Effects of Beneficial Fungi on Oviposition Preference of the Cabbage Looper, Trichoplusia ni, on Soybean, Glycine max

The soybean plant, Glycine max, is a highly cultivated legume with great importance to the current United States economy. One of its major pests is the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. The activity of this insect pest is economically significant as it contributes to a large portion of yearly soybean crop loss. Selection of an oviposition site by the adult female looper is crucial to the survival of her offspring. Insect preference and larval performance are considered to be immediate and subsequent consequences, respectively of oviposition. It is crucial to develop successful methods of management for these insect pests. Some common methods of insect management include chemical control, such as pesticides that are often used to combat insect infestation by killing the pest species. Solutions for new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are needed because of increased insect resistance to pesticides. Endophytic fungi have the ability to associate with plants in ways that may enhance the plants’ survival via insect resistance or tolerance. To test the potential of the endophytic fungi Chaetomium globosum for use as a biological control method, I analyzed oviposition preferences of adult female cabbage loopers on fungal treated versus untreated soybean plants

New transport infrastructures in the north of the valley of Mexico: weakness, threats, strengths and opportunities

[Resumen] Este estudio trata sobre el reciente desarrollo de cinturones de transporte en la Ciudad de México mediante el modelo de Bus de Tránsito Rápido, y efectúa un análisis detallado de las amenazas, debilidades, fortalezas y oportunidades de dicha infraestructura, centrándose en las posibilidades de desarrollo socioeconómico y su relación con las entidades locales circundantes. Usando una metodología de análisis del desarrollo urbano, así como un análisis DAFO innovador derivado del clásico instrumento de evaluación empresarial, se tratará de discernir con claridad los efectos de la instalación de un nuevo cinturón de transporte en una megalópolis como la Ciudad de México.[Resumo] Este estudo trata sobre o recente desenvolvemento de cinturones de transporte na Cidade de México mediante o modelo de Bus de Tránsito Rápido, e efectúa un análise en detalle das amenazas, debilidades, fortalezas e oportunidades da infraestructura, centrándose nas posibilidades de desenvolvemento socioeconómico e na súa relación coas entidades locales circundantes. Usando unha metodoloxía de análisis do desenvolvemento urbano, así como un análisis DAFO innovador derivado do clásico instrumento de evaluación empresarial, tratarase de discernir con claridade os efectos da instalación dun novo cinto de transporte nunha megalópolis como a Cidade de México.[Abstract] This study is about the recent development of city-wide transport infrastructures in Mexico City, that follow the Rapid Transit Bus Concept; and makes a detailed analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of said infrastructure, focusing on its opportunities for socio-economic development as well as on its relations with surrounding local and municipal entities. Using a methodology for urban development analysis, as well as an innovative SWOT analysis derived from the classic business assessment instrument, we will clearly discern the effects of a new urban transport “belt” in a megalopolis such as Mexico City.Traballo fin de grao (UDC.SOC). Socioloxía. Curso 2016/201

Factors Influencing Adoption of Remotely Sensed Imagery for Site-Specific Management in Cotton Production

This research evaluated the factors that influenced cotton producers to adopt remote sensing for variable rate application of inputs. Farmers who were younger, more highly educated, had a larger farm operation, and were more technologically savvy were more likely to have adopted remote sensing.Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Adoption of Conservation-Tillage Practices in Cotton Production

Replaced with revised version of paper 10/23/07.conservation tillage, cotton, genetically modified seed, herbicide-resistant cotton, stacked-gene cotton, simultaneous logit model, single-equation logit model, technology adoption, Crop Production/Industries,

A Binary Logit Estimation of Factors Affecting Adoption of GPS Guidance Systems by Cotton Producers

Binary logit analysis was used to identify the factors influencing adoption of Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance systems by cotton farmers in 11 Mid-south and Southeastern states. Results indicate that adoption was more likely by those who had already adopted other precision-farming practices and had used computers for farm management. In addition, younger and more affluent farmers were more likely to adopt. Farmers with larger farms and with relatively high yields were also more likely to adopt. Education was not a significant factor in a farmer’s decision to adopt GPS guidance systems.binary logit, cotton, GPS guidance system, marginal effect, precision farming, technology adoption, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Q2, Q16, Q19, Q20, Q24,

Adoption and Abandonment of Precision Soil Sampling in Cotton Production

Technology adoption in precision agriculture has received considerable attention, while abandonment has received little. Our objective was to identify factors motivating adoption and abandonment of precision soil sampling in cotton. Results indicate younger producers who farmed more cotton area, owned more of their cropland, planted more non-cotton area, used a computer, or used a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) were more likely to adopt precision soil sampling. Those with more cotton area or who owned livestock were more likely to abandon, while those who used precision soil sampling longer, used a PDA, or used variable-rate fertilizer application were less likely to abandon.Crop Production/Industries,

Generic theory of colloidal transport

We discuss the motion of colloidal particles relative to a two component fluid consisting of solvent and solute. Particle motion can result from (i) net body forces on the particle due to external fields such as gravity; (ii) slip velocities on the particle surface due to surface dissipative phenomena. The perturbations of the hydrodynamic flow field exhibits characteristic differences in cases (i) and (ii) which reflect different patterns of momentum flux corresponding to the existence of net forces, force dipoles or force quadrupoles. In the absence of external fields, gradients of concentration or pressure do not generate net forces on a colloidal particle. Such gradients can nevertheless induce relative motion between particle and fluid. We present a generic description of surface dissipative phenomena based on the linear response of surface fluxes driven by conjugate surface forces. In this framework we discuss different transport scenarios including self-propulsion via surface slip that is induced by active processes on the particle surface. We clarify the nature of force balances in such situations.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figur

Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption for Cotton Production

Many studies on the adoption of precision technologies have generally used logit models to explain the adoption behavior of individuals. This study investigates factors affecting the number of specific types of precision agriculture technologies adopted by cotton farmers. Particular attention is given to the influence of spatial yield variability on the number of precision farming technologies adopted, using a Count data estimation procedure and farm-level data. Results indicate that farmers with more within-field yield variability adopted a larger number of precision agriculture technologies. Younger and better educated producers and the number of precision agriculture technologies were significantly correlated. Finally, farmers using computers for management decisions also adopted a larger number of precision agriculture technologies.precision technologies, Poisson, Negative Binomial, count-data method, GIS, education, cotton, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Productivity Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,