Student Research Projects
Francisco Bazan
Efficacy of X-ray irradiation to sterilize Mexican Fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) in Sterile Insect Technique Program
I am currently an undergraduate student at South Texas College (STC), dual enrollment, pursuing my associates in computer science. I am also a senior at San Isidro High School. I am very thankful with the Empowering Future Agricultural Scientists (EFAS) program for giving the opportunity to do research at the Moore Field Airbase under the supervision of my mentors, Dr. Conway and Dr. Blackman in the project called “Efficacy of X-ray irradiation to sterilize Mexican Fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) in Sterile Insect technique program.” As part of the EFAS program I had the opportunity to learn a lot from my mentors working at the lab with “Mex Fly” and had the opportunity to present a poster at the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Conference on February 2020. My plans are to graduate from high school and STC in 2021 to then transfer to UTRGV and complete my bachelor's degree. I want to express my gratitude to the EFAS program and mentors for support future scientists like me.
Figure 1. Myself presenting at the Subtropical Agricultural and Environments Conference on February 2020.
Isaiah Jaramillo
Developing Sustainable Sweet Potato for South Texas: An Opportunity to Diversify Agricultural Production and Promote Soil Health
Bringing sweet potato to South Texas (So-TX), particularly the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), as a summer crop, offers the potential for profit while supporting food and nutritional security. The high nutritional value of the sweet potato and its capacity to thrive under a So-TX summer presents opportunity to augment grower earnings and diversify Texas’ specialty crop offerings. South Texas is located in a subtropical semi-arid climate due to its high temperatures and irregular precipitation; as a result of this, farmers opt to leave their fields fallow during the summer months, jeopardizing overall soil health (i.e., organic matter depletion, shutdown of soil biological activities, and particle losses through erosion). Thus, before committing acreage, farmers would benefit from tailoring crop and soil management towards maximum efficiency and sustainability. This research aims to (i) identify sweet potato varieties for the RGV with improved adaptability for our climate and soil conditions and (ii) identify the best fertilization practices that support both plant and soil health as well as efficient use of resources. We carried out a 150-day field trial testing organic and synthetic fertilizers on three sweet potato varieties (i.e., Bonita, Beauregard, and Vardaman). Soils were sampled every 30 days and agronomic performance was assessed at harvest. The trial implemented drip irrigation to minimize sodium build up and maximize water conservation. Following field trial, laboratory activities assessed soil available nutrients (N, P, K), moisture, pH, and salinity. We will present performance of each variety as well as the dynamic and use efficiency of each fertilization management identifying the best fertilization management and timing to meet the plants requirements, especially for sweet potato’s limiting nutrients such as P and K.
(11-3-19) Me assisting in the harvest of our first sweet potato crop.
Chelsey Faris (EFAS)
Potential expansion of the destructive invasive species C. cactorum in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
The 2020 College of Science Annual Research. Edinburg TX. November 20th, 2020. 1st place award in the Undergraduate Biology Student Poster Presentation
Bringing sweet potato to South Texas (So-TX), particularly the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), as a summer crop, offers the potential for profit while supporting food and nutritional security. The high nutritional value of the sweet potato and its capacity to thrive under a So-TX summer presents opportunity to augment grower earnings and diversify Texas’ specialty crop offerings. South Texas is located in a subtropical semi-arid climate due to its high temperatures and irregular precipitation; as a result of this, farmers opt to leave their fields fallow during the summer months, jeopardizing overall soil health (i.e., organic matter depletion, shutdown of soil biological activities, and particle losses through erosion). Thus, before committing acreage, farmers would benefit from tailoring crop and soil management towards maximum efficiency and sustainability. This research aims to (i) identify sweet potato varieties for the RGV with improved adaptability for our climate and soil conditions and (ii) identify the best fertilization practices that support both plant and soil health as well as efficient use of resources. We carried out a 150-day field trial testing organic and synthetic fertilizers on three sweet potato varieties (i.e., Bonita, Beauregard, and Vardaman). Soils were sampled every 30 days and agronomic performance was assessed at harvest. The trial implemented drip irrigation to minimize sodium build up and maximize water conservation. Following field trial, laboratory activities assessed soil available nutrients (N, P, K), moisture, pH, and salinity. We will present performance of each variety as well as the dynamic and use efficiency of each fertilization management identifying the best fertilization management and timing to meet the plants requirements, especially for sweet potato’s limiting nutrients such as P and K.
Figure 1. Collecting Moth Traps that are used to monitor the Cactus Moth species in Hidalgo and Cameron counties.
Figure 2. Changing out the old moth trap for a new moth trap.
Katrina Rivera
Empowering Future Agricultural Scientists (EFAS) Spring 2020 - Spring 2021
Katrina Rivera*, Orlando Nino. The effect of releasing Tamarixia radiata on trapping of adults Asian Citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri, in the Texas Commercial Citrus Industryn
I am currently a undergraduate student working on my bachelor’s in Biology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Currently working with Mr. Orlando Nino and TCPDMC on the ACP project in which I have been analyzing the data that has been collected from the years of 2017-2019 and have making sticky traps. I have been interested in working with citrus trees for many years and after working with Mr. Nino on the ACP project and learn more about this job. It has made me decided to continue my education with a focus on citrus tree and the diseases that affect them to help protect the industry that is very important for Texas Commercial Industry.
Natalie Salinas (EFAS)
Exploring Future Potential Expansion of Arid Conditions in the Texas-Mexico Trans-boundary Region
We are looking for current and future aridity index for the transboundary states of Texas, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Coahuila. The data was calculated to view how arid conditions could potentially expand in this already semiarid and subtropical region. Knowing the potential risks of arid land expansion and associated extreme weather events (e.g., extended drought) will help us to initiate informed strategies into coping with these climate changes at many levels. We Hypothesize that arid conditions will expand in the transboundary states of Texas, Tamaulipas,and Coahuila in the future. Using the geographic information system (GIS) and bioclimatic variables from the Worldclim database for three general circulation models (CM3, HadGEM,IPSL) at two emissions scenarios (RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5), we calculated the aridity index for our study area. Lang’s aridity index also known as Lang’s Rainfall factor is calculated through the formula P/T=AI where P is annual precipitation (bio_12) and T is annual mean temperature(bio_1). Similarly, De Martonne’s aridity index formula uses the same variables and isAI=P/(T+10). Using the raster calculator tool, we calculated Lang’s and DeMartonne’s aridity index for the present and future years of 2050 and 2070 for the three different general circulation models and two different climatic scenarios. Results show that arid conditions are predicted to expand in the future primarily in the western portion of our study area in the Texas and Coahuilastates. Given the outsized role that water (e.g., soil moisture) has on agriculture and ecosystem management (e.g., biodiversity conservation) in the study area, these results can help guide adaptive decision-making within this regional context.
Project(s):
Natalie Salinas*, Gisel Garza**, Jon Dale, and Teresa Patricia Feria Arroyo. Exploring Future
Potential Expansion of Arid Conditions in the Texas-Mexico Trans-boundary Region. Subtropical Agriculture & Environments Society 74th Annual Meeting. Weslaco TX.
February 7th, 2020. 2nd place award in the Undergraduate Student Poster Competition