Mitigating Nitrogen Losses: The Role Of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers In Sustainable Corn Production,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mitigating Nitrogen Losses: The Role Of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers In Sustainable Corn Production, Dipesh Giri
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Nitrogen (N) is essential for crop production, but its inefficient use often leads to environmental losses through nitrate leaching, ammonia volatilization, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs), such as nitrification inhibitors (NIs) and urease inhibitors (UIs), have been developed to minimize these losses and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This research combined a multi-year field experiment and a controlled laboratory study to evaluate how dual-inhibitor fertilizers compare to conventional urea and single-inhibitor formulations in Nebraska cropping systems. The main objective was to understand how nitrogen inhibitors influence N availability, crop performance, and nitrogen losses across different environmental …
Improving Nitrogen Management And Corn Productivity Through Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer And Cover Crop Integration In Nebraska Cropping Systems,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Improving Nitrogen Management And Corn Productivity Through Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer And Cover Crop Integration In Nebraska Cropping Systems, Madhusudhan Adhikari
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Effective nitrogen (N) management is vital for sustaining corn yield and reducing environmental impacts in Nebraska cropping systems. Three field studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of 1) fertilizer type (anhydrous ammonia [AA] with nitrification inhibitor: enhanced efficiency fertilizer [EEF] or AA without EEF) and N application timing (pre-plant vs. split with side-dress UAN) on in-season soil N availability, crop response, nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, residual soil N and N use efficiencies (NUEs); 2) winter cover crop (CC) species and crop rotation variability on CC biomass production, N uptake, soil N dynamics, and cash crop performance in …
Extending Cover Crop Growing Window To Improve The Health Of Environmentally Sensitive Soils,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extending Cover Crop Growing Window To Improve The Health Of Environmentally Sensitive Soils, Noshin Ara Tunazzina
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Sloping and sandy soils are highly susceptible to degradation. The health of these soils could be improved with cover crops (CCs). However, CC effectiveness in improving soil health mainly depends on CC biomass production, which is often low in temperate regions. The question is: how can we increase CC biomass production? Lengthening the CC growing window can be a potential strategy. This study assessed how 1) interseeded and terminated early (2-3 weeks before crop planting) CC, 2) interseeded and terminated late (at crop planting) CC, 3) drilled (after harvest) and terminated early CC, 4) drilled and terminated late CC, and …
Maximizing Crop Production And Profitability Through Double Cropping Corn And Soybean Systems In South Carolina,
2025
Clemson University
Maximizing Crop Production And Profitability Through Double Cropping Corn And Soybean Systems In South Carolina, Bennett Harrelson
All Dissertations
Profitability is critical for farm sustainability, efficiency, and longevity. Over the last decade, corn and soybean commodity prices have fluctuated considerably, and more recently, extreme increases in input prices have narrowed profit margins. Non-traditional cropping systems that can boost profit are becoming of interest to farmers in South Carolina, specifically double cropping soybean behind corn. In this scenario, corn is harvested at high moisture contents and followed by ultra-late planted soybean. However, prior research related to the agronomic production practices of double cropping corn and soybean is minimal. To develop best management practices for growers interested in double cropping corn …
Evaluating Risk And Return Of Corn And Soybean Marketing Strategies Using Monte Carlo Simulation Methods,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Evaluating Risk And Return Of Corn And Soybean Marketing Strategies Using Monte Carlo Simulation Methods, Johanna Ilves
Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
This study evaluates the performance of pre-harvest marketing strategies for corn and soybeans, using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Given the increasing volatility in commodity prices and the evolving landscape of agricultural markets, producers face growing challenges in developing effective marketing plans that manage risk and enhance profitability. This thesis examines thirteen marketing strategies from 2008 to 2024, including benchmark harvest-only sales and various pre-harvest futures contract approaches. Historical futures price data for December corn and November soybean contracts were used to simulate 1,000 marketing outcomes per strategy per year, capturing a broad range of market conditions. Key performance indicators such …
Landscape Effects On The Beneficial Arthropod Community In Agriculturally Dominated Environments,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Landscape Effects On The Beneficial Arthropod Community In Agriculturally Dominated Environments, Hannah E. Stowe
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Ecosystem services in agriculturally dominated regions rely, at least in part, on arthropods. Environment and biodiversity influence beneficial arthropods in population size, community structure, diversity, and ecosystem service provisioning. Predation is among the most important services provided by arthropods in agroecosystems. Understanding what alters predation and predator activity can support the successful application of biological control and, more broadly, integrated pest management. Land use and edge adjacency, field characteristics, landscape, seasonality, and diel period all alter predatory behavior. Crop fields dominate Nebraska agroecosystems, although interspersed perennial grasslands persist through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Such grasslands supply crucial resources and …
Gene Editing Approaches To Improving Grain Amino Acid Profiles In Maize And Sorghum,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Gene Editing Approaches To Improving Grain Amino Acid Profiles In Maize And Sorghum, Joseph Preston Hurst
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Maize grain is deficient in lysine. While the opaque2 mutation increases grain lysine, o2 is a transcription factor that regulates a wide network of genes beyond zeins, which leads to pleiotropic and often negative effects. Additionally, the drastic reduction in 19kDa and 22kDa alpha-zeins causes a floury kernel, unsuitable for agricultural use. Sorghum, closely related to maize, has a similar lack of lysine that can be corrected with prolamin alteration and also subject to the same deleterious kernel texture. CRISPR/cas9 gives researchers the ability to directly target genes of interest. In this research, gene editing was used to specifically target …
Mechanisms Of Perennial Sorghum Resistance To Sugarcane Aphid Infestation,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mechanisms Of Perennial Sorghum Resistance To Sugarcane Aphid Infestation, Esha Kaler
Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, the fifth most-grown cereal crop in the world, is a versatile crop, grown across different agro-ecological regions. Sorghum has numerous uses ranging from food and forage purposes to biofuel production. Sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari) is a major threat to sorghum production, accounting for 50% to 100% yield loss under heavy infestations. Perennial sorghum can be a sustainable and climate-resilient alternative to the current cereal farming systems. The development of perennial sorghum offers numerous benefits, such as reduced economic inputs, more carbon sequestration, better soil health, and sustainable yields. We employed host plant resistance …
Integrating Genomic And Phenomic Breeding Tools For Wheat Stem Sawfly Resistance In Hard Winter Wheat,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Integrating Genomic And Phenomic Breeding Tools For Wheat Stem Sawfly Resistance In Hard Winter Wheat, Sydney E. Graham
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
The wheat stem sawfly (WSS; Cephus cinctus) is an insect pest that affects wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the Northern Great Plains. This pest causes stem cutting that makes the plants susceptible to lodging and results in up to 30% yield loss. The primary management strategy for producers is utilizing host plant resistance, for which the main trait is stem solidness. This trait increases the pith thickness and provides resistance to the WSS by increasing larval mortality and reducing stem cutting. While stem solidness is largely controlled by a known major gene (SSt1), the phenotypic expression is also …
Effects Of Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms On Microbial Community Dynamics And Plant Growth Responses Of Aeroponically Cultivated Spinach,
2025
Northern Michigan University
Effects Of Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms On Microbial Community Dynamics And Plant Growth Responses Of Aeroponically Cultivated Spinach, Veronica Snow
All NMU Master's Theses
Regional food insecurity caused by the inability to use conventional farming techniques year-round in cold climates increases the need for access to quality, locally sourced, and affordable foods year-round. Shifting from a soil-based system to aeroponics can increase yields, as aeroponic systems are not weather-reliant and can operate year-round. Aeroponics, a subgroup of hydroponics, induces growth by misting nutrient-rich solutions onto the plant roots. These systems use space and water more efficiently and rely less on fertilizers and pesticides but are vulnerable to errors in nutrient application, power loss, and rapid pathogen spread. Adding Vermicompost (VCT) and plant growth-promoting microorganisms …
Identification Of New Germplasm Sources And Traits For Breeding Heat-Tolerant Soybean Varieties,
2025
Clemson University
Identification Of New Germplasm Sources And Traits For Breeding Heat-Tolerant Soybean Varieties, Shelby Hammond
All Theses
The heat-tolerant soybean breeding is constrained by limited genetic diversity for heat tolerance, lack of efficient selection criteria, and incomplete knowledge of heat tolerance mechanisms. The objectives of this study were to characterize the heat tolerance of a soybean recombinant inbred line (RIL) population based on traits defining leaf function, pollen viability and yield, and identify genotypes and traits that can be included in breeding programs for heat tolerance. Field trials were conducted at Pendleton, SC in 2022 and 2023 to test the heat stress responses of 192 RILs [derived from DS 25-1 (heat tolerant) x DT97-4290 (heat-susceptible)], parental lines, …
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation As A Non-Chemical Management Option Against Fungi And Heterotrophic Bacteria In Organic Sweetpotato Production,
2025
Clemson University
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation As A Non-Chemical Management Option Against Fungi And Heterotrophic Bacteria In Organic Sweetpotato Production, Meredith Tucker
All Theses
North Carolina is the largest producer of sweetpotatoes in the United States, with South Carolina increasing farming acreage to 2,501 in 2022 compared to 1,300 in 2017. Growers producing conventional and organic sweetpotatoes are equally challenged with managing fungal pathogens due to fungicide resistance or fungicides being unavailable due to environmental regulations, leading many to shift to growing organic crops. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a non-chemical pre-plant management option that uses a carbon amendment, irrigation, and plasticulture to establish an anaerobic environment in soils, killing soil microbes. A greenhouse study was conducted to assess ASD on fungal pathogens and …
Understanding The Impact Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Feeding, And Drought Stress On Drought-Tolerant And Drought-Resistant Soybean (Glycine Max).,
2025
University of Arkansas
Understanding The Impact Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Feeding, And Drought Stress On Drought-Tolerant And Drought-Resistant Soybean (Glycine Max)., Adriana G. Peissel
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
Drought and insect herbivory are two major stressors on high-value crops like soybean (Glycine max). However, few studies have explored how these stressors interact, despite their presence in tandem under field conditions. We investigated how drought stress and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) caterpillar herbivory impact Magellan (drought-tolerant) and Blackhawk (drought-susceptible) soybean cultivars. The soybean plants were subject to four treatment groups (1. Drought 2. Herbivory 3. Drought + Herbivory 4. Well-Watered) during a treatment period of 7 days in a greenhouse. We then measured plant height, physiological traits, trichome density, soil moisture, and larval mass gain. …
Understanding The Genetic And Metabolic Underpinnings Of Complex Traits In C4 Grasses,
2025
Clemson University
Understanding The Genetic And Metabolic Underpinnings Of Complex Traits In C4 Grasses, Manwinder Singh Brar
All Dissertations
Maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) are two important cereal crops cultivated worldwide for food, animal feed, and industrial products. Productivity of these crops is significantly impacted by various biotic and abiotic stresses, such as diseases, insect pests, drought, salinity, and heat. Among factors influencing crop performance under stress, the regulation of leaf longevity plays a critical role in determining yield. Leaf senescence is a highly regulated process essential for nutrient remobilization through the degradation of cellular components in aging leaves, but premature or accelerated senescence reduces photosynthetic efficiency and yield. Staygreen, a phenotype …
Investigate The Use Of Nucleic Acids As Pesticides To Manage Major Pests And Pathogens Of Crops In South Carolina,
2025
Clemson University
Investigate The Use Of Nucleic Acids As Pesticides To Manage Major Pests And Pathogens Of Crops In South Carolina, Prasanna Valavanur Shekar
All Dissertations
The sugarcane aphid (SCA, Melanaphis sorghi), first discovered on grain sorghum in late 2013, has gradually become a major insect pest of sorghum. It inflicts significant damage to the crop year after year, causing millions of dollars in losses throughout the sorghum-producing regions of the United States. Similarly, Armillaria root rot—also referred to as oak root rot—is a major cause of decline in peach (Prunus persica) production in the southeastern United States. This disease is caused by Armillaria mellea and Armillaria tabescens. Current management practices for controlling M. sorghi include the use of synthetic pesticides, resistant varieties, and regular scouting. …
Understanding Pre-Harvest Hedging Behavior And Basis Forecasting: The Role Of Information In Grain Marketing,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Understanding Pre-Harvest Hedging Behavior And Basis Forecasting: The Role Of Information In Grain Marketing, Iyore Eronmwon
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
This dissertation examines decision-making under risk in grain marketing, focusing on how information influences behavior, attitudes toward accessible information, and methods for forecasting commodity basis. Through three essays, it explores the impact of information on hedging decisions, the determinants of information-seeking behavior, the extent to which students can serve as proxies for farmers in risk experiments, and the effectiveness of different forecasting approaches for commodity basis.
The first essay examines the impact of information on pre-harvest grain marketing hedging decisions and grain marketing information-seeking behavior. Specifically, it evaluates two types of information hypothesized to influence decision-making: expected cost of production …
Yield And Economics Following 5 Years Of Integrated Weed Management In Cotton,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Yield And Economics Following 5 Years Of Integrated Weed Management In Cotton, Amar Godar, Jason K. Norseworthy, L. Tom Barber, Roger Farr, Ty Smith
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations
The implementation of integrated weed management (IWM) practices in conventional management systems involves additional costs and can influence both short-term and long-term cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields, ultimately affecting economic viability. This study, conducted from fall 2018 to fall 2023 near Marianna, AR, evaluated four IWM practices in a large-plot, fixed-plot factorial design: zero tolerance for weed seed rain, soil inversion deep tillage every third year in the fall, a preplant terminated cereal rye cover crop, and dicamba-resistant cotton technology. Long-term economic impacts were assessed using the 5-year average cost-adjusted yield, with the base program (excluding all IWM practices) serving …
Registration Of 'R19c-1012': A High-Yielding Soybean Cultivar With Improved Flooding Tolerance At Early Vegetative Stages,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Registration Of 'R19c-1012': A High-Yielding Soybean Cultivar With Improved Flooding Tolerance At Early Vegetative Stages, Caio Canella Vieira, Rafael Marmo, C. Wu, Liliana Florez-Palacios, Andrea Acuna, D. Harrison, D. Rogers, Leandro Mozzoni, T. Roberts, J. F. Carlin, Travis Faske, F. Lin, G. Shannon, H. T. Nguyen
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations
'R19C-1012' (Reg. no. CV-564, PI 707837) is a high-yielding, conventional maturity group Mid-IV (Relative maturity 4.6) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar with improved flooding tolerance at V2-V4 vegetative growth stages. It was developed and released by the University of Arkansas System-Division of Agriculture Research & Extension Center in 2024. R19C-1012 has an indeterminate growth habit, purple flowers, gray pubescence, brown pods, and seed with an imperfect black hilum. From 2019 to 2023, R19C-1012 was evaluated across 40 irrigated environments, with an average grain yield of 4302 kg ha-1, representing 93% and 99% relative yield of the Xtend and non-Xtend …
Where Is Your Crop Insurance Agent? Understanding The Geographical Distribution Of Agents,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Where Is Your Crop Insurance Agent? Understanding The Geographical Distribution Of Agents, Cory Walters, Nathan Delay
Cornhusker Economics
Following the modifications to the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) in 2010, there was limited understanding of the impact of policy changes on agent availability. Our objective is to construct a model of the equilibrium supply of crop insurance agents and to test hypotheses regarding the factors influencing agent concentration, such as commissions, competition, and risk. We developed a theoretical equilibrium model of the federal crop insurance market, which encompasses three tiers: insurance companies, agents, and farmers. The model incorporates key features of the federal program, including government-set premiums and the stipulation that agents cannot refuse coverage or modify premiums for …
Trenching And Compost Sustain Grain Yield Increases Over Nine Years On Deep Sands But At A Cost,
2025
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Esperance, Western Australia
Trenching And Compost Sustain Grain Yield Increases Over Nine Years On Deep Sands But At A Cost, David J.M. Hall, Tom J. Edwards
Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles
Context. Crops grown on deep sands on the south coast of WA are limited by soil physical and chemical properties including compaction and poor nutrition. Aims. Crops grown on deep sands on the south coast of Western Australia are limited by soil physical and chemical properties including compaction and poor nutrition. Our aim was to determine what effects deep-placed organic amendments have on soil properties and crop production in a deep sand and whether such amendments are profitable. Methods. A long-term field trial was conducted over nine years (2015–2023) to investigate soil amendments including lime (0 and …
