Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-123). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 300-330).

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-166).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-108). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), is a traditional forage legume whose agricultural use has been in constant decrease in Western Europe since the 1960's. However, growing evidence suggests that it may be of great interest in the context of sustainable agriculture, thanks to numerous beneficial properties (nutritional, environmental and anthelmintic). In the frame of a large project network, an extensive O. viciifolia (and other Onobrychis species) germplasm has been gathered and several accessions were grown in small plots on an experimental field at NIAB, Cambridge. Measurements of morphological and agronomical traits were performed on these plots. Cytological and molecular genetics studies were also carried on the germplasm.Accessions were found to be highly variable in their agronomical traits, with differences in productivity. It was observed that O. viciifolia was relatively resistant to diseases, but that persistence was the main difficulty to overcome. O. viciifolia accessions were also found to be variable in their morphological traits. Statistical analyses on both morphological and agronomical traits showed strong links with accessions' geographic origins. The most important trend observed is a general distinction between Western European accessions and accessions from the rest of the world.It was found that most O. viciifolia were tetraploids, suggesting that agricultural domestication led to polyploidy. Other Onobrychis species were found to be either diploid or tetraploid with varying basic chromosome numbers, which tends to confirm the assumption that an aneuploidy event occurred in Onobrychis genetic history.AFLP and SSR fingerprinting were attempted to investigate O. viciifolia genetic diversity. The potential of these techniques was shown, but the latest improvements needed to obtain solid data were not achieved during this study. Still, it was shown that molecular marker assisted breeding programmes can be elaborated for O. viciifolia.Phylogenetic analyses were performed through sequencing of different DNA regions. Substantial genetic diversity was observed among O. viciifolia accessions, with again a general distinction between Western European accessions and accessions from the rest of the world. A clarification of the Onobrychis genus is suggested, as it appeared that many species must be synonyms, and that many taxonomic sections are weakly supported.Overall, it appeared that O. viciifolia potential has probably not been fully exploited, and that there is an important potential for improvement in the gemplasm studied here. Due to its superiority in animal husbandry and agroecologic impact, O. viciifolia improvement can be suggested as a valuable alternative to extensively used forage legumes.

Western Samoa is one of the most vulnerable countries from climate changes due to its geographic location, and as agriculture is a main industry on the island, this sector is vulnerable to different risks such as tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall or droughts. Samoa could in theory be self-sufficient, but imports large quantities of processed foods which is affecting the health of the population in a negative way. The purpose of the thesis is to create an understanding of how the development of indigenous agriculture in Samoa can lead to increasing efficiency and sustainability and a decrease of the need for development aid and economical support from family members abroad. The thesis uses a deductive approach and data collection is performed by using semistructured interviews as well as observations. Secondary data has been gathered from databases, previous research and modern media. Through the study it has been explored that the resilience towards climate shocks has to improve in order to maintain a long-term sustainable development. Increased resilience is achieved by reducing the amount of vulnerabilities. Western Samoa is on a good path of keeping their way of being organic and sustainable regarding the agriculture sector. The upcoming years with prognosis of increased tourism will be a healthy addition to the economic growth of Samoa. Looking towards remittances, it becomes clear that current high rate of remittances is a problem in Samoa, as some families could rely on nothing but remittances and skip farming their land.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: John Byrne, School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy. Includes bibliographical references.

This research focuses on the academic programs at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm (the Farm). The Farm is a centre for sustainability learning and research, providing a working model of sustainable food systems with which to engage students, faculty and community. The Farm is situated within the global context of a dominant industrial food paradigm that is demonstrated to be a major contributor to the social and ecological crises the world now faces. The Farm is further situated within the context of a dominant education paradigm that provides most students with knowledge that is disconnected from social and ecological realities, leading to the misuse of knowledge and to the exacerbation of global crises. The purpose of this research is to explore the contributions that the Farm’s academic programs provide toward advancing sustainability learning from the perspective of program participants, including myself. The research methodology was guided by participatory approaches to research. Qualitative methods were employed, focusing primarily on surveys and semi-structured interviews with program participants. I have also been an involved participant in a diversity of programs at the Farm from April 2004 – December 2008. The results of the research suggest that program participants value the ability to engage with their subject matter, not only on an abstract/theoretical level, but also on practical and affective levels. Participants feel that UBC is lacking in programs that allow students to engage physically and emotionally with their learning. Students feel their knowledge will be better recalled and more likely to be useful if they care about what they are learning, if they can engage with it in a real world context, and if they have some ownership and responsibility for what they are learning. Further, program participants feel that the Farm’s academic programs would benefit from providing more theoretical context and connection to their other academic work, from additions and improvements to Farm infrastructure and resources, and from additional human resources support. This research project was site specific. Nevertheless, it connects with and complements work being done at dozens of universities, colleges and student farms around the world.