Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Integrating livestock into small-scale vegetable farming systems(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) Benson-Feagler, Trestin Thea; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Megan Van Emon; D.L. Regan, M.L. Van Emon and C.J. Yeoman were co-authors of the article, 'Effects of integrating livestock into small-scale vegetable farming systems' submitted to the journal 'Sustainable agriculture research' which is contained within this thesis.Since World War II, modern agriculture systems have shifted to low-diversity monoculture crops, specializing in a singular species and generally separating those crops from livestock. Such systems require high inputs including fertilizers, herbicides and tillage, all of which may reduce ecological potential of farmland. Small-scale farms are becoming more popular due to recent interest in local eating and sustainability. To improve their environmental sustainability, some small-scale farms have incorporated livestock back into cropping systems. Soil health measurements can be valuable in understanding the impacts livestock have on small- scale farming systems as soil is the growth medium for vegetation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate nutrient cycling, microbial communities and compaction in response to grazed versus un-grazed vegetable cropping systems and use this information to understand the interaction between soil biology, nutrient cycling and livestock when integrated in a variety of vegetable production systems. Soil and biomass samples were collected over three years (2017- 2020) before and after sheep grazing occurred on three farm locations in the Northern Great Plains. Soil samples were analyzed for soil microbial diversity, bulk density and soil nutrients. While I found no consistent differences in soil nutrients, bulk density or soil microbial diversity, my results indicate that integrating livestock into small-scale vegetable farming systems did not negatively impact soil quality. Results from this study may help demonstrate to farmers and livestock operators the importance of an integrated approach, for those that already practice this approach there is affirmation that integration is feasible and purposeful and also become the starting point for further research into a little studied topic.Item Effects of grazing after wildfire on soil health in eastern Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) Hanson, Joshua Todd; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Clayton B. Marlow; Clayton B. Marlow, Kurt O. Reinhart, Lance T. Vermeire and Sam A. Wyffels were co-authors of the article, 'Effects of grazing after wildfire on indicators of soil health in eastern Montana' submitted to the journal 'Fire ecology' which is contained within this thesis.Rangelands are resilient to grazing and fire. However, the resilience of rangelands may be degraded by livestock grazing too soon after wildfire. Due to the growing interest in soil health and its link to sustainable grazing, following a large wildfire (109,346 ha, Lodgepole complex in 2017) we tested the effect of grazing (grazed verses no grazing) on three indicators of soil health in ponderosa pine savvanas of the northern Great Plains. We measured indicators of soil hydrologic function (i.e., soil hydraulic conductivity), properties related to nutrient cycling (i.e., soil organic matter, plant available nutrients, pH), and soil structure (i.e., aggregate stability) in 2019 and 2020. Grazing occurred two out of three years following the fire. Most indicators of soil health were not appreciably affected by grazing post-fire. However, we detected a marginally significant negative effect of grazing on soil organic matter. Specifically, soil organic matter was 7% greater in ungrazed than grazed areas. No other grazing treatment effects were detected. Several soil health metrics varied between sampling years. Our results suggest that grazing(two out of the three years) following fire is unlikely to negatively affect many indicators of soil health of ponderosa pine savannas in the northern Great Plains. The increased organic matter observed by resting did not have an appreciable impact on the other soil health metrics. These findings suggest that soil health indicators are relatively resilient to grazing after wildfire and have implications for grazing policy post-fire.Item Effect of boron on alfalfa yield and quality at various water regimes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2018) Sapkota, Anish; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Emily Meccage; Emily C. Meccage, Robert N. Stougaard, John P. Tanner, Danielle M. Peterson and Jessica A. Torrion were co-authors of the article, 'Boron fertilization of irrigated alfalfa in Montana' in the journal 'Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management' which is contained within this thesis.; Emily C. Meccage, Robert N. Stougaard, Breno Bicego and Jessica A. Torrion were co-authors of the article, 'Alfalfa response to boron application at various water regimes' submitted to the journal 'Agronomy Journal' which is contained within this thesis.Boron (B) application on B-deficient soil may improve alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield and quality. The objective of the first study was to identify the effects of foliar-applied B on yield and forage quality of irrigated alfalfa. A two-year study was conducted in 2015/16 at Creston and Dillon, MT. The initial soil B at the Creston and Dillon sites was 0.2 and 0.8 mg kg -1, respectively. The study was designed as a randomized complete block design with four replications of five B rates: 1) 0, split-applications of 2) 0.56, 3) 1.12, 4) 2.24, and a one-time application of 5) 2.24 kg ha -1. Boron fertilization increased (P <0.05) plant B content at both locations. Application of B increased (P < 0.05) alfalfa yield only in the second cutting in 2015 at Dillon, but the influence of B was not observed in any other cuttings, nor in the total yields for either years or location. Forage quality was not affected (P >0.05) by B application. The results of this study suggested no effect of foliar-applied B on alfalfa yield or quality. The objective of the second study was to determine the effect of foliar-applied B at various water regimes on alfalfa yield and quality. The study was conducted in 2016-17 at Creston, MT. Soil at this site contained 0.2 mg B kg -1. The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with three rates of water regimes as main-plot and five B rates as sub-plot factors. The three water regimes were rainfed, 100 percent evapotranspiration (ET), and 50ET. Boron rates and timing of application was the same as in the first study. Irrigation increased total alfalfa yield by 45% and 12% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, with no yield difference between 100ET and 50ET. In 2016, irrigation decreased (P <0.01) forage nutrient quality in the second cutting but had no effect in 2017. There was no effect of B on yield (P >0.08) for either year. Overall, this study suggested that the foliar-applied B on a B-deficient soil did not increase alfalfa yield or quality, regardless of water regime, or year.Item Short-term changes in vegetation and soil in response to a bulldozed fireline in northern great plains grasslands(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2015) Tulganyam, Samdanjigmed; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Craig Carr; Craig A. Carr was a co-author of the article, 'Short-term vegetation response to bulldozed fireline in northern great plains grasslands' submitted to the journal 'Northwest science' which is contained within this thesis.; Craig A. Carr was a co-author of the article, 'Short-term soil response to bulldozed fireline in northern great plains grasslands' submitted to the journal 'Northwest science' which is contained within this thesis.The objectives of this study was to quantify the ecological cost of bulldozed fireline in comparison to burned and unburned sites and draw a management implications for ranchers and land owners. Vegetation cover and abundance were determined with biomass clipping and line point intercept method as separate functional groups across the bladed, burned, and unburned sites in two locations, north central and south west Montana for two years. Study area encompassed idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass dominated north facing slope in Redbluff and rough fescue and bluebunch dominated grassland in Havre. After quantifying vegetation responses, top soil horizon depth, bulk density, aggregate stability and runoff and sediment yield were determined to quantify soil response to bulldozed fireline. In general, burned site did not differ from unburned site particularly by the second year after the fire. In other words fire was not detrimental to the rangeland condition. Whereas bulldozed fireline altered primary ecological processes, particularly nutrient cycle and hydrologic functioning, by mechanically removing native plant species, creating exposed bare ground which was susceptible to soil erosion and invasion of competitive non-natives.Item Development and testing of a modified ground sediment trap(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1985) Bush, Leslie CarolItem Temperature, light, and soil effects on the establishment of Bebb's willow (Salix bebbiana)(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1989) Atchley, Jennifer LauraItem Sprinkler system installation and monitoring of plant microclimate(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1978) Oellermann, Douglas JohnItem Modeling variations in soil moisture and crop yield for an irrigated alfalfa field in southwestern Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1986) Harelson, Daniel Bishop