ScholarWorks

ScholarWorks is an open access repository for the capture of the intellectual work of Montana State University (MSU) in support of its teaching, research and service missions. MSU ScholarWorks is a central point of discovery for accessing, collecting, sharing, preserving, and distributing knowledge to the Montana State University community and the world.

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Contemporary Mathematics
(Montana State University, 2026)
Fischer, Roger
This workbook is the primary resource used for the co-requisite course, Contemporary Mathematics, at Montana State University. The co-requisite course is offered by Gallatin College and is intended for liberal arts students who need a course to fulfill their quantitative reasoning component. There is no prerequisite for this course; it is designed with an eye towards students who have had poor experiences with math and are looking for additional support. The content is organized into five units. The first unit, Dimensional Analysis and Problem Solving, equips the learner with the basic tools required to succeed throughout the course and examines different units of measurement and how they are connected via proportional reasoning. Unit 2 consists of an in-depth examination of percentages, including absolute versus relative difference, the relationship between "percent of" and "percent more/less than," and iterative percent changes. Unit 3 introduces the concept of a function and two different classes of functions — linear and exponential. Unit 4 builds on the concepts in Unit 3 through a discussion of financial math, including simple versus compound interest, future versus present value, savings plans, and loans. The second part of Unit 4 introduces basic concepts from probability and combinatorics. Unit 5 provides a brief overview of statistics, including displays of data, measures of central tendency, measures of variability, the normal distribution, and percentiles. The workbook includes twenty-six written assignments and five comprehensive reviews, one for each unit.
Improving estimation of days to maturity in field pea using RGB aerial imagery and machine learning
(Wiley, 2025-09)
Navasca, Harry
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Bazrafkan, Aliasghar
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Dalprá Dariva, Françoise
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Hwa Kim, Jeong
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Worral, Hannah
Accurately estimating days to maturity (DTM) is essential for assessing local adaptation and yield potential in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) breeding programs. However, traditional manual scoring of DTM is labor-intensive and inefficient for large-scale, multi-environment trials. To address this challenge, we developed a high-throughput, low-cost phenotyping framework using uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) equipped with red-green-blue cameras, implemented within the North Dakota State University Pulse Crop Breeding Program. This study aimed to (1) compare aerial and manual phenotyping for DTM estimation, (2) identify the optimal assessment time point, and (3) detect significant loci associated with DTM in a panel of 300 genetically diverse pea accessions. Image-derived vegetation indices (VIs) collected 71 days after planting exhibited strong correlations with manually assessed DTM. Notably, vegetation indices demonstrated higher heritability (H2 = 0.91) compared to traditional DTM scores (H2 = 0.84). eXtreme Gradient Boosting models identified the visible atmospherically resistant index (31%), modified green-red vegetation index (17%), and redness index (13%) as the most predictive VIs. Genome-wide association mapping using these indices revealed three significant single nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosomes 3 and 5—variants not detected using traditional maturity data—highlighting the potential enhanced detection power of image-derived traits. This work demonstrates the utility of low-cost UAS platforms for scalable, non-destructive maturity estimation and illustrates their potential to uncover genetic components of economically important traits, offering new avenues for addressing missing heritability in legume breeding.
Drought stress increases total C released from roots
(Oxford University Press, 2026-01)
Ulrich, Danielle
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Flathers, Kelsey N.
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Goemann, Hannah
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Mueller, Rebecca
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Peyton, Brent
Background and Aims. Root exudation and rhizodeposition are critical pathways for plant carbon (C) allocation to soil, influencing soil organic C stability and ecosystem functioning under changing climates. However, the effects of drought stress on these below-ground processes remain poorly understood. We provide an updated and comprehensive assessment of the current state of knowledge on how drought stress affects root-derived C fluxes (root exudates, rhizodeposition) across diverse functional types and experimental setups to direct future research. Methods. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify how drought stress affects total C and other compound classes in root exudation and rhizodeposition. Key Results. Our analysis included 40 data points spanning diverse functional types, ecosystems, sampling methods and experimental conditions. We observed that root-released total C significantly increased in response to drought stress. Among compound classes, carbohydrates and organic acids also increased in response to drought stress, suggesting these compound classes may underlie total C responses in root exudation and rhizodeposition. The variables that explained the most variance in total C response ratio were ecosystem, flowering type, cotyledon type, functional type and drought intensity. Conclusions. To direct future research, our analysis identified knowledge gaps, particularly the need for studies to examine trees and shrubs, field-based research, broader drought intensity ranges, and measurements of total C, compound classes and specific compounds when possible. Improving our understanding of root-derived C responses to stress is crucial for predicting terrestrial C cycling dynamics and ecosystem function under increased drought frequency and intensity.
The edible weeds feast: an experiential assignment for agroecology, food systems, and weed science higher education
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-01)
Berríos-Ortiz, Laura
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Kubinski, Emma G.
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Lattes, Sophia
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Menalled, F. D
Introduction: Given growing challenges in agriculture and food systems, such as climate change and economic instability, higher education must train professionals to work across disciplines and address complex, real-world problems. Preparing students for dynamic and uncertain environments requires not only technical knowledge but also collaboration and critical reflection, which can be enhanced by experiential education. For Agroecology, Food Systems, Weed Science, and similar higher education programs, the topic of edible weeds provides an excellent context for interdisciplinary experiential learning. Edible weeds are common, yet undervalued components of the associated agrobiodiversity that simultaneously present crop management challenges for farmers and nutritious food sources. This dual role makes edible weeds an ideal entry point for students to critically reflect on the challenges of our food systems and connect ecological and cultural dimensions of food. To explore this potential, we developed the Edible Weeds Feast, an assignment for Ethnobotany and Weed Ecology undergraduate students at Montana State University. Methods: Working in teams, students identify and collect edible weeds, design recipes, present their chosen species’ ecology and nutritional properties, and prepare dishes for a shared meal. We present students’ assessments of this assignment conducted in 2023 and 2024, using post-assignment surveys and focus group interviews. Results: Findings revealed strong overall approval of the Edible Weeds Feast. Students reported perceived knowledge gains in several fields, from plant identification to the cultural significance of wild plants, with the strongest perceived gains on the nutritional benefits of edible weeds. The positive overall assessment did not differ between students in Ethnobotany and Weed Ecology. Students emphasized that the experiential, collaborative structure of the assignment enhanced their enjoyment and deepened their learning, while also facilitating exchange between agricultural and food systems perspectives. Critical student feedback centered on organizational aspects, for example, the timing of the plant gathering, which will inform refinements of future iterations. Discussion: The Edible Weeds Feast represents an impactful experiential and interdisciplinary assignment that can inspire similar pedagogies in higher education.
Farm to Forum: Exploring Agritourism as a Site for Tactical Technical Communication
(Informa UK Limited, 2025-10)
Shirley, Beth
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Arnold, Shannon
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Woodring, Kim
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Perry, Dustin K.
This article is the result of a multiyear collaboration between a tech comm professor, agricultural education faculty, an Extension agent, and 12 producers, and explores agritourism as a form of tactical technical communication (TTC), whereby agricultural producers advocate for themselves and their communities through communication about complex food systems with farm visitors. Through interviews, surveys, and observations, we learned what forms of TTC producers are already doing, what research is needed, and what our next steps need to be in supporting their communication goals with regard to agritourism. Our research offers key insights for technical communication practitioners working in Extension or in other capacities where they may be able to train producers, park rangers, or subject-matter experts in other fields who may not yet regard themselves as technical communicators, but who are poised to practice TTC with an attentive audience.