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Maize Seeders for the Developing World and Alternative Fertilizers in the United States

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Maize Seeders for the Developing World and Alternative Fertilizers in the United States University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 5-2016 Opportunities in Sustainability: Maize Seeders for the Developing World and Alternative Fertilizers in the United States Rebecca Mattingly Harman University of Tennessee - Knoxville, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Agricultural Economics Commons, Biosecurity Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Soil Science Commons, and the Sustainability Commons Recommended Citation Harman, Rebecca Mattingly, "Opportunities in Sustainability: Maize Seeders for the Developing World and Alternative Fertilizers in the United States. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2016. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/3743 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Rebecca Mattingly Harman entitled "Opportunities in Sustainability: Maize Seeders for the Developing World and Alternative Fertilizers in the United States." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Environmental and Soil Sciences. Neal Eash, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: John Morrison, Dayton Lambert, William Hart Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Opportunities in Sustainability: Maize Seeders for the Developing World and Alternative Fertilizers in the United States A Thesis Presented for the Master of Science Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Rebecca Mattingly Harman May 2016 Copyright © 2016 by Rebecca Mattingly Harman. All rights reserved. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my advisor, Dr. Neal Eash, my Virgil through science, I am indebted to you for your direction, support and encouragement. It is because of you I am a soil scientist. To my distinguished committee, your insights and time are most appreciated; this thesis was only possible with your expertise. To my colleagues, Casey Sullivan and Deb O’Dell, my thanks could not be extended to two more brilliant and supportive colleagues and friends. You have motivated me to press on, complemented my shortcomings and been my backbone throughout this research. Special thanks to John Goddard, an enormous support in the field and in writing; your involvement has made smooth many rough waters. To my husband, David and daughter, Augusta Jo, my gratitude knows no bounds. This research is the fruit of your love and support. Lastly, a particular and far-reaching thank you to Claude and the many Haitian farmers who put me on the path of soils. This research is for you. iii ABSTRACT Sustainable agricultural systems are needed for both large and small-scale farmers the world over. Central to the sustainability of these systems is the availability of cheap and effective seeders for smallholder farmers and effective utilization of less energy intensive nitrogen sources. In the first two chapters, this thesis considers maize seeders for smallholder use in a Conservation Agriculture system. To sustain the smallholder sector, soil fertility and soil erosion must be addressed and a Conservation Agriculture model seeks to improve soil conditions in agriculture. The technologies available to smallholder farmers, though, need to be tested in a no- till system before being promoted abroad, especially with cash-poor smallholder farmers. In the third chapter, this thesis considers a low energy intensive nitrogen-rich soil amendment in the production of fescue in the US that could decrease fertilizer costs of the farmer and repurpose an industrial fermentation by-product, thereby achieving a sustainable system between industry and farmer. However different in scale, American farmers and smallholders farmers are seeking the most effective, efficient and sustainable system while also increasing yields within the same area. Exploration of alternative nitrogen sources and improved seeding practice in this thesis seeks to highlight contemporary and realistic opportunities in sustainability. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 Degrees of Mechanization: Hand Seeders for Use in Corn and Soybean Residue in Conservation Agriculture Systems ..................................................................................................9 1.0 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 10 1.0 Keywords ............................................................................................................................ 10 3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 10 4.0 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................ 14 4.1 Hand Seeder Descriptions ............................................................................................... 14 4.2 Site Description ............................................................................................................... 21 4.4 Methods of Data Collection ............................................................................................ 22 4.5 Statistical Analyses ......................................................................................................... 29 5.0 Results ................................................................................................................................. 29 5.1 Corn Residue Results: Crop Growth, Development and Yield ...................................... 32 5.2 Soybean Residue Results: Crop Growth, Development and Yield ................................ 35 6.0 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 40 7.0 References ........................................................................................................................... 44 8.0 Appendix ............................................................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 2 Not by Yield Alone: An Economic and Qualitative Assessment of Hand Seeders for the Developing World ..............................................................................................................60 1.0 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 61 2.0 Keywords ............................................................................................................................ 61 3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 61 4.0 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................ 66 4.1 Hand Seeders Descriptions ............................................................................................. 66 4.2 Site Description ............................................................................................................... 68 4.4 Economic Data collection Methods ................................................................................ 70 4.5 Qualitative Research Methods ........................................................................................ 71 5.0 Results ................................................................................................................................. 73 5.1 Soil characteristics and residue surface cover ................................................................ 73 5.3 Qualitative Assessment Results ...................................................................................... 81 v 6.0 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 82 7.0 References ........................................................................................................................... 86 CHAPTER 3 Alternative Fertilizer for Local Fescue Farmers: the Use of Spent Biomass on an Emory Silt Loam ............................................................................................................................91 1.0 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 92 2.0 Keywords ............................................................................................................................ 92 3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 92 4.0 Materials and Methods .......................................................................................................
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