Excessive soil moisture can impact planting date, plant establishment, and N availability, resulting in reduced yields and N use efficiency. Nitrogen management practices such as use of urease and nitrification inhibitors, and split applications may be used to reduce N lost during the growing season, improving N use efficiency and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to determine whether N management practices could improve corn (Zea mays L.) productivity with or without subsurface drainage on a fine-textured clay soil in eastern North Dakota. Five field trials were conducted in 2009 and 2010 in eastern North Dakota. Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of N management practices [urease inhibitor n-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), starter fertilizer, nitrification inhibitor 2-Chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine (nitrapyrin), and split applications], N rates (56, 112, 168, and 224 kg N ha-1), and the presence of subsurface drainage (two environments). In both 2009 and 2010 there was no grain yield differences among drainage treatments. Differences in grain yield were observed with different N rates. Nitrogen management practices also affected grain yield. The interactions between N management practices and drainage were not significant. End of season stalk nitrate content showed differences in N availability with different N rates, but not N management practices. Neither NBPT nor the starter fertilizer significantly increased yield over the untreated check in any environment. Nitrapyrin significantly increased yield over the untreated check at Fargo in 2010. Increased N rates resulted in greater corn grain protein.

The goal of this study was to assess effects of sediment removal on vegetation communities in Prairie Pothole wetlands in North Dakota to determine if this management technique is providing desired results to create conditions for ideal vegetation communities in wetlands that will benefit wildlife. This project consists of vegetation surveys from seasonal wetlands located in Benson, Eddy. Towner. and Wells counties in North Dakota. Three types of wetlands were surveyed: natural (reference), excavated (treatment), and converted cropland. Vegetation surveys were completed in the shallow marsh and wet meadow zones of seasonal wetlands. Sites were sampled using a modified Daubenmire method. Aerial photos were assessed to determine the occurrence of drawdown cycles in wetland sites. Plant communities were analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling and multi-response permutation procedure was used to make comparisons between sites. The wet meadow zones and shallow marsh zones of the three types of wetlands were all significantly different (p<0.016) from one another. In general, restored wetlands show vegetation trends that liken natural wetlands while those that have been allowed to recover without restoration tend to be cattail choked. When examining hybrid cattail specifically visual obstruction scores were approximately four times greater in converted cropland sites versus treatment or reference sites. Vegetation composition indicates hydrologic conditions (fresh to brackish conditions) of specific sites and regional distribution are likely influential factors in wetland plant establishment. / North Dakota State University / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Ducks Unlimited

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties fail to reach maturity in North Dakota’s short and cool growing season. The study objective was to evaluate seeding date and white grain sorghum genotypes. A randomized complete block design study was conducted at Carrington, Oakes, and Prosper, ND, in 2018 and 2019. Genotypes included two commercial hybrids and four open-pollinated genotypes. Reaching heading and anthesis, hybrids required more heat units (GDDs), compared with the open-pollinated genotypes. Highest grain yield was obtained from the first and second seeding dates. Earlier-maturing open-pollinated genotypes maintained yield across seeding dates, whereas yield was reduced at later dates for the longer maturity hybrids. Hybrids produced the highest number of kernels per panicle at the first seeding date with fewer seeds at each successive seeding date. Although the open-pollinated genotypes out-yielded the hybrids at later seeding dates, the risk of lodging is too great to recommend their commercialization.

Commodity trading at both domestic and international levels involves many sources of supply chain risk and uncertainty. Risk management techniques are utilized by industry participants; however, there are unknown risks that can arise throughout the supply chain making effective risk management a difficult task. This study aims to address supply chain risk in soybean exports. A framework is created for a competitive bidding environment in which firms participate in an international import tender. Monte Carlo simulation is used to represent stochastic variables and derive an optimal bid under various scenarios. Sensitivity analysis is then conducted to measure the impact of key input variables on the output values. An alternative specification for risk management is also implemented into the framework. This study provides insight into supply chain uncertainty and incorporates that into a competitive bidding framework for optimal bid derivation and effective risk management.

Lysimeter experimental studies were conducted in a greenhouse to investigate canola (Brassica Napus) plant water use, growth and yield parameters under three different water table depths of 30, 60, and 90 cm. Additionally, control experiments were conducted and only irrigation was applied to these lysimeters without water table limitation. Canola plant’s tolerance level to shallow groundwater was determined. Results showed that groundwater contributions to canola plant were 97, 71, and 68%, while the average grain yields of canola were 4.5, 5.3, and 6.3 gr for the treatments of 30, 60, and 90 cm water table depths, respectively. These results demonstrated that 90 cm water table depth is the optimum depth for canola plant to produce high yield with the least amount of water utilization.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine how the Agricultural Adjustment Wheat Reduction Program functioned in North Dakota from May of 1933 to January of 1936, why it ran so smoothly, and why it was such a success within the state. By using county Extension Agent reports that date from the time period this thesis uses an extensive number of primary sources that have not been used before. These reports, along with farmer journal accounts, newspaper articles, and Agricultural Adjustment Administration reports show that North Dakota wheat farmers openly embraced the policies of the Wheat Reduction Program and participated in it in higher numbers than any other state in the nation. The farmers embraced the program because the drought and economic depression they were facing left let them little choice, but also because the program did not seek to radically alter the structure of wheat farming in North Dakota.

Exploration of the familial power women possess is growing as sociologists and anthropologists recognize the legitimacy of power internal to the family. The focus of this research was to uncover the forms of power German-Russian women held as they operated in the private sphere of the family. Attention also focused on the transference of women's power, and the family power dynamics unique to farm families. Members of three generations of one German-Russian farm family were interviewed. The results indicated German-Russian women operated from bases of power derived from their roles as farm wives who contributed to family sustenance, and as caretakers and kinkeepers, maintaining family cohesion. While male power is largely public and formal, women's reliance on the bonds of familial relationships across generations lend them greater power in that realm.

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) represents a group of technologies that allows production of asphalt mixtures at lower temperatures compared to traditional hot mix asphalt (HMA). This results in less fuel consumption and reduction in CO2 ¬and fumes emission. This research was conducted in order to provide North Dakota department of transportation (NDDOT) with a thorough study on state of the practice of WMA in USA and compare WMA performance with HMA. Extensive literature study was conducted, collecting reports and field experiment data from DOTs of states with climate similar to ND. Viewpoints of experts in the field were collected and analyzed using a comprehensive survey. These were added to analysis of collected data on WMA performance. The research results suggest using foaming processes (Double Barrel Green in particular) and chemical additives (Evotherm in particular) at this early stage with guidelines for modifications in WMA specification and testing compared to HMA. / North Dakota Department of Transportation

The aim of this PhD research was to study multi-element composition in wetland plants from contrasting habitats, including hot springs, temporary wetlands, and metal-rich areas. Triglochin maritima L. (seaside arrowgrass) was chosen for the study because this species is common in alkaline/saline soils and is adapted to diverse habitats. Eleocharis rostellata, Juncus balticus, Salix exigua, S. boothii, and S. wolfii were also included in the study. Field studies and greenhouse experiments were conducted to study the multi-element composition in plants. In the greenhouse experiment the effects of temperature and soil biota on multielement uptake in T. maritima were studied. Root-zone soils and plant samples were analyzed for 32 - 50 elements using inductively coupled plasma OES/MS spectrometry. The expected outcomes from this research were: 1) the development of multi-element fingerprints for T. maritima and other plant species from contrasting habitats, and 2) a better understanding of the effects of temperature and soil biota on multi-element uptake in T. maritima. Habitat specific element concentration patterns in T. maritima were observed; concentrations of Mn, Li, and B were high in plants from hot spring influenced wetlands, whereas Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Sr, Ba, Ti, and Cu were higher in the plants of temporary wetlands. J. balticus and Salix species from mine impacted and uncontaminated sites revealed distinct differences in multi-element fingerprints. J. balticus showed high concentrations of S, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Al, As, and Cd at contaminated sites compared to un-contaminated sites. Multi-element fingerprints of Salix species showed that S. boothii had higher concentrations of Mn, Fe, Al, and Ti compared to S. exigua and S. wolfii. To our knowledge for the first time the association of mycorrhizal fungus in T. maritima was confirmed, and significant effects of temperature on element concentrations, contents, and their translocation in plants were observed. Generally, the distribution of the total contents of P, Na, Mn, B, Cu, Mo, Li, Sr, Ti, and Cs in both roots and leaves were lower at 40 °C compared to 20 and 30 °C, but their distribution and translocation from root to leaves were higher at 40°C. Even though the biological and physiological functions of Li, Sr, Ba, Rb, and Ti in plants are not fully understood, these elements were substantially taken up by T. maritima, and significant positive correlations of these elements were found with elements that have known biological functions. Overall, concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Mn, B, Sr, and Ba in T. maritima showed variation due to differences in habitats, temperature, and experimental growing conditions (greenhouse and field condition). Concentration patterns of Na, K, and Zn were species specific and affected by temperature. Li concentrations varied due to habitat differences, growth conditions, and species differences. Future research directions could include: 1) identification of the fungal species associated with T. maritima and studies to elucidate their possible role in survival of T. maritima in the elevated temperature of hot springs, 2) the effects of soil factors, such as salinity and 3) seasonal variation in uptake and translocation, particularly for the less studied elements with yet unrecognized but potential biological functions in plants. / NIH Grant Number P20 RR016471 from the INBRE Program of the National Center for Research Resources / North Dakota State University. Department of Biological Sciences / Robert H. Levis II Cross Ranch Fellowship / North Dakota State University. Environmental and Conservation Sciences program

Translational ecology and adaptive management strategies were incorporated into the Fordville Dam Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) case study to determine if these two techniques were compatible to the North Dakota TMDL Program. A case study summary of the Fordville Dam Nutrient TMDL was discussed to provide contrast and comparison of the current TMDL program strategy and systematic improvements that could be made with the incorporation of translational ecology and adaptive management. Translational ecology is an effective way to bridge the information barrier through open communication between the stakeholders and scientists while creating a mutual learning experience. Adaptive management is beneficial to a TMDL implementation plan because it allows stakeholders and resource managers to become involved in management decisions and develop a better understanding of the ecosystem. Therefore, combining translational ecology and adaptive management would make the TMDL process more effective, through better communication and a flexible management plan.