Agricultural Science Commons^™

Predictive Modeling Of Oxygen Transmission Through Micro-Perforations For Packaging Applications, Ayman Abdellatief, Bruce A. Welt, Jason Butler, Eric Mclamore, Arthur Teixeira, Sanjay Shukla

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Methods for creating precise perforations in respiring produce packaging are being increasingly adopted. Knowledge of oxygen transfer through perforated packaging and oxygen distribution in packages is necessary for successful packaging design of fresh produce. An approach to modeling perforated packaging performance was developed using a cylindrical chamber with precision perforations using Fick’s second law. The model was simulated using two techniques including Finite Element Method (FEM) using commercially available software and Finite Volume Method (FVM) through programming. Perforations were approximated as a source term in the second method. Both simulation techniques showed trends similar to experimental data.

A Neuronal Classification System For Plant Leaves Using Genetic Image Segmentation, Oluleye Babatunde, Leisa Armstrong, Dean Diepeveen, Jinsong Leng

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

This paper demonstrates the use of radial basis networks (RBF), cellular neural networks (CNN)and genetic algorithm (GA) for automatic classification of plant leaves. A genetic neuronal system herein attempted to solve some of the inherent challenges facing current software being employed for plant leaf classification. The image segmentation module in this work was genetically optimized to bring salient features in the images of plants leaves used in this work. The combination of GA-based CNN with RBF in this work proved more efficient than the existing systems that use conventional edge operators such as Canny, LoG, Prewitt, and Sobel operators. The …

Fishing For A Sustainable Future: Aquaponics As A Method Of Food Production, Richard Ramsundar

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis compares and explains the advantages aquaponics farming has over modern industrial intensive farming. Through a comparison natural capital usage, conservation, recycling and cost, the thesis advocates for the expansion of aquaponics usage in urban settings. The thesis also explains the history of intensive farming and aquaponics in America, the science of how aquaponics operates, the economic and environmental costs of modern intensive farming versus aquaponics farming, and the social implications of aquaponics. Lastly, I propose a policy that reallocates farm subsidies by modifying the Farm Bill. Then I propose policies that support creating a new standard of farm …

Characterization Of A Novel Clade Of Transporters In Phytophthora, Stephanie Padula, Paul F. Morris Dr, Howard Casey Cromwell Dr., Menaka Ariyaratne, Andrew Wagner

Honors Projects

The oomycete Phytophthora parasitica has a worldwide distribution and is an economically important pathogen of more than 100 species⁴. RNA-seq analysis showed that one gene, PPTG_16698 has the 5^th highest level of expression of all transport proteins in the zoospore stage, and is highly conserved throughout Phytophthora species. This project attempts to characterize the important biological role that PPTG_16698 plays in P. parasitica and other oomycetes. Three strategies have been implemented to accomplish this goal: growth analysis by heterologous expression in yeast, metabolite analysis in yeast, and construction of a GFP fusion protein to enable localization of …

Agronomic Survey To Assess Crop Yield, Controlling Factors And Management Implications: A Case-Study Of Babati In Northern Tanzania, J. Kihara, L. D. Tamene, P. Massawe, M. Bekunda

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Improved agronomic management is important to reduce yield gaps and enhance food security in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was undertaken to understand contributing factors to observed yield gaps for maize in farmer fields and to demonstrate appropriate agronomic survey methods. The study aimed to (1) demonstrate an approach for farm-level agronomic survey, (2) identify key crop production constraints and (3) define the nutrient input and output balances of different fields. Agronomic survey was conducted in 117 farmer fields randomly distributed in a 10 km by 10 km block in Babati, northern Tanzania. A semi-structured questionnaire and production measurements were used …

Assessment Of Variation In Susceptibility Of The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), To Bacillus Thuringiensis Toxins, Karen Ferreira Da Silva

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a polyphagous insect pest affecting multiple crops. Fall armyworm is managed with insecticides and corn hybrids expressing insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis. The early detection of insect resistance is important for making appropriate management decisions informs IPM and IRM recommendations.

The objective of the first study was to establish baseline susceptibility of fall armyworm populations to the Cry1F Bt insecticidal protein, emphasizing collections from locations where fall armyworm overwinters in the U.S. Fall armyworm neonates were exposed to artificial diet treated with increasing Cry1F concentrations, and mortality and growth inhibition were …

Seasonal Activity And Sampling Methods For The Dectes Stem Borer, Dectes Texanus Leconte, In Nebraska Soybeans, Zachary D. Rystrom

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Dectes stem borer, Dectes texanus Leconte, has caused significant economic damage to soybean fields in south central Nebraska during recent years. Most economic injury occurs when soybean plants become susceptible to late season lodging due to larval girdling. Developing a comprehensive management plan for Dectes stem borer in Nebraska is limited by lack of knowledge of seasonal activity and effective sampling plans to monitor adult populations. Field studies were conducted in 2013 and 2014 to describe Dectes stem borer adult emergence patterns, female ovipositional period and adult densities in soybean fields. Calendar date predictions for adult emergence varied, while …

Napier Grass Stunt Disease In East Africa: Farmers' Perspectives On Disease Management, George O. Asudi, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Charles A.O. Midega, Jimmy Pittchar, John A. Pickett, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Napier or Elephant grass (. Pennisetum purpureum), the most important livestock fodder crop in East Africa, is under threat from Napier grass stunt (NGS) disease. This disease is caused by a phytoplasma, which is transmitted by the leafhopper, Maiestas banda (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). After inoculation, the disease rapidly infects the whole plant causing extensive damage to Napier grass plants. There is therefore a need to develop an integrated management approach for the disease. A survey was conducted in three East African countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) during which 198 farmers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaire addressed the prevalence of …

Restoration Strategies To Migrate Shrub Encroachment Into Coastal Prairies, Erick Mark Verderber

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Shrub encroachment into grasslands is a phenomenon facilitated by fire suppression, climate warming, and overgrazing of grasses by cattle, and if left unmanaged, can alter ecosystem structure and function. In this study, I compare the effectiveness and cost/benefit of various restoration strategies (prescribed fire, mechanical, and chemical) used singly and in different combinations at decreasing two shrubs, honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.), and promoting growth and survival of gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae (Trin.) Merr. ex Hitchc.), the dominant coastal prairie grass within the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge-Bahia Grande Unit in deep south Texas. …

Understanding Perceptions Of Genetically Modified Food Among Natural Food Shoppers In Southern Nevada, Christian Murua-Aceves

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Today, 85% of corn, 93% of soybeans, and 88% of cotton in the U.S. are genetically modified (GM). Using laboratory methods, genes from one species, such as a plant, can be transferred to an unrelated species, such as an animal. Genetically modified crops may lead to higher yields, have improved food quality, texture, and nutritional value, and have an increased shelf life.

Despite these promising benefits, the potential health risks relating to the consumption of GM food remain inadequately assessed. Genetically modified food is not subjected to rigorous safety testing, such as epidemiologic studies, to identify potential health risks. Two …

Microsatellite Variations Of Elite Setaria Varieties Released During Last Six Decades In China, Guanqing Jia, Xiaotong Liu, James C. Schnable, Zhengang Niu, Chunfang Wang, Yuhui Li, Shujun Wang, Suying Wang, Jinrong Liu, Erhu Guo, Hui Zhi, Xianmin Diao

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Crop improvement is a multifaceted micro-evolutionary process, involving changes in breeding approaches, planting configurations and consumption preferences of human beings. Recent research has started to identify the specific genes or genomic regions correlate to improved agronomic traits, however, an apparent blank between the genetic structure of crop elite varieties and their improving histories in diverse modern breeding programs is still in existence. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) was one of the earliest cereal crops to be domesticated and served as a staple crop for early civilizations in China, where it is still widely grown today. In the present trial, …

Impact Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On The Physiology Of Maize Genotypes Under Variable Nitrogen And Phosphorus Levels, Roberto Crespo

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

It is important to increase our understanding of AM fungal and maize genotype interactions, the impact of N and P fertilization and water condition on the symbiosis, and on the physiology and nutritional status of maize plants. In two greenhouse experiments AM inoculated plants exhibited root colonization values around 70% which was confirmed by the presence of the AM lipid biomarker (C16:1cis11). Nitrogen fertilization increased AM root colonization, but only compared to unfertilized plants. Root colonization and biomarker concentration in root and soil were similar among inoculated maize genotypes across conventional and drought tolerant hybrids. Mycorrhizal inoculation had a positive …

Comparing Avian Diversity And Anthropogenic Disturbance At Sendero Los Quetzales Cerro Punta, Panamá, Sloane Merdinger

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This report summarizes the survey of land and avian diversity along a transect that runs from the exterior to the interior of the Los Quetzales Trail of Parque Nacional Volcán Barú in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panamá. The region of Cerro Punta is Panamá’s primary producer of produce and also home to one of the most biodiverse land reserves in the world. Despite protection efforts the area is continuously threatened by human development. The study juxtaposes calculated Shannon-Wiener Biodiversity Indices across graduated levels of anthropogenic disturbance to determine if there is a significant difference in biodiversity between areas with low, intermediate, …

Soil Total Organic Carbon And Farmers’ Perceptions Associated With Bokashi Application In Cerro Punta, Panama, Emma Searson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Sustainable use and maintenance of agricultural soils are important for maintaining long-term agricultural productivity and environmental quality. These issues are especially important in Cerro Punta, known as the breadbasket of Panama, which is experiencing severe erosion. While current practices and agrochemical usage damage soil health and function over time, application of organic material improves soil physic-chemical properties such as nutrient and total organic carbon (TOC) content. Bokashi, a fermented organic soil amendment with effective microorganisms (EM), is thought to be especially beneficial due to its ability to augment populations of soil microbes, which deliver plant-available nutrients to crops and improve …

Responses Of Parasitoids To Volatiles Induced By Chilo Partellus Oviposition On Teosinte, A Wild Ancestor Of Maize, Daniel M. Mutyambai, Toby J.A. Bruce, Charles A.O. Midega, Christine M. Woodcock, John C. Caulfield, Johnnie Van Den Berg, John A. Pickett, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Maize, a genetically diverse crop, is the domesticated descendent of its wild ancestor, teosinte. Recently, we have shown that certain maize landraces possess a valuable indirect defense trait not present in commercial hybrids. Plants of these landraces release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that attract both egg [Trichogramma bournieri Pintureau & Babault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)] and larval [Cotesia sesamiae Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)] parasitoids in response to stemborer egg deposition. In this study, we tested whether this trait also exists in the germplasm of wild Zea species. Headspace samples were collected from plants exposed to egg deposition by Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) …

Pertumbuhan Dan Hasil Kacang Hijau Kultivar Kenari Dan No. 129 Dalam Tumpangsari Bersisipan Di Antara Padi Gogo, Yuyun Yuwariah, Ade Ismail, I. N. Hafhittry

Jurnal Kultivasi

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapat-kan waktu penyisipan dua kultivar kacang hijau dalam tumpangsari bersisipan yang terbaik di antara padi gogo terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil kacang hijau. Percobaan dilaksanakan dari bulan Desember 2010 sampai Juli 2011 di kebun percobaan Ciparanje Fakultas Pertanian Univer-sitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Sumedang. Perco-baan ditata dalam Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) dengan tiga ulangan yang terdiri atas 10 perlakuan yaitu A25 = kultivar Kenari + Waktu Penyisipan 25 hari sebelum panen padi gogo, A20 = kultivar Kenari + waktu penyisipan 20 hari sebelum panen padi gogo, A15 = kultivar Kenari + waktu penyisipan 15 hari sebelum panen padi gogo, …

Rekayasa Ekofisiologis Tanaman Teh Belum Menghasilkan Klon Gmb 7 Melalui Pemberian Asam Humat Dan Pupuk Hayati Konsorsium, Intan Ratna Dewi Anjarsari, Santi Rosniawaty, Cucu Suherman

Jurnal Kultivasi

Teh merupakan komoditas perkebunan penting di Indonesia. Rekayasa ekologis yang dilakukan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas tanaman teh di perkebunan adalah melalui tindakan pemupukan. Sejalan dengan prinsip pertanian berkelanjutan kini pihak pekebun pada umumnya menggunakan input yang lebih ramah lingkungan, diantaranya dengan menggunakan asam humat dan pupuk hayati konsorsium. Saat ini asam humat telah dimanfaatkan sebagai pelengkap pupuk yang dapat meningkatkan pemanfaatan pupuk dan meningkatkan pertum-buhan tanaman. Selain asam humat, salah satu alternatif untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan tanaman teh belum menghasilkan adalah dengan pemeberian pupuk hayati konsorsium yang terdiri dari bakteri pelarutf posfat, bakteri penambat nitrogen dan bakteri pelarut kalium.Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk …

Herbisida Campuran Imazapic 262,5 G.L-1 Dan Imazapir 87,5 G.L-1 Sebagai Pengendali Gulma Umum Pada Budidaya Tanaman Tebu (Saccharum Officinarum L.), Uum Umiyati, Denny Kurniadie, A. F. Pratama

Jurnal Kultivasi

Tebu adalah tanaman yang menghasilkan bahan pemanis berupa gula pasir.Hasil gula pasir dapat menurun akibat kompetisi gulma. Pengendalian menggunakan herbisida dapat menekan gulma dan meningkatkan pertum-buhan tanaman tebu. Percobaan ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan dosis aplikasi herbisida campuran Imazapic 262,5 g.L-1 dan Imazapir 87,5 g.L-1 yang terbaik dalam mengendalikan gulma umum di lahan budidaya tebu. Perco-baan dilakukan di PG. Rajawali, Cirebon, Jawa Barat pada bulan Maret - Mei 2014. Percobaan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Sederhana yang terdiri dari tujuh perlakuan dan empat ulangan. Perlakuan terdiri dari A) herbisida campuran Imazapic dan Imazapir dengan dosis 0,75 l.ha-1, B) herbisida campuran Imazapic dan …

Pertumbuhan, Hasil Dan Kualitas Tomat Cv. Marta-9 Pada Berbagai Sistem Budidaya Dalam Rumah Plastik Di Dataran Medium Jatinangor, Tino Mutiarawati Onggo, Sumadi, R. Fauziah

Jurnal Kultivasi

Penanaman tomat dalam rumah plastik dengan sistem budidaya hidroponik, meng-0hasilkan buah dengan kuantitas dan kualitas baik serta dapat dilakukan secara kontinu, namun kekurangan sistem tersebut adalah bahan kimia yang digunakan untuk hara tanaman mahal, sehingga perlu dicarikan sistem budidaya alter-natif yang dapat mengimbangi hasil dan kualitas hasil sistem hidroponik. Tujuan dilaku-kannya penelitian ini adalah untuk mempelajari berbagai sistem budidaya tanaman tomat dalam rumah plastik yang dapat diaplikasikan di dataran medium dengan biaya yang lebih murah serta menguji jumlah batang produksi yang dapat menghasilkan pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman serta kualitas tomat yang baik. Penelitian dilakukan dari bulan Juni sampai dengan Oktober …

Produktivitas Tanaman Dan Kehilangan Hasil Tanaman Padi (Oryza Sativa L.) Kultivar Ciherang Pada Kombinasi Jarak Tanam Dengan Frekuensi Penyiangan Berbeda, Dedi Widayat, C. O. Purba

Jurnal Kultivasi

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menge-tahui pengaruh kombinasi jarak tanam dan frekuensi penyiangan gulma yang berbeda terhadap produktivitas dan kehilangan hasil padi sawah kultivar Ciherang. Percobaan ini dilak-sanakan di lahan sawah Sanggar Penelitian Latihan dan Pengembangan Pertanian (SPLPP) Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Padjadjaran unit Ciparay dari bulan November 2010 sampai Februari 2011. Rancangan percobaan yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) terdiri dari dua belas perlakuan, dengan tiga kali ulangan. Adapun perlakuan yang digunakan adalah sebagai berikut: A (jarak tanam 25 x 25 cm dengan tanpa penyiangan), B (jarak tanam 25 x 25 cm dengan disiang satu kali), C (jarak tanam …