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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #402397
Research Project: Experimentally Assessing and Modeling the Impact of Climate and Management on the Resiliency of Crop-Weed-Soil Agro-Ecosystems

Location: Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory

Title: On-field agroecosystem research experience: an undergraduate perspective

Author
item NDAYISHIMIYE, ELYSEE - University Of Nebraska
item DUSHIMEYESU, JAPHET - University Of Nebraska
item UKWISHAKA, YVON - University Of Nebraska
item RAY, CHITTARANJAN - University Of Nebraska
item Fleisher, David
item Timlin, Dennis
item Reddy, Vangimalla
item MALAKAR, ARINDAM - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/19/2024
Publication Date: 2/8/2024
Citation: Ndayishimiye, E., Dushimeyesu, J., Ukwishaka, Y., Ray, C., Fleisher, D.H., Timlin, D.J., Reddy, V., Malakar, A. 2024. On-field agroecosystem research experience: an undergraduate perspective. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education. 179(1):40-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-704X.2024.3401.x.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-704X.2024.3401.x

Interpretive Summary: Measurements of crop growth on farmer's fields are important to assist development of tools to assist growers to more efficiently manage their operations. On-farm sampling is time-consuming and labor intensive. Strict procedures are also required to ensure the data is of high quality. Training of undergraduate students to help obtain such samples is necessary to ensure quality and quantity of measurements, but also to provide experiential opportunities for the next generation of agricultural scientists. This study outlines the importance of appropriate site selection, decision making and critical thinking, and quality control procedures involved in acquiring this type of data. Soybean data collection is used as an example crop. The research benefits other scientists who require protocols for on-farm field data developing decision support tools, junior scientists and students who represent the future agronomists, and the needs of growers who will benefit from decision support tools being developed as part of these efforts.

Technical Abstract: Undergraduate students need to have fair chances to take part in on-farm research that address agricultural systems needs. The importance of undergraduate students participating in agricultural research is illustrated in this article. Undergraduate students acquired research experience by collecting destructive and non-destructive cropping system data on soybeans at multiple on-farm grower sites. Learning outcomes involved: 1. Identifying the current research problem and study site selection 2. Scientific decision-making during the field study 3. Development of critical thinking 4. Ensuring quality assurance and quality control through the use of technology during data collection Differences in performance between irrigated and non-irrigated soybeans were distinguished using non-destructive plant health indices and destructive sampling. These findings can help ensure quality control and assurance in future cropping system projects. Through the agroecosystem study, the importance of undergraduate research opportunities in developing the next generation of problem solvers was exhibited.