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An Exploration of Asian Indian American Acculturative Stress on Cognition
No full textThe United States (U.S.) Census indicates there are 4.8 million individuals who identify as Asian Indian (Batalova & Hanna, 2019). In spite of these large community numbers, there is a lack of research on Asian Indians’ acculturation process and its effect on cognition. The acculturation model introduced by Berry (1980) states that one’s assimilation and adaption into the host country is multidimensional. Factors associated with acculturative stress among Asian Indians include age of migration, social isolation/loneliness, discrimination, educational level, and English proficiency (Balgopal, 1999; Rudmin, 2009). Generational differences and language acquisition also influence acculturative stress for Asian Indians living in America. The purpose of this study was to explore: 1) the relationship between acculturative stress and cognition; and 2) the relationship between Asian Indian’s acculturative stress and cognitive performance when mediated by generational status. Findings from the ANOVA of acculturative stress groups and CWIT founded no significant difference amongst the level of acculturative stress experience by Indian Americans and CWIT scores. However, an ANOVA between acculturative stress group and Digit Span scores found significant difference between acculturative stress level 1 and 2 with 3. Results also found that generational status, amongst 1st, 1.5th, and 2nd generation, all experienced their version of acculturative stress. Lastly, generational status did act as a covariate in the prediction of acculturative stress experienced on cognitive functioning
Biochar application: A sustainable approach to improve soil health
Get PDFSoil is a fundamental part of successful agriculture, and its quality has to be improved to maximize crop yield and soil fertility. To increase crop productivity and soil fertility, biochar can be applied to the soil. Biochar is a solid carbon-rich product produced from biomass of agricultural crop residues, wastes, and wood, through pyrolysis in an oxygen-deficient condition. Carbon sequestration through biochar is important because of its potential applications in recycling wastes, retaining nutrients in the soil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In this review, we explore the various applications of biochar to ensure the safe and sustainable improvement of soil fertility. This review provides an overview of biochar properties, production technology, and its employment in the agriculture. This review would be a useful resource for researchers, farmers, and academics who are interested in the utilization of biochar
Smart precision agriculture but resource constrained farmers: Is service provision a potential solution? Farmer\u27s willingness to pay for laser-land leveling services in Nepal
Get PDFFarmers commonly split large, undulating crop fields, even those at similar elevation range or contour, into a patchwork of small sub-plots in plane areas of Nepal. Specifically, to ensure irrigation or rainwater throughout their cultivated rice or wheat growing areas, structures like bunds, dikes, and ditches are commonly built. These structures not only require significant labor hours to build but also incur loss of some portion of productive crop areas. Laser-land leveling (LLL) is one of the precision technologies that can prevent these area losses, save labor costs, and enhance water utilization. However, purchase of LLL system requires significant capital which could be beyond the access of low resource farmers. In this study, we examined the potential of LLL adoption in a form of service provision or fee-for-service basis among farmers in Nepal. Using an appropriate contingent valuation that maintains efficient estimation and consistent response, we found that Nepali farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for LLL services averages 1,550 Nepalese Rupees per hour. However, WTP is heterogeneous across farm size—top quantile farmers with relatively higher land acreages have 47% higher WTP for LLL than bottom quantile farmers. Additionally, our interval regression results show positive association of WTP with low irrigation access and with the opportunity cost of land area occupied by bunds and dikes. The results suggest for service provision support programs in LLL adoption to enhance market development of this precision technology in Nepal, specifically focusing land holders with low irrigation access in plane areas
Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)
Get PDFJapanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Popillia japonica Newman, is an invasive beetle introduced from Asia to the United States in the early 1900s. It was first detected in New Jersey and later distributed in 28 states in the United States (Fig 1). In Tennessee, the beetle population was first detected in 1936, and about 80 counties in Tennessee have been infested by their establishment. Adult beetles feed on over 300 plant species, including foliage, fruits, and flowers. It is a significant pest of turfgrass, and ornamental and horticultural crops in the eastern United States. Adults and larvae aggregate on the plants and can cause severe injury. Larvae, commonly known as grubs, feed belowground, destroying turfgrass roots in lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields. Adults feed mainly on the leaves of plants, eating between the veins and leaving a characteristic skeletonized appearance. Once established, Japanese beetles can be a challenging and expensive insect to control. The beetles in the United States are expected to cause damage worth $450 million per year for maintaining and replacing damaged turf and ornamental plants
Editorial: Amaranthus: naturally stress-resistant resources for improved agriculture and human health, volume II
Get PDFFlatheaded Borer Ecology and Management Strategies in Nursery and Landscape
No full textRed maple is a popular ornamental shade tree well known for its stunning autumn foliage and fast growth rate. It is a popular choice for both residential and commercial landscapes, parks, and public places across the United States. However, flatheaded borer species in the genus Chrysobothris (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are some of the most damaging insects in red maple production, with infestations being most common on stressed and newly transplanted trees. In nurseries, \u27Brandywine\u27 red maples subjected to herbicide stress have been observed to experience flatheaded borer attacks, while the Freeman maple hybrid ‘Autumn Blaze’ was found resistant to flatheaded borers. There is little information available about the susceptibility of other red maple cultivars. To address this gap in knowledge, the primary objective of this study was to determine the physiological and biochemical changes in three red maple cultivars (‘Brandywine’, ‘Sun Valley’, and ‘October Glory’) and Freeman maple hybrid ‘Autumn Blaze’ following the application of two commonly used herbicides, Scythe (2.3%) and Roundup (0.8%). This study found that red maple response varied depending on the cultivar and treatment, with changes observed in physiological, and biochemical traits. A second objective of this study was to optimize purple sticky traps, previously determined to be effective for capturing flatheaded borers. To improve traps, optimal volatile lure type, trap type, and deployment height were determined. Sticky purple pole traps were more effective than Lindgren funnel traps for capturing Chrysobothris; and thus, had more potential for use in monitoring or possible management of infestations in nursery trees
Evaluating Effects of Pyrophytic Pine Forest Restoration on Herpetofauna Community Assemblages
No full textThe loss of Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forest habitats in the southeastern United States has had detrimental effects on herpetofauna populations associated with these ecosystems. Efforts to restore Longleaf pine forests are being implemented across millions of acres, yet the consequences of restoration on herpetofauna populations remain understudied. This study evaluated responses of herpetofauna species and communities to forest structural stages of Longleaf pine forest restoration. I used passive trapping methods to capture herpetofauna within four Longleaf pine restoration structural stages (treatments), replicated four times for a total of 16 forest stands in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama. I investigated variation in herpetofauna community composition, taxonomic diversity, and abundance. I captured 2,676 individuals that represented 46 species over 1,800 trap nights. I detected significant differences in herpetofauna community compositions among treatments when considering species collectively, as well as when analyzing reptiles and amphibians separately. I did not detect significant variation in herpetofauna species richness among treatments, but I did detect differences in Shannon and Simpson’s diversity. I detected differences in amphibian species richness and Simpson’s diversity among treatments. Snake relative abundance responded positively to the desired forest condition treatment, whereas salamander relative abundance responded negatively. I detected positive relationships between both lizard and anuran relative abundance and recent prescribed burning. Relative abundance responses to microhabitat variables were species-specific for lizards, anurans, and salamanders. This study suggests that Longleaf pine forest restoration alters herpetofauna communities and taxonomic diversity, benefiting some species while negatively affecting others
Variety and Density Effects on Mungbean Eco-Physiology and Yield in Southeastern US
No full textMung bean (Vigna et al..) is a warm-season, C3 pulse crop of the legume family widely cultivated in Asian countries. As the demand for mung bean continues to increase in the United States, the ecophysiology, growth, and yield of mung bean varieties in the southeastern US need to be assessed. A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research and Education Center of Tennessee State University to investigate the effects of four varieties (OK2000, Berken, TSU-1, AAMU-1) and three planting densities (5, 10, and 15 cm spacing) on the ecophysiology and yield of mung bean over 2 years. Results showed that for both years, the relative chlorophyll content, plant height, and harvest index significantly varied among the varieties, while plant dry biomass influenced the plant spacing. Pod dry biomass, pod number, crop yield, and harvest index were also influenced by variety in 2021 and plant dry biomass in 2022. Density only influenced transpiration relative chlorophyll content in 2021 and the number of pods per plant in 2022. OK2000 had more pods per plant, a higher harvest index, and a higher yield than other varieties. This study demonstrated that the mung bean variety OK2000 with a high yield would be ideal for commercial production in the southeastern US