Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of Phosphate Fertilizer And Organic Matter On Phosphorus Status, Ph, And Cabbage Yield In Andisols, Mahfud Arifin, Emma Trinurani Sofyan, Anni Yuniarti, Rina Devnita, Sastrika Anindita

Jurnal Kultivasi

Andisols are characterized by high phosphorus (P) retention, which often limits P availability for crops. This study aimed to analyze the independent and interactive effects of P fertilizer and organic matter (i.e. manure and rice straw compost) on P retention, total P, available P, P uptake, soil pH, and cabbage yield. This research was conducted in pot experiments in plastic house, applying P fertilizer (0, 90, 180, 270 kg ha-1) and organic matter (20 kg ha-1 of chicken, sheep, cow manures and rice straw compost) on Andisols planted with cabbage. The experiment used a factorial randomized design. The results showed …

Advancing Louisiana's Cropping Systems: Sustainable Bioenergy Production, Cover Crops, And Technology Integration, Pedro R. Carrillo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The adoption of cover crops in Louisiana is lower than the national average, underscoring the need for region-specific research to address environmental challenges and demonstrate the short-term benefits of these practices within existing production systems. This research evaluated the integration of cover crops (CC) in energy cane (Saccharum spp.) and no-till cotton systems, focusing on their effects on soil health, nitrogen (N) management, and biomass production. Soil health indicators (SHIs), including enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and urease), protein N, inorganic N concentrations (nitrate and ammonium), soil organic matter (SOM), and microbial community composition assessed through ester-linked fatty acid …

Identifying Stable Parental Lines For Stripe Rust Resistance In Soft Red Winter Wheat, Ehsan Shakiba, David Moon

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, continues to be a major challenge in soft red winter wheat (SRWW) production, especially in the southern United States. In this area, mild winters and wet springs frequently lead to early and severe disease outbreaks. Although many lines demonstrate resistance in a single season, that resistance often does not last across multiple years. For breeding programs, this variability makes it hard to identify truly reliable lines. In this study, we evaluated 111 SRWW breeding lines over three consecutive growing seasons (2021-2024) under artificial inoculation in field conditions in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Stripe …

Comparative Analysis Of Color, Texture, And Water Content In Three Shallot Cultivars At Different Harvest Ages, Rahma Wati Lestari, Kusumiyati, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

Shallots are a major horticultural commodity with high economic value. The quality of shallots is determined not only by the quantity of the harvest but also by physical characteristics such as bulb color, texture, and water content. This study aims to evaluate the differences in these physical parameters in three popular local cultivars: Brebes, Sumenep, and Tuktuk, harvested at 56, 63, and 70 days after planting (DAP), respectively. This research uses a Randomized Block Design consisting of 9 treatment combinations and analyzed using the SmartstatXL application. Color measurements are conducted using the CIELAB method and converted to CIELCH and RGB …

Effect Of Successive Subculturing On Virulence, Growth, And Germination Of Fungus Metarhizium Rileyi For Biological Control Of Fall Armyworm, Joanna Marie E. Valeros, Trisha Anne P. Garcia, Noel G. Sabino, Marcela M. Navasero, Melissa P. Montecalvo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study explored the impact of successive subcultures of Metarhizium rileyi (Farl.) Kepler, S.A. Rehner & Humber on its cultural traits, spore germination, and virulence against fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a key pest in agricultural systems. The mass production of infective propagules is essential for effective biological control. Notable changes were observed in the texture and mycelial appearance of the fungus across subcultures. Initially, the fungus exhibited a powdery texture up to the 6th subculture. However, the fungal growth became fluffy and cottony by the 8th and 10th subcultures. Additionally, sporulation rates (7.05 × 10^{8 …}

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 …

Oviposition Preference Of The Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Towards Bt And Non-Bt Corn, And Under Confined Conditions, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Jessica B. Baroga-Barbecho, John David C. Cortez, Edwin A. Benigno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Several experiments were conducted on the ovipositional preference and behavior of the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Confirmatory tests were conducted in table cages (1.5 m²) to determine if the results would align with those obtained from experiments on semi-field (285 m²) and mini-screen cage (90 m²) spatial scales. Preference for Bt and non-Bt corn was then observed under confined conditions. Table cage test results showed similar oviposition behavior to that observed in prior studies on larger test areas. There is no preference for either Bt or non-Bt corn plants. ACB adults …

Basic Studies On The Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée), Are Crucial For Insect Resistance Management For Bt Corn In The Philippines, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The Philippines is considered to be “at the forefront of biotech research and commercialization in Southeast Asia and a model for science-based and thorough regulatory policy in the region” (ISAAA 2016). This is evident in the country's pioneering adoption of Bt corn technology in Asia and in the effective handling and implementation of rules and regulations on biosafety and the application of transgenic crops through the regulatory function of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) under the Department of Agriculture.

Patch Mow Grazing: Investigating The Effects Of Mowing On Forage Nutritive Value, The Biomass–Nutritive Value Relationship, And Herbivore Selection, Trace R. Stauble

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

Herbivore foraging behavior plays a critical role in shaping grassland structural heterogeneity, with selection often driven by forage biomass and nutritive value. Currently, it is thought that herbivores primarily select areas that are greater in nutritive value, and low in biomass. More specifically, disturbances like fire and grazing have been thoroughly studied showing that recently burned and grazed areas are not only higher in nutritive value but disproportionately selected by herbivores in comparison to undisturbed areas. However, most studies address only narrow ranges of defoliation, comparing intensely defoliated sites (< 10 cm) to those that are either not defoliated or have experienced a much longer time since defoliation, thereby decreasing grazing pressure as biomass increases. However, one of the most widely used methods of defoliation in grasslands, mowing, hasn’t been thoroughly studied for its effects on nutritive value, and how it impacts herbivore selection. Our study aimed to (1) evaluate how mowing treatments—i.e., short (5 cm), medium (18 cm), and tall (>30 cm, unmown)—affect nutritive value and herbivore selection, (2) assess …

Cover Crop Influence On Arthropod Biodiversity And Soil–Water Dynamics In A Semi-Arid Maize–Soybean Sequence Of The Nebraska High Plains, Carlos Eduardo De Oliveira Martins

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

With the expansion of cover crop (CC) use in semi-arid regions, producers in the Nebraska High Plains are increasingly interested in understanding how CCs influence both beneficial arthropods and soil-water within maize-soybean (Zea mays L., Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotations. Integrating CCs in these systems can enhance soil water availability and beneficial insect activity, but potential trade-offs include higher early-season water use by CCs and the risk of increasing potential pest populations. This thesis addresses these questions through two complementary studies conducted under field conditions near Brule, Nebraska. The first study evaluated the effects of a multi-species CC mixture …

Nutrient Utilization Efficiency And Antioxidant Profile Of Bc2 Abaca (Musa Textilis Née) Hybrids, Roberto Barba Jr, Antonio Lalusin

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Abaca (Musa textilis Née) is an important fiber crop widely recognized for its superior tensile strength, yet its productivity remains constrained by nutrient inefficiency, poor cropping management, and climatic stresses under manual production systems. Efficient nutrient utilization and an understanding of antioxidant compositions are practically relevant to the productivity of the abaca fiber crop. However, despite the crop’s economic importance, limited studies have examined nutrient uptake dynamics and internal utilization efficiency related to fiber synthesis. This study aimed to demonstrate the nutrient utilization efficiency and antioxidant profiles of BC₂ abaca hybrids in relation to fiber yield and quality. Fiber …

Evaluating Metamitron Efficacy For Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Management In Sugarbeet Across The Central High Plains, Abraham Akuoko

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

Herbicide-resistant (HR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is regarded as one of the most prominent weeds within sugarbeet fields across the Central High Plains, with limited chemical control options. Although a few herbicides are available, their use is restrictive due to crop injury concerns and can only be applied at or after the 2–4 true leaf (TL) growth stage, which will provide no control for already emerged weeds. However, Palmer amaranth often emerges between sugarbeet planting and the 2 TL sugarbeet growth stage. Consequently, as of 2023, there were no herbicide options to control Palmer amaranth in sugarbeet …

Proso Millet In Us High Plains Dryland Agriculture: Systems Resilience, Phenology, And Consumer Preferences For Alternative Grains, Pratiksha Baishya

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Dryland crop production in Nebraska's semi-arid High Plains faces challenges from fluctuating weather impacts of climate change, including extreme temperatures, short growing seasons, and recurring droughts. Proso millet is an alternative crop used to build a more robust three-year rotation in the region, rather than the traditional two-year wheat-fallow cycle. This dissertation provides a systems-level assessment of proso millet, a climate-resilient crop with great potential to support sustainable cropping systems in the US High Plains. Using a field-to-consumer approach, it highlights its agronomic and environmental advantages in dryland rotations, develops a phenological framework to aid future research on production, crop …

An Integrated Modeling Framework To Evaluate Circularity Of The Corn–Water–Ethanol–Beef Nexus, Heydi Han

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation examines the transition from conventional linear agricultural and food bioenergy systems toward more circular, resilient, and resource-efficient configurations. Prior research indicates that spatial and temporal variability in soil, weather, animal biological responses, and management decisions strongly influences productivity, nutrient-use efficiency, and profitability. Studies have also shown that a diversified circular system can buffer these sources of variability, improving stability and adaptive capacity. Building on these insights, the central focus of this work is to develop an integrated modeling framework to evaluate circularity within the Corn-Water-Ethanol-Beef (CWEB) nexus and explore how climate variability and management choices shape system-wide performance. …

Evaluating Fall And Spring Planted Cover Crops For Integrated Management Of Herbicide Resistant Palmer Amaranth And Effect On Soil Health, Vipin Kumar

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) pose a severe threat to agronomic crop productivity in the United States, including corn and soybean production in Nebraska. Therefore, there is an urgent need for diversified and sustainable management approaches. Integrating cover crops (CCs) with herbicide programs represents a promising strategy to achieve Palmer amaranth suppression, sustain crop yields, and contribute to long-term soil health in irrigated corn–soybean production systems in Nebraska.

A meta-analysis of 41 studies and 595 paired observations demonstrated that CCs reduced Amaranthus spp. density and biomass by 37–59% depending on the growing season, with grasses and mixtures …

Assessing Crop Rotation Productivity, Soil Health, And Fertility, And Economic Performance, To Enhance Semi-Arid High Plains Cropping Systems Sustainability, Ezequiel Maria Villamil

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Sustainable crop production in the semi-arid High Plains of Nebraska faces challenges from limited precipitation, high interannual variability, and economic risk. This dissertation investigates the long-term productivity, water use, soil health, and economic sustainability of dryland crop rotations, with emphasis on the role of pulses as alternatives to fallow.

Chapter 1 analyzes nearly three decades (1995–2023) of on-farm data from the High Plains Agricultural Laboratory (Sidney, Nebraska) to compare seven crop rotations, including wheat, corn, millet, sunflower, and field peas. Results showed that wheat–corn–fallow (W–C–F) consistently outperformed traditional wheat–fallow (W–F) and more intensified four-year rotations, providing the highest grain yields, …

Breeding For Disease Resistance In Melon And Watermelon, Venkata Rao Ganaparthi

All Dissertations

Watermelon and cantaloupe are two widely consumed cucurbits, but their acreage in the United States reduced by nearly 50% in last two decades. Fusarium wilt caused by a soil borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum(Fon) race 2 is a major limiting factor in watermelon production as it reduces yields by 80%. Grafting watermelon plants onto the root stock of wild, disease-resistant varieties like ‘Carolina Strongback’ is the best strategy to manage Fon race 2. Though effective, this approach increases production costs.

Part of this dissertation focused on finding more sustainable, cost-effective solutions to control Fusarium wilt …

Establishment Of Native Warm-Season Forages Using Organic Practices, Kolten Ray Wright

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Grassland agriculture is seen as a particularly sustainable form of agriculture. Many opportunities are known to use organic production methods or incorporate native warm-season grasses (NWSG) to accomplish both production goals and environmental or social outcomes. Environmental concerns have led some practitioners to question the use of organic methods to establish NWSG. As limited work has been accomplished in the northern bermudagrass belt, this project sought to compare organic establishment strategies for common NWSG species. A field trial conducted at the USDA ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, AR found that NWSG establishment success in the …