Keeping American Agriculture Competitive
...While Ending World Hunger

Helping Americans and our Neighbors Prosper

Animal Research

  Meat goat marketing: economic evaluation of channels and strategies to promote the industry
  Evaluation of sire breeds and heterosis levels for growth rates in meat goat kids

  Introducing commercial meat goat production to minority farmers in Tennessee and Alabama
  Effect of crossbreeding on doe reproductive output in straightbred meat goat does

  A genomic and proteomic search for segregating adipose genes in broilers

  Improving growth, quality of products and production performance of poultry

Plant Research

  A molecular model for tolerance to toxic metal ions in plants

  Characterization of root proteomes for drought and salt tolerance in wild tomato species

  Mitigating the effect of plant disease through an understanding of bacterial soft rot

  Genetic characterization of upland cotton chromosome substitution lines using multiple molecular markers

  Developing pigeonpea as a viable cash crop on small farms through research and outreach 

Water Quality Research

  Water smart: watershed academy for county agents in Tennessee
  Assessment of surface water quality for watershed decision making in nursery crop production

Education and Outreach Research

  Strengthening agricultural & environmental education at Tennessee State University: student experiential training in
  investigations

  Development and implementation of an environmental sciences baccalaureate academic concentration at Tennessee State
  University

  Training in information technologies to enhance agricultural instruction, research and outreach

  Outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in Tennessee

  Building capacity in graduate agricultural and extension education: curriculum and instructional delivery through integration
  of technology

  Forestry Extension education in for Tennessee’s non-industrial private forest landowners

  Internationalizing agricultural programs at TSU and promoting trade in value-added products: collaboration with an Indian
  institution

  Survival strategies for small and minority farms through educational and outreach

 

 

Meat goat marketing: economic evaluation of channels and strategies to promote the industry
Dr. E. Ekanem, Dr. S. Singh, Dr. F. Tegegne, Dr. R. Browning
Due to increasing demand for meat goat in the United States, consumption has increased significantly. Although domestic production has increased, there is still a shortage in available meat goats. Consequently, the meat goat industry has become very important in the last two decades. This research analyzes the meat goat industry in Tennessee. Six objectives focusing on supply, demand, marketing and growth of the industry are addressed using primary and secondary data. Results generated from the project provide information that benefits meat goat producers in Tennessee. Additionally, marketing information will be used to foster increasing awareness among traditional Americans of the health aspects associated with goat meat. Also addressed in this research are strategies for increasing incomes on small farms by adding goat meat as an enterprise. Outcomes benefit both producers and consumers.

Evaluation of sire breeds and heterosis levels for growth rates in meat goat kids
Dr. R. Browning
Meat goat production in the United States is an emerging industry with two new breeds to consider: the Boer from semi-arid South Africa and the Kiko from humid New Zealand. The traditional meat goat in the US is the Spanish, from semi-arid southwestern Texas. Breed evaluation for performance in the southeastern US has received little research attention. The scarcity of heterosis (hybrid vigor) values from crossbreeding for meat goat performance and infrequent on-farm performance testing for weight gain in meat goat herds are also industry deficiencies. This research examines the progeny of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish bucks to determine if they differ in growth rates and fitness (health) under southeastern conditions. Heterosis values among various breed crosses will be generated and an outreach program to stimulate on-farm performance testing will be conducted. Information from this research will help producers make better genetic management decisions in their breeding herds and enhance herd productivity.

Introducing commercial meat goat production to minority farmers in Tennessee and Alabama
 Dr. R. Browning
Demand for goat meat (chevon, cabritto) is rising in the U.S. because of increasing ethnic diversity. Demand continues to exceed domestic supply for goat meat in the United States as over 50% of demand is filled by imported product. In Tennessee, there is no formal network of minority producers. Opportunities exist for these minority operations to produce some of the chevon that is currently imported.
A recent analysis suggests that 100 to 150 does (female goats) is sufficient for a sustainable meat goat enterprise. This can easily be accomplished on 30-50 acres. Numerous meat goat producer workshops have been conducted jointly by Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M University where producers have received technical assistance in various phases of management. Unfortunately, minority producers are usually not in attendance at these publicized educational events. Similarly, the State of Tennessee has a farm cost-sharing program that has experienced low minority participation. A workshop series will be developed and conducted with a special emphasis on minority farmer recruitment in Tennessee and Alabama. These will be one- or two-day sessions that cover meat goat enterprise start-up, management techniques and marketing options. In addition to an introduction to the meat goat industry and technical assistance in meat goat production, workshops will also highlight various sources of funds for start-up or enhancement of operations and grant-writing requirements. Minority producers can benefit from being introduced to each other and sharing experiences at an educational forum such as the series proposed here. Many of the funding and networking benefits offered through this project extend beyond goat production and should attract a diverse group of minority producer interests.

Effect of crossbreeding on doe reproductive output in straightbred meat goat does
Dr. R. Browning
Many new producers in the meat goat industry have experienced problems maintaining healthy and productive does because of poor genetic-environmental combinations. The course of action taken by producers has often been to increase management inputs to the point that the chance for profit is low. Additionally, does unable to remain healthy and productive will have poor reproductive output and short herd stays. Increased management inputs and early doe exits from the herd are both costly, as is the acquisition of replacements that may also suffer from poor fitness. It would be of benefit to producers to maintain a viable herd of mature does that do not require an intensive, resource-demanding management scheme. Previous research in this laboratory has generated novel observations indicating that significant differences exist between breeds for reproductive performance in meat goat does. As in other livestock classes, some breeds may be more suited as sire breeds, maternal breeds, or may show acceptable levels of performance on both sides. This research provides information on how genetic resources can be used to overcome environmental constraints to efficient meat goat production in the Southeast through a better understanding of genotype differences for doe fitness. As evidenced by the lack of meat goat genetics research, the meat goat industry is an underserved segment of agricultural community in Tennessee and the Southeast, including expressed outreach inadequacies in many southeastern states. This research also provides basic information on objective breed assessment for informed breed selection in herd genetic management.

A genomic and proteomic search for segregating adipose genes in broilers
Dr. X. Wang, Dr. S. Nahashon ,Dr. F. C. Chen
In the last several years, meat produced by poultry industry has exceeded the pound amount produced by the swine industry. American per capita consumption of poultry products remained constant while foreign exports have increased markedly. Critical to the successful expansion has been the competitiveness of the poultry industry. Continued sustainable expansion depends on further genetic improvement of the birds, sound management, and quality of feed. However, extensive genetic selection for rapid growth and feed conversion has led to increased fat accumulation in broilers. To prevent value loss, genetic manipulation of animals for reduced adiposity has attractions to industry and basic research. This project addresses the lack of knowledge about the segregating genes that govern chicken adipose tissue accretion. Genes identified in this project may be applied in marker assisted selection for reduced adiposity in broiler chickens. The project will test the hypothesis that segregating adiposity genes regulate tissue gene expression, causing differences in mRNA and protein profiles between extreme fat and extreme lean birds of similar weight. Discovery of the differentially expressed genes will facilitate the refinement of fat quantitative trait mapping. In addition, 2-3 graduate students will be trained such that they will have core competitiveness using genomics approach for a career in animal and plant sciences fields. A genomics course for graduate students (BIOL5420) will be developed using materials obtained through this project.

Improving growth, quality of products and production performance of poultry
Dr. S. Nahashon
The objective of this research is to enhance the adoption, production efficiency, and profitability of the guinea fowl as alternative poultry for small scale and limited resource farmers in Tennessee.  The required amount of nutrients for optimum performance of the guinea fowl will be determined.  Dose response experiments with varying dietary levels of each individual nutrient will be conducted with both French and Pearl Grey guinea fowl from hatch to ten and from hatch to 16 weeks of age, respectively.  The optimum levels of these nutrients are determined by growth performance and carcass characteristics of the experimental birds.  A cDNA library of the liver of guinea fowl will also be constructed and screened in an effort to increase genetic resource information to facilitate the identification of economically important genes and mapping the guinea fowl genome as well as other avian species.  Findings from this research will be published in the Journal of Poultry Science and optimum levels of these nutrients will be recommended to guinea fowl producers.

A molecular model for tolerance to toxic metal ions in plants
 Dr. R. Sauve, Dr. S. Zhou, Dr. J. Stewart, Dr. T. Thannhauser, Dr. L. Mueller
Studies on ion accumulation and proteome changes in roots, seeds and fruits of tolerant transgenic plants provide us with an understanding of the underlying mechanism for such tolerance and for the suitability of using these plants for tomato production. This research develops plants and technology that will be used to improve crop productivity in soils contaminated with toxic ions. It provides new genetic materials and molecular tools for the protection of natural resources, and improvement of food security in the nation. Outputs and products of the project provide the molecular tools to produce healthy crops in soil contaminated with toxic metal ions. This project establishes the foundation to build a Biotechnology Natural Resources Program, a main goal of the School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at Tennessee State University.

Characterization of root proteomes for drought and salt tolerance in wild tomato species
 Dr. S. Zhou, Dr. R. Sauve, Dr. T. Thannhauser
The goals and objectives of this project are to select cultivars that use water efficiently and grow well in saline soil. From these cultivars, we will identify genes that conveys the ability to tolerate water stress. For sustainable agricultural production of food crops in the world, it is essential to develop cultivars that can be grown in saline soils.

Mitigating the effect of plant disease through an understanding of bacterial soft rot
Dr. C. Dumenyo
Plant diseases cost the US economy billions of dollars annually in lost yield, disease control, and degradation to our environment due to the use of chemical control agents. Blackleg and soft rot are seed-borne diseases of many annual crops caused by the soft rot bacteria. The key to controlling this disease complex could lie in our understanding of how the pathogen interacts with the host. However, we do not fully understand how the pathogen invades the host and the function of many bacterial genes. The goal in this project is to dissect into the pathogenesis of soft rot disease using Pectobacterium (formally soft rot Erwinia) species to identify the bacterial genes whose expression is important for pathogenesis in the host, and to further study how these bacteria respond to the different environmental conditions in which the bacterium finds itself during the disease cycle. Specifically, this research addresses the interaction of the pathogen with the host, induction of pathogen gene expression by signals from the host, assigning functions to the pathogen genes, and investigation into the chemical nature of the host-produced pathogen virulence inducer. The research will increase our understanding of not only the biological role of genes in the sequenced genome of important plant pathogens but also how these genes are used to sense the presence of a host in the vicinity of the pathogen. Additionally, the research will contribute to narrow the ever-widening gap between the available pathogen gene sequences and known functions for those genes. The findings from this research will give us the information we need to possibly start on the path of manipulating the hosts to make them less susceptible to this deadly group of pathogens.

Genetic characterization of upland cotton chromosome substitution lines using multiple molecular markers
Dr. A. N. Aziz
Upland cotton (G. hirsutum) and Pima cotton (G. barbadense) are very important crops to the American cotton industry.  Upland cotton is cultivated widely for textile fibers, ruminant feed, and high yields.  Pima cotton is preferred by the textile industry due to the exceptional fiber length, strength, and fineness.  Breeding lines of Upland cotton have been created by deleting some Upland genetic material and replacing it with genetic material from Pima cotton.  However, such chromosomal substitutions procedures result in unwanted genetic alterations and elimination of desirable genetic characters.  Better understanding of genes associated with pollen development is needed in order to achieve fertile genetic crosses using cotton lines described above.  This research uses innovative molecular marker analyses on individual pollen grains from the above-mentioned cotton lines.  After standardizing the markers, the pollen grains are to be isolated individually to release DNA/RNA and enhance the very limited quantity of the genetic material.  The pollen approach will make it possible to address the issue of limited availability of genetically useful markers in Upland cotton since the markers that are not usable for genetic studies due to duplicated form in vegetative tissue will segregate in pollen grains.  The genetic data produced will also substantiate the existing molecular markers mapped and/or unmapped on cotton chromosomes.  In general, the results from such study will be very valuable to cotton breeding community in Tennessee, Southern Region and the Nation.

Developing pigeonpea as a viable cash crop on small farms through research and outreach
Dr. F. Tegegne, Dr. E. Ekanem, Dr. S. Singh, Dr. R. Bullock, Dr. D. Duseja, Dr. K. Sanford, F. Stribling, C. Robbins, Dr. H. Bhardwaj, Dr. R. Mentreddy
This three-year integrated multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional project, based on a pilot study, is aimed at introducing pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp), a warm season grain legume, to small farmers. Tennessee State University is the lead institution and Alabama A&M and Virginia State Universities are partners. The Agricultural Research Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Services are USDA cooperators. Pigeon pea is a warm season grain legume that has potential as an alternative crop for small farmers in the Southeastern region of the United States. Objectives: 1) to evaluate a wide range of pigeonpea breeding lines for adaptation and agronomic traits desirable for production as food and forage crop, 2) to assess acceptance of the crop by small producers and fill knowledge gap about it, 3) to conduct economic analysis of pigeonpea production and identify markets and marketing strategies, 4) to disseminate information about adaptability, production practices, marketing and nutritional aspects of pigeonpea using web sites, fact sheets, and field days, and 5) to strengthen collaboration among teaching, research and extension faculty and provide student experiential learning. Field trials will be conducted on research stations and selected farms.

Water smart: watershed academy for county agents in Tennessee
Dr. S. Dennis
Increasing landowners’ awareness of the impact that chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers from farming, gardening, lawn care, and pest management have on watersheds will influence their views on environmental stewardship. Traditionally, these end-users call on extension agents for information on the use of the chemical inputs. We propose to have training workshops and webinars to train 1890 extension agents and provide them with information to keep the public informed about watershed management issues. These agents will not only serve as train-the-trainers but also serve as the clearing house for information pertaining to water resources. The agents will serve as information conduits to farmers, landowners and homeowners on how to optimize the use and management of natural resources. The objectives of the project are 1) to develop or adapt educational modules germane to surface and ground water resources for extension agents and; 2) train county agents on watershed processes. The anticipated impact is to provide learning opportunities to 1890 extension agents that will result in: 1) reduction of environmental pollution and, hence reduction of water quality degradation; 2) communication of technical issues on pollution abatement strategies; 3) provide local expertise and facilitation to watershed associations and stakeholders addressing water resource issues and 4) dialogue with decision makers in improving land use in rural and urbanizing watersheds.

Assessment of surface water quality for watershed decision making in nursery crop production
Dr. S. Dennis
During storm events, large volume of sediments can be added to streams from surface runoff, especially in areas where the landscape has been disturbed. Plowing, liming and fertilization of nursery fields can result in the runoff of tons of soil and essential crop nutrients. Phosphorus, metals, bacteria and many organics tend to adsorb to fine silt and clay. Fine silt and clay are some of components of sediments. Sediment is also a concern because it can inhibit sunlight penetration for aquatic plants. Subsequently, growers are not aware of the impact of their field management practices on water quality, especially when many nursery fields lack a nutrient management plan. Results from the study will be made available to growers at workshops and field days in efforts to enhance growers' decision making in fertilizer and lime application strategies. Additionally, the data collected will be used to define special emphasis watershed for specialty crops, with specific conservation and management techniques for field nursery production systems. The data collected will be developed for nutrient and sediment contaminants arising from a sub-watershed dominated by nursery crop production systems. Objectives of this project are: 1) assessment of in-stream sediments in two in-flow creeks of the Collins River as a function of land use; 2) monitor pertinent water quality of the creeks as a function of in-field nursery crop production and 3) conduct workshop(s) to educate growers on nutrient management and pertinent best management practices (BMPs) for field nursery crop production.

Strengthening agricultural & environmental education at Tennessee State University: student experiential training in investigations
Dr. E. Dzantor, Dr. K. Dumenyo
Members of African American and other major racial groups are underrepresented in agricultural and earth sciences. These low numbers are consistent with nationally declining trends in student enrollment in these fields. Some of this decline can be related to a nationwide drop in the workforce in traditional agriculture. However, a major reason is student’s low perceptions of agriculture in general. Recently, agricultural institutions have begun to restructure their curriculums to reflect current trends in agriculture, notably emerging agricultural biotechnology, policy, and other fields related to sustainability of natural resources. As an 1890 Institution, it is incumbent for Tennessee State University to follow this trend of curriculum enhancement to reflect new trends in agriculture education. This will allow recruitment, retention and graduation of minority students in agricultural and environmental sciences. This project aims at addressing the under representation of minority groups in agricultural and environmental sciences by recruiting students to conduct research in these fields using current and emerging approaches and techniques. The approaches and techniques will be used to demonstrate significance of the interactions and processes to agriculture and the environment. Knowledge and skills developed during this training will offer students newer career opportunities than they currently have in agricultural and environmental fields including applications in biosecurity issues.

Development and implementation of an environmental sciences baccalaureate academic concentration at Tennessee State University
Dr. D. Duseja
Demand for Environmental Science (ES) graduates, particularly African-Americans, is projected to escalate in the coming years. However, under-representation of African-American scientist in ES is increasing. To attract under-represented careers in ES, this program seeks to institute an Environmental Science academic concentration in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at TSU.


Training in information technologies to enhance agricultural instruction, research and outreach
Dr. S. Nahashon, Dr. C. Seay
The use of information technology in agricultural instruction, research and outreach has not received its due attention and is lacking in the School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU) and many other 1890 land grant universities.  The goal of this project is to train faculty and students at TSU and other 1890 land grant universities in information technology to enhance delivery of agricultural instruction, research and outreach. This training will have an immediate and future impact in instruction delivery, research, outreach, online courses offering and student recruitment and retention.

  Outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in Tennessee
Dr. Roy Bullock , Mr. Finus Stribling, Mr. Alvin Wade
Small farms are numerous and diverse. Census data indicate that over 90 % of the farms in Tennessee are considered Small Farms. They face many challenges with market distribution as the greatest challenge especially among limited resource and minority farmers. Data indicate that many marketing strategies have been tried with little to no success. Many of these failed market endeavors include: small farm cooperatives, direct marketing to grocery stores, roadside stands, and pick-your-own operations. The Tennessee Outreach and Assistance Program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers is designed to provide educational information and technical assistance to minority socially disadvantaged farmers. Seven Middle Tennessee counties (Bedford, Giles, Maury, Montgomery, Roberson, Stewart, and Sumner) benefit from this program
In the last five plus years with emphasis on healthy living through Extension Education and Leadership, many communities are focusing their food budget on buying locally grown foods sold at local farmers markets.
Due to the leadership provided by Tennessee State University Agricultural Extension Agents and Faculty in collaboration with The University of Tennessee Extension and other State, Federal and Local Agencies, small and limited resource farmers have now found a successful niche that works for them. At present, there are ten organized local farmers markets in the Tennessee counties for which Tennessee State University Agents and Agricultural Specialist provide educational support. Approximately 216 socially disadvantaged farmers benefit from this program support.

  Building capacity in graduate agricultural and extension education: curriculum and instructional delivery through integration of technology
Dr. S. Singh, Dr. John Ricketts, S. Comer, Dr. D. Pitchay, Dr. E. Ekanem, J. Hinsey
The project will restructure and deliver a graduate level curriculum in Agricultural and Extension Education, delivered via effective, efficient on-campus and distance methods designed to enhance opportunities for teachers and agricultural professionals. Studies have indicated a shortfall in the number of graduates trained as teachers and as agricultural workers for placement in public and private sectors. The shortage is more acute among minorities and women. This project is designed to contribute toward alleviating these problems. Tennessee State University will collaborate with USDA and the Tennessee Department of Education in carrying out the planned activities. These activities include evaluating, updating and restructuring agricultural education curriculum. The updated and restructured curriculum will be placed on-line using a web based distance education format and provide experiential learning opportunities to students and develop innovative strategies to increase enrollment of traditional and nontraditional students. The delivery of interactive learning anywhere, anytime would attract and benefit a large number of nontraditional students. This research will develop capacity at TSU to better train students and prepare them for future job opportunities, while faculty members will have opportunities for professional growth and development. The project will also help meet the work force diversity goals of various public and private sector organizations.

Forestry Extension education in for Tennessee’s non-industrial private forest landowners
Dr. S. Haile
Non-industrial private forests of less than 100 acres represent about half of all the forests in Tennessee. African Americans, females and other minority forest landowners often fall in this category of forest land holdings. The members of this group have not taken advantage of viable federal, state and local programs or services. Limited capital, uneven cash flow, and lack of forest management skills are prevalent problems that are faced by these landowners. This program strives to enhance the productivity and profitability of these underserved and limited resource landowners through extension educational programs on forests and forest products. The project has been conducting educational and outreach activities such as training workshops, demonstrations, fact sheets, and field days targeting these audiences. The education and outreach topic include improving forest profitability and product quality such as reducing erosion, wildlife habitat, aesthetic value, water quality and other non-timber high value products. The project is part of the nationwide Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA) Program.

Internationalizing agricultural programs at TSU and promoting trade in value-added products: collaboration with an Indian institution
Dr. S. Singh, Dr. E. Ekanem, S. Comer, Dr. F. Tegegne, Dr. L. Lighari
iIn a rapidly globalizing world, it is necessary to be competitive with producers from all over the world. It is however, increasingly recognized that the U.S. graduates are ill-prepared to interact and compete in the global marketplace. This project develops an integrated teaching, research, and extension approach to help the target audience of students, faculty and agribusiness entrepreneurs to gain experience, expertise and knowledge to live and work in a global economy.
The overarching objective of the project is to create a partnership between Tennessee State University and India's G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology that will serve as context to internationalize TSU'S curriculum, research, and extension and enhance the competitiveness of Tennessee and U.S. agricultural entrepreneurs in the global market place. The proposal seeks to produce graduates and the faculty who train them, with competence to function intelligently in global economy. The project will complement efforts being made at TSU towards increasing its capacity and enhancing quality and relevancy of agriculture programs to meet the needs of employers in the 21st century.

Survival strategies for small and minority farms through educational and outreach
Dr. F. Tegegne, Dr. F. Bullock, Dr. S. Singh, Dr. E. Ekanem, Dr. C. Chembezi
U.S. agriculture has been characterized by a shift toward fewer and larger farms. Small farms are diverse and fall in two broad categories: commercial and non-commercial. A recent study suggests that the number of small commercial farms has declined due to transition to the large farm category. In contrast, non-commercial small farms, which engage in off-farm employment, appear to increase in number.Small and minority farms have been facing a number of problems over the years in various areas ranging from production to the marketing of their products. A majority of minority-operated farms are small in size and have strong need for programs on survival strategies to strengthen their economic viability. The overall goal of this project is to introduce survival strategies through education and outreach to strengthen the safety net and increase profitability of small and minority-operated farms. Tennessee State University will collaborate with Alabama A&M Research Center for Small Farms, and USDA's National Small Farms Research and Extension Program. Focus group meetings of stakeholder will help to identify and prioritize some of key survival strategies for small and minority farms. Once identified, educational and outreach activities will be developed and delivered. Some of mediums to deliver programs include in-class and distance education; continuing education course; interactive website and use of educational and outreach demonstration farms. Small farm survival strategies will be introduced during local, regional and national conferences. The project results will generate information that can assist policy makers to design strategies for small and minority-operated farms.

 

 

 





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