evaluate VNIR models statistically and computationally (i.e. computing resource requirement), using four modeling techniques namely: Partial least squares regression (PLS), Artificial neural networks (ANN), Random forests (RF) and Support vector regression …

Low Permeability Triple-Layer Plastic Bags Prevent Losses Of Maize Caused By Insects In Rural On-Farm Stores, Jeremiah Ng’Ang’A, Christopher Mutungi, Samuel M. Imathiu, Hippolyte Affognon

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Participatory on-farm trials were conducted to assess effectiveness of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS™) bags for storage of maize in small-scale farmers’ stores in rural villages in eastern Kenya. A PICS bag is a three-layered hermetic bag-system that forms a barrier against the influx of oxygen and the escape of carbon dioxide. Jute, woven polypropylene or PICS bags were filled with shelled maize grain, purchased from the participating farmers, and the three sets of bags kept in the farmers’ own stores for 35 weeks. Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the PICS bags were monitored, as well as the temperature …

Sustainable Intensification Of Agricultural Systems In The Central African Highlands: The Need For Institutional Innovation, Marc Schut, Piet Van Asten, Chris Okafor, Cyrille Hicintuka, Sylvain Mapatano, Nsharwasi Léon Nabahungu, Desire Kagabo, Perez Muchunguzi, Emmanuel Njukwe, Paul M. Dontsop-Nguezet, Murat Sartas, Bernard Vanlauwe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This study identifies entry points for innovation for sustainable intensification of agricultural systems. An agricultural innovation systems approach is used to provide a holistic image of (relations between) constraints faced by different stakeholder groups, the dimensions and causes of these constraints, and intervention levels, timeframes and types of innovations needed. Our data shows that constraints for sustainable intensification of agricultural systems are mainly of economic and institutional nature. Constraints are caused by the absence, or poor functioning of institutions such as policies and markets, limited capabilities and financial resources, and ineffective interaction and collaboration between stakeholders. Addressing these constraints would …

Can Climate-Driven Change Influence Silicon Assimilation By Cereals And Hence The Distribution Of Lepidopteran Stem Borers In East Africa?, P. A. Calatayud, E. Njuguna, S. Mwalusepo, M. Gathara, G. Okuku, A. Kibe, B. Musyoka, D. Williamson, G. Ong'amo, G. Juma, T. Johansson, S. Subramanian, E. Gatebe, B. Le Ru

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In East Africa, lepidopteran stemborers such as Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca are major constraints to production of maize, which is the main staple food crop in the region. Cereals depend on silicon (Si)-based defences to fight off herbivores. Using altitudinal ranges in the East African highlands as ecological surrogates for inferring climate change, it was shown that Si concentrations in soil and maize decreased with altitude. This was attributed, in part, to low temperatures at high altitudes, which negatively affected Si assimilation by maize. Experiments showed that B. fusca was more susceptible to Si than C. partellus. Hence the …

Compost Land Management And Soil Carbon Sequestration, Kylene A. Hohman

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Extensive fossil fuel burning has released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Under proper ecological conditions plants convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into stable soil organic matter, a natural and efficient means of mitigating climate change. In the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizae and plants, mycorrhizae provide plants with essential nutrients in exchange for carbon sugars leaked from the plants. Mycorrhizae convert carbon sugars to an exudate called glomalin, a protein that assists in developing soil aggregates composed of sand, silt, and clay. These aggregates, called humus, store carbon for hundreds of years under healthy ecological conditions. Compost prompts soil microbes to aerobically …

A Brief History Of Corn: Looking Back To Move Forward, Jon Derek Pruitt

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Maize was domesticated from teosinte in Mexico some 7,000 to 10,000 years ago and quickly spread through the Americas. It has become one of the most important crops at a local and global level. Two types, Northern Flint corn and Southern Dent corns provided the basis of the genetic background of modern maize hybrids. The development of hybrids, first double-cross and later single-cross hybrids, along with a transition to high input farming provided huge yield increases, which have continued to improve with improving technology.

Increase in maize production also caused a rise in Western corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera …

Arkansas Soybean Research Studies 2014, Jeremy Ross

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

The State Of Tobacco : A Remote Sensing Approach To Understanding Tobacco Crop Production In Kentucky., Laura Krauser

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Agricultural policy allows for governing bodies to better control the landscape, economy, and security of resources. Because of this power, it is essential for policy and its effects to be thoroughly understood. This study examines the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP, “tobacco buyout”), in effect from 2005 to 2014, using a mixed methods approach. The TTPP lifted the existing geographic restrictions of tobacco production and deregulated market prices formerly controlled by the government. Kentucky’s economic, social, and agricultural landscapes changed significantly in the wake of this legislation. To explore these changes, this study employs semi-structured interviews and remote sensing analyses …

The Frugal Innovator: Creating Change On A Shoestring Budget, Charles Leadbeater

Asian Management Insights

The world needs innovation that is lean, simple, clean and social.

Evaluation Of Rusle 2 To Estimate Soil Loss From Pastures, Stasha Katrina Balkissoon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The accurate estimation of soil erosion by the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation version 2 (RUSLE2) is critical for several conservation assessments, least of which is its use in the Phosphorus Index (PI) to identify and rank the vulnerability of agricultural fields to phosphorus (P) runoff. Earlier versions of RUSLE reported a soil loss overestimation, which were revised to give RUSLE2, where biomass production in different climatic regions was more accurately represented. RUSLE version 2.0, which contains the new vegetative biomass production routine, was evaluated using two performance indices, the Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency Index (NSE) and Index of Agreement (D) …

Preserving Rice Quality: Fine-Mapping And Introgressing A Fissure Resistance Locus, Haley Marie Sater

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) kernel fissuring is a major concern of both rice producers and millers. Fissures are small cracks in rice kernels that increase breakage of kernels when milled, and decrease the value of processed rice. This study employed molecular gene tagging methods to fine-map a fissure resistance (FR) locus found in ‘Cybonnet’, a semidwarf tropical japonica cultivar, as well as transfer this trait to rice genotypes of taller, non-semidwarf plant height that are better adapted to some rice production systems. Three QTLs for FR were previously reported; the FR locus with strongest effect resides near the semidwarf sd-1 …

Development Of A Biofilm Model For Evaluating Poultry Drinking Water Sanitation Procedures, Pramir Maharjan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Enclosed water system has created a minimal sanitation focus leading to biofilm issues which are a source of flock health challenges. A series of in vitro tests were conducted to evaluate biofilm growth on polyvinylchloride (PVC) surfaces when exposed to treated/untreated water sources (test water) that are typically supplied in commercial barns. PVC test coupons (15.16 cm2) were immersed in test water in beakers to grow biofilm. Test water supplies were characterized for microbial, mineral and pH content. Temperature of test water was set at 90 °F (32.2 ᵒC) on d1 and then dropping 1°F each day over 7-day period …

Influence Of Host-Plant Surface Chemicals On The Oviposition Of The Cereal Stemborer Busseola Fusca, Gerald Juma, Gilles Clément, Peter Ahuya, Ahmed Hassanali, Sylvie Derridj, Cyrile Gaertner, Romain Linard, Bruno Le Ru, Brigitte Frérot, Paul André Calatayud

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The chemical composition of plant surfaces plays a role in selection of host plants by herbivorous insects. Once the insect reaches the plant, these cues determine host acceptance. Laboratory studies have shown that the stem borer Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest of sorghum and maize in sub-Saharan Africa, is able to differentiate between host and non-host plant species. However, no information is available on the cues used by this insect to seek and accept the host plant. Thus, the role of surface phytochemical stimuli on host selection and oviposition by B. fusca was studied in the laboratory using …

Managing Drought Stress In California Agricultural Systems, Gregory D. Brittain Jr.

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

California is currently facing a historic drought, and this has led many farmers in the state to severely cut back on irrigation. Optimal use of water for irrigation requires a comprehensive understanding of how plants respond physiologically to water stress (Chapter 1). By monitoring water requirements in crops and managing irrigation to meet those requirements, growers can significantly reduce water use (Chapter 2). This can be done through improving application efficiency of irrigation technology as well as increasing the water use efficiency of the crops themselves. Deficit irrigation practices can be used to manipulate the physiology of water use in …

A Vision For Extension: Case Studies On Managing Extreme Weather Challenges In Corn, Anthony J. Mcmechan

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Global demand for corn is projected to rise in the coming decades to meet the food and fuel requirements of an increasing human population. Technological innovations have significantly improved corn yields over the past few decades; however, corn production is continually limited by unfavorable weather conditions. Extreme weather events put pressure on producers, adjustors, and consultants to make quick management decisions to maintain the highest return on their investment. Proper management decisions require an understanding of plant response and practical ways of applying this knowledge under real world conditions.

The following document was written after completing a six-month internship at …

Biology, Gene Flow, And Management Of Glyphosate-Resistant Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus Rudis Sauer) In Nebraska, Debalin Sarangi

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

Common waterhemp is the most troublesome weed in the midwestern United States. Growers from Nebraska reported failure to control common waterhemp following sequential applications of glyphosate in glyphosate-tolerant corn and soybean, which led to moderate to severe yield loss; justifying the need to confirm resistance and study the biology and management of common waterhemp. The objectives of this research were: 1) to confirm the presence of glyphosate-resistant (GR) common waterhemp biotypes in Nebraska and to evaluate their sensitivity to herbicides belonging to alternative sites-of-action; 2) to evaluate the response of common waterhemp to water stress; 3) to quantify pollen-mediated gene …

Evaluating Pedestrial Compaction Variation & Soil Organic C Content, Gunner B. Decker

Scholars Week

Over time, playing fields are monitored by overall appearance. However, pedestrian compaction is not evenly distributed throughout the entire surface.

Rekayasa Source – Sink Dengan Pemberian Zat Pengatur Tumbuh Untuk Meningkatkan Produksi Benih Kentang Di Dataran Medium Desa Margawati Kabupaten Garut, Anne Nuraini, Yayat Rochayat Suradinata, Dedi Widayat

Jurnal Kultivasi

Produksi kentang dipengaruhi oleh keter-sediaan benihnya. Kurangnya pasokan atau ketersediaan benih kentang akan berpengaruh pada produksi kentang. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menguji kualitas ubi kentang G2 yang dihasilkan dengan sistem Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) di lapangan. Percobaan dilakukan pada dataran medium di Garut dengan ketinggian tempat sekitar 700 m di atas permukaan laut untuk menghasilkan benih kentang G3 dengan perlakuan aplikasi sitokinin 0, 5, 10 dan 15 ml/L dan paklobutrazol 0, 15, 30 dan 45 ml/L. Percobaan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Pola Faktorial. Faktor pertama adalah konsentrasi sitokinin yaitu: 0, 5, 10 dan 15 ml/L, dan faktor kedua adalah konsentrasi …

Pola Penyebaran Tanaman Jengkol (Pithecellobium Jiringa (Jack) Prain.) Di Jawa Barat Bagian Selatan Berdasarkan Karakter Morfologi, Yudithia Maxiselly, D Ustari, Ade Ismail, Agung Karuniawan

Jurnal Kultivasi

Jawa Barat bagian selatan memiliki potensi sumber daya alam yang berlimpah. Salah satu komoditas yang berpotensi dikembangkan di Jawa Barat bagian selatan adalah tanaman jengkol (Pithecellobium Jiringa (Jack) Prain.). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh data mengenai pola penyebaran tanaman jengkol di Jawa Barat bagian selatan. Penelitian dilakukan dari bulan November sampai bulan Desember 2013. Lokasi survey meliputi beberapa desa di kabupaten Ciamis, kabupaten Tasikmalaya, dan kabupaten Garut dengan menggunakan metode eksplorasi dan penentuan lokasi secara purposive sampling. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap karakter morfologi dengan metode karakterisasi in situ. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan Analisis Komponen Utama (Principle Component Analysis) terdapat pola …

Analisis Penurunan Produksi Tanaman Padi Akibat Perubahan Iklim Di Kabupaten Bandung Jawa Barat, Ruminta

Jurnal Kultivasi

Perubahan iklim mempunyai pengaruh signifikan pada budidaya tanaman padi, karena budidaya tanaman padi mempunyai ketergan-tungan yang kuat terhadap unsur iklim terutama curah hujan dan temperatur. Terkait dengan hal itu telah dilakukan kajian dampak perubahan iklim terhadap penurunan produksi tanaman padi di wilayah kabupaten Bandung Jawa Barat. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui dampak perubahan unsur iklim (curah hujan dan temperature) terhadap produksi tanaman padi dan mengidentifikasi usaha adaptasi yang harus dilakukan oleh para petani. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dampak perubahan iklim di wilayah kabupaten Bandung sudah dirasakan oleh petani yang diindikasikan oleh bergesernya musim tanam dan waktu panen, penurunan luas tanam dan …