Faculty Impact Statements, 2009

Each issue [in the Research Series] has a distinctive titl

Faculty Impact Statements, 2009

Each issue [in the Research Series] has a distinctive titl

Determination of Time Dependent Stress Distribution on Potato Tubers at Mechanical Collision

This study focuses on determining internal stress progression and the realistic representation of time dependent deformation behaviour of potato tubers under a sample mechanical collision case. A reverse engineering approach, physical material tests and finite element method (FEM)-based explicit dynamics simulations were utilised to investigate the collision based deformation characteristics of the potato tubers. Useful numerical data and deformation visuals were obtained from the simulation results. The numerical results are presented in a format that can be used for the determination of bruise susceptibility magnitude on solid-like agricultural products. The modulus of elasticity was calculated from experimental data as 3.12 [MPa] and simulation results showed that the maximum equivalent stress was 1.40 [MPa] and 3.13 [MPa] on the impacting and impacted tubers respectively. These stress values indicate that bruising is likely on the tubers. This study contributes to further research on the usage of numerical-methods-based nonlinear explicit dynamics simulation techniques in complicated deformation and bruising investigations and industrial applications related to solid-like agricultural products

Epidemiology and Fungicide Sensitivity of Grape Late Season Bunch Rots in the Mid-Atlantic

This project aims to improve the management of late season bunch rots of grape (LSBR) whichcan be caused by a wide range of fungal pathogens. LSBR collectively have been an increasing issue in Mid-Atlantic vineyards, severely affecting grape yield and quality. Despite intensive fungicide spray programs and cultural practices, severe LSBR epidemics threaten the budding Mid-Atlantic wine industry. The basic plant pathological variables of host, pathogen, and environment were investigated to improve knowledge of the diseases involved, and therefore improve management strategies. The most common causal agents of LSBR in the Mid-Atlantic were found to be Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum spp. and the species identity of less common fungi was also investigated. The next most prevalent fungi associated with LSBR, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus uvarum, and Neopestalotiopsis rosae were evaluated for pathogenicity in field experiments through the artificial inoculation of grape clusters. Second, the sensitivity of A. uvarum, B. cinerea, and N. rosae to commonly used chemical classes of fungicides was tested. Lastly, the optimal infection conditions and timing for Colletotrichum spp. were evaluated in laboratory, field, and greenhouse experiments, resulting in a quantitative inoculum tracking technique and a disease prediction model. These experiments were focused on solving practical and important disease management issues experienced by local grape growers, while conducting novel research that was applicable to the broader science community. Beyond the increased knowledge of the etiology and epidemiology of LSBR, the conclusions of this research could lead to reformed LSBR management strategies with the elimination of unnecessary and ineffective fungicide applications, increased accuracy and timing of management efforts, and increased marketable grape yield

The Producer-Pollinator Dilemma: Neonicotinoids and Honeybee Colony Collapse

Neonicotinoid insecticides are the most important new insecticide class introduced in the past 40 years. They are the number one selling insecticide in the world, and are used on over 90% of the corn produced in the U.S. However, neonicotinoids could very likely be causing widespread and severe impairment to bee colonies, and possibly contributing to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This is problematic since bees, and honey bees in particular, are the single most important pollinator for global agriculture. Pollination services contribute to one of every three mouthfuls of food consumed (Xerces Society, 2011). Direct pollination services were recently valued in a Cornell University study to be worth 16 billion dollars a year in U.S. farm income (Calderone, 2012). As more is learned about the nature of systemic neonicotinoids and their adverse effects on beneficial pollinators, a potential conflict between crop protection and pollinator conservation becomes clear, posing a dilemma between food production required to feed a growing global population and the risk of widespread colony collapses. The scientific community has been examining the phenomenon of CCD, and anecdotal links between the bee losses and the application of neonicotinoid insecticides, since it was first noticed by French beekeepers in 1994 and then in the U.S. in 2006. While previous studies failed to demonstrate links to CCD, a new generation of field-realistic studies has chronicled the synergistic and sublethal effects of neonicotinoids on individual bees and colonies over longerterm exposure using real-world foraging conditions. Recent studies strongly support the link between neonicotinoids and CCD (Henry et al., 2012; Whitehorn et al., 2012; Gill, Ramos-Rodriguez, and Raine, 2012; Lu et al., 2012; Tapparo et al., 2012; Krupke et al., 2012). However, independent researchers such as James Cresswell, Jim Frazier, and USDA scientist Jeffrey Pettis (Cresswell, 2011; Cresswell, Desneux, and vanEngelsdorp, 2012; Frazier et al., 2011; Frazier 2012; Grist.org) along with farming and crop protection interests and the producers of the neonicotinoid products all caution that there is not yet enough evidence to draw definitive conclusions, and that there are a variety of causal factors behind CCD. Can these pesticides continue to be used safely in the U.S. or do their risks to pollinators outweigh their benefits to humans and animals

Proceedings of the European Conference on Agricultural Engineering AgEng2021

This proceedings book results from the AgEng2021 Agricultural Engineering Conference under auspices of the European Society of Agricultural Engineers, held in an online format based on the University of Évora, Portugal, from 4 to 8 July 2021. This book contains the full papers of a selection of abstracts that were the base for the oral presentations and posters presented at the conference. Presentations were distributed in eleven thematic areas: Artificial Intelligence, data processing and management; Automation, robotics and sensor technology; Circular Economy; Education and Rural development; Energy and bioenergy; Integrated and sustainable Farming systems; New application technologies and mechanisation; Post-harvest technologies; Smart farming / Precision agriculture; Soil, land and water engineering; Sustainable production in Farm buildings