Academic literature on the topic 'Crop storage'

<p> Cover crops and crop residue play a multifunctional role in improving soil hydrological properties, soil water storage and water use efficiency (WUE). This study was conducted to better understand the role of crop residue and cover crop on soil properties and soil water dynamics. The study was conducted at the USDA-ARS North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, located in Brookings, South Dakota. Two residue removal treatments that include low residue removal (LRR) and high residue removal (HRR) were established in 2000 with randomized complete block design under no-till corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. In 2005, cover crop treatments which include cover crops (CC) and no cover crops (NCC) were integrated into the overall design. Soil samples were collected in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Data from this study showed that LRR treatment resulted in lower bulk density (BD) by 7 and 9% compared to HRR in 2015 and 2016, respectively, for 0-5 cm depth. Similarly, LRR treatment significantly reduced soil penetration resistance (SPR) by 25% in 0-5 cm depth compared with HRR treatment. In addition to this, LRR treatment significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and total nitrogen (TN) by 22 and 17%, respectively, in 0-5 cm. Similarly, CC treatment resulted in lower BD and SPR by 7% and 23%, respectively, in 0-5 cm depth in 2015 compared with NCC treatment. The LRR significantly increased soil water infiltration by 66 and 22% compared to HRR in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Similarly, the CC treatment significantly increased infiltration by 82 and 22% compared to the NCC in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The significant impact of a crop residue was observed on soil water retention (SWR) in 2014 and 2015 for the 0-5 cm depth. The LRR and CC treatments increased the soil volumetric moisture content (VMC) and soil water storage (SWS) on the surface 0-5 cm depth. However, the trend was not always significant during the growing season. The CC treatment significantly impacted the soybean yield by 14% and WUE by 13% compared with NCC treatment. Some interaction of residue by cover crops was observed on BD, SPR, VMC, and SWS, which showed that the use of cover crops with LRR can be beneficial in improving the soil properties.</p>

This thesis illustrates the results of the archaeobotanical study carried out at the long-lived site of Arslantepe (Malatya), Turkey. The study focusses on 131 carpological samples from the village of the Early Bronze Age (VIB2 period, 3100-2900 cal. BCE) destroyed by a fire. The aim of this study was to shed light on the functional roles of structures from Early Bronze Age Ib using plant remains. 63,941 seeds/fruits, including the estimated ones, have been analyzed. This study has identified 15 taxa belonging to 7 plant families. Cultivated species were found together with wild plants and non-economic weeds. The distribution of plant remains in the rooms allows to find out that Building IX inhabitants were mainly specialized in cereal production. This building has been used for crop processing, storing and food consumption. While Building VIII was not a place where crop processing had been practiced. As regards an isolated room A472, inhabitants of this room cultivated not only cereals but also legumes. Based on results, agriculture at Arslantepe was family based.

This thesis is composed of two essays that investigate whole farm planning and crop marketing in western Kentucky. In the first essay, contracting decisions between food corn producers and a mill are analyzed to observe factors affecting the bushel amount farmers contract. Unbalanced panel data containing seven years’ worth of pricing and contract information are used with a fixed-effects model to generate parameter estimates and quantify their effect on bushels contracted. It was found that contract attributes, market condition, and relationship-specific assets had a significant effect on producers’ food corn contracting decisions. The second essay utilizes mixed-integer programming to optimize resource allocation and marketing strategy for a hypothetical farm. Post-optimal analysis is performed to determine non-binding capacities for drying and storage equipment. The model is re-run with these non-binding capacities to observe changes in net returns as well as planting, harvesting, and marketing strategies. New equipment and associated costs are identified, and the change in net returns from the base case is used as net cash flow in a net present value investment analysis. Results of the investment analysis indicate increasing drying and storage capacity is a wise investment given the scenario modeled.

Abstract Weather conditions during the growing season are determining the size and quality of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed crop in northern areas. Pathogens, fungi, and insects also have an effect on seed crops. The varying quality of seeds from forest stands and seed orchards does not full fill the germination requirements of tree nurseries. Multi-phase pre-treatment are therefore used in forest tree seed centres to improve seed lots quality. The main objectives of this study were to analyse long-term variation in the size and quality of Scots pine seed crops in Northern Finland. Determine the impact of fungal injuries on the structures of Norway spruce seeds. To detect changes in the germination capacity and rate of Norway spruce seeds during pre-treatment phases and to determine the impacts of short-term and long-term storage on the germination of treated seeds. The study found that in most years, regeneration of Scots pine in Northern Finland is limited by quantity as well as quality the seed crop. The long-term average of the Scots pine seed crop was 77seeds/m2 and the long-term average expected germination percentage was 61%. Aeciospores of the inlad spruce cone rust Chrysomyxa pirolata (Körnicke) Wint. were found to form inside Norway spruce seeds, destroying the nucellar layers and reducing germination of seeds. In general, the germination capacity and rate of Norway spruce seeds increased during pre-treatment phases. The germination capacity of seeds increased about 30% and the rate by more than 40% during pre-treatment. During long-term storage the germination capacity and rate of pre-treated Scots pine seeds were preserved better in frozen storage than in cool storage. It was found that pre-treated Scots pine forest stand seeds can be stored for several years in frozen conditions. The germination capacity and rate of pre-treated orchard seeds were effected significantly more than those from forest stands. It is therefore recommended that Scots pine seeds from orchards be stored without pre-treatment. The germination capacity and rate of treated Norway spruce seeds from orchards was not significantly different after one year of storage.

Master of Science<br>Department of Grain Science and Industry<br>Jon Faubion<br>Whole wheat flour has become a popular ingredient in baked goods. Consumers are seeking the added benefits of consuming healthy phytochemicals and bioactive compounds. As the demand for wholemeal flour increases it is important to understand the factors contributing to changes in whole wheat flour breadmaking quality as a function of both wheat and flour age. In wholemeal flour, the lipid composition appears to be a factor causing variable baking quality. Changes that occur in both freshly harvested wheat and milled flour can cause variations in baking quality. Bakers’ attempts to adjust formulations and processes are often unsuccessful. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of aging both new crop wheat and freshly milled flour at 2 different temperatures on baking quality and glycolipid composition. This study aged freshly harvested Overley hard red winter wheat at RT (23˚C) and FZ (-26˚C) for 8, 50, and 91 days before milling. Whole wheat flour baking and lipid extraction studies were performed incrementally over 31 days of flour storage after each milling. Glycolipid structure and amounts were measured using automated electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The glycolipids analyzed in this study were DGDG (digalactosyldiglycerol), MGDG (monogalactosylmonoglycerol), MGMG (monogalactosylmonoglycerol), and DGMG (digalactosylmonoglycerol). Both the wheat and flour stored at -26˚C produced larger mean loaf volumes than did the 23˚C treatment for all 3 wheat ages. The FZ and RT DGDG:MGDG ratios were similar over both wheat and flour age so changes to the glycolipid fraction did not appear to be the cause of the significant difference between volumes of bread baked from samples stored at RT and FZ. There was limited change in mean volume over flour age except for an increase at the FZ 91 day point. The DGDG:MGDG ratios were generally unchanged over flour age. Loaf volumes were the same over wheat age except for an unexpected drop during the 50 day wheat study. The corresponding DGDG:MGDG ratios did not show any significant differences over wheat age. The FZ storage temperature might be inhibiting some biochemical change not affecting the glycolipids, leading to higher volumes than the RT storage treatment.