Progress 02/15/14 to 02/14/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this effort was to train and prepare underserved minority Hispanic studentsto obtaingraduate level Master of Sciencedegrees in the plant and soilscience, and prepare them with the skills required to become future leaders and advocates for sustainable agriculture practices based on scientific knowledge. The original target was to serve a total of four Master's graduate students, however, by the end of the grant a total of seven Master of Science students were served by this project effort. Students were trained in various scientific disciplines with skills obtained in the areas of crop physiology, plant pathology, entomology, plant breeding and molecular biology. All seven students served were of Hispanic origin, where four students graduated and obtained Master of Science degrees in Plant and Soil Sciences from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, twoothergraduate students partially fundedby thisNNF grantare scheduled to graduate in May 2019, and another partially funding NNF student will graduate in a Aug 2020 with similar degrees. Student participants were encouraged to diversify their educational experience through collaboration with scientistsfromTexas A&M AgriLife Research Centers located in Corpus Christi and Weslaco, Texas. These collaborative efforts allowed for increased learning through research projects in differing cropping conditions in semiarid climatic conditions. Corpus Christ and Kingsville, Texas provides dry-land cropping knowledge, while Weslaco, Texas provides areas forirrigated cropland studies. Several students served the south Texas citrus industry by performing research pertinent to real concerns facing the industry, such as best management practices for new citrus plantings, water conservation practices, addressing citrus pathology and disease issues, and pest control measures and employment to combat citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing, HLB) that has devestated the Florida citrus industry and is spreading throughout groves in south Texas. Changes/Problems:The major challenge to this project was a change in PD early on after funding when Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar took a new position at another institution,that led toa new search for the replacement of that faculty member. Dr. Nelson assumed the PD role immediately and throughout the remaining years of the grant, and was able to work on recruiting students to the program and keep the program on track. The original PDis from Spain and one unique aspect of the grant was an international experience for the NNF graduate fellows to either Spain or Morocco. Dr. Nelson worked with the newly hired faculty member, Dr. Catherine Simpson, towards the final 2 years of the grant to ensure that the graduate NNF student were able to have this unique international experience and scientific exchange and training by many ofDr. Melgar'scolleagues in Spain. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four NNF graduate student fellows were able to travel and tour the agricultural semi-arid region of Spain for a two-week educational and professional development trip. During this trip the students presented their research to graduate doctoral students, post-docs and professors in Spain; and learn more about olive, citrus, and horticultural greenhouse and plasticultureproduction practices in that semi-arid climatic region. The research experience was coupled with experiential learning through professional meeting presentations, planning and working with citrus producers on thesis project studies, and enhancing their scientific writing skills through a graduate levelteam-taught scientific writing course taught by two Citrus Center Assistant Professors, Drs. Catherine Simpson and Dr. Veronica Ancona. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The majority of information provided by the NNF graduate fellow participants in this project dessiminated their research to the citrus growers through annual field days to specifically target citrus producers in the southern Texas region. In addition, graduate students provide an annual early Spring open house day to the community to educate them on their research findings, and educate home owners on how to better care for the dooryard citrus trees to assist them in disease management using sustainable vector control measures. Extension white paper publications were created by students and faculty engaged in these projects to better educate the community and grower-producers on their recommendations to improve plant health. Lastly, on a broader scienfic community scale, all graduate students presented their research results at the state, national and the majority at international level meetings and conferences. Many abstracts from these meetings have been published. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The goal of this project was to graduate four underservedminorityMaster of Sciences students with Soil and PlantSciencedegreesfrom Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The aim of the project was to educate, train and provide professional development skills in four major agricultural and plant science disciplines: plant physiology, plant pathology, biotechnology, and citrus entomology. The main thrust of the research projects and thesis performed by the graduate students focused primariliy onimproving citrus production in the semiarid climatic horticultural production region of south Texas. This project has exceeded the goal of training and graduating four M.S. students by providing full or partial financial support using USDA-NIFA National Need Fellowsfunds to graduate4 Hispanic students (1 male and3 female) byDecember 2018,with 2additional Hispanic femalestudentsto graduate in May 2019, and a partially fundedmaleHispanic graduate student with an anticipated graduation datein August 2020.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Saldana, Ruby. 2018. Development of Integrated Pest Management for Barnacle Scales in South Texas Citrus. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Graduation May 2018; Major Advisor: M. Setamou).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Duberney, Perla. 2017. Evaluation and Control of the Soil Borne Pathogens Phytophthora Nicotianne and Fusarium of Citrus in South Texas. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Graduation Aug 2017; Major Advisor: V. Ancona).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Gonzales, Julian. 2018. Sustainable Management Techniques to Improve Root Distribution and Turnover in Texas Citrus. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Graduation May 2018; Major Advisor: C. Simpson).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Rodriguez, Julissa. 2018. Sunburn in Citrus: Assessing Physiological Impacts and Mitigation Treatments. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Graduation Dec 2018; Major Advisor: C. Simpson).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Chavez, Sandy. 2019. Screening for Phytophthora nicotianae resistance of different citrus rootstocks and hybrids. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Graduation May 2019; Major Advisor: E. Louzada).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Garza, Blanca. 2019. Quantifying Citrus Tree Health and Disease Progression Using True Color UAS Images. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Graduation May 2019; Major Advisor: C. Simpson).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Garcia, Alvaro. 2020. Postemergence Weed Control in Acetolactate Synthase-Resistant (ALS) Grain Sorghum in South Texas. Thesis. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Expected Graduation Aug 2020; Major Advisor: G. Schuster).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fuentes, C., J. Enciso, S. D. Nelson, J. Anciso, M. S�tamou, and S. Elsayed-Farag. 2018. Yield production and water productivity under furrow and drip irrigation systems for watermelons in South Texas. Subtropical Agriculture and Environments 69: 1-7.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Nishikawa, F., E. Louzada, J. C. Melgar, M. Kunta, and M. S�tamou. 2017. Effects of planting bed and plastic mesh as ground cover on flowering citrus trees. Bulletin of the NARO Institute of Fruit Tree Science 1: 1-8.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kusakabe, A., Contreras-Barrag�n, B.A., Simpson, C.R., J. Enciso, Nelson, S.D., and Melgar, J.C. 2016. Partial rootzone drying reduces water use and maintains fruit yield and quality in citrus. Agricultural Water Management 178: 66-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168997
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Simpson, C.R., Melgar, J.C., Nelson, S.D., and Setamou, M. 20XX. Grapefruit tree growth and yield responses under different grove floor management strategies for water conservation. (Submitted to Agricultural Water Management)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Simpson, C.R., Gonzales III, J., Telagamsetty, S., Nelson, S.D., and Setamou, M. 2018. The effects of management practices on root dynamics of citrus. (In preparation)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Simpson, C.R., Gonzales III, J., Setamou, M., and Nelson, S.D. Citrus root production and fruit yield improves with raised bed and groundcovers. American Society of Horticultural Sciences annual meeting, Washington D.C. July 30-August 3, 2018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Garza, B.N., Ancona, V., Enciso, J., Perotto, H. and Simpson, C.R. Quantifying citrus tree health and disease progression using true color UAS images. American Society of Horticultural Sciences annual meeting, Washington D.C. July 30-August 3, 2018.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Rodriguez, J. Telagamsetty, S., Simpson, C. Sunburn in citrus: assessing physiological impacts and mitigation treatments. Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Conference, Monte Alto, TX. February 9, 2018. Subtrop Ag Environ J. Vol. 69.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Setamou, M., Simpson C.R., Alabi, O.J., Nelson, S.D., Telagamsetty, S., and Jifon, J. 2016. Quality Matters: Influences of citrus flush physiochemical characteristics on population dynamics of the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera:Liviidae). Published online Dec 28, 2016 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168997
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Saldana, R.A., Setamou, S. Development of integrated pest management for barnacle scale in South Texas citrus. Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Conference, Monte Alto, TX. February 9, 2018. Subtrop Ag Environ J. Vol. 69.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Rodriguez, J., Telagamsetty, S. and Simpson, C.R. Evaluating the effects of anti-transpirants and calcium sprays on sunburn in grapefruit. 2017. Research Presentations at the Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobioloogia de Sevilla (IRNAS), Sevilla, Spain. November 22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Saldana, R.A., Setamou, S. Development of integrated pest management for barnacle scale in South Texas citrus. Research Presentations at the Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobioloogia de Sevilla (IRNAS), Sevilla, Spain. November 22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Rodriguez, J., Telagamsetty, S., and Simpson, C.R. Effectiveness of anti-transpirant and calcium applications on grapefruit sunburn. Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX. November 2-3, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Simpson, C., Gonzales III, J., Ruppert, D., Setamou, M. and Nelson, S. Citrus root distribution and turnover as a result of different management practices. ASHS Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii. September 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Nelson, S.D., C.R. Simpson, J. Gonzalez III, S. Telagamsetty, and M. Setamou. 2017. Adoption of a New Orchard Planting Design as an Integrated On-Farm Management Approach Strategy to Improve Citrus Production in South Texas. ASHS Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii. September 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Telagamsetty, S., Setamou, M., Nelson, S., and Simpson, C.R. Improved irrigation and management practices for water conservation and plant growth in citrus. ASHS Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii. September 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Telagamsetty, S., Rodriguez, J., and Simpson, C. Effect of calcium and anti-transpirant sprays on grapefruit sunburn. ASHS Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii. September 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Nelson, S.D., C.R. Simpson, M. Setamou, B. Turner, J. Gonzales III, and S. Telagamsetty. 2017. Alternative on-farm orchard designs in citrus irrigation management that improve water savings for flood and drip irrigation systems. International Conference: Cutting-Edge Solutions to Wicked Water Problems. American Water Resources Association, Water Research Center-Tel Aviv University. Tel Aviv, Israel. Sept 10-11, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Louzada, E., Vazquez, O., Chavez, S., Park, J.-W., Vedasharan, P. and Kunta, M. 2017. Optimization of PCR for reliable detection of viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) in citrus and estimation of viable CLas in symptomatic grapefruit leaves of different developmental stages during summer and fall. International Research Conference on Huanglongbing, Orlando, FL. Mar. 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Chavez, S., Kunta, M., and Louzada, E. 2017. Screening for Phytophthora nicotianae resistance of different citrus rootstocks and hybrids. International Research Conference on Huanglongbing, Orlando, FL. Mar. 2017. Abstracts (J.Citrus Pathol.): https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2cr0f2kc
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Simpson, C.R., Telagamsetty, S., Gonzales, J., Nelson, S.D., Melgar, J.C. and Setamou, M. Partnerships to improve sustainable citrus production in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Southern Region ASHS Annual Conference, Mobile, AL. February 3-5, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Gonzales III, J., Nelson, Shad D., Ruppert, D., and Simpson, C. Evaluating Roots in South Texas Citrus. 54th Annual Soil Survey & Land Resource Workshop, College Station, TX. February 2-3, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Gonzales III, J., Telagamsetty, S., Nelson, S.D., Setamou, M., and Simpson, C.R. Evaluating Root Distribution on Different Management Techniques in Citrus. Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium, Prairie View, TX. November 3-4, 2016. 2nd place graduate poster.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vazquez, O.E., Chavez, S.E., Kunta, M. and Louzada, E.S. Development of a method for better quantification of viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria in citrus leaf midribs. Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium, Prairie View, TX. November 3-4, 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vazquez, O.E., Chavez, S., Kunta, M., and Louzada, E.S. Quantification of live and non-viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacterial titers in the lefa midrib tissue of HLB-infected Rio red grapefruit trees. 70th Annual Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society. Weslaco, TX. Feb 5, 2016. Subtrop Ag Environ J. Vol. 67.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Duberney, P., J. Hernandez, Ancona. V. Evaluation of soil conditioner OR079 for the optimization of metalaxyl in control of Phytophthora nicotianae in Texas citrus orchards. APS Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA. Aug. 1-5, 2015. Phytopathol. Vol. 106.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Vazquez, O., S. Chavez, M. Kunta, E. Braswell, M.L. Keremane, R.F. Lee, and E.S. Louzada. Distribution of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in roots of Sour orange rootstock grafted with Valencia Sweet orange in Texas. IV International Research Conference on Citrus HLB. Orlando, FL. Feb. 09-13, 2015.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Vazquez O, S. Chavez, M. Kunta, E. Braswell, M.L. Keremane, R.F. Lee, and E.S. Louzada. Development of efficient and early Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus detection methods in citrus . American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. Aug. 9-13, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Kunta, M., W. Li, J. V. da Gra�a, L. Levy, C. de La Garza, , C.C. Parra, M. Gonzalez, S. Chavez, E. S. Louzada and M. S�tamou. 2014. A multi-year search for Candidatus Liberibacter spp. in orange jasmine plants in Texas by field surveys and multi-loci PCR assays. American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. Aug. 9-13, 2014.
|
Progress 02/15/17 to 02/14/18
Outputs
Target Audience:This NNF project is designed to engage underrepresented Hispanic students into research related projects to develop the higher cognitive skills through experiential learning in science-oriented agricultural disciplines. From 2015-2017, four Hispanic graduate students, one male and three female, were selected for funding and provided a research PhD mentor to oversee their research thesis program. This program is reaching its current target audience, where graduate projects are in line with the needs of citrus growers in South Texas. Changes/Problems:Shad D. Nelson became the PD, replacing Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar who left the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center to take another job at Clemson University, South Carolina. Dr. Melgar is from Spain, and he was instrumental in helping to provide contact leads for us to line up professional contacts for students to have an international research tour experience in southern Spain in late November 2017. The change in the PD delayed the initial recruitment and acquisition of graduate scholars into this program at the beginning, but Dr. Nelson was able to replace Dr. Melgar's appointment with Dr. Catherine Simpson at the TAMUK Citrus Center. Dr. Shad Nelson moved from a 50% administration role into 100% administration position as the College Dean in May 2016 and has been providing academic guidance to all four NNF graduate student fellows in a graduate advising capacity. Dr. Catherine Simpson worked diligently in early 2017 to secure funding to support an international professional research oriented tour for our NNF fellows in Spain. Thus, Dr. Catherine Simpson not only replaced Dr. Melgar in his position at TAMUK Citrus Center, but also took upon herself to do much of the Co-PD roles to make this grant successful in Dr. Melgar's absence. The first two graduate students were brought on in June 2015 and placed under different faculty advisors at the Citrus Center. Two additional graduate students were selected in January 2016 and placed under other faculty advisors at the Citrus Center. Four different faculty at the TAMUK Citrus Center, Drs. Veronica Ancona (plant pathologist); Eliezer Louzada (plant breeding and molecular biologist); Catherine Simpson (plant physiology); and Mamoudou Setamou (entomologist), each supervised the thesis project of one NNF graduate student. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students have received professional development through the instruction of a 'scientific writing' working groups sponsored by two faculty, Drs. Veronica Ancona and Catherine Simpson, who are located at the TAMUK Citrus Center. In addition, a field and laboratory research skills training was provided by their faculty mentors and research assistants that guide a diversity of citrus related research projects at the Center. Students have been encouraged to present research results at professional meetings. Students are also expected to collaborate with other graduate student projects aside from their own work so that they can gain a greater understanding of research programs and skills beyond their own research discipline or area of focus. Graduate students have been trained in experimental design and use of statistical software (SAS) to analyze data. Four Citrus Center graduate students traveled with Drs. Shad Nelson and Catherine Simpson to Southern portion of Spain for two weeks as part of a professional development tour in November 2017. All four students presented their graduate research projects with faculty and graduate students located at research educational facilities in Seville, Spain. Then traveled to the University of Cordoba to learn about sustainable olive production in arid climatic conditions. Afterwards, the group traveled to Almeria and Murcia, Spain for education on greenhouse horticulture production with industry leaders. The end of the tour visited the Citrus research station in Valencia, Spain where multiple research presentations among faculty, scientists and students were shared with focus on discussion on how to continue collaborations between South Texas and Spain citrus industry researchers and students. This NNF funded international trip was an educational highlight for our NNF graduate students where they were able to experience first-hand a diversity of opportunities for them in the areas of water management, crop production, and food chain sustainability in international markets compared to that in the U.S. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results have been presented at professional meetings by all four NNF graduate students. Their research efforts have been presented at a various national-level professional conferences in poster and oral presentation formats in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas, and Washington DC. NNF graduate students presented their research results to faculty, graduate students and scientists located throughout southern Spain during an NNF funded international professional tour under the direction of two faculty mentors from Texas A&M University--Kingsville. Furthermore, NNF graduate student faculty mentors and advisors have helped to promote student's collaborative research project involvement during faculty led presentations. The collaborative project involve NNF students where they have gained additional research skills through involvement in projects other than their own thesis research projects. These collaborative efforts have acknowledged NNF graduate student involvement in presentations in countries such as Israel and Spain. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Remaining graduate students in the program will continue to finish writing and defending their thesis in order to graduate in 2018. Some graduate students will present their data at a regional meeting for the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments conference to be held in February 9, 2018 in Weslaco, Texas. We will select another MS and/or PhD graduate student in Spring 2018 semester to utilize the remaining funding to financially support another graduate student in 2018, thus allowing us to exceed the number of four graduate students supported with the same NNF level of funding provided within the timeline of the grant. We will be able to accomplish this due to Perla Duberney shorter time as a MS graduate students. We will utilize much of the remaining travel budget on faculty mentors and graduate students presenting student thesis research results at professional society meetings. Left over funds in travel lines will be transferred into student assistantship lines to enhance student funding support
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Four Master of Science (M.S.) graduate students were selected from a competitive process, where the applications of four potential graduate students were considered and found highly acceptable for entrance into Thesis track M.S. degree programs in the Plant and Soil Science located at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) Citrus Center in Weslaco, Texas. The selection committee included the PD and co-PDs of the project that considered: 1) student academic discipline, 2) academic performance, 3) career goals and research direction, and 4) socio-economic background and origin. A major accomplishment over the past year has been the full completion of one MS student, Ms. Perla Duberney, and three other (M.S.) graduate students on track to graduate in 2018. Three of which are anticipated to graduate in May 2018, Mr. Julian Gonzales III, Ms. Ruby Saldana, and Ms. Sandy Chavez. All four of the students selected are of Hispanic decent, and South Texas residents. Ruby Saldana completed a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree in the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville prior to entrance in the program. Whereas, the other three student completed a B.S. degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies at University of Texas-Pan American, in Edinburg, Texas prior to entrance into the M.S. program at TAMUK. Two M.S. students National Need Fellows (NNF) scholars, Ruby Saldana and Julian Gonzales III, started their graduate studies in June 2015, while Perla Duberney and Sandy Chavez entered the program as NNF scholars in January 2016. Perla Duberney started her research studies at the TAMUK Citrus Center when she was a senior going through her B.S. program, and was able to move quickly to graduation after entrance into the M.S. degree program at TAMUK. Julian Gonzales III passed his thesis qualifying exams in August 2017 and entered the labor force in the horticulture greenhouse industry and is finishing the final corrective changes to his thesis for graduation in May 2018. Original thesis research projects have been identified for all four NNF scholars: Perla Duberney. Aug 2017. Evaluation of Soil Borne Pathogens of Citrus in Texas and their Control. Thesis Area: Plant Pathology in Citrus. Chair: Veronica Ancona. Julian Gonzales III. May 2018. Citrus Management Strategies and Nutrient Application and their Effects on Plant Physiology and Fruit Quality and Yield. Thesis Area: Citrus Crop Physiology and Water Management. Chair: Catherine R. Simpson, Co-Chair: Shad D. Nelson. Ruby Saldana. May 2018. Development of Sustainable IPM for Citrus Barnacle Scale. Thesis Area: Citrus Entomology. Chair: Mamoudou Setamou. Co-Chair: Shad D. Nelson. Sandy Chavez. May 2018. Thesis Area: Molecular Biology in Citrus. Chair: Eliezer Louzada.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
C. Fuentes, Julian Gonzalez III, J. Enciso, S.D. Nelson, J. Anciso, and M. Setamou. Comparing Water Use Efficiency in South Texas Furrow and Drip Irrigated Watermelon. National NNF Project Directors conference. Washington, DC. August 26-27, 2015. (poster).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
C. Fuentes, J. Enciso, S.D. Nelson, J. Anciso, and M. Setamou. Irrigation scheduling: a water balance approach to improve water efficiency for South Texas horticultural crops. 2015 Annual American Society of Horticultural Science conference. August 3-6, 2015. New Orleans, LA. (poster).
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Perla Duberney. May 2017. Thesis: Evaluation of Soil Borne Pathogens of Citrus in Texas and their Control. Chair: Dr. Veronica Ancona.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Julian Gonzales III. May 2018. Thesis: Citrus Management Strategies and Nutrient Application and their Effects on Plant Physiology and Fruit Quality and Yield. Chair: Dr. Catherine R. Simpson.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ruby Saldana. May 2018. Thesis: Developing an Integrated Pest Management Program for Citrus Barnacle Scale in South Texas. Chair: Mamoudou Setamou.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
S.D. Nelson, C.R. Simpson, Julian Gonzalez III, S. Telagamsetty, and M. Setamou. Adoption of a New Orchard Planting Design as an Integrated On-Farm Management Approach Strategy to Improve Citrus Production in South Texas. American Society of Horticulture Science Annual Conference. Wiakoloa, HI. Sept 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
S.D. Nelson, C.R. Simpson, M. Setamou, B. Turner, Julian Gonzales III, and S. Telagamsetty. Alternative on-farm orchard designs in citrus irrigation management that improve water savings for flood and drip irrigation systems. 2017 International Conference: Cutting-Edge Solutions to Wicked Water Problems. American Water Resources Association, Water Research Center-Tel Aviv University. Tel Aviv, Israel. Sept 10-11, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
C. Simpson, Julian Gonzales III, D.E. Ruppert, M. Setamou, and S.D. Nelson. Citrus Root Distribution and Turnover as a Result of Different Orchard Management Practices. American Society of Horticulture Science Annual Conference. Wiakoloa, HI. Sept 19-22, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
C. Simpson, S.L. Telagamsetty, JuliaN Gonzales III, J.C. Melgar, S.D. Nelson and M. Setamou. Partnerships to Improve Sustainable Citrus Production in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Southern Region of American Society of Horticulture Science. Mobile, AL. Feb 1-3, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Julian Gonzales III, S. Telagamsetty, S.D. Nelson, M. Setamou, and C.R. Simpson. Impact of Nutrient Application on Plant Physiology and Asian Citrus Psyllid Populations.5. American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA. Aug 7-11, 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Perla Debernae, J.L. Hernandez, S.D. Nelson, and V. Ancona. Evaluation of Soil Conditioner ORO79 for the Optimization of Mefenoxam in Control of Phytopthora nicotianae. American Patholgical Society Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL. Aug 1-4, 2016.
|
Progress 02/15/16 to 02/14/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this grant is to serve and prepare an underserved Hispanic population of students in South Texas and prepare them with increased higher education knowledge and skills in the horticultural sciences. The project aims to educate and prepare four thesis oriented Master of Science students in the Plant and Soil Science graduate programin theTexas A&M University System. The four students have projects relating to improving the sustainability of subtropical citrus fruit production in semi-arid region of the United States. The students hope to couple this learning with an international experience in the country of Spain or Morocco to understand their citrus producing regions and challenges for sustainable crop production in a more arid climatic zone than South Texas. Changes/Problems:Challenge to come up with an appropriate time for an international experience for all NNF Fellows where it will fit into a time that will not majorly impact ongoing research. Funds for this international experience still need to be released. The person who originated this idea left Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center and is now employed in South Carolina. This has delayed the establishment of a good international experience and proposal for the releasing of these funds. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students have received specified training by their faculty mentors, visiting scientists, and research technicians at the Citrus Center. Furthermore, students have professional development opportunities during regional and national conference attendance and participation in said conference. The students have created a graduate level Horticultural Club located at the Citrus Center, where students focus on serving and educating the community of South Texas about the benefits of citrus and sustainable practices for agricultural production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?NNF Fellow graduate students have disseminated thier results to the agricultural community in South Texas, specifically focusing on how to preserve and improve the citrus regions in America. Students have also presented their research to the local community through field days and grower appreciation days hosted at the Citrus Center in Weslaco, TX. Final project results for the four NNF Fellows will not be ready for release until August 2017 when final thesis reports are completed. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?NNF Fellows will focus on presenting their research results at international meetings and to local stakeholders in Texas. We plan to establish a proposal for an international trip to Spain, which each NNF Fellow can gain international perspective of sustainable citrus production in another region of the world. Students will finish with all coursework related activities and focus on completing their research projects and write them into a published thesis and prepared the results for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals in their fields of study.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Four graduate students were selected as NNF Fellows with specific focus on increasing their expertise in sustainable horticultural production for a high value crop citrus that is grown primarily in the southern state regions of the United States. Each student has a different educational and scientific disciplinefocus with specific Master of Science thesis projects that improve students understanding of the citrus industry. The four major scientific discipline concentration areas focused uponby these four studentsare: plant physiology, plant pathology, plant molecular biology, and entomology. All four students collaborate together and present their research results to each other so that all four students gain understanding of each scientific disciplinetoforge strong interdisciplinary skills, coupled with intensiveeducation coursestaught by a mixture of professors in variousagriculturaldisciplines. Students have been able to work directly with stakeholders andcitrus growers, whereeach NNF Fellow has been able to present their research in poster format and through face-to-face discussionswith producers and industry leaders duringfield day eventslocated at theTexas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco, Texas.The students have been able to interact withvisiting scientists from China, Egypt and Algeria that have been located at the Citrus Centerand whohave come to work with faculty mentors and collaborate onthe graduate student'sthesis projects. In this respect, eachNNF Fellow has had an opportunity to discuss and find out more about the challenges and opportunities that citrus producers in international regions of the world are currently facing.Students that have presented theirresearchat professional society annual conferences have also discussed their work withpeople that come not only from the United States, but internationally as well.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
O. Vasquez, Sandy Chavez, M. Kunta, E.S. Louzada. 2016. Development of a method for better quantification of viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria in citrus leaf midribs. 70th Annual Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Meeting. Weslaco, TX. Feb. 5, 2016.
Julian Gonzales III, S.D. Nelson, M. Setamou, and C.R. Simpson. 2016. Impact of nutrient applications on plant physiology and Asian citrus psyllid populations. 70th Annual Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society. Weslaco, TX. Feb 5, 2016.
Perla Duberney, M.Setamou, , J.L Hernandez., and V. Ancona. 2016. Evaluation of soil adjuvant OR-079 with Metalaxyl for Phytophthora root rot control in citrus. 70th Annual Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Meeting Meeting. Feb. 5, 2016. Weslaco, TX.
O. Vasquez, Sandy Chavez, M. Kunta, E.S. Louzada. 2016. Quantification of viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria in citrus leaf midribs. Plant Biology. Austin, TX. July 9-13, 2016.
Julian Gonzales III, S. Telagamsetty, S.D. Nelson, M. Setamou, and C.R. Simpson. Impact of Nutrient Applications on Plant Physiology and Asian Citrus Psyllid Populations. ASHS Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. Aug. 7-12, 2016.
Julian Gonzales III, S. Telagamsetty, S.D. Nelson, M. Setamou, and C.R. Simpson. 2016. Evaluating Root Distribution on Different Management Techniques in Citrus. 4th Annual TAMUS AGEP Conference, Prairie View, TX. Nov. 3, 2016. (2nd Place Presentation)
O. Vasquez, Sandy Chavez, M. Kunta, E.S. Louzada. 2016. Quantification of viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria in citrus leaf midribs. Texas A&M University System 13th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium. Prairie View, TX. Nov. 3 4, 2016.
Julian Gonzales III, S. Telagamsetty, S.D. Nelson, M. Setamou, and C.R. Simpson. 2016. Evaluating Root Distribution on Different Management Techniques in Citrus. Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium, Prairie View, TX. Nov. 3-4, 2016.
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Progress 02/15/15 to 02/14/16
Outputs
Target Audience:This NNF project is designed to engage underrepresented Hispanic students into research related projects to develop the higher cognitive skills through experiential learning in science-oriented agricultural disciplines. During 2015, two Hispanic graduate students, one male and one female, were selected for funding and provided a research PhD mentor to oversee their research thesis program. This program is reaching its current target audience, where graduate projects are in line with the needs of citrus growers in South Texas. Changes/Problems:The orginal PD, Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar, left the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center to talk another job in Clemson University, South Carolina. Dr. Melgar is from Spain, and he was lining up the contacts in order to take students to Spain and/or Morocco for an international summer research experience. Dr. Shad D. Nelson became the project director in Dr. Melgar's place, which delayed the initial recruitment and acquisition of graduate scholars into this program. The first two graduate students were selected in Spring 2015 and placed onto graduate assistantships in summer 2015. Due to Dr. Melgar's departure, the placement and feasibility of taking students to Spain or Morocco has become more complicated considering that Dr. Melgar is not available to make the necessary contacts in these locations to set up international summer research projects in these countries. Dr. Nelson is exploring options in Spain, Morocco, and possibly other location where international opportunities can occur and the graduate are able to afford the travel expenses, especially since travel airfare, lodging and meal expenses are so costly in Spain. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students have received professional development through the instruction of a 'scientific writing' working groups sponsored by two faculty located at the Citrus Center, as well as field and laboratory research skills training by their faculty mentors, and research assistants that guide a diversity of research projects. Students have been encouraged to present research results at professional meetings. Students are also expected to collaborate with other graduate student projects aside from their own work so that they can gain a greater understanding of research programs and skills beyond their own research discipline or area of focus. Graduate students have been trained in experimental design and use of statistical software (SAS) to analyze data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results from the summer 2015 projects in collaboration with other graduates student's work have been presented at professional meetings. One student, Mr. Julian Gonzales, under the direction of Dr. Shad Nelson (PD), presented research results as a poster at the national program director's meeting in Washington, DC. C. Fuentes, J. Gonzalez, J. Enciso, S.D. Nelson, J. Anciso, and M. Setamou. Comparing Water Use Efficiency in South Texas Furrow and Drip Irrigated Watermelon. National NNF Project Director's conference in Washington, DC August 26-27, 2015. (poster). His collaborative research efforts with another graduate student, Corina Fuentes, was also presented at a national-level professional conference at the C. Fuentes, J. Enciso, S.D. Nelson, J. Anciso, and M. Setamou. Irrigation scheduling: a water balance approach to improve water efficiency for South Texas horticultural crops. 2015 Annual American Society of Horticultural Science conference in August 3-6 at New Orleans, LA. (poster). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Graduate students will continue to collect their first of two years data through August 2016. The students will present their data at a regional meeting for the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments conference to be held in February 2016 in Weslaco, Texas. International summer internship experience is being planned for the summer 2016, so that students can have interaction with international research performing research in similar disciplines. We will initiate funding to another graduate student in 2016, and start seeking for another NNF scholar to make sure to complete the funding expectation and timelines of the grant.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A major accomplishment over the past year has been the recruitment of two Master of Science (M.S.) graduate students to perform research at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, located in Weslaco, Texas. The two students were selected from a competitive process, where the applications of four potential graduate students were considered. The selection committee that included the PD and co-PDs of the project considered: 1) student academic discipline, 2) academic performance, 3) career goals and research direction, and 4) socio-economic background and origin. The two students selected were both of Hispanic decent, both Texas residents, one who had completed a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree in the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and the other having completed a B.S. degree in Biology and Environmental Studies at University of Texas-Pan American, in Edinburg, Texas in May 2015. The two M.S. students started their graduate studies in the summer of 2015 as National Need Fellows (NNF) scholars. Original thesis research projects have been identified for both NNF scholars, Mr. Julian Gonzales III, and Ruby Saldana: Julian Gonzales III. May 2017. Citrus Management Strategies and Nutrient Application and their Effects on Plant Physiology and Fruit Quality and Yield. Chair: Catherine R. Simpson, Co-Chair: Shad D. Nelson. Ruby Saldana. May 2017. Development of Sustainable IPM for Citrus Barnacle Scale. Chair: Mamoudou Setamou. Co-Chair: Shad D. Nelson.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
C. Fuentes, Julian Gonzalez, J. Enciso, S.D. Nelson, J. Anciso, and M. Setamou. Comparing Water Use Efficiency in South Texas Furrow and Drip Irrigated Watermelon. National NNF Project Directors conference in Washington, DC August 26-27, 2015. (poster).
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